https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-01-05.pdf 656dc467723f00e519ee61b69f300c54 PDF Text Text rtings Public Library Local restauraritataiotiiice& that it's permanently closing See New 9-1-1 t er proposed for Mi dleville HHS basketball bested in overtime a second time See story on pa^e 8 See story page 9 story on page 3 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590501182949058195427 ***********CAR-RT LOT**C 003 C003 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings Ml 49058-1954 ANNER Thursdayffianuary 5, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 1 PRICE $1.50 New county board is seated, conducts first meeting of new year Jayson Bussa Editor Anew roster ofcounty board commission­ ers settled in at their respective seats at the dais on Tuesday morning for the first meeting ofthe new year. The meeting, which featured four new faces to the commission, addressed the vari­ ous housekeeping items required to start tackling the issues ofthe day in the county. This began with electing a chairperson and vice chairperson to lead the board. Ben Gei­ ger, who served as the chair for the last two years, is no longer in the mix, nor is Vivian Conner, who served as vice chair for the last two years. David Jackson, who is heading into his eighth year as a commissioner, received the nod for chairperson. He represents District 3, which includes Hope and Barry townships, in addition to the southern portion of Rutland Township. Commissioner Jon Smelker nominated Jackson for the position. Newcomer Mark Doster, who represents District 6 and was a member ofthe board decades ago, nominated himself to be considered for the chairperson role, as well. The board voted by secret ballot and Jackson won the position on a 7-1 vote. David Hatfield, who is new to the board of commissioners this year, but serves as the chairman ofthe Hastings city planning com­ mission, was the only commissioner nomi­ nated for the vice chajr role. Hatfield Occupies the seat, for District 8, which consists ofthe city ofHastings. This is a seat that was previously eliminated in a cost-saving measure but has now been rein- stated. As Hatfield campaigned for the seat, he said that he wanted to see better synergy and collaboration between the city of Hast­ ings and the rest ofthe county. “Dave comes with a lot of experience,” Jackson said of Hatfield. “I’ve worked with Dave on the economic development advisory board. He’s worked on planning and zoning. He’s been intimately connected to the city of Hastings....He seems to know this area espe­ cially. He’s well respected.” Commissioners also looked over the exist­ ing rules that govern the board and its meet­ ings, which were tweaked last year but remain untouched so far this year. But Doster hopes to change that. He floated a laundry list ofpotential rule changes, from changing the meeting time, eliminating one of the two public comment portions ofthe meet­ ing and reinstating per diem payments to commissioners to eliminating the prayer at the beginning ofmeetings. The latter prompted an outcry from some in the gallery. “In an effort to streamline the board (meet­ ings), I would like to see the convocation removed,” Doster said. “There are a number of reasons for that. One is the basic reason that I believe there should be a separation ofchurch and state and that should be implemented. It’s a concept of the founding fathers. It’s a con­ cept that the constitution was based on.” Because a majority of Doster’s suggestions were fairly profound changes, Jackson sug­ gested that they be listed as agenda items for • future meetings and subject to further discus- See FIRST MEETING, page 3 Barry Cdunty Clerk Ham Palmer stands before county commissioners on Tuesday morning as they raise their right hand to be sworn into office. (Phota by Jayson Bussa) Woman continues to mull potential plea dealin case of fatal Barry Township hit-and-run craash Greg Chandler StaffWriter Discussions are continuing on a possible plea deal for a Delton woman charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 21-year-old woman. Alexandra Marie Palmer, 32, has until Friday to decide whether to accept the plea offer from Barry County Assistant Prosecu­ tor Josh Carter, where Palmer would agree to enter a plea ofguilty to a charge of failure to stop at an accident causing death in the May 8, 2021 crash that killed Mica LeBeau of Delton. The prosecution would drop a sec­ ond charge offailure to stop at the scene ofa serious personal injury accident in exchange for the guilty plea. Palmer is scheduled to go on trial Jan. 23. At a pre-trial conference on Tuesday, it seemed that Palmer was not ready to accept the plea bargain. “The central issue does appear to be an issue of fault in connection with the initial accident,” Palmer’s attorney, Carol Jones Dwyer, told Judge Michael Schipper during the hearing. “Ms. Palmer is not prepared (to enter a plea), because it does not reflect her truth (of See PLEA DEAL, page 3 Preliminary plans were presented to the Hastings planning commission for a Whitewater Express Car Wash at 1105 W. State St., which is currently the site of the State Street Diner. Alexandra Palmer of Delton appeared via video from the Barry County Jail for a pre-trial discussion on a possible plea agreement on Tuesday. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: David Jackson earns nod as county board chairperson Jayson Bussa Editor David Jackson knows the fickle nature of politics. “I try to stay away from the politics and pushing myself into a position where some want you and some don’t want you,” Jackson said. “But this seemed to be the time that most people wanted me.” Without necessarily lobbying for the role, Jackson, who is entering his eighth year on the Barry County Board of Commissioners, was elected as chairperson for the board on Tuesday morning. He said that commissioners Jon Smelker and Catherine Getty approached him about See DAVID JACKSON, page 2 Newly-elected Barry County boqrd chair David Jackson speaks to fellow commissioners during Tuesday morning’s meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Plans proposed for State Street Diner to be sold , replaced by car wash Hunter McLaren StaffWriter West State Street could be losing State Street Diner and gaining another car wash. Preliminary plans were presented for a Whitewater Express Car Wash at 1105 W. State St. to the city’s planning commission on Tuesday night. State Street Diner would be razed to reconfigure the lot for the car wash. Whitewater operates 100 car washes nationwide, with 19 locations in Michigan. Erin McMachen, representing Detroit­ based firm Stonefield Engineering & Design, said Tuesday’s meeting was one of the final “due diligence” steps before the purchase agreement for the property could be finalized with the current owner. “Does your client (Whitewater) have a purchase agreement on the property yet?,” commission chair Dave Hatfield asked. “They do,” McMachen said. “They’re still on the due diligence. I think this meet­ ing is the last kind ofchecklist item ofthe due diligence, but they do have a purchase agreement.” Lee Campbell, owner of State Street Diner, was not present at the meeting and could not be reached for comment by press time on Wednesday afternoon. McMachen presented commissioners with preliminary plans for the car wash, with commissioners pointing out which areas of the site plan would need more attention before the full plans were drafted and submitted to the city. The car wash would have 24 stacked spaces for vehicles going through the site, with 16 spaces for vehicles using the site’s vacuum station. The site would utilize the State Street ingress and egress, with assur­ ances from the Michigan Department of Transportation that it would not be a detri­ ment to local traffic, McMachen said. The planning commission has slated a public hearing on the site plans for its Feb. 6 meeting, which will require the develop­ er to submit full plans to the city by Jan. 10. Hatfield said the purchase agreement for the property would also need to be finalized at that time. �Page 2 — Thursday, January 5, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Barry County babies crash New Years celebration NEWS BRIEFS Local group offers discussions on world affairs and global issues Anyone looking for interesting reading and discussion is invited to join the Great Decisions world affairs discussion program. Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The grass grass-­ roots, face-to-face model adopted by Great Decisions more than 50 years ago continues today, with tens of thousands of participants taking part in discussions nationwide aannually. y. Thep program g model involves reading g the Great Decisions Briefing g Book,, watching informative talks and meeting in a group to discuss the most critical globa issues feeing America today. The Hastings group is just one of nearly 20 groups in Michigan with hundreds more throughout the United States and across the world. The first meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 9 and all meetings (Feb. 14 through March 28) will be held on Tuesdays. The group will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. upstairs at the Hastings Public Library. Regular attendance is encouraged but not required. Depending on the year, the group varies in size from 12-20 people. A soft cover book, which provides background, relevant facts, present and future policy options and impartial analyses written by independent experts, is available for purchase. Attendees read the assigned article prior to each meeting to gain backgroimd information and prepare for discussion. Along with taking part in discussions, partici­ pants watch a video that provides more information on the week’s topic. Attendees choose how much they want to participate in terms ofpreparation and in-class dialogue. This year’s topics include energy geopolitics, war crimes, China and the U. S., eco eco-­ nomic warfare, politics in Latin America, global famine, Iran at a crossroads, and cli­ mate migration. Meetings are free; the only cost is for the soft-bound book. Further information on the local group, along with information on how to order the book, can be found by contacting Marge at 269-352-3602 or Carole, at 616-450-3164. Participants are asked to sign up by Jan. 17. Hastings Supper Club presents natural remedies seminar The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club is kicking off2023 with a presentation on how to prevent colds and flu through nature’s natural remedies and the eight laws of health, helping improve health one choice at a time. Simple yet powerfill remedies will be presented along with demonstrations at the Sunday, Jan. 8 meeting. Participants will learn how to make a cold/flu buster tea to strengthen immune sys­ tems, as well as sample the tea while hearing about the health and medicinal benefits I ofgarlic, lemons, onion and ginger, items already in the kitchens ofmany. Attendees will also learn about the powerful effects and use oforegano and eucalyp­ tus oils and explore studies from the NIH and National Library ofMedicine regarding COVID-19 and therapy with essential oils. The presentation will be led by Janice Cleary, a certified medical missionary and health ministry leader. “Education in health principles was never more needed than now... It demands the attention ofall who have at heart the well-being oftheir fellow men,” wrote Ellen G. White in “Ministry ofHealing.” Handouts and the “Ministry of Healing” book will be available. The program and materials are all free, but donations are welcome. The program will take place Sunday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Adventist Elementary School Community Hall at 888 Terry Lane. This service is supported by the Hastings ,vSV^hth-day AffvehtiSt'Chufchas a Health Ministry for members and the community. Registration and rqpre information dan be found by contacting Janice Cleary at Hhealthylivingsupperclub@gmail.com or 269-804-9959. Barry County Chamber celebrates member achievements The Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance is celebrating the start of2023 by honoring its members for their accomplishments in the past year. The chamber invites members to join them at Bay Pointe Woods on Gun Lake on Jan. 21 from 5 to 10:30 p.m. for its annual dinner and awards celebration. Award recognitions include the Brick Award in addition to Entrepreneur of the Year, the Chamber Community Impact Award, the Member Choice Award for Outstanding Customer Service, Chamber Champion, and the ROTH and ATHENA Awards. Attendees can arrive early to network with friends and stay late, dancing to the soundtrack provided by DJ Jon Anderson. Those interested in registering a table ofeight or more should contact kim@mibarry. com. Members that wish to be invoiced should contact the chamber directly. Cancellations must be received by Jan. 9, 2023. Refunds will not be granted for cancellations received after that date. This year’s dinner is titled “Surviving & Thriving in Barry County.” The suggested dress code is business casual or Survivor-themed gear. Sheriff’s office seeking training venues The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is looking for training venues for its Special Response Team and K9 Unit. Specifically, the sheriff’s office is looking to use vacant residential homes, large buildings or industrial facilities. . Anyone who owns or has access to a building meeting these criteria and is willing to give the sheriff’s office access for training should contact Sergeant Scott Waree at Sware@barrycounty.org. City of Hastings - Rutland Township Joint Planning Commission NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Henry Sylvan Frey pictured with his first-time parents, Middleville residents Michelle Frey and Jeremy Frey. Proud mother Jamie Chapman of Freeport poses with her new daughter. Jeremy and Michelle Frey had very little time to enjoy the New Year. They y had some parenting to do. The Middleville couple gave birth to their first child, Henry Sylvan Freyjust 52 secondss after midnight, making little Henry the first b baby bom at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital in the new year. Henry weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces and measured 21.5inches long. However, Henry*Wasn’t the only brand new Barry County resident to be bom while Jordyn Angeline Chapman was born at the University of Michigan Health-West at 3:05 a.m. on Jan. 1 to Jamie Chapman of Freeport. the confetti was still flying. The University of Michigan Health-West, a hospital located in Wyoming, announced that the first baby bom in its facility belonged to Jamie Chapman of Freeport. The baby, named Jordyn Angeline Chapman, was bom at 3:05 a.m. on Jan. 1, weighing in at 7 pounds and 15 ounces. Jordyn measured 20.5 inches in length. Henry Sylvan Frey gets some much deserved rest wearing a hat knit by Corewell Health Pennock Hospital volun­ teers. (Courtesy photos) Crafted Leaf Cannabis opens as second marijuana dispensary in Middleville Greg Chandler StaffWriter As owner ofMiddleville’s newest marijua­ na dispensary, Rob Puckett sees his role as an educator as much as a business owner. “When I decided I was going to do this, it was of utmost importance that we build something that would help shake offthe stig­ ma of the cannabis industry,” said Puckett, owner of Crafted •■Leaf Cannabis, which opened its doors Dec. 17 in the former Thor­ napple Floral building at 314 Arlington St. “Young, middle age, older age - there’s still a stigma across the board for the industry. This is no different man a liquor store. When used responsibly by (a person of) the appro­ priate age that the state allows, it’s no differ­ ent than the liquorr industry,” Puckett added. Crafted Leaf C anlabjs is the second dispensary to open in Middleville since the vil­ lage council voted/n AUgust 2021 to legalize marijuana-based businesses, joining The Botanical Company (BoCo), which opened in late October at 640 Arlington Ct. Step inside the shop, and you will see a comfortable waiting room with several books on a table that provide information about can­ nabis with titles like ‘fWeed All About It.” Several framed posters hang on the walls that depict marijuana’s medicinal properties and the use ofcannabis throughout human history. The room where product is sold is brightly lit. “We wanted the atmosphere to be very calming, educational - not overstimulate your senses, so that you can focus on what you’re in here to actually do,” Puckett said. A restaurant franchisee in the Grand Rap­ ids area, Puckett had made a bid for a mari­ juana license a little over a year ago when Middleville was going through the process of allocating its two available retail licenses. “This was something a buddy ofmine did in Grand Rapids,” Puckett said. “He opened a fantastic shop in GR. It really was inspiring watching him go through the process and do it. Once he did it, it really motivated me and we began this process.” The fact that Middleville had a limited number ofretail licenses for marijuana was a major reason Puckett looked at the village for setting up his business. “I looked into a lot ofother areas - Lowell, Cedar Springs, Saranac,” he said. “In this industry, the areas can saturate really fast. It’s bad for business for everybody.” “When I first started looking at Lowell, we looked at population counts versus licenses available. They were opening (new shops) weekly. They have more dispensaries than gas stations right now,” Puckett added. Puckett’s company was one of five appli­ cants for the two retail? licenses, but did not score high enough in the village’s scoring system to receive a license. Mitten Meds Rob Puckett, owner of Crafted Leaf Cannabis in Middleville, poses in his shop at 314 Arlington St., which opened Dec. 17. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Rob Puckett’s dispensary occupies the space insid the former Thornapple Floral building. It’s the second dispensary to open in Middleville since the village coun­ cil voted in August 2021 to legalize mari­ juana-based businesses. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments. Please contact Stacey Graham, Zoning Administrator, at zoning® rutlandtownship.org or 269-948-2194 ext 16 if you have questions or comments regarding this public hearing. A copy ofthis information is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the City Clerk, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and at the Office ofthe Rutland Township Clerk, 2461 Heath Rd, Hastings, MI 49058. Necessary reasonable aids and services may be provided upon five days’ notice to Rutland Township Clerk (telephone number 269-948-2194). ^^aiboioa.38. 38 38. — Rob Puckett, owner of Crafted Leaf Cannabis LLC, which is the company that operates BoCo, and a Detroit-area company called DVNK were awarded the licenses. But not long after, Puckett got a phone call from DVNK. “They turned and called us up and said, ‘hey, we got (the license), you want it? Let’s make a deal,”’ he said. And a deal was struck. “We wanted to be here bad enough, and here we are. We’ve had tremendous feedback from the community,” Puckett added. Puckett has 11 employees at Crafted Leaf, about 80 percent ofwhich are from the area. He makes sure his employees are knowledge­ able about cannabis so they can properly serve customers, particularly those trying cannabis for the first time. “Ifyou’re a first-time user and you have a doubt in your head, and it’s always been ‘Reefer Madness’ in your head ... when you come in here, I really think what we’ve built and our bud tenders’ approach to it will help aid the change (in that mindset),” Puckett said. Crafted LeafCannabis is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Amid all this activity in the Village ofMid­ dleville,, the Rutland Charter Township board in April narrowly approved two ordinances allowing six different types of medical and recreational marijuana businesses. They include growers, processors, micro-businesses, safety compliance facilities and retailers. One ordinance was for zoning and the other for licensing. Both ordinances passed on 4-3 votes. The township’s approval followed four years of debate on the issue. Unlike Mid­ dleville, the Rutland ordinance does not place a limit on how many businesses can set up shop in the township. Baltimore Township is the only other Barry County governmental unit that allows mari­ juana retail sales. The township has used revenues received from state excise taxes for having marijuana businesses to pay for fire protection. * \ I DAVID JACKSON, continued from page 1 potentially taking on the role and, due to the outpouring of support from fellow commis­ sioners, he obliged. Jackson won the chairperson seat on a 7-1 vote. Mark Doster, who is a newcomer this year but served on the county board decades ago, was also up for consideration after nom­ inating himself. Jackson will be joined by David Hatfield as vice chair ofthe board. Hatfield is the chair­ man of the Hastings city planning commis­ sion but is a new face on the county board. “He was interested and engaged in it and with his knowledge, I think he’ll bejust fine,” Jackson said ofHatfield. Jackson also pointed to Mike Callton, who joins the board after previous stints as board chair and, more recently, a state repre­ sentative who was term-limited out of office. “Michael is someone that we respect and ** si “I looked into a lot of other areas - Lowell, Cedar Springs, Saranac. In this industry, the areas can saturate really fast. It’s bad for business for everybody.” ***IMPORTANT DATE CORRECTION*** The Joint Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of accepting written and/or oral comments from the public concerning amending Section 2.02 Definitions of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at PM at Rutland Township Hall, 2461 Heath Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058. ISE3Z I think he’ll have a big role in it,” Jackson said. Jackson brings the perspective of a small business owner to the county board as the owner ofDiamond Transportation, a third-par­ ty logistics company that is based in the Delton and Cloverdale area. He has owned the compa­ ny since the early 90s and has nearly tripled the size ofthe company in the last decade alone. Jackson conceded that, as an active small business owner, he never thought he would have the available time to meet the obliga­ tions ofthe board chair - until now. “We got a system in place that is working for us now and I talked it over with my wife and our company and decided this would be a good time, especially in a time oftransition where we’re, losing all that institutional knowledge,” Jackson said. Jackson was referring to the exits of com­ missioners Vivian Conner, Ben Geiger and Hoot Gibson, who combined for 38 years of service on the board. In Jackson’s first meeting as chair, commissioners dealt with a variety of potential changes to the rules that govern the board and its meetings. Most of these came from Doster, and included eliminating one ofthe two publ comment portions of each meeting and lic eliminating the prayer before. Members ofthe gallery bit back by voicing their disapproval ofthose two ideas. “I think it’s good with new commissioners that they’re willing to voice their opinions things,” Jackson said after the meeting. “I think it’s important to get those things out right now as opposed to those being stumbling blocks to communication or to working together going forward. Let’s solve some of these issues if people have questions about our meeting format.......But, there is a set­ tling-in process.” ***•» ^25 25 ^ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. January 5. 2023 — Page 3 Hastings restaurant closes its doors after less than two years of operation Hunter McLaren L StaffWriter Bunker’s. Smokehouse & Grille in Hast­ ings ha^ly closed its doors for good last week. The restaurant, which featured smoked meats, beer and cocktails as some of its sta­ ples, made an announcement on the afternoon qf Thursday, Dec. 29, that it would be wind­ ing down, operations. “To have a proper sendoff, food and beer will be 50 (percent) off until we run out of hours, food or beer,” the restaurant stated on its social media. “We will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday or until the kegs and shelves are empty,” the restaurant added. Less than 24 hours later, the restaurant locked up and closed for business. The Hastings Banner visited the establish­ ment, at 128 South Jefferson Street in Hast­ ings on Friday, but it was not open. A mes­ sage left with staffseeking comment from the restaurant’s ownership went unanswered. “Due to the overwhelming response yester­ day, we are out of food and so will not be opening today,” the restaurant stated on social media on Friday, Dec. 30. “We are working on solutions for gift cards and radio coupons.” The timing of the restaurant’s 2021 grand opening was not ideal. When the year opened, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer still had a ban on indoor dining in place and the hospitality industry as a whole was being rocked by the ramifications of the COVID-19 pan­ demic and its closures. Bunker’s Smokehouse & Grille was work­ ing to hire staffwhile the ban on indoor din­ ing was in place and opened shortly after the ban was lifted. Despite welcoming patrons back into its dining rooms to eat, restaurants, like all other small businesses, had to deal with the. eco­ nomic fallout from the pandemic, such as staffing difficulties and both the affordability and availability ofcertain foods and suppliies. Lately, it has been the soaring costs that have hamstrung the industry. Industry trade group the Michigan Restau­ rant & Lodging Association (MRLA) released data this summer from a survey that high­ lighted the difficulties local restaurants are facing on their balance sheets. Of responding statewide restaurant opera­ tors, 90 percent said their restaurants are less profitable than they were in 2019 (pre­ COVID) and 89 percent said their total food and beverage costs are higher. Finding staffing has also been tough, with 93 percent of operators admitting that they have current job openings that are difficult to fill. Editor Jayson Bussa contributed to this report Family and friends remember the dedicated public service of Jody Tyner Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer Members of the local com­ munity are mourning the death of Jody Tyner, a captain with the Delton Fire Department, ^re^tlihg coach and beloved family man and friend. ' On Dec. 31, Tyner of Hastings died at the age of52. He suffered a massive stroke on Dec. 17 and was admitted to Spectrum Butterworth Hospi­ tal, where he was unable to recover. A benefit dinner for the Tyner family will be held from 5 to 8 p.nv on Thursday, Jan.5, at the Delton Moo . Proceeds from. the fundraiser wrU 1 Tnolp his family defray medical e Organizers are' expecting a large' and encourage Mi f tiiSliitausl202lbteitrf ■te» IDscl7.(ffati)'Gfegtaife| jMed businesses. liter IBOilsS Iteesa^ Hooked intoaloIrfotaas-Lowell, iik w it I tetasfcW attendees to carpool if possible in order to make parking easier. A celebration of life open house will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6 at the Barry Expo Center. A fire truck procession involving multiple departments is slated to take off at 3 p.m. from the Delton Fire Department and travel to the Expo Center. Delton Fire respectfully asks that the proces­ sion be limited to fire apparatus and emergen­ cy vehicles only. In lieu offlowers, the family asks the public to consider donating their time to a local orga­ nization in need, just as Tyner would have. Gene Muskovin, Delton Fire Department Chief, issued the following statement to The Banner about his friend. “Jody Tyner served for over 21 years as a firefighter for Delton Fire. Since 2018, he has served as captain. It has been a privilege to work alongside a man who has given so much to his family, friends, students, wrestlers and everyone else in our community. He is my friend, my brother and my right-hand man. He has made my life, the Delton Fire Depart­ ment and all who knew him better because of his presence. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.” Other public servants from the small com­ munity where Tyner made a big impact echoed those sentiments. “He was very professional and well-liked in the community,” Barry Township Chief of Police Mark Doster said. “I really enjoyed working with him. We’re all saddened by the outcome.” Tyner graduated from Thor­ napple Kellogg High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan Uni­ versity. He was a history teacher at Wayland Union Middle School for 16 years. In addition, he assisted in coaching wrestling at Wayland and Delton Kellogg. Roy Harter, Wayland Union High School wrestling coach, posted the following on social media: . “Oyr heart^areji^vv and broken with the, losf of Jody. He was an amazing friend, coach, educator' and’all-afound terrific per-i son. Even after life, he iistill giving to others. What a guardian angel he will be to so many,” Harter wrote. “We have been blessed to have spent so much time with him throughout the past 16 years. The amount of support for the Tyner family, our wrestling program and our family has been incredible, and thatjust shows how much he was loved by so many. Words can­ not express how thankful we are to have had him in our lives nor how much we miss him.” Brett Bissett, a friend of Tyner, organized an online fundraiser on behalfofJody’s wife, Heidi Tyner. Through the crowdfunding website GoFundMe, the fundraiser has raised over $23,000. Bunker’s Smokehouse and Grille, a restaurant in downtown Hastings located at 128 S. Jefferson St., closed its doors for the last time on Dec. 29. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) PLEA DEAL, continued from page 1 what happened), (she) is not prepared to plead guilty to having been at fault in the accident,” Jones Dwyer added. Carter has proposed a minimum sentence of 6-and-a-halfyears in prison for Palmer if she chooses to plead guilty under what is called a Killebrew agreement. That’s where a trial court may accept a guilty plea without being bound by any sentencing agreement between the defendant and the prosecution. “He is my friend, my brother and my right hand man. He has made my life, Delton Fire Department and all who knew him better because of his presence. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.” - Gene Muskovin, Chief, Delton Fire Department Barry County Assistant Prosecutor Josh Carter (left) addresses the court as defense attorney Carol Jones Dwyer listens. FIRST MEETING, continued from page 1 fee *5^* ,<?#5 fee5 <*"?#**5*’ I*' Jrf” J*/ ** /’* rf r NOTICE TO BID: General Construction of: sion. Meeting rules can be amended at any time, like the board when it added a “com­ missioners comments” portion ofthe meeting this fall. “That is a big chunk of things for future consideration and I’ll work with Commis­ sioner Doster to get them on a future agenda so we can discuss those in further detail and give those the time they deserve,” Jackson said. “I don’t think we came prepared to make those changes and I’d hate to make those changes without getting some citizen input on them, as well. Doster did make a motion to move the time ofthe weekly meetings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., but the motion received no sup­ port. “I’m in the far comer of the county and so are a number of the constituents,” Doster said. “Coming for a board meeting and being able to get here early enough to prepare in the winter is a difficulty. It was still dark when I left this morning. I would ask the board to consider the board moving the meeting to 10 a.m.” The time of board meetings has been an often-debated topic for years. Some on the current board voiced interest in the occasion­ al evening meeting to create more accessibil- Palmer would not be able to withdraw her plea ifthe court does not follow the sentenc­ ing recommendation. Because Palmer is being charged as a habitual offender, her sentence could be dou­ bled beyond the 15-year maximum sentence for the failure to stop at an accident causing death charge to a possible 30-year maximum ifshe is convicted at trial, Carter said. Carter told the court that he had proposed the minimum 6-and-a-half year sentence in consultation with LeBeau’s family. Members of the victim’s family were in attendance at Tuesday’s hearing. Schipper urged the two attorneys to contin­ ue discussions on a plea deal, and said he would remain. ‘‘ppen-n)inded” to possible agreement. .“for me, in difficult cases, I sometimes agree to Killebrew, when I think overall it’s the best decision,” the judge said. “But I also frequently like to be able to not have my hands tied (on sentencing), because I want to hear from the victim’s families, I want to hear from the prosecutor, I want to hear from Ms. Dwyer and I want to hear from Ms. Palmer. I like what they have to say to be a factor. “I never make up my mind (on sentencing) before I walk into court. I’m always open-minded. I frequently scratch out what I had originally written because somebody changes my mind.” Schipper then directed a final comment to Palmer, who appeared for the hearing via video. “By Friday the 6th, the decision will have to be made, because from that point forward we all will be preparing for a trial,” Schipper said. “I don’t know ifthe offer will change or not, butjust so you know, by Friday the 6th, you will have to make a decision, okay?” “Okay,” Palmer responded. LeBeau was struck in the early-morning hours ofMay 8 in the 6900 block ofDelton Road as she was walking. Her body was found alongside the road by officers from the Barry Township Police Department. Palmer was arrested June 13. She is being held on a $20,000 bond in the Barry County Jail. Schipper has set Jan. 23-24 and Jan. 27 as dates for the trial should it proceed. Serenity Village 700 Woodlawn Avenue Hastings, Michigan 49058 Notice to Bidders: The Serenity Village Board will be taking General Construction blds for the new Serenity Village Facility, located at 700 Woodlawn Avenue. The facility will consist of a 7,900 square foot wood framed construction with pre-engineered trusses on poured concrete foundation walls with a 1,900 square foot basement. Brick veneer exterior with a shingled roof. Bid Bond will be required. Contract bld documents can be obtained on January 5,2023, from: River City Reproductions LLC 4039 40th Street SE Unit#l Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 616464 1220 On January 10,2023, a pre-bid meeting will be held from 10:00AM until Noon at: From left to right, Bruce Campbell, Vice Chair David Hatfield, Chairman David Jackson and Jon Smelker listen to public comment during Tuesday morning’s Board of Commissioners meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) ity. The board is expected to further explore the idea at a future meeting. The board also reviewed a full schedule of meetings - complete with minor changes due to holidays and other conflicts - before approving it. The board also approved the chairperson’s appointments of members to committees. Highpoint Community Bank 150 West Court Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 (Lower-Level Community Room) General Construction Blds/Proposals are due from bidders on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 10:00AM at the Lake Odessa Community Library, located at 1007 4th Avenue, Lake Odessa, Michigan 48849, on the Proposal form that Is Included In the specifications and to be provided In sealed envelopes marked only with project name. NO BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 10:00 AM. Architect: Timothy A. Spitzley, Architects LLC 12225 Jordan Lake Road Lake Odessa, Michigan 48849 616 374 8235 t �Page 4 — Thursday. January 5,2023 — The Hastings Banner m //m Dianne Marie Barnum Delores (Dot) Pachulski, beloved wife of the late Eugene Pachulski, passed away on Christmas Day, 2022 in Middleville, MI just eight days after her 94th birthday. Before her recent move to Middleville, she was a life­ long resident ofGrand Rapids. Her passing is grieved by her dear and devoted sons, Michael (Victoria) and Steven (Susan) Pachulski. She also leaves to mourn, her grandsons Eric (Elena) and Ryan Pachulski, thejewels of her life that she so cherished and adored. In addition, she is survived by her sister-in-law Eleanor Thomas and broth­ er-in-law Phil and wife Sheila Pachulski and many nieces and nephews. Her family had always remained her pre­ cious possessions and will cany her spirit always as she watches over them. She loved the outdoors, fishing, birds, and gardening and felt closer to God when her hands were digging in the earth. Her spunk, humor and generosity will be remembered by all the people she touched. She and her family would like to thank the residents and staffat Carveth Village in Mid­ dleville, that recently took care of her and whom she called her friends. Our eyes will fill with tears and our heart with mourning. A great lady has gone, leav­ ing us with sweet memories. I We follow her wishes for cremation with private committal in Holy .Cross Cemetery, Grand Rapids, and no visitation or services; - i « Dianne Marie (Platte) Fay Barnum, age 76, of Hastings, MI, passed away on December 29, 2022, at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. Dianne was bom on Janu­ ary 9, 1946, in Westphalia, MI, the daughter of Alphonse and Louise (York) Platte. Dianne grew up very involved in the Cath­ olic church and devoted a lot ofher time with Holy Cross Church and St. Rose Church. She loved ceramics, sewing, arts and crafts, and was an essential part ofBattery D First Michigan Light Artillery (Civil War Reenactment) for 40 years. She was devoted to her family. Dianne was preceded in death by her hus­ band, Lester (Lee) Fay, Sr. and her parents, Alphonse and Louise Platte. She is survived by her husband, James Barnum, Jr.; her children, Kari (Paul), Dana (Pattrick), Rick (Noelle), Betty (Chris), Barry (Debbie), Lester Lee (Chip), Jr. (Sally), Jimmy, Steve (Jonette) and Paul; 15 grand­ children and 13 great-grandchildren, and brother, Dennis (Janet Rich) Platte. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory ofDianne can be made to St. Rose ofLima Church. A Memorial Mass will be held on Satur­ day, Jan. 7, 2023, at 11 a.m., with a one-hour visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Rose of Lima Church, 805 S. Jefferson, Hastings, MI 49058. i Arrangements by the Girrbach Funeral. Hom«.<R) leaveoqline ^condplence visit) v^Vw.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE ST. ROSE OF LIMA METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc® gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com, Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 ajn. Kids Church and Nursery are available. Our worship center is set up for social distancing. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sunday 6 pW. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS WOODGROVE BRETHREN ........ CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 pan., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. Linda Kay (Bedees) Buehler Richard Ross Welton Linda Kay (Bedees) Buehler, age 82, of Plainwell, MI passed away on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. * She was bom onBeptember 20, 1940, to Martin and Irene Bedees. Linda and her younger sister, Sharon, grew up in Kalam­ azoo, MI, amongst a close group of rela­ tives, all of proud Hungarian descent. Linda graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School (“old” Central downtown, as she called it) and Western Michigan University. It was while at WMU that Linda met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Buehler. Linda and Dick met by chance when their classes were required to attend the same speech, and their love story took off from there. They were happily married in the St. Thomas More Catholic Church on campus in 1959 and became the proud parents of three children: Debra, Martin, and Dana. Linda shared 55 years ofmarriage with her loving husband before his passing in 2014. Time together as t a family was very important to Linda and Dick, and they made family vacations a priority. Linda and Dick took the family on historical and educational trips and on fun trips to Flori­ da, too. Later, when they were empty nest­ ers, they began exploring Mexico and the Caribbean. Their ^favorite island was Aruba, where they mad many memorable trips;, especially the fine they brought their Richard Ross Welton, of Hastings, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on December 26, 2022, age 87. He was bom on February 19, 1935, in Hastings, MI, the son ofRichard Charles and Iris (Bidleman) Welton. Richard graduated from Hastings High School and married the love ofhis life, Ann Mae Miller on June 28, 1953. They enjoyed raising horses and spend­ ing time at their cottage on Gun Lake. He partnered with Keachele Heating and Cooling and in 1963 purchased the business and changed the name to Welton Heating and Cooling. It has been family owned for three generations. He served on various boards in the community and was the presi­ dent ofthe Hastings Exchange Club. In his later years he enjoyed playing golfand win­ tering in Florida. Richard was preceded in death by his par­ ents; wife of66 years, Ann Mae Welton, and sister, Juliane Matthews. He is survived by children, Doug (Robin) Welton, Dan (Julie) Welton, Julie (Tim) Power; grandchildren, Chad (Darcy) Welton, Darcy (Brian) Cotant, David (Samantha) Welton, Katie (Shawn) Hawthorn, Kristie (Mike) Mouch and Megan Power, and 12 great grandchildren. Spe­ cial care was given by Elizabeth Bond. There will be a family gathering at a later date. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings. TqJo^vc an onlinecondo­ lence visit www.girrbachfrxneialhome.net oldest granddaughters with them. The fam­ ily also spefrt a Jifetime ofsummers togeth­ er at their cottage on Wall Lake in Delton, a place that was very dear to her. Linda was extremely creative and had several careers throughout her life. She was a champion dog breeder, antique col­ lector, elementary teacher at North Ele­ mentary of Parchment Public Schools, real-estate broker, accountant at Glidden in Kalamazoo, and owner/property manager of Circa Properties, in which she and her husband owned and operated a dozen rent­ al houses in Kalamazoo and served as landlord to hundreds of WMU students throughout the years. & Linda was preceded in death by her par­ ents;, husband, Richard; brother- and sis­ . ter-in-law, Edward and. Janice Frederick, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Buehler. She will be lovingly remembered by many family and friends, including her children, Debra (Donald) Freed, Martin (Sheila Callahan) Buehler, and Dana (Scott) Rickers; grandchildren, Allison (Karl) Falk and Elizabeth Freed; Dr. Bar­ bara (James) Buehler-Schafihauser, Daniel (Samantha) Buehler, Amanda Buehler, and Brianna (Lonnie) Harrison; Cody, Alexis and Zoey Rickers; great grandchildren, Leo and Lila Harrison; sister, Sharon Bedees; nephew, and niece, Nicholas and Lauren Nocera; sister-in-law, Dian Bue­ hler, and many nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held later this spring. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. Worship &lJraise This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Hastings 945-9554 Hbergla Hbergla.. Product* 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 AMIMEVflBV BltUMlbObiEf^BSt | W*.| 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 «*■ 3- owik?/M\mag<?r Helen Marie Vaught, age 92, of Hastings, MI went home to be with her Lord and Sav­ ior, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. She was bom on December 13, 1930, in Seymour, IN, the daughter ofClyde and Mil­ dred (Helt) Montgomery. Helen was a 1948 graduate of Corydon High School in Corydon, IN, followed by two years ofbusiness college. She worked for 40 years at Pennock Hospital in the business office and reception desk. Helen married Kenneth Vaught in Terre Haute, IN on August 26, 1955. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage until his passing in 2017. She was well known for being a terrific cook and homemaker. In her earlier years, Helen directed church choirs. She loved chocolates, peanut butter and ice cream - almost daily! Helen was preceded in death by her hus­ band, Rev. Kenneth R. Vaught; her parents, mother and father-in-law, and brother, Luther (Luke) Montgomery. Helen is survived by her son, Timothy Vaught ofHastings; daughter, Melinda (Mindy) (Thom­ as) Deckard of Centerville, IN; grandsons, Joel (Alicia) Deckard ofLeesburg, VA, Adam (Emily) Deckard of St Louis, MO; great-grandson, Silas Deckard; brother, Robert (Joyce) Montgomery of Battle Ground, IN; sister, Delores Montgomery of Watseka; IL,--sister,rBrendaSpencer ofFrankfort, KYy several nieces, nephewsand great-nieces and nephews, and numerous friends ofall ages. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity ofone’s choice. Visitation will be on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, from 2 to 4 and again from 6 to 8 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, Hast­ ings, MI 49058. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7,2023, at noon with a visitation one hour prior at Hope United Methodist Church, 2920 S. M-37, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by the Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net It"’*It- i Ml !■ Ob iijssixife®. aassjiji' uHNMbMig HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Pauline M. (Kosbar) Orsbom, age 85, of Kentwood, MI went to be with her Lord on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband of56 years, Victor; daughter, Lorraine; broth­ er, Don Kosbar; sister, Joan Koemelje; broth­ er-in-law, Tom Kidder; and sister-in-law, Bess Gross. Pauline is survived by her daughter, Cyn­ thia (Victor) Scott; grandson, Warren (Jenni­ fer) Scott; sisters and brothers, Betty Kidder, Joyce (Earl) Stevens, Glenda (Dennis) Ste­ vens, Lloyd Gross, Stewart (Diana) Gross; and sister-in-law, Donna Kosbar-Matthews. The family will greet visitors on Friday, Jan. 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508. Interment will be in Hastings Township Cemetery. In lieu offlowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, or the Parkinson’s Foundation. Andrew Jon Cochran, Middleville and Amanda Ruth Tawney, Middleville GxUKBAf>z 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Pauline M. Orsbom TO?/. O?/.. Traditional and Cremation Services Pre-Planning Services Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Serving All Faiths Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted Thursday, Jan. 5 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches an Oscar-winning 1934 film starring Claudette Colbert, Warren Wil­ liam and Henry Wilcoxon, 5-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 - Preschool story time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 - Dog Man K-9 Training School, 10 a.m. (registration required). Monday, Jan. 9 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; “What Can a Body Do?” January series speaker, televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; “Reclaiming Curiosity in Divided Times” January series speaker, televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; mahjong, 2:30 p.m.; chess club, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; “The Urgent Pursuit to Nourish the World” January series speaker, televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS read contribute O advertise 2 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfuneralhoine.net Family Owned and Operated owner i*nu Serving Hastings, Barr\ (xninty and Surrounding Communities for 50 wars HASTINGS IB ANNER /** ,?* < *«,? �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 5,2023 — Page 5 To the people of the 87th House District Thank you for granting me this opportunity to serve you the last six years. You have inspired me with your strength, determina­ tion, collaboration, sincerity, and compas­ sion. I have met so many fantastic servant leaders in Barry and Ionia counties. 1 appreci­ ate your partnership, and I will benefit from your example for years to come. I have had 27 bills signed into law. Real­ istically, that is an incomplete statement. Each one was bipartisan and needed support from two branches of government. Alone, one person cannot enact real change, but together, we can accomplish abundant advancements. ‘ Both my grandfather and great-grandfather served as Constitutional Convention dele­ gates and members ofthe Michigan Legisla­ ture. I have asked many people about the political environment ofthe past. Most often, I hear that it was less partisan. Sure, legisla­ tors had their disagreements, but it lacked the simmering slander that we are now accus­ tomed to. The way desks are arranged in the House chamber, there hasn’t been enough room over the last six years for all the Republican members to sit at desks on the right side of the aisle. For most of my service, my desk was Oncoming driver strikes side mirror near Delton on the left side. When the last two terms required a Democrat to sit directly next to a Republican, I requested that opportunity. While my seatmates and I were bound to disagree on issues, we chose never to be dis­ agreeable. While we often pushed opposite voting buttons, we intentionally never pushed each other’s buttons. It was easy to find com­ mon ground and even easier to use common courtesy. One of the elements that has changed in my six years ofservice is the overall tone and tenure ofcommunication. People are frustrat­ ed, and often, rightly so. But the remedy will not be found in conflict for conflict’s sake. As I leave office, my challenge to all ofus is to seek civility in service. Michiganders do not A 49-year-old Delton woman reported being struck in a hit-and-run accident around 3 p.m. Dec. 24 on West Pifer Road near Banfield Road in Johnstown Township. The woman told police she was headed east on Pifer Road when an oncoming driver crossed the center line and struck her vehicle’s side mirror. The other driver, who the woman said was in a white pickup truck, continued driving. Police were unable to locate the vehicle. want grandstanding in place of governance. They' expect leaders to talk less and listen more. They want respectful dialogue, not reckless disparagement. t.. C.iThere are certain issues where political platforms are completely at odds, but there a& so many more topics in the middle that can be negotiated for the good of our state; My hope is that we can return to fruitful discussions in 2023. As Auld Lang Syne’s lyrics reference, we could all use a “cup of kind­ Reported trespasser, intruder chalked up to paranormal activity ness.” May your cup overflow in the coming year. Police responded to a report ofan unknown male trespasser around 11 p.m. Dec. 7 on the 7000 block of Mullen Road near Delton. The 35-year-old woman, who lived in the home, called 911 after hearing a door slam in the bedroom ofher house, although she told police she saw the alleged trespasser several hours earlier, around 6 p.m. When police arrived, they saw no signs offorced entry and the woman said all of the doors and windows were locked. The only possible point ofentry, the front door, was located about 8 feet off the ground with no porch or stairs leading up to it. When police offered to search the home for any intruders, the woman declined and said it wasn’t necessary. The woman said she believed ghosts may have been responsible, and that she had issues with ghosts in the past. Police told the woman to call back in the future ifshe ever felt unsafe. Julie Calley State Representative 87th House District Angela Rigas announces opening of Lansing office, open house 4 l****)» I a faMOrsh iff tk * aim h'JGiniiimiffiii ■ XML plplUJttifcfrO Newly-elected State Rep. Angela Rigas, announced on Wednesday that her Lansing office is now open to help serve the people of the 79th House District. “I am thankful to be given the chance to fight for my constituents while working to preserve our rights and liberties,” said Rigas, a Hastings native and Caledonia resident. “Lis­ tening to constituents is vital because it helps me best represent them at the state Capitol. Residents are encour­ aged to contact me at any time with their thoughts, concerns or questions.” The 79th District, which includes portions ofAllegan, Barry, and Kent counties, encompasses a part of Byron Township, and all of Caledonia, Gaines, Irving, Leighton, Rutland and Thomapple townships. Constituents can contact Rigas’ office by calling '/51.7r‘373*1403 lore emailingAngelaRigas@ho.use.mi.gov. Correspondence, can also^bejmailed to N-1098 House Office Building; P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909. Rigas also is planning an open house in her Lansing office on Wednesday, Jan. 11 on the first day of legislative session. The event, which is open to all constituents, takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. at N-1098 House Office Building, 124 N. Capitol, Lansing. Hit-and-run reported near Prairieville A 65-year-old Shelbyville man called police on behalfof his 5 8-y ear-old wife to report she was the victim ofa hit-and-run incident around 8 a.m. on Dec. 28 on Pine Lake Road near Lindsey Road. The woman headed eastbound when an oncoming driver in a white pickup truck swerved to avoid hitting a deer, crossing the center line and sideswiping the driver’s side ofthe woman’s vehicle. Both drivers continued driving after the accident. Police rescue abused dog adopt to loving home A pit bull that was rescued by police and brought to the Barry County Animal Shelter was adopted out to a loving home. A 27-year-old Middleville man called police around 5 a.m. Dec. 8 to report he had found a female pit bull that had taken shelter in an egress window at his home on the 1800 block of South Yankee Springs Road. Police arrived and found the dog was shaking and acting afraid, and the responding officer believed it may have recently given birth to a litter of puppies. The dog appeared malnourished and had scars consistent with abuse or mistreatment. No puppies were found in the area. Scammer impersonates Barry County Deputy The Barry County Sheriff’s Department responded to two separate reports of imper­ sonation ofa police officer on the phone around noon Dec. 28, with one call going to a Delton resident and another to a Hastings resident. Both calls alleged that the recipient of the message was wanted on contempt ofcourt charges. Both used the name ofa Barry County Deputy, and when One of the recipients called back, the name of another law enforcement officer was used. Neither recipient ofthe phony calls had reported handing over any personal information to the scammers. House Clerk Gary Randall swearing in Rep. Angela Rigas (Photo provided). iPwra GM Fro g’sb’geiKfflfe® ■BOSK ■gaoteJi Jlahe, (MeMa Elaine Garlock rflr 1^^ Is spring far behind? Last week’s weather would discourage one from having such an optimistic thought, yet one sign of spring is already here. Last week, the first catalog came from garden seeds. Another one fol­ lowed days later. Two down, and a dozen more to go! Winter activities continue at the local library. Today comes a Mini Battle of the Books for those 5-12 at 4 p.m. Last week, the State Journal had a front­ page story on the eventual closing of the Mitchell’s Department Store after its decades-long business activities in Leslie, south of Lansing. This brought back many memories of the local store owned by the same family. However, the local store car­ ried the first name ofthe owners, two men named William - one of them William Mitchell, who hailed from the town ofLes­ lie where his family had been a mainstay on Main Street for many years. The store here on the west side ofFourth Avenue had the width of three stores with show win­ dows the entire length, carrying a full stock of clothing shoes, dry goods, fabrics and many other items. The stock changed over the years with times of having shoes and boots, floor coverings, curtains and a full range of underwear to outfit the whole fam­ ily. After many years, the management and ownership went to his son John, who ran the store for many years. He later had a shoe store across the street after the main store had closed. Lake Odessa had a real loss when this vital store closed. Now, we have to go out of town to buy what we considered necessities. The Leslie store had been a key business since 1900. Did you spot a familiar name in a state newspaper? The Grand Rapids Press carried a story earlier printed in the Washington Post written by Portland’s Brian Calley, former state representative and also former lieu­ tenant governor of Michigan. He is now the chief executive officer ofthe Small Business Association ofMichigan and vice chair ofthe Autism Alliance of Michigan’s board of directors. His half-page article appeared on Sunday, Jan. 1. The service at Central UM Church this week had been billed as a hymn sing. Howev­ er, it was a well-planned service featuring several carols and scripture readings, similar to that of Christmas Eve. Most churches in town cancelled their services on Dec. 24 and 25 due to the wretched weather, so this Sun­ day service was a welcome chance to sing many familiar carols. The service was led by two laywomen. This service also marked the return of the chancel choir for the first time in two years, ever since the COVID outbreak. The choir sang “O Holy Night,” singing from the north section ofpews instead ofthe usual spot in the choir loft. They were accompanied by organist/pianist Marilyn Noffke and directed by Jackie Spagnuolo. First Congregational Church had a float in the village Christmas parade, an outdoor mural in front ofthe church and many deco­ rations within. The church was recently high­ lighted in The Congregationalist magazine. Understanding Social Security benefits Vbnda Van Til access to your earnings records, benefit esti­ Public Affairs Specialist We are here for surviving family members when a worker dies. In the event of your death, certain members ofyour family may be eligible for survivors benefits. This includes surviving spouses, surviving divorced spous­ es, children, and dependent parents. The amount of benefits your survivors receive depends on your lifetime earnings. The higher your earnings, the higher their benefits. That’s why it’s important to make sure your earnings history is correct in our records. You can do this by creating a per­ sonal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/ myaccount. A personal my Social Security account is secure and gives you immediate mates, and Social Security Statement You may also want to visit our Survivors Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 Hastings DANNER Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! ShelbyriUp Nashville: Speedway Town & Country Trading Post Harding's The Dock -Nashville Johnny's Hastinaswfa, .fl> One Stop Shop (Maratnon) . (M-43 North) Superette Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Family Fare Middleville Johnny's Tom's Market Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Jan. 5-11 January - January Storywalk Book: “Whoo-Ku Haiku: A Great Homed Owl Story” by Maria Gianferrai; illustrated by Jonathon Voss. The Storywalk is free and ^elf-guided. Follow a pair of great homed owlets from their “pip, pip, pip, poking” as Oggs crack open to their “beating, leaping, teetering” as they fry out' their wings to explore the *wijd world prdynd them. In just 24 haiku poems, this month’s Storywalk book captures the perils of life in the forest, the protection ofowl parents, and the freedom of wings. After your Storywalk adventure, stop by the sputh side bathrooms of the Visitor Center for activity sheets to learn more about Michigan’s owls and try your hand at writing nature-inspired poetry. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. Benefits page at ssa.gov/benefits/survivors. This page can help you understand your and your family’s Social Security protections as you plan your financial future. Please visit ssa.gov or read our publication, Survivors Benefits, at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-0510084.pdffor more information. You can also help us spread the word by sharing this infor­ mation with your family and friends. Vbnda Van Til is the Public Affairs Spe­ cialistfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov Hastings Johnny's Orangeville; The General Store Orangeville Fast Stop Marathon | Mega Bev J Hastings Pharmacy Prairieville: (M-37 West) (M-37 South) Family Fare Gas Station Walgreens 1 Nashville C Store Family Fare Carl’s Delton Johnny's Ottafikdt Lake-O-Express Banfield: Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl’s Prairieville Fast Stop Pawling; Marathon Gas Station Marathon Gas Station MV Pharmacy Prftam Cfoyerdgtei Goldsworthys Cloverdale General Woodland: Woodland Express L& J’s �Page 6 — Thursday. January 5. 2023 — The Hastings Banner see you Everyone has an inalienable right to be a jerk - but that doesn’t mean you have to be CHICKEN TO GO Hastings might not be home to a Chick-fil-A restaurant, but on Wednesday, the franchise brought its signature chicken sandwiches and sides to the hungry folks of Barry County. The Georgia-based restaurant franchise, which has sprouted locations all across the country, including several in the Grand Rapids area, operates a food truck that tours around areas that lack a brick-and-mortar location. On Wednesday, Chick-fil-A parked at Ace Hardware in Hastings along with Taqueria El Azteca, creating a tasty hub for the afternoon. remember? Banner March 16,1977 Hastings Rotarians held their annual Farmers Day and two special guests were here from Hamburg, West Germany. Here with James R. Tourben (left), treasurer of Flexfab, and Thomas Allshouse (right), assistant sales manager of Flexfab, are John Verwohl and Klaus Wolter who are employed by Matzen and Timm, a multinational manufacturing and trading company of Hamburg. They are employed in the duct making manufacturing division of their company at Hamburg, and are here to review Flexfab’s manufacturing procedure to update their knowledge and improve their technology. Matzen and Timm is a licensee of Flexfab. The two arrived March 5 and expect to remain until March 26. Klaus is the manager of the ducting plant and John is the manufacturing supervisor. -Banner photo. Have you met? In 2015, Tom Watson noticed a lack of interest in skilled labor among today's youth. He decided to take action. “I decided I would get ahold of the schools and see if I could talk them into getting kids to come to my school ifI built one,” Watson said. “The goal was to give back to the system that allowed me to get where I was at.” That is how Watson began Cedar Creek Machinists Training, partnering with Barry County schools to show kids what it’s like to work in the skilled trades industry. Watson, owner ofTNR Machine in Cedar Creek, runs the class out ofhis shop. Wat­ son provides the class as a dual-enrollment opportunity for Barry County high school students, acting as an instructor for Kellogg Community College. Ofthe 36 students that he’s taught since nis first class in 2016, Watson said only two have chosen not to pursue a career in the skilled trades. For his students that stay in the field, he works with about 30 shops and businesses to providejob opportunities after they graduate. Four of his employees at TNR Machine are even past students. “You leave here, its it’s guaranteed you can get a job. You can’t fail 30 interviews,” Watson said. “One ofthem is going to give you ajob.” Not surprisingly, the main goal of the course is to teach students the hands-on skills they need to work in a machine shop or other skilled laborjobs. But Watson also hopes the course can act as a way to provide information to kids and parents about the trades and employment opportunities right here in Barry County. “The stereotypical business in a machine shop is nothing like it used to be,” he said. “No, it’s clean, it’s neat, and the machinery is different. You don’t see the old fashioned grungy, dirty stuff that (everybody thinks of when you say), ‘Hey, I work att a machine shpp. Tom Watson Although the class teaches technical skills students need to operate in a machine shop, Watson also tries to impart other important lessons as well. He aims to make sure every student leaves with a sense of pride and confidence in their work, as well as an attention to detail. His detail-oriented nature is something that has helped him immensely in his own life, he said. “In the big picture, if you don’t do the little things well, you don’t ever do the big things well,” Watson said. Watson’s father worked at Hastings Man­ ufacturing and encouraged him to get involved in the skilled trades. After graduat­ ing in 1983 from a dual enrollment program at KCC similar to the one he now teaches, Watson immediately went on to work as a machinist. In 1987, he started TNR Machine and started managing it full-time in 1991. In the last 31 years, he’s gone from hav­ ing five employees in a 768-square-foot building to 35 employees in a 12,000-squarefoot building. Watson wants to make sure others have the same opportunities for suc­ cess that he had. “I want the legacy I leave behind to be that I gave back to the community,” Watson said. “When I get to the end ofdoing all the things I do, I want people to think back and say he did a good job ofgiving back to the next generation.” Cedar Creek Machinists Training has received a lot ofhelp from many local part­ ners, and it’s made Watson realize how many people are invested in Barry County’s future and work behind the scenes to make it a bright one. “There’s a lot ofpeople around here pas­ sionate about changing things around here,” Watson said. “They don’t always agree (on one solution), but they all at least fit into the plan ofmaking good change. That’s what’s nice about being around here.” For giving back to the community and providing opportunities for today’s youth, Tom Watson is this week’s Bright Light. First thing I bought with my own money: A 1976 Honda motorcycle, to get myselfback and forth from Work. Important lesson from childhood: Hard work pays off. Working on a farm, you learned that you worked hard to get something. An item on my bucket list: Play golfat Pebble Beach. First job: Milk cows on a dairy farm. During school I played basketball, so I milked Saturday and Sunday morning and Saturday and Sunday night. During the week, I played basketball. But in the sum­ mer, I milked the whole summer. Yeah, that was a challenging job. Roughly two months ago, our team here in the newsroom ofthe Hastings Banner received rumblings and reports about a group of people thatt were walking around town, peeking inside the windows of local. businesses and parading through municipal buildings while filming. They would occasional­ ly film a vehicle or a person in an obvious attempt to make others feel uneasy. Some of you reading this might have even encountered them as they made their way around Hastings, Mid­ dleville, Nashville and other areas throughout the county, exercising their right to be a weapons-grade pest to people who are minding their own business. After much confusion on who this duo was and what they were trying to accomplish, it came to light that they were a couple of YouTube creators. And, contrary to how it might sound, they were grown men and not a couple of teenagers trying to earn clicks and some clout. Lcame across the finished videos that were produced in Barry County - film­ ing at locations such as the downtown area of Hastings, the Hastings Public Library, the Barry County Courts and Law building and Barry/Eaton County Department of Health and Human Ser­ vices, each time remaining diligent in doing whatever was needed to get a negative reaction out of people - and then laughing about it. When the curious bystanders asked them what they were doing or to please leave the answers were always the same - I don’t have to. I’m allowed to be here. I’m allowed to be doing this. .. They’ve studied, up on'their rights,as .. a member ofthe public, not.so that they, can use it when infringed upon by law. i enforcement or the government, but to provoke. This brand, ofcontent is nothing new - it’s a classic troll. Somehow watching people bug others has become a big form of entertainment. In fact, one of these YouTubers that trotted around Barry County, frustrating people, has over 19 million views and 72,000 sub­ scribers to their channel. Ifyou’re going off ofthose metrics alone, I’d say he’s pretty successful. Those are impressive numbers and probably comes with a decent chunk ofchange. But the content they’re putting out isn’t accomplishing what they think it is. And they’re not alone, either. You can find similar pro­ gramming all over YouTube. Often, it’s a matter Of a civilian taking a law enforcement officer to task by splitting hairs about certain laws. This isn’t behavior that has been reserved for online videos, though. This is a mindset that we’ve seen a lot ofout in society over the last few years especially during the COVID-19 pan­ demic when everyone was on edge, worried that their basic human rights were being stripped away. As American citizens, most of us ding to our rights with a vice-like grip. It’s these certain rights that set our country apart from others, making them a point ofpride. Just like you probably are, I, too, am grateful for the various freedoms appointed to me. I think they’re important and I think they should be exercised. ...but in a constructive way. Jayson Bussa Editor The Hastings Banner Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Hank Schuurlng CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingpersonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, blastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, M 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. those rights. Going back to our YouTube celebrity visitors. They were completely within their rights to parade through publicly-funded buildings and take videos. But look at the spirit ofthose rights - the reason that they are afforded to us. Those rights are in place so that residents that fund facilities through their hard-earned tax dollars have access to them and can compre­ hend where their tax money is going and what it is used for. This merry band ofYouTubers, they were looking to accomplish none of this. For starters, the fact that they were presumably from out oftown, their tax dollars don’t go toward any of the facil­ ities through which they decided to tromp. Secondly, they weren’t acting in good faith, rather, simply trying to get residents and law enforcement worked up and frustrated. Is that really why we have this right? We’ve seen this played out in other instances, as well. We know that the right to bear arms is another right that many hold close to them. The spirit of that right is so that an individual can defend themselves against other people or a hostile government. But too often we’ve seen acts ofshow, where demon­ strators stroll around high-traffic, pub­ lic areas with big guns for no other reason but because they can. This concept often comes up during local government meetings, too, where the public comment portion is consid­ ered by many,to. be sacred. At a recent Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting, some new commissioners floated the idea of eliminating one of the two public comment portions ofthe meeting, which was immediately met with outcry. This is important to people. These are opportunities for any members of the public to stand up in front of elected officials and speak their minds without fear of interrup­ tion. Yet again, this is such an import­ ant right and ensures that the common people have a say when it comes to government goings-on. Unfortunately, some use it as their soapbox and an opportunity to dress down elected offi­ cials publicly. Some make it a specta­ cle and try to dominate the conversa­ tion. But to Barry County’s credit, I haven’t personally witnessed much of that here in my short time. Let me just conclude by dropping some old-school grandma wisdom on you: “Just because you’re allowed to do something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should.” And that rings true here. We are afforded many rights and should use them constructively. But I get it - I can’t tell you what to do with your rights and you can’t tell me what to do with mine. And that’s true. But when others see you harness­ ing your rights for the sole purpose of provoking or creating a spectacle, don’t be surprised when others de-value those rights. Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Publisher & CEO •NEWSROOM* Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren ***iz*w I understand that everyone has rights and they’re allowed to use them as they see fit. But using them frivolously say, to make someone angry for a YouTube video - deflates the sacredness of The Hastings BoHHGIT Frederic Jacobs f/A. /A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 X di . X Ztr*1 «*"* «,»« «*"*»*«* ! rife �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 5, 2023 — Page 7 fl look back at the stories f/ and GOlBmns on local History In the flastlnos Banner County clerk writes Barry area history elevated stoves came on the market. Cooking was done over the open fireplace in kettles swinging on a cane and the family baking was taken care of in a bake kettle which seemed to produce as satisfactory results as baking in a modem electric oven. Sanitary precautions were considered gen­ erally unnecessary on the account of the absence of many m people and the fact that many of them lived out of doors. Crudely built outhouses filled this purpose sometimes. Joyce Weinbrecht Sleeping accommodations were meager and Banner April 17, 2003 generally in the loft beneath the rafters, from History ofBarry County: Compiled by the which hung the season’s seed com and a vari­ late Nancy Boersma, former Barry County ety ofmedicinal herbs for winter use. The loft clerk and edited by historian Esther Walton. was reached by hand ladders or a crude In the early years of the area now known as wooden stairway. Doors were handmade and Barry County, the area was inhabited by Indiin the winter time the settlers, as they sat ans ofthe Chippewa, Pottawatomi and Otta­ before the fire, frequently complained that wa tribes, making their home on the shores of they toasted their shins and froze their backs. the Thomapple River. In 1827, James Mon­ The pioneers brought the new county the reau established and for nearly a decade ideas oftheir former homes, including names maintained a trading post on the Thomapple of former home places. Among those most River. Close at hand were the wigwams ofthe quickly acted on was that of a primary Indians and not far away were the burial school. Probably the first school in Barry grounds where the deceased members ofthe County was taught by Sarah Paul at Mid­ tribes were buried. dleville in 1835. In the primary school houses Barry County was formed by an act ofthe with their handmade benches, small black­ Territorial Legislature of April 29, 1829, boards or slates, a student was lucky ifhe had along with a number of other counties in the a piece ofslate and a pencil instead ofa tablet state, taking their names from prominent men and pencil as part ofhis equipment. Floors of in national affairs at that time. Barry County coarse unplanned lumber, open fireplaces or took its name from William T. Barry, post­ high box stoves generally were set upon a master general of the United States under brick foundation. President Andrew Jackson. Due to an act in In those days, the child in the rural school November of 1829, Barry County was then to who had during the entire winter a halfdozen be a part of St. Joseph County. sheets ofpaper for practice penmanship was On July 30, 1830, Calhoun, Barry and considered a very lucky student by other stu­ Eaton Counties were attached to Kalamazoo dents. Goose quill pens were the principle County. After the passage of the act ofMarch implements for penmanship. These had to be 15,1839, titled “An act to organize the Coun­ sharpened each day by the teacher or the big­ ty ofBarry” and on the first Monday in April ger boys ofthe school. 1839, a general election was held in Barry Tests and grades were unknown. Music County to elect all the county officers to was not part of the school curriculum. Sing­ which by law the county was entitled. ing schools for adults were popular, however. The settlers’ houses for the most part Discipline was severe and often physical. were log cabins, one story high with two Physical strength was considered fully as doors set opposite each other, with a shake important as educational qualification in hir­ roof with either a puncheon floor or one ing a teacher. made ofsawed lumber, which was regarded No other county in the state of Michigan as a great advance and a mark ofaristocracy. contributed more liberally to the Civil War The furniture was made ofthe crudest sort, than Barry County. Barry County had many generally handmade and the bedsteads were Honje Guard Units and they were ready when rough wooden bunks with split pole bottoms the call came. During the Civil War, the pop­ and marsh hay ticks for mattresses. Corded ulation of Barry County was somewhat less beds were regarded over the earlier furniture than 15,000 people, yet the county furnished and a first step toward modem luxury. 1,632 men for the Union Army, an average of Tables and chairs were handmade. Oil lamps 102 from each of the 16 townships in the were yet undiscovered, gasoline an unheard county. More than 40 of these men became of product. commissioned officers. Their cabins were lighted, by .the blazing Eleven percent of1the. entire population of embers ofthexjpeo-fireplace.Later, some -of the. oounty -was-enrolled us soldiers in -the , the more prospewjus rtnd‘progressive Settlers UniOrt Aihnyj'many'oftbentf'in the 2Ht Mfoh- I essayed the luxury of the tallow candle. igan Infantry. Cookstoves were not yet in use. There never Not only did the county contribute liberal­ was a practical one until the old-fashioned ly in men, but also in money and other com- [TURNING ' BflGK THE PAGES *JSX 1*^ •^a'X ISSS•CtCSSWataSS XS S > v*h K 'C^K W:iS*£ w * ' *w S;<iSsJ S5»S L’lSlS •|\S\;S*iJS S*i»JS* L SSJ»J'k e^ .. *£:$ :$ : *nE^S * ^**’5!S?!“**« *•*•55* *•*•55 Wiu*-. ?^ik xsk* J 00 J^00^ ‘***»i« ^ i« ® K* SEant Rt ■bkfaofda^gJ ^gJ ||। "*atfau* ■bkfaofd ataup *^^aMtsfiajfultt*iiip^ ■Rlttcasiflflphft hft । "^^Msijflttiii^ R^fabfatif fapfctknifal|l f tefOfaMbbfafatiifi R teHniiifaM teHniiifaM (MX* fron’Tirst Land Ownere of Barry Co." Gray& WllHaaa 1835 1837 R10W । R9V~| R8W । R7W Borrq Township DLagprel lines indicate yearly toundtip dw$s. TIN 1839 Fig.2 1 Fig. 1839 1840 1841 z] oppie\W .Hastings Tup. Johnstown Barry TuJp. Tu)p. Barry TuJp. Fig. 3 1842 Wn oppfc Hoangs HCCnrCyi Cion Ice Johnsapn TuJp. 1843 1844 triton mood land ' fro-nc' tfcrrq '4/ille'^ Jcps Tup. RLg. 7 HOSt.TC/■ ion Tol-nSJOujn TuJp. ding'1 TuJp. Fig. 5 Irv.nq tonimc Twp Barry John 310 tun Kp. Johnsti ujn Fig. 4 'Qflom Irvirq Ibntee TapSpings Barry TuJp. TuJp. tonree spnrgi 0OTTy//JbhnSciun Xup. 1846 Thorn oppt tttod land \bniEC CDsrie Spring ton Jhxn 5png5 frvnO Tup. Oor.e eorry vi he Twp. Tujp Barry Tup. Fig. 8 1847 Fig 10 1849 1848 to ixfood Rxrn land <2 . tentee Thun Irving vJccd ir/ta' land lufl. norwrp CasHe ton 3-anqe Mope vine darry JchnsTuup. town ^tcunc TuJp. taw'iQ vine Fig. 11 Trim appic Thorn VhxJ apple INhigis-rm land In/ino hrlton LUxd lord Vontrt KuMand Haotvxjs ' rtiun Jbnisfcmn Tup. vilt 1850 present trate O fttiionc -wirq tttCujO Eblri;mcre Grout wile rhine Tmj). >anc VI lie vide wile Fig. fig. 12 13 / toon ‘ Fig. 14 These figures show the evolution of the current townships in Barry County. (From ‘First Land Owners of Barry Co.” by Gray & Williams) tract of 294 acres located 6 miles east of Hastings off of M-79 and is along the banks of the Thornapple River. On the park grounds are numerous flowing wells, a picnic site, playground equipment and other recreational facilities. Here also is located the free muse­ um in which are displayed rare Indian arti­ facts and historic relics ofMichigan pioneers. In the early 1800s, Indians used the spot for a meeting place and there was also an Indian school located in the area. The first records ofthe county are: -Super­ visor’s proceedings, 1839; naturalization, 1859; court records, 1845; marriages, 1839; births, 1867; and deaths, 1867. At the time of this writing (circa 1970), 69.5 percent ofthe land in Barry County was in farms and 41.5 percent ofthe people in the county lived on farms. There are 327 lakes in Barry County. In 1970, manufacturing added $17,967,000 to the value of the county. The value of the farm products sold from Barry County farms in 1970 was $9,362,806. Water skiing is one ofthe favorite summer sports on several lakes, along with fishing and swimming. There are still some roll­ er-skatingrinks in the county. There was-eko . a ski run developed near Middleville. Source: Manuscript compiled by the late > Nancy Boersma, county clerk. Wepublish this in her memory. Gov. Whitmer sworn in for second term; priorities for term come into focus ntaoftbtpoNkiaifi tasifaiiitaifafaf fa YctigaufajHsaiiwfr sri^lffld»tliatta pplttoitiflptaii>l ggfa ggfapfaV^1 at £ ifito *fab jMifatt* jptfliiin^dowiicl®^ nM*|CSl?(tydty &«»*'* ^ ifauytoitaiMK^ *® uBUDM^i ■*!•«*•?UuBUDM^i ■*!•«*•? Universe Zh**£ ^Zh****£* ^*****^IninjW®- Econ101 ^***** JJJSipWW How is inflation caused? Raymond, 12, Calif. kit11*' w'f Ldp** *!**!>* !!> ’ fat tip MM to arms. It is believed that the mission church established by Reverend Slater in the township of Prairieville was the first in Barry County. Here, he established a mission to teach Indi­ ans how to live with the white man and ChrisChris­ tianity. He wrote a Bible in the Indian dialect. The Barry Pioneer, a weekly, was the first newspaper printed in Barry County. It was first issued on Jan. 24, 1851. Mr. G.A. Smith was the editor and publisher. Several other editors and papers followed through the years until The Hastings Banner was .published in 1856 and has continued to be pub­ lished through the years and is the paper of record today. The population of Barry County, which was 512 in 1837, had more than doubled by 1840. By 1870, it was upwards toward 22,000. (Census data estimates Barry County’s 2021 population at 62,992). By 1970, there were four weekly papers, a radio station of our own in Hastings and an airport to handle small planes. The first courthouse was built in 1844. It burned in 1846. The courthouse was rebuilt and used until the current courthouse was built in 1893. The first Circuit Court was held in Barry County on May 6, 1840, at Hastings, the county seat. Yankee Springs was named after “Yankee Bill” Lewis, who owned a notable inn in western Barry County, which opened for business in 1836. It was in a direct line from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and enjoyed great success. Yankee Springs is now a Recreation Area with a tract of4,255 acres of land with more than three miles of frontage on Gun Lake. It was developed by the National Park Service and is adjacent to the 10,700-acre Barry State Game Area now maintained by the State Con­ servation Department in Barry County. The Village of Hastings, later the City of Hastings, received its name from a Detroit banker and land speculator, Eurastas P. Hast­ ings, who, along with several other business­ men, promoted the village. Hastings gave the village the courthouse square if they would name the village after him. The land company phoned out the village and sold it to interest­ ed persons. Barry County is located in southwest Michigan in the third row of counties above the Indiana state line. There are 16 townships surveyed around 1827. The townships were: Woodland^- Carlton, Irwng, Thomapple, Yankbe Springs, Rutland, Hastings, Castleton, Maple Grove, Baltimore, Hope, Orangeville, Barry, Prairieville, Johnstown and Assyria. Charlton Park, owned by the county, is a BARRY OOWTY ^MnvThBisnprtnpptt M’s? ofpffiij I bfa motifaoftfatdoftfaripi ■Ibiu^uffi | faibbdwfa tfbmfaM ^■failteisK modifies. The women sent many bandages and other materials. When the 3rd Michigan Infantry needed reinforcements, many Barry County men stepped forward to fill this call 0» fti^ * Dear Raymond, When I reached out to my friend Chris­ topher Clarke with your question, he said, “That’s so cool that a kid is asking about inflation!” I agree. Clarke is an economics professor at Washington State University. He told me inflation is the average rise in prices for goods and services. So, what are goods and services? Let’s say you go to a restaurant and order enchi­ ladas. The enchiladas are goods. You can see them, touch them and taste them. Ser­ vices are the other parts of your dining experience. The people who take your order, cook your food and wash your dish­ es are all providing services. The price you pay for goods and services changes over time. “The November 2022 inflation rate actu­ ally just came out this morning,” Clarke said. “The number was 7.1 percent. That means if you take all the prices for your monthly budget—your groceries, your auto­ mobile, your gas, your rent for your house— and average that all out, prices grew by 7.1 percent over the past 12 months. How do we know that? In the United States, a government agency called the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks prices. Then, they make a report called the Con­ sumer Price Index. It shows how prices changed over time. In the report, goods and services are grouped into categories. Like food or recreation. So, you won’t find specific information about enchilada prices. But let’s say you tracked enchilada prices on your own. Your data shows that the average price for enchiladas was $4 last year. This year it’s $5. That means your enchiladas are 25 per­ cent more expensive. The Consumer Price Index does the same thing-only with more complicated math. Clarke told me that a 2 percent increase in prices every year is normal. Clarke also told me that inflation has to do with supply and demand. Supply is how available a good or ser­ vice is. When something is rare or hard to find, people may pay more for it. Supply also affects the people who make or sell goods and services. If there’s a tortilla shortage, restaurants might need to pay more to get them. Since the restaurant needs to make money, they might increase the price you pay for enchiladas. Demand is the price people are willing to pay for something. This depends on how much money people have. Ifyou have tons of money, you probably don’t care how much those enchiladas cost. If lots ofpeo­ ple want something and are willing to pay more for it, the price might go up. Clarke told me that beliefs can also influ­ ence inflation. Ifwe all believe the economy will chug along normally, we make choices and agreements (like work contracts or con­ tracts to buy big things like houses) that reflect that. Ifsomething happens that makes us worry about the economy, we might make different choices and agreements. You can learn a lot about economics and how inflation works by picking something and tracking its price all year. Do you see patterns in your data? Does the price change with the season or something else? Watch those patterns and trends over time to get a feel for economics in action. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Lauren Gibbons Bridge Michigan LANSING - Heading into a new year with a Democratic majority Legislature in her comer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pledged Sunday to commit her second term to “fun­ damental issues” impacting Michigan resi­ dents’ lives. “In November, Michiganders spoke with a clear voice,” Whitmer said during her inaugu­ ration ceremony outside the state Capitol building in Lansing. “They expect us to embody the values they live up to every day - grit and grace. They deserve practical problem solvers who get things done.” Among her priorities: reducing tax burdens on seniors, boosting investment in education, growing the economy and improving work­ ing conditions, tackling climate change, reducing gun violence and repealing anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ laws. Whitmer’s first four years in office were checkered by clashes with Republicans who controlled the Legislature. Many ofher poli­ cy priorities were dismissed outright, while others resulted in stalemates with Republi­ cans, who accused her administration of being uncooperative. Speaking at the inauguration, Whitmer said she hopes , Democrats and Republicans can come together to “make Michigan a place where all people can envision a great future.” “Over the next four years, we will dig deep and get things done,” she said. “It’s what Michiganders do.” Whitmer built a national profile during her first term as governor, and many in the national media have identified her as a possible presidential candidate in 2024 should Democratic incumbent Joe Biden opt against seeking re-election, Whitmer recently said she is committed to “enthusiastically” serv­ ing out her full second term. Despite Democrats controlling both chambers ofthe Legislature, major changes may prove tricky for Whitmer and lawmak­ ers. Majorities in both chambers are slim Democrats outnumber Republicans 56-54 in the House and 20-18 in the Senate - and lawmakers of both parties were elected in districts made more competitive during the redistricting process. That means any tough votes could leave many lawmakers vulnera­ ble to challengers during their re-election Delta Township Democrat­ ic Rep. Angela Witwer, the incoming House Appropria­ tions chair and the lawmaker tasked with leading commit­ tee assignments, said legisla­ tive Democrats are well aware ofthat dynamic. “The good thing that we have is that we’re in charge of foe agenda, so it doesn’t nec­ essarily have to come to the floor ifit’s going to be bad for our marginal members,” she said recently on WKAR-TV’s “Offthe Record.” “We have a very cohesive, understanding caucus, so we will be working together and making sure that we retain majority.” Democrats anticipate get­ ting new committees up and running in January, and the Whitmer administration will give her State of the State speech and outline her budget priorities in the next several campaigns. weeks. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer waves to supporters during her inauguration outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing on Sunday. (Photo by Katy Kildee, Bridge Michigan) The Big One is Back! Grand Rapids CAH|IPER,TRAVEL DeVos Place Over 300 RV's - Motorhomes, 5th • Buses by the Beach VW Bus Exhibit • Free magazine subscription with online wheels, Travel Trailers, Toy Haulers, Ultralites & Camper Vans Over 50 booths of Campgrounds, IvRVing ticket purchase vacation destinations & RV Services • Buy your tickets at Alaska RV Travel and GrandRapidsRVShow.com or RV Solar seminars sponsored by use the QR code below DATES & TIMES Thur, Jan 12,3-9 pm Fri, Jan 13, noon-9 pm Sat, Jan 14,10 am-9 pm Sun, Jan 15,11 am-5 pm GrandRapidsRVShow.com �Page 8 — Thursday, January 5, 2023 — The Banner Hastings Kiwanis receives donation from the Women’s Giving Circle ; Kiwanians were recently presented with a check for $6,350 from the Womens Women’s Giving Circle of Barry County. This donation will be used to continue renovations lo Southeastern Elementary's playground. Pictured are (front row, from left) Lyn Briel, Carla Wilson-Neil, Dave Tripp, Jed Nelson, Rod Jenison, (back row) Cart Lickley, Korin Ayers and Barb Pietrangelo. (Photo provided) For those who grew hungry, the city fire pit was Available for all marshmal­ low-roasting needs. There is no need to travel far to celebrate me nouoays. dreds Saturday for its annual celebration of the new year. Welcoming the new year I Hundreds flocked to downtown Hastings this weekend to celebrate the coming of a 9ew tim^ball.was bunt tw^tudepts at Hasting High School nearlyy,] 5' yearSagb'and has served the townreach year Since. (Phote^by-JohniFlesseguie^W lesseguie^W i was Downtown Hastings was the epicenter of New Year’s Eve. celebrations Saturday night, with the intersection!'of Jefferson and State Streets being home to entertainment, dancing, food and more. Hjj Hundreds flocked to the street party, highlighted at midnight with the annual ball drop and corresponding tsound and lights show. A wanning tent kept families warm and children occupied during the celebrations, with kids’ activities taking place inside the tent. Guests could stay warm outside, too, at the city fire pit. After die ball drop and subsequent singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” afebitious New Year’s party­ goers had the opportunity to undertake the first run/walk ofthe year within minutes ofthe clock striking midnight. Walker-, and runners reported to Thomapple Plaza for the 2.023-mile undertak­ ing, with flashlights to illuminate their paths. The New Year’s Eve celebration will return to Hastings injust under a year for its 14th ren­ dition. Blue. Crow Talent provided three street performers to,entertain New,.Year's Eve, partygoers Saturday night" " n -noHa? NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE BONDS BY THE CITY OF HASTINGS, MICHIGAN NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City of Hastings, Michigan, (the "City") intends to issue limited tax general obligation bonds in one or more series in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $3,000,000 for the purpose of defraying all or part of the cost of a streetscape project located along State Street between Boltwood Street and Broadway Street in the City, which project will include without limitation demolition of existing site features, sife preparation, acquisition, construction and installation of new sidewalks, pavers, seating, planters, street trees and other landscaping, street lighting, artwork, pedestrian crossings, andlother related amenities and improvements (the "Project"). The bonds will bear interest from their date at a rate or rates to be determined :upon the sale thereof but in no event to exceed such rates as may be permitted by law. The bonds will be issued under and pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 34,.Public Acts of Michigan, 200 I, as amended, and the full faith and credit of the City will be pledged to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds as the same shall become due. The City will be obligated, as a first budget obligation, to advance moneys from its general funds or to levy ad valorem taxes on all taxable property within its corporate boundaries to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds as the same shall become due; provided, however, that the amount of taxes necessary to pay the principal and interest on the bonds, together with the taxes levied for the same year, shall not exceed the limit authorized by law. In addition, sources of payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds may include, without limitation, tax increment revenues provided by the City of Hastings Downtown Development Authority, and other lawfully available funds of the City of Hastings. RIGHT TO PETITION FOR REFERENDUM This notice is given, by order of the City Council of the City of Hastings, to and for the benefit of the electors of the City in order to inform them of their right to petition for a referendum upon the question of the issuance of the aforesaid bonds. The bonds will be issued, without-submitting such a question to a vote of the electors, unless within 45 days after the date qf publication of this notice a petition requesting a referendum upon such question, signed by riot less thdn 10% or 15,000 of the registered electors residing within the City, whichever is the lesser, shall have been filed with the undersigned City Clerk. In the event that such a petition is filed, the bonds will not be issued unless and until the issuance thereof shall have been approved by the vote of a majority of the electors of the City qualified to vote and voting thereon at a general or special election. FURTHER INFORMATION Further information relative to the issuance of said bonds, the purpose of the bonds and the subject matter of this notice may be secured at the office of the City Clerk of the City of Hastings, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. This notice is given pursuant to the provisions of Act 34, Public Acts of Michigan, 2001 , as amended. Christopher R. Bever, Clerk City of Hastings Members of the Kiwanis Club of Hastings say they were excited to receive a generous $6,350 gift from the Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) ofBarry County for Kiwanis’s continued work on the playground at Southeastern Elementary School. According to presenter Carla Wilson-Neil, the Women’s Giving Circle of Barry County has raised about a quarter of a million dollars for non-profits in Barty County since the women’s group was formed and a few women decided that a difference could be made by each woman giving $50 per quarter. They also developed a smaller gift suggestion for younger members ofthe club. During their quarterly meetings, the women’s group decides which local cause to donate to for that quarter. Well over 100 Barry County women now make donations each quarter tothe chosen not-for-profit organization. Kiwanisl was selected at the Nov. 2, meeting. Many of the Kiwanis women who are also! part of the Women’s Giving Circle of Barry' County, and Kiwanis members whose wives are members of WGC, gathered with Carla* Wilson-Neil to accept the gift which will now) allow Kiwanis to continue to work with South­ eastern Elementary School on the next phase of: its playground renovation. 911 tower proposed for Middleville to improve communications with first responders, law enforcement Weeks offered his support for the WWTP I StaffWriter site. ' “It is very critical, the addition of the i The village ofMiddleville could soon be tower to the community,” Weeks said in I the site ofa new 800-megahertz communi­ public comments prior to Lehman’s presen­ cations tower to serve Barry County’s 911 tation. “There are very few sites that have as > system. many of the positives at this location here. If County Central Dispatch Director Stepha­ is my wish that the council would take that ] nie Lehman Tuesday presented a proposal to into considerafion.” > ' locate the tower on village-owned property Lehman has been working on plans to i near the village’s wastewater treatment plant expand and improve Central Dispatch’s sys- > off Sheridan Street, as part of Central Dis­ tem since 2018, a year after she became the t patch’s efforts to improve communications system’s director. An analysis ofthe county with fire, emergency medical responders and system by the Michigan Public Safety Com­ law enforcement The presentation came at munications System and Motorola Solutions I the Village Council’s first committee ofthe recommended the county add six new tow-. ] whole meeting ofthe year. ers to cover so-called “dead zones” where The council voted 6-0 to endorse the con­ cept ofthe tower on village property, calls can get dropped, she said. I . Lehtnansays she has,been, receiving a lot.. I “Lbelieve that, this, would be an incredible of questions about where* towers should be ■ .'enhancement to our community; to the coun­ located from county residents, some ofwhom- i ty,” Village President Mike Cramer said. “I are not thrilled about proposed locations. would have no problem saying this project, “I’ve had a lot of questions asked.-Why:' ' in my opinion, should move forward, whole­ not Delton? Why not Assyria (Township)? ■ heartedly.” Why not Woodland, the Lakewood school * Lehman told council members that at the district area?” Lehman said. “We’ll get present time, there are two distinct communi­ there, eventually. There will need to be tow­ cations systems operating in the county - one, ers (there), but for right now, as we’re build- i an 800-MHz communications tower in Maple ing the system, we’re building based offof ‘» Grove Township that serves law enforcement J population. in the county and second, a VHF tower on the “The two largest concentrations ofpopu­ county central dispatch property at 2600 lation that we have in Barry County are ; Nashville Rd. in Hastings Charter Township that is used by fire departments and emergen­ around the city of Hastings, the Hastings ) Township area, and the village of Mid- > cy medical services. The VHF tower dates dleville and Thomapple Township area.- i back to when Central Dispatch was estab­ With those two projected sites, Hastings and * lished in Barry County in 1992. Thomapple, it fills in the gap pretty well.” • > “What will it take? What do we need here Central Dispatch plans to locate another I in Barry County to build all ofthe infrastruc­ tower in the Hastings area, most likely at the i ture that we need and to get everybody on the Barry County Road Commission site off same platform, so fire can talk to law enforce­ M-43/M-37just west of the city limits. That 1 ment, law enforcement can talk to EMS? site is being built with the help of$2.4 mil- s Interoperability - that’s what we’re talking lion in funding from the American Rescue 1 about,” Lehman said. Plan Act (ARPA) that county commission­ “Let’s face it Nobody wants to plan for a ers approved in January 2022. There is still 1 big, huge emergency. You don’t want think some final details that need to be resolved > about it you don’t want to deal with it You before the tower can be built on the site. want to dial those three numbers and know “We’re currently waiting for a determina­ that professionals are coordinating your tion from the (Federal Aviation Administra- J response and they’re going to take the best tion) for hazard to aviation, because ofthe ) care of you. My team can’t communicate with our feet on the street teams appropriately proximity to the Hastings municipal air- 1 port,” Lehman said. t until we have more infrastructure in place.” Lehman met with Village Manager Craig Lehman assured council members that j Stolsonburg, former Village Manager and the tower project would be done “at zero a 911 board member Duane Weeks and expense” to village taxpayers. Central Dis- s patch received another $3 million last fell Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson to discuss the WWTP property jn under the new state budget for an additional advance of Tuesday’s committee of the communications tower, most likely the one ] whole session. in the Middleville area. j That allocation was pushed for by former J Lehman told, the council that two sites were looked at to serve the Middleville/ state Rep. Julie Calley and state Sen. Thom­ 1 Thomapple Township area — the village as Albert; who was a member ofthe House ] at the time. The cost of the project has been wastewater treatment plant site and a town­ ship-owned parcel off of State Road. An estimated at $2.9 million, while the Hast­ analysis ofthe sites showed the WWTP site ings site is being built at a cost of $2.78 j to be the more attractive for the needs of million, Lehman said. central dispatch, she said. “We are able to build two communica­ i “It’s a secure location. You have utilities tions (towers) ... We’ll be able to increase there,” Lehman said. “In my lifetime it prob­ our broadband, our footprint here, to the ably won’t be residential, or for recreational tune of$5.7 million, not directly on the back use. There’s tons oftrees there ... Let’s face ofthe Barry County taxpayer,” she said. it, who’s going to want to look out their win­ Central Dispatch handled 54,920 calls for dow every day at a tower? Not a lot ofpeo­ service in 2021, a 13.8 percent increase in, ple. This is going to be a very tall tower.” call volume from 2017, when the system The tower would be 295 feet in height, handled 48,242 calls, according to statistics with a 15-to-20-foot lightning arrestor on provided by Lehman. top. It will be self-supporting, meaning there “We have to be able to interact with the will be no guy wires to anchor it to the public. We have to be able to meet the need, ground, Lehman said. and the need isn’t picking up a handheld > “We’re going to bury a ton ofconcrete (to phone anymore. That’s antiquated. It’s out- j anchor the tower), and the tower will be dated. It’s old technology,” she said. designed, ifit has a structural failure or loses If the Middleville site is approved, fee structural integrity, to collapse on itself,” project could take anywhere from 16 months 1 she said. to two years to be completed, Lehman said. r The WWTP site would also provide “We would like to have both sites going j improved communication service in neigh­ concurrently, this site and fee Hastings site,” » boring Irving Township and to the village of she said. “We wouldn’t want to wait until Freeport, Lehman said. Hastings was done and start Middleville.” Greg Chandler eiisakmre siick jai* araiirii.ki •llltylMHN ^sdMsiBii j*js*? s?* * Ms Sjs Kw N w sS.i �The Hastings ANNER ■ _/US M| U Nl!\ '»»?'?i'v. iv./j. /j.’ Wk. L^’’% samsas X* ”^S2 S32**»b ull^Sk* < **1*^ 1 B**‘'«!«S esH sH E8s****!*£ S***s r&S**t*e!*,£ f wlkMlU^i^r lkMlUi il i-l I. -sr taioaciiaoBtalktytfUHfcltadfcl I pBMtareittsotaaEa* tan rf ktai i*Wl $ MHttflpaittitaaB-t, tenafylteilBtolttiifat ii^3HDaomi¥« sH^tatnK'itH- bcM^)tastwiptam rtijiinlilijMtfrf itaaB^wuii^wifc |tata • iabMn»iW W“>W •gtskfetaato^^^ s j^flwalk j^i ftalwn CaafflllkM-^AniW^18, g "-^AniWSting^s nd18, s gi tan Caffll M " Stings nd •JDgi|tai»k®,Dtxte rir ji* Bbiirffc*'k^B^l ii**ww2 iiww2 ww il^-*?!*>?:: ltf^ -*^*?”7- !>?:>:* j- j *• "L * Thursday, January 5,2023 Ionia hands Saxons a second overtime loss Nl!\ ■V SPORTS SECTION Wm* >L* !?IVW %$'’ / bi*1 XXSH! %*<; Brett Bremer Sports Editor No one has been able to beat the Saxons in four quarters yet, but no one has been able to beat the Bulldogs at all. The Ionia varsity boys’ basketball team ran its record to 5-0 with a 62-52 overtime victo­ ry over the Saxons at Hastings High School Tuesday night. The Saxons fall to 3-2 with both oftheir losses coming in overtime con­ tests this season. It took a bit ofa miracle for the Saxons to add the extra four minutes onto the clock. Junior point guard Owen Carroll had the ball tipped away as the clock ticked under five seconds to play, but he recovered it and got it ahead to senior center Hayden Long who drained a wide open three-pointer from a step across the half-court line that evened the score at 49-49 as the buzzer sounded at the end ofregulation. A three by senior guard Myles Padilla gave the Saxons a 52-51 lead early in the overtime, but the Bulldogs went on an 11-0 run over the final 2:45. The Bulldogs’ 6-foot-5 senior for­ ward Lance Atkinson had 6 ofhis 17 points in overtime and was 4-of-4 at the free throw line in OT. Ionia was 9-of-10 at the line as a team in overtime. . Hastings handled the Bulldogs’ full-court pressure fairly well throughout the bailgame with a combination of Carroll and Padilla taking care ofthe basketball. A couple turn­ overs in the offensive end and a couple missed three-point attempts did in the Saxons in the end though. ; Padilla led all scorers with 20 points in the back-and-forth bailgame, including eight points in the fourth quarter. • “He has really turned into a senior,” coach Hastings head coach Rich Long saidofPadil1£, “a. lot. of-them-are.~All the.-seniors- are really coming around and doing theirjob. The Belding game, Layton [Eastman] was on fire doing the things he needed to do. Tonight, Myles attacked, under control, with compo­ sure and got buckets. We knew they were going to press and try and take Owen [Carroll] away. [Padilla] brought the ball up. I’m sure he had a couple turnovers, but I don’t remember any just tumover/tumover. He ended 20 points and he really got it done in the fourth quarter to keep us in the game.” Ionia’s largest lead of the night was 7 points late in the first half, but Padilla scored the final 3 points ofthe halfto cut the Bull­ dogs’ lead to 25-21. The Saxons started the second halfon a 6-0 run to take a 27-25 lead powered by a defensive effort that had Long and Padilla both taking a charge. Junior Kai Richardson also drew a charge for the Saxons in that third, quarter. A three by Atkinson finally stymied the Saxon surge at the start of the third quarter, and a triple by Myles Gregory at the buzzer had Ionia up 35-31 at the end ofthe third quarter. Hastings trailed by as many as 4 points and led by as many as 3 in the fourth quarter. Greg­ ory scored in transition after a Saxon turnover with a minute to play and Hastings called tim­ eout down 47-44. The Saxons came out ofthe timeout and ran a perfectly designed play. Carroll got the ball out ofa trap to Long; Long flung it across the lane to senior forward Lay­ ton Eastman; and sophomore jet. Barnum came streaking towards the basket on the back­ side to grab a pass from Eastman and put it up and into get Hastings within one at 47-46. “It happened just like we drew it up,” Coach Long said. “We knew they trapped the pick-and-roll. We knew Owen was going to get trapped, so I had Hayden slip it to the three-point line; which then we hit Layton. Layton made a great decision. We have not practiced Jett cutting back door out of that. Layton was just going to shoot. It was great execution. “I told them tonight, yeah we made mistakes, but you can watch a pro game and they make mistakes. We executed fairly well - and so did Ionia. They are a good team. They’re undefeated, I believe, and they’ve punched Hastings junior forward Kai Richardson (left) defends against Ionia junior Mason Doty in the corner during their non-conference ballgame at Hastings High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) teams by 20 points. This might be the first close one they’ve had all season. I don’t like losing. Nobody likes losing, but we battled.” Ionia eventually nudged back in front 49-46 with 9.3 seconds to go in regulation on two free throws by Atkinson - setting the stage for Long’s game-tying buzzer-beater. Gregory matched Atkinson’s 17 points' to lead Ionia. Junior-guard Travis-Tucker- Jr. had 14p$inWand someWong work on the boards late to help the Bulldogs seal the victory. Behind Padilla for the Saxons, Barnum had 11 points. Long and Eastman finished with 7 points apiece and Carroll had 6. Coach Long really liked how his seniors played Tuesday, but was also pretty impressed with his youngsters. He liked the minutes his team got fromjunior forward Kai Richardson off the bench and the physicality ofjunior forward Landon Steward. “We have a lot of guys doing things that XX/ ,W$$ i'.zzs* '* XkC* C* m <rtW Sports Editor ? Lumen Christi put up 23 points in the opening quarter and went on to a 56-48 win over the Vikings at Lakewood High School Tuesday. The Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball team fiJls to 3-4 overall this season with the defeat. The Vikings return to Greater Lansing Activities Conference play looking to add to their 1 -0 conference record, at Maple Valley Friday. . Lakewood senior guard Jayce Cusack led all scorers with 20 points Tuesday night. Troy cker and Landon Makley added 6 points each. allow Myles to score points, because they’re doing the dirty worky’’ coach Long said. “Ibis pretty nice^We haVe aieaily good team atmo­ sphere of knowiiigouf'Wn^^cP&etefjfihg1 them and saying, ‘I’m going to be the best at what I can do.’” Hastings returns to action Friday at Harper Creek looking to improve on its 1-1 Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference record. Coach Long is expecting another physical ballgame like the one against the Bulldogs. The Saxons’ only other loss this season was a one-point, overtime 1-8 defeat at the hands ofLumen Christi last month in Hast­ ings. Hastings senior guard Myles Padilla flips a shot over Ionia's Hobbs Pinnow (20) and Miles Gregory in the paint during the first half Tuesday night at Hastings High School. Padilla finished with a game-high 20 points. Lumen Christi builds early lead at Lakewood Brett Bremer Hastings junior point guard Owen Carroll works against pressure from Ionia senior guard Sam Eppler near mid-court during the first half of the Bulldogs' 10-point overtime win in Hastings Tuesday night. Ionia improves to 5-0 on the season with the victory. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Joe Lathers led Lumen Christi with 14 points. He had 12 in the first half, going 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Lumen Christi also got 11 points each from Kayson Burgers and Britt Hampton and 9 from Luke Tropea. Burgers hit two threes during the Titans’ first quarter run and drilled another in the fourth quarter. Cusack scored half ofhis 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Vikings fought to get back in the ballgame. Lakewood will follow up its ballgame with Maple Valley by hosting Perry for a GLAC bailgame Monday. Middleton helps boot Bulldogs to another Dll Championship Brett Bremer Sports Editor The NCAA Division II Football Cham­ pionship at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas was only about three and a half minutes old before the Ferris State University Bulldogs put Mitchell Middle­ ton to work. For the second season in a row, the Bull­ dog kickoffteam was busy in the national .championship game. Ferris State won its second consecutive DII national championship by outscoring Colorado School of Mines 41-14 in the Dec. 17 championship game. Middleton, a red-shirt freshman who graduated from Thomapple Kellogg High School in 2020, took care ofkickoffduties with his powerful right leg for the Bulldogs this season playing in 12 games including the national championship. He was credit­ ed with one tackle this fall. The former Trojan kicker, punter and running back got his first chance to put the ball in play at the national championship when Carson Gulker scored on a 2-yard run for Ferris State with 11:21 to go in the opening quarter against the Orediggers. The Bulldogs went on to build a 27-0 lead in the first half and then put the Orediggers away with the second and third touchdowns of the day by Gulker in the fourth quarter. Middleton booted seven kickoffs in the bailgame, forcing the Orediggers to start inside their own 25-yard line three times. Andrew DeVries, a freshman from Cale­ donia, was also on the Bulldog roster this season. The Bulldogs bested Valdosta State 58-17 in the 2021 national championship Mitchell Middleton, a TKHS alumnus and red-shirt freshman kicker at Ferris State University, helped the FSU foot­ ball team to its second straight NCAA Division II National Championship this month. game. They have played in three of the past four Division II national championship games and have reached the semifinals in five ofthe past six seasons. Middleton’s one tackle this season came in a 21-20 loss to Grand Valley State Uni­ versity back in October. That was the only loss for the Bulldogs this season and they avenged the defeat in the national quarter­ finals with a 24-21 victory over the top-seeded Lakers. Ferris State followed up that win by knocking off West Florida 38-17 in its national semifinal contest. Saxon grapplers undefeated at their first three tournaments Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings had no trouble rolling through an undefeated Milan Team Tournament last Wednesday, Dec. 28. The Saxons moved their record to 15-0 on the day with their third 5-0 tournament performance ofthe season. Addison provided the stiffest test ofthe day, but that was still a dual the Saxons won by a score of 50-18. Keegan Sutfin, Joe Goggins, Ben Fur- row, Robby Slaughter, Haiden Simmet, Tate Warner and Lanny Teunessen had pins for the Saxons in the dual with Addison. The team also got a 12-4 major decision from 126-pounder Colton Smith in his bout with Addison’s Matt Simmons. Jordan Humphrey and Isaac Friddle had forfeit wins for the Saxons. Smith, Sutfin, Furrow, Slaughter, Warner Teunessen and Friddle were all 5-0 on the day. Humphrey, Zach Chipman, Goggins and Simmet were each 4-1. Hastings also defeated Milan 60-12, Romulus 81-0, Ida 75-3 and Trenton 56-14. The Saxons will hope for another tourna­ ment championship Saturday, Jan. 7, as they host their annual LH Lamb Invitational. Hastings had one of its biggest duals of the season on the schedule for Wednesday night, taking on Jackson Northwest in the first Interstate-8 Athletic Conference match of the season. The winner will be of that one will be the early favorite for a confer­ ence championship. �Page 10 — Thursday, January 5,2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 26,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made In the conditions of a mortgage made by Weldon C. Cole and Waunlta L. Cole, husband and wife, to U.S. Financial Mortgage Corp., Mortgagee, dated March 25, 2005 and recorded April 13, 2005 in Instrument Number 1144847 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by CAG National Fund I LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Three and 95/100 Dollars ($144,523.95). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 26,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of JOHNSTOWN, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at a point on the East/West quarter line of said Section 35 at a point 80 feet West of the center quarter post of said section; thence continuing West along the East/West quarter line of said section a distance of 653 feet, thence North parallel with the North/South quarter line of said section a distance of 380 feet; thence East parallel with the East/West quarter line of said section a distance of 653 feet; thence South parallel with the North/South quarter line of said section a distance of 380 feet to the point of beginning. Less and except that portion conveyed to Eugene Anderson and Linda Anderson by Deed as instrument #1006812. 3465 Strickland Road, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 29,2022 File No. 22-008418 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (12-29X01-19) 193092 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 2, 2023. The amount due on the Mortgage may be greater bri the day of sale. Placing' the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Benjamin B. Buehler a single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage Date of Mortgage: January 16,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: January 26,2015 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $129,562.82 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 19, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, described as: Commencing at the Northwest corner of the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of said Section 19; thence East 474 feet: thence South 369 feet, thence Southwest to a point 550 feet South of the place of beginning; thence North to the place of beginning. Common street address (if any): 4700 Fighter Rd. Hastings, Ml 49058-8538 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty hhas concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 5,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1485939 (01-05)(01-26) 103513 SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING December 14, 2022 - 7:00 p.m. R Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance.. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Lectka Watson, Bellmore, James Absent: None Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer’s Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucher/Payroll Report Motion to approve Resolution 2022-267 Budget Resolution Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve Resolution 2022-288 Com­ pensation Resolution Roll Call Vote- All ayes, rriotion passes Supervisor ($28,799.36) Clerk ($33,058.70) Treasurer ($29,614.55) Trustees ($126/meeting) Motion to approve The Woods application pending state approval Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to accept Ordinance 2022-185 for first reading Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve Resolution 2022-286 Board Meeting Dates and Holiday Schedule Roll Call Vote -All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 8:22 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne; Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor 193473 LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): John L. Lewis and Lelsa Lewis, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (If any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: January 27,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 17,2017 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $111,054.21 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Yankee Springs, Barry County. Michigan, and described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of Section 8, Town 3 North, Range 10 West Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 89 degrees 54 minutes 06 seconds East 1615.20 feet along the South line of said Section 8; thence North 16 degrees 31 minutes 50 seconds West 580.58 feet to the point of beginning; thence North 16 degrees 31 minutes 50 seconds West 394.82 feet; thence North 66 degrees 55 minutes 25 seconds East 70.24 feet to the shore of Mill Pond; thence South 40 degrees 28 minutes 14 seconds East 115.42 feet along an intermediate traverseline of said shore; thence North 76 degrees 44 minutes 21 seconds East 37.66 feet along an intermediate traverse line of said shore to a 4 inch diameter concrete monument; thence South 22 degrees 55 minutes 35 seconds East 93.20 feet to a 4 inch diameter concrete monument; thence North 65 degrees 21 minutes 29 seconds East 39.00 feet to a 4 inch diameter concrete monument in the middle of a creek; thence South 22 degrees 55 minutes 35 seconds East 193.00 feet, more or less, along the center of said creek to a point which lies North 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East fromthe point of beginning; thence South 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds West 33.00 feet, more or less, to a 1/2 inch capped iron (#31602); thence South 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds West 192.77 feet to the point of beginning. Together with and subject to a private easement for ingress and egress 16.00 feet wide, 8.00 feet each side of a centerline described as: Commencing at the Southwest comer of Section 8, Town 3 North, Range 10 West, Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 89 degrees 54 minutes 06 seconds East 1615.20 feet along the South line of said Section 8; thence North 16 degrees 31 minutes 50 seconds West 580.58 feet; thence North 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East 23.35 feet to the point of beginning; thence Northeasterly 31.39 feet along the arc of a curve to the right, the radius of which is 74.80 feet and the chord of which bears North 15 degrees 41 minutes 23 seconds East 31.16 feet; thence North 27 degrees 42 minutes 50 seconds East 52.33 feet; thence Northeasterly 99.41 feet along the arc of a curve to the left, the radius of which is 129.48 feet and the chord of which bears North 05 degrees 43-minutes 06 seconds-East 96,99 feet; thence North’16 degrees 16 minut^s;3^ seconds West 72.49 feet; thence Northeasterly 85.66 feet along the arc of a curve to the right, the radius of which is 62.70 feet and the chord of which bears North 22 degrees 51 minutes 29 seconds East 79.15 feet; thence North 61 degrees 59 minutes 37 seconds East 101.72 feet; thence North 67 degrees East 104.00 feet, more or less, to the centerline of Old Mill Road. Common street address (if any): 155 Old Mill Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8575 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: December 22,2022 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1484926 (12-22)(01-12) 192928 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate FILE NO.: 2022-356-DE Estate of Jody L. Patrick. Deceased.. Date of birth: 7/2/1957. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Jody L. Patrick, Deceased, who lived at 8170 Enzian Road Delton, Ml 49046, died 10/26/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Chastity Morris, named personal representative, or to both the probate court at 113 Chestnut St., Allegan, Michigan 49010 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice Date: 01/03/2023 Michael J. Becker (P81132) Orton, Tooman, Hale, McKeown & Kiel, P.C. 314 Trownbridge Street, P.O. Box 239 Allegan, Ml 49010-0239 (269) 673-2136 Chastity Morris, Personal Representatle 11822 - 9 Mile Road Shelbyville, Ml 49344 (269) 254-0715 193524 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale t oof the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in BBarry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encour^jed to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Molly K. Diekhoff, an unmarried woman . Original -Mortgagee Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not individually but as trustee for Pretium Mortgage Acquisition Trust Date of Mortgage: August 8,2005 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 10,2005 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $120,721.07 Description of the.mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF SECTION 30 TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, WOODLANd TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN DISTANT NORTH, 858 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 30; THENCE NORTH, 220 FEET ALONG SAID WEST LINE; THENCE [EAST, 231 FEET PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST FRACTIONAL 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 30; THENCE SOUTH 220 FEET; THENCE WEST, 231 FEET TO THE POINTOF BEGINNING. SUBJECTTOAN EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC HIGHWAY PURPOSES OVER THE WESTERLY 33 HEET THEREOF FOR DURKEE ROAD, AND ANY OTHER EASEMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. Common street address (if any): 3200 Durkee Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9449 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: December 22,2022 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1484815 (12-22)(01-12) 192872 ’Notice ,pAhentibn homeowhet:'lf you hre'a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Larry W. Hoffman and Allison K. Hoffman, husband and wife, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated November 14, 2005 and recorded December 6, 2005 in Instrument Number 1157269, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust I, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Sixteen Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Nine and 89/100 Dollars ($16,179.89). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 12, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Rutland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: COMMENCING ATA POST ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE 14 CHAINS AND 45 LINKS SOUTH OF THE 1/4 POST IN THE CENTER OF SECTION 20, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 9 WEST, THENCE WEST 3 CHAINS, THENCE SOUTH 2 CHAINS, THENCE EAST 3 CHAINS, TO THE 1/4 LINE, THENCE NORTH ON THE 1/4 LINE 2 CHAINS TO THE BEGINNING. 1692 Erway Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, In which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 15,2022 File No. 22-011951 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-15)(01-05) 191852 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Parry County offices of Edward Jones Member sipc Andrew Cove,, AAMS® Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 W. State St, Suite B , Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-4702 Time forNew Year’s financial resolutions lowering your spending, so down, as was the case for It’s that time of year when most of 2022, even quality many of us promise ourselves you can continue contributing we’ll go to the gym more, or learn a new language, or to your retirement accounts? investments, such as stocks It’s worth the effort because of you could spend two or three decades as a retiree. business take up a musical instrument, or any number of other worthy goals. But this year, when making resolutions, New Year’s not why also solid with and ■ fundamentals • Control your debts. Inflation can also be a factor strong prospects, can see declines in value. But if these ■ investments are still suitable For for your portfolio, you may , in debt management. consider some financial ones? example, your credit card Here are a few to consider: debt could rise due to rising • Don't let inflation derail prices and variable credit card your investment strategy. As you know, inflation was companies interest increases. rate By want to keep them. • Prepare for unexpected. encountered | the y°u large If If aa paying your bill each month, unexpected expense, such as of you can avoid the effects of the need for a major home 2022, hitting a 40-year high. rising interest rates. If you do And while it may moderate carry a balance, you might be able to transfer it to a lower- repair, how would you pay ' for it? If you didn’t have the big the financial story somewhat this year, it will likely still be higher than what we experienced the rate card, depending on your credit score. And if you’re money readily available, you might be forced to dip into n your long-term investments or retirement accounts. To past decade or so. Even so, carrying multiple credit cards, it’s a good idea to try not to you might benefit by getting a prevent this, you should build fixed-rate debt consolidation an emergency fund containing your investment strategy for loan. In any case, the lower three to six months’ worth of . the future. That happened your debt payments, the more living expenses — or a year’s . last year: More than half of you can invest for your longterm goals. worth, • Review your investment portfolio. At least once a risk, liquid account. These resolutions can be * let today’s American reduced inflation workers their harm either contributions to their 401 (k)s and other if you’re retired — with the money kept in a low- retirement plans or stopped year, you contributing completely during the third quarter of your investment 2022, according to a survey by Allianz Life Insurance of appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time by Edward Jones for use by North America. horizon. your Of course, to should determine But if review portfolio it’s be still careful focusing on your cash flow not to needs because you feel your recent performance is not what it today is certainly understandable, but are there other ways you can free up should some money, such as possibly the make have financial DUE TO THE HOLIDAY THE CIRCUIT COURT SALE BELOW WILL BE ADJOURNED FROM 12/15/2022 TO 12/22/2022; 12/22/2022 TO 12/29/2022; 12/29/2022 TO 01/05/2023; 01/05/2023 TO 01/12/2023 VARNUM LLP Attorneys 260 E. Brown Street, Suite 150 Birmingham, Ml 48009 NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure (the "Judgment") entered on May 11, 2017, and an Order Granting Motion for Entry of Renewed Order Authorizing Sale dated September 6,2022, in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, Case No. 14-998-CZ, the Court has ordered the sale at public auction of real property under a Mortgage (the “Mortgage") made by Marvin Allen Hake (now deceased) and Kim M. Hake (“Mortgagor"), to Bond Corporation, a Michigan corporation, Mortgagee, dated February 2, 2007, and recorded on February 16, 2007, in Document No. 1176513, Barry County Records. The mortgage debt is due and payable in the amount of Fifty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Eight and 98/100 Dollars ($58,488.98) as of May 5, 2017, with the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate of 16.850% per annum, plus such other fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to the Note and Mortgage and the Judgment. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the Judgment and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay said amount with interest as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, the Mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the Mortgaged premises at public venue to the highest bidder in the main lobby ofthe Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of the foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Mortgagee for damaging the property during the redemption period. The premises covered by said mortgage is commonly known as 336 Donna, Lake Odessa, Michigan 48849, and is situated in the Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, described as follows: Lots 71,72 and 73 of Innovation Subdivision, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 21, Barry County Records. Parcel No. 08-15-080-048-00 Dated: October 20, 2022 BOND CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation, Mortgagee Barry County Sheriff Civil Division 220 W State Street Hastings, Ml 49058 20145307.1 (01-05) NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Trust Estate Durwood D. Booher (“Decedent"). Date of Decedent’s Birth: June 5, 1943. Name of Trust: Booher Living Trust dated December 4,2013. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Decedent, Durwood D. Booher died December 1, 2022. There Is no personal representative of Decedent’s estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued. Creditors of Decedent are notified that all claims against the Decedent, Decedent's estate, and/or Decedent’s trust(s) will be forever barred unless presented to Trustees Douglas D. Booher and Durene D. Michaux within four (4) months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: December 29,2022 Douglas J. Brackmann (P-40885) Wesseling & Brackmann P.C. 6439 28th Avenue Hudsonville, Mlchlgan49426 (616) 669-8185 Durwood D. Booher 7698 Payvery Trail Middleton, Wl 53562 Durene D. Michaux 10301 Lisa Cove Austin, TX 78733 193460 changes just been. useful — so try to put them to work in 2023. This article local written '< was Edward Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Jones ■ Member. SIPC When markets are Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212,. that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding' the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptlys at 1:00 PM, on February 2, 2023. The amoqnt due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid- at the-sale does no! automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear,ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Eric Peterson, a single man ] Original Registration Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic | Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as] nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or] assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset' Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: January 19,2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 5,2007 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $114,066.08 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated' in Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan? and described as: The North 1275 feet of all that part of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan lying East of highway commonly, known as Grand Rapids Street. Subject to a right of way to the State of Michigan for highway purposes’ over a strip of land, 50 feet in width, lying East of and, adjacent to the centerline of M-37 as now surveyed over and across the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, as, granted in Liber 151 of Deeds, Page 260 Common street address (if any): 6860 N Whitneyville Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8662 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the. date of such sale, unless determined abandoned irv accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961! pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage' holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 5,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1485778 (01-05)(01-26) 19343$ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 5, 2023 — Page 11 First, seconds and lasts filled 2022 sports year Brett Bremer 160 pounds and freshman Isaac Friddle eighth Sports Editor । Somebody has to be the first, and in 2022 those somebodies were Delton Kellogg senior Caden Ferris and Lakewood senior Zachary (jibson. ■ Ferris won hjs first MHSAA Individual a junior and he became the first Delton KelKel­ on in 2022. Thomapple Kellogg, which wrestled its logg High School wrestler to win two state Championships when he knocked off New way to an MHSAA Division 2 SAXONS vidual State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit in March of2022 ‘ Moments later, Gibson became the first Lakewood wrestler to win two state titles yvhen he he shut out Portland’s Caiden Pelc in state championship in Division 4 for the sec­ Hastings football teammates (from left) Jett Barnum, Zander Forbes, Layton Eastman, Robby Slaughter, Jack Kensington, Lanny Teunessen and Haiden Simmet celebrate their team's MHSAA Division 4 District Championship, the first district title in the history of the Saxon program, after a victory over Charlotte in their November district final. ond season in a row. ; Ferris worked from the top position for former foreign exchange student Bernhard nearly four of the six minutes getting a take Raimann. Raimann, an Austrian who played down 21 seconds into the contest, one with a year of football at Delton Kellogg as a tight 30 seconds remaining in the second period end, was drafted 77™ overall in the 2022 and a third take down nine seconds into the ijiird period. Orr was never able escape until NFL Draft, in the third round, by the India­ <’ Orr had a first ofhis own. He was the only Gibson put a quick shot in on the whistle at but came up just shy of a couple goals they “My goal is to always be in the [champion­ too, so that is big.” ing in the Individual State Finals, where' Excited for this. That is the longest match I’ve tually put Pelc on his back for three more girls’ state championships were held for the fyad all year. It was the first time I ever went nearfall points. first time in 2022. The other Vikings at the [Hastings heavyweight Jackson 2022 Finals were 215-pounder Joel Simon, 112-pounder Ashton Eastin Stank and Clark, 285-pounder Ferris was joined at Ford Field by Delton Kellogg junior teammate of the The Thomapple Kellogg varsity compet­ itive cheer team had a much more success­ ship] finals. I haven’t got there yet. Next year is my goal.” See SPORTS, page 12 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Business Services Pets BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. BEAGLE TERRIER MIX Puppies for sale. Looks just like a beagle and will stay small, loves attention, will be wormed and have 1st shots, $150.269-223-9194___________ PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Gage Vincent. Maple Valley had senior wrestler Matthew Slaght earn a state medal by placing sixth in Division 4’s 119-pound weight class. Slaght MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track close-contact quarantine that would ended his wrestling career at Maple Valley as ahd Field Finals in June. He is now a member of the Central Michigan Ugiyejsity.^estjing Wnc^jwhere,1,6i&; Sg kept him from wrestling at those finals at the Wings Jwent Center in Kalamazoo. □Jilt Wai.ia mucfr,easier,^Jt was normal,” season on the medal standin Division 2 at the was a member* ibdtballstdamr on the offensive line alongside tfieir family's “LasttyW WMiSo difficult trying finals/ Senior Jackson Dubois was- third' at to not only wrestle but also having to worry 285 pounds, junior Robby Slaughter eighth at a three-time state medalist. Hastings had a trio of wrestlers close the WANTED : S TANDING TIMBER- Top’ local sawmilf is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MINIATURE RAT TERRI OR Puppies V6r‘sale. 1st sh’ritsand wormed. Will stay small $200. 517-852-4881. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. LEGAL NOTICES Cslo ‘WSGfeCwilataq tape (1 a# IWM round 171-pounder Nathaniel to go to court in order to avoid a Covid z:jECTrfZar!ixr^t! regional Graham. runner-up finish in the boys’ shot put at the Uodpge fis iW'Sjfes Ire s November. for the Gibson was one of four Vikings compet­ 3® 3Z ft lUXltt finals to conclude the year. Delton Kellogg and Maple Valley both Field],” Gibson said. “There is a lot more started in the bottom position in the second period and scored a quick reversal and even- have mance.” Gibson and Corson were both state medal­ ful season overall in the winter of 2021-22, » “I haven’t had any competition all year,” Ferris said after his victory. “I was kind of nied his trip to the 2021 Finals where he had ter. That team placed seventh at the state said after his performance at Ford Field. just feels bigger. I made history at Lakewood the host of off the mat issues that accompa­ mores on the Lakewood cheer team last win­ kids were really happy with their perfor­ “It is a lot bigger scale [being at Ford ent than his chance at one in 2021. back for two.quick nearfall points. Gibson up. He was just rolling back and forth.” -■Ferris would cap his senior year with a There were eight freshmen and seven sopho­ end it turned in an upward position. The “I feel like I accomplished a little bit, but not anywhere where I wanted to be,” Gibson of the third period. confident in handling in the state championship match, he also didn’t have to deal with downs during the day, but obviously in the His chance at a 2022 title was much differ­ Dubois]. There is a lot more family here. It but he didn’t.” state medalists. “There were a lot of ups and Lions for the first time ever. to set up something better. He got his first take down 47 seconds in and put Pelc on his Not only did Gibson have a foe he was has been four years I have been on this team and this feels good.” Ka’alakea was a rare senior on that squad. during the 2022-23 season that started in rries with 35 pins and 13 forfeit victories.. He nearly got that 36^ pin in the final moments victory. Ka’alakea said at the end of the regional. “It whether I get lucky and am able to. It was way different this year. I had a fairer chance.” family here. I have a cousin in D2 that is • “I am sad I didn’t pin him.” 1 “I was really hoping the ref would call it, “It was really stressful, but in the end e got there,” Lakewood senior base Hokulani MHSAA Division 4 cheer tournament, the wrestling start the third period and then rode out the he qualified the start of his championship match at the pinned.” to move on to regionals where they earned fourth and final state qualifying spot. ists for the third time, and Gibson is chasing wrestling finals, then backed out and worked Gibson managed an early take down to ond to Portland at its district toumamen a fourth state medal with the Trojan team 4ble to pin. Ferris racked up his first 48 victo­ h “I thought he was pretty flat. I had his head Lan napolis Colts. Raimann has started ten games for the Colts this season. about even being able to. At that point, it is not whether I do good in matches it is about wrestler all season long that Ferris wasn’t into the third. He is the only guy I haven’t Division 3 Competitive Cheer Finals for the “That is an awesome milestone to reach,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said of the six J9-0 in his senior season and he was never die last second of the match. * 215 * first time since 2018. Lakewood finished sec­ eighth. That set a new program record for state medalists in a season. the first four-time state medalist in the history in his senior season. He won the 215-pound ------ ists. The top finish came from junior Zack Gibson in the 125-pound weight class. He fifth. Jackson Curtis at 145 pounds placed sixth and Hunter Pitsch at 119 pounds placed 6f the storied Lakewood program. He was X*'i**u> season. The Lakewood cheer team followed up that GLAC title by qualifying for the MHSAA pound championship. - That wasn’t the on ly first Gibson earned in that match-up with Pelc. Gibson also became Conference Championships during the winter Ford Field. Thomapple Kellogg had eight state final­ placed fourth. Kyron Zoet at 130 pounds and Ashton Corson at 125 pounds both placed champion at Delton Kellogg too, going 49-0 It was far from a first as the Lakewood varsity wrestling and varsity competitive cheer teams won. Greater Lansing Activities District an 11-0 a - major ao decision ecs in Division 3’s 130- ^ven taken down by an opponent. ■ Ferris became the first two-time state only state championship in wrestling for the first time in 2022. Championship during the season, had six state medalists at the end of the weekend at 215-pound weight class at the MHSAA Indi- 55,M competing in the girls’ 140-pound division at the state finals. The MHSAA hosted a girls’ Championship and an OK Gold Conference Lothrop junior Grayson Orr in Division 4’s sS the blood round to close his junior campaign. The TK team also had Kayleigh Brown a handful of Saxon wrestlers would match with the Hastings varsity football team later State Championship in wrestling in 2021 as ih His teammate Austin Chivis came up one win shy of earning a state medal, falling in at 215 pounds. The Saxons won their third consecutive Interstate-8 Athletic Conference title at the conclusion of the regular season - a feat that All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children tinder the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under .re.’ This newspaper wilt not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. taRk tatM te oo ggti towages t i in ass •» »««**’'* “J! r r W4' 4 NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. v Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises premises, or some part of them, dt a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at t00 PM on JANUARY 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. t Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jessica Rodriguez, an unmarried person and Jordan Stewart an unmarried person, tp Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/ or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 27, 2019 and recorded September 3,2019 in Instrument Number 2019-008406 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Click N’ Close, Inc., IInc., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred NinetyTwo Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Eight and 76/100 Dollars ($192,868.76). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 12, 2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Middleville, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: LOT 106, MISTY RIDGE NO. 5, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN LIBER 6 OF PLATS, PAGE 66, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS. 601 View Pointe Dr, Middleville, Michigan 49333 TThe redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 15, 2022 File No. 22-011318 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-15X01-05) I 191385 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 26, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Sherry L. Pero, a single woman and Shana R. Pero, a single woman, whose address is 10785 Maple Grove Road, Nashville, Michigan 49073, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc, being a mortgage dated November 8, 2017, and recorded on November 20,2017 in Document Number. 2017-011744, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee of Discovery Mortgage Loan Trust, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated January 13, 2022 and recorded on January 13, 2022 in Document Number. 2022-000525, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN AND 85/100 DOLLARS ($136,216.85). Said premises are situated in the Maple Grove Township, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Beginning at a point on the North line of Section 24, Town 2 North, Range 7 West, Maple Grove Township, Barry County, Michigan, Distant West, 635 feet from the Northeast corner of said Section 24; thence South at right angles with said section line, 330 feet; thence West 205 feet; thence North 330 feet to said Section line; thence East along Section line, 205 feet to the point of beginning. Subject to an easement for Public Highway Purposes over the Northerly 33 feet thereof for Maple Grove Road, and any other easements and restrictions of record. Street Address: 10785 Maple Grove Road, Nashville, Michigan 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: December 22, 2022 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 22 4702 (12-22)(01-12) Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for ca$h or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Michael Johnson, single person, AKA Michael W Johnson Original Mortgagee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Date of mortgage: December 24, 2008 Recorded on January 2, 2009, in Document No. 20090102-0000029, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Twelve Thousand Forty-Two and 24/100 Dollars ($112,042.24) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: The East 25 and 1/2 acres of the North 51 acres of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 19, Town 2 North, Range 7 West, Barry County Records. Commonly known as 7190 Barryville Road, Nashville, Ml 49073 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1485974 (01-05)(01-26) 192926 193586 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Under the power of sale contained herein in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or a cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Scott L. Donley A/K/A Scott Leo Donley, original mortgagor, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Low VA Rates, LLC, dated January 30, 2019, and recorded February 5, 2019 as Instrument 2019-000930, in Barry County records, Michigan, and assigned to Village Capital & Investment, LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 25,2020 as Instrument 2020-001926, and assigned to U.S. Bank National Association not in its individual capacity but solely as Legal Title Trustee for RMTP Trust, Series 2021 BKM-TT-V by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 18, 2022 as Instrument 2022-002020, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Three Hundred Fifteen Thousand One Hundred Six and 29/100 dollars ($315,106.29). Said premises are situated in the Township of Assyria, County of Barry, and State of Michigan, and particularly described as: The West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 1 North, Range 7 West, EXCEPT the South 920 feet thereof. Property Address: 10773 North Ave., Dowling, Ml 49050 Parcel No.: 08-01-006­ 010-00 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: January 3, 2023 For more information, please call: (440) 572-1511 Sottile and Barile PLLC Attorneys for Servicer 7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210 Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 File: MF2203010 Donley, Scott (VA) (01-05)(01-26) 193441 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by John E. Mays, a married man, whose address is 282 W. Carlton Center Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., being a mortgage dated June 15, 2015, and recorded on June 24, 2015 as Document Number 201500006224, Barry County Records, State of Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held through mesne assignments by Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated March 11, 2022 and recorded on March 11, 2022 as Document Number 2022-002728, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED NINE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN AND 63/100 ($109,311.63). Said premises are situated in the Township of Carlton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of the West 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 18, Town 4 North, Range 8 West; thence North 12 rods 6 feet; thence West 15 rods 11 feet; thence South 12 rods 6 feet; thence East 15 rods 11 feet to the Place of Beginning. Street Address: 282 W. Carlton Center Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: December 22, 2022 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 22 4695 (12-22)(01-12) 192775 �Page 12 — Thursday, January 5,2023 — The Hastings Banner SPORTS, continued from page 11 — are excited to chase in the newly started season. The Trojans were edged by Cedar Springs for the OK Gold Conference Championship in 2022 and then after advancing through the district round of the MHSAA Division 2 state tournament finished sixth at regionals. The top four teams from regionals qualify for the state finals. TK wasjust 22 points behind the last of the four state qualifying teams. “The girls did well,” TK head coach Adri­ an Sinkler said. “They were a little nervous, but that is understandable when you have to have three perfect rounds on one big day. We had to shift our mindset going into regionals. We had to prepare to move on and prepare to be done all at once.” TK was in ninth place after a round one score of219.00. A 205.90 in round two boost­ ed the team up to sixth in the standings head­ ing into round three, and the Trojans finished in sixth place with a round three score of 297.50. “We are looking to increase the size ofour roster next year and I think that will benefit us well,” Sinkler said. “We knew going into Saturday that first through sixth place would be tight points wise. I think State Finals are definitely in our future, and that is something to be proud ofand look forward to.” The Trojans won both of their competi­ tions in December to open the 2022-23 sea­ son. So, that’s something to look forward to. The 2021-22 winter season also saw Thor­ napple Kellogg junior Lucy VanDemark finish her year at the state finals with a couple of outstanding performances for the Plainwell/ Thomapple Kellogg Trojan Ski Team. VanDemark placed 14™ at the MHSAA Division 1 Girls’ Skiing Finals in the giant slalom competition and 16^ in the slalom. She Football Coaches Association, and senior fullback Ro Robby hbby iSSlaughter thla tuhghtGer tteam teamed ded to dou douse fse tcoafchi MidurpBhy withStthdei GatotraJdehjugs o Fni felde turf inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Conference White Division in the Lansing area beginning b with the 2023-24 school year after the GLAC dissolved this summer and fall with schools deciding to go their sepa­ following the win. Slaughter second the go-ahead touchdown against the Orioles on a 7-yard run withI abou eight and a halfminutes to play in the district final after the Saxons had trailed by a score of 13-9 early in the third quarter. Hastings outgained the Orioles 306 yards to 189 on the night - rushing for 254 as a team. Teunessen led the Saxons on the ground with 14 carries for 114 yards. Slaughter had rate ways. Olivet will join Lakewood in the CAACWhite forming an eight-school division with the likes of Portland, Ionia, Lansing Sexton,, Lansing Catholic, Charlotte and Eaton Rapids. Lakewood High School athletic director Mike Quinn said efforts were made to keep the conference together with six teamss once Leslie announced it was leaving the GLAC, but Maple Valley’s departure was announced in September it forced the remaining five schools to’ start scattering. “I think from a standpoint ofstability, ifthe [CAAC] does nothing else for us, we’re going to have sub-varsity with pretty much everybody except Sexton, Sexton,” Quinn said. “From that standpoint, filling out schedules with good competition and real good compet­ itive balance in'the league it is going to be there. The idea that the league will revolve around Lakewood and Olivet, those days are gone, but I think that at the end of the day we’re going to have a real good opportunity to compete in every sport.” The Maple Valley School Board voted Sept. 12 to approve a conference shift to the Big 8 Conference beginning with the 2023-24 school year, effectively bringing an end to the ten-year lifespan of of the Greater Lansing Activities Conference. Maple Valley made the move from the GLAC in hopes of being more competitive and increasing participation numbers in ath­ letics. Maple Valley had the smallest enroll­ ment ofany GLAC school other than Lansing Christian. The Lions won GLAC titles in baseball and boys’ golf in the spring of2015 during the GLAC’s inaugural 2014-15 season and have not won a team conference champi­ onship since. The Big 8 currently consists of members Bronson, Concord, Homer, Jonesville, Quin­ cy, Reading, Springport and Union City, but Jonesville and Homer are set to join the Cas­ cades Conference- in 2023-24 leaving the opening for the Lions in the Big 8. It is possible that in the near future the Big 8 could attempt to’expand to a 10-team con­ ference. Currently Maple Valley and Concord are both a part ofthe Tri-River 8-player foot­ ball conference, and Maple Valley High School athletic director Landon Wilkes said that he certainly doesn’t expect any changes towards a future football conference to hap­ pen before this season is over. Wilkes is quick to point out that this deci­ sion is not being made-for any specific sport. u “This is for the'all kids at Maple'Valley and the athletes hero to! hopefully allow for- them to be more competitive! and with being more competitive I think you can add numbers, at least that is the hope,” Wilkes said. The' Maple Valley varsity football team played its 'fourth1 consecutive season of eight-player football this fall due to low num­ bers in the programi The Lions continue to be ineligible for the MHSAA state postseason in the sport because the school’s enrollment number continues to be larger than the maxi­ mum allowed by the MHSAA to compete in the state tournament. Lion head coach Marty Martin continues to push against the MHSAA, with a number of other programs across the state, for his program to have a chance to compete for a state championship. There were highs and lows to the 2022 varsity football season at Maple Valley play­ ing against some ofthe toughest competition in the state, and even beyond the state bor­ ders. The Lions managed a 35-0 homecoming victory over the Blackhawk Christian team that made the trip north from Fort Wayne, Ind. A pair of Lions were honored as all-state athletes at the conclusion ofthe football sea­ son. Senior offensive lineman Christian Huissen and senior defensive lineman Reece Proctor-Burhans were both named first team all-state in the Michigan High School Foot­ ball Coaches Association 8-player other divi­ sion. Lakewood took one GLAC Championship in what will be the final season of GLAC competition in the fall of 2022 as the Lake­ wood varsity volleyball team finished off a perfect nine years in the conference by win­ ning the 2022 title. The Vikings are'never satisfied with a vol­ leyball conference title though and they rolled to district and regional championships in the MHSAA Division'2 state tournament before falling to South Christian in five sets in the MHSAA Division 2 State Quarterfinal at Vicksburg High School in late November. The Sailors took a 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 18-25, 15-13 win. 21 rushes for 91 yards. Yards were a little tougher to come by the next Friday night in the MHSAA Division 4 Regional hosted by Edwardsburg. The Eddies ended the Saxons* season with a 24-14 win in a chilly regional final. Hastings led 6-0, bu.t were shut out the rest ofthe first half as Edwardsburg took a 16-6 lead. The Hastings defense came up with a few huge stops in the second half, but the Saxonsjust couldn’t punch the ball across the goal-line often enough. The Saxons got within 16-14 and had the ball inside the Edwardsburg 20-yard line, but had a drive stall out there. earned second team all-state for her perfor­ mance. There was one other Viking competing in the state finals at the end ofthe 2021-22 win­ ter season. Sophomore Philip Butler earned a spot in the MHSAA Division 3 Boys’ Bowling Singles Finals. He qualified for the finals with a fourth-place regional finish and then was 54^ in qualifying at the finals. The area high school bowling teams were well represented at the state finals last winter. Thomapple Kellogg’s Wyatt Jacobson qualified for the Division 2 Singles Finals at Super Bowl in Canton and he rolled his way to a 24th-place finish in qualifying. Jacobson had two days at the finals as the TK boys’ team also qualified for the team competition at Super Bowl. The TK boys were 17th in the qualifying rounds at the finals. Fellow Trojan Paige Green, a senior from the TK girls’ bowling team, also qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 Girls’ Bowling Sin­ gles Finals at the end of the season. She placed 54th in qualifying at the finals. The Hastings girls’ team also qualified for the team finals and placed 14th in qualifying, A grin hits the face of Lakewood senior Zachary Gibson at the conclusion of his 11-0 win over Portland's Caiden Pelc in the finals the Division 3's 130-pound weight class at the MHSAA Individual State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit in March. It was Gibson's second straight state title and his fourth state medal. “We came off the ball differently in the second half,” Murphy said. “We didn’t make any adjustments in the second half. We had a little heart to heart in the locker room. Some seniors spoke up and took some leadership roles in the locker room at half time, and they decided they were going to play differently in the second half. So, it all came from the withjuniors Abby Barton and Amber Rabideseniors. au earning spots in the Division 2 Singles competition. Barton placed 23r^ in qualifying “I think they found out in the first quarter and a half that they could play with them, and Rabideau 55™. because that is a team that has made a lot of While it took tremendous performances for runs tq the finals, and they have been here a number of individuals to reach the state before. They have done this before, and that finals, nothing brings a community together weighs on kids’ minds. I think they found out like a football team winning trophies. in the first quarter and a half, ‘holy crap, we The Hastings varsity football team won its can play with these guys,’ and that sentiment first ever district championship in 2022 after was ringing through the locker roomdqring winning the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference halftime. And all of a sudden we came out title for the third season in a row. The Saxons and I think we shocked them a little bifr' / were a perfect 7-0 in the 1-8 and then demol­ “It was a much better second half, and I ished Vicksburg in the opening round ofthe think the kids know how close they were. If playoffs. Playing in an MHSAA Division 4 we played like we did in the second half, in District Final for the second season in a row, the first half, the game would have been a the Saxons took a 23-13 win over Charlotte to different story.” earn the postseason hardware. The Saxons’ 10-2 record set a new school “It was a lot offun to say the least,” Hast­ ings head coach Jamie Murphy said of the record for wins in a single season. district victory. “It felt like it was a big mon­ Delton Kellogg also reached the state post­ season in Division 7 ion 2022, but the pan­ key on our shoulders in terms ofgetting past thers weren’t setting records for wins. They that second round. The kids just celebrated, 4-5 during the regular season which saw them because I know they felt that weight on their battling injuries from start to finish; School­ shoulders as well.” craft took its second win of the season over Senior defensive lineman Lanny Teunesthe DK team in a Pre-District ballgame, 49-6. sen, who was named first team all-state in Lakewood had the best chance ofany area Division 4 by the Michigan High School team other than the Saxons ofgetting a conference title on the gridiron, but once again the Vikings were thwarted by the Greater Lansing Activities Confer­ ence nemesis, Olivet. The Eagles bested the Vikings 42-7 in what will go down Closed or Open Cell as the final GLAC ball­ or Blown-In Fiberglass game for the two teams. Lakewood will return to Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 the Capital Area Activities . Insumz SPRAYFOAM ik W Delton OKelliog D g isieniior4Cad2e1n 5 Femsd gohes rigiht ahti goest nhghtt taht N MewHSLAoAt dP iJ i Grayson Orr in Division 4’s 215-pound championship match at the MHSAA ndivioua State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit in March. Ferris scores his second straignt stare title with a 10-2 win over Orr - the only opponent he didn't pin all season long. In the end, it was the first time since 2015 that the Vikings did not make the final four of the state tournament. “We knew it was going to take someone’s best match to beat us and I think South Chris­ tian played really, really well,” Rowland said. “I told the girls in the locker room, ‘they exposed us.’ We knew that was going to hap­ pen, that we were going to struggle to put the ball away against teams and we did. I think that our attackers did what they could. I thought South Christian played significantly better defense than what we had saw that they had played all year. “It is tough, and it hurts, because there are seven seniors.” Defensive specialist Alli Pickard and Sky­ lar Bump, a setter/outside hitter, are among those seven, along with outside hitter Ellie Possehn, defensive specialist Paige Wolver­ ton, middle Izzy Wheeler, defensive special­ ist Bailey Fifelski and outside hitter Liv Woodman. Pickard earned third team all-state honors in Division 3 with sophomore setter Abby Pickard and junior libero Carley Piercefield both named first team all-state. A handful of area student-athletes closed the 2022 fall season at the state finals. No one had a better finish than Thomapple Kel­ logg junior Sophia Marcukaitis. Marcukaitis aiid'sophomore” tfeamfhh'te'Abby Dumond both qualified for‘the MHSAA L.P. Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals at Oakland University in November. They were competing for the Delton Kellogg/Thomapple Kellogg/Hastings co-op team, knowing it would be their final meet as a part of the co-op. In maybe the biggest news ofthe year on the pool deck, Hastings decided to end its co-op with Thomapple Kellogg. That has left Thomapple Kellogg looking for a new pool to swim in while the Hastings boys and girls will continue to team up with Delton Kellogg and focus their competition on the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference, which is home to the Hastings Saxons in other sports. “We’re trying to find a good fit for us for next year, and that is my goal,” said TK ath­ letic director Brian Hammer. Hastings High School athletic director Mike Goggins said there is a mix of athletic and administrative reasons the Saxons decid­ ed to break away from the co-op which has been run by Thomapple Kellogg over the years despite Hastings High School and the Community Education and Recreation Center being the home of the team’s' pool. Mid­ dleville had formerly had a high school swim program and had a youth program up and running 18 years ago to feed the high school team. Goggins said that co-ops are never intend­ ed to be forever, and 18 years is longer than most last. The Saxon athletic director said it was a decision ultimately made by the Hastings school board. Marcukaitis swam to an all-state finish in the 100-yard breaststroke at the DI Finals, placing seventh with a time of 1:06.18. She also placed 16th in the 50-yard freestyle. “Sophia is very, very competitive,”DK/ TK/HHS head coach Carl Schoessel said. “A little bit of our problem was there weren’t that many girls in our conference who really were going to be out ahead of her that she could chase. She was the leader. When she is in some ofthe bigger meets, like some ofthe invitationals and so forth, then we see people that help her out. Obviously, at the state meett there are bunches of people and I think as competitive as she is that really helped her.- < 1 State finals competitions had a number of underclassmen from the area competing in the fall. Lakewoodjunior Mackenzie Vasquez j qualified for the MHSAA L.P. Division A Girls GolfFinals. j Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Ava Crews was one of the top runners in the OK Gold Conference all fall and she earned her second straight trip to Michigan International Speed way for the MHSAA L.P. Division 2 Cross Country Finals. Hastings’junior Riley Shults was one of the Interstate-8 Athletic Confefw ence’s top runners this fall too, and he qualb tied for the Division 2 boys’ finals for the first time. The spring season also included a number of Trojans and Saxons competing in the MHSAA L.P. Division 2 Track and Field Finals. Thomapple Kellogg got a medal winning performance from senior Trysta Hilton at the Division 2 Finals at Forest Hills Eastern High School. She ran to an eighth-place time of 16.42 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles while also placing 11th in the 300-meter low hur­ dles. Hastings, got. a medal-winning leap of w feet 2:75 inches fronfjiiriioi* Madison Nino^ the long jump at the D2 Finals. The mark earned her third place in the event. “I wanted to get first I was [seeded] se^i ond for it, but the girl who got first came bug ofnowhere with her PR. It was a pretty good day though. I’d say third place is pretty good - top three,” Nino said. Crews, a freshman at the time, ran a per? sonal record time of 11:48.05 to place 18 the e 3200-meter run. The TK boys y ’ team was p powered by y soptw p omore sprinter Jaxan Sias who was 11 in the 400-meter dash with a personal recoi^ time of 51.32 seconds. He also teamed wijj seniors Jonah Schilthroat and Alex Hag rington and junior Gabe Lajoye to place 15^ in the 4x200-meter relay. Hastings had Slaughter earning a 16th-placq finish at the D2 Finals in the pole vault by clearing the bar at 12-10. Teammate Daniel Weatherly, also a junior last spring, was 21s* in the shot put at the finals. Saxon senior Allison Teed was at the girls’ pole vault ph next to Slaughter at the finals. She set her personal record at 9-9 to place 14 . A lone Lakewood Viking competed in thS state finals at the end of the spring season} senior Connor Feighan. Feighan took GLAC Championship in the 400-meter dash and went on to place 17™ in the event at the D2 Finals. There was also a Lion competing at the state finals at the end of the 2022 spring season. Then sophomore Evan Brandenburg leapt to a spot in the MHSAA Lower Penin­ sula Division 4 Track and Field Finals in June with a longjump of20 feet 6.5 inched at his team’s regional meet in late May. Thai jump met the state qualifying mark of 2(M and put him third in the regional standings at Kent City. Delton Kellogg senior Caden Ferris waS the state runner-up in the shot put at the Divis__io__n__3__F_i_nals where ahe was -joine«d by teanimates Torren Mapes and Wyajt Finney. Firiney, a freshman, placed 16 in the long jump. Mapes, a sophomore, was 18 in the preliminaries ofthe 110-meter high hurdles. 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Bulldogs outscore Hastings ladies in holiday hoops action Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ionia raced out to an 18-6 lead in the opening quarter and went on to a 51-35 win over the visiting Hastings varsity girls’ basketball team in a non-conference bailgame Tuesday. The Bulldogs got 14 points from Melayna Braman. She had 7 points in the opening quarter and 10 in the first halfas Ionia built its lead. The Bulldog lead was 18-2 at one point in the first. “It was a growing game I thought for our girls, because they are physical and aggressive,” Hastings head coach Chase Youngs said. “We knew everything they were going to do. We even talked about it ... They kind of did the same simple things and we didn’t respond. We had four or five minutes of good where we would fight back and claw back and chip into the lead and I felt like we got momentum back, then they’d go on a run and put it back up to ten or back up to 12.” Alexias Daugherty finished with 9 points for Ionia and Rajalyai Esquivel and Tessa Lemke had 8 points each, |, Macy Winegar led the Saxons with 14 points. Rachael Hewitt had 9 points and Bailey Cook 7. Winegar knocked down four three-pointers on the night. While at the best oftimes the Saxons were good not great on Tuesday, there were positives the coach could see. He was happy to see Winegar knock down a few shots from outside. He saidjunior guard Addey Nickels played her most physical game of the season to date. Cook did some good offensive work in the post and junior guard My ah Vincent made a few plays distributing the bas­ ketball. Coach Youngs said it might be the one game all season where the Saxons weren’t undersized compared to their opponent, but the Bulldogs just played with more intensity. “Their defensive aggressiveness and defensive pressure really bothered us as a whole,” Youngs said. That is something the Saxons will work to correct as they prep to see more of the same in upcoming contests with Harper Creek, Marshall, Jackson North-? west and Parma Western. Neither team had played since Dec. 20. The Saxons are in the midst oftheir second week ofthe holiday break. Ionia returned to class Wednesday, Jan. 4. Hastings is now 3-4 overall this season and 1-1 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference. The Saxons will travel to Harper Creek in Battle Creek Friday for an I-.8 match-up with the 3-4 Beavers. Next Tuesday, Jan. 10, the Saxons will host Parma Western in conference play. Ionia improved to 3-4 on the season with its win over the Saxons. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-01-12.pdf 8fa22e2f72219a10fb675396e6a79e23 PDF Text Text Longtime deputy drain commissioner steps down Scary mo yields v See story on page 2 See football field le lessons fastings girls basketball drops a couple of close ones See story on page W Page 4 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590501422749058113421 _______ -CAR-RTLOT-CUUO Richard Hemerling 421 N Taffee Drr58-113 6/ Ml 490 Hastings 6/30/2023 9:47.00 AM ANNER Thursday, January 12 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 2 PRICE $1.50 Barry County honors Jody Tyner with a celebration of life; ‘We’ll never replace him’ Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer A celebration of life event on Jan. 6 at the Barry Expo Center drew in a crowd to com­ memorate the memory of Jody Tyner, 52, who passed away on New Year’s Eve. Tyner, a captain with the Delton Fire Department, who also served on the United States Marine Corps and as a wrestling coach, history teacher, beloved family mem­ ber and friend, suffered a massive stroke on Dec. 17. He spent two weeks at Spectrum’s Butterworth Hospital before he passed away. To honor his memory, 40 fire trucks from throughout Barry County, in addition to emergency vehicles and several police cars, lined up in front of the Delton Fire Depart­ ment. Bright lights flashed as the procession made its way north across M-42 over 12 miles to the Barry Expo Center. Those driving along the highway could see the fire truck procession coming and slowly filtering into the parking lot of the Expo Center. To honor Tyner, the local Honor Guard from American Legion Post 45 in Hastings rendered silence from the crowd while con­ ducting the firing ofthe volleys. After an outdoor ceremony, the crowd 'fined up for an indoor ceremony for Tyner. According to Funeral Director Mathew Richmond from Wifliams-Gores Funeral Home in Delton, local fire departments requested and received a bagpiper to play at Tyner’s funeral service and also organized a recording ofthe last call. Richmond explained Jody Tyner since a firefighter responds to alarms on duty, the ceremony is a reminder oftheir sacrifice and a dispatcher will many times call on the radio for a deceased firefighter. Then, later, the active duty Marine Qprps anti members from Fort Custer National Honor Guard presented the flag ceremony. Two in uniform carefully folded the flag into the symbolic tri-comer shape. See JODY TYNER, page 2 Lake Odessa selects interim village manager; candidate brings decades of experience Molly Macleod Copy Editor The Lake Odessa Village Council voted on Monday evening to appoint Gregg Guetschow as interim village manager. Guetschow, 69, will take over as interim manager following current Village Manag­ er Patrick Reagan’s resignation last month. Reagan’s last day as village manager will be Friday, Jan. 27, with Guetschow taking over officially at 4:30 p.m. that day. Guetschow comes to Lake Odessa on the heels ofan interim village manager stint in Dundee, the same village Guetschow was permanent manager for from 1979 to 1981. With over 40 years ofexperience as a city and village manager in Michigan, Guetschow has served as the city manager of Hillsdale for eight years, city manager for Owosso for 17 years and city manager of Charlotte for 13 years. Guetschow has had several interim man­ ager gigs since leaving his permanent posi­ tion in Charlotte in 2020, including serving as the interim manager for both Hastings and Ionia. Based in Charlotte, Guetschow owns Gregg Guidance, LLC, a consulting firm whose services will be contracted for the Lake Odessa Interim Village Manager position instead of a direct hire of Guetschow. Guetschow will be an independent contractor for the village during his appointment and will be paid $90 an hour for his services, along with compensation for his commute. He plans to work three to four days a week unless Village President Karen Banks approves Guetschow for extra work hours. The village council appointed Guetschow Monday with the reassurance that he will remain as interim manager for the village until his services are no longer needed and a new, permanent village man­ ager has been found. The council has con­ tracted Michigan Municipal League to assist in the search for a new manager. This search could take months, and there is no guarantee of how long Guetschow’s ser­ vices will be needed. In his interview with the village council Newly-appointed Lake Odessa Village Manager Gregg Guetschow addresses the village council during a meeting on Monday. (Photo by Molly Macleod) To honor Jody Tyner’s memory, 40 fire trucks from Barry County, along with emergency vehicles and several police cars, lined up in front of the Delton Fire Department. Bright lights flashed as the procession made its way north across M-42 over 12 miles to the Barry Expo Center. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) Barry County Central Dispatch sets its sights on the future, prepares to expand workload Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Barry County Central | Dispatch has a daunting task ahead ofit. To get optimal cov­ erage for 911 calls and emergency communi­ cations, Director Stephanie Lehman said there would need to be six additional commu­ nications towers throughout the county. The price tag for that project would come in atjust under a cool $20 million, with Leh­ man estimating it would take about $18 to 20 million in all. Lehman has already secured the $5.7 million in funds and is well on her way to getting the approval needed to build two, all without costing taxpayers a dime. Lehman is spearheading the effort to build the two new towers as one project with two funding sources. Lehman.secured funds for one tower by making a pitch to county com­ missioners for an allotment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. She then spoke with Michigan legislators and suc­ cessfully made her case for funds for the second tower using a surplus in the state’s 2023 budget. See DISPATCH, page 2 Monday night, Guetschow said his main goal as interim village manager would be to ensure a smooth transition from Reagan to him, and himselfto the next, permanent manager. “The public and the organization should really not see that we are in any way miss­ ing a beat here in terms of what’s going on,” Guetschow told the council. “What I try to provide is that sense of stability in the organization... it’s business as usual. The lights are on, the doors are open, we’re responding to the needs that people bring to us.” While the search for a new village man­ ager is conducted, Guetschow will solve problems and keep the village running smoothly, he said. “My goal is to be as helpful as I can, and it doesn’t matter who it is. I want to be helpful,” said Guetschow. More on Guetschow and Lake Odessa’s search for a permanent village manager can be found in this weekend’s edition of The LakewoodNews. Stephanie Lehman, director of Barry County Central Dispatch, said dispatchers handle more than five times as many calls as they did when the department opened in 1992. (File photo) The 2022-23 flu season is hitting Barry County early, physician says Dr. Carl Baker Hunter McLaren StaffWriter There are a few possible reasons why Barry County households might find them­ selves more ill this year than in years past. The 2022-23 flu season has hit nearly a full month sooner than it usually does, said Dr. Carl Baker, a physician at Corewell Health Pennock’s family medicine office. Baker said the hospital is seeing an influx of flu cases that in other years, it normally wouldn’t see for at least another month. “(We are) definitely seeing the flu earlier in the year this season. I can’t speak right now to whether or not the whole season is going to have more cases or not,” Baker said. “If this is our peak and we go down from here, then we might have a very reasonable flu season. But if we’re not getting close to that peak yet, we could be in for a rough time.” While Baker can’t point to any one reason why influenza is making the rounds early this year, he said there are a few possible contrib­ uting factors and other interesting wrinkles. For one, this year has seen more people out and in close proximity than in previous See FLU, page 3 �Page 2 — Thursday, January 12, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Longtime deputy drain commissioner resigns from post Jayson Bussa Lakewood to host community workshop tonight The newly named interim superintendent of Lakewood Public Schools Jodi Dutts announced last week that the Board ofEducation will welcome community mem e a workshop p tonight, g, Jan.. 12,, at 7 p.. p.m. in the high g school media . center. The workshop will serve as a way for community members to dialogue wi mem ofthe board, as well as the superintendent, and give input on the safety, security, instruc-­ tional and infrastructure needs ofthe district and how those needs will e a esse . Community members can express any concerns orr ideas i they have about the future of the district, as Well as the upcoming bond proposal, directly to the Board of Education and superintendent at this workshop. , ... In a letter to the Lakewood Public Schools families, Duits wrote: The Board will listen intently to all community members who have ideas on how to best address these pressing short- and long-term needs. Addressing these needs is a statutory responsibility ofthe Board ofEducation to ensure our students can learn in safe, healthy and sustainable spaces. These facilities belong to the entire community and as stewards ofthese assets, we seek to bring our community together to address these needs. Lakewood High School is located at 7223 Velte Road, Lake Odessa. Gun Lake area church hosting blood drive 'fE Editor t An already lightly staffed county drain commissioner’s office just got even smaller. Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim Dull announced on Monday in front of the Board of Commissioners that Deputy Drain Commissioner of 12 years Tammy Hayes has stepped down. Hayes already submitted her resignation and her last day was Tuesday. Dull wanted to honor Hayes publicly in front of the commissioners, and due to the holidays, he was Unable to add a formal item tto the agenda. But, he coaxed Hayes out of the gallery at the meeting to acknowledge her publicly himself. | “You will pay for this,” a sheepish Hayes said as she joined Dull at the podium with laughs coming from the gallery. “That’s a lot ofservice, and ourjob is not a low-stress job. I really appreciate her coming in for this many years,” Dull said before hugging Hayes. “Thank you, Tammy — we are a grateful board for your time and service to your coun­ ty,” board chairman David Jackson said. “I know the drain commissioner’s office has not been an easy task in the recent past - there have been a lot ofwater issues. So thank you very much.” Hayes served as deputy drain commission­ er for six years under Dull and for eight years under the previous commissioner Russ Yarger. In total, she has logged 18.5 years of ser­ vice to the county. Dull and Hayes are the only two members ofthe office, keeping them quite busy. For context, Eaton County’s drain commission­ er’s office employs a four- or five-person staff. “We could use another person here as an extra set ofeyes because we handle so much money,” Dull told The Banner. “Vie have talked about going to the commissioners about (hiring more people for the office) but we know that the county doesn’t have any extra money. It’s a hard one.” To fill the void, Dull said that he has enlist­ ed the help of his wife, who briefly trained under Hayes, to keep operations moving. “We can do pay-offs and keep checks com­ ing in and stuff like that,” Dull said. Before Dull begins his search for a replace­ ment, he’s re-writing the job description, making it a more accurate reflection of the job, which he said is focused mainly on accounting work. “I would like to see somebody with one or two college credits in accounting under their belts come in because it’s more accounting than anything else,” he said. “Tammy had 12 years to learn all this stuff,” Dull added. “For someone to step in, you’ll have to have someone that can pick it up pretty quickly. That’s ok - we’ll get through it.” Saints Cyril and Methodius Church near Gun Lake will host a blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24. Versiti Blood Center will be the service provider. The church is at 159 - 131 st Avenue, Wayland, a mile west ofthe county line at Cobb Lake Road. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weighs more than 110 pounds may be eligible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is only time. While all types ofblood are needed, Type O blood is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals. As an added bonus, Versiti is giving limited edition beanies to anyone who donates blood while supplies last. Questions may be directed to Versiti Blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD or 269-792-3543. Appointments are preferred and may be made at donate.mivchigan.versiti.org, but walk­ ins are welcome. Ji** Pick up free radon test kits during Radon Action Month Radon can’t be seen, smelled or tasted, but high levels of radon gas may be in resi­ dents’ homes, increasing their risk of lung cancer. Fortunately, testing is easy and high radon levels can be lowered. With COVID-19, flu, and RSV, individuals and families are spending more time at home this winter, making it even more important to check for high radon levels. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown ofradi­ um. Radium, in turn, is a natural decay product ofuranium. Radon moves up through the soil and enters buildings through cracks and openings in the foundation, floor or walls, including at floor/wall joints, sump openings and other openings caused by plumbing, wiring or ductwork. Outdoors, radon is diluted by the atmosphere to safe levels. However, radon can con­ centrate in indoor air and reach unhealthy levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and is the number one cause oflung cancer in non-smokers. It is very important for residents to know their home’s radon level and to take action to lQWeriit^fitfsifl9lWgh.(naaiH0 oiuiu lo ci-jypifr... ,f ? qi'M • • Easy, do-it-yourself radon test kits are available for free to residents of Barry and Eaton counties .during jlami^ry, which is Radon Action-Month. There is ^limjt ofone kit per address. Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and supplies are limited. Residents can pick up a kit at the Health Departments in Hastings and Charlotte, as well as the Delta Township Hall in Lansing and the Delton District Library. After using it at home, residents should send it to the lab for testing. According to a Michigan survey, high levels ofradon are expected in one out ofeight Michigan homes. The only way to know if a home has high radon levels is to test it. Homes should be tested every 2 years for high radon levels. CORRECTION It has come to our attention that the Jan. 7 edition of The Reminder has caused some confusion amongst readers. The edition’s cover story featured a headline that read fast­ ings on verge of losing two inde­ pendently-owned restaurants as industry continues to prove chal­ lenging.’ The story chronicled how Hast­ ings-based Bunker’s Smokehouse and Grille has permanently shut its doors and how the property that is home to the State State Street Diner in Hastings is about to be purchased by a national car wash franchise. A picture ofHugo Osorio, owner ofthe restaurant Mexican Connex­ ion (seen here) was placed within the story, as we also spoke to cur­ rent restaurant owners about the difficulties in the industry today. We in no way meant to imply that Mexican Connexion was shutting down and wrote in the story that the restaurant is still going strong after 36 years ofbeing open. We apologize that the presentation ofthis story gave readers the wrong impression. We regret the error. WE NEED YOU TRUSTEE POSITION TO FILL HASTINGS CHARTER TOWNSHIP is seeking candidates for a TRUSTEE. Must be a township resident and a registered voter, we meet the second Tuesday evening ofthe month. This position will fill out a term ending November 20, 2024. Ifinterestedcontactthetownship(269.948.9690) ifyou have any questions or for an application (also available on our webpage (www>hastingstownship.com). Applications must be received by February 10. 2023. u * While cloudy skies loomed overhead, the red flashing lights from fire trucks lit up the parking lot of the Barry Expo Center during the celebration of life service for Jody Tyner. JODY TYNER, continued from page 1 After the ceremony, more friends and fam­ ily stopped by to pay their respects through­ out the three-hour celebration oflife event for Tyner, which took place from 5 to 8 p.m. “We estimated there were 900 people that signed the register book to, pay their respects during the entire evept,’’ Richmond said. Pelton, Fire Chief Gene Muskoyin said, “The only thing I can say about Jody is to look at the tutndut. Look at the people that have come out to celebrate him. I cannot say the words tajustify what’s going on here.” “We’ll never replace him,” said the Delton Fire Assistant ChiefPerry Shepard. “Jody was a great person and even a better friend to everybody here today.” Alex Middleton, Captain of the Thomapple Township Emergency Services, had known Tyner since he was a boy. “His dad and my dad served on the fire department together. I’ve served with him, his brother and his sister. I’ve known him for about 40 years,” Middleton said. “Jody was always the happy guy, always smiling, telling jokes and pulling pranks. He was never in a bad mood and always Jody, who gives and gives and gives and never takes anything for himself.” Roger Weeks, a cousin that grew up with A celebration of life event on Jan. 6 at the Barry Expo Center drew in a crowd to commemorate the memory of Jody Tyner, 52, who passed away on New Year’s Eve. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) Tyner, remembered the good times. “Our families were so close. We did a lot of camping together, and we did a lot of canoe trips together,” Weeks said with tears in his eyes. “That’s one ofmy fondest mem­ ories. He’s a very good guy. Tammie Weeks from Cedar Springs has been married to Roger for 40 years and has fond memories ofTyner, as well, “I remember him more as a sweet little boy with blonde hair, always smiling, always happy,” she said. “He was a good dad. He’s a good guy. He was a really good adult.” Middleton remembers Tyner’s service to his community, family and friends. “He’s filled a big part ofthe fire service in Barry County,” he said. “The stuff he does with his family. His involvement with schools and wrestling. Everything that he does and the charity that they run as a family.” DISPATCH, continued from page 1 “So, $5.7 million to fund two of the six mission critical public safety communica­ tions infrastructure towers that we need, not directly on the Barry County taxpayers’ backs,” Lehman said. “I’m pretty proud of that. That was definitely my career high for 2022.” The two new towers, although only part of the six eventual planned towers in Barry County, will provide a huge, much-needed boost to BCCD’s capabilities. The new towers would be the first new additions to the net­ work since the 1999) construction of a stateowned tower for lawi enforcement communi­ cations was built in Maple Grove Township. “Unfortunately, we live in a society where there’s not less of a heed for 911 and public safety,” Lehman said,. “We’re not taking less calls.” The other tower in Barry County used by BCCD is on the dispatch property, built alongside the building in 1992. That tower serves emergency fire and medical communi­ cations. The needs ofBCCD have grown far beyond the infrastructure in the county, Lehman said. The number of law enforcement officers uti­ lizing the state-owned tower has more than quadrupled, and the number of calls handled by BCCD has grown even further. “We opened the doors here and took our first call for service in November of 1992, so this past November was 30 years (of opera­ tion),” Lehman said. “We are doing more than five times the work in 2022 than we did in 1992.” In those 30 years,. BCCD expanded its team ofdispatchers for the first time in 2020. As the county continues to grow, so does BCCD’s workload. Although new infrastructure is a big help, Lehman has found other cost-effective means ofincreasing the depart­ ment’s bandwidth. This year will mark the dispatch center’s eighth year of being able to receive 911 texts. Barry County was one of the first counties in the state to have access to a textto-911 service in 2015 when the system started rolling out. Kent County, one of the most populated counties in the state, just began its textto-911 service last month. The service is helpful to both callers and dispatchers for a few reasons: it provides a discreet means of communication, it’s help­ ful to those with hearing and speech impair­ ments, and texts can be more easily translat­ ed from other languages to break down any language barriers. “That’s helped us tremendously here,” Lehman said. “That’s made our ability to address and meet those needs much more efficient.” Text service also helps dispatchers in less obvious ways. During a situation with an influx of calls like a severe storm, texts allow dispatchers to follow several text threads at once with information like downed power lines or damaged infrastructure. Although it’s not available now, Lehman said in the future callers will be able to send photos and videos to provide information to dispatchers. The expansion and iteration of BCCD’s services and infrastructure all work toward one goal: meeting the growing emergency needs ofBarry County. While Lehman hopes to start the construc­ tion of the two newly funded communica­ tions towers soon, she plans to keep finding ways to utilize the department’s current resources until the rest ofthe necessary tow­ ers can be funded. “Someday, we’ll see,” Lehman said. “But once I get these two (towers) in place, (get­ ting the other four) will be my priority.” I One of two current emergency communications towers in Barry County is located at the Barry County Central Dispatch building, pictured here. (File photo) �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 12, 2023 — Page 3 City swears in new, returning council members at first meeting of new year Alexandra Palmer of Delton appeared via video from the Barry County Jail for a pre-trial discussion on a possible plea agreement on Tuesday, Jan. 3. (Photo by Greg Chandler) City Clerk Christopher Bever (left) swears in new and returning members (from left to right) Bill Nesbitt, Mandy Furrow, Jim Cary and Norman Barlow, (photos by Hunter McLaren) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Both new and returning city officials set­ tled into new roles at the year’s first city council meeting. New council members Mandy Furrow (rep­ resenting the 2nd Ward) and Norman Barlow (representing the 3rd Ward) were sworn in alongside returning members Bill Nesbitt and Jim Cary. Furrow replaced outgoing member Brenda McNabb-Stange, and Barlow replaced outgoing member Don Smith. Council members nominated and unani­ mously appointed Nesbitt as the city’s new mayor pro-tem. The position entails filling in as the city’s mayor when the elected mayor is unavailable, whether that be due to schedul­ ing conflicts, illness or other circumstances. Former Mayor Pro-Tern John Resseguie, who held the position for two years, said he was stepping away from the position due to health concerns. Mayor Dave Tossava and other council members thanked him for his time serving in the role. , “John’s done a greatjob. I didn’t give him a lot of opportunities (to act as mayor) because I haven’t missed a lot of meetings but John filled in (often when there were two events at the same time),” Tossava said. “He shadowed me at all the meetings, in case something did happen. He was ready to step up, and I want to thank him for his two years of service.” Council members approved City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale’s appointment of Christo­ pher Bever as deputy city manager. Bever will be taking on the role in addition to his responsibilities as the city clerk, treasurer, director of finance and Freedom of Informa­ tion Act (FOIA) director. Tossava delivered an address to council members and the public, outlining some of the challenges the city has faced in recent ^^reviryilrt>'iT£ro^:’i?|7'a^. ra « hntarWfinfC it* ** tM* ’tfpB W h*11 Mayor Dave Tossava addressed council members, praising city employees for nav­ igating obstacles in recent years and stating his optimism for their continued success. '*to ‘■jss: h,Wk^21 ■ MW* &** years and commending City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale and city employees for rising to meet them. “In late summer 2021, a fresh breeze came into Hastings. That fresh breeze was Sarah Moyer-Cale,” Tossava said. “With Sarah came fresh ideas.” f The address touched on the success of many ofthe city’s annual events and festivi-. ties, as well as progress made by the city on larger goals and projects in the past year. The mayor mentioned the completion of the “Lofts@128” housing development, the finalized plans for the 3y den Lofts housing development?and the reduction of the city’s other post employment»benefits liability. The city’s OPEB liability, which had a net balance of over $9 million in 2021, was reduced to just $170,928 in June/2022 due to policy changes made by the city. “I am very excited to see what 2023 brings us and I think we have a great chance to make a difference in the community,” Tossava said. “In closing, I want to tell you the state ofthe city is good.” In other business, the city: - Set the 2023 calendar for regular council meetings.1 The tofty* will} be maintaining its previous schedule ofmeeting at 7 p.m. on the second' and fourth Momfef ofeach1 month on the second floor of Hastings City Hull. - Set a workshop meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 to discuss plans and goals for the 2023-24 fiscal year budget. Moyer-Cale said both of February’s council meetings will likely be preceded by workshop meetings, as well. One will discuss the results of a water and sewer rate study conducted by the city and the other will discuss a proposal for a potential ice skating rink at Tyden Park. - Approved the purchase of two 2023 GMC Sierra pickup trucks for a total of $101,738 as recommended by Director of Public Services Travis Tate. ? Water pipe burst at new TK Early Childhood Center on Christmas Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Kellogg Schools got an unpleasant surprise during the holiday break. A water pipe burst in the main entryway of the district’s Early Childhood Center on Christmas Day, Superintendent Craig McCa­ rthy said at Monday’s school board meeting. “We ended up with water pouring into the building,” McCarthy said. “Luckily, it was from the fire suppression system, which alert­ ed the fire department. They came out (to respond).” About 250 gallons of water was extracted from the carpet in the board room, near the front entrance, where the Board ofEducation typically meets. “This is the only quantity ofwater we were made aware of during the cleanup process,” McCarthy said. No damage to the carpet or drywall was reported. Modernistic Carpet Cleaning & Restoration came in to clean up the mess. “The water was extracted off from the floors in the office, boardroom, and the first two classrooms, and then dehumidifiers were placed in the building for several days,” McCarthy said. “Finally, the carpets were all cleaned, and the building was ready for stu­ dents to return. The only damage was to the ceiling tile in the entryway?’ Damage from the pipe burst is estimated at between $33,000 to $35,000, McCarthy said. The Early Childhood Center, which opened in late August 2022, serves as the home for the TK district’s preschool program, the Great Start Readiness Program, early child­ hood special education and child care pro­ gram. Palmer pleads no contest in hit-and-run death Greg Chandler StaffWriter A 32-year-old Delton woman has plead­ ed no contest to reduced charges stemming from the hit-and-run death ofa 21-year-old woman in May 2022. Alexandra Marie Palmer pleaded no contest last Thursday in Barry County court to added counts of failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in seri­ ous impairment or death and tampering with evidence in the death ofMica LeBeau ofDelton. She also pleaded no contest as a third-time habitual offender, which will double the possible sentence she could receive, Assistant Prosecutor Josh Carter said. Palmer faces sentencing on March 8 at 1:30 p.m. The failing to stop charge is a 5-year felony, but with the habitual offend­ er plea, that raises the possible maximum sentence to 10 years in prison. The tamper­ ing with evidence charge is a 4-year felo­ ny, Carter said. In exchange for the pleas, the prosecu­ tion will drop Palmer’s initial charges of failure to stop at an accident causing death 1 and failure to stop at a Serious ^etsdnal" injury accident. The first charge carries a’ maximum 15-year prison sentence, which could have gone up to 30 years with the habitual offender charge. Palmer had been scheduled to go on trial Jan. 23. She had until last Friday to agree to the plea bargain to avoid going to trial. Carter had proposed a minimum sen­ tence of 6-and-a-half years in prison for Palmer during recent pre-trial conferences under what is called a Killebrew agree­ ment. That’s where a trial court may accept a guilty plea without being bound by any sentencing agreement between the defendant and the prosecution. Palmer would not be able to withdraw her plea if the court does not follow the sentencing recommendation. Carter told the court Jan. 4 that he had proposed the minimum 6-and-a-half year sentence in consultation with LeBeau’s family. LeBeau was struck by a vehicle in the early-morning hours ofMay 8,2022 in the 6900 block of Delton Road as she was walking. Her body was found alongside the road by officers from the Barry Town­ ship Police Department. Palmer remairiS’held Oil a $20,000 bond ' ift’thb Barry Cdunty Jail.' '1 ! FLU, continued from page 1 years, thanks to the relaxing of precautions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With the easing ofthose restrictions largely sending K-12 students back to school for in-person classes, students are back to catch­ ing illnesses at school and bringing them back to their homes. The lifting of public mask mandates and the general drop in people wearing masks has likely also contributed to more illnesses this year, as well, Baker said. Masking is effective at preventing the transmission ofCOVID-19, the flu and RSV, another cold-like illness that mostly affects infants and young children. This has become apparent in recent years where rates of RSV and flu infections have dropped after the adoption of COVID-19 safety measures, Baker said. “RSV is slightly less contagious than COVID, or the flu, which means that even basic measures like hand washing, wearing masks and self-isolating would make a much larger improvement for a virus like RSV than it does influenza and even COVID,” Baker said. “Masking can help prevent the transmis­ sion of most respiratory pathogens, but the ones that are less contagious are going to have an even bigger drop off in cases.” Although the flu typically has mild symp­ toms for adults ages 18-64, it can have seri­ ous effects on young children and adults over the age of 65. It’s important that everyone takes steps to stay healthy in order to protect those at risk. “The main reason to get protected against the flu, ifnot only for your own health, is to protect the health of others,” Baker said. People should get their seasonal flu shot first, which Baker said can be donejust about anywhere for free or at a low cost, such as their primary care office or pharmacy. In addition, Barry County residents should take care to wash their hands regularly and thor­ oughly with hot water and soap, which acts to reduce the spread ofmany contagious illness­ es, notjust the flu. It’s also important to avoid contact with those who have flu symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, fatigue, muscle aches, chills and other feelings of general unwellness. Baker said it’s important to note that flu symptoms might come on gradually, and some patients who suspect they only have a mild cold still test positive for influenza. Baker also said that, while it’s important to take steps to stay healthy, people should also be aware of the healthcare system’s limited resources. Anyone with mild flu symptoms should check into their family doctor’s office or urgent care facility, not an emergency room, unless they’re experiencing life-threat­ ening symptoms. “The person there can help direct you to the emergency department ifyou need to be there,” Baker said. “But what that will do is make sure that the people who need the resources of the emergency department are going to get the care they need as fast as possible.” 1nsli4^W o1 SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Call lor Hastings Banner ads 269-945-9554 or 1-699-679-7965 �Page 4 — Thursday. January 12, 2023 — The Hastings Banner see Did Hope and prayers for a football player NEW DIGITAL DIGS Many residents around the county opt to stream the weekly Board of Commissioners and Committee of the Whole meetings in real time on Tuesday mornings. While that capability is not going away, the county is now using popular video snaring platform YouTube for the job. , ut Faithful streamers noticed this week that the county is no longer streaming through Vimeo, but instead, the county weosite guides viewers to its YouTube account, at youtube.com/@barrycountymichigan3498. David Shinavier, IT coordinator for the county, told The Banner that the move is expected to be permanent and that his team is working to move all past meeting recordings into playlists on that channel. Do you remember? A nice cool dip Banner Feb. 4, 1999 More than 120 people took part in the annual Polar Bear Dip lunacy at Gun Lake Winterfest Saturday afternoon. Some ofthe partici­ pants took to wearing some colorful costumes while jumping into the frigid waters. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Have you met? Matthew Santner didn’t set out to work in outdoor education. When he got his mas­ ter’s degree in education, he thought he was on his way to becoming an algebra teacher. While making his way down that path, Santner completed an education internship for a local conservation district. He found that he enjoyed environmental education more than he had enjoyed being a class­ room teacher and he changed his course. After several more similar internships, a former supervisor working at the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center in Dowl­ ing reached out to Santner and suggested he start working as an instructor there. “Just because of... maybe we’ll just say timing, and good luck, I had the opportuni­ ty to advance to both a senior instructor and then ultimately a role as a coordinator,” Santner said. There, Santner works with the adminis­ tration team to facilitate the goings-on at the facility. The OEC is a residential educa­ tion center, meaning students have the chance to stay at the camp overnight. While students of all ages can come and learn about the natural world around them, camp­ ing overnight can provide a unique experi­ ence for fifth and sixth graders. “I think that we in Michigan have an abundance of a few camps like that, where students have their first taste of indepen­ dence. As much as our camp is about inter­ acting with nature, it’s also about giving kids a taste ofindependence,” Santner said. “For some kids who don’t go away for sum­ mer camp, this is their first opportunity to be independent.” Regardless of whether they’re day camp­ ers or staying overnight, campers have end­ less opportunities to learn about the environ- Matthew Santner ment. Ambassadors from the animal king­ dom provide students the chance to see ani­ mals like an eastern screech owl, red-tailed hawk, corn snake, boa constrictor and sala­ manders close up. As well as on-site pro­ gramming, the OEC offers virtual programs and an on-the-road program that brings les­ sons to several Southern Michigan schools. Santner said his journey to working in outdoor education in Dowling has been enlightening in more than just his profes­ sional path. Santner, a native Ohioan, said he’s found where he belongs. “If anybody asked me now, I want to say that Dowling and Barry County is home,” Santner said. “When you move to a place for an internship, or for college, it’s like, ‘Okay, 1 lived in Wisconsin for a few years.’ Now, this is my home and I love it.” Since starting work at the OEC in 2009, Santner said his love for Barry County has only grown. “Now that I’ve spent 13 years here, there is something exciting about feeling connect­ ed with the community. And I feel like there are still more opportunities to be connected. I think that’s something that is an exciting opportunity - that I’m like, ‘But wait, I want to get to know more about this county!”’ For his work to teach about the world around us and his appreciation for Barry County, Matthew Santner is this week’s Bright Light. First job: Cashier at Builders Square. Person I admire and why: Kevin Rabineau, a fellow local runner, for his willingness to share his vast knowledge relating to all things running, love ofpuns, enthusiasm, encouragement and integrity. Greatest fear: Heights! What I like about my job: There is an apple orchard on the camp property and I make apple chips from those apples. One good thing about Barry County I am looking forward to seeing: Skunk cab­ bage emerging at Warner Audubon Sanctu­ ary and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in late February. It is a sign ofhope, new life and spring after winter’s dormancy. Hobbies: Bookmaking. Readers of this column might assume I’m not much of a sports fan, but every citizen in America became one as they followed the progress of one National Football League player following the Monday night game two weeks ago in Cincinnati. Whether you saw the camera views live or you’ve followed the daily national news coverage nearly every day since we all know now how life can suddenly turn harrowing at any sports venue. Playing safety for the Buffalo Bills, Damar Ham­ lin suddenly fell backward following what appeared to be a routine tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Immediately, frantic medical profes­ sionals went to work on Hamlin adminis­ tering CPR when the 24-year-old’s heart stopped beating due to cardiac arrest after the tackle. It was approximately 10 min­ utes before Hamlin was placed in an ambulance at midfield and transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he underwent further test­ ing and treatment. The game was, pf course, halted and then eventually suspended as distraught players, staffand shocked fans looked on in eerie silence. We’ve all been gratified since to see Hamlin make a slow but miraculous recovery. Now, looking back, I think the situation - hopefully never to be repeated — was good for the game, for sports in general, and all of us. It was a needed reminder of how precious life can be even in the middle of heated athletic competition. For me, the incident’s most powerful moment came when men from both teams took a knee to pray for their fellow play­ er. It’s in crisis times like this that we look to God for help, putting aside any political correctness. The players were praying for Hamlin’s life. In times ofcrisis, we are often united in ways not normally seen in today’s soci­ ety. It brings out a spiritual force within us calling for divine action due to a spirit offaith. “What is the spirit of faith?” asks the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:9-10. “It’s believing with the heart or spirit and ' Speaking with' the‘imdutii?4't''l 13rlayers and1 ordinary Americans felt divine forte ana fk^fere JftioYe0P'to action. Over $8 million has been donated to support Hamlin’s charity a toy drive for his community for which he had ini­ tially set a $2,500 goal. “This outpouring of generosity and compassion means the world to us,” said a representative of Hamlin’s family. When Hamlin was miraculously able to speak himself days later, he added to the wonder offaith. “When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you three times as much,” wrote Hamlin eventually on an Instagram post. “The love has been over­ whelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me.” While Hamlin’s situation wasn’t clear at the time, there’s a history of athletes suffering cardiac events during competi­ tions in sports such as football, soccer and hockey. Though heart problems in elite athletes are rare, they have occurred sometimes due to underlying conditions including undiagnosed heart disease or genetic abnormalities. Getting hit in the chest with enough force can disrupt the heartbeat, a condition called Commotio Cordis, which is rare but can be caused by an object like a hockey puck, a baseball, or, as in Hamlin’s case, another player. Detroit Lion Chuck Hughes had a fatal heart attack on the field in 1971, the only NFL player to die while playing. Unlike Hamlin, Hughes hadn’t been hit before collapsing. Hughes’ wife, who was sitting in the stands that day, saw him clutch his chestjust before collapsing to the ground. The medical staff did what it could to save him, but was unable to get a heart­ beat. It was later determined that Hughes Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. The Hastings Bcinildr Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. died ofcoronary heart disease, a harden­ ing of the arteries, that caused a blood clot obstructing a main artery ofthe heart. For years, the sports industry has spent millions on helmets to protect players from head injuries. There have been bro­ ken legs, knees, ankles, arms and more but few heart attacks. In 2014, Tyler Koop, a 12-year-old ” died when a lacrosse ball struck him in the chest and stopped his heart. Another ‘ lacrosse player, George Boiardi of Cor- / nell University, died after being struck in the chest during a game. So this isn’t the 1 first time a player has suffered heart prob- ‘' lems as a result ofa blow to the area near the heart — it wasjust a shocking situation during a football game. “Ifthe hit catches the person at a vul- >l nerable point in the cycle ofa heartbeat it ' can cause ventricular fibrillation, which is a lethal abnormal rhythm ofthe heart,” says Mariell Jessup, MD, chief science '' and medical officer at the American Heart Association. “Commotio Cordis most : commonly happens to young men who ' play sports with hard balls, such as base- ! 1 ball or lacrosse, but it could affect anyone playing a contact sport.” When players on both teams kneeled to pray for Hamlin until he was finally taken away in an ambulance two weeks ago, the decision by officials to suspend the game was met with little or no resentment from those in the stadium. It seemed that everyone was concerned more about Hamlin’s condition rather than finishing the game. Football provides billions to the sports industry, yet this was a situation that ’ called on the officials and executives to think more about an individual player ° than the game as a whole. That’s the 1 encouragement I took away from the game and this tragic incident. According to medical officials when Hamlin regained conciseness he asked in writing, “Who won the game.” Their " response was “Damar, you won - you won the game oflife.” Dr. William Knight described the past three days as a long and difficult road. “He has been very sick and has made a J fairly remarkable recovery.” AmericansJl6Ve' footbalL a fact that, whether w& like (he game ifr hot, we need . to acknowledge. “Football is like life,” said the late leg­ endary coach Vince Lombardi. “It requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect ' for authority.” But that authority has to be earned and putting off the game was in the best inter- j. est of Hamlin, the players and everyone watching the game, because the situation • was more about an individual player and the risk of losing his life rather than finishing a game. These and other sudden deaths will continue to prompt sports officials to enforce pre-competition screenings to protect athletes from serious situations, a good thing. Hamlin seems to be on the mend. Determining whether he will ever play the game again will be put offfor another day. Yet, the potential tragedy reminded us all that life is precious and can be lost in an instant. It was also a poignant lesson in the power of prayer and the unifying influ­ ence ofkneeling together. • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County, $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 Hesidenlsconiin u e t o w t hir i v t v TV V ||D ^wlolideatoeliiiiati **•*) tari �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 12, 2023 — Page 5 Bids awarded for TKHS renovation work o o WSSS&> S&e> ww ; J’VsVStf*S K^ $& & }W ^WW V*V*k SSW*>' !%Sb h !%b. SS> > ,^hs SSiS^' ‘‘iX S s ’JkSSiS^, *^ !ik S w‘i*^^'Xf'd, J ! k w‘i*'Xfd s J i fd '^S^s J tesjws: tejsSJSfa a i*sSw : NSj; *?sw sw 11 l'*5v l*5v 'l£* £* ,^«<«<‘»»‘^‘isi "*“* tjjp^ 1 I WrtJ' !■ ?'»* *«iiBi^b * J^KR * ae© i< wtMktadqa iwirattMa*ktadqa Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Kellogg High School will soon be getting a makeover that includes a cafeteria expansion, the addition ofair condi­ tioning to the school’s main gymnasium, and removal ofasbestos and reconstruction ofthe roofat its pool. The district s Board of Education Monday authorized its construction manager, Grand Rapids-based Owen-Ames-Kimball, to award letters of intent to contractors and suppliers for more than $6.38 million of renovation work at the high school, to be paid for out of the $42.8 million bond issue that TK voters approved in November 2020. In a separate action, the board approved awarding the contract for asbestos abatement above the ceiling of the high school pool to Abatement & Demolition Services ofMullik­ en, in the amount ofno more than $669,645, with funding from bond proceeds. Owen-Ames-Kimball p project manager Bob Byrne told the school board that when the bids for the renovation work were all added up, they came in nearly $1 million under budget “Everybody that I talked to, all their bids were qualified and are legitimate bids,” Byrne said. Most of the contractors that will work on the high school have been involved in other proj­ ects tied to the November 2020 bond issue, including work at the high school and the dis­ trict’s three elementary buildings, Byrne said. “All these contractors, with the exception ofa few new players, are familiar with us ... We do have very good contractor participa­ tion on this job,” he said. “We’re very com­ fortable with that.” Air conditioning will be added to all remaining classrooms at TKHS that do not currently have air conditioning as part ofthe renovation. In addition, mechanical upgrades will be made to the pool, which has not been in use since March 2020, TK Assistant Super­ intendent Chris LaHaie said. The bids include alternates that were not part ofthe base bid. They include the addition oftwo 40-ton air-cooled condensing units that will be installed on the roof ofthe main gym­ nasium, fans in the auxiliary gym, replacing flooring with carpeting in one classroom, and demolition of several existing classrooms so that a “team room” can be built, LaHaie said. DHE Plumbing and Mechanical ofGrandville was the largest ofthe contractor bids, as they will handle mechanical work, including installation ofthe new air conditioning units in the main gym. DHE submitted a bid of $2,918,000 for that line item. Other contrac­ tors and their bid amounts were: . - Electrjcql: Buist Electric rayron Center), $695,400. - General Trades: IntegraCore Construc­ tors (Grand Rapids), $403,700. -Masonry: Burggrabe Masonry Inc. (Beld­ ing), $349,860. - LPDA: Phoenix Interiors LLC (Grand Rapids), $152,800. - Roofing: C&l Building Maintenance (Sparta), $115,860. - Metal Wall Panels: Versatile Roofing Systems (Grant), $92,500. - Painting: Halligan Painting Inc. (Walk­ er), $82,460. - Flooring: River City Flooring (Hudson­ ville), $79,275. — Aluminum, Glass & Glazing: Lakeshore Glass & Metals (Zeeland), $60,030. - Polished Concrete Finishing: Burgess Concrete Construction Inc. (Moline), $50,700. - Doors, Frames & Hardware: S.A. Mor­ man & Company (Grand Rapids), $45,510. - Fire Protection: Brigade Fire Protection Inc. (Belmont), $24,530. - Overhead Coiling Doors: Bareman & Associates (Jenison), $22,205. - Lockers: Brainard Enterprise (Rockford), $18,900. - Commissioning: FISECx LLC (Lowell), $14,400. Earlier bids were awarded to FCC Con­ struction of Caledonia for metals and Trane US for mechanical equipment. One area of cost savings for the district will involve transferring two boilers from the district’s Learning Center building, which is slated to be tom down, to the high school. “They still have a lot of useful life,” LaHaie said. The • boilers were purchased in 2017, LaHaie said. The scope ofthe asbestos work on the pool roof is described as “extensive, as it will require the complete removal of steel beams, a significant amount ofmasonry, and all other materials containing asbestos in this area,” LaHaie wrote in his presentation to the board. That project was bid out separately, and finding willing bidders was a bit of a challenge, according to LaHaie. “There were a few bidders that said, ‘we’re not going to touch this one. We’ve got plenty of work. This is a tough job.’ They weren’t interested,” he said. Bids for the work were opened on Jan. 4, two weeks later than the bids on the renova­ tion work. Two companies submitted bids, LaHaie said. “(The bids came) in a little bit higher than we wanted, but in speaking with the person who helped us put together the (request for proposals)... he said, honestly, he could see this going up to a million dollars,” LaHaie said. “When I heard that, the price tag of $669,645 ... seemed like a bargain.” Work on the asbestos removal will take place this spring and summer, LaHaie said. The last portion of the bond issue invplves parking and paving work, as( well as the demo­ lition ofthe Learning Center, which was origi­ nally built in 1938 as the high school. About $2.5 million offunding from the bond remains for that work. That work is expected to be com­ pleted in the 2023-24 school year, LaHaie said. Road rage incident in Johnstown Township A 44-year-old Battle Creek man called Barry County Central Dispatch to report a road rage incident around 5 p.m. on Jan. 4. The man told police he was following a vehicle that had passed him while driving at a high rate of speed on South M-37 Highway near Mill Lake Road. When the other vehicle got stuck in traffic and the man was able to get closer, people in the other vehicle started throwing things at the man’s vehicle. The man continued to follow the vehicle until it turned offthe highway and entered a dead end, after which the other driver stepped out ofthe vehicle and started swinging a baseball bat wildly. Officers searched the area but were unable to find the vehicle, and the man said he just wished for the incident to be documented. Gas siphoned near Cloverdale A 73-year-old Hastings woman reported an unknown thief stole gasoline from her vehicle the night ofDec. 29 at her home on the 5700 block ofHead Road. The woman told police she noticed a motion-activated light at the property turned on and off several times, and upon looking the next morning her vehicle’s gas door was open with the gas cap sitting loosely on its threads. The vehicle’s tank was half-full the previous day but was now empty. Project manager Bob Byrne of OwenAmes-Kimball goes over results of bids for the Thomapple Kellogg High School renovation project at Monday’s TK Board of Education meeting. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Scammer impersonating police asks for $6,000, social security number and nude photos A 33-year-old Hastings woman reported she was the victim of a scam around 4 p.m. on Dec. 27. The woman received a call from a 269 area code from a man impersonating a Barry County Sheriff’s Office employee. The scammer told the woman she had two warrants out for her arrest for failure to appear. The man then told the woman to transfer $6,000 onto MoneyPak cards, asked her to verify her social security number over the phone, and asked for nude photos “to verify she did not have any piercings for the book­ ing process.” The woman became suspicious when the caller asked for nude photos and went to the police to report the incident. Snowmobiler runs into Pierce Cedar Creek fence Police responded to the scene ofa snowmobile accident around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 27 on the 1300 block ofWest Cloverdale Road. A 17-year-old Hastings boy had gone over a hill on his snowmobile and crashed through a high-tensile fence belonging to Pierce Cedar Creek while going over 50 mph. After the crash, he called for help and was able to drive his snowmobile toward the road to wait for EMS. The boy was not wearing a helmet but sustained only a minor cut on his neck and was checked on by EMS for neck pains. The officer’s report stated damage to the fence was minimal and the boy was transported to the hospital to be checked out. Man tries to pass off $100 bill from board game as the real thing 1 thornapple Kellogg^chools Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie talks about the asbestos removal project at the high school pool at Monday’s school board meeting. The owner of Cedar Creek Grocery called the police around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 reporting a man tried to pass off a counterfeit $100 bill that was an obvious fake. The owner ofthe store told police the bill was from a board game. When he pointed this out to the man attempting to pass it offas real, the man paid with a credit card instead. * J^KR * ae© i< iirata* Mafcvhrti frta^itairi i vnOR i -ri'i Ui ekojBcbislXks IdHi«kM#Ii sofMk^roi ■ I ^■riltatahiiHik utagkoiteikM1 ' II wwfr/fr fr/fr wmxeateaa^^ rtMttiifctti itfyeep aKnd cihers^^3^ mbiftee»Fand¥ c?ihfers^^3^ mbit 'm »F¥?f ?««tof"®‘’® Residents continue to voice their disapproval of idea to eliminate prayer from county board meetings Jayson Bussa Editor i22 51 i**22 5142 *42 s 'S-*S£SsSSS ■ _ M flft y M8 tel**-* '-—■' &•*** !Z F/ One week after a Barry County commis­ sioner floated the idea of eliminating the invocation - or prayer - before county board meetings, the public continued to show up and clap back at the suggestion. A handful of Barry County residents took to the podium during the public comment portion of Tuesday morning’s county board meeting to target Commissioner Mark Doster’s idea ofeliminating the invocation to maintain appropriate separation of church and state. Doster, who held a seat on the county board decades ago, has only been back on the job since the beginning of the month when he, along with four new faces, joined the board. Mike Bremmer, former Thomapple Town­ ship supervisor and county commissioner, was one to speak. He read through a prayer that was recited by the nation’s founding fathers back in 1774 before highlighting the importance of keeping the invocation before meetings. “This is the kind of separation today’s leaders need - separation from worldly advice and reliance on heavenly guidance,” Bremmer said after reading the prayer. “It’s too late to turn our nation around despite the daily prayers ofthe Senate chap­ lain,” he continued. “But we can still do the right thing in Barry County. The separation of church and state does not mean abandoning God. Please continue to open your meetings with prayer for guidance and inspiration.” Eliminating the invocation was one of many potential county board rule changes that Doster proposed. He also lobbied to change the time of the weekly meetings, pushing it an hour later, and he also wanted to revisit the commission’s policy on per diem, which would mean a potential pay raise for commissioners. Doster was also one commis­ sioner to bat around the idea of eliminating one of the two public comment portions of meetings to streamline them. However, doing all this on day one ofhis term appears to have ruffled a few feathers. A woman that identified herself as Cindy Twitchell of Prairieville Township, an area Barry County Commissioner Mark Doster is seen here being sworn into office on Tuesday, Jan. 3. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) represented by Doster, was another one ofthe public commenters that hit back at the sug­ gested rules changes. She, too, cited the his­ tory ofthe country’s forefathers as she waded through the nuances ofconstitutional history. “We the people are your employers,” Twitchell said. “You work for us.” “As your employer, I find it very offensive for an employee on his first day to ask for a pay raise and tell me he wants to change when he wants to show up for work,” she continued. “I also find it offensive when peo­ ple use God’s holy scripture out of context, stating their religious accomplishments to prove a point.” In the second period of public comment, Twitchell returned with another request. “I am asking that Commissioner Doster humbly publicly apologize for his ill-in­ formed and misleading comment regarding the intent of our forefathers and the constitu­ tion and separation of church and state and his ill timing of asking for a pay raise and changing the time to meet to fit his schedule.” Doster was allowed to respond during the Commissioners Comments portion of the meeting, and he kept it brief. I appreciate the public comments and I’ll consider them and think about them,” Doster said. Thornapple Twp. approves spending $75,000 toward acquiring land for trail expansion Greg Chandler StaffWriter A gap in the Paul Henry Thomapple Trail north of the village of Middleville will soon be narrowing, as Thomapple Township is about to close on two proper­ ties that will allow for the trail to be extended. The township board Monday unani­ mously approved spending up to $75,000 for closing costs on two properties along the Thomapple River - one extending about a half-mile north from Crane Road at the village’s northern limits, along the riv­ er’s eastern edge, with the other extending south from Stimson Road, north of Parmalee Road, to Garbow Road. “We’re missing about a half-mile (in between the two properties), and we’d be completely connected,” Township Supervi­ sor Eric Schaefer said. The township is expected to close on the two properties Jan. 25, Schaefer said. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has approved $153,000 in grant funding for the land acquisition for the trail, Schaefer said. The township had set aside more than $132,000 in its budget for closing costs of acquiring land for the trail. To date, howev­ er, it has not been able to acquire property that includes a railroad trestle over the Thomapple River that would connect the two segments that are being acquired. “The property owner loves that property, A map of the Thornapple Trail in Thornapple Township. The segments marked in. black are the ones the town­ ship is acquiring. (Image provided) and I get it,” Schaefer said. “The trail game’s the long game, and we’re willing to wait.” When complete, the Paul Henry Thor­ napple Trail will run 42 miles across three counties, from Grand Rapids in Kent Coun­ ty to Vermontville in Eaton County. The trail roughly follows the original route of the Grand River Valley Railroad, which was built in the late 1860s and operated through 1983. The northernmost portion ofthe trail currently ends at Stimson Road, just south of 108th Street. “We’re a lot closer (to completing the trail) than we were,” Schaefer said. �Page 6 — Thursday. January 12.2023 — The Hastings Banner JLake. &<$eAAa Allan Hogarth ofHastings, MI, formally of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, passed away on Jan­ uary 10, 2023, in Hastings, at the age of75. Allan was bom in Maryport, England on November 29, 1947, the son of Joseph and Kathleen (Cunningham) Hogarth. He retired after 35 years at Imperial Oil, Ltd. He was passionate about golf. He was a great singer, and an Elvis Presley impersonator. Allan was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elaine Nisbet. He is survived by his wife, Sandra LaJoye; former wife, Maureen Hogarth; children, Paul (Nicole) Hogarth, Sharon (Thomas) Spear, Deborah (Justin) Gordon; stepdaughter, Jenni­ fer Jones; grandchildren, Jessi, Tonishia, Josh­ ua, Liaam, Portia, Alliyah, Kia, Halie, Jordan, Reannah, Ty, Cole, James and Avery, siblings Lillian, Judith, Susan, Eric, Joanne and he cherished many nieces and nephews. Contributions in memory ofAllan can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.com) of Canada, 1200-2300 Yonge St, Box 2414, Toronto, ON M4P1E4, or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foun­ dation (www.komen.org), 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX 75380. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m., with Rosary at 7:30 p.m., at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. Funeral Mass will be on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, (805 S. Jefferson; Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.com. Sandra K. Allen, age 76, of Eagle Lake, Texas Township, died on December 21,2022. She was bom on October 5, 1946, in Mex­ ico, MO, the daughter of Joe and Eileen (Dean) Kirk. She was a graduate ofWarren­ ton High School and received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Missouri. While working at the medical school at the university, she met a student named William “Bill” Allen. They married on March 28, 1970, and shared 52 years ofmar­ riage and many wonderful memories. The couple moved to Lansing while Bill completed his residency and Sandy worked at the Office of Medical Education Research and Development at Michigan State University. The couple moved to Hastings in 1975 and started a family and Sandy cared for their home and chil- dren. In 1992 they moved to Portage and Sandy was active in their children’s schools. , Later in life, she became a real estate agent and worked for Jaqua Realtors from the 1990s to 2013. They were active members at Portage United Church of Christ. In 2000 they moved to their current home. Her family includes her husband, Bill Allen; her children, Andrea Allen and Kirk Allen; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kristen Allen in 2012. A memorial gathering will be held in sum­ mer of2023. Donations in memory of Sandy may be made to Portage United Church of Christ* West Michigan Cancer Center or Ministry with Community. Please visit Sandy’s personalized online guestbook at www.langelands.com Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastinesfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a.m. Kids Church and Nursery are available. Our worship center is set up for social distancing. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sunday 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: www.lifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m, PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: tate Hhkins FltarulM. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 iMMtMRBI 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Audrey Ruth Renner passed away on Janu­ ary 8, 2023, at the age of 94. She was bom December 12,1928, in Detroit, MI, the daugh­ ter ofGeorge and Esther (Fierk) Hendrian. She graduated from Wittenberg College in 1950 and received a master’s degree from Michigan State University in 1964. She was the first of three generations of Michigan State Spartans. J On June 17, 1950, she married the love of her life William D. Renner. They were mar­ ried for 51 years until his death in 2001. She taught for more than 30 years. She taught in the Hastings Area Schools for 27 years at both Southeastern and Central Ele­ mentary. Audrey was an avid reader, Mahjong play­ er, and volunteer. She was very active in book clubs in Michigan and Florida. Ifyou wanted to know about the latest book, she had read it! Audrey believed in community service. She spent many hours volunteering with Hastings Public Library, Pennock Hospital, GFWC Hastings Women’s Club and in the Hastings schools. She was predeceased by her parents; broth­ er, Howard Hendrian; sister-in-law, Betty Hendrian, and sister, Doris Hendrian. Audrey is survived by her children, Wil­ liam (Raeanne) Renner, Ellyn (Bob) Main and Andrea (David) Butler. She is also survived by her. grandchildren, William:(Marji) Renner, Stephanie (Aaron) Rennert Scott (Hilary) Renner, Thomas (Amy) Renner, Cody (Katie) White, Kyle, (Franki) White, Caitlin Main, Sarah (Aaron) Powers, Dillon Butler, and Taylor (Casey) Debien. She was a GG to Liam, Joe and Matt Renner, Evelyn, Owen and Amelia Renner, Ella, Elijah and Isabelle Renner, and Kelby, Tova and Imrie White. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held in the Narthex of the First Presbyterian Churc, 405 M-37, Hastings, MI 49058 on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023from l-3pm. Memorial contributions may be made in Audrey’s memory to the Hastings Public Library. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Jan. 12-19 January - January Storywalk Book: “Whoo-Ku Haiku: A Great Homed Owl Story” by Maria Gianferrai; illustrated by Jonathon Voss. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Follow a pair of great homed owlets from their “pip, pip, pip, poking” as eggs crack open to their “beating, leaping, teetering” as they try out their wings to explore the wild world around them. Injust 24 haiku poems, this month’s Storywalk book captures the perils of life in the for­ est, the protection of owl parents, and the freedom of wings. After your Storywalk adventure, stop by the south side bath­ rooms of the Visitor Center for activity sheets to learn more about Michigan’s owls and try your hand at writing nature-in­ spired poetry. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. Funeral HOME Elaine Garlock Who can recall a January like this one with temperatures above freezing on many days? This is quite a contrast to the snowy weather we had just a few weeks ago with meetings canceled, Christmas family gath­ erings canceled and other disruptions because ofsevere weather. Maybe it will all even out with a reasonable number ofcold, wintry days after a stretch ofmild days. Youths ages 11 to 16 are invited to the STEM program at the local library directed by Mr. Mike on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Partici­ pants will take part in the rubber band competition at 3:30 until 5 p.m. Family Story Time comes on Jan. 18 at the library for children ages 2 to 5 at 10:30 a.m., parents expected to be present along with the child. The Ionia County Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. at the museum on Emerson Street. President Lori Fox will preside. There will be an elec­ tion ofofficers, which has not been done for the past two years due to the COVID sea­ son. Officers have met in the meantime on some occasions to do sorting and filing and tending to the mail. There have been some newsletters published. One feature in those issues has been an article by one member in each issue with his/her story of how the COVID ailment affected them. The United Women ofFaith organization of Central UM Church will “meet on Mon­ day, Jan. 16 at noon for lunch. The pastor will be speaking and leading a discussion on some future moves for the group which now has a new name. Also, the state is being divided into seven districts to replace the present organization of nine districts. This means farther travel distances for many meetings beyond the local church. The winter Epiphany event was held at Carson City on Saturday past, but local members did not receive notice until the very day with no time to travel or attend. Last weeks’ Thursday dinner held at the Fellowship Hall was served by members of Rochester Street’s Living Gospel church members. The food was prepared by Swede’s Restaurant ofMulliken. Members ofthe hosting church provided the dessert items, but the hot food and garnishes were produced at the Mulliken restaurant. Serv­ ing is from 4 to 6 p.m. A church respite group meets on the same date but earlier in the afternoon so it is convenient for those who attend to have an afternoon together and then finish with their evening meal. Progress continues on the new house on the south side ofEast Tupper Lake Road, a short distance east ofJordan Lake Avenue. Another house update is that the new house on Brodbeck land on Brown Road west of Woodland Road has been occupied since December. It sits on high ground with a long driveway leading off Brown Road with a background of a woodlot. The resi­ dents must have nice views in all direc­ tions. Their view to the north is toward the south shore ofJordan Lake and well-tended farm fields in all other directions. Likely, there is deer traffic between the lake and the woods. Social Security benefits increase in 2023 Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Approximately 70 million Americans will see an 8.7 percent increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2023. On aver­ age, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in Janu­ ary. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher costof-living. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are higher. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps to offset these costs. We mailed COLA notices throughout the month ofDecember to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. But if you hav­ en’t yet received your COLA notice and want to know your new benefit amount sooner, you can securely obtain your Social Security COLA notice online using the Mes­ sage Center in your personal my Social Security account. Since you will receive the COLA notice online or in the mail, you don’t need to contact us to get your new benefit amount. Ifyou prefer to access your COLA notice online and not receive the mailed notice, you can log in to your personal my Social Secu­ rity account to opt out by changing your Preferences in the Message Center. You can update your preferences to opt out of the mailed COLA notice, and any other notices that are available online. Did you know you can receive a text or email alert when there is a new message waiting for you? That way| you always know when we have something important for you - like your COLA notice. “Medicare premiums are going down and Social Security benefits are going up in 2023, which will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room. This year’s sub­ stantial Social Security cost-of-living adjust­ ment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned,” Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said. Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today to be among the first to know. Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications. You can find more information about the 2023 COLA at ssa.gov/cola. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Spe­ cialistfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Jan. 12 - “Following Jesus in a Warming World” January series, speaker televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1934 film starring Claudette Colbert, Louie Beavers and Warren William, 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m.; “My Body is Not a Prayer Request” January series, speaker televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; Novel Ideas Book Club: “Musical Chairs” by Amy Poeppel, 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 - Dungeons & Dragons groups, 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 — Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; “To Stick with Love: King’s Vision for Today’s Movement” January series, 12:30 p.m.; Lego club, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 — Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; Kaia Kater Song Selections, January series, 12:30 p.m.; mahjong, 2:30 p.m.; chess club, 5: 30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; “Learning Together, Liv­ ing Together. What the World Needs from Christian Liberal Arts Education, January series, televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; Arm Chair Travel — Destination Duel: Paris vs. London, 6 p.m.; Writers’ Night, 6: 30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. TeL (269)-945-3252 Fax (269)945-0663 328 S.. Broadway roaway Street reet Hastings, Michigan *9058 Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrbach Providing Exceptional Service with Compassion and Care Samantha Juliann Hempsted, Hastings and Jay Roman Cooley, Hastings Madisen Lea Wollaston, Bellevue and Derek Joseph Sackitt, Ceresco �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 12, 2023 — Page 7 fl look back at the stories Creameries and baseball A1:85/+/:^D In the Hastings Banner >W ;w iS ’kkVQ\ iiV\MQ\l *V?I «*kN2S3? *V?«N3 &SS W SJWS '«to^ wW WJW JWe sSSS«toi wesSSSi T< <^ CsJQ <« SS$ $ ‘&&& « <SS ‘SS&& <S SS&& •TVx »^<S »^ x.<SS xS IK TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner May 6, 1999 Creameries were an important part of Barry County’s economy, and Castleton Township and Nashville were no exception. As early as 1870, Chipman and Wheeler’s Nashville Creamery was making butter in Nashville. In May of 1874, John Barry of Castleton Township bought out L. J. Wheel­ er’s interest in-the creamery and it became the Chipman and Barry Creamery. The Nashville News reported on Dec. 4, 1884, that O. W. Chapin of Lowell was in town during the last week ofNovember 1884, attempting to interest the people in the town­ ship and village in establishing a new cream­ ery. Several ofthe businessmen and farmers of the area were interested in the project. They visited creameries already operating in the area to determine the plausibility of such a project and to decide ifthey wanted to make the investment. 4&5» ■( *1 ^hi J&* n wwfeit 1V***■ 1V S>h S> t^lwSbta- •®£SS ?*-•{* t jfclta till cir , a *s»ww1 J , 'h**RM . ■ " JJ"1-ez» ft® icalfer;tcr;aEii “ W "t IN ® ita JJiiijiHinj®i KBLDfellbthflf- HdlllMtm]|ii^^ ML ?B3Bn|nsir jrffofcas&iite aiamiEKxMK msitfaiitiicitakii Txas^hataffl^ AfaficarepamRBt^fiifej b^W-w iauecsp^M:^^ ffe (th*-* th* "'T1^ b AufiXffi iiotoobb®*! a'teffid'-^^5-152^ <1 —kfab- SpffrtipW^ ?.U«r* MS#ui!««''*'J* * Sjwi 2axi«*“JfoaMM!*"" Nashville’s independent baseball time circa 1910. Third from the left in the back row is manager, Henry Glasner. >. Doctor Universe Acne affects nearly everyone - but why? Why do you get acne? Joey, 12, III. 11^ 11^ 3.a^ *£3* £'*\d£jdvfsX /• ^tJO l^’ \djd \djd/- lill •^tJOl^’ >**./'lill* „«** U^r.g,^ (JOP^ k^x rJn^’&i vfs p* bl b*l 9* & & / X <W>5 J< J< & Dear Joey, Whether we call them pimples, spots or zits, acne is something most people experi­ ence. As many as 95 percent of people have some acne sometime. That’s nearly everybody. I talked about acne with my friend Sarah Fincham. She has a clinical doctorate in nursing. She’s a nurse and a professor in the College ofNursing at Washington State University. Ifyou look at your skin, you’ll see tiny openings called pores. These pores connect to oil-producing glands under our skin. They’re called sebaceous'glands, and the oil they make is called sebum. “Sebum does good things,” Fincham said. “It keeps the skin soft because the oil prevents moisture loss. It keeps the hair from becoming too brittle and breaking. It even contains some antibacterial chemicals. It’s supposed to help keep our skin healthy.” Another way skin stays healthy is by shedding old ceils. We shed millions of skin cells every day. During puberty, our bodies produce lots of chemical messengers called hormones. These zoom around telling our cells what changes need to happen to transition from a kid body to an adult body. Some hor­ mones also tell the body to crank up sebum production. That extra oil mixes with the old skin cells as they shed. They can become sticky and clog the pores. A partly clogged pore is called a blackhead. A completely clogged pore can cause a tiny skin infection that makes a red bump. This infection some­ times makes a whitehead. Sometimes it makes a tender, swollen bump under the surface ofthe skin. That’s because there are bacteria that live on our skin and in our pores. They eat sebum. Normally, our relationship with these bacteria is commensal. That means they don’t help us or hurt us. -They just hang out and gobble up oil. But when there are too many of themlike inside a clogged pore-our immune systems send white blood cells to fight the bacteria and keep them in check. That immune response causes inflammation. That’s why acne can be red or look swollen. There are lots of things we don’t know about acne. Like, why do some people get mild acne while others have more? We do know that nothing we do causes acne. It can’t make us sick. It’s just a thing that happens-to nearly everybody. Acne can show up anywhere except the palms of our hands and soles of our feet. That’s because we don’t have oil-producing glands there. A healthcare provider like Fincham can prescribe medicine to help clear up acne. “There are lots of products and medi­ cines that truly are awesome treatments for acne,” she said. “They are mostly prescrip­ tion based, so you’d have to see a health care provider. But there are so many good treatments that are safe to use.” Other than that, Fincham recommends using a gentle skin cleanser, avoiding prod­ ucts that seem to clog your pores and trying not to pick at it. Even though acne is super common and affects nearly everyone at some point, it bothers some people more than others. Your feelings matter. If you’re concerned about acne or any other part ofpuberty, talk to a grownup you trust. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University ’s resident scientist and writer at Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Curtis Pennock (left), longtime manager of the Cooperative, butter maker Percy Penfold, Wallace Mack, Merrell Knoll and Clair Cole, workers at the creamery. It was noted by the paper that it would require about $4,500 to put up the buildings, buy the machinery needed and other expenses of such an undertaking. They were looking for two or three men with the money. The new venture did come into being. The new company held a meeting, elected Victor B. Furness, chairman and Von W. Furness, secretary, according to the Nashville News of June, 1902. They ordered the equipment, and when it arrived, set it up in a building on Sherman Street, which had at one time housed the Vol­ link plant setting machine, and was also known as the Standard Stamping Plant. By August 1902, it was reported that the creamery was making 600 pounds of butter per day. In 1914, a group of local men joined together to form a Farmers’ Cooperative Creamery Association. They met in the opera house and the following officers were elect­ ed: president, O.M. McLaughlin; Will Hyde, vice president; Truman Navue, secretary, and C.W. Pennock was the first treasurer. The stockholders purchased the former W.E. Shields wood working shop on Church Street. This building had also been used by the L.W. Powles’ woolen mills. There were three cream routes, which were served by haulers who worked six days week­ ly. The cream was picked up twice each week. Trucks were used -to pick up the cream in the summer and teams and wagons, or sleighs1 in the winter. One route was 43 miles long. One.the. second stop^f* the >week,< ‘the tawteH’wWtfla deiiva^i&ef'tb’afly'ffflftfer who had ordered it and would return clean cans. The creamery paid the farmer for the cream he sold to the creamery. Hauling cream was a cold, wetjob. In the summer, the cream cans were kept cool in tanks ofwater. There was no protection from the weather in the winter time. Horses pulling the wagon or sleigh had to plow through the snow to get to the more isolated farms. By the 1930s, creameries began to feel the competition from milk haulers who were col­ lecting whole milk. Some farmers didn’t want to be bothered by the separation ofthe cream from the milk and there was a market for whole milk. Butterfat content was the base for payment for cream. A sample was tested from each can when it arrived at the plant. The cream was then dumped into a large wooden vat, and then churned into butter, k The chums were powered by electricity by this time. The butter was then refrigerated to cool it for cutting into pound size quantities and packaged in waxed eartons. The butter was shipped out to the cities by railroad and later by trucks. Nashville butter was considered to be the very best quality. In a competition, the Farmers’ Cooperative of Nashville won second prize when competing with 70 other creameries in the state at the Michigan State Fair in 1923. In 1926, the butter named Wolverine brand won the first prize at the Michigan State Fair in competition with over 100 other creamer­ ies. Curtis Pennock was the manager of the Farmers’ Cooperative Creamery. Percy Pen­ fold was the “boss,” (head) butter maker for many years. The Farmers’ Cooperative moved the oper­ ation to Sherman Street in the same building where the first Nashville Creamery had been. They were by the 1930s, processing dried milk and making cheese for the market. In 1940, a fire damaged the Sherman Street plant, but they managed to keep operating and built a new facility on South Main Street north of the elevator and opened it for busi­ ness in 1942, where they operated until 1952, when the popularity of oleomargarine and other circumstances caused its closing after 38 years ofoperating in Nashville. Lawrence Osborn followed Curtis Pen­ nock as manager. In 1938, Earl D. Olmstead was appointed manager. Cecil Barrett man­ aged the plant from 1941 to 1948. John Gear­ hart was the manager from 1948 to 195.1 and Gerald Skedgell managed it until it’s closing in 1952. Baseball was an important part of Barry County’s towns and villages. Freeport had a lively team, as did Woodland, Delton, Clo­ verdale, Hastings, Middleville and others. Nashville was no exception. These teams were independent, locally sponsored and not affiliated with the schools, but often played against the high school and recruited team members from the high school graduates. Nashville has a baseball association and there was a playing field, complete with a The first building on Church Street, used by the Farmers’ Cooperative Creamery. The new creamery, that opened in 1942, located on South Main Street, north of the elevator. grandstand. The field was near the river behind Main Street. This shows on plat maps as early as 1913 lay between Church Street and Sherman ifthese streets had gone through to the river. Sherman Street offered entry to the park. Before the Riverside Park was built, the teams played at the Driving Park on the north side of the mill pond. Charles Putnam donated the land for the athletic field to the village about 1906. Baseball attracted many fans in all of the areas where it was played. It was not unusual for 400 fans or more to attend the local games. Admission to the games was usually 5 or 10 cents per person. Many games were held on Sunday afternoons, sometimes to the disfavor of some community members. The games were not all on Sunday, howev­ er. Baseball games were part ofthe festivals and celebrations. Sometimes ball games were used to promote commercial ventures in the community, with the merchants going all out to attract trade to the villagers. Saturday afternoon ball games and Satur­ day evening band concerts made for a good day in town. When automobiles became the main mode oftravel, parking became a prob­ lem. The baseball season started in the spring with a “pick-up” game between local adult men and the high school team. Then, the season was off in full swing with local games and games played away in other towns. They played ball from Decoration Day (Memorial Day), organizing and prac­ ticing in April, and playing until fall with the playoffs for league championship being held usually in October. Nashville Indepen­ dents won the league championship in Octo­ ber of 1939. The Nashville Independent baseball team was disbanded in the early 1940s, probably due to World War II and its impact on the young men of the communities. Later, they reorganized as a softball team. Floodlights began to appear on the ball diamonds so night games became popular. Some of the teams they played over the years included Woodland, Freeport, Caledo­ nia, Middleville, Dowling, Marshall, Alto, Potterville, Charlotte, Grand Ledge, Bellev­ ue, Sunfield, Hastings, Vermontville, Battle Creek, Lacey, Eagle, and sometimes industri­ al Battle Creek teams, the House of David, Benton Harbor, and the Giants of Chicago. Two games with each team were scheduled in a season, one home game and one away game. They also played at Fine Lake, Thor­ napple Lake and Morrison Lake. Hastings was considered to be the greatest baseball rival and there were sometimes some serious wrangles between the two teams, including occasional fist fights. And while there is record that at least one game ended in the sixth inning free-for-all, the teams went on to play another day. Position Opening Seeking a perceptive, proactive and detail-oriented Property Appraiser to join the Barry County Equalization team! Full-time position with base pay starting at $18.47/hr. Responsible for collecting property information through field inspections, data entry and property sale analyses. Job training and development possible for those seeking a new career. Michigan Certified Assessing Officer (MCAO) certification required within 1 year of hire. Preference given to candidates with an associate degree dr experience in real estate or assessment administration. Full job description available at: www.barrycounty.org/ publicjnformation Send resume, cover letter and application to: Meshia Rose, Barry County Equalization Director, 220 W. State St., Hastings, Ml 49058 or e-mail mrose@barrycounty.org. Open until filled. Barry County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers and comply with the American's with Disabilities Act. www.barrycountv.orff for more info. �The Hastings ANN F R ^B SPORTS section urs ay, anuary , The Saxons* Colton Smith works to pin Pennfield's Camren Thaxton during the first period of their 126-pound bout weanesaay, Jan. 4, at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Saxon gain early 1-8 edge beating Jackson Northwest Brett Bremer Sports Editor A pair ofreversals reversing the advantage on the scoreboard in the first bout ofthe first Interstate-8 Athletic Conference dual of the 2022-23 season will go a long way in deter­ mining the conference champion. Hastings, gunning for a fourth consecutive Interstate-8 varsity wrestling championship this season, took a huge step towards that goal by besting perennial conference contender Jackson Northwest 37-33 under the spotlight ^t Hastings High School Wednesday. “Having the biggest one to start the season is always kind ofweird. It was huge to get it tonight,” Hastings head coach Jason Slaugh­ ter said. A surge by 126-pounder Colton Smith in the very first bout of the evening made things just a little easier on all the rest ofthe Saxons in the dual with the Mounties. Northwest’s Jeffery Miller managed the initial takedown in the bout in the first period. An illegal hold whistled against Miller had Smith within 2-1. Smith opened the second period in the top position, and Miller upped his lead to 4-1 with a reversal. Smith managed to get back on top to pull back within 4-3 going into the final two-minute period. Miller rode Smith for nearly a minute and a half with a one-point lead before Smith found an opening for a reversal that nudged him in front 5-4, and he managed to hold down Miller for the final 35 seconds - putting his team up 3-0 on the scoreboard. “[Smith] has just been wrestling really great lately,” coach Slaughter said. “He has been wrestling well this year in a the style we kind oftalk about. He’s wrestling the whole match with a lot of attacks. So, we knew he could get it done and wear the guy out, which I think he did.” In the end, that win allowed sophomore heavyweight Isaac Friddle and sophomore 106-pounder Troy Hokanson to clinch the dual with pins with two weight classes left to go. Hastings is 2-0 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference. The Saxons scored an 84-0 win over Pennfield in a make-up of a postponed December dual after the win over the Mounties. The two wins move the Saxons dual meet record to 17-0 for the season. Keegan Sutfin followed up Smith’s win by scoring a 12-3 major decision for the Saxons over Northwest’s Blaine Anspaugh. The teams went back and forth from there. Hastings got pins from Cohen Smith at 144 pounds and state medalist Robby Slaughter at 150 pounds. Northwest got a pin from state medalist Gage Race in the second period of the 138-pound match with Joe Goggins, and the Mounties added a pin from Braden Gari­ ety against the Saxons’ Ben Furrow at 157 pounds, All four of those pins came in the second period ofthose bouts. Robby Slaughter was wrestling at 150 pounds for the firs time this season after spending much of the first month bouncing between the 157-pound and 160-pound weight classes. That move makes the Saxon line-up a little bit more flexible as the season progresses. The next few weight classes went the dis­ tance. Haiden Simmet scored a 4-0 win over the Mounties’ Jazihel Fajardo at 165 pounds for Hastings. Northwest’s Antonio Green outscored Hastings’ Tate Warner 9-5 at 175 pounds. Lanny Teunessen got those points back for Hastings with a 7-3 win over James Nurkka at 190 pounds. Coach Slaughter made his one big line-up shuffle in the heavyweight bouts, sending freshman Kyle Echtinaw out to face the si gznKamite mo fifr&tatea fefeBatipfeife Saxon senior Robby Slaughter looks to the official as he turns Jackson Northwest's Gavin Beach to his back during their 150-pound match Wednesday, Jan. 4, at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Mounties’ senior defending state champion Adam Haselius in the 215-pound match. Haselius managed a pin a minute and a half into the bout. The Saxons’ own big state med­ alist, Friddle, pinned Northwest’s Mason Colestock 29 seconds into their heavyweight bout. Coach Slaughter was happy to trade six points for six points in those two matches, meaning Hastings only had to win one ofthe final three weight classes to clinch the team victory. Friddle wrestled at 215 pounds throughout most of December, with Parker Roslund taking care of the heavyweight bouts for Hastings. Hokanson provided the last win Hastings needed by sticking Thomas Fall 69 seconds into the 106-pound match. Cameron Beach at 113 pounds and Kayden Beach at 120 finished off the dual with first period pins for Northwest. “It matched up pretty much like we had talked about, not too many changes,” coach Slaughter said. In the dual with Pennfield, Hasting got pins form Jordan Humphrey at 106 pounds, Hokanson at 113, Colton Smith at 126, Sutfin at 132, Furrow at 157, Warner at 175, Teunessen at 190 and Roslund at 285 pounds. Slaughter won by injury default at 150, and Chipman, Goggins, Justus Forell, Simmet and Friddle earned forfeit wins for the Saxons. The Saxons were set to go to Northwest for a conference quad last night, Jan. 11. The Saxons kept their record perfect this season by winning their annual L.H. Lamb Tournament Saturday, Jan. 7, back at Hast­ ings High School. The Hastings varsity team took the day’s championship with 243 points while a Hast­ ings Blue team placed fifth. Sparta was second with 185.5 points, ahead of Otsego 179, Ionia 108, Hastings Blue 56, Caledonia 55, East Lansing 43, Kalkaska 24.5, Rainbow 6 and Bellevue 0. Ofthe 14 varsity Saxons, 13 placed in the top four of their flight with nine of those wrestling for first and second place at the end ofthe day. The Hastings varsity team had six champions including Friddle at 215 pounds, Teunessen at 190, Cohen Smith at 144, Sutfin at 132, Chipman at 120 and Humphrey at 106. Simmet at 150 pounds, Slaughter at 157 and Roselund at 285 were all second at their flight. Humphrey, Sutfin, Teunessen and Friddle all recorded pins in their championship round matches. Chipman edged Sparta’s Zach Lakewood alumnus Ryan Steverson is presented with his All-American plaque by Lakewood High School athletic director Mike Quinn Wednesday evening. Steverson was a state champion his senior season at Lakewood in 2010 and went on to earn All-American honors wrestling at Muskegon Community College. Vikings split duals with pair of OK Gold wrestling teams Hastings 175-pounder Tate Warner tries to escape the grasp of Jackson Northwest's Antonio Green during their match Wednesday, Jan. 4, at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) DeKone 8-6 in their 120-pound final and Cohen Smith nudged East Lansing’s Romeo Washington 6-2 in the 144-pound final. Robby Slaughter was bested 12-11 in a tough 157-pound final against Sparta’s Kyle Larson. Both guys were undefeated on the season heading into the bout. Both guys were on their back at one point or another during the match. Robby put Larson on his back half a min­ ute into the third period, following a take down, to hold a momentary 7-6 lead, but Larson worked for a reversal and then put Robby on his back for a two-point nearfall to go back ahead 10-7. An escape by Robby and a take down by Larson had the Spartan in front 12-8 with half a minute to go. Robby escaped again quickly,-but Larson fought him offthe rest ofthe period despite picking up a penalty point for an illegal slam and Robby eventually getting within a point. Mathew Shults at 165 and Colten Smith at 126 placed third for the Hastings varsity, and Warner at 175 and Hokanson at 113 both placed fourth. The Hastings Blue team had Colten Den­ ton third at 120 pounds and Preston Humphrey at 144, Justus Forell at 150, Cam Weedall at 165 and Echtinaw at 215 all place fourth. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity wrestling team split its two duals at a quad it hosted Wednesday evening, Jan. 4. The Vikings outscored Cedar Springs 45-25, but fell 55-24 in a dual with Way­ land. Cedar Springs and Wayland are a pair ofOK Gold Conference rivals. Lakewood got pins in five of the first seven weight classes in the dual with Cedar Springs to open the evening. Brenden Straub at 165 pounds, Gavin Vaughn at 175, Jaden Manhart at 215, Joel Simon at 285 and Adrian Oaks at 103 helped boots the Vikings to a 33-3 lead with their early pins. The Vikings got their other three points during that stretch from Bryan Aguielera who pulled out a 12-10 decision in his 190- pound match with Cedar Springs’ David DeWeese. Lakewood closed out the dual with pins by Daniel Krebs at. 144 pounds and Seth Walkington at 150. The four wins in the dual with Wayland for the Vikings were pins by Vaughn at 175 pounds, Simon at 285, Ashton Clark at 126 and Krebs at 144. The Vikings were set to host another quad on Wednesday, Jan. 11. They were at Maple Valley Saturday for a Greater Lan­ sing Activities Conference/Central Michi­ gan Athletic Conference jamboree where they added five wins to their record by besting Leslie, Bath, Dansville, Maple Val­ ley and Delton Kellogg. Lakewood heads to the Unity Christian Invitational next Saturday, Jan. 14. HHS ladies win four flights at DeWitt girls’ invitational Brett Bremer Sports Editor In between the first Interstate-8 Athletic Conference matches of the season last Wednesday and the 61st Annual L.H. Lamb Tournament at Hastings High School, Hastings girls took part in a tour­ nament at DeWitt Friday and four Saxons took championships. Dezarae Mathis won the 120-pound bracket, Jordan Milanowski won at 145 pounds, Claudin Palumbo won at 170 and Cassidy Easey took the 235-pound title. All four pinned their championship round opponents in the first period. Mathis pinned all five ofher opponents. The only girl to last longer than a minute against her was East Jackson’s McKenna Worthing in the opening round of action. Mathis finally stuck her at the 3:49 mark oftheir match. Milanowski pinned three foes to win her 145-pound title and Easey pinned both ofher foes in the 235-pound weight class. The Saxon team also had Eva Rowley second at 115 pounds and Sophia Sunior placed third at 235 pounds and Abby Gas­ kill fourth at 110. Lakewood had a handful of girls com­ peting as well. The Vikings’ Allison Slater was third at 125 pounds and Cynthia Shettler was fourth at 190 pounds. *** �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 12. 2023 — Page 9 DK up and down as it scores pair of wins to start new year Brett Bremer Delton Kellogg heavyweight Mitchell Swift works to turn Leslie's Tanner Craft during their bout Saturday at the GLAC/CMAC Round Robin hosted by Maple Valley High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Maple Valley's Jackson Burpee (right) tries to fight his way out of the grasp of Lakewood’s Brenden Straub during their 165-pound bout at the GLAC/CMAC Round Robin hosted by Maple Valley High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Only Vikes better than DK team at Round Robin Brett Bremer Sports Editor For the second season in a row the Delton Kellogg varsity wrestling team was a guest star at an early season Greater Lansing Activ­ ities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference Round Robin, Saturday at Maple Valley High School. The Panthers got the finish they wanted. State qualifier Gage Vincent cliched a 48-36 win for the Panthers by pinning Les­ lie’s Braeden Romero a minute into their 126pound bout, which was the last match of a day that saw six teams wrestling five duals each on a pair ofmats. “The day did not start out so well for us,” Delton Kellogg head coach Dan Phillips said. “We wrestled Dansville first, beat Dansville, and then wrestled Lakewood and got shel­ lacked by Lakewood. Our goal was to come out ofhere 4-1 today, and we ended up com­ ing out 4-1 so that is good.” Lakewood went 4-0 in its four conference duals with Bath, Maple Valley, Leslie and Dansville and knocked off Delton Kellogg 72r3 in their match-up. Delton Kellogg opened the day with a 51 -24 win over Dans­ ville, then bounced back from the loss to Lakewood-i^ogptscoring Bath 54-24y i^fapleValley 71-6 and then finally Leslie. * That dual between Leslie and Delton Kel­ logg was one of the most competitive duals of the entire day. “It’s a huge confidence booster knowing I’ve got those two bullets I can shoot right in the middle of the line-up,” Phillips said ofhis 126-pounder Gage Vincent and 132-pounder Gauge Stampfler. “You can’t avoid them. You can miss one, but you’re not going to miss the other one. They’re a huge asset. They’re right in the middle ofthe line-up. Today, it was the perfect ending because we started with one (Gage/Gauge) and we finished with the other one. They’re book ended. We started with a win and we ended with a win. That’s nice to have. Stampfler opened that match by pinning Leslie’s Blake Hawkins halfa minute into the second period oftheir 132-pound bout. “Those two are nice to have in the line-up, plus they’re both leaders,” Phillips said, although they lead in different ways. Stampfler is a sophomore who leads more by example than the senior Vincent. “[Stampfler] is out there doing what needs to be done. Ifthe team needs a pin, he is out there working for a pin,” Phillips said. “Today, he could not pin a kid he wass wrestling, and I said you tech him. He went and tech’ed him. He did what we needed. Vincent certainly leads but example, but he is more likely to lead vocally as well. “If you’re doing something wrong, he’s going to tell you,” Phillips said. “He’s also the number one cheerleader on the bench for everybody else. He leads the cheers. When he’s not wrestling, he is the leader on the bench. He is always doing the right thing. I would really have to search to find him not doing something right, and I probably would be unsuccessful. , BJDDtaeft tanjUa lyW^MaHefciBctolfe S^BittdapliW W'WW teams * DjM ljJ-fc c*j# **3** .J“!’ a 1-*<••*. . 3 gfe> gfe>M^jil*** V :44 *fe>»* e» «*>&%>•’ r r 44^4 />> o vx />>ovx t Mw 0 0 t ^1 4 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley varsity competitive c eer team opened 2023 by placing seventh in i the 9-team lower division standings at the she Blackhawk Invitational Saturday. . u ^’ons found some rusty spots follow follow-­ ing the holiday break, and saw some improve­ inent in otherr areas. Hudson earned the championship with an impressive overall score of 774.94 points. Lesl was second with a score of 653.82, Lli Leslie Lesli anead of Perry 639.2, Concord 625.9, Napo.». °n 604.4, Columbia Central 603.68, Maple »_a.e^ $67.56, Stockbridge 546.6 and East Jackson 404.9. e had some timing issues in round 1, but cal play helped ignite a run that bumped DK’s fourth quarter led from six points to ten with a little over two minutes to play. Grant McArthur finished with a teamhigh 14 points for the Panthers in the win. Torren Mapes had another solid game and contributed 13 points. Freshman point guard Tyler Howland had 7 points. Howland hit a three and went 4-for-4 at the free throw line when Calhoun Christian had to foul late. As a team, the Panthers were 8-of-8 at the free throw line down the stretch. Micah Reed led Calhoun Christian with 11 points and Jordan Eckman added 10 points. Delton Kellogg had big swings Monday night at Bloomingdale too. DK led 9-0 then saw Bloomingdale rally to even the score at 14-14. The Panthers pulled away with a 21-12 run in the third quarter and then fin­ ished off the win by doing well enough at the free throw line. “Sure could tell it was first game back after long lay off,” Hogoboom said. Mapes and Jason Lundquist both set new varsity highs in points. Mapes had 20 and Lundquist 21. Lundquist also had a team-high 11 rebounds. Hogoboom was especially pleased with Lundquist’s second half after her was chal­ lenged by his coaches during the intermis­ sion. Howland chipped in 10 points for Delton Kellogg. He was 8-of-ll at the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Curtis Cibnelee had 18 points and Isaac Hardik 17 for Bloomingdale. Delton Kellogg is back at it Friday at home against Saugatuck and then will host Climax-Scotts Tuesday, Jan. 17. Hastings bowling teams win two of their first three league duals Delton Kellogg's Gage Vincent (top) puts Leslie's Braeden Romero on his back during the first period of their 126-pound match at Maple Valley High School Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) It was a day filled with teams earning sixi points due to holes in opponents’ line-ups. Delton Kellogg and Leslie only had contests at seven of the 14 weight classes. Delton Kel­ logg managed pins in four ofthose. Giorgio Venturi got a pin for the Panthers at 215 pounds and Mitchell Swift stuck his opponent at 285 pounds. Delton Kellogg needed those pins at that point. After Vincent’s opening pin, Leslie got pins from Grason Weber at 138 pounds and Donovan Barr at 144 to lead 12-6. Delton Kellogg then forfeited the 150-pound, 157pound and 165-pound weight classes to the Blackhawks, putting them ahead 30-6. Luke Watson got a forfeit win for Delton Kellogg at 175 pounds, but Leslie got those points back when Max Fourman stuck Michael Bhola early in the 190-pound match. Venturi and Swift started the DK turn around, and DK had the advantage in the lightweights where Leslie’s roster was bare. Corban Antolovich took a forfeit win at 106 pounds, Joelle White won at 113 and Micah Martin won at 120 for Delton. “We’re really young, but we’re really mak­ ing progress,” Phillips said. “Ifyou look at us from the beginning of the year to now, our conditioning is better. Our wrestling skill level is better. Our mat sense is better, like where we are at on the mat where our bodies are at is better. We’re just better all the way around.” Stampfler got Delton Kellogg its only points in its dual with Lakewood. He pulled out an 8-1 win over the Vikings’ Lydon Rog­ ers at 132 pounds. Only two other matches went the full six minutes in that dual. Lake­ wood’s Kade Boucher fought for a 6-0 win over Vincent in the 126-pound match. At 285 pounds, Lakewood state qualifier Joel Simon took a 7-0 win over Swift. g'takewood haft- pitwtfiwm Adrian Oaks, Camden Wright, Ashtori Clark, Chris Webb, Daniel Krebs, Seth Walkington, Gavin Vaughn, Bryan Aguilera and Jaden Manhart in that victory. The Vikings blew through its four confer­ ence opponents too. They outscored Leslie 67-9, Maple Valley 75-3, Dansville 66-16 and Bath 72-12. The short-handed Maple Valley team was 0-5 in its duals. The Lions were bested 54-9 by Leslie, 48-14 by Dansville and 36-18 by Bath. Maple Valley got its three points in its dual with Lakewood with Robert Schilz pulling out a 10-8 win in a sudden victory overtime period. Lakewood got pins from Boucher and Brendan Straub for Lakewood in that dual with the Lions. Zachary Zbiciak scored a 15-3 major decision over the Lions’ Dakota Osenbaugh in the 138-pound match and Lakewood also got a technical fall from Man­ hart at 215 pounds. Ashton Kikendall and Osenbaugh had pins for the Lions in the dual with Bath. Schilz, stuck his opponent from Leslie and scored a technical fall in the dual with Dansville. Jack­ son Burpee also got a win for Maple Valley in the dual with Dansville, outscoring Kian Daane 5-1 in the 165-pound bout. In the win over Bath, Lakewood got pins from Oaks, Rogers, Zbiciak, Krebs, Straub, Aguilera and Simon. Boucher, Rogers, Krebs, Christian Elarton, Vaughn, Manhart and Simon had pins in the Vikings’ dual against Leslie, while Brant O’Hearn pulled out an 8-6 decision over the Blackhawks’ Eric Dex­ ter at 165 pounds and Boucher took a 16-2 major decision over Romero at 126. Against Dansville, Lakewood got pins from Oaks, Camden Wright, Rogers, Krebs, and Vaughn. Lion cheer team preps for GLAC Season at Blackhawk Invitational r. r Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ bas­ ketball team opened the 2023 portion ofthe schedule with back-to-back wins this week. The Panthers knocked offBloomingdale 62-45 on the road Monday and then fol­ lowed that up with a 44-30 win over Cal­ houn Christian Tuesday night in Delton. Calhoun Christian ran out to an 8-1 lead. The two teams were back and forth from there until the fourth quarter when the Pan­ thers went on a 20-4 run to secure the win. The Panthers changed up their defense in the final quarter to take control. “We are having some moments ofreally good basketball and some moments where we look like we are brand new to the game,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said. “Hopefully, as we get back into a regular practice routine, we can get more consistent.” An already short-handed DK team had its bench shortened a bit more by foul trou­ ble. Calhoun Christian was in the double bonus throughout much ofthe first halfand scored all six ofits second quarter points at the free throw line. Hogoboom said his guys were a step late on the defensive end a bit too often. “We talked at the half and set a goal to keep playing hard and aggressive, but to have less than five team fouls in the third quarter, which we did. The problem was, we also had less than five points and trailed 26-24 going into the fourth.” Victory Gonzalez helped spark the DK rally late. He had 6 points in the fourth quarter. Coach Hogoboom said his physi- our vocal score was much improved from our last time out on the mat back in December,” Maple Valley head coach Sarah Huissen said. “Our round 2 score was improved after mak­ ing last minute changes the night before. Our round 3 is still a work in progress and we will continue to work on putting it together and adding more difficulty.” The Lions earned a score of 185.6 in round one, 162.26 in round two and 227.7 in round three. ( “1 thought Athena Moorehouse, Emily Reitz, Alexa Reitz, Sophia Rose, Grace Conklin, Emily White and Kailey Fust gave great performances this week in both round 1 and round 3,” Huissen said. “Athena Moorehouse also had a great performance in round 2 after being added into the round Friday night to fill in for a teammate.” Round two was the Lions’ best round, compared to the competition. They had the sixth best round two score ofthe day. Hudson had the top score in each round by quite a bit, putting up totals of233.1 points in round one, 226.44 in round two and 315.4 in round three. Leslie built is advantage in the runner-up spot in the first two rounds with scores of223 and 188.62, then held on to second with a round three score of 242.2. Maple Valley is at the Gull Lake Blue Devil Invitational Friday. The Greater Lan­ sing Activities Conference schedule was set to being last night, Jan. 11, at Stockbridge. The Hastings varsity boys’ and girls’ bowling teams both opened the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season with victories this month over Lumen Christi and Mar-1 shall, and are both 2-1 with a loss to Co® water on their conference record as well. The Saxons hosted the Titans at Hast­ ings Bowl Tuesday afternoon with the boys’ scoring a 17-13 win and the girls coming out on top 24-6. A huge Baker game of219 helped power the Hastings boys to their victory. The team got two points from both Cohen James and Hunter Pennington. James had games of 167 and 149 to best his Lumen Christi foe. Pen­ nington won with scores of 195 and 178. The Hastings boys also got a point thanks to a 176 form JT Clow. Amber Rabideau, Ally Herder and Abby Barton won two points apiece for the Hastings girls. Barton had scores of 189 and 180. Herder rolled a 192 and a 158. Rabideau scored a 177 and a 171. Andrea Rhodes and Heaven Simmet won one team point each. Rhodes did it with a 183 and Simmet with a 139. The Saxons opened the conference sea­ son taking on' Marshall at Hastings §6wl Jan. 3. H * Trie Hastings girls ‘won a'Baket match roll offto come out on top after a 15-15 tie though the regular scoring periods. The Saxon girls rolled a 174 Baker total. The Hastings boys took an 18-12 win. Drew' Rhodes won two points for the team with games of 218 and 210. Pennington took one with a 194, Miles Lipsey took one with a 196 and Deagan Wilkins won one with a 203. Coldwater took a 19-11 win over the Hastings girls and a 29-1 win over the Hastings boys at Midway Lanes in Cold­ water last Thursday, Jan. 5. The Saxons are set to be a part ofthe Portage Northern invitational at Conti­ nental Lanes Sunday, Jan. 15, and will return to conference action with duals against Parma Western at Hastings Bowl Tuesday, Jan. 17, and at Jackson North­ west Thursday, Jan. 19. BARRY COUNTY, Ml Eagles keep record perfect with second win over Libertas Christian The Eagles scored anoth­ er overwhelming victory Tuesday night to get to 7-0 on the season. The Barry County Chris­ tian School varsity boys’ basketball team bested Libertas Christian 73-19 on the road. The Eagles have a big Friday night home game against a 4-2 Grand Rapids Sacred Heart Academy squad up next. The Eagles got 20 points from Isaiah Lamphere in the victory over Libertas Chris­ tian. Juan Osorio added 11 points. Noah Lilley had 10 points, 10 steals and 9 rebounds. Joe Wise chipped in 10 points for the Eagles. Lucas Koetje had 9 points, 6 rebounds and 9 steals. It was the second win of the season for the Eagles over the Phoenix. ^FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER Announces its ANNUAL MEETING will be held January 26,2023 11:30 A.M. YMCA Camp Algonquin 2055 Iroquois Trail, Hastings, Ml 49058 - THE PUBLIC IS INVITED ffSVP required by January 23,2023 269-945-5439 THE HOTTEST STARS Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR VlWoN ^1^^J 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. �Page 10 — Thursday. January 12,2023 — The Hastings Banner VJ LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): John L. Lewis and Lelsa Lewis, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: January 27, 2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 17, 2017 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $111,054.21 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Yankee Springs, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing at the Southwest comer of Section 8, Town 3 North, Range 10 West Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 89 degrees 54 minutes 06 seconds East 1615.20 feet along the South line of said Section 8; thence North 16 degrees 31 minutes 50 seconds West 580.58 feet to the point of beginning; thence North 16 degrees 31 minutes 50 seconds West 394.82 feet; thence North 66 degrees 55 minutes 25 seconds East 70.24 feet to the shore of Mill Pond; thence South 40 degrees 28 minutes 14 seconds East 115.42 feet along an intermediate traverseline of said shore; thence North 76 degrees 44 minutes 21 seconds East 37.66 feet along an intermediate traverse line of said shore to a 4 inch diameter concrete monument; thence South 22 degrees 55 minutes 35 seconds East 93.20 feet to a 4 inch diameter concrete monument; thence North 65 degrees 21 minutes 29 seconds East 39.00 feet to a 4 inch diameter concrete monument in the middle of a creek; thence South 22 degrees 55 minutes 35 seconds East 193.00 feet, more or less, along the center of said creek to a point which lies North 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East fromthe point of beginning; thence South 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds West 33.00 feet, more or less, to a 1/2 inch capped iron (#31602); thence South 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds West 192.77 feet to the point of beginning. Together with and subject to a private easement for ingress and egress 16.00 feet wide, 8.00 feet each side of a centerline described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of Section 8, Town 3 North, Range 10 West, Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 89 degrees 54 minutes 06 seconds East 1615.20 feet along the South line of said Section 8; thence North 16 degrees 31 minutes 50 seconds West 580.58 feet; thence North 69 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East 23.35 feet to the point of beginning; thence Northeasterly 31.39 feet along the arc of a curve to the right, the radius of which is 74.80 feet and the chord of which bears North 15 degrees 41 minutes 23 seconds East 31.16 feet; thence North 27 degrees 42 minutes 50 seconds East 52.33 feet; thence Northeasterly 99.41 feet along the arc of a curve to the left, the radius of which is 129.48 feet and the chord of which bears North 05 degrees 43 minutes 06 seconds East 96.99 feet; thence North 16 degrees 16 minutes 38 seconds West 72.49 feet; thence Northeasterly 85.66 feet along the arc of a curve to the right, the radius of which is 62.70 feet and the chord of which bears North 22 degrees 51 minutes 29 seconds East 79.15 feet; thence North 61 degrees 59 minutes 37 seconds East 101.72 feet; thence North 67 degrees East 104.00 feet, more or less, to the centerline of Old Mill Road. Common street address (if any): 155 Old Mill Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8575 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: December 22,2022 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1484926 (12-22)(01-12) 192928 Synopsis Hope Township Regular Board meeting January 9,2023 Meeting opened at 6:30 pm Approved: Consent agenda LED light installation Ordinance enforcement officer resignation Adjourned at 7:13 pm Submitted by: Deborah Jackson, Clerk Attested to by Doug Peck, Supervisor 193907 Keep yourfriends and relatives informed and up to date with all the local news from Barry County. Send them... The Hastings BANNER NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 26,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Weldon C. Cole and Waunita L. Cole, husband and wife, to U.S. Financial Mortgage Corp., Mortgagee, dated March 25, 2005 and recorded April 13, 2005 in Instrument Number 1144847 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by CAG National Fund I LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Three and 95/100 Dollars ($144,523.95). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 26,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of JOHNSTOWN, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at a point on the East/West quarter line of said Section 35 at a point 80 feet West of the center quarter post of said section; thence continuing West along the East/West quarter line of said section a distance of 653 feet; thence North parallel with the North/South quarter line of said section a distance of 380 feet; thence East parallel with the East/West quarter line of said section a distance of 653 feet; thence South parallel with the North/South quarter line of said section a distance of 380 feet to the point of beginning. Less and except that portion conveyed to Eugene Anderson and Linda Anderson by Deed as instrument #1006812. 3465 Strickland Road, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 29,2022 File No. 22-008418 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-29X01-19) 193092 THE CIRCUIT COURT SALE BELOW WILL BE ADJOURNED FROM 01/12/2Q23 TO01/19/2023. VARNUM LLP Attorneys 2ob E. Brown Street, Suite 150 Birmingham, Ml 48009 NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure (the "Judgment") entered on May 11, 2017, and an Order Granting Motion for Entry of Renewed Order Authorizing Sale dated September 6, 2022, in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, Case No. 14-998-CZ, the Court has ordered the sale at public auction of real property under a Mortgage (the “Mortgage") made by Marvin Allen Hake (now deceased) and Kim M. Hake ("Mortgagor”), to Bond Corporation, a Michigan corporation, Mortgagee, dated February 2, 2007, and recorded on February 16, 2007, in Document No. 1176513, Barry County Records. The mortgage debt is due and payable in the amount of Fifty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Eight and 98/100 Dollars ($58,488.98) as of May 5, 2017, with the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate of 16.850% per annum, plus such other fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to the Note and Mortgage and the Judgment Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the Judgment and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay said amount with interest as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, the Mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the Mortgaged premises at public venue to the highest bidder in the main lobby of the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of the foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Mortgagee for damaging the property during the redemption period. The premises covered by said mortgage is commonly known as 336 Donna, Lake Odessa, Michigan 48849, and is situated in the Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, described as follows: Lots 71,72 and 73 of Innovation Subdivision, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 21, Barry County Records. Parcel No. 08-15-080-048-00 Dated: October 20, 2022 BOND CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation, Mortgagee Barry County Sheriff Civil Division 220 W. State Street Hastings, Ml 49058 20145307.1 (01-12) 193710 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE F°RECL0SU^ THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage att tthe telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Under the power of sale contained herein in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or a cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Scott L. Donley A/K/A Scott Leo Donley, original mortgagor, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee 'for Low VA Rates, LLC, dated January 30, 2019, and recorded February 5, 2019 as Instrument 2019-000930, in Barry County records, Michigan, and assigned to Village Capital & Investment, LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 25,2020 as Instrument 2020-001926, and assigned to U.S. Bank National Association not in its individual capacity but solely as Legal Title Trustee for RMTP Trust, Series 2021 BKM-TT-V by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 18, 2022 as Instrument 2022-002020, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Three Hundred Fifteen Thousand One Hundred Six and 29/100 dollars ($315,106.29). Said premises are situated in the Township ofAssyria, County of Barry, and State of Michigan, and particularly described as: The West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 1 North, Range 7 West, EXCEPT the South 920 feet thereof. Property Address: 10773 North Ave., Dowling, Ml 49050 Parcel No.: 08-01-006­ 010-00 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the.property during the redemption period. Dated: January 3, 2023 For more information, please call: (440) 572-1511 Sottile and Barile PLLC Attorneys for Servicer 7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210 Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 File: MF2203010 Donley, Scott (VA) (01-05)(01-26) 193441 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement L Notice is given-under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL W.SH21; that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Molly K. Diekhoff, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not individually but as trustee for Pretium Mortgage Acquisition Trust Date of Mortgage: August 8,2005 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 10,2005 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $120,721.07 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: BEGINNING ATA POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF SECTION 30, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, WOODLAND TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN DISTANT NORTH, 858 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 30; THENCE NORTH, 220 FEET ALONG SAID WEST LINE; THENCE EAST, 231 FEET PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST FRACTIONAL 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 30; THENCE SOUTH 220 FEET; THENCE WEST, 231 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SUBJECTTO AN EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC HIGHWAY PURPOSES OVER THE WESTERLY 33 FEET THEREOF FOR DURKEE ROAD, AND ANY OTHER EASEMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. Common street address (if any): 3200 Durkee Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9449 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: December 22,2022 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1484815 (12-22)(01-12) 192872 Financial FOCUS nJ »»*! A Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones Jeff Domenico, AAMS® C R PC® Member SIPC Financial Advisor Wendi Stratton Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 423 N. Main St Hastings, Ml 49058 Nashville, Ml (269)948-8265 (517)760-8113 & w’ Are you ready to ‘unretire’? Have you recently retired but are now thinking of going back to work? Ifso, you aren’t alone, as many people are choosing to “unretire.” But if you do reenter the workforce in some capacity,, what opportunities might be available to you? And how will your renewed employment affect your financial outlook? For starters, though, what reasons might motivate you to go back to work? For many people, the primary cause has been inflation, which has presented a huge challenge to retirees living on a fixed income. In addi­ tion, the volatile financial market of2022 caused many people’s investment portfo­ lios to decline in value — a real problem for retirees who needed to start selling invest­ ments to supplement their income. But non-financial factors could also be driving you to unretire. Like other retirees, you may miss the chance to use your work experience to engage with the world, and you may miss the social in­ teractions as well. In any case, ifyou do de­ cide to rejoin the working world in some fashion, you may have several options. For example, ifyou enjoyed the work you did for your former employer, you might want to see ifyou could go back on a part-time basis. Or you could use your ski Ils to join the “gig” economy by doing some consulting or freelance work in your former industry. You might also consider going to work for a nonprofit organization, as many ofthese groups lost employees during the height of the COVID-19 pandem­ ic and are now facing labor shortages. Going back to work, even part time, can improve your cash flow, which helps cover the cost ofregular expenses. Furthermore, the added in­ come can possibly help you delay or reduce withdrawals from your investment ac­ counts. And it’s important to increase the longevity of these accounts considering you may spend two, or even three, decades in retirement (Once you turn 72, however, you will have to start with­ drawing certain amounts from your 4010c) and tra­ ditional IRA.) But your earnings can affect another source ofyour retirement in­ come — your Social Securi­ ty benefits. Ifyou return to work be­ fore your “full” retirement age, which is likely between 66 and 67, the Social Secu­ rity earnings limit in 2023 is $21,240. For each $2 earned over that amount, Social Se­ curity will deduct $1 from benefits. If you reach your full retirement age in 2023, the earnings limit is $56,520; Social Security will deduct $1 from your benefits for each $3 earned over this amount until the month you turn your full retirement age. But in all future years after you’ve reached your full re­ tirement age, you can earn as much as you want without losing any benefits. Social Security will then recalculate your payments to give you credit for the months your benefits were reduced or withheld due to your excess earnings. Be aware, though, that your earned income can potentially result in higher taxes on your Social Security benefits at any age. Returning to work can be rewarding, both financially and emotionally. And you may get more out ofthe ex­ perience when you’re aware ofthe issues involved. I \&& \&&& & 5®5 This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Fi­ nancialAdvisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC gitarta*’901?1 ixtiaitar.lMiii A Attention i h homeowner: If you are a military ili service i member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be. greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Kipp L. Cushman, Unmarried Man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated March 30, 2022 and recorded April 18, 2022 in Instrument Number 2022-004415 and Affidavit Affecting Realty recorded on January 3,2023, in Instrument Number 2023-000055, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Union Home Mortgage Corp., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand One Hundred Eighty and 57/100 Dollars ($159,180.57). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9,2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: COMMENCING 26 RODS WEST AND 18 RODS 13 1/2 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, AS A PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 23 RODS AND 3 FEET (OR UNTIL IT STRIKES THE DIVIDING LINE OF LANDS FORMERLY OWNED BY WILLIAM J. MCARTHUR); THENCE EAST 12 RODS; THENCE NORTH 23 RODS AND 3 FEET; THENCE WEST 12 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT THE NORTH 3 RODS THEREOF FOR STREET PURPOSES; ALSO EXCEPT COMMENCING 311 FEET WEST, AND 310.5 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE SOUTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE EAST 80 FEET; THENCE NORTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE WEST 80 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 159 W Franklin St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: January 12,2023 File No. 22-011627 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (01-12)(02-02) 193681 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by John E. Mays, a married man, whose address is 282 W. Carlton Center Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., being a mortgage dated June 15, 2015, and recorded on June 24, 2015 as Document Number 201500006224, Barry County Records, State of Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held through mesne assignments by Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated March 11, 2022 and recorded on March 11, 2022 as Document Number 2022-002728, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED NINE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN AND 63/100 ($109,311.63). Said premises are situated in the Township of Carlton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the Southeast comer of the West 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 18, Town 4 North, Range 8 West; thence North 12 rods 6 feet; thence West 15 rods 11 feet; thence South 12 rods 6 feet; thence East 15 rods 11 feet to the Place of Beginning. Street Address: 282 W. Carlton Center Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: December 22, 2022 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18. Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 22 4695 (12-22)(01-12) fiatas Vj^E VSjj^iiE kto?? t o>? ?WR1 fiatas Sjii k > WR1 irrretitaritassaMB aimtHMI taltatyitoW! ■X 3! tent stall I iitanimma MqH mCb Mi M * 11 MJ ’’‘“•toss?1 •toss1 VSh? S?* Sfe. 192775 To subscribe, call us at: 269-945-9554 ¥ ¥ I I* �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 12,2023 — Page 11 Late triples get Hastings an 1-8 victory at Parma Western ! • wSSsKSN wSSs KSN 1 ’O O’ ^***1 Ik . Muniitofc fainftSnacriiWfe! blipsipftuvattetyattiu rteritaiteRifttyltnx flatyllSTknutafety * -»****£ wk®’1-— -» Spirts# Spirts & UM Back-to-back three-pointers by Lay­ ton Eastman and Myles Padilla pushed Hastings past the Mounties at Parma Western High School Tuesday. Those two late buckets allowed the Hastings varsity boys* basketball team to close out a 38-35 road win in the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference. The Saxons are now 4-3 overall this season and 2-2 in the Interstate-8. They’ll visit Jackson Northwest for a conference match-up Friday night and then follow that up with a non-conference ballgame at home against Lakewood Saturday at 4:30. Hastings had lost a pair of ballgames over the holiday break one in overtime against Ionia Jan. 3 and one at Harper Creek last Friday by a 31-28 score. The Beavers led that conference match-up Friday nearly from start to finish. They ran out to a 9-2 lead in the first quarter. The lead never got any big­ ger than that though. Hastings rallied to finally even the ballgame at 28-28 late in the fourth quar­ ter, before the Beavers closed out the win. Eastman led Hastings with 15 points. Padilla had 7 points to go with a teamhigh 9 rebounds. Pair of close ones get away from HHS girls Brett Bremer Sports Editor A point here and there is the difference between the Hastings varsity girls’ basketball V3 rather 3-1 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference this winter The Saxons were bested 54-49 in overtime by visiting Parma Western Tuesday night at Hastings High School to fall to 3-6 overall. “IIt was a good game,” Hastings head coach Chase Youngs said. “We played well. It might be our best, most complete game, offensively ffor sure, that we have played. We didn’t get tturned over a lot. They threw several different defenses at us. The girls were prepared and they responded.” Hastings had a two-point lead working the c clock late in the fourth quarter ofthe ballgame, but a Western steal led to a bucket with about a minute to go that evened the bailgame. Out of timeouts, the Saxons didn’t get the offensive look they wanted as time wound down. Parma Western actually had a chance to win in regula­ tion, but missed a pair offree throws with three seconds left to leave the two teams tied at 44-44. Senior forward Bailey Cook stepped up for the Saxons in the defeat. She led her team with 17 points, knocking down three three-pointers in the contest. Senior guard Macy Winegar had 15 points and sophomore forward Rachael Hewitt finished with 8 points for Hastings. “We had balanced scoring. We moved the ball,” Youngs said. The Saxon coach said the Panthers attacked the basket better than many of the teams his girls had faced prior this season. Rayan Hitt led all scorers with 23 points. She had 7 in the fourth quarter and 9 in overtime. She was 6-of-7 at the free throw line in those 12 minutes. Bayli Stewart had 10 points for the Panthers and Maddy Wolfhad 6. The Saxons have had some troubles at the free throw line this season, and those continued Tuesday. They werejust 3-of-l 1 at the line in the bailgame. Despite Hitt’s big night, coach Youngs was happy with the way Addey Nickels, Olivia Friddle and Myah Vincent performed trying to contain her over the course ofthe 36 minutes. “The loss was not due to lack of effort or mental focus,” Youngs said. “It was two teams battling and somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. The performance was a bit more disappointing last Friday as the Saxons fell 35-34 at Harper Creek. Hastings led the Beavers by 11 points at the halfafter shutting them out in the second quarter, and had a four-point lead with a minute to go in the bailgame. “We missed four free throws and a lay-up in the last minute,” Youngs said. Ella Chantrenne hit a three-pointer in the final minute to give her team the lead. She hit three threes on the night and led the Beavers with 15 points. Hastings got 15 points from Winegar and 10 points from Hewitt The Saxons once again struggled at the free throw line going l-for-7. “We controlled the game for for 31 minuets and 40 seconds,” Youngs said. Hastings is now 3-6 overall this season. The Saxons have a tough match-up against an 8-1 Jackson Northwest team that is 4-0 in 1-8 play this Friday at Hastings High School. They fol­ low that up by taking on Lakewood Saturday afternoon. Hastings plays host to Marshall back in the 1-8 Tuesday, Jan. 17. LEGAL NOTICES ' Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part ofthem, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership-of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the, county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Michael Johnson, single person, AKA Michael W Johnson Original Mortgagee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Date of mortgage: December 24, 2008 Recorded on January 2, 2009, in Document No. 20090102-0000029, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Twelve Thousand Forty-Two and 24/100 Dollars ($112,042.24) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: The East 25 and 1/2 acres of the North 51 acres of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 19, Town 2 North, Range 7 West, Barry County Records. Commonly known as 7190 Barryville Road, Nashville, Ml 49073 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23936 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Benjamin B. Buehler a single man . .. Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: January 16,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: January 26,2015 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $129,562.82 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 19, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, described as: Commencing at the Northwest comer of the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of said Section 19; thence East 474 feet: thence South 369 feet; thence Southwest to a point 550 feet South of the place of beginning; thence North to the place of beginning. Common street address (if any): 4700 Fighter Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-8538 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 5, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1485939 (01-05)(01-26) 193513 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this infojrnation: single man .......... Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems. Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: January 19,2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 5, 2007 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $114,066.08 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The North 1275 feet of all that part of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan lying East of highway commonly known as Grand Rapids Street Subject to a right of way to the State of Michigan for highway purposes over a strip of land, 50 feet in width, lying East of and adjacent to the centerline of M-37 as now surveyed over and across the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, as granted in Liber 151 of Deeds, Page 260 Common street address (if any): 6860 N Whitneyville Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8662 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 5, 2023 Trott Law, PC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1485778 (01-05)(01-26) 193430 1485974 (01-05)(01-26) 193586 t&V Hastings sophomore forward Rachael Hewitt attacks the Western defense down the lane during their Interstate-8 Athletic Conference contest at Hastings High School Tuesday night. (Photo by Dan Goggins) NOTICE TO CREDITORS TRUST In the matter ofthe Richard R. Welton Trust dated October 21,1999. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Richard R. Welton, bom February 19, 1935, who lived at 605 Indian Hills Drive, Hastings, Michigan died December 26, 2022 leaving a certain trust under the name of the Richard R. Welton Trust, and dated October 21,1999, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Douglas D. Welton was named as the trustee serving at the time of or as a result of the decedents death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Douglas D. Welton, the named trustee at 1501 Ivy Wood Court, Hastings, Michigan within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: January 4,2023 Robert L. Byington 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 Douglas D. Welton 1501 Ivy Wood Court Hastings, Michigan 49058 193738 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE Court Address: 206 W. Court St., Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone: 269-948-4846 Estate of Ruby Lois Arnie. Date of birth: 5-28­ 1944. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Ruby Lois Arnie, died 9-12-2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Gordon Arnie, Jr. and Kelly Lee Sanders, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 6700 Brown Rd., Lake Odessa, Ml 48849 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 01/10/2023 Kathryn M. Russell P59395 PO Box 241 Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-4243 Gordon Arnie, Jr. and Kelly Lee Sanders 6700 Brown Rd. Lake Odessa, Ml 48849 269-804-1645 193831 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING RLE NO. 23-29378-NC In the matter of Lori Jane Cason-Orton. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Including whose address(es) is/are unknown and whose Interest In the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8,2023 at 2:15 p.m. at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge Hon. William M. Doherty P41960 for the following purpose: A hearing will be held on the petition of Lori Jane Cason-Orton, an adult, requesting said Court to change her legal name to Lori Jane Orton. Any person who has good cause to object to said name change should appear at the above time and place. David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Lori Jane Cason-Orton 2536 Pomoska Hastings, Ml 49058 269-930-1667 Hastings' Bailey Cook (left) and Myah Vincent (right) trap Western's Kailee Adams during their I-8 match-up at Hastings High School Tuesday night. (Photo by Dan Goggins) Saxons start cheer year placing third at the Red Hawk Rumble Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity competitive cheer team is looking to chase down another Iriterstite-8 ‘ winter, and that chase started Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Pennfield. Hastings went into that first league jambo­ ree having built some confidence at Satur­ day’s Cedar Springs Red Hawk Rumble. Hastings was third in a field ofsix teams. Saxon head coach Linsey Jacinto said her girls were excited to take the mats for the first time this season. Hastings had the third best score ofthe day in each of the first two rounds, recording scores of 211.7 in round one and 176.62 in round two. The team put up a total score of253 in round three for an overall score of641.32. “The team did a greatjob ofkeeping their Banner CLASSIFIEDS GALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: B itsin ess Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- Very cute! 1st shots and de-wormed. Girls $550, boys $475.517-726-0706. MINI CAVAPOO PUPPIES for sale. 1st shots & wormed. $400.00 269-223-9194. Help Wanted BARN HELP WANTED Must have experience with horses. Full and part time positions available with competitive pay. Please call 269-207-4218 or email at zlpowell@yahoo. com if interested. STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF KENT 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FAMILY DIVISION ORDER FOR PUBLICATION ON HEARING TO: ANN MARIE ABBOTT Child’s Name: LINCOLN HENRICH Case No.: 20-51629-NA-104816801 Hearing: FEBRUARY 15, 2023 AT 9:00 A.M. Judge ROSSI, 8TH FLOOR, COURTROOM 8-A Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this hearing may be conducted via Zoom. Please contact llsa.baird© kentcountymi.gov to participate remotely. An initial and/or supplemental child protective petition has been filed in the above matter. A hearing on the petition, including petition to terminate your parental rights will be conducted by the Court on the date and time stated above in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that you personally appear before the court at the time and place stated above and exercise your right to participate in the proceedings. THIS HEARING MAY RESULT IN THE TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS. Dated: January 6, 2023 DEBORAH L. MCNABB CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE 193721 head in the game,” coach Jacinto said “The team dealt with many injuries early in the season, so overall we were pleased with our scores, knowing we have a lot of room to U^JEpve. hoU1 eonsrtl tesl ST isaW abnoos; Hastings spent this week working on get­ ting its round three back to where it expects it to be. An eight-point deduction Saturday lowered their round three total a bit. Cedar Springs took the day’s champion­ ship Saturday with an overall score of687.12, ahead of Reeths-Puffer 682.86, Hastings 641.32, Mt. Pleasant 626.56, DeWitt 622.76 and Belding 574.9. Cedar Springs had the day’s top score in round one at 217.8 and in round three at 274.1. The Red Hawks earned 195.22 points in round two. Reeths-Puffer had the day’s top round two score of 196.79, while adding a 215.9 in round one and 270.2 in round three. 193715 All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29348-DE Court Address: 206 W. Court St., Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone: 269-948-4846 Estate of Thomas Allan Trombley. Date of birth: 5-28-1944. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Thomas Allan Trombley, died 10-20-2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Shannon Trombley, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 13265 South M-43 Highway, Delton, Ml 49046 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 01/10/2023 Kathryn M. Russell P59395 PO Box 241 Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-4243 Shannon Trombley 13265 South M43 Highway Delton, Ml 49046 269-491-1838 193829 �Page 12 — Thursday, January 12, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Lakewood wins lopsided bailgame over Lion ladies Brett Bremer Sports Editor All 11 Lakewood ladies scored, led by a game-high 18 points from sophomore Abby Pickard, as the Viking varsity girls’ basketball team won a lopsided 75-22 victory at Maple Valley High School Friday.Lakewood followed that up with a win at Perry Monday and is now 7-1 overall this season and 3-0 in the Greater Lansing Activ­ ities Conference. The Vikings host Lansing Christian Friday in the conference. The Vikings had control from the start last Friday at Maple Valley, leading by as many as 16 points in the opening quarter. They had a 44-13 advantage at the half and started the running clock midway through the third quar­ ter. The Vikings never got into many offen­ sive sets. The points were mostly spurred by the defensive effort. “Typically we go man-to-man, and we thought this would be a good team to work on our pressing and our 1-3-1 zone against,” Lakewood head coach Kelly Meints said. “I think we did a good job of pressuring them and getting them to go where we wanted them to. We had a couple girls that didn’t quite get to the angles. We had some missed traps that we could have utilized, but I thought they played pretty solid D.” “There were different girls in different positions that they don’t typically play in,” Meints added. “It was good for them to get some of that play time in and try it out. We had Joee Harton, she kind of is going back and forth between a wing and a forward for me, so we were getting her some more time up top in the zone. She is long and lanky. I thought she did a nice job. The same with Izzy Wheeler. She is quick, long and limber and she can get up in those passing lanes and move her feet well. Abby Pickard is usually more ofa big for us, and she was that runner on the 1-3-1 for us getting up in the shots.” It was just the fourth game of the season for Abby Pickard. Senior guard Alli Pickard had 14 points for the Vikings. Alivia Everitt had 7 points and Paige Wolverton, Autumn Williams and Ellie Possehn finished with 6 apiece. Williams scored all 6 of her points in a spurt late in the first halfas the Vikings upped their lead from 20 points to more like 30 points going into the break. Williams showed everybody you don’t have to be the biggest ballplayer on the court to be a good rebound­ er. She had a steal and went in for a score, went back up with an offensive rebound for two, and then went end-to-end for a lay-up after wrestling away a defensive rebound. “She is just so fast. She gets that little tip and then she canjust explode,” Meints said of Williams. “She was kind of sick over the break, so I think it was good to see her back in action and being able to move a little bit.” Even in a bailgame so one-sided, the Vikings could find things to continue to work on and the Lions could find a little ray ofhope. Coach Meints was a little frustrated to see the Lions’ Abeni Hartwell find the space to drill a couple three-pointers in the second half. Hartwell, a senior guard, led the Lions with 9 points. Lion head coach Timara Wehr was happy to have Hartwell offthe ball for a bit finding Maple Valley junior guard Mackenzie Decker is harassed by Lakewood guards Izzy Wheeler (right) and Paige Wolverton at the top of the key during their GLAC bailgame at Maple Valley High School Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) space for those shots with freshman Mariah VanDorp handling point guard duties. That is a task that has fallen to Hartwell for the most part due to injuries and other issues. Wehr said VanDorp worked on her ball-handling quite as bit over the break, and the team is looking forward to her skills improving as the season progresses. There were times where the Lakewood pres­ sure prevented the Lions from really getting into an offensive flow. Getting the ball inside to the team’s leading scorer Kyla VanAlstine was not easy throughout the bailgame. Maple Valley also got 6 points from junior Mackenzie Decker and 5 points from junior Haylee Shook in the loss. Wehr didn’t think her girls were able to play a full four quarters once they found themselves in the big hole. Behind the top few scorers for Lakewood^ Harton had 5 points, Liv Woodman and Audrey Hillard had 4 points each, Wheeler had 3 and Cadence Poll 2. The Vikings won bit at Perry Tuesday too, 45-24. Maple Valley is now 1-6 overall this sea­ son. The Lions fell 56-2 at Lansing Christian Tuesday. Defensive focus helps Vikes to two GLAC wins Lakewood senior guard Alli Pickard beats Maple Valley's Autumn Leo to the hoop for two points during their GLAC ballgame at Maple Valley High School Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Join Pennock's Health and Wellness Center for the month of January for $0! Want to check us out? Mondays are FREE for the community all January! Use the fitness floor, enjoy various fitness classes, the hot tub and pool! Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! Regular monthly enrollment fee begins Feb. 1. Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. Spectrum Health Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings added a game to the game at Maple Valley Friday night. The Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball team had a season-best defensive effort in a 58-25 victory over the host Lions in their Greater Lansing Activities Conference match-up Friday, “I found one of Coach [Mark] Farrell’s old documents that showed over a 3-year stretch his teams held their opponents to 40 points or under in 32 games,” Lakewood head coach Chris Duits said. “He called it the 40-point Club. “Lakewood went 29-3 in those games. Offense is fun to watch for fans, but defense is what wins games. Teams can have bad shooting or offensive nights, but if you’re playing defense at a high level, you always have a chance to win and we’re working to get better on the defensive end every day.” The Vikings followed up Friday’s win by holding Perry to fewer than 40 points in a 60-34 GLAC win at Lakewood High School Monday. Lakewood is now 5-4 overall this season and 3-0 in the GLAC heading into a Friday night trip to Lansing Christian. “We have been mediocre at best defen­ sively this season and our team was chal­ lenged during our pregame meeting to become better at the little things,” Duits said ofthe lead-up to the ballgame at Maple Valley. “We had a lengthy film sessions Wednesday and Thursday and assigned pos­ itive and negative points to every funda­ mental of the defense: not letting your opponent cut your facejumping to the ball, not giving up baseline, communication, etc. “It was great to hear the players on the bench recognize plus and minus plays during the game. All players hear outside the gym is you need to shoot more, why don’t you score more. And they get trained from a young age that the only value they have is by how many points they score. That couldn’t be further from the truth we are trying to help every player understand that the most important parts of the game don’t show up in the stat line. Setting good screens and diving on the floor for a loose ball, wins games. Versus Maple Valley, our defense was better than it has been all sea­ son by doing all those little things, and it proved that on the scoreboard.” The Vikings put the Lions in a hole early with their defense, running out to a 10-0 lead over the first two and a half minutes of the bailgame. A three by the Lions’ Ayden Wil­ kes was the only bucket of the first quarter for Maple Valley, and the only points for his team in the first 13 minutes ofthe ballgame. Lakewood led 26-3 late in the first half and had a 30-7 advantage at the break. The Viking lead only grew in the second half. While the Vikings were superb in their zone defense, on the offensive end they shared the load like they hadn’t in a ball­ game yet this season. It was the only bail­ game all year in which senior guard Jayce Cusack did not lead the team in scoring. He finished with 10 points. Senior guard Nathan Willette drilled four three-pointers and led all scorers with 16 points. Junior guard Montreal Reid hit three threes and finished with 13 points for the Vikings. Junior guard Chanse Courtney led Maple Valley with 8 points and Wilkes finished with 6. Lakewood junior guard Montreal Reid fires a pass ahead in transition during the Vikings' GLAC victory at Maple Valley High School Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood also got 7 points apiece from junior Blake Price and junior Landon Makley. “More balanced scoring is going to make it tougher for opponents to prepare for us,” Duits said. Willette hit two three-pointers late in the first quarter to really open things up for the Vikings against the Lions and he shot well again Monday against Perry finishing with 16 points. “Nate Willette continued to shoot the ball well and is playing with a lot ofconfi­ dence right now, and he’s not the only one,” Duits said after the win over the Ramblers. “We’re starting to get offensive contributions from more people and it’s great to see.” Cusack led the Vikings with 22 points. Price and Garrett Feighan had 8 points apiece. Ty Webb led Perry with 13 points. Lakewood led the bailgame 39-13 at the half. “Defensively, we still missed some assignments that we shouldn’t be missing, but our overall effort has been much better these last two games and the statistics will reflect that,” Duits said. “Ifwe’re going to compete for a league title, we have to con­ tinue to focus on getting better defensively every day.” Lakewood has a big road stretch in the coming days. The ballgame at Lansing Christian Friday is followed by a trip to Hastings for a non-conference ballgame Saturday. Lakewood will then visit Olivet Monday night. Maple Valley hosted Lansing Christian Monday and the Pilgrims scored a 65-20 win over the Lions. Maple Valley is now 4-4 overall this season and 0-2 in the GLAC. The Lions host Leslie Friday and then will be home Tuesday to take on Perry. Lakewood junior Eli Jablonski puts a shot up over Maple Valley's Callan Hoefler in the paint during the Vikings' GLAC win at Maple Valley High School Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-01-19.pdf 34104ec34828ae9d82302fbf89d1e803 PDF Text Text Hastings school board installs its newest member New counts Bmmissioner shows how Betions have const lienees See story on page 8 See stoi page 4 Saxons move into 10th in D2 wrestling rankings See story page 10 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 8048 1070490102590501536549058113421 Richard Hemerting* ■RTLOT"C005 C005 421NTaffeeDr Hastings Ml 49058-1 6/30Z2023 9:47.00 AM ANNER Thursday Jyt>ar> <9. 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 3 PRICE $1.50 Former FlexFab employee gets a decade in prison for embezzling hundreds of thousands from the company Jayson Bussa Editor An employee with one of Hastings’ largest employers embarked on a nearly six-year shopping spree on the company’s dime before being caught and terminated last year. That individual appeared in 56-B district court last week, receiving a stiff sentence from Judge Michael Schipper. Former FlexFab LLC employee Ryan Wil­ liams pled no contest to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Hast­ ings-based manufacturer in October. Last Thursday, the 3 7-year-old Richland man, whose attorney asked for probation only, learned that he will spend the next 10 to 20 years in prison. Williams, a senior desktop architect for the company, racked up over a halfmillion dol­ lars in purchases on FlexFab’s tab. Barry County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris See FLEXFAB, page 3 Barry County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris ElswortH (left) makes an argu­ ment as former FlexFab employee Ryan Williams and his attorney, Benjamin Norg, listen. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Judge Michael Schipper handed out a sentence of 10 to 20 years in what he said is likely the biggest embezzlement case that Barry County has ever seen. Barry County Road Commission faces leadership shake-up The Barry County Road Commission board Tuesday approved a contract for Jake Welch to be the new managing director effective Jan. 1, 2024. Pictured from left, front row, are commissioners David Dykstra and David Soules. Back row is Commissioner Frank Fiala and Welch. (Photo by Greg Chandler) David Dykstra attended his last Barry County Road Commission meeting Tuesday. A Thornapple Township resident, Dykstra served on the Road Commission board for 24 years. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Contract approvedfor new managing director ofRoad Commission David Dykstra commemoratesfinal Road Commission meeting; County board searchesfor new commissioner Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Barry County Road Commission board Tuesday approved a contract for Jake Welch to become the road agency’s new managing director, effective Jan. 1, 2024. The three-member board unanimously approved the three-year contract for Welch, who is currently the Road Commission’s assistant managing director. Current Man­ aging Director Brad Lamberg, who announced late last year his plans to step down from the role he has held since Octo­ ber 1998, will stay on in that capacity through the end ofthis year. “This allows us to get some other pieces in play. I would say that it’s very unusual to do it this early, but this will allow us to have a seamless transition to the public - to allow things to operate as normal, and keep con­ struction moving forward as scheduled,” Road Commission board Chairman David Soules said. Welch, 39, was offered the managing directorjob in December after commission­ ers interviewed him and two other candi- dates. However, details of the contract had to be worked out. Welch doesn’t expect to see much change in the way the Road Commission operates. “As far as the day-to-day operation ofthe Road Commission, we intend on continuing to be one ofthe top-performing road com­ missions in the state,” he said. “That’s my goal ...I think that’s what’s made us suc­ cessful, that expectation here that’s been set very clearly, all the way from our employees to our contractors, across the board. That’s been something that’s come down from the board level to Brad and from Brad to our employees, and I intend to maintain that.” Welch takes over at a time where Barry County’s road network is ranked among the best in the state, as measured by the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council, which provides independent data on the condition of the state’s roads and bridges. In the most recent assessment of roads that are under the Road Commission’s See CONTRACT, page 2 Greg Chandler and Jayson Bussa Bunner Staff David Dykstra attended his last Road Commission board meeting on Tuesday, end­ ing a 24-year run as a member ofthe board. Just hours later, the Barry County Board of Commissioners convened its Committee of the Whole meeting, where it conducted inter­ views to name Dykstra’s replacement. As the sun sets on a decades-long tenure with the Road Commission for Dykstra, the Committee ofthe Whole will recommend to the board of commissioners that Jim James be appointed to the six-year term as one of three road commissioners for Barry County. James is a recogniz able face around Barry County with years of public service under his belt. He currently serves as Director of Facility Services for fhornapple Manor. But before James takes the seat, Dykstra had ^n opportunity to reflect on his long history with the Road Commission during his final meetingJH| “It has been a real pleasure working with you guys,” the Thornapple Township resi- dent said to his colleagues at the conclusion ofthe meeting. “Twenty-four years. We got done a lot ofthings that I wanted to do when I came here. We got a lot of trees cut (for road projects).” Dykstra, 83, owned Dan Valley Excavat­ ing in Thomapple Township for 30 years before retiring in 2008. He also played a leading role in the development of Mid­ dleville’s industrial park on the village’s northeast side. “I’ve learned that you’re not a man of many words, but when you’re speaking, it’s time to listen,” Road Commission Manag­ ing Director Brad Lamberg said. “You’ve been good for the Barry County Road Com­ mission and it’s been glad to have you.” Meanwhile, at the Committee of the Whole meeting, six candidates lined up for inter­ views in front ofthe county board, vying for Dykstra’s open spot. The Road Commission is one of several department boards that See DYKSTRA, page 2 State sides with Thornapple Manor in tax dispute with township Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A nearly year-long dispute between Hastings Charter Township and Thomapple Manor was finally laid to rest last month. The Michigan Tax Tribunal ruled Har­ vest Pointe, Thomapple Manor’s newest wing that opened last summer, will be tax exempt. The issue was raised early last year during a Hastings Charter Township meet­ ing after Thomapple Manor asked the township to sign a sewer agreement for the new project. Township officials thought it was only fair the new Harvest Pointe facilities pay taxes, as they would be in competition with other privately-owned care facilities in the township and the county. Jim Brown, town­ ship supervisor, was one ofthe officials that raised the issue. “We put them on the tax rolls tentative­ ly. The tax tribunal said that no, we couldn’t do that. That’s the end of it,” Brown said. A decision from the state to tax the facil­ ity would have been unprecedented. Thomapple Manor, a county-owned gov­ ernment facility, is tax exempt per Michigan state law. In Michigan, government owned property that serves the public in a nonprof­ it or not-for-profit capacity is exempt from paying taxes. The tribunal ruled that Harvest Pointe, as an addition to Thomapple Manor, falls under that same exemption. “Harvest Pointe is a part ofthe County of Barry and falls under the same tax identifi­ cation as Thomapple Manor,” current Thor­ napple Manor Administrator Rebecca DeHaan said. “It’s one entity; and yet (the township) wanted us to pay taxes (for Har­ vest Pointe).” Former Administrator Don Haney was not at all surprised with the outcome. From the outset, Haney told township board mem­ bers that ifthey wanted the facility to pay taxes, it’s an issue they’d have to take up with state legislators. “What a colossal waste of time and money for the township and for Thomapple Manor,” Haney said. “The decision at the end of the day was a foregone conclusion; it’s state law.” Haney’s frustration stemmed from the amount of time and taxpayer resources put towards legal and attorney fees resolving See THORNAPPLE, page 3 �Page 2 — Thursday, January 19,2023 — The Hastings Banner Thornapple Wind Band announces new conductor Members ofthe Thomapple Wind Band say they are proud to announce that the band has selected Joan L. Bosserd-Schroeder ofHickory Comers as its new music director. Bosserd-Schroeder attended both Central Michigan University and Michigan State University. Before coming to Hastings Area Schools as band director in 1984, she served several years at Muskegon Catholic Schools and Marcellus Community Schools. In Hastings, she continued the “tradition ofexcellence” with continuous first divi­ sion ratings for middle school, high school, marching band and solo and ensemble groups. Bosserd-Schroeder has had opportunities to take the bands to Mexico City, Toronto, New York City, Saint Louis and Washington D.C. After “retiring”, she has taught lessons, sectionals, clinics, mentored new directors and fit new students for wind and string instruments through Meyer Music. She has performed with (and sometimes directs) the Thomapple Jazz Orchestra, the Hastings City Band and the Thomapple Wind Band, served on numerous UMC church boards, 4-H Advisory, Barry County Conservation Easement Board, Friends ofthe HPAC and the Thomapple Arts Council. First organized in 1995, the Thomapple Wind Band is a community-based organi­ zation whose mission is to bring wind band music to the Barry County area while giving adults the opportunity to combine their musical talents with others. The orga­ nization is open to anyone with a passion for music regardless ofability. For anyone interested injoining the band, the next rehearsal will be Jan. 19. Those interested in more information can email thomapplewindbandmi@gmail.com, call Thomas Miller Sr. at 616-893-3892 orjoin the band’s Facebook group. The Thomapple Wind Band will perform its next concert on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hastings Performing Arts Center, 520 W. South St. Heinzman completes second year at Institute for Organization Management The Institute for Organization Management, the professional development pro­ gram of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has announced that Jennifer Heinzman, president ofthe Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance, has recently completed her second year at the institute, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at the University ofArizona, in Tucson. “Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organization­ al success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.” Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands ofassociation, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stron­ ger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. The Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at four different uni­ versity locations throughout the country. Through a combination ofrequired courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance and member­ ship, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively. Snowmobilers cautioned to watch for watery trail hazards Michigan Department of Natural Resources trail officials are urging snowmobilers to watch out for watery hazards along some state trails. “There are still wet areas that are normally frozen by this time ofyear and there are wet areas that are not normally wet at all,” said Peter Costa, eastern Upper Peninsula trail specialist for the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division. “Most areas still have good riding, but there are spots riders need to be careful and aware of.” The situation highlights one of the tenets of riding best practices and that is to “know before you go.” Checking with websites or social media pages generated by local snowmobile trail clubs can be a great source oflocal information on trail condi­ tions. Rob Dykstra, son of long-time road commissioner David Dykstra, fields questions on Tuesday morning as he interviews for the vacant seat left behind by his dad. Jim James was eventually selected for the role. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) DYKSTRA, continued from page 1 county commissioners will make appoint­ ments to, paving the way for what will likely be marathon meetings for the next few weeks. Tuesday morning’s meeting lastedjust shy of four hours as commissioners chatted with applicants. Dykstra’S bloodline was well represented amongst the six candidates for road commis­ sioner. Rob Dykstra, David’s son, and Phil Corson, David’s nephew, were in the mix. Rob Dykstra commented that he did not tell his nephew, Corson, that he would be running. It wasn’t until the agenda for Tues­ day’s meeting came out that the two family members found out they were running against each other. Still, James found favor amongst the board receiving five votes and earning the spot as the next road commissioner pending a final vote from the county board ofcommissioners. For James, a lifelong resident of Barry County who currently resides in Rutland Township, being appointed as road commis­ sioner brought his community service full circle. “My passion for serving our community started back in 1987 when I was summer help for the Barry County Road Commis­ sion,” James said in front ofthe Committee ofthe Whole. “It was interesting to see the activities taking place (back then). My mom was also involved with township government and county government and she had made the importance of serving the community a family event.” James maintains a busy schedule even before taking on the responsibilities ofroad commis­ sioner. He currently serves on the board of directors for the YMCA of Barry County and for Leadership Barry County Board through the Barry Community Foundation. “There are choices to make, and I know that, to balance my time,” James said. “...It’s a priority to me to make time for my family and make time for my community. I have no concerns over the time allotment that it will take to fulfill this seat.” . James said he was impressed at the current state ofthe Road Commission, saying it was “absolutely at the top oftheir game.” His goal is to provide support for leadership in order to keep it that way. “Great allocation of funds,” James said, citing reasons why the Road Commission has been so efficient and successful. “...They are way ahead ofthe game ofknowing what’s in their pipeline. They’re not looking at a product today, they’re looking at the Barry County roads as an intricate force for communication and safety for our entire county and people commuting within or out ofour county.” James received votes from commissioners Bruce Campbell, Catherine Getty, David Hat­ field, Bob Teunessen and David Jackson. Mike Callton and Mark Doster cast their votes for a new face in Juli Sala. Sala is a Prairieville Township resident that works mostly remotely for Shelby Town­ ship-based civil engineering firm Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick Inc. Sala brings with him 12 years ofcivil engi­ neering experience in site development, road design and construction administration. Mark Bonsignore also received a vote from commissioner Jon Smelker. CONTRACT, continued from page 1 jurisdiction (not counting state highways), only 9.3 percent are rated in poor condition, the foird-lowest among Michigan’s 83 coun­ ties? A-decade earlier, that figure was at 26.2 percent. x U The. son ofa civil engineer, Welch: grew up in the Detroit suburb of Walled Lake, where he was a three-sport athlete in high school. He initially attended Ferris State University on a football scholarship, but a fourth knee surgery ended his playing career after one season. Welch then transferred to Western Michigan University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2008. Welch worked at Kentwood Excavating in the Grand Rapids area after graduation. In 2013, he applied for and was hired as a project manager position at foe Road Commission. “I liked what they were doing. I liked that they were an accountable government, and I liked Brad, I liked the team that they had. I joined, and I couldn’t be happier,” Welch said. Within two years ofhis hiring, Welch was promoted to director of operations. Welch was named the engineering director for the Road Commission in 2021 and then promot­ ed to assistant managing director last year. Welch expressed his| gratitude for Lam­ berg’s support in his professional develop­ ment. “He’s been a professional mentor, a life mentor. He’s been amazing for me as a profes­ sional and personal friend,” Welch said. “It’s been very nice working with him. I’ll miss working with him. I’m looking forward to the next chapter, but I’m also very appreciative that I’ve been given the opportunities that I have since I’ve been here, to be able to grow into the position where it can be seamless. “He’s been here 26 years, so for someone else to come in and allow that to be a seam­ less transition, there had to be a lot ofwork that went into that, and there has been. That’s been done and will continue over the next 10-11 months. I fully intend on the public noticing nothing.” Lamberg called Welch “an asset to the Barry County Road Commission since he started” and a “dedicated public servant.” Besides his role with foe Road Commis­ sion, Welch has been active in foe communi­ ty. He recently served a year on foe Thomapple Kellogg Schools Board ofEducation and currently chairs foe Zoning Board ofAppeals in Yankee Springs Township. He has also been a volunteer football coach, both at Thor­ napple Kellogg High School and in foe Mid­ dleville youth football program. Welch will receive a starting salary of $117,000 as managing director. He also will receive health insurance, 25 days ofvacation and 12 sick days during his first year in foe role. In addition, foe Road Commission will furnish him with a four-wheel drive vehicle with unlimited use, and will cover all vehicle expenses including fuel, insurance and main­ tenance, according to foe contract document. “I thought it was a very generous, very high-quality, very detailed contract,” Com­ missioner Frank Fiala of Yankee Springs Township said. The contract may be terminated by foe Road Commission board forjust cause prior Jake Welch to its expiration. It also calls for Welch to provide 60 days’ notice should he choose to step down from foe position. But Welch says he’s in for foe long haul. “I love being in Barry County. I think it’s very unique. It’s a diamond in foe rough ...I love Hastings, I love Middleville, I love Nashville,” he said. “I wanted to be here. I wanted to be in Barry County. I didn’t know it’d be this quick, but I’m thrilled to have foe opportunity to stay in Barry County for a long time. I plan to finish my career here. I’m not a guy that jumps jobs and moves around. I’ve had two (jobs) since I graduated college. I intend on being here until I retire.” Another place to check would be the DNR’s trail reports page. Over the next few days, unseasonably warm temperatures are forecasted for much ofthe Upper Peninsula and parts ofthe northern Lower Peninsula. Road Commission eyes federal funding for culvert replacements In general, snowmobilers are reminded of ways to safely “ride right” along the state’s more than 6,000 miles ofsnowmobile trails. This means riding: • At a safe speed • Sober • On the right • Within your abilities • Watch out, and move over, for trail groomer Greg Chandler Sta# Writer The Barry County Road Commission may seek federal funding for replacing culverts over the Little Thomappje River. Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch Tuesday outlined a proposal where the Road Commission could apply for funding to replace culverts on the Little Thomapple, from North Broadway Road in Carlton Township to Jordan Lake in Woodland Township. “That encompasses 11 ofour crossings and two ofMDOT’s (crossings on M-43),” Welch told commissioners. “MDOT’S (crossings) are already bridges. Wejust replaced (the culvert) on Charlton Park (Road); with a timber bridge with state funding and critical bridge funding in 2019-20 ...We have one bridge on Brown Road that’s fairly old, but we just did some preventative maintenance work, so we’re looking into whether that heeds to be replaced or not.” Welch estimates the potential cost of replacing the culverts at between $8 million and $15 million. Funding would come from the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) discretionary granlt program, a program to help state and local governments upgrade critical freight and pas­ senger transportation infrastructure. The Biden administration has set aside $1.5 billion Two injured in Thornapple Township crash Greg Chandler StaffWriter Two Freeport teenagers were injured in a single-car crash early Wednesday morning in Thomapple Township. Michigan State Police from the Wayland post report the crash occurred about 7 a.m. on Bender Road, just south ofFinkbeiner Road. A preliminary investigation showed a Chev­ rolet Tahoe was headed south on Bender when it left the road and struck a tree. The driver, an 18-year-old male, and the passenger, a 16-year-old female, were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by Thomapple Township Emergency Services. The two victims were taken by TTES ambulance to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids for what is described d as “serious but non-life-threatening” injuries. Names ofthe two have not been released by state police. MSP troopers were assisted at the scene by TTES, the Barry County Sheriff’s Department and Caledonia Fire and Rescue. The crash remains under investigation at this time. in this year’s federal budget for the RAISE grants, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation news release. “This is separate from our federal aid funds that are dispersed through the Rural Task Force,” Welch said. Fifty percent of the funds being allocated through RAISE will go toward rural commu­ nities, Welch said. “I think that gives us a little bit ofa heads­ up. They have to find somewhere (to assign ftmding to). They can’t stuff it all into (Los Angeles), New York and Detroit,” Welch said. One ofthe criteria that is looked at in allo­ cating grants is connectivity to disadvantaged areas. Welch said he is working with the Barry County Chamber and Economic Devel­ opment Alliance to figure out whether the county might qualify for the grant under that distinction. In March 2019, the Road Commission had to shut down North Broadway, between Free­ port Road and Vedder Road, after a portion of the road collapsed because of erosion of fill material around the culvert over the Little Thomapple River, which dated back to 1964. Repairs were made, including the addition of a secondary pipe to help with overflow situa­ tions and to allow the crossing to qualify for state critical bridge funding, Welch said. “Theres There’s basically 10 crossings that over the next number ofyears will be problems, as North Broadway was,” Welch said. “I know there was some concern when North Broad­ way went out where we couldn’t afford to put $2 million into a bridge. We didn’t have that kind of funding. I’ll remind you guys at that time it didn’t meet (standards) width-wise for critical bridge funding. So we had no way to fund that crossing. “A number of the crossings that we’re talking about are in the same boat - they’re not wide enough to apply for critical bridge funding. Once they’re replaced, they’ll be required to be larger than the critical bridge funding minimum (20 feet).” Most ofthe culverts in the area are between 15 and 19 feet, Welch said. Last year, RAISE grants funded 166 proj­ ects in all 50 states, the District ofColumbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands, according to a USDOT news release. Four Michigan projects were funded by the grant last year, most notably a nearly $19.8 million grant to the Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians for reconstructing a critical road corridor in Sault Ste. Marie and adding non-motorized paths in that corridor. Also, Kalamazoo received more than $5.9 million in grants for redesigning the city’s downtown area to make it more walkable. A decision on whether to pursue the RAISE grant is expected next month. �TheHastingsBanne r-Thursday, January 19, 2023 - Page 3 Wayne Neitzke, Supervisor of Transportation for Delton Kellogg Schools, has resigned. Here, he's pictured as part of a special report published by The Banner last last year about the transportation struggles of local school districts. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) Delton Kellogg Schools Transportation Supervisor Wayne Neitzke resigns S*St*^S H Ssfe^*^*' Williams is led out of 56-B district court to serve his prison sentence of 10 to 20 years for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Hastings-based FlexFab. FLEXFAB, continued from page 1 ■wZfo •Mto 8MW w-J*^**** w . Q|K f> ?£*** ••■trWibiril,^ lb* ^-W'ipattisjM <IKZ’ ®i®r' l«ti MHBI JBateltiiKik ■fMi'MKfltkra' toBisrtfrHte ataUiBCTiitaEE' yy^rtlHHfcte 0 L. JateWeWi jiboallifc®* oac p®*L*£ kW iT g g*SJ SMjJSss'--- ’ £&*? £&? 0”^5*2^5 *2^5 *<?*2 febj *?#** *?#**'$£* **'$£* S'$>£* &5k,.CS>* «r* »“ JP** * I* ✓ Elsworth came to the sentencing hearing armed with a lengthy spreadsheet ofthe items purchased by Williams, some ofwhich were beyond the pale in terms of their frivolous nature. Williams had access to both the company’s Amazon business account and a business credit card, using both to make personal pur­ chases that were paid for by the company. FlexFab submitted a request to the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office seeking $565,922 in restitution from Williams, claiming that he racked up $336,198 in purchases from Ama­ zon and $229,724 through the credit card. As ofnow, Williams and his attorney Benjamin Norg, of Kalamazoo-based Sharp & Associ­ ates Law Firm, are disputing roughly 20 per­ cent of those charges but admitting to $336,198 in the embezzlement scheme. Judge Schipper scheduled a restitution hearing for late March, but was hoping that both sides could resolve the. disputed-’charges before1 then. z । Judge Schipper was in near disbelief as assistant prosecuting attorney Elsworth read off a list of items that Williams purchased using FlexFab funds. In all, Williams made around 2,800 separate purchases over the course ofnearly six years. The activity was finally spotted by another employee, who reported Williams before FlexFab terminated him inMay of last year. The lengthy timeframe of the offenses begged the question on how the activity went unnoticed by the company’s front office. The Banner left repeated messages' requesting comment oh* the case from management at FlexFab, but those requests went unanswered. The company, however, made claims to the prosecutor’s office that Williams was able to disguise his purchases, which is why the activity persisted for so long. The purchases started in 2015 with stan­ dard items likeuvideo games, stereo equip­ ment and televisions and extended to luxury items, like electronic, voice-activated blinds that cost around $1,000 and a mop that was enabled with wireless internet connectivity. Elsworth rattled offother various items from his spreadsheet, including a $450 mail box, an above-ground pool and a bidet. “The amount ofmoney spent on frivolous, luxury items is just absurd,” Elsworth said. The sentencing guidelines called for 12 to 20 months of incarceration. FlexFab, through the prosecutor’s office, requested no jail time. “FlexFab’s main concern in this case is that they get their money back. Their main concern is not incarceration,” Elsworth said. “They expressed to me that they do not want jail time - that they want their money back and for Mr. Williams to never work in this field again. That puts me in somewhat ofan awkward position because FlexFab is not a vulnerable victim. They’re not a domestic violence victim. I typically stand up here and advocate for what my victims want/’ “...On the other hand, this is outrageous,” Elsworth added. Elsworth was left to balance FlexFab’s wishes and his own personal opinion that some, aspect! of deterrentwas needed ini this case-w. u oj U£»; jjiu...... oj cab 7?i‘dFJexFah douasnJi sentence. Victims dcHt’li sentence. Victims simply are allowed to give their input,” Schipper said. “If we followed victims, halfthe time we would have people hung or shot in small cases and in other cases we’d have domestic violence victims do nothing. Victims, we’re required to listen to them, but they absolutely do not drive sentencing in this court.” Elsworth also argued — and Schipper agreed - that the sentencing guidelines were developed for more run-of-the-mill embez­ zlement cases and not necessarily one that included 2,800 purchases and potentially over a halfmillion dollars fraudulently spent. In fact, any embezzlement ofover $1,000 can be treated as its own charge, punishable by up to five years in prison. In Williams’ case, several of his purchases eclipsed that threshold, but all purchases were lumped together for a single, more serious, embez­ zlement charge that carried a maximum of 20 years in prison. Norg asked for probation for his client and potentiallyjail time ifWilliams did not show effort to pay restitution. “My client is extremely embarrassed. He has a great deal ofshame,” Norg told Schip- *:feK W£ W£ *W&» &»»s £/ ✓ $$$ r * 2&Z f <5/A! <*5/A*! **$ * i '<<</,%%5w /&5#w' vW?Z Wfa?MZw W W WM Attorney Benjamin Norg (right) speaks to Judge Schipper as his client, Ryan Williams (left) sits next to him. In the background is Williams’ wife, Rita. per. “With that came a lot of honesty and transparency throughout the investigation with the detective in the case upon first con­ tact. I don’t know if Mr. Williams wants to admit it, or ever has to himself personally, but I think there might have been some sense ofreliefonce this kind ofcaught up to speed with him.” Norg also cited anxiety and depression has potential reasons for his client’s behavior. One aspect of the case that seemed to fire up Schipper was that, leading up to the sentencing, Schipper said he advised Wil­ liams and his legal team to turn over as many of the fraudulently purchased items as possible. “Where are the 12 TVs? How about the pool? Does FlexFab have the pool? Is that for FlexFab*s use?” । Schipper said. “Elec­ tronic blinds? No, listen, this is garbage. These guidelines don’t exist - they’re com­ pletely; advisory;* This} is ra>2Q^year felony;-” n “I gave him a chance when we talked r-. tfye /attgnnfiiysf/ in. thentchambers nt^and I explained this at the1 plea,” Schipper said, bringing it up later in the hearing. “I gave him months for him to return items and he comes in here and wants to dispute some stuff? Where !is it? I told him it would be a serious factor in how much time in jail and/ or prison he would do.” “Logistically, there was a lot of concerns on how to do that,” Norg responded, stand­ ing up. “Did you call me and ask me? Did you call the prosecutor and ask the prosecutor? (If it were me,) I would have been here, I would have had (the items) on my door steps,” Schipper said, cutting Norg off. “I would have done everything in my power. I gave you two months. Not one call. Not one connect. I said bring it to the fairgrounds and auction it. Not one thing, so sit down. Noth­ ing is here. You got a few boxes.” Schipper cited a list ofjustifications on why he should, and did, exceed sentencing guidelines in the case. This included the amount ofmoney spent, the number of trans­ actions and the amount oftime the criminal activity persisted, among others. “It’s the same when you steal,” Schipper said, noting that many consider embezzle­ ment to be a victimless crime. “When you skip-scan at Walmart, people think ‘Oh big deal, Walmart is a trillion dollar company.’ Ok, but every time you do that, there are victims. You and me are victims because the prices go up.” The Banner spoke with Norg days after the sentencing. “Obviously there are a lot ofvoices to be heard at sentencing...the judge’s voice is ultimately the one that has the most weight,” he said. “I think it was a substantial devia­ tion from the guidelines, obviously - they maxed out at 20 months. He thought it was just and reasonable to sentence him to a min­ imum of 10 years, neither ofwhich were a strong point ofemphasis from even the pros­ ecutor.” “FlexFab’s wishes - they don’t control what the sentence would be - but I did know a strong emphasis oftheir expectations was restitution and that’s not happening ifhe’s in prison for 10 years,” Norg added. Williams only spoke briefly at the hear­ ing, saying he was sorry to everyone involved. His wife, Rita, issued a statement following the sentencing, as well. “I am devastated over the abusive and intimidating behavior from Judge Schipper and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christo­ pher Elsworth during my husband’s sentenc­ ing,” Rita Williams stated. “I am extremely concerned that mental health is not taken seriously in the Barry County, and am fearful for anyone who finds themself in their courts.” Williams does have rights to an appeal. Norg said that the family may be exploring those avenues, but not as a client ofhis any longer. By Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer Wayne Neitzke, Supervisor of Trans­ portation for Delton Kellogg Schools, has resigned his post, leaving the school board with an important vacancy to fill. His resignation comes at a time where many school districts - especially rural school districts - are struggling to main­ tain a full bench of bus drivers to keep transportation services moving along uninterrupted. The Banner chronicled those struggles in a special report pub­ lished late last year, which featured Neitzke and other school transportation coordi­ nators from around Barry County. Neitzke leaves behind a position he held for six years and co-workers that enjoyed working with him. “He is a good man and a good transpor­ tation manager,” said Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue, referring to Neitzke. “However, he found a position closer to home that was more lucrative.” “He was great,” said bus driver Terri Bourdo. “We did not want to see him go.” A job posting for the transportation supervisor position and a bus driver(s) are listed on the Delton Kellogg Schools website employment page. “We respect his choice and wish him the best in his new endeavors,” Lartigue said of Neitzke. The Banner reached out to Neitzke through social media but has yet to receive a comment. Thornapple Manor’s newest wing, Harvest Pointe, was at the center of a tax dispute between the facility and Hastings Charter Township. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) THORNAPPLE, continued from page 1 what was, in his eyes, an already resolved issue. He believes the issue never should have been presented before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. “I think my biggest frustration is with the (Hastings Charter Township) Board of Review. Their job, their sole existence, is to prevent this kind of thing,” Haney said. “They are there to be an objective, indepen­ dent, neutral party that looks at the law and circumstances to render a decision and keep the township from exerting undue power and influence. Unfortunately, they caved to that and they didn’t do theirjob.” BARRY COUNTY, Ml (^FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER Announces its ANNUAL MEETING will be held January 26,2023 11:30 AM YMCA Camp Algonquin 2055 Iroquois Trail, Hastings, Ml 49058 - THE PUBLIC IS INVITED — RSVP required by January 23,2023 269-945-5439 Mobile Device Basics (Android) Tablets & Phones Digital Literacy For Everyone Register Now! www.HastingsPublicLibary.org Bring Your Own Device, Seating is limited “Digital Literacy for everyone made possible by the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T.” Sat&t ^4 HASTWO* PUBUC UaaAHY (>pior« • Itntgln* . 4 4row �Page 4 —- Thursday, January 19, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you inion SCC Elections have consequences READY FOR TAKEOFF The Micro-Wrestling All-Stars invaded FoxView in Nashville over the weekend with the wrestlers performing for a sold out venue. The wrestling promotion features over-the-top personalities and in-ring hijinks that are designed to deliver an enter­ taining experience for fans. “It was a sell out - and then some,” organizer Tim Collins said of the show. “I’m blown away.” Do you remember? Library reaches milestone Banner Jan. 4, 1990 Barbara Seuss of Hastings checked out item number 50,000 for the year at Hastings Public Library last week, with help from Darrel Hawbaker. The 50,000 piece is a milestone for the library which has 23,000 books, tapes, records and other items in circulation. Sometime in 1991, the library is expected to see item number 1 million pass over the counter since its opening in 1965. For her lucky strike, Seuss received a gift certificate from Northside Pizza. Have you met? Russell Golden knows how challenging it can be to make your own way in the world. Golden, an 88-year-old Hastings native, has spent his whole life in Barry County. A 1952 Hastings High School graduate, Gold­ en has worked hard his whole life to pro­ vide for his family. His father died when he was young, which meant Golden and his six siblings had to learn how to support themselves. While going to school, Golden worked on the family’s farm tending to cows and horses. He worked a number ofjobs after graduating, working as a carpenter and then completing an apprenticeship as a pattern maker. His work as a pattern maker took him all over the state, where he workedjobs in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. Golden recalls waking up early and car­ pooling with several Barry County cowork­ ers to commute to the Oldsmobile assembly plant in Lansing during the ‘70s. He worked on the upper floor of the facility, where everyone had a few specific parts they were responsible for on the assembly line. “You just go in and do your part,” he said. “30 seconds is all we had.” Golden eventually landed at the E.W. Bliss Company, now BCN Technical Ser­ vices. He continued working there until 1981 when he built his own carpentry and pattern-making shop. After working at Bliss during the day, he’d come home and contin­ ue working out ofhis home shop. “I’d work at night, and after I got out of Bliss at 3:30 p.m. I’d be back on the job at 4 p.m.,” Golden said. “I only stopped downtown to get a burger.” His hustle wasn’t an accident; Golden Russell Golden knew there was always work to be done. If he wasn’t at work in town or at his shop, he’d be working on building his house that’s how Golden was able to frame and build his own house in less than 6 months, where he still lives today. “You had to keep moving,” Golden said. “If you sat around, it wasn’t going to get done. I worked in a factory and built this house. I worked eight hours out there and came out here and worked on this.” The work has all been worth it - it’s supported Golden and his late wife Wanda, as well as his two daughters. Now, the recently retired Golden receives visits from his six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. “I’m 88 years old, I just keep going just like you do. I gain a year, and you do too. You don’t like it, but it happens,” he said. “Nothing you can do about it, just aches and pains.” He still completes a few carpentry proj­ ects here and there. Point out any piece of furniture in Golden’s house, and he can tell you when and how he built it. Although his working days are mostly over, he never forgot how challenging it was at times. That’s why he wanted to give back to a younger generation trying to find their way - last year he donated to Cedar Creek Machinists Training, a program that works with local high schoolers to train them in the skilled trades. “That’s why I did that - for somebody else to help somebody else,” he said. For his perseverance and for giving back to the community, Russell Golden is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite movie: Picnic, with Kim Novak. First job: A store downtown, 65 cents an hour. Mark’s store, next to where King’s (Appliances) is now. There used to be two stores there, and they put them together. Favorite thing about Barry County: Lakes and hunting areas, and just general outdoors stuff. Favorite season: Probably Fall. The colors -1 love the colors. How often have we heard the mantra ‘every vote counts?’ Well, every time there is an election and, as freshly-elected leaders have now been sworn into their positions following November’s election, I wonder how many county commission voters in Dis­ trict 6 may be questioning the votes they cast - or did not cast. Residents of the district, which encompass­ es Orangeville and Prairieville Townships in the far southwestern portion of the county, chose - by a narrow margin - to replace long-tenured and two-year commission vice chair Vivian Conner with Mark Doster, a for­ mer county commissioner from decades ago. Doster’s past working relationship with col­ leagues and his questionable attitude toward consensus politics could be described by many as problematic. At the new county commission’s organiza­ tional meeting on Jan. 3, Doster provided evidence that every vote in an election should be carefully considered. In a first meeting typically held to swear in members, select a chairperson and make com­ mittee assignments, Doster provided remind­ ers ofhis past recalcitrant style. The first order of business for the new­ ly-sworn in commission was to name a chair. David Jackson, who is heading into his eighth year, was nominated by Commissioner Jon Smelker for the position. Doster then nomi­ nated himself. A secret ballot awarded Jack­ son seven votes and Doster, one. Doster then launched several proposed changes he would like to see in the way the commission operates from changing the meet­ ing time, eliminating one of the two public comment portions at each meeting, reinstating per diem meeting payments for commission­ ers and eliminating prayer at the beginning of meetings. That’s an ambitious list to tackle, especially during a first organization meeting and espe­ cially one in which four new faces arejoining an eight-member board. “To streamline the meetings, I would like to see the convocation removed,” said Doster of his proposal to remove prayer from the agen­ da. “There are a number of reasons for that. One is the basic reason that I believe there should be a separation ofchurch and state and that should be implemented. It’s a concept of the founding fathers. It’s a concept that the constitution was based on.” Jackson responded that all of< Doster’s> ideas were quiteJprofoundt andrthatnthejh should be taken into consideration as agenda items for future meetings, subject to addi­ tional discussions. “I don’t think we came prepared to make those changes,” explained Jackson, “and I’d hate to make those changes without getting more citizen input on them.” Doster’s rationale for changing the meeting time was that his district is in the far comer of the county making it difficult for his constitu­ ents to make the meetings. “I would like to ask the board to consider moving the meeting to 10 a.m.,” said Doster, but commissioners who have debated the time and meeting locations several times in the past didn’t seem interested in making the change at the group’s first meeting. Doster’s opening meeting change salvo may only be the beginning. In a letter to the editor of this newspaper in 2014, Doster suggested county commission meetings are not run very well due to a faulty meeting structure. “The county board used to have subcom­ mittees, but now it uses a ‘committee-of-thewhole’ structure,” wrote Doster. “Under the old system, each county commissioner was a chair ofa subcommittee ofthe board, such as finance, property and grounds, economic development, human services and so on. Each commissioner was responsible for holding meetings or hearings on his or her subject and was able to develop experience and knowl­ edge enough to make recommendations to the county board. “Usually, three commissioners were on each subcommittee, which did not constitute a quorum or majority of the whole board. Their findings and recommendations were then dis­ tributed to the whole board as the minutes of the subcommittee. Commissioners would Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. The Hastings BoilllCY Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com •Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should befeatured because of volunteer work,fan-lovingpersonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send infor­ mation to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics..com. know why an issue was coming to them and would have time to investigate and prepare a viewpoint. “Subcommittees also had the luxury of setting their own meeting times that would be convenient to the people appearing before them. With the current committee-of-thewhole structure, the entire board sits on both boards. They all hear about an issue on the lowest level of discussion and then again at the second level of discussion. No one com­ missioner is in charge ofany particular issue, able to develop expertise on a particular issue or to develop a vision.” Doster’s concern, which is a valid one and has been discussed in the past, is that all com­ missioners sit and vote to recommend issues to them, and then vote on it again, with no insight from a separate committee that reviewed the issue. The second board (the committee ofthe whole) is merely a formality. Doster’s 2014 letter didn’t mention per diem compensation, but I’m sure that’s next If commissioners adopt his suggestion, then more meetings will be necessary and mem­ bers will want to be paid for those meetings and any mileage incurred. The idea ofa committee ofthe whole is to have all commissioners in attendance to ask questions and get the information they need without the urgency ofa final vote. Each commissioner still has committee assignments they just don’t hold separate meetings as individual committees, they are done with all members in attendance. Commissioners are now paid $13,378 ($14,440 for the chair) per year plus health insurance and mileage reimbursement for attending the meetings. Dumping the commit­ tee ofthe whole format will be an immediate and substantial increase to taxpayers’ pocket­ books. That’s only an indication of a bigger con­ cern: Doster’s commitment to his District 6 constituents and to all Barry County taxpayers. Voters didn’t get much of a chance to vet Doster before the November election in that he never responded to the Banner’s request of all candidates for their positions on the issues. In fact, Doster ran in the 1992 primary elec­ tion for the county commission as a ‘reluctant candidate’ to replace Commissioner Rae Hoare. After filing the petition to run, he wrote a letter to the editor of the Banner say­ ing he would like “out of the race ” i :; He explained /that ‘T agreed to run only until someone better came > along, someone who would be more desirous of thejob.” Doster went on to beat Jerry Midkiffin the 1992 race and, when Banner reporters con­ tacted him about the win, he didn’t even real­ ize that he’d won. So he surely wasn’t a seri­ ous candidate. Apparently, he just likes the attention ofgetting into the race. Doster also ran as a Democrat against Rep. Robert Bender for the 88th District House in 1990. Doster said of Bender, “I’m running because, to my knowledge, he’s not much ofa legislator.” Voters returned Bender to the State House for his fifth term by a large victory. Vivian Conner suffered a defeat to Doster in this past November’s primary election and, even though I didn’t always agree with Cornier, she wanted the job, worked hard to serve her voters and was a dedicated commissioner. Con­ ner’s steadfast approach to thejob is a quality we’ve always desired in our political leaders. It’s too bad that people who really don’t want thejob are often elected? by citizens that don’t vote. Conner lost the election by only 115 votes. And now we are all left to deal with the consequences. • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT * Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday. 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barty County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Greg Chandler P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 Hunter McLaren { ■ M* #*!**, , te^*7** jiipiifeppbui biMW IMtaMdNl V11MMMS MtMl' uadkahbH iiTaaiO!'.- ’ bRnamiRii XOtoamoiinii V V RwRih ^RW# ^ttWibe ■■ ■■©031533 ©031533 ***•»». ***•»» �TheHastingsBanner— Thursday. January 19, 2023 Page 5 Honored to serve you at the State Capitol ww ikX&c* WxWs SsW&! ss> ** 5»S WLlLSS^bXbSX$ZZ J^'S ■W ■WLbXZ slS$JS$i* JS$i ij^ >*tS >t,S*^d • New sessions ofthe Michigan Legislature always begin with “opening day” ceremonies where legislators are sworn into office. As your new state senator, I participated in one of these ceremonies on Jan. 11 at the State Capitol. My parents, Jim and Edna, and my wife Erica were by my side to supportt me. So were my five young children - Owen, Jack, Mary, Margaret and Lucia. ! I wanted and needed my family around me as I began the important job of serving you and all ofDistrict 18 in the Michigan Senate. Family is the bedrock ofsociety, and I will do all I can to help your family as your state senator. My goal is always to make Michigan a better place to live and work and raise a family. I will fight to make sure our state budget is fiscally responsible while continuing to support what your family and our state need to thrive and build a better future. I am com­ mitted to making state government work better for you and our communities. I will strive to protect workers’ freedoms and respect life. i District 18 includes Barry County and por­ tions ofAllegan, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent, and Ionia counties. My family has lived in Kent and Ionia counties for generations, and I’m raising my family near Lowell. I attended both the University ofMichigan and Michigan State University before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. After that, I worked as an investor for the State of Michigan Retirement Systems. I was first elected to the Michigan House ofRepresentatives in 2016 and was elected to the Senate last November. Please contact my office ifI can help with issues related to state government. Residents may email SenTAlbert@senate.michigan. gov. Callers may dial 517-373-1734 or toll- free att 855-347-8018.jThe office is located in i Room 4500 ofthe Binsfeld Office Building, located at 201 Townsend Street in Lansing, across from the state Capitol. The mailing address is Sen. Thomas Albert, P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI £48909. My website is SenatorThomasAlbert.com. Please visit there for updates, and to sign up for emailed news­ letters. J I look forward to working for you and with you. Thank you. State Sen. Thomas Albert R-Lowell J * Representing Senate District 18 Country’s framers did not call for separation of church and state To the editor ofthe Hastings Banner After reading the lead article in the Banner dated Jan. 5,2023, specifically the comments by newcomer Mark Doster to remove the convocation before each meeting, I provide the following: Having read the Declaration of Indepen­ dence and the U.S. Constitution more than once, I can say that the phrase “separation of church and state” is not written into either document. The Declaration contains numerous references to a “higher being” or “ultimate authority.” In fact, the phrase is generally attributed to a letter written by Thomas Jeffer­ son to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802, long after the Constitution was signed. The framers were strong in a commitment to protect the right to worship as well as the right not to worship. The belief originated from the fact the head of the Church of England was also the King ofEngland...there was only one accepted religion. Early settlers to the “new country” came from various countries with different reli- gions, the framers recognized the right to protect these differing beliefs. To further support the above, the U.S. Congress and Senate have a chaplain that provides a convo­ cation before each session - separation of church and state! I am certain the county board can find other activities to streamline meetings. With respect, Bradley H. Wire Shelbyville i*•s s'**!**■.:«£•> Mk»><■&’ «j»,- s^s «j»,- *frfc S?*****- J*MwJ ■“’^’assaisas i *<«BWkJ* <BWkJ ®IaR|atiRaDa£- tetiaimciBi **■ ■ fcartinaffij fcartinaffij. W’tetes^ah ufetatalM tean'aMta^fi atak7iaSok»5w\i»i BiKttacrcm- .-caig.^iaisi tswit' ajjrfseia&E kfflMEHE ftffl^lS»lD®3EEl? MMBiKilfckBf ItolafrfrfcOto ■I atrrt^w* ••***** 0T» 0^ r ’ £f*rt* P ji**^ ji**^-** YS board approves 5-year parks plan , despite resident objections Greg Chandler StaffWriter Despite objections from some residents who felt there wasn’t enough public input, the Yankee Springs Township board Thursday unanimously approved a five-year parks and recreation planum artjlo »uo‘J eJil blue , । The 56-page document, which was* put pgether by a six^member toWtikhiprcommittee m conjunction with the consulting firm Wil­ liams & Works, is meant to serve as a planning document for the township through the 2027­ 28 fiscal year. It lists desired projects for the township for each ofthe next five years, but does not assign any funding to them. “The purpose (ofputting together the plan) was to be able to apply for grants and to have something for planning,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. “No projects are actu­ ally approved with this plan. This is just a planning tool. The board would have to approve any project individually based on its merits and how it balances with other needs. This is a long-term list.” The plan was put together using input gath­ ered through an online community survey that was conducted in June and July of last year that received 277iiresponses, 227 from Yankee Springs Township residents. The survey iden­ tified providing opportunities to enjoy nature and the outdoors^ improving health and well­ ness, and providing athletic opportunities as the benefits that were most important to respondents, according to the plan document. In addition to the survey, three focus groups met in September 2022 to offer opinions and ideas for the plan. But at Thursday’s public hearing, no one spoke out in favor ofthe plan, while five resi­ dents opposed its adoption. Township resident Pat Jamison questioned whether the online survey accurately reflected the views oftown­ ship residents, noting that the 277 respondents represent about 5 percent ofYankee Springs’ population. “Forty-nine respondents didn’t even live in Yankee Springs out of the 277.1 personally took (the survey) about 15 times. So your data is very skewed here,” Jamison said. “Why is the first thing that you want to do is add more pickleball courts? Curley Cone just put up a bunch of pickleball courts. So why are we going to spend township money on more pickleball courts? It’s: the' number one thing bn‘thefe.” The plan recommends the addition of 2-4 pickleball courts at the township park in 2023­ 24. Other improvements identified for the first year ofthe plan include expanding the basket­ ball court at the park to full-court size, making upgrades to meet the Americans With Disabil­ ities Act, resurfacing the walking trail loop at the park and exploring potential routes for trails connecting the township park to the Yan­ kee Springs State Recreation Area. “I would like you guys to throw this plan right in the garbage and start over, please,” Jamison added. Resident Rebecca Badge also spoke about what she saw as the low response to the survey and questioned its adoption given the current economic situation in the country. She called the plan “aggressive.” “It seems there has been an agenda by certain groups and officials in our area to focus largely on parks, and we do not believe it represents the taxpayers’ priorities at this time,” Badge said. Badge added the plan will result in addition­ al maintenance and staffing costs to township taxpayers. Mark Tierney asked that the board postpone approval of the parks plan for at least six months. “Reassess the situation in the summer, see how the economic situation is unfolding,” Tierney said. “I understand that individual projects will be addressed (separately), but we have to see how things are going to unfold over the next six months, and even 12 months.” Other proposed improvements listed in the park plan include: - Fiscal year 2024-25: Installing an addi­ tional pavilion or picnic shelter at the town­ ship park, building a maintenance/storage building at the park and building a pad and screening for a port-a-john at the park. - Fiscal year 2025-26: Acquire additional park property. i -4 Fiscal year 2026-27: Establish a non-motorized trail between the township park and Yankee Springs State Recreation Area and establish a dog park at either the township park or other future park property. - Fiscal year 2027-28: Build a permanent bathroom facility at the township park. Township Trustee Dave VanHouten expressed appreciation for the residents who gave their opinions during the public hearing. “I think it was real nice to finally have some residents that came in and express their opin­ ion on this park plan,” VanHouten said. “We advertise in the paper for people to join the committee. It’s difficult to get people tojoin a committee, so some people step up. Now we have public meetings and we don’t get enough people that show up. Somehow we have to improve our communication with the resi­ dents. I heard a comment about taxes. We’ve been here (as a board) two years - no tax increase. We don’t have any plans for a tax increase to do this. I think we are closer together than what it might appear.” The Parks and Recreation Committee was chaired by Sandy Marcukaitis. Also on the committee were Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis, Catherine Getty, Deb Tomko, Kaye Evans and Chuck Schira, according to the plan document. The township approved contracting with Wil­ liams & Works for the plan development last year at a cost of $11,400. So far, the township has paid the firm $10,722, Cunningham said. The parks and recreation plan can be found online at yankeespringstwp.org or at the town­ ship offices, 284 N. Briggs Rd., during busi­ ness hours. A 28-year-old Otsego woman reported her cell phone was stolen from the Gun Lake BP Gas Station around 8:30 a.m. on Jan 12. The woman told police she entered the store with her phone and wallet in hand, setting them down while she got some coffee in the store. After paying for her coffee and leaving the store, she realized she had grabbed her wallet but left her phone inside. Returning to where she had left it on the counter near the coffee, the woman found it was gone, and using the cashier’s phone to call it revealed that the phone had been turned off. The woman reviewed surveillance camera footage and told police it showed a man taking the phone and leaving in a van. Hit-and-run near Bellevue A hit-and-run was reported near Bellevue on Lacey Road near South Schreiner Road around 1:30 p.m. on Jan 11. A 59-year-old Battle Creek man told police he was slowing down near a driveway when another 59-year-old Battle Creek man driving a bronze pickup truck rear-ended him. The victim said the crash occurred at a low speed and he didn’t see any damage to either vehicle. He said the man who crashed into him approached him, smelled like alcohol and said, “I’ll beat your (expletive),” before leav­ ing the scene. Police searched the area and the man’s last known address but could not find the driver or his truck. Multiple fast-moving vehicles evade police Police responded to a report of two vehicles driving over 100 mph near the Barry County Expo Center around 9 p.m. on Jan. 7. Two officers looked for the vehicles, reported to be a black 4-door sedan and a green hatchback. One officer located the black sedan driving south on M-43 Highway, but reported that it was driving so quickly he couldn’t attempt to make a traffic stop. The green hatchback vehicle was reported as having turned onto Heath Road, but could not be located. Police received no further calls about the vehicles. Package containing sneakers goes missing A 32-year-old Nashville man spoke to police about a package he ordered that went missing around 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 11. The man, who now lives on the 700 block of North Main Street, said he accidentally delivered the package to his old address on the 800 block ofGregg Street. The man said a neighbor saw the package, containing a $200 pair of sneakers from online reseller StockX, on the porch ofhis old address. When the man talked to the new residents on Gregg Street, they told him they returned the pack­ age, as well as others, back to Amazon for being shipped to the wrong address. The man wasn’t sure this was the case, as FedEx had shipped the package and didn’t report it as being sent back. Man hangs onto side of woman’s car as she drives away Police investigated a disturbance around 2 a.m. on Jan. 11 near the Holiday Inn on West M-43 Highway. An officer was leaving the Barry County Sheriff’s Department parking lot and noticed a vehicle leaving the Holiday Inn parking lot at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was driving erratically, and when the officer conducted a traffic stop he saw a 20-year-old Delton man hanging on the outside ofthe driver’s side ofthe vehi­ cle. When the vehicle stopped, the man fell offand could be heard yelling back and forth < with the driver, a 27-year-old Delton woman. The woman told police the two had met up I at the Holiday Inn, and the man got angry when she was about to leave. As she drove away, the man grabbed onto the side ofher vehicle and refused to let go. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Jan. 19 - “Family and Environ­ mental Legacies” January series, speaker televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1939 film starring Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore, 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 - Science Story Time with Pierce Cedar Creek Institute: Owls, 10:30 a.m.; “Diversity in Steam from a Real-Life Guardian of the Galaxy” January series, speaker televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 - Dungeons & Dragons groups, 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; “And the Answer is: Why is it Better to be a Generalist?” January series, speaker tele- vised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; Lego club, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; “How Christianity Can be a Healing Force in American Society” January series, speaker televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; mah­ jong, 2:30 p.m.; chess club, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 — Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; “What is African Ameri­ can Biblical Interpretation and Why Does the Whole Church Need It,” January series, televised live at the library, 12:30 p.m.; open computer lab, 2 p.m.; acoustic jam session, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. lNSUl4r SPRAYFOAM JLakjkz&deiAa ir'J&Z J& „VW/ Elaine Garlock There was no mail delivery on Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr. observance/ holiday. There was a “soft” opening of the new restaurant on Tupper Lake Street last week. The lighted sign bearing the name Los Pri­ mos has been in place for months, awaiting the day when the liquor license was secure and all other facts of the new business were in place. The license has been the determining factor for months. On the previous Sunday, the door was unlocked and a few lights on. The chairs were stacked, awaiting placement. Many residents have been anxiously waiting for this day to arrive. The county genealogy society met last Sat­ urday with 15 loyal members present. This was the first such meeting in more than 2 years. There was no planned speaker, but there was a printed agenda with some perti­ nent discussion topics. Views were expressed in friendly fashion and some determinations were made for the immediate future. In the future, there will be a public notice ofmeet­ ings. Not every member has access to Face­ book and/or the internet. It was good to see the friendly faces ofother members again. Imagine temperature readings of 45 degrees on Jan. 17. Such was the case this week. This makes driving much safer, but the flip side is that the wheat crop needs moisture form snow cover for the summer success of the important crop. The United Methodist Women of Central UM Church met on Monday for a noon meet- ing. The lunch for this meeting was prepared by the pastor. The meeting was productive. Program booklets for the 2023 year were dis­ tributed. The next meeting will be in March. Last week, most publications in Ionia and Barry Counties carried the farewell message from State Representative Julie Calley, who had finished 6 years ofserving in the Michigan Legislature. One ofthe papers also carried the obituary ofJulie’s mother, Margie Powell, age 92. Julie had grown up on the Powell family farm in Ronald Township in northeast Ionia County. The farm was purchased by her grand­ father’s grandfather, Joseph Powell. By 1846, Joseph’s youngest son Herbert served in Mich­ igan’s Constitutional Convention in 1905, and, a generation later, Herbert’s son Stanley was in the next Constitutional Convention. Stanley also served in the Michigan Legislature twice. Descendants ofthe Powell family now live in Carlton and Woodland Townships, besides the Powell-named descendants whose homes are in Ronald Township and the Portland area. The mother, Margie, had worked in the county clerk’s office, had served as Ronald Township treasurer, clerk and trustee. When she retired as trustee, she had a sendoffby the township fire department, complete with fire trucks and sirens. ” Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast . 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville �Page 6 — Thursday, January 19. 2023 — The Hastings Banner #2 Mae Louise Blair, age 93, ofHastings, MI, Anthony Binkowski, age 78, of Hastings, passed away on January 13, 2023. MI passed away peacefully on January 14, Mae was born on February 7, 1929, the 2023 at Carveth Village Assisted Living in daughter of Margaret Gardner. She was a Middleville, Ml surrounded by family. 1948 graduate ofHastings High School. Anthony was bom in Charlotte, MI to Mar­ Mae married Charles G. Blair in 1950, and tin and Anna Binkowski on January 27, 1944. worked for Hastings Manufacturing, and Anthony grew up in Charlotte, MI and grad­ retired from Flexfab. uated from Charlotte High School. Anthony She was an animal lover with a specific pas­ enjoyed farming until moving to Lake Odes­ sion for dogs of any shape and size. She loved sa, MI in the mid-1970s. Anthony worked at painting, crafts, dancing and took great pride in E.W. Bliss in Hastings for many years, D & S caring for her yard, gardens, and landscape. Machine Repair in Hastings and ultimately Most recently while being cared for in retired from Pridgeon & Clay in Grand Rap­ assisted living, she decorated nearly 4000 ids, MI in 2009. Anthony married Nora Web­ sack supper bags for Kid’s Food Basket. She ster on June 22,1989. They enjoyed 29 years spent many hours creating different designs of marriage. Anthony enjoyed hunting and and characters for the white bags used to pro­ “tinkering” in his bam. vide kids with nourishing evening meals. On Anthony is survived by his sons, Randall any given day,'there were piles ofthem in her (Tami) Binkowski of Byron Center, MI and room that were finished, in progress or wait­ Scott (Karmen) Binkowski ofWoodland, MI; ing to become one ofher works ofart. five grandsons, Lucas (Meghan) Binkowski, Mae was preceded in death by her hus­ Ethan Binkowski, Tyler Binkowski, Alex band, Charles (Charlie), and four siblings. Binkowski and Ryan Binkowski. Anthony is She is survived by her sons, Charles Blair also survived by his brother, Chester (Fay) Jr., James (Linda) Blair; grandchildren, Jay Binkowski and sisters-in-law, Katie (Jerome) (Kelly) Blair, David (Elizabeth) Blair, Nolan Rosenthal and Sally (Gary) Hammond. Blair, Great-Grandchildren William, Henry Anthony was predeceased by his wife, and Penelope. Nora; brothers, Paul, Harold “Russ,” Carl and Memorial contributions in memory ofMae Tom; and sisters, Betty, Irene and Shirley. can be made to Barry County Animal Shelter, A graveside service was held Tuesday, Jan. 540 N. Industrial Park Drive, Hastings, MI 17, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Rutland Township 49058, or Kids Food Basket, https://kidsCemetery. foodbasket.org/ (Donate), 1300 Plymouth Memorial contributions may be made to Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505. Hospi^.ofMJchigan,,,. , (1 , ,,h)C A private, family .take place at a, Services provided by Girrbach Fpp,e£aL latfa-:dat,e at the where} she Home, to leave an online condolence visit will be buried alongside her husband of40 years. www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE ST. ROSE OF LIMA METHODIST CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH "We Exist To An Be Expression Of Who Jesus Is 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan To The World Around Us". Philip. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email gmail.com. Mass 4:30 p.m. Sunday. hastfmc@ Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. HASTINGS 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Matt Moser, Director, Stoetze!. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday School for all ages; Lead Pastor. 9: 45 a.m. Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Nursery are Our Senior High Youth Group 6-8 worship center is set up for p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night available. social distancing. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sunday 6 p.m. 6:30-8 p.m., (Children Kids 4 Truth Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON School Youth Group; 6:30 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M­ for information. 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s MinistryrWednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Martha Jane Ellen (Clement) Tanner, passed away on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at her home sur­ rounded by her beloved daughters a day after her 80th birthday. , She was bom oh January 8, 1943, in Hast­ ings, to J. Stuart and Pauline (Gerlinger) Clem­ ent. Jane became a licensed registered nurse and graduated from Calvin College after high school. She then went on the earn a bache­ lor’s degree in education from Pittsburgh State University and later achieved her mas­ ter’s in education from Western Michigan University. She worked for Porter Hills Home Care. She loved being a nurse and being able to help and care for patients. She married Warren Tanner on September 20,2000. He preceded her in death on August 4, 2019. Jane loved gardening, canning, camping, fishing, sewing, knitting,- crocheting and travel­ ing. She will be best remembered by all the love that went into her crafts, baking and cooking for friends and family. She found such joy in being able to pass along all she learned about nursing, gardening, cooking and mostly her hand made crafts. Her faith, while not showy, was always deep and strong. Through her active social life, she developed a strong network of lifetime friends that she, cherished. She will be deeply missed by so many friends and family. Jane is loved and survived by her three daughters, Denise (Glenn) Dykgraaf, Stephanie. (Patrick) Colljns and Karin ( Jeff).. Brown; gFandehildren]?ZppynPanieli,>Garret/ Kristen* • Chance, Skye, Ashton, Alec, Jeff Jr., Carly, Mikenna, and Alivia; jtwo great-grandchil­ dren, Jaxon and Kade; brother, John (Lori) Clement; sister, Mary (Greg) Guggamos. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21,2023, at Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, 3627 Linden Avenue SE, Grand Rapids. A Memo­ rial Service will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, with refreshments to follow. To send a message ofsympathy to the fam­ ily, sign Jane’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Worship Skpraise This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Yvonne Marie (Dull) Cheeseman, age 96, of Hastings, MI, passed away on January 12,2023. Yvonne was bom on November 8, 1926, the daughter of William E. McLaughlin and Olive M. Sears. She married Harold W. Chee­ seman on July 24, 1943, and they enjoyed 63 years together until his death in 2006. Yvonne was a homemaker, and she enjoyed baking pies and bread. She loved bowling and talking about the Bible. She was a mem­ ber of the East Hastings Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Yvonne was preceded in death by her husband, Harold W. Cheeseman; her mother, Olive Sears; brothers, Jack and Jim Belles, and sons, Brian Cheeseman and Bruce Cheeseman. She is survived by her son, Terry (Joan) Cheeseman ofKalkaska and daughter, Nancy (Basil) Boniface of Hastings; 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. A memorial service will take place on Sat­ urday, Jan. 28,2023 at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3550 M-179, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.netj Margaret C. Tripp, age 104 of Hastings,. Duane Robert Glasgow, age 85, passed MI died on January 11, 2023. Margaret*, away on January 14, 2023, in Grand Rapids, passed peacefully in her own home wherer MI. He had been battling Alzheimer’s for the past several years. she had lived for 60 years thanks to the assistance of her devoted granddaughter,// Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, Andrea. 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Hope United Method­ She was bom on July 19, 1918, in Wash-7 ist Church in Hastings, with the funeral ington, D.C., the daughter of Hugo H.G.i* immediately following at noon. A luncheon at the church will be held following the funeral. Menke and Lydia C. (Thiel) Menke. She was a 1936 graduate of McKinley High. A private family burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings. School in Washington, D.C., a 1940 gradu-s Duane was bom on December 20,1937, in ate from the University ofMaryland with a Hastings, MI to Robert M. and Vivian A. Bachelor of Science and in 1970 received a** (Kellogg) Glasgow. He was the youngest of Master’s Degree in Library Science fromc Western Michigan University. Margaret ini-;» two boys. He was a 1956 graduate of Hast­ ings High School. tially worked as a Laboratory Technician ate, Born on a farm in Michigan, Duane learned Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C., but3 about machinery and electronics at an early was not excited about spending her wholes age. He built his first car before he was in life working at Sibley Hospital. high school. At age 15 he was repairing tele­ Shejoined the Army during World War IIv visions and any other electronics he could get as a Second Lieutenant serving from 1944* his hands on. While in high school, he also to 1946. Margaret spent most ofher timer, trained at the Sylvania Electronics School. overseas at the Refugee Camps ofEl Shaat? After high school he primarily built drag and Nuseirat in Palestine where she wasr racing engines. He eventually was asked to assigned to a British Hospital Unit as a part' team up with driver Gordon Johncock to be ofUNRA (United Nations ReliefAgency). the chief mechanic on a super modified car While in Palestine she traveled extensively3' owned by Mace Thomas ofHastings in 1957. in Palestine and to Egypt. o They had their first race at Galesburg Speed­ Margaret returned and worked at W.S/b way in Michigan. The team won more than Merrill Company in Cincinnati and then, moved back to Maryland. She worked in a<’ 150: class features in Michigan, Ohio, Ken­ tucky, New York, Indiana and Pennsylvania. laboratory at Fort Dietrich where she met*; her future husband, Leonard M. Tripp.*,? Eventually, Gordon and Duane branched out op their own. In 1962,4he Johncock-Glasgow -They were married^Jul^iU^yWS, and^ racing tandem joined the ^SACjJUnited* moved/Io Jfron MouquumnIvv* Leonadft States Auto Club). took ajob in the laboratory'witfi a Veteran* Duane was the Rookie Mechanic of the Hospital. They moved to Hastings in 1962*; when Leonard took a job at Pennock Hos-|| Year in the 1965 Indianapolis 500. Two years later he won the overall Mechanic ofthe Year pital. In 1970 Margaret acquired her Master’s^ title. His racing career took him to races all Degree in Library Science and shortly^ over the country. In October of 1966, the thereafter began a job as the librarian atJ crew and car flew to Japan to race at Fuji Motor Speedway. He went on to be chief Lakewood High School where she worked? mechanic for other drivers before his retire­ for 10 years. After retirement Margaret and* ment in 1975. Besides Gordon Johncock, he Leonard traveled extensively, spending one** summer working as volunteers at SheldonS worked with drivers Bobby Unser, Lee Kunzman, Wally Dallenbach, and Jerry Karl. Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska. In 1996 he was inducted into the Michigan Margaret volunteered at Pennock hospi-j Motorsports Hall of Fame. After retiring from tai for many years, as well as being a long-** racing, he began transitioning to a second time member of the American Association career as the maintenance supervisor for the of University Women. Margaret was aii Hastings Area School System. He retired member ofthe First Presbyterian Church in after 20 years with the schools. In retirement, Hastings and worked for 30 years with thew he enjoyed traveling across the country in his First Presbyterian Church annual rummage^ motorhome. He spent most ofhis summers at sale to raise funds for missions. the family cabin in Bitely, MI, and winters in Beginning in 1979 Margaret and Leonardo wintered in their home on Aig Pine Key in*Zephyrhills, FL. He enjoyed the family get-togethers at the cabin. Florida. Duane married Frances Peacock on June Margaret is survived by-her three sons;;, S John L. Tripp (Leta) of Dowling, David H 28, 1958, at St. Edwards Church in Lake Tripp (Clare) of Gun Lake, Stephen Tripp* | Odessa, MI. They settled in Hastings and of Allegan. Margaret is survived by grand-i raised six kids, five boys and one girl. In 1993, after 35 years ofmarriage, cancer took children, Zachary Tripp, Skyler Tripp (Lau-., the life ofFrances, who he had met on a blind ren), Andrea Tripp, Devon Tripp and Paul i date. In 1996, he married Carol Sebastian of D. Tripp (Margeline) and three great-grand- I Lowell, ML She passed away from cancer in children, Ollie, Henry and Nora. 2007. In 2009, he married Janet M. Harbar. She was predeceased in death by her par- [ They enjoyed 13 years together. ents, husband and her brother, Frederick 1 Duane is survived by his wife, Janet; chil­ Menke. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, ! dren, Don (Carrie) Glasgow, Joe Glasgow, and daughter-in-law, Tammy Glasgow, all of Jan. 18, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Girrbach [ Hastings, MI, Jim Glasgow of Sun City, AZ, Funeral Home, 328 South Broadway, Hast- j Mariann Glasgow of Olivet, MI, and step­ ings, MI 49058. daughter Karla (Mike) Dennis ofGobles, MI; A service will be held on Thursday, Jan. j grandchildren, Nicholas (Kayla) Glasgow, 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Hastings First i Matthew (Emilie) Glasgow, Natasha (Jason) Presbyterian Church, 405 N. M-37 High- I Glasgow, Tabitha (fiance AJ), Amy (Nick) way, Hastings, MI 49058, with luncheon to*: Glasgow, Angela Glasgow, Ryan Glasgow, follow. Arrangements by Girrbach FuneralS Michael Glasgow (currently serving in the military deployed to the Middle East); Home, to leave an online condolence visit* step-grandchildren, Megan, Mitch and Tyler; www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. several great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Jo Glasgow Collins and Betty Carey, and broth­ ers-in-law, Harry (Helen) Peacock and Rich­ ard (Gayle) Peacock. He was preceded in death by his first wife Frances; brother Maurice; sons, John and Robert; parents, Robert and Vivian (Kellogg) Glasgow, and second wife. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Michigan or the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter 25200 Tele­ graph Rd., Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Emma Elizabeth Williams, Freeport Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online and William Scott Greenfield, Lowell condolences visit www.girrbachfimeralKenneth Alan Seburg, Vermontville home.net. and Meagan Ann Turner, Eatpn Rapids Linda Christine Meral, Plainwell and . Scott Joseph Lennox, Warsaw, IN rf ^Cicended �* fl look ba6kat the stories aid GoliiDRsoD local hlstoro to the Hastings Bamr [TURNING BACK THE <h* fcssi cssi ii * ** ^*4^**4 sS * s **■«», «», J?"'11*. J?" I<I7«; <7; » "'M "'Mim imSH SH Mm2 ■■MttfeUwjaa ttekourdiooiiiihii iihii Bits and pieces of news from Octoberthrough December 1942 market is thought to have been located at 530 eling, furniture, etc. in the USO Club Room.” S. Market St. .<Si, . Thinking to help the war cause, the speed Ofthe 58 rural schools m operation, 42 of limit on all automobiles traveling on streets and highways must not exceed 35 miles per hour. It them were modernized with two-thirds ofthe cost paid for by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. was reasoned that if the vehicle* was driven Esther Walton A tribute was paid to Bert Sparks, city slowly, it would save the rubber on the tires. Banner Jan. 21, 1993 engineer, in the Nov. 5, 1942, Banner. Mr.. Hastings City Bank established a bulletin ■ October brought more rationing for the Sparks died in October ofthat year. The artiboard in its lobby with names and addresses community. Rubber footwear now was cle called Mr. Sparks a fine man who did an of all Barry County men in service. Names rationed. Several articles stressed the need for were arranged alphabetically. A plea went out outstandingjob. more scrap in the scrap drive. On a more typ­ Though the war was cutting back in some to all “friends and relatives and those interest­ ical news day was this proclamation: “White ed in the men in service can make this bulle­ job areas, it created others. For Hastings, the Egrets are here on their fall visit.” tin board helpful by cooperating with the Pet Milk Company discontinued the evapoStarting in the Oct. 1, 1942 Banner and bank in furnishing the addresses or stations rating milk process in Hastings and build an continuing until the end of the war was an where letters and parcels will reach the men.” addition to its Hastings plant to dry eggs. article called, “On the Home Front,” written This was stated in the Oct. 15 Banner. They dried 500,000 eggs a day working with by “Zolly Coffer,” better known as Rose The same paper reported on the scrap drive. double shifts. Albert Silvers was connected DeFoe Cook. She arranged for various people “In I the drive here Saturday, all manner of with this operation and later became a leading to write each week about the local communi­ articles were turned in — even old relics which industrialist with his aluminum tile business. ty. She also wrote many columns herself. The must have been hard to part with. Lodge The Nov. 12 paper gave details on how to article was written in such a way that it could swords, old muzzle loaders, statues, cups and register for gas rationing cards. People could be cut out and sent to the boys int service. It ornamental paperweights were among the register at school houses. Listed were 62 summarized the local news, carried soldiers’ contributions, as well as old tubs, stoves, pots local schools, including 56 rural and six grad­ and sailors’ addresses and passed on news of and pans, bed springs and rusty pipes.” ed schools. The people who wanted to regisothers in service. “On the Home Front” Oct. 22 told of the ter needed application forms, the seriall numOther people in the community rented a photographs ofBarry County men in uniform ber on their tires, and a car registration card. room near the city hall then on the northwest displayed by y LyBarker y y ’s windows saying, y g, Car owners could not have more than five comer of Broadway and State streets. The “L LyBarker’s windows weren’t big enough for tires per car. “Excess tires can be sold to the Writers Guild and Rotary helped to prepare all the pictures and some are so handsome government,” declared the paper. the room for a recreational area. that the Strand Theatre is proudly displaying There was one less rural school in the The Oct. 8, 1942 issue told ofthe Banner them in frames that used to show the mugs of county. The Checkered district school burned, Balconyjoining the scrap pile and then went Cagney, Taylor and Gable. and the Nov. 12 issue noted, “residents were on to tell what each item could be used for: The USO Club Room was finished. In the able to remove all seats and supplies from the One copper kettle yields enough copper for Oct. 22 issue, it told of the opening with 50 building.’ They were not able to save the 84 rounds ofautomatic rifle ammunition. An Coast Guards visiting. Not all parents ofgirls building. old car battery could make three, 3-inch air­ were thrilled to have “strangers” in town In the same issue, the court fixed the level craft guns; one old bucket equaled three bay­ dancing with their girls. for Crooked Lake and that settled that conten­ onets; one bicycle tire is enough insulation The end of October headlined “Scrap, tious matter. Two weeks later, the court heard for six army radio sets; 2 pounds of fat is Scrap, Scrap” reported that Barry County “is the Thomapple Lake matter. enough glycerin for five anti-tank shells. still more than 100 tons short of its October Rationing was a matter for the whole Another article reported that “road work quota of scrap metal.” The 4-H recreational community _to get used to. “Hoarded coffee will be less because fewer cars made, fewer grounds mentioned it had: 39 acres, a com­ will have to be shared,” declared the Nov. automobiles licensed equals less money for bined dining hall and kitchen unit, 24x80; a 26 Banner. Silk stockings (which were roads.” Tax money on gasoline and license frame up for administration building 18x24; impossible to buy) were needed, as well as tabs went into a fund that was proportioned and two cabins. “There will be no organized nylon stockings. Women unable to buy such back to the counties for road care. Hence, camping until the war is over” the article things used to paint their legs with tanning there was less money for roads. lotion and draw a line up the back of the legs concluded. In the Oct. 15 paper it was announced, Small local markets were being closed and to mimic the seam in the real stockings. “The Strand Theater held a benefit show, all Bessmer’s Market announced it was closing The Dec. 3 paper appealed for silk stock­ due to the poor condition of his delivery truck expenses paid by Ray Branch, and will ings, bicycle tires and tin cans. Directions were donate all proceeds to help pay for the remodand the problem of getting food stuff. The given for the tin cans: “rinse, remove top and bottom and start stepping on the cans to flatten them (as children, we loved to do this).” The Dec. 10 Banner copied a tribute from the Charlotte Republican Tribune about W.R. Cook, aBanner editor, who was in the University of Michigan’ -Hospital ' for-* an operation. Children were disappointed at Christmas time. It had been a tradition to have a free The site of the USO Club Room in 1942. “kiddies” show at the Strand and then to go to the Odd Fellow’s Hall for treats each Christ­ mas time. This year, there was no free show and no treats at the hall. Many traditions were interrupted by the war and some never were reinstated. The Depression ofthe 1930s closed banks around the country. The Hastings banks fared well, but the Nashville bank had deposited its money in other banks that didn’t have enough reserves. The bank was closed and a conser­ vator was appointed. The Dec. 17 issue of The Banner gave the final chapter “Nashville’s bank had money on deposit in other banks when the bank holiday closed banks. Now the impounded funds were released and the accounts settled.” The article implied that not all the money would be returned to the former depositors. The Dec. 17 Banner announced it was rais­ ing its subscription price to $1.50 per year “due to increased costs.” Hastings Manufac­ turing Company employees own the “Bulls Eye Award” for selling one of the highest percentage payroll war serving bonds. Not all the news for 1942 was depressing, for in the Dec. 24 issue was the report that deer tracks were seen in Yankee Springs. “In these areas, as well as part of Irving, deer tracks are becoming noticeable and some of their runways are found. It is quite possible that many deer will come into Barry County and will enjoy the area. They cannot be hunted now, but that may become necessary ifthey shall increase... and become a nui­ sance.” It seems strange in 1993 (and 2023) that deer were rare in 1942, but some were. Some Christmas traditions continued. The Teachers’ Carol Service was presented by the Hastings school system, under the direction of Superintendent of Schools D.A. Van Bus­ kirk. The concert drew a full house, which included a large group of Coast Guards. Teachers volunteered their time to practice and sing. Christmas fell on Friday in 1942 and this notice appeared in the Dec. 24 issue: “In order to conserve gas, tires and give their employees a little extra time off, these fol­ lowing stores will close on the evening of Dec. 24 and stay closed until Monday, Dec. 28.” The list followed. Another reason was not stated. The stores were short of help and everyone was tired. So ends 1942, a year of turmoil, changes and realization ofwhat was really important: family and loved ones. • B 3 u > sixiZkiitafeXQ i >ar : cob?dI®k feeitltakaEte William David Rademacher, bom at Spec­ life Utt ' "» IM^bSckditeM i 7 ar r safest afest HjgiAfcifeJW trum Health Pennock on December 24, 2022 to Pennock on December 31,2022 to Aleesha Shat­ tuck and Dereck Shattuck ofHastings. Morgan Rademacher and Don Rademacher of Lake Odessa. Henry Sylvan Frey, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 1, 2023 to Michelle Frey r» * Kinsley Horning, bom at Spectrum Health Layla Ann Wray, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on December 21, 2022 to Cheryl Wray and Sean Wray ofWayland. The Pet Milk Company switched to drying eggs during World War II. Shown here is the Pet Milk Co. building. * to o i J Robert Earl Spencer, age 81, ofCrossville, TN, peacefully drifted into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by loved ones on January 15, 2023 after a lengthy and courageous fight with Parkin­ son’s Disease. Robert was bom on April 7, 1941, to Earl and Lillian (Crocker) Spencer in Kalamazoo, MI.. Heegrewup grew up in n Hastings as ngsan and grauae graduated as a proud Saxon from Hastings High School in the class of 1959. In 1955, Robert first met Susan Dyer when he was in the eighth grade and she in the sev­ enth grade. The two married in December of 1959 and embarked on their life journey. Robert and Susan Spencer went on to have three children, Julie Ann (‘61), Mark Robert (‘62) and Amy Lynn (‘68). After working for many years in upper management of various businesses, Robert “officially” retired and he and Susan built their dream home on the fifth fairway ofThe Crag in Fairfield Glade. Although retired, Robert was a ranger at Stonehenge Golf Course and served on the Fairfield Glade Community Club Board of Directors from 2002-2008. Robert’s favorite hobbies included golfing and hiking, which he and Susan enjoyed together for the 20 plus years living on the Glade. The one thing that made him prouder than his work and happier than playing golf was his family. He was an amazing father, grand­ father, and great-grandfather and a loyal and loving husband for 63 years. Robert was predeceased , by his parents, Earl and Lillian Spencer; sister, Carolyn; daughter, Amy and grandchildren, Taylor and Jacob. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Susan; daughter, Julie Mason (Spencer); son, Mark (Maria) Spencer; sister, Dawn (Mike) Balent; sister, Gwen (Lany) Winans; brother, Jim (Althea) Spencer; brother, Gary (Nancy) Spencer; grandchildren, Matt (Karen) Mason, Justin (Chelsea) Mason, Brandon (Alexa) Mason, Emma Mason, Alexis (John) Hammitt, Zachary Francis, Eric (Hannah) Zabomiak, and eight great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service is being planned for the Spring of2023 to be held at the Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foun­ dation at parkinson.org. Arrangements and Care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Cheney and Dylan Homing ofHastings. ***** Harper Shattuck, bom at Spectrum Health Easton W. Katsina, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 1, 2023 to Mykala Katsma and Ethan Katsma of Vermontville. William Dean Jordan William Dean Jordan, age 84, ofHastings, MI, passed away on January 12,2023. William was bom on June 10, 1938, in Northeast Arkansas to sharecropper parents James Willie and Bronnie Jordan. He fre­ quently reminded us he was bom so far up in the hills, they had to pump in the sunshine. After graduating from Dixie High School in 1957 from a class of21, he followed older siblings north to Michigan for work. Dean found his passion working on cars and trucks and was a mechanic/owner of Schuhardt’s Service in downtown Kalamazoo for more than 50 years. He was one of the first mechanics in the state to be A.S.E. certified. Most of his hobbies involved old cars and trucks in some capacity. After moving to Hast­ ings in 1999 and making their home for all the grandkids, he proceeded to fill the many bams with his old cars and trucks. He quickly became involved in the daily coffee club at Richie’s to help solve all the world’s problems. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, James Willie and Bronnie Bain (Castleberry) Jor­ dan;, sisters, Lucille Bledsoe, Grace Clark; brothe, Jimmie Jordan and daughter, Lori Washbum. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Kay (McKibbin, Richardson) Jordan; children, Bob Jordan, Larry (Jill) Jordan, Rob (Debbie) Richadson, Kim (Dave) Kellogg, sisters Mil­ dred Arnold, and Joan (Jim) Jenkins; 11 grandkids, 13 great-grandkids. Memorial donations can be made to the Living Waters Church, PO Box 43, Hastings, MI 49058. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a funeral service at noon, at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hast­ ings, Ml 49058. A Celebration of Life gathering is being planned for Summer of2023. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfimeralhome.net. Margaret A. Stoneburner Margaret A. Stonebuner, age 92 ofPlain­ well, MI, passed away on January 12, 2023 at her home. Margaret was bom on September 6,1930 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Lorin and Mildred (Kitzmiller) Pickard. Margaret was a machine operator at the James River paper mill for 30 years before retiring. She also worked on the family farm with her husband. Margaret was a member of the Delton VFW Post 422 Ladies Auxiliary where she was a past president and Prairieville TOPS 1221. She was an avid puzzler and enjoyed gardening, going to auctions and sales, rock collecting, and being outdoors. Margaret participated in the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk until the age of 90. She loved collecting cookbooks and recipes and will be remembered for her homemade noodles and sense of humor. Most ofall, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Margaret is survived by her son, Jim Stonebumer; grandchildren, Jason (Melis­ sa) Stonebumer, Jenni (Michael) Brown, Sarah Whitney; great grandchildren, Jus­ tin VanOverloop, Emily Stonebumer, Easton Stonebumer; son-in- law, Fred Whitney; brothers, Richard (Gerry) Pick­ ard, Thomas (Nancy) Pickard; special friend, Carolyn Wilder; and several niec­ es and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Stonebumer; daugh­ ter, Julie Whitney; great grandson, Jeffrey VanOverloop. Margaret’s funeral service was conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 17,2023 at 11 a.m. at Williams-Gores Funeral Home. Burial took place in Prairieville Cemetery. Memorial contributions to West Michi­ gan Hospice will be appreciated. Please visit www.williamsgoresfurieral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Margaret’s family. S)*'^ *'^ Robert Earl Spencer and Jeremy Frey ofMiddleville. Pennock on December 28, 2022 to Braelyn �Page 8 — Thursday, January 19.2023 — The Hastings Banner “The Show About Science,” a podcast hosted by 12-year-old Nate Butkus, won a Signal Award recognizing its excellence recently. The episode “The Fungi Hunt with Ellen Holste” helped Butkus win the honor, and features Butkus in conversation with Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Community Program Manager Ellen Holste about fungi. Pictured are (from left) Eric Butkus, Ellen Holste and Nate Butkus. (Photos provided). School board members (from left to right) Valerie Slaughter, Luke Haywood and Superintendent Matt Goebel displayed an appreciative note from students in the district. Hastings school board swears in new member, settles in for new year Hunter McLaren StaffWriter \ The Hastings Area School System board swore in its newest member. ’ Justin Peck, co-owner of Miller Real Estate in downtown Hastings, was sworn in for a six-year term ending on Dec. 31, 2028. Peck is replacing outgoing member Dan Patton, who did not run for re-election after serving on the board for 11 years. | “I want to thank the community for their trust in me in November, I’m happy to be here,” Peck said. “I’m excited for what every­ thing (with the position) brings. I know there’s a lot to learn.” Peck was elected for the vacant seat along­ side Jennifer Eastman, who was re-elected to her seat for another six-year term. Superintendent Matt Goebel took a moment to recognize January as School Board Recognition Month. “Here in Hastings, we’re a big te^m. There’s a lot ofstudents and staff that want to recognize you and appreciate you,” Goebel said. “We know you’ve put in countless hours and a lot of energy listening to community members, always wanting to improve and grow not only our students first and foremost, but also our facilities and our communities.” Students throughout the district presented board members with handcrafted Hastings Saxon blankets, notes of appreciation and other gifts. Even Beasley, one ofthe district’s facility dogs, joined in by bringing a bag of treats for board members. Board President Luke Haywood thanked his fellow board members for their hard work over the years. “I would like to thank the people sitting at this table. Everyone on this board gets along Podcast episode featuring Pierce Cedar Creek Institute wins excellence award Representatives from Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings were recently able to celebrate the accomplishments of a podcast that featured the Institute. In 2021, Institute Community Program Manager Ellen Holste appeared on a podcast called “The Show About Science.” The pod­ cast was created by a 5-year-old boy named Nate. Now 12, Nate’s show is an adventure into the world of scientific research and dis­ covery. He travels the country and interviews scientists and educators around the world. During her appearance, Holste discussed fungi in an episode titled “The Fungi Hunt with Ellen Holste.” The episode featuring Holste recently was honored with a Gold-level Signal Award iij the Science & Education category. Signal Awards seek to honor and celebrate the people and content that raise the bar for podcasting. Other winners in the Science & Education category included “Stick to the science,” “The Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Podcast,” and “Starting up in science.” More information on “The Show About Science” can be found at TheShowAboutScience.com. To learn more about Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, visit CedarCreekInstitute.org. ^vva Aa A*j*jj' Aj'i''< ''<* ^*‘i^ ^AAA^i ^AAA^ < zz* xx AA % * *&* tAA p * c ^id1 pC* c^id1 C /*jx ^rL /*j [s^ ^rLs* XX / d *” ’, *,“JJXJX£ JX*£* 1 ■ j j K, K *** *** I^» L ^2 President Luke Haywood (left) swore in the school board’s newest member; Justin Peck, (photos by Hunter McLaren) very well and everybody brings a different aspect of our community to our district,” Haywood said. “It’s a privilege to serve on this board with these members.” “I’d just like to say I hope that continues with myself,” Peckjoked. In other business, the board: - Accepted a donation of $2,346 from the Wilson Craig Grant Fund through the Barry Community Foundation for genetics kits for science programming. - Accepted a donation of $1,736 from the Wilson Craig Grant Fund for a flat screen TV. City ofHastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 1105 WEST STATE STREET The Planning Commission for the City of Hastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose ofhearing written and/or oral comments from the public regarding the request for the Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review for construction of a Vehicle Wash Establishment located at 1105 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday February 6, 2023 in the Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, 201 Bast State Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Please check the City of Hastings website at www.hartingsmi .org or contact City Hall at 269-945-2468 for details. - Accepted a $15,000 donation .from the Richard B. Messer Trust. The funds will be used to assist kids in need in the district. - Accepted a $1,000 donation from Dr. David W. Mansky toward unpaid student lunch debt. - Set the next meeting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Hastings Middle School commons; Goebel noted that February’s meeting, as well as June’s meeting, would be occurring on the fourth Monday of those months instead of the third because of scheduling conflicts. Ellen Holste (left) shows Nate Butkus (right) a fungal specimen while Nate’s fathei and AV operator, Eric Butkus, observes. Thornapple Players announce new show, leadership changes With the start of a new year comes a new musical and new organizational leadership for the Thomapple Players. The Thomapple Players, a community theater program based in Hastings, will be performing “Into the Woods” as this year’s spring musical. “We are doing a show we have wanted to do for a long time,” said board member Terry Dennison. “This is a tough show to do, but we are up for the challenge and excited to present this here in Hastings.” Dennison, a long-time board member ofthe Players and cast member ofmany past productions, said he does not know yet whether he will have a role in this production. In addition to an exciting and challeng­ ing production, the Thomapple Players are undergoing some organizational restruc­ turing. Michael Moray, another long-time board and cast member, has taken over the role ofpresident ofthe board. He said the group will be starting a strategic planning process soon, and working on the 2023/2024 season schedule as soon as “Into the Woods” has finished. The Thomapple Players will also con­ tinue long-time programming staples such as their Youth Theater Program, Summer Drama Camp, Fridays at the Fountain performances, and their fall and Christmas shows. More information on the Thomapple Players can be found by calling the Thornapple Arts Council, the Players’ program partner for many years, at 269-945­ 2002. W5»® WS5g»®^ Sg^ Thornapple Players Board of Directors gather in the Dennison Performing Arts Center of the Barry Community Enrichment Center to talk about the details of their upcoming production of “Into the Woods.” Pictured are (from left) Carol Svihl, Angela Seeber, Julian Kratochvil, Michael Moray and Terry Dennison. (Photo provided) Cove returns to her role on Barry County Central Dispatch Board All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments. A copy ofthe plans and additional background materials are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the Community Development Director, 201 E. State Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director at 269-945-2468 or dking@hastingsmi.org. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777, Christopher R. Bever City Clerk Jayson Bussa Editor An incumbent will be returning to her post on the Barry County Central DisDis­ patch Board pending final approval from the county’s Board ofCommissioners. On Tuesday morning, the county’s committee of the whole considered two candidates to take a citizen-at-large position on the Central Dispatch Board to serve a four-year term. Kristen Cove has held the position for five years and skated through the inter­ view process to receive the nod from county commissioners to continue serving for another four years. The 11-member board, per the depart­ ment’s rules, must feature two members ofthe general public. Hastings Charter Township resident Kenneth Windes also put his hat in .the ring to be considered. Windes was unable to attend the committee of the whole meeting oh Tuesday morning when com­ missioner! er! were were conducting conducting interviews. interviews. With Winfies nfi not being present, the board mulled over how to proceed. “It seems odd that we’re being asked to pick someone out when we haven’t heard anything from the other party,,” commissioner Bruce Campbell said. While county board vice chair David Hatfield agreed with Campbell’s senti­ ment, he added: “We have an incumbent that we think, and I feel, has done an outstanding job and she’s served in leadership capacities. I personally can’t imagine hearing any­ thing from another candidate that would make me feel that outweighs the service she has provided.” With majority support, the committee moved forward and is recommending Cove to be appointed by the Barry Coun­ ty Board ofCommissioners. Cove is a former school board presi­ dent for Thomapple Kellogg Schools. She has also served as the chair of Cen- tral Dispatch’s personnel committee for the last three years. When asked by commissioners what some of her concerns were for the depart* ment, Cove cited staffing issues. “Staffingjust like for anyone else ... but for Central Dispatch it’s more critical,’J Cove said. “We need people answering those calls.” “Frankly, (employees) could make more elsewhere for less stress,” Cove added. “Sq it’s making sure we have competitive wages and benefits to retain those staff members once they’re sufficiently trained.’* Cove’s new term won’t expire until Dec. 31, 2026. bb>w^ Hr^iSi^>Svl* w ^ '^Jt^r« W4 ^fcS’?k SsJ<4?vX >SUhu7lhsL <kJ %. i w > > �SPORTS SECTION The Hastings ANNER Thursday, January 19,2023 Olivet holds on versus Vikes to get to 10-0 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The rematch is Feb. 17 at Lakewood High School. The Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball team gave the undefeated Olivet varsity boys’ basketball team it stiffest test of the season so far in a 56-49 loss at the home ofthe Eagles Monday night. Olivet improves to 10-0 overall this season and 4-0 in the GLAC with the seven-point victory. Lakewood is now 6-6 overall and 3-2 in the GLAC. The 56 points matches the season low for the Eagles, and Lakewood head coach Chris Duits still sees plenty of room for improve­ ment on the defensive end for his guys. “We’re going to figure out ways to score points,” Duits said. “We’ve got to keep teams off the scoreboard. For the most part, we’re improving on our defensive rotations, but we’re still not picking up little things like fronting the post.” “The fundamentals of the match-up defense, we are getting better at, but we have a ways to go. Against a really good team like Olivet you’re not going to beat them unless you’re playing a very good defensive game. We played a decent defensive game and we still gave up 56 points. Our goal is to keep teams under 50. When it comes down to just a couple possessions here and just a couple possessions there, we were right in it right from the opening tip. We were right there with them and wejust had a few breakdowns. All in all, it was a good effort from the guys. It’s still the little things that are holding us back from beating the good teams.” Olivet led 16-15 after one quarter and 27-26 at the half. Lakewood took a 30-29 lead a couple minutes into the second half. That was the Vikings’ first lead since 3-0 in the opening seconds of the bailgame after three free throws from senior guard Jayce Cusack. Eagle junior guard Bryce Wine immediately wiped away that initial lead with a three-pointer from the right wing - working inside-out with senior center Drew Priddy. A putback by Priddy on the Eagles’ next posses­ sion gave his team a lead it would hold for the rest ofthe half. Cusack finished with a game-high 32 points to lead Lakewood: Cusack hit 4 threes and was 4-of-5 at the free throw line. Olivet got 16 points from junior guard Bo Lincoln and 13 from Wine who drilled 3 three-pointers. Lakewood had some of its best success Lakewood senior guard Jayce Cusack talks things over with head coach Chris Duits during the second half of their GLAC contest at Olivet High School Monday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ■RE#*'*'"* Lakewood junior Garrett Feighan tries to get the ball out of the hands of Olivet senior center Drew Priddy in the final moments of the Eagles' 56-49 win over the vis­ iting Vikings Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Panthers pick up pair of titles at Lake view Invite / Vi w Brett Bremer Sports Editor Giorgio Venturi and Gauge Stampfler won flight championships as the Delton Kellogg varsity wrestling team scored a fourth-place finish at the 18-team Lakeview Wildcat Invitational Saturday. Venturi took the 215-pound champion­ ship with a 4-2 win over Mt. Pleasant’s Kai Kawollic in a tiebreaker round. He had two wins on the day,also pinning Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Cole Ford 2:42 into their semifinal match. Stampfler took the 132-pound champion­ ship with four victories including an 8-1 win over Kalkaska’s Diego Buyze-Prieto in the championship round. He pinned Raymond Irwin from Chippewa Hills in the semifinals. Delton Kellogg got runner-up finishes from Gage Vincent and Mitchell Swift. Vincent took his runner-up finish for the Panthers at 126 pounds. He beat West Cath­ olic’s Andrew LaPema 12-9 in the semifi­ nals before falling to Mt. Pleasant’s Noah Webster in the finals. Webster was a state medalist a year ago in Division 2 at 112 pound^. Swift wrestled his way to the 285-pound championship with a pair ofpins. He stuck Chippewa Hills’ Robert Umbleby early in the third period of their semifinal match. Alex Burhans from Evart bested Swift 11-5 in the 285-pound final. Mt. Pleasant beat out Lakeview by two points, 166.5-164.5, for the team title. Chippewa Hills was third with 150 points, ahead of Delton Kellogg 128, Ionia 113, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 103.5, Big Rapids 90.5, Evart 81.5, Pickney 77.5 and West Catholic 76 in the top ten. Delton Kellogg also had Corban Antolovich fourth at 106 pounds and Griffyn Harmon sixth at 138 pounds. The Panthers fell in two tough South­ western Athletic Conference duals at Law­ ton last Wednesday, Jan. 11, falling 69-6 to Constantine and 59-21 to the host Blue Devils. Stampfler got a pin to earn the Panthers’ six points in the dual with Constantine. DK got three forfeit wins in the dual with Lawton and a win from Venturi in the 215pound bout. He took a 14-7 win over the Blue Devils’ Caden Piecyk. scoring in transition. Senior guard Nathan Willette hit a quick three that tied the bail­ game at 34-34 with 4:24 to go in the third quarter. One ofthe big goals for the Vikings Mon­ day was to not: get down the floop, in either directibh - riot to give the Eagles easy fast break buckets and to not allow the Eagles to settle into their defense orirthe other end. Olivet surged late in the third quarter, get­ ting a triple from senior forward Noah Young from the comer with three minutes on the clock. Cusack answered with a\ quick bucket in the paint, but the Eagles f lowed with a utes as the 7-0 run over the next two ouple times Vikings turned the ball over ind the basand had a couple of chances ket bounce out. A three by Wine had the Eag es up 44-36 with about a minute to go in the quarter. Cusack drew a charge on Lincoln after a Viking turnover and then added a three at the other end to get the Vikings back within 44-39 heading into the fourth quarter. The Eagles scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to grow their lead to as many as ten points at 49-39, but Lakewood fought back to be within three points with 28 seconds to go. The Lakewood run was powered by a three from Cusack and a l-of-6 stretch by the Eagles at the free throw line. Cusack spun into the lane with half a minute to play and rose above everyone for a bucket that had the Vikings within 52-49. Olivet went 4-for-4 at the free throw line the rest ofthe way to close out the win. points. Layton Eastman had 9 points for the The Vikings hustled well, got on the floor Saxons and Hayden Long finished with 7. for loose balls and chased down a few oftheir “[Hastings] got out to a really hot start on own offensive boards in the second halfespe­ us, but we had a good defensive performance cially. where we were talking. Behind Cusack for the Vikings’ senior “Early, they got out to. us because they guard Montreal Reid had 8 points. Willette werejust outworking us. They’re a lot bigger arid junior fohvafd Laiiddri Makley had 3 than us, and they were getting a lot ofsecond points each. chance points. When we shut them down and Senior forward Brayden Wine had 8 points eliminated those and started getting some of and the senior center Priddy had 6. Young and those offensive rebounds and forcing poor senior guard Charlie Anderson had 5 points shots, then we took control,” Duits said. “ each. Offensively we scored 43 points, but we got “Two weeks ago we would have lost to this good shots and we made good shots. Jayce team by 25,” Duits said. “I think we’re get­ was pretty good from the outside. We got ting to the point where we’re gong to be more some contributions. From other guys. Nate competitive against the better teams and Willette hit a couple big ones down the we’re going to pick off a few of those guys stretch. They were keying on Jayce and Nate too.” was open in the comer and he knocked them The only ballgame the Eagles have had down. Those are the opportunities that we that was closer in the end this season was a need guys to step up and take advantage of.” 67-61 victory over Harper Creek in mid-De­ Everything that could go wrong did go cember. Olivet had won its first three GLAC ballgames of the season by an average of wrong in the loss at Lansing Christian accord­ ing to Duits. 23.67 points. “We couldn’t get a loose ball. We couldn’t It was a busy stretch for the Lakewood make a lay-up. We couldn’t make an open boys. They scored a 43-37 non-conference shot. They were making shots.” win at Hastings Saturday afternoon after a The Pilgrims jumped right out to a 17-10 disappointing 58-51 GLAC loss at Lansing lead in the opening quarter. Christian last Thursday, Jan. 12. Cusask had 13 points and Willette 12 in the An 11-4 run by the Vikings in the third loss. Feighan finished with 9, Reid 7 and quarter bumped them into the lead after the Blake Price 6. Saxons were in front 21-20 at the half. Benjamin Sambaer led Lansing Christian Cusack had 21 points for the Vikings. Wil­ with 18 points. lette finished with 7. Reid, Eli Jablonski and The Vikings are at home Thursday, Jan. 19, Garrett Feighan had 4 points each. to take on Stockbridge in a GLAC ballgame Hastings was led by Myles Padilla who and then are offuntil a Jan. 27 trip to Perry. knocked down 4 threes and finished with 12 Vikings second to Greenville at Unity Christian tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Gavin Vaughn, Joel Simon and Aston Clark won individual championships as the Lakewood] varsity wrestling team scored a runnei^up finish at the Unity Christian Invitatjonal. The Viking team also got a runner-up finish from Jaden Manhart at 285 pounds and Bryan Aguilera at 190. Brenden Straub was third at 165 pounds and Chris­ tian Harton third at 144 pounds. Kade Boucher at 126;pounds, Lydon Rogers at 132 pounds, and Chris Webb at 138 all placed fourth. | Greenville won the tournament cham­ pionship with 281 points. Lakewood was second with 231.5 ahead of Wayland 222, Paw Paw 95, Hudsonville 94.5, Mona Shores 91, Kelloggsville 62, Union 56, Grand Rapids Christian 52, Unity Christian 49, Lee 38, Newaygo 37, Loy Norrix 33, Godwin Heights 32, Wyoming 30, Ottawa Hills 25, Holton 15 and Ludington 0. Simon ran his season record to 28-0 with his three victories Saturday. He pinned Greenville’s Case Johnson with one second left on the clock in the second period of their 215-pound final. Simon pinned his first two foes in less than a minute. Vaughn took the 175-pound title for the Vikings with pins in all three ofhis match­ es. He stuck Hudsonville’s Connor Brintnall in the championship match. Clark pinned Waylands’ Rex Emmorey late in the first period oftheir 120-pound championship match after a 6-3 win oyer Greenville’s Conner Peterman in the semifinal round. Aguilera took a pair of close decisions in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and then went to a sudden victory period with Wayland’s Cainon Fenn in the 190-pound championship match. Fenn managed a take down for a 6-4 win. Aguilera out­ scored Grand Rapids’ Christian’s James Baker 8-3 in the quarterfinals and then edged Paw Paw’s Gavin Turk 2-1 in the semi’s. Harton took third by scoring a 15-0 technical fall in his 144-pound consola­ tion final against Grand Rapids Union’s Luke Marsman. Straub pinned Hudson­ ville’s Luke Rottier quickly in their match for third at 165 pounds. Lakewood was in action Wednesday, Jan. 11, scoring conference wins of 60-23 over Olivet and 38-31 against Laingsburg to get to 6-0 in the Greater Lansing Activ­ ities Conference/Central Michigan Athlet­ ic Conference. The match with the Laingsburg Wolf­ pack was a big one. Lakewood got pins from Camden Wright at 113 pounds, Boucher at 126, Straub at 157 and Vaughn at 165 pounds. Rogers pulled out a key 6-5 decision in his dual with Marlon Graham at 132 pounds for the Vikings. A couple Lake­ wood heavyweights got tough victories as well. Aguilera bested Sean Divine 6-2 at 190 pounds and Simon took an 8-3 win over Mikey Brooks. Lakewood also got five points thanks to a technical fall from Clark at 120 pounds. Aguilera, Webb, Clark and Boucher had pins for the Vikings in the win over Olivet. Lakewood took six forfeit wins in that dual. �Page 10 — Thursday, January 19, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Miller caps TK win over Wildcats in final bout The Saxons' Tate Warner works for a pin against his foe from Jackson Lumen Christi during the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference duals at Lumen Christi High School Wednesday, Jan. 11. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Thornapple Kellogg 138-pounder Kyron Zoet works to pull Wayland's CJ Nesbitt to their back during the opening period of their match in Middleville Wednesday, Jan. 11. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor It wasn’t the recipe for success that the Trojans would have expected to use back in November, but they found the ingredients they needed to knock off their toughest OK Gold Conference rival. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team improved to 2-0 in the conference with a 36-29 win over visiting Wayland Union Wednesday, Jan. 10, in Middleville. At the start of the season the Trojans would have expected to have seniors Tyler Bushman and Austin Chivis in the line-up for their toughest conference dual as they chase an eighth straight championship. They wouldn’t have been expecting to be rooting for three­ time state medalist Zack Gibson to be fight­ ing for an escape point to avoid losing out in a major decision. And they would have cer­ tainly expected to see 1989 TKHS graduate and Wayland coaching staff member Jody Tyner instructing wrestlers on the bench along the edge ofthe mat. In between the Trojans’ senior night ceremonies0 and the opening bout of the dual, !?’moment silejipe for Tyner who suffered a ■stroke in December and passed away Dec. 31, 2022. Tyner served in the United States Marine Corps, after graduating from TK. He served as a first responder and firefighter in the Delton Fire Department and Thomapple Township Fire Department He also taught 8th grade history at Wayland Union Middle School for 16 years and spent time coaching in both the Wayland Union and Delton Kellogg wrestling programs. The Wildcats wore black warm-up shirts urging everyone to “Love Like Coach Tyner. Wrestle Like Coach Tyner. Be Like Coach Tyner.” Both teams certainly wrestled like they wanted to be the 2023 OK Gold Conference champions Wednesday. The dual wasn’t clinched until Thomapple Kellogg sopho­ more Christien Miller pinned Wayland fresh­ man Colton Keena 70 seconds into their 106pound bout - the 14th and final weight class of the evening. Miller spent the whole dual looking for­ ward to the chance to close things out for his team, and did exactly as he had planned once he got to step into the middle of the circle. He got a quick pin. “It was stressful, but I knew I had to do it for the team,” Miller said. “[Everybody] amped each other up and go the hype going. I loved that. It got my energy going. It was amazing. All their energy just gave me energy,” he added. Miller is one of the top returnees for the' Trojans this winter. He came up one win why ofqualifying for the MHSAA Individual State Finals as a freshman at 103 pounds last season. TK had just taken a 30-29 lead in the dual with senior heavyweight Noah Rosenberg scoring a 5-2 decision in a tough bout with Wayland senior Nick Erlanger. The Trojans got off to a good start in the dual. TK’s 113-pound freshman Dylan Pau- Thornapple Kellogg's Zack Gibson tries to scoot out of the grasp of Wayland's Emmet Manning during their 157-pound bout Wednesday night in Middleville, Jan.11. (Photo by Brett Bremer) line got a few key back points late in the1 second period ofthe first match ofthe night and finished offa 15-8 win over Wildcat junior Danny Keena. Trojan senior Austin Pitsch turned Wildcat junior Eugene Wierckz on his back a couple times in the first period of their 120-pound match and then finished off the pin half a minute into the second period to push TK to a 9-0 lead. The teams went back and forth on the scoreboard from there. The lead changed hands six times in the dual. In the end, TK won eight weight classes and the Wildcats took six. The Trojan team got pins from senior Kyron Zoet at 138 pounds and senior Andrew Middleton at 144. Those 12 points had TK ahead 21-12 six matches into the dual. Way­ land hadjust gotten pins from Freshman Rex Emmorey at 126 pounds and senior Lucas DeWeerd at 132. TK senior Maverick Wilson got two near­ fall points late in the second period of his match with Emmorey, and had a 7-6 lead after an early escape in the third period, but Emmorey caught him for a take down and put him to his back half a minute into the third period and eventually secured the pin. Wilson was doing his best to make it a six minute match at the very least and that was the goal for fellow Trojan senior Kenny Simon at 150 pounds, but Wayland sopho­ more Lane Button managed to get Simon on his back and score the pin late in the first period of their bout to tighten up the dual once again - with TK leading 21-18 at the midway point. Button was the Wildcats’ lone individual state qualifier a year ago. He wrestled at 135 pounds at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual State Finals a year ago, the same bracket as the current Trojan senior Gibson last season. Neither the 170-pounder Chivis or the 132-pounder Bushman has wrestled for TK i nornappie Kellogg s Jayce Curtis holds down Wayland's Trent Sikkema during their 175-pound bout Wednesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) since getting injured atttthe Kent County Classic in mid-Decern ber^and r^an that has caused some shuffling. I Gibson wrestled at least one match at 144 pounds this winter, while spending most of the season in the 150-pound flight for TK. He was up to 157 to face Wayland senior Emmet Manning Wednesday and Manning managed an 8-0 major decision that bumped his team into a 22-21 lead at the time. Manning got a first period take down, and Gibson just ran out oftime as he worked for an escape late in the opening period. Manning managed to get Gibson on his back for three nearfall points and a 5-0 lead in the second period. Manning added two points with a reversal in the third period and then a worn down Gibson was hit with a stalling penalty that gave Manning an eighth-point with halfa minute to go. It’s the first loss ofthe season for Gibson. Senior Jackson Curtis rallied the Trojans with a big 5-4 win over Wayland senior Dustin Loomans in the 165-pound bout that followed. Curtis tried to hit a quick throw with both guys down oh the mat battling tied 2-2 a minute into the third period, but it turned into a take down for Loomans. A locked hands penalty against Loomans got Curtis one ofthose two points back with 28 seconds left, and then the TK senior bumped in front 5-4 with a reversal and rode out Loomans over a drawn out final halfminute. That win had TK in front again at 24-22. Jayce Curtis, a sophomore, pushed TK in front 27-22 with a 6-2 win over the Wildcat sophomore Trent Sikkema in the 175-pound match. Senior Lane Cross wasn’t happy to suffer a 21-7 loss to Wayland Cainon Fenn in the 190pound bout, but it was better than a 15-point defeat that would have meant a technical fall and certainly better than being pinned. Fenn nearly got him, earn five near fall points with a couple turns late in the third period after he’d started pushing for points rather than a pin. That four-point major decision left TK leading 27-26 with three weight classes to go. IfTK freshman Derious Robinson learned anything in his 215-pound bout with Wayland senior Bronson Huyck, who had the edge on Robinson by a dozen pounds at the very least, it was to not make him angry. Robinson mostly fought offHuyck for three periods. A quick escape point in the third period had Huyck ahead 3-2 and the match hung there until Robinson’s hand got caught up in Huyck’s headgear momentarily With half a minute to go. Huyck charged Robinson and drove him down to the mat like a defensive tackle sack­ ing a quarterback on the football field, and with his adrenaline pumping turned Robinson right to his back. The buzzer saved Robinson from being pinned by fractions of a second, and Huyck had to settle for an 8-2 decision that had Wayland with a 29-27 lead overall. It was as position the Trojans were okay with though. The only disappointment for the orange and black the rest of the way was Rosenberg’s own that he wasn’t quite able to clinch the victory with a pin at 285 pounds, but his decision was enough allow Miller to finish offthe Wildcats. Hastings grapplers gain spot in top ten rankings Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer The Saxon wrestling teams increased their team record to 23-1, and climbed into the MHSAA Division 2 team rankings in the number ten spot after a long week of wrestling. We wrestled well at both [our confer­ ence duals and the Alma Tournament],” Hastings head coach Jason Slaughter said. “Our guys are just being dominant in matches. It is good to see that we have been consistent throughout this season so far. Saturday, we got some good competition which is always good. We beat some pretty solid teams.” The Saxons faced off against tough com­ petition at the Alma Duals on Saturday, Jan. 14, where they finished the day 4-1. Hastings defeated Reeths-Puffer in round one 41-29, then went on to shut out Almont with an 84-0 win, before defeating Wil­ liamston 44-22. In round four, the Saxons faced a tough St. Louis team that is currently ranked third in Division 4. The Saxons lost the first three matches and were down 14-0 after St Louis lost a team point. The Saxons got decisions from Colton Smith 14-7 (126-pounds) and Keegan Sutfin 5-2 (132 -pounds), but then lost the next match on a disqualification to keep the score at 20-6. The Saxons traded matches with St Louis, dropping a match at 150-pounds, then getting a pin at 157-pounds from Robby Slaughter, before getting pinned at 165-pounds, and then getting the pin from Tate Warner at 175-pounds and then anoth­ er pin from Lanny Teunessen at 190-pounds to bring the Saxons within 5, with a team score of32-27. However, St Louis cinched its win with a pin at 215-pounds. Isaac Friddle finished with a pin for the Saxons at heavyweight to put the final score 38-33. “It’s disappointing to get our first loss, but it’s also a great learning experience for us,” coach Slaughter said. “It shows us what we need to improve, shows us where we can get stronger.” Coach Slaughter led the team last year to a school record for most dual wins with 32. The team is now 23-1 and reaching for that record again. The team is also seeing more action from their *B’ team and the newly formed girls’ club team. The Hastings B Team wrestled at Grayling on Friday, Jan. 13, where they competed against 12 other varsity teams and fin­ ished the day 3-2 and in fifth place. Colten Denton, Ivan Perez and Preston Meece all went 5-0 for the day. Logan Kerby, Joe Goggins and Preston Humphrey finished the day with 4 wins each, and Draven Pen­ nock finished with 3 wins for the day. The Saxon girls’ team traveled to Fowl­ erville on Friday night, the the girls’ team placed first out of 38 teams, scoring 133 points, the second place team was Fowler­ ville with 88 points. Saxons Cassidee Easey, Claudia Palumbo, Jordan Milanowski and Olivia Friddle all finished in second place at their weight class. Dezarae Mathis finished in third place and Eva Rowley and Alexia Owen both finished in sixth place. The Hastings wrestling teams also con­ tinued its run for the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference title with two wins Wednes­ day, Jan. 11, when it traveled to Jackson Northwest to wrestle Lumen Christi and Harper Creek. The Saxons strengthened their conference record to 4-0 by defeat­ ing Harper Creek in the first dual ofthe night 56-16 and then defeating! Lumen Christi 73-6. The Saxons started strong against the Beavers at 150-pounds with Simmet get­ ting a pin. Ben Furrow followed that with another pin at 157-pounds. Robby Slaughter went up to 165-pounds to wrestle Harper’s returning state placer, Nick Martinez, who placed fifth last year. Slaughter lost on a 12-4 decision. The Saxons got three straight pins after that from Warner (175-pounds), Teunessen (190-pounds) and Isaac Friddle (215-pounds). The Saxons lost the next two matches at heavyweight and 103-pounds, to close the score to 30-13. Hokanson at 113 pounds for the Saxons, scored a 17-2 technical fall, and then Chip­ man (120-pounds) and Colton Smith (126-pounds) both picked up pins. Harper Creek picked up another । decision at 132-pounds, but the Saxons.got an answer from Joe Goggins (138-pounds) who won on a 5-0 decision. Cohen Smith closed out the match with another Saxon pin to bring the final score to 56-16. In the second dual ofthe night the Sax­ ons got wins from Jordan Humphrey, Hokanson, Colton Smith, Keegan Sutfin, Goggins, Cohen Smith, Simmet, Slaughter, Matthew Shults, Warner, Teunessen, Friddle and Parker Roslund in their almost shut out over Lumen Christi, 73-6. The Saxons will travel to Jenison on Saturday for the Jenison Duals before trav­ eling back to the southern end of the 1-8 Conference to face Parma Western on Wednesday, Jan. 25. <* 1 {!%21S j&J ' NS4** SJ lii***101-7 101-7 Ii W S Jlii *^0 IvT/^ii &&*»* >»*< >S!nT*twL*b3ki M%Slw "ai h RfrSbv'v’MtuS?, S?kA kA S?,kA Rr , X, 00??9?"1? 00 9 ri..rinnTh9X .rinnTh9X k holds hls oPPonen< from Lumen Christi on his back (Photo ^Vaterie Slaughter)0 " H'gh Sch°01 WednesdaV- Jan‘ 11‘‘ Mi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 19,2023 — Page 11 Olivet pulls even with LHS ladies in GLAC Wii/AMr Lakewood junior guard Audrey Hillard tries to knock the ball away from Olivet junior Kara Priddy during their GLAC match-up at Lakewood High School Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor “Uggh. Turnovers.” That wass the first thing Lakewood head coach Kelly coac e y Meints enspa pad too save after a er her er team’s 44-37 Greater Lansing Activities Conference loss to visiting Olivet Tuesday night. Both teams are now 4-1 in the conference. The Vikings were so offoffensively Tuesday night that things went full circle to being good again. Lakewood junior point guard Audrey Hillard worked the ball towards half-court with Olivet lead 35-26 after a Viking defensive rebound a minute into the fourth quarter. Hillard saw junior forward Alivia Everitt running towards the basket behind the defense and tried to fire a pass over the other eight girls on the court to her teammate. Her two-handed heave never found its mark in Everitt’s hands. It barely touched the back of the rim as it swished .through the net. It took an extra beat for the officials to raise their arms, acknowledging Hillard’s three-pointer. Lakewood followed that up moments later with one of its best offensive series of the ballgame. Senior guard Alli Pickard came right to left around the three-point arc and then hit senior guard Paige Wolverton mak­ ing a back-cut to the basket for a lay-up that had the Vikings within 35-31 with six min­ utes to play. The offense wasn’t consistent enough the rest of the way though and the Eagle lead hovered between five and seven points the rest ofthe night. Olivet got 19 points from junior guard Olivia Gessner and senior forward Payton Otto was big in the paint on both ends ofthe floor for the Eagles. Otto had 13 points, scor­ ing 10 in the second half, and came up big time and again on the defensive end rebound­ ing and thwarting pass attempts into the post that managed to get by her guards. Lakewood struggled much of the night trying to get the ball inside tojuniors Cadence Poll and Everitt. There were passes over heads. Passes that were too ambitious into double teams. Other passes just came too late to find the open window. “We’re taking a couple steps backwards when I feel like we’re more prepared than that. I am not sure where the thinking is at, Meints said. “They frazzled our guards quite a bit [with their pressure defense,” Meints said. “Going into the game I was like, we have to be the aggressors. We can’t let them control the game. They pressured our guards pretty well and we kind of lost some opportunities with the turnovers.” Everitt led the Vikings with 10 points. Abby Pickard had 6 points. Hillard and Alli Pickard finished with 5 points each. Poll had 4. Even with the issues dealing with Olivet’s pressure, Lakewood stayed in the ballgame most ofthe night. Olivet led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter. A three by senior Drue Allen and a free throw by Gessner pushed a one-point Olivet lead to 18-13 at the end of the first half. A couple of Lakewood turnovers allowed Otto to score six quick points early in the second half and the Eagle lead swelled to 24-15. Alivia Woodman came off the bench to hit a big three for the Vikings and keep her team within striking distance at 24-18. Wolverton fired a nice cross court pass, after an offensive rebound by the Vikings, to Abby Pickard wide open under the basket for two points to get Lakewood within 28-24 with 2:20 to go in the third quarter. Olivet followed that up with steals and buckets by freshman Ava Myers and Gessner and then a triple from Gessner to extend its lead heading into the fourth. Lakewood is now 8-3 overall this season while the Eagles improve to 9-3. The Vikings have a big bailgame at Stockbridge Friday night, Jan. 20. The Panthers are 3-1 in conference action thus far. The Vikings have now lost two in a row. They fell 39-30 in a non-conference bailgame at Hastings Saturday in which they were playing without the Pickard sisters and with­ out Everitt. Woodman hit two threes in the first half and finished with a team-high 6 points. Lakewood had a 23-22 lead at the half, but the Saxon defense limited the Vikings to just seven second-halfpoints. It was the second game in two nights for the Vikings who scored a 35-31 GLAC win over visiting Lansing Christian last Friday, Jan. 13. Saxon teams knock off Western in 1-8 duals at Hastings Bowl ClmM kUnhe I & fin Cob Smith 1H aipisalil-ifflik 1 I i»MWDSiiifiD5-2(B2 RobbjSl^am^ 0lfeita)bifenatniatclioiia lowesileHapcfi^Ei 1 1 ijtoto^ibescweatZtW. । | todcd matches with StSMukstffliWteii t® j JjiiiflipiBidiil 150-pouads, IkS IkSumpte®' ) |fee3ijEjSl |fee3i"jEjSlJJ7-pom*fc® dMi "j b ’ two matches I W1 Thornapple Kellogg junior center Jaxan Sias has a shot altered by South Christian's Sam Medendorp (right) after getting by the Sailors' Jacob DeHaan in the post during the first half Friday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) - TK follows tough loss with first win Hob^21113^ - 1 1 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ bas­ ketball team followed up its most lopsided defeat of the season against visiting South Christian Friday night in Middleville by scor­ ing its first victory of the season Tuesday night. The Trojans moved their record to 1-7 overall this season with a 36-33 win over OK Gold Conference foe Cedar Springs. A couple late free throws from junior cen­ ter Jaxan Sias had TK in front 34-31. With just under a minute and a half to play, TK junior guard Tyler Gavette managed to avoid a couple double teams in the back-court to get the ball ahead to sophomore Jacob Draaisma. Draaisma fired across the court to junior Ethan Bonnema for a wide open lay-up to get TK its final two points ofthe night. The Red Hawks managed to cut that fivepoint TK lead down to three points and had a few good looks at a game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds, but the Trojans held on for the three-point home victory. Cedar Springs falls to 2-7 overall with the loss. South Christian kept its OK Gold Confer­ ence record perfect with a 61-29 win over the Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team in Middleville Friday night. The Sailors are now 8-2 overall and 4-0 in the OK Gold Conference after a 30-point win over Kenowa Hills Tuesday. The Sailors started the bailgame on a 17-0 run in Middleville Friday. A three by TK’s Draaisma finally ended the Trojans’ scoring drought five and a halt minutes into the ball­ game. TK’s next bucket was a three by soph­ omore Brody Wiersma two and a half min­ utes into the second quarter. The Sailors’ offense was a potent combo of 6-foot-6 senior Sam Medendorp in the paint and skilled outside shooters who are also capable of putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. Medendorp finished with 9 points. Sophomore guard Carson Vis had a gamehigh 16 points for the Sailors. Junior Jake Vermaas had 11 points and senior Jacob DeHaan 10. Gavette led TK with 7 points. Sias had 6 points and Draaisma finished with 6. Eagles keep record perfect with another pair of league victories Brett Bremer Sports Editor Challenges have been few and far between so far for the undefeated Barry County Chris­ tian School varsity boys’ basketball team. The Eagles had their two toughest tests of the Great Lakes 6 Conference season in the past week, knocking off Heritage Christian on the road in Kalamazoo 54-46 Tuesday night after a 46-33 win over Grand Rapids Sacred Heart in Hastings last Friday, Jan. 13. Heritage Christian is the top challenger to the Eagles for the south division title in the Great Lakes 6 this season. The Great Lakes 6 South also includes Wyoming West Michigan Lutheran and Hudsonville Libertas Christian. The Eagles already have two wins over Libertas Christian and a road win over West Michigan Lutheran on its resume this season. Sacred Heart was 4-1 in the Great Lakes 6 heading into last Friday’s showdown with the Eagles. Barry County Christian jumped on the Falcons early taking a 16-2 lead in the first quarter. “They could not figure our defense out,” Barry County Christian head coach Josh Lamphere said. “We run a 1-3-1 zone defense, and we run it really well. Teams struggle with it. I think we’re averaging 30 points against for the season. We have three seniors that are super tough on defense. They thrive on the defensive side. We kind of funnel it to Noah Lilley. The last two games he has gotten 15 blocks. He’s not even that big. He’s just a shot blocking machine.” That senior trio for the Eagles this winter includes Joe Wise, Lucas Koetje and Kevin Shaffer. While a few other Great Lakes 6 squads run 3-2 and 2-3 zones on the defensive end, nobody in the conference is running a 1-3-1 like the Eagles that picks up its intensity and throws traps at the offense as needed. Lamphere is adamant that defense lead to easy offense. “Any steal I want a lay-up,” coach Lamphere said. Freshman guard Isaiah Lamphere at the top ofthe zone is the beneficiary of a lot ofthat easy offense, breaking towards the basket when the Eagles take the ball away. Fie had 7 points in the win over Sacred Heart. Lilley led the Eagle attack in the win with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 steals. Wise had 8 points to go with 14 rebounds. Koetje chipped in 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. The Eagles followed up that victory by outscoring Heritage Christian 54-46. “We played tough defense and got the win,” coach Lamphere said. “It was a tough road environment, but we pulled it off. That’s the most important thing.” Isaiah had 19 points in that one. Lilley had another big all-around game with 16 points, 10 blocks, 9 rebounds, 9 steals and 6 assists. Koetje had 8 points. Wise contributed 6 points and 7 rebounds, “v The Eagles got to Carson City-Crystal to take on Fellowship Baptist Academy tonight, Jan. 19, and will host Heritage Christian next Tuesday, Jan. 24. Barry County Chris­ tian will host homecoming Jan. 27 when the Eagles boys’ and girls’ teams take on Mar­ shall Academy. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity boys’ and girls’ bowling teams both improved to 3-1 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference with wins over Parma Western at Hastings Bowl Tuesday. The Saxon girls outscored the Panthers 29-1. " 'Ally Herder had a high-game of209 for the Saxons. Andrea Rhodes rolled a 186, Abby Barton a 184, Amber Rabideau a 198 and Heaven Simmet a 159 in the victory. The Hastings boys won by a 19-11 tally. Jackson Clow had high games for the Hast­ ings boys of 206 and 186. Coehn James scored a 191, Hunter Pennington a 185, and Miles Lipsey had high scores of 201 and 196. The Saxons are back at it in the confer­ ence this afternoon, Jan. 19, taking on Jackson Northwest at JAX 60. The Saxon teams were both a part ofthe Portage Northern Invitational at Continen­ tal Lanes Sunday. The Hastings girls were first in qualifying and finished fourth over­ all as a team. The Hastings boys were eighth in qualifying and went on to earn a runner-up finish behind Niles. 104107 The teams bowled three games for total pin count to count towards individual and team standings and six Baker games in the qualifying round. Top eight individuals were tournament medalists. The Hastings girls’ team had three med­ alists. Andrea Rhodes had a three-game series of 493 to place fifth. Barton was seventh with a 485 and Herder eighth with a 478. The Saxon boys’ team had Miles Lipsey place sixth with a 581 series. After the qualifying rounds, the teams played best of three Baker sets to deter­ mine a champion. The top seeded Hastings girls knocked off eight-seeded Pennfield, but fell by a single pin in their second Baker game against Portland in the semifi­ nals to see their championship hopes dashed. Sturgis bested the Saxons in the match for third place. The Hastings boys were seeded eighth and knocked off the top seeded Jackson Northwest team in the quarterfinals to get to a match-up with fifth seeded Sturgis in the semifinals which they won in two games. Niles won two out of three in the championship round to score the tourna­ ment championship. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAI­ RIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on February 9, 2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hear­ ing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission’s consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Eric Thomp­ son (ethompson@pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Eric Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. A request from contractor Baybridge Group for property owner Mark Ziemba, 12150 Gilmore Point Dr, Plainwell, Ml 49080 for a Special Land Use/Site Plan Review to allow for the construction of an addition to principle dwelling, pursuant to section 6.16 "Nonconforming Buildings/Structures” of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 12150 Gilmore Point Dr, Plainwell, Ml 49080. Parcel #08-12-290-049-00 and is currently zoned R2-Single Family, Medium Density Residential. 2. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. The Prairieville Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendments) at or follow­ ing the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and ser­ vices, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Fritz Bork, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 �Page 12 — Thursday. January 19, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Kipp L. Cushman, Unmarried Man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated March 30, 2022 and recorded April 18, 2022 in Instrument Number 2022-004415 and Affidavit Affecting Realty recorded on January 3,2023, in Instrument Number 2023-000055, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Union Home Mortgage Corp., by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand One Hundred Eighty and 57/100 Dollars ($159,180.57). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9,2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: COMMENCING 26 RODS WEST AND 18 RODS 13 1/2 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, AS A PLACE OF BEGINNING: THENCE SOUTH 23 RODS AND 3 FEET (OR UNTIL IT STRIKES THE DIVIDING LINE OF LANDS FORMERLY OWNED BY WILLIAM J. MCARTHUR); THENCE EAST 12 RODS; THENCE NORTH 23 RODS AND 3 FEET; THENCE WEST 12 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT THE NORTH 3 RODS THEREOF FOR STREET PURPOSES; ALSO EXCEPT COMMENCING 311 FEET WEST, AND 310.5 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE SOUTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE EAST 80 FEET; THENCE NORTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE WEST 80 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 159 W Franklin St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: January 12,2023 File No. 22-011627 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (01-12X02-02) 193681 LEGALNOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part ofthem, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Michael Johnson, single person, AKA Michael W Johnson Original Mortgagee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Date of mortgage: December 24, 2008 Recorded on January 2, 2009, in Document No. 20090102-0000029, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Twelve Thousand Forty-Two and 24/100 Dollars ($112,042.24) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: The East 25 and 1/2 acres of the North 51 acres ofthe Northeast 1/4 of Section 19, Town 2 North, Range 7 West, Barry County Records. Commonly known as 7190 Barryville Road, Nashville, Ml 49073 The Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit^court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid al' the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Kristy Matthews, single woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: April 19, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 29, 2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $95,458.45 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Parcel in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 18, Town 1 North, Range 7 West, described as: Commencing at the Southwest comer of Section 18; thence North 220.83 feet; thence East 579.50 feet; thence South 224.17 feet; thence West 578.50 feet to the place of beginning. Common street address (if any): 12995 Holden Rd, Bellevue, Ml 49021-9219 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 19,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Mi 48334 (248) 642-2515 1486677 193945 (01-19X02-09) SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. Six board members present Approved all consent agenda items Trustee notice Closing of recycling module 2022 budget amendments Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 7:52 pm Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor 194145 Ml 1485974 (01-05)(01-26) 193586 Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if yOur period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgaqe at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212 that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, .at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding tthe circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 26,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property.. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Weldon C. Cole and Waunita L. Cole, husband and wife, to U.S. Financial Mortgage Corp., Mortgagee, dated March 25, 2005 and recorded April 13, 2005 in Instrument Number 1144347 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage Is now held by CAG National Fund I LLC, by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Three and 95/100 Dollars ($144,523.95). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 100 PM on JANUARY 26,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of JOHNSTOWN, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: '' k Commencing at a point on the East/West quarter line of said Section 35 at.a point 80 feet West of the center quarter post of sakf.section; thence continuing West along the East/West quarter line of said section a distance of 653 feet; thence North parallel with the North/South quarter line of said section a distance of 380 feet; thence East parallel with the East/West quarter line of said section a distance of 653 feet; thence South parallel with the North/South quarter line of said section a distance of 380 feet to the point of beginning. Less and except that portion conveyed to Eugene Anderson and Linda Anderson by Deed as instrument #1006812. 3465 Strickland Road, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 The redemption period-shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys, the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 29,2022 File No. 22-008418 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 c D Kevin Beck, AAMS® MemD MemD ber berSIPC SIPC No. 08-15-080-048-00 Dated: October 20, 2022 BOND CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation, Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 400 w. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Worried about inflation? Consider these moves in retirement, the better As you know, inflation was big news throughout 2022. protected you are against the But will it continue in 2023? rising cost of living. And looking even further • Adjust your portfolio ahead, how should y you objectives with yourfinancial account for inflation in your professional. Using tools such long-term plans? as “hypothetical” illustrations, In regard to the first a financial professional can question, many experts show you some different predict that inflation will paths you might take with cool off this year, though your investments, given there are no guarantees. The different rates ofinflation. So, high inflation of last year is for example, if you feel that thought to have been caused inflation may be higher for a by some unusual factors, such longer period than you once as a spike in the demand for thought, you could request consumer goods as the world a hypothetical showing how came out of die CO VID-19 you might need to adjust your pandemic, which led to investment mix to achieve supply chain issues. Also, the your long-term goals, given war in Ukraine drove up oil your risk tolerance and time prices, increasing the cost of horizon. manufacturing and shipping If you’re already retired and driving up the price of wheat and other commodities. • Consider part-time work In any case, last year or consulting. Once you reminded us that inflation retire from your career, it needs to be reckoned with doesn’t mean you can never as you work toward your do any paid work again. If financial goals. But how you’ve accumulated years you respond to inflation will of experience and expertise, depend somewhat on your you could use your skills stage of life. So, here are as a consultant Also, many some suggestions to consider: part-time jobs are available Ifyou’re still working... for retirees. With the added • Contribute more to your income from employment, retirement plans. If you can you may be able to delay afford to put more money taking withdrawals from away in your IRA and 401(k), your retirement accounts and you may want to do so. other investments, possibly The more resources you’ll extending their longevity. eventually have available (Once you turn 72, though, Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder (12-29)(01-19) 193092 for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly THE CIRCUIT COURT SALE BELOW WILL BE at 1:00 PM, on Febjuajy 2, ,2023. Th Th^ amount due AOJOURNEDiFROM 01/19/2023 TO 04/26/2023 on the mortgage may be greater oit the: day of VARNUM LLP Attorneys 260 E. Brown Street, Suite sale. Placing the highest bid at’the sale does not iQ(( 150 Birmingham, Birmingham Ml 48009 NqTICE|S NqTICE|S)F SALE Vfi’iutbHia'tically entitlb me^urcrtasSF^^ree^d'ilear Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised ■ judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale bf the mortgaged premises, or some part of OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL PM, on February 2, 2023. The amount due on the BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service the highest bid at the sale does not automatically member on active duty, if your period of active entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the properly. A potential purchaser is encouraged to duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or contact the county register of deeds office or a title if you have been ordered to active duty, please insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the for this information: mortgage at the telephone number stated in this Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Benjamin B. Buehler notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure a single man (the •Judgment”) entered on May 11, 2017, and Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic an Order Granting Motion for Entry of Renewed Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as Order Authorizing Sale dated September 6, 2022, nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, Case assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage No. 14-998-CZ, the Court has ordered the sale at LLC public auction of real property under a Mortgage Date of Mortgage: January 16, 2015 (the “Mortgage”) made by Marvin Allen Hake (now Date of Mortgage Recording: January 26,2015 deceased) and Kim M. Hake (“Mortgagor"), to Bond Amount claimed due on date of notice: $129,562.82 Corporation, a Michigan corporation, Mortgagee, Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated dated February 2, 2007, and recorded on February in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and 16, 2007, in Document No. 1176513, Barry County described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Records. The mortgage debt is due and payable in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 19, Town 4 North, Range the amount of Fifty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred 8 West, described as: Commencing at the Northwest Eighty-Eight and 98/100 Dollars ($58,488.98) as of comer of the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of said Section 19; thence East 474 feet: thence South May 5, 2017, with the debt accruing interest since 369 feet; thence Southwest to a point 550 feet South that date at the rate of 16.850% per annum, plus of the place of beginning; thence North to the place such other fees and costs that may be recovered of beginning. pursuant to the Note and Mortgage and the Common street address (if any): 4700 Fighter Rd, Judgment. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of Hastings, Ml 49058-8538 the Judgment and the statute in such case made The redemption period shall be 6 months from the and provided, and to pay said amount with interest date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costs, accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject charges and expenses, including attorney fees real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). allowed by law, the Mortgage will be foreclosed by If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under sale of the Mortgaged premises at public venue to Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, the highest bidder in the main lobby of the Barry pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, responsible to the person who buys the property at the Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder within Barry County, Michigan, on Thursday, for damaging the property during the redemption December 8,2022 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant period. to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six Attention homeowner: If you are a military service (6) months from the date of the foreclosure sale. member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have If the property is sold at foreclosure sale pursuant been ordered to active duty, please contact the to MCLA 600.3278, the Mortgagor will be held attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the responsible to the person who buys the property at telephone number stated in this notice. the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Mortgagee This notice is from a debt collector. for damaging the property during the redemption Date of notice: January 5,2023 period. The premises covered by said mortgage Trott Law, P.C. is commonly known as 336 Donna, Lake Odessa, 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Michigan 48849, and is situated in the Township of Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, described as (248) 642-2515 follows: Lots 71,72 and 73 of Innovation Subdivision, 1485939 (01-05)(01-26) 193513 according to the plat thereof as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 21, Barry County Records. Parcel All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Jan. 10,2023 Hills, 48335 248.539.7400 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Regular Meeting redemption period will be one year from the date of such Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement MCL ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Eric Peterson, a single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: January 19, 2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 5, 2007 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $114,066.08 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Thornapple, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The North 1275 feet of all that part of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan lying East of highway commonly known as Grand Rapids Street. Subject to a right of way to the State of Michigan for highway purposes over a strip of land, 50 feet in width, lying East of and adjacent to the centerline of M-37 as now surveyed over and across the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, as granted in Liber 151 of Deeds, Page 260 Common street address (if any): 6860 N Whitneyville Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8662 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 5, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1485778 (01-05X01-26) 193430 you will need to begin taking money from your 401(k) and traditional IRA.) • Delay taking Social Security. You can begin taking Social Security when you’re 62, but your monthly checks will be substantially bigger if you wait until your full retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. (You could even wait until 70, at which point your monthly benefits will max out) Of course, the ability to delay taking Social Security depends on whether you can afford it, but it may be possible if you work longer than you once planned or if you work part time in retirement But even ifyou do need to take Social Security before your full retirement age, your payments will be adjusted annually for inflation — in fact, for 2023, benefit checks will rise 8.7% over 2022. We’ll always have to deal with some level of inflation — so it’s a good idea to be prepared. This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use byyour localEdwardJones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC A *M.«**i> .« - '' CCSSra SSfSeralS’! .SfelS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust In the matter of Russell D. Furlong Trust dated February 1,1999. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Russell D. Furlong, bom July 31, 1937, who lived at 630 Gherman-Street, Nashville, Michigan died December 24 2022. leaving a certain trust.under thenHame ^>f ;Russe(l. D. Furlpng Trusi and dated February 1, 1999, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Randall R. Furlong and Cory A. Furlong was named as the trustees serving at the time or of as a result of the decedents death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Randall R. Furlong and Cory A. Furlong, the named trustee at 251 Casgrove Street, Nashville, Michigan within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: January 9,2023 Robert L Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 Randall R. Furlong and Cory A. Furlong 251 Casgrove Street Nashville, Michigan 49073 liBpop^ApiteElfUiias lb cotti ft cart) q* (I raft rarau cm tier tageatefrfBitowi tamaderiftecmfosofa ?ge made ty Chsttte Bnar ? Brtw Regsar Wasamnetrtarta ? ‘reca toE zee “MMISEHSX’SS 55^ Bmt*"**' 193948 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29363-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone: 269-945-1390 Estate of Timothy W. Stube. Date of birth: May 6,1977. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Timothy W. Stube, died November 23,2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Michelle OToole and Kimberly Sandborn, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: January 9,2023 Robert L. Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 Michelle OToole & Kimberly Sandborn 6334 Thomapple Ld Rd., Lot 35 & 330 W. Grand Ledge Hwy. Nashville, Ml 49073 & Sunfield, Ml 48890 269-361-7065 193949 । s 1 ! <5^5! Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Mortgagee Barry County Sheriff Civil Division 220 W. State Street Hastings, Ml 49058 20145307.1 (01-19) 193990 For Rent FALL CREEK APART­ MENTS, Formerly known as Brookside Apartments, have efficiency apartments available for $700 a month, including utilities plus $1050 deposit and $35 application fee. Call 269-945-4182. B us in ess Services MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill Pets is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. YORKIE PUPPIES- VERY cute! 1st shots and de-wormed $575.00.517-726-0706. Help H unted BARN HELP WANTED Must have experience with horses. Full and part time positions available with competitive pay. Please call 269-207-4218 or email at zlpowell@yahoo. com if interested._______ CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits. 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd, Clarksville, MI w w �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 19. 2023 — Page 13 DK girls have tough time in return from break , With a couple of cancellations over the holiday break, the Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ bas­ kketball team went from Dec. 16 to Jan 13 withOlit playing a basketball game. DK head coach Mike Mohn saidt, l“lithe dmointh off since we last played was ver vhetrsy mtellin tealtlicnhgu durin dpu wriinthg the first quarter, of Friday night’s match-up with Saugatuck. Saugatuck scored a 52-24 win over the Panthers in Delton Kellogg Friday, Jan 12 The Trailblazers opened up a 24-3 lead after one quarter and the lead was just too big for the Panthers to climb out of. Delton Kellogg strug­ ggled to handle Saugatuck’s press early on and turned the ball over 24 times in the first half “The second half was a bit better as we started running some of our stuff and finding a little bit ofsuccess when we did,” Mohn said. Allie Trantham had a team-high 8 points for Delton and coach Mohn said she really “played a tough game.” Cadence Johns on added 7 points for Delton Kellogg. “I really thought that the group of Lillie Ferris, Summer Ritchie, Allie Trantham, Kasey Kapteyn’ Patyn Robinson and Sydney Frie came in during a stretch in the fourth quarter and really did a nice job of bringing energy to the game and worked very hard. That was great to see,” Mohn said. He was also happy to see his team get to the free throw line 17 times, but the Panthers hit just five of those attempts. “We’re getting to the line through our efforts on the offensive glass but not rewarding our­ selves by knocking those free throws down,” Mohn said. The Delton Kellogg girls were back in action Tuesday and fell 40-26 at Climax Scott’s. DK is now 2-6 overall this season. The Panthers will be at Martin to open a dou­ bleheader with the boys Friday, Jan. 20, and then head to Bangor for a 7:30 p.m. start Tues­ day, Jan. 24. K r b s to FORECLOSURE NOTICE ■at J'*1'®! .............. ....... '■B Jkoupuj &r tan a siitsifatatatfL toe fe Eeffrc agrthMiitobwMi preserted t: Wltai rib ■i wit enrs scam andtr FutyMMUS'tyik tesMeWttrrmfflfrhi isiK ? ry; OCiP Ass?. i dpubUvdUKfe teW22 fcgas » ai & ooi note of 11-3135IW if U5 r$&““ '1 is?;®? Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash dr cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, February 23, 2023. The amount due on e day ay oof thee >■»< the mortgage may^be greater on the sale doe does not > - sale.-Plaok»g4he highest bid at the sale bt automatically firrtittethd purchaser to free and clear rti ownership of the property. A poteritial purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Christopher Banash and Martha S. Reyff-Banash, Husband and Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as a nominee for Residential Loan Centers of America, Mortgagee, dated August 15, 2005, and recorded on August 31, 2005, as Document Number: 1152007, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Specialized Loan Servicing LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage dated February 06,2019 and recorded February 06, 2019 by Document Number 2019-000972,, on which mortgage there Is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred and 22/100 ($111,700.22) including interest at the rate of 5.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range6 West, described as: Beginning at a point 1217.5 ftfet West of the North 1 /4 post of said Section 5; Thbnce South 353 feet; Thence West 236.5 feet; Ttibnce North 118 feet; Thence West 200 feet for the place of beginning; Thence East 200 feet; Thence North to intersection of highway; Thence along highway In Southwesterly direction to the place of beginning. Parcel D: Commencing at the North 1/4 post of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; Thence West along the North Une of said Section 1502.00 feet; Thence South 47.67 feet to the Centerline of Coats Grove Road; Thence 188.66 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 49 degrees 50 minutes 48 seconds West, 186.46 feet to the true place of beginning; Thence continuing 68.36 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which Is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 29 degrees 17 minutes 10 seconds West 68.25 feet; Thence North 81 degrees 10 minutes 46 seconds West 112.73 feet to an Intermediate traverse line of the Shore of Leach Lake; Thence North 16 degrees 14 minutes 44 seconds East along said Intermediate Traverse Line, 67.00 feet; Thence South 80 degrees 03 minutes 46 seconds East 127.96 feet to the place of beginning. Including land lying between said Traverse Line and the waters of Leach Lake. Commonly known as: 137 COATS GROVE ROAD, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property Is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property Is determined abandoned In accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever Is later. If the property Is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period Is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, If any, limited solely to the return of the bld amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: January 19,2023 R Randall S. Miller & Associates,, P.C. . . Attorneys y for Specialized Loan Servicing LLC 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 22MI00804-1 . NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, on March 9, 2023. The amount due on the Mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a Mortgage made by Barbara L Davis to Reliance First Capital, LLC dated August 24, 2019 and recorded September 5, 2019 as Instrument No. 2019-008515, Barry County, Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held by Reliance First Capital, LLC by assignment and/or merger. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $178,507.81. Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF BARRY, STATE OF MICHIGAN IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 2015­ 009703 AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 3 OF ACKER’S PLAT, HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS ON PAGE 7. SUBJECT TO EASEMENT OF RECORDED IN DEED RECORDED IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 1174432 ON DECEMBER 28, 2006 BETWEEN SHIRLEY SPARKS AND PHILLIP D. NGUYEN, A SINGLE MAN, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS, USE, BUILDING, AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD, IF ANY. APN: 07­ 040-003-00 COMMONLY KNOWN AS 4179 S SHORE DR, DELTON, Ml 49046 HOWEVER, BY SHOWING THIS ADDRESS NO ADDITIONAL COVERAGE IS PROVIDED Said property is commonly known as 4179 S Shore Dr, Delton, Ml 49046. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, In which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Please be advised that any third party purchaser is responsible for preparing and recording the Sheriff’s Deed. If this is a residential Mortgage, the following shall apply: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU: ARE A DEBTOR IN AN ACTIVE BANKRUPTCY CASE; ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF A BANKRUPTCY STAY; OR, HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY AND YOU HAVE NOT REAFFIRMED THE DEBT, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTEMPT , TQPQItLEQTA D£BT FF|OM YOU PERSONALLY. Dated: January 17, 2023 Attorney foF the party foreclosing the Mortgage: Thomas E. McDonald (P39312) Brock & Scott, PLLC 5431 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (844) 856-6646 Ale No. 22-00091 (01 -19)(02-09) RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN WTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 220 (ZONING) OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP CODE TO: IViE ?ESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND. BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN. AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: dopted^ ^KE NOTICE that at the January 11,2023 meeting of the Rutland Charter Township Board the following Ordinance No. 2023- V^inal ordinanc8 may 1)6 inspected or a copy purchased by contacting the Township Clerk. Robin Hawthorne, 2461 Heath Road. Hastings, Ml 49058-9725, (269) 948-2194, during regular business hours of regular working days, and at such other times as may be arranged. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 2023-185 ADOPTED: JANUARY 11.2023 EFFECTIVE: THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN ORDAINS: SECTION 1 AMENDMENT OF 4 220-4-3 PERTAINING TO SPECIAL LAND USES IN AG/OS AGRICULTURAL/OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT § 220-4-3. of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated special land uses in the AG/OS Agricultural/Open Space Preservation District is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection EE. reading as follows: "County Fairgrounds/Expo Center." SEGHQH2 AMENDMENT OF 4 220-18-6 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED SIGNS IN SPECIFIED DISTRICTS § 220-18-6 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to permitted signs in specified districts is hereby amended so as to revise the last paragraph (after subsections A-F) to read as follows: I "Notwithstanding the foregoing, an otherwise permissible sign in any of these districts shall not include any electronic message board; except one electronic message board is allowed to advertise events/activities on the premises of a county fairgrounds/expo center in the AG/OS District, only, subject to the design standards and use limitations specified in § 220-18-8.H." SECTIONS AMENDMENT QF § 220-18-8 PERTAINING TO DESIGN STANDARDS AND USE LIMITATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARDS The initial paragraph of § 220-18-8.H of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to design standards and use limitations for electronic message boards is hereby amended to read as follows: "Design standards and use limitations for electronic message boards. Any otherwise permissible electronic message board (permissible In the MU District and AG/OS District, only) is subject to the following design standards and use limitations:...* (existing subsections H.1-5 are not proposed to be amended). SECTION 4 AMENDMENT OF 6 220-10-3 PERTAINING TO SPECIAL LAND USES IN LC LAKE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT § 220-10-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated special land uses in the LC Lake Commercial District is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection D reading as follows: "Outdoor storage yard for recreational vehicles and boats." SEGHQK5 AMENDMENT OF j 220-124 PERTAINING TO SPECIAL LAND USES IN THE U LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT § 220-12-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated special land uses in the LI Light Industrial District is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection V reading as follows: "Outdoor storage yard for recreational vehicles and boats." SECTION 6 AMENDMENT OF § 220-20-7 PERTAINING TO SPECIAC STANDARDS REQUIRED OF PARTICULAR SPECIAL LAND USES § 220-20-7 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the specific standards required of particular special land uses is hereby amended to add "Outdoor storage yard for recreational vehicles and boats" in the first column of the Table, and references to "LC" and "LT and Item "15” In the second and third columns, and add the text for Item 15 reading as follows: ll I‘*lterfi!'15--'Obtd6or storage yard for recreational Vehicles and boats. nn^ im ,£i njBrlonirnilt) rnilt) Oo OoBBst st ■ yd r torage on the premises S a . zaS i Uch -. »-•<» &fUioOibui If access to the storage yard is restricted by a gate at the point of access to the premises from an adjoining public roadway, the gate shall be set back sufficiently from the roadway to allow any vehicle entering the premises to be completely off the public right-of-way when stopped at the access gate. C. All items permissibly stored on the premises shall be placed in the rear yard and/or side yard and so as to comply with the minimum yard requirements (setbacks) for a principle use in the LC Lake Commercial District or the U Light Industrial District, as applicable, as specified in § 220-15-1 (Schedule of Regulations). No such stored items shall be placed within any part of the front yard area. D. No recreational vehicle, boat, or other item permissibly stored on the premises shall leak fuel, oil, grease, or any other substance that may contaminate soil, groundwater, or air. E. All lighting on the premises shall comply with § 220-17-5.A. F. If the storage yard abuts any premises in any Residential District, the storage area shall be screened from view on those premises by screening devices as specified in § 220-17-5.B. The Planning Commission may also require such screening if the storage yard abuts any premises not in a Residential District but lawfully used for existing residential dwelling purposes. G. The storage yard shall be designed and operated so as to comply with § 220-16-6 regarding obnoxious or dangerous conditions.” SEGHQHI AMENDMENT QF 4 220-2-2 PERTAINING TO DEFINITIQNS QEJE5MS § 220-2-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code is hereby amended to add a definition for the new term "qualified residential treatment program* reading as follows: "QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM--: A program within a child caring institution that provides services for 10 or fewer individuals which: - has a trauma-informed treatment model, evidenced by the Inclusion of trauma awareness, knowledge, and skills into the program's culture, practices, and policies; - has registered or licensed nursing or other licensed clinical staff on-site or available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who provide care in the scope of their practice as provided in parts 170,172,181,182,182A, and 185 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17001 to 333.17097,333.17201 to 333.17242,333.18101 to 333.18117,333.18201 to 333.18237,333.18251 to 333.18267, and 333.18501 to 333.18518; - Integrates families Into treatment, including maintaining sibling connections; - provides aftercare services for at least 6 months post discharge; * is accredited by an independent not-for-profit organization as described in 42 USC 672(k)(4)(G). This term does not Include a detention facility, forestry camp, training school, or other facility operated primarily for detaining minor children who are determined to be delinquent; and also does not Include adult foster care facilities licensed by a state agency for care and treatment of persons released from or assigned to adult correctional institutions." SECTIONS Algy^iENT OF 1PERTAINING TO PERMflTED USES IN CR COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT § 220-5-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated permitted uses In the CR Country Residential District is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection L reading as follows: "L Qualified Residential Treatment Program.” SECI1QJL9 AMENDMENT OF 6 220-6-2 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED USES IN MDR MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT § 220-6-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the MDR Medium Density Residential District Is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection J reading as follows: "J. Qualified Residential Treatment Program." SECTION IQ AMENDMENT OF 6 220-7-2 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED USES IN HDR HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT § 220-7-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the HDR High Density Residential District Is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection L reading as follows: “L Qualified Residential Treatment Program." SECTION 11 AMENDMENT OF i M^M BFRTAjNING TO PERMITTED USES IN MHCR MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT § 220-8-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated permitted uses In the MHCR Mobile Home Community Residential District is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection I reading as follows: “I. Qualified Residential Treatment Program." SEGI1QN12 AMENDMENT OF 6 220-9-2 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED USES IN MU MIXED USE DISTRICT § 220-9-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the MU Mixed Use District is hereby amended to add thereto a new subsection Z reading as follows: “Z. Qualified Residential Treatment Program." SECTION 13 REPEAL OF CONFLICTING QRDINANCESlEFFECTIVE DATE All ordinances or parts of ordinances In conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall take effect on the eighth day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland (01-19)(02-09) 194106 yifiUldS*) i‘lO idw •B»Driom >1 erif lari) toyst) deem ed vem eoBopgr is limited to recreational vehicles, boats (including boat trailers), and ndn-commerciaj vehicles only. This land use is not a storage yard for semi-trailers or other such commercial vehicles or conveyances. B. 194204 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus Interest. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Under the power of sale contained herein in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or a cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Scott L. Donley A/K/A Scott Leo Donley, original mortgagor, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Low VA Rates, LLC, dated January 30, 2019, and recorded February 5, 2019 as Instrument 2019-000930, in Barry County records, Michigan, and assigned to Village Capital & Investment, LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 25,2020 as Instrument 2020-001926, and assigned to U.S. Bank National Association not in its individual capacity but solely as Legal Title Trustee for RMTP Trust, Series 2021 BKM-TT-V by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 18, 2022 as Instrument 2022-002020, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Three Hundred Fifteen Thousand One Hundred Six and 29/100 dollars ($315,106.29). Said premises are situated in the Township of Assyria, County of Barry, and State of Michigan, and particularly described as: The West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 1 North, Range 7 West, EXCEPT the South 920 feet thereof. Property Address: 10773 North Ave., Dowling, Ml 49050 Parcel No.: 08-01-006­ 010-00 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: January 3, 2023 For more information, please call: (440) 572-1511 Sottile and Barile PLLC Attorneys for Servicer 7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210 Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 File: MF2203010 Donley, Scott (VA) 193441 (01-05)(01-26) JANUARY 27,2023 An Ordinance to amend various Sections of Chapter 220 (Zoning) of the Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances. I OO.t l«» df no sub �Page 14 — Thursday, January 19,2023 — The Hastings Banner BARRY COUNTY TAX FORECLOSURE NOTICE wprxai oi show judicial roRXCLoauRX hkamm qwMfr wwawtw rw m n O--n---- M--- a--r-c-h--- i-,---- 2--0-2 ---2--- r--e--a---l---e---s--t-a---t-e---- -wt-h--i-et--h --G ---u-e-n-n-p-e--ar-aiIdWl 2P H0rrofi0Ap neagrMntydI./ ToParT x p Ar icotr, P yueba lrisc pArcot p2e0r6ty otfax1e8s93wwaa.s froorrfreeited to tmhee BBaarrrrvy County Treasurer pursuant to the General Property Tax Act,Public Act Act 206 of 1893, a The Barry County Treasurer is acting as the Foreclosing Governmental Unit in proceedings to foreclose on property for unpaid property taxes. this There are two hearing scheduled to finalize the foreclosure process. This publication is intendedtian nf Orior to the hearing tphreosveideheaadridnitsionPalleansoeticceonttoacpt atrhteiesBaorrf inCtoeurnetst Tirneatshuerseer’p s aorcffeilcse aa s t (269) 22»Uiaa7 2924»5U-1ia2a8 (269) restr 945-1287 prior to the hearing ddates thaeteses ffor hoeraraan inngy suu..p Pdaletaesde pr coocnetdaucrte tshean d ain B irnryys str Cuocutnioty nsTrdue deuaesuto torerpossible psososfibfilceeCOV CaOtV. . ID19 pdated procedures and tructio yns Ing y to possible COVID—19 restr "Ing closures., A SHOW CAUSE HEARING Office, is scheduled Barry County Courthouse, for 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Hastings MI Fbr r February 1 1, at 220 W State St, Governmental Hastings Ml State Street, At this hearing the is scheduled for 2:00 pm, ___________ February 8, 2023, at — ----------Circuit Court Room, - 220 W 49058-Courthouse. Foreclosing Governmental Unit shall ask that the court enter a a°Darcel^oF the property as requested in the petition for foreclosure. A person claiming an in^ in property set forth in the petition for foreclosure, who desires to contest peti othoc csoento esbtjethat tchtiaotns on written objections with the clerk of the circuit court and serve t 'n_rr.,y Treasurer, the Foreclosing Governmental Unit, The docket number of the petition .is— If you are a person with an Interest in property being foreclosed: y ’ unpaid contact You have the right to redeem this parcel from the foreclosure process by payment of all taxes, interest, penalties, and fees prior to the expiration of the redemption perio . the Barry County Treasurer for the amount required to redeem. lose your Interest You may The in the property as a existing All i. result of the foreclosure proceeding. legal title to the property shall vest absolutely in forfeited unpaid delinquent taxes, The interests interests of a in oil i interest, or gas penalties, Unit unless all and fees are paid by March Ji, in this property shall lessee or an assignee of an Foreclosing Governmental the lessee under an oil or gas lease in effect as to that property or any part of that property if the lease was recorded in the office oi tne register or deeds in the county in which the property is located before the date of filing the pe j ■ foreclosure. ii. iii. preserved as provided in section Interests The 1(3) of 1963 PA 42, MCL 554.291. right of a former interest-holder to recover remaining proceeds following sale or transfer of the property pursuant to MCL 211.78t. If the property is foreclosed, you will have an opportunity to seek recovery of any equity that you may possess iin the property in the form of remaining proceeds which may be realized through subsequent sale. Any party who holds an interest in the property at the time of foreclosure has the right to maxe a claim for remaining proceeds, which first requires completing and sending the Notice of Intention requ red by MCL 211.78t(2) . to the Barry y County y Treasurer no later than July y, 1, immediately y following g foreclosure,, you may lose any equity associated with your interest in the property following foreclosure unless you pursue a claim under MCL 211.78t. Those who wish to consult with an attorney about this notice and pending tax foreclosure may go to the State Bar of Michigan’s legal resource and referral web page at https://lrs.michbar.org or may call (800) 968-0738 for assistance in finding private legal counsel. PLEASE NOTE; The following list represents parties that appear to have title, parcels being foreclosed by the Foreclosing Governmental lien, or other apparent right• to the Unit. Thia notice la required to be given bv law, even if the party no longer claims or desires an interest appears they hold any undischarged, apparent, or potential title or lien right to the property. Listing of a party does NOT necessarily indicate they are the owner of a parcel, or they are if it liable forthe property taxes. This list is NOT an offering of property for sale. otherwise made available by virtue of this notice. These parcels are NOT being sold, The amount due listed indicates the balance which was due as of forfeiture on March 1, 2022. The current amount required to redeem must be obtained from the Barry County Treasurer, as additional penalties, fees and interest have accrued since forfeiture. (NAME PARCEL ID I NAME AMOUNT PARCEL ID AMOUNT ABBOTT, JEFFREY A 1112002500 0500601000 $1211.99 $3520.24 BURGER, JEFFREY $1211.99 0500601000 ADVIA CREDIT UNION 0301600950 $1319.41 BURGER, KATHY 5522015100 ALT, MRS THOMAS J $1234.50 0700201100 $5904.11 BURGESS, DAVID G $1234.50 ALT, THOMAS J 5522015100 0700201100 $5904.11 BURGESS, NORMA B AMERICAN FARM MORTGAGECO INC $662.34 0103301600 BURKE, ROBERT L 0403031400 $1013.60 5217070900 $1698.40 BURT, DANIEL AMERICAN FARM MORTGAGECO INC $1698.40 5217070900 BURT, HEIDI 0403037510000 $2472.17 BYINGTON, MICHAEL F $2224.81 0702801410 $2’265.40) AMERICAN FARM MORTGAGECO INC 0703230400 BYINGTON, MICHAEL F 0702801410 0403037520000 $1043.48 $2224.81 BYINGTON, MIKE F CAMPBELL (ESTATE), WALLACE 1' 0702744800 $349.13 ANAYA, LINDA 1101701200 0702744800 $1819.40 CAMPBELL, BERNICE $349.13 ANDERSON, BRANDY 5200106000 CAMPBELL, WALLACE $2920.29 0702744800 $349.13 ANDERSON, RANDY C $2920.29 0103500400 $2632.58 5200106000 CARPENTER, MARK J ASPINALL, CARL W 4330100100 $1292.34 $2632.58 CARPENTER, PAMELA JO 0103500400 ASPINALL, KAREN 4330100100 $1292.34 $1919.35 CLARK, JUDITH 0501804501 0701700315 $417.01 ASPINALL, LUCILLE CLARK, MRS JAMES T $1919.35 0501804501 ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC 1100901700 $1256.59 0301600301 CLAWSON, FREDY JR $508.46 ASSET ACCEPTANCE LLC 1102600880 $2291.37 COLE, EDW. L 1100901700 $1256.59 ASSOCIATES FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, INC 1100901700 COLE, EDWARD L $1256.59 1500142607 $1523.20 $1211.99 COMMERCIAL BANK 0500601000 ASSOCIATES HOME EQUITYSERVICES INC COMMUNITY WEST CREDIT UNION 1112002500 $3520.24 $3588.05 0403329600 CONLEY, CHERYL 1101800700 $1073.15 AYER, DONALD 1202400916 $1748.15 CONLEY, GARY 1101800700 $1073.15 AYER, DONALD E 1202400911 $385.81 CONLEY, JIM $1073.15 1101800700 AYER, DOROTHY 1202400916 $1748.15 CONLEY, JIMMY LEWIS $1073.15 1101800700 AYER, DOROTHY D 1100604600 $5441.27 COOLEY, ELIZABETH 0702031800' $542.28 AYER, DOROTHY D 1202400911 $385.81 COOLEY, MARVIN $542.28 0702031800 1202400916 AYER, DOROTHY D $1748.15 CORTESE, ANDREA L 0800900500 $2207.30 AYER, DOROTHY D 1202400920 $510.60 CORTESE, CHRIS W 0800900310 $6363.03 1202400925 AYER, DOROTHY D $329.87 CORTESE, CHRIS W 0800900311 $6292.12 BANK WEST 4115001900 $2692.78 CORTESE, LISA 0800401810 $614.71 BARRY COUNT LUMBER CO 0812501300 $9099.10 CORTESE, LISA A 1400100800 $7151.11 0500601000 BARRY COUNTY HOUSING $1211.99 CORTESE, LISA ANN 0800900310 $6363.03 5503501500 BASSETT, RACHEL L $1996.44 CORTESE, LISA ANN 0800900311 $6292.12 BASSETT, ROBERT C 5503501500 $1996.44 COTANT, BRIAN S 0812501300 $9099.10 BASSETT, WENDY L $1996.44 5503501500 COTANT, DARCY 0812501300 $9099.10 BECKER, NATACIA 1502410006 $1677.23 CRYSTAL LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION BELL, JERRY L 0102801030 $3151.16 1107002700 $404.31 BELL, KENNETH L 0102801030 $3151.16 CULTER, CAROL L 1200602100 $2963.98 BELL, NANCY E 0102801030 $3151.16 CULVER, BRUCE 1246000200 $2462.80 BLAIR, NORMA ANN 1100100202 $1478.93 CULVER, BRUCE D JR 1246000200 $2462.80 BLAIR, WILLIAM C 1100100202 $1478.93 CULVER, MRS BRUCE D JR 1246000200 $2462.80 BOSWORTH, BRIAN J CURRIERi,, JOHN 1500142601 $1311.83 5200120000 $1050.41 BOWERS, HEATHER 1101200110 $1042.93 CURRIERI,, PAM 5200120000 $1050.41 BRAVATA, NICHOLAS J 1104000400 $1277.21 CURTIS, SHIRLEY 5217000800 $3419.78 BRAVATA, SAM JR 1104000400 $1277.21 CURTIS, VERNON 5217000800 $3419.78 BREWER, JUSTIE 0302802000 $9337.70 DAVIS, (GARY 0601001500 $1934.85 BREWER, LESTER D 0302802000 $9337.70 DAVIS, (GARY 0601001700 $828.60 BROWNS (CUSTOM INTERIORS INC 0812501300 $9099.10 DAVIS, 1KATHY 0400947500 $488.90 DAVIS, JLYNN 0601001500 $1934.85 KUEMPEL FAMILY TRUST 5509502000 $2109.09 DAVIS, ]LYNN 0601001700 $828.60 KUEMPEL, FLORENCE 5509502000 $2109.09 DAVIS, :TIMOTHY 0400947500 $488.90 KUEMPEL, KENNETH O 5509502000 $2109.09 DAVIS, 1YVONNE 0601001500 $1934.85 KUEMPEL, MRS DAVID L 5509502000 $2109.09 DAVIS, 1YVONNE 0601001700 $828.60 KUEMPEL, MRS KENNETH O JR 5509502000 $2109.09 DAY DONALD J 0102500400 $2129.04 KUGEL, M ALBERTA 1608005800 $1573.12 DAY JACKA 0102500400 $2129.04 KUGEL. PRISCILLA R 1608005800 $1573.12 DEGROOTE SANDRA 0401441300 $867.00 KUGEL, RICHARD L 1608005800 $1573.12 DEGROOTE SANDRA L 0401336900 $698.36 LAKE TRUST CREDIT UNION 5503501500 $1996.44 DEGROOTE, STEPHEN 0401441300 $867.00 LANDIS, MATTIE INEZ 1502410006 $1677.23 DEGROOTE, STEPHEN C 0401336900 LANDON, BLAKE $698.36 5521500200 $2568.98 DEHAAN, GLORIA 0602501000 $1586.03 LANDON, KRISTINA 5521500200 $2568.98 DEMOTT FAMILY TRUST 0601201500 $3602.97 LANE, WILLIAM F 1101200110 $1042.93 DEMOTT, CHERYL 0601201500 $3602.97 LATHROP, JUDITH 1301601620 $942.63 DIES, DIANA 5200004700 $2462.49 LATHROP, THEODORE 1301601620 $942.63 DIES, JACOB 5200004700 $2462.49 LEE, MAXINE RUTH 0702004400 $3359.29 DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL INC 1000108000 $1583.11 LEONARD (ESTATE), THOMAS G 0301001000 $376.95 DOVE, BENJAMIN 0403113000 $1144.26 LEONARD (ESTATE), THOMAS G 0301100900 $2020.87 DOVE, RONNA K 0403113000 $1144.26 LEONARD, NANCY J 0301001000 $376.95 DREWYOR, LARRY 1101700420 $1437.07 LEONARD, NANCY J 0301100900 $2020.87 DREWYOR, TAMMY 1101700420 $1437.07 LEONARD, THOMAS G 0301001000 $376.95 DSV SPV3 LLC 5500113400 $336.51 LEONARD, THOMAS G 0301100900 $2020.87 DYE, DEVIN 0300201100 $1052.64 LOWMAN LOUISE K 0308004300 $758.67 DYE JACKIE 0301016000 $1821.84 LOWMAN WILLLIAM M 0308004300 $758.67 DYE JACQUA 0301600319 $1089.58 LYND, JADAM 0301600740 $1456.78 DYE, JACQUA M 0301000200 $1362.17 LYND, 1HALEY 0301600740 $1456.78 DYE, JACQUA M 0301501700 $2723.33 LYND, *TREVOR 0301600740 $1456.78 DYE, JACQUA M 0302806100 $1817.28 LYON, <JAMES 5214007200 $1753.94 DYE, JACQUA M 0307002700 $1636.64 LYONS, JAMES 5214007200 $1753.94 DYE, JACQUA M 0308004300 $758.67 MARTINI,, RICK C 1104000400 $1277.21 DYE, JACQUAM 0308007600 $690.14 MATER (TRUST), GENE 0731013300 $964.12 DYE, MRS RODNEY 0307005300 $1360.41 MATER (TRUST), SHIRLEY 0731013300 $964.12 DYE, MRS RODNEY 0307005500 $901.81 MAWBY, RUSSELL J 0200730300 $1192.97 DYE, RODNEY 0300201100 $1052.84 MCCOOL, JENNIFER 5200225000 $7350.83 DYE, RODNEY 0301016000 $1821.84 MCCOOL, LEASON 5200225000 $7350.83 DYE, RODNEY 0301600319 $1089.58 MCGOLDRICK (ESTATE), JOSEPHINE DYE, RODNEY 0307002700 $1636.64 0703511100 $291.71 DYE, RODNEY 0307005300 $1360.41 MCGOLDRICK, JOSEPHINE 0703511100 $291.71 DYE, RODNEY 0307005500 $901.81 MCMASTER, JUDY K 4311200600 $14736.37 DYE, RODNEY 0308004300 $758.67 MEHER, CARL 0700301000 $1089.34 DYE, RODNEY j 0301000200 $1362.17 MEHER, MINDI 0502902000 $1285.42 DYE, RODNEY j 0301501700 $2723.33 MERCANTILE BANK OF MICHIGAN 1102902010 $701.82 DYE, RODNEY j 0302806100 $1817.28 MERCANTILE BANK OF MICHIGAN 1103000900 $1607.99 DYE, RODNEY j 0308007600 $690.14 METHVIN, CHARLES 1302601420 $1305.29 ELSNER, EDWARD J 1110000700 $2812.26 METHVIN, JILL 1302601420 $1305.29 ELY CAROLYN S 5111008800 $2277.60 MICHIGANDEPARTMENTOFTREASURY ELY LAVERN E 5111008800 1503330003 5523500300 5525002000 1617700400 1617500700 5522002500 5522003500 5523500300 5525002000 5500114900 5525002200 5522002500 5500114900 5525002200 0301600740 4335005020 4335005020 5200004700 1100539500 0513021300 $2277.60 $680.66 $2717.42 $2021.51 $484.22 $3839.98 $2993.10 $2009.18 $2717.42 $2021.51 $2753.96 $1007.08 $2993.10 $2753.96 $1007.08 $1456.78 $2330.36 $2330.36 $2462.49 $1296.23 $827.94 4310600150 $1287.35 MULLENIX, MARK MURPHY, MELISSA ANN NAVARRO, JUAN NORCUTT, CARLTON L 4310600400 $2242.57 NORTHPOINTE BANK ONEIL FEYRER, CHARLES FREEPORT MILLING REAL ESTATE 0301001000 GREEN TREE FINANCIAL SERVICING CORP $376.95 0301100900 GRIFFEE, MARIE J 1100539500 H 4 B INVESTMENT PROPERTIESLLC $2020.87 $1296.23 0502607000 0502805500 1101703210 1101703210 0301501700 $413.97 $377.83 $1265.82 $1265.82 $2723.33 0513061900 HASTINGS SAVINGS & LOAN FA 5522003500 HAYNES, FRANCIS 1253000900 HERBSTREITH, ROBERT 1507502900 HERBSTREITH, SHIRLEY 1507502900 HOLTON, LOU ANN 0403031400 HOLTON, LOU ANN 0403037510000 HOLTON, LOU ANN 0403037520000 HOMI HOLDINGS LLC 5500113400 HOWARD, SUE 5212002000 HUGHES (ESTATE), CARROLL 0700441300 HUGHES, CARROLL 0700441300 HUGHES, JOYCE 0700441300 HUGHES, MRS RANDY 5217000700 HUGHES, RANDY 5217000700 HUGHES, ROBERTA A 0301600950 HUGHES, SHARON M 0301600950 IN & OUT INVESTMENT PROPERTIES LLC $754.22 $2009.18 $538.96 $2885.34 $2885.34 $1013.60 $2472.17 $1043.48 $336.51 $4132.74 $540.57 $540.57 $540.57 $1609.78 $1609.78 $1319.41 $1319.41 TAYLOR, DAVID TCF NATIONAL BANK TERBURG, JAMES THOMAS auctioned, 0800900310 $6363.03 0800900311 $6292.12 4311200600 $14736.37 MICHIGANDEPARTMENTOFTREASURY MICHIGANDEPARTMENTOFTREASURY MICHIGANDEPARTMENTOFTREASURY 4335005020 $2330 MICHIGANSTATE HOUSINGDEVELOPMENT AUTHORIY 36 0202834700 MIDLAND FUNDING LLC 5200120000 MIX, TERRENCE L 5217003100 MORGAN, MICHEAL 5218004300 MORTGAGECENTER LLC 0812501300 MORTGAGEELECTRONICREGISTRATION SYSTEMS $459.85 $1050.41 $1216.74 $1769.91 $9099.10 0203324300 MORTGAGEELECTRONICREGISTRATION SYSTEMS $1196.44 1 000108000 MORTGAGEELECTRONICREGISTRATION SYSTEMS $1583.11 1300900160 5525004310 0200730300 1110001900 5500114900 0513061900 5200004700 $1264.96 $4880.33 $1192.97 $1473.06 $2753.96 $754.22 $2462.49 5211000800 0200730300 1102800775 1102800775 ONAWA ONAWA RHEA RHEA TERBURG, TERBURG, TERBURG, TERBURG, There is no procedure for purchasing these parcels from the Foreclosing Governmental Unit at this point in the foreclosure proceedings. Those parcels that are foreclosed and not redeemed may become available at public auction on or after July of 2023. These parcels remain the property of their current owner until redemption rights have expired. No party should make any attenpt to inspect or enter upon these parcels assuming them to be for s^le until the final list of foreclosed parcels is determined and offered at auction in summer, 2023. Most of these parcels will be redeemed from foreclosure. Entering upon them or contacting current property owners may constitute trespassing or undesired solicitation and may subject the offender to criminal prosecution. The street address of the parcels listed is based on local records and is not guaranteed to be the actual location of the property. ELY. LAVERN E JR ENGLERTH, JANET ENGLERTH, JANET ENGLERTH, JANET A ENGLERTH, MARK ENGLERTH, MARK ENGLERTH, MARK ENGLERTH, MARK ENGLERTH, MARK ENGLERTH, MARK W ENGLERTH, MARK W ENGLERTH, MRS MARK ENGLERTH, MRS MARK W ENGLERTH, MRS MARK W FARMER, DENNIS FAUNCE, GEORGE A III FAUNCE, MRS GEORGE A III FEYRER, CHAD D FLORES, MRS TERRY FORTIN, RON FREEPORT MILLING REAL ESTATE $1404.23 0301600301 $508.46 INDIANA LUMBERMENS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY 1101703210 $1265.82 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 0301901800 $4776.34 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 1102600880 $2291.37 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 1218003700 $6352.72 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 4311200600$14736.37 INTERVALE MORTGAGE CORP 1000108000 $1583.11 JACKSON, RICHARD W 1500142607 $1523.20 JOHNSON, JESSICA $1478.93 1100100202 JOHNSON, LUKE $1478.93 1100100202 JOHNSTON, JEFFERY W 0100200520 $932.61 JONES, HARRY H $1393.11 0702045700 JONES, LUCILE M $1393.11 0702045700 JOUSMA, DAYNA M 0802800500 $7072.48 KAISER, DAVID 0403031400 $1013.60 KAISER, DAVID 0403037510000 $2472.17 KAISER, DAVID $1043.48 0403037520000 KAISER, MARK 0403031400 $1013.60 KAISER, MARK 0403037510000 $2472.17 KAISER, MARK $1043.48 0403037520000 KELLOGG COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 0907501000 $3217.12 KENNEY, TAYLOR R 0100901020 $3707.22 KIENUTSKE, ELIZABETH M 1000108000 $1583.11 KLEIN, WANDA J $604.95 0708001480 KLINGE, JEREMY $1285.42 0502902000 KNUPPENBURG, TED 0700441400 $280.50 KRUMP, NICK $964.12 0731013300 SWANSON, RONALD 0103300910 $1137.26 $1144.26 TALIAFERRO (ESTATE), DORIS 0403113000 be extinguished except the following. interest of a 0703000450 GREEN TREE FINANCIAL SERVICING CORP HAMMIG, MARK HARVILLE, DORIS HARVILLE, ELIZABETH HASTINGS CITY BANK HASTINGS SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOC 49058. Unit. $5315.67 $1305.29 $1047.38 $1196.44 $1072.36 Treasurer’s Acanu Any y sepe person hrseoan iwith with a da an n shininterest oterceausst e in hthe the abpproperty sroolupteertytitfforfeited loerfetoitethda to tto the thoe eCounty Ctounstyh Treasurermay ®pP?®rForeclosinaW cause hearing and show cause why absolute title to that property should not vest i w w h JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE HEARING FULFORD, LEONARD 5520113900 GAISKI, STEVEN J 1302601420 GELLER, RICHARD J 5522010700 GMAC MORTGAGE CORP 0203324300 GMAC MORTGAGE CORP 1402601300 GMACM HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST2001-HE2 1107002700 1102800775 1107002700 $264.73 $404.31 $264.73 $404.31 THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLONTRUST COMPANY,NA 0703000450 $1404.23 THOMAS, BREAHONA 0103301600 $662.34 0103301600 $662.34 THOMAS, BRITTANY $662.34 0103301600 THOMAS, BRITTNAY LYN THOMAS, TRENTON THORNTON, ALMERON THORNTON, FLORA THORP, CATHERINE S TIBBLE, TIBBLE, TIBBLE, CATHLEEN CATHLEEN CATHLEEN TIME INVESTMENT COMPANY TIMMER, GARY TIMMER, JULIE - $2015.15 $1192.97 $264.73 INC TURNER, JASON H ULRICH,।NANCY I UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS WiON HOjffi 'M6ftt(5A6E CORP . 0103301600 0503407500 $662.34 $1253.63 0503407500 0103500400 0401336900 $1253.63 $2632.58 $698.36 $867.00 0401441300 0401448600 1101701200 $914.57 $1819.40 1218003700 1218003700 5509502000 $6352.72 $6352.72 $2109.09 0513041900 5200120000 $1374.35 $1050.41 i 1300900160^ UNITED STATES DEPT OF AGRICULTURE 0402934300 $1264.36 $377.14 UNITED STATES DEPT OF AGRICULTURE 0402930530009 VENTURE PROPERTIES LLC 0402930530009 $1655.09 $1655.09 & SHIRLEY LCURTIS TRUST 5217000800 0709002500 $3419.78 $766.63 0709002500 $766.63 VERNON J CURTIS VERWYS, VERWYS, DANNY DENISE 5200004700 ONEIL FEYRER, IAN $2462.49 1102004840 PATRICK, JESSE J $3129.81 PATRICK, JODI L 1102004840 $3129.81 1102600880 PAUFLER, CHARLES $2291.37 PAUFLER, HENRIETTA 1102600880 $2291.37 1300900160 $1264.96 PEEBLES, TYLER PERKINS (TRUST), JAMES R 5500139400 $1679.09 5200120000 PERKINS, JAMES R $1050.41 0302802000 $9337.70 PNC BANK NA PORTEOUS (ESTATE), JAY W 1402601300 $1072.36 1402601300 PORTEOUS, JAY W $1072.36 PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES LLC 1100901700 $1256.59 POTTER, CRYSTAL 0731013300 $964.12 QUICK CASH REALTY LLC 0300300840 $1642.95 RABB, RONALD M 0906000700 $978.21 RAMSEY, MRS PERRY K 0602600500 $471.84 RAMSEY, PERRY K 0602600500 $471.84 RATHBURN, KENNETH 1002510200 $1317.59 REED (ESTATE), ARCHIE J 0915001600 $2558.51 REMINGA, TINA 1319500108 $723.38 REMINGA, TRACY 1319500108 $723.38 RETANA, EDUARDO 0513061900 $754.22 RETANA, KIMBERLY 0513061900 $754.22 REYFF, RICHARD L 4115001900 $2692.78 REYFF, SUSAN 4115001900 $2692.78 0903101200 REYNOLDS, GEROLD $2134.20 0903101200 REYNOLDS, JUDITH $2134.20 RICHARDS, ERIC M 0306504600 $2295.25 RICHARDS, LARRY 0306504600 $2295.25 0306504600 RICHARDS, MARY $2295.25 RICHARDS, MRS ERIC M 0306504600 $2295.25 RNJ REAL ESTATE LLC 0307005600 $3610.05 RODRIGUEZ, RICARDO J 0403329600 $3588.05 ROSENBERG, TOMMY 5500139400 $1679.09 ROUNTREE, TERESA 1002510200 $1317.59 ROWLAND, MARJORIE K 1500142607 $1523.20 ROWLEY DAVIS, KATHLEEN A 0400947500 $488.90 RUSSELL, WILLIAM 0307005600 $3610.05 RUTHRUFF, ALLEN 0703000450 $1404.23 0703000450 RUTHRUFF, FAY $1404.23 0703000450 $1404.23 RUTHRUFF, FAYETTA SALVADOR, CALDERON 0202834700 $459.85 1102004840 SAWYER, DAVID $3129.81 0702045700 $1393.11 SCHANABLE, HARRY H SCHANABLE, JUANITA J 0702045700 $1393.11 1102902010 SCHWAB, JOHN D $701.82 1103000900 SCHWAB, JOHN D $1607.99 SCOBEY, JEREMY 1300900160 $1264.96 0301501700 $2723.33 SHEFFIELD, MYRNA 1101401910 SMIT, MATTHEW D $2373.27 SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICINGLLC 0400947500 $488.90 SPIES, SYLVIA J 0101601610 $1727.02 SPIES, WILLIAM T 0101601610 $1727.02 STANTON, JEFFREY 0403113000 $1144.26 STANTON, JEFFREY S 5520104800 $1612.24 $2071.95 STARKS, CAROLYN J 0723003300 STEVENS (ESTATE), RUTH G $2558.51 0915001600 STEVENS, DAVID 0907501000 $3217.12 $3217.12 0907501000 STEVENS, PATRICIA 0915001600 $2558.51 STEVENS, RUTH G 0915001600 $2558.51 STEVENS, VERLYN F STOLZ, CHRISTIE 4320900800 $2584.28 4320900800 $2584.28 STOLZ, RYAN $4776.34 SUITER, JUSTIN 0301901800 VICKERY, DOUGLAS M JR VICKERY, SHARON K VILLAGE OF FREEPORT 0307002700 0307002700 4310600400 5218004300 $1636.64 $1636.64 $2242.57 $1769.91 5217000800 5217000800 5217000800 0301901800 0703511100 $3419.78 $3419.78 $3419.78 $4776.34 $291.71 0403113700 0803500810 0803500810 $3527.15 $758.40 $758.40 0401412700 0401412700 0702004400 0403113700 $1463.26 $1463.26 $3359.29 $3527.15 5520113900 0,402934300 0402930530009 $5315.67 $377.14 $1655.09 0402930530009 0402934300 0402930530009 $1655.09 $377.14 $1655.09 12180024.00 0602801280 0602801280 $6827.92 $5648.90 $5648.90 VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE •WALKER, CATHY WALKER, DONALD WALKER, LORETTA WARNER-PALMER, KRISTEN WERTMAN (ESTATE), CORA WESTFALL, RAYMOND E WILKINS, WILKINS, WILLETT, WILLETT, ELIZABETH RUSSELL KEVIN MELISSA WILLETT, ROBERT EUGENE WINICK LLC WINICK LLC WOLF, WOLF, WOLF, MERANDA MERANDA MRS NATHAN B WOLF, NATHAN B WOLF, NATHAN B WOLTHIUS, RONALD H WOODMANSEE, AMANDA D WOODMANSEE, BART A WQODY, CARRIE few w fl ^’5 s i®? I’’ w1 gs'ofBUOiromiooe ^adibacioKdoiiRandis, w’x • u !U »I (1)203^24^0.,$1196.44 0203324300 $1196.4 $1196.44 WOODY, MICHAEL HO 1653 OW&ld <^5>«-l’’ 96' '1 W0j©EWp MRS-’ DAVID1 G ISM11' /b 0701700315 $417.01 WRATE, KERRY GEORGE $4132.74 5212002000 YAUDES, ADA $4132.74 5212002000 YAUDES, HERBERT $652.52 5514002130 ZARKOWSKI PROPERTIES LLC ZEITS, JOSHUA ZEITS, SHELLY ZERMATT WEALTH MANAGEMENTLLC 0900901700 0900901700 $1777.42 $1777.42 1218003700 $6352.72 iwys overcome full trouble'i No party should make any attempt to inspect or enterupon these parcels assumingthem to be forsale. This may constitute trespassing and subject the offender to criminal prosecution. The street address of the parcels listed is basedon local records and is not guaranteed to be the actual location ofthe property. 0100200520 0100901020 0101601610 0102500400 0102801030 0103300910 0103301600 0103500400 0200730300 0202834700 0203324300 0300201100 0300300840 0301000200 0301001000 0301016000 0301100900 0301501700 0301600301 0301600319 0301600740 0301600950 0301901800 0302802000 • 9400 E BUTLERRD, NASHVILLE 11720 S M-66 HWY, BELLEVUE 7339 KEYES RD,BELLEVUE 10700 LOVE RDi, BELLEVUE 7348 DAY RD, BIELLEVUE 7084 HUFF RD, BELLEVUE 7224 HUFF RD, BELLEVUE 9115 HUFF RD, BELLEVUE 5766 HENRY RDi,, HASTINGS W DOWLING RD DOWLING 9133 S M-37 HWY', DOWLING 10694 COBB RD, DI ELTON 3995 W PIFER RDI, DELTON GILKEY LAKE RD, DELTON COBB RD, DELTON LETCHS LN, DELTON 11922 COBB RD, DELTON 12154 GILKEY LAKE RD, DELTON 12981 KELLOGG SCHOOL RD DELTON CASCIE JO LN DELTON 4010 OSBORNE RD, DELTON 4435 OSBORNE RD, DELTON 13837 S M-43 HWY, DELTON 14059 KELLOGG SCHOOL RD,HICKORY CORNERS 14592 KELLOGG SCHOOL RD HICKORY 0302806100 CORNERS 11179 E SHORE! DR, DELTON 0306504600 0307002700 124 MAPLE ST, DELTON 148 LOW ST ST‘, DELTON 0307005300 303 MAIN ST, 1DELTON 0307005500 310 MAIN ST, IDELTON 0307005600 0308004300 PANAMA DR, DELTON PANAMA DR, DELTON 0308007600 USBORNE RD FREEPORT 0400947500 N CHARLTON PARK RD, FREEPORT 0401336900 5855 N CHARLTON PARK RD, FREEPORT 0401412700 N CHARLTON PARK RD, FREEPORT 0401441300 5220 N CHARLTON PARK RD, FREEPORT 0401448600 0402930530009 WELCOME RD, HASTINGS 0402934300 WELCOME RD, HASTINGS 602 KAISER RD HASTINGS 0403031400 0403037510000 KAISER RD HASTINGS 0403037520000 601 KAISER RD, IHASTINGS 376 WILLITTS RDI,, HASTINGS 0403113000 348 WILLITTS RDI,, HASTINGS 0403113700 510GASKILL RD, HASTINGS 0403329600 5310 COATS GROVE RD HASTINGS 0500601000 330 S MARTIN RD HASTINGS 0501804501 9500 THORNAPPLE LAKE RD, NASHVILLE 0502607000 THORNAPPLE LAKE RD 0502805500 6402 THORNAPPLE LAKE RD, NASHVILLE 0502902000 8442 E M79 HWY,NASHVILLE 0503407500 WILLIAMS DR, HASTINGS 0513021300 1065 BROOKS RD, HASTINGS 0513041900 1149 CHARLTON DR, HASTINGS 0513061900 710 BECKER, HASTINGS 0601001500 BAYNE, HASTINGS 0601001700 4400 BAYNE, HASTINGS 0601201500 4976 THORNAPPLE LAKE, NASHVILLE 0602501000 DUSTY, HASTINGS 0602600500 1959 E M-79, HASTINGS 0602801280 4036 TILLOTSON LAKE RD, HASTINGS 0700201100 3018 SHULTZ RD, HASTINGS 0700301000 ANDERS RD, HASTINGS 0700441300 ANDERS RD, HASTINGS 0700441400 KELLER, DELTON 0701700315 5460 GUERNSEY LAKE RD, DELTON 0702004400 GUERNSEY LAKE RD, DELTON 0702031800 GUERNSEY LAKE RD, DELTON 0702045700 WERTMAN RD, DELTON 0702744800 8950 KINGSBURY RD, DELTON 0702801410 6375 ROSE RD, DELTON 0703000450 9625 S M43 HWY, DELTON 0703230400 CEDAR CREEK RD, DELTON 0703511100 LAKEFRONT DR, DELTON 0708001480 S M43 HWY, DELTON 0709002500 33 OAK OPENING ST, DELTON 0723003300 WOODS TRAIL DR, DELTON 0731013300 SOLOMON RD, FREEPORT 0800401810 SOLOMON RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0800900310 6850 SOLOMON RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0800900311 6816 SOLOMON RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0800900500 4920 20 GRANGE RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0802800500 2776WOODRUFF RD, HASTINGS 0803500810 4368 PAUVERLY DR, _M_I_D__D__L_E_V__ILLE 0812501300 11994 S. M-37 HWY., DJSLTON 0900901700 0903101200 0906000700 0907501000 360 W BASELINE RD., BATTLE CREEK 1155 CHERRYLN., BATTLE CREEK 841 EAST SHORE DR., BATTLECREEK 0915001600 1000108000 1002510200 1100100202 1100539500 1100604600 1100901700 1101200110 1101401910 1101700420 1101701200 1101703210 1101800700 1102004840 1102600880 1102800775 1102902010 1103000900 1104000400 1107002700 1110000700 1110001900 1112002500 1200602100 1202400911 1202400916 1202400920 1202400925 1218002400 1218003700 1246000200 1253000900 1300900160 1301601620 1302601420 1319500108 1400100800 1402601300 1500142601 1500142607 1502410006 1503330003 1507502900 1608005800 1617500700 1617700400 4115001900 4310600150 4310600400 4311200600 4320900800 4330100100 4335005020 5111008800 5200004700 5200106000 5200120000 5200225000 5211000800 5212002000 5214007200 5217000700 5217000800 5217003100 5217070900 5218004300 5500113400 5500114900 5500139400 5503501500 5509502000 5514002130 5520104800 5520113900 5521500200 5522002500 5522003500 5522010700 5522015100 5523500300 5525002000 5525002200 5525004310 31 W. HICKORY RD., BATTLE CREEK 4977 S M-66 HWY, NASHVILLE 10300 E CLOVERDALE RD, NASHVILLE 7248 SHAW RD, HASTINGS 4748 PRINCESS DR, SHELBYVILLE 12111 NEVA'S LN, SHELBYVILLE 10991 WILDWOOD RD, SHELBYVILLE 7011 MULLEN RD, DELTON 6015 MCKIBBIN RD, DELTON KELLER RD, SHELBYVILLE 6120 MARSH RD, SHELBYVILLE 11914 SADDLER RD, PLAINWELL 6915 DENNISON RD, PLAINWELL 7130 MARSH RD, PLAINWELL 9 8735 BEVER RD, DELTON ISLAND 10 - CRYSTAL LAKE DEATON LEWIS RD PLAINWELL 9 8131 MARSH RD, PLAINWELL 4810 TORSTEN DR, SHELBYVILLE! CORY DR, DELTON 5415 MARSH RD, SHELBYVILLE 5739MARSH RD, SHELBYVILLE 11842 W 9 MILE RD SHELBYVILLE 12733 ANSON POINT DR PLAINWELL BURROUGHS RD, DELTON 13057 BURROUGHS RD, DELTON BURROUGHS RD, DELTON BURROUGHS RD, DELTON 11713 FORD POINT RD,PLAINWELL 11786 FORD POINT RD, PLAINWELL 10995 SHELP LAKE DR,DELTON 10036 UPSON DR, DELTON 240 NIRVING RD, HASTINGS W M-179 HWY 2605 S TANNER LAKE RD 1562 PINEDALE DR, HASTINGS MOE RD MIDDLEVILLE 3129 LOOP CT, MIDDLEVILLE 7589 SADDLEBAG LAKE RD, LAKE ODESSA 7623 SADDLEBAG LAKE RD, LAKE ODESSA 4804 CLARK RD, WOODLAND 7161 COATS GROVE RD, WOODLAND 491 HILLSIDE PARK:, LAKE ODESSA 4037 ENGLAND DR, ISHELBYVILLE 1769 EDWIN DR, WAYLAND EDWIN DR, WAYLAND 314 STADIUM DR, MIDDLEVILLE 133 N MAPLE ST, FREEPORT 225 DIVISION ST’, FREEPORT 193 S MAPLE ST,FREEPORT 233 S MAPLE ST,FREEPORT 126 N EAST ST, 1FREEPORT 345 S STATE ST,FREEPORT 384 N MAIN ST, 1WOODLAND 211 NSTATE ST,NASHVILLE 601 FRANCIS ST,NASHVILLE 840 SHERMAN ST,NASHVILLE 9877 BRUMM RIVER DR, NASHVILLE 400 E S”HERMAN ST, NASHVILLE 309 CENTER CT, NASHVILLE 441 EDNA ST, NASHVILLE 201 S MAIN ST, NASHVILLE 205 S MAIN ST, NASHVILLE 127 S STATE ST 116 FRANCIS ST 418 PHILLIPS ST NASHVILLE 414 W MILL ST, HASTINGS 505 W APPLE ST, HASTINGS 421 W MADISON, HASTINGS 729 W WALNUT, HASTINGS 903 NMICHIGAN AVE, HASTINGS 1300 W STATE ST, HASTINGS 109 W APPLE ST, HASTINGS 150 ESTATE ST, HASTINGS 1337 S CHURCH, ]HASTINGS 410 EGREEN ST, HASTINGS 514 E GREEN ST, HASTINGS 319 E MADISON, HASTINGS 430 E CLINTON, HASTINGS 527 EGREEN ST, HASTINGS 1700 S HANOVER ST, HASTINGS 1704 S HANOVER ST, HASTINGS 1212 S MICHIGAN AVE, HASTINGS k foo-k® has w ■ 111 >45 •’1 i. Wi V 'sk'L. . \ xs s ■Mi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. January 19, 2023 — Page 15 Trojans second to Mason at their TK Invitational ..Wk k It.. . Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are bigger goals out there for the Trojans than earning the championship trophy at their own Thomapple Kellogg Invita­ W' W'W\i &?§ ?§ Ssl tional. 1 Wtes , § Bk B S‘^^1% ^11fe *Sj *fSej.&t1 X X iXfX IIf ife<w ife< w s &' :J5 &x Bh* »?» §*12 3 1 M2b - S1 S^1 iiS S> W t1-aiSan!?*! W1 ™t yne.ix S S*S’ Ki■■fD■j■■ ■’i' Uv? «®jra> .S ®*i:'Uv?4^ 4 Fj> Ei.ssti Ei.ss !!?> !!? S?“»' 'I: n ■IfSSS Ct}1 Witai nSS!C^t}1 S S!^ 2SSSS ®S*SK£! Sa ■■ 2®KS,a Sfi,rw ^ ttUSfirw S*BM ifiJUXUXj ifiJU j ,& LKi •®MI Mu MIU • MMi muu MMV mSK W.O umto fflRSK s¥.G k|qtoliaqaftti3^seeK^titN^iiSKj|teutelsali Sjv am tapq c er. a eftfr u mi prti 9t km unu rf i nil lied j » a jcl ®d d ii at jaMd a k th iol tatia tftb nmim »aEJI:.^Tr£?a bwk« 3“3, ®1" , BQ ® ratBLi £ Hi R £2G wsm iw INCM UffilM 11NINS 11N5B» rfl£# UW*4« UHNWI isw^t 6*'®** •-* 1-r T7 union KKSZl, KB® II.EHir., SUU3B f(liiIHMRBIMlRa0 flIMBIlR0IS ■tjaEian2KSff l r^rtgEj,2nfflna tJgXESj,2EnMfflinaa. ^JXSEMia. jPjc0jBn iNi Ussynw jjcjnii sVsynw ihhuh num® nun# Saw*® nlliwn lluiwmn* Sa®*1 Sta"®®1 11» S num* St"®1 » uuwn nW* tflL HI*1’ . 5 iiflg ?i*n25U glummg gs.7 s.7 * 4’^^1,^ rj g f’:^^r The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team caps off its round three routine during the Thornapple Kellogg Invitational in Middleville Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer)-- &ei muli W My.S mrrx amn ®HiN KSKi ®H ®Hia.N tnw They’re still counting down to the state finals. The Trojans will open the OK Gold Conference varsity competitive cheer season at Forest Hills Eastern Wednesday, Jan 18. While last year the Trojans were second to one (Cedar Springs) in the OK Gold, they are working to be second to none this year. TK was second only to Mason at its own TK Invitational Saturday in Middleville. The Mason Bulldogs had the best score in each of the first two rounds, and their round three was enough for them to stay in front ofthe Trojans despite a very solid performance of a very difficult round three routine by the TK ladies. “They did their job,” Thomapple Kellogg head coach Adrian Nichols said. The Trojans had the day’s top round three score of311.20 points, which was 5.8 points better than the Bulldogs in that last round, and allowed TK to leap Forest Hills Northern and Lakewood in the standings. “They stuck their round three,” Nichols said. “That is a hard round. They are, I believe, more than 75 points over where they need to be to max the round out. That’s a hard round round, to the point where I was being looked at like I was a crazy person [by other members ofthe coaching staff] at the beginning ofthe season because it is so hard. “That is a hard round three, and they make it look very easy, and I think people forget about that. I am proud ofwhat they did today, but it definitely lights a fire for conference Wednesday.” Thomapple Kellogg junior Ava Jahnke and her teammates cheer during round one Mason won the championship in a field of of their TK Invitational Saturday morning in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ten teams with an overall score of753.18. TK was second at 748.56, ahead of Forest Hills championship, in the Greater Lansing Activi­ hit, and every girl and every group struggled Northern 728.26, Lakewood 720.14, Bay ties Conference (GLAC), and a state finals on that today. City Western 709.48, Hopkins 626.32, White­ appearance this winter too. “There is much to clean up, thank good­ hall 608.54, Hamilton 595.10, Zeeland East Lakewood had scores of 224.80 in round ness we have a week to do it before our next 524.00 and Lee 302.10. one, 213.24 in round two and 282.10 in round meet.” TK had scores of 230.30 in round one and three. One of the highlights of the day for the 207.06 in round two. That round two score Viking head coach Kim Martin said her Vikings was foreign exchange student Jette was impacted by an eight-point deduction for girls seemed to lack some energy and focus Jurgensmeier throwing a handspring in round a missed back tuck.. Saturday. Lakewood won the first Greater two after doing it for the first time herselfon “I would like to see all ofour tucks land for Lansing Activities Conference jamboree of Thursday. sure in round two,” Nichols said, “which is tthe season last Wednesday at Stockbridge Lakewood heads to St. Johns for an invita­ definitely possible. Our stunts hit, just little High School. tional Monday. The next GLAC jamboree is timing issues and a little bit of motion work “Round two I thought was better than Jan. 25 at Maple Valley. issues at the beginning ofround one. Nothing Wednesday,” Martin said. “The skills were It was the first contest ofthe new year for major,just small things that add up very fast.” better. Round one was probably similar, but it the TK ladies, who last competed at the West Mason had scores of 232.30 in round one didn’t have the voice it had on Wednesday. Catholic Invitational Dec. 16. It was the first and 215.48 in round two, and then closed out Round three, you’ve got to have correct tech­ time this season that the Trojans finished sec­ the day with a total of305.40 in round three. nique and if you aren’t going to have the ond to anyone having won both of their - Lakewood has sights set on a conference correct technique then stunts aren’t going to December contests. InIi*e"? ** .- nM ie*?jiSif MjiSif IN*? DK boys overcome foul trouble in victory over Climax-Scotts Brett Bremer Sports Editor Foul trouble turned into a happy accident for the Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ basket­ ball team Tuesday night in a SAC crossover ballgame with Climax-Scotts. The DK Panthers took a 58-50 victory to improve to 4-5 overall this season. The Delton Kellogg boys were plagued by foul trouble in the first half with multiple guys with two or three fouls. Guard Torren Mapes picked his third foul of the opening quarter with a sub sitting at the table waiting to get him offthe floor. “As it turns Out, the foul trouble might have helped us because it caused us to decide to go zone, which we almost never play, and it slowed down their attack,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said. It also helped that Climax-Scotts didn’t take advantage of chances at the free throw line. The Climax-Scotts Panthers were just 4-of-l7 at the free throw line in the first half and only 8-of-22 for the ballgame overall. “It’s a really good win tonight,” Hogoboom said. “We needed contributions from a lot of guys and goth that at both ends ofthe floor.” The foul trouble forced exchange students PJ Joergensen and Jonathan Steinkamp into more minutes that usual and neither one scored, but coach Hogoboom said their length and strength were critical defensively. Despite the issues, Delton Kellogg was up 28-22 at the half. Philip Halcomb had DK going strong by scoring 15 ofhis game-high 18 points int eh first half. Mapes finished with 12 points. He scored all 12 in the second half. Coach Hogoboom was proud ofhow he responded in the second half hitting two three-pointers and disrupting the Climax-Scotts guards at the top ofthe zone. As a team, Delton Kellogg hit six threes in the ballgame. Things could have gone easier down the stretch if the DK boys were better at the free throw line. They were just 16-of30 as a team. DK had a 12-point lead at the start ofthe fourth quarter. “Things got a bit chaotic, but we settled down and made better decisions to run clock,” Hogoboom said. “We just didn’t make free throws, which has been a strength last three or four games.” Sophomore Grant McArthur added 11 points and freshman point guard Tyler How­ land had 10 points for DK. Miles Shannon matched Halcomb with 18 points and Brandon Reed had 13 points for Climax-Scotts. Climax-Scotts falls to 3-5 with the loss. DK suffered a 41-38 loss to the visiting Trailblazers from Saugatuck last Friday, Jan. 13, in what coach Hogoboom called a really exciting basketball game. “Saugatuck is very athletic and has some length which makes their half-court trap very difficult to navigate. It took our guys some time to adjust and find the right pass­ ing lanes to make some things happen,” Hogoboom said. Russel Vanderpoel led Saugatuck with 15 points. He had 10 in the fourth quarter, scor­ ing all 10 ofhis team’s points in the period. Delton Kellogg led 36-32 with six minutes to play. Vanderpoel hit a three and then attacked the bucket for two a minute later to put his team up 37-36. Baskets were few and far between in that fourth quarter. McArthur got DK back in front with four minutes to go - 38-37. Back-to-back buckets from Vanderpoel on put-backs pushed Saugatuck back to the front. The Panthers missed a couple block outs and then the Panthers missed a couple free throws down the stretch which allowed the Trailblazers to close out the win. “1 loved the fight my guys showed,” Hogoboom said. “So proud of their effort. We had plenty of good looks that could have gone down. The balljust bounced against us a few times, but we had plays we can make that we didn’t tonight and sometimes that happens.” Saugatuck led 12-3 early on, but DK ral­ lied to get back within 22-19 by the half. The Panthers kept surging to lead 32-31 going into the fourth quarter. Unlike Tuesday, the Panthers had a short bench Friday. Only six guys got minutes. Halcomb led DK with 15 points and Jason Lundquist added 10. Will Ayers added 10 points for Saugatuck. >*g “$ fe** u« dg§s.®” ini? 85*56® ’ «* r5 U*g IS*®1* mg ,5^iXjs«L «L« «*&*!>*** a Sc fi !$$ $, Sgg !$ !$rf $, ss§ S§g !$f rf ss !$fss ?$g glf lfeZ ew ^ w 5^ & I* I Vi te IsstPk ? tMPk’ f77a JJ»P»g I? M faP I i rar « IM j %J4j^ 3 wfi w Saxon ladies bounce back from loss to league-leading Mounties Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons snapped a four-game skid by scoring wins over Lakewood and Pennfield ®fter a tough loss to the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference leading Northwest Mounties last Friday. The Hastings varsity girls’ basketball team improved to 5-7 overall and 2-4 in the con­ ference with a 46-38 win at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek Tuesday night. Kaylee Glidden drilled a three-pointer for fee Panthers first three points of the ball8®mc, but Hastings led Pennfield’s leading scorer without a field goal the rest ofthe way. She wasn’t done scoring though as she went 12-of-12 at the free throw line the rest ofthe ballgame. Hastings head coach Chase Youngs was pretty pleased with the effort of Addey Nickels and Olivia Friddle on Glidden even ifshe was fouled a few times while putting UP threes. He said they did a good job of ®wfemg her give up the basketball and of fe®n not letting her get it back. She had 58 Points in the two meetings with the Saxons a year ago. Macy Winegar and Bailey Cook finished wife 14 points each for Hastings. Winegar 'yas hot from outside early. She hit 3 fferec-pointers in the first quarter. Cook topped up with 10 points iin the second half. Rachael Hewitt added 6 points for Hastings. Coach Youngs said Hewitt and Cook have been a dynamic duo in the paint recently, playing hard and physical, while the team as a whole continues to be unselfish on the offensive end ofthe floor. “We run a ball-read-cut type of offense,” Youngs said. “They’re figuring out how to play the game. We stress ball movement and taking an oppor­ tunity when it comes to you. 1 don’t think we force shots. The girls know what it takes.” Cook continues to improve her outside game as well. The Saxons also got a big three from Kalli Koning early on. Friddle finished with 5 points. The Saxons took a 39-30 non-conference win over Lakewood Saturday afternoon. “We played well,” Youngs said. “I know they were a little short-handed, but I think they hit some threes they don’t normally hit from some other players. We focused on limiting their size advantage. We really did a nicejob keeping [junior center Cadence Poll] in check. They hit some threes. Fine. We pressed them a little l bit and ran some differ­ ent looks on defense. Youngs was happy to see his girls close ou a game they were leading by taking care ofthe ball in the fourth quarter and getting a few lay-ups down the stretch. “Hewitt and Cook really shone, Youngs said. “We kept going inside. We were patient and we got looks we wanted. Cook had six in the second half. Hewitt had four. Macy shot really well on Saturday, but we moved the ball. We were patient and we got shots we wanted?’ Winegar finished with 18 points. Hewitt and Cook had 8 points each. Lakewood got 6 points from Alivia Wood­ man, who hit a pair ofthrees in the first half, and 4 points each from Audrey Hillard, Joee Harton, Poll, Ellie Possehn and Paige Wolverton. MWe fronted [Poll],” Youngs said. “We put bail pressure on so it was harder to get the ball on her. We made sure we sagged. We were willing to give up the threes.” Northwest was going to hit some threes no matter what the Saxons were willing to do Friday. Four quick ones in the second half helped the Mounties to a 20-point third quar­ ter in a bailgame where they were already in control against the Saxons. Northwest improved to 9-1 with a 62-20 win over Hast­ ings in Jackson. Winegar had a team-high 6 points in the loss. Northwest got 16 points from Mara Mitch­ ell and 15 each from Ashley Weller and Layne Sleight. Northwest added a 58-28 win over Mar­ shall and is now 6-0 in the 1-8 this season. Hastings will host that Marshall team this Friday. Saxons back to .500 with league win over the Pennfield boys Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity boys’ basketball team evened its record at 5-5 with a 67-45 triumph over visiting Pennfield in an Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference ballgame at Hastings High School Tuesday. The win moves the Saxons* record to 3-3 in the conference this season. They’ll play host to Marshall Friday night in game two ofa doubleheader with the girls. The Saxons led from the start Tuesday, jumping out to a 17-8 lead in the first quar­ ter against the green and gold Panthers. Hastings pushed its lead to 39-20 by the half. Layton Eastman had 17 points and Myles Padilla had 15 to lead the Saxon offense. Jett Barnum added 11 points and Owen Carroll 9. Hayden Long had a team-high 7 rebounds for the Saxons to go with 5 points. Carroll had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 assists. Bar­ num pulled down 5 rebounds and had 2 assists, Padilla had 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Pennfield got 11 points from Graham Boyd and 10 from Brenden Duncan. The Saxons had dropped back-to-back ballgames going into the contest. Jackson Northwest scored a 65-39 Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference win over the Saxons in Jackson Friday and then Lakewood took a 43-37 win at Hastings High School Satur­ day afternoon. Hastings got out to an 11-3 lead over Lakewood in the first quarter Saturday, but Lakewood rallied to get within 21-20 by the half and then outscored the Saxons 11-4 in the fourth quarter to move in front. The Vikings led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter. Jayce Cusack led Lakewood with 21 points. He hit 5 three-pointers. Nathan Wil­ lette added 7 points with a pair ofthrees for the Vikings. Hastings got 12 points from Padilla, 9 from Eastman and 7 from Long. It was a big second half for the Mounties against the visiting Saxons Friday. North­ west led 25-20 at the halt. The Mounties broke out for 23 points in the third quarter and went on to the 65-39 win. Eastman had 16 points and Barnum 14 in the loss. Duncan Moffitt had 14 points and Josh Jordan 12 for the Mounties. Colton Gowdy, JR Morrow and Boston Armstrong had 8 points each. �Page g 16 — Thursday, y, January y 19,2023 , — The Hastings g Banner __ Bengals start defense of title winning at CERC Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Barry County Barracudas werejust ten points behind the OK Rainbow Tier II Con­ ference Champions from Ottawa Hills at the conference meet a year ago. Based on the opening conference dual of the season Thursday in Hastings, the Barra­ cudas are still chasing the Bengals in the pool. Ottawa Hills scored a 104-76 win over the Barracudas at the Community Education and Recreation Center pool in Hastings. “We went pretty had the last couple week. I think they’re still a little sore and not worked into true race pace yet, but they’ve improved,” Barry County head coach Tyler Bultema. “They improve every week, which is what we want. Doing a good job as a team and accepting the new kids, which is what you want. They keep working. They show up every day to work.” Ottawa Hills has five all-conference swim­ mers back this winter and those guys led the Bengals to wins in the first three races ofthe night. The team ofjunior Ryan Yon, senior Zeke Deblaay, junior Matias Rizkalla and senior Ethan Shi won the 200-yard medley relay for the Bengals in 1 minute 48.07 sec­ onds. Senior Spencer McClure followed that up by winning the 200-yard freestyle in 2:03.41. Deblaay added a win in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of2:11.79 next. Those races followed the diving competi­ tion, which was moved to the front of the schedule due to some timing equipment issues that were solved by CERC hero Kurt Schaaf. He didn’t quite get things fixed up before the Bengals and Barracudas could team up to kill some time by performing the wave around the edge ofthe pool and getting in a few moments ofa dance off. The camaraderie between teams and team­ mates, whether from Ottawa Hills, Delton Kellogg, Hastings or Thomapple Kellogg was on full display during the delay. The Delton Kellogg/Thomapple Kellogg/ Hastings co-op known as the Barry County B Barracudas, teaming up for its 19 season, got its first win in the 50-yard freestyle with the t team’s own all-conference athlete Jack Kensington touching the wall in 23.17 sec­ onds. Kensington, a senior, added a winning time of 52.23 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle and later teamed with junior Riley Shults, junior Blake Barnum and junior Jameson Riordan to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:41.44. Riordan had a great leg to make up most of a small gap in the relay and then Kensington pulled in front of the Bengal anchor and went on to the win. Coach Bultema said not having any divers earn a full score certainly is a challenge. Freshman Ethan Magnuson is working his way towards scoring for the Barry County team in the event, but the Bengals earned the first and second place points in the event — a 10-0 advantage. Sophomore Christian Ramos won that competition with a score of 168.25. The Barracudas had one other victory. Senior Devin Pacillo took the 100-yard back­ stroke in 1:03.03. The Bengal team had Rizkalla take the 100-yard butterfly in 1:04.42, McClure win the 500-yard freestyle in 5:50.38, Shit take the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:03.68 and the team ofDeblaay, McClure, Shi and Yon win the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3”45.34. Barry County got runner-up points in most of the races the Bengals won. Mason Cross was second in the 200-yard freestyle, Shults second in 200-yard individual medley and Donald Kuck second in the 100-yard butterfly. The Barry County 400-yard freestyle relay team ofKuck, Nolan Send, Hunter Tietz and Pacillo was second in 3:56.22. Pacillo, Shults, Kensington and Riordan, the four returning all-conference athletes for Barry County, placed second in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:52.61. “These are quizzes,” Bultema said ofthe Barry County senior Jack Kensington swims to a victory in the 100-yard freestyle during his team's OK Rainbow Tier il dual against visiting Ottawa Hills in Hastings Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Barry County junior Riley Shults speeds through the water during the 200-yard individual medley against Ottawa Hills Thursday evening in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) early season conference duals. Our big test is at the end of the year. We’ll see how it goes.” In a look at the Hastings/Delton Kellogg team’s Interstate-8 Athletic Conference future, the Barracudastook on Marshall atthe CERC Tuesday and scored a 98-68 win over the Redhawks. Barry County dominated the meet. The Team of Tietz, Heath Hays, Kuck and Bar­ num won the 200-yard medley relay in 2:00.32. Isaac Stanton, Shults, Barnum and Luca Perotti teamed to win the 200-yard free­ style relay in 1:44.98. The Barry Countyjteam of Bailey, Send, Riordan and Shults hhd had the top time of3:58.21 in an exhibition race ofthe 400-yard freestyle relay. Barry County had five different guys win individual events. Shujts won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:59.20. Tjetz took the 200-yard individual medley in 2:25.63. Pacillo won the 50-yard freestyle in 25.47. Barnum won the I OQ-yard freestyle in $8.94. Hays won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:14.86. In between the two duals, the Barracudas hosted their annual Delton Kellogg/Thomapple Kellogg/Hastings Relays Saturday at the CERC. The Barry County boys were third behind a pair of OK Rainbow Tier II Conference foes. Wayland took the championships with 528 points, ahead ofOttawa Hills 526,/Barry County 504, Grand Rapids Union 400, Mona Shores/Muskegon 274, Fremont 202, Kalam­ azoo Central 168 and Ionia 94. The Barry County team closed the meet strong with two ofthe top four foursomes in Barry County senior Mason Cross races to a fifth-place time in the 100-yard butter? fly during the Barracudas' OK Rainbow Tier II Conference dual with visiting Ottawa Hills Thursday, Jan. 12. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the 400-yard freestyle relay. Kuck, Riordan, Pacillo and Kensington won the race in 3:36.05, beating out the top team from Otta­ wa Hills by about halfa second. The Barracu­ da team of Send, Tietz, Cross and Barnum placed fourth in 3:53.16 - with Ottawa Hills second and Wayland third between the two Barracuda teams in the race. j There were runner-up finishes for the Bar­ racudas in the 500-yard freestyle relay pro­ gressive and the 200-yard backstroke relay. The team of Barnum, Riordan, Kensington and Shults placed second in the 500-yard relay in 4:39.72. In the 200-yard backstroke relay the team ofSend, Kuck, Tietz and Pacillo was second in 1:56.14. Wayland won both ofthose races. The Wildcats won seven of the day’s ten events. The Barracuda team back in action at home Thursday, Jan. 19, facing Grand Rapids Cath­ olic Central. Vikes rally in round three to best new challenger New Year's Special Join Pennock's Health and Wellness Center for the month of January for $0! Want to check us out? Mondays are FREE for the community all January! Use the fitness floor, enjoy various fitness classes, the hot tub and pool! Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Brett Bremer Sports Editor Suddenly the Vikings aren’t the only state finalists in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference. The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team was surprised to learn in the days lead­ ing up to the opening Greater Lansing Activ­ ities Conference jamboree ofthe season that Pewamo-Westphalia has been added to the conference roster for the final GLAC season. The Vikings have won every GLAC cham­ pionship since the league’s inception, but they haven’t had a challenger like the Pirates before. They were up to the task Wednesday, Jan. 11. Lakewood rallied from about five points down after two rounds to earn the top spot at the GLAC jamboree hosted by Stockbridge. Lakewood outscored Pewamo-Westphalia 289.5-275.3 in round three to finish first on the day. “[The girls] knew, they were behind,” Lakewood head coach |Kim Martin said. “We went before [P-W] in, round three. That is kind ofa struggle. If P-W had gone before us, then we would have kind ofknown what we were up against. The girls went out and did a very good job.” The Vikings had an overall three-round score of 699.26, ahead ofPewamo-Westpha­ lia 691.3, Leslie 639.62, Perry 615.1, Stock­ bridge 578.3, Maple Valley 562,3, Webberville 474.74. Lakewood was seventh at the MHSAA Divi­ sion 3 Competitive Cheer Finals a year ago. Pewamo-Westphalia placed sixth at the Division 4 Finals. The GLAC jamboree Wednesday was the Vikings first meet since those 2022 Finals. “We have struggled a little bit in the begin­ ning ofthe season to kind ofget everything to come together,” Martin said. “I do have some key girls out right now that are going to be back for tomorrow’s competition [Jan. 14 at Thomapple Kellogg]. We lost to P-W in round one and round two. I definitely don’t think going first in round one helped us, but you could for sure see the nerves on my girls. Round two, I didn’t have my best round two girl out there. She is on the bench on Wednes­ day. That’ll help having her back in. “Round three, we have struggled to hit a clean round three, it still has a lot ofcleaning up to do, but the girls went out and did a very good round three on Wednesday.! think this will turn the tide to our season and it will, motivate them to work even harder.” Martin said Thursday’s practice was one of the best ofthe season so far. That isn’t always typical the day after a late night trip home from a competition. Martin said a couple ofgirls really stepped up into their new roles Wednesday. Kara Fedewa filled a spot in round tow and did a great job. New tumbler Kylee Walkington helped boost the round three score for the Vikings. Walkington is a strong gymnast who has spent the preseason getting used to tumbling on cheer mats. “She went out Wednesday night and threw some huge tucks,” Martin said. “Those tucks; helped us. She was one of three throwing tucks in round three.” Pewamo-Westphalia had the top score in each ofthe first two rounds Wednesday, pub ting up point totals of221.6 in round one and 194.4 in round two. Lakewood had scores of219 in round one and 190.76 in round two. The Maple Valley girls were fourth after round one and fifth after two rounds. The Lions had a round one score of 185.2 and then a score of 153.9 in round two. The Lions put up a score of223.2 in round three. “The girls did well in round one and I thought they performed it better than they did Saturday at Leslie,” Maple Valley head coach Sarah Huissen said. “Kailey Fust worked hard to learn a new spot in round 1 on short notice and performed it very well. “We need to continue to work our round two skills and getting more comfortable with the counts and the new skills that we put in last Friday. Round three was performed with more confidence this week. We had some solid stunting from Story Jonca, Athena Morehouse, Kaydance Harvey and Grace Conklin.” The Lions host their own home Maple Val­ ley Invitational Saturday, Jan. 21. The Lions will also host a GLAC jamboree Jan. 25. Hastings cheer well above rest of 1-8 at first conference meet Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! Regular monthly enrollment fee begins Feb. 1. Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. Spectrum Health i Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity competitive cheer team opened the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference season with an overwhelming victo­ ry at Pennfield High School Wednesday, Jan. 11. The Saxons outscdred runner-up Jackson Lumen Christi by nearly 50 points at the first conferencejamboree ofthe season. Hastings put up a point total of 077.86, besting the Titans’ total of 629.58. Pennfield was third with a score of 619.2, ahead of Parma Western 580.7, Northwest 561.8 and Harper Creek 536.6. Hastings had the top score in each of the three rounds. The Saxons scored 219 points in round one, 183.36 in round two and 275.5 in round three. Lumen Christi was the only other team to top the 200-point mark in round one with a score of 202.3. The Titans went on to add a 164.18 in round two and 263.1 in round three. The second best round two score of the day came from the Pennfield team which put up a total of 170.3 points in the round. The Pan- thers started the day with a 197.3 in round one and finished with a 251.6 in round three. The Saxons followed up that performance by placing second at the six-team Gull Lake Blue Devil Invitational Friday. Portage Central put up the day’s top score of 718.2, ahead of Hastings 687.02, Gull Lake 667.78, Portage Northern 642.6, Loy Norrix 620.1 and Three Rivers 543.4. Hastings put up scores of 220.7 in round one, 194.42 in round two and 271.9 in round three. The Saxons had the best round one performance ofthe day. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-01-26.pdf be53d5b23784e38c0cda61c1430c9c1c PDF Text Text Marshall man charged after dramatic high-speed chase See story on page 3 Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 10704901025905017590490581 13421 ANNER Thursday, January 26, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 4 PRICE $1.50 Kathy Shay honored for nearly 50 years of service to Barry County Jayson Bussa -i Editor J Thinking back to when he began his role as District Court Judge in Barry County, Judge Michael Schipper knew exactly when real­ ized his court recorder and judicial secretary Kathy Shay was the right fit for him. “As soon as I found out her specialty was baking pies, I knew it was meant to be,” Schipper said with a smile as he spoke in front ofthe Barry County Board ofCommis­ sioners on Tuesday morning. ’ After the laughter died down, Schipper conceded that Shay did a lot more than just bake great pies - she has served as an instru­ mental force in the local court, handling much of the tedious and important clerical work required to ensure the system moves along smoothly. And, not only did she serve in her role well, Shay did so for a long time, too. That 48-year, storied career came with one final bow of sorts as the Board of Commis­ sioners approved a resolution to honor Shay upon her retirement from Barry County. A handful of Shay’s co-workers made the walk across Court Street from the Courts & Law Building to the meeting at the Barry County Courthouse in a show of support for Shay. She started her career with the courts already at the age of 19 in 1974. Back then, Shay worked as a deputy clerk for the traffic division. In 1990, Shay was promoted to court recorder andjudicial secretary. Megan Lavell (left), Thornapple Arts Council, embraces Jillian Foster (center) after introducing her as the 2022 Young ATHENA winner. Foster’s daughter, Petra (right), joined her on stage. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) “Kathleen has served the citizens of Barry County with utmost dedi cation and commitment for 48 years,” the resolution stated. “Kathleen has been a faithful employee who always creates a pleasant working envi­ ronment and has demonstrated years of knowledge and leadership,” it also said. Judge Schipper echoed those sentiments after 11 years of Shay [serving as his right­ hand persop. “She started as a-really good employee,” Schipper said, pausing to compose himself. “A really good and relied-upon employee who I would ask sometimes when I would See KATHY SHAY,pg page 2 Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Jackson (right) presents longtime judicial secretary and court recorder Kathy Shay (left) with a copy of a resolution honoring her retirement. District Court Judge Michael Schipper, who worked closely with Shay during his 11 years in Barry County, stands in the background. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) David Hatfield, Vice Chair of the Barry County Board of Commissioners and Chair of the Hastings Planning Commission, received the ROTH Award for Outstanding Business Professionals. Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses, professionals at awards dinner Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Local business owners met for an island getaway on Gun Lake to recognize communi­ ty leaders this weekend. J Although the weather was anything but tropical, the Chamber ofCommerce’s annual awards dinner, which was themed after the long-running television show “Survivor,” had Attendees dressed in leis and gathered among tiki decor at Gun Lake’s Bay Pointe Woods. David Hatfield, county commissioner and chair of the Hastings Planning commission, was awarded with the Chamber’s ROTH award, which recognizes one outstanding business professional. Last year’s recipient, former Thornapple Manor administrator Don Haney, introduced Hatfield and thanked him for his leadership and volunteer work in the community. Hatfield thanked leadership in the county and the city for their work in participating and facilitating volunteer work alongside their regular work. “I can’t name them all, but they’re great leaders,” Hatfield said; “But without your participation in key volunteer roles, they can­ not do what they do so well.” Liz Lenz, Barry County Community Men­ tal Health Authority, and Jillian Foster, Barry See CHAMBER, page 3 U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar connects with new constituents in Barry County % United States Congressman John Moolenaar (center) speaks to J-Ad Graphics Inc. Jayson Bussa Editor John Moolenaar is nl stranger serving in the United States House of Representatives, but after redistricting efforts re-squiggled district lines across the state, he is now find­ ing himselfwith many new constituents. This includes residents of Barry County, which now lands inside Michigan’s 2nd Con­ gressional District - one that includes at least parts of 20 different counties and extends as far north as Cadillac. It’s also a district that overwhelming voted Moolenaar into office to serve a fifth term in Congress. “1 represent one ofthe most diverse agricul­ tural districts in the country, I believe,” Moolenaar told the Hastings Banner during a oneon-one interview. “1 really enjoy that. You got lakeshore, farmland, you got small businesses, manufacturing ... a lot ofdiversity around the district. In the winter time, especially, its going to be a challenge just getting around (to CEO Fred Jacobs and Hastings Banner editor Jayson Bussa (right) last week during 6 visit to Hastings. Moolenaar represents Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Barry County. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) See MOOLENAAR, page 3 Parents form a line, waiting to pick up their children from Faith Christian School in Woodland Township on Tuesday afternoon. The Barry County Planning Commission gave a green light to the school to move forward with an over 3,500-square-foot addition. (Photo by Greg Chandler) County planners OK Christian school expansion in Woodland Twp. Greg Chandler StaffWriter A small Christian school in Woodland Township, just south ofLake Odessa, will soon be expanding. The Barry County Planning Commis­ sion Monday approved a site plan for the expansion of Faith Christian School at 7455 Woodland Rd. The school is affiliat­ ed with Faith Bible Baptist Church. The 3,676-square-foot addition will include four new classrooms that will be built on the west side ofthe building. “We’re looking to add about 20 to 30 students to the school,” said Jacob Cole of All Call Restoration, the project contractor. Faith Christian School was founded in 1983, and serves students from 4-year-old kindergarten through high school. Its enrollment has grown from 80 to 120 stu­ dents over the last four years, said Bruce Barker, the school administrator and pas­ tor ofFaith Bible Baptist Church. “We’ll use probably two of (the new classrooms) for the high school and one of them for the (kindergarten) program, so that we can split our elementary rooms into the existing rooms that we have,” Barker said. “Right now, we have combination classes (that take in more than one grade), so this will allow us to get dedicated first grade, second grade, third grade classrooms.” The site plan was approved on a 6-0 vote. The school had to come back before the planning commission for site plan approval because it had received approval for a special use permit in the past, project architect Amy Laverty-Meeker of Hast­ ings-based Studio AIM said. The school’s motto is “The heart of education is the education of the heart,” Barker said. Plans call for the addition to be com­ pleted in time for the start ofthe 2023-24 school year, Barker said. �Page 2 — Thursday. January 26, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Sheriff’s office warns residents of phone scam The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents about a phone scam involving the Department ofHomeland Security (DHS). In this scam, the caller pretends to be an employee investigating purchases made with an individual’s credit card to purchase drugs. The fraudster will try to gain personal information such as addresses and may provide a common credit card name to gain trust. Anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be from DHS should not verify or provide any personal information. Fraudsters use tactics to try to get victims to reveal personal information like Social Security numbers, credit or debit card information, dates ofbirth, driver’s license numbers and bank account information. Scammers will use this information to access personal accounts and/or steal the identities oftheir victims. Those who believe they may have already fallen victim to a scam like this should file a complaint at the DHS Office ofInspector General at oig.dhs.gov/ or by calling 1 -800323-8603. Suspected scam victims can also contact the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint or report identity theft at reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/. HPL Friends ask for book donations For those who started the new year with a cleaning and purging ofbookshelves and now have no place for their books, the Friends of the Hastings Public Library have a solution. The Friends’ used book sale will take place Thursday, Feb. 2 through Saturday, Feb. 4. Readers can find new-to-them books to fill empty shelves at a low price. On the last day ofthe sale, shoppers will have an opportunity to purchase as many books as they can fit in their bags for a fixed rate. The bag sale will take place Saturday until noon. The Friends of the Hastings Public Library are asking for book donations between Jan. 26 and Jan. 31 to provide books for the sale. Donors can bring their books to the Hastings Public Library. Nominations sought for 2023 Hometown Hero Award The Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation (TAEF) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Hometown Hero Award. The Hometown Hero is an outstanding individual in the community who exemplifies excellence, integrity and commitment. The TAEF encourages those who know someone fitting that description to nominate them and show the person how much the community appreciates their dedication and commitment. Nominations must include the nominee’s name, address, phone number and a brief explanation of why the nominee should be considered as the community’s Hometown Hero. Nominators are asked to include their contact information, as well. To submit a nomination, email it to taef@barrycf.org or mail it to TAEF C/0 Annie Halle, P.O. Box 164, Middleville, MI 49333. The 2023 Hometown Hero will be recognized at the annual Hometown Hero Dinner put on by TAEF in September. Nominations are due by Feb. 28, 2023A 'The Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation is a geographic affiliate of the Barry Community Foundation. Those with questions about the Hometown Tlero'Award dr TAEF are encouraged to contact Halle at 269-945-0526. Meetings scheduled for Maple Syrup Festival queen, court member hopefuls While the annual Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival is still several months away, the journey to being crowned queen or court member starts injust a couple short weeks. Organizers have announced that all 2023 Maple Syrup Festival queen and court hope­ fuls are asked to attend an orientation meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Vermont­ ville First Congregational Church, located at 110 S Main St. in Vermontville. The competition is open to all Vermontville and Nashville juniors in addition to Ver­ montville Maple Syrup Association members. Hopefuls should plan to meet almost every Tuesday of next month as Feb. 14 will serve as Queen’s Night (7 p.m.) and Feb. 23 is the Sugaring Off, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Those who are interested in an application for the process are asked to contact Chris­ tine Terpening at 517-231-3740 or Christineterpening01@gmail.com. Terpening has also launched a Facebook page for former queens and court members. It’s called ‘Crowned @ Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival’ and is a designated space to share memories and photos from previous festivals. This year’s Maple Syrup Festival is slated for April 28-30 at Village Park in Vermont­ ville. New 108"& 45" Cottons... Make stunning quilts Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station City council members review goals, priorities for upcoming year Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The city has set its sights on what major projects it’d like to pursue in the new year. Hastings City Council members gathered for a workshop session before their regular meeting on Monday to discuss their goals in 2023, with infrastructure, parks and fire ser ser-­ vices being some oftheir priorities. Roads proved to be the most discussed issue. Although road maintenance remains a top priority for the city, it may prove chal­ lenging to find funds for projects, City Man­ ager Sarah Moyer-Cale said. The large price tag that comes with major re-paving projects means the city will have to prioritize main­ taining the roads that are already in good condition, she said. “The cost to (fix) everything up to where it should be is substantially greater than what it is that we get, both what we have in our fund balance and what we get in revenue,” Moyer-Cale said. “So really, maintenance is abso­ lutely critical.” The city plans to update its PASER ratings this year, which is a standardized system used to rate the status of paved roads. During a presentation given to council members last July using previous PASER data, Moyer-Cale estimated the cost to repair all City roads and streets to be around $32 million. When it comes to roads that have already fallen into disrepair, major repair projects will have to be carefiilly prioritized by need, she said. Because the city’s budget for road repairs is so limited and the projects are so expensive, the city will have to take a bud­ get-driven approach to road repair projects. “The money is not there to fix all ofthem,” Moyer-Cale said. “They’ll have to be priori­ tized.” Ongoing priorities for the city included completing the construction of a new fire ser- City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale laid out ongoing city goals and progress madd during a workshop before the city council’s regular meeting. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) vices building for the city, continuing invest­ ments into parks and recreation areas, ramp­ ing up the city’s public relations efforts and working to attract and retain city employees. Along with implementing suggestions from an ongoing wage and compensation study, Moyer-Cale said she hoped to make more efforts to attract local talent to work at the city. She proposed working with Govern­ ment for Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization that allows high school students to serve on local government boards. “The student wouldn’t be a voting mem­ ber, but they’re still able to participate in discussion in the same way that another member would be,” she said. “It helps them be exposed to local government and learn more about civic accountability.” w wS ‘The money is not there to fix all of (the roads). They’ll have to be prioritized.” Men*86’ Ii - Sarah Moyer-Cale, Hastings City Manager iff50 iii#* i Si i -serf* j City receives highest possible audit rating, decreases liabilities by $7 million through OPEB changes Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The city’s 2022 audit returned with the highest possible rating and some good news for city council members. The audit, presented by Hungerford Nich­ ols CPA Senior Accountant Daniel Boivin, datoeyBa^k'witfi' ati'‘&m6’diii'ed bpiriidh arid the news that the city had reduced its liabili­ ties by $7 million dollars, more than 75 per­ cent ofits previous total. “Total liabilities decreased by about $7.01 million, and that is a huge thanks to the changes in the pension and OPEB plan,” Boivin said. The huge decrease was a direct result of changes made to the city’s other post-em­ ployment benefits (OPEB) last year. The city made changes to its OPEB healthcare plan after discovering in 2021 that payments made to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement Sys­ tem to fund the plan 'were not providing the required return on investment to fund the plan. The unfunded liability was reduced from an estimated $9 million in 2021 to just $170,000 in Aug. 2022 by cutting spouses, surviving spouses arid dependents from the plan as well as offering payments to retirees who chose not to use the city’s healthcare plan. The reduction of the liabilities marks the hurdling ofa huge obstacle for the city, which was at risk of being taken over by the state because of its unfunded’ pension plan. The plan, which was once as low as 44 percent funded, reached 80 percent funding in late 2022. Mayor David Tossava mentioned the reduction of liabilities as something council members should take as a point ofpride in a workshop session before the regular meeting. Because the situation was resolved, the city was able to look ahead to funding other proj­ ects and priorities, he said. ■ t,- . rt- “ I* stew City Treasurer Christopher Bever (left) and Hungerford Nichols CPA Seni^, Accountant Daniel Boivin (right) went over results of the city’s annual audit. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) “We keep forgetting the biggest thing we did last year as part ofour goals and improve­ ments, and that was our unfunded liability. We got a handle on that,” Tossava said. “Because we had such a large unfunded liability, we didn’t know whether we could spend money on road repair or (any other projects) because we were putting it into post-employment ben­ efits. We’ve got a handle on that now.” In other business, the city: - Approved a revised poverty exemption policy as recommended by City Assessor Debra Rashid, slightly loosening up the requirements to be tax exempt. The asset test will continue to follow federal per-person income guidelines but will no longer measure one vehicle and the principal residence against those guidelines. - Approved WBCH Radio’s request to conduct the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade at 4 p.m. on March 17. -Approved a purchase order for diesel fuel from Kent Oil and Propane, Inc. for $35,00$ - Approved a request from Pavement Ends, Inc. to conduct the 14th annual Barry Rouf baix Gravel Road Race from 6 a.m. to 8 p.nv April 15, as well as a pre-race event from o a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 14. - Set a workshop meeting at 6 p.m. oH Feb. 13 for a water and sewer rate study before the council’s regular meeting in Hastings City Hall. - Approved the purchase of eight AEft units for a total of$ 17,262. Six of the defibril­ lators will be for city fire services, and two will go to the Hastings Police Department. 7 - Received an annual report from Police ChiefDale Boulter. Hastings police respond­ ed to 148 traffic accidents and 5,374 calls t6 service in 2022. ■ “S&xS*' Pray For Our Country^. %ift l KATHY SHAY, continued from page 1 QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; F Saturday 9 am-3 pm It'sAll a Part ofYour LocalNewspaper! The D Dscofftj to th* Inlmtti ofBarry County Since 1056 Banner Hastings come out ofcourt, ‘What did you think? Was I ok? Was I too harsh?’ At first, she didn’t want to answer, but then she realized I was asking her because I trusted her opinion. She was wise. “So, we would talk about things like that. She went from being a very, very good employee to being a friend and someone I really care for.” >J|| Not only was Shay a sounding board for Schipper, but the judge also said she helped to put the general public at ease when they had to visit court. $ “Every time someone comes to court, it’s a scary and stressful time for them, whether it’s a civil case or criminal case,” Schipper said. “(With ( Kathy), yOU have a pleasant face, someone who is calm no matter what you say and no matter what the problem is. And that’s what she did for 48 years.” Trial Court Administrator Ines Straube, who also shared roughly a decade of Shay’s career with her, also offered kind words for Shay. “You have been a pleasure to work with. You’re inspiring and I hope that inspiration is contagious on other people here and that *i5>» The Barry County Board of Commissioners gives Kathy Shay a standing ovatiorf? honoring her 48 years of service to the county. you rubbed it off before you headed off so that they will also look at maybe staying for 48 years.” Despite being the featured guest, Shay kept her comments brief, admitting she was not much ofa speaker. “I have enjoyed working here, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been here this long,” Shay sairf. “I just really enjoyed it. I’m glad it was a decision I made to apply here. I appreciate everyone’s encouragement and help. Thank you.” ®S ®S! �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. January 26. 2023 — Page 3 Marshall man charged in high-speed chase through Barry County Greg Chandler NKj 5^5 IcLim lw “‘••in! B. h'hsjJ®. StaffWriter A driver who led police on a high-speed chase through three counties, including Barry County, resulting in at least five damaged iolice vehicles and one officer being injured, arraigned on multiple charges WednesWednes­ day afternoon. | Michael J. Bilbrey, 45, of Marshall, was ordered held in the Barry County Jail on $100,000 bond after being arraigned by Mag­ istrate Frank Hillary on 12 criminal charges i- four counts offelonious assault, three coun coun-­ ties of fleeing and eluding a police officer, two counts offailure to stop after a collision, plus additional counts of operating while Intoxicated, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving. He was also charged as a habitual offender - third offense. | “He is a flight risk, I believe,” Hillary said fi setting Bilbrey’s bond.' “He tried to outrun iiree different jurisdictions. The fact that Everybody I know (in law enforcement) was Involved in this, including the (Department of ■atural Resources), I feel like there’s more evidence there that he’s going to flee if he gets a chance than he’s going to stay around and wait for anybody to show up and go to court.” Additionally, Hillary called Bilbrey “a public safety risk.” “He’s not been found guilty (nor) has pled guilty. Even with that in mind, I believe there’s a public safety issue, when you destroy (at least) four police cars and a vehicle that you allegedly stole, and you run others offthe road, I think that is a public safety issue,” he said. ' Additional charges are likely in Calhoun and Eaton counties on top ofthe Barry Coun­ ty charges, County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt said. The chase began in Calhoun County late Tuesday morning, where it is alleged Bilbrey stole two vehicles, and in one of the inci­ dents, may have removed an individual from the vehicle, Nakfoor Pratt said. The suspect then took off in a stolen Ford F-450 flatbed truck, according to a news release from the Eaton County Sheriff’s department. 4 At 11:56 a.m., Barry County central dis­ patch received a call from Calhoun County central dispatch of a vehicle pursuit, Barry County Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman said. ! While fleeing through Barry County, Bil­ brey struck a vehicle, damaging the mirror on the vehicle. The driver ofthe damaged vehile then attempted to get the license plate umber of the truck, and th Hting the vehicle 3 raid. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office released photos of the aftermath of a high-speed chase that spanned through three counties and ended near the city limits of Charlotte. Members of the Barry County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the pursuit. (Photos courtesy of Eaton County Sheriff’s Office) “He stopped in the middle ofthe road, Mr. Bilbrey did, backed his car up, got behind the victim’s car and smashed into the victim from behind,” Nakfoor Pratt said. The chase extended through the city of Hastings and the village of Nashville. Nakfoor Pratt testified that Bilbrey drove his vehicle toward two Barry County deputies and one citizen “at close range.” She said he directed his vehicle toward one of the depu­ ties twice. None of Barry County’s sheriff’s vehicles were damaged during the chase, Undersheriff Jason Sixberry said. At 1:15 p.m., Barry' County central dispatch advised Eaton County that deputies were in pursuit of the truck that entering Eaton County on Lawrence Highway. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office sent out-county patrol units to the area to try to stop the truck before it entered a populated area. Deputies and a sertgeflirtdlep toyed stop sticks to flatten the tires i iiOESx Stako) BMvjk .. L ■ Michael J. Bilbrey of Marshall was arrested following the chase, which damaged five police vehicles - none of them belonging to the Barry County Sheriff’s office - and ipjured an officer. Bilbrey has been lodged in the Barry County Jail on $100,000 bond. on the truck, but the driver of the truck kept going, driving erratically toward the city of Charlotte, even with all four tires flat and on driving on the rims, police said. Near the city limits of Charlotte and with units from several police agencies in pursuit, the driver allegedly tried to ram into a police vehicle, authorities said. “Eaton County Sheriff’s Office decided we needed to act and end the pursuit before it entered the city ofCharlotte where there were several people outside,” the Eaton depart­ ment said in a news reBase. Sheriff’s deputies and a sergeant used their patrol vehicles to disable the fleeing truck, police said. “Because the truck is much larger than our patrol vehicles, this made it very difficult for us to stop the truck,” the Eaton department said in the news release. “The deputies and ssergeant,, understanding the extreme danger (he cttizcri&jn the area j^cre in^jd rwhpt.fcy, could to stop this dangerous driver before he could hurt or kill an innocent person.” One Eaton County deputy was injured in the incident and was reported to be undergo­ ing treatment at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Bilbrey was convicted last year ofone count ofresisting and obstructing a police officer and one count of attempted resisting and obstruct­ ing in Calhoun County. He was sentenced on Feb. 28, 2022 to 18 months probation on the first incident, according to the state’s Offender Tracking Information System. The fleeing and eluding a police officer charge carries a maximum sentence of five years and/or a fine of $1,000, plus a one-year suspension ofthe offender’s driver’s license. The felonious assault charge is a maximum four-year offense. The habitual offender charge would double the prison sentence that Bilbrey could receive ifconvicted. Bilbrey was taken to Corewell Health Pen­ nock Hospital in Hastings for a blood draw after his arrest before being transported to the Barry County Jail. He is scheduled for a probable cause hear­ ing on Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m. MOOLENAAR, continued from page 1 g s3' tti * ZzZ zZ visit with constituents) but I’m excited about. I’ve represented about half of (the district) in the past and half of it is new and I’m excited to get to know people and see what I can do to be helpful in each community.” Part of those meet-and-greet efforts led Moolenaar to Hastings, where he visited the offices of J-Ad Graphics Inc. to both listen and provide his own assessment of what is happening - and what constituents can expect to happen - in the nation’s capital. J In November, Moolenaar beat out Tom Worton for the Republican nomination in the gnd district and took the seat defeating Democrat Jerry Hilliard. 1 Moolenaar, who is originally from Midland, |as already served four terms in what was for­ merly Michigan’s 4th district, which encom­ passed much of central Michigan. His family Mas since relocated to Caledonia as he settles into his seat representing the 2nd district. a ‘ We’re enjoying it - it’s a nice communiMoolenaar said of life in Caledonia. *• Moolenaar has served both the Michigan State tate House and Senate. His private sector ftcperience also includes school administraflon and he has worked as a chemist. j And while Moolenaar might be representyg a different district, he’s not new to the life jyid processes of Capitol Hill and he has seemingly hit the ground running. Just over a week into the new year, he voted for legislation legislaion that ha would eliminate eliminae the he $80 billion in funding provided to the IRS through the Inflation Reduction Act. This was separate from legislation championed by a dozen GOP lawmakers that strives to abolish the IRS all together. With Democrats still holding power in the Senate, it’s unlikely that either will be adopt­ ed into law. “Less than 10 percent ofthat (funding) was for customer service,” Moolenaar said, explaining his reasoning for voting in favor of the legislation. “You can make an argu­ ment ‘Hey, want the IRS to be more customer service-oriented.’ I get that and there should be priorities to do that. But 87,000 agents digging into the lives of everyday Ameri­ cans?” In his conversation with The Banner, Moolenaar identified the three biggest long­ term threats or priorities to the United States as: Relations with China, educating and pre­ paring the next generation of talent and addressing the current fiscal situation and monumental debt accrued by the U.S. China was a topic Moolenaar spoke on at length, and credibly as he serves on the House Select Committee on China. The com­ mittee is tasked with assessing threats to the economy and national security posed by China. On Jan. 12, Moolenaarjoined 218 Repub­ licans and 113 Democrats to vote for legisla­ tion that would stop the Biden Administration from selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China. “They’re investing in countries all over the world and influencing policies and I think it’s a serious concern,” Moolenaar said ofChina. “They’re building up their military, they steal our technology and they create unfair playing field.” That legislation is proof that bipartisanship does still exist in the nation’s capital despite a spotlight being cast on the many clashes between parties. Moolenaar said that both sides will need to come together for this crucial term. “I’d say there is definitely opportunities for (bi-partisanship),” he said. “In a divided gov­ ernment, that has to happen. The legislation that has to occur this year is really more the financial part. The debt ceiling and the appro­ priations bills, those are must-pass legisla­ tion. In order to get something to the House, Senate and for the president to sign it, it has to, at a certain degree be, bipartisan. It’s very much a negotiation.” Another issue that Moolenaar has taken up with bi-partisan support - and one that resi­ dents of rural Barry County would likely be interested in - is rural broadband and rolling out reliable internet throughout the state of Michigan and rural areas elsewhere through­ out the country. In early 2021, Moolenaarjoined two Dem­ ocrat lawmakers in introducing the Broaden­ ing Online Opportunities Through Simple Technologies (BOOST) Act. The bill (H.R.1362) would put rural residents in line for a $300 tax credit after purchasing a mobile hot spot or signal booster in order to gain access to the internet. The bill was referred to the House Com­ mittee on Ways and Means. “I think we’re moving forward on a com­ mon agenda that says ‘Ok, this is infrastruc­ ture that is vital and we want to make sure that people - especially in rural communities — have access,” Moolenaar said. Liz Lenz (left), Barry County Community Mental Health Authority, receives her 2022 ATHENA Leader award from U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar. CHAMBER, continued from page 1 Community Foundation, were recognized as the Chamber’s 2022 ATHENA Leader­ ship Award recipients. Also recognized were Pat Doezema, Greenridge Realty, recipient ofthe Cham­ ber Champion Award; Scott Daniels, Dan­ iels Funeral Home, recipient of the Entre­ preneur of the Year Award; Dewey’s Auto Body, awarded Member Choice for Cus­ tomer Service Excellence; and Kiwanis Club of Hastings, recipient ofthe Commu­ nity Impact Award. Tom’s Market and Thomapple Manor both also received this year’s Brick Award for expanding their facilities. Chamber President and CEO Jennifer Heinzman addressed attendees and laid out the Chamber’s primary focus areas for 2023, which included housing, workforce development, broadband and childcare. Heinzman thanked Chamber members for continuing to collaborate to make Barry County a better place to live, visit and play. “We are so grateful for all of you,” Heinzman said. “I know 1 say it every time I see you all, but we are so fortunate to be part of a community that collaborates the way this one does.” �Page 4 — Thursday, January 26. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC Education should be the nation’s foundation AUDIENCE OF ONE Whether it was because of icy road conditions or fatigue from last week’s four-hour Committee of the Whole meeting, the gallery at Tuesday morn­ ing’s Board of Commissioners meeting was a little scant...OK, very scant. In fact, when the meeting kicked off, res­ ident Bob Vanderboegh comprised the entire left side of the gallery. While a handful of additional gallery members were seated on the other side of the room, and others would come and go, Vanderboegh sat front and center, taking in the meeting, which was kept under an hour this week. Do you remember? Hastings boy to perform in concert featuring Kellogg pipe organ Banner April 15, 2010 Marshall Cherry (top) of Hastings joins with fellow members of the Battle Creek Boychoir Ned Spitzer, George Almeida and Caleb Lautzenhiser in preparation for a choral concert April 24, featuring a renowned pipe organ that was a gift of W.K. Kellogg. Have you met? George Cullers remembers trapping muskrats and mink when he was 13 years old in the ’40s. Although he’s slowed down a bit at 88, he still enjoys the sport. Just earlier this week, he set out 45 traps. He’s gotten pretty good at it over the years - his estimate puts last season’s haul at about 280 furs. He primarily traps muskrats and mink, in the past he’s had success trapping coyotes, foxes, beavers and raccoons. He even trapped a few arctic foxes while spending time in Alaska. Over the years, Cullers has seen the sport change. When he was the president of the Michigan Trappers Association, Cullers said the organization had around 1,200 registered members. Today, there are less than 400. It’s something Cullers has noticed when he’s outdoors, as well. While he takes extra steps to make sure he doesn’t interfere with hunters or other trappers, he’s noticed fewer and fewer other sportsmen in recent years. Cullers said he inherited his love of the outdoors from his father - as well as a few other traits. “He was stubborn, and I’m stubborn,” Cullers said. “You tend to get your dad’s character whether you like it or not.” That stubbornness and passion for the outdoors prevents him from sitting idly by as the sport he loves dwindles. Cullers has organized a “Youth Day” for outdoor sports in Barry County in September, with the goal ofinspiring the next generation ofout­ door sportsmen. Support for the event from both spon­ sors and the public has been incredible, Cullers said. “I’m just overwhelmed by how (many participants) have donated and helped us out to set that up,” he said. “I don’t think we got a ‘no’ anywhere from anyone that we asked.” Introducing youth to the outdoors is only one part of the solution to a declining sportsmen population, according to Cullers. Another key part is education - Cullers regularly provides presentations and demonstrations for adults and children George Cullers alike. He’s made regular appearances at Barry County schools and leadership clubs, hoping to dispel common myths about trapping and teach about the environmental benefits ofthe sport. As an outdoorsman, being a good steward of the environment is one of Cullers’ chief concerns. Trapping is carefully regulated to ensure the season only takes place when animals have reached maturity, and acts as a way to control animal populations. Trapping and hunting can ensure animal populations stay at a manageable level, which is important for reducing the spread of disease among populations - diseases that can then spread to pets and people, Cullers said. “Anti-hunting and trapping people will say nature will take care of it. Well, we’ve screwed nature up,” Cullers said. “The only predators out in the wild aren’t around any­ more because we’ve built so many homes and businesses and it’s taken their habitat. Ifthey don’t have a habitat they won’t sur­ vive, and then they’re gone.” Aside from putting on demonstrations and organizing events for youth, Cullers enjoys bringing along anyone curious about the sport when he goes out to check his traps. Young or old, it doesn’t matter to Cullers, he regularly goes trapping with colleagues his own age just as often as he does kids and parents that show interest in the sport. Cullers encourages anyone who has interest in learning more about trapping or wants to tag along to get in touch with him by calling him at 269-945-921'8. He’s always looking to pass on what he knows, although he’s also happy just to share the experience ofthe outdoors. “I just like being outdoors,” Cullers said. “It feels good and it’s good for you.” For his continued efforts to protect Barry County’s environment and to teach youth about environmental stewardship, George Cullers is this week’s Bright Light. Firstjob: I worked at a place when I was in high school (in Maryland) that grew stuff like cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and kale. We picked it and packaged it and sent it down to Baltimore where they would put it in a tractor trailer in bushel baskets. First thing you bought with your own money: My mother and dad (told us) to put our money in the bank; First National Bank was the name ofthe bank, I had about $30 to $40 in there. That was a lot of money back then. I’ve always been thrifty-minded. Favorite movie: “Doctor Zhivago.” Beautiful filming in that movie. They had an intermission because the movie was so long. I’ve seen it Ldon’t-know-how-many times and I could sit down and watch it again tonight. Greatest thing about Barry County: It’s rural character. I hope it never changes. This spring will mark 40 years since the U.S. Department of Education issued its seminal “Nation at Risk” report. Considered to be a landmark event in modem American educational history, the report was a response by educational lead­ ers to perceptions that schools were failing and . that “the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our future as a Nation and People.” The report’s recommendations loaded up on academic rigor, higher measurement standards and old-school formalities that we still see in some form today like sev­ en-hour school days and 200- to 210-day school years. It dreamed of an educated culture whose drive for proficiency, prog­ ress and prosperity would restore the coun­ try’s position as a world leader. Too bad America didn’t - or maybe couldn’t - read the report. Our nation still remains at risk and even more so. To me, it was the report’s emphasis on academic rigor and the lock-step assent of state and local school districts that has us at today’s critical crossroads. The near-uni­ versal charge that students pursue college following high school has cost us 40 years of economic progress because the direc­ tives were top-down oriented. By virtually abandoning vocational edu­ cation and training, we shut the door on generations of students who are gifted in ways beyond strictly academic educational paths. The questionable guidelines followed since the “Nation at Risk” report was issued have left us with hundreds of untrained workers in a developing worldwide econo­ my that’s leaving America behind. I have nothing against college education and helping those who pursue it to succeed, but even the college track has not fulfilled the dream behind the report’s recommen­ dations. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, our nation is looking at the worst college enrollment trend from the spring of2021 to the present. And Michi­ gan is leading the plunge downward with a decrease of4.7 percent. “College enrollment declines appear to be worsening/’ says Doug Shapiro; NSC executive director. “Concerns about student debt and a strong labor market for unskilled workers, and questions about college affordability, particularly at four-year col­ leges and factors are keeping prospective students away from getting a degree.” Michigan’s four-year public universities bled the most in the nearly three-year peri­ od measured with 50,000 fewer students enrolling. State colleges are also in enroll­ ment decline. But even after they get there, college students are not living up to the promise. According to a recent Forbes report, “Less than half of college students gradu­ ate on time. Even after six years, less than 60 percent of students at a four-year col­ lege earned a bachelor’s degree. The stats for community colleges are even worse, with less than 20 percent of community college students earning an associate’s degree or certificate. Why is that? And are our high schools adjusting to the new realities ofpost-high school education and training or are they still reading from the same 40-year-old Nation at Risk script? At Hastings High School, administrators report that slightly less than half of this year’s senior class plans on attending col­ lege next year. At Thomapple Kellogg, with a senior class of 245 students, nearly 60 percent will enroll at in-state colleges and universities if they follow past patterns. The number moves a bit higher when factoring in the number that enrolls at outof-state institutions. According to administrators at Delton Kellogg, if this year’s 68 seniors follow the general trend, two-thirds will go to community colleges, four-year colleges or universities. And at Maple Valley, 15-20 The Hastings Banner Denoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO ADVERTISING Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fan-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058;; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. students of this year’s 52 seniors plan to pursue additional studies at a two- or fouryear college. Thirty seniors are already attending college coursework for half their school day. I’m proud of young people who have defined career goals and are preparing for a college education that will help them achieve them. I worry, though, about halfof each of our schools’ graduating classes are being forgotten, neglected or overlooked. A high number of students head to college after high school because that’s what you do after high school, especially when parents are focused on them attending a college or university. Many of these kids have no idea what they plan to do so they’re often not focused on the “what after college.” That’s why career exploration is so important at the high school level. It provides students an opportunity to explore what interests they have, learn about poten­ tial careers, maybe gain some job experi­ ence and determine what educational I requirements they’ll need for the position. ! CTE (career and technical education) courses could even help out in the admis­ sions process at colleges. But for those students not planning to attend college after high school, CTE programs are important for student success beginning right after graduation day. That’s why I’m so enthused by the Hast­ ings High School announcement of the inaugural Barry County Career Fest, to be held Friday, Feb. 24 at the high school. The all-day event will focus on Hastings High School students in all grades from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then, from 6 to 8 p.m., the event will open up to the general public, hoping to attract students from other school dis­ tricts, colleges and universities. The special event will feature career opportunities from area businesses and industries with handson experience and demonstrations to attract students wishing to pursue a career locally. The Career Fest will focus on areas such as business management, marketing, finance, technology, engineering, manufac­ turing, health and human services, natural resources, agri-science and culinary arts, j Theigoal ds'td educate students and parents^ omthei opportunities available for our stu­ dents by highlighting the various career paths that exist locally. With less than 50 percent of students across Barry County not planning to attend college or some advanced education after high school, it’s important that we focus more on preparing our youth for life after high school. Especially when communities like ours depend on a diversity oftalented people to fill a growing number of posi­ tions. Careers such as electricians, build­ ers, plumbers, chefs, paramedics, carpen­ ters, mechanics, engineers, security staff and so many more may or may not require a college degree. There are approximately 11 million jobs available today with fewer and fewer candidates to fill them putting a strain on the growth ofbusiness and industry across the nation. I applaud Hastings Schools for setting aside the time for a Career Fest, but this should be only the beginning of what is needed to put our nation back on a path of preparing our youth for millions ofjobs left unfilled each year, especially the jobs here in our own community. • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Jennie Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 ■4 /J �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. January 26.2023 — Page 5 i A ‘thank you’ to Hastings residents | for making Christmas special for I children around the world <WSW W*INW$ <SW*IW OB& WW$ I| ;tZ*? **&&X <'%'! <%!W’ t' tyJS': hWi f$^ ?sSSSSt> ?sSSSS*t> >5?>b-S?55 WlSl. lSl.. JiJJs Ji'JJs I W2SI1' *&*& &S SISSIS ^'iEUS •SS'^iZ I - ^fepvri vri "* ±2 ±*2■““>~^ ~«a* i J W ®Wt -«■■ « a I KSrj* ^Sa a : I “^»RfriHtafriai takjW^ta®' | 0°* ta wfcgt i^teata. ' l ^^pi^ibwwl- | B’EtaVpijiE : os ax x® it ces rapothe DssBriijswriizii ; Bffiw-rzKSifef cftporatMMi ;' iteiiira^lkitaks ^sdiooihwsta ; KitMiittate-npci- fflortooprqiinfarwiiiiii Dear Editor, i I am writing to thank Hastings-area resi• dents for sharing the true meaning of Christ­ I mas with children in need this past holiday I season. Generosity throughout contributed to a successfill shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across I the U.S., the project collected over 9.3 mil­ ; lion shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with j those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly j 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children world­ wide. Through shoeboxes - packed with fun ! toys, school supplies, and'hygiene items ! Hastings-area volunteers broughtjoy to chil* dren in need around the world. Each giftl filled shoebox is a tangible expression of I God’s love, and it is often the first gift these I children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled A moped went missing sometime overnight on Jan. 3 from its owner’s yard on the 8900 block ofM-37 Highway in Dowling. The man called police the next day when he noticed it had gone missing. The man told police he had owned the moped for the past year and used it to get around his property. Upon reviewing security cameras from a nearby business, police saw an unidentified man wheeling the moped toward M-37 Highway the night it went missing. Man defrauded of $3,000 through Facebook ad shoeboxes to children in more than 170 coun­ tries and territories. This year, Samaritan’s Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoebox, which was packed on a country-wide tour and then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine. Across Michigan, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Informa­ tion about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ. Although local drop-off locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 13 to 20, 2023, anyone can still be a part ofthis life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online injust a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse. org/buildonline. These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten. Sincerely, Casey Goodwin Samaritan’s Purse OP-ED: Biden’s report card shows two years of failure Congressman John Moolenaar Special to The Banner This January, I was sworn in as the con­ I gressman for Michigan’s new Second Con­ i' gressional District. It is an honor to represent you and y y your family. y. I have been working g • hard and doing everything I can in Congress • to get America back on track. Right now, i many Michigan families and seniors are J struggling because President Biden’s policies J have failed and made their lives harder. | In just two years, President Biden has • spent over five trillion dollars. This reckless » spending has contributed to the record-high 1 inflation and higher costs Michigan families have been paying for over a year. According to the Joint Economic Committee,-Michiganders arepdyirtgmf4ortri$7>12 ptenmorith. : That is equivalent to'fattlilifeS 'makYng0 an ’ extra rent or car payment every single month • because of inflation. How are parents sup| posed to get by when every trip to the groj eery store costs hundreds ofdollars? I voted against Biden’s spending bills, and I will i continue my work to rein in inflation and excessive spending. This winter has been a challenge because of higher energy costs, and some families have been forced to turn down their thermostats to keep their bills low. From his first day in office, Biden made it clear he would oppose American oil and gas development and fami­ lies have been paying the price ever since. Last year, Biden raised taxes on American energy companies, which means those com­ panies will pass those costs onto families. I support an all-of-the-above energy strate­ gy that will increase the energy supply and create new jobs while utilizing our nation’s abundant domestic resources. Last year, I introduced legislation to protect Line 5 from being shut down because it delivers the pro­ pane thousands of Michigan families rely on (hiring ither Winter/ I also called on the Biden administration to expedite all federal approv­ als needed to put Line 5 in a tunnel, because it is the safest way to transport the propane Michigan families need. Biden’s administration has also failed our children. His administration worked closely with outside groups to keep schools closed long after it was safe to return, and it even forced kids in Head Start programs as young as three years old to wear masks. As a result, the National Center for Education Statistics says student performance is at its lowest point in two decades. In Michigan, reading and math scores have declined significantly since 2019. In Congress, I am the co-chair of the School Choice Caucus and I support the Par­ ents’ Bill ofRights which affords parents the right to be involved in their children’s educa­ tion. Every parent should have the ability to choose the educational opportunities that are best for their kids so they can reach their full­ est potential. It has been a difficult two years for Michi­ gan families under the Biden administration. Biden’s,policies haye ouLthem in a tough sjbot - many are struggling'with the high cost ofhis policies. In the new Republican major­ ity in the House ofRepresentatives, I will be working on solutions that put our country on the right track, rein in inflation, and help our families; seniors, and veterans. Congressman John Moolenaar represents Michigan’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives. hjghscbooLEspKZJvjEZXfi I sfetSKataKBianu-Ifcandepadaitaftita ^K2tfeC'Crf^23R i^s ai* art a fry ». Cartas k tiaiMk^M^ gs.ptekis.M^^, * I' tilted frto tf01 tilted frto tf01j|j50Miyi!KKlMy®y!^ I' ti»tEra*'“!®^ i etd nW „ akp’"’® ■lya Jp»toft«®a>!aJ J»toft«®a>!aJ • 5 fkt- w»g »g ^tfcertifif* Ss#:#5? w & .^%:J ^tap* SHELL SHOCKED: Why eggs are so expensive in Michigan and when it will end __.. dJ«» ****J* Janelie D. James Bridge Michigan Inflation combined with avian flu pushed egg prices 60 percent higher than a year ago, and now Michigan agriculture experts say the prices may not start to drop until spring. The difference is five times the 12 percent j overall jump for grocery items, according to the latest report on consumer prices by the U.S. Bureau ofLabor Statistics. Shoppers at the state’s largest grocers are seeing even higher prices, paying up to $5 a dozen: A dozen eggs at Walmart costs about | $4.72, $4.39 at Meijer and $3.69 at Kroger, j according to online store advertising. Spe­ cialty grocery stores are charging closer to $8 per dozen for pasture-raised or organic eggs. In contrast, the retail price for a dozen eggs in January 2022 was about $1.93. The rising costs of feeding chickens and transporting their eggs are factors for the high I egg prices, but experts said the main reason for the price increase is avian flu, a virus most common among wild birds. Over 57 million chickens were killed -across the country since the beginning of 2022 as a result ofthe outbreak. It is the larg­ est avian flu outbreak since 2014, the CDC reported. “There’s a lot ofuncertainty with how this latest outbreak... is going to continue to play out,” said David Ortega, associate professor for the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State Uni­ versity. - “The good news is that once this outbreak i ends, we will start to see farmers start to replenish the inventory oftheir birds and see egg prices come down because this is an acute supply shock,” Ortega said. Flu outbreaks typically occur during the fall and spring as wild birds migrate between ^northern and southern states, said Ernie Birchmeier, livestock and dairy specialist at Michigan Farm Bureau. Enhanced biosecurity measures like propj-er ventilation in facilities, limiting traffic flow and wearing clean clothing when com­ . ing in contact with the birds, prevent outbreaks. The most efficient way for farmers to get Lnd ofan outbreak is to depopulate their facil- Moped stolen from yard in Dowling Facebook scammers defrauded a 43-year-old Hastings man in the amount of $3,000 dollars. The man reported the fraud to police around 2 p.m. on Jan. 11. The man told police he signed up for a group he believed to be “The Economic ReliefFund” through an ad on Facebook and was contacted by a man claiming to be from the group. The scammer sent the man a check for $9,100, which the man deposited into his account. The scammer then told the man a mistake had been made, and asked the man to send him $3,000 back. The man purchased 20 gift cards totaling $3,000 and sent them to the man, after which he noticed the scammer’s check had bounced. The man’s bank told him to contact police and file a report so they could start the process ofreimbursing him. Police assist woman driving without headlights Police responded to a report of a vehicle driving in the dark with its headlights off around 7 p.m. on Jan. 12 on M-43 Highway north ofHastings. Police stopped the vehicle in town on Hanover Street near Clinton Street and spoke to the driver, a 60-year-old Battle Creek woman. The woman thought her headlights were set to an automatic set­ ting. Police helped her turn her lights on before leaving the scene. Man walking dog while wearing night vision goggles arouses suspicion A 45-year-old Plainwell man called police around 10 p.m. on Jan. 15 to report that he felt intimidated and harassed by his neighbor. The man said his neighbor would regular­ ly walk his dog at night while wearing night vision goggles, and the dog would bark at him. Police told the man that because his neighbor was walking the dog on his own property, no criminal activity had occurred. Police debunk reported UFO sighting A 67-year-old Middleville man reported seeing a UFO around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 from the 9400 block of 108th Street. The man, a pilot, reported that he had been watch­ ing a string oflights for about 30 minutes and they had not moved. An officer arrived on the scene and couldn’t see the lights from outside the man’s home. The man invited the officer into his home and showed him the lights, which the officer identified as sunlight reflecting off of a nearby cell tower. The man took another look and apologized for wasting the officer’s time. Deputy Chief Kelly to speak on women in law enforcement Hastings’s chapter of the General Federa­ tion of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) will feature Deputy Chief Julissa Kelly of the Hastings Police Department at Feb. 3’s meeting. Kelly’s topic will be “Enforcing the Law as a Woman,” a few brief observations about working a job that most people thought could only be done by men, and special gifts a woman can bring to enforcement of the law. The meeting will start at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3. GFWC is women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives ofothers through volunteer service. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Club Mem- bership Chair Kathy LaVictor may be reached by calling 269-945-0745 for more information or reservations. The reservation deadline for this meeting is 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 30. GFWC Hastings Women’s Club meets the first Friday ofthe month at Green Street Unit­ ed Methodist Church (UMC), 209 W. Green Street, Hastings (the parking lot is in the back of the church; there is a ramp on the east side for those who do not want to use the stairs). Meetings usually begin at noon, featuring speakers presenting local volunteer informa­ tion and topics that impact our community, followed by a 1 p.m. luncheon, and fellowship. The avian flu appears to be a primary reason that the price of eggs has risen so sharply. (Stock photo) ities, which decreases revenue for farmers. It can take up to five months for a hen to set and be able to hatch eggs again. “If we get through [the] spring season without any major problems and those farm­ ers are able to restock their buildings, we should have a softening in prices during the second and third quarter of this next year, Birchmeier said. The second largest outbreak of the avian flu occurred between 2014 and 2015, when 50 million birds were infected. Before the outbreak, egg pricess were $1.93 a dozen, increasing 54 percent at their peak in fall 2015 before the outbreak ended late that year. Michigan is one of the top egg manufactures in the country, producing over 4 billion eggs each year, according to the U.S. Depart­ ment ofAgriculture. While Michigan farms haven t been as affected by the flu compared to other states, the lack ofnational supply contributes to the price hikes across the country. Roughly two-thirds ofthe 96.9 billion eggs produced in the U.S. were sold at retail in 2020, according to the United Egg Producers, a national egg coop for producers. About 28 percent went into food production, while the remaining eggs were sold for food service and exports. Shoppers shocked by the price jumps should know that they may not be paying for all ofthe increased costs, Ortega said. “Certain retailers are trying to absorb as much of the costs as possible because eggs e are a staple item that people buy on a regular basis,” Ortega said. Shopping with local producers - such as farm stands and locally owned stores - may save consumers money, he suggested. Hastings’s deputy police chief, Julissa Kelly, will present to the GFWC Hastings Women’s Club Friday, Feb. 3 about what challenges and opportunities women in law enforcement are faced with on the job. (File photo) , SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast-517-652-9119 2501N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville �Page 6 — Thursday, January 26,2023 — The Hastings Banner Barbara Jean Cichy Elaine Garlock Mild weather continues with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. Is this a record for January? We had some snowfall on Saturday night, but Mecosta County farther north had even less than Ionia County. With a lack of new items for this week’s column, maybe readers will get a chuckle from some old clippings just found (I’m a saver). No year was given for the announce­ ment ofthe annual Sunshine Party to be held at the Nashville United Methodist Church with co-hosting by ladies from the congregational church. The event aimed to honor the older ladies in the community, intended to be a time for visiting, renewing friendships and making new friends. The church was wheel­ chair accessible. For more information, peo­ ple were to call Mary Fisher. Another clipping showed Mark Potter, greenhouse owner, who was president of the chamber of commerce. He was pictured standing beside a new welcome sign at the east village limits. The sign showed the light­ house and three stylized pine trees along with the wording “Welcome to Lake Odessa, Port of Friendliness.” It must have been early win­ ter because the trees in the background were bare. Mark was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, quilted vest, warm cap and had his hand stuffed in his pants pockets. Another clipping by columnist Erma Bombeck was about fax mania. What would Erma have to say about today’s communica­ tion? She wrote that during the Jewish holi- days, there were more than 10,000 heaven-bound messages sent on electronic wings to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. She noted that one Lutheran lady wanted to cover all her bases, so she sent a message to the Wailing Wall. Another lady, Jewish, carried her rab­ bi’s fax number in her pocket at all times ‘in case of emergency.” One youngster had sent an inquiry to the famed Erma and included his fax number so he could get a quick reply. She predicted that we would one day vote by fax and read a newspaper by waiting for it to come from the little machine. We would get birthday cards and get well cards on the machine. We would fax our doctors our symptoms and wait for them to fax back the prescription which we would fax to the drugdrug­ store to deliver. She had never heard ofemail and other means of communication we use today. An item on the reverse side mentions a 29-cent stamp. Figure for yourself how long ago that was! Business seems to be very brisk at the new restaurant judging by the number of cars parked each night and noon on Tupper Lake Street and in the first block of 4”1 Avenue A north ofTupper Lake comer. Parishioners at Central UM Church were glad on Sunday to see member George Car­ penter who has been absent for many weeks. He has been with a caregiver for several months. His farm and his beautiful home are on Goddard Road in Sebewa Township, only a mile east ofM-66 and less than a mile north ofEaton Highway. Pre-Planning a Funeral Makes Good Financial Sense Lock in current funeral prices at today's dollar Relieve your family of the burden Your paperwork will be Your wishes will be in order honored Call today to schedule your x free pre-planning consultation. _A___L_U__dfStr TFel. ((226699)-994455-0 36 26531 FUNERALUdSr Fax (269>945-0663 ‘ Bl Hastings, Michigan 49058 Worship Together ..Mt the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE ST. ROSE OF LIMA METHODIST CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH Exist "We To An Be 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ Expression Of Who Jesus Is 4246 Pastor Father Stephan To The World Around Us". Philip. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. 8, Sunday. Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. 4:30 p.m. Website: BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Sunday Youth www, HASTINGS School activities: 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. call for information. hastingsfreemethodist.com. BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Matt Director, Lead Moser, Wheel­ Bertrand. Randall chair accessible and elevator. Worship Time hastfmc@ Email gmail.com■ Mass WOODGROVE Pastor. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Stoetzel. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday School for all ages; Hastings, MI 49058. 9:45 a.m. Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ Nursery Our Senior High Youth Group 6-8 worship center is set up for p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. social Martha are available. distancing. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sunday 6 pm. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids (Children 4 Truth 0900. Website: www.lifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. Kindergarten-5th PLEASANTVIEW Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle SOLID ROCK BIBLE School Group; Youth 6:30 FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, CHURCH OF DELTON p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. MI 49050. 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, Call Church Office 948-8004 Olmstead. (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ for information. church (517) 204­ Steve 758-3021 phone. Sunday CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN 9390. Sunday Worship Service CHURCH (PCA) 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and N. Children’s Ministry. Wednesday 328 night Bible study and prayer Worship time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Pastor, (269) Service: 10 a.m. 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, Pastor Jefferson 10 a.m. Street. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, & Cynthia Sue de Goa went to be with our Lord on January 21, 2023. She passed away surrounded by her loving husband and chil­ dren after a courageous battle with Demen­ tia. Cindy was bom onDecember 19,1947, in Gladwin, MI. She graduated at the top ofher class from Gladwin High School in 1966. She then attended nursing school through Hurley Hospital in Flint, graduating in 1969 as a registered nurse. Cindy worked for many years as a nurse in hospitals and then spent a majority ofher career as a nurse and manag­ er ofher husband’s medical practice. While she was attending nursing school in Flint, she met a dashing physician who was completing his residency program. On December 13, 1969, she married Dr. Oscar de Goa and honeymooned by traveling around the world for several years. After extensive traveling, Cindy and her husband moved to Newberry in the Upper Peninsula and started a family. In 1972 they moved to Hastings, where they built a life and raised five children. God blessed Cindy with many talents and gifts. She was bright, strong, nurturing and a natural bom leader. Her zest for life was diverse and multi-faceted. She loved travel­ ing and went on adventures all over the world exploring museums, major landmarks, and natural wonders both near and far. Cindy is an accomplished; pianist and organist who served her comn^unity, by accompanying at church services arid both Hastings Choir practices and performances. For many years she was a member of a local Bridge club. Cindy gave back to her community by volun­ teering and serving on many boards and committees. Gardening brought her great joy, and she was known for the beautiful gardens that she had created around her home. For enjoy­ ment, some of her favorite past times were enjoying the beauty of beaches and sunsets, being an avid reader and mastering cooking, including Indian cuisine. The door to Cindy’s home was always open and at her kitchen table you were promised good food and good times. Children held a special place in her heart, and she sacrificed anything to be there for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Cindy’s deep and lasting imprint on many people will be felt for generations. Amongst those privileged enough to have her touch their lives are her loving and devot­ ed husband of 53 years, Dr. Oscar de Goa; children, Tia de Goa, Kamell de Goa, Malyka de Goa (Tim Birkmeier), Damian (Sara) de Goa and Mylea de Goa; grandchildren, Alexandria, Landon, Meli, Xavier, Seri, Lia, Callie, Emery, Josie and John Damian.; great grandchildren, Azaria, Adalind, Jax, Alivia and Hendrix. Siblings: Connie Merrick, Can­ dace Hetherington, Jim (Michelle) Merrick, Brian (Jill) Merrick. She was loved and will also be missed by many cousins, aunts, niec­ es, nephews, and friends.' She was preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie Merrick, and several other loved ones. Visitation will be at Girrbach Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. Catholic Funeral Mass shall be Satur­ day, Feb. 4, 2023 at 1 p.m. at St. Cyril Mission Parish, 203 N State St., Nashville, MI 49073, luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Hast­ ings, MI. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfimeralhome.com. Barbara Jean Cichy, age 80, of Kalamazoo, MI (formerly ofDelton), passed away on Janu­ ary 11,2023. Barbara was bom on October 15, 1942 in Superior, WI and raised by Catherine (D) and Raymond Garcia (D). Her brother Raymond Jr. Garcia and close friend Anna predeceased Barbara. Barbara grew up in California, later moving to Michigan where she was married and had three daughters, Gigi, Monique and Jacqueline in addition to six grandchildren, which she often referred to as her ‘little dividends’. Additional surviving family members are her loving sister, Deanne; her cousins, Kathy and Maxine, and her Uncle Pete. There were many special people in Barbara’s life; Pat was someone whom she would spend hours on the phone talking about anything and everything on a daily basis. Doug, Carol, and Deb who were her teachers, friends, and an emotional support system for many years; Bonnie, her incredible and amazing friend of45 years whom we can’t thank enough for all your guidance, patience, support, and unwavering friendship. Barbara loved being on the lake and was incredibly talented with her crafts, most notably she enjoyed making quilts and then giving them away. She had an exceptionally giving heart and would always be one of the first to reach out and help someone in need. Everyone that knew Barbara saw she was always passionate with a zest for life, which continued to the end. Although the last few years hav& been a struggle, it was made easier through the help and support of some truly amazing people that were part of Barbara’s life; we are forever thankful for everything all ofyou have done. Thank you Dr. Bradtke for the years ofcare. Thank you to Callie, her visiting nurse and to Teri and Steph from Ascension health care pro­ viders during her final days. Nicole, thank you for giving her the opportunity to stay living at home as long as possible, she loved your visits and spending time with you. Thank you to her wonderful caregiver Jenny, we know Barb rearranged your office more times than you can count and we appreciate your patience and care, it really meant a lot to her. Thank you to Larissa and Amy from Mile­ stone Senior Services for your help and assis­ tance during the last few years and her final day. Lauren, we really appreciate your help with placement and care. A very special thank you to The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Hastings and Kalamazoo Ward) for your visits, emotional support, and help around the house. Finally, thank you Uncle Paul and Aunt Cindi for being a huge support system. A private service will be conducted later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests dona­ tions be made to Barry County Humane Society, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association, or an organization that you feel strongly for. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Barbara’s family. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: J/fflamaae Fibwoiws Produc,a 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 imMBIMBOf 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Kristine Lee Curtis, Middleville and Curtis David Hudson, Middleville Mrs. Caroline Marie Davis passed away • peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at . The Phoenix in Hammond, La. She was bom in Battle Creek, Mich., on Thursday, January 14, 1943, to Clyde and Magories Brandt. On March 18, 1961, Caroline married Darrell Lee Davis. They had three sons‘ together and they were married for 39 years‘ before his death in 2000. Years later she met Michael Haley and on August 8, 2015,5 they were married. Caroline was bom and raised in Michi­ gan. She was a graduate of Hastings High School. She retired from Hastings School' District after 37 years as a school bus driv­ er. Caroline loved her job and had many fond memories throughout her years of employment. She was a long-time member of Pleasantview Family Church in Dowl-' ing, Mich. She lived in Dowling until 2017. when she moved to Louisiana. Caroline, loved her children and her grandchildren t very much. She enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, going to the casino, watching a good Western and being outdoors. Caroline is survived by her husband, Michael Haley; her three sons, Jeff Davis, Scott (Rachel) Davis and Richard (Lisa) Davis; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-greatgrandctiild; brother Kenneth (Joyce), Brandt; and sister Betty (Arthur) Strachn.uj She was preceded in death by her par­ ents, Clyde and Maijorie Brandt; brother James Brandt; sister Patricia Delaphiano;* daughter in-law Ellen Davis; and grandson Matthew Davis. Caroline always loved angels and now she will dance with them in Heaven. Her tired body is at peace. Visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 30, • 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at Bachman Hebbler Funeral Service in Battle Creek. The funer-, al service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 31,. 2023, at 11 a.m. at Pleasantview Family. Church in Dowling, with Pastor Steve Olmstead officiating. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery in Dowling. After the interment service, a luncheon will be held at Pleasantview Family Church. Arrangements by Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, (269) 965-5145/www.bachmanhebble.com. J ’is®1* it*11*"1 ta* Im*5*41* fa ba tar im. !! ha is® Gfe I Ir 1 Betty Louise Johnson contact 616-690-8609. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 Caroline Marie Davis Betty L. Johnson, age 89, of Lowell, MI, formerly of Hastings, walked into Glory on January 20,2023, in the peaceful presence of her family. Betty was bom September 7, 1933, the daughter of Wilbur Tolles and Belle (Hill) Tolles. Betty graduated from Hastings High School. She started driving school bus (17) for Hastings in 1970 and 24 years later retired as Director of Transportation for the Hastings Public Schools. Betty enjoyed motorcycling all over the United States with her husband Richard and her dear friends. Most ofall was her passion for her grandchildren whom she cherished | and spoiled. Her greatest love was her hus­ band of 49 years Richard, and they were married in a double wedding ceremony at • Lowery Air Force Base in Denver Colorado on July 3,1951 with Wayne (Jiggs) Morgan and her best friend Joyce (Nixon) Morgan of Hastings. Betty is survived by her son, Stephen I (Tammy) Johnson of Lowell and daughter, Susan Johnson-Byrd of Hastings; grand­ children, Jonathan (Jisue) Hollister, Ste-1 phen Hollister, Aaron (Becca) Johnson, j Jade Brown, Aundria Johnson-Byrd, Brett J Johnson;, great-grandson, Keenan Hollis- j ter, and brother, Richard (Vi) Tolles of’ Florida. A memorial luncheon will be served after the morning worship service on Feb. 5,2023, | at the Green Street Methodist Church, 2091 W. Green St., Hastings MI 49058. A very special thank you to Kathy from the Giving Care Group, and much appreciation to Kathy and the Champions at Faith Hospice. Memorial contributions can be made to Betty’s home church, Green Street Methodist Church. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. b �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 26, 2023 — Page 7 fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner [TURNING BflGK THE PAGES >, -sStl sStl SSSfe SS'Sfe u**i *i s?w ikZ'Si* Wl •a Mfr x *xS* > ^*S a Ss*“ s SsSa : *“•■&■ 2r*«< •* fes^Iw«* i W^grr."(■*« S u:W* : ?fp—crifJ•e«S »«J, Bk_ • t5^e Jp . ^^'ais a s nn wbtfai wa^^w(Wtr (tarf saa?L w ^^wtasw --- • * ■ • k«|n<i8E* I C^®™itwtbre^OjiittiMjjai^jj > ^'iiwhirfwiRir i Mortimer C. Nichols Banner, April 4, 1985 Mortimer C. Nichols was born in Hastings in 1880. He was a 1900 graduate ofHHS, and taught school a short time before attend­ ing UofM, where he graduated in 1905 as a civil engineer. He married Irma Brown and returned to Barry County, later they moved into Hast­ ings. He ranfor mayorfor the City ofHast­ ings in the 1920s but lost the election. He said that incident was responsiblefor him being elected the thirdpresident of the Rotary Club. After his retirement, he was noted around town as “The Walking Man. ” When he was in his 80s, he walked 5 to 10 miles a day and participated in the Mackinac Bridge Walk, being the oldest contestant at the time. He died in 1974 at the age of 93. It was believed he took up walking as a mode oftransportation after he has hisfirst airplane ride. Here, in his own words, is his humorous account bfhisfirst airplane ride. It must have been about the late or middle ‘90s (1890s) that I went to the Barry County Fair. At that time, we were beginning to hear ofa strange, new vehicle, sometimes referred tatyfefaakiatp iC BioiGllntea ihtrinisiktnatdiiStauiisi»i VftKtafeltalaktani Bill tat iii tai Susi VftKtafeltalaktan alDriWpjIpct iFwri me i-spiral VffliiiilkWMfltail ’ ■itaipitiWwi’S ! na taw^*iLi i_Li 1 fl ft® Mpi i tai^ r'a“tl,,k *“iw 1 r^HHntandlSiiMMBrit'KKic»U »eoioM*u^euwwC*kH , WjiimifawFii I w.;(,2iji ftaSw i <SK«x:a:a|‘[! ^laBtaDUdH" .umjM I : 3£ns®ara^^ IB « trf *».OT^- wzss h te-a H* iB11S& •^k*'56* •^yk 56 ’ 5 Br IWfzfe zgfe efA ■ kX0>. kX0>■ W ! W/ t t >»« wwi O^ZI A AO O ond-class private. Like General Eisenhower, I could go no higher. I seemed as though I ought to be able to go up ifwomen and civilcould. I was carrying a fair amount of life insurance, which I judged would amount to more at maturity than I’d ever be likely to accumulate. Later events proved this surmise to have been correct. While $15 was quite a lot of money, I had that much right then. I might not have it another time. That surmise also turned out to be correct. Fred Stebbins was there. He had been up and was telling how Hastings ought to have an airport. He asked me ifI would be going up. “Well,” I said, “I had given it some thought,, but rather expected I would end up by staying on the t ground.” Fred introduced me to the pilot, Leo Wing ofIrving, and told him I wanted to go up when my turn came. Like Harry Truman, Fred could make decisions. There was a young lad going upjust then, 18 perhaps. He seemed to be a lot more eager than I was. He was taking a camera with him. I thought that was an odd thing to take on such a journey. I reasoned, how could one use a cam­ era, and still have both hands to hang on with? My turn came all too soon. I climbed into the passenger’s seat. There was a heavy strap, one end fastened on my right and a snap in the other end. The pilot casually snapped the free end into a ring on my left. I took hold of the strap. It came way out here (2 or 3 feet in front of me). I thought it ought to be a lot shorter, or if it had to be that long, take up the slack with one or more turns around the pas­ senger. But, I reflected, it must be alright, the others had gone up with it that way. I didn’t want to be the only one to be fussy. Of course, there really wasn’t any danger offall­ ing out. Still, it bothered me. I finally deter­ mined to speak to the pilot about it. Just then, the motor started, and I soon abandoned any attempt to make myself heard. I didn’t dare get out - no telling when we’d start - and ifI got caught partway out, I’d be in a worse sit­ uation that I was already. We sailed serenely over the neighborhood ofthe E.W. Bliss Co. I was beginning to think it might not be such a harrowing experience, after all. I even ventured to look down on the Mortimer C. Nichols, shown in his younger years and later on at the Hastings Rotary Club’s 50th anniversary, was a well-known storyteller. He was also the third president of the Rotary Club. checkerboard streets and squares below, when I was suddenly thrown to the right, then to the left, then upward, then downward, then back­ ward, then forward. I shut my eyes and hung on as best I could with my moist hands. I had heard that when one suffers from nervousness because ofbeing at an unaccustomed height, if he would look up, he would be more com­ posed. So I thought I would look up and I found myself looking into the Thomapple River. The banks were below the water, and the tops ofthe trees were pointing down. As I started to ponder on this, we went through something like the previous maneu­ vers. Then, after a briefinterval of compara­ tive calm during which we rose to consider­ able heights, everything went out from under me. I was floating in the air. The only thing I seemed to be in contact with was that long, heavy strap. It apparently was keeping me in the vicinity ofthe airplane. I had read that the Earth is going through space at a tremendous speed. I forget the exact figure, some fantas­ tic sum. I had always rather doubted if any- thing could really go that fast. In those days, we hadn’t heard about the great horse “Sil­ ver,” but when I observed the speed at which the fairgrounds were coming up to meet us, my doubts vanished, and I would have believed anything. The people who, a moment before, had been mere specks, were now nearly full size. Many were clustered directly below us and were gazing up at us. I wanted to call to them to get out of the way, but I knew they couldn’t hear me and wouldn’t pay attention ifthey did hear. While I was speculating on how deep a hole we were going to make in the fair­ grounds, we must have changed to a horizon­ tal direction for the next thing we were bump­ ing over Frank Ickes’s field. When we had dismounted, I asked the pilot how it came he gave me so much more of a ride than he did the others. “Well,” he said, “I saw right off that you are the adventurous, devil-may-care type and I Ipiew that you’d enjoy every thrill I could give you.” I thanked him and let-it go at that. HMS releases most recent honor roll Hastings Middle School has released its second quarter honor roll for the 2022-23 academic year. Students qualify for the honor rojl, fqr earn­ ing all A grades on their report card’! the PrinPrin­ cipal’s L^st/diJ3^1^ahapB;^afe.■ “'nf> ' Middle school students who'qualified for the second quarter include: ■R^fcfcirfcjBjrfiR Mi^vQIail^ai^ WwiQifemKE^i! MCtiaGfD inhi ktditiii» to as a horseless carriage. I rode home with a neighbor, Fred Warner. Fred has a team of mules on a lumber wagon, the usual conveyance at that time for transporting fairly large groups. Most everybody has horses, but Fred liked mules better. As we drove out of the fairgrounds, some wag called out, “There goes a horseless carriage.” I went to the fair again in 1919. By that time, another new vehicle had appeared, the airplane. There was one at the fair. It would take you up for a ride for $15.1 knew some of those who went up. I remember Fred Steb­ bins, Glen Collins, Corinne Gould and Olga Bessemer. I didn’t exactly want to go up, but I wanted to have been up. I determined to at least go to the landing field. It was on land at that time belonging to Frank Ickes, out west beyond the Fish Hatchery, on the plateau at this end ofHeath R6ad. On the way out there, I tried to think of some conclusive reason for not going up. It seemed as though everything I thought ofwas a reason why I should go up. I had been lately discharged from the Armed Forces after a brief and uneventful service, during which I held the rank of sec- Mort’s first airplane ride Sixth grade AllA’s Principal’s List Zoey Armour, Mason Baker, Kellen Boge, Ashtyn Denton, Thomas Evers, Hadley Grove, Alexis Harper, Lexi Heydenberk, Sul­ livan Hill, Jeralynn Lancaster, Alyssa Olin, Natalie Olmstead, Isabella Perez, Kaydin Rice, Joshua Roberts Jr., Kelcee Rosenberger, Ella Sanlnocencio, Breeya Solmes, Katherine Stevens, Collin Storm and Brody VanZandt. A’s and B’s Cooper Anger, Layla Armour, Payton Arnie, Khloe Baker, Ariana Benjamin, Mavie Bernstein, Porter Blessing, Lainah Brasher, Leigha Brown, Abigail Byle, Landyn Carroll, Elodie Clore, Ronald Collet, Sage DeCamp, Myles Drake, Owen Elliott, Faith Fuller, Lucy Furrow, Riley Furrow, Karson Gray, Payton Haines, London Hammond, Rylee Hanford, Makenzie Harris, Ryan Harris, Sebastian Hernandez-Hernandez, Daniel Jiles, Temprance Jiles, Emerson Leary, Jonah Lewis, Rylee Long, Aubrey Main, Autumn Mayack, Molly McFarlan, Karlee McQueen, Colten Melchert, Haley Miles, Gavin Mix, Luke Pollet, Micah Randall, Lilyana Red­ mond, Joseph Renner, Gabrielle Robertson, Chloe Salazar, Wyatt Sanders, Liam Schaefgr,u^h*Sftijl. i Shafqr, . Andrew Tait,, Joslyn l^^er^ppegpp^Tipyvbriflg^ Brynn Vander­ Male, Riley Vaughn, Claire Walters, Gage Warner, Evelyn Webb, Karrigan Williams and Abram Winebrenner. Seventh grade AllA’s Principal 5 Lis Violet Bivens, Parker Castaneda, Carter Danks, Lillian Edger, Parker Erb, Gavin Fields, Carson Gole, Graceyn Horrmann, Jason Jimenez, Tanner Krzysik, Nolan Lucas, Olivia Malik, Jayce McCord, Weston Meinke, Lilly Randall, Cora Shattuck, Harrison Thom­ as, Alexander Timmers and Aiden Vance. A fs and B’s Audrey Acker, Jace Acker, Giovanny Arias, Deagan Blough, Kylee Bosworth, Alli­ son Brown, Sophia Bucher, Olivia Buehler, Kade Case, Kyanne Casey, Morgan Cassel­ man, Cameron Clock, Dakota Cole, Thomas Cook, Kimberlee Coolidge, Graden Court­ right, Landon Currier, Zachary Davis, Jack­ son Edwards, Rene Espinal-Lopez, Tucker Fenstemaker, Joseph Furrow, Ashlynn Gold­ sworthy, Elsie Haight, Jonah Hamp, Ethan Hetrick, William Hilbert, Kendyl Hinkle, Remington Jerzyk, Maxwell Kensington, Evyn Kindel, Annabelle Kuck, Reece Laws, Jasmine Matthews, Charles Mattice, Jett ^Doctor Universe Friendly fire Ifan animal has poison inside them, how are they not affected by their ownpoison? Jad, 10, Ga. Dear Jad, Fromjellyfish to snakes to spiders, lots of animals use poison or venom. It helps them catch prey and defend themselves. Even the platypus and one very spicy primate called the slow loris use venom. I talked about your question with my friend Blair Perry, He’s a biologist at Washington State University. He’s also a snake expert. Perry told me the difference between poi­ son and venom. They’re both toxic mixes of mostly proteins. But they get into your body in different ways. Poison is eaten, breathed in or absorbed through the skin. Venom is injected through a bite or sting. Animals protect themselves from their own venom in a few ways. First, they make and store it iin special poaches. They’re called venom glands. “When a venomous snake bites, muscles on the outside of the venom gland squeeze it. That injects venom into the prey through a channel in their fang,” Perry said. “The only opening is through the fang. So, you’re not going to release venom into the body where it could be harmful.” Another way they protect themselves is resistance. That means a toxin made by an animal isn’t likely to hurt them. Perry told me the way venom works is very specific. It’s like a key fitting into a lock. Animals that make venom have evolved so their own venom “key” doesn’t fit into their locks. So, even if they accidentally bite or sting themselves, the venom doesn’t cause a reaction. Sometimes an animal’s immune system or special anti-venom pro­ teins protect them, too. But the system doesn’t work perfectly. Sometimes snakes who bite themselves do get sick and even die. Other animals can become resistant, too. Perry told me that rattlesnakes use venom to Nofz, Jago O’Brien, Westin O’Heran, Zane Ortiz, Sydney Patterson, Kaylee Roe, Trevin Russell, Isabella Strimback, Hunter Sutfin, Grant Tossava, Ryan VanHouten, Aaliyah Voss, Ayery Walsh and' Samantha Wright. J'Hil i i-» fcl’ghtn^WItfe"7" All A’s Principal’s List Oliver Allen, Meredith Ansorge, Ashton Brubaker, Morgan Cross, Alexa DeCamp, Quintin Eberly, Petra Foster, Sadie Hanford, Ethan Hawthorne, Sophia Haywood, Brissa Hernandez-Hernandez, Gabryella Juskewicz, Reese Loftus, Tori Morgan, Emilyah Neal, Zachary Patterson, Mallory Rohe, Donald Smith, Annika Solmes and Allison Tefft. A’s and B’s Alivia Adams, Audrey Aicken, Brennen Armstrong, Kyra Bishop, Lily Bishop, Jack­ son Busson, Milo Clore, Sydnie Diljak, Henry Elzinga, Lilianna Enyart, Lola Grego, Ava Herbert, Sierra Hester, Harlie James, Colt Jousma, Madison Killian, Logan Kimmel, Cordelia Kniaz, Caleb Kramer, Shad Manciu, Aubree Milcher, Aaron Minogue, Tenleigh Nichols, Ava Patterson, Lilyien Pelkey, Chloe Pirtle, Caroline Randall, Brayden Reaser, Grady Reed, William Renner IV, Cassie Rosenberg, Lila Schweizer, Lucy Shafer, Hannah Sorensen, Madison Stora, Kendra Taylor, Karmyn Thornton, Emma Warner, Zikarra Warner, Raegan Wattles, Jack Webb, Melanie Westbrook, Spencer Wilkins, Madi­ son Wilson and Marlayna Young. catch tasty ground squirrels. Some rattle­ snakes have stronger venom than others. Some squirrels can handle venom better than others. The venom key doesn’t fit as well into their locks. Those squirrels are more likely to survive. Then, they can pass on their resis­ tance through their genes to their babies. With all those resistant squirrels running around, snakes with stronger venom will probably catch more meals and live longer. They’re more likely to pass their genes on to their babies, too. Over time, the animals adapt to each other-eranking out stronger and stronger venom or higher and higher resistance to survive. Scientists call this an evolutionary arms race. “It’s a really cool example ofevolution in action,” Perry said. An arms race is also the reason that some newts are so poisonous. Garter snakes are one of the few animals that can eat those newts. After eating a poisonous newt, these snakes are slow or unable to move for a while. But they don’t die. So, the newts make stronger poison to survive. That puts pressure on the snakes to become more resistant. That back and forth eventually led to today’s poisonous newt. Its poison is one ofthe strongest toxins on Earth. Evolution is amazing! Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Plunging into the polar dip always draws a big crowd at the Gun Lake Winterfest. Many support a charity by taking the plunge. (Photo provided) CHILL OUT: Gun Lake Winterfest organizers prepare for annual event Karen Thrko-Ebright Contributing Writer In less than a month, Yankee Springs State Park will draw in crowds for the annual Gun Lake Winterfest, slated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. “The pressure is on,” said Monte Baker, chair of the massive Winterfest event for about eight years. “This year, I’m so happy about eight people have stepped up and are helping out, which has taken a lot ofthe bur­ den offofmy shoulders.” Not to mention the small army volunteers that have been working behind the curtain. “We have some people working behind the scenes working on Facebook posts and docu­ ments,” Baker explained. However, she is hoping more volunteers will sign up to help. “We need about eight to 10 to help with set up and tear down. That’s the area we need the most help,” Baker said. “To really make this a good event, it would be nice to have about 50 volunteers to help with all parts.” Besides preparing for weather conditions, scheduling events and organizing, much more goes into planning Winterfest, which is one ofthe few area festivals that thumbs its nose at the frigid temperatures and welcomes an entire day’s worth of events - from a 5K run and polar dip to a corn hole tournament, disc golf and the annual Gun Lake Idol singing competition. Committee members have been meeting every Monday night since July for Winter­ fest 2023. Planning early, gaining help from volunteers and securing both sponsorships and donations are key to pulling off a big event like this, especially now that it’s grown over the years, according to festival board members. Liz Roscoe and Kim Bedford, co-chairs on the Gun Lake Winterfest planning committee, agreed with Baker that extra help is needed. Roscoe, a California native, joined the committee five years ago. “I’m basically part of the planning of everything,” Roscoe said. “It’s actually going a lot better. This year we have a lot more volunteers that stepped up.” “It’s nice to have volunteers because there werejust three of us that pretty much did it all by ourselves,” Baker said. Bedford is going into her eighth year on the planning committee. She said she’s most proud of the community coming together yearly for Winterfest, highlighting the sup­ port from local businesses and volunteers and how the event brings people from far and wide to enjoy all the day’s festivities. Winterfest also comes with an element of charity. This year’s benefiting charity is Fam­ ily Promise, an affiliate ofa national non-prof­ it program that provides temporary housing to homeless families. It also offers personal­ ized mentoring services and connections to county and local agencies to help stabilize needy families. Although the main event is on Feb. 18, there are a couple of activities leading up to Winterfest. “For the most part, it is going well,” Baker said. “Our brewers are lined up, and we’re doing a trivia contest this year - which we have not done in a few years - on Valentine’s Day, and we have our Euchre tournament.” Trivia will take place at the American Legion at 4310 18th St. in Dorr on Feb. 14. First, dinner will be served at 6 p.m. for $8. Following dinner, trivia will start at 7 p.m. with a cost of $20. The Gun Lake Idol semifinals will also be performed at the Gun Lake Casino beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The casino is located at 1123 129th Ave. in Shelbyville. A Euchre tournament is slated for Feb. 16 in Wayland at VFW Post 7581 starting at 7 p.m. The entry fee is $10. In addition to scheduled events, kids will have plenty to do throughout the day ofWin­ terfest. “We have the petting zoo. All that is going to be there like we have in the past,” Baker said. GUN LAKE WINTERFEST At Yankee Springs State Park Saturday, Feb. 18 gunlakewinterfest.com �Page 8 — Thursday, January 26. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Gilmore to be resentenced In Roslund slaying County board member attends Governor’s State of the State Address Jayson Bussa Greg Chandler StaffWriter An 18-year-old Hastings man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole last summer in the 2021 crossbow slaying ofLane Roslund will be resentenced after a Michigan Supreme Court ruling regarding life sentences for offenses committed by juveniles. A hearing on resentencing for Patrick Gilmore will take place May 19 in Barry County Circuit Court. A procedural hearing in the case took place Wednesday afternoon' before Judge Michael Schipper. “I’m going to allow this case to go for­ ward with a new sentencing,” Schipper said. “I think that’s the safest way to go. We’ll rehear everything. Ms. (Alona) Sha­ ron (Gilmore’s new attorney) can reargue everything she wants regarding sentencing and bring in whatever exhibits and testimo­ ny she thinks supports her and her client’s position. I will then freshly look at this based on the new standards and make a decision on that.” Schipper on June 8, 2022 sentenced Gilmore to life in prison with no possibil­ ity for parole in the murder of 17-year-old Roslund on Sept. 10-11, 2021. Roslund’s body was buried in a shallow grave and recovered more than a month after the killing. Gilmore was 17 years and six months old at the time ofthe Roslund murder. Gilmore’s sentencing was affected by a Michigan Supreme Court ruling issued July 28 of last year in the case ofRobert Taylor, a Macomb County man who was convicted in 2009 of multiple charges, including first-degree felony murder in the slaying of Matt Landry. Taylor was 16 years and 10 months old at the time of the slaying. Taylor did not fire the shot that killed Landry, but had acted as a lookout as an accomplice while another individual forced Landry into his own'car. Taylor was sentenced to life in prison without parole for his role in the slaying. But in the state Supreme Court ruling, a 4-3 court majority ruled that the Macomb County court did not properly follow the guidelines of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 2012 in the case ofMiller v. Alabama, where the court ruled that a sentence of mandatory life without parole was unconsti-1 tutiorial. The state Supreme Court ruled in the Taylor case that the prosecutor, not the defendant, “bears the burden to rebut a pre­ sumption that (life without parole) is a dis­ proportionate sentence. The standard for rebuttal is clear and convincing evidence.” The new resentencing hearing would “re-examine whether this is ajuvenile who can be incarcerated (for) life without parole,” said Carol Jones Dwyer, an attor­ ney who defended Gilmore as the case moved through the county court system. Gilmore pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on March 30,2022. He went through a sentencing hearing in June 2022 where Editor A member of the Barry County Board of Commissioners was in the Michigan House Chambers on Wednesday night as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her annual State ofthe State Address. Freshman county commissioner Bob Teunessen announced during Tuesday’s county board meeting that he would be attending the governor’s address with newly-elected Rep. Gina Johnsen. “(Gina and I) have had numerous conver­ sations throughout the whole election process - we really hit it offand had a lot ofthe same ideas,” Teunessen told The Banner on Tues­ day. “I just feel honored by the fact that she called me to go.” The State of the State Address, similar to the president’s State ofthe Union address, is delivered annually by the state’s governor. This was Whitmer’s fifth State of the State Address, which is delivered to ajoint gather­ ing ofboth the state House and Senate, out­ lining her priorities for the coming year. The Democrat governor delivered the address in front ofboth a House and Senate that features a Democrat majority for the first time since the 1980s. A couple of points of emphasis this year included expanding the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit in addition to furthering gun safe­ ty laws. This year’s address was a bit of a mile-1 stone, as it is the first time that the State of the State has been held in person since the COVID-19 pandemic. And Teunessen was in the house listening for Barry y County. y. Teunessen is currently serving his first term on the county board after winning elec­ tion in District 1, which includes areas sun rounding the City ofHastings. Teunessen is a longtime business ownerj but his campaign for the county board was his first taste oflocal politics. He was honored to serve as one ofjust two allotted guests for Rep. Johnsen. “I think she’s a great person. She’s well-rounded with great values,” Teunessen said ofJohnsen. “She’s very community-oriented and very interested in Barry County,” he added. “We’ve had a couple of conversations — not since she has been seated. But, we’ll stay in contact more after this.” Johnsen, who is originally from Lansing and now resides in Lake Odessa, was voted into the state house this year by voters in District 78, which includes roughly the east-* em halfofBarry County, including the city of Hastings. Johnsen beat out a crowded Repub-: lican field for her seat, which included former county board chair Ben Geiger, Christine Barnes and Jon Rocha, who ended up running for the spot via a write-in campaign. w XL* Patrick Gilmore Schipper had to consider different sentencing parameters under the Miller ruling. Among those criteria were: - The juvenile offender’s chronological age and its hallmark features - among them, immaturity, impetuosity, and failure to appreciate the risks and consequences, the offender’s family and home environment; - The circumstances of the homicide offense, including the extent ofthe offend­ er’s participation in the conduct and the way familial and peer pressures may have affect­ ed him; - The incompetencies associated with youth in dealing with police officers, prosecutors and defense attorneys; -And, the possibility ofrehabilitation. Under the parameters outlined in the Miller case, Schipper could have sentenced Gilmore to a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of60 years. However, at the sen­ tencing hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Ellsworth called for the life without parole sentence, calling Roslund’s murder “a 100-percent premeditated murder thought out, planned out ahead of time, discussed, researched, and covered up and lied about.” Sharon asked for a two-day hearing to allow for her to call enough witnesses to testify on Gilmore’s behalf. Schipper reject- ed that request, calling it “excessive.” “Very honestly, we don’t need two days for this. That’s too much time,” the judge said. “Your honor, I’ve had Miller hearings... Sharon said. “I don’t care what you’ve had. The court allows me, and as a matter of fact, a friend of mine who is a federal judge did a $20 million civil lawsuit, and he gave (the attor­ neys) six hours each to do the case, and that was upheld (on appeal),” Schipper said. “The only thing I can’t do is limit a victim or a defendant’s testimony. But I’m not going to take two full days to do a hearing like this when I should have dll Ofthe Writ­ ten reports ahead oftime, and it’s only me that’s making a decision.” Sharon defended her request. “I... understand that I have an obligation to represent Mr. Gilmore in a way that I think is appropriate,” she said. “That’s not unlimited and unfettered. The courts have made it very clear that it’s not,” Schipper said. “I have the right to conduct a trial that’s efficient and that’s not cumula­ tive or repetitive.” Gilmore is currently serving his sentence at the Saginaw Correctional Facility, according to the state’s Offender Tracking Information System. ,>"S; J**1 **1 ■miim REfeafeiir dipt tennis Mohan IQsUi r r Charity wins as Scots topple Falcons twice on ice New Years Special Join Pennock's Health and Wellness Center for the month of January for $0! Want to check us out? Mondays are FREE for the community all January! Use the fitness floor, enjoy various fitness classes, the hot tub and pool! Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! Regular monthly enrollment fee begins Feb. 1. Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. Spectrum Spectr Brett Bremer Sports Editor Maybe next time taking pledges for per goal donations might be a good idea, or at least it would have turned out well this winter. The Caledonia varsity hockey team, made up of players from Caledonia, Lowell and Thomapple Kellogg, took part in a Hockey Fights Cancer weekend with the East Kent­ wood Falcons at Kentwood Ice Arena Friday and Saturday, with the two squads that share the same home ice teaming up to raise funds for cancer awareness and Beautiful You by Profile, a nonprofit organization whose mis­ sion is to help women and girts undergoing cancer treatment look and feel beautiful, pro­ vide a community of support, share resource awareness and engage with their ongoing wellness. The Caledonia team took an 8-0 win over the Falcons Friday, in a game in which the Scots were the home team, peppering Falcon goalkeeper Braxton Ewer with 50 shots on goal. The Fighting Scots followed up that win with a 13-0 victory Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Scots are now 7-13 overall this season and improye to 4-3 in the Fisher Division ofthe OK Conference with the two victories. Alex Skibinski notched a hat-trick with his third goal at the 12:40 mark of the second period Friday night, pushing the Scots to a 6-0 lead at the time. Russell Langenburg had 4 points in the win with 2 goals and 2 assists. Caledonia also got goals from Jack VanEss, Aidan Wilson and Henry Simon. Simon had 2 assists as did teammate Zach Schneider. Brayden Cramer, Aidan Wilson, Edward Reoch, Logan Himes and Hunter Wilson had 1 assist each. Goalkeeper Finn White earned the shut out in goal for the Scots making 10 saves. Ewer had a tremendous 42 saves in goal for the Falcons. Aidan Wilson scored his first goal of the season in the Friday night victory, and a handful of other Scots got their first goal in the Saturday afternoon contest in which the Fal- I t Caledonia junior forward Brayden Cramer fires a shot towards the East Kentwood goal during the Fighting Scots' 13-0 win over the Falcons at Kentwood Ice Arena Saturday. Caledonia also took an 8-0 win over the Falcons Friday night as the twei teams hosted a Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend to benefit the Beautiful You charity: (Photo by Brett Bremer) cons played host. Edward Reoch, Ryan Bultema, Charlie Hoag and Camden Johnson each notched their first goal ofthe season Saturday. Caledonia senior defenseman Schneider recorded a hat-trick, finding the back ofthe net twice on an extended power play at the opening of the second period to finish off the feat. Caledonia also got goals Saturday from Skibinski, Drew Sova, VanEss, Caleb Sum­ merhays and two from Griffin Wolverton. East Kentwood is now 5-9 overall this sea­ son and 0-6 in the Fischer Division. The Falcons were also working Saturday to highlight congenital heart disease, a cause brought to the attention of the program by Joey Williamson, the social media manager for the Kentwood Ice Arena, who has sur* vived three heart surgeries due to the disease? The two teams raised over $1,500 for the Beautiful You organization over the weekend# This year’s Hockey Fights Cancer Game was be played in support of Susan Reoch, the;’ secretary of the Caledonia Hockey Boarcj who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in May of 2022. She had the opportunity to select where the proceeds from the event’s 50/50 raffle would be donated. A mother offive with three young hockey play-* ers currentlyj&n area teams, Reoch is heavily involved in the Grand Rapids area hockey community. �The Hastings ANNER WK' WK Mw s^ s'^W^ '^^ JssS^‘<$^'’% y^&S&S ^&S&S &S&S I X; X ® *^i'tQ “*•!»». J>< *•■10 Whl^'ni LUl M41® *■*•«] f * ■iso Btiwiid H mstti uriri fc£MH {tri* Bfl ■I ^KBonefSi^ i^^ BtfMi^w s**“^“ SPORTS SECTION Thursday January 26, Thursday, 26 2023 Undefeated Eagles earn GL6 regular season championship Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Barry County Christian Eagles clinched the Great Lakes 6 regular season title and the top seed for the conference’s postseason tournament with a 45-34 win over GL6 South Division rival Kalamazoo Heri­ tage Christian at the Barry County Christian School in Hastings Tuesday. Now 11-0 overall this season with the vic­ tory, the Barry County Christian (BCC) varsi­ ty boys’ basketball team will host Marshall Academy for homecoming Friday night with both the girls’ and boys’ teams in action, fol­ lowed by an alumni contest. A 10-0 run by the BCC boys over the first seven minutes of the bailgame had them in con­ trol from the start. Heritage Christian was back within two points in the opening minute ofthe second quarter, but eventually the host Eagles got their transition game under control and went on a 14-4 run to close out the first half. Noah Lilley rebounded his own miss in the final seconds of the first half and kicked the ball to the left comer for teammate Lucas Koetje who drilled a three-pointer as tirtie expired to put the BCC team in front 29-15. The BCC lead was double figures for the rest ofthe night. “That is what we want to do. We want to play tough defense and get into quick offense. That is our whole game plan. We didn’t do it the whole first half, and then right there before the second halfit started clicking there for a minute,” said BCC head coach Joshua Lamphere. Point guard Isaiah Lamphere had a gamehigh 17 points to lead BCC, scoring all of them in the first half. He knocked down 3 three-pointers. Barry County Christian got 10 points apiece from Koetje and Lilley, who also had another big night on the boards and protect­ ing his basket on the defensive rend.Joe Wise0 chipped in 6 points. While the BCC Eagles have managed to outrebound nearly every foe all season long despite the added challenge ofdoing it out of their regular 1-3-1 zone, Heritage Christian did all it could to outwork the host Eagles on the glass. Barry County Christian did a better job of limiting the Heritage Christian Eagles tp one shot in the second half. “They just set two guys down there and they’re already in position for that rebound, which is smart because that is the weakness of a 1-3-1 is the rebounding,” coach Lamphere said. “It’s something we have to work on.” Heritage Christian was led by 14 points from guard James Rogers. Fellow guard Levi Belden finished with 8 points. Rogers had 26 points in the first meeting between the two teams this season, and the BCC guys made sure to know where he was at all times Tuesday. “We definitely made a focus on not letting [Rogers] shoot the ball - as much,” coach Lamphere said. • Rogers hit a three with three and a half Delton Kellogg senior 126-pounder Gage Vincent celebrates his 100th varsity victo­ ry on his way to a third-place finish at the Hopkins Invitational Saturday. Barry County Christian guard Isaiah Lamphere attacks the basket while being defended by Heritage Christian's Levi Belden in the lane during th©; first half Tuesday night in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) minutes to play in the third quarter that had his team within 32-21, which was as close as the visitors would ever get. Koetje answered with a quick three bf his own to bump the BCC lead back up to 14 points. There was much less back and forth in the second half, Heritage Christian was much more patient on the offensive end and really worked things through Rogers who had 12 of his 14 points in the second half. The BCC Eagles still pushed the pace at every opportu­ nity, but managed a couple nice late baskets working the offense and finding cutters to get easy shots at the rim. “They were playing tough defense, but we started working the ball around and passing more instead of taking a quick shot. We hit the open guy. It wasn’t our best game, but we got the ‘W’ I guess,” coach Lamphere said. The final Great Lakes 6 bailgame of the regular season for the BCCS boys is Feb. 3 at home against Wyoming West Michigan Lutheran. They will open conference tourna­ ment action with a round one game Feb. 13. Barry County Christian's Jordan Stolz (0) keeps a close eye on Heritage Christian's James Rogers in the corner during their GL6 contest at Barry County Christian School in Hastings Tuesday night? (Photo by Brett Bremer) Vincent scores 100th victory for DKHS at Hopkins Invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg senior Gage Vincent scored his 100™ varsity wrestling victory on his way to a third-place finish in the 126-pound weight class Saturday at the Hopkins Invita­ tional. Vincent was one ofthree DK wrestlers to place in the top four in his weight class. The top finish for Delton Kellogg came from Giorgio Venturi at 215 pounds where he placed second to Fremont’s Michael Romero. Venturi pinned three foes in less than a min­ ute and had a 5-2 win over Niles’ Jimmy Gaya.to earn his spot in the finals. Vincent bested Hopkins’ Caden Brown J 2-0 in the match for third place at their flight. Vincent was 4-1 on the day, falling 13-2 to Hopkins’ Colton Kennedy in the semifinals. Corban Antolovich placed fourth at 106 pounds for the Panthers. Delton Kellogg also had Grifiyn Harmon fifth at 132 pound and Domanyck Harmon sixth in the 138B weight class. Fremont won the day’s championship by a single point over Wayland Union 278-277. Otsego was third with 251 points, ahead of Niles 204, South Haven 171, Thomapple Kellogg 166, Shelby 154, Hopkins 153, Delton Kellogg 110, Lakewood 85, Berrien Springs 82.5 and Bloomingdale 71. Andrew Middleton had the top finish for the Thomapple Kellogg team. He scored a technical fall to open the day and followed up with three straight pins in the 144-pound weight class before falling 16-1 to Wayland’s Lane Button in the chafripionship round. Kyron Zoet was third for TK at 138 pounds. He fell 6-4 to Fremont’s Tee Ward in the semifinals and the rebounded for a 13-0 win over South Haven’s Blake Hassevoort in the match for third. TK also had Joey Krystyniak fourth at 157 pounds, Tyler Bushman fourth at 132 and Luke Archer fourth at the 138B weight class. Lakewood’s Ashton Clark won the 120pound weight class to lead his team. He scored an 18-3 technical fall against Way­ land’s Rex Emmorey in their championship match. The Lakewood team had just five guys competing in Hopkins Saturday. Fremont got an individual championship from Ward at 138 who followed up his deci­ sion over Zoet by outscoring Otsego’s Jaydon Watson 17-2 in the championship round. Fremont also got wins from Trey Myers at 175 pounds, Michael Romero at 215 pounds and Briar Hambrock. Fremont also had Rylee Wright best team­ mate Maya Hambrock for a girls’ medium weight title and Ella Shields win a girls’ light­ weight title. Last Wednesday, the Delton Kellogg team scored a 54-30 Southwestern Athletic Con­ ference win over visiting Parchment. The two teams split the four contested weight classes. DK got a pin from Antolovich at 106 pounds and a pin from Vincent at 126 pounds. DK also had forfeit victories by Venturi, Mitchell Swift, Joelle White, Griffyn Har­ mon, Domanyck Harmon, Felix Houssemaine and Luke Watson. Hastings girls win three flights at West Ottawa meet Barry County Christian's Noah Lilley tries to get to the basket during the first half of the Eagles' victory over visiting Heritage Christian in a GL6 match-up at Barry County Christian School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings had 11 girls competing in the West Ottawa Girls Tournament Saturday in Holland and a trio earned flight cham­ pionships. •Dez Mathis at 120 pounds, Jordan Milanowksi at 145 and Claudia Plumbio at 170A all took championships for the Saxon team. Teammate 'Sophia Sunior was the runner-up in the 190-235-pound weight class. The Saxon team also had Cailin Red­ man place third in the 125C bracket. “It’s exciting to see the girls doing well,” Saxon varsity head coach Jason Slaughter said. “It’s the first team for Hastings, but they are still having a lot ofsuccess. We have a lot of girls who have never wrestled until this year but are still winning a lot of matches. They wrestle the same style we talk about with everyone. Being aggressive and going aftefr it.,l|Js alsb’great going to these toumaindents and' ajways being the'largest-team. We are growingthe sport all ardund atHastings.” Lakewood also had a handful of girls competing. Allison Slater scored a run­ ner-up finish in the 115-120-pound weight class. Mathis scored four pins to take her championship for the Saxons, never being pushed beyond the first period in any ofthe bouts. Analise Chelotte from DeWitt lasted longer than anyone else. It took Mathis just 73 .seconds to pin her. Milanowski scored pins in all three of her bouts and Plumbio had two pins in two matches. Milanowski pinned Alledale’s Rylee Sil­ via, Mattawan’s Shylah Twyman and For­ est Hills Central’s Maggie Schimeck. Plumbio stuck Waverly’s Leon Parker twice. Sunior earned her runner-up finish at 190-235-pounds by pinning Lakewood’s Ella Simon and Brandywine’s Mackenzie Witt. She was 2-1 on the day, falling herself to Marcellus’ Gabriella Allen. Redman was 1-2 on the night. She fin- ished her tournament with a quick pin of Fennville’s Gaby Orozco. The Saxon girls now have 6 wrestlers ranked in the Michigan Grappler rankings. Lakewood’s Slater was pinned by Cadil­ lac’s Keegan Gonzalez to open their day in the 115-120-pound weight class. Slater bounced back to pin her. next two oppo­ nents, Fennville’s Ella Ruiz and DeWitt’s Evelyn Irrer. The Hastings JV wrestling team also traveled to West Ottawa on Friday, where a JV tournament was taking place, and had nine wrestlers place in the top three for the team. Colten Denton, Taylin Wieringa, Hunter Pierce, Draven Pennock and Pres­ ton Meece all finished in first place for their weight class. Jovany Ramirez, Logan Kerby, Preston Humphrey and Seth Arnold all finished in second place. The Hastings girls’ team will travel to Ovid Elsie Friday, Jan. 30. Valerie Slaughter contributed to this article. �Page 10 — Thursday, January 26, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxons win another tournament title at Jenison Hastings senior Lanny Teunessen works to pin Sturgis' Tristan Ainsworth in their 190-pound bout Saturday at the Jenison Duals. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Valerie Slaughters Contributing Writer The Hastings varsity wrestling team improved its record of duals this season to 29-1 and earned another first place trophy at ta tournament ofduals hosted by Jenison Sat­ urday. The Saxons defeated Zeeland East 67-9 in the first round and shut out Sturgis in round two 84-0. Jenison gave the Saxons their toughest competition ofthe day in what was a 63-12 Saxon win. In the final round, Hast­ ings beat Kenowa Hills 63-9. “We are happy with the way our team is wrestling right now. They look sharp and are wrestling hard and still improving,” Hastings head coach Jason Slaughter said. Jordan Humphrey, Troy Hokanson, Colton Smith, Keegan Sutfin, Cohen Smith, Robby Slaughter and Lanny Teunessen were all 4-0 on the day for Hastings. Saxons finishing the day with three wins were Haiden Simmet, Tate Warner, Isaac Friddle and Parker Roslund. Robby Slaughter passed his big brother’s, coach Jason Slaughter, school record for take downs in a career over the weekend. Robby finished the day at Jenison with 443 take downs, 12 more than Jason finished his high school wrestling career at Hastings with. Earlier in the week, the Saxons continued their drive for a third straight conference title in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference. The Saxons defeated both Coldwater and Mar­ shall on Wednesday night, Jan. 18. In the first round, the Saxons shut out Coldwater 79-0 before wrestling Marshall for a 72-9 win. Cohen Smith (150 pounds) started the match with a 15-5 major decision, Simmet (157 pounds) and Slaughter (165 pounds) both picked up pins against their opponent. Warner (175 pounds) added a forfeit for the team, Teunessen (190 pounds) and Friddle (215 pounds) both won on pins for the team before Roslund (285 pounds) also won on a forfeit, putting the Saxons up 40-0 for the first half ofthe dual. The Saxons then picked up four straight pins from their light weights, Hokanson (106 pounds), Humphrey (113 pounds), Zach Chipman (120 pounds) and Colton Smith (126 pounds). Kerby won on a forfeit for the team, and then Sutfin won a last second deci­ sion over Coldwater’s Tre’a Miller 7-6, before Ben Furrow, closed out the dual with a final Saxon pin to shut out the Cardinals 79-0. Hastings senior Robby Slaughter works for a take down during his win over Zeeland East's Alexander Dewitt in their 157-pound bout Saturday at Jenison High School. Slaughter broke the career record for take downs by a Saxon and now has 443 as a varsity grappler. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Against the Redhawks, the Saxons started with a forfeit win for Simmet (150 pounds) and then picked up a pin by Slaughter (157 pounds). Saxon freshman, Matthew Shults fell at 165 pounds to give Marshall their first score of the match. The Saxons then pinned another four straight against the Redhawks getting pins from Warner, Teunessen, Friddle and Roslund. Hokanson would pick up a forfeit at 106 pounds, before Hastings pinned another four in a row with pins from Humphrey, Chipman, Colton Smith and Sutfin. Joe Goggins wrestled a tough match at 138 pounds, losing on a 5-2 decision. Cohen Smith closed out the dual with a final pin to bring the score to 72-9. The Saxons remain undefeated in Inter­ state-8. The Saxons will wrestle at Forest Hills Northern on Saturday, Jan. 31. Cook goes off for 31 as Saxons win in Charlotte Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer The Saxons picked up a 52—34 non-conference win over the Orioles at Charlotte High School Tuesday. .Hastings varsity girts’ basketbalF-coach Chase Youngs was proud ofthe way his team played. “We had watched film and knew teams were keying on Macy (Winegar), but we saw that we would have an advantage with Bailey (Cook) on the inside,” coach Youngs said. “We directed the ball to Bailey to take advan­ tage ofthat and Charlotte couldn’t stop her.” Cook finished with a game-high 31 points and also led her team in rebounds and was 7-for-9 on her free throws. Cook scored 8 points in the first quarter and added another 11 points in the second. She outpaced Charlotte’s leading scorer, Jaelyn Baker, who put up 9 for the Orioles in the first quarter and 7 more in the second. The Lady Saxons led the Orioles 37 -20 at the half. Cook would go on to add 12 points in the second half. Youngs was happy for Cook. “Bailey has been working hard and deserved a night like tonight,” Youngs said. “She shot well, led the team in rebounds and just did all the little things tonight. We play better as a team when Cook is on the court. The team shot really well from the free throw line tonight and that made a big difference as well. It’s a big win and a nice win to have before going to Coldwater Friday.” Winegar added 9 points for Hastings and freshman Olivia Friddle scored 6 points. Last week in Interstate-8 Athletic Confer­ ence play, the Lady Saxons lost on Friday night at home against the Redhawks ofMar­ shall 43-23. The Saxons, playing a player short with i Hastings varsity girls' basketball coach Chase Youngs and his team talk things over during their Interstate-8 Athletic Conference match-up with Marshall at Hastings High School Friday night. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Rachel Hewitt out for an injury, couldn’t get their shots to fall on Friday. “They could not shoot any worse than they did,” Youngs said ofthe Saxons. The Saxons missed their first six shots, and the game didn’t pick up much from there. “Bailey (Cook) played hard and carried us for the second quarter to get us back into the game, but when we score a combined 5 points in two quarters it doesn’t matter who we play it will be difficult to win,” coach Youngs said. “Marshall is well coached and knew what they wanted to do. Taking Macy (Winegar) out ofthe game was their main focus.” Lakewood grapplers move to 8-0 in league The Lakewood varsity wrestling team improved to 8-0 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference with wins over Perry and Saranac at Dansville High School Wednes­ day, Jan. 18. The Vikings scored a 63-18 win over Sara­ nac and a 58-18 win over Perry. Lakewood got pins from Joel Simon, Ash­ ton Clark and Kade Boucher in the win over Perry. Seth Walkington opened the dual for theVikings with a 5-2 win over Josh Nance in the 150-pound match. Lakewood also had Brenden Straub score an 18-7 major decision over Brody Webb at 175 pounds and Camden Wright score an 11-8 win over Adrin Grossett at 113 pounds. In the victory over Saranac, Camden Wright, Clark, Zachary Zbiciak, Seth Walk­ ington, Calder Villanueva, Brenden Straub and Simon had pins for Lakewood. Boucher scored a 16-0 technical fall at 126 pounds and Lydon Rogers scored a 10-2 major decision over Ryan Bollone at 132 pounds. ATTENTION RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS SOME RESIDENTS HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR WINTER TAX BILLS MAILED ON DECEMBER 1ST. IF YOU NORMALLY RECEIVE A TAX BILL AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE, PLEASE CALL THE TOWNSHIP TO AVOID LATE FEES. 269-948-2194 MON. & TUES. 9-3 AND WED. & THURS. 9-12 Hastings had just three points in the first quarter and only two in the third. Cook scored all the points in those .two periods. She finished with a team-high 11 points. Friddle finished with 6 points. Youngs added that his team “needs to do a better job executing on offense, and other players need to step up and take their oppor­ tunity and rise to the occasion. It was a learn­ ing game for a lot ofour players.” The Saxons will play at Coldwater on Fri­ day, Jan. 27, in another Interstate-8 ballgame before hosting local rival Delton Kellogg in Hastings Monday, Jan. 30. Hastings senior center Bailey Cook attacks the basket during her team's 1-8 contest with visiting Marshall Friday night. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) TKHS grapplers knock off Silver foes at crossover quad The Thornapple Kellogg varsity wres­ tling teams took wins over Comstock Park and Sparta in an OK Gold/Silver Quad it hosted Wednesday in Middleville. The Trojans bested the Comstock Park Panthers 54-21 and took a 49-25 win over the Spartans. Christien Miller, Austin Pitsch, Maver­ ick Wilson, Kyron Zoet, Andrew Miller, Jackson Curtis and Jaype Curtis all pinned their Comstock Park opponents for TK. Dylan Pauline and Zack Gibson won by forfeit for the Trojans. In the dual with Sparta, TK got pins from Miller, Middleton and Jackson Curtis. Noah Ro’senberg won by injury default for the Trojans and Derious Robinson took a forfeit victory, as did Zoet and Gibson. In he middle weights, TK got a 9-2 win from Aiden Foy, at 126 pounds, and a 13-3 major decision from Wilson at 132 pounds. TK was at the Rockford Duals last Satur- day and wrestled to a 3-2 day. The Trojans beat Edwardsburg 48-31, a Rockford team 66-15 and St. Joseph 46-29. They were bested 47-24 by Whitehall and 45-21 by Jackson Northwest. Zoet and Gibsdn were both 5-0 for the day. Robinson, Jackson Curtis and Rosen­ berg had four victories each. The TK team was scheduled to visit Cold­ water for a quad Wednesday, Jan. 25, and will be at the Leslie team invitational Jan. 28. Lions bested by Olivet and Laingsburg on GLAC/CMAC mats The Maple Valley varsity wrestling fell to Olivet and Laingsburg in Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference duals at Bath High School Wednesday. Olivet took a 48-16 win over the Lions and Laingsburg scored a 78-3 win. There were only thee contested bouts in the dual with the Eagles and Lions. Maple Valley won the first two. The Lions’ Ashton Kikendall pinned Kenden Todd in the 120-pound match. Teammate Dakota Osenbaugh scored a 16-5 major decision in his 144-pound match with Deshonte Lindsey. Maple Valley’s Jackson Burpee was pinned by Tyler Schofield in their 165-pound contest. Lion head coach Tony Wawiemia was pleased with the way his guys bounced back against Olivet after a rough dual with Laingsburg. Robert Schilz earned the three points for the Lions in the dual with Laingsburg. He scored a 5-1 win over Dano Winans in their 132-pound match. “The boys are pushing hard in practice knowing that the end of the season is near,” Wawiemia said. “They are all trying to step up their game.” aaioat �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 26, 2023 — Page 11 LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE t ] ’ • • ' , ■J I , Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at at 01 .-00. PM, , on March , 9, 2023. . The amount t due on the Mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a Mortgage made by Barbara L. Davis to Reliance First Capital, LLC dated August 24, 2019 and recorded September 5, 2019 as Instrument No. 2019-008515, Barry County, Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held by Reliance First Capital, LLC by assignment and/or merger. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $178,507.81. Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF BARRY, STATE OF MICHIGAN IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 2015­ 009703 AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 3 OF ACKER’S PLAT, HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS ON PAGE 7. SUBJECT TO EASEMENT OF RECORDED IN DEED RECORDED IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 1174432 ON DECEMBER 28, 2006 BETWEEN SHIRLEY SPARKS AND PHILLIP D. NGUYEN, A SINGLE MAN, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS, USE, BUILDING, AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD, IF ANY. APN: 07­ 040-003-00 COMMONLY KNOWN AS 4179 S SHORE DR, DELTON, Ml 49046 HOWEVER, BY SHOWING THIS ADDRESS NO ADDITIONAL COVERAGE IS PROVIDED Said property is commonly known as 4179 S Shore Dr, Delton, Ml 49046. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Please be advised that any third party purchaser is responsible for preparing and recording the Sheriff’s Deed. If this is a residential Mortgage, the following shall apply: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE-U8ED--FOR THAT-RURPOSE.-IF YOU; ARE A DEBTOR IN AN ACTIVE BANKRUPTCY CASE; ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF A BANKRUPTCY STAY; OR, HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY AND YOU HAVE NOT REAFFIRMED THE DEBT, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Dated: January 17, 2023 Attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage: Thomas E. McDonald (P39312) Brock & Scott, PLLC 5431 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (844) 856-6646 File No. 22-00091 (01-19)(02-09) 194204 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Under the power of sale contained herein in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or a cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Scott L. Donley A/K/A Scott Leo Donley, original mortgagor, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Low VA Rates, LLC, dated January 30, 2019, and recorded February 5, 2019 as Instrument 2019-000930, in Barry County records, Michigan, and assigned to Village Capital & Investment, LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 25,2020 as Instrument 2020-001926, and assigned to U.S. Bank National Association not In its individual capacity but solely as Legal Title Trustee for RMTP Trust, Series 2021 BKM-TT-V by an Assignment of Mortgage recorded on February 18, 2022 as Instrument 2022-002020, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Three Hundred Fifteen Thousand One Hundred Six and 29/100 dollars ($315,106.29). Said premises are situated in the Township of Assyria,, County of Barry, and State of Michigan, and particularly described as: The West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 1 North, Range 7 West, EXCEPT the South 920 feet thereof. Property Address: 10773 North Ave., Dowling, Ml 49050 Parcel No.: 08-01-006­ 010-00 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: January 3, 2023 For more information, please call: (440) 572-1511 Sottile and Barile PLLC Attorneys for Servicer 7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210 Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 File: MF2203010 Donley, Scott (VA) (01-05)(01-26) 193441 FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly att 01:00 PM, February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Christopher Banash and Martha S. Reyff-Banash, Husband and Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as a nominee for Residential Loan Centers of America, Mortgagee, dated August 15, 2005, and recorded on August 31, 2005, as Document Number: 1152007, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Specialized Loan Servicing LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage dated February 06,2019 and recorded February 06, 2019 by Document Number: 2019-000972,, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred and 22/100 ($111,700.22) including interest at the rate of 5.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range 8 West, described as: Beginning at a point 1217.5 feet West of the North 1/4 post of said Section 5; Thence South 353 feet; Thence West 236.5 feet; Thence North 118 feet; Thence West 200 feet for the place of beginning; Thence East 200 feet; Thence North to intersection of highway; Thence along highway in Southwesterly direction to the place of beginning. Parcel D: Commencing at the North 1/4 post of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; Thence West along the North Line of said Section 1502.00 feet; Thence South 47.67 feet to the Centerline of Coats Grove Road; Thence 188.66 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 49 degrees 50 minutes 48 seconds West, 186.48 feet to the true place of beginning; Thence continuing 68.36 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 29 degrees 17 minutes 10 seconds West 68.25 feet; Thence North 81 degrees TO minutes 46 seconds West 112.73 feet to an intermediate traverse line of the Shore of Leach Lake; Thence North 16 degrees 14 minutes 44 seconds East along said Intermediate Traverse Line, 67.00 feet; Thence South 80 degrees 03 minutes 46 seconds East 127.96 feet to the place of beginning. Including land-Jylncf-between- said Traverse bntr afW the*' waters of Leach Lake. Commonly known as: 137 COATS GROVE ROAD, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, ifthe property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: January 19, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Specialized Loan Servicing LLC 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 22MI00804-1 (01-19)(02-09) 194106 NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number V-3-2023 Thornapple Credit Union (Applicant); Thornapple Credit Union (Property Owner) Location: 108 S. Grove St Delton Ml 49046 in Section 6 of Barry Township. Purpose: Request a variance to construct a 24 x 32 addition to an existing building that has a side yard setback of 27 feet(the minimum is 20 ft) and an existing front yard setback of 4 feet(the minimum is 50 ft) in the GC (General Commercial) zoning district. MEETING DATE: February 13, 2023. DMfi: 7:00 PM. PLACE: Tyden Center, Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrycountv.org. The variance application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or calling the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk 194327 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Kipp L. Cushman, Unmarried Man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated March 30, 2022 and recorded April 18, 2022 in Instrument Number 2022-004415 and Affidavit Affecting Realty recorded on January 3,2023, in Instrument Number 2023-000055, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Union Home Mortgage Corp., by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand One Hundred Eighty and 57/100 Dollars ($159,180.57). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9,2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: COMMENCING 26 RODS WEST AND 18 RODS 13 1/2 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, AS A PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 23 RODS AND 3 FEET (OR UNTIL IT STRIKES THE DIVIDING LINE OF LANDS FORMERLY OWNED BY WILLIAM J. MCARTHUR); THENCE EAST 12 RODS; THENCE NORTH 23 RODS AND 0 FEET; THENCE WEST 12 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT THE NORTH 3 RODS THEREQF FOR STREET PURPOSES; ALSO EXCEPT COMMENCING 311 FEET WEST, AND 310.5 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE SOUTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE EAST 80 FEET; THENCE NORTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE WEST 80 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 159 W Franklin St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: January 12,2023 File No. 22-011627 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (01-12XG2D2) 193681 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Member SIPC Andrew Cove, AAMS® Financial Advisor FinancialAdvi 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 (269) 948-8265 Open the (back) door to a Roth IRA There aren aren’t’t many drawbacks to having a high income — but being unable to invest in a Roth IRA might be one of them. Are there strategies that allow highincome earners to contribute to this valuable retirement account? Before we delve into that question, let’s consider the rules. In 2023, you can contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA — $6,500, or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older — if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $138,000 (ifyou’re single) or $218,000 (if you’re married and filing jointly). Ifyou earn more than these amounts, the amount you can contribute decreases until it’s phased out completely if your income exceeds $153,000 (single) or $228,000 (married, filing jointly). A Roth IRA is attractive because its earnings and withdrawals are tax free, provided you’ve had the account at least five years and you don’t start taking money out until you’re 5916. Furthermore, when you own a Roth IRA, you’re not required to take withdrawals from it when you turn 72, as you would with a traditional IRA, so you’ll have more flexibility in your retirement income planning and your money will have the chance to potentially keep growing. But given your income, how can you contribute to a Roth? You may want to consider what’s known as a “backdoor Roth” strategy. Essentially, this involves contributing money to a new traditional IRA, or taking money from an existing one, and then converting the funds to a Roth IRA. But while this backdoor strategy sounds simple, it involves some serious considerations. Specifically, you need to evaluate how much of your traditional IRA is in pretax or after-tax dollars. When you contribute pretax dollars to a traditional IRA, your contributions lower your annual taxable income. However, if your income is high enough to disqualify contributing you from directly to a Roth IRA, you may also earn too much to make deductible (pretax) contributions to a traditional IRA. Consequently, you might have contributed after­ tax dollars to your traditional IRA, on top of the pretax ones you may have put in when your income was lower. (Earnings on after-tax contributions will be treated as pretax amounts.) In any case, if you convert pretax assets from your Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised 1961 judicature act of 1961, PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that1 the Allowing mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement or some partofthem, ata public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Kristy Matthews, single woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: April 19, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 29, 2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $95,458.45 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Parcel in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 18, Town 1 North, Range 7 West, described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of Section 18; thence North 220.83 feet; thence East 579.50 feet; thence South 224.17 feet; thence West 578.50 feet to the place of beginning. Common street address (if any): 12995 Holden Rd, Bellevue, Ml 49021-9219 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. 1486677 (01-19)(02-09) place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Michael Johnson, single person, AKA Michael W Johnson Original Mortgagee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Date of mortgage: December 24, 2008 Recorded on January 2, 2009, in Document No. 20090102-0000029, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Twelve Thousand Forty-Two and 24/100 Dollars ($112,042.24) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: The East 25 and 1/2 acres of the North 51 acres of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 19, Town 2 North, Range 7 West, Barry County Records. Commonly known as 7190 Barryville Road, Nashville, Ml 49073 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman RC. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1485974 Date of notice: January 19, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 (01-05)(01-26) 193586 193945 KO eff Domenico, AAMS®CRPC® traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, the amount converted will be fully taxable in the year ofthe conversion. So, if you were to convert a large amount of these assets, you could face a hefty tax bill. And since you probably don’t want to take finds from the converted IRA itself to pay for the taxes, you’d need another source of funding, possibly from your savings and other investments. Ultimately, then, abackdoor Roth IRA strategy may make the most sense if you have few or no pretax assets in any traditional IRA, including a SEP-IRA and a SIMPLE IRA. Ifyou do have a sizable amount of pretax dollars in your IRA, and you’d still like to convert it to a Roth IRA, you could consider spreading the conversion over a period of years, potentially diluting your tax burden. Consult with your tax advisor when considering a backdoor Roth strategy. But if it’s appropriate for your situation, it could play a role in your financial strategy, so give it some thought. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or somb' part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s). Eric Peterson, a single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic, ■ Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as* nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: January 19. 2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 5, 2007 Amount claimed due on date of notice:' $114,066.08 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The North 1275 feet of all that part of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, Town 4. North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan lying East of highway commonly known as Grand Rapids Street. Subject to a right of-, way to the State of Michigan for highway purposes over a strip of land, 50 feet in width, lying East of and • adjacent to the centerline of M-37 as now surveyed over and across the Northwest 1/4 of Section 11, asgranted in Liber 151 of Deeds, Page 260 Common street address (if any): 6860 N Whitneyville Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8662 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 5, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1485778 (01-05)(01-26) 193430 �Page 12 — Thursday, January 26, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hastings girls make it five wins in six tries on 1-8 lanes so far Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity bowling teams improved their Interstate-8 Athletic Conference records with wins over the visiting Penn field teams at Hast­ ings Bowl Tuesday. The Hastings ladies are now 5-1 in conference duals after a 22-8 win over the green and gold Panthers. Ally Herder had a high game of 197 and rolled a 160 to help power the Saxons to the win. Abby Barton rolled games of 182 and 159. Andrea Rhodes contributed a 161 and Jen Stoline scored a 128 for Hastings. The Hastings boys also won 22-8 Tiiesday. 194457 Miles Lipsey had games of 198 and 197 for the Saxons and Drew Rhodes fired a 226 to lead their team. Hastings also got a 161 from Cohen James and a 152 from Hunter Pennington in the victory. The Saxons return to action against Marshall at Marshall Lanes Thursday, Jan. 26. The Saxons are scheduled to be a part of the Colt Classic at Continental Lanes Friday. Hastings will be home again Tues­ day, Jan. 31, taking on Coldwater. Hastings was at Jax 60 to take on Jackson Northwest last Thursday, Jan. 19. The Hastings boys were bested in their match-up with the Mounties, but the Hastings ladies took a 28-2 victory. Amber Rabideau had a strong series with scores of 182 and 170 for the Hastings girls and Barton scored a 170 and a 176. Andrew Rhodes scored a 169 and a 174. Herder con­ tributed a 134 and a 146. The Saxon team also got a 142 from Stoline. Leading the Hastings boys in thenloss to the Mounties, Pennington scored a 173, Lipsey a 160 and James a 166. The Hastings teams were in action at the Zeeland East Baker Invita­ tional Saturday at Station 300 in Grandville. The Hastings boys were eighth and the girls’ tenth. JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP AND BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF JOINT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISRICT PUBLIC HEARINGS CLEAR LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF JOHNSTOWN AND BALTIMORE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Boards of Johnstown and Baltimore Townships, based on petitions submitted, as authorized by PA 188 of 1954, as amended, each propose to undertake an aquatic plant control project (with associated activities) in Clear Lake in Johnstown and Baltimore Townships as more particularly described below and to each create a separate special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment districts within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed include all parcels with frontage on and/or access to Clear Lake in Johnstown and Baltimore Townships and Delton boys get second shot at league-leading G-A Friday night Tyler Howland led Delton Kellogg with a career-high 20 points. He helped keep Delton Kellogg in the bailgame in the first half. He scored 8 of his team’s 11 points in the second quarter. He hit a deep three at the buzzer to get his team within a point going into the locker room. Howland only had three turnovers while hitting 3 threes and going 5-of-5 at the free throw line. “Pretty good for our freshman point guard,” Hogoboom said. The Panthers also got 14 points from Torren Mapes who battled foul trouble throughout. “Proud of how we responded to a very disappointing loss at Marcellus on Monday,” Hogoboom said. “Love this group and we have some really good moments.” Jeffrey Howell Jr. led Bangor with 7 points. Marcellus bested the DK boys 62-49 Monday. Parker Adams led the young Marcellus team with 15 points. Hogoboom said Marcellus is a team made up of six varsity players, four of whom are sopho­ mores “and they beat us in every area ofthe game.” Marcellus also got 13 points from Quintin Tone, 12 from Beau Ferguson and 11 from Nathan Mihells. “It didn’t seem to matter what we tried defensive­ ly. They pretty much got what they wanted versus our man, our press and our zone,” Hogoboom said. “We have to get better at that end since our offense, like most high school teams, can be hot and cold.” Mapes led Delton Kellogg with 20 points and Howland had 15. “Mapes was fantastic at both ends andjust contin­ ues to make things happen,” Hogoboom said. The Panthers took a 57-41 SAC Central win at Martin last Friday, Jan. 20. Hogoboom was happy to get all his guys some minutes and to have Isaac Shepard back from a broke collarbone. Shepard had 5 points. Mapes led the team with 19 points. The Panthers led 12-5 at the end ofthe first quarter and never trailed in the bailgame. Karter Ribble paced the Clippers with 15 points and Gavin Myers had 23. Brett Bremer Sports Editor It is a good thing the Panthers built some momen­ tum lately. They have a challenge ahead Friday night. The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball has won five ofseven since the calendar flipped to 2023 after a 51-24 victory over visiting Bangor Tuesday night. Delton Kellogg will now get its second shot at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Divi­ sion leading Galesburg-Augusta Rams Friday on Hall ofFame Night at Delton Kellogg High School. The Rams are 11-1 overall this season and swept through a 5-0 first half of the SAC Centrall season. DK moved to 6-6 overall with its win Tuesday. The Panthers are 2-2 in the conference. Galesburg-Augusta took a 19-point win when the two teams met back in December. Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom was happy to see his guys bounce back from a rough 62-49 loss at Marcellus Monday to score the win over Bangor Tuesday. He said his highlight of the night was a timeout in which he just sat back and forced his guys to use their own voices with each other. His Panthers followed it up with a 7-1 run. “There was good leadership from Philip Halcomb and a number ofother guys who spoke up and chal­ lenged themselves as a group,” Hogoboom said. It was a tight ballgame throughout the first half, but the Panthers exploded for a 23-1 run in the third quarter to take control. Bangor had held a 19-18 lead at the intermission. “We moved our press forward a bit and that led to some offensive opportunities,” Hogoboom said. “Also, the kids really stepped up to a stem challenge at the halfto block-out and rebound better, and as a group we did that, with Jason Lundquist establishing himselfinside at both ends.” Lundquist scored all 7 ofhis points and had what coach Hogoboom described as three beautiful giveand-go assists, in the second half. He also had 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in the second half. are more particularly described as follows: JOHNSTOWN TWP PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: 08-09-004-005-00 08-09-005-008-00 08-09-005-010-00 08-09-005-010-05 08-09-005-014-00 08-09-005-018-00 08-09-055-001-00 08-09-055-002-00 08-09-055-004-00 08-09-055-005-00 08-09-055-007-00 08-09-055-008-00 08-09-055-009-00 08-09-055-010-00 08-09-055-012-00 08-09-055-013-00 08-09-055-016-00 08-09-055-017-00 08-09-055-018-00 08-09-055-019-00 08-09-210-003-00 08-09-210-005-00 08-09-210-009-00 08-09-210-010-00 08-09-210-011-00 08-09-210-014-00 08-09-210-015-00 08-09-210-016-00 08-09-210-017-00 08-09-210-018-00 08-09-210-019-00 08-09-210-020-00 08-09-210-021-00 08-09-210-022-00 BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: 08-02-032-376-00 0088-0022-003322-440011-1 000 08--02-033--100--00 08-02-033-100-20 08-02-033-100-30 08-02-033-251-00 08-02-033-252-00 08-02-033-253-00 OS-02-033-254.00 08-02-033-376-00 08-02-033-377-00 08-02-033-378-00 08-02-033-452-00 08-02-033-453-00 08-02-033-454-00 08-02-033-456-00 08-02-040-002-00 08-02-040-003-00 08-02-040-004-00 08-02-040-004-10 08-02-040-006-00 08-02-040-007-00 08-02-040-008-00 08-02-040-009-00 08-02-040-010-00 08-02-040-011-00 08-02-040-012-00 08-02-040-013-00 08-02-040-014-00 08-02-040-015-00 08-02-040-016-00 08-02-040-018-00 08-02-040-019-00 08-02-040-020-00 08-02-040-021-00 08-02-040-022-00 08-02-040-023-00 08-02-040-030-00 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Boards have received plans showing the proposed aquatic plant control project, associated activities, any proposed improvements and locations thereof, together with an estimated total project cost of $212,000. Each Township's allocated share of the total project cost will be raised a special assessment district in each Township. The allocated shares of the total project cost are Baltimore Township 54.4% and Johnstown Township 45.6%. Each Township Board has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to create the aforedescribed special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Boards have placed the project plans and costs estimates on file with the Township Clerks and said plans, cost estimates and special assessment districts may be examined at each Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Boards propose to make a per-parcel special assessment each year for a period of five years (2023 -2027 inclusive). The annual assessment in each Township is to be determined by both Township Boards, per the above percentage allocations. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, districts and cost estimates will be held at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641 S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek, Michigan, on February 8, 2023 at 6 p.m.. At the hearing, the Boards will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerks at or before the hearing, and any objections or comments raised at the hearing; and at the hearing (or any adjournment of the hearing which may be made without further notice), the township boards may revise, correct, amend, or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. LEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if written objections to the project are filed with the Township cards at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the ar pe -,n ProP°sed special assessment district, then the township boards may not proceed unless ions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Benjamin B. Buehler a single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: January 16,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: January 26,2015 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $129,562.82 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 19, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, described as: Commencing at the Northwest comer of the Southeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of said Section 19; thence East 474 feet: thence South 369 feet; thence Southwest to a point 550 feet South of the place of beginning; thence North to the place of beginning. Common street address (if any): 4700 Fighter Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-8538 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the tattorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 5,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1485939 (01-05)(01-26) 193513 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29073-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone: 269-945-1390 Estate of Pamela Ann Andrews, deceased. Date of birth: July 1,1958. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Pamela Ann Andrews, deceased, died April 20,2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Gary Donald Andrews, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 1-19-2023 Thav Ryke and Associates Thomas J. Langan P81339 24725 West Twelve Mile Road, Suite 110 Southfield, Michigan 48034 (248)945-1111 Gary Donald Andrews 3101 East Mud Lake Road Dowling, Michigan 49050 (269)721-8552 194300 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29388-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone: 269-945-1390 Estate of Audrey Ruth Renner, deceased. Date of birth: December 12,1928. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Audrey Ruth Renner, died January 8,2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to William D. Renner, II, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: January 24,2023 William D. Renner, II P29832 P.O. Box 159 Coldwater, Ml 49036 517-227-9984 William D. Renner, II 3000 Beatrice Avenue Middleville, Ml 49333 517-227-9984 194459 r assassment assassment dd’’stnet/ stnet/ are are filed filed with with the the township. township. Written Written comments comments or orobjections objections may may be befiled filed 3 wi e clerks at the address set out below. Appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in or er o appeal the amount of the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the at th *3 *ass®ssment r°H *s confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person e ear ng to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his/ °r protest pY letter and, in such case, his/her personal appearance shall not be required. er? tu perso,ns are Invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and the cost estimates hif ®rURdJH WEl ,!? N?hT,CE that if ti(iel Township Boalrlds dbetermine tod prodceed whithhthe ispeciailll bp hpirf n ®.oards Wll! each cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will b notlce to record soewdnseprescioafl apsrsoepsesrmtyenptrsoposed to be specially assessed, to hear Pnubile comments concerning the proposed special p. wiitth ZdibibliZlitianht tehh h^rini m°re T?fwns(.h4’)pdwiH protviide tneceshsaTry reashoinaCblle kauxiliary aids to individuals witn disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to each Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641S. M-37 Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 (269) 721-9709 Penelope Ypma, Clerk Baltimore Township 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 721-3502 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL.., The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Hus in ess Services Pets WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill WESTIE, TERRIER, JACK Russell Mix Puppies- 1st shots is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. & wormed. Very cute. $250.00, 517-726-0706. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Help Wanted time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits. 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd, Clarksville, MI PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegall to ert,s? *“ny preference, limitation discrimination based on race, col color, rreligion, sex, handicap, familial status, n national origin, age or martial status, or on intention, to make aany such" erefp|?nco ’ imitation or discrimination." e tFamilial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legall custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.. This newspaper will not knowinl knowingly acwpt any advertising for reall estate w which is in violation of the law. Our drreaders are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper “re.“v®llable on an ain equal eiquial tiopportunity opportlul ntihty nas's- To report discrimination call the atho6616-451-2980. The HUD toll-fCCenter reeentteerle at n1e6-n45m1b -2e9r 8fo0r. The HUD toll-free telephone e number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. An r n �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, January 26, 2023 — Page 13 DK girls overwhelm Lee, then nearly rally at Bangor Brett Bremer a. Sports Editor “We needed that,” said Delton Kellogg WO XSl head coach Mike Mohn. The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ basket­ ball team picked up its first victory since before the holiday break by outscoring visit­ ing Wyoming Godfrey-Lee 44-10 in a non-conference bailgame at Delton Kellogg High School Monday. There were smiles and laughter on the bench, plenty ofplaying time for everybody and a few more shots finding their way through the net. The Panthers set a new season high in points offensively and a new season low defensively in the win over the Legends. Delton Kellogg shut out the Legends in the first quarter, building a 16-0 lead. “These kids have been working so hard. They really have,” Mohn said. “They have been a pleasure to coach. They show up every day and they go to work. They work hard. They’re great kids. They have a great sense of humor and a great presence about them­ selves. We just have not been able to put the ball in the basket. We’re getting great shots. I can not complain at all about our shot selec­ tion or where we are taking the shots from. Can’t complain. “But you know how it is. The basket gets tighter, and tighter and tighter. You miss a couple and it gets a little tighter. Tonight, some ofthe shots were falling.” A group ofeight different Panthers scored in the win led by guard Jordan Lyons who had 12 points. DK also got 8 points from Cadence Johnson, 7 points from Allie Tran­ tham and 5 points apiece from Mya Brickley and Lillie Ferris. The Panthers got a little bit of inspiration from the Duke University Women’s Basket­ ball program heading into the match-up. The 16th-ranked Blue Devils sit atop the Atlantic Coast Conference at the moment, and coach Mohn and his daughter, assistant coach Kris­ ten Mohn, spent Sunday afternoon watching them knock off Syracuse 62-50 at Cameron Indoor Stadium - part of a bucket list trip to Delton Kellogg senior guard Kasey Kapteyn keeps a close watch on Godfrey-Lee's Nashia Merriweather as she brings the ball up the court during the first half of their non-conference ballgame in Delton Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) visit some of the most historic college basket­ ball ‘bams’ in the country. The Blue Devils want to play uptempo at every opportunity, and the Panthers got a crash course Monday before taking on the Lee Legends. “They do a really nice job of seeing each other up the floor, and they get it up the floor. Now, granted those are All-America kids, all­ state, whatever, but I thought man we’ve got to get our kids in a better position to get some easier looks. “We went in and talked about it before the game, ran through it three or four times and I thought they did a remarkablejob oflooking up and getting the ball up - pass, pass finish, pass, pass finish, with five minutes worth ofwork.” He said it’s just more fun to be “flying around.” The Panthers were 6-of-10 from the free throw line, which was one of the team’s top performances ofthe season at the line. The Delton Kellogg girls are now 3-8 over­ all this season. They came up just short ofputting together back-to-back wins Tuesday night, falling 42-38 at Bangor. Coach Mohn took the blame for a slow start on himself. He didn’t quite have his girls ready to bounce back from having a ballgame the night before. Bangdr led by as many as 12 points in the first half. “We had a little ‘discussion’ at halftime and challenged the kids,” Mohn said, “It’s time Charlotte scores two-point win overHHS boys Warn ^^555® time to show up. No more excuses. Let’s go. They came out like gangbusters in the third quarter. The bench was into it. It was a differ­ ent group ofkids were on the floor at that time, not a typical rotation thing, and they just clicked. We outscored them 17-4 in the fourth quarter,just an unbelievable response from the kids. I was excited for them.” Delton Kellogg was up five going into the fourth quarter, but a quick series oftwo pos­ sessions took that lead away. The Panthers missed a blockout and the Vikings cut the lead to three with an offensive putback. A Delton Kellogg turnover and a late close-out led to a three-pointer that tied the game and flipped the momentum. Bangor was 8-of-10 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter to close the bailgame strong. The Panthers got a good look at a three-pointer form the top ofthe arc to try and tie the game in the closing moments. “It was a great shot, good ball movement and great elevation. I thought that puppy was in,” Mohn said. “It kind of rimmed around and came out.” Bangor rebounded the miss and then hit a free throw to make the final four-point margin. Lyons led Delton Kellogg with 11 points, with the bulk of those coming in the first half. Mohn said being challenged by her dad, assistant coach Jesse Lyons, at the break broke her out ofa funk. Delton Kellogg’s Josie Williams goes up for two points during the first half of her team’s non-conference win over Godfrey-Lee Monday night at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “She came out like gangbusters in the sec­ ond half and got us back into it,” Mohn said ofJordan. Williams had a team-high 12 points for the Panthers “It was great to see Josie play,” Mohn a said. “That is what we expect from her. It was really good to see her with that kind of energy, flying around. We have missed that a 4 little bit. ” Coach Mohn also continues to be pretty pleased with the play of senior center Lille Ferris, who is in her first season of high school basketball. Ferris had some strong moments Monday night too. “Lille Ferris, she continues to do great things. She had 6 points, all in that third quarter run and dominated the middle which is really nice,” Mohn said. The Panthers are home to host Hall of Fame Night at DKHS Friday, Jan. 27, taking on Galesburg-Augusta. Delton Kellogg will be inducting the 2009-10 Class B State Final­ ist Volleyball team into the athletic Hall of Fame Friday. The Rams took an 18-point win 4 when the two SAC rivals met up back in December; The Panthers follow up that contest by visiting Hastings Monday evening. a iWiCETOO OHLCBK::HmhtaHPrtite kliitata 5I 94259 HASTINGS-RUTLAND JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF HASTINGS-RUTLAND JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION ZONING ORDINANCE AT FEBRUARY 15, 2023 MEETING astgesn igatettftbMKnini Tgra toe to EtostGqMWpvlRnteri iieaiMpip** fel-w S Please take notice the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on February 15, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., at the Rutland Charter Township Hall/offices located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rut­ land, Barry County, Michigan to consider the following proposed amendments of the Zoning Ordinance of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission (Rutland Charter Township Ordinance No. 2016-156; City of Hastings Ordinance No. 532): |2W”« «a 1. The definition of “Family Day Care Home" in Section 2.02 of the Zoning Ordi­ nance is proposed to be amended to align that definition with changes in state law mak­ ing this type of child day care facility automatically eligible for “increased capacity" after satisfying certain criteria (from 6 to 7 children). 2. The definition of “Group Day Care Home” in Section 2.02 of the Zoning Ordi­ nance is proposed to be amended to align that definition with changes in state law mak­ ing this type of child day care facility automatically eligible for “increased capacity" after satisfying certain criteria (from 12 to 14 children). a**1 i I I i 3. Section 2.02 is proposed to be amended to add a definition for the new term “Qualified Residential Treatment Program”. 4. Section 6.02 is proposed to be amended to add "Qualified Residential Treat­ ment Program" as a permitted use in the MU-Mixed Use District. Hastings senior Layton Eastman fires up a jump shot from the top of the key during the Saxons' 1-8 ballgame with visiting Marshall Friday night. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) fej 5^3 ggg W Saxon junior guard Owen Carroll speeds the attack forward during his team's loss to visiting Marshall in an I-8 ballgame at Hastings High School Friday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The second halfofthe Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season starts Friday night at Coldwater for the Hastings varsity boys’ bas­ ketball team. The Saxons were 3-4 the first swing through the league schedule, a swing that started with a four-point win over the CardiCardi­ nals in Hastings way back on Dec. 9. Now it’s the Saxons’ turn to go at the Cardinals afterr a long bus ride, which Hastings head coach Rich Long said is never easy — especially as he tries to get his team refocused after a snow day Wednesday. Coldwater is rolling at the moment. The Cardinals are 5-0 since the calendar turned to 2023 with five conference victories during the stretch. Northwest, Marshall arid Coldwater are tied atop the conference standings at 5-2 at the midway point. Hastings is 5-7 overall. The Saxons suffered a tough 45-43 loss to visiting Char­ lotte in a non-conference ballgame Tuesday wiped that away. Jett Barnum hit the front end of a one-and-one for the Saxons to put them up 43-42 with 18 seconds to play. Charlotte answered with a corner three by senior shooting guard Braden Hill to go up 45-43. “We came down, ran a play and got a wide open three from the top ofthe key to win by one and we missed,” coach Long said. “They rebounded, we fouled with 6.8 second to go and they missed a 1-and-l.” Saxon senior guard Myles Padilla got one last heave at the basket up in a crowd from near mid-court, but it missed its mark as the Orioles took the victory. “It was a pretty even battle all night, coach Long said. “We were down by two at the wrong time on the clock,” he added. Hill led the Orioles with 17 .points. Senior center Caleb Hull chipped in 10 points. Senior Layton Eastman led the Saxons with 21 points. Padilla finished with 9 points and junior point guard Owen Carroll had 8 The lead swung between six points for both teams throughout the night. Hastings had a late four-point advantage, butt turnovers “He is shooting very well,” coach Long said of Eastman. “He has had multiple \ 7-, 18-point games. He scored well [Tuesday]. They played zone. We went high-low, and it seemed like every time Hayden [Long] caught it at the high post we hit Layton for a three-pointer or a lay-up.” Hastings closed the first halfofthe confer­ ence season with a 48-43 loss to visiting Marshall last Friday, Jan. 20. Coach Long thought his guys came out a bit flat after a halfday of school. The Redhawks led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter before his team started clawing its way back into the ballgame. Poor shooting and turnovers combined to put the Saxons in the hole in the first half. The Saxons were just 6-of-31 from the floor shooting the basketball through two quarters. The Saxons did a better job of getting the ball into the post in the second half. Hayden Long scored 10 ofhis 12 points in the second half in the post. Coach Long said that opened things up for Eastman on the outside. He was 5-of-10 from behind the three-point line and a had a teamhigh 19 points. Marshall got 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists from Josh Pugh. Aaron Maxwell added 9 points and 7 rebounds, and Austin Bums had 8 points. Subsequent to this public hearing, at the same meeting or at a different meeting, the JPC will consider whether to recommend approval of the proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments and submit same for approval by the Rutland Charter Township Board and Hastings City Council, each of which by statute and agreement have the right of final approval and adoption. The JPC and Township Board/City Council reserve the right to revise the text of the proposed amendments as submitted for public hearing and/or as recommended by the JPC before final approval/adoption without a further public hearing, to the extent allowed by law. I a 3 The Tentative Text of the proposed amendments, and the existing JPC Zoning Ordinance/Zoning Map may be examined by contacting the Clerk of the City of Hastings or the Clerk of Rutland Charter Township at their respective offices during regular business hours on regular business days until and including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. Written comments concerning the proposed amendments of the Zoning Ordinance may be submitted to the JPC in c/o the Hastings City Clerk at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting leaving sufficient time for the receipt and distribution of same to the JPC before the meeting, and may also be submitted to the JPC at this public hearing/meeting. k Necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services will be provided at the hearing/meeting to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Rutland Charter Township Clerk. HASTINGS-RUTLAND JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION c/o Christopher Bever, Hastings City Clerk City of Hastings 201 E. State St. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-2468 Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 a 1 s 4 �Page 14 —Thursday, January 26, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Panthers improve performance at second SAC meet Violet Kokx and the Panthers shout out to the crowd during their round two performance Thursday at the SAC meet hosted by Allegan High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Panthers really started coming togeth­ er in round three at Allegan Thursday night. The Delton Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team placed fourth for the second time in two tries in the Southwestern Athletic Con­ ference Division 4 competition, but boosted their score in round three from the opening conference meet by right around 24 points. “It was a marked improvement from last week,” Delton Kellogg head coach Zoe Reynolds said before even looking at the scores from the evening. “Round three was way cleaner. We only missed one stunt. It wasn’t really a miss. It was just a timing issue that made it not as pretty as it could be. We’re getting there. It is what it is. We only learned it last Monday. We’ve only practiced it six days. What are you going to do? We’re early in the season. We’re getting there.” The final standings at the top matched the final standings from the first SAC D4 compe­ tition ofthe season. Lawton added to its con­ said. “They’re starting to get confident and comfortable, so I feel like after another meet ference lead by winning Thursday with a score of715.34 points. Buchanan was second or two they’re really going to feel it. They’re starting to see it. My seniors actually too. I with a score of 649.02, ahead of Coloma 646.74, Delton Kellogg 620.18, White Pigeon have one senior who didn’t cheer all through 570.6, Hartford 567.1, Gobles 505.5, Fenn­ high school and just picked it up this year, and two that have done it two years. For their ville 504.62 and Schoolcraft 482.4. ages, they’re young.” Reynolds said round two was pretty good An incorrect jump in round one gave the and that round one was probably her girls’ best performance of that round so far this Panthers an eight-point deduction in round season. She liked the excitement level ofher one Thursday, leaving the team with a score of 187 in that round. That was the fifth best girls in that opening round and saw improved total in round one. motions and facials. The DK girls had the third best round two “Theyjust all around tried harder in round one,” Reynolds said. score ofthe day at 182.08. The DK team has six cheerleaders that They closed their evening by earning a have never been a part of the high school score of251.1 in round three. competitive cheer program before, and Reyn­ Lawton had the top score in all three olds said many ofherjuniors are key contrib­ rounds. The Blue Devils earned 219.3 points utors for the first time after after having a in round one and then added a 206.24 in Covid stunted freshman season and just get­ round two. They were the only team to score ting into high school cheer last season. at least 200 points in both ofthose rounds. “Last year was their first year on the mat. The runner-up team from Buchanan scored It was kind oflike a learning year,” Reynolds a 201 in found one and then had a score of Delton Kellogg flyer Carley Webb is held up by side base Emily Stoneburner, back spot Taiyah Mapes and and main base Sara Beeke during round three Thursday at Allegan High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 180.82 in round two. Buchanan overtook Coloma for second with a round three score of 267.2. Lawton had the top round three score of289.8. In the SAC Division 3 competition which also took place in Allegan Thursday, Parch­ ment took the win with an overall score of 686.18 that included scores of217.7 in round one, 191.38 in round two and 277.1 in round three. Allegan was second in the D3 competition with a total score of671.3, ahead ofDowagi­ ac 644.34, Berrien Springs 537.78 and South Haven 505.9. The SAC is set to get together again at Berrien Springs tonight, Jan. 26, for the last of three conference jamborees. The SAC Championship will be held Feb. 2 at Gobles. Lions and Saxons place first in their division at invitational The Maple Valley varsity competitive cheer team celebrates its championship l aturday at the Maple Valley New Year Invitational. Teamamtes include (front from S left) Story Jonca, Emily Reitz, Sophia Rose, Alyssa Moulden, Alexa Reitz, Kaydance Harvey, (back) Marissa Wagner-Byington, Grace Conklin, Aubrie Leo, Kailey Fust, Athena Morehouse, Maddie Trowbridge and Emily White. Brett Bremer Sports Editors Hastings, Maple Valley and Sturgis took championships in the three divisions at the Maple Valley New Year Invitational Satur­ day. Sturgis took the Division 1/2 title, Hastings the Division 3 title and Maple Valley the Division 4 title. The Lions had the tightest competition of the three championship teams; Maple Valley closed the day about 17 points ahead of Springport and Stockbridge to earn the Division 4 title. The Lions won their division with an overall score of557.5. Springport was second with 540.42 points, ahead of Stockbridge 540.1 and Bronson 532.4. “I told the girls at the beginning of the competition that all the teams in Division 4 are scoring about the same and which ever team has the best performance on the mat today is going to take home the trophy and that is going to be us,” Maple Valley head coach Sarah Huissen said. “This is our house we are bringing home the win. From there girls went to battle in each round and giving the best performances on each round.” The Lions built a good-sized lead ofnearly 25 points in the first two rounds, then held on for the victory. Maple Valley tallied a score of 196.3 in round one and 142.4 in round two. Huissen said those rounds were solid, but there is still some timing and body position during the skills to improve. Stockbridge had scores of 172.2 and 141.6 in rounds one and two. Springport had scores of 172.4 and then 138.6. The Lions were fourth in round three among the fourth Division 4 teams, with a score of 218.8, but that was good enough to secure the victory. “Round 3 is always a work in progress and we still have some work to do improve timing and technique, but I know they will get it done. I am so proud ofthis team and everything they are doing to help our team succeed.” Hastings was ahead by nearly 18 points heading into round three of its Division 3 competition and then put up the top round three score of any team in any division at 276.7. The Saxons finished with a three-round score of 683.04. Pennfield was second with a score of616.9 and Eaton Rapids was third at 543.9. The Hastings team opened the day with a score of220.8 in round one and then added a 185.54 in round two. Hastings had the best round one and three scores ofthe day overall. Sturgis, which took the Division 1/2 title, had the top round two score at 188.28. The Sturgis Trojans also had a score of 214.1 in round one and 262.3 in round three for an overall total of664.88. Behind the Trojans in Division 1/2 were Owosso 610.62, Parma Western 591.1, Lakeview 581.48 and Harper Creek 480.1. Trojans stick hurried round two, finish tops at first Gold contest Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans led by almost five points after the first round. The lead was a little more than ten points after round two. Round three bumped the Trojan lead over 20 points. Thomapple Kellogg’s varsity competitive cheer team opened the 2022-23 OK Gold Conference season by winning the opening conference jamboree at Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Wednesday night. The Trojans outscored the defensing confer­ ence champions from Cedar Springs 747.82­ 726.72 at the top ofthe day’s standings. TK had the highest score in each of the three rounds - even with a little unanticipated adversity before their round two performance. “We ended up sprinting to the mat for round two,” TK head coach Amanda Nichols said. “The girls got no warm-up, no walk­ through, some ofthem did their first skill that day out on the competition mat. We were ••• DIRECT FROM LAS VEGAS*•• A MUSICAL tribute to FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS TUESDAY, MARCH 7,2023 -7 PM FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - DEARDORN Call 313-943-2354, online: www.dearborntheater.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8,2023 -7 PM RED ROOM at the DOW EVENT CENTER SAGINAW Tickets at the Dow Box Office or online: ticketmaster.com THURSDAY, MARCH 0,2023 - 7 PM MACOMB CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - MACOMB Call 586-286-2222 or visit www.macombcenter www.macombcenter.com . varsity competitive cheer team celebrates its championship In the six-team Division 2 competition Saturday at the West Catholic Falcon Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) standing in the warm up room when another coach came running up to me and said ‘Cath­ olic Central is offthe mat, you’re next.’ That must have been the quickest 10 minute break between rounds ever.” The Trojans made a mad dash to the gym and hoping to calm some nervousness and the sudden adrenaline rush Nichols yelled to her team, “this is where champions are made!” Everybody got on quick deep breath in before the Trojans took the mat. The highlight ofthe round was the back tucks. They all hit. “I had told the girls prior I had gotten a gut feeling earlier while I was getting ready for the competition that all tucks were going to stick today,” Nichols said. “It was truly an electric moment. The whole gym lit up. Defi­ nitely my favorite part ofthe day.” TK had a round two score of215.62. The Trojans started the day by earning a score of226.5 in round one. They closed it by scoring 3205,7 points in round three. TK was the only team above 300 in round three. “We had a strong showing in all three rounds,” Nichols said. “We got some good feedback to take home. We’ll test out a few changes this weekend and get back to conference next Wednesday [Jan. 25] at Kenowa Hills.” Cedar Springs had the second best score in each round at FHE. The Red Hawks scored 221.8 points in round one, 209.82 in round two and 295.1 in round three. Kenowa Hills was third in the day’s stand­ ings with an overall score of663.94, ahead of Forest Hills Eastern 641.68, Wayland 605.6 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central 533.1. The Trojans were back in action Saturday at the West Catholic Falcon Invitational tak­ ing the championship in the Division 2 com­ petition. A total of 18 teams took part in DI, D2 and D3/4 contests at West Catholic High School Saturday. Only Portland, which won the D3/4 contest, finished with a higher score than the Trojans. TK beat out Forest Hills Northern for the Division 2 title 733.22 to 724.78. Spring Lake was third with a score of 684.98, ahead of Muskegon 648.71, Sparta 601.5 and Zee­ land East 488.3 TK had the top score in every round in the D2 contest. The Trojans scored 226.3 points in round one, 211.12 in round two and 295.8 in round three. Those were the top round one and three scores ofthe day overall. Portland won the nine-team Division 3/4 contest with an overall score of 741.84. The Raiders scored 224.9 in round one, 221.54 in round two and 295.4 in round three. Tri-County was second to the Raiders in D3/4 with an overall score of728.32, ahead of Hart 723.46, Comstock Park 707.5, Lud­ ington 668.72, Montague 658.88, Grant 587.4, Godfrey Lee 557.3 and Kelloggsville 388.5. The Division 1 title went to the host Fal­ cons with a score of649.12, ahead ofCaledo­ nia 632.14 and Grand Haven 496.3. �BARRY COUNTY TAX FORECLOSURE NOTICE �------ NOTICg OF SHOW CAUSE; HBARINg JLHn'~JUPS£TAL FORECLOSUR eIhearing ---------------------------.- 5n"March 1, 2022 real estate with unpaid 2020 and/or pri^r County Treasurer pursuant to the General Property Tax Act,Public Act zuo or ±893, forfeited to the Barry as amended. The Barry County Treasurer is acting as the Foreclosing Governmental Unit in proceedings to foreclose on this property for unpaid, property taxes. There are two hearings scheduled to finalize the foreclosure process. This publication is intended to provide additional al notice to parties of interest in these parcels as to tne nature, time, and location,of these hearings. PPlease contact t t tthe BBarry y County y Treasurer’s ©fxxce 945—1287 p prior to the hearing dates for any updated procedures and instructions due to possible 19 restrictions or building covid closures. — — —— i---oaoq —-—;-oUZUZ3, aZ o3 q---z ,- — A SHOW C.AU_SE__HE_AR_I_NG__is_s _c _h _e _du_l_e_d__for 2:00 - 4:00 pm,F_e_b_r _u _a_r _y __1, Z at 220 W State St, _S_t_,__T _r __e_a_s_u_rer s Office, Barry County Courthouse, Hastings MI 49058. Any person with an interest in the property forfeited to the County Treasurer may appea r at the show cause hearing and show cause why absolute title to thajt property should not vest in the Foreclosing Governmental Unit. A JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE HEARING is scheduled for 2:00 pm, February 8 2023 at Circuit Court Room7 220 W State Street, Hastings MI 49058-Courthouse . At this hearing the Foreclosing Governmental Unit shall ask that the court enter a judgment foreclosing the property as requested in the petition for foreclosure. A person claiming an interest iin a parcel of property set forth in the petition for foreclosure, who desires to contest that petition, must file written objections with the clerk of the circuit court and serve those objections on the Barry County Treasurer, the Foreclosing Governmental Unit. The docket number of of_the the petition is 22-283—CZ. CZ._________ If you are a person with an interest in property being foreclosed: You have the right to redeem this parcel from the foreclosure process by payment of all forfeited unpaid taxes, interest, penalties, and fees prior to the expiation of the redemption period. You should contact the Barry County Treasurer for the amount required to redeem. You may lose your interest in the property as a result of the foreclosure proceeding. The legal title to the property shall vest absolutely in the Foreclosing Governmental Unit unless forfeited unpaid delinquent taxes, interest, penalties, and fees are paid by March 31, 2023. All existing interests in oil or gas in this property shall be extinguished except the all following: The interests of a lessee or an assignee of an interest of a lessee under an oil or gas lease in effect as to that property or any part of that property if the lease was recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which the property is located before the date of filing the petition for judicial foreclosure. i. xx. Interests preserved as provided in section 1(3) of 1963 PA 42, MCL 554.291. xxx. The right of a former interest-holder to recover^remaining proceeds property pursuant to MCL 211.78t. following sale or transfer of the If the property is foreclosed, you will have an opportunity to seek recovery of any equity that you may possess in the property in the form of remaining proceeds which may be realized through subsequent sale. Any party who holds an interest in the property at the time of foreclosure has the right to make a claim for remaining proceeds, which first requires completing and sending the Notice of Intention required by MCL 211.78t(2) to the Barry County Treasurer no later than July 1, immediately following foreclosure. You may lose any equity associated with your interest in the property following foreclosure unless you pursue a claim under MCL 211.78t. Those who wish to consult with an attorney about this notice and pending tax foreclosure may go to the State Bar of Michigan’s legal resource and referral web page at https://lrs.michbar.org or may call (800) 968—0738 for assistance in finding private legal counsel. PLBASE NOTE: The following list represents parties that appear to have title, lien, or other apparent rights to the parcels being foreclosed by the Foreclosing Governmental Unit. This notice is required to be given by law, even if the party no appears they hold any undischarged, apparent, orpotential title longer claims or desires an interest or lien right to the property. Listing of a party does NOT necessarily indicate they are the owner of a parcel, property taxes. ’ . , This list is NOT an offering of property for sale. > or they are if it W i® MH 11*able’ lot the ■ These parcels nnjrc iWI KHIIK KM ESTA5 are NOT being sold, auctioned, or otherwise made available by virtue of this notice. There is no procedure for purchasing these parcels from the Foreclosing Governmental Unit at this point in the foreclosure proceedings. Those parcels that are foreclosed and not redeemed may become available at public auction on or after July of 2023. These parcels remain the property of their current owner until redemption rights have expired. No party should make any attempt to inspect or enter upon these parcels assuming them to-be for sale until the final list of.foreclosed parcels is determined and offered at auction in summer, 2023. Most of these parcels will? be! redeemed from foreclosure. Entering upon them or contacting current property owners may constitute trespassing or undesired solicitation and may subject the offender to criminal prosecution. The street address of the parcels listed is based on local records and is not guaranteed to be the actual location of the property. The amount due listed indicates the balance which was due as of forfeiture on March 1, 2022. The current amount required to redeem must be obtained from theBarry County Treasurer, as addit:ional penaltzLes, fees, and interest have accrued since forfeiture. 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CATHLEEN 0401441300 TIBBLE, CATHLEEN 0401448600 TIBBLE, CATHLEEN 1101701200 TIME INVESTMENT COMPANY INC 1218003700 TIMMER, GARY 1218003700 TIMMER, JULIE 5509502000 TURNER, JASON H 0513041900 ULRICH, NANCY 5200120000 UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS 1300900160 UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP UNITED STATES DEPT OF AGRICULTURE 0402934300 UNITED STATES DEPT OF AGRICULTURE 0402930530009 VENTURE PROPERTIES LLC 0402930530009 VERNON J CURTIS & SHIRLEY L CURTIS TRUST 5217000800 VERWYS, DANNY 0709002500 0709002500 VERWYS, DENISE $1137.26 $1144.26 $2015.15 $1192.97 $264.73 $264.73 $404.31 $264.73 $404.31 NA $1404.23 $ 662•34 $662.34 $662.34 $662.34 $1253.63 $1253.63 $2632.58 $698.36 $867.00 $914.57 $1819.40 $6352.72 $6352.72 $2109.09 $1374.35 $1050.41 $1264.96 $377.14 $1655.09 $1655,09 $3419.78 $766.63 $766.63 VICKERY, DOUGLAS M JR 0307002700 VICKERY, SHARON K 0307002700 VILLAGE OF FREEPORT 4310600400 VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE 5218004300 WALKER, CATHY 5217000800 WALKER, DONALD 5217000800 WALKER, LORETTA 5217000800 WARNER-PALMER, KRISTEN 0301901800 WERTMAN (ESTATE), CORA 0703511100 WESTFALL, RAYMOND E 0403113700 WILKINS, ELIZABETH 0803500810 WILKINS, RUSSELL 0803500810 WILLETT, KEVIN. 0401412700 WILLETT, MELISSA 0401412700 WILLETT, ROBERT EUGENE 0702004400 WINICK LLC 0403113700 WINICK LLC 5520113900 WOLF, MERANDA 0402934300 WOLF, MERANDA 0402930530009 WOLF, MRS NATHAN B 0402930530009 WOLF, NATHAN B 0402934300 WOLF, NATHAN B 0402930530009 WOLTHIUS, RONALD H 1218002400 WOODMANSEE, AMANDA D 0602801280 WOODMANSEE, BART A 0602801280 WOODY, CARRIE 0203324300 WOODY, MICHAEL 0203324300 WORDEN, MRS DAVID O 1253000900 WRATE, KERRY GEORGE 0701700315 YAUDES, ADA 5212002000 YAUDES, HERBERT 5212002000 ZARKOWSKI PROPERTIES LLC 5514002130 ZEITS, JOSHUA 0900901700 ZEITS, SHELLY 0900901700 ZERMATT WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC 1218003700 $1636.64 $1636.64 $2242.57 $1769.91 $3419.78 $3419.78 $3419.78 $4776.34 $291.71 $3527.15 $758.40 $758.40 $1463.26 $1463.26 $3359.29 $3527.15 $5315.67 $377.14 $1655.09 $1655.09 $377.14 $1655.09 $6827.92 $5648.90 $5648.90 $1196.44 $1196.44 $538.96 $417.01 $4132.74 $4132.74 $652.52 $1777.42 $1777.42 $6352.72 No party should make any attempt to inspect or enter upon these parcels assuming them to be for sale. This may constitute trespassing and subject the offender to criminal prosecution. The street address of the parcels listed is based on local records and is not guaranteed to be the actual location of the property. 0100200520 0100901020 0101601610 0102500400 0102801030 0103300910 0103301600 0103500400 0200730300 0202834700 0203324300 0300201100 0300300840 0301000200 0301001000 0301016000 0301100900 0301501700 0301600301 0301600319 0301600740 0301600950 0301901800 0302802000 9400 E BUTLER RD, NASHVILLE 11720 S M-6 6 HWY, BELLEVUE 7339 KEYES RD, BELLEVUE 10700 LOVE RD, BELLEVUE 7348 DAY RD, BELLEVUE 7084 HUFF RD, BELLEVUE 7224 HUFF RD, BELLEVUE 9115 HUFF RD, BELLEVUE 5766 HENRY RD, HASTINGS W DOWLING RD, DOWLING 9133 S M-37 HWY, DOWLING 10694 COBB RD, DELTON 3995 W PIFER RD, DELTON GILKEY LAKE RD, DELTON COBB RD, DELTON LETCHS LN, DELTON 11922 COBB RD, DELTON 12154 GILKEY LAKE RD, DELTON 12981 KELLOGG SCHOOL RD, DELTON CASCIE JO LN, DELTON 4010 OSBORNE RD, DELTON 4435 OSBORNE RD, DELTON 13837 S M—43 HWY, DELTON 14059 KELLOGG SCHOOL RD, HICKORY CORNERS 0302806100 14592 KELLOGG SCHOOL RD, HICKORY CORNERS 0306504600 11179 E SHORE DR, DELTON 0307002700 124 MAPLE ST, DELTON 0307005300 148 LOW ST ST, DELTON 0307005500 303 MAIN ST, DELTON 0307005600 310 MAIN ST, DELTON 0308004300 PANAMA DR, DELTON 0308007600 PANAMA DR, DELTON 0400947500 USBORNE RD, FREEPORT 0401336900 N CHARLTON PARK RD/ FREEPORT 0401412700 5855 N CHARLTON PARK RD, FREEPORT 0401441300 N CHARLTON PARK RD, FREEPORT 0401448600 5220 N CHARLTON PARK RD, FREEPORT 0402930530009 WELCOME RD, HASTINGS 0402934300 WELCOME RD, HASTINGS 0403031400 602 KAISER RD, HASTINGS 0403037510000 KAISER RD, HASTINGS 0403037520000 601 KAISER RD, HASTINGS 0403113000 376 WILLITTS RD, HASTINGS 0403113700 348 WILLITTS RD, HASTINGS 0403329600 510 GASKILL RD, HASTINGS 0500601000 5310 COATS GROVE RD, HASTINGS 0501804501 330 S MARTIN RD, HASTINGS 0502607000 9500 THORNAPPLE LAKE RD, NASHVILLE 0502805500 THORNAPPLE LAKE RD 0502902000 6402 THORNAPPLE LAKE RD, NASHVILLE 0503407500 8442 E M79 HWY, NASHVILLE 0513021300 WILLIAMS DR, HASTINGS 0513041900 1065 BROOKS RD, HASTINGS 0513061900 1149 CHARLTON DR, HASTINGS 0601001500 710 BECKER, HASTINGS 0601001700 BAYNE, HASTINGS 0601201500 4400 BAYNE, HASTINGS 0602501000 4976 THORNAPPLE LAKE, NASHVILLE 0602600500 DUSTY, HASTINGS 0602801280 1959 E M—79, HASTINGS 0700201100 4036 TILLOTSON LAKE RD, HASTINGS 0700301000 3018 SHULTZ RD, HASTINGS 0700441300 ANDERS RD, HASTINGS 0700441400 ANDERS RD, HASTINGS 0701700315 KELLER, DELTON 0702004400 5460 GUERNSEY LAKE RD, DELTON 0702031800 GUERNSEY LAKE RD, DELTON 0702045700 GUERNSEY LAKE RD, DELTON 0702744800 WERTMAN RD, DELTON 0702801410 8950 KINGSBURY RD, DELTON 0703000450 6375 ROSE RD, DELTON 0703230400 9625 S M43 HWY, DELTON 0703511100 CEDAR CREEK RD, DELTON 0708001480 LAKEFRONT DR, DELTON 0709002500 S M43 HWY, DELTON 0723003300 33 OAK OPENING ST, DELTON 0731013300 WOODS TRAIL DR, DELTON 0800401810 SOLOMON RD, FREEPORT 0800900310 SOLOMON RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0800900311 6850 SOLOMON RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0800900500 6816 SOLOMON RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0802800500 4920 GRANGE RD, MIDDLEVILLE 0803500810 2776 WOODRUFF RD, HASTINGS 0812501300 4368 PAUVERLY DR, MIDDLEVILLE 0900901700 11994 S. M-37 HWY., DELTON 0903101200 0906000700 0907501000 0915001600 1000108000 1002510200 1100100202 1100539500 1100604600 1100901700 1101200110 1101401910 1101700420 1101701200 1101703210 1101800700 1102004840 1102600880 1402800775 1102902010 1103000900 1104000400 1107002700 1110000700 1110001900 1112002500 1200602100 1202400911 1202400916 1202400920 1202400925 1218002400 1218003700 1246000200 1253000900 1300900160 1301601620 1302601420 1319500108 1400100800 1402601300 1500142601 1500142607 1502410006 1503330003 1507502900 1608005800 1617500700 1617700400 4115001900 4310600150 4310600400 4311200600 4320900800 4330100100 4335005020 5111008800 5200004700 5200106000 5200120000 5200225000 5211000800 5212002000 5214007200 5217000700 5217000800 5217003100 5217070900 5218004300 5500113400 5500114900 5500139400 5503501500 5509502000 5514602130 5520104800 5520113900 5521500200 5522002500 5522003500 5522010700 5522015100 5523500300 5525002000 5525002200 5525004310 360 W BASELINE RD., BATTLE CREEK 1155 CHERRY LN., BATTLE CREEK 841 EAST SHORE DR., BATTLE CREEK 31 W. HICKORY RD., BATTLE CREEK 4977 S M-66 HWY, NASHVILLE 10300 E CLOVERDALE RD, NASHVILLE 7248 SHAW RD, HASTINGS 4748 PRINCESS DR, SHELBYVILLE 12111 NEVA’S LN, SHELBYVILLE 10991 WILDWOOD RD, SHELBYVILLE 7011 MULLEN RD, DELTON 6015 MCKIBBIN RD, DELTON KELLER RD, SHELBYVILLE 6120 MARSH RD, SHELBYVILLE 11914 SADDLER RD, PLAINWELL 6915 DENNISON RD, PLAINWELL 7130 MARSH RD, PLAINWELL 8735 BEVER RD, DELTON ISLAND 10 - CRYSTAL LAKE, DELTON LEWIS RD, PLAINWELL 8131 MARSH RD, PLAINWELL 4810 TORSTEN DR, SHELBYVILLE CORY DR, DELTON 5415 MARSH RD, SHELBYVILLE 5739 MARSH RD, SHELBYVILLE 11842 W 9 MILE RD, SHELBXMILLE 12733 ANSON POINTrDR, PLAINWELL BURROUGHS. >RD, ^DELTON 13 057 BURROUGHS RD, DELTON BURROUGHS RD, DELTON BURROUGHS RD, DELTON 11713 FORD POINT RD, PLAINWELL 11786 FORD POINT RD, PLAINWELL 10995 SHELP LAKE DR, DELTON 10036 UPSON DR, DELTON 240 N IRVING RD, HASTINGS W M—17 9 HWY 2605 S TANNER LAKE RD 1562 PINEDALE DR, HASTINGS MOE RD, MIDDLEVILLE 3129 LOOP CT, MIDDLEVILLE 7589 SADDLEBAG LAKE RD, LAKE ODESSA 7623 SADDLEBAG LAKE RD, LAKE ODESSA 4804 CLARK RD, WOODLAND 7161 COATS GROVE RD, WOODLAND 491 HILLSIDE PARK, LAKE ODESSA 4037 ENGLAND DR, SHELBYVILLE 1769 EDWIN DR, WAYLAND EDWIN DR, WAYLAND 314 STADIUM DR, MIDDLEVILLE 133 N MAPLE ST, FREEPORT 225 DIVISION ST, FREEPORT 193 S MAPLE ST, FREEPORT 233 S MAPLE ST, FREEPORT 126 N EAST ST, FREEPORT 345 S STATE ST, FREEPORT 384 N MAINST, WOODLAND 211 N STATE ST, NASHVILLE 601 FRANCIS ST, NASHVILLE 840 SHERMANST, NASHVILLE 9877 BRUMM RIVER DR, NASHVILLE 400 E SHERMAN ST, NASHVILLE 309 CENTER CT, NASHVILLE 441 EDNA ST, NASHVILLE 201 S MAIN ST, NASHVILLE 205 S MAIN ST, NASHVILLE 127 S STATE ST 116 FRANCIS ST 418 PHILLIPS ST, NASHVILLE 414 W MILL ST, HASTINGS 505 W APPLE ST, HASTINGS 421 W MADISON, HASTINGS 729 W WALNUT, HASTINGS 903 N MICHIGAN AVE, HASTINGS 1300 W STATE ST, HASTINGS 109 W APPLE ST, HASTINGS 150 E STATE ST, HASTINGS 1337 S CHURCH, HASTINGS 410 E GREEN ST, HASTINGS 514 E GREEN ST, HASTINGS 319 E MADISON, HASTINGS 430 E CLINTON, HASTINGS 527 E GREEN ST, HASTINGS 1700 S HANOVER ST, HASTINGS 1704 S HANOVER ST, HASTINGS 1212 S MICHIGAN AVE, HASTINGS � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-02-02.pdf 5ac08728d8752dffee71e83928603dc7 PDF Text Text Hastings man wins Master Farmer award Organizations could use a surge of volunteers right now Lakewood first, Hastings second at Cheerfest See story on page 3 See story On page 4 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 c005 ard ANNER Hemerling Hastings tings Ml 49058-11346/30/2023 49058-11346 9:47.00 AM Thursday, February 2, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 5 PRICE $1.5Q As snow falls and temps drop, area ski resorts see more business - finally Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer Five-year-old Sadie Spartz smiled wide as she talked about what she likes best about skiing down the slopes. “Going fast,” she giggled while standing in the snow at Bittersweet Ski Resort in Otsego. Her dad, Michael Spartz, remembers her first day on the slopes. “A week after she turned 3, she got on the slopes for- the first time,” he said. “It was awesome.” ff “I like S-tums,” Sadie said. “They slow me down.” Her dad laughed. “Do S-tums give you more control, Sadie?” Spartz asked. “Yes,” she said with a big smile. You can’t blame father and daughter for wanting to hit the slopes at the first opportuni­ ty - after all, there haven’t been many opportu­ nities throughout the season. Ski slopes throughout many areas ofthe state have beep at a virtual standstill throughout most ofJanu­ ary when unseasonably warin weather crept in. ■ See SKI RESORTS, page 3 HIT THE SLOPES ' Looking for winter fun? Here are some ski slopes and resorts that are J within the vicinity ofBarry County ' Bittersweet Ski Resort Otsego skibittersweet.com; 269-694-2820 Timber Ridge Ski Area Gobles timberridgeski.com; 269-694-9449 Cannonsburg Ski Area Belmont cannonsburg.com; 616-874-6711 Echo Valley Winter Sports Park For tubing and tobogganing Kalamazoo echovalleyfun.com; 269-349-3017. Bittersweet Ski School Director Valerie Marsh encourages all ages to learn how to ski and snowboard. She said snowboarding is more challenging to learn than skiing. Operators of ski slopes and resorts were understandably happy to see the weather finally turn snowy and cold. Bittersweet Ski Resort in Otsego was More Michigan skiing and winter recreation listings are available at Michigan. org/ski-snowboarding among-them.’photos by Karen Corewell Health Pennock President says being part of a larger health system will ultimately benefit Barry County patients Jayson Bussa Editor Bill Hoefer spoke ofthe memories from when he would drive his mother to various medical appointments around the St. Louis area and he got a little emotional in the pro­ cess. “Getting someone to the hospital like that can be really difficult,” Hoefer said. This story alone showed that the veteran hospital executive knows well both the bene­ fits and pitfalls that can come with operating a large health system, like the one that Core­ well Health has become. In the fall of last year, Hoefer was named the new president of Spectrum Health Pen­ nock, which has since been rebranded as Corewell Health Pennock Hospital following the blockbuster merger between Spectrum Health and Southfield-based Beaumont Health, a deal that closed early last year. Hoefer took over for Angie Ditmar. With the two sizable health systems com­ ing together as one, it left local patients in Barry County, who rely on Pennock, with plenty ofquestions about how it might change the logistics or quality of their care. Hoefer sat down for a one-on-one interview with the Hastings Banner to provide insight. In addition to being named president of Corewell Health Pennock, Hoefer is also cur­ rently the president of what was formerly Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospi­ tal. Both Pennock and Zeeland form what is called Corewell Health West, and while Hoefer splits time between the two, he said that the geography and similarities in size make it easy to work throughout both. Pennock, which is classified as a Critical Access Hospital, has 25 licensed beds com- Bill Hoefer pared to Zeeland’s 55 beds. However, their emergency rooms see a similar volume. “The good thing is that I actually interac”t and am involved every day in both facilities, Hoefer said. “Every morning we have DCI, which is a daily check-in that is focused on operations and quality and experience. I participate in that DCI check-in with both hospit tals every day. Technology has changed a lot tand so it’s not uncommon, ifI’m in Zeeland, to be working ...on something focused on Barry County.” Hoefer came to the head leadership role at Pennock with 27 years y of healthcare experi­ ence, involved with hospitals ofall sizes. Hoefer is also the son of a thoracic sur­ geon, putting healthcare in his blood. “I grew up at the dinner table listening to my dad talk all about everything that was great about the hospital and everything that wasn’t great about the hospital,” Hoefer recalled. “I believe what makes a hospital successful and good for the community is focusing on quality, safety and experience.” But the million-dollar question that Barry County residents have is how this merger will affect care. Hoefer said that with larger health systems comes a larger cache ofresources. “The way it helps is, the more hospitals you have in a system, the more best practices you’re going to have and it allows us to learn from other people,” Hoefer said. “Now, we’re part ofa bigger team and that bigger team will have more ideas,” he added. “You can’t be afraid to steal shamelessly the great ideas ofother people (in this scenario).” The benefits of belonging to a larger sys­ tem showed through during portions of the COVID-19 pandemic when hospitals and clinics were strained like never before. “With the pandemic, being part ofa larger system was a huge benefit for our hospitals, ” Hoefer said. “For a local hospital like here in Hastings, when things get stressed - maybe you run out of beds or have super high vol­ umes - we are able to be a part of a system that had the ability to accept a transfer and for that person to be taken really good care of. Many hospitals in the state ofMichigan, and around the country, are standalone hospitals and when that happened, they didn’t have anywhere to turn.” See COREWELL, page 2 Charges filed in fatal M-37 crash involving three vehicles Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Charges have been filed in response to a fatal crash involving three vehicles that occurred on M-37 Highway last week in Rut­ land Township. The crash happened at 1:05 p.m. Friday on M-37 near Whitmore Road, according to a Facebook post from the Barry County Sher­ iffs Office. A preliminary investigation from the office showed a Chevrolet Silverado pick­ up truck headed east crossed the centerline rurT* “ F?rn Transit van headed west-A 2 • unvoy followin8 the Silverado struck the pickup truck before coming to a stop. Pollc« reported the driver of the van, 62-year-old Jenison man Matthew Fuller was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of the truck and van suffered minor injuries. The KT Depanment °f dTTransortation ar*a6nsrpooardtatwioans KfRe®10n °?c!reported a*6 dosed for two and a half hours after the crash. b®1,eve ®lcoh°l was a factor in the crash. The Barry County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges Monday morning against a man involved i in the crash, Scott Raymond Handley He is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death.. Mercy EMS, Hastings Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Barry County Central Dispatch, Goldsworthy s Towing Spencerr’s Towine MDOT, Ottawa County Victim Ser-­ vice Unft and Western Medicine Office of the Medical Examiner assisted the Sheriff’s Office in responding to and clearing the crash. Michael Bilbrey, a 45-year-old man from Marshall, appeared in court on Wednesday morning via video from the Barry County Jail. He is accused of lead­ ing police on a chase throughout Barry, Eaton and Calhoun counties. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Hearing set for Feb. 22' for chase suspect Greg Chandler StaffWriter A. 45-year-old Marshall man accused of leading police last week on a chase across three counties, including Barry, faces a probable cause hearing later this month in Barry County court. Michael J. Bilbrey appeared via video from the Barry County Jail Wednesday morning for a hearing, at which his attor­ ney, Kimberly Young, requested a waiver of the typical 14-day requirement for a probable cause hearing once charges are filed. Judge Michael Schipper set the hearing for Feb. 22 at 8:30 a.m. Bilbrey is facing 12 criminal counts, including four counts of felonious assault and three counts of fleeing and eluding a police officer, in connection with the Jan. 24 chase that began in the city ofSpringfield in Calhoun County and ended ip Charlotte in Eaton County. He is also charged with two counts offailure to stop after a collision, as well as counts ofoperating while intoxicat­ ed, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving. He is also charged as a habitual offender - third offense. Young asked to have the hearing delayed beyond the 14-day requirement so she can have more time to review the evidence"*, against her client. “It’s my understanding there are other w police reports coming in, (as well as) • videos,” Young said. “I’ve discussed with • my client the option of giving us a little ; more time.” Schipper granted the request. “That makes sense, so that you’re most pre- • pared to make the best decision possi­ ble,” he said. The chase began shortly after 11 a.m. on * the 24th at Gardner Brothers Lawn and Landscape in Springfield. Employees at the business advised the Calhoun County v Sheriff’s Office that someone had stolen a7 work truck from their property. While" investigators were looking for the vehicle, the business owner found the truck parked ; at a nearby business with the suspect still* inside. A fight then broke out between the two and the suspect was removed from the . truck, the sheriff’s department said in a * news release. While the owner ofthe business was on the phone with dispatchers from Calhoun * See HEARING, page 3 �page 2 — Thursday, February 2, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Healthy Living Supper Club to host program on heart disease . |. The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club will feature a heart-healthy meal and spe. ciai feature program titled “Quenching the FIRES of Heart Disease” on Sunday, Feb. * 5, at 3 p.m. The event, a Lifestyle Matters program, will be hosted in the community room of the Hastings Adventist Elementary School building, 888 Terry Lane, offofStar School Road in Hastings. The number one cause. ofdeath in the U.S. is heart disease. Almost everyone knows someone whose life has been altered or even shortened by heart disease. For many, the l first symptom ofheart trouble is the last. Too many fall victim to a sudden, unexpected, fatal heart attack, say organizers for the event. tAttendees will join the Supper Club on Sunday and learn about the chronic condition that underlies heart disease, the lifestyle factors that often cause or exacerbate this condition, and what simple measures people can take to prevent this life-threatening „ disease. At this seminar, attendees will also learn simple lifestyle choices that can help k increase energy, reduce mental fatigue, lower risk for dementia, fight depression, * improve mood and lose unwanted pounds. The afternoon will begin with a light plant-based meal featuring com chowder and mock-chicken vegetable soups, fresh homemade bread and a berry cashew cream desdes­ . sert. The meal will be followed by an informative afternoon learning how to “quench” l the culprit ofheart disease, inflammation. ; The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club is a health ministiy supported by the * Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church to educate its members and the community. To register or for more information, contact Janice Cleary at 269-804-9959 or email Hhealthylivingsupperclub@gmail.com. Michigan Fiddlers Association announces 2023 lineup Another year ofmusic, dancing and friends is on the docket for the Michigan Fid­ dlers Association in 2023. Bob Warner, the president ofthe Michigan Fiddlers Association (MFA) and head of Bob’s Bam Jamborees in Lake Odessa, sent a letter last week to MFA members and Jamboree attendees detailing the group’s plans for 2023. Jamborees (jams) and square dances will be no stranger to Barry County in the com­ ing year. Warner announced four MFA events slated to take place in Hastings in 2023. * The first MFA event ofthe year will take place at the Barry County Commission on ; Aging, 320 W. Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings on Saturday, Feb. 11. Other jams at the Barry County COA in 2023 are scheduled for April 8 and Oct. 14. Alljams at the COA will be from 1 to 5 p.m. ! In an effort to make jams more enjoyable for all, Warner announced that the MFA ■ will separate fiddlejams and square dances. This change will mean that fiddlejams will | - begin at 1 p.m., showcasing the fiddlers until 4:30 p.m. on jam dates. An open jam for all musicians will follow from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Square dances will now be held on separate dates from fiddle jams at Studio 18 in pDorr from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The first square dance ofthe year is scheduled for Saturday, I March 25. J The MFA Fiddlers’ Convention will be hosted Aug. 11-12 at Winding Creek Camp• • ground in Hastings, 2329 Campground Road. The Fiddlers Hall of Fame presentation "will also take place during the convention, with more information to be announced later. Reservations for lodging at the convention can be made online at windingcreekcamp.org.’ _ J -Warner also announced to MFA members that membership dues have been raised More information on jamborees and square dances will be released in the coming ' weeks at michiganfiddlers.com. Bob Warner can be reached for questions at 616-374*8205. Share your heart on Valentine’s Day * On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center will hold its annual “Have a Heart” balloon fimdraiser. 1 This year, representatives ofthe United Way will be stationed at two locations: State | • Grounds Coffee House, 108 E. State Street, Hastings, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m, and Park Place Design, 10120 M-43 Hwy, Delton, from 2 to 4 p.m. Quantities are limited at each r site. Bundles include a Valentine’s-themed balloon weighted with a small bag of freshly baked cookies and coupons from local Barry County businesses. These bundles each * cost $5. This is the only fimdraiser that the Volunteer Center holds, with all proceeds from this fundraising event benefiting the Volunteer Center endowment fund. ■’ Delivery on Valentine’s Day is available on orders of$50 or more only within Barry ’ County. Those interested in supporting the fimdraiser can order balloons by calling the * Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center at 269-945-4010. Organizers ofthe event say that business partners that support the project are crucial and appreciated. Anyone interested in providing a coupon for the fundraiser is asked to * contact Morgan Johnson at the Barry County United Way, 269-945-4010. HELP WANTED Edward Jones, a financial services industry leader is seeking an On-Call Branch Team Associate to support our offices. This position provides administrative assistance for our branches on a temporary basis. The ideal candidate must enjoy customer contact; have excellent client service and communication skills, be well-organized, and accurate with details. Join Edward Jones and see why we’ve been ranked among FORTUNE magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America for 18 years. Equal Opportunity Employer To be considered for this position send your resume to: Kevin Beck at 400 W State St, Ste. B, Hastings, Ml 49058 In the fall of last year, Bill Hoefer was named the new president of Spectrum Health Pennock, which has since been rebranded as Corewell Health Pennock Hospital following the blockbuster merger between Spectrum Health and Southfield-based Beaumont Health COREWELL, continued from page 1 While large health systems have resources, it’s not unfounded for patients to worry about personalized care. The merger did not come without its share of causalities, though. During the fall, Corewell announced that it was laying off 400 employees that held non-clinical or administrative roles. Hoefer said that those layoffs were spread proportionately throughout the system, including at Pennock. “I will tell you that the people that were impacted by that were all exceptionally good people,” Hoefer said. “People that love the communities they served and the teams they worked with. It was a hard tran­ sition. One of the realities of our national healthcare economy right now is that health­ care is tough. Everyone is trying hard and everyone is so committed to doing such a greatjob, but at the same time, the financial system behind the healthcare industry is strained.” strained. However, Pennock’s ties to the commu­ nity still remain strong. Hoefer gave a nod to Pennock’s staff, and its ties to the com­ munity, as one ofthe ways that Corewell is able to deliver the quality, personalized care that long-time patients have come to expect. In fact, it was one of the first things he noticed when he took over the role. “We have a team offrontline clinicians and providers and leaders that are very tenured,” Hoefer said. “A tremendous percentage of our team lives in Barry County and grew up in this community and is very committed to this community... The team that is in Pennock Hospital, and the clinics around the county, is a really, really good team.” 1 County commissioners select their favorites to serve on three different department boards Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County commissioners had an opportunity on Tuesday morning to probe pressing issues and problems facing the coun­ ty’s Commission on Aging and Parks and Recreation departments. While the county board would normally have the fifth Tuesday off, commissioners opted to hold 'si special meeting df its Com­ mittee of the Whole in order to continue interviewing candidates for a variety of department boards. This week, county commissioners inter­ viewed and selected candidates for the Com­ mission on Aging Board, Conservation Ease­ ment Board and the Parks and Recreation Commission. All of the Committee of the Whole’s selections for board positions must still be formally voted on, and approved, by the Board ofCommissioners next week. With plenty ofseasoned incumbents in the mix, this also gave commissioners an oppor­ tunity to drill down on any lingering prob­ lems that might be bogging down these departments. This began with the Commission on Aging, which provides a variety of free services for seniors throughout Barry County. The COA board has four open positions and six individ­ uals interviewed for those positions, each of which carry a three-year term. This included incumbents Terry Dennison and Mike Snyder, both ofwhich were select­ ed to continue their service on the board. Dennison has been active on the COA board for 20 years. To fill out the board, county commission­ ers chose Sheryl Lewis-Blake, former presi­ dent of Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital, and Dr. Douglas Smendik, a long-time family doctor that lives in Middleville. Diane Neeb, who just wrapped up a decades-long career working for the COA was also in the mix in addition to Peggy Merrill of Nashville. Commissioners used the interviews as opportunities to identify pressing issues with­ in the COA, the primary ofwhich was abso­ lutely no surprise. The size and condition of its current facility at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings has long been a concern. The facility is in perpetual disrepair and is begin­ ning to limitthe department’s programing. Commissioner Mike Callton, who was assigned to the COA; board, posed the same question to each one of the candidates, asking what they would suggest to heighten aware­ ness of the COA and generate support from throughout areas peripheral to Hastings, strafeMMBl iimn Michael Stoline of Hastings Charter Township interviews in front of county commis­ sioners on Tuesday morning for a position on the Conservation Easement Board. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) including communities like Nashville and Delton. Callton asked this, referring to a 2015 effort to secure a millage that would fund the construction of a new building. The request was voted down by voters, but received strong support within the City of Hastings and a lack ofsupport elsewhere. “I think it’s important that people don’t come with very specific and huge agendas because our job when we serve on boards is to listen to those that we serve,” Lewis-Blake said in response to Callton. “1 think finding out what is important to the seniors in those areas would be important. Perhaps that’s already been done, I don’t know because I haven’t served on the board yet but I would ask those questions.” Those close to the department see other reasons why the millage failed. In an inter­ view with The Banner last fall, former long­ time director Tammy Pennington contended that the failure was due to the fact that the proposal shared the ballot with both a highly unfavorable school millage request and a statewide ballot proposal. Pennington said in the interview that she was confident the millage would have passed had it not clashed with these circumstances. But almost everyone in leadership at the COA would agree that a new facility is a must. “1 would love for sometime - in my lifelife­ time, anyway — I’d love to see us have a new COA,” Dennison said during his interview. “That’s one ofmy goals is to be on the board when they finally get to that point” County commissioners stuck with the sta­ tus quo in regard to the Parks and Recreation Commission, selecting two incumbent candi­ dates out ofa four-person field. Daryl Chee­ seman, President of the Charlton Park Gas and Steam Club and Rick Moore ofthe Thor­ napple Trail Association, both received the nod, going against Snyder and Ken Windes of Hastings Charter Township. The duo of incumbents will serve a three-year term. Before discussion even began, Cheese­ man said during public comment that he hoped commissioners would re-elect incum­ bents as the current board has proven to be highly effective in addressing the depart­ ment’s business. Much of the conversation with candidates for the Parks and Recreation Commission centered on Historic Charlton Park, and how the commission might be able to address its many current needs while making it more financially sustainable in the future. Finally, Michael Stoline, a long-time mechanic and resident of Hastings Charter Township, was selected by the Committee of the Whole to serve a two-year term on the Conservation Easement Board. He was the only candidate. The board focuses on farmland preserva­ tion within the county. 194639 Barry County Road Commission PROJECT MANAGER The Barry County Road Commission is hiring for a Project Manager. The Position is responsible for coordinating, planning, inspecting, designing, and directing civil engineering projects such as roads, bridges, culvert, and storm sewers. A bachelor’s degree or comparable work experience or combination of the two is required. A Professional Engineering certificate from the State of Michigan, or ability to attain, while not required, is desirable. A Job description and application is available online or at the Road Commission office. Resumes and applications can be sent to the Barry County Road Commission (Phone 269-945-3449) at P.O. Box 158, Hastings, Ml 49058 or by email at bcasey@barrycrc.org. We will be accepting resumes and applications until the position is filled. Starting salary will be dependent upon qualifications. The Barry County Road Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. I* 10“*■ . Long-time Commission on Aging Board member Terry Dennison is seated as he listens to Commissioner Mike Callton ask a question during Tuesday morning’s meeting. Dennison was selected for another three-year term on the board. Mip fatal ii.yj Mia tol 1 *" 1 *ii r_ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 2, 2023 — Page 3 A significant snowfall at Bittersweet Ski Resort on Thursday, Jan. 26. prompted families to continuously filter in through the doors out to the slopes as the snowfall grew heavierjhroughout the day. Louis Wierenga Jr. (front, center) holds his Master Farmer award plaque amongst family, friends and supporters. Wierenga received the award last week at the Great Lakes Crop Summit in Mt. Pleasant, (photo provided) 5^\\ s Hastings resident, school board member Wierenga honored Skfe kfe •<^ W<§§ with Master Farmer award there’s the days you wish you could go back to bed,” Wierenga said. “I’ve seen a lot of Louis Wierenga Jr., 70, recalled a time change in the 70-some-years ofmy life.” when he was building a pole bam in the mid­ He remembers growing up on the farm in dle of the winter, when someone he was the ’50s, his neighbor had a combine that working with asked if he had been farming all could cut a 42-inch-wide strip ofclover. Now, his life. he drives a combine that can cut up to 40 feet. “Not yet,” Wierenga said. Although he’s seen lots ofchanges over the Wierenga attended last week’s Great Lakes years, he’s seen them all from his farm right Crop Summit held in Mt. Pleasant, where he here in Barry County, near Charlton Park. His was being honored alongside Shepherd farm­ dad bought the farm in 1948, and except for a er J0e Byfant and Cass City farmer Dave few years where other obligations pulled him Milligan with this year’s Master Farmer away, Wierenga has been there ever since. award. Michigan Fanner has been giving He’s humble when describing his accoma^Etyj the award every year for the past 19 plishments during those 70 years, but it’s fears'to ars'to three three Michigan Michigan farmers farmers who who have have easy for anyone to. see how Wierenga wim jffjMjncantly^onfributed to the advancement^jjsych 'a prestigious award. He has supplied culture in their lifetime. * ?corh.to Herbruck’s Poultry in Ionia for oyer hs quitehumbling,”? Wierenga said. 8-years, as well as supplied Carbon Green i Alexa hqw many farmers-aie tn MichiEnergy for more than 10. He’s represented County farmers ort*^-trip sponsoredr^y JSjBican ican FaqftcBuread Ft&eratioq3S^0^fe he’s cvcu hosted* Russian famJJ erenga, bom at feinbdR’ ospi re staying in Barry County. Hunter McLaren StaffWriter < >s In il952, took; to the . fields nbt long after. He rdrtiembers milking cows and picking* stones from the fields with his father whcfi he was five or six years old, with, his dad teaching him how to ride a tractor shortly after that. , “It’s something that you have to want to do. There’s good days, terrific days, and then He’s kept experimenting during that tirriej adding solar panels to his farm that sustain his1 farm during the harvest and contribute to thelocal electrical grid during the off-season. In recent years, he’s even found a way to keep soybeans fresh between seasons - something that goes against conventional wisdom, and has allowed him-to get an early soybean crop and maximize his com harvest later. Throughout all ofhis successes, Wierenga has remained tied to Barry County and the Hastings community. A 1970 Hastings High School graduate, Wierenga is serving his sec­ ond six-year term as a Hastings school board member. A former FFA student himself, Wierenga admires Hastings for its strong FFA and agricultural programs. The “Hayfield Con­ cert” put on at his farm beginning in 2013 has raised more than $45,000 for the Hastings High School band, providing them with new instruments and a new, trailer. Although it’s been on hiatus because of COVID-19, he hopes to bring it back soon. Even after recalling all of these accom­ plishments and more, Wierenga is surprised he was chosen as one ofthis year’s recipients ofthe Master Farmer .qward, recognizing his !?ok ^9^ .-fe among them. , . . . “I feel very honored that people wrote letters ofrecommendation, and seeing the other farm­ ers that won this award in the past and this year -1 am extremely lucky that I got the award,” he said. “There’s a lot more people more qualified than me, but weren’t nominated.” “It’s humbling.” One killed in Baltimore Township fatal M-37 crash Hunter McLaren |ii®r saxhiawB®2) . W-gjSS gjSS rnsf ii*k*®* i*** StaffWriter Police are investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on M-37 Highway that occurred Tuesday. A release from the Barry County Sheriff’s Qffice stated the crash occurred at 7:21 p.m. on M-37 Highway near Butler Road in Balti­ more Township. A preliminary investigation by,the department found a. northbound Volk­ swagen Jetta crossed the centerline an$ col­ lided with a southbound Buick Enclave. The driver ofthe Jetta, a 59-year-old Hast­ ings woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the Enclave were transported to Corewell Health Pennock Hospital for their injuries. The crash remained under investigation as of Wednesday morning, and police believed alcohol wap a factor in the crash. The Michigan Department of Transporta­ tion’s West Michigan office reported both the northbound and southbound lanes of M-37 Highway were closed to. traffic due to a crash from 8:16 p.m. until 10:41 p.m. Tuesday night. No charges had been filed in relation to the crash as ofWednesday afternoon. Mercy EMS, Hastings Fire Department, Barry County Central Dispatch, Goldswor­ thy’s Towing, MDOT and Western Medicine Office ofthe Medical Examiner were credit­ ed with assisting the Sheriff’s Office in responding to and clearing the crash. HEARING, continued from page 1 w *5 »»>* »> * < V*** Jr }**»u»*JJ County 911, the suspect allegedly entered the unoccupied business where the truck was found, stole a Ford F-450 flatbed that was parked in the garage, crashed through the closed garage door and fled, police said. As deputies were investigating, Battle Creek Police received reports that a vehicle matching the description ofthe second sto­ len truck had struck two vehicles on M-37 in Bedford Township, failed to stop, and kept going northbound into Barry County, the Calhoun sheriff’s office said in the news release. Shortly before noon, Barry County central dispatch received a call from Calhoun County central dispatch of a vehicle pursuit, Barry County Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman said. While fleeing through Barry County, Bil­ brey struck a vehicle, damaging the mirror on the vehicle. The driver of the damaged vehi­ cle lhen attempted to get the license plate number of the truck. Bilbrey noticed the other driver, backed his car up, “got behind the victim’s car and smashed into the victim from behind,” Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt said. The chase extended through the city of Hastings and the village of Nashville. Nakfohr Pratt testified at Bilbrey’s arraignment last week that the suspect drove his vehicle toward two Barry County deputies and one citizen “at close range?’ She said he directed his vehicle toward one ofthe deputies twice. None of Barry County’s sheriff’s vehicles were damaged during the chase, Undersheriff Jason Sixberry said. At 1:15 p.m., Barry County central dis­ patch advised Eaton County that deputies were iin pursuit of the truck that entering Eaton County on Lawrence Highway. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office sent out-county patrol units to the area to try to stop the truck before it entered a populated area. Deputies and a sergeant deployed stop sticks to flatten the tires on the truck, but the driver of the truck kept going, driving erratically toward the city of Charlotte, even with all four tires flat and on driving on the rims, police said. Near the city limits of Charlotte and with units from several police agencies in pursuit, the driver allegedly tried to ram into a police vehicle, authorities said. Eaton County Sheriff’s Office decided we needed to act and end the pursuit before it entered the city ofCharlotte where there were several .people outside,” the Eaton depart­ ment said in a news release. Sheriff’s deputies and a sergeant used their patrol vehicles to disable the fleeing truck, police said. Because the truck is much larger than our patrol vehicles, this made it very difficult for us to stop the truck?’ the Eaton department said in the news release. “The deputies and sergeant, understanding the extreme danger the* citizens in the area were in, did what they could to stop this dangerous driver before he could hurt or kill an innocent person,” One Eaton County deputy was injured and five police vehicles were damaged during the chase, police said. The fleeing and eluding a police officer charge carries a maximum sentence of five SKI RESORTS, continued from page 1 The weather turning frigid and snowy has been a welcome sign for ski resort operators and an opportunity for everyone to enjoy some winter fun. Like Spartz, Theresa Yonker from Alto brought her kids to the slopes at Bittersweet along with students from Caledonia. Yonker runs the ski club program for Caledonia schools, which has both high school and mid­ dle school programs. Yonker buys passes from Bittersweet and sells them to Caledonia students and families so they can get a 50 percent discount on the ski lift and rentals. Plus, the students get two free lessons on their passes. “The kids who enjoy the snow absolutely love to ski and board and appreciate the pro­ gram,” said Yonker, who has been running the Caledonia Ski Club program for three years. “I have loved running our program.” Yonker also said she and the ski club are excited about the recent snowfall. Michael Spartz and his 5-year-okJ| They are not alone in anticipating a signifi­ daughter Sadie enjoy their time together cant snowfall; many area ski resorts are count­ at Bittersweet Ski Resort. ing on snow through the rest ofthe winter to bring in business. Nick Ross, the general man­ Although it’s a fun and fast ride for kids, ager ofBittersweet, is ready for the crowds. Ross said he thinks it brings in more business^ “Right now, the only thing we can do is “We’ve had the Sweet Express here sinc^ just, kind of focus on the snow’s coming,” 2000. That one has been very good to us, s(j Ross said. “This year is down from the past we decided it was time to buy another one.”w two years. I would say quite a way. We hav­ “When the high speeds are not runnings en’t had a bad year like this since 2010.” everybody’s complaining. As soon as we did Linda Rantz, the accounting manager for that back in 2000, it spoiled the. industry, J Tiqibc^ Ridgq,Ski ^e^jjyqpJjlps, agreed,>yith .JlMt “Ross, s^^^gnjje^gilped iij Ross that concentrating on trie snowfall ahead stay competitive. Pqt,- qf .coui^^<pipntyi oj will bring in business. Timber Ridge offers snow does, too.” several different slopes, including beginner Michael and Sadie Spartz agree with Ross hills, intermediate slopes, wooded trails, snow as snow fell on both of them atop the skj tubing, expert runs and two terrain parks. slope. In her bright pink helmet, Sadie bright; “They just love our new conveyors,” said ened up the ski mountain and fit perfectly iij Rantz, referring to the conveyors that fami­ front ofher dad trailing closely behind as the lies can use to ride up the snow tubing hill two glided together. They reached the bottom of the hill. Witfl and Pine Rope, the ski hill for beginners. “It’s like a magic carpet ride.” Sadie on her skis next to Spartz, as he towerj Rantz said business is picking up and hope over her, he said, “So, we spent last year u0 it continues. here and this year, and it’s been awesome.. > “We want more snow like all other ski get to spend all this time with her.” resorts in the area.” Bittersweet Ski School Director Valerie On Thursday, Jan. 26, families filtered in Marsh encourages all ages to learn how to sk| through the doors ofBittersweet as the newly and snowboard. She said she likes to do bothj fallen snow thickened throughout the day. but snowboarding is a little harder to leanj Skiers lined up at the high-speed Sweet than skiing. “In skiing, the average person we can gei Express chair lift, waiting their turn to ride to the top ofthe hill. stopping and turning and maybe even riding a chairlift within an hour,” Marsh explained! “The high-speed chairlift is to help get people up the hill faster,” Ross explained. “It “Snowboarding is a little bit more difficult, sd goes twice the speed of all the rest of the the average person might need two or thre* chairs that we have. So, we can actually push lessons to get good at stopping and turning on a group of people up a little bit faster than a the snowboard.” normal chairlift would.” Snowboarding is new for Rachel Schwartz! Eight-year-old Ezekiel Falcon waited in 13, who was excited to be at Bittersweet. She line with his new snowboard and is trying it came all the way from Fort Wayne, Ind., to out for the first time at Bittersweet. “I like to snowboard for the first time. “I’ve been waiting for the snow,” she saitf go up and down fast,” he said.” SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING January 11, 2023 — 7:00 p.m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Lectka, Watson, Bellmore, James. Absent: None Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer’s Report Monthly Clerk's Voucher/Payroll Report Motion to accept Ordinance 2022-185 for second reading and adoption Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve Siegfried & Crandall as Auditors for 2023 Audit Roll Call Vote — All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 7:40 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested toby, Larry Watson. Supervisor 194745 years and/or a fine of $1,000, plus a one-year suspension ofthe offender’s driver’s license. The felonious assault charge is a maximum four-year offense. The habitual offender charge would double the prison sentence thatt Bilbrey could receive ifconvicted. No additional charges have been filed yet in either Calhoun or Eaton counties, according to court information from both counties. Nakfoor Pratt said in a text Wednesday that her office has been in touch with prosecutors in the neighboring counties. Bilbrey is being held on a $100,000 bond in the Barry County Jail, q SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP SPECIAL BOARD MEETING January 19, 2023 - 7:00 p.m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Lectka, Watson, Bellmore Absent: James Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer’s Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucher/Payroll Report Motion to approve Green Planet LLC application pending state approval Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 7:10 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor 194744 ATTENTION RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS SOME RESIDENTS HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR WINTER TAX BILLS MAILED ON DECEMBER 1ST. IF YOU NORMALLY RECEIVE A TAX BILL AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE, PLEASE CALL THE TOWNSHIP TO AVOID LATE FEES. 269-948-2194 MON. & TUES. 9-3 AND WED. & THURS. 9-12 �Page 4 — Thursday, February 2, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you T/nMy OffinioTi see Some of the most important work in the community is unpaid ESCAPE ARTIST One of the cats in the day room of the Barry County Animal Shelter’s cattery reaches for freedom through a small gap in the enclosure while his buddy watches nervously from afar. This weekend’s edition of The Reminder featured an extensive special report on the animal shelter and how a bunch of four-legged friends are currently up for adoption. . emember? You can ring my bell Banner Aprft 4 wll I . A,..,.’, Kim Domke (right), handbell instructor, shows Thornapple Manor resident Lucy Heckman a few pointers during a visit by local handbell ringers last week. Domke teaches the musical skill at Grace Lutheran Church and she and her “Clapper Kids” group decided to pay a visit and regale the residents with melodies. Have you met? Jodi Duits always wanted to be a school administrator. Raised by parents that held such roles, Duits graduated from Haslett Public Schools in 1994. From there, she attended Lansing Community College and Central ; Michigan University to study teaching. - After finishing up her student teaching hours at Ionia’s Rather Elementary, she graduated from CMU in the summer of 2000 and began her career at Lakewood Public Schools. 4That whole semester from January to - June, I subbed every day for Lakewood - Public Schools,” Duits said. “I subbed in all four communities and elementaries and loved it.” Duits was hired full-time to teach third grade students at West Elementary, g y, now - known as Lakewood Elementary, in 2001. “I stayed in Room 104 for 16 years. A lot of staff changed around me, but I always stayed in the room,” she said. “I wanted to be an administrator.” After furthering her education at Michi­ gan State University and a few near-misses with administrative opportunities in the • intervening years, Duits was asked to be T the interim principal at Lakewood Early Childhood Center in 2016. Although it was ,i tough to leave her students in the middle of * school year, she knew she was in the : right place. I fell in love with being principal at LECC, she said. “Then this opening as curriculum director came about when (for­ mer Superintendent) Dr. (Steve) Skalka . came in, so then I pursued that.” After Skalka’s departure from the district /’ late last year, Duits has been filling in as the •I district’s interim superintendent. . . H Here I am, at the ultimate goal!” she 1 joked. Although her current role at the district is « a little different than it was when she was a ” teacher, she finds it’s still challenging and ., rewarding in all the right ways. ■-- “I love working alongside the staff and supporting them and our students,” she said. “I love being a team player and doing r** what’s best for students.” Duits currently wears a lot ofhats in the district after being appointed interim super­ intendent at the beginning ofthis year. She takes on the role alongside her two other positions, where she s.erves as the head of w Jodi Quits special education and curriculum director for the district. Although her schedule can be tricky to manage, it’s something she loves to do. She credits Lakewood’s administrative staff for helping her stay on track, as well as Lake­ wood stafffor being easy to work with. “I think it’s something I always wanted to do. You really find passion and you enjoy what you’re doing, and I found that work exciting,” she said. “I think being a classroom teacher for that long really gave me perspective and helped me as an admin­ istrator.” Duits has already faced many challenges during her time as an administrator. COVID-19 was a big shake-up for public education and curriculum, with mask man­ dates and virtual learning radically chang­ ing the status quo. “That was hard, but I think being in the classroom helped me understand,” she said. “I don’t know how long most administra­ tors have been in the classroom, but that’s a perspective that I think is valuable.” There are sure to be more challenges to come. Duits is taking on the role as the district is analyzing its next steps after its bond proposal failed in November. Duits has already met with the newly created Project Steering Committee made up of concerned community members and is ready for whatever other challenges may present themselves. Duits recalled a time when she was still a teacher in the district, furthering her educa­ tion at MSU and trying unsuccessfully to land an administrator position in the dis­ trict. A colleague saw her qualifications and asked: why not go and be a principal some­ where else? Duits had a simple answer. “I didn’t want to. Lakewood is where I want to be,” she said. “My kids go here and I just love the community. I love our staff, our students, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” “I was hired and I’ll retire at Lakewood Public Schools,” she laughed. For her dedication to the Lakewood com­ munity, as well as her role as a public edu­ cator and school administrator, Jodi Duits is this week’s Bright Light. Something people might not know about you: I’m a big Spartan fan, I like to go to their basketball games and football games. An important lesson from childhood: I just remember being told to always try your best. I take that to my kids - always try your best. I stress that. I want my kids to have a good work ethic, to work hard in life and in school, because I think that will carry them far. My parents portrayed that hard work ethic, and I feel like my husband and I are hard workers. We’re raising our children in that environment and hopefully they’re picking up to work hard in school, to try their best and that when you work hard, it pays off and will take you far. Favorite dinner: Wagonwheel (Ameri­ can Grill in Portland) Crispy Chicken Wrap. It’s delicious. What motivates me: I love what I do. It’s satisfying. To'work hard and with a great team that supports our students, preparing them for success, that’s satisfying. I love it. I love to come to work every day, I love to be around people. I love to walk into Lake­ wood Elementary and get a bunch ofhugs. That makes me happy, it’s the small things. E Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. I recently had the privilege of visiting chatted with Daryl Cheeseman, a member the Barry County Animal Shelter to see of the Parks and Rec Board, about the the facility and witness processes that needs ofHistoric Charlton Park. This 300director Ken Kirsch has installed. Over his acre p park features 30-plus buildings, all of years in the position, Kirsch has taken which require maintenance work. In fact, steps to overhaul the facility and create a the park has a laundry list of repair and no-kill shelter that provides for the needs maintenance projects that it could stand to of dogs and cats and works diligently to take on to improve the grounds. An army find them a forever home. ofvolunteers would be beneficial to tack­ During my visit, I chatted with Kirsch ling those efforts. inside the facility’s cattery, as one of the When Cheeseman was asked what the cats, Blitzen, zig-zagged through my legs department’s primary concerns were, he - it was his turn to enjoy some expanded did not hesitate to say: room in which to roam. Kirsch spoke “Volunteer efforts — we can never have about volunteer opportunities at the shel­ too many volunteers,” he said. “A lot of ter and how some volunteers are needed our volunteers are older and younger vol­ simply to come in for a few hours each unteers didn’t grow up in an era ofwhat day or week to play with the cats. Charlton Park, in particular, is all about. That sounds like a pretty sweet gig. Keeping sufficient, let alone plentiful, After all, who wouldn’t want to press volunteers is always a challenge.” pause on their busy day for a couple of County commissioner David Hatfield hours to play with some cats or kittens? echoed those sentiments. Color me interested. “I have had a lot of opportunity to In fact, the Barry County Animal Shel­ observe similar organizations and how ter has plenty of volunteer opportunities they identified the challenges and tried to but many ofthem go unfilled. address those challenges and, bottom line, “We averaged about 700 volunteer it always comes down to two things: hours a month before COVID,” Kirsch money and volunteers,” Hatfield said. explained. “After COVID, for two years, As the chair of a historical society, fel­ it went down to about 50 hours a month. low commissioner Jon Smelker also could And we’re up to about just over 100 speak credibly on the topic. again.” “Volunteerism is a big shortcoming,” While you have to give kudos to the he said, referring to Charlton Park and volunteers that combine for over 100 other historic organizations. “But I hours of service to the animal shelter believe, ifwe get these kids interested in every month, the department still is facing our history, some ofit will stick and they a massive shortage of volunteer help that will come back.” it grew accustomed to over the pre-COVID Northern Express, a publication based years. A lot ofwork and productivity can in Traverse City, reported that the northern be addressed in the 600 hours that are region ofthe state is going through these going unfilled now. The work that is nor­ same dynamics. There, organizations that mally tended to by these volunteers falls range from the National Cherry Festival to on Kirsch and his staff - and let me tell Big Brothers Big Sisters were running into you, they work hard down there at the trouble finding a sufficient number ofvol­ animal shelter. When I got there, Kirsch unteers to take on the important work that was roughly eight hours into his shift and allows them to operate. it was only 2 p.m. A “volunteer shortage” of sorts should “The volunteerism, - people Just aren’t onot cem& as adiuge surprise, especially in *' going out in public and stuff” l^iftchiflaijd, aiYXt^/Xvhewlqmpl0l/ifkiaiB>hmdng'^heck trying to put his' finger on now volunteer of a time finding employees ftf’jbin their hours have not bounced back. “It was pret­ workforce. If businesses are finding it ty rough. It’s pretty crazy.” tough to find people to do work that But this problem is not unique to the they’re getting paid for, it’s only natural Barry County Animal Shelter. Volunteer­ that non-profit organizations are going to ism, like most aspects ofsocial life during run into a similar dynamic for their unpaid the COVID-19 pandemic, dropped offin a - yet often highly motivated - workforce. big way as our state and country had to So much conversation has gone into the work through the limitations that came topic ofwages and how people need to be with that unprecedented public health paid more. Employers have had to amp up event. However, like Kirsch and his crew pay for their employees in order to remain have run into at the animal shelter, those attractive to workers. This general idea volunteer hours have not come back, that our time is somehow worth much which is leaving many organizations that more now than it has been before likely rely so heavily on these volunteer efforts plays a role in our willingness to volun­ in a bit ofa bind. teer. Our time is money, right? The numbers back it up. A Gallup poll Whatever barriers are standing between compared volunteer statistics before and non-profit organizations and potential vol­ after the pandemic. A poll that was con­ unteers need to come down for the better­ ducted by the organization in 2013 ment ofthe community. While non-profit revealed that 65 percent of people that organizations are known for being nimble responded were volunteering their time to and being able to function with less, it’s vital that we give them the man hours nec­ organizations and 83 percent said that they were donating money to organizations and essary to complete their important work. ' causes in order to support them. The poll I want to stress that it is not all doom also showed that the number of people and gloom on this front. I’ve covered the opting to donate their time had remained Barry County United Way and some ofits fairly steady throughout the 2010s. But, in signature programs and initiatives, like its 2020, that number dropped to 58 percent Day of Caring, Toys for Barry County and then 56 percent in 2021. Kids and the Fresh Food Initiative. The Quite predictably, the Gallup poll cited United Ways seems to always have a the fact that people had concerns over solid turnout of volunteers and I often exposure to COVID-19 and other public hear how Barry County is a special place safety worries as a primary reason that when it comes to its generosity. And I they’ve remained on the sidelines rather don’t doubt it. than jumping back in to help out organiKeep in mind, though, that important zations. organizations need your time if you’re The topic of volunteers - or the lack able to give it. thereof - came up just this week as the Barry County Board of Commissioners Jayson Bussa continued its interviews with candidates Editor for department boards. Commissioners Hastings Banner The Hastings BcUIUCIT Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division'of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 5^ & & & ’*11 *■•«»** ■ linn** isrorslKi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 2. 2023 — Pagb 5 Michigan businesses with hourly Workers fret over continued pay hikes Paula Gardner WiK %v 5 \XVK1W ^W; W;% ’% ‘OW5 few J'^‘> fest J fest* '! ushSs • I ‘*®?‘P1 "। f f J tawfi it ^j\ ■Rihpai' ^**>fl8iKiif 7> Cfc|n l8iKSkitp kifc ^■7 Cmy Skt kme- ^N^flDEfiOOSR ^N^flDEfiOOSRMj Mj MfclOSfipiDltiy •tCO^lD-^KticiKz:!^ofa^afoad-iw witefchufcB pgfapribptyitriiri •t nz zwsxiE DaianEEplojcbK^E;? MltaitUdto |eyfiitofflipl(iyK5BsiaM xrx iiEcinB «rc»rata. Ikpdfe till ar** «»toj« tB ‘,<l“£!!* tlotoiiita«’^,"k,“’T ■lk^ iiW* . ^tariffs arert^i arert^ ne^***^^^* ■*> be dr *»*■ *Litewmility®*® Bridge Michigan Teenagers not yet old enough to drive now cam $14 per hour in many of the nine mid-Michigan McDonald’s restaurants owned by Shawn Saputo. That 40 percent pay jump from roughly $10 per hour three years ago is a sign of inflation and a dearth of available workers in the quick-service restaurant industry. The fight for low-skilled hourly employees remains fierce as these businesses continue to experience the steepest wage increases in the U.S. since the pandemic. Saputo is wondering when the pace of wage hikes will slow. Fourteen dollars per hour is what some gen­ eral managers once earned at Saputo’s restau­ rants. But that was before the pandemic and the wave of government assistance for COVID-19-related layoffs. It also preceded the time when more Michigan's adults stepped out of the labor force, nearly doubling the workforce participation rate gap between the state and U.S. - and well before inflation hit 9.1 percent in June. Today, pay for McDonald’s GMs in Saputo’s stores tops $25 per hour. “Everyone got a bump in pay,” Saputo said, describing how inflation and the tight labor market influenced labor costs, and notjust for ; lower-paid workers. “It’s the right thing to do,” Saputo said. “But at some point, when does that stop?” The answer, he said, is one that many ■ restaurant owners and other small business । owners fear: “When you can’t afford to pay ; employees.” As inflation starts to fall after a year ofinter­ est rate hikes to cool the economy, Michigan businesses - particularly those trying to hire ! low-skilled workers and raising pay dramatical­ ' ly to do so - now hope wage increases cool, too. The Federal Reserve has the same goal, its leaders said over recent days as the Fed prepares to meet Wednesday to announce its latest move to stem inflation, which is likely to be another interest rate increase, though possibly just by 0.25 percent, the smallest hike since March. Inflation grew nationally in 2022 at an annual rate of 6.5 percent, according to data released January 12. A series of increases in the interest rates banks use to lend to each other - and a , basis for consumer loan rates - is credited with ‘ the year-end inflation drop from its peak But now the Fed is watching both inflation < and the tight labor market - which is driving ! wage growth - to guide its monetaiy policy. “We need to see continued improvement j across various measures of labor costs ?.ioito I bring inflations down/’i-Christopher J./Waller of the Federal Reserve Board ofGbvemore said on Jan. 20. The Fed’s target is to return to 2 percent ’ annual inflation, Waller said, noting that “a significant escalation in wage growth could drive up longer-range inflation expectations.” The latest move on interest rates will come , after business owners and advocates across Michigan spent months fearing a court ruling that could have raised the state’s minimum wage to $13.03 per hour, an amount equal to $27,102 for a 40-hour workweek. Instead, a Michigan Court ofAppeals panel reversed a lower court decision, meaning the state’s min­ imum wage rate will not change, though an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court is pos­ sible. While expressing relief about the decision, the bigger issue facing the business community is that inflation keeps pushing base wages high­ er, in turn pressuring pay rates across the spec- Two Middleville Speedway employees steal nearly $15,000 using fraudulent bottle returns A Wendy’s restaurant in Hastings advertises for open positions that pay between $14 and $15 per hour. tram, said Brian Calley, president and CEO of the Small Business Association ofMichigan. And as the wage scale increases, Calley said, higher pay “pushes costs up, which contributes to inflation, which hurts the very people you’re trying to help (by raising the minimum wage).” Ifwages continue to increase, businesses are likely to reach a point where they won’t be able to keep absorbing costs or passing them along to consumers, he added. Adding more automation, operating with fewer workers or making drastic changes to business models — including closing — are all steps that businesses could be forced to consid­ er ifthe wage growth incline stays steep. “Youjust can’t get to a point where there’s no such thing as an entry-level job,” Calley said. In his restaurants, Saputo said he feels that pressure. Across his industry - and others that attract hourly workers, from stores and manu­ facturers to service providers - operators are paying “a competitive wage,” he said, so that they can attract workers. At Walmart, for instance, starting salaries now range from $12 to $18 an hour depending on location, with the company saying it will hike hourly pay again in February. “(McDonald’s is) not a minimum wage job anymore,” Saputo said. “And we still have a hard time staffing.” Fearing more wage growth Across the U.S., there were about 10 million job openings in the United States at years-end, compared to six millionjob-seekers. The business community already recognizes the straggle ofhaving way more openings than workers, and in many cases is responding with higher pay. As a result, Jeffrey Korzenik, man। aging director and chiefinvestment strategist at i Fifth Th ird Baftk^ -said] •’ Ittwhat weZre^feal ly concerned about is wage inflation.” " » At Golden Limo in Milan, south of Ann Arbor, business is more predictable after it shifted to a contract model from on-demand driving services, owner Sean Duval said. His chauffeured cars, shuttle buses and full-size buses are busy filling transportation gaps at the University ofMichigan and for the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. Hiring has been difficult since the pandemic, Duval said. And wages now top $30 an hour for the highest-paid drivers, “in many cases double what we were paying in 2019.” Michigan used to be considered a high-wage state, but average pay started to decline in the decade before the Great Recession, said Don Grimes, economist at the University ofMichi­ gan. Part of that is attributed to the loss of manufacturing jobs, which were replaced with lower-payingjobs, he said. Then from 2010 and 2016, real wages in Michigan remained flat- But then they started tto increase,, Grimes said,, as “labor markets got tighter and the unemployment rate started to shrink .. .eventually getting to 3 (percent).” In Michigan, the median wage was $45,190 in 2021, compared to $58,260 nationally. But, Grimes said, “Inflation took off at the end of 2021, and it has been running faster than wage growth.” 1 The earnings ofmost workers aren’t keeping pace with inflation. Now the average wage in Michigan is $30.84 per hour, an amount that, when adjusted for inflation, is what people earned in 2019. “(The only) people who’ve had real wage increases are at the bottom of the pay scale,” Grimes said. Ten years ago, wages for lower-skilled workers were increasing 0.9 percent, compared to 2.2 percent for all workers. By November 2022, however, lower-skilled workers, many of whom remained in high demand after the pandemic, had the highest wage growth, at 6.7 percent. Overall, U.S. wages lose at an annual rate of 6.2 percent in late 2022, the same pace as infla­ tion, showing how the pressure at the low end ofthe wage scale also influenced employers of more highly skilled workers paying higher wages, too. Raising worker pay at Golden Limo hasn’t resulted in a higher-skilled workforce, Duval said. “The skill set of the employee didn’t change,” he said. “If you’re going to invest more in salaries and wages, you’d want to have a great choice in who you’re hiring. “Instead, the same people are walking through the door,” he said, maybe with little to i no experience and hoping to learn on the job. I Duval is willing to train. “But they’re expecting their pay to be almost double.” That scenario is orieGof the pressures about pay and inflation that Calley said is among the most troubling today: Wages increases aren’t resulting in productivity gains, and that’s a problem for businesses. There aren’t enough workers, but costs also are going up for sup­ plies, transportation and rent. “If you increase costs without any kind of corresponding increase in productivity, then all you do is add a cost to the system,” Calley said. Michigan’s stagnant population and low labor force participation rate - which was at 59.9 percent in November, compared to 62.1 percent for the U.S. - means the state “is going to need higher productivity per worker no mat­ ter what in the future, just to keep the econom­ ic activity that we currently have.” That leaves business owners thinking, “I’ve got to have people that really know what they’re doing,” Calley said. Ktd jj jMHijvetai SSJ^^ESS: |R S» »**S*?S» **S*?S»‘s5 S «0y*^J5 * & "<;: 1* .$■ *1* ,• Ip**-r of •***>’l £ l£x jP 0* * p4 0r r r r | | | f | I To the editor: There is an article and also a guest op-ed with John Moolenaar, Barry County’s new Congressman to the U.S. House ofRepresen­ tatives in the Jan. 28, 2023 Hastings Banner. I’d like to offer some perspective on the posi­ tions which he puts forward. Mr. Moolenaar voted to eliminate the $80 billion budgeted for the IRS in the last year’s Inflation Reduction Act stating that he doesn’t want “87,000 agents digging into the lives of everyday Americans.” Many of the new employees and a big chunk ofthe money for the IRS will be used in operations support and modernization, not enforcement. Although it is true that less than 10 percent of the money will go directly to taxpayer ser­ vices, a more efficient and modem IRS also result in better taxpayer service. It is also misleading to act like the improved enforcement is a bad thing for most of us. The improved enforcement will be directed towards individuals, corporations and part­ nerships with incomes over $400,000. Taxing the well offto help pay for services that ben- efit all ofus is a good thing. High earners find ways to dodge their taxes not available to the rest of us. Better enforcement means they will pay more oftheir fair share. The nonpar­ tisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the $80 billion package would raise $207 billion in gross revenue, resulting in $127 billion in net additional revenue and thus a reduction in the national debt. Mr. Moolenaar also bragged that he intro­ duced legislation to prevent Line 5 from being shut down saying it will protect pro- pane ane deliveries in Michigan. There are other ways to deliver propane. How much propane is worth risking a catastrophic spill ofoil and petroleum products in the Straits of Macki­ nac? Even from an economic point ofview it doesn’t make any sense. The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research estimated that the total economic damages from a spill from Line 5 would be $5.6 billion dollars. Dr. Kenneth M. Komheiser Prairieville Township NOT VICTORY: Focus on solving problems instead of pointing fingers /x w w pjl jl F To the editor: With the new redistricting plan, like many ofyou, I didn’t really know my new congressional representative. So, it was with eagerness that I read his op-ed piece in the Banner last week. What a disappoint­ ment! In his headline, instead of telling us what he was working on for his Michigan constituents, John Moolenaar told us that President 1 Hastings man with warrant flees authorities J . in high-speed chase near Gun Lake Police initiated a chase with a wanted 30-year-old Hastings man around 8:30 a.m. on • Jan. 18 near the Gun Lake BP gas station at 1515 S. Patterson Rd. Police were working ‘ I in conjunction with a Children’s Protective Services caseworker who was meeting the- ‘ I man and told them he had a warrant out for domestic violence. After exiting his vehicle JI and speaking with the caseworker, the man saw police approaching and re-entered his'U vehicle. The man traveled eastbound on M-179 Highway before turning south on to Gun » Lake Road, reaching speeds of 90 to 100 mph. Police ended the pursuit as they,» approached Oakleigh Drive due to the high speeds and highly populated residential area.' - Road rage incident leads to warning shots fired in Bellevue A 22-year-old man and a 49-year-old man, both from Bellevue, were involved in aroad rage incident that led to shots being fired around 4 p.m. on Jan. 25. The 49-year-old; was driving a red pickup truck north on North Avenue near Mud Lake Road following a tractor when the 22-year-old came up from behind and started following in his car. Thej pickup driver thought the 22-year-old was following him too closely and brake-checked h him twice while riding the centerline to prevent him from passing. The pickup driver then stopped his car in the road and got out to approach the 22-year-old before re-enter-ing his vehicle, as it was not in park and had started to move. The 22-year-old then passed the man and drove home, where he said the 49-year-old man followed him. Frightened, the 22-year-old retrieved a rifle from his home and fired eight warning shots into his yard. Police confirmed there were eight divots in the yard where shots had been fired and retrieved seven shell casings from the scene. Man does internet research; drives with phony license plate, no registration iqA Police stopped a 39-year-old Hastings man oh South Market Street in Hastings after j observing him speeding and driving with a strange license plate. The plate had no regis- > tration information, and instead read “PRIVATE,” “NO DRIVER LICENSE OR INSUR- ! ANCE REQUIRED,” and “NOT FOR COMMERCE USE, PRIVATE MODE OF | TRAVEL.” When asked to provide his license, registration and proof of insurance, the J man refused and became uncooperative and combative. The man told the police he did 1 not have to provide those documents as he was not driving, but was privately “traveling.”" The man further explained that he had done some research on the internet and purchased 1 the phony license plate, believing it entitled him to drive without a license, registration or insurance insurance. The man insisted he had done nothing wrong and refused to cooperate 1 despite having Michigan state law explained to him by the officer, even refusing to exit ‘ the vehicle when asked. Police removed the man from his vehicle and arrested him,. [ impounding his vehicle until it was properly registered. Police also found a commercial, j driver’s license on the man’s person, which serves as a valid license in Michigan.. Man promises “beating of a lifetime” for feeding stray cats I I A 69-year-old Freeport man reported being threatened by a 64-year-old Freeport man | over feeding stray cats. The victim spoke with police on Jan. 23 and explained that he * frequented the grain mill in Freeport on the 200 block ofDivision Street and fed stray cats I in die area, with the owner’s permission. The man reported being approached by the • 64-year-old on one occasion, who told him to stop feeding the cats and said, “I’m going-! to poison those (expletive) cats.” As the 69-year-old went to leave in his Jeep, the man f harassing him said, “I’m going to pull you out of that Jeep and give you the beating of your life.” Police advised the man to obtain a personal protection order if he felt threatened and * speak to the property owners about having the man trespassed from the property. > Assigning blame for a complex problem like inflation is unfair Truth, f B Congressman Moolenaar leaves out key details when discussing his opposition to certain legislation An asset protection employee with 7-Eleven and Speedway called police to the Speedway . store at 615 Broadway St. in Middleville after investigating suspicious transactions. The 7 man talked to police Jan. 21 about two employees, a 22-year-old Middleville woman and a<; 20-year-old Middleville man. Between the dates ofNov. 2,2022 and Jan. 18,2023, the two> were accused ofembezzling $14,853 through 345 fraudulent bottle return transactions. * The man, who was responsible for 169 ofthe transactions totaling $4,287, admitted to;’ printing fraudulent bottle return slips regularly to cover mistakes made while ringing-up^ customers and occasionally to cover his bills or buy items at the store. The man alleged * I' that he always brought in bottles and cans to return equivalent to what he took.. The woman, responsible for 176 ofthe transactions totaling $10,565, admitted to the • I crime and added that she was taught how to do it by her coworker. The woman admitted 1 she was behind on her rent by $5,000 and would regularly take money for her own" i I expenses as well as purchases at the store. She also admitted to taking $20 at a time for*, I _ lottery tickets, continuing to buy them until she bought a winning ticket. The woman toldpolice she likely took around $1,200 per week between Dec. 15,2022 and Jan. 18,2023. J Biden failed his first two years. I agree that Biden did not achieve.all he hoped for, but I appreciate repaired roads, gas prices going down, families enjoying the child tax credit (before it was killed). I understand that inflation is not just in the U.S., but worldwide. The changing climate, the war in Ukraine and the pandemic have contributed to inflation. The whole world is in a complex situation and there are no easy answers. But we don’t need to put others down who are at least trying. A recent r.ecent speaker at. the Calvin Colleges January Series said you can tell a person of integrity; they argue for truth rather than vicvic­ tory. Peter Meijer was such a man. Carole G. Smith Delton To the editor: Rather than suggesting constructive ways to assist Americans who need a leg up, Repre­ sentative (John) Moolenaar instead chooses to roll out the same old trope we’ve come to expect from his kind ofRepublican politician: dumb down the issues so much that no one will try to parse what’s true and what’s not. Here’s a start, though: by President Biden’s mid-term, the economy had grown by a whopping 30 percent, far more than any eco­ nomic growth in the previous 40 years. Job growth was in the millions, unemployment dramatically down, even since pre-pandemic years, and wages increased for hourly work­ ers who haven’t had the benefits many others have seen over the years. Even now, while economic growth is slow­ ing, it’s still on the rise. There are many fac­ tors contributing to the current inflation. There are politicians who want you to believe that The American Rescue Plan, from which we are all benefitting, is the cause ofinflation. In fact, it has contributed a mere.35 percent to i Do you see that decimal? We’re talking less it. than half a percentage point. There are many other factors that contribute to inflation, including Russia’s war on Ukraine, which has disrupted oil supplies with ripple effects felt around the world, and the supply chain mess we’rejust getting over now. The big picture is this: since World War <1 it’s been Republicans who have mismanaged the U.S. economy, then they scream at Dem­ ocratic administrations to fix it and fix Jt Democratic administrations have done. It*s an easy thing to research, and economists and fact-checkers agree that the U.S. economy does better under Democratic administrations than under Republican ones. And, oh yes, if you value your Social Secu­ rity and Medicare, don’t rely on Republicans to ensure you get your “entitlements,” How is i they can call it that when those ofus wKq it have worked our whole lives paid into thole programs? Right now, the Republican majo)> ity in Congress is looking to make cuts, to those two programs that so many senior citi­ zens rely on to survive. I’ve heard nothing from them about ensuring the super-wealtKy people in this country can’t cheat on their taxes. I’ve heard nothing from them about how it is that corporations continue to increase their profits even during the pandemic and current inflation. The economy is a complex issue thkt deserves more than old tropes spouted By politicians oliticians who offer no real solutions to heln all Americans. Elspeth Inglis Delton �Page 6 — Thursday. February 2. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Carleen Elizabeth Overholt • .jean A. (Ropp) Barber, age 75, ofHickory ^Corners, passed away on January 30, 2023 at Plainwell Pines from health complications. . Jean was bom on March 21,1947, and was adopted by Harold and Virgina (Fourqurean) ^dpp. Virginia passed away and Harold mar­ rried Maxine (Clark) Ropp. She grew up in Sturgis and was introduced to Dean Barber vVho she later married. ; ’ Dean and Jean owned a farm and worked |700 acres together. They later did flea markets where they enjoyed traveling together. Jean will be missed by son, Gerald (Julie) Barber; grandchildren, Vivian Kunz, Clayton White-Barber, Annyssa Barber; brother, Dale (Jane) Ropp and family. ' Jean was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kellie Barber; and husband, Dean Barber. r Jean’s family will receive friends on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, 3 to 6 p.m. at the Wilbam s-Gores Funeral Home where her funeral service will be conducted on Monday, Feb. 6, s11023, 023, at at 11 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Pressey Cemetery. > Please visit www.williamsgoresfimeral. 90m to share a memory or to leave a message for Jean’s family. Richard “Digger” Grant Spriggs, age 86, of Hastings, MI, passed away on January 31, 2023. Richard was bom on August 6, 1936, the son of Murlan Harvey and Dorothy Mae (Lewis) Spriggs. He was the owner and oper­ ator of Carlton Center Excavating. Richard married Nancy (Lewis) Spriggs, and she pre­ ceded him in death. Richard enjoyed moose hunting. He raced motorcycles when he was younger, and he loved spending time with family and camp­ ing. He loved his grandchildren very much. Everyone knew him as a gentle and loving and a genuinely good man. He was loved by many people. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy and his sister, Patricia Vannoller. He is survived by his daughters, Karolyn Holmes and Karri (Kirk) Essner; his grand­ children, Grace Holmes, Keegan (Maddy) Essner, Koltin Essner; his sister, Nancy (Blaine) Barnard, and many other extended family members. A visitation will be held on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Mark Stephen Van Houten, age 59, of Grand Rapids, MIpassed away on January 22, 2023. At foe time of his passing, he was surrounded by his children and his brothers. Mark was bom on May 18, 1963, in Hast­ ings, the son of Jack and Sally (Smith). He was a 1981 graduate ofHastings High School. He was married to Kristen Stedman (Perry) for nine years. Mark enjoyed working on puzzles and painting. He was a dedicated NASCAR fan and always looked forward to the next race. Most of all, he loved to make people smile and laugh. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Van Houten and Sally (Smith) Van Houten. He is survived by his three children, Victo­ ria Stedman ofGrand Rapids, Evan Stedman of Grand Rapids, and Jordan (Ashley) Sted­ man ofGrand Rapids; his two grandchildren, Aniya Stedman and Astrid Stedman; broth­ ers, Mitch (Rose) Van Houten of Ada, Samm Van Houten of Hastings and Marty Van Houten of Hastings; and several niec.es and nephews. The family would , like to thank the staff from Spectrum Health Rehab and Nursing Center as well as Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital for all foe care and kindness that was given to Mark arid opt, family. Memorial contnbytiqns (in memory o(f Carleen Elizabeth Overholt passed away peacefully January 27, 2023 after a long and fulfilling life. All her children were able to be at her side during the last week. Carleen was bom in Royal Oak, MI April 23,1927, the daughter ofHenry J. Ponitz and Jeanette (Bouwman) Ponitz. She was a grad­ uate of Lansing Sexton High School 1945 and Western Michigan University 1949. She taught school in Traverse City and Ypsilanti (B.C.”before children”). She married Dr. Hubert G. Overholt June 25,1950. She was a devoted wife and mother to 4 children. Living in Holland, MI 1954-1978, she was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving on foe Altar Guild, Youth Leader, and Bible Study Leader. She served as Cub Scout Den Mother for six years, Campfire leader three years, Camp Concordia Lutheran Chil­ dren’s Camp six years, and Parent Teacher Council chair. While living in Hastings, Mrs. Overholt was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, serving as Assisting Minis­ ter, Altar Guild, Circle Leader, and Stephen Minister. She also served many years as a hospice volunteer. In 2015, after the death ofher beloved hus­ band, Hugh, she moved to McKinney, TX to be closer to family. Living in an independent senior living community, she continued to be very active with caring for others, becoming foe chief“Ambassador” for newcomers within. pice, nttps.v/giv^.specjLrymhealth.org/hospice/ donate, 100 Michigan Street, NE; Grand Rapids. MI 495011 "" cchurch, home at Rejoice Lutheran, m Ensco TX. She enjoyed cards and dice games, iriahjongg along with water aerobics, book club and a knitting group. She also worked in trips to Glacier National Park, a river cruise in Ore­ gon, Arkansas to foe Crystal Bridges Museum, Texas Bluebonnets in Ennis, an Alaskan cruise and bus to Denali, Carlsbad CA to see family, and a wedding in Boston. Besides family and God, her joys in life were dancing to big band music, listening to classical music, the theater and art, flowers and birds. No matter where she was, people looked forward to her smile, herjoyful ener­ gy, heartfelt caring, and a hug. Carleen is survived by her son Bryan Over­ holt and his daughter Sarah and son,Alex (Alexandra), son Richard “Rick” Overholt and his son Neil (Michelle) and their children and step-children, Monika, Max, and Zach, daughter Marie (Jerry) LaPlante, daughter Martha (Brian) Bay and their children Jea­ nette (Joe) Girard, Catherine and her son Sebastian, and Brian E., brother Dr. David H. Ponitz, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. at Rejoice Lutheran Church, 12000 Independence Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75035. When planning it, she wrote that she wanted the music to be joyful, and she wanted “everyone to sing, because I am going to be so happy!” Cards and written memories are welcomed. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Concordia at campconcordia.org/ donate. A graveside service will be held in the spring on April 23, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Freeport Cemetery in Freeport, MI. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfimeralhome.net. To honor Mark’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfimeralhome.net. Worship Together Marilyn Stafford ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH ^"We Exist To Be An * j Expression Of Who Jesus. Is ' To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ - .945-9121. Email hastfmc@ /■ gmail.com. Website: www, ~hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant , Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze!. ’ • Sunday Morning Worship: ' I 9:45 am. with Kids Church and ' Nursery. Aftermath Student • ZMinistries: Sundays 6 pm. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON , 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M,-43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service >10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and ,*Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m.. Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 pm. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 pm. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. PLEAS ANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. Upraise •This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: a exfabUms pnx.UC.. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 1 Marilyn A. Stafford, age 89, of Wayland, MI, formerly ofMiddleville, MI passed away on January 25, 2023*} Marilyn was bom in October 27, 1933 in Caledonia, the daughter ofWilliam and Florence (Brearley) Lind. An active member ofParmelee United Methodist Chirich for many years, Mari­ lyn was employed by The State Bank ofCaledo­ nia for 40 1/2 years, retiring in 1994. Marilyn enjoyed baking, cooking, going to craft shows, traveling, and bus trips, especially to Branson, MO to see; shows. She was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and loved to watch them play. While working as1 a waitress at Gehl’s Restaurant in Caledonia, she met a regular named Harry Stafford who became the love of her life, they married on July 28, 1953. Harry preceded her iri death in 2016. Marilyn is survived by sister, Mary Lou Cisler; several nieces, nephews, brothers-inlaw and sisters-in-law. . Marilyn was preceded in death by her par­ ents; husband; sister, Darlene Sisson; broth­ ers- in-law: Paul Sisson and Robert Cisler Sr. Marilyn’s family will receive friends on Thursday, Feb. 2, 4 to 7 p.m. at foe Beeler-Gores Funeral Hogie where her funeral service will be conducted on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at 1 p.m., Pastor Tony Shumaker offici­ ating. Private burial will take place in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions to Parmelee United Methodist Church or Green Acres of Wayland will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfiineral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Marilyn’s family. William Arthur (Bill) Johnston, age 78, passed away January 17, 2023, in Santa Fe, NM. Bill was bom November 16, 1944, in New Castle, PA, to Thomas and Ruth (Turner) Johnston. In 1952, Bill’s family moved to Gardner Stop, Shenango Township, PA, and he attended grades 3-12 at Shenango Town­ ship schools, graduating from Shenango High School in 1962. Bill attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, in 1962, and enlisted in foe U.S. Air Force in 1963. While in the Air Force, he studied Russian language at Syracuse Uni­ versity, eventually serving as a radio operator in Pakistan. Bill was honorably discharged from foe Air Force in 1967, having attained foe rank of Staff Sergeant. After completing his service, Bill rejoined his parents and younger siblings who had moved to Hastings, ML In Michigan, Bill attended Michigan State University, and worked for businesses around the state oyer the course of almost 40 years. In Hastings, Bill was employed by Sikemma Poured Wall, Northside Pizza, Hastings Commercial Print­ ers, and Progressive Graphics, and by the Boys Training School in Lansing, ML Bill married Marjorie Blough in 1975, and the couple, moved to Tekonsha, MI, where Marjorie gave birth to four boys, and where Bill spent J1 yeaps(as an. assistant manager at Mi divorced in 1987, Bill tra^^^, computer programmer and employed those skills for nearly a decade at Arrow Uniform Rental in Taylor, ML In 2004, Bill moved to Santa Fe, NM, to join three of his sons. He remained in Santa Fe until his death, working at Walgreens Pharmacy and, after retirement, hiking in foe mountains three to four days a week. Bill loved reading, music, nature and exploring the world around him. He was an avid rQhner in high school and through his thirties, and also enjoyed bicycling and swimming. Bill was foe proud father offour sons, Mat­ thew (Sorakamol Prapasiri), Abel, Daniel and. James Johnston, and grandfather ofsix. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; by his sister, Evelyn Koprivnik; brother-in­ law, John Koprivnikar, and by sisters-in-law, Diana (Brown) Johnston and Patricia (Pia) Johnston. Bill is survived by his children and grand-, children; ex-wife Marjorie; by brothers, Thomas, James (Sherry), John, Robert (Anne Saliers); by sisters, Jennifer (Karl) Schroeder, Rebecca (Jeff) Parker;, by sister-in-law, Eliz-3 abeth Johnston, and by many, many nieces , and nephews. Bill will be buried February 6, 2023, in a private ceremony at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Cordelia Elizabeth Sears, Middleville and Isaac johns Brugger, Adrian jon Michael Nevins, Delton and Dinah Cindy Jung, Delton randa Craig -Wright and Brandon Luft of Middleville. ***** Andrew Scott Amstutz, born at University ofMichigan Hospital November 22, 2022, to Becky Maurer Amstutz and Garrett Ams­ tutz of Lansing. ♦**>(<* Atlas Lewis Star, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 6, 2023 to Addie Har­ din and Devlin Star ofHastings. ***** Emmett Michael Lee Bykerk, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 5,2023 to Heyley Renae Bykerk and Corwin Michael Lee Bykerk ofHastings. ***** Braylyn Makenzy Loft, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 5, 2023 to Mi- Dawson Richard Lee Furlong, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 8,2023 to Kassandra Jane Furlong. ***** Everette Jude Taffee, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 14, 2023 to Eliz­ abeth Jean Taffee ofHastings. ♦♦♦♦♦ Marceline Kelly, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 21, 2023 to. Harlie Kauffman and Etha*n*K**el*ly ofNashville. Elaina Grace Russo, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 23, 2023 to Vic­ toria Russo and Kyle Russo ofHastings. Lillyann Lynn Santana, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on January 20, 2023 to Cas­ sandra Wolf and Tony Santana ofHast- ings. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. February 2, 2023 — Page 7} fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PflGES sSS i hS XSuL hS^XSuL^ jrXkM^fSllhv c % 1 jwSi^t^viMS^S ^Sdh idSh^ StvSiS^ iS w. S frste^ rste s■■**^5jfeS^ S? S^'<iS& h ut w ^ tt lw^ Z? *1* iS* ****^4 F*Si> sv-i.1 i®t «£> >* JSgg J*S*gg « W■3Ba"'nH l• L1 j_- ~' *** » »z is‘«***3SMs **!«»*t ■ .I-fe ' 3SMs 3SM ^%skk»fe '***%“Jsk Jsk*»kk"’»»S'f^e S'f^e“»» Es js j ss***^ Sr® Sr*® «zS!r®,fc S^!®fc ‘^Mi ^'Mi Mi •• ■ Bins i fajAhtang FtElfc&iiEiB'ia ritolHCriNCAtatt toryriifcaiiiik riidfaita mteikindl fish Esther Walton Banner March 3, 1988 One ofthe least remembered but colorful businesses in Hastings was the patent medi­ cine business. Drs. Mixer Cancer and Scrof­ ula Syrup was manufactured by the Mixer Medicine Company in Hastings. Started in 1863 by Dr. Lyman Mixer, it flourished until the death ofMixer’s son, Charles, in 1934. Dr. Lyman Mixer was bom in Cayuga Co., New York March 13, 1828. He was one of 11 children. On August 15, 1848, he was united in marriage to Amanda Scott. For two years, they lived in New York state. From there, they moved to Illinois, and in 1852 moved to Michigan, settling on a farm in Baltimore Township, Barry County. In 1871, the family moved to the City of Hastings where he remained until his death in 1903. Although his obituary doesn’t mention his gaining a degree in medicine, he was referred to as Dr. Mixer. He gained celebrity for his connection with the Mixer Medicine Business, in which he claimed to have developed a cancer cure for himself, which he then sold to others. After his death in 1903, his son and business partner, Charles W. Mixer, assumed full con­ trol ofthe business. Patent medicine was a lucrative business in the late 1900s. It seemed every village and town had at least one or two people who compounded medicine and created their own cures. Pharmacists always mixed their own chemicals to create cures for every imagin­ able illness. One relatively common one was Lydia Pinkham, which claimed to have a baby in every bottle. Alcohol was the most common ingredient. During the popular rise in the use ofpat­ ent medicine, regular treatment consisted of bleeding the patient and giving large doses of medicine that had not been tested for effectiveness. Patent medicine was a natural outgrowth ofthis era. If it worked for one patient, it would cure a thousand patients. Since careful and stringent methods oftest­ ing were never employed, any patent medicine depended on its cured patients to attest to its worth. Ofcourse, if they were not cured and died, they didn’t attest to anything. Mixer’s claim was that it cured him ofjaw and face cancer. His mutilated face was prominently dis­ played on the front ofeach and every bottle. On Jan. 15, 1890, this article appeared in the Banner describing Mixer’s products and purpose: A word about Cancer If all the diseases that claim the attention of the medical fraternity, both physicians and surgeons, cancer is perhaps the most distressing and the most hopeless to treat, whether its origin be constitutional, local or hereditary, it has proven itselfthe most baf­ fling and stubborn of diseases and has long defied the most advanced of theorists and practitioners. The weight ofscientific evidence seems to show that it is a constitutional disorder to which removal by a knife or caustics affords but temporary relief because the real trouble seems to lie back of its apparent origin. Medical records substantiate this belief and trace its cause to impurities of the blood which scrofula, salt rheum, catarrh, goiters and other kindred blood diseases are known to arise. Among the thousands ofpitiful cases of this kind, that of Dr. L.N. Mixer, of Hast­ ings, attracted the attention of many medical men ofMichigan 30 years ago and defeated their most "intelligent efforts to arrest its growth. After nine years ofintense suffering, during which time his nose and palate were completely eaten away and his face severely disfigured, it was his happy fortune to dis­ cover a remedy that checked its progress and eventually restored him to perfect health, which he has since continued to enjoy. iGod.hj^ii WnfcjKBii^ ■tu|llitadn9Ltei(i knUitalbihiMii ’ j5a2JL»teff^r.feE EEi-hidwto^ t ri Vaf»tee5K®-TO iB^ii , _ ^uuu«b hdtedgfrj1 iMto-1 •a buriMn Manl kM M ri ^7, ^to7 “*, A *A < r burial k ri to “** < rf #* tto William Wesley Rodriguez, Sr. Iljl^r-W®11 4 ^L. rf&P** L/ # Xd S* p/,w /w^ /,w^ 6* MJ r ! ^C*S ,40 ? <• William “Bill” Wesley Rodriguez, Sr., age 89, ofMiddleville, MI, passed away on Januaiy 29,2023. Bill was bom on July 6, 1933, in Nashville, MI, the son of Pasqual and Lillian (Beard) Rodriguez. He attended Maple Valley High School and graduated from Thornapple-Kellogg High School. Bill proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War. On December 16, 1967, he married Sally Ann Farrah, and they enjoyed 55 years together. Bill worked for Bradford White, retiring in 1995. Drs. Mixer and Scrofula Syrup “So great was hisjoy at his almost mirac­ ulous recovery tthat he decided to bring this remedy prominently^before the people of this country and for the past 25 years he has devoted himselfassiduously to the task. “Less the incredulous ones may class him with a large number oftraveling, self-styled specialists who play «P°n credulity of the public and growth IM upon the weakness of those who are gulled at their plausible quackeiy, let us state that Dr. Mixer has been a resident of Hastings for 40 years, during 25 of which time he had devoted his attention to the study of blood diseases. “Not wishing to lend the influence of this paper to any unreliable and irresponsible person by a complimentary mention, we have still further investigated his record and in support of our opinion as to his integrity and trustworthiness we subject a letter from the Rev. Hunsberger that will speak for its self: “I take pleasure in saying, to all whom it may concern, that I am personally acquainted with Drs. L.N. Mixer & Sons, the propri­ etors ofMixer’s Cancer and Scrofula Syrup. During the three years pastorate at Hastings, they were members ofmy church and congregation and therefore I had opportunity to know of them and their remedy. I believe them to be upright, honorable men, whose representations may be relied upon as true. AS to the remedy, it has been used by myself and family for some time, and for diseases ofthe blood, we are ofthe opinion there is none better.” The testimonials, as to the value of the medicine, of such respectable physicians of different schools as Dr. Lampman, of Hast­ ings and others, should be sufficient alone aside from anything I may be able to say, to secure for its widest sale. It is well known that physicians of standing, as a rule, are slow to recommend anything that may be classed as a patent medicine. When they do, it may be relied on as possessed ofreal merit as a remedy. Respectfully, Wesley A. Hunsberger Pastor First Methodist Church, Coldwater, Michigan “A few years since, the doctor associated with him, his two sons, Dr. C.W. Mixer and C.G. Mixer, whose entire time is devoted to attending to the business which has now assumed such proportions as to demand the assistance of those whose personal interest and effort will tend to perpetuate and extend the usefulness of this great remedy which has come to be recognized and endorsed as one of the most positive specifics for cancer, scrofula, salt rheum and all disorders qfthe blood. - Kalamazoo Telegraph. “The above testimonial from the Kalam­ azoo Telegraph, one of the leading papers of Michigan, speaks volumes in praise of Messrs. (Misters) L.N. Mixer and son (C.W. Mixer) of this city. Nothing that we could add could possibly speak more in favor of them as reliable men or the remedy they offer the trade as a reliable remedy possess­ ing genuine merit than the testimonial of Rev. W.A. Hunsberger, of Coldwater, for three years pastor ofthe M.E. church ofthis city, to which the Messrs. Mixer both belonged during Rev. Hunsberger’s pastor­ ate as well as ever since. We need only say that such is the efficacy ofthe remedy they manufacture, such the public confidence in them as men, that the sales of their medi­ cine have enormously increased and the prospects seem flattering that it will soon become one ofthe larger business interests ofthis city. WE are pleased with the success they are meeting, and with the fine pros­ pects before them.” An advertisement for the local product. As the above article indicates. Dr. Lyman Mixer had both ofhis sons in business with him in 1890. By 1892, Curtis G. Mixer had sold his share to his brother Charles. Charles continued the business after his father’s death. In fact, at the time of Lyman’s death, the business had been enlarged by selling 34 different remedies, all by mail. Charles Mixer bought W.H. Goodyear’s house on Jefferson Street and in 1907 built a “fine laboratory” behind his residence. Here, he welcomed the afflicted patient who would travel many miles, usually by train and to be seen and cured. The laboratory and house still stand. The house faces Jefferson Street and the laboratory sits in the middle of the block and can be seen from Green Street. Mixer sold most ofhis medicine by mail order, and this soon caused him to run against the law. In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed by Congress. This was the first law specifically designed to regu­ late the medicine trade. All patent medicines sold by mail order were under scrutiny by postal authorities. This action was encour­ aged by the American Medical Society. It didn’t take long for Mixer to be cited by this law. In November of 1909, he was cited for selling under the name “Drs. Mixer” and “Cancer Clire.” The charge against him was it impossible,' by the mail-order method for a physician to make a reliable diagnosis of cancer. They; further maintained that a treatment com-n pound of the remedies disclosed by the^ analysis could not be relied on to affect the; cure ofany case ofcancer. It was also theirl contention that Charles Mixer was referred* to as “doctor” and he Was neither a graduate’ ofhor licensed to practice medicine. - Charles Mixer was well-liked in town and'; he served as grand master of the royal aQd^ select master mason of Michigan. He was^ active in ilie Republican party. Knights oQ Good Templar, and in the First United1?Methodist Church ofHastings. He died in 1934 at the age of 82, leaving^ his widow and a stepson. His widow, Leila} Mixer, was bedridden at the time. The estate} had been put into a Grand Rapids Trus> Company which invested most ofthe money* in stock, most ofwhich was judged worthy less by the Depression of the 1930s. Leihs died tour years later in 1938. } Bill was very caring, and enjoyed helping with the children and after his retirement, his grandchildren as well. At 89 years ofage, he was still very active, mowing the lawn and shoveling snow, and loved helping every­ one. Bill began playing guitar at the age of 4 and played lead guitar with Rick Rodriquez and the Cavaliers. He was a member ofthe American Legion and Gun Lake Community Church. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lisa Kay Rodriguez, and sib­ lings, Clara Louise Starks, Rick Rodriguez, Pete Rodriguez, Pat Downing and Jean Huss. He is survived by his wife, Sally; his children, Linette Rodriguez, Michelle Rodri­ guez, William (Michelle) Rodriguez, Jr.; grandchildren, Michael Mugridge, Lisa (Mitch Henley) Haywood, Joshua Haywood, William Rodriguez III, and Dakota Rodri­ guez; brother, John (Mary) Rodriguez, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions in memory ofBill can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at 3 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior from 2-3 p.m., at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visitt www. girrbachftmeralhome.net. Call for Hastings Banner ads 269-945-9554 or 1-800-870-7085 While no longer a laboratory for “miracle cures,” 414 Jefferson St., the home anti laboratory of Charles Mixer, still stands today. vAZ^ * vW �Fage 8 — Thursday, February 2, 2023 — The Hastings Banner OdeAAa Elaine Garlock - *** February has several days to remember. A - Partial listing has Groundhog Day, Valen­ tine’s Day, presidents’ birthdays and Ash ' Wednesday. Only one ofthem rates a federal holiday with no mail delivery. We get a full ' flioon on Feb. 5. .The Ionia County Genealogical Society insets on Saturday ofnext week on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. at the museum on Emerson Street. . - * - The new restaurant on Tupper Lake Street .started off with big crowds and the trend sterns to continue. There is a marked increase ■ iirthe number ofparked cars on the comer of Tupper Lake Street and 4"1 Avenue for both lunch and dinner time. The interior is very -Colorful with unusual colors in the decor. The Wait staff consists mostly of young men. Technology is used in the food preparation area but also old-fashioned clothespins. Service is speedy and courteous. There is a wide variety offood items on the glossy menus. -".The publicity for the Chamber of Commcrce last week brought forth some business n£mes in print for probably the first time. Who knew there were such business places starting up in town? The former EBI build­ ings on 4th Avenue across the street from the -pbe grocery store in town are occupied by srpall businesses. Also, the block building north of the CSX tracks on 4*” Avenue has three doors opening to small ventures. How many antique shops are there now? Wednes­ day, Saturday and Sunday seem to be their open days. Our lawns continue to be covered with snow, but the streets are showing some bare pavement. The weather changes day to day. Mostly our temperatures this week are in the twenties. A story from the past newspaper ofJan. 22, 1903 has an interesting twist. The story relates that Claud Gilson had his mustang down on the lake Saturday morning to move his fish shanty and sought to accommodate others ofthe tribe offishers in a like manner. Frank Spires had a big shanty, almost big enough for a dance hall, but Gilson hooked his pony on to drag it the length ofthe lake. The big, black box moving along on runners scared the pony and he began to run and kick. A half-dozen fishermen had climbed on top ofthe house for the ride but when it began to move down the lake like an ice boat in front of a stiffbreeze, the boys began looking for places to crawl off. As they were picking themselves up offthe ice, the pony kept run­ ning with the fish coop swaying in the breeze behind him. After running a mile down the lake, he evidently saw that he could not run away from the shanty. So, he stopped and proceeded to kick himself loose. Frank has stopped fishing. The same paper had a Sunfield item. Until one day last week (in 1903), Sunfield’s fire engine had been kept housed in a bam. To keep it from freezing, the fire chief kept a lamp burning under it. The lamp exploded and the bam and fire engine went up in smoke. Members - bring a friend for FREE in February! Ifyour friend joins, you get a free gift! HANDS-ON: Tri-Clor provides tour of facilities to local students Southeastern Elementary students had a chance to see some of the products that Hastings-based Tri-Clor, Inc. fabricates up close. (Courtesy photos) Brad Tolles (right), owner of Tri-Clor and a Hastings school board member, provided students a hands-on tour of the facility last week. Tolles answered students' questions and taught them about the processes and techniques used in the facility. Local students had a chance to explore manufacturing opportunities in Hastings last week. Brad Tolles, Hastings school board mem­ ber and owner ofTri-Clor, Inc., gave South­ eastern Elementary studentss a tour of his company’s facility last Thursday. Tri-Clor fabricates and ships fiberglass products worldwide, all starting at its production plant right here in Hastings. Tolles explained the fabrication process and answered questions from students on the tour. After the tour was complete, students were treated to lunch at WalldorffBrew Pub and Bistro with Tolles and their mentors. The tour was one ofmany Principal Dana Stein has planned for fifth grade students at the school. District Superintendent Matt Goebel said tours like the one at Tri-Clor are an important opportunity for students to see potential career paths in their community. “Exploration of career pathways and support for students outside of the class­ room is essential for our students, and we believe our community industries are will­ ing to open their doors for our students,” Goebel said. Library makes call for donations, closes in on final $100,000 of $1.2 million fundraising goal Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings Public Library is making the final call for donations as it nears a $1.2 million goal to replace its numerous win­ dows. Director Peggy Hemerling said the library is closing in on the last 10 percent of the funds needed for the project, with only $118,000 to go, Hemerling said if any potential donors have been planning on contributing but haven’t gotten around to it, now is the time - all donations made up to $100,000 are being matched. The fundraiser seeks to replace the build­ ing’s 336 windows, which have a design flaw that traps moisture inside them. The trapped moisture reacts with a silver materi­ al in the windows’ UV coating, causing the windows to tarnish and become opaque over time. Hemerling estimates that when she became director in 2017, about a third of the windows had been affected. Now, she estimates only as few as 30 remain unaffect­ ed by the design flaw. The windows were a key-part in the building’s energy-efficient design when it was built in 2007,1 meaning many of the library’s climate control functions are directly tied to the functionality ofthe win­ dows. The company that originally manu­ factured the windows Went under in 2012, leaving the library with no recourse. The library began the fundraiser last year after contributing’ $300,000 of its own funds. Although the library has applied for several state and federal grants, the other nearly $800,000 that has been raised so far has come only from private donations. Hemerling said the library has been blown away by local support for the project. “We have a very generous community, and appreciate their generosity and support hugely,” Hemerling said. “We understand Hastings Public Library is nearing its $1.2 million fundraising goal to replace the building’s 336 defective windows. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) kj it’s not like that everywhere. We are fortu­ nate to live in a community that supports the library and is this generous.” Hemerling said she has already been meet­ ing with contractors for the project and hopes to send out requests for proposals soon. She’s hoping the project could start in late August or early September, with the library remain­ ing open while work is being completed. For those interested in making a donation, information for how to donate via credit card is available at the library. Donors can also write and deliver a check to the Barry Community Foundation, writing “Library Capital Fund” in the memo line. Hemerling said the library is now accepting donations through the Venmo app, where donations made to the Friends ofthe Hastings Public Library account (@friendsofHPL) will con­ tribute to the fundraising campaign. k fshm’ Matin ail 'tatahnKVKta iaeri.. aeri .. Due to a design flaw, the library’s windows trap moisture inside, causing them to become tarnished and opaque over time, appearing dirty. ■■WHO ^Ptn ^Ptnotindu h,? ^.Andc* 51 ^WdingiisB WdingiisB HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Call 26&M&3I39 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! Spectrum Health spectrumhealth.org Th Friends of the Library are requesting used book donations for the book sale Feb. 2-4. Feb. 1-Dec. 31 - Read for Growth. More information is available at Beanstack.com. Feb. 1-28 - Blind Date with a Book. Thursday, Feb. 2 - Book Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 - Book Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 e ^Hastings DANNERI — Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! helbyvil/igf Hastings; MiddlevHle: One Stop Shop (Marathon) Speedway Town (M-43 North) r Superette Harding's The Dock Trading Post Nashville Johnny's •Family Fare Middleville Johnny's Delton; MV Pharmacy Nashville C Stored Family Fare Carl’s Orangeville; Delton Johnny’s Lake Odeeaa; Greg’s Get-It-N-Go “Mom's Market LHastings Johnny’s The General Store Orangeville Fast Stop Marathon * Mega Bev Hastings Pharmacy ’ • Prairieville; ► .• (M-37 West) Cloverdale; r Marathon Gas Station Cloverdale General Family Fare Gas Station Walgreens Nashville: Lake-O-Express Benfield; Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl’s Dowling; Frgejjort: Goldsworthys L & J’s Prairieville Fast Stop »Jdarathon Gas Station . * (M-37 South) |£Stintry Woodland* Woodland Express Saturday, Feb. 4 - Book Sale, 10 a.m.noon. Bag sale day. Monday, Feb. 6 — Passions Craft Day, 10 a.m.-l p.m.; What Happened to You book club, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; Great Decisions Foreign Policy Institute, 1:30-3:30 p.m.; mahjong, 2:30 p.m.; chess club, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Friends of the Library luncheon, noon; Computer Class: Android mobile devices (basics), 2 p.m.; Family Sci­ ence Night, 6 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. MDOT addresses deadly rural intersection south of Barry County lines Greg Chandler StaffWriter A Bowne Township intersection where three people died in a two-vehicle crash last September has been .converted into a four-way stop. Crews from the Michigan Department ofTranspor­ tation installed stop signs on 92nd Street at Alden Nash Avenue, just north of Barry County lines, on Tuesday, making it a four-way stop. “Stop ahead” signs were also installed several hun­ dred feet on either side ofthe intersection, and red “all way” signs were installed underneath the stop signs as an added reminder that all four directions must stop at the intersection. An overhead blinking traffic signal will flash red in all four directions. MDOT was involved in the installation because M-50 runs south on Alden Nash from the city ofLow­ ell to 92nd Street, then turns east on 92nd toward the Lake Odessa area. A Waldron couple, ages 79 and 82, and a 55-yearold Freeport woman died Sept. 12, 2022 when their vehicle, which was southbound on Alden Nash, pulled into the path of a vehicle headed east on 92nd. The Freeport woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the Waldron couple died later at a Grand Rapids hospital. “We took traffic volume counts and determined that it didn’t meet a warrant for a signal, but that adding an all-way stop would increase safety and not add signif­ icant delay to the intersection,” MDOT Grand Region spokesman John Richard wrote in an email to the Hastings Banner. “So we got together with the Kent County Road Commission, as the west leg of 92nd Street and the south leg ofAlden Nash is under their jurisdiction, and scheduled the install.” Crash statistics provided by the Kent County Sher­ iff’s Office show a total of53 crashes occurred at the 92nd/Alden Nash intersection from 2012 through Jan. 26 ofthis year. Ofthat number, 11 resulted in injuries and one resulted in fatalities, die crash that occurred last September, according to the report. Eight people were treated for what was believed to be serious injuries from crashes at the intersection, while five others were treated for what was believed to be minor injuries, the sheriff’s office report showed. In 13 ofthe crashes, an older driver (defined as age 65 or older) was involved. Cell phone or other dis­ tracted driving was cited in three crashes, while drug use was a factor in two mishaps, the report said. The crash statistics were provided by the Sheriff’s Office after a Freedom of Information Act request by the Hastings Banner. Ki K M �The Hastings AM1XJF.R SPORTS section Thursday, February 2, 2023 Vikings one, Saxons two at Cheerfest Madison Nino (front), Makayla Pickett and the Saxons move in unison during round two of their performance Friday at the Lakewood Viking Cheerfest. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer II bitiling iHmSrhidaBniadt iriiifflttitifcfaiyltaBa! Mi [mm WwiFw/ i it t $1^ Sports Editor The Vikings put up their highest point total of the season so far to win their four-team Lakewood Viking Cheerfest Friday at Lake­ wood High School. Lakewood head coachKim Martin wasn’t just judging her girls’ performance on this season after the meet. “That is probably the best round two we have performed in years,” Martin said. “Years. It was cleaner. The timing was better. The skills were cleaner.” That’s saying something in a program that has made a habit of participating in the MHSAA Division 3 State Finals the past decade. The Vikings were seventh at the state finals a year ago. Why did that performance come out Fri­ day night? “We’re working hard on it, for one,” Mar­ tin said. “Having the right personnel out there makes a big difference too. And confi­ dence, I think the girls are just building more confidence in that round. We still have some clean up to do on it, but at this point as we keep going up in that round it is going to be a pretty dam good round two by the end of the season.” The right personnel includes Emma Hyatt who was out with an injury since the Vikings’ performance at the Jan. 14 Thomapple Kel­ logg Invitational. The Lakewood girls were 35 points better overall Friday than they were at that previous performance, and more than 55 points better than when they opened the Greater Lansing Activities Conference sea­ son with a win the week before that. The GLAC season continues Thursday, Feb. 3, at Maple Valley. •The Vikingshave been throwing out skills such as hetkies, bMck handsprings, back walkovers, back extension rolls and a front walkovers in round two this season, and bar­ ring any more injuries Martin said she doesn’t expect there to be any real changes in the round the rest ofthe season. The Vikings will just be working to make everything cleaner. While Hyatt was away, Jaidyn Seese worked to fill her spot as a base in round three. Her stunt group performed well Friday. Girls continue to step up in new roles. Nadia Martin, who is new to flying this season, performed well along with her stunt group in round three. Rounds one and two were solid, at least, for the Vikings Friday, but the Vikings did have one stunt group with some struggles in round three. Lakewood won Friday with an overall score of 755.6. Hastings was second at 720.64, ahead ofHopkins 703.64 and Beld­ ing 665.1. Hastings head coach Linsey Jacinto was really happy with all three rounds Friday. Hastings opened the meet with a score of 228.8 in round one and then added a 203.74 in round two. Jactinto said she gets goosebumps every time she sees her girls perform round one. The Saxons have been mostly been working to clean up tiny details in that round. Injuries Rams keep SAC Central mark perfect with win over Delton Brett Bremer Ltfc011 Ltf**011 Z <<7 OV Sports Editor Galesburg-Augusta kept its Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division record ! perfect at 6-0 and got its 12th win overall with a 63-42 victory at Delton Kellogg Friday. The Rams won their two ballgames with the DK varsity boys’ basketball team by an average of 20 points this winter. Galesburg-Augusta is now 12-2 overall this sea­ son after an 84-68 non-conference loss at Eau Claire Monday. The Delton Kellogg boys are now 6-7 overall and 2-3 in the SAC Central. DK head coach Jim Hogoboom said the Rams are 12-1 for a reason after the loss on Hall ofFame night at DKHS Friday. “They have lots of guys who contrib­ ute,” Hogoboom said. “Galesburg-Augusta plays really hard and is just bigger and stronger across the board.” He said his Panthers allowed the Rams get too many offensive rebounds and bim those into points. The Rams also got to the free throw line 28 times. Zach Eberstein and Nick Mann both had 13 points to lead the Galesburg-Aufiwsta attack. Philip Halcomb was the only guy in double figures for DK. He finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while focusing defensively on the Rams’ Jalen Dolph and holding him to 4 points. Hogoboom said Halcomb was a “beast” Friday. “Jalen is one of the top players in our league and Philip did a nice job ofmaking it difficult,” Hogoboom said. It took the Rams some time to pull away. The Panthers led 17-15 with just under three minutes to play in the first half. The Rams started an 8-0 run. Galesburg-Au­ gusta went into the halfwith a 23-19 lead. The Rams then stretched a 30-25 lead to 12 points by going on a 7-0 run over the final 90 seconds ofthe third quarter. “We W have way too many ofthose types ofstretches where we get careless with the ball or miss an assignment or two, and good teams are going to exploit those moments,” Hogoboom said. “We have to get better at situational basketball.” Delton Kellogg has had this week to focus on improvements. The Panthers host Hol­ land Black River Friday, Feb. 3, for its annual Winterfest ballgame. The Panthers bested the Black River boys 57-45 when the two teams met in Holland back in December. have made round two a bit ofa challenge this season, “but but we have been working hard on timing, and it is really starting to get there,” Jacinto said. i1 The Saxons werejust two tenths ofa* point ahead of Hopkins for the nttiilef-up spot heading into round three. Hastings put up a score of288.1 in round three which shot the Saxons ahead ofthat team ofVikings. “Round three is really coming together,” Jacinto said. “We have been cleaning, and changing things up. Friday looked really good, aside from a few balance checks. We are drilling, and continuing to change things that don’t look exciting,” Jacinto Said. “The team is stepping up, and that really opens up the possibilities for us.” The Saxons were set to chase their second Interstate-8 Athletic Conference win of the season Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Lumen Christi. The Lakewood ladies had the top score in each ofthe three rounds Friday. They scored a 229.9 in round one and then really pulled away from everyone else with a 220.6 in round two. Lakewood closed the perfor­ mance with a round three score of305.1. Hopkins had scores of224.6 in round one, 207.74 in round two and 271.3 in round three. Belding was about 40 points back ofHast­ ings and Hopkins heading into round three, but did outscore Hopkins in that final round with a score of273.3. The Portland 7th/8th grade team won the middle school competition Friday and Hast­ ings took the JV title. All the Saxon stunt groups come together during round three on the mats it Lakewood High School Friday. Hastings finished second at the Viking Cheerfest behind. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Lakewood Vikings wind up to throw their voices at the crowd at the end of their round one performance Friday night at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Slopes finally ready for high school ski season Brett Bremer Sports Editor Mattawan/Paw Paw’s Ian Bradley and Anna Roethlisberger took individual victories in both the slalom and the giant slalom as the Southwest Michigan Ski Conference finally got to open the 2022-23 season at Timber Ridge Monday. Plainwell/Thomapple Kellogg Trojan Ski team senior Lucy VanDemark was the run­ ner-up to Roethlisberger in the girls’ slalom and added a fourth-place performance in the GS. Teammate Madison Nagel joined her in the top ten in the slalom with a seventh-place finish in that event. The Portage girls’ team had four scorers in the top ten in both events and their team took the victory Monday with 49 points. Plainwell/TK took the runner-up spot in the girls’ standings with 81 points, ahead ofMattawan/ Paw Paw 102, Hackett/Vicksburg 131, Kalamazoo United 137, Caledonia 172, Hud­ sonville 235 and South Haven 293. Portage’s Abigail Liddell led her team in both events, placing second in the GS and third in the slalom. She had runs of 17.25 seconds and 17.19 in the GS. Roethlisberger won with times of 17.04 and 17.28. Liddell’s teammate Avery Parlin had the fastest single run in the GS, getting down the hill in 17.02 on her first attempt. She was third overall in that event with a second run time of 17.56. VanDemark was fourth in the GS with runs of 17.81 and 17.53. Nagel placed 11th with times of 19.53 and 19.69. The Trojan team also had Ella Way 15th with runs of 19.96 and 20.15 and Whitney Johnson 16th with times of20.39 and 20.20. Portage had Kelly Overheul seventh and Kennedy Sanborn tenth in the GS. In the sla­ lom, Lidell was third, Parlin sixth, Overheul eighth and Sanborn tenth. Roethlisberger had the fastest marks in the two girls’ slalom runs with times of 20.99 and 21.31. VanDemark was second in each run with times of22.38 and 21.96. Nagel was seventh overall with times of 24.15 and 23.24. Way placed 12th in the slalom with times of24.84 and 26.56. Johnson placed 14th with times of25.83 and 26.20. Bradley led the Mattawan/Paw Paw boys to a victory as his team closed the night with 45 points. Caledonia was second with 77, ahead of Portage 141, Plainwell/TK 151, Kalamazoo United 160.5, Hudsonville 171.5, South Haven 238 and Hackett/Vicks burg 247. Bradley had runs of 16.22 and 16.33 to win the GS and 20.57 and 20.33 to win the slalom. Kalamazoo United’s Sam Oberlee was the only guy to beat Bradley in a run down the hill. He had a time of 20.43 the first time down in the slalom and then was second overall with a second run time of20.71. ' The Trojan team was led by Liam Troutner who was eighth overall in the slalom. He had times of23.07 and 22.83. Mark Gielincki was 17th with runs of 24.43 and 24.24; Elijah Korrek was 20th in 24.79 and 24.54; Travis Barton was the team’s fourth scorer m the event, placing 27th with runs of 27.13 and 26.75. Troutner was also eighth in the GS with times of 17.42 and 17.20. Korrek had runs td 17.85 and 17.51 to place 14th. Ryan Donovan . earned a 28th-place finish with runs of 19.6J* and 19.34 for the Trojans, and teammate Robby Jones placed 29th in the GS with’ times of 19.39 and 19.58. Mattawan/Paw Paw had Canyon Keller second, Lucas Bedau seventh and JT Roeth* lisberger tenth in the GS. Behind Bradley jn the slalom, the team had Keller sixth, JT Roethlisberger seventh and Bedau 11th. Tyler Dean led the Caledonia boys to their runner-up finish. He was fifth in the slalom and sixth in the GS. Teammate Sean Ri<*e was fifth in the GS and tenth in the slaloni for the Scots. The conference was scheduled to gej together again Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Bittdfsweet. The conference returns to Timber Ridge Feb. 8. �Page 10 — Thursday. February 2, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Every Saxon finds basket in win over DK Iw frjf A r/f r Brett Bremer « The Saxons* Jordan Milanowski (left) works to try and get Whittemore-Prescott's Shaelyn Vynder down to the mat during their consolation semifinal match at 145 pounds Friday at the Ovid-Elsie Girls Individual Tournament. (Photo by Mr. Gaskill Photo) Saxons sixth of 34 girls programs at Ovid-Elsie Brett Bremer Sports Editor ; The Hastings varsity girls* wrestling team took part in the Ovid-Elsie girls* tournament Friday, Jan. 27, and scored a sixth-place fin­ ish in a field of 34 teams. The Saxon team had ten girls competing gnd five earned spots in the top six in their weight class. The top finishes came from Calin Redman at 125 pounds, Dezarae Mathis at 120 and Cassidee Easey at 235. They each placed third. Redman pinned Lee’s Emily Jimenez in the opening period of their 125-pound quar­ terfinal match, but then was pinned herself by . DeWitt’s Jaime Cook in the semifinals. Red­ man bounced back with another pin in the match for third, sticking Midland’s Abigail Shellnut in 28 seconds. t Easey stuck Shepherd’s Ash Wilson in their third-place match in the 235-pound Weight class. Easey was pinned by Farwell’s Tailyiah Thursh in their semifinal bout, but she rebounded to earn her spot in the conso­ lation final by pinning Whittemore-Prescott’s Shelby Holtz. , Mathis opened her day with a pin ofWhit­ temore-Prescott’s Alyssa Burr, but then was pinned by Bark River-Harris’ Madalynn Cor­ rigan in the third period of their semifinal match. Mathis closed her day by pulling out a 3^2 win over Thomapple Kellogg’s Emma Gibson in the 120-pound consolation final. •, That decision by Mathis in the match for third was the only bout all evening that didn’t end in a pin one way or the other for' the Saxons. ^. Hastings also had Sophia Sunior place sixth at 190 pounds and Claudia Palumbo ■« place sixth at 170. Palumbo was 1-2 on the day and Sunior went 2-2. Thomapple Kellogg had four girls compet­ ing. Gibson pinned an opponent from Shepherd in the quarterfinals before falling to Eaton Rapids’ Symiah Stone in the semifi­ nals, 3-2. TK also had Kara Smith place second in the 135-pound B weight class and Kayleigh Brown place fourth at 145 pounds. Smith pinned Midland’s Emily Klassen in the semifinals and then fell to Virginia Chapates from Eaton Rapids in her championship match. Brown was 2-2 with two pins in the 145pound weight class. She stuck Whitte­ more-Prescott’s Shaelyn Vyner to start the day, but then fell to St. Charles’ Lydia Roope in the semifinals. Brown rallied to pin Mon­ trose Hill-McCloy’s Lia McDowell in the third period of their consolation semifinal match. Vyner and Brown met again in the match for third and this time Vyner came out on top with a first period pin. Whittmore-Prescott took the team champi­ onship with 147 points. DeWitt was second with 108 points, ahead ofFowlerville 100.5, Midland 91.5, Eaton Rapids 89, Hastings 69, Grand Blanc 58, Bark River-Harris 52, Dans­ ville 52 and Ovid-Elsie 50 in the top 4tefi. Thomapple Kellogg had its girls’ program place 11™ with 41 points. The Girls team traveled to Ovid-Elsie on Friday night for an Individual tournament. The Saxons finished sixth out of 34 teams. Dez Mathis, Cailin Redman and Cassidee Easey all finished in third place for the night. Claudia Palumbo and Sophia Sunior both finished in 6th place. Sports Editor Hastings junior Aubree Rowse let out a H big sigh of relief as she scooted back towards center court from the free throw line with a little over four minutes to play in the fourth quarter against visiting Delton Kellogg Monday. Then she let a smile stretch across her face. Hastings varsity girls’ basketball coach Chase Youngs sent Rowse to the free throw line to shoot two technical foul free throws, and after missing the first Rowse sank the second for her first varsity point. There was pressure in the moment, but little of it had to do with the final out­ come. Hastings scored the game’s first 20 points and went on to a 58-22 non-conference win over the visiting Panthers. Every Saxon scored and Rowse wasn’t the only Hastings girl to get her first varsity point. Abby Peake, another Saxon junior, got her first points on a bucket late in the third quarter. “The girls are all supporting each other. It’s nice to see. Peake gets her first bucket of high school varsity basketball and Aubree Rowse gets her first point of var­ sity basketball and they were just as pumped for her as they were when Macy [Winegar] it the first three of the game, ” Youngs said. “We have a kid in every grade level on our team, and they all hang out together, they all have fun, they all seem to get along and it leads to good stuff.” Freshman forward Olivia Friddle had a game-high 14 points for the Saxons and was also strong defensively and on the glass. Senior guard Winegar finished with 12 points. They were the only two girls for either team in double figures. “Friddle is an athlete, and she kind of got a chance to explode and show the kind ofathlete that she is as a freshman,” coach Youngs said. “If you look at her, she doesn’t look like a freshman. She is a physical presence out there and she is just learning how to play varsity basketball. It was good to see her get some confidence. She gets a basket here and there, and plays tough defense on team’s best players. She did tonight on Josie [Williams].” He was also happy to see sophomore Kalli Koning get some more time run­ ning the point jn the bailgame, and for her to drill a three-pointer in the flow of the offense for the second straight ball­ game. Winegar hit a three 41 seconds into the contest to put Hastings up 3-0. The lead was 13-0 at the end ofthe first quarter and stretched to 20-0 before DK guard Cadence Johnson knocked down a free throw with 2:46 to go in the first half. The Saxons led 28-6 at the intermission. Johnson and guard Jordan Lyons had 6 points each for Delton Kellogg. Behind the top two for Hastings, sopho­ more forward Rachael Hewitt had 9 points and Koning finished with 8. Delton Kellogg’s shooting struggles continued Monday, and the Saxons con­ trolled the boards. At times, the Hastings defense was solid enough that the Pan­ thers weren’t getting shots off. “It was a good defensive effort. Ifyou take the last three quarters we played against Coldwater Friday, they got out 17-0 early on Friday, and then we held ***?^ ?! ’!* i** 2rf»*s* Hastings senior Isabelle Storm flips a shot up in the lane during the second half of her team's win over visiting Delton Kellogg Monday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) them to 22 the rest ofthe game. We played hard against Coldwater, the second-place team in the league. It kind of carried over to tonight defensively. A lot ofour offense came offour defense,” coach Youngs said. The Saxons are now, 7-9 overall this season. They are 2-6 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference after a 39-23 loss at Coldwater last Friday. Coldwater was the team with the big early advantage in that one, running out to a 17-0 lead. “They didn’t miss a shot,” Youngs said of the Cardinals. “I think they went five minutes, literally, without missing a shot. It is a hard place to play. They had a pep band right at our bench. It is loud. They are long and athletic, and we turned it over a couple times. We were limiting our­ selves to one shot. We’d get a good shot, but we’d miss it and they’d come back.” The Cardinals hit a pull-up three-point­ er eight seconds into the ballgame and never trailed. The Saxons were within ten points at the half, after outscoring Cold- water 10-3 in the second quarter, and had the Cardinal advantage under ten for a bit in the third quarter but were never closer than seven or eight points. Senior center Bailey Cook and Winegar had 6 points each for the Saxons in the loss. Coldwater got 10 points from Cara Miller and 9 from Coley Burkhardt. Elli Foley finished with 8 points. Hastings is back at it in the 1-8 Friday at Jackson Lumen Christi. Delton Kellogg is 3-10 overall this sea­ son after the loss to the Saxons. The Pan­ thers were bested 45-27 by visiting Gales­ burg-Augusta last Friday in a Southwest­ ern Athletic Conference Central Division match-up. The Panthers host their Winterfest bail­ game with Holland Black River Friday night, and then will play back to back ballgames Monday and Tuesday making up a ballgame with Lawton Deb. 6 and then traveling to Maple Valley for a sec­ ond match-up with the Lions Monday. . Hastings 125-pounder Cailin Redman holds an opponent on her back on her way - to a third-place finish at her weight class during Friday's Ovid-Elsie Girls Individual - -Tournament. (Photo by Mr. Gaskill Photo) HHS girls get to 7-1 in league - with victory over Coldwater Brett Bremer Sports Editor Z tThe Hastings varsity girls’ bowling team avenged its only Interstate-8 Athletic Conference defeat of the season by scoring a 20-10 win over Coldwater at Hast* ings Bowl Tuesday. The win moves the Saxon ladies to 7-1 in conference duals so far this winter. Hastings is scheduled to roll again this V afternoon, Feb. 2, against Lumen Christi - at Jax 60 in Jackson. ,Jen Stoline and Ally Herder both won ; two individual points for the Hastings girls in the dual with the Cardinals. Stoline had games of 165 and 144. Herder rolled a > 134 and a 170. The Saxons also won * points thanks to a 208 from Abby Barton and a 178 from Andrea Rhodes. \ The Hastings boys are now 5-3 in con­ ference duals after falling 23-7 to the Cardinals. Hastings got high scores of 158 from JT Jackson, 161 from Cohen James, 162 from Hunter Pennington and 168 from Miles Lipsey. At Marshall Lanes last Thursday, the Saxon boys took a 16-14 win and the Hastings girls scored a 26.5-3.5 victory. Rolling in the anchor position, Stoline scored a 161 to earn one team point and just missed a second with a 154. Amber Rabideau scored a point with a 142 and Andrea Rhodes picked on up with a 137. Herder tallied two points for the Saxons thanks to games of 136 and 160. Barton earned two points as well with a 189 and a 167. Jackson Clow helped the Hastings boys score their victory by rolling games of 157 and 173 that earned two points. James tallied an impressive 167 in the first game rolling a brand new ball. Pennington scored a 174 for the Saxons, Drew Rhodes a 175 and Lipsey a 170. Hastings junior Aubree Rowse works the Saxon offense at the to of the key while being defended by Delton Kellogg's Summer Ritchie during the second half Monday night at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings junior Abby Peake sets herself for a jump shot during the Saxons' win over visiting Delton Kellogg Monday night at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) uclo#^3*! JMf ssttateaHteboraad tettiespasiiiijnirtlijsJB bcswukaijM W Wjj^sniaiysen^ ^?* ?*8se««actb 8se««actb ^ IBs IB jwvnro 0TOHI �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. February 2, 2023 — Page H FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, rat a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Christopher Banash and Martha S. Reyff-Banash, Husband and Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as a nominee for Residential Loan Centers of America, Mortgagee, dated August 15, 2005, and recorded on August 31, 2005, as Document Number: 1152007, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Specialized Loan Servicing LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage dated February 06, 2019 and recorded February 06, 2019 by Document Number: 2019-000972,, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred and 22/100 ($111,700.22) including interest at the rate of 5.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range 8 West, described as: Beginning at a point 1217.5 feet West of the North 1/4 post of said Section 5; Thence South 353 feet; Thence West 236.5 feet; Thence North 118 feet; Thence West 200 feet for the place of beginning; Thence East 200 feet; Thence North to intersection of highway; Thence along highway in Southwesterly direction to the place of beginning. Parcel D: Commencing at the North 1/4 post of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; Thence West along the North Line of said Section 1502.00 feet; Thence South 47.67 feet to the Centerline of Coats Grove Road; Thence 188.66 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 49 degrees 50 minutes 48 seconds West, 186.48 feet to the true place of beginning; Thence continuing 68.36 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 29 degrees 17 minutes 10 seconds West 68.25 feet; Thence North 81 degrees 10 minutes 46 seconds West 112.73 feet to an intermediate traverse line of the Shore of Leach Lake; Thence North 16 degrees 14 minutes 44 seconds East along said Intermediate Traverse Line, 67.00 feet; Thence South 80 degrees 03 minutes 46 seconds East 127.96 feet to the place of beginning. Including land lying between said Traverse Line and the waters of Leach Lake. Commonly known as: 137 COATS GROVE ROAD, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241 a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is plesUmed’to be used for adricbltural purposes priortd the date of the foredidsdre sale * tasidt tidtAAfaf ftftgftiK ftiK hsv3iorei^|ioi& 1 •rfwife'coidyoBBgflii SeaiotKoto Bailey (M i : Ik$mBRi0r.7-9iMdilH5 liai{ points eadifwfe Sa iriBBTK1 M Iky it U i tee-8 loss. i iiift Mott ikr 1^21 ten taufetaisi laweriaFni). Mt Ute w it lan will te big Mn^ytea^nmDgoato i liVot Coldwater got IO pock MilleraiiilOtaCo^fea HisdiigSKbxkUi^ JadsontaMDdKiKdogiil-lH pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, ifthe property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. LEGAL NOTICES Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Kipp L. Cushman, Unmarried Man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated March 30, 2022 and recorded April 18, 2022 in Instrument Number 2022-004415 and Affidavit Affecting Realty recorded on January 3,2023, in Instrument Number 2023-000055, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Union Home Mortgage Corp., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand One Hundred Eighty and 57/100 Dollars ($159,180.57). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on FEBRUARY 9,2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: COMMENCING 26 RODS WEST AND 18 RODS 13 1/2 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, AS A PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 23 RODS AND 3 FEET (OR UNTIL IT STRIKES THE DIVIDING LINE OF LANDS FORMERLY OWNED BY WILLIAM J. MCARTHUR); THENCE EAST 12 RODS; THENCE NORTH 23 RODS AND 3 FEET; THENCE WEST 12 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT THE NORTH 3 RODS THEREOF FOR STREET PURPOSES; ALSO EXCEPT COMMENCING 311 FEET WEST, AND 310.5 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE SOUTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE EAST 80 FEET; THENCE NORTH 382.5 FEET; THENCE WEST 80 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 159 W Franklin St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: January 12,2023 File No. 22-011627 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (01-12)(02-02) 193681 iniilcH- 194106 , .. fri the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due oh the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale . Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Mitchell Owen, Married Man, to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated October 5, 2018 and recorded October 11, 2018 in Instrument Number 2018-009924 Barry County Records, Michigan. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred One Thousand Nine Hundred Two and 78/100 Dollars ($101,902.78). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: *-ot(s) 8, Block 13 of Kenfield’s 2’nd Addition to City of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 37 of Barry County Records. 736 E South St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case trie redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2, 2023 Hie No. 23-000380 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number; (248) 502.1400 (02-02)(02-23) 19046981 Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: April 19, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 29, 2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $95,458.45 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Parcel, in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 18, Town 1 North, Range 7 West, described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of Section 18; thence North 220.83 feet; thence East 579.50 feet; thence South 224.17 feet; thence West 578.50 feet to the place of beginning. Common street address (if any): 12995 Holden Rd, Bellevue, Ml 49021-9219 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used fori agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure?- sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 9,0 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: January 19,2023 Trott Law, P.C.. judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Linda S. Walker, Mortgage Registration as Inc., Systems, Electronic mortgagee, 1486677 (01-19)(02-09) 193945 H Probate court ni .r COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Trust Estate Decedent: Nancy J. Morsman. Date of birth: 10/11/1945. NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent, Nancy J. Morsman, who lived at 6900 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Michigan 49046 died November 5, 2022. There is no probate estate. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Nancy L. Morsman or the Nancy Jeanne Morsman Irrevocable {Trust dated 03/16/2011, as amended and restated in total on 10/11/2016, will be forever barred unless presented to Marcy A. Leversee, the namedsuccessor trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: June 28, 2016 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 27, 2016 Amount claimed due on date of Date: 01/30/2023 as assigns notice: $116,079.68 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Attorney: Tyler J. Stewart P80750 DeMent and Marquardt, P.UC.. 211 East Water Street, Suite 401 Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 (269) 343-2106 Trustee Name: Marcy A. Leversee 9595 East DE Avenue Richland. Ml 49083 (269) 998-7068 DEGREES 50 MINUTES FEET; THENCE SOUTH 189.50 EAST FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 50 MINUTES WEST 277.50 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; KNOWN AS LOT D. Common street address (if any): 4977 S Charlton Park Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9152 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner; If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. 23-29381-NC Date of notice: February 2, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1487989 (02-02)(02-23) Date: 1/24/2023 Nathan E.Tagg (P68994) 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2900 Kim Bender 4060 Grange Road Middleville, Ml 49333 194579 194599 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE: 23-29387-NC - William M. Doherty Court address: 302 W. Court St., Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Madison Elizabeth Rose Bell. HTO ABLL PERSONS, including Soshannon arvev-oze whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 2/22/2023 @ 2:30 m at 302 W. Court St, Suite 23302 /0222/2HHastings, 0a2s3tin@s 2:MMl 30l 49058 4p9m058 before Jude William M. before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of Madison Elizabeth Dohertytochange Rose Bell to Madison Rose Schutz. 194660 WILLIAM M. DOHERTY Court Address: 206 W. Court St., NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALfe Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice.is? given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, of some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for, cash or cashier’s check at the place toft-hoidiaij the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly, at 01:00 PM, on March 9, 2023. The amount due" on the Mortgage may be greater on the day of the * sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does net automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser jfi encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has' been made in the conditions of a Mortgage made by Barbara L. Davis to Reliance First Capital, LLC dated August 24, 2019 and recorded September 5, 2019 as Instrument No. 2019-008515, Barry County, Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held by Relianqg ’ First Capital, LLC by assignment and/or mergA^ There is claimed to be due at the date hereof tt^ _ sum of $178,507.81. Said premises are located , * in Barry County, Michigan and are described as? THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW !€? -1 SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF BARRY, STA1J* OF MICHIGAN IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 2019^ 009703 AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LCjh ’ 3 OF ACKER’S PLAT, HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARR< . COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO TfflJ. • RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDER - TO EASEMENT OF RECORDED IN DEEB. • RECORDED IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 11744& ’ CASE NO. and JUDGE 194726 269-945-4891 This notice is from a debt collector. contributions will be fully tax-* able the year ofthe conversion, • so you’ll want to have fundsoutside your IRA available to* pay these taxes. Also, timing is> important — to be on the safe i side, you might want to com­ plete the Roth conversion three or more years before you enroll. ~ in Medicare, so the conversion’’ and the likely increase in your . MAGI won’t increase the IRMAA. • Manage your withdraw--al rate - Taking large with-?*** drawals from your retirement accounts can bump up your. MAGI bracket and your IR-*MAA. So, as you near retire-*! ment, you’ll want to establish**' a sustainable withdrawal rate, — one that provides you the income you need but without* going overboard. While these moves could -, potentially help you control*/ the Medicare surcharge, they* still must make sense for your/, overall financial strategy. It’s,4 obviously desirable to keep the surcharge as low as you can — but it’s even more important I to take the steps necessary to reach your financial goals. This article was written by* Edward Jonesfor use byyour/ local Edward Jones Financial / Advisor. Edward Jones, Member». SIPC IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS ON PAGE 7. SUBJECj- _ ■ . HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE notice. 277.50 88 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. 23029377-DE Court Address: 206 W.-Court St. #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no. 269-945-1390 Estate of Harry Engle. Date of birth: 07/22/1940. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Harry Engle, died 11/12/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Terri Hunter, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St. #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: January 25, 2023 Nathan Bocks, Central Park Law, PLLC (P47272) 1157 South Shore Drive Holland, Ml 49423 (616) 395-3761 Terri Hunter 17716 Montero Road San Diego, California 92128 (619) 914-9927 194638 BARRY COUNTY responsible to the person who buys the property at NORTH Before you turn 65, you’ll IRMAA, it can be an unpleas­ want to become familiar with ant surprise. So, ifyou’ve still Medicare’s rules and features. got a few years until you enroll And if you’re a high earner, in Medicare, you may want to you’ll want to be especially look for ways to control your aware ofthe Medicare premi­ MAGI and possibly limit the um surcharge — because, over surcharge. time, it can add up to some sig­ Here are a few suggestions: nificant dollars. • Contribute to a Health The premium surcharge — Savings Account (HSA). If known as the income related you have access to a Health monthly adjustment amount, Savings Account (HSA), your or IRMAA — is assessed on contributions will reduce your premiums for Medicare Parts taxable income, helping you B and D, and generally is based on the IRMAA issue. Further­ on an individual’s modified ad­ more, any investment growth justed gross income (MAGI) within your HSA is tax free, as of two years ago. So, the IRare withdrawals for qualified MAA for 2023 would be based medical expenses, which can on one’s MAGI from 2021. include Medicare premiums, For someone who’s mar­ deductibles and copays. ried and files taxes jointly, • Contribute to a Roth 7RA. and whose MAGI for 2021 Roth IRA withdrawals are tax was $194,000 or less, the Part free, provided you don’t start B premium for 2023 will be taking them until you’re 59'/2 $164.90 per month, and the and you’ve had your account at Part D premium will be what­ least five years. These tax-free ever amount is charged by withdrawals can enable you their Medicare plan. But if to avoid taking taxable with­ their 2021 MAGI was between drawals from other accounts, $194,000 and $246,000, they’ll which may help you avoid an pay $230.80 (a surcharge of increase in your IRMAA. $65.90) for Part B and an ad­ • Consider a Roth IRA con­ ditional $12.20 for Part D. And version. You could convert the IRMAA rises at different some, or perhaps all, the as­ income levels, reaching a max­ sets ofa traditional IRA into a imum of $560.50 (a surcharge Roth IRA. But you’ll need to of $395.60) for Part B and an consider the impact of taxes— additional $76.40 for Part D for any deductible contributions to a MAGI of$750,000 or more. your traditional IRA and the Ifyou’re unprepared for the earnings generated by these PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage NORTH 189.50 FEET; THENCE Can you reduce the Medicare surcharge?^ STATE OF MICHIGAN STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OJ= BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust In the matter of: The Robert F. Anders and Nancy J. Anders Trust, dated July 29,2003, as restated. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Nancy J. Anders, who lived at 7067 W?st Irving Road, Middleville, Michigan 49333, died on January 3, 2023, leaving a certain trust under the name of Robert F. Anders and Nancy J. Anders Trust, dated July 29, 2003, as restated wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Kim Bender was named as Successor Trustee serving at the time of or as a result of the decedent’s death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Kim Bender, the named Successor Trustee, at Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorney at Law, 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within 4 months after the date of publication of this CORNER OF SECTION 1, T2N, R8W; THENCE Emily Taylor Financial Advisor • 421 W. Woodlawn Avi Hastings, Ml 49058 * (269) 945-3553 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST Member SIPC Wendi Stratton Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 4907 (517) 760-8113 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 single woman Mortgagee: Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 STATE OPIWCHIGAN nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for bash for cashier’s check at the place of holding single woman Original Mortgagee: Notice^of Foreclosure by Advertisement Original (01-19)(02-09) Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212. that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on February 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Kristy Matthews, or-Notide is given uhdersectiori 3212 of the revised the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to Dated: January 19, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.O. Attorneys for Specialized Loan Servicing LLC 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 22MI00804-1 Financial FOCUS Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 In the matter of Giana Marie Scalia. TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on February 15, 2023 @ 2:30 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of Giana Marie Scalia to Grayson Ethan-Quinn Scalia. 194619 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate File No. 22-29367-DE Estate of Jody L. Patrick, Deceased. Date of birth: 7/2/1957. NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent, Jody L. Patrick, Deceased, who lived at 8170 Enzian Road, Delton, Ml 49046, died 10/26/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Chastity Morris, named personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date; 01/31/2023 Michael J. Becker (P81132) Orton, Tooman, Hale, McKown & Kiel, P.O. 314 Trowbridge Street, P.O. Box 239 Allegan, Ml 49010-0239 (269) 673-2136 ON DECEMBER 28, 2006 BETWEEN SHIRLEY. •, SPARKS AND PHILLIP D. NGUYEN, A SINGLE ' MAN, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SUBJECT; J TO EASEMENTS, USE, BUILDING, AND OTHEfl RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD, IF ANY. APN: 0V . 040-003-00 COMMONLY KNOWN AS 4179 S« 4 SHORE DR, DELTON, Ml 49046 HOWEVER, BY* ' SHOWING THIS ADDRESS NO ADDITION/^ -. COVERAGE IS PROVIDED Said property is; -1 commonly known as 4179 S Shore Dr, Delton, Ml. 49046. The redemption period shall be 6 months^ . • from the date of such sale, unless determined* abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a,; in which case the redemption period shall be 30 ' days from the date of such sale. If the property Is " sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278., . the borrower will be held responsible to the person- 2 who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure" ■ sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. TO ALL, PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if; ; any, are limited solely.to the return of the bid amount '. tendered at sale, plus interest. Please be advised, ' that any third party purchaser is responsible for*.; preparing and recording the Sheriff’s Deed. If this; is a residential Mortgage, the following shall apply ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military* service member on active duty, if your period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago,; or if you have been ordered to active duty, please! contact the attorney for the party foreclosing theMortgage at the telephone number stated in this! notice. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT- ' COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT! • A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED-' WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU:! ARE A DEBTOR IN AN ACTIVE BANKRUPTCY’ CASE; ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF A. BANKRUPTCY STAY; OR, HAVE RECEIVED ADISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY AND YOU HAVS* NOT REAFFIRMED THE DEBT, THIS NOTICE IS» FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND* SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTEMPT* TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.; Dated: January 17, 2023 Attorney for the party* foreclosing the Mortgage: Thomas E. McDonald; (P39312) Brock & Scott, PLLC 5431 Oleander Dri\te> Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (844) 856-6646; File No. 22-00091 ! Chasity Morris, Personal Representative 11822 - 9 Mile Road Shelbyville, Ml 49344 (269) 254-0715 193524 (01-19)(02-09) 194204. �Page 12 — Thursday, February 2,2023 — The Hastings Banner Barracudas outscore Fremont and GRCC at HHS Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer * - The Barry County Barracuda varsity boys’ dimming and diving team defeated Fremont -Thursday, Jan. 26, by a score of98-68 in the ^immunity Education and Recreation Center .‘pvol in Hastings. Fremont took the first two races ofthe night in the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard ffeestyle. Barry County swimmers swept the *2J)0-yard IM with Hunter Tietz finishing in Trrst, and Jack Kensington won the 50-yard .Freestyle before the diving competition. * - Ethan Magnuson from Barry County team ■was the only diver competing and finished vfcith a final score of 86.5 points for first . .place. t Fremont swimmer Matt Garcia took the JOO-yard butterfly, then the Barry County 15am took first and second in the 100-yard •freestyle with the top two places going to •Kensington and Jameson Riordan. The Barry ^County team finished the 500-yard freestyle Isaac Stanton competes in the 100-yard breaststroke for the Barracudas during Jwith Riley Shults in first, Nolan Send in sec­ their non-conference victory over Fremont at the CERC in Hastinas Thursday. (Photo ond and Mason Bailey finishing third. by Valerie Slaughter) ’ Fremont took the 200-yard freestyle relay, -powered by Garcia in the lead-off spot. stroke competition. ■ The Barry County team of Magnuson, The Barracuda team had five different In the final race ofthe night, Fremont boys Luca Perotti, Isaac Stanton and Riordan fin­ guys win individual events, including Kens­ swept the 400-yard freestyle relay. ished second. ington who took two. Kensington won the The Barry County team returned to OK Barry County swimmers Devin Pacillo, 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute 57.92 secRainbow Tier II Conference action Tuesday, Tietz and Donald Kuck finished respectively onds and the 100-yard freestyle in 51.73. m the top three in the 100-yard backstroke, scoring a 117-63 win over visiting Grand Magnuson upped his point total in the Rapids Catholic Central. before Fremont swept the 100-yard breastdiving competition to 107.10 to win that LEGAL NOTICES Barracuda junior Riley Shults races through the water in the 500-yard freestyle during his team's win over visiting Fremont Thursday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) event over Cougar freshman Josh Geer. Shults won the 200-yard individual med­ ley in 2:20.96. Nolan Send took the 500yard freestyle in 5:50.87. Tietz won the 100-yard backstroke in 1:07.20 and Jan-Id Petch took the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:08.15. The Barracuda team scratched its top team from the 400-yard freestyle relay after win­ ning the first two relay races. Tietz, Jan-Id, Kuck and Barnum won the 200-yard medley relay in 1:56.16 and Barnum, Perotti, Riordan and Kensington won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:40.27. TK and New Lothrop tie atop leaderboard Brett Bremer NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service rnember on active duty, if your period of active duty .has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the ■telephone number stated in this notice. J Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature Jact of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding -the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly a| 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due oh the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not Automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage Jnade by Brandi Marie Waldon, Married Woman, j'jto_ Mortgage Electronic . Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders .successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 23, 2021 and recorded August 24, 2021 ; in Instrument Number 2021-010565 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, by • assignment There is claimed to be due at the , date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Two and 65/100 Dollars ($184,172.65). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage • will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue ‘at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry ’ County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of . -CASTLETON, Barry County Michigan, and are .‘described as: . - Lot 1, Block C, of the Plat of Pleasant Shores, ‘.according to the recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 59, BarryCounty Records. .. __ 1004 Valentine Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 _ The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in ’ accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case - the redemption period shall be 30 days from the . date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, -pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrowerwill be held responsible to the person who buys the property at -the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage - holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2, 2023 * File No. 23-000507 ; -Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, .Troy Ml 48084 'Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 STATE OF MICHIGAN IN THE 5TH CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF BARRY CASE NO. 23-57-CH ORDER TO ANSWER Hon. Vicky L. Alspaugh CHAD HART MICHELLE HART f/k/a MICHELLE BARKER, Plaintiffs, vs. JOHN DOWLING, JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Deceased and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Defendants_________________________________ David H. Tripp (P29290) Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-948-2900 david@tts.law Attorney for Plaintiffs_________________________ TO: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Deceased Based on the pleadings filed in the above entitled case, it is ordered that any of the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling shall file a Notice of Interest in the real property commonly known as 4555 Orchard Road, Delton, Michigan 49046, more fully described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast Comer of the Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 4, Town 1 North, Range 9 West; thence South 350 feet; thence West 175 feet; thence North 350 feet; thence East 175 feet to the Point of Beginning, Barry Township, Barry County Michigan. Subject to easements, conditions, and restrictions of record. Parcel ID No: 08-03-004-007-00 By at least 3 days prior to the date noted below, to assert any interest in the above described property. If the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling fail to do so that shall constitute a default in the above entitled matter, and on the 5th day of April, 2023 at 10:15 o’clock in the forenoon, this Court shall take proofs and shall terminate whatever interest the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling may have in and to the above described property unless Notice of Interest in the Real Property is filed or unless the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling appear on that date. Date: Feb. 1, 2023 Honorable Vicky L. Alspaugh (P42572) Drafted by: David H. Tripp (P29290) Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 269/945-9585 Brett Bremer 194762 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 For Rent 1 BEDROOM, 1 BATH Home on private lake in Delton, 10 miles •north of Richland. No smoking. Includes internet. $1250/mo. (electric, garbage and oil heat ■NOT included). 269-965-4663 ext. 234, leave message 24/7. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is. seeking s land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhard- MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Pets MINIATURE RAT TERRIER Puppies for sale- 1st shots and wormed. Will stay small, $100. 269-223-9194. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES, Up to date on shots and dewormed, very cute. $350, 517-852-3007. Help Wanted .woodsinc.com 517-566-8061. Buying all hard­ woods: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Egging, (269)818-7793. CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. Thornapple Kellogg senior Andrew Middleton is joined by his parents Luke and Jami Middleton as he celebrates recording his 100th varsity victory for the TK wrestling team Saturday at Leslie High School. a pair ofpins to get to the 165-pound cham­ pionship where he was downed 7-2 by East Jackson’s Colton Raffensburger. TK senior Andrew Middleton scored his 100^ varsity victory Saturday on his way to a third-place finish at 144 pounds. He pinned his first two foes, Olivet’s DeShonte Lindsey and Addison Mosely to start the day, and then was pinned himselfby Homer’s Alex Miller in the third period of their semifinal match. Middleton took a forfeit win in the match for third. The Trojan team had Dylan Pauline place fifth at 113 pounds, Maverick Wilson fifth at 126 and Noah Rosenberg sixth at 285 pounds. The Martin/Climax-Scotts team was third with 152 points, ahead ofManchester 149, St. Louis 147, Reading 130.5, Homer 114.5, Napoleon 100, Olivet 97 and Springport 89 in the top ten ofthe days standings. New Lothrop had three finalists. Parker Noonan took the 144-pound title, pinning Miller in the third period oftheir champion­ ship match. New Lothrop also had Colton Symons second at 175 pounds and Grayson Orr second at 285. The TK team was scheduled to visit Harper Creek for a quad in Battle Creek Wednesday, Feb. 1, and will be on its home mats Saturday as it attempts to finish off an undefeated OK Gold Conference season at the conference tournament. Gage and Gauge take titles for DK at Fuller Invitational 194798 402-02)(02-23) Sports Editor A group of20 teams took part in the Todd Steam Blackhawk Invitational at Leslie High School Saturday and at the end of the day New Lothrop and Thomapple Kellogg were tied with 159 points at the top of the stand­ ings. The Trojan team had four guys reach the championship round and Kyron Zoet and Zack Gibson won titles. Zoet took the 138-pound title with an 11-10 win over Manchester’s Blake Sloan in the championship round. Zoet had opened his day with a pair of pins. Both Zoet and Sloan now have just three losses this season. Zoet moved to 35-3 on the season with his Saturday performance. Sloan is now 38-3. Sloan came out strong, getting two take­ downs and three nearfall points in the open­ ing period to build a 7-3 lead. Zoet rallied with a late reversal in that first period. He then tallied a pair oftakedowns ofhis own in the second period to 'even the match at 8-8 heading into the third period. Sloan started the third period in the bottom position, and Zoet managed to put him on his back for three nearfall points in the first half minute of the period to take control on the scoreboard. A late reversal by Sloan got him within a point in the end. Gibson scored a 9-2 win over Flat Rock’s Andrew Given in the: 150-pound champion­ ship match. Gibson got a takedown in the opening period and eventually he went into the third period with a 3-2 lead. Gibson man­ aged an escape in the opening seconds ofthe third period and then scored a takedown and three nearfall points in the final minute to secure the win. Gibson is now 34-1 overall this season. He had a pair ofpins to start the day and then took an 11-2 win over Olivet’s Landen Bart­ ley in the semifinal round. Jackson Curtis and Jayce Curtis were Thomapple Kellogg’s two runner-up finish­ ers. Jackson reached the 157-pound championship where he was. bested 6-0 by Olivet’s Tyler Schofield who moved his record to 33-0 on the season with the win. Jayce scored PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, race color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status’ national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Sports Editor Gage Vincent and Gauge Stampfler won championships and teammate Giorgio Ventu­ ri was a runner-up at his flight as the Delton Kellogg varsity wrestling team placed seventh at Portage Central’s Corey Fuller Invita­ tional Saturday. Both Vincent and Stampfler reached the 30-win mark for the season Saturday. Vincent won the 125-pound championship and Stampfler took the title at 132 pounds. Vincent pinned all four of his foes, cap­ ping off his day by sticking Portage Central’s TJ Pitts 2:46 into their 125-pound championship. That win moved Vincent’s record to 32-6 overall this season. Stampfler is now 30-2 after besting Lumen Christi’s Tobin Okoniewski in the 132-pound title bout. Okoniewski had to bow out with an injury midway through the match. Okoniewski had bested Stampfler 1-0 earlier in the day, but Stampfler rallied to earn his spot in the final by scoring a 5-4 win over Sturgis’ Kaiden Waldron. Venturi was 4-1 on the day with three pins and an 11-4 win over Jenison’s Nate Perrin before falling in his final match to Grand Ledge’s Logan Tollison. DK had Mitchell Swift place fourth at 285 pounds, Gryffin Harmon place fourth at 138 pounds. Placing fifth for DK were Corban Antolovich at 106 pounds and Luke Watson at 175. Three Rivers dominated the field, finishing with 248.5 points. Portage Central was the runner-up with 187 points, ahead ofAllegan 145.5, Holland 144, Grand Ledge 134, Jeni­ son 116, Delton Kellogg 108, Lumen Christi 96.5 and Sturgis 51. The DK team was set to close the regular s1eason SAC duals at Martin Wednesday, Feb. 1, and will head to Lawton Saturday, Feb. 4, for the SAC Championship. Three Rivers got championships from Jacob Reynolds at 285 pounds Talan Flow­ ers at 120, Louis Smith at 144 pounds, Jeremiah Detwiler at 157 pounds and Lloyd Ruesink at 190 pounds. A DK cheer team holds spot in fourth; SAC final is tonight Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team placed fourth in the Southwest­ ern Athletic Conference Division 4 stand­ ings for the third time in three conference jamborees Thursday at Berrien Springs.' The Panthers got offto a good start with a round one score of 199.9, but then were a bit off in the next two rounds. Lawton put together three solid rounds to win a conferencejamboree for the third time this season. The Blue Devils topped the D4 standings with an overall score of 709. Coloma earned its first runner-up finish with a score of 688.08. The Comets had been third behind Lawton and Buchanan at the first two conference meets. Buchanan was third Thursday with a score of 671.12, ahead of Delton Kellogg 573.78, Gobles 558.5, Schoolcraft 513.9, Fennville 509.9 and White Pigeon 327. Delton Kellogg closed the meet with a score of 160.58 in round two and 213.3 in round three. Lawton took first with scores of219.5 in round one, 206.8 in round two and then 282.7 in round three. Those were the top scores in each ofthe three rounds. Buchanan was about three points ahead of Coloma after round one, but the Comets outscored the Bucks by about seven points in round two to hold an advantage going into round three and then outscored Coloma 278.1 to 264.9 in the final round. Parchment won the SAC’s five-team Division 3 competition Thursday. The Parchment girls had a score of 711.76, ahead ofAllegan 676.4, Dowagiac 639.82, Berrien Springs 603.42 and South Haven 595.46. Gobles will host the SAC Finals tonight, Feb. 2. Delton Kellogg follows that up by taking part in the Bronson Invitational Sat­ urday. �The Hastings Banner—Thursday, February 2.2023 — Page 13 Simon stays perfect as Vikes win tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor After six and a half scoreless minutes, Lakewood sophomore Joel Simon finally found an opening he could take advantage of. Simon took down St Johns junior Ryan Dimmick in a sudden victory overtime peri­ od for a 2-0 win in the championship round of the 215-pound weight class Saturday at the Lakewood Invitational to keep his record perfect for the season at 32-0. Dimmick falls to 24-2 this year with the defeat Both guys were state qualifiers a year ago who lost out in the blood round, the round where winners are guaranteed a state medal and the losers see their tournament run end, at the MHSAA Individual State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit - Dimmick in Division 2 and Simon in Division 3. Simon scored his 22nd and 23rd pins of the season to get to the tournament championship much He put Wayland’s Evan Noyes on his back in the quarterfinals and then pinned Noyes’ teammate Bronson Huyck in the semifinals. Both those matches went into the second round; Lakewood had two of its returning state finalists win flight titles Saturday with senior Ashton Clark winning the 120-pound cham­ pionship to improve his record to 28-3 on the season, and the Viking team took the champi champi-­ onship at the 13-team meet. The Vikings were ten points better than runner-up Laingsburg — one of their top challengers to win the last Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference championship this month. The Vikings were perfect in confer­ ence duals this season and will look to clinch the outright conference champion­ ship at the GLAC/CMAC Finals hosted by Perry Saturday, Feb. 4. The Vikings finished with 146 points Sat- of Ik. urday, ahead of Laingsburg 136, Wayland 129.5, Otsego Otg 105, Armada A d 97, St Johns Jh 76.5, Eaton Rapids 70, Ionia 69, DeWitt 53, Okemos 39, Wyoming 39, East Lansing 28 and Galesburg-Augusta 3. Lakewood got runner-up finishes from Daniel Krebs at 144 pounds, Gavin Vaughn at 175 and Bryan Aguilera at 190. Brenden Straub was third at 165 pounds and Jaden Manhart third at 285 pounds. Kade Boucher placed fourth at 126 for the Vikings. Krebs sufferedjust his third defeat ofthe season in the championship round against Wayland’s Lane Button. Button pinned Krebs in 3:13 in the 144-pound champion champion-­ ship match. Button moves to 37-1 overalll this season with that win. Krebs opened his day with an 11-6 win oyer Otsego’s Daniel Andress and then pitmed East Lansing’s Romeo Washington quickly in the semifinal round. Vaughn stuck St Johns Michael Berkhousen and Otsego’s Kole Engleright to get to the 175-pound championship, but then was bested by Aramada’s Zac Dykes 6-5 in the finals. In the 190-pound bracket, Aguilera pinned Marshall Toy from Eaton Rapids and then scored a 13-3 major decision in his semifi­ nal match with Armada’s Tristan Lietz. Laingsburg’s Mike Brooks pinned Aguilera in the opening period oftheir championship match. Straub pinned Okemos’ Elias Saddiqi in their 165-pound consolation final and Man­ hart bested Ionia’s Christian Smith in their match for third. Camden Wright, Lydon Rogers, Chris Webb, Seth Walkington and Calder Villan­ ueva all won matches for the Vikings as well throughout the course ofthe day. Lakewood was scheduled to visit Cedar Springs for a quad last night, Feb. 1. Lakewood's Seth Walkington holds Otsego's Kaden Knapp on his back during the second period oftheir 150-pound consolation bout Saturday at the Lakewood Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP AND BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP 194457 BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF JOINT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISRICT PUBLIC HEARINGS CLEAR LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF JOHNSTOWN AND BALTIMORE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Boards of Johnstown and Baltimore Townships, based on petitions ,submitted, as authorized by PA 188 of 1954, as amended, each propose to undertake an aquatic plant, control project (with associated activities) in Clear Lake in Johnstown and Baltimore Townships as more particularly described below and to each create a separate special assessment district for the recovery ofthe costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment districts within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed include all parcels with frontage on and/or access to Clear Lake in Johnstown and Baltimore Townships and are more particularly described as follows: ’M JOHNSTOWN TWP PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: 08-09-004-005-00 (18-09-005-008-00 08-09-005-010-00 08-09-005-010-05 08-09-005-014-00 08-09-005-018-00 08-09-055-001-00 08-09-055-002-00 08-09-055-004-00 08-09-055-005-00 08-09-055-007-00 08-09-055-008-00 08-09-055-009-00 08-09-055-010-00 08-09-055-012-00 08-09-055-013-00 08-09-055-016-00 08-09-055-017-00 08-09-055-018-00 08-09-055-019-00 08-09-210-003-00 08-09-210-005-00 08-09-210-009-00 08-09-210-010-00 08-09-210-011-00 08-09-210-014-00 08-09-210-015-00 08-09-210-016-00 08-09-210-017-00 08-09-210-018-00 08-09-210-019-00 08-09-210-020-00 08-09-210-021-00 08-09-210-022-00 v BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: □H .boil: 121ft JL f|| 1B2T3V91 f|| 1B2T3V91 tJltJl BtJltJl rillW B rillW — —------ 08-02-032^76-00 08-02-032-401-00 08-02-032-401-10 08-02-0:33-100-00 08-02-033-100-20 08-02-083-100-30 08-02-033-251-00 08-02-033-252-00 08-02-033-253-00 08-02-033-254-00 ■■ tar 08-02-033-376-00 08-02-033-377-00 08-02-033-378-00 08-02-0.33-452-00 08-02-033-453-00 08-02-033-454-00 08-02-033-456-00 08-02-040-002-00 08-02-040-003-00 08-02-040-004-00 ----- ‘ , r"" ' 08-02-040-004-10 08-02-040-006-00 08-02-040-007-00 O8-02-04O-0O8LOO 08-02-040-009-00 08-02-040-010-00 08202804080^00 08-02-040-012-00 08-02-040-013-00 08-02-040-014-00 noi*61fei BQBg 08-02-040-015-00 08-02-040-016-00 08-02-040-018-00 08-02-040-019-00_ 08-02-040-020-00 08-02-040-021-00_ 08-02-040-022-00 08-02-040-023-00 08-02-040-030-00 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Boards have received plans showing the H^^fcBva^/wloiyferftKi^ proposed aquatic plant control project, associated activities, any proposed improvements and locations thereof, together with an estimated total project cost of $212,000. Each Township's allocated share ofthe total project cost will be raised a special assessment district in each Township. The allocated shares ofthe total project cost are Baltimore Township 54.4% and Johnstown Township 45.6%. Each Township Board has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to create the aforedescribed special assessment district. Lakewood's Gavin Vaughn (left) has Otsego's Kole Engleright all wrapped up during their 175-pound semifinal match Saturday at the Lakewood Invitational. Vaughn pinned Engleright in the middle of the second period and went on to a runner-up finish at the weight class. (Photo by Brett Bremer) PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Boards have placed the project plans and costs estimates(on file with the Township Clerks and said plans, cost estimates and special assessment districts may be examined at each Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date ofthe public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. V jisSlirt! Saxons share scoring load in win over Tri-County Vikings -W T 42 4* t' Jrr. c c Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity boys’ basketball team ended a three-game skid with a 65-39 non-conference win over visiting Tri-County Tuesday at Hastings High School. Layton Eastman had a career-high 22 points to lead the Saxons, in a ballgame in which the team truly shared the scoring load. “It was a great opportunity to get every­ one to be involved,” Hastings head coach Rich Long said. Hastings led by 20 at the half. The Saxon offense started to break open a close bail­ game with a breakaway lay-up by Charlie Nickels. Devin Smith drilled a three-point­ er from the top of the key in the second half to keep the Hastings offense rolling. The Saxons return to Interstate-8 Athlet­ ic Conference action at Jackson Lumen Christi. The two teams battled to the end in December, with the Titans pulling out a one-point win in Hastings. Hastings heads into the contest with the Titans with a 3-5 1-8 record, tied for fifth in the conference with the Harper Creek Bea­ vers. Lumen Christi is 10-4 overall and 5-3 in 1-8 play. Coldwater earned a split in its season series with the Saxons by scoring a 42-37 win over its guests in Coldwater last Fri­ day, Jan. 27. Coach Long said it is the first ballgame he has had to miss in 25 years of coaching due to an illness, but got to listen and watch and he saw his Saxons battle. The Saxons and Cardinals were tied 13-13 at the half, and remained that way throughout much ofthe third quarter until the Saxons nudged in front. The lead went back and forth a bit and Hastings had a five-point lead, matching its largest lead of the game, early in the fourth quarter. Hastings found some success in the paint. Hayden Long was 5-of-7 shooting in the ballgame and led Hastings with 10 points. The Saxons also got some key buckets in the post from Zander Forbes who was 3-of-4 from the floor. The Cardinals rallied from the outside. Elijah Sloan hit five three-pointers for his team and finished with a game-high 16 points. Coldwater also got 14 points from Ayden Dirschell who was efficient himself from the floor, hitting 6-of-8 field goal attempts to go along with 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Niko Downs had 6 points and 6 assists. Jett Barnum had a team-high 12 rebounds for the Saxons. Owen Carroll had 7 points and 3 assists. Hastings also got 3 assists from Eastman and Myles Padilla. Padilla had 5 points. Hastings had a tough night scoring from the perimeter. Coach Long said his guys have done a pretty good job oftaking care ofthe basketball this season, but late game turn­ overs have been as bugaboo in some tight ballgames. Of the Saxons eight losses this season, six have been by six points or fewer and a seventh was a ten-point overtime loss. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Boards propose to make a per-parcel special assessment each year for a period of five years (2023 -2027 inclusive). The annual assessment in each Township is to be determined by both Township Boards, per the above percentage allocations. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, districts and cost estimates will be held at; the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641 S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek, Michigan, on February 8, 2023 at 6 p.mA At the hearing, the Boards will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerks at or before the hearing, and any objections or comments raised at the hearing; and at the hearing (or any adjournment ofthe hearing which may be made without further notice), the township boards may revise, correct, amend, or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that ifwritten objections to the project are filed with the Township Boards at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the township boards may not proceed unless petitions in support ofthe project, signed by record owners of more than 50% ofthe area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the township. Written comments or objections may be filed with the clerks at the address set out below. Appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal the amount of the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his/ her appearance or protest by letter and, in such case, his/her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and the cost estimates. PLEASE-TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that ifthe Township Boards determine to proceed with the special assessments, the Boards will each cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessments. Johnstown Township and Baltimore Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to each Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641S. M-37 Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 (269) 721-9709 Penelope Ypma, Clerk Baltimore Township 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 721-3502 �Page age 14 — Thursday, urs ay, February e ruary 2,, 2023 — The e Hastings asngs Banner anner Saxons reach dual meet milestone again Saxon sophomore Isaac Friddle nears a pin against Parma Western 215-pounder Aiden Duncan during their bout Friday, Jan. 27, in the final Interstate-8 Athletic Conference dual of the season. The Saxons capped a 7-0 year of conference duals with a 55-21 victory. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Valerie Slaughter ' ‘Hastings senior Robby Slaughter celebrates his 150th varsity wrestling victory with head coach Jason Slaughter after a 4-0 day of duals at Forest Hills Northern High School Saturday, Jan. 28. Robby is the eighth Saxon wrestler to reach the milestone. The Saxon team also set a new school record for dual meet wins in a season at FHN moving its record to 34-1. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Contributing Writer The Hastings varsity wrestling team traveled to Forest Hills Northern on Saturday to bring home another first place trophy, win­ ning the duals with a 4-0 team record. It has been a record-setting year already for the Saxons who are now 34-1 overall. It is the second straight year that Saxon head coach Jason Slaughter and his team have bro­ ken the school record for dual meet wins in a season to again be the top team in Saxon history. In the opening match ofthe day Saturday, the Saxons started strong with a 76-9 win over East Kentwood. Senior captain Robby Slaughter picked up his 150th career win for the Saxons with a pin of East Kentwood’s Silas Mitchell a minute into the second period oftheir 150-pound bout. Coach Slaughter noted that Robby is the 8th Saxon in school history to hit the 150 victory milestone. The Saxons defeated Forest Hills Eastern 75-6 and then defeated Portage Northern 66-9 before facing Forest Hills Northern for the championship match. Jordan Humphrey, Keegan Sutfin, Ben Furrow, Haiden Simmet, Robby Slaughter, Isaac Friddle, Parker Roslund and Troy Hokanson all picked up pins for the Saxons in the final rhatch. Zach Chipman won on a 7-6 decision and Cohen Smith won on a 8-2 decision to close out the match with a 54-18 win over the Huskies. On Friday night, the Saxon wrestling team closed out their final Interstate-8 Athletic Conference dual against Parma Western with a 55-21 win over the Panthers to remain undefeated in the conference. The Saxons finish with a 7-0 conference record going into the individual conference tournament on Sat­ urday, Feb. 4, at Lumen Christi. Teunessen started off the match for the Saxons with a first period pin at 190 pounds, followed by three more Saxon pins from Friddle (215 pounds), Roslund (285 pounds) and Humphrey (106 pounds). Hokanson picked up a 16-12 decision at 113 pounds to bring the Saxons to a 27-0 lead over the Pan­ thers. At 120 pounds, the Saxons gave up their first three points for the night with a close 6-3 decision going to the Panthers over Chipman. Colton Smith came back at 126 pounds and had a 21-8 major decision, and then Sutfin (132 -pounds) added another pin. Hastings’ Ben Furrow fell at 138-pounds on a second period pin. The Saxons then picked up three pins in a row from their midweights, getting six points each from Cohen Smith (144 pounds), Slaughter (150 pounds) and Simmet (157 pounds) bringing their lead to 55-9 over the Panthers. The Panthers pushed to the final match with two pins at 165 and 175 pounds over Matthew Shults and Tate Warner. The Saxons have moved up in the MHSAA team rankings to number eight and were set to face offwith seventh-ranked Greenville, at Hastings High School last night, Feb. 1. The Saxons will finish out their regular season with Conference Finals on Saturday before heading to the MHSAA Division 2 Team District at Ionia on Wednesday, Feb. 8. TK second to none in OK Gold this winter Brett Bremer - • Thornapple Kellogg's Mali Holland, Presley Hall and Kenady Smith cheer together . irf the front during their team's round two performance Tuesday at the OK Gold . Conference Final at Cedar Springs High Sbhool. (Photo by Brett Bremer) RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1 -800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com BOOK SALE February 2 b 3 f0atn-6pm February 4 f Oam-Noon HPL Community Room HASTINGS PUBUC LIBRARY Donate Boohs January 26-31 Sports Editor Their round three uniforms are trimmed in silver, but the Trojans’ final performance Tuesday was worthy ofgold. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competi­ tive cheer team finished off an undefeated 2022-23 season in thelOK Gold Conference by outscoring the two-time defending confer­ ence champions from Cedar Springs on the Red Hawks’ mat at Cedar Springs High School. “Now they know what it feels like a little bit,” TK head coach Adrian Nichols said. “The pressure was on and they got the job done. That’s the important thing. These kids are young. They’ve been doing it their whole life, but it is different when it is a different style and the pressure is on. I needed to see today that they can handle the pressure. That is the most important thing for me today, as a coach, is that they can handle it. “Now, they just proved to themselves ‘okay, we can handle it.’ That might not have been a great day. We were down by three, but you don’t lose in the first round. You have to be strong in all three rounds. I am happy that they got the job done today. “I think they needed it to believe that it is real. I always give them these goals and they talk about it, but I think they needed to hold the trophy and they needed to hear that con­ ference championship, that sentence. They just needed to hear that sentence, because that is the most validation they have had yet.” It is the first conference title for the Trojans under Nichols, who is in the midst of her third season leading the program. The Trojans last won an OK Gold Conference title in 2020, before the most recent round of OK Confer­ ence realignment which brought Cedar Springs and Kenowa Hills into the confer­ ence among others. The Red Hawks outscored the TK ladies by three points in round one, 225.3 to 222.3, in front of a raucous home crowd, but the Trojans came roaring back with the top round two and three scores ofthe evening to finish more than 28 points ahead oftheir hosts. Nichols said she doesn’t typically share scores with her girls, but she let them know they trailed Cedar Springs by a couple points after round one. It was the first time anyone had outscored the TIf girls in the opening round in the conference this season. “A lot ofus get really nervous and we hud­ dle up in the locker room or in the hallway and we just sit there and talk about what we want to do in the round and on the mat,” Tro­ jan senior Presley Hall said. “We just are motivating each other the whole time. We always tell each other we can do it.” Hall does some work motivating herself too. She performs in all three rounds, and has to psyche herselfup for her back handsprings in rounds two and three. “I have had a mental block on those for a couple years,” Hall said. “I finally got them back and I am very confident in them, but right before I go on I get very nervous and I have really bad anxiety on the mat. I go on the mat and I whip it out and everything is fine, and I’m like okay, well the rest of the round is going to be great because that is the only thing that bothers me.” Hall was pretty confident in the perfor- Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer coach Adrian Nichols presents her team with the 2022-23 OK Gold Conference championship trophy after her team finished off a sweep of the conference season by winning the league finale at Cedar Springs High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) mance ofthe TK stunt groups in round three, and other than one small bobble on a stunt that third round showing was clearly enough to clinch the conference title for the Trojans. TK outscored Cedar Springs 207.76 to 198 in round two and then 304.5 to 293.2 in round three. Cedar Springs had the second best score ofthe day in those final two rounds. TK closed the meet with an overall score of 734.56 points, ahead of Cedar Springs 716.5, Kenowa Hills 686.3, Forest Hills East ern 649.7, Wayland 628.6 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central 552.9. While the feeling ofwinning a conference title is new for these Trojans, the feeling of being out on the mat isn’t and Nichols remind­ ed her girls ofthat throughout the evening. “I had to look at a lot of them today and say, ‘you’ve been doing this your whole life. Just take a breath, because you have,”’ Nich­ ols said. “All ofour flyers have literally done this since they were itty, bitty babies - two freshmen and one junior [junior Ava Jahnke and freshmen Mia Hilton and Claira Kovich]. Literally their whole lives.” “We did a lot ofbreathing.” Overall, it wasn’t a flawless performance, leaving work to do in preparation ofthe state tournament, which starts for TK at the MHSAA Division 2 District it will host in Middleville Feb. 17. Winning a conference title was goal number one on the Trojans’ to-do list this winter. A district championship is goal number two. TK has dealt with some illnesses and injuries lately. The Trojans didn’t perform their back tucks in round two Tuesday, but coach Nichols said she is hoping to have those back as part ofthe routine Saturday when the Tro­ jans take part an invitational hosted by Forest Hills Northern. The Trojans have a couple more tune-ups before the start ofthe state tournament. Their round one countdown to the state finals was at four weeks during Tuesday’s performance. The Trojans are scheduled to be a part of a meet at Jenison Feb. 8 and one at Byron Center Feb. 11. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-02-09.pdf 72770e1d5fabaeda3b7a2841d67ba026 PDF Text Text M-37 construction project is crucial, must be guided by data See story on page 4 Devoted to theInterests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590501882749058113421 ANNER Thursday, February 9, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 6 PRICE $1.50 Local shop owner organizing antique fair for Nashville Jayson Bussa Editor Mike Fetterhoff is no stranger to organiz­ ing flea markets at the local park. But, after years ofdoing that, he wanted to do something a little different - and bigger. “We’ve ran flea markets out in Parady Park for the last five years,” said Fetterhoff, who owns Nashville-based antique shop 66 Unique Antiques with his wife, Amber. “It started off small and it has just grown immensely since then... We were trying to figure out a way to do something bigger and bring more people to town.” FetterhofFs solution is to shut down M-66 through Nashville and make a full-blown festival out ofit. At the helm of 66 Unique Antiques for a decade now, Fetterhoff recently announced that he is planning the inaugural edition of the 66 Unique Antique Festival, which is slated for Saturday, May 6. Nashville will serve as ground zero for this market of antiques, col­ lectibles and hand-made goods. While Fetterhoff continues to mold his idea, he said he has received an outpouring of inquiries from those that are willing to be apart ofit. The 66 Unique Antique Festival will feature 70 to 80 vendors, food trucks, live auction, com hole tournament and more. Essentially, it will be a big party centered on all things collectible, hand-made and vintage. “We wanted to make it where, when fami­ lies come, maybe not everyone is into a flea market. If that’s the case, maybe they can check out the auction or check out the wood carving or just get some food and enjoy town,” Fetterhoff said. Flea markets and festivals of this nature work well in FetterhofFs industry because he said it resembles a community of busi­ nesses instead of a pool of competitors. That’s why he envisions the upcoming festi­ val to be a great way for all antique mer­ chants - here in Barry County and beyond - to gain visibility and sell some goods. “It’s the furthest from competitive that See ANTIQUES, page 3 . Mike Fetterhoff stands behind the cgyntet,-workipg at 66 Unique Antiques in Nashville on Tuesday aftemopn. Fetterhoff has owned the business with his wife, Amber, for 10 years. The duo is planning an antiques fair in Nashville. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) New CERC director looks to revitalize facility as community center Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Emily Doherty had been watching her cur­ rent position for almost 10 years before she landed it. A Hastings High School graduate and longtime resident, Doherty was familiar with the Community Education and Recreation Center attached to the school. She often thought about it while working at the recre­ ation center at Michigan Career and Techni­ cal Institute in the southwest part of the county. “I had (always loved the CERC),” Doherty said. “It’s just such a cool thing that we have, and I kind of always thought, ‘If the past director ever leaves, I’ll just throw my name in the ring and we’ll see.’ Now, here I am.” Doherty started as the newest CERC direc­ tor in August last year, with her first day at work coinciding with Hastings’ first day of classes. Although she had been hoping to land the role for a while, there was a time See CERC, page 2 The former Nationwide Auto Exchange at 490 S. M-37 Hwy in Rutland Township is poised to serve as the new home for The Woods, a statewide chain of marijua­ na dispensaries. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Hastings native Emily Doherty started her new role as the CERC director last year in August, (photos by Hunter McLaren) Two marijuana dispensaries in the works for Rutland Township Jayson Bussa Middleville officials listen to preliminary proposal for redevelopment of blighted Baby Bliss site James Gemmell Contributing Writer Some private developers are seeking to add affordable riverfront housing in Middleville that would be built on, and adjacent to, the former Baby Bliss manufacturing site. John Runquist, one ofthe principal inves­ tors in Ada-based 975 Ventures LLC, made his first public pitch ofa preliminary redevel­ opment proposal at the village council’s Committee ofthe Whole meeting on Tuesday afternoon. He made the same presentation to the Middleville Planning Commission later that night. Joining him during the presentations was Grand Rapids-based NorthStar Commercial real estate broker Jack Van Gessel. NorthStar is working with 975 Ventures on the project, which might include daycare facilities. The combined entity proposing the redevelopment is called River Run Flats LLC. It is seeking an option to either purchase See MIDDLEVILLE, page 3 The old Baby Bliss building at 120 W. Main St. in Middleville. (Courtesy photo) Editor Barry County’s first marijuana dispensa­ ry is looking to add another location within county lines and it has been given the go-ahead to do so in Rutland Township. A representative from Green Planet, which does business as Lumberjack’s Pro­ visioning Center, appeared in front ofthe Rutland Charter Township Planning Com­ mission last month for a special land use hearing. The company also submitted its site plan for review. The planning commis­ sion approved both and the township board awarded the company with contingent municipal license approval. Lumberjack’s must now go through the state licensing process before being able to open. Lumberjack’s Provisioning Center cur­ rently operates a location in Baltimore Township at 8975 S. M-37 Highway in Dowling. Baltimore Township was the first township in Barry County to permit mari­ juana businesses and Lumberjack’s led the way as the first to open. The company’s planned Rutland Town­ ship location would be in a strip mall locat­ ed in front of Walmart at 1450 W. M-43 Hwy, nestled between T-Mobile and Air­ Way Oxygen stores. Messages left with Lumberjack’s owner­ ship requesting further information on the expansion went unanswered. And, ifall goes according to plan, Lum­ berjack’s won’t be the only marijuana dis­ pensary to open in Rutland Township, either. Lumberjack’s is one oftwo dispensaries that have a green light for Rutland Town­ ship, which has not capped the number of marijuana businesses that are permitted to open shop in the township. The Woods, which is a statewide mari­ juana dispensary franchise, is also planning a location in Rutland Township, as well. Like Lumberjack’s, The Woods has received approval from the township for both special land use and a contingent license. The Woods will take over the vacant building at the intersection ofM-37 and M-43, specifically at 490 S. M-37 Hwy, which used to house Nationwide Auto Exchange. The Woods currently operates locations in both Marcellus and West Branch. The dispensary has announced that it will also be opening locations in Detroit and White­ hall, but have yet to make public mention See MARIJUANA, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, February 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS HHS Alumni Association seeking Alumnus of the Year nominations The Hastings High School Alumni Association Board is seeking nominations for 2023 Distinguished Alumnus ofthe Year, an award presented at the association’s yearly ban­ quet. This year’s banquet will take place on Aug. 26. Any classmate, friend, family member or community member may submit a nomina- t’on* * Nominations must be typed and contain biographical i.nformation and reasons why the individual is being nominated. Reasons may include accomplishments, vocational honors and awards, community service, organization memberships or any other helpful informa­ tion. The nominee can be residing anywhere - not necessarily in Hastings - but must be an alumnus ofHastings High School. The alumni board is open to considering previously submitted nominees as well as new nominees. It encourages anyone who has submitted a nomination in the past to resubmit one again with updated information for the board’s consideration. Letters ofnomination must be submitted by July 15. All letters received by that date will be considered in selecting the Alumnus ofthe Year. Nomination letters should be mailed to Lois Bowers, 102 E. Clinton St., Hastings, MI 49058 by the deadline. Questions can be directed to Lois Bowers, 269-945-9657. MSU Extension and Corewell Health partner to offer free chronic disease management workshop Michigan State University Extension in partnership with Corewell Health Pennock is offering a “Personal Action Toward Health” (PATH) for Chronic Disease workshop for the community. The workshop is free and meets weekly for six weeks. Information presented in the in-person workshop can help attendees become empow­ ered to improve their quality of life. Participants will learn important skills such as goal setting, dealing with pain and fatigue, communicating with healthcare professionals and managing medications. Participants will also receive a copy of the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.” Those living with chronic diseases like arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, chronic pain and more can all learn helpful skills for managing life With chronic illness. The sessions will be held on Thursdays beginning Feb. 23 through March 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Spectrum Health Wellness Center (main floor), 1009 W. Green St. in Hastings. Organizers ask that participants plan to attend all sessions. Those interested in signing up or receiving more information can call Laura at MSU Extension, at 269-908-9803. Registration can also be completed events.anr.msu.edu/ PATHFeb2023Barry/. North Country Trail Association announces hiking challenges The Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Association is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to take part in the “Hike the County Challenge.” The United States is home to 11 National Scenic Hiking Trails totaling 24,600 miles. Ofthese 11, the North Country National Scenic Trail has the most hiking trail miles. It stretches 4,800 miles across eight states in the Midwest, including Michigan. Lowell, | located at the midpoint ofthe trail, is the National Headquarters for the North Country Trail Association and Michigan has the most hiking trail miles ofall eight states, clocking in at 1,150 miles. Hikers can take the “Hike the County Challenge” and hike one, two or all three North Country Trail counties in the ChiefNoonday Chapter during the calendar year by registering at hikethecounty@gmail.com. Participants are asked to email when they complete a county. Each time a county is hiked through, participants will receive a patch. Hikers can also simultaneously complete the “Hike 100 Challenge” within the same calendar year by registering at northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/signup/ . Par­ ticipants ofthis challenge will receive a commemorative patch and certificate upon completion. For those who want a head start on both challenges, the ChiefNoonday Chapter is hosting a ChiefNoonday Potawatomi Hike on Saturday, March 11. Hikers will meet at NED’s Restaurant in Hickory Comers at 10 a.m. and set offto visit ChiefNoonday’s gravesite. The hike will be a total of 4 miles out and back. Lunch at NED’s will take place following the hike for those interested. The North Country Trail Association welcomes anyone to join the Chief Noonday Chapter by signing up at northcountrytrail.org/trail/michigan/cnd/. Delton Kellogg High crowns its Winterfest Duke and Duchess Seniors Jason Lundquist (right) and Allie Trantham are crowned the 2023 Delton Kellogg Winterfest Duke, and Duchess between the varsity girls' and boys’ basketball games against Holland Black River Friday night. Black River bested Trantham and the DK girls’ Friday, but Lundquist and the DK boys scored a win over the visiting Rats. The basketball games were followed by the Winterfest Dance Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Planning commission approves State Street car wash site plan Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings City Planning Commission approved site plans for a proposed car wash that would be replacing the State Street Diner. Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the proposed Whitewater Express Car Wash at 1105 W. State St. following a public hearing on Monday. The plans were approved with the determination that the out­ door vacuums at the site were an approved special use, and with the stipulation that developers would install additional landscap­ ing to the west side ofthe property. It remains unclear when the State Street Diner’s final day ofoperation will be. Christine McDermott, an employee at the restaurant, asked when the car wash would be breaking ground at the site. Commission chair David Hatfield and Erin McMachen, who was representing the Detroit-based Stonefield Engineering and Design, which has partnered with Whitewater, warned McDermott that they could only provide an estimate of when they would start work on the project, but closure ofthe restaurant was up to the current owner Lee Campbell. Tony Pearson, owner of the offices at 1127 W. State St., raised concerns that Safe Harbor Children Advocacy Center might be sensitive to any potential noise pollution caused by a planned car wash facility. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) “I will have all of our permits in place in around two to three months, so that’s when we could start,” McMachen said. “But I’m not on the real estate side ofthings.” Campbell, who was not present at the meeting, told The Banner that he was still not sure when the restaurant would close but it could be as late as May. Commissioners raised concerns about noise pollution affecting the neighboring offices on the west side of the property at 1127 W. State St. Tony Pearson, owner of the office building, said that he hadn’t received any complaints from tenants about the car wash plans. Pearson’s main concern was that Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center housed in the offices might be sensi­ tive to any potential additional noise. Safe Harbor is a non-profit organization that records testimonies from children who have been abused to prevent them from having to tell their story repeatedly during court pro­ ceedings. McMachen said the facility wouldn’t pro­ duce any more noise than existing traffic on West State Street. Outdoor vacuums at the site were surrounded by concrete walls to dampen noise, and McMachen proposed add­ ing additional trees along the west side ofthe property to further reduce noise. “Whitewater never pushes back on addi­ tional landscaping and it makes their site better looking,” McMachen said. “Like I said, they really do want to be good neigh­ bors.” CERC, continued from page 1 when Doherty didn’t know she’d work in recreational education at all. After graduating from Hastings, Doherty went on to study criminal justice and psy­ chology at Michigan State University. She worked for a short time in Grayling at a state juvenile detention facility as a youth special­ ist, before transferring to MCTI around 2014 so she could work closer to home. While working at the school, she trans­ ferred from a 24/7 residential services role to a recreational education position because of its more traditional hours. There, she learned how much she enjoyed teaching people how to have fun doing new things. Doherty hopes to continue to do that here in Hastings. “(The CERC) was a brand new facility when I was coming up through high school, so I spent a lot oftime here. We did a lot of activities here, after school - the school uti­ lized it a lot,” Doherty said. “I don’t know, I went away to college and all that stuff, but just when I came back to town it just didn’t seem like it was being utilized as much.” She worries that many might not see the CERC for what it really is - a community cen­ ter. Although the facility is attached to the high school, it’s open to the public. It’s also more thanjust the weight room and swimming pool. Although COVID-19 has limited what the CERC could offer for: the past several years, Doherty aims to ramp up programming beyond what it was ev?n before the pandemic. “It was a pretty empty slate (when I arrived). It was easy to add (programming) when there wasn’t much going on,” she said. “ It was a good transitional time, I think, between myselfand the last director.” She already has some ideas in the works, along with others that CERC staff members have gathered from the community. The facil­ ity currently runs a sewing class, yoga and fitness classes, and is reinstating swim class- jiixcriiHiiisi aiijjc: aioamitf Built in 2003, the Community Education and Recreation Center attached to Hastings High School offers recreational programming as well as fitness facilities to the public. es. A through-hiking class will take place in March and Doherty continues to look for new opportunities the public is interested in. “My goal is to revitalize the community cen­ ter back into a community center - to get more educational programs, community education and more recreation going on,” she said. Efforts to revitalize the facility don’t stop at adding programming. Doherty said she’s working with school administration on solu­ tions to repair or replace weight room equip­ ment as well as hiring more lifeguards so the pool can be open longer. She also hopes to make the facility’s exist­ ing and future programs as affordable and accessible as possible. The CERC received a $15,000 donation from the Richard B. Messer Trust in January, which the facility is free to use in any way that assists disadvantaged youth in the community. Doherty said it could be used to subsidize programming or facility fees for those who need it. “I’m open to hearing from my colleagues and people in the community on what they might think that money could be used for,” she said. “I think it’s a really good opportunity for us to dig into some youth programming here and within the schools to provide oppor­ tunities to families with a lower socioeco­ nomic status.” Even though she’s just beginning her role as director, she’s trying to keep the future of the, facility in mind. Eventually, she’d like to tour similar facilities in neighboring counties and find out how the CERC could evolve to better serve the community. For now, her goal is to make the facility as accessible as possible in the “post­ COVID” era. “People are ready to get out and get their kids involved in stuffagain; we’re starting up some swim lessons,” she said. “(We’re) just looking at some ofthe programs we are offer­ ing or are developing and making those affordable for everybody.” “There’s so much potential, and it’s finding what will stick and what people will want to utilize,” she added. MARIJUANA, continued from page 1 HELP WANTED Edward Jones, a financial services industry leader is seeking an On-Call Branch Team Associate to support our offices. This position provides administrative assistance for our branches on a temporary basis. The ideal candidate must enjoy customer contact; have excellent client service and communication skills, be well-organized, and accurate with details. Join Edward Jones and see why we’ve been ranked among FORTUNE magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America for 18 years. Equal Opportunity Employer To be considered for this position send your resume to: Kevin Beck at 400 W State St, Ste. B, Hastings, Ml 49058 ofa new location in Rutland Township. The Banner did speak with a representative from The Woods, who confirmed the plans to open a new dispensary at the location, but wasn’t ready to provide any details until the company has successfully navigated all the legal red tape associated with the process. Even before these recent developments, JARS Cannabis, an operator of dispensaries statewide, was the first to get its foot in the door in Rutland Township. JARS, which operates a dispensary in Battle Creek among many others, was able to get a special land use permit and contingent license, but negoti­ ations on a storefront location fell through, which doomed its plans. Back in April of last year, the Rutland Township passed on a 4-3 vote zoning and licensing ordinances that approved recreational marijuana businesses to open up within the township, including growers, processors and retailers, amongst other types of businesses. The narrow vote brought to resolution a years-long ongoing debate on the matter. Township officials opted to not limit the number ofbusinesses that can set up shop in the township, making way for a potential rush ofboth local, statewide and even nation- Recently, the owners of Lumberback’s Provisioning Center in Baltimore Township th 9°’ahead Rutland Township officials to install an additional location 1 i Inu ? s*r|P mall at 1450 W. M-43 Hwy. The proposed marijuana dispensary would go in between T-Mobile and AirWay Oxygen stores wide franchises that might want to creep into the local market. i JUStfM^i°^^Utland Township, the Vil­ lage ofMiddleville has recently welcome welcomed id its manJuana businesses with the openings ofdie Botanical Company (640 Arlington Ct) and, more recently, Crafted Leaf(314 Arling- ton St). Officials in the village originally voted to allow marijuana businesses back in August of2021. The village took a different approach, though, putting up for grabs just two retailer licenses, for which it garnered five appli­ cants. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 9. 2023 — Page 3 Kiwanis honors young citizens VS AW bW Hastings elementary school and middle school teachers have select­ ed students to be honored as citizens of the month by the Kiwanis Club ofHastings. Students are selected by their teachers for reasons such as excellent citizenship, attitude, conduct, academics, character, service, leader­ ship and Sportsmanship. , • The citizens ofthe month for December and January (with parents’ n^mes.-jn. parentheses) included: Central — Eden Bivens (Gordon and Chelsea Bivens), Landon DeGoa-Appel (Brian Appell and Kamel J DeGoa), Lillian Smith (Doug Shtith and Jenny Jenkins) and Lilyanne Tobias (Andy Tobias and Jen­ nifer Jenkins): : Northeastern - Ava Anderson (Erik Anderson and Lyric Anderson), Logan Guernsey (Tyler and Heather Guernsey), Jada Madden (Ryan and Sara Madden) and Braden Tefft (Charles and Tiffany Tefft). Southeastern - David Allen (David Allen and Stacey Rose), Karter Hill (Michael and Rachelle Hill), Mackenzie Longstreet (Brent Long­ street and Andrea Wood) and Abigail Weatherly (Brian and Kimberly Weatherly). Star - Jacob Brown (Freddie and Jennifer Brown), Kylie Curtis (John and Angie Curtis), Maritza Gonzales-Perez and Josh Rhoades (Charles and Sherry McCarty). Hastings Middle School - Oliver Allen (Kristy Allen and Keith Papendick), Allison Brown (Tim and Amanda Brown), Bariss HernanHernan­ dez-Hernandez (Remigio and Laura Hernandez-Virgilio), Graceyn Horrmann (Robert and Marti Horrmann), Madisyn Leonard (Charles Leonard), Emilyah Neal (David and Elizabeth Neal), Isabella Perez (Elliott and Jackie Perez), Mallory Rohe (Zachary and Sally Rohe), Ella Saninocencio (Gary and Amanda Saninocencio), Cora Shattuck (Jason and Jami Shattuck), Isabella Strimback (James and Heidi Strimback) and Karrigan Williams (Brett and Brooke Williams). SSi?1' rn LJ December and January’s citizens of the month were honored recently. Pictured are (front row, from left) Principal Geukes, Karrigan Williams, Graceyn Horrmann, Bariss HernandezHernapdez, Cora Shattuck, Madisyn Leonard, Ella Saninocencio, (back row) Emilyah Neal, Mallory Rohe, Isabella Strimback and Allison Brown. Missing from the photo are Isabella Perez and Oliver Allen. l ER MIDD 'stntei iktastf ottetai liter tpfcfe URWtauiiyEtt ibokl fciiM Si** 1* Central Elementary’s Dec. and Jan. citizens of the month include (from left) Lillian Smith, Eden Bivens and Landon DeGoa-Appel. Mrs. Mitchell joins the honorees. Lilyanne Tobias,.another honoree, is missing from:the photo. The Nashville-based 66 Unique Antiques features two stories of nostalgia at its storefront at 220 N. Main St Citizens of the month at Southeastern Elementary School were recently honored for the past two months. Pictured are (from left) David Allen, Abigail Weatherly, Ms. Stein, Mackenzie Longstreet and Karter Hill. Citizens of the month at Northeastern Elementary in Hastings include (from left) Logan Guernsey, Braden Tefft, Jada Madden and Ava Anderson. They are joined by Mrs. Engle (far left). (Photos provided) <1 you’ll get,” Fetterhoffsaid about the antiques business. When you have an antique store and some­ one opens another antique store, it is never competition. It is awesome because the more antique stores you have in an area the more people that are going to come to that area.” “It’s not like you’re opening a Dollar Tree and then you have Dollar Tree, Dollar Gener­ al and a Family Dollar, where they all sell the same stuff for the same prices,” Fetterhoff continued. “We all have different items. Everyone has a different idea on what they view as collectible or vintage or antique. That means clients come through FetterhofTs doors looking for all sorts of things. And the clientele is getting younger, too, perhaps prompted by mainstream television shows like American Pickers and Pawn Stars, which put a spot light on the value of old, vintage items. Fetterhoff, who is 38 years old, broke into the antiques business after spending his whole life collecting sports cards. That hobby branched into additional collections. “It just all of a sudden evolved into this thing where you get yourself knowledgable on these different items and before you know it you’re selling all these different things,” Fetterhoff said. “Right now, we’r seeing a huge change in the market,” Fetterhoff said of catering to a younger clientele. “It’s no longer the dish­ ware sets and plates that grandma had and vases. That market that people cared about is so small. Now, we’re selling (vinyl) records like crazy. LPs are going nuts. Record players are going nuts.” Regardless of what you might be in the market for, one thing is certain — you will get nostalgic at some point walking through FetterhofTs store. “Nostalgia is 100 percent what drives this industry - there is no way around it,” Fetterhoff said. “...Everything we do around here is based on nostalgia.” For more on 66 Unique Antiques, and how the Fetterhoffs are leveraging technology to stay ahead in the industry, read Saturday’s issue ofthe Maple Valley News. December and January's citizens of' the month at Star Elementary School were recently honored. Pictured are (from left) Kylie Curtis, Maritza Gonzales-Perez, Mrs. Smelker, Josh Rhoades and Jacob Brown. ued from page 1 4.5 acres ofvillage property or for a donation ofthe land. The affordable housing would be designated as a planned unit development (PUD) and be situated on about six acres. The project cost might exceed $15 million. The location is in the 100 block of W. Main Street, adjacent to the Thomapple River. The 10,000 square-foot building is where the Baby Bliss company once made baby clothes. Prior to that, it was occupied by an auto sales and service company, Bennett Chevrolet. The manufacturing site was abandoned years ago. A few years ago, it was rezoned from medium-density residential use to a central business district designation. City Manager Craig Stolsonburg said it is now a blighted property. It is unclear if the village would be responsible for having the soil tested for contamination before the rede­ velopment project might move forward. He added the project would incorporate two adjacent village-owned properties near where a lift station pump house is located. “So, right now it’s just a preliminary dis­ cussion to talk with you, to see ifthere’s an appetite by the council ofpotentially selling these properties for redevelopment,” Stolsonburg told the Committee ofthe Whole. Village President Mike Cramer said the original idea many years ago was to potentially relocate the village offices to one of the vil­ lage-owned parcels near the Baby Bliss site. But he said that was not deemed to be econom­ ically feasible at the time and was scrubbed. However, Van Gessel resurrected the possible relocation of the village offices at the Committee ofthe Whole meeting. “There could be ways to work together to relocate these offices,” he said. Runquist mentioned the development group put under a contractual option last summer 1.21 acres just north ofthe proposed site near Waters Street. “Right now, the way it’s drawn up, we’ve got our parcel plus there and the additional two parcels. It’s a little over four acres,” he said. The village owns roughly nine total acres on the riverfront site, and aboutt seven acres are considered developable. The undertaking has to be large enough in scope to make it financially viable for developers to recoup the proposed $15 million investment on the potential $20 million project. If approved, state grants would be used to cover the remaining costs. Melissa Weaver owns the property former­ ly occupied by the Baby Bliss company. She said m an interview after the Committee of the Whole meeting she is considering selling that portion ofthe property to the developers for a price that has not been made public ‘T hope it moves forward and what they’re going to do is going to look a lot better than what s there right now,” Weaver said. River Run Flats has made an offer to pur­ chase an adjacent property at 118 W. Main St, ANTIQUES, continued from page 1 a smaller parcel owned by a local resident. The developers are asking the village to work with them to acquire the rest ofthe land needed for the project. “I saw this as an opportunity to take a riv­ erfront site and do something with it,” Van Gessel said. “There were going to be some challenges, but with it being blighted there could be potential for grants and everything.” So, the developers would pursue a Transfor­ mational Brownfield Plans (TBP) grant through the Michigan Strategic Fund, which is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. That would be for site work, utilities and infrastructure. Another option might be to seek a state grant through the MEDC’s Michigan Community Revitaliza­ tion Program (MCRP). The program provides grants, loans or other economic assistance for projects located on properties that are blighted, contaminated or functionally obsolete. “The more blighted the property, the more potential we have as a community to (be awarded) some brownfield grants and CRP monies,” Van Gessel said. “Wejust submitted a grant (application) to the land bank last week for the (former) Baby Bliss site for demolition.” He added the property is unique in its prime riverfront location. “Not many municipalities in West Michigan have something like this,” Van Gessel said. The preliminary proposal envisions a five-building development with the potential for 90 market-rate apartment units. The elevations plan submitted by developers to the vil­ lage include several vertical stair towers, as opposed to horizontal runways. That provides more separation between apartment units. “So,, we can maximize the amount of square footage that we can use for density for the actual units,” Runquist said. ‘ It allows you the aesthetic to vary. So, it doesn t look like a standard apartment complex. It ll look like row houses, townhouses or somewhat of an upscale unit. It allows us to unitize the construction, so we can reduce our price to make it as competitive as possible. The plan includes the original 1.2-acre parcel, plus the two village-owned parcels. A nature walk would be built along the western edge ofthe riverfront north ofthe Main Street bridge and heading into downtown. On the north end of the property is a llift station off from Waters Street. It services the village west ofthe Thornapple River. A bridge possibly could be built to cross over from the lift pump site to the existing canoe landing. Part of the property lies within a 100-year Federal Emergency Management Agen­ cy-designated flood plain, but not the portion ofthe village-owned site where the hfstation is. Still to be determined is how much of the property can be developed, as opposed to being wetlands only. “The state and th.e (Environment Protec- iltofii n< tion Agency) get real- particular sometimes about what is wetland and what is not,” Van Gessel said. “There’s a natural spring over there. There’s a little creek that runs through it. So, there’s some real natural beauty there. It’s just identifying what the village can and can’t do with it.” Developers are looking at possible site amenities to construct, whether it be new village offices, a small village building, the nature trail or a daycare facility. “We’ve talked to some daycare develop­ ers,” Van Gessel said. “I think, with our cur­ rent layout, it’s a little small for what they’re looking for. We’ve got 7,000 square feet. They’re looking for 10-to-l 2,000 square feet.” Runquist said River Run Flats has received “enormous” support from the MEDC on the potential project. “It’s quite amazing... it seems like every­ body wants to move something forward here. And we’re trying to work* in conjunction with everybody to figure out how that works and what it does,” he said. ■ However, village trustee Kevin Smith told the developers that building 90 apartment units on the six-acre site would exceed the per­ acre density requirements recommended in the village’s master plan. The developers’ prelim­ inary proposal calls for about 15 units per acre, or 18 units for each ofthe five buildings. “The concentration is super high,” Smith said. “Double, almost, the last request that got fierce (public) pushback.” He asked the developers if they would be able to keep the density closer to eight apart­ ment units per acre to comply with the village zoning ordinance. “I think we could, especially ifwe’re able to expand north,” Runquist replied. “Ifwe go along the river. I think that gets a little bit lower. We could build on the high side back ofthe land.” Van Gessel said the state would need to see a large enough project that meets a community need in order to support it with grant funding. “It’s easier for them to advocate a bigger place-making project than a smaller project,” he explained. But Smith countered that the council has learned from experience that the public would have significant concern with the high con­ centration of residential units as currently proposed. “I love the idea, but I don’t want that to be a point ofcontention as we continue to move down the line, and as we commit to further research and so forth,” Smith said. Van Gessel said “$500,000 property-tax projects” are not often offered to communi­ ties the size of Middleville. “It seems, that this is a chance for the vil­ lage, this community, to capture something that the state really is focused on - small, rural communities like this - right now. Especially, after the (COVID-19) pandemic,” he said. As owner of 66 Unique Antiques, Mike Fetterhoff said that a younger clientele is slowly changing the market Vinyl records and record players, for instance, are hot sellers. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 & Insured Mobile (269) 838-5112 •■S 377 t“Xti RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1-800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com �Page 4 — Thursday, February 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC TTFMy^Opinion Putnam gets a facelift M-37’s future fix needs sound data It has been 100 years since Charles and Agnes Putnam donated what is now the Historic Putnam District Library to the Village of Nashville. And, in order to ensure that it lasts another 100 years (and then some), crews are completing some crucial renovations to it. As the picture from this week shows, the renovations are progressing nicely as crews work on reconstructing the front porch in order to make it safer and more durable. «y.„ remember? Winter beach ball, anyone? Banner Feb. 16, 2006 Eli and Sam Beyer are more than wishing for the kind of weather Conducive to playing beach ball. They’re getting ready for the Gun Lake Winterfest celebration; most of which will takerpla^e‘ Shtilifday, Feb? 18. (Photo by Patricia'Johns) Editor's note: This year, Gun Lake Winterfest will also take place on Saturday, Feb. 18. To read about the planned festivities, look to this weekend’s edition of The Reminder. Have you met? Even after moving to one ofthe furthest comers ofthe country with plans to escape the small-town Michigan life, Rev. Nick Marlatt said he kept feeling it calling him back. Marlatt, a fifth-generation Williamston native, was looking for a change ofscenery. He left the state to study environmental science in Washington state as an under­ graduate. He maintained a relationship with his high school sweetheart during those years, who was studying education at Hope Col­ lege. The two took a relaxed, “ifit works, it works” approach to their long-distance relationship, he said. “I went west (and we said), ‘We’ll see what happens,’ which is the most dangerous five words you can say,” Marlatt said. “Because you may end up married four years later.” After the two completed their undergrad­ uate studies, Nick was joined in the Pacific Northwest by his wife Kortney. He began working as a park ranger in one of Wash­ ington’s most intriguingly named state parks, Cape Disappointment. Nick and Kortney lived in that southwest comer of Washington for four years until the housing crisis and worldwide recession hit in 2008. Knowing he didn’t have a lot of seniority at the park and seeing state budget cuts on the horizon, Nick started to look for his next steps. He spoke about the predicament with his pastor at the time, who he had become close to. His pastor floated a new idea: had he thought about becoming a pastor? “I was like, ‘No, that’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard,”’ he said. “Become a pastor?” Instead, Nick had plans of obtaining a doctoral degree in theology. He hoped to become a professor and teach about his two loves, environmental science and theology. But as he thought more about it, the world ofacademia lost its luster. Nick was looking to put down roots, and being a professor would likely require many moves. His mind kept wan­ dering back to that conversation with his pastor. “Fortunately or unfortunately, it’s sort of like the seed was planted and it stuck,” he said. “I had this sense of, ‘That’s what I’m supposed to do. I could go and do whatever, Rev. Nick Marlatt but there will always be that nagging voice in the back ofmy mind.’” Nick decided to listen to that little voice. The two moved to the northwest comer of Washington, where Kortney traveled south to teach and Nick traveled north across the border into Vancouver, Canada for his grad­ uate studies. With his studies complete and his family growing, the Marlatts drew a circle with a 350-mile diameter around Williamston. The two were still open to living somewhere new but wanted to be closer to family in Michigan while they raised their three daughters. Nick became a pastor at a church in the greater Pittsburgh area, about 330 miles from his Michigan hometown. Although he enjoyed his time in Pennsyl­ vania, Nick and his family still felt they could be closer to home. He found he was spending all of his vacation time going to see family in Michigan. “Michigan is like the greatest place for our girls,” he said. “If you gave them the option to go to Disney World or to go to Michigan, they’d be like, ‘Let’s go to Mich­ igan!”* That is how Nick came across an oppor­ tunity to be a pastor at the First Presbyteri­ an Church in Hastings. In November last year, he and his family moved again, this time just 50 miles from his hometown of Williamston. Trips to see his extended fam­ ily were now only an hour at most, much less than the half-day worth ofdriving from Pennsylvania. Although he’s still getting settled into his new community, Nick said he’s already mak­ ing connections and looking forward to exploring Barry County with his family in the spring and summer. It’s already apparent to him that Hastings is a one-of-a-kind place. “Some ofthe elements of a healthy and resilient community that a lot of (other) places don’t necessarily have exist here (in Hastings),” he said. “Work brought me here, but maybe a higher purpose had a hand to play. There’s just something differ­ ent (about Hastings).” tg For finding his way to Hastings (even though it took him a while), Rev. Nick Marlatt is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite music: Basically anything other than mid-’90s pop country. Usually, the Spotify playlist ends up being super eclectic, spanning anything from Pearl Jam to Sigur Ros to Patsy Cline to Rachmani­ noff, to... whatever. Favorite movie: There are a couple, one that I usually always come back to is “Con­ tact.” It’s this movie that brings up the questions of science and faith or the ques­ tion of, ‘How do you prove beliefs?* It’s a wonderful, thought-provoking movie. (Either that or) “Legends ofthe Fall” or “A River Runs Through It,”... anything like epic Brad Pitt movies. When it’s quiet: I really like to just lis­ ten. There’s so much noise in the world. Going outside when it snows, just the muf­ fled sound ofthings and being able to hear all of these little noises that normally just kind ofget lost in the loudness ofthings. Favorite board game: Omega Virus. The premise ofthe game is that you are an astronaut on a space station, and there’s a virus taking over the station. (There is a) speaker that will do these dumb voices for the virus, like, ‘Oh, I’m going to get you!’ It was so corny but so cool at the same time. I sometimes wonder how much research Apple conducted before introducing the latest iPhone 14 or even the data they used in 2007 to launch the first mobile device with a 3.5-inch screen and just 16 gigabytes of storage. One thing is certain: Steve Jobs, the late co-founder ofthe company, could see the future — and he didn’t risk one dollar on something new until he had rock-solid research in hand. Too bad state officials and engineers at the Michigan Department ofTrans­ portation don’t have the same commit­ ment to updated data as they seem poised to fumble away an opportunity to finally modernize the M-37 corridor going into Caledonia. Anyone driving M-37 from Barry County into Kent County wouldn’t have to be an engineer to know the flow of traffic has increased beyond the capacity of the present road sys­ tem. Last week, an informational meeting was held at the Caledonia Township Hall to discuss with resi­ dents the MDOT expansion project that will begin in the spring of2025. It looks to be a nice plan if for no other reason than the state is finally addressing a troublesome and long-dangerous traffic route. But think back to Steve Jobs and his demand for rock-solid research before moving for­ ward at Apple. The problem I see with the M-37 project is that it’s based on five-year-old research. According to MDOT, the most recent traffic count taken in 2018 showed a daily average of22,300 vehi­ cles on M-37 between 76th Street and 92nd St. But those numbers don’t take into account all the business and indus­ trial expansion that’s taken place since that traffic study offive years ago; wife The other flaw in the !pi»dpos6d ;plafi1 is that it only extends the existing bou­ levard that now ends just north of76th St. to 92nd St., dumping traffic as it enters Caledonia back onto a two-lane road in the busiest part ofthe commu­ nity’s business section. Good roads are imperative arteries through which the economy can grow and prosper. They link producers to markets, workers to jobs, students to schools and the sick to hospitals. Roads are vital to any development and to the safety of those who use them. For MDOT officials not to consider extending the project through 100th St. puts even more pressure on a busy section ofroad where people are get­ ting on and off to frequent retail stores, restaurants and other businesses. Cale­ donia Village President Jennifer Lind­ sey says the project has “potential,” but she’s also concerned about its impact on businesses along the M-37 corridor leading into the village. “My concern is the shopping areas along M-37, Lindsey said. “There’s no resolution to the issues that we have and it doesn’t go to 100th St. with all our commerce along that way.” Township officials have campaigned for improvements to M-37 for years. While state officials talked about the need to fix the problem, nothing has been done to alleviate the traffic growth along the corridor, especially ';25SlXnS!IK£i^r.SQbtf BiwfciwW nrusiEKif i rat fan iQata rtunafaifcaA&d inf Iqrh 4bltem_^ * 1 The Hastings BaHUCIT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs •ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT* Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. with all of the growth just north of Caledonia bringing all kinds oftraffic to the two-lane highway. Since the outdated “benchmark” traffic study of2018, development has exploded in the area. There are now two mega Amazon plants off M-37 and, with the recent announcement of a $110 million expansion at the nearby Gerald R. Ford International Airport to accommodate increased passenger use, traffic count numbers will take off like a Learjet. In March 2022, the state Legislature approved a $4.8 billion infrastructure project that included $40 million for the M-37 project. But state leaders weren’t considering the current growth explosion; they were also not planning for the exponential numbers that seem to be signaled with every car turn sig­ nal and horn beep. MDOT officials said they expect to hold another public comment later this fall. “We have six months to finish the design, assuming we have a preferred alternative,” said MDOT project engi­ neer Tyler Kent. While the primary proposal calls for the extension of the boulevard where it ends just north of 76th St., there was still a troubling, so-called “no-build” option on one ofthe conference room tables at last week’s hearing in Cale­ donia. That option would essentially widen M-37 to four lanes without a boulevard. Such a plan would require less right-of-way than the boulevard concept. The benefit of a boulevard is it’s supposed to keep traffic moving and reduce accidents. Every year crashes on Michigan roads cause devastating .'injuries,: deaths ; and economic losses. >)ln ihci^statisti&Hshcyw thaL^n- Michi1 gaff, persondies traffic trash every eight hours and seven minutes. Road safety should be a major consid­ eration in developing a plan to keep traffic moving safely, especially when the volume of traffic continues to grow. MDOT needs to plead with state officials, who apparently have some extra cash that is burning a hole in their pockets, to give this project the additional money it needs to properly solve the traffic crisis along the M-37 corridor. Just as important, MDOT needs to establish set-back zoning for future and proper expansion all the way to 108th St. This discussion has been a long time coming. It’s incumbent on our leaders to make the right decisions to properly fix the road for one ofthe fastest-grow­ ing areas in the state, especially when it could be years before MDOT offi­ cials take another look at the M-37 roadway. • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year In adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 Wx, AJv Wx �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 9, 2023 — Page 5 WX W<<xx XX \ ?».S X X\?.SX Im seeing ings over the guest column written by Congressman Moolenaar, who highlighted the ffailures of President Biden. These are almost certainly the same people who spent four years blaming President Trump for everything from the COVID pandemic to North Korean Scammer impersonating police busted when he can’t name Barry County Sheriff dictators and even hurricanes! But now we shouldn’t cast blame on the sitting president for the problems we have to deal with right now? Give me a break. Sorry that your guy was no better than the one before. Keith Fallon Thomapple Township New Veterans Affairs Committee comes into focus after round of interviews Truck causes damage to Harvest Pointe lawn Jayson Bussa V ^»?4X W*>l Bi.%1 te/Nk *’isJsis>k SSS^*^ SSS *5JJ 5^JSS«kJ !w^ 5JSJ !w^?!JS w J '*^S«k **HSfe HSfe £>f £>°fv i^Weita^' i^Weita^ *«*^fc* «Hb J -Stow £*•*«£ sa^Mfe ?5?w“**i sa,^Mfe ■umptrflea* umptrflea* itwiHMcimiBBfli MJOMtopW^ wham teteitnpffWKRna sn^sfepalyfesn . TKazDtKOMD'ECTi Mthteiih K HE ?3CJ &i prate £ tff^E5.EKi5^Ki ■a tea B jobs, site io teBlimtei^ M a it & io tospte. «kfctfi®h|W)’ difeterta t ft** tenteteMjfe ^u -^ -.n.l^aca maMYsV 1i11^ W •u•| ■«J[4i$Mttot. a. u smfc IV^ j £wMblatei-f®a I ^ blate® I IVj £wM . . um IBM G-^gnjKsuo suo 1*! JJdMtepte^w***; flffID < *55* . Editor Barry County commissioners met with, and interviewed, a handful of candidates striving to serve on the county’s Veteran Affairs Com­ mittee during a Tuesday morning Committee ofthe Whole meeting. The Veterans Affairs office, which operates through the Barry County United Way, is poised for a significant shake-up at the board level as two full-time terms and one partial term are up for grabs on the five-person committee. Shannon Szukala, who has already served two terms with the Just one incumbent, Shannon Szukala, was in the mix for a seat on Veterans Affairs Committee, interviews in front of the county’s the committee. He has served two previous terms. Committee of the Whole on Tuesday before being re-appointed Incumbent Tim McKay opted not to renew his seat after serving a to his seat. full term and Michael Spangler resigned during his term on the com­ mittee, which opened up the partial-term seat. Still, the county board found a solid talent pool in which to pick from, as has been the case with most ofthe other department boards it interviewed candidates for this year. Six applicants vied for the three spots on the Veterans Affairs Com­ mittee. And, after interviewing all six applicants, the Committee ofthe Whole voted to fill the full-time terms with the incumbent Suzkala in addition to Irving Township resident Charles Alexander, who is a long-time member ofthe American Legion Post 45 in Hastings and its chapter ofDisabled American Veterans. Shawn Ricketts, who lives in Rutland Township and works for the Department ofDefense, received the nod to serve the partial term. All of their appointments are pending a final vote by the Barry County Board ofCommissioners next week. Because all applicants must be veterans themselves, the stable of six candidates provided helpfill insight and perspective into the needs of Barry County veterans along with assessing what the VA office might be able to do better to more effectively reach a large number ofvets. Outreach was a recurring theme among interviewees, many ofthem Charles Alexander fields questions from members of the citing various reasons why veterans might be hesitant to reach out to Committee of the Whole on Tuesday morning. Alexander was the local VA office for help. one of three candidates selected to served on the Veterans “One ofthe biggest .problems Hand it’s a problem everywhere - in Affairs Committee. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) rij i | g.TUi&p A/yeriP .hed rtj&ed Barry County, and in everywhere around the state and the (Country o /bur (veterans) just, don’t know where to < go or who to contact,”, said Jon ; > “We’re kind of a bunch Jofbadasses sometimes’ but we’re also big Rocha, a veteran of the Marines who also ran for Michigan State Rep­ babies,” said Ricketts. “We’re scared. We’re afraid to go to the VA resentative this year. He currently works with the Barry County Sher­ because maybe Big Brother is watching or who knows what’s going iff’s office. to happen? I’ve taken a couple guys from our community, we have not “That’s something I see as the vision going forward, especially for dealt with the VA locally because they refuse. people coming back from service. We need to interject and outreach “I’ve gotten them to the VA and gotten them care...I’m not doing it more,” Rocha continued. “Veterans are a very proud group ofpeople through the (processes) that ya’ll would like to see or that ya’ll strive and they don’t want to ask for help and they don’t want to reach out for with your VA programs, but I think, as far as an outreach goes, we and they don’t want to be a burden to society. Every veteran knows need to reach out more with a big brother hand - maybe not always that. But I’ve had to reach out to Veterans Affairs myself before for the nicest. The guys I’ve helped, I’ve been an ass to them because help. That’s what they’re here for. We served our country and the Vet­ they’re being selfish. erans Affairs is there to serve us.” Rickett’s interviewed turned from light-hearted to serious when he Rocha gave a nod to the Veterans Affairs Office in Barry County for underscored one ofthe most pressing needs in the veteran community. providing quality services, but stressed that the outreach and notoriety “A lot of mental health stuff,” Ricketts said. “You hear the com­ ofthose services was equally as important. ments ‘well, you don’t look disabled’ or ‘you don’t look like you need Szukala echoed Rocha’s sentiments. help.’ And these guys, you hang out with them for a little bit and “It’s always a question about outreach - how can we reach the vet­ they’re a train wreck.” erans more fluidly, more constantly?” said Szukala, a disabled veteran “And that’s the thing that gets me,” Ricketts added as he got choked that has been deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq. up. “My dad killed himself so...I’m sorry.” Ricketts provided insight on what sort of approach might prove More information on the many services offered through Barry most effective in connecting veterans in need with VA-provided County Veterans Affairs can be accessed at barrycounty.org/veterservices. ans affairs. Michigan inflation relief checks: Whitmer seeks $180 per taxpayer Lauren Gibbons r*1 *#a«laW'। mW- e **1” jte I* £ ** *?% l.^iv}w ., iv}w f 0’ ,&** tfOf^ O^ t j»» ite w Jsff* I |F$ dll dl y $& &} ZZ zz Bridge Michigan LANSING — Every Michigan tax filer would get a $180 check from the state this year as part ofa plan pitched by Gov. Gretch­ en Whitmer and fellow Democrats. In an appearance Monday, Whitmer unveiled the onetime proposal that would cost the state $800 million this year. She was joined by House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, and Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids. “Everyone is going to get a little relief,” Whitmer said. “But people that are working hard and struggling are going to get addition­ al relief.” Democrats are advocating for immediate distribution ofthe $180 rebates, which would be sent to the state’s estimated 5 million tax filers. The rebate is for individual tax filers, so if couples filed a joint return, they would get one payment, rather than $360. Children are ineligible. Asked how the administration and law­ makers came to the $180 number, Whitmer said, “Math.” She clarified that Democrats were working to have a targeted impact on people that needed the most he help while also heeding calls for broader relief. “As we looked across what we could do that would be helpful to people, this was going to be the biggest way that we could really make a difference in people’s lives, ” she said. Democrats have a slim majority in both chambers ofthe Legislature, and would need some support for Republicans to pass the measure. Many are already dubious. “One time $180 checks? Are you telling me this is tax relief? Have you ever been a taxpayer?” Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale, wrote in a social media post. The debate comes as Michigan has a sur­ plus of about $9 billion and families are struggling with inflation, which peaked at 9.1 percent in June 2022. Whitmer and Democrats also want to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to 30 percent of the federal version from the cur­ rent 6 percent and rollback the state’s so-called pension tax on retirement income. Whitmer said Monday the goal is to equalize exemptions for public and private pension income, but offered few specifics. Families who make less than about $57,000 are eligible for the tax credit, and about 700,000 in Michigan would save nearly $600 per year under Whitmer’s plan. Pension tax changes would save about 500,000 people some $1,000 per year. Republicans have generally supported an Earned Income Tax Credit expansion and tax reductions for seniors, but they want broader tax cuts. They are pushing Whitmer to allow a 2015 law to take effect to lower the state’s income tax rate to 4.04 percent from 4.25 percent because ofgrowing state revenues. Democrats have said they don’t plan to repeal that law, but they haven’t ruled out the possibility of trying to avoid the rate reduc­ tion through spending down some money. The Democrats’ current plan would pro­ vide more immediate help to those who make lower incomes. A tax filer who earns $30,000 would save about $52 per year in relief ifthe income tax rate was reduced to 4.04 percent under the trigger law, as projected by the Legislature’s non-partisan fiscal agency. Those who make $100,000 would save about $210 every year if the income tax rate was permanently reduced to 4.04 percent. Instead, they would get $180 from the Democrats. “Why would the people ofMichigan give up a permanent tax cut for a small, one-time A scammer’s plans went awry when he underestimated the name recognition ofBarry County’s chieflaw enforcement official. A 55-year-old Hastings man reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be with the Barry County Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 28 around 2 p.m. The caller told the man there was a warrant out for his arrest, but he could take care ofit by paying $3,000. The man grew suspicious and asked the scammer to name the sheriff of Barry County. When the scammer could not come up with an answer, the man hung up and reported the call to the sheriff’s department. The department released a statement on its Facebook page warning ofthe scam. The department stated its members will sometimes make calls to inform individuals of out­ standing warrants, but they will never ask for or accept payments over the phone. The department urged anyone who believes they have been a victim of a scam to contact them, and instructed anyone who suspects they might be on the phone with a scammer to just hang up. payment of$180?” House Republican Lead­ er Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said on Monday. “Gov. Whitmer must stop dodging and start delivering real, permanent relief to Michigan families.” Asked about whether the one-time checks were meant to replace a possible income tax decrease, Whitmer said the Democrats’ plan on the table “dwarfs any help” that doing nothing or waiting for an income tax rollback “that may or may not happen” would. A Thomapple Manor employee called the police around 1 p.m. on Jan. 26 to report damage to the Harvest Pointe Assisted Living property. The employee told police that around 3 a.m. that morning, cameras on the property captured a flatbed truck driving through the parking lot toward the back of the facility, where it traveled through the lawn, damaging the grass and leaving large ruts. The vehicle then drove to the front of the property and left. Suspected drunk driver found unresponsive, transported to hospital Police found an unresponsive driver off the road near East Brogan Road and M-37 Highway around 6 p.m. on Jan. 29. The driver was found by an off-duty Battle Creek officer inside his locked and still running vehicle. An officer with the sheriff’s depart­ ment responded to assist, and the two could not wake the man despite many attempts. Because the man was completely unresponsive and the vehicle was still in drive, police broke the passenger window ofthe vehicle and unlocked the doors. Officers parked and shut off the vehicle while continuing attempts to wake the man, who did not respond. An empty liquor bottle was found between the man’s legs along with other, unopened con­ tainers in the vehicle. The man was transported to Corewell Health Pennock Hospital in Hastings. Woman claims to be victim of hit-and-run but footage shows she was responsible A 54-year-old Middleville woman who called the police claiming to be the victim of a hit-and-run in the Walmart parking lot was later found to be the most likely culprit. The woman reached out to police around 5 p.m. on Jan. 20 to report that her vehicle was hit in the Hastings Walmart parking lot while she was inside the store. She told police a friend had captured a photo ofthe vehicle that allegedly struck her car before it left the tot - a silver Oldsmobile, The wou^n .found ^cratches on the reqr qyartqr panel ofher: carbut told police she had no plansjqfim&kipgia claim with hgriipspranqe; 91 Security camera footage at the store told another story. Police reported the footage showed the woman pulling into her parking spot next to the silver Oldsmobile and reversing three times to adjust. On her final, fourth attempt, the woman appeared to strike the silver Oldsmobile while reversing out of the spot. At this time, the woman appeared to inspect her car for damage before going into the store. When she left the store with her groceries, she did not stop to took for damage. The officer also noted that the silver Oldsmobile appeared to have to maneuver around the woman’s car to safely back out ofthe space, and it did not appear to hit the woman’s vehicle. When police told the woman it appeared that she was the one that struck the other vehicle, she told police that she did not and was checking to make sure her vehicle was within the lines ofthe parking space. Man stops sending money to FBI impostor, continues to send money to alleged supermodel Police were referred to the home ofa 73-year-old Middleville man by Adult Protective Services regarding an ongoing case on Jan. 25. The man told police he had fallen victim to a scam in which a man posed as an FBI agent and asked for money and personal information. The man also told police a Secret Service agent had previously come to his house to tell him he had likely fallen victim to a scam, and that he should stop sending money to the FBI impostor. The man told police he had stopped sending payments and had provided all relevant information on the case to the Secret Service agent. The man also told police he had been sending money to a woman who lived in Tennessee, who told him she was a supermodel. He was paying to sponsor her beauty pageants, he told the police. The man was adamant that this was not another scam, and that he was will­ ingly sending the woman money. He told police that if he believed he was being scammed, he would have called the police. NOTICE: SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS A W&itfc/ie 44^ (Baby Girl) Once again its that time. The Barry County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Mental Health Authority Board: 3 positions, preference with lived experience in mental health diagnosis and/or substance use disorder Planning Commission: 2 positions Solid Waste Oversight Committee: 1 position representing Solid Waste Industry, partial term Tax Allocation Board: 1 position; may not be officially connected with or employed by any local or county unit of government. Zoning Board of Appeals: 2 positions Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor of the Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings; or www.barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application. Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information. 194936 That I send a loving wish to my Valentine. The days are long and lonely, nights, too. And when 1 don't hear from you, it makes me blue. .hist know that 1 love you. That is true. I love you. Baby Girl, and I wish you did me, too. So in ending, I have a hunch. I know no dinner lor us. but what about a lunch? Always do 1 love you. �Page 6 — Thursday. February 9. 2023 — The Haabng* Ba nner Ofauanej Donald Eugene Sears Donald Eugene Sears went home to be with his loving Savior on February 6, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Donnie was bom on December 12, 1938, in Hastings. Ml to Eldon and Grace Sears. He was bom and raised in Middleville and attended Thomapple Kellogg Schools. On August 9, 1963, he married Merle Claypool. They have five children and enjoyed 54 years together before her passing in 2018. He worked at the Charlotte Chair Company for many years until they closed. He was a dedicated, hard worker and contin­ ued his career at Quality Aluminum Products until he retired. Donnie could always be found in his shed building something or tearing something apart. He loved to bowl with Merle on the Friday Night Mixed Moose League He also loved to fish and hunt with his children and grandchildren. He loved his family and had a huge place in his heart for children. He could be seen in his Christmas elfand lucky leprechaun outfits giving out treats at his grandchildren’s school parties Donnie never met a stranger and was loved by everyone. Donnie is survived by his children, Scott (Nita) Sears, Rene6 (Lenny) Brummcl, Randy (Kathy) Sears, April Keillor, Rachel Sears; grandchildren, John (Amber), Samantha (Daniel), Randi Lee (David), A J.. Dustin (Bridget!). Bradly (Taylor), Jason. Zachary. Alexis (Paul), Bailey, LeLand and Wayion; great-grandchildren, James, Naomi, Mack­ enzie, Wyatt, Ellie, Henry, Isabelle, Jaelynn, Lydia, Lane, Johnathan; brother, Lawrence Winans; sisters, Susan Cooley and Patricia Cooley. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Shirley Linker, Ruth Service, Henriet­ ta Service, Gladys Purdum, and brother, Frank Winans. Memorial contributions can be made to “The Cottages” at Thomapple Manor, 2700 Nashville Road; Hastings, MI 49058. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 and again on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at noon with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. The service will be livestreamed at www. facebook.com/girrbachfuneralhome. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave a condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. IRRBACH Tel. (269)945 3252 Funeral Home Fax (269) 945-0663 328 S Broadway Street Hastings. Michigan 49058 Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrbach Providing Exceptional Service । , with Compassion and Care Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfrcemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd.. P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Gaypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m.. Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 pjn. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wg? Upraise This infomation on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Richard Gordon Milleson, age 84, ofHast­ ings, MI, passed afway on Wednesday, I"eb. 1, 2023 at Clearstream Rehabilitation and Nurs­ ing Center. | He was bom on February 17, 1938, the son of Olen Bert Milleson and Eleanora Pauline Flora (Sielaff) Millcson. Richard was a member of the Volvo Club, he even traveled ip Sweden to the Volvo plant. He always had a Volvo in his garage and finished up his last two P1800s as his health was starting to fail. He was also ajnember ofthe GMC Motor Coach Club and traveled the U.S with his GMC buddies, Kellogg 25 Year Club, 4-H Member, Grain Millers (AILCFO) Union and the Airedale Rescue Club. Richard and SOe traveled many places together including California, Arizona to visit his sister, Florida to visit family and many other places with the Motor Coach Club. Richard raced Formula V’s and Formula Ford’s in SCCA back in the 60s. He loved to go fast and that continued on to many family snowmobiling trips. He was a skilled wood-worker and made custom rocking horses for all of his grand­ children. Richard is survived by his children, Brad­ ley (Venus) Milleson of Hastings, Bonnie Heppard ofSan Diego, CA, Bernice Maker of Vermontville; stepchildren, Julie (Jay) Bobrosky, Jeff Bobrosky, Lori Trainer, Lisa (Al) Van Dyke; 43 grandchildren and five great grandchildren and special-niece, Ldfrie Nichols. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sue Milleson and sister, Shirley Nichols. At this time no Services ire being held. A private family graveside will be held at a later date. Any memorial donations may be made to Starting Over Airedale Rescue Inc, Susan G. Coleman, Alzheimer’s Society or the Charity ofOne’s Choice. Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterftineral.com Melissa Mae Schipper, age 59, passed away unexpectedly on January 31, 2023. Melissa Was bom on October 30, 1963, the daughter ofHarold G. Schipper and Diane L. Sutherland. Melissa was raised in Kalamazoo before moving to Hastings in 1976 and graduating Hastings High School in 1981. She then mar­ ried Michael (Tony) Armour and had three beautiful daughters, Samantha, Ashlee and Amanda. In the summertime you would find Melissa floating the river in her kayak or in her pool, relaxing in the sun. The name Melissa derives from the Greek word meaning bee, so it was no coincidence she spent countless hours caring for her bees and collecting anything bee-relat­ ed. She was a true green friend ofthe earth. She found a true love in Jeff Bower who supported and cared for her beyond measure. The two of them met at Riverwalk Cafe where Melissa was employed for several years. She found a second family in her boss and co-workers and adored her customers, as much as they did her. She is survived in death by her mother, Diane L. Reid; father, Harold G Schipper; sisters, Pandora (Paul) Thorton, Stephanie (Ken) Krebs, Candace McCracken; brother, Wayne Schipper; four half-siblings, Collin Schipper, Shane Schipper, Sonja (Ben) Ruder, Crystal (David) Stephens; daughters, Saman­ tha (Nick) Armour, Ashlee (Derek) Armour, Afnan'da (Razale) Armoifr, Abby Bower; grandchildren, Kam den Kaeden, Brennan and Bayah, Morgan, Mateyah and Deondre’, Treyvon, Zayvion and KaeTeana; significant other, JeffBower. She was preceded in death by her grand­ parents, Nolan (Nellie) Sutherland, Henry (Agnes) Schipper; brother, Harold N. Schipper; sister, Colette K Schipper; step-ather, Lyle Reid; step-mother, Gayanne Schipper; brother-in-law, Kenneth R McCracken and great niece, Hannah Crook. Melissa will be commemorated alongside her sister Colette in a celebration of their lives on February 11, 2023. William Morrison Wright went to be with* His Savior on February 6, 2023. He was a godly man, full ofwisdom, kind** ness, and love. He spent his career as * well-respected lawyer, but he spent his life aS* a well loved son, brother, father, grand father,’friend and most importantly— husband. Biff married Patti (Barlow) when he was just 27 years old. Married for 52 years, Bill and Patti*’ enjoyed a rich and fulfilling marriage. As best friends, together they traveled, gardened, played games, baked, did home projects (Bill painted so many rooms), read books, attendee^ church and served God. Bill and Patti raised three daughters, Joy^ Laura and Heidi. Their daughters found ft. easy to love their Heavenly Father, becaus^ their earthly father was so good. A ChristlikeT man, Bill exemplified all the best traits <$r fatherhood. Bill was an excellent Bible teach^ er, but more importantly, he lived out hi^. faith. He was a servant at heart—delighting^ to do the dishes and wash the floors for Patti.; He was generous with his money, taking’ joy investing in God’s Kingdom work. He* was an encourager, always telling his daugh-> ters he was proud ofthem. He was a wise and! trusted counselor, admired by many friend^ including his three sons-in-law. He was loyal grandfather, continuously interested ijj his grandchildren’s various endeavors. *• Bill was not an imposing figure, but he! leaves behind an enormous legacy. —J ) JO memorial service wilL be this Fritfiiy, Feb. 10, 2023 at Calvary Church at 707 E.' Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. followed by the service at, 11 a.m. For those desiring, contributions in Bill’s] honor can be made to Calvary Church Benev-’ olent Fund or Send International. Louis Silsbee William Lake Louis (Louie) Silsbee, age 80, of Hastings, MI passed away on January 31, 2023 at Corwell Spectrum Health Pen­ nock Hospital in Hastings, ML Louis was bom in Hastings, MI, on September 19, 1942, the son of Beatrice (Curtiss) and Glendon Silsbee. He was raised in Hastings and attended local schools graduating from Hastings High School in 1960. In March 1965 Louis was married to Elizabeth (Betty Wilkins) Sils­ bee. The couple made their home together in Hastings where they raised their family. Louis started his working career at Hastings Aluminum Products. In 1966 he began working at the Oldsmobile Division for General Motors in Lansing, MI. Louis was employed with General Motors for 30 years before retiring in 1996. He was also a proud member ofthe UAW Local 652. In year 2000, Louis was the recipient ofa kidney transplant. Both of his children volunteered as donors. The successful transplant provided him 23 additional wonderful years with his family. He kept active and enjoyed a variety of interests over the years including bowling, golf, billiards, horseshoes and playing cards. After retiring, Louis and Betty spent their winters in Gulf Shores, AL, then later Winter Haven, FL. For Louis, real relaxation was cruising. He and Betty traveled to many ports, including New Zealand, Australia, Europe, South America, the Amazon River, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. Louis is survived by his beloved wife, Betty; daughter, Kathy (Bob) Austin ofFort Collins, CO; son, Peter Silsbee ofGrand Rapids; two beau­ tiful granddaughters, EJrin (Freddie) Castillo and Sarah Silsbee; two “bonus grandchildren” Amy and Tyler Austin; great granddaughter, Sophia Castillo and great grandson who will be bom this year; sister, Betty Ebeling, and sister-in-law, Lois Rodgers. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jim Rodgers, Rus­ sell Silsbee, and sister, Phyllis Allerding. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, located at 1401 North Broad­ way, Hastings, ML Immediately following the memorial service, there will be a luncheon served at the Daniels Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to the National Kidney Founda­ tion of Michiganhttps://nkfm.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/ 1169 Oak Valley Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings, ML For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. William “Bill” Lake, age 71, of Lake Odessa, MI, passed away on Janu­ ary 30, 2023, after a val­ iant battle with Vasculitis. Bill was bom on March 21st, 1951, to Bud and Bonnie Lake in Battle Creek. After graduating from Hastings High School in 1969, he went on to work at Viatec for many years. Then Bill and Pat moved to Pearland, TX where he worked as a plant manager Polynt Composites until 2016. In 1975, he met Pat (Mattson) Lake, and they wed in 1976, going on to have Charles* “Chip”, and being a. loving father to Adam and Nikki from Pat’s! previous marriage. He was very good at spoiling his seven grand-J children as much as possible as well as his nieces and nephews. ; Bill was predeceased by his wife, Pat; his parents, Bud and Bon-* nie Lake, and his daughter, Nikki Burr. He is survived by his two sons, Adam (Keri) Burr and Chip Lake! (Erin Cost); his two sisters; Julie Smith and Diana Miller; brother-} in-law, Gary (Nancy) Mattson, Mike Mattson plus his seven grand-} children, Austin (Patricia) Olvera, Dalton Lake, Taylor Burr, Teague* Roelichen, Haily Burr, Caitlyn Lake, and Brooke Patterson. He also! has a great grandchild, Grace Olvera and several grand nieces and! nephews. Bill was an avid hunter, farmer, and loved the outdoors. He loved; to spend time with all of his Family. Bill also loved the Detroit* Tigers (good or bad) as he would watch or listen to every game he! could even when he moved to Texas. When Bill and Pat would move into a new house you could be! sure that he would find a room or even the entire house to be remold- * ed. He was a very handy man and loved to do it. He also loved to bowl in leagues with Pat and various men’s* leagues in Hastings and Lake Odessa. Later in life he was able to! bowl with his son Chip. Bill never really retired as he was also a! maintenance manager for KMG Prestige until his passing. Bill had a heart ofgold and loved everyone. He was truly one of’ a kind and will be sorely missed. ! In lieu offlowers, we ask ifyou could please donate to First Con-! gregational Church ofLake Odessa where Bill was baptized. ! A Celebration of Life will be held on February 15, 2023, at 11 [ a.m. at First Congregational Church of Lake Odessa, 767 Fourth; Avenue, Lake Odessa, MI 48849. There will be a luncheon to; follow. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. February 9, 2023 — Page 7 Esther Walton sibilities of extra income from the railroad Banner, Aug. 9, 1984 traffic, added a dock and some row boats Thomapple Lake is credited with having for rent. When this became increasingly the first resort in Barry County, Cole’s popular, he filled sand in along the shore, Landing, located on the south bank ofThor­ making a beach. The grass around the house napple Lake. The resort sat on top ofa high became picnic grounds and a ball field. Mr. bluff The water’s edge was about 50 feet Cole then added a steamer (steam-powered ^uth ofthe house. In the late 1860s, tracks boat) to transport pleasure seekers around ^ere laid on the north side ofthe house for Thomapple Lake. jle Grand River Railroad (later Michigan “The steamer,” according to Leo Herrick, Central). “Always gave the passengers a long, -• These tracks linked Chicago and Detroit rrefreshing ride. After pulling away from the ^jth a spur at Jackson connecting to Sagidock, it went to Morgan (a settlement eastt dfew. This spur served Hastings and Nashof Cole’s) against the current and then ^JHe with a stop at Thomapple Lake. The turned and came up the north side of the ailroad lroad made it possible for residents of lake to the cove and then back to the dock.” Hastings to board the train, arrive at ThorFrom the 1870s to 1924, the successful n^pple Lake 15 minutes later, spend the resort expanded until it contained a dance dgy, then return home at night. Travelling hall, a large dwelling converted into a hotel, ttbe same distance overland during the same a boat house, and a depot or waiting room period would have consumed a halfofa day for passengers. There was also an ice house one way over wretched, bumpy, dusty and where Cole cut ice in the winter and stored twisting paths - not at all a pleasure trip. it for sale in the summer. , J Charlton Park, now Barry County’s tourThe resort attracted people from Chicago iit attraction at Thomapple Lake, was until and Detroit who would spend a week orr so tbe 1930s still a farm with pastures where at the hotel paying $3 per person per week. the historic village now stands. Occasional­ The hotel had 12 guest rooms. Sometime ly, the obliging farmer would allow people after 1904, a water toboggan slide was to pitch their tents on the pasture next to the added for the enjoyment ofthe resorters. river. The campsite included getting along Cole worked hard to attract tourists and with the cattle who naturally took priority to promote the tourist trade. In the summer rights to the area. “One time,” recalls Mel of 1884, The Banner announced, “The Bar­ Jacobs, “My grandfather’s bull held a fami­ num’s Circus Show stopped at Thomapple ly captive for a whole day in their tent.” Lake Saturday evening where it remained Mel’s grandfather was unaware of the until Sunday afternoon when it passed campers when he let the bull out into the through this place (Hastings), on the way to lower pasture. Muskegon.” This was an unusual occur­ > Cole’s Landing also started out as a farm rence for the circus since they generally in 1866. Mr. Louis P. Cole, seeing the posstopped at towns where they would attract NS S~jSa?§S SjS?§S ~ja§ Starting from humble beginnings, Cole’s Landing expanded from a place to camp and rowboat to a full resort with a beach, dance hall, hotel and steamboat rides. Hu hraitititiittijMb dafelirtotaisl «<tta fete taii gmiWCd Universe hfflFdraijllffi IBSulde hiSite Monkey see, monkey do ^5 How do animals teach their kids how to survive ifanimals can'/ talk? Riley, 11, Texas ■ ■ tg 1*^*21-1* *^*21-1* , /W Dear Riley, There’s really nothing cuter than baby animals. Many animal parents invest lots • of time into caring for their young and r teaching them to survive. * I talked about your question with my # friend Amber Adams-Progar. She’s an ani• mal sciences professor at Washington State University. She’s also an expert in dairy cow behavior. She told me that non-human animals learn in ways that are like how 1 humans learn. “When it comes to learning survival > skills, they pick up some skills from their parents, but they also learn from their peers,” she said. One way animals learn is by watching •< what others do and mimicking them. « Experts call this social learning. Adams-Progar told me that calves in the pasture watch their mothers eating grass. They start doing it, too. Like all mammals, calves drink milk after they’re bom. Their digestive systems aren’t mature until they’re about 12 weeks old. So, they have lots of time to watch other cows eat and practice eating. ' Calves also learn to stay safe from dan­ ger by watching adults and older calves. They watch for changes in the other cattle’s bodies. This is called body language. Lots ofanimals communicate their emotions by changing how they hold their ears, tails and heads. Adams-Progar also studied green anole lizards. They communicate through head bobs. Moving their heads up and down sends messages. Sometimes they spread out the bright red skin under their chins to really make a point. My favorite example of body language is the honey bee waggle dance. Only the t oldest bees leave the colony to search for nectar and other resources. Then, they do a dance to tell other bees where to find them. Adams-Progar told me that many ani­ mals use verbal communication, too. ’‘Technically animals do talk,” she said. ‘‘But they just don’t use the same words or language that we use.” Think about birds. They sing, chirp and call to each other. We may not understand them, but each song, chirp and call is a message. The range of moos, lows and bellows that cattle use are messages, too. But the calls are also unique-like human voices. That helps mothers and calves find each other. Scientists say that animals that use verbal communication even take turns “talking” like humans do. Adams-Progar told me that cattle use all kinds of communication. If a predator shows up, they become uneasy and more alert. They may form a circle to protect weaker members of the herd. They might give calls to alert the herd and get the calves’ attention. They gently nudge the calves into the circle. Over time, the calves learn how to respond to danger. They learn how to keep themselves and their herd safe. It’s not that different from how human kids learn. Just like calves, human babies learn to mimic others. They copy the facial expressions and movements of adults and older kids. They seem to love being mim­ icked, too. In one study, babies were happi­ er to see people who copied them. It’s just one more way we’re all in this together in the animal kingdom. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at DrUniverse@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Xfl mi ua a uc suria 7 • sUtoliMSOiloialhlsioni HIM MOMS Bomr TURNING BflGK THE PAGES more crowds. Apparently Cole’s Landing could and did attract large crowds, reported to be up to 2,000 people a day. Cole’s Landing was a favorite spot for family and group picnics. The Hastings Herald ofJuly 28, 1904 earned this notice: Before Historic Charlton Park, Thomapple Lake was home to Cole’s Landing, Barry “The Methodist Sunday School picnic will County’s first resort, be held at Thomapple Lake, Friday, July 29, and the usual excursion rates have been obtained... arrangements have been made so that those who attend this picnic can return on the train which reaches this city at 5:25 p.m. and it is expected that all children not accompanied by their parents will return on this 5:25 train... a picnic dinner will be provided for all who attend, but those who expect to remain in the evening will need to provide their own luncheon.” The Cole family went to court in 1904 to prevent the lowering of the lake level. According to the newspaper report of the case, it seems that several farmers living along Thomapple River wanted the lake level dropped 4 feet. At the time, muck land Elaine Garlock the season, there may have been as many was the best farmland. Therefore, it seemed The Ionia County Genealogical Society as 80 men employed in the seasonal har­ reasonable to the fanners along the lake that will meet on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Depot vest. Back then, there were no roads along lowering the lake four feet would make Museum on Emerson Street. The speaker the northeast end ofthe lake. Between the available about 66 acres ofthe bottom land. will talk about maps and their importance lake and the railroad tracks was a large ice The Coles didn’t quite see the lowering of in locating where one’s ancestors were in storage building. In due time, a second the lake to be in their interest or to their the early days. The library will be open for building was erected by the Grand Rapids advantage, so the family took the Barry personal research. There are always volun­ company which operated here. There was a County Drain Commissioner and the other teers present to help. siding along the main line which accom­ interested parties to court. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in modated the freight carts which hauled the ice to Grand Rapids. In the first years of The attorney for the Coles argued that town on Monday, Feb. 13 at the Fellowship Hall on 4^ Avenue to collect blood from “Thomapple Lake had been used for float­ business, teams of horses were used to ing logs whenever there were logs to float noon to 5:45 p.m. There is always a need winch the ice up a chute where it was for life-saving blood. directed into the ice house. Tons ofsawdust and occasion to float them.” They contend­ were used as insulation between the layers ed, “As long as there was timber in the Last Friday’s soup supper at the museum vicinity, it was floated upon the lake, and in was well attended. There was a variety of of ice to keep it frozen until time for ship­ soups available along with a salad bar and ping. A narrow channel was scored and the early days timber was brought down the freed ofsquares ofice to form a channel of a dessert table. Serving took place from 5 tributaries, not only to a boom and mill open water to the building. Old newspaper to 7 p.m. with all the tables in use more upon the lake, but also down the outlet to a stories tell the story of how the ice was than once. The local historical society was mill situated at Quimby a mile or two below scored and chiseled and then floated up the the host group. the lake and it had been navigated since by channel in the northeast sector ofthe lake The Ionia County chapter of Retfred thousands in steam boats and skiffs.’. where it went up a'Mrooden chmd Ihto the The Supreme. Court of Michigan held School Personnel will meet next week) at ice house. Eventually, motors were used that “Thomapple Lake being navigable and Ionia High School with their noon meal the drain being admittedly intended to served and prepared by students in the food and they replaced the horses. lower the ordinary level ofthe lake four feet services curriculum. There will be a speak­ A Feb. 22 copy of The Detroit Free is forbidden by the statutes.” This decision er and election of two officers. It is very Press reports that Traverse City had been beset by sleet and rain storms followed by caused hardships for the farmers but was convenient thatjust across David Highway hailed a success for Cole’s Landing. from the school there is The Udder Place, floods and blizzards. Consumers Energy Now all that is left ofCole’s Landing is owned by MOO-ville ofNashville. was reported to have a crew of 300 work­ the dance hall, now a skating rink (as of With 4 inches ofice on Jordan Lake last ing to restore power. There were 178 1984). The hotel burned in 1946. There are week, there was a brief pocket of time high-tension towers down and 80 miles of no trains, no tracks, no toboggan slide. when it was safe to do some ice fishing. lines had not yet been inspected. The fire The skating rink is the only reminder of When the weather turned a bit warmer after department was dependent on local facto­ times gone by when on a hot Sunday you the really frigid weather earlier, the ice ries with their steam whistles which would could swim, ride on the steamer and pic­ began to recede and conditions were no blow to notify local fire units the same longer safe for that popular winter sport. nic. Now pontoon boats and outboard number which would have been blown by In years past, ice harvest was an import­ the power company’s equipment in their motors ply the river and people go to Charlton Park for a day’s entertainment, ant feature of life in Lake Odessa. During alarm boxes. not to Cole’s Landing. Jlalte, QdeUa Pierce Cedar Creek events for Feb. 9-15 February - February Storywalk Book: “Ten Ways to Hear Snow” by Cathy Camper; illustrated by Kenard Pak. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. After your Storywalk adventure, stop by the south side bathrooms of the Visitor Center for activity sheets to learn more about snow science and ways to pay attention to things in nature that might otherwise go unnoticed. February - Member Appreciation Month: Snowshoe check-out. February is Member Appreciation Month at the Institute. As a thank you for supporting the Institute, mem­ bers can check out snowshoes to be used from dawn to dusk on the Institute’s trails and/or over the weekend for free. Snowshoes can be picked up and returned to the Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 269-721-4190 or sign up online to reserve snowshoes. Please note: Snowshoes are limited and may not be avail­ able on particular days. Saturday, Feb. 11 - Family Snowshoe Hike (family friendly), 1-3 p.m. Hikers will enjoy a guided snowshoe hike on the trails while looking for animal tracks, scat and other signs ofanimals. After the hike, partic­ ipants can warm up by the fire with a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. The Institute has snowshoes in most sizes that strap over win­ ter boots. Please note the smallest snow­ shoes are for children 4 and older. Smaller children are welcome to attend in sleds or baby carriers. If there is no snow, the hike will be taken on foot. Members may attend the hike for free; non-member adults must pay $8 and non-member children (4-12) $5 for registration. All children 4 and under may attend for free, but registration is still required. Saturday, Feb. 11 - Couples Snowshoe Hike: Lichen Edition (adults only), 4:30-6:30 p.m. Everyone knows about the “birds and the bees,” but what about the fungi and the algae? Couples will take a romantic snow­ shoe hike through the woods while learning about lichens. After the short hike, couples can warm up by the fire while enjoying hot drinks and a chocolate cheesecake dessert. If there is no snow, the hike will take place on foot. Sunday, Feb. 12 - February Brunch - Wild Kenya: A Photographic Safari. Brunch seatings: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; program starts at 12:15 p.m. Escape Michigan’s cold weather and join Robert Pierce as he takes the audi­ ence on a photographic tour of Kenya from the elephant-rich Amboseii National Park to the spectacular plains of the Maasai Mara. Member adults and children will pay $22 and $12, respectively, to attend. Non-member adults can register for $27 and non-member children can register for $14. Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Painting Lichens: Color Theory with Watercolor (virtual on zoom) 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Forget about lovebirds; celebrate one of nature’s unique love stories this February with lichens. In a symbiotic relationship, lichens are made up ofmultiple organisms that benefit from each other and cannot survive apart—they are liter­ ally inseparable. Join Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and Dayna Walton ofSolstice Hand­ made to learn watercolor methods to capture the many colors and textures of lichens. The live class will be held over Zoom, and participants will receive a video recording of the class. This workshop is suitable for painters of all experience levels, though it is aimed for those 15-years-old or older. Those under 18 can attend with an adult. Participants may pick up their kits at the Institute now. Regis­ tration costs $35 for members and $49 for non-members. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. | HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Feb. 1-Dec. 31 - Read for Growth. More information is available at Beanstack.com. Feb. 1-28 - Blind Date with a Book. Thursday, Feb. 9 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1952 film starring Ginger Rogers, Fred Allen, Victor Moore and Marilyn Monroe, 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13 - Crafting Passion Craft Day, 10 a.m.-l p.m.; Lego club, 4 p.m.; What Happened to You book club, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; Great Decisions Foreign Policy Institute, 1:30-3:30 p.m.; mahjong, 2:30 p.m.; chess club, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Partnership for Warmth, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Arm Chair Travel Group visits Stockholm, 6:30 p.m.; Writers’ Night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. Raymond Charles Daly, Delton and Brittany Alicia Baker, Delton �Page 8 — Thursday, February 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hastings FFA members compete in leadership contests Several anglers registered for the weekend ice fishing tournament at Gillett's Bait & Hardware in Shelbyville on Saturday, Feb. 4. Due to unseasonably warm and inconsistent temperatures, ice fishing is just now getting started. First ice reels in anglers to local fishing tournament Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer When 8-year-old T.J. VanDyk stepped out onto the ice with his dad Tom VanDyk on Sat­ urday at 7:15 a.m., little did he know that his fishing expedition in the first ice fishing tour­ nament ofthe year would reel in a big catch. | “So, firn, you have to try it,” said T.J., who caught a 29-inch northern pike with his dad nearby. “We were on the ice at 7:15 a.m. and T.J. caught his fish at 7:45 a.m.,” Tom VanDyk explained. Describing his strategy in catching his northern pike, T.J. said, “I just tried to do it.” And, what’s the next step after catching his fish? “Eat it,” T.J. said with a big smile. T.J. is one ofseveral contestants that regis­ tered for the weekend fishing tournament through Shelbyville-based Gillett’s Bait & Hardware on Saturday, Feb. 4. According to the shop, T.J.’s northern pike took second place, while Joe Koval’s first place northern pike measured in at 35.5 inches. “It feels good. We’ve been waiting a long time,” Koval said. “My daughter likes to go out, so we always make sure she gets out there.” Koval is not alone. Freezing temperatures could not come fast enough for Todd Bloomberg and his brother­ in-law Mike Platt. Both live in Orangeville Township and love ice-fishing. Bloomberg weitt hdfiie with “a first place perch at 11 inch­ es and his bluegill tied for first place with Travis Hall at 8.75 inches. “Just the excitement, the relaxation, the whole nine yards,” is how Bloomberg describes why he loves to fish. “(It was a) relaxing first time out,” said Bloomberg, referring to the first ice of the year for ice fishing. He said he caught 15 to 20 fish. Hall fished on Gull Lake, was on the ice at 6:45 a.m. and walked off at 12:45 p.m. to make it to Gillett’s at 1 p.m. for check in time. He tied for first place with Bloomberg catch­ ing a bluegill at 8.75 inches. Hall started fishing when he was 6 years old and grew up in the Gun Lake area. Members of Hastings’ Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter traveled to the Calhoun Area Career Center to compete irir leadership contests earlier this month. Addison Mays and Skylar Fenstemaker both received gold awards in the job interview cat-? egory. Katie Clark and Kaylie Carl both won silver in public speaking. Pictured are the competing FFA members (from left): Kaylie Carl, Addison Mays, Skylar Fenstemaker and Katie Clark. (Photo provided) An 8-year-old T.J. VanDyk, stands next to his dad, Tom VanDyk, holding a 29-inch northern pike he caught at Long Lake in Cloverdale. T.J.’s pike placed second at the weekend fishing tournament at Gillett’s Bait & Hardware. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) “It was good. The ice was good,” Hall said ofhis trip on the ice. “We watch the moon set and the sunrise?’ Ahyone interested in joining the weekend fishing tournament at Gillett’s Bait & Hard­ ware can sign up on Saturdays from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., depending on safe ice conditions. Contestants pay $5 for bluegill, perch and crappie fish species and $10 for perch. “All the money we get from the people that buy in, it goes right back to first, second and third places,” said Kyle Ribble, who has owned Gillett’s for two-and-a-half years. “The house does not keep the money. So, we do not want to make money offofit.” In addition, Ribble said the fishing tourna­ ments bring in more bait sales. For more information on the fishing tournament, call Gillett’s Bait & Hardware at 269-672-5371 or visit the store’s Facebook page. Several Civil War artifacts from local collector Wayne Reed are on display at the Hastings Public Library. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Civil War artifacts on display at Hastings library Hunter McLaren Members - bring a friend for FREE in February! Ilf your friend joins, you get a free gift! Call 269.9483139 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! spectrumhealth.org k Spectrum Spectr Health StaffWriter An authentic pair ofbinoculars used by a Confederate soldier in the American Civil War are on display at the Hastings Public Library, complete with their leather case. Hastings resident, history buff and artifact collector Wayne Reed explained that the ori­ gins of the leather case were much more interesting than the binoculars. “The most interesting thing about this leather case is noljjfast that it’s a leather case, but that it’s made from a Confederate sol­ dier’s boot,” Reedisaid. Reed explainedltfiat during the Civil War, the South had much less industrial power than the North, which had a greater number of factories, steel mills and other industry to support its war effort. Ifa Union soldier need­ ed a case for hisf binoculars, he’d tell his commanding officer to order one and it would arrive in a day or two. If a Confederate soldier needed a binocular case, like the former owner of the binoculars on display, he’d have* to get creative. This often meant scavenging battlefields for materials and getting crafty withk a pocket knife or whatever other tools were dn hand. Boots from fallen friends or foes could be used to replace a sol­ dier’s own worn out boots, or could provide leather to craft binocular cases and other items. The binoculars'are just one ofmany Civil War artifacts Reed has provided for the library to display until March. Anyone check­ ing out the exhibit will also have the opportu­ nity to see ammunition found at Civil War battlefields, genuine “carpet bags,” a Confed­ erate newspaper and more. Reed, a former teacher, said he hopes the exhibit could teach kids and adults alike about America’s past and its bloodiest conflict. Reed’s own lifelong love of history was sparked at a young age when he discovered his great, great grandfather fought in die Civil War. With more and more Civil War battlefields becoming developed property, he said it’s become more important than ever to preserve artifacts in an effort to remember the past. “I hope that we learn from our history,” Reed said. “Unfortunately, a lot ofus don’t and we make the same mistakes. History is bound to repeat itself ifwe don’t learn from it.” A copy of the Charleston Daily Couriertrom the period is one of the items on display.. The publication was printed on wallpaper due to paper supply issues caused by the: war. A pair of binoculars used by a Confederate soldier and a genuine carpet bag front the period are also on display. ; �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday February 9,2023 Thursday, 92023 Saxons complete three-peat outdoing Mounties Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings beat out Jackson Northwest by eight points to clinch its third consecutive Interstate-8 Athletic Conference wrestling championship Saturday at Lumen Christi High School. Troy Hokanson, Keegan Sutfm, Robby Slaughter and Lanny Teunessen won individual conference titles for the Saxon varsity wrestling team at the conference tournament, and Hastings had 13 ofits 14 wrestlers place among the top four in their weight class. Zach Chipman, Colton Smith, Cohen Smith, Tate Warner, Isaac Friddle and Parker Roslund each placed second at their weight class for Hastings. Jordan Humphrey and Haiden Simmet both placed third and Mat­ thew Shults placed fourth. “I am really proud ofthe team this Satur­ day and this season,” Hastings head coach Jason Slaughter said. “They won the confer­ ence outright and beat tough teams to do so including Northwest. We set this as our goal at the start ofthe season and it is great to see everyone’s work pay off” Hastings finished the tournament with 216 points, ahead of Jackson Northwest 208, Parma Western 157.5, Harper Creek 91, Mar­ shall 56, Coldwater 39, Lumen Christi 36 and Pennfield 9. “Every win was huge,” coach Slaughter said. “It was huge to have 13 of our 14 guys place and that’s really what helped us. Slaughter, Sutfm, Colton Smith, Cohen Smith, Warner, Teunessen, Friddle and Hum­ phrey have all now surpassed 30 wins on the seasons. Hokanson and Sutfin are back-to- back individual conference champions. Sutfm, a sophomore, ran his record to 35-1 on the season by pinning Harper Creek’s Isra­ el Waite at the end ofthe first period oftheir 132-pound championship match. Sutfin had pins in both ofhis bouts, also sticking West­ ern’s Quinn Ferris 30 seconds into their semi­ final match. That championship match was a big reversal for the Saxons. White had edged Sutfin 5-4 during their conference duall in early January. Hokanson, another sophomore, is now 30-6 on the season after his two wins in the 106-pound bracket Saturday. He outscored Harper Creek’s Camren Brock 6-3 in the finals after pinning Northwest’s Thomas Fall in the second period oftheir semifinal contest. Teunessen, a senior, improved to 39-3 with a pair of falls. He stuck Marshall’s Kooper Lewis in the second period ofthe 190-pound final after getting a first period pin of West­ ern’s Josh Corts in the semifinals. Slaughter, one oftwo returning state med­ alists for the Saxons this winter, is now 39-3 himself after a pin ofWestern’s Titan Parker early in the second period oftheir 150-pound final. Slaughter pinned Coldwater’s Maver­ ick Johnson in the second period of their semifinal bout. Friddle, the Saxons’ other returning state medalists this winter, closed out his sopho­ more season in the 1-8 with a runner-up fin­ ish. He pinned his first two foes, but then was pinned himself by Northwest’s Adam Haselius in the championship match at 215 pounds. Haselius improved to 39-0 on the season. He also bested Friddle in their first meeting this season. The Saxons and Mounties met in three final round matches - for either first or third place. The Mounties won all three of them. Northwest’s Kayden Beach pulled out an 8-3 The Hastings varsity wrestling team celebrates its 2022-23 Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship after winning the conference tournament at Jackson Lumen Christi High School Saturday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) decision in his 120-pound championship match against Chipman. Beach pinned Chip­ man during the Saxons’ 37-33 victory over the visiting Mounties during their December conference dual. Chipman fought off his back in the closing moments ofthe second period Saturday and also scored a late take down in the third period to help avoid giving up major decision points to Northwest. Beach went into the third period leading .8-0. The Mounties did turn one match around against the Saxons. Colton Smith pulled out The Saxons' Troy Hokanson holds down Harper Creek's Camren Brock on his way to a 6-3 win in their 106-pound final at the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship Tournament hosted by Jackson Lumen Christi Saturday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings senior Lanny Teunessen works to pin Marshall's Kooper Lewis in the 190pound championship Saturday at the I-8 Tournament. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) a one-point decision over Northwest’s Jef­ frey Miller during their conference dual, but Miller managed to pin Smith with five sec­ onds left on the clock in the third period of their 126-pound championship match Satur­ day. Smith started the day with pins ofMar­ shall’s Joseph Dolly and Harper Creek’s Dallas Rudd. Cohen Smith pinned his first two foes in the 144-pound weight class for the Saxons, but fell 11-7 to Lumen Christi’s Reid Garcia in the championship match. Warner pinned two foes-in-the 175-pound weight class and then ran into Western’s Alex . Trudell in the championship round and was put on his back himself 70 seconds into the opening period. Saxon heavyweight Roslund, pinned his first two opponents in the 285-pound bracket and then was pinned late in the second period of the championship match by Harper Creek’s Ricky Johnson. Cameron Beach at 113 pounds, Kayden Beach at 120, Miller at 126, Braden Gariety at 157 and Haselius took titles for Northwest on the day. Other conference champions included Coldwater’s Tre’a Miller at 138 pounds and Harper Creek’s Nick Martinez at 165. Shults had a big score for the Saxons in that 165-pound bracket which Martinez won. Martinez pinned Shults in the opening round, but Shults earned a spot in the consolation final by pulling out a 9-8 win over Western’s Alexander White in the consolation semifi­ nals. Just a week earlier, White pinned Shults See SAXONS, page 10 Vikes fends off Laingsburg for final league title Brett Bremer Delton Kellogg's Gauge Stampfler, Gage Vincent and Giorgio Venturi celebrate runner-up finishes in at the SAC Championship Tournament Saturday at Lawton High School. DK trio earns all-conference honors at SAC Tournament Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg wrestler Gage Vincent, Gauge Stampfler and Giorgio Venturi earned runner-up finishes to lead their team at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Tournament hosted by Lawton Saturday. Vincent ran his record to 33-7 with three victories to open the day. He ran into Constantine’s Bear Geibe in the championship bout and Geibe managed a pin in the closing seconds of the second period against the Panthers’ one state qualifier from a year ago. Stampfler took two wins, including an 8-2 decision over Constantine’s Collin Featherstone in the semifinals before falling to Martin/Climax-Scotts’ Haylen Buell in the 132-pound final. Venturi took a 14-1 major decision over Schoolcraft’s Cole Bailey in the 215-pound semifinals before falling 6-2 to Constantine’s Gregg Reed 6-2 in the finals. Reed was one of 12 Constantine wres- tlers to place in the top four in their weight class Saturday. Reed, Preston Lake at 120 pounds, Geibe at 126, Brody Jones at 144 pounds, and Bennett VandenBerg at 285 pounds all won flight championships for the Falcons. Delton Kellogg placed sixth in the 13-team meet. Constantine clinched the conference title with a score of 244 points. Martin/Climax-Scotts wass second with a score of 186, ahead ofLawton 166, School­ craft 155.5, South Haven 130.5, Delton Kellogg 73.5, Allegan 42, Go^Jes 38, WaterWater­ vliet 29, Galesburg-Augusta 24, Coloma 23, Parchment 22 and Fennville 2.5. Tucker Patrick-Swinehart, Gnffyn Har­ mon, Micah Martin, Joelle White and Mitchell Swift also won matches for Delton Kellogg at the tournament. The Delton Kellogg team was set to head to Maple Valley Wednesday for its TaentFeTThe ment m bhe11Pa Panthers fnotrhethrseiggo r o to Bronson SaturTa Feb 11, Tay 11 for their MHSAA Division Diision 4 Individual District Tournament. Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity wrestling team capped off one final undefeated Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference season by outscoring Laingsburg by nine points at the conference tournament hosted by Perry Saturday. Ashton Clark at 120 pounds, Lydon Rogers at 132, Daniel Krebs at 144, Gavin Vaughn at 175 and Joel Simon at 215 all won conference titles for the Vikings. Of the Vikings’ 14 wrestlers, 13 earned a spot in the top four in their weight class. Lakewood got runner-up finishes from Camden Wright, Kade Boucher, Bryan Aguilera. Chris Webb, Brenden Straub and Adrian Oaks each placed third and Zachary Zbiciak and Jaden Manhart were fourth. Lakewood finished the tournament with 224 points, ahead ofLaingsburg 215, Olivet 124.5, Perry 101, Dansville 84.5,’ Sara­ nac 50, Leslie 46, Maple Valley 46, Stockbridge 33 and Bath 27. Jackson Burpee was one of three top four placers for the Maple Valley team. He was the runner-up at 165 pounds. He pinned Saranac’s Hayden Williams and then took a 5-0 victory over Lakewood’s Straub to get to the championship round. Laingsburg’s Seth Sivak took the 165-pound title with a 10-1 win over Burpee in the final. Simon ran his undefeated record to 38-0 in winning the 215-pound title for the Vikings. He pinned all three ofhis foes in the opening period, needingjust 36 seconds total to score his first two pins. He stuck Perry’s Cameron Doody 1:33 into their championship round match. Clark moved his record to 38-3 with his two wins in the 120-pound weight class for the Vikings. He outscored Perry’s Jackson Porter 13-9 in their championship round match. Rogers pinned all three ofhis foes on the way to the 132-pound title. He stuck Per­ ry’s Aiden Turner 58 seconds into their final. Vaughn pinned his two opponents too. He stuck Olivet’s Ben Kelenske with 20 seconds left in the third period oftheir 175-pound final. Krebs won his two 144-pound matches by 15-0 technical falls. He closed his day by outscoring Perry’s Reed Vanwormer in the championship. Aguilera was the only one ofthe Vikings’ runners-up to face three opponents. He pinned Bath’s James Gossett and Leslie’s Max Fourman before falling to Mikey Brooks from Laingsburg in the 190-pound championship. Brooks ran his record for the season to 31-1 with that pin. Wright scored a pin in the 113-pound semifinals for the Vikings and then fell 22-6 to Dansville’s Rowan Bartlett in the championship round. Boucher scored a 15-0 technical fall of Olivet’s Jace Morris in their 126-pound semifinal, but then he was pinned by Laingsburg’s Marlon Gra­ ham in the championship. Oaks scored a 19-4 win over Perry’s Dolton Haley in the 106-pound consolation final. Webb won by injury default over Dansville’s Logan Storey in the 150-pound consolation final. At 165 pounds, Straub closed his day in third with a pin ofLeslie’s Erik Dexter. The Maple Valley Lion team also had Robert Schilz third at 126 pounds and Ash­ ton Kikendall fourth at 120, and teammate Dakota Osenbaugh scored two wins in the 138-pound bracket. Schilz was edged by Laingsburg’s Marlon Graham in their semifinal bout, 5-3, but he bounced back to pin Perry’s Payton Davis in the third period of their consola­ tion semifinal. Schilz closed his day by outscoring Olivet’s Jace Morris 4-1 in the match for third. Laingsburg had 12 top four finishers with Ethan Schneeberger at 106 pounds, Graham at 126, Aden Baynes at 138, Kyle Boettcher at 150, Sivak at 165 and Brooks at 190 winning championships. Olivet had Tyler Schofield win the 157pound title and Laken Piepkow earn the conference title at 285 pounds. The Lakewood team was scheduled to compete in its MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Belding. The Vikings are Freeland for the Division 3 Individual District Tournament Saturday. Maple Valley was set to host its MHSAA Division 4 Team District Tournament Wednesday, and the Lions will head to Bronson Saturday for their individual dis­ trict competition. �Page 10 — Thursday, February 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner DKHS fends off Rats in overtime victory Brett Bremer Sports Editor A couple free throws finally fell in the final minute — but only a couple. They proved to be enough for the Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team to hold on for a 61-57 overtime win over visvis­ iting Holland Black River in a Southwest­ ern Athletic Conference Central Division match-up on Winterfest night at DKHS Friday. Delton Kellogg evened its SAC Central record at 3-3 with the win, its second ofthe season over the Rats. At the time, the win was the fourth in six ballgames for the Pan­ thers who are now 7-8 overall after a non-conference loss to visiting Maple Valley Tuesday. Philip Halcomb had a game-high 25 points to lead the Delton Kellogg boys to the conference win, Jason Lundquist had a big offensive put-back in the opening moments of overtime for the Panthers, after being crowned the Winterfest Duke in the break between the varsity girls’ and boys basketball games. DK also got a big free throw from Grant McArthur with 33.6 seconds left to go in the overtime that made it a two pos­ session game and gave his team a little breathing reatngroom. room. That free throw from McArthur and one from freshman point guard Tyler Howland accounted for the final two points ofan extra four minute session which saw the Panthers outscore the Rats 4-0. “I think that is just two very similar teams,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said. “Both teams played hard. Both teams played fast, at least tried to play fast, and that leads to some frenetic stuff at times.” Delton Kellogg was just 13-of-36 from the free throw line as a team in the ballgame. The Panthers missed four free throws in the Delton Kellogg closed the first quarter on an 11-3 run and led 37-30 at the half. The Panther lead was as many as 11 points in that second quarter. Delton Kellogg senior guard Philip Halcomb flies through bodies to the rim for two points during the Panthers win over visiting Holland Black River Friday on homecoming night at DKHS. He finished with a game-high 25 points. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ATTENTION Johnstown Township 195038 The Johnstown Township Board of Review will be held on the following dates & times: Monday March 13, 2023 9AM to Noon and 2PM to 5PM Wednesday, March 15, 2023 9AM to Noon and Thursday March 16, 2023 6PM to 9PM If you wish an appointment call Barb at 269-721-8443. The statutory requirements of dates and time have been fulfilled by publication in the Battle Creek Enquirer. Delton Kellogg guard Torren Mapes flings a pass across the paint as he runs into Black River's Josiah Thomas during the second half of the Panthers SAC Central win over the visiting Rats Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 194639 Barry County Road Commission PROJECT MANAGER The Barry County Road Commission is hiring for a Project Manager. The Position is responsible for coordinating, planning, inspecting, designing, and directing civil engineering projects such as roads, bridges, culvert, and storm sewers. A bachelor’s degree or comparable work experience or combination of the two is required. A Professional Engineering certificate from the State of Michigan, or ability to attain, while not required, is desirable. A Job description and application is available online or at the Road Commission office. Resumes and applications can be sent to the Barry County Road Commission (Phone 269-945-3449) at P.O. Box 158, Hastings, Ml 49058 or by email at bcasey@barrycrc.org. We will be accepting resumes and applications until the position is filled. Starting salary will be dependent upon qualifications. The Barry County Road Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT APPLICATION AT MAtfERl.2O^ MEETING TO: HE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on March 1, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The items to be considered at this public hearing include the following: The application of Bud Express, LLC dba BE Provisioning (by J. Dar­ rell Pritt, Jr., owner) for special land use approval of a Marihuana Retailer business on a vacant 8.67 acre parcel on West M-43 Highway (parcel number 08-13-013-008-00). The subject property is located in the MU Mixed Use District. The land use proposed by the applicant is permissible in this zoning district, subject to special land use approval (and site plan approval). Freshman guard Tyler es the attack head for during its SAC Central Black River Friday night. Bremer) Howland push­ Delton Kellogg bailgame with (Photo by Brett Black River rallied in the second half despite foul trouble for one of its leading scorers Jonah Vandermeer. The Rats took a momentary lead at 46-45 a minute and a half into the fourth quarter on back-to-back buck­ ets by Julian Fowler and Kai Norman in the paint. Howland answered with a quick three-pointer at the other end to put DK back in front 48-46 and the two traded buckets from there until they were knotted at 57-57 withjust under a minute to play. Delton Kellogg missed four free throws with the score knotted in that final minute, but managed to shake it offfor the overtime period. Halcomb had two of those attempts with just 4.3 seconds to play. The Panther guard had 20 points in the first half, including 16 in the second quarter. He also ripped down 13 rebounds. “Spectacular,” Hogoboom said of Hal­ comb’s performance overall. “Sometimes he is so determined to get to the hoop that sometimes he gets too deep into trouble. I thought he did a good job of weaving through the traffic and making good choic­ es and finishing strong. He carried us the first half.” McArthur closed the night with a career high 13 points. Coach Hogoboom was also happy to see the psychical play in the paint from Lundquist and Victor Gonzalez. He also really liked how his team as a whole handled the clock in overtime as it worked to preserve its slim lead. Lundquist finished the night with 8 points and 9 rebounds. Black River had four guys in double fig­ ures. Fowler had 11 points, Norman 12 and Vandermeer 10. Josiah Thomas had a teamhigh 14 points. A 9 LjjfllJ?®®" 41 i ■ igeofsae--^^ igeofsae ^^ i nrtcsscnxtteB • siwtaattiMQ. Maple Valley boys take a second victory over Delton Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley varsity boys’ basket­ ball team got its first win since Jan. 3 as it scored a 54-39 victory at Delton Kellogg High School Tuesday night. It was the second meeting ofthe season between the two teams. Maple Valley took a two-point win when the team teams met back in the season opener in December. Ayden Wilkes led the Lion attack with 16 points and 4 assists. Reese Proctor-Burhans came up big for the Lions with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Maple Valley also got 10 points from Chanse Courtney, and Callan Hoefler added 6 points, 5 steals and 6 rebounds for the Lions who are now 5-11 overall this season heading into a Greater Lansing Activities Conference match-up at Lake­ wood tonight, Feb. 9.‘ “We played our most consistent game of year,” Lion head coach Ryan Nevins said. “I thought we had another good night of sharing the ball and getting lots of guys touches. Delton came out hot the first quar­ ter and as able to take a 16-12 lead. 1 thought we were a little stagnant against their zone to start. As the game went on we were better with ball movement and player movement to create good opportunities for us. I thought we really stepped it up on the defensive end starting in the second quar­ ter.” The Lions held the Panthers to six points in the second quarter and went into the half with a 25-22 lead. Proctor-Burhans had a coming out party according to his coach. He scored 8 of his 12 points in the first half, and coach Nevins really liked his work in the paint on the defensive end too. Proctor-Burhans, Cam Carpenter and Hoefler had three offensive rebounds each, and the Lions’ work on the offensive glass was big as they stretched their lead to ten points early in the fourth quarter. “We lacked energy as a team and that led to some breakdowns on D and multiple possessions for Maple Valley with multiple shots,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said of the second half. He counted 14 to 18 second chance points for the Lions in the ballgame. “I really like to win, but I am more con­ cerned about output than outcome,” Hogoboom said. “We continue at times to play without the necessary effort and energy, and today it cost us as it has two or three other times this year.” Philip Halcomb was once again Delton Kellogg’s top scorer with 21 points. Torren Mapes had 9 points for the Panthers. “Give Maple Valley credit. They won most of the fifty-fifty balls and got contri­ butions from six different guys. I think their league has them a b it battle-tested, and they are dramatically better than their record might indicate.” Delton Kellogg falls to 7-8 overall this season with the loss. The Panthers will be home to take on Gobles Friday. The Lions faced one of their tough league tests last Friday, Feb. 3, falling 77-43 to visiting Olivet. The Eagles remain unbeaten at 16-0 overall this season and are currently 9-0 in the GLAC. “It was really a tale oftwo halves,” Nev­ ins said. “We played some ofour best bas­ ketball of the year in the first half against the number three ranked team in Division 2. We executed really well on the offensive end and got a lot ofreally good looks. We were able to keep pace with a team that shoots the ball really well. It was nice to see us share the ball and get a lot of guys involved. We had eight different guys score in first half.” The Eagles made some adjustments and started the second halfon an 8-0 run to take control offthe ballgame. Eagle point guard Bo Lincoln had 32 points and 3 steals to lead the Eagles. “We did a nice job in the first half of containing their two big guys, but in the second half we were forced to get out on their shooters which allowed them to play 1-on-l in the post.” Drew Priddy finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists for Olivet. Brayden Wine had 11 points and 7 boards. Wilkes led the Lions with 16 points. He drilled 4 three-pointers and had 3 assists. Courtney added 8 points and 7 rebounds. Connor Joseph chipped in 8 points and 3 assists for the Lions. ■mum MMMB pus ML o***m ±*<t <to to**U Such other matters as may properly come before the Planning Commission at this meeting. nharfor ^Vritte^.C0I^iments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland ni?hi^ h2Z^hlp r erk atJhe Rut,and Cha«ter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hZaring/meeft fUrther be SUbmitted to ,he Planning Commission at the ahnvA-rpSpn^d1 Townsh|p. Code, Zoning Map, Master Plan, and the *e*u examined contacting rReHuathula lan rdNbCutishianr etpsrsdTd dnHawvn tsQhind i!? U '^ap-P t^hJ® licat'on T<5!vnshhiPmay i Halflfidurin fg reguldarbybftusi tnhess hboliursthe tion oHh s Notice anddHntn a nd in!? ^^Jownship offices from and after the publication examined at the hearing/meetinj 9 y °' ‘he hearln9/mee‘in9. and further may be services aUhe meebna/hearinn^tS yvi!].P.'?vi^e necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and heairingS i-m ahtpa"? irTeedm a0nedh*,in a9u /dhiIeoatariipniegs toolf pinrdinitv eiddu maK lastew riiitahls d hisoainbnilities such as sianers for the hnoetaicriengtoim thpeairTeodw annsdhipa.udiIontdaivpiedsuaolfspwrinrttedd mKatertiiaelss hmoi^nnrin! ±r6n d.a’ s^ s2l9"nreerassoTonrabJ,"e0 snhooticeld tcoo tnhteacTt othwensThoiwp.nsIhnidivCidleuraklsasw drtesdinKXcItiebslt soudcontactte should contact the Township owns p Clerk er as asdesgn designXcI c bltow b 9 a'dS °f Sem Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 SAXONS, continued from page 9 during the Saxons’ 1-8 dual with the Western Panthers. The Saxons were undefeated in the 1-8 this winter, winning all seven oftheir conference duals before taking Saturday’s tournament championship. Hastings was set to face the daunting task of chasing an MHSAA Division 2 District Championship at Ionia High School Wednes­ day evening, Feb. 8. The Saxons had an open­ ing round bye and were set to face the winner of the semifinal match between Ionia and Lowell in the district final. Lowell is once again ranked number one in the state in Division 2 heading into the state tournament and the Red Arrows are chasing their tenth consecutive state championship. The Saxons were ranked eighth in D2 head­ ing into the postseason. The Saxons will host their MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 Individual District Tournament Satur­ day, Feb. 11, at Hastings High School. Hastings tested itselfheading into the conference and postseason tournaments by hosting Greenville, a team ranked seventh in the state in Division 2, Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Hastings High School. Greenville took a 59-6 victory over the Sax­ ons with Hastings getting its six points thanks Simmet at 150 pounds. He pinned Greenville’s Jaxon Croy in the second period of their match after the Yellow Jackets had built a 47-0 lead through the first 11 weight classes. Greenville had six pins in the dual, but the final team point total was a little more lopsid­ ed than some ofthe bouts would have made one think. Greenville won five decisions by two points or less. Greenville's Isaac Dailey edged Warner 2- 1 in the 175-pound match to start the day. Conner Peterman took a 1-0 win over Chip­ man at 120 pounds. Troy Courtney scored a 3- 2 win over Colton Smith in the 132-pound match. Liam Dailey bested Sutfin 3-2 at 138 pounds. In the 144-pound match, Casey Eberspeaker scored a 3-1 win over Cohen Smith. Hastings also took a 75-6 win over Maple Valley Wednesday. Hastings got pins from Tate Warner, Kyle Echtinaw, Logan Kerby, and Justus Forell and a 12-5 decision from Joe Goggins in his 138pound dual with the Lions' Robert Schilz. Slaughter, Teunessen, Roslund, Hokanson, Humphrey, Chipman, Sutfin and Cohen Smith each won by forfeit for the Saxons. Jackson Burpee scored a pin for Maple Valley in the 165-pound match against Shults. XX X �”1$ The Hastings Banner — Thursday. February 9. 2023 — Page 11 FORECLOSURE NOTICE if SS& Nt w ^lioyslakeaaiiilioiyfflrDefc hr htDiiboiG^Fri^ littatadootoftax Attention homeowner If you are a miittary serwce y, y p y has concluded leas than 90 days ago, v ffyou have been ordered to active duty, ptease contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this nonce. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Nonce is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage wil be foreclosed by a sate o the mortgaged premises, or some part o* them, at a public auction sate to the highest tedder or aap cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01.00 PM, February 23, 2023. The amount due on tthe mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaserr is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Christopher Banash and Martha S. Reyff-Banash. Husband and Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as a nominee for Residentiall Loan Centers of America, Mortgagee, dated August 15, 2005, and recorded on August 31, 2005, as Document Number: 1152007, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Specialized Loan Servicing LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage dated February 06, 2019 and recorded February 06, 2019 by Document Number: 2019-000972,, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred and 22/100 ($111,700.22) including interest at the rate of 5.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range 8 West, described as: Beginning at a point 1217.5 feet West of the North 1/4 post of said Section 5; Thence South 353 feet; Thence West 236.5 feet; Thence North 118 feet; Thence West 200 feet for the place of beginning; Thence East 200 feet; Thence North to intersection of highway; Thence along highway in Southwesterly direction to the place of beginning. Parcel D: Commencing at the North 1/4 post of Section 5, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; Thence West along the North Line of said Section 1502.00 feet; Thence South 47.67 feet to the Centerline of Coats Grove Road; Thence 188.66 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 49 degrees 50 minutes 48 seconds West, 186.48 feet to the true place of beginning; Thence continuing 68.36 feet along said Centerline and the arc of a curve to the left the radius of which is 358.10 feet and the chord of which bears South 29 degrees 17 minutes 10 seconds West 68.25 feet; Thence North 81 degrees 10 minutes 46 seconds West 112.73 feet to an intermediate traverse line of the Shore of Leach Lake; Thence North 16 degrees 14 minutes 44 seconds East along said Intermediate Traverse Line, 67.00 feet; Thence South 80 degrees 03 minutes 46 seconds East 127.96 feet to the place of beginning. Including land lying between said Traverse Line and the waters of Leach Lake. Commonly known as: 137 COATS GROVE ROAD, HASTINGS. Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. Ifthe property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to'the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest Dated: January 19, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates. P.C. Attorneys for Specialized Loan Servicing LLC 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 22MI00804-1 (01-19)(02-09) ■rffconii si***^** ^09* Ji** & /J , 194106 Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Mitchell Owen, Married Man, to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated October 5, 2018 and recorded October 11, 2018 in Instrument Number 2018-009924 Barry County Records. Michigan. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred One Thousand Nine Hundred Two and 78/100 Dollars ($101,902 78). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 8, Block 13 of Kenfield's 2‘nd Addition to the City of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 37 of Barry County Records. 736 E South St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2, 2023 File No. 23-000380 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-02)(02-23) 19048081 LEGAL notices No Ntiocteic •e ggvenunersecon oifveFnoruencdloesr usreectbioyn 3^ Notice•givenundersection3 oce ___ judicature ya of1861.1961 PA236 MCL600^ sthat thaatet the tohef tfollowing fhoellomwoinrgt amortgage moerdtgaPgreem wis(|| w (|e| 5b ^X^o 'foret^ h ' sate of the mortgaged Premise5 ^X^o ' them, at a public auction sale to ethoplace of holX for cash or cashier's check natv utart.n °f hoW ng t1h:e00ciPrcMu.itocnouMra t itnchB 2a.rr7yo C2o3 u?nthve utart.n ?he mortgage may be greater on the day of sate Ptecmg the highest bid at the sale doe. , , 9 ear ,ow,nernh”of entitle the purchaser to free and . dear the property. A potential purchaser iis encouraoed encou to contact the county register of deeds office or a btte :nSU.faT CTPanV ei'her °' which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagor(s) Linda S aer single woman . C*8'"31 Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems. Inc, as mortgagee as nominee for tender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any) Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: June 28, 2016 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 27 2016 Amount claimed due on date of notice $116,079.68 Description ofthe mortgaged premises: Situated Township of Baltimore. Barry County. Michigan and described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 1, T2N, R8W THENCE NORTH 189.50 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 50 MINUTES EAST 277.50 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 189 50 FEET THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 50 MINUTES WEST 277.50 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; KNOWN AS LOT D. Common street address (if any). 4977 S Charlton Park Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9152 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: February 2, 2023 Trott Law, P C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1487989 (02-02X02-23) 194579 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of ,1961.1961 PA.236, MCL 600.3212, that the. following Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01.00 PM, on March 9, 2023. The amount due on the Mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a Mortgage made by Barbara L. Davis to Reliance First Capital, LLC dated August 24, 2019 and recorded September 5, 2019 as Instrument No. 2019-008515, Barry County, Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held by Reliance First Capital, LLC by assignment and/or merger. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $178,507.81. Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF BARRY, STATE OF MICHIGAN IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 2015­ 009703 AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 3 OF ACKER S PLAT, HOPE TOWNSHIP. BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS ON PAGE 7. SUBJECT TO EASEMENT OF RECORDED IN DEED RECORDED IN INSTRUMENT NUMBER 1174432 ON DECEMBER 28, 2006 BETWEEN SHIRLEY SPARKS AND PHILLIP D. NGUYEN, A SINGLE MAN, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS, USE, BUILDING, AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD, IF ANY. APN: 07­ 040-003-00 COMMONLY KNOWN AS 4179 S SHORE DR, DELTON. Ml 49046 HOWEVER, BY SHOWING THIS ADDRESS NO ADDITIONAL COVERAGE IS PROVIDED Said property is commonly known as 4179 S Shore Dr, Delton, Ml 49046. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Please be advised that any third party purchaser is responsible for preparing and recording the Sheriff's Deed. If this Is a residential Mortgage, the following shall apply: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU: ARE A DEBTOR IN AN ACTIVE BANKRUPTCY CASE; ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF A BANKRUPTCY STAY; OR, HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY AND YOU HAVE NOT REAFFIRMED THE DEBT, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Dated: January 17, 2023 Attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage: Thomas E. McDonald (P39312) Brock & Scott. PLLC 5431 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (844) 856-6646 File No. 22-00091 (01-19)(02-09) Financial Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage wHI be foredosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them at a public auction sate to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1.00 PM, on March 9. 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sate Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nicholas Haskins, single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: December 20,2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 23,2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $156,286.31 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County. Michigan, and described as: The South 330.00 feet of the East 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 14. Town 4 North, Range 8 West, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 3491 E M 43 Hwy, Hastings, Ml 49058-7723 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: February 9, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1489005 (02-09X03-02) 194945 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MOL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Jhapel Santiago, single man, whose address is 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc, being a mortgage dated October 15, 2020, and recorded on November 3, 2020 in Instrument Number. 2020-012027, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated November 22, 2022 and recorded on November 22, 2022 in Instrument Number. 2022-011765, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT AND 18/100 DOLLARS ($126,358.18). Said premises are situated in the Township of Hope, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 31 of OAK OPENINGS, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 47. Street Address: 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: February 9, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 4817 (02-09X03-02) FOCUS rovided by the Barry County offices of EdwardJones Andrew Cove, AAMS® Member SIPC Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor Financial Ad 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 00 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Could you cope with long-term care costs? We all want to stay healthy and live independently throughout our retirement years. Unfortunately, that won’t be possible for some of us. so it’s a good idea to be prepared for health-related challenges — such as the need for long-term care. As you may know, long-term care covers a variety of services, ranging from occasional visits from a home health aide to full-time residency in a nursing home. But while these types of care may vary in duration and intensity, they all have one thing in common — they’re expensive. Genworth. an । nsurance company, reports these median annual costs: • Over S 100,000 for a private room in a nursing home • Over $60,000 for the services ofa home health aide Furthermore, Medicare typically pays very few of these expenses, which means the burden of payment will likely fall on you — or, even worse, on your adult children if you can’t afford the care you need. Of course, you could hope that you will avoid these costs simply by not requiring any type of assistance — but the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor. In fact, someone turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services in their remaining years, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. So, how can you protect yourself from the potentially enormous costs of long-term care? You could decide that you’ll pay out ofpocket — if so, you’ll need to incorporate into your retirement budget a reasonable estimate of potential long-term care costs, and you may need to make some significant changes to your saving and investment plans. And the earlier you begin, the better. Your other option is to purchase some form oflong-term care insurance. Essentially, three types ofcoverage are available: • Traditional long-term care insurance - A traditional long-term care policy covers long-term care expenses in your home or at a nursing facility. But policies will differ in terms of what services are covered and how benefits are paid. And you may also be able to choose whether you want inflation protection. Also, with some policies, you can deduct the premiums from your slate and federal taxes. (Your tax advisor can evaluate a policy you’re considering for potential tax benefits.) • Hybrid long-term care insurance In addition to providing coverage for home health care or a nursing home stay, a hybrid long-term care policy also offers a death benefit, so if you never need long-term care, your family could benefit from the policy’s proceeds. • Life insurance with a long- NOTICE Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Brandi Marie Waldon, Married Woman, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 23, 2021 and recorded August 24, 2021 in Instrument Number 2021-010565 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Two and 65/100 Dollars ($184,172.65). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of CASTLETON, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 1, Block C, of the Plat of Pleasant Shores, according to the recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 59, BanyCounty Records. 1004 Valentine Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2, 2023 File No. 23-000507 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 term care rider - You can find a life insurance policy that lets you add long-term care coverage through a “rider.” or optional add-on. With this type ofpolicy, you can use some of the death benefit to pay for your long-term care needs. Which policy is best for you? There’s no one right answer for everyone. A financial professional can help you evaluate all your options within the context of your overall investment and protection strategies. But keep in mind that all long-term care policies tend to get more expensive as you get older, so if you’re considering this type of coverage, you may want to get started sooner rather than later. Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309 For Arkansas (when applicable): Arkansas Insurance License Number [insert FA license number] Ulis article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. EdwardJones, member SIPC STATE OF MICHIGAN IN THE 5TH CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF BARRY CASE NO. 23-57-CH ORDER TO ANSWER Hon. Vicky L. Alspaugh CHAD HART . MICHELLE HART f/k/a MICHELLE BARKER, Plaintiffs, vs. JOHN DOWLING, JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Deceased and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOYCE JOAN DOWLING. Defendanta_________________________________ David H. Tripp (P29290) Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-948-2900 david@ttslaw Attorney for Plaintiffs____________________ TO: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Deceased Based on the pleadings filed in the above entitled case, it is ordered that any of the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling shall file a Notice of Interest in the real property commonly known as 4555 Orchard Road, Delton, Michigan 49046, more fully described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast Comer of the Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 4, Town 1 North, Range 9 West; thence South 350 feet; thence West 175 feet; thence North 350 feet; thence East 175 feet to the Point of Beginning, Barry Township, Barry County Michigan. Subject to easements, conditions, and restrictions of record. Parcel ID No: 08-03-004-007-00 By at least 3 days prior to the date noted below, to assert any interest in the above described property. If the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling fail to do so that shall constitute a default in the above entitled matter, and on the 5th day of April. 2023 at 10:15 o’clock in the forenoon, this Court shall take proofs and shall terminate whatever interest the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling may have in and to the above described property unless Notice of Interest in the Real Property is filed or unless the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling appear on that date. Date: Feb. 1.2023 Honorable Vicky L. Alspaugh (P42572) Drafted by: David H. Tripp (P29290) Tripp. Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 269/945-9585 194798 (02-02)(02-23) 194762 194973 194204 A �Page 12 — Thursday, February 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxons shoot out to lead in _ overtime, win at Lumen Christi Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons didn’t let this one get away. The Hastings varsity boys* basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 56-49 overtime win at Jackson Lumen Chris­ ti Friday, Feb. 3. The Saxons had dropped the previous three ballgame by five points or less, and fell by a single point when they met the Titans in Hastings back in December. The Saxons made a few nice plays on both ends ofthe court early in overtime as part of an 8-0 run to start the extra sessions and then survived a free throw shooting contest over the final couple minutes. A couple nice feeds from Saxon center Hayden Long sparked the Hastings offense in the overtime. Hastings won the tip to start the extra four minutes. Point guard Owen Carroll got the ball to Long in the high post and Long quickly found cutting teammate Layton East­ man for a lay-up. Steals by the Saxons* Jett Barnum and Car­ roll ended the'first two Titan possessions of the overtime. An offensive put-back by Barnum and another bucket by Eastman following those two Titan turnovers boosted the Hastings lead to 48-42. Another bucket in transition by Bar­ num, off a feed from Carroll on the break, capped the 8-0 run. The Titans did mange to get back within three points as the clock ticked under a min­ ute. Hastings was just 4-of-10 at the free throw line in the overtime period. Lumen Christi made its final push to force overtime at the free throw line late in regula­ tion. The Saxons were up by three with 1:13 to play in regulation after Eastman knocked down a free throw. The Titans* Joe Lathers took matters into his own hands in the final minute, pushing to the rim for a couple wild lay-up attempts. He hit the first as he collided with Eastman, who wasjust a step late getting acrosss the lane lane,, but Lathers missed his and-one attempt at the line to leave the Saxons in front 38-37. Carroll took the ball away from the Titans, who had rebounded Lathers’ free throw miss,, and fired it ahead ofEastman for a lay-up that bumped Hastings’ lead back up to three-points.. L Lathers responded with another wild sprint to the rim where he ran over Long, who was whistled for a blocking foul. Lathers hit the two free throws to get his team within 40-39 with 42 seconds to go. Barnum drilled two free throws was the clock went under halfa minute to play to get the Saxon lead back to three points. Kadale Williams evened things up with a driv­ ing shot along the lane with 14 seconds to go. He drilled his shot and was fouled, then he stepped to the free throw line to tie the game at 42-42. Both teams had a heave at the basket in the final seconds ofregulation. Eastman finished with a game-high 21 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Myles Padil­la had 14 points for the Saxons. Barnum fin fin-­ ished with 8 points. Long had 6 points to go with 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Carroll had 4 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. Laters led the Titans with 14 points. It was a tough night behind the arc for the hosts who were just 4-of-21 shooting from three-point range. Th -ep win mo gve.d the Saxons’ record to 6-8 The moved on the season and 4-5 in the Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference. The Saxons take on Harper Creek this Friday in Hastings. The Beavers are 6-9 overall and 4-5 in the 1-8. Lumen Christi is now 10-5 overall and 5-4 in conference play. Hastings girls have second half lead get awayy at JLC g Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons had a double-digit Interstate-8 Athletic Conference lead get away for the second time this season as they fell 33-29 at Jackson Lumen Christi Friday. The Hastings girls also saw a good lead get away in their first meeting with Harper Creek, in Battle Creek, last month. The Hast­ ings varsity girls’ basketball team gets its second shot at the Beavers this Friday night, Feb. 10, at Hastings High School. A single bucket by sophomore forward Rachael Hewitt accounted for the Saxons’ only fourth quarter points last Friday at Lumen Christi as the Titans went on a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter. “We panicked and we missed lay-ups and we turned the ball over three straight posses­ sions and they started to come back,” Hast­ ings head coach Chase Youngs said. “We really were in control ofthe thing until there were about three and a halfminutes to go in the game. We played well.” The Titans struggled with the size of Saxon duo Bailey Cook and Hewitt. With a defensive focus on slowing down Cook as well as guard Macy Winegar, Hastings was able to take advantage ofHewitt’s size and skill in the post. She finished the game with a team-high 14 points. Hastings had a 27-18 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Youngs said his girls were up by 11 points at one point in the third quarter. He saw his girls tighten up a bit once the Titans started putting pressure on them. An injury to freshman forward Olivia Friddle also took a little spark out ofthe Saxons in the fourth quarter. Khiya Hunt sparked the Titans with a three-pointer early in the fourth. She finished the bailgame with a game-high 17 points. She had ten in the fourth quarter. Camy Crandall added 7 points for the Titans, all in the second half. Hastings got 5 points each from Winegar and Friddle. The Saxons are now 7-10 overall this sea­ son and 2-7 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference. Lumen Christi is also 7-10 overall and now 3-6 in the conference heading into this weekend’s action. .IT IT Delton Kellogg's Lillie Ferris fires up a baseline jumper during the second half of her team's SAC Central ballgame with visiting Holland Black River Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg guard Jordan Lyons beats Black Rivers Celia Baerwalde to the bucket for two points during the second half Friday night at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) DK doesn’t quit, but needs better starts Brett Bremer Sports Editor Before she wore a crown, she wore a smile. Delton Kellogg senior Allie Trantham and the Panther varsity girls’ basketball team suffered a rough 51-*32 loss to visiting Holland Black River in a Southwestern Athletic Con- ference Central Division ballgame in Delton Friday. The Panthers need a more consistent per­ formance, but they found things in the second halfto be pleased with for sure in the loss to the Rats on Winterfest night at DKHS. Trantham left the floor with a big smile on her face in the closing seconds of the third quarter after scoring six points in the third. She had an offensive put-back, attacked the bucket with the dribble once for a score and also knocked down a pair of free throws in the period. More naturally a small forward, Trantham has,been asked to play more of apost role, this season for the Panthers. She led the Panthers’ in three-point shooting' a year ago. “It’s fun watching her attack, get to the free throw line, smiling,” Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn said. “A couple of the moves she made are things we have been working on and she looks over to the bench and smiles like - hey, there you go. That is always fun. She just works so hard, and she’s a duchess now. We’ll have to treat her different now that she’s royalty. I just lover her effort. She just tries so hard at everything. “That is who we are. We have kids that are out of position and playing positions they haven’t played before.” Trantham was honored as the DKHS Win­ terfest Duchess, alongside Duke Jason Lundquist, between the varsity girls’ and boys’ spark the Blackhawks. basketball games Friday. Leslie led the ballgame 15-13 at the half. The Delton Kellogg girls did a lot ofgood In the loss at Stockbridge last week, the things in that third quarter. They held the Rats Vikings were led by 9 points from Jablonski scoreless for about five minutes. Lillie Ferris and 6 from Acker. It was another bailgame where the hosts put a body on Black River star center Olivia pulled away in the second half. Lakewood Hayes in the post to secure the rebound on the Rats’ first miss ofthe second half. trailed 23-16 at the break. “The quest is, girls, play like that as soon Stockbridge got 20 points from Kegan Colas the tip goes up,” Mohn said. “We have lins and 11 from Joey Ballagh. Collins hit 6 three-pointers in the ballgame, 2 in each of tried pressing. We have tried man. We have tried zone, just to try get a little different and the first three quarters. Ballagh drilled 3 get our legs under us. I don’t know ifwe’re threes. He had 8 points in the second half. just fashionably slow starters. It doesn’t help The Blackhawks hit 10 threes as a team. Lakewood is scheduled to host Maple Val­ when you don’t shoot the ball. We have to shoot the ball better.” ley tonight, Feb. 9, in GLAC action and will Mohn said his girls got 24 shots up in the be home twice in the week ahead taking on first half, and only a couple were question­ Lansing Christian Tuesday and Olivet Friday. able. 14**atoiws eoaiSp®!*** iritaHhain xiMoakeaiiii- gwalikifiL-'au HuvSZctg Vikes fall at Stockbridge , Leslie without leading scorer Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings struggled to score the basket­ ball against Greater Lansing Activities Con­ ference foes Stockbridge and Leslie on the road, and saw the Panthers and Blackhawks reverse results from earlier in the season. The Lakewood varsity boys* basketball team fell to 9-8 overall and 5-4 in the GLAC with a 43-33 loss at Leslie Tuesday. Stockbridge best­ ed the visiting Vikings 48-27 last Friday. Lakewood faced the two conference foes without leading scorer Jayce Cusack. Eli Jablonski led Lakewood with 11 points in the loss at Leslie Tuesday. Troy Acker and Blake Price had 7 points each. Zack Marciniak led Leslie with 15 points. He hit a pair ofthrees in the third quarter to Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 CHOICE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION: Hiring full For Rent FOR RENT- NASHVILLE, Upstairs, nice large apart­ ment. Ideal for a couple. No pets. Call 517-852-0852. SPRINGER SPANIEL PUP­ PIES- Ready for their FURever homes 3/23/23! 269-673-3759. Help II anted BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill i seeking land owners with is 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. TRUCK DRIVER: CANDI­ DATES must have a CDL with a "T" endorsement, 3 years' experience, a good driving record and subject to DOT regulations. Duties include loading and hauling logs and lumber with double bottom trailers. Applicant must be able to operate a front end loader, work off road, alone and manage their time. Hourly wage based on expe­ rience and includes a benefit package. Apply in person to: Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main at, Sunfield. time positions, no experience needed, competitive petitive wages, insurance and d great benefits, 616-693-2123.. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real esiatc advertising in this s newspaper Is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it Illegal to o advertise “any preference, limitation orr discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status Includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which Is In violation of the law. Our readers are hereby Informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired Is 1-800-927-9275. LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, Margaretha Cornelia Geertrulda Bouma (date of birth, 05/07/1923), died August 15, 2022. There is no personal representative of the settlor's estate to whom letters of administration have been Issued. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Gerard Bouma and Margaret C.G. Bouma Revocable Trust dated April 4, 1996, will be forever barred unless presented to Trustee, Wilhelmina H. Jelsema, within four months after the date of publication. Notice Is further given that the Trust will thereafter be assigned and distributed to the persons entitled to it. Alles Law Amber Solerr (P76162) 5360 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids, Ml 49546 (616) 365-5055 Date: 2/6/2023 Gerard Bouma and Margaret C.G. Bouma Revocable Trust dated April 4,1996 Wilhelmina H. Jelsema, Trustee 6801 Whitneyville Rd. Middleville, Ml 49333 (616) 437-7606 (02-09) 194975 *^5afcf fcfat ^at a**>. Delton Kellogg senior forward Allie Trantham works to get around Black River's Camile Wolbrink in the paint during the second half of the Panthers' loss to the visiting Rats Friday night in Delton. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “Ifyou shoot 30 percent, that’s 20 points. Now you’ve got a fighting chance, but you can’t go in with seven at the half. You can’t, ” Mohn said. Black River led 28-7, after holding the Panthers to two points and zero field goals in the second quarter. Despite the solid effort throughout the third quarter, Delton Kellogg was only able to trim two points off that 21-point Rat lead. DK guard Josie Lyons found the confi­ dence to attack the basket as time wound down in the fourth quarter. She had 12 points in the final five minutes and finished with a team-high 16 for Delton Kellogg. “She played that last stretch the way I’ve been trying to get her to, or been asking her to, all season long,” Mohn said. “We talked about all season about going 75 m.p.h., not 100, because I think she is much more effec­ tive when she plays slower, but is still quick. Our whole team has a habit of, when pressure comes, we try and defeat pressure by going fast ... you go fast, you’re in trouble. I was very proud ofhow she attacked.” “That is what we need for us to be success­ ful, all game long.” The Rats managed to fend offthe Panthers despite dealing with foul trouble and a short bench. Mohn said getting the Rats’ bigs in toul trouble was one of his team’s goals going into the game. Hayes still finished with a game-high 26 points. The Rats also got 12 points from Melanie Alferink who was 10-ofH at the free throw line. Meghan Davis added 6 points in the win. The Delton Kellogg girls are still chasing their first SAC Central win of the season. They fell to 0-6 in the conference with the loss. The DK girls are now 4-12 overall. “These kids just keep battling. We start out so poorly, as far as shooting the basketball, and then it digs us a hole and we’re down 20 and then they feel comfortable and start play- ing better. That has kind of been better than our m.o. all year.” Delton Kellogg was bested 54-20 by visit­ ing Lawton in a make-up game Monday evening, but bounced back to score its second win of the season over Maple Valley Tuesday, 58-17, at Maple Valley High School. It was another tough first half Monday against Lawton. The talented Blue Devils built a 28-0 lead. “We got to the free throw line 27 times, which was great, but we managed to make just six ofthem,” Mohn said. “This has been an area of vast improvement for us but we took a bit ofa step back on Monday. Josie Williams and Mya Brickley had 6 points apiece for DK. Mohn was once again pleased with the defensive efforts ofPaige Thomas and Kasey Kapteyn. “These two kids are just relentless on the defensive end and we have them sharing the defensive duty of our opponents’ top offen­ sive threat. They have been a huge positive for us this season,” Mohn said. The Panthers finally had a shooting perfor­ mance to be happy with Tuesday in the win over Maple Valley. “The hoop was kind and a lot of shots found their mark,” Mohn said. “It was great to see some smiles on the kid’s faces when their shots began to fall. This has been a pret­ ty tough go ofit from the offensive end for a large portion of the season and it was great to see some confidence growing throughout the contest.” Lyons had 14 points and Cadence Johnson finished with 13 for the Panthers. DK had nine ofits 12 players put points on the board. Delton Kellogg plays host to Gobles Fri­ day night and has three games next week, home against Coloma Monday, at Parchment Tuesday and then at Saugatuck next Friday, Feb. 17. . 10• t hff �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. February 9, 2023 — Page 13 Trojan ski girls score their second runner-up finish Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Plainwell/Thomapple Kellogg Trojan Ski team scored its second run­ ner-up finish of the Southwest Michigan Ski Conference season Wednesday at Bittersweet. Portage won the season’s opening meet two days prior and dropped to fourth Wednesday, Feb. 1. Mattawan/Paw Paw won Wednesday with a score of83 points. The Trojans were just three points back with a total of 86 points. Hackett/Vicksburg was third with 102 points ahead of Portage 114, Caledonia 129, Kalamazoo United 192, Hudsonville 225 and South Haven 258. The Trojan girls were the best team in the slalom Wednesday. Lucy VanDemark was third in that event she had the third best time on both of the runs, coming down the hill in 35.57 seconds the first time and 36.14 the second. Teammate Madison Nagel was sixth with runs of38.60 and 39.28. Ella Way was 12th for the Trojan team in the slalom and Whitney Johnson placed 14th. In the giant slalom (GS), VanDemark took the victory with runs of 27.788 and 27.59. Johnson was 14th, Way 17th and teammate Clem Muryzn 19th. Portage’s Abigail Liddell won the girls’ GS with runs of34.99 and 35.88. She was just ahead of Mattawan/Paw Paw’s Anna Roethlisberger who had runs of35.56 and 35.40 to finish second. Lidell was second in the slalom with runs of27.90 and 27.86 and Roethlisberger third with times of 28.00 and 27.99. The order of the boys’ standings Wednesday at Bittersweet matched those ofMonday’s meet at Timber Ridge. Mattawan/Paw Paw won with 56 points, ahead of Caledonia 62.5, Portage 133, Hudsonville 153, Plainwell/TK 184, Kalamazoo United 185, Hackett/Vicksburg 214 and South Haven 277. The Caledonia boys were the fastest GS group ofthe day with five guys in the top ten. Sean Rice was third, Tyler Dean fourth, Brayden Smith seventh, DJ Potgeter eighth and Luke Shuster tenth. In the slalom, Dean was sixth, Smith ninth, Shuster 12th and Potgeter tied for 13th. The Plainwell/TK boys’ team had Eli­ jah Korrek ninth in the GS with runs of 27.70 and 27.94. Teammate Liam Troutner was 11th, Mark Gielincki 23rd and Robby Jones 24th. In the slalom, Gielincki was 15th, Barton 24th and Troutner 30th for the Trojans. Kalamazoo United’s Sam Oberlee was the fastest guy in the slalom with runs of 33.96 and 34.55. Ian Bradley, from Mattawan/Paw Paw had the best score in the GS with runs of 26.62 and 26.46 and also was second in the GS with runs of 37.545 and 34.18. Oberlee had a runner-up score in the GS with his runs of26.40 and 31.11. The conference was scheduled to get together again Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Tim­ ber Ridge. The Plainwell/TK team will head to Cannonsburg Monday, Feb. 13, for its MHSAA Division 2 Regional Races. The SWMSC season is slated to conclude Feb. 22 at Bittersweet. First quarter onslaught by Wayland gets Wildcat win at TK Brett Bremer &«■>>»! ■0*1*1 likQRtoi t*Mmk ««•«■ । ■klwin I ::''' Dtftggst«jjj^f*rs'toss6, st«*j rs'toss6,‘ ’ ’ K SS-'^-^S fi^ESS la! >' ! !^ Sports Editor It seems obvious, but when the Trojans got to play defense they held their own against the Wayland Wildcats. It was the times the Wayland defense turned into easy offense that the Trojans’ couldn’t keep up with. That’s the way the Wildcats like it. Wayland scored 23 points in the open­ ing quarter and then held a seven to ten point lead throughout the evening in Mid­ dleville to score its second OK Gold Conference win of the season over the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basket­ ball team Tuesday. The Trojans fall to 2-13 overall this season with the loss and 2-7 in the OK Gold. It is the third consecutive win for the Wildcats who are now 9-6 overall and 4-5 in the conference. Thomapple Kellogg’s 2-3 zone made the Wildcats work for points when the Trojans could get it set up, but the Wild­ cats* own trapping defense created just enough turnovers that getting back into the defense wasn’t always easy. The Wildcats pushed at every opportunity. “We just started slow. We had some good shots, missed them,” TK head coach Josh Thaler said. “They leaked out and got a couple easy ones. You talk about four-point swings. We had a handful of those even in the second half where we would have an open shot, not just wide open but even right in front ofthe basket, and miss it and they’d go the other way.” Wayland had nine different guys score in the ballgame. They had seven different guys score in that opening quarter in which the Wildcats built a 23-10 advantage. Brett Bultsma, a senior guard, led the Wildcats with 15 points. Junior guard Kaharrie Pureifoy had 12 points and senior guard Elijah Maas finished with 10 points. Junior forward Warren Smith added 9 points. TK only allowed 37 points the rest of the way, and that included a couple buck­ ets by the Wildcats in the closing seconds when theroutcome was^already decided; “Tyler Gavene and Ethan BonnemM, when those two guys start playing defense that brings some energy for everybody, and then Kyle [VanHaitsma] gets into it and Jaxan [Sias] and everybody. Those two guys especially at the top ofthat 2-3 did a goodjob ofclouding things up. They got a lot oftips and got a few steals offofit” The Wildcat lead was 33-23 at the half. TK got within seven points in the first three minutes of the second halfthanks to a couple buckets by VanHaitsma. He drilled a three that had TK within 35-28. The Wildcat lead was never less than that though. VanHaitsma finished with 15 points. TK also got 9 points from Gavette, 8 points from Sias and 6 from sophomore Jacob Draaisma. Sias found some success scoring inside in the second half. Gavette was limited a bit by foul trou­ ble, picking up a couple tough ones in the second half. Gavette and junior guard Ethan Bonnema did a pretty good job of taking care ofthe basketball. The Trojans only had 9 turnovers in their unofficial stats at the end ofthe night. Wayland was 8-of-9 at the free throw line in the second halfto shield itselffrom the Trojans’ comeback bid. The Trojans were bested 73-43 in con­ ference action last Friday, Feb. 3, at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The Trojans were scheduled to visit South Christian Friday night, Feb. 10. They will be on the road in the conference two more times next week at Cedar Springs Tuesday and Kenowa Hills Friday. Barracudas chase after Wildcats in OK Rainbow Tier II contest team of Riley Shults, Donald Kuck, Devin Pacillo and Kensington second in 3:40.66. Petch was also second in the 200-yard indi­ vidual medley with a time of 2:22.82 behind the time of2:17.53 from Oudbier. Shults was second for the Barracudas in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle. The Barracuda team ofPacillo, Blake Bar­ num, Shults and Kensington was second in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:27.76. The Wildcat foursome of Oudbier, Rose, Koon and Payton Williamson won that race in 1:36.18. Hunter Tietz had a runner-up finish in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:05.04. Oudbier won that race in 1:05.04. The Barracudas bounced back with a big couple events, winning the title at the Otta­ wa Hills Invitational in Grand Rapids Satur­ day and then outscoring the Caledonia/ Lowell/South Christian (CLS) Vikings 89-80 in a non-conference dual in Hastings Tuesday. The Barracudas got off to a good start against the Vikings, winning the first four events. The Barracudas opened the meet with the top two performances in the 200-yard medley relay. The team of Pacillo, Heath Hays, Kensington and Barnum won the race in 1:55.36 and teammates Tietz, Isaiah Randall, Kuck and Shults swam to a runner-up Brett Bremer Sports Editor A talented Wayland team took a 99-84 win over the Barry County Barracuda varsity boys’ swimming and diving team at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings Thursday. The Barracudas got one victory in the 12 events in the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference dual, with Jan-Id Petch winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 1 minute 8.99 seconds. He was nearly five seconds ahead ofhis nearest competitor in the race. Senior Zachary Jenison had a big night for the Wildcats. He as better than the Division 1 state qualifying time in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle, pushed by Barry County senior Jack Kensington who was the runner-up in both races. Jenison won the 50 freestyle in 21.90 sec­ onds and Kensington touched the wall in 22.99 in that race. Jenison won the 100 freestyle in 48.90 with Kensington second in 51.66. Jenison was as part of four wins for the Wildcats. He teamed with Eddie Oudbier, Josh Rose and Aidan Ketchapaw to win the 200-yard medley relay in 1:48.39. Jenison, Ketchapaw, Travis Koon and Oudbier won the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3:39.48. The Barracudas were hot on the heels ofthe Wildcats in that 400-yard freestyle with the time of 1:58.30. Four different guys won the next four events for the Barracudas. Mason Cross took the 200-yard freestyle in 2:06.53. Shults won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:21.18. Barnum won the 50-yard freestyle in 25.05 seconds. Magnuson won the diving competi­ tion with a score of 109.50. Barnum also scored a runner-up point total of 102.20 for the Barracudas in the diving competition. Cross took a second victory in the 500yard freestyle with a time of 5:53.99. Isaac Stanton won the 100-yard freestyle for the Barracudas in 58.64. The CLS team got its first first-place points from junior Luke Dejager in the 100-yard butterfly. He put together a winning time of 1:00.31. Dejager also won the 100-yard back­ stroke with a time of 1:07.72. Dejager, seniors Josh Behm and Gabe Verlin and freshman Anders Foerch had a first place time of 1:44.51 in the 200-yard freestyle relay and the CLS team of freshman Austin Tufts, senior Ethan Vanderveen, senior Micah Patterson and Foerch had a first-place time of 4:30.90 in the 400-yard freestyle relay. CLS also got first place points thanks to a win by senior Connor Cammet in the 100yard breaststroke who had a time of 1:17.62. Delton Kellogg cheer wins championship at Grandville Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team put together a score of 608.68 to wins its division at the Grandville Bull­ dog Invitational Monday. It wasn’t the best performance of the year for the DK girls, but it was a fairly consistent one that has Zoe Reynolds hope­ ful for good things over the final few weeks of the season. The Panthers are looking forward to hosting their own invi­ tational and doing well Saturday. The DK girls put up a score of 192.6 in round one in Grandville. “We need to slow down, punch our motions and control the cheer a bit more. These are all things we can fix pretty quickly if they stay focused this week,” Reynolds said. The Panthers’ round two scoi;e of 178.48 'was just under their sd&son average, and ;i Reynolds said’it was asdliS1 sdliS1 round overail with a few timing issues to clean up. The DK girls put up 237.6 points in round three. “We missed some stunts and tumbling wasn’t perfectly on time. Overall the round is coming along,” Reynolds said. The Delton Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team celebrates a victory in its division at the Grandville Bulldog Invitational Monday evening. The DK girls are scheduled to host their own Delton Kellogg Invitational Saturday, Feb. 11, and then will close the regular season Monday, Feb. 13, at Gull Lake. The postseason starts for the DK ladies when they travel to Bronson for their MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament Feb. 18. Eagles beat Calhoun Christian, improve record to 14-0 tian 22-10 in the third quarter. Isaiah Lamphere scored 14 points in the third quarter. He finished with a game-high 25 points. Noah Lilley had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Eagles. Barry County Christian also got 8 points from Joe Wise, 7 from Shaffer and 6 each from Jordan Stolz and Lucas Koetje. The Barry County Christian School varsi­ ty boys’ basketball team is 14-0 after a 67-48 win over Battle Creek Calhoun Christian Tuesday in Battle Creek. The Barry County Christian put together a 7-0 run to close the first halfwith a 35-25 win. It was part ofa larger 17-point run that put the Eagles in control. The Barry County Christian boys outscored Calhoun Chris- The Eagles open play in the Great Lakes 6 Tournament Monday as the tour­ nament’s top seed. The conference tour­ nament semifinals are planned for Feb. 16 and the championship game will be played Feb. 18. The Eagles will close the regular season with a non-conference ballgame against visiting 7^ Day Adventist Feb. 21. Hastings girls add another 1-8 win, now 8-1 in conference duals The Hastings varsity girls’ bowling team moved to 8-1 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference with a 29-1 win over Lumen Christi at Jax 60 last Thursday, Feb. 2. The Saxons got high games of 195 from Ally Herder, 179 from Abby Barton, 138 from Jen Stoline, 162 from Amber Rabideau and 144 from Andrea Rhodes. The Hastings boys are now 5-4 in the con- The Hastings teams were outside the con­ ference at Park Center Lanes Tuesday scoring victories over Potter’s House Christian. The Hastings girls won that dual 29-1 and the Hastings boys took a 24-6 victory. High scores for the Hastings boys’ and girls’ teams included a 153 from Rabideau. A154 from Stoline, a 155 from Cohen James, a 175 from Drew Rhodes and a 191 from Miles Lipsey. ference after a 19-11 loss to the Titans. Hunter Pennington, Drew Rhodes and Zach Ramey each won a point for the Hast­ ings boys. Pennington and Rhodes each rolled a 164 in one of the regular team games and Ramey tallied a 158. The Saxons return to conference action this afternoon back at Jax 60 taking on Parma Western. BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN Prepared and published in accordance with Act 165 of 1971, being Section 211.34a of Michigan General Property Tax Law. Saxon girls close in on 1-8 cheer title with a second win Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity competitive cheer team made it two victories in two tries in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference this season when it won the jamboree hosted by Lumen Christi Feb. 1. The Saxons were set to try and capture the conference championship with anoth­ er victory last night, Feb. 8, at the confer­ ence final hosted by Parma Western. Hastings won the jamboree at Lumen Christi win an overall score of 681.84 points, finishing more than 60 points ahead ofthe runner-up team from Pennfield - an even larger margin than the Saxons won the opening conference jamboree by. Pennfield put up a total score of621.9 ahead of Parma Western 615.6, Lumen Christi 601.88, Harper Creek 572.6 and Northwest 569.32. Hastings had the top score in each round. The Saxons earned 208 points in round one and 186.24 in round two. The Saxons finished offthe meet with a score of287.6 in round there. Pennfield beat out Western for the second-place spot mostly on the strength of its round one score of 206.1. Western scored a 193.4 in round one. Lumen Christi was just back of Pennfield and just ahead of Western after round two, but the Titans’ round three score couldn’t keep pace w wl“1 thee - s two teams ofPanthers. Thte Hastings girls are scheduled to be a part of the Lakewood Valentine s Cheerapar fest Friday, Feb. 10, and then will host thetir own Saxonfest Cheer Invitational on Valentine’s Day, next Tuesday. 2023 TENTATIVE EQUALIZATION RATIOS AND MULTIPLIERS BY CLASSIFICATION ASSESSING UNIT February 1,2023 REAL PROPERTY BY CLASSIFICATION agricultural COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL INDUSTRIAL PERSONAL TIMBER-CUTOVER TOWNSHIPS Ratio Multiplier Ratio Multiplier Ratio Multiplier Ratio Multiplier Ratio ASSYRIA 47.86 1.04471 53.75 0.93023 42.83 1.16741 44.78 1.11657 N/C BALTIMORE 46.99 1.06406 47.67 1.04888 45.11 1.10840 48.04 1.04080 BARRY 49.64 1.00725 47.96 1.04254 47.58 1.05086 39.02 CARLTON 46.25 1.08108 45.29 1.10400 51.91 0.96321 CASTLETON 44.77 1.11682 38.67 1.29299 49.16 1.01709 HASTINGS 41.46 HOPE 49.46 IRVING 44.22 JOHNSTOWN 45.15 1.10742 47.94 1.04297 47.50 1.05263 MAPLE GROVE 44.34 1.12765 48.69 1.02690 33.65 ORANGEVILLE 45.09 1.10889 48.08 1.03993 PRAIRIEVILLE 44.76 1.11707 51.54 RUTLAND 46.14 1.08366 THORNAPPLE 44.09 WOODLAND YANKEE SPRINGS Ratio Multiplier PROPERTY Ratio Multiplier N/C 50.00 1.00000 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 1.28139 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 40.39 1.23793 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 40.96 1.22070 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 1.20019 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 1.15714 N/C N/C 50.00■ 1.00000 1.18737 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 43.01 1.16252 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 1.48588 42.48 1.17702 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 53.86 0.92833 40.77 1.22639 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 0.97012 50.40 0.99206 43.23 1.15660 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 48.50 1.03093 48.04 1.04080 42.25 1.18343 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 1.13404 47.65 1.04932 49.89 1.00220 42.31 1.18175 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 46.81 1.06815 40.52 1.23396 45.94 1.08838 41.23 1.21271 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 43.08 1.16063 49.46 1.01092 49.06 1.01916 42.47 1.17730 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 47.40 1.05485 51.89 0.96358 43.83 1.14077 42.05 1.18906 N/C N/C 50.00 1.00000 1.20598 1.01092 1.13071 47.88 50.20 48.43 1.04428 0.99602 1.03242 CITIES HASTINGS Multiplier DEVELOPMENTAL 41.66 1.20135 41.62 43.21 1.03072 48.51 42.11 1.21832 41.04 Ratio: /Iverage ratio ofassessed value to market value Multiplier: Equalization.(^necessary to Re assessed value to equalized value N/C: No parcels In classification All assessment changes made at the Meshla Rose, Equalization Director p p q p p. �^•0* 14 — Thursday. February 9, 2023 The Hastings Banner Lions and Vikings at their best at second GLAC meet The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team performs back handsprings during round two at Thursday's GLAC competition hosted by Maple Valley. (Photo by Chelsea Chase) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley vanity competitive cheer team is fifth in (he Greater Lansing Activities Conference standings after rising up for a fourth-place finish at the GLAC Jam­ boree it hosted Thursday night. Lion head coach Sarah Huissen said it was a great night on the mat for her girls. “Our goal was to get in front of Stock­ bridge and put the pressure on Perry,” Huissen said. ”We have been putting a lot of work into timing and finishing the details the last cou­ ple ofweeks and it came together last night. As a result we posted our highest scores of the season.” The Lakewood girls won for the second time in two tries in the conference this sea- son. The Vikings closed the day with 766.80 points. Pewamo-Westphalia was second with a score of 711.30, ahead of Leslie 698.26, Maple Valley 621.40. Perry 576, Stockbridge 540.00 and Webberville 459.16. A stellar round one was the key for the Lions moving up Thursday. They had a score of 206.80 points, which was the fourth best score of that round. The Lions were 58.6 points ahead ofthe Perry team that would up fifth at that point. ”1 was like wow, that is the best 1 have ever seen that round,” Huissen said. The Lions followed up with a score of 162.50 in round two and 252.10 in round three. “In round two our skill timing was improved,” Huissen said, “we just need to work on speeding up so we don't receive a A trio of Lakewood stunt groups perform during their team's round three routine Thursday at Maple Valley High School. (Photo by Chelsea Chase) timing penalty. Round three was also a solid performance that literally brought tears to my eyes. We have struggled with this round this season due to illness and injury, but tonight they were confident and everything hit. 1 am so proud of this team and their efforts in what has been a challenging season for us.” Lakewood had the top score in each round, and led the second-place Pewamo-Westphalia team by 14 points going into round three. The Vikings outscored the Pirates 315.440 to 273.90 in that final round. Lakewood head coach Kim Martin said her girls* round three performance was amazing. “We finally hit a great round three,” she said, noting that her team’s overall score was the highest ofthe season and one of the best in the history ofthe program. The Vikings had a score of234.00 in round one and 217.40 in round two. “Round one and two had a couple tiny mistakes that we need to clean up, but overall a great night,” Martin said. The Pirates opened with a 228.20 in round one and then added a 209.20 in round two. Perry was set to host the league finale last night, Feb. 8. TK wrestlers make it eight straight league titles Brett Bremer Thornapple Kellogg senior Andrew Middleton fights to work out of the grasp of Grand Rapids Catholic Central's Nahum Krussell during the first period of their 138-pound championship match at the OK Gold Conference Tournament Saturday in Middleville. Krussell scored a 4-3 win in the match. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team clinched its eighth consecutive confer­ ence title Saturday by winning the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville. Of the 14 Trojans competing, 13 placed in the top four at their weight class. Seniors Zack Gibson and Austin Chivis both won their fourth individual conference champion­ ship, and sophomore Christien Miller won his second. “It’s nice when you come in here and see the wrestling banner, and you can see it has way more than all the other sports,” Chivis said of keeping the conference title streak going. “If you actually look at the years, you can see the four years that my class has been here. It’s cool to see it keep going back-toback-to-back and stuffand keep going up the years.” It was a welcome return for Chivis who was competing for the first time since being injured back in December at the Kent County Championship. He was more focused Satur­ day on making sure he was ready for the state GRBoatShow.com tournament ahead than keeping his own per­ sonal conference winning streak alive. “It was nice. I was trying to get the feel for it again after being out for so long, that is all,” Chivis said. “Just get some mat experience before Wednesday [when the Trojans were set to head to Wayland for their MHSAA Division 2 Team District Tournament].” He only had to wrestle two matches to win his flight. He pinned Forest Hills Eastern’s Jaiden Austin 30 seconds into their semifinal match and then he followed that up with a 40- win over Wayland’s Trent Sikkema. He scored his four pointe with take downs in the first and third period, and he worked on top of Sikkema for the entirety of the second period. “I have gone to soccer practices as much as I can, and before I could start doing contact wrestling I was doing all the running with them,” Chivis said. “I sat out for a good fourweek periodjust to let my elbow heal, and the last week I’ve been back doing contact stuff like normal.” The Trojans rolled through a perfect sea­ son of conference duals and won Saturday with 198.0 points. Cedar Springs was second with 174.5 points, ahead of Wayland 149, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 112, Forest Hills Eastern 88.5, Kenowa Hills 84.5 and Ottawa Hills 7. “This one was actually a little closer than in year’s past,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said. “Wayland and Cedar Springs, they had goals of winning it too. It definitely helped that we only had three champs, but all the rest came back arid scored points for us.” Noah Rosenberg (285 pounds), Dylan Pau­ line (113), Kyron Zoet (132), Andrew Mid­ dleton (138), Lucas McNabnay (150) and Jayce Curtis (165) all had runner-up finishes for TK. Jackson Curtis was third at 157 pounds and Derious Robinson was third at 190 for TK. The Trojan team also had Austin Pitsch at 120 pounds and Maverick Wilson at 126 place fourth. Gibson earned his 150th varsity victory for TK at the tournament and the Trojans celebrat­ ed Jackson Curtis’ 100th varsity win as well. Gibson is now 38-1 during his senior sea­ son. He pinned Kenowa Hills’ Harley Bent­ ley 1:13 into their semifinal match and then pulled out a 7-4 wifi- over Wayland’s Lane Button in the 144-pofind championship. Gib- Thornapple Kellogg senior Zack Gibson works for control with Wayland's Lane Button (left) during their 144-pound championship match Saturday at the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville. Gibson took a 7-4 win in the bout. (Photo by Bremer) son had a 5-0 lead after a take down in the opening seconds ofthe third period and then held on for the three-point victory. “He has a positive attitude. In practice every day, he is working hard to motivate the team,” coach Fletke said of Gibson. “He’s trying to stay healthy, eat right, sleep and do all those things he needs to do.” Miller won his 106-pound conference title with two quick pins. He stuck Cedar Springs’ Brandson Wood in 59 seconds in the semifi­ nals and then pinned Catholic Central’s Ayden Ringler 47 seconds into their champi­ onship match. “Christien, he came out and the Catholic kid [Ringler] upset the Wayland kid to get into the finals and Christien came out and went to work really. He stuck him in that cradle. He was on a mission, you could tell in THE HOTTEST STARS TONY ORLANDO FRIDAY, MARCH 10 GABRIEL “FLUFFY” IGLESIAS BACK ON TOUR THURSDAY, MARCH 16 ZZ TOP FRIDAY, APRIL 7 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR VIVflVoN- RFIR KEEPERS 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Thornapple Kellogg's Austin Chivis works on top of Wayland's Trent Sikkema on his way to a 4-0 win in the 175-pound championship match Saturday at the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) his eyes that he was ready to wrestle. That was pretty cool,” Fletke said. Cedar Springs matched TK’s four individ­ ual champions. The Red Hawks’ Wyatt Coo­ per pulled out a 2-1 win over Rosenberg in the 285-pound final to start the championship round. Cedar Springs also had Luke Egan win the 120-pound championship, Keaton Klassen the 126-pound title and Carter Falan win at 190 pounds. Catholic Central had three champs and each one of them took a victory over a TK wrestler in the championship round. Dale Grant took the Cougars’ first title ofthe day by pinning TK’s Pauline midway through the 113-pound championship match. The other two were nail-bitters. The Cou­ gars’ Michael Wilson held on for a 4-2 win over TK’s Zoet in the 132-pound final, with Zoet starting to dig out of a 4-0 hole in the middle ofthe third period Nahum Krussell won the 138-pound cham­ pionship for Catholic Central with a 4-3 vic­ tory over TK’s Andrew Middleton in the finals. Middleton scored a takedown with a minute left in the second period to lead 3-2 and held that one-point lead until the final seconds ofthe match. Krussell started in the bottom position in the third period and Mid­ dleton held him down for a minute and 58 seconds before Krussell worked a reversal that gave him the victory. Other conference champions included Kenowa Hills’ Jake Jonker, who bested McNabnay in the 150-pound championship match, Wayland’s Emmet Manning at 157 pounds, and Wayland’s Dustin Loomans at 165. Loomans beat out TK’s Jayce Curtis in their final 12-3. Forest Hills Eastern’s Dylan Langdon took the 215-pound championship. The TK wrestlers were scheduled to take on Otsego in the opening round oftheir team district tournament at Wayland Wednesday, with fifth-ranked Plainwell facing Wayland in the other district semifinal. TK will be at Allendale Saturday for its MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tournament. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-02-16.pdf d5ff4042f109a976e3e5ac5a68f4d9f2 PDF Text Text fatal wreck appears in court Townships team up to control weeds in Clear Lake See story on page 2 See story on page 3 Man involved in Rutland Twp. 134211 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 ANNER RICE $1.50 • ay, February 16, 202 VOLUME 169, No. Harvest Pointe at Thornapple Manor opens after string of delays Jayson Bussa Editor This week did not feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony or an extravagant grand opening event In fact all that pageantry had already come and gone. But it was still a momentous occasion for Hastings-based senior living community Thomapple Manor on Monday, when it received the go-ahead from the state to offioffi­ cially open y pits new senior living g facility, y, Harvest Pointe and begin accepting residents. “It’s been bittersweet” said Rebecca DeHaan, administrator for Thomapple Manor. “We’ve been wanting to open for such a long time and had so many hoops that we had to close. So, we’re extremely excited to provide this service.” The $14 million project which was initial­ ly approved by the county back in February of 2021, ran into a variety of delays before opening at its current location at 2950 McK­ eown Rd. near M-79. Many of those delays were attributed to supply chain issues and shortages, which were ever-present within the industry following the COVID-19 pan­ demic. More recently though, administrators at Thomapple Manor had to wait for the state to provide the final green light on the project, which took several months despite the facility being all ready to go. Construction was completed on the 50-room facility back in November of last year. The new community is licensed for 70 residents, with some ofthe rooms permitting double occupancy. “We’re looking at starting to move people in as early as next week,” DeHaan said. “Part ofthe process is that (residents) have to meet with their- physician and have physician orders so we can provide the care they need.” While Harvest Pointe did not have a wait­ ing list, per se, it did acquire a list ofcontacts for those that were interested. DeHaan said that administrators reached out to all the contacts on that list and have invited any interested members ofthe general public to schedule a time to tour the facility and meet with staff. Even with the delays, to drum up interest in the new facility, Thomapple Manor still See THORNAPPLE, page 2 Administrators for assisted living facility Harvest Pointe at Thomapple Manor announced on Tuesday that they are now open and currently accepting its first residents. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Local Eagle Scout candidate gives back to former school through service project Jayson Bussa Editor ■ -Jr As an aspiring Eagle Scout; Carter Krzysik was tasked with developing a public service project that would impact residents in his local community. A project ofthat nature can come in many forms, so it took the Hastings High School freshman a little bit of time to finally pin down an idea. “I kind ofjust started (the project), and it’s so open-ended that it’s hard to come up with an idea,” said Krzysik, who is 15 years old and firstjoined Boy Scouts in the first grade. “I spent a couple of weeks humming and hawing and I wasn’t that excited about any of the ideas we were coming up with,” Krzysik continued. “I went (to school at) St. Rose (of Lima Catholic School). So, I reached out to them and asked them if there was anything they needed. That’s when they said they didn’t have a playground for their pre-schoolers.” Challenge accepted. Krzysik got to work fleshing out the idea ofhow he might be able to bring a play struc­ ture to the pre-schoolers of St. Rose. He See EAGLE SCOUT, page 3 Deb Buckowing Treasurer, clerk to step down from Thornapple board Carter Krzysik is a 15-year-old freshman at Hastings High School. In an effort to achieve Eagle Scout status, he is installing a new play space for the pre-schoolers at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. (Courtesy photos) City water and sewer rates likely to increase in coming years following rate study Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Water and sewer utility rates for Hastings city residents and businesses will likely take a major hike in the following years. Andy Campbell, CPA and director of the Baker Tilly East Lansing office, presented the firm’s sewer and water rate study findings to the city in a workshop session before the city’s regular meeting on Monday. There was good news and bad news. The bad news: there was almost no way to avoid rate increases if the city had any hope of maintaining a healthy sewer and water fund. The good news: the city was in a good position to apply for state money to help off­ set the required rate hikes. There were many factors that led the firm to this conclusion, Campbell said. Some of the strains on the city’s sewer and water fund in the coming years would be from inflation, rising operating costs due to increased staff­ ing requirements at the city’s water treatment facilities, and planned infrastructure improve­ ments or expansions detailed in the city’s capital improvement plan. See CITY WATER, page 3 Cindy Willshire Andy Campbell, CPA and director of the Baker Tilly East Lansing office, presented the results of the firm’s sewer and water rate study to the city. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Greg Chandler StaffWriter Two members of the Thomapple Town­ ship board will be stepping down from their roles at the end ofMarch. Township Treasurer Deb Buckowing, who has served on the township board for 20 years, submitted her letter of resigna­ tion at Monday night’s board meeting. That comes on the heels ofa similar letter that was turned in by Township Clerk Cindy Willshire in late January. Willshire has served as clerk for the past six years. Both resignations are effective March 31, although Willshire wrote in her resig­ nation letter that ifthe board finds a suit­ able replacement before then, “my end date can be changed.” Buckowing wrote in her resignation letter that she and her family will soon be moving out of Thomapple Township, necessitating her decision to step down. “Trust me when I say this move is bittersweet, since we truly love this beautiful township and village that we have called home for almost 25 years,” she wrote. Buckowing joined the township board in 2003 when she was appointed to replace Shirley Eaton as a trustee on the board. She was then elected treasurer the following year, and then was re-elected four more times, mostly recently in 2020. “These 20 years ofserving my communi­ ty have been some of the most rewarding of my life, and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity,” she wrote in her letter. “I have worked with some extraordinary indi­ viduals while at the township, and consider myselfblessed for each resident I have had the honor to meet and serve over the years.” A possible replacement for Buckowing as treasurer is current deputy treasurer Laura Bouchard, who has held that role since 2016. “While I, personally, will not have a vote in the appointment ofmy successor, Laura would be an excellent choice for the appointment,” Buckowing wrote in an e-mail to the Hastings Banner. “Laura is well trained in the duties ofoffice oftrea­ surer, and very dedicated to ensuring that the residents ofThomapple Township are served to the best ofher ability.” Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer wrote in an e-mail that Buckowing has had a lot oftime to prepare Bouchard to handle all aspects ofthe treasurer’s role. “It is my feeling that the board is fully prepared to appoint Laura to the office of treasurer, once Deb’s resignation has been accepted,” Schaefer wrote. Willshire wrote in an e-mail to the Hastings Banner that she is stepping down to accept a job opportunity “that offers me more flexibility for personal time.” She said the decision had no con­ nection to the ongoing investigation by Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf into the 2020 election. “My resignation had nothing to do with any business at the township. It has been a great privilege to work for Thomapple Township. I have enjoyed my 19 years there,” Willshire wrote in her email. Willshirejoined the township as deputy treasurer in 2004, working under Buck­ owing, and was elected its clerk in See TREASURER, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, February 16,2023 — The Hastings Banner David Olson appointed to vacant Hastings Charter Township trustee position HHS Alumni Association announces 136th Alumni Banquet The Hastings High School Alumni Association will host its 136th Alumni Banquet on Aug. 26, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings. Plans for the banquet are currently being made by members ofthe Alumni Board. The board welcomes additional members to its ranks to help continue the annual tradition. Classes honored at this year’s banquet will celebrate 25 to 75 years ofbeing out of high school. Honored classes include those from 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983,1988,1993 and 1998. Representatives from these classes are welcome to attend the next board meeting Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at the J-Ad Graphics building. Those inter* ested in attending or receiving more information can contact Lois Bowers at 269-945­ 9657. Members ofthe HHS Alumni Association say the history ofthe organization is a rich one. Hastings’s alumni association is the oldest continuous high school alumni associa­ tion in Michigan. The first Hastings High School graduation of five students took place in 1877. It is documented in later recorded minutes that the first association meeting was held in 1882. However, the first documented meeting was in June of 1884. Officers were elected in 1884 as follows: President Dora Kennedy, Vice President J. Walker Matthews, Secretary W.J. Kennedy and Treasurer Frances Williams. The first documented Alumni Banquet was held at the Hastings House, also known as the Parker Hotel. The program for the evening consisted ofthe president’s address, an essay read by Mina Mudge, an oration given by Charles H. Gordon, a paper read by Albert Khiskem and the class history given by W.J. Kennedy with music interspersed. Legal advice offered for seniors The Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct inter­ views for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested seniors this month. Those who wish to speak with an attorney may visit the Barry County Commission on Aging, 320 West Woodlawn, Hastings, on Wednesday, Feb. 22 between 10:30 a.m. and noon. COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Legal Services ofSouth Central Michigan-Battle Creek office is a nonprofit organiza­ tion that provides legal assistance, representation and education to low-income people in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. Community invited to Book of Revelation seminar Community members are invited to attend free weekly seminars focusing on the Book ofRevelation Wednesday nights at the Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church Fellow­ ship Hall, 888 Terry Lane. The hour-long sessions will take place every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for the next few weeks, starting Wednesday, Feb. 22. Attendees will take a deep dive into the Book ofRevelation and what it means in the present. Organizers pose the question: Does the Book of Revelation speak peace in our time? “Bible prophecy has predicted human history,” wrote organizer Janice Cleary. “Now its pages point'to evidence that world is changing, and the events ofthe last four years are rapid and concerning like no other time in history.'The Bible pinpoints with precision r "the slfens that We are entering the last days found in the Book of Revelation by under­ standing the symbols and characteristics and identifying marks that uncover the true identity of the Antichrist and (discovering) the message of hope and peace found throughout in Bible prophecy.” Each hour-long session will feature study guides and discussion. Participants in the seminars will receive a King James Bible, study guides and a bind­ er. Both die seminar and materials are free. Annual spring weight restrictions start this week The Michigan Department ofTransportation (MDOT) and local agencies are enacting spring weight restrictions, an annual move to protect roads. Effective Monday, Feb. 13, weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways from the Michigan/Indiana and Michigan/Ohio state lines north to and including M-55 from the intersection with US-31 in Manistee, then east on M-55 to the intersection with M-66 in Missaukee County, then north on M-66 to the intersec­ tion with M-55 in Missaukee County, then east on M-55 to the intersection with US-23 in Tawas City. All state trunklines in this area will have weight restrictions imposed and enforced. State routes typically carry M, I or US designations. When roads that have been frozen all winter begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice saturate the softened ground. During the spring thaw, the roadbed softens by trapped moisture beneath the pavement, making it more susceptible to dam­ age. This contributes to pothole problems already occurring due to this winter’s numer­ ous freeze-thaw cycles. MDOT determines when weight restrictions begin each spring by measuring frost depths along state highways, observing road conditions and monitoring weather fore­ casts. Weight restrictions remain in effect until the frost line is deep enough to allow moisture to escape and the roadbeds regain stability. County road commissions and city public works departments put in place their own seasonal weight restrictions, which usually, but not always, coincide with state highway weight restrictions. Signs are generally posted to indicate which routes have weight restrictions in effect. Weight restriction information and updates can be found by calling 800-787-8960 or by visiting Michigan.gov/Truckers, under “Restrictions.” All-season routes are designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map, available online. ram cBiiiw RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1 -800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCrulseLlnes.com MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber HK Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. > W 1 V BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-511 License //8110376 & Insured L David Olson (left) was appointed to a vacant trustee position on the Hastings Charter Township board by Clerk Anita Mennell (right) on Tuesday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings Charter Township board unanimously appointed resident David Olson to fill a vacant trustee seat. The seat was left vacant after Tim McNally retired from the position in January. Olson expressed interest in the seat when it was opened for applications. Olson, who will be leaving his position on the township’s board of review to take the trustee position, was commended by board members for his continued presence and inter­ est at the board’s meetings and other activities. “I feel like you’ve been coming for so long, speaking up and bringing things to our attention and challenging us to think about things,” Treasurer Jenee Phillips said. “I think you’ll do a greatjob.” Supervisor Jim Brown echoed those senti­ ments and said Olson’s regular attendance proved a sufficient interest in the role. “Coming to the meeting is number one as far as being interested (in taking the posi­ tion),” Brown said. “I’ve always noticed that in the few years that I’ve been here the people that make the biggest difference are the ones that at least show up.” ClerkAnita Mennell said she thought Olson was a good fit for the position. She added that she saw him at more than just the township’s monthly meetings, with Olson attending her public voter accuracy test and volunteering to help run elections in the township. “I have nothing but good thoughts,” she said. “(Olson is) someone willing to step up and do some of the other things other thanjust come to the meetings. Kudos to you Dave.” Board members also noted Olson’s admin­ istrative skills would serve him well on the board. Olson works in an administrative posi­ tion for a company that services municipal water wells. “Hopefully I can help in bringing another perspective or asking more questions that need to be considered,” Olson said. “I want to learn just as much as I’d like to be a support to the whole stack.” The township received one other applica­ tion for the position from Gary Taylor, who was not present at the meeting Tuesday. «discoss^ -A’’!1** i Hearing adjourned for Middleville man accused in fatal drunk driving accident st ....... Greg Chahdler : StaffWriter A hearing for a Middleville man accused in a fatal crash on M-37 earlier this year has been put on hold until early March. Scott Raymond Handley, 53, appeared Wednesday via video from the Barry County Jail. He had his probable cause hearing adjourned by Judge Michael Schipper. He is now scheduled to appear for his hearing March 8. Handley is charged with operating a vehi­ cle while intoxicated causing death in the Jan. 27 crash on M-37 near Whitmore Road that killed 62-year-old Matthew Fuller ofJenison. A preliminary investigation from the Barry County Sheriff’s Office showed a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck crossed the centerline and struck a Ford Transit van that was driven by Fuller. The Silverado was then struck by a third vehicle. Fuller was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash closed the highway for two-and-a-half hours, according to the Mich­ igan Department of Transportation’s Grand Region office. iatdisairooiijiiti rain •ihvl*Z is* is s ’*? •<w Scott Raymond Handley appeared via video for a hearing Wednesday in Barry County District Court in connection with a fatal crash on M-37 late last month. The hearing was adjourned until March 8. (Photo by Greg Chandler) THORNAPPLE, continued from page 1 previously held ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremonies. Thomapple Manor administrators and a variety of local government officials got together back in July of last year to hold the ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a grand opening event in late August, where they dedicated the lounge of the facility to long­ time volunteer Elsie Sage. Even then, Thor­ napple Manor leadership estimated that con­ struction would wrap up in September. Living quarters at Harvest Pointe come in a variety ofone-bedroom styles in addition to studios. Opening up beds for seniors meets a cru­ cial need in Barry County, according to DeHaan. She said that, before the Harvest Pointe project, data showed that the county needed around 100 assisted living beds. The pandemic and other factors may have shifted that number, but DeHaan contended that Har­ vest Pointe will still be well utilized. “Is the need still what we originally thought three years ago? I think, based on conversations we’ve had in the community, that it’s there,” DeHaan said. :SBaXi ' a Xu a #Ss M SS&yiaxS Harvest Pointe, located at 2950 McKeown Rd., was subject to a variety of delays before opening this week. A. TREASURER, continued from page 1 November 2016. She thanked the voters of Thomapple Township for the opportunity to serve as clerk in her resignation letter. “Thomapple Township is continuously growing and I wish this board success to see the township flourish in it/’ she wrote. The township is currently accepting applications for the clerk’s position. The 5 WfiR (g statutory responsibilities ofthe position are to manage all township records, maintain the general ledger, record the minutes of township board meetings and administer elections. The clerk’s office also processes the township payroll, accounts payable, manages human rresources functions, employee benefits, information technology, maintains the township website, manages the cemetery and oversees maintenance of all township facilities, according to the township website. Resumes for the clerk’s position may be submitted to office@thomapple-twp.org. Applicants must be Thomapple Township residents. w W ilH �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — Page 3 Members of the Johnstown and Baltimore township boards at a joint public hearing regarding aquatic weed control in Clear ear Lake. Pictured from left to right: Johnstown Township Trustees Jeff Warren Warr and Deana Powell; Supervisor Barbara Earl; Clerk Sheri Babcock; and Treasurer Karmen NiCkerso, and Baltimore Township Treasurer Melissa VanSyckle; Trustee Aaron VanSyckle; and Supervisor Chad VanSyckle: (Photos by Leila Wood) Attorney Catherine Kaufman standing between Johnstown Township Treasurer Karmen Nickerson (left) and Baltimore Township Treasurer Melissa VanSyckle (right) during a joint public hearing this month, explaining the laws related to the proposed treatment of Clear Lake to control the growth of aquatic weeds. Johnstown and Baltimore townships prepare for weed control measures on Clear Lake tit' ”*"4J** *"4J Leila Wood to start all over again this winter.” Contributing Writer The Feb. 8 hearing was the first public Officials with Johnstown and Baltimore hearing regarding the establishment ofa spe­ townships have been discussing treating cial assessment district and the approval of Clear Lake in order to control the growth of plans and costs for the project, all of which aquatic weeds were ratified following the hearing. The lake is situated on the border ofboth According to Kaufman, “special aissessment townships. districts are initiated by petitions... Under the At a special joint hearing on the issue held statute, ifthe petitions are signed by property in Johnstown Township on Feb. 8, attorney owners owning more than 50 percent of the Catherine Kaufman provided information on proposed land area in the district - so it’s not various aspects of the process and residents just number of parcels; it’s land area - then the ofthe two townships were given an opportu­ boards can both move forward.” nity to ask questions and voice concerns. The estimated cost of the project is “In order to get approval from the State of $212,000 and will be divided amongst the Michigan to use herbicides on a lake, you properties included in the special assessment must have the entire lake involved in the proj­ district. ect, so that’s why we have both townships Kaufman said the duration of the special here tonight,” said Kaufman. assessment district will be five years, begin­ She said, “the first resolution of intent ning later this year. was done last fall by both ofthese boards, “The winter 2023 tax bill is when the first and that said they intended to move’ fbrward assessment would hit your taxes,” she said. heeiie-~—“7VyTesident^r>f^~Baftnnore r>f^~Baftnnore—Townshi Township fptvimtir mdie special a ^but, sei les UP UlMlllOns tcrtiitrhst of thire were some errors in it, so we decided properties that will be included in the ’after, wJUFT"a CITY WATER, continued from page 1 EKSB1 Campbell presented a projection of the M^ombtaed fund between sewer and water rate increases with the assumption that revenue and expenses, the fund is currently Hastings would receive a 25 percent grant in the green overall. However, a breakdown contribution from the state. Water costs for of the revenues and expenses between the the typical homeowner (with the assump­ two separate utilities found that the water tion that they use 4,500 gallons a month) portion of the fund was over performing were projected to increase from their cur­ while the sewer portion of the fund was rently estimated $27.47 a month rate to under performing. $42.87 in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Typical While the math currently works out to sewer costs were projected to increase from put the combined fund in the green, Camptheir current $40.44 to $55,.94- in the 2024-; 'bell said.Hastings’ sewer rates would need 25 fiscal year. to increase mere drastically to maintain a Campbell said these costs were consis­ healthy operating budget. Those increases tent with the median cost for other commu­ would be alongside the less drastic increas­ nities in the state, with Hastings’ current es to water rates. costs being well below average. Campbell Campbell explained the city’s increasing said the state median cost for water ser­ rates would put them in a good position to vices was around $40, with state sewer receive help from the state. Anticipating median costs landing around $45. Camp­ municipalities might need financial support bell said the state median costs would to comply with the new EGLE regulations, almost certainly rise in the following years. a significant amount of state American “Sewer (costs for the average homeown­ Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were set er are) going to be barely above the medi­ aside to fund various grants through a revolving fund. an, water (costs are) going to be barely below the median,” Campbell said. “You’re “The reality is that the city ofHastings is going to be at right about the median rates in a pretty good position, relatively speak­ in the state of Michigan. With all of the ing, to go after the grants from the revolv­ stuffyou have to fund, that’s not a terrible ing fund,” Campbell said. “You’re not in story to tell.” the best position, I will say. The best posiThere were two other factors Campbell tioned communities (to receive grant funds) wanted to bring to the attention ofthe city are the ones that are very, very low income.” because ofhow significantly they necessi­ In other business; the city: tated a rate increase. ~ Appointed Scott Allerding to Hastings The first was new state requirements City Parks Committee for a three-year term passed down by the Department of Envi­ expiring Dec. 31, 2025. ronment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) - Appointed Ann Ulberg to the Down­ through changes to the Michigan Safe town Development Authority for a partial Drinking Water Act in 2018. The new rules term expiring Dec. 31,2025. mandate that municipalities must remove - Appointed Jon Hook to the Zoning five percent of their existing lead water Board ofAppeals as an alternate for a term jservice lines every year for the next 20 expiring Dec. 31, 2025 and the Joint Plan­ ning Alliance for a partial term expiring years, at which point they will be com­ pletely replaced by lead-free lines. jpec.31,2024. Although the changes have been lauded — Adopted a resolution allowing Mayor as an important step to eliminating lead David TossaVa- and Clerk Christopher Bever to list thePproperty at 1500 Star contamination in the state’s Water supply, the relatively short 20-year timeline has put School Rd. for sale through Miller Real extra strain on municipality budgets state­ Estate. wide. Hastings and other, similar rural - Approved a proposal from Wastewater communities will feel those effects even Technologies, LLC for repair ofthe Volute more than metro areas with more robust dewatering press for the amount of$20,624. budgets, Campbell said. Director ofPublic Services Travis Tate said Ofthe $35 million in total expenditures the press removes water from solid waste at planned by the city in the next 10 years as the wastewater treatment plant and required part of its capital improvement plan, $15 maintenance after about five years of opermillion was earmarked for replacing lead ation. service lines. -Approved a proposal from Diversified The other significant factor was the cur­ Real Estate Consultants LLC for a fully rent state of the city’s sewer and water adhered roof system at the wastewater fund. Because ofthe way it was set up as a treatment plant in the amount of $53,053. assessment. Kaufman and Johnstown Township Asses­ sor Joyce Foondle clarified that no properties in Johnstown Township have been added; the additions were made in Baltimore Township to rectify a discrepancy in the way the two townships had compiled their lists. “We want to be sure that we’re looking at things in the same manner. There was discus­ sion about... do you include just the front lots, or . do you include back lots that have (lake) access... that’s when Scott (Anderson, Baltimore Township Assessor) changed his so that it has all of the properties that have access to the lake, which is the way it should be done,” said Foondle. “Johnstown Township originally included back lot,parcels with deeded access, and they have some type offractional assessment. We wanted to make si^e the same thing was being done in Baltimore Township, so that it’s fair,” Kaufman said. That discrepajrey«was primary reason for their decision to redp the first public hear­ ing, according to Kaufman. She said back lot parcels will be assessed at half the cost ofparcels with lake frontage, since parcels with lake frontage will receive greater benefit from the project than back lots will. Parcels without lake access “would proba­ bly not be included in the special assessment district,” she said. The township boards scheduled their sec­ ondjoint public hearing, which will be on the approval ofthe assessment roll, at Johnstown Township Hall, on March 8 at 6 p.m. Ifall goes well, they said they hope to be ready to have the treatment done in May or June. In order to meet that goal, Kaufman said they will need to finalize their plans in March and apply for a permit from the State of Michigan by April 1. She said the townships are working with PLM Lake and Land Management, whom she spoke highly ofand said she has also worked jvith in many other con^nynities, to complete ।. the-project. ’ h She also briefly explained the process of establishing a lake association, in response to a question from Baltimore Township resident Ron Felder. “A lot oftimes when we have a lake in two different townships or two different jurisdic­ tions, there’s something called a governmental lake board, and if you felt like this process wasn’t working for you, you could ask for the establishment of a governmental lake board. It’s a much more complex process... There’s a lot more bureaucracy to it, but it also has more authority to assess and that type ofthing.” Felder also voiced concern about dead aquatic plants potentially floating and piling up along the lakeshore. “I had to jump offfrom my boat twice this year 40 to 50 feet offshore because the weeds were so (dense) from other people to the south that had sprayed, and they floated towards me, tangled up in the rest ofthe live weeds. ..lam not the only one on that end of the lake that has had the samQj$su§/’ he said. nHe nHe said said thayyShOHldohavft thayyShOHldohavft.flip .flipi iweds weds removed, instead of- just killfrig them 'anti leaving them. EAGLE SCOUT, 'continued from page 1 brought his plans to the Eagle Scout board for approval and received it. | Since then, Krzysik haslbeen hard at work planning out the new playground and raising funds for the project. He has to plan and man­ age the entire process himself. The price tag ofthe project is around $ Ip,000. At the time of publication, Krzysik said that he has secured around $10,000 in donations. Donations have come to him from a mix of both private residents? and local companies. In fact, Hastings Manufacturing provided a major lift for the project with a $5,000 donation. Once the funding is secured, executing the project won’t be an easy feat. This will include flattening the area and making minor landscaping modifications. Krzysik has found a manufacturer ofprefabricated play sets and he chose a Noah’s Ark theme for the play­ ground at St. Rose. He will also be acquiring and installing wood chips. He won’t be taking it on alone, though. Krzysik expects thatifellow members of his Boy Scout troop will pitch in to help and he will be enlisting thq help of family friends that work in construction to run the necessary equipment, like a Bobcat. “For Eagle Scouts, (project), part of the requirements is all ofit needs to be as youthled as possible,” Kfzysik said. “My Boy Scout troop (#175) Will help me do as much as they can.” Krzysik said that he is hoping to break ground on the project this spring or summer. For St. Rose, which currently has a play­ ground that is only rated for kids in grades kindergarten and up, adding space for pre-schoolers is a dream come true. “I just thought, wow, what a blessing because big things like this don’t come your way very often,” said Diane Bennett, princi­ pal at the school. “It was kind ofa dream ofours for a while that we could have an outdoor space, but how could we, as a school, ever be able to afford it?” Bennett continued. Bennett said she has complete confidence in Krzysik’s ability to see the project through successfully. “He always showed leadership qualities,” said Bennett, who taught Krzysik in early elementary school. “I wouldn’t necessarily say he was outspoken or anything like that but he definitely showed leadership and was definitely very focused and a creative prob­ lem-solver - very much into engineering and figuring things out.” 1 As Krzysik strives to reach the most elite tier ofscouts, he said that he has learned valu­ able lessons along the way. Krzysik selected a Noah's Ark-themed play set that he plans to install at St. Rose. (Courtesy rendering) “I’ve learned a lot about the outdoor sur­ vival skill-type things but also about lessons I use every day,” he said. “I’ve learned how to be more outgoing and being a leader through scouting - just a lot of personali­ ty-type growing lessons.” Those that are interested in donating to Krzysik’s project can send a check directly to St. Rose with ‘Carter Krzysik’ written in the memo line. Any money that is left over from the project will be donated directly to the school or a charity ofthe giver’s choice. NOTICE TO BIDDERS 195272 BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 11:00 A.M. March 1, 2023 for the following items. Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above address or at our web site at www.barrycrc.org. Crack Seal Blocks Culverts Scraper Blades Concrete Crushing Dust Control Asphalt Paving Sign Posts Slag The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the'best interest ofthe Commission. BOARD OF COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY David D. Solmes Chairman Frank M. Fiala Member Jim James Member �Page 4 — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner HnWyTjpinion SCC Did you SPARTAN SOLIDARITY Barry County should embrace outside perspective when it comes to department board appointments Barry County Commissioner Catherine Getty wore a Michigan State shirt to Tuesday morning's Board of Commissioners meeting. Getty attended the university, which on Monday night, was the site of a mass shooting by an individual that seemingly had no ties to the school. At the time of publication, three students had died in the shooting and five were wounded and list­ ed in critical condition. oyou remember? Derby winners Banner Feb. 13,1978 Andy Marsh, center, was first place in the Pack 3077 Pinewood Derby. Other winners were, from left, David Byrne, second; Matt Vaughn, third; Frank Winans, fourth, and Ron Messell, fifth. -Banner photo. Have you met? Kim Martin was keeping the books for a major grain company before she started her role at the Barry County Chamber ofCom-. merce. “This came across my radar, I applied for it and it’s been pretty awesome ever since,” Martin said. “It’s definitely better than counting grain,” she joked. Martin, who’s now been the Chamber’s event coordinator for 10 years, said it’s always been fun but challenging. Although she still does bookkeeping work as part of her role, she said the event planning aspect of herjob has always been the most inter­ esting. It’s her favorite part of what she does. “Bookkeeping is bookkeeping - it doesn’t really change a whole lot,” she said. “But the events (planning) part of(thejob), it’s something new all the time. You always want to tweak it to make it a little bit better than last year or the year before, that kind of thing,” Although Martin said the annual golf outing put on by the Chamber is always fun to put together, other events like Barry County’s annual Brewfest can be tougher, but more rewarding. It requires connecting with community leaders and working out a whole host of logistical challenges. It changes location each year too, adding to the challenge. This year’s event is taking place in Mid­ dleville this August “Brewfest is probably, logistically, the toughest event to put on because it travels around Barry County to a different spot each year,” Martin said. “That makes it a little bit tougher. You’re constantly working with community officials to run a good event. Then (you have to worry about) hav­ ing enough beer,” shejoked. Martin, a Sunfield native and Lakewood graduate, lives in Vermontville with her husband and two adopted children. The couple traveled to Russia in 2007 to adopt their son Nick and daughter Nadia, taking her role has allowed her to see not only how great the Chamber's staff is, but also how many great people work together in Barry County to make things happen. “(The Chamber is) just a great place to work, and this is a great community and county to work in. You can’t ask for better people. It’s just welcoming,” she said. “IfI did not already live in Veiinontville, I could live in Barry County easily. It’s just that great ofa place.” For coordinating some pfBarry County’s biggest community get-togethers over the past decade, Kim Martin is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite movie: Oh boy, lots ofthem. I am a Nicholas Sparks fan. My most recent favorite movie was probably “Top Gun: Maverick.” What kind of musty do I listen to: Kim Martin photos and videos oftheir trip to show them when they grew older. The four of them live on their family farm, where they are fourth-generation maple syrup producers and tend corn, wheat, soybeans, cattle, pigs and hay. They keep busy, with Martin coaching competitive cheer (and her daughter) at Lakewood, while her husband coachbs football (and their son) at Maple Valley. Martin said her daughter discovered her love ofcompetitive cheer on her own, with­ out any prodding from her mom. “It’s always interesting to coach your own kids. You’re always a little tougher on your own kid than you are somebody else’s, that kind of thing,” Martin said. “But it is a blessing, it’s been fun. It’s been fun to see (Nadia) try something new and really thrive at it.” If her life wasn’t so rooted in Vermont­ ville, with her kids in school and her family’s 120-acre farm, she said she could easily see herselfliving in Barry County. She said We’re kind of all over the place, my whole family. I like country, I like pop, I like rock, I like heavy metal. I love oldies, too - Elvis. I loved the Elvis movie, too. If I could go anywhere in the world: Other than Russia, (I’d go to) Italy. Favorite thing about Barry County: My favorite thing about Barry County is the people. I have met some amazing business people and just people that come in the door here (at the Chamber) inquiring about the county. I always try to sit in and chat with them. This county is blessed with great people. First thing I bought with my own money: A car. The first car I bought myself was a Plymouth Sundance. The Barry County Board of Commis­ sioners has plenty of complex and highstakes problems to sift through as it goes about running the county daily. But, for nearly the last month, the county board has been confronted with a problem that many would agree is a good one to have. The county’s commissioners have been tasked with making appointments to vari­ ous department boards, many of which dictate the operations of crucial services throughout Barry County. With candidate interviews beginning on Jan. 17, the board of commissioners has worked to vet and select candidates for such departments as the Road Commission, Cen­ tral Dispatch Authority, Commission on Aging Board, Parks and Recreation Com­ mission and the Veterans Affairs Committee. These entities wield major decision-making power when it comes to profoundly import­ ant matters, from services for seniors and veterans in Barry County to the condition of local roads. These are important appoint­ ments and the Board of Commissioners should be applauded for its thorough vetting processes, which even included an hourslong session on Jan. 31, when the board was otherwise not scheduled to meet. When vacancies on these department boards open up, leadership within the coun­ ty and each respective department are gen­ erally vigilant in trying to recruit residents to step into those roles and lend their knowledge and insight. Those calls and pleas are not always heeded - some depart­ ment boards chug forward with vacancies and not every board has a deep bench of candidates looking to apply. But this most recent batch of appoint­ ments was different. Most of the departments garnered, not just a healthy list ofcandidates, but each of those candidates came with qualifications and professional experience that made them a solid fit for their respective positions. For instance, six candidates threw their hats in the ring to be considered for one open road commissioner position. Six other candi­ dates interviewed for four open spots on the Commission on Aging Board while six more tried to occupy one ofrthe three positions open with the Veterans Affairs Committee. The quantity and quality of candidates made for long meetings of interviews and created tough decisions for county commis­ sioners. The clear positive in this situation is that commissioners had little problem picking quality candidates for those vacant roles, but the downside is that highly quali­ fied and motivated candidates were not selected for those positions. Some newcomers to the area were scat­ tered throughout this pool of candidates, two ofwhom stuck out to me. Juli Sala, a new resident of Prairieville Township who applied for the available road commissioner position, is one. Sala hailed from the east side of the state and both works for, and has an ownership stake in, Shelby Township-based engineering and surveying firm Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick Inc. The company works with 25 municipalities as their engineer of record and Sala brought with him 12 years ofcivil engineering experience with site develop­ ment, road design, permitting and construc­ tion administration. Sala was a fresh face and might have even raised a little bit of surprise that a professional with his sort of resume landed in Prairieville Township, where he can work remotely. Sala garnered a couple of votes from commissioners, but the majority opted for the more recognizable face in Jim James, who earned with him his solid resume. Similarly, with the Veterans Affairs Com­ mittee, Shawn Hatfield is newer to the Middleville area and expressed an interest in serving the county in that capacity. Hat­ field serves as a communication flight com­ mander with the Michigan Air National Guard. He had been with the Michigan Air ft®fi® II to IB JSST* tJaBg1****?1*, .'* ; to if* kt ta toM xakhtakZn RRtoOR ktiltoklfctootoiito kilt kM J* S2W*1 1** W*1 The Hastings Banner Deuoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. i M M U- uA Dlvision of J-Ad Graphics Inc. i N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News endpress releases:: newsGj-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuurinq CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphios.com. National Guard for 19 years before being honorably discharged as an enlisted mem­ ber. Hatfield was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and said on his application “I understand the unique challenges that our Iraq and Afghanistan veteran community faces and have several contacts in the [West] Michigan area for assisting veterans and accessing services. ” Hatfield did not earn any votes for the three open positions on the VA committee. Throughout this process, I think the value of an outsider’s perspective was slightly discounted by the county board when considering its new board members. A new resident that has not had the chance to see these boards in action certainly comes with a learning curve, but they offer insight that others do not. One of the recurring phrases that com­ missioners heard from candidates through­ out interviews was “I’ve lived in Barry County all my life.” Many lifelong resi­ dents were eager to serve their community and they certainly bring with them knowl­ edge and familiarity with the county and its residents. I don’t want to diminish that fact. But getting an outsider’s perspective is important. It might not always be conve­ nient - it may disrupt the status quo. A new resident can be someone to look at a department with a fresh lens and bring in ideas from outside of Barry County. That sort of perspective could have been woven into the new crop of appointees a little more effectively. These are departments that have big issues to tackle. The COA needs to find a way to secure a better facility - and soon. The VA Committee is striving for better outreach. The Parks and Recreation Board has a major commdrum on its hands with making Charlton Park a more sustainable asset for the county. These are problems that aren’t easy to solve and boards need a blend ofperspec­ tive, insight and knowledge to get there. Now, in the wake of such robust inter­ views, the county board can still strike while the iron is hot. There has been a laun­ dry list ofcounty residents that have thrown their hat into the ring and said U would like to servein this county;’ The cotmtyneeds to leverage this passion and motivation to make sure that those individuals who were not selected stay active and engaged. This might mean steering them to vacan­ cies on other boards. Or, leadership from each respective department might consider reaching out to these individuals and engag­ ing with them directly. I’d make the same pleas directly to those individuals, too. If you are truly serious about helping these departments, and the county as a whole, then stay involved. As Board of Commissioners Chairman David Jackson pointed out at Tuesday’s meeting, department board meetings are open to the public. Ifsomeone is truly passionate about a certain department and wants to remain active within it, they can attend. Not having a seat on the board does not completely disqualify a person from impacting a department. It’s not every day that truly qualified individuals are lining up to serve and create a more robust offering ofservices for coun­ ty residents. This is an opportunity that county leadership cannot squander. • NEWSROOM • (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Jayson Bussa Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Chris Silverman Ty Greenfield Mike Gilmore Jennie Yonker % Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 X to �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 16,2023 — Page 5 Vermontville Maple Syrup Queen crowned Improvised road spikes damage tires of several drivers W W ?w?W: WSw Sw: Ws W & s\ w<X & <X\ ww *TWw< ns \Z > Three Delton drivers contacted police after their tires were damaged by running over homemade road spikes in the Southwest part of the county. The spikes, made of two small pieces ofrebar bent and welded together with sharpened points on the ends, were found scattered in and around the driveway ofa man’s home on the 11000 block ofLoon Echo Drive. The 48-year-old Delton resident told police he removed the spikes from the roadway after he woke up and discovered them. The man told police he wasn’t sure who put them there or why. Razor blade found lodged under vehicle hood A 37-year-old Middleville woman reported finding a razor blade lodged under the hood ofher vehicle to the Barry County Sheriff’s Department around 3 p.m. on Feb. 2. The woman discovered the blade after cutting herselffon it while opening the hood ofher vehicle. The woman told police she had not recently serviced her vehicle and could not think ofany potential suspects, but she wanted to report the incident in case there were other similar reports. $!&?&£§ $s!&$$? S&$£S§ 5 Suspicious stranger may have just been friendly apparition Eliza Trowbridge (right), a homeschooled junior, was crowned Tuesday as this year's Vermontville Maple Syrup Queen. Ali Mater (left), a junior at Maple Valley, was named to the Queen's Court. The Queen's Night ceremonies took place at First Congregational Church in Vermontville and kicked off the lead-up to the annual Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival. This year’s maple syrup festivities will take place April 28-30. (Photo by Christine Terpening)) Hastings HighSchool releases honor roll ■si's. 2**Kkf *Kkfcw raM :s ^^^frconj-fc ^fecta^Btesiifflfa ■faanssioDs faanssioDs todfift jnbla t^o^t(taatiotaMfaistteet^w^ ai^taras tottatoMiste^^ racxife^toitioataerBahiHsi*r. to ci manned caakses »ire ra wiiiaiRah. Mfrtepfai Nriita|tofatote S SoKKvrameniotherawfftsatrterdKHBa terdKHBa msmb i pool of andidata tatymtoo* m nd)Biitotaty.nM!i taidCJMMtaiW MfaatoonoiK. nW totemic SS i■«wffc iifaArtaEto^'Ai^i cfa*A*aa«EgJ r«tEag EJtoS ^'SAi^*i gtoto *^astoBr°'S4!<w’*rt£ go to* *• ■iSSS5* <-tf? ^ZX*-.-* i* “^Lnizable^1” 2 \^ t* >* e’HHa5^? 'aa•5is„«^■>l •isl ‘V? , K^ K pF i<% A/ i >>? >*w w # X* <i Hastings High School has announced its honor roll for the first semester ofthe 2022­ 23 academic year. The following honor roll is calculated based on a cumulative grade point average, starting with a student’s first semester ofhigh school through the end of first semester this school year. An asterisk for students in ninth, 10th arid 11^1 grades indicates a 4.0 GPA. 12th grade Top honors (4.0 and above) Isobelle Bergeron, Grace Curtis, Valery Eaton, Anna Haywood, Jocelyn Hernan­ dez-Hernandez, Gabrielle Horrmann, Jack Kensington, Julia McLean, Molly Patton, Emily Simmons, Isabelle Storm, Kearan Tolles, Caleb Waller. < >• •• • j^igAe^A<!wohn^3>7!5-j(l^^>ni far* r Lauren Arnold, A b ?gai t n Barton*, *’ Saanj Bhakta, Eve Bishop, Kathryn Clark, Bailey Cook, Ericka Critzer, Erin Daniels, Zara Franklin, Joseph Goggins, Juan Osorio, Isa­ iah Randall. High honors (3.25-3.74) Sophia Ahearn, Valentina Arias-Franco, Joy Aukerman, Reed Balderson, Mekih Botsford, Jackson Casey, Layton Eastman, Justus Forell, Abby Gaskill, Zachary Gole, Anden Hines, Victoria Jerzyk, Nathan Kohmescher, Trenton Lipsey, Harley Marlette, Graycee McCarty, Berlin Olcheske, Claudia Palumbo DeVivo, Amber Rabideau, Ashton Rasey, Cailin Redman, Peighton Reser, Mackenzi Rivera, Marissa Roberts, Megan Rowley, Robert Slaughter, Isaac Stanton, Lauren Tay­ lor, Ella Tellkamp. Honor roll (3.0-3.24) Aubree Abson, Dylan Brisco, Elijah Bris­ co, Joseph Brisco, Zachary Chipman, Cassidee Easey, Malayah Garrison, Addison Mays, Lawrence McKenna, Christian Owen, Devin Pacillo, Cameron Seeber, Bayne Signeski, Cole Smith, Noah Strimback, Macy Winegar. 11th grade Highest honors (3.75 and above) ♦Lucy Barnard, * Abigail Beemer, Abigail Byykkonen, Diego Coipel, Lily Comensoli, Sanchez, Gonzale, Logan Graham, ♦Alexan­ dria Herder, Allison Kerby, Olivia Meeker, ♦Adeline Nickels, Ellen Payne, Abigail Peake, Riley Shults, Reuben Solmes, Jaeden Stevens, Cecilia Thunder, Adrianne VanDenburg, ♦Olivia White. High honors (3.25-3.74) Sergynho Arias, Mason Bailey, Dekota Blough, Jackson Byers, Owen Carroll, Trey Casey, Peightyn Cronk, Alydar Dico, Jordyn Downs, Paige Elliott^ Kimber Fenstemaker, Damien ^peonidHcath'iHaysv Demens ia’Jbhn^ son, Madden KuestnCr, Camfila Loss,'Natalie Minch, Kaitlyn Moore, Raegen Morrison, Charles Nickels, Raedyn Rathbun, Madison Roberts, Ellie Smith, Sophia Sunior, Howard Teed, Gavin Tinkler, Audrey Vertalka. Honor roll (3.00-3.24) Joseline Arechiga Gutierrez, Blake Bar­ num, Brayden Bies, Denver Brill, Kacey Campbell, Kaylie Carl, Cariota Espi Vano, Carly Frazer, Lucas Gray, Lydia Griffith, A. Haines, David Jiles, Mia Maya Santos, Han­ nah Neal, Evan Porter, Lila Rea, Alexie Rob­ erts, Aubree Rowse, Aiden SaintAmour, Brennan Sensiba, William Smalley, Lars Sorensen, Landon Steward, Ryan VanDorp. 10th grade Highest honors (3.75 and above) Candela Diaz Vera, ♦ Isabel Gee, Ondreya Griswold, Rachael Hewitt, Micah Johnson, Donald Kuck, Kennedy Lewis, Alyson Mill­ er, Seth Pirtle, Brandon Simmons, *Lilyah Solmes, Victoria Tack. High honors (3.50-3.74) Tanner Armstrong, Anika Bourassa, Carter Favreau, JoDee Gaskill, Baylie Guernsey, Jordan Humphrey, Alan Li, Jordan Milanowski, MaeLynn Miller, Brennan Reser, Santana, Rio, Heaven Simmet, Jennifer Stoline, Brooklyn Strickland. Honor roll (3.25-3.49) Elissa Bafaro, Jett Barnum,. Riley Bondu­ rant, Ella Ferguson, Alexander Galaviz, Logan Kerby, Kalli Koning, Dawson Lewis, Miles Lipsey, Preston Meece, Hayley Miller, Jayse Peterson, Amelia Price, Elijah Randall, Hayley Rasey, Arianna Rocha, Melany Var­ gas, Zoe Watson, Memphis White. Ninth grade Highest honors (3.75 and above) Annemarie Allerding, Ashlyn Bailey, Reese Bernstein, Aidep Byle, Ellie Cousins, | Colten Denton, ♦ Matthew Domenico^ ♦Char­ lotte brake, Anoerson Forell, Madison Forti­ er, * Lauren Gee, Riley Gurtowsky, ♦Riley Herron, * Ethan Holman, Daniel Jensen, ♦Carter Krzysik, Adriana Meyers, Jadalie Miller, Ava Noteboom, CariSa Rosenberger, Josalyn Russell, Bayley Smith, Brayden Thielen, Collin Tossava, ♦Mazie Waterman, Gracie Wilson. High honors (3.5(f-3.74) Aden Armstrong, Carter Bell, Olivia Buch­ er, Bronson Elliott, Olivia Friddle, Olivia Goodrich, Jaqueline Herrerai Nuno, Tanner Hill, Alexander Kohmescher, Balian Mar­ lette, Claudia Minch, Maylee Olin, Trapper Reigler, Tyce Richardson, Shealagh Rose, Matthew Shults, Natalie Snyder, Angelina Waterman. Honor roll (3.25-3.49) Adeline Carey, Nella Coipel, Shiloh Cran­ dall, Spencer Crozier, Kyle Echtinaw, Reese Hammond, Tryniti Hester, Esther King, Dezarae Mathis, Alexia Owen, Kendell Shinault, Isabelle Stanton, Nathan Traver, Lainey Westworth. Questions linger after flying object over Lake Huron shot down Janelle D. James Bridge Michigan While some Michiganders may have been doing some last-minute grocery shopping and preparing for Super Bowl parties on Sunday, the U.S. was tracking down an object flying over the Great Lakes state. A U.S. F-16 fighter jet shot down another unidentified object, this time flying over Lake Huron, according to the U.S. Depart* ment ofDefense. The object was reported to be flying about 20,000 feet above the lake waters, which could potentially be threaten­ ing for commercial flights. “These most recent objects do not pose a kinetic military threat, but their path in proximity to sensitive DOD sites and the altitude that they were flying could be a hazard to civilian aviation and thus raised concerns,” said Melissa Dalton, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispher­ ic affairs, during a media briefing on Sunday. President Biden ordered the object to be taken down at 2:42 p.m. Sunday. Officials determined that it was likely the same object that was found flying over Montana one day earlier, which raised concerns because it flew so close to Department of Defense sites, the department confirmed in a statement. During a White House media briefing Monday afternoon, White House Spokesman John Kirby said that it was shot down over Lake Huron and landed in “what we believe to be the Canadian side ofthe lake. ’ “So we were obviously in constant com- munication and consultation with our Cana­ dian counterparts.” He added: “In concert with U.S. Coast Guard, they are also involved in trying to locate the debris right now.” Sunday’s event marked the fourth object the U.S. has shot down this month, the others were in South Carolina, Alaska and Canada. “The increasing incidents of unidentified objects, the latest over Lake Huron in Michi­ gan airspace, are disturbing,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) said in a press release. We need the facts about where they are originating from, what their purpose is, and why their frequency is increasing.” I applaud our US Air Force and Wiscon­ sin National Guard for their swift action, but we must not wait until these objects are over America s heartland before we act,” Rep. John James, a Republican who represents Macomb County, said in a press release. “The People deserve the truth and this cannot hap­ pen again.” The object shot down over Lake Huron was flying much lower than previous objects. The object that was shot down in Canada was ying at an altitude of 40,000, a spokespers son for the National Security Council said, twice the altitude ofthe Lake Huron object. According to the Pilot Institute, a training ccn .5’ c®mmerc>al airplanes typically fly at d? 6 ^eet» ^eet» an<^ an<^ no no higher higher than than fe?‘ Private PIanes can only fly at an 3 Tkde ufab°Ut 10’000 feet or lowere object over Lake Huron was octagonal in s ape with strings hanging offit, but more information would not be found until the debris is collected, a senior administration official told CNN. However, the wind along the lake could make that difficult. The Nation­ al Weather Service reported that there were winds at 30 knots and waves building up to six and nine feet Monday afternoon. More significantly, Kirby, the White House spokesperson, said the object shot down over Lake Huron “now lies in what is probably very deep water.” The origin ofthe object is unclear. Officials are still trying to determine ifthe objects shot down in recent days came from the People’s Republic of China, which is where a balloon shot down earlier this month came from. “Because we have not yet been able to definitively assess what these recent objects are, we have acted out of an abundance of caution to protect our security and interests,” Dalton said. When asked if it could be extraterrestrial during a press conference Sunday, Gen. Glen VanHerck, the commander ofthe Air Force’s Northern Command, said he hasn’t ruled out anything and will continue to assess and attempt to identify every threat that approach­ es North America. But the White House was more definitive on Monday. “There is no - again, no -indication of alien or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns,” White House press secre­ tary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a media brief­ ing Monday afternoon. Police responded on Jan. 23 around 5:30 a.m. to a report ofa suspicious situation at a residence on the 13000 block ofJones Road in Johnstown Township. The responding officer surveyed the area but could not find any footprints or signs of any disturbances in the fresh snow. The caller told police it “could have been the ghost of her grandmother” because she had passed away recently. Man goes door to door with machete in Hastings An unwelcome visitor startled some residents on the 2600 block ofWest Airport Road in Hastings last month. Police responded to two houses in the area around 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 after a man wielding a machete knocked on their doors and asked for a ride. Residents said the man was wearing a camouflage hoodie, white pants and big boots and appeared to be in his 40s. They also said the man appeared to be under the influence of drugs, and he told them he had gotten in a fight with his “old lady” and was toting the machete because he feared for his life. Neither ofthe residents knew the machete-wield­ ing man, who left after the second resident told him to get offhis porch and informed him that he had a gun in the house. Drone reportedly flies over house A 41-year-old Nashville man called police around 8 a.m. Jan. 24 to report a drone flying outside his house. The man told police his step-daughter was woken up by the sound ofthe drone flying, which she saw fly over the house and a bam on the property. The man told police he didn’t know who the drone belonged to, where it originated from or where it was ultimately headed. Hastings Public Library closes in on goal for window replacement project Administrators at the Hastings Public Library continue to raise funds to replace the building’s 336 win­ dows, which feature a design flaw that traps moisture inside them, affecting both their clarity and aes­ thetic appeal. All but 30 of the win­ dows have been affected by the flaw. The manufacturer of the windows went out ofbusiness in 2012, leaving the library with no recourse. Library officials are calling on help from the general public to put them over the $1.2 million mark, which is the amount needed to com­ plete the project. The following is a glimpse at the library’s progress with the fundraiser. f ST 1nsuuzzJ SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville ^ �Page 6 — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Jack Robert Rodriguez Diane Ellen Collins, age 70, of Portland, OR, died on January 22, 2023 at Providence Hospital following a three year battle with cancer. Diane was bom and raised in Hastings, MI, the second child of five to Duane and Elaine White. Diane earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, where she met her husband, Scott Collins. Diane married Scott in 1976 and moved to the Upper Peninsula ofMichigan. There she would give birth to their only child, Eric. In 1979, Diane earned a computer science degree from UW-Oshkosh, then held a career as a systems analyst for Appleton Papers in Appleton, WI until her retirement in 2010. Diane and Scott moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1999. They lived there until her cancer diagnosis in 2020, then relocated near their son’s family in Portland, OR. A passionate sailor, Diane loved sailing the family boat Severance in the Great Lakes, around coastal waters of Florida, across the Gulf of Mexico, and at various locations around Europe, South America and the Caribbean. In retirement, Diane enjoyed making jew­ elry where she was a familiar face in the St. Petersburg arts and crafts scene. She is survived by her husband, Scott; her son, Eric (Robyn) Collins; her grandson, Skyler Collins, and her four siblings, Deb (Fred) Raffler, Barb (Bob) O’Brien, Steve (Cindy) White and Sue (R® Feenstra. David Guy Linsea of Middleville passed away unexpectedly at home on February 6, 2023, age 64. He was bom on October 7, 1958, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son ofVincent G. and Maxine (DeLong) Linsea. David graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School and Grand Rapids Community College. He was a truck driver for Columbian Logistics/Sprinter Services in Grand Rapids, MI. He married Lori VanAsperen on September 22, 1979. David liked antiques and enjoyed watching “Pickers”, Pawn Stars, and Mecum CarAction. He loved fishing and walking in the woods but most ofall he LOVED spending time with his family. David was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronald Perdue, Michael Linsea, and sister, Sherrill (Linsea) Tenney. He is survived by his wife, of 43 years, Lori (VanAsperen) Linsea ofMiddleville; son, Jus­ tin (Andrea) Linsea of Middleville; daughter, Rebecca (Bryce) Spurgeon of Hastings; grand­ daughter, Myah Vincent; grandson, Thomas Vincent; granddaughter, Emmalyn Linsea, Raelynn Spurgeon, and grandson, Logan Spurgeon; sister, Suzanne Linsea-Smith; father figure and close friend, Tony Smith, many much loved nieces and nephews, in-laws, friends, and his little dog, Ellie. There will be a Celebration ofLife service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18,2023, at Girrbach Funeral Home 328 South Broadway Street, Hastings, MI 49058 with visitation one hour prior at 10 a,n). Interment following at Coman Cemetery, Middleville, MI. To leave online condolences visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: wwsl hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze!. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pan. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. 9050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 s exfob Him ““fr’ Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 Hotlhtlodiltatafot 131 W. Green St. Hastl 945-9541 Jack Robert Rodriguez was bom on August 9, 1980 in Hastings, MI to Ricardo James Rodriguez and Susanne Irene Stockham. He died unexpectedly at the age of 42 at his home in Alto on February 13, 2023. Jack attended Hastings Schools and worked most recently at J Rettenmaier in Schoolcraft. He had two children, Margaret Kaye and Vic­ toria Jean, from his first marriage to Cassan­ dra Rupke. He married Jessica Rose on July 4, 2014 and had two children: Elizabeth Susanne and Henry Pasqual. Jack enjoyed camping, whiskey, and any­ thing that would make someone laugh. He took great pride in smoking meat, his epic beard, and his equally well-groomed lawn. Above all else, he 'loved his kids and was always their biggest supporter. Jack is survived by. wife, Jessica; children, Margaret, Victoria, Elizabeth, and Henry; his parents, Ricardo (Kim) Rodriguez, Susanne (Michael) Stehr; brothers, Joseph (Kimberly) Rodriguez, Corey (Ashley) Fueri, and Jon (Amanda) Rodriguez; Jeremy (Tricia) Rose, Matthew (Jennifer) Rose; nieces, Lara, Aubree, Cooper, Jackson, Anna, Giana, Kylee, Lauren, and Brynn; and nephew, Justin. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Pasqual (Rick) and Norma Rodriguez, and maternal grandparents, Rob­ ert and Louise Stockham. The family will receive visitors on Thurs­ day, Feb. 16,2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. and funer­ al services will be Friday, Feb 17. 7J123 fit 1 p.m. Both will be held at the Girrbach Funer­ al Home in Hastings. Following interment at Riverside Cemetery, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Hastings Elk Lodge. Those wishing to make a memorial contri­ bution to Jack’s family, can do so in his honor at any Chase bank by check, referencing account ending in 3280, executor of trust: Rachael Risdon, family friend. Jack’s fun-loving spirit, his smile, his laugh, and his huge heart will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net Jeannine M. Service, age 81, of Mid­ dleville, MI passed away February 14, 2023 at her residence. Jeannine was bom June 24,1941, in Augus­ ta, WI, daughter ofLloyd and Marion (Artis) Karow. She graduated from Midland High School in 1959 and attended Central Michi­ gan and Western Michigan Universities. Jeannine received her bachelor’s degree from CMU and a master’s degree from WMU. Jeannine married her first husband, Ernie Townsend in 1966, who passed away in 1973. She married Donald Service on Octo­ ber 27,2007, who also preceded her in death, in 2021. She was a schoolteacher for 31 years. Jeannine worked for three years at Wyoming Public Schools and 28 years at Lakewood Public Schools. She loved teaching, especial­ ly kindergarten. Jeannine was a Detroit Tigers Fan, loved working in her flower gardens and dearly loved her cats. Jeannine was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Marion Karow; husbands, Ernie Townsend and Donald Service, sister­ in-law, Florence and Bud Collom and broth­ er-in-law, Normand and Blanche Wright and their son, Gerald Wright, and stepchildren, Pete and Michele Service. She is survived by her sons, Mike (Maria) Townsend, Steve (Stephanine) Townsend; grandchildren, Maggie, Michael, Marshall, Sheyanne and Kadence; two special nieces, Janet (Bob) Milfc$ and Jy^ie^qgugliavpC^tqpp children, Perry, Service,-Paul (Kristy) Service and Sheila (Richard) Bell as well as several great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on February 16, 2023 at 12 p.m. at the Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, ML Vis­ itation will be held one hour prior to service time from 11 a.m. to 12: p.m. Burial will take place at Clarksville Cemetery. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. James Allen Baker, age 84, of Hastings,* MI, passed away at his residence on February 10,2023. Jim was bom on January 28, 1939, the son of Arthur and DeEtte (Voorheis) Baker. He: attended Middleville Schools. Jim married Patricia Winkle on November 1, 1968 and they enjoyed 31 years until her death in 1999He honorably served in the U.S. Army from September 1959 to November 1962. ; Jim worked with his son, Joey Baker, as the owner/operator ofCarlton Center Service? His passion were all things dealing with motorsports, racing and fast cars. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, especially at many dirt racetracks in the tri-state area . He started racing in 1985 and was actively involved in his next three generations ofrac­ ing family members. Jim also enjoyed spon? taneous road trips, lake barbeques and attends ing sporting events for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his daughter, Juanita J. (Richard Jr) Sweet; son, Joey D. (Angie) Baker, and daughter, Jeanne M. (Jeff) Payton, all of Hastings; grandchildren, James Kimmel, Rus­ sell Burgdorf III, Amanda Fleury, Lacey (Ryan) Levett, Janae (Rob) Sebastian; great-grandchil­ dren, Logan, Sophia, Jaxson, and Olivia; sis­ ters, Shirley (Ken) Roundtree, Jean Gallup and Norma (Bill) Blair; brother, Roy Baker and many extended family members. Those wishing to make, a memorial contributjppfparo^iak^pqo ipT^qrSjhonor, to sppf pert a local raceTracki , T. ,-r A Celebration of Life will be held at the Walldorff Brew Pub & Bistro Ballroom, 105E. State St., Hastings, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 from 1 until 4 p.m. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Terese Marie Koch Joan Lee Elliston Joan Lee (Everett) Elliston departed this life, peacefully and surrounded by her family, on February 4, 2023. Joan was bom January 20, 1939 to Orville “Mike” and Madeleine (Allen) Everett. She graduated from Nashville High School in 1957 and later that year married the love of her life, Larry Elliston. Together Larry an Joan had three children, Kevin, Marcia, and Max. Joan started working at Hastings Man­ ufacturing in 1968, retiring in 1999. Joan loved to read, go camping with her family, go to various casinos in the state with her sister Joyce, and in later years traveling to her granddaughter Michelle’s house in South Carolina. She was a huge bluegrass music fan, and a Vince Gill fan as well. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Joyce Aspinall, Janet Morgan, and Jean Roscoe; her husband, Larry; sons, Kevin and Max; son-in-law, Curt Scramlin, and great grand niece, Ellie Porter. Joan is survived by her daughter, Marcia Scramlin; granddaughter, Michelle Scramlin; Terese Marie (Beecher) Koch passed great nephew, Norm (Jenn) Porter; great peacefully on February 8, 2023. Terry cher­ grand nephew, Roberto Porter, and great ished her siblings, children, grandchildren grand niece Evangeline Porter, and life long and touched the lives of those who knew her best friend/partner in crime, Jan Kalnbach with grace, a giving spirit and love of bad and various other family and friends who she jokes. She was proud of her years as manager dearly loved. ofthe Hastings Country Club and subsequent In lieu of flowers, donations can be made time as bookkeeper at ACE Hardware. to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Beama, as she was affectionately named The funeral service was held February 9, by her grandson and forever ever after known 2023, at Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, by her family, left a legacy across multiple with a luncheon that followed at Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville. Interment took place privately. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, conve­ niently located at 9200 East M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at danielsfuneralhome.net generations. She loved telling stories of world adventures, usually of a ridiculous nature^ spent at her husband Ted’s side. Although one ofher favorite life mottos was, “for better or worse, but not for all day,” she loved Ted with her whole heart. She wasn’t Beama without Ted, always concocting the next Christmas skit competition with their grandkids or plan-, ning their next themed party, infamous for feasts, fire eaters, dunk tanks and an unbe­ lievable number ofglow sticks. From a very young age, she taught her children and grandchildren to look for beauty in the world. We will forever compete to spot the first robin in spring, constantly search for fairy circles and a perfectly round stone. We will stare at the night sky, especially in August, watching for falling stars and ran-? domly hum the words to the old Irish ballad,’Molly Malone.’ Whenever we curl up in a quilt she made we will feel her love. We will always admire a beautifully cut gem* stone and forever be awed by ‘diamonds’ sparkling in the snow on a bitter cold winter, day. This is when we will once again see her spirit shine. Beama was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen (Campbell) Beecher.^! She is survived by her siblings, Robert Catherine, Mary, Timothy, Patricia, Valerie] and Michael, her children Emily, Benjamin^ Sarah, Theodore (TJ), Andrea, Katie and their spouses she claimed as her own. She leaves; behind 14 grandchildren who will miss her] desperately. Most dear to her was her hus*. band Ted, who with humor and dedication* she shared so muchjoy, creating a family we< are ever grateful for. Call for Hastings Banner ads 269-945-9554 or 1-899-879-7085 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. February 16,2023 — Page 7 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Feb- 16-22 February - February Storywalk Book: “Ten Ways to Hear Snow” by Cathy Camper; illustrated by Kenard Pak. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Discov­ er the beauty and sounds of snow through the eyes and ears ofa little girl on her way to visit her grandmother. As you read the story, join her in counting the many ways you can hear snow as you hike the Story­ walk trail. After your Storywalk adven­ ture, stop by the south side bathrooms of the Visitor Center for activity sheets to learn more about snow science and ways to pay attention to things in nature that might otherwise go unnoticed. February Member Appreciation ‘ib < L S'S sss l John Charles Cheeseman, age 94, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2023 at Spectrum Health Grand Rapids with family by his side. John was bom August 11, 1928 to Clyde and Helen (Stanton) Cheeseman in Nashville. He attended Dunham Country School until seventh grade then went to Hastings High School graduating in 1947. He proudly served his country in the Korean War as he was sta­ tioned in Germany. - He farmed all his life while working at Oli­ ver’s in Battle Creek, EW Bliss in Hastings, taking an early retirement in 1983, he contin- V * view Family Church for many years and were very active in the church; he especially enjoyed his Tuesday morning breakfasts with his church friends. John loved to collect things and never threw anything out because “you never know when you might need it.” He was a man of great integrity, if he said he’d do something for you, you could be guaranteed he would do it. He was a man who never stopped working; there was always something that needed to be done. John was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Ann Eldred; a brother, George Cheeseman and a sister, Phyllis Harrison. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children Marcia Hause, John (Sherry) Cheeseman, and Don (Beth) Cheeseman; his grandchil­ dren, Amanda (Ashton) Heydenberk, Tiffany (Jason) Hagerman, Eliza (Chris Fuller) Chee­ seman, Terrance (Amber) Cheeseman, Jolene (Kyle) Knight, Ethan Cheeseman, and Timo­ thy Cheeseman, and many great grandchil­ dren, nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions in memory ofJohn can be made to Pleasantview Family Church at 2601 Lacey Rd., Dowling, MI 49050. Funeral services will be held at Pleasantview Family Church at a later date. 4-H club work back in 1946 a Esther Walton biaf * lani n KIRI ritw KUt [ewNowWi 'J Bannert March 29, 1990 • With the appointment ofMiss Beatrice C. Boyle as Club Agent in 1928, 4-H club work grew rapidly. - Although club work was first started in 19=18; it was,veryTil,iwitcd.!(In,;i'93,0;,'Hafold,T.1 Foster succeeded Paul J. 'Rb'dd 'as ‘ County Agricultural Agent. In September 1931, lack offinances caused Miss Boyle to leave Barry County. Until 1935, Foster was the only extension agent, and he did all the jobs of three positions: county agricultural, home economics, and club work. In 1935, F. Earl Haas came in as part-time 4-H District Club Agent and Miss Mary E. Bullis came as part-time Home Extension Agent in 1936. Under the direction and leadership ofFos­ ter, Haas and Bullis, the 4-H program expand­ ed rapidly. In 1941, F. Earl Haas joined “Uncle Sam’s” forces and O. Ray Lamb assumed the position. By 1944, Lamb’s terri­ tory had been downsized from four counties to two. He served half-time in Allegan and half-time in Barry County. On Nov. 1, 1945, Lamb was appointed as full-time 4-H Club Agent for Barry County. - After 1945, it was possible to have more Concentrated work for both leaders and mem­ bers. Recreation and program planning became a very definite part of the program, with more emphasis placed on demonstration andjudging work. ■ ■ By 1947, Barry County had at least 1,300 club members annually. In Lamb’s annual report, dated November 1946, he said, “Barry County, with 16 town­ ships, carried 30 projects...” Lamb set up eight goals for the year: 1 1) Increase garden dairy and poultry proj­ ects. 1 2) Set up judging schools for winter, as well as summer work. 3) Develop strong township leader groups to run community projects. * 4) Establish longer and better 4-H summer camps. 5) Conduct rural schools and entertainment meetings in as many communities as possible. 6) Conduct a strong Junior Leadership pro­ gram in the county. 7) Work with the Junior Farm Bureau in leadership training and recreation programs. 8) Conduct 4-H calfscramble at the fair. Lamb explained the status of the County 4^HCIUb,Ag'entiir1946,,in his reports “A:,gddd 4'-® program is successfully1 car­ ried on only through complete cooperation of the three extension agents. The bulk of the girls’ program is carried on by the home demonstration agent, and yet the club agent aids in the organization ofgirls’ clubs and the supervision of achievement day, fair and camp programs. Some of the girls’ work is also checked by the club agent. It is necessary that the club agent spend as much time as possible in the field. “The Michigan State College and Country Agricultural Agent directs the work of the club agent. The club program is formulated and worked out through the cooperation of the two above mentioned agents. The home demonstration agent also works with the other two agents. The 4-H club program takes all the time the club agent can possibly give to the work.” Some of the things Lamb wished to achieve during the year were to: enlarge the Junior Leadership program, have a stronger service club and County Council; induce older lead­ ers to remain in 4-H work and secure more junior leaders; stress community club proj­ ects; strive for larger attendance of 4-H par­ ents at achievement day programs; stress farm accounting in district by 4-H members, as well as personal accounting. Lamb hoped to achieve his goals by “allo­ cating just as much of the 4-H leadership in the township units to the older and more suc­ cessful leaders as is possible.” As the program continued to grow, Lamb felt it important and necessary to get information and materials across from the leaders at special leaders’ meetings and conferences. He thought that news items and pictures would be helpful to keep the 4-H people informed and “inspired.” It was his opinion that scholarship won. Prizes awarded, tours and educational tripss were vehicles to publicize 4-H activities. Barry County delegates at St. Mary’s Camp in 1946 (from left) Ada Salton Leland Christensen, Joyce Clark, Dean Babcock, Phyllis Sheffield and Normal. Jean Nielson. Month: Snowshoe check-out. February is Member Appreciation Month at the Insti­ tute. As a thank you for supporting the Institute, members can check out snow­ shoes to be used from dawn to dusk on the Institute’s trails and/or over the weekend for free. Snowshoes can be picked up and returned to the Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 269-721-4190 or sign up online to reserve snowshoes. Please note: Snowshoes are limited and may not be available on partic­ ular days. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Alice Jones to celebrate 100th birthday A card shower would be appreciated in honor of Alice Jones, whose birthdy is March 1,2023. Please send cards, notes, memories to: Alice Jones, 1821 N. East St., c/o Woodlawn Meadows, Hastings, MI 49058. Thursday, Feb. 16 - Novel Ideas Book Club discusses “The River” by Peter Heller, 12:30 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches an Oscar-nominated 1959 film star­ ring James Steward, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara and Eve Arden, 5 p.m. The film is based on a true story that takes place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Friday, Feb. 17 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 - Dungeons & Dragons, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20 - Crafting Passions Craft Day, 10-1 p.m.; Lego club, 4 p.m.; What Happened to You book club, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; Great Decisions Foreign Policy Institute, 1:30­ 3:30 p.m.; mahjong, 2:30 p.m.; chess, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; open computer lab, 2-4 p.m.; acoustic jam, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. fl look baek at the stories and columns on local history F In the fiastlnos Banner i TURNING BflGKTHE MGS Lamb, in his annual report, described how club work was organized: “Club work is organized on the county basis with only one person to supervise the work. Expert advice and counsel is given by the agricultural agent. The 4-H program is carried out under the direction ofthe county agent. “Then, too, the home agent working in the county does much for and in the home economics projects. Several conferences are held each year, at which time county plans are made by and with the county agent. “An agricultural committee is appointed each year by the board of supervisors to assist and meet with the extension staff... It is the service club and the 4-H County Council that give greater assistance to the working 4-H program in the county. These two organized groups have very close con­ tact with the 4-H program and help in for­ mulating plans and putting some into action. “The Barry County 4-H Club Council, having recently reorganized, was very active and helpful with formulating and county 4-H program and policies for the year. The council helped plan the achievement day program, the 4-H annual livestock sale, assisted in securing new leaders and orga­ nizing new 4-H clubs. “The council consists of 12 members. The county, consisting of 16 townships, is divided into equal districts with a man, woman, (usually leaders) and an older club boy or girl from each district. “The 4-H Council acts as an advisory group for work with young people and assists with county club events, such as achievement days and exhibits. “Clubs are organized with five or more members, but all do not necessarily carry the same projects. The work is directed by local club leaders. Two leaders’ training meetings were held this year, under the direction ofMiss Virginia Graves and Louis Webb and club agent Ray Lamb. “Barry County organized 110 regular 4-H clubs. Some of the clubs carried a yearround program, while others organized in the spring and again the fall. The three extension agents combine their efforts to conduct tours, judging contest and achieve­ ment events.” A brief summary of 1946 accomplish­ ments was given. Total number of 4-H members enrolled was 943. Eight hundred twent-one members completed projects twenty-one with an 87 percent finishing rate. The poultry project raised 4,016 birds and 428 heads of dairy, beef, swine, sheep and colts were raised. There was a total of30 projects carried by 4-H members. Five camp periods were held at the Barry County 4-H camp. During the year, one more new building Stanley Pierce and his Holstein heifer at the 1946 state show. Robert Gaskill in the 4-H state show in 1946, with his registered Holstein. was added to the camp. A total of 146 vol­ untary local leaders assisted 110 different 4-H clubs. Twenty-nine members and lead­ ers attended Club Week at Michigan State College (MSC). The 4-H participated in the 4-H exhibits at the county fair, state show and Farmer’s Week. Eight Barry County youths went to Walden Woods Camp and seven went to St. Mary’s Lake Camp. No organization can function without leaders and the 4-H honored their devoted leaders. Seventy women* 41 men and 28 older 4-H youths have the time so that 4-H club work could be carried on. Twice during 1946, 18 local leaders were presented with five-year awards. They were: Mrs. Gerald Smith, Yeckley; Mrs. Clare Norris, Stevens; Herman Callahan, Base­ line; Mrs. Charles Rowley, Quimby; Louise Baldwin, Fish; Mrs. Ruth Howell, Briggs; Mrs. Lillian Cheeseman, Dunham; Arthur Smalley, Middleville; Mrs. Florence Artlip, Orangeville; Helen Reeser, Woodland; Rob­ ert Gaskill, Dowling; Mrs. Vem Hecker, Nashville; Mrs. Lyle Biddle, Yeckley; Mrs. Clifton Becker, Fisher; Milton Buehler, Freeport; Ogle Flanigan, Woodland; and Mrs. Ogle Flanigan ofWoodland. Two were presented with 10-year gold clover awards: Mrs. Dale Cook and Mrs. Lillie Cheeseman. Laura Jean Salton ofthe Brushridge Club was honored as the all-around county cham­ pion member for 1946. �Page 8 — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Orangeville Township manufactured home community gets facelift after land acquisition Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer New construction is underway at the site of long-time Orangeville Township restaurant the Circle Inn, which closed its doors late last year. The restaurant closed up shop on Sept. 30 after 65 years in operation. Gun Lake MCM Communities, a manufac­ tured housing operation, acquired the proper­ ty from the former owner of 20 years, Don Cote. MCM already had a mobile home community behind the restaurant with about a hundred residents, according to MCM Communities management. “We’re going to not put anything where the Circle Inn restaurant was,” said a company spokesperson. “We’re simply going to upgrade the view to the lake. There are going to be amenities.” Some of those amenities include a playground, dog park, new docks and a pickleball court. The construction project is expected to cost $1.5 million according to a spokesperson from MCM Communities. Before the construction began, MCM Communities obtained a soil erosion permit on Oct. 18, allowing them to take down the Circle Inn restaurant and reroute the drive­ way to the mobile home park, according to Barry County Planning and Zoning Director Jim McManus. ‘‘Eventually, they will get a permit for a gazebo that will be on the west side of the driveway,” McManus said. “The soil erosion permit was issued because it is within 500 feet of the lake and is This rendering illustrates the finished project that Gun Lake MOM Communities has planned for the newly-acquired property that once housed the Circle Inn. The manu­ factured home community was once located directly behind the restaurant. (Courtesy rendering) a state-mandated permit that allows work and excavation to be done within 500 feet of a lake,” McManus added. “We approved the project for MCM on Nov. 28.” Within two weeks after approval from the county, the Circle Inn building was demol­ ished. “Construction will start moving fast,” MCM’s Assistant Manager of Marketing/ Strategies Ashley Crawford said. “I already used the new driveway.” Right now, MCM managers are expecting the whole project to be completed this spring in either April or May. The docks will be installed in April. “Specifically, where that restaurant used to be is going to bejan open space for the com­ munity to enjoy,” said an MCM spokesper­ son, referring to the former Circle Inn. “It’s a landscaped yard - a large, 20-person, open­ air pavilion that overlooks the lake.” MCM Communities plans on upgrading the docks and installing a swimming plat­ form, adding kayaking slots and a big open lawn, a playground, pickleball courts and a dog park. There will be approximately 20 docks. “The new entrance is almost done right now, and the retaining walls and surface for the gazebo will be done in the next three Construction is underway at the site and is expected to move quickly, per a spokesperson with MCM Communities. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) weeks,” said the company spokesperson. “They’re excited,” said Crawford referring to the residents ofthe Gun Lake MCM com­ munity. “It’s going to be a big change. People are constantly asking where everything is going. It’s a new process.” Gun Lake MCM Communities was acquired in 2020. “The first year that they owned they did not make any real changes,” Crawford explained. “Now, they arejust starting to redo the whole community and make all the changes.” The new space and amenities are just for the residents ofthe MCM community. McManus has a few reasons why he thinks the new construction project for Gun Lake. MCM Communities is innovative. “I think, in this case, it will make a significant improvement to the mobile home com­ munity. Access to the park and a wider, clear­ er driveway is going to be great for public safety and fire response,” he said. “That will help improve the area around the lake. The gazebo should be a nice addi­ tion. From my understanding, there will be a walkway out to a dock. So that will be a much more aesthetic part of the property. So, it. should be a marked improvement. I think everybody will be pleased with it.” X^y X^ /y J y/ y/AyMJJ AM $Z> W ^x| ^x ' *Jjr5idd” Jrt^p 5%drd t t.%d Si’i*'* , &$**£ $£ £ Cerulean Warbler tours attract hundreds to Barry County nesting sites Shelly Kehrle-Sulser J-AdNews Service A tiny, migrating songbird accented in deep, sky blue has a way of attracting a lot of attention to the Yankee Springs and the Barry State Game Area, its only Michigan nesting area. Last year, more than 200 people from around the state flocked to the Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary and to Otis Lake Road tojoin guid­ ed tours to try and grab a glimpse or a photo of the zippy Cerulean Warblers high in the hardwood treetops foraging for bugs and nesting materials. They typically arrive in Spring with a Host of other traveling warblers and are only here until fall migration to South America for the winter. “The only place they nest (in Michigan) is in Barry County,” said Michigan Audubon’s Manager of Education and Events, Lindsay Cain who organizes the annual tours. “Defi­ nitely people see them other places, but in terms of nesting, that’s the unique piece. They can be seen in other parts of the state but during migration only.” Warblers are small songbirds that typically feed on bugs as opposed to seeds, though some, like the Yellow-rumped warbler, switch to seeds and berries in the fall and are often among the last to head south. According to Michigan Audubon, the sky- blue, hence “cerulean” warbler can be diffi­ cult to see. That’s why this year, Michigan Audubon will be hosting 15 daily, three-hour tours May 5 through 19, each led by a guide, start­ ing at 8 a.m. The cost is $15 per person. Registration opened Feb. 10 at michiganaudubon.org/go-birding/cerulean-warbler-tours. “We’ve only been hosting these daily tours like this for three years,” said Cain. “There used to be a Cerulean Warbler Weekend for over 10 years prior to doing these daily tours. We decided to go with daily tours because it’s a way to get people in to see the Cerulean Warblers.” People attending these roadside tours, reached via car caravan, are guaranteed to see or at least hear the unique birds, said Cain. Helping to organize previous tours have been members ofthe Barry County Bird Club including founder and President Doug Klein, wife Anne Klein and daughter, Maeve Klein. The club, which organizes field trips most­ ly within the county, formed in 2014 and has more than 200 on its email list. Doug Klein also created the Thomapple Birding Trail. “The Cerulean Warbler tours mean that Barry County has lots ofcontiguous forest of good quality habitat that these birds need,” said Doug Klein. “It means that I have a fair­ ly uncommon bird nesting within eight miles or so ofwhere I live. 1 also enjoy showing the warbler to people who have never seen it.” The song of the Cerulean Warbler is described in “The Sibley Guide to Birds” as a high, musical bu±z “tzeedl tzeedl tzeedl ti ti ti tzeeeee; generally three-part, each part higher than the preceding one.” They also have a unique “chip” call and yet another flight call. “The Cerulean Warbler is a beautiful and elusive warbler that nests in Barry County,” said Anne Klein. “Showing it to folks for the first time can be magical. People are so excit­ ed and thrilled to see it. We have had people on the MAS CW (Michigan Audubon Society Cerulean Warbler) tours come from all over the state and country (even California) to see this warbler.” Cerulean Warbler is one of the species of highest concern in the eastern United States because of a small total population size and significant declines throughout its range, according to Michigan Audubon. The North American Breeding Bird Survey estimates a decline ofmore than 2.6-percent per year between 1966 and 2015, resulting in a cumulative loss of 74-percent ofthe popu­ lation in that time, according to the Audubon. “Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of600,000, with 98-percent breeding in the U.S., and two-percent in Canada,” the Michigan Audubon reports on its website. “It is a Tri-National Concern Spe­ cies and a U.S.-Canada Stewardship species and rates a 15 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score.” Cerulean Warbler is on the 2016 State of North America’s Birds Watch List, which includes bird species that are most at risk of extinction without significant conservation «*'‘ww«»* T-t** ■ ,^*'L-» wti«*** ,^*'L,-» ***’ 2L S S-» a«»«** •■ ■■<>■■* **’•*•"* •—uriwH;»a 3®4 . A Cerulean Warbler, which has made Yankee Springs and the Barry State Game Area its only nesting areas in Michigan. (Photo courtesy of Roger Erikson) actions to reverse declines and reduce threats. It is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, according to the Audubon. Cain said that unlike the fragile but recov­ ering Kirtland Warbler, which can only be found breeding in a rural Grayling Jack Pine forest, habitat can’t as easily be managed. “It’s not like ifyou plant a bunch of Jack Pines, you’ll have the right habitat,” said Cain. “Other birds don’t work that same way. A lot that needs to happen.” For instance, the once endangered Kirtland Warbler nests at the base ofthe low Jack Pine conifers of about five to 15 years old, (and about five to 15 feet tall) while Cerulean War­ blers prefer to the much higher elevations of the deciduous forest. Only about 1,000 birds are found in Mich-’ igan each year. “We should safeguard its habitat so people will continue to visit Barry County for years to come to enjoy this rare blue warbler,” said Anne Klein. The birds require connected forests greater' than 2,000 acres in size. “Birders and researchers recognize Barry County as Michigan’s top spot for observing the Cerulean Warbler,” the Audubon websiteconveys. “Each spring, these songbird^ migrate to the vast hardwood forests of the Yankee Springs and Barry State Game Areas.” Tours will be limited to 20 people each and more information can be found via events® michiganaudubon.org or 517-580-7364. > ■hlOM* W taibfti Cota itigfaWM* uiittaitafanff chain k&* i'in [ intails* u*ai i iwikssia iMaifitfmd iMaifitfmd ■XtOfWtt! ®nfajrih«fc BUitBKiav aWaiitataiDs 'Mnaihiaj fa *«<*B*te *' Thornapple Kellogg Middle School students shine in Elks Lodge essay writing contest Jayson Bussa Friend + Fitness = Fun! Members - bring a friend for FREE in February! If your friend joins, you get a free gift! Call 269.9483139 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! spectrumhealth.org Spectrum Health Editor A handful of students from Thornapple Kellogg Middle School penned essays on what their American dream looked like, and their writing has been selected to advance in a long-standing contest. This was part ofa long-running essay writ­ ing contest put on by Elks Lodges nation­ wide, designed to promote patriotism amongst young students belonging to fifth, sixth, sev­ enth and eighth grades. The contest features local, district, region­ al, statewide and national stages. On Tuesday afternoon, representatives from the Elks Lodg'd* in Hastings gathered together winning essayists from its local competition. The competition was open to students from all area schools, but all of the winning essays were written by students at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School. Winning writers included sixth graders Matalie Underhill, Emery Cisler and Manuel Lopez-Tapia and seventh graders Exley Roon and Chayse Meek. These five students will advance to the district stage and potentially further. Prizes become available the further that students advance in the competition. National winners receive $1,000. The topic for this year’s batch ofessays is “What is your American dream?” “There is no wrong answer,” said Kathy Lane, chaplain at the Elks Lodge in Hast- w^'> LkkW !W% |w left to right, Elks Lodge representatives Barb Coppins and Alma Czinder joirt Thornapple Kellogg Middle School students Matalie Underhill, Emery Cisler, Manuel Lopez-Tapia, Exley Roon and Chayse Meek. Additional Elks representatives Corey Gilbert and Kathy Lane are also pictured. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) mgs and the district chair for the competition. “It was really just their own dream and what America might be like when they grow up.” 7 Essays at the local level were judged by representatives from the Elks Lodge The winning batch ofessays stood out for sever- al reasons. “The majority ofthe winners talked about; notjust their personal dream, but their dream; for America - freedoms, independence and things like that,” said Barb Coppins, secretary for the Elks Lodge in Hastings. “That was a neat thing.” sO BSL L2 V \\\S �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTIQN Thuiicnv iirc sdanyv, Eohni Feobhrnuiarv E y 1R v R6,2023 Saxons chasing place at Ford Field again Brett Bremer Mbaai * tei Wate, Mta i® fcjty nes&ig area h lityl mImes onjfes/dRoger&teon) iEcdyoi Sports Editor Saxon senior Lanny Teunessen teammates had a dream in the fall ofgetting the Hastings varsity football team to Ford Field - home of the MHSAA Football Finals. He helped the Saxons to one of the best seasons in the history of their high school football program, but ultimately came up shy of that goal as Hastings was bested in the MHSAA Division 4 Regional Football Finals at Edwardsburg. Teunessen has another shot at Ford Field though. A total of eight Saxons will wrestle in the MHSAA Division 2 Individual Regional round ofthe state tournament for the second season in a row. The team’s five returning individual regional qualifiers Colton Smith, Cohen Smith, Robby Slaughter, Isaac Friddle and Keegan Sutfin all earned top four finishes at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tour­ nament at Hastings High School Saturday to advance to the regional round where they’ll be joined by teammates Tate Warner, Lanny Teunessen and Troy Hokanson this time around. Lowell will host this Saturday’s (Feb. 18) MHSAA Division 2 Individual Regional Tour­ nament, and the top four in each weight class earn a spot in the March 3-4 MHSAA Individ­ ual State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit. Teunessen ran his senior season record to 43-4 with a runner-up finish in the 190-pound weight class at the district tournament - an impressive feat for someone who hasn’t wrestled since he was a freshman. Teunessen wrestled in eighth grade, before a broken wrist cut his season short. He came out for wrestling as a freshman but only wrestled a handful ofmatches with the Saxons. “I kind of took a break [from wrestling] for lifting and focused on football,” Teunessen said. That obviously paid off on the gridiron. Teuenssen was named first team all-state in Division 4 as a defensive lineman oy the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. The Saxons won their first ever district championship and had a school-re­ cord 10 wins. | A couple of-fiis best buddies, Robby Slaughter and Tate Warner, joined him on the Saxon football team and did their best to get him back to the wrestling program this win­ ter, along with coaches Jason Slaughter and Tim Easey. Saxon sophomore Keegan Sutfin battles for a take down with Lowell's Trevor Boone in their 132-pound championship match during the MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tournament at Hastings High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “I had a lot offun with football and Robby, one of my best friends, he wrestled and we have played sports together all throughout high school and throughout my whole life. He kind of did some negotiating there to bring me back,” Teunessen said. Robby Slaughter has already wrestled in the Individual State Finals at Ford Field twice during his first three varsity campaigns, and he’ll be looking to close out his senior season on the medal stand at the state finals for a second time. He scored a runner-up finish Saturday at 150 pounds. Warner at 175, Colton Smith at 126 and Sutfin at 132 pounds all also scored runner-up finishes at what Hastings head coach Jason Slaughter said he thinks might have been the toughest Division 2 District in the state. Lowell ofcourse played a big part in mak­ ing it so tough. The Red Arrows bested the Saxons in the MHSAA Division 2 Team Dis­ trict Final at Ionia High School Wednesday and the nine-time defending D2 state champi­ on Red Arrows had all 14 of its wrestlers close the day on the medal stand Saturday eight ofthem on the top step. Cohen Smith and Friddle both placed third and Hokanson was fourth at his weight class. Greenville, the team ranked seventh in the xnfatdrMiii z-. yflshkMMP yflshkMMP US' 1! ,— ikssidstoha,pfa- a- "J . ihadwxxifiw® <• Hastings senior Lanny Teunessen tries to fight his way out from underneath Cedar Springs' Carter Falan during the first period of their 190-pound championship match at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tournament at Hastings High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) state heading into the1 postseason (one spot ahead of the Saxons), had nine get through with a top four finish at the district tourna­ ment Saturday in Hastings including two district champs. Teunessen gave a lot of credit to coach Slaughter and the coaching staff for getting him ready for this senior season. “It is crazy how much their leadership can help me grow and be a better wrestler,” Teunessen said. Teunessen scored a quick pin of North­ view’s Brayden Taylor in the quarterfinal round and then put Godwin Height’s David Gill on his back a minute and a half into the second period oftheir Semifinal bout. Cedar Springs’ Cards' Falan improved his record to 40-6 by pinning Teunessen in the closing seconds ofthe second period oftheir 190-pound championship match. “He was tough,” Teunessen said ofFalan. “I wasn’t expecting him to be that tough. He was the better wrestler. I think it kind of showed. He kind oftook it to me, but what­ ever. I need that every once in a while.” A couple of the Saxons narrowly missed district titles. Senior state medalist Robby Slaughter had a thriller with Maddox Simcoe of Lowell in the 150-pound championship match which Simcoe won 11-10. Simcoe led for the entire match after getting a take down a minute and a halfinto the first period, but both guys were on their back in the second period. Slaughter started in the top position and turned Simcoe for two nearfall points half a minute into the period. Over the next 30 seconds both guys would score a reversal and put their oppo­ nent on their back for a full five count at least. Simcoe managed to escape the period with his two-point lead intact somehow at 9-7. “I was hoping not to get pinned, and hop­ ing to pin, just praying,” Robby said. “He had me on his back, from my back I put him on his back. I had him there for a few sec­ onds twice, but didn’t get the pin either time.” Slaughter chose a neutral start for the third period and was taken down by Simcoe 20 seconds in. Simcoe held him down for a min­ ute and half before Slaughter managed an escape and a take down of his own in the final ten seconds ofthe period to get within a point in the end. He is now 42-4 on the season. Simcoe moves to 25-5 overall. Sutfin (42-3) went to overtime in his 132- Saxon sophomore Isaac Friddle works for control in his 215-pound consolation final against Sparta's Garrin Teunissen at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual District at Hastings High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) pound final with Lowell’s Trevor Boone (23­ 10) where he fell 3-1 in a sudden victory period. After a scoreless first period, both wrestlers earned a single escape point in the closing seconds of the next two periods. Boone escaped Sutfin with 16 seconds left in the second period and Sutfin cleared Boone’s grasp with 11 seconds left in the third period. After a long scramble in the overtime period Boone secured the winning take down with five seconds on the clock. “It always hurts not winning in the final round, but it is good,” coach Slaughter said ofhis team’s slwe ofsecond-place finishes. “They’re still moving on. We can work from there. We’re still in it, that’s how I see it I guess.” Cohen Smith had a big win at the end of the day to place third. He pinned Greenville’s Casey Eberspeaker in the match for third. Eberspeaker had bested Smith in their regular season dual the previous week. Warner needed just one pin to get to the 175-pound final where he was stuck by Low­ ell’s Carson Crace. Friddle, a state medalist last year as a freshman, was edged 10-8 by Forest Hills Eastern’s Dylan Langdon in their 215-pound semifinal, but rallied with back-to-back pins to place third. . Colton Smith won a 7*3 decision over God­ win Heights’ Malachi Moore and a 13-2 major decision over Cedar Springs’ Keaton Klaasen to get to the 126-pound final where he was bested 2-0 by Greenville’ Alex Buskirk. While his season came to an end Saturday, the Saxons’ Zach Chipman picked up his lOO^1 varsity victory while competing in the 120-pound weight class. The Saxons' Zach Chipman celebrates his 100th varsity wrestling victory with sister Maddie Chipman during the MHSAA Division 2 Individual District at Hastings High School Saturday. (Photol by Valerie Slaughter) Trojan upset bid comesup just short against No. 5 Plainwell Sports Editor Plainwell was able to save its best for last, and senior Trammel Robinson finished off the Thomapple Kellogg Trojans. Robinson pinned TK’s Jayce Curtis in the 165-pound bout to clinch the blue and white Trojans’ 39-27 victory in the MHSAA Division 2 Team District Final at Wayland Union High School. Robinson, a three-time state qualifier who earned a spot on the medal stand at the individual state finals as a sophomore, improved his record on the season to 38-1 with the victory. The final outcome was still in doubt with the final two weight classes to wrestle in the district final after TK’s own three-time state qualifier Zack Gibson improved his senior season record to 39-1 pinned Plainwell s Mason Meert in the 150-pound match. Gibson’s pin had TK and Plainwell tied at pound bout with Plainwell’s Matthew Beck, but was injured and unable to continue — giving the Plainwell team a six-point lead with just the 165-pound match to go — meaning Jayce needed to pin Robinson to pull TK back to even on the scoreboard. The TK team had just been inching back Senior Austin Chivis won an OK Gold Conference title last Saturday at the conference tournament after having no competed since December and the Trojans welcomed back senior Tyler Bushman Wednesday. Bushman was w injured at the same December tournament as Chivis Chivis opened the district final with a 6-2 win over Plainwell’s Luke Lyons for TK at 175 pounds. P1 • S ?. w quickly wiped away as was ainwe 190-pounder lyierr Preuss and 2,5-Pounder Landon Schuhmacher both fronH2f-0t PenOd PinS t0 PUt their team in 27-27. TK senior Jackson Curtis got the initial take down in the first period of his 157- Pl^nlV0Un.?’ a 2022 state qualifier for Plainwell, pulled out a 5-3 win over TK’s Brett Bremer >7 Noah Rosenberg at 285 pounds. Young had take downs in each ofthe first two periods to build a 5-0 lead. A reversal in the second period gave Rosenberg some life. He inched within 5-3 with an escape in the third period, but was unable to get a match tying take down in the end. Christien Miller, the Trojans* 106-pounder, started the lightweights on a run that put TK back in front on the scoreboard although the Plainwell guys were able to fight to save a couple points. Miller took a 23-7 technical fall against Plainwell’s Tristan Starett. He had Starett on his back in each period, but couldn’t quite manage to get the referee to signal a pin. At 113 pounds, TK’s Dylan Pauline built a 9-0 lead, but Plainwell’s Thomas Almaguer rallied for a third-period take down that got him within 9-3 in the end. Austin Pitsch capped off the run for the TK lightweights by pinning Dayman Sutherlland a minute into the second period oftheir 120-pound match. Sutherland had a 5-0 lead on Pitsch in the second period, having just scored three nearfall points, when Pitsch managed a reversal and put Sutherland to his back. For the moment, TK had a 17-15 lead. Plainwell went back in front with Austin Gyorkos pinning Aiden Foy a minute into the second period oftheir 126-pound bout. Bushman had the first take down in his 132-pound bout with Plainwell’s Michael Gonyeau, but Gonyeau managed an escape and would get the next five take downs of the match on his way to a 12-8 win that pushed his team to a 24-17 lead. Back and forth they went from there. Kyron Zoet took a 12-2 major decision at 138 pounds for TK to earn four points for his team, but Plainwell’s Steele Madison managed to fight off being pinned despite Zoet earning nearfall points on four differ­ ent occasions through the second and third period. Plainwell had a 27-21 lead through 11 bouts after Marco Vega pulled out a 4-2 over- time win over TK’s Andrew Middleton in the 144-pound match. Middleton had a first-peri­ od take down, but Vega managed a reversal in the third period to even the match and then got the overtime takedown to win it. Plainwell went into the dual ranked fifth in the state in Division 2. The Plainwell team defeated Wayland 57-12 in its district semifinal match-up. The Plainwell team was set to compete in the Feb. 15 MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 Team Regional round of the state tournament in Plainwell. Plainwell was set to take on Fruitport in its regional semifinal while Hamilton took on Allendale in the other regional semifinal. TK knocked off Otsego 43-27 in its dis­ trict semifinal match in Wayland. Chivis, Pauline, Gibson and Jackson Cur­ tis had pins for TK in the semifinal win over the Bulldogs. Miller and Pitsch both won by forfeit. The TK team also had Rosenberg score a 3-2 win over Otsego’s 285-pounder Zachary Spence and Zoet best Jaydon Wat­ son 15-4 at 138 pounds. �Page 10 — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Vikings sending six to D3 regional tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lakewood sophomore Joel Simon is still perfect at 44-0 after winning his way through the 215-pound weight class at the MHSAA Division 3 Individual District Tournament hosted by Freeland Saturday. Simon is one of six Lakewood wrestlers who earned a spot in this Saturday’s Division 3 Individual Regional in Belding by placing in the top four at the district tournament. Simon scored a quick pin on Corunna’s Austin Oginsky to open his day in Freeland and then put Portland’s Mark Meyers on his back midway through the second period oftheir semifinal match. In the 215-pound championship match, Simon scored a 16-0 technical fall against Birch Run’s Owen Natzel. He’ll bejoined in Belding by teammates Daniel Krebs, Brenden Straub, Gavin Vaughn, Ashton Clark and Chris Webb. Clark moved his record to 43-5 with a runner-up finish at 120 pounds. He pinned Birch Run’s Brayden Cox and then Port­ land’s Connor Gleason to get to the cham­ pionship match. Freeland’s Malachi Hill beat out Clark 13-12 in the final. Krebs at 144 pounds, Straub at 165 and Vaughn at 175 all placed third and Webb placed fourth at 138 pounds. Krebs was bested by Portland’s Isaiah Pelc in their semifinal match and then kept his season alive by pinning Belding’s Bradley Winsor in the blood round, the consolation semifinals. Krebs stuck anoth­ er Black Knight in the match for third place, Blake Peasley. Vaughn also reached the semifinals before falling into the consolation bracket. He scored a 16-4 major decision in his blood round match against Freeland’s Zack Clark and then beat Carrollton’s Lenton Patrick 7-4 in the match for third. Straub had to win two consolation match­ es to secure his spot in the top four at 165 pounds, and he did it with pins of Swan Valley’s Kyle Demand and Chesaning’s Lane Miller. Straub earned the third-place medal with a pin of Central Montcalm’s Anthony Schultz in the consolation final. In the 138-pound bracket, Webb beat teammate Lydon Rogers 7-4 in the open­ ing round ofconsolation and then knocked off Birch Run’s Hugh Tanner 8-2 in the blood round. Swan Valley’s ‘ Matthew Adams ended Webb’s day with a 9-5 deci­ sion in the match for third place. Raiders top Vikings at D3 district tourney for third season in a row Brett Bremer Sports Editor Portland continues to stand in the path of the Lakewood Vikings. The Raiders won their third consecutive MHSAA Division 3 District Championship, besting the Lakewood varsity wrestling team in the district tournament for the third straight season, outscoring the Vikings 47-26 in the district semifinals Wednesday at Belding High School. Lakewood got pins from Daniel Krebs at 144 pounds, Gavin Vaughn at 1754 and Joel Simon at 215 in the MHSAA Division 3 Dis­ trict Final agaj^st, Portland, and then closed out the dual With Ashton Clark pulling out a 13-12 wifi dVefthe Raiders’ Connor GleUson at 120 pounds. Kade Boucher tacked on a forfeit win for the Vikings at 126 pounds. Clark’s win was one ofthree decisions in the dual. Portland took the other two. Gunnar Williams pulled out an 11-9 win over Lake­ wood’s Bryan Aguilera in the 190-pound match. At 285 pounds, the Raiders got a 7-5 win from Mark Meyers in his bout with the Vikings’ 7-5. Portland got pins from Isaac Kramer, Drew Miller, John Dodson, Deakin Guidi, Andrew Feldpausch and Jake Olson in the dual. Isaiah Pelc added a 15-0 technical fall for Portland in his 150-pound match with the Vikings’ Seth Walkington. Lakewood got to the district final by knocking off Belding 47-25 in its semifinal match-up. Walkington at 150 pounds, Brenden Straub at 165, Manhart at 215, Camden Wright at 113 and Clark at 120 scored pins against the Black Knights. Krebs scored a 4-1 decision in his dual with Belding’s Blake Peasley at 144 pounds and Simon scored a 5-1 win over Isaac Casey at 285 pounds. Lakewood also got a technical fall thanks to Boucher’s 16-0 win over Tanner Reed at 4 pounds to start the dual. Portland defeated Central Montcalm 63-15 in its semifinal match. The Raiders were set to be a part of the MHSAADivision 3 Team Regionals Wednes­ day, Feb. 15, at Birch Run. The Raiders were set to face Freeland in one regional semifinal while Birch Run took on Alma in the other. Regional champions will be back in action Feb. 24 in the MHSAA Division 3 Team State Quarterfinals at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo. TOWNSHIP OF BALTIMORE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 3100 E. Dowling Rd. Hastings, Ml 49058, to examine and review the 2023 Assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023,1:00 pm Organizational Meeting Hearings will be the week of March 12, 2023 Monday, March 13, 2023, 9:00 am to 12 noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Wednesday, March 15, 2023,1 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, corrected and approved. Letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 9:00 pm March 15th, 2023 Panthers and Lions run out of wrestlers in district tourney Sports Editor Delton Kellogg and Maple Valley just didn’t have the depth on their roster to keep up with Springport in the MHSAA Division 4 Team District Tournament at Maple Valley High School Wednesday. Springport took the district championship with a 40-30 victory over the Delton Kellogg varsity wrestling team in the district final. Delton Kellogg had a 30-16 lead over the Spartans with four weight classes to go. Springport pulled within 30-28 with pins from Kaden Sizemore in the 144-pound match and Patrick Culbreth at 150 pounds, and then all Delton Kellogg head coach Dan Phillips could do was cross his arms in front ofhimselfas the Spartans took forfeit wins at 157 pounds and 165 pounds to clinch the victory. “I made some moves and he made some moves,” Delton Kellogg head coach Dan Phillips said ofworking through the line-up. “It is hard, because we don’t see them at all during the year. We have zero common oppo­ nents. It is hard to tell the quality of their kids. They were tough. We battled really hard. We battled and gave them everything we had, andjust came up a little bit short. “I was really proud ofthe way they wres­ tled.” The Panthers were one man down in the final, although coach Phillips wasn’t sure that it would have altered the final strategy or outcome much. Domanyck Harmon had his neck severely strained in his 144-pound match in the district semifinal against Sara­ nac, and being a neck injury every precaution was taken to make sure it wasn’t something more than a muscle strain. DK head coach Dan Phillips, a trained first responder him­ self, was optimistic about Harmon’s condi­ tion following the tournament. Overall, the Panthers forfeited three weight classes to the Spartans, but did get 12 of those points back due to voids in the Spartan line­ up at 138 pounds and 215. Springport avoid­ ed two of Delton Kellogg’s top wrestlers at those spots, Southwestern Athletic Confer­ ence runners-up Gauge Stampfler and Gior­ gio Venturi. Venturi’s forfeit win at 215 pounds had Delton Kellogg up 9-4 three bouts into the district final. Teammate Michael Bhola had just pulled out a 2-0 win over Springport’s William Tieman in the 190-pound match. A first period take down-by Bhola accounted for the only points in the match. Delton Kellogg led throughout the entire: dual until the final few weight classes. Mitchell Swift scored a pin for Delton Kellogg in the first period of the 285-pound match against Eli Worth. Delton Kellogg added three points to lead 18-4 thanks to a 12-9 win by Corban Antolovich over the Spartans’ Saige Patter­ son at 106 pounds. Those two rallied back and forth. Antolovich led 7-1 after one peri­ od, but found himself rallying in the final minute to pull out the three-point win. The Spartans got a pin from Owen Tomas at 113 pounds against the Panthers’ Joelle White. Micah Martin answered for Delton Kel­ logg at 120 pounds with a 7-6 win over the Spartans’ Trenton Hamilton. After the forfeit at; 126, Delton Kellogg add three points with a 7-1 win by Gage Vin­ cent over Daniel Dysert in the 132-pound match. Stampfler followed with a forfeit win for DK that tallied his team’s final points of the night. Delton Kellogg defeated Saranac 60-22 in its district semifinal, getting pins from White, Martin, Vincent, Stampfler, Griffyn Harmon and Luke Watson, as well as forfeit wins from Venturi, Swift and Bhola. Domanyck Har­ mon earned six points for the Panthers in his loss as he was injured by an illegal hold. “They recovered real well [from Domanyck’s injury], and they used that as a little ral­ lying cry,” coach Phillips said. “They really rallied around that. Dorn’s brother [Griffyn] is on the team. He went out and wrestled like he can. It didn’t look like he let it affect him, like it could have.” TA- J#* I f? f 1 Delton Kellogg's Corban Antolovich holds Springport's Saige Patterson on her back during the first period of their 106-pound match in the MHSAA Division 4 Team District Final at Maple Valley High School Wednesday, Feb. 8. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 1 9 0SFM iwni Delton Kellogg senior Joelle White fights to try and turn over Saranac's Kenzie Stevens during their MHSAA Division 4 Team District Semifinal match at Maple Valley High School Wednesday, Feb. 8. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “What I am most proud of is our senior leadership. Gage Vincent, tremendous leader. Joelle White, they are four-year varsity wres­ tlers and they are just tremendous leaders. They really rally the team. I have to give my hats offto them,” Phillips added. With six wrestlers to put out on the mat the Maple Valley Lions weren’t realistically chasing a district championship Wednesday. They are hoping that Wednesday’s efforts and a couple more days of practice will be enough to earn some extra wrestling this win­ ter though. The Lions fell 48-15 in their dual with the Springport Spartans in the district semifinals. “Ifwe had a bigger team, we’d be in good shape,” Maple Valley head coach Tony Wawiemia said. “They’re coming together. They have improved so much from the first prac­ tice ‘til now, I am super happy with these kids. Hopefully, we’ll get a couple kids through this weekend. I don’t know which two, but hopefully we get a couple. The way they wrestled tonight,! don’t know who is going to go through.” A couple freshmen Lion heavyweights wrestled their toughest matches of the season. Gabe Aspinall in the 175-pOund spot picked up his second win of the season and was in Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Chad VanSyckle, Supervisor Baltimore Township Scott Anderson, Assessor Baltimore Township Baltimore Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days notice to Baltimore Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact Baltimore Township by writing or calling. 195151 a^r Brett Bremer Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as follows: Agricultural 46.99% 1.06405 Commercial 47.67% 1.04887 Industrial 45.11% 1.10840 Residential 48.04% 1.04079 Personal Property 50.00% 1.00000 Baltimore Township Clerk Penelope Ypma 3100 E Dowling Rd Hastings, Ml 49058 269.721.3502 &. Delton Kellogg's Micah Martin wraps up Springport's Trenton Hamilton durinq te first period of their 120-pound bout in the MHSAA Division 4 Team District Finall at Maple Valley High School Wednesday, Feb. 8. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the third period for the first time since his first match of the year and 215-pounder Jayden Kikendall wrestled into the third peri­ od for the first time all season. Aspinall won a wild match with Spring­ port’s Jeremiah Brown in the second bout of the night. Brown got the initial take down in the first period, but his lead didn’t last long. The two went into the second period tied 5-5 and came out with Aspinall leading 14-11. Aspinall’s lead was short-lived in the third period. Brown managed an escape and a take down to tie the bout at 14-14. Aspinall answered with a reversal that put him up two points, and then he stuck Brown with 1:13 remaining in the match. That pin gave the Lions a 6-3 lead at the time. Springport evened the score with Tieman’s win over Kikendall in the 215-pound match by a score of 11-4. Kikendall saved the Lions a team point with an escape late in the third period that prevented Tieman from taking a major decision. Maple Valley got six points in the dual from sophomore Ashton Kikendall’s pin of Trenton Hamilton in the third period oftheir 120-pound match. Ashton led the match throughout after getting the first take down in the opening period and finally stuck Hamil­ ton with 23 seconds left in the third period. The Lions’ final three points came from freshman Dakota Osenbaugh who got a last second take down of the Spartans’ Brayden Whittaker at the end of the third period to pull out a 6-5 victory. The Lions’ top two wrestlers coming into the season, and the two guys on the team with over 20 victories this winter, sophomore Rob­ ert Schilz and freshman Jackson Burpee both battled tough opponents. Schilz was pinned midway through the second period ofhis 126pound bout with Springport’s David Becker. Burpee opened the match at 165 pounds for the Lions and was bested 5-2 by Spring­ port’s Caleb Wendt. Their bout was tied 1-1 with 35 seconds to go in the third period after both guys had earned a single escape point. Wendt managed a take down with 32 seconds to go. Burpee escaped soon after, but Wendt took him down one more time with seven seconds remaining to seal the win. Springport also got forfeit wins from Worth at 285 pounds, Patterson at 106, Thomas at 113, Dysert at 132 and Brendan Barrett at 150 pounds. Springport advanced to the MHSAA Divi­ sion 4 Team Regionals Feb. 15. The Spartans were set to face Homer in the semifinal round of its regional tournament with Mendon and Bronson going head-to-head on the other half ofthe bracket. mx I ■ M J 1w 05 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — Page 11 LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 ofthe revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 2,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Linda S. Walker, single woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: June 28,2016 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 27,2016 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $116,079.68 Description ofthe mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 1, T2N, R8W; THENCE NORTH 189.50 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 50 MINUTES EAST 277.50 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 189.50 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 50 MINUTES WEST277.50 FEETTO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; KNOWN AS LOT D. Common street address (if any): 4977 S Chariton Park Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9152 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: February 2,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1^87989 (02-02)(02-23)'** T94579 £?***^*tai V »»Atasy. Feb. 8. ■■mi Wla^ntficrar aesjpenodforibeEsttnts:! fa lift of te yer id 2150 llfrfcfalfelDwi p ® a|fciaslfa0ijJani Bron ilk I' Jani Bron il•kxjju lfl3S.'PW^ I jprbfuijitaW®4!1* bfuijitaW®4!1* jjiaiMsstaiWi** bfiitW®4!1 iiMtiWi (»»3* &** •*i'«***i^*“' 5 5 5*. 5 X X NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Jhapel Santiago, single man, whose address is 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc, being a mortgage dated October 15, 2020, and recorded on November 3, 2020 in Instrument Number. 2020-012027, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated November 22,2022 and recorded on November 22, 2022 in Instrument Number. 2022-011765, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum ofONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT AND 18/100 DOLLARS ($126,358.18). Said premises are situated In the Township of Hope, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 31 of OAK OPENINGS, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Uber 3 of Plats on Page 47. Street Address: 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned In accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM ISA DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: February 9, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 4817 (02-09)(03-02) if IO 194973 NOTICE Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 ofthe revised judicature act of 1961.1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 00 PM, on March 9,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nicholas Haskins, single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: December 20,2019 Date ofMortgage Recording. December 23,2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $156,286.31 Description ofthe mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 330.00 feet of the East 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 14, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, Cartton Township, Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 3491 E M 43 Hwy, Hastings, Ml 49058-7723 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date ofnotice: February 9, 2023 Trott Law, P.O. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1489005 (02-09)(03-02) 194945 NOTICE Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Brandi Marie Waldon, Married Woman, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 23, 2021 and recorded August 24, 2021 in Instrument Number 2021-010565 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Two and 65/100 Dollars ($184,172.65). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of CASTLETON, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 1, Block C, of the Plat of Pleasant Shores, according to the recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 59, BarryCounty Records. 1004 Valentine Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2, 2023 File No. 23-000507 Firm Name: Orlans PC 1650 Wesl Bifl Beaver Road. Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 Attention homeowner Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Allison N. May, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated April 18, 2019 and recorded June 5, 2019 in Instrument Number 2019-005378 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on July 22, 2020, in Instrument Number 2020-007341, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by THE MONEY SOURCE INC., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Seventy and 69/100 Dollars ($120,270.69). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: The North 4 Rods of the South 8 Rods of Lot(s) 100 of Plan of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded In Liber A of Plats, Page 1 of Barry County Records. 515 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 16, 2023 File No. 23-000644 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-16)(03*09) 195209 STATE OF MICHIGAN IN THE 5TH CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF BARRY CASE NO. 23-57-CH ORDER TO ANSWER Hon. Vicky L. Alspaugh CHAD HART MICHELLE HART f/k/a MICHELLE BARKER, Plaintiffs, vs. JOHN DOWLING, JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Deceased and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Defendants_________________________________ David H. Tripp (P29290) Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-948-2900 david@tts.law Attorney for Plaintiffs TO: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOYCE JOAN DOWLING, Deceased Based on the pleadings filed in the above entitled case, it is ordered that any of the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling shall file a Notice of Interest in the real property commonly known as 4555 Orchard Road, Delton, Michigan 49046, more fully described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast Comer of the Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 4, Town 1 North, Range 9 West; thence South 350 feet; thence West 175 feet; thence North 350 feet; thence East 175 feet to the Point of Beginning, Barry Township, Barry County Michigan. Subject to easements, conditions, and restrictions of record. Parcel ID No: 08-03-004-007-00 By at least 3 days prior to the date noted below, to assert any interest in the above described property. If the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling fail to do so that shall constitute a default In the above entitled matter, and on the 5th day ofApril, 2023 at 10:15 o'clock in the forenoon, this Court shall take proofs and shall terminate whatever Interest the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling may have in and to the above described property unless Notice of Interest in the Real Property is filed or unless the unknown heirs of Joyce Joan Dowling appear on 194762 Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Member SIPC Wendi Stratton Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml (517)760-8113 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-8265 Don’t let fear drive investment decisions You’re probably familiar with the term “herd mentality” — the idea that people will fol­ low the lead of others for fear of missing out on something. This behavior is responsible for fads or the sudden emergence of“hot” products, and it’s also relevant to investing. In fact, herd mentality may contribute to sharp jumps in the financial markets as investors drive up prices by buying stocks to avoid ways: • Fear ofloss - Some in­ being left behind. And the same vestors may emphasize avoid­ may be true in reverse — when ing losses more than achiev­ the market starts dropping, skit­ ing gains. Consequently, they tish investors may accelerate might build portfolios they con­ the decline by selling stocks so sider very low in risk, possibly they, too, can get out before it’s containing a high percentage of too late. Buying or selling in­ certificates of deposit (CDs) and vestments should be considered as needed to help advance your U.S. Treasury securities. Yet, a highly conservative approach long-term financial strategy — carries its own risk — the risk not in response to what others ofnot achieving enough growth are doing. to stay ahead ofinflation, much • Fear of the unknown less meet long-term goals such Some investors fall victim to as a comfortable retirement. To “familiarity bias” — the ten­ reach these goals, you’ll want to dency to invest only in what construct a diversified portfolio they know, such as local or containing different types of domestic companies. But this assets and investments — each behavior can lead to under-di­ of which may perform differ­ versified portfolios. If your ently at different times. Your portfolio is dominated by just objective shouldn’t be to avoid a few investments, and these all risk — which is impossible investments are fairly similar — but to create an investment to each other, you could expe­ strategy that accommodates rience some losses when the your personal risk tolerance and inevitable market downturn oc­ time horizon. curs. To help reduce the impact • Fear of missing out ofmarket volatility, it’s a good In the past year, we’ve seen some big swings in the financial markets. This volatility may make you feel as if you have little control over your investment success. But the truth is, you do have more control than you might think — as long as you don’t let fear guide your decisions. Investment-related fear can manifest itself in a few different Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone numberstated-'ifi this riotice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Mitchell Owen, Married Man, to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated October 5, 2018 and recorded October 11, 2018 in Instrument Number 2018-009924 Barry County Records, Michigan. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred One Thousand Nine Hundred Two and 78/100 Dollars ($101,902.78). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 8, Block 13 of Kenfield's 2'nd Addition to the City of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 37 of Barry County Records. 736 E South St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. Ifthe property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2, 2023 File No. 23-000380 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-02)(02-23) 19046981 idea to spread your investment dollars across large and small companies in a range ofindus­ tries and geographical regions. And that’s just on the equities side — it’s also wise to con­ sider further diversifying your portfolio by owning bonds and government securities. (Keep in mind, though, that diversifi­ cation can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses.) • Fear ofadmittingfailure - Some individuals don’t like to admit when they’ve been wrong about something, and they may continue the same failed activities, hoping for eventual success. This behavior can be costly in the investment arena. Sometimes, a particular investment, or even an invest­ ment strategy,just doesn’t work out, but an investor is deter­ mined to stick with it — even if it ultimately means consider­ able financial loss. Don’t let his happen to you — ifit becomes apparent you need to change your investment approach, move on to something better. Fear can hold us back in many walks oflife — but don’t let it keep you from making ap­ propriate investment moves. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29366-DE WILLIAM M. DOHERTY Date: Feb. 1,2023 Honorable Vicky L. Alspaugh (P42572) Drafted by: David H. Tripp (P29290) Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 269/945-9585 r Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Mildred J. Glass a/k/a Mildred J. Chase. Date of birth: 7-4-1934. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Mildred J. Glass a/k/a Mildred J. Chase, died 11/26/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Randall J. Chase, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 2-10-2-23 David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Randall J. Chase 2790 - 5th Street Shelbyville, Ml 49344 269-792-6716 195240 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-20375-DE Honorable William H. Doherty Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Grant F. Cook, Deceased. Date of birth: 10/30/1949. NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent,. Grant F. Cook, died 9/6/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Chris E. Spitler and/or Naomi D. Deckard, co-personal representatives, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: February 16, 2023 William K. Kriekard P39475 8051 Moorsbridge Road Portage, Ml 49024 269-323-3400 Chris E. Spitler 80216 Linden Hills Street Covert, Mi 49043 269-364-7034 Naomi D. Deckard 10800 Center Street Plainwell, Mi 49080 269-664-4388 that date. 194798 (02-02)(02-23) Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones Call 269-945-9554 for Hastings Banner classified ads �Page 12 — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Delton Kellogg uses press to get some points in win over Gobles Brett Bremer Sports Editor Defense turned to offense and the Delton Kellogg varsity boys* basketball team did it enough to score a 49-28 win over visiting Gobles Friday. Delton Kellogg built a 12-6 lead in the opening quarter and continued doubling up the Tigers to lead 24-12 at the half. Torren Mapes led Delton Kellogg with 23 points and Philip Halcomb was one assist shy of a triple double with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists. Isaac Shepard had his best game for the Panthers since returning from a broken collarbone, finishing with 10 points. Shepard was 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line. “I thought our defense was pretty good with our different press looks which got us some easy buckets,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said. “We were not that good with our execution in the half-court set.” Tyler Howland helped initiate the Pan­ thers’ running game, and Hogoboom said the team as a whole finished offthe breaks with some unselfish passing. Hogoboom was also happy with the contri­ butions of his big guys on the glass, a group including Jason Lundquist, Victor Gonzalez and PJ Jorgensen. “They were all pretty active on the boards, with maybe some ofour best box-outs ofthe year,” Hogoboom said. Jack Geiger led Gobles with 13 points. The Delton Kellogg boys are now 8-9 overall and 4-3 in the Southwestern Athlet- ic Conference Central Division so far this season. e . Kalamazoo Christian scored a 68-49 win in a SAC crossover with the DK boys in Delton Tuesday. The Comets took a 24-8 lead in the opening quarter JJ Manion led Kalamazoo Christian with 17 points. He drilled four three-pointers. Branden Vandermeer had 10 points. DK got 18 points from Halcomb and 8 each from Howland and Gonzalez. “Kalamazoo Christian is so much bigger than us and they have lots of guys who can shoot it, so they present a real challenge on defense,” Hogoboom said. The Comets his seven three-pointers in the first half. “I felt like for the most part we were there defensively, maybe just a half step late, and they knocked them down,” Hogoboom said. Hogoboom said he was pleased with the way his guys continued to battle in the second half. The Panthers went to a five-guard line­ up to try and cut the lead from the outside and hit five three-pointers to make a little dent in the deficit in the fourth quarter. “If we ever get Mapes and Halcomb and Howland clicking on the same night we could surprise someone down the stretch,” Hogoboom said. “They all continue to have really good nights of point production they just haven’t done it on the same night - when they do we could be dangerous.” DK returns to action at Saugatuck Friday and then will be on the road at Gobles Tuesday. Panthers put four quarters together for victory over Parchment girls Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball team made it two wins in its last four tries with a 43-15 wirt at Parchment Tuesday. It was the second game in two days for the DK girls who were bested by visiting Coloma Monday. “The kids came out ofthe chute with more energy and excitement and the score showed,” Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn said after Tuesday’s win. “We led 11-2 at the end of the first and that set the tone for the rest ofthe game.” Jordan Lyons led Delton Kellogg with 15 points and Cadence Johnson had 13. Josie Wil­ liams chipped in 6 points for DK. “We shot the ball much better and actually put four quarters together for one of the first times this season,” Mohn said. “The kids were pretty excited after the game and that was a big topic of conversation in the locker room. We finally put together an entire game!” The win moves the Delton Kellogg girls to 5-14 overall this season. They are still chasing their first Southwestern Athletic Conference Central win. The Panthers are 0-5 in the league and get their next shot Friday at Saugatuck. “Great stuff and I was very proud of the kids,” Mohn said after Tuesday’s game. “It’s late in the year, our record isn’t what we had hoped, but these kids just continue to show up every day and compete. That ability, and will­ ingness, will take them a long way in life as they begin to compete with the real world in the next year or so.” Coloma bested the DK girls Monday 35-27. The Comets opened the game on a 15-1 run. Mohn said his girls didn’t have the early energy that they showed Tuesday night. “The second half was a different story,” Mohn said. “We cut the lead to 8 on two differ­ ent occasions and then turned the ball over at inopportune times that would have cut the lead even more.” “We worked so hard to get back into the game and thenjust couldn’t complete the deal. We outscored the Comets 19-12 in the second half, but shooting ll-for-32 from the line didn’t allow us to get any closer.” The DK girls werejust 3-of-10 at the line in the fourth quarter. Williams led Delton with 7 points with seven other players added at least a bucket in the bailgame. DK will head to Gobles Tuesday, Feb. 21, and then will host Martin in the regular season finale Feb. 24. TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046, to examine and review the 2023 assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 10:00 am Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13, 2023, 1:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm Hastings wipes out Beaver lead in fourth quarter for 1-8 victory Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer The Hastings varsity boys’ basketball team grabbed another Interstate-8 Athletic Confer­ ence win on Friday night defeating the Beavers ofHarper Creek 63-56 at Hastings High School. Harper Creek took a 41 -40 lead late in the third quarter and increased its lead to 45-40 early in the fourth quarter before Hastings moved back in front. Myles Padilla had 9 points in the fourth quarter and led his team with 19 points for the night. Layton Eastman added another 16 points for the Saxons and Owen Carroll fin­ ished the night with 12 points. The Saxons started off strong with Carroll hitting two threes in the first quarter and East­ man dropping in another three, the Saxons led after the first quarter 17-13. Eastman and Zan­ der Forbes both hit threes in the second quarter as well to keep the Hastings lead going into the locker room at 29-28 at the half. The Beavers were able to put a little more pressure on the Saxons after the halfand held them to 11 points in the third quarter, as the Beavers took their small lead. However, some foul trouble for the Beavers led to some free throws in the last quarter for Hastings. The Saxons sank 10-of-17 attempts at the free throw line in the fourth quarter after goingjust 1- for-3 during the first three quarters. Carrol hit 4-of-6 free throws. Padilla was 2- for-2 at the line in the fourth. The Saxons used that to remain in the lead Hastings junior Landon Steward sets himself to put up a free throw during the Saxons' 1-8 ballgame with visiting Harper Creek Friday night (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) the rest ofthe game. Jett Barnum had 6 points and 12 rebounds for the Saxons. Hayden Long had 4 points and 5 assists. KeyShaun Matthews led the Beavers with 23 points. Ty Peet added 11 points an dCooper Fry 9. The victory was the seventh of the season for the Saxons who are now 7-9 overall and 5-6 in the Interstate-8 this season. Parma Western took a 48-33 conference win over the Saxons in Hastings Tuesday. Western built an 18-10 lead in the first quar­ ter and carried that 8-point advantage into the half. The Panther pushed their lead to double figures in the third quarter. Hastings had a tough shooting night, goingjust- 12-of-38 from the floor with a 4-of-l& performance from behind the three-point arc. • Padilla finished the game with 17 points, 6’ rebounds and 2 assists for Hastings. Carroll had 8 points to go with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Cooper Johnston led Western with 13 points­ and 5 assists. Ben Parrott chipped in 8 points and 7 rebounds and Caden Oliver had 9 points for the Panthers. Hastings is home this Friday in the 1-8 tak­ ing on Jackson Northwest. The Saxons go on the road Tuesday to take on Pennfield. DK gets six guys through to D4 regional round, Maple Valley one Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity wrestling team had six guys win their way through the MHSAA Division 4 Individual District Tour­ nament hosted by Bronson. The group of Gauge Stampfler, Gage Vin­ cent, Luke Watson, Giorgio Venturi, Mitchell Swift and Micah Martin each finished in the top four in their weight class in Bronson to earn spots in this Saturday’s MHSAA Division 4 Individual Regional Tournament in Mendon. Stampfler had the top finish for the DK team, placing second in the 132-pdund weight class. He won his way to the semifinals where he took a 10-5 will over Tyler Milks from Jonesville. Stampfler fell 8-1 to Union City’s Landyn Crance in the championship round. Maple Valley had a runner-up too. Jackson Burpee, a freshman, pinned his first two opponents to get to the 1565-pound champi- onship match where he was edged 2-1 by Jonesville’s Austin Bowers. Watson at 175 pounds, Venturi at 215 and Swift at 285 were all third and teammates Martin at 120 pounds and Vincent at 126 both placed fourth. Watson placed third at 175 pounds with an 8-2 win over James Lux ofMendon in their consolation final after a pin of Saranac’s Colten Jackson 1:50 into their consolation semi­ final match where winners secure their regional spot and the losers see their individ­ ual state tournament run come to an end. Venturi pinned Jonesville’s Evan McColley in his 215-pound consolation semifinal and then took a forfeit win over Union City’s Garrett Halder in the match for third. Swift took a 5-0 win in his 285-pound con­ solation semifinal and then pinned Bronson’s Everardo Lozada to finish in third place. In the 126-pound bracket, Vincent earned a trip back to regionals by pinning Mendon’s Nate Vergauwen in their consolation semifinal, match. He forfeited the consolation final to’ Bronson’s Logan Long. Long bested Vincent by injury default in the quarterfinal round, but Vincent kept his tournament run alive a bit longer with a pin ofHomer’s Kyler Larder and then the pin ofVergauwen in consolation. Martin earned his spot on the 120-pound medal stand with a pin ofComstock’s Kamarea Johnson in the consolation semifinals. He was then pinned himself by Homer’s Austin. Owens in the match for third. While it was a pretty good day for the Delton Kellogg team, there were tough moments ’.as.. well with Michael Bhola, Tucker Patrick-Swiriehart and Corban Antolovich all bested in the blood round (the consolation semifinals). Owens also ended the tournament run of Maple Valley’s Ashton Kikendall in the 120-; pound blood round. Saxon girls get their tenth 1-8 win as they celebrate senior day Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity bowling teams hon­ ored their seniors in the final regular season dual at Hastings Bowl Tuesday - a day on which the Hastings girls improved their record to 10-1 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference this season. The Hastings girls knocked off the Jackson Northwest girls 26-4. The Saxons were set to close the regular season Wednesday against Pennfield and will be back at M66 Bowl for the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Tourna­ ment Saturday, Feb. 18. The Hastings boys were bested in a Baker game tie-breaker after they finished in a 15-15 tie with the Mounties Tuesday. The Panthers took a 179-177 win in that tie-break­ er after the Saxons' had won the first two And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, corrected and approved. Baker games of the day with scores of 175 and 176 to keep pace. Drew Rhodes took two points for the Sax­ ons with his individual scores of 185 and 221. The Saxons also got points thanks to a 157 from Cohen James, a 167 from Miles Lipsey, and a 195 from Hunter Pennington. Lipsey also rolled an impressive 174 game. The Saxon girls’ team got two points each from Ally Herder and Abby Barton. Herder had games of 160 and 200. Barton rolled a 196 and a 193. Andrea Rhodes won a point with a 152 and Jen Stoline took one with a 126. This year’s Saxon senior group includes Barton, Andrea Rhodes, Drew Rhodes, Amber Rabideau, Jackson Clow, Logan Shook, Jaelyn Jackson and Spanish foreign exchange student Leyre Gonzales. Last Friday, Feb. 10, the Saxons competed in the Comstock Colt Classic at Continental Lanes in Kalamazoo where the Hastings girls took the championship and the boys placed second. Each team bowled eight Baker games and two individual games to earn their final team score. • Andrea Rhodes was one of the five indi­ vidual medalists on the girls’ side with a 320 score in her two-game series. Clow was the individual champion in the1 boys’ competition with games of 228 and 181 - finishing one pin better than the run­ ner-up. Drew Rhodes was third with a 213 and 194 which left himjust two pins behind; Clow overall. The Saxon girls’ team also had Herder’ place seventh and Barton tenth. Hunter Pen-' nington was ninth overall and Lipsey tenth: for the Hastings boys’ team. Banner CLASSIFIEDS APPOINTMENTS ARE SUGGESTED; letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 5:00 pm the Friday before the first appeal hearing. CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as follows: Agricultural Commercial Industrial Residential Personal Property 44.76% 51.54% 50.40% 43.23% 50.00% 1.1171 0.9701 0.9921 1.1566 1.0000 For Sale Wanted FOR SALE-1997 Chevy Lumina PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR SCRAP VEHICLES, 7 DAYS A WEEK. 269-967-5744 124,000 miles, well maintained, runs great. $2000. Call 269-945­ 7872, Please leave message for call back. Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Jim Stoneburner, Supervisor Prairieville Township Kevin Harris, Assessor Prairieville Township Prairieville Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, National origin, sep or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and ser vices, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to Prairieville Township. Individuals with disabilities reauiriing auxiliary aids or services should contact Prairieville Township bv writing or calling. A t) Prairieville Township Clerk 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Ml 49046 269-623-2726 195260 Business Services POMERANIAN/TOY FOX TERRIER Cross Puppies- Very cute, will stay small, 1st shots & wormed. $400.00,517-852-4881. LOOKING FOR FOREVER Homes for my cats. I have many who need good homes, ranging from kittens all the way to 2 years old. Some are indoor, some like it For Rent MATT ENDSLEY, FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trailers, FALL CREEK APARTMENTS, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269­ 804-7506.____________________ outside. Please call 269-664-3258 BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Ready for their FURever homes Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Popllar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Log- 3/23/23! 269-673-3759. Formerly known as Brookside Apartments, have efficiency apart­ ments available for $700 a month4 including utilities plus $1050 deposit and $35 application fee. Call 269-945-4182. Automotive PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR SCRAP VEHICLES, 7 DAYS A WEEK. 269-967-5744____________ FOR SALE: 2005 Power Wagon 4x4 2500 Crew cab, 5.7 Hemi, 215,000 mikes, runs great, transmission good, 4x4 works, P.W., P.L., leather heated power seats. Tires good, body rusty. Call 269­ 908-7445, Asking $6,800 SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES________ BOSTON TERRIER PUPPY, One gjng, (269)818-7793.___________® boy, very cute and adorable. First shots and dewormed $400, 517­ 726-0706. WANTED: STANDING TIM­ BER- Top local sawmill is seeking Help Wanted land owners with 25 or more ma­ ture hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time Pets golden retriever puppies 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $600,269-223-9194 positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-6932123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegpl' to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. 1b report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 16, 2023 — Page 13 LHS ladies chasing GLAC leaders, Lions keep learning Wk* V’ Brett Bremer IS ^5 X Maple Valley head coach Karl Wilhelm chats with freshman guard Sienna Lowe during a break in the action of the second half at Lakewood High School Thursday, Feb. 9. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Ol)f Sports Editor The Lions and Vikings are in different places right now. Lakewood continues to battle in the hopes ofchasing down the Greater Lansing Activi­ ties Conference leaders. The Maple Valley girls are more focused on learning the game. Lakewood improved to 7-3 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference with an 80-9 win over the Maple Valley varsity girls’ bas­ ketball team that is now 0-10 in conference play after a loss to Leslie Tuesday. The Viking team had ten different girls score led by 15 points from junior forward Alivia Everitt. Sophomore forward Abby Pickard and junior forward Cadence Poll had 12 points each. Lakewood also got 8 points from senior guard Alli Pickard and 7 apiece from senior Izzy Wheeler and junior Autumn Williams. The Lakewood girls dominated on the glass, limited the Lions’ offensive chances and played well in transition. Viking head coach Kelly Meints was also happy to see her guards taking advantage of space to make some post entry passes into the likes ofEver­ itt and Poll. “Some of those tougher teams that get in our faces, our guards struggle with. It is nice to get some passes down low,” Meints said. Poll worked herself to spread the ball around in the final minutes, looking out from the post for open shooters. The lead was 24-4 for the Vikings after the opening quarter and the lead moved to 51-6 by the half. Junior forward Kyla VanAlstine scored 7 points for the Lions. Lakewood is now 12-6 overall this sea­ son. The Vikings will be at Olivet Thursday, Feb. 16, in GLAC play. The Olivet Eagles go into the match-up at the top of the GLAC standings with a 10-1 record. Olivet is 15-4 overall. The Vikings’ had their Tuesday night con­ test at Lansing Christian this week post­ poned. It has been rescheduled for Feb. 20. Maple Valley is now 1-16 overall this sea­ son after the loss to the Vikings and their 69-6 loss at Leslie Tuesday. “Every once in a while we’ll see some­ thing,” Lion head coach Karl Wilhelm said after Friday’s defeat. “Tonight, I told them for the first two minutes and 18 seconds I felt like they were in the game. They did some of the things we have been trying to get across to them, that we have been trying to teach them. Then something bad happens, and they get a little adversity, they get put under a little bit ofstress, and theyjust don’t have yet the sort ofresiliency that is going to allow them to get over those moments. “They will get there eventually. I have all the confidence in the world that they will, but right now the steps are so small. Tonight it was two minutes and 18 seconds. A couple games ago it was the way we handled the press for a few possessions. There are flashes ofthings that I see potential in.” Wilhelm took over as interim head coach of the Maple Valley varsity girls’ team in early January. Since then he has been work­ ing on getting a dribble-drive motion offense installed and a 1-3-1 zone defense at the other end ofthe floor. He hopes to guide the pro­ gram for a few years, and is looking forward to really hitting the fundamentals with every­ one this summer. Wilhelm previously coached varsity boys and girls in Minnesota for 15 years. His father, Clair Wilhelm, is a member ofthe Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame with stints coaching at Mason and Dans­ ville among other stops around the state. “I am proud ofthem,” Wilhelm said ofhis girls. “They have worked hard. They have a ‘we’re not going to give up’ attitude. They come to practice every day and work really hard. It is hard to try and learn two complete­ ly different systems and two completely different philosophies within a month and a half ...I think they’re going to be fine, but it’s going to take time.” He liked the way his girls took the ball strong to the bucket on the first couple pos­ sessions against Lakewood. Boxing out will certainly be a focus in practice in the coming days. Lakewood didn’t shoot particularly well inside Thursday, but the Vikings got quite a few second and third chances at the basket. Bri Short, VanAlstine and Haylee Shook had two points each for the Lions in the loss to Leslie. The Lions go on the road to face Perry Thursday, Feb. 16, in the GLAC. All available Vikings score in victory over Maple Valley Brett Bremer Miil iil £S**ftS* ground m gHs get their tenlli 1-8 wm ,4 Si*H*W6* Lakewood sophomore Troy Acker fires a shot up for two points during his team's Thursday night victory over visiting Maple Valley. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 7* Maple Valley senior Tyler Rose looks to dribble around Lakewood senior Nathan W Willette in the back court during their GLAC bailgame at Lakewood High School Thursday, Feb. 9. (Photo by Brett Bremer) $9fl Sports Editor The Lakewood student section led by many members of the Lakewood varsity girls’ basketball team adorned in their spar­ kling Winterfest dresses powered the bois­ terous cheers as Lakewood sophomore Donny Wells sank a free throw in the fourth quarter Thursday night. , Wells got his first varsity point and every other member of the Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball team spored too as the Vikings took a 51-31 yin over visiting Maple Valley in Greater pausing Actiyjtip^ CjQirfereflG$-?£tipn._ The only time the Vikings have held an opponent to fewer than 31 points this sea­ son was when the same .two teams met at Maple Valley High School back in the beginning ofJanuary and the Vikings took a 58-25 victory. The 51 points is the most the Vikings have scored offensively since losing senior guard Jayce Cusack, far and away the team’s top scorer, to ah ankle injury a week and a halfago. Sophomore guard Troy Acker had a game-high 13 points to lead the Lakewood attack and senior guard Nathan Willette finished with 11 points. Junior Blake Price, senior Montreal Reid andjunior Eli Jablon­ ski had 7 points apiece. “Offensively, we’re still a little chal­ lenged without Jayce, but tonight we were more patient and we ran the offense and we tried to cut with a purpose,” Lakewood head coach Chris Duits said. “Defensively, we were able to create some easy buckets with steals and cutting offpasses, and that kind of stuff. That is what we’re going to have to do. When you’re playing good defense it picks up your offense.” The Vikings controlled the game from the midway point ofthe first quarter on. They closed the first quarter on an 8-0 run and that stretched to a 20-0 run until Lionjunior guard Chanse Courtney buried a long three-pointer from the top of the key with 75 seconds to go before the half. Acker fed Willette in the paint for a buck­ et before the halfwas up and lakewood led 28-9 at the half. The Vikings limited dribble penetration by the Lions throughout the bailgame, and the Lions struggled shooting the ball from outside for most ofthe evening. “The guys are figuring out what the defense is supposed to be, where to bump, where to cut and where the cutters are coming from and always being matched up,” Duits said. “They’re finally starting to see what we’re supposed to be doing. They’re picking it up.” The Vikings will be home to take on Olivet next Friday, Feb. 17. They had their GLAC bailgame at Lansing Christian postponed Tuesday. That game is set to be made up Feb. 22. Lakewood moves its overall record to 10-8 with the win over the Lions. The Vikings are 6-4 in the GLAC going into the match-up with Olivet. Maple Valley is now 0-10 in conference play and 5-13 overall. Courtney finished with 10 points for the Lions. Junior guard Corinor Joseph had 6 points and junior guard Ayden Wilkes fin­ ished with 6 points. Maple Valley was bested 67-32 on the road at Leslie Tuesday, The Blackhawks moved to 13-4 overall and 8-2 in the GLAC this season. The Lions will visit Perry Thursday, Feb. 16. Lakewood junior Cadence Poll fires a shot up over Maple Valley's Kyla VanAlstine (4) and Mackenzie Decker during their GLAC ballgame at Lakewood High School Thursday, Feb. 9. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TOWNSHIP OF HOPE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 5463 M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Mi 49058 to examine and review the 2023 assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 11:30 am Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13, 2023, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, cor­ rected and approved. APPEALS ARE HEARD ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS; letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 5:00 pm the Friday before the first appeal hearing. Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as follows: 1.0109 Agricultural 49.46% 0.9960 50.20% Commercial 1.0307 48.51% Industrial 1.1571 Residential 43.21% 1.0000 50.00% Personal Property Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Doug Peck, Supervisor Hope Township Kevin Harris, Assessor Hope Township Hope Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to Hope Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact Castleton Township by writing or calling. Hope Township Clerk 5463 M-43 Hwy. Hastings, Ml 49058 269-648-2464 195279 �Page 14 — Thursday, February 16,2023 — The Hastings Banner Lakewood cheer undefeated through nine GLAC campaigns Brett Bremer Sports Editor It wasn’t the best Greater Lansing Activ­ ities Conference performance the Vikings have ever had, but the Vikings were the GLAC’s best from start to finish. The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team won every GLAC competition through­ out the course ofthe league’s nine-year his­ tory capped off by a victory at the 2022-23 final Wednesday at Perry. Lakewood has now won 14 conference titles in a row. Lakewood outscored runner-up Pewa­ mo-Westphalia by nearly 60 points Wednes­ day. The Vikings had the top score in each of the three rounds finishing at least five points better than anyone else in round one, more than 20 points better than anyone else in round two and over 30 points better than any other team in round three. Lakewood put up a three-round score of 746.08, ahead of Pewamo-Westphalia 686.98, Leslie 656.98, Perry 585.2, Maple Valley 558.58, Stockbridge 511.1 and Web­ berville 456.68/:’ The Vikings closed the day with a round three score of308.2, and Viking head coach Kim Martin continues to be happy and a bit surprised that round three seems to have become her girls’ strong round at this point in the season. Lakewood had scores of 226.2 in round one and 211.68 in round two. We had some motion errors and some mental mistakes in rounds one and two. The skill timing wasn’t as clean as it was at the second league meet,” Martin said. Pewamo-Westphalia put together scores of221.2 in round one, 189.22 in round two and then ended the day with a 275.9 in round three. The Maple Valley girls finish fifth over­ all in the final conference standings. The Lions put together scores of 180.8 in round one, 143.58 in round two and 234.2 in round three. The Lions had their sights set on fourth place and were holding that spot into round three when a stunt dropped at the beginning ofthe round. “The girls fought hard to get back on track, but Perry came out and nailed their round three and got in front of us,” Lion head coach Sarah Huissen said. “Not all The Hastings varsity competitive cheer team celebrates its third straight Interstate-8 Athletic Conference championship after finishing first at the final 1-8 meet Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Parma Western High School. HHS cheer wins third straight 1-8 championship The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team celebrates its 14th consecutive con­ ference championship and ninth straight GLAC title after winning the final GLAC championship at Perry High School Wednesday, Feb. 8. (Photo by Chelsea Chase) The Vikings will head to Shepherd for its MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament Saturday, Feb. 18. Coach Martin said she expects a talented Portland team to be the top contender for a district title. “We’ve had some good practices and the last month they’ve been on an uphill climb,” Martin said, although adding that maybe mid-winter break and Winterfest celebrations at the high school this week took a little of the focus away the couple practices after the GLAC finale.” The Viking coach said senior center flyer Emily Root has been performing really well lately, and she got after her teammates a little bit in practice Friday. “She is just stepping up. She is perform­ ing well and doing what you expect your upperclassmen to do,” Martin said. was lost as we also achieved one of our season goals last night by putting back walkovers into round two. We also worked on speeding up our round two and three this week to avoid timing penalties. These girls are fighters, and I have no doubt they will pick themselves up and dust them­ selves off and get back on the mat to do better next time out.” The Lions will travel to Bronson Satur­ day, Feb. 18, for their MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament. “We’re at that point in the season where it is all mental now,” Martin said. “You’re tired. The girls are tired. Their bodies are tired, but this is where your mental athleti­ cism has to kick in.” Lakewood was scheduled to host a Val­ entine’s Cheerfest Friday night, Feb. 10. Panthers take victories at two more invitationals as district nears Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg heads into the postseason having won the championship hardware at its final two meets ofthe regular season. The Panthers took the Division 4 champi­ onship Monday at the Gull Lake Open Mon­ day and won the Division 4 title Saturday at their own Delton Kellogg Invitational. The team had its highest round two and three, and overall, scores of the season Saturday and then upped all those totals Monday. “Overall we have hit a good stride and plan on pushing to have our best performance this Saturday at districts,” Delton Kellogg head coach Zoe Reynolds said. “We will have to fight for a top four spot. I believe they can do it, they want it! Now is the time to prove it.” o Barry Conservation Delton Kellogg will be in Bronson Satur­ day morning for its MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament. The top four teams from the district advance to the regional round ofthe state tournament. The Panthers upped their best round two score of 187.64 Monday and put up a top round three score of 272.5. Delton Kellogg closed Monday ’s contest in Richland with an overall score of665.64. Those were slight boosts from Saturday. Delton Kellogg had an overall score of 664.06 Saturday. Delton Kellogg was tops from among seven teams in the Division 4 competition. Gobles was second with a score of 582.7 Saturday, ahead of Gobles 575.1, Hartford 564.72, Fennville 555.62, Bangor 453.6 and Constantine 286.1. Delton Kellogg had a round one score Saturday of 207 points. That gave the DK girls a good leg up on the competition. Hart­ ford was second after that round with a score of 186.8. The Panthers went on to add round two score of 186.86 and then score a 270.2 in round three. Coach Reynolds said her team has some work to do this week in the lead-up to dis­ tricts. The Panthers are working on slowing down and hitting every motion in round one. In round two, there arejust some small tim­ ing issues the team is working on. In round three, Reynolds said her team succeeding is “all about practice and being confident in what we are performing.” Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings had the top score in every round and finished off an undefeated Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season at the league finale hosted by Parma Western Wednesday. The Hastings varsity competitive cheer team captured its third straight conference title with a score of699.8 Wednesday. Lumen Christi was second with a score of 633.46, ahead of Parma Western 616.4, Northwest 599.14, Pennfield 593.5 and Harp­ er Creek 560.7. “The team did fantastic, “Hastings head coach Linsey Jacinto said of her girls, “they went in confident and ready to earn their third 1-8 Championship in a row.” “They are improving every week. The team continues to step up. We have seen con­ tinued improvement in all the rounds.” Hastings put up a score of225 in round one, leading second-place Lumen Christi by almost 23 points, and then added to its lead with a score of 195.2 in round two. Hastings was the only one ofthe top five teams not go get a tenpoint deduction in round two. The Saxons led by nearly 45 points going into round three. Coach Jacinto said her team has been strong and scoring well in round one since the beginning ofthe year. “The round two team has worked really hard on timing and cleaning skills,” Jacinto said. “We actually added another 1.2 skill [at the conference final], so we are hoping to see a little improvement there.” The Saxons finished off the win with a score of279.6 in round three. “They have really dialed in their libs and are working on cleaning the small details [in round three],” Jacinto said. Lumen Christi had the second best score in rounds one and two Wednesday, putting up scores of 202.6 and then 172.66. The Titans closed their runner-up finish with a round three score of258.2. Parma Western had the second-best roundthree score at 263.2. The Panthers had scores of 195.3 in round one and 157.9 in round two. Hastings hosted a Pre-District Warm Up Tuesday night, Feb. 14, and finished at the top ofthe four-team standings with an overall score of 722.40. Lakewood was second with 707.12 points, ahead of Merrill 699.18 and Wayland 654.40. Hastings had the top score in round one at 226.00 and then added scores of 193.8 in round two and 302.60 in round three. Lakewood had a score of224.30 in round one, 205.22 in round two and 277.60 in round three. . Merrill had the top round two score ofthe meet at 212.88, adding a 216.40 in round one and 269.90 in round three. The Saxons will go to Paw Paw Saturdays Feb. 18, for its MHSAA Division 2 Cheer District. The top four teams at districts advance to the regional round of the state tournament. Hastings senior Bailey Cook wrestles the ball away from a Harper Creek defender as teammate Olivia Friddle looks to free her with a screen Friday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings' Addey Nickels pressures Harper Creek's Alyssa Smith in the back­ court during their 1-8 ballgame at Hastings High School Friday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) You're invited! Lr—a uctrit 0.1( I Presented by Barry Conservation District Join us for an evening of fun and mingle with the many different groups working in conservation in Barry County! February Friday 24 7-9 PM 2023 Walldorff Brewpub Ballroom, IO5 W State St, Hastings $15- Tickets available at: 5quareup.com/store/facesofconservation Beavers pull away in second half for second win over Saxon girls Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer The Hastings’ girls basketball team lost in the Interstate 8 Conference against Harper Creek at Hastings High School Friday night 42-33. The Beavers held the Saxons to 8 points in the first quarter as the Beavers led 11-8. Macy Winegar hit three-threes in the first half of the game and Bri Darling added another three, and the Saxon team looked strong going into halftime down just 26-25. .However, the Saxon girls did not come out shooting in the second half. The third quarter ended with only two more points on the board for the Saxons, on a shot from Addey Nickels. The Bea­ vers increased their lead to 36 J27 going into the final quarter. The lady Saxons tried to push a come back in the final minutes. Freshman Olivia Fuddle added 4 points in the fourth quarter and Nick­ els added another 2. • It was the second I -8 win of.the season for the Beavers over the Hastings girls. The Saxons are now 7-12 overall this sea­ son and 2-9 in the conference. Hastings was bested 51-27 at Parma West­ ern Tuesday night. The Saxons will be home for their next two ballgames taking on Northwest Friday and Pennfield Tuesday in conference play. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-02-23.pdf ba241698371f3685e14023265f10de44 PDF Text Text Eager attendees take plunge at Winterfest Latest tragedy highlights debate surrounding guns, mental health First Saxon girls' squad sending 5 to Ford Field See story on page 8 See story on page 4 See story on page 13 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590502810549058195427 ........... —CAR-RT LOT'*C 003 C003 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings Ml 49058-1954 kno 1 inilJd Hastings Public Library ANNER , February 23,2023 VOLUME 169, No, 8 Elaine Foote with her husband, Kenneth; three children: Connie, Gary and Janice; stepmother, Mabel; and stepbrother, Arnold standing in front of a converted bus she and her husband and children lived in for 18 months. Back row, left to right: Elaine, Ken, and Mabel. Front row: Gary, Connie, Janice and Arnold. (Photo provided) Former business owner reflects on 100 years of small town living Leila Wood Contributing Writer A lot can change in 100 years. “There have been so many new things, and they just keep increasing all the while... We had to squeeze every drop oforange j uijg pnd didn’t have anything frozen... and then the cars have changed and technology - every­ thing,” said Elaine Foote. Foote is able to survey the many changes over the past century as she prepares to cele- brate her 100th birthday on March 4. The oldest offive children, Foote was bom in her grandparents’ house at 518 Pearl Street in Lansing to Dewey and Leokadia “Leah” Musser, and she has lived most Of her life in the surrounding area. Shortly after Elaine was bom, she and her parents moved out ofLansing and took up resi­ dence on a farm in Dansville. Her father worked as a farmer and as a mechanic in the service center at the A. W. Handy Ford dealership. When Foote was old enough to go to school, she attended Ingham Township Agri­ cultural School. When she was 7, her mother succumbed to ether-irduced pneumonia during the hbspital-birtn ofher fifth childa'nd died shortly thereafter. “My dad kept us all together, and that was the depression - we didn’t; know where our See 100 YEARS, page 3 Elaine Foote (front) and her four children, from left to right: Connie Egleston, Sandy Simon, Janice Fisher and Gary Foote. (Photo by Leila Wood) County commissioners support formation of land bank Jayson Bussa Editor Economic development advocates and officials in Barry County are about to have yet another tool at their disposal. At Tuesday’s meeting ofthe Barry Coun­ ty Committee of the Whole, Jennifer Heinzman appeared in front ofcounty com­ missioners to get approval to form a land bank in Barry County. “We want to be able to have a tool that developers are able to come in, put proper­ ty into (the land bank) and then be able to get all these incentives,” said Heinzman, the President and CEO of the Barry Coun­ ty Chamber & Economic Development Alliance. The Committee of the Whole voted in favor of the resolution to establish a land bank and moved it to the Board of Commis- See LAND BANK, page 2 A rendering of the streetscape project planned for State Street in Hastings. (Courtesy rendering) Barry County Commissioner Mike Callton (center) asks Jennifer Heinzman of the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance a series of questions about the formation of a land bank. Fellow commissioners Catherine Getty (left) and Mark Doster (right) flank him: (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Barry County continues formulating affordable housing strategy See story onpage 5 DDA discusses tentative timeline for State Street streetscape project Hunter McLaren StaffWriter State Street’s planned facelift project could potentially be complete before the end ofthe year. Hastings Downtown Development Authority board members discussed a pro­ posed timeline for the city’s planned street- See DDA, page 3 Road Commission pursues $23M in federal grants to replace culverts over Little Thornapple River Barry County Road Commission Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch outlines the $23 million federal grant the road agency is seeking to replace 10 culverts over the Little Thornapple River at Tuesday morning's Road Commission board meeting. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Barry County Road Commission will npply for more than $23 million of federal funding to replace 10 culverts over the Little Thomapple River. The road agency will apply for funding through the U.S. Department of TransportaTransporta­ tion s RAISE (Rebuilding American Infra­ structure with Sustainability and Equity) propro­ gram, which provides discretionary grants to help state and local governments upgrade transportation infrastructure. The Road ComCom­ mission is seeking $23,097,360 through RAISE to replace culverts from North BroadBroad­ way Road in Carlton Township to Jordan Lake in Woodland Township. l Commissioners Tuesday approved a reso­ lution committing to fund up to $2.5 million to cover engineering costs accrued prior to the grant award, as well as any cost overruns beyond the federal funding. “The Barry County Road Commission recognizes that the 10 river crossings being applied to replace is vital bridge infrastruc­ ture and a large component to public trans­ portation in our rural community,” BCRC Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch read from the resolution. If approved, the RAISE grant would go toward replacing culverts that are currently ineligible for funding assistance through Michigan’s Critical Bridge Fund. Most ofthe culverts in the area are between 15 and 19 feet in length. The project would be bid out in 2024 with construction to begin in 2025, Welch said. The Michigan Department of Transporta­ tion defines a culvert as “a structure that is usually designed hydraulically to convey surface runoffthrough an embankment. The span is less than 20 feet.” MDOT requires bridges to be at least 20 feet in length to qual­ ify for critical bridge funding. Welch said that the Road Commission will seek to have the project be fully funded, but USDOT asked the agency as part ofits appli­ cation to commit a specific dollar amount to contingency should the actual construction costs exceed grant funding. “We’re not matching anything in eligible costs. We will have to cover any ineligible costs as far as between the time ofaward and the time of obligation - there is permitting stuff, there is bidding document design, because we’re not doing the full design, we’re just bidding out what the requirements for each crossing are for the permits,” Welch added. Welch expects the Road Commission will cover about $150,000 in ineligible engineer- ing and other related costs tied to the application, with some ofthat already accounted for in staffcosts. “I’ve reduced the amount of risk in oveis runs as I possibly could, but if, say, this proj­ ect goes $500,000 over, 1 think it would make sense for the Road Commission, even if we had to bond for that, to go and get $23 million and get 10 bridges done,” Welch said. In March 2019, the BCRC had to shut down North Broadway, between Freeport Road and Vedder Road, after a portion of the road collapsed because oferosion offill material around the culvert over the Little Thomapple River, which dated back to 1964. Repairs were made, including the addition of a secondary pipe to help with See GRANTS, page 2 �Pago 2 — Thursday, February 23,2023 — The Hastings Banner Maple Valley Schools seek board member candidates after resignation BRIEFS High school hosting Career Fest Friday Hasting High School will host the first annual Barry County Career Fest on Friday. The new career fair will not only be targeted for high school students but to all com­ munity members. The event will take place in two parts, the first will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 3 p.m., focusing on HHS students. After a short break, Career Fest will start again at 6 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. for all members of the community - including college students and high school students from other districts. The Barry County Career Fest will feature career opportunities from area businesses, planning support for students wishing to pursue careers locally, demonstrations and hands-on experiences. 1 he Career Fest will focus on four major career areas, with sever­ al career paths highlighted within each field. Featured career areas include: • Business management, marketing, finance and technology • Engineering, manufacturing and industrial technology • Health and human services • Natural resources, agri science and culinary arts The inaugural career fair is free to all and will take place at Hastings High School, 520 W. State St. Book of Revelation seminar postponed, will begin March 1 The Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church’s first weekly Book ofRevelation discus­ sion was postponed until next Wednesday, March 1. While the first weekly session was slated to take place last night, inclement weather led the church to postpone the event. Community members are invited to attend free weekly seminars focusing on the Book ofRevelation Wednesday nights at the Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church Fellow­ ship Hall, 888 Terry Lane. The hour-long sessions will take place every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for the next few weeks. Attendees will take a deep dive into the Book ofRevelation and what it means in the present. Organizers pose the question: Does the Book of Revelation speak peace in our time? Each hour-long session will feature study guides and discussion. Participants in the seminars will receive a King James Bible, study guides and a binder. Both the seminar and materials are free. Women's club to hear from Tom DeVault, Serenity Village Members ofthe Hastings General Federation ofWomen’s Clubs chapter (GFWC) will be joined by Tom DeVault, director ofthe Serenity Village planning committee, at their Friday, March 3 meeting. DeVault will speak at the meeting, explaining to the chapter how the group is nearing the end oftheir capital campaign and looking forward to construction in the near future. Serenity Village is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2015 and located in Hastings. It is an alternative residence for end-of-Iife patients whose care can no longer be provided in their home by their families or other caregivers. Often, this is due to care­ giver exhaustion, burnout or inadequate family support. Representatives from the project say the Village will be a place where hospice patients can live out their final days in peace and dignity, surrounded by those they love. Serenity Village relies on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and families/estates who choose to donate. All medical care will be provided by external palliative care providers, arranged by the family of the patient. GFWC Hastings Women’s Club meets the first Friday ofthe month at Green Street United Methodist Church, 209 W. Green Street. Meetings begin with lunch at noon, followed by a short program starting at 12:45 p.m. featuring speakers presenting local volunteer information and topics that impact the com­ munity and ends with the business meeting. Club Membership Chair Kathy LaVictor may be reached by calling 269-945-0745 for more information or reservations. Woodlawn Meadows brings home senior living award Woodlawn Meadows has received A Place for Mom’s 2023 Best of Senior Living award. A Place for Mom is a ratings and reviews site for senior care providers in North America, featuring more than 14,000 senior living communities for over 300,000 families every year. The annual award recognizes the best of the best - top 2 to 3 percent - ofthose 14,000 communities. It’s only given to senior living providers that have received an average rating of4.5 out of5 and above from the seniors and their families. According to A Place for Mom, the areas that separate winning communities include personal connections between staffand residents, food, activities and care that improves mental and physical well-being. Woodlawn Meadows offers assisted living and moments memory care services at 1821 N. East St in Hastings. More information is available by calling 269-948-4921. TOWNSHIP OF HOPE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 5463 M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 to examine and review the 2023 assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Jayson Bums Editor Maple Valley Schools is seeking applica­ tions from candidates who are interested in potentially filling a newly-formed vacancy within its board ofeducation. After this month’s board of education meeting, board trustee Jonathan Denton pro­ vided notice to Superintendent Dr. Katherine Bertolini and the rest ofthe board that he is resigning from his position. His letter of resignation did not provide a specific reason why he has chosen to step down from his post. Denton walks away from the board with two years still left on his term. Bertolini said that the district has 30 days to name a replacement for Denton and has put Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer Veteran school bus driver Terri Bourdo will be the new transportation supervisor for Delton Kellogg Schools. At Monday night’s meeting, the Delton Kellogg Board ofEducation voted in favor of Bourdo taking over as the school district’s new transportation supervisor following the departure ofWayne Neitzke, who announced earlier this year that he was resigning from the position. However, the vote for Bourdo was not unanimous among all school board members. Jon Osborne was the lone no-vote who said he needed more information about hiring Bourdo and had his share of concerns. Craig Jenkins was absent. Bourdo is filling the transportation super­ visor position that became available after Neitzke resigned in December following his six years in the position. School officials said he left to take a better-paying position else­ where. Delton Kellogg Schools Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue Jr. said Bourdo has decades ofexperience. “She’s doing some great things,” he said. “I think she’s the best choice for the district.” After serving as a bus driver for Delton Kellogg Schools, Bourdo has been working in the transportation industry for 48 years and is familiar with the tasks of a transportation supervisor. - .. . , tf{.;fy’s gpin$$Q be cfiallengiij^, ^Jjam.i^p for it, ’ Bourdo said. > We have ajob to do and have to make sure we can do it.” Throughout her career, Bourdo’s roles have included driving a bus on and off, being involved in training and advocating for school bus drivers. Plus, she says she’s a major pro­ ponent for school bus safety. overflow situations and to allow the cross­ ing to qualify for critical bridge funding. Welch expressed similar concerns about other crossings over the Little Thomapple to road commissioners in January. The Biden administration has set aside $1.5 billion in this year’s federal budget for the RAISE grants, according to the U.S. »*** )(Bourdo said she is excited about her new role transport^idii.syperyisor. She added that she enjoys working in the industry, especially the relationships with other bus drivers and the kids she transports. “I think I made the best recommendation I could for our district,” Lartigue said, whose office received applications from five differ­ ent candidates. Hope Township Clerk 5463 M-43 Hwy. Hastings, Ml 49058 269-648-2464 fl fBl L-Lll upv II SJEflLriO) • oL u-rLdll ou kp^vipIwI sSJaEsf lLsrhiOe ) takes the• wheel as -»J^sPortatibi supervisor, the position will require added learning and staffsupport. “We’ve got our dispatcher, who is a great help to me,” Bourdo said. “I have the full support ofthe bus drivers.” The board also voted to hire Misty Kapteyn as the new Assistant Athletic Director. iUkIUMkib MfipfeHobW 'iiuiii taitarfrKikyafri Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. RADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation I -ICCIISC Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 . //XI10376 & Insured lNSUL4r SPRAYFOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass k Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501N. Ipnia Rd., Vermontville February Sale 20% offFabrics (excludes sale items) Sweet Liberty & Bleu de France Collections by ®Moda New 108rt Cotton Prints Hulst Cleaners Pickup 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm i Department of Transportation. Half ofthat funding will go to rural communities. A decision on which projects will receive funding is expected in late June, Welch said. RAISE grants funded 166 projects nationally last year, including four in Michigan. A nearly $19.8 million grant was awarded to Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to in ivi uals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to 0Wr]sh'P- Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact Castleton Township by writing or calling. & ass SOS ’ ®®* Long-time school bus driver Tern Bourdo was selected by the Delton Kellogg school board to serve as the district's new transportation supervisor. (File photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING APPEALS ARE HEARD ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS; letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 5:00 pm the Friday before the first appeal hearing. Hope Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color national origin, sex or disability. yon and vice president Craig Lackscheide for new terms on the board. Those five joined both Denton and board secretary Justin Keiffer on the seven-person board. The crowded race also featured candidates in Scott Leslie, Rick McCloy, Tyler Erb and Dustin Henney. GRANTS, continued from page 1 And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, cor­ rected and approved. Doug Peck, Supervisor Hope Township Kevin Harris, Assessor Hope Township Maple Valley Schools Delton Kellogg Board of Education approves new transportation supervisor Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 11:30 am Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13, 2023, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as follows: Agricultural 49.46% 1.0109 Commercial 50.20% 0.9960 Industrial 48.51% 1.0307 Residential 43.21% 1.1571 Personal Property 50.00% 1.0000 out the word to potential candidates through­ out the district. “We will be reviewing applicants and bring qualified candidates before the board at our next regular board meeting to be held on March 14,” Bertolini told The Banner via email. The individual appointed to the position will hold the seat through Dec. 31,2024. Inter­ ested candidates are asked to submit a formal letter to express their interest in addition to their qualifications for the position. Those submissions can be turned in to the district office no later than 3 p.m. on March 3. In November, voters in the Maple Vally School district chose to retain incumbent members ofthe board ofeducation, selecting school board president Kristen Miller, treatrea­ surer Kelly Dunham, trustee Kimberlee Ken- the Sault Ste. Marie Band ofChippewa Indi­ ans for reconstructing a critical road corridor in Sault Ste. Marie and adding non-motorized paths in that corridor. Also, the city of Kalamazoo received more than $5.9 million for redesigning its downtown area to make it more walkable. 1 I & LAND BANK, continued from page 1--------------sioners for final approval. While the function of, and pro­ cess associated with, a land bank is fairly technical, establishing a land bank in Barry County is ulti­ mately designed to entice property developers to choose available sites within the county for new developments. In short, when a developer pur­ chases a property - and, it can be any type ofproperty - they would deed the property over to the land bank, which would be chaired by Barry County Treasurer Susan VandeCar and managed by the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. While in the land bank, the property could be put in line for incentives that would defray or cover the costs of things like envi­ ronmental studies, abatement, demolition, site prep and infra­ structure. In some cases, the incentives can help with the cost ofthe property itselfin addition to title work or subsidies for construction costs. Right now, these are incentives available to brownfield developers, but elude developers of other types ofproperties. Developers would pay for these expenses up front but ultimately be reimbursed through tax incre­ ment financing (TIF). The incentives would presumpresum­ ably be a welcome sight for devel­ opers, as county board vice chair David Hatfield pointed out. “The biggest burden to plat development is getting the infra­ structure,” said Hatfield, who is also chairman of the Hastings Planning Commission. Heinzman and a few commis­ sioners said they hoped a land bank would make Barry County more attractive to developers, but it’s also designed to address one of the most persistent issues dogging the county right now: affordable housing. “We are trying to increase hous­ ing stock, and this would help do that,” Heinzman said. “Housing continues to be a crit­ ical piece that we’re trying to solve in the county,” echoed coun­ ty board chair David Jackson. We need more tools for our devel­ opers to come in. We’re compet­ ing with other counties and other areas. The state does have a land bank authority but the state then keeps all the revenue and profit and benefits ofthat.” With final approval expected next week to adopt the official resolution, one ofthe first steps in leveraging the land bank is edu­ cating developers and the general public on this additional tool available for leveraging. “It’s going to take a little bit to get the wheels turning on it and educate people on what this does and how it is, but it’s just another tool for us to help expand what we re doing in the county,” Jackson said. I SW S w w •^i �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 23, 2023 — Page 3 Committee of the Whole OKs new employment renewal for county administrator ■v S W §*kS^t. W:: Ski NS 3y(y( Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County Administrator Michael Brown has inked a new contract and will continue serving the county in his current role for another two years. And, ifthe county commissioners had their way, they would have liked to lock down Brown for much longer than two more years. ‘*1 think we should change this to a fiveyear agreement,” Commissioner Jon Smelker said, jokingly, during Tuesday's meeting of the Committee ofthe Whole. “I was going to go with 10 years, but five would also be acceptable,” Chairman David Jackson added with a smile. Brown being a diligent stickler to accuracy and proper protocol, couldn't help but fact­ check theirjoke. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but for information sake, by law, the agreement can’t be for more than three years,” Brown said. “I think the concept is, that way, a board can’t tie a future board to a long-term agreeagree­ ment that the future board may or may not want.” But, if history is any indication, future boards will want Brown. He has served in the role since 1995 and oversees a laundry list of administrative duties around the county. As a fixture at the county board meetings, Brown is often tagged in by commissioners to provide context or information needed to facilitate discussion. The Committee of the Whole reviewed Brown’s proposed employment agreement and gave it the thumbs up, passing it along to the Board ofCommissioners for final approval. Most requests are for a three-year period, but Brown only requested two years, cover­ ing both 2023 and 2024. Brown also requested a 2 percent increase in salary totaling $131,709 in 2023 and $134,343 in 2024. The increase is on par with all county employees. Right now, Brown’s contract with the county has lapsed - it did at the beginning of the year. “Knowing that there was a new board com­ ing on - more so with the significant number of board members that were changing, as well as the leadership on the board -1 felt it was maybe more appropriate to let it lapse and leave time for the board to work with me, ifyou may. So I’m bringing it to you now to ask for a renewal ofthat agreement for 2023 and 2024,” Brown said. Barry County Administrator Michael Brown appears in front of the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday morning, requesting a new employment agreement with the coun­ ty. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) DDA, continued from page 1 scape project last week. City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said that although all the dates in the timeline were still tentative, ifeverything went according to plan they could provide a rough estimate for the project’s progress. Contractor bids for the project are set to be due June 27, with city council approving final bids on July 10. Con­ struction could start as soon as July 12 and be completed by Dec. 15. The project will transform State Street between Broadway and South Boltwood streets, adding LED streetlights, trees, an outdoor fireplace, sitting areas and mid-block pedestrian crossings. A merchant meeting is planned for March 13, where business owners on or near the affected blocks will be able to ask questions or state their concerns with the project architect, MCSA Group. The DDA would have a chance i \Foctds Amish Benefit Breakfast Foote’s Cafe, in downtown Nashville; (Photo provided) 1OO YEARS, continued from page 1 if gSf*3 gwSf*3 ! -‘hte H’tabiibr,fcj 2? “^taiWBab ^H’tabiibrfcj Sffffirffcteibs* WR»edappjaD®jE.^. ^■*1 Wgg»i saa wphaki »pn'’rtM’ fa JuJ^n^wiiiAtekiki!^* W»sapa»'’Mfa JJ^wteii!* ..jjs H i cm mbf^hS S’K*1®^' *& •5^5 next meal reallywas coming from... I had to grow up fast, and dad was a perfectionist - he wanted everything done that was right... no matter how poor you are, you don’t have to be dirty. You don’t have to wear dirty clothes,” recalled Foote. She said she had to put cardboard in her shoes because they had worn through on the bottoms. “You were very fortunate if you had two dresses that you could change from, one day roihe next or one week to the ne$t,” she said. Over the following summer, the children spent time with relatives, and their father hired a housekeeper, Mabel Chailender, to manage the home and take care ofthe children. “The unique thing about Grandpa was... everybody came to him as a relative and said ‘Dewey, let us take this child and this child,’ and somebody else would say ‘we’ll take Dewey (Junior),’ and Grandpa said ‘no, all we have is each other, and we’re going to stick together,’ and how he did that without spreading the kids out is just a miracle... That’s why the family has always been so close, I believe,” said Foote’s son, Gary. The family moved several times within the Dansville community before leaving the town permanently. Between the fall of 1935 and the spring of 1936, Foote’s father bought a 10-acre parcel of land that had been part of his former in-law’s farm in Woodhull Township, Shi­ awassee County, and he began building a house. On June 8, 1936, he married Chailender, formerly the housekeeper. “Of course, being a teenager, I didn’t get along with my stepmother right away, but I finally grew into a good relationship,” Foote said. In 1938, Foote met Kenneth, whom later she married in 1940, when she was 17 and he was 19. They moved into 721 Vernon Avenue, in Lansing: Their first three children, Connie, Gary and Janice were each bom a few years apart at Sparrow Hospital and dedicated at Judson Memorial Baptist Church. In 1949, the family moved to Albuquerque New Mexico, where Kenneth had accepted a job at Sandia Corporation. Foote and her husband purchased an old school bus and, with the help ofseveral other relatives, converted it into a motorhome. They and their three children drove from Lansing to Albuquerque, where they lived in the bus for 18 months, while a house was being built for them. When they left Lansing, they only had about $200. “I remember as a little tiny snot -1 hadjust graduated from kindergarten - and the bus broke down, and mom, Connie, I, and Jan was a baby - we got on a Greyhound and went on to Albuquerque. Dad stayed and fixed the bus... and got to Albuquerque with $50 in his pocket,” Gary said. They both found work promptly upon their arrival in Albuquerque. “We never were idle very long, and I think it makes you stronger,” said Foote. Their fourth daughter, Sandra was bom at Presbyterian Hospital and dedicated at Crest­ view Baptist Church, in Albuquerque. In 1952, they returned to Michigan and settled in Vermontville. Kenneth began work at Michigan Magnetics, and they purchased the Good Luck Lunch Room, which they renamed Foote’s Cafe. to cut out any itemized items on bids for the plan at a special meeting scheduled for June 28. Board member Terri Albrecht asked if any parts of the project could be cut or scaled back to facilitate similar projects on nearby streets more quickly. Moyer-Cale said that although the DDA was free to cut elements from the plan, doing so would not expedite future streetscape projects or allow for ame­ nities like LED streetlights to be placed on nearby streets as part ofthis project. “I do not recommend trimming what you currently have. There’s nothing that we’re going to cut out that will give us a substantial enough amount offunds to extend those ame­ nities on the other streets,” Moyer-Cale said. “You’re just going to be hurting your own design. You’ll end up with less of a design, and not really get the benefit that you’re look­ ing for on those other streets.” “We lived in an apartment upstairs, and (Elaine) was downstairs preparing breakfast, baking pies, and everything early in the morn­ ing,” recalled Foote’s daughter, Janice fisher. “She had to keep track oftime to make sure us kids woke up to get ready for school. She had a big meat cleaver that she would bang on a pipe... that was our alarm clock,” Gary added, “Ifwe were upstairs playing, as kids, and we were making too much noise, would ould beat biitfiaf pipe',' and that was the ^hei wo sigrial that wfe shufup and beWe,9bP it wasn’t long that she would come or send somebody up the stairs to correct us.” Foote said Gary used to get up early to help put filling in the pies. “It was an honor for me to be up early in the morning with my mother, downstairs, making pumpkin pies, just to be able to spend time with her,” Gary said. Several years later, they sold the cafe to Foote’s sister, June Bosworth and moved to Nashville, where they purchased another restaurant, located at 202 N. Main Street, which they also named Foote’s Cafe. “We did a lot ofremodeling on the build­ ing,” Foote said. “It was an old, old build­ ing... and we put a new front on the outside and then redid the inside altogether and had furnace and air conditioning put in.” Foote was known for her pies, and she said she used to make anywhere from eight to 18 per day. She said she started out charging 10 cents a slice and eventually increased the price to 15 cents. “I never charged any more than 15,” she said. Some ofFoote’s other specialties included swiss steak dinners, fried chicken, hot beef or pork sandwiches, barbecued ribs and salad dressing. “I had a salad dressing that I kept adding to until I got that perfected, or I thought it was perfected, and people did, because they’d come and buy it by the pint or quart,” said Foote. Even while working in the cafe, Elaine always made time to watch her children go by in the marching band whenever there was a parade. “I didn’t have any ofthose privileges when I was growing up,” she said, “I went to school. I had to go home and work after­ wards. .. there was always little kids to watch and housework to do, so I never had much time to play, and I don’t think it hurt me. I’m not complaining about that, but it would have been nice to have had a childhood, like nor­ mal kids do. A lot ofpeople didn’t then.” One notable customer and friend was Win Schuler, who created Win Schuler’s cheese and owned Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall. “He wou|d always-come back, and Visit $ith KfltWihitffeldtdffiji, aricfthehwhen she would show up at Win Schuler’s, he would say, ‘Hi Elaine, it’s good to see you again’,” said Gary. Having dropped out of school following her junior year, Foote said 'she earned her GED from Maple Valley schools in the 1960s. She also continued to run the cafe until 1970. The following year, she and her hus­ band moved to Charlotte, and then in 1973, they moved to Battle Creek. After they had both retired, Foote said, “My husband and I bought a travel trailer and traveled quite a bit for several years - spent summers in Michigan and the winters we’d go where it was warmer - Arizona, Texas, New Mexico.” Foote said she has seen every state except North Dakota, Alaska, and Hawaii. In 2008, they moved from Battle Creek to Caledonia. Kenneth passed away in 2010. In 2020, Elaine moved into Green Acres of Ionia Retirement Living to be with her young­ er sister, June. Her other sister, Anita, also moved in later that year. Gary said she had been hesitant to leave her home in Caledonia but decided to make the move after seeing how comfortable her sister seemed. Both June and Anita have since died. Elaine’s youngest brother is her only surviv­ ing sibling. According to her kids, all ofher siblings lived into their 90s. She said her favorite thing about the places she has called home is the people she has gotten to know. “(In) small towns, you get to know almost everybody, and... when you move away, you miss them, and when somebody passes away, you’re just glad that you knew them,” she said. Computer Basics Mar Windows 10 2 pm 1 Register Now! Your Laptop or Ours, Seating is limited “Digital Literacy for everyone made possible by the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T. ^AT&T * 8 a m> Seat‘ng • 10 a.m. seating at 7981 S. M-66 H Hwy., Nashville, MI oTHfr /U Reservations needed: 2 searings to choose from. Take-Out provided. Menu includes: Biscuits w/sausage gravy, fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, grilled sausage patties, fresh fruit, orangejuice, coffee and cinnamon rolls. Susan Raber’s grandson, Andrew, underwent surgery refientiy^fdr hip replacement Proceeds from this breakfast will help off-set medical expenses incurred iJkonks/ L famdie& ttieiz uowvftindne&S' and/uuU/ Call for reservations at 269-758-3845 and state your seating time. j 195149 Barry Township 2023-2024 Budget Public Hearing NOTICE The Barry Township Board will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 at the Barry Township Hall on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be the subject of this hearing. A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the Township office. The Barry Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting upon 7 days notice to the Barry Township Board. Note: Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Barry Township Board by writing or calling the following: Barry Township Board P.O Box # 705 Delton, Ml 49046 Phone :269-623-5171 Fax: 269-623-8171 email @ barrytownship@mei.net barrytownshipmi.com Respectfully, Debra J. Knight, Clerk NOTICE: SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS The Barry County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Mental Health Authority Board: 3 positions, preference with lived experience in mental health diagnosis and/or substance use disorder Planning Commission: 2 positions Solid Waste Oversight Committee: 1 position representing Solid Waste Industry, partial term Tax Allocation Board: 1 position; may not be officially connected with or employed by any local or county unit of government. Zoning Board ofAppeals: 2 positions Digital Literacy For Everyone www.HstingsPublicLibary.org Saturday, March 4,2023 HASTINGS PUBUC LIBRARY ^.piora • irnaglha • Grow Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor of the Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings; or www.barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application. Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information. 194936 �Page 4 — Thursday. February 23, 2023 — The Hastings Banner see dm y«u MAIL CALL Is the problem guns or mental illness? Blue Zones Activate Barry County, a local organization focused on bolstering the health and well-being of the community, has stationed blue mailboxes in front all public libraries in Barry County. And, right now, these mail boxes are stuffed with an essential kitchen utensil: large wooden spoons. As seen by this mailbox, located at the Hastings Public Library, these spoons are a promotional tool and come with a QR code to direct you to healthy recipes found online. Activate Barry County encourages people to take pho­ tos of their spoons in action and tag the organization on Facebook for a chance to win a cookbook. Do y.u remember? Middle schoolers head for Saginaw BannerApril 14,1988 Hastings Middle School students departed yesterday morning for the state finals of the Academic Track Meet, a new event at Hastings this year. The National Bank of Hastings gave the group $75 to cover the cost of lunches en route to the finals in Saginaw. Finalists shown here are (front row) Tom Brighton, (second row, from left) Derek Freridge; Aubrey Mason * Patrick Williams, Malyka DeGoa, Monica Mellen, Erin Merritt, Jenny Parker, Karla Prestom (backrowJ^ristyAbenciroth, Heidii Briggs^j Bryan Sherry, Matt Tait, Dan Watson, Principal Jenny Horan, Brad Gee, Jenny Johnson, Amy Chaffee, Kathy Vos, Instructor1 ’ Karen Miller, and Jennie Kornstadt. Have you met? Christine Terpening, bom and raised in Vermontville, came out as a lesbian when she was 44 years old. She described her experience as “crash­ ing” out ofthe closet. At that time she was married, had four kids and was an estab­ lished community member in Vermontville. It was a very difficult time for her, she said. “I made a lot of mistakes, it wasn’t a good time. It’s something that I barely sur­ vived,” Terpening said. “Mine is a survival story. I often say that coming out should be a happy story, not a survival story.” Growing up in the ‘70s, she knew there was something different about her. She recalled “looking through a window” at the LGBTQ community in her hometown and thinking that it was not something she wanted to be. With the different climate surrounding gender and sexuality in the ‘70s, as well as a general lack ofsupport for LGBTQ people in rural communities, Terpening said to be openly gay or lesbian was a lonely and isolating experience. It was an experience she saw many others in her community go through. “You didn’t know they were gay until they moved away, or we did know they were gay, but they had no support,” she said. “Nobody stepped up to support them. And that’s what I want to change.” She was still “quietly out” in 2019 when she was heartbroken by a news report stat­ ing 60 percent of LGBTQ youth had thoughts ofself-harm or suicide. However, another part ofthe report stuck with her as well: thoughts of self-harm and suicide were drastically lower among LB GT youth who knew at least one openly gay adult. “Immediately, it was a call to action. I was still not on my y feet as a gy gay woman, n, but these kids can’t wait for me to be on my feet. They can’t wait for anybody to bee on their feet,” she said. “Ifwe all waited for us to be on our feet to make a difference, there wouldn’t be a whole lot ofdifference going on in the world.” She went to Facebook and made a post. She was not going to be quiet any longer. She was gay, not ashamed, and here to stay in Vermontville. Most importantly, if anyone reading needed support, Terpening said she would be there for them. She would be their rock. Terpening, now 52, announced that she would be working to found I’ll Be Your Rock, a non-profit organization dedicated Christine Terpening to supporting LGBTQ youth in rural areas. The idea was simple: Terpening wanted to provide the support that she never received when she was a kid. She hosts a weekly youth support group, where she and other volunteers provide a space for kids to just be themselves. Some­ times that means discussing issues that arise from being gay in a small community, and other times it means just hanging out and playing games. The space is there for the kids to use as they see fit. Based in Ver­ montville, the group doesn’t turn anyone away - it regularly sees kids attending from neighboring counties, with some coming from as far as Kalamazoo and Detroit. Terpening didn’t know what to expect when she announced her plans to start the nonprofit. Although she’s faced her fair share of detractors, she’s also been over­ whelmed by the support she’s received from both the Maple Valley community and from across the country. She’s already looking to start other chap­ ters across the state, with her sights set on other states after that. She’s started doing some groundwork to establish a chapter in Livingston, Texas. It’s something she said wouldn’t be possible without her “rockpile” - donors, volunteers and allies that contrib­ ute to I’ll Be Your Rock’s mission. Although donors and volunteers provide a big boost to her mission, Terpening said vocal allies are just as important. By being vocal about their support for the LGBTQ community, anyone can become a “rock.” “I don’t think (people) realize their life-saving abilities byjust being an ally,” she said. “There are so many ways to be an ally.” For more information about I’ll Be Your Rock’s mission, visit illbeyourrock.org. For advocating for youth in Maple Val­ ley, Barry County and beyond, Christine Terpening is this week’s Bright Light. What music I listen to: Dolly Parton. I’m probably the biggest Dolly Parton fan you’ll ever meet. She has been my therapist, my entertainer, my consoler, my preacher and my church. A lot ofwhat I know about religion, I know from Dolly. I was raised on a farm so we didn’t get to church quite as often, but I always went to Dolly’s church and I think I’m all the better for it. She’s a trailblazer in so many .ways, and she’s been an ally ever since I was little. Best advice I ever received: I think the reason I’m sitting here today is my mother would always say, ‘This too shall pass,’ no matter what it was. She was right, it always passes. All you have to do is hang on and do what you can to get through it. This too shall pass. My favorite dinner: Anything my mom makes. But if she was to make me some­ thing, I like her chicken and noodles fol­ lowed up by her lemon meringue and banana meringue pie., j First thing I bought with my own money: I don’t remember specifically, but I used to be a rodeo cowgirl for many years when I was young. I guarantee you it was probably a new rope or something. Yeah, I probably bought something to do with my love ofrodeo. Favorite ice cream: Anything MOO-ville. Something most people don’t know about me: I love to pick the banjo. My banjo’s been broken forr a few* f years, and I’m not saying I’m any good, but it is very difficult to be unhappy when you’re picking a banjo. As we play the blame game following the horrific shooting that left three dead and five critically injured at Michigan State University last week, let’s admit we all had our fingers on the figurative trigger. Granted, we didn’t share in the evil of Anthony Dwayne McRae’s heart, but where were we when the 43-year-old lost soul needed help with the mental illness that led to his abhorrent action? “When are we going to start spending more time and energy helping those that are mentally ill?” was the question District Court Judge Michael Schipper posed to me as we' reflected on this unspeakable event. “Our state and many others have cut funding for treatment and facilities for our mentally ill for years and they’re almost nonexistent today. “I see so many people in my court that are crying out for help and there’s so little available. And that’s particularly true for the low-income. Until we fix that issue we will continue to have this type ofhorrific tragedy.” McRae had a history ofmental illness and neighbors in Lansing described him as a “hell-raiser” who practiced target shooting out his back door, even though his father encouraged him to get rid of his guns. “It appears based on the content in a note (left behind) that he felt he was slighted in some way by people or busi­ nesses,” said MSU Campus Deputy Chief Chris Rozman. “Did a mental health issue amplify that or was it a component of that? We’re not sure ofthis point. We’re work­ ing our best to try to determine that as best as possible.” McRae was the lone shooter and had no connection to the victims or to Michigan State as a student or employee. He was arrested and charged in June 2019 with carrying a concealed pistol without a con­ cealed carry permit. The initial charge was a felony that carried the potential penalty offive years in prison. According to the Detroit News, an officer encountered McRae in Lansing and asked if he had any weapons on him. According to court records, McRae acknowledged to the officer that he had a gun but he didn’t have a concealed weapons permit. He stated that i vthe gun was registeredto him,: that hopur<• Phased it in late March at Capital Discount and that he was currently trying to obtain a concealed weapons permit. Officers also found a magazine of bullets in his right breast pocket. Though that inquiry may not have sig­ naled McRae’s mental health issues, our legal system certainly revealed the neglect that turns those problems into tragedies. In October 2019, Ingham County prose­ cutors added a second charge against McRae: possession ofa loaded firearm in a vehicle, a misdemeanor. That same month, McRae agreed to plead guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charge, and, in exchange, prosecutors dismissed the felony charge. That situation repeats itself across the country when we learn after these trage­ dies that the shooter had a sordid past, oftentimes with a rap sheet that should have put the shooter behind bars or into the special counseling that those afflicted with mental health issues need. So why aren’t politicians calling for support for mental illness, drug and sui­ cide prevention? Because it’s easier to blame guns andjust pass laws that restrict the availability of guns - especially in Michigan where the state government is currently in the hands of one party and passing additional regulations should be much easier. As they duly paid their heartfelt respect to the families and friends ofthose affect­ ed by the tragedy, Governor Whitmer and President Biden quickly transitioned to once again push their gun control agenda as a way to solve this desolating quandary. Every time a shooter goes to a school, business or shopping mall and needlessly shoots innocent victims politicians think The Hastings Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingpersonality,for the stories hee or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. passing more gun regulations would have stopped the shooter. They don’t take into consideration that a nationwide mental health crisis with a growing number of people with depression, anxiety, drug use and suicide needs attention. “It’s always sad when this type oftragedy happens and instead ofjust pulling together and loving and supporting the families and the surviving students we have to immediately turn it to politics,” said Judge Schipper during our recent conversation. “The gun didn’t kill those students, the mentally ill man did. We have stricter gun laws in our state and country now than we ever have, yet we have more of these shootings. When are we going to realize it’s a people problem, not a gun issue?” Hopefully soon, because more people need more help than ever before and not just those prone to violence. The toll taken by the COVID-19 pan­ demic on the economic, social and mental well-being ofMichigan residents is grow­ ing deeper every day with an estimated 1.3 million Michigan residents having some form of mental health condition. Plus, research shows that about 38 percent of these individuals are not receiving the care they so desperately need. A report by the Well Being Trust, a national advisory council based in Califor­ nia, shows the share ofadults in Michigan with mental illness was 20.3 percent in 2018-19, more than the 19.9 percent nationwide. Yet politicians jump on gun control because solving mental health issues is hard work and will take special funding. Plus, there’s a shortage of profes­ sionals across the state, especially in rural communities. More than three in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms ofanxiety and/or depressive disorders since May 2020. In 2019, approximately one in 10 adults reported the same. The share ofadults in Michigan report­ ing symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders is showing a growing trend with little or no action from state officials. One family that tried to get psychiatric help for their 15-year-old son who was considered suicidal in March was told it could be October [before; they could get an appoint­ ment -the son killed-himself-ill April. Based on mental illness prevalence and access to care, Michigan ranks 17th over­ all nationally and received a failing grade for mental health parity from the Kenne|dy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity. The state also ranks 23rd for the adult rate of suicidal thoughts. Nearly one in five Michigan youth has at least one mental health condition and, in Michigan, where the prevalence ofmental health disorders mirrors national figures, 13 percent reported having a depressive episode and fewer than half have been able to access care. In 2020, mental health-related visits to emergency rooms jumped 31 percent among adolescents ages 12 to 17. There is more than enough evidence that mental health is a serious problem and, without some intervention, we could continue to see these tragic events because the crisis shows no signs ofabating. Ninety percent of adults say the United States is experiencing a mental health cri­ sis - so is it time for more gun regulation or is it time to focus on the real problem? • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 ** & 7 7 ® jssasnr*®* nr*®*® * • , at ISTHi kiwtif* �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 23, 2023 — rage 5 Barry County econmic developers, stakeholders continue to take steps toward more affordable housing Ww i J!, James Gemmell Contributing Writer A national consulting firm will host an invitation-only meeting next month for stakeholders throughout Barry County in order to discuss affordable housing strate­ gies. The session will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 30 at the Barry Community Foun­ dation in Hastings. Antero Group LLC was hired by the Barry Community Foundation to conduct the tool­ kit study. It is an engineering, urban plan­ ning and strategic consulting firm with its nearest office is in Chicago, but an Antero agent based in Michigan is working on the project. The study will be used to determine which types ofhousing projects are needed in spe­ cific areas ofthe county, and at which price point. Antero is providing an affordable housing toolkit to guide long-term develop­ ment and identify implementation strategies for the county. “Our understanding is that many housing development projects in the county have encountered challenges towards the final stages ofapprovals,” Antero Senior Director Michael Schmitz wrote to Barry Community F Foundation President & CEO Bonnie Gettys in a letter late last year. Schmitz said an educational component may be needed to provide clarity, best prac­ tices and design guidelines. The Community Foundation paid $14,500 for the affordable housing toolkit study and estimated the project could be completed in six months after awarding ofthe contract. The Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance has applied for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Develop­ ment (USDA) grant that would also fund the hiring of Antero to do a targeted industry analysis, as well. Affordable housing programs support income-based apartments in the county. Res­ idents in those households pay rent based on how much they earn. “They’re covering all the options ofhous­ ing and land banks,” Middleville Village Council trustee Richard Hamilton said at a council meeting earlier this year. “We actually have over 400 units that are already in the works,” Chamber and EDA President/CEO Jennifer Heinzman told The Banner in a phone interview. She explained that, if all ofthe proposed projects they are working on come to fruition, then the addi­ tional 400-plus units of housing would be available. That includes apartments, townho­ mes and single-family homes. “Stakeholders^ are' goings toi<come>toi this ’meeting s^the^eandifeaF where We are on each ofthem,” sh said. “And then, the con­ sultants will have a better idea ofwhat other types ofhousing we should be going for.” A proposal will be formulated that can be posted publicly as a Request for Proposal so far irbtei qmca#rattteiqisi taoMfe rfrtti IteKnrfitaHfanii mW prospective developers and contractors can bid on the various projects. In 2019, the Barry County United Way and the Michigan Association of United Ways released a study showing that households that are classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) make up 37 percent of Barry County homes. The United Way said the pre-pandemic study determined that 8,747 households in the county could not afford basic needs such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care and technology. The ALICE report prompted the Barry County United Way and the Barry Commu­ nity Foundation to establish the Family Eco­ nomic Support Office. It helps people to achieve financial independence by providing them with the tools and skills needed to increase their assets. Hamilton said he attended a Chamber/ EDA and Community Foundation committee meeting in January. “A fantastic meeting. What’s going on in the county... there’s some great things hap­ pening,” he said. “But we’re going to have to be flexible when it comes to how many sto­ ries (allowed for apartment buildings),” he said. “Maybe we’re too restrictive with some ofour zoning for the kinds ofthings that we needjWherewe’reigovenjing'where they’re placed.’ Maybe we’need districts that allow additional stories beyond two.” The Housing and Transportation (H+T) Affordability index provides a comprehen­ sive view ofaffordability that includes both the cost ofhousing and the cost oftranspor- | ilasottKDhllnlifaii | m M i sai cte hhs (tote® Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance President and CEO Jennifer Heinzman, seen here at a Middleville Village Council meeting, said an affordable housing study will be made public once it is completed. (Photo by James Gemmell) tation at the neighborhood level. The index is used as part ofa broader effort to increase urban sustainability through location effi­ ciency. Hamilton provided the village council with some statistics he researched. He said in the 49333 zip code, the median apartment rental was $992 as of2020. The village pop­ ulation was 11,639, the median age was 38.2 years. The median income was $64,490 in Middleville The average home value was $194,451, and the average household income was $73,326. “Now, that’s likely high because up near Caledonia you’re getting into a higher-rate area. And the home value - $ 194,451 - holy mackerel, they’re twice that now,” Hamil­ ton said. He added that only two rentals were avail­ able at Middlevill-based Hunter Apartments and zero at Lincoln Meadows Apartments. ??”And Grand Rapids waiting lists are closed. They’re so full, they’re closed,” Hamilton said. His math found that the H+T costs when calculated as a percent of income was 49 percent in the Middleville area. The range runs from 45 to 63 percent. “We know, with the rising cost of fuel, these (2019) numbers are probably way out ofwhack,” Hamilton said. He noted that about 95 percent ofcommut­ ers drive between 21,000 and 26,000 miles per year regionally. And, in Middleville, the range is 18,500 to 21,000 miles annually. Village trustee Makenzi Peters noted that owners of apartment complexes often don’t hold onto properties long before selling them to operational companies. “If we want to hold on to Middleville charm or hold them to a higher standard of quality, we should look at maybe creating some ordinances that hold the new owner­ ship company accountable to that,” Peters said. Village Council member Johnny DeMaagd noted that governmental bodies have gotten creative with their resources in recent years to attract working talent. He said perhaps a community land trust- could be set up to ensure that some houses will remain afford­ able for years to come. “That kind of offers that gateway step to first ownership,” DeMaagd said. Heinzman said findings from the afford­ able-housing study will be made available to the public once it is completed. The chamber and Barry County Community Foundation have been working with Antero on the proj­ ect for several months. “We don’t have a timeline (for finishing i the study); but they are making progress Heinzman added. “Just know that we’re steadily working on it. Housing is our prima­ ry area of focus. And it is the Community Foundation’s primary area offocus, also. So, working together we are really moving the needle.” Hastings Performing Arts Center seeks nominations for the Groos Family Fine Arts Wall of Fame pa* ft * 50 Hastings High School junior Kaylie Carl performs at a pre-festival concert on Feb. 1 in preparation for the district festi­ val competition, which was slated for this week. (Photo courtesy of Bob Gaskill) The Friends ofHastings Performing Arts Center are seeking the nominations oflocal artists, volunteers or groups that best repre­ sent excellence in their taleiits or contribu­ tion to local arts for 2023 induction into the Groos Family Fine Arts Wall ofFame. The honor is designed to acknowledge the many local volunteers, community members and groups that provide support and count­ less hours oftime to help with arts projects and programs in the area. A nominee should be either a group with­ in the Hastings community at large or a person that has either lived in, or is from, the Hastings area and has contributed sig­ nificantly to the Hastings arts culture or utilized their talents with significant impact to others. They could also be a group or person that has made a significant contribu­ tion in areas such as, but not limited to; application or teaching of the arts, perfor- mance of the arts, service to the arts or sponsorship ofthe arts. A nominee can be presented to the Friends of HPAC from anyone by submitting the nominee’s name, short story oftheir contri­ butions and contact information for the indi­ vidual making the nomination. This is need­ ed so that the organization can contact the nominator for further information. This information can be sent via email to HPAC@hasskl2.org with ‘GFWOF’ in the subject line. Nominations can also be submitted in writing by sending a letter to Hastings Per­ forming Arts Center GFWOF, 520 W. South Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Nominee forms must be received by March 31. The Friends of HPAC will review all nominations and select candidates for the Friends of HPAC Wall of Fame induction ceremony, planned for May. OP-ED: Unsustainable, unfair proposals hurt Michigan taxpayers J ✓ Thomas Albert State Senator — 18th District An important part of my job representing you in the Michigan Senate is to make sure state government is financially responsible and fair to taxpayers. Gov. Whitmer’s most recent budget and tax proposals are making that job much tougher. There is a better way to do things than the careless strategies she proposes. The state has a budget surplus of roughly $9 billion on the books. The governor is act­ ing like she just won the lottery. And like many lottery winners, I am afraid she’s plan­ ning a spending spree that would ultimately boomerang and leave our state broke. Remarkably, in a single budget proposal, the governor has proposed eliminating 97 percent of the surplus by the end of 2024. I wouldn’t condone running a household bud­ get that way with private money, and I cer­ tainly can’t condone it when it comes to spending your taxpayer money. Money appropriated in the state budget belongs to taxpayers - not the government. The governor’s budget plan is unsustain­ able. We don’t know what the future holds for the economy. We cannot carelessly over­ spend and put the state in a precarious posi- tion where cuts to fund essential services might be necessary if revenues come in below expectations. We must be smart about utilizing the state’s budget surplus. We should do more to boost savings and pay down debt to provide more financial flexibility in the future. That is the best way to make sure the state has the resources needed to help Michigan families and communities thrive. I support investing more resources in schools, public safety and infrastructure - but it must be done responsibly and sustainably. That will be my focus as budget negotiations take place in the coming months. Our state budget is always connected to tax policy. Unfortunately, the tax proposals Dem­ ocrats are advancing through the Legislature in House Bill 4001 are also irresponsible. I continually hear the Democrats’ plan referred to as “tax relief.” Yet at its core, it ultimately is a tax increase on working Michiganders. Their plan seeks to avoid an auto­ matic income tax rate reduction that should kick in under current state law - from the current 4.25 percent to around 4.05 percent. It’s a trap lying in wait for unsuspecting tax­ payers - a one-time rebate check today, but income tax rates higher than they should be tomorrow and for years to come. It takes away money that should stay in your paychecks. I continually hear this plan labeled as “inflation relief.” In reality, it’s the “inflam­ ing inflation” plan. We must ask the question - why are we experiencing historically high inflation? The answer is simple: Government spending. This plan is the latest addition to the reckless, government-fueled spending that has sparked the high prices families across our state and nation are experiencing every day. If anything, the plan Democrats favor will prolong the very situation we are trying to end. I proposed an alternative solution in Senate Bill 51 that would provide more tax relieffor everyone - including additional savings for retirees and lower-income families. My plan also would mandate a lower income tax rate so Michiganders would save money both today and tomorrow. Tax reliefshould be fair, simple, broad and permanent. It’s a better way to move our state forward. State Sen. Thomas Albert represents the 18th District, which includes Barry County andportions ofAllegan, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent and Ionia counties. Catalytic converter stolen from Middleville church parking lot Police responded on Feb. 12 around 12:30 p.m. to Peace Reformed Church at 6950 Cherry Valley Rd. in regards to a stolen catalytic converter. A 28-year-old Hudsonville man told police he had left his car in the parking lot over the weekend while he visited with friends in the area. When he started the vehicle after church service, he discovered his catalytic converter was missing and damage to the vehicle had caused oil to leak while it was running. Mini-bikes, go-kart stolen from residence in Woodland A 31-year-old Woodland man reported having two mini-bikes and a go-kart stolen from his residence on the 100 block of North Main Street in Woodland on Feb. 15. The man told police he left for work around 7 a.m. and upon his return around noon, the vehicles were gone. Scammers fleece Middleville man for more than $6,000 A 78-year-old Middleville man reported falling victim to a scam on Feb. 9. The man told police he received an email appearing to be a $400 invoice from internet security company Norton LifeLock. The man, concerned he had been charged for something he did not purchase, called a “support” number listed in the email. A scammer posing as a Norton employee told the man he could reimburse the money and directed him to another website. The man then tried to input $400 as the reimbursement amount, but he told police it appeared as if his computer was running slow and an amount of $4,000 was inputted instead. The scammer then told the man that he would have to send $3,600 back. The scammer directed the man to three different locations in the county in an attempt to find a working Bitcoin ATM. Once the man had found one, he purchased $2,900 of Bitcoin using cash. When he had trouble purchasing the last $700, the man told police he provided Bitcoin with his driver’s license information and social security number. The man told police he later found out he was sending the scammer his own money and was missing the funds from his latest social security check, putting his losses over $6,000. Delton man finds tires slashed after fishing A 27-year-old Delton angler returned from ice fishing on Fair Lake to find that two ofhis tires were slashed around 11 p.m. on Feb. 4. The man told police he had permission from several property owners to fish on the private lake, but he suspect­ ed the culprit might be someone who was upset that he was fishing on the lake. The man also told police a similar incident had occurred while he was fishing on the lake in 2022. ame Starlink satellites cause stir A chain ofsatellites that has been making headlines worldwide was spotted in Barry County last week. A 39-year-old Plainwell woman called the police around 10 p.m. on Feb. 13 to report seeing a long sequence ofbright lights traveling upward in the sky. She told police she was unsure ofthe origins ofthe light and wanted a second opinion. Police viewed a video ofthe lights and confirmed they were likely Starlink satellites. The satellites, launched by Elon Musk's company SpaceX, are often launched in batch­ es which results in “satellite trains” of several satellites traveling closely together for some time. The satellites are part of a network aiming to provide worldwide satellite internet services. TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046, to examine and review the 2023 assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 10:00 am Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13, 2023, 1:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, corrected and approved. APPOINTMENTS ARE SUGGESTED; letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 5:00 pm the Friday before the first appeal hearing. follows: Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as Agricultural Commercial Industrial Residential Personal Property 44.76% 51.54% 50.40% 43.23% 50.00% 1,1171 0.9701 0.9921 1.1566 1.0000 Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Jim Stoneburner, Supervisor Prairieville Township Kevin Harris, Assessor Prairieville Township Prairieville Township Board Meetings are open to all without reoard tn race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and vices, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearin meeting/hearing upon s (7) days notice to Prairieville Township. Individuals with disabilities reoulr ing auxiliary aids or services should contact Prairieville Townsh J by writ Prairieville Township Clerk 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Ml 49046 269-623-2726 195260 �Page 6 — Thursday, February 23, 2023 — The Hastings Banner fftr- Constance “Connie” Lou Johnson, nde Carter, died peacefully in her home in Delton, MI, on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in the loving company offamily. Connie was bom on April 13, 1947, in Lan­ sing, MI, to Myrtha M. (Klaiber) and Robert J. Carter. She was the eldest of seven children. ’ She was raised in Midland, MI, and graduated from Midland High School in 1965. Connie graduated from Western Michigan University in 1969 with a teaching degree in early educa­ tion. She married Daniel Johnson in 1979. She taught kindergarten and first grade at Tobey Elementary School of the Vicksburg, MI, school system and retired after 30 years ofteaching. Connie is predeceased by her parents, Robert J. Carter and Myrtha M. Carter, nee Klaiber, ofMidland, MI; her husband, Daniel Johnson, ofDelton, MI; and her brother, Eric A. Carter, ofMidland, MI. She is survived by five of her siblings, John (Silvia) Carter ofMidland, MI; Robert J. Car­ ter, Jr., of Delton, MI; Nicholas J. Carter, of Delton, MI; Myrthann (Mark) Francisco, of Midland, MI; Christopher K. (Jennifer) Carter, of Rochester, NY; her sister-in-law, Kay E. Carter, of Midland, MI; her brothers-in-law, Madison Carter, Andrew Carter, Dane Carter, Marcus Francisco, and Matthias Francisco. Connie had a nurturing heart for her entire family and was a friend for life to all who knew her. A kind, caring, beautiful soul, Con­ nie showed unwavering support and love to everyone in her life. She was always thinking of her family’s well-being and devotedly cared for her parents in their old age. Connie loved to visit Lake Michigan with Dan and to spend time at the family home­ stead with her loved ones. Her husband Dan, a carpenter, built the house they lived in on property connecting to the Carter family farm. Connie had a graceful way of living and loved the natural, peaceful environment of her home. She was a lover ofnature and ani­ mals; she enjoyed watching the songbirds and wildlife that appeared on her land and took great care of her cats, dogs, and chickens (survived by cats Ben and Rayn). The family asks you to consider sending donations in memory ofConnie to her favor­ ite animal hospital, Hart Animal Hospital, in Middleville, MI. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. • Traditional and Cremation Services • Pre'pl annin8 Services • Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible • Serving All Faiths • Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted TX- Xl Owner/Mimager 2 S* Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfiineralhome.net Family Owiied and Operated OwncrEmeH™ Serving Hastings. Barry (bounty and Surrounding Communities for 50 years Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com . Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. « WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches Roger Guy Lewis joined his beloved wife, Ruth Lewis on February 15, 2023. His battle with dementia robbed him ofmemo­ ries, but his passing with the Lord was peaceful. The family is gtateful to Woodlawn Meadows Memory Care, Hastings, MI, for the loving environment provided to him for the past 16 months. Roger was bom March 6, 1933 in Ham­ mond, IN and spent his high school years in Rensselaer, IN. He was a high school foot­ ball star and graduated in 1952. He worked for 30 years at Purdue University and was a resident and active community member in Mulberry, IN. He was involved in the Clin­ ton County Conservation Club, was a Boy Scout Troop leader and an avid sports fan with' favorites ofPurdue Football and Wom­ en’s Basketball. He was a past president of the Mulberry Community Club and for over a decade cooked the pork chops at the “Feast ofthe Hunter’s Moon.” The magni­ tude ofthis annual project was over a thou­ sand chops cooked on an open-pit fire in 48 hours. Roger and Ruth were married for 49’A years and resided in the 1873 “Dr. Erheart Home” in the center of Mulberry. After remodeling the historic home, they owned the “Whiffletree Antique Shop” for 20 years. During retirement they traveled to National Parks and Roger’s favorite trip was. td ‘New’ Zedland ’ Whttie’lrit^taatiohal Friendship’ Force (started by Jimmy Carter) to promote peace and tolerance. 6 Roger loved playing with his grandchil­ dren and traveled every Sunday for four years to Culver Academy to visit his grand­ daughter in high school. Described as an outdoors man, he enjoyed hobbies offishing and hunting. Creating adventure-filled memories, during the11960s Roger took the family camping and traveled with other families to California and South Dakota. He taught his daughter to dance and his sons to play basketball and football. In his later years, Roger became known as the Chocolate Chip Cookie Guy. He made homemade cookies several times a week and gave joy and deliciousness to charities, neighbors, friends and family. His faith and kindness were evident for fifty years at the Mulberry Methodist Church where he was a member and leader. Roger was proceeded in death by his father, Cecil Phillip Lewis and his mother, Rose Marie Lewis (Young). He was also preceded in death by his brother, Herbert Lewis, his wife, Ruth Lewis (Parrish), and son-in-law, David Wayne Boggs. He is survived by his brother, Phillip Lewis (Sharon) of Rensselaer, IN; his three children, Sheryl (Sherry) Lewis-Blake (Jim) of Hastings; son,Mark Alan Lewis (Mary) of Garland, TX; and son, Brian Wayne Lewis (Diane) ofLanesville, IN. Grandchil­ dren include, William Lewis (Brittany) of Leadville, CO; Scott Lewis (Jessica) of Floyd’s Knob, IN; Jessie Lewis-Fulton (John) of Lanesville, IN;- Amber Doris of Garland, TX; and Clarissa Lewis BoggsBlake (Brianna) of Evergreen, CO. Great grandchildren include Kai Lewis, Ronan Lewis, and Caleb Lewis. A Memorial Service will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hastings, ML on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 2 p.m. Family and guests are invited to a reception following the service. I In lieu of flowers, donations in memory ofRoger may be sent to the Mulberry Unit­ ed Methodist Church, PO Box 339, Mulber­ ry, Indiana 46058. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, ML To leave online condo­ lences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. and these local businesses: Douglas George Bowman 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 HiMrgteM Producta 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 AMUHKWIBV 1301 W. Green St Hastings 945-9541 Douglas George Bowman passed away in Hastings on March 31,2020, at the age of64. Due to COVID-19, a service is now being held on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway; Hastings, MI. Online condolences can be left at www. girrbachfimeralhome.net. Myrtle (Mert) Lucille Clark passed away on February 17, 2023, at the age of 89. Mert was bom on July 15, 1933, in Hast­ ings, MI, the daughter ofElmer and Ina (Bai­ lie) Colvin. She was a 1951 graduate of Hastings High School. Shortly after gradua­ tion, Mert and a friend drove to Fort Hood, TX to marry her high school sweetheart, Dick Clark, who was serving in the US Army there. They were married on June 23, 1951, and not long after, Dick was medically dis­ charged, and they returned to Hastings to begin their life together. Dick and Mert were married 70 years before Dick’s passing in November of 2021. Dick and Mert were blessed with four children. Mert was proud to be one ofthe first vol­ unteers, escorting patients at Pennock Hos­ pital, logging in over 600 Hours. She belonged to the Hendershot Ladies Aide, Hendershot Birthdate Club, and Pennock Hospital Guild #3. As a teenager, Mert worked at The Ben Franklin Store in downtown Hastings. She was a stay-at-home mom until her twin daughters were in junior high. At that time, she started working at The Hastings Banner proofreading, taking obituaries over the a w/ v/r/rtu at'u w/ ty / Myrtle L. Clark phone, bookwork, and other office tasks. She retired on January 1, 1989, after Dick retired from Kellogg’s. They enjoyed traveling and spent their winters in Texas, Arizona, and Florida with some oftheir closest friends. Mert’s hobbies included counted cross stitch, reading, puzzles, and biking with her sisters. She especially loved her grandchil­ dren. Mert and Dick had a very large garden that supplied many vegetables and fruit. Her love of gardening continued at Carveth Vil­ lage, where she was a resident. She took care of their flowers and their vegetable garden with great care. Mert was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard (Dick) Clark; her only son, Michael Clark; her in-laws, Clayton and Reva Clark; her brother, Floyd (Kate) Col­ vin; sisters, Virginia Colvin, June VandenBurg, Elaine White Stewart, and Doris Col­ vin, and brothers, Edwin (Ruth) Huhn and Gerald (Arlene) Clark. Surviving are her daughters, Vickie (Mike) Ward, Kathy (Tom) Pierce, and Karen (Doug) Maiville; grandchildren, Amy Ward Tyner, Jill (Mark) Hewitt, Kristy (Paul) McKay, Joshua (Jessica) Pierce, Meaghan (Brandon) Hopkins, James (Kasia) Maiville, Jeffrey (Ericka) Maiville; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Verna Lan­ caster, and many nieces and nephews that she dearly loved. The family would like to thank Carveth Village for their wonderful care and for her special friend there, Norma Weeks. Memorial contributions can be made to the Barry County Commission on Aging, 320 W. Woodlawn Ave., Hastings, MI 49058, or Carveth Village, 690 W. Main Street, Mid­ dleville, MI 49333. Visitation was held Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058, with a ser­ vice to follow. Military honors for Dick Clark will be provided by the Hastings American Legion Post 45. Interment will follow at Dowling Cemetery. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfimeralhome.net. r if ^5 $>* ul#< <££C <££C »&« £ £>> ■•“L. -j’-1 |#W** »,#• **#•*-* juHiW*’*-* Rev. James Edivard^Fox --4 ‘ The Reverend James Edward Fox, age 90, of Hastings, MI, formerly of Three Oaks, died peacefully Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 in the comfort ofhis family’s presence. His life began December 7, 1932 in Hart, Michigan, the youngest of eight children, bom to Frank and Gertrude (Stanage) Fox. He married Martha “Helen” Gregory August 8, 1953 in Three Oaks. Jim’s family moved to Three Oaks in 1940, where he attended grade school and junior high. He also attended Sunday school and morning worship at the Methodist church in town. At the age of 12, Jim received his first communion and became a full member at that time. In the fall of 1946, the family moved to Indiana, but Jim never forgot his Three Oaks roots. He honorably served in the Unifed States Army for three years. He was in Germany for much of that time and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. He was an avid Cubs and Michigan Fan. He also enjoyed fishing. Jim will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Martha “Helen” Fox of Hastings; son, ‘ "tiS* titan** Mark Fox ofHastings; grandson, Lucas James Fox ofHastings; brother, Charles Fox of Three Oaks; and a host ofnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Elizabeth Fox; siblings, Dale Fox, Robert Fox, Maxine Young, Richard Fox, Norma Houston, and Jack Fox. Family and friends will gather from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at 11 a.m. in Three Oaks United Methodist Church, 2 East Sycamore Street, Three Oaks. Jim will be laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family prefers contributions in memo­ ry of Jim be made to Habitat for Humanity International, 322 West Lamar Street, Ameri­ cus, Georgia 31709-3543 or to Aldergate Renewal Ministries (ARM), 121 East Ave­ nue, Goodlettsville, TN 37072. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wag­ ner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com. XUOf MT• JlcJie, OdeMa Elaine Garlock With too short notice, this column could not announce in advance Ash Wednesday plans or the events ofFat Tuesday. Plans were made for the observance ofAsh Wednesday with a service to be held at the Woodland United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Feb. 21 followed by a potluck luncheon. In the afternoon, Rev. Paul Wissman IV was to administer the imposition of ashes in an out­ door event to be held in front ofCentral Unit­ ed Methodist Church in Lake Odessa from noon to 2 p.m. After Sunday, the weather forecasts predicted foul weather for the day, including sleet and ice. The outdoor event was to include whoever in the community chose to partake without having to enterr a house ofworship. Central UMC had an early event for Fat Tuesday with a dessert smorgasbord follow­ ing morning services on Sunday with a wide variety offered from the kitchens ofmembers. Surely this writer is not the first, but it was a novel experience for her to encounter a small charge on a purchase because she had used a debit card instead ofcash. Until now, the busi­ ness places apparently have absorbed the cost. Congratulations on the observance of Future Farmers groups in our area schools. Their scope of interest goes far beyond soy­ beans and cattle. Zion Lutheran Church on Velte Road is observing Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season by having the service for the imposi­ tion of ashes on Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Lenten soup suppers and services each week starting at 6 p.m. followed by the service. The focus for the coming weeks center on Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Israelites and Jesus. We read that another trash service is avail­ able for local residents. This service has less sophistication but should be workable. By paying a small extra fee, the Granger service will pick up one’s garbage container at the house or garage. This comes in handy under icy conditions. We hear from our Florida relatives that they are enjoying the 80-degree-plus tem­ peratures while they walk on the sandy beaches. * kXfciSsss �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 23, 2023 — Page 7 The two doctors, Finnie wwSJ wSJ* d w ;Ws Ws sS%cWsW<W$i W< dlSsSS Sss *iu5S SX'» SSi&S! ss^s»W ' 5» *’^» <>'^S»t‘‘ *h»>;s % tsss tss n L..h >>X s%Sfe> <te SL SL^ LSsAS ^ J0 *.? .? F<n <nnlb *l*b hl »^Z.:»«:?r--«"" "M^**^** Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner, June 8, 1995 We recently received an essay written by u Paul Benham, a 1945 graduate from Hast­ ings High School. The essay was titled, “Random Reflection About My Boyhood Chum, Gordon Finnie.” Gordon Finnie was bom the second offour children ofDr. Raymond and Jean Me Knight Finnie. His sisters were JoAnne, Barbara and Linda. Dr. Raymond G. Finnie was bom in Caseyville, Ky., on March 22, 1898, the son ofRobert and Virginia Griffin Finnie. He had one younger brother, Gordon, who was killed in an automobile accident at age 21 and one sister, Robbie. He grew up in Paducah, Ky., attending school there. His Kentucky accent and man­ ner of speaking were not lost, although he attended the University ofMichigan, graduat­ ing from the medical school there in 1924. He interned in Philadelphia General Hospital. In 1926, he came to the Woodland and Sunfield areas and began his practice in that area working out of an immaculate office located in the building where the Woodland Lions Den is now. Many people bom in the next nine years after Dr. Finnie arrived in Woodland can make the statement, “Dr. Finnie delivered me.” Many of these deliveries were home deliveries in those times. He took care ofthe usual illness, cuts and wounds, set broken limbs, lanced boils and carbuncles and even did minor suigery, such as tonsillectomies, in their immaculate office. On Jan. 1, 1927, Raymond Finnie married Jean McKnight of Hastings. An account of the wedding tells that the couple were mar­ ried at the Presbyterian Church of Hastings by the Rev. L. Sharpe. Jean wore a white velvet dress with a tulle veil held in place with orange blossoms. Bridal attendants were Edith lyden, Kathryn Clarke, Dorinda Baker and Robbie Finnie. Dr. Kenith McIntyre was Dr. Finnie’s best man. Jean McKnight, bom on Feb. 27, 1930, in Maywood, Ill., was the daughter of Joe and Anna Munro McKnight and was one of six children. She came to Hastings with her par­ ents in 1906. She attended Hastings Schools, graduating in 1921 from Hastings High School. She attended Ward Belmont Wom­ en’s College in Nashville, Tenn., and the University of Wisconsin and graduated from Ypsilanti Teachers’ College. She taught school for one year. Her father, Joseph McKnight was superin­ tendent ofInternational Lock and Seal Com- panyandwhenConsolidatedPresswasorgapany and when Consolidated Press nized, he became superintendent ofthat com­ pany and served as vice president and factory m manager ofthe factory. When it became E.W. iss, e continued with that company in an executive position. JoAnne (1927) and Gordon (Jan. 15, 1932) were bom while the family lived in Woodand. Barbara (1938) was bom after the move to Hastings. Linda (1944) was bom in LouisVI n "t>1 6 doc^or was to military service. , aymond y Finnie moved to Hastings g in c .d ...T”8 the home ofDr- Woodbum on bouth Jefferson Street. He continued to prach here until World War II changed things. hce Hej oined the U.S. Army Air Force. He wasa was a night surgeon at Bowman Army Base, B in JJtotosville, Ky, and then in Shanghai, China. He sold the Hastings practice to Dr. Clark. When his service period ended, he returned to Hastings and went into practice with Dr. Everett Phelps on West Walnut Street. Meanwhile, the family was growing up, attending Hastings Schools. Gordon Finnie graduated from high school in 1950. He had been very involved in athletics during his school years. He was a good student and did his undergraduate work at the University of Kentucky. He married Joan Hess on March 31, 1956. They had four children, Gordon Jr., Kathy, Kimberly and Tom. He earned his medical degree at the Uni­ versity of Michigan’s School of Medicine, graduating in June of 1958. He interned at Blodgett Memorial Hospital in Grand Rapids Gordon Finnie M.D. in 1958 and 1959. He was then a resident in general surgery there from 1959 until he “We walked to school together and some­ came to Hastings to practice. times JoAnne walked along with us. Those In 1963, Gordon entered practice with Dr. were the pre-bike days and traffic was at a Raymond Finnie and Dr. Everett Phelps and minimum. Hastings had two stop lights as I continued there until his untimely death on remember. July 5, 1970, a victim ofHodgkin’s Disease. “Our Saturdays were spent collecting Dr. Raymond Finnie died on Dec. 1, 1978. (newspapers) and selling them at Vandland’s Jean Finnie continued to live in Hastings until junk yard over on South Michigan Avenue. her death at age 91 on Feb. 28, 1994. Collecting ten cents-worth each was a day’s H. Paul Benham shares the following work, the price ofthe matinee at the Strand memories of Gordon Finnie, writing: “Feb. double feature. Our favorites were Hopalong 23, 1994, Random reflections about my boy­ Cassidy. The serial was Buck Rogers or Tar­ hood chum, Gordon Finnie. zan. Also, Wiley Post usually had a short “Now that I have a few moments to stop human interest story. We rarely had the funds and think about those days, I guess I’d like for popcorn. my offspring to share those moments. Why “I’m sure that our parents were having not Gordon’s? difficulty making ends meet, but we were “My earliest memories about Gord date to never aware of the problems of the Great around 1937. My parents moved to apartment Depression. house directly north of the Finnie home and “Our winters were spent trudging to Sand office on Jefferson Street, probably 230 or 235 Hill on South Broadway. When the snow S. Jefferson. I was 10.1 expect Gordon was 8. was right, half of the Fourth Ward group Jean Finnie and Elsie Benham had to put a were in attendance. The closest place for great deal offaith in our wanderings, I’m sure. those winter activities, however, was Roush’s Pond. There probably wasn’t a better skating spot in Michigan. The high banks op.th$,3i4$S|gftx$ wmp,protection on three op. sides. Mr. Roush had a room in his store for skate changing. With a friendly hand to all and a spot to warm your hands, what more could be asked? I remember standing in the snow on the rink edge with sore ankles. I was probably hoping not to be selected for the next ‘Crack the Whip.’ “Saturdays we sometimes crossed the Thomapple River on the C.K.&S. Railroad bridge on the north shore. We then dropped over the side down to the bank and followed the old Indian Trail up to Grandma Reyn­ olds’s house on the end ofMill Street. In the spring, the river was wild and flooded. Lots of sucker nets were polled out in the best spots. We fought off a lot of ‘wild Indians’ along those trails. “The Bush family lived across from Grand­ ma. There was always something going on around their house. The world’s highest swing, caves, tree houses, with Frank’s older brothers John and Bill leading the way. “It is difficult to set down these ramblings without recalling Gordon’s and my secret hideout. In the center of the block encom­ Ray and Jean Finnie. passed by South Jefferson, Center, South h^MsOafatoJ ^^■■■■npsatt HnupKBttihtytiim iiteDoh^i^ hM^QahiFoi;ihDii *l x ws f sc ddta.fa fa, foe W ia ■ ins fat fap) Fol faMwsdJrifa virwt izzIttWfepyAifEi IMfaiiilptaii|fyi ■ihir ( tefa italflijMWrtjiB fee fa h UFBiNtdQh^ arxisziK-^^ fl look Iwhithc stories and GOlnmns on local history Io the Hastings Banner KlfalteOfc AfotnlM i WSfflkFM M Bife(tolWMtttafc(W Bi g—v «^^«gfcil*lj*i iKwd^lfliliMtiWf .— ^^gillji jglfliliMrtiWfc fckW*fcfi *fcfi^hl AiiWO*10^ &(W2,£sst> »** * URNING BflGK THE PAGES Joe McKnight, holding the hand of grandson Gordon Finnie. Raymond G. Finnie, M.D. and Gordon Finnie, M.D. Church and Court Streets there were the remains ofthe old livery stables, pressed into service by Universal Garage. The remotest building extended from Court SfreeUto the fence ofSmith’s-garden_on Center StreeLThe end next to the fence had a long vertical sid­ ing board with a hinge attached to the top. This secret door provided rapid entry into a fascinating world ofmake-believe. “There, standing in the dim light provided by light shafts streaking down from the knot holes and cracks in the old boards, stood a half-block long row ofancient used automo­ biles. The vestige of bygone days of the ‘teens and 1920s, probably traded in for Henry’s new Model Ts. Wooden spoked wheels, brass lights, running boards with wheel wells, all helped provide a world of cops and robbers chases racing through our imaginations. “How quick life moves on, never to be recaptured except through reflections ofthose youthfill highlights. The summers of 1937 and 1938 were geat and are unredeemable. Other reflections are summer softball leagues in the city parks, a barnstorming ride in 1934 (I could find the farmer’s field yet), Memori­ al Day parades, the Barry County Fair in 1938 and supper at the Townsend Club. “My only regret is not being able to share again with my friend Gordon Finnie - at least not at this moment.” Sources: H. PaulBenham’s story; Hastings Banner Archives; scrapbooks kept by Flora Sackett R.N, ofHastings and Vera Geiger of Woodland made available to us by theirfam­ ilies; Barry County Vital Statistics Records; Agnes Hollister andJoan Hess Finnie, Barry County History 1985; The History ofWood­ land, Michigan, 1837-1987. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW ll he Board or Review will meet on Tuesday, March 7,2023, at 1:00 pm in the office of the Assessor at Rutland Charter Township Hall, 2461 Heath Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 to organize and review the Assessment Roll. NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING to hear Assessment APPEALS will be held at the RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP HALL, 2461 Heath Rd, Hastings, Michigan on: ^ Doctor Universe Fun and games Who invented games? Kinzie, 6, Ohio Dear Kinzie, Board games, video games, a long piece of yam... I love them all. I took a break from batting around a catnip-filled mouse toy to talk about your question with my friend, Washington State University profes­ sor Jordan Clapper, who told me the answer is a mystery. “That’s almost impossible to know-for some really fun reasons,” Clapper said. “Every culture has games. It even extends beyond being human. Ifyou’ve ever seen Ma dog or a cat play, they’re playing a game. The earliest board game we’ve found is more than 4,600 years old. Archaeologist Leonard Woolley dug it up in a tomb from Sumer (modern-day Iraq). That tomb was in the Royal Cemetery ofUr, so he named it the Royal Game ofUr. It was obvious the board was a game. But nobody knew the game’s rules. That’s where Irving Finkel came in. He works for the British Museum. He’s an expert in cupeiform-an ancient writing system ofpressing marks into clay tablets. Finkel figured out that one tablet was the game’s rule book. Now, people can play the Royal Game ofUr in printable form or online. “He programmed a light to move back and forth,” Clapper said. “There was this big chunky controller. It was probably the size of a Big Mac box. It had a button you pressed with a big ‘ker-chunk’ sound to send the ball back over the net to the other side.” You might wonder why people invented games. Clapper said games are meaningful simply because they’re fun. But they can also preserve and share cultural knowledge. Games can pass along stories,” Clapper said. “Games can do important cultural work or ask questions in unique ways.” One of Clapper’s areas of expertise is Indigenous games. I learned about the Skins Workshops. That program teaches Indigenous young people to bring tradi­ tional stories to video games. That’s also what game developer Elizabeth LaPens?e does with her games like When Rivers Were Trails and Thunderbird Strike. Clap­ per told me Never Alone is a video game made by the ITupiat Native people of Alaska. Nearly 40 elders and story tellers worked together to bring the story to life. If you love games, you can even make your own. “Anyone can make a game,” Clapper said. “Last year I was finishing a book I was work­ ing on and had a dream about a game I want­ ed to make. I took index cards and markers­ and started making pieces. If you want to make games, go out and make them.” I’d love to hear about the clever ideas you come up with! Clapper also told me about the first video game. It was called Tennis for Two. Scientist William Higinbotham wanted people to see that science is fun and useful. So, he invented a video game for a research show at his lab in 1958. It worked on a tool called an oscilloscope. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2023 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023 9:00 am to NOON & 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Also, any other days deemed necessary to equalize the Assessment Roll. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT RATIOS & FACTORS FOR 2022 CLASS Agriculture RATIO 46.14 Commercial Industrial 48.50 48.04 MULTIPLIER 1.0836 1.0309 1.0407 Residential 42.25 1.1834 Developmental Personal 50.00 50.00 1.0000 1.0000 The above ratios and multipliers do not mean that every parcel will receive the same. If you have purchased property, it will be assessed at 50% of market value. If you have improved your property such as additions, new buildings, driveways, etc., this will also reflect in the value of your property. Upon request of any person who is assessed on said roll, or his agent, and upon sufficient cause being shown, the Board of Review will correct the assessment of such property and will, in their judgment, make the valuation thereof relatively just and equal. Dennis McKelvey, Assessor RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2461 Heath Rd Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2194 Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Rutland Charter Township Clerk by writing or calling the Township. This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA41.72a (2)(3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). �Page 8 — Thursday, February 23. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Gun Lake Winterfest draws in a big crowd ‘Overall it was a great success Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer '• Yankee Springs State Park generally draws ’' in multitudes for the annual Gun Lake Win­ terfest. This year was no exception. “Preliminary estimates say it was bigger than last year,” said Winterfest Chair Monte Baker, speaking about this year’s crowd, which descended on the park on Saturday. ■ “Overall, it was a great success.” Visitors spent the day partaking in a wide variety of events. Although ice covered the ground like a blanket, the 5K run still attracted only a hand­ ful ofdedicated runners. “It was challenging for runners,” said vol­ . unteer Jean Farrell, who was in charge ofthe ? event. “We had nine runners, but the race is coming back after being dormant for five years.” At the polar dip, where ice is usually wel‘ corned on the lake, there was none. But with or without ice, rushing into Gun Lake is always a crowd-pleaser at Winterfest. Nothing could stop the polar plungers, not even the cold air and the water temperature of i only 35 degrees. The long line kept growing _ longer for the polar dip. Many wore bathing suits but stayed wrapped in a blanket in line. Others wore sweatpants and long sleeve shirts as groups raced into the frigid water. “We have not seen anything like the polar dip, so that was new to us,” said Debra Bow­ . man, who recently moved from the state of ftp if Even though Gun Lake didn’t feature any ice for this year's Gun Lake Winterfest, brave souls still embraced the Polar Dip event on Saturday. (Photos by Karen TurkoEbright) Wyoming to the Yankee Springs area with her 8-year-old son, David. “It was awesome!” For all those brave swimmers, firefighters from Yankee Springs, Orangeville and Way­ land townships were on site, ensuring water safety. Several stayed on land while some stood in the water, watching people of all ages swim towards them, go under and resur­ face only to swim back to shore. The Doele family enjoyed their time at the festivities. Regan Doele and his family will return to the Gun Lake Winterfest next year because they feel safe and there’s something to do for everybody. “My kids walked through the tents and sat and made crafts,” said Doele from Yankee Springs. “We enjoyed family time around the fire pit.” He said his kids enjoy Winterfest. “I like crafts. I made a snowflake, and I got to pet the rabbit,” said 6-year-old Harrison Doele with a smile. Harrison and his 3-yearold brother, Hudson, like coming to the Gun Lake Winterfest. Event organizers said they are grateful for all the volunteers who ensure public safety and community volunteers who help lead, set up and take down the events. Jill'S <5*1 <5*1. Both man and beast enjoyed the Polar Dip event at Saturday’s Gun Lake Winterfest, held at Yankee Springs State Park. go’-* g Vocal Victors Hudson Doele, age 3 from Yankee Springs, climbs on a stack of hay bales ■ as he stays warm during Saturday’s Gun Lake Winterfest. Firefighters from Yankee Springs, Orangeville and Waylai ensuring water safety. j 'rtships were on site, ' JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP AND BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF JOINT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC HEARING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR CLEAR LAKE AQUATIC . , PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 ‘ TO: After prevailing through three rounds of competition, this year s Gun Lake Idol win­ ners were crowned at Saturday’s Gun Lake Winterfest. Taking home honors from this year’s annual singing competition were (from left to right) Roger Jones as runner-up, champion Adam Johnson and the team of Melanie and Josh Conley, who took home third place. (Photo provided) THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP AND BALTIMOREWOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Supervisors and Assessors have prepared and filed in the offices ofthe Township Clerks for public examination a special assessment roll for each Township, including all properties within each Township located within the Clear Lake Aquatic Plant Control Special Assessment District No. 1 that are benefited by the proposed aquatic plant control project. The rolls have been prepared for the purpose of assessing the costs of the project within the aforesaid special assessment districts (Johnstown Township and Baltimore Township), which districts are more particularly shown on the plans on file with each Township Clerk. The costs ofthe project are as shown on the estimate of costs on file with each Township Clerk. The total project cost is $212,000, including administrative costs, of which $96,672 (45.6%) is Johnstown Township's share and $115,328 (54.4%) is Baltimore Township's share, which amount is the amount of each Township's assessment roll. The amounts assessed against each property in each district will be: Johnstown Township SAD $3392 total [$678.40 per year] for front lot parcels (full assessment) and $1,696 total [$339.20 per year] for back lot parcels (half assessment); Baltimore Township SAD $3392 total [$678.40 per year] for front lot parcels (full assessment) and $1696 total [$339.20 per year] for back lot parcels (halfassessment). The term ofthe special assessment will be five years, 2023 through 2027 inclusive. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Supervisors and Assessors of each Township have further reported to the Township Boards that the assessment against each parcel of land within each district is such relative portion of the whole sum levied against all parcels of land in each district as the benefit to such parcels bear to the total benefit to all parcels of land in each special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Johnstown and Baltimore Township Boards will meet at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek Michigan on Wednesday, March 8,2023 at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the special assessment rolls, hearing any objections to the rolls and confirming the rolls as submitted, revised or amended. Each assessment roll may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days until the time of the hearing and may further be examined at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an a owner or party t iin it interest, t or hi/ his/ h her agent, t may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment or may file his/her appearance and protest by letter before the hearing, and in that event, personal appearance shall not be required. Any person objecting to the assessment roll shall file his/her objection in writing with the Johnstown Township Clerk or the Baltimore Township Clerk before the close of the hearing on the assessment roll. The owners or any person having an interest in real property who protests in writing at or before the hearing may fife a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 30 days after confirmation of the special assessment roll, as provided by law. Johnstown Township and Baltimore Township will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' notice to each Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 136415. M-37 Hwy Battle Creek, Ml 49015 (269) 721-9709 Penelope Ypma, Clerk Baltimore Township 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 721-3552 195664 TOWNSHIP OF BALTIMORE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 3100 E. Dowling Rd. Hastings, Ml 49058, to examine and review the 2023 Assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: w * "Hi -><** Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 1:00 pm Organizational Meeting Hearings will be the week of March 12, 2023 Monday, March 13, 2023, 9:00 am .to 12 noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Wednesday, March 15, 2023,1 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, corrected and approved. Letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 9:00 pm March 15th, 2023 Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as follows: Agricultural 46.99% 1.06405 Commercial 47.67% 1.04887 Industrial 45.11% 1.10840 Residential 48.04% 1.04079 Personal Property 50.00% 1.00000 law Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Chad VanSyckle, Supervisor Baltimore Township Scott Anderson, Assessor Baltimore Township sSSS Baltimore Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days notice to Baltimore Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact Baltimore Township by writing or calling. Baltimore Township Clerk Penelope Ypma 3100 E Dowling Rd Hastings, Ml 49058 269.721.3502 195151 IW S’’ ; S �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS Thursday,. February 23.,2023 DKHS cheers into regionals again Regional streak stretches tofiveyears in a row Maple Valley's Alexa Reitz and her teammates perform during round three of the MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament at Bronson High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Panthers didn’t make it out ofthe gym from their round three warm-ups before the announcer at Bronson High School started reading the round two scores Saturday. There was some leaping into the hugs of smiling teammates as they hit the doorway. The Delton Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team held its spot in fourth place with its highest round two score of the season at 191.1 points. “Tighter, cleaner and on time,” was how Delton Kellogg head coach Zoe Reynolds described her team’s round two performance. “Honestly, they didn’t have a whole lot of room to improve in round two. They only have a little bit more to do to be perfect based on our skills.” The Panthers returned to the mat to put up one oftheir best round three scores of the year and then celebrated a bit again when their fourth place finish was announced at the conclusion of the MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament. The top four teams at the district earn spots in next Saturday’s MHSAA Division 4 Regional at Grand Rapids Northview High School where the top four teams qualify for the MHSAA Division sni rag conpetoi ® Delton Kellogg flyer Maddy Waller is spun high above the combined Panther stunt groups during round three Saturday at the MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament hosted by Bronson High School. The Delton Kellogg girls scored a fourth-place finish to earn a spot in this Saturday's Division 4 Regional at Northview High School in Grand Rapids. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 4 Competitive Cheer Finals. The Southwestern Athletic Conference champions from Lawton dominated the dis­ trict. The Blue Devils were the Division 4 State Runner-up a year ago after having placed seventh at the 2021 Finals. Lawton earned an overall score of709.44, putting up the top point total in each of the three rounds. The Blue Devils scored 226.6 points in round one, 209.04 in round two and 273.80 in round three. Buchanan and Coloma will join Delton Kellogg and Lawton at Northview Saturday, Feb. 25, having finished second and third respectively. The regional is scheduled to being at 6 p.m. Buchanan had a final score of 678.42, ahead ofColoma 667.34 and Delton Kellogg 664.30. Delton Kellogg had a score of 208.7 in round one, which had the Panthers in fourth place at the end ofthat round. They closed out their day with a score of263.70 in round three. “Round one was just a little fast in parts and the jumps were off, and it lowered our scores just a little bit,” Reynolds said. “Had it been a little bit slower, I think it would have been our best round one today. Round three was going very good until that last sequence.” White Pigeon and Maple Valley were the teams closest to challenging the Delton Kel­ logg girls for the final regional qualifying spot after two rounds, but both trailed the Panthers by close to 30 points at that point - a nearly insurmountable margin going into round three. Bronson actually jumped up into fifth place with a round three score of272.20. The host Vikings ended the meet with an overall total of623.20. Maple Valley was sixth with a score of 622;82, ahead ofGobles 695.10, White Pigeon 581.70, Hartford 574J50, Fennville 556.90*' Schbdlciaft 541.70 and Union City 510.70. The Maple Valley girls had their best round two and three scores ofthe season. Maple Valley put up scores of 197.5 in round one and 171.32 in round two. The Lions closed their day with a score of254.00 in round three. Both Maple Valley and Delton Kellogg had a little miscue late in round three that dinged their scores just a bit, but overall they were solid closing rounds for the local teams. Lion head coach Sarah Huissen credited her team’s top round two score, in part, to improved back walkovers. The Lions replaced round-offs with back walkovers for the- final Greater Lansing Activities Conference jam­ boree ofthe season and kept working on them over the final weeks ofthe season. “Having that skill in that round is some­ thing that really had the girls excited to do that round, and we just kept improving from there,” Huissen said. The Lion head coach was also pleased to get all her team’s twist cradles in during their round three performance. Delton Kellogg's Lily Boze (top) and Maysee Weissner perform a shoulder sit during the Panthers' round three routine Saturday at the MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament hosted by Bronson High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “I am really proud ofthis group,” Huissen said. “They’re a young group, but they have fought through the season. It has been a good season, but we just didn’t end up where we wanted to be unfortunately.” The Lions and Panthers were both regional qualifiers a year ago, and they both went into Saturday’s meet hoping for similar results. This is the fifth straight season the DK girls have qualified for the regional round of the state tournament. “They were excited to be here today,” Reynolds said. “Next week is just shoot for our best scores and see where we fall. J*® VanDemark earns return trip to ski finals 1^.^3115,2®^ Z * ^0*0 (10 %5 z Brett Bremer Sports Editor The opening events were adventurous ones for a couple ofthe area’s top skiers. Plainwell/Thornapple Kellogg senior Lucy VanDemark qualified for the state finals for the second year in a row with a seventh place finish in the slalom at the MHSAA Division 2 Ski Regional hosted by East Grand Rapids at Cannonsburg Ski Area Tuesday. VanDemark was a state medalist in the giant slalom at the 2022 Division 1 Ski Finals. Now she’ll compete in both events at the 2023 Division 2 Ski Finals are scheduled for Feb. 27 at Boyne Mountain. The top three teams in the boys’ and girls’ standings Tuesday earned spots in the state finals, as well as the top ten individuals in both the slalom and giant slalom. There was also a minimum of four individual state qualifiers in each event not from the state qualifying teams. VanDemark was the lone state qualifier from the Trojan Ski teams or the Caledonia varsity teams. The Plainwell/TK girls and the Caledonia boys both earned sixth-place finishes. Cadillac won the girls’ regional title with 43 points, just ahead of East Grand Rapids which finished with 47 points. Grand Rap­ ids Christian was third with 86 points. In the boys’ contest, East Grand Rapids won the regional title with 53 points, ahead ofGrand Rapids Christian 79.5 and West Catholic 132.5 in the top three. East Grand Rapids did a greatjob hosting the race and an even betterjob keeping the slope conditions as good as possible in the 55 degree temperature more suited for a baseball game or a tennis match according to Caledonia head coach Duane Petrosky. “Everyone at the meet was pleasantly surprised how well the snow held up for the race,” Petrosky said. “I did not have one course report ofa rut or hole developing and our kids skied really well. We had trained hard every chance we had this season and my skiers were ready. We skied our hearts out but werejust not fast enough to move up beyond 6th place in the pack of 13 teams.” VanDemark earned all-region honors for her slalom finish. She had a 35.33-second run her first time down the hill, which was the sixth fastest first run among the girls. Her time of36 seconds the second time down put her in seventh place overall in the end. Fellow senior Madison Nagel wasn’t too far behind her for the Trojan team in the slalom. The Trojans were fifth as a team in the event. Nagel had runs of38.48 and 37.42 that put her in 19th place overall. Plainwell/TK also had Whitney Johnson 31st with runs of44.36 and 42.15 and Ella Way 35th with runs of4'5.54 and 45.64. Nagel led the Plainwell/TK girls in the GS with runs of29.85 and 32.57 that put her in 27th-place overall. VanDemark had a tough first run that ended in a 49th-place time of 34.12. Her second trip down the GS run was the eighth fastest second run of the girls’ regional with a time of29.79. That combo had her in 36th overall at the end of the event. Johnson placed 39th with runs of 31.71 and 33.04. Clem Murzyn was fourth in the scoring for the Trojans with times of 31.87 and 33.15 that put her in 43rd overall. Whilee girls were on the slalom slope to start the day Tuesday, the boys on the GS run. Caledonia senior Sean Rice just missed earning one of the additional state finals’ spots in the GS. He was only 19 hundredths ofa second, over the course oftwo runs and just one place, behind the last of the state qualifiers in the event. Rice had runs of 28.93 seconds and 28.78 in the GS, putting him in 14th place overall with a total time of 57.71. Of the top 12 racers, nine were from the three state qualifying teams from East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Christian and West Catholic, allowing 13th-place finishers Connor Anderson from Cadillac to advance as well. Anderson had identical runs of 28.76 seconds for a total time of 57.52. “We had a lot ofbright spots in the race, including taking fourth in GS [as a boys’ team] ” Petrosky said. “Our guys really like GS and excel at it even though 90 percent of our training this yearr has been slalom. The course sets really matched the training that we had the previous day and the guys nailed down great runs.’ Rice’s performance did earn him a spot on the all-region team. Behind the three state qualifying teams in the girls’ standings, Forest Hills Central had 174.5 points, Spring Lake 229, Plainwell/TK 237, Mattawan/Paw Paw 291, Hackett Catholic Prep/Vicksburg 321, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 330.5, Caledonia 331, Northview 381 and South Haven 457. Mya Baldwin led Caledonia in the GS with times of 31.04 and 32.66 that put her 35th overall. Kyleigh Thompson had runs of 31.44 and 32.94 that put her in 37th. Thompson was at the front of the Scots’ slalom pack with runs of 43.64 and 41.97 that put her in 30th overall. East Grand Rapids’ Hanna Darooge led a Pioneer girls’ team that had all six girls among the top 14 in the slalom. She won the slalom with times of 33.74 and 33.10 and placed third in the GS. Cadillac had the fastest GS squad on the day led by individual champion Georgette Sake who had times of26.15 and 28.47. The GS was a good race for the South­ west Michigan Ski Conference girls as three members ofthe conference that includes the Trojans and Fighting Scots qualified for the state finals in the event. Hackett Catholic Prep/Vicksburg’s Lauren Wild was tenth in the GS, Mattawan/PawPaw’s Anna Roeth­ lisberger 13th and Wild’s teammate Abby Ulbrich placed 18th to earn the last state qualifying spot. The SWMSC got one through on the boys’ side, Mattawan/Paw Paw’s Ian Brad­ ley who was the runner-up in the slalom. He had runs of 33.60 and 32.28 which left him still nearly three seconds behind East Grand Rapids’ Quinn Irwin, the regional champ, in the race. Irwin had runs of 32.13 and 30.88 in the slalom. He also won the GS with runs of 27.49 and 27.19. Behind the top three in the boys’ team standings were Forest Hills Central with 201 points, Mattawan/Paw Paw 208, Cale­ donia 215, Cadillac 228.5, Spring Lake 238, Lowell 240, Hackett/Vicksburg 386.5, Plainwell/TK 432, South Haven 486 and Northview 561. Caledonia was eighth in the slalom as a boys’ team. Dean led the way with runs of 37.15 and 35.68 that had him in a tie for 21 st at the end ofthe day. “Slalom at Cannonsburg is tough due to the flat area from the start to the headwall,” Petrosky said. “The teams that race here all the time have a big advantage, but our guys really pushed hard and skied it well at this race.” Liam Troutner led the Plainwell/TK team in the GS, an even in which he placed 25th overall with runs of 29.49 and 29.47. The Trojan team also had Elijah Korreck 46th, Mark Gielincki 55th and Travis Barton 57th. Korreck and Sam Bacon were the only two Trojan guys to complete both slalom runs. Korreck placed 41st and Bacon 52nd. �Page 10 — Thursday, February 23. 2023 — The Hastings Banner TK ladies a step away from Finals return W 1 Anna Smith is out front as the Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team performs a jump during round one SAA Division 2 District Tournament in Middleville Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The countdown continues! “Two weeks til state,” shouted the Thor­ napple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team late in its round one performance Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 District Tourna­ ment in Middleville. It’ll be one week til state when the Trojans compete in Saturday’s MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Kenowa Hills High School. The TK Trojans had the dominant perfor­ mance ofround one on their own mats Friday and kept pace with the Plainwell Trojans in round two. Senior Lydia Berg reached over and slapped hands with junior Kenady Smith in the center of the Trojans’ formation before the start of round three, and they and their teammates put up an electric performance of their difficult round three routine that clinched their pro­ gram’s second ever district championship. The top four teams from the district earn spots in next weekend’s regional, where the top four teams qualify for the MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 Competitive Cheer Finals, which will be held at Central Michigan University March 3. TK last won a district in 2016 and last competed in the state finals in 2015. “It was crazy. After round one, we went into the locker room and we werejumping up and down. We were like, that was the round one that we were waiting for,” Berg said. “We were working really hard all season and that was the feeling we have been chasing. It was a really great day today.” It was the two teams ofTrojans in the driv­ ers’ seat from the start. They were the top two scoring teams in each of the three rounds. The Thomapple Kellogg girls closed the day with an overall score of 740.26. Plainwell was second with 731.56 points. TK outscored Plainwell 224.4 to 220.5 in round one. NOTICE TO BIDDERS 195272 BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 11:00 A.M. March 1, 2023 for the following items. gpecificatiohs. and additional informaljibniQ(jpay be bbtained^atb the Co'fhmissidn dffice at tfe above ak^ress or at our web w site at wwwJfeaftycrc.org. Culverts Crack Seal Blocks Concrete Crushing Scraper Blades Asphalt Paving Dust Control Slag Sign Posts The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. BOARD OF COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY David D. Solmes Chairman Member Frank M. Fiala Jim James Member 195642 HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO CONSIDER A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE APPLICATION FOR AN ACCESSORY DWELLING LOCATED AT 3900 HEAD LAKE ROAD. TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Notice is hereby given that the Hope Township Planning Commission will hold a meeting and Public Hearing on Thursday, March 16th, 2023 at 6:30pm at the Hope Township Hall located at 5463 S. M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 within the Township. The purpose of the meeting is to receive comments from the public regarding an application by Victor Palmrose for the construction of an accessory dwelling on the parcel located at 3900 Head Lake Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 (parcel number: 08-07-010-006-10). The property is within the AR, Agriculture Residential zoning district. Accessory dwellings are permitted in the AR district subject to Special Exception Use approval by the Planning Commission, and as permitted by Section 10.13 and Article IV of the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance. A copy of the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the application is avail­ able for review at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S. M-43 Hwy, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance is also accessible at www.hopetwp.com. Written comments will be received from any interested persons by the Hope Township Clerk at the Hope Township Hall during regular business hours up to the time of the hearing and may be further received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. This notice is posted in compliance with PA267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA 41.72a (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hope Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Hope Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Hope Township Hall 5463 S. M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 Plainwell inched closer by outscoring TK 210.86 to 210.26 in round two. Thomapple Kellogg went fourth among the 13 teams in round three and put up a score of 305.6 that was going to be tough to beat. Plain­ well was excellent in round three too, going ninth in that final round and earning a score of 300.2, but didn’t quite match the skills the Tro­ jan flyers Ava Jahnke, Mia Hilton and Claira Kovich performed high above the mat. Another big battle was for the final two regional qualifying spots behind TK and Plainwell. Gull Lake, Sturgis and Zeeland West were all within a point of each other in the third, fourth and fifth spots heading into round three. That’s where Gull Lake and Sturgis separated themselves. Sturgis was third with a final score of 708.08 and Gull Lake fourth at 704.24. Zee­ land West finished the day, and its season, in fifth with a score of 698.92. Sturgis had a round three score of 295.6, Gull Lake 291.5 and Zeeland West 287.1. Behind those top five teams were Edwards­ burg with a score of 641.4, Stevensville Lakeshore 624.9, Wayland 621.3, Mattawan 613.22, St. Joseph 613.22, Zeeland East 570, Harper Creek 559.2 and Wyoming 558.7. Sturgis had a round one score of210.7 and a round two score of201.78. Gull Lake scored 216.2 points in round one and 196.54 in roun two? Zeeland West was in fifth after tli&sfc^ifst two rounds in which it scored 216.0 points and 191r8?n,,RQJ^: 3nTnM ?<*** **s HI Kenady Smith and the Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team celebrate after getting their district championship trophy^ijlft ApKa^Nicholsetthe end of the Division^District Tournament in Mid^vilf^TiJ,vmofoTSy^ett Bremer) Itt lljaiffilV83®5 Portland a couple points better than Vikings at D3 Cheer District Brett Bremer Sports Editor A little over a ten-point advantage in round two was the difference between the Raiders and the Vikings at the end ofthe day. The Portland varsity competitive cheer team edged the Lakewood Vikings by about 2.5 points in the end to win the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer District Tour­ nament at Shepherd High School Saturday. The Vikings went into the meet expecting Portland to be the biggest challenge to a dis­ trict championship. Lakewood outscored the Raiders in both rounds one and three, but the Raiders had a 223.02 to 214.4 edge in round two. Lakewood and Portland were two ofjust five teams at the 11-team meet that didn’t take at least a ten-point deduction in round two. Both teams will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 25, at the MHSAA Division 3 Regional Tournament at Rockford High School. The top four teams at districts across the state last weekend earned spots in this weekend’s regional round ofthe state tournament. Portland finished the day with an overall score of 747.62, ahead of Lakewood 745.1, Escanaba 713.66 and Midland Bullock Creek 674.36 in the top four. Alma finished in the fifth-place spot with a score of672.32, ahead ofBelding 654.6, Car­ rollton 597.1, Remus Chippewa Hills 583.6, Shepherd 581.44, Bridgeport 509.5 and Sagi­ naw 249.88. Lakewood opened the meet with a score of 229.5 in round one. The top three teams at the tournament all scored over 220 points in that opening round. Portland earned a score of 227.1 and Escanaba had 222.2 points. Port­ land was the only team over that mark in round two. Lakewood and Portland had separated themselves heading into round three. Escana- ba was nearly 30 points behind the Lakewood girls after the opening two rounds. Lakewood closed its day with a score of 301.2 in round one. Portland earned a round three score of297.5. Escanaba was also better than the Raiders in round three with a score of298.9. The fourth-place team from Bullock Creek had a score of 208.4 in round one, 191.56 in round two and 284.4 in round three. Portland placed sixth and Lakewood sev­ enth at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Finals in 2022. The top four teams at Saturday’s regional in Rockford earn spots in the 2023 Finals which will be held Friday, March 3 at Central Michigan University. The top four teams from Shepherd will be joined at Rockford High by the top four teams from the districts in Paw Paw and Kelloggsville from last weekend. The regional tournament is slated to begin at 11 a.m. uMsixatiiRs •» hi hi 'Si520ttte|| Si520ttte|| w »r£S »r**£S* HHS cheer returns to regionals after coming up short last season Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings had a five-year string ofregional appearances snapped in 2022, but the Saxons are back in 2023. The Hastings varsity competitive cheer team earned a spot in Saturday’s MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Regional at Rockford High School with a fourth-place finish at its Division 2 District Tournament at Paw Paw High School last Saturday, Feb. 18. The Saxons made it by the skin of their teeth - finishingjust 56 hundredths ofa point ahead of fifth-place Allegan. The top four teams from districts across the state last weekend earned spots in the upcoming regional round ofthe state tournament. “Our rounds from Saturday were pretty strong, but definitely not perfect,” Hastings head coach Linsey Jacinto said. “We really ffocused on the presentation, confidence and energy of all of our rounds, and thatt came shining through. We were so happy to earn a another week, and are focusing on scoring our top score ofthe season in all three rounds at regionals.” Hastings got off to a great start with a score of 223.1 points in round one. That was the second best round one score of the day in round one. The Saxons held on to second place after earning a score of 193.3 in round two, but then saw Parchment and Hopkins leap them in the standings with their round three performances. Hastings had a score of 275.6 in round three, a score which included an eight-point deduction. Paw Paw was in control from the start and won the district championship with an overall score of 768.86. Paw Paw had the top score in each of the three rounds. Parchment was second in the end with a score of 717.04, ahead of Hopkins 714.36, Hastings 692 and Allegan 691.44 in the top five. Dowagiac was sixth with a score of684.5, ahead of Berrien Springs 641.38, Vicksburg 637.06, Hamilton 627.7, Three Rivers 615.88, Pennfield 601.4, Otsego 585.1 and South Haven 571.86. Paw Paw had a score of 230.8 points in round one, 225.46 in round two and 312.6 in round three. The runner-up team from Parchment was just behind the Saxons after round one with a score of 220.9 and then added a score of 195.24 in round two. Parchment wasjust.26 points behind the Saxons heading into round three where the Panthers put up a score of 300.9. Hopkins had scores of214.7 in round one and 196.96 in round two, and then had the second best score ofthe day in round three at 302.7. The Allegan team that just missed out on a regional spot had scores of213.4 in round one, 192.54 in round two and a285.5 in round three. The regional meet in Rockford Saturday is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. “The team was on fire at practice [Monday],” Jacinto said. “It always amazes me when you see marked improvement in a round this late in the season. We keep finding little areas to clean or improve. They truly love being a part of this team, and are proud of their material, and growth they have earned. You can see it in their commitment this late in the season, you hear coaches say play until the whistle blows, I would say we are seeing the equivalent ofthat from this team.” isosatiiM vvS* v* SV vx sb 1 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 23, 2023 — Page 11 NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Allison N. May, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated April 18, 2019 and recorded June 5, 2019 in Instrument Number 2019-005378 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on July 22, 2020, in Instrument Number 2020-007341, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by THE MONEY SOURCE INC., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Seventy and 69/100 Dollars ($120,270.69). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: The North 4 Rods of the South 8 Rods of Lot(s) 100 of Plan of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded In Liber A of Plats, Page 1 of Barry County Records. 515 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 16, 2023 File No. 23-000644 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (02-16X03-09) W a couple points teller Vikings at D3 Cheer IfeM Bi pW • £5 195209 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosy/je by advertisement. Notice is given under^g,c|lon,3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Mitchell Owen, Married Man, to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated October 5, 2018 and recorded October 11, 2018 in Instrument Number 2018-009924 Barry County Records, Michigan. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred One Thousand Nine Hundred Two and 78/100 Dollars ($101,902.78). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 8, Block 13 of Kenfield’s 2’nd Addition to the City of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 37 of Barry County Records. 736 E South St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2, 2023 File No. 23-000380 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-02X02-23) 19046981 SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting Feb 14,2023 Six board members present Approved all consent agenda items Trustee elected 2022 Auditor approved Sundago Park road issues w Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236. MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 9,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nicholas Haskins, single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: December 20, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 23,2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice* $156,286.31 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 330.00 feet of the East 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 14, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 3491 E M 43 Hwy, Hastings, Ml 49058-7723 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: February 9,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1489005 (02-09)(03-02) 194945 ifl&nu tjrnfirfo tGhlsib r~. NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Adam M. Home, a married man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/ or assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 7, 2017 and recorded July 11,2017 in Instrument Number 2017­ 006903 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Two and 85/100 Dollars ($139,332.85). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice Is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 23, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of PRAIRIEVILLE, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 6 of Prairieville Heights, Prairieville Township, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded Plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats Page 34. 8324 Delton Rd, Delton, Michigan 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-23X03-16) Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 7:52 pm 195524 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 2,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Linda S. Walker, single woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, 'Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: June 28, 2016 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 27, 2016 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $116,079.68 Description ofthe mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 1, T2N, R8W; THENCE NORTH 189.50 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 50 MINUTES EAST 277.50 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 189.50 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 50 MINUTES WEST 277.50 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; KNOWN AS LOT D. Common street address (if any): 4977 S Chariton Park Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9152 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: February 2, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1487989 <02-02)(02-23) ' 1 194579 j! "-j O»r?fc r”'■’.tonir NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Jhapel Santiago, single man, whose address is 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc, being a mortgage dated October 15, 2020, and recorded on November 3, 2020 in Instrument Number. 2020-012027, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated November 22,2022 and recorded on November 22, 2022 in Instrument Number. 2022-011765, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT AND 18/100 DOLLARS ($126,358.18). Said premises are situated in the Township of Hope, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 31 of OAK OPENINGS, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 47. Street Address: 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: February 9, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson. Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone. (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 4817 (02-09X03-02) Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Dated: February 23, 2023 File No. 23-001430 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road. Trov Ml 48084 7 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. • LEGAL NOTICES 95645 194973 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor ember SiI PC Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Can you count on Social Security? If you’re getting closer to retirement, you might be thinking more about Social Security. Specifically, can you count on it to contribute part ofthe income you’ll need as a retiree? There’s been an increase in alarming language surrounding the solvency ofSocial Security, but in reality, its prospects are not nearly as gloomy as you might have heard. Here’s the story: Under current law, Social Security is estimated to exhaust its trust funds by 2035, after which benefits could be cut by 20%, according to the 2022 Social Security Trustees report. However, the large cost of living adjustment (COLA) (8.7%) for 2023 could cause the trust funds to use up their resources sooner. But this outlook may represent worst-case a scenario. For one thing, the cost of the 2023 COLA will be somewhat offset by higher taxes on workers contributing to Social Security. The maximum amount of earnings subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax jumped from $147,000 in 2022 to $160,200 in 2023. And in looking down the road, further increases in this earnings cap may also help reduce the gap in the trust funds. Increasing the payroll tax is another possibility for boosting funding to Social Security. And here’s a political reality: Social Security is a popular program and it’s unlikely that any future Congress wants to be blamed for reducing benefits. Of course, there are no guarantees, but it seems fair to say that you can reasonably expect some benefits from Social Security when you retire. But perhaps the bigger issue is just how much you should depend on Social Security for your retirement income. On average, Social Security benefits will provide about 30% of a beneficiary’s preretirement earnings, according to the Social Security Administration. But the higher your earnings before you retire, the lower the percentage that will be replaced by Social Security. Still, you’ll want to maximize the benefits that are available to you — and that means deciding when to start taking Social Security. You can begin as early as 62, but your monthly payments could be as much as 30% lower than your normal (or “full”) retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. Even if you were to wait until your full retirement Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a pliBlic auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1.00 PM, on March 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Rochelle R. Barnum, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: American General Financial Services, Inc. Date of mortgage: March 6, 2006 Recorded on March 9, 2006, in Document No. 1161088, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2019-R3 Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Twenty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Five and 32/100 Dollars ($24,855.32) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: THAT PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 34, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: THE SOUTH 75 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE NORTH 235 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: COMMENCING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF THE STATE TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY M-66 AND THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 34; THENCE RUNNING WEST ALONG THE SAID EAST AND WEST QUARTER LINE 215 FEET; THENCE NORTHERLY PARALLEL WITH THE CENTER OF SAID TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY M-66, 340 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE SOUTH LINE OF LAND DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED IN LIBER 156 OF DEEDS, ON PAGE 348; THENCE EAST PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID QUARTER SECTION, 215 FEET TO THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY 340 FEET; MORE OR LESS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 15446 M66, Bellevue, Ml 49021 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2019R3 Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1490814 (02-23)(03-16) 195740 age before collecting Social Security, you’ll also need to draw on other sources of funding. So, while you are still working, it’s a good idea to keep contributing to your IRA and 401 (k) or other employersponsored retirement plan. The amount you contribute should depend on your overall financial strategy and your financial needs, so, for example, you probably shouldn’t put in so much into your retirement accounts that you feel significant stress in your monthly cash flow. But when you do get a chance to invest more in these accounts, such as when your salary goes up, you may want to take advantage ofthe opportunity. Ultimately, you should be able to count on Social Security as part of your retirement income. You may want to consult with a financial professional to determine when taking Social Security makes the mos| sense for you and how you can also get the most from your other retirement accounts. You’ll want a retirement income strategy that’s built for the long run. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Brandi Marie Waldon, Married Woman, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 23, 2021 and recorded August 24, 2021 in Instrument Number 2021-010565 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Two and 65/100 Dollars ($184,172.65). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 2, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of CASTLETON, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 1, Block C, of the Plat of Pleasant Shores, according to the recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 59, BarryCounty Records. 1004 Valentine Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 2,2023 File No. 23-000507 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-02)(02-23) 194762 �Page 12 — Thursday, February 23,2023 — The Hastings Banner Hastings boys slated to close 1-8 season at Marshall Friday Pennfield spoils Saxon senior night with triple overtime victory couple weeks,” Youngs said. “She has real­ ly stepped up. It is unfortunate that the Sports Editor The Hastings boys were back from their season is ending because she has played really well. Storm played really well [Tuesbailgame at Battle Creek Pennfield High day] night too. She fought for loose balls.” School and joined an already good-sized Tuesday night crowd in the Hastings High Pennfield senior Kaylee Glidden topped them all though, finishing with 25 points. School gym to watch the last two overtime She had 14 points in the first half. Hastings periods of the Saxon varsity girls’ senior held her scoreless in the second half, but night ight ballgame with the green and gold she found the hoop again in the extra ses­ Panthers. sions. She was 2-for-2 at the free throw line Senior Macy Winegar hit four total in the first overtime, hit a three-pointer in three-pointers in those last two four-minute the second and then clinched the victory overtime periods and the Saxons kept playplay­ ing hard, but the Pennfield girls got a little for her team with a 6-for-6 performance at lead in the third overtime, hit a few free the free throw line in the third overtime. throws and took a 60-53 triple overtime Coach Youngs was pretty pleased with the defensive efforts ofjunior Addey Nickels and win in their second Interstate-8 Athletic Conference contest with the Hastings girls. freshman Olivia Friddle against Glidden, but The two teams were tied at 38-38 at the said the Panthers worked hard to get those end of regulation. They closed the first two offofGlidden throughout the night. four-minute overtime tied at 40 and then The Panthers were 8-of-8 as a team in went into the third overtime tied at 47-47 that final overtime. Junior guard Emilee as the 10 o’clock hour rolled around. Klacking hit the other two free throws for Hastings head coach Chase Youngs said her team in that third overtime, and had both teams had opportunities for last second seven points total in those final four min­ heroics to try and win the ballgame earlier, utes. She finished with 20 for the night after but neither side could convert. While he being held scoreless in the second half. wasn’t pleased to have another close defeat, Freshman guard Madelyn Hensel added Youngs was happy to have his trio of 13 points for Pennfield. seniors close their playing time in the Hast­ Friddle chipped in 11 points for Hast­ ings High School gymnasium with a memo­ ings, and Nickels and sophomore Kali rable game in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Koning had 3 points apiece. Winegar had a team-high 20 points in The Saxons are now 7-14 overall this the bailgame after being blanked by the season and 2-14 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Panthers in the first half. Senior forward Conference. They won their first meeting Bailey Cook had 12 points for the Saxons. with the Pennfield girls by eight points in Fellow senior Isabella Storm scored 4 Battle Creek back in mid-January. points in her final home game. “We’re six points form having 11 wins Coach Youngs was happy to see them all right now,” Youngs said noting the number play well. Hastings is currently slated to ofclose defeats his girls have suffered this visit Marshall Friday to close the regular season. The loss Tuesday was the second season and then open play in its MHSAA ofthe season in overtime for the Saxons. Division 2 District Tournament at Lake­ “Our league it is pretty good top to bot­ wood Monday taking on West Michigan tom,” he added. “We’re a pretty solid Aviation Academy. league. The margin of error is that much. “Cook has really played hard.the last Six points is four wins.” Brett Bremer NOTICE TO BIDDERS BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION The Barry County Road Commission is offering for sale six pickups: (6) 2022 GMC ^^dOHEbttrew-Cab SLE>pickup. 0 Jiorto liarfr fiiiw rorfj Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, Ml 49058, until 10:30 AM, Wednesday, March 8, 2023 for the following items. Please mark outside of bid envelope with truck number i.e #220020 or #220080. Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above phone number or aat our website www.barrycrc.org., please make an appointment for all viewings of the trucks. NOTE: All trucks are sold as is. (6) 2022 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab SLE Pickups 4WD Duramax Diesel, Allison Transmission Air, Cruise, PW & Locks, Keyless remote, Heated mirrors 1-Summit White Truck #220010 - Green Title - approximately 25,838 Miles- Minimum Bid $48,000 1-Cardinal Red Truck #220020 - Orange Title - approximately 16,476 Miles - Minimum Bid $48,000 1-Summit White Truck #220040 - Orange Title - approximately 16,348 Miles Minimum Bid $48,000 1-Black Onyx Truck #220100 - Orange Title - approximately 10,071 Miles - Minimum Bid $48,000 1-Summit White Truck #220120 - Orange Title - approximately 15,536 Miles Minimum Bid $48,000 1-Black Onyx Truck #220140 - Orange Title - approximately 16,672 Miles - Minimum Bid $48,000 NOTE: All mileages are approximate - trucks are being driven until they are sold. ORANGE TITLES are MUNCIPAL TITLES. The board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest of the Commission. PUBLIC NOTICE City of Hastings Hastings senior Layton Eastman looks for an open teammate during his team's Friday night loss to visiting Jackson Northwest. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer The Jackson Northwest Mounties defeated the Saxon varsity boys* basketballl team 72-62 in an Interstate-8 Athletic Conference ballgame at Hastings High School Friday. Hastings will close the 1-8 season at Marshall Friday and then finish the regular season next Thursday, March 2, at Olivet. The Saxons trailed Jackson Northwest by ten after the first half,,, 38—28, and the Mounties kept that pace through the second half. Hayden Long started the first half strong hitting 9 points for the Saxons before half­ time; however, the Saxons weren’t able to shut down Drew Maples for the Mounties who hit six three-point shots on the night and led the Mounties with 19 points. After a rough third quarter where the Sax­ ons trailed 53-36, the Saxons pushed for a strong finish scoring 26 points in the fourth quarter. Sophomore, Jett Barnum, added 9 points and Miles Padilla 6 in the last quarter to push the Saxons within 10 before the final buzzer. Padilla finished the night with 16 points, Long ended with 15 and Owen Carroll added 10 points for Hastings. The Saxons are now 9-11 overall this sea­ son and 6-7 in the Interstate-8. Hastings suffered a 68-58 loss to West Michigan Aviation in Hastings Monday, which was third consecutive loss for the Sax­ ons. The Saxon snapped that skid at Pennfield Tuesday night scoring a 52-46 victory. Friddle and handful of TK guys get through D2 regional in Lowell Brett Bremer ' Sports Editor It was a tough blood round for the Saxons in Lowell Saturday. The Hastings varsity wrestling team sent eight wrestlers to the MHSAA Division 2 Individual Wrestling Regional hosted by the Red Arrows and six found themselves wrestling in the blood round, the consola­ tion semifinal round in which the winner advances to the state finals and their oppo­ nent sees their state tournament run end. Sophomore Isaac Friddle was the only one to make it through. A state medalists as a freshman, Friddle qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 Individual State Finals that will be held March 3-4 at Ford Field in downtown Detroit by placing fourth in the 215-pound weight class Saturday. He had to win two consolation matches to earn his spot at the state finals after a tough 6-5 loss to Hamilton’s Shane Dams in the quarterfinal round to start the day. Friddle is now 42-5 overall this season after bouncing back to pin Plainwell’s Landon Schumacher in the opening round 0fiddris®iatidiAi?6rWh knbdkiAgfbfPFriiitport’s Caleb O’Neal 7-2 in the blood round. Greenville’s Case Johnson pinned Friddle three minutes into their match for third place. Saxon seniors Lanny Teunessen at 190 pounds and Robby Slaughter at 150 pounds were bested in the blood round, as were junior Colton Smith and sophomores Tate Warner, Troy Hokanson and Keegan Sutfin. Senior Cohen Smith also competed Saturday, at 144 pounds, falling in both his matches. Thomapple Kellogg managed to get five of its six regional qualifiers through to the state finals. Senior Kyron Zoet scored his 150^ varsity victory and improved to 46-4 by win­ ning the regional championship. He out­ scored Lowell’s Trevor Boone 5-3 in the 132-pound championship match. TK also got a runner-up finish from senior Austin Chivis at 171 pounds, a third-place finish from senior Zack Gibson at 144 and fourth place finishes by senior Jackson Curtis at 150 pounds and sophomore Christien Mill­ er at 106 pounds. The Trojan team also had freshman Dylan Pauline competing at 113 pounds. Curtis dealt the Saxon team one of its blood round blows, outscoring Slaughter 9-2 in their 150-pound consolation sefoifinal bout. Curtis was pinned by Lowell’s Landon Miller in the 150-pound consola- Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Automotive FOR SALE: 2005 Power Wag­ on 4x4 2500 Crew cab, 5.7 Hemi, 215,000 mikes, runs great, transmission good, 4x4 works, P.W., P.L., leather heated power seats; Tires good, body rusty. Call 269­ 908-7445, Asking $6,800 WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Most affordable tree service. Licensed and insured. 269-838-1782. Business Services Pets BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. AKC PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI, beautiful and ador­ able pups. 1st shots and de­ wormed. $600.517-852-3007. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bakfspears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Help Wanted PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. tion final. Miller was the wrestler who put Curtis in the consolation bracket in the first place with a 5-4 win in the quarterfinals to start the day. Slaughter ends his four varsity seasons with more than 150 varsity victories. He holds the Saxon records for most take downs in a career, most career pins and most take downs in a season. He was 43k6 this winter. Chivis won his way to the regional final at 175 pounds with a pin of Cedar Springs’ David DeWeese and a 7-1 win over Plaihwell’s Luke Lyons. Lowell’s Carson Crace bested Chivis 14-3 in the championship. Chivis is now 19-2 on the season. He missed the entire month of January, and some time on either end ofthe month, with an injury. Gibson suffered just his third loss of the season Saturday. He is now 44-3 after his third-place finish at 144 pounds which includ­ ed a 10-2 major decision over Fruitport’s Nash Cooper in consolation final. Lowell’s CJ Poole knocked offGibson 5-3 in the semi­ finals after Gibson had started his day by pinning the Saxons’ Cohen Smith. Gibson earned his sp^t ‘ih^thb’ ;sttte finals for the fourth time by pinning Ionia’s Killian Camp­ bell in the blood round. Miller defeated Greenville’s Caleb Lewis 9-2 in the blood round and then fell 4-2 to Lowell’s Mason Saylor in the match for third at 106 pounds. That was Saylor’s second twopoint win over Miller ofthe day. Teunessen opened the blood round for the Saxons. He was pinned in his 190-pound bout by Allendale’s Kameron Postmus. Friddle followed up by making it through, but the rest of the Saxons saw their season end. Hokanson was pinned by Lowell’s Say­ lor in the 106-pound bracket. Colton Smith was pinned by Hamilton’s Bryce Morrison. Sutfin fell 10-4 to Cedar Springs Tyler Par­ meter at 132 pounds. Warner was the Saxons last shot at a second state qualifier, but he was stuck by Allendale’s Jeremy VanderMolen in their 175-pound consolation semifinal. Unsurprisingly, Lowell had 13 of its 14 regional qualifiers wrestle their way to spots on the regional medal stand. Crace, Maddox Simcoe at 150 pounds, Poole at 144, Owen Segorski at 138, Jackson Blum at 120, Carter Cichocki at 113 and Jarrett Smith at 106 pounds all won regional titles, with Blum besting teammate Logan Dawson 20-5 in their 120-pound championship match. The Red Arrows are back in action this weekend at the MHSAA Team State Finals at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo. They are scheduled to face Birmingham Brother Rice in their MHSAA Division 2 Team Wrestling Quarterfinal Friday. Lowell is going after its tenth consecutive team state title. 2023 BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE The City of Hastings Board of Review for 2023 will be held at City of Hastings, 201 E State St, on the following dates: LEGAL NOTICES Organizational Meeting: March 7th, noon Appeal Hearings: Monday, March 13th, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Wednesday, March 15th, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm Meetings are by Appointment to schedule, contact: City Hall @ ph. 269-945-9350 The Board of Review will meet as many more days as deemed d necessary to hear questions, protests and to equalize the 2023 assessments. il syreciX^dSnriin,l0.tn’M S“lhen1t0S 2a0re23able to protest by,etter’ Provided protest letter is received prior to March 10, 2023. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2023 are as follows: Commercial.......... ^ident'al........... Industrial............... Agricultural........... Personal Property 5Z1 7j9 n qcqc 47,40. 50.00 1 1407 ! 0548 <0000 j Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Notice IheS °f ^?utin^s wHI necessar Individuals with Cate269-945 ?utn 2u4tin68 ss w wHI° Provlde Prrov RoevVld'8eeW necessaryreasonae nemceeestsianrgysreasonable ruePas°o nn4abdlaey services ssenrvotiiccees.. toContact: Sarah Moyer- STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29380-DE Court address: 206 W. Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269r945-1390 Estate of Keith Gary Heide, deceased. Date of Birth: November 8,1939. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Keith Gary Heide, died December 14,2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Julie Heide, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 2/16/2023 THAV.RYKE AND ASSOC David Grlsa P85483 24725 W. Twelve Mile Road Suite 110 Southfield, Ml 48034 (248) 945-1111 Julie Heide 415 North Taffee Dr. Hastings, Ml49058 (269)275-4698 195546 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29392-DE William H. Doherty Court Address: 220 West State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1400 Estate of Janet Leslie Johnson. Date of birth: March 26,1951. NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent, Janet Leslie Johnson, died December 13,2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Timothy Mark Johnson, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Cunningham Dalman, P.C. Jessica Arends P75919 321 Settlers Road Holland, Ml 49423 (616) 392-1821 Timothy Mark Johnson 429 Big Bay Drive Holland, Ml 49424 (410)903-5890 NOTICE TO CREDITORS DECEDENT’S TRUST SEARS FAMILY TRUST dated April 12, 2005 Decedent’s Date of Birth: December 12, 1938 To All Creditors: Notice to creditors: The decedent, DONALD E. SEARS, w(io lived at 5275 Engle Road, Middleville, Ml 49333, died February 6, 2023. The decedent, Grantdr, established the SEARS FAMILY TRUST dated April 12,2005. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate and trust will be forever barred unless presented to RENEE G. BRUMMEL, Trustee, at 5275 Engle Road, Middleville, Ml 49333, (616) 765-3573, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Trustee: RENEE G. BRUMMEL 5275 Engle Road Middleville, Ml 49333 (616) 765-3573 Attorney for Trustee: Law Offices of Benjamin T. Vader 30500 Van Dyke Ave., STE. 100 Warren, Ml. 48093 (586) 268-4463 (02-23) 195632 195681 IS x �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, February 23,2023 — Page 13 ' - First Saxon girls’ wrestling team sending five to Ford Field Brett Bremer u. Ws 51 aw W1 kfed round Mllutykroitaft poiinoiaBsdtitk stW&foonssjfe aJfeiispinned iw Irwme bracket ta*^*!*1 Im Delton Kellogg senior Gage Vincent (left) and sophomore Gauge Stampfler cele­ brate their regional medal winning performances Saturday in Mendon at the MHSAA Division 4 Individual Regional Tournament. Their top four finishes earn them spots in the MHSAA Individual State Finals. DKHS team gets Vincent and Stampfler through to D4 Individual State Finals The Saxons' Cassidee Easey works for control with Clare's AnnMarie Green during their 235-pound championship match Sunday at the MHSAA Giris' Individual Regional Tournament in Cadillac. Easey was one of five Saxons to score a runner-up finish and earn a spot in the state final which will be held March 3-4 at Ford Field in Detroit. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) ■ . ft Jarett (Bremen bsu ..... Sports Editor • Half of the Vikings who reached the MHSAA Division 3 Individual Wrestling Regional Tournament hosted by'Belding won their way to a spot at Ford Field the first weekend ofMarch. Sophomore 215-pounder Joel Simon kept his undefeated record intact by pinning White­ hall’s Jason Cook midway through the second period oftheir championship bout Saturday in Belding. Simon, who was a state qualifier as a freshman, is now 47-0 on the season. He’ll bejoined at Ford Field in Detroit the weekend of March 3-4 at the Individual State Finals by senior teammates Ashton Clark and Daniel Krebs who both placed third in their weight classes Saturday. Clark agp-ni agp-ni £4? £4? Simon pinned all three of his foes at the regional. He got Whitehall’s Blake Morning­ star 72 seconds into their quarterfinal match to start the day. He followed that up by pin­ ning Portland’s Mark Meyers a minute into the second period oftheir semifinal bout. Krebs is now 35-5 on the season after out­ scoring Belding’s Blake Peasley 8-1 in their 144-pound consolation final. Krebs pinned Comstock Park’s Terrell Hawkins to open the day, but then was bested 4-0 by Portland’s Isaiah Pelc in the semifinals. The Viking 144-pounder secured his spot at the state finals by pinning Montague’s Tristan Win­ kleblack in their blood round (consolation semifmal) match. Clark ran his record to 46-6 with his third- iplaperfinisil?, 1,20 pound$,(Clark(;had to,fight through two rounds;'of consolation after a tough 11-10 loss to Comstock Park’s Logan Whidden to start the day. Clark pinned Port­ land’s Connor Gleason to open consolation and then survived with an 8-6 win over Grant’s Alex Russo in the blood round. Clark closed his regional run with an 8-3 win over Kent City’s Carson Gorton in the match for third. Junior Chris Webb, senior Gavin Vaughn and senior Brenden Straub also competed for the Vikings Saturday. Straub and Vaughn both reached the blood round, one win away from earning a spot at the finals. Straub was bested 6-0 by Corunna’s Dayne Zeeman in his final 165-pound match. Vaughn, wrestling in the 175-pound bracket, was pinned by Car­ rollton’s Lenton Patrick to close his season. TK and Lakewood each get one through girls’ regional in Grayling B Utt £ *** <&•* % The Saxons' Sophia Sunior works to pin St. Louis' Tekoah Henry in their 190-pound semifinal match at the MHSAA Girls' Individual Regional Tournament In Cadillac Sunday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Simon still undefeated as Vikes get three guys to Ford Field teeasffe .^ ^ ***««» J kWIFBS Sports Editor Hastings had more girls wrestling in the MHSAA Girls’ Individual Red 1 Regional at Cadillac High School than any other team at the tournament - and half of them earned spots at the state finals. A group of ten Saxons competed for top four finishes in Cadillac, one of four girls’ regional tournaments held across the state last weekend, and five scored runner-up finishes to earn their place in the finals which will be held March 3-4 at Ford Field in downtown Detroit The group of five individual state qualifiers for the Saxons includes 170-pounder Claudia Palumbo, 190-pounder Sophia Sunior, 235-pounder Cassidee Easey, 140-pounder Oliv­ ia Friddle and 145-pounder Jordan Milanowski. Palumbo, Sunior, Easey and Milanowski each recorded two pins to start the tournament and earn a spot in the championship finals of their weight class. Friddle needed just one pin to get to the championship round in her weight class. It was a day filled with pins. All five of those Saxon regional finalists were pinned in their championship match. In fact all 25 bouts wrestled by the ten Saxons ended in a pin one way or the other Sunday. The five state qualifiers were joined by teammates Gabby Rodriguez, Alexia Owen, Eva Rowley, Calin Redman and Ellie Cous­ ins in competing Saturday. Redman, wrestling in the 120-pound weight class, was the only one of those five to get within one win ofa state finals appearance. She opened the tournament with a pin ofHarper Creek’s Des­ tiny Robbins, but then was pinned herself by Cadillac’s Evelyn Barren. Redman pinned Kerra White-Pigeon from Shepherd to get to the blood round, but then was pinned by Mt. Pleasant’s Felicia Saunders to end her tournament run. The top four in each weight class Sunday earned spots at the state finals. Midland was the closest to the Saxon team with seven wrestlers competing. This is the second season that the MHSAA has conducted a girls’ only state wrestling tournament, and the first season with Hastings hosting a girls’ team. Girls must choose at the end ofthe season wheth­ er they’d like to participate in the co-ed state tournament with the guys or the girls’ state tournament. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lakewood’s Ella Simon and Thomapple Kellogg’s Emma Gibson both wrestled their way to third-place finishing Sunday and spots in the March 3-4 MHSAA Girls’ Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit. Lakewood, Delton Kellogg and Thomapple Kellogg all had girls’ competing Sunday in the MHSAA Girls’ Individual Wrestling Red 2 Regional at Grayling High School. This is the second season that the MHSAA has hosted a girls’ individual wrestling state tourna­ ment, and the second season Thomapple Kellogg has had a girl earn a spot in the state finals. Gibson was 4-1 on the day at the tourna­ ment with her only loos a 12-2 major decision against Watervliet’s Taylor Woollett in the 120-pound semifinals. Gibson bounced back to pin Pine River’s Krystin Nelson in the blood round (consolation semifinals) and then took a 6-1 win over Grayling’s Mandy Andrews to earn the third place medal. Gibson’s teammate Kayleigh Brown was a state qualifier a year ago and she was once again competing Saturday along with team­ mates Kara Smith. Smith had one win in the 135-pound weight class, a pin in the opening round ofconsolation. She was bested by Lee’s Marisol Vega 6-1 in the consolation semifinal round where the winners secure their spot at the state finals and their opponent sees their tournament run come to an end. Simon was one of four Lakewood girls competing Sunday. She got a bye through the blood round and then pinned Niles Brandywine’s Mackenzie Wilt in the match for third place in the 235-pound weight class. Cynthia Shettler, wrestling in the 190pound weight class, also reached the blood round for the Vikings, but she was pinned there by Maria Miguel-Garcia from Lee. The Viking team also sent Allison Slater and Sophie Colbom to the regional. Delton Kellogg senior Joelle White was an integral part ofthe regular co-ed Delton Kellogg varsity line-up throughout the season and suffered a tough conclusion to her time as a varsity wrestler. White outscored Holland’s Victoria Siffin 4-0 in the opening round of consolation in the 110-pound weight class, but then was bested 4-3 by Manton’s Chloe Colton in the blood round. White scored a take down in the middle of the first period ofher blood round match with Colton and held that 2-0 lead into the third period. Colton scored a quick reversal to even the match at 2-2. White took the lead back at 3-2 with an escape after being held down for nearly 50 seconds, but Colton managed a take down with 25 seconds left on the clock to get the lead back and then rode White the rest of the way for the win. BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE THE ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW will be held at the Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey Rd. Plainwell Mi. 49080 on the following dates. Tuesday March 7, Organizational Meeting - 4:00 pm Monday, March 13, Appeal Hearing - 9:00 am to 12:00 noon & 1:00pm to 4:00 pm Tuesday March 14, Appeal Hearing - 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, & 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm The Board of Review will meet as many more days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests and to equalize the 2023 assessments. By Board resolution, residents are able to protest by letter, provided protest letter is received by March 13th, -12:00 noon. Written protests should be mailed to; BOARD OF REVIEW 7350 LINDSEY RD. PLAINWELL Ml. 49080 The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property are as follows; 1.1089 Agricultural.................... 45.09 % 1.0399 Commercial.................. 48.08% 0.9283 53 86% 1.2264 Residential .................. 40.77 % 1.0000 Personal......................... bo:qo% (ADA) Americans with Disabilities Notice Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Clerk at least seven (7) days in advance of hearing. This notice posted in Compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA41.72a (2) (3) and with the Americans with Disabilities Act Contacts - Clerk - Mel Risner: 269-664-4522 Supervisor- Thomas Rook: 616-299-6019 195544 Brett Bremer semifinals), and then took a 4-1 win over Sports Editor Jonesville’s Tyler Milks in the match for 132. Senior Gage Vincent is getting another Vincent is now 41-10 overall this season shot at the state finals and sophomore team­ and Stampfler ran his record to 42-6. mate Gauge Stampfler willjoin him. Delton Kellogg had two other guys reach . Vincent and Stampfler both finished among the blood round, where winners secure their the top four at their weight class at the spot in the state finals and their opponent has MHSAA Division 4 Individual Wrestling their state tournament run brought to an end. Regional hosted by Mendon Saturday. They Giorgio Venturi fell to Union City.. were two of six members ofthe Delton Kel­ 215-pounder Grady Lobe in the semifinal logg varsity wrestling team competing Satur­ round after an 11-7 win in an ultimate -* day for a spot in the MHSAA Division 4 tiebreaker against Bangor’s Henry Beelen * Individual State Finals that will be held to start the day. In the blood round, Lobe’s ; March 3-4 at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. teammate Garrett Halder outscored Ven- ' Both guys surpassed the 40-win iparkj-Jof ip cturi 9-4. vtn ithe season with their efforts Saturday, Delton KsllQfcfc. 285-pounder Mitchell Vincent, a state qualifier a year ago, fin­ Swift pinned White Pigeon’s Chas Under­ ished as the runner-up at 126 pounds at the wood in the opening round of consolation, regional. He pinned Eau Claire’s Giovanni but then had his day ended by a pin from Alvarado and Decatur’s Thor Baker to get to Union City heavyweight Hunter Gillies in the the championship match. He was bested 9-4 blood round. by Perry Lake from Bronson in the finals. DK also had 120-pounder Micah Martin . Stampfler placed third at 132 pounds. He and 175-pounder Luke Watson competing in won his opening match 6-3 over Eau Claire’s the regional. Angel Guzman-Vai ley, but then was pinned Maple Valley freshman Jackson Burpee • in the second period of his semifinal match was bested by a single point in his two 165- .. with Climax-Scotts/Martin’s Haylen Buell. pound matches at the regional. He fell 2-1 to Stampfler secured his state finals spot with Eau Claire’s Aidan Fisher in the quarterfinals a 15-0 technical fall against Bangor’s Fernan­ and then dropped his consolation opener 6-5 do Mufioz in the blood round (consolation against Homer’s Jacob Fisher. 195641 HOPE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Hope Township Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting and public hearing on Monday, March 13™, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hope Township Hall, 5463 South M-43, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within the Township, to con­ sider the following variance request: The applicant is requesting relief from Section 8.4,16.6, and 19.3 to construct a detached accessory building zero (0) feet from the rear (road side) lot line where 43 feet is required. Specifically, Dan and Carla Johnson wish to construct a new detached accessory building (garage) in the rear yard setback area on a lawfully nonconforming parcel located at 5751 Head Lake Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 (parcel number 08-07-016-012-00). The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance requires that buildings and structures be set back twenty (20) feet from the rear lot line on lots in the RL, Residential Lake zoning dis­ trict, which can be reduced by fifty (50) percent on lawfully noncon­ forming lots, except that a structure shall not be any closer to a road­ way than a straight line connecting the nearest building on each side of the lot. A copy of the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the application is available for review at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S. M-43 Hwy, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance is also accessible at www.hopetwp, com. Written comments will be received from any interested persons by the Hope Township Clerk at the Hope Township Hall during regular business hours up to the time of the hearing and may be further received by the Zoning Board of Appeals at the hear­ ing. Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. This notice is posted in compliance with PA267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA 41.72a (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hope Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hear­ ing Impaired and audio tapes of printed material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days* notice to the Hope Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. HOPE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Hope Township Hall 5463 South M-43 Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 �.* Pago 14 — Thursday, February 23, 2Q23 — Th© Hastings Banner HHS girls win bowling program’s first 1-8 title Hastings senior Andrea Rhodes sends her ball down the lane at M-66 Bowl * during her team's 1-8 win over the Pennfield Panthers Thursday afternoon. ’ (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor It took a second to settle in when Deanna Rhodes really stopped to look at the stand­ ings at her table inside M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek Wednesday. The Saxon head coach put her hand up to cover her gasp. With a 24-6 victory over the Pennfield varsity girls’ bowling team the Hastings girls finished off an 11-1 season of Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference duals. The Sax­ ons split their two conference duals this season with Coldwater and won every other time they stepped on the lanes in the confer­ ence this winter. Coldwater suffered that one loss to the Saxons, and then a second defeat in a con­ ference dual at Marshall, meaning the Sax­ ons clinched their young program’s first conference title with the win Wednesday. The Hastings girls split the two Baker games with the green and gold Panthers after sweeping the points in the two regular matches. Jen Stoline, Amber Rabideau, Ally Herder, Abby Barton and Andrea Rhodes won two individual points each throughout the course ofthe afternoon. “It’s my last year of bowling,” Rabideau said, “so it’s really cool that we’re confer­ ence champs and that we’ve done so well this year. We have a really good team. My team has really supported each other this year, and that is really nice.” “We cheer for each other and we’re like, ‘yes, you can get this!’And we’ll hand each other spare balls and just be there for each Hastings senior Abby Barton lines up a shot at M-66 Bowl Thursday during her team's Interstate-8 Athletic Conference win over host Pennfield which clinched the Saxons' first conference title. (Photo by Brett Bremer) RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request ourfree travel brochure. 1-800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com other. And we’ll all bring snacks for the team and all share stuff.” Rabideau said team captain Barton, another senior, really is the leader of the Saxon support pp group. gp. Hastings went to the MHSAA Division 2 Girls Bowling State Finals as a team last season, placing 14th in the qualifying rounds. Barton and Rabideau were also both state qualifiers in the Division 2 Singles Tournament. That was the second straight season for Barton at the state singles finals. Rabideau scored a 155 and a 132 Thurs­ day in the two regular games to score a pair ofpoints for her team. All five Saxon girls in the line-up won two points with victories in their individual match-ups. Andrea Rhodes, another Saxon senior this winter, had the top series ofthe day for the Hastings girls with a 190 and a 174. Barton rolled a 171 and a 149. Herder scored a 154 and a 150. Stoline tallied a 138 and a 134. “We did get a new bowler this year [Stoline],” Rabideau said. “She has a new ball and she is working really hard on her skills. Our long-standing team, Ally, Abby and Andrea they have been bowling for about seven years and they have really grown in their skills this year too. They’re really pushing the team forward. “This year, I also got new equipment, and I am learning how to use that,” Rabideau added. “We’re all just learning and growing together.” She has a new Raw Hammer ball to go along with her Brunswick Phantom spare ball. “My Raw Hammer is a lot more reactive than my old ball. I can throw way different lines and still get way more pin action down there, so I can get way more strikes and a lot more spares,” Rabideau said. She said her average is between 155 and 160 for the season, which is a big shot up from it being around 100 to start herjunior season. It’s more than just equipment though. “I think I have grown in my skills too. I understand a lot ofthe basic skills ofbowl­ ing now,” Rabideau said. “I can really apply myself, and I really like to use the visuals in my head to understand where my ball is going to go.” The Saxons took the first Baker game 129-110 in the dual Thursday at M-66 Bowl, but the Pennfield girls exploded for a 171­ 118 win the second to prevent the shut out. The Hastings boys won Wednesday too, 16-14. They pulled out the victory with two big Baker games oftheir own in which they outscored the Panthers 166-142 and 200­ 171. Drew Rhodes had the high two-game series for the Saxon boys with scores of 177 and 178 in the regular matches. Austin Hen­ man had the high game ofthe day for Hast­ ings at 199. He also rolled a 116, matching Drew’s two team point wins. Zach Ramey took a team point with a 136 for the Saxons and Miles Lipsey won one with a 179. Lipsey had a good day, also rolling a 158. Hunter Pennington had games of 130 and 148 for the Saxons. Cohen James added a 137. Hastings had to take the two Baker games after Pennfield’s boys won the two regular matches 809-717 and 877-842. The Hastings boys closed the 1-8 duals with a 7-5 record, fourth in the overall con­ ference standings. The Saxons were in action back at M-66 Bowl Saturday for the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Singles Tournament where Andrea Rhodes won the girls’ individual championship in the conference with a sixgame series of 1,052, which was higher than any girl or guy at the tournament Saturday. She had a high single game of247. The top four Saxons all earned spots on the all-conference first team. Herder was third with a score of 895, Barton fifth with a 942 and Rabideau eighth with an 895. Hastings also had Heaven Simmet earn a spot on the all-conference second team with her 12th-place score of 868. Austin Henman led the Hastings boys at the 1-8 Conference Singles tournament with a 20th-place score of 950 in six games. Drew Rhodes was 23rd with a 933, Lipsey 27th with a 913, Pennington 30th with a score of 903 and Jackson Clow 30th with a score of 854. The Hastings bowlers will roll again today, Feb. 23, and tomorrow in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Tournament. The Saxons’ Hunter Pennington steps into a shot at M-66 Bowl during his team's 1-8 dual with Pennfield Thursday in Battle Creek. (Photo by Brett Bremer) League leading Mounties take second win over HHS ladies Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer Jackson Northwest inched closer to a share ofthe 2022-23 Interstate-8 Athletic Conference championship at Hastings High School Friday. The Mounties are 12-1 in conference play heading into their final league ball­ game of the season this Friday against visiting Pennfield. The Saxons had lost earlier in the sea­ son to Northwest, and came a little closer in this match up, although the Mounties still bested the Saxons 66-33. The Saxons only managed to score 7 points in each of the first two quarters, with seniors, Bailey Cook and Macy Winegar each adding 6 points in the first half, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace as the Mounties led 35-14 at the half. The Mounties’ Layne Sleight hit 4 three’s in the first halfagainst the Saxons. In the second half, the Mounties again outscored the Lady Saxons, as they added another 31 points to the Saxons’ 19. Hastings was again led by Cook who added another 9 points in the second half and finished the night with 15 total points. Bri Darling and Kali Koning both added a three point bucket and Olivia Friddle ended the night with 4 points for the Saxons. Northwest and Coldwater are currently tied atop the conference standings at 12-1. The Cardinals and Mounties split their two conference contests this season. Coldwater closes conference play Friday at home taking on Lumen Christi. Hastings freshman Olivia looks for space to get to the during her team's Friday night 1-8 leading Jackson Northwest. by Valerie Slaughter) Friddle basket loss to (Photo Hastings is 2-11 in the conference after a triple overtime loss to visiting Pennfield Tuesday. The Saxons close 1-8 play on the road at Marshall Friday - weather permitting. Gobles evens SAC Central season series with DKHS boys Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball coach Jim Hogoboom has been working to convince his guys that they have to be ready to play each and every night. If Tuesday doesn’t teach them that lesson nothing will. Gobles scored a 57-50 win over the visit­ ing Panthers Tuesday in the second South­ western Athletic Conference Central Division match-up of the season between the two teams. The two ballgames were just 11 days apart, with Delton Kellogg scoring a 49-28 win over the Tigers Feb. 10. “We beat them 10 days ago by 21, but we didn’t do the things tonight that matter. We were loose with the ball, didn’t rebound, lost defensive assignments, they won most ofthe 50-50 balls, and like most teams they shot better at home than they did in our gym.” The two teams were back and forth until the Gobles boys closed the game on a 16-8 Members - bring a friend for FREE in February! If your friend joins, you get a free gift! Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! spectrumhealth.org Spectrum Health run in the fourth quarter. DK had led by three after one quarter and Gobles led by two, 27-25, at the half. Delton Kellogg had nudged back in front 42-41 heading into the fourth. “Give Gobles all the credit,” Hogoboom said. “They executed better and got contribu­ tions from multiple guys including Jayden Ohs, a freshman playing in his first varsity game.” Ohs had 8 points. Tristan Harbaugh led Gobles with 18 points and Adam Newberry had 16. Torren Mapes led Delton Kellogg with 15 points. Isaac Shepard chipped in 13 points. Philip Halcomb had 10 points and Tyler Howland hit three three-pointers to finish with 9 points. “Usually if we get four guys in double fig­ ures and hit six threes I would like our chances, but they made more free throws than we shot and we got blasted on the boards,” Hogoboom said. “Our press was pretty good creating turn­ overs, but we didn’t finish very well on a bunch of2-on-1 and 3-on-2 opportunities.” The Delton Kellogg boys took a 16-point win over SAC Central foe Martin last month. They’ll look to match that this Friday as the Panthers host the Clippers for Senior Night - weather permitting. Delton Kellogg went into the game with Gobles coming offa 56-36 loss at Saugatuck last Friday, Feb. 17. Saugatuck got 11 points apiece from Will Ayers and Russell Vanderpoel. Halcomb had 12 points in the loss for DK. Hogoboom said the Trailblazers’ zone trap was a challenge for his guys. “I think they really fed offthe crowd on their senior night,” Hogoboom said. “They are very athletic and they do things defensively that we have struggled with all year. We knew what was coming, I just think they make it difficult for us to execute. I liked how my guys battles and we had stretches where it looked like we figured it out a bit and got open shots that didn’t go in.” Barry County Christian boys upset in finals of GL6 tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was a bit of a tough end to an outstand­ ing 2022-23 season for the Barry CountyChristian varsity boys’ basketball team. Algoma Christian upset the previously undefeated Eagles 48-45 in the championship game in of the Great Lake Six Conference Tournament Saturday and then the Eagles were bested Tuesday 65-62 against Grand Rapids Seventh Day Adventist in Hastings. The Eagles close the season with a 15-2 record. They won their first 15 ballgames including a 64-25 victory over Wyoming Michigan Lutheran and a'48-19 win over Kalamazoo Heritage Christian in the first two rounds of the conference tournament last week. Barry County Christian had a 34-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter ofthe tourna- ment championship game against the Kent City Algoma Christian Knights. The Knights opened the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run, before a bucket by Isaiah Lamphere for the Eagles stymied the surge a bit. The Knights pushed from there to lead by as many as five points in the final minutes. The two teams had been back and forth all ballgame with the Eagles holding a 13-11 lead after one quarter and the Knights surging to lead 23-21 at the half. Lamphere closed the ballgame with a team-high 16 points for the Eagles. Joe Wise had 8 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists. Noah Lilley added 5 points, 8 rebounds2 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocked shots for the Eagles. Jordan Stolz added 9 points and Lucas Koetje had 5 points and 7 rebounds. Lamphere had 3 assists and 4 steals. The Eagles were limited a bit by a tough night at the free throw line. They were just 4-of-14 as a team from the line. Barry County Christian had bested the Algoma Christian boys by two in the second game of the season way back on Dec. 1, 2022. The Eagles led from start to finish in their semifinal bailgame Friday, Feb. 17, against Heritage Christian. They ran out tola 20-3 lead in the opening quarter. Lamphere had a team-high 21 points. Wise finished with 10 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. The Eagles had 18 steals as a team. Lamphere had 4 and Koetje 3. Koetje also had 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 points. Lamphere had 24 points and Lilley 21 in the loss to Seventh Day Adventist to close the season. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-03-02.pdf eb9310b6bc3782470e3a46a9c62ecb3e PDF Text Text City looks at plans for ice rink, pickleball courts at Tyden Park Changes to no-fault insurance a disservice to Michigan residents Barracudas win league meet in co-op’s last gasp See story on page 8 See storyJ>n page 4. See story on page 9 Devoted to theInterests ofBarry County Since 1856 The Hastings ANNER PRICE $1.50 Thursday, March 2, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 9 Students explore career pathways at inaugural Barry County CareerFest Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Students from all over the county had a chance to explore career pathways at the Barry County CareerFest last Friday. More than 50 businesses and occupations were represented at the inaugural event at Hastings High School, nearly all of them based in Barry County. More than 800 Hastings High School students toured the event during the school day, allowing them a chance to connect and network with industry professionals. The businesses were split up into four main groups across the school: health and human services; business management, marketing, finance and technology; engineering, manu­ facturing and industrial technology; natural resources, agri-science, and culinary arts. Each student was given a chance to talk to every vendor in each group. The School hosted the event in conjunction with the Barry County Chamber of Com­ merce, with an additional time from 6 to 8 p.m; that evening where students could return for more information or students from other districts could attend. Ed Domke, career and technical education directorat Hastings, said the event was delib- See CAREERFEST,-page 2 Services joined forces to talk with students about municipal infrastructure opportu­ nities. Klarty Mayaok (center), a large animal veterinarian at Bull Creek Veterinary Service in Hastings, brought a pig skull, horse skull and a cat skeleton for students to see up close. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Barry County Republicans look to rally party, reclaim power in state government Jayson Bussa Editor I After ah election that saw control over the State Senate and House slip through its fin­ gers, Michigan Republicans have been left to regroup. And, members of the Barry County GOP believe that their county and district can lead the charge in getting the party back on track and in power in the next election. “Barry County, when compared to other counties, is riot necessarily more passionate than any other county) but I believe Barry County has a lot more people that are just getting up mid going and ready to get active," said Jon Rocha, a high-profile voice within the Barry1 County GOP. Rocha was recently named to the state committee for District 2, a See REPUBLICANS, page 3 Consultant Gary Goscenski of Perspectives Consulting Group of Paw Paw shares results of a survey regarding a possible Hastings Area School System bond issue to the district’s Board of Education Monday night at Hastings Middle School, as consul­ tant Bryn Bogemann looks on. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Survey shows support for HASS building improvements, concerns about fiscal responsibility Greg Chandler StaffWriter ‘ A survey of residents who live within the boundaries ofthe Hastings Area School Sys­ tem found there is support for a bond issue later this year that would address such needs as replacing the entire roof ofHastings High School, upgrading heating and cooling sys­ tems at district buildings, updating bathrooms fid] locker rooms, and improvements to the high school cafeteria and media center. However that same survey found the district is facing a perception issue with regard to its fiscal responsibility, which may be a challenge when it goes to the polls. I The HASS Board of Education Monday heard a presentation by Paw Paw-based Pertives Consulting Group, which conduct- ed a 27-question online survey in December asking residents their opinions ofthe schoo schoolrl district and how they might vote on four different bond proposals if they were pre­ sented to the community in August of this year. A total of 586 people responded to the survey, with the results having a margin of error ofplus or minus 4 percent. “We’re used to seeing these types of numbers from political polling. This is a good result,” Perspectives consultant Gary Goscenski told the board. “Plus-or-minus 5 (percent) is considered the industry averaver­ age, plus-or-minus 4 percent is actually better.” See SURVEY, page 3 Delegates from the Barry County GOP participated in the Republican state convention last month. The group endorsed Billy Putman for chairman of the statewide party. (Photos provided) Parents, swimmers appeal to Hastings school board to keep swim co-op with TK/DK alive Greg Chandler StaffWriter i Two days after helping his team win a conference championship, Hastings High School junior Riley Shults pleaded with district officials Monday night to keep a long-standing cooperative swimming pro­ gram with neighboring Thomapple Kellogg and Delton Kellogg high schools intact With his teammates from the Barry County Barracudas - the name ofthe coop­ erative team that has its home meets at the Hastings High pool - present to provide moral support, Shults’ voice broke as he spoke out in opposition to a decision by Hastings Area School'System Superinten­ dent Matt Goebel to end the 19-year-long cooperative arrangement and have Hastings have its own swim teams next year. “I am 100 percent a Saxon. But I’m also 100 percent a Barracuda/’ Shults said. “I’ve heard that our administration wants to do the best for Hastings kids. I know that keeping the co-op together is best for Hastings kids. We won’t have a strong program if this is dismantled. “Please, school board members. I’m ask­ ing you to reconsider and please keep the Club, the Barracudas team together, until we have a team that can stand on its own. Please, please, please. We need this team. I need these guys.” The Barracudas won the O-K Rainbow Conference Tier 11 boys swimming title on Saturday, despite having only one firstplace finish in the meet. However, the team’s depth made the difference as they won the conference title for the first time since the co-op was established. Goebel at Monday’s school board meet­ ing outlined his rationale for the decision to end the cooperative arrangement, say­ ing that he “objectively looked into multi­ ple variables” regarding the program. He said he shared his reasoning with the board See SWIMMERS, page 2 Hastings High School junior Riley Shults pleads with the Hastings Area School System board and administra­ tion to keep the cooperative swimming program with Thornapple Kellogg and Delton Kellogg High Schools going at Monday’s school board meeting. (Photos by Greg Chandler) �Page 2 — Thursday, March 2. 2023 — The Hastings Banner SWIMMERS, continued from page 1 NEWS BRIEFS Auditions for Thornapple Players’ ‘Into the Woods’ set for March 13 The Thomapple Players are kicking off the 2023 season of shows with “Into the Woods” slated as the spring musical. This production features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. Julian Kratochvil is directing. Dan Braker will serve as music director. The Players are hosting open auditions for “Into the Woods” on Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the Dennison Performing Arts Center, 231 S. Broadway, Hastings. “Into the Woods” is based on stories that parents have told their children for genera­ tions. There are elements where it’s pure fantasy and exciting for kids, but there is also a message that is specifically centered toward adults: Be careful what you tell your children. There are a variety offemale and male roles for a cast of 17. Rehearsals will be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the possibility ofadditional rehearsals as determined by the director. The mandatory technical rehearsal will be Sunday, April 30. The Players will perform “Into the Woods” May 4-7 and will have an open-to-thepublic dress rehearsal on May 3. Those interested in auditioning but can’t attend the auditions must contact the Players before March 13 at thomappleplayers@gmail.com to find an alternate time. Questions can be submitted by emailing the Players, visiting their Facebook page or by calling the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. Healthy Living Supper Club discussing digestive health “Digestion, a Churning Question” is the topic at the upcoming Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club meeting on Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m. The free program will be hosted in the community room of the Hastings Adventist Elementary School building, 888 Terry Lane, offofStar School Road in Hastings. When it comes to food, rich sauces can cause stomach issues. The supper club will look at healthy alternatives to dairy-rich sauces. Attendees ofthe program will learn how to make nutritious sauces, along-with hearing “Digestion, a Churching Question,” which is a Lifestyle Matters program. Dairy-intolerant folks will have lots to learn at the program, where participants will be shown how to enjoy lactose-filled favorites like creamed soups, macaroni and cheese, pizza and more without the dairy. After learning how to make a basic, dairy-free cream sauce, the door will be opened for many other dairy-free recipes. Attendees will also learn some digestions basics to improve gastrointestinal (GI) health and reduce the risk for serious digestive disorders. The program and materials are free; free-will offerings are welcome. To register or for more information, contact Janice Cleary at 269-804-9959 or email Hhealthylivingsupperclub@gmail.com. Local meteorologist to speak to Gun Lake women’s club The Gun Lake chapter ofthe General Federation ofWomen’s Clubs will be joined by JeffPorter, the morning and noon meteorologist for WWMT, at its March 8 meeting. Porter will give a presentation to the women at 10 a.m. on March 8 at SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Wayland, 159 131st Ave. Porter will present on weather safety and will provide the group with a severe weather outlook. Porter has been a member ofWWMT News Channel 3’s team since 2009 after a fouryear stint at WHIG in Dayton, Ohio. Porter has qualifications from both the American Meteorology Society and the National Weather Association. He has worked with other stations in the past as well, including The Weather Channel. Barry Couwty^OA offering free, high-tech-ID bracelets The Barry County Commission on Aging will host its monthly Parkinson’s Support Group on Wednesday, March 8 at 5 p.m. This month’s topic will be “Miles for Memories Safe Return Technology.” The Miles for Memories Safe Return technology is designed to help a person that has wandered or is lost to return home safely. The Personal ID Bracelet is specially designed to be comfortable and waterproof. It allows for emergency and medical information to be stored and accessed by emergency personnel when a loved one is found. The information the bracelet provides can be accessed and adjusted by family members, or caregivers, through a phone app or online. The COA invites all to join on March 8 to learn how easy it is to program a device and retrieve emergency information. HASTINGS CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 885 River Rd., Hastings, Ml 49058 to examine and review the 2023 assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023,1:00 pm Organizational Meeting Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 9:00 am to Noon and 6:00 to 9:00 pm Thursday, March 16, 2023, 9:00 am to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm Members of the Barry County Barracudas cooperative swim team listen to the debate at Monday’s board meeting. Hastings to make a stand-alone swim program work. In a survey of 65 swimmers, parents, coaches and former swimmers that was submit­ ted to the board, 98 percent said the schools would not have enough swimmers to compete if they were separated. This season, the cooperative program had 18 swimmers on the boys team - 12 from Hastings, including two foreign exchange students, and six from Thomapple Kellogg - and 23 on the girls team - 13 from TK, seven from Hastings and three from Delton Kellogg. Four ofthe boys and three of the girls from Hastings are graduating seniors, said Steve Shults, who represents a parents’ group that has campaigned to keep the co-op going. “What are we saying to the kids with all of this?” he said. “It’s notjust the swim team kids, but all kids. To the people on the inside ofthe swim co-op, it does feel like this is some sort of weird personality conflict that is not able to be resolved between the two ... We continue to ask that the administration and the school board try and reconsider this decision and then work with the TK administration and TK athletic director to mend fences and to figure out what’s a great path forward.” Steve Shults also defended the participation ofTK parents and families in helping the coop­ erative work. “Without them, we would never have been able to do all the things that we do, including running all ofthe meets, being able to host all of the things we do,” he said. “If I look up and down at what they’ve done over the years, it’s often times a majority of the coordination and ability to run the meets, both on the deck and the stuff that happens after with the team dinners and everything else that happens - lots and lots of that organization happens and is driven by TK parents, both on the boys’ side and on the girls’ side. If you don’t acknowledge that, you’re missing a big piece ofthe puzzle.” Michael Schipper, who has coached the local Hammerheads swim club for more than a decade, expressed similar concerns that enough swimmers can be found to support a stand-alone team in Hastings. “You really need 12 swimmers to be able to fill all the events in all fields. You need a mini­ mum of 12 ... You’re only allowed to swim two individual events and two relays. There are 11 * events and three relays (at a typical meet),” Schipper said. Hastings Athletic Director Mike Goggins expressed optimism that enough swimmers will be found to field a stand-alone team next year. “We’re making a commitment to field a team, and I believe it’s going to happen,” Goggins said. X‘I acknowledge your concern, I understand it. We’ve had other sports teams where numbers have gone down, and we’ve been able to rally them back. In the 18 years that I’ve been here, we’ve never eliminated a program, and we have no intention ofeliminating one now.” Several parents spoke out in support ofkeep­ ing the cooperative, noting its impact on their kids and worried that not enough swimmers will be found to support a Hastings-only team next season. Erin Merritt, who has a son that is an HHS junior, worried that she may have watched her son’s last swim meet last Saturday. “It’s funny that we refer to the team as the TK/HSS/DK swim-dive co-op. What mouthful that is,” Merritt said. “I don’t think ofthe team that way. I think ofus as the Barry County Bar­ racudas - one united team, no matter what else anybody decides to go by. I wasjust as surprised as everybody else when it (said) ‘MTK’ (for Middleville Thomapple Kellogg) on the score­ board, when it’s always been BCB - Barry County Barracudas. That’s our team. For myself and many other parents, we don’t think in terms of schools, we think in terms ofone strong and special group ofathletes.” “At this point, all the reasoning and the excuses behind the decision to dissolve the Barry County Barracudas mean only one thing to me. It means that the HHS (administration) is actively and willfully depriving my son and his teammates from participating in the sport they love,” Merritt added. “No matter of what you’ve heard from anybody ... there are not enough boys to have a Hastings team, period. The num­ bers don’t add up.” Jamie Hays, a Hastings parent whose son has swum for the Barracudas for three years, echoed Merritt’s concerns about not having enough swimmers for a stand-alone team. “The claim has been made to just build a team, and as Steve (Shults) said, there will be four Hastings girls and six Hastings boys (returning next season),” Hays said. “How is it going to be possible to build a swim team when there isn’t a team there? It is already difficult to get athletes in most sports, and I can imagine that it will be even more difficult to build a team where there isn’t one in existence. And after 18-plus years of this co-op, it would seem that if there was going to be a team built, it would have been built by now.” Board Trustee Brad Tolles acknowledged the benefits of having a cooperative program, but said the board was not in a position to make a decision. “I’m always willing to hear everything, but we have no say in this, honestly. This isn’t our decision to make,” Tolles said. “This is an administrative decision, and we have to support our administrators, who I think have put in a lot oftime and effort ... If our superintendent and athletic director feel confident they can get the job done and have a team, (I support this).” During his speech, Riley Shults said that such issues as being able to qualify for a state meet were not as important to him as winning dual meets and conference meets. He asked his team­ mates if any of them supported discontinuing the cooperative. No one stood up. He then asked which of his teammates want to continue to co-op, and all ofthem stood up. “Look at all those people,” Riley Shults said. “All ofthem are swimmers, on the team, who need to be addressed. We are the people that this is affecting, okay? This isn’t affecting the.economy ... this is affecting those kids, right there, us, okay? “We care about this team, we care about peo­ ple, our team.” CAREERFEST, continued from page 1 And on such additional days as required to hear ail persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, cor­ rected and approved. APPEALS ARE HEARD ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS; letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 5:00 pm the Friday before the first appeal hearing. Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers Agricultural 41.46% Commercial 47.88% Industrial 41.62% Residential 41.66% Personal Property 50.00% “many times over the past year.” “The combined enrollment of Hastings and TK puts our athletes in the largest division in the (Michigan High School Athletic Association),” Goebel said. “Many times over the years, swim­ mers from Hastings and TK would have quali­ fied for state finals at each school in the division we will be in when we split. We will likely go from Division 1 to Division 3. “This year alone, had our teams been split, Hastings and TK would have had a total of 10 athletes qualify for the state meet - five for the girls, all from TK, and five for the boys, all from Hastings. As a Division 1 program, we had one girl from TK qualify for the state meet. The other nine athletes did not get the experience with this very special event.” Goebel went on to say that Hastings currently cannot fully compete in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference under the current co-op arrange­ ment, as opposed to other sports the school sponsors. Hastings joined the 1-8 in 2016. “The 1-8 officially wants to add swim and dive as a league sport, and wants our participa­ tion, but not with a 2,000-plus student co-op,” he said. “We have also been invited to partici­ pate in the Southwestern Central Michigan Swim Conference, which includes several ofthe 1-8 schools, like Marshall and Harper Creek, as well as other schools very similar to us such as Plainwell, Otsego, Sturgis and South Haven. This would be a great fit for us with schools much like us in terms ofsize and programs ... They would not be interested in us as a 2,000plus co-op, and TK is not interested in leaving the O-K Conference.” Goebel went on to describe the nature ofthe cooperative arrangement between Hastings and TK; ‘ II . ‘ “Although Hastings possesses the pool and assumes the vast majority ofcosts and responsi­ bility for the team, TK has always been the lead school and makes the .majority ofthe team and scheduling decisions,” he said. “TK only con­ tributes (with) the payment of coaches, the coaches’ stipend, and half ofthe transportation (costs)... While we do not want to speak poor­ ly of TK administration, we would say that there have been some times, particularly in the last few years, when we feel they could have been much more supportive and much more inclusive in making decisions for the team, and much more supportive to our coaches when dealing with difficult parents.” Goebel said that he has had “several discus­ sions” with TK administration “well in advance, to allow them to develop other swim options for their students.” He said after Monday’s meeting those discussions began at the end ofthe 2021­ 22 school year. • I “We will have a swim team for both boys and girls (at Hastings) next year. That is a guarantee,” Goebel said: “We: know some renewed eflbrtsto recruit new members tb both the boys and girls team will be needed td‘boost participation. We feel it is completely feasible for a school the size of Hastings to support a competitive-size boys and girls teams.- We do so now in every other sport we offer, with no co-ops needed.” ■ In an e-mail to the Hastings Banner, Thor­ napple Kellogg Schools Superintendent Craig McCarthy said the district opposed ending the cooperative program. “Thomapple Kellogg Schools is moving for­ ward in an attempt to do what is right for our students,” McCarthy wrote in the e-mail. “The pool at TK High School is not regulation-size and cannot be used for competition. Therefore, we are actively engaging other; districts in forming new co-ops for our girls’ and boys’ swim teams.” Goebel said plans to boost participation in swimming include offering a middle school swim clinic this spring and renewed recruitment by coaches ofcurrent athletes who do not have a sport they compete in during swimming sea­ son. In addition, the district is exploring the idea of adding swimming and diving as a middle school sport, he said. J But those involved with the swimming coop­ erative say there arent’t enough swimmers in for 2023 are as follows: 1.2060 1.0443 1.2013 1.2002 1.0000 Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Jim Brown, Supervisor Hastings Charter Township Kevin Harris, Assessor Hastings Charter Township erately set up differently than a job fair. While he had no doubt that each vendor pres­ ent at CareerFest had openings available for students, he hoped the event would not only help students network but also help them explore possible career avenues. “Every one ofthe companies have jobs for those kids right now,” Domke said. “But a lot ofthe kids don’t know about what’s out there or how it works.” For example, students may be aware of manufacturers in the county but they may not know that those same employers offer jobs that aren’t manufacturing related, he said. In this example, he hoped students could realize a local manufacturer could also offerjobs in other fields such as marketing, human resources or accounting. For Hastings senior Xandar Holtrust, the event provided an opportunity for him to talk to a physical therapist about the job for the first time. Holtrust plans on pursuing a career in physical therapy after graduation. dQ“HI thwin9k it’s important because people don’t necessarily get to expe­ rience things like this (event) and they don’t really think about (career paths) until it’s too late,” Holtrust said. (Ron's “It’s been helpfill to me. (269)682-2527 I’d never talked to any­ body that works in Ron@ronsweddingandfuneralofficiantservice.com physical therapy (before yVedcfing Officiant Hastings Charter Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to Hastings Charter Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact Castleton Township by writing or calling. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber Hastings Charter Township Clerk 885 River Rd. Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-9690 New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License 195347 Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //SI 10376 & Insured r today), I just knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Holtrust spoke with Lindsay Vertalka, a physical therapist at First Rehab and Sport Physical Therapy. She said the event was a great way not only to represent her business but also to get kids interested in the health­ care field in a more general sense. “Ijust think it’s great that Hastings is offer­ ing this because a lot ofkids aren’t sure what they want to do (after graduation),” she said. This year’s event marked what the organiz­ ers hope will be the first of many. Nichole Lyke, economic development director for the chamber, said the event saw huge interest from local businesses. “We’ve done job fairs in the past, but we’ve never worked together (with the high school) to do an event on this large of a scale,” Lyke said. “We were actually only anticipating about 30 vendors, and we hit 50 and kind ofhad to put the cap on it.” With more time to iterate on the model, Domke hopes to make it an even bigger event in years to come. “I’d love to get 200 vendors here,” he said. st SPRAYFOAM *0^ Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville ;I %i iil ''A * . mm 5^ *'?*■•** ■• SS**’* Miti M^iti*** LiidKiklikiLiidKiklik iaAl �KXS Sm The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 2, 2023 — Page 7 Two Hastings women deserve recognition for historical contributions :>s S S&>! js sssSsi ZwSkjs'si? i* 1H$fK $§ § Sv* v ^xv 'Sh SxhSx22N**wvwStt C>^ fwc (uvn SS$ JJs*. i^KWA ‘i^■KStW’QA* WS SssjS jSStSjjtjJiiJii S JJs*. ‘■St’Q* SSti •s> fW1 •wS?xxS S^iS M^lxS w“O.S'm X wJJ*Jj^ JjxSX JN*iOO iOkOSfxSSc £*£»S £*S£»&S IIS^s iiStWl SSs tWl *’* ****sA../ * ’•^5 s*?*§38$ £& s*?* s*?*J;^«3S J;^«3S bS5S bS5S s**^ it >S£ falser >* *iwb( MtwSjjg g **■*( n®i2 NK 1 nwakfatoa^i^ 1 miW tbiiittaHii Pi®re^Kall2«tofe^ tin<lfai%n * Sltte&E^DfliyoCD^illt C3T!ELEX»k®T | ■tfD..yontfl^ilMll!milio antaMiftipi! : Mdrasaillvitbnllffiell' ci'aaia-'iJintaHt art rite rip (t i (pl >4’ i&toaWP UM . jiteteteltek' tejtttDnditW Diasscs.^^31 ii^ka ifciaift 3^*2 g ««“»*•* 5 It io®^'^® * Jh0gi*, It-asica®^'^® *. Jh0ji* 'kskke [fBBP -(m takifcl*)®tt ,’,ta5 •Aid*”’*1 jw j ^1* ’ ^r»* 55®®7<ii!^ ,Ldtoin’F01^ mmt t 7<ii!^ ss^ XS*'^-*"' , ^j ^j***** Esther Walton Banner, March 36, 1992 March is Women’s History Month, and this column has tried to feature historic women in Barry County during this time. Two women particularly deserve to be remembered for their contributions to Barry County history. One is Mrs. Chester (Minnie) Messer, who started the Y.M.C.A., and the other is Mrs. LA. (Mary) Holbrook, the first known woman preservationist in Hastings, Minnie Butler Messer was bom in Mar­ shall May 11, 1850. Her father was a pioneer merchant located in Marshall in 1836. Minnie completed her course in public school and graduated from the Marshall Academy, specializing in music and art, in which she had unusual talent. After school­ ing, she became a very successful teacher in the Marshall schools. Minnie first married John Greble and became his second wife. John’s first wife, Carrie, died in 1878. John Greble helped organize the Hastings City Bank and owned shares in three major industries in town. He 340^5129667^ This was State Street near the turn of the century, where Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook lived. pioneer ofHastings. He built the first court­ associates in the City Bank and the factory management ofthe city, guests from outside house and first bridge over the Thomapple River. of Hastings were invited, among them Mr. Mary Kenfield lived with his family and had become a wealthy man by the time he Gay, one ofthe state’s noted Y.M.C.A. work­ met Minnie. was one ofthe first teachers in the township ers, to explain something about the Y.M.C.A. John and Minnie were married Feb. 22, of Carlton. Mary’s family followed their son and its work. Mr. Messer carried out the 1888. They went to California on their wed­ and daughter to Barry County and settled in suggestion, with the result that Mr. Gay’s ding trip, returning in May. Minnie moved remarks led to subscriptions of upward of Irving Township on land referred to in 1912 into 333 W. Green Street and began to care as the “Kurtz Farm,” (Section 3, Rutland $15,000 for the launching of the Y.M.C.A. for John’s two children, Belle and Fred. for the ensuing five years, with the idea of Township). Two years later, John died and left Minnie The township of Irving originally com­ putting it on a firm basis. a rich widow. prised what is now both Irving and Rutland Mrs. Messer did not stop there, according On June 5, 1895, she was united in mar­ townships. When it was divided, Mrs. Kento her obituary. “She took a motherly interest riage to Chester Messer. This time, it was the field was asked to name the new township. in several people and helped them in a man­ second marriage for both. Chester’s first wife, She gave it the name “Rutland” after her ner that always maintained their self-respect. Emma Bentley Messer, died Sept. 18, 1890. home town in Vermont. Families that she knew were having a hard Chester and his brother, Richard, were time ofit were helped by her. At a time when The house on the farm was one ofthe few instrumental in bringing to Hastings a man many homes in Hastings were feeling the frame buildings in the country, and being named Emil Tyden who became one of the pinch of want, she inspired the organization painted a red color, was known and spoken of town’s leading industrialists. of the Dorcus Daughters. Under her leader­ as “The Red House.” Both Messer brothers were among the rich­ ship, this organization helped many needy When the Kenfield family moved there, est men in town at their deaths and left lega­ ones in Hastings;” there were few horses and no carriages. Ordi­ cies benefiting many organizations in town. Minnie Messer died in Blodgett Memorial nary conveyance was by ox team and wagon, Two years after the Messer wedding, Ches­ Hospital in Grand Rapids on June 11, 1916. but the Battle Creek road (now M-37) was ter and Minnie moved into a house at 505 W. She was survived by her husband, Chester, a finished and the stage line established. Green St. Here, she became a noted hostess brother and a sister. Minnie never had children According to Mrs. Holbrook’s obituary: among the social life in Hastings. ofher own, but she made an impact on all the “On the early evening ofNov. 1, 1846, in Mrs. Messer was a deeply religious woman. children in Barry County for over 100 years the old stagecoach, Isaac A. Holbrook, then a She joined the Presbyterian Church while a with her idea ofstarting the Y.M.C. A. here. leading lawyer and a man of affairs from The second lady of this piece, Mrs. Mary D. young woman in Marshall and transferred her Northern New York, accompanied by the membership to the local church in Hastings. Holbrook, was a contemporary ofMrs. Mess­ Rev. Zena T. Hoyt and his wife and Dr. John Her work in the church ofher choice was er’s, both belonging to the Presbyterian Roberts as best man, journeyed to the ‘Red characterized by unselfish loyalty and desire Church in Hastings. Mrs. Holbrook was the House’ and returned with Mrs. Holbrook as to serve. wife ofa well-known pioneer, Isaac Holbrook. his bride.” It was a suggestion from this good woman Mary Holbrook was bom May 13,1827, in They lived in a house at 318 W. State Street that led to the institution ofthe Barry County Warsaw, N.Y, the daughter of William Lee until Nov. 10, 1848, when they moved into the Y.M.C.A. She felt the organization was doing Kenfield and Mary Popple of Rutland, Vt. new house built by Mr. Holbrook on the comer so much for the boys that this city and county Mary Popple’s grandfather was one of the of Broadway and State Street, 100 S. Broad­ could benefit from forming a group locally. Boston Tea Party. away. (About where the city hall now. stands^) At a social gathering in Mr. Messer’s Young Mary Kenfield came to Hasting^ ’"Mrs. Holbrook resided there until her death, a home, a dinner given by Mr. Messer to his with her brother, Hiram J. Kenfield, a noted continuous period ofmore than 63 years. The Holbrooks had nine children, one died in infancy, another in early childhood. The rest grew to adulthood and moved away to start their own lives. Even with raising such a large family, Mrs. Holbrook was prominent in social and public affairs. At one time, she had charge of the Mount Vernon Association in Barry County. The Mount Vernon Association was in charge of raising money to preserve Mount Vernon as het first U.S. president’s home. The associa­ tion later became part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She also took pride in and was alert to whatever pertained to the welfare and beauti­ fication of our city, the growth ofwhich she had witnessed from its beginning as a small hamlet reposing in the wilderness to a thriv­ ing industrial complex. Mrs. Holbrook was the first woman in Barry County to promote preservation ofhis­ The home of Mr. and Mrs. Messer, where the Barry County YMCA was formed. This toric structures and preservation of trees in photo was taken in 1980, and it now is owned by Dr. Oscar de Goa. the city. Doctor Universe /Ast <55?.-* Tr*$3 Maintaining a healthy ecosystem iW^ Z/ 5/ What if there were no predators to eat the birds? Katy, 10, Hawaii Dear Katy, Don’t let the lab coat fool you. I enjoy chattering at birds as much as the next cat. Staring out the window and vibrating my mouth to “chirp” helps me relax after a long day. My wild cousins do take things a bit iurther-namely, predation. It’s not pretty, but it’s an important part ofkeeping life in balance. I talked about predators with my friend Travis King. He’s a Ph.D. student at Washington State University. He studies big cats like lynx and jaguars. “It’s a balancing act between predators, disease, food and space,” King said. “Ifyou take away predators, you lose one of the factors keeping an ecosystem in balance. fl look Da6k at the stories and columns on local history An ecosystem is a community of living things and the world they live in. Rainfor­ ests, oceans and cities are all ecosystems. Each ecosystem can support only so many animals. The maximum number it can han­ dle is its carrying capacity. Let’s say we have a super simple ecosys­ tem ofpeacocks andjaguars. It can support 100 peacocks and 10 jaguars. The peacock population won’t get too big partly because jaguars gobble them up. Ifjaguars vanish from our ecosystem, the peacock population may boom at first. Now there are 150 peacocks running around. But the ecosystem only has food for 100 peacocks. They’ll also start running out of space. With too many peacocks living close together, diseases may spread more easily. As a group, our peacocks might fare worse with the predators gone. Real ecosystems are complex. Lots of living things interact in different ways. Many animals, like our peacocks, are both predators and prey. One sign of a healthy ecosystem is its biodiversity. That means a rich variety of living things. One reason scientists study predators is to help protect animals and ecosystems. King told me some animals are umbrella species. That’s an animal-like the jaguarthat needs lots of room and prey to have a healthy life. If experts protect the jaguar’s ecosystem, that may help other animals that live there, too. That’s what King is studying right now in Honduras. “A big debate in science is how well predators act as that umbrella,” he said. “I look at predators to see how an ecosystem functions and how we can protect that sys­ tem.” King told me kids can help protect ani­ mals and ecosystems, too. Start with small, meaningful actions like putting out bird feeders or growing native plants. Learn about how experts protect local wildlife and animals all over the planet-like these videos taken by King and the Mammal Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab. Feel free to chatter and chirp at the screen while you watch. It’s a great stress reliever! Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Jlake. OdeUa week which froze on impact, causing icy streets and roads. The trees were cov­ ered with ice on all the branches. We had icy conditions everywhere. This, howev­ er, lasted less time than the previous week’s icy conditions. Central United Methodist Church had its delayed Ash Wednesday observance postponed to the following Sunday morning service. With a return of mild weather this week, we have lost much ofour snow. Ice remains on driveways but is slowly reced­ ing on the edges. We have seen pictures on TV of California with people battling ^caused cancelation of-Ash Wednesday^ snow drifts. There. ar^,times this winter^ Services planned by the ministerial asso­ when we could have loaned them our ciation. The outdoor application ofashes snow shovels, but not for long. We would was impossible due to the treacherous be likely to be hit with yet another swing conditions of the sidewalks and streets. of weather. At least we are equipped to School was closed and windshields iced deal with the white stuff with our snow over immediately after being scraped — blowers, our municipal snow plows and driving was highly risky. The streets and other devices to make our lives livable sidewalk surfaces were pebbly. Birds even with a few feet ofsnow. were drawn to their feeders since they One calendar has a notation that day­ could not get access to their feed from light saving time begins on Sunday natural sources. March 12. Can this be true so early in There were rain showers again this the year? Elaine Garlock The Ionia County Genealogical Soci­ ety will meet next week on Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m. There will be a speaker. Members and visitors are wel­ come to use the extensive library facili­ ties before and after each meeting to take advantage ofthe thousands of filed items, obituaries and other materials. Also available are the 300-plus books on First Families members whose research proves their descent from a resident of Ionia County before 1880. Some Society members had 20 or more such ancestors. Last week’s ice storm on Wednesday Thornapple Players will hold open auditions Monday, March 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 South Broadway St., Hastings Rehearsals: 7:00-9:30 PM | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday *Wednesday rehearsals may be added Tech Rehearsal | April 30th (mandatory) Performances | May 3rd - 7th Director: Julian Kratochvil | Music Director: Dan Braker Questions...Call: 269-945-2002 Email: thornappleplayers@gmail.com or Follow us on Facebook Those interested in assisting with costumes, backstage, hair/makeup, lights, sound, etc., please attend auditions. Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) * Into the Woods ~ book by James Lapine music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim �Page 8 — Thursday, March 2,2023 — The Hastings Banner City council looks over plans for ice rink, pickleball courts at Tyden Park KurmaMt*** A proposed ice rink, pickleball courts and restroom facility would be placed on the south side of Tyden Park. The two tennis courts currently at the park would be replaced by eight pickleball courts. (Courtesy rendering) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings city council members took a look at plans for a potential ice rink and pickleball courts at Tyden Park. The plans called for an ice rink covered by a pavilion on the south side ofthe park, near where the tennis courts are currently located. Eight pickleball courts would replace the cur­ rent tennis courts and a four-season restroom facility would be placed in front ofthe rink. The project was first proposed four years ago by former city councilman Bill Red­ man, who died from COVID-19 complica­ tions in 2021 while serving on the council. The plans were presented by members of the Hastings Area Recreational Corporation and MCSA Group, the architectural firm involved with the project. The project has an estimated cost of $4.2 million. HARC also aimed to raise a $1 mil­ lion endowment fund through the Barry Community Foundation, which was projected to allow the facility to be self-sustaining with no additional operational costs to the city. Mike Moyle, HARC board member, said the group had $174,800 in community foun­ dations at the Barry Community Foundation, with another $1 million pledged to be donated as a matching donation when $1 million was raised. HARC would be fundraising for the program with help from The Hodge Group, a non-profit fundraising firm based in Ohio. Moyle said sustainability was a priority for the project, and the group would be looking to secure the endowment fund alongside funding development ofthe project. “What we don’t want to do is dump an unfunded liability yon the city,” Moyle said. “So as we go into this, we will be looking for an operating endowment in the fundraising.” Council members seemed cautiously opti­ mistic, supporting the project but expressing they’d like to make sure it will.be, self-sus­ taining before giving it the green light. “I’ve been in support of this project since day one. My only concern is we want to make sure this is going to be self-supporting like (Thomapple) Plaza is now,” Mayor Dave Tossava said. “Ifyou really think that you have the people that are .going to donate the money to Hastings Area Recreational Corporation board member Mike Moyle presented plans for an ice rink and pickleball courts at Tyden Park to council members Monday, (photo by Hunter McLaren) build this and you can generate an endowment fund to run it, I’m still in favor ofit. But I think you’ve got a long way to go yet, I assume.” Moyle said it was estimated the project and endowment fundraising could be completed in 180 days ifthe project was approved, with construction starting shortly after and pro­ jected to be complete in a year. Although the project could be completed in phases, council members expressed an interest to see all of the funding and development done up front. “I love the project and I think it would be great for our community,” council member Jacquie McLean said. “I’m sure our constitu­ ents would use it to the fullest, but the phas­ ing in based on funds is questionable.” Council members voted to continue mov- ing forward with the project, with City Man­ ager Sarah Moyer-Cale and staff ensuring there would, be no prior grants or other obli­ gations at the park preventing the project from proceeding. Another workshop would likely be schedule in about two months, Moyer-Cale said. In other news, the city: ■ — Accepted the resignation of Lyndy Bolt­ house from the Downtown Development Authority. Council members approved the mayor’s appointment of Levi Bolthouse for a partial term expiring Dec. 31. - Scheduled a public hearing for DDA Development and Tax Increment Financing plan updates at the city council meeting at 7 p.m. on March 27. tiw New Delton Elementary building takes form as community looks on Pictured here is the cupola that was placed on top of the new Delton Kellogg Elementary School this week. School officials say progress is moving along smoothly on the new structure. (Photo provided) Michigan’s longest running Sport Show MM SHOW DEVOS PLACE ffiS Outfitters Expo March 9-12,2023 Fishing Tackle, Fishing • Boats, Fishing Trips & Fishing Features! • See Lake Ultimate, the Hawg Trough & the "front Pond! Hunting and Archery gear, Food Plot equipment! Book fishing & hunting trips! Meet the guides and lodge owners! DATES & TIMES Thursday, March 9,1-8pm Friday, March 10,12-8pm Saturday, March 11,10am-8pm Sunday, March 12, lOam-Spm UltimateSportShow.com Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer When Charity Hicks drives by the construction ofthe new Delton Kellogg Elementary School that is taking shape on the comer ofGrove Street and Delton Road, memories from her childhood inside the old school come flooding back. “I loved it,” said Hicks, a Delton native who remembers her young life at Delton Kellogg Elementary School. “I was in a classroom that had a stage upstairs. Back then, we always went upstairs because that’s where the library was, and that was where the big fourth graders were, and it was really cool. So, I hope they go back to that for the kids.” Like Hicks, most in the Delton com­ munity can see the rapid changes to the exterior ofthe new building as it prog­ ress. However, the work inside the new facility is entirely invisible to onlookers. The original, 87-year-old elementary school building — demolished in summer of2022 - has additions that will connect to the new structure. Delton Kellogg Elementary School Principal Kazmin Bourdo is now getting a more vivid picture of what the new classrooms will look like. “Seeing the classrooms start to take shape is yyhen my vision of studeptsip. these new spaces started to materialize,” Bourdo explained. “The fourth grade stu­ dents will be housed on the second floor ofthe new building, just as in years past.” After his many peeks inside the new facility, Superintendent Dr. Herman Lar­ tigue, Jr. said he is excited for future generations attending the new elementa­ ry school. “I think the community is really going to be wowed with the craftsmanship that they have done with a lot of the stuff that was existing from the old building,” Lartigue said. “They are trying to keep a lot of that character in there by adding the old with the new.” Bourdo said there’s a lot of progress happening every day, including crucial decision-making. “The combination of meetings with the engineers, design team and technol­ ogy group has been very exciting, but meeting with the teachers and the designer from Gordon Marvin Buiten- ilO<| <«ni Progress continues on the new Delton Kellogg Elementary School building, taking shape on the corner of Grove Street and Delton Road. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) dorp Associates (GMB) to order furni­ ture is when the excitement started to really build,” Bourdo said, Fourth-grade teacher, Sara Mast, agreed with Bourdo. “The anticipation among the fourth grade teachers is mostly excitement,” Mast said. “It was very exciting to meet with the design team and talk about what furniture we would like in our classrooms. I can’t wait to see the final product.” With new construction in full swing on the new school comes mixed reac­ tion from some who live and work in the community, like Cynthia Ross. For 46 years, Ross has lived in Delton. She has three kids that went through the Delton Kellogg school dis­ trict. Now, her grandchildren are carry­ ing on the tradition. Ross has a special attachment to the old DKES building because she remem­ bers her life in the early ’90s when she began working as a custodian for 20 years. “It was a beautiful building,” Ross BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSION We are inviting community members to discuss facility and security improvements throughout the district. Please join us, we would love to hear from you! said. “I knew every single inch ofthat building.” She remembered her favorite rooms in the old school. “The old library upstairs, the stage, and I’ve been up on top in the belfry because I worked there, and it was full of bats and birds,” Ross laughed. “It was kind ofcreepy - but fun.” Although Ross said she can’t help but feel a loss now that the old school is gone, she knows future generations, including her grandchildren, will benefit signifi­ cantly from the new elementary school. “It’s kind of sad. I just think it’s a shame they tear down those old build­ ings,” Ross said. “You know everything (has) got to change and everything (has) got to be new, but. I guess this will be really nice.” Like Ross, Christy Tigchelaar did not want the old school tom down or any of the trees removed. Tigchelaar owns Katie & Christy’s Mid-Lakes Screen Printing and Monogramming in Delton. In addition, she has vintage merchandise she sells inside her store. Date: March 14,2023 Time: 7pm Location: Hastings Middle School Commons 232 W. Grand Street “My vote would have kept the old school and cleaned it up, so it was safe for the children, teachers and staff,” Tigchelaar said. “I admire countries that save all their old architecture. I lean that way. I like to save our old. I don’t like to throw it away.” On the other hand, Delton native Ash­ ley Wendland, who has three kids - one in middle school and two in high school - going through the Delton Kellogg Schools District, said sometimes change is good. “I don’t think I mind it because of how they’re doing it,” Wendland said, referring to the construction team. “It is going to kind of replicate, and we des­ perately needed it anyway because of not being able to use the wing.” Like Wendland, Special Education teacher Heather Oom looks forward to the new changes, especially moving into her new classroom. “It has been fun to watch the progres­ sion ofthe building. My students loved watching the frames go up. They ask a lot about what is happening in the build­ ing,” Oom said. “I have felt some antic­ ipation and excitement as it gets further along among the staff.” Oom said her classroom will have a sensory room accessible for her students but also for other students in the build­ ing who may need that break. She said she had contributed a lot of input to her special education classroom and the other two special education classrooms in the new half. “We have thought about storage needs and the needs ofthe different students in each room,” Oom explained. “It’s fun to talk about what it’s going to look like when it’s finished.” The new building is paid for with money from a millage passed in 2019. Earlier reports state the new building could be completed sometime in the fall of2023. �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday., March 2, 2023 IM‘Sc EIaik. . ) The Saxons' Mia Santos and Kacey Campbell are out front as their team points to the stands early on in its round three routine Saturday at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Regional at Rockford High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Vikings claim final state spot, ahead of Saxons Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lakewood senior Emily Root and junior Emily Pilar had a bit of a different perspec­ tive on round two at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer .Regional at Rockford High School Saturday. Pilar learned Monday that she’s tje mdVlng to the front of the formation in round two with Root taking a step back. With the changes, the Vikings accom­ plished one of the things they were hoping for Saturday. They’re going back to the MHSAA Competitive Cheer Finals for the seventh time in 11 seasons. The Lakewood varsity team placed fourth at the regional, earning the last ofthe four state qualifying spots. The Hastings Saxons listened as the first seven teams from the 12-team regional heard their scores read meaning their season had come to an end, and then they were announced as the last team on the outside looking in. The MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Finals will be held Friday, March 3, at McGuirk Arena on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. “I am ecstatic,” Root said. “I was glad to be there last year. I just hope I have started a tradition with my girls and they just keep on making it to states.” The Vikings had a four-year run of finals appearances from 2015-2018 and got back for the first time since then last winter. Root, one ofonly four seniors on the Lake­ wood roster this season, took being moved out ofthe front row in round two in stride at » last Monday’s practice, following the Vikings’ district tournament. “It is easy,” Root said of the change. “I have been competing for four years of high school. Changes, I take them with a grain of salt and I do what’s best for the team. My skills aren’t the best. I don’t deserve that cen­ ter spot, and I know that there are better girls on the mat. “It is what is best for the team. I am just happy to be on the mat. I know my legs aren’t as long. I do not have a bendy back. I am not a flexible girl.” Pilar didn’t think of herselfas much ofa gym­ nast either entering high school. She worked hard on her jumps after eighth grade to earn a spot on the mat as a freshman and has kept hon­ ing her skills. A cleaner back handspring was the last thing she really needed to achieve to earn the front spot in round two. She’d already been front and center in round one. “For like four years I’ve been working for my handspring and last year I finally got it, and it wasn’t the best looking,” Pilar said. “I’ve been really cleaning it up.” She said she had to work on her sit at the start of the handspring, and then setting all the way up so she could get the banana shaped curve to her body as she flips above the mat. She said she felt like it really finally clicked at districts last week. “This week we have been really cleaning up my handspring. Marty [Martin], our gym­ nastics coach has really been hitting it in my brain to actually hit it right,” Pilar said. “[Pilar] is probably my best jumper on my team,” Lakewood head coach Kim Martin said, “and her gymnastics skills are coming along. Her walkover skills are really clean. This is the ultimate team sport. It really is. It’s not like a basketball team where you have one kid who is going to make all your bas­ kets, or your point guard is going to get. the ball down the court for you every time. It really is the ultimate team sport.” From her new spot in round two Pilar said she was really impressed with the volume of sophomore Emma Hyatt’s vocals Saturday. Root was able to noticejunior teammate Kara Fedewa really hitting her round two skills. The Vikings’ two Emilys were able to avoid any kind oftension following the change. “[Root] is my flyer, so we’re pretty close and I think we’re good. We tend tojust ignore the drama. It is nice,” Pilar said. There was plenty ofother drama Saturday. Paw Paw won the regional championship with an overall score of745.42 points. How­ ard City Tri County was second with a score of739.52 ahead ofPortland 737.84 and Lake­ wood 736.38 in the top four. More than one observer wondered allowed how Portland was able to outscore Paw Paw by nearly 10 points and keep within a point of Lakewood in round three when the Raiders had two or three stunts fail. A few points here and there though wasn’t going to change which teams went to the state finals. Hastings finished in the unenviable fifth position with an overall score of 704.36, ahead of Hopkins 679.34, Midland Bullock Creek 675.70, Escanaba 668.70, Comstock Park 665.68, Whitehall 656.62, Parchment 662.72 and Montague 642.28. Lakewood's Emily Root (front) and Emily Pilar shout out to the crowd during their team's round two performance Saturday at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Regional hosted by Rockford High School. The Vikings qualified for the state finals for the second year in a row with their fourth place finish. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Paw Paw had a solid lead heading into round three after putting up the top score in each ofthe first two rounds. The Red Wolves had scores of 228.20 and 226.12 in rounds one and two to start the day. Paw Paw closed the day with a round three that appeared almost as rough ds Portlahd’s. The Wolves got a score of291.10 in round three. Lakewood head coach Kim Martin was pretty happy with her girls’ performance in rounds two and three especially. The Vikings closed the day with a score of301.30. She was one ofthe observers who wondered how Port­ land managed a score of300.50 in round three which kept the Raiders just ahead ofher team. The Vikings had a score of 213.18 in the reworked round two and a score of221.90 in round one. Coach Martin wasn’t thrilled with her team’s round one performance, noticing a few girls being late changing formations among the issues. Tri County had scores of 218.40 in round one, 210.62 in round two and 310.50 in round three. That was the highest round three score ofthe day by far. Portland opened the day with a score of 222.70 in round one and then scored 214.64 points in round two. Hastings outscored the regional champions in round three with a score of 293.30, but were quite a ways behind the top four teams after the first two rounds. Hastings had as score of 214.80 in round one and 196.74 in round two. The Saxons had the sixth best score in round one and the fifth best score in round two. Hastings varsity competitive cheer coach Linsey Jacinto (left) gets a hug from junior Jordyn Downs following their team's fifth place finish at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Regional hosted by Rockford Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Barracudas win first league meet in last season as co-op & I* % t % t The Barry County Barracuda varsity boys' swimming and diving team made up of guys from Thornapple Kellogg and Hastings High Schools celebrates its championship at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings Saturday. It's the first conference meet victory for the co-op program, which also includes swimmers from Delton Kellogg at times, in the 19-year history of the program. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Firework spectacles with the greatest grand finales are often a bit bittersweet once they’re finally over. That was certainly the case at the Commu­ nity Education and Recreation Center pool in Hastings Saturday afternoon as the Barry County Barracuda co-op varsity boys’ swim­ ming and diving team made up of stu­ dent-athletes from Thornapple Kellogg and Hastings competed, and won, together for what may be the last time. The Barracudas won the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet for the first time in the 19-year history of the co-op program, which also includes Delton Kellogg student-athletes over the years, by outscoring the Wayland and Ottawa Hills teams that bested them during the conference duals this winter. The final explosion of energy came in the meet’s final event: the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Barracuda team ofjuniors Jameson Riordan and Riley Shults and seniors Devin Pacillo and Jack Kensington beat out the Wayland foursome of Henry Oudbier, Josh Rose, Aidan Ketchapaw and Payton William- son by just over half a second for the team’s only victory ofthe 12-event meet. The Barry County foursome swam to a program record time of 3 minutes 25.74 seconds, with Kens­ ington beating Williamson to the wall in the end. The Wayland team finished in 3:26.27. “I jumped into the water and I swam my heart out.,” Shults said. “I told them when we were about to walk out [for the race] that this is probably the last time we’re going to get to swim this as a team ever. We really held noth­ ing back. Every one ofus got out ofthat pool exhausted. We didn’t care. All we wanted to do was win it as a team and get to the wall. “I think the school record was never even talked about,” he added. “All we wanted to do was do it for the team. When Devin was touching the wall I was screaming at Jack to do it for the team. Do it! Personally, I couldn’t even watch the race I was so nervous. Every one ofus was just hugging each other pulling for Jack.” To me itjust fun to watch the race, to just take it all in,” Barry County head coach Tyler Bultema said. “It was obviously very excit­ ing. We had a good lead-off swim. We really challenged Jameson to step up his game this week and he really did in his 100 free and in this race as well. Riley has been Mr. Reliable all year. To put him in the second leg, he ran his best time. Devin really stepped up in the third leg and swam his best time.” Ottawa Hills wasn’t far back in third in that race with the team of Matias Rizkalla, Ryan Yon, Ethan Shi and Zeke Deblaay finishing in 3:27.60. That performance helped the Bengals win their third consecutive OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Championship. The Bengals were undefeated in conference duals this winter. The Barry County co-op took the confer­ ence meet championship with a score of444 points. Ottawa Hills was second with 429.5 points ahead of Wayland 398, Grand Rapids Union 336.5 and Grand Rapids Catholic Cen­ tral 241. The 400-yard freestyle relay was the last of three team record performances by the Barra­ cudas. They also set a record in the 200-yard freestyle relay and junior Thai foreign exchange student Petch Jan-Id set the team See BARRACUDAS, page 10 �Page 10 — Thursday. March 2, 2023 — The Hastings Banner TK cheer ends seven-year state finals drought Thomapple Kellogg's Lydia Berg and teammates (back from left) Kenady Smith, Monica Serrano Aguilar and Claira Kovich shout out from the mat at the start of round one Saturday during the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Regional at Kenowa Hills High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE Brett Bremer Sports Editor They’re still getting better and there is one meet left. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competi competi-­ tive t cheer team blew away its top score ot the season Saturday to finish second at its itst MHSAA Division 2 Regional Tournament at Kenowa Hills High School and earn its first appearance in the MHSAA Division 2 Com­ petitive Cheer Finals since 2015. ‘“They were so in shock that I had to say, ‘are you excited?’” TK head coach Adrian Nichols said after scores were aannounced d throughout the gym. “1 had to legitimately ask. ‘Are you upset that you didn did t win? i? What is going on?” “They were like, ‘no, we’re excited, but it just doesn’t feel real.* I feel like I say things to them and they don’t always believe me, or believe that it is possible.” The Trojans stuck it in every round and only an outstanding Bay City Western team finished ahead of the TK ladies. Bay City Western took the regional title with an overall score of 776.36. TK’s final total was 772.64 points. TK had the highest round one score ofthe day with 232 points, then added a season-best round two score of 224.84 and a score of 315.8 in round three. Rounds one and three werejust offtheir season best point totals. The Trojans’ back tucks in round two were the best they’d been all season on the way to a district championship and even a little bet­ ter at the regional. “We made a small change after our tucks [in round two],” Nichols said. “When they throw it they hold it for two counts and they don’t move, and then they stand up and con­ tinue. The initial stick and the holdjust proves that they can do it and they can do it well.” Bl Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer coach Adrian Nichols (right) and assistant coach Madelynn Lula get their team settled in for round two Saturday at the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Regional hosted by Kenowa Hills High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) II ™ 1 “The judges have time, they’re human right, so they have time to watch the skill and then watch that no one is literally moving afterwards. That small change right there benefitted us 100 percent.” Mason and Forest Hills Northern are the other two teams from the regional to earn a spot in the state finals, which will be held Friday at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena in Mt. Pleasant. The top four teams at the two Division 2 Regionals Satur­ day will make up the eight-team state finals which take the mat at 6 p.m. Friday, March 3. Bay City Western had scores of 231.9 in round one, 227.86 in round two and 316.6 in round three. Those round two and three THE ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW will be held at the Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey Rd. Plainwell Mi. 49080 on the following dates. Tuesday March 7, Organizational Meeting - 4:00 pm Monday, March 13, Appeal Hearing - 9:00 am to 12:00 noon & 1:00pm to 4:00 pm Tuesday March 14, Appeal Hearing -1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, & 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm The Board of Review will meet as many more days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests and to equalize the 2023 assessments. By Board resolution, residents are able to protest by letter, provided protest letter is received by March 13th, -12:00 noon. Written protests should be mailed to; BOARD OF REVIEW 7350 LINDSEY RD. PLAINWELL Ml. 49080 The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property are as follows; ^oerio e wiAgricuHiftatajoJ. ADUt............ flfl eri) eri) .......... J. 1^X089 ....... Industrial Residential Personal... 1.0399 ... 0.9283 . 1.2264 . 1.0000 48.08% 53.86 % 40.77% 50.00 % (ADA) Americans with Disabilities Notice Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Clerk at least seven (7) days in advance of hearing. This notice posted in Compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA41.72a (2) (3) and with the Americans with Disabilities Act Contacts - Clerk - Mel Risner: 269-664-4522 Supervisor- Thomas Rook: 616-299-6019 195544 TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046, to examine and review the 2023 assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 10:00 am Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13, 2023, 1:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment roils have been revised, corrected and approved. APPOINTMENTS ARE SUGGESTED; letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 5:00 pm the Friday before the first appeal hearing. Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as follows: Agricultural Commercial Industrial Residential Personal Property 44.76% 51.54% 50.40% 43.23% 50.00% 1.1171 0.9701 0.9921 1.1566 1.0000 Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Jim Stonebumer, Supervisor Prairieville Township Kevin Harris, Assessor Prairieville Township Prairieville Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/heanng upon seven (7) days’ notice to Prairieville Township. Individuals with disabilities requiriing auxiliary aids or services should contact Prairieville Township by writing or calling. Prairieville Township Clerk 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Ml 49046 269-623-2726 195260 ^31 Thomapple Kellogg freshmen Payton Gater (left) and Mia Hilton show off their TK spirit during round two at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Kenowa Hills High School Saturday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) scores were the tops ofthe tournament. “We absolutely wanted to win it. That was our goal,” Nichols said. “I had the shoot for the stars land on the moon mentality with that one. We have only seen Bay City Western one other time, at the TK Invite, and we beat them there and we both got beat by Mason. Forest Hills Northern was also in that at one point. I think that they were bugged ifyou will that they didn’t take it.” “My kids are very much ‘you might get me once, but you’re not going to get me twice,’” Nichols added. “They kind ofhave that men­ tality, which is how they got here in the first place.” Reeths-Puffer finished fifth with an overall score of 752.32, ahead of Cedar Springs 748.8, Plainwell 746.42, St. Johns 743.66, Gull Lake 731.84, Northview 721.86, Sturgis 715.34 and DeWitt 688.82. Thomapple Kellogg has finished as high as fifth at the MHSAA Division 2 Cheer Finals previously, and Nichols said that will likely be the goal at CMU - a top five finish or better. The MHSAA state finals are always tough, and more often than not the regional from the east side ofthe state sends the most talented four teams to the finals. Nichols was a member of the of the first TK varsity competitive cheer squad to qualify for the state finals in 2012. She is excited to instill in these Trojans the mentality that they should work and expect to be qualifying for the state finals on a regular basis. “I think now they understand all the work is paying off,**Nichols said. “I have a fresh­ man, Payton Gater, and she says all the time, 4 nothingwill niatter when you’re holding the1 trophy in your hand. Nothing will matter.’ She said that multiple times the day of dis­ tricts and we just kept repeating that today. We didn’t run away with the trophy, but it was close enough and we’re going [to the state finals].” s 8 I 01 W । > I -^1 ^1 WX! .giiW' 1 1 II ?sr:tu2nnedJi i iFisEinfe^ioBr Wl»l BARRACUDAS, continued from page 9 record in the 100-yard breaststroke with his fourth-place time of 11:06.20. “It was amazing,” fastings assistant coach Judge Mike Schipper said. “You couldn’t have scripted it any better. The,score in the meet went back-and-forth between us and Ottawa Hills. We broke three school records. We won the meet with only winning one event which truly demonstrates a team win. I think every swimmer except for one scored at least a point. And we won the final event, the 400 relay, in one of the most amazing excit­ ing races I’ve ever seen.” He has seen a lot of races over the years between coaching with the high school co-op, leading the area Hammerheads Swim Club and watching his own kids compete. The Barracuda team ofKensington, Shults, Pacillo and junior Blake Barnum placed sec­ ond in the 200-yard freestyle relay in a team record time of 1:32.30, just 31 hundredths of a second behind the-winning Wayland four­ some in that relay. “It was just fun to watch,” Bultema said. “You yell and scream and hoot and holler and jump up and down and it’s just fun. We knew going in there were going to be a lot ofgreat races this weekend. We had a lot ofkids that stepped up and moved up a couple places this weekend. “Team records were a little extra icing on the top ofthe cake.” Bultema said there wasn’t any talk of breaking school records heading into the twoday conference meet - just personal records and the team had plenty ofthose. Depth was key for the Barracudas. They weren’t the fastest very often, but they came at the Wildcats and Bengals in waves. Way­ land was third in the final standings despite winning eight events. Grand Rapids Union had two wins on the day. It was a different foursome earning the Barracudas’ first points ofthe meet. The team of sophomore Hunter Tietz, Jan-Id, Barnum and senior Mason Cross placed third behind Wayland and Ottawa Hills in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:54.53. Throughout the day the Barracuda team also got points from seniors Evin Lamance, Isaiah Randall, Isaac Stanton, juniors Mason Bailey, Heath Hays and Luca Perotti, sopho­ mores Donald Kuck and Nolan Send and freshman Ethan Magnuson. Wayland senior Zachery Jenison had a big day. He set a new pool and conference record in winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 57.06 and he won the 200-yard individual medley in 1:58.03. Both of those times were good enough to qualify him for the MHSAA Divi­ sion 3 Lower Peninsula Boys’ Swimming and Diving Championship later this month. It was a fast breaststroke race. Jan-Id has his record-setting performance. The Barracuda team also had Hays fifth in 1:09.69 in the finals ofthat race. Jan-Id and fellow exchange student Perotti, from Brazil, were big additions for the Barra­ cuda team when they joined the program in January. Coach Bultema said a number ofguys had great swims. Perotti moved up a couple spots from his seeding in the 100-yard freestyle. Lamance did that in a pair of events. Hays’ breaststroke finish had him a couple of spots in that race too. The freestyle sprints were a couple ofthe best events for the Barracudas. The Wayland junior Oudbier won the 50-yard freestyle in 22.55 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 49.27 - besting the Division 3 state qualifying marks in both those events. Kensington was the runner-up in both those races. He finished the 50 in 22.94 and the 100 in 50.31. In the 50 freestyle, the Barracuda team also had Barnum seventh in 24.20 and Riordan eighth in 24.59. Top eight medalists in the 1,00 freestyle for the Barracuda team also included Pacillo who was third in 52.12. Kensington and Shults were the two Barra­ cuda captains this winter. Shults had a couple runner-up finishes ofhis own. He was second in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:19.20. Wayland’s Williamson won that race with a D3 state qualifying time of 5:09.79. Shults* teammate Send was fifth in that one in 5:38.92. Shults was also second in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:54.12, which was one ofthe Barracudas’ best events. Cross was fourth in 2:003.9 and Send eighth in 2:02.48. That 200 freestyle was one of the four events that the Wayland Wildcats didn’t win. Union junior Caileb Austin won that race in 1:50.75. He later took the victory in the 100yard butterfly with a time of54.65. Cross was seventh in that race for Barry County with a time of 1:01.88. Austin’s sophomore teammate Major Vance won the diving competition with a score of 267.95 points. Barnum and Magnuson worked throughout the winter to contrib- ute for the Barracudas in that event and while they placed seventh and eighth respectively in a field of eight divers those performances earned 23 points for the Barry County team. Barnum had a score of 165.30 and Magnuson 148.45. Every point was an important one in a meet decided by 15.5 points in the end. Williamson won the 100-yard backstroke for Wayland in 56.98 seconds, but that was another event where the Barracudas out­ scored everyone with their depth. Pacillo was third in 1:01.69, Tietz fourth in 1:01.91 and Kuck sixth in 1:05.42. The Wildcats, who compete in the Division 3 state competition, had a handful of state qualifying performances including in all three relay races. They got one in the first race with the 200-yard medley relay team ofWilliam­ son, Jenison, Rose and Eddie Oudbier win­ ning in 1:41.61. The Wildcats bested the D3 qualifying time in the 200-yard freestyle relay with the team ofHenry Oudbier, Travis Koon, Ketchapaw and Jenison winning in 1:31.99. Union’s Austin met the DI state qualifying mark in the 100-yard butterfly. With the added enrollments of TK, Hastings and Delton Kellogg the Barracuda team must also meet the tougher Division 1 state qualifying times to earn spots in the finals, which according to nearly any ofthe member ofthe program is a mostly insignificant negative of brining the three schools together to compete. “There isn’t one coach or .one parent or one swimmer now or probably in the history of the program that thinks this is a good deci­ sion, yet it’s a decision that’s probably going to be forced on us,” coach Schipper said of the dissolution ofthe co-op with Thomapple Kellogg by the Hastings athletic department and Hastings Area School System Board of Education. Delton Kellogg and Hastings will continue on with their co-op. Thomapple Kellogg High School athletic director Brian Hammer has been working find another high school swim team to join in time for the TKHS girls and boys to compete with next school year, but no official plans have been announced yet. The CERC has been the regular host for OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meets for both the boys and girls since the Thomapple Kellogg and Hastings districts teamed up nearly two decades ago. So, the conference’ remaining teams will be on the hunt for a new home for their conference championship. fcswkh. h. ■ Sa �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 2, 2023 LEGAL NOTICES ssS *SSJf SfM S?iifcs S?iifc**s ^Ste? , , ^tantafo jWWtyift ’^Wnyjjil tai Nodari Noda feta ta sty itaifcii} tttaittytyitpih ealfc atoifMf_et_tl_n_my_iiitity r I ■j’ttjjesrr ,ater . M .. .--tii .^--tii gfritacateiiitaflaw fI ■•* 1 SSgSS® I*-*" Sw* iffoptaro^81 foptaro^81 CMw 1^01* Jw^C ZlL****1* jSZ’^ jbh^- J^»Z*it*o*W ZjZ ZjZ » M1 _aaa aiiZ ZZ ZZlJZ >*ltJ jJZ *Sl 1 ^^ ,, tjl **&& <”f£ f£ ?* ??*’’’ Z*s pf p (b) notice, whichever rsTater, or ekunguished^ur^ant to MCL 600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This s-ale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: February 22, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 195817 (034)2)(03-30) STATE OF MICHIGAN 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION itaM* ,< NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given uunder section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting ppromptly at 1:00 PM on April 6, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage to Citi Financial, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to Citi Fi nan cia I Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capadty as owner trustee for WF 19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13,2021 as Instrument Number 2021­ 004919, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, loan modification recorded on January 8, 2014 as Instrument Number 2014-000122, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, loan modification recorded on June 6, 2022 as Instrument Number 2022-006352, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, , which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $17,967.87. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit Beginning at the Northwest comer of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52* 06" East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48’ 01“ East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Liber 3 of plat on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37* 00” West 427.89 feet; Thence North 09 degrees 49* 00“ East 114.74 feet; Thence South 89 degrees 53* 12” East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48* 01" West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord family trust by warranty deed dated 5-21-63 and recorded 8-6-03 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife warranty deed dated 4-1-02 and recorded 4-5-02 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-007-10 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, io which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days "from the toe of such toft-g^ iP9** BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29407-NC Court Address 206 W. Court St, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 In the matter of Taylor Ann Pitt. TO ALL PERSONS, including Aaron Lee Pitt whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on March 29, 2023 @ 2:15 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Taylor Ann Pitt to J<*S**£Z ZJr Taylor Ann Seif. SiJZj' z *X* W <5*^ z W%W W%*W z •<fc^ J^W|| *7 Jrz / / 195890 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. MUM. MOUMK OMONTUIIITV >•»;< »; ow oiw W WJz J %y>> $ffzz fzw»!z' wJz ww Z%r' Zr /j /jf/ f/ f Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 9,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nicholas Haskins, single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MCLP Asset Company, Inc. Date of Mortgage: December 20, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 23,2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $156,286.31 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carltpn, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 330.00 feet of the East 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 14, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 3491 E M 43 Hwy, Hastings, Ml 49058-7723 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for dariiaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: February 9, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1489005 (02-09)(03-02) 194945 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does nott automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Allison N. May, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated April 18, 2019 and recorded June 5, 2019 in Instrument Number 2019-005378 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on July 22, 2020, in Instrument Number 2020-007341, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by THE MONEY SOURCE INC., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Seventy and 69/100 Dollars ($120,270.69). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: The North 4 Rods of the South 8 Rods of Lot(s) 100 of Plan of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded In Liber A of Plats, Page 1 of Barry County Records. 515 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 16, 2023 File No. 23-000644 Firm Name: Orlans PC ? Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248).502.1400 judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Rochelle R. Barnum, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: American General Financial Services, Inc. Date of mortgage: March 6, 2006 Recorded on March 9, 2006, in Document No. 1161088, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2019-R3 Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Twenty-FourThousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Five and 32/100 Dollars ($24,855.32) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: THAT PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 34, TOWN 1 NORTH. RANGE 7 WEST, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: THE SOUTH 75 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE NORTH 235 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: COMMENCING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF THE STATE TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY M-66 AND THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 34; THENCE RUNNING WEST ALONG THE SAID EAST AND WEST QUARTER LINE 215 FEET; THENCE NORTHERLY PARALLEL WITH THE CENTER OF SAID TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY M-66, 340 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE SOUTH LINE OF LAND DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED IN LIBER 156 OF DEEDS, ON PAGE 348; THENCE EAST PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID QUARTER SECTION, 215 FEET TO THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY 340 FEET; MORE OR LESS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 15446 M66, Bellevue, Ml 49021 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2019R3 Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1490814 (02-23)(03-16) NOTICE ’ ‘ AttentroTfhomeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone nun}ber stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Adam M. Horne, a married man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/ or assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 7, 2017 and recorded July 11, 2017 in Instrument Number 2017­ 006903 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Two and 85/100 Dollars ($139,332.85). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 23, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of PRAIRIEVILLE, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 6 of Prairieville Heights, Prairieville Township, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded Plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 34. 8324 Delton Rd, Delton, Michigan 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. .Dated: February 23, 2023 File No. 23-001430 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-23)(03-16) 195740 195209 (02-16)(03-09) Nottce of Foreclosure by Advertisemetafew Notice is given under secttort 3212 of frl&^Wvised Financial FOCUS NOTICE Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement 195524 offices of Edward Jones eoe, Meemmbberers SirIPeC eff Domenico, AAMS®CRPC® Financial Advi 450 Meadow Run Dr., Surte i w Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-8265 Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Can you plan for an unplanned retirement? Many people plan to take an early retirement, so when that day arrives, they’re ready for it. But what ifyou were to face an unplanned retirement? Would you be prepared to deal with the financial issues? It’s something worth thinking about, because any number offactors — illness, a spouse’s illness, downsizing, other issues — could lead to an abrupt departure from the workforce. But taking action while you’re still working may help you make the transition easier on yourself. Your first move, of course, should be to at least consider the possibility of having to retire earlier than you planned. You can then move on to some concrete steps, possibly including the following. • Build an emergencyfund. Under any circumstances, it’s a good idea to build an emergency fund — but it’s especially important if you want to prepare for an unforeseen retirement. Generally speaking, your emergency fund should contain three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. But ifyou suspect an earlier-thananticipated retirement may be in your future, and you have some time to prepare for it, you should consider an emergency fund that contains a full year’s worth of expenses. •Consider your portfolio’s asset allocation. If you’re concerned about an unexpected retirement, you may want to consider the equities allocation in your portfolio. If you think you may need to tap into your portfolio sooner than you expected, you may not want to be over-exposed to investments most vulnerable to market volatility. However, these are the same investments that offer you the most growth potential — which you’ll need to help stay ahead ofinflation. So, look for an investment balance that’s appropriate for your needs. As part of this positioning, you may want to shift some assets into income­ producing vehicles, while also adding to the “cash” portion of your portfolio to boost your liquidity. • Evaluate your Social Security options. An unplanned retirement may cause you to consider taking Social Security earlier than you had planned. You can start taking Social Security when you’re 62, but your monthly benefits will be up to 30% lower than if you had waited until your full retirement age, which is likely between 66 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder W cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding., frte circuit court in BARRY County, starting-promptlyat 1:00 PM, on March 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Jhapel Santiago, single man, whose address is 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc, being a mortgage dated October 15, 2020, and recorded on November 3, 2020 in Instrument Number. 2020-012027, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated November 22,2022 and recorded on November 22, 2022 in Instrument Number. 2022-011765, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT AND 18/100 DOLLARS ($126,358.18). Said premises are situated in the Township of Hope, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 31 of OAK OPENINGS, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 47. Street Address: 31 Oak Opening, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: February 9, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 4817 (02-09X03-02) 194973 and 67. If you have sufficient income through other sources, you may be able to delay taking Social Security until your checks will be bigger but of course, ifyou need the money, waiting may not be an option. • Address your health care needs. If y°u ta^e an unplanned retirement, and you have employerspon’sored health insurance, you ’ll have to look for alternatives. You might be able to get extended coverage from your employer, but this could be quite expensive. Of course, if you’re already 65, you can get on Medicare, but if you’re younger, you might be able to get coverage under your spouse’s plan. If that s not an option, you may want to explore one of the health care exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. To learn more about these exchanges, visit healthcare.gov. Taking an unexpected retirement can certainly be challenging - but the more prepared you are, the better your outcomes are likely to be. This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use by your local EdwardJones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them,-at a public auction sale to the highest bidder, .for. c&hjfbrcc&hier's checty at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 30, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Denton W. Kemp and Cindy S. Kemp, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: November 23, 2018 Recorded on November 28, 2018, in Document No. 2018­ 011472, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Eight Thousand Three Hundred Forty-One and 24/100 Dollars ($108,341.24) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Commencing 1,094 feet South of the Northwest comer of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 7 West for point of beginning; thence East 198 feet; thence South 110.5 feet; thence West 198 feet; thence North 110.5 feet to point of beginning. Commonly known as 215 S Main St, Woodland, Ml 48897 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: Iff you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans. LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1491566 (03-02)(03-23) 19603g �Pago 12 — Thursday. March 2, 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 4, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Tyla J. McCoy and Johnny R. McCoy Original Mortgagee: Flagstar Bank, FSB Foreclosing Assignee (if any): JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Chase Home Finance, LLC successor by merger to Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation successor by merger to Chase Mortgage Company Date of Mortgage: June 27, 2001 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 6, 2001 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $81,400.24 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 2/3 of Lot 109 of the City, formerly Village, of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof, Barry County Records. Common street address (if any): 335 E High St, Hastings, Ml 49058-1534 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on April 06, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Andrew Richardson, a single male Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: January 28, 2015 Recorded on February 10, 2015, in Document No. 2015-001119, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Fifty-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Six and 82/100 Dollars ($59,486.82) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING ON THE NORTH SECTION LINE OF SECTION 1, T2N, R9W, AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAGER ROAD AND CEDAR CREEK ROAD FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST ON SAID SECTION LINE 500 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 308 FEET; THENCE EAST 500 FEET TO THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD 308 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1475 W Sager Rd, Hastings, Mll 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months M from the date ofsuch sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or d®y» d®y» from from the the MCL MCL 600.3241a(b) 600.3241a(b) notice, notice, whichever’s *ater: or unless extinguished pursuant • « 600.3238. If the above referenced property a forec,osure sale under Chapter 32 of Ac 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1491567 (03-02X03-23) 1490892 (03-02)(03-23) f 196038 Date of notice: March 2, 2023 195801 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 LAB PUPPIES- VERY cute WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak. Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. endsley, fabri­ cation and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Matt b) l M it 1st shofs and de-wormed. POMERANIAN/TOY FOX TERRIER Cross Puppies- Very cute, will stay small, 1st shots & wormed. $300.00, 517-852-4881. $300.00,517-726-0706. MINI COCKAPOO PUPPIES for sale. 1st shots & wormed. $450.00 517-852-4881. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES 1st shozts and wormed, playful and friendly $500, 269-223-9194. FEMALE TEXAS HEELER bom 12/25/2022, ready to go. Raised in home. Hastings area. Call or text 616-329-4987. $500. DK cheers into regionals for fifth straight year Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Panthers didn't make it out ofthe gym from their round three warm-ups before the announcer at Bronson High School started reading the round two scores Saturday. There was some leaping into the hugs of smiling teammates as they hit the doorway. The Delton Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team held its spot in fourth place with its highest round two score of the season at 191.1 points. “Tighter, cleaner and on time,” was how Delton Kellogg head coach Zoe Reynolds described her team’s round two performance. “Honestly, they didn’t have a whole lot of room to improve in round two. They only have a little bit more to do to be perfect based on our skills.” The Panthers returned to the mat to put up one of their best round three scores of the year and then celebrated a bit again when their fourth place finish was announced at the conclusion ofthe MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament. The top four teams at the district earn spots in next Saturday’s MHSAA Division 4 Regional at Grand Rapids Northview High School where the top four teams qualify for the MHSAA Division 4 Competitive Cheer Finals. The Southwestern Athletic Conference champions from Lawton dominated the dis­ trict. The Blue Devils were the Division 4 State Runner-up a year ago after having placed seventh at the 2021 Finals. Lawton earned an overall score of 709.44, putting up the top point total in each of the three rounds. The Blue Devils scored 226.6 points in round one, 209.04 in round two and 273.80 in round three. Buchanan and Cbloma will join Delton Kellogg and Lawton at Northview Saturday, Feb. 25, having finished second and third respectively. The regional is scheduled to being at 6 p.m. Buchanan had a final score of 678.42, ahead ofColoma 667.34 and Delton Kellogg 664.30. Delton Kellogg had a score of 208.7 in round one, which had the Panthers in fourth place at the end of that round. They closed out their day with a score of263.70 in round three. “Round one was just a little fast in parts and the jumps were off, and it lowered our scoresjust a little biH” Reynolds said. “Had it been a little bit slower, I think it would have been our best round one today. Round three was going very good until that last sequence.” White Pigeon and Maple Valley were the teams closest to challenging the Delton Kel­ logg girls for the final regional qualifying spot after two rounds, but both trailed the Panthers by close to 30 points at that pbint ^'aa Panthersbycloseto30pointsatthatpbint ife&ly' ifiSliirfnduhtabr^ mtfrghl’' gbing 1 into round three. Bronson actually-' jumped up into fifth place with a round three score of272.20. The host Vikings ended the meet with an overall total of623.20. mr t/l Delton Kellogg senior Lily Boze (front) and freshman Violet Kokx set up for a jump during round two of the Panthers' performance Saturday at the MHSAA Division 4 Regional hosted by Northview High School in Grand Rapids. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg freshman Izabelle Gruber does the splits with her teammates during round Mo of the MHSAA Division 4 Competitive Cheer Regional at Northview High School in Grand Rapids Saturday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Maple Valley was sixth with a score of 622.82, ahead ofGobles 595.10, .White Pigeon 581.70, Hartford 574.60, Fennville 556.90, Schoolcraft 541.70 and Union City 520.70. The Maple Valley girls had their best round two and three scores ofthe season. Maple Valley put up scores of 197.5 in round one and 171.32 in round two. The Lions closed their day with a score of254.00 in round three. Both Maple Valley and Delton Kellogg had a little miscue late in round three that dinged their scores just a bit, but overall they were solid closing rounds for the local teams. Libn head coach •Sdifth{,Hui^seri 'credited iteiJite&dis top rcftlfiW improved back walkovers; The Lions replaced round-offs with back walkovers for the final Greater Lansing Activities Conference jam­ boree of the season and kept working on them over the final weeks ofthe season. “Having that skill in that round is some­ thing that really had the girls excited to do that round, and we just kept improving from there,” Huissen said. The Lion head coach was also pleased to get all her team’s twist cradles in during their round three performance. “I am really proud ofthis group,” Huissen said. “They’re a young group, but they have fought through the season. It has been a good season, but we just didn’t end up where we wanted to be unfortunately.” The Lions and Panthers were both regional qualifiers a yeaj^go, ^q4thFX>^oth went into ^Saturday’s meet hoping for similar results! This is the fifth straight season the DK girls have qualified for the regional round of the state tournament. “They were excited to be here today” Reynolds said. “Next week is just shoot for our best scores and see where we fall.” HasW^ at 0* as JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP AND BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. for sale. 1st shots & wormed. $450.00 269-223-9194. Was vtoiataflMiW total UfaiilNiifc toitottiitaHtom XCipBBBKai Il TOWNSHIP OF HOPE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 5463 M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 to examine and review the 2023 assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023,11:30 am Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13, 2023, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm And on such additional days as required to hear ail persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, cor­ ■w H HMtta NOTICE OF JOINT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC HEARING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR CLEAR LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 TO: 0*1 * APPEALS ARE HEARD ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS; letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 5:00 pm the Friday before the first appeal hearing. THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP AND BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: ?WICiOfw«Sj fw«Sj PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Supervisors and Assessors have prepared and filed in the offices of the Township Clerks for public examination a special assessment roll for each Township, including all properties within each Township located within the Clear Lake Aquatic.Plant Control Special Assessment District No. 1 that are benefited by the proposed aquatic plant control project. The rolls have been prepared for the purpose of assessing the costs of the project within the aforesaid special assessment districts (Johnstown Township and Baltimore Township), which districts are more particularly shown on the plans on file with each Township Clerk. The costs of the project are as shown on the estimate of costs on file with each Township Clerk. The total project cost is $212,000, including administrative costs, of which $96,672 (45.6%) is Johnstown Township's share and $115,328 (54.4%) is Baltimore Township's share, which amount is the amount of each Township's assessment roll. The amounts assessed against each property in each district will be: Johnstown Township SAD $3392 total [$678.40 per year] for front lot parcels (full assessment) and $1,696 total [$339.20 per year] for back lot parcels (half assessment); Baltimore Township SAD $3392 total [$678.40 per year] for front lot parcels (full assessment) and $1696 total [$339.20 per year] for back lot parcels (half assessment). The term of the special assessment will be five years, 2023 through 2027 inclusive. n u PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Supervisors and Assessors of each Township have further reported to the Township Boards that the assessment against each parcel of land within each district is such relative portion of the whole sum levied against all parcels of land in each district as the benefit to such parcels bear to the total benefit to all parcels of land in each special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Johnstown and Baltimore Township Boards will meet at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek Michigan on Wednesday, March 8,2023 at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the special assessment rolls, hearing any objections to the rolls and confirming the rolls as submitted, revised or amended. Each assessment roll may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days until the time of the hearing and may further be examined at the hearing. for,2023 are as follows: 1.0109 0.9960 1.0307 1.1571 1.0000 49.46% 50.20% 48.51% 43.21% 50.00% Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Doug Peck, Supervisor Hope Township Kevin Harris, Assessor Hope Township Hope Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to « wns* wns*1,P1,P- individuals individuals with with disabilities disabilities requiring requiring auxiliary auxiliary aids aids or or services services should contact Castleton Township by writing or calling. Hope Township Clerk 5463 M-43 Hwy. Hastings, Ml 49058 269-648-2464 195279 IK i ***«81^l rected and approved. Agricultural Commercial Industrial Residential Personal Property ■I Help Wanted MINI CAVAPOO PUPPIES Tentative ratios and estimated 11 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his/ her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment or may file his/her appearance and protest by letter before the hearing, and in that event, personal appearance shall not be required. Any person objecting to the assessment roll shall file his/her objection in writing with the Johnstown Township Clerk or the Baltimore Township Clerk before the close of the hearing on the assessment roll. The owners or any person having an interest in real property who protests in writing at or before the hearing may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 30 days after confirmation of the special assessment roll, as provided by law. Johnstown Township and Baltimore Township will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' notice to each Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641S. M-37 Hwy Battle Creek, Ml 49015 (269) 721-9709 Penelope Ypma, Clerk Baltimore Township 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 721-3552 195664 w । iW iW। IW Vw ssss sss �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. March 2, 2023 —- Page 13 Trojan ski senior, VanDemark one spot shy of slalom medal Brett Bremer Sports Editor Plainwell/Thomapple Kellogg senior Lucy VanDemark closed her senior season with her best state finals appearance Monday at the MHSAA Division 2 Ski Finals at Boyne Mountain. VanDemarkjust missed a spot on the top ten state medal stand with her 1 Ith-place finish in the slalom competition. She put together runs of36.94 seconds and 38.28. Those put her ten spots higher than she’d been in the slalom a the Division 1 State Finals as ajunior. The Thomapple Kellogg senior also had a 27th-place performance in the giant slalom Monday with times of41.62 and 39.70. VanDemark was 16*" after one run in the slalom Monday and her time of38.28 was the best second run time ofthe day. It was a tumultuous high school ski season in 2022-23 with warm weather and minimal snowfall making competitions scarce. Marley Spence from Petoskey had the two fastest slalom runs of the day in the girls* contest. She had times of 33.26 and 33.52. She also won the GS competition with times of38.09 and 36.82. Her teammate Cassidy Whitener was the only one to best her on any run at the finals. Whitner had a second run time of 36.56 the second time down the hill in the GS. That combined with a first run time of 40.61 put her in eighth place in that event. Whitener was third in the slalom. That duo couldn’t get the Petoskey team to the stop ofthe day’s final standings though. The Petoskey boys won a state title, but the Notre Dame Prep girls beat out the Petoskey girls 61-87 at the top ofthe standings. Cadillac was third in the girls’ meet with DKHS boys clip Clippers to close SAC Central season in third 113 points, ahead ofGreat North Alpine 126, Harbor Springs 159, East Grand Rapids 160, Grand Rapids Christian 192, Manan 244 and Cranbrook Kingswood 279. The top two teams were the same in the boys* meet, but Petoskey best out Notre Dame Prep 63-83 for the title. Great North Alpine was third with 116 points, ahead of Harbor Springs 128, Orchard Lake St. Mary’ s 164, East Grand Rapids 171, Grand Rapids Christian 194, Grand Rapids West Catholic/ Catholic Central 278 and Brother Rice 293. Petoskey’s Wyatt Mattson won the boys’ GS with runs of33.48 and 34.29 seconds and his teammate Nolan Walkerdine took the sla­ lom with runs of34.96 and 35.91. Walkerdine had the two fastest guys’ slalom runs. Both guys won two individual state medals. Walkerdine was third in the GS and Mattson placed seventh in the slalom. DK girls beat Colts in their district opener Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg had no trouble earning a second district bailgame this week. The Panthers opened the 2023 MHSAA Division 3 state tournament with a 42-15 win over Comstock in the opening round of their district tournament being hosted by Lawton Monday. Jordan Lyons had 17 points, 12 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 assists for the Delton Kellogg team, while only turning the ball over three times. Josie Williams contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Delton Kellogg team also got an out­ standing defensive effort from Paige Thomas and Kasey Kapteyn according to head coach Bbb, Ml Ikywtflariulttew' JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHMDJfflKWSHIP BUfJOHnSM*®®™* MLASSESSWWf®®* pUffCONTROL spsWjsa«“snt"1 Marshall clinches 1-8 title on woeful shooting night for Saxons jftt noei&e htounte riftfl orlJ el ei Brett Bremer Sports Editor Marshall went on a 17-6 run in the second quarter then went on to a 53-26 win over the visiting Hastings varsity boys’ basketball team to close the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference sea­ son Friday. Marshall clinched a share of the conference title with the win. Marshall and Coldwater were both 11-3 in con­ ference action this winter. The Hastings boys end league play at 6-8. They are 9-12 overall heading into the regular season finale tonight at Olivet High School. That’ll be another challenge for the Saxons. Olivet was undefeated in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference and hadn’t lost at all this season until Tuesday night when they were bested 65-44 at Saline. “It will be a great game to see how well we can prepare and translate to game situation,” Hastings head coach Rich Long said. “Olivet is playing great basketball and is a very good team. Hopefully we can use that game as some momentum going into dis­ trict week.” The Saxons were within five points of the Marshall boys when the two teams met in January in Hastings. “We were coming offthree straight games and then a week ofno school or practices and we played like it,” Long said of Friday’s defeat. “We shot very poorly and just were not mentally ready to play. Marshall likes to pres­ sure the ball, and use transition to get easy buckets and they were playing for a share ofthe league title.” Hastings was just 23.3 percent shooting for the night. The Saxons were l-of-9 from three-point range and 9-of-34 from inside the arc. Things weren’t even much better at the free throw line where they were just 5-of-12. Josh Pugh led Marshall with 16 points. The Redhawks also got 8 points from Austin Bums. Hastings got 8 points and 4 rebounds and 3 steals from senior Layton East­ man. Owen Carroll, Myles Padilla and Hayden Long had 4 points each. Hastings opens the MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 state tournament against Grand River Prep at Plainwell High School Monday at 5:30 p.m. The winner of that bailgame returns to Plainwell Wednesday, March 8, to take on South Christian in the district semifinals. Plainwell and Wayland square offin the other district opener in Plainwell Monday with the winner ofthat game meeting Otsego in the semifinals. Mike Mohn. Mohn said their typical shut down style took Comstock’s best player out ofthe picture. The DK girls were set to face Kalamazoo Christian in the district semifinals Wednesday, March 1, back in Lawton. The district final is planned for Friday at 7 p.m. at Lawton High School. The district’s other semifinal match Wednesday pitted Lawton against Schoolcraft. Kalamazoo Christian went into its bail­ game with Delton Kellogg 19-3 overall on the season. With the reworked Southwestern Athletic Conference it was a rare winter that the Panthers and Comets didn’t square off during the regular season. The DK girls fell in their final two South­ western Athletic Conference Central Divi- sion ballgames last week to the league champions from Martin and the league run­ ners-up from Gobles. Martin took a 20-29 win over the Panthers in Delton Friday night to close a 10-0 SAC Central season. Gobles bested the DK girls 43-27 Tuesday, Feb. 21. Shooting woes plagued the DK girls in the loss at Gobles. They were just 10-of-51 from the floor. They were still within three points at the end ofdie third quarter though. Lyons had 10 points. Cadence Johnson and Wil­ liams finished with 5 points each. Williams also had a team-high 11 rebounds. DK was 0-10 in the SAC Central this win­ ter and was 6-17 overall heading into its dis­ trict semifinal ballgame. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ bas­ ketball team will star the state postseason Monday at Galesburg-Augusta High School taking on Comstock in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament The Panthers are 9-12 heading into their regular season finale at Battle Creek Cal­ houn Christian tonight, March 2. The Comstock Colts are 12-9 so far this season. They finished off a conference championship season in the Southwest 10 Conference North with a 64-49 win over Decatur Tuesday night. Delton Kellogg finished a 5-5 season in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division with a 49-42 win over visiting Martin Friday night. Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom liked his guys* energy on senior night against a neighborhood rival. “I am pleased with how hard we played, and wins are good but there were times our execution was pretty shaky at best,” Hogoboom said. “It was as little chaotic and hectic at times, and we fall into that too easily. I’m proud of how we pulled it together enough to get the win and send our seniors out that way at home. Now if we can find that energy on the road and play less reckless we will compete down the stretch.” Philip Halcomb led Delton Kellogg with 12 points. Torren Mapes had 10 points and Grant McArthur chipped in 9 points. “Really proud of how Grant responded to a challenge we gave him earlier to be more aggressive and I have been wanting him to display more positive energy,” Hogoboom said. “He did that with some really big defensive plays. Grant hit a big three to start the fourth quarter, and then followed that up with another nice move.” Freshman Tyler Howland followed up those big plays by McArthur with a three early in the fourth that had his team up 46-38. “A technical foul on Martin with 1:30 to go helped us get a little more breathing room and we sorta ran the clock out from there,” Hogoboom said. Braeden Shanley led Martin with 14 points, but the Clippers* leader was held to just three points in the second half all of them in the third quarter. DK led the bailgame 17-8 after one quarter and carried an advantage through­ out the ballgame. The Panthers couldn’t get comfortable though. Martin went on a 9-0 run to tie the bailgame at 19-19 in the sec­ ond quarter, but the Panthers managed to answer with a 9-0 run oftheir own. A buzzer-beating shot at the end ofthe first half by Halcomb gave the Panthers some energy going into the half. Galesburg-Augusta took the SAC Cen­ tral title this winter with a 10-0 conference record. Saugatuck was second at 8-2 in the conference. Hopkins took a 62-33 non-conference win over the visiting Panthers in a non-conference ballgame Tuesday night. “It was a pretty big step up for us on the schedule, but the kind ofteam we have to be ready to compete with as we grow,” Hogoboom said. The Vikings led 36-9 at the halfafter the bigger, stronger hosts held DK to two points in the second quarter. “Although the scoreboard was never in doubt after that I was proud of how we worked,” Hogoboom said. “We started to play with more physicality and did a little better execution wise on offense.” DK got 16 points from Halcomb. Hopkins’ Tristan Perry went over 1,000 career points with his 21 against the Pan­ thers. Hopkins also got 12 points from Micah Estelle. Hastings teams sending three bowlers to MHSAA D2 Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor A trio of Saxons earned spots in the MHSAA Division 2 Bowling Finals with their performance in the regional singles competition at Spectrum Lanes Friday. Seniors Abby Barton and Andrea Rhodes form the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference champion Hastings varsity girls’ bowling t?#n)^fin4sl^dJ ampng.kthe Jop ten pf. fepi 76 bpwleqs to eamtheirfinals .spots. They’ll be joined at the state finals by sophomore Miles Lipsey from the HHS boys’ team. Barton had the top finish for the Saxons a day after the girls’ team just missed out on returning to the state finals with a fifth-place finish. Barton had a six-game score of 1,079 to place fifth. Rhodes was ninth with a score of 1,019. Barton was consistent throughout with high games of 190 and 195. Rhodes got offto a great start with games of201 and 190. All ten of the girls’ state qualifiers had scores over 1,000 at the regional. Wayland senior Kadence Bottrall won the individual regional title with a total score of 1,317 which was more than 100 pins better than Otsego junior Alicyn Klok who was the run­ ner-up. All six Hastings girls competing finished in the top halfofthe fipld. Ally Herder was 18th overall, Heaven Simmet 29^\ Amber Rabidfi^ 30^. onJhQrlhqrnflpple KgMfeggjbftwtefsi Spectrum Lanes for their regional competi­ tions Thursday and Friday too. Sara Will­ shire, a junior, led TK with a 38th-place finish. Emily Podbevsek was 41st, Savannah Rehfeldt 53r<^, Sydney Ripley 56^ and Jenna Robinett 60^. Teammate Ashleigh Norman was 68^. LipsCy earned a spot in the state finals for the first time with his ninth-place finish in the boys’ competition Friday. He had a total pin­ fall of 1,138. Lipsey had a high game of237. Only the regional champion, Masonjunior Jonathan Hendershot, and third-place finish- er Anderson Zoch from Allegan had any single games higher than Lipsey’s 237. Hendershot took the regional title with an overall score of 1,304. He had a high-game of 248, which was the top individual game ofthe day. Thomapple Kellogg senior Ziah Moore was -16™ overall to lead his team. He had a total score of 1,084 which left him 48 pins shy ofthe last ofthe ten state qualifiers- Hg: ffid high garnet‘fc^f 2 200. Hastings sophomore Hunter Pennington placed 20th with high games of 193,197 and 212. Junior Cohen James was 30^ with highs of 196 and 194 among his six games. The Saxon team also had senior Jackson Clow 50™, senior Drew Rhodes 55^ and junior Zach Ramey 61st. Thomapple Kellogg had senior Wyatt Jacobson 28^, senior Ethan Kriekaard 33% senior Wyatt Barnes 50 , freshman Landen England 74^ and senior Andy Liu 80^. Mason won the boys’ team title Thursday with an overall score of 3,309. The team 195733 TOWNSHIP OF BALTIMORE 2023 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Review will meet at the Township Hall, 3100 E. Dowling Rd. Hastings, Ml 49058, to examine and review the 2023 Assessment roll. The board will convene on the following dates for the hearing of appeals of assessments or taxable values, poverty exemptions, parcel classification appeals and/or current year qualified agricultural denials: Tuesday, March 7, 2023.1:00 pm Organizational Meeting Hearings will be the week of March 12, 2023 Monday, March 13. 2023, 9:00 am to 12 noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Wednesday. March 15, 2023,1 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm And on such additional days as required to hear all persons who have given notice of the desire to be heard until assessment rolls have been revised, corrected and approved. Letter appeals will be accepted and must be received no later than 9:00 pm March 15th, 2023 Tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for 2023 are as follows: 46.99% 1.06405 Agricultural 47.67% 1.04887 Commercial 45.11% 1.10840 Industrial 48.04% 1.04079 Residential 50.00% 1.00000 Personal Property RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW The Board of Review will meet on Tuesday, March 7,2023, at 1:(M> pm in the office of the Assessor at Rutland Charter Township Hall, 2461 Heath Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 to organize and review the Assessment Roll.______ NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING to hear Assessment APPEALS will be held at the RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP HALL, 2461 Heath Rd, Hastings, Michigan on: MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2023 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023 9:00 am to NOON & 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Also, any other days deemed necessary to equalize the Assessment Roll. PROPERTY ASSESSMENT RATIOS & FACTORS FOR 2022 CLASS RATIO Agriculture 46.14 1.0836 Commercial 48.50 1.0309 Industrial 48.04 1.0407 Residential 42.25 1.1834 Developmental 50.00 1.0000 Personal 50.00 1.0000 MULTIPLIER The above ratios and multipliers do not mean that every parcel will receive the same. If you have purchased property, it will be assessed at 50% of market value. If you have improved your property such as additions, new buildings, driveways, etc., this will also reflect in the value of your property. Tentative equalization factor of 1.0000 for all classes is expected after completion of Board of Review. Chad VanSyckle, Supervisor Baltimore Township Scott Anderson, Assessor Baltimore Township Baltimore Township Board Meetings are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. American with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days notice to Baltimore Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact Baltimore Township by writing or calling. Baltimore Township Clerk Penelope Ypma 3100 E Dowling Rd Hastings, Ml 49058 269.721.3502 competition included scores from eight Baker games and two regular games. DeWitt was second with a score of 3,285 and Wayland third at 3,211. The top three teams earned spots in the state finals. The Division 2 Team State Finals will be held Friday at Century Bowl in Waterford and the Singles Finals are set for Saturday. Charlotte was fourth in the boys’ team fa,score of I Christian 3,040, Otsego 2,941, Fowlerville 2,898, Allegan 2,838, Thomapple Kellogg 2,806, Gull Lake 2,787, Pennfield 2,704, Hastings 2,679, Haslett 2,608 and Plainwell 2,029. The Hastings girls were 163 pins behind the last of the state qualifying girls’ teams from the region. Allegan won the girls’ title with a score of 2,977, ahead of Charlotte 2,973, Mason 2,941, Wayland 2,865, Hastings 2,778, Grand Rapids Christian 2,588, Fowlerville 2,548, Otsego 2,503, Gull Lake 2,369, Pennfield 2,288 and Thomapple Kellogg 2,260. Upon request of any person who is assessed on said roll, or his agent, and upon sufficient cause being shown, the Board of Review will correct the assessment of such property and will, in their judgment, make the valuation thereof relatively just and equal. Dennis McKelvey, Assessor RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2461 Heath Rd Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2194 Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Rutland Charter Township Clerk by writing or calling the Township. This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA41.72a (2)(3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 195151 �Page 14 — Thursday, March 2. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxons take down Aviators in district opener Hastings sophomore guard Kalli Koning runs the offense as she's defended by West Michigan Aviation's Addie Turk during the first half of the Saxons' win over the Aviators in their state tournament opener Monday at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons got their first win ofFebruary in the final bailgame of February and that earned them the chance to face the top seed in their district in the first ballgame ofMarch. The Hastings varsity girls’ basketball team opened the 2023 state tournament with a 61-16 win over West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) in the MHSAA Division 2 District Quarterfinals Monday at Lakewood High School. It was the district’s only opening round game. Hastings was set to face a 13-8 Port­ land team in the district semifinals back at Lakewood High School Wednesday night, March 1. Lakewood and Ionia were set to face off afterwards in the district’s second semifinal ballgame. The district champion­ ship is scheduled for Friday, March 3, at 6 p.m. back at Lakewood High School. Hastings moved its record to 8-15 overall this season with the win Monday. The Sax­ ons’ last victory was by a 58-22 margin over Delton Kellogg Jan. 31. A string of six straight Interstate-8 Athletic Conference foes bested the Saxons in the final six ballgames ofthe regular season including the Marshall team that topped the visiting Saxons 41-29 last Friday. “It’s nice to get a win,” Hastings head coach Chase Youngs said. “We haven’t had one in a while. We’ve sniffed some, but it’s nice to get one.” The Saxons weren’t at the top of their game early on, but the Aviators were still clearly overmatched. WMAA ends the year with an 8-13 record. The Aviators were without injured senior guard Audrey Mileski, one ofthe top players in their program’s short history. “I thought we played well,” Youngs said. “It is hard to keep intensity up, and it can be hard to get the girls to buy in, when we’re subbing in differently and all that. It was good. They had four free throws in the sec­ ond half. We played a lot better in the second halfthan we did in the first, which was good. We came back out and took it to them. It’s a good tune-up form what should be a decent game on Wednesday hopefully.” Saxon senior center Bailey Cook couldn’t help but chuckle to herself a few times as chances around the basket rolled offthe rim time and again. Hastings senior guard Macy Winegar missed her handful of three-point attempts in the first half. Against another opponent, those two missing the mark might make for a challeng­ ing evening for the Saxons.’Silt the Saxon defense shut out the Aviators for the first five minutes ofthe ballgame. WMAA struggled to even get across half-court against the Saxon press early on. Other girls managed to Hastings sophomore Sophia Hamilton goes up for her first varsity points during the fourth quarter of the Saxons' win over the West Michigan Aviation Academy girls in the MHSAA Division 2 District opener at Lakewood High School Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) hit the bottom ofthe net for Hastings. Sophomore guard Kalli Koning and junior guard Addey Nickels drained three-pointers in the first minute and a halfto give the Sax­ ons a 6-0 lead and they would push it to 12-0 as Cook did manage to get her fair share of shots to drop. The Saxons’ best offensive success came with patient sets, especially with Winegar run­ ning the point and Cook screening and looking for the ball in the high post. Winegar hit Cook rolling to the basket for a few easy buckets and Cook did a good job of finding teammates on the back side ofthe lane for open lay-ups. Strong work on the offensive glass was also a positive for the Saxons, one which forced Aviator head coach Tim Evans into calling more than one time out. Cook closed the night with a team-high 13 points. The Saxons led 34-J2 at the half and Winegar hit her first three a little over a minute into the second half. She finished the night with 10 points as did sophomore forward Rachael Hewitt. Hastings senior Macy Winegar fires a three-point attempt over West Michigan Aviation's AddieTurk at the top of the key during the second half of the Saxons' win in the MHSAA Division 2 District opener at Lakewood High School Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings also got 8 points each from Koning and freshman Olivia Friddle and 6 points fromjunior Myah Vincent. Sophomore Zoey Bennett, one ofa couple Saxon call-ups from the JV for the state post­ season, scored her first varsity bucket late in the fourth quarter after the Saxons had man­ aged to force a running clock. Sophomore Sophia Hamilton hit a free throw late. She hit one last Friday against Marshall too for her first varsity point. Senior forward Ava Bazuin did what she could for the Aviators, playing physical in the post and leading her team with 11 points. She got to the free throw line 1*7 tithed, but Was just 7-of-17. Hastings closed the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference season last Friday with a 2-12 record. The Saxons had a 12-9 lead after one quar­ ter, but then some shooting woes hit and Marshall pounced. The Redhawks led by as many as 13 points. Hastings battled back to within four points in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t nudge any closer. “We kind ofran out of gas,” Youngs said. “The seniors all played pretty hard. I thought it was a good game for everybody.” Cook had 13 points in the loss. Winegar had 6 points and Friddle and Hewitt scored 4 points each. Lanie Coddens led Marshall with 12 points. Lauren Newman had 9 points and Ella McAllister 8. Marshall finished the season fourth in the final' 1-8 standings with an 8-6 conference record. Coldwater and Jackson Northwest finished tied atop the conference standings at 13-1. Saxons honor local women, Title IX and growth of girls’ sports Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer There are local legends, and there are heroes, and while many look to the profes­ sional athletes that make it big out of small communities, Hastings High School was graced with the presence ofthree women who are local legends and became heroes to many female athletes over the last 50 years In honor of the 50th Anniversary ofTitle IX, which was signed into law 50 years ago at the beginning ofthis school year, on June 23, 1972, Hastings’ Athletic Director Mike Goggins honored the women that had an impact on girls’ sports at Hastings High School at halftime ofthe Saxon varsity girls’ basketball game Feb. 21. While the girls’ winter sports teams and some ofthe female coaches on staff, stood on the basketball court, Goggins read about the impact that some of the founding females at Hastings had and the road that they paved for those same athletes standing there that night. Among those female pio­ neers helping to make women’s athletics possible were Pat Murphy, Cindy Robbe and Judy Anderson. Cindy Robbe taught at Hastings for over 30 years and in the early 70’s was the first girls’ tennis and girls’ golfcoach. In her time at Hastings, she also coached volleyball. In 1974, Cindy led her golf team to a State Championship, and then led the team to a runner-up finish in 1975. PUBLIC NOTICE City of Hastings 2023 BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE The City of Hastings Board of Review for 2023 will be held at City of Hastings, 201 E State St, on the following dates: Organizational Meeting: March 7th, noon Appeal Hearings: Monday, March 13th, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Wednesday, March 15th, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm Meetings are byAppointment to schedule, contact: City Hall @ ph. 269-945-9350 The Board of Review will meet as many more days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests and to equalize the 2023 assessments. By City Resolution, residents are able to protest by letter, provided protest letter is received prior to March 10, 2023. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2023 are as follows: Commercial......... Residential........... Industrial.............. Agricultural........... Personal Property .51,79 .0.9635 43.83. 47.40 50.00. .1.1407 .1.0548 .1.0000 1 mon Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Notice of Wl11 <r2vld.e necessarY reasonable services to individuals with r'ok>b0RaSa!Vo!<^0ard ° Rev,ew meetin9s upon 4 days notice. Contact: Sarah Moyeruaie toy_y*iu“t4oo Pat Murphy, “Miss Murph” as she was known to all her students, taught at Hastings for 36 years. Through her time-at Hastings, she coached volleyball, cheer, basketball and track. In 1977 her girls track team was runner-up at the State Finals. Miss Murph was a fixture of Saxon athletics and served as an unofficial assistant athletic director for many years. While Miss Murph and Robbe have passed away, their legacy is still felt at Hastings. The third member of the trio of ladies is Judy Anderson, “Miss A”, as she was known. Anderson was an athlete in her own right and played volleyball and softball at Indiana Uni­ versity. After college, Anderson came to Hastings and was a teacher for 38 years. She was the first varsity volleyball, basketball and softball coach at Hastings. Anderson started teaching in the fall of 1970, and in her own words, went into then principal, Robert VanderVeen’s office and “pleaded with him to give me the ok to start a girls’ sports program. Administration was slow to want to change because it was some­ thing new. I said just give us the ok, we’ll coach for free, do our own scheduling of games and buses, wear navy shorts and t-shirts so there is no uniforms. We will borrow equip­ ment from the guy’s sports and PE program so there is no equipment budget. Just give us the ok, we’ll take care ofeverything else!” Anderson said she would appear in VanderVeen’s office daily and ask him ifhe had yet decided to let her start a girls’ inter­ scholastic program. She said they finally got an opportunity, and in the Spring of 1972, they played their first softball game against Lakewood. Only one game for their first year, and they got “whomped on”, but Anderson had achieved her first goal, she had a girls’ team. “Title IX was the law that changed girls sports forever, helping to equal out the injus­ tices between the boys and girls programs,” Anderson said. Being an athlete hprself, Anderson wanted to share that opportunity with everyone, espe­ cially the girls. “There are so many positives to playing sports,” Anderson said. “Sports make life fun, they teach fair play, how to get along, respon­ sibility and time management. It teaches you social skills, and how to take criticism, work harder to better yourself, and to learn to be a team player. I think it helps to round you into a better person being in multitudes of differ­ ent situations.” Amy Robbe Pohja, granddaughter of Cindy Robbe, Hastings principal Teresa Heidi, Judy Anderson, Saxon coach and school board member Vai Slaughter and Hastings High School athletic director Mike Goggins gather to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX and girls' sports in Hastings Tuesday, Feb. 21, during the Saxon varsity girls' basketball game against Pennfield. Her love of sports rubbed off on many of her student athletes. Eventually, due to a change in the econo­ my, budget cuts and a failed mileage, Ander­ son ended up at the Hastings Middle School in 1983 where she stayed the remainder of her career at Hastings. She was able to share her love ofathletics' with the younger genera­ tion by continuing to coach volleyball and basketball at the middle school levels. Middle school is a tough place for many a teenage girl, but Anderson pointed out that sports “help them develop their personalities, some assertiveness, and through practices and skill development, the body becomes stronger, develops better and helps to instill confi­ dence,” which could be argued is something many teenagers need. Watching the growth of girls’ sports has been ajoy for Anderson. She still follows her former athletes on social media, and still attends games. She has watched the grand­ daughter of her once beloved friend, Cindy Robbe, go through school. She has watched many sons and daughters of former students go through their high school and college careers. She is not only a fan ofthe sport, but a fan of an athlete, regardless of the sport, who portrays the same traits she taught her own athletes. In the last 50 years, since Title IX, and the determination of these instrumental ladies, Hastings has grown from one girls’ varsity softball team, with no uniforms and handed down equipment in 1971, to currently having approximately 200 girl athletes per sea­ son, with 13 varsity girls teams at die high school and 8 girls teams at the middle school. This year, the wrestling team added the girl’s lineup and had 13 girls wrestle. In the state of Michigan last year there were 450 girls, this year over 1,000 girls are wres­ tling. The growth ofthe female athlete continues to this day, thanks to the support and determination of woman like Robbe, Mur­ phy and Anderson. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-03-09.pdf 5347b0874d2820edf9024c49db4158da PDF Text Text t ready to give up efed vehicles See sto The i ■ 1 Hastings r VOLUME 169, No. on page 4 Saxons score win over Titans in district opener See story page 11 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 ANNER PRICE $1.50 023 Local bait and tackle shops moving past slow ice fishing season and forward toward spring Karen Turko-^ bright Contributing Writer After unseasonably warm weather ush­ ered in a slow ice fishing season this year, local sports shops find themselves looking forward to spring. This includes Debbie Williams. Her customers call her by name when they enter the door at Bob’s Gun & Tackle in Hast­ ings. Williams is a second-generation owner ofthe 61-year-old store along with her broth­ er, Steve Hayes. “Our cold-weather clothing is certainly going to be down, but our business still is really solid because hunters want firearms, ammunition and archery supplies, and in the summer, the tackle is still pretty solid,” said Hayes who has a variety of merchandise to sell including outdoor sports clothing, equip­ ment and accessories. “I can tell you that any business that is into ice fishing, their ice fishing sales have been down,” Hayes added. Hayes manages the upper floor of the store, where all the sports equipment is displayed and stocked, while Williams manages the bot­ tom floor, where customers will find a variety of seasonal apparel and accessories and a specialuiisplay for dogs and smaller pets. “We have clearance merchandise and some 40 percent markdowns on clothing,*’ explained Williams who added that normally the winter months are slow but she has loyal customers that browse the bottom floor. Williams said her customers will find markdowns on boots, ice fishing apparel and some jackets. Still, both Williams and Hayes are already thinking about transitioning into spring displays for customers. Because of that, Hayes said now is an excel­ lent time to take advantage ofsales in hopes of a more fruitful ice fishing season next year. At Bob’s Gun and Tackle, staff has marked down many big-ticket items, including electronics, ice drills, ice shelters and sleds. “It’s getting close,” said Williams of the spring season.” Usually, in early spring, we’ll start putting ads out there for kayaks and canoes.” “We put a spread ofkayaks and canoes out­ side the doors so when people drive by, they can see what we have,” she added. “Just seeing them when they drive by sometimes prompts people to step inside.” Williams learned how to run the business from her parents. Hayes and Williams’ family business start­ ed in 1962 when their parents, Bob and Wilma Hayes, built a small gun shop in Freeport where they also sold cards of fishing lures. After expanding the business to include more fishing accessories', they bought proper-- See SPORTING GOODS, page 8 Stephens, Randolph plead guilty in Brickley case Greg Chandler StaffWriter Two defendants accused ofgetting rid of evidence tied to the February 2021 slaying of 18-year-old Gracyn Brickley in Maple Grove Township entered guilty pleas Mon­ day afternoon in Barry County court. Dustin Scott Stephens, 37, ofNashville, pleaded guilty to four criminal counts stemming from his role after the Brickley slaying, while 53-year-old Sheralyn Ran­ dolph ofNashville entered a guilty plea to being an accessory after the fact to a felo­ ny. The defendants entered their pleas before Judge Michael Schipper. • * Stephens, who had been scheduled to go on trial next Monday in the case, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, a felony that carries up to 10 years in prison, along with charges ofbeing a felon in possession of a firearm, a felony firearms charge and being an accessory after the fact to a felo­ ny. The prosecution agreed to dismiss charges ofperjury in the trial of a capital crime and being a habitual offender in exchange for the guilty pleas. Randolph could be sentenced to up to five years in prison for the accessory after the fact charge. Schipper set an April 26 sentencing date for both defendants. Brickley was shot to death on Feb. 16, 2021, as her killer, Andrew Lafey, video­ taped the slaying. Lafey is serving a life sentence without parole for the murder. “Her phone and her backpack were taken from the scene by Dustin and his friends,” Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt said in an interview after the plea hearings. ‘■Dustin (then) went to Sheralyn*s house that night ... and he and Sheralyn burned the shirt he had on because it had a (blood) spot on it. Also, Dustin and Sheralyn took Dustin’s phone he was using... they took the SIM card out of it, and she ate it. She ate the SIM card. She testified to that at (Lafey’s) trial. It was bizarre. They then broke the phone apart and threw it (away). “She did one thing wrong. She helped him get rid ofhis stuff. He did two things wrong. He helped Andy Lafey get rid of the victim’s things and he got rid of his own stuffalong with Sheralyn’s. h Stephens was in possession ofa shotgun and a rifle, the latter ofwhich was used in the murder. He was not allowed to possess a weapon because of a prior conviction of third-degree crirninal sexual conduct, Nakfoor Pratt said. Stephens, Randolph ' and 47-year-old Colleen Marie Rice of Hastings were charged in July of last year for their roles after the murder. In addition to the charges he pleaded guilty to, Stephens also faced a felony charge of perjury during a capital crime, which could have resulted in a life sentence. Nakfoor Pratt said that the perju­ ry charge was going to be tried separately from the remaining charges. “I did not want to put everybody through two trials,” she said. “Dustin’s going to prison and that’s what we wanted. He needs to not only take responsibility for what he did, which he did (Monday), but he needs to go to prison. We actually got what we wanted without the perjury (charge).” One ofthe issues that remain unresolved is how Schipper will sentence Stephens. There are questions as to whether the sen­ tences for each offense will run concurrent­ ly, or whether the tampering with evidence charge will be sentenced consecutively with the remaining charges. The felony firearms charge carries an automatic twoyear sentence on top ofany other sentence Schipper may issue. “I can charge a consecutive (sentence in addition) to the other charges - you under­ stand that?” Schipper said to Stephens after his plea. “That means I can take that 10 years and add that onto the two years that are mandatory (for the felony firearms charge) and whatever I do on the other charges. I can add the 10 years, or I can say See BRICKLEY, page 2 Kyle Ribble (left), who is 26 years oldj is in his third year owning Gillett's Bait and Hardware in Orangeville Township on Gun Lake. Ribble recently became a new father. He and his fiancee, Courtney Sommerville, have an 11-month-old daughter, Kambree. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) Commission on Aging to form partnership with Thornapple Manor, finally get new facility Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Board of Commission­ ers laid out a plan that would solve easily the most pressing issue facing the county’s Com­ mission on Aging. For years, the Barry County Commission on Aging, which provides a variety of ser­ vices to seniors around the county, has occu­ pied a facility at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings, which is undersized, aging and in various forms ofdisrepair. A previous effort to get taxpayers to approve a millage that would fund the con­ struction of a new building was voted down in 2015, leaving the department in a bit of a conundrum for nearly the last decade. * Until now. The new plan that was floated at Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Committee of the Courtney Ziny, Executive Director of the Barry County Commission on Aging, laughs See COMMISwSWION' K p asge 3 with visitor Eugene Kidder in the dining room of its current facility. (File photos by Jayson Bussa) YMCA interested in county building on Algonquin Lake; Commissioners address underused garage Jayson Bussa Editor A county-owned building that has sat empty in its secluded location for nearly a year has a potential buyer. Located on a 22-acre swath of heavi­ ly-wooded and hilly land near Algonquin Lake, Barry County maintains a 6,000-squarefoot building that previously served as a day program center for Barry County Mental Health Services. The county has now found an interested buyer in the only neighbor to that property: The YMCA of Barry County. The YMCA operates its Camp Algonquin out in that area, a 35-acre property next to the county’s property. Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Jackson shed light on the See YMCA, page 2 The county owns a 6,000 square-foot facility that sits on 22 acres of wooded land near Algonquin Lake. On Tuesday, the county board announced that It will negotiate with the YMCA of Barry County to potentially sell the property. (File photo by Jayson Bussa �Page 2 — Thursday, March 9,2023 —- The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Barry County Christian to hold dinner theater, performances this weekend Thespians at Barry County Christian School will perform “The Skinflint ofShickshinney” tomorrow, March 10 and Saturday, March 11. Friday’s performance will entertain Barry County Christian’s annual dinner theater attendees at 6:30 p.m. And while Saturday’s general admission 3 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m. performances will lack a dinner to accompany it, audience members can still enjoy the slapstick comedy. “The Skinflint ofShickshinney” tells the story ofan old miser and his family set in the Old West. Organizers say the comedy is sure to be a “rip-roaring time.” Tickets to Friday’s dinner theater performance must be purchased ahead of time by calling 269-948-2151 or stopping in during office hours between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Dinner theater tickets cost $17 each. Tickets for Saturday’s performances can be purchased for $7 at the door or ahead of time by calling 269-948-2151. All performances of “The Skinflint of Shickshinney” will take place at the Hastings campus, located at 2999 McKeown Road. Pierce Institute’s 2023 trail run slated for Earth Day Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s Over the Creek and Through the Woods trail run will be held on Saturday, April 22. Packet pick-up and late registration opens at 8:30 a.m. that day with runs to follow. Two races will be offered this year, a 1 -mile fun run beginning at 9 a.m. and a 5K that starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22. Those who register online for the race before Friday, March 17 will receive reduced registration fees through the Early Bird Special. For those who capitalize on that deal, the fun run will be free to all with a $15 T-shirt cost. The 5K will cost $40 for Early Bird adults and $15 for Early Bird children (12 and under). T-shirt costs for the 5K are includ­ ed in the registration costs. Runners who miss the March 17 Early Bird cutoffdate can still register online for the run until April 21. The fun run is still free for those who register after March 17 and T-shirts cost $15. T-shirts for the fun run must be paid for by Monday, April 10. Adults participating in the 5K must pay $45 for registration and children must pay $20 ifregis­ tering after March 17. The T-shirt cost will be included in the registration fees for those who register before April 10. The final chance to register for the trail runs is on the day ofthe event, April 22. Everyone will receive a participation medal while top male and female runners in the 5K will receive medals. Virtual runners must record their run online between April 11 and 22 before 10 a.m. After that, time submissions will no longer be posted to the results. Registration is available at ItsYourRace.com Palmer sentenced to at least five years in prison in Delton fatal Greg Chandler StaffWriter A 3 2-year-old Delton woman will serve at least five years in prison for the death last May of 21-year-old Mica LeBeau in Barry Township. Following a hearing that lasted more than 90 minutes on Wednesday afternoon, Alexan­ dra Marie Palmer was sentenced to 5 to 10 years for failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death, and 5 to 8 years for tampering with evidence in LeBeau’s death. Judge Michael Schipper issued the sentences, which will be served concurrently. Palmer had pleaded no contest on Jan. 5 to the two criminal counts in exchange for dis­ missal ofthe initial charges of failure to stop at an accident causing death and failure to stop at a serious personal injury accident. The first charge would have carried a maximum 15-year prison sentence. LeBeau, the mother of a 2-year-old girl,, was struck by Palmer’s truck in the ear­ ly-morning hours ofMay 8, 2022 - Mother’s Day — in the 6900 block of Delton Road as she was walking. Her body was found along­ side the road by officers from the Barry Township Police Department. “Mica was such a beautiful girl, with an energy that she carried her whole 21 years,” said Deana LeBeau, Mica’s mother, of the youngest ofher 10 children. “She was loved as a twin girl, the only girl I gave birth to, the apple ofmy eye. “She left the house that night, asking ifI’d keep the door unlocked. God wrapped his heavenly arms around her while I took a sec­ ond look at what I was seeing. She glowed. She was shining from within. God knew I wouldn’t see her on this earth again.” Deana LeBeau, who was one of several family members to present victim impact statements to the court, pointed to alcoholism and drug addiction as factors in Mica’s death. “You ran away, leaving skid marks while doing so,” Deana LeBeau told Palmer. “Mica mattered. Her soul was more import­ ant than what you saw she was that night. Leaving my daughter to die on the road that W wr Alexandra Palmer of Delton offers a statement during her sentencing hearing on Wednesday afternoon. Palmer was sentenced by Judge Michael Schipper to years in prison for a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of 21-year-old Mica LeBeau. (Photo by Greg Chandler) night makes me think that you are guilty of Palmer’s criminal history included past being drunk or high.” convictions for possession of methamphetAssistant County Prosecutor Josh Carter amine and domestic violence, and she had said Palmer got rid ofher truck after striking gone through the county’s drug court pro­ LeBeau. She remained at large for more than gram. She gave a tearful apology for her a month before an anonymous tip led to her actions prior to being sentenced. arrest in Hastings on June 13. Palmer did not “I’ve come to realize how the aftermath of face any alcohol-related charges, but Carter leaving the scene has affected so many indi­ told the court that she had two mixed drinks viduals, that left a family wondering how it and took a shot ofliquor at a Delton bar after happened,” Palmer said. “It led to a criminal finishing her shift there prior to the crash. investigation which wasn’t necessary, had I “We’ll never know what her blood-alcohol just remained there like I should have. In the content was, we’ll never know what was in moment, I did panic ... I’m truly sorry I did her system because she made that decision to the wrong thing.” take off (after striking Mica),” said Carter, Palmer, a mother of five, received credit who asked for a minimum sentence of6-andfor 269 days she has served in the Barry a-halfyears. County Jail. 1X0 J* 1 Hastings schools invite community members to board workshop jraraoatsc Hastings Area School System’s board ofeducation is inviting community members to join them at a board work session on Tuesday, March 14. The board will meet Tuesday at the Hastings Middle School Commons, 232 W. Grand Street, Hastings, at 7 p.m. Coming offofa failed bond proposal in May 2022, the district is inviting community members to discuss the district’s needs for facility and security improvements. At last week’s board ofeducation meeting, results ofa 27-question online survey about a poten­ tial bond issue were shared. Floor Doctors r 5D°/o Off Michael Miller Carpet, LVP and Installation Over 20 yrs experience 269-804-8465 floordrs@hotmail.com Now Serving Barry County ~ RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1-800-267-7868 www.StLawrcnceCruis6Lines.com MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License IIS 110376 Office (269) 948-2248 & Insured Mobile (269) 838-5112 Give the gift of NEWS! Send friends and family a gift subscription to The Hastings BANNER! To subscribe, call us at... 269-945-9554 totaBiiQaNid- tyeBiiMlaEta The county also owns a seldom-used garage and parking lot at the intersection of South Jefferson and West Walnut streets in Hastings. County administrator Michael Brown will seek an appraisal on the property for potential sale. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) YMCA, continued from page 1 situation as he provided an update on all vacant, county-owned properties during Tuesday’s meeting of the Committee of the Whole. Jackson, along with fellow commis­ sioners Jon Smelker and Bruce Campbell, make up an ad hoc committee tasked with developing a plan and strategy for coun­ ty-owned facilities. Jackson said that the Algonquin Lake facil­ ity, which was constructed in the 90s, has “good bones” but is quite dated. An appraisal that was completed last year values the prop­ erty at around $700,000 to $750,000. “After talking to some local realtors and people involved with commercial real estate, the value might be a little higher,” Jackson said. “The issue is that it’s really dated. The other issue is that it’s a beautiful structure but ... it is way offthe beaten path for commer­ cial use like a doctor’s office or dental office and it’s a pretty big structure.” The county has had “several interested par­ ties” in the property, including the county’s Commission on Aging, which has been relatively desperate for a facility that is in better condition and features more space than its current location at 320 W Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings. Ultimately, the COA opted not to pursue the property, as it featured potentially treach­ erous driving conditions in the winter. Based on the location ofCamp Algonquin alone, the YMCA made a logical fit. “I feel, with the YMCA having a footprint out there already, this fits in with what has already been going on at (Camp) Algonquin and the services already being provided.” Jon Sporer, CEO and Executive Director of the YMCA ofBarry County, was on hand at the meeting to confirm his organization’s interest in purchasing the facility as the YMCA continues to see strong demand for its child and youth services. “Our day camp numbers on the lake side are full,” Sporer said. “They’ve been fun for many summers. Our childcare facilities around town are growing. There is obviously an emerging community need for youth services. That is the main driving focus for our program model.” “Our board and our committees have pushed through a strategic plan and a camp master plan and this property and this building completely align with both,” Sporer added. “It’s something we’re very interested i and we are happy to work with the county in in whatever process they see is the best fit, fit, ” Sporer and his staff will sit down with County Administrator Michael Brown to negotiate a potential deal. Any buy/sell agreements would have to come back to the county board for approval. Jackson and the ad hoc committee provided an update on additional facilities, as well. This included a three-stall garage and parking lot that the county owns located at the intersection of South Jefferson and West Walnut streets. The garage is currently used for storage by a variety of departments, but nearby residents have also been parking vehicles there. “It doesn’t seem to really fit with what we need and I’m more concerned with the liability that the county has with all the extra parking and curricular activities going on in this park­ ing lot,” Jackson said. “I also think that there are apartments adjoining this lot. This may be a really good spot to repurpose into housing, which, as we know, is needed in the county.” Jackson and the board gave Brown the green light to seek an appraisal on the property. The former Friend of the Court building, with its 9,800 square feet of space, has also been a hot topic after the county refused to sell the property to a housing developer that is installing a workforce housing project directly next to it. Jackson said that, following a tour ofthe facility, it became apparent that the structure needs new windows, which would cost around $94,000 based on a recent estimate. “We do have that on hold for the time being only because, before we spend any money on this building, I want to get a con­ crete plan on what we’re going to do with the building,” Jackson said: “We’re going to continue to have those discussions.” “At this point, there is not a definitive direction on it other than to give you an update on the fact that we are going to poten­ tially move some county offices into that building once we get through that discus­ sion,” Jackson added. BRICKLEY, continued from page 1 no, they’re going to be served at the same time, concurrently.” Both Stephens and Randolph remain free on bond. Nakfoor Pratt raised no objections to Ste‘pHhens remaining free prior to sentencing. I ‘He’s about to serve a prison sentence, but I would say we’ve had no issues since (he was charged),” she said. Schipper advised Stephens to stay out of trouble in the coming Weeks prior to sentencing. “What you do matters ... it makes a differ­ ence when is comes to sentencing, how I look at this,” Schipper said. Rice pleaded guilty last December to charges of tampering with evidence in the case. She was scheduled to be sentenced this month, but Nakfoor Pratt will seek to have that sentencing moved to April 26 to coincide with the Stephens and Randolph sentencings. Schipper said at the December plea hearing that he would agree to sentence Rice to no more than one year in jail under what is known as a Cobbs agreement. a, 32 1 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. March 9, 2023 — Page 3 Five Saxons compete in statewide culinary competition < <w Wx sc c ^4&<K *>* W *7lk to k%L*^ sSfflS&SSS* **22 11**2 **Z 'C j**.^***^ ***^ * >iu , *> L Lk ““””' ' S? .^Mb Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Five Hastings High School culinary students competed against 22 other school dis­ tricts from across the state last weekend. The 21st annual ProStart Competition took place on Sunday in Port Huron, with students competing in several categories including cake decorating, knife cuts and management skills. The Hastings team, consisting of students Marissa Roberts, Zander Forbes, Hanna Speer, Paxson Strong and Maddie Traver, competed in the culinary competition. Amanda Smith, executive director of Michigan Hospitality Foundation, said the culinary competition is among one of the most impressive. It involves the team working together to create two separate-but-identical, three-course meals in one hour. Teams also have to ‘follow certain restrictions, on|yj being allowed to use butane burners and manpower. The Culinary competition also include^ aspects outside of the actual cooking — preparing a menu, purchasing, packaging and transporting ingredients, and passing a sanitation pop quiz are just a few. “Culinary is sort of the showstopper," Smith said. < -4The teams competed peted for *4 chance to advance to t^^ational PrbStartt Invitational in May, held* ld*‘in .Washington D.C. D.C Although results had not been finalized of Wednes­ day afternoon, the top culinary and manage­ ment teams in the state competition would be given the chance to advance, where they could compete for over $200,000 in scholar­ ships. Justin Straube, owner of Seasonal Grille and mentor to Hastings culinary students, commended his team for their performance. “These kids did an amazingjob. The dedi­ cation and heart they put into these plates were amazing,” Straube said. “This is a very stressful situation with large amounts of pres­ sure and I could not have asked for a better team to represent Hastings High School Culi­ nary Arts and Hospitality.” Beyond the opportunities provided by the annual competition, Smith said the ProStart program offers students a head-start on a career after high school. Along with getting students their ServSafe certification, the pro­ gram could net students college credits while they’re still in high school. The pre-appren- f Hastings High School student Hanna Speer prepares food at the competition. Hastings was one of 23 districts from across the state competing. Students competed to create a three-course meal consisting of a salad course, entree and dessert. ticeship program also provides them hundreds ofhours ofon-the-job experience. Most importantly, Smith said the program provides students with a set of skills just like any other trades program. “Sometimes people think oftrades as only electrical or only plumbing,” she said. But this is very definitely an internal operation of skill sets. It’s an art form in and ofitself, run­ ning restaurants.” “The opportunities are kind of endless, if you’re good at it,” Smith added. “This is still the last industry where you can start as a dish­ washer and become an owner in a few years.” COMMISSION, continued from page 1 Handley bound over for trial in M-37 fatal crash Whole would provide the COA with a newly built, 10,000-square-foot facflit^located at a completely different end oftoWn. On top of r pat, the board will not have to approach tax- / •»■*’*'* payers to fund the project. While only an idea at this point, excite­ ment still ran high at Tuesday’s meeting as Barry County Board Chairman David Jacksdfr laid out a plan that would see both the Commission on Aging and Hastings Charter Township-^gsed nursing home Thdmapple Manor ^team up' to;, lev erage resources and CTOte a Senior-centric hub in f&e. sou southeast are^ftfitside ,ofthe H^^n|s citjHTmits. Harvest Pointe^ a new assisted living facil9BS|Pe^ by K Thomapple Manor just last an adjacent parcel of coun­ ty-owned land are ground zero for this vision. Jackson said that the County would be able to utilize $3 million ofcash assets and use it to construct a 10,000-square-foot facility on the property adjacent to Harvest Pointe. This estimate assumes construction costs will run at around $300 per square foot, which could change once formal plans are put in place. The COA’s current home could then be sold and repurposed, potentially to create housing that the county so sorely needs. No formal motions have been made yet by the board to allocate funds. “This will allow us to not have to go after a millage and be more fiscally responsible,” Commission on Aging Executive Director Courtney Ziny told The Banner. “That just makes me so happy to not have to (do that). With our seniors included, no one wants addi­ tional taxes. No one feels they can afford that and that’s valid in today’s economy. To be able to do this without having to do a millage is an amazing opportunity.” While 10,000 square feet falls significantly short ofthe size that the COA originally envi­ sioned - more in the neighborhood of20,000 square feet - sharing spaces with Harvest Pointe and working collaboratively to create shared outdoor spaces would mean the department could live with less space. Ziny said that she has met with Rebecca DeHaan, administrator at Thomapple Manor, a few times to discuss this vision. “We know we have more active seniors now and (Thomapple Manor) is looking at The Commission on Aging is housed in an aging facility located Jtt 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings. The facility is undersized and is dogged with a variety of disrepairs. The COA board has, for a long time, lobbied for a new facility. pickleball courts, and walking trails and those are some things we said we wanted, too,” Ziny said. “So why would we not collabo­ rate? It makes much more sense to pool our resources to make some of those things... We’re lucky the county has really stepped up and said ‘This is what we can do, what do you think?’ Ziny said that the COA originally took a hard look at a vacant building located near Algonquin Lake, which was a former home of the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority. While the 6,000-square-foot property sits on 22 acres and includes a kitchen and was an attractive option, Ziny and her team ulti­ mately turned it down because its secluded location can make for difficult travel, espe­ cially in the winter. The new plan, though, would essentially create a senior-centric area of the county, laying the groundwork for the potential for additional senior housing out that way. “As long as I’ve been a commissioner, there have always been conversations about why isn’t the COA involved more, or engaged with, Thomapple (Manor),” Jackson said. “The two are totally separate entities and we want to keep those identities separate, but we sat down with Rebecca DeHaan ... and start­ ed asking questions about shared resources The newiy-openea Harvest Pointe assisted living center is pictured here. The county is planning to build a new COA building on a parcel of county-owned land behind Harvest Pointe and the two entities would collaborate and share resources. Hastings High School student Zander Forbes cooks at the ProStart Competition on Sunday. (Courtesy photos) for their facilities at Harvest Pointe and some ofthe properties that the county owns.” “I was amazed at the vision Rebecca had going forward for creating a very senior-cen­ tric area out there With trails, pickleball courts and recreation and lots of things that would happen and her enthusiasm with shar­ ing those resources with the COA,” he added. On top of facilities and physical spaces, Jackson floated additional ideas on how both entities could team up] and provide cost sav­ ings for each other. Meals on Wheels was one glaring opportunity, j The COA spends $500,000 on home-deliv­ ered meals and another $250,000 on congre­ gate dining. “Harvest Pointe, by far, has one of the most amazing kitchens that I’ve seen in the coun­ ty,” Jackson said. “It is a phenomenal space and it was built with} a lot of thought and vision. I believe, instead ofgetting our Meals on Wheels from Kent County, there is an opportunity for collaborating with Harvest Pointe to do our Meals on Wheels in-house to provide better food.” 1 Jackson said he hopes to eventually form a steering committee, including members of the Commission on Aging, Thomapple Manor and the county board to consolidate the vision and bring it to fruition, “I’m excited about‘so many elements of this,” County Board Vice Chair David Hat­ field said. “The cooperation between the COA and Harvest Pointe I think is extraordi­ narily exciting and lets' us maximize the utili­ zation of facilities out there both in terms of the kitchen as well as the meeting rooms and some ofthe recreational activities that are to come.” Ziny said that the COA’s building commit­ tee would start on visioning before progressing to the process of formulating a site plan. She said there will also be a future opportuni­ ty for the public to provide input. Also, the department looks to take the opportunity to rebrand itself and its services to cater to the modem Barry County senior one that is more active. “It’s exciting - it giVes us an opportunity to highlight what we do and what we can add as well as really target some of those younger seniors,” Ziny said. Greg Chandler StaffWriter A 54-year-old Middleville man will stand trial on charges he was drinking prior to a late January crash in Rutland Charter Town­ ship that took the life ofa Jenison man. Scott Raymond Handley waived his right to a probable cause hearing Wednes­ day morning and was bound over to circuit court by Judge Michael Schipper. If con­ victed, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. Handley is charged with operating while intoxicated causing death in con- nection with the Jan. 27 crash at M-37 near Whitmore Road. A preliminary investigation by the Barry County Sheriff’s Office found a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that was eastbound on M-37 crossed the centerline and struck a Ford Transit van that was westbound on M-37, killing the van’s driver, 62-year-old Matthew Fuller. The Silverado was then struck from behind by a GMC Envoy. The crash shut down the highway for two-and-a-halfhours. Handley remains held in the Barry County Jail. He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing April 19. (ofian ou Thanks to all who reached out to Alice Jones for her 100th birthday. You made her day truly special and memorable. PUBLIC NOTICE City of Hastings 2023 BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE The City of Hastings Board of Review for 2023 will be held at City of Hastings, 201 E State St, on the following dates: Organizational Meeting: March 7th, noon Appeal Hearings: Monday, March 13th, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Wednesday, March 15th, 11:30 am to 5:30 pm Meetings are by Appointment to schedule, contact: City Hall @ ph. 269-945-9350 The Board of Review will meet as many more days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests and to equalize the 2023 assessments. By City Resolution, residents are able to protest by letter, provided protest letter is received prior to March 10, 2023. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2023 are as follows: Commercial.......... Residential........... Industrial.............. Agricultural........... Personal Property .51,79 .42.05 .43.83 47.40 .50.00 .0.9635 1.1890 .1.1407 .1.0548 .1.0000 Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Notice The City of Hastings will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at the Board of Review meetings upon 4 days notice. Contact: Sarah MoyerCale 269-945-2468 �f Page 4 — Thursday, March 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner $&> SCC Did you W W1 Are EVs practical or just another government detour? SPECIAL DELIVERY St. Rose of Lima Parish in Hastings didn't get a typical delivery on Tuesday morning. Instead of a boring old Amazon box, the church received its new statue of St. Rose, which has been placed outside the front doors of the church. Crews have been working hard to restore the inside of St. Rose following a fire. In this weekend's issue of The Reminder, we will go inside of the newly-restored space and talk to members of the parish about the jour­ ney that came with recovering from the dev­ astating fire. Do you remember? Friends help out the old-fashioned way Banner March 19, 1992 When Owen Sabin ofBowens Mills injured his hand at work, the fields he had to plow had to wait. But, not for long. Last Saturday, his friends showed up at the comer ofBriggs and Bowens Mills Roads to do his plowing for him. The only power used was horses, and the sight ofthe time-honored tradition ofplowing brought back memories for the old-timers rand excited the younger helpers. Al Sabin guides this trey ofhorses on one ofthe many trips up and down the field. The center horse is; the colt, Jake, learning from the older horses, Bill and Bob. Have you met? Although most people call her Ginny now, Virginia Redman remembers being called Ginger when she was young. She grew up in Nashville, where she met her late husband Bill. Shortly after graduat­ ing from high school in 1960, the two went on to lead two separate and longstanding careers. Bill was, among other things, a policeman, fireman and most recently a city councilman. “When (Bill) went to Lansing Communi­ ty College, he had made this portfolio and they said, ‘You’ve done everything an 8-year-old boy wants to do,’” Ginny laughed. “And he did. He was doing adven­ turous stuffall the time.” Ginny was a nurse for nearly 50 years, for some time at Thomapple Manor but mostly at Pennock Hospital. Somewhere along the way, she decided to go by Virginia as her professional name - but a doctor making her name tag decided she looked more like a Ginny. “Ever since then, I’ve been Ginny,” she said. “To think, my mother named me and he renamed me.” Her reason for being a nurse for so long was simple: it was something she loved to do. “I loved my job. I love taking care of people,” she said. “I can go (on vacation), or go here or there, or whatever. But I still miss myjob, I really do.” She loved her time at both facilities, but her favorite job was working in the emer­ gency room at Pennock. Although it was difficult and gruesome at times, it was a role that provided a unique challenge everyday. “Every day it was different, and you had to be three steps ahead ofyourselfto know what was going to happen wt,” she said. Ginny describes herself as a worker, and it’s something her colleagues noticed about her, too — one ofthe only pieces offeedback she remembers receiving during her time as a nurse was that she expected too much out ofherself. She worked as a full-time nurse with some additional hours until her retire- iris and Ginny Redman ment about nine years ago, when she was 72. Now 81, she finds other ways to occupy her time and keep working. Although she credits her long career as a nurse to her deep-rooted love of people, she said that she also harbors a similar love of animals. Her passion for animal welfare started young, with her childhood dog, Queenie. “That dog as a child gave me more com­ fort than anything, other than my mother. That’s why I advise young parents to get their child a dog and let the dog sleep with them,” Ginny said. “That’s the best comfort that a child can ever have. Just touching that dog, for a child, is magic.” Today, Ginny is accompanied by Iris, her miniature Schnauzer. Ginny and Bill adopt­ ed her nine years ago, right around the time Ginny retired. She often wonders how her life would have been different ifshe had dedicated her career to helping animals instead. She doesn’t have to wonder too hard - in her spare time, she makes dog beds for the Barry County Animal Shelter. Even when considering the could-havebeens and the what-ifs, Ginny said she’s happy with the life she has led. She contin­ ues to live in Hastings with Iris, and there’s not much else that she wants for. “It doesn’t matter how tough life is, there’s always another day ahead of you. You never want to live in your fears, because then if (your fears come true), you live through it twice,” Ginny said. “It’s bet­ ter to be optimistic about things. The most important thing in life is loving one another and taking care ofyour family.” For taking such good care ofBarry Coun­ ty folks and critters alike, Virginia “Ginny” Redman is this week’s Bright Light. Best advice I’ve ever been given: You’re only as happy as you want to be. First job: Babysitting when I was 12. IfI could go anywhere in the world...: I would go to Germany and visit my grand­ daughter. I’d try to visit her, her husband in the service and the grandkids. My biggest accomplishment: I think the most rewarding thing in my life is having three children that have turned out to be such amazing kids. When I look at my kids, I’m so proud ofthem and the people they’ve grown into. I think my husband was a big influence on that, but I must have had some­ thing to do with it, too. I can’t tell you how much my kids mean to me. They’re just such good kids and I’m so proud ofthem. If I could change one thing: I’ve often said this -1 would bring:my mom back for one day, to have one more day with her. She was a wonderful lady and a good mother. Her name was Henriettas^ Our love affair with cars is part of American culture. We’re enamored with the fun, fun, fun of cruising through the hamburger stand in our hot rod Lincolns and the pink Cadillacs that music groups memorialized for us over the years. Cars and highways define American freedom. So, are we ready and willing now to embrace electric vehicles over our beloved gas-powered sweethearts? Are we prepared to shut down the romance of grabbing the keys and being on the road again? From what I’ve read and experienced, it doesn’t look like the highway electric revolution is going to happen anytime soon. In fact, for many car manufacturers, the green wave could look like another lemon out ofthe gate with more industry money being poured down a rat hole. Even though the Biden Administration continues to push climate, energy and environmental policies, the idea that phasing out gas-powered vehicles by 2035 doesn’t appear today to be practical policy. According to a recent Pew Research ■ Center Report, 71 percent of Americans say the U.S. should prioritize the devel­ opment of alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar over expanding production of oil, coal and natural gas. Yet, at the same time, they voice strong opposition to phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning away from gas-pow­ ered vehicles. I realized that firsthand when my wife and I traveled back from Florida last week and tried tallying the number of electric-powered vehicles in all the traf­ fic. In more than 17 hours and 1,300 miles, we counted only five electric vehi­ cles among the thousands ofcars we saw bn the road. Even more revealing to me was the stop we made at Buc-ee’s, one of a new chain ofgas stations making a huge com­ mitment to traditional fuels. Founded in Texas in 1982 with more than 50 stores now in the South, Buc-ee’s is more than ’filling your car at competitive prices, it’s ’also like shopping at a Target store where you can purchase a grill or find a wedding gift at the same time. The stations are known for their clean restrooms and the number of gas pumps - from 60 to 120, depending on the facil­ ity. With 30,000 to more than 80,000 square feet offering everything from freshly-smoked pulled pork sandwiches to blankets and mugs sporting a Buc-ee the Beaver logo, the Buc-ee travel centers make good On their reputation of“turning detours into destinations.” Not seeing any charging stations for electric vehicles, though, I asked one of the employees where they were located. He laughed and replied, “Sorry there aren’t any, but we have over 60 gas pumps for your convenience.” In Middleville, council officials just announced they are installing two Charge­ Point EV charging stations at a cost to the village of$23,000 with the hope to regain the investment over time. The officials didn’t suggest how long it would take to recoup their investment, but just the fact that it will take a couple ofhours to fully charge a car indicates it could take years. Even though government officials con­ tinue to promote electric vehicles and are willing to pour billions into promoting EVs, it sure doesn’t appear that Ameri­ cans are ready to give up their gas-pow­ ered vehicles. From what I experienced at Buc-ee’s, businesses aren’t ready to embrace the transition, either. Americans also have plenty of con­ cerns with electric vehicles such as the price, distance oftravel, time to charge and some ofthe dangers associated with battery power. Among those from the aforementioned Pew Research Center Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. $/& &&&&$? A ^**“ M iiputta W ^tiantt JssVKSCh •’’*n .JT JssVC The Hastings BaiHlGlT Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurinq • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Bren Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren ffOsxLS S'SO' Ss!\ Sss!x\ V V^s s^S SL1 kit* kSit**1* LS Mft' s*«£s • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 " tw o CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person ^vho makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. poll who oppose the shift, 19.6 percent said the electric grid cannot handle it, 18.4 percent said EVs and the infra­ structure are too expensive, and 13.3 percent said the state’s infrastructure can’t support them. Others maintained that environmentalists are pressuring automakers. Last week, Ford Motor shut down production of the electric F-150 Light­ ning pickup when a fire occurred in a truck in the pre-delivery lot. The fire engulfed the truck and then spread to a nearby truck, according to a Ford spokes­ woman quoted by the Detroit News. The Ford official declined to disclose any details ofthe issue, other than the com­ pany halted and stopped shipment on already-produced trucks. That’s not good news especially after Ford and Michigan officials just announced a $3.5 billion EV battery fac­ tory in Marshall. The National Transportation Safety Board has also investigated several vehi­ cle fires involving electric vehicles and the risks to emergency responders posed by the high-voltage, lithium-ion batteries. A local fire responder, after completing training on how to handle electric-pow­ ered vehicle concerns, told me she would never purchase one. The concern comes from the potential ofdamaged cells in the battery, which can lead to an uncontrolled increase in temperature and pressure (thermal runaway), which can lead to hazards such as battery re-ignition/fire. Plus, the risks of electric shock due to battery re-ignition/fires arise from the “stranded” energy that remains in a dam­ aged battery, which can act like a ticking time bomb. The amount ofwater it takes to put out an EV fire is estimated at more than 30,000 gallons. The NTSB’s investigation found that many EV automakers have incomplete or inadequate emergency response guide notes for responders with specific safety information on the model. The report also identified fire risks when charging an EV. I’m not against technology but when families lose their lives in an EV car fire ’ or their'hbrne bums down due toe fire in their battery-powered vehicle stored in the garage, the industry will be looking once again for a safer alternative to gas-powered vehicles. Even electric car expert Elon Musk announced recently at ‘Tesla Battery Day* that he’s working on a safer battery design that can be charged quickly and will give cars more power and longer range. That, he says, will determine the suc­ cess ofthe industry. Due to federal mandates and all the financial incentives, U.S. manufacturers are pushing forward with developing new battery technologies for their electric vehicles. The Holy Grail will come when a manufacturer can produce a safer, low­ er-cost battery that provides a longer driving range and doesn’t use imported “conflict” minerals. Only then will electric vehicles become more popular with the general public that today isn’t ready to give up the keys to its gas-powered cars and trucks anytime soon. WirW 49^i S^xSfSS Qssvciv, s Ms ww W ww> w M �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 9, 2023 — Page 5 Limiting clip capacity could reduce gun violence To the editor: (In) “In My Opinion” ofFeb. 23 the author seems to attribute nearly all of the blame for shooting deaths upon mental illness. To quote quote, “...where were we (all) when the 43-year-old lost l soul needed help with mental illness that led to his abhorrent actions?” (This was) referring to the recent shootings at MSU. Well, mental illness is NOT unique nor limited to the USA. What IS unique about the USA is our gun culture, allegedly enshrined in our Second Amendment. However, any literate reader thereof would recognize the qualifying and limiting intent of the Second Amendment to be stated in the first two phras­ es ofthat legal document: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of fa ffree State...” The circumstances this addresses have not existed since the conclusion ofthe Civil War. Therefore, the basis and reason for this has not existed for over 150 years and this amendment should have been retired accord­ ingly long ago. Meanwhile, a national culture of gun ownership entitlement has developed and m many believe it to be set in stone. The consequences are evident in the thousands of innocent vic­ tim headstones over recent decades. Misinterpretation of the Second Amend­ ment has bizarrely evolved into expectations and demands ofeasy availability of semiautor mafic weapons and gun clips allowing 15-30 or more shots to be fire before reloading. The mass murderer in Illinois last year fired off 83 shots in 60 seconds. Armed with such high-ca­ pacity bullet clips, using a semiautomatic rifle, more than one innocent person can lost their life every second until that clip is emptied. *»JS?** Bullet enters Dowling home after multiple gunshots heard A Dowling resident reported hearing three to five gunshots around 9 p.m. on Jan. 23 before a round entered the living room of the home on the 10000 block of Cottage Drive. A 28-year-old man in the residence reported hearing the shots before a bullet entered the living room, went through a kitchen cabinet and exited the other side of the residence. Police responded and captured photographs ofthe scene, including the entry and exit bullet holes. the USA compared with other countries are our gun ownership laws. These laws allow gun ownership circumstances contributory to the incredibly tragic increased loss of inno­ cent lives. That we feel a need to address this situation with active shooter drills in schools is a pathetic testimony to our current circum­ stances. FDR in addressing Congress in 19412 presented his vision for a post-war world, including his belief in all of our need for Four Freedoms — one ofwhich was Free­ dom of Fear. I propose that your and my freedom from fear supersedes the alleged “right” to shoot off 15-30 bullets without needing to reload. And the “right” (or more appropriately labeled “wrong-notioned con­ cept”) to carry a handgun at will currently almost anywhere (after having taken a CPL class that basicallyjust means onejust pays a fee and shows up sober not acting antisocially) and not have a criminal record, is just a tragic societal regression back to what we call the Wild West. Under the pretense of(hunting) or self-de­ fense.. .nearly unending, uninterrupted shoot­ ing capacity (and) such ridiculously high volume gun clips are legal. I do own a couple hunting rifles and a shotgun. I can’t under­ stand how any reasonable hunter needs more than three shots to down game. Any uninter­ rupted firepower beyond that should be avail­ able only for the military or police. Limiting gun clips to three bullets would strike a balance ofjustifiable needs (not just some gun owners’ convenience and macho self-image) with civilian safety. Should some mentally deranged person or criminal be shooting innocent victims, at least having clip capacity limited to three bullets would allow potential victims to escape or even confront and overcome a shooter. Precedent for limita­ tion has long existed in shotgun ammunition limitation capacity for hunting. Licenses for handguns, which in decades not so long ago required documentation of circumstances demanding security beyond usual daily life, now are available “just because I was one.” What clearly correlates with the difference in the incidence ofshooting-related deaths in Hastings home invader flees after suspect fends them off The Barry County Sheriff’s Department assisted Hastings police in tracking a home invasion suspect. Hastings officers responded to a home just before midnight on Feb. 19 on the 600 block ofNorth Church Street. The homeowner told police he woke up and discovered someone was in his house trying to steal his television. The man told police he hit the suspect with his “grabber,” which caused the suspect to flee. A K9 unit from BCSD was used in an attempt to find the suspect, who was not found. Strange lights in night sky just astronomical event Paul DeWitt Hastings Township Two celestial bodies caught some local attention last week. A Middleville resident contacted police around 10 p.m. on March 1 to report unusual lights in the night sky. The responding Barry County Sheriff’s Department officer, seemingly up-to-date on the latest happenings in the stargazing community, let the resident know the lights were two visible planets. Jupiter and Venus are gracing the night sky this month, vis­ ible to the naked eye and not far apart. At only about a full moon’s diameter apart, some described the event, officially known as a conjunction, as a “kiss.” While astron­ omers say they were closest and most visible on the nights ofMarch 1 and 2 over the western horizon, they’ll be visible until the end ofthe month. Venus will continue to climb upwards in the night sky, while Jupiter will become harder to view as it drops close to the horizon. Sheriff’s lawsuit defense is a waste off taxpayer money ws; , ZaS,«'> 1 Is having the county hire a law firm to represent itselfand our sheriffin the lawsuit of American Oversight v. Barry County SheriffDar Leafthe best use ofour tax dol­ lars? After all, the lawsuit was filed because our sheriffis refusing to comply to the legal FOIA (Freedom ofInformation Act request) that was submitted for his correspondence written while performing his duties as our sheriff. I wish that the county board would request our sheriffto comply with the FOIA and put an end to this waste ofpublic funds! Reported human trafficking turns out to be false alarm Police responded to a suspicious situation around 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the Woodbury Speedway at 7051 Saddlebag Lake Road. The caller reported seeing a young girl being placed into the trunk of a vehicle at the gas station and thought she might be getting' kidnapped. The caller reported seeing the vehicle leave south on M-66 Highway toward Nashville. Nashville authorities stopped the vehicle and were familiar with the family occupying the vehicle. The driver said their daughter wasjust climbing through the trunk ofthe car to get into the backseat at the gas station. Larry Osborne Delton fataicaraMt Eh Moi « fa f (fin (fi rcyfa f fa f D^Wsw^ooasafal^) DW fl) fajMd|iUpdfaifa issiaabeidquidh'ffii Rebecca Harvey, the city’s consulting attorney, laid out a draft ordinance for food truck zoning to the Hastings Planning Commission. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) a Be btf X i ^airoiiceaafff.^ council oW ®^5sS!ioD531a^ *‘g’S**’* ?5**?2* ! f 0** use unpoi® I electric Public hearing scheduled for food truck zoning ordinance Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings Planning Commission is drawing closer to finalizing its ordinance clarifying where food trucks are allowed to operate within the city. The public hearing for the ordinance was scheduled for the planning commission’s meeting at 7 p.m. on April 3 in City Hall. The ordinance lays out a process for busi­ nesses to get zoning approval to host food trucks on their properties. Up next on the planning commission’s agenda: a separate ordinance providing a process for food trucks to register with the city. Commissioners continued discussions about the food truck zoning ordinance from their past several meetings. Their primary concerns had to do with food trucks com­ peting with brick-and-mortar establish­ ments, as well as the potential to cause parking issues or traffic congestion. Restrictions were placed requiring food trucks to be more than 150 feet from a per­ manently operating business and requiring property owners hosting .food trucks to show they can accommodate an adequate amount of parking and seating for the truck. Once property owners gained approval, they would receive a permit to host food trucks in accordance with a plan they have laid out for up to a year. Once the permit expired, they would have the chance to reapply or make changes to their plan. The board was conflicted on whether each food truck should need to be registered with the city. As the current proposed zoning ordinance stands, any food truck could be on the premises once property owners received their food truck zoning permit, provided it follows the pllan approved by the city. Property owners would be held liable for any violations made by food trucks, like a failure to provide a valid food license from the state or non-adherence to city policies. Some commissioners argued they’d like to be able to hold individual food truck ven­ dors responsible for any violations, as well. Commissioner Jacquie McLean said she understood the argument that property owners being held liable would be suffi­ cient. She also said it’d be advantageous to the city if they were able to approve or deny individual food truck vendors. “I feel like it’s our responsibility to have each food truck have a permit within our community,” McLean said. “I don’t think we should let property owners regulate which food trucks come into our communi­ ty-” Commissioner Jordan Brehm expressed that level of city responsibility might be unnecessary, especially concerning verify­ ing food trucks, which are licensed by the state. “Why do we need to reinvent the wheel? All ofthis stuff is regulated by the state,” Brehm said. “Doesn’t a food truck have to post their license right outside the win­ dow? They are responsible for explaining that information.” After continued discussion, the commis­ sion came to the consensus that some level of city involvement with registering and managing food trucks could help keep things running smoothly. Mayor Dave Tossava said it could be beneficial to hold property owners accountable as well as register food trucks with the city. “It’s their responsibility as the property owner (hosting a food truck) to regulate that (business),” Tossava said. “But on the other hand, I think anyone who does any kind of business in the city of Hastings should be registered with the city.” The commission agreed to also discuss the creation of a food truck registration ordinance at the public hearing for the food truck zoning ordinance, with comments on both being sent to the city council to help expedite the process. City holding two events seeking input from public on streetscape project, marketing strategies Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings business owners and members ofthe general public can make their voices heard as early as next week at an open house event focused on the city’s upcoming streetscape project. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, March 13 at Left Field Coffee Bar in Hast­ ings. Downtown business owners and prop­ erty owners will be able to ask questions and bring up concerns to city officials and representatives of the architectural firm behind the project, MCSA Group. Dan King, community development director, said while city and MCSA group reps would be at the event, business owners in attendance could also sign up to meet individually with MCSA Group. Business owners who couldn’t attend the open house but are interested in an individual meeting could contact King directly, he said. Indi­ vidual meetings would be held March 15. “Primarily, the target there is for busi­ nesses in the core downtown area, especial­ ly on State Street between Broadway and Boltwood, so the property owners have a chance to review the plan and ask questions of city staff or representatives from the MCSA Group,” King said. A visioning session discussing economic development and marketing strategies will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 22 at Leason Sharpe Hall in the Barry Community Enrichment Center. King said the meeting would be open to the public and would discuss the city’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the coming years. City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said the plan created using feedback from the meet­ ing would be heavily utilized by the city. She encouraged community leaders to show up, bring others and make themselves heard. “People who are really active in the community, who have a lot ofinput about a lot of (past actions) and have seen things that will work and won’t work - we really want those people to be able to attend and share their ideas,” Moyer-Cale said. Dan King spoke with the City Planning Commission about two upcoming forums this • month. 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March 9. 2023 — The Hastings Banner w Barbara Jean Mix Beverly Jean DeWitt Beverly Jean DeWitt, age 88, passed peacefully into the arms ofJesus on Febru­ ary 28, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Bom on October 7, 1934, in Hastings, MI, the daughter of Clinton and Maude (Haw­ thorn) Allen. Beverly married Irwin James DeWitt, Sr. on November 18, 1951 in Hast­ ings, MI where they also raised their two sons, Irwin and Michael. She and Irwin, Sr. relocated to Texas in the mid 1970s to be closer to her two boys and their growing families. Upon moving to Texas, Beverly served as the dietary service manager of a local nursing home for 30 years and retired in 2007 with a track record ofzero deficiencies in her kitchen. She was very prbud ofthat accomplishment and was loved and respected by those she served and those with whom she worked. As much pride as she took in her work, her real joy came from her family. For Bev­ erly ‘family’ was a word with a very broad definition. She cared and loved in such a way that if you were within her orbit, or even within the orbit of someone she loved, you were made to feel like family. ' Beverly rarely went by her given name as she was Mom to more than just her sons, Aunt Bev to numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and Merna to just about everyone else. Her door was always open and a warm pot ofchili, goulash, or her special macaroni and cheese with a side of buttered bread was never more than a few minutes away. She was happy to feed one person or the entire neighborhood. Saturday mornings in her house were for cleaning and country music - George Jones was her favorite. She loved sitting around the table talking and laughing, ceramics and crocheting, reading, playing cards and road tripping with friends. No news was good news in Beverly’s house. She wanted her loved ones to go out, live their best lives, and come back and tell her all about it over a game ofUNO or Rummy and a hot meal. Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Irwin; her daughter-in-law, Diane; and her grandson, Erik. Also, her parents, Clinton and Maude; two brothers, Gene and Charles Frederick Krammin, age 85, of Wayne; and four sisters, Mabel, Rose, Bar­ Middleville, MI, passed away on March 4, bara, and Esther Jane. 2023. She is survived by her two sons, Irwin J. Charles was bom oh July 26,1937, in Fen­ DeWitt, Jr, and wife Sharon of Wichita nville, MI, the son of John and Minnie Falls, TX; Michael L. DeWitt and wife (Weber) Krammin. Ort December 1, 1962, Dianne of Little Rock, AR; two grand­ Charles married Verle Melinn, and they daughters, Summer Mills and husband enjoyed 58 years together until her passing in Mark, and Stephanie DeWitt both ofWichi­ 2021. Charles proudly served his country as a ta Falls, TX; two great grandchildren, Chet US Marine from 1957-1960. He attended and Lily Kate Mills; and one brother, Char­ Michigan State University and was the Exec­ lie Allen and wife Yvonne. utive Director for the Barry County Agricul­ The family will receive visitors between 3 tural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 5,2023 at Owens retiring in 1994. & Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls. Charles hiked the Appalachian Trail and A service ofremembrance will be held at 10 constructed 30 miles of the North Country a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023 at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home chapel with Pastor v Trail. He enjoyed faulting and restoring tractors and was a master gardener. Derek Sowell, officiating. Interment will Charles was preceded in death by his wife, follow at Highland Cemetery in Iowa Park Verle Krammin; his parents, John and Minnie under the direction of Owens & Brumley Krammin, and siblings, John, Gerard, Jim, Funeral Home in Wichita Falls. Conrad, and Joan Krammin. Those who wish to remember Beverly in He is survived by his children, Amy a special way may make gifts in her memo­ (David) Shao of San Jose, CA, Daniel Kramry to Hospice of Wichita Falls (howf.org). Special thanks to the staff ait Hospice of min of Hastings, MI, Joseph (Janet) Krammin, of Richland, MI; grandchildren, Jack Wichita Falls and Senior Care for the love, Krammin, Katelyn Krammin, Rhys Kramsupport, and care they provided. min, and his brother, Paul Krammin, and his Condolences may be sent to the family at sister, Maryanne Krammin. www.owensandbrumley.com Memorial contributions in memory of Charles can be made‘to the North Country Trail “Association, 229' El Main Street; Low- Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website:, www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE f BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. lO &lJraise This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Barbara Jean Mix, age 91, ofMaple Grove Township, passed away on March 1, 2023 in Battle Creek, MI. Barb was bom in Hudson, MI on Janu­ ary 19, 1932, a daughter of Thelma and Abraham Laurie. She attended schools in the Hudson area until junior high when the family moved to Bellevue where she finished her education, graduating from Bellevue High School in 1950. Shortly after completing her education Barb went to work at Michigan Magnetics in Vermontville, MI and later worked for Nash­ ville schools in the food service department and as a school secretary. She married Russell Mix on July 21,1950, and they began their lives together on their farm on Guy Road. In the coming years, they moved to Maple Grove where they raised their family and lived for the past 60 years. Barb and Russell loved to travel. Through the years they had seen the world, visiting destinations in Europe including Italy and Paris. They also traveled to Alaska, Mexico, Venezuela, and nearly every state in the USA, with a special fondness for the Western United States. Summer months were spent with family in Northern Michigan at their cabins in Lake City, Hershey, and Barryton, MI. Barb is survived by her daughter, Cathy Haylock; sisters, Patty Degner, Sandy (Duane) McDonald, Suzie (Bruce) Hunt; four grandchildren, Amanda (Kevin) Petersen, Jeremy Mix, Nicole (Ian) Govier and Andrew Haylock, and six great grandchildren, Jacob (Sydney) Petersen, Mitch Petersen, Emily Jean, Cathrine, Tanner, and Aidan Govier; many nieces, nephews and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Abraham and Thelma Laurie; mother and father in-law, Ted and Vada Mix; her husband, Russell Mix;, son, Terry Mix; son-in-law, Charles Haylock and brother, Marvin Laurie. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 8,2023 at Daniels Funeral Horne-Nash­ ville, with interment immediately following at Wilcox Cemetery in Nashville, MI. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. cortveniently located at 9200 E M79 Highway in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net f ,feas ytrail.org/giving-menibership/donate/. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 3 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior at 2 p.m., at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hast­ ings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. giubachfuneralhome.net. William Arnold Doomhaag rw William Arnold Doomhaag, age 79, of Delton, MI passed away on March 2, 2023, just two years and one day after his loving wife, Laura. Bill was bom on November 17, 1943 in West Branch, MI to Arnold and Mabie (Lars­ en) Doomhaag. He lived in Kalamazoo for most ofhis life until moving to Delton over 30 years ago. He proudly served his country in the US Navy and then went on to work as an electrician until his retirement. In his spare time, Bill could be found out on the golf course or on his pontoon on Wilkinson Lake (where, after many boat rides and swims around the lake, roughly 20 pairs ofhis glasses now reside). He enjoyed week­ ly poker games with his longtime friends from school, meeting his siblings at the VFW for Sunday breakfasts, and playing a compet­ itive game ofPepper. Bill was also an avid reader and enjoyed sitting down to read an adventure novel from Clive Cussler, among others. Bill will be dearly missed by his siblings, Dan (Dawn) Doomhaag, Jackie Doomhaag, Joni Mowry; nieces and nephews, Dan (Jessi­ ca), Sally (Justin), Megan (Matt), Cheri (Steve); great nieces and nephews, Danny, Lake, Rymer, Soren, Josh, Jeremy; brother­ in-law, Paul Harrison. He was preceded in death by his dear wife of nearly 33 years, Laura; parents; sister, Sandy Harrison. A graveside service will be held for Bill at the Yankee Springs Cemetery later in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society in your area. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Bill’s family. Southeastern Elementary fifth-grader Brooklyn Auten placed top 18 in the state with this fox made of torn paper and oil pastels. Hastings students place in statewide art competition Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Two Southeastern Elementary students placed in the Michigan Art Education Associ­ ation statewide competition, with their work soon making stops in Ann Arbor and Lansing to be displayed. Second grader Carley McBrian placed in the top 100 in the state with her origami fox, while fifth-grader Brooklynn Auten cracked the top 18 with her rendition of a fox made using tom paper and oil pastels. District art teacher Natasha Offerman said itjust happened by chance that the two were both recognized for pieces depicting a fox. McBrian’s origami fox was part of an exer­ cise with students learning about animal habitats and building other vocabulary. Offer­ man said Auten’s fox was the result of an activity where students learned how to draw eyes and other facial features, starting with a cat, dog and a bird. From there, students could choose whatever animal they wanted to depict - with Auten deciding to depict a fox. Offerman said she’s proud to see her stu­ dents’ work be recognized. Ofcourse, her stu­ dent’s success doesn’t come as a total surprise. Last year, one of her Central Elementary stu­ dents also made the top 18 in the competition. “I was super excited because it’s two years or yerse Southeastern second-grader Carley McBrian placed top 100 in the state with this origami fox. in a row that I’ve had my kids in the top 18, Offerman said. “I’m just super proud of them. Traditional and Cremation Services Pre-Planning Services Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Serving All Faiths 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted ProductB $1699 W.M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St Hastings 945-9541 ^Z/?Pfn1 14 Oak* Billingslci Bal 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfiineralhome.net Family Owned and Operated owner Em« Jyrvlng Hastings, Barry County and Surrounding < :<)mnwniticsfor SO years Joshua Michael Vanderkam, Caledo­ nia and Emma Jo Bainbridge, Middleville Amanda Rene Fox, Middleville and Noe Isaac Rodriguez, Middleville %!k �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 9, 2023 — Page 7 Michigan Central Railroad depots in Hastings SbSfefc S P'S 'iSiS'&s iSiS& SSSS iSiS&sSSSS SS&&£5 && S&;£5x' && <*., SJSclSiSS! S&S$$fe^ H * I Esther Walton Banner May 12, 2005 The first railroad depot built in Hastings was situated at the point where State Street meets the east end ofGreen Street. This location immediately raised controver­ sy among the residents, according to the Hastings Banner ofSept 23, 1868. The depot “was being built in the second ward, a full halfmile from the court house and available hotels/’ complained the editor, Dewey. He added, “It might as well be in Nashville, so far as conve­ nience to the people ofHastings is concerned.” Several years went by before the residents decided to take the matter into their own hands. In the Jan. 23, 1931 issue, one of the Cook brothers that owned the Banner wrote how the change was made. “It was quite custom then (1869) to have passenger station(s) just about as far removed from Main Street as they could be located, because what clean up-to-date town would want those wood-burning locomotives to be puffing all their columns ofsmoke, cinders and dirt right near the business center? As a result, people often had to walk anywhere up to a mile to catch a train. “That was all right for a while, but gradual­ ly businessmen and citizens began to tumble to the fact that it would be much nicer and far more convenient to have a passenger station just as near the main business section as possi­ ble. That idea finally struck Hastings and an effort was started to have the passenger depot moved from the present freight depot to town. An effort was made to have the Michigan Cen­ tral stand the expense, but the railroad officials couldn’t see it that way at all. The corporation had the only (rail)road running through the city at the time, and it was absolutely immate­ rial to them how far the people had to walk to reach the passenger station. If the people of Hastings wanted to change the location of passenger station they could do it by (provid­ ing) a site, and building there at their expense just the kind ofdepot they would like to have. The (railroad) corporation very generously agreed to stop their passenger train in front of (the new) depot. Those were in the good old ‘public be d-d days,’ that were in marked con­ trast to the policies followed by railroads today. In order to bring about this change, the people of Hastings decided to build a brand new passenger depot right downtown at the cost of $800. The late Nelson T. Parker, we believe, donated the land for the site. Research in the Register of Deeds office and abstract office uncovered a deed between Parker and the Grand River Railroad Co. dated July 17, 1882. The location is the northwest comer of Church and Apple Street.” | Unfortunately, the Banners for this period, July 1880 through December 1883, do not exist. The Banner newspaper office had a fire on March 3, 1883. It wasn’t until December 1883 that the paper started to print again. The Banner started to use its competitor’s press in December and continued until their new press was delivered. Though the tracks have been dug up and the other two depots tom down, Hastings was once a bustling town for rail business. Fortunately, during that time, the Nashville paper carried “Hastings News” and references about building a new Hastings depot are found. On Feb. 18, 1882, the Nashville News reports under Hastings News, “Quite a number of our citizens are trying to get a depot just north of the Hastings House.” In the June 30, 1883 issue, under Hastings “The officials of the M.C.R.R. were here and decided to (build) the depot. It will be done by the first ofOctober.” Under Hastings News, “The foundation for the new depot has been completed and Wednesday a gang of carpenters came and began to erect the frame. It is to be nicely furnished on the inside and when completed will be the finest depot on the line.” Finally, the Nov. 3, 1883 Nashville News Hastings News announced, “The new depot is completed, the grounds nicely graded and the walks are being laid. It is a little beauty and no mistake.” The next new note said, “The ladies have pledged $500 for the railroad and propose to open hospitalities by giving R.R. ball next Tuesday night. Tickets, including supper, are $3. Good for the ladies.” The Hastings House was a hotel located on the northwest comer of Church and State Street. It is evident the owner, Mr. Parker, sold a part of his land and in exchange got the railroad depot located right behind his hotel. Parker owned a bam on the site soon to be depot site. The original depot at State and Green Streets became a freight depot servicing the manufacturing business in the area. Several spurs connected to the Wool Boot factory. The Consolidated Press, now known as E.W. Bliss and the Hirsch Brothers Pickle Company, all benefitted from the railroad being at their door. In fact, these companies wanted to be near the railroad. The freight depot served the community imtil iLwas tom down in 1974. It. was over 100 years old. In an announcement of the Banner dated Aug. 25, 1921, it told, “On Sunday, Aug. 28 the people of Barry County will have an opportunity to see in Hastings, the Historic Old DeWitt engine, which drew the first train over the New York Central Railroad lines in ■*’; L£Srt55^^w !<;" fW^lMff,ifflitJ(S itm*** Now known as Depot Law Office, PLC, this building was once known as “the finest station on the Michigan Central for a city of its size.” After years of lobbying and obsta­ cles, Hastings travelers were finally able to ride in style after the then-new Michigan Central Railroad depot was built in 1922. Passenger service was discontinued in 1959. 1831. This famous old DeWitt Clinton engine, together with three passenger couches, will be on display at the Michigan Central passenger depot on Sunday, Aug. 28 from 3:40 to 4:10 p.m.” In early September of the same year, the Banner reported, “It was a very thoughtful thing for the Michigan Central Railroad to have the old DeWitt Clinton train stop in this city last Sunday and at other points along the line, so that people coming from far and near could see this historic old relic.” After praising the railroad and describing what the railroad did for the city, it ended with “The thousands who viewed the DeWitt Clinton train Sunday noted the wonderful change in railroad trans­ portation since the historic old steam engine made its first run about 90 years ago, by com­ paring the old DeWitt Clinton with the famous engine 999, which hauls the train around. “But while all this is true, we somehow can­ not but feel that ifthe Michigan Central wants to show something perhaps less historic, but at the same time real old, antiquated and out-of­ date, we would like to respectfully suggest that it loads its present passenger in Hastings on a flat car and haul it along the lines. “But let’s all hope that something better will soon be built at the best paying station between Grand Rapids and Jackson.” In other words, the 1883 passenger station was no longer meet­ ing the needs of the Michigan Central Railroad passengers in Hastings. More information was gathered from W.R. Cook, Rotary Club minutes by Hubert Cook’s: “The Hastings Rotary Club tells of the Hast­ ings Rotary Club involvement with the need for a new depot” In their June 21, 1920 meet­ ing, it commented “Our old wooden clapboard station certainly did pot give a very good impression.”. There yyere many discussions about what to do. In the November meeting, M.L.Cook told ofgoing to.Detroit and having an interview with the vice president of the Michigan Central Railroad. By February 1921, the minutes report, “At the February (meeting) the Rotary Club signed invoices to buy the Gier Property for $7,000 and the Parker Hotel property for $4,000 so the Michigan Central Depot could be built. The city eventually relieved the club ofthe Parker property... The Gier note as I recall was not entirely cleared up until shortly before the last passenger train stopped in Hastings.” Passenger service was discontinued in April of 1959. In December 1921, the Rotary minutes con­ tain a long report: “The minutes of the last meeting of the year state that the ‘Division Superintendent and the Superintendent of buildings have been in town with plans and specification for the new depot, and all that remained was for their Board to appropriate the necessary wherewithal. If they fail to do this, it seems almost certain from the sentiment here, that they should be shot at sunrise the morning after their meeting. At any rate, there is hope that Hastings may be accorded relief from that old, antiquated structure that made guttr.Mcl^8 „* ’S* ” ^ SS 5*££•> .Doctor Universe Dino nuggets Did dinosaurs eat humans? Brileigh, 10, N.C. *> &<£>$# &<£>$#' >>$ Dear Brileigh, If you looked inside a T. rex mouth, you d see some 12-inch teeth. That’s longer than my tail! I asked my friend Aaron Blackwell if dinosaurs used those big chompers on humans. He’s an anthropologist who studies human biology at Washington State Univert0^ me dinosaurs and humans didn t live at the same time. Dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago-before there w were even primates, i t” Blackwell said. “So, they could never have eaten a human or even a monkey.” Scientists think a giant asteroid killed the dinosaurs. Itt was moving very fastabout 45,000 miles per hour. It made a massive crater when it slammed into the ground. The blast from the crash set off disasters all over the planet. There were probably tidal waves, earthquakes and wildfires. Plus, the asteroid came at a really bad time. Earth had lots of intense volcano activity then. The crash also threw soot and debris into the air. That probably made the atmosphere dirty. Less sunlight could get through, so Earth was darker and colder. That was bad news for plants and animals. About 75 percent ofthe animals on Earth died, including most dinosaurs. The only dinosaurs that survived were the ancestors ofbirds. That changed life on Earth forever. With the dinosaurs gone, many new kinds of mammals evolved. That’s why the time after the asteroid crash is called the Cenozo- ic Era, or Age ofMammals. Some of those new mammals were pri­ mates-like monkeys, apes and their cousins. Blackwell told me the first primates appeared about 60 million years ago. They were small animals that looked like tree shrews. It would be a long time before primates began walking on two feet. That probably happened between 4 million and 7 million years ago. The first apes to do it had very long arms for swinging in trees. To walk upright, they needed a flexible spine. They also needed strong ankle and knee bones. Actual humans-called Homo sapiens by scientists-showed up between 200,000 and 300,000 years ago. By that time, the dino­ saurs had been gone nearly 65 million years. There were other dangerous animals to look out for though. “Apes and early humans were likely eaten by leopards, saber-tooth tigers, hyenas, wolves and maybe a crocodile Komodo dragon,” Blackwell said. In case you’re wondering, cats like me weren’t dinosaur snacks either. The first cat-called Proailurus-lived about 25 mil­ lion years ago. Humans and cats have been friends for about 10,000 years. Now that’s a happy ending. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at DrUniverse@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. the DeWitt Clinton look like a gay sprightly youngster by comparison when the train visit­ ed Hastings a short time ago. If and when we do get the new depot, it will be because ofthe untiring efforts of the members of this club, especially the Public Affairs Committee, con­ sisting of Kellar Stem, Carey Edmunds, and M.L. Cook, who spent their own time and money on several trips to Detroit.’” The account ofRotary Club and the Michi­ gan Central Railroad History ends with this Nov. 13, 1922, account: “The club has the pleasure of entertaining the officials of the Michigan Central Railroad which were here to inspect the new passenger station. As they were all good golfers, most ofthe inspection was done out at the Hastings Country Club.” The Banner on April 4,1922, mentions con­ struction to be started soon on the new depot, saying, “Yes we really are going to have a new Michigan Central Depot, for on Tuesday workmen were here and staked out the grounds, and the excavating will begin as soon as the tools arrive, which they think will be in a few days. The Ehlie Construction Co. of Battle Creek has been awarded the contract and it is specified therein that the building be completed the season.” Two weeks later on April 26,1922, the Banner reported, “Work on the new depot is being pushed.” The article also mentioned some good news, “Owing to the decreased cost of material it is said that the new depot will be even better than was originally planned, and that when thejob is finished Hastings will have one ofthe neatest and best arranged passenger stations between Grand Rapids and Detroit. And it should have, because it is one of the best towns. A new and up-to-date depot will surely be appreciated by the traveling public.” The work on the depot continued until November. A dedication was set for Nov. 15, 1922. Again, the Banner related the news, “New Michigan Central Depot Opened.” It listed all the Michigan Central officials and the local people who helped get the project down, including the Rotary Club. The officials were honored guests at file Rotary Club noon lun­ cheon. After the lunch, the railroad representa­ tives were called on for remarks. This is what was said: “All ofthem expressed their pleasure in being the guests ofthe club and their appre­ ciation ofthe cooperation shown by the citizens ofHastings and the Rotary Club in smoothing out the difficulties in the way ofsecuring a new passenger station here. The Railroad Company had long desired to build a new station here but had been prevented by insurmountable obsta­ cles in the way of getting the needed ground until the Rotary Club stepped in and by pur-’ chase ofthe Geer property made it easy or the, company to carry out its wish to give our city a suitable station with adequate grounds. It was a very pleasant meeting.” The article then mentioned a list of local officials who were invited to the lunch. Then the article described the depot building. “The interior is finished in oak and the vari-, ous rooms are decorated in shades oftan. The large waiting room in the east end ofthe build­ ing, are (equipped with) new comfortable seats, which will be greatly appreciated. The. ladies room is equipped with a rocker, writing desk, and chair, and the rooms are all well lighted. The commodious ticket office is especially fine with its new ticket racks, new table and splendid indirect lighting fixtures. Ample; space has been provided for the baggage room also, with Lee Matthews in charge there. The first ticket purchased in the new station Monday morning was one to Bevier, MO, by Mrs. Annus L. Chase ofOhio who had been visiting relatives here.” , The article ended with, “Work ofrazing the old depot is being pushed rapidly, and after it is removed the ground will be graded as is the west side, and will be beautified by shrubs, trees, and flowers, making a pleasing and radi-i cal change from what it had been in the past, and will be a real beauty spot instead of an, eyesore. Hastings is indeed very fortunate in having this splendid new building, the finest station on the Michigan Central for a city ofits, size.” The Railroad Depot served the traveling community until April 1959 when passenger service was discontinued. By March of 1882, all railroad service was ended in Barry County. The first Railroad Depot was tom down in June of 1974. The second depot was tom down, in 1883. The third depot is still in use and in 2023 is used as law offices. PUBLIC NOTICE OF HERBICIDE APPLICATION 196106 The Daltons Inc., its main office at 8857 N Syracuse-Webster Rd., Syracuse, IN 46567, has been contracted by Barry County Road Commission to perform custom chemical vegetation control maintenance services at designated road­ side guardrail locations throughout the county. In doing so, they will be broadcast applying the following EPA-registered ma­ terials: Bayer Esplanade 200SC (Indaziflam), Bayer Method 240SL (Aminocyclopyrachlor), Alligare Imazapyr 4SL. Do not enter or allow entry into treated areas until sprays have dried. This application will be completed by certified applicators employed by The Daltons Inc., during the months of April and/or May. Additional information may be requested by contacting Lex Dalton or Brad Bolinger at 574-267-7511. (Ron9s yVedcfing Officiant (269)682-2527 Ron@ronsweddingandfuneralofficiantservice.com TOWNSHIP OF HOPE 195438 Notice of Budget Public Hearing The Hope Township Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed township budget for fiscal year 2023-24 on Monday March 20,2023 at 6:30 p.m., at the Hope Township Hall 5463 S M-43 Hwy Hastings Ml 49058, the Regular Board meeting to follow. THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE PROPOSED TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE A SUBJECT OF THIS HEARING. A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the Township hall. This notice is posted in compliance with PA267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act), MCLA 41.72a (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA) The Hope Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting upon seven days noticeto the Hope Township Board. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Board by writing, calling or via email the following: Deborah Jackson Hope Township Clerk 5463 S M-43 Hwy. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2464 clerk® hopetownship,com �Pag* S — Thunday. March e. 2023 — The Haatmga Banner Kiwanis honors young citizens Citizens of the month at Northeastern Elementary in Hastings include Olivia Asplnall (left) and Kaelyn Walsh (right). They are joined by Principal Heide. (Photos provided) February’s citizens of the month at Star Elementary School were recently hon­ ored. Pictured are (from left) Abigail Pecasfro,' 'Diana Dawson and Gage Gruesbeck. Hastings elementary school and middle school teachers have selected students to be honored as citizens of the month by the Kiwanis Club of Hastings. Students arc selected by their teachers for reasons such as excellent citizenship, atti­ tude, conduct, academics, character, ser­ vice, leadership and sportsmanship. The citizens of the month for February (with parents’ names in parentheses) included: Central - Luca Dickinson (Kelsey and Kevin Dickinson) and Ainslie Dygert (Brit­ tany Taylor and Brad Dygert). Northeastern - Olivia Aspinall (Sierra Aspinall and Joey Aspinall) and Kaelyn Walsh (Geneva and Andrew Walsh). Southeastern - Hannah Diekhoff(Karlee and Jacob Diekhoff) and Sophia Tait (Toscha and Gordon Tait). Star - Abigail Decastro (Dawn Her­ man-Windsor and Corey Herman) and Gage Gruesbeck (Jodie and Trevor Gruesbeck). Hastings Middle School - Mason Baker (Jessi and Robert Baker), Landon Currier (Amanda Currier and Brad Currier), Rene Espinal-Lopez (Margarita Lopez and Rene Espinal), Tori Morgan (April and Eric Mor­ gan), Alyssa Olin (Michelle and Shawn Olin) and Reagan Wattles (Tangie and Todd Wattles). honored recently. Pictured are (front row, from left) Mason Baker, Alyssa Olin, Tori Morgan, (middle row) Landon Currier, Reagan Wattles, (back row) Rene EspinalLopez and Dean of Students Jeff Pratt. Bob’s Gun & Tackle in Hastings displays a spread of kayaks and canoes outside the doors as a sign that warm weather recreation is on the horizon. SPORTING GOODS, continued from page 1 Citizens of the month at Southeastern Elementary School were honored last week. Pictured are (from left) Hannah Diekhoff, Principal Stein and Sophia Tait. Central Elementary's February citizens of the month include'Luca Dickinson (left) and Ainslie Dygert. They are Joined by Tim McMahon, a studentsupport specialist. City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING T CONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AN AMENDED DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PLAN AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Hastings, will hold a public hearing on the 27th day of March 2023 at 7:00 PM in the second floor Council Chambers at Hastings City Hail, 201 East State Street, Hastings, to consider the adoption of an ordinance approving an amendment to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Downtown Development Authority of the ty about 11 miles south of Freeport in Hast­ ings and built Bob’s Gun & Tackle. Unfortu­ nately, both parents have passed away, but their children have continued to grow the business. Unlike veteran business owners Hayes and Williams, Kyle Ribble, who is 26 years old, is in his third year owning Gillett’s Bait and Hardware in Orangeville Township on Gun Lake. For Ribble’s customers, it appears that no ice is no problem this season. “They are fishing out on Gun Lake on open water. Some of it is slushy, but I’ve seen some boats out on Gun Lake,” Ribble said of local anglers. “They are catching perch.” Gillett’s is already getting spring merchan­ dise. “Nightcrawlers and red worms are in stock,” said Ribble, who also carries a wide array ofhardware in his store. According to Ribble, the Walleye and Pike season is open until March 15 and will reopen on May 15. Ribble acquired Gillett’s in 2020 after Rosie Mercer, third-generation owner of Gillett’s for 46 years, passed away in March 2020. “I guess I really wouldn’t call it a dream,” said Ribble about owning Gillett’s. “But I talked about it when I was younger to my dad and my buddies — and my dad called me one day.” He and his dad heard Gillett’s was about to go up for sale. “So, we kind ofjumped on it a little bit, and we were lucky enough to get it and own it,” Ribble said. Although 2023 will not be the best ice fishing season, it may not be the worst. In a 2020 edition ofthe Hastings Remind­ er, the late Mercer said that 2020 was the worst she had experienced in-the 72-and-ahalf years since Gillett’s existence. Since Ribble decided to keep Mercer’s legacy alive by buying Gillett’s, his Satur­ day ice-fishing tournaments were busy with local anglers who would line up to register for as many tournaments as they could. Still, this year there was only one tournament on Feb. 4. However, customers still come into the store to check out all his aisles of seasonal fishing accessories and equipment, plus his big selection ofhardware. Southeast of Gillett’s, over in Delton, Jes­ sica and Thor Brandli own Ken’s Sports Shop. They have owned the store for almost six years. Since ice fishing equipment sits on the shelves due to a lack of ice this winter, customers are looking to prepare for spring and summer fishing. “Fishing is where our sales go,” said Brandli, who has packed up some ofthe winter ice fishing products to make space for warmer weather fishing products. “Guys are still fishing for steelhead and some salmon in the river, and there’s a lot of guys that are itching to go open water fish­ ing,” said Brandli, who wants to be ready to supply the demands for those who want to fish. “We switch out as the seasons go because we’re smaller,” Brandli explained. “So, I start to pack, everything up now and put my sum­ mer stuffback out.” ■And, since turkey season is right around the comer (April 22 through June 7, per the Michigan DNR), turkey calls need to be stocked back on the shelves. “On March 20, turkey tags left over go on sale, and people can come in and purchase them,” Brandli explained. “Fishing is really our bread and butter, so we have to rely on loyal customers to come in,” she added. Part ofthat loyal base are customers that come from Battle Creek, Charlotte, Marshall, Portage and the Kalamazoo area. “We appreciate everybody,” Brandli said. “We try to treat everybody like our family.” Like Brandli, Pete Schantz, owner of Al and Pete’s Sport Shop in Hastings, appreci­ ates his customers, too. Schantz is 78 and has been running his business for 50 years. Although the ice has been sparse this winter, Schantz has taken advantage ofthe open water lately. “I’ve been enjoying the fishing and caught steelhead arid rainbow trout,” said Schantz, who is semi-retired. “I always like a hook in one of those cold-water fish - it keeps me going.” Despite the slow ice fishing season this year, sales remain solid for Schantz. “Still, we sold small tackle early and quite a lot ofbait, believe it or not,” he said. “But the bigger hardware, the augers, the occasion­ al power auger, the Vexilar fish locators and the majority ofour ice tackle did not move but it doesn’t spoil - and I bet we sell most of it next year and buy a bit more.” City of Hastings, pursuant to Part 2 of Act 57 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 2018 as amended. Copies of the proposed amendment to the Development Plan, Tax Increment Financing Plan, and map, etc. are on file at the office of the City Clerk for inspection. There will be no displacement of families and Individuals under the development plan. The boundaries of the downtown district and development area are shown in the map below: At the public hearing, all Interested persons desiring to address the City Council shall be afforded and opportunity to be heard regarding the approval of an amendment to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Hastings an aspects of the Plan will be open for discussion at the public hearing. hearing The governing body shall sha mae and preserve a record of the public hearing, including all data presented thereat. Please contact Community Development Director Dan King at 269-945-2468 or dkind^hactin^mi with any questions regarding the public hearing. na ■■-QSSmLprg The aty will provide necessary reasonable aid and services to disabled 2ppersons 0e1rsoEnasswwishin tSstetngtoattor hMeicahriinggasn u 4p9o0n58sevTeenle dpahyosn' en2o6tic9e/9 t4o5 t2h4e6 C8 leorrk T oDfDth cealQl rteylaofsHearvsitcinegss 8, 0200/164E9a3s7tS7t7et Michigan 49058. Telephone 269/945-2468 or TDD call relay services 800/649-3777, Hart,n9s' Christopher R. Bever aty Clerk cold weather inventory still available at her store. �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS scon Thursdavy., Marcrh 9,290293 HHS ladies get first state medals, Friddle wins a second Brett Bremer jX s. s SKS*. Mi{h h aSs ... A...lta jotdi . । । k!£2!kk* ibiBHsni fc^-jfejsDieg®' toptraikraBi iqsnarilfcrSdiai 1'31 life rffe Sports Editor Every time Cassidee Easey met a goal she reached for another one. From the stands at the 2022 MHSAA Indi­ vidual Finals near the end ofherjunior year, Easey decided hitting the mats inside Ford Field was something she’d really like to do. The MHSAA hosted its first Girls’ Individual Finals last winter, with the girls champion­ ship wrestled alongside the four different divisions ofthe “co-ed” finals. “I was like, I really want to get here next year,” Easey said. “When I heard they were going to make a wrestling team [at Hastings] I was all for it, all into it, wanting to make it here and wanting to fillfill that dream ofmine.” She was one often Saxons to compete in the girls’ regional round of the state tournament this winter and one offive girls, and six Saxons overall, to qualify for the 2023 MHSAA Indi­ vidual Wrestling Finals which were held Fri­ day and Saturday in downtown Detroit. Once she had qualified for the finals her goals shifted to trying to win a medal. Once she had earned a medal she had some thoughts of beating her dad, Hastings assistant coach Tim Easey. “It is a lot offun [having him as a coach,]” Cassidee said. “He is my main wrestling part­ ner, so it really helps. It really makes me push myself to try and be better than him,” she said with a chuckle. “It didn’t really work out, but I still went for it.” Tim Easey was fourth at 215-pounds at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual State Finals. Cassidee almost got there, placing eighth over the weekend. He had a little more practice before he competed in the state finals than she did though. “Three months compared to eight years is a little different,” Cassidee said, still laughing as she waited.to take. her. spot on the girls’. 235-pound medal stand Saturday evening. Hastings also had Italian-exchange student Claudia Palumbo place sixth in the 170-pound weight class and junior Sophia Sunior place eighth at 190 pounds over the weekend. Soph­ omore Isaac Friddle placed fourth in the 215pound weight class in Division 2, earning his second state medal in two yarsity seasons. Isaac was one oftwo Friddles at the finals. His sister, freshman Olivia Friddle, finished up the 2022-23 varsity girls’ basketball sea­ son with the Saxons in the district semifinals at Lakewood Wednesday and then took the mats at the state finals Friday in the girls’ 140-pound weight class. Hastings also had sophomore Jordan Milanowski wrestling at 145 pounds. Every one ofthe Saxons at Ford Field won at least one match. All four Saxon state medalists had to fight through consolation from the beginning to get to the state medal stand. All four fell in their first match of the weekend. Isaac Friddle was bested 11 -3 by Croswell-Lexington’s Joey Scaramuzzino in the first round, but rallied to win four straight matches to get to the consolation finals where he was pinned by Greenville’s Case Johnson. Isaac’s path to his third-place medal includ­ ed three bouts decided by two points or less. He kept his weekend alive early Friday by scoring a 10-9 win over Waverly’s Cayden Bell in the first round of consolation. He pinned St. Johns Ryan Dimmick 2:03 into their 215-pound blood round match to clinch his state medal Friday. Back on the mats Saturday, Isaac sur­ vived for a 13-11 win over New Boston Huron’s Wyatt Marentette in a sudden vic­ tory overtime period and then moved on to the consolation semifinals where he pulled out a 13-11 victory over Brandon’s Jake DiFalco. Palumbo finished highest of all the Hast­ ings girls on the medal stand. It was the first year wrestling for all the Saxons at the finals. It was her first year in America. It was not her first time in a phys­ ical, individual sporting event. In Italy she practices Muay Thai, Taekwondo and kick boxing in Italy. See SAXONS, page 10 Hastings sophomore 215-pounder Isaac Friddle holds down Waverly's Caden Bell during their first consolation match Friday at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit. Friddle won four straight consolation matches and placed fourth at his weight class over the weekend. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings Sophia Sunior tries to throw down Oxford's Makenna Bovee during their match for seventh place in the girls* 190-pound weight class Saturday during the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings senior Cassidee Easey works to take down West Bloomfield's Katrina Acluche during their consolation match Friday at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit. Easey pinned Acluche and went on to place seventh in the girls' 235-pound weight class. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Stampfler scores his first state medal in D4 Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg sophomore Gauge Stampfler was ready to walk out ofFord Field Sat­ urday evening in his maroon Delton Kellogg wrestling warm-up jacket with the words “state qualifier” embroidered on the front. It might be time for a newjacket, or at least some updated embroidery. He’s a state medalist now. Stampfler placed sixth in Division 4’s 132pound weight class at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals in downtown Detroit over the weekend. “It’s just new,” he simply said ofthe feel­ ing ofbecoming a state medalist. “It’s some­ thing new. I worked hard.” “I kind ofjust focused on conditioning and my stand-ups on the bottom [this season], I kept my mind on what my goal was and then I made a new goal when I got here - which was sixth. So, I met my two goals.” Stampfler was one oftwo Panthers competing in the state finals. Delton Kellogg senior Gage Vincent, a three-time state qualifier, went 1-2 Friday on the first day ofthe finals* Delton Kellogg sophomore Gauge Stampfler fights to try and escape the grasp of Vassar's Chase Nickerson in their match for fifth place in Division 4's 132-pound weight class Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. Stampfler placed sixth, going 3-2 over the weekend, at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals. (Photo by Brett Bremer) He got pinned in his first match by Memphis’ Troy Trombley, pinned Munising’s Andrew Cain in the opening round ofconsolation, and then was bested 12-4 by Gabriel Richard’s Luke Herrington in the blood round. Stampfler split his first two matches to get into Friday’s blood round, the second round ofconsolation where the winners are guaranuara teed another day ofwrestling Saturday and a state medal and their opponent’s see their tournament come to an end. He beat Vassar’s Chase Nickerson 6-3 in n the first round of the tournament, but then was pinned by Hudson’s Cole Mary in the quarterfinals Friday. Stampfler pulled out a 6-3 win over Hem­ lock’s Landon Zastrow in his blood round Delton Kellogg senior Gage Vincent fights to stay in control during his opening round match with Memphis' Troy Trombley in Division 4's 126-pound weight class at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit Friday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) match Friday to clinch his state medal and earn another day ofwrestling. He opened Saturday’s action by scoring a 2-0 win over Benzie Central’s Landen Pangborn in a sudden victory overtime period. The DK sophomore would face another one ofthose extra one minute periods before the day was up. Hudson’s Beckett McCaskey pinned Stampfler in their consolation semifinal match - putting Stampfler in the match for fifth place. Stampfler and Nickerson met again to end the tournament and battled through three scoreless periods. Nickerson lunged first in the overtime and Stampfler backed out of bounds. The ref blew his whistle, hitting Stampfler with a stalling penalty four sec­ onds into the overtime that gave Nickerson a 1-0 win. See PANTHERS, page 10 �Simon ends year with one loss, to state champ Lakewood senior Daniel Krebs works on top of Portland's Isaiah Pelc during their match for fifth place in Division 3's 144-pound weight class at the end of the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood junior Aston Clark accepts his all-state medal after a fiftfi-place, finish ip Division 3's 120-pound weight class at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Fipldin Detroit Saturday exrniaJEW?, J>y.Er<£^mer) H r" 7L Lakewood 215-pounder Joel Simon celebrates a 7-2 win over Whitehall's Jackson Cook in their match for third at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals? in Detroit Saturday. (Photo by grett Bremjer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was likely bound to happen at some point, but Lakewood sophomore Joel Simon is already on to his next winning-streak - two in a row. Simon started his sophomore season 49-0, but that undefeated streak came to an end Friday evening in the semifinals ofthe 2023 MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit where he was downed 11-3 by Kingsford junior Elizin Rouse who went on to win the Division 3 215-pound state championship. The Lakewood sophomore rallied to win his final two matches at the finals and place third, finishing the year with a record of 51-1. “It feels good,” Simon said of finishing third. Simon was also a state qualifier as a fresh­ man in 2022. That was the last time he lost a varsity match. He was bested in his only two matches at Ford Field in Detroit in 2022, falling by a point in the blood round. That certainly motivated him for this season. “It just told me I had to push harder and overall try harder and stuff,” Simon said. “We hit the weight room a lot. We lifted a lot. I have a better gas tank.” Wrestling in the state finals is one thing. Wrestling in the semifinals Friday evening or finals Saturday afternoon when all the focus in the stadium shifts to just a couple mats is even a step up from there in intensity. “It was crazy. It was tough. All the eyes are on you,” Simon said. “There are a lot of people watching. There are a lot of people rooting you on and a lot ofpeople rooting on the other people. [Rouse] was tough.” “I bounced back pretty good. About an hour after the match I bounced back.” Simon followed that up by pulling out a 3-2 win over LakeVille Memorial’s Blake LaLonde in the consolation semifinals Sat­ urday morning and then beat Whitehall’s Jackson Cook 7-2 in the match for third place. He said he was at his best in the consola­ tion final against Cook. “I just wrestled my match pretty much,” Simon said. “I got my points. I got my take downs. I held him down.” Simon and Cook felt each other out for the first half minute of their match, before Simon got the first of his three take downs. Cook managed an escape midway through the sec­ ond period, but Simon secured a take down with two seconds left on the clock to go ip the third period up 4-1. After a free escape to start that third period, Simon worked a third take down half a minute in and then held Cook down for the final 90 seconds. A late penalty point for Cook made it a 7-2 final. All three Lakewood guys who qualified for the Individual State Finals finished their weekend on the medal stand. Senior 120-pounder Ashton Clark and senior 144-pounder Daniel Krebs both also won their first state medal. Clark (49-8) placed fifth and Krebs (38-8) sixth. The Viking team also had sophomore Ella Simon competing in the girls’ 235-pound weight class. She was bested in her two bouts in her first state finals appearance. Clark also lost in the blood round ofthe state finals in 2022. He wrestled his way into the 2023 semifinals Friday thanks to a pin of Tree Rivers junior Talan Flowers and a 5-4 victory over Imlay City sophomore Christo­ phe Galiana to open the tournament Like Simon, Clark ran into the eventual state champion in the semifinals. Dundee junior Kade Kluce earned his spot in the 120pound final by scoring an 18-2 win over Clark in the semi’s. Flowers got his revenge on Clark, outscor­ ing him 7-6 in their consolation semifinal Saturday morning, and Clark followed that up by outscoring Galiana 5-0 in the match for fifth. Clark was disappointed in the one-point loss to Flowers in the second go-round, but he was pleased with his finish overall. “I put in the time, worked hard and focused on what I did wrong [last year] and then worked on that. It motivated me to get to here where I am right now,” Clark said. While Clark managed to pull out a close quarterfinal match, Krebs saw one just get away. He fell 4-2 to Gladstonejunior Austin Solis in a sudden victory period in their 144pound quarterfinal. Krebs had started his day with a 16-0 win over Williamston sopho­ more Matt Dion. Krebs secured his state medal with a 5-0 win over Shepherd sophomore Maddox Cline in the blood round, the second round ofconsolation, and then improved his medal standing by pinning Saginaw Swan Valley senior Cody Ueberroth in the third round of consolation. Krebs lost out in decisions in his final two matches to finish fifth, falling 7-4 to Dundee junior Trey Parker and then 4-2 to Portland senior Isaiah Pelc. Krebs opened the tournament with a 16-0 technical fall of Matt Dion from William­ ston, basted 4-2 in a sudden vic|ory ,qyertime period by Gladstone’s Aps-? tin* Solis in me quarterfinalls, 9'7/^ 97/^ ****• 0^^ lifter SAXONS, continued from page 9 Ihllxuislii JEFF FOXWORTHY FRIDAY, JUNE 9 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR VlilfFoN' F S 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. g^MSHDA g Attention: Barry County Residents Are You Low-Income and Need Assistance Paying Your Rent? The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) may be able to assist. The HCV program is a federally funded rental assistance program that assists low-income residents with paying their rent.t. G thi Generally, ll eligible li ibl fili families mustt hhave iincome ll levels att o or below the extremely low-income limit as established by HUD based on county and family size. MSHDA's HCV Program waiting list for Barry County will be o t pen on 3/22/2023, at 11:00:00 AM EST and closed on 4/5/2023, at 11:00:00 AM EST. Applications are available on-line online only; no paper p applications will be available or accepted. NOTE: You may only apply to one county waiting list. During the time the waiting list is open, you must submit your application online at: https://mshda.myhousing.com/. Applications received through the website will be entered on the waiting list in the order received (date and time). Preference will be given to County residents (those living or working in the County of application). Additional preferences will be given to Michig Michigan residents (those living or working in Michigan) and to a head of household, co-head, or spouse with a disability. Placement on the waiting list does not indicate you are eligible for rental assistance. A final determination of eligibility will be made when you are selected from the waiting list, including verifying household income and any preferences selected when applying to the list. If you selected a preference as part of your application and it cannot be verified once you are pulled from the waiting list, your application will be denied, and you will be required to reapply to the waiting list when it is open. Acceptable proof of preferences can be found on MSHDA’s HCV waiting list webpage at: www. michigan.gov/mshda/rental/housing-choice-voucher/mshdahousing- cholce-voucher-hcv-waiting-llst-information. If you or a household member is disabled and requir requires a reasonable accommodation to apply for the MSHDA Housing Choice Voucher Walting List, please call (517) 241-8986 for assistance with your application. ^Equal Opportunity Lender -JmIY “They’re all fighting sports, but this is my first time wrestling. That was pretty cool,” Palumbo said. “They are totally different. It is similar because you have to keep pushing, and mentally it is kind ofthe same, but tech­ nically it is totally different. Of course, in Taekwondo or kickboxing you have to punch or kick. Of course, here you can’t, so it is totally another world. It is pretty cool to experience different things.” Every one of Palumbo’s bouts in the girls’ 170-pound weight class ended in a pin at Ford Field. She was stuck by Grand Haven’s Isabelle Wisenbaugh to open the tournament, and then pinned Owosso’s Haillee Hendry and Berkley’s Delani Campbell in the first two consolation round to earn her spot in the top eight Friday. Back on the mats Saturday, Palumbo pinned Galesburg-Augusta’s Shayleigh Simonds to earn a spot in the consolation semifinals. Taylor House from Blissfield and Makayla Gowell from Manton pinned Palumbo in the final two matches of the tourna­ ment. Easey has wrestling in the family. Palumbo opened the winter thinking ofplaying basketball before deciding to make the switch to focus on wrestling. The Saxons’ Sophia Sunior said at first she just told her mom she’d signed up for wrestling as ajoke. “The first day ofpractice I was like, ‘oh, I actually signed up,’ and it just went from there,” Sunior said. She went back to the second day of practice because the first day was fun. “The T people andjust the practice in general, and the concept of it. I was like, this is kind offun,” Sunior said, “the practice, learn­ ing new moves and having the ability to do it was cool.” For all the moves she learned in her first varsity wrestling season, it was the cow catcher the really carried her. I love my cow catcher. Every pin I have ever gotten was from a cow catcher, and teEitokini I 1 *<6 Hastings foreign exchange student Claudia Polumbo (second from left) smiles from the medal stand after placing sixth in the girls’ 170-pound weight class at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) somehow I’m here [at the medal stand] so I think it works,” Sunior said. “ That’s my favorite.” Sunior had her five matches all end in pins in the 190-pound bracket. Oxford’s Makenna Bovee was the only girl to beat her at Ford Field. Bovee pinned her in the opening round and again in the match for seventh place. After that first loss, Sunior pinned Grand Ledge’s Payton Burmeister and then St. Johns’ Shelbi Krum to clinch her state medal. The day started Saturday for Sunior with a loss to Midland’s Halle Spears. Olivia Friddle was the only Saxon to win an opening round match. She pinned Chesan­ ing’s Krysta Luce to open the girls’ 140pound contest, but then fell to Hanover-Hor­ ton’s Danni Swihart and Montague’s Emma Pendell. Milanowski fell to Holt’s Clara Holtry in the opening round at 145 pounds in the girls’ competition, and bounced back to pin Allen­ dale’s Rylee Silvas. Milanowski’s weekend ended with a tough 1-0 loss to Saline’s Teairah Elsemann in the blood round. S PANTHERS, continued from page 9 J h? DK sophomore said learning to conro his anger in moments like that has been one ol his big points ofgrowth thiss season. was a bit ofa tough end to a strong tour­ nament for Stampfler, who ends the season t 11 was a season wn w’n whk 1 e y Posted by having Vincent to spar with in practice. . battk^Tf ^ay *n Pract’ce» was battle, battle, ie i1eS great,»»eJS »»eSJtSa an amnpfamazing aler saiidg. practice partner. He incent was 42-12 overall this season. He battled a knee injury through some of his senior season, an injury he tweaked in his opening match Friday. It limited him some, but wasn’t going to keep him from playing out his final varsity season on the mat. DK head coach Dan Phillips is looking forward to having Stampfler back in the wrestling room with state finals experience the way the Vincent brought that back to DK each season. “Gage Vincent was undeniably our lead­ er,” Phillips said. “He was the leader on this team 100 percent. We’re hoping Gauge steps up. He’s got those big leadership shoes to fill next year. We’re hoping he can step into those and be the leader I know he can even­ tually be. “But he has big shoes to fill, because Gage Vincent is a coach’s dream. He knows what I want all the time. He works hard every single practice. Anything I asked him to do he did it, with great enthusiasm, and he pulled every­ body else along. He was undeniably the lead­ er on the team.” .“li. Sxs * Tn �Nj^S NMj^S Q The Hastings Banner — Thursday. March 9. 2023 — Page 11 TK seniors excited by soph’s blood round win Brett Bremer Sports Editor Without fail, one thing popped into the minds ofthe Thomapple Kellogg seniors at Ford Field when asked about the coolest thing they’d seen a teammate do at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual Wrestling Finals. “Christien [Miller], a sophomore, he placed,” Austin Chivis said. “No one really expected that. That was really nice.” “Miller’s blood round match was easily the coolest thing that I have seen,” Kyron Zoet said. “The whole match was good, because earlier in the year he got pinned by [StJoseph sophomore Joseph Lowry]. I thought he was down and out, but he kept going for it. He got the double-leg in the end and after that his celebration was really cool to see. “I liked Christien’s match in the blood round,” Zack Gibson said. “I loved that, when he placed. [Coach Dyane] Fletke carried him right off the mat. That was my favor­ w w$ >kW 'V VVV VV 'Js^ss®* \k*<y $\kM<y:w.\' wl'vh r SSS5JSS ^5^JSqS vs>'^;Sq! W ISSN £"•*!?< £*!?< jQs> Qs> S~~SJ' iSC?Su^■'siluS* '^*■m's*ilzuSS*i '>*,mz mC*zS Ssi r^.r^ .^secutdL. <S^ ^iSj1**’1'^<S <SSJ SwJ? Mid '*«!*! ^IHkl^i *S| i^s® is® X?-"5u -u£2..?** ?!'®! >«S£5 mss >*iM»*l.fc:Ssi; S*SSS • . -^rcic, -rcic, iinx rwbfai *£ z> r/JZ *Z£Z* xSf Z xSf ®i ®i ZSfiv Sfiv Z ^liZ^ Z 4% 4%/La?! ^6 ^6.r ite moment right there.” J Lowry tapped Miller on the head a couple times at the start ofa one-minute sudden vic­ tory overtime period in their Division 2,106pound blood round match Friday. The blood round at the state finals is the second round of consolation where the winners are guaranteed a spot on the state medal stand and their opponents’ see their state tournament run Come to an end. At the second touch, Miller shot for Lowry’s left leg and then kept driving through for a quick take down that earned him a 7-5 win and his first state medal. “It was amazing,” Miller said once his tournament was through Saturday. “I was slapping the mat. I felt like, I’m overpow­ ered now!” At the whistle, Miller raised both hands in the air and then squatted down and slapped the mat with both hands. He shook Lowry’s hand, had his arm raised by the official, pointed to his fans in the stands, shook the St. Joseph coach’s hand and then skipped off into Fletke’s arms. Miller went on to place eighth, finishing hw season with a record of32-12. He was one of three state medalists among the six TK state qualifiers. Chivis (22-5) earned his first state medal by placing sixth at 175 pounds. Gibson (48-5) earned his fourth state medal by placing fourth at 144 pounds Miller rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the sec­ to ond nd period to lead 5-4 in the third thanks to a take down ofLowry with 32 seconds remain­ ing on the clock. Lowry fought his way out with 11 seconds to go to force the sudden victory overtime period. It was exciting. It was awesome,” Miller said. I lost to the kid before, a while ago, and then I came back and beat him, which was exciting for me. I just had to get more energy in me. I couldn t be tired in the second period. I just had to push through it. It’s all mental.” TK senior Jackson Curtis (37-14), wres­ tling in the 150-pound weight class, and sophsoph­ omore Emma Gibson (17-8), wrestling in the girls 120-pound weight class, both won one match over the weekend at the finals. Chivis was happy to get his first state medal. He felt left out a bit a year ago, qualifying for the finals but missing out on a top eight finish while teammates like Zack GibGib­ son, Zoet and Curtis finished the 2022 finals on the medal stand. It was full ofups and downs. I think they did a really goodjob coming in here,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said. “Austin Chivis, the first time on the podium after last year coming up one match short. He took sixth place today, which is awesome. It’s a good way to finish his senior season, especially coming off that elbow injury especially not knowing ifwe were going to get him back or not.” Zack Gibson was hoping to be higher high on the medal stand at the end ofhis senior sea­ son this time around, but didn’t let the disap­ pointment of a tough 8-7 loss to Mason’s Dylan Granger in the first round ofthe finals Friday keep him from battling through the next six rounds to place as high as he could. He even avenged that loss to Granger in the Thornapple Kellogg senior Zack Gibson takes a minute to compose himself on the mat after falling in the final moments to Lake Fenton's Ty Johnson in the match for third place in Division 2's 144-pound weight class a the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit Saturday. Gibson placed fourth to become a four-time state medalist. (Photo by Brett Bremer) consolation semifinals with a 4-3 win that put him into the match for third place. “That was a hard way to start offthe week­ end,” Fletke said, “but he’s got that mental toughness and was working through that things aren’t done yet. That’s a hard way to start it in your senior year, but you overcome and hopefully it ends well .and ends on a pos­ itive note.” Gibson took a 3-2 win over Petoskey’s Brendan Swiss in the first round of consola­ tion, defeated Jamarion Richards form Kearsley 6-2 in the blood round and then moved onto Saturday’s placing rounds where he started with a 5-1 win over Adrian’s Braxton Tindall. In the match for third, Gibson was pinned by Lake Fenton’s Ty Johnson in a tough end­ ing to the tournament for the TK senior. Gib- Saxons take district opener in back-and-forth battle Jayson Bussa Editor ’ ‘ Hastirtgs varsity boy^’basketball coach y Rich Long* Works with his team oh. scoring in quick bursE^1"1311''^^11 “We call it score-stop-score - we run drills in practice doing that,” said Long. “We -pride ourselves on four-point bursts. Score, get a stop and get another score.” Even 4-0 runs were hard to come by on Monday night at Plainwell High School for ) the first round ofthe Division 2 district tour­ nament. T But once the Saxons were able to reel off the game's only substantial scoring run, it was ' enough to put them over against Grand River | Preparatory Academy by a score of65-56. The first quarter ofplay laid the ground­ work for a potential barn-burner, as both ’ teams were able to score plenty. The Titans showed that they weren’t going to be shy about launching long-range shots, knocking down a 3-ball in the opening seconds ofthe game and building a quick 5-0 lead before senior Myles Padilla hit a 3 of his own. It ■ was offto the races from there. The Saxons finished the first frame with an 18-17 advantage and the tug-of-war battle continued into the second quarter, which played out in a 27-27 tie at the halftime break. The first halfalone saw six lead changes and four ties. Padilla, one of the primary offensive engines for the Saxons, was saddled with early foul trouble, which meant he appeared sparingly in the half. He scored seven ofhis team-high 19 points in the half. “Myles Padilla got in early foul trouble , he got two and we sat him on the bench and he takes a lot of offense for us,” Long said. i “We were able to get him settled in and back going and that gave us more of a one-twothree punch instead ofjust a one-two punch.” Both teams battled in the third quarter until Hastings was able to mount the offen­ sive surge that would decide the game. Trailing 36-35 with a couple minutes left in the third quarter, the Saxons reeled offa quick 7-0 run to close out the quarter. This included a leaner by Padilla, who was fouled in the process. He pumped his fist in celebration before going to the line to knock down his free throw. To close out the quarter, Senior Layton Eastman kept a ball alive on the offensive glass and put it in to hand Hastings a 42-36 advantage heading into the final stanza. The Saxons continued that momentum into the fourth quarter when Padilla found Eastman for an alley-oop layup and followed with another strong take to the rim by Padilla, opening the lead to double digits for the first time. But this was a win-or-go-home scenario, and the Titans played like it was. With just under five minutes left, Julian Hardy cashed in on a couple of free throw attempts to whittle the lead down to just five points. The Saxons were able to mount a few cru­ cial defensive stands down the stretch, includ­ ing an emphatic block by Hayden Long. While Hastings fouled three-point shooters for Grand River Prep on two occasions son had a 2-0 lead in the closing seconds. He scored the only points ofthe bout with a rever­ sal midway through the second period. After a restart with 12 seconds to go in the third peri­ od, Johnson managed a reversal of his own and he stuck Gibson as the time expired. Chivis took an 8-4 win over Fowlerville’s Layne O’Neil in his blood round match Fri­ day. The Trojan senior scored the initial take down 15 seconds into the bout, but was only in control for about 15 seconds before O’Neil managed a reversal to even the match. “That [reversal] was an eye-opener. I was like, dang, I have to pick it up some more or I might not place. I’m not trying to risk my senior year not placing and have that be the end,” Chivis said. He held O’Neil down for the whole sec­ ond period, and then got an escape to start the third period to move in front 3-2. The two went back and forth from there. Chivis got an escape with about 90 seconds to go, O’Neil managed another reversal. With Chivis still holding a 5-4 lead, he added to that lead with an escape point with halfa minute to go and then clinched the win with a late take down. Chivis opened Saturday’s action with a 4-1 win over Pickney’s Brady Raymond. Goodrich’s Brady Benson got Chivis in the consolation semifinals, 3-1, and then John Glenn’s Logan Demarest knocked offa wom out Chivis 3-0 in the match for fifth. 'In the openjpg round of the tournament ‘Frtdhy, Chivis outscored Allen Park’s Gry­ phon Alwell 6-0. It was Mason’s Derek Badgley who knocked him from the champi­ onship bracket with a 2-0 decision in the quarterfinals. Zoet was happy to walk in the Grand March Friday at the opening of the tourna­ ment. He spent much of the time between qualifying for the state finals for a fourth time Thornapple Kellogg sophomore 106-pounder Christien Miller heaves Brother Rice's Richie Davis off the mat during their match for seventh place at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual Wrestlings Finals Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. Miller earned his first state medal with an eighth-place finish - one of three TK! wrestlers to medal at the finals. (Photo by! Brett Bremer) by winning his weight class at the Feb. 18: regional in Lowell and the weekend’s indi­ vidual state finals getting treatment and sur-i geries for an infection that was targeting his! chest, hips and a finger. He started experiencing his first pain issues] from the infection the day after the Trojans’* individual district tournament. There were at couple ER visits for Zoet between the district! tournament and being admitted to the hospital! a few days after regionals. He wasn’t even sure he’d get to be at the finals. “They were trying to get me out earlier in* the week, but it was still hard to walk and to! sit down for a long period of time without! laying down. That was my main goal. When I got sent home on Wednesday I knew I would be able to be here,” Zoet said. Zoet still ends his high school wrestling career with over 150 victories and as a two­ time state medalist^. “That was not easy for any ofus to hear the new,” Fletke said, “and it turned us to think­ ing about Kyron and praying for him. A lot of the community came together and supported him, and itjust shows that the wrestling com­ munity in Middleville has a lot of support. We were really happy that he was able to make the trip down here, and get to march and watch with his friends.” >• Fabrics for St. Patricks [ Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Graduations, Birthdays ► Make a tote, pillow, quilt, J curtains, tablecloth, placemats, ► potholders, aprons, more Hulst Cleaners Picku*p Station ► ► 4< QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm ff* Hastings junior Kai Richardson keeps the ball away from a Titah defender during Monday’s victory in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 2 District tournament at Plainwell High School. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) late in the game, they had already built enough cushion to secure the victory. In addition to Padilla’s 19 points, Eastman finished with 13 points and point guard Owen Carroll added 11 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter alone to ice the game. “(District games) are definitely different than regular season games,” said Eastman about the vibe ofMarch Madness games. “I think going into the game you already have more anxiety and you know it’s going to be loud andjust have to prepare for it and doing what you do.” Jaydon Weddle finished with a game-high 20 points for the Titans, connecting from behind the long line three different times to keep his team in striking distance most of the night. The Saxons advanced to the district semi­ finals and faced one of the state’s leading Division 2 teams in Grand Rapids South Christian. That game concluded after dead­ line for this issue of The Banner. But upon the conclusion of his team’s victory on Monday, Long was not backing down from the perennial powerhouse. “They’re an outstanding team. They play very well - they have so many weapons,” Long said of South Christian. “We’ll have to play a perfect game,” Long added. “I’ll tell the kids that but I’ll also tell them to play free. You don’t have to play tight. Mistakes are going to happen and that’s just basketball. They’ll make mis­ takes, too. They’ve very solid, but they’re kids, too.” ATTENTION BARRY TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS BARRY TOWNSHIP REGULAR MEETING DATES 7:00 P.M. SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH unless noted Barry Township Meeting Hall 155 E. Orchard St. Delton, Ml 49046 The Saxons' Landon Steward lines up a free throw attempt during the sec­ ond quarter of Monday evening’s district game at Plainwell High School. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) MARCH 14 2Q23 APRIL 11 2023 2023 MAY 09 JUNE 13 2023 JULY 11 2023 AUGUST 08 2023 SEPTEMBER 12 2023 OCTOBER 10 2023 NOVEMBER 14 2023 DECEMBER 12 2023 JANUARY 09 2024 FEBRUARY 13 2024 PUBLIC HEARING @ 6:30 p.m. 2024 PUBLIC HEARING @6:30 p.m. 12 MARCH All meetings are held at the Barry Township Meeting Hall at 7:00 p.m. unless noted otherwise. Barry Township will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed material being considered at any township meeting, to individuals with disabilities uoon seven days notice to the clerk. 155 E. ORCHARD STREET (MEETING HALL) 11300 S. M-43 HWY, (TOWNSHIP OFFICE) P.O. Box 705 DELTON, Ml 49046 PH 269-623-5171 OR FAX 269-623-8171 EMAIL: barrytownship@mei.net Website: barrytownshipmi.com Respectfully, Debra J. Knight, Barry Township Clerk 195453 �Page 12 — Thursday, March 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE ‘Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on April 6, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage to CitiFinancial, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its i individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner trustee for WF 19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13,2021 as Instrument Number 2021­ 004919, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, loan modification recorded on January 8, 2014 as Instrument Number 2014-000122, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, loan modification recorded on June 6, 2022 as Instrument Number 2022-006352, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, , which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $17,967.87. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit Beginning at the Northwest comer of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52' 06" East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48' 01" East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private 'drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Liber 3 of plat on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37' 00" West 427.89 feet; Thence North 09 degrees 49' 00" East 114.74 feet; Thence South 89 degrees 53' 12" East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48' 01” West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord family trust by warranty deed dated 5-21-03 and recorded 8-6-03 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife warranty deed dated 4-1-02 and recorded 4-5-02 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-007-10 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, in which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a (b) notice, whichever is later, or extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the’ mortgage holder for damaging the property, during the redemption period. ATTENTIQN,HpM^OWNER: Jtyou qrpa military service mertiberonactivedi^y/if’your period of active duty'has cbfiUld to less than 90 days ago, bi6If you have' been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered atzsale, plus interest This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: February 22, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 (03-02)(03-30) 195817 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 4, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Tyla J. McCoy and Johnny R. McCoy Original Mortgagee: Flagstar Bank, FSB Foreclosing Assignee (if any): JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Chase Home Finance, LLC successor by merger to Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation successor by merger to Chase Mortgage Company Date of Mortgage: June 27, 2001 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 6, 2001 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $81,400.24 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 2/3 of Lot 109 of the City, formerly Village, of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof, Barry County Records. Common street address (if any): 335 E High St, Hastings, Ml 49058-1534 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Rochelle R. Barnum, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: American General Financial Services, Inc. Date of mortgage: March 6, 2006 Recorded on March 9, 2006, In Document No. 1161088, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2019-R3 Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Twenty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Five and 32/100 Dollars ($24,855.32) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: THAT PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 34, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: THE SOUTH 75 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE NORTH 235 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: COMMENCING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF THE STATE TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY M-66 AND THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 34; THENCE RUNNING WEST ALONG THE SAID EAST AND WEST QUARTER LINE 215 FEET; THENCE NORTHERLY PARALLEL WITH THE CENTER OF SAID TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY M-66, 340 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE SOUTH LINE OF LAND DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED IN LIBER 156 OF DEEDS, ON PAGE 348; THENCE EAST PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID QUARTER SECTION, 215 FEET TO THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY 340 FEET; MORE OR LESS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 15446 M66, Bellevue, Ml 49021 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2019R3 Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1490814 (02-23X03-16) 195209 195740 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on April 13, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage (the "Mortgage”) made by Justin Stuive and Amy Hawke, a single man and a single woman, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated May 29,2009, and recorded on June 4,2009, in Document No. 200906040005899, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated February 8, 2022, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and recorded February 11, 2022, Instrument No. 2022­ 001773, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage is $103,652.21 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage as stated above, plus interest on the amount due at the rate of 5.0% per annum; all legal costs and expenses,- including attorney's fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in Barry County, Michigan described more fully as: LOT 13 OF PLEASANTVALLEY ESTATES, YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN LIBER 6 OF PLATS, PAGE 13 OF BARRY COUNTY RECORDS. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTSAND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. Tax ID No. 08-16-270-013-00 Commonly known address: 12944 Valley Drive, Wayland, Ml, 49348 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. March 6, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 Date of notice: March 2,2023 (03-09)(04-06) Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Allison N. May, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated April 18, 2019 and recorded June 5, 2019 in Instrument Number 2019-005378 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on July 22, 2020, in Instrument Number 2020-007341, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by THE MONEY SOURCE INC., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Seventy and 69/100 Dollars ($120,270.69). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 16, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: The North 4 Rods of the South 8 Rods of Lot(s) 100 of Plan of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded In LiberA of Plats, Page 1 of Barry County Records. 515 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 16, 2023 File No. 23-000644 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (02-16)(03-09) NOTICE^OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE 196261 Financial FOCUS NOTICE NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on APRIL 6, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jonathan Billotti, Married Man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated December 30, 2021 and recorded January 28, 2022 in Instrument Number 2022-001228 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Union Home Mortgage Corp., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety and 6/100 Dollars ($263,790.06). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on APRIL 6, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Carlton, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 8, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST, CARLTON TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION; THENCE NORTH 9? JHE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION, 50 RODS PLACE 0F BEGINNING; THENCE EAST ?WEST aH5?61.1 DS: RODS; THENCE NORTH 39.3 RODS; THENCE THENCE SOUTH 39.3 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 6240 N Broadway Rd, Freeport, Michigan 49325 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In raccordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of suchh sale. l !IiriecnAPerty ls so^ at ^orec,°sure sale, pursuan o f ik 600,3278> the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage 0 the property during the redemption period. Dated: March 9, 2023 File No. 23-002048 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm( Dd0hdren3SeS3MS1)6m50b Were(82t 4B8l9) B R 5e°a2v-1e4r 0R0oad- Tr°y Ml 48084 R(0n3e3S)mber(248)5°2-1400 Provided by the Barry Comity offices ofEdwardJones Wendi Stratton Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 49073 (517)760-8113 Memboeer rSsIP.rCv Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 iff',, 'f J Have you built an emergency fund? Many people make finan­ penses for emergencies, plus cial New Year’s resolutions, another 12 months’ worth of such as reducing their debts expenses, after accounting for or contributing more to their your other sources ofincome, retirement accounts — both to cover your everyday spend­ ofwhich are certainly worthy ing needs. And if you are retired, it’s goals. But among those who planned to make a financial especially important to main­ resolution for 2023, the pri­ tain this larger emergency mary reason was the desire to fund so you can avoid dipping build an emergency savings into your investment portfo­ fund, according to a Decem­ lio to pay for any unforeseen ber 2022 study by research costs and daily expenses. As firm Morning Consult you know, the financial mar­ Factors such as economic kets can be volatile, so, ifit’s concerns and the sharp rise possible, you’ll want to avoid in inflation seem to be driv­ having to sell investments ing this greater interest in when their prices may be building an emergency fund. down. When building an emer­ But it’s extremely valuable to maintain this type of fund in gency fund, where should you any economic environment. keep the money? You’ll need An emergency fund can help it to be accessible, so you’ll you prepare for a temporary want it in a liquid investment job loss or early retirement, vehicle. At the same time, you or pay for large home or auto don’t want to take risks with repairs, sizable medical bills this fund, so you’ll want to be and other needs. confident that your principal So, how much do you will likely be preserved. Some need to keep in an emergen­ possibilities might include cy fund? The answer depends short-term certificates of de­ on your stage oflife. Ifyou’re posit (CDs) or money market still working, you might want accounts. But wherever you at least three to six months’ put the money, keep it sepa­ worth of living expenses rate from your regular check­ in your emergency fund. If ing or savings account — it’s you’re already retired, how­ called an “emergency” fund ever, you may need at least for a reason, and you don’t three months’ worth of ex- want to mingle it with the acNOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice Of foreclosure by 'advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MARCH 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Adam M. Home, a married man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/ or assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 7, 2017 and recorded July 11,2017 in Instrument Number 2017­ 006903 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Two and 85/100 Dollars ($139,332.85). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 23,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of PRAIRIEVILLE, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 6 of Prairieville Heights, Prairieville Township, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded Plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 34. 8324 Delton Rd, Delton, Michigan 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property Is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: February 23, 2023 File No. 23-001430 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (02-23)(03-16) counts you use every day. Given the high cost of liv­ ing, it’s not always easy to sock away money for emer­ gencies — and if you wait until all your bills are paid be­ fore addressing an emergency fund, you may only make very slow progress. One possible strategy is to pay yourself first, so to speak, by having some money automatically moved from your checking or savings account each month into your emergency fund. And whenever you get a fi­ nancial windfall, such as a tax refund or a year-end bonus at work, you might use some of it for this fund. It will take time and disci­ pline to build and maintain an emergency fund. But once you’ve got such a fund in place, you’ll feel more con­ fident in your ability to deal with unexpected costs that could potentially disrupt your progress toward your financial goals. So, make it a priority this year to build or strengthen your emergency fund. It will be worth the effort This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use byyour local EdwardJones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC w' w 4 J <1 nW* ,00® “ Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some;partof:th&mrata public, auction safety the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March 30, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor's): Denton W. Kemp and Cindy S. Kemp, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: November 23, 2018 Recorded on November 28, 2018, in Document No. 2018­ 011472, Foredosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Eight Thousand Three Hundred Forty-One and 24/100 Dollars ($108,341.24) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Commencing 1,094 feet South of the Northwest comer of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 7 West for point of beginning; thence East 198 feet; thence South 110.5 feet; thence West 198 feet; thence MgltfDli* rtkift Im ■jsi shy of spot io Hit IK Mg Fids BmIqb W lWj** . North 110.5 feet to point of beginning. Commonly known as 215 S Main St, Woodland, Ml 48897 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished •'Uk.U* pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofAct 236 of 1961. under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr. Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 195524 HF • 1491566 (03-02)(03-23) 196039 196205 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1490892 (03-02)(03-23) 9J 195801 ^\ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 9, 2023 — Page 13 Comets outscore DKHS girls in district semifinals at Lawton b Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ basket­ ball season came to an end with a 62-21 loss to Kalamazoo Christian in the semifinals of the MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament hosted by Lawton last Wednesday. The Comets went on to score a 38-34 win over Schoolcraft in the district semifi­ ¥ nals Friday. “We ran into a buzz saw that was dressed as Kalamazoo Christian girls hoop team,” Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn said. “They are a pretty good basketball team that shoots the ball very well. well.” The Panthers end the season with a 6-18 overall record. “Our season long shooting issues kept us from adding to the scoreboard for most ofthe night,” Mohn said. “We took pretty decent shots, they just didn’t go in the hoop. It has been a bit of a struggle for a lot of the girls this season. To their credit, they never gave up and always continued to work on their games, even right down to the very end. 5 « h» record* IL tt* i°Ugh season in the win“loss •to.™”, veX S±.lTe ean and ‘hat a JUst smae made very special group to coach. th eiir ir ,,kC C??nfi^ent infit^hent ld thedy itwililll mbake heir mark in the world and it will be a ? aC® ,because of their ability to ?oait,ve>y regardless of the situaV tdthey heyf tmh may ay fkfind inidd the themselves dm tshelvesh in. in. Very yp proud of these kids d th y h been an absolute joy to coach. coach. ” Schoolcraft earned its spot in the dis otruict-t finals against Kalamazoo Christian by coTrihngK Lawton Lalwton 35-25 35-C 25h Wednesday. Wie tidnesdialy. coring The Kalamazoo Christian girls 22-3 overall this season.They s beat Watervliet 60-51 in the regional set mtiffinals thin Centreville. The Comets are set to face the 22-1 Buchanan girls in the regional final tonight, March 9, back in Centreville Colts run by DK boys in district opener Brett Bremer Sports Editor Comstock took a 69-52 win over the Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team in the opening round of the MHSAA Division Sis 3 District Tournament hosted by Gales­ burg-Augusta Monday. The Colts pressure defense and work on the glass did in the Delton Kellogg guys. Amarion White poured in 30 points for the Colts. Mason Molloheim had 20 and Jason- 1 1 "‘fem fem lyier 14. Philip Halcomb and Grant McArthur had 12 points apiece to lead Delton Kellogg. Tyler Howland had 11 points and Torren Mapes finished with 8. “We have not been very good on the boards all year and it really hurt us again tonight,” DK head coach Jim Hogoboom said. “That and their quickness were two things we just couldn’t overcome.” The Colts built an 18-10 lead in the open­ ing quarter and steadily expanded the gap as the ballgame progressed. Comstock moved to 13-10 overall this sea­ son with the win and was set to face School­ craft in the district semifinals Wednesday. Hackett Catholic Prep and Kalamazoo Chris­ tian were slated to meet in the other spmifinal, at Galesburg^Augustas Bfigfo^chotriRMan®^ 8p iriRan in rtaso ini ighbid !n*rtoirl ■^aarsiiDhi^sijtefr n Vsxztiesaedoes-ffLin; _ IE. IK toft deakflbffaftra/anavi flanKtsABtea^^Ba HO?I6|5E‘Hortgagoi(s):De^.U Efecfrori tabs rail iifcwsnrfi ^ns.kfMEIS), solely am' jyfcjHtessoi at? **«•*£* ltirefrWW|lei,sc®1 y Ml W 21 1 v VI «e, UCIttO^ Low-1 ME 99r» I tssgrsi i® £ «•«?** «•«? ?k jjaikar^Awnldaimed^ tiuMW** a") The Comets scored a 58-26 win over the host Rams in their opener Monday. We ve had some really good moments this year and I’m proud of my guys,” Hogoboom said. “I really appreciate our exchange kids for giving basketball a try. Without them we would have struggled to have enough guys for 5-of-5 in practice. Philip Jorgensen Alvar Martinez and Jonathan Steinkamp were wonderful additions this year.” The Panthers will also miss their seniors Jason Lundquist and Isaac Shepard. “[They] worked hard at developing as lead­ ers and have been huge for our program,” Hogoboom said. “We’re trying to make strides as a program and I think we took a step for­ ward, and we have some young guys that I expect to just keep getting better. Love these guys and appreciate how they have embraced and try to live out our ‘do a job’ motto.” The Panthers were 8-14 overall this season. They closed the regular season with a 69-60 loss at Calhoun Christian last Thursday. Calhoun Christian ran out to a 23-10 lead in the first quarter. The Panthers put a surge on late, cutting a 17-point deficit to 7 points, but missed a few shots late and Calhoun Christian sank 12 free throws in the fourth Brett Bremer Sports Editor Saxon senior Abby Barton just missed out on a spot in the match-play portion of the MHSAA Division 2 Girls’ Bowling Singles Finals at Century Lanes in Water­ ford Saturday. Barton placed 19^ in the qualifying rounds, finishing just 26 pins shy of the last of I the 16 match-play qualifiers after six games. She was one of 60 girls in the state finals field, joined by fellow Hastings seniorAndrea Rhodes who was 44^ in the qualifying. The Hastings varsity bowling program also had sophomore Miles Lipsey place 53r^ in the boys’ qualifying rounds. advances Ottawa in tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was a good start, but a little too good to be true. Ottawa Hills scored its third victory of the season over OK Gold Conference foe Thor­ napple Kellogg by a score of 67-28 in Mid­ dleville Monday in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 1 state tournament. The 15-8 Bengals were set to go to East Kentwood to-face the 16-6 Falcons Wednesday, March 8, in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinals Thorriapple Kellogg limited its turnovers early on. Ottawa Hills came out cold shooting the basketball. TK opened the game on a 7-0 run and led 9-1 midway through the opening quarter. But the bigger, faster Bengals took over from there. A bucket by sophomore guard Jacob Draaisma had TK’s lead at 9-1, but Ottawa Hills senior guard Quadir Hatchett beat everyone back the other way to scoop in a lay-up that broke his team’s field goal drought to open the ballgame. A minute later the two teams were all tied up. Bengal junior Craig Hureskin was fouled while draining a triple and converted the fourpoint play at the free throw line and then a bucket by senior Isaiah Bradford made it 9-9. That was just the start of a 30-2 run over the final 11 and a half minutes of the first half. TK’s next bucket didn’t come until Draaisma put back an offensive rebound with 48 seconds left before the half. Ottawa Hills led 39-11 going into the locker rooms. The Bengals stretched their lead to 60-21 by the end ofthe third quarter. The Bengals were able to tip a few balls out of the Trojans’ possession by chasing them down from behind on the night, consistently threw double teams at the Trojans and jumped in passing lanes time and again. The Trojans did limit Ottawa Hills to 21 fewer points than they scored in the previous meeting, in the OK Gold Conference finale in Middleville Feb. 24. Strong rebounding work was one of the big positives for the Trojans. TK ends the season with a 2-21 overall record. While the Trojans lacked for wins, they gained quite a bit of experience on the court. Sophomores Jacob Draaisma and Brody Wiersma were key contributors throughout the season, in the way that juniors Tyler Gavette and Sias were a season earlier. They can all be back on the court together for TK a year from now along with junior Kyle VanHaitsma, who was the team’s top scorer this season at 10 points per game and earned hon­ orable mention all-conference in the OK Gold, and junior guard Ethan Bonnema. The young Trojan team got even a little younger come tournament time as freshman Lucas Ploeg played some key minutes in the ballgame with Ottawa Hills, and he likely would have played even more if he hadn’t drawn a few quick whistles trying to make some hustle plays diving on the floor after loose balls. Draaisma had a team-high 9 points for TK. Sias had 5 points and Ploeg finished with 4. TK head coach Josh Thaler made sure to get seniors Rein Pranger, Corey Holt and Jakob Rodriguez a proper senior send-off in the closing minutes Monday. Ottawa Hills got 18 points from Hureskin on the night. He buried four three-pointers. Hatchett had 14 points. Arien McDaniels, a quick junior guard, had 11 points and senior Isaiah Bradford finished with 10. Offensively, when the Bengals weren’t scoring in transition they were able to get down hill to the basket with the dribble and found open shooters in the comers when Trojan defenders were forced to converge on the paint. East Grand Rapids was set to take on Byron Center in the district’s other semifinal bail­ game Wednesday, at EGR High School. The Pioneers bested Wyoming 69-50 Monday in their district opener. Byron Center scored a 78-65 win at Caledonia Monday. The district final will be held Friday at Thomapple Kellogg High School. Tip is set for 7 p.m. 972. She had top games of 180,176 and 175. port senior Brynna Hanson 413-384 in their two-game championship series. In the boys’ competition, Lipsey had an overall pinfall of 986 with a high single Thornapple Kellogg senior Rein Pranger looks to thwart a shot by Ottawa Hills' Daten Strickland in the lane during the third quarter of Monday's MHSAA Division 1 District opener in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) boys won MHSAA Division 2 Team Bowl­ BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE ing State Championships at Century Bowl Friday, March 3. Banner CLASSIFIEDS THE ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW will be held at the Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey Rd. Plainwell Mi. 49080 on the following dates. CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Tuesday March 7, Organizational Meeting - 4:00 pm Monday, March 13, Appeal Hearing - 9:00 am to 12:00 noon & 1:00pm to 4:00 pm Tuesday March 14, Appeal Hearing - 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, & 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm For Rent NASHVILLE upstairs nice apartment, ideal for a couple or a single. No pets. Call 517­ 852-0852. Wanted $$$ PAYING CASH FOR Rides. I have no license so im willing to pay cash by the mile for rides to Hastings and/or around the Delton area for my everyday needs. If interested please call 269-447-4299. R itsin ess Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793, Act and At d th the Mihi Michigan Ciil Civil Riht Rights At Act MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or lega legal el Help Wanted CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, The Board of Review Will meet as many more days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests and to equalize the 2023 assessments. By Board resolution, residents are able to protest by letter, provided protest letter is received by March 13th, -12:00 noon. Written protests should be mailed to; BOARD OF REVIEW 7350 LINDSEY RD. PLAINWELL Ml. 49080 religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such p preference, reference, limitation or discrimination.’ F custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly w a accept ccept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property are as follows; Agricultural...................... Commercial...^............... 45.09% 48.08% 1.1089 1.0399 Industrial ..................... Residential ................... Personal............................ 53.86 % 40.77 % so'oo % 0.9283 1.2264 1.000Q (ADA) Americans with Disabilities Notice Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Clerk at least seven (7) days in advance of hearing. This notice posted in Compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA41.72a (2) (3) and with the Americans with Disabilities Act F2 GOLDENDOODLE PUP­ PIES, 9 weeks, ready now, located in Hastings. Up to date on shots, dewormed, flea & tick treated. $350.269-331-1300. 196124 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-029402-DE Honorable William H. Doherty Court address: 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Nancy E. Prough, deceased. Date of: Birth: 7/2/1946. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Nancy E. Prough, died 1/12/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all' claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Rebecca J. Vorva, personal * representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and thet personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: March 9, 2023 William K. Kriekard P39475 8051 Moonbridge Road Portage, Ml 49024 269-323-3400 Rebecca J. Vorva 607 North Williams Street, P.O. Box 145 Rose City, Ml 48654 269-501-6379 196134> 196034 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Portillo, a freshman from Charlotte, won the girls* singles title by outscoring Fruit­ ^25? Rhoades McKee PC Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-1921 Marie E. LaPlante c/o Rhoades McKee 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-1921 Robert L. Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 Donna J. Gaskill and Dennis Gaskill 8130 Wilson Drive Middleville, Michigan 49333 championship bracket though. Savannah Heerema won the D2 boys’ singles title in Date: 03/02/2023 Date: February 27, 2023 ifying rounds. Neither girl made the finals of the 16-girl the end by outscoring Tecumseh junior Owen Williams 388-382 in their two-game championship series. The Sparta girls and the Flint Kearsley In the Matter of Hubert G. Overholt and Carleen E. Overholt Trust. Date of birth: Carleen E. Overholt -April 23,1927. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Carleen E. Overholt, surviving Trustee, died January 27, 2023, leaving the above Trust in full force and effect. Creditors of the decedent or against the Trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or trust will be forever barred unless presented to Marie E. LaPlante, Trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. In the matter of Elaine I. Leonard Trust Agreement, dated September 28, 2016.. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Elaine * I. Leonard, bom June 23, 1920, who lived at 259 Fuller Street, Nashville, Michigan died November, 27, 2022 leaving a certain trust under the name* of Elaine I. Leonard Trust Agreement, jahd. dated September 28,2016, ^herein the dececjpnt was the, Settlor and Donna J. Gaskill ana Denni&Gaskm was.' named as the co-trustees serving at the time of or as a result of the decedents death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Donna J. Gaskill and Dennis Gaskill,. the named co-trustees at 8130 Wilson Drive, Middleville, Michigan within 4 months after the date i of publication of this notice. of Wayland senior Kadence Bottrall, who was in second place at the end of the qual­ The Saxon senior surged near the end to close in on advancing. Her final game STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Trust NOTICE TO CREDITORS TRUST Warren Wood Tower senior Kayla Tafanelli was' tops in qualifying with an overall pinfall of 1,359. She finished five of her six games well over 200 with a high single game of 258. She was 86 pins ahead game of 195. Grand Rapids Christian junior Zeke Rhodes finished with an overall pinfall of 4 over TK quarter to hold op. ■felfflbeWaU^orer^ith 27 Barton had an overall pinfall of 1,085. Flint Kearsley junior Ava Boggs was 16™ in the qualifying with a score of 1,111. 200. Her other top scores of the day included a 196 and a 191. S0 win Saxon senior just shy of spot in final 16 at D2 Bowling Finals was her highest of the tournament - a 41 Third Contacts - Clerk - Mel Risner: 269-664-4522 Supervisor- Thomas Rook: 616-299-6019 195544 Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly’ at 1:00 PM, on April 06, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Andrew Richardson, a single male Original Mortgagee: Mortgage ElectronicRegistration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: January 28, 2015 Recorded on February 10, 2015, in Document No. 2015-001119, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Fifty-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Six and 82/100 Dollars ($59,486.82) Mortgaged premises: Situated In Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING ON THE NORTH SECTION LINE OF SECTION 1, T2N, R9W, AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAGER ROAD AND CEDAR CREEK ROAD FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST ON SAID SECTION LINE 500 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 308 FEET; THENCE EAST 500 FEET TO THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD 308 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1475 W Sager Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of' Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1491567 (03-02)(03-23) 196038 �Page 14 — Thursday, March 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Portland defense leads it past Saxons and on to district title Saxon senior guard Macy Winegar fires up a three-pointer from the wing during her team's loss to Portland in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinal at Lakewood High School Wednesday, March 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings varsity girls’ basketball coach Chase Youngs thought his girls played well enough to beat Portland in the MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 District Semifinals at Lakewood High School Wednesday, March 1. “We just didn’t shoot well enough,” Youngs said. The Raiders barely shot well enough to beat the Saxons. Portland took a 35-22 victory over the Hastings girls Wednesday, and then went on to defeat Ionia in the district final back at Lakewood High School Friday night. The Raiders and Saxons were tied 2-2 at the end of the first quarter Wednesday. The Raiders put together a little 6-0 surge late in the first half, but Saxon senior guard Macy Winegar answered with a three-pointer that had her team back within 12-8 at the half. Hastings played much of that second quarter without senior forwards Bailey Cook, who was on the bench in foul trouble. Coach Youngs was pleased his girls were able to keep pace with one oftheir leaders on the bench. Winegar hit a three a minute into the sec­ ond halfto get the Saxons within a point, but Portland answered right back with back-to- back three-pointers by Paige Spedoske. Spedoskie finished with a team-high 10 points for the Raiders. It was a start of a 12-0 run over about two minutes that put the Raiders in control. “Really, there was a 90 second stretch in the third quarter where we hit a three, and they hit two threes, then we lose a player, we turn the ball over, we lose it, they get an 8-3 run in about a minute 30 [before a Saxon timeout],” Youngs said. “I’m going to say that’s the difference. It’s hard, when you’re not scoring and you go from down one and now you’re down nine, that’s a hard come­ back when youjust scored seven or eight in a half.” Six points was as close as the Saxons would get the rest of the way. Portland led 24-15 after three quarters. The Hastings girls were within eight in the fourth quarter, after a ptitback by freshman Olivia Friddle, but never closer than that. It wasn’tjust a poor shooting night for the Saxons. Both teams played very well defen­ sively. • “I thought we played well. Defensively, we did everything we were supposed to do. We held them to two until the end ofthe first and 12 in the half. We said, ‘ifwe can keep them in the 30’s we’re going to be in this.’ We just couldn’t make anything. That is a good team. Defensively, they were all over us. I knew that is what they .would do. We just didn’t make shots and they did. “I am proud of them. I thought the three seniors did a super job all year. It is a hard thing when you’re seniors. Trying to teach while you’re having a senior year is not always easy.” The Saxon senior trio included Winegar, Cook and Isabelle Storm. Winegar had 9 points and Cook 8 in the bailgame. Friddle finished with 4 points. Hastings’ other point came from sopho­ more forward Rachael Hewitt. Behind Spedoske for the Raiders, Ella Gruber had 7 points, Isabella Spitzley 6 and Malia Thelen 5. “We came out and ran zone,” Youngs said. “We said [Thelen] is not going to hurt us. [Thelen] is, I think, their best player. She is a solid, athletic guard. You watch her on film and she gets wherever she wants. What did W Kr j <0^ r r Hastings freshman Olivia Friddle pressures Portland's Malia Thelen near mid-court during their MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinal at Lakewood High School Wednesday, March 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) she have, 5 points? Maybe with free throws a little bit more,... but she did not hurt us.” Hastings also got some key contributions from sophomore Kalli Koning and junior Addey Nickels Wednesday. Coach Youngs was especially pleased with the defensive efforts ofHewitt, Storm, Nickels and Friddle. He was also pleased with the way Koning was wi *sl**?.0 * solid handling the basketball for an extended period oftime against the Portland D. The Portland D was good again Friday as the Raiders earned a spot in the regional round of the state tournament with a 45-26 win over Ionia. Malia Thelen had 16 points in the district final and teammate Lilly Thelen finished with 12. Foul trouble, shooting woes, do in Vikings in district ;;1 Hastings senior Bailey Cook goes up with a shot in the lane defended by Portland's Malia Thelen during their MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinal at Lakewood High School Wednesday, March 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) a SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Barry County Road Commission We are seeking qualified applicants with skill and experience to join our team, Local Government Agency has an excellent opportunity for a Mechanic looking to advance in their career. We are looking for an individual with 5+ years of experience preferred, a high school diploma, or GED. This is a full-time position with a pay rate of up to $30.27/hour and acompetitivebenefitspackage.Avalid a competitive benefits package. A valid Michigan Drivers license, criminal background, and a pre-employment drug screen are required. y Responsibilities • Performs all necessary preventative maintenance, checks, and services on gas and diesel trucks and small and heavy equipment. • Installs special functional and structural parts in trucks and equipment. • Sets up and operates lathe, drill press, grinder, torch, welder, and other metalworking tools to make and repair parts. • Troubleshoot electrical (computerized diagnostics), hydraulic Benefits • Health insurance •401K • Paid vacation, sick & personal time • Paid holidays • Boot, clothing, eyeglass allowance • Overtime opportunities • Training opportunities when applicable • Tools provided qL^Ck?Lup at the Barry County Road Commission office o^5'34?9)at 1725 W- M-43 H'ghway. Hastings, Ml 49058 between o AM J.45 PM, or found on our website at www.barrycrc.org. You may email y your completed application to bcasey@barrycrc.org. Applications will be accept­ ed until the position is filled. A complete job description will be provided at the time of application. rPam The Barry County Road Commission is an equal-opportunity employer. Brett Bremer Spoils Editor There was Jiope that getting, the gang aft back together woulCT alltfv^ fhe'Vftangs to beat the Bulldogs again, but they weren’t together for long. Ionia ended the Lakewood varsity girls’ basketball season with a 54-51 win over the Vikings in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinals at Lakewood High School Wednesday, March 1. Lakewood led the ballgame 20-19 at the halfand held a 25-22 advantage with a little over four and a half minutes to go in the third quarter after a three-pointer by junior guard Audrey Hillard. Moments later Lakewood junior forward Alivia Everitt picked up her fourth foul. Junior forward Cadence Poll had already picked up her fourth foul just before Hil­ lard’s three. The Vikings’ big advantage over the Bulldogs was their size heading into the ballgame, but the biggest parts of that big advantage spent much of the ballgame on the sideline in a whistle-filled contest. Poll had two fouls before the game was two minutes old. Poll and Everitt both had three fouls at the half. They were both on the bench for most of the final four and a halfminutes ofthe third quarter and the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. Everitt fouled out with 3:14 to play and Poll picked up her fifth foul with 1:02 to go knocking over Bulldog senior guard Rajalyaj Esquivel after she’d knocked the ball out ofPoll’s hands in the comer - an intentional foul that sent Esquivel to the free throw line at the other end ofthe floor and gave pos­ session to the Bulldogs. Everitt finished with 8 points, all in the first half. Poll, the Vikings’ leading scorer this season, had just 4 points. “We had plenty of offensive opportuni­ t ties,” Lakewood head coach Kelly Meints said. “So, whether the calls were correct or not, I don’t know, but you can’t send a team to the free throw line for 39 free opportunities. “Turnovers have been a problem for us all season. A team can’t come into postseason making the same mistakes that were aaddressed all season and expect to win. My girls had all ofthe tools, they knew what to expect, we were prepared, but some girlsjust wanted it more than others. It was a really tough way to go out. I was- not prepared to give my ‘end of season’ address last night.” Even with those issues, the Vikings and Bulldogs were tied at 46-46 with 2:23 to play. The Bulldogs had stretched their lead to as many as eight points late in the third quarter.. away Strong work by junior guard Joee Harton offthe bench helped the Vikings keep with­ in striking distance into the fourth quarter. Harton had a putback with ten seconds to go in the third quarter that got the Vikings within 38-33 and had another one in the opening moments ofthe fourth. Lakewood senior guard Alli Pickard had hit Lakewood senior Alivia Woodman is whistled for a foul as she tries to stay in front of Ionia guard Alexias Daugherty near mid-court during their MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinal at Lakewood High School Wednesday, March 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) a three-pointer to tie the game at 46-46, but the Vikings couldn’t put the ball in the hoop again until the final 20 seconds when senior guard Liv Woodman knocked down a three to cut an eight-point Ionia lead down to five. The Bulldogs sealed the win at the free throw line. Sophomore guard Alexias Daugherty was 10-of-ll at the line for the night. She hit two free throws to put her team in front 48-46 with about two minutes to play. It was the start ofa stretch in which the Bulldogs went 7-of-8 at the line to turn the 46-46 bailgame into a 53-46 ballgame. Woodman’s three and a putback by Viking sophomore forward Abby Pickard in the final 20 seconds shrank the final margin a bit. Lakewood bested the Bulldogs 43-34 during their regular season meeting at Lakewood High School back in December. Alli Pickard and Harton tied for the Lakewood team lead with 9 points each in the district semifinal. Woodman had 5 points and junior point guard Autumn Wil­ liams added 4. Lakewood had ten different girls score at least one point. “Alli Pickard played well for us,” Meints said. “She has really stepped up defensively this season.” The Viking coach would have liked to see Alli be a little more aggressive with her shooting though. She had seven ofher nine points in the fourth quarter. Woodman battled some foul trouble as well. Coach Meints was happy to see her keep her head despite the whistles taking some away of some her of ability her ability to be aggressive to be aggressive defensively. The Vikings weren’t quite at full strength Wednesday. They still clearly missed the presence of senior guard Ellie Possehn on the court. Possehn missed most of her senior season with an injury, but was there to support and coach her teammates throughout the year. Ionia got 12 points each from Daugherty and junior guard Aubree White. Esquivel finished with 9 points and senior guard Melayna Braman had 8 points. As a team, the Bulldogs were 24-of-39 at the free throw line. Lakewood picked up its seventh foul of the game, putting the Bulldogs in the bonus, after time had expired at the end ofthe first quarter. Alone at the line, Tessa Lemke hit two free throws for the Bulldogs at 10-10 going into the second quarter. The Bulldogs were in the bonus seven minutes into the second halftoo. Lakewood was just 6-of-12 at the free throw line for the night. While there weren’t nearly as many free throw attempts tor the Vikings, they did have a ton of attempts in the paint and all around the rim throughout the ballgame. They battled hard on the offensive glass. During one series early in the second quarter with the game tied 12-12 Abby Pickard rebounded a missed three by Hillard. Her scoop back up at the basket didn’t fall. Poll pulled down the rebound and went straight back up with a shot three times, the third time the ball finally fell through the rim but that bucket was waved offas officials ruled she was fouledjust before the attempt. Lakewood closes the season with a 14-8 record. The Vikings \yere 8-4 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference this winter. All in all, I m proud of the girls,” Meints said. ‘ We had a decent season, finishing our best since I started in 2019 at 14-8. To be a fierce competitor and win the hard ones, we ve got to play as one, and thatjust didn’t happen this season.” Ionia fell to Portland 45-26 in the MHSAA Division 2 District Final back at Lakewood High School Friday. The Portland Raiders took a 35-22 win in their dis­ trict semifinal with the Hastings Saxons at Lakewood High School last Wednesday. Send, Mi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. March 9.2023 — Page 15 Vikings close cheer year eighth at D3 Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor There were a couple tough moments at the top ofround three. The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team led offand had a solid round going until a flyer came down on one of team's final Stunts. inro uThe. four-time defending MHSAA Division 3 State Champions from Richmond followed the Lakewood girls to the mat in the final round of competition at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Finals inside Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena in Mt. Pleasant Friday. The Blue Devils had a flyer wobble and fight to stay up early in the round, but in the end she couldn’t hold on and settled down into the arms ofher bases a bit early. Richmond was strong from there, but it wasn’t enough to keep the state champion­ ship string going. A team other than Rich­ mond or Pontiac Notre Dame Prep won the Division 3 State Championship for the first time since 2012. The Lakewood girls had the spot front and center on the mat as the finals scores were read, next to the table with the state champion and state finalist trophies and in between the teams from Croswell-Lexington and Richmond. The Vikings’ own suspense was dissipated early as they were announced as the eighth place team. There was a gasp from the Croswell-Lex­ ington girls as Richmond’s third-place finish was announced, and an explosion from the same girls in royal blue as the green and gold Irish ofNotre Dame Prep were announced as the state runners-up. The Croswell-Lexington girls weren’t tops on the scoreboard in any of the three rounds, but they were on top in the end with a final score of 776.72. They finished just seven tenths ofa point ahead ofthe Pontiac Notre Dame Prep girls who finished with a score of776.02. Richmond won state championships in 2012 and 2013 before Notre Dame started a string offive consecutive state championships. Richmond took the Division 3 state title in every year from 2019 to 2022. Comstock Park J fc «s s , 1K. ’>> Lakewood senior Emily Root greets junior teammate Emily Pilar with a hug following round two at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Finals inside McGuirk Arena on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) won the state championship in 2011 before the Blue Devils and Irish went on their run. The Lakewood ladies were a part of the state finals for the seventh time in the past 11 seasons. Lakewood head coach Kim Martin said her team’s round three had a few tweaks to try and make things go smoother following the Vikings’ fourth-place regional finish the pre­ vious Saturday, and until the rough patch at the end it was one of her team’s top round three performances all season. “The kicker is, that stunt group that came down they were hitting it the best all week,” 09364028 ’ItainnRpis’ tat H Sdooi L23:2'0 wijarW The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team performs a jump during its round two routine Friday at the MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Finals inside McGuirk Arena on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Lakewood varsity competitive cheer team shouts out to the crowd at the conclusion of its round one routine Friday at the' MHSAA Division 3 Competitive Cheer Finals inside McGuirk Arena on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant.* (Photo by Brett Bremer) Martin said. “They were nailing it all week. “We didn’t change stunt groups all around, but we tweaked a couple stunts. The ones we had in weren’t very clean.” There weren’t many flawless performances in round three outside ofthe top two teams in the round. Martin was especially surprised to see Portland outscore her team in that final round by almost two points. Behind the top two teams, Richmond was third with an overall score of 774.96. Grosse He was the only team to outscore the state champions from Croswell-Lexington in round three and placed fourth with an overall score of774.92. Those top four teams were the top four teams from the regional made up of teams from the east side of the state. The order of the standings from the top ofthe D3 Regional at Rockford from Feb.<25 stayed the same at the state finals. Paw Paw won the regional on the west side of the state and placed fifth at the state finals with a score of 768.22 ahead o/5f2H.$o>waanrdd CLjatkyeTwroi odWW1Y 757‘ .28, Potrt. larnd The Lakewood girls outscored Portland and Tri County in round one, but were eighth among the teams in rounds two and three. That round one score for Lakewood was a 231.40. Lakewood had a score of 219.12 in round two and 298.90 in round three. “Some stuff looked better. We had a really good round one going. We had a couple motion errors, but at this point in the game you just can’t have that stuff. Round two, I thought was the best our skills have looked all season, but our 10-count was sloppy - the first ten motions. Everybody does the same ten motions.” The top round one scpre was a 234.80 from Richmond. Notre Dame Prep had the top round two score at 229.32. Grosse He had the top round three score of315.80. Massfel**’1 Lakewood This was the first season the cheer finals were hosted by Central Michigan University^ “Everybody loved it,” Martin said of the’ move from the DeltaPlex. ; “I am excited to come back here ifwe can get back here next year. We’re young this year. We’re pretty young. We have six girls that have never been in competitive cheer before. I’ll have a more veteran team next year with juniors and seniors, where this year we have a lot of sophomores.” Stockbridge girls beat Lions twice to close out season It was a tough back-to-back with Stock­ bridge to close a challenging 2022-23 var­ sity girls’ basketball season for the Maple Valley Lions. The Panthers bested the Lions jn.tbc final Greater Lansing Activities Confer­ ence bailgame Friday, on Winterfest night at Maple Valley, Feb. 24 to close the regu­ lar season. The Stockbridge girls then took a 60-7 win over the Lions in the MHSAA Divi­ sion 3 District Semifinals at Leslie High School Wednesday, March 1. Bri Short, Mackenzie Decker and Haylee Shook each had 2 points each for the Lions and Mariah VanDorp chipped in a free throw'. The Lions were 1-1.9 overall this season. Stockbridge moved its record to 17-6 with the two wins. The Panthers were 10-2 in the GLAC this winter, finishing second to 11-1 Olivet. The Lions were held without a win in 11 GLAC ballgames this season. Their second contest with Perry was canceled due to the recent winter storm. ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP 2023 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE 196331 Orangeville Township Board will hold a Public Hearing on the Proposed fiscal year 2023-2024 at the Orangeville Township Hall 7350 Lindsey Rd., Plainwell MI 49080. Tuesday March 21,2023 at 7:00 PM Copy of the proposed budget will be available for public inspection at the Lakewood ends regular season iwith overtime win over TK 2Dis®Se*a1^ Croswell-Lexington and Grosse He were tied in second place with scores of 234.50 after round one, three tenths ofa point behind Richmond. Notre Dame Prep was right behind with a score of234.0. Behind Notre Dame Prep in round two, Richmond had a score of228.96 that had the Blue Devils.44 hundredths of a point ahead of the Irish after the first two rounds. Cros­ well-Lexington was in third place at that point, 1.1 points back ofNotre Dame Prep. Township office. The Orangeville Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auditory aids and services as required by the Disabilities Act. Americans with Disabilities Act, stating that if those with disabilities notify the clerk withing 10 days prior to the meeting, accommodations will be furnished to satisfy such disabilities and allow meaningful attendance. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Clerk: Mel Risner, Home 269 672-2324, office 269 664-4522. it i.i -ih ih fell -1 r Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ifthe plan was to build some momentum going into the postseason, the Vikings got it done. The Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball team closed the 2022-23 regular season with back-to-back wins over Lansing Christian and Thomapple Kellogg. Lakewood welcomed back senior guard Jayce Cusack from an injury for the final two ballgames of the regular season. He had 18 points as the Vikings knocked of Lansing Christian 55-39 in the Greater Lansing Activ­ ities Conference finale Saturday evening, Feb. 25, at Lakewood High School, and then he poured in 28 as the Vikings scored a 55-53 overtime victory over visiting Thomapple Kellogg Thursday. The win moved Lake­ wood to 12-10 in the regular season this year. Junior guard Blake Price chipped in 10 points and junior Eli Jablonski and senior Montreal Reid had 4 points apiece for Lake­ wood Thursday. Junior shooting guard Kyle VanHaitsma led Thomapple Kellogg with 19 points. I took It k some heroics hi for f the h Vikings Viki to get the ballgame to overtime. They trailed TK by ten points with two and a halfminutes to go in regulation, and were still down seven with a minute to go. Coming out ofa timeout with 13.3 seconds left in regulation, trailing 48-46, Cusack drove along the right baseline in front of his bench and then flung a shot around big Trojan junior center Jaxan Sias. It didn’t fall, but Jablonski was there on the weak side to put the rebound back up and in tying the game at 48-48 with five seconds left. The Vikings even had a chance to win it in regulation when Reid stole TK’s rushed inbounds pass near half-court and heaved up a long three from the right wing that glanced offthe backboard and then the rim. TK led 28-25 entering the fourth quarter and VanHaitsma drilled a long three from the top of the key to double his team’s lead less than half a minute into the fourth. Junior center Jaxan Sias followed up with a three from the right comer that had TK in front 34-25. The TK lead grew to as many as ten points with Sias flipping in a shot in the lane that put his team up 39-29 with five and a halfminutes to play. A Trojan turnover led to a quick three by Lakewood senior guard Nathan Willette with 2:04 to go in the ballgame, trimming the TK lead down to 47-40. It was Willette’s lone bucket ofthe night, but it was as big one. The Vikings makes were boosted by the Trojans’ misses. TK guys were l-of-7 at the free throw line the rest of the way in regu­ lation. TK missed five consecutive free throws over the next minute, but Cusack was perfect from the line in the end. He buried three free throws to get the Vikings within 47-43 with 48.7 seconds left and then after a Trojan turn­ over in the back-court against pressure Cusack nailed a three in the right comer that has his team within 47-46 with 26 seconds to go. VanHaitsma finally hit the back end of a trip to the free throw line to bump TK’s lead up to 48-46 with 13.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. TK even had the lead to start overtime. Gavette put in a lay-up after a Viking turnover on the first possession of the extra four minutes. A Trojan turnover led to a Cusack three in transition with 2:45 to play though, that put his team up 51-50, and the Vikings never trailed again. Once given the opportunity to seal it at the free throw line, the Vikings did. Price hit a pair with 24.7 seconds left and then Troy Acker, who’d drawn a big charge on the defensive end minutes earlier, was perfect on two free throws with 8.1 to go. The only shot the Trojans got off in the final minute ofthe overtime was a long three from the top by senior guard Ethan Bonnema that swished through as the buzzer sounded. TK was just 10-of-20 at the free throw line for the night, but those struggles didn’t include junior guard Tyler Gavette or fresh­ man Lucas Ploeg who were both 4-for-4 in the ballgame. Ploeg, a recent JV call-up to prep for the postseason, hit all four ofhis free throw attempts in the fourth quarter and fin­ ished with eight points. Gavette finished with seven points and so did Sias. TK had five different guys hit three-pointers in the ballgame, including VanHaitsma who buried six ofthem. Cusack was 10-of-12 at the free throw line in the bailgame, going 7-of-9 alone in the fourth quarter. He hit four threes. TK led 11-8 after one quarter and the two teams went into the halftied 20-20. TK closed the regular season with a 2-20 record. Both Lakewood and TK were bested in their district openers Monday. TK fell in its Division 1 district contest against Ottawa Hills in Middleville. The Vikings fell to Port­ land in their Division 2 district at Forest Hills Eastern. Thomas Rook Supervisor Orangeville Township 616 299-6019 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY NOTICE OF BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING The Prairieville Township Board will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed township budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024 on March 15, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Road, Delton, Michigan. THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE PROPOSED TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE A SUBJECT OF THIS HEARING. A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Prairieville Township Hall. Prairieville Township will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to indi­ viduals with disabilities at the meeting upon seven days notice to the Prairieville Township Board. Contact the following: Rod Goebel, Clerk Prairieville Township Hall 10115 S. Norris Road Delton, Ml 49046 �Page 16 — Thursday. March 9. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Trojans match program’s best finals finish ever Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was a secret to everyone except the girls in orange, black and white out on the mat and and their coaches. .* Senior Presley Hall ran out ofthe crowd of Thomapple Kellogg Trojans in the comer of McGuirk Arena at the start ofround two and bounded onto the mat with her teammates. Hall didn’t even tell her parents she was back in round two. . “I wanted to see their reaction and hear their reaction when I threw it on the mat,” Hall said. Hall opened the season throwing back tucks with the Trojans in round two, but ran into a bit of a mental block and senior exchange student Monica Serrano Aguilar took her spot in round two as she got more confident in her own back tucks. Hall said that she finally hit it again in practice Monday, two days after regionals, and it wasn’t until Friday morning that she Knew for sure she’d be performing the skill at the state finals. “She has beautiful tumbling skills,” TK head coach Adrian Nichols said of Hall. ‘‘She never has a physical issue. It’s just a mental block and she has been working through that a lot. She was in our first competition in round two with the tucks and then she lost it. Then we put in Monica, our for­ eign exchange student. “Monica got hurt this past week, not a big Injury just a soreness kind ofthing, and Presley stepped up. It worked out to be prefect timing that Presley got her mental block out ofthe way the day before... and she went in. She went in and flawlessly hit it in round two and then she did it again in round three.” ; All the Trojans got the job done in round three at the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals Friday on the campus ofCentral , Thornapple Kellogg freshman Payton Gator shouts out to the crowd as she throws her arms upward during round one at the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals inside Central Michigan University's McGuirk Arena in Mt. Pleasant. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg's Ava Jahnke (front) and Monica Serrano Aguilar and their teammates perform a jump during round one of the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals inside Central Michigan University's McGuirk Arena in Mt. Pleasant. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. The TK girls were eighth after round one, jumped up to sixth in the standings after round two and then matched the highest state finish in the history of the TK varsity competitive cheer program by moving up to fifth in the end. “She ended on a good note,” Nichols said of Hall. “That was our shockwave of the week. They all handled it very well. They all knew she was capable. She has some of the best tucks on the team when she does it. Mon­ ica wanted her to go in. Monica is very self aware, and she knew that Presley could get thejob done, and she knew that her spot was in good hands. I am very proud ofthem.” She’s very proud of all ofthem. The TK coach said shooting for the stars, the Trojans hoped they could finish as high as third and really wanted to get to at least that fifth place spot to match the team’s high-water mark. Shooting to beat Allen Park or Gibralter Carlson would mean clearing the stars - and the two D2 powerhouses were out of this world again. Nichols pumped the opening ofher orange blazer, standing next to assistant coach Madelynn Lula behind the scorers tables, to let some heat out as the Allen Park varsity com­ petitive cheer team began its round one per­ formance. The Jaguars took mat right her Trojans late in round one and officially started the push for a fourth consecutive champions. Gibraltar Carlson followed the Jags. Between the two schools, Allen Park and Gibraltar Carlson, they have won every MHSAA competitive cheer state champion­ ship since the Holland Christian girls won the first ever title in 2007. Gibraltar Carlson won ten titles between 2008 and 2022. Allen Park won five titles during that span. Only three times during that span did another team even finish second at the D2 Finals. A 240 is a perfect score in round one. The Gibraltar Carlson girls put up a score of 238.9, and followed it up with near flawless back tucks, back walkovers and back hand­ springs in a round two performance that earned 232.04 points while including an unmatched motions per second routine. The Carlson Marauders clinched their state cham­ pionship with a round three score of320.60. TK junior Anna Smith couldn’t help but jump up out ofher seat along the upper sec­ tion railing behind the performance mat, pumping a fist in the air as the Marauders finished up their final round. The Carlson girls reacted with genuine shock as Allen Park was announced as the evening’s second place team, leaving only them to hold the state championship trophy. Berg wiggled her way through the mob on the mat be ringside as the Marauders exploded at the reveal oftheir victory. “We saw their round three and it was amazing,” Hall said. “I saw DI last night and I was literally blown away. I mean we look at the stats every week on Instagram and we kind ofjust watch it every week, and we are like how are they scoring that high. They are near perfect.” Coach Nichols was impressed with the Marauders on arid offttie mat. “It is always the two ofthem. It is always back and forth between Allen Park and Carl­ son. It is a big win for Carlson and I am very happy for them,” Nichols said. “TK was very much a Carlson team because they were cheering them on. Their kids are so nice. It is nice to see them see the state champion win, but also comment and say, ‘you’ve got it girl.’ “They’re literally talking to each other through the halls. ‘Let’s go. Pick your head up.’ The sportsmanship is insane over there, so I am glad my kids got to see okay the state champs are nice. The state champs are talent­ ed. We can be just like that also. Very good day. Very happy with what they did for sure.” Carlson had an overall score of 789.54 points. Allen Park was second at 788.86. Allen Park had the top round two score ofthe day at 232.06, two hundredths ofa point bet­ ter than Carlson, and had the number two score in round one (237.20) and round three (319.60). Claira Kovich is out front as the TK flyers perform scorpion positions above their stunt groups during round three Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals inside Central Michigan University's McGuirk Arena in Mt. Pleasant. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Dearborn Divine Child was third with an overall score of 774.96 ahead of Bay City Western 767.94, Thomapple Kellogg 762.28, South Lyon East 761.72, Mason 754.42 and Forest Hills Northern 727.04. “We wanted three, but Divine Child was better than us and Bay City Western was also better than us,” Nichols said. “We are happy to be as good as the previous teams from TK that I know were heavy hitters. I remember my classmates and I remember the girls after me. I am proud we stayed where we have been historically in the pro­ gram.” The TK girls opened the met with a score of228.70, and passed Mason and Forest Hills Northern in the standings with their score of 220.18 in round two. The Trojans closed the night with a score of 313.40 in round three that pushed them past South Lyon East. “I think our round three was honestly prob­ ably one of the best round threes we have ever done,” Hall said. “Just feeling that stick of every single stunt hit in the air and not even move a single bit and then doing the flip and the twist cradles catch and not moving is actually probably one of the best feelings a cheerleader can have.” Junior Ava Jahnke was a flyer above one of the three Trojan stunt groups in round three, and the only returning flyer for the Trojan team this season. “It was a dream come true really,” Jahnke said ofher team reaching the finals. “[We’ve wanted this] a very long time. We were set on it last year and we made it come true this year.” Nichols is excited to have a roster next year that will be filled with girls who know what kind of dreams they can make come true. “Now, they know what it feels like,” Nich­ ols said. “That is what I have been trying to get them to understand all year long. They will never truly understand it until they do it. Now they know what to expect next time and what the feeling is like. Now they know the venue. This is a new venue for everybody. All it does is give them more ammunition in the future.” The Trojans previously qualified for the state finals in 2012, 2014 and 2015. They won their second district championship and ninth conference championship this season. Lions hold off Saranac to open tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor The prettiest part ofthe final moments for the Lions was Chanse Courtney tipping the ball away as Saranac tried to get it in the post for one last shot. Ayden Wilkes snagged the deflection in the lane and then fired up a little two-handed heave towards half-court as the buzzer sound­ ed and the celebration rushed towards the Lion bench. The Lions live another day. The Maple Valley varsity boys’ basketball team fought offa Saranac charge in the fourth quarter for a 62-61 win in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 3 District TournamMent being hosted by Pewamo-Westphaliia Monday. The 6-17 Lions will face 15-7 Grand Rapids NorthPoirite Christian back at Pewamo-Westphalia in the district semifinals Wednesday at 7 p.m. ’ P-W takes on Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep in the district’s other semifinal match -up Wednesday evening. Wilkes led the Lions with 25 points and 3 assists in the win. Courtney had 13 points and » reobunds. The Lions also got 11 points and “ rebounds from Cam Carpenter. Maple Valley led 44-38 at the start of the ourt quarter and had the lead up to as many as eight points with four and a halfminutes to P ay. The Lions filled the final minutes with some missed opportunities and some heroics as Saranac fought back to lead a couple times with less than two minutes inutes to go. Wilkes scored the Lions’ final four points ? e night. He spun along the right side of me lane and kissed a shot off the glass that wiped out the last Saranac lead, putting the ions up 60-59 with 68 seconds left in the Thornapple Players will hold open auditions Monday, March 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 South Broadway St,, Hastings Rehearsals: 7:00-9:30 PM | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday *Wednesday rehearsals may be added Tech Rehearsal | April 30th (mandatory) Performances | May 3rd - 7 Director: Julian Kratochvil | Music Director: Dan Braker Questions...Call: 269-945-2002 Email: thornappleplayers@gmail.com or Follow us on Facebook Those interested in assisting with costumes, backstage, hair/makeup, lights, sound, etc., please attend auditions. Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) ~ Into the Woods ~ book by James Lapine music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim I bailgame. He followed that up with a couple free throws with 40.3 seconds remaining that extended the Lion lead to 62-59. “I thought we did a greatjob of attacking the rim tonight. The best we have done all year,” Lion head coach Ryan Nevins said. “When we weren’t able to finish we really crashed the offensive glass hard and created extra opportunities for ourselves. “It was great seeing everyone giving us positive minutes tonight. The guys on the bench were really involved, it was a true team win. Cam Carpenter, Reece Burhans, Callan Hoefler played great minutes for us tonight and did a fanatic job on the defensive end for us tonight.” The Lions were 0-of-4 from the free throw line in the final 20 seconds to leave the door open a crack for the Saranac boys. After the second pair ofmissed free throws late by the Lions, Saranac inbounded the ball across mid-court following a time out with 16.1 seconds to play. The Lions still had a foul to give, and used, it up with 5.4 to go, forcing Saranac to inbound again - leading to the final deflection and steal that clinched it for Maple Valley. Junior guard Samuel Sterzick had most of the big shots for Saranac late, but his team didn’t look for him in that final moment. Sterzick missed a three in the right comer with just under three minutes to play and a wild scramble of Saranac bodies led to an offensive rebound. The guys in red quickly worked it for a left baseline jumper by Sterzick that swished through to move the score to 53-51 in favor ofthe Lions with 2:45 to go. The Lions worked through the Saranac pressure the other way, with junior guard Connor Joseph dishing across the lane to Wil­ kes for a lay-up that finally ended a little moment of scoring scarcity for the Lions. Sterzick never let up coming back the other way though. He stepped around a screen and buried a three that turned it to a one-point game at 55-54 with 2:24 to go. A three by Saranac senior guard Evan Johnson as the clock ticked under two min­ utes gave his team its first lead of the bail­ game, but Joseph immediately answered with a three at the other end for the Lions that put his team back in front. Things continued to go back and forth from there. Saranac got a bucket in the lane for a 59-58 lead before Wilkes’ spinning floater off the glass had the Lions in front for good. It was a back-and-forth ballgame all night. Saranac got an early lead, but the Lions fought to lead 13-12 after one quarter. Maple Valley went cold on the offensive end in the second and Saranac moved out ot a 28-23 halftime lead. A 21-10 run in the third quarter had the Lions in front heading into the final eight minutes. Wilkes had 8 points in the third quarter alone and Carpenter had 5. “We were able to get things going offensively,” Nevins said. “We did a really nicejob of attacking the lane. Our guards did a nice job of handling their pressure and attacking the rim. We have been talking all year ofgetting 2 feet in the lane and tonight was a real point ofemphasis for us.” Saranac ends the season with a 4-19 overall record. NorthPointe Christian was second to a 21-1 Calvin Christian team in the OK Silver this winter, falling by two to the Squiress on the final Friday night of the regular season before closing conference play with an 82-55 win over Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep. V � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-03-16.pdf 4152b9dc3af710eb7e55f14ca297d6c2 PDF Text Text New TK boys volleyball program readies for action See story On page 9 Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 804879110187 1070490102590502944649058113421 .....................car-rtlovcooo uuuu Richard Hemerling 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-11346/30/2023 9:47:00 AM ANNER Thursday, March 16, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 11 PRICE $1.50 SUGAR RUSH: Weather paying dividends for local maple syrup producers Jayson Bussa Editor Unseasonably warm temperatures allowed maple syrup producers to get a jump start this season. And for many, it’s paying off - in a big way. “We never had this type of production this early,” said Kalen Swift, president of the Nashville Maple Syrup Association. “We were very productive in the early weeks and actually producing syrup, so it was a really good flow (of sap) and the weather has been perfect for maple syrup.” The ideal conditions for a steady, plentiful flow of sap through maple trees is when day­ time temperatures rise above 40 degrees while night time temperatures remain below freez­ ing. While this week has been a bit on the frigid side, West Michigan has experienced this weather dynamic early and often, which, for Swift, has led to a record-setting season. For starters, Swift and his fellow volun­ teers at the non-profit Nashville Maple Syrup Association were able to get a jump start on boiling the sap it has collected from its own members and a number of local residents. Swift sifted through historical records that stemmed back to the association’s inception in 1917 to find that the earliest the association had boiled sap was Feb. 17. This year, the association had already boiled on three differ­ ent occasions by that date. In fact* on Feb. 20, the association had boiled four different times and accumulated 189 gallons of maple syrup already. “We jumped on it and we were going to get the early weather and use it,” Swift said. “So, if it quits, we at least had some.” Not only has the Nashville Maple Syrup Association set a record for the earliest boil but its output of maple syrup is on pace to eclipse — possibly even crush - the previous record. This a mark that comes with some debate. In a typical year, the Nashville Maple Syrup Association produces anywhere between 500 and 800 gallons of maple syrup. Swift said last year was also a fruitful season and the association finished with 950 gallons of syrup produced. See SUGAR RUSH, page 2 Jodi Duits was named Lakewood's newest superintendent on Monday. She comes to the job with over two decades of experience with the dis* trict, beginning her educational career at West Elementary (now Lakewood Elementary School) in 2001. (Photo by Molly Macleod) Don Brinks, a member and volunteer with the Nashville Maple Syrup Association, dispenses freshly boiled maple syrup from a tap. (Photos courtesy of the Nashville Maple Syrup Association) Downtown .Hastings business owners weigh in on streetscape project planned for State Street By Jayson Bussa Editor Both business owners and members of the general public were provided a venue to review and sound off on plans to overhaul a stretch of State Street in downtown Hastings. Officials from the City of Hastings, the Downtown Development Authority and proj­ ect architect MCSA Group gathered on Mon­ day morning at Left Field Coffee to display blueprints of the proposed streetscape project that is poised to bring major changes to State Street between Broadway and South Bolt­ wood Streets. The project, aimed to bring both aesthetic appeal and safety to a stretch that plunges through the heart of downtown, includes amenities such as LED streetlights, an outdoor fireplace, trees, sitting areas and mid-block crosswalks. Monday’s open house was intended, to serve as an opportunity for merchants that own businesses on, or around, this stretch of State Street to get a better look at the pro­ posed plans, ask questions or air concerns. In fact, it was one of multiple opportunities for business owners and area residents to have their voices heard in this process. On Wednesday, downtown business owners that were unable to attend the open house were given the chance to schedule one-on-one ses­ sions with representatives from Grand Rapids-based MCSA Group to learn more about the project and how it will affect the area outside of their businesses. “They want to be able to offer information regarding individual and particular items that might be going out in front of their store­ fronts,” Community Development Director Dan King said. “Public engagement is critical to all opera­ tions,” King later added. “What I found in my (nearly) seven years with the city - and it’s human nature - is that, unless something affects them directly, they don’t get engage with what’s going on. So making as many of these sessions available to the community is extremely important for what we’re doing.” With the project poised to overhaul this crucial downtown corridor, business owners and area residents alike have their share of concerns with the changes. Parking and See DOWNTOWN, page 3 Business owners and members of the general public were invited to Left Field Coffee in Hastings on Monday morning for an open house that provided information on the upcoming streetscape project planned for State Street. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Lakewood appoints Jodi Duits as new superintendent Molly Macleod Superintendent Matt Goebel (left) facilitated conversation between school board members, school administrators and members of the public on Tuesday in the Hastings Middle School commons. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Hastings school board seeks public input on bond issue at work session Hunter McLaren 5/t# Writer The Hastings school board brought in members of the public to ask how they could do better in response to feedback received in a community survey. Superintendent Matt Goebel kicked off the discussion Tuesday with a brief overview of some of the comments received in response to the 27-question survey sent out by the dis­ trict earlier this year. The survey, conducted by the Paw Paw-based perspectives Consult­ ing Group, laid out four options for potential bond proposals for the August ballot. The district previously went over the survey results with Perspectives; at its Feb. 27 board meeting. The options were arranged from least to most expensive, with Option 1 coming in at $12.3 million and Option 4 coming in at $24.7 million. The survey results found broad community support only for Option 1 and Option 2, which would cbver what the district has deemed “essential facility needs” - things like replacing the high ihool roof, the 1997 portion of the middle school roof, and all single-pane windows throughout the district — as well as updates to the high school cafete­ ria, new lockers in the {.district and updated playground equipment. A foil breakdown of the survey results can be found on the Hastings Area School System website broken up into two documents, one showing voting projections based on respons­ es, the other showing written feedback. Goebel focused on the written feedback, which Perspectives collected from respon­ dents who gave a negative response to survey questions. Feedback across the four options varied slightly, but Goebel outlined some common areas of concern. Communication was a com­ mon sticking point, with only 49.2 percent of respondents saying they felt the district com­ municated effectively. Some of the reasons given were that communications were incon­ sistent, didn’t reach the broader community outside of Hastings and were only done with “ulterior motives,” such as communications about bond issues. “This is an area that we need to improve on,” Goebel said. “We always want to be communicating with our public, and I’m defi­ nitely open to suggestions on how we as a district can communicate more effectively.” Another area of concern was a perception that the district was fiscally irresponsible. Only 46.6 percent of survey respondents said they felt the district was fiscally responsible. “That’s a big problem,” Goebel said. Goebel was concerned that perception was so prevalent, especially given the district’s record of clean audits with unmodified opin­ ions. The district would have to look at other ways to address those concerns, many of See SCHOOL, page 3 Copy Editor As of Monday night, “interim” was officially dropped from the title of new Lakewood Superintendent Jodi Duits. Lakewood's board of education voted unanimously to appoint Duits as super­ intendent, effective immediately. The appointment comes after former Lakewood Superintendent Steve Skalka announced his retirement late last year. Since the start of Lakewood’s second semester, Duits has served as interim superintendent for the district, along with her already-held positions of direc­ tor of curriculum, instruction, assess­ ment and school improvement and over­ seer of special education. Her contract will be renegotiated in the coming weeks and successors for her roles as director of curriculum and spe­ cial education will be chosen in the com­ ing months. Members of the board lauded Duits Monday night, reaffirming their enthusi­ astic appointment of Duits. “I was a part of a superintendent search a couple of years ago for our last superintendent (Steve Skalka), and based on survey information that we received back from the community (on) what was needed for the district, Jodi, you check all the boxes,” said Lakewood Board of Education Vice President Melissa McClelland. “I think it would be silly to continue looking when we have some­ body here (with those qualities).” Board Treasurer Kerry Possehn also helped search for Lakewood’s last super­ intendent. She said that when she first heard of Skalka’s retirement, she felt that it would be necessary to conduct a full search for the right superintendent can­ didate. “Originally, when we first brought this up in maybe December ... I (thought), ‘We really need to do our due diligence.’ I don’t want anyone to ever think that we didn’t get the best candi­ date for our district. But I don’t feel that way anymore, I feel like you are the best candidate,” Said Possehn. “I don’t think that there would be any benefit to an external search.” Jami Manszewski, a trustee on the board, agreed with Possehn, pointing out that both an external or internal search for a superintendent could have cost the district thousands. Duits comes to the job as a longtime Lakewood staff member, beginning her career as a teacher at West Elementary (now Lakewood Elementary School) in See DUITS, page 2 �*9* Thursday, March 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS City approves design proposal for Riverside Cemetery memorial project Hunter McLaren Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade slated for Friday Whether or not you’re Irish, it’s time to dust off your green beads and apparel. Hastings will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Friday, March 17 at 4 p.m. The parade, which will travel down South Jef­ ferson Street, will be led by Grand Marshal Mike Bamaart, owner of Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro. The parade, in its 17th year of existence, is sponsored by WBCH Radio, Walldorff and other South Jefferson Street businesses. More information about the parade, and how to participate, contact WBCH at 269-945-3414. Hastings and Lakewood to perform spring musicals this weekend Staff Writer Hastings city council approved a bid for the design of a planned memorial at Riverside Cemetery. The project, proposed by the cemetery’s advisory board, would “recognize people who made significant contributions to the Hastings community.” The memorial would include names and biographies for recognized individuals, a seating area, space for parking and sidewalks. The bid for design services was awarded to Landscape Architects and Planners Inc. for the amount of $5,250. The design pro­ cess includes the development of a sche­ matic concept drawing and cost estimate for the project. Among LAP’s previous works are several memorials, parks and statue designs, including projects for Lansing Community College and Lansing Board of Water and Light. The city previously designated $100,000 from the Riverside Cemetery fund to go toward the completion of the project, with $4,900 being spent to clear brush from the proposed memorial site. The design bid would draw from the fund, leaving $89,850 in the fund to be used on the project. Although the project was awarded to the lowest bidder of seven firms, City Clerk and Treasurer Chris Bever said the cemetery advisory board had thoroughly vetted the bids and were confident in their choice of LAP. Bever said he reviewed the bids as did Direc­ tor of Public Services Travis Tate and adviso­ ry board member Bonnie Huntley. Bever said the memorial project would come back before council, but the approval of the design bid would officially get the project underway and create a more concrete proofof-concept to be iterated on. The cemetery advisory board would likely take further action on a concept design at its April 12 meeting, he said. “This is through the advisory board,” Bever said. “Any final design and any future project expenditures will be approved by city council, but they’re going to hopefully get the process kicked off at the next cemetery board advisory meeting.” Area theatergoers have options this weekend with spring musical performances from both Lakewood Public Schools and Hastings Area Schools set to premier. Hastings students will take their production of “The Wizard of Oz” to the stage for the first time tonight, Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. Those interested can also attend the 7 p.m. performances Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18, along with the 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 18. Tickets to the family-friendly classic can be purchased at hastings.ludus.com for $11. Performances of Hastings’s “The Wizard of Oz” will be held at the Hastings Performing Arts Center, 520 W. South St. Over in Lakewood, students from first through 12th grade will perform “Les Mis?rables” on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m. Matinee performanc­ es will be Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m. Tickets for Lakewood’s performances can be purchased online at lakewoodpsdrama.org for. $12 each, or $10 each for senior citizens and students under 18. Tickets can be pur­ chased at the door, as well, for $2 more than an online purchase. The performances will be held at Lakewood High School’s performing arts center, 7223 Velte Rd, Lake Odessa. Michigan High-Speed Internet Office to visit Hastings, hear from residents Representatives from the Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office will visit Hast­ ings on Thursday, March 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barry County Enrichment Center’s Leason Sharpe Hall, 231 S. Broadway St. The visit is one of several stops for MIHI during its “MI Connected Future” listening tour across Michigan. MIHI wants to hear from locals about broadband access in the area to help them pri­ oritize funding for the $1.6 billion allocated to Michigan through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program. The goal of the session is to help equitably increase internet access and availability in Barry County. MIHI representatives say they would like to hear from the community to help them achieve their goal of ensuring “every home, business and Michigander is equipped and has access to affordable high-speed internet.” More information about MIHI’s listening tour and registration for the event can be found at Michigan.gov/MIConnectedFuture. RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers j on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1-800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com Floor Doctors r— 50% Off —। Michael Miller Over 20 yrs experience Carpet, LlfP and Installation ----------------------209-804-8465 •________ floordrs@hotmail.com — Now Serving Barry County — MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //8110376 & insured SPRAY FOAM Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville SUGAR RUSH, continued from page 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------Swift considered 950 gallons to be the high-water mark, even though association records showed that, in 1981, it produced 1,300 gallons. i “I don’t know how that would be possible with the equipment at that time,” Swift said. “I have talked to everyone possible to get information and they don’t know. But since then, the record is last year at 950.1 just say that (2022) was the best year we’ve had in decades.” • Regardless of what the record for output might be, there is no changing that the early start and continued favorable weather is mak­ ing for a banner year of maple syrup produc­ tion for the organization. The association eclipsed the 950-gallon mark last week with more boiling left to do. Not only does this put more maple syrup on the market, but it also helps the Nashville Maple Syrup Association financially. The association doesn’t just tap their own trees - they bring in the entire community and serve as a resource for anyone that wants to collect sap and turn it into maple syrup without investing the time, money and effort into the process. Community members that participate turn over their sap to the association,, which calcu­ lates how much syrup it equates to. The par­ ticipating members gets half of that syrup while the association sells the other half to cover production costs. Simply put, producing more syrup gets more money flowing through the association. “We don’t get a single penny out of it for ourselves - no one gets a salary,” Swift said. “Everybody here is a volunteer. They want to serve the community? ’ Last year, the association had 41 members of the community tapping trees and bringing in sap. This year, the association maintains around as many accounts, but tapping more trees has also contributed to the higher pro­ duction. And it benefits the association. “It does help us with funding the operation and it allows us to upgrade some ofthe equip­ ment,” Swift said. “If we’re able to get more taps, that’s more people bringing us sap.” Swift has noticed more people picking up this outdoor hobby, which bolsters an already rich maple syrup community here in Barry County. “We have one couple that got interested it. They’re originally from out in Chicago and moved here and wanted to do all the outside stuff and really enjoy the product from the land, so they wanted to do maple syrup,” Swift said. “She got on Facebook and she started posting about it and we had two or three people come just because of her.” This spike in interest has led to good things for Mazurek Maple Supplies in Wood­ land, which not only produces maple syrup but also sells gathering and processing equipment. Owner Lynn Mazurek said he sells to hobbyists from Barry County stretch­ ing to the lakeshore. “It’s more of the small hobby guys - just the backyard guys - cooking their own. We’re (selling) more buckets and a lot of them are starting to go into tubing now because it’s a time saver,” Mazurek said. Mazurek Maple Supplies has been pro­ ducing maple syrup since starting in 1975 with 25 taps. While Mazurek wasn’t able to quantify his output for the season quite yet, he said, like Swift, he does anticipate a strong season. However, because Mazurek’s woods remains on the cooler side, some of the heaviest production will likely come later in the season. Mazurek knows how delicate the weather The current maple syrup season has been a fruitful one for local sugar bushes and organizations like the Nashville Maple Syrup Association. can be on this process. He remembers having maple syrup seasons that lasted less than a week and yielded shy of 50 gallons. Swift has seen those times, too. In 2014, his association produced just 165 gallons. So, he’s enjoying the good times while they last. “I think when it warms up, we still have a couple runs left,” Swift said. DUITS, continued from page 1-------------------------------- Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass u I The Nashville Maple Syrup Association started boiling sap earlier than it ever has before thanks to an unseasonably warm winter this year. ug 2001. Duits taught third grade in the same classroom until 2017 when she was named interim principal at Lakewood Early Child­ hood Center (LECC) by theii-Superintendent Randy Fleenor. Duits eventually was named permanent principal of LECC before landing the curriculum and special education director spots in 2020. Duits, whose parents were both school administrators, graduated from Haslett High School in 1994 and attended Lansing Com­ munity College and Central Michigan Uni­ versity for teaching. Duits later went to Mich­ igan State University, earning a degree in educational administration. Skalka, who chose' Duits to be his curricu­ lum and special education director, recom­ mended Duits be named Lakewood’s super­ intendent in communication to district staff last year. “Over the last two-and-half years, I have been regularly impressed by Jodi Duits intel­ ligence, work ethic, and commitment to the Lakewood community,” wrote Skalka. In addition to personal and family reasons, leav­ ing at this time provides Jodi (Duits) the opportunity to serve as the interim superin­ tendent, leading to what I hope is the board’s decision to remove the interim label in the spring and name her to the position.” In earlier interviews with The Banner, Duits said being superintendent has always been her ultimate career goal. “I fell in love with being an administrator as it gives me a whole district-wide perspective. Being superintendent has always been a long­ term goal. Having it happen at Lakewood is icing on the cake,” said Duits. “It’s my home. It’s where my kids go. And I love the staff and our students and our community.” “On behalf of the Lakewood Public Schools Board of Education, I am very pleased and proud to announce that Mrs. Jodi Duits was appointed as the Lakewood Public Schools superintendent effective immediate­ ly,” wrote Board President Jamie Brodbeck-Krenz in a communication to district staff Tuesday. Brodbeck-Krenz wrote that Duits’s con­ tinuing dedication to the district helped cement their confidence in her appointment. “Mrs. Duits distinguished herself as a ded­ icated leader and has earned deep respect from her instructional colleagues, administra­ tors, teachers, parents and students,” Brod­ beck-Krenz continued. Duits released a statement to the Lake­ wood community Wednesday on her appoint­ ment. She said that she will give her “very best” to the students, staff and parents in Lakewood. “I chose to begin my career in what I embrace as my home town and for 23 years I have been blessed to work and grow along­ side each of you as we serve the children of our community,” wrote Duits. “While the geography of our school district may be large, our community has a precious small-town feel. For me, this represents authentic values of neighbor helping neighbor and working together to help the next generation thrive. This community is where I am rooted. I learn with you, I celebrate with you, I grow with you, and cherish the promise of potential that each young person represents.” For more on Lakewood's newest superin­ tendent, read this weekend’s extended report in the Lakewood News. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. March 16, 2023 — Page 3 WW W^R ■ SW Laura Bouchard, the new township treasurer, replacing Deb Buckowing. Bouchard has been deputy treasurer for the town­ ship since 2016. Elaine Denton, appointed as interim Thornapple Township clerk, taking the place of Cindy Wilshire until a permanent clerk can be found. Denton was village clerk in Middleville from 2011 to 2020 and currently serves on the Township Planning Commission. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Bouchard picked as Thornapple Twp. Treasurer; Denton named interim clerk Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Thomapple Township board has appointed a new township treasurer and tem­ porarily filled the position of township clerk. The board Monday approved the appoint­ ment of Laura Bouchard, who has been dep­ uty treasurer for the township since 2016, to replace longtime Treasurer Deb Buckowing, and named former Middleville Village Clerk Elaine Denton- as interim township clerk, replacing outgoing Clerk Cindy Willshire. “I think we’re lucky to have Laura Bouchard in the position she’s in, having learned from Deb over many years,” Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. “She has the skill set and the knowledge to take the township forward. Regarding the clerk’s position, “we’re in a position now where we want to expand our candidate search and make sure we make the correct choice ..: to cany out the remainder of Cindy Willshire’s term,” Schaefer said. Buckowing and Willshire recently submit­ ted their letters of resignation to the town­ ship, effective at the end of this month. Buc­ kowing had served on the township board for 20 years, first as a trustee and then as treasur­ er since first being elected to the position in 2004. Willshire has been township clerk for the last six years. Buckowing is moving out of the township and Willshire has accepted a job opportunity that she says giVes her greater flexibility for personal time. Bouchard, 58, has lived in Thomapple Township since 1995. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the areas of accounting and finance. Before Buckowing hired her to be deputy treasurer in 2016, Bouchard was finance manager for a consulting firm. “I’m kind of excited (to be taking on this role),” she said. “I’ve been* training with Deb and working with her over six years now. I definitely know what needs to be done.” In an e-mail she wrote to the Hastings Ban­ ner, last month, Buckowing expressed full confidence in Bouchard’s abilities. “Laura is well trained in the duties of office of treasurer, and very dedicated to ensuring that the residents of Thomapple Township are served to the best of her abili­ ty,” Buckowing said. Bouchard will serve as treasurer through the 2024 election. She holds an associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Community College. Denton, 70, has served on the township planning commission since January 2020. She was the village clerk in Middleville from July 2011 until her retirement in March 2020. “Sandy Rairigh, who is one of our board trustees, approached me and asked if I was interested in the permanent (position), and I said no,” Denton said. ^But the township was kind of in a dilemma, if they didn’t have a qualified person to step in as clerk, then there’s no need for a deputy clerk. The deputy serves at the pleasure bf the clerk.” Amy Brown currently serves as deputy clerk for the township. She is not eligible to become the new clerk because she does not live in the township. Applicants must be township residents. The new clerk would serve until the 2024 election. The township is continuing to accept applications for the permanent appointment. Schaefer said he has spoken to several candi­ dates already, and he plans a public interview process before a permanent successor to Will­ shire is named. School board member Louis Wierenga (center right) shares input gathered from his group during the work session. SCHOOL, continued from page 1 which stemmed from a feeling that the dis­ trict should have used funds from the 2015 bond proposal to address facility needs instead of constructing the Hastings Perform­ ing Arts Center. Goebel said it would be important to acknowledge those concerns going forward. “We need to address that,” Goebel said. “It’s not just one or two people saying that, there’s multiple people saying that maybe the performing arts center was a luxury item. But there also was a group of people at that time in the history of Hastings that wanted that, and the community spoke and said, ‘Yes, we are willing to pay for that.’” School board members and school adminis­ trators from throughout the district split up into groups and facilitated conversations with mem­ bers of the public to gather input. Some com­ mon comments gathered and shared by board members included a need for district bond communications to be sent out earlier, a desire for facility needs to be prioritized over luxury items, and for communications of what bond proposals would pay for to be more specific. Board member Brad Tolles said work ses­ sions like the one held Tuesday could be **NOW HIRING** Responsible, detail-oriented person for part-time nightly office cleaning Must have cleaning experience and reliable transportation. Wage: $13-$14 per hour. (No weekends) *«»i ^ges. y* Sa. ’5®*^ ■*“ *#a.«iirtkl ••;. ■ DOWNTOWN, continued from page 1 --------------------------------------------------- .----------------- - —*W_ ■fttfrtt ■itatiankaift^ ■ch^ ■.’MaiTrttttpn, M ^tSBonpeopiebnapotassap.' tabs W Ik Mriigt|nplt|riw^ tifiliv fcfltoorto^ikitois&M ■nil «i npir syrap anrar irre in Bin rtt* kotb* m«w te tot attest Kadi IkftotaByhoiiOiasto rftoafywfcl1^* ggfcjufataid* r^r*1 (r«4 rt ®i»* ItocZ^JiZ Vi HapfcW*"* iW* •f ’&*’&• 5?*S>! *P >*?;*>** & & s^*”* «' Sk-jS**’ w > accessibility to businesses is one often-citeb 1 concern, as the project will cut in to some of the street side parking. “There is the perception of parking issues - I think that primarily relates to the State Street cooridor,” King said. “We have six different municipal lots in the core downtown area that are available and they’re generally a block away from downtown storefronts. We have a lot of parking, it’s just convenient parking (that is in question) - however you want to classify that. It is no different than a lot of other small towns that have parking on their main street. . King pointed to a parking lot at the city’s fire bam that is located a block away from businesses and features 100 spaces, yet, is often rarely used. “You can go to a local big box store outside the city limits, and as long as you can see the building, you might be parking further away than what you would in the downtown,” King said. “But, because you can see the front face of the building, you think parking really isn’t that bad. But ultimately, if you make use of municipal lots, you’re probably closer than you are with a big city mall or big box store.” Not only did Johnny DeMaagd, owner of Left Field Coffee, host Monday’s open house, but his business is one of the many that will be directly affected by the streetscape project. “New things can be a little intimidating... but there is excitement in that and seeing the change in how downtown can be better acti­ vated to draw people in but also, keep people around for longer, too,” DeMaagd said. “We have a wonderful downtown with a social district that doesn’t get enough utilization. That’s something I’m hoping these plans can Orangeville Township Board will hold a Public Hearing on the Proposed fiscal year 2023-2024 at the Orangeville Township Hall 7350 Lindsey Rd., Plainwell MI 49080. Tuesday March 21, 2023 at 7:00 PM Copy of the proposed budget will be available for public inspection at the Township office. ❖'Z The Orangeville Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auditory aids and services as required by the Disabilities Act. Americans with Disabilities Act, stating that if those with disabilities notify the clerk withing 10 days prior to the meeting, accommodations will be furnished to satisfy such disabilities and allow meaningful attendance. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Clerk: Mel Risner, Home 269 672-2324, office 269 664-4522. Thomas Rook Supervisor Orangeville Township A rendering of a portion of the proposed streetscape project for State Street. (Courtesy rendering) help really cement - increase walkability, increase pedestrian safety, diminish traffic volume and speed. Everything seems really thoughtful. It seems, in practice, it will make downtown much more vibrant and welcoming and thriving, which is what we’re here for.” DeMaagd’s coffee shop does not currently have outdoor seating, and it was something that he was planning to get a permit for. With » V&w MM ! Send resumes to angie.k@customized cleaning servjces.com or call 269-945 2662 ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP 2023 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE _Z * siWs/w ! %'jFfe WS5* requested by anyone in the district, not just school administrators or board members. “I just want to say that the work sessions are something that anyone can request,” Tolles said. “Anyone can request this type of back-and-forth information sharing. It doesn’t have to come from Matt (Goebel or a board member).” Board members thanked the public and school administrators for attending the work session and providing feedback. Board presi­ dent Luke Haywood encouraged everyone who attended the meeting to attend the board’s next meeting, held at 7 p.m. on Mon­ day, March 20 in the Hastings Performing Arts Center. Haywood encouraged everyone to continue providing input, both positive and negative. “Thank you everyone for coming tonight, this was great,” Haywood said. “If we could get this kind of participation at our board meetings, that would be awesome. The good, the bad and the ugly: we need to hear it. We’re going to take what you said tonight, digest it and bring it back and move forward because that’s what we need to do for our kids in our community.” Representatives from Grand Rapids-based MCSA Group provided detailed blue­ prints of the streetscape project so that downtown business owners could see what changes were proposed for the outside of their storefronts. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) the proposed plans, a bump out would be installed to slow traffic for a mid-block cross­ walk, providing the outdoor seating he was originally hoping for. 1 “It kind of does the leg work for us,” said DeMaagd, who also owns and manages a loca­ tion in Middleville. “With the bump out (add­ ing) that much more space, and with a social district and being able to walk outside and grab drinks for all the other places and congre­ gate, it’s the perfect outdoor scene for us.” However, not all business owners are as plugged in to the project as DeMaagd. The Banner visited with some business owners that weren’t aware of the project, let alone the extensive scope of it. i This included Ron Holifield, owner of Way Too Cheap thrift shop at 111 E. State Street. Holifield established the shop there eight years ago and, this year, purchased the building. While Holifield didn’t know much about the project, and he did not attend the open house, he said he is in, favor of mostly any­ thing that keeps the downtown area vibrant. “Any updates that make things new and fresh and keep downtown happening, I guess, I’m. mostly for it,” Holifield said. “Even though, sure, it might dampen business for a little bit (during construction) but there is pain with growth. You got to be able to grow. If you don’t fix it, it vyill just get run down and people will start getting away from downtown.” With its current timeline, the city plans to accept contractor bids until June 27 before approving them in mid-July and beginning construction already. City officials hope to wrap up the project before the end of the year. 616 299-6019 Barry County Road Commission We are seeking qualified applicants with skill and experience to join our team, Local Government Agency has an excellent opportunity for a Mechanic looking to advance in their career. We are looking for an individual with 5+ years of experience preferred, a high school diploma, or GED. This is a full-time position with a pay rate of up to $30.27/hour and a competitive benefits package. A valid Michigan Driver’s license, criminal background, and a pre-employment drug screen are required. Responsibilities • Performs all necessary preventative maintenance, checks, and services on gas and diesel trucks and small and heavy equipment. • Installs special functional and structural parts in trucks and equipment. • Sets up and operates lathe, drill press, grinder, torch, welder, and other metalworking tools to make and repair parts. • Troubleshoot electrical (computerized diagnostics), hydraulic Benefits • Health insurance •401K • Paid vacation, sick & personal time • Paid holidays • Boot, clothing, eyeglass allowance • Overtime opportunities • Training opportunities when applicable • Tools provided Applications can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office (phone (269) 945-3449) at 1725 W. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 between 6 AM - 3:45 PM, or found on our website at www.barrycrc.org. You may email your completed application to bcasey@barrycrc.org. Applications will be accept­ ed until the position is filled. A complete job description will be provided at the time of application. The Barry County Road Commission is an equal-opportunity employer. �4 Thursday, March 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you WFMf*O]Tinion SCC • County commissioners unveil visionary plans Grogu goes to church A UFO has landed at Grace Lutheran Church in Hastings! Actually, this outer space visitor was made possible by church member Scott Tebo, who made good use of the little available snow to create a detailed sculpture of Grogu, a char­ acter from the streaming series The Mandalorian. Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, is plopped in the center of the church lawn, starring at cars that drive by on West North Street. Do you remember? Lions at work Banner March 30,1977 Members of the Middleville Lions Club are cleaning up the old building on Main Street next to the Post Office, and the village plans on utilizing the land for a downtown parking lot. Years ago, it was Quinlan’s Department Store, and later it was Rugg’s Department Store in the east part and at one time Jay Oberley had a meat market on the west side. The Lions are volunteer­ ing their work.-Banner photo by Kidder. Have you met? Ellie Payne is working toward completing two associate’s degrees, auditioning for a role in a Kellogg Community College pro­ duction and volunteering at an assisted liv­ ing home, all alongside working a retail job. Of course, she balances all of this and more with her high school homework and extracurriculars. “At the end of the day, I’m just a kid,” Payne said. “I think a lot of people kind of forget about that.” Payne, 16, is wrapping up her junior year at Hastings High School. It’s the Woodland native’s first year as a Saxon. After attend­ ing multiple schools in and out of Barry County, Payne said she feels like she finally found where she belongs. “I came from a school that I was not happy with and I stayed there for two years,” Payne said. “I absolutely hated every minute of it. This year (at Hastings) has been unique for me, because I’ve been able to really enjoy school.” Her busy life is just a byproduct of who she is. Even with her many wide-ranging interests, Payne said she’s just not able to half-heartedly pursue an idea. “When I put my mind to something, I want to do it,” she said. “I’ll make sure I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.” It’s what led Payne to writing her col­ umn, “The Outlet,” for The Reminder. Fol­ lowing an interest in journalism, Payne thought it would be fun to write the weekly piece. She came to the J-Ad Graphics office and spoke with editor Jayson Bussa to pitch the feature. It’s a place where she hopes to Ellie Payne share stories and perspectives she thinks will be interesting to her peers. “I love it, it’s different. It’s not just my perspective, I try to get multiple people’s perspectives, including teachers, or coun­ selors, or anything that could help,” Payne said. “I ask a lot of my peers what they want to read about, because that’s who I’m targeting. That’s my target audience.” Although she always read the paper growing up, Payne said her interest in jour­ nalism really came .from her love of writing. “When I was in the fifth grade, I started writing this book called “Courage” about this girl and her horse. I think it’s like 12 pages - I never got very far with it,” she said. “I just love to write. I could just sit all day and just write.” i As she continues to explore her interests and forge her path in life, Payne seems to be in no particular hurry to land in any one place. She’s working on closing out her associate’s degrees in nursing and arts through an early college program, chasing her dream of being an actress and continu­ ing to write. Most of all, Payne is just focused on enjoying the journey. “I have fun, I find fun,” Payne said. “Especially with school?- you’re legally required to be there, so you might as well have fun with it while you’re there. I find a lot of fun.” For following her ambitions and acting as one of J-Ad Graphics youngest contrib­ uting writers, Ellie Payne is this week’s Bright Light. Best advice I’ve ever received: You’re never too much for the right people. Greatest fear: Becoming boring and mundane. Favorite cartoon character: Scoo­ by-Doo. What motivates me: The person I want to become. Each week, the Banner profiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because of volunteer work, fan-loving per­ sonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, or for any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, M 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Watching politicians slowly realize they can’t live up to the promise of making a big difference would be humorous if it weren’t so true. Maybe it’s our fault that buying into all their promises has made us so cynical. But then comes a bolt of brilliance like the one Barry County commissioners delivered last week. Granted, it was only a committee report, meaning there is still much work to do, but the promise comes in the vision to solve several longstanding and pesky coun­ ty-owned building use problems. Last week, an ad hoc committee made up of Chair David Jackson and Commis­ sioners Jon Smelker and Bruce Campbell submitted a creative plan to the Committee of the Whole dealing with four coun­ ty-owned facilities: the Commission on Aging facility, the former and now vacant Barry County Mental Health building on Algonquin Lake, a three-stall garage and parking lot at South Jefferson and Walnut Streets and the former Friend of the Court building on State and Broadway at the crossroads of downtown Hastings. The COA building has been in disrepair for years and the idea of building a new facility has been talked about previously but funding for the project has been held up. The plan unveiled last week calls for a new 10,000-square-foot building to be built on county property adjacent to the new­ ly-opened Harvest Pointe assisted living facility at Thomapple Manor off M-79 west ofHastings. The proposal leverages resourc­ es by teaming with the present facility (Har­ vest Pointe) to form a “senior-centric” cam­ pus to reduce the cost to taxpayers and give the COA a new building to meet its needs now and into the future. “This will allow us to not have to go after a millage and be more fiscally respon­ sible,” said COA Executive Director Court­ ney Ziny. “That just makes me so happy to not have to do that.” Ziny said she’s met with Rebecca DeHaan, administrator at Thomapple Manor, to discuss the vision and opportuni­ ties they could offer by pooling resources for today’s active seniors such as pickleball courts and a walking trail. Plus, the collaboration could allow the to.,use Ha^cst^ojnt^s.new kitchen' to prepare food for the Meals on Wheels program, which currently costs approxi­ mately $500,000, and for its congregate dining program with a price of $250,000. Jackson said the county would be able to use $3 million of cash assets to construct the new building based on estimated costs of $300 per square foot, which could change once formal plans are determined. The COA’s current home could then be sold and repurposed, potentially to create additional housing that is needed. Even though these ideas are just conver­ sations, I applaud county commissioners for their openness in solving a problem that has existed for years. A second facility challenge looks to be met after the ad hoc committee confirmed at last week’s COW meeting that another county-owned building on Algonquin Lake, which housed the former BCMH and has been vacant for a year, has a potential buyer. The YMCA, which operates Camp Algonquin next to the county’s property, has shown interest in the building and its 22 acres to expand present programs. Jon Sporer, CEO and Executive Director of the YMCA of Barry County who attend­ ed last Tuesday’s meeting, told commis­ sioners “We see strong demand for our child care and youth services programs.” In that the building adjoins the YMCA prop­ erty, it makes sense for the YMCA to pur­ chase the property. “It’s something we’re very interested in and we are happy to work with the county in whatever process they see is the best fit,” said Sporer. Commissioners turned negotia­ tions over to County Administer Michael Brown to work with Sporer on a potential deal with the understanding that any buy/ sell agreements would have to come back to the county for final approval. But this is a good deal because it reduces the costs of maintaining the empty building and allows the YMCA to put it to good use, so every­ one benefits - especially taxpayers. A third property on the plan made public Tuesday is a three-stall garage and parking lot located on South Jefferson Street. The . garage is currently used for storage for a number of county departments, but under the plan, this property would be put up for sale, which would put it back on the tax rolls and reduce expenses to the county. “It doesn’t seem to really fit with what we need and I’m more concerned with the liability that the county has with all the extra parking and curricular activities going on in the parking lot,” said Jackson. “I also think that this may be a really good spot to repurpose into housing, which, as we know, is needed in the county.” The board decided to get an appraisal on the property. Last and certainly not least on the ad hoc committee’s list is the former Friend of the Court building, a troublesome facility that has been a hot topic of discussion. After turning down the sale of the property recently to a developer building a large housing project next to the structure, com­ missioners have been backpedaling in explaining how they intend to use it. Jackson told commissioners that, after a tour by the ad hoc committee, it’s apparent the building needs new windows, which would cost an estimated $94,000. Before spending any money on the building, Jackson said commissioners need more time to consider what to do with the building, questioning whether to move some county offices into it or to sell the structure. It’s good to see county officials working together to solve the needs of county departments with a dedication to reducing the cost and liability to the taxpayers. It’s also refreshing in today’s world where it seems politics rules the day over any com­ mon sense approaches to any of the prob­ lems we face. Though we didn’t hearany solid solutions for the aging and undersized jail, there have been discussions with; the county adminis-! trator about where funds could be identified that could be put towards the jail. “It definitely is on our radar as some­ thing we need to address this year and move forward with using some county and ARPA funds to move the needle on several projects this year,” said Jackson. Getting commissioners on the same page has plagued action on many fronts for far too long. With this plan presented last week, county commissioners have put forth some ideas that will save taxpayers money, solve the COA’s needs, allow the YMCA to expand needed youth and daycare pro­ grams, and will turn some of our county properties into additional housing projects. There may be some changes along the way, but keeping the ball moving forward will determine a positive outcome in the future for all the citizens of Barry County. I hope county commissioners keep on track and follow through with these plans that their fellow commissioners have presented. If they do, they’ll have satisfaction in knowing that elected officials really can make a difference. The Hastings BcHUlCI* Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurlng CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hmmv Banner - TNrtday. March IB. 2023 - PV * State legislators should tailor laws to target illegal guns To the editor: > The letter front Paul DeWitt in the M arch 9 issue suggested limiting clip capacity as a way to reduce gun violence. I have an addi­ tional suggestion. ! The state legislature should pass a lass requiring everyone purchasing a handgun whether open carry or concealed - to carry the sales slip while carry ing. This sales slip fnust display the gun's serial number. If a policeman finds someone carrying a hand­ gun, but not in possession of die sales shp, that person would be subject to misdemeanor penalties. '. But if the serial number on the handgun is different from the serial number on the sales klip, that handgun would be immediately con­ fiscated. This would also catch all the hand­ Pot-bellied trespasser spotted in Bellevue guns with venal numbers filed otT. The per­ son in violation would be arrested and subject to criminal penalties. Those who owned handguns before the law was passed would take their handguns to the local police department to fill out an alternate version of the sales slip. This would slowly get guns off the street and out of the hands of criminals. Randall Schaefer Hastings Parents, athletes want to keep local swimming/dive co-op alive Editor of the Hasting! Hanner. ' I'd like to thank you for your coverage of the Middlcville-llastings-Delton swim coop­ erative this season. It was really great to have Such in-depth coverage of the team's big victory at the OK Rainbow Conference meet. The most amazing thing about that achieve­ ment is that they were able to do that while only winning one event - the final one. It was truly a team clfort with all swimmers and divers contributing. That’s the way it is in Swim and dive. You can only have success by having enough athletes to fill out the lineup Und then everyone needs to do their pan. The swim cooperative has been really blessed to have been able to do that over the years on both the boys und girls side I also appreciated the great cov cragc of the dissolu­ tion of the swim cooperative, which was dis­ cussed at the last Hastings school board meeting (Feb. 27). Your article did a really great job covering the positions of both the administration and the parenlv'swimmcrs. ; The superintendent reiterated his position that he considered a number of factors in his decision and the school board supported. As your article described, the factors for the superintendent included: I. Aligning with 1-8 Conference, which doesn’t currently have competitive swim/dive, 2. Hastings swim­ mers being able to compete in a lower MHSAA division, which could allow them to more easily qualify for the state meet, t Poor handling of parent coach conflicts by the TK athletic director, 4 Better control over sched­ ules and scheduling, und * ubout money and responsibilities related to the cooperative. The superintendent also emphasized that "Cooperatives aren’t meant to last forever" and that the athletic department can “grow the program" with guarantees that Hastings will continue to have swim'divc teams in the future. As shown by the survey results that were presented to the superintendent and school board, the real concern for parents and sw unmers from the schools is that the teams won’t have enough swimmers to field good and strong teams. Ninety-eight percent of the parents and kids from both schools responded to the survey saying that they did not think there would be enough swimmers without the co-op. We continue to say that, if both schools had 12 to 15 returning swim­ mers. we wouldn’t be raising the concerns we have We would all agree that now might be a good time to w ivh each other good luck and part ways. That is not the situation that cither school is in. As the article staled, there simply isn’t the number of athletes to support that. The idea of “grow ing the program" is not something that has really been able to happen over the 19 years of cooperative and there are many that are very doubtful that it can happen now. Alvo, the sentiment among the athletes Minor issues is rh.it state meet qualifying times is not an issue for them. We heard from swimmers that they would rarher fx- on good, strong teams that can actu­ ally compete in meets, invites and the confer­ ence meet rather than worry about sUte qualifying times. 1 understand the administra­ tion’s emphasis on this but the for athletes, it’s simply less important For me, the word cooperative is the most important part of this swim program. It really has been a win-win for all 'ides. The schools have cooperated together fur the benefit of the swimmers and divers for 19 years now. Overall, it has worked amazingly well with athletes and families from *11 »idcv collabo­ rating to all do their scry best. Now. the Hastings administration has decided it wonts to walk away from all of that. The parents and athletes feel like the administration made these decisions without ever consulting them. As discussed in the public meeting, the boys coaches were never talked to about the decision to dissolve the co-op. Hastings boys parents never formally heard about this from the AD or administra­ tion. The boys and their parents were only made aware of the situation at the first team meeting of the season, 3 full six months alter the decision was made. I echo what the parents and athletes of the swim and dive cooperative continue to ask that the Hastings superintendent reconsider his decision to dissolv e the cooperative and work to mend fences with the administration, athletes and families from all sides. Steve Shults Head coach Barry County Barracudas transparency, lawmakers promise change bridge Michigan LANSING - Av of today, Michigan remains one of two states in the country where lawmakers and the governor arc whol­ ly exempt from public records requests. This week, lawmakers on both sides of the tuslc vowed dial that won't be die case for much longer. I Along with Massachusetts. Michigan fully exempts the executive and legislative branch­ es from its Freedom of Information Act. Which requires state departments and local governments to provide documents upon request and administrative fee payment. With Democrats now holding the majority. Sen Jeremy Moss. D-Southfield. said he expects the issue will he taken up and be passed by the Legislature in a matter of MT* procedure. That could take a few months. Moss acknowledged, noting that any laws needed to implement the ballot proposals require lidded urgency due to constitutional deadlines Und elections looming on llie horizon. , Prior to Proposal l’» pa"agc. Michigan was one of two Stales without any financial disclosure requirements for sitting state law­ makers. ’ Republicans, too, has c indicated interest in picking up the mantle on public records i County expansion. ' A group of House Republicans led by Rep Bill G Schuette, R-Mrdland. on Wednesday reintroduced hills passed by the House lust term that would subject the governor’s office Io FOIA and the (.cgislature to LORA, as Man in running car just sleeping A man catching up on sleep elicited a concerned phone call from a neighbor last month. Police were called around 6 a.m. on Feb. 26 to check on an 83-year-old Plain­ well man at his home on the 12000 block of Cressey Road. The neighbor told police the man had gone into the car und started it shortly after midnight when the power went out on the block. The neighbor grew concerned when the man had remained in the car even after the power was turned back on around 2:30 a.m. Police made contact with the man who said he wav okay, <md he had fallen asleep while he was waiting for the power Io turn back on. Skeleton found in farm silo turns out to be phony Police responded to a report of what appeared to be human remains found in a farm silo around 4:30 p.m. on .March 4 in Hickory Comers. The callers, a 63-year-old Hicko­ ry Comers man and a 24-year-old Richland man, told police they found what appeared to be a human skeleton in a silo while doing work on the property on the “900 block of Bendcrc Road. One of the callers told police that, while the farm was in operation, the silo hadn’t been used in nearly 40 years - although it was seen to be empty three years ago. Upon doser inspection, police found the skeleton was a fake similar to one that might be found in a science classroom Raccoon still at large in Middleville home Barry County law enforcement were faced with a rather unusual mask-wearing home invader earlier this month. A 46-y car-old Middleville man called police around 8 p.m. on March 5 to his home on the 10200 block of Ashton Court for assistance with removing the intruder - a raccoon. Police attempted to apprehend the animal, but it climbed into the basement ceiling and escaped. NOTICE OF PUBLIC H Th. Citv Of Haetinoe will hold a Public Hearing, Monday, March 27, 2023 at 7:00 PM In Council Chambera at City Hall. The purpose of the hearing Is to accept written and/or oral comments from the public regarding the City's application for a Michigan Natural Resources TYust Fund Grant for the Fish Hatchery Park Restroom Renovation Project. Lauren Gibbons public. Moss said the current plan is to pick luck up die effort where it left off in the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee, which he Chain, once his committee works through the implementation process for ballot Proposals I and 2. which included new financial divclokure requirements for lawmakers, nine days bf early voting and other changes to election come from, and had no luck getting the pig out of the yard herself City of Hastings MicSnigami Hags iniafttioirs Son government months. • “The framework for our FOIA reform is there and has been there for almost eight Sears now." Moss said “There’s definitely a new energy for this on my end now that we're In a position Io really get this thing done.” , Since 2015. the state House has voted through four packages to include the gover­ nor's office under FOIA and subject lawmak­ ers to a separate Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) that would operate similarly to FOIA, except that appeals of denials would be handled in-house by legislative council instead of going through the judicial process. Three of those efforts has e had unanimous, bipartisan support. All were halted in the SenMe. where Republican leaders objected to opening lawmaker communications up to the A 54-ycor-old Bellevue woman culled police around 4:30 p.m. on March 5 to report a suspicious suspect in het yard. The suspect in question, a roughly 100-pound reddish brown pig. had shown up to die woman’s residence on the 7800 block of Huft’Road roughly an hour before. The woman was unsure of who owned the pig or where it had Tho proposed project includes the demolition and reconstruction of the existing restroom building at Fish Hatchery Park located at 1011 W. Green Street in the City of Hastings. The new restroom will be universal­ ly accessible and contain four, unisex/family restroom units as well as other related site improvements. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments. A copy of the application is available for public inspection from 9 00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the City Clerk, 201 East State Street. Hastings, Michigan 49058. Questions and comments about the project may be directed to City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale by calling 269.945.2468 or by email at smoyar- cale^hastinosmi on? The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon fivedays noticeto the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. ’ w Christopher R. Bever City Clerk Michigan remains one of two stales that exempts lawmakers and the governor’s office from public records laws. r well as other legislation to requite financial duclovure for lawmakers as outlined in Pro­ posal I. create a bipartisan ethics committee and other transparency reforms -Michigan has long been toward the bot­ tom of national rankings for transparency' in government. Il's unacceptable, and it’s time we forgo this status quo," Schuette said. "These proposals are steps in the right direc­ tion.” Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said site supports expanding public records laws, hut she has not yet honored her 2018 pledge to open her own office up to public record requests if the Legislature did not change the law Her stance differs from versions presiously supported by lawmakers in that she wants the state’s I GIA law to be "equally applied" to lawmakers and her own office “Part of die reason that we never found common ground with legislators is became they didn't want to subject themsclses to the same standards.’ Whitmer recently t„|d reporters, arguing that creating a separate Statute lol the Legislature "doesn't make a whole lol of s-cme.'* Whitmer did not need live Legislature to change any laws, however, to release records from her own odmin^mn - and she has failedtodosovoM^'T Moss said he’s »n , w,lh “Ihcr lawmak­ ers and the governor s oilier■ to work through any sticking poin«-1 ut cunent Legis­ lature. he said c'P“ld"'>> P“bl,« records laws "shouldn’t take heavy lifting." seeing as Democrats and Rff“’alike agree on the overall concci* »l*" «e cx«t approach. "I feel like we re’*1,1 ।in, the same car - I think we just *'•" he said. "I intend and M* J-ecp this project as bipartisan as P00' ' Democrat rccemi' Elhi” and Oversight ‘•'fX'ki’ngat^ u,d ihe *' also interested n> '<• improve -■sting FrceJ^^’^'-Actpolre.es, including ^ ^.m.ng FC)U?“‘,h 'lair ,n place to hand! ^,tv ‘'M""” Byrnes.a flM®*„m..er i, ' n,cmb«. «id Michigan ^'"ijnent lcvclXPTni> h*‘ fled me.” “My igan thxn a,JI thing th,.. Jn lhc >u,c ' always baf­ Byrne* iron k grade * Tho Planning Commission will hold a Public Haarino .s, hearing written and/or oral comments from thj oubftJ purpo’« of amendment to Section 90-1 of the Heatings Mun’cioaiclu an Truck and Food Truck Park, Sections 90-462 90-472 J° odd F«x>d Truck and Food Truck Park. a. penX ua^nd 90-IX-fl Food Truck and Food Truck Parka Sections 00.014* Dlvl,lon public hearing will be held et 7:00 PM on Monday Aprin 2023^? r' T”* Chambers, second floor of City Hall. 201 East State Street 'uvj3 n “J® Cound 01 .. ,e no' 'OW politicize this a jRep. Erin R>’nt\e ,?*’lcnn Dearborn at the local legislature City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE NO. TBD , !° uk< Mich­ ™ »n ethics,” All Interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments Please contact Dan King, Community Development Dir»nr«, dking^iiasl:ngs.Til.Qfg or 269-945-2468 N you have questons or al regarding this public hcanng. M s of comments A copy of this information Is available for public Inspection from 9 no am i . PM Monday through Friday at the Office of tho City Clerk 201 Fav,e,,, 2.4 00 Hastings, Ml 49058. ’ tasI S,ate Tho City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services uoon i, h notice to Hg^n^9Cl^ork <letePhono numbe< 269-945-2468) or TDD call re^ay Christopher R Sever City Clerk .'by �Thursday, March 16. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Donald Leroy Bowerman Carol Ann Tobias Carol was a caring, loving mother and । vife. She will be deeply missed by her famly and friends. She was bom June 25, 1941 n St. Charles, IL. The daughter of the late i Dorothy (Susdorf) Liehr and step-father Charles Schmidt. I She was raised in Virgil, IL and attended local schools, graduating from Maple Park in 1959. Carol continued her education at : South Illinois College where she studied >ookkeeping. ! Shortly after completing her education, tarol began working at Baker Hotel in St. Charles. It was here, that her mother intro­ duced her to the love of her life, Ronald tames Tobias. Ron often traveled the area for lis job and frequently stayed at the Baker Hotel where Carol worked. The couple spent jhe first eight years of their marriage in Illi­ nois, before Ron’s career brought them to Michigan where they purchased their Nash­ ville farm and raised their family. Carol was a dedicated farmwife who enjoyed helping with the day to day farm operations. Ron and Carol worked side by side until transitioning the farm away from dairy cattle in 1988. Carol was a dedicated worker who spent bver 20 years at Feldpausch in Hastings where she managed the non-food department and was also a server at the Hastings Elk Lodge for over 10 years. Lastly, she worked for the Kellogg 25-Year Retirement Fund Department. During her spare time, Carol loved being outdoors, especially when she could tend to her flower gardens. For many years, Ron and Carol enjoyed escaping the Michigan winters in Florida with Ft. Myers Beach being their favorite destination. Carol is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Ron. Her children, Tim (Pam) Tobias, Tammi (James) Cross; her sister, Dorothy Keefe; sister-in-laws, Claudette Liehr and Angela Liehr, and brother-in-law, Harold Valien. Her grandchildren, Micah (Tom) Powers, Dhanielle Berg, Austin (Heather) Tobias, Travis (Tori) Duke, Tyler Duke, Trevor Duke, and Morgan Duke. Carol has 12 great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her broth­ ers, Don and Rick Liehr; her sister, Eileen Valien and brother-in-law, Bill Keefe. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 110 a.m. at the Daniels Funeral Home of Nashville with Pastor Gary Newton officiating. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Daniels Funeral Home of Nashville with interment taking place imme­ diately following the funeral service at Hos­ mer Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to remain at the Daniels Funeral Home of Nashville for a time of fellowship and a luncheon following the graveside service. Carol was an avid supporter of the United States Armed Forces and has requested memorial contributions be made to the Tun­ nel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org or the charity of your choice. The family would like to extend their sin­ cere gratitude to The Woodland Eagles for providing all of the food for the funeral lun­ cheon. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI conveniently located at 9200 East M-79 Hwy., Nashville, MI. For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. Worship Together ...at the church of your choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-9454246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 pm.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-9480900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. tiffraise This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 tFlexfob Hhuk ““ 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 HlteHMtyMt 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Donald Leroy Bowerman, age 66, of Ver­ montville, MI, passed away on March 7, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Don was born in Kalamazoo, MI on May 8, 1956. He graduated from Harry Hill High School in Lansing, and attended Lansing Community College. He served his country in the United States Navy for four years. He was united in marriage with Laura (Berry) Bowerman on July 12, 1996. Don retired in 2016, having worked in construction and later as a building maintenance technician in Lansing. Don is survived by his loving wife, Laura; his three sons, Eric (Andrea), Paul and Greg Bowerman; four grandchildren, Cloe, Zoey, Aleric and Jansen Bowerman; one great-grandchild, Raven Bowerman; his mother, Frances Patterson; and his brother, Steven Bowerman. In his retirement,'!Don enjoyed spending time with his beloved dogs, riding his beauti­ ful Harley DavidsonNight Train, and playing pool in various leagues. His cremains will be placed in the colum­ barium at Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages-for the family. In lieu of flowerty memorial contributions may. be .given. in Doh’s? name . to th© Eaton . County HuizianeSoOIety^RO.iBox 23.3, Ohvn.i et;rME4£Oh For .assistance with memorials, । please visit the funeral>> home. Memorial donations may also be made on line at https:// eatoncountyhumanesociety.org/donate/. Social Security cards are safer at home Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Scams to steal your personal information are at an all-time high. The need to safe­ guard important personal documents such as your Social Security card continues to be very important. rflH A Social Security card is not an identifica­ tion document. In many situations, you only need to know your Social Security number (SSN). Your physical card is not necessary for most business needs. Do you need evidence for work? There are several documents you can use instead of your card. Other j acceptable evidence includes the following:' .'.dj - Birth Certificate';.■ - Permanent Resident Gard or Alien Reg­ istration Receipt - Employment Authorization Document - Form 1-94 or Form I-94A You do not need to show your physical card to apply for certain benefits. You can simply provide your SSN B benefits like: - Housing - Health insurance - Food assistance J You should also know your physical card is not required as evidence for the Depart­ ment of Motor Vehicles or Driver License (REAL ID). The only state that requires a physical card is Pennsylvania. For all other states, other acceptable evidfence includes: • W-2 forms. • Form SSA-1099.. . • Non-SSA-1099 forms. • Pay stubs. Keeping your card at home reduces the risk of loss or theft - and helps you keep your information safo. ’• Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Spe­ cialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids M 49525 or via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. Jean M. Appleman Jean M. Appelman went to be with the Lord March 9, 2023 peacefully, with family by her side. Jean was bom on July 21, 1935 to Noice and Irene (Calkins) Bartholomew in Char­ lotte. She graduated from Vermontville High school in 1953. After graduation she married Raymond Hickey. She became a homemaker and together she and Raymond raised their children. In 1983 Jean married Michael Appelman. Jean worked at the International Seal & Lock in Hastings, Barry County Medical Care Facility, Barry Eaton District Health Department and Nashville Locker. Mike and Jean loved to travel, going to Australia, New Zealand, England, Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica, Texas and Mexico and spent many winters in Florida where the loved to shop garage sales, play cards and hang out with friends. Cross-stitching and putting puzzles together were also favorite pastimes for Jean. She is survived by her children, Deb (Jerry) Kemp, Don (Karen) Hickey, Sue (David) Fassett-Musser, Carol (Dale) Simon, and Jamie (Mark) Hess; sister-in-law, Betty Appelman, and special nieces, Melinda Appelman and Diana Bennett. Jean is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grand­ children and one great-great-grandchild. Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Michael; son, Patrick Appelman; brothers, Dale (Bev) Bartholomew, Lloyd (Kate) Bartholomew, Carl (Betty) Bar­ tholomew, and sister, Ruth Ann. Our family wishes to extend a special thank you to their wonderful caregiver Mary Ann Mead and Spectrum Hospital Hospice of Grand Rapids, who took excellent care of our parents. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home - Nashville, conve­ niently located at 9200 East M-79 Highway Nashville, ML For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. ■ * is If "‘‘'J-- JLaJte. \ liK is Elaine Garlock The Tri River Museum group will meet on Tuesday, March 21. There has been a threemonth recess for the group. In past years, there was. no meeting in December. This year the idecision was mlade to skip both Januftryr and February since often these meetings have had to be canceled due to foul weather. The next major event for the Tri River group will be the May museum tour. This year’s theme concerns food, the way we grew it, the way we served it and what foods we ate. United Methodist women of Central UM Church met on Monday in the church parlor with a short lesson and, unusually, a craft project to illustrate the theme of the day. Vir­ ginia Raynor was the hostess for the day. There is a long list of sponsors for the spring Easter egg hunt to be held at the vil­ lage park on 4tn Avenue with hunts for three age groups. There will also be drawings and several activities. This comes on April 8. Last week’s host at the Thursday night sup­ per held at the Fellowship Hall was Lakewood Church, which provided the kitchen workers, the desserts and other help. There was a larger than usual group of people who came for the meal. Food is provided and prepared by Swede’s Restaurant in Mulliken. Donations for the meal cover the cost of paper products and other incidentals. Swede’s provides the food but also all the preparation. The owner also provides food for two other meal sites. Central UM Church provides for the com­ munity a Thursday afternoon session which meets from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This was former­ ly a respite group to give caregivers a short break from care of a needy person to do errands or simply to have a bit of free time. Now>it iis more of a social time with, games and other activities^ Select members of the., church/pro-videl the leadership /fatthis groups which usually stays for the community meal. It used to be noteworthy when someone spotted the first robin of the season. This week, a couple who lives on Johnson Street were spotted back from two-and-a-half ’ months in Florida. Are the first snowbirds back from the south? Here and there are mounds of snow along 1 the curb, shoved there by the village snow­ plow. It will melt in time. In years past, the excess snow was dumped on the fairgrounds where it melted and slowly made its way south to the lake. Now, the piles are smaller and are situated around town with only a few such spots on 4^ Avenue. On the recent snowy days with several inches of new snow, the bird feeders were swamped by birds seeking food. Once the sun. shone, they spread out and were no longer concentrated around the feeders. Last week there was a benefit meal served at the Fellowship Hall of Central UM Church for Lisa Nurenberg, n?e Jackson. Next up is a similar event to benefit Alice Forshey (for­ merly Vandecar), owner of Cunningham Acres, hostess for several years of a Friday night musical event held on the premises with seniors in mind. She was known for her benevolence. Now she is battling major health problems. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for March 16-22 March 1-31 - March Storywalk Book: “What’s in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures” by Heather L. Montgomery, illus­ trated by Maribel Lechuga. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. “Every discovery starts with just one thing.” Find out what was that one “thing” for nine scientists who also were once curious kids with pockets full of “trea­ sures” from the great outdoors. March 1-31 - Signs of Change: Michigan Women in Science. Celebrate Women’s His­ tory Month and Scientists Day (March 14) by learning about past and present Michigan scientists along the Lupine, (green) Trail. Those interested can celebrate the two holi­ days for free on a self-guided hike along the Lupine Trail. Friday, March 17 - Lunch and Learn: Making Waves in Protecting Michigan’s Fish, 10:30a.m.-noon (program). Join Nicole Wat­ son, Fishery Analyst with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Sarah Nelson of the Barry Conservation District, and the Institute’s education director Sara Syswerda to learn about conservation efforts to restore Michigan’s native fish species and what the Institute is doing to help. This program will be presented virtually and synchronously (in-person). A recording of the program will be available to all registered participants on the Institute’s YouTube channel. The program will begin at 10:30 a.m. is free to members and $8 for non-members. The program will conclude at noon, immediately followed by a lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Members must pay $15 for the lunch and non-members must pay $21. Anyone 15 or older is welcome to the event, though those under 18 must be accom- I panied by an adult. Those interested can register for these ] events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. Joshua Alan Hineline, Middleville and Emily Jane Grosswiler, Middleville Ryan Allen Stautz, Manchester and Haley Leigh Swagler, Battle Creek cm bhiKBibBSBil ««***! �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 16, 2023 — Page 7 The history of steam threshing machines The most serious engineering problem involved in the manufacture of self-propelled engines was the construction of a satisfactory traction attachment. A series of inventions made the threshing machine independent. First was a set of bevel and pinions and an inclined shaft that transmitted power. Following that was the use of a chain to carry power from the engine to a sprocket on the countershaft near the drive wheels. In 1880, the invention of a string of spur gears of different sizes worked against each other to carry the power from the engine to the drive wheel. Other problems to solve: Some kind of clutch was needed to give the engineer com­ plete control over the traction power of his Esther Walton engine as well as to engage the flywheel for Banner June 5, 1986 belt work. The third major engineering prob­ Threshing machines came into being in the lem concerned the designing of a self-steering 19® century and changed the methods of farm­ mechanism. ing forever. In general, most of the American When the farm engineer could drop his last threshing machines used during the 1830s pair of reins and place his hand upon the were extremely simple in construction. The greasy knob of a steering wheel, his emancipa­ open-spiked cylinders were held in a box-like tion was complete. With a self-propelled, self­ frame and were turned by a hand crank or steered traction engine that could start, stop, pully. The grain bundles were held against the reverse itself, climb hills, cross fields, crawl revolving cylinder until the kernels were out of mud holes, and carry its master around stripped from the straw. The cylinders were the countryside, the thresherman was to all usually of wood. When out of balance, they appearances king of his mechanical domain. In gave a guttural bellow, which earned them the a day long before the arrival of the gas tractor name “bull thresher.” or the automobile, while the wealthy aristocrat The first portable U.S. steam engine came was still confined in his luxury to the best team into being in 1849. It was only portable in that of Morgans in town hitched to a phaeton, the the machine could be hauled from one farm to ordinary custom thresherman was traveling the another by four or six horses over any road well-known roads of his own community in a through woods or over any other place where private self-propelled vehicle. logs could be hauled or a team traveled. The steam engine boom began in 1885 and The importance of steam-driven machinery continued until about 1912. The efficiency of can be illustrated by the Glenn wheat ranch in the average farm worker in the year 1900 Colusa County, which in 1880 included a solid appears to have been 86 percent greater than in block of 66,000 acres extending up the Sacra­ the year 1870. It was due in large measure to mento River Valley for over 16 miles. Some the increase of power and machinery on farms. suggestion as to the size of this field can be seen To save valuable time and to be less depen­ in the fact that plowing teams starting up in the dent on manual labor, the average American morning could travel down the furrow in a farmer in the 1870s began substituting the straight line all day without turning around. self-binder for the reaper, the walking plow for Lunch was served midway across the field, while a gang plow, and the horse-power threshing the drivers camped at the far end of the field machine for portable engines. In the ‘80s and before making the return trip the following day. ‘90s, these same motives prompted men to Although the portable steam engines were smother the flames in the old portables and fairly satisfactory for threshing grain during kindle a fire in the steam traction engines the third quarter of the 19^ century, they pos­ which had appeared on the agrarian scene. sessed one serious mechanical weakness: they In 1900 threshing machines were featuring weren’t self-propelled. Unable to move under cylinders 36 to 44 inches in length with a cor­ their own power, their use was necessarily responding increase in the size of the rest of the limited to belt operations, leaving all draft separator. Forty-inch cylinders and a large work to be performed by oxen or horses. number of 44 by 64-inch machines were A few far-sighted men abandoned plans to enlarged in size, and once the huge double-bar design new self-propelled steam engines and cylinders were also enlarged in diameter. They began converting the ordinary portable steam were able to cut through tough, damp bundles threshing into traction engines by adding a without losing momentum. To drive these simple self-propelled attachment. threshing machines, which doubled their capac­ In 1873, Merrit and Kellogg Company of ity during the late ‘90s, became a necessity. Battle Creek went into the business of manu­ Increased demand for more steam power facturing self-propelled* agricultural engines on was not confined to threshing, but was extenda businesslike .basi&'Jni& earliest self-pro-.. edxto.other types ofiarm work^ such.as plow* polled engihes tverd steered by>hdrses.'<Aleam ing'ibuildinjg'roads,' sawing? lumber and hauling of horses* was also used to steer the engine freight over the highways. while on the road. As the steam engine business continued to I fl look Oast atm stories and 60linis on local history In the flastlnos Banner turning w W SaeGufo Mhiii tette ■tew & first robin ofii£8SL& BACK THE PAGES ■mid. to wit si tkw w spoiled bri frm nuhtf ttetei &EaMfflliffito(Mplff Witaffloiffltoq jygfrfitto.fr KWmdtiitoDC. IdweiSJ IflCflll AlflIIK- T'* TtottBStV ^.8®; fefcl . gta spa! outri Photo shows a combine harvester in the State of Washington in the 1880s. Universe events Og Working as a team What is the difference between B cells and T cells in the immune system? Tanveer, 11, Calif. ».x£ Dear Tanveer, Everyone who heard your question agreed that it’s a sophisticated one. To get my paws around the answer, I talked with my friend Phil Mixter. He’s an immunology professor at Washington State University. He told me all living things need to pro­ tect themselves from microbes that could make them sick. These are called patho­ gens. They can be bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. “Almost every organism I can think offrom plants to animals and beyond-has a defense system to handle the possibility that another organism might sneak in, Mixter said. Complex organisms need better defenses. That’s why animals like mammals have two-part immune systems. The first part is called the innate immune system. It includes physical, chemical and cellular ways to keep pathogens out. It uses patterns to recognize something isn’t part of your body and eliminate it. The second part is called the adaptive immune system. It includes those B cells and T cells you asked about. They’re both white blood cells called lymphocytes. They work as a team. B cells and T cells have different jobs on the protection team. B cells produce and release proteins called antibodies. Their job is to grab onto pathogens and not let go. Sometimes the antibody blocks the part of the pathogen that interacts with your cells. These are called neutralizing antibodies. Antibodies have another job, too. A pathogen with an antibody on it is marked for destruction. It’s like a giant neon X that tells your immune system to gobble up the pathogen or blast it with a chemical defense. Mixter told me about two kinds of T grow, a large number of businessmen invested their money in these factories. In 1905, there were 37 companies which manufactured approximately 7,500 steam-traction engines. This output reached a top production figure of about 10,000 in 1913 after which a decline set in, prompted by the introduction of the small gasoline tractors, until in 1920 only 1,700 engines were built By 1925, this type of man­ ufacturer had been virtually abandoned. During the 1860s and early ‘70s, when the small portable engines were selling for around $1,000, two or three farmers often bought an engine to do their threshing and other belt work. As the self-propelled engines in the late ‘70s were larger, more expensive and adapt­ able to more types of work, the owners of these machines were encouraged to do more custom work to pay for their investments. After 1900, the price of a large threshing outfit reached $4,000, the most expensive farm machinery on the grain-growing farms of the country. The cost was then so far beyond the economic resources of the average farmer that the thresh­ ing business was turned over almost entirely to a group of professional custom threshermen. The successful custom threshermen spent considerable time preparing for the first day of threshing. If the engine and separator had been in use for a number of years, the operator would spend several days repairing and recon­ ditioning the machinery. The steam engine was checked over, the firebox grates examined, leaky flues caulked or replaced, and bearings or working parts on the entire machine taken up to prevent pounding and slapping. Since the engines usually outlasted two sep­ arators, considerable repair work was general­ ly necessary to put the threshing machine in good running order. The numerous leather belts were spliced with strips of “whang” leather. As the belts needed constant attention, the operator purchased the leather by the half hide to have a sufficient supply for the thresh­ ing season. While the machine was being cleaned, oiled and loosened up, a list of repairs was ordered for emergencies. Every good thresherman planned to operate his threshing machinery as many hours each day as possible and for as many days as he could in order to increase his earnings. Work for all hands was from sun-up to sunset or for as long as there was sufficient light to work. Sometimes threshing began at 4:45 a.m. with the crew stopping a few minutes for breakfast at 6 a.m. In the morning, the fireman usually crawled out of his bunk between 3. a.m. and 4 a.m. With a kerosene lantern in one hand and a lunch bucket in the other, he made his way to the fields to find the threshing outfit. If the steam engine was a straw burner, he kindled a fire; if a coal fire had been “banked” the night before, he shook out the ashes and stirred the fire to get up steam pressure in the boiler. After coax* > ing the.fire along untiblO- pounds ।of steam registered on the gauge; he^tttmed oh th^sMdhii valve in the smokestack, creating a forced draft which quickly intensified'the heat of the fire and shortened the time needed to get up normal steam pressure. Since members of the threshing crew were often working at a great distance from the rig, the engineers sent information to them by means of the steam whistle, blown according to the prescribed code of signal in common use in the community. One long, continuous sound was given to attract attention to the working place and to indicate that work would proceed. Other whistle signals were; - Two long blasts: work completed for the day. - One short blast: stop threshing machine. -Two short blasts: start threshing machine. - Three short blasts:1 more grain boxes needed. - One long, two shorts: moving to the next farm. - Continuous short whistles: unusual dis­ tress or fire. cells: helper T cells and killer T cells. Help­ er T cells are in charge. They help B cells by telling them what to do-like what antibod­ ies to make more of and where to send them. Killer T cells are like assassins. Their job is to look for pathogens hiding inside your cells. Then, they eliminate those unhealthy cells before they can spread. Once the adaptive immune system encounters a pathogen, it’s primed to act if that pathogen shows up again. “I like to think of it like a fire drill,” Mix­ ter said. “The immune system is not the same after that first encounter.” In real-life fire drills, you get faster every time you practice. The second time a patho­ gen shows up, the immune response is fast­ er, too. Helper T cells can give the order to crank out B cells with the right antibodies. That’s called recall response. It’s more effi­ cient to “recall” trained team members than to recruit and train new ones. That’s also how vaccines work. When you get a shot, it trains your immune system to recognize a pathogen. Then the team, including B and T cells, is ready if the real pathogen comes along. You’re a part of the team, too. The stuff you do to stay healthy-like getting shots and washing your hands—supports your immune system so it can protect you. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. 1908 photograph of Jeffery Brothers threshing crew, which worked all over Barry County. The rig was sold to a Mr. Townsend. Some of those pictured: front row, left, Bryon Lewis, and fourth from left, Ernest “Pat” Lewis. Second row, small girl, Osa Jeffery and seventh from left, “Bert” Jeffery. A good engineer with a well-organized small sawmill operators did custom work; system resorted to a minimum use of the indications were that sawing lumber was 4 whistle, whereas the inexperienced operator often more profitable than threshing. blew the whistle without provocation as if its Below are names of some of the early | air-piercing shrieks added importance to his threshers in Barry County, known to and com- ■ position. One Michigan thresherman recalls piled by Floyd Bull in the 1960s. He included that as boys he and his friends could always the approximate dates they worked, the town- ' gauge the degree of sobriety of their engineer ships they lived in and some incidental infor- f by the manner in which he blew the whistle. mation about their rigs: In the book “Steam Power on the American - Brunk and Darry, 1865,3-and-a-half miles Farm” is this quote: “Why do you stay a north of Hastings, a saw mill using 12 horses for power. thresher?” “Well sir, I reckon, I have swore off this - Irving Township: Buehler Bros., Lickta dum threshing business a hundred times. Every Bros., Irving Goodenough, Buel Fuller, Ben­ year I say, ‘Well this is my last,’ but it ain’t.” nets, John Perry, John Ryan, James Johnson, It ain’t the money... lordy know you don’t Dave Murphy, Okes Bros. get rich running a threshing outfit. Hustles me - Thomapple Township: John and Jones to break even lots of times. I reckon I just nat­ Hendershott claimed to have the first steam urally have a hankering to be oily and greasy threshing rig in Barry County, which was an and covered with dust and to be jawed at and upright boiler engine. work all day and half the night. That must be - Carlton Township: Frank Hosimer, Clar­ it. I swear off and dum if I ain’t crazy as a kid ence Rogers, Blough Bros., Jay Brant, John just as the threshing season starts.” Scoby Sr., James Bowler, Sam Culbert (1898), Eleasier Cashiner (1898). | Sometimes a group of farmers in a commu­ nity bought threshing outfits on a cooperative - Woodland Township: Dave Townsend, basis with each family paying its share of the Chas. Youngs. original purchase price as well as the cost of - Castleton Township: Willard Demond, C. operations and maintenance. These threshing Cappon and Sons. rigs were called “company” machines as dis­ - Rutland Township: Sam Craig, Mead tinguished from the outfits owned by a custom Bros. thresherman. - Hope Township: Eugene Bush, Payne, Although company machines did not come Theodore Pranski. into general used until World War I, when the - Hastings Township: George Huling, Frank custom thresherman began to raise his prices Slocum. to cover his increased operation expenses, - Baltimore Township: Bill Tobias, Henry the use of cooperative outfits had been dis­ Tobias, Wm. Cramer, Than Golden, Wood­ cussed and advocated for many years. The mansee Bros. Northwestern Agriculturalist in 1903 predict­ - Maple Grove: Jerry Elliot. ed that it would not be long before the use of - Barry Township: Williams. big steam rigs would be limited to a few - Also Wn. McNutt, Irving Township and large farms, because it cost about one-fourth the Jeffery Brothers, Coats Grove, 1908. of the crop to get it threshed by custom . tipn, -most of thertabor would, _ PUBLIC NOTICE __ MICHKSAN DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORI ATION bl furnished by the farmers 2023 GRAND REGION HERBICIDE PROGRAM themselves, who would be The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) hereby more careful in saving the provides notice to the public, including property owners adjacent to grain than the “unscrupulous state highways, of the 2023 Herbicide Application Program treatments for roadside rights of way within Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, threshermen in their hurry to Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent. Ionia, do a lot.” Allegan, and Barry counties. Daily expenses, 1908: SCHEDULED DATES OF APPLICATION; - An engineer: $5 a day. Applications will take place between April 3, 2023, and December 1, -A fireman: $3. 2023. - A tank man: $4. HERB1CIDES/LOCAT1ONS: - Two blacksmiths: $8. Non-Selective Applications: (guardrail, pavement/shoulder cracks and edges, barrier walls, concrete bridge slopes, invasive plants) - Two plow men: $4. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR COMBINATIONS OF THE HERBICIDES -A cook: $3. LISTED BELOW: Roundup Pro Concentrate (Glyphosate), Method 240SL - Oil and grease: $2. (Aminocyclopyrachlor), Milestone (Aminopyralid), Escort XP - Board for crew: $4.50. (Metsulfuron Methyl), Arsenal Powerline (Imazapyr), Rodeo - Fuel: $6. (Glyphosate), Esplanade 200 SC (Indaziflam), Polaris (Isopropylamine Salt of Imazapyr), Telar XP (Chlorsulfuron), - Repairs, plow shares, Roundup Custom (Glyphosate). etc.: $8. Selective Applications: (broadleaf weeds in turf areas, brush control, - Total cost for day: $47.50. plant growth regulator, invasive plants) ANY INDIVIDUAL OR Owners of traction engines COMBINATIONS OF THE HERBICIDES LISTED BELOW: Weedestroy AM-40 (2, 4-Diclorophenoxyacetic Acid), Detail frequently picked up extra (Saflufenacil), Milestone (Aminopyralid), Escort XP (Metsulfuron work by sawing lumber during Methyl), Telar XP (Chlorsulfuron), Vastlan (Triclopyr Choline, Acetic Acid, Choline Salt), Garlon 4 Ultra (Triclopyr-2-Butoxyethyl the late fall and winter months. Ester), Vista XRT (Fluroxypyr), Plateau (Imazapicj, Method 240SL Although the large saw milling (Aminocyclopyrachlor), Plateau (Imazapic). Method 240SL companies cut the bulk of the (Am inocyc lopyrachlor). pines and hardwoods in the METHOnOF APPLICATION: large timber tracts of this coun­ All applications will be ground or foliar applied by vehicular-mounted fixed boom or hand spray gun equipment. The herbicides will be try, there remained countless tank-mixed or injected for each application. small lots of trees and areas of RE-ENTRY RESTRICTIONS: second-growth timber in prac­ Do not enter treated areas until the spray has dried. tically all of the states. This lumber could be secured at rel­ CONTACT; All applications will be made by certified pesticide applicators. For atively low prices. Portable cir­ further information, contact: cular saws were used to advan­ Tom Kitcey, Resource Specialist tage; they could be moved Michigan Department ot Transportation readily as needed. Wood slabs 1420 Front Ave., N.W. Grand Rapids, Ml 49504 provided economical fuel for 616-558-8084 the engines and steam fur­ This notice is published per Regulation 637 Act No. 451, Public Acts nished smooth, dependable of 1994, as amended. power for sawing. Most of the SOUTHWEST BARRY COUNTY SEWER AND WATER AUTHORITY1 6458 COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2023-2024 BUDGET PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Commission of the Southwest Barry County Sewer and Water Authority will conduct a public hearing on the Authority's proposed budget for the Authority’s 2023-2023 fiscal year on March 21, 2023 at 6i3Q_pm at the Southwest Barry County Sewer and Water Authority Office. 11191 S. M43 Hwy> Delton, Michigan, 49046 A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the office of the Authority located at 11191 South M-43 Highway, Delton, Michigan 49046 during regular Authority business hours. In addition to other business which may properly come before the meeting, the Commission will consider any comments made by the public at the public hearing on the Authority budget and, further, will consider whether to adopt, and may adopt, the annual Authority budget for the 20232024 fiscal year. If adopted, the budget may be adopted in the form in which originally presented, or In such amended form as the Commission In its discretion may determine. All Interested persons may attend the public hearing. The address of the Southwest Barry County Sewer and Water Authority is 11191 South M-43 Highway, Delton, Michigan 49046. The telephone number of the Authority office Is (269) 623-3401 SOUTHWEST BARRY COUNTY SEWER AND WATER AUTHORITY 1 i g * ) ; �p*®**—Mm it.aoaa—■urji evn* RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN I NOTICE OF ORDINANCE SUBMITTAL I TO: I THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE proposed Ordinance #2023-186 appended hereto was introduced for first ■ reading by the Rutland Charter Township Board at Its March 8. 2023 meeting. I This proposed ordinance will be considered for adoption by the Township Board at its scheduled I regular meeting on April 12,2023 commencing at 7 00 p.m. at the Charter Township Hall. I Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as ■ signers for the hearing Impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to I Individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to Rutland Charter Township. I Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township. I Format note--this proposed ordinance Is prepared in '‘legislative format": new verbiage proposed to be I added Is shown in bold type; any existing verbiage proposed to be deleted is shown lined-through. I CITY OF HASTINGS & CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND I BARRY COUNTY, STATE OF MICHIGAN I RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE NO. 2023-186 I ADOPTED BY TOWNSHIP BOARD: I FFFFCT1VE DATE(or as otherwise provided by law) I CITY OF HAST1NG8ORD1NANCE NO. ____ I ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL: improvements to the township park. (Courtesy photos) EFFECTIVE DATE: (or as otherwise provided by law) JOINT ORDINANCE TO AMEND HASTINGS-RUTLAND JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION ZC'NiNG .ORDINANCE I An Ordinance to amend Sections 2.02 and 6.02 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Hastings-Rutland Joint I Planning Commission (Rutland Charter Township Ordinance No. 2016-156, as amended/City of Hastings OrI dlnance No. 532, as amended) pertaining to child day care home and qualified residential treatment program I land uses. THE CITY OF HASTINGS & THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAIN: SECTION 1 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2.02 PERTAINING TO DEFINITIONS ; The definition of “Family Day Care Home” in Section 2.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning I Commission Zoning Ordinance Is hereby amended to read as follows: "FAMILY DAY CARE HOME — A private home where not more than six minor children (or such other Increased capacity number of minor children permissible under State Law) are received for care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours per day unattended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, mar­ riage, or adoption.” SECTION 2 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2.02 PERTAINING TO DEFINITIONS The definition of “Group Day Care Home” in Section 2.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to read as follows: L... ' “GROUP DAY CARE HOME — A private home where more than six but less than 12 minor children (or such other Increased capacity number of minor children permissible under State Law) are given care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day untended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, marriage, or adoption." SECTION 3 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2.02 PERTAINING TO DEFINITIONS Section 2.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to add a definition for the new term “qualified residential treatment program" reading as follows: “QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM A program within a child caring institution as that term is defined in MCL 722.111(1)(c) that provides services for 10 or fewer individuals which: - has a trauma-informed treatment model, evidenced by the inclusion of trauma awareness, knowledge, and skills into the program's culture, practices, and policies; - has registered or licensed nursing or other licensed clinical staff on-site or available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who provide care in the scope of their practice as provided in parts 170,172,181,182,182A, and 185 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17001 to 333.17097, 333.17201 to 333.17242, 333.18101 to 333.18117, 333.18201 to 333.18237, 333.18251 to 333.18267, and 333.18501 to 333.18518; - Integrates families Into treatment, Including maintaining sibling connections; - provides aftercare services for at least 6 months post discharge; - is accredited by an Independent not-for-profit organization as described In 42 USC 672(k)(4) (G)- This term does not Include a detention facility, forestry camp, training school, or other facili­ ty operated primarily for detaining minor children who are determined to be delinquent; and also does not Include adult foster care facilities licensed by a state agency for care and treatment of persons released from or assigned to adult correctional Institutions." Yankee Springs board seeks $117,000 DNR grant for park upgrades Greg Chandler Staff Writer Two months after approving a five-year parks and recreation plan for the township, the Yankee Springs Township board is seeking state funding for improve­ ments to the township park. Last week, the board unanimously approved seek­ ing $117,000 from the Michigan Department of Natu­ ral Resources (DNR) Recreation Passport grant pro­ gram toward the construction of four new pickleball courts at the township park, and converting the park’s existing two pickleball courts and half-court basket­ ball court into a full-court basketball court. The grant would cover 75 percent of the estimated project cost of $156,000, with the township to provide matching funds for the remaining $39,000 of the cost “We’re gaining half a basketball court and two pickleball courts with this grant,” Township Supervi­ sor Rob Heethuis said. The new pickleball courts and the upgrade to a fullsize basketball court had been recommended in the township’s five-year parks and recreation plan, which was passed unanimously by the township board in January. One of the reasons cited for adopting the plan and submitting it to the state was to put the township in, position to apply for grants such as the DNR Rec­ reation Passport grant for park improvements. The DNR recently approved (he parks plan, Heethuis said. Other improvements recommended for the first year of the parks plan include making upgrades to meet the Americans With Disabilities Act, resurfacing the walking trail loop at the park and exploring poten­ tial routes for trails connecting the township park to the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, according to the plan document. The 56-page parks document, which will guide parks improvements through the 2027-28 fiscal year, was developed by a six-member township parks com­ mittee, working with the consulting firm Williams & Works. Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said at the January meeting that any projects identified in the plan would have to be individually approved by the board based on its merits and how it balances with other township needs. The parks plan was put together using input gath­ ered through an online community survey that was conducted in June and July of last year that received 277 responses, 227 from Yankee Springs Township residents. The survey identified providing opportuni­ ties to enjoy nature and the outdoors, improving health and wellness, and providing athletic opportunities as the benefits that were most important to respondents, according to the plan document. Five residents spoke out against the plan at a Janu­ ary public hearing, questioning whether the data truly reflected the viewpoints of township residents. Cunningham noted that should the cost of the proj­ ect come in higher than estimated, the township can put the project on hold. “(If) conditions change, we still have an opportuni­ ty to back out... we’re not signing a contract here,” he said. A decision from the DNR on the grant request isn’t expected until late this year. If approved, the township would have to sign a grant agreement early next year, Heethuis said. HALL RENOVATIONS AHEAD OF SCHED-' ULE, UNDER BUDGET The renovation of the Yankee Springs Township Hall is running ahead of schedule and under budget, township officials say. . Cunningham said at last week’s board meeting that the project will be completed and ready for occupancy, in the first week ofApril. That’s well ahead of an ear­ lier timeline that put the project completion and occu-t pancy in the middle of May. Work on renovating the original 4,000-square-foot, building and adding more than 1,700 square feet to the, structure began in July, with the initial work focusing; on expansion. Once the expansion was completed,, offices were moved into the addition and work began on renovating the original office space and the meet­ ing room where township meetings are held. The original project estimate was $1.2 million - $1. million for the construction work by project contractor. Mugen Construction, $101,000 for contingency and, $97,000 to Fleis & VandenBrink for design and engi-, neering costs. At present, the project is projected to come in $39,169 under budget, Cunningham said. , , There was one significant change, to tile project,.. Cunningham reported that a hew,' larger-capacity gen­ erator that had earlier been planned will not be installed. Township officials learned that the hall would not have power for lighting or receptacles in case of a power outage. The contractor and architect were informed that it wasn’t acceptable, and the com tractor has since added a small panel in the furnace room that can provide generator power. “There is a panel in, we will have lighting and receptacles for meetings and elections if the power goes out,” Cunningham said. “There’s no guarantee ... that the generator can handle it.” Cunningham said the township will have to get a larger generator in the future. “We’ll see how this, goes,” he said. Furnishings for the reception area are expected to be. installed on April 7. At that time, the township will need' to relocate the treasurer’s office furnishings and contents, to the treasurer’s office and move the zoning administra­ tor, zoning assistant and code enforcement office to the zoning office. In addition, the township needs to acquire, three desks to furnish the zoning office and filing cabi­ nets may also be needed, Cunningham said. The board Thursday approved two small purchases tied to the hail project - approving the addition of two 8-foot sections of snow bars to protect the generator and the new heating and cooling unit at the hall from falling snow and ice in the amount of $1,029, and, approving the purchase of one fireproof file cabinet, for the assessor’s office at a cost of no more than, $3,648. Cunningham said the generator that was installed in 2018-19 had a large dent in the housing that was caused by falling ice. The township has been holding its board, planning commission and zoning board of appeals meetings at, Gun Lake Community Church while the meeting, room portion of the hall was being renovated. SECTION 4 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 6.02 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED.USES IN MU-MIXED USE district Section 6.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the MU-Mixed Use District is hereby amended to add a new subtartinn A-26 reading as follows: “26. ■ Qualified Residential Treatment Program.” SECTION 5 EFFECTIVE DATE/REPEAL This Ordinance shall take effect on the latter of: (1) 15 days after enactment by both the City and Township, or (2) the eighth day after publication of a notice of adoption of this Ordinance as required by lawprovided, however, if a notice of intent to file a petition under MCL 125.3402 is timely filed with respect to this Ordinance and/or If the right of referendum under applicable provisions of the charter of the City of Hastings is timely initiated, this Ordinance shall then only take effect as provided by applicable provisions of MCL 125.3402 and/or the City charter, or as otherwise provided by law. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland Christopher Sever, Clerk city of Hastings The grant money would go toward the construction of four pickleball courts and the formation of al full basketball court. Right now, the park is currently home to a half-court basketball court. lirtiweM I j *1 IfUT*® I fl al bi w s:ssw > XT'* ■St > fess: -.i,. �The Hastings SPORTS ANNER lSEcTlQN ^B I New TK boys’ volleyball club plans March 21 PowderPuff game Brett Bremer nK. * t. ,c> 41 Cf^ 1'^ "^hu^Pu*1^ • ki>e,^a^eeh^ 1 '5« ,**«i^« ^csms 2**tlt ^aS0®**^ ■klSS^^iM **S*2?« ^JTw’Mfctab TW*««maib Atttsf £s*fe55 «w£Ja? "^“^at^ijH I ® ta W eafa tea ptoj . s^tebip otto learned in H ^tetpowftfl^ffwjai, I *W*<i>BK©npt. ®6|wtoutage Ik com nd ni WfcBBaj fcMq Hr wind to it nsn acceptable, adH lte^Mnrta.ta xaseadida mil paod i isq •JiaiprniiMOfpoRK m B lass. if pit V aipand in, Sports Editor Practice begins March 13. The brand new Thomapple Kellogg High School boys* volleyball team will play its first Grand Rapids South Conference matches April 11. High school boys* volleyball continues to spread around the state. Trojan head coach Carla VanHaitsma said that this spring there are expectations for 58 high schools to host boys* club teams. Caledonia played its first season in the GR South Conference a year ago, and conference member Hudsonville won the 2022 boys’ state championship. The sport started in Michigan with four schools in 2018. “It has just grown tremendously since then,” VanHaitsma said. The Trojans will introduce their sport to the community Tuesday, March 21, hosting a Powder Puff Volleyball game at Thomap­ ple Kellogg High School. Guys that plan to be a part of the upcoming boys’ season will be taking on members of the TKHS girls* volleyball program beginning at 7 p.m. VanHaitsma said she hopes it will be competitive. High school varsity girls’ teams play on a net that is 7 feet 4 inches high. The high school boys play on an 8-foot net. The plan for the PowderPuff game is to use the boys* height. That’ll give the boys something of an advantage at the net, and they might need every advantage they can get. The girls have had years to build up (Heir passing and seizing skills'? A 1 The entry cost for spectators is $5, but the fundraising event is more about introduc­ tion everyone to the sport than helping the club cover expenses. “I want people to come and see this and see the guys can play volleyball too,” Van­ Haitsma said. She especially hopes some younger boys, like fourth and fifth graders from across the parking lot at Page Elementary, will get the chance to experience the sport at the event and want to get involved. “I have a strong group of about 7 or 8 guys who have come consistently to the practices, so I think we can hold our own [against the girls],” coach VanHaitsma said. “I do have some new guys.” She said she has a dozen or more guys committed to playing already, including her son Kyle VanHaitsma, a junior who just finished up the varsity boys’ basketball sea­ son at TK. She expects him to be one of her setters. He has a bit of volleyball passing experience due to his years in the gym as a youngster with his mother while she coached eighth grade girls at TK. Coach VanHaitsma has been hosting open gyms for the guys since October. While there are a couple AAU club teams in the area for boys, like Impact out of Grandville, coach VanHaitsma doesn’t expect to have any guys with club experi­ ence on her school team this spring. Col­ leges across the country have club and var­ sity teams as well. 1,1 It*|l take some work for any of the^TR. guys to be ready for a college scholarships ggf Cdosiani saii Wsao®® 1 ..ftnnor can handle it' IfilB %'S? HOME SECTION “The first thing is to make sure to know that they can not touch the net, if they’re up there hitting and blocking. We don’t want them to fall into the net, we don’t want them to go under the net and twist an ankle or hit somebody on the other side,” coach VanHaitsma said. It’s also a point for the “other team when a player touches the net. Beyond safety at the net, coach VanHaits­ ma said the first thing she works on with new players are the techniques of passing - but that’s not really the most important thing. “Really it’s about trying to have them have fun playing volleyball. They’ll pick up the technique stuff along the way,” she said. At the March 21 event, there will be the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win items donated by local businesses. There are also plans for a “Serve for Pizza” game between he first and second set, where con­ testants will get to pay $1 for a chance to win pizza by serving across the net into a pizza box. Once the season gets underway, the Tro­ jans will face off against East Grand Rap­ ids, South Christian, Caledonia, Grand Rapids Christian, East Kentwood and For­ est Hills Eastern on a regular basis in the —J GR South Conference. The plan is for Caledonia and Grandville square off in the boys' volleyball contest at East Kentwood Tuesday evening convened jamborees High School during the 2022 season. Thornapple Kellogg High.School is beginning a throughout the season at a single location. boys' volleyball club team this spring and will introduce the sport to the community wity. The volunteer coaching staff will work to school in find some non-confereh'de competitions afe -^8|I Rdwder ROff^affi^ag&lhSt'thdTl^fi^dhool^Hd^^TrSY^ well. I (W8J& Middleville. (File photo) Leinaar to receive MHSAA’s Forsythe Award win have ton* Snot ebs h nettings and eta ii tk w Thursday. March 16,2023 Thursday, March 16,2023 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The last time current Frankfort interim athletic director Karen Leinaar really remem­ bers having to stomp her feet and make some trouble came with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The Michigan High School Athletic Asso­ ciation managed to finish off the 2019-20 wrestling season with the Individual State Finals - the last of the state championships contested in Michigan that school year. Plans were in the works for the MHSAA to begin offering an individual state wrestling cham­ pionship for girls during the 2020-21 school year. Between mask mandates, Covid testing and a drop in athletics participation it turned out not to be an ideal time to be opening up nfiw sports opportunities - not for organizers or for student-athletes. “No way at this point in my career was I going to let that one go away,” Leinaar said. The MHSAA and the wrestling coaches association worked to bring the girls’ cham­ pionship to life during the 2021-22 season and the second set of girls’ wrestling state champions were crowned the first Saturday this March at Ford Field in downtown Detroit alongside the guys. “We doubled the number of girls from year one to year two,” Leinaar said. “That is a wonderful thing for all these young ladies that are out there wanting to wrestle.” “Few people in Michigan have had a lon­ ger-lasting influence on the rules and policies of educational athletics than Frankfort’s Karen Leinaar, who has served in several roles locally, statewide and nationally over more than 40 years contributing to the school sports community,” the MHSAA’s Geoff Kimmerly wrote in a press release announc­ ing Leinaar as the 2023 honoree for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Charles E. Forsythe Award earlier this month The annual award is in its 46th year and named after former MHSAA Executive Director Charles E. Forsythe, the Associa­ tion’s first full-time and longest-serving chief executive. Forsythe Award recipients are selected each year by the MHSAA Represen­ tative Council, based on an individual’s out­ standing contributions to the interscholastic athletics community. ■ That the addition of the girls’ champion­ ship didn’t need to come as some part of a trade off which took away from boys’ sport­ ing opportunities was one of the best parts for Leinaar. The country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX in 2022. She has seen all the ups and downs that have come with that. Leinaar was a sophomore in high school in Delton when the Title IX policies were implemented in the school system in the late 1970’s. She played volleyball in the winter and participated in track and field in the spring for the Panthers, and even then that was just the tip of the iceberg. She also kept the scorebook for the girls’ and boys’ basket­ ball teams and kept stats for the football team. Eventually, she would coach both vol­ leyball and track at Delton Kellogg. “Dad coached as many things as he could. My mom was in charge of transportation at school. We were a family that was involved” Leinaar said. “As kids, we knew that the community was a big deal. As I was growing up I taught swimming lessons, I umpired baseball and softball, men’s and women’s leagues, worked in the rec. department in school. As I went on to Michigan State and became a teacher and had the opportunity to come back to Delton it was always important to give back.” Leinaar graduated in 1977 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education, health and recreation, with a minor in driver education, from Michigan State University in 1982. She completed a master’s in athletic administration from Western Michigan Uni­ versity in 1994. She took over as athletic director at Delton Kellogg in 1982 and served in that position until the fall of 1998. “When I was in high school, I had a prin­ cipal (Bill Baker), who became a superinten­ dent, who became a friend ... and he demon­ strated to all of us that we were important to him, that even though we weren’t his kids we were his kids, and athletics was a way to help kids become better people - and for some kids it was the only thing that they had posi­ tive in their life,” Leinaar told Kimmerly. “And he made it known just to that individu­ al kid how important their participation was and their involvement, and how that helped them become the person that they were. “That to me was such an example of how to help people be good people, that I just took that role on.” Since then, she has inspired others to take on the role. “It is hard for me to fathom where my career would be without Karen,” Lakewood High School athletic director Mike Quinn said. “She was the first one that told me when I won the election to be on the board, we won’t let you fail. We’re a team. She Karen Leinaar has been announced as the winner of the MHSAA’s 2023 Charles E. Forsythe Award. The award recipient is selected each year by the MHSAA Representative Council based on an indi­ vidual’s outstanding contributions to the interscholastic athletics community. directs her life every day - as a team sport. It is all about everyone. There are a whole lot of us who have her to be thankful for.” Leinaar and Quinn have been friends for much of the past 50 years. Quinn said he met Leinaar through his mother, Mary Quinn, who was one of the first girls’ coaches at Delton Kellogg. Leinaar was a few years ahead of him in school at Delton. Both Quinn and current Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn said that when they face challenges in their positions Leinaar is one of the first peo­ ple they turn to for advice. “I tell all my girls all the time, thank this gal,” Mohn said. “She was on the forefront of it. She laid the groundwork for all of our girls’ student-athletes at this school.” Leinaar said there was a little pushback to Delton Kellogg announcing it would hire her as its first female athletic director, but the only things that were challenges were things she allowed to be challenges. One of her advantages was her reputation as a hard worker around town. “The biggest advantage that I had, and this sounds really funny, I was the AD to a num­ ber of coaches who had been my high school coaches - a Fred Pessell, a Rob Heethuis. They were both football and track and wres­ tling coaches. In track, Rob had been my throws coach. “When I came back and became the AD, we had to change roles. The best part of that was that they became mentors to me. They were the best mentors around.” Her mentors weren’t only in the Delton Kellogg school district. She said all of Barry County has had outstanding leadership over the years, which has helped lead to her suc­ cess and longevity. “When I was an athlete [Pat Murphy at Hastings] was one of those wonderful ladies and coaches,” Leinaar said. “She was a track coach and it didn’t matter what color uniform you wore, ‘Murph’ was always helping kids. She believed in that and she did that to her dying day. I don’t know that there is a kid in Hastings Schools that wouldn’t have known Pat Murphy from the mid 70’s through the 2000’s. ‘Murph’ was always around. ‘Murph’ was that shining star. She would meet the opponents, she would meet the officials, she would talk to kids and parents. There wasn’t an AD that worked with ‘Murph’ that wasn’t thrilled to have her around because she was such a shining light.” After leaving the AD post at Delton in 1998, Leinaar spent three years at Gaylord, then 8? at Benzie Central before taking over at Bear Lake in November 2010 and spend­ ing the next decade organizing athletic pro­ grams for students in grades 5-12 before retiring in January 2021, according to Kim­ merly. She came out of retirement to return to the athletic director’s chair this past fall as interim AD at Frankfort. She has completed nearly four years as MIAAA executive direc­ tor, moving into that position after previously serving nine years as an assistant to the exec­ utive. Leinaar began her service on the Repre­ sentative Council in Fall 1999 and completed her last term as a statewide at-large represen­ tative at the Fall 2021 meeting. “It is impossible even to estimate the num­ ber of students, coaches, administrators and others who have been affected by the work Karen Leinaar has done to make school sports the best they can be - not only in her communities, but across Michigan and throughout the country,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “There are few who have equaled her dedication and her support and promotion of the ideals of school-based sports. She has always placed an emphasis on being in the room, on the field or at the arena, actively participating in her leadership roles, and our programs are better for it.” Leinaar has been honored several times for her contributions. She received the MHSAA’s Women In Sports Leadership Award in 1998, a Citation from the NFHS in 2000, and she was named MIAAA Athletic Director of the Year in 2001. She received ah MHSAA’s Allen W. Bush Award in 2014 — recognition given for work done generally behind the scenes and with little attention. “This is the top of the mountain, per se. This one does mean so much,” Leinaar said of the Forsythe Award. “The names that are associated with this over the years, I never thought I’d be put in that group.” Leinaar remains a continuous source of support at a multitude of MHSAA champion­ ship events, and during her time on Council was one of the most frequent representatives handing out trophies and medals to champi­ ons and runners-up at Finals events. She began while athletic director at Delton Kel­ logg hosting the MHSAA Volleyball Finals in Class B and Class C and continues to assist with those championships now played at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. She also hosted Competitive Cheer Finals at Delton Kellogg in 1996 and 1997, Ski Finals while at Gaylord, and many more championship events across the Lower Pen­ insula. She continues to assist at the MHSAA’s Lower Peninsula Cross Country and Track & Field Finals. “She made Delton a part of the road map and good for Delton for allowing her to do it,” Quinn said. “I think that is when it really became apparent statewide that we have somebody here who is going to make a big impact on a lot of people, a lot of communi­ ties and a lot of people’s lives.” Leinaar is excited to see her work pro­ gressing from one generation to another. “It is all about is the kids and all of the trophies and medals those have been frosting on the cake, but to watch a kid walk down a hallway after they have done something that they never thought they could do - they ran a 400-meter and they did it in less than 70 sec­ onds and to them that was like a world record. Those are the successes that I think most of.” “This award, yeah it is about me, but it is really not. It is about all the kids and coaches and hopefully the lives that I’ve been able to touch over the years and make a little bit of a difference in. I can look back at Delton, Gay­ lord and even Benzie now where there were kids, what I call ‘my kids,’ athletes and stu­ dents, that have now become parents and coaches and are making a difference on the next generation.” v �Page 10 — Thursday, March 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOJICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE o ice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given 3212 of ,he revised judicature act of 186L 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement prorPpt|y at 1:00 PM on April 6, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised P’acing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be contact the county register of deeds office or a title foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, insurance company, either of which may charge a fee or some part of them, at a public auction sale to for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check Daniel'Drum, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry to CitiFinancial, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 30, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19, 2017 as Instrument highest bid at the sale does not automatically Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington of the property. A potential purchaser is Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in encouraged to contact the county register of its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner deeds office or a title insurance company, either trustee for WF 19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January of which may charge a fee for this information. 19, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Denton W. Kemp records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and Cindy S. Kemp, husband and wife Original assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration recorded on April 13, 2021 as Instrument Number 2021Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for 004919, in official records of Barry County Register lender and lender's successors and assigns of Deeds, Michigan, loan modification recorded on Date of mortgage: November 23, 2018 Recorded January 8, 2014 as Instrument Number 2014-000122, on November 28, 2018, in Document No. 2018in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, 011472, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Michigan, loan modification recorded on June 6, 2022 as Instrument Number 2022-006352, in official records Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, , which Quicken Loans Inc. Amount claimed to be due at mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the date hereof. One Hundred Eight Thousand the sum of $17,967.87. The following described premises Three Hundred Forty-One and 24/100 Dollars situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, ($108,341.24) Mortgaged premises: Situated in State of Michigan, to-wit: Beginning at the Northwest Barry County, and described as: Commencing comer of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and 1,094 feet South of the Northwest comer of running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 7 West for 52' 06" East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48' 01° East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 point of beginning; thence East 198 feet; thence feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private South 110.5 feet; thence West 198 feet; thence drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Liber North 110.5 feet to point of beginning. Commonly 3 of plat on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37' known as 215 S Main St, Woodland, Ml 48897 00” West 427.89 feet; Thence North 09 degrees 49' The redemption period will be 6 months from 00’ East 114.74 feet; Thence South 89 degrees 53' the date of such sale, unless abandoned under 12" East parallel with the North line of the Northeast MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 period will be 30 days from the date of such and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48' 01” West on same sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wendy referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale R. Noord family trust by warranty deed dated 5-21-03 under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL and recorded 8-6-03 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and to the person who buys the property at the Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife warranty deed dated mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage 4-1-02 and recorded 4-5-02 in Instrument No. 1077704 holder for damaging the property during the in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml are a military service member on active duty, if 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-007-10 The redemption your period of active duty has concluded less period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, in which case the redemption period shall be to active duty, please contact the attorney for the 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days from the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a number stated in this notice. Rocket Mortgage, (b) notice, whichever is later, or extinguished pursuant LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken to MCL 600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure . Loans Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. 1491566 ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service (03-02)(03-23) 196039 member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been NOTICE ^rder^d to active duty, please contact the attorney for the .. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone ■number : 1 member on active-duty, ifyour period of active duty ■Stated in this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. been ordered to active duty, please contact the In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, the telephone number stated in this notice. plus interest. This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is February 22, 2023 For more information, please call: given under section 3212 of the revised judicature (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for (03-02)(03-30) 195817 cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. 1:00 PM on MARCH 23, 2023. The amount due Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or encouraged to contact the county register of. deeds cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court office or a title insurance company, either of which in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on March may charge a fee for this information. 23, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be Default has been made in the conditions of a greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid mortgage made by Adam M. Home, a married man, at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/ purchaser is encouraged to contact the county or assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 7, 2017 and register of deeds office or a title insurance company, recorded July 11,2017 in Instrument Number 2017either of which may charge a fee for this information. 006903 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Rochelle R. Barnum, mortgage is now held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: American by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the General Financial Services, Inc. Date of mortgage: date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Nine March 6, 2006 Recorded on March 9, 2006, in Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Two and 85/100 Document No. 1161088, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Dollars ($139,332.85). U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee Under the power of sale contained in said for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, mortgage and the statute in such case made and Series 2019-R3 Amount claimed to be due at the date provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage hereof; Twenty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Five will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged and 32/100 Dollars ($24,855.32) Mortgaged premises: premises, or some part of them, at public vendue Situated in Barry County, and described as: THAT PART at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 34, County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MARCH 23, 2023. TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, DESCRIBED AS Said premises are located in the Township of FOLLOWS: THE SOUTH 75 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE PRAIRIEVILLE, Barry County Michigan, and are NORTH 235 FEET IN WIDTH OF THE FOLLOWING described as: DESCRIBED PROPERTY: COMMENCING AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINE OF THE Lot 6 of Prairieville Heights, Prairieville Township, STATE TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY M-66 AND THE Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER Plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page OF SAID SECTION 34; THENCE RUNNING WEST ALONG THE SAID EAST AND WEST QUARTER 8324 Delton Rd, Delton, Michigan 49046 LINE 215 FEET; THENCE NORTHERLY PARALLEL The redemption period shall be 6 months from the WITH THE CENTER OF SAID TRUNKLINE HIGHWAY date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in M-66, 340 FEET MORE OR LESS TO THE SOUTH accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case LINE OF LAND DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED the redemption period shall be 30 days from the IN LIBER 156 OF DEEDS, ON PAGE 348; THENCE date of such sale. EAST PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID If the property is sold at foreclosure sale QUARTER SECTION, 215 FEET TO THE CENTER pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will OF SAID HIGHWAY; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG be held responsible to the person who buys the THE CENTER OF SAID HIGHWAY 340 FEET; property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the MORE OR LESS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. mortgage holder for damage to the property during Commonly known as 15446 M66, Bellevue, Ml 49021 the redemption period. The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, Dated: February 23, 2023 in which case the redemption period will be 30 days File No. 23-001430 from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL Firm Name: Orlans PC 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road Trov Ml extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above 48084 referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to (02-23)(03-16) 195524 the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for the CIM Trust 2019-R3 Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2019R3 Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 LEGAL NOTICES 1490814 (02-23X03-16) 195740 NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on APRIL 6, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jonathan Billotti, Married Man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated December 30, 2021 and recorded January 28, 2022 in Instrument Number .2022-001228 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Union Home Mortgage Corp., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety and 6/100 Dollars ($263,790.06). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on APRIL 6, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Carlton, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 8, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST, CARLTON TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION; THENCE NORTH OF THE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION, 50 RODS FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE EAST 61.1 RODS; THENCE NORTH 39.3 RODS; THENCE WEST 61.1 RODS; THENCE SOUTH 39.3 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 6240 N Broadway Rd, Freeport, Michigan 49325 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: March 9, 2023 File No. 23-002048 " Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (03-09)(03-30) 196205 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE ............. ;hlr . ........ Attention 'hpmeownprJf.you are a military .servjqe member on active duty, if youf period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party: foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on April 13, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage (the “Mortgage") made by Justin Stuive and Amy Hawke, a single man and a single woman, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated May 29,2009, and recorded on June 4,2009, in Document No. 200906040005899, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated February 8, 2022, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and recorded February 11, 2022, Instrument No. 2022001773, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage is $103,652.21 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage as stated above, plus interest on the amount due at the rate of 5.0% per annum; all legal costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in Barry County, Michigan described more fully as: LOT 13 OF PLEASANTVALLEY ESTATES, YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP. BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLATTHEREOF RECORDED IN LIBER 6 OF PLATS, PAGE 13 OF BARRY COUNTY RECORDS. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTSAND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. Tax ID No. 08-16-270-013-00 Commonly known address: 12944 Valley Drive, Wayland, Ml, 49348 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. March 6, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 (03-09)(04-06) 196261 Financial FOCU Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Andrew Cove, AAMS® Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Member S1PC Mcmoeroirv Kevin Beck, AAMS® FinancialAdvisor 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Should investors 6go it alone’? If you’re going to enjoy a comfortable retirement, you should know, among other things, how much money you’ll need. And you mhy have a much better chance of knowing this if you get some professional help. Consider these findings from a 2021 study by Dalbar, a financial services market research firm: • Investors who worked with a financial advisor were three times more likely to estimate what they would have saved at retirement than “do-it-yourself’ investors. • More than two-thirds of investors with a financial advisor were satisfied with the amount they would have saved at retirement, compared to about 27% of the do-it-yourselfers. How do financial professionals help their clients in these ways? First, consider the issue of determining how much money will be needed for retirement. It’s not always easy for individuals to estimate this amount. But financial professionals can help clients like you arrive at this figure by exploring your hopes and goals. How long do you plan to work? What kind of lifestyle do you anticipate enjoying in retirement? Where would you like to live? How much would you like to travel? Are you open to pursuing earned income opportunities, such as consulting or working part time? Next comes the other key question: How much money will be available for retirement? This big question leads to many others: How much do you need to save and invest each year until you retire? About what sort of investment return Will you need to reach your retirement income goals? What level of risk are you willing to take to achieve that return? What is the role of other income sources such as Social Security or any pensions you might have? Having a financial professional help you gain a clear idea of your retirement income picture can certainly be reassuring. But there may be other reasons why “going it alone” as an investor might not be desirable. For example, when the financial markets are down, as was the case for much of 2022, some investors make decisions based on short-term volatility, such as selling investments to “cut their losses,” even if these same investments still have solid business fundamentals and good prospects for growth. But if you work with a financial professional, you might decide to stick with these investments, especially if they’re still appropriate for your long-term strategy. Other times, of course, the advice may be different — but it will always be advice based on your goals, needs and time horizon. Furthermore, if you’re investing on your own, you may always be measuring your results against the major market indexes, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. But in reality, your portfolio should contain a wide range of investments, some of which aren’t contained in these indexes, so you might not be assessing your performance appropriately. A financial professional can help you develop your own, more meaningful benchmarks that can show the progress you’re actually making toward your goals. In some areas of life, going it alone can be exciting — but when it comes to investing for your future, you may benefit from some company on the journey. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding th.e.cirpuitQpurt Jn;^arry( County, sfoftiq^ prp/npltyon April z7,2023. The amount clue on the Mortgage may STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate File No. 23-29427-DE Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 ...... ............. ............................................. . . L Court Telephone, Np. 269-945-1390., j ; be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a Mortgage made by Karen C. Larsen to Fifth Third Bank (Western Michigan) dated September 19,2007 and recorded October 1, 2007 as Instrument No. 20071001-0002636, Barry County, Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, National Association by assignment and/or merger. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $32,943.76. Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF BARRY, COUNTY OF BARRY AND STATE OF MICHIGAN: LOT 5 OF THE PLAT OF FAIR LAKE PARK, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. AND ALSO LOTS 100 AND 102 OF FAIR LAKE PARK ANNEX. ALSO A RIGHT OF WAY FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS OVER LOT 9 OF FAIR LAKE PARK, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLATTHEREOF RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR BARRY COUNTY. Said property is commonly known as 11957 South Circle Rd, Delton, Ml 49046. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Please be advised that any third party purchaser is responsible for preparing and recording the Sheriff’s Deed. If this is a residential Mortgage, the following shall apply: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU: ARE A DEBTOR IN AN ACTIVE BANKRUPTCY CASE; ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF A BANKRUPTCY STAY; OR, HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY AND YOU HAVE NOT REAFFIRMED THE DEBT, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Dated: March 13. 2023 Attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage: Thomas E. McDonald (P39312) Brock & Scott, PLLC 5431 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (844) 856-6646 File No. 22-21172 (03-16)(04-06) 196547 Estate of Karen Lynne Lawrence. Date of birth': 1-28-1962. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent, Karen Lynne Lawrence, died 12-26-2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Lorraine Reck, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 3/8/2023 Michael J. McPhillips P33715 121 West Apple Street, Suite 101 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-3512 Lorraine Reck 14855 Brooklodge Road Hickory Comers, Michigan 49060 269-953-2309 196457 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate File No. 23-29410-DE Estate of Richard Jon Oly. Date of birth: 07/10/1939. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent, Richard Jon Oly, died 11/19/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kevin L. Oly, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Robert J. Longstreet P53546 607 N. Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3495 Kevin L. Oly 545 Lincoln Street, Apt. 207 Middleville, Ml 49333 (616) 206-4920 196408 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 16, 2023 — Page 11 Assessment rolls set up to combat stubborn weed species in Clear Lake Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Leila Wood Business Services Contributing Writer The townships of Johnstown and Balti­ more finalized their Clear Lake aquatic weed control special assessment rolls during a joint । meeting last week. ! According to attorney Catherine Kaufman, [the project is estimated to cost $212,000. John­ stown will cover roughly 47 percent of the cost land Baltimore will cover about 53 percent. ’ Property owners will be assessed $706.67 per lakefront lot and $353.33 per backlot with [ deeded lake access. Those figures have been adjusted from 'previous estimates due to several lots that • were combined, at the request of landowners, 'before finalizing the rolls. A property without a lakefront or deeded .access will not be affected by the assessment. 'The assessment will run for five years, begin­ ning with the winter 2023 taxes. If any excess funds have accrued by the 'end of the five years, they may be carried over to cover part of the cost of continued ' aquatic weed abatement, thereby reducing the cost to landowners of a subsequent special , assessment, or the extra funds may be rebated to landowners, according to Kaufinan. t The townships also have the option to [adjust the assessment up or down during the ■ five years if needed, although Kaufinan said ’they can not adjust the assessment up more ‘than 10 percent without giving full notifica­ tion to everyone in the assessment district and .publishing it in the paper. j According to Andy Tomaszewski from [PLM Lake and Land Management, they will ■primarily be treating the lake with the herbi­ cide Flumioxazin to kill off an infestation of •Cabomba, also known as Fanwort. ! “It’s not naturally occurring in any lake in [North America ... and now that it’s in your [lake, it’s like a fox in the hen house. It’s •aggressive. It grows fast. It dominates. It pushes out all the good vegetation,” he said. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061.________________ BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workmarts comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Tomaszewski said his company has been dealing with this problem since around 2008, and it is mostly confined to this area of the state. “We’re all over the state, and we never see that weed, except in this general area ... some­ body dumped an aquarium into Lake 21 about 30 years ago ... Lake 21 is by Cloverdale. It’s a small, 60-acre lake with only about 20 homes. It started in that lake, and it’s been spreading throughout Barry County,” he said. “Up until 2008, we didn’t see it a lot, so we didn’t know how to address it, so we tried every combination of herbicides we could find - noth­ ing touched it, so we didn’t know what to do.” Then they found Flumioxazin, which he said is frequently used in peanut agriculture and is also effective at killing Cabomba. “One thing we do have to be careful of with this product is that, out of all the prod- tednriEtt '•/S-1962. •Wtf&sfcjifcwn fata rffetatet are rftti MfefaMrutltsriH tagrtfee&iiiiebMi irtes u tae ft p rep^ortoMifepnittt&uii! IK BE taM, Him fc ZTi’-EI sti Coni Itar is 1 . smteofmichigan PROBATECOURT COUMTVOFBA^ notice TO CREDITORS O^t'sE,^ ***’^*>' Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services and Corewell Health have partnered to form .what they call the Collaborative for Behavior­ al Health, a commitment from the two health­ care providers to intentionally and regularly identify behavioral health issues affecting the community, and to solve them through collab­ orative projects. Under the newly-formed collaborative, Michigan’s largest healthcare system and the country’s third-largest freestanding behavioral health provider commit their shared expertise to address issues such as wait times for care, the overall cost of behavioral health care, and barriers in access to pediatric behavioral health services, a crisis that has been exacerbated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. IJ, Mark Eastburg, pre s i dent and CEO,Pihe more accessible, collaborative healthcare landscape. “Pine Rest Christian /Mental Health Ser­ vices and Corewell Health do not just serve thi^' Cofrtrtitfhity’^we are 'a part 'bf it.lfrW^st Rest, said in a statement that, while both organizations will remain independent under the agreement and will continue to work with Michigan is our home,” Eastburg said. “We have shared goals, values, and an understand­ ing of the barriers to care our community members face because we, top, face the same challenges. Our organizations set out to create a healthier, thriving West Michigan because other providers, the Collaborative for Behav­ ioral Health is a natural partnership for the two healthcare leaders as it is deeply rooted in the organizations’ shared commitments to serve Michigan communities and to create a we care about our neighbors, family, and friends who are the heart of this community.” LEGAL NOTICES filWSteel&ielOl 02309 Ci BOXER PUPPIES- FAWN color, beautiful markings, very cute, ready to go. Mom on site. $450.00, 517-726-0706.______________________ CHOICE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience need­ ed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $400, 269223-9194. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: ucts that we use, it does have a little collater­ al damage on some lily pad species. We try our best to try to put buffer zones between the lily pads,” Tomaszewski said. They will be treating the lake throughout the warm months. Before the treatment season, Tomaszewski said notices will be mailed out listing all the products that may be used during the season and all associated restrictions. While they will try' to give people an approximate treatment schedule early on, due to the unpredictable nature of weather condi­ tions, Tomaszewski said they will not be able to give people exact dates until within about a week of each application. On treatment days, notices will also be left in people’s yards and at public access loca­ tions. WjCETOCimoK STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate Estate of MARY HILTON and THE MARY HILTON REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST Date of Birth: September 20,1937 TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, MARY HILTON, who lived at 2997 Campground Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058, died on March 5, 2023. The decedent established the MARY HILTON REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST on May 2, 2011. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to JOHN ANDERSON, TRUSTEE of the MARY HILTON REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. TRUSTEE: John Anderson Address: 14049 Thompson Drive Lowell, Ml 49331 ATTORNEY: Oliver S. Howell Address: Howell Parfet Schau 350 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 500 Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 Telephone: (269) 382-5300 196567 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE OF HEARING Decedent’s Estate File No. 23029418-NC In the matter of Tucker David Patrick-Swlnehart TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 3/29/2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Barry County Trial Court, Family Division, Room FC01, 206 W. Court St.,’ Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William Michael Doherty 41960 for the following purpose(s): Petition Minor Name Change. Hearing in person/ Tucker needs to attend to sign consent. If you require special accommodations to use the court because of a disability, or if you require a foreign language interpreter to help you fully participate in court proceedings, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements. Michael and Spicy Patrick 7118 Sandpit Ln. Plainwell, Ml 49080 616-906-3613 196355 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised . judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 4, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Tyla J. McCoy and Johnny R. McCoy Original Mortgagee: Flagstar Bank, FSB Foreclosing Assignee (if any): JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Chase Home Finance, LLC successor by merger to Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation successor by merger to Chase Mortgage Company Date of Mortgage: June 27, 2001 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 6, 2001 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $81,400.24 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 2/3 of Lot 109 of the City, formerly Village, of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof, Barry County Records. Common street address (if any): 335 E High St, Hastings, Ml 49058-1534 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). . If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: March 2, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. J 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1490892 (03-02)(03-23) Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on April 06, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Andrew Richardson, a single male Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: January 28, 2015 Recorded on February 10, 2015, in Document No. 2015-001119, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Fifty-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Six and 82/100 Dollars ($59,486.82) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING ON THE NORTH SECTION LINE OF SECTION 1, T2N, R9W, AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAGER ROAD AND CEDAR CREEK ROAD FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST ON SAID SECTION LINE 500 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 308 FEET; THENCE EAST 500 FEET TO THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD 308 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1475 W Sager Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman PC. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1491567 195801 (03-02)(03-23) 196038 Help IVanted MATT ENDSLEY, FABRICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex. handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29333-DE Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 Estate of Jack E. Warner, deceased. Date of birth: 1/06/2023. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent, Jack E. Warner, died 07/30/2001. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Ila L Warner, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 3/14/2023 Christopher J. LaLonde P68317 307 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 500 Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 (269) 270-3500 Christopher J. LaLonde (P68317) for Ila L. Warner 4719 Cordes Road Delton, Ml 49046 269*623-2592 196579 City of Hastings PUBLIC NOTICE Noxious Weeds and Vegetation Pine Rest and Corewell Health form collaborative for behavioral health 55 MINI CAVAPOO PUPPIES for sale. 1st shots & wormed. $450.00 269-223-9194. HELP WANTED- LOOKING for an immediate hire for 3 Nights a week at Clarksville United Bank. Cleaning experience and Transportation is a must. Wage $13-$14 per hour. Send resume to angie.k@customizedcleaningservices.com or Call 269-945-2662.__________________ ________ POMERANIAN/TOY FOX TERRIER Cross Puppies- Very cute, will stay small, 1st shots & wormed. $200.00,517-852-4881. An aquatic weed control project is ready to get underway at Clear Lake in an effort to combat an especially stubborn weed called Cabomba. (Courtesy photo) FIB MINI GOLDEN DOODLES- Cute, curly and adorable. Vet checked, ready to go. $375.00, 517-852-3007, 196507 Notice is hereby given that noxious weeds and vegetation as defined by Section 38-100 to Section 38-106, Division 4, Article II, Chapter 38 of the City of Hastings Code of Ordinances, as amend­ ed, not cut during the growing season may be cut by the City of Hasting^ or, tys designated representative, and the owner of the property shall be charged with the cost thereof. Noxious weeds and grasses more than eight (8) inches in height, dead bushes, and bushes infested with dangerous insects and infectious diseases must be cut and removed from the property. Any owner who refuses to destroy and remove such material may be subject to a Civil Infraction and fine, and the City or its designat­ ed representative may enter upon the land as many times as nec­ essary, and destroy and remove such material and charge the cost to the property owner. Any expense incurred by the City shall be reimbursed by the owner of the land. Unrecovered costs shall be levied as a lien on the prop­ erty and shall be collected against the property in the same manner as general taxes. The City, through its Code Compliance Officer, shall have the right to enter upon such lands for the purpose of cutting down, destroy­ ing, or removing noxious weeds or vegetation and shall not be lia­ ble in any action of trespass. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 196337 BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS AT APRIL 5, 2023 MEETINGTO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on April 5, 2023, which begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The item to be considered at this public hearing is the proposed amendment of §220-12-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code so as to designate “crop farming" as a permitted use in the LI Light Industrial District. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Master Plan, and the tentative text of the above-referenced proposed zoning text amendment(s), may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify the proposed amendment(s) at or following the hearing/meeting and to make its recommendations accordingly to the Township Board. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Page 12 — Thursday, March 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Lions fall in district semi’s against NorthPointe Maple Valley junior guard Ayden Wilkes works to drive by NorthPointe Christian senior forward Erie. Braam during the second half of their MHSAA Division 3 District Semifinal at Pewamo-Westphalia High School Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The turnover total for the young Lions hit double figures before the first quarter was up. The Mustangs’ lead hit double figures half way through the quarter. “They’re pretty good,” Maple Valley head coach Ryan Nevins said. NorthPointe Christian took an 83-36 win over the Maple Valley varsity boys’ basket­ ball team in the MHSAA Division 3 District Semifinals at Pewamo-Westphalia High School Wednesday, March 8. I The Mustangs’ full-court pressure gave the Lions fits early, and when that defense wasn’t turning into buckets at the rim NorthPointe senior guard Kayden Bird was sinking shots from all over the gym. Bird finished with 39 points. He hit seven three-pointers. As a team, NorthPointe hit 13 threes. Maple Valley only had 14 field goals all game. “We played hard. We just didn’t execute the things that we talked about yesterday,” Nevins said. “You can’t lose their best player [Bird] over, and over, and over again. And he is really good. He had 23 or something like that in the first half and six [threes] in the first half. You can’t lose a player like that when you talk about it in practice and you talk about it in the walk­ through. It is not just the kid that is guarding him that we talked about. It is all five guys guarding that kid. That might be the thing that is most disappointing. The thing most import­ ant to us we did do on the defensive end.” Junior guard Connor Joseph hit two threes for the Lions and was a perfect 5-of-5 at the free throw line. He finished with a team-high 15 points. Junior guard Ayden Wilkes had 14. i*654* CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 610 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk ofthe City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND DIVISION 2, ARTICLE HI, OF CHAPTER 82 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970 TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH BY REGULATING AND CONTROLLING CONNECTIONS TO THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY IN ORDER TO PREVENT WATER OF QUESTIONABLE QUALITY OR WATER CONTAMINATED WITH WASTE OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS INTO THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY. Junior forward Camj2arpenter was next on the Lion scoring list with 4 points. Offensively, the Lions were hoping to slow things down, but Nevins said that even when his guys got through the Mustangs’ pressure there were a few too many quick shots. Junior guard Jamari Hughes was the only other Mustang in double figures. He finished with 15 points. It was the final ballgame for three Maple Valley seniors: Jesse Deppe, Tyler Rose and Reece Proctor-Burhans. “We got our JV kids some playing time at the varsity level, which they don’t often get to do. It was nice to see them out there. Even just the/extra practices we get. We got an extra practice in. We got an extra game in [advancing in the state tournament],” Nevins said. “Those are all experiences hopefully that carry over to next year and hopefully make us better.” Maple Valley closes the season with a 6-18 overall record. Pewamo-Westphalia defeated Wellspring Prep 90-46 in its district semifinal to open the twin-bill. ' ‘-I ’l,c ‘ I The district Host'Pirates went on to knock off 'the NotthPoiiit# guys 49-43 hr Ffiday rtighfs MHSAA*'ffivision 3d District1 Filial back at P-W High' Sdhool'. NorthPointe ends the season with a record of 16-8., P-W mOve'd to 18-6 overall this year with a 49-46 win over North Muskegon in the regional semifinals at Kent City Tuesday. The Pirates face a 24-1 Calvin Christian team in the regional final tonight, March 15. Maple Valley junior Cam Carpenter looks to get a pass away as NorthPointe Christian's Jamari Hughes (left) and Logan Hedlund try to trap him below the basket during the second half Wednesday at Pewamo-Westphalia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Maple Valley's Connor Joseph gets a hug from teammate Chanse Courtney (22) as he and Jesse Deppe head to the bench during the fourth quarter of their loss to NorthPointe Christian in the MHSAA Division 3 District Semifinals at PewamoWestphalia High School Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 13th of March 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 TK club sending 19 to MYWAY Finals AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever City Clerk ___ CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 611 196548 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk ofthe City ofHastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING THE FOLLOWING: ARTICLE 90 -1, SECTION 90-1 CHILD CARE HOMES AND CHAPTER 90, ARTICLE 90-VT, SECTIONS 90-237 (C), 90-238 (I)(J), 90-262 (B), 90263 (I)(J), 90-287 (B), 90-288 (H)(1), 90-288A (B)90-289A (I)(J), 90-312 (B), 90-313 (H)(1), 90-337 (C), 90-338 (I)(J), 90-392 (D), 90-393 (H)(1), 90-422 (D), 90-423 (H)(1), 90-452 (D), 90-453 (H)(1), 90- 515 (D), AND CHAPTER 90, ARTICLE 90-XHI, DIVISION 90-XHI, SECTION 90- 1078. was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 13th of March 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday 9 00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever ' .. . ' . . .■____________ City Clerk The TK Youth Wrestling Club had a number of its wrestlers earn spots in the MYWAY State Finals which will be held at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo March 24-26 with top four finishes at their West Regional Tournament at Forest Hills Eastern High School Sunday. The group of state qualifiers includes (front from left) Gabby Wilson, Ashton Braska, Chandler Simerly, Mavin Case, Colin Underhill, Zander Holderman, Remington Reurink, Ryker Reurink, Sawyer Jones, Kenden Richter, (back) Kayleigh Brown, Rylee Alberts, Adelaide Holderman, Blake Bossenberger, Abram Dutcher, Jackson Smith, Andrew Middleton, Austin Quint and (not pictured) Emma Gibson. South Christian shoots Saxons out of tourney in district semi’s Brett Bremer SCHOOL OF CHOICE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 10. 2023 TO AUGUST 25, 2023 CONTACT BETH STEVENS FOR MORE INFORMATION BETH.STEVENS@HASSK12.ORG (269) 948-4400 Sports Editor South Christian closed the first quarter on a 18-2 run and went on to a 69-25 win oyer Hast­ ings in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semi­ finals at Plainwell High School Wednesday. The Sailors finished off the district tourna­ ment with a 64-29 win over Otsego Friday night. While the Sailors nearly tripled the Sax­ ons’ point total on the night, the Saxons only had three fewer shots than the eventual dis­ trict champs. Hastings shot just 23.1 percent from the floor in the semifinal loss while the Sailors’ were 64.3 percent from the floor with an effective field goal percentage of 76.2 thanks to a 10-of-20 performance from behind the three-point line. Carson Vis led the Sailors with 16 points. He was 3-of-5 from three. Jacob DeHaan had 13 points and Sam Medendorp 12. DeHaan also had 9 rebounds. Jake Veermaas chipped in 9 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for South Christian. Senior Myles Padilla led the Saxons in scoring with 7 points. He was just l-of-6 shooting on the night, but went 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Junior point guard Owen Carroll and senior forward Layton Eastman had 5 points each, while senior center Hayden Long and sopho­ more forward Jett Barnum had 4 points apiece. Carroll had 4 rebounds, 3 steals and an assist. The big difference in scoring chances for the course of the night came in the final min­ utes of the first quarter. Hastings had a 5-4 lead, but the Sailor attack was spurred by six Saxon turnovers the rest of the quarter. South Christian led 22-7 at the end of the first quarter. Three-pointers by Padilla and Carroll early in the second quarter, combined with a couple Padilla free throws, had the Saxons within 9 points. But by the end of the first half the Sailors had doubled up the Sax­ ons, leading 38-19. The South Christian boys followed up their district championship victory over Otsego by besting Niles 72-33 in the regional semifinals at Vicksburg Tuesday night. The 22-3 Sailors will take on 22-4 Hamilton in the regional final tonight, March 16. Hastings ends the season with a record of 10-14. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-03-30.pdf d63a1dbcb5d85ded129a3cda0d959971 PDF Text Text ---- • : | DKHS program provides students with free necessities Hastings councilman operated on by former Saxon State finalists start out strong on track at HHS See story on page 8 See story on page 2 See story page 10 804879110187 3_D(G|T 49Q C0Q5 Richard Hemeriing 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-1134 6Z30Z2023 9 47:00 AM Thursday, March 30, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 13 PRICE $1.50 Sons of the American Legion mark somber milestone for Vietnam War-era veterans Vietnam War-era veterans gathered on Saturday evening at Hastings American Legion Post 45 for a dinner and reception to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War exit. (Photos provided^ The HUB to host week-long career exploration event in April, hopes to host more Hunter McLaren Staff Writer The HUB of Barry County is hosting its first career exploration event for local stu­ dents next week. The “Spring Break into a Career” event will take place April 3-8, with each day offer­ ing a look at a different career field. Classes will take place at the HUB, located at 3700 North M-43 Highway in Hastings, providing hands-on activities for students in grades sixth through 12th at Hastings, Delton, Thor­ napple Kellogg and Barry County Christian schools. The week of activities begins April 3, with a different area of focus each day. April 3 is manufacturing, April 4 is electrical, April 5 is construction, April 6 is automotive, April 7 is plumbing and HVAC, and April 8 is agricul­ ture. Classes will take place at different times throughout the day depending on each stu­ dent’s grade level. Classes for sixth, seventh and eighth graders will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; classes for ninth and 10th graders will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and classes for high school juniors and seniors will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Agricul­ tural activities on April 8 are not separated by ‘The pipeline has to start somewhere. If businesses want that pipeline, I think they need to invest in their local community.” - Chris Stafford, Founder, The HUB of Barry County grades and will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is room for 30 students in each grade group to register for the classes. Students or parents looking to register of looking for more information can email Chris Stafford, founder of the HUB, at cstafford@ hubofbc.com. See HUB, page 3 Jayson Bussa Editor Hastings American Legion Post 45 hosted Vietnam War-era veterans on Saturday eve­ ning as veterans around the country acknowl­ edged a milestone anniversary. Wednesday, March 29 marked the 50th anniversary of when the United States with­ drew the last of its combat troops that were still in South Vietnam. To mark the occa­ sion, the local chapter of the Sons of the American Legion arranged for a dinner and reception on Saturday for Vietnam War-era (1955-1973) veterans in and around Barry County. The event was also open to the pub­ lic and featured an appearance by United States Congressman John Moolenaar, who honored the veterans in attendance by hand­ ing out lapel pins to commemorate their service. “For the past few years, I have held cere­ monies to honor Vietnam veterans and pres­ ent them with pins to thank them for their service,” Moolenaar told the Banner. “When they came home from) the war, they were often greeted with verbal abuse, physical attacks and hatred. It is my goal to make sure the veterans in our community are recognized for serving our country^Lwas a privilege .to spend time with them in Hastings on Satur­ day night. I am thankful to Commander Rich (Craven) and American Legion Post 45 for hosting this special event.” Moolenaar’s assessment of how American troops were treated upon returning stateside from Vietnam was very true to life to what two local Vietnam veterans experienced. Mike Murphy and Dick Hamm, both Hast­ ings residents and both of which served in Vietnam, said that, when they returned home, they were instructed not to wear their uni­ forms because it might welcome harassment or even attacks by anti-war protesters. The Vietnam War was a unique one to that time period for a variety of reasons. Not only was the war politically divisive, but it was also regularly televised, bringing the sights and sounds of war inside living rooms on a nightly basis. Murphy, who went on to work for Steelcase for decades, volunteered for the draft and served as a member of the 716th Military Police Battalion, which was one of the only lines of defense in Saigon during the TET offensive. Hamm, however, remembered being drafted at the age of 20 as he worked at Hastings Manufacturing. “I didn’t hesitate, I knew I had to go,” Hamm said. See SONS, page 2 To be eligible for a Vietnam veteran lapel pin, living United States veterans must have served active duty in the U.S. armed forces at any time during the peri­ od of Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. Hastings holds visioning session to analyze threats, opportunities Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Hastings city officials asked members of the public what areas for improvement and potential pitfalls they should be aware of. The conversation was part of the city’s efforts to become recognized as a “Redevel­ opment Ready Community” by the Michi­ gan Economic Development Corporation, a status which would allow Hastings easier access to city planning funds and resources. “As a part of that certification process, we are working on a> marketing study as well as our economic development strate­ gy,” said City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale. “We’re here to get your input, feedback and ideas that are going to be channeled into our economic development strategy.” Joe Borgstrom, an economic develop­ ment consultant with Place + Main Advi­ sors LLC, hosted the discussion last week in Leason Sharpe Hall at the Barry Communi­ ty Enrichment Center. Borgstrom guided city officials and members of the public through a strengths, weaknesses, opportuni- See ANALYZE, page 3 Joe Borgstrom, an economic development consultant with Place + Main Advisors, LLC, led a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis of Hastings in Leason Sharpe Hall last week. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) With expanded field, additional pre-race festivities, Barry-Roubaix expects to draw largest crowd yet Jayson Bussa Editor Event organizers are in the final stretch of planning as the annual Barry-Roubaix road and off-road cycling race is poised to bring 4,600 riders and their supporters to Hastings on Saturday, April 15. “We’re looking at probably the largest Crowd we’ve ever had for it,” said Matt Acker, one of the race’s co-directors. “We have always focused on sustainable growth so that it won’t cause problems either for the city or its residents. We also want to make sure the event quality lives up to the stan­ dards of our riders, as well, so they don’t think anything has been sacrificed there.” The yearly event debuted in 2009 and was moved to Hastings seven years ago after being held around the Gun Lake area. After making Hastings its home base, race organiz­ ers have had no trouble bringing out riders and their supporters in droves. In fact, the event routinely sells out as organizers cap the number of participants in order to preserve the quality of the race. This year’s Barry-Roubaix sold out in a matter of a month upon registration opening. Acker recalled a year where the race com­ pletely sold out in a single week. Race organizers typically welcome in just north of4,000 riders, but this year, Acker said they are expanding the field. “We were usually at the 4,000 mark for the last several years,” Acker said. "This year, we said ‘Let’s try another 500 people.” “We’ll go to meetings sometimes and peo­ ple are like ‘Why don’t you just let 5,000 people do it?’ We want to make sure that we don’t hit that number and have issues.” The race features courses of 18,36,62 and 100 miles in length. But even beyond the on-course action, Barry-Roubaix surrounds See PRE-RACE, page 3 This year’s installment of the annual Barry-Roubaix road and off-road cycling race will welcome 4,600 riders for the April 15 event. Organizers have capped the number of participating cyclists in order to create sustainable growth for the event, which takes place in Hastings. (File photos) �county chair, vice chair r^“rn to Former with board appointments public service Marrh 30 2023 - The Hastings Banner Page 2 — Thursday. March 30. Jayton Supper club hosting doctor to speak on Bum® a ment have made a return to the p Ji’1* vice arena. . Barry County On Tuesday morning, individ. Board of Commissioners appr uals to fill y»«nt Pos'ttonsongjonand zoncation board, planning co the ing board of appeals A conboard’s Committee of the Who> ja■esssats—a*®-" ducted interviews tions for final aPPr0V inciuded Ben GeiThese new additions in d Should not - be trea cd solely hcrbal fir8t aid. ger, who chaired the “un^ ice chair of of the Hastings Adventist and Vivian Conner, who was The free program will lx; host off of SUf Schoo| Road m Hastings I th^preVi0^°^rieville Township, was FornieTBarryC^n^^MrdgOf^^rarmM^ne^rapChairman^Ben^Ge^ger Elementary School building, 888 terry i Conner, of .t-laree position on al refreshments will be HttVeo. free-will offerings are welcome. Hast. I selected to fill a cito ’ erson board The program and materials are » & health ministry supported y I the Tax Allocation Board,P,een gen- ^^cS^nnTn^ommission^ (Photos by Jayson Bussa) tasked with aI1°ca‘,n®Jirtermediate School eral law townships, the interm Finally, the zoning ^X'shiriS District and the county. coinmissioner Hhealthylivingsupperclub@gmail.com. Conner, who served as a ( for eight years toted, be , who was not presen for next view and could “‘^teLuse the board week, creating a problem oecaus backgroun^in^uildmg^and^ns^ begins meeting in April al^dy. ld0C„.fpuW,. I herbal first aid Nominations for Groos Family Fine Arts I II1 I I Wall of Fame due tomorrow I I The Friends of HPAC (Hastings Perf°™;^ I I I cation or teaching of the arts, perform . 8hnrtstorv I A nominee can be presented to the Frien^ofHPACbysubmittingajiani^^1.^ ^ of their contributions and "S^skl2.org with GFWOF in the subject line. Norn- I r'“" * I— rfS&M*f ”■ Yankee Springs Fire Department hosting CommlS HS1referring Xferring t-ov Cove,, who brought to Conner and the table a strong resume of his own, to I I II I II I SerSaw of Joseph was reason for pause amongst the board. “SSe^a Nashville resident, has joined X^y, Sit^woJcXe tijh but was not present last week for the mte^ view. The commissioners agreed view him at a later date,not/T?"® tafcing the recommendation through having two family members serve on the iS which makes decision on zoning dis- ^dTnXe-S^^ to“Xe role I specifically enjoyed (as a1 rewarding was the planning commission, said Geiger, who had spent two years with the planning commission as a county I blood drive I Anyone who is at least i y .. th oniv cost js only time. . welcomed. • 1 KCCreceives $350,000 EMS grant for I paramedic student scholarships 000 erant in February to help revi- Q positions available so I want to< a 4 iq a small board. There are nvc neople on that board... two people is a httk closer to consensus. I just want to be sure Xg^T^reTS^d I I - p——• “ ”““ • started meeting with Dr. Matt Garber as a Hunter McLaren Staff Writer City councilman Al Jarvis had a very specific question for Dr. Keith Garber, one of the resident doctors that assisted in his vascu- e® Michael Miller problem mentally with dealing larviQ said “We ’re ™d talking millimeter, Shiite small, everya time I get a nain down there, I’m thinking, Is this it/ Tilt’s when Dr. Matt Garber recommend­ ed Jarvis move forward with an operati He recommended Jarvis go to one of three hospitals that specialized in vascular surg D< and AAA operations, one of which was Cleveland Clinic. He told Jarvis he cou also refer him to have surgery under some­ one he personally knew: his son, Dr. Keith March 13 meeting. I “The second day (after my surg^’ K ith a little out of it. I lookedup as (Dr. 1Keith Garber) came around and said, y GiJmis said he felt totally comfortable eoine into surgery because of the clime s ttaff and reputation, and he thought it made for an interesting story that he was operated “"‘What M°nthe odds that when you go to vis said he was referred to him by his,family doctor in Hastings, Keith’s father Dr. Cleveland (Clinic), someone ® community is learning to do this job, Jarvis GiSs became aware he might need sur­. gery five years ago, after suffering bouts of lower back pain. Scans and testing he had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, doctors recommended keeping it observation until the condition worsened. Ja^is began researching the condition, also SmTAAA, and eyed the Cleveland 269-804-8465 Over 20 fr$ e«|ierience fioordrs@hotmaiLcom ~ Now Serving Barry County Clinic as a potential treatment destination. In 2021, the aneurysm had ballooned p from 4.1 millimeters to 5.3 millimeters, j under the 5.5 millimeter size recommenda- tion for surgery. The consequenc aneurysm rupturing could have Jarvis said the chances of surviving • -O”— “ river cruise 1 -800-267-7868 VACATIONS Hastings Mutual company www.hastlngsmutual.com -NOTICE- To Members of Hastings Mutual Insurance Company, Hastings, Michigan: ——« Puerner, Secretary, 269/948-1532. SaNow a little more than a month-and-a-half after the operation, Jarvis said he s stoting to feel closer to 100 percent. The operation left Jarvis with a 15.5-inch scar down his side. “I’m a walleye fisherman, so if we ever forget the measuring tape, I can put tiie wa eye up to the scar. If it’s a quarter of an meh smaller, I know I’ve got a legal walleye, h 88 Aneurysms like the one Jarvis had are more common in older men, but can occur in women, too. Jarvis said anyone over the age of 65 can have an ultrasound done, with tn first scan being paid for by Medicare. More than anything, Jarvis said his expen- City councilman Al Jarvis (right) posed for a photo with his wife Pamela Jarvis (left) outside the J-Ad Graphics office. He’s currently recovering from an opera­ tion to correct an aneurysm that was found in his abdomen. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) ence further supported his knowledge that Hastings public schools produce talented and successful professionals. „ “Schools are just bricks and mortar, he said. “Hastings has got some very s^“ssfo people coming out of our school system. The key to schools are the parents. SONS, continued from page 1 www.StlawrenceCrulsellne8.com insurance — ^Slcussionlsai^’mhavingareal, Jl?Tpptotions are available now at kellogg.edu/ems and wiU Floor Doctors — 50% Off —I Carpet, LMP and Installation | 001 City councilman’s surgeon assisted by Hastings High School alum “ HfoSible applicants, who must JXrnd incite their chances u.?6 PSlls t°o 55?^ get some input. “i^former owner of the Hastings McDonald’s, retold; the story to his fe low council members earlier this month at their pTSX - 196312 V*- SrXe 3n“ thinkhe was qualified. My^ncem is we were told there were two °n Monday, April 3. Versiti B oo Road in Rayland. eligible ?e St£o h at S ?el?old and weighs more than 110 pounds may be ehgib I w si1®3” counts Tax Allocation Board. Sp" ' “ The Yankee Springs I originally Murphy was instrumental in organizing the dinner and reception for Vietnam War-era veterans on Saturday, wanting it to be tne ‘welcome home’ that many of those veterans never received. “1 was pleasantly surprised by the number that turned out (for the event),” Murphy said. “I don’t have an exact count, but I would guess it was somewhere around 140 (people). Murphy also stressed the importance ot staying in touch with fellow Vietnam veter­ ans, who can empathize with post-war strug­ time to publicly reflect on e gles. Many, however, opt not to engage with “i ’t" chnuld have beenbut one oi£ mosc um didn at home Idid |1to various veteran groups. This is why it was such a bright spot in Saturday’s event for come to this beautiful county named BarW Murphy to see new faces. Campbell said. “Although it was “There were a lot of people 1 didn’t rec­ time in the history of our United States Congressman John ognize. I don’t know if they came from out never once in the entirety of my hfe Moolenaar (center) spoke rt too. of town or were local,” Murphy said. ‘ If that I did anything but good over there. and helped to hand out lapel pins to some of them were local they weren’t memorate each veteran’s service. 1 SsK. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday March 30.2C23 — Page 3 Irving Township board . approves budget, pay hikes Greg Chandler Staff Writer Elected officials in Irving Township will receive a 3 percent pay raise as part of the new township budget that was passed Monday night. The board unanimously approved a gen­ eral fund budget for the fiscal year that begins April 1 that calls for expenditures of $433,207 and revenues of S539J53, result­ ing in a surplus of $106,146. The board also approved a public safety fund budget with spending of $171,834 that will cover the cost of fire protection and ambulance ser­ vice in the township. Supervisor Jamie Knight will see her salary increase to $16,123 under the 3 per­ cent raise that goes into effect with the start of the new budget year. Clerk Sharon OLson will be paid $22,652 for the fiscal year, while Treasurer Doug Sokolowski will receive $21,014. Trustees Dean Bass and Mike Buehler will each be paid $2,848. Roughly a third of the township general fund budget - $142,648 - will go to pay for roads. That includes $75,000 it will pay to the Barry County Road Commission for gravel and another $23,100 for dust con­ trol. In addition, the township will pay the Road Commission an additional $42,570 for crack seal repairs on the following roads: City approves fire department assessment ahead of new planned emergency services building Hunter McLaren those points to the public themselves, includ­ ing hosting an open house al the depart­ f Hastings city council approved an assess­ ment’s current building and through social ment of the Hastings Fire Department in media outreach, but Moyer-Cale said she anticipation of the construction of the new believed it would be beneficial to seek help emergency services building. from a third party. '■The assessment, performed by McGrath “It’s something that (Chief Roger) Cans Consulting Group Inc., will cost the city and I had talked about several times before, $28,786. The expense is not budgeted, but but due to resources and time, it's not some­ will be covered using extra funds after the thing that we're going to be able to do in city came in under budget last year, City house.” she said. "I think this is really an Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said. opportune time... to have an evaluation from The assessment would look at what ser­ someone who specializes in fire departments vices the department provides as well as what to take a look at everything and help gel us on needs it has so those could be better commu­ the same page and precipitate us towards a nicated to the public. Communicating those common goal." points to the public is becoming increasingly The report would include a full analysis of important us .the city prepares to ask for mill­ the Hastings Fire Department, including ages to fund lire construction of the building opportunities for improvement. in the future, Moyer-Cale said. Moyer-Cale included in her proposal to “As wc look toward getting to the later city council that data could be used not only stages of planning the emergency services in the interest of generating public support for building that would house the new fire sta­ the emergency services building, but also tion, the department over the past year has improving and setting goals for operations of been looking at different ways to communi­ the department She told council members it cate what it is that it docs and what it needs," was likely McGrath would start their assessshe said. "They've made some big strides in menl in late April, after which the process would lake four months those directions, but I think wc need to go a The new emergency services building was little bit further in our evaluation of depart­ planned after Cans brought the need tor a new ment operations in a way that will help facil­ fire department building to city council, citing itate some long-term goals that can be better a lack of space m the department s current communicated to the public.” Thccitt bar-token>tcp> tJ cUmmdnfiatc- building City rduocil previously approved .1 Staff B’rfrcr survey of a potential site for the new building during a meeting in May 2022. eyeing a city lot on East State Street near East Center Road that currently holds Bits! Waterfront Park. In other business, the city council: - Held a public hearing and firs’ reading for an amendment to the Downtown Develop­ ment Authority and Tax increment Financing (TIF) plan. Moyer-Cale said the amendments to the plan were extremely minimal, making no major changes but renewing the DDA’s authorization hy 30 >Cars. the maximum allowable term. “There are no significant changes to the DDA. we’re not proposing an expansion in the district. There’s no additional millage, in fact. Die plan prohibits a millage specific to the DDA,” Moyer-Cale said. - Approved Mayor Dave Tossava's appointment of Bradley Tolles to the Local Development Financing Authority committee for a partial term expiring on Dec. 31. 2025. - Adopted a resolution approving changes to the city’s water and sewer rates as recommended by Baker Tilly during a city council workshop session held on Feb. 13, flic resolution includes adjusted rates for the next live years, with each rate increase taking place'on July I The first rate increase will lake place on July I. 2023. Scheduled a workshop session on April l<i with Stephanie I.Chilian, director of Barry founts Central Dispatch, regarding .1 new emergency sen ices coimnumcations tower in -II.Simes ■ 9 - A 6.68-mtle section of Road *607 which includes portions of Eckert. Solo­ mon, Johnson and Crime roads between West State Road and Wood School Road at a cost of $30,060. - A2.03-mile section of Parmalee Road, from Robertson Road to Solomon Road, at a cost of $9,135. - A 0.75-miIe portion of Willits and Hammond roads, from Woodruff Road north and east to the Carlton Township line, at a cost of $3,375. While not included in the final budget, the board also committed to paying half of the cost for slag seal work on more than 17 miles of township roads that is planned for 2024 in .September of this year, in the amount of $138,015. The move allows the township to lock in next year’s project at this year's prices. Funding would come from the township's allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act. Sokolowski said. Under the public safety budget, the town- I ship w ill pay $64,416 to Thornapple Town- I ship Emergency Services for fire service I and another $4,500 to TTES for ambulance I service. The township will also pay $58,929 I to the Freeport Area Volunteer Fire Depart­ ment and 543.989 to the BIRCH (Baltimorc-Irving-Rutland-Carlton-Haslings) Fire Department. t r-Mi -s.-c ------------------ :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ] Riders compete In last year's Barry-Roubaix, which featured frigid weather and steady snowfall the night before the race. ir PRE-RACE, continued from page 1 the races with festivities - something that Acker said he and his team are looking to ftesh out this year. "We're expanding - Friday, there won't be any racing but we put some more energy behind having our afterparty area more active. We'll have people out group riding, have some music playing, a beverage service that Hast­ ings Rotary will be operating and just some raffles, giveaways and a bunch of fun stuff." Acker acknowledged that weather is the one variable that is both out of his team’s control and has the power lo dictate the suc­ cess of the event. Last year. Hastings saw I, seen The HUS of Barry County touna ns Jjfighway in Hastings. (Courtesy photo) HUB, continued from page 1 The event will serve as the HUB'S soft opening, with more classes and learning opportunities to come. Stafford said. After retiring from Bradford White in 2019, he purchased and renovated the former Bull Creek Veterinary' Service building with the express intent of turning it into a place for students lo leant about, and explore, career fields. Stafford w-as inspired to start the project after seeing how scarce hands-on learning opportunities became after COVID-19 caused schools across the state to make classes v irtual. “I figured 1 could do something to help out with that,” he said. “Bradford White was very good to me when I left. If 1 can take what I’ve been blessed with and give it back lo the community and create something like this that’s my whole drive.” A hands-on learner himself, he’s no strang­ er to exploring careers. Stafford had a degree in law enforcement and several years of retail management experience befote he started work os an engineering technician al Brad­ ford While. He hopes that by founding the HUB, he can help Barry County kids to start their career exploration earlier, before they even graduate high school. By using the relation­ ships he’s fostered throughout his time at Bradford While and in Barry County, he hopes that exploration can begin right in Barry County, too. , . . , “ Die big term no*'» for «npl°yment.' The pipeline “ > art vomew here he said. “If busing •h?‘ P'P'1"*- 1 think they need to i"'c? ,n *h'ir local con” munity. If you .»•}"> < "unty to go elsewhere, y ou 1,Kc|y arc n‘” *”n8 '» ,ect U>e most votes: “ 'tcd Philunduopy within the community. P®*’ and trails, collaboration between orga­ nizations and a walkable downtown were all voted as top strengths. , ”। negative public perception of schools Hajbngs an<j a Iuc.k housing led lire weaknesses category with the must votes by a wide margin. Following those items were concerns about small business owners retir­ ing with no succession plans for their busi­ nesses and aging public infrastructure. - Riverfront development, future housing developments, available downtown store­ fronts and placcmaking efforts wetc all voted as areas of opportunity - Dilficullics passing school millages and bond proposals, big box stores drawing resi­ dent! outside of the county, as well as dev clopment and housing pressure coming from Kent County wetc all voted as potential threats. out pretty great even though it snowed the night before. The dirt roads hold up pretty well.” come bsivK. .| * I* ■•) Although he Ik1**X* ub place for business a'ld to connect and S*f ford’s mam g«l 1 imroducckidstocj^’^'hey'.ke "I 'hink -f>‘>ub:' hX v ,n ,'’and>™ enjoy it. it’s going ’’£!? >°u ",3inta"' ,hal Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville career path much k ANALYZE, continued from page 1 fits and threats (SWOT) analysis. Borgstrum collected input from those in attendance before asking them to vote which itemt in each category were the most relevant a weighted voting system. Borgslrom highlighted the top items with the most votes ln each category, starting with items that significant snowfall the night before. But still. Acker isn't necessarily keeping an eagle eye on the forecast. “Wc don't find (weather) stressful," he said. "There are spring classics that have been a thing for a long time and people should know what they're getting into. And. we spell it out that the weather con be anything. Barring anything like tornadoes and extreme weather, yea, that would not be good. But last year the course turned Borgstrum styt/.reo,,Jnl?d5' lions to presentIthin Ju'd "n ",c fced’ hack collected n0 ntatKeti™ • '■ . “When we do ;fW PW: of this we’re gonna P<> ’ c '»>e streneths. Wh** , that » Praud of so we can h<lpL>m. p.T> - Borgslrom sa1d.“OnthcW^iinP‘^.wc’llbclak. ingalook al /ft s^g»« develop- nines and the A wc )UM ne«j to be aware o' a^n we 1^ van hope­ fully influence w „( U[( «the commu­ nity niarkcunH P1 RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETTNa „ . . March 9.2023 - 7:00 pan. Reoular meetng culod t0 onler and Al’oo an~ Present Hall. Hawihuno. GiwmAeid Watson i. Absent Lcctxa-excused .-natson. B^Tnor,. Jam., Appiovod the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer's Report Monthly Clerk's Voucher .Payroll Report Moton lo approve ARPA funds to provsto broadband do«n Hammond Rd Audi Ro.1 Cal Vbte - All ayes. motion passes Motion to accept Ordnanot 2023-IM lor first rvaAng Roll Ca'I Vote - AH ayes, motion passes Adjournment 9 10 pm Respectfully submaiod. Robui HawWsme. Clerk Attested to by. Larry Watson. Supers.sor 19729a �Page 4 — Thursday. March 30. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC? ^HrMy^fypinidn The important group project that we are completely failing Firefighter in training The Freeport Area Volunteer Fire Department welcomed In members of the public on Saturday for its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. Those in attendance not only got their fill of pancakes, eggs and sau­ sage, but kids had the opportunity to explore the equipment used by the department. Here, Watson Bussa of nearby Bowne Township, who even dressed the part, sits behind the wheel of one of the fire trucks. d. y.u remember? Unprecedented preparations Banner April 8, 2004 Hastings High School’s Jazz Band Night will be among the performers in the first-ever Hastings Jazz Festival Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17. Jazz Band Night is scheduled to perform Saturday afternoon. Editor’s note: This year, the Thornapple Arts Council will host its 19^ annual Hastings Jazz Festival April 27-29. More information on the festival can be found at thornapplearts.org/jazzfest. Have you met? Bom and raised in Hastings, Tod Shook didn’t see himself ever returning. A member of Hastings High School’s class of 1974, Shook joined the Navy shortly after attending college at the Uni­ versity of Michigan. His time in the Navy took him to both coasts and all around the globe. He’s traveled so widely aboard Navy ships that he’d only have to travel less than 300 miles to have fully circum­ vented the globe, he said. Working as a surface warfare officer, Shook earned his “water wings” piloting frigates designed for anti-submarine warfare and ships designed to carry tanks to shore. After some time, Shook felt ready to move away from the Navy lifestyle. A self-de­ scribed homebody, he was looking for some­ thing that required a little less travel. After returning to civilian life, Shook said it felt like returning to square one. Many employers in various industries did not see his time in the military as adequate experience. At the suggestion of a col­ league, Shook looked into a career with the United States Postal Service. Although he had left the Navy behind, Shook still found himself traveling a fair amount. He worked with USPS for a time in Los Angeles as well as Washington, D.C. Shook met his wife, Nina Ellen Blanco Shook, in Virginia, where the two were married. Shook enjoyed his work with the postal service, but he felt a pull toward another calling. “I felt God kind of tugging on me and reminding me. I hadn’t really been active at church until my late 30s, and God just kept pushing me and encouraging me,” he said. “He’s usually got to get out the two-byfour with me - I tell that to my congrega­ tion all the time,” he joked. “But I gave my life to Christ. And then He kept at it and I started going to seminary.” Tod Shook Shook took up ministry and was a pastor for several years, preaching to his previous congregation in Colorado. He retired early after his wife’s multiple sclerosis worsened to take care of her full time. Six years ago, she passed away after being diagnosed with cancer. “I have been through not just a lot of different stuff, but a lot of really intense stuff. I got a lot of scars, but in a way I’m proud of them,” Shook said. “When my wife got cancer, I stuck with her until the end. I would consider that my greatest accomplishment.” Shook moved back to Hastings after 45 years away to be closer to his nieces and nephews in town. He joined Hastings Com­ munity Baptist Church at 502 East Grand Street, where he served as the interim pas­ tor when previous pastor Ken Hale stepped away for health reasons. Although Shook only ever saw himself covering for Hale in the short term, Hale convinced him to sub­ mit his resume for the full-time position. Shook was hired as the church’s full-time pastor on March 1. Being back in Hastings and returning to his role as a minister - two things he did not ever see himself doing has been intimidating but fun, he said. “It’s been fun, but it’s also a huge responsibility,” he said. “It can feel over­ whelming, but then I just keep reminding myself, ‘Hey, I’m not) doing this alone. My congregation loves jme and you got me into this, God, so You better do the heavy lifting!’” Shook said the church has a small and caring congregation, put potential newcom­ ers shouldn’t feel intimidated. Shook regu­ larly preaches while; wearing jeans and cracking jokes about jnovies, he said. “We’re very laid back in our approach, but we’re very conservative in our think­ ing,’’ Shook said. “‘Al small church serving a mighty God’ is kind of our slogan.” For making his way back to Hastings and stepping up in the community, Tod Shook is this week’s Bright Light. Best advice I’ve ever received: My first commanding officer told me, “If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.” Biggest accomplishment: Number one is sticking with my wife right until the end. Number two would be the surface warfare officer designator I got. Favorite teacher: Peter DeDecker. He taught biology here in Hastings. Favorite movie: “Gettysburg.” Favorite dinner: Beef tongue and pine­ apple upside down cake. Each week, the Banner profiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because of volunteer work, fun-loving per­ sonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, or for any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. There were few things I disliked more in school than group projects. Admittedly, I can be a bit of a control freak. So, naturally, the concept of working alongside others, listening and implementing their input and compromising my vision was not necessar­ ily my idea of a constructive exercise. I even used to genuinely think that teachers and professors would assign group work because they were lazy. After all, it meant fewer projects to review and grade, right? But now that I have exited those years when I thought I knew everything, it’s obvi­ ous to me why group work was so import­ ant and valuable. Life is filled with group projects in disguise. One of the most obvi­ ous examples is at work, where everyone needs to work together toward a single set of goals. And every group project has its same cast of characters - everything from the stubborn, headstrong types to the slack­ ers that don’t come through with the work they’re tasked with. Working together isn’t always easy or preferred, but it’s necessary. I thought about this dynamic a lot in light of the recent, and latest, school shooting - this one at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn., which claimed the lives of six people, including three children, who were my daughter’s age. This mass shooting event also comes on the heels of an event that played out even closer to home when a gunman let loose on the campus of Michigan State Univer­ sity last month. The aftermath is so formu­ laic. In fact, I don’t think I’ve heard or read an original or productive bit of insight in the aftermath of the Nashville shooting. Onerecurring theme or sound bite that often comes out of these shooting events is that people say they “are tired” of it. And, I agree. While I’m most certainly tired/ gutted/distraught/(pick an adjective) over each instance, I’m even more tired by the fact that, slowly, it is setting in that this is a problem that we are not going to fix. That sounds a bit defeatist, right? It’s not, though. While this isn’t an unsolvable problem, I’m growing more convinced by the day that, as a nation, we do not have the capacity to fix this problem. Because it requires the thing we seem to lack in the highest quantity, which jSupity... This is a complex problem,- even- ifyou’re the type that expects a simple solu­ tion will make it all go away. For instance, there are hundreds of millions of weapons currently in the possession of Americans right now. Bans and buybacks might move the needle, but there is no putting the cat back in the bag. Throw in myriad other variables — a mental health crisis, fear of government overreach and a country that is uniquely its own in its history, culture and views of freedom and liberty. Many people want to throw neat, succinct, social media-friendly solutions out there but it isn’t that easy. Complex, multi-layered problems don’t have easy solutions. They require solutions that will address them from every angle and that is where our nation’s group project comes into play. Working together to take all the neces­ sary steps of attacking a big, hairy problem just doesn’t seem to be in our country’s DNA anymore. The “my-way-or-the-highway” syndrome that this country suffers from is at an epidemic level. In the wake of these mass shootings, the discourse turns into a game of finger-pointing. No listen­ ing. No empathy. I’m right. You’re wrong. It hasn’t come close to solving this problem yet and it’s not going to do any­ thing moving into the future. I saw a microcosm of this play out at this week’s Barry County Board of Com­ missioners meeting. In fact, public com­ ments that focused on the latest mass shooting ended up making up a majority of what would have been a brief meeting. Scott Savage, Vice Chair of the Barry County Democratic Party and a trustee with Hastings Charter Township led the discussion off by taking the podium during the public comment portion of the meeting. Savage voiced concern over the idea that county officials could soon be pre­ sented with the idea of making the county a Second Amendment Sanctuary county, a measure that 53 other counties throughout Michigan have already taken, per our col­ leagues at Bridge. This measure signals that these respective counties plan to be resistant, if not defiant, to whatever feder­ al or state gun control laws that they feel infringe on their constitutional rights. “This is a terrible idea and I’m sure this board will give absolutely no consider­ ation to this ludicrous suggestion,” Savage said. “It would be a terrible legacy for the members of this board to do anything that might foment the occurrence of another preventable mass murder in our country. We need more firearm restrictions, not less oversight of firearm possession.” And before Savage could even return to his seat, the next commenter was up at the podium, ready to deliver a rebuttal. Vickie Betit, a resident from Irving Township, took over to deliver a brisk response. “The thing that I realized when I advo­ cated for no guns, is my father-in-law said to me ‘Do you think criminals will turn their guns in?*... I’m like ‘No, prob­ ably not.’ He said, ‘so you’re comfortable not being armed and criminals are?’ And I said ‘Geez that kind of changes my mind a little bit’ The thing we have to realize is (if) someone wants to kill some­ one, they can turn a toothbrush into a shank and kill you.” This prompted Savage to cackle loudly in an otherwise silent mezzanine and Chairman David Jackson had to issue a reminder that all members of the gallery should stay quiet and respectful of those providing comments. Feel free to assess the content of thenmessages if you would like - I’m not here for that. But the dynamic of two* people talking and not listening is telling of what is holding us back from solving these big problems. Working together for the greater good doesn’t seem to exist anymore;1 Look at the efforts on the home front during. World War > II when American citizens around the coun­ try made major sacrifices to their everyday lives if it meant that the country as a whole achieved its goal. Now, look at how Ameri­ cans worked together when they faced off against the foe that was COVID-19r.lt turned into a complete upheaval. Compromise and working together have been rebranded as socialism to the point where I’m not so sure we can work together. I realize that this whole “both sides are to blame” argument paints me out to be someone that sits on the fence and doesn’t take a hard stance on anything. I’m all right with that in this case. Because, in reality, I’m just a father of three that shakes his head and feels a bit of shame when my kids tell me about their monthly fire drill at school and how it is accompanied by another drill that prepares them in the event a “bad person” comes into their school and they have to hide. I just want to fix that problem. I don’t care who I have to work with to make it happen. tesadferfeiito'ls?®5535'® I pdivuddaijR iwiJncmaxas hriiitantairai- I’?-1*** The Hastings BcHHICT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurlng CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 wo ^5 W �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 30, 2023 — Page 5 Hastings, Barry County Christian compete in robotics competition event at GVSU ^isSSKQQ :lksy*C >jj v^<S «A> w ^rs Iw < w*b ISZ^I ^^•, ***?±Sfc*S 8fc**»2£ss *SM^’»m ■ Z7*aiWttt/ h,>^M&i£W ' J1*®1'**3® pfcfeiiwflM ^E^SSESKpESttfi ■ttiooplti^ kiitiJRiradflte i^RBsdw«fetaa atari ktaiMtssn&iiii WtfciWettifci ■ew»hi«tnfl.»d . m (tat fa i ^WiiktedM ■* tarirtW iitaw««^ri11 •***'i* « r_—*^^»*tC‘r •**,*1*X "7*L|itl»*^1 *UJ. * *»•** £rfw**2 Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Hastings and Barry County Christian were among 39 schools with teams competing in Ac FIRST Robotics competition at urana Valley State University last week. Teams brought their robots to the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena on Friday, where they com­ peted to complete various tasks using their robots in front of live spectators. Scores were given based on how effectively each team could complete the tasks. This year, robots had to pick up small cubes and traffic cones and deposit them into a scoring area. Extra points were given to teams that could suc­ cessfully maneuver their robots onto a mov­ ing platform at the end of the round. All ages were represented at the event, with middle school and high school students com­ peting together. While the Hastings team was mostly high schoolers, some teams like Barry County Christian had mostly middle school students. Jon Hawkes, a coach for the Barry County Christian team, said being a younger team didn’t put them at a disadvantage. “These guys are plugged in,” Hawkes said. “We’ve got a team of 10 kids, and only one of them is in high school. It’s a high school event, so we’re a little underaged. It’s amazing how instinctively good they are at this kind of stuff. Both Hastings and Barry County Christian had rookie teams this year, although Hastings has a “veteran” status in the competition because of how many years they’ve participat­ ed. Hastings senior Caleb Waller said the team has been learning as they go, with the help of coach and advisor Ed Domke and others. “It’s a great learning experience,” Waller said. “We’re doing a lot of things that we’ve never done before. You’re really learning a lot of good technical skills and doing great stuff that you wouldn’t have even thought of before. It’s a wonderful experience.” Waller said the Hastings team, dubbed the Robo-Saxons, worked on their robot for about two months before the competition. He said it wasn’t uncommon for the team to work on the robot from 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. “It’s been like every spare minute,” Hastings sophomore Lilyah Solmes said. “Two hours during school, then five hours after school.” Although the Robo-Saxons have a dedicat­ ed space to work on their rig at the high school, Barry County Christian’s team, the BCCS Eagles, have utilized space at the Hastings HUB.' Located in the former Bull Creek Veterinary Service building at 3700 North M-43 Highway, the HUB has allowed the school to field its first ever robotics team. Chris Stafford, founder of the HUB and an advisor to both robotics teams, said' it’s’been nazing Watching hdwbotfr teams* work. The Teams competed in the GVSU Fieldhouse; arena, where robots battled to pick up astings 4e<lW, With older students and more 1 objects and deliver them to designdfed areas torscore. experienced advisors, created their own design with a moving arm and closing jaws. Barry County Christian’s team, fielding their first ever robot, followed a design the compe­ tition I provided for rookie teams using chain drives and rollers to pick up objects. Stafford said it’s been great to see the com­ munity rally around the competition as a learning opportunity for the kids. There were several points during the building of the robots that the two teams borrowed compo­ nents from each other or had business owners in the community donate or fabricate parts. “It’s (great to see) that camaraderie within the community,” Stafford said. “For the kids, what wouldn’t somebody do?” Hawkes said the HUB is filling a need for hands-on vocational and trade education opportunities in Barry County. “This is great, what Chris is doing with the HUB. He’s really trying to put together a resource to enhance educational opportuni­ ties for this kind of stuff in that area,” he said. Barry County Christian students haul their robot toward the competition area while getting ready to compete. / “It’s needed, big time.” S * •‘"Lte^8* ir***^)*^ ft?*'J •**£*»* HMS releases most recent honor roll "*,*(!*!* I**1 xi '*'’ 1L* rttS* ***•’,!» JlJS®8®1 Hastings Middle School has released its third quarter honor roll for the 2022-23 aca­ demic year. Students qualify for the honor roll for earn­ ing all A grades on their report card, the Prin­ cipal’s List, or all A and B grades. Middle school students who qualified for the second quarter include: Sixth grade All A s Principal s List Mavie Bernstein, Kellen Boge, Elodie Clore, Sage DeCamp, Ashtyn Denton, Thom­ as Evers, Lucy Furrow, Hadley Grove, Lon­ don Hammond, Lauren Harris, Sebastian Hernandez-Hernandez, Sullivan Hill, Jeralynn Lancaster, Colten Melchert, Alyssa Olin, Kaydin Rice, Joshua Roberts Jr., Ella San Inocencio, Breeya Solmes, Collin Storm, Brynn VanderMale, Brody VanZandt, Riley Vaughn, Claire Walters, Evelyn Webb and Abram Winebrenner. yy rft A’s and B's Cooper Anger, Layla Armour, Zoey Armour, Payton Arnie, Khloe Baker, Ariana Benjamin, Khloe Blantz, Porter Blessing, Lainah Brasher, Landyn Carroll, Emma Coenen, Carson Cooley, Jozlynn Davis, Myles Drake, Owen Elliott, Christopher Espinal-Lopez, Abigail Frazer, Austin Friddle, Riley Furrow, Brandon Goodrich, Payton Haines, Rylee Hanford, Alexis Harper, Mack­ enzie Harris, Ryan Harris, Alexis Hendershot, Lexi Heydenberk, Landon Holman, Daniel Jiles, William Lang, Emerson Leary, Madisyn Leonard, Cloey Lewis, Rylee Long, Aubrey Main, Autumn Mayack, Molly McFarlan, Haley Miles, Natalie Olmstead, Isabella Perez, Luke Pollet, Micah Randall, Izabella Rathbun, Lilyana Redmond, Chloe Rench, Joseph Renner, Carson Richardson, Gabrielle Robertson, Kelcee Rosenberger, Chloe Salazar, Wyatt Sanders, Liam Schae­ fer, Abigail Shafer, Kelsi Simmons, Chey­ enne Smith, Jaden Snider, Lucy Sporer, Kath­ erine Stevens, Gage Warner and Haley Wil­ liamson. Seventh grade All As Principal ’s List Audrey Acker, Violet Bivens, Parker Cas­ taneda, Dakota Cole, Lillian Edger, Parker Erb, Brooke Favreau, Gavin Fields, Carson Gole, Jonah Hamp, Graceyn Horrmann, Remington Jerzyk, Jason Jimenez, Evyn Kindel, Tanner Krzysik, Nolan Lucas, Mya Luna, Olivia Malik, Weston Meinke, Sydney Patter­ son, Lilly Randall, Cora Shattuck, Isabella Strimback, Harrison Thomas and Alexander Timmers. A’s and B’s Jace Acker, Ella Allyn, Giovanny Arias, Jax Balderson, Deagan Blough, Kylee Bosworth, Allison Brown, Benjamin Brown, Sophia Bucher, Kade Case, Kyanne Casey, Morgan Casselman, Thomas Cook, Graden Courtright,Landon Currier, Carter Danks, Jackson Edwards, Joseph Furrow, Ashlynn Goldsworthy, Jaxon Groendyke, James Ken­ ney, Ethan Hetrick, William Hilbert, Maxwell Kensington, Annabelle Kuck, Charles Mattice, Jayce McCord, Ethan McCormick, Angelia McGregor, Josslynn Metzger, Jett Nofz, Zane Ortiz, Isabella Ozdych, Kassidy Peake, Addison Reaser, Travin Russell, Hunt­ er Sutfin, Grant Tossava, Weston Troyer, Aiden Vance, Ryan VanHouten and Samantha Wright. Eighth grade All A’s Principal Jy List Alivia Adams, Meredith Ansorge, Owen Boge, Ashton Brubaker, Morgan Cross, Alexa DeCamp, Petra Foster, Sadie Hanford, Ethan Hawthorne, Sophia Haywood, Brissa Her­ nandez-Hernandez, Sierra) Hester, Gabryella Juskewicz, Madison Killian, Tori Morgan, Emilyah Neal, Zachary Patterson, Mallory Rohe, Donald Smith, Annika Solmes, Kendra Taylor and Marlayna Young. A’s and B’s Oliver Allen, Brennen Armstrong, Mayla Bell, Kyra Bishop, Kelly Burhans, Reilly Campbell, Milo Clore, Quintin Eberly, Maxson Eichorst, Janessa Ellwood, Henry Elzinga, Bella Friddle, Lola Grego, Abbigail Hall, Kennedy Hall, Misha Haskin, Ava Herbert Harlie James, Colt Jousma, Logan Kimmel Cordelia Kniaz, Reese Loftus, Aubree Milcher, Aaron Minogue, Tenleigh Nichols, Olivia Orns, Ava Patterson, Maverik Peake Chloe Pirtle, Caroline Randall, Grady Reed* William Renner IV, Cade Roberts, Cassie Rosenberg, Lucy Shafer, Hannah Sorensen, Clara Sporer, Madison Stora, Allison Tefft’ Nathaniel Toevs, Hayden Van Zanten, Emma Warner, Zikarra Warner, Raegan Wattles Jack Webb, Melanie Westbrook, Spencer Wilkins and Madison Wilson. Laptop, $430 cash stolen from truck Police responded around 2 p.m. on March 8 to a reported theft from a vehicle at a residence on Sundago Park Street. A 24-year-old Hastings man called police to report a laptop, five USB flash drives and cash totaling $430 were stolen from his truck sometime between 6 p.m. on March 6 and 8 a.m. on March 7. The man told police he went to a restaurant in Grand Rapids on the evening of March 6 and was unsure if the laptop was stolen while he was there or if it was taken from his truck overnight while parked at his home on Sundago Park Street. The man told police he wasn’t sure who would have taken the items, and there were no signs of anyone forcibly entering the truck. Truck pulls into driveway, backs over mailbox A 41-year-old Middleville woman called police to her home around 6 p.m. on March 16 after seeing an unfamiliar white Nissan pickup truck in her driveway. The woman told police her sons saw it pull into the driveway and proceed down the drive. When the woman walked outside to investigate, the truck was backing out of the driveway. The woman said the truck then pulled out of the driveway, running over her mailbox in the process. Police found pieces of a Nissan tail light around the mailbox. Truck strikes car in alleged road rage incident A 74-year-old Hastings woman reported a road rage incident around 7 p.m. on March 22 on Center Road near South Charlton Park Road. The woman told police’she was being tailgated by a truck while headed westbound on the road. At one point the truck passed the woman’s car over a double yellow line on the road and struck her vehicle when it returned to the westbound lane, the woman said. The woman then pulled over, with the truck driver pulling over and exiting his vehicle. The woman’s husband and the truck driver exchanged words before the truck driver re-entered his vehicle and hit the woman’s car in reverse, moving it back several feet, she said. Lake Odessa man alleges phone, car hacked Barry county law enforcement responded around 9 p.m. on March 16 to an Ionia County residence on the 8600 block of Eaton Highway to check up on a suspicious sit­ uation. Ionia County authorities transferred a call to Barry County Central Dispatch after the caller grew hostile with them. The caller, a 63-year-old Lake Odessa man, told police someone was hacking his phone and his car. He told police he knew this because he didn’t always get service on his phone, and other times his car’s headlights and tail lights didn’t work. He told police that both occurrences had been happening for years, but he was ready to file a police report so he could take the unknown perpetrator to court. The man spoke to police through his screen door and refused to exit his residence. Road commission ceases enforcement of seasonal weight restrictions The Barry County Road Commission announced early Monday morning that the seasonal weight and speed restrictions are no longer being enforced. The state-mandated measures are put in placed every year at the discretion of the Department of Transportation in order to pre­ serve the condition of non-all-season roads during the period of thawing. These are roads are the not specifically designed to facilitate heavy vehicle loads all year round and become especially vulnerable as the ground thaws and the road bed becomes saturated and spongy. Heavy loads on none-all-season roads during this period of thawing can cause cracks and other forms of damage. As part of the restrictions, legal loads are to be reduced by roughly 35 percent and truck speeds are brought down to 35 miles per hour. This season, weight and speed restrictions were put into place on Feb. 13. Additionally, the Barry County Road Com­ mission announced this week that it is begin­ ning the process of hiring seasonal workers to help facilitate the surge of work that comes with the warmer weather. No experience is necessary for these general labor positions, which potential applicants can apply for by visiting barrycrc.org. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber i Licensed Journeyman Plumber > New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 #8110376 & Insured Mobile (269) 838-5112 • Fabricsfor Easter, Mothers Day, Graduations, Birthdays • Make a tote, pillow, quilt, curtains, tablecloth, placemats} potholders, aprons, more Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; r Saturday 9 am-3 pm �Page 6 — Thursday, March 30, 2023 — The Hastings Banner JlaJie, Orteidjo, Elaine Garlock Look for a gathering of five planets in the night sky soon. Details will likely appear in daily newspapers. Reports have come up on Facebook of the spectacular northern lights form people who live farther north than here. A full moon is coming next week on Thursday. Only on Facebook was there any notice that the Lake Odessa Depot Museum is to be open on the fourth Saturday of most months from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Palm Sunday comes this year on April 2. Local churches will be observing the day according to their own denominational tradi­ tions. On the next Friday, the community Good Friday service will be at Central United Methodist Church, sponsored by the Lake­ wood ministerial association. This will be held at 1 p.m. The daily weather forecasts list tempera­ tures at comfortable numbers. This is most welcome after months of winter weather. Last week, we had streets and porches with treacherous ice. Two hours later, we had a complete reversal with sunshine which quickly melted the ice. People farther north had measurable snow. Lawn care workers have been in contact with last year’s customers to assure them of again using the same service. There are other new providers now posting their ser­ vices. The Village of Lake Odessa has had a major spring cleanup service available to its residents for many years with big trucks, big dumpsters and more stationed at the Depart­ ment of Public Works location on M-50 near the village garage for people to bring in their dump-able items such as TV sets, paint cans and more. This year, due to rising costs to the Village, there will be a charge for dumping major pieces of furniture such as sofas and recliner chairs. Details were in last week’s Lakewood News. It was shocking to see how much this service cost the Village last year. From Huddle Road just east of the east end of Second Street, one can see the new win­ dows of the house being built south off Tup­ per Lake Street. The shape of the windows indicates that the living room, dining room and kitchen are on the south side so their view will be toward the lake and the east end of the village. The long driveway is from Tupper Lake south to the garage on the north side of the house. The number of walkers and joggers has increased along with the rising temperatures. It is interesting to note the changes in apparel of the exercising folks. Many of the walkers and joggers are accompanied by their dogs. Hubert Hunt to celebrate 94th birthday A card shower would be appreciat­ ed in honor of Hubert Hunt whose birthday is March 29,2023. Please send cards, notes, mempries to: Hubert Hunt, 617 Howard Lane, Hastings, MI 49058. No gifts please. Worship Together 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist .com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 ajn. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204- 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-9454246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 pan.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. contact 616-690-8609. 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-9480900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. upraise This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W.M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 Orn WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, Greg Chandler Staff Writer A new company is taking over herbicide treatments and other management activities on Gun Lake. SOLitude Lake Management acquired Clarke Aquatic Services, the company that has contracted with the Gun Lake Improve­ ment Board for management of the lake, effective Nov. 1,2022. The company is based in Virginia Beach, Va. and has a regional office in Chicago. But while the company handling lake man­ agement has changed, the faces that work closely with GLIB haven’t. “They bought all the facilities, all the equipment, they hired all of the (Clarke) staff,” said Pete Filpansick, who has been Clarke’s point person in contact with GLIB and now holds the position of business devel­ opment consultant for SOLitude. Filpansick explained the transaction at last week’s GLIB meeting at the Orangeville Township Hall. “The key here for you is Luke (Britton, water resources manager) and I are still your main two go-tos. Ashlee (Haviland) is still our environmental scientist ... You still get your hometown team, but now we have an entire nationwide company at our backs. Whatever we need to help Gun Lake, we’re able to bring that to the table.” Filpansick mentioned that SOLitude absorbed all of Clarke’s legal obligations, including Clarke’s contract with GLIB. “The contracts... according to our legal team, do not need any additional work, not even an amendment to change the name,” he said. One significant change for GLIB is how SOLitude will bill ’the board for the compa­ ny’s services. » “SOLitude has a fantastic computer system where, basically, We take your contract, say it’s $17,000 for plant administration. That revolves around five surveys,” Filpansick said. “Every time we survey, afterwards, you’ll get an invoice for one-fifth of that $17,000. Same with (measuring) water quali­ ty, the meetings - all that’s built into the dif­ ferent line items. You’ll get an invoice every time something happens, rather than chunk invoices toward the end of the year.” Filpansick updated the board Thursday on when the newsletter advising of the first round of treatment on the lake will be sent out to Gun Lake residents. “In order to satisfy the timing of the permit (from the Michigan Department of Environ­ ment, Great Lakes and Energy) ... our goal is to send these out-the week of April 10,” he said? • “From that ■ point, the first’ treatment cannot occur any sooner than seven days' and 6^.477A ff i Virginia Beach, Va.-based SOLitude Lake Management will take on herbicide treat­ ments on Gun Lake after acquiring Clarke Aquatic Services. The Gun Lake Improvement Board discussed the change at its recent meeting and scheduled all upcoming meetings for the season. (Courtesy photo) no more than 45 days after that notice has been delivered.” The newsletter will include water quality results from last year. In a report to the board last October, Haviland pointed out that phos­ phorus levels from three different lake inlet locations came in below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations. Two different tests were taken last year, one in April and one in July. Samples were also taken for alkaline levels and chlorophyll-A, and both levels were shown to be normal, Haviland said. About 110 acres of the 2,680-acre lake were treated by Clarke last year, addressing such invasive and nuisance plants as starry stonewort, Eurasian watermilfoil and curyleaf pondweed, as well as nuisance algae. The board also set its meeting schedule for the year. Meetings will take place at 6 p.m. on April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19. Meetings will be held at the ; Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey Rd. The board also welcomed two new mem­ bers Thursday night. Mark Doster is the new Barry County commissioner represen­ tative and Gale Dugan is the new Allegan County commissioner representative. Former Barry County Commissioner Viv­ ian Conner is no longer the county represen­ tative on the board, but was appointed in January to be the Orangeville Township representative on the board, replacing Rob­ ert Perino, who asked to step down because of health issues. Conner was reappointed chair of the board Thursday, while Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim Dull will serve in the roles of secretary and treasurer. GLIB consists of nine members - includ­ ing a county commissioner and the drain commissioner from both Barry and Allegan counties, one representative each from Yan­ kee Springs and Orangeville townships in Barry County and from Wayland and Mar­ tin townships in Allegan County, and one representative from the Gun Lake Protec tive Association. County planners OK credit union addition in Delton ...at the church of your choice Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". New company takes over herbicide treatment efforts on Gun Lake 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Thornapple Credit Union’s Delton branch is slated for expansion. (Photo by Greg Chandler) I Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Delton branch of Thomapple Credit Union will soon expand. The Barry County Planning Commission Monday approved a 768-square-foot addition to the credit union’s branch office at 108 S. Grove St. The addition should be completed by this fall, credit union chief executive offi­ cer Amy Byers said. “It’s a 24 (foot)-by-32 addition that’s fol­ lowing the same footprint as our original building, so it’s just an extension of the same width, adding a little bit to the length,” Byers said. “Along with that, we’re going to add some additional parking and a passing lane for our drive-thru.” The current Delton branch is 1,560 square feet. The addition will include a new meeting space for credit union employees as well as a new office. “We don’t even have a meeting space big enough to accommodate our employees in that office (at present),” Byers said. “We’re talking a 10-person-or-less meeting space.V Of the credit union’s 30 employees, five work at the Delton location, Byers said. Delton is one of three locations where Thomapple Credit Union has branches, with the others being in Hastings and Middleville. The credit union was founded in 1964 and the Delton branch opened in 1982, Byers said. “We’ve had consistent growth in all three offices. So this will accommodate the growth we’ve seen and set us up to hopefully sustain that (growth) for a little while,” she said. The credit union plans to remain open during construction using a “staged plan” approach, Byers said. “We just went through this at the Hastings (branch) construction,” she said. “We may have to change entrances and have them come in the new part, but we’re planning to stay open in some fashion. Sometimes it might be drive-thru only and sometimes lobby only, but our plan is to stay open a majority of that whole time.” Social Security launches redesigned website Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist In December of 2022, the Social Security Administration updated its website homep­ age with a new design to help you find what you need more easily. “SSA.gov is visited by over 180 million people per year and it is one of our most important tools for providing efficient and equitable access to pervice,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, acting commissioner of the Social Secu­ rity Administration^ at the launch. “Whether providing service in person or online, our goal is to help people understand what they may qualify for and seamlessly transition them to an application process.” Now, with improved self-service accessi­ bility to online services, you might not have to call or visit an office to get what you need. This helps SSA staff focus on serving cus­ tomers who need in-person assistance. Reimagined website prioritizes custom­ er experience The redesign is intended to provide a clear path to the tasks you need to accomplish. Many of the most visited sections of SSA. gov are now live with a more user-friendly and task-based approach. New pages and improvements based on public feedback will continue to be unveiled in the coming months, as part of the ongoing efforts to improve how the public can do business with SSA. When you visit SSA.gov, you can use interactive tools to: • Check eligibility for benefits ° The new benefit eligibility screener is a convenient way for you to learn if you might be eligible for benefits. • Save time on Social Security number (SSN) and card online services ° If you lose your SSN card’ you may not need a replacement. In most cases, simply knowing your SSN is enough. Ifyou do need a replacement card, you may be able to request it online by visiting the Social Secu­ rity Number and Card page at ssa.gov/ ssnumber. ° You can also start an application for an updated card or request an SSN for the first time. You may never need to go to an office, but if you do need to visit an office to com­ plete the application then you can save a lot of time by starting online. • Start an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • You can start the application process online and request an appointment to apply for SSI benefits by answering a few questions on our SSI page at ssa.gov/ssi. • Apply for Social Security benefits and other online services ° For most benefits, you can apply online or start an application online. In many cases, there are no forms to sign. SSA will review the application and contact you with any questions or if they need more information. Visit SSA’s Online Services page at ssa.gov/ onlineservices to apply for retirement, dis­ ability, or Medicare. Many Social Security services do not require an office visit. If you have a personal my Social Security account, you can start or change direct deposit, request a replacement SSA-1099, or print or download a current benefit verification letter if you need proof of your benefits. If you’re not yet receiving benefits, you can use your online account to get a person­ alized Social Security Statement, which pro­ vides your earnings information as well as estimates of future benefits. The portal also includes a retirement estimator tool and links to information about other online ser­ vices. Representatives from SSA encourage people without a personal my Social Securi­ ty account to create one today at ssa.gov/ myaccount. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ ist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. mi inn AbWtaiaii “***»>»« ^W18g �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 30,2023 — Page 7 The Carter Snake hunting expeditions Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner July 10, 1997 In 1893, there were so many sightings of the very large snake which allegedly lived in the Carter Swamp and roamed the area around Carter ad Leach lakes that Sylvester Greusel, manager of the Hastings Engine & Iron Works decided that it was time to organize some “snake hunts.” There were two such hunts, the first one in September of 1893. Mr. Greusel really didn’t care if the Carter Snake was real or imaginaty, as he was pre­ pared for either event, finding and capturing the snake or not finding it at all. As the story goes, the Greusel Safari and his troops returned empty handed but in a buoyant mood and riding high. Tired, dirty and bug-bitten they may have been, but they certainly felt no pain. Sylvester Greusel knew how to organize a snake hunt. He foresaw “emergencies” and met them head on before they had a chance to happen. He organized and managed a com­ missary wagon, which was the heart and soul of his snake hunt strategy. He did not neglect armaments, either. Hunt weapons of a very specialized nature were prepared in his machine shop. There were two-tined snake spears in two sizes. There were inward-pronged snake hooks in three sizes and double acting jaw pincers in addi­ tion to an assortment of baseball bats, cant hook handles, and other miscellaneous clubs, as well as weapons which the members ofthe party were expected to provide for them­ selves. More specialized armaments were two sponges suspended from two long fish poles, two bottles of chloroform, two violins to charm the snake, two large wool sacks and three lassos. Mr. Greusel was great on detailed preparations. Captain Greusel also had provided a liberal stock of “medicinal supplies.” Mosquitoes infested the lowland and snakes were known to prowl the entire area. There were “medi­ cines” to counteract the bites of both. Carter Snake fever ran high in Hastings in the days preceding the hunt. The Banner of Sept. 21, 1893, carried an ad for the W.H. Spence Shoe Store that began “Carter Snake is a big one, but it doesn’t compare in size with our bar­ gains. You don’t have to organize a ‘hunting party’ to find our bargains either: our shelves .VI * tsT «i are loaded with them...” By mid-September of 1893, the party was ready to go hunting. A cavalcade of cania«s buggies, wagons and carts carrying 96 vohinnd ?e‘r eqUipment ™v'd ou° “n North Broadway, swung left onto Cemeterv Road (West State Road) and then tumS on die two-ftack that led to the site selected for base headquarters (shown as Smart Road on some county plat maps), which was on a ±r'e“ °f f0Und across bridge opposite Carter Lake. Capta>n Oreuse!, carrying as a badge of authority his K. of C. Drill sword and clad in auniform derived from the wardrobes ofjust about every lodge in town, led the party It appears that some of the party had to have medical treatment before the hunt start­ ed and the expedition ran behind schedule in assuming the offensive. Eventually, the 96 men under Sylvester Greusel s direction spaced themselves 10 feet apart to form a single skirmish line. Then with everyone in place and weapons primed for action, the “invasion” began. On the right wing were 40 men armed with ball bats, cant hooks and pronged spears. Equipped for duty in the swamps and low­ lands were 40 men on the left wing who wore rubber boots. Armaments here consisted of inward pronged snake hooks, double acting jaw pincers, pike poles and axes. Also in care of the left wing were two scaling ladders in case the snake happened to climb a tree. The 16 men under the direct command of Capt. Greusel himself made up the center of the invasion line. The captain and his aide, with swords drawn, went forward with the standard bearer. Then came two men with fish poles and sponges, followed by the fiddlers and two men carrying the bottles of chloroform. The violins were to charm the snake with soothing music while the men with the chloroform-soaked sponges were doing their work. If that stratagem was suc­ cessful, the task of the sack carriers would be simple, and the subdued Carter Snake could be sacked up and carried back in tri­ umph to Court House Square in Hastings. The were also two lasso artists who had been perfecting their technique for the occa­ sion on stove pipes at 50 feet. Three men carried gaff hooks to protect their comrades if Greiisel’s strategy backfired. It was told that vJ ****rXr>A^' OK ctf miou atiiiJiiifi litaqitCrii wkMitainBrajil Js^lataisteW Itaii *si A trick photo of Snake Hunt Headquarters, 1893. •ISS*-"' Doctor™ Universe A®0 Taking it slow Do ants hibernate in the winter? Garrett, 10, III. i f ,V.^‘ Dear Garrett, When most people think about hiberna­ tion, they picture bears snoozing away the cold winter in their dens. You’re right that other animals do that, too. I talked about your question with my friend Laurel Hansen. She’s an entomology professor at Washington State University. Her specialty is carpenter ants. “We think most ants in our temperate climate will have diapausing larvae and what I would call overwintering adults,” Hansen said. Diapausing and overwintering are like hibernating but not quite the same. There are a few things to know about ants to understand what these terms mean. First, ants are social insects. An ant colo­ ny works together so closely that scientists think of them as a single unit-called a superorganism. Second, ants undergo complete metamor­ phosis. That means they go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. After they hatch from eggs, juvenile ants are called larvae-or larva for just one. They look like small, white worms. Worker ants feed the larvae in the nest. The larvae spend their time eating and growing. As they get bigger, they molt. They shed their old body covering-called an exoskeleton-and secrete a new one. These ants are called pupae when they are in the process of changing into adults. Some ant pupae do this inside a cocoon. Others just curl up. They slowly get darker as they change into adults. Scientists recently learned that ant pupae do something amazing. They leak a nutri­ tious liquid. It’s good for the whole colonyespecially the youngest larvae. Workers will even hold up larvae so they can drink this “ant milk” from the pupae. several members of the center group, con­ scious of their exposed position, donned spiked running shoes on the sly to aid in a quick getaway. The search continued throughout the day, not always in precise formation, and never too far from the commissary wagon. It is interesting to speculate what might have happened if the Carter Snake had appeared. But the snake was definitely too wise and wily to expose itself to such a large group of noisy hunters and didn’t put in an appearance. This didn’t cause the men to be dispirited, however. The men all termed this expedition a huge success and voted to have another one soon. The next snake hunt, however, didn’t take place for another 14 years. There had been several more sightings of a very large, black snake in the same Carter Swamp and Leach Lake areas. Mrs. John Dawson saw the snake when she was walking through Riverside Cemetery. A farm wife and a traveling Meth­ odist minister reported glimpses of the large snake. This was enough to bring about the second snake hunt 14 years after the first one. In June of 1907, merchants, farmers and interested citizens gathered at 9 a.m. at Hast­ ings National Bank comer (now Huntington Bank), armed with shotguns, axes and pitch­ forks. Hank Barnaby, operator of a dray and transfer business, furnished one of his broad­ est drays (beer cart) to transport the “lunch.” Headed again by citizen Sylvester Greusel, a group of 30 to 40 residents went to invade the environs of Carter Swamp, marching reso­ lutely alongside the laden dray, where they could hear the reassuring gurgle and splash of the refreshments. Each night when the hunt was over for the day, they would return, many sprawled out on the dray, carrying almost its identical load, except the containers were now empty. Mr. Greusel, a former member of a mili­ tant order, would strap on his lodge sword to lead each expedition, scorning all other weapons. A local undertaker of the time, the late Fred Stebbins, was. called upon to fur­ nish a reinforced rough box from his casket loft to contain the monster snake when it was captured and the box was loaded in the center of the dray for each expedition. Live rabbits and live rats in cages were also taken along as snake bait. The suggestion of a snake hunter, that it might be well to borrow a lady snake charmer from a carnival company that was holding its show in Hastings the week of the expeditions, led to a reprimand and . was voted down by Mr. Greusel and his brother hunters, who -wanted-to rid-the community of the-menace by fair means. This snake hunt was not any more success­ ful than the first one. Details about what actually happened in the field are scarce. It would appear that the commissary was gross­ ly overstocked. They did not capture a snake of any kind, but the exposition must have been a whing-ding. The Hastings Banner carried an item on an inside page, ended with the words set in boldface type, “Fun can be carried too far. Don’t repeat this snake hunt. Forget it.” This was written by Marshall Cook in his sternest mood. This hunt did end the snake hunting expe­ ditions but not the tales of the irrepressible Carter Snake. In the next issue of the Hast­ ings Banner an article appeared in June of 1907, stating that “Snake Still on Deck:” “That the Carter Snake is still on deck is again proven, this time to the satisfaction of C.J. Maywood. He was driving on Tuesday afternoon on the Cemetery Road (West State Road), taking Miss Ester Brown to her home in Rutland. West of the dugway, he noticed a Ant colonies last for many years. They need strategies to survive cold winters with­ out food. What they do depends on the ant’s life stage. Larvae diapause through winter. That means they stop developing. They don’t eat or move. It’s like they pressed pause until winter ends. Once spring arrives, they become pupae. Adults do something more like hiberna­ tion. Just like bears, ants build their fat stores before winter. That’s the fuel they’ll use to stay alive. They save energy by slow­ ing their body systems way down. They also make a chemical that works like anti­ freeze. It keeps the insides of their bodies juicy and free of ice crystals. “For adults, it’s not a true diapause, and it’s not a true hibernation,” Hansen said. “If you crack open a nest in the winter, the ants will be moving. But they’re slower, and their respiration is about half of what it will be in the summer.” You might notice ants in your home in spring, especially in the kitchen and bath­ room. Those ants are leaving their nests after a long winter’s rest. They’re probably looking for water. They’ll take it back to the nest to make it humid and cozy for their colony. Just like budding trees and blooming flowers, seeing ants out and about is a sign that spring is around the comer. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr, Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website askdruniverse, com. large track crossing the road between the swamp on the north side and the river bottom on the south. Recent events caused Mr. May­ wood to examine thistrack. He says it was undoubtedly made by a large snake, and evidently only a few moments before Mr. Maywood examined it. It was plainly the track of a snake, as the scale marks were distinctly visible, and could be traced in the road for some distance, even where the soil was quite hard. “Mr. Maywood carefully measured the track, which was a full four inches wide. Previous to this he had ridiculed the idea of the big snake. But whatever the kind, Mr. Maywood is now persuaded that he is a big one. From the scale marks in the track, it was evident that the reptile was going from the swamp toward the river. He felt that it was possibly an overgrown blue racer or water snake but no matter what kind, it is a big one. “This was the fourth time this year that evi­ dence has been found of his being in vicinity.” In all justice to Sylvester Greusel, it is only fair to say that he was neither a drunk, a screwball nor a town character. He was, in fact, the successfill manager of an Engine & Iron Works plant in Hastings. Sylvester Greusel, captain of the Carter Snake Hunt Safari, fl look bad at the stories aid eolinis on loeal history In the Hastings Baiucr TURNING BAGK THE PAGES He took an active and useful part in civic affairs and served as councilman and mayor. Whether he took on the snake hunts believing that there really was a big snake or whether he did them out of a sense of humor, with tongue in cheek, isn’t really clear to us now. But it made a good story and has been retold many times. There was one true hoax that concerned the “Carter Snake” story as it was told by Dick Groos in a letter to the Banner on Sept 6, 1984. Bill Baldwin, who owned the local Chev­ rolet dealership, decided in the summer of 1955 that it would be interesting to revive the Carter Snake. He fashioned the snake out of an exhaust hose, with a paper bag tied on as a head. He chose the most unlikely person that he could think of as the hunter and that was Richard Groos of Viking Corporation (father of Dick Groos). It was kept very quiet until the story broke. Headlined “Carter Snake destroyed,” the item read: “Richard Groos, 301 S. Park St., Hast­ ings, added another page to the history of Barry County by killing the famous ‘Carter Snake.’ Contradicting all previous reports, the snake was 21 feet, 6 inches long, 14 inch­ es in diameter and weighed approximately 232 pounds. “Groos reported that he was out hunting on the edge of Carter Lake when he heard a tre­ mendous rustling in the underbrush and a moment later, a monstrous head appeared. More out of fear than daring, Groos opened fire, and emptied his entire clip into the mon­ ster’s head. Thus ending one of the most famous and controversial local legends of the past century.” After killing the gargantuan beast, Groos went to the road, hailed down Don Fisher, a Hastings electrician, who was driving by and the two of them loaded the trophy onto the car and took it to the Chevrolet garage in Hastings, where it was to be examined by three government zoologists. Mr. Groos’ phone rang off the hook for days with messages ranging from laughter at the funny joke to those who truly believed he had performed the heroic deed. A surprising number of thc-eitigens ofr Hastings ititln*t think that it was funny at all, stating that they either had seen the snake themselves, or more often they had been told of it by an obviously reputable source. Bill Baldwin apparently profited by the hoax, as streams of people passed through his car dealership to see the trophy. In any event, sightings of the Carter Snake haven’t been reported for many years. Sources: Archives of the Hastings Banner; scrapbooks of the late Judge Lawrence Bar­ nett; City ofHastings, Michigan, 1871-1971. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for April 3-7 April 1-30 - April Storywalk Book: “Milk and Juice: A Recycling Romance” by Meredith Crandall Brown. The Story­ walk is free and self-guided. Follow the journey of Juice and Milk on their recy­ cling love story though transformations from pen to soap dispenser and even to laundry detergent jug until they are finally reunited in a most unexpected way. This month’s Storywalk is thanks to the gener­ osity of Joel and Barbara VanDyken. April 1-30 - Art in April: “Sketchtrail” by Doet Boersma. Learn the basics of nature sketching with step-by-step instruc­ tions along the “Sketchtrail,” created by 2022 Artist in Residence Doet Boersma. The trail starts by the retention ponds near the Lupine (green) Trail at the southwest comer of the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center. Before you start, pick up a sketchbook and pencil by the south side entrance of the Visitor Center. Visitors can enjoy the “Sketchtrail” for free and guide their own experiences. April 1-Oct 31 - Trail Challenge Series (ages 18 and up). Join the Institute in a social hike to get to know all of the Insti­ tute’s trails this year, make new hiking buddies and enjoy good conversation while hiking. The series can allow hikers to feel comfortable hiking the Institute’s trails. Two options of the same hike will be offered each month, April through October. To complete the challenge, become an offi­ cial “Trail Master,” and earn a commemo­ rative sticker, attend one hike each month. Each hike is about 2 miles in distance. Terrain is uneven and hilly on grassy to dirt-packed, and sometimes muddy, trails. The hikes will commence rain or shine and will reschedule in cases of extreme weath­ er. All participants will receive a hiking stick and medallion. Members can register for the entire series of hikes for $10 and non-members can register for $14. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE March 1-31- Read-A-Latte winter reading club, follow along on Beanstack or in person. March 1-31 - March is Reading Month: Look Up! And Explore Our Universe, read and win prizes in March. Thursday, March 30 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches the 1941 film, “Ziegfeld Girl,” 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 31 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 3 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 4 - Spring break special Lego day, 10 a.m.-noon; mahjong, 2 p.m.; chess, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 5 - Spring break special science event: “Don’t Bust My Egg” drop, 10 a.m.-noon; Digital Literacy (registration required), 2-4 p.m.; writers’ night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, March 30, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Delton Kellogg’s Panther Den embraced by students and providing for their needs Karen T\irko-Ebright Michelle Guthrie, a first-year science teacher at the school, has led the Panther Den project. Here, she speaks in front of the district’s school board during last week’s monthly meeting. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) Contributing Writer Not only does Michelle Guthrie teach sci­ ence at Delton Kellogg High School, but the first-year teacher is also the spearhead of the Panther Den Care Closet, a store that opened in the fall and offers students self-care, school supplies and comfort items free of charge. All high school students receive a punch card to select everything from backpacks and other supplies to water bottles, hygiene prod­ ucts, tools and DK spirit gear. “(I was) just kind of looking for things to do to make an impact in our district,” Guthrie told the district’s Board of Education during a recent presentation about the Panther Den Care Closet. After talking with other teachers, Guthrie said, “One of the things we’re noticing is a need for certain things like school supplies and hygiene-type things.” Before it became the Panther Den, Guthrie, staff and other teacher volunteers ventured into the storage room, which used to house a school store back in the ’80s. “Because it had already been the school store at one point* it became a storage room,” Guthrie said. “But there was already carpet and nicely painted walls and some shelving that we could repurpose, so the move to cre­ ate this space wasn’t a big deal.” Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue, Jr. agreed that the Panther Den impacts the lives of high school kids. “I think Mrs. Guthrie is an amazing person to take her time, energy and resources to give to so many students,” Lartigue told the Ban­ ner. “I love that the students all have an opportunity to get items they need.” The mission of the Panther Den is to sup­ port the social, emotional and academic growth of all students and to create a sense of pride in school and community. Lartigue said he is thankfill for Guthrie, the volunteer teachers, and the staff who helped with the Panther Den project. “I can’t say. enough positive things about their efforts,” Lartigue said. “It is truly a blessing to all our high school students.” Many donors support the Panther Den, including Hickory Corners Bible Church, Thomapple Valley Church, The Delton Dis­ trict Library, Delton Rotary Club, Project Linus, Delton Faith Church, The Shack, VFW, Amazon and community members, teachers and staff. Guthrie said the goal of the Panther Den is for students to learn to take care of them­ selves. For example, she explained that, when students ask her for a pencil, she responds, “How about tomorfow morning you stop by the Panther Den and grab yourself a few?” When students forget a water bottle and have a sporting event, they can go into the Panther Den with their punch cards and get a water bottle. When the students run out of punch cards, they can work at the Panther Den and earn another punch card. “I put little posts out on Facebook and put posts out into the community, and stuff just shows up that way,” Guthrie said. “Whenever I say we have a need, things just show up. The churches will do a drive and bring boxes of stuff.” “We’ve created ahJnviting place that feels like a real store,” '.Guthrie said, citing that over 125 visits are made to the Panther Den each month. Teachers can nominate a student for improving in school or if they do something kind for somebody. With that honor, they are given a certificate and a Panther buck, which they can spend at the Panther Den. Kids have many opportunities to earn Pan­ ther bucks including helping teachers with paperwork, cleaning up after an event or helping another student with a project. Rec­ ognition from the teachers let the students know their kindness did not go unnoticed. w’ Delton Kellogg High School is home to Panther Den Care Closet, a school store of sorts that provides students with school supplies, hygiene products, tools, spirit gear A J* and various necessities free of charge (Photo provided) Guthrie has lived, in Delton with her hus­ band for 25 years. “My husband's family all went to Delton schools,” Guthrie told The Banner. Her experience as an agriscience teacher spans almost two decades. She taught agri­ science in Vicksburg for 17 years. Guthrie graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Agriscience education and biology and has a master’s degree and a minor in health from Spring Arbor University. “I’ve been finding jobs closer to our home in Delton,” Guthrie said. “There was finally a science teacher opening in Delton after 25 years, so I applied. I love it here. The kiddos are wonderful, and I enjoy teaching and learning with them every day.” Cash donations can be contributed to the Panther Den, Guthrie said. Checks can be made out to- Delton Kellogg Schools and mailed to 10425 Panther Pride Drive, Delton, MI 49046. rt* »- SW'A YMCA brings activities, learning to areas throughout the county with new spring schedule Jayson Bussa Editor Even though the headquarters for the YMCA of Barry County is tucked back in the woods near Algonquin Lake, its staff remains diligent in reaching kids throughout all cor­ ners of the county with learning and recre­ ational opportunities. The YMCA utilizes both its B. Bus Mobile Library and its two Y On The Fly vans to bring mobile programming to communities throughout the county during the spring and summer months. This week, the YMCA revealed its new spring schedule, bringing programming to the following locations: -Cider Mill Village in Middleville: Mon­ days, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 5:50 p.m. beginning on April 10. - Yankee Springs Meadows in Yankee Springs Township near Wayland: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 4:50 p.m. beginning April 10. - Baltimore Terrace in Baltimore Town­ ship: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:45 to 5:35 p.m. beginning April 10. - Thomapple Lake Estates in Nashville: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thurs­ days from 3:40 to 4:30 p.m. beginning April 10. The B. Bus Mobile Library, a collaboration with both local school districts and libraries, puts a condensed library on wheels for kids to enjoy while the YMCA’s Y on the Fly Vans bring recreational activities to communities on the periphery of the organization’s coun­ ty-wide coverage area. “A lot of people may have a relationship with our Y and they think it’s just (Camp Algonquin), but we’re actually in all comers of the county delivering food, fun, fitness and literacy throughout the summer,” YMCA of Barry County Executive Director and CEO Jon Sporer explained to The Banner. “(This is done) to provide that enrichment for the families that maybe their kids are left to their own devices or not totally supervised because both parents are working and the neighborhood needs something to look for­ ward to,” Sporer added. “It’s nice that they can count on our staff to deliver.” Upon conclusion of the spring season, the YMCA is expected to get its mobile library and Y on the Fly Vans out to even more loca­ tions in the summer. Last year, it maintained 21 weekly locations and Sporer expects a similar format this year. “We’re having conversations with schools and neighborhoods to find where kids are during the summer where we can do the best job serving those locations,” he said. ' '”°P waft* ^77-^ MW*** Spectrum Health BLUE ZONES" Pennock ACTIVATE BARRY COUNTY Maintain Miaaiswm Maa Mart* « ca MHMrWI •1 YMCAOF BARRY COUK YMCA of Barry County Executive Director and CEO Jon Sporer stands next to one of the organization’s Y on the Fly vans. The YMCA uses these vans to bring programming to youth spread throughout all corners of Barry County. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Plans for pollinators SI Mu XV ’’i ' A1 sSS Barry County Operation Pollination committee members (shown here) are hard at work on their initiative to educate people about pollinators and increase pollinator habitats on private and public lands. Readers can look to this weekend’s edition of The Reminder io learn more about the worldwide Rotary initiative, along with tips on how to promote native pollinator habitats at their own homes. Pictured are (from left) Jan Hartough, Diane Hawkins, Patty Woods, Karen Heath, Megan Lavell, Jessica Phillips, Catherine Getty, Margie Haas, Fran Jones and Carole Davis. (Photo provided) J. vK-J �SPORTS SECTION The Hastings ANNER . Thursday. March 30.2023 Thursday, March 30, 2023 Saxons strike first, but TK girls find scoring touch ’te.i 2 4^ KUIZOWS Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are three times as many freshmen as seniors on the varsity roster. That’s both a little exciting and a little nerve-racking for the Trojans. Freshman attacker Tealy Cross said she got a lot of the butterflies out in a preseason scrimmage with NorthPointe Christian and finished shooing most of the last few away as she scored her first varsity goal in the 23rd minute of an 8-2 win against the visiting Hastings varsity girls’ soccer team. She leapt into the arms of senior teammate Peyton Pratt after one-touching in a comer kick, which just missed the head of teammate Holly Velting and the hands of Hastings goalie Dakota Blough in the middle of the box. Cross was there on the backside to fin­ ish off the play. “Peyton has been a very good leader through basketball and soccer for me,” Cross said, “and all sports for that matter. She is like a big sister to me. To be able to play two var­ sity sports with her has been very cool. Emma [Schut] has been the same way. She continues to work with us. She knows she is good, but she continues to work and wants to get better.” Cross’ first goal tied the game at 1-1. Pratt scored the first of her three goals, off an assist from the junior midfielder Schut Pratt and Schut are a pair of captains for the TK squad this spring. Pratt is one of two seniors, joined by Anna Davis who was out of town for Wednesday’s opener. “Emma and Peyton really stepped up, with­ out us ^yen asking. They have been leaders,” said new TK girls’ co-head coach Ben Slee­ man after the game. “There is Emma, carrying a bag of balls up. That is stuff they’re passing on to those younger kids and I know that they both played with a good group of girls that graduated last year and they were kind of like, ’what’s this year going to be like?’ and I think for them to step into more of a leadership role has been really cool to watdli1.'” 11 * ***•*■' * Sleeman is teaming up with former TK varsity boys’ head coach David Wood to lead the program this spring. Wood said that the talented freshman group meshing with the handful of returnees to the varsity roster is really the key to the season. “I think that something we challenged them with is being a collective and being a team off the field, and most of the time you can see [the upperclassmen] are trying to bring [the underclassmen] along with them, they’re trying to get them involved,” Wood said. “They know how important it is for them to be successful and for us to be suc­ cessful as a team.” Pratt went on to score three goals in the match. Cross finished with two, Velting with two and then junior Danica Smith capped the The Saxons' Valentina Arias (14) tries to dispossess Thornapple Kellogg attacker Holly Velting of the ball in the season opener in Middleville Wednesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) scoring by scooting a slick, wet ball under Blough in the 77th minute. The goals by Cross and Pratt had TK in front 2-1 at the half. The Saxons were a bit fortunate the TK lead wasn’t more. Hastings got a number of solid saves from Blough, who was slowed a bit by a leg injury, but still up to the task for much of the evening. Schut had a strong run through the middle of the Saxon defense turn into a good chance that flew just wide of the net with a couple minutes to play in the first half and then had a blast stymied by Blough early in the second half. TK clanged a shot off each post before finally finding the net for the first time in the second half. Cross finished off a strong counter attack by TK through the middle, with Pratt getting the final pass ahead for the assist in the 52nd minute. Just 15 seconds later, Velting chipped a shot over Blough that had TK in front 4-1. Velting’s second goal, in the 63rd minute, came on an assist from Schut. Schut put a great pass at an angle from left to right with Velting making a well-timed run to collect it behind the Saxon defense. She put a high shot to the short side inside the right post to beat Blough. Pratt tallied the Trojans’ seventh goal in the 70th minute. Cross centered a ball across the Saxon box from the right side. It was just out of the reach of Velting in the middle of the box, but Pratt came charging in on the far side to touch the ball into the open net. Hastings struck first against the young Tro­ jan defense in the game’s tenth minute. Hast­ ings put together a counter attack that the Trojan midfield didn’t slow down and the defense was unable to clear the ball out of its box. One of the Saxons’ top returnees, Rae­ gen Morrison, put a shot by TK freshman keeper McKenna Hoebeke. The Saxons’ second goal was similar, a quick surge into the TK box by the Hastings girls. Hoebeke made an initial save, and Hast­ ings freshman Dezarae Mathis was there to knock the rebound into the net. The TK defense featured the freshmen keep­ er Hoebeke and freshmen Ella Fischer and Natalie Borrink in the middle. On the outside, the Trojans had sophomore Emma Geukes, who didn’t play soccer her freshman spring. “It’s the small details,” Wood said. “There are mistakes we made that led to the goals that defensively we tried to recover from. The more we are able to play against some better competition, they’re going to be able to get that worked out It’s hard to come back off the winter anyway ... They’ll be fine with playing some more games under their belt and getting used to it” i The Saxons were a little worn down, with a number of girls on th^ varsity roster who competed in the JV mat as well. “We have some pote ial,” Hastings head Hastings defender Kennedy Lewis and Thomapple Kellogg's Peyton Pratt collides as Pratt hits a header in tier offensive end during the Trojans* win over the visiting Saxons Wednesday inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) coach Tim Schoessel said. “We just need to move the ball a little more. That’s about it We have some good key players, in some key positions. We lost some good key players tonight. We’tfe jlist a work lh progress I guess. If we can get our mid’s, who are young because we lost our two center mid’s last year, if we can get your younger mid’s mov­ ing the ball up I think we’ll start moving.” A couple of his team’s top returnees, like Raegen Morrison and Lauren Lamphere are move attacking players. The Saxons willcontinue to work on getting the ball forward. The team did see a boost from Mathis who was strong from end to end. Hastings was scheduled to visit Ionia last night, March 29. The TK ladies are now 2-1 overall this season. They fell 3-0 at Lowell Friday night and then bounced back with a 2-1 win over Northview in Middleville Monday evening. The Trojans were scheduled to go on the road to face Grand Rapids Christian last night, March 29. New TK co-coach Ben Sleeman talks things over with sophomore defender Emma Gibson during the second half of the Trojans* win over the visiting Saxons in Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Bulldogs answer two Viking goals to earn draw in Ionia Brett Bremer Sports Editor A revamped Viking defense under new head coach Adrian Almas didn’t allow a goal in the course of regular play to open the sea­ son Monday at Ionia. The Bulldogs managed to answer two Lake­ wood goals by scoring on a set piece and a penalty kick though to leave the teams in a 2-2 draw at the end of a bailgame that was moved from Lakewood High School to Ionia High School to be played in better field conditions. Almas, a former Lakewood varsity soccer player himself and previous varsity assistant, Lakewood senior Sadie Brearley gets a pass away just as Ionia freshman Kylie Leonard arrives to try and take the ball away during the second half of their teams* 2-2 draw at Ionia High School Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ± decided this preseason to switch his team from a flat four across the back line to a dia­ mond four formation. He had thoughts of putting junior Cadence Poll at the stopper spot at the top ofthe dian iond, but soon found that senior Sadie Brearley was ready to han­ dle that position and Poll could use her talents further up the field. “I- wasn it •'as going to work,” —-- ’t sure if ......... Almas said. “I didn’t know who was going to play sweeper and then Emma Tidd has kind of stepped up as a freshman and has played really well there. The biggest thing for her is to stay back and play as a sweeper and not step up as a center back. That happened a couple times this game.”i There were also moments were defenders stabbed at the ball a bit to much, but ultimately coach Almas said his girls showed a number of flashes of the things they’re trying to accom­ Lakewood senior Elalna Haring pushes up the left side with the ball as Ionia senior plish this season on both ends of the field. Avery Haney gives chase during the second half of their non-conference season “The girls in the back were cycling the opener at Ionia High School Monday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ball,” Almas said. “The biggest thing with that four diamond is that it pushes one center interchanging. Last year, we were very much side the top of the 18. Dinehart tied the game back up into the middle of the field to be able using tunnel vision. ‘If I’m left forward, I m again, at 2-2, in the 58th minute on a penalty to work the ball around there, but it also left forward.’ Before the game I was like, kick that she tucked just inside the left post. allows more triangles in the back to kind of ■‘you’re just up top. You’re not left. You re not “The first game is always a fun one, work the ball from side to side and find that right. You’re forwards.’ always shows all your problems and all your lane up. There were glimpses of that today.” “They of course still played left and right,” holes, especially against Ionia They’re a pret­ At the offensive end, the Vikings scored he said with a smile, “but I pulled Autumn ty good test for us,” Almas said. first with junior Autumn Williams scoring off aside and I said,’ hey, I need you to make a It was the second ballgame of the season an assist from senior teammate Elaina Haring ’ diagonal run,’ and not two seconds later she for the Ionia girls who opened with a 4-0 win in the game’s 20th minute. Those two would made that diagonal run and that’s the first goal over Belding last Wednesday, March 23. team up again in the second half, in the 46th The Vikings had a bailgame this week with ofthe game. It completely changed the momen­ minute, with Williams centering a ball that tum and the girls kind of woke up at that point” Delton Kellogg postponed and aren’t sched­ Haring put into the back of the net. uled to play again until they open the Greater Ionia answered each of the Vikings goals. “Autumn’s goal in the first half,’ she made Lansing Activities Conference/Central Mich­ In the game’s 34th minute, the Bulldogs a really great diagonal run across,” Almas igan Athletic Conference season at Stockevened the score at 1-1 with senior Rylie said. “Our forwards had glimpses of kind of Dinehart hitting in a free kick from just outbridge April 11. �Page 10 — Thursday, March 30, 2023 — The Hastings Banner State finalists from HHS and DK start season strong Brett Bremer Sports Editor On two occasions Delton Kellogg junior Torren Mapes has competed at the MHSAA Division 3 Lower Peninsula Track and Field Finals. He ran in the 300-meter intermediate hur­ dles as a freshman. He competed in the 1 IO­ meter high hurdles as a sophomore. Mapes was faster Tuesday at Hastings High School in the first outdoor meet of the 2023 season than in either of those races and faster than ever before. He won the 1 IO­ meter high hurdles in a personal record time of 15.75 seconds, beating his previous PR by nearly a full second, and later improved his PR to 42.00 in the 300 hurdles. “I’ve just gotten lots of conditioning from other sports. I have been practicing technique and form and making sure those are down so I don’t have too much air time, and that slow­ ly shaves times down by milliseconds. Other than that, coach has been having me run a little extra distance to prepare myself for the 300 so I am not as tired going through them. In the 110’s, I have been working on my steps between hurdles to shorten that up with lon­ ger strides.” Mapes is a member of the Delton Kellogg varsity football team in the fall and boys’ basketball team in the winter, but also playing Centerfield for the varsity boys’ baseball team this spring. He said he typically spends an hour at practice with the baseball team after school before heading over to track practice. This is his second spring doing both sports. AU his hurdle improvements have come in his limited track and field practice time so far. He said with all the other sports he doesn’t have time in the frack offseason to work on hurdling. Mapes still comes into the season With his sights set oh the Delton Kel­ logg records in the two hurdles races. He’s about two seconds offthe 300 hurdles record and a little over a second off the school 110 record. “He has been Chomping at the bit, ready to get back at the hurdles again. I could tell that at practice,” Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ coach Dale Grimes said. “It was a nice little preview, because We’re going to Bangor this year for regionals. Their number One hurdler [Austin Bimer], same grade, junior, and they have both at the state finals in either the 300’s or the 110’s or both, so that is setting up to be a nice little rematch at regionals after this One. That was a big deal.” Bimer was the runner-up in both races. He set his PR in the 110’s at 16.74 and had a time of 43.84 in the 300 hurdles. It was a good start for a few former state qualifiers. Hastings senior Madison Nino was third in the long jump at the Division 2 Finals in 2022 and she was a winner1 in all four of her events Tuesday. She took the long jump at 16 feet 5 inches and won the 100-meter dash in 13.43. m The Saxons' Isabella Roosien (right) urges on teammate Myah Vincent for the final leg of the 4x200-meter relay Tuesday during their team's triple dual with Delton Kellogg and Bangor inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “It was a little cold. It definitely wasn’t my best day,” Nino said, “but it was a good day because I won everything. In my [4x100] relay, we had really good hand-offs. I am really proud of the new anchor we have, she did really well - Myah Vincent.” Nino also teamed with Addey Nickels, Isabelle Roosien and Myah Vincent to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1 minute 51.75 sec­ onds. That same foursome won the 4x400-meter relay for the Saxons in 4:35.27. “We haven’t gotten in much [work on hand-offs] so far, but luckily it’s the same group the last two years we have had. We had Allison Teed, but she graduated and we trad­ ed her in for Myah Vincent, and she’s doing just as well,” Nino said with a smile. “I think Izzy and Myah have been working a bit more than the rest of us for the hand-offs. It’s been really good for them.” Nino led off both those relays, putting the baton into Nickels’ hands. “Sometimes she gets a little antsy,” Nino said of her teammate and cousin Nickels. “Most of the time I can keep up with her. She watches me. Once I get close enough I yell at her, ‘stick!’, and then she takes it. Luckily, we’re like the same runner. We have the same strides and stuff, so she understands my tired­ ness when I’m like that. We work really good together, which I am very thankful for.” Nino set her PR in the long jump at 17-6.5 a year ago, and flew 17-2.75 at the state finals to earn her first state medal. She is hoping to surpass the 18-foot mark this spring and to maybe earn a higher spot on the state medal podium in June. She said the big key is get­ ting her feet up higher mid-jump. The Hastings boys and girls both took two wins at the triple dual. The Hastings girls defeated Delton Kellogg 100-53 and Bangor 112-28. Delton Kellogg took a 94-41 win over the Bangor girls. Nickels had a pretty great day herself. The Interstate-8 Athletic Conference champion in the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash last spring as a sophomore, she opened her junior outdoor season by winning the 300-meter low hurdles in 51.71 and taking her first varsity 100-meter hurdles race in 17.35 seconds. Nickels, Roosien and Nino were state qual­ ifiers in the 4x200-meter relay along with the now graduated Teed in 2021. Roosien, also a junior, took the 200-meter dash Tuesday in 27.62 - a new personal record for her. Fellow junior Vincent was the runner-up in that race with a time of 28.24. Roosien was second to Nino in the 100 with a PR of 13.52. Freshmen Maddie Peake and Ava Noteboom teamed with sophomore Eloane Gail­ lard and'Skylar Fens temaker tbiake the 4x 100-meter relay for the Saxons in 57.13. The Saxon team also had freshman Olivia Friddle win the shot put with a mark of 31-2 and the pole vault with a height of 8-6. Note­ boom cleared 4-8 to win the high jump and senior Grace Madden won the disc us with a throw of 73-8, which put her two inches ahead of Delton Kellogg freshman Violet Kokx. The one hole in the scoring for the Saxons so far is the distance events. The Delton Kel­ logg team of sophomores Jillian Leclercq and Kylie Main and seniors Lilyanna Sinclair and Joelle White won the 4x800-meter relay in 12:59.68 and White'took the 3200-meter run in 15:01.21 - a new personal record for her. White added a runner-up height of 14-7 in the pole vault for DK, and coach Katie Ingle was happy to see freshman Izabelle Gruber in the 100-meter hurdles and junior Breanna Chandler in the 300-meter hurdles perform well in runner-up finishes. Delton Kellogg junior Torren Mapes pulls away on his way to a victory in the 300meter intermediate hurdles during the triple dual with Hastings and Bangor at Hastings High School Tuesday. Mapes set personal records in both hurdles races at the first outdoor meet of the season. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg also had junior Summer Ritchie win the 400-meter dash in 1:06.83. In the boys* competition, Hastings took a 111.5-51.5 win over Delton Kellogg and a 134-26 win over Bangor. Delton Kellogg’s boys also defeated Bangor, 96-61. “We had strong performances overall,” Hastings head coach Brian Teed said. “It’s cold and all that kind of stuff. The boys’ team is strong. All the phases are going to do well. They had a little bit of a rough start tonight. I think they weren’t quite focused. And quite ready. We had to kind of get them refocused a little bit, and after that everybody I think got on the same page and started attacking stuff.” The Saxon team’s two state qualifiers from a year ago, seniors Robby Slaughter and Daniel Weatherly, won their main events Tuesday. Slaughter, a two-time state qualifier in the pole vault, won that event with a height of 12-0. Sophomore teammate Draven Pennock set his PR in the event at 9-6 in a runner-up finish. Weatherly was a state qualifier in the shot put as a junior. He won that event with a mark of 40-7 Tuesday and also took the discus with a throw of 121-5. , . Hastings and Delton Kellogg guys won all 17 events. Mapes and senior sprinter Philip Halcomb powered the DK scoring. Halcomb won the 100-meter dash in 11.72 seconds and the 200meter dash in 24.66. Those two teamed with junior Wyatt Colwell and sophomore Wyatt Finney to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1:37.25. Slaughter teamed up with seniors Layton Eastman and Kearan Tolles and sophomore Jett Barnum to win the 4x400-meter relay for the Hastings boys in 3:39.03. Junior Riley Shults and sophomore Bran­ don Simmons led the Saxon scoring in the distance events. Those two teamed with junior Jonah Teed and senior Kearan Tolles to win the 4x800-meter relay in 9:19.08. Shults and Simmons went 1-2 in the 1600meter run and the 3200-meter run. Shults won both races, taking the 1600 in 5:01.94 and the 3200 in 11:11.12. Simmons clocked its-*' • season fgl SS JL* Ian. Zofl ^oti ■■ Delton Kellogg senior Joelle White rounds a turn in the 4x800-meter relay during the Panthers' triple dual with Bangor and Hastings at Hastings High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ■ MW JEB 9g • MB 119*1 Mt ajMiioRtalinai J-whllhw i U - Haiti Ink bM la uimAwm MiWbi in at 5:03.00 in the 1600 and 11:11.91 in the 3200. Nino said seeing Simmons stay on Shults’ heels was one of the most impressive things she saw all meet. Tolles took the 800-meter run in 2:11.68 and junior teammate Charles Nickels won the 400-meter dash in a personal record time of 54.90. Nickels also won the high jump, clearing the bar at 5-8. Finney, who was a state qualifier in the long jump last spring as a freshman, won that event Tuesday with a mark of 19-11.5. Barnum was second in both those jumps for the Hastings boys. He flew 18-7.5 in the long jump and got over the bar at 5-6 in the high jump. Delton Kellogg also got a big leap in the long jump from junior Rhys Bedford who flew 18-6 to place third - improving his personal record by about a foot and a half. IS^ Ma Hastings senior Daniel Weatherly spins in the circle during an attempt in the shot put Tuesday inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 197150 SEASONAL HELP 2023 temporary seasonal general laborer NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY OUTSIDE WORK STARTING PAY $16.03/hour Applicant must be at least 18 years of age by start date, have a valid Driver’s License, and be able to pass a drug test. Start date negotiable, hours Monday-Friday 6 AM- 4 PM. Starting hourly pay $16.03 per hour, no benefits. Application & job description can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings between 6 AM - 3:45 PM, or on our website at www.barrycrc.org. The Barry County Road Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Delton Kellogg senior Philip Halcomb gets up to speed at the start of the 200-meter dash Tuesday during his team's triple dual with Hastings and Bangor inside Baum Stadium at Johnson field In Hastings Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings junior Madison Nino races to a victory in the 100-meter dash during her team's triple dual with Bangor and Delton Kellogg inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, March 30, 2023 — Page 11 Top county wrestlers end year at Ford Field again Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was another strong season on the wres­ tling mats for Barry County’s teams. The Hastings, Thomapple Kellogg and Lakewood teams all won conference titles. Tough foes brought an end to the local teams’ postseasons, but individually every team in the county had guys, and girls, having successes. The Lakewood Vikings put together one final undefeated season in the Greater Lan­ sing Activities Conference. They will make the move into the Capital Area Activities Conference in the Lansing area next season. Hastings won its third consecutive Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship and Thomapple Kellogg won its The county had nearly a dozen state medal­ ists at the MHSAA Individual State Finals that were held at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. Here are the 2022-23 All-Barry County Wrestling First and Second Teams for guys and the first all-Barry County Wrestling First Team for girls. 2 ^W^faiwifc ••iMlteBiHKifji tofeigaattm W WrMri sphere Ip ^trrWeat te > vfcOttidtyi ■Ua ^TtM bgraEf^nmlMi SciotoftotyMte aMtob im«kn««K0oK(t *iUM fljniint^^Kraajfor ilMUitfWWM 2tSiintS«iii!i jvbM^aoreBah Sa'tewaiffSE^' gj^Bfiifjincrag^ tigtota It**1 nW**’1 —^’pgflfflauToOo® dj.-M*' **** ?#-»• _ na Shulls t*r*' W» kWL.«i*'' t^SSi <gS >*«£» S***!* &s *S> All-Barry County Wrestling First Team 106 - Christien Miller, Thornapple Kel­ logg: A sophomore, Miller placed eighth in the state at 106 pounds in Division 2. Miller was the OK Gold Conference cham­ pion at his weight class and closed the year with a record of 32-12. 113 - Troy Hokanson, Hastings: A soph­ omore, Hokanson had 34 varsity wins this season. Hokanson was all-conference in the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference and was a region­ al qualifier. 120 - Ashton Clark, Lakewood: Clark capped off his senior season by placing fifth at his weight class at the Division 3 Finals. He had a record of 49-8 this season. Clark took the 120-pound championship in the GLAC/CMAC this season. 126 - Gage Vincent, Delton Kellogg: A senior captain for the Panthers, he wrestled his way to a 42-12 record this season to end his varsity career with 100 wins. Vincent was. a three-time state qualifier jjvho earned all-conference honors in the SAC las a senior. 132 - Kyron Zoei, 1 ri orriapple^ Kellogg: A senior, Zoet qualified for the state finals for the fourth time this winter by winning a regional championship, but an illness pre­ vented him from competing at Ford Field. Zoet was the runner-up at his weight class in the OK Gold Conference and closed the year with a 47-4 record. He finished his var­ sity tenure with more than 150 victories. 138 - Daniel Krebs, Lakewood: Krebs won his first state medal as a senior this win­ ter, placing sixth at 144 pounds at the Divi­ sion 3 State Finals. Krebs had a record of 38-8 this season. He was the GLAC/CMAC champion at his weight class and placed third at districts and regionals. 144 - Zack Gibson, Thornapple Kel­ logg: Gibson completed his goal of being a four-time state medalist this winter, placing fourth in Division 2’s 144-pound weight class. He put together a record of 48-5. Gibson was a conference champion in the OK Gold. He finished his four varsity sea­ sons with more than 150 career wins. 150 - Jackson Curtis, Thornapple Kel­ logg: Curtis capped his senior season at the Division 2 state finals in the 150-pound weight class. He put together a record of 37-14 this sea­ son and finished with over 100 varsity wins. 157 - Robby Slaughter, Hastings: Slaughter put together a senior season record of 43-6 to finish with 160 varsity victories over four years. He was all-conference in the 1-8 this season. Slaughter was a state qualifier for the third time this season, a year after earning his first state medal. Cassidee Easey 165 - Jayce Curtis, Thornapple Kellogg: Curtis, a sophomore, as a runner-up in the OK Gold Conference at 165 pounds this year and had his season end one win shy of a spot in individual regionals. Curtis put together a record of 29-16. 175 - Austin Chivis, Thornapple Kel­ logg: An injury limited Chivis from mid-December until early February, but he still manged to finish his senior year on the Divi­ sion 2 medal stand. He placed sixth in the 175-pound weight class at the state finals. He had a record of 22-5 on the season. 190 - Lanny Teunessen, Hastings: A senior wrestling for the first time since his freshman year, he was one win away from earning a spot in the state finals. "" Tefrriessen compiled a 44-6 record and was ^11-conference injhe I-Sjh/^ winter.I|t °j 215 - Joel Simon,* Lakewood: Simon didn’t drop a match all season until he was in the 215-pound semifinals at the Division 3 State Finals. He went on to place third at his weight class with a record of 51-1. Simon obviously won conference, district and regional championships along the way to Ford Field. 285 - Isaac Friddle, Hastings: Now a two-time state medalist, Friddle placed fourth in Division 2’s 215-pound weight cl^ass at the end of his sophomore season this March. Friddle was 46-10 overall this season and finished second to a state champion at his weight class in the 1-8. He has 90 wins over his two varsity seasons so far, All-Barry County Wrestling Second Team 106 - Jordan Humphrey, Hastings: A sophomore, Humphrey won 39 matches for the Saxon varsity this season. He placed third at the 1-8 Championship at 116 pounds and was one win shy of being a regional qualifier at districts. 113 - Dylan Pauline, Thornapple Kel­ logg: Pauline, a freshman, was a runner-up at his weight class in the OK Gold Conference and was a regional qualifier this season. Pauline closed the year with a record of 29-19. 120 - Kade Boucher, Lakewood: Bouch­ er was a conference runner-up in the GLAC/ CMAC and had his season brought to an end one win shy of being a regional qualifier. A sophomore, he had a record of 33-16 this season. 120 - Zach Chipman, Hastings: Chip­ man finished his senior season with 31 victo- Joel Simon 4Z ries. He won 100 matches over his four varsi­ ty seasons. He was the runner-up at 120 pounds in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference this season. \126 - Colton Smith, Hastings: A junior, Smith recorded 39 victories this season. He was the runner-up at 126 pounds at the 1-8 Championships and was a regional quali­ fier in division 2. 132 - Gauge Stampfler, Delton Kellogg: A state medalist as a sophomore this winter. He placed sixth in Division 4’s 132-pound weight class. He was a district runner-up this season and a runner-up in the SAC. He put together a season record of 45-9. 132 - Keegan Sutfin, Hastings: Sutfin was the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference champ at l'j32 pounds as a‘sdjmomore' th is season and compiled an overall record of 43-5. Sutfin was a regional qualifier this season, coming up one win shy of qualifying for the state finals. 138 - Andrew Middleton, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior who was a state qualifier previously in his high school career he sur­ passed the 100 varsity win mark this winter. Middleton was a runner-up in the OK Gold Conference. He closed his senior season with a record of 32-17. 144 - Cohen Smith, Hastings: Smith, a senior, was the runner-up at 144 pounds in the Interstate-8 this winter. He is a three time regional qualifier who finished his senior season with 38 wins. 150 - Haiden Simmet, Hastings: A junior captain for the Saxons, Simmet had a record of 33-13 this season. He placed third at 1? 7 pounds in the 1-8 this season and came up one win shy of being a regional qualifier. 157 - Brenden Straub, Lakewood: Straub capped his senior season with a record of36-16. Straub was a regional qualifier this season, coming up one win shy of earning a spot in the state finals. He place i third in the GLAC/ CMAC at 165 pounds. 165 - Jackson Burpee, Maple Valley: Burpee was a regional qualifier as a fresh­ man this winter in Division 4. He closed the year with a 24-19 overall record and was second at the 165-pouna weight class in the GLAC/CMAC. “He has greatly improved over the season, as has our whole team,” Lion head coach Tony Wawiernia said. 175 - Tate Warner, Hastings: A sopho­ more, Warner was a regional qualifier this season after placing second at his weight class at the 1-8 Championships. Warner put together a record of 35-16 this season. 190 - Gavin Vaughn, Lakewood: Vaughn won the 175-pound title at the GLAC/CMAC Championships this season and was a region­ al qualifier in Division 3. Vaughn was one win shy of qualifying for the state finals at regionals. He put together a senior season record of 30-8. 215 - Jaden Manhart, Lakewood: A junior, he wrestled his wqy to a 34-17 record. He was one win away from being a region­ al qualifier this season and placed fourth at the GLAC/CMAC Championships. 285 - Noah Rosenberg, Thornapple Kel­ logg: Rosenberg put together a record of 28-15 in his senior season this winter. He was a runner-up at his weight class in the OK Gold Conference. All-Barry County Girls’ Wrestling First Team Maddie Chipman, Hastings: Wrestling at 100 pounds throughout the season, Chipman had six wins as a freshman. Zack Gibson Isaac Friddle She placed fifth at the tournament in Mid­ land this season. Abby Gaskill, Hastings: A senior at 110 pounds for the Saxons, Gaskill had five wins this year. She finished fourth at her team’s tourna­ ment in DeWitt this season. Joelle White, Delton Kellogg: A four-year varsity starter for the DKHS varsity team. White had 11 victories in her senior season and had a tough end falling by a point in the blood round at regionals to close out her var­ sity career. Eva Rowley, Hastings: A 115-pound freshman, Rowley recorded ten wins this winter. Rowley had a runner-up finish at her team’s tournament in Dewitt. Dez Mathis, Hastings: Mathis tallied 21 wins in her freshman season. She won championships at tournaments hosted by DeWitt and West Ottawa while tallying a couple third place finishes as well. Cailin Redman, Hastings: Redman went 12-12 during her senior season as the Saxons’ 125-pounder. Redman had third place finishes at tourna­ ments hosted by West Ottawa and Ovid Elsie. Emma Gibson, Thomapple Kellogg: The Trojans’ lone state qualifier on the girls’ side this season, she won one of her three matches in the 120-pound weight class at Ford Field. Gibson had a record of 17-8 as a sopho­ more this winter. She won her weight class at the Adam H Provencal Invitational this sea­ son and placed second at her weight at the Kent County Classic. Rayleigh Brown, Thornapple Kellogg: Brown placed fourth at her weight class at the tournament hosted by Ovid-Elsie this season, and added fifth place finishes at the Lady Cat Mat Wrestling Invitational and the Kent County Classic. A sophomore, she had nine wins overall this season. Olivia Friddle, Hastings: A freshman splitting her time between wrestling and var­ sity basketball, Friddle qualified for the state finals on the mats this season. Friddle had nine wins on the year and was a regional runner-up at 140 pounds. Jordan Milanowski, Hastings: One of the Saxons’ state qualifiers, Milanowski had 20 wins as a sophomore this winter at She took championships at tournaments at DeWitt and West Ottawa and was a regional runner-up at 145 pounds. Claudio Palumbo, Hastings: A foreign exchange student at 170 pounds for the Sax­ ons. She was 22-9 on the year and placed sixth at the state finals. Palumbo won titles at tournaments in DeWitt and at West Ottawa. She was a regional runner-up. Sophia Sunior, Hastings: A state medal­ ist at 190 pounds for the Saxons as a junior this season. She placed eighth at the state finals. Sunior was 13-10 overall this year and had runner-up finishes at at tournament hosted by West Ottawa and at regionals. Ella Simon, Lakewood: A sophomore, Simon wrestled to a third place finish at regionals at the end of the year. Her regional finish earned her a spot in the girls’ state finals at Ford Field in the 215pound weight class. Cassidee Easey, Hastings: A state medal­ ist in her senior season. She placed eighth at 235 pounds at the Individual State Finals. Easey was 15-10 overall this season. She took a championship at a tournament in DeWitt and placed second at regionals. �— Thursday. March 30, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Page 12 • _______________ NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of tl>e revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600 3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 00 PM on April 6. 2023 The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, original mortgagors granted a Mortgage to CrtiFinanciai. Inc, dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB. d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner trustee for WF 19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19, 2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13,2021 as Instrument Number 2021004919, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, loan modification recorded on January 8, 2014 as Instrument Number 2014-000122, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, loan modification recorded on June 6, 2022 as Instrument Number 2022-006352, In official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, , which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $17,967.87. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit Beginning at the Northwest corner of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52' 06’ East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48* 01" East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Liber 3 of plat on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37* 00" West 427.89 feet, Thence North 09 degrees 49* 00" East 114.74 feet; Thence South 89 degrees 53* 12” East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48* 01" West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord family trust by warranty deed dated 5-21-03 and recorded 8-6-03 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife warranty deed dated 4-1-02 and recorded 4-5-02 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-007-10 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, in which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a (b) notice, whichever is later, or extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This' sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: February 22, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 (03-02X03-30) 195817 LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on April 20, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Laurel G. Garrison aka Laurel Garrison and Jacklynn Garrison, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Date of Mortgage: May 25,2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: June 6,2007 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $106,167.78 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Part of the West 1/2 of Section 7, Town 1 North, Range 9 West, Barry County, Michigan, being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point 168.41 feet North and 834.68 feet East of the West 1/4 post of Section 7, Town 1 North, Range 9 West,’thence North 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds .East along the Easterly line of Kline Street 52.31 feet; thence South 43 degrees 45 minutes 00 seconds East 143.30 feet; thence North 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds East 102.10 feet; thence South 49 degrees 53 minutes 03 seconds East 35.87 feet; thence South 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West 139.40 feet; thence North 49 degrees 53 minutes 03 seconds East 35.87 feet; thence South 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West 139.40 feet; thence North 49 degrees 45 minutes 32 seconds West 179.95 feet to beginning. a/k/a taxes assessed: COM 168.41 FT N and 834.68 FT E OF W 1/4 SEC. 7 T1N R9W, TH N 46 DEG 15’ E 52.31 FT, TH S 43 DEG 45* E 143.30’, TH N 46 DEG 15’ E 102.10 FT, TH S 49 DEG 53’ 03" E 35.87 FT, TH S 46 DEG 15’ W 139.40 FT, TH N 49 DEG 30’ W 179.95 FT TO POB BARRY TOWNSHIP, BARRY CO, MICH. 5TH CIRCUIT CT JUDGMENT 93-545 GRANTS 5 FT EASEMENT BETWEEN LOTS 5 AND 6 TO LAKE. Common street address (if any): 11459 E Shore Dr, Delton, Ml 49046-8481 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: March 23,2023 Trott Law, P.O. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 1493514 (03-23X04-13) the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, on April 27,2023. The amount due on the Mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. Default has been made in the conditions of a Mortgage made by Karen C. Larsen to Fifth Third Bank (Western Michigan) dated September 19, 2007 and recorded October 1, 2007 as Instrument No. 20071001-0002636, Barry County, Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, National Association by assignment and/or merger. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $32,943.76. Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF BARRY. COUNTY OF BARRY AND STATE OF MICHIGAN: LOT 5 OF THE PLAT OF FAIR LAKE PARK, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. AND ALSO LOTS 100 AND 102 OF FAIR LAKE PARK ANNEX. ALSO A RIGHT OF WAY FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS OVER LOT 9 OF FAIR LAKE PARK, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR BARRY COUNTY. Said property is commonly known as 11957 South Circle Rd, Delton, Ml 49046. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Please be advised that any third party purchaser is responsible for preparing and recording the Sheriff’s Deed. If this is a residential Mortgage, the following shall apply: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU: ARE A DEBTOR IN AN ACTIVE BANKRUPTCY CASE; ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF A BANKRUPTCY STAY; OR, HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY AND YOU HAVE NOT REAFFIRMED THE DEBT, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Dated: March 13, 2023 Attorney for the party foreclosing the Mortgage: Thomas E. McDonald (P39312) Brock & Scott, PLLC 5431 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (844) 856^6646 File No.12-2’1172 ’ ’ (03-16)(04-06) Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 196547 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement 196795 Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of Attention homeowner: If you are a military service them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder member on active duty, if your period of active duty for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at been ordered to active duty, please contact the 1:00 PM, on April 27,2023. The amount due on the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at insurance company, either of which may charge a number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on APRIL 6, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit fee for this information: court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on April 13, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not married man and Tera Lambert, his wife greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of contact the county register of deeds office or a title Name(s) of the mortgagors): Aaron Lambert, a Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage Date of Mortgage: September 26,2014 (the “Mortgage”) made by Justin Stuive and Amy Amount claimed due on date of notice: $82,719.62 Hawke, a single man and a single woman, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated May 29,2009, and recorded on June 4,2009, Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Document No. 200906040005899, and assigned Date of Mortgage Recording: October 1,2014 in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: That part of Blocks 30 and 31, Eastern to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated February 8, 2022, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and Commencing at the Southeast corner of Lot 6, Block recorded February 11, 2022, Instrument No. 2022- West to the East boundary of Hanover Street; thence 001773, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Southerly along the East boundary of Hanover Mortgage is $103,652.21 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit South Street; thence East to the place of beginning. recorded January 28, 2022 in Instrument Number 2022-001228 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Union Home Mortgage Corp., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety and 6/100 Dollars ($263,790.06). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 100 PM on APRIL 6,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of CaJton, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: ~A FARCEL 0F LAND ,N THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 ?*r^ECTI0N 81 TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any according to the recorded plat thereof, described as: 31, Eastern Addition: thence North 4 rods; thence Street to the intersection of Hanover Street and Common street address (if any): 1025 S Hanover as stated above, plus interest on the amount due accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject at the rate of 5.0% per annum; all legal costs and real property is used for agricultural purposes as expenses, including attorney’s fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held fully as: LOT 13 OF PLEASANTVALLEY ESTATES, responsible to the person who buys the property at YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for SCRIBED AS BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST RECORDED IN LIBER 6 OF PLATS, PAGE 13 OF BARRY COUNTY RECORDS. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTSAND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. redemption period. the J R0DS; THENCE SOUTH 39.3 RODS TO PLACE OF BEGINNING. 6240 N Broadway Rd, Freeport, Michigan 49325 rh® red®mpti°n period shall be 6 months from the aate of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redempton period shall be 30 days from the date of Tax ID No. 08-16-270-013-00 Commonly known address: 12944 Valley Drive, Wayland, Ml, 49348 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from fnrlhHAPereon <Wh0 buys 016 Pr°P®rty at the mortgage to ® °r t0 the mort9a9e holder for damage to the property dunng the redemption period. Dated; March 9,2023 rirm Phone Number: (248) 502 1400 (03-09X03-30) Ml 48084 196205 property during Attention homeowner: If you are a military service has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at Date of notice: March 30,2023 responsible to the person who buys the property at Trott Law, P.C. for damaging the property during the redemption period. March 6, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 196261 the member on active duty, if your period of active duty Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held (03-09)(04-06) File No. 23-002048 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy the the telephone number stated in this notice. holder MCL u al foreclo3Ure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3/78, the borrower will be held responsible damaging the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage What goes into a retirement ‘paycheck’? During your working years, you generally know how much money you’re bringing in, so you can budget accordingly. But once you’re retired, it’s a different story. However, with some diligence, you can put together a “paycheck” that can help you meet your income needs. Where will this paycheck come from? Social Security benefits should replace about 40% of one’s pre-retirement earnings, according to the Social Security Administration, but this figure varies widely based on an individual’s circumstances. Typically, the higher your income before you retire, die lower the percentage will be replaced by Social Security. Private pensions have become much rarer in recent decades, though you might receive one if you worked for a government agency or a large company. But in any case, to fill out your retirement paycheck, you may need to draw heavily on your investment portfolio. Your portfolio can provide you with income in these ways: • Dividends - When you were working, and you didn’t have to depend on your portfolio for income to the extent you will when you’re retired, you may have reinvested the dividends you received from stocks and stock-based mutual funds, increasing the number of shares you own in these investments. And that was a good move, because increased share ownership is a great way to help build wealth. But once you’re retired, you may need to start accepting the dividends to boost your cash flow. • Interest payments - The interest payments from bonds and other fixedincome investments, such as certificates of deposit (CDs), can also add to your retirement income. In the years immediately preceding their retirement, some investors increase the presence of these interest-paying investments in their portfolio. (But even during retirement, you’ll need some growth potential in your investments to help keep you ahead of inflation.) • Proceeds from STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF KENT 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FAMILY DIVISION ORDER FOR PUBLICATION ON HEARING TO: Ann Marie Abbott Child’s Name: Lincoln Henrich Case No.: 20-51629-NA-104816801 Hearing: May 24, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Judge Rossi, 8th Floor, Courtroom 8-A Due to-the Covid 19 pandemic, this shearing may be conducted via Zoom. Please contact kentcountymi.gov to participate remotely. An initial and/or supplemental child protective petition has been filed in the above matter. A hearing on the petition, including petition to terminate your parental rights will be conducted by the Court on the date and time stated above in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that you personally appear before the court at the time and place stated above and exercise your right to participate in the proceedings. THIS HEARING MAY RESULT IN THE TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS. Dated: March 22,2023 Deborah L McNaab, Circuit Court Judge 196999 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 23-29429-DE This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Member Jones, SIPC STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29442-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 2Q6.W. Court St., Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone S ’ ' In the matter of Jacob Douglas Golnek-Hadix. TO ALL PERSONS, including whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 4/26/2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 302 W. Court St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Jacob Douglas Golnek-Haddix to Jacob Douglas Haddix. 197183 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29441-DE Court address: 206 W. Court St, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Marquita Arminta Clements. Date of birth: 8-15-1924. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marquita A. Clements, died 1-2-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Lynn Hoeksema, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W.,Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: Feb. 2, 2023 Dan Benson P86017 5340 Burcham Drive East Lansing, Ml 48823 517-575-9943 Lynn Hoeksema 4214 Appletree Lane Lansing, Ml 48917 517-402-8117 selling While you will likely need to begin selling investments once you’re retired, you’ll need to be careful not to liquidate your portfolio too quickly. How much can you sell each year? The answer depends on several factors — your age, the size of your portfolio, the amount of income you receive from other sources, your spouse’s income, your retirement lifestyle, and so on. A financial professional can help you determine the investments - amount and type of investment sales that are appropriate for your needs while considering the needs of your portfolio over your lifetime. When tapping into your investments as part of your retirement paycheck, you’ll also want to pay special attention to the amount of cash in your portfolio. It’s a good idea to have enough cash available to cover a year’s worth of your living expenses, even after accounting for other sources of income, such as Social Security or pensions. In addition, you may want to set aside sufficient cash for emergencies. Not only will these cash cushions help you with the cost of living and unexpected costs, but they might also enable you to avoid digging deeper into your long­ term investments than you might like. You may be retired for a long time — so take the steps necessary to build a consistent retirement paycheck. Estate Linda of Rae Ervin. Date of birth: 09/14/1948. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Linda Rae Ervin, died 03/11/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Leslie Erica Boonstra, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: March 22,2023 Thomas G. Sinas P77223 312 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 616-301-3333 Leslie Erica Boonstra 427 Bluff Drive, Middleville, Ml 49333 197028 269-953-6170 197153 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL,.. The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLATTHEREOF LINE 0F SAID SECTION, 50 RODS a?? ™E PLACE 0F BEG|NNING; THENCE EAST RGDS- THENCE NORTH 39.3 RODS; THENCE Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in neoH™ TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN n?TulRuSLSA,D SECT,0N- THENCE NORTH Member SIPC Kevin Beck.AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-4702 St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2320 part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage to protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in Barry County, Michigan described more Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Addition to the City, formerly Village of Hastings, Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jonathan Billotti, Married Man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lenders successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated December 30, 2021 and Financial FOCUS NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of This notice is from a debt collector. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1494420 (03-30)(04-20) 197297 For Rent FOR RENT: 2 bedroom in Hastings, fenced yard, pet friendly, $1,000.00 month plus utilities. Call 269-818-7854. Business Services PACILLO LAWNCARE Tak­ ing new clients in Hastings. Phone (269)838-6025. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. GOLDENDOODLE PUP­ PIES FOR Sale- Nice color, loves attention, 1st shots & wormed. $600. 269-223-9194. Help Hunted PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. Pets MINI POODLE FOR Sale- Very cute and adorable, loves to play, curly. $400.269-223-9194. MINI COCKAPOO PUPPIES For sale- 1st shots & wormed. $400.00 517-852-4881. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $400, 517-852-4881. All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. owoinvMnY iKinssaeR �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. March 30. 2023 — Page 13 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, t AX 'O *• that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM. on April 27, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Namefs) of the mortgagors): Charles Harvath. III aka Charles Harvath and Roberta Harvath, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC, FKA Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 21, 2018 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 3, 2018 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $84,705.10 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 13 of Loehr’s Landing, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 61. Commonly Known as: 2982 Loehrs Landing Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever is latec or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely Saxon softball team bested in first two ballgames at Plainwell Brett Bremer Sports Editor cr singled. Jayden Karsen singled twice. Elena Friddle had an RBI for Plainwell took a pair of wins over the visiting Hastings varsity softball the Saxons. Sunior stole three bases, and Ben­ nett had two stolen bases each and Karsen and Emily Simmons both team to open the season Tuesday afternoon. The host Trojans took the opener 10-1. Hastings got singles from Zoey Bennett and Lucy Barnard in that game one loss. Plainwell took game two 15-5. The Saxons managed seven hits in the bailgame. Sophia Sunior had a single and a double for the Saxons and scored two runs. Bennett had a double and scored once. Cassidee Easey, who pitched both games for the Saxons, singled once. Carly Fraz- M the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 03/30/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. J*/*11? * WiJcta • J;7 8 Notituinj peifcn u Grand ^Majr.fi6W ORDERS) M KL X9d| QB IB! ft OUt IN JfirnzruM Kbaseili fescjacesffidawafdemywigh! UqinoikBEi Ejrtstrftxa^ H 06IWEUJI THE feia BACDJWIRnRGHTS ms WHOM SyiECCiT HSFCW tsrnsnK IKIMEl riKOF« KjKEI’SBB 197317) STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29280-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 W. Court St, Suite 302, Hastings, Mi 49058 Court telephone ffi?(269)Wl39id 9f‘ ...... Estate of Russell Lee Veldkamp. Date bf birth: 10-61958. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Russell Lee Veldkamp, died 5-9-2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Roxanne Veldkamp, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court SL, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 3-29-2023 David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Roxanne Vaidkamp 11575 Winchester Drive, Shelbyville, Ml 49344 616-202-8660 197299 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. 23-29440-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 W. Court SL, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Scott Alan VerHage, Deceased. Date of birth: 07/17/1962. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Scott Alan VerHage, died 02/07/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Larry VerHage, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court SL, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: March 28,2023 GaryE. Tibble P43886 5144 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, Ml 49048 269-383-6000 Larry VerHage 7112 N. Sprinkle Rd., Kalamazoo, Ml 49004 269-345-77684 197296 ** 10* I® I I one. The Saxons are scheduled to play their first home games April 11 against Martin and then to start the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference season at home against Pennfield April 13. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ track and field team earned four individual medals and had a relay team pick up honors as well at the Grand Valley State University Laker Challenge Thurs­ day in Allendale. The TK boys and TK girls opened their season on the campus of GVSU this week. The boys com­ peted on Wednesday in the D1-D2 meet. Trojan senior Lindsey Veiling ran her fastest 400-meter dash yet, placing fifth in 1 minute 3.88 seconds and teamed with sophomore Brooklynn Harmon, junior Joselyn DeBoer arid junior Eva Corson to place sixth in the 4x300-ineter relay in 3:04.56. Harmon was a three-time medalist. She placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles in 9.86 seconds and eighth in the long jump with a mark of 15 feet 6 inches. TK sophomore distance runner Ava Crews scored an eighth-place medal with her time of NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29280-DE 5: 40.14 in the 1600-meter run. Crews competed in the 3200-meter run at the 2022 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals last June. The top finish for the TK boys on Wednesday came from in the 800-400-400-800 relay with the team of sophomore Lucas McNabany, senior Tyler Bushman, junior Lucas VanMeter and freshman Frank Wilkinson placing 12th in 6: 28.61. Individually, the top placing for the TK boys came from junior Jaxan Sias who was 14th in the high jump by clearing the bar at 5-4. He was also 22nd tn the 200-meter dash in 24.39 which is a new personal record for him. Sias, Gabe LaJoye, Ethan Bonnema and Tyler Gavette teamed up to place 17th in the 4x300-meter relay in 2:40.93. Sias and LaJoye competed in the 4x200-meter relay at the state finals a year ago, and Sias wasn’t too far behind the state medalists in the 400-meter dash on that early June Saturday in 2022. CALEDONIA SCHOOLS - GULL LAKE SCHOOLS -WAYLAND SCHOOLS VILLAGE OF WOODLAND - KALAMAZOO KRESA TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS: VILLAGE OF WOODLAND MILLAGE RENEWAL FOR VILLAGE SPECIAL PROJECTS The Barry County Townships of Barry Township, Johnstown Township, Prairieville Township, Thornapple Township, Woodland Township, and Yankee Springs Township. COUNTY OF BARRY STATE OF MICHIGAN 314873 (03-30X04-20 W 18 hits in game two and 12 in game Sports Editor I NOTICE OEREGISTRAtiON FOR THE ELECTION TO BE' HELD ON TU^DAWMAF 2|2023 f ^K^kWoWO^^MICHIGAN 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 A"?** it1®*8 Plainwell was in control from the start though. The Trojans scored 11 runs in the top of the first. They had Brett Bremer Sr®# to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or I stole two bases. The Saxon offense was helped by seven walks in that second bailgame. Trojan teams open track season inside at annual Laker Challenge PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualified elector of the above named jurisdictions who is not already registered, may register to vote at the office of the Township or City Clerk; the Office of the appropriate County Clerk; a Secretary of State branch office, or other designated state agency. Registration forms can be obtained at www.mi.gov/vote and mailed to the Township Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at www.exoressSOS .com. Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within the Village of Woodland be renewed at the two (2) mills ($2 per $1000 of taxable value) for the period of 2023 through 2026 inclusive for the purpose of Special Projects (Leaf pickup, Spring Clean up and Equipment) and shall the Village levy such renewal in millage for the said purpose thereby raising in the first year an estimated $16,143.98?. VILLAGE OF WOODLAND RENEWAL FOR VILLAGE OPERATIONS The last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk is Monday, April 17, 2023. Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX. Sec 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within the Village of Woodland be renewed at the two (2) mills ($2 per $1000 of taxable value) for the period of 2023 through 2026 inclusive for the purpose of Village operation and shall the Village levy such renewal in millage for the said After this date, anyone who qualifies as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of lri&sideh^j:,(M^E^68.^92)'at the fcrflovring^ ’T’aer' "* " (0O-f'73r-EC' purpose thereby raising in the first year an estimated $16,143.98? v 'Wayland union school district Municipality Address &_ Regular Business Hours Hours on Saturday, April 29 Hours on Tuesday, May 2 • Deb Knight Barry Township 155 East Orchard Street Delton, Ml 49046 Wednesdays 9-noon & 1-5 8:00 am-4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Sheri Babcock Johnstown Twp. 13641 S. M-037Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 Mon & Wed 9 am - 3 pm or by Appt. Consolidated w/ • Barry Twp for this election only. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Rod Goebel Prairieville Twp. 10115 S. Moms Road Delton, Ml 49046 Tuesday - Thursday 9 am-12 noon and 1:00 pm-5:00 pm 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Elaine Denton Thomapple Twp. 200 East Main Street Middleville. Ml 49333 By appointment. 7:00 am - 3:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Nancy Stanton Woodland Twp. 156 S. Main PO Box 98 Woodland. Ml 48897 By appointment 8:00 am-4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Mike Cunningham Yankee Springs Twp. 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Ml 49333 Mon - Thurs 9 am - 3 pm Friday - 9 - noon. Consolidated Yankee Springs Twp 1 & 2 for this election only. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SfTE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $49,700,000 Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Wayland Union School District, 850 East Superior Street, Wayland, Michigan 49348-9141, telephone: (269) 7922181. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERAL AD VALOREM TAXES. NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TESTS ______________________ PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following proposals will appear on the ballot: Notice is hereby given that a Public Accuracy Test for the May 2,2023 election will be conducted by the clerks of the named townships on the voting equipment pursuant to MCL 168.798 at the addresses noted on the following dates: April 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm at BARRY TOWNSHIP HALL 155 East Orchard Street, Delton, Michigan 49046 Townships participating in the April 26, 2023 date: Barry, Johnstown & Prairieville Townships CALEDONIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $61,000,000 April 10, 2023 at 9:30 am at THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP HALL 200 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333 Townships participating in the April 18, 2023 date: Thor nappie Township Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Caledonia Community Schools, 8948 Kraft Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316, telephone: (616) 891 - April 11, 2023 at 6:30 pm at WOODLAND TOWNSHIP HALL 156 S. MAIN, PO BOX 98, Woodland, Michigan 48897 Townships participating in the April 11, 2023 date: Woodland Township 8185. April 13, 2023 at 1:00 pm at YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP HALL GULL LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL EXEMPTING PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND OTHER PROPERTY EXEMPTED BYLAW 2.90 MILLS FOR 11 YEARS FOR HEADLEE RESTORATION PURPOSES, IF NECESSARY The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and the computer that will be used to tabulate the results for the election have been prepared in accordance with law. Full text of the ballot propositions may be obtained at the administrative offices of Gull Lake Community Schools, 10100 East D Avenue, Richland, Michigan 49083, telephone: (269) 548- MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023 LAST DAY FOR VOTER REGISTRATION OTHER THAN IN-PERSON 3400. KALAMAZOO REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY REGIONAL ENHANCEMENT MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL 1.5 MILLS FOR 6 YEARS 284 North Briggs Road, Middleville, Michigan 49333 Townships participating in the April 13,2023 date: Yankee Springs Township Persons with special needs, as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, should contact the City or Township Clerk. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired may place a call through the Michigan Relay Center TDD#1-800-649-3777. This notice is given as required by law (MCL 168.498(3). Full text of the ballot proposal may be obtained at the administrative offices of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, 1819 East Milham Avenue, Portage, Michigan 490023025, telephone: (269) 250-9202. William M. Doherty I" YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO QUALIFY AS A VOTER! QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE Citizen of the United States At least 18 years of age on or before May 2, 2023 Resident of Michigan and the township/city where you are applying to vote. TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, William Arnold Doornhaag, date of birth 11-17-44, who lived at 8676 Chain O’Lakes Dr., Delton, Mi 49046, died 3-2-23. There is no personal representative of the settlor’s estate to whom Letters of Administration have been issued. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the William Arnold Doornhaag and Laura Lynn Doornhaag Trust dated 8-21-12, as z amended, will be forever banned unless presented to Elizabeth J. McCoy, Successor Trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication. f Sw’«! Notice is further given that the Trust will thereafter ^{assigned and distributed to the persons entitlted Date: 3-28-23 fez f • df1 niK a* d Elizabeth J. McCoy, Successor Trustee 13014 Blackhawk Ave. Grand Haven, Ml 49417 616-834-2373 PAMELA A. PALMER, BARRY COUNTY CLERK on behalf of: Barry Township Debra Knight Township Clerk Johnstown Township Sheri Babcock Township Clerk Prairieville Township Rod Goebel Township Clerk Thornapple Township Elaine Denton Township Clerk Woodland Township Nancy Swanton Township Clerk Yankee Springs Township Mike Cunningham Township Clerk 197105 197183 �pafle 14 — Thursday. March 30. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Lakewood baseball starts with pair of wins over Lakeview boys Both teams threw well on Wednesday, March 22, but the top of the Lakewood order really got the job done in a doubleheader sweep of the visiting Lakeview varsity base­ ball team to open the season at Lakewood High School. The Vikings have been busy so far, but haven’t gotten another win since then falling to 2-3 with tough losses to Zeeland East and Bay City John Glenn. Lakewood took a 3-1 five-inning win in the opener against Lakeview last week and then took a 6-5 victory in game two in four innings. A trio of Lakewood pitchers combined to one-hit Lakeview in the opener. Landon Makley didn’t give up a hit in his two inning-start against Lakeview in the opener, earning the win for Vikings while walking 1 and striking out 5. Brannen Leh­ man was the Vikings’ mid-game reliever, throwing two shut out innings allowing 1 hit and 4 walks while striking out 2. Walker Klifman closed out the game on the mound for Lakewood. He walked 2 and struck out 3 to earn the save. Blake Price doubled home teammate Nate Willette to place Lakewood’s first run in the bottom of the first inning and later he scored the final two runs for his team - one on a fielder’s choice in the first and the next on a wild pitch in the third inning. Price finished the game 2-for-3 with a dou­ ble, a triple and a stolen base as well. Austin Straub was l-for-2 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. Gabe Porter and Troy Acker also stole bases for the Vikings in the win. Lakeview wiped out a 5-1 Lakewood lead with a run in the third and then three more in the fourth inning of game two, but Weston Potter worked his way around the bases in the bottom of the fourth to earn the 6-5 walk-off win for Lakewood. Coming on as a pinch hitter Potter walked, stole second and third and then scored on a wild pitch with Klifman at the plate. Willette led the offensive attack going 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored. Austin Straub was l-for-2 with a double and 2 RBI. Price went 1-for-l with a run scored and a stolen base. Klifman was l-for-2 and a run scored. Bren­ den Straub and Makley both had RBIs while Garrett Feighan added a stolen base. Klifman got the start for Lakewood and went 3 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, no walks. He struck out 7. Makley, Willette and Price combined to finish out the game with Price picking up the win in relief. The Vikings were back in action on the road Friday, falling 9-4 at Zeeland East. The Vikings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third when Walker Klifman sent one off the fence in left field for a two run double, but Lakewood committed three errors in the bottom half of the third and Zeeland East was able to push three runs across. Zeeland would then get 2 in the fifth and 4 in the sixth to take control. Lakewood attempted the comeback in the seventh, scoring 2 runs with 2 outs in the inning but the deficit was just too great by that point. Makley got the start for Lakewood and pitched like he was in mid-season form. He went 4.3 innings allowing 5 runs (0 earned) on 3 hits, walked 2 and struck out 13. “We did some things today that were out­ standing and we did some things today that just weren’t very good,” Lakewood head coach Brad Tacey said. “I felt like Landon (Makley) threw an absolute gem. He was making pitches when we needed him to and worked out of multiple jams. But we can’t rely on a pitcher to get a strikeout for every out they’re on the mound, which is what he did today. We have to make defensive plays in support - have to.” Price relieved Makely for 1.3 innings allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits with 3 walks and a strikeout. Nate Willette threw the final 1/3 inning walking 1 and striking out 1. Offensively, Klifman led the Vikings going l-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI. Price was l-for-2 with 2 walks and a run scored. Mak­ ley went l-for-3. Chaney Steward scored a run and Troy Acker scored 2. Garrett Feighen had the lone stolen base for the Vikings. “Defense is the name of the game. You can’t beat a bad team allowing 7 unearned runs on 6 errors, let alone beat a very good team like Zeeland East. We had two fall-apart innings defensively and that’s the difference in the game. If we can limit that to even one, I think the rally we had in the seventh could’ve led to more runs since the pressure of a 1-run game would’ve been there on the defense. “The pitching was there today as was the hitting. We were battling two of the hardest throwers we’ll see all season and didn’t back down. That’s good to see. It’s really early and despite some defensive struggles right now, I’m excited for this team and this season. This is a really good team, all the way around.” Lakewood faced another tough foe Tues­ day at home, falling 14-1 and 8-1 in a pair of ballgames with Bay City John Glenn - a team ranked fifth in the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association’s 2023 Presea­ son poll in Division 2. A RBI triple from Makely was the lone hit for the Lakewood boys in the 14-1 loss to open the day. Makely started on the mound in game two and singled in his team’s lone run. He gave up just one run on two hits and three walks in 3.1 innings while striking out six. HHS tennis starts season with win at Wayland Please join us on Wednesday, April 19th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for a Sip & Listen Happy Hour Enjoy drinks and hors-d'oeuvres and learrfabout cbmmon causes and symptoms of hearing loss, what treatment options are available, differences between prescription vs OTC hearing aids. Please call 269-558-4786 to reserve your seat! Guest Speakers: Dr. Christine Berry-Arnold, AuD, Dr. Kacy Hooten, AuD Doctor of Audiology and Doctor of Audiology and owner of Arnold Audiology and Regional Account Manager for Phonak. Sponsored by Arnold Audiology, PLC 1761 W. M 43 Hwy., Ste #4 I Hastings, Ml 49058 Open Monday through Friday • We accept most insurances Brett Bremer Sports Editor A singles sweep powered the Saxons to a season-opening victory on the tennis courts at Wayland Union High School Tuesday. The Hastings varsity girls’ tennis team, which has high expectations for itself in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference this spring, took a 5-3 non-conference win over the host Wildcats. Hastings junior Abby Beemer in her first match as the Saxons’ new first singles player, took a 6-3, 6-2 win over the Wildcats’s Mar­ garet Burchardt. Cariota Espi Vano, an exchange student in Hastings this spring, won the second singles mach 6-0, 6-1 over Wayland’s Molly Tobin. Calin Redman has bumped up from the doubles line-up to third singles for the Saxons and took a 6-2, 7-5 win over Hayley Wyllys. MJ Deal captured the fourth singles win for Hastings by the scoreds of 6-1, 6-4 over Ava Longstrett. A pair of doubles matches went to super tie­ breakers. The two teams split them. Has tings got the point its needed to clinch the dual from the third doubles team of Julia McLean and Audrey Vertalka that scored a 6-4, '4-6, 17-15 win ovef LanA Barko and Jade Barghahn. Wayland’s Reese Coughlin and Shae Cummiford pulled out a 6-4, 2-6, 10-5 win over the Saxons’ top doubles team of Bailey Cook and Erin Daniels. Wayland also got wins from the team of Katie Harter and Nikol Yanakieva at second doubles and Jenna Hubert and Madison Nemecheck at fourth doubles. Lakewood softball squad splits with Red Arrows Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity softball team split a doubleheader at Lowell Tuesday to open the 2023 season. The Vikings fell 12-2 in the opener, but bounced back for a 14-10 win in game two. Lakewood junior Kendyl Steward went the distance in the circle for the Vikings in game two, allowing eight earned runs on 4 hits and 5 walks. While errors were an issue for Lakewood in game one they managed to trim those down to one in game two. Lakewood junior catcher Lily Federau set the pace offensively in the win going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run. She also teamed up with her sister Peyton Federau to pick off two Lowell runners at first base. Peyton had 2 doubles in the win. Maryssa Goble added 2 singles for the Viking attack and Ally Slater had a single and a double. Liv Woodman and Kendyl Steward had hits for the Vikings too. “I thought the kids showed a lot of fight tonight after a very disappointing first game,” Lakewood head coach Brent Hilley said. “Our defense stepped up in game two along with our offense to support Kendyl. It was good to get a couple games in before spring break to get some of the nerves out.” Lakewood heads to Gulf Shores, Alabama, hoping to get some work in over spring break and will open the final Greater Lansing Activities Conference season at Stockbridge after the break. Peyton Federau made her pitching debut in game one at Lowell, and the Vikings had a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth before six errors helped the Red Arrows push across nine more runs. Federau gave up just 5 hits in the loss, and half the runs against her were unearned. She struck out 2 and walked 6. Lily Federau was 2-for-3 with a double and Goble went 2-for-3 too. Audrey Hillard hit a triple, Steward a double, and Kerrigan Schro­ eder, Peyton and Ally Slater had singles. Lakewood got its two runs on a two-run double off the bat of Steward after singles by Peyton and Schroeder got the rally started. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-04-06.pdf a0781db01eb0503a8a16a3d6aad167e4 PDF Text Text Man pleads no contest to harges stemming from chase Saxons spring sports preview See story on Page 13 Saxons spring sports preview Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 **** . . Lor‘c0 VOLUME 169, No. 14 ANNER Thursday, April 6, 2023 PRICE $1.50 Students get hands-on experience at The HUB spring break event Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A handful ofarea students traded fun in the sun for manual labor this spring break. Local students participated in several hands-on activities this week at The Hub of Barry County’s “Spring Break into a New Career” event. The career exploration event began April 3 and will run through the end of the week, with each day focusing on a new career field. Students in grades six through 12 will participate in demonstrations from manufac­ turing, electrical, construction, automotive, plumbing, HVAC and agriculture profes­ sionals. The event is the first to take place at The HUB of Barry County. Founder Chris Staf­ ford hopes the facility will be able to act as a gathering place that can connect Barry Coun­ ty students with career exploration opportuni­ ties and resources from across the county. Stafford hoped the event this week could shed some light on the wide range of poten­ tial career fields for s udents, as well as how closely they work tog sther. “The kids are ;g(tting some hands-on skills,” Stafford said; ■Carpenters work with electricians that work with plumbers; it’s all interrelated.” Josh Reil (right) from Lumen Electric, Inc., works Mzlthi ‘students on ah electrical wiring demonstration. See STUDENTS, page 2 Chris Morgan (right), owner of Morgan Electric, shows students how to shape and cut electrical conduit, (photos by Hunter McLaren) Budget for Public Defender’s Office balloons to $1.7 million lifter state mandates Jayson Bussa Editor New mandates handed down from the state have inflated the budget for the Barry County Public Defenders Office and could ultimately change the way that it is constructed in the future. Kerri Selleck, who heads up the office, appeared in front of county commissioners on Tuesday morning for its Committee of the Whole meeting, seeking approval for the fiscal year 2024 budget, which ballooned from $901,388.10 last year to $1.7 million this year. “We strive to be fiscally responsible and I can tell you (administrative assistant) Rober­ ta (Krouse) arid Ijust about had a heart attack when we saw the numbers,” said Selleck, whose office is comprised ofher, Krause and fellow attorney Bill Renner. The Public Defender’s Office is tasked with providing legal representation for defen­ dants in Barry County that lack the means to hire an attorney of their own - which is a majority ofdefendants that come through the court system. To keep up with the workload, Barry County’s office relies on a pool ofseven con­ tracted attorneys that take on cases while Selleck and Renner also shoulder a load. A major tweak in the compensation of these contract attorneys is the reason for the surging budget. The Barry County Public Defender’s Office consists of (left to right) Kerri Selleck, Bill Renner and Roberta Krause. (File photo by Jayson Bussa) Last year, the Public Defender’s Office budgeted $428,400 to compensate its contract attorneys, who were paid a flat fee via month­ ly installments. Mainstays on the contractor list made about $41,000 per year. Now, a mandate from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) states that the office must pay its contracted attorneys in an hourly format and it also set minimum rates $118.21 per hour for misdemeanors, $130.03 per hour for low-severity felonies and $141.88 per hour for life offense felonies. In total, the new budget for contract attorneys is just over a million dollars. “We worked with our MIDC representative because that’s something new for us to see what that number would look like,” Selleck See BUDGET, page 2 Tree removal project nets Road Commission statewide awards Greg Chandler StaffWriter Five years ago, the Barry County Road Commission faced a serious problem. There were a large number of dead trees that were in the road right-of-way, and it was presenting a hazard to motorists on county roads. The road commission estimated there were 22,000 to 25,000 dead trees in the road rightof-way across the county, and the agency was struggling to keep up with clearing out those trees with its own personnel. So the road commission launched a pilot project, starting in Barry Township, to have a contractor handle tree removal, freeing road Commission staff to take on other projects. Today, nine townships participate in the tree removal program, officials said. The BCRC tree removal program recently received two awards at the County Road Association’s annual conference in Lansing. It took home the Impress Award in the operations category and also received the People’ s Choice Impress Award, which was voted on by the association’s membership. “The BCRC is very satisfied with the results ofthe project and what it has allowed us to accomplish within the road right-ofways, allowing us to better maintain and pro- See TREE REMOVAL, page 3 Scott Savage, vice chair of the Barry County Democrats, speaks out against the idea of making Barry County a “Second Amendment Sanctuary.” Second amendment advocates are mulling their options on how to push back on new statewide laws they find unconstitutional. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Second amendment advocates mobilize as state enacts gun laws Jayson Bussa Editor As Michigan’s Democrat-controlled state legislature works on passing a set of laws concerning firearm safety, groups in Barry County are probing avenues to push back. Legislators in Lansing have passed, or are in the process ofpassing, new laws that focus on universal background checks, secure stor­ age and red flag laws. Opponents of these laws find them to be unconstitutional and an infringement on their second amendment right to bear arms. Advocates for the second amendment have mobilized in Barry County. Last week, a grassroots group held an informational meeting at the Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro in Hastings focusing on, notjust the second amendment but overall behavior by the state government that it deems unconstitu­ tional. A second amendment demonstration is also slated for April 22 at the Barry County Courthouse calling to preserve the right to bear arms and minimize restrictions on gun ownership in Michigan. Philip Joseph, chairman for the Barry County GOP told The Banner that, while a right to bear arms is one specific concern for the party in light of the recent legislation passed or proposed by state Democrats, he said that the group’s concerns extend into all other areas ofthe constitution. See GUN LAWS, page 3 �Page 2 — Thursday, April 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Thornapple Garden Club to hear from Operation Pollination Members ofthe Thomapple Garden Club will hear from Operation Pollination, a new local initiative to increase the number ofnative and pollinator gardens in Barry County. Michelle Skedgell, executive director ofPierce Cedar Creek Institute and chair ofthe new group, will be explaining more about Operation Pollination’s mission on Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m. during the normal meeting ofthe Thornapple Garden Club. Member Dan Belson will also talk about small tabletop water gardens. The meeting, which is open to the public, is at Green Street United Methodist Church. The meeting will start with fellowship and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. and the speaker at 7 p.m. Membership information for the club can be found by calling Mary Alber, membership chair, at 269-355-9895. S' Fiddlers stop in Hastings Locals can enjoy music and good company this Saturday, April 8 at the Barry County Commission on Aging in Hastings, 320 W. Woodlawn Avenue, as the Michigan Fiddlers Association stops by for ajamboree. The jamboree will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Fiddlers will entertain from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by an open circle jam until 5 p.m. The jamboree is free for all to attend, but donations will be accepted. Coffee will be provided. More information on other Michigan Fiddlers Associationjamborees and square danc­ es is available at michiganfiddlers.com. Bob Warner can be reached for questions on Facebook or at 616-374-8205. Nominations sought for Delton Founders Festival grand marshals Organizers of the annual Delton Founders Festival are seeking nominations for the grand marshals ofthis year’s festival, which will celebrate 50 years ofthe event. The festival, to take place Aug. 11-13 this year, will honor the new grand marshals on Aug. 11, followed by a parade on Aug. 12. Nominations must be in writing and identify why the individual or couple should be considered for the position. Additionally, the nomination letter should include the nomi­ nees’ ties to the Delton area, how long they have been residents, their volunteer work in the community and the positive impact they have made in the Delton area. A committee ofprevious Delton Founders Festival grand marshals will decide who will be honored this year, and nominations from previous years will be included in this year’s list ofcandidates. Nominations are due by April 30 and should be mailed to Delton Founders Festival, P.O. Box 444 Delton, MI 49046. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING “M Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction^ remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License #8110376 Office (269) 948-2248 & Insured Mobile (269) 838-5112 fa f-AhSSP1RAYFOAM Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville p Make a tote, pillow, curtains, tablecloth, placemats, potholders, aprons, more Time to start quiltsfor Christmas Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station '/'fatten' *1? < QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; r STUDENTS, continued from page 1 Josh Reil from Lumen Electric, Inc. and Chris Morgan from Morgan Electric volun­ teered their time and tools Tuesday to show kids some of what they do in the electrical field. Students had the chance to practice wiring light switches to a bulb, cut and shape electrical conduit as well as learn some ofthe differences between residential and commer­ cial electrical applications. Morgan said it was a great way to intro­ duce local kids to something they might not have the chancd to learn about otherwise. “We’re here to help Chris show the kids how to get some tools in their hands, twist some wires up and just get some, experience in stuffthat they donlt normally do,” Morgan said. “They seem pretty interested in it.” Stafford said the skills students learned on Tuesday and the rest of the week went beyond just technical knowledge. He hopes being exposed to new trades will help stu­ dents find a passiorifor their future career. At the very (east, he .hopes tfi$y’lj, find pew skill to use, he said. \ b ( . goodi skfc pnly for at home, but for a good career,” Stafford said. “Electricity scares people. Ifyou under­ stand it can be dangerous but there is a way to do it safely, it could be a career for you.” rf 1 i£*t< s ^«!**** Saturday 9 am-3 pm 4JUAAA NOTICE TO BIDDERS BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION The Barry County Road Commission is offering for sale: (1) 2022 GMC 3500HD Crew Cab Dually SLE pickup. Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 19,2023 for the following item. Please mark outside ofbid envelope with truck number i.e #220370. Chris Stafford (right), founder of The HUB, shows students how to use a chassis punch power tool. BUDGET, continued from page 1 take a full caseload. This would mean that the in-house staffwould have to defer to contract attorneys less, however, those attorneys would still be needed for a variety ofscenarios. “When we started this - I was part ofthe group that put our plan together back in 2018 - we weren’t sure how funding would go and how everything would go,” Selleck said. “They weren’t sure how things were going to work, either. And so we weren’t sure we would be able to accommodate a full public defender’s office.” “I think in the next five years, that’s where we’re going. I thiiik we’re going to be transitioning to a more traditional public defender’s office..... To me, it’s more fiscally responsible,” she added. must be submitted to me MIDC this month for approval. The good news for the county is that it will not have to contribute any more funds than it did last year despite the extreme budget increase. Barry County will contribute $233,133.03 to the budget and the rest will come from a state grant. Still, the increases do ultimately come from the state and its taxpayers. “As a taxpayer, $428,000 makes sense,” said David Jackson, chairman ofthe county’s board 6f commissioners. “When you double it to over a million you scratch, you scratch your head as a taxpayer. And the state is mandating this.” | Selleck has indicated that, because of the daunting model that comes with leaning sp heavily on contract attorneys, she hopes to gain future approval from the county to hire another attorney on staff to THE HOTTEST STARS JOSH TURNER LONG BLACK TRAIN 20th anniversary tour FRIDAY, May 19 (1) 2022 GMC 1 TON Crew Cab Dually SLE Pickup w/ BOSS 8-10’ EXT Plow NOTE: All mileages are approximate - trucks are being driven until they are sold. Orange titles are MUNICIPAL TITLES in the State ofMichigan. pie board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. JEFF FOXWORTHY FRIDAY, JUNE 9 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. VK^on- i *iiW**«* « ’ 528 Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above phone number or at our website www.barrycrc.org., please make an appointment for all viewings ofthe trucks. NOTE: All trucks are sold as is. 4WD Duramax Diesel, Allison Transmission Air, Cruise, PW & Locks, Keyless remote, Heated mirrors Summit White Truck #220370- Orange Title - approximately 11,000 Miles Minimum Bid: $60,000 4* MV told commissioners. “...I know that Miss Krouse and I balked at the amount in our budget because it’s out ofour comfort zone.” Selleck said she understood the rationale behind these changes, even though it will require additional work and a more robust budget for her office to pull it off. “The reality is that defense attorneys have been woefully underpaid for decades,” said Selleck, noting that these types ofcases can often be time-consuming and difficult. “This is to incentivize people to take indigent defense cases- It’s difficult to find people to take these cases.” To establish a new budget for paying contract attorneys, Selleck’s office worked with a representative from the MIDC to average out the last four years of caseloads and apply those averages to the new pay­ ment schedule, arriving at the $1,034,400 mark. The office saw slight increases in other categories of the budget, too, including $15,006 to add a social worker to the team, who would also be contracted. The Public Defender’s Office budget totaled $1,729,816.30 and Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass J The “Spring Break into a Career” event gave students a chance to participate in various hands-on career demonstrations throughout the week. R I-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or oldtf. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. The Public Defender s Office utilizes a pool of seven contracted attorneys. Gordon Shane McNeill (left) of Hastings-based McNeill Criminal Law is one of them. Here he is in court arguing a case he was assigned. (File photo by Greg Chandler) iintaiiliifliiRM teifKaBaBKai ■0 ae& am । jkikkidR kkbpiRiUiilr Mto •t LL ’•mb MIk , **»«ll �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 6, 2023 — Page 3 State high speed internet officials stop in Hastings as part of statewide listening tour Hunter McLaren Staff Writer The Michigan High Speed Internet Office (MIHI) made a stop in Hastings as part of a statewide listening tour hoping to collect data on how to best spend incoming state and fed­ eral dollars. MIHI officials gathered input from mem­ bers of the public last week Wednesday in Leason Sharpe Hall at the Barry County Enrichment Center. Hastings was one ofover 30 stops state officials will be making across the state. Daniel Hayes, federal compliance officer at MIHI, provided some background on the office and its goals. The office, founded in Nov. 2021, was tasked with increasing inter­ net connectivity through broadband infra­ structure across the state to foster economic development. “We are the single point ofcontact for all things broadband,” Hayes said. The listening tour was an effort to better understand how to allocate incoming federal fiinds dedicated to the development of that infrastructure. A trio of federal acts would see Michigan receiving a huge sum offederal money: the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infra­ structure Act), the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, and the Digital Equity Act (DEA). Although it was still too early to tell how funds would be allocated to each state, Hayes said Michigan could potentially receive as much as $1.8 billion. “This — and this is really important to note - is a once-in-a-generation amount ofmoney,” Hayes said. “We need to use it wisely. That’s why we’re here. It’s important that we do this the right way and that we listen to people.” Members of the public in attendance had the chance to vote on which areas of broad­ band and internet access they felt Barry County struggled with the most: availability, affordability, digital skills and knowledge, and access to digital devices. The data would be used to help determine what kind ofassis­ tance different areas ofthe state would need as part ofthe office’s five-year plan to spend the funds, Hayes said. A lack ofavailability ofhigh-speed inter­ net was the most cited and discussed con­ cern from those in attendance, with afford­ ability following close behind. A public dis­ cussion period allowed those in attendance to suggest state actions or programs that would help alleviate problems faced in Barry County. Bany Community Foundation CEO Bonnie Gettys suggested the potential classi­ fication of high-speed internet as a utility. Barry County Chamber ofCommerce CEO Jennifer Heinzman suggested a more holistic approach to public infrastructure expansion projects as opposed to piecemeal efforts seen historically. Allie Herkenroder, digital equity director for MIHI, said the office regularly met with other state agencies to ensure that holistic approach. The state’s adoption of a “dig once” policy to reduce the cost ofbroadband expansion and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) setting a broadband requirement for new develop­ ments were two examples ofthat comprehen­ sive approach, she said. “We are closely monitoring those plans and working with a number of state agencies to make sure that we’re all coming up togeth­ er because we understand the holistic approach,” Herkenroder said. “I think we’re all a little tired ofthe slap-shot, fix this prob­ lem over here, and then something going on over here, and then there’s something over here (approach).” Although it is still too early to tell how funds will be allocated from the federal infra­ structure and broadband bills, it’s likely those exact dollar amounts will be determined later this summer. Then, MIHI officials will be making 10 additional stops throughout each region of the state to present their five-year plan draft and collect further community feedback. Information collected on the listen­ ing tour will be compiled and used alongside other data and surveys, Herkenroder said. “All of the information that we received today and at our other 30 initial stops, will be directly utilized as we write our digital equity plan and our five-year broadband action plan,” she said. “You guys are quite literally making history by being here today.” ■<* > Allie Herkenroder, digital equity director at the Michigan High Speed Internet office, facilitated a conversation about broadband infrastructure in Barry County. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Hastings Mutual INSURANCE COMPANY www.hastingsmutual.com -NOTICE- * To Members ofHastings Mutual Insurance Company, Hastings, Michigan: GUN LAWS, continued from page 1 ofjfe HUB, shows studentshowtousead Ore Sate andipowtt “Although this discussion is about ‘gun rights,’ it’s really a discussion about the U.S. and State Constitution,” Joseph told The Ban­ ner in an email. “Our rights are guaranteed by both documents and any legislation that would infringe on those rights are unconstitu­ tional and void.” One growing trend - especially in rural counties around the state of Michigan - is counties that have adopted resolutions stating that they are a “Second Amendment Sanctu­ ary” county. Bridge Michigan reported that at least 53 counties, including all ofnortheast Michigan, have adopted resolutions to declare them­ selves a “Second Amendment Sanctuary,” in 8un control rrcponcp state that they will riot gun laws that irifring^j on their constitutional rights. The move, however, is primarily symbolic as a resolution of this nature is not legally binding since county commissioners cannot instruct sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys or judges on what laws to enforce. Still, rumblings have surfaced that Barry County might, too, go this route in order to signal its disapproval of current and pro­ posed gun laws. Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Jackson, a Republican who regularly attends Barry County GOP meet­ ings, said that the idea ofa sanctuary city has been discussed at a party level, but it’s not on the board’s agenda at this time. “In my eight years as being a county com­ missioner, that has been something the board has sort of strayed away from is that when you elect county commissioners you are electing somebody to look at the financ­ es of the county,” Jackson said. “If you’re electing conservatives, you’re hoping they’ll use conservative eyes to look at the budget and appropriate funds accordingly.” “We have not delved into the political side ofthat as far as a resolution to be a sanctuary county — that really has no teeth,” Jackson added. “That doesn’t do anything. It makes a statement. I think, individually, most ofyour CGHlHUSsjaners would represent that, but I Jpkweretryipg-to weretryipg-to etryipg-tojgyin jgyinour ourlane laneasasfar farasas boai^fry J. Jackson also said that Barry County has traditionally proven to be a county with a history following the guidance ofthe Consti­ tution. “I think with our sheriff (Dar Leaf), we’ve been a 2A sanctuary before (they existed) and that we have long been consti­ tutional,” Jackson said. “Our sheriffhas led a very outgoing constitutional campaign for the county. I think some counties have jumped on board where they want to adopt this 2A sanctuary.” As advocates mobilize, not everyone has been on board with the pushback against gun laws. Scott Savage, vice chair of the Barry County Democrats appeared in front ofcom­ missioners last week to caution them about making such a resolution. “This is a terrible idea and I’m sure this board will give absolutely no consideration to this ludicrous suggestion,” Savage told com­ missioners. “It would be a terrible legacy for the members of this board to do anything that might foment the occurrence of another pre­ ventable mass murder in our country. We need more firearm restrictions, not less over­ sight offirearm possession.” The Banner also reached out to Barry County Democrat chair Chris Bush, who admitted that she wasn’t completely clear on what a second amendment sanctuary resolu­ tion would accomplish. “I think there are a-46t ofpeople Crying that (gun laws) are against the Constitution when it’s something they just don’t agree with,” Bush said. One thing that Jackson made clear is that he did not want state issues such as second amendment rights - issues that a county board has little to no power over - to hold the board back from the work at hand. “Sometimes those things are more polariz­ ing than helpful,” Jackson said. “...We’re doing some good things and have some momentum. We have a group that seems to be together and focused and we’re trying to maintain that.” Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Hastings Mutual Insurance Company will be conducted on Wednesday, April 12,2023 beginning at 9:00 a.m.» at Hastings Mutual In­ surance Company, 404 E. Woodlawn Ave, Hastings, MI. The annual meeting agenda includes a ballot for the election ofthe following Directors: Christopher J. Fluke, John R. Kerschen and John L. Ward. For more information contact Michael W. Puemer, Secretary, 269/948-1532. 196312 197150 APPLY NOW! EASONAL HELP 2023A*p= prv ^Mn= ur -TEMPORARY SEASONAL GENERAL LABORER•'*' NCftXPEhlENCE N^ESsXw • • OUTSIDE WORK STARTING PAY $16.03/hour Applicant must be at least 18 years of age by start date, have a valid Driver’s License, and be able to pass a drug test. Start date negotiable, hours Monday-Friday 6 AM- 4 PM. Starting hourly pay $16.03 per hour, no benefits. Application & job description can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings between 6 AM - 3:45 PM, or on our website at www.barrycrc.org. The Barry County Road Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. *^7 q.’SttsirW"®1® IM*®’?j^joweMtn'iw’1 —«»**** TREE REMOVAL, continued from page 1 r*Sci^*k r*Sc p * A t * vide a safe and convenient road condition for public travel and sensitivity to community concerns,” Road Commission Engineer Tech­ nician Dylan Kennedy wrote in a narrative that was submitted with the road commission’s project entry. “This project has made a safer right-of-way at minimal cost to the taxpayer and has minimized our maintenance cost.” Road Commission Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch said he hopes the BCRC’s approach to the issue ofdead trees in the road right-of-way can serve as a model for other county road commissions across the state. “We always try to share what works for us with other counties in hopes that it helps someone else be able to tackle a problem of theirs,” Welch wrote in an e-mail to the Hast­ ings Banner. Prior to the startup ofthe pilot project, the road commission’s method of dealing with dead and/or obstructive trees and limbs was cutting trees during the winter months. But that method still left way too many trees and limbs untouched. , In 2019, the road commission bid out the contract by individual township for the entire county. But the contractor that was hired couldn’t meet project deadlines and relin­ quished the contract, Kennedy wrote in his narrative. Along came Frontline Maintenance, a Delton-based company. Frontline was already doing roadside mowing for the county and agreed to pick up the ball on tree removal, Kennedy wrote. “The operation started with one township and from there it is an ongoing process to complete the entire county,” Kennedy wrote. Under the contract, any trees, brush and limbs 15 inches and shorter that are within 10 feet ofthe road shoulder, up to a height of25 feet above the roadway, are to be removed. Dead limbs that are higher than 25 feet will also be removed when hanging over the road­ way. All dead trees within the road right-ofway that are leaning towards the road are also removed, Kennedy wrote. “A maintenance contract has since been WE COULD ALL USE A BOOST. Get your updated COVID-19 booster shot today. cherryhealth.org Barry County Road Commission Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch speaks at a meeting earlier this year. (File photo by Greg Chandler) adopted to go back and recut every township at a three-year interval. There were no major situations that developed other than the amount of trees and brush to be removed seemed overwhelming,” Kennedy wrote. As a result of the contract for the tree removal, Frontline invested in more equip­ ment and hired more employees, being able to run multiple crews and improve efficiency, Kennedy wrote. “By contracting out, BCRC employees were freed up to tackle other operations like pulling high shoulders on road edges and drainage projects,” Kennedy wrote. In addition, the project has substantially lowered” the number of callouts the road commission receives to address a tree issue in the middle ofthe night, Kennedy wrote. The awards were presented at the CRA convention March 23. On top of the two awards the road com­ mission received for the tree removal project, longtime Road Commissioner Frank Fiala ofYankee Springs Township received a merit award from the CRA for his volunteerism efforts, providing learning opportunities for association members across the state. Fiala has been a road commissioner since 2007 and is the current board vi vice chairman. •^Cherry Health Comprehensive. Quality. Healthcare. �Page 4 — Thursday, April 6,2023 — The Hastings Banner see Did you The world needs the Easter message WATER PARK All that’s missing from Tyden Park in Hastings is a giant waterslide. Due to persistent rain throughout the weekend and early portion of the week, much of Tyden Park is currently submerged under water. Banner reporter Greg Chandler snapped this photo of the park on Tuesday afternoon. Do you remember? Morel madness ,r ■ j&anner Jjaly j3; i 1997) u noscaa MTHff 1 tot The largest of these morels is over 12 inches in circumference. Little Alexis Arens and her dad decided to go for a little walk in the woods and found more than 200 of these delicious treats. They haven’t given away the exact location, but the mushrooms were found right here in Barry County. Her grandmother furnished J-Ad Graphics with this picture. Have you met? Alyssa Bumham never thought she’d end up living in Barry County. It wasn’t an easy or straightforward path that brought her to Michigan, but she said she’s glad she made it. Bom in Indiana, she spent many ofher formative years there before her fam­ ily moved to New York. Bumham then went on to study music business in Lake­ land, Fla. at Southeastern University. She met her husband Zach while she was there, and shortly after graduating the two went on tour with friend, classmate and musician Eli Mosley. She ran the sound­ board and merchandise table and Zach played the drums. “Those were fun times. Lots of silly memories,” she said. “Lots of shows at a bar and grill where you’re playing from nine to one and then driving home two hours.” Bumham and her husband were still living in Florida when Hurricane Irma came through the state. They were severe­ ly affected by the storm, and it uprooted their lives. “Our lives really dramatically changed in the fall of2017 with Hurricane Irma,” she said. “We had to move up here and live with his parents for two years. They’re great people.” The two moved in with Zach’s parents in Nashville before buying a house of their ownin Barry County in 2019. It was around that time that Bumham moved from her role in the YMCA of Barry County child care department to her current role as the office manager and registrar. In her current role, Bumham does a little bit of everything around Camp Algonquin. She’s the first face visitors see when they walk in the door, and likely the first person they’ll talk to on the phone. When she’s not filling in or helping out colleagues in other departments, she man­ ages the day-to-day administrative tasks that keep the camp running behind the scenes. It’s a role she takes very seriously - she plays a part in making sure anyone who wants to attend programming at the camp can through various financial assis­ tance programs. “We really want to be for all, meet the people where they’re at and just continue providing opportunities for each individual Alyssa Burnham to grow,” she said. “I like that component of what I do here.” This year marks Burnham’s fifth sum­ mer at Camp Algonquin. Bumham said she finally feels settled in Barry County thanks to the connections she’s made through the YMCA and as part of the spring 2022 cohort of Leadership Barry County. Bumham said the leadership pro­ gram offered through the Barry Commu­ nity Foundation made her feel connected to the county even though she’s a non-native Michigander. “It was the boost that I significantly needed at the time,” she said. “(The pro­ gram) helped me work through a lot of stuff, and it was really helpful.” Throughout all the tumultuous events that have led up to this point in Burnham’s life, she has always had something to fall back on: her passion for Bible Quiz. Bible Quiz is similar to other quiz com­ petitions like Quiz Bowl or Jeopardy - con­ testants ring buzzers to answer trivia ques­ tions - but also unlike any other quiz com­ petition. Contestants must read, memorize and interpret Bible passages (even entire chapters) to answer open-ended questions. In the case ofa wrong answer, quiz partici­ pants can contest judge decisions and ask they be overturned. She coaches the youth Bible Quiz teams at the Nashville Assembly of God church, where her father-in-law is the pastor. She also serves as a state coordinator for the program. “It’s cool to see all of these students grow in their different ways. And whether they’re winning as a team or on those indi­ vidual goals.,.. it’s, really cool,” she said. “Every year I see that kind oflook in their eyes - they’re amazed at what they can accomplish. That’s something you can take and apply to many things in life.” Bumham said coaching and coordinating youth Bible Quiz teams is something she doesn’t see herselfgiving up anytime soon. “I feel like you’re laying the foundation for these kids to have a Christian walk,” she said. “Being a grown-up is hard. Being a Christian grown-up is hard, too. We want to give them the tools they need so they can be the best grown-ups they can be.” For finding her way through hardship and her efforts to better Barry County youth, Alyssa Bumham is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite movie: I loved the movie “Sec­ ondhand Lions.” It’s a beautiful story. What Barry County needs: I think Hastings needs a Chipotle! Greatest thing about Barry County: There’s more to discover. The people are friendly. Something on my bucket list: I really want to see the Aurora Borealis. Supposed­ ly we get a chance to see them in Michigan, but it has yet to happen for me. I either slept through it or we didn’t go far north enough, but I want to see the Northern Lights. A meaningful experience I’ve had: In 2013 or 2014,1 spent two-and-a-halfweeks in Kolkata, India. On that trip, we got to serve one day at one of the Mother Teresa houses. That was a really, really cool experience. We helped the homeless elderly with their sort of hospice care. They were bringing them to die with dignity at this facility. That was very special, to be able to serve in that capacity. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell,, orfor any other reason? Send information Mto Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. founded the American Civil Liberties To me, the magic and mystery ofthe Eas­ Union in 1920. “Too often, we’re inclined ter season far exceeds the hype and distrac­ to do something to suppress opinions just tion with which the world has rebranded because we do not like them whether they one of our most sacred holidays. Easter is still a special occasion, to be sure, with fam­ be communist or fascist doctrine, or anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic publications ilies coming together in churches, around tables for a traditional family dinner and, of and speech. The purpose may be all right, but the philosophy is bad. course, there’s always the fun ofEaster bas“In order to fulfill an immediate end, we kets and Easter egg hunts for the little ones. are likely to forget the underlying principle But, like Christmas, I fear that the dis­ that every human being has an inalienable tractions ofour relentless drive to turn every right to express themselves, whether we event into a festive holiday move us ever agree with them or not. Free speech works farther from the deeper meaning and spiritubetter in our country than any form of cen­ al security these observances offer. sorship or suppression. We must cherish it For Christians, Easter marks the culmina­ carefully. tion of Holy Week and the 40-day Lenten “For as long as everyone has the right to season. It’s a reminder and an assurance of speak, the truth is bound to emerge,” main­ our hope and faith in a better world yet to tained Hays. “Let them talk. This is a free come, signified by the resurrection ofJesus. country, isn’t it? It takes faith in the princi­ That makes Easter even more special than Christmas. Jesus’ birth was certainly a cele­ ple to be a good American.” A good example is from Michigan State bratory event, but His triumph over death University where officials offered alterna­ and the evil ways ofthe world is a promise tive words for some ofthe most fundamen­ He has made to all ofus. tal phrases, such as “frontier” and “pioneer” In recent years, though, it seems the sig­ words that they deemed “colonial language” nificance of this day and its promise has along with other holiday-themed words as been lost as fewer families feel the signifi­ “Christmas trees,” “reindeer,” “eggs and cance ofparticipating regularly in a church bunnies.” MSU’s Campus Reform Group community and the celebration of being declared in its “Inclusive Guide” that the dedicated to that promise. college values words or expressions with Church attendance has dropped in our strategic efforts around diversity, equity and nation and, for some, the day is just another inclusion. The guide went on to discourage holiday celebrated with eggs, toys and references to Christian holidays in America candy. such as Easter and Christmas to push their A recent Pew Research report stated that woke agenda. the number of adults who believe in God, We live in dangerous times as we try to be pray daily or regularly attend church or good Americans and stand true to our free other religious services has declined in speech doctrine. Too often, these days we’ve recent years. The share ofU.S. adults who allowed our differences to drive a conversa­ said they generally attend religious services tion that puts us in a vulnerable position, one once a month or more has dropped slightly, that too often has led to tragedy. from 33 percent in 2019 to 30 percent in It happened again last week at the Cove­ 2022. Yet overall, only 28 percent of U.S. nant School, in Nashville Tenn., a Christian adults said they attended religious services school, where three 9-year-olds and three in the last month, while an additional nine adults were shot by 28-year-old Audrey percent said they had attended virtually. The study also states that a growing number of Hale. Hale was a former student at the school who entered the building with details Americans, particularly in the millennial on how she would carry out the attack. generation, said they do not belong to any Police say there was no indication ofspecif­ organized faith. ically intended victims but “a manifesto” Given the powerful role that faith has was found by authorities who have refused played in the lives of so many who have to release it to the media that could indicate gone before us, I wonder iftoday’s decline the shooter’s motive. in religious commitment and personal val­ Where do we find the answers to so many ues has made a difference in who we are and of these vexing questions and all of this how we think about the world today. . ifitsps the downturn im our outward discord? 1 would* suggest that the answers neSs oFTaith, for mstmice^haVe an impact ** exist in a world’ oeyoritfpoii^cs. For me, I find them in the song “Christ Be on the growing number of hate groups Our Light” with its lyrics, “Longing for strong-arming their way to our town cen­ peace, our world is troubled. Longing for ters? Groups like the Ku Klux Klan, the hope, many despair. Your words alone have Nazi Skinheads, Antifa, and others who practice hatred and violence toward other power to save us. Make us your living voice.” The living voice comes from a commit­ Americans ofdiffering race, religion or sex­ ual orientation are so counter to the teach­ ment to one another, not from a focus on ings ofour faith - or most any of the world’s what divides us. It’s a voice that calls us to religions. celebrate our differences not use them as a That’s what makes the Easter story so tool of division. That’s the beauty of the relevant today. Easter season. It’s God’s reminder that our What happened thousands of years ago problems are beyond man’s ability to solve when Jesus was condemned, crucified and them through politics, education or finan­ put to death was the result ofangry, divided cial well-being. people pouring their hate on a man who The living voice can be heard in every lived simply and peacefully. Because he religion whether it’s Christianity, Islam, was different, they made Jesus a victim and Buddhism, Judaism or Hinduism. It’s a provided His contemporaries a feeling of voice that calls us to focus beyond our trou­ self-importance, ofsuperiority over another. bled times toward a coming time and place That’s a story not too different from our ofno division, hate and war. By aiming our time. Have we also become too quick to vision heavenward, the problems we face judge today? here are solvable because we will work with Look at how we allow the simplest things respect and appreciation for all men and in our lives to divide us rather than using women. those things all around us to look for ways So as we celebrate this joyous Easter to work together in compromise. Do we holiday, let’s aim to renew that “living truly look at others - even those with whom voice” that comes from our God for He will we disagree - as God’s children? never abandon us. Admittedly, that’s a hard thing to do in today’s world of labeling even people we don’t know according to their political lean­ ings, their appearance, or even the incendiary language that comes from their lips. That’s the conundrum - we treasure and protect everyone’s right to free speech but we have to still love those who express differing views that may even include words ofhate. “Many people believe in free speech but our belief has no meaning unless we are tolerant of utterance we loathe as well as of Fred Jacobs, CEO, those we approve,” said Arthur Garfield J-Ad Graphics Inc. Hays, a leading New York lawyer who The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics..com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • 8 30 500 Classified ads ads aaccepted c cepted MMonday o nday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to- P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 % SS Su �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. April 6, 2023 — Page 5 Blame is misplaced in indictment of Donald Trump All ofthe Republican and MAGAf®spons‘ announcement ofthe indictment o‘f es to the a Donald J kTrum hp iNn Ne Yw Yk oDrki Ciity A haveteen attacks on the New York District Attore- ney, New York City, New York State, New Yorkers in general, the Democrats, the liber- wS.S*,SQ S■SSWS®n: 8 sW: JSk X'i SS wJwJSk Sk XiX w$$•?'5 %w^SkS w? &$$S $$•5*?A^ <J^2S\ None of them have dealt with the man to be indicted or the crimes for which he is to be indicted. He had an affair with a pom star in 2006 while his wife was tending to their infant son. He denies this, but do you believe him? It’s not particularly admirable, but this issno not acrme. a crime. , . He paid her off with $130,000 the month b before the 2016 election to stay silent about the affair. He denies this but he signed the checks. This is also not a crime. But 10 years after the affair and the month before the elecelec­ tion, the claim that this was not to further his election is hard to believe. He then claimed that that the payments were legal fees. This is a crime. He also failed to acknowledge these payments as campaign contributions. This is also a crime. Patrol vehicles involved in Middleville parking lot fender bender We don t yet know what crimes are charged in the indictment. But is is noteworthy that all the Republican response is to attack the legal system. The NYC District Attorney is doing his job. There is enough evidence of cri crimes for a Grand Jury of 23 average citizens to recommend charges. To not issue an indictment because Mr. Trump is a powerful, prominent or popular individual would be a political decision. Financial crimes are a prosecuted every day in New York City. It would fail to meet the standards ofequal justice under the law without fear or -favor to not prosecute a crime for which there is ample evidence. Do we really want the legal system to look the other way when powerful politicians break the law? Like every other citizen accused of a crime, Mr. Trump is innocent until proven guilty. He will have legal representation. He will have the right to challenge witnesses and evidence. He will present his case to ajury of 12 ordinary citizens. He will have the right of appeal if convicted. He is being prosecuted not persecuted. Dr. Kenneth M. Kornheiser Prairieville Township Prairieville library could be a causality of costly drain project Xl**... *^5S^?5 5$S 5$S! iSxS* 7*fcj£<UASc>i **h hZ*4’^'hteLW *l!?fc,lW",fc ***5»*rtcr:tiwtl.l.s: ta*kau To the editor: Prairieville Township placed an ad in The Reminder asking folks to respond as to whether or not they wanted to continue with financial support of the community library. Prairieville, Hope and Barry townships have been financially burdened by the Watson Drain District assessment, which has sadly resulted in difficulties with providing the ser­ vices we’ve all become accustomed to. While I understand that, the suggestion of not supporting our community library shows me how little they understand the benefits it provides. Not only is it a library, but it also doubles as a community center providing a place for group meetings. It’s a place filled with activities for chil­ dren and adults. It provides essential services like getting documents notarized, online resources, faxing, copying, internet access, classes for young and old and more. A good functioning community library is a cornerstone to a healthy community, adding to property values and attracting new fami­ lies. Please let Prairieville Township know that you indeed support financing the Delton library. Larry Osborne Delton Everyone must work together to address climate change, ecosystem destruction Editor: Last week in Hastings, the topic for our Great Decisions class was climate migration. With the earth getting hotter and creating more weather extremes, migration north from the equator will increase. High heat and humidity can cause death to a healthy, fit person working outside in just five hours. Weather extremes are expensive, too. In 2021, the U.S. government spent $32 billion on weather related damage. In 2022, it was $65 billion and in 2023 I’m afraid it will be more. What we learned was enough to make us feel overwhelmed and hopeless. The truth is, there are things that each of us can do to slow down climate change and eco­ system destruction. One thing that made us all excited was the suggestion to mow just halfofthe lawn we do now and let the rest go back to nature. aula "“Rnaiih RnaIili Police responded to an accident around 9 p.m. on March 20 at the Barry County Sheriff’s Office Middleville branch. A deputy driving a patrol vehicle reported the accident after backing into another, empty patrol vehicle while attempting to back out ofa parking space. Another deputy arrived at the scene to help assess the damage. The two determined there was no new damage to the empty vehicle, although the vehicle the deputy was driving had some damage to its rear driver side tail light. Concerned citizen airs traffic grievances, shows support for law enforcement A 64-year-old Shelbyville man called police around 4:30 p.m. on March 23 with a traffic complaint. Police responded and met the man near M-37 Highway and Camp­ ground Road. There, he told police traffic in the city ofHastings, as well as Barry Coun Coun-­ ty as a whole,.was bad. He told police he regularly sees drivers go through stop signs and pass in no-passing zones, although he didn’t have details on any specific incidents or suspects. The man went on to tell police he sees “all types ofvehicles and people dis dis-­ obeying traffic laws.” The man told police he would be in favor of more law enforcement officers for the county. Man beating vehicle with axe just frustrated driver Police responded to a report ofa man beating a vehicle with an axe around 4 p.m. on March 21 near M-37 Highway and Fawn Avenue. Police made contact with the 59-yearold Delton man on the side ofthe road. The man told police he was having issues with his car, got upset, and started beating his car with an axe because he was upset. Someone was on scene trying to help the manjump the car before police arrived and the man was able to start his car and continue on his way. Michigan’s lawmakers failed to do its due diligence with Big Rapids battery plant A letter to the editor: Michigan State House of Representatives voted in passage ofan appropriations bill that allowed hundreds of millions of Michigan taxpayer’s dollars to a Chinese Battery Plant in Big Rapids. The fact that we are not rein­ vesting in American and Michigan ingenuity and business is a tough sell on its face. Cou­ ple that with the ongoing issues we have with Carole G. Smith China and their leader Xi Jinping, the rising Delton costs of inflation, the economic hardship Michiganders are dealing with every day, and China’s ever increasing cozy relationship with Russia and Vladimir Putin, and you have taken a bad idea at face value and turned it into a terrible and dangerous situation in Michigan. tions from sacred and secular to classical and Michigan’s State Senate had previously contemporary. voted in its passage and a young Senator from The choir is led by founding artistic direc­ Branch County, Senator Lindsey, introduced tor and conductor, Dr. Robert C. Oster, with an amendment to the bill. He was willing to Ethan Holmes serving as accompanist and vote for the plant but only ifthree stipulations Cindy Olson as assistant conductor. The mis­ were met One being that there is no direct or sion of the choral society is to provide its indirect national security threat, and that members with an atmosphere that promotes Michigan runs an assessment to ensure that. learning and enjoyment of choral music and Two, that Michigan would certify that neither to provide its audiences with superior perfor­ the plant nor a partner beneficiary would ben­ mances ofchoral music. efit from forced or slave labor. And three, that LACS welcomes new members at any time neither the direct nor a partner beneficiary throughout their season and is actively would work directly or indirectly with the recruiting new members. If you sang in a Chinese military. Though this was a very high school or college choir and miss the bipartisan and common-sense amendment, the thrill of singing in a choir, representatives of Senate passed the bill without the amendment. the choir ask that you consider.joining. More, - .Now, -it has been discovered, in the bylaws information about joining LACS can be of the newly-voted on battery plant, that the found at lacsmusic.org. More questions can company shall “Set up a party organization be answered by contacting Joanie Oster, and cany out party activities in accordance to executive assistant for LACS, at lacsmusic@ the Constitution of the Chinese Communist gmail.com or by calling 269-967-7246. Party. The party shall ensure necessary condi­ tions for carrying out party activities.” Among other tidbits in the bylaws are The Reminder ran a feature story about promoting pollinators and Pierce Cedar Creek is having a native plant sale to get us started. I encourage you to read the whole article and talk about it with your neighbors. We can become good stewards ofthe earth and make a difference. Lakewoo^Area Choral Society gears up for 38th season frtWtaiik^M friMB Ll>r.n.n Ll>r.n.n_ <<_ Ll>rnn .... fcfctakAaltaib ■kWririsMlfc pwafcjREifabiWfkw®' taarfifcsaxriHff!!- Ikii^woKtaiai as koK&^ioifaiitai itaWsthiiiWn cdditaitaBiiBto11 riot tin IMfcM MW «® B tfB gtftr «fi£ £** cialitett 8w**i*5**^ gwgiw gwi***} gw„ *“±5 ** |^.Wf *** pntaartlitjdiiii^P** tatoDgbpfc^11^ >«***<»« f**^*’'’ s*gS ?,. *«?! -?£ > jL^Sji*'' The Lakewood Area Choral Society, seen here at a rehearsal last year, is preparing for its 38th season of music. (File photo) The Lakewood Area Choral Society (LACS) is gearing up for its 38th season of concerts in 2023. The first rehearsal will be held on Monday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at Lake­ wood High School. This year’s schedule opens with a sacred music concert at Portland Baptist Church on Sunday, June 25. On Sunday, October 1, the choral society will join theater organist Scott Smith for a joint concert at the Grand Ledge Opera House. A December 17 Christmas con­ cert at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings will close out the 2023 season. Since 1986, close to 600 singers from Midand West Michigan have been members of the choral society. Singers commute from communities, as far away us Holt, Eaton Rap­ ids, Portage, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids, as well as Ionia, Grand Ledge, Wayland, Saranac, Hastings, and from within the Lake­ wood school district. Currently, with over 80 voices, the choir sings a full range of gelec- Food truck zoning ordinance headed to city council after planning commission OK Hunter McLaren M1 r*1 t*' 0 I* I* f f f / ..X StaffWriter After several months of workshopping, a Hastings Planning Commission draft ordinance guiding city zoning policy for food trucks in Hastings is headed to city council for approval. The ordinance would govern how food trucks would be able to operate on private property within Hastings city limits. Planning commissioners addressed a num­ ber of areas of concern while workshopping the reso­ lution, including traffic disruptions causing safety issues, food trucks competing with brick-and-mortar food establishments, as well as how to manage and oversee new food truck vendors coming to the city. The ordinance requires property owners seeking to host a food truck obtain a zoning permit from the city. Property owners must submit a preliminary plan lay­ ing out the days and hours of operation of the truck, showing they will provide sufficient parking, waste clean-up and that the site is more than 150 feet from an existing brick-and-mortar food establishment. Commissioners held a lengthy discussion during their March 6 meeting, with much of it focused on whether the property owners or food truck vendors should be held responsible for getting city permission to operate. Commissioners decided both property owners and ven­ dors should have to register food truck operations with the city, but food truck registration would be handled through the city’s existing peddler’s license ordinances. “We had quite a discussion about whether a food truck that’s going to operate in the city has to be reg­ istered and licensed through the police department ((and a peddler’s license),” Commission Chair David Hatfield said. “That was a major concern with (com­ missioner Jacquie McLean) and to some degree with Chelsey (Foster). In the straw vote that we took, we alll agreed that whatever requirements currently exist for a truck to have a peddler’s license should apply to any truck that’s operating under this permission.” City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said the planning commission and city council could return to the ped­ dler’s license and work to change them if they were found to be insufficient. Staffjust needs to review that ordinance and see what applies, what maybe doesn’t, andjust make sure that it’s clear what the current requirements are,” she said. “Then, ifyou want to modify those, that’s some­ thing that the council needs to take on.” In other business theplanning commission: — Tabled discussions regarding the amendment ofa city ordinance regarding maximum residential drive­ way width at the property line. — Set a public hearing for 7 p.m. on May 1 at the planning commission meeting in Hastings City Hall for site plan review and special use permit consideration for the location ofa 300-fot tall communications tower at 1037 East State Street. Stephanie Lehman, director of Barry County Central Dispatch, will be presenting information about the tower to city council members at 6 p.m. on April 10. Lehman is proposing the tower go on the East State Street site after a site near the Hastings road commission building was turned down by the Federal Aviation Administration for its proximity to the Hastings airport. - Reviewed the Barry County Master Plan, Hastings Capital Improvement Plan and city stormwater runoff information. Hatfield, who also serves as vice chair for the Barry County Board of Commissioners, said the county’s master plan didn’t have any major changes from its last revision nearly eight years ago but gave a good indication of what the future ofthe county would look like “This plan in particular is extraordinarily well done ” Hatfield said. “You can read that and get a very good’feel for where we are and where we want to go.” FIRST a church for adages PRESBYTERIAN requirements for the company to “strengthen the construction of party organization and party members at the grass-roots level ofthe company” and oversee growing the “Com­ munist Youth League and other mass work of the company.” Senator Lindsey was more thanjustified to ask for safeguards to this multi-million dollar appropriation bill. Now we know one oftwo things must be true: either the Democrats are complacent and negligent in their investiga­ tion ofthis company they voted on or they are involved directly with helping a foreign gov­ ernment adhere, on U.S. soil, to the direct destruction ofour Constitutional Republic by fostering and growing the Chinese Commu­ nist Party. Neither is good and the people of Michigan deserve better. It is time to demand answers from your legislators. Ask them why they would vote to use taxpayer funds to usher in the growth of the Chinese Communist Party. Ifthey answer they did not know then, ask them why they didn’t ask the tough questions. Ask why they didn’t allow safeguarding amendments like Senator Lindsey’s to help protect the people ofMichigan. But more importantly, get involved and vote them out. We need elected officials that will ask the tough questions that are unafraid to stand up and stand out regardless ofpoliti­ cal persecution, who will stand for the people and our Republic, and who will support and defend her against all enemies, foreign or domestic. Vote in people who understand that the oath they take is notjust words but have a sacred meaning that many have died to defend. It is time to ‘Do More in 2024.’ Jon Rocha Hastings 405 N. M37 Highway ji Hastings, Ml 49058 www.firstchurchhastings.org Thursday April 6, Maundy/Holy Thursday at 7pm - We remember the last evening Jesus shared with His Disciples which celebrates His example of humble service and self-offering. Friday April 7, Good Friday at 7pm - We proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. Additionally, all are welcome anytime from sunrise to sunset to come walk our Labyrinth to reflect and pray. Sunday April 9, Easter Sunday at 10am - All are welcome to come and share in the triumphant celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Egg hunt for kids during worship service. �Page 6 — Thursday, April 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner -'Wi Phyllis S. Phyllis S. Usbome, ofHastings, MI, died on March 26, 2023. Bom Phyllis Lauraine Sheffield on April 9, 1931, she was the daughter of Craig and Laurain (Blanchard) Sheffield. She lived most ofher life in Barry Coun­ ty, graduating from Hastings High School in 1949. She received her diploma from the Michigan County Normal Training School in 1951, and subsequently earned her bach­ elor’s and master’s degrees in education from Western Michigan University. On October 2, 1953, she married Alexan­ der (Ike) Usbome at Emmanuel Episcopal Church; he preceded her in death in 2013. Most people remember Phyllis as a teach­ er. Her career started in one-room school­ houses in the Carlton Center area, later she was employed with the Hastings Area School System, teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grades during her tenure at Central Elemen­ tary School. She had a treadle Singer sewing machine in her classroom to make crafts, and often had student singalongs with her baritone ukelele. More than once, she would take a struggling student under her wing to help with reading and math comprehension after hours. it il ijv Evelyn Joyce McLaury Usbome After retiring in 1986, she volunteered at the Penn-Nook Gift Shop at Pennock Hospi­ tal, where she enjoyed meeting people, managing and buying merchandise, and helping in the coordination of the shop’s annual Christmas fundraiser. An active member of the Southwest District of the Michigan Association of Hospital Auxilia­ ries, she was the head ofthe board ofdirec­ tors from 1995-96. An excellent seamstress, she made her oldest daughter’s wedding gown and her younger daughter’s maid ofhonor gown, in addition to her teacher’s outfits and an occa­ sional jacket for her husband. She enjoyed hanging out at the backyard pool in summer with friends and family, occasionally hosting barbeques or spending long evenings sitting and talking with friends. She also enjoyed decorating her home (in all kinds of shades of white!), shopping and reading romance novels. She especially Marjorie L. Hallifax passed away March enjoyed being with her grandchildren - mak­ 29, 2023, peacefully at home in the hands of ing their Halloween costumes, taking them her daughter Leigh Ann and granddaughter shopping, making their favorite pasta, and Michelle. attending their school functions and sports. Marjorie was bom on March 1, 1925, in Besides her husband, she was preceded in Hastings, MI, the daughter of Burr and death by her parents and a brother (Gordon). Beatrice (Vanderbook) Laubaugh. She was a She is survived by two daughters, Robin 1943 graduate ofHastings High School. She Usbome ofLansing and Amy Usbome (Stan worked at Hastings’ Manufacturing Piston Thieman) of Benzonia; grandchildren, Jes­ Rings over 30 years, retiring in 1984. sie Bowen (Matt) and Mary Millsap (Wil­ Marjorie was a member ofthe First United liam Young V); step grandsons, Andy ThieMethodist Church, the Rebekahs Lodge for man (Kate) and Daniel Thieman (Christen); over 50 years, and the UAW Local 138. Mar­ great-grandchildren, Margot Bowen and William Young VI; sisters, Anne Neeb, Vir­ jorie enjoyed working out in her flower beds and yard, which was always so beautiful. She ginia Henion and Vivian Sheffield; sister-in­ loved digging in the dirt, but always cleaning law, Myrna Sheffield; many cousins, nieces and washing everything in her house. You and nephews; would never find anything dirty or out of Many thanks to the staff at Woodlawn place in her home. Meadows Assisted Living in Hastings, and Marjorie, along with her sister Lorraine, Gentiva Hospice of Grand Rapids for their excellent care of Phyllis. A celebration of would challenge anyone to a good game of Euchre. But most ofall, Marjorie loved put­ life will be announced later. ting together family events every year, espe­ Memorial contributions can be made to Senior Living Woodlawn, 1851 N. East St., cially at Easter, cooking all ofher homemade Hastings, MI 49058, or the charity ofone’s goodies and getting an egg hunt together and choice. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral buying kites for the grandchildren to fly out Home. Online condolence can be left at on the family farm, where she still lived. www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Marjorie was preceded in death by her par­ ents; sons, Michael and Scott Hallifax; broth­ er, Dale Laubaugh; sister, Lorraine (Lavem) Guthrie; brother; Kenneth (Janet) Laubaugh; great-great granddaughter, Kaydence Hallifax. ik nsc1192 *irf 1 is^brvivetay her children', Robert Hallifax, Jr. of Galesburg, Thomas C. and Susan Hallifax of Grand Rapids, Leigh Ann and Ed Harris ofHastings; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and six great-great grand­ children, and special family friend, Angie. A graveside service was held Saturday, April 1,2023 at Rutland Township Cemetery. Instead offlowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfimeralhome.net. Worship Together ^5^ Louis Steven Karmes III, age 83, passed away on March 21, 2023. Louis was bom on December 23, 1939, in Hastings, MI, the son of Steven and Priscilla (Brooks) Karmes. He attended Delton Kel­ logg High School, graduating in 1958. Louie married Sandra Downing on May 22, 1969, they enjoyed 40 years together until her pass­ ing in 2009. Louis proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps in 1963 and 1964. He worked for General Motors in Lansing, retiring in January of 1999. Louis enjoyed model trains, camping, Jeeping in the Rockies and hiking in Colora­ do, where he lived for 23 years. He was a lifetime Elks Member. Louis was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Karmes; parents, Steven and Priscilla Karmes; parents-in-law, Arthur and Arietta Stoney; daughter, Sherrie (Maloney) Thomp­ son, and granddaughter, Lindsey Williams. He is survived by his daughters, Angella Maloney, Connie Williams, Tina (Jeff) Wescott; son, Louis (Marie) Karmes; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, David (Sheila) Karmes, Charles (Cindy) Karmes, and numerous nieces, neph­ ews, and cousins. Memorial contributions can be made to the EHE Foundation, https://fightehe.org/ (Donate Now), 1561 Hopi Ct, Hobart WI 545f3Sh- memory dfhis gftthdd^dghterUiftdsey Williams. A memorial service will be held on Satur­ day, April 22, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a visita­ tion one hour prior at 10 a.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. ...at the church ofyour Choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastinesfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 am. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 am. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 am. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 pm.; Young Adults 6-9 pm. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 pm. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 pm. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. vdrrship &fmise This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: s exfab Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 Elaine Garlock The Ionia County Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday at the Depot Museum on Emerson Street at 1 p.m. with a speaker. President Lori Fox ofrural Portland will preside. Members attend from a broad sweep of geography in central Michigan. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in town on Monday, April 10 with collection from noon to 5 p,m. Appointments are advised. Marian Durkee is the chairman of the event. A canteen is provided to replenish fluids and nourishment. In two weeks, there will be meetings ofthe Tri-River Museum group and also the Ionia chapter ofRetired School Personnel. The Village of Lake Odessa has had its first brush pickup. Doubtless, this will contin­ ue until late fall, but not as often as weekly. A new twist has /Come to girls’ sports. A headline story and large photo in a Lansing newspaper features a female Belding student who had won top honors in the 235-pound weight class. At the same time, a male Beld­ ing student, Gavin Craner, won top honors in his weight class, 175 pounds. They were at the top oftheir weight classes at the county level. A manager at Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch has been appointed to a statewide board to help grow future leaders in agriculture. Brit­ tany Brown, senior pullet manager at Her­ bruck’s, joined the Michigan FFA Board of Directors to help grow future farmers. She has been in her job at Saranac for 10 years. She has been involved with FFA since she was in high school. A story in a Lansing newspaper relates that cursive writing is coming back in some Mich­ igan schools. Since 2010, cursive instruction has not been required. The community Good Friday service will convene at 1 p.m. at the Central United Method­ ist Church. This traditional event is sponsored by the Lakewood Ministerial Association. The choir will be composed of singers from First Congregational, Zion Lutheran and the host church. Marilyn Noffke will be the organist. On Sunday, the altar rail at Central UMC was covered with palm fronds. Worshippers had fronds also, which were waved during the hymn singing. Additional items had been added to the altar arrangement. HASTINGS PUBUC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, April 6 - Spring break movie day: “Bad Guys,” 10 a.m.-noon; Movie Memories & Milestones watches “1939” starring Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins and George Brent, 5 p.m. Friday, April 7 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 10 — Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 11 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m.; “Spark Joy” organizing workshop (must register), 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269945-4263. YtVR R4 Him Flbnglua Flbnglua IMIMKMBt 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Jfafee, QdeiAa Evelyn Joyce McLaury died March 16, 2023 at the Eaton County Health and Reha­ bilitation Services at the age of91. She was bom January 10, 1932 in Case­ ville, MI to Louis and Mary (Nagy) Kelterbom. She was one often children. She grew up on a dairy farm in Caseville, located in the thumb area a mile from Lake Huron. After high school, Evelyn and her sister Ida moved to the Flint area to work in manufacturing. She met Warren McLaury there and married him December 29, 1954. They lived in Mt Morris, Garden City, and finally settled in Hastings, MI. Evelyn and Warren raised four children and she spent most ofher time playing with her kids. Some oftheir best childhood mem­ ories of mom were playing softball and cro­ quet with them in the summer and sledding and ice skating in the winter. They also enjoyed many games of euchre, of which Evelyn was a master player. Childrens’ memories include Warren (dad) complimenting Evelyn’s cooking by saying, “That was another Blue Ribbon Meal”, to which mom sarcastically responded “You can cook the next one!” while giggling. Also, when Eric was a pre-teen, and acting tough, Evelyn responded by wrestling him to the ground and sitting on him, to show him who was boss. When Warren and Evelyn owned the Frost Freeze ice-cream shop in Hastings, Eveljm toanteiHo play a {#&nk on her hus­ band. She put on a wig, make-up, and walked up to the serving window to place an order. Her husband did not recognize her and took her order like any other customer. Eve­ lyn showed her children how to entertain themselves with homemade games. These included: stringing a button on a thread and making it spin until it hummed, making bub­ bles by rolling up a section on newspaper, dipping one end in a bar ofwet bar soap, and blowing to make bubbles, and lastly, hiding a thimble in a game oftrying to find it She was a great mother to us all and will be dearly missed. Evelyn is survived by her brother, Richard Kelterbom; daughters, Salena McLaury, Marie (Steven) Kineman, andAnnette (Wally) Houck, several nieces and nephews, grand­ children and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Warren and son Eric. Please remit condolences to Marie (McLaury) Kineman at kinemanm@gmail.com. Graveside Memorial Service to be deter­ mined. Pmouo. • Traditional and Cremation Services VCZ> •Pre-PlanningServices . Large parking Lot - Handicap Accessible • Serving All Faiths • Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 FCI1 <XJL JL 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfimeralhome.net Dale Billingsley j Family d Family Owned Owned and and Operate Operated j n»iv mu ri» owner Km< s, Barry County and Surrounding Coinmunilics for M^cars Jolene Marie Daniels, Hastings and Jesse Lee McDiarmid, Hastings '# if* '* I Lt***" J mJ Lilli' ssins®1**** I.Lilli ssins®1**** I is g 5 ni i Ml ** �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. April 6, 2023 — Page 7 Hastings Wool Boot Co. processed felt boots S&x S' V\. *.155 SS 55 SC'1:^* uS*£ «u wS5> *••k»Z»’«??b•11i '•S^s22*!*& K^^•kZ Knv •<_ ’ bi s^>*tew’^ ""Mt* ftu, ?ftu£, •-«• ■^***ak*»fc^^s^ookAtii^ h a■"wjWn ha* a* M Ma ■"wjWntej, ^?ta ■wjWntej, ta*®»<!«« »<!«« , M##, ^SjtpiODas^Eab-i^ Esther Walton Banner April 21, 1988 I In 1935, an article appeared in the HastHast­ ings Sanner announcing the razing ofthe old Hastings Wool Boot Company building. The factory had been erected in 1889 and was one of the first manufacturing plants built in tHastings. Some people living in Hastings today can stillfondly remember the old wool boot and how it changed Hastingsfrom an agricultural center to a manufacturing town. Today, cities are aggressively seeking new businesses with the incubator concept, or the idea ofseveral companies sharing the space and costs in one large building. Hastings was apparently 100years in advance ofthe times. This article is thefirst in a series ofthree on the Hastings Wool Boot Company. Thefollowing is an article written by M.L. Cook on May 14, 1890, titled “The American Wool Boot Co. A Model Manufacturing Insti­ tution. " “At last, after a long and vexatious delay, and a very costly one to the American Wool Boot Co., (later named the Hastings Wool Boot Co.) the question ofample power is no longer one to tax the patience ofthe management, and the roofthat might have done ser­ vice as a water strainer, certainly not being a roofworthy the name, is to be supplanted by a roof ‘as is a roof. The common council hav­ ing so ordered. “Upon learning that this institution would soon be prepared for business, a report ofthis paper detailed himselfto pay the same a visit yesterday. We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Roos, the manager, and of Mr. Black­ wood, the bookkeeper, for favors shown us on our visit. “If you, dear reader, think we can ‘give away’ all the secrets of making wool boots, you are doomed to disappointment. We are not familiar with them; and can only give a brief insight into the process whereby the' wool which goes in at one end ofthe factory is.transformed into the elegant wool boots of commerce that emerge from the shipping room. (It’s hard to imagine a boot liner being elegant.) ’’ “We first visited the boiler room where two fine large steel boilers, with all the best appli­ ances for the generation ofsteam, furnish that article for the engine. The boilers and engine were manufactured by the Lansing Engine & Iron Works, and with 90 pounds of steam, 1.80 horse power can be generated. “Anyone who sees this engine and com­ pare;* it with the one Hutchinson and Co. tried to palm off on the city will freely admit that the new one is worth all the difference charged, and more, and will further admit that this rig is put^yp inait Jionest ipanne{, while ifre otherIfi^st, a bad-attempt to defraud the city. Mr. William This photo (circa 1900) of the Hastings Boot Co. has seen much circulation, as it was made up as a postcard. Notice the men standing underneath the trees. Wahn will have charge ofthe engine, and it is in good hands. Mr. Blackwood then piloted us to the second floor ofthe west or main building, where we were permitted to look at ‘the devil.’ He isn’t a cloven-footed monster, but is a ponderous, English-made and very expensive machine, whose chief business in life is a ‘picker’ ofwool, which he will pick to pierces in true satanic fashion. “In the same room is a ‘burr picker,’ to take out the burrs from wool. Still another picker has a habitation here. He has no special duty except to pick. But the crowning feature of the picker room is the devil; and this devil comes high, too — so much so that but few institutions using wool have one. “In the process ofthe manufacture ofwool boots, the staple is first brought from the wool house on a tramway to the hoister, there lifted to the second story, where the devil and lesser imps ofpickers go at it. “As the wool comes from the pickers, it is dropped down to the first story into bins, in front of the carding tables. Here it is passed through one ofthe many ‘strippers and work­ ers,’ which take out all the impurities. It goes into one end as the picked wool, and at the other appears as a roll of finely carded wool called a ‘bat.’ “The bats are taken from the cards into another room to the first set ofjiggers. This is the first process offelting and simply renders the bat more compact. In this room, the bat is also first formed into a boot-like shape. When this last is completed, it is passed to another set ofjiggers, which makes the material all the more compact. “From the second jigging room, the embryo boQtyis: passed <a{ong to the ‘fullingsr^ills;’ where the felting process is still further applied. HfflsW^Mrtasn ■■hpiMuiM IMiffllifflitffiflllffSE? *m ha 31 Mo. tap.Iptatadfaima • ■a* I® tetaiilHsItp : Lwf .327wn? jcvtalht icbdei snptitaiiitai UEtuspiiiritkaKlaEi htaM ’ -wrribt ibknfiHViKninf i^WDahbjbfc®^^ CfaB® ^Eapneofa^ ^Doctor Universe Unpacking evolution How does evolution work? Aubree, 10, Ky Dear Aubree, When I thought about evolution, I always pictured big changes that happened over long time periods-like how birds evolved from dinosaurs. But then I talked with my friend Jeremi- ah Busch. He’s a biologist at Washington State University. He told me evolution is । happening all the time. i “As soon as you see that evolution is occurring around us, it changes the way i you think about the world,” Busch said. ' There are a few ways evolution happens. These include mutation, gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection. First, let’s define evolution. Busch told me evolution is a change in allele frequen­ cies over time. Alleles are different versions of genes. Genes are short sections of DNA. Your genes are responsible for your traits-like your height or eye color. One way to picture DNA is to imagine a long string ofA’s, C’s, G’s and T’s. Those letters represent the four bases ofDNA. A gene may contain a few hundred lettcrs-or more than 2 million letters. But let’s say you have a group ofbirds with an imaginary gene ofjust five letters. It comes in two versions: AAAAA and AAAAG. At first, most birds have the first version. Then, as the birds choose mates and have babies, the second version becomes more common. The change in how often the gene with the G shows up is evolution. So, how do those changes happen? Some­ times the DNA picks up random changescalled mutation. This can happen ifthere’s a mistake while copying the DNA. Instead of spying AAAAG, the cells copied AAAAC. Sometimes that mutation can pass on to an individual’s babies. Mutation can also hap­ pen ifsomething in the environment damages the DNA. working men. It is clean, well-lighted, heat­ ed and ventilated, and each room is provided with a washbasin and drinking fountain. And what especially commends itselfto the visi­ tor, is the pains being taken (to) beautify the grounds in front of the factory, which are being parked and laid out in a style that gives pleasure to those within, as well as outside the factory. We wish that such a disposition (was) shown by more institutions of this kind. It cost but little to beautify the grounds and shows a sense ofconcern for the work­ with the privilege of buying it at the end of men, as well as a desire to please the eye of that time... the visitor. “Hastings has reason to be very proud of “The thing that will strike the practical her manufacturing institutions as they all run­ ning full forces of hand and have added much man with most favor about this model institu­ tion is the splendid arrangement of doing to the wealth ofthe city. The furniture factory business for which it was designed. The raw agreed to employ 40 hands, and now employs material comes in at one end ofthe building 105. The whip factory agreed to run from 15 and leaves the other end as the finished prodto 20 and now about 60 find steady employ­ uct-the wool boot. There is no hauling back ment in that institution and 70 are employed and forth ofmaterial from one room to anoth­ in the felt boot factory... er, no transportation ofthe product from one “Arrangements have been made whereby floor to another. But a continuous process the shoddy factory will be connected with the from the time the wool is received in the felt boot factory. A brick building 120-by-40 picker room until it lands as the finished wool feet will be constructed at once and a force of boot in the packing room.” hands put on as soon as possible. The felt Later in the year, October 2, 1890, this boot factory uses a considerable amount of small item related to the wool boot factory shoddy, and the union of the two factories appeared under local news: will be advantageous to both. Mr. Andrich, of “It has been quite a while since we had had Galt, Ontario, Canada, chief stockholder of the pleasure of announcing such a welcome the felt boot factory, had been in the city this piece of news, (a new factory).. .Negotiations week and says that a full force of men will have been pending for some time between the soon be employed at that factory. city and Mr. John Pendergast, of Grand Rap­ “We have had, and still have great faith in ids, with the view of getting the latter to the felt boot factory as all must have after locate a factory here, for the manufacture of they have paid a visit to that institution and shoddy. (Shoddy was old woolen or worsted see the way felt boots are made. The manu­ fabrics tom to pieces and combined with new facturing offelt boots must be a paying busi­ wool to make felt or cloth.) ness and we believe that this institution will “Friday evening the deal was closed, the eventually make one ofwhich this or any city city giving Mr. Pendergast a $500 bonus, he may well be proud.” agreeing to employ from 15 to 20 men for the Within nine years, the wool boot factory, term of five years, the city having ample according to an article dated Dec. 9, 1897, security that the contract will be fulfilled. Mr. was making “60 percent of all felt boots in P. has leased the J.S. Goodyear mill property this country.” in the second ward for the term ofthree years (To be continued...) URNING BflGK THE PAGES fHfcni|iiteki|hi tWKiiutfifc fl look baGkanhe stories and Golomns on local history In the flastlnys Banner Sometimes DNA changes because new individuals move in-called gene flow. They bring new genes to pass on. Maybe someone brings an AAAGA gene. It’s like shuffling new cards into the gene deck. Sometimes DNA changes over time due to luck-called genetic drift. Let’s say a tornado randomly wipes out a bunch of birds with the AAAAA gene. Ifmost ofthe survivors have the AAAAG gene, that gene may get passed on because they were lucky. The most famous way evolution works is natural selection. Some traits make an individual more likely to survive and pass on their genes. Imagine a flock of birds with different heights. The taller birds can reach more food. So, tall birds may survive better and pass on their tall genes to their babies. Let’s pretend our AAAAA gene codes for short birds. The AAAAG gene codes for tall birds. If the flock becomes taller over time, the tall allele will become more common. Humans can also drive evolution among the plants and animals around them. Humans make big changes in the environ­ ment-like farming animals, large-scale fishing, using pesticides and antibiotics, building cities and more. Then, other organisms must adapt to those new or changing habitats. “What we do matters,” Busch said. “We are part of the community of organisms. When we modify it, it modifies them and us. It’s all connected.” That makes me feel amazed by how evo­ lution works—and how important it is to be good members ofthe community. Dr. Universe “From the room where the fulling mills are located, the boot, still an incomplete affair, is taken to the treeing room, where, after being steamed, the boot is given proper shape. “Next it goes to the, drying racks and into the kiln where it is thoroughly dried, and got­ ten ready for the finishing touches, which are administered in the same papering room. The boot next goes to the packing room, where, after being trimmed, it is put up in company ofplenty ofits kind, ready for shipment. “The American Wool Boot Co. has not only the largest but also the best plant for the man­ ufacture of wool boots in the world. The build­ ing is ofbrick, and every precaution has been taken to reduce the danger from fire to (a) minimum. So successful has been this effort, that one ofthe best companies in the country has given the American Wool Boot Co. a very low insurance rate, and its special agent com­ plimented the company upon having taken such great precautions to prevent fire. “Care has also been taken to make the building a pleasant one in all respects for the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Events for April 6-12 April 1-30 - April Storywalk Book: “Milk and Juice: A Recycling Romance” by Meredith Crandall Brown. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Follow the journey of Juice and Milk on their recycling love story though transformations from pen to soap dispenser and even tp laundry detergentjug until they are finally reunited in a most unexpected way. Thi^ month’s Storywalk is , thanks to ftr^'gpnerpsirty pfJqelj and Barbara VanDyken. April 1-30 - Art in April: “Sketchtrail” by Doet Boersma. Learn the basics of nature sketching with step-by-step instruc­ tions along the “Sketchtrail,” created by 2022 Artist in Residence Doet Boersma. The trail starts by the retention ponds near the Lupine (green) Trail at the southwest comer ofthe parking lot in front ofthe Vis­ itor Center. Before you start, pick up a sketchbook and pencil by the south side entrance ofthe Visitor Center. Visitors can enjoy the “Sketchtrail” for free and guide their own experiences. April 1-Oct 31 - Trail Challenge Series (ages 18 and up). Join the Institute in a social hike to get to know all of the Insti­ tute’s trails this year, make new hiking buddies and enjoy good conversation while hiking. The series can allow hikers to feel comfortable hiking the Institute’s trails. Two options of the same hike will be offered each month, April through October. To complete the challenge, become an offi­ cial “Trail Master,” and earn a commemora­ tive sticker, attend one hike each month. Each hike is about 2 miles in distance. Ter­ rain is uneven and hilly on grassy to dirtpacked, and sometimes muddy, trails. The hikes will commence rain or shine and will reschedule in cases ofextreme weather. All participants will receive a hiking stick and medallion. Members can register for the entire series ofhikes for $10 and non-members can register for $14. Sunday, April 9 - Easter brunch and music; brunch searings at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., music from noon to 1 p.m. Celebrate the holiday at the Institute with great con­ versation and food. Discover the talents of local musician Zacn FranlXn on the key­ board with a mix of lightjazz and easy-lis­ tening music. Music is free and you do not need to attend brunch to enjoy it. Member adults will pay $22 for the brunch, non-members will pay $27. Children cost $14 to attend. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. Slam the Scam: How to spot government imposters Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information. There are common elements to many of these scams. Scammers often exploit fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pose as Social Security or other government employees and claim there’s a problem with your Social Security number (SSN) or your benefits. They may even claim your SSN is linked to a crime. When you identify a potential scammer: • Hang up right away or ignore the mes­ sage. • Never give personal information or money. • Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa. gov/scam-awareness/report-the-scam. Ifyou owe money to Social Security, we’ll mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. We only accept payments elec­ tronically through Pay.gov, Online Bill Pay, or physically by check or money order through our offices. Social Security will never do the follow­ ing: • Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don’t agree to pay us money immediately. • Promise a benefit increase in exchange for money. • Ask you to send us gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency, or cash through the U.S. mail. Scammers continue to evolve and find new ways to steal your money and personal infor­ mation. Please stay vigilant and help raise awareness about Social Security-related scams and other government imposter scams. More information on scams is available at ssa.gov/scam. Tell your friends and family about govern­ ment imposter scams. Let them know they don’t have to be embarrassed to report ifthey shared personal financial information or suf­ fered a financial loss. The important thing is to report the scam right away. Hillary Hatch is the PublicAffairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 ........ Banner HIastings Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! ShelbvvWfr Nashville: Town & Country The Dock Trading Post Middleville Johnny's Peltom Nashville ,C Store Tom's Market Family Fare Carl’s Hastings Johnny's Orangeville; Delton Johnny's Lake Odessa- The General Store Orangeville f^t Stop One Stop Shop (Marathon) Harding's (M-43 North) Superette Family Fare Speedway ( Marathon Mega Bev Prairieville: Hastings Pharmacy, X- Prairieville Fast Stop Marathon Gas Station ' (M-37 West) Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at DrUniverse@wsu.edu or visit her website, Family Fare Gas Station askdruniverse, com. Walgreens Marathon Gas Station (M-37 South) Nashville Johnny's MV Pharmacy Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Lake-O-Express Danffeldi Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl’s Dowlings Qloyerdale; Goldsworthys Cloverdale General Woodland: Woodland Express L& J’s �Page 8 — Thursday, April 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner WHAT THE ‘HAIL’? Storm pummels portions of Barry County Jayson Bussa Editor This week brought with it volatile weather. Unfortunately for some Barry County area residents, it was also destructive weather. On Tuesday, an evening storm moved through, dropping large hail on a swath ofthe county. Reports of some of the largest hail came out of the areas of Lake Odessa and Woodland Township, where some hail mea­ sured roughly two inches in diameter. Longtime Woodland resident Sharon Gei­ ger said she had never seen anything like the storm and shared photos of the large hail chunks that fell, causing damage to both her home on Jordan Road and nearby vehicles that were left outdoors. A storm producing large-sized hail moved its way through Barry County, hitting Geiger said that the hail event was brief, areas such as Lake Odessa and Woodland especially hard. (Photo by Molly Macleod) and after, the area was left with clear, blue skies. Reports from the National Weather Service out of Grand Rapids indicated that hail from the storm cell ranged in size from pea- to tennis ball-sized. It produced similar weather near Chicago before making its way over Lake Michigan into the state. Portions ofAllegan County were also rocked by the large hail before the stormed crept across into Barry County, where the northern portion ofthe county bore the brunt ofit, with Middleville seeing significant hail, as well. After causing destruction in Lake Odessa and Woodland, the storm moved toward Lan­ sing where it eventually broke up. Wednesday offered no reprieve from the Pictured is hail that fell in inclement weather, either, as tornado watch­ Hail the size of golf balls, or larger, littered the Woodland *on Tuesday and was es took effect and severe thunderstorms collected I by local resident ground in Woodland after Tuesday evening’s popped up all across West Michigan usher­ Sharon GGiger. (Photo provided) brief, but severe, storm. (Photo by Molly Macleod) ing in a cold front. Chase Brandt (left) appears in a Barry County courtroom on Wednesday morning represented by his attorney Kathryn Russell (right). (Photo by Greg Chandler) Bond raised for driver charged in Baltimore Twp. fatal crash Greg Chandler StaffWriter An 18-year-old Bellevue man has been ordered tojail while he awaits trial in connec­ tion with a fatal one-vehicle crash in Balti­ more Township last fall. Chase Winslow Clayton. Brandt waived his right to a probable cause hearing'Wednesday in Barry County court and was bound over by Judge Michael Schipper. In addition, Schipper raised Brandt’s bond from $100,000 to $500,000 because he violated the terms of his bond by testing positive for drugs while he was free. Brandt is facing eight criminal charges stemming from the.crash on Oct. 26, 2022 on Maple Grove Road near Foster Road that killed 17-year-old Zacharee Mason of Hastings and seriously injured another passenger. Charges against Brandt include operating while intoxicated causing death, operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, reckless driving causing death and reckless Experience the Risen Christ! ssTifa u Tnitfial this Easter Weekend at Green Street Church! Good Friday April 7 > Worship at 7:00 pm Easter Sunday April 9 > 8:30 am Worship > 9:00 am Breakfast forthe Community > 10:00 am Worship Easter Egg Hunt for the Young People > Easter Sunday at 9:30 am Located in the Heart of Hastings for a Purpose! Green Street Church is located at 209 West Green Street For more info: w or 269-945-9574 driving causing serious impairment of a bodily function. The operating while intoxi­ cated causing death and reckless driving causing death are both felonies that carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years ifBrandt is convicted. Brandt1 was arraigned on rthe ‘charges jn early February. He had 'been released after his parents posted 10 percent of the original $100,000 bond. As part of the condition ofhis bond, he was to refrain from using alcohol or drugs. However, Barry County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Ellsworth testified Wednesday that Brandt had recently tested positive for drugs, and asked the suspect’s bond be reevaluated. “I found out (Tuesday), maybe Monday, that Mr. Brandt has tested positive for marijuana,” Ellsworth said. “The verification date of the lab report discussing the results ...is April 3, the date ofthe test was March 28.” Brandt acknowledged in court to using marijuana while out on bond. An investigation by Michigan State Police at the Wayland post said that on the night of the crash, Brandt was behind the wheel of a vehicle that lost control while westbound on Maple Grove Road and overturned in a corn­ field. Investigators cited speed and alcohol use as factors in the crash. A test ofBrandt’s blood taken after the crash found a blood alcohol level of.06, Ellsworth said. “Mr. Brandt was the driver, he was driv­ ing recklessly, his car ejected multiple pas­ sengers, one of which died, and then Mr. Brandt had his friend lie about who the driver was,” Ellsworth said. “That friend took the blame initially ...he came in and pled to that false report. He acknowledged it was Mr. Brandt who was the driver. That obstruction delayed the drawing of the blood, the testing ofthe blood.” In addition to the charges of operating while intoxicated and reckless driving, other charges Brandt faces include having an open container ofalcohol in the vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without security and false report ofa misdemeanor to a Michigan State Police officer. He is also accused ofhaving a license plate on his vehicle that was not reg­ istered to that vehicle, court records show. Brandt’s attorney, Kathryn Russell, appealed to the court to keep the bond at $100,000. She said Brandt has been honest with her and his parents about his drug use. Russell added that her client had gone to Community Mental, Health last month for an assessment and was set to start classes and counseling through CMH soon. “He’s living with his parents. He does not drive. His parents do not allow him to drive,” Russell said. “They take him everywhere that he needs to go. I’ve known his parents for a very long time ... almost the whole time I’ve been practicing in Hastings, 23 years. His parents want the very best for him and his parents will do anything to help him and make sure he is doing what he needs to do.” Schipper wasted little time in approving an increase in the bond, given the seriousness of the charges against Brandt. “I think he needs to be in jail. If, in fact there is a plea here or he h ’s found guilty of these charges, he’s certainly going to spend time in jail and/or prison,” Schipper said. “He H ’s getting credit for time served anyway, so it’s not wasted time.” «*?<!•** kttfefKiiiai ?? ??***•* •* ^®tl �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS Isectiqn Thursdavy. Anpril a6 ,2o0n2o3*i Thursdayv., 2o0n2o3*i Saxon tennis setting sights on top of 1-8 standings - Bfc pUrity ail rift? ittoa 'jrask'niW jras ^jjaxtco . Dilins WiM*' % Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons were competitive with the top teams in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference in 2022, and finished in a tie for third place in the conference standings at the end of the season. “Our goal was to compete at the upper end of it, which we did,” Hastings varsity girls’ tennis coach Andrew Haines said. “I think our goal this year is to be at the top ofit.” There are big shoes to fill at the top ofthe line-up, but the list of returnees is long and strong this season for the Saxons. Junior Abby Beemer is taking the step up from second singles to first for the Saxons this season after two years at second singles in which she won over 20 total matches - put­ ting up a winning record each year. “I think they all have a level of confidence in their play,” Haines , said ofhis girls. “Abby has developed strength and serve consistency, but so have the others as well. I think Abby getting to mentor behind Brooklyn [Youngs] and see the toughness of the matches and be able to watch her from time to time or play right next to her on courts for the better part of two years helped her quite a bit. She has had time to mentally wrap her head around [play­ ing first singles]. It’s the hardest position.” The Saxons have a good duo at the Jop of the doubles line-up once again as seniors Bailey Cook and Erin Daniels return for their third season together at first doubles. The two were 7-4 at first doubles together as sopho­ mores and went 11-3 a year ago. “They’re the group that really hates to lose, more so than the rest They all dislike it, but those two hate it,” Haines said. “They know each other. They grew up around each other. Now they’ve played three years side by side. That is a huge advantage in high school dou­ bles. They counteract each other. “One’s weakness can be another one’s strength. They know who has what on the court. They know how to cover each other. I have some other girls who are going to have to shift this year and have to figure that out.” The group working to fill out the doubles Erin Daniels and Bailey Cook line-up includes Megan Rowley and Sophia Ahearns who started the season at number eight seniors, so I have a replacement group The Saxons have a non-conference dual two, Julia McLean and Audrey Vertalka at which js nice and that’s a big thanks to mid­ on the schedule for April 13 against Ottawa number three and Makayla Birman and Grace dle school tennis. That has helped us develop. Hills in Hastings and then will start the Inter­ Curtis at number four. Ahearns, Rowley, Most of the girls on varsity have played as state-8 Athletic Conference season at PennMcLean and Curtis are all seniors, Vertalka middle school girls. That feeder program is field. The Saxons also host their own invita­ and Birman arejuniors. The Saxons also have starting to show the benefits,” Haines said. tional April 29. Parma Western was 14^ at the MHSAA junior Lillian Pepper working to fill a spot in The girls aren’t just hitting tennis balls the line-up. during the middle school and high school sea­ Lower Peninsula Division 3 State Finals and Senior Cailin Redman has moved into the the perennial 1-8 power will be one of the top sons though, and that has been a big plus too. third singles spot and sophomore Madison “My girls have been hitting all winter in teams in the conference once again. Haines Deal returns at fourth singles for the Saxons. some way, shape or form,” Haines said. expects Jackson Lumen Christi to be solid The singles line-up is getting a boost from “They tasted what hard work equals [last again. Spanish exchange student Cariota Espi Vano season]. They’re an extremely competitive “Looking forward to it. I have high who is opening the year in Beemer’s old spot group. Because ofthat, this group hates los­ expectations for them. They understand at number two. ing more than they like winning. That has that. This is a group that will respond to “There are nine freshmen out and I have been an advantage.” that,” Haines said. Owen Carroll Most of Saxon golf squad back hoping to be better than ever Brett Bremer ........... Sports Editor The Saxons are looking forward to lower­ ing scores and moving up standings this spring. Hastings varsity boys’ golf coach Ross Schueller said he has high hopes for his team, which is just starting to be able to get out on the course for preseason practices. He thinks his guys have a shot at finishing in the top halfofthe Interstate-8 Athletic Conference. The Saxons were closer to the bottom a year ago, but bring back five of their six golfers from the conference tournament a year ago, and four ofits five from regionals. The scoring group graduatedjust one senior last spring. Owen Carroll, now a junior, was the Sax­ ons top scorer at the 1-8 Championship a year ago where he tallied an 86 that had him in a tie for 13th individually. Only the team’s one senior last year, Riley McLean, was better than Carroll at the Division 2 Regional to close out the year. _ Jack Kensington and Reed Balderson are back for their senior seasons, and also returning are juniors Hunter Cook and Blake Barnum. THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Dan Jensen, Ryan VanDorp and Drew Thompson are guys that Schueller said appear well positioned to contribute on the varsity this year as well. “We have a good blend of experience and youth this year,” Schueller said, “and with last year’s experiences I think this year’s squad has a much greater opportunity for some of the experienced players to help develop some ofthe newer players. “Last year we were really inconsistent. A deeper, more experienced squad this year will hopefully help us smooth out some ofthose peaks and valleys.” The Hastings boys are currently scheduled to take part in the April 13 Delton Kellogg Invitational at Mullenhurst. Harper Creek has plans to host an Interstate-8 Athletic Confer­ ence jamboree of the season at Binder Park GolfCourse April 17. Coach Schueller said he expects Harper Creek and perennial power Jackson Lumen Christi to be two ofthe top teams in the con__fe_r_e_n_c_e__t_h_is__srp-ri —n og.- T__h_e_ T__it_a_n_s_ w__e_r_e_ s_e_v_enth at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Boys GolfFinals in 2022 with two freshmen and three juniors in the line-up. Dr. Scott Bloom O.D 1510 N. Broadway (M-43 Hwy.) Hastings 269-945-3906 *0^0' HASTINGS NAPA MAI 122 N. Jefferson St. SEPTIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE ------ PLUS"------- Joe Lyons & John Curtis, Owner/Operatore (tU/CKO/L CHANGE Hastings 3305 West Quimby Road, Hastings, Ml 4905B 269-948-9696 DEWEY’S AUTO BODY 1111 W. Green, Hastings www.deweysautobody.com \ w 269.945.4240 THE HASTINGS BANNER Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 1351 N. M-43 Hwy., Hastings 269-945-9554 430 W. STATE ST HASTINGS 269-948-8558 LITTLE CAESAR’S Home ofthe Hot & Ready Pizza! 216 N. Broadway, Hastings 269-948-2824 v»Truste4Stntt ip54«^» 102 E. State Street • Downtown Hastings 269-945<95 72 SAXON M ! PRIDE * Leaping Lizards Landscaping nick@leapinglizardslandscaping.com �Page 10 — Thursday, April 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Growth of young midfield group will play part in Saxon success Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons’ have a pretty good attacking duo in junior Raegan Morrison and senior Lauren Lamphere and a pretty good pair in the back with the return of sweeper Molly Patton and goalkeeper Dakota Blough. The key to the season for the Hastings varsi­ ty girls’ soccer team will be working the ball be between those ends of the field with a young collection ofcenter midfielders and wings. Morrison and Lamphere were a couple of the Saxons’ top attackers a year ago as the team won its way to a 12-6 record. The even­ tual state runners-up from Gull Lake beat the Hastings girls in the district semifinals at the end ofthe season. Blough was an all-district goalkeeper a year ago and will be a leader in the back along with Patton, who head coach Carl Schoessel said is a girls he is looking forward to her growing into a leadership role this spring. Morrison is already doing some of that. She was playing end to end during the Sax­ ons’ season opener at Thomapple Kellogg. The Saxons would love to rely on her and Lamphere just using their scoring abilities up top, but Schoessel said he has talked with Morrison and tasked her with doing what’s necessary on the field. F if “She has stepped up on the team,” Schoessel said of Morrison. “She has found her voice as a team leader. We have talked about her making decisions on the field when she sees things going wrong or needing help. She is kind oftaking that into her hands.” The group in the middle growing into their roles includes Brianna Darling, Alyson Miller, Kalli Koning and Dezarae Mathis. Coach Schoessel said he expects that foursome to rotate between the center midfield and wing positions. A handful ofgirls contributing to the var­ sity will also compete at the JV level. There are just 24 girls in the program and five of those are foreign exchange students who are mostly new to playing the game competitively. Coach Schoessel said those newcom­ ers are catching on quick. “We’re still working on holding onto the ball too long and realizing when to distribute the ball quicker, when to use their wings and when to use their forwards,” Schoessel said of his young midfielders. “We spent the last few practices working on turning, distributing and moving instead ofwatching.” Abigail Byykkonen will also be a key piece in the back for the Saxons along with See SOCCER, page 11 »*£’-** »£ -* Addey Nickels Sprinters, jumpers throwers should keep Saxons strong -- Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons have tended to finish in third place in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference sincejoining the league eight years ago. Hastings varsity girls’ track and field coach Brian Teed said the two teams ahead ofhis girls have rotated a bit over the years, but third is where his girls have finished up and things may not be too different this spring. The Saxons have a great group ofsprinters, some strong field event performers and a big group offreshmen looking to learn the ropes. The team was 5-2 in conference duals a year ago to earn its third place finish in the conference. Back to lead the way from that squad are senior sprinter Madison Nino and junior sprinters Addey Nickels, Isabella Roosien and Myah Vincent, senior distance runner Lauren Arnold, senior throwers Grace Mad­ den and Gabbie Horrmann and sophomore thrower Zoe Watson. Coach Teed said those four sprinters are very versatile in what they do. “When they are combined together into a relay team that are fun to watch,” he said. The foursome of Nino, Nickels, Roosien and Vincent won the 4x200-meter relay at the Saxons’ first meet ofthe season. Nickels was the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference champion in both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash as a sophomore last spring, and she gave the hurdlers a good run in Hastings’ first meet ofthis season. Nino and Vincent are talentedjumpers too. Nino earned all-state honors in the event last year placing third at the MHSAA Lower Pen­ insula Division 2 Track and Field Finals after winning the conference title. Vincent was top eight in the 1-8 in both the longjump and high jump last season. Nino was one oftwo Hastings girls com­ peting in the state finals at Forest Hills East­ ern High School at the end ofthe 2022 sea­ son. She was joined there by now graduated senior Allison Teed, who was competing in the pole vault. AJlison was also a key member ofthe Sax­ ons’ sprint relays, but that 4x200-meter relay team didn’t miss a beat with Vincent stepping in to open the season. Coach Teed said he thinks that the field events will be the strongest part ofthe team. That is due to the talented girls he has return­ ing and the young group which includes freshman Olivia Friddle in the throws and the pole vault, freshman Ava Noteboom in the jumps, throws and hurdles and freshman Ashlyn Bailey in the throws. The team is also looking for good things from freshman Maddie Peake in the hurdles and sprints and freshmen Jayla Ellwood and Eva Rowley in the distance races. “We are very young and inexperienced in the distance events. Lauren Arnold will be the lone senior mentoring a group of new fresh­ men,” coach Teed said. “Half of our team is made up of freshmen. They will go through some growing pains this year, so we are ask­ ing a lot from our upperclassmen while they mature.” The Saxons are 2-0 in duals so far this season thanks to wins over Delton Kellogg and Bangor March 28. The Saxons will be on the track inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field again April 14 when they host the Hast­ ings Invitational. Hastings is scheduled to host the team’s first five outdoor meets ofthe season. Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference tri meets are on the scheduled for April 25 and May 2. The Saxons will host their4 annual Co-Ed Relays April 28. The Hastings girls were behind Parma Western and Coldwater at the 1-8 Champion­ ship a year ago. Western has some talented seniors to replace, but the Panthers’ depth was a big part oftheir success. They won all four relays a the conference meet. That Cold­ water team was powered in large part by a couple talented freshmen. S*r5*** fc1*®*.* fc*1 ®.. .- «!» lOltOW iitfaarw t ss k ta ts B Hi Molly Patton THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Pat Doezema Managing Broker Realtor* 269.838.1469 greenrjdce realty HASTINGS pdoezema@green ridge.com 2169 W.M-43 Hwy. Hastings, MI 49058 PRECISION AUTO BODY REPAIR KING’S ELECTRONICS & APPLIANCES 819 E. Railroad St. Hastings 130 W. State, Hastings 269-948-9472 269-945-4284 highpoint COMMUNITY BANK FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* MictyoHS 139 W. State Street, Hastings Member FDIC www4helynndentonagency.com HODGES JEWELRY & GIFTS Middleville, MI ---- WOKER 69-241-1050 Southern BBQ S' Catering hrokensmoW rnm DVAN VA TAGE Lynn Denton PLUMBING & DRAIN CotofJOHy. 1-888-422-2280 hiqhpointcommunitYbank.com 120 E. Main St. BROK /liV 269-945-4520 Miller REAL ESTATE miller real ESTATE 122 W. State St, Hastings 149 W. State St, Hastings 269-945-2963 269-945-5182 269-945-0300 EDWARD JONES Andrew R. Cove, AAMS Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn, Hastings 269-945-3553 Thanks to Brett Bremer for his areas sports coverage. tail �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 6, 2023 — Page 11 Conference title among Saxon boys goals wi! CSxSp ’ StaSuX’ ss$, NSS NSS 8xjScaref<SU,nthe^6^ 8xjScaref<SU,nthe^6 ^b^faL k**1' Brett Bremer Sports Editor Graduation hit the Harper Creek varsity boys’ track and field team hard last spring. A group offour seniors who won a total of five individual conference championships in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference led the way for the Beavers. Harper Creek also won three relay races at the conference champion­ ship meet with at least two seniors among each ofthose championship foursomes. A ninth place finish by then senior Dillon Neal was the top finish at the 1-8 Champion­ ship by a Hastings Saxon. That Saxon team finished a distant second to Harper Creek in the conference, finishing 59 points back at the conference meet. A chunk of the current group of Saxon seniors has gotten used to winning football and wrestling championships in the 1-8 and are now focused on adding a spring title. “The boys have set a goal ofbeing confer­ ence champions,” Hastings head coach Brian Teed said. “We took second to Harper last year and it was by a wide margin. Harper lost a lot oftalent and we kept most of ours. We will see ifit was enough to close the gap and fend offother challengers. They have also set a goal of qualifying for the MITCA Team State meet. We will keep a close eye on how that plays out during the season.” The Saxon team has two seniors back who were state qualifiers a year ago: Daniel Weatherly and Robby Slaughter. Slaughter placed 16^ at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals a year ago and Weatherly was 21st in the shot put. Slaughter set his personal record in the event at 13 feet 6 inches as ajunior and has already cleared that height this season. He was the 1-8 champion in the event last year and also one of the conference’s top long jumpers, while also contributing to Saxon relay teams. Weatherly set his personal record at 49-8.5 in the shot put a year ago at regionals to earn his spot in the state finals and he also set a PR in discus at regiorials, with a mark of 130-0. * - The group ofkey^etqni^'fofjhe Saxons » also sbpYftmoreDraven Pennock in the pole vault and in the throws senior Adam Jacob and sophomores Isaac Friddle and Isaiah Wilson. “We are strong and well balanced in all 17 events,” coach Teed said. “They are led by a quality group ofseniors andjuniors. We have a good combination of big meet scorers as well as quality team depth at each position. We have some quality athletes in the fresh- Landon Steward Saxons looking to quickly gain experience on the mound Brandon Simmons and Riley Shults man class, but you won’t see a lot from them because ofthe strong senior class. It will be fun to see them develop without pressure.” A trio of seniors can score in the hurdles for the Saxonsjjfith the return ofLayton East­ man, Nate Kohmescher and Caleb Waller. In the sprints the Saxons bring back senior Lanny Teunessen, juniors Aiden SaintAmour, Reuben Solmes, William Smalley and sopho­ more Jett Barnum. Barnum, Smalley, Waller and junior Char­ lie Nickels will be big in the jumps for the Saxons along with Slaughter. The distance group for Hastings includes the solid returning group of senior Kearan Tolles, junior Riley Shults, sophomore Bran­ don Simmons andj.juniors Jonah Teed and Nickels. While the freshmen might not be all ready to score yet, coach'Teed is looking for good things from a few more mature newcomers. Caleb LaBoe is back with the team after a couple years away with injuries, and also out this season are sophomore Isaiah Wilson and senior Caleb Gurtowsky. The Saxons won their first two duals ofthe season prior to spring break. They’ll host their Hastings Invitational April 14 and start the 1-8 season with a tri in Hastings against Lumen Christi and Coldwater April 25. Saxons look for experience gained last year to pay off in 2023 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons will head into the 2023 varsity softball season hoping that the growing pains of2022 will lead to more successes this season. Much of the Saxon roster returns from a year ago, led by the battery of catcher Carly Frazer and pitcher Cassidee Easey. When they’re not working to get outs on the defensive side they’ll fill a couple ofthe top spots in the line-up along with returning outfielders Zoey Bennett and Emily Simmons. Abby Peake also returns in the outfield this season for the Saxons. Bennett led offand had a hit in both games of a doubleheader at Plainwell to open the season before spring break. On the corners, the Saxons bring back third baseman Sophia Sunior and first baseman Jayden Karsen. Lucy Barnard will man second base and one of a handful of varsity newcomers, Aubree Rowse opens the season at short stop ofthe Saxons. The group of returnees to the roster also includes Peightyn Cronk, Liliana Fox, Victoria Jerzyk and Lara Schafer. Adding their talents to the varsity this spring are Elena Friddle, Leyre Gonzales, Claudia Palumbo and Ellie Payne. . Hastings will return to action at home with a doubleheader against Martin April 11 and then start the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season at home against Pennfield, with a dou­ bleheader, April 13. The Saxons play si six games in the week back from spring break, also hosting their annual Barry County InviInvi­ tational April 15. Steward averaged a strike out per inning on the varsity last year. Sorensen and Tibble are a couple of the team’s top returning bats. Sorensen hit.311 a year ago and Tibble had a.625 average in his 11 varsity ballgames in 2022. Sixberry is also looking forward to seeing how the members ofthe Saxon varsity squad fit in, guys likejunior Haiden Simmet, senior Chase Rathbum, exchange student Pedro Cobelo and juniors Zach Byle and Mason Bailey. He also expects junior Deigo Coipel to be a leader for this year’s varsity squad. “As a coach and a irientor, a key to success is to have ourfriihily contihue to support each other and work with the underclassmen and others throughout each and every day,” Sixberry said. A big freshman group in the program means there could be a few other underclass­ men up throughout the spring as well. “We should have solid defense, and our top six players in the line-up should help carry us through some close games,” Sixberry said. The Saxons got the season started with a doubleheader at Plainwell before spring break. They will return to action with a dou­ bleheader at home against Martin April 11 and they will be home for the Barry County Invitational April 15. The Interstate-8 Athlet­ ic Conference season starts when the Saxons host Pennfield for two April 13. Coach Sixberry said he expects Coldwater, Harper Creek and Marshall to be among the top teams in the conference this season. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 196902 NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS AT MAY 3,2023 MEETING TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on May 3, 2023, which begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The items to be considered at this public hearing are, on application ofChris Keefer, the proposed amendment of §220-9-3 ofthe Rutland Charter Township Code (Zoning) so as to revise the existing provisions designating “Marihuana Retailer” (subsection BB) and “Medical Marihuana Provisioning Center” (subsection CC) as special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District so as to allow those land uses to request zoning approval without a drive-thru, or with a drive-thru deriving access from a private internal access drive only and not from any adjoining public street. Note: these land uses are presently designated as special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District, but not with a drive-thru feature. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Master Plan, and the tentative text ofthe above­ referenced proposed zoning text amendment(s), may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication ofthis Notice and until and including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. The Township Planning Commission reserves the right to modify any ofthe proposed amendments at or following the hearing/meeting and to make its recommendations accordingly to the Township Board. Cassidee Easey SOCCER, continued from page 10 ough and Patton, a back line that will be e pe out sophomores Jordyn Winters and ^ew*s* Valentina Arias, a junior, W1ThW°LjC 38 an ou^^e back as well. a I!!e17astings girls will host Tri County Pn 4 on Pierce Field and then go to the Brett Bremer Sports Editor A lack oftime on varsity mounds is the big­ gest challenge Hastings varsity baseball coach Jason Sixberry is expecting his team to have to overcome this spring - at least early on. In a perfect scenario, the Saxon head coach would love to go into the season with ten guys ready to throw. His number isn’t quite that high this spring, but the team is close to getting a good, solid rotation togeth­ er led by returning seniors Aiden Benson and Tyler Morris who are both three-year varsity ballplayers. . Morris' ‘Will catch' when he’s not on the mound and Benson will spend time in the middle infield. Junior returnees Landon Steward, Lars Sorensen and Eastin Tibble will see time on the mound along with fellow juniors Aiden Morton and David Jiles. A number of those guys worked with coach Sixberry throughout the offseason to improve their pitching building stamina and speed. “The one thing I think that is most import­ ant is you have to believe in yourselfmost of all, and you have to have someone to believe in you that you can do it,” Sixberry said of having his young pitching staffready for the season. Jiles and Morton will have some other duties, filling a pair ofvacancies from gradu­ ations in the outfield. Sorensen, Steward and Tibble will be on the infield when they’re not on the mound. b S South oeuttmHHaven eavaegna Invitational April 15. They’ll ain April 19 to take on WellSPTh! Esta 8 Athletic Conference sea- son n starts starts for the Saxons when they play host to Pennfield April 21. Coach Schoessel said he expects Parma Western to be a strong challenger to Marshall at the top of the conference, and expects Lumen Christi to be fighting for one ofthose top spots as well. The Saxons are likely to finish in the middle ofthe pack. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Page 12 — Thursday, April 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised jtudicature act of 1961. 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, judicature judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of .a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or ccashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 .-00 PM, on April 220, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld at 1:00 PM, on April 27, 2023. The amount due on the tthe sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential the highest bld at the sale does not automatically .purchaser is encouraged to contact the county registerr entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to which may charge a fee for this information: contact the county register of deeds office or a title Name(s) of the mortgagors): Laurel G. Garrison aka insurance company, either of which may charge a Laurel Garrison and Jacklynn Garrison, husband and wife fee for this information: Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Name(s) of the mortgagors): Aaron Lambert, a Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee married man and Tera Lambert, his wife fc r lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic FForeclosing Assignee (if any): Metropolitan Life Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender Ir surance Company and lender’s successors and/or assigns Date of Mortgage: May 25,2007 Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Date of Mortgage Recording: June 6,2007 Servicing, LLC Amount claimed due on date of notice: $106,167.78 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated Date of Mortgage: September 26,2014 in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and Date of Mortgage Recording: October 1,2014 described as: Part of the West 1/2 of Section 7, Town Amount claimed due on date of notice: $82,719.62 1 North, Range 9 West, Barry County, Michigan, being Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and point 168.41 feet North and 834.68 feet East of the described as: That part of Blocks 30 and 31, Eastern West 1/4 post of Section 7, Town 1 North, Range 9 Addition to the City, formerly Village of Hastings, West, thence North 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds according to the recorded plat thereof, described as: East along the Easterly line of Kline Street 52.31 feet; Commencing at the Southeast corner of Lot 6, Block thence South 43 degrees 45 minutes 00 seconds Fast 143.30 feet; thence North 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 31, Eastern Addition: thence North 4 rods; thence seconds East 102.10 feet; thence South 49 degrees West to the East boundary of Hanover Street; thence 53 minutes 03 seconds East 35.87 feet; thence South Southerly along the East boundary of Hanover 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West 139.40 feet; Street to the intersection of Hanover Street and trance North 49 degrees 53 minutes 03 seconds East South Street; thence East to the place of beginning. 35.87 feet; thence South 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 Common street address (if any): 1025 S Hanover seconds West 139.40 feet; thence North 49 degrees St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2320 45 minutes 32 seconds West 179.95 feet to beginning. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the a/k/a taxes assessed: COM 168.41 FT N and 834.68 date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in FT E OF W 1/4 SEC. 7 T1N R9W, TH N 46 DEG 15’ E 52.31 FT, TH S 43 DEG 45’ E 143.30’, TH N 46 DEG accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject ■15' E 102.10 FT, TH S49 DEG 53’ 03” E35.87 FT,TH S real property is used for agricultural purposes as 46 DEG 15’ W 139.40 FT, TH N 49 DEG 30’ W 179.95 defined by MCL 600.3240(16). FT TO POB BARRY TOWNSHIP, BARRY CO, MICH. If the property Is sold at foreclosure sale under 5TH CIRCUIT CT JUDGMENT 93-545 GRANTS 5 FT Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, EASEMENT BETWEEN LOTS 5 AND 6 TO LAKE. pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held Common street address (if any): 11459 E Shore Dr, responsible to the person who buys the property at Delton, Ml 49046-8481 the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in holder for damaging the property during the accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real redemption period. property is used for agricultural purposes as defined Attention homeowner: If you are a military service by MCL 600.3240(16). member on active duty, if your period of active duty if the property is sold at foreclosure sale under has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, been ordered to active duty, please contact the pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at responsible to the person who buys the property at the the telephone number stated in this notice. mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder This notice is from a debt collector. for damaging the property during the redemption period. Date of notice: March 30,2023 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service Trott Law, RC. member on active duty, if your period of active duty 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 been ordered to active duty, please contact the (248)642-2515 attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the 1494420 telephone number stated in this notice. (03-30)(04-20) 197297 This notice is from a debt collector. □ate of notice: March 23,2023 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Trott Law, RC. ' 3 I 440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 1451 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 member on active duty, if your period of active duty 1493514 has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have (03-23X04-13) been ordered to active duty, please contact the 196795 attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is under section 3212 of the revised judicature act given under section 3212 of the revised judicature of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of following Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, on at 1:00 pm on April 13, 2023. The amount due on April 27,2023. The amount due on the Mortgage may the mortgage may be greater on the day of the be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the encouraged to contact the county register of deeds county register of deeds office or a title insurance office or a title insurance company, either of which company, either of which may charge a fee for this may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage information. Default has been made in the conditions (the “Mortgage’’) made by Justin Stuive and Amy of a Mortgage made by Karen C. Larsen to Fifth Third Bank (Western Michigan) dated September 19, 2007 Hawke, a single man and a single woman, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, and recorded October 1, 2007 as Instrument No. dated May 29,2009, and recorded on June 4,2009, 20071001-0002636, Barry County, Michigan. Said Mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, National in Document No. 200906040005899, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking Association by assignment and/or merger. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated $32,943.76. Said premises are located in Barry February 8, 2022, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and County, Michigan and are described as: SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF BARRY, COUNTY OF recorded February 11, 2022, Instrument No. 20222022­ BARRY AND STATE OF MICHIGAN: LOT 5 OF THE 001773, all as recorded in Barry County Records, PLAT OF FAIR LAKE PARK, ACCORDING TO THE Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. AND ALSO LOTS Mortgage is $103,652.21 at the time Of this Notice. 100 AND 102 OF FAIR LAKE PARK ANNEX. ALSO The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit A RIGHT OF WAY FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted OVER LOT 9 OF FAIR LAKE PARK, ACCORDING to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF RECORDED part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage FOR BARRY COUNTY. Said property is commonly as stated above, plus interest on the amount due known as 11957 South Circle Rd, Delton, Ml 49046. at the rate of 5.0% per annum; all legal costs and The redemption period shall be 6 months from the leexpenses, xpenses, including attorney's fees allowed by date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in law, and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case ttto o protect its interest in the property. The property 'the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure fs situated ituated in Barry County, Michigan described more sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will fully as: LOT 13 OF PLEASANTVALLEY ESTATES, be held responsible to the person who buys the YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF mortgage holder for damage to the property during RECORDED IN LIBER 6 OF PLATS, PAGE 13 the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: ?FBARRY COUNTY RECORDS. SUBJECT TO The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In EASEMENTSAND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. that event, your damages, If any, are limited solely Tax ID No. 08-16-270-013-00 Commonly known to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, address: 12944 Valley Drive, Wayland, Ml, 49348 plus interest. Please be advised that any third party The redemption period shall be six (6) months from purchaser is responsible for preparing and recording the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), the Sheriff’s Deed. Ifthis is a residential Mortgage, the unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to following shall apply: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. you are a military service member on active duty, if Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 responsible to the person who buys the property at days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing holder for damaging the property during the the Mortgage at the telephone number stated in this rredemption period. March 6, 2023 UNITED BANK notice. THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids, F0R THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU: ARE A Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 . ,FEI9RJN AN ACTIve BANKRUPTCY CASE; ARE qtavER/sIHE proteCTION OF A BANKRUPTCY q (03-09)(04-06) 196261 HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE IN the nEDTT™£ND Y0U HAVE N0T REAFFIRMED PURPot«TH|K«?TICE 18 F0R informational CONSTRUPn AND SH0ULD SH0UL NOT BE DEBT FRnutnn“ » N ATTEMPT TO 2023Attom»^0 PERS°NALLY. DOateCd:O MLaLrEcCh T13A, Th3owrnLsa pndm~ fDnnrTft'?dlplaPr3ty93fo1r2e) M )cBrock Bl°sroinckg &&theeSSccMMototoot,trtgPPaaLLggLLeCC:: M3wLand~DnT'dllP39312 (SM4u34wt) 0 8L55a6Bn6-d6S4~rD °n?T.ve 'dl™lPlr3n9ln391t2o)n.BN roCck28&4 S0c3o PttH, P OLNLEC: (So4u4t) 0 8556B-6-6S46r°F?i.lvee N ™o lr2n2ln-291to1n7.9NC 28403 PHONE: (03-16)(04-06) 196547 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on April 27, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Namefs) of the mortgagors): Charles Harvath, III aka Charles Harvath and Roberta Harvath, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC, FKA Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 21, 2018 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 3, 2018 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $84,705.10 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 13 of Loehr’s Landing, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 61. Commonly Known as: 2982 Loehrs Landing Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bld amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 03/30/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 314873 (03-30)(04-20 197317) Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Bruce Sherman and Kelly Rutter-Sherman, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 4,2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 4,2020 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $42,857.20 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Parcel 1: Commencing 206 feet East of the Northwest corner of that part of the North Fractional 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, lying Westerly of M-37 for place of beginning; thence South 300 feet; thence West 206 feet; thence North 100 feet; thence East 100 feet; thence North 200 feet; thence East 106 feet to the place of beginning. Parcel 2: Commencing at the Northwest corner of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, and running thence East along the North Section line 100 feet; thence South 200 feet; thence West 100 feet; thence North and along the West line of Section 200 feet to the place of beginning Common street address (if any): 996 E Sager Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9309 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 6, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1494887 (04-06)(04-27) 197449 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Andrew Cove AAMS® Financial Advisor MMeemmbbeer rs SipIPcC jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® FinancialAdvi 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 <269> 948“8265 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Financial tips for blended families Becoming part ofa blended family can certainly be rewarding. Ofcourse, as is the case in all families, there will be challenges, one of which is financial. A blended family must deal with some specific financial issues, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with them. In particular, consider these areas: • Separate or joint accounts? - Should your two family units combine all your finances or maintain separate accounts? There’s no one correct answer for everyone, because this issue has emotional and psychological components to it, as well as financial considerations. But the nature of your new, blended family might guide you to a choice that makes sense for your situation. So, for example, if you are remarrying at a later stage in life, and you and your new spouse have adult children, you might think the best move is to keep separate accounts. But if you are joining households with a spouse or partner with younger children, you may want to merge accounts to pay for household expenses and work toward your new, shared financial objectives. And it doesn’t have to be an “either-or” approach — you might decide to blend some accounts and keep others separate. • Debts and credit ratings - It’s likely that you and your new spouse or partner, and perhaps even some children, will bring debts into your blended family. As these debts can affect your family’s finances in several ways, including your ability to borrow and your credit ratings, you will want to know what everyone owes, and the amount of monthly payments needed to meet these obligations. After that, you may be able to find ways to consolidate debts or find other ways to reduce or eliminate them. • Legal issues - When you establish a blended family, you may want to review, and possibly update, the beneficiary designations on your life insurance policy and retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k). These designations can supersede instructions you may have left in your estate planning documents — including your last will and testament — so it’s important to ensure they reflect your current wishes. And speaking of your estate plans, you may well need to revise them, too, in consultation with your attorney. • Attitudes toward money - Attitudes toward money — yours and those of your new spouse or partner — should be addressed when starting a blended family. Is one of you more of a saver while the other spends more freely? As investors, does one of you favor taking more risk while the other is more conservative? It’s important to reconcile these differences as best you can, especially if you plan on merging yourr finances. This means that you both may need to compromise somewhat, but you should strive to avoid having either of you feeling uncomfortable in your choices. In any case, open and honest communication is the first step in achieving a harmonious financial strategy. These aren’t the only financial considerations involved with blended families, but they should give you some things to think about — and the earlier you start thinking about them, the better. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use byyour local EdwardJones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement NOTICE Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Kyle Sexton, a married man and Sarah Sexton, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 13,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 16,2015 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $112,133.60 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing at the Northeast comer of Section 4, Town 1 North, Range 9 West, Barry Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 415 feet along centerline of Kingsbury Road for a Place of Beginning; thence West 661 feet thence South 660 feet; thence East 661; thence North 660 feet to the Place of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 10120 Kingsbury Rd, Delton, Ml 49046-8527 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 6,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1494985 (04-06)(04-27) 197489 Attention homeowner If you are a military senrice member on active duty, if your period of active duty ' has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at ' the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MAY 4, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Lyle Thomas and Mona Lea Kelly-Thomas, husband and wife, to Ameriquest Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated July 21, 2004 and recorded August 2, 2004 in Instrument Number 1131733 and re-recorded on August 24, 2004, in Instrument Number 1132917, Barry County Records, Michigan Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Inc., Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-R9, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Seventy-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Two and 47/100 Dollars ($78,252.47). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MAY 4,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: The South 1/2 of Lot 905 and the South 49 feet of the North 1/2 of Lot 905 of the City of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof. 428 S. Church St., Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: April 6,2023 File No. 23-002547 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (04-06X04-27) 197586 M Mental Health �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. April 6, 2023 — Page 13 Bilbrey enters no contest pleas in multi-county chase Greg Chandler StaffWriter Michael Bilbrey says he does not recall leading police on a chase across three coun­ ties in January ofthis year. The 45-year-old Marshall man pleaded no contest Wednesday to multiple charges stemming from the Jan. 24 chase that originated near Battle Creek, then continued through Barry County and ended in the city of Charlotte, in Eaton County. Bilbrey remains held in the Barry County Jail pending sentencing, which has been set for June 21. Bilbrey, who appeared for Wednesday’s hearing via video from thejail, entered no contest pleas to two counts offleeing and eluding a police officer-third degree, as well as single counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless driving, failure to stop after a collision, operating while intoxicated-second offense and habitual offender-second offense before Judge Michael Schipper. He had origi­ nally faced 12 criminal counts, including four counts of felonious assault and three fleeing and eluding counts. Other charges will be dropped m exchange for Bilbrey’s pleas. ‘ The reason for the no contest plea, your honor, is because he doesn’t remember any of this,” Kimberly Young, Bilbrey’s attorney,, told the court. The fleeing and eluding charge is a felony that carries a maximum sentence offive years in prison, but the habitual offender charge increases that potential maximum prison term to seven-and-a-halfyears. The assault charge is a four-year felony, but becomes a potential six-year sentence because of the habitual offender charge, Schipper said. The chase began shortly after 11 a.m. on Jan. 24 at Gardner Brothers Lawn and Land­ scape in (Springfield. Employees at the business advised the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office that someone had stolen a work truck from their property. While investigators were looking for the vehicle, the business owner found the truck parked at a nearby business with Bilbrey still inside. A fight then broke out between the two and the suspectt was removed from the truck, the sheriff’s department said in a news release. While the owner of the business was on the phone with dispatchers from Calhoun County 911, Bilbrey allegedly entered the unoccu­ pied business where the truck was found, stole a Ford F-450 flatbed that was parked in the garage, crashed through the closed garage door and fled, police said. As deputies were investigating, Battle Creek Police received reports that a vehicle matching the description ofthe second stolen truck had struck two vehicles on M-37 in Bedford Township, failed to stop, and kept going northbound into Barry County, the Cal- houn sheriff’s office said in the news release. Shortly before noon, Barry County central dispatch received a call from Calhoun County central dispatch of a vehicle pursuit, Barry County Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman said. While fleeing through Barry County, Bil­ brey struck a 2003 Pontiac Montana, damaging the mirror on the vehicle. The driver of the damaged vehicle then attempted to get the license plate number of the truck. Bilbrey noticed the other driver, backed his car up, “got behind the victim’s car and smashed into the victim from behind,” Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt said at the time charges were filed. The chase extended through the city of Hastings and the village of Nashville. Nakfoor Pratt testified at Bilbrey’s arraignment that the suspect drove his vehicle toward two Barry County deputies and one citizen “at close range.” She said he directed his vehicle toward one ofthe deputies twice. None of Barry County’s sheriff’s vehicles were damaged during the chase, Undersheriff Jason Sixberry said.* The chase continued east into Eaton Coun­ ty. Deputies and a sergeant there deployed stop sticks to flatten the tires on the truck, but Bilbrey kept going, driving erratically toward the city of Charlotte, even with all four tires flat and driving on the rims, police said. Finally, sheriff’s deputies and a sergeant used their patrol vehicles to disable the truck in Charlotte. One Eaton County deputy was injured and five police vehicles were dam­ aged during the chase, police said. Bilbrey is believed to have been under the influence of methamphetamine during the chase. “He had acetone in his system, but no alco­ hol,” Young told the court. if Banner CLASSISEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNE^ *^45-^554 Estate Sales HUGE ESTATE SALE- 8421 Delton Rd., Delton 49046. Antiques, Furniture, Royal Daulton, Art, Dishes, Games, Cameras, Computers, Clocks, Lamps, Tools, 4X & 3X Cloth­ ing. Thurs.-Sat., April 13th, 14th, & 15th, 2023,8am-6pm. Sb A MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI- .V CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. Garage Sale MOVING SALE- HOUSE­ HOLD and tools. One day only! Sat., April, 8th, 2023 9am-5pm. 3902 E. Dowling Rd., Dowling. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES FOR Sale- Nice color, loves attention, 1st shots and wormed. $400. 269-223­ 9194. Business Services GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $300.00. 517-852-4881. PACILLO LAWNCARE Tak­ ing new clients in Hastings. Phone (269)838-6025. Michael Bilbrey of Marshall pleaded no contest to two counts of fleeing and eluding a police officer along with additional charges stemming from a multi-county police chase Jan. 24 at a hearing Wednesday in Barry County court. He will be sentenced June 21. Jnemes BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WELSH CORGI PUPPIES. Very cute & adorable. Up to date on shots & deworming. Ready to go. $400. 517-726­ 0706. TOY FOX TERRIER/POMERANIAN Cross PuppiesVery cute, will stay small, .Ist shatg^Ej^onned. $150.00 517-852-4881. Community Notice ZANDRA CLEMENS WEL­ COMES you to a Beauty Counter Womens Cosmetic Consultation Party. Beauty Counter is 100% dean non-toxic skincare. This Saturday, April 8th, 2023 @ 2:00 in the afternoon at 1464 E. Center Rd, Hastings. RSVP 616-678-1688. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.’’ Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. • This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which Is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the heariqg impaired is 1-800-927-9275. ii jj tanK > ।j; MnrtWKam? Vwiut j] j]IWf(iriea]Djidj7te (rea] j j e nbwmb vsoMftsteiruitil* to aenrari*11,4,51 S SS**** 6 jSS **Zi**r^s^^ Zi**r^s^^ rs Community Mental Health Board to return to full strength with upcoming appointments By Jayson Bussa Editor Vacant seats have persisted on the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority Board for over a year, hampered by a period ofvolatility and turnover. However, this department that provides behavioral and physical health care, in addi­ tion to substance use disorder services, has patched up those holes in its board when county commissioners selected four candi­ dates to fill four open positions. On Tuesday morning, the county’s Committee of the Whole conducted a round of interviews with six individuals that were interested in being appointed, or re-appointed, to the Community Mental Health Authority Board. The board had a total of four open positions - three ofwhich are full-term and one partial-term seat. Incumbent board members Duane Secor and William Mattson were recommended by the COW to retain their seats while newcom­ er Mark Bonsignore of Delton was recom­ mended for the other full-term position. Finally, Robert Miller of Hastings Charter Township was recommended to fill the par­ tial-term seat that had been vacated by Staci Adams, who was appointed on April 26 but had been unable to attend meetings for nearly a year. Adams agreed to step down from the posi­ tion. Miller’s term will end on March 31,2024. All recommendations must gain final approval from the Board ofCommissioners. The board had been chugging along despite a couple vacancies - one because ofAdams’ absence and the other caused when Nora Hurst resigned in Oct. 2022. “It’s hard because it takes time to under­ stand the mission of (Community) Mental Health, the resources - the local resources and what the state is doing - and the finances,” Rich Thiemkey, executive director ofCommu­ nity Mental Health, said about the long-standing vacancies. “It takes time to build that up. When you have some turnover it’s almost like you’re starting from ground zero and getting those individuals up to speed.”. Newcomer Bonsignore is a retired carpen­ ter that once tempted the idea of going into the mental health industry out of college. He has experience working in a mental health hospital and retained a passion for the work. Miller, the other newcomer to the board, was blunt about his past trials with both sub­ stance abuse and mental health disorders. Miller, who has been sober for over two decades, is both a farmer and also works for Skywood Recovery Center in Augusta. Some commissioners cited his lived experiences as a positive, giving him the opportunity to bet­ ter connect with patients that come through the department. “It was awesome to hear and to see that there is so much interest in community men­ tal health and helping individuals achieve their path to recovery, whatever that might be,” Thiemkey said ofthe pool ofcandidates. NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Matter of the The Gloria Wilson Landman Revocable Trust Dated September 11,1994, as amended TO ALL CREDITORS: .J?.0 Su0t?.or’ Gloria Landman (date of birth: May 30, riiri m h 4227 England Drive, Shelbyville, Ml 49344, lea March 6,2023. There Is no personal representative of the ,estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued. n ii ^loria Landman, deceased, are notified that i C? ms Tinst Gloria w- Landman or the The Gloria Wilsonn ™Ta'] Revocable trust dated September 11 11, 1994 1994, as “nenoed, will be forever barred unless presented to William m m.kSn’ Tru8tee’ within four (4) months after the date of publication. publication *S rther 9‘ven the Trust assets will thereafter be nai? a ^’etributed to the persons entitled thereto. Date: April 5,2023. T ^V G l or ia W ils o n L a nd m a n STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29446-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29430-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Estate of Viola Court address: 206 West Court Street, B. Kaufman. Date f bith of birth: 01/23/1923. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Viola B. f did 12/24/2022 Cdit f th d d t a r e n o tif ied th a t a l l c l a im s a g a i n s t t he e st a te w il l b e notified that all claims against the estate will be K a uf m a n die d 12 /2 4 /2 0 22 . C r e d i to r s of th e dec e d e n t forever ver barred unless presentedI tc.Nancy J. Marks oersonal representative, or to both the probate court at oerson Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Marilyn Sue Loveland. Date of birth: 11/22/1944. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marilyn Sue Loveland, died 01/11/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the RE OC A BL E T R U S T D AT ED Lisa Caldwell, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, REVOCABLE TRUST DATED and the personal representative within 4 months after Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 S e p t e mb er 1 1 , 199 4 , A S A MENDED William R. Wilson, Trustee the date of publication of this notice. months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 03/30/2023 2KWestAW&T P7O.. B Kmil eS8? Driv0, Sh0*byville, Ml 49344 mnrH1 E?d0ri0, HUd9inS & P.C. P.C. morgan I. rogalke (P83981) Attorneys for Trustee , Date: 03/30/2023 Nathan E. Tagg P68994 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 g, 2^3^X'KalamaZOO’MI 49003-4010 197698 269-924-2036 The purpose of this public hearing is to review and approve the proposed project plan being submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to procure the opportunity for lowinterest loans to fund the improvements. This hearing will only approve the project plan and will not approve the execution of the project or funding. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve the sanitary sewer collection system by increasing the sizes of certain sewers and repairing structurally defective sewer pipes to prevent) infiltration and potential failures/backups in the future. The project wi^also upgrade lift stations within the collection system and selectively upgrade vJater main and water services along with all necessary surface roadway improvements within the project limits. Project construction will involve the removal-and replacement of approximately 26,665 feet of sanitary sewer utilities and other utilities within the confluence of the sanitary sewer construction activities. Impacts of the proposed project include temporary road closures with detours, and, ultimately, an improved sewage conveyance system. The project area includes portions of the following streets: Market, Green, East Clinton, Dibble, Madison, Benton, Broadway, North, and Apple. Copies of the draft plan detailing the proposed projects are available for inspection at the following location(s): City of Hastings Website Written comments received before the hearing record is closed on April 24th will receive responses in the final project plan. Written comments should be sent to: The City of Hastings, Attn: Clerk, 201 E. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-364-5756 The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the Hastings City Clerk (telephone number 269-945*2468) or TDD call relay services 1-800-649- 3777. City Clerk Lisa Caldwell 4265 Waldorf Road, Delton, Ml 49046 197459 The hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday April 24th during the scheduled City Council Meeting. The public is welcome to attend. Christopher Bever 269-948-2900 269-945-9557 Nancy J. Marks donca 900 Arthur Court, Hastings, Ml 49058 The City of Hastings will hold a public hearing on the proposed Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements project for the purpose of receiving comments from interested persons. estate will be forever barred unless presented to 206 West Court Street, Suite 302Hastings, Ml 49058 W il lia m R W i ls o nT r u s te e NOTICE OF PROJECT PLAN PUBLIC HEARING City of Hastings City Hall - 201 E. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Hastings, Ml 49058 Has t i g s , M l 4 9 5 8 C o Eurt u r ttn tet etleph le p h fon o n Ve e0 in n olo. :: (269) Co (B 269)K 945-1390 945f-1390 Dt CITY OF HASTINGS The estimated cost to users for the proposed project is approximately $15.61 per sewer customer per month solely based on the payback on principal and interest for the estimated capital costs of the project. LEGAL NOTICES HP 197S90 197403 �Great season on mats for Barry Co. cheerleaders Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was another outstanding season on the cheer mats around Barry County. The five area varsity teams sent two teams to the state finals, four to regionals and won three conference titles. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team won OK Gold Conference and MHSAA Division 2 District championships on its way to the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals at Central Michi­ gan University. The Trojan team placed fifth at the finals, matching its program’s best state finish ever. Lakewood and Hastings competed in Divi­ sion 3 in the state postseason and both reached the regional round of the state tour­ nament. The Vikings advanced through their regional to earn a spot in the Division 3 Finals at CMU where they scored an eighth place finish. Lakewood finished off an undefeated run through the entirety of the Greater Lansing Activities Conference, winning another league championship. Hastings also took a conference title in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference. Delton Kellogg was the area’s other region­ al qualifying team, in Division 4. Delton Kellogg, Hastings and Maple Val­ ley were all honored as honorable mention academic all-state teams this season by the Competitive Cheer Coaches’ Association of Mali Holland HASTINGS AREA SCHOOL SYSTEM 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR OPEN FOR REGISTRATION ▼ APRIL HASTINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMONS 232 W. GRAND STREET 269-948-4400 PLEASE BRING PROOF OF RESIDENCY, IMMUNIZATION HEARING AND VISION RECORDS, AND AN ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE. APPOINTMENTSAND KINDERGARTEN SCREENING (SCHOOL OF CHOICE FORMS HILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE) APPOINTMENTS HILL BE MADE AT THIS TIME. TO ENROLL ONLINE, VISITHHH.HASSK12.ORG NOTE: IF YOU ENROLL ONLINE, HE HILL HAVE YOUR REGISTRATION FORMS PRINTED OUT ON THE 18TH Michigan, and a number ofgirls from across the county earned individual, academic all­ state honors. Here are the 2022-23 All-Barry County Competitive Cheer First and Second Teams. All-Barry County Competitive Cheer First Team Lydia Berg, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior in all three rounds for the Trojan team that matched its’ program’s highest state fin­ ish ever. Berg earned honorable mention all­ state in Division 2 this season. Berg earned a number of honors this year including all-conference, all-district first tea!m and she was honorable mention all-region. Ericka Critzer, Hastings: A senior backspot for the Saxon varsity team this season who is a four-yer member of the Hastings varsity. She is the only senior to receive the Saxons’ 8 season award for competitive and sideline cheer this season. She competed in all three rounds at times for the Saxons this season and coach Linsey Jacinto said she “always puts her team’s needs in front of her own.” She was one of three Saxons to earn academic all-state honors. Mali Holland, Thornapple Kellogg: Hol­ land capped her junior season with the TK varsity competitive cheer team earning first team all-state honors in Division 2 while helping the Trojan team to a fifth place finish at the finals. A stand-out in all three rounds for the TK team, Holland also was named all-confer­ ence, first team all-district and first team all-region this winter. Madison Nino, Hastings: A two-year member ofthe Saxon varsity team. Nino was a captain for the Hastings squad this winter. Nino competed in all three rounds this sea­ son and coach Jacinto said she was a stand out leader for the team. Emily Pillar, Lakewood: A junior in her third varsity season, Pillar earned a spot front and center as the season progressed. A base in round three, Pillar was named second team all-state in Division 3 this sea­ son and also earned first team all-conference, first team all-district and first team all-region honors. Emily Reitz, Maple Valley: A sophomore in her second varsity season for the Lions. She competed in all three rounds and as a flyer in round three. She was named first team all-district and an all-conference award winner this season. “Emily is very dedicated to cheer, had the best attendance on the team and has a coach­ able attitude. She has shown a lot of growth this season and challenged herself by improv­ ing her gymnastic skills, jumps and mat pres­ ence,” head coach Sarah Huissen said. Marissa Roberts, Hastings: A four-year member ofthe Saxon varsity team, Roberts moved from being a base to a flyer this sea­ son. “[She] worked incredibly hard to over­ come fear, to fill the role her team needed,” coach Jacinto said. “She is a competitor in every sense ofthe word and is a highlight in all three rounds.” Emily Root, Lakewood: A senior in her third varsity season, Root was in all three rounds for the Vikings this year. Root, a flyer in round three, was named first team all-state in Division 3. She also earned first team all-conference, first team all-district and first team all-region along the way. Monica Serrano Aguilar, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior foreign exchange student who was able to step in to compete for the Trojans in all three rounds. She was honored with her squad’s teammate ofthe year award. Serrano Aguilar was also named first team all-district, honorable mention all-region this season while also earning academic all­ state honors. Anna Smith, Thornapple Kellogg: A junior, Smith was a key part of the Trojans’ performance throughout the season and earned second team all-state honors after the Trojans’ fifth-place finish at the D2 Finals in Mount Pleasant. Smith was also honored with all-confer­ ence, first team all-district and first team all-region awards. Kenady Smith, Thornapple Kellogg: A junior, Smith was a key part of all three rounds for the TK team this season culminat­ ing in second team all-state honors at the end of the D2 State Finals hosted by Central Michigan University. Smith was also named all-conference, first team all-district and first team all-region this season. Kylie Walkington,, Lakewood: A junior in her first varsity season, Walkington earned a spot in all three roiinds for Vikings. Walkington performed as a base and a key tumbler for the Vikings in round three. She. was named honorable mention all-state in Division 3 and also earned first team all-con­ ference, first team all-district and second team all-region this season. Maddy Waller, Delton Kellogg: A three round regular as a junior for the DK team as a junior this winter, she was named the Pan­ thers’ MVP and an academic all-state award winner. Madison Nino Waller was also named first team all-dis­ trict and honorable mention all-region this season. “In her second year on varsity she has become a valuable asset to our team. She is my veteran flyer, a great tumbler and a round one leader,” said head coach Zoe Reynolds. Maysse Weissner, Delton Kellogg! A junior in her second varsity season for Delton, Weissner performed in all three rounds. Weissner earned first team all-conference, honorable mention all-district and honorable mention academic all-state awards.. This season Maysse became a great leader to the team and a huge leader in round two,” coach Reynolds said. “Her growth from last season has been tremendous.” All-Barry County Competitive Cheer Second Team Kasey Campbell, Hastings: A junior in her first competitive cheer season, Campbell started in round two and then quickly earned her place in all three rounds for the Saxons. “She works hard to perfect her skills, stays positive, and brings a lot of firn and laughter to the team,” coach Jacinto said. Taylor Carpenter, Lakewood: A fresh­ man base for the Vikings who was also a tumbler for her team. She earned a spot in all three founds in her first varsity season. Carpenter was named first team all-confer­ ence, first team all-district and second team all-region this season. Carly Frazer, Hastings: Frazer Carly is a three-year member ofthe Saxon varsity team and the team’s strongest base. Frazer competed in all three rounds as a junior this year and coach Jacinto said she gives her all to her team every day. Payton Gater, Thornapple Kellogg: A freshman for the Trojans, Gater won her team’s Coaches’ Award this season. She was named all-conference honorable mention in the OK Gold, second team all-district and second team all-region as well. Elaina Haring, Lakewood: Haring had an outstanding senior season as a base for the Vikings this winter. Haring was named first team all-confer­ ence, second team all-district and honorable mention all-region. Presley Hall, Thornapple Kellogg: One of three seniors on the Trojan team that placed fifth at the D2 State Finals. Hall honed her skills to be a part ofall three rounds at the finals. Hall was named honorable mention all­ state in Division 2 and also earned honorable mention all-district, Mia Hilton, Thornapple Kellogg: A freshman flyer in all three rounds for the Tro­ jans, Hilton earned academic all-state honors at the end ofthe year. Along the way, Hilton was also named all-conference, second team all-district and second team all-region. Ava Jahnke, Thornapple Kellogg: A junior flyer in all three rounds for the Trojans, Jahnke capped her season by earning aca­ demic all-state honors. Jahnke was named all-conference, first team all-district and first team all-region this season. Claira Kovich, Thornapple Kellogg: A freshman flyer for the Trojans, Kovich was a big part ofall three rounds for her team. Kovich earned all-conference honorable mention, second team all-district and second team all-region honors this season. Alexa Reitz, Maple Valley: A junior her in her third season as a varsity cheerleader. She isa flyer in round three for th4e Lions who earned second team all-conference and second team all-district this season. “Alexa has great leadership skills and her entire team looks up to her,” coach Huissen said. “She also has a coachable attitude and is always ready to push herself to the next level. Alexa has a powerful mat presence and has some ofthe best skills on the team.” Sophia Rose, Maple Valley: A sophomore in her second varsity season, she participated in all three rounds for the Lions including as a backspot in round three. She was named honorable mention all-conference in the GLAC. “Sophia, has a great mat presence and held our middle spot in round one and two this season. She has some of the best flexibility on the team. She also had a coachable attitude and is respected by her teammates,” coach Huissen said. Natalee Sanders, Hastings: A senior backspot in her second varsity season, Sand­ ers was a team captain who competed in all three rounds. “[She] stepped up huge to lead her team,” coach Jacinto said. “I contribute a huge amount of our success to Natalee this sea­ son.” Kassandra Schlottman, Lakewood: A junior in her first varsity season, Schlottman was a key member of rounds one and three for the Vikings and filled in as needed in round two. She was named first team all-conference and second team all-district this season. Carly Webb, Delton Kellogg: A senior in her second season on the DK varsity, Webb was in all three rounds for the Panthers this winter. She was named first team all-district and earned academic all-state honors. “Carley has really grown into a great cheerleader. She always gives 100 percent. She started her flying journey this season and did a phenomenal job. She quickly became my number two flyer. I would keep her another season if I could - her growth could be endless,” coach Reynolds said. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-04-13.pdf 1cffcd6d039667304d3d19f4b8209f03 PDF Text Text Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street] 4UU|8 Four-way stop considered for intersection near HMS mi Popular recycling program makes return DK Panthers spring sports preview See story on page 8 See pages 9-11 See story on page 5 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 49058195427 ANNER Thursday, April 13, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 15 PRICE $1.50 Natural gas back flowing in Hastings officials assess days-long restoration effort Jayson Bussa Editor Life is a bit more comfortable for residents in Hastings this week. Late last week, Consumer'. Energy announced that a leak in a high-pressure gas line located in Nashville caused pressure in the entire system to plummet, forcing the statewide energy provider to turn off service to roughly 4,500 homes and businesses, most ofthem in the city ofHastings. Summoning additional crews from around the region to Barry County and working around the clock, Consumers Energy embarked on the daunting task ofshutting off gas me ts for all 4,500 customers, building a bypass ir the broken line, purging the gas lines arid finally circling back to all clients to relight i heir pilots safely. This meant that many residents went with­ out natural gas — no heat, warm water or the ability to operate a gas-powered stove — for days. See NATURAL GAS, page 3 Consumers Energy trucks fitted the parking lot at Fish Hatchery Park in Hastings on Thursday, usirlg tlie piJ>'< fas a base of operations while crews responded to the fallout of a gas leak in Barry County. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) NATURAL GAS OUTAGE Local restaurant faces crisis when gas shut off See story on page 3 Outage a reminder that patience is a virtue See story on page 4 PICKING UP THE PIECES: Home and car owners deal with damage following destructive hailstorm A leak that formed in a high-pressure gas main underneath the Thomapple River in Nashville caused a geyser to form in the center of the river. The leak caused pressure in system to drop, disrupting service to many customers last week and prompting Consumers Energy to set up a temporary bypass. (Photo provided) City approves 911 tower site near planned emergency services building site Molly Macleod Copy Editor Much ofBarry County and the surround­ ing areas were pummeled last week in a hailstorm for the ages. With some hail­ stones measuring the size of tennis balls, the damage, especially near Woodland, was extensive. The destructive storm rolled into the northern part ofBarry County around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4. After leaving behind damage all the way back in Way­ land, the storm had picked up steam and created larger hailstones once it arrived in Woodland. Locals said the barrage ofhail lasted for about 10 minutes, which felt like an eternity to many homeowners and car owners. After passing through Woodland, the storm lost a bit ofsteam and continued into the Lake Odessa area before dying out near Lansing. Though the blanket of white hailstones that covered the ground following the storm See HAILSTORM, page 7 Hunter McLaren Thousands of homeowners in Barry County are dealing with extensive damage following a destructive hailstorm last week. The hail, which ranged In size from pea- to tennis ball-size, has left many homeowners in need of roof and siding repair. (Photos by Molly Macleod) StaffWriter Barry County Central Dispatch has found a new potential site for an emergency commu­ nications tower in Hastings. City council members unanimously approved a site on city-owned property during a workshop meeting Monday. The site would place the tower on a city-owned lot at 1037 E. State St., near East Center Road. The site, currently known as Bliss Riverfront Park, is being eyed by the city for a new emergency services building that will host the city police and fire departments once developed. Stephanie Lehman, director of Barry Coun­ ty Central Dispatch, gave a presentation to city council members about the importance of the site. Lehman said the East State Street site was likely the best possible location for the 315-foot tall tower, even better than previous­ ly proposed sites that had been ruled out. “I met with (Hastings Police) Chief (Dale) Boulter and with City Manager Sarah Moy- See 911 TOWER, page 3 Stephanie Lehman, Barry County Central Dispatch director, gave a presentation to city council members about the planned 911 tower before the council's regular meeting on Monday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) City, local businesses brace for big crowd that comes with annual Barry-Roubaix Jayson Bussa Editor Jennie Sykes knows that, on Saturday, finding parking spots for her staff and cus­ tomers is going to be a giant pain in the youknow-what. But she’s ok with it. “It doesn’t bother me — I’m not one of those naysayers that say I don’t want all these people to come,” said Sykes, owner of Bee Eclectic Studio & Emporium at 117 W State Street in Hastings. “No, we want people to IF YOU GO See page 2 for a full run down ofthis weekend’s Barry-Roubaix, including a schedule of events and tips on how to navigate what will be a crowded city of Hastings. See BARRY-ROUBAIX, page 2 The Barry-Roubaix road, faff-road bicycle race will be held in Hastings this weekend, drawing in 4,600 riders and their supporters (File photos by Brett Bremer) �Page 2 — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Tuesday is Tax Day Once again, Tax Day is looming. The deadline to file state and federal taxes this year is Tuesday, April 18. Those needing an extension for their taxes must fill out Form 4868 by this date as well to t avoid penalties. Though those with an extension can wait until Oct. 16 to file their taxes, any owed taxes are still due by the April 18 deadline. Anyone who overpaid and will be receiving a return will typically not be penalized for missing the deadline, though they are encouraged to file as soon as possible. Local residents who need help filing their taxes can contact the Barry County United Way, 269-945-4010. The organization will connect those needing help with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) representatives. Lake 0 council holding village manager interviews Saturday Lake Odessa may soon know its newest village manager. The Lake Odessa Village Council will begin interviewing a shortlist ofvillage manag­ er candidates this Saturday, April 15, starting at 9 a.m. The interviews will take place at the Page Memorial Building, 839 Fourth Ave., in Lake Odessa. The interviews for a new village manager come on the heels of former Village ManMan­ ager Patrick Reagan’s resignation in January and the subsequent appointment ofInterim Village Manager Gregg Guetschow. The council wasted no time in beginning their search for a new manager, enlisting the help of Jerry Richards and the Michigan Municipal League, an executive search consulting firm. Members ofthe public are welcome to sit in on the interviews. Comic-con coming to Nashville 2023 Founders Barry-Roubaix event schedule Race packet and pre-ordered merchandise pick-up - Friday, April 14,2 to 8 p.m. at Ace Hardware, 200 S. Boltwood St. in Hastings. Open parking on south end of the Ace Hardware parking lot. - Saturday, April 15, 5:30 to 10:45 a.m. at Ace Hardware, 200 S. Boltwood St. in Hastings. Ace Hardware parking lot is only opened to those with pre-purchased parking passes on Saturday. - Friday, April 14, 4 to 8 p.m. at the awards area located at Center and Church streets. The official pre-party of the Barry-Roubaix, featuring live music, food trucks, prize giveaways, group rides and a bonfire. Hastings Rotary Club will be serving beer from event sponsor Founders Brewing Co. 975 Main Street There is no fee to attend the event, which will open its doors at 10 a.m. The convention will end at 4 p.m. Individuals and families can tour the FoxView ballroom packed with vendors and creators selling unique collectibles. At 3 p.m., an auction for toys and collectibles will be held. There will also be special guest appearances by many favorite characters in costume at the event. i “We wanted to put on something for families that maybe have heard ofcomic-cons on TV or read about them but never had the opportunity to go to one,” said Aaron Warner, who owns FoxView with his wife, Angie. “When it’s 10 minutes down the road, it’s easy to get there.” Food, snacks and beverages are available for purchase during the convention. Pierce Institute hiking challenge begins today Nature enthusiasts and casual hikers will have an opportunity to become “Trail Masters” in the coming months through Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s trail challenge series. Hikers will jbiri Institute staff in social hikes around the Institute’s 850 acres offorest, wetlands and prairies-eabh month. Pierid-Cedar Creek* Institute, a nature center and out- " door education center located'at 701 W. Cloverdale Rd? in Hastings, Has an extensive trail1" system with over nine miles ofhiking trails. To achieve the title of“Trail Master,” participants must complete one hike each month during the seven-month challenge. Two opportunities for the same hike will be offered each month. “Trail Masters” that complete the challenge will also receive a commemo­ rative decal sticker. Each hike is about two miles in distance. The terrain is uneven and hilly on grassy to dirt-packed, and sometimes muddy, trails. Members ofthe Institute will pay $10 for the seven-part hiking series; non-members will pay $14. This cost covers all seven hikes. This month, the hiking challenge will kick off on the Ephemeral Pond, Pine Ridge, Brewster Lake and Big Woods Trails at the Institute. The first hike will be Thursday, April 13 and the second, identical hike offered will be Saturday, April 15. All hikes in the trail challenge series will start at 10 a.m. and end around noon. Those interested in the challenge are asked to register as soon as possible; space is limited. More information about the challenge and registration is available at cedarcreekinstitute.org. - 18-mile Floyds of Leadville “Chiller” (First wave leaves at 11:15 a.m.) - Pastor Bryce Feighner from Green Street UMC welcomes guests to participate in a “Blessing of the Bikes” at 9:30 a.m. before the race begins. The event will include a group prayer in the park­ ing lot behind the church. wW'R5 5 ^’ - 18-mile Floyds ofLeadville “Chiller” (2 p.m.) 36-mile Security CU “Thriller” (2:45 p.m.) 62-mile SRAM “Killer” (3:30 p.m.) 100-mile Panaracer “Psycho Killer” (4:30 p.m.) *75^1 I* After Party Races - 100-mile Panaracer “Psycho Killer” (7 a.m. start time) - 36-mile Security CU “Thriller” (First wave leaves at 10 a.m.) -62-mile SRAM “Killer” (First wave leaves at 11 a.m.) - An after party will be held at the finish line from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food available from Two Bones BBQ, Camzies Wood Fired Pizza, Bigfoot Burgers and Los Pinches Tacos. Police: Head out earlier than normal Saturday, be patient on account of influx of Barry-Roubaix bikers StaffWriter Police and city workers will be working extra early ahead of Saturday’s Barry-Rou­ baix bike race. Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter said the Hastings Police Department will be work­ ing alongside Hastings Department ofPublic Services workers as early as 4:30 a.m. Satur­ day in preparation for the event. In fact, prep work for the race starts days before, with crews placing race signage and arrow boards near key intersections ahead of time. HPD and DPS will work to get those signs and indicators placed on the road before the first race starts at 7 a.m. Once the race is underway, they’ll get a chance to breathe before the next wave of racers takes offat 10 a.m. “It gives us some time to kind ofback up, make sure we’re all in place, communicate with county officers, the (Sheriff’s) posse, all the other units that support the race,” Boulter said. “There’s quite a bit of planning that goes into it, but we’ve done it several times. It doesn’t change’rinlch from year to year. Between the PD arid the DPS crew, we kind ofknow what needs to be done while adding in a few things here and there.” Boulter said he realizes the influx ofracers and spectators that come into town for the Barry-Roubaix can bei quite the shock to life in Hastings. With around 4,500 racers signed up this year, Hastings could easily have dou- ble its normal population within city limits if each racer brings even one spectator. “I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a long day. But it’s pretty cool to see these people come in,” Boulter said. With them, those racers bring a host ofcon­ cerns from Hastings and the driving public. “There’s been some concerns and com­ ments we’ve been monitoring on Facebook about bicyclists not obeying the rules ofthe road,” Boulter said. “We are definitely going to have conversations with them just like we do with drivers ofmotor vehicles.” “Does everybody get a ticket? No, every­ one does not get a ticket,” Boulter said. “That’s left up to the officer, and that’s true for a bicyclist or someone operating a motor vehicle.” Racers will have some special privileges on Saturday, like having some intersections on their route blocked off and controlled by police officers. Bicyclists have a right to the road everywhere else in the county just like drivers, but they’ll also be held to the same expectations that drivers would be. They have to obey stop-signs, traffic signals, right Of-way arid signal before turning just like anyone driving a car would, Boulter said. While he understands some frustrations can arise from the influx ofvisitors and hav­ ing to accommodate an unusually high num­ ber of cyclists, Boulter said he hopes those frustrations can be put aside for one day. “For some people, it’s a little inconvenient for them on that day,” he said. “But it’s only that day, and then they’re pretty much gone. They bring a lot ofthings to the city and the county as a whole.” For those who are making a trip to down­ town Hastings on Saturday to do something other than spectate the Barry-Roubaix, Boulter offered some tips: — Avoid downtown if you can, especially between the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Ifyou have an appointment, arrive early. “If you are typically a half-hour early person, I would recommend arriving no less than an hour early, especially ifit’s between the hours of 8 and 10,” Boulter said. - Plan ahead for scarce parking spots downtown. “Park where you can; don’t block people’s driveways,” he said. “I don’t want to have to tow someone’s car.” - Ifthere is an emergency, don’t hesitate to call the police. They will do whatever they need to ensure access to the hospital. “I will shut that bike race down in a heartbeat to get somebody to the hospital in an emergency,” Boulter said. ■ — With law enforcement and city crewj manning the event, everyone -is1' in good hands, Boulter said. It’s just up to racers and residents to be kind and courteous with each other. “Saturday is going to be busy in the city and it’s going to be busy in Barry County, so be patient,” he said. “Take your time and watch out for bicycles.” . sr Insul4?~ SPRAYFOAM W Closed dr Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING ML Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber “self. Organizers said they expect one of the largest crowds for this year’s installment of the Barry-Roubaix. New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. RADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License- Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 n 110376 & Insured Make a tote, pillow, curtains, tablecloth, placemats, potholders, aprons, more Time to start quiltsfor Christmas Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station BARRY-ROUBAIX, continued from page 1 come to Hastings. We want to be community oriented. Are we prepared to do it on a regular basis? Probably not.” This weekend, a large crowd will descend on Hastings for the annual road, off-road cycling race the Barry-Roubaix. Races are scheduled for Saturday, April 15, but orga­ nizers will be holding some activities the night before. Matt Acker, co-director ofthe Barry-Rou­ baix, Said that he expects the largest crowd yet - a byproduct of the great weather that has been forecasted mixed with an expanded field of riders. This year, the race will welcome 4,600 riders that will take to courses of 18, 36, 62 and 100 miles in length. Even compared to some ofthe city’s mar­ quee events, like Summerfest, the Barry Rou­ baix attracts some ofthe largest crowds to the city. The event debuted in 2009, originally held in the Gun Lake area before being moved to Hastings seven years ago. Sykes is a merchant of antique items and dolls. At Bee Eclectic, she works with many clients to help them make repairs to their fl Awards Celebration Blessing of the Bikes Hunter McLaren Nashville will be home to a one-day-only comic-con and toy show this Saturday, April 15. The convention will feature a toy auction and will be hosted by FoxView in Nashville, x"" B4 Barry Gravel Social and Recon Ride items. Considering her business model, she doesn’t necessarily see sales soar with the influx ofvisitors to Hastings, but she admitted that any exposure is good exposure. She and her staffwill have to grapple with the lack ofparking during the event, but it’s not a huge issue for Sykes, as she lives 11 blocks and will likely walk to work that day. Johnny DeMaagd and his crew at Left Field Coffee are bracing for a potential stream ofcustomers looking to caffeinate for this early-morning event. For DeMaagd, who also, operates a location in Middleville, this will be his first year open at the Hastings location during the race. “It’s been well coordinated and I’m excited to be in town for it,” DeMaagd said. “With our Middleville location, we would see some bikers bike past when it was still going through Main Street (in past years), so it’s an exciting time to sort ofbe at the hub ofit.” DeMaagd said that Left Field will open earlier than normal - at 5 a.m. - and have more staffon hand. I have experience with these long-dis- tance, multi-sport races. This is right up our alley,” he said. “These are people I’m excited to welcome to town to show all that Hastings and Barry County have to offer.” “People are flying internationally to come to Hastings, Michigan. It’s great,” DeMaagd added. “The inconvenience of parking and logistics for one or two days pales in compar­ ison to the economic impact and the benefit ofshowing people what we’re able to do here every day.” There is no question that the Barry-Rou­ baix is a significant economic driver for the city and the county. Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Jackson spent time during Tuesday morning’s weekly meeting to speak about the importance ofit. “There will be bikes all over Barry County all morning, all weekend,” Jackson said. “They’re out practicing now, so keep your eyes open - there are bikes everywhere. This is a blue ribbon day in Barry County. Over 4,000 people will be here, plus their cheering sections ... if you have some time and want to enjoy the sunshine Saturday, wander around downtown.” ik i �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — Page 3 §K K Local restaurants deal with weekend of chaos caused by natural gas leak Jayson Bussa w , w S&h.. Editor Last weekend was a busy one for Jordan Danks and his crew at Seasonal Grille in Hastings. Cateringjobs alone consisted ofan 80-person funeral and a 175-person wedding in Holland all in addition to the annual Easter buffet that the restaurant hosts each year, which draws up to 300 people. Then, on a Thursday morning, the crew found out that they would have to tend to these orders without ovens. I “I’m like, we need our ovens because this is not good,” said Danks, who serves as a manager at Seasonal Grille. The restaurant was one ofthe 4,500 homes and businesses in and around Hastings to lose the flow ofnatural gas last Thursday morning due to a leak in a high-pressure gas line. The days-long outage proved disruptive to the city, residents and businesses — especially restaurants. While Danks seemed relatively calm and nonchalant* when recounting the mounting crisis, he admitted that it was a full-blown crisis. When asked if he thought some of the catering gigs would fall through, Danks laughed and said “Oh yeah, definitely.” Seasonal Grille was without natural gas for Thursday and Friday, eventually getting it back on Saturday morning so that the catering orders could be prepared in-house. Before that, though, Danks and owner Justin Straube ran through every possible remedy - from utilizing other kitchens they had access to in other towns to Straube throwing a brisket on his own personal grill at home. “If we would have lost Easter buffet, we had all that stuff already in our coolers and freezers and you can’t take that back,” Danks said. “That’s 300 people.” Like Seasonal Grille, local restaurants had to either close up shop or provide a limited menu as they operated without natural gas. It was a huge hurdle facing restaurants while other businesses simply had to get by without heat for their buildings. Tiffany Castine, co-owner of Hastings Nutrition, wasn’t in the store for the outage but said that her health smoothie shop remained open with staffstaying comfortable with a space heater. Not having gas and flame wasn’t a huge deal for Castine, but it was do-or-die for Sea­ sonal Grille this weekend. Danks felt fortunate that the gas came on when it did, and his team had something to do with it. Staff at Seasonal Grille spotted a techni­ cian at nearby Al & Pete’s Sport Shop and convinced him to restore service to the restau­ rant followed by Richie’s Koffee Shop and then KJoosterman’s Sports Tap. “They’re not supposed to go offtheir tick­ ets and the people that opened ours, we weren’t on their tickets,” Danks explained. “...That team right there, I give them my respect. They’re probably getting yelled at for that.” 5> '**w W*** **S>^ sSKfe11* ‘4'iJ5 ! •s;k"“«< 5 Linda Maupin, executive director of the Family Support Center of Barry County, thanked council members for raising awareness of the prevalence of child abuse. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) City recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings City Council took a moment to recognize April as National Child Abuse Pre­ vention Month this week. Mayor Dave Tossava presented a procla­ mation recognizing the month to Linda Maupin, executive director of the Family Support Center ofBarry County. The procla­ mation recognized Family Support Center as being a designated leader against child abuse in Barry County. “Community action is needed to help fam­ ilies break the cycle of abuse with small or simple gestures. Just by reaching out and showing you care about the children in your family and neighborhood demonstrates we value our children,” Tossava read from the proclamation. “Now therefore be it resolved that I, Dave Tossava, Mayor of the city of Hastings, hereby declare April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention month in Hastings.” Maupin thanked council members for their support and said of the 600,000 children abused in the United States each year, over 25,000 are abused or neglected in Michigan alone. “This is why it’s so important that you support us and we appreciate it so much. One of the things that we push for is awareness of the issue,” she said. “We push for advocacy and also education, so thank you for helping us.” She also said council members might notice pinwheels as a reminder ofher organi­ zation’s mission throughout the county. “In the month of April, wherever you go in Barry County, you’ll start to see little blue pinwheels,” Maupin said. “That represents the happy, healthy and whimsical childhood that we know every child deserves.” In other business, city council: -Approved a design concept for a planned expansion ofthe disc golf course and facili­ ties at Hammond Hill. - Set a budget workshop for the 2023-24 fiscal year for 6 p.m. on April 24. - Set a public hearing to accept comments on a proposed project plan for sanitary sewer collection system improvements for 7 p.m. on April 24. 911 TOWER, continued from page 1 taa^aitaufe!K itaufe!K «Sk?t4”'llhata»! 'llht! f ii- kiTL*^* ki ^Btiifttit ^Bataaiiftjustgpionteuj LZZ*"1 "^^^(WtoBliia aw xnxkMqhdb* ®s **** l&RfyisgoagtotelnsyiDfcd *■11® rtuhfedk^ii rift&l^htybltytaty I is «E xczxiXKm x ptt’!r si’> jwfeea giBt* sstocfirte" This sign was posted on the door of State Street Diner in Hastings last Thursday. The restaurant, like others, was forced to remain closed as it awaited the return of natural gas service. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) NATURAL GAS, continued from page 1 Ifwas a problem fhat greeted residents first thing in the morning last Thursday. “I didn’t really know what was going on,” said Carrie Larabee, who lives near West Madison and South Young streets in Hast­ ings. “The shower wasn’t hot, the house felt cold and then you got on Facebook and saw people talking about it.” Larabee would not see the flow of natural gas restored to her home until Sunday. For the most part, she stuck it out at home with the help ofelectric space heaters. She checked on elderly neighbors and ran them food when she was able. Larabee admitted that she did finally break down and rented a room at the Holiday Inn for the sole purpose of taking a shower but was careful not to leave the house in fear of missing a visit from a technician. “You just didn’t really want to go anywhere,” Larabee said. The Banner was directed to Tracy Wim­ mer, media relations specialist for Consumers Energy, for insight into the company’s restoration efforts, Wimmer told The Banner on Tuesday that, the only homes that had not been restored belonged to residents that were not home at the time ofa technician’s visit. “All impacted customers had either been relit or contacted — meaning a crew member knocked on their door but they did not answer, so they were left a tag with information on how to contact us and schedule a time for a relight - by late Sunday,” Wimmer said in an email. Consumers Energy had anywhere from 64 to 120 workers deployed at a time going door-to-door throughout the affected area to relight pilots in homes and businesses. “Once the leak was detected, it was addressed relatively quickly,” Wimmer said. It was the effort to relight individual pilots, which had to be done by our crews on a home-by-home basis, that took the most sig­ nificant amount oftime.” Residents took to social media to share their status and estimate when they might see the flow of natural gas restored to their homes. Most residents that called Consumers Energy found few answers from the futility itself. “Nobody reached out to us,” Larabee said. “I did call Friday evening and asked ifthey had any information and she basically told me that she knew as much as I did.” Wimmer detailed Consumer Energy’s efforts to get the word out during what was a very fluid situation. “This was not a scheduled disruption - a natural gas leak was detected in the main under Thomapple River late last week, and service had to be shut off immediately to address it,” she said. “That process moved very quickly, however shutting off service meant we needed to individually relight every pilot on the system and so the bulk of our notification efforts were related to that pro­ cess. We shared updates with the media and made targeted posts on social (media) to alert customers in the area as well as texting impacted customers.” Hastings Mayor Dave Tossava said that the city established a liaison with Consumers Energy and joined in the effort to release important information about restoration efforts. The city posted updates to its social media accounts. “Yea, some people thought they (Consum­ ers Energy crews were) jumping around (to make service calls) but that’s kind ofthe way the gas lines run around town,” said Tossava, who lives on Mill Street, where his gas was restored on Friday. “I think people got a little discouraged,” Tossava added. “Ifyou have a power outage you can go to the outage map and they’ll show you where they’re at- and it gives you a rough idea when they; will fix that. With a situation like this, I don’t even think they knew.” knew. All circumstances considered, Tossava tipped his cap to Consumers Energy and commended their efforts td rest6re service to residents. City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale provided a quick debriefing on what role the city played during the gas leak to council mem­ bers at their meeting on Monday. “We tried to act as a conduit for informa­ tion to the best ofour ability. I felt (Consum­ ers Energy) did a great job communicating with us the information that they had as it became available.” f Moyer-Cale said the city primarily worked to share information with citizens as soon as they could. The city posted updates from Con­ sumers Energy about the expected timeline of services returning to normal and asked citizens not to attempt lighting their own pilot lights. The city also worked to get Consumers Energy representatives in touch with local business owners, as many businesses were closed due to the gas outage and did not have anyone inside to receive Consumers crew members. Moyer-Cale thanked city workers for doing the best they could to serve the public during the outage, keeping the city halll open on Thursday. She said Hastings City Hall got its gas service turned back on Sunday. “Everybody was able to pitch in and make sure that our facilities could be open and oper­ ating to the greatest extent possible,” she said. Wimmer concluded that the leak has been addressed and that Consumers Energy does not foresee any further disruptions to service. Staffwriter Hunter McLaren contributed to this report er-Cale, and we started to have some conver­ sations about the potential for your emergen­ cy services building that you’re potentially going to be building on State Street,” Lehman ('aid. “Itjust,made sense; Ifthat’s where your iolice department and your fire department are going to be housed, it would make sense for us to have a radio tower there.” The East State Street site was the fourth site considered by Lehman, who worked with Moyer-Cale, to find a place for the tower. Locations near West State Road and Country Club Drive, as well as the former Barry County Mental Health Authority building near Algonquin Lake were ruled out before a site at the Barry County Road Commission was proposed. The Federal Aviation Adminis­ tration ruled all three sites were too close to the Hastings airport - a tower there could be no taller than 175 feet. The FAA provided Lehman with an “area of concern,” showing which areas around Hast­ ings the regulatory group would not allow the tower based on their proximity to the airport and the chances ofa possible aircraft collision. Lehman said the exclusion area was helpful in narrowing the search for a suitable location, but it was also very restrictive. “I always have a Plan B. This (site) was like Plan D,” Lehman joked. “This was the fourth potential site, but I have to tell you that when my civil engineering team was here and they came out they said this is it. This is the best site within that radius of concern from the FAA. Ifyou take a look at that (area of concern), it wipes out a large area ofthe city ofHastings.” The Hastings communications tower is one of two that BCCD plans to build after suc­ cessfully lobbying for Barry County Ameri­ can Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and state bud­ get surplus funds, with the other tower tenta­ tively planned to be constructed at Mid­ dleville’s wastewater treatment plant. These two towers are part ofsix total tow­ ers needed in Barry County to bring emer­ gency communications capabilities in the county to where they need to be, Lehman said. The need for the additional towers, at an estimated $20 million cost, has been a conun­ drum for BCCD since before Lehman was director, she<said. The Hastings and Mid­ dleville towers were chosen to start the proj­ ect because they would provide coverage to the largest population centers in the county and could be built entirely using $5.7 million in county ARPA and state budget surplus funds awarded to BCCD. Lehman said as it is now, emergency com­ munications towers in Barry County are overloaded and offer sparse coverage while the amount ofcalls steadily increases. While BCCD dispatched emergency services 48,000 times in 2017, Lehman said dispatch­ es were up to 54,000 in 2022. Along with bolstering BCCD infrastructure, the new towers would allow for increased interoper­ ability between emergency services — Barry County EMS currently communicates on a different frequency than Barry County law enforcement. New towers would allow EMS and fire to move offtheir outdated VHF fre­ quency and onto the new 800 megahertz system that law enforcement utilizes. Even with city council approval, the Hast­ ings communications tower has a ways to go before it’s finalized. Lehman said the new proposed tower site will have to undergo an FAA study as well as an environmental study to confirm the site’s viability. Lehman said she would begin working on leasing terms for the property to bring back before the city, and a public hearing about the proposed tower is set for the city planning commission’s May 1 meeting. Lehman thanked council members for their support ofthe project. “Thank you so much for your support and for your time tonight. I know nobody wants another meeting,” Lehman said. “I appreciate it. I will communicate with Ms. Moyer-Cale to get back on your agenda during your nor­ mal time just to provide updates of where we’re at with the project.” NOTICE TO BIDDERS BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, Ml 49058, until 10:30 A.M. April 24, 2023 for the following items. Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above address or at our web site at www.barrycrc.org. Bit Mix Timber Harvesting Structural repairs to Maintenance garage The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest of the Commission. BOARD OF COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY David D. Solmes Chairman Frank M. Fiala Member Jim James Member �4 — Thursday. April 13.2023 — The Hastings Banner SCC Did you Patience... a virtue or a frustration? Fabulous Mr. Fox This fox was roaming the fields just outside of Freeport last week, at times even strolling down the middle of Freeport Avenue. Banner Editor, and very much an amateur photographer (as you can see by the lack of focus in this photo), Jayson Bussa snapped a quick picture of Mr. Fox near Brooke View Dairy. remember? Wild and windblown Banner March 14, 2002 Last weekend’s 60 mph wind gusts toppled this tree at the home of Mark Jordan on M-43 in Woodland. The tree barely missed his house but took out some utility lines for a few days. Jordan and a friend cut the tree for camp fire wood. He said a tree on the other side of his home fell last year doing some damage so he felt lucky to have escaped with only the loss of utility lines this year, orf bor •• ,(|w mus us ’ j fans wod aril b: j r:: sd sd Mntt arh arh ,£rttb ,£rttbi:i: hns /»o yni4’ Have you met? Mike Gilmore’s firstjob was working in his dad’s store, Gilmore Jewelers. “I grew up as a merchant’s son,” he said. “My first job when I was seven, I actually had federal income tax taken out - at seven!,” Gilmore said. “I started washing windows, vacuuming floors, went down to the basement and worked on small jewelry repair and engraving. I finally hit the sales floor at 12 and sold my first bridal engage­ ment ring.” He still remembers taking his $20 com­ mission from that sale to a local five- and ten-cent store. “Candy was only five cents a piece,” he said. “I was in heaven.” Gilmore continued working at his father’s store until he was 17, when he decided it was time for him to make his venture into the world ofwork. “Finally I said, ‘Dad, you know I have to get a real job because I know 1 can. I want to work for somebody else to get disci­ plined into the working world,’” he said. When Pizza Hut came to town, Gilmore started working there while attending Hast­ ings High School. After graduating in 1977, he attended Kellogg Community College to study business administration. He finished up his degree at KCC after a short stint in Orlando, Fla. “I met a couple buddies there (at KCC) and we decided, ‘Hey, let’s go work at Dis­ ney World.’ So we took offin the middle of the night with 100 bucks in my pocket,” he said. “We made it to Orlando and ended up not working at Disney World. We got ajob cooking graveyard shift at Perkins Cake and Steak.” After graduating from KCC, Gilmore started work in Battle Creek at the new­ ly-opened Mr. Steak. He stayed there for 13 years, during which he worked his way up to a management position. A divorce left Gilmore to take care ofhis three young daughters, leading him to look for anotherjob. “My three daughters were three, seven and 11,” he said. “I got custody ofthem, so I was like Mr. Mom for a while.” That’s when Gilmore got back into the world of sales. Working for a Cana­ da-based telemarketing group, Gilmore sold support for the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union until the “Do Not Call” list shook up the industry. He took his experience to the Battle Creek Enquir­ er, where he started increasing circulation sales before moving to the advertising department. Mike Gilmore Gilmore worked at the Enquirer for 13 years when another industry shake-up made him start to look around. “Gannett, who owns the Enquirer, want­ ed to push more digital ads than print ads. They were eliminating some positions,” he said. “1 saw an ad in the Battle Creek Shop­ per looking for relationship salespeople, and it was from Fred (Jacobs). I said, ‘Wow, that’s perfect.’” “So, I joined my competition. I used to be against J-Ad (Graphics),” he said. “I joined J-Ad and it was the first time in my entire career that I finally got to become an employ­ ee and not a manager - and I liked it.” He’s been working at J-Ad for the last 10 years, during which he moved to Delton and started working in J-Ad’s Hastings office. He works there now as an advertising account specialist, selling ads for five differ­ ent J-Ad publications per week on average. “This May will be 23 years in the news­ paper industry, so I must have a little ink in my blood,” he said. “But the thing is, I don’t really like the term ‘salesperson,’ because I personally don’t like salespeople. I consider myselfmore ofa business build­ er through print advertising.” He doesn’tjust sell ads to his clients, he said. Gilmore takes his clients through a five-step process that includes a needs assessment, research and marketing. His favorite part ofhis job isn’t selling an ad it’s when he receives a phone call from a client about how successful the ad was. “The big high I get is when the ad really works and the customer calls me up and says, ‘Mike, you’ve done it again,”’ he said. “I take a lot ofpride in myjob.” Gilmore’s happy with his life in Hast­ ings. He spends his time with his wife of 17 years, Pam Green. Being back in his home­ town after so much time away has been a good experience, he said. “It was nice to come back to Hastings and work, running into some people that I grew up with,” he said. “I think Hastings is a very beautiful place to live.” It’s been nice to be able to give back to his hometown community, he said. Gilmore has volunteered his time through Barry County probation programs to mentor and sponsor young adults. He also keeps in touch with the Barry County Serenity Club, where he chaired meetings twice a week for three years. He does whatever he can to mentor troubled youth ’ and keep them on the right path, he said. / “There is trouble out there, and some of these kids don’t know which way to go,” he said. “Sometimes all you need is a phone call or somebody to talk to you.” Gilmore said he’s always more than happy to speak to anyone who needs guid­ ance. He said he’s received calls from members ofhis church asking him to speak to their children, nephews or nieces who may be in trouble. “I’ve gotten that several times,” he said. “It’s important, letting them know that there is a softer, easier way out there, so they don’t have to look over their shoulder for the rest oftheir lives.” For his work mentoring the youth and putting together J-Ad Graphics weekly publications, Mike Gilmore is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite movie: “Hoosiers.” Another really good one is “The Natural ” Favorite TV program: “Homestead Rescue.” If I could go anywhere in the world: Australia. What motivates me: “Winning is not nearly as important as the will to win,” Bobby Knight. Favorite dinner: Lasagna. What I want for Christmas: Peace. Hobbies: Hiking, outdoors, fishing, NFL football. Go Chargers! ] Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine, Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. By now, the 4,500 of us who have sur­ vived last week’s natural gas crisis have a much clearer definition of the word patience. However we dealt with our individual situations, we all gave a physical demon­ stration of the meaning of waiting for something with varying levels of anger and agitation. On Wednesday, Consumers Energy offi­ cials announced they had discovered a leak in a 6-inch steel gas main that runs under the Thomapple River along Thomapple Lake Road near Nashville. By mid-day, the loss of pressure affected more than 4,500 cus­ tomers in the Hastings area when Consum­ ers was forced to shut down gas service. Consumers spokesman Brian Wheeler said Thursday that the utility had to unhook all affected customers from the system, fix the leak, and install a temporary line before they could reconnect customers. That meant once lines were re-connected, going doorto-door, entering houses and businesses to relight the pilot lights on furnaces, water heaters and stoves, and making sure the gas was working safely. Wheeler said the relighting would begin on Thursday with the assumption that ser­ vice would be restored by the end of the weekend, still a possible five-day period of waiting. Naturally, he urged patience and reminded people they should wait for a Consumers worker to reconnect their gas to make sure that it was done correctly and safely. From that point, most ofus learned why patience is termed a virtue. There were problems. Unlike electric service, where restoration begins as soon as a problem is corrected, gas service is another rodeo according to Greg Moore, also ofConsumers. Resuming gas service means that company service technicians had to go to each meter loca­ tion, bleed the lines and relight furnaces, water heaters and any appliances at each location, which is a huge undertaking and a major disruption beyond our own homes. Area businesses and restaurants were forced to close some, for most, if not all, of the weekend. Many downtown* retailers didn’t have service for the entirefivedays and were waiting for gas on Monday when1 they finally reopened their stores. And how about the families that had to deal with cold temperatures and the lack of showers and cooking ifthey had gas stoves? For many, it was a miserable experience that they won’t forget anytime soon. One of the problems after Consumers shut down the system was getting into homes and businesses to relight the sys­ tems, which required that an adult be pres­ ent when the serviceperson came. Some residents were on vacation, while others were away or at work which compli­ cated the process. Plus, technicians ran into a lot ofold equipment, which took longer to get up and running again. By the time you’re reading my column, you’ve hopefully had your gas restored and the problems are a memory. You might have been left with some great stories of how you survived your days without gas ser­ vices. As with most historical events, sto­ ries will carry us through. I’ve heard stories of people taking cold showers, washing dishes in cold water, leav­ ing to visit family out oftown and or even booking a hotel room for a couple ofdays. And how about the families that were financially impacted due to the fact their employer was closed and they couldn’t work? And how about the restaurants that closed, canceling the valued reservations on one oftheir busiest days? And how about the families that purchased electric heaters to gather around while they waited for the gas to be restored? And I know of several family dinners that were interrupted due to the fact they couldn’t prepare their annual Easter dinner. These are all examples of what over 4,500 customers faced dealing with day after day ofinterrupted service. Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and or electricity to 6.7 million ofthe state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. The company employs more than 14,000 people maintaining more than 66,000 miles of wire and 27,500 miles of natural gas lines. So having the ability to move quickly to get gas services restored to the more than 4,500 customers was of utmost importance. Most people understand that these situa­ tions can happen and high praise to the technicians that covered the area doing their best to get customers up and running again. Many workers were called in from all over the state and missed their own Easter holi­ day celebrations because of their commit­ ment to restoring service and comfort to our homes and community. “Consumers would like to thank commu­ nity members who have been understanding and gracious,” said Christopher Fultz, Con­ sumers Energy’s vice president of natural gas operations. ”We have been able to fol­ low our plan to restore heat to homes and businesses today, Friday and this weekend, and we are committed to carrying out this job' as safely and quickly as possible.” When it comes to electric or gaS service, we all rely on it being available every time we turn on a light or jump in a shower. When they don’t work, it takes a little patience and dealing with frustration tb overcome the interruption in our daily lives. The Hastings BaHHGlT Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@J-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurinq CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren &*** ^nballcsp««,an,s <rffe ihstuienls L ' .--TTlfr mW.MWCT—' snste a us sajaBinasivw Ik pRttH sb M t m IKwitraa ^Wi K mi ht ai Seemingly just as quickly as Tyden Park flooded following several days of rain, the waters receded and the Hastings park is now fully accessi­ ble. However, the flood waters left behind signifi­ cant debris that littered the park. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Frederic Jacobs Ws? ***(?b^ Water logged Published by... .1..V”’* • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield ennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — Page 5 Libraries continue to stand as a low-cost convenience for all members of the community O ^ki, V’SifeL JysSsSfe ZtjWS* $>*'*•'< dS d*S •S*!*"* Letter to the editor: Got a question about your tax forms or need an extra form? Where do you go? Tiy your district library. They even host no-cost tax preparation help. Looking for a notary? Where can you find one? At the Delton District Library. Where can you find a computer ready to use, free ofcharge? At the library, where they can also show you how to use it and help you to access online encyclopedias, databases, consumer reports, Ancestty.com, and even your email. Where in Delton can you find free 24/7 WiFi? The library, ofcourse. When you need help signing up online for unemployment,, a librarian is there to help you. They can also help you to look for jobs or to make Secre­ tary of State appointments online. A library is no longerjust a room filled with books for you to borrow. Our library in Delton also lends out audiobooks, movies and music. The Delton Library can further access items, both physical and digital, from across the state, through MeL, borrowing from other libraries. If you are especially interested in digital reading and online learning, the Delton Dis­ trict Library offers access to Libby and Hoop­ la, which you can access with your library card to download e-books, audio books, movies, magazines, comics and music. Your library card also offers access to Mango Lan­ guages, a language learning app, and Tutor, oom, where you can get tutoring. Our library also has shelves of used books and movies that you can buy for a minimal price. Other shelves encourage you to take a book or leave a book. There are movies for free, too. You can also find free puzzles, free seeds, and “take and make” crafts. The library still offers, at no cost to you, COVID tests and NARCAN. Area families can come in to sign up for holiday help with Drunk driver collides head-on with other vehicle after going off the road on M-43 Highway Barry County Cares. The Delton District Library is also a collection site for “Toys for Barry County Kids.” Library patrons can check out a circulating pass granting free admissions for up to six people to the Grand Rapids Children’s Muse­ um. The library also has free passes to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Sup­ porting the library helps support area school children, who can cross the street to do research, work on homework, or print out something that they need for class and have no way ofprinting at home. There are summer reading activities for the kids, with prizes, Spring Break activities, and Winter Break activities. Special fun activities each year include the Easter egg hunt, Found­ ers Festival activities, Hometown Christmas activities, the Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and the Lego Club. Kids aren’t the only ones finding an array of services at the library. Several large meet­ ing rooms provide space for community and family meetings. They have been used for supervised visitations, ping-pong games (yes, there is a table), guitar lessons, Yoga and occasional large screen movie events, com­ plete with pop com. Ifyou want to come in and use a sewing machine, they are available. The library also hosts groups that enjoy knitting, reading, chess, quilting, mahjong and Euchre. Sound interesting? Come and sit in on a group. When you need something copied, printed out, emailed, scanned or faxed, your library can help you. If you just want to relax in a friendly atmosphere, walk on in and sit on a couch, at a table, or in the garden and read a newspaper or magazine from the shelves. Have a random question about the Delton area? Stop in and ask a librarian. Ifthey don’t have the answer, they know how to find out. During an emergency or a power outage, the library will have power. It’s warm in the win­ ter, cool in the summer and has public restrooms. Wonder how much this treasure ofconve­ nience costs? If your township population is around 3,500, and your 0.3 ofa mill equals $63,000, that works out to a whopping $18 per person a year, only a $1.50 a month. A new book on Amazon costs more that that. All in all, you are each offered a lot of ser­ vices for that $1.50 a month. Are you taking advantage of your investment in the com­ munity? It’s your library, designed, funded and con­ structed by area people and businesses. Ifyou haven’t entered in all these years, now might be a good* time to try it out. April 23-29 is National Library Week. Michele T. Boniface Tsuji Delton Police responded to a two-vehicle crashjust after 11 p.m. on April 4 on South M-43 Highway near Anders Road. Witnesses said a truck headed southbound on M-43 drifted left, crossing the centerline and going offthe road into a ditch. The truck then attempted to drive back onto the road, traveling the wrong way through the northbound-lane and striking a northbound vehicle head on. The driver of the truck, a 44-year-old Delton man, was seen fleeing the scene on foot. Police arrived at the man’s home and placed him under arrest, after which he was medically cleared at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital and lodged in the Barry County Jail. The man was issued citations for operating while intoxicated, failing to stop and identify after a crash and driving left ofcenter. Vehicle found unoccupied after striking tree in Middleville A concerned citizen reported a single-vehicle crash to police around 3:30 a.m. on April 3 on Woodschool Road near West State Road in Middleville. The man reported there was no one in the vehicle or on the scene. Police said it appeared the vehicle was traveling southbound on Woodschool Road, failed to negotiate the curve, and lost control before going off the road and striking a tree. The vehicle was cold to the touch when police arrived. The affixed license plate was improper, belonging to a 31-year-old Marne man while the vehicle was registered to a 26-year-old Allendale woman. Police located pre­ scriptions belonging to the man, bolt cutters, a hack saw and a reciprocating saw in a black backpack inside the vehicle before having it towed. Bullet strikes Nashville home near shooting range A 42-year-old Nashville man called police around 10:30 a.m. on April 1 to his home on the 7400 block ofLawrence Road after it was struck by a.308 rifle round. The man told police he wasn’t sure exactly when the bullet struck the house, but he thought he had noticed a hole in his house a few days earlier. It wasn’t until the man found the actual bullet in his home that he decided to call police. Police investigated a nearby shooting range on Bivens Road, finding the range had sufficient backstops behind targets and an elevated shooting platform for increased safety. Police suspected a shooter aiming above the backstops or a ricochet could possibly send a round toward the man’s house. Police allowed the man to keep the bullet that had entered his home at his request. • ■».Z*t^*SUi 2**^^ *^«ia»i# * «s* itota.^ 7®"Wfo«lhl .’*aefic,w««* Rsnoafeorjmopiiiih fakjta’iwrt, it ttaife Kasix •!■.! joe ai 2^ »i fea > «H3ssik®sK^wi irafei&n^ioaitifa BEFOOL School robotics programs offer valuable skills for students Editor: My name is Don McLaughlin and I had the privilege of mentoring Lakewood’s robotics teams this yean 11 want to- congratulate the1 Omegatrons on bringing home1 two awards forj tne district? Incarmor stress the importance of this program for the kids of Lakewood. Let me explain why. I am a 1975 graduate ofLakewood. I am a product ofLakewood. At the time, the school was ranked as one of the top 10 vocational schools in the state. We had industrial arts and I took every class available, except building trades. After I graduated, I worked in industry - I worked for GTE, USG and ended up hiring into GM at Fisherbody Plant 6 in Lansing as a robot. I “chased the chain” as we called it for 14 years. When I hired into GM, the Fisher­ body plant employed 7,500 people and the plant only produced the body from the fire­ wall back. The plant that replaced it, the Delta plant, makes the whole vehicle with less than 3,500 people and they assemble the entire vehicle. The reason is robots. When I went into the apprenticeship in ’95, our plant was in the process of the largest robotinstallation'in’General Motors'history. 11 am ।an industrial journeyman electricianj,spe-I ciatfzing in rdbots, spot Welding and machine ’ tool control. In my last five years, I taught these subjects as a technical instructor for GM. I was a part of the setup and launch of the Delta plant. Ross Perot said in 1992 during the presidential debates that, if we passed Bush’s NAFTA, “we would hear a huge sucking sound ofjobs leaving the coun­ try” and he was right. Within the next 15 years, I saw 35,000 good-paying union jobs vanish from the Lansing area and robots were part ofthe reason. Robots are good business. GM installed over 1,500 robots at the Delta plant; they work 24 hours a day, seven days a week for an initial cost of approximately $35,000. Half a year’s salary for a line worker and they will work for 20 to 30 years easily. I tell you this so you will understand that I know what I’m talking about. The robotics program at Lakewood uses the same basic systems that are used in every­ thing from cars to fighter jets and factory automation. The skills the kids learn from Working on, and building, the robot can be a big help in going on to college or technical school or skilled trades like I did. Industrial arts served me yery well at the time. Now, the “First” Robotics program has filled that void. The “First” Robotics organi­ zation is sponsored by worldwide corpora­ tions like General Motors, Ford, Allen-Brad­ ley and others. This program is a great way for kids to get real-world experience in prepa­ ration for the manufacturing jobs of the future, and a great way for kids to work on a project with their hands and their brains along with working as a team on problem-solving issues. This program is a win for both the school and the students. And I hope we can maintain and expand it in the future. Donald McLaughlin Lake Odessa Four-way stop could be coming to intersection near Hastings Middle School Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A new four-way stop could be coming to the Grand and Park Street intersection near Hastings Middle School. Hastings Police ChiefDale Boulter told the Banner he would be submitting a traffic con­ trol order that could put a four-way stop at the intersection. The order would be up for approval at the next city council meeting on April 24. The intersection currently only has stop signs on Grand Street. The four-way stop would be only one mea­ sure to slow down traffic at an intersection that receives heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the morning and early afternoon. While the Hastings Police Department employs crossing guards at busy intersections in conjunction with school-employed crossing guards, it can be hard to find the amount of crossing guards needed to keep kids safe, Boulter said. Inconvenient hours, a lack of resources and the part-time nature ofthe job makes it tough to find available candidates. Boulter said that although he didn’t anticipate there would be any objections from the city regarding the proposed four-way stop, it was only one mea­ sure to slow down traffic. The police department would continue to look for a crossing guard to work that inter­ section alongside taking other measures to slow down traffic even if the four-way stop was approved and implemented, he said. “This is only part of a solution, not the whole solution at that intersection,” Boulter said. Barry County police assist in apprehension of Battle Creek homicide suspect Barry County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted the Battle Creek Police Department in apprehending a homicide suspect around 8:30 p.m. on April 2. BCPD informed Barry County law enforcement they were looking for a suspect that had been involved in a shooting in their jurisdiction before fleeing to Barry County. Police received a tip that the suspect, a 59-year-old man, was with his aunt at her house on the 11000 block of Stagecoach Drive in Dowling. Sheriff’s deputies and Michigan State Police troopers arrived at the house and called the man’s aunt, who confirmed he was there and willing to cooperate. The man exited the house with his hands up as instructed by police, who handcuffed him and turned him over to BCPD. There is nothing unconstitutional about new gun safety laws Editor: The gun safety laws recently passed in Lansing - secure storage, red flag laws and universal background checks — are not uncon­ stitutional. Amendment II of the Constitution of the United States says, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security ofa free state, the right ofthe people to keep and bear arms, shall not be abridged.” Amendment II (rati­ fied in 1791) does not say you can’t have guns. And the new Michigan laws say, ifyou have guns, you should store them safely — is there something wrong with that? Red flag laws are meant to prevent people who are not mentally or emotionally stable from having immediate access to guns - sure­ ly James Madison would have agreed to that. And how invasive is a background check when you purchase a gun, ifyou have noth­ ing to hide or fear? Note too, the Constitution left several things to the states to decide on their own. “Amendment X: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, not prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” Based on Amendment X, the State ofMichi­ gan and your elected state officials have legally passed the gun safety laws. What is meant by a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” county? The move to declare a county a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” is in response to the gun laws recently passed by the State of Michigan. Second Amend­ ment supporters believe that a county does not have to comply with the gun laws that their state has legitimately passed. Really, can a county do that? And should they be allowed to? It’s a mystery to me why advocates for the Second Amendment group appeared before the county commissioners in the first place since the county commissioners cannot instruct sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys or judges on what laws to enforce. Our county commissioners should not be involved in state laws that have already been passed. They are our county representatives elected by voters to improve the finances and eco­ nomic growth of our county. I suggest this was just a bid by the group to draw attention to their agenda and to stoke the smoldering embers of resentment that Democrats are now in control in Lansing and are working to improve gun safety. Thank you, Scott Savage, for speaking before the commissioners and to be a lone voice in the wilderness of so many people who refuse to acknowledge how destructive and devastating unsafe gun use can be. Betsy Colgan Hastings NOTICE TO BIDDERS BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION The Barry County Road Commission is offering for sale: (1) 2022 GMC 3500HD Crew Cab Dually SLE pickup. Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 19,2023 for the following item. Please mark outside of bid envelope with truck number i.e #220370. Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above phone number or at our website www.barrycre.org.. please make an appointment for all viewings ofthe trucks. NOTE: All trucks are sold as is. (1) 2022 GMC 1 TON Crew Cab Dually SUE Pickup w/ BOSS 8-10* EXT Plow 4WD Duramax Diesel, Allison Transmission Air, Cruise, PW & Locks, Keyless remote, Heated mirrors Summit White Truck #220370- Orange Title - approximately 11,000 Miles Minimum Bid: $60,000 NOTE: All mileages are approximate - trucks are being driven until they are sold. Orange titles are MUNICIPAL TITLES in the State ofMichigan. The board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. it stands now, there are currently only stop signs on erana otreei. �Page 6 — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Jeannette E. Rose Jeannette E. (Abson) Rose, age 57, ofFremont, CA, passed away on December 25 2022. Jeannette was bom on August 5, 1965, in Wiesbaden, Germany, the daughter ofRobert Abson and Erika Wood/Schleifenbaum. She was a 1983 graduate ofHastings High School. She worked as a dental assistant. Jeannette enjoyed knitting, sewing, culi­ nary arts and painting. Jeannette was preceded in death by her father, Robert Abson. She is survived by her husband, Kurt Rose of Fremont, CA; her mother, Erika Wood of Hastings; her children, Kate Muraski and Jill Muraski; sister, Jennifer Bergendahl, and niece, Gwen Bergendahl. Memorial contributions in memory of Jeannette can be made to the Grace Lutheran Church “Helping Hands Fund”, 239 E North St, Hastings, MI 49058. A Memorial Service will.be held on Satur­ day, April 22,2023, at Noon, with a visitation one hour prior at 11 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, 239 E. North Street, Hastings, MI 49058, Ken Scheck II officiating with inter­ ment to follow at Irwing Cemetery. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfimeralhome.net. Retired Firefighter, Floyd Valentine Yesh ofHastings, MI, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023 at the age of 81. Floyd or ‘Vai’ was a devoted husband and father of five, who fought as bravely against a challenging heart condition as he fought fires. He nowjoins the love ofhis life, Claudia, who lost her battle with cancer last year. Bom to Floyd and Viola (Lawniczak) Yesh in Sturgis, MI, he moved to Battle Creek with his parents and brothers. He graduated from Battle Creek Central high School and earned an associate’s degree in accounting and later worked as an apprentice for a baker. He mar­ ried Claudia Stinnett September 16,1961 and they spent 61 happy years together. Floyd had always dreamed of being a firefighter and had that dream realized in 1973 when he began Laurie Daryle Taylor, Bellevue and Rye Henry Eggerstedt, Bellevue HASTINGS FREE ST.ROSE OF LIMA METHODIST CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH BRETHREN 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 pm. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 am. Sunday. CHRISTIAN PARISH Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. gmail.com. Email hastfmc@ Website: www, HASTINGS hastingsfreemethodist.com. BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze!. 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 am. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 am. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 pm. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 pm. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. WOODGROVE 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 am. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. flake (MeMa Elaine Garlock ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches availableforyour convenience... To Upraise This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: The annual Lakewqod CROP Walk is com­ ing on Sunday, April 30. This will be the 45th such walk. Information is available from several local churches. One-quarter of the fimds raised will be returned to the Lakewood Community Council for local use. An exercise class is returning to the local library under the sponsorship of the Ionia County Commission on Aging. This class meets at the local library on Thursdays. The practice is tai chi, which is a low-impact exer­ cise. Call the library for details. The Tri River Museum group meets next week on Tuesday, April 18 at the Sunfield museum in the former Welch Hardware building at 10 a.m. The Ionia County chapter ofthe Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) will meet at the Ionia County Intermediate School office on Harwood Road at 10 a.m. for the annual meeting with a rep­ resentative of the state MARSP present. A s exfobHlMNj Hastings 945-9554 1699W.M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 ft ■ -dr i ft 5 ^5 Me Law w. fed* A 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 noon meal will follow, for which reservations are recommended. Last week’s hail storm was one for the record books. Many people said this was the largest such storm they had encountered in their lifetimes. The (ground was white, totally covered with the stones that ranged from pea­ size to the size ofgolfballs. Some were mea­ sured at 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches and larger. The area closest to Woodland likely had the greatest size stones. At a home in Carlton Center, the top glass ofa skylight was broken. Nearby neighbors had damage to their cars with multiple dents in the metal bodies. Some quick-thinking people recorded some of the event on their phones and shared the pictures with viewers. The Lutheran parsonage on Vedder Road was shown with a white lawn. The street scene on Willowbrook Drive in town was also shown. Hopefully, someone dashed outside and scooped up some ofthe stones to save in their home freezer as evi­ dence ofa most unusual bit ofspring weather. The Ionia County Genealogy Society met on April 8 with good attendance. The speaker from Lansing gave a rapid-fire presentation on ways to circumvent “The Brick Wall” and listed many ways to find that elusive bit of family am y information normaton usng using a var variety ety o ofmeans, sonfe rather unconventional *He*«commended keeping a running list for each individual search to bolster the database ofone’s ances­ tors. Supplementary documents such as death certificates of one’s grandparents or parents, birth records of children which give the age ofa parent and census records were all listed as possible wealths ofinformation. An event in the future will be a day-long trip to Lan­ sing to visit the state archives. A memorial service for the late Laura Orsbom has been held at a Wayland church. A second service will be held at the Hughe House on Velte Road on April 20. This addi­ tional service is for the benefit of the Lake Odessa residents who profited from her 37 years of service to the Lake Odessa commu­ nity when she and her husband Raymond were sextons of Lakeside Cemetery. They were very helpful to the hundreds ofpeople who came to them for information on family members, long deceased. They were mem­ bers ofthe local Nazarene church on Wash­ ington Boulevard. They had two daughters. They succeeded Ray’s uncle, who had been the previous sexton. The Ionia County Career Center named Makenzie Vasquez its student of the month in Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Are you eligible for Social Security retire­ ment benefits or already receiving them? Did you know that you can also receive healthy meals and other nutrition services through the National Senior Nutrition Program? Local meal programs in communities across the country are waiting to serve you. As we age, we have different needs, differ­ ent ways we take care ofour health, and differ­ ent nutrients we need to get from our food. But we don’t always have enough healthy food or the desire to prepare or eat a meal. Whether you need more food, healthier food, someone to share a meal with, orjust want to learn about Every day, senior nutrition programs serve almost one million meals to people age 60 and older. With home-delivered and group meal options, you can get the food you need in a way that works best for you. It can help you avoid missed meals - and save you time and money with less shop shop-­ ping and cooking. Local programs serve up more than food - they offer opportunities to connect and socialize. We know this improves both your mental and physical health. The programs can also teach you how to create a healthy eating plan. You can learn about healthy food recommendations based on your age, unique needs and preferences. A senior nutrition program can also con- I1 I " March. They also named one student from Ionia, Saranac, Portland and Belding. nect you with other resources like transpor­ tation or homemaker services. This helps you stay connected and engaged in your community. Nine out of 10 participants say they would recommend a senior nutrition program to a friend. We know these services help create healthy, strong communities where everyone can thrive at any age. More information on senior nutrition pro­ grams can be found at eldercare.acl.gov/ Public/Index.aspx. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. Call for Hastings Banner ads 269-945-9554 or 1-899-879-7985 I.I CSS*53 .. Stay healthy and independent with the Senior Nutrition Program good eating habits, a meal program can help. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. A life well lived leaves a legacy that will outlast it. Dr. Michael McAlvey passed away peacefully on April 3, 2023 surrounded with the love of his family. He lived a life ofhonor and compassion and embraced a modesty in understanding his place in the larger order of things. The hardest working man you could ever know who accomplished so much but would never boast about an achievement. Humble, kind, generous, and honest, he was one ofthe greats. Michael K. McAlvey was bom February 5, 1947 in Petosky MI to Dale and Betty McAlvey. He is survived by sister, Kathy Ginop (Len) and Ginny George (Drex). Graduating from Petoskey High School in 1965 he attended Michigan State University. A lifelong Spartan, after three years at MSU he was accepted into medical school at the University of Michigan. Graduating in 1972 he set out to achieve his goal of becoming, “A humble country doctor.” During his family practice residency at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, doctor meets nurse, falls in love, and marries on August 4, 1973. Mike and Linda McAlvey (Fink) spent 49 years building a life, raising three chilchil­ dren, and seeking adventure. Mike was a proud father to Ryan McAlvey (Christina), Leslie Wertz (Nathan), and Chad McAlvey as well as adoring papa to Dominic, Malia, and Lydia Wertz. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and many outdoor activities. As a family practitioner for over 40 years, Mike loved to say that he was a doctor who served his patients from womb to tomb. He delivered over 1000 babies, seeing them through adulthood, and caring for patients in the hospital and nursing homes. He began his career practicing medicine at Pennock Hospi­ tal in Hastings. After 19 years in Hastings, Mike and Linda returned to Sparrow Hospital where Mike served as practice leader at Oke­ mos Family Practice. After retiring in 2012, Mike continued to care for patients at Spar­ row Urgent Care Clinics. He will be remembered as a man who loved his family, his dogs, and his many hob­ bies, notable woodworking. Mike and his family served on medical mission trips (Mex­ ico, Benin, and Ukraine) and marveled at the many wonders of the world, from Machu Picchu to the Great Wall ofChina. Mike lived a full life and leaves a legacy for all who loved him. The family would like to honor Mike’s memory with benches at this gathering ground to allow others to sit, enjoy, and watch their pets play with one another while they converse and celebrate friendship, per­ son and pet alike. Ifyou would like to contribute, please visit the following link: https://www.joincake. com/memorial-pages/michael-k-mcalvey/#obituary?utm_source=direct-link L Worship Together Exist working at the Hastings Fire Department. He spent 25 years at the department and was very proud of his work driving fire engines, edup cating children about fire safety and making chili for the other firefighters. Claudia and Floyd were well-known in the 1970s for owning Floyd’s Fine Foods, Floyd’s Donuts and then Firehouse Foods in Hast­ ings. Floyd loved grilling outdoors, camping at Gun Lake and fishing with his grandson. He looked forward to trips to Detroit to watch the Red Wings and Tigers games. One ofhis most treasured moments was getting to hold the Stanley Cup. Claudia and Floyd loved to go to the Casi­ nos but b especially enjoyed watching their grandchildren play baseball and ice hockey. Floyd was very proud of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Floyd was preceded in death by his loving wife; his parents and three of his five brothers. He is survived by his daughters, Laurie Quada, Monica Yesh of Richland, Angela (Kristi) Orlik-Yesh ofMundelein, IL, Valerie (Jeff) Kares of Augusta, and son, Floyd Yesh of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by his grandkids, Crystal, Cory, Nicole, Dominic, Evan, Gabe, Miles, Ophelia and Dorian as well as great-grandchildren, Breanna, Keagan, Bryson, Madison and Cayden, and his brothers, Robert, Allen and Dennis. A small family memorial is planned for a later date so there will be no service or visi­ tation. Donations can be made to the Hastings Fire Department or Elara Caring Hospice in lieu of flowers. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave online condo­ lences visit www.girrbachfimeralhome.net. 7 ■ laVte seiais®®1’ ■* "We Dr. Michael McAlvey Floyd Valentine Yesh w** �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — Page 7 Who will pay the highway tax? Esther Walton Banner March 31,1988 In 1934, a movement was afoot to amend the gas and weight law, in which money was collected from gasoline sales for road mainte­ nance and repair. During this period, all the townships* tax-supported roads were being moved to county road commissioners’ control and financed by the gas and weight tax. Under the townships, [the tax was raised through property tax. The Barry County Road Commission, in 1934, had been in existence since 1916. Many things have changed since its inception, from the methods of maintaining the roads with horses to the actual miles ofroads. A county road system was adopted in Barry County at an annual election held on April 3, 1916. Phillip Colgrove, a local lawyer, elected to the state Senate in 1888 became interested in the cause ofgood roads. By 1912, he no longer was with the Senate and had served for a while as president ofthe Michigan Good Roads Association. The Michigan Good Roads Association did much to increase efficiency, of Michigan’s high high-­ ways and promoted widespread interest in better thoroughfares throughout the state. As Mr. Colgrove was a Hastings resident, Barry County became one of the early counties to have a county road commission. The original minute book dating back to 1916 describes the procedure through which roads were adopted by the road commission. “Resolved that it is hereby determined that the Board of Cour^^nxdaGAsunmrissions''or Barry County take over and adopt as county roads, all that are being improved this year, and those being prepared for improvement next year (1917-1918).” At first, they were in charge ofmiles ofroads in Barry County. According to a history written about the Road Commission in A Look Back, it says: “In order to maintain the: ever-increasing road system, the road commission depended on the manual labor of local residents. It was a common practice to take bids from county residents for both new construction and main­ tenance. When work was awarded to a certain bidder, it was the bidder’s responsibility to employ his helpers and submit time sheets to the county board. The helpers were usually local farmers and their teams ofhorses. “Snow removal during the winter was a major undertaking. Individuals were paid to shovel snow from miles of roads.” Some­ times, the shoveling was done by hand and sometimes by a team or horses with a drag. The first method offunding road work was to assess the property1 owners. Later, the expense was shifted'to a weight and gas tax on motorized vehicles. In 1934, there was a movement to set the amount paid from the gas tax to two cents and fund the road system from the state’s general fund. The Banner ofAug. 22, 1934, carried an article opposing the proposal, saying: “The writer believes that good roads are built in Michigan to accommodate the automobile traffic, therefore automobiles ought to pay the expense ofthe building and maintenance ofsuch roads. He believes that the attempt of the Automobile Club of Michigan to cut down the gas tax and fix the weight tax as they propose, would force the placing ofpart of the burden of road building and mainte­ nance upon other taxpayers, which we think would be a wrong.” The following week, on the Banner’s front page, were quotes from the Adrian Telegram. He said, in part: “...members of the Automobile Club of Michigan... have just received a long circular letter designed to make them believe that state highway money has been diverted to other than high­ way purposes. It was so well designed, in fact, that unquestionably many did believe, it... It is not true. The statement was decep­ tive when the club broadcast it a month ago and it is deceptive today.” Part of the problem was the Depression and the need for the state to borrow from one fund to operate another. When the money situation eased up, the funds were reinstated to their original purpose. Had the proposed amendments been passed, an estimated $5 million would have been lost yearly to the state government. By setting the so-called gas tax limit to two cents, it put the burden of roads onto the state’s general fund. This came at a time when the state government was try­ ing desperately to relieve the distress of the severe depression. In the Sept. 13, 1934 issue ofthe Banner, more was being said about the amendment, in an article titled “Road Facts” it said: “Barry County had 119.9 miles of state and federal highways... 220 miles of county roads and has taken over 501 miles oftownship roads, which are being improved and maintained by the county road commission. Besides this, there are yet 335 miles oftownship highways which must be taken oyer by the county road commission in 1935 and 1936. Every dollar of the cost of improving and maintaining county and township roads comes from the weight and gas taxes; not a dollar ofit comes from property taxes. “There is not a tax on property in the coun­ ty for road purposes, except that in nine townships there was raised, last year a total of $6,418 A1~4of- highway improvement and fliooi hack at the stories I | and 60limns on local history In the Hastings Banner turning BflGK THE PAGES repairs on township roads that had not been taken over by the county. The article continues, “The assessed valua­ tion of Barry County is approximately $16 million. The total township, county and covert­ road district'tax in Barry County in 1929 was $239,490.59. For the year 1933, the tax levied was $6,418.21, raised:’in nine townships for the improvements ’and repair of township roads not taken over by the county. In other words, $233,078.38'was saved to the taxpay­ ers ofBarry County as compared with 1929. “Our good roads have been and are being maintained for the benefit of automobile owners. Is there any valid reason why those for whom the roads were built should not pay the cost of their construction and mainte­ nance? Why should the people of the state shift $6 million of the cost of building and maintaining Michigan’s highways on to prop­ erty, when the gasoline tax is the fairest one levied? A gasoline tax makes the car owner Day fpr the unkeeD ofour roads, iq exact.Dr9,-iV portion to the use he makes ofthem.” Another article on the same page states “... It is not the tax that governs the price of gas­ oline. One year ago, gasoline was being pur­ chased in Barry County for 1.7 cents per gallon at the refinery* Today, the same identi­ cal gasoline is costing 4.37 cents per gallon at the refinery.” The article continues, saying that if the gas tax was lowered one cent, the gasoline companies might not lower the price of gas. Therefore, the penny thought to be saved by the consumer might not be theirs, and in addition, property tax for all would be raised to cover the costs of maintaining the roads. The article ends by saying: “Would the proposal save money for auto owners? No one can say. All anyone knows is that it would be ‘natural’ for the big gasoline com­ panies to get that cent. Whose interests are being considered anyway? Not the state’s, certainly. The state is the one certain loser. But who is the state? You are.” The second amendment was soundly defeated in the November election, and the methods ofpaying for road maintenance and repaireoflhe roads-remained the same. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for April 13-19 April 1-30 - April Storywalk Book: “Milk and Juice: A Recycling Romance” by Mere­ dith Crandall Brown. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Follow the journey ofJuice and Milk on their recycling love story though transformations from pen to soap dispenser and even to laundry detergentjug until they are finally reunited in a most unexpected way. This month’s Storywalk is thanks to the generosity ofJoel and Barbara VanDyken. Friday, April 14 - Lunch and Learn: Near­ ly Native, 11 a.m.-noon (program). Join Christopher Hart of Hartscapes LLC as he discusses native plants and how genotype can make or break a garden plan. This program will be presented virtually and synchronously (in-person). A recording of the program will be available to all registered participants on the Institute’s YouTube Channel. The win­ dow to register for a lunch has passed, but those interested can still register for the pro­ gram only. The program only is free to mem- bers ofthe Institute and costs $8 for non-members. The lunch will follow the program, from noon to 1 p.m. Those 15 and older are wel­ come to the event, with children under 18 requiring an adult to accompany them. Saturday, April 15 — Fairy Houses and Toad Abodes, 2-3:30 p.m. Join Institute staff in creating homes perfect for any fairy or toad guest that may stop by. All materials will be provided at this family-friendly event. Mem­ bers of the institute will pay $6 per household for the event, with non-members paying $8 per household. Wednesday, April 19 - Volunteer orienta­ tion training, 6:30-8 p.m. For new and veter­ an volunteers, this training includes the Insti­ tute’s history, an overview of the trails and property, a building tour, and current and upcoming volunteer opportunities. The train­ ing is free and open to anyone 18 or older. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. ii^oiitconisiRiiE MMikiraitra ■to A blanket of white settled over Woodland last Tuesday, but instead of snow, millions of hailstones littered lawns and roads. ■oanto ifcMkutytagijil* JS <3i i92«SSBB illitfcBKinK ■ttoaltopptotavk iiriwcfiiilrteiiito a « to Matti IdpHtoWW HAILSTORM, continued from page 1 B ® m**1 ^115 mb • -' *«®, ®, M1* cxses sJes B sE#"^ E#^ Maintenance and repair of early roads was done by local farmers and their teams of horses. * _ _ ;>*• $2# ; into the soil. Microbes help release the car­ bon back into the air. Rarely, some plants or animals turn into fossils. They’re buried in the earth. Eventu­ ally their bodies absorb’ minerals from the earth. They turn to stone. Their carbon is trapped in the fossil. Most carbon is carbon-12. It’s stable. The amount of carbon-12 in a fossil will never change. It just sits there. But carbon-14 begins to break down as soon as the plant or animal dies. It breaks down at a regular rate. That rate is called a half-life. The half­ life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years. After that amount of time, half the carbon-14 will be gone. Scientists measured the amount of car­ bon-12 and carbon-14 in the Siberian uni­ Sheets. She’s an anthropology graduate stucorn fossils. Then they compared those dent at Washington State University. She - numbers to calculate the fossil’s age. uses radioisotope dating in her research. Carbon dating only works for fossils less A radioactive isotope is an element with than 60,000 years old. For older fossils, scientists measure other elements that break extra energy. That makes it unstable. Over time, it breaks down into something else. down more slowly. Scientists analyzed the Siberian unicorn If Siberian unicorns went extinct around fossils with carbon dating. This uses a 39,000 years ago, they lived at the same radioactive isotope of carbon called cartime and place as humans. I’m pleased to bon-14. tell you that cats lived then, too. “Over 5,730 years, carbon-14 decays into I can’t promise that those humans or cats nitrogen-14,” Sheets said. “By measuring rode Siberian unicorns* In fact, scientists how much carbon-14 is in a fossil, you can think they were super-fast and rare, so it tell when it stopped absorbing carbon from seems unlikely. But, based on math alone, the environment.” . unicorn-riding cats aren’t impossible. All living things are made of carbon. Plants pull carbon out ofthe air. Then they Dr. Universe store it in their leaves, stems and roots. Ani­ mals get carbon by chowing down on those Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ plants. While they’re alive, plants and ani­ verse. Send an email to Washington State mals take in carbon all the time. University s resident scientist and writer at When plants and animals die, they stop Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, taking in carbon. Their bodies break down askdruniverse, coin. $sk Doctor ■ft* uS*'. Universe . Ancient unicorns Are unicorns real? Emma, 8, Minn. f f W*W Dear Emma, My favorite animated GIFs are the ones with cats riding unicorns. Pm delighted to tell you about a real unicorn that lived a long time ago: the Siberian unicorn. The Siberian unicorn was bulky and furry. It had a big hump on its back. Its horn was three feet long. That’s as big as a human preschooler! • This real-life unicorn was a kind ofrhino from Eurasia. But it was bigger than modern rhinos and probably galloped like a horse. Scientists have known about Siberian unicorns since 1808. For a long time, they thought the unicorns went extinct 200,000 years ago. Recently, । that changed. Now they think the unicorns went extinct closer to 39,000 years ago. To understand how scientists worked that out, I talked with my friend Kimberly melted quickly, the destruction left behind was much more permanent. Body shops and roofing contractors in the area have been flooded with business follow­ ing the storm, and many non-local businesses have recently made stops in the Barry County area in hopes of.finding business here. Woodland Auto Body has been in the busi­ ness of fixing dents and paint for Woodland residents since 1992. Though they’ve been in business for over 30 years, some ofthe dents customers are dealing with are too far gone for repair. “The total (of cars brought in) was some­ where north of 130-that we’ve had so far. Some of them are definitely just beyond repair,” said Craig Lord, co-owner ofWood­ land Auto Body. “It all kind ofdepends on the age ofthe vehicle, things like that. But even some ofthe newer ones, even just two, three years old, some of them look like they’ve been hit with a baseball bat all around it. So, those are not being saved either.” Despite an intimidating list of over 130 cars to fix, Lord isn’t worried about working through the backlog. “Paintless dent repair is definitely gonna help us,” he said. Paintless dent repair (PDR) specialists will travel around the country, storm chasing, and go to areas recently affected by hail or other extreme weather events. Lord said a PDR specialist will help complete damage esti­ mates and repair for dozens of the dented vehicles. Anne Wilcox Kurr, owner of Precision Auto Body Repair Inc. in Hastings, said she has never seen anything quite like the hail storm that swept through parts of Barry County last Tuesday. “This is the first major (storm) around here that we’ve actually had to set up (PDR) com­ panies to come in and do this,” Wilcox Kurr said. Cars were not the only big-ticket items damaged in the storm. Homeowners in the affected areas have been saddled with ample siding and roof damage, among other things. Sarah Reed, owner ofKatz Roofing & Siding in Potterville, agreed the damage to homes is unlike anything she has seen in her 25 years in the roofing business. “I grew up in Woodland and I’ve never seen hail like this. I’m talking to homeowners who are 80 years old and they’ve never seen anything like this either,” said Reed. Reed isn’t concerned about the flood of work coming her way; roofing and siding are Katz’s bread and butter. What is posing a bigger issue for homeowners, however, is waiting for the insurance companies. “I think the biggest challenge right now is the homeowners having to wait for the insur­ ance companies and adjusters to get out there,” Reed told The Banner. “It’s a waiting game to get the adjuster out there, to get the claim filed, and then for the homeowner to get on the schedule to get the work... Every­ one wants to be done so they don’t run into issues down the road.” HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, April 13 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches “1958,” a film starring Jean Simmons, Dan O’Herlihy and Rhonda Fleming, 5 p.m. Friday, April 14 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15 - Dungeons & Dragons, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, April 17 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Climate change movie: “Current Revolution,” 6 p.m.; writers’ night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library 269­ 945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — The Hastings Banner home sweet home Yankee Springs Township Hall expansion, renovation wraps up Greg Chandler Members of Thomapple Township Emergency Services surround Pattrick Jansens for a group shot following his pinning ceremony Monday. Pattrick Jansens has the ceremonial bugles pinned on the lapel of his uniform shirt by his wife Amber, symbolizing his promotion to lieutenant at Thornapple Township Emergency Services, during Monday’s township board meeting. The couple’s 8-year-old son, Kellen, looks on. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Jansens promoted to lieutenant at TTES Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Township Emergency Services has promoted Pattrick Jansens to the rank of lieutenant. Jansens, who has been with the department since September 2003, received his pin mark­ ing his promotion at Monday’s Thomapple Township board meeting. His wife, Amber, and 8-year-old son, Kellen, pinned the cere­ monial bugles to the uniform shirt symboliz- ing the promotion. “Back in older times, that’s how they made announcements to who was to move in (to a new position),” TTES Chief Bill Richardson said prior to the pinning ceremony. “The more bugles you had, the more people you had a span of control over. A chief would have five or six different bugles with differ­ ent sounds, telling people to go in or pulling people out by how they trumpeted (the sound). That’s the backstory on the bugles.” Jansens, who became a full-time member of TTES in September of last year, will be in charge of fire training for the department in his new responsibility. He is a state-certified Level I fire instructor, Richardson said. “You have to be trained on whatever you’re going to do, at least annually,” Richardson said. “Everything that a firefighter can do, he’s going to make Sure we are compliant.” Jansens has also worked with local veter­ ans through the Barry County United Way. StaffWriter Nearly nine months after breaking ground, the expansion and renovation of the Yankee Springs Township Hall is complete, weeks ahead of schedule. The hall officially reopened last week, with furnishings being moved into the hall on Friday. The first township board meeting in the renovated meeting space will take place at 6 p.m. onThursday, April 13 at the hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd. “We’ve got a punch list of things that still need to be done ...but overall, I think we got more than we expected (from the project),” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. “The last details, just like building a house, take the longest to finalize.” Ground on the project was broken last July, with the first phase ofwork consisting ofthe addition ofmore than 1,700 square feet to the original 4,000-square-foot structure that was built in the early 1970s. The original timeta­ ble called for the project to be completed in May. Once the expansion was completed, offices were moved into the addition and work began on renovating the original office space and the meeting room where township meetings are held. The old office space has now been converted into a spacious meeting room. There is a new secure office entrance on the north side ofthe building where the dep­ uty clerk and deputy treasurer will greet visi­ tors; dedicated office space for the township supervisor, treasurer, clerk, assessor and zon­ ing administrator; and a secure space to store the township’s elections machines. Meanwhile, the meeting hall portion ofthe building has a new raised platform for board members, replacing the bunched-together conference room tables where board mem­ bers previously sat behind; a new heating and cooling system, an audio-visual system and new closet space. The project was put together with the help ofa 10-member office renovation committee consisting of elected board members, town­ ship employees and four citizens who ana­ lyzed a variety of building options before settling on a plan. The last of the bills for the project still have yet to come in, but township officials expect the final cost to be right around, orjust under, the project estimate of$1.2 million. Of that amount, $1 million was for the construc­ tion work by project contractor Mugen Construction, $101,000 for contingency and $97,000 to Fleis & VandenBrink for design and engineering costs. The township is financing $600,000 ofthe project cost through an installment purchase agreement with Highpoint Community Bank ofHastings, which will be paid back over 10 years at an interest rate of 2.64 percent. It also used $50,000 of funding through the Ameri­ can Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to cover the cost ofthe secure office entrance. The town­ ship is paying the remaining cost out of its general fund. Pizza box recycling program returns bigger and better after hiatus mi* Tj,®** **11* * fll*1 Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A popular recycling program for Hastings students is back in operation after taking a several-year hiatus. Jim Brown, Hastings Charter Township supervisor and member of the Barry County Solid Waste Oversight Committee, has spear­ headed the project and its return. Teaming up with Hastings Ace Hardware, Brown said students in Hastings can now bring their pizza boxes to be recycled to a special recep­ tacle inside the hardware store. Brown originally started the program in 2019, challenging Star Elementary students to recycle 2,000 pizza boxes. The program was a huge success - students had collected more than 2,000 boxes before the end ofthe year. Although the program was a huge success in its inaugural year, various setbacks have prevented it from making a return. COVID-19 shut down in-person classes at schools for several semesters, keeping students at home. The ensuing logistical challenges made it impossible for the program to continue in its original form. Those challenges compounded when Les’s Sanitary Services, a key partner of the recycling program, could no longer assist with the program after being sold to Granger Waste Services. Along with tackling those challenges, Brown wanted to grow the program. Partnering with Ace Hardware allowed Brown to bring the pro­ gram back better than ever, he said. “It’s been a long time coming. It started out really good (in 2019). Mother Nature shut it down, but she also made us think of another, easier way to do it,” Brown said. “We’re still doing the same thing, but the logistics are better.” Before, Les’s Sanitary Services would col­ lect the cardboard boxes from Star Elementa­ ry to bring them to a recycling collection center. Now, students bring their pizza boxes to a receptacle in Ace Hardware near the front door. From there, an Ace employee will col­ lect the boxes and put them in the store’s industrial cardboard baler. The baler, a huge hydraulic press the store uses to recycle its own cardboard waste, will compress up to 1,200 pounds ofcardboard into a single bale. The bale ofcardboard is then held together with wire, where it can then be picked up by a forklift and placed into a vehicle that will take it directly to a recycling center. Tom Leister, general manager ofthe Hast­ ings Ace Hardware, said he was happy to help Brown reinstate the recycling program. “As I see it, we’re reinvigorating the pro­ gram and this is the first time we’ve been able to come back with it since 2019. This program is rather new to me, but I think it’s an amazing fin1 fin1 stssinir tii teiintaM ateailfit The Yankee Springs Township Hall now has a new, secure entrance located within the addition that was built on to the original structure. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Ylaiit jc llajcA’ito S’W’-asiaiBQf j dirtbi Ace Hardware General Manager Tom Leister (left) and Hastings Charter Township Supervisor Jim Brown (right) stand next to the new pizza box recycling receptacle inside the Hastings Ace Hardware store. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Tom Leister loads the store’s cardboard baler and prepares it for operation. The hydraulic press can compress 1,200 pounds of cardboard into a bale for transport to a recycling center. opportunity to get us involved in the commu­ nity,” Leister said. “This is an opportunity for us to help recycle, help the community, and follow along on a cleaner, greener path.” Brown said the new system is already a major improvement over the program’s last iteration. Putting the receptacle in a central location greatly reduced the number of logistical issues that arose from figuring out how to put one in each area school. Now, any student enrolled in the Hastings Area School System is eligible to participate in the program, as well as those enrolled in Barry County Christian and St. Rose of Lima. Because the receptacle is not on school A bale of cardboard waits for pickup outside of Ace Hardware. During the store's oeak seasons, asons Leister said the store can produce up to two bales of cardboard waste a week grounds, kids can continue to collect pizza boxes even when school is not in session. Before, kids would have to put their collec­ tion efforts on hiatus for three months while classes were out for the summer. Finally - and maybe most importantly the new model for the program provides a path for it to grow. By selecting centrally located, highly visible businesses in rural communities to be a, collection point, rural communities can make the recycling program work without needingjpo many resources. “By having a central location like this, with a leader in the business area (the recycling program is more feasible),” Brown said. “You have to get one highly visible business that’s going to be a collection point for each one of these places, especially in a rural area.” This year’s recycling challenge will serve as an experiment, Brdwn said. Once the pro­ cess is perfected, he hopes to bring it to every school in Barry County. Once that’s in place, Brown hopes to share what he’s learned with recycling leaders in nearby counties. Alongside increasing recycling rates in Barry County and reducing the waste headed for landfills, Brown hopes to educate the next generation about recycling by getting them involved in the process, “We’re trying to partner up with as many people that can get to our kids, because they’re the ones that are going to save the planet. I can help them, but they’re the ones who are going to do it,” Brown said. The new office for the Yankee Springs township supervisor The renovated meeting room at the Yankee Springs Township Hall has a new platform where the board will sit for meetings. �Hastings Public Library 227 State Street 1 IflAllugb MI SPORTS SECTION The Hastings AN NER ™ dMb sThauyr.sdaoyr, Ap.ril 13, 2023 Trailblazers present new challenge in SAC Valley Brett Bremer Sports Editor • The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ track and field team has as new chal­ lenge ahead ofit this season. i |iThe Panthers were 6-1 in duals a ■■ 3L The 2023 Delton Kellogg varsity girls' track and field team. Panthers expect plenty of points in sprints and hurdles Brett Bremer Safars? Hi iwhsaia, secure entrance locatfi Sports Editor The more the merrier for the Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ track and field team. Delton Kellogg head coach Katie Ingle, entering her fifth sea­ son leading the program, is happy to have a. larger group of stu­ dent-athletes out for her squad this spring than in recent seasons. Many are hew to varsity track and field, but she is just looking for them to improve as the season goes on and hopefully that leads to improvement on the scoreboard and the clock in the end. The DK girls were 2-4-1 in duals a season ago and finished eighth in the Southwestern Athletic Confer­ ence. At the end of the season though, the DK girls were up to fifth at the SAC Championship meet. Underclassmen had some ofthe top performances for the Delton Kellogg team at the SAC Champi- onship a year ago. That group was led by 2023 returnees Breanna Chandler, Joelle White, Summer Ritchie and Josie Williams. Chandler, ajunior this sprig, had a couple of the team’s top SAC performances in 2022. She was the conference runner-up in the 300meter intermediate hurdles and also placed in the top eight in the 100-meter hurdles. ^Ritchie, another junior this ' spring, was one of the conference’s top 400-meter runners. Ritchie, Chandler and Williams teamed with now graduated Halena Phil­ lips to score a runner-up finish in the 4x400-meter relay at last year’s SAC Championship. Williams was also one ofthe top girls in the conference in the long jump. Of the new additions, coach Ingle is really looking forward to seeing how Jimena Olmedo and Izabelle Gruber contribute in the sprints. Gruber will also compete in the hurdles this season. White will pace the Panthers’ distance crew, but there isn’t a lot of depth there. The Panthers are also looking for some girls to step up in the throws this season. The Panthers competed indoors at Grand Valley State University and in a double dual at Hastings before -spring breaks They were- scheduled to open the SAC Valley Division season at Gobles yesterday, April 12, taking on the host Tigers and the Galesburg-Augusta Rams. The DK teams go to the Olivet Relays Friday and then will face Holland Black River in a SAC dual in Deltqn April 19. DK will also be home May 3 taking on Constantine and South Haven. Saugatuck has joined the SAC Valley Division this spring. Coach Ingle expects the Trailblazers to be tough to beat as usual. Delton goes to Saugatuck for a dual April 26. year ago, placed second in the South­ Western Athletic Conference Valley Division and then went on to place fourth at the SAC Championship. Gobles was set to host the first SAC Valley double dual of the season Wednesday, April 12, taking on Delton Kellogg and Galesburg-Augusta. Delton Kellogg head coach Dale Grimes said his guys are eager to compete for a SAC Vajley Championship this spring. Constantine won the SAC Valley a year ago, but has moved out of the division. That doesn’t mean things will be easier. Saugatuck won the overall SAC Championship a year ago and moved into the SAC Valley this season. The Panthers travel to take on the Trail­ blazers April 26. The SAC Valley season also includes a trip to Martin for the Pan­ thers May 10 The Panther team will chase a con­ ference championship with a pair of state qualifiers back for the 2023 sea­ son. That duo includes junior Torren Mapes and sophomore Wyatt Finney. Finney was 16*" in the longjump at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Finals last year. Mapes was 18^ in the 110-meter high hurdles at the finals a y year ago g after pg placing 11^1 in the 300-meter intermediate hur­ dles at the state finals as a freshman. The senior group is powered by sprinter Philip Halcomb, thrower/ jumper Jason Lundquist, Gave Vincent in the pole vault and distance races, hurdler/vaulter Isaac Shepard and dis­ tance runner Micah Martin. Halcomb and Lundquist are a cou­ ple of guys really pushing to join Mapes and Finney at the state finals this spring. “[Lundquist] is seeking to continue the tradition ofDK thrower representa­ tion at the state finals,” Grimes said. “[Halcomb] has yet to qualify for state, but so far this season he is train­ ing and performing at a level that could provide that opportunity,” the DK coach added. The team is also welcoming back junior sprinter Rhys Bedford and thrower Andrew Diamond and sopho­ more distance runner Ethan Rimmer. “Overall participation numbers are down slightly this year,” coach Grimes said, “with limited representation from the freshman class, but the team is enhanced in terms ofthe number of new athletes who look to significantly contribute to the scoring. We will be relying heavily on our juniors and seniors who have the veteran experi­ ence, as well as some sophomores See BOYS, page 11 The 2023 Delton Kellogg varsity boys' track and field team. Thank You to these businesses for their support DELTON KELLOGG SCHOOLS Quality Education for ALL Students Round Ken’s Sports Shop Dolton, Ml 126 East Orchard Street, Delton, Ml 49046 highpoint Try Our Pizza Tu/ie & Bake, To Go, Dine-in 1 -888-422-2280 Delton Drive Thru: highpointcommunitybank.com 10199 S. M-43 Hwy. 623*3777 De,ton e,ton ’ Ml’ 49046 Ml 49046 Member FDIC Tel Fiber - Voice - Data CHAPPLE REALTY INC 11235 Sprague Rd, Delton 118 E Orchard St., Delton Mi 49046 623*5115 269-623-4058 (2 miles north ofDeltone on M43) Phone WESTMICHIGANLAKES.COM 4NAPAI NAPA of Delton 9939 M-43 Hwy 623-4804 (269) 721-9989 President Todd Carpenter (269) 217-2372 Fax (269) 721-3864 Sand and Gravel and MOREI SIMPLY SWEETS. 623-8047 • Commercial • Industrial • Residential 11250 Manning Lake Rond, Delton, Ml • carpcntergravclinc.com DELTON FAMILY PHARMACY Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 1351 N. M-43 Hwy, Hastings 338 Grove St. (M-43)Delton 945*9554 623*5250 WILL1AMS*GORES FUNERAL HOME 133 Orchard, Delton HOW. Center, Suite B, Hastings MM23J112 5428 Moose Lodge Dr. CarpenterGravel THE HASTINGS BANNER www.mei.net BUCKLAND AGENCY Delton Moose Lodge M-43 Hwy. across from Delton Schools COMMUNITY BANK 269-623-8565 G 948*3720 GROVE STREET CAFE 623-5461 Bl 269-623-3300 n D«Slncc pE1^21 nn 10H Y«ars StrongB 10036 M-43 Delton, Ml 49046 LYONS SEPTIC TANK SERVICE SMITH & DOSTER SALES & SERVICE 3840 Harrington Rd. Delton 114 Grove (M-43) Delton 623*2089 • 945*5379 623-5111 Fast Reliable Service For Over 50 Years �Page 10 — Th ----------------------------------------------------------- — DK has prepped to be one of state’s best teams Brett Bremer Sports Editor This Panther team wants to make up for lost time. The time they lost was in the 2022 state postseason. After another outstanding regular season, the Delton Kellogg varsity softball team was bested 2-1 by Calvin Christian in extra innings in an MHSAA Division 3 Pre-District ballgame on the first day ofthe state tournament. The Squires went on to win district and regional championships and play in the MHSAA Division 3 State Semifinals. The Delton Kellogg girls went to work on 2023. There are a dozen girls back for the Pan­ thers from last year’s team. The team has five seniors with plans to play on the collegiate level. That group includes Mya Brickley, Paige Thomas, Jordan Lyons, Abby Fichtner and Allie Trantham. Those five were all a part ofa district championship the Delton Kellogg team won in 2021. “All 12 want to win a conference title,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jesse Lyons said. “A lot ofthem have the goal to win districts and advance as far as possible. They’re ready to make a big push in that state tourna­ ment. They’ve been working really hard to try and meet some goals here. In the offsea­ son, we did a lot of weight training and conditioning.” The Panthers have a versatile group, a slew of girls capable of stepping into the pitching circle, strong defense and solid hitting. The seven girls with some pitching experi- ence include senior Cadence Johnson, Lyons, Fichtner, Thomas, junior Maysse Wiessner, Brickley and junior Elizabeth Stonebumer. Brickley took game one and Stonebumer game two in the circle as the Panthers opened their season with a pair ofwins over visiting Lawton Tuesday afternoon. The rest of the dozen returnees include sophomore Paige Davis, senior Kasey Kapteyn, junior Allison Brandli and junior Abbi Wooden. Around the infield in the opener the Pan­ thers had Brandli at first, Johnson at second, Fichtner at shortstop and Davis at third. Tran­ tham got the start at catcher. The outfield featured Thomas in center, Lyons in left and Kapteyn in right field. Lyons moved to second in game two, with Brickley moving to left. Wooden took over at third and Wiessner in right field - showing offthe team’s versatility early on. The Panthers won those two games by the DBWdM OBtTOK scores of 16-1 and 20-0. They plan on things getting tougher soon. The Panthers are a part of the Barry County Invitational at Hastings High School Saturday and then will head to Martin for a double header April 18. Delton Kellogg heads to Gull Lake for a tournament April 22, will face Olivet and Calvin Christian in non-conference ball­ games on the road in early May and has plans to host Traverse City St. Francis and See SOFTBALL, page 11 The 2023 Delton Kellogg varsity softball team. DKHS basebaligets the start it washoping for and juniors Torren Mapes, Wyatt Caldwell and Cole Lane. Boze will be at either short stop or catcher when he’s not on the mound. Mapes returns to man the outfield. Lane will likely man first base. The Delton Kellogg team is also look­ ing forward to third baseman Mason Nabozny returning from ACL surgery sometime in May. Mason will certainly add some pop to the offense, possibly starting out as a desig­ nated hitter. Junior Victory Gonzalez could see time at catcher or third base this season for the Pan­ thers. Juniors Luis Perez, Riley Bardo and Collin Muskovin will work for time in the outfield. Adrian DeBoer, a junior, is back to spend time at pitcher, catcher and third. Grant MacArthur, a sophomore, could earn time at shortstop this season. The team also includes sophomore third baseman Elliott Rogers and sophomore sec­ ond baseman Dylan Fichtner. Coach Nabozny is looking forward to hav­ ing a “mature” team this season and a sched­ ule that might be a bit more friendly. “I’m just looking to compete, for the players to compete a little bit,” coach Nabozny said. “The first couple weeks will deter­ mine whether we will have a decent year Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Panthers experienced a winless season last spring, but gained valuable experience on the diamonds around the state. Head coach Mark Nabozny, in his second season leading the Delton Kellogg varsity baseball program has nearly the entirety of his roster back and he hopes better than ever. “Everyone looks great right now in ^he batting cage,” coach Nabozny said before his team wok offfor spring break. ^We’re pitch­ ing inside off our mound. Our biggest weak­ ness last year was throwing strikes. We didn’t throw strikes. We gave up 11 walks a game on average. For whatever reason, we just couldn’t find the plate. Then the pitch count grew on you, and your arm, then we’re throwing 42-45 pitches in two innings. I was trying anybody and everybody. “When [opponents] finally hit the ball we were back on our heels because so many pitch­ es had gone by. Then a few errors were made, then you throw a few throwing errors in there and it was a complete disaster. We’re hoping for this year that we throw more strikes and I don’t care ifthe kid is throwing 65 or 70 as long as you’re throwing strikes. I think our strength will be our offense, our hitting power.” The Panthers will look for solid improve­ ments on the mound by sophomore pitcher Tristin Boze, senior pitcher Philip Halcomb, The 2023 Delton Kellogg varsity baseball team. Ifra^**** MuA W foe IMMRS® — ■■■ Sports Editor The Panthers managed to get a few days in on the range before spring break and now they’ll look to tee offthe 2023 varsity boys’ golf season at their annual Kent Enyart Invi­ tational at Mullenhurst today, April 13. The program, which is a co-op with the Delton Kellogg and Martin student-athletes, has grown to 20 players this spring under head coach Jim Hogoboom. The top returnees this season include Zach Hale, Karter Ribble, Michael Branch, Trent Stonebumer, Alyssa Smith and Brett Harsevoort. Ribble, now a senior this spring, was the Panthers’ number two scorer at their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional Tournament in 2022 where he placed 44^ in a field of over 90 golfers. Juniors Hale and Branch and the senior Harsevoort were also a part ofthe Delton Kellogg team’s regional five last spring. Delton Kellogg was seventh out of ten teams at the SAC Championship a year ago, a tournament where Ribble led the way with CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 612 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DEVELOPMENT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 10th of April 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever City Clerk a score of95 at the Beeches GolfClub. That score had in him a tie for 17 . Branch was the Panthers’ number two that day, also shooting under 100. Coach Hogoboom, who is in his fifth sea­ son leading the program said getting to the top ofthe Southwestern Athletic Conference will still be a challenge with talented teams from Hackett Catholic Prep, Kalamazoo Christian and Schoolcraft among the favor­ ites as usual. Hackett Catholic Prep and Kalamazoo Christian finished fourth and ninth respec- tively at the MHSAA Division 4 Lower Peninsula Boys’ GolfFinals in 2022 with­ out a single senior among their ten state finals competitors. Hackett had four fresh­ men among its state five. Kalamazoo Christian had two freshmen and a sopho­ more. Coach Hogoboom is looking too see how a handful ofnew varsity players score as the season progresses. Blake Lillibridge, Carter Brickley and Tyler Howland are some ofthe leaders ofthe group looking to break into the scoring group for the team. Vtoaofees swilBliflsas® fobnaj.Maia® WiflthiakfthiAw «^a Hi k« M ^^aikt Hik.., > ^ikt > . ™ii^» ■ * * I £'** £'**ir** /** 'S’J??*** J'S7 J'S7 C S^^jisint S« , The Delton Kellogg team heads to Eastern Hills for a contest hosted by Parchment Fri­ day afternoon and will head to Old Mill Golf Course for a contest hosted by Schoolcraft Monday, April 17. The SAC comes to Mullenhurst for ajam­ boree May 3. That is the only other home contest on the schedule for the Delton Kel­ logg team this season after today’s Kent Enyart Invitational. The SAC Championship will once again be held at the Beeches Golf Club in South Haven, May 23. .. xsniios. ta, ta, Brett Bremer ., MRtBidancspa- Mri* See BASEBALL, page 11 DK/Martin team graduated just one from scoring group r.X k s“ All Wi^ A K Wi^ S Whf Whf KS S XkkMSif SiZfbe■e.■% S N% *S *S '' b k?S5s '’ ’sks? K Sj 8& W& Hu,uX,t LW v Q &SsQXtX ox �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — Page 11 Eagles working to stay on top of the Great Lakes 6 Brett Bremer The 2023 Delton Kellogg varsity girls' soccer team. DK coach likes girls’ soccer playing experience this spring Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team was set to shoot for its first goal ofthe season Wednesday at Coloma High School. The Panthers are back in action again at Wyoming Lee Friday and then at Parchment Monday. The Delton Kellogg girls got their season started before spring break, falling J5-0 against Southwestern Athletic Copference foe Blacky JRiver I^arch^?^ and jSliyet, 1-0, “Although due to team dynamics last sea­ son Johannah didn’t play in the goal, that is the position she has been trained in and now that she is in that position will be one ofour strengths,” Delton Kellogg head coach Alan Mabie said. “With the retuning offensive players and the new players I feel that we will be able to score more goals than the last few years.” Upjpp the tgam brings back sophomore jf"e_p__y_jffL Hamlliinz and sophomore . mid‘fidder/forward Avery Barkdr. Coath’’1 March 22. The Panthers will have a strong safety net in the back this season with sophomore goal­ keeper Johannah Houtkooper taking over that position after playing in the field as a freshman on the varsity. That has leaders on both ends ofthe field for the Delton Kellogg team that won four games last spring. Mabie is also looking forward to how fresh­ men Adelyn Stampfler and Elli Timmerman perform in the midfield. “We have to work out our defensive, unit as we lost most ofour starters from last year and with only 14 players on the roster we may struggle in the beginning ofthe season with game conditioning,” coach Mabie said. Brett Bremer fe Le Pm fyh CAMibiiiilwifcifei te&AfraD&ftijaui Mwaimctdais tapfcnt Ik Ian biota qta ten Ellice alijtoii “The last few years have been a struggle with low numbers and a lot ofinexperienced players while we still have low numbers we have a good solid core ofgirls that are expe­ rienced soccer players so I feel that we will be greatly improved over last year and should be able to be above 500 in wining percentage.” Delton Kellogg won’t play on its home field again for a bit. They host Saugatuck April 21, Schoolcraft A^ril^andConstantine Apritl6. w - 5 Coach Mabie said he expects Schoolcraft and Kalamazoo Christian • to be the two toughest squads in the Southwestern Ath­ letic Conference this spring. The Comets were the state runners-up last spring in Division 4. They fell 1-0 to Roy Oak Shrine Catholic in the MHSAA Division 4 State Final last June. Sports Editor The Eagles are hoping to build them­ selves up over the first couple weeks ofthe regular season to be ready to make a run at defending their Great Lakes 6 Champion­ ship from a year ago. The Eagles were bested 8-0 and 7-3 in a season-opening doubleheader Tuesday at Galesburg-Augusta High School. The Eagles host Heritage Christian for a double header this afternoon, go to Lansing Chris­ tian for two Friday and then start next week with two at the home ofthe West Michigan Crusaders Monday and at home against Sacred Heart Academy Tuesday afternoon. Barry County Christian head coach Bran­ don Strong is expecting his team to be solid fundamentally and have a strong pitching staffas the season progresses. “We’rejust implementing our system and we expect these men to execute on the field,” Strong said. “Our first two weeks will be a building momentum period and we hope to hit our stride by the third week of April.” He has some leaders to help get things rolling. The top returnees from the team that was 23-10 a year ago include senior catcher Joe Wise, senior pitcher/third baseman Wyatt Stone and junior pitcher/first base­ man Isaiah Birmingham. Wise and Birmingham were both all-con­ ference performers a season ago. Coach Strong said he thinks Wise has the chance to set season and Barry County Christian records for throwing out base-stealers and doubles this season. Birmingham is capable ofsetting school records for ERA and strike outs. Birmingham threw two shut out innings in the season opener at Galesburg-Augusta, walking 3 and striking out 1. The Rams found their groove once he was offthe hill, but the Eagles never expected to push things Tuesday. Coach Strong always planned to throw six or seven different pitchers heading into the doubleheader. “Our primary five or six pitchers will han­ dle a brunt ofour pitching work load and we will be. mixing and matching some Qf,qur younger/new players in for low pressure out­ ings,” coach Strong said. “I am very confi- *^5 South Christian. Calvin Christian comes into the year ranked number three in the state in Division 3. St. Francis is ranked ninth. The DK girls will also face seventh ranked Watervliet and the Coloma team among the honorable mention teams in the D3 rankings. The Panthers themselves are among the honorable mention teams in the D3 rankings entering the season. The Delton Kellogg girls neededjust three innings to win game one against Lawton Tuesday. They scored five runs in the first inning, seven in the second and four in the third. Hitting in the lead-off spot, Fichtner had a double, a triple and a walk in three at-bats. She scored 1 run and drove in one. Wooden was 2-for-3 with a single and a double. She had 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Kapteyn, Wiessner and Johnson had the other three DK hits. The Panthers worked 7 walks and took advantage of 5 Blue Devil errors. Brickley allowed one run on a walk and two hits in the circle. In game two, Brickley, Trantham, Wooden and Brandli had 2 hits each. Brandli, Thomas and Brickley had 3 RBI each. Brickley, Tran­ tham, Wooden and Brandli had 2 RBI apiece. Brandli Wiessner, Brickley and Thomas each scored 3 runs. Trantham and Wiessner both tripled in the win and Brandli had a double among the Panthers’ 9 hits. DK worked 8 walks as a team in game two and took advan­ tage ofanother 6 errors by the Blue Devils. Stonebumer no-hit the Blue Devils in the three-inning ballgame. She walked one and struck out six. Sports Editor The Barry County Christian varsity girls’ soccer team is looking to have a great season growing its skills and ability accord­ ing to head coach Justin Schultz. Schultz is in his seventh season leading the program. He is happy to welcome back a strong group ofyoungsters including junior strik­ er Kathryn Koetje, junior goalkeeper Hope Garno and sophomore sweeper Bailey Guernsey. Colwell got the win in the game one shutout. He struck out 4 and walked 2 while giving up 4 hits in 5 innings on the mound. Boze came on to finish off the game, striking out 3 and walking 1 in the seventh. Colwell helped himselfat the plate going 2-for-3 with a single and a double. He drove in two runs and scored one. Lane, Mapes and DeBoer had the other three DK hits. The Panthers used three Blue Devils errors to score three unearned runs. Delton Kellogg is scheduled to visit Black River this afternoon, April 13. DK goes to Martin for two Tuesday and then will be home to take on Watervliet April 20. BOYS, continued from page 9 who contributed greatly last year.” The significant group of“rookies” is a mix ofathletes from all the grades. Coach Grimes said they’re showing great work ethic and passion for improving in the preseason. That group includes senior throwers John Zettelmaier and Giorgio Venturi, sprinters Daniel Ruiz and Philip Jorgensen and dis- tance runner Felix Houssemaine. Jorgensen will also compete in the throws and Venturi will contribute to relays. Houssemaine is working to improve in the jumps as well. Coach Grimes is also looking forward to contributions fromjuniors Wyatt Colwell and Michael Decker and sophomores Sebastian Rojas and Cooper Sandusky. The SAC Valley switch-up isn’t the only change for the Delton Kellogg track teams this spring. The Panthers will also be heading south for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Divi­ sion 3 Regional Meet at the end ofthe season for the first time in a number ofyears. They’ll compete at Bangor May 18 for spots in the state finals. Call tor Hastings Banner ads 269-945-9554 011-999-870-7695 The Eagle coach sees good team cohe­ sion so far. He likes how his girls are able to compliment each other’s strengths. The Barry County Christian girls are still working for their first win ofthe sea­ son. They fell 8-2 to the West Michigan Hornets Homeschool team to open the season March 30 and fell 6-1 to visiting Calhoun Christian Tuesday afternoon. The Eagles are back in action this eve­ ning at home taking on Heritage Christian Academy and they will go again Friday at home against Fellowship Baptist Academy. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 197828 BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT AT THE MAY 3, 2023 MEETING BASEBALL, continued from page 10 and will be in games, or if it’s going to be like last year.” “Ifwe can get some early wins, obviously that’s going to help. We’ll see.” The Panthers did get off to a good start Tuesday, taking a 4-0 win in their opener with Lawton. They had a 10-4 win after two innings at the start ofgame two ofthe doubleheader. very good varsity baseball in the system we have developed them in,” coach Strong said. Lampart has one ofthe most challenging roles ofthe three, expected to be the Eagles’ primary shortstop this season. Loerep could slot in as the Eagles’ number three starting pitcher. Coach Strong said Hawkes’ is one ofthe strongest players in the area and does a lot of small things well. He expects Hawkes, who has been versatile up to this point, to start to settle into a regular position as this season progresses. “Our primary goal is to run through our conference and again hang banners. This will not be easy as the other teams in the conference will again be throwing their best our direction and each team seems to be improving annually,” coach Strong said. “We understand our role as being the other schools’ goal as the team to beat. “We have so much work to do in order to stay on the mountain.” ,_ , _ With a 20-wm season,' coach Strong will reach 150 varsity victories with the Eagles. Eagle soccer squad working to improve as spring gets started Brett Bremer SOFTBALL, continued from page 10 dent in our system and a catcher (Wise) that we have been pushing for the past 6 seasons. Joe has committed to Grace Christian and I would expect him to be the top ball player in the area. Birmingham is our clear ace. He has had a very healthy 12 months and we expect his fastball to touch 89-90 very quickly. This year we will be pushing him nightly to mix pitches and work the plate more efficiently than last season. He has grown as a leader and he should have several eye popping per­ formances as his college recruitment and selection opens in earnest this season. “Stone will be the wild card and will be the one we aren’t giving up much info about as we expect him to catch most teams off balance, lets just say that he is in for a very interesting season.” Coach Strong is also looking forward to seeing sophomores Nathan Loerep, Jona­ thon Hawkes and Dustin Lampart. Those three got some varsity time last season to prep for this year. “Although we limited our expectations of them last year and we allowed them to make a great deal of mental mistakes and to grow, this year the mental mistakes will not be a part of their game and we expect them to play TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on May 3, 2023, which begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The item to be considered at this public hearing is the proposed amendment of Section 220-5-3 H.1 of the Rutland Charter Township Zoning Code, pertaining to special land use approval for the keeping of livestock on a non-commercial basis accessory to a dwelling in the “CR” Country Residential District, so as to change the minimum lot area for the keeping of such animals from 5 acres to 3 acres. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Master Plan, and the tentative text of the above-referenced proposed zoning text amendment(s), may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. The Township Planning Commission reserves the right to modify any of the proposed amendments at or following the hearing/meeting and to make its recommendations accordingly to the Township Board. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes ofprinted materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Page 12 — Thursday, April 13, 2023 — The Heatings Banner LEGAL NOTICES Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered Io active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212. that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MAY 11,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may bo greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by James A Fike Jr and Robin R Fike, husband and wife, to Fifth Third Mortgage -Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated March 18,2016 and recorded March 30, 2016 in Instrument Number 2016-002942 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, N.A. as Successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereofthe sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Five and 44/100 Dollars ($107,485.44). Under the power of sale contained In said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MAY 11,2023. Said premises are located in the City of HASTINGS, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH LINE OF SECTION 16, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST, CITY OF HASTINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, 310.00 FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 16- THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, 321.52 FEET ALONG SAID NORTH LINE; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16, 679.63 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST, 320.74 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 23 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION 16, 679.64 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO AN EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC HIGHWAY PURPOSES OVER THE NORTHERLY 33.00 FEET THEREOF. 1220 E. State Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuantto MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: April 13,2023 File No. 23-003154 FirmNameJ Odans PC i I rt Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (04-13)(05-04) 197970 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on April 20, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Namefs) of the mortgagors): Laurel G. Garrison aka Laurel Garrison and Jacklynn Garrison, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Date of Mortgage: May 25,2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: June 6,2007 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $106,167.78 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Part of the West 1/2 of Section 7, Town 1 North, Range 9 West, Barry County, Michigan, being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point 168.41 feet North and 834.68 feet East of the West 1/4 post of Section 7, Town 1 North, Range 9 W West, thence North 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds East along the Easterly line of Kline Street 52.31 feet; thence South 43 degrees 45 minutes 00 seconds Fast 143.30 feet; thence North 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds East 102.10 feet; thence South 49 degrees 53 minutes 03 seconds East 35.87 feet; thence South 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West 139.40 feet; North 49 degrees 53 minutes 03 seconds Eastt 35.87 feet; thence South 46 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West 139.40 feet; thence North 49 degrees 45 32 seconds West 179.95 feet to beginning. PT^V^aSSSed:C0M 16841 FTNand 834.68 S 1 T1N R9W’ ™ N 46 DEG 15> E 15;3F1iS m CT 121 45’ E 143-30’’ ™ N 46 DEG I! i2J/?2'10 ™ ™SS49 49DEG DEG53' 53'°3" °3"EE35.87 35.87FT, FT,TH THSS 46 DEG 15’ W 139.40 FT, TH N 49 DEG 30’ W 179 95 BARRY t°WNSHIP, BARRY CO, MICH. EA^Fmfnt r™JcUDGMENT 93-545 GRANTS 5 FT EEASEMENT DASEMENT BETWEEN LOTS 5 AND 6 TO LAKE DeSSI”<H any’: 11459 E bn da»?nfr^.eJ?pti‘Jn Pe,!od sha" be 6 months fram <he date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, Ifthe subject real by MCL 600U3^ir6)aariCUlt'Jral PUrp0SeS “ deflned rhlf t?0 rhl is sold at foreclosureA stalef u1n96d1er Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 600'3278 the borrower will be held responsiblfe to th'°e personl who tbuy buythhs the pr property topert7yh atl tdhe ii 9forec fior9ec'°sure sure sale or dto to the tihe mortgag7holder mhor tgadg7holider nerinri 9in9 during the redemption ^fontion homeowner: If you are a military mili service member on active duty, if your period of active duty ago’ e’ orcontact y°u have abppn°nrtUCS? btitforhn° eyJf°nrlhh®+eSS S t0 ythan f 90 dlUtdays iy’ p hleaS thhe Sifnh y f° th® party foreclosing the mort*gage at the telephone number stated in this notice. * 9 This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: March 23,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1493514 (03-23)(04-13) 196795 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement NOTICE NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MAY 4, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Lyle Thomas and Mona Lea Kelly-Thomas, husband and wife, to Ameriquest Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated July 21, 2004 and recorded August 2, 2004 In Instrument Number 1131733 and re-recorded on August 24, 2004, In Instrument Number 1132917, Barry County Records, Michigan Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Inc., Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-R9, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Seventy-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Two and 47/100 Dollars ($78,252.47). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MAY 4,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: The South 1/2 of Lot 905 and the South 49 feet of the North 1/2 of Lot 905 of the City of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof. 428 S. Church St., Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: April 6.2023 Ale No. 23-002547 Firm Name: Orlans PC Arm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (04-06X04-27) 197586 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212rof the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: I Namefs) of the mortgagors): Kyle Sexton, a married man and Sarah Sexton, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 13,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 16,2015 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $112,133.60 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing at the Northeast comer of Section 4, Town 1 North, Range 9 West, Barry Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 415 feet along centerline of Kingsbury Road for a Place of Beginning; thence West 661 feet thence South 660 feet; thence East 661; thence North 660 feet to the Place of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 10120 Kingsbury Rd, Delton, Ml 49046-8527 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 6,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1494985 (04-06)(04-27) 197489 Notice is given under section 3212 oftha judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on April 27,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to ccontact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Aaron Lambert, a married man and Tera Lambert, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: September 26,2014 Date of Mortgage Recording: October 1,2014 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $82,719.62 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: That part of Blocks 30 and 31, Eastern Addition to the City, formerly Village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof, described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of Lot 6, Block 31, Eastern Addition: thence North 4 rods; thence West to the East boundary of Hanover Street; thence Southerly along the Fast boundary of Hanover Street to the intersection of Hanover Street and South Street; thence East to the place of beginning. Common street address (if any): 1025 S Hanover St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2320 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: March 30,2023 Trott Law, RC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1494420 (03-30X04-20) 197297 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Thomas Washburn Jr and Erika Washburn, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PennyMac Loan Services, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 2,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 3,2017 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $146,241.96 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Castleton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The North 12 acres of the West 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 3 North, Range 7 West, Castleton Township, Barry County, Michigan, excepting a piece of land 16 rods East and West by 20 rods North and South out of the Northwest corner of above described premises. Also excepting a piece of land 12 rods square out of the Northeast corner of above described premises. Common street address (if any): 5290 Coats Grove Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-8431 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 13,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1495267 (04-13)(05-04) 197780 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Harry County offices ofEdward Jones Mcembcer 5SIPIKC' Wendl Stratton Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 49073 (517)760-8113 Emily Taylor inancial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 43 Investment ideas for business owners By definition, business owners put a lot oftheir finan­ cial resources into their enter­ prises. But as an owner, you may need to invest in more than inventories and payroll to help achieve the future you’ve envisioned. Here are a few investments you may want to consider: • Retirement account Depending on the nature of your business and how many employees you have, you can choose from a variety of tax-advantaged retirement plans, such as an owner-on­ ly 401(k), an SEP-IRA and a SIMPLE IRA. By contribut­ ing regularly to one of these accounts, you can avoid being entirely dependent on the sale of your business to pay for your retirement years. To fund your 401(k) or oth­ er retirement plan, you’ll have many investment options — stocks, bonds, mutual funds and so on. And if you “max out” on your retirement plan, you may even be able to build a separate investment portfo­ lio. In any case, keep in mind that you’re already putting a lot of money into your busi­ ness, so, to achieve a level of diversification, you may want to concentrate your investment choices in areas outside your industry. However, while di­ versification can help reduce the impact ofmarket volatility on your portfolio, it can’t guar­ antee profits or protect against losses in a declining market. • Property - Your physical space is a key part of your business’ success. So, you may want to invest some time in comparing the pros and cons of renting versus owning. Of course, owning your building may require a big financial commitment, and it may not be feasible, but it could free you from worrying about un­ timely rent increases. • Disasterprotection — If a fire or a weather-related disas­ ter should strike your business, would you be prepared? It’s important for you to create a disaster recovery plan, which can include business interrup­ tion insurance to pay for your operating costs ifyou’re forced to shut down for a while. • Emergency savings While a disaster protection plan with appropriate insur­ ance can help keep your busi­ ness afloat, it’s unlikely to cov­ er other types of emergency needs, such as a major medical bill or an expensive repair to your home. For these unex­ pected costs, you may want to build an emergency fund covering at least a few months worth ofliving expenses, with the money kept in a liquid ac­ count. Without such an emer­ gency fund, you may be forced to dip into your 401 (k), IRA or other long-term investment vehicle. You’ll also want to invest the time and energy into cre­ ating a business succession plan. Will you keep the busi­ ness in your family? Sell it to outsiders or a key employee? Ifyou do sell, will you do it all at once or over time? Clearly, the answers to these types of questions will make a big dif­ ference in your ultimate finan­ cial security. Finally, invest in help - En­ list the services of a financial advisor and business-planning professional, so you’ll be able to make the decisions that work best for your business and you. Your business may well be a lifelong endeavor — so make sure you’re investing whatev­ er it takes to earn a lifetime of benefits. This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use byyour local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC ■* 1■ %'S? Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry. County, starting promptly at 1:00. PM, on May 11,202,$. .The amount due on the. mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) ofthe mortgagors): Bruce Sherman and Kelly Rutter-Sherman, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 4,2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 4,2020 Amount claimed due on date ofnotice: $42,857.20 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Parcel 1: Commencing 206 feet East ofthe Northwest comer ofthat part ofthe North Fractional 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, lying Westerly of M-37 for place of beginning; thence South 300 feet; thence West 206 feet; thence North 100 feet; thence East 100 feet; thence North 200 feet; thence East 106 feet to the place of beginning. Parcel 2: Commencing at the Northwest comer of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, and running thence East along the North Section line 100 feet; thence South 200 feet; thence West 100 feet; thence North and along the West line of Section 200 feet to the place of beginning Common street address (if any): 996 E Sager Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9309 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 6,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1494887 (04-06)(04-27) 197449 Synopsis Hope Township Regular Board meeting April 10,2023 Meeting opened at 6:30 pm Approved: Consent agenda Guernsey Lake Fireworks permit Park cement replacement Pierce Cedar Creek PILT Close of Otis Lake Gravel mine escrow account Adjourned at 7:09 pm Submitted by: Deborah Jackson, Clerk Attested to by Doug Peck, Supervisor 197994 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for qash or, cashier's check at the place of holding tha Circuit JDourt in^arry,County, starting promptly . at 1:00 PM, on April 27, 2023. The amount due on o the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagor's): Charles Harvath, III aka Charles Harvath and Roberta Harvath, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (If any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC, FKA Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 21, 2018 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 3, 2018 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $84,705.10 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 13 of Loehr's Landing, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 61. Commonly Known as: 2982 Loehrs Landing Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever is later, or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property Is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser. This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bld amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 03/30/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 314873 (03-30X04-20 197317) ■Ma MitalllKlRI&S infeftfanqlaon) Wo knocks oHHastings late io» conference 'ik,,’®Wonp8ioil ZxjkJ ZxjkJW 15? 1^5? ■»L| �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 13,2023 — Page 13 LEGAL NOTICES WA NWs* IWv*SNvsI^v5-??S .. X. Vs. WsWNS s।.Nv. «> SSi Na vN v v X s! *» WW A,,VV\J bbuS ^u' viwl vt^kSwb.rs,i| 4 3MS5J *»»*?’*< **»i»1k??5c'Z ^Z S ?*! . ’< u«. Zu S *^!tu Xr^ tw ••** Xr ’ *?»hl n n Itehft Jytl, WpftaIUUtJJeffll! hllf!t tl,Wpfta ^■^Ktaccfstjf MMbWkk ®Jf®^ ^■ --^rK—taMc WcIHfstj■f.»fti . t ^Wife■»»nfti w WMWCtoKSig^j to fctasteifctttiita ** 3R W 7 &l At 7!ft •■13CR. tor • rc b Jan ■ iraj^tooKtiaft^ ttotoirariwmctakdteffifetanB'qt rmmte tfttitqtytetara . Mtverorn: rai scan iw nfeOpilb?pifc$?® toKir 5® ItitoP1 ■F Hftbnl ft 1 AMsIMrthMMfc .'7« VT3E *ra 2EC7ICtop d temp# fas urefrQftkniLfci® rtsgiFtooR^^ U^dCWtorJR^’ • t®E -CATC 3S8tt4® 102s to«j"WfeW __________ <M* as l^WD»tolWWJ!! -T^e ^dMto*** dt * SZm . *^ •* w ’‘Sw' i»i“<<*® *S®wi/iZ* « *** ’Ssii Ss Sii <?£**: C0 C0 > ^figsSSjS^ 5<fe >S«S «SKS -SSKSgJJ •sz*!*!l!l** *</»**> ?sJ*ss*** •*» - n’*’*^^* **?*5 ?5ftxX ?5 J 77S Senior catcher for Eagles plans to keep playing at Grace University Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings put together a dominant performance in the first doubleheader of the Greater Lansing Activities Conference season at Stockbridge Tuesday. The Lakewood varsity baseball team scored 16-1 and 17-0 wins over the host Panthers. Landon Makley no-hit the Panthers in the 5-inning opener in which the Vikings took a 16-1 win. He walked three and struck out 13. The lone run against him was unearned. Makley also tripled and drove in a run in the bailgame. Walker Klifman was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and 5 RBI to help power the Viking attack. Austin Straub and Brennen Lehman were both 3-for-3 with 2 RBI. Straub scored three times and Lehman scored 2 runs. Lehman, Nathan Willette and Troy STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29431-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945*1390 In the matter of Lilimae Marie Paciorkowski. TO ALL PERSONS, including whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on May 10, 2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Lilimae Marie Paciorkowski to Lilimae Marie West FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM , May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Brenda Lee Kirk, an unmarried woman to Fifth Third Mortgage - Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated September 25, 2007, and recorded on October 8, 2007, as Document Number 20071008-0002848, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Fifth Third Bank NA by an Assignment of Mortgage dated August 03, 2022 and recorded August 11, 2022 by Document Number 2022-008523, , on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Sixty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Nine and 72/100 ($62,249.72) including interest at the rate of 6.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at a point 135 feet South of the Northeast comer of Main Street and the North Section line of Section 36, or at an iron stake or point 6 feet North of the Northwest comer of foundation of the house on said lot; thence East 132 feet; thence South 50 feet; thence West 132 feet; thence North 50 feet to the place of beginning; also the South 15 feet of lot commencing at an iron stake 10 feet North ofthe Northwest comer of stone foundation of house and stake being about 84 feet, more or less, South of the Center line road, running from said stake West to Main Street; thence South 75 feet; thence East 132 feet; thence North 75 feet; thence West to the place of beginning. Commonly known as: 814 NORTH MAIN ST., NASHVILLE, Ml 49073 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241 a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property Is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus Interest. Dated: April 13, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Fifth Third Bank NA 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Case No. 22MI00552-2 (04-13X05-04) 197996 Acker all doubled in the win. Klifman tossed a 3-inning no-hitter in game two for the Vikings. Lakewood outhit the Panthers 12-0 in the 17-0 win. Makley was 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run and 5 RBI. He scored two runs. Ashton Pfeifer, Chaney Steward and Weston Potter had 2 hits each. Potter singled and doubled in three at-bats. Pot­ ter drove in 2 runs and Klifrnan had 2 RBI too. Blake Price singled and scored three runs. Willette, Klifrnan and Straub had one hit each. On the mound, Klifrnan struck out 6 and walked 2. The Barry County Invitational in Hast­ ings Saturday has been canceled due to lack of officials. Lakewood returns to action Friday, April 14, against Lowell. The Vikings return to GLAC play at Lan­ sing Christian Tuesday, April 19. Lakewood ladies sweep Stockbridge in first league doubleheader Barry County Christian senior Joe Wise signs to continue playing baseball on the collegiate level at Grace College this winter joined by Grace Christian University baseball head coach Colton Wolfe and Barry County Christian alumnus Jared Garnaat who currently is a sophomore on the Grace Christian University roster. A four-year varsity player, Wise has a better than.300 batting average as a varsity player. He also plays basketball and soccer at Barry County Christian. HHS boys open golf season with win over Ionia The Hastings varsity boys* golf team the Hastings team. opened the 2023 spring season by outscoring The Saxon JV team fell to the Bulldogs, Ionia 167-179 at The Legacy at Hastings despite being led by a 49 from Jack Kensing­ Tuesday afternoon. ton and a 50 from Bronson Elliot. Owen Carroll led the squad from -Hastings*" The-Saxons retumjto- action today, April wi^^^^'l^^’ Dair‘Jensen $hOY 13, at the Delton Kelfogg Kent Enyart InvitaCollin Foiity a 41 and Ryan VanDorp a 47 for tional at Mullenhiirs Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity softball team start­ ed the Greater Lansing Activities Confer­ ence season the way it wanted too — with a pair ofwins. The Vikings knocked off Stockbridge 5-1 and 15-0 in a pair of games at the home of the Panthers. Peyton Federau, Lakewood’s freshman pitcher, shut down the Panthers in the open­ er allowingjust one run while striking out 9 and walking 3. Lily Federau, Maryssa Goble, Audrey Hillard and Brooke Hoppes had 2 hits each for the Vikings and Kerigan Schroeder had a big triple in the sixth inning that brought home two runs and pushed the Lakewood lead from 3-1 to 5-1. Lakewood head coach. Brent Hilley said Stockbridge pitchero Baily Bartrum threw well. She struck "out* eight and kept his hit- ters from barreling up balls. “It’s only our third game ofthe year and we haven’t seen a pitcher with her late ball movement,” Hilley said. The Lakewood offense came to life in game two, first knocking Bailey out of the game and then taking advantage ofa fastball with less movement from the Panthers’ reliever. Lakewood scores its 15 runs in three innings to end the game early. Goble and Peyton Federau were both 3-for-3. Hoppes and Hillard had 2 hits each and Alivia Woodman and Ally Slater both had one. Junior pitcher Kendyl Steward got the shut out win. She struck out 3 and walked 1. , “Stockbridge swept us last year so it was definitely nice to go there and get two league wins,” Hilley said. The Lakewood ladies return to action Saturday in Hastings at the Barry County Invitational. r'' 197916 Martin knocks off Hastings ladies in non­ conference doubleheader Martin took 12-1 and 13-2 wins over the Hastings varsity softball team at Hastings High School Tues­ day in the return from spring break. Zoey Bennett had a pair of singles in the lead-off spot for the Saxons in game one. Cassidee Easey and Peightyn Cronk had the two other Hastings hits. Martin led 2-0 after three innings, then exploded offensively for five runs in the top ofthe fourth. The Clippers scored six runs in the first then added three in the second and two in the third and fourth to earn a five-inning win in game two. Victoria Jerzyk and Liliana Fox had the two Saxon hits in game two. Fox doubled and scored a run. Ben­ nett had her team’s lone RBI. The Saxons are set to host Pennfield this afternoon for two to open the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season. Hastings will also host the Barry County Invitational Saturday, April 15. City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 1037 EAST STATE STREET The Planning Commission for the City ofHastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose ofhearing written and/or oral comments from the public regarding the request from City ofHastings/Barry County Central Dis­ patch for a Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review for construction ofa 300’ Communications Tower located at 1037 E. State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday May 1, 2023 in the Council Chambers, second floor ofCity Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Please check the City ofHastings website at www.hastingsmi.org or contact City Hall at 269-945-2468 for details. Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 L</£< PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: PACILLO LAWNCARE Tak­ ing new clients in Hastings. Phone (269)838-6025. •s Vikings no-hit Panthers over 8 innings, score two GLAC victories BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley (269)818-7793, MATT ENDSLEY, FABRICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506, WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill js seeking s land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood rees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN RE­ TRIEVER Puppies- Cute and adorable! 1st shots and de­ wormed. Mom on site. Males and females, $400.00. 517­ 852-3007. Help Wanted GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Benefits 401(k), 401(k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, MI. Send Re­ sumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. All real estate advertising In this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or .an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments. A copy ofthe plans and additional background materials are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office ofthe Community Development Director, 201 E. State Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director at 269-945-2468 or dking@hastingsm i .org. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days' notice to the City Clerk at 269-945-2468 or TDD call relay services 800-649-3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk �Page 14 — Thursday, April 13,2023 — The Hastings Banner First two OK Gold foes fall to TKHS ladies Brett Bremer Sports Editor At the front of the Thomapple Kellogg hurdle pack now, sophomore Brooklyn Har­ mon showed off impressive improvements in the first outdoor meet ofthe 2023 varsity track and field season Tuesday in Mid­ dleville. Harmon was less than a second off her personal record time, from last year’s MITCA Team State Finals, in winning the 300-meter low hurdles and set a new per­ sonal record of 16.31 seconds in the 100meter hurdles as she helped the Trojans to OK Gold Conference wins over visiting Wayland and Cedar Springs. Her time in the 100-meter hurdles was 1.2 seconds better than her fastest time from her freshman season in the event. She was as regional medalist in the 300-meter hurdles as a freshman and one spot shy ofearning a regional medal in the 100’s. The TK ladies had a lot ofpersonal best performances as they scored an 88-49 win over Wayland and a 96-41 win over Cedar Springs. The TK boys did too, but had a tougher time with their competitors falling 104-33 to Cedar Springs and 105-32 to Wayland — a pair ofteams to be battling for a conference title this spring. The Red Hawks beat the Wayland boys 70-67 in their match-up. The Wayland girls took a 91-46 win over Cedar Springs. The TK girls’ team had the day’s top sprinters. Senior Lindsey Velting wont he 100-meter dash in 13.55 seconds and the 400-meter dash in 1 minute 5.54 seconds. Junior teammate Eva Corson won the 200meter dash in a personal record time of 28.77. TK sophomore Ava Crews was the runner-up in both the distance races. Cedar Springs junior Annalise Elliott won the 1600-meter run in 5:35.92 with Crews sec- Thornapple Kellogg sophomore Ava Crews surges past Wayland sophomore Taylor Hoogewind on the final stretch of the 4x800-meter relay Tuesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ond in a personal record time 5:3^-65; Cedar Springs senior Larissa McGrath set her PR in the 3200-meter run at 12:18.4^ to win that race, with Crews second in 12:25.72. “Our core group ofathletes returning this year are doing an amazing job, and are stronger and faster,” TK girls’ coach Maggie Wilkinson said. Harmon isn’t the only talented hurdler TK has back. Junior Joselyn DeBoer was the runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles in 54.95 and placed third in a personal record time of 18.17 in the 100-meter hurdles. Corson and Velting teamed with junior Kennady Smith and sophomore Emma Dykhouse to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1:53.47. Velting, Smith, Harmon and freshman Payton Gater won the 4x400-meter relay in 4:23.92. Smith was second to Velting in the 400meter dash. The TK ladies dominated the shot put with the top five performances and seven of the top eight on the afternoon. Senior Elizabeth Gaunt led the way with a personal record mark of29 feet 6 inches. Junior Eliz­ abeth Middleton was second at 26-11.75 and sophomore Lilly McKeown third at 26-6.5. W i| Senior Pres lee Hdll was just behind that trio in the shot put and.had a runner-up performance in the discbs with a throw of 88-8.5. Wayland sophomore Taylor Hoogewind set her PR at 91-3 to win the discus. Smith and Corson went 1-2 in the high jump with’Smith clearing 5-2 and Corson 4-8. Corson’s leap was a new personal record for her. * *•«****••*Middleton and junior Kendra Coe, who.i Was one ofthe day’s'top 400-meter runriers, were a couple juniorsnew to the sport who helped thp; TK girls’ team score and coach Wilkinson was more than pleased with the performances ofher freshmen group which includes Gater, Maddy Kietzman, Mia Hil­ ton and Claira Kovich. Gater scored in the long jump for TK in both duals with a mark of 13-10, which had her in fifth overall on the day. Harmon was second with a mark of 15-7. That event was won by Wayland senior Breanna Hyde who flew 16-4.5. Hyde was the runner-up to Har­ mon in the 100-meter hurdles. Gater, Kovich and Kietzman teamed with Cruise for a time of 11:11.91 in the 4x800-meter relay which was good for second behind the Wayland team in the race and ahead ofthe Cedar Springs four­ some. The TK boys won one event Tuesday, the last one. The 4x400-meter relay team of freshman Nate Shoemaker, senior Tyler Bushman, junior Ethan Bonnema and senior Gabe LaJoye finished the race in 3:39.97. LaJoye and Bonnema had teamed with junior Jaxan Sias and junior Tyler Gavette earlier for a runner-up finish in the 4x200-meter relay in 1:35.61. Shoemaker had a big day, also placing fourth in the longjump with a mark of 19-.5, fourth in the 110-meter high hurdles in 18.57 and second in the 300-meter interme­ diate hurdles in 44.31. TK had a pair of freshmen finish strong in those 300-meter hurdles with Lucas Ploeg fifth in 46.26. Bushman set his personal record in the pole vault by clearing 9-0 to place fourth TK freshman Nate Shoemaker runs to a fourth-place finish in the 110-meter high hurdles during his team's OK Gold Conference double dual with Cedar Springs and Wayland Tuesday inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ■ overall and he also placed third in the 800meter fun in 2:07.67. Junior Lucas Van Meter set a personal record; in the 1600-meter run for the TK boys. He placed third in 4:51.31. Thomapple Kellogg had junior Tyler Gavette place fourth in the 100-meter dash in 12.00 and the 200-meter dash in 24.50. Sias added a fourth-place time of 55.28 in the 400-meter dash. Wayland dominated those sprints. Junior Kaharrie Pureifoy won the 100-meter dash in 11.45 and the 200-meter dash in 23.29. Classmate Cainon Fenn won the 400-meter dash in 52.76. Wildcat senior Devin Weaver won the 800-meter run in 2:05.46. Wayland guys won the 4x100-meter, 4x200-meter and 4x800-meter relay races. Cedar Springs senior Espen Wood won the distance events. He took the 3200-meter run in 10:11.79 and the 1600-meter run in 4:39.11. his senior teammate Ryan West won the hurdles races taking the 110’s in 16.32 and the 300 hurdles in 41.14. The Red Hawks had the top three guys in the shot put all setting new personal records. Senior Josh Kriekaard led the way with a mark of 45-2.5. Wayland sophomore Adam Huff took the discus with a PR of 134-6, with the next three scorers in the event all from Cedar Springs. Cedar Springs won the other three field events. Dylan Lafontsee, a junior, won the long jump with a personal record mark of 21-6, freshman Luke Egan won the pole vault with a PR of 10-0 and freshman Ethan TerVeen won the high jump with a PR of 5-10. The TK teams are back in action Saturday at the Lakewood Invitational. TK freshman Lucas Ploeg takes off at the long jump pit during the Trojans' OK Gold Conference double dual with Cedar Springs and Wayland Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) HOPE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Hope Township Zoning Board ofAppeals will hold a meeting and public hearing on Monday, May 1st, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hope Township Hall, 5463 South M-43, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within the Township, to consider the following variance request: Mark and Janet Litke are requesting relieffrom Sections 8.4, 10.18, 16.6, and 19.3 to construct a new single-family dwelling with an enclosed porch and an attached deck on a lawfully nonconforming parcel located at 1165 Wall Lake Drive, Delton, MI 49046 (parcel number 08-07-110-028-00). The proposed dwelling will encroach six (6) inches into the ten (10) foot side yard setback and six (6) feet into the front yard (lakefront) setback (described in detail below). Further, deck will encroach fourteen (14) feet into the front yard (lakefront) setback where a projection ofeight (8) feet is allowed. The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance requires that buildings and structures be set back fifty (50) feet from the front (lakefront) lot line on lots in the RL, Residential Lake zoning district, which can be reduced by fifty (50) percent on lawfully nonconforming lots, except that a structure shall not be any closer to a lakeshore than a straight line connecting the nearest building on each side ofthe lot. Thornapple Kellogg shortstop Brody Wierma tags out Wayland's Trent Sikkema as he tries to take second base following a TK error in the top of the seventh inning of game one Tuesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) A copy ofthe Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the application is available for review at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S. M-43 Hwy, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance is also accessible at www.hopetwp.com. Written comments will be received from any interested persons by the Hope Township Clerk at the Hope Township Hall during regular business hours up to the time ofthe hearing and may be further received by the Zoning Board of Appeals at the hearing. Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. This notice is posted in compliance with PA267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hope Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes ofprinted material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Hope Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. HOPE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Hope Township Hall 5463 South M-43 Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 197912 Duel at TK ends in Wildcat win in tenth Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thornapple Kellogg senior Gavin Snelling and Wayland junior Bryce Calkins each twirled a gem Tuesday in Middleville. Neither was one the mound for the end though. Wayland opened the 2023 OK Gold Con­ ference varsity baseball season with a 3-2 ten-inning win in Middleville Tuesday after­ noon. The Wildcats had a 7-5 win through four innings before game two was called for darkness. The two teams are set to meet up to finish their three-game conference set in Wayland today, April 13. Calkins allowed just one unearned run while piling up the pitches on his way to an eight-inning outing. He struck out 14 and walked 3 while allowing four TK hits. Snel­ ling went 7.2 innings before hitting his pitch count. He allowed one earned run on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5. Both teams had chances in extra innings before getting to the tenth. TK reliever Maddix Ferden struck out the first batter he faced, with runners on first and second, to end a Wildcat threat in the eighth. A single by Brody Wiersma, a double by Gavin Snelling and then an intentional walk to Logan Snelling loaded the bases for TK with two out in the bottom ofthe eighth, but Calkins struck out Isaac Kimbel to end that TK chance. Wayland scored one run in the top of the third and TK answered with a run in the bot­ tom of the fourth. The game remained tied 1-1 until the tenth when the Wildcats struck for three runs. A lead-off single and a walk put two on for the wildcats. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third with one out. The Trojans preserved the tie momentarily, with Ferden scooping up a ground ball and cutting down the lead Wildcat runner at the plate, but a two-out, two-run single into left field by senior Reagan Mutschler put the Wildcats in front 3-1. Ben Koster singled under the Wildcat third baseman into left to lead-off the bottom of the tenth for TK and with one out Gavin Snelling singled through the Wildcat second baseman to put runners at second and third. Koster scored on a wild pitch to get TK within 3-2, but Gavin was tagged out in a play at the plate on a fielder’s choice for the second out of the inning. With Logan Snelling on first and two-out, Kimbel flew out to right field to end the bailgame. TK got its first run in the bottom of the fourth. Wiersma reached on an error to start the inning. He stole second and scored on a single by Kimbel. Anson Verlinde and Dylan Lawrence also had hits for TK in the loss. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-04-20.pdf b0846f2d2d7b2603641807206e063ed2 PDF Text Text Hammond Hill disc golf course expanding City, organizers have a good thing going with Barry-Roubaix Delton Kellogg girls win Barry Co. Softball Invite See story on page 8 See story on page 4 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 8048 590503604349058113421 ANNER Thursday, VOLUME 169, No. 16 20, 2023 PRICE $1.50 Cyclists traverse county during sun-scorched Barry-Roubaix Jayson Bussa Editor Hot Fast. Busy. Those are three short descriptors that could be used to define this year’s Barry-Roubaix cycling race, which took over the city ofHast­ ings on Saturday and sent over 4,000 cyclists out onto gravel roads throughout the county. Cyclists from across the country, and their supporters, were treated to unseasonably warm temperatures, which was the polar opposite oflast year’s installment ofthe race when the 20-degree temperatures thinned out crowds significantly. In fact, temperatures were so warm on race day that it became a mild concern for some riders. “We get a lot of Midwesterners and folks from further up north that weren’t really expecting that kind ofheat but we didn’t have any major issues as far as major health con­ cerns,” said Matt Acker, co-director of the Bany-Roubaix. Amy White, an accountant from Elmer, Ontario, Canada, participated this year for her third appearance in the Barry-Roubaix, her first time back since the COVID-19 pandem­ ic wiped out the event two years ago. She races season-long, starting with gravel racing in the early spring and transitioning to road racing and then mountain biking. The heat caught her offguard. “I don’t think anyone here has trained in the heat (yet) so I think there will be a lot of overheated individuals looking for water,” White said as she lined up to embark on the 62-mile race. “There will definitely be first aid required today - hopefully not for myself.” Acker said that Gordon Water, the event’s water supplier, carries 240 five-gallon con­ tainers of water in its truck and the event nearly wiped out the entire supply. The warm weather made for a fast course. Geno Villafano of Connecticut won the mar­ quee, 100-mile race in the men’s division, finishing in four hours and 53 minutes. Acker said he was unable to certify the time as an event record but guessed that it might be. Erin O’Mara of Michigan was victorious in the women’s 100-mile race in 5:37:58. The event featured races of 18-, 36-, 62- and 100­ mile distances. See CYCLISTS, page 2 The first wave of the 62-mile men’s race at the Barry-Roubaix takes off down Green Street on Saturday morning. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Delton Kellogg High School principal defends, himself against grievances; Board will renew contract Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing writer Delton Kellogg High School principal Lucas Trierweiler will retain his job moving forward after the district’s school board mulled the idea ofnot renewing his contract. The district’s board ofeducation recently told Trierweiler that he was not going to be rehired by the board for the 2023-24 school year. A special board meeting on Monday changed that outcome, but not before a debate of approximately four hours, which prompted Trierweiler to defend himself while being scrutinized by the board. Over 120 teachers, students and communi­ ty members supporting Trierweiler clapped in a standing ovation when BOE President Kelli Martin announced that the board would renew his contract. However, that special moment came with a price. For two hours of debate, a cloud of uncertainty about Trierweiler’s contract renewal loomed. Then, the BOE went behind closed doors for almost another two hours to decide the fate ofTrierweiler’s job. During the first two hours of the public meeting, the BOE had a long list ofconcerns. One ofthem included wearing hats in school, which was an example that the principal was not enforcing the dress code policy. After being accused ofnot reinforcing the dress code policy, Trierweiler defended him­ self. He talked about kids wanting to wear hats in school. “Hats are a security blanket for a lot of our kids. We have kids that are really hurting - they have social and emotional issues,” he said. “Life has slapped a lot ofour kids in the face. “A little hood up halfway up on my head is letting the teacher know, ‘I had a really bad time last night - something happened at the house - I’m having a rough day,”’ Trierweiler added. “Teachers pick up on that, that’s the beauty of Delton schools. We know their Members of the Delton Kellogg Board of Education meet and discuss whether or not to renew the contract for high school principal Lucas Trierweiler. (Photos by Karen Turko-Eb right) troubles. We know their stories and we are accommodating ofthat.” However, Trierweiler told the BOE that he would tell the kids in the hallways to take off their hats and cameras in the hallways could prove that. But he also said some students could turn the comer and put the hats back on, but he can only be in his building in one place at a time and can only catch some. He also cited the date of an email he sent to his staffthat students cannot wear hats. “I stated earlier, but we do have a lot of hurt students, and a hat, a blanket, a hood those are comforting to our students,” Trier­ weiler explained. “We had zero disruptions to the school day because ofthat.” Everyone watched and listened at the special board meeting as their high school prin­ cipal defended numerous items of concern from the BOE. Having soundjudgment was a concern on a long list that Trierweiler checked offin the public meeting. Also, when it comes to sound judgment, since-2014, anytime,a superintendent is unavailable, I am the one who is appointed in charge in case ofan emergency when they are gone,” said Trierweiler, who has worked at Delton Kellogg Schools since 2011 and has been the high school principal for approxi­ mately nine years. “So, since 2014, somebody thinks I have good judgment,” Trierweiler pointed out. “So, that’s kind of interesting when someone says I don’t have good judgment.” Continuing down his long list from the BOE was a failure to exhibit consistent lead­ ership. Trierweiler countered that by referring to those who came out to support him and spoke on his behalf. | “I think some people spoke beforehand about that, and that pretty much sums it up. So 1 don’t think I need to say anything about that.” Supporters of Trierweiler talked to the Banner. See DELTON, page 2 Supporters come out in droves to convince county board to entertain ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary’ resolution Jayson Bussa Editor Members and supporters of the Barry County GOP flooded into Tuesday morning’s county Board of Commissioners meeting in an effort to convince commissioners to take a stand against what they feel is unconstitution­ al gun legislation being adopted at the state level. A long line of individuals spoke during the public comment portions of the three-hour meeting, imploring the commission to entertain a resolution that would declare Barry County as a “Second Amendment Sanctuaiy” city. See SUPPORTERS, page 3 Hhlllp Joseph, chairman of the Barry County Republicans, speaks at tne poaium against the backdrop of a packed gallery on Tuesday morning at the Barry County Courthouse. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) After several hours of interviews Saturday, Ben Geiger (pictured) was extended a conditional offer of employment to take over the Lake Odessa Village Manager position. Geiger interviewed along with Adam Stacey and Patrick Marsh. (Photos by Molly Macleod) Former Barry County board chair to take helm of Village of Lake Odessa Molly Macleod Copy Editor A familiar face to Lake Odessa will likely take the reins as village manager. Ben Geiger was picked unanimously by Lake Odessa council members on Satur­ day to be the village’s newest manager. Though the offer ofemployment extended to Geiger is conditional pending a thor­ ough background check, reference checks and contract negotiations, Geiger will likely replace Interim Lake Odessa Village Manager Gregg Guetschow. Council members began the search for a new manager earlier this year after then-Village Manager Patrick Reagan announced his intent to resign in December of 2022. Since Reagan’s departure in January, Guetschow has been managing day-to-day operations for the village, along with guiding council members throughout the search for a permanent replacement. Geiger, 36, was one ofthree finalist can­ didates selected by the council for inter­ views on Saturday. Adam Stacey, a former Clinton County commissioner, and Patrick Marsh, a former city manager in Fernley, Nev., interviewed along with Geiger. Ultimately, council members unani­ mously agreed Geiger was the best fit for the job, citing his decades of experience and local ties. “He hit every nail on the head,” said Trustee Carrie Johnson. “... with Ben (Geiger), it was like he could read my mind. I knew exactly where he felt ...he was giving a roadmap. It was like he s ready to go into the position Monday.” Concerns were raised about Geiger’s lack of management experience going into the role, but council members are confi­ dent he could quickly learn with some assistance. “I just felt that Ben was the most on-point on every question that we asked. He wasn’t evasive, if he didn’t know something he told us,” said Village President Karen Banks. “I had concerns about him and the lack of experience that he mentioned, but I think Ben (Geiger) could be able to step into this role and do well.” Though Geiger currently resides in nearby Nashville, he is a lifelong resident of Barry County and a graduate of Lakewood High School. After graduating from Western Michigan University, Geiger gained experience working in the Michigan House ofRepresentatives and in then- See VILLAGE, page 3 �Page 2 — Thursday. April 20. 2023 — The Hastings Banner 'W 2023 BARRY-ROUBAIX RESULTS NEWS BRIEFS Chamber & Economic Development Alliance to host Business and Community Expo The Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance will present its second annual Business and Community Expo this Saturday, April 22, at Hastings High School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free to all and family-friendly. The Chamber & EDA will highlight many businesses from all over Barry County, including banks, credit unions, manufacturers, retailers, real estate, health care, fitness, insurance, education, nonprofits, music and more. Earth Day falls on Saturday as Well, so the Chamber & EDA is partnering with the Barry County Earth Day Alliance to help bring awareness to eco-friendly Barry County initiatives with the focus being on pollinators. Community group representatives will teach about recycling, pollination, native plants and other environmental issues. Attendees can participate in a family craft project that includes seed planting and creating a living necklace. There will be ample entertainment for all ages, with a touch-a-truck event, Stormy the Clown*andJhis4ba|loon animals, face paintjng, costing pages, interactive games and many events presented by the Earth Day Group. Union Bank will sponsor a recycling and paper shredding event at the Expo. They are partnering with Shredhub for a way to securely dispose of sensitive paper documents, personal computers, monitors, desktop printers/scanners and cellular devices. TVs, electronic appliances, commercial-grade electronic equipment and batteries will not be accepted. Shredding will be limited to three file-size boxes per vehicle. Interact Club hosts blood drive The Hastings High School Interact Club is hosting its third and final blood drive ofthe 2022-23 school year next Thursday, April 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive will be held in the auxiliary gym in the Community Education and Recreation Center (CERC), 520 W. South Street. Donors are asked to enter through the CERC, where signs will direct them to the drive. Members ofthe public are encouraged to donate and can sign up for an appointment online. Potential donors can sign up for an appointment slot at donate.michigan.versiti. org/donor/schedules/driveschedule/148021. Hastings spring cleanup begins Monday Hastings Department ofPublic Service workers will begin picking up yard debris on Monday, April 17. Residents are asked to leave their yard waste out to the curb for pickup. The city asks that residents pile sticks and branches separately from leaves and pile the materials in the yard just behind the curb, not on the street or in gutters. Hastings residents can begin piling their yard waste now. The city also asks that those taking advantage ofthe spring cleanup do not pile mate­ rials so that they block a sidewalk, restrict the vision ofdrivers or pedestrians, or place cement, brick, stones, or any other landscaping blocks in with the yard waste. Other caveats to the spring cleanup include a ban on any materials generated by com­ mercial contractors (such as rubber mulch) and branches larger than three inches in diameter and four feet in length. Once spring cleanup is finished, citizens are asked not to continue piling yard wastenear the curb. Gear up for spring fishing with a 2023 fishing license The dew fishing license and regulation season kicked offApril 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new license in order to enjoy Michigan’s fishing opportu­ nities. The 2023 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2024. Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing via the app. Michigan DNR Hunt Fish, an official app of the Michigan Department ofNatural Resources, gives Michiganders a mobile path to buy and store hunting, fishing, ORV and snowmobile licenses and permits, report harvests, access guides and digests and get the latest outdoor recreation updates. Anglers can make future fishing license purchases quicker by selecting auto-renew at checkout to automatically receive licenses in the future. 100 mile Men 1. Geno Villafano 4:53:06; 2. Tim Mitchell 4: 53.09; 3. Connor Kamm 4:53:13. Women 1. Erin Oaemara 5:37:58; 2. Betty Hasse 5: 49:03; Elaine Sheikh 6:07:55. 62 mile Men 1. Christopher Prendergast 2:50:54; 2. Judah Gustafson 2:50:57; 3. Connor Willi­ son 2:51:01. Women 1. Maria Doering 3:17:59; 2. Marisa Boaz 3:19:35; 3. Emily Leonard 3:27:09. 36 mile Men 1. Patrick Collins 1:39:22; 2. Charlie Rumley 1:40:43; 3. Emir Ibrahimovic 1:40:44. 1. Katie Spoelman-Vanacker 1:49:48; 2. Amy Kimber 1:54:51; 3. Maria Lesniak 1:55:25. 18 mile Men 1. James Meyer 0:49:25; 2. Kash Adamski 0:49:26; 3. Judah Meek 0:51:08. Women 1. Katja Opfer 0:57:33; 2. Lauren Schultz 0:58:29; 3. Cate Wittman 1:02:15. vf Air Barry-Roubaix a ride of redemption for injured cyclist 01^ Jayson Bussa Editor Brad Hayes crossed the finish line of the 62-mile race ofthe Barry-Roubaix in 242nd place, which didn’t seem like anything spe­ cial on paper. However, his first trip to Hastings to com­ pete in the annual race was a special and nerve-racking one. “I had a pretty serious injury biking last year, so this is my first big race coming back in,” said Hayes, a 50-year-old native ofBrazil, Ind., as he pointed to a two-inch long scar on his left knee. “I wanted something kind ofearly spring to get things going and this fit the bill.” Hayes was one of the many first-timers to participate in the Barry-Roubaix, which is now ihtits eighth year being headquartered in Hast­ ings. As an avid, amateur cyclist, Hayes said, during a typical season, he would participate in roughly one event each month until he was sidelined from competition for a year because ofthe accident. Hayes recalled how, last year, while com­ peting in a mountain bike race, he fell and lodged a stone into his knee. The stone pene­ trated his knee and cut his patellar tendon, requiring surgery to repair it. “They had to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. I couldn’t walk for a little bit,” he said. Only around six months ago did Hayes get back on his bike to start regaining what he had lost while he was on the shelf. F$ F $ Brad Hayes of Brazil, Ind., chats with fellow riders as they wait at the start/finish line for the 62-mile race of the Barry-Roubaix on Saturday morning. It was the first race in a year for Hayes following an injury and his first time riding in the Barry County event. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Hayes picked the Barry-Roubaix as his first race back - one that will ideally spring­ board him into a typical, busy summer on his bike - both because of where it fell on the calendar and because of its high profile standing within the cycling scene. He said that the race is well known and some ofhis friends have competed in it. And, while it’s the type ofrace that he has done countless times before, he couldn’t help but have a few extra butterflies as he began the Barry-Roubaix. “It’s in the back of my mind,” Hayes admitted. “It’s not mountain biking but it has its own challenges, as well. It’s a crowded field. But, I’m just getting back at it.” “This is definitely a test to see where I’m at,” he added. “My fitness is not where it needs to be to be competitive in this thing, but that’s ok. It’s more of a test and see if every­ thing is back in working order. That’s what it really comes down to.” CYCLISTS, continued from page 1 Hastings resident Becky Newton was a local that made the podium in the event, fin­ ishing in fifth place in the fat bike division of the 18-mile race. She finished in an hour and 20 minutes. She is a long-time runner that transitioned into cycling and encouraged others to explore the activity as she did. “I wish people would give it a go,” she said. “It’s a doable thing, especially the 18-mile (race). Or get on the course and vol­ unteer and get caught up in the hype. I was never an athlete growing up but it’s nice to have these kinds ofmoments.” The Barry-Roubaix always brings big crowds to Hastings, but this year might have been the biggest one yet. “We know how many riders finished the event, which was around the 4,000 mark, but it’s really hard to measure how many people actually attend as far as family and friends. fekssss*-® Barry-Roubaix organizers said that all metrics indicate that this year’s event attract­ ed the largest crowd ever. But from a lot ofthe metrics we use - water consumed, beverages, food - it seems, by all Mos coBflfc id it i accounts, it was the biggest turnout we’ve ever had.” 'dD^isjnn, Enl^cy: D“#kl 1 * >f idliy r ’ >faiddly ’ a d i s *?*”* ST ‘«sss fess SPRAYFOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 k 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //« 110376 & Insured The non-traditional trophies handed out to winning cyclists at the Barry-Roubaix. A large section of the city of Hastings was used to host vendors and to stage an after-race party for all attendees. DELTON, continued from page 1 Jessica Broussard from Middleville, previ­ ously from Delton, has a daughter graduating from DK schools and Was also a teacher for the school district. Broussard said she worked for Trierweiler throughout his tenure in the high school. “He’s the best administrator I’ve ever had,” Broussard said. Tess Knobloch said, when her daughter was 15, she got into a bit oftrouble, and she and her daughter met Trierweiler in his office. During the meeting, Knobloch said he han­ dled her daughter with “grace” and told her everyone makes mistakes - the key was to learn from it and make better choices. Kno­ bloch said her daughter has since graduated and is a doctor of physical therapy in the Detroit area and works with kids with autism. Kim Nguyen is in her 25th year teaching special education at Delton Kellogg Schools and worked for Trierweiler while he was her administrator. “I think Lucas did a goodjob having all the details and information fie needed to clear his name,” she said. “I think it speaks volumes that so many ofour staffmembers are here to support him.” After returning from the closed session meeting, BOE president Kelli Martin addressed the community, who waited almost two hours to hear ifTrierweiler would contin­ ue as Delton Kellogg’s High School Principal. % Attendees of Monday's Delton Kellogg school board meeting applauded the announcement that the contract for high school principal Lucas Trierweiler would be renewed. Speaking on behalf of the board, Martin said “The board appreciates Mr. Trierweiler’s statements to the school community and fol­ low up to the recent proceedings. The board reached a consensus that the board will not pursue any non-renewal of his employment contract.” Trierweiler will return as Delton Kellogg’s high school principal for the 2023-24 school year. An explosion of cheers, clapping and a standing ovation filled the room. Board member Treasurer Craig Jenkins addressed Trierweiler. “I’m not going to call anyone a liar,” and cleared the air about some mistruths about things he said about Trierweiler. Board member Trustee Kathy Forsythe thanked the community for their support and for coming to the meeting. Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue addressed Trierweiler, said he was a good man, and thanked the community for coming to the meeting. I feel that I am just proud of everybody for coming out tonight it shows that this is a family and that’s one thing about Delton that we have h always taken pride in that we’re a family and we support and love each other,” Nguyen said. "N j �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — Page 3 Hastings school discusses August bond proposal renewing sinking fund in 2025 Hunter McLaren Tim Berlin, assistant superintendent of operations for Hastings Area School System, discussed the districts sinking fund with school board members at their meeting Monday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) StaffWriter Hastings Area School System will be ask­ ing to levy 0.6 mills for its $17.4 million bond proposal this summer. The proposal is set to be on the Aug. 8 ballot and will cover various infrastructure fixes throughout the district, with some updates and renovations. The board used sur­ vey results from Paw-Paw based Perspectives Consulting Group to choose the projects included in the proposal based on their level ofcommunity support. Projects set out in the bond request include replacing the high school roof, replacing the 1997 portion of the middle school roof, rreplacing all single-pane windows in the district, repaving the middle school and Central Elementary parking lots, upgrades to heating and cooling systems district wide, and updates to bathrooms and locker rooms. The district’s tax rate will decrease next year due to retiring debt whether the bond proposal passes or not, said Assistant Superi intendent ofOperations Tim Berlin. The dis­ trict is currently levying 6 mills, with one mill costing taxpayers $1 per $1,000 oftax­ able value. “We’re at six (mills) right now,” Berlin said. “It will drop down next year one way or another. If the bond were to pass, it would drop to 5.85 (mills), and if not (it would drop) to 5.25.” Ifthe bond proposal on the August ballot were to pass, the 0.6 mills added by the bond would stay on the tax rolls for the next 10 years as the district paid offthe debt. Board president Luke Haywood said the school would be going back to voters in two years to renew the district’s sinking fund. The sinking fund proposal, passed by voters in 2015, has levied 1 mill on taxpayers to generate funds for the district to use on various projects as needed and is set to expire in 2025. “Our sinking fund expires in two years and, being a critical source of our funding, we will be posing that question again,” Hay­ wood said. “Maybe next year we’ll, start talking about it and bringing it to your atten­ tion, so be aware ofit.” Berlin provided a presentation at the meeting about the benefits of the sinking fund to the school’s overall financial wellbe­ ing. ■ “This is year eight of 10,” Berlin said. “If we want to renew it, we will have to go back to our voters to get it renewed. It’s been a huge, huge (benefit) for our district to have this.” Berlin explained to board members and members ofthe public that the sinking fund offers the district a much more flexible source offunding. The general fund is used for the district’s day-to-day operations, pro­ gramming and staffing, while bond funds can only be used for projects outlined in the bond’s original proposal. The sinking fund offers a way for the district to pay for expensive and unexpected costs, like repair­ ing or replacing a failed boiler at a school, Berlin said. Board member Brad Tolles likened the school’s finances to a three-legged stool, with access to all three funds providing a healthy financial base for the district to operate. “This is the third leg ofa sturdy stool — the sinking fund, general fund and bond funds,” Tolles said. “These are really the tools that we need to keep the school running smoothly.” Berlin said in the past eight years, the sink­ ing fund has been used to replace boilers at several schools in the district as well a&refurbish roofs at Southeastern Elementary, North­ eastern Elementary and part of the Hastings Middle School roof. “It really has been a lifeline for us here at the district,” Berlin said. “It’s saved us and our general fund by a huge amount, and our proposed bond (in August) would be a lot larger ifwe didn’t have this sinking fund for the last few years.” The board accepted a $5,000 donation from Tri-Clor, Inc. to be put toward costs associated with the August bond election. Tolles, CFO ofTri-Clor, abstained from vot­ ing on the motion. Haywood said the donation was part of a new strategy discussed by the board to defray costs associated with the election, which Berlin estimated could amount to $30,000 this year. “We’re trying to get creative and help with the election costs so it wouldn’t be a burden on the taxpayers, so it’s very appreciated that Tri-Clor stepped up to the plate and set a good example,” Haywood said. “Anyone else that would be willing to help us achieve that goal, we welcome your support.” Superintendent Matt Goebel said anyone interested in serving on a citizens committee in support of the bond could contact Haywood or himselffor more information. Board member Tolles encouraged members of the public with any questions about the bond to continue asking those questions. “The fact we’ve taken it to this step doesn’t mean the questions need to stop,” Tolles said. “Please keep them coming. We’ll continue to answer the questions and try to be as trans­ parent as we can.” The next Hastings school board meeting is set to take place at 7 p.m. on May 15 at Star Elementary School. SUPPORTERS, continued from page 1 SS I Bridge Michigan reported that at least 53 counties, including all of northeast Michigan, have adopted resolutions to declare them­ selves a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” in response to proposed or feared gun control efforts. The move signals to the state that they will not comply with gun laws that infringe on their constitutional rights. The move, however, is primarily symbolic as a resolution of this nature is not legally binding since county commissioners cannot instruct sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys or judges on what laws to enforce. With Democrats controlling all branches of state government, legislators in Lansing have passed, or are in the process ofpassing, new jaws that focus on universal background checks, secure storage and red flag laws. The Barry County GOP voted unanimously to ajoptjfag rg Jutipn and m n on tfe bWd*? fda a hfld jpa ____Bfr jmessa^~^ibJ .♦ State fepresentanve nve AfflrRigMTwlKr A^fflrRigM’Tw represents Thomapple, Irving-*-and Rnfland~ Townships, spoke in favor ofthe resolution, pointing out that counties across the state and country - have taken similar measures. She left the board with two questions: f “What is your oath worth and what will your legacy be?” Rigas asked commissioners. Most commenters took time to remind commissioners that they took an oath of office swearing to uphold the constitution. “I want you guys to understand how important it is for, notjust Barry County, but the state as a whole,” said Jon Rocha, a Hast­ ings resident that ran for state rep in the last election. He’s also on the state committee for District 2 of the Michigan GOP. “You have the opportunity to be the leaders of this state, to be leaders in your own commu­ nity. To stand and be a precedent for every­ one.” The recurring argument against entertain­ ing the resolution is that it would needlessly divide the all-Republicart county board and is a general waste of time as commissioners lack the power to alter gun legislation. ■■ Philip Joseph, chair of the Barry County SfeipfaKlMt jfcameise-oer j IBM ^Barr^ountyXommissioners-listen to public comment at its meeting on Tuesday morning. From left to right, Chairman Dave Jackson and commissioners Jon Smelker, Catherine Getty and Mike Callton. Republicans, acknowledged that. “Over the last couple weeks, I have heard that this may be unproductive and divisive,” Joseph said. “Ifthat is truly the case, then so be it. If our great founding documents have become odious to some, then let it divide. We’re not here to appeal to the radicals who wish to destroy or tear down our great Amer­ ican legacy.” James Hooker, a Barry County GOP pre­ cinct delegate from Yankee Springs echoed that sentiment, “We fully understand that this is not the law and is not enforceable by any law enforcement. However, your support shows willingness that you are not in favor ofthese infringements by government,” Hooker said. “...We the people have let you know where we stand, now it’s your turn. We respectfully ask that you put this topic on the next meeting agenda for discussion.” A few dissenters were mixed in with the parade of advocates for the resolution. This included longtime Johnstown Township resi­ dent Brenda Schinabarger-Howe, who has lived there since 1966. She described herself as a semi-retired psychologist and a gun owner. Despite her family’s long history of gun ownership and military service, she was not in favor of the idea of-signaling to the state government that Barry' County residents intend to ignore gun Jaws that^jiey deem unconstitutional. -SL “I believe adopting.(the resolution) goes against my values and ^oesjragainsf my beliefs of what the cpKisfitutiofi stands for,” Schinabarger-Howe saifiy^ ; t\<. t\< “I’ll tell you what, iith the sanctuary - resolution goes through, I <twld d)^Qt>fee| s^fe in this county. I don’t feelj safe*in tjus/county right now. So think about>,my right to^thp constitution and the pursuit oflife, libertyAqd happiness.” Michigan State Representative Angela Rigas, who represents a portion of Barry County, spoke in support of a resolution being promoted by the Barry County GOP. When given the opportunity to speak, all commissioners voiced appreciation for the massive turnout and commended the group « for maintaining proper decorum. Chairman Dave Jackson, who voted for the resolution at the county GOP meeting, told the group why he was a bit hesitant to add the resolution to the board’s agenda. “This is a feel-good thing that makes us feel better that we can say we’re a second amendment sanctuary county - but did it do anything?” Jackson said. City of Hastings VILLAGE, continued from page 1 Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration. Along with his time in Lansing, Geiger also has over a decade ofexperience serving as a Barry County commissioner. First elect­ ed to the commission in 2010, Geiger ended his time with the Barry County Board of Commissioners at the end of2022 following a failed run to represent Michigan’s 78th Dis­ trict. When he finished his time on the board, Geiger was in his third term as board chair­ man. ' Currently, Geiger is working as a long­ term substitute teacher at Lakewood High School. s Village council members asked each inter­ viewing' candidate 24 identical questions over the course ofan hour. Many ofthe questions focused on how the candidates would interact with the community and village staff if cho­ sen as the new manager. “I am a part ofthe community. I teach your grandchildren and children. I am a lifelong resident of here,” said Geiger after being asked how he would become involved in the community. “This is a career destination for me, not a stepping stone. I want to make my career in Lake Odessa. What I would do as village manager is bring in the knowledge and exper­ tise and friendships and relationships I have into what you guys are doing,” he continued. ”... I’m going to continue loving this community and use every resource that I can to com­ plement what we’re doing here.” Members of the council also asked the & J! jdilP .fjr candidates the minimum amount oftime they would stay in the position ifselected. “I’d be very happy ifthis was my last job interview,” said Geiger. “This is the place I want to be.” Because Lake Odessa is a relatively small village, village staff members are often expected to wear many hats while on the job. Geiger anticipates no issues with thiSj citing his willingness to take on different rotes and experience working in small communities. “I think it’s good for the village manager to pick up the phone and for the residents here to be able to call them directly,” said Geige^. “We need to know the people and we need to hear their concerns directly; When we have buffers between ourselves and the residents, that loses an opportunity for accountability.” Should Geiger take to the position followi ing contract negotiations and a background check, he will focus on a few goals for his first months on the job. First on the docket for Geiger is a thorough examination of the village budget. For GeiGei­ ger, understanding the budget is not only paramount to the village manager’s job but also to make sure he is in line with the priorities ofthe village. Next, Geiger said he wilt meetone-on-one with each of Lake Odessa’s village council m members. He told council members that he wants to get to know each ofthem and learn what their passions are, ^on * an^ y°U ^aVe ran f°r office to approve minutes. You ran because He emphasized that, during his eight years on the board, commissioners have traditionally shied away from adopting political resolutions and-instead focused'"'*'** on conducting the business ofthe county. Still, he did not rule out action given the outcry. “This will not be the end of it,” he said. “We will consider this thing and we’ll look at this thing and see if there is an avenue for­ ward where there is support - meaningful support.” 198140 REQUEST FOR BIDS Sale of Vehicles The City of Hastings will accept bids for the sale of two pickup trucks: (1) Truck #20 - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE CREW CAB, QUICKSILVER METALIC 4WD, 6.6L Duramax Diesel, Allison 6 Speed Transmission, Air, Cruise, Tilt, Power windows and locks, keyless remote entry with approximately 5,726 miles. Minimum Bid - $50,000 (1) Thick #30 - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE CREW CAB, ONYX BLACK 4WD 6.6L Duramax Diesel, Allison 6 Speed Transmission, Air, Cruise, Tilt, Pow­ er windows and locks, keyless remote entry with approximately 6,278 miles. Minimum Bid - $50,000 Ben Geiger is a Barry County native — and lifelong resident. Though Lake Odessa lies in next-door Ionia County, Geiger will come to the village manager job with strong local ties already estab­ lished. you u had a vision for Lake O,” said Geiger. Gaining a deep understanding ofeach staff member’s role, along with getting to know each individual staffmember is another prior­ ity of Geiger’s. Looking forward, Geiger plans to work through the challenges of expanding housing in the village and the Jordan Lake Trail proj-­ ect, among others, alongside the council and community partners. These vehicles will be sold in “as-is" condition without any warranty. Arrange­ ments to view this vehicle can be made by calling 269-945-2468 weekdays between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in any bid, and to award the bid in a manner that the City deems to be in its best interest, price and other factors considered. Bids will be received at the office of the Hastings City Clerk/Treasurer, 201 East State Street, Hast­ ings, Ml 49058 until 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. No formal bidding forms or documents are required, but all bids must be in writing and sealed. All sealed bids must be clearly marked on the outside of the bid package as follows: “SEALED BID - Truck #____________ Christopher Sever City Clerk/Treasurer �Page 4 — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you InMyOpinion SCO Barry-Roubaix brings a big city event to little Hastings Sandwich shop to bring reaky fast” subs to Hastings Popular nationwide sandwich franchise Jimmy John’s will be gaining a foothold in the Hastings area as the company plans to install a location at 1672 M-43 Hwy in Rutland Township. Interior signage announcing the new location has gone up and the restaurant will share a building with an AT&T store that has yet to open. Officials in Rutland Township said the fran­ chise first must gain approval for its buildout plans and signage from the township’s building department, and have not done so yet. Grand opening date for the location is unknown at this time. Do y«u remember? Early bird Banner March 28,1985 For those that think of golf as an exclusive June, July or August sport, Guy Sherman of Delton says ‘Bah, humbug.’ Sherman jumped the gun last week by getting in a few rounds at Riverbend Golf Course in Hastings. Even though patches of snow can still be found, that’s no rea­ son for the clubs to stay in the garage. i /liriwuj zrotaieig^l state sa Have you met? Rhonda Lundquist went into the nursing field to support her family and she said it has always been a good fit for her. “I always had that caregiver personality, I guess,” Lundquist said. “I feel like I just care about people. I really, truly care about people and I want to accept people for who they are.” Lundquist worked the emergency room floor for 15 years before moving into a diabetes education role. Although the two experiences were very different in many ways, they have both helped in her current role as a school nurse for Delton Kellogg Schools and the Hastings Area School Sys­ tem through Corewell Health Pennock Hospital. “I feel like having those two backgrounds and moving into school nursing has really prepared me for that. The understanding of diabetes, but also that fast pace of ER and being able to juggle priorities has really helped,” she said. “I did a lot ofcommunity work with the diabetes education job, so I fell in love with helping anywhere in the community that I can help by going to events and promoting health.” In her current position, she said she acts as a bridge of sorts between doctors, par­ ents, students and school staff. She uses her nursing background to help bridge any gaps in understanding and connect resources to those who need them. “There’s an increasing number of chil­ dren with chronic conditions over the years. They go to school with that, they don’tjust leave it at the door. It’s really important for someone to help coordinate - I feel like a liaison a little bit. I work with families, their doctor’s offices and the school to help coordinate them being at school, safe and healthy. That’s the goal.” Lundquist and her team work to make those connections happen everyday. Some days, those connections are extremely Rhonda Lundquist important. Last June, Potterville student Da’Marion Hicks collapsed at Hastings High School during a basketball scrimmage. Bystanders and school staffresponded swiftly, reviving Hicks with a defibrillator after CPR efforts proved unsuccessful. Doctors would later say those actions likely saved Hicks’ life that day. Lundquist had worked to get Hast­ ings recognized as a MI HEARTSafe school prior to the incident, a designation showing school staff have been trained to use AED defibrillators like the one used that day. “That’s such an important thing,” she said. “The student that had the cardiac arrest that day - I hear he’s back playing basketball now. That’s pretty amazing.” Sometimes, Lundquist is the one that gets the call when there is a medical emer­ gency at school. She described instructing a school staff member on how to administer an epinephrine shot for a student having a severe allergic reaction on one occasion. Other times, Lundquist’s job requires her to go a step further and figure out how to con­ nect students with medical resources and overcome obstacles in the way. “I’ve had situations where parents (of students with severe food allergies) couldn’t afford the EpiPens (brand name epineph­ rine shot), so they would go without. Then, the students were going on field trips with­ out their EpiPens,” she said. “It (requires) digging in and going, ‘Okay, what’s hap­ pening? Why is this? Why don’t they have an EpiPen?’ When you understand the rea­ son behind it, you can provide resources for that family. You can put the pieces together for that student.” For advocating for the youth of Barry County and prioritizing their health, Rhon­ da Lundquist is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite movie: “Tombstone.” Best advice ever received: This is kind of cheesy, but my dad always told me, “If you want to know how a man will treat you, watch how he treats his mother.” It worked for me - my husband’s awesome. Book I’d recommend: “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys. Music I listen to: It varies based on mood. When we play cards or have a game night with family, I’ll turn on some Pearl Jam. Greatest thing about Barry County: The people. The amount ofprograms, con­ nections and resources that are out there you learn about something new every day. It amazes me, truly. baix-type events each year, but organiz­ My first experience with the Barers and city officials alike rally together ry-Roubaix cycling race in Hastings in order to execute this event once a year. kicked off this weekend by driving The city has adopted this event as its around, searching for a decent spot to own, providing race organizers with park. everything from volunteers stationed out I use the word “decent” quite liberally, on the course to members ofthe Hastings too. When you roll into town at 10 a.m., Rotary Club that pour beer at the after-par­ all the decent spots are long gone. Itt was ty. The Hastings Police Department, with a rookie mistake - I’ll admit that. Chief Dale Boulter stationed at the start/ I slowly wandered the rows of cars finish line, took necessary measures both packed in and around Hastings Manufac­ before and during the event to ensure sen­ turing, which was seemingly ground zero sible crowd control. This takes time, for riders, many of whom had the trunks effort and sacrifice. and back hatches of their vehicles open But this isn’t a one-sided relationship while they were gearing up or fine-tuning either. While many residents might their bicycles. I couldn’t find a spot to grumble at the fact that the Barry-Roupark - not even a less-than-legal one. As I moved on to another area on the periphery baix draws thousands ofpeople to Hastings, effectively taking over the city, they of the city, I mumbled to myself “Hast­ might be surprised to know just how ings is not designed for an event this big.” And, it’s not - which is a big part of mindful and intentional race organizers are to make it a positive and quality why this annual event is so special. The experience for racers, city officials and Barry-Roubaix attracts over 4,500 cyclists Hastings residents. and their supporters to Barry County to While the Barry-Roubaix, as it exists participate in a race that is both wellnow, is a successful event, if organizers known and respected on a national scale really wanted to squeeze a little extra within the cycling community. profit out ofit, they certainly could - and This was my first year attending the it would come at everyone else’s expense. Barry-Roubaix, but I’m no stranger to In talking with Barry-Roubaix co-di­ navigating large crowds to cover sporting rector Matt Acker, I learned that organiz­ events. In my previous life, I was a sports ers put a cap on the number of cyclists reporter, which brought me everywhere from college football stadiums across Big that can participate in the event. For years, that number has hoveredjust above Ten country to NBA stadiums. More on 4,000 participants. This year, organizers par with the Barry-Roubaix, I’ve covered both the Fifth Third River Bank Run (now expanded the field a little bit and welcomed in an extra 500 cyclists, give or the Amway River Bank Run) in Grand take a few. Still, even with the expanded Rapids and the Kalamazoo Marathon. capacity, the Barry-Roubaix sells out Large, endurance sports events bring in very quickly. We’re talking in a matter of big crowds and require a lot of space. days, ifnot a matter of hours. Cities like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo Organizers could open the floodgates can facilitate these crowds with relative and allow significantly more people into ease - but it’s not so easy for Hastings. the event without barely lifting a finger, The Barry-Roubaix has been alive and that would mean more money in and kicking since 2009, originally run­ their pockets. However, Acker said that ning out near the Gun Lake area before organizers are intentional about con­ it was moved into Hastings proper seven trolling the capacity ofthe event because years ago. they want to encourage sustainable That’s when a strong partnership start­ growth that doesn’t overwhelm the city, ed to take root between the city and orga­ something that Hastings officials and nizers of this gravel road race, which : takes riders south ofthe city and out in the residents have to respect. •’ ’** All throughout the event, too, organiz­ Barry State Game and Yankee Springs ers reminded cyclists to makbfnffe that Recreation areas. And while riders are scattered throughout the county, Hastings they did not leave any trash or otherwise is the home base, which means, not only disrupt areas throughout the city and out on the rural course, further underscoring the start/finish line but also vendors, orga­ that they strive to treat the city with nizers, and, arguably most important, all respect. the beer and food. This relationship between event orga­ It’s an overwhelming force on the city nizers and the city is truly what makes the as it monopolizes parking and comes close to paralyzing the city for one Saturday Barry-Roubaix everything that we saw it to be on Saturday - a massive, big-city afternoon. This was especially true this event that makes an international audi­ year when Mother Nature bestowed what could very well have been some of the best ence familiar with Hastings, Barry Coun­ ty and the amenities available here. In weather that the race has seen, which encouraged even stronger attendance. terms of economic impact, the Bar­ ry-Roubaix makes an undeniable impres­ I quickly discovered that not all resi­ sion on hotels, restaurants and other dents were as enthusiastic about welcom­ ing throngs ofvisitors to their city. Local businesses, not only in Hastings, but in the areas surrounding it. social media was riddled with grievances It’s a tremendous and well-earned about the event - everything from the overwhelming crowds to implications that reward for all the hard work and sacrifice cyclists often do not obey the rules ofthe the city puts in - well worth the one day roadjust as drivers are expected. ofinconvenience. The Barry-Roubaix is a So, I took a stroll through Hastings heavy lift and everyone involved in the planning should be given sincere kudos before the race to connect with area busi­ for their effort. ness owners on their level of enthusiasm about the event. My conversation with Jennie Sykes of Bee Exotic Studio & Emporium stuck out to me. While she admitted that, due to the specialty nature of her shop, the droves of visitors don’t really drive additional business for her. Plus, it makes parking a nightmare. Still, Sykes echoed what I believe is the import­ ant mindset behind the Barry-Roubaix. “We want people to come to Hastings. We want to be community oriented. Are we prepared to do it on a regular basis? Probably not,” Sykes said. It’s no mystery that Hastings lacks the infrastructure to hold a dozen Barry-Rou- The Hastings BcHUICT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... News and press releases: news@j-adgraphlcs.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason?.. Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics, com. Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Subscription Rates: POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — Page 5 Context on Big Rapids battery plant is important Editor: Kudos to Mr. (Jon) Rocha’s information about Governor Whitmer’s lobbying to bring a Chinese-based green energy battery plant to Big Rapids (which ran earlier this month). Mr. Rocha’s information would never be covered by mainstream media. Too often, well meaning voters base their decisions on one source ofinformation. I respectfully label them uninformed sheep that follow. I am not a leader, however as a sheep myself, I make my decisions based on facts. A one-sided spin ofinformation is underhanded. Governor Whitmer’s decision to recruit this China-based industry was already tinned down by North Carolina’s governor for all the reasons that Mr. Rocha men- Stolen vehicle found crashed in ditch near Nashville tioned. This is a classic example of the “means justifying the end results.” There are so many things morally and environ­ mentally wrong with justifying more jobs to Michigan’s economy. Ignoring the underlying long term impacts is a pretty big price to pay. Mark Bishop Hastings County board chair has right perspective on the board’s role Editor: I’d like to thank commissioner Dave Jack­ son for his comments at the commission meet­ ing in reference to the “(Second Amendment) Sanctuary County” resolution request. He recognizes that the role ofthe county commis- sion is business in nature and not political. It’s their duty to ensure our tax dollars are being spent wisely, not to delve into the political whims of some. And to the GOP leaders that spoke, you seem to forget that the county com­ mission represents all ofus, notjust those that belong to the GOP. Luckily Dave realizes this, so he’s ignoring the veiled threats. Keep up the good work commissioners. Larry Osborne Delton Local churches should consider gathering together once again 4alcai>nt?Q Dear editor: This is an open letter to all Christian churches in Hastings. When I was a child living in Hastings, all the churches would get together for revival services in the summer with a lot of souls being won for the Lord. We would also get together for yearly Thanksgiving services, each church taking turns hosting. Why can’t we all get together now and do the same things? After all, we all serve and pray to the same God, do we not? We should not be suspicious of each other for any reason, but love each other with the love ofGod. Each ofus may have differing doctrines, but that should have no bearing on our working together for the Kingdom of God. He’s the most important Person there is and He commanded us to “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel.” Please consider getting together again as the Christian body ofChrist. Together we are strong. Separate we may fall. Lyle Blain Community Baptist Church *.5s .s Middleville Village Council fills vacancy with new appointment hs kn rc._ > - AS AS Police responded to a one-vehicle rollover crash just after 10 p.m. on April 8 on Devine Road near Thomapple Lake Road in Nashville. A concerned citizen reported the crash to police after seeing an unoccupied vehicle in the ditch. When police arrived, they saw skid rharks on the road leading to the crashed vehicle. Police found no sign ofthe driver aside from a cell phone in the vehicle. The Nashville Fire Department assisted the Barry County Sheriff’s department deputies in searching for the driver and lifted the vehicle to ensure there was no one trapped underneath. When officers ran the registration plate on the crashed vehicle, it did not match. Officers looked up the vehicle’s VFN to find the owner, who lived on the 5000 block ofThomapple Lake Road. She told police she was inside the house sick for several days, and did not know the vehicle was gone. She told police the cell phone in the vehicle was not hers, and she did not know who it belonged to. Nintendo Switch bought online switched-out for empty box A 21-year old Wayland woman called police around 8 p.m. on April 3 to report she was defrauded after a Facebook Marketplace transaction. The woman told police she purchased a Nintendo Switch from a seller for $98 through the online peer-to-peer market. When the item arrived, the woman said it contained only an empty box. Guns found in woods by Nashville property owner Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 62-year-old Nashville man’s address around 5 p.m. on April 7 after he found firearms on his property. The man told police he had found two shotguns in a cooler in a wooded, swampy area on his property. Police noted the cooler appeared to have been there for a long time, and the guns were in very poor condition. Police found no record attached to either firearm and returned them to the property owner. Injured turkey flew the coop Police responded to a report ofa possibly injured turkey in the roadway around 6 p.m. on April 6 on South M-66 Highway near Bivens Road. On scene, police were met by the caller but no turkey. The caller said the turkey had flown away. Grievances with gun laws shouldn’t be directed at county officials To the Editor: Those entreating our county commission­ ers to declare Barry County a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” should instead bring their disagreements with federal or state gun safety laws to the courts. Ifsomeone believes a law is unconstitutional, let those whose profession is to interpret the laws in regard to the constitution hear their argument. My understanding is that our commis­ sioners’ duty is to see to the fiscal health of the county and promote economic growth. They, and other elected officials,such as the 1 I UDBltedtyBlnlfMt uteon Saturda\ -iE2SYe,tetij she'riffor those state legislators currently in the minority, do not have the constitutional power to cherry-pick those laws they will uphold. It is unacceptable to ignore laws as a way offighting them. Rather, our elected officials must uphold and enforce the laws, regardless of their personal opinion of them. If they cannot do that, they should consider abdicating their position rather than their duty. Christina Bush Nashville SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING jjidEdM js ’jidsEsndM. (d® (d*® (d*® ig s an anfe fe Robert Bishop interviews for the vacant Middleville Council seat at a special meeting last Thursday night in village hall. (Photos by James Gemmell) James Gemmell /y 00"i** j If If I , z /] i Contributing Writer The Middleville Village Council voted 5-1 at a special meeting last to appoint Robert Bishop as a new village trustee. Bishop was one of five applicants for the council seat left vacant in February when long­ time trustee Mike Lytle announced his resigna­ tion due to health issues. His term in office was scheduled to expire at the end of2024, so the seat will be up for election in Nov. 2024. Four ofthe applicants interviewed publicly for the nonpartisan position on the council at the meeting in the village hall: Amanda Fisk, Steve Baldry, Tracey Gillhespy and Bishop. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said the fifth applicant, Katey Carrier, withdrew her name from consideration before the inter­ views were conducted. Stolsonburg served as moderator for the interviews. Baldry, Gillhespy and Bishop ran unsuc­ cessfully for the village council in last November’s general election. Bishop was a write-in candidate but lost to Johnny DeMaagd, who was one ofthe council mem­ bers that deliberated after the interviews to select the trustee. Bishop was the final applicant interviewed for the council position. He said he is a longtime member of the Middleville community and works at Advanced Packaging in Grand Rapids. He worked as an engineer at Viking Corp, in Hastings for 16 years. Bishop also bas a political science degree from Grand Valley State University. He is the trainer for the Middleville Pack 3065 troop, and a local commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America. MI think one ofthe biggest issues with this community is affordable housing,” Bishop said. “We’re sort of a bedroom community for Grand Rapids, and that drives prices up Quite a bit. But with the addition ofjobs at Bradford White and the continuing need to grow the community, housing is going to be an issue.” Bishop said it is imperative to better utilize the limited space available in the village and promote growth. Trustee Ann Williams said she liked the way Bishop answered the council’s questions during the interview process. “He seemed very natural. He seemed very friendly... He seemed very sociable, like he would be good with the people out there. So, I liked that aspect ofit,” Williams said. The trustees initially were split on their indi­ vidual choices, but Bishop received a lion’s share ofthe positive marks and that convinced the council to converge on his name before taking an official vote in his favor. “I loved his answers on, literally, every­ thing,” trustee Kevin Smith said, adding that he was torn between Bishop and Fisk. “I think Mr. Bishop has a lot to bring to the board. I think he brings an objectivity that I haven’t seen in a while. His answers were very thoughtful. I just think he worked through things in a very interesting way in front ofus.” “Mr. Bishop has great openness, candor,” DeMaagd said. “He has a great perspective on housing and background of education. And he would be a great asset in any role of leadership.” Village President Mike Cramer agreed. “(Bishop) made a lot of well-thought-out points. He processed questions right in front of us really well. And I think that’s what the community needs,” he said. Despite speaking well of Bishop, DeMaagd was the lone dissenting vote. DeMaagd said that he felt Fisk’s experience with the village government was too important to overlook. “Ultimately, I believe Miss Fisk brings the most experience to the board,” DeMaagd said, pointing out the value of experience on a village council that has only two members remaining from the council that was seated before the November election. Fisk was the first applicant to be interviewed. She said her prior experience as vil- Council members interview four people for the Middleville Village trustee seat formerly occupied by Mike Lytle, who recently resigned due to health issues. April 12, 2023-7:00 p.m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, James, Lectka Absent: None Approved the Agenda lage manager would allow her to “jump into” a council position quickly. “I already know how to read a budget and check the meeting packets, and all that sort of thing. I think that can help a little bit in just kind ofmaking sure a transition goes smooth­ ly,” Fisk said. “I think Amanda Fisk would certainly be the most qualified since she (had) been on the council,” Smith said. “She was the president ofthe council for a moment (in 2021). And I know she had personal issues she was dealing with when she stepped down (in Sept. 2021). But at the end ofthe day, she has served this community for a very long time. I think she certainly has what it takes... she would bring a lot ofwisdom to the board.” “Having served with Amanda, she is very well-versed,” Cramer said, noting that she was well-prepared for council meetings. However, he said public opinion might be a problem for Fisk, if she were appointed to the council. In February 2021 - about a month after she was appointed as village president - a post on her personal Facebook page drew national media attention. It made light of the death of conservative radio talk­ show host Rush Limbaugh. Fisk later apolo* gized. But a petition was circulated calling for her resignation. She resigned for unrelat­ ed reasons seven months later. Trustee Makenzi Peters said she heard some “frustration and anger” with Fisk from residents during the controversy a couple years ago. “She seems like a very wonderful, pleasant person and it sounds like she made a minor mistake, an error in judgment. But I feel that would cause a lot ofpublic discord.” Trustee Richard Hamilton said the pub­ lic should decide on Fisk’s suitability for the council in a future election, if she decides to run. “And let the people decide, based on the past,” he said. “I think the people need to speak on that one, rather than us. Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer’s Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucher/Payroll Report Motion to accept Ordinance 2023-186 for second reading and adoption Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to accept Ordinance 2023-187 for first reading Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve Hold Harmless Agreement for fireworks sales Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 7:55 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor 198287 RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP CEMETERY CLEANUP NOTICE As per our Cemetery Ordinance #2021178 adopted November 10, 2021, borders will no longer be allowed on cemetery lots and will be removed. Also, all mounds, memorials, decorations, or benches that hinder the free use of a lawn mower or other gardening apparatus are prohibited and will be removed. All urns and decorations shall be set in line with the stone within the boundaries of each grave site. Flowers and shrubs will only be allowed if planted in an urn. The Cemetery cleanup has begun and will continue until completed. If you have any decorations at the Cemetery you wish to keep, please remove them now. 198288 Larry Watson, Supervisor Rutland Charter Township �Page 6 — Thursday, April 20, 2023 —• The Hastings Banner JLcJie, OdeAAa fl Thomas Francis Krul III ard (Roseann), David (Margaret), and Thomas Mitchell, and previous wife (Linda). Bom May 10th, 1948, in Jackson, MI, Tom graduated from St. John High School, served in the Army Reserves, and eventually moved to Hastings to build a life for him and his family. He climbed the corporate ladder at such institutions as E.W. Bliss, Barry County Transit, and Michigan Magnetics, but his heart could always be found on the golf course. It was his special place to bond with his father, connect with his family, and com­ miserate with his friends. Tom liked nothing more than shooting 18, finishing up at the illustrious 19th tee, and sharing his natural charm with anyone he met. In the annuals of Hastings lore, he’ll forever be linked with the special crew who frequented Wednesday night at the Tiki (aka The Count Seat) for a sense of camaraderie and community. He was most at peace living on Podunk Lake, enjoying the simple pleasures. Watching the water and the birds or an episode of NCIS. Having some Polish kielbasa or golumpki. And, he never said no to a cold beer. In lieu of services, Tom will be remem­ bered with celebration. The family invites all to join them at Olde Towne Tavern (114 S. Jefferson Street) on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 4pm to 6pm. Na Zdrowie! Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfimeralhome.net. Surrounded by loved ones, Thomas Fran­ cis Krul III passed away on April 17, 2023, and the light of the universe is a little less bright without his warm smile, infectious laugh, and wry side-eye. He celebrated over 35 years ofmarriage to his adoring wife, Lynne. He raised four chil­ dren - Spencer, Jeffrey (Sandi), Melissa (Kris), and Justin (Melissa) - and cherished the joy ofhaving eleven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; Thomas Jr. and Mar,' Ann, and sister, Patricia. He is also survived by his brothers, Rich- Elaine Garlock Roger Stanley Caris, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Grand Rap­ ids, MI. He was bom on October 4, 1940. He was the Chiefofthe Hastings Fire Department. Visit www.girrbachfuheralhome.net for funeral information and full obituary. Ser­ vices provided by Girrbach Funeral Home 328 S. Broadway Street. Hastings, ML The historical museum on Emerson Street will be open on Saturday, April 29 from 10 to 2 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The annual CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, April 30. Several local churches in the Lakewood school district will partici­ pate. Funds from this go to world hunger projects but one-quarter will be returned to Lakewood Community Services for local use. Anyone who wishes to walk and get pledges in is welcome to participate. Our warm weather which was in the 70s somehow took a turn backwards and we experienced light snowfall on Monday. We had light rain and much cooler temperatures on Sunday. Members of Zion Lutheran Church were the host group at the community dinner at Central UM Church’s Fellowship Hall last week on Thursday. This week, that role will be filled by members of the host church. The host group provides the desserts and also the kitchen workers. This is a free meal but donations are accepted. They are used to pay for supplies. Dr. Ken Franklin of Kalamazoo was the guest speaker at Central UM Church on Sun- day while the resident pastor was on vaca­ tion. He is a practicing physician in Kalam­ azoo. He was accompanied by his wife. Trees are fast making their transition from bare and brown to vibrant and green. They made a noticeable change on the weekend, going from bare to feathery green almost overnight. Daffodils and hyacinths are at their best. The Tri River Museum group met on Tuesday at Sunfield. The attendance was the usual high number. The warmth of a wood-burning stove was welcome on the cold spring day. The meeting was short, con­ ducted by Chairman Sally Johnson of Bowne Center. The host group had prepared a lunch for noontime but the meeting was adjourned before 11 a.m. Even so, most of the members stayed to eat. The chiefitem of business was additional planting for Spring Into the Past, which is held on the first weekend of May, May 6 and 7. This year’s theme involves food preparation and what we ate in the olden days. The next meeting will be held in Belding. Members came from Belding, Fallasburg, Ionia, Lyons, Portland, Lake Odes­ sa, Plainfield, Greenville and several from Sunfield. Matt Goebel evaluated as effective by Hastings school board '" ‘ —fl! iff! Hunter McLaren TeL (269)-945-3252 Fax (269J-945-0663 328 S. Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrbach Providing Exceptional Service with Compassion and Care Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE ST. ROSE OF LIMA METHODIST CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH "We Exist To Be An 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ Expression Of Who Jesus Is 4246 Pastor Father Stephan To The World Around Us". Philip. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ p.m. Sunday. hastfmc@ Email 945-9121. 4:30 Mass WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor gmail.com. www. Website: HASTINGS Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Time 10:30 a.m. activities: 309 Matt Sunday Services: Moser, Lead Pastor. 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday School for all ages; 9: 45 am. with Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Nursery. Senior High Youth Group 6-8 Aftermath Student p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, Family COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, MI Hastings, Scott Price. 49058. 6:30-8 p.m., (Children Kids 4 Truth p.m. School p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. 204­ Call Church Office 948-8004 Youth Group; 6:30 PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, (269) Olmstead. church for information. Steve 758-3021 phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday CHRIST THE KING night Bible study and prayer PRESBYTERIAN time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Worship Street. Jefferson 10 a.m. Nursery &Praise provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609; This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist How can Iget a copy ofmy Social Security Statement? You can get your personal Social Security Statement online by using your personal my Social Security account. If you don’t yet have an account, you can easily create one. Your online statement gives you secure and conve­ nient access to your earnings records. It also shows estimates for retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for. To set up or use your account to get your on me Social Security Statement,, go to ssa. gov/myaccount. Social Security also mails statements to wor ers age 60 and over who aren’t receiving s flexfob Hmk UMUDMKSWlflOf 1699 W.M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 ottifaiRmitBibdn b Hastings Superintendent Matt Goebel was ranked as effective during an annual performance review by school board members in May. (photo by Hunter McLaren) ough feedback and evaluation. “I’d like to thank the board for that feed­ back. It was very helpful,’ very thorough, and it helps me develop goals for not only this year, but for the next year,” Goebel said. “I appreciate all ofyou, I know that it does take a long time, (it was a) very late night. Thank you.” Social Security questions and answers Fiberglass Fiberglass 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 biBsmhibPI fcifcdtafarsMi ipiwMliS pan. Middle (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service Wednesday Life Group 6:30 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Daryle Taylor, Bellevue and Rye Henry Eggerstedt, Bellevue DP™vtrLMarie P™vtrLMarie Pendock, Dorr and Derek M.chael Winger, Freeport •I -.Bis- BE Pastor 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 * Phone: 269-948­ Night 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor (517) LIFEGATE com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. Roger Claypool, for information. E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Stoetze!. call BAPTIST CHURCH Director, Martha Wheel­ Worship Youth hastingsfreemethodist.com. Bertrand. Randall chair accessible and elevator. StaffWriter Hastings school board members ranked Superintendent Matt Goebel as effective during their annual evaluation this year. Board president Luke Haywood said the board was looking forward to working with Goebel in the coming years. “We’re very pleased with the performance and growth of our superintendent over the past year,” Haywood said. “We look forward to renewing the contact and marly ye'afs’ to cbite’wi’th^lhe' supenntehdent.”Jlil-' ' hrm Board members discussed the results of the evaluation at their meeting Monday. The evaluation was conducted during a closed session ofthe March 20 meeting, which Hay­ wood said did not conclude until after 11 p.m. that night because of the lengthy evaluation process. “It is a very thorough process, very lengthy, but it’s (time) well spent,” Haywood said. “We get a lot of good information and feed­ back that we can use. The following week, we met with Goebel and we discussed all the different categories and what we as a board can do together to improve what we’re doing for students here at Hastings.” State law requires school boards to annu­ ally evaluate superintendents and rate them as ineffective, minimally effective, effective or highly effective. The Michigan Associa­ tion of School Boards provides a rubric for boards to use, evaluating superintendents on areas including school board relations, com­ munity relations, staff relations, business and finance, and instructional leadership. Haywood said the board also took a look at student data and a self-evaluation performed by Goebel. Goebel thanked the board for their thor- Social Security benefits and do not yet have a my Social Security account. We mail the state­ ments three months prior to your birthday. How can Iprotect myselfagainst identity theft? First, don’t carry your Social Security card with you. Keep it secure at home with your other important papers. Second, don’t readily give out your Social Security number. While many banks, schools, doctors, landlords, and others will request your number, it is your decision whether to provide it. Ask ifthere is some other way to identify you in their records. Ifyou are the victim of identity theft, you should report it right away. To report identity theft, fraud, or misuse ofyour Social Security number, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (the nation’s consumer protection agency) recommends you: • Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the following companies (The company you contact is required to contact the other two, which will then place alerts on your reports.): • Equifax, 1-800-525-6285. • Trans Union, 1-800-680-7289. • Experian, 1-888-397-3742. • Review your credit report for inquiries from companies you have not contacted, accounts you did not open, and debts on your accounts you cannot explain. • Close any accounts you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. • File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. • File a complaint with the FTC at 1-877­ 438-4338 (TTY 1-866-653-4261). Who is eligiblefor Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? People who receive SSI are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled with limited income and resources. Go to ssa.gov for income and resource limits. The general fund ofthe U. S. Treasury makes SSI payments. They do not come out ofthe Social Security Trust Fund. Caw I get both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security benefits based on my disability? Many people eligible for Social Security disability benefits also may be eligible for SSI. The disability decision for one program is the same as it is for the other, but you must meet additional resource and income limits to qualify for SSI benefits. Information about SSI and whether or not you may qualify can be found by reading “You may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)” at ssa. gov/pubs/11069.html. Hillary Hatch is the PublicAffairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. It Mb* ■itbbpix (■W �V 1 The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — Page 7 Hastings Wool Boot Company Part II big factory was doomed. (Burning wool would make very dense black smoke) “An alarm was sent in, the weird notes of the five whistles being supplemented by the wool boot factory whistle. The firemen did valiant work. Though not equipped with proper utensils for fighting fires on ‘fourth stories,’ they made the very best ofwhat they had and went at it like veterans. Ladders were run up windows on the flames, which were subdued after a couple ofhours ofhard fight­ ing... As the Banner closes its forms Wednes­ day afternoon we cannot give any further details ofthe fire.” The next week a more detailed account in three articles appeared: hands, so the bank was protected from loss. The six men determined that they would operate the business themselves. “While the two Messers were not rich men as Riches would be counted at this time (1935), they were considered very well-to-do in those days. Their backing ofenterprise and assuming responsibility for carrying it on put the business in a sound financial condition. In addition to being well-to-do, Chester and Richard Messer were both keen businessmen, and both, particularly R.B. Messer, were splendid salesmen. “At first, Mr. Pendergast was in charge of the plant. He was later succeeded by M.L. Cook as manager. An eastern man, Joseph Esther Walton 4. lWis WW WisW WissWWt s Aww SnV s$sS jWWi wtSS2 * WCv*Si JwiN*2^ vkJ*ww?» w» 2s SNi1*^ SNi1 vq q*®® v ” vAv’ '"^■‘k s&$ % •W KKS Sj**^^^*1* **^^^ Ztazwer April 28, 1988 Zm 1935, an article appeared in the Hast­ ings Banner announcing the razing of the old Hastings Wool Boot Company building. The factory had been erected in 1889 and was one of the first manufacturing plants built in Hastings. Some people living in Hastings today can stillfondly remember the old wool boot and how it changed Hastingsfrom an agricultural center to a manufacturing town. Today, cities are aggressively seeking new businesses with the incubator concept, or the idea ofseveral companies sharing the space and costs in one large building. Hastings was apparently 100years in advance ofthe times. This article is the second andfinal in a series on the Hastings Wool Boot Company. A year after the Hastings Wool Boot Co. announced that it was producing 60 percent of all boots manufactured in the United States, the building caught fire. On July 28, 1898, Hastings Wool Boot Co. had a fire, and this is the account ofwhat happened. “Saturday, evening as Supt. Barnett was making a trip through the wool boot factory, previous to starting up for the evening run, he discovered a small blaze on a beam over the brick wall partition between the treeing room and the finishing room. In this section ofthe factory, there is a large hot air fan, and the rapid revolution ofthis quickly spread flames all over the ceiling ofthe room. “Before the engine was shut down, that part of the building was a sheet of flames. Near at hand were two sections ofhose, of50 feet each, and through these, streams of water were quickly turned on, and soon the fire was (thought to be) apparently under control. “Late on, the flames crept through into the hot air shaft and up through the roof by means ofthe suction fans, making the fight­ ing of the fire more difficult to those not experienced with the factory. In the dry kiln were several hundred cases of boots on the drying racks and these were drenched with water. After fighting for over an hour, it was finally extinguished... The fire originated from a short circuit in the electric light wires... For four months, the factory has been running night and day, and orders have been secured to practically guarantee a steady run through the remainder of the year, and shut down, even for a day or two, at this time, will put some great demands upon the institu­ tion, is deeply regretted by all...” The second fire, was a small one, the account was given in the April 28, 1904, Banner: ■ “Sometime or other, someone left a car­ tridge in his or her old clothes, and after a series of inspections the clothes found their way to the. wool: boot factory. Yesterday morning when the big machines in the shod­ dy room began their daily grind, there was a loud report and shoddy began to fly in all directions. The employees thought there was an explosion and all proceeded to get out of harm’s way, which was perfectly natural. “All at once, fire and smoke commenced to belch forth and soon there was a nice start towards a ‘hot time.’ The fire alarm was sounded but the fire was soon put out without any loss. The shoddy room is separated from the rest ofthe factory, by heavy brick walls, and is fire proof comparatively. There is an arrangement by means of which live steam may be turned on to put out (a) fire, but it was impossible yesterday to turn on the steam on account ofthe heat and flames.” A third fire, Dec. 10, 1914, did the most damage, andihaaccpunt is.^s.followsx “Yesterday afternoon, fire broke out back of a ‘picker’ on the fourth floor of the wool boot factory, at the west end ofthe factory. “Great clouds of dense black smoke were soon pouring out ofthe windows, and many who arrived at the scene thought sure that the ^sbOoctor Universe J J Space spaghetti J j9J { ! • < !$ > {!•<! $> {!•<!$> ™ id J F'' J r Jt What happens ifyou get sucked up by a black hole? Amari, 10, N.C. >5>x F F i7/7/i Tz*z*wwyy iy//y\\XiX <<< <T /r *ra J>'Jy J4y 4*0*4s0w 4 sw yr Dear Amari, I was fascinated by black holes as a kit­ ten. I liked them because they were scary. But they’re also far away so I knew I was safe. I talked about this with my friend Vivi­ enne Baldassare. She’s an astronomer at Washington State University. Baldassare told me a black hole is an area in space with lots ofgravity. That’s the same force that pulls your body toward the Earth. “If we want to send a spacecraft some­ where else in the solar system, it has to travel fast enough to escape the gravity of Earth-so the rocket doesn’t just fall back down to Earth,” she said. “A black hole is a place where that escape speed is the speed URNING BflGK THE PAGES meantime, knit socks and other substitutes were made. “At the present time (1935) there is almost no demand for felt boots. The plant here has been closed for several years, at a consider­ able expense to that company. For a long time, it maintained watchmen, carried insur­ ance and had to pay pretty stiff local taxes. There were opportunities to dispose of the plant at what seemed a reasonable price, but the United States Rubber Co. was not then in a position to unload at a reasonable price for reasons unnecessary to mention. “So the plant has been idle, the machinery being disposed of some time ago. The build­ ings have been allowed to depreciate until they finally became such a menace that the company could no longer afford to let them stand when the walls had become dangerous. “The City of Hastings originally invested about $12,000 in the construction ofthe wool boot plant. Before its sale to the United States Rubber Co., the aggregate ofwages paid had nearly reached the million-dollar mark. What was paid by the United States Rubber Co. would bring the total wages to probably $1,250,000. During the four panic years 1893-97, it was practically the only going industry in the town. After better times had returned and until the sale was consummated, it was operated from midnight Sunday until midnight Saturday for a large portion ofsev­ eral years. “We are sure that everyone will agree that Hastings never made a better bargain than when it invested the modest sum of $12,000 This photograph of the Hastings Wool Boot Co. surrounded by bare trees is a rare shot. to induce the original Wool Boot Company to “Working in rebuilding the burned por­ liner, made from old wool, which went inside Barnett, who understood the operation of locate in Hastings. tions ofthe Hastings Wool Boot Co. mill has the rubber boot.) It (the building) consisted of cards and the mixing of stock, was secured “It is idle now (1935) to talk about munic­ been progressing day and night since the a two-story structure for the mixing and card­ ipal aid for industries because that cannot be and the plant prospered under the new ownerblaze on Wednesday. The ruins were still ing rooms, then a long one-story structure in done anymore; but we always believe that, ship. smoking when a gang of workmen began which the boots were felted, fulled and put on where such projects are handled in a spirit of “During the panic years of 1893, 1895 and clearing away the debris and rebuilding the wooden trees. A long one-story L-shape 1896, this plant was run steadily - a good fairness and for the good ofa community, that burned portions. On the day after the fire, the extended to the north, in which was carried is the fairest manner to secure industries for a deal of the time night and day. Later, a fourth and fifth floors ofthe plant were dis­ on the sewing one of the leather stays, the town. This city gave aid to the original Hast­ four-story addition was made for the mixing connected and work went on in the factory as riveting of the straps and the packing of the ings Furniture Co., now the bookcase plant, and carding of stock. Considerable additions ifnothing had happened... The damage from finished boots into boxes, each containing were also made to the one-story portions of also to the Hastings Table Co., and the Mich­ the water is considerable and the shafting one dozen pair(s). igan Whip Co. the plant, and a large warehouse was also was so weakened that it had to be taken down “The original company was established erected. “The original of all of these companies and replaced. It was found after the fire that here by two Canadians, after the city had “The institution continued to prosper, but a passed out of the picture, but the plants only one of the big picking machines had agreed.to |)uild<the plant and install the boik threat to its future arose due to the fact that a remained. It was because we had a vacant been-serknjsly injured..t” In a related article ers and engine-for thfo^^.Theflvyq pai^rs felt boot is no good without a rubber over to plant in Hastings that Kellar Stem was was this: in the business could not get along together 'BFwom witH’iTTThFrubKer part of ttieToot-^induced to bnhg the’ hooked fdetoty "to “All three of the men injured during the and they evidently lacked capital. The origi­ Hastings after fire had destroyed his furniture wear was the most expensive. After 1897, fire at the wool boot factory are recovering. nal plant was constructed in 1889, but the practically 90 percent of all the rubber foot­ plant in Grand Rapids. It was because the old When George Hotchkiss, one of the oldest actual work of manufacture did not com­ wear was made by the United States Rubber whip company plant was vacant that Mr. workers, found his retreat cut off, he clung to mence until the winter ofthat year. Company, known as ‘the rubber trust.” It was Tyden was induced to bring the seal company a window ledge and dropped before the fire­ “Early in 1891 one ofthe original partners to Hastings - for that business was started in becoming increasingly evident, soon after the man could assist him. Here a life-net would induced Mr. John Pendergast to come with the old whip company building, where the year 1900 had passed, that the U.S. Rubber have been very useful. Mr. Hotchkiss, sus­ him and manufacture, Matters did not prog­ Company was determined to control the felt gas plant;now stands. Through the seal com­ tained two broken ribs and internal injuries. ress well. The two men could not agree, and boot business. pany the press and tool (E.W. Bliss), Viking While escaping from the fire, Alfred Darling, the old trouble of lack of capital prevented Corp, and Hastings Manufacturing Co. were It is a long story, but through the shrewd­ who has worked for years in the factory, the success ofthe project. ness and good business judgment of Richard brought to Hastings. slipped and fell headlong downstairs, badly “In the spring of 1891, the Hastings City B. Messer, he was able to dispose ofthe plant “So it can be seen that probably the injuring his head. While attempting to assist Bank had to take over, the plant on a bill of to the rubber company at a satisfactory price. $20,000 investment (in all the plants) which the firemen in hauling a hose up a ladder, J. sale, because ofthe inability ofMessrs Roos In the meantime, all the local partners in the Hastings made way back in 1889, was a Clyde Sporkin, ofGrand Rapids, fell from the and Pendergast to pay their notes. Shortly plant had done well out of their connection blessing to this city and to its people. We top ofthe ladder and broke one ofhis arms. before that time, Chester Messer and Rich­ with it. recognize the danger ofpublic aid to secure “Owing to the suddenness of the fire, the ard Messer, then the two wealthiest men in After the United States Rubber Company industries for a town, but we also recognize men and women employed in the institution Hastings, had purchased the control of the took over the business, still other buildings that it is the fairest way to build up an indus­ had io make, a very hurried exit and it is for­ City Bank. ...................... were erected and the plant was .for several, trial community. The. securings of factories tunate that no more were injured.” “Rather than see the bank take a plant years profitably operated by them. adds to the value ofreal estate and the rental “The work ofthe members ofthe Hastings which it could not use and thereby close the “As the country prospered, the people of values also, so property owners do get the firemen at the wool boot factory fire on factory, Chester and Richard Messer, Dan W. the United States, many of whom had pur­ benefit. Had Hastings not ventured in the Wednesday has been highly commended. The Reynolds, the cashier of the bank, judge chased felt boots for the winter wear, because way it did in 1889, it would certainly not be men worked in union and all oftheir moves Clement Smith, P.T. Colgrove and this writer they were cheap and warm, were no longer the live town it has shown itselfto be in the counted in the subduing of the flames. They (M.L. Cook), took the plant off the bank’s satisfied with such clumsy footwear. In the last 40 years.” "- fO MJ* W brought into action five streams of water, which were subjected to high pressure from the pumping station. The new equipment proved to be of wonderful value in their work...” “Messrs. John Kantzier and son of Bay City are wrecking the old wool boot plant. It seems a pity to have buildings that cost so much deliberately tom down. But the owners, the United States Rubber Company, had not kept the buildings in good condition, the walls of many parts of the plant having become in a dangerous condition. “The original building was constructed by the city and given to the American Felt Boot Company. (A felt boot wass a boot-shaped fl look back at the stories anfl Golurans on 106aI History In the Hastings Banner of light. Nothing can move faster than the speed of light. So, nothing can escape from inside the black hole.” Ifyou were sucked into a black hole, it wouldn’t be pleasant. Let’s say you fell in feet first. The gravity of the black hole would pull much harder on your feet than your head. It would squeeze your sides together. You would be stretched into a long, thin noodle shape. Scientists call it spaghetti fication-like, being turned into spaghetti. At some point, you would stretch so much that you were no longer one piece. A small black hole is a few times heavier than the sun. If a small black hole sucked you in, you would become a noodle before you got to the point ofno return-called the event horizon. A big black hole is a million or billion times heavier than the sUn. If you fall into one of those, you’d pass the event horizon before you started stretching. So, you’d probably be able to see what’s inside the black hole before you became a noodle. Sadly, you couldn’t tell anyone what you saw. That’s because you can’t send informa­ tion faster than the speed of light. Your radio signal would be trapped in the black hole with you. So, what would you see inside that big black hole? Nobody knows! Black holes form when a massive star dies. There’s a huge explosion called a supernova. The inside ofthe star collapses. Everything in the massive star squishes into a point so tiny you couldn’t see it-called a singularity. That’s a black hole. That black hole sucks in the gas and dust around it. If it’s close to a star, it will suck in star material. Everything a black hole ever sucked up is still inside it. We can only imagine what that looks like. . The good news is there’s no way you’ll ever get sucked into a black hole. You would have to get really close to one. The nearest black hole is about 1,500 light years away. So, you would have to travel at the speed oflight-which we can’t do-for 1,500 years to get there. You will never be spaghettified. It’s impastable. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for April 20-26 April 1-30 - April Storywalk Book: “Milk and Juice: A Recycling Romance” by Mere­ dith Crandall Brown. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Follow the journey ofJuice and Milk on their recycling love story though transformations from pen to soap dispenser and even to laundry detergent jug until they are finally reunited in a most unexpected way. This month’s Storywalk is thanks to the gen­ erosity ofJoel and Barbara VanDyken. April 1-30 - Art in April: “Sketchtrail” by Doet Boersma. Learn the basics of nature sketching with step-by-step instructions along the “Sketchtrail,” created by 2022 Artist in Residence Doet Boersma. The trail starts by the retention ponds near the Lupine (green) Trail at the southwest comer ofthe parking lot in front of the Visitor Center. Before you start, pick up a sketchbook and pencil by the south side entrance ofthe Vis­ itor Center. Visitors can enjoy the “Sketchtrail” for free and guide their own experiences. Those interested can register for these events arid find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, April 20 - Novel Ideas Book Club discusses “The Marsh King’s Daughter” by Karen Dionne, 1:30 p.m.; Movie Memo­ ries & Milestones watches “1937,” a film starring Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers and Adolphe Menjou, 5 p.m. Friday, April 21 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22 - Pick-up for reserved Earth Day saplings at Business & Community Expo 2023 at Hastings High School, 10 a.m.-l p.m.; “Hello, Dolly!” ladies’ tea, 2 p.m. Monday, April 24 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 25 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; open computer lab, 2-4 p.m.; acoustic jam at the library fireplace, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hammond Hill disc golf course slated for expansion; plans would add new 18-hole course Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hammond Hill disc golfcourse in Hastings is expanding, receiving another 18-hole course. Justin Smith, who manages the public course full-time as a volunteer, received approval from city council to follow through with the expansion last week. Smith said he hopes the additional course can provide more ofa challenge and help the course appeal to a broader audience. “Basically, we’re going to have two cours­ es on the Hammond Hill property,” Smith said. “I’m hoping the second course will be more ofa challenge and bring more pros. The course we have now, it’s not quite a beginner course; it’s a good intermediate course. Pros can play it and they can crush it.” Smith said the additional 18 holes will also increase the amount of competitors that can be on the course at one time. While the course can now hold 72 competitors, another 18 holes would double its capacity to 144. Tour­ naments and competitions with timed starts for competitors could allow even more to rotate on and offthe course, Smith said. Justin Smith, who manages the Hammond Hill disc golf course, received approval from city council to place anoth­ er 18-hole course on the property at their meeting last week, (photo by Hunter McLaren) The expansion is part of Smith s vision for disc golfin Hastings, which he hopes to turn into “the Disney World of disc golf. He said he took inspiration from a trip to Emporia, Kan. “They have 10 courses in a 20 mile radius (in Emporia), so they can bring in 2,000 com­ ppetitors,” Smith said. “That’s the same thing, essentially, that I’m trying to do in Hastings.” In I conjunction with the new 18 holes coming to Hammond Hill, Smith wants to imple­ ment competition-ready courses throughout Hastings. With plans for a course near the Kellogg Community College Fehsenfeld Center, another on a city-owned lot near Viking Corporation, and an existing course at Fish Hatchery Park, he hopes to make Hast­ ings a destination for disc golf. “When I’m done, I should have five cham­ pionship level courses here in Hastings in a 10-mile radius,” he said. “That’s my main vision.” Smith said he’s already started work on the new course, with a rough outline ofthe first six holes being tested by Hammond Hill reg­ ulars. Although he suspects the finalized course won’t be ready for serious competitive David Keller throws a disc during a competition at the Hammond Hill disc golf course last May. (file photo) play for another three to five years, it could be ready much sooner for casual play. “I could have a rough draft at the end of this year, but nothing will be permanent,” Smith said. “It takes time to develop these courses.” Smith manages the course alongside his day job as a web designer. He and a team of volunteers work to maintain and renovate the course on a volunteer basis, with the blessing ofthe city and YMCA of Barry County, who own and manage the land, respectively. One of the most exciting aspects ofmanaging the course has been seeing the different ways it brings the community together, Smith said. “That’s honestly the ultimate goal - build­ ing a platform for generations to enjoy,” Smith said. “It’s simple, too. (Disc golfmight involve) three minutes ofactual disc golfand (the rest ofthe time) you’re really just walk­ ing outside enjoying the campus.” TK board rejects motion to rescind TAPRC appointments Greg Chandler recreation programs in the Middleville area. On Monday night, one of the school board’s newest members, Derrick Brock, tried to get added to the board meeting agen­ da a measure to repeal the appointmerits of Getty and Cove, and reopen the selection process. The motion was defeated on a voice vote of4-2. On Feb. 13, Brock and the rest of the TK board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Getty and Cove' to TAPRC. However, Brock said Monday his vote was before he received “new information” about the process, and said the matter should be revisited. “I think it’s best for show­ ing the transparency that this board should have to the community, with what we’re here to do, to make the best debisibhs for the kids - hon­ esty and integrity,” Brock said. “I think it should be brought up to speak to all those (who applied to be oh the TAPRC board), and to thoroughly go through what happened and call that out. There’s people in this com­ munity that have seen (details of the process) through Freedom of Infor­ mation Act requests. It’s been brought to my atten­ tion. I don’t feel comfortable with how it went down.” Brock’s motion was sup­ ported by board colleague Tyler Wenger. Voting against the motion were Board Pres­ ident Matt Powers, Anne Hamming, Krissy Hooson and David Smith. Brenda Call for additional details: Hess was absent from the meeting. Hamming is the other TK representative on the TAPRC board. “It was addressed. We 10355 North Avenue, Dowling, MI 49050 talked about it. It was a 7-0 vote,” Powers said. “I don’t StaffWriter Two months ago, the Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education appointed Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove to serve as two of the district’s representatives on the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. However, some local residents are unhap­ py with the way the board went about appointing Getty and Cove to serve on TAPRC, which oversees youth sports and GATE ' Gliders, Tables Chairs and move 269-234-8915 think we should go back in time and keep readdressing things.” “As a board, we came to a unanimous deci­ sion, with a 7-0 vote, to appoint these candi­ dates that were brought forth ... It really wasn’t our decision on who got brought for­ ward, it was our decision to vote on the can­ didates that were brought forward,” Hooson added. “I am not in favor ofrevisiting this.” Several residents, including a newly-ap­ pointed TAPRC board member, have accused the TK board of lack of transparency in bringing Getty and Cove as recommended candidates for the TAPRC appointments. Three other candidates applied for the posi­ tions. ' t “(The) Open Meetings Act states that the narrowing of a candidate pool must be done in a meeting that is open to the public,” said Keara Hilton, a TK parent who was appointed to the TAPRC board-April 10 as a representative of Thomapple Township. “Through our collected emails and FOIA documents, it is evident that the candidate pool was narrowed from five applicants down to two applicants prior to the TK Board of Education open meeting, at which time a vote was taken to fill the vacancies based on the candidates nar­ rowed down outside ofan open meeting.” Hilton had sent an email to the TK board dated March 25 where she alleged that the vacancies “were filled on basis offalse infor­ mation” and that there appeared “to be an intentional effort to ensure Cove and Getty would be the appointees.” “We are strongly requesting that you cor­ rect the errors made by rescinding your vote and redoing the TARPC TK application pro­ cess to allow the community to submit their interest and for the entire board to be able to make a decision as a whole, based on being fully informed,” Hilton said in concluding her remarks Monday. At the Feb. 13 board meeting, Hamming said ofthe five applicants, “two did not qual­ ify because they do not live within the school district boundaries, one just didn’t have the skill set that we look for, for the TAPRC board. So that left us with Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove.” The TARPC entity agreement - essentially, bylaws by which the commission operates does not place a residency requirement for board seats. “The governing body ofeach Member Unit shall appoint three members to sit on the Board,” Section 3.1. A ofthe document states, with no reference at all to residency. In an e-mail to the Hastings Banner dated April 12, Hamming wrote that she and other board members “were mistaken in the belief there was a residency requirement.” But she remained firm that the board made the right choice for the appointments. “I still would not have recommended either ofthe two applicants who live outside ofthe district because they had no ties to our com­ munity through their work or their families,” Hamming wrote. “In addition to having no ties to the community, each ofthe candidates lived more than 30 minutes from Middleville. That distance is not conducive to the various volunteer commitments needed by our board members. We need board members who know the community well and can pitch in to help on a regular basis on short notice. We fulfilled both of those needs with Catherine and Kristen.” The three candidates who were not consid­ ered for appointment include: - A present county parks director with parks supervisory experience in several com­ munities, who lives in Rockford; - A recreational therapist with past experi­ ence for a city parks and recreation depart­ ment in suburban Grand Rapids, who lives in Plainwell; - A computer paraprofessional at an ele­ mentary school with past experience as a youth soccer coach and improvisational the­ ater instructor, who resides in Middleville. Robin Laansma, a local resident who has also been critical of the selection process, detailed the qualifications of the candidates who were not considered for the position, whose resumes she was able to obtain through a Freedom of Information Act request. “The two applicants that did not submit a resume were the two put forward as the ones that were qualified for these positions,” Laansma said, referring to Getty and Cove. The advertisement for the TK TAPRC rep- the - April 27-29- ,,azz JL Thomapple Arts Council 1 Nloim^oocg Music and lyrics by STEPHEN SONDl I EIM Book by JAMES LAPINE OrijSiiially Ilirnh'd on Unuidwivby hu'»o l.upinr (Inimstratlmi by loiuithun luni.A Thursday, April 27 Friday, April 28 7:30 PM 7:30 PM Thornapple Jazz Orchestra with special guest Aubrey Logan Aubrey Logan with the Student All-Star Band Tickets: Open to the Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, May 3 @ 7:00 PM ~ TICKETS: $7 Performances Thursday Friday, Saturday - May 4, 5,6 (? 7:00 PM Sunday - May 7 @ 2:00 PM TICKETS: Adults $10 - Seniors & Students S8 5rstc°me, first served Tickets: (“’>818-2492 nastings.Iudus.com Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 S. Broadway - Hastings Ailvance tickets max be purchased tit (iilmorv JevvckTs erved by culling the Ihtiniappk Arts Council al 269-9-1 v 2002. A'Mz'>TAhornapple rts ^Council • DTC r\ MICHIGAh ARTS RTS & • 7 CULTURE mm 8^ ■ w w * **’’ j^ ^’* ■ C* * ,k A * l* ^ kA * »* * Lg f c * g Former Thornapple Township Supervisor Mike Bremer speaks during this week’s Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education meeting, defending the selection of Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove for the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. <v;(Ethpto by Greg Chandler) I -r 'igatalwal Optaiihltt I dliiiliRiiii I resentatives was posted on the Kent Interme­ diate School District website—TK is a part of KISD - but was not posted in local newspa­ pers. However, it was posted on the human resources page of the TK website, Superintendent Craig McCarthy wrote in a March 15 email to the school board. Hilton sent FOIA requests to the school district dating back to 2013 asking for infor­ mation on how TK had appointed TAPRC representatives in the past. McCarthy says the process was no different this time around than it was in the past. “We have information dating back to 2001, showing we have followed the exact same process for over 20 years,” McCarthy said in an interview with the Hastings Banner last week. “There are no nefarious acts taking place.” Former TAPRC program director and for­ mer Thomapple Township Supervisor Mike Bremer defended the selection of Getty and Cove for the commission seats. “The two people that you have assigned recently, Kristen Cove and Catherine Getty, have proven track records with TAPRC,” Bremer said. “I have worked with and along­ side Catherine Getty on the TAPRC for 15 years. She has blood, sweat and tears into it, as does Kristen. They are committed, they are honest - I’ve heard the word ‘integrity* come up. The candidates that you have already assigned with a 7-0 vote are a great decision, and the TAPRC will continue to move posi­ tively and provide safe, quality team sport (programs) and events for our kids.” Bremer offered a suggestion for those who might be interested in serving on TAPRC in the future. “I know in the past, it’s been pulling teeth to find people to be on the TAPRC board. We’ve had to tug and pull and beg people to be on the board,” he said. “Kristen and Cath­ erine have filled a need and have been doing it for a long time. I would recommend that those who would like to be a part ofTAPRC, please make sure that they get their names in as volunteers. Let’s put ‘em to work, cleaning the (baseball) diamonds, helping out at events, whatever. Get some time under your belts as a volunteer with the TAPRC and work yourself up to that commissioner’s position.” TAPRC is a partnership of Thomapple Kellogg Schools, the Village of Middleville and Thomapple Township. The commission, which has been in existence since 2000, has a nine-member board, consisting of three, representatives each from the schools, village and township. It receives funding support from each of the participating governmental units, Barry County United Way, registration fees and program sponsors. ORRI^MhlHM I I L nfc’ M �Sr The Hastings SPORTS ANNER Thursday, April 20,2023 Panthers shut out Barry County Invite foes Brett Bremer as3cte | ’•■■**-*! | l 131 ink isig m 111* uteMikniianl BWWBXiwiii Ml paHofflUiiptttakhi ouallokxM'k B 11 J.®***’®’- IIB****1*"* IB**** ■* * J Sports Editor Dust in the air around home plate didn’t even have time to settle between the time Delton Kellogg’s Maysse Wiessner and Abby Fichtner took turns sliding across to score their team’s seventh and eighth runs. They were the last two runs in a dominant performance by the Delton Kellogg varsity softball team at the Barry County Invitation­ al hosted by Hastings High School Saturday. The Panthers, a team noted among the hon­ orable mention state ranks in Division 3, took a 16-0 4-inning win over Thomapple Kellogg and then knocked off Lakewood 8-0 in 5 innings in the championship game. Lakewood opened the tournament with a 15-0 win over Hastings. Thomapple Kellogg closed out the tournament scoring six runs in the bottom ofthe sixth inning ofthe consola­ tion game against Hastings to snap a 3-3 tie, and then finished off a 9-3 win over the host Saxons. Wiessner and Fichtner scored those final two runs after knocking RBI singles ofthenown in the bottom ofthe fourth against Lake­ wood. Wiessner slid in to score feet first from second on an RBI single from Jordan Lyons, and Fichtner finished dove in face first to score score from first when the Vikings’ throw in to try and nab Wiessner got to the backstop. There was an 8-run mercy rule after five innings at the tournament and after the Vikings got out ofthe inning, Panther pitcher Lizzy Stonebumer worked out of a two on, two out jam- with a strike out that preserved the shut out. “It took the bats about an inning to warm up and wake up, and defensively they played really well too. I think with that defense in the outfield, nothing is going to drop much. They put in a lot ofwork, a lot ofextra work, with travel ball and'school' ball;” Delton Kellogg head coach Jesse Lyons said. “Wednesday night,’ We practiced-?" to 6, and I couldn’t get them to go home. Finally at 6 o’clock I’m said ‘all right we’re done. Let’s go home.’ [Friday] they practiced ‘til 4:30. It’s work. They have fim, but the still know how to work hard. It is a great group of girls. You couldn’t ask for anything more. They have good attitudes and good effort. If you could have a team like this year in and year out, they probably would not need me.” Coach Lyons certainly liked the defense ofhis infield too. He heard great communi­ cation in the infield and in the outfield. The Panthers didn’t commit an error at the tour­ nament. “They’re just everywhere. It’s kind of annoying,” Lakewood first baseman Alivia Woodman grumbled about the DK outfield­ ers in the dug out after flying out for the final out ofthe fourth inning ofthe championship game. The Panther defense was superb all day. Jordan Lyons in left, Paige Thomas in center and the combo of Kasey Kapteyn and Mya Brickley in right field made everything hit in the air against them look routine. The infield was strong and coach Lyons was really pleased with the performance of his catcher Allie Trantham in calling the ballgames for the two Panther pitchers. At the plate, Jordan Lyons was 3-for-3 with 3 RBI in the championship game. Fichtner was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a pair ofruns scored. DK also got hits from Brickley, Trantham, Allison Brandli and Abbi Wooden in the final. Thomas and Brandli added RBI too. Stonebumer held the Viking offense in check from the circle through the 5 innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks. She struck out 6. “That’s the best team we’ve seen. You can tell, they’re loaded with travel kids,” Lake­ wood head coach Brent Hilley said. “They’re fast. I had a talk with our kids, we don’t learn anything from that first game. We’re sched­ uled to play a lot ofteams like [Delton] this year, by design. .” The two Lakewood hits were singles by Alivia Woodman and Maycee Rusco. Peyton Federau, the Vikings’ freshman pitcher, took the loss in the circle. She gave up 7 earned runs on 10 hits and a walk. She struck out 3. “From Peyton’s first game at Lowell to where she is now she is progressing,” coach Hilley said. “She is way more consistent, way more consistent. As she gets more confident, then we can start throwing more spins, more drop and more rise balls and those kinds ofpitches. I thought she held her composure pretty good. They just hit it a lot ofplaces we weren’t.” The two teams have a chance to meet again at the Lakewood Invitational, May 13. Delton Kellogg’s bats were hot from the opener Saturday, and the Panthers scored three runs in the top of the first against the The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team celebrates with its trophy after scoring an 8-0 win over Lakewood in the championship game of the 2023 Barry County Invitational at Hastings High School. The Panthers opened the tournament with a 16-0 win over Thomapple Kellogg. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg's Abbey Fichtner slides head first in to the plate to score the Panthers' final run in an 8-0 victory over Lakewood in the championship game of the Barry County Invitational Saturday at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Vikings, one in the second and then finished them offwith the four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Delton Kellogg walked off with a 2-run triple by Fichtner in the bottom ofthe fourth in its opener against TK. Fichtner dented the Saxon scoreboard high above the left field wall with a 3-run home run in the bottom of the second inning and Brandli knocked a 2-run dinger over the center field fence in the bottom ofthe third. Delton Kellogg had 10 hits in the opener. Fichtner was 3-for-4 with 6 RBI. She was a single short ofthe cycle, belting a double, a triple and her home run. Trantham was 2-for3 with a double and an RBI. Brandli was l-for-2 with 2 runs and 2 RBI. Thomas and Brickley also drove in runs for the Panthers and Kasey Kapteyn knocked in 2 runs and scored 3 with a pair ofwalks in the ballgame. Brickley got the win in the circle for DK. She shut out TK on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2. The four TK hits were singles by Grace Zube, Kenzie Bouma, Peyton Stahl and Ella Palazzolo Just 7 ofthe 16 runs off the TK pitcher Stahl were earned. TK committed 5 errors. Lakewood had 1 in the championship game. Lakewood had’ 15 hits in the first game of the day, a 15-0,4-inning win over Hastings. No. 2 hitter Maryssa Goble was 4-for-4 with a double, 3 runs scored an an RBI for the Vikings. Audrey Hillard was 3-for-3 with a Thomapple Kellogg center fielder Elaina O'Riley settles under a fly ball during her team's win over Hastings in the consolation game of the Barry County Invitational at Hastings High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings first baseman Jayden Karsen reaches for a put out during her team's con­ test with Thornapple Kellogg in the consolation game of the Barry County Invitational Saturday at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood shortstop Audrey Hillard spins to slap a tag on Delton Kellogg's Jordan Lyons during the championship game of the Barry County Invitational at Hastings High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) pair of doubles out of the three spot in the line-up for the Vikings. She scored three times and had one RBI. Lakewood also got a 3-for-3 performance at the plate from Allison Slater who scored 2 runs. Brooklyn Hoppes and Rusco had 2 hits each, and Lily Federau, Peyton Federau, Keirgan Schroeder and Woodman had 1 apiece. The Saxons got singles from Zoey Bennett, Liliana Fox and Peightyn Cronk in the loss. Kendyl Steward got the start in the circle in the opener for the Vikings and struck out 5 Saxons and walked 2. A triple by Jenna Robinett was the first big blast ofthe bottom ofthe sixth inning ofthe consolation final for Thomapple Kellogg in its win over the Saxons. It scored Bouma from first with one out to put TK up 4-3. Hastings pitcher Victoria Jerzyk got a strike out for the second out ofthe inning, but then Eliana O’Riley blooped an RBI single into left and Grace Zube and Stahl snuck a couple ofballs by the Saxon shortstop. Zube’s hit loaded the bases and Stahl’s cleared them to put TK in front for good. O’Riley, Zube, Stahl, Bouma and Robinett had two hits each for TK in the win over Hastings. Bennett was 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and a run scored for the Saxons. Lucy Bar­ nard, Sophia Sunior and Carly Frazer had 2 hits each, and Jayden Karsen and Cassidee Easey both singled once. Robinett was the winning pitcher for TK. She struck out 5, walked 2 and worked around the 11 Saxon hits. �Pape 10 — Thursday. Apnl 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxons set some records at 86th annual invitational w w w Valerie Slaughter Hastings senior Robby Slaughter clears the bar in the pole vault Friday at the Hastings Team Invitational. Slaughter won the pole vault with a new personal record vault, and meet record, of 14 feet 3.5 inches. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Contributing Writer The Saxon track teams hosted the 86th Annual Hastings Invitational on Friday night. The Invitational started back in 1937 at the old fairground location, currently occupied by the new TJ Maxx. With amazing summer like weather, the Saxon track teams put up some PR’s and meet records. The Hastings girls’ team finished fourth place overall out of the nine competing teams, scoring 1506.5 team points. The Sax­ ons girls are now 7-3 on the season. Hastings’ head coach, Brian Teed was proud ofhow the girls performed on Friday. “Depth is important at a true team scoring event and we asked some girls to do a little extra and to step outside of their comfort zone,” coach Teed said. “Maddie Peake, Ava Noteboom, Alexia Owen, Julie Klein and Lauren Arnold all did extra or new events to help the team. We don’t have quite enough depth in the longer events to push into the top ofthis type ofmeet.” Medaling for the Hastings girls were: Isa­ belle Roosien who took first in the 200-meter dash and third in the 100-meter; freshman Olivia Friddie finished second pole vault, second shot put, fourth discuss, and fifth in 100-meter; Addey Nickels placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles and third in the 100meter hurdles; Myah Vincent placed second in the 200-meter, and Madison Nino finished second in the longjump. The girls’ 4x 100-meter and 4x200-meter relay team of Nino, Roosien, Nickels and Vincent finished in first place for both races. Hastings freshman Olivia Friddie gets over the bar in the pole vault during Friday evening's Hastings Team Invitational inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. Friddie won a tie-breaker with a jump of 9 feet 3 inches to place second in the event. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Panthers get win number two with shut out of Lee Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team evened its record at 2*2 with a 3-0 shut out ofLee Friday in Wyoming. Carlie Ritchie scored the first Panther goal nine minutes into the contest on a penalty kick and ten minutes later Avery Barker added a second goal for her squad. Adelyn Stampfler sealed the win for the DK girls with a goal midway through the second half. At the other end of the field, the Delton Kellogg defense prevented the Lee girls from getting a shot off in the first half and held them to jus three shots on goal for the entire ballgame. DK goalkeeper Johannah Houtkooper saved all three to earn the shut out. The Delton Kellogg girls had a bail­ game with Parchment scheduled for Mon­ day postponed. They were scheduled to be back in action at Allegan last night, April 19, and will be home Friday to take on Saugatuck, Monday against Schoolcraft and Wednesday, April 26, against Con­ stantine. ADVERTISEMENT FOR 2023 WELLHOUSE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE VILLAGE OF FREEPORT 198270 Hastings senior Kearan Toiles runs to a personal record time of 2 minutes 1.88 seconds to win the 800-meter run at Friday's Hastings Team Invitational, set­ ting a new meet record in the process. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) o w* w In the 4x100 they finished in 51.35 and the 4x200 in 1 minute 49.39 seconds. Roosien set her PR in the 200-meter dash with a win­ ning time of27.23 seconds. Teed added, “our fearsome foursome ran the sprint relays with great chemistry and ran really well. They can do it all. I think I could even put them in the 3200-meter relay and they would run a nice time. Friddie medaled in all four events as a freshman. She was in three events and I thought ‘she is too talented to not do a fourth’ so we had her run a 100meter. We said ‘just sprint’ and that is what she did and is now ninth on our top 10 list.” The boys’ team placed second Friday night while edging out two DI schools and two ranked D2 schools. The Saxon boys finished with 837.5 points behind DI Hud­ sonville who scored 924 points. The last race of the night, the 1600-meter relay, was a photo finish between the two schools, with the Saxon relay team coming up two hun­ dredths of a second short and finishing in second place. The relay team of Robby Slaughter, Layton. Eastman, Jett Barnum; and Kearan Tolles had a time of 3:32.75 to Hudsonville’s 3:32.73. Coach Teed noted, “the boys’ team had some pretty tough competition. DI Hudson­ ville won the meet and they will be ranked in the top 10 for DI. Charlotte is in our region­ al and they are a favorite to win our region. Vicksburg also has hopes to win their region­ al. We have really good depth in all the events. The one area we don’t have a domi­ nant #1 is in the sprints, but we have six guys who all sprint well. Some of our big hitters - Slaughter, Tolles, Eastman and [Daniel] Weatherly — did their thing, but I was also impressed by the competitiveness of our depth guys - [Nate] Kohmescher, [Jonah] Teed, Barnum, [Charles] Nickels and [Adam] Jacob. “To get this team to qualify for the MITCA State Meet we are going to need a discus thrower to unleash a big throw and another vaulter to step up Those are the two spots we can improve the most.” Weatherly led the Saxons in the discus with a throw of 116 feet 9 inches that put him in seventh place in that event. He won the shot put competition with a mark of43-3.5. Senior Adam Jacob and sophomore Isaac Friddie did have their best discus throws of the season. Slaughter and Tolles both set new meet records and finished first for the day. Slaugh­ terjumped 14 feet 3.5 inches in pole vault to win the event and take the meet record and finished sixth in the longjump. Tolles ran a 2 minutes 1.88 seconds in the 800-meter run for a new meet record and first place finish. The Saxon team also had senior Caleb Gut­ towsky and sophomore Draven Pennock improve their personal record in the pole vault by clearing 9-9. Medaling for the Saxon boys’ team were: Charles ar es Nickels, ce s,w wlio o finished, n se ,secon,n second, in high g jump arid 6th in the 400-meter; Eastman fim ished second in the 110m hurdles arid second in the 300-meter hurdles; Aiden SaintAmour finished sixth in the 200-meter; Riley Shults finished sixth in the 1600-meter; Kohmescher finished third in the 110-meter high hurdles; and Barnum finished third in the highjump. The 800-meter Saxon relay team of Slaughter, Kohmescher, Eastman and Reu­ ben Solmes finished sixth; the 3200-meter relay team of Nickels, Jonah Teed, Caleb LaBoe and Tolles finished fifth place, and the 1600-meter relay team of Slaughter, East­ man, Barnum and Tolles placed second for the night. The Saxon teams will host their first Inter­ state 8 Conference Tri Meet on Tuesday April 25 at Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. DK girls hammer out two more victories at Martin, now 6-0 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Panthers battered the area behind the fence Tuesday in a non-conference doubleheader at Martin. The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team improved to 6-0 on the young season with 31-3 and 20-1 wins over the Clippers. The Panthers hit eight home runs in the two games and have now outscored their opponents 111-5 *w1/.** w1/. BW ^*55^ B-W !^>*5|P5^” Hastings junior Isabelle Roosien takes the baton from teammate Madison Nino in the first exchange of the 4x100-meter relay Friday at the Hastings Team Invitational. The two were a part of 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relay wins for the Hastings girls on the night. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) this season. Abby Fichtner hit three ofthe Panther home runs, including one on top of the second story gym roofin left field. Jordan Lyons had three home runs too, one of which was an inside the parkjob. Allison Brandli and Mya Brickley hit homers as well. Delton Kellogg head coach Jesse Lyons said it was an all around great effort by his girls, who won the Barry County Invi- 1^.gfl gfl * ****. *.ifi i fc*i•*• *•*• sriariniriiaUsLast ' 'tansrsiift I MM uni S I I m >33 Sa Sa J*"1 tational in Hastings Saturday. Both Brickley and Lizzy Stonebumer had great command pitching from the circle according to their coach. The Delton Kellogg girls will face some oftheir toughest competition ofthe season so far when they host Watervliet for a doubleheader this afternoon, April 20, and will be at Bailey Park in Battle Creek for the Gull Lake Invitational Sat­ urday. Alters*'* - "’ll The Village of Freeport is soliciting sealed proposals for 2023 Wellhouse Improvements. Items of work include installing variable frequency drives (VFDs) on the production well pumps, replacing the chlorine pumps, replacing the well control panel and autodialer, installing new lighting, installing a remote pressure monitoring point, and all relatred work. Sealed proposals will be received by the Village of Freeport at the Village Office, located at 209 S State St, Freeport Michigan 49325 until 11:00 a.m. local time, May 16,2023 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Saxon tennis squad makes quick work of Ottawa Hills in 7-1 victory Contract Documents may be obtained at the offices of or viewed online* at the following locations: • Williams and Works, 549 Ottawa NW, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503, (616) 224-1500, • http://william8-works.com/ftbid8* Builders Exchange of Grand Rapids, 678 Front Ave. NW #330, Grand Rapids, Ml 49504* • Builders Exchange of Kalamazoo, 3431 East Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, Ml 49001* • Builders Exchange of Lansing 1240 East Saginaw, Lansing, Ml 48906* Each proposal shall be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond by a recognized surety in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total of the bid price. After the time of opening, no bid may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days. The Village of Freeport reserves the right to accept any bid, reject any or all bids, to waive informalities and make the award in any manner deemed in the best interest of the Village of Freeport Village of Freeport BY ORDER OF: Bill Andrews Village President Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings was looking forward to getting in a dual with Pennfield Wednesday afternoon in Battle Creek to open the 2023 Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season. Saxon varsity girls’ tennis coach Andrew Haines was expecting the green and gold Panthers to be his girls’ first big test ofthe season. The Saxons opened the season with non-conference wins over Wayland and Ottawa Hills. Hastings is in action again in the 1-8 this afternoon, April 20, taking on Coldwater. Hastings made quick work ofOttawa Hills in a dual last Thursday, outscoring the Bengals 7-1. Saxon third singles player Calin Redman played the longest match of the evening as she fought through a number ofdeuce points with the Bengals’ Jennifer Dinh in what was eventually a 6-2, 6-1 win for Redman. Hastings swept the doubles flights and won the second, third and fourth singles matches Thursday. Cariota Espi Vano won 6-0, 6-0 for Hast­ ings at second singles and MJ Deal scored a 6-1, 6-0 win at number four singles. The top three Saxon doubles teams didn’t drop a single game. Bailey Cook and Erin Daniels, the Saxon senior duo at first doubles, needed only about 20 minutes for their 6-0, 6-0 win. Megan Rowley and Sophia Ahearn at second doubles and Audrey Vertalka and Julia McLean at number three also cruised to victories. The Hastings fourth doubles team ofLilyan Solmes and Grace Curtis scored a 6-3, 6-1 win. “I thought when we played Wayland prior to spring break, we started slow and that cost us matches, so it was important that the whole team started faster and kept the pedal down from start to finish against Ottawa,” Haines said. “I think the scores show”that they responded to the challenge well. The Saxons’ lone loss came at first sin­ gles where junior Abby Beemer was bested by the Bengals’ talented freshman number one Divyana Varma 6-3, 6-1. “I would. expect that Varma will be a force to contend with within the OK Confer­ ence for many years to come,” Haines said. wk L �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — Page 11 Lion ladies win, lose and draw in first week of conference soccer Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley varsity girls’ soccer team is 1-1-1 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference after splitting a pair ofmatches in the opening week ofconference play and then finishing in a 1-1 tie with Potterville Tuesday night. The Lions took a 2-1 win over Perry at Full­ er Street Field April 11 then fell to Olivet back m Nashville Thursday evening, April 13, 9-1. Senior Lydia Schilz scored the game win­ gfog goal against the Ramblers in the closing minutes, finishing off a free kick from team­ mate Claire Seume. “They really enjoyed it. They were relishing the fact that they were in first place for a day or two,” Maple Valley head coach Richard Seume said ofhis girls. j. Claire Seume scored the opening goal ofthe game, offan assist from Schilz. Perry answered to tie the ballgame 1-1. “We played within ourselves and played a little bit smaller, and kept the passes manage­ able instead oftrying to hit the home run all the time,” coach Seume said. The Lions coach said when his girls did try and shoot long passes ahead those were from the middle to the offensive third in the win over Perry. In the loss to Olivet Thursday, he thought his girls missed that middle step a bit. They also played a bit tentative. Olivet scored the game’s first goal as Evey Stenger found the net offan assist from team­ mate Alex Richardson. The Lions answered less than two minutes later, in the 23rc* minute ofplay, with senior Melaina Granger chipping a shot from outside the 18 over the top ofthe Olivet keeper. A miscue in the back end on a goal kick by the Lions led to a steal by Jocelyn Rolston three minutes later, and she put a shot by Lion keeper Holly Rosin to get her team back in front. Rosin hadjust come up with a big 1-v-l save against Richardson. The Eagle team had seven different girls score its nine goals. Victoria Murphy and Eagles show why they’re GLAC favorites again in besting Lions Brett Bremer Maple Valley sophomore Julia Mater (front) fights to get by Olivet's Victoria Murphy to get to the ball during their GLAC/CMAC contest at Fuller Street Field in Nashville Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Rolston had two goals each. Richardson, Lily Weaver, Kristen Griffen and Avery Brand each also scored once for the Eagles. Rosin was busy in her net all evening, and is still learning the position. She made a few good athletic saves, but also had a few moments where she was a bit tentative in com­ ing off her line to control her box. All the Lions are learning. There are seven under­ classmen on the roster. Olivet led the match 4-1 at the half. Coach Seume thought his girls played a bit tentative against the Eagles. “I am glad they never-quit tonight, but there were some mental issues, just mental mis­ takes,” he said. The Maple Valley girls will be at Lakewood tonight, April 20 and also have a non-conference game on the schedule at Bronson Friday, April 21. Sports Editor Olivet took a few more strides on the way to closing out the Greater Lansing Activities Conference by defending its track and field titles Tuesday at Maple Valley High School. The Eagle varsity boys’ and girls’ track and field teams both scored victories over the host Lions to improve to 2-0 in confer­ ence duals this season. Neither Olivet team was bested last spring in the conference. The top finish for the Maple Valley girls’ team came from freshman Athena Morehouse who cleared the bar at 6 feet in the pole vault to place third in that event. The Lion ladies had a couple ofperson­ al records on the day too. Junior Madison Koons ran her fastest 100-meter dash yet in 14.85 seconds and her top 300-meter low hurdles race with a time of 1 minute.7 seconds. The pole vault was one ofthe top point scoring events for the Lions. Junior Nic Martin won the boys’ pole vault by clear­ ing 9-6. Maple Valley also had junior Evan Brandenburg win the long jump with a personal record mark of20-8. He beat his previous best by an inch. Sophomore Jeremiah Penny ran to a runner-up time of 58.20 in the 400-meter dash for the Lion boys and junior James Penny placed third in the 200-meter dash in 26.73. Senior Adam Blakely placed third in the 3200-meter run in 16:22.16 for the Lion 1 boys. Olivetjunior Lucas Hopkins and senior Caleb Molek both won two individual events on the track. Molek took the 1 IO­ meter high hurdles in 17.96 and the 300meter low hurdles in 46.76. Hopkins won Delton baseball beats up on Black River and the Martin boys Brett Bremer Mortal W "kJtehite- • n 'nnnwiasrizr.'Kffl- Irsm * •■£ lit fcfer Sarau-. * SportsEditor '1 The1 Eifelton Kel 1 o'^g1 vdrsit^1 baseball1 ieam ,, '' ' keeps rolling. ।( / The Panthers ran their record to 6-0 with a sweep ofMartin in a doubleheader hosted by the Clippers Tuesday. DK took the opener 8-6 and then smacked a 14-2 win in game two. Martin scored the first four runs in the opener. Delton Kellogg battled back with two runs in the top ofthe fourth and three in the top ofthe fifth to take a 5-4 lead, only to see the Clippers rally for two runs in the bottom ofthe fifth for a 6-5 edge oftheir own. Delton Kellogg took the lead for good with a three-run seventh inning in with the Pan­ thers were hit with pitches three times and managed just one hit of their own. Adrian DeBoer singled and then Wyatt Colwell and Torren Mapes were hit by pitches to load the bases with one out in the top ofthe seventh. A grounder to first by Mitchell Swift brought home DeBoer from third to tie the bailgame at 3-3. With the bases still loaded with two out, Victor Gonzalez got the game-winning RBI when he was hit by a pitch. A walk to Tristin Boze pushed across another Panther run. DeBoer doubled, singled and scored 2 runs ihf"th6‘ Wifr. ColWeilc‘h4d 'two singles,^Jaiid Boze, Philip FfaicoitiS and Elliott Rodgers each singled once. Boze also walked twice in the lead-off spot for the Panthers. Colwell got the win on the mound. He struck out 9 and walked 4 in 4.2 innings. He walked 4 and gave up 4 hits. Of the 6 runs against him, only 2 were earned. Boze struck out 5 and walked 4 in his 2.1 innings on the mound. Lead-offman Haylen Buell was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and 2 RBI for the Clippers. He also started on the mound for his team. Haylen also took the loss in relief of Drake Buell. Drake threw 6 innings, striking out 9 and walking 3. He allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits and was charged with 3 unearned runs. Delton Kellogg led 14-2 when game two was called for darkness. The Panthers also took two wins over Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Hol­ land Black River last Thursday, April 13. The Panthers defeated the River Rats 10-3 and 7-6 in the two ballgames in Holland. DeBoer got the win,' in the opener. He didn’t allow ai^ggrnedgin in hi&siajpnings on the mound. jSe sViW'out 11 anTwalked 2' yvhile giving up 3 iits. Rodgers-'threw a, scoreless inning ofrelief in which he walked 2 and struck out 2. Halcomb and Gonzalez led the Panthers at the plate. Halcomb was 3-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI. HE scored 1 run. Gonzalez was 4-for-4 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Boze had 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Cole Lane, Rodgers, DeBoer, Dylan Fichtner and Grant McArthur all singled once for DK. Delton fought off a late charge from Black River in the bottom of the fifth to win the second ballgame by a rim. DK led 7-3 going into the bottom of the fifth when the River Rats tacked on three more runs. Rodgers fought them off for the five-in­ ning, complete game Win. He struck out 6, walked three and allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits. The DK offense scored its seven runs with five singles as the teain’s only hits. Boze, Halcomb, Lane, DeBoer and R Bardo had one hit each. Lane drove in 2 runs and Boze and DeBoer each had an RBI. Championship teams well ahead of the pack at Lakewood Invitational a fee Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Otsego girls and Hamilton boys finished well ahead ofthe field Saturday at the Lakewood Invitational. The Lakewood boys were fifth and the girls seventh. The Otsego girls dominated in earning 1,161 points. Sparta was second with 854.5 points, ahead of Ionia 834.5, Mason 763, Lakewood 642.5, Marshall 556.5, West Michigan Aviation 551.5, Grand River Prep 289 and Maple Valley 205.5. Freshman Emma Hoffman had the only individual victory on the track for the Otsego girls’ team. She won the 3200-meter run in 111 minutes 43.99 seconds after teaming with juniors Logan Brazee, Megan Germain and sophomore Taylor Mitchell to win the 4x800-meter relay in 10:18.59. The Bulldogs had a huge day in the throws to pile up points. Senior Haley Guerrant won the shot put with a mark of40 feet 5.25 inch­ es and the discus at 122-3. The Bulldogs went 1-2-3 in the scoring in the shot put and 1-2-4 in the discus. Lakewood junior Annabelle Stank was the runner-up to Guerrant in the discus with a throw of97-4.5 and the Viking team also had Morgan Tidd ninth and Lydia Markwart tenth. Otsego girls won four of the five field events. Junior Olivia Dennis took the pole vault by clearing 8-6. That heightt was matched by Lakewood freshman Taylor Car- -J** *w penter, who earned the runner-up points with her personal record vault. The Viking team also had senior Madison Bierens sixth in the pole vault with a height of7-0. Nyla Reed took the long jump for Otsego with a mark of 16-11. Dennis added a run­ ner-upjump of4-10 in the highjump. Viking senior Reagan Lab was fifth in the highjump, getting over the bar at 4-6 and Jette Juergenmeier placed eighth at 4-4. The top finish on the track for the Maple Valley girls came fromjunior Madison Koons who placed seventh in the 300-meter low hurdles in 1:00.89. The top relay finish for the Lakewood ladies was from the 4x200-meter relay team of Hayley Merryfield, Lilly Burgess, Juergenmeier and Stine Mackeprang that placed fourth in 2:02.91. Sophomore Taylor Russell was sixth in the 100-meter dash for the Lakewood ladies in 13.81 and Merryfield had a tenth-place time of 32.29 in the 200. Burgess added a ninth­ place time of 3:02.89 in the 800-meter run, which is a new PR for her. Freshman Athena Morehouse had one of the Maple Valley girls’ top finishes ofthe day in the 200 placing eighth in 31.68. The Hamilton boys won with 1,122.5 points ahead of Otsego 880, Mason 849.5, Marshall 841.5, Ionia 836, Sparta 833, Lakewood 566, West Michigan Aviation 522, Grand River Prep 272.5 and Maple Valley 219. Third place finishes by the Vikings Ethan Weller in the long jump and Elijah Jablonski in the high jump were tne top finishes for the Lakewood boys’ team.) Weller flew 20-4 in the longjump and Jablonski cleared the bar at 6-0 to improve his PR in the high jump. Sophomore Donny ny Wells Wes had ad top six s fin­ ishes in two sprints. He improved hiss PR to 53.12 in the 400-meter lash to place fourth in that race. He was sixth in the 100-meter dash with a personal record Irun of 11.91. Senior Ethan Weller led the Vikings in the 200-meter dash with a personal record time of24.64. Hamilton junior Benjamin Boehm pow­ ered his team with a victory in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.20 and a winning 200meter dash time of 23.30. Senior teammate Parker Matheny set hi PR in the 400-meter dash with a winning tipie of51.73. The Hawkeye team had an impressive 1-2-3 finish in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, won by senior Paul Theodore in 43.13. Theodore was I the runner-up in the 110-meter high hurdiestoo in 15.99. Lakewood junior Shane Raffler was seventh in the 110-meter hurdles in 18.51 and eighth in the 300 hurdles in 47.1. Wells, Jablonski, Calder Villanueva and Colt Endsley had the] top relay finish for Lakewood, placing sixth in the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:46.06. Junior Evan Brandenburg had the top fin­ ish ofthe day for the Maple Valley boys.He was fourth in the long jump with a mark of 19-10. Nic Martin, a junior, was fifth in the pole vault clearing the bar at 10-0. Maple Valley's Robert Schilz makes his way around a turn during the 800meter run Tuesday in the Lions' GLAC dual with Olivet at Maple Valley High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) & MAPLE VALLEY Maple Valley junior Madison Koons rounds the comer during the 300-meter low hurdles race Tuesday against Olivet. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the 800-meter run in 2:04.54 and the 1600 in 4:48.30. Hopkins beat junior teammate Conner Fountain by just under five seconds in the 1600, and Fountain went on to win the 3200-meter run in 10:45.60. Wyatt Pocklington led a sweep of the 100-meter dash scoring spots for the Eagles with a personal record time of 11.96. Junior Hayden Redfield won the 200-meter dash in 26.17 and sophomore Paul DeVito took the 400-meter dash in 56.80. Eagle teams won all four relay races. In the field, the Eagles had Drew Priddy take the shot put at 45-4.5, Eli Banko the discus at 112-2 and Noah Young the high jump with a personal record leap of 5-6. The Eagle boys won by the score of 121-15. The Olivet girls’ team had sophomore Cassie Coleman win a couple, races. She took the 200-meter dash in 29.04 and the 400-meter dash in 1:07.19. Senior McKen­ zie Speer win the 100-meter dash in 13.93, junior Olivea Gessner the 800-meter run in 2:36.36 and freshman Haylie Vanderwal the 1600-meter run in a personal record time of7:12.21. Freshman Emily Peters won both dies races taking the 100-meter hurdles in 17.78 and the 300-meter low hurdles in 49.51. Like the boys, the Olivet girls won all' four relay races. Senior Payton Otto took the shot put with a mark of 37-2.5 for Olivet and the discus at 132-9. Teammates Sophia Pell and Megan Neitzel both cleared 4-8 to tie atop the highjump standings. Senior Alys­ sa Kennedy cleared 7-6 in the pole vault to win that event for the Eagles and Neitzel won the long jump at 15-3. The final score in the girls’ meet was 123-1. LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning Board ofAppeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number V-6-2023 - Alicia Tyler (Appli- cant/Property Owner) Location: 11410 Loon Call Dr. Delton Ml 49046 Section 11 of Barry Township. Purpose: Request a variance to construct a ga­ rage with a 9.4 foot front yard setback (the mini­ mum is 20 ft) and a 5 foot side yard setback (the minimum is 6 foot) in the RL (Recreational Lake) STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29431-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 zoning district. Case Number V-7-2023 - Douglas DeHaan/ DeHaan Builders, Inc.(Applicant); Dirk and Liesl Pruis Trust (Property Owner) Location: Parcel 2 Tall Oaks Shelbyville Ml 49344 Section 6 Orangeville Township Purpose: Request a variance to construct a de­ tached garage with a setback of 3.6 foot from the unknown and whose interest in the matter may be road right of way (the minimum is 10 ft) in the RL (Recreational Lake) zoning district. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. MEETING DATE:May 8,2023. UMfi: 7:00 PM. PLACE: Tyden Center, Community Room, Lilimae Marie Paciorkowski to Lilimae Marie West 121 South Church Street, Hastings, barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on May 10, 2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite Doherty to change the name of: Michigan 490S8 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrycounty.ora. The variance application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or calling the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk In the matter of Lilimae Marie Paciorkowski. TO ALL PERSONS, including whose address is 198315 SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting April 11, 2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. Seven board members present Approved all consent agenda Items Approved insurance quote Approved signs for Cemetery Approved moving August meeting date Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 8:03 pm Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor 198337 �Pace 12 — Thursday, April 20. 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active dirty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM , May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made In the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Brenda Lee Kirk, an unmarried woman to Fifth Third Mortgage - Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated September 25, 2007, and recorded on October 8, 2007, as Document Number 20071008-0002848, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Fifth Third Bank NA by an Assignment of Mortgage dated August 03, 2022 and recorded August 11, 2022 by Document Number: 2022-008523, , on which mortgage there Is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Sixty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Nine and 72/100 ($62,249.72) Including Interest at the rate of 6.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated In the Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at a point 135 feet South of the Northeast corner of Main Street and the North Section line of Section 36, or at an Iron stake or point 6 feet North of the Northwest corner of foundation of the house on said lot; thence East 132 feet; thence South 50 feet; thence West 132 feet; thence North 50 feet to the place of beginning; also the South 15 feet of lot commencing at an Iron stake 10 feet North ofthe Northwest corner of stone foundation of house and stake being about 84 feet, more or less, South of the Center line road, running from said stake West to Main Street; thence South 75 feet; thence East 132 feet; thence North 75 feet; thence West to the place of beginning. Commonly known as: 814 NORTH MAIN ST., NASHVILLE, Ml 49073 Ifthe property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property Is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, ifthe property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower® will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: April 13, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Fifth Third Bank NA 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield PMls, Wtirirs: 9:00 OW • 5:00 p.m. Case No. 22MI00552-2 (04-13X05-04) 197996 NOTICE Attention homeowner. Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or. if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on MAY 4, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Lyle Thomas and Mona Lea Kelly-Thomas, husband and wife, to Ameriquest Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated July 21, 22004 and recorded August 2, 2004 in Instrument Number 1131733 and re-recorded on August 24, 2004, in Instrument Number 1132917, Barry County Records, Michigan Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Inc., Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-R9, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Seventy-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Two and 47/100 Dollars ($78,252.47). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MAY 4,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: The South 1/2 of Lot 905 and the South 49 feet of the North 1/2 of Lot 905 of the City of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof. 428 S. Church St., Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 12 months from the date ofsuch sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: April 6,2023 File No. 23-002547 Finn Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (04-06)(04-27) 197586 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the cIrcult court in Barry County, start!ng promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name® of the mortgagor®: Kyle Sexton, a married man and Sarah Sexton, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 13,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 16,2015 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $112,133.60 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing at the Northeast comer of Section 4, Town 1 North, Range 9 West, Barry Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 415 feet along centerline of Kingsbury Road for a Place of Beginning; thence West 661 feet thence South 660 feet; thence East 661; thence North 660 feet to the Place of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 10120 Kingsbury Rd, Delton, Ml 49046-8527 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property Is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 6,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1494985 (04-06X04-27) 197489 Notice o ce o of Foreclosure orec osure by y AdvertJs*men' Notice Is given g under section ^212 of therev judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will w be foreclosed y a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part o them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder t for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM,, on May 11,2023. ,. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information: Name(s) of the mortgagor®: Bruce Sherman and Kelly Rutter-Sherman, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (If any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 4,2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: December 4,2020 Amount claimed due on date ofnotice: $42,857.20 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated In Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Parcel 1: Commencing 206 feet East ofthe Northwest comer ofthat part ofthe North Fractional 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, lying Westerly of M-37 for place of beginning; thence South 300 feet; thence West 206 feet; thence North 100 feet; thence East 100 feet; thence North 200 feet; thence East 106 feet to the place ofbeginning. Parcel 2: Commencing at the Northwest comer of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, and running thence East along the North Section line 100 feet; thence South 200 feet; thence West 100 feet; thence North and along the West line of Section 200 feet to the place of beginning Common street address (if any): 996 E Sager Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-9309 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 6,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1494887 (04-06)(04-27) 197449 Provided by the Harry County offices of Edward Jones_ Andrew Cove, AAMS® Member SIPC 00 W W*„S State StatetatoB Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 197317) (248)642-2515 1494420 (03-30)(04-20) J 197297 (269) 945-4702 . Earth Day lessons for investors It’s almost Earth Day, when people around the world focus on ways of protecting and preserving the environment. And the lessons from this occasion can be applied to other areas of life — suchas investing. Here are some themes to consider: • Sustainability — From an environmental perspective, sustainability encompasses a range of issues, such as using natural resources wisely. As an investor, you, too, need to protect your resources. So, for example, to sustain a long­ term investment strategy, you won’t want to dip into your retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k), to pay for major home or car repairs or other unexpected, costly bills before retirement. You can help prevent this by building an emergency fund containing several months’ worth ofliving expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. And once you’re retired, you need to sustain your portfolio so it can help provide income for many years. For that to happen, you’ll need to maintain a withdrawal rate that doesn’t deplete your investments too soon. • Growth potential - Many people plant trees to celebrate Earth Day, with the hope that, as the trees grow, they’ll contribute to cleaner air. When you invest, you also need growth potential ifyou’re going to achieve your goals, including a comfortable retirement. So, your portfolio will need a reasonable percentage of growth-oriented vehicles, such as stocks and stock-based mutual funds or exchangetraded funds (ETFs). Yet, you do need to be aware that these investments can lose value, especially during downturns in the financial markets. You cari help reduce the impact of market turbulence on your holdings by also owning other types of investments, such as bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit (CDs). While these investments can also lose value, they are typically less volatile than stocks and stock­ based mutual funds and ETFs. The appropriate percentage of growth and fixed-income investments in your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term objectives. • Avoidance of "toxins” At some Earth Day events, you can learn about positive behaviors such as disposing of toxic items safely. And in the investment world, you’ll also want to avoid toxic activities, such as chasing “hot” stocks that aren’t appropriate for your needs, or trading investments so frequently that you run up commissions and taxes or jumping out of the markets altogether when there’s a Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by c , Notice of Foreclosure by AdvertbRement yNotie^ ^fio^e-c--l-o--s--u--r-eJ bySAdvertisemen^Ai ^o ta.sale of the mortgaged premisesv or some part of Noti—ce i-s =g»i■v-e-n _un_d_e_r_ s_e_c_t_io__n_-3_2_1_2__of_ t_h_e__re_virs-erdc j them, at a public auction-sale to the highest biddenNotice is given under seption 3212 of the revised jt^M^ure act of 19'61,WflPA>^B?MCL600.32t<^>'inF1ijI!iajdfe]feWcRl961,1961 ajdfe]feWcRl961,1961 PA 2fi6, MCL 600.3^12, for or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by 1:00 PM, on May 11, 2023. The amount due on the a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder the highest bid at the sale does not automatically for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly the circuit court in Barry County,-starting promptly at the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to at 1:00 PM, on April 27, 2023. The amount due on 1:00 PM, on April 27, 2023. The,amount due on the contact the county register of deeds office or a title the mortgage may be greater on the day of the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing insurance company, either of which may charge a sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not the highest bid at the sale does not automatically fee for this information: automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear Name® of the mortgagor®: Thomas Washbum entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of Jr and Erika Washburn, Husband and Wrfe ownership of the property. A potential purchaser the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic is encouraged to contact the county register of contact the county register of deeds office or a title Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as deeds office or a title insurance company, either insurance company, either of which may charge a nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or of which may charge a fee for this information. fee for this information: assigns Name® of the mortgagor®: Charles Harvath, III Name® of the mortgagor®: Aaron Lambert, a Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PennyMac Loan aka Charles Harvath and Roberta Harvath, Husband married man and Tera Lambert, his wife Services, LLC and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Original Mortgagee: e: Mortgage Electronic Date of Mortgage: November 2,2017 Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender Date of Mortgage Recording: November 3,2017 nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., its successors and lender’s successors and/or assigns Amount claimed due on date of notice: $146,241.96 and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated Mortgage, LLC, FKA Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Servicing, LLC in Township of Castleton, Barry County, Michigan, Mortgage: November 21, 2018 Date of Mortgage Date of Mortgage: September 26,2014 and described as: The North 12 acres of the West Recording: December 3, 2018 Amount claimed Date of Mortgage Recording: October 1,2014 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section due on mortgage on the date of notice: $84,705.10 Amount claimed due on date ofnotice: $82,719.62 6, Town 3 North, Range 7 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated West, Castleton Township, Barry County, the Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and Michigan, excepting a piece of land 16 rods East and are described as: Lot 13 of Loehr’s Landing, described as: That part ofjBlocks 30 and 31, Eastern and West by 20 rods North and South out of the according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded Addition to the City, formerly Village of Hastings, Northwest comer of above described premises. Also excepting a piece of land 12 rods square out of in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 61. Commonly Known according to the recordedjplat thereof, described as: the Northeast comer of above described premises. Commencing at the Southeast comer of Lot 6, Block as: 2982 Loehrs Landing Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058 Common street address (if any): 5290 Coats The redemption period shall be 6 months from the 31, Eastern Addition: thence North 4 rods; thence Grove Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-8431 date of such sale, unless determined abandoned West to the East boundary of Hanover Street; thence The redemption period shall be 6 months from the in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case Southerly along the East boundary of Hanover date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in the redemption period shall be 30 days from the Street to the intersection of Hanover Street and accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the South Street; thence Eastjto the place of beginning. real property is used for agricultural purposes as notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever Common street address (if any): 1025 S Hanover defined by MCL 600.3240(16). is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2320 If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, The redemption period shall be 6 months from the pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL date of such sale, unless Determined abandoned In responsible to the person who buys the property at 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage the person who buys the property at the mortgage real property is used for] agricultural purposes as holder for damaging the property during the foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for defined by MCL 600.324C[16). redemption period. damaging the property during the redemption period. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Attention homeowner: If you are a military service Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by Chapter 32 of the Revise d Judicature Act of 1961, member on active duty, if your period of active duty the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that pursuant to MCL 600.327 J the borrower will be held has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely responsible to the persor -vyho buys the property at been ordered to active duty, please contact the to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further the telephone number stated in this notice. holder for damaging I lie property during the This notice is from a debt collector. recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or redemption period. the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner: If Attention homeowner: /ou are a military service Date of notice: April 13,2023 you are a military service member on active duty, if member on active duty, If) our period of active duty Trott Law, P.C. your period of active duty has concluded less than has concluded less than 9( days ago, or ifyou have 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, been ordered to active c Jty, please contact the Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing attorney for the party fore closing the mortgage at (248) 642-2515 the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this the telephone number stati d in this notice. notice. This notice is from a debt collector. 1495267 This notice Is from a del: t collector. Date of notice: 03/30/2023 (04-13)(05-04) Date of notice: March 30,2 )23 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 197780 Trott Law, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 31440 Northwestern Hwy, I uite 145 248-853-4400 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 314873 (03-30)(04-20 EMF* temporary decline. • Consolidation - Getting rid of clutter and unnecessary possessions is another lesson some people take away from Earth Day. All of us, when we look around our homes, could probably find many duplicate items — do we really need two blenders or three brooms or five staplers? When y you invest, it’s also surprisingly easy to pick up “clutter” in the form of multiple accounts. You might have an IRA with one financial company and brokerage accounts with two or three others. If you were to consolidate these accounts with one provider, you might reduce correspondence — even if it is online — and possibly even lower the fees you pay. But perhaps more important, by consolidating these accounts at one place, possibly with the guidance of a financial professional who knows your needs and goals, you may find it easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy. Earth Day only happens once a year — but it may provide lessons for investors that can last a lifetime. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC 4^ 4 ;^o ;^onw*e 198118 0100®^ 9^ 0!osn (Ts-.srfs STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY s® si® NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust __________ __ In the matter of The Douglas H. Ayles and Marilee A Ayles Family Trust, dated February 22,2001/ J-b* OT .j TOALL CREDITORS: i 3. The decedent, Douglas H. Ayles, who died on September 9, 2012 and Marilee A. Ayles, who died on November 30,2022, who lived at 2450 Devine Road, Nashville, Michigan 49073, leaving a certain trust under the name of The Douglas H.Ayies iMnn-s ioA t isejt 1 ■ ■tgpsaulMli and Marilee A. Ayles Family Trust, dated February 22, 2001, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Darren M. Ayles was named as Successor Trustee serving at the time of or as a xaptnMMMdi nwfcfesjjaaHte result of the decedent’s death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust win ntto be forever barred unless presented to Darren M. Ayles, the named Successor Trustee, at Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law, 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: April 12,2023. Nathan E. Tagg (P68994) 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)948-2900 ^tKlin-FNMQiyisiQii Darren M. Ayles 4411 Assyria Road, Nashville, Ml 517-852-1632 198034 SiJBsn wwcown ^fflONOF^QF STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION AND NOTICE OF FRIEND OF THE COURT ANNUAL STATUTORY REVIEW 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE ANNUAL REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE RE­ CORD OF THE FRIEND OF THE COURT few® Pursuant to Michigan law, the chief circuit judge annually reviews the performance record of the friend ofthe court. The review will be conducted on or about July 1, 2023. This review is limited by law to the following criteria: whether the friend of the court is guilty of misconduct, neglect of statutory duty, or failure to carry out the written orders of the court relative to a statutory duty; whether the purposes of the Friend of the Court Act are being met; and whether the duties of the friend of the court are being carried out in a manner that reflects the needs ofthe com­ munity. Members of the public may submit written comments to the chiefjudge relating to these criter Send your written comments, with your name ria. and address, to Hon. William M. Doherty, 206 W. Court St., Hastings, Ml 49058. STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29451-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Cherie Lee Robins. TO ALL PERSONS, including whose address Is unknown and whose Interest In the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on May 10, 2023 @ 2:45 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Cherie Lee Robins to Cherie Lee Rowley. Bl1 SSliSty �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — Page 13 Saxon softball squad swept by first two conference opponents Hastings varsity softball team was swept in its first two doubleheaders of the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season. Pennfield took two in Hastings Thursday and the Saxons were bested in two at ColdCold­ water Tuesday afternoon. The Cardinals scored 17-1 and 20-0 wins over the Saxons. A Carly Frazer single for the Saxons was the lone hit for her team in the opener. Emily Simmons scored the Saxons’ one run. Hastings was held hitless in game two. Pennfield opened the conference season with 14-0 and 12-1 wins in Hastings. The Pennfield no-hit the Saxons in game one. In game two, Hastings got singles from Lucy Bar­ nard, Leyre Gonzales and Victoria Jerzyk. Cassidee Easey scored the Saxons’ Ione run on RBI from Gonzales in the bottom ofthe fifth inning. The Saxons host Charlevoix for a double­ header beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday and then will return to 1-8 play at Lumen Christi Tues­ day, April 25. The Hastings girls are currently 0-10 over­ all this season. Lakewood and Thomapple Kellogg bested the Hastings girls at Satur­ day’s Barry County Invitational at Hastings High School. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT and RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF JOINT ORDINANCE TQ AMEND HASTINGSRUTLAND JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION ZONING ORDINANCE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF HASTINGS AND THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the following joint ordinance was adopted by the Hastings City Council on April 10, 2023 and by the Rutland Charter Township Board on April 12, 2023: CITY OF HASTINGS & CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, STATE OF MICHIGAN RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE NO. 2023-186 ADOPTED BY TOWNSHIP BOARD: APRIL 12, 2023 EFFECTIVE DATE: APRIL 28, 2023 (or as otherwise provided by law) CITY OF HASTINGS ORDINANCE NO. 613 ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL: APRIL 10, 2023 EFFECTIVE DATE: APRIL 28, 2023 (or as otherwise provided by law) In the matter of Norine I Wilson Trust Trust dated Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1404 Estate of Gerald L. Knickerbocker. Date । September 28,2005. TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent Norine I. Wilson, bom October 15, 1926, who lived at 1808 Valley Pines Drive, Hastings, Michigan died March 18, 2023 leaving a certain trust under the name of Norine I. Wilson Trust, and dated September 28, 2005, of birth: 01/06/36. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Gerald L Knickerbocker, died 11/2/22. Creditors of the * hr h decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kody Knickerbocker, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, .M .M..ll ..44 99 00 55 8 8 and and.. .t.t.h.h.. e e personal personal rr e e p p rree ss ee n n.t.ta a.t.tiv iv..ee.. ..wi wi.t.th h.in .inii months after the date of publication of this notice. - - ----- - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 4 Date: 4-13-23 Timothy L Tromp P41571 501 W. State St, Hastings, Ml 49058 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2.02 PERTAINING TQ DEFINITIONS Date: April 10,2023. Robert L Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 The definition of “Family Day Care Home” in Section 2.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to read as follows: Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-9557 Dennis L Wilson, Jr. 8022 West Irving Road 269-267-8815 269-804-1118 Middleville, Ml 49333 198118 198013 NOTICE TO CREDITORS 'FAMILY DAY CARE HOME — A private home where not more than six minor children (or such other increased capacity number of minor children permissible under State Law) are received for care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours per day unattended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, marriage, or adop­ tion.” Trust Estate BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS SECT1QNJ2 IT ALL CREDITORS: Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29429-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 The Settlor, Larry Joe Vaughn, (date of birth) Mich. 49058, died 2/27/2023. There is no personal estate to whom Letters of Administration have been issued. Estate of Samuel F. Keller. Date of birth: 5-11-1956. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all TOALLOREPLTOWiaA helBh l?i nT v|n*iq4 titio hfiu Claims-’againstythe^Larry Joe MaughniTrust datecf‘lb<“**'i WilPMl^ baitM.-,,,,- 2 5:2028. JOtedfrofs, pf the deceoeHr are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Joseph J. Johnson, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2.02 PERTAINING TO DEHNIT1ONS 2/17/1943, who lived at 4600 Hilltop Rd., Hastings, representative of the settlor’s Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 s; —> SSs; THE CITY OF HASTINGS & THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAIN: SECTION 1 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT ’Xr—xxrms Btroxa xirtmjtes An Ordinance to amend Sections 2.02 and 6.02 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission (Rutland Charter Township Ordinance No. 2016-156, as amended/City of Hast­ ings Ordinance No. 532, as amended) pertaining to child day care home and qualified residential treatment program land uses. wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Dennis L Wilson, Jr. was named as the trustee serving at the time of or as a result of the decedents death. Creditors ofthe decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Dennis L Wilson, Jr. the named trustee at 8022 West Irving Road, Middleville, Michigan within 269-948-9400 Kody Knickerbocker 9545 East D Ave., Apt. 7, Richland, Ml 49083 h’s । JOINT ORDINANCE TO AMEND HASTINGS-RUTLAND JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION ZONING ORDINANCE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS unless presented to Successor Trustee, within four months after the date of publication. Notice is further given that the Trust will thereafter be assigned and distributed to the persons entitled The definition of “Group Day Care Home” in Section 2.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to read as follows: ’"GROUP DAY CARE HOME’ — A private home where more than six but less than 12 minor children ^OF siuoh otheF increased capectt^number of minor children permissible under state Law) are given care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day untended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, marriage, or adop­ tion.” to It. within 4 months after the .date of publication of this I OdBitoMMdftw MBVMcAI wfiitFVR wmogrt zfl&tafenr.WrtR Ma' tinge ta tour to il 3 nlteWtlil'qlM bik Date: 4/14/2023 David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 2430 4th Street 269-948-2900 Joseph J. Johnson 616-302-444 mm email:ivagage477@gmail.com STATE OF MICHIGAN STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF CASE NO. and JUDGE ANNUAL SWUM** Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 1 Hastings, Ml 49058 In the matter of Lindsey Marie Dyani Rudesill. TO ALL PERSONS, including whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: to** Ito* I Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Barbara J. Mix. Date of birth: January 19, Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 2021 p. C^.4 / • '• S'"0 Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 William M. Doherty - 1932. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Barbara J. Mix, died March 1, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 5-3­ forever barred unless presented to Cathrine J. Haylock, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty Marie Dani and the personal representative within 4 months after - has a trauma-informed treatment model, evidenced by the inclusion of trauma awareness, knowl­ edge, and skills into the program’s culture, practices, and policies; .. - has registered or licensed nursing or other licensed clinical staff on-site or available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who provide care in the scope of their practice as provided in parts 170,172, 181,182,182A, and 185 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.17001 to 333.17097, 333.17201 to 333.17242, 333.18101 to 333.18117, 333.18201 to 333.18237, 333.18251 to 333.18267, and 333.18501 to 333.18518; - integrates families into treatment, including maintaining sibling connections; - provides aftercare services for at least 6 months post discharge; the date of publication of this notice. to change the name of: Lindsey Section 2.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance is hereby arnended to add a definition for the new term “qualified residential treatment program” reading as follows: “QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM A program within a child caring institution as that term is defined in MCL 722.111 (1)(c) that provides services for 10 or fewer individuals which: Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29452-DE HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE 23-29413-NC BAflinrcowft.. BAflinrcow 198195 198222 STATE OF to1 AMENDMENT OF SECTION 2.02 PERTAINING TO DEFINITIONS Shelbyville, Mich 49344 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION 1 igU darnec t» ’’’ sections Iva June Gage (aka Gawel) Successor Trustee 269-569-6406 ■w « notice. Date: 4-14-2023 PO Box 373, Cloverdale, Ml 49035 ■-SCSrt SCSrt to* CITY OF HASTINGS LEGAL NOTICES (kJ's and 14 MB! Rudesill to Lynnze-Marie Dyani Rudeslll-Nuyen. Date: 04/17/2023 - is accredited by an independent not-for-profit organization as described in 42 USC 672(k)(4)(G). Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 Rhoades McKee, 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 • 269-945-1921 Cathrine J. Haylock fit** c/o Rhoades McKee, 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 • 269-945-1921 198206 This term does not include a detention facility, forestry camp, training school, or other facility oper­ ated primarily for detaining minor children who are determined to be delinquent; and also does not include adult foster care facilities licensed by a state agency for care and treatment of persons released from or assigned to adult correctional institutions.” SECTION4 Banner CLASSIFIEDS ^*5^ CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 ALTO COMMUNITY GARAGE April 28 and Sat., April 29,2023,9am-5pm. Times and availability may vary for individual residences. Includes community neighborhood, several rural resi­ dences, Alto Meadows Association and KDL Alto branch book sale. Maps marked with addresses of participating sellers will be available at sale locations. Bright yard signs will mark sale areas. SALES - Fri., f t ■ (F BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Oak, Tulip Poplar. pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley LogWalnut, White Call for ging; (269)818-7793. and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. Help Wanted in­ cludes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Benefits 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. GENERAL LABORER: JOB Section 6.02 of the Hastings-Rutland Joint Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the MU-Mixed Use District is hereby amended to add a new subsection AftB reading as follows: '26. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRICATION Garage Sale amendment qesechoio.o2 pertaining to permitted uses in mu-mixed use district Qualified Residential Treatment Program.' PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation orr discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.'' Familial status includes children under the tag dei of 18 living wwith t ith parents ll age parentsd or lega legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. b SECTION 5 EFFECTIVE DATE/REPEAL This Ordinance shall take effect on the latter of: (1)15 days after enactment by both the City and Township, or (2) the eighth day after publication of a notice of adoption of this Ordinance as required by law; provided, however, if a notice of intent to file a petition under MCL 125.3402 is timely filed with respect to this Ordinance and/or if the right of referendum under applicable provisions of the charter of the City of Hastings is timely initiated, this Ordinance shall then only take effect as provided by applicable provisions of MCL 125.3402 and/or the City charter, or as otherwise provided by law. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)948-2194 Christopher Bever, Clerk City of Hastings 201 E. State Street Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-2468 �//wy. / $w! $^w! Pa9® 14 — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner TKHS coach into MHSFCA Hall of Fame Brett Bremer Thomapple Kellogg varsity football assistant coach Tom Ellinger has been named as one of 14 members of the 2023 Class of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The MHSFCA 2023 Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for June 23 at the Detroit Marriott in Troy. Tickets for the event are $40 and are available for purchase on the MHSFCA website. Sports Editor Lakewood won four matches on the court and took a forfeit win at fourth doubles to score its first team victory ofthe 2023 spring season Wednesday, April 12,5-3 over visiting Lansing Christian. The Viking varsity girls’ tennis team took its four wins in straight sets and the Vikings battled at the three flights where they were defeated. All three Lansing Christian points came thanks to wins in super tiebreakers after split sets to start the afternoon. Lakewood got wins on the singles side from Lucia Rubio Velez at second singles and Jasmine Stewart at number three. Rubio Velez outscored the Pilgrims’ Avery Hartzler 6-1, 6-2. Stewart took a 6-3, 6-1 win over Laura Hetchler. On the doubles’ side, the Vikings got wins at number one and number two. Liv Everitt and Paige Wolverton stepped up into the number one spot for Lakewood on the day to score a 6-0, 6-0 win over Emma Maher and Jean Robinson. At number two, the Lake­ wood duo of Courtnie Mathe and Gabby Hansen took a 6-1,6-2 win over Allison Lug­ inbill and Avery Macias. Kenzie Everett and Josie Elenbaas took a forfeit win for the Vikings at fourth doubles. Lakewood fourth singles player Emily Pilar hits a serve during her win over Lansing Eastern Tuesday afternoon at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood first singles player Izzy Wheeler alnd fourth singles player Emily Pilar both raland ral­ lied for second set wins to force super tiebreak­ ers. Lansing Christian’s number one Rachel Banasik fought back for a 6-4, 5-7, (11-9) win. Leah Kain got the fourth singles win for the Pilgrims with a 6-1,2-6, (11-9) win. In the third doubles match, the Lakewood duo of Elsey Yeiter and Savanah Mendes took the opening set 6-3, but Lansing Chris­ tian’s Isabella Stephenson and Haley Howard surged for a 3-6, 6-4, (10-8) win. The Lakewood girls are now 2-2-1 overall this season. The Vikings got two oftheir three t planned matches in Saturday at their own Lakewood Invitational Pennfield scored an l8-0 win over the Vikings and the Lakewood ladies finished in a 4-4 draw with Ionia. The Vikings and Thomapple Kellogg Trojans were forced to end their match early due to rains that moved through the area. Lakewood returned to its home courts Tuesday for a quick 8-0 win over Lansing Eastern. The Vikings didn’t drop a set all afternoon against the Quakers and only dropped a few games overall. Lansing Eastern’s MiKayLee Fedele was able to give Wheeler a bit of a battle at first singles, but Wheeler fought her offfor a 6-2, 6-4 win. Rubio Velez knocked offAmani Wheeler 6-0, 6-1 in the second singles match; Stewart beat Avery Reed 6-0, 6-0 at number three; and Pilar scored a 6-1, 6-0 win over Ania Anderson at fourth singles. Lakewood’s first doubles team of Alli Pickard and Abby Pickard won 6-0, 6-0 as did the Viking fourth doubles team of Mathe and Josie Elenbaas. Everitt and Wolverton won 6-1, 6-0 at number two and Hansen and Emma Duffy scored a 6-1, 6-0 win at third doubles for the Vikings. Tyler Morris. Landon Steward got the start on the mound and took the loss. The Cardinals hit him for 7 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 6. Coldwater took a 10-0 win in five innings in game two. A single by Eastin Tibble was the only Saxon hit. It was a tough night for the Saxon defense, which made 8 more errors. Lars Sorensen didn’t give up an earned run, but was charged with six unearned runs in his 3 innings on the mound. He walked 3 and struck out 4. With the cancellation ofthe Barry County Invitational Saturday, the Saxons hosted Thomapple Kellogg for a non-conference doubleheader Friday. The Trojans took a 12-8 win in game one and a 5-1 victory in game two. Hastings is now 0-6 overall this season and 0-4 in the 1-8. Pennfield took 8-1 and 10-1 wins over the Saxons in Hastings last Thursday to start the conference season. $fe>‘ O’ , Aw%%jA<<dA%/?/? A f'Mx* Mexj AjAdAA 6W> $ $wv7 AaA&*4 >$ a4 ■%rfLu^LtifOT &■rfLfu^iL<tifO*T %J< **>RK >RK ,||*XX? BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ORDINANCE SUBMITTAL THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: TO: KLfLASn ™E ”°TICE proposed Ordinance #2023-187 appended hereto was introduced for first reading by the Rutland Charter Township Board at its April 12,-2023 meeting. This proposed ordinance will be considered for adoption by the Township Board at its scheduled regular meeting on May 10, 2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Charter Township Hall. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as s'9nezs s'9nezs , , !mpaired and audi0 tePes of Printed materials being considered at the meetinq to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to Rutland Charter Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township. aF°!^. not°~this Pur°P°sed ordinance is prepared in “legislative format”: new verbiage proposed to be aaaed is shown in bold type; any existing verbiage proposed to be deleted is shown lined-through. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 2023-187 (PROPOSED) ADOPTED: EFFECTIVE: imSittedd i th LI LS iht Iidtt2i l lDhie.tRiuttland Charter Township Code of ordinances ing to permitted uses in the LI Light Industrial District. THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAINS: W*^ ^*$^»** ^*^»* $ %*& *$ J*,!* $ J*!* tea**?u«^* #2^0 20 Lakewood girls win their first two GLAC/CMAC games of the season Brett Bremer Sports Editor -Dirough the firfl 160 ,minutestfof soccer ^.nct spnng break* the Lakewood varsity;' ginswoeCer team has yet t» allow a goal. The Lakewood ladies took back-to-back Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference action last week outscoring Potterville 5-0 at Lake­ wood High School Thursday, April 13, after a 6-0 win at Stockbridge Tuesday, April 11. Lakewood head coach Adrian Almas called Tuesday’s victory over Stockbridge a great team win, and after a blip in the first half against Potterville the Lakewood ladies found their groove again Thursday. “We really worked as a unit and fought for “eIvery ball,” Almas said of the win Tuesday. “It was a great confidence builder for the girls. There were some areas where we strug­ gled. We discovered that our outside backs pinch a little too high, and get beat handily. Something we are going to work on in prac­ tice [Friday].” Autumn Williams and Elaina Haring had two goals each in that win. Cadence Poll scored once as well. Maddy Hubbel had three assists for the Vikings. Lakewood led just 1-0 after the first half Thursday at home against Potterville. “The girls were forcing too many plays,” Almas said. “We had plenty of shots on goal, but just couldn’t finish. Their goalie was legit, but we probably could have had 4 or 5 goals in the first half, even despite how well she played.” He said his leaders stepped up in the sec- i“ irf.h. t» ± 1 ?i8trtiChet iR s uhtelarenb dy C ahmaretnedr eTdowtonsah didppp aC noedwe pseurbtsaeincitnioggn to a p“esrumbitsteecdt iu osnesF Inw the’ LI , re-letteredl^Hwn °nS ? and re-,ettered t0 t0 be be G G’ and and H--an and t0 ame"d aubaac«°n G fa . re-lettered), thus causing subsections F.-H. H. to read as follows: “F. Crop farming." ond halfand started turning things around to get his team to look like the one that clobbe--r-e--d---S--t-o"ckbriidggei - .“a»tUrackiwng g ,as a unit, fighting fd^V(aJthfog,Shd holding ea other other accountable accountable and and lifting lifting f^ttcnfwi f^ttcnfwi——% %MMfh fh-0-0er er up..”. ■ I Poll was on the bench to start the second half, and after a chat with coach Almas he said she really turned the game around for the Vikings. “She really controlled the play from the middle ofthe field,” Almas said. “The rest of the team really rallied around her first goal of the game, and especially Sadie’s [Brearley] first goal Of the season. Sadie has worked extremely hard, without anything to show for it, and finally cashed in.” Williams and Poll finished with two goals each. Haring had the other Lakewood goal. Hubbel had two more assists. Poll, Brearley and Ellie Benham had one assist each. . “The girls are finally starting to put the little things, like how to volley, how to pick a comer, those nit-picky things that make a huge difference,” Almas said. “The second halfwas another confidence builder. Howev­ er, we gotta solve our first half problem. We’ve gotta find a way to finish those oppor­ tunities against a team -that stacks the 18, which again we will work on [Friday].” Lakewood is now 2-1 in GLAC/CMAC play. The Vikings suffered their first confer­ ence defeat April 18, 5-1 at Leslie. The Vikings are scheduled to host Maple Valley this afternoon, April 20, and then travel to Portland for a non-conference match Friday. The Vikings are back in action Monday at Pennfield. FG. Accessory uses/buildings/structures; provided, however, that the keeping or raisinq live­ stock sa tsocakn aand ancdceoother stshoerry aagricultural ugsriecuolrtuortahleuuses rwseisse oth other Aelsro th than sa een §c crop 2ro2p 0-1fa farming 6r-m13inBg aare forer pnnot ootte aallowed nltlioawl iemd oiinnlitthchi hZiss ntdtdnist h nisoltmrim fict rv iectapsroanpiaoccnesfasoXryEus^earomr othe*rwi*se. 9UAildseo'isneeeS §22n0<-51W6-13.Be.X fpoarnpdointegnctioaml immeoirncliitcahlZislin vd eissotforict propion faXE^arm Eagles walk off in back and forth game two against Sacred Heart Brett Bremer ** 9Uide'ineS n<5W eXpanding commercial livestock -GH. Signs, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article XVIII. SECTION 2 BEPEAL OF CONFIICTING ORDINANCES: EFFECTIVE DATF Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland Sports Editor The Barry County Christian varsity base­ ball team got its first two wins ofthe season Tuesday knocking off Sacred HeartAcade­ my in two ballgames in Hastings. The Eagles took an 11-1 win in the opener and then battled for an 8-7 win in game two. The two teams were back and forth in game two. Sacred Heart built a 4-0 lead in the first two innings, but the Eagles sprang for seven runs in the bottom ofthe third. Sacred heart tied the game with three runs in the top of the fifth, but th? Eagles answered in the bottom ofthe fifth. 1 Joe Wise reached on an error to lead-off the bottom of the fifth of the five-inning game. He stole third and then scored on a Sacred Heart error for the walk-offwin. Nathan Loerop was 2-for-2 at the plate for the Eagles with a run and an RBI. Jonathan Hawkes, Grant VanderWoude and Teegan Whitmire had I hit each. VanderWoude and Whitmire had 2 RBI each. Loerop started on the mound. He allowed 2 earned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Sacred Heart scored 4 total runs against him. Hawkes threw 2 scoreless innings ofrelief, striking out 4 and not allowing a hit or a walk. Josiah Grzybowski came on for the fifth and blew his save chance, but earned the win instead. He allowed 2 earned runs on 2 walks and 1 hit. Dustin Lampart started the opener on the mound for the Eagles and got the win. He struck out 3, walked 3 and allowed 3 hits in 3 innings ofwork. The one run against him was unearned. He struck out 3. Whitmire threw a scoreless inning ofrelief, striking out 2. Barry County Christian had 7 hits and took advantage of7 Sacred Heart Academy errors. Wise was 2-for-2 at the plate with 2 runs ru scored. VanderWoude doubled and had an a RBI. Ryan Kammenzind was l-for-2 with a run and 2 RBI. Hawkes had 3 RBI. Isaiah Birmingham and Lampart also had hits. Lampart walked twice and scored 3 runs. Barry County Christian is scheduled to visit Algoma Christian Friday and then go to face the Kalamazoo Cougars Tuesday. *** *' S *5r ^w** LaKewooa second doubles player Alivia Everitt steps up for a backhand return during her win with teammate Paige Wolverton over the number two team from Lansing Eastern Tuesday afternoon at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) SECTION 1 AMENDMENT OF §220-12-2 fpermitted uses In LI Light Industrial District) J* %{ %{£ 119823; RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP J* %& ’% & Saxon baseball team still chasing first W The Hastings varsity baseball team fell by ten runs twice in its Interstate-8 Athletic Conference doubleheader Tuesday after­ noon at Coldwater. The Cardinals took a 12-2 win in the opener. The Saxons tied the ballgame at 2-2 in the top ofthe fifth inning, but Coldwater exploded for eight runs in the home halfof the inning to wrestle control back. The Saxons made 6 errors in the loss and gave up 4 unearned runs. The two Saxon hits were a double by Aiden Morton and a single off the bat of fMt *> M. M wS �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 20, 2023 — Page 15 Third doub’s finishes off Trojan win over Wayland Brett Bremer ^5 Sports Editor It was fortunate court placement Wednes­ day afternoon. The Trojan third doubles team of Emma Thompson and Emilia Rickert happened to be right next to the set of bleachers running down one of the alleys between courts at Thomapple Kellogg High School. They had the biggest cheering section during the Trojan varsity girls’ tennis team’s OK Gold Conference dual with visiting Way­ land, and they got the key last victory to give the Thomapple Kellogg team a 5-3 victory. Thomapple Kellogg swept the fourth sin­ gles matches in straight sets and got point number five from Thompson and Rickert’s 7.5, 6-3 win over Wayland’s Ava Longstreet and Lana Barko. The Wayland duo had a 5-2 lead in the opening set before the Trojans’ picked up their play on a warm, sunny, windy day between the Thomapple Kellogg High School and Middle School. “We had a conversation about the philoso­ phy that we live by to get better, and they kind of stuck with it. I kept reminding them at the change overs about the conversation we had, and it was good,” TK head coach Philippe Sylvestre said. “It is windy. The ball has to go on the court man ... It is an oxymoron, but stop trying to win the point. In the wind it’s really hard. More mistakes are going to be created in the wind than are going to be won. So, they did a greatjob doing that.” The Trojans’ junior first singles player, Charlotte Nelson, knew right away that she needed to change up her game a bit for the blustery conditions. She didn’t have much trouble in besting the Wildcats’ top player, Margaret Burchardt by the scores of6-1, 6-0. “It was a little tricky, but it was an even playing field. Everyone has the disadvantage, so that’s nice,” Nelson said. “I had to play with a lot more control, not as fast ofswings andjust putting the ball on the court.” “I like to slug it as best I can, but I had to back it off a little and be patient,” she said with a smile. “Tennis is definitely a game of patience.” It was the first win ofthe season for Nel­ son, in three tries. She played second singles as a freshman and bumped up to first singles as a sophomore last spring. “So far, I played two really tough teams, girls that are very skilled and do a lot ofextra lessons. It has been kind ofdifficult, but I am definitely a hustler. I definitely am able to get to the short balls and move around the court a lot, and that is kind ofwhere I shine on the court,” Nelson said. Nelson said she plays so many other sports that she doesn’t have a lot oftime in the off­ season to focus on tennis. She is also a setter on the TK varsity volleyball team. “I do stay after practice to keep playing with some ofthese other girls,” Nelson said. “A lot ofthe other girls stay after and hit with the ball machine. We really try to get as much as we can in.” Hailey Dudik scored the second singles win for TK, outscoring Reese Coughlin 6-3, 6-1. At third singles, TK got a 6-0, 6-2 win from Holly Carpenter over Wayland’s Molly Tobin. Thea Zellmer won the fourth singles match by the scores of 6-2, 6-0 against Hay­ ley Wyllys. Nelson was really happy to get to see Rick­ ert earn a spot in the varsity line-up this sea­ son and has really noticed her fourth singles teammate Zellmer putting in a lot ofwork to make her forehand an outstanding shot. Thornapple Kellogg junior first singles player Charlotte Nelson reaches wide to her forehand side to return the ball during her win against Wayland's top player Wednesday, April 12, in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Wayland got its three doubles wins in straight sets. The Wildcat team of Shae Cummiford and Jenna Hubert bested TK’s Cailin Wodrich and Emillia Egeman 6-3, 6-4 at the top spot, with Egeman filling in for Wodrich’s regular partner Libby Hess. The Wildcats’ Katie Harter and Nikol Yanakieva scored a 6-2, 6-3 win over TK’s Tyne Bufka and Kaitlyn Cuison at second doubles and Wayland had the team of Jade Barghahn and Madison Nemecheck score a 6-1, 6-3 win over the TK fourth doubles team of Jordan Pranger and Isabelle Schilthroat “I’mjust happy in general,” Sylvestre said. “This group of girls to me is solid. It has a good attitude. It wants to learn and it wants to play and it wants to compete. They know where they are short and they know where they are capable.” The Trojans followed up that win with a similar 5-3 victory over Caledonia Thursday afternoon in Middleville. Nelson, Dudik, Carpenter and Zellmer swept the four singles matches in straight sets for TK against the Fighting Scots. Nel­ son beat out the Scots’ top player Kiley Bommarito 6-0, 6-0. Dudik took a 6-0, 6-1 win over Hailey Markwat. At third singles, Carpenter bested Grace Geer 6-2, 6-1. At number four, Zellmer outscored Lilly Hess 6-3, 6-0. The Trojans’ one doubles win came at number four where the team of freshman Jordan Pranger and sophomore Isabelle Schilithroat beat out Zoe Fleming and Saw­ yer Mertz 6-2, 7-6(4). Caledonia got a 6-3, 6-1 win from Allyson Abraham and Allison Weibel in the first dou­ bles match with TK’s Wodrich and Libby Hess. The Scots’ Kanika Verma and Audrey Duong bested Bufka and Cuison 7-5, 6-2 at number two and Sarah Kirk and Sela Fitzell bested Thompson and Rickert 6-1, 6-0 at number three. SPECIAL ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN THE; tmib t COUNTY OF BARRY n STATE OF MICHIGAN MK TUESDAY, FOR MAY 2, 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION liMrikricodAfatadti tanhdkMfrpii i * THE PLACES HOLDING THE ELECTION IN SAID MUNICIPALITIES ARE INDICATED BELOW: BARRY TOWNSHIP JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP WOODLAND TOWNSHIP YANKEE SPRINGS TWP. hte fife w £* £*S'*«* * '** *«* 155 E. Orchard Street, PO Box 705, Delton, Ml 49046 13641 S. M-37 Hwy., Battle Creek, Ml 49017 - Voting at Barry Twp. 10115 S. Norris Road, Delton, Ml 49046 - Voting at Barry Twp. 128 High Street, Middleville, Ml 49333 156 S. Main PO Box 98, Woodland, Ml 48897 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333 TO VOTE ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITIONS LISTED BELOW: Thomapple Kellogg first doubles player Cailin Wodrich hits a forehand volley back at the top doubles team from Wayland during their OK Gold Conference dual in Middleville Wednesday, April 12. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 0 Precinct 1 Precinct 1 Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 1 Precinct 2 DK teams finish middle of the pack at 40th Annual Olivet Lions Relays Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg boys were fifth and the girls were sixth Friday at the 40th Joe Pedelty Olivet Lions Relays The top finishes on the track for the Delton Kellogg teams were, third-place finishes by the boys’ 4x300-meter relay team and the boys’ 4x200-meter relay team. In the 4x300 DK was third with Wyatt Colwell, Torren Mapes, Philip Halcomb and Gage Vincent earning a time of2:43.54. in the 4x200, Col­ well, Wyatt Finnney, Mapes and Halcomb turned in a time of 1:34.78. Jason Lundquist set his personal record in the shot put for the DK boys with a mark of 40 feet 3.25 inches and also was the run­ ner-up in the discus with a throw of 116-10.5. Cooper Sandusky set a PR in the shot put for the DK boys too with his ninth-place put of 30-.45. Giorgio Venturi moved his PR to 88-3 in the discus for DK which was good for 13th place. The Delton boys’ team’s leaders in the high jump and pole vault also set new PR’s. Gage Vincent cleared 10-0 to place fifth in the pole vault. Rhys Bedford cleared the bar at 5-8 to place fifth in the high jump. Finney was the DK leader in the long jump, placing seventh with a mark of 19-1.75. Finney also teamed with Colwell, Hal­ comb and Daniel Ruiz to place fourth in the 4xl00-meter relay with a time of46.41. The DK girls’ top finish was in the 4xl00-meter shuttle hurdle relay with the team of Breanna Chandler, Lily Boze, Sum­ mer Ritchie and Izabelle Gruber earning a time of 1:16.47. Gruber also had a fifth-place finish in the high jump setting her PR at 4-8. Josie Williams added a fifth-place jump of 14-10.5. DK got another top ten finish in the field events from senior Joelle White who cleared 6-6 in the pole vault to place eighth. Williams and White teamed with Jimena Olmedo and Kylie Main to place fifth in the distance medley relay with a time of 16:11.19 and the DK girls’ foursome of Chandler, Olmedo, White and Ritchie was fifth in the 4x200-meter relay with a time of2:31.53. Olivet led the varsity standings at the end of the day with 94 points on the girls’ side, ahead of Harper Creek 85, Okemos 77, Parma Western 66, Eaton Rapids 54.5, Delton Kellogg 32, Springport 26.5 and Grand Rap­ ids Union 19. Harper Creek led the boys’ varsity standings with 92 points, ahead ofOlivet 80, Oke­ mos 74, Parma Western 68, Delton Kellogg 52, Eaton Rapids 45, Springport 24 and Grand Rapids Union 21. The Delton Kellogg teams were sched­ uled to host Black River Wednesday for a Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Division dual and will in action again Friday at Allegan. (Leaf pickup, Spring Clean up and Equipment) and shall the Village levy such renewal in millage for the said purpose thereby raising in the first year an estimated $16,143.98?. CALEDONIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $61,000,000 Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Caledonia Community Schools, 8948 Kraft Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316, telephone: (616) 891-8185. GULL LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL EXEMPTING PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND OTHER PROPERTY EXEMPTED BYLAW 2.90 MILLS FOR 11 YEARS FOR HEADLEE RESTORATION PURPOSES, IF NECESSARY Full text ofthe ballot propositions may be obtained at the administrative offices of Gull Lake Community Schools, 10100 East D Avenue, Richland, Michigan 49083, telephone: (269) 548-3400. KALAMAZOO REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY REGIONAL ENHANCEMENT MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL 1.5 MILLS FOR 6 YEARS Full text ofthe ballot proposal may be obtained at the admin­ istrative offices of Kalamazoo'Regional Educational Service Agency, 1&19 East Milham Avenue, Portage, Michigan 490023025, telephone: (269) 250-9202. VILLAGE OF WOODLAND RENEWAL FOR VILLAGE OPERATIONS Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 ofthe Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within the Village of Woodland be renewed at the two (2) mills ($2 per $1000 of taxable value) for the period of 2023 through 2026 inclusive for the purpose ofVillage operation and shall the Village levy such renewal in millage for the said purpose thereby raising in the first year an estimated $16,143.98? WAYLAND UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $49,700,000 Full text ofthe ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices ofWayland Union School District, 850 East Superior Street, Wayland, Michigan 49348-9141, tele­ phone: (269)792-2181. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERAL AD VALOREM TAXES. VILLAGE OF WOODLAND MILLAGE RENEWAL FOR VILLAGE SPECIAL PROJECTS Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within the Village of Woodland be renewed at the two (2) mills ($2 per $1000 of taxable value) for the period of 2023 through 2026 inclusive for the purpose of Special Projects Sample ballots may be viewed at www.mi.gov/vote. THE POLLS OF SAID ELECTION WILL BE OPEN AT 7 O’CLOCK A.M. AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 8 O’CLOCK P.M. ON THE DAY OF ELECTION. Absent voter ballots must be mailed to voters no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2022. Registered voters may contact their local Clerk to obtain an application for an absent voter ballot. For any other questions relating to the election process, please contact your local Clerk: BARRY TOWNSHIP JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP WOODLAND TOWNSHIP YANKEE SPRINGS TWP. 2 Debra Knight Sheri Babcock Rod Goebel Nancy Stanton Mike Cunningham 269-623-5171 269-721-3710 269-623-2664 269-367-4915 269-795-9091 PAMELA A. PALMER, COUNTY CLERK 198196 �Pago IS — Thursday. April 20. 2023 — The Ha»t»ng» Banner Handful of Saxonsand Vikings medal at Enyart Invite Brett Bremer Sport \ Editor Juniors were testing back at school, and they missed out because the sun was shining on everyone and temperaturess were over 70 degrees at Mullenhurst GolfCourse Thursday for the annual early season Delton Kellogg Kent Enyart Invitational. Olivet took the day's championship with a score of 333 at the 18-hole tournament. The Eagle team had three medalists including Jaycob Delong who was third with a 79. Saugatuck's Eli Janowiak shot a par on Delton Kellogg/Martin's Trent Stoneburner chips his ball up onto the number 12 green during the Delton Kellogg Kent Enyart Invitational at Mullenhurst Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Reed Balderson watches his tee shot fly on number 12 for the Hastings varsity boys' golf team Thursday at Mullenhurst during the Delton* Kellogg Kent Enyart Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) number one in a playoffwith Allegan’s Bran­ don Katsma to finish as the day’s number one. They both scored a 78 through 18 holes. Janowiak’s team beat Hastings on a fifth­ score tiebreaker for the runner-up trophy. Both team’s top four scored a 352. Hastings had three top ten medalists, led by junior Owen Carroll who shot an 83. Collin Fouty and Daniel Jensen tied for tenth overall for the Saxons with 86s and Ryan Vandorp scored a 97. Lakewood was fourth with a 367 ahead of Allegan 379 Colon 386, South Haven 386, Lawton 393, Delton Kellogg /Martin 406, Parchment 406, Hopkins 406, Schoolcraft 412 and Constantine 449. The Lakewood Vikings’ two returning state finalists from a year ago, seniors Drew Marquoit and Owen Richmond led their team. Marquoit was ninth with an 85 and Richmond in a three-way tie for tenth with an 86. “It definitely wasn’t the best start to the season, but it could be worse,” Marquoit said. I would definitely say position off my tee shots [was an issue]. My second shot in, I need to be in better spots.” “I don’t really know this course too well. There were a couple spots where I just hit into an area I thought was good, but I was blocked out or there was water there. It was just bad course management.” This being the opening round following spring break didn’t give him a chance to get a practice round in at Mullenhurst. Marquoit was pleased with the way he putted Thursday though and was happy with his short game overall. His irons arc typically the best part ofhis game and things went fairly well between the tec and green too. He has been working on getting more loft on his shots since last season. Marquoit saw a swing coach a couple times last summer and once before this season start­ ed, hit up simulators in Grand Rapids a couple oftimes with friends during the winter months and played as many rounds as he could and in a few tournaments last summer after the Vikings’ trip to the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Boys’ GolfChampionship. Lakewood was sixth at the D3 State Finals a year ago. The Viking team got 98s from Dane Webb, Kenny Dutkiewicz and Wil I Grant Thursday. Lakewood will see plenty of Olivet in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference this spring. The Eagles got an 82 from Dawson Red­ field and an 84 from Levi Browning Thursday. Alex Weaver chipped in an 88. Redfield and Browning were both individual medalists. The runner-up team from Saugatuck got 91s from Owen Marzolf and Cam Lewis and a 92 from Jacey Merkle to finish second. A 95 from Russell Vandc Pocl as a fifth score for the Trailblazers put them ahead ofHastings in the end ofthe day. The host team from Delton Kellogg/Martin was led by a 93 from Zac Hale. The Panthers also had Trent Stonebumer score a 99, Brett Harsevoort shoot a 109 and Mike Branch score a 105. “None of them shot what they’ve been shooting in practice, or what they would expect to shoot,” DK head coach Jim Hogoboom said. Pitsch among top five for Trojans in tourney at Yankee Springs G.C. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lowell beat out Mattawan for the top spot and the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golf team placed ninth at its annual Thomapple Kellogg Invitational at Yankee Springs GolfCourse Friday. The Red Arrows shot a 311 to win the team championship and South Christian senior Nate Brinks and Lowell senior Drew Veldman tied atop the individual leader­ board after 18 holes with scores of 74. Thomapple Kellogg senior Austin Pitsch was tied for fourth with a 76 with Mattawan junior Matthew Novak. The other member of the top five was East Grand Rapids junior Charlie Seufert who shot a 75. Seufert and the Wildcats were second with an overall score of314, ahead ofByron Cen­ ter 322, South Christian 324, Allendale 333, East Grand Rapids 338, Coopersville 352, Wayland 355, Thomapple Kellogg 360, Zee­ land West 362, Zeeland East 362, Fruitport 364, Allegan 366, Thomapple Kellogg ‘B’ 376, Greenville 378, West Catholic 380, Lowell ‘B’ 382 and Grandville 386. Junior Jordan Parks shot a 90 and junior Noah Newland a 91 for the Trojans. TK’s number four was senior Kyron Zoet with a 103. The TK ‘B’ team was led by a 90 from sophomore Tyler Voss, a 91 from sopho­ more Will Nathan, a 94 from sophomore Kylan Pratt and a 101 from sophomore Ryan Skidmore. Lowell had three guys in the 70*s. Senior Patrick de Voest shot a 78 and senior Cam­ eron Sluss shot a 79.~The Red Arrows also got an 80 from junior Nicholas Lothian. Mikey Branch hits his drive on number 18 for the Delton Kellogg/Martin varsity boys' golf team during its Delton Kellogg Kent Enyart Invitational at Mullenhurst Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) NOTICE TO BIDDERS BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, RO. Box 158, Hastings, Ml 49058, until 10:30 A.M. April 24,2023 for the following items. Specifications and additional Information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above address or at our web site at www.barrycrc.org. Bit Mix Timber Harvesting Structural repairs to Maintenance garage The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest of the Commission. BOARD OF COUNTY OF THE COUNTY OF David D. Solmes Frank M. Fiala Jim James ROAD COMMISSIONERS BARRY Chairman Member Member Barry County Road Commission FULL TIME ROAD WORKER We are seeking qualified applicants with skill and experience to join our team, Local Government Agency has an excellent opportunity for a Full Time Road Worker position. We are looking for an individual with 2+ years of experience preferred, a high school diploma, or GED, Michigan Commercial Driver's License with A&N endorsements & current MedicaLCard This is a full-time position with a starting pay rate of $24.06/ hour and a competitive benefits package. A valid Michigan Driver’s license, criminal background, and a pre-employment drug screen are required. Benefits • • • • • • • Health insurance 401K Paid vacation, sick & personal time Paid holidays Boot, clothing, eyeglass allowance Overtime opportunities Training opportunities when applicable Applications can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office at 1725 W. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 between 6 AM 3:45 PM, or found on our website at www.baiTVcrc.orq You may email your completed application to bcasey@barrycrc.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A complete job description will be provided at the time of application. The Barry County Road Commission is an equal-opportunity employer The Hastings van ity girls' soccer team gathers with its trophy after knocking off South Haven and Edwardsburg to win the South Haven Shoot-Out S iturday. The Saxons trailed both foes at the half, eventually beating Edwardsburg in a shoot-out before taking a 3-2 win over the h ost Rams in the championship. Saxons come from behind twice for tourney title Brett Bremer Sports Editor Chances to win trophies are few and far between for a varsity girls’ soccer team. The Saxons made thelmost helmo oftheir oppor­ tunity Saturday. • \ The Hastings varsity soccer soc team won the championship at the South Haven Shoot-Out, rallying in the second halffor a pair ofvictories. The Saxons knocked offthe host Rams in the championship game 3-2 after taking a 4-3 win in a shoot-out over Edwardsburg to open the day. i South Haven led the Saxons 2-1 at the halt. Alyson Miller scored twice for the Saxons and Raegan Morrison scored once in the win. Dez Mathis had an assist. t t Kalli Koning shut but the Rams in goal in the second half, filling in for Dekota Blough who took a knee to the head in the first halt. Both ofthe Saxon keepers made 5 saves. Koning taking over in net for the second half of the championship wasn’t the only change on the defensive end for the Saxons at the tournament. Kennedy Lewis stepped into the sweeper spot to cover for Molly Patton Saturday and Jordyn Winters moved into the stopper spot. Patton also missed a match with Tri-County Friday night in Hast­ ings. South Haven scored three times in the first half against the reworked Saxon defense to take a 3-1 lead, but the Hastings girls rallied to tie the game at 3-3 in the second half. Lauren Lamphere had 2 goals against the Eddies and an assist on a goal by Jordan Milanowski. It was Milanowski’s first varsity goal. Blough made 12 saves in goal and Edwardsburg didn’t make a penalty kick in three tries against her after the two teams ended regulation in a 3-3 tie. Mathis, Bri Darling and Alyson Miller buried their penalty kicks for the Saxons to secure the victory. The Saxons are now 2-1-1 overall this season. They finished in a 6-6 tie against visiting Howard City Tri-County Friday night. The visiting Vikings led 6-3 in the second half, but the Saxons rallied to even the score with five minutes to play. Lamphere had 4 goals and an assist in the contest. Darling had a goal and an assist. Morrison had a goal and 2 assists. Koning chipped in an assist too. Blough made 8 saves against Tri-County. T The Saxons were schedule to host Well­ spring Prep Wednesday night and will open the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season at home against Pennfield Friday, April 21. Next week, the Saxons visit Lakewood Wednesday and Coldwater Thursday before a Saturday contest with Niles in Hastings. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-04-27.pdf cc9cb97f1141d227cbe9f282cf46e310 PDF Text Text City’s planned emergency services building more expensive than thought State officials are gambling by welcoming large EV battery plants Saxons tennis starts season hot before falling See story on page 3 See story on page 4 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 3070490102590503842049058113421 h X°"sc" 3-digit490 c°05 ANNER 421 N Taffee ffee Dr L < Hastings Hastings Ml Ml 49058-1134 6/30/2023 9:47.00 AM Ad 1 in u' VOLUME 169, No. 17 Thursday, April 27, 2023 PRICE $1.50 Family, friends and colleagues say final ‘goodbye’ to longtime fire chief Roger Caris Jayson Bussa and Hunter McLaren Banner Staff With nearly five decades of service with the Hastings: Fire Department to his name, Roger Caris was known locally as an unwav­ ering public servant. But on Monday, many who only knew Caris as the no-nonsense chief of the Hast- ings/BJRCH Fire Department were provided with a different perspective - one of a com­ passionate family man that never hesitated to step up for his family. Hundreds of people gathered at the Barry Expo Center on Monday afternoon to pay their respects to Caris, who passed away last week at the age of 82 after suffering cardiac arrest. These attendees included family, friends, public officials and a large gathering of firefighters from across the county — and .. state - who made the trip to pay their respects ' . for a man who was professionally defined by his service to fire and emergency Service. Caris'became chief of the Hastings Fire Department in 1981 and served all the way up to his death. He also owned C&R Fire Sales, spending many of his.hours after work and .on weekends traveling across the state, outfitting firefighters with fire gear and . supplying departments with needed equipment. Shrouded with an American flag, the casket of Roger Caris is carried out of the Barry Expo Center/and loaded into a Hasting Fire Department truck to be transported to Riverside Cemetery. (Photos by Jafyson Bussa) A long procession of emergency response vehicles parades out of the Barry Expo Center and navigated through th it off Hti id C t the city Hastings on th the way tto Ri Riverside Cemetery. See ROGER CARIS, page 2 Longtime county planning chairman steps down after 28 years in charge Greg Chandler ning commission. His good humor and signa­ dealt with a lot of big issues. We still have a StaffWriter ture handlebar mustache became a constant at lot ofbig issues coming down the pike.” In 1993/Clyde Morgan attended a Barry County Planning Commission planning commission meetings. A native of Battle Creek, the 78-year-old meeting, On Monday night, Morgan ended a 30-year where -a neighbor of his had filed a permit run on the planning commission, including the last 28 years as its chairman. He handed in Battle Creek for 22 years in a variety of roles before retiring in 2007. request to build a garage. Perplexed at all the paperwork his neigh­ the gavel over to Commissioner John LaForge bor had to file and fees that had to be paid to of Delton, who was appointed by his col­ get the request approved, Morgan raised his leagues to be the new chairman. concerns to John Gates, who was in charge of “That’s a long time, a long time,” Morgan Morgan has lived in Assyria Township for the last 50 years. He worked at Duncan Aviation County Planning Director and Zoning Administrator Jim McManus expressed his gratitude for Morgan’s service. county planning at the time. Gates suggested said with a chuckle in his final remarks “He’s had a long tenure. We got a lot accom­ Morgan apply for a seat on the planning com­ before handling LaForge the gavel. “I’ve plished during this time - two full master plan mission. Morgan took up the suggestion and not been a lot ofplaces in this county that people updates, plus mostly a third one that’s going to never see. There’s a lot of places I’ll never long after was appointed to the board; Two see because there’s a lot ofroom out there ... years later, he became chairman ofthe plan­ It’s been a good haul, a good time. We’ve See CHAIRMAN, page 3 Clyde Morgan presided over his last meeting of the Barry County Planning Commission Monday night at the Tyden Center. Morgan served on the planning com­ mission for 30 years, the last 28 as chairman. John LaForge was voted in as the new chairman Monday night to replace Morgan. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Brandt enters no contest pleas in fatal Baltimore Twp. crash bound on Maple Grove Road near Foster Greg Chandler Staff Writer Road on Oct. 26,2022 when he lost control An 18-year-old Bellevue man pleaded no Wednesday to being the of his car, and the vehicle overturned in a wheel of a car while intoxicated-.whin it Zacharee Mason of Hastings arid seriously cornfield. The crash killed 17-year-old injured another passenger. whed in Baltimore Township last fall; Investigators cited speed and alcohol use killing one of his passengers and injuring as factors in the crash. A test of-Brandt’s another. blood taken after the crash found a blood Chase Winslow Clayton Brandt pleaded no contest to three of the eight charges alcohol level of .06, Ellsworth said at a against him at a pre-trial hearing before hearing earlier this month. Judge Michael Schipper in Barry County “Mr. Brandt was the driver, he was driv­ court. Brandt entered no contest pleas to ing recklessly, his car ejected multiple pas- charges of operating while sengers, one of which died, arid then Mr. intoxicated Brandt had his friend lie about who the; causing death; operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and false report of a driver was,” Ellsworth said at the April 5 misdemeanor to a Michigan State Police hearing. “That friend took the blame initial- officer. Five other charges will be dis- ly ... he came in and pled to that false missed, including reckless driving causing report. He acknowledged it was Mr. Brandt who death and having an open container ofalco- Chase Brandt hol in a vehicle. was the driver. That obstruction Businesses and organizations from throughout Barry County set up shop at Hastings High School on Saturday morning to promote themselves via the 2nd Annual Barry County Business and Community Expo. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Barry County businesses , organizations on display at community expo delayed the drawing ofthe blood, the test­ “The rationale behind the no contest plea is civil liability,” Assistant County Prosecu-­ remains held in the Barry County Jail on a ing ofthe blood.” Brandt was charged in the case in Febru­ tor Christopher Ellsworth said; $500,000 bond. Schipper scheduled a July ary. His bond was raised from $100,000 to For the second year, the Barry County Hastings High School, where attendees were $500,000 earlier this month after he had tested positive for marijuana while out on Chamber and Economic Development Alli­ provided with an opportunity to familiarize bond. nesses and organizations under one rooffor a Brandt could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison on the operating while intoxicated causing death charge. He 19 sentencing date. According to Michigan State Police from the Wayland post, Brandt was driving west- Jayson Bussa Editor This year’s Barry County Business and Community Expo was held in the gym of ance brought together local residents, busi­ day ofnetworking and activities. See EXPO, page 8 �2 — Thursday. April 27, 2023 — The Hastings Banner ROGER CARIS, continued from page 1 NEWS BRIEFS HHS Alumni seeking Alumnus of the Year nominations The Hastings High School Alumni Association Board has formalized plans for the Aug. 26, 2023 Alumni Banquet to be held at the First Presbyterian Church. Tickets for the event will be $33 per person and will be available beginning in June. Organizers are accepting nominees for Alumnus ofthe Year, which will be awarded at the banquet. Submissions can be made to Lois Bowers at 102 E. Clinton St., Hasting, Ml 49058. All nominations must be typed and contain biographical information and reasons why the individual is being nominated. Reasons may include accomplishments, vocational honors and awards, community service, organizations memberships or any other helpful information. The nominee can reside anywhere but must be an alumnus of Hast­ ings High School. Previously submitted nominees may be resubmitted. Letters of submission must be received by July 15. Questions may be directed to Lois Bowers at 269-945-9657. Halting* Food Forest volunteer day scheduled The Hastings Food Forest is looking for volunteers to help with planting trees and bushes, as well as tagging trees with identification tags. Work begins at 10 a.m. on Sat­ urday, April 29. The Hastings Food Forest is located in Bliss Riverfront Park on State Street, just outside of Hastings, across from BCN Technical Services, 1004 E. State St. Directional signage will be at the park, leading to the forest location. A food forest is designed to be a self-sustaining area of layered plantings that will provide plant-based food production directly useful to Hastings residents and guests. Making use of intermixed plantings, this succession of layers will build a woodland hab­ itat Those interested in helping are encouraged to contact HastingsFoodForest@gmail. com. Information will be shared through the Hastings Food Forest Facebook page, as well. Hundreds of friends, family and county officials, in addition to fire crews from across the state, gathered at the Barry Expo Center on Monday afternoon to honor the life of Hastings/BIRCH Fire Chief Roger Carls, who passed away last week at the age of 82. Fire departments from as far away as Canton joined in the event to pay their respects to Cans, who served for nearly 50 years. Cans also served for many years as the president of the West Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and was on the board of the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs. Additionally, he served over 20 years on the Barry County 911 Technical Advisory Board. While Caris’s credentials and resume were undeniable, his nephew James Avery and granddaughter, Emilie Caris, eulogized their uncle and grandpa, acknowledging his stand­ ing within the community but focusing on his dedication to his family. This included raising a nephew (Avery) as ifhe was his own son and also adopting two grandchildren much later in life. “During my time in the Marines, I would Flashing lights stretched across State Street Monday afternoon as a procession of county emergency crews paid their respects to Hastings Fire Chief Roger Caris. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) often ask my subordinates and peers what Joybells and Coldwater Brass perform May 7 The Pleasant Valley Joybells and the Coldwater Brass will perform their Spring Bells and Brass concert on Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. The three-octave handbell choir and brass quintet will perform a variety of music. The Joybells will perform numbers ranging from “Bound for Glory,” featuring a tram whistle and sound effects, to “I*ve Got the Joy,” which is played entirely with mallets. “Spirit of the Living God” uses hand chimes and several others include both bells and chimes. The Coldwater Brass has been busy preparing songs for the event, too. The group has a mixture of music, from “Easter Rejoicing” and “Wonderful Grace ofJesus,” to “Raggy Trombone,” a ragtime number. The recital will be held at the Pleasant Valley United Brethren Church located at 13120 Bell Road, on the comer of Bell Road and M-50 (Thompson Road). All are welcome and refreshments will be made available after the recital. sort of legacy they wanted to leave behind,” and, to my son, he is big grandpa, which is worrying about how people would remember pretty ironic because of how short he was,” them..... Somewhere along the line, men find Emilie Caris said. out that family and good works are what truly matters. For some of us, it takes a little longer us to share in grief and sorrows,” Emilie than others. But something tells me Roger Caris continued. “He would say something figured that out a long time ago.” along the lines of ‘What the hell are you all Avery recounted how he and Caris would Annually, the Chief Noonday Chapter ofthe North Country Trail (NCT) in southwest Michigan encourages the public to walk a short distance or hike a longer distance on the North Country Trail. On Saturday, June 3, the Chief Noonday Chapter of the NCT will host hikes in Barry, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. Those interested are to arrive at one of the recom­ mended trailheads to enjoy a summer adventure in the woods or prairie. Watch for the “Hike Here” sign near the trailheads below. - Barry County: M-179 NCT Trailhead, M-l 79 (Chief Noonday Rd.) on the north side, 0.4 miles west ofthe intersection of Yankee Springs Rd./Norris Rd., Middleville. - Kalamazoo County: Kellogg Forest, 42nd St. Augusta, just off M-89. - Calhoun County: Bridges Park, S. Wattles Rd., Battle Creek. Hikers will be greeted between 9 a.m. and noon by Chief Noonday Chapter members who will supply them with a trail map and answer questions about the NCT and Chief Noonday Chapter. For those who can't make it to the June 3 event, all are welcome to hike the trails at their leisure. Hikers are asked to come prepared with bottled water, snacks, bug spray, sunglasses, hats and rain jackets, if needed. Long sleeves and pants are recommended on unpaved trails. More information and maps can be found at northcountrytrail.org. “Ifhe was here today, he would not want crying over me for?’ He would want us to go on hunting trips, but Caris’s fire pager share memories and laughs and words ofwis­ would loudly go off and scare the deer. Caris dom he had given us.” also used the time to take naps. -J Following the funeral service, Caris’s cas­ Avery said many of his life’s firsts were ket was ushered by a long procession of fire with Caris, from shooting a pistol, hunting, trucks and emergency response vehicles from drinking black coffee and golfing. the expo center, through Hastings, to his final “There is a sign in his office that says, ‘Any­ Summer hikes on the North Country Trail er, to me and my siblings, he was grandpa Avery said. “Most men go through stages resting place at Riverside Cemetery. one can be a father but it takes someone special Caris’s death was felt deeply throughout to be a dad.’ How true are those words?” Avery the tight-knit communities of Hastings and said before pausing with emotion. Barry County. Emilie Caris offered some levity to the Hastings City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale service in capturing his grandfather’s no-non­ commended Caris for his dedication to both sense approach to life. communities. “Many knew him as the fire chief, howev- just a few years before Caris became fire chief, also offered his thoughts and condo­ lences. Tossava shared Clare Hamer’s “Immortal­ “You can’t overemphasize how dedicated Roger was to his community. It’s a very ity” poem with council members. “As long as we all think ofRoger, he’ll be unique thing for someone to be in the position with us every day,” he said. “I want to close he was in for so long,” she said. “It’s a very by saying rest in peace Roger, I’ll miss my sad time for us here at the city. We’re going old friend?’ to keep his family in our_ thoughts and Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter described Caris as someone who never hesitat­ prayers.” “I miss him already,” Moyer-Cale said. “He ed to help out his department when he needed would always walk in with a big smile on his it Even at 82, Caris had no trouble taking command of an emergency, Boulter said. face. When I would ask him how he was doing, he would always say, ‘Never better!’” James Avery, a nephew of Caris, said that Caris raised him like he was one of his own children. Here, he provides a eulogy in honor of his uncle. Emilie Caris (left), granddaughter to Roger Caris, stands beside Avery. Hastings City Council members placed a photo of Caris at his desk and observed a moment of silence during their meeting Monday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) “What always amazed me about Roger was WleArfcCouncillaz 1*1 takes over HasW bate bihlDidHttfaHi Wiaidjtfta fazORkstatodajr,Apir.iFiste Caris’s presence was missed at Monday’s that he was so quiet, but then when he needed city council meeting. Council members held to be, he could be the loudest man on the tyni (M al ta-aa a moment of silence before .the meeting began and placed a photo ofhim at his desk. scene ofany sort ofcatastrophe, whether it be login, vioii&iHqtftB. an accident or a fire,” Boulter said. Council member Al Jarvis paid his respects Although Boulter said Caris’s work ethic was to Caris and said he was impressed by the huge commendable, he was most impressed by the showing of law enforcement agencies, EMS example he set for the HFD and HPD by putting and fire departments at the funeral service. his community and his family above all else. “I’m going to miss Roger,” Jarvis said. “I “I think what he gave back to his family went to the funeral today. If Roger would was probably one of the most important have seen what was going on, he would have things that anybody could do,” Boulter said. said, ‘Don’t all ofyou have something better “You don’t become a hero just from running to do?’ He was a very humble man. It was an into a building that’s on fire - you become a awesome funeral. I’ll miss.him.” -. hero fry sacrificing many things in your life. Mayor Dave Tossava, who started working with the city’s Department ofPublic Services And that’s what Roger did, just to make other people’s lives just a little bit better.” Female firefighters remember chief for giving them opportunities Bussa Editor Jayson “In fact, he challenged me to not only be one of the boys, but better,” Boggs-Blake said. While Roger Caris impacted seemingly Hastings. Boggs-Blake is now board presi­ countless lives in his decades ofservice with dent and a lieutenant with Evergreen Fire/ the Hastings Fire Department, a handful of Rescue in Evergreen Colo. female firefighters remembered him for the opportunity and guidance he provided them. In fact, Caris, who passed away last week “Through my several years with Hast­ ings, Chieftaught me the ‘do’s and ‘don’t’s “I will forever be grateful for the influ­ on both the fire ground and in life. I watched ence Chiefhad in the trajectory of, not only him support and prioritize his family while my career, but also my life,” Boggs-Blake also serving the Hastings community,” she at the age of 82, was responsible for hiring wrote in a statement to the first woman to the Hastings Fire Depart­ a struggling 21-year-old trying to figure out Lani Forbes, a current lieutenant with the ment - Karen Dull back in 1986. my path and my passion and Chief took a Freeport Area Volunteer Fire Department, chance and adopted me into the Hastings echoed the sentiments ofher two colleagues. “It was a great honor to join Hastings Fire Department and be led by ChiefCaris,” Dull told Music and lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by JAMES LAPINE Caris was also instrumental in bringing Clarissa Boggs-Blake to the department in The Banner in a statement. “He treated The Banner. was Fire family.” added. “Roger R was very accepting ofeveryone on Boggs-Blake was the only female on the the fire department,” Forbes said. “He really me like one of the ‘guys.’ He was a great department at the time but said that Caris made us all want to achieve our best, whether leader and was always fair.” never treated her any differently. that be on the fire scene or in life.” I on ftrunJway by Iflltlrt hi/'lne GnhtaxiUont byfounthnh Itnihk Open to the Publk Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, May 3 @ 7:00 PM ~ TICKETS: $7 Performances Ihursday, Friday, Saturday May 4, 5,6 7:00 PM Sunday - May 7 @ 2:00 PM I ICKITS: Adults $10 Seniors & Students S8 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 S. Broadway - Hastings Aihdiuv ikkvtk may,bv puidustd pl Gilmore Icmirr*. ■r»vd by calling Ihclhurnjppk- A rift taxi util at 269-9'15-2002. Barry Township to swear in new police chief Saturday; Longtime chief retires Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer A. swearing-in ceremony for Barry Town-­ ship’s next police chief, Detective Sergeant Jenny Johnson, is slated for 3 p.m. Satur­ he would retire from his law enforcement training from some very good officers, career of40 years. Doster has been with the which helped me through my Barry Township Police Department for nearly 15 ofthose years. college degree and the police academy,” Doster recalled. Before being promoted to police chief The fire bam where the swearing-in will day, April 29, at the fire bam in Delton. nine years ago, Doster started as an officer, be conducted is located at 201 E Orchard Johnson will become Barry Township’s detective and sergeant. St. in Delton. first female chief ofpolice. The position became available after cur­ rent Police Chief Mark Doster announced At age 21,1 started as a reserve officer with the Kalamazoo is, Township Police Department where I received most of my Full coverage will be available in future issues of the Hastings Banner and The Reminder. ■■ X' xSZv �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 27, 2023 — Page 3 City explores cost-cutting options after receiving $20 million estimate for emergency services building Hunter McLaren v Writer * Hastings city officials faced some sticker shock after receiviAfan estimated cosj/or The project as proposed would place the For a homeowner with $100,000 of tax­ combined emergency services building on a able value, five mills would cost them $500 city-owned lot at 1037 E. State St. The proposed design has a footprint of 29,270 annually, Moyer-Cale said. If the project *wereto be closer to its originally anticipated $10 million price t‘a j/2.5 mills could fiind a .the planned emergency services building. square feet, wijh 20,870 feet* dedicated to • The project as designed by Grand Rapids the fire department and 8,400 feet allotted to .architectural firm; C2AE would cost $20 the prdice department. Moyer-Cale said the million, City Manager .Sarah Moyer-Cale j&id. The figure, ’wasynearl^wice what the expanded space would allow both departniBntj to move out pftheir current cramped f(ty (ty was anticipating. ■ & “When wq£ had Received the. ptpp^jal from the architects, they included projects ■tjjattwere similar fire stations to what we feft Iflce .we were looking for and (he cost of 30-year loan cosd homeowner with $100,000 oftaxablelvalue $250 annually; Moyer-Cale said mat'^Jthough there are fd ling ling.(Options, .(Options, lifce lifce state state other potential fifd spifce^ especially the fire department. Ifthe and federal grants,TO spejciar*hssesstnent,lio policedepartment were to move out oftheir raise money from taxpayers would likely be current space on the second floor of city the city’s best option. “There are other options out there. There hall, Jt would allow for more sorely needed office space for .city employees, she said. are grants that do exist. The federal govern­ those fire stations were between $3 and $5 The high figure came as a blow to the mentjust came out with anew grant for fire million. We knew it would be'more to project, cas the "city-had planned to pay for departments that they announced the other [include the police (department in the projjct)f ct)f * Moyer-Cale said. “I don’t know about most of the building by levying a special assessment on city taxpayers. Moyer-Cale day,” she said. “There are other opportuni­ ties for some level of financial support, although as I’ve stated, I do believe that a yjpody else, but I thought it would be said it would likely not be. feasible to levy ^Oser to $10 or $12 million for the com- the necessary taxes to fund the project. Five special assessment will provide the bulk of ijpned departments in a building. I was very mills would.be heeded to pay for a $20 mil- the funding for whatever the project is.” surprised urprised to get the $20 million figure.” lion, 30-yeaf loan to complete the project* Moyer-Cale provided council members four options the city’s committee dedicated to the project had come up with. Option A was to stay the course and build the $20 Option B million project as-is; was to reduce the overall size of both the fire and police departments, resulting in a $16-18 million cost; Option C was to remove the police department from the project and keep the fire department as-is, with a projected $12 million cost; and Option D was to remove the police department and reduce the size ofthe fire department, with an esti­ City Manger Sarah Moyer-Cale (right) presented information about the city’s proposed emergency services building to council members alongside Chris Bever (left), Hastings city clerk, (photos by Hunter McLaren) mated $10 million cost. Moyer-Cale asked city council members would not be feasible for many Hastings for direction on the committee’s next steps, residents. Furrow said her household was ing at right now, once we get it all built, with her recommendation to explore Option already on a strict budget and couldn’t they’re not going to be able to afford to live afford many more expenses. here. We’ve got to make it so they can still D. Following some discussion, council came to a consensus that Option D would be “Everything keeps going up in price but the best choice, with council member Don we’re not making any more money a year,” and council member Furrow said. “At some point, we’ve got to -Accepted a request from Hastings Police Mandy Furrow voting no. Much of the council’s discussion revolved stop. We’ve got to focus on the people that ChiefDale Boulter to place a four-way stop are here and that they could actually live in at the Grand and Park Street intersection around Options A, B, and C being too costly Hastings and not have to suck up every over­ near Hastings Middle School. Boulter said to go to taxpayers for. time hour that you can getjust to get by.” the stop signs could be placed as soon as the Bowers abstaining Council member Mandy Furrow said she understood the need for the new emergency The building currently housing the Hastings Fire Department is too cramped, an issue the city has been aware of for at least 20 years, Moyer-Cale said. -itailwyssMzalttitaih iJiisxjiBSKflar'j bknssoqiiiet,lxii(l)aitake ^kamldbeWottlKlBaai 13SH of fax Idsta aofaysdtofcatastro^ta imta ora fire,” BonltaJii HntaAIInptaa Editor The event features critiqued performances by dozens of school bands and a couple of wanted to build a better city and a commu­ nity fo rmy grandkids to live in. I wanted to - Set a public hearing for the May 8 meet-: well as discussions of a millage to fix city make things right for them so they could all ing to discuss the annual budget for the fis­ roads in the future, Ftirrow said more taxes live here,” Resseguie said. “But if we con- cal year ending on June 30, 2024. and which caused sewer overflow which was confined to the pavement surface there was no impact on surface water. BARRY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT Logan is a pop andjazz singer and a trom­ lege of Music in Boston and is a prominent name in the world of contemporary jazz. Logan has been booked to play this event . . “So the band comes in, they perform, the in three previous years, but the dates fell clinician gives them feedback and notes and through because ofthe CO VID-19 pandemic they go home with the notes and the record­ and because Logan recently had a baby. ing ofthe comments and it teaches them how Logan, the daughter ofband teachers, is also they might be able to play better as a group,” no stranger to performing in educational settings said Megan Lavell, executive director ofthe Thomapple Arts Council. “That’s the founda­ both perform and work with college musicians. “I look at performing as my passion but only because I know so many good teachers Wai I dor ff Brew Pub and Bistro, and I wouldn’t dare try to teach as well as Spray Park they do,” Logan said. “However, it’s a treat Band Shell, Barry Community Enrichment for me (to occasionally instruct). Every time Center and Thomapple Plaza. I go into an educational environment, I’m Highpoint Community Bank, would like to give a special as she makes her rounds to various colleges to Host venues include the Hastings Public Library, The City of Hastings recently had a .sarijtajy, Sewer Manhole overflow on April 10,2023 on S East St; due to a blockage in the line April 28 at Hastings Performing Arts Center. More than 60 school groups will attend to tion. It’s music education.” Artists will also perform for the lunch and dinner hours at Seasonal Grille, Klooster- man’s Sports Tap and the Walldorff. A full schedule for the event can be found at thomapplearts.org/jazzfest. study. CITY OF HASTINGS Washington-based bonist. She graduated from the Berklee Col­ will provide feedback. discuss the city’s wage and compensation Aubry Logan, who will take the stage Friday, headlining concerts. It runs from April 27 to 29. perform in front ofa professional judge, who 'IKUOSI. Church - Set a workshop at 6 p.m. on May 8 to sewer rate hikes passed earlier this year as Jazz Orchestra today, April 27, at First Pres­ byterian end ofthe week. the sentiments shared by Furrow. asking for too much. Along with water and features performances from the Thomapple beginning today as the Thomapple Arts Council Jazz Festival kicks off. In other business, city council: “I became a city councilman because I In addition to the school bands, the festival , Music will waft around the city ofHastings Council member John Resseguie echoed live here. here. ” services building, but thought the city was Thomapple Arts Council Jazz Festivabtalies° Over Hastings* Jayson Bussa tinue to go down the road that we’re look­ supposed to go in there and inspire but I walk away feeling inspired.” “It warms my heart every time to see young people playing music and getting Thank You International touring jazz singer and trombone soloist Aubrey Logan will pro­ vide a headline performance at this year’s Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival. (Photo provided) excited about it,” Logan added. to Hastings Bowl and to everyone that sponsored the BISD Bowlathon through student donations Sentencing delayed in Brickley murder case felony that carries up to 10 years in prison. Greg Chandler ofHastings has been rescheduled for May 9 in StaffWriter Barry County court. The three had originally Randolph pleaded guilty in March to being been scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday. an accessory after the fact to a felony, a Sentencing for three defendants for their role murder of Gracyn Stephens pleaded guilty in March to four charge that carries up to five years in prison. Located at 2482 S M-43 HWY., Hastings Brickley has been pushed back until next month. criminal counts stemming from his role Rice pleaded guilty in December 2022 to after the Brickley slaying, including tam­ (Next to TVC Church): Barry County Assistant Prosecutor Christo­ charges oftampering with evidence. pher Ellsworth said Wednesday that sentenc- pering with evidence, being a felon in pos­ session... ।of, a firearm, g felony firearms 2021, in Maple Grove Township. .Her killer, after the February 2021 ing. fpr, 37-year-old Dustin Scott Stephans of i Nashville, 53-year-old Sheralyn Randolph pf Nashville and 47-year-old Colleen Marie Rice charge and being an accessory after the fact. Tiie tampering with evidence charge is a 16, Brickley was shot to death on Feb. Andrew Lafey, is serving a life sentence with­ SATURDAY, APRIL 29,2023 10:00 A.M. Something for everyone. out parole for the murder. Sorting and unpacking daily. Tracks for a JD skid steer, Travel trailer, Horse cart, Riding lawn mower, Inflatable CHAIRMAN, continued from page 1 be done by June; a new zoning ordinance kind of consistency is really important.” Joe Kammenzind, an accounting manager update in 2008 ... We’ve had many, many sig­ More recently, the planning commission has nificant issues — one was with air B-n-Bs, Bris­ faced community opposition to gravel pit proj- place on the planning commission starting tol Lake was a large issue, we did the whole ects, most notably in Orangeville Township. In next month. The Johnstown Township resi­ ethanol plant (in Woodbury) and all the work June .2022, commissioners narrowly voted to dent was appointed earlier this month by the with that, that took five years to get accomplish grant Stoneco approval of a special land use county board to serve a three-year term on the (from 2000 to 2005),” McManus said. for a 160-acre parcel on Miller Road, pending planning body, ending on April 30, 2026. for MEI Telecom, will assume Morgan’s “I think when we got those kinds of big a provision that the Barry County Road Com­ commitments, it’s because we had a unified mission widen the road. But two months later, commission jfront and a lot of stability that we’ve shared commissioners rescinded that decision. Then 10,431-square-foot building that will house a [over the last 30 years. People know what to in November, commissioners went against a Family Dollar and a Dollar Tree in Delton on ’expect,” McManus added. “When you have ’these groups come in and they say, ‘what motion that had been written by the county’s Wall Lake Road (M-43). Construction on the attorney that would have put in new stipula- building is expected to be completed by the ican I expect,’ and I say what you can expect tions to the project that included a traffic study, end of August, said Brian Stadler, chiefexec- is that it’s run the same way (as it has been hydrogeological study and an analysis of the run in the past) and it doesn’t waver. That project’s impact on nearby home values. utive officer of Saginaw-based Wolgast Cor­ poration, the project developer. In other business Monday, the planning approved plans for a new rafting boat, Generator, Collectible bikes, Fishing, Various glass and pottery (Blue Ridge), Coleman lanterns, Ladders, Kitchen, Garage items, Muzzleloader, Bar stools, Custom lamp liquidation items, Several minnow buckets, Wood jerk baits. Auction outside/barns’ AUCTIONEERS: Jennifer Hayes 269-838-0056 Jim Lumbert Lavern Yutzy (, | �Page 4 —■ Thursday. April 27,2023 — The Hastings Banner ItrMy^Jpinion SCC Did you MW Put a speed limit on electric vehicles When rich people can’t take your land and money, they hire politicians to do it for them. Witness the stampede to electric vehi­ cles and the complicit low-voltage law­ are ransacking even the makers who choice of how Americans want to spend their transportation dollars. Our neighboring communities of Mar­ shall and,just to the north, Big Rapids, are nese Communist Party,” said Michigan Republican Party Chair Kristina Karamo. “So any talk that this company is not controlled by the Chinese Communist Party is a flat-out lie. In Marshall, residents have also raised concerns as Ford and another Chinese firm partner to build a $3.5 million EV battery plant. Today, bulldozers and land movers are ripping up rich soil to prepare and the land for the huge industrial plant while future-altering change by Gov. Whitmer’s Ford has taken its focus offthe fossil fuel recent focus on newly-announced battery cars that Americans still purchase by the plants to support a supposed EV revolu­ millions every year. This, too, comes with being thrust wrenching through tion. This ripping up ofprime farmland for an assist from complicit politicians: The the hollow promises ofcommunity growth Biden Administration feels it has the comes from millionaires who’ll use us to power to kill the industry with more regu­ become even wealthier while selling us a lations that make it impossible for fossil technology that’s far from proven. fuel cars to survive. What both the projects in Big Rapids Less than 6 percent of all vehicles sold each year are EVs and nearly half of and Marshall fail to see in putting the EV Americans say it’s unlikely they would cart before the horse is that EV technology purchase an electric vehicle as their next is not proven and, so far, the response 30 years and counting car, citing “the lack of charging options from most Americans is that they’re not and the high costs compared to gas-pow­ interested in EVs because they don’t fit A couple of longtime public servants in Barry County were recently honored by the county's Board of Commissioners. Last week, both County Planning Director and Zoning Administrator Jim McManus (left) and Chief Probation Officer Laurie Krol (right) were provided with a certificate marking their three decades of service. Dave Jackson, chair of the county board, is shown in these photos providing words of appreciation for the duo. ered vehicles and safety.” That’s accord­ their lifestyle, they’re high priced, and ing to a recent poll by the Energy Policy there are still important questions on resale Do y«u Institute at the University of Chicago and and the high cost ofbattery replacement to the Associated Press Center for Public Affairs in which only 19 percent of respon­ be addressed. These are big dents said, “It’s very or extremely unlikely industry has little or no solid answers - they would buy an EV as their next car.” except for Toyota. The Japanese carmaker The findings come as the Biden Admin­ remember ? 1997 and has so far been a leader in hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, paving the energy. When Gov. Whitmer visited Grand way for the current electric car craze. ple wealthy enough to buy the high-priced fuel vehicles is a hydrogen internal com­ novelties - the same people who could bustion engine where power comes from a afford to pay the sales tax. converted motor using hydrogen as a fuel. string Hydrogen is the most abundant element manipulators haven’t taken into consider­ in the entire universe and its benefits over and their puppet ation some ofthe big issues facing electric EVs are higher range and faster refueling of bat­ times. Plus, there is an obvious reduction safety and in the use of limited-supply elements like such as lack cost, distance oftravel. An even bigger concern lithium and nickel, which are required in being overlooked, or de-emphasized, is the battery packs for EV vehicles. associate Yamaha Motors to develop a tion: China. hydrogen-fueled V-8 - In his newest book, Jonathon Ward, 455 horsepower at 6,800 RPM and 398 China scholar and founder of the Atlas pound-feet of torque: at 3,600 implications ofU.S.-China global compe­ than the original gasoline V-8, but it’s still tition. Ward warns how the U.S. must respectable. defeat China on the world stage economi­ “People involved in the auto industry cally, diplomatically, militarily and ideo­ are largely a silent majority,” said Toyota Chairman Akio and American security China’s power and influence are growing loudly, because the right answer is still each day. Ward goes on the warn Ameri­ unclear, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to cans, just one option.” and aggressive As most automakers are betting every­ overseas, it threatens to upend America’s thing on electric cars, Toyota’s approach global dominance at every turn.” to zero carbon neutrality is more diversi­ Strategic Fund Board approved a Renais­ htcwhilrii uiniitot^hfa Kudos to Toyota for thinking outside box. Whether electric or hydro­ $175 million in state grants for Chi­ gen-powered, the infrastructure, nese-owned Gotion Inc. to build a $2.4 and cost of future vehicles will have to be billion EV battery parts facility on the acceptable to Americans before either is outskirts of Big Rapids. The special exemption by the board accepted over fossil-fueled vehicles regardless of what any administration tries would save the company $540 million to sell us and no matter who’s trying to over 30 years, according to estimates. In take our money. safety and the politicians they’ve hired to do their dirty work, leave the average citizen - choking on their get-away exhaust. “It’s not about not having new jobs in community,” said resident Mary Engelsman, who lives near the proposed point to any one thing or event that inspired When McNutt first got a horse a few facility. “Number one is the environment her love of animals. Growing up on a farm years ago, she started competing in barrel and the connection to China. It’s about the helped, she said. races and speed events. Just this year she “I’ve always kind ofhad that passion for started team roping, an event where partic­ community having a voice and what those jobs are.” animals. Growing up, we always had bam ipants work together to rope a steer. One “It’s absolutely terrifying when you cats and I always tried to tame the cats and ropes the head and horn of the steer, while read the articles ofassociation for Gotion, where they swear allegiance to the Chi- make them pets,” she Said. “We had cattle, the other team member ropes the steer’s we had some dogs and the neighbors always hind legs. It can be a dangerous sport, but had horses that I would go and ride. I just McNutt isn’t intimidated. always had that passion for animals.” “I just started that this year. It’s a lot of school, fun,” she said. “It can be a little stressful. If McNutt decided to follow her passion and you don’t do things properly you can lose work in the animal welfare your fingers and stuff, but it’s definitely a She worked as a vet assistant for nearly eight lot of fun.” years, spending time at Broadway Veteri­ For taking care of Barry County’s furry nary Clinic, VCA Woodland Animal Hospi­ and four-legged friends, Morgan McNutt is tal and Seidl Veterinary Hospital. this week’s Bright Light. Last August, she began working at the Morgan McNutt She had Favorite movie: “Pure Country. Country.” Favorite season: Fall. I love the weather met Director Ken Kirsch while working at much fun with the animals. It’s something and the beautiful colors on the trees. clinics in Hastings, and he reached out to her when he needed another person at the that I just enjoy.” Outside of work, McNutt likes to spend time Heart” by George Strait. shelter. with her four dogs, Bocephus, Chief, Winston The work is a little different than when she was a vet assistant, she said. Before, and Finn. She enjoys hunting, fishing, kayak­ Greatest song ever written: “Cross My husband, Hunter Pelham. ing and just being outdoors, she said. £oc/i week, the Bannerprofiles a person x-rays, examinations, surgery prep, blood horses about three or four times a week. draws, dental work and more. Now, she Although taking care ofso many horses can cleans kennels, feeds animals and makes be a lot of work, it’s a task she splits with sure they’re her fiance, Hunter Pelham. who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-loving personality, for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058;; or email news@j-adgraphics ..com. doesn’t even feel like work, she said. “I love it,” she said. “Everyone says you need to have fun with your job — I don’t even feel like this is ajob because I have so Pelham is a farrier by trade, someone who trims horse hooves and shoes them. “He does stuff in the morning, I do stuff at night, and we just kind of rotate,” she Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: newsOj-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO She also goes riding with one ofher four it The Hastings BdlUlCT Person I’m glad to have met: My future she’d assist with medical procedures like Some days, nsn'irsiiRSft achieve the goal ofzero emissions. the the socialized. ' fied, evaluating multiple technologies to sance Zone tax exemption request and said. “Wejust kind ofhave a system down.” Barry County Animal Shelter. jsrM jsrMWte Wte living color, we’re seeing how the rich, Hastings native Morgan McNutt can’t field. silent OK. to have as a single option. But they doorstep last week when The Michigan high “That think it’s the trend so they can’t speak out That subversive reality came to our from Toyada. supremacy are at stake says Ward - now is “As China becomes increasingly |» W > majority is wondering whether EVs are the time for the U.S. to take action because repressive domestically, graduating RPMs. Yamaha indicates it’s a little less power International a-sS a-sSjss Forel,, No* engine producing focuses on the ominous logically. After Toyota has also partnered with Japanese precious materials used in their produc­ Organization, met? alternative solution to meet increasingly strict envi­ the major supplier of batteries and the Have you into the fully Toyota’s ronmental laws and the phase-out offossil tery-charging infrastructure, The Hastings Schools Instrumental Music Dept., under the direction of Joe LaJoye (pictured), was busy rehearsing this week for a pops concert tonight at 7:30 in the Central Auditorium. A special attraction at the performance will be an appearance by the High School Jazz Band and the Junior High Jazz Band, and a guest trombone quartet consisting of Dr. Lynn McConnell, James Oliver, Craig Schroeder and Brian Shetterly. The performance will feature many enjoyable, popular tunes during the concert. Admission is free. trend. all-electric only people buying EVs now are the peo­ vehicles Banner March 28, 1985 However, despite its history, Toyota has been hesitant to jump benefit from this pickpocket scheme. The Politicians Bandsmen rehearse for concert tonight launched its revolutionary Prius model in sales and transition the country to clean her plan to eliminate the sales tax on EV purchases. That’s a telling signal of who’ll to J1 issues for which the istration pushes to aggressively boost EV Rapids a couple ofweeks ago, she touted I w • NEWSROOM • (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Jayson Bussa Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren 'ws • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 L �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 27,2023 — Page 5 Thornapple Playersto perform ‘Into the Woods’ The Thomapple Players are preparing to take their audiences on a magical journey next month with their performances of “Into the Woods. This musical, which features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, will round out the Players s’ 2022-23 season. Julian Kratochvil Dog gets loose, bites and pops tires on two vehicles is the director and Dan Broker is serving as the music director. Shows will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, May 4-6 and 2 p.m. Sun­ A loose canine was responsible for popping a tire on two separate vehicles earlier day, May 7 in the Dennison Performing Arts this month. Police responded to the scene around 12:30 p.m. on April 14 on the 6500 Center at 231 S. Broadway in Hastings. block of South Clark Road. Police made contact with a delivery driver, who told Tickets for the shows will cost $10 for police the dog ran into the road. While the driver was waiting for the dog to get out of adults and $8 for seniors and students. the way, it bit one of his delivery vehicle’s tires and popped it. Police made contact The Players will also hold an open-to- with another driver, a 23-year-old Hastings woman, who said she was traveling on the the-public dress rehearsal on Wednesday, road when the same thing happened to her. While waiting for the loose dog to get out May 3 at 7 p.m. All seats will be $7 for this rehearsal. “Into the Woods” is based on stories that parents have told their children for genera­ tions. There are elements where it’s pure V * t\ uJ.V fantasy exciting for kids, but there is also a ’JLSS JL’^SS message that is specifically centered toward WSSsSSw SJSofe'kSbLs?! i 'b^Wi>£; ofthe way ofher vehicle, it bit one ofher tires and popped it. The owner ofthe dog The cast of the Thornapple Players’ “Into the Woods” (pictured) has been hard at work preparing the show. Using characters from famous fairy tales, the musical takes audience members on a journey of magic, romance and self-reflection. Steve Moray, Julie Coon, adults: Be careful what you tell your chil­ Christopher Coughenour, dren. Cast and crew members include Charlie Amy Young, Olivia Bums, Advance tickets may be reserved by call­ Moray, ing the Thomapple Arts Council of Barry Michael Kirsten Nottingham, Bruce Young, Eric Phillips, John St. John, Vicki County at 269-945-2002 or purchased at Gilmore Jewelers, 102 E. State St. in Hast­ Saulino, Riley Poll, Travis Raab, Gwen Sauli- MacKellar, Audrey Burton, David MacKel- ings. Questions can be directed to thomapple- no, Julian Kratochvil, Taylor McPhail, Vickie lar, Rose Anger, Dan Burton, Ted Coon, Jen-­ players@gmail.com or the Thomapple Play­ St. John, Izzy Bergeron, nifer Craven, Aiden Oliver, Danielle Shook, spoke to both drivers and exchanged information with them. Firearm found by Yankee Springs hiker turns out to be a toy Steve Hoke, ers Facebook page. Those interested in more Terry Dennison, Hayden Heikkila, Lis Bur- A 26-year-old Hastings man reported finding a gun while hiking around 4 p.m. on Angela Seeber, Gary Cuyler, Lori Beduhn, information can also call the Thomapple Arts April 11 near Norris Trail and Gun Lake Road in Yankee Springs Township. The man ton-Haas, Peggy Hemerling, Carol Svihl, Kimmy Beck and Matt Sink. Council, 269-945-2002. told police he was hiking in the area earlier with his girlfriend, who had lost her keys. Dan Broker, While attempting to find the keys with a metal detector, the man found what appeared to be a gun barrel attached to a trigger mechanism. The stock of the weapon was badly JftJX JtJX Hastings graduating seniors celebrated , look forward to the future deteriorated due to age. Police stated the weapon appeared to be a double-barrel side- by-side style weapon, although it was heavily rusted. The officer was able to make out “All Metal Products Company, Wyandotte, MI USA” engraved on the barrel. Some research found that the company produced toy guns, and was not a functioning firearm manufacturer. Suspicious vehicles in Middleville federal officers Molly Macleod Copy Editor Hastings High School seniors were honored this week for their years of hard work and accomplishments. s$ss£s$ 23Ks*»* &£’*•! » •**?;;&** Police responded to a report ofsuspicious activity around 8:30 a.m. on April 19 on North Briggs Road near Hill Street in Middleville. Police were responding to a report -5Jns®i nsi®it3nf s&F' ss ^fueled V--Hss ^fueled V-H • J^fetofiorijaei^n •bfUB hkld ShkBl*d^81«lBR* ^ 81«lBR"*' ■■•bfcUB SB*. "' "*"**«»■> fy-nW nWilin fcpMoijdriiito ‘ ttaa Abo Toyai, nun! rattan state land pull-off area and made contact with the occupants, who informed the officer the lunch, guiding and encouraging the young they were with the U.S. Department ofHomeland Security. men on their futures to come. A similar number of Hastings senior girls Nashville woman reports airsoft gun driveby met for the 79th annual Senior Tea gathering at the Hastings Baptist Church, where they were joined by family and hosted by the Hastings Women’s Club. This year’s senior celebrations may be the Attendees of the senior boys’ luncheon are shown here (front row, from left): Mekih Botsford, Cole Smith, Isaac Stanton, Andrew Thompson, Joe Brisco, Parker Roslund, Diane Hawkins, president ofthe General Fed­ Justus Forell, Noah Strimbeck, (second row) Joseph Goggins, Skylar Gonsalves, eration of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Hastings Elijah Brisco, Zach Chipman, Ryan Hineman, Chandler Whelply, Robert Slaughter, Women’s Club. Solin Fouty, Daniel Weatherly, Juan Osorio, Ashton Rasey, Alex Forsberg, Assistant Hawkins said that organizers'of'the^ Senior Principal Matt Flessner, (third row) Judge Mike Schipper, Superintendent Matt Goebel, cTleleao, naloarneg twatikthirigth' oasbOdu’ot fp tohtee^nbt!Odyllsy^sCeonmiobr>inliunng-K! Bane' Signeskr; Alexander Forbes; Lannyi Tepnes^n, Caleb Waller, Kearan Tolles, clleon, are tatkirig' abdut potent!dlly Combining Logan rShouk, Trerrturrtlpsey, Reed BaldersonSAdarrf Jacob, Lawrence McKenna, the two celebrations for one cohesive celebra­ (back row) Elijah Brisco, Chase Rathburn, Xander Holtrust, Brayden Padilla, Jackson tion for all ofHastings’ graduating seniors. Clow, Layton Eastman, Nate Kohmescher, Caleb Gurtowsky, Matthew Rettinger, Jack “We have been invited to join Rotary and Kensington and Logan Snow. (Photo by Fred Jacobs) something was hitting her house before she was hit by something that she thought was a plastic airsoft BB pellet. The culprits sped off after she exchanged “some choice words” with them, she told police. “This is the 79th (year) ofteas for the girls, and takteUitKintat thnkf'sthe trad sotbey can'll tai pc ad fate pi M^taDekri^m realize that working with other groups is what ttkUpsafttwric ■da; w shouldn’t Irit ® we need to be doing because the world does not a ‘M Cta ta ca^ seem to be working together right now. Ifyou js®opiffi" mtortatB* ws®^®“=' i — i■ta-Bi-orFt’toii i*•**«;.¥ *B ’ feelings about the whole thing. But we also started in communities, maybe it’ll go out far­ iBaitaMtabtysiW Though there are no concrete plans at this Jjenlef multiple I®? time to do away with the separate celebrations, the uncertainty ofthe future of the events lent itself to particularly special senior celebrations. ^theirifeM®’ I faffim » • P’J 2«rfltoeveliicles»i* Hastings High School graduating boys, serves i^asno™ sno • [uij [utij D Toyota oyoa for or W«* ■^FadWF* kto Mb elect* <P Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass ther.” I J,®ePi -L Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville The senior luncheon, an annual tradition for as an opportunity for graduating seniors to con­ nect with community leaders and listen to advice on their futures to come. “This is a huge honor and there are a number ofyou that I know and that I’ve had the privi­ lege of coaching and working with,” said Schipper on Monday. “Some ofwhat I’m going -atats*' Kathryn Clark was awarded this year’s Jumpstart Your Future scholarship. The Hastings Women’s Club has awarded this scholarship to exceptional young women in Hastings since 2005. Pictured are (from left) Deborah Wilke, Kathryn Clark and Diane Hawkins. (Photo by Molly Macleod) to say you’ve heard before because I am who I •SiJE . SZw SZw® am. And I want to talk to you young guys just “Anyone here who needs help from me, “Life is a participation sport,” said Schipper. as I talked to my two young sons as they were wants to call to talk to me about anything, I’m “Get out of your room, get out of your base­ growing up because why would I want any­ there. You gotta find me. You gotta take the ment, quit talking and thinking and dreaming thing different from you than what I would initiative. It’s not hard to find me. If you find - start doing.” want for my own boys?” me, I’ll help you. But you gotta learn to take The young women in Hastings’ Class of “This is a big opportunity for me. It’s an initiative in life. I’m not gonna come find you 2023 heard similar advice at their Senior Tea opportunity for both ofus. I have the opportu- in your bedroom or basement while you’re celebration. nity to talk to 50-ish high school seniors, great playing video games - ain’t gonna happen. Hawkins, president of the GFWC Hastings young guys, who are going to take over the Find me, I’ll help you.” Thejudge touched on the importance of hav­ to be the leaders of tomorrow and celebrated ing principles to stand by in life. ‘“Ifyou stand them for their accomplishments to date. torch,” Schipper continued. “We have to have people that fill our shoes. We have to have 4 Like Schipper’s speech, Diane Women’s Club, encouraged the young women young guys who step in and run our communi­ for nothing, then you’re gonna fall for any­ Though exciting things are to come for all of ties and make good decisions about our com-­ thing,’ - it’s true. You gotta have some things in the Class of 2023 graduates, the uncertainty of munities and our futures.” life that are principles that you stand on. what is to come can cause fear. Schipper spoke to the boys about living authentically and knowing they are not alone when facing life’s big decisions. v There’s certain things in life that need to count,” he said. fat the crux of § clipper’s “We want you to know how much we hope and pray that everything you hope and dream for lies ahead of you. It has been a few years “The most successful people have a team,” speechwas encouraging1 these, ybung men td .be leaders in life. Schipper told the young men. “You can have as Despite the ever-changing world, young men graduated. I don’t even think I remember what big a team as you want, but you gotta ask. Take are still needed to step up and lead as their happened at my graduation, and, of course, the initiative to ask,” he said. fathers and grandfathers did before them. there was no such thing as YouTube, so nobody since the women in the Women’s Club have took pictures ofthat. But I don’t think one ofus doesn’t remember how glad we were we weren’t going to have to go to high school classes anymore but also the fear of what was going to come, and the looking forward to what was going to come,” said Hawkins. “And we know that you’re experiencing that as well, and J1* all we can hope for is that yourjourney is full of adventures, amazingly different people and that you gift your talents to the world — because \ rr X55 noon on April 15 at her home on the 600 block of Reed Street when a silver sports car pulled up to a stop sign in front ofher house. The woman told police it sounded like Kiwanis in celebrating the whole class, boys after 79 years you can imagine there are mixed ** A 42-year-old Nashville woman called police after she suspected pranksters had fired at her with an airsoft gun. The woman told police she was doing yard work around and girls, to be more inclusive,” said Hawkins. ^■nictltanU-iM 01 rh sa sa^copdik , ... oftwo suspicious-looking black Ford Flex vehicles. Police found the vehicles in the ians. Judge Michael Schipper gave a speech at last in their current iterations, according to ",bP* |*flta About 50 senior boysjoined the Rotary Club ofHastings at the WalldorffBrewpub & Bistro this week for their annual luncheon with Rotar­ i> J^> the world sorely needs them right now.” The Hastings Women’s Club gave out a $1,500 scholarship as well at the Senior Tea, awarding Hastings senior Kathryn Clark for her |I JT^^i ^^i numerous academic achievements, Those who attended the 79th annual Senior Tea were treated to the musical stylings of the Hastings Varsity Singers under the direction of Andrew Moore. Here, attendees •°ok on as the select choir entertains. (Photo by Molly Macleod) along and with MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber L Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //NIK).' ■^iJfBNDCHAKTERTOWNSHlf^ CEMETERY CLEANUP NOTICE As per our Cemetery Ordinance #2021178 adopted November 10, 2021, borders will no longer be allowed on cemetery lots and will be removed. Also, all mounds, memorials, decorations, or benches that hinder the free use of a lawn mower or other gardening apparatus are prohibited and will be removed. All urns and decorations shall be set in line with the stone within the boundaries of each grave site. Flowers and shrubs will only be allowed if planted in an urn. The Cemetery cleanup has begun and will continue until completed. If you have any decorations at the Cemetery you wish to keep, please remove them now. extracurricular her exceptional essays and personal narrative. The Hastings Women’s Club has given out scholarships to Hastings senior girls since 2005. 198288 Larry Watson, Supervisor Rutland Charter Township �Page 6 — Thursday, April 27, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Dorothy (Adams) Barlow Sandra Mae Shanahan many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sandra was bom in Cadillac, MI on Sep­ tember 16, 1950. She lived in Luther with her parents and sisters until they moved to Lud­ ington when she was about 5 years old. She attended Ludington Public Schools, graduatingjn 1969JShe vvas a waitress, then she met * and married her husband on January 18, 1975. She moved to Dorr, where she was a home­ maker and stay at home mom for 25 years. Micheal and Sandra built their new home at 2580 Horseshoe Trail and in Hastings moved in January, 1999. She was employed at the Middleville Shell from 1999 to 2001. In 2001 she worked for Thomapple Manor until she retired in December of2015. Since retirement, she has enjoyed church, Circle of Joy, and bible studies at Leighton Sandra Mae (Green) Shanahan, of Hast­ Church. Micheal and Sandra attended many Dorothy “Dottie”J (Adams) Barlow, age ings, MI, went to be with her Lord and Savior live theaters and shows. They also liked to go 97, passed away on April 11, 2023, in Par­ the late John James Herbert, passed away camping with friends and took several bus rish, FL. Dottie was bom bn March 1, Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Shore Health on April 25, 2023. She was preceded in death by her grand­ parents, Gary and Ruth Sawyer; her parents, Earl and Lorna Green; and her twin sisters, Karen Green and Sharon Green. She also has tours. She loved shopping at the E&S Store in Shipshewana. One ofher greatestjoys was spending time with her grandchildren. a baby in heaven that she miscarried early in Sandra’s family will receive friends on her pregnancy. She is survived by her husband, Micheal J. Beeler-Gores Funeral Home and on Monday, Shanahan; children,: Chris (Corrie) Shanah­ an, Anthony (Missy) Shanahan, Timothy Shanahan, Tina (Scott) (Rebecca) Triick, Andrew (Amanda) Shanahan; grandchildren, 1926, the Lorraine Vivian Herbert, age 72, wife of and Rehabilitation Center in Parksley, VA. Roger Stanley Caris, Sr., age 82, of Hastings, MI entered rest with his Savior on April 19,2023. Roger was bom on October 4, 1940, the son of Stanley Eugene and Francis Ruth daughter of George E. and Veleta B. (Narra- Bom January 6, 1951 in Lacey, MI, Lor­ gon) Thornton. She graduated from Crystal High School. In 1^49, she married Millard raine was the daughter of the late Carol Vivian Miller Harbin and Howard Elwood married Mary Skinner, and later married Bar­ “Bob” Adams, and they enjoyed 40 years Higbee. bara Avery on December 11, 2002. (Scofield) Caris. He was a 1958 graduate of Fulton High School. On August 28,1964, he Lorraine grew up in Hastings and Battle Prior to Federal Mogul, where he worked for Dottie worked at Bealls Department Store Creek, MI, and later moved to Wisconsin, eight years, he was a semi-truck driver. He left 10 to 11 a.m. at church. Sandra’s funeral ser­ in Bradenton, FL for 21 years. She worked at where she began her 20-year career as a res­ Federal Mogul and opened a Western Auto Store vice will be conducted on Monday, May 1, Michigan National Bank for 12 years prior to ervation specialist manager for various hotels in 1974, which is what brought him to Hastings! She lived a long, happy, throughout the region. She was a longtime He became a volunteer firefighter while running and healthy mobile’life until she decided to member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in his business. In 1981, he was appointed the job go meet Jesus in Heaven. Milwaukee, WI and especially enjoyed sing­ ofbeing the Hastings/BIRCH Fire Chief. Sunday, April 30, 2023, 4 to 7 p.m. at the 2021, 11 a.m. at Leighton Church. Private burial will take place in Hooker Cemetery. Halaynea Shanahan, Hope Shanahan, Kalie In lieu of flowers, Sandra has requested Triick, Mark Shanahan, Devin Triick, Gwen- that donations be made to Leighton Church or evieve Triick, Alexander Triick, Keagan Sha­ The 700 Club. together until his passing. moving to Florida. Dottie was preceded in death by her hus­ Roger was a certified Firefighter Training ing in the choir. band Millard “Bob” Adams; daughter, Bever­ Lorraine returned to Hastings in 1987 and Officer I, II and III. He was honored by the nahan, Bruce Shanahan, Larkin Shanahan, Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com ly Adams; son, Rick L. Adams; her parents, began working as a certified nursing assistant State Fire Safety Board 1991-1995. Roger was Jordan Shanahan; sister, Pat Green; brothers,: to share a memory or to leave a condolence George Thornton and Veleta Hosford, and her at Thomapple Manor, a career that perfectly a Certified Terrorism Awareness First Respond­ Gary (Cheryl) Green, Greg Green; as well as message for Sandra’s family. sister, Arlene Passmore. complimented her caring and compassionate er TTT. He was the Secretary/Treasurer for the She is survived by her son, Mark (Nancy) nature. After two decades at Thomapple, Lor­ Western Michigan Fire Chiefs Association Adams of Holland; daughter, Becky Adams raine retired from nursing and became the from 1989-1991. In 1985, he was awarded the of Parrish, FL; sister, Lavone Lambert of owner and operator ofthe former Whispering Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award for Out­ Michigan; standing and Meritorious Service to Humanity. He served as the President of the Michigan Fire Denise E. Straley (Jon) Pines Equestrian Center. Over the next seven Jemigan ofParrish, FL, Heather (Tim) Davis years, she spent countless hours working the A celebration of life for Denise E. Straley of Springfield,. OH/Tracee Jankoviak ofHol­- farm and found great joy in providing a lov­ Chiefs Association from 1992-1993. will be held on May 6, 2023 at Pierce Cedar land, Dana (Greg) Myers of Caledonia; great-grandchildren/ Wyatt, Meyer, Bodie ing, healing environment for horses. presented a Years of Service Award from the Jemigan, MacKenzie Myers, Connor Myers. her husband and remained grateful for every Great Lakes Division. Roger was appointed by moment they spent together. the Governor of Michigan John Engler as a Creek Institute in Hastings, MI. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., program begins at 1 p.m. grandchildren, Angie , Following Dottie’s wishes, there will be no Refreshments to follow. Denise’s favorite color was red; please join services held., , In addition to her parents and husband of Arrangements'by Girrbach Funeral Home. us in honoring her by choosing red attire or To leave an .online* condolence visit www. accessories. We encourage anyone who would like to share ajnemory ofDenise as part of the gjrrbaqbfuneralbom^.net. program to please come prepared to do sq. : Wease 'contact Mdfean LeMarbe at’ £17­ psrl r! ,yab ?tr ». c earl "aauori loorfoa ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... ST. ROSE OF LIMA METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastinesfreemethodist.com Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha StoetzeL Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON WOODGROVE CATHOLIC CHURCH BRETHREN 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. CHRISTIAN PARISH HASTINGS 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday. Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and bMStildren’s Ministry. Wednesday^'^’ ' CHR 1ST THE KING ' ; night Bible study and prayer PRESBYTERIAN time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. , CflWH (PCA) 328 N.' Jeffersin Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. certified instructor for the Dale LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. and his wife, Kendra, of Grand Rapids, MI; ATV’s, camping, hunting, ice fishing, and rid; sister, Cathie Marrison ofLancing, MI; broth­ ing his motorcycle. He always looked forward to attending many of his grandchildren’s events. 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wfrshm &rraise ents, Stanley and Francis Caris; wife, Barb Brittany Higgins, Zachary Higgins (Whit­ Caris; son, Douglas Skinner; brother, Ron ney), Mercedes Herbert Gonzalez, Tiffany Caris, and great-grandson, Ben Hammond. sa-Lee Herbert, Trenton Bumstead, Brenden ner, Sue (Ed) McKeough, Teresa (Jim) Shel­ don, Paul (Katie) Skinner, Roger (Melissa] nieces and nephews and their families. She is Caris; grandchildren, Danyel Hammond, Lori also survived by her dear friends, Kathy Bohan, Michael McKeough, Phillip McKe4t Slagter and Fred Gilliam, Jr. The family will gather for a private grave­ ough, Brian McKeough, Joshua Sheldon,» Brooke Smeckert, Adam Sheldon, Alex Skin-J side service in Michigan, where Lorraine will ner, Austin Caris,; Emi lie Caris, Ethan Caris; be laid to rest beside her husband. A memori­ and adopted grandchildren, Mikenna Cari§ al service will be scheduled at a later date. and Kenny Caris; love for animals, and sister-in-law, Kay Caris. Contributions in memory of Roger can bj Fund, 231 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058, Don was bom on. July 21, 1946 in Kalam­ or Green Gables Haven https://www.greeng- azoo, the son of Wayne and Mary “Arlene” ableshaven.org/wish-list/ (Donate). (Wildfong) Irving. The most important things The funeral service was held at the Barry to Don during his lifetime were his family Expo Center, 1350 M-37, Hastings, MI 4905^ and His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He ’ on Monday, April 24, 2023. devoted his life to serving others. He was a Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home] small business owner and operated his busi­ To leave an online condolence, visit www! ness, A & D Septic Tank with a servant’s girrbachfuneralhome.net. heart. At Faith United Methodist Church and Prairieville (Revive) Bible Church, he helped with many service projects. He became a Mark D. Sanders Alcoholics Anonymous. He spent many sum­ mers with his family-at Camp Michawana. Rapids, Huntington Foam in Greenville, and Don lived life to .the fullest, even after a Homewood Suites in Grand Rapids. few major accidents that almost took his life. Don is survived by his children,: Troy Mark enjoyed snowmobiling, remodeling (Neila) Irving, Melissa (Bobby) Jordan, Mar- his home, and helping neighbors on the farm; grandchildren, Mark is preceded in death by his son; Tayler* Bianca, Josiah,* Isaiah, Adria, Teagan, David Sanders; father, Gerald; brother, Scott laina frying, Qonny I[vjng; Maryrose, Bryqe; fiance: Sandy Neal; sisters, Sanders; nephew, Barrett Sherwood; grand-! Elaine parents, Frank and Jessie Sanders, and Clar-! (Jim) McGovern, Barbara (Gary) ence and Ruth Miller. Schippa; several nieces and nephews. Mark is survived by his wife, Debra Long’ mother, Betty Sanders; brothers, Stuart (Pam] Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Becky frying; brother, Richard Irving day, April 29, 2023, 10 to 11 S Sanders, Brad (Brenda) Sanders; many nieces and nephews; daughter, Jennifer (Jason) Lung a.m. at Faith and grandchildren Gavin, Madison, Kinsley Lund, Debra’s daughter, Joni (Mark) Preston' a.m. Burial and their children, Lucas, Veronica and Charlotte service will take plate at East Hickory Cor­ Preston, and Debra’s son Mark Willingham, and ners Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at Faith his children Hunter, Trigger, and Avalynn, along United Methodist Church. with very good friends Gary and Wilma Yates. [ visit www.williamsgoresftmeral. com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Don’s family. Hastings 945-9541 made to the Hastings Fire Department, 201 0 State St., Hastings, MI 49058, the BCF Kqitfi and Elsie Sage Hastings Fire Department Home. passed away on April 22, 2023. Please 1301W. Green St. nephew,* SPCA shelter. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to 1699 W. M43 Highway, tastings, Ml 49058. ql 945-4700 several great-grandchilj one great-great-grandchild; James Avery; sister, Nancy (Larry) Townsend^ ements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Community Kids at Comhiunitykids.org. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 dren; please consider a contribution to your local family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com. service will be conducted at 11 HdllttToobtE^fllpDtot ] Herbert; ten great-grandchildren; and several United Methodist dhurch where his funeral products 'msHxwjBir He is survived by his children, Bill Skin-* Don’s family will receive friends on Satur­ and these local businesses: nsa Kurszewski (Steve), Brad-Lee Herbert, Ally- and granddaughter, Isabel Jordan. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches ______ Roger was preceded in death by his par­ ville, MI; grandchildren, Andrew Higgins, mentor and a help to many people through PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH Carnegie Roger also served on the Board bf Directors at the Thomaople Credit Union. ' , *> Rogerloved to play’ goli/fte^bjoyed riding Memory tributes may be shared with the of Delton, Course. i^^'Pete, of Parkiley'^id TiiAbttty' Uetbert To honor Lorraine’s Donald Ray Irving, age 76, Additionally, he was Jim Harbin. dren; Tiffany Anne Blackwell' and her hus- 0 member of the State Fire Safety Board from May 1993-July 1995. ers, Donald Higbee and his wife, Liidia, of Battle Creek, MI and Phillip Higbee of Nash­ Worship Together International Association of Fire Chiefs ofthe 40 years, she was predeceased by her brother, Left to cherish her memory , are her chil­ 290-8478 with any questions. HASTINGS FREE During this time Lorraine also cared for He was Mark D. Sanders, age 71, ofCedar Springs, MI, died April 21, 2023. Memorial contributions can be made ill M Mark’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospn tai, https://www.stjude.org/donate, 501 St. Judd Mark was bom July 24, 1951, in Hastings, Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Shriner’s Hospii MI, the son of Gerald and Betty (Cappon) tai for Children, https://donate.lovetotherescue’ Sanders. org/, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607’ A Celebration ofLife will be held at a late? A He graduated from Hastings High School in 1970. He worked at Viking Corporation in date. Hastings before moving to Cedar Springs, Home. To leave an online condolence visit working for Duthler Ford Truck in Grand www.girrbachftmeralhome.net. Arrangements by Girrbach . Funeral �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 27,2023 — Page 7 JKfi F afl look Mat the stories and columns on local hlstorg In the Hastings Banner Turning A picture postcard depicts the Woodland School shortly after construction is completed. (Image courtesy of Bonnie Mattson) te JI ^te^A *fe ?. fl A? Ifrff nf CAw. r Ifrff nf Cw... r . I - ,^2638^ ^^1 few W. K pMIKEl .tai Bgw Stanleyy and Fins Cakdk Cik sod, Doughs Stimo: hfrh » Editor’s note: In this past weekend’s edi­ tion of'The Reminder (April 22, 2023), the cover story chronicles the history of the Woodland school building, now known as the Lakewood Early Childhood Center. In the story, the cornerstone of the building is men­ tioned to be rumored as a time capsule. A helpful reader pointed us to an article published in The Banner in 1923 that recounts the cornerstone ceremony over 100 years ago, confirming that the cornerstone does, in fact, contain items within. The following article was titled “Corner Stone Laid Wednesday P.M.: Woodland’s $100,000 Consolidated School Building will be Ready for Occupancy Next Fall ” andpub­ lished on April 11, 1923. Readers can find a digital version ofthe original article at barYycountyhistoryportal. org. Wednesday was a great day for Woodland, when the comer stone of the fine new school building for her Consolidated schools was laid with impressive ceremonies in the village ofWoodland, the exercises commencing at 2 O’clock in the afternoon. Last year the question of consolidating the school districts in the township into one dis­ trict was submitted to the voters, and carried by a large majority. The following were selected as the school board for the district: Elon Plant, president; John Velte, secretary; Lawrence N. Hilbert, treasurer, S.C. Schuler and Jos. Wise.' The board visited several places where there were consolidated schools, and finally decided upon the type of building they would suggest to the voters ofthe township. In their judgnjPnt tjie sum I of $100,000 would be necessary, and that is what they recommended. The electors responded with a good majority for the issuing of $100,000 bonds by the district. The school board next obtained plans for the one story type of building which they favored, and advertised for bids. The lowest bid they received exceeded $109,000. As that was greater than the bond limit they decided to employ an experienced builder to supervise the construction, and do the work under their own management. So the board began to assemble materials on the site cho­ sen for the new building, and as weather conditions permitted, has proceeded with work on foundation walls until all was in readiness for the laying of the comer stone on Wednesday. Construction work is in charge of Mr. DeKoning of Kalamazoo. It is hoped to have the walls and roof completed before July, and the building ready for school in September. The school board and Mr. DeKoning are watching the work close­ ly, and are confident that the building will be completed within the cost limit voted, $100,000. No better men could have been chosen to look after the interests of the dis­ trict than the six gentlemen named. They are interested deeply, are on the (grounds) and propose to see that 100 cents in value is received for every dollar expended. A large crowd witnessed the laying of the cornerstone, including the teachers and the 153 pupils ofthe consolidated schools. At the site (was) the Bishop to take charge of this project. His headquarters will be at Albion, where he will work in co-operation new building, led by Supt. J.C. Barnum, the schol­ ars and teachers sang America. A local pastor offered prayer, another pastor read the Scrip­ ture lesson, after which the comer stone was laid, with Commissioner Gertrude Miller superintending, and making some very appro­ priate, remarks,, which were well received. Then came more singing by the school, after which B.S. Holly, president of the village, deposited in the comer stone numerous arti­ cles, records, also copies of the Woodland News and the Banner, also the report for last year of the County Y.M.C.A. (n, aidpatfiila Bata' IkisOTfllliyliijdfaSi’ ft’iSKtTooiMBnfa sixlhflMeaaklraiii Dean Eugene Davenport, who was bom in Woodland, and who had always felt that this township was really his home, while he was for 27 years at the head of the Illinois College ofAgriculture, was called on for a speech. He stated in response that the wintry gale forbade extended remarks, but he wished that all pres­ ent could realize that there was only one country in the world where such an event as this could happen. Here a free people, by their own freely expressed will, were carry­ ing out their purpose to give to their children in the country the same fine school privileges which they could otherwise only obtain in the cities. No one had compelled them to do this. It was their own act. Schools and good roads were the two largest items of public expense. But, he declared, schools and good roads had become necessities in bur modem life; and the people would find a way to pay the cost, since they are vital needs. Mr. Rhinehart, representing the state edu­ cation department, was on the program for an address, and would have given one that the crowd would have been glad to hear. But the bitter wind made the speaker cut short his remarks. He congratulated the people of Woodland on their good judgment and enter­ prise in taking the (advanced) step in public education. It spelled better opportunities in life for their children. They were building even wiser than to them seemed true at this time, and the future would increasingly show how wisely they had builded. More than that, the example they had set would help other communities to see the advantage of consolidated schools. “The little red school house” has had its day. It has served a beneficient use, but an advanced step in public education in the rural districts must now be taken, and Woodland would never regret having done so. The new building will represent the up-tothe-minute idea in consolidated school con­ struction. It was wisely determined to have it a one story building. Its extreme dimensions are 163 by 191 feet. The assembly and rec- into (Kafr) Staff, tote lipteh tataiaitt WaMtaelikKeoteFlil^ d fay ta . R#e pw fa f fa*'1 **"uteiMa®Nai,cy(fa)*1 1 Benjamin Scott Boody, Hastings and Sarah Anne VanZyl, Kentwood ,M fat Katelyn Marie Pendock, Dorr and Derek Michael Winger, Freeport Alexiss Thea Ferrell, Hastings and Buses are shown lined up in front of the newly constructed Woodland Township School in 1923. (Image courtesy of “The History of Woodland, Michigan 1837-1987”) (\ek Doctor Universe ig Betta testing How do you tell ifyour bettafish is happy fess ■ $$$ FT or depressed? Neely 10, Ore. Dear Neely, As a science cat, I handle going to the veterinarian better than most. I see it as a meeting of scientific minds. But I had no idea some veterinarians specialize in fish. I learned all about fish medicine from my friend Nora Hickey. She’s a fish veterinari­ an at Washington State University. She works in the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. She helps fish at zoos and hatcheries stay healthy. Hickey told me you can watch a betta s behavior to see if it’s happy. Happy bettas swim around. They interact with things in their tanks and act interested when you come close. Unhappy bettas are lethargic. They lay around and seem uninterested. All bettas rest sometimes, but a betta that’s always J ’ itation rooms, ofwhich there are 16, includ­ ing the high school room, 31x66, are located in a one story brick building that occupies three sides of a hollow square. The hollow square, however is not hollow. In that is to be erected the gymnasium, 47x123 feet. The cement floor of the gym is to be three feet lower than the floor of the school rooms, while the walls will extend about six feet higher. An area that will be cemented sur­ rounds the gym, and will admit the light, as well as will the sky lights, so this important room will be well ventilated and well light­ ed. It will also serve the town and township for community gatherings, and Woodland has long needed such a place. A gym is now recognized as an indispensable part ofa well regulated school, so this big room will be doubly useful. The outside walls will be mottled brick, with stone trimmings, which will give the building a fine finish. It will be steam heated, splendidly lighted, and have up-to-date toi­ lets, cloak rooms, etc. In fact there will be nothing lacking in the building and its equip­ ment give to Woodland a complete, modem, educational plant. In our judgment, it is only a question of time before some form of consolidation of rural schools will be a necessity. The only way in which a republican form of govern- ment can be maintained is by having an educated citizenry. That means efficient public schools. That kind of schools are an impossibility in districts with from six to ten pupils, with a teacher required to teach classes in every one of the eight grades. Further, it is becoming increasingly diffi­ cult to secure teachers who will undertake the discouraging work of teaching so many grades. The state department ofeducation is increasing the requirements for teachers, and in a few years a law will go into effect which will permit only teachers with nor­ mal college training to teach in Michigan’s public schools. Hdw many normal schools graduates, trained teachers, will care to spend their time teaching classes in all eight grades required in rural schools to classes of from one to two in a one room school with a total of from six to ten pupils? Besides all this, it isn’t fair to give all city school children high school advantages and deny them on any equality basis to pupils in the country. Just how it will be worked out is not apparent no^v but that some plan will hook up rural communities to city and vil­ lage 12 grade schools, or follow Woodland’s example and build 12 grade schools, is cer­ tain. And good roads are an essential factor in consolidated schools. Willow Mae Hall, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on March 20, 2023 to Samantha Serbantez and Jamie R. Hall of Nashville. Health Pennock on April 5, 2023 to Desirae Chavis and Jeremy Chavis of Hastings. ***** ♦♦♦♦ Kenley Rose, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 6, 2023 to Shelby Cowell and Dustin Cowell of Nashville. EZMerae Vera VanSiclen, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on March 19, 2023 to Kamzy Kirby and Brandon VanSiclen of Potterville. ***** Luna Lubbers, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on March 23, to Alexis Stanton and Lukes Lubbers of Hastings. ***** LEAiiBBCrofliteSndeirlyidamC Mfrfrth " 1' ui fltafrptP 1 ' u-rLEAagiiCrisjnilieCnanta u-rLEAagii B , oTLj. BS BflGK THE PAGES inactive may need help. “The biggest reason for betta fish to be unhappy is that they’re not properly kept,” Hickey said. She told me bettas are tropical fish and need heaters. Their ideal water temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A lethargic betta without a heater may be cold. You might be surprised to hear that bettas don’t always need filters or bubblers. Hick­ ey says filtration systems that chum the water may annoy bettas. Their native waters are still, and they aren’t strong swimmers. Most fish use gills to get oxygen from the water. But bettas belong to a fish family called labyrinth fish or apabantoids. In addi­ tion to gills, these fish have a breathing organ inside their heads-called a labyrinth organ. They can breathe air by poking their mouths above the surface of the water. It’s an adaptation that helps wild bettas survive. Wild bettas live in warm, shallow Jacob Michael Sherman, Hastings waters with lots of plants. Sometimes their homes dry up a bit. That would be bad news for most fish. But labyrinth fish can breathe air. As long as they stay wet, they can wait until their homes fill back up with water. That’s why the shape of a betta’s tank is more important than its size. Bettas need lots of surface area-space where the air touches the top of the water-so they can gulp air. A betta in a wide tank can breathe better than a betta in a vase or a bowl with a small opening. Food is another way to make your betta happy. Hickey told me wild bettas eat insects. Betta food made from insect protein is a diet closer to their normal one. As a treat, offer bettas frozen foods-like blood worms or water fleas. Bettas are solitary animals, but they do like to have one friend-you. “I think they’re one of the most interac­ tive fish,” Hickey said. “Bettas like to inter­ act with or respond to people.” She told me some people train bettas to do tricks like jump through hoops. You can enrich your betta’s life by talking to it and offering it tasty nibbles. You can give it new things to explore in its tank. If your betta still seems lethargic, it may need a fish veterinarian. They can help you and your betta get on swimmingly. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Asher Jack Jelinek, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on March 23,2023 to Jordan Jelinek and Derek Jelinek of Belding. ***** Oakleigh RuthAnn Heney, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 4, 2023 to Chelsea Moran and James Heney IV of Bellevue. ***** Kiara Nicole Chavis, bom at Spectrum Bailey Sue Carlson, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 6,2023 to Gloriana Frey-Elston and Brendan Carlson of Hastings. ***** Cash Malcolm Monty, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 7, 2023 to Selina Ortiz and Seth Mon*ty* *o*f* Lansing. Paisley Jo Hatch, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 8,2023 to Heidi Hatch and Brandon Hatch of Caledonia. ***** Preston Tyler Abbott, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 9, 2023 to Sara Harvath and Nicholas Abbott of Hastings HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Friday, April 28 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 1 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Board of Directors meeting, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 3 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Digital Literacy: Google Calen­ dar, 2 p.m.; writers' riight 6:30 p.m.; Virtual History Hounds: “Let’s Go Fishing, Tales from the North Woods,” 7 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 614 198637 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BY ADDING THE FOLLOWING: ARTICLE 90 - I, SECTION 90-1 DEFINITIONS, FOOD TRUCK AND FOOD TRUCK PARK AND ADDING SECTION 90-462 (P), SECTION SO472 (V), AND SECTION 90-552 (Q), AND ADDING DIVISION 90-IX-S FOOD TRUCK/FOOD TRUCK PARK, SECTIONS 90-914 AND 90-915 TO ARTICLE 90-IX SUPPLEMENTARY DISTRICT REGULATIONS was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 24th of April 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever City Clerk �Page 8 — Thursday, April 27, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Barry County Humane Society enlists furry friend to teach pet care to Star Elementary students Huntetr McLaren Stiff Writer The Barry County Humane Society invited a special guest to their-pct care presentation at Star Elementary last week Friday. Students were joined by Pluto, a golden retriever that acts as the school’s facility dog. Pluto kept students company at the April 21 assembly while Carol Mantle, Kay Doyle and Pattie Richardson taught them how to proper­ ly care for pets. Kids learned the importance of spaying and neutering pets, how to feed and care for them, and the signs that an ani­ mal might bite. Pluto was new to the district this year alongside his brother Halo, both trained by Wayland-based nonprofit organization Paws With A Cause. Pluto and Halo’s initial costs have been completely covered by the Barry County Humane Society, with ongoing costs covered by Barry County United Way and Barry County Community Foundation, Gun Lake Community Church, the Southeastern Elementary PTO and First Presbyterian Carol Mantle (front, center) demonstrates how rapidly pets who are not spayed or neutered can reproduce with help from Star Elementary students Brinn Wendt (left) and Dremony Rose (right). (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Annual Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival slated for this weekend The 82nd Vermontville Maple Syrup festivals throughout the season. Festival kicks off on Friday and extends “It’s a good opportunity for us,” said through the weekend. The annual festival takes over down­ Haigh, a retired fanner who has been 80. “I’ve never figured out exactly the live music and, after its namesake, maple (average) we sell, but we usually do really syrup in all of its various forms. well.” This year’s local maple syrup producers There should be plenty of product to include Maple Manor, Benedict Family buy, too, as most local maple syrup produc­ Maple, Dixon Farms, Haigh’s Sugar House ers had a very successful season given the Farm, Martin Maple Products, Pennock ideal weather. Haigh said that his facility Family/Mari-Way Farms, Trails End Maple produced 100 gallons more this year than Syrup, Wilson’s Sugar Bush and the Nash­ the average year. As part ofthe time-honored tradition of ties to stay focused in a busy environment. Holloway said Pluto often works to help “We have been so impressed comfort kids, even keeping nervous students with the compassion and com­ mitment embodied by Paws company while they take intimidating assess­ With A Cause, and we are really ments. exoited to see this dream become Carol Mantle, Barry County Humane Soci­ a reality,” Mantle said. “Our ety Treasurer, spearheaded the fundraising efforts necessary to. bring more facility dogs long-term goal is to raise enough money to sponsor a PAWS facil­ to the district. She saw the dogs as a great ity dog for every Barry County way to ease students stressed out by COVID- school that wants one.” Breckenridge, Mich.-based Maple Leaf Amusements, a fairly new vendor for the Maple Syrup Festival, producers will be festival, will be offering rides for kids ofall doling out everything from traditional ages. maple syrup for pancakes all the way to 19 woes in recent years. the presentation was a good test ofhis abili­ around syrup since the age ofl6.Heisnow town Vermontville, offering rides, games, ville Maple Syrup Association. Church, Makayla Holloway, Pluto’s handler, said Pluto, a golden retriever trained by Wayland-based nonprofit Paws With A Cause, acts as a source of calm and comfort for Star Elementary students. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Vermontville Festival Corp, president Steve Hayes said that attendees can expect maple sugar cotton candy. Larry Haigh of Haigh’s Sugar House the typical festival experience that so many Farm in Bellevue said the Vermontville locals have come to expect. Maple Syrup Festival is a must-attend for His company. HS ttlSo''visits a few other syrupfest.org. A full schedule of events is available at NOTICE TO BIDDERS BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 10:30 A.M. May 11,2023 for the sale ofthe following item. (1) 2021 Caterpillar Excavator, Model 31 OCR, Approx. 700 hours Minimum Bid $140,000 The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. BOARD OF COUNTYROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY Pattie Richardson (front, left) and Star Elementary student Harper Green (right) demonstrate howtoproperly hold a pet. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) s Pluto, Star Elementary’s facility dog, joined stu­ dents for a pet care-presentation'put on by the Barry County Humane Society last week. (Courtesy-photo) ijs split GUC tab EXPO, continued from page 1 themselves with local businesses'and com­ munity organisations or simply partake in other family-friendly events,/ like touch-a- truck, face painting and prize giveaways. After the chamber /staged the event at Thomapple Kellogg High School last year, the event came to Hastings and fell, on Earth Day, which inspiredjits theme. “This year, we partnered with the Barry County. Earth Day Alliance, so that’s really the theme with mafeof the booths,” said Nichole Lyke, the ^economic ^economi development director for the Barry County Chamber. “That, I think, elevated (the event). It’s made it a more cohesive feeling. And, because it’s such a fun theme to work with, it just makes the atmosphere more energetic and Frank M. Fiala David D. Solmes Jim C. James Chairman Member lively?.’ Many of the booths certainly did stick to the Earth Day theme; For instance, the Barry County Conservation District’s booth, manned by the county’s recycling director Rachel Frantz, was giving away tree saplings. Barry County Road Commission Operation Pollination, a Rotary initiative to increase pollinators in communities around the country, also maintained a booth while FULL TIME ROAD WORKER We are seeking qualified applicants with skill and experience to join our team, Local Government Agency has an excellent opportunity for a Full Time Road Worker position. We are looking for an individual with 2+ years of experience preferred, a high school diploma, or GED, Michigan Commercial Driver’s License with A&N endorsements & current Medical Card. This is a full-time position with a starting pay rate of $24.66/ hour and a competitive benefits package. A valid Michigan Driver’s license cftminal background, ahd'S pre-employment drug screenWe required. Dave Storms, who performs magic under the name Stormy the Magician, creates a flower out of balloons for one young expo attendee. Union Bank was bn hand to provide paper and electronics recycling and shredding. you a brochure. Everyone is really engaging Storms, who served as executive director for Union Bank normally reserves those services the YMCA ofBarry County from 1981 to 2006'. for members only but made them available at — it’s a very energetic feeling. Everyone is just really excited.... We’re grateful for the the expo to coincide with the Earth Day turnout.” YMCA, he already knew magic — he used it theme. The'event drew a healthy crowd as the growth of the fledgling event. Better known chamber worked to build on the momentum to kids as Stormy the Magician, Storms Storms then attended a convention where generated by last year’s installment. attended last year and returned this year to he expanded his repertoire to balloon art, a create balloon art for attendees ofall ages. craft that seemed to delight many at the expo: “The vendors that show up are all in,” Dave Storms is someone that witnessed the Lyke said. “Sometimes you go to events and “I think there are more booths here than it’s just people standing there and they hand there were last year ... this is great,” said When Storms retired from his post at the to entertain campers at YMCA day and over­ night camps. “Oh, it’s perfect for events like this,’’ Storms sajd. Benefits * • Health insurance • 401K • Paid vacation, sick & personal time • Paid holidays • Boot, clothing, eyeglass allowance • Overtime opportunities • Training opportunities when applicable Applications can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office at 1725 W. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 between 6 AM 3:45 PM, or found on our website at www.barrycrc.org You may email your completed application to bcasey@barrycrc.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A complete job description will be provided at the time of application. The Barry County Road Commission is an equal-opportunity employer. Blue Zones Activate Barry County raffled off a number of children’s bicycles as part of their presence at the community expo. Corewell Health allowed attendees to mix up fruit smoothies by pedaling on a bicycle. Here, Thornapple Kellogg High School student Quentin Phillips gives it a try. �SPORTS The Hastings ANNER E E section Thursday, April 27,2023 Saxon win streak stymied by Titans in 1-8 dual i ! Brett Bremer a tie or a win. They’re a good team. I wouldn’t Sports Editor take anything away from them. I would have The Saxons were hoping to keep their win­ the 1-8 league as a good-bye present.” ence with a loss, but couldn’t quite pull out !the win Monday in Jackson. ' The Titans took a 5-3 win in an Interstate-8 ‘Athletic Conference dual with the Saxons. • The Saxons were 4-0 with a tournament The Saxons took a 5-3 win at Pennfield last Hastings is now 3-1 in the 1-8 this season. Wednesday, April 19. Beemer got the Saxons’ lone singles win in that dual outscoring Vivian Bums 7-5, 6-3. Beemer trailed 4-1 in the opening set before •victory on their resume heading into the dual rallying for the win. •with the Titans. Hastings got wins in the dual with Lumen game, and stopped giving the Pennfield girl, ^Christi from the first doubles team of Bailey Cook and Erin Daniels and the second dou­ bles team of Megan Rowley and Sophia •Ahearns, and a win from Cariota Espi Vano at “Abby made some adjustments in her Vivian Bumes, the shots she wanted and she started taking points and it led to games and the match,” Haines said. The four Saxon doubles teams won handi­ ly, Cook and Daniels at number one, Rowley "second singles. _ liked to have gotten them on their way out of ding streak going and to send Jackson Lumen •Christi out of the Interstate-8 Athletic Confer­ Hastings head coach Andrew Haines said and Ahearns at number two, Audrey Vertalka .Espi Vano played the best tennis she has this and Julia McLean at number three and Makay- .season in her 6-1, 6-0 win. la Birman and Lilyan Solmes at number four. Maggie Paige, very likely the top singles Abby Beemer lone singles win. In a pret­ 'player in the 1-8 this spring and a senior who ty good match. She came from behind in the has been at that spot for four years, bested first set. She was down 4-1 and won 7-5. Hastings’ Abby Beemer in the first singles At Coldwater last Thursday, the Saxons match. “They were outgunned by better players,” took a 5-3 win over what coach Haines called a much improved Cardinal team. Haines said of his first, third and fourth sin­ Beemer took a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Emma gles players. “It snowed there too yesterday. I Madden at first singles and Espi Vano pulled had never been delayed for snow. We stopped out a 6-2, 7-5 win over Jillian Hawver at for about 20-30 minutes, when we picked number two. back up our number one doubles won quick and number two doubles got its win.” Pennfield rallied in the first set at third The top three Saxon doubles teams all pulled out close wins. Cook and Daniels fought off Claire Hawver and Carly doubles to pull out a win in a tie-breaker and Krzyzanski for a 6-0, 6-4 win. Rowley and then took the second set 6-0. The Panthers’ Ahearns pulled out a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over fourth doubles team won 6-4, 6-3. The Sax­ Dakota Allen and Luci Cunningham. At ons tied with the Titans a year ago, and very third doubles, the Saxons’ McLean and Ver- easily could have earned another tie or pulled talka took a 6-3, 6-4 win over Alexis Wood spot where the Saxon duo of Birman and ment with 19 points ahead of Sparta out a 5-3 win oftheir own ifthings had gone and Mallory Morick. Solmes were edged 6-0, 4-6, 7-6(4) by the Grant 10, Cedar Springs 9, Black River 8, Coldwater team of Sofia Gomez and Mad- Fremont 7 and Comstock Park 2. a bit differently at those third and fourth dou­ “I have been switching up the four to try 15, won their flight. Beemer and Calin Redman at third singles both placed third. Espi Vano at second singles, MJ Deal at Hastings is at home Saturday hosting Paw In between all the conference duals, the fourth singles, Cook and Daniels at first dou­ Paw and Charlotte, a pair ofteams they will ty experience to kids that are right on the Saxons took the title at the Sparta Invitation­ bles, Rowley and Ahearns at second doubles see later in May at their MHSAA Regional edge,” Haines said of the fourth doubles al Saturday. Hastings finished the touma- and McLean and Vertalka at third doubles all Tournament. and find the right combination there, but bles flight. The Hastings varsity girls' tennis team celebrates its championship at the eight-team Sparta Invitational Saturday. The Saxons won five of the eight flights and beat the host Spartans by four points for the title. “They just have a little more playing expe­ also to use it as a position to get some varsi­ rience than we do,” Haines said. “It was disap­ pointing to come out ofthere without at least die Grife. Vikings split GLAC doubleheader with Leslie ■ Brett Bremer Landon Makley provided a strong start on off home run by Walker Klifinan. A two- Sports Editor the mound for the Vikings. He struck out 13 base error, in the bottom ofthe fourth started The Lakewood varsity baseball team split in six innings while walking four and giving a Leslie rally that pushed across three runs a bit early-season Greater Lansing Activities up just two runs on two hits. It was Lehman and gave the Blackhawks the lead for good. Conference doubleheader with Leslie Friday who had the game-winning RBI and the win. Klifinan pitched for the Vikings and took afternoon at Lakewood High School. He threw an inning of scoreless relief in the the loss. The four runs against him were all seventh. unearned. He struck out five and walked The Vikings got to 5-0 in GLAC play with a 3-2, walk-off win in the opener, but the Porter was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Blackhawks bounced back for a 4-2 win in Vikings and Acker had a triple and two RBI. hits. game two. Makley also singled once. scoreless innings ofreliefin which he struck Lakewood is now 8-9 overall with another Stockbridge starter Conner Mariniak four in his four innings while allowing four Hollis Poll came on tot throw two out two, walked one and gave up one hit. key conference doubleheader ahead Tues­ matched Makley for six innings. He gave up Klifinan was 1 for 2 with two RBI for the day, May 2, at Maple Valley. two runs on three hits and one walk while Vikings. Lakewood had1 six hits. Makley, striking out 14. Jared Peck took the loss in Nate Willette, Acker, Seth Willette and Leh­ the seventh. man each singled once. A lead-off walk by Troy Acker, a single into left by Gabe Porter and a walk by Seth Willette loaded the bases to open the bottom The two teams went back and forth in of the seventh of game one against Leslie game two. Lakewood took a 1-0 lead in the The Vikings fell in two non-conference Friday and Brennen Lehman delivered a top of the first. Leslie answered in the bot­ ballgames Monday at Portland, 9-2 and 7-4. single to the left side that scored Acker from tom of the third, and then the Vikings took third to clinch the Viking’s 3-2 win. the lead right back in the fourth with a lead- Lakewood is now 8-9 overall this season. Last Wednesday, the Vikings knocked off Carson City-Crystal in a non-conference ballgame at Lakewood High School. “Man, I liked the way we played tonight,” Lakewood head coach Brad Tacey said after his team’s 15-6 win over visiting Carson City-Crystal. “The game got away from us in the first few innings, fought back. but these guys We took things personally when Carson started playing around - laugh­ ing when we made mistakes, acting like the game was over in the third. It put a chip on our shoulder and 1 hope it stays there the rest I*' *' ofthe season. “This is a good ball team, they can play with anyone when they focus and stay in each moment. They’re starting to figure it out and I love it. We' need to keep this momentum for Leslie.” The Vikings pounded 14 hits in their non-conference win over Carson City-Crys­ tal. The visitors built a 5-2 lead heading into the fourth when the Vikings ripped of four runs in to take the lead. 4 Ml’’ The Carson City-Crystal boys tied things up with a run in the top ofthe fifth and then the Vikings plated five more runs in the bot­ tom of the fifth to fully take control of the ballgame. Austin Straub led the Vikings’ offensive attack going 3 for 4 with a double and three Troy Acker pitches for the Lakewood varsity baseball team during the darkness shortened game two of a non-conference doubleheader with Carson City-Crystal Wednesday evening at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) runs scored. Both Nate Willette and Seth Willette were 2 for 3 with three runs scored I's Blake Price dives safely back to the bag at first to avoid a pick-off throw during game two of the Vikings' non-conference doubleheader with visiting Carson City-Crystal Wednesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lehman got the start for Lakewood throw­ In game one against Portland Monday, the and two stolen bases. Makley was 2 for 4 ing 2 with two doubles and an RBI. Acker had a earned) on one hit and three walks. Guiles, a couple unearned runs by the Raiders and double, a single and three RBI. Ethan Guiles sophomore, picked up his first varsity win in managed just a pair of singles offensively. 1/3 innings allowing four runs (three Vikings committed five errors leading to a singled and drove in two runs. Lakewood relief throwing the also got a triple and an RBI from Blake Guiles struck out eight while giving up five drove in both Lakewood runs. Lehman and Price. Klifman bumped the Vikings’ lead from hits and a walk. He allowed two runs only Price did both walk twice at the top of the one ofwhich was earned. line-up. 11-6 to 12-6 leading off the bottom of the final 4 2/3 innings. Price and Makley had the two hits. Makley of a planned doubleheader In game two with the Raiders, Klifinan sixth inning with a towering home run into Wednesday was scrapped due to darkness was 2 for 2 at the plate and Price and Acker the teeth of a stiff wind in left field. afterjust a couple innings. both singled once. Game two �Page 10 — Thursday, April 27, 2023 — The Hastings Banner LHS girls best Maple Valley for third conference victory Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity girls’ soccer team improved to 3-1 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Conference with a 7-2 win over visiting Maple Valley Thursday afternoon. Lakewood head coach Adrian Almas said his girls had a tough time getting going on offense, but once the first one went in they kept finding ways to score. He said his team managed a number ofshots within the 18 and got a great score from Cadence Poll who volleyed in a comer kick. Poll had two goals and Autumn Wil­ liams had three for the Vikings. Sadie Brearley and Maddy Hubbell both scored Melaina Granger scored the two goals for the Liqns. She had one outstanding shot to beat the Viking keeper and then poked the ball across the goal line during a scramble in the box following a Lion free kick. The Vikings were 1-1 in conference play last week, falling 5-1 at Leslie last Vv Tuesday. The Lakewood girls were bested by a 1 1 pair of non-conference foes in the past few days, falling 6-0 at Portland Friday and 2-1 at Pennfield Monday. The Vikings had another non-conference game on the slate for Wednesday evening, at home 0’ against Hastings. The Vikings return to GLAC/CMAC once. Elaina Haring had four assists for the Vikings and Williams and Sydney Teft had play Friday at Lansing Christian and then one assist burg. fe play in the conference Tuesday at Laings­ Saif City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2023/2024 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET Hastings' senior Raegan Morrison fires a shot at the Pennfield net during the Saxons' 7-3 win over Pennfield in the I-8 season opener inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings girls score seven times for victory in conference opener The City of Hastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/or oral comments from the public con­ cerning the annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30,2024. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 08,2023 Valerie Slaughter The Hastings varsity girls’ soccer team opened their Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season with a home win over the Pennfield Panthers on Friday night at Baum Stadium and Johnson Field. The Saxon’s started strong in the first half and did not ease up any pressure throughout the game finishing the night with a 7-3 victory. er the budget as proposed by the City Manager and presented to City Council on May 08,2023. Hastings’ senior, Lauren Lamphere scored two goals in the first half, which were followed by teammate, freshman Dez Mathis who also The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject ofthis hearing. scored two more goals in the first half. The Panthers answered with two goals of their own ending the first half within two goals at 4-2. All interested, citizens are encouraged to at­ tend and to submit comments. The Saxons continued to push in the sec­ scoring an additional goal and Raegan Morri­ son scoring one. Hastings held the Panthers to one second terials are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the City Clerk, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. halfgoal. Lamphere, Bri Darling, Abby Bykkonen and Kam Andrews all had an assist for the night. Kalli Koning had eight saves in the goal for the Saxons. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. Hope Township Notice of Public Hearing and Planning Commission Meeting to Consider the Adoption of Amendments to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Hope Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hope Township- Hall, 5463 S M-43 Hwy, within the Township. The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments from the public on the adoption of an amendment to Sections 10.13 and 10.18 of the Hope Township Zoning .Ordinance pertaining to accessory dwellings and yard encroachments. Amendment #1. Section 10.13 (Accessory Dwellings): If adopted, the amendment would eliminate the requirement that accessory dwellings must be served by the same gas or electric meter as the principal dwelling. Further, the amendment would correct the formatting and numbering of subsections. Amendment #2, Section 10.18 (Yard Encroachments): If adopted, the amendment would clarify that at-grade outdoor surfaces and structures of twenty-four (24) inches or less, such as patios, drives, walkways, decks, and stairs, mayproject into a setback indefinitely and to the lot line. Further, the amendment would clarify that outdoor elevated stairways above twen­ ty-four (24) inches may also project into a setback indefinitely, provided that tha they are not permitted within five (5) feet ofany non-waterfront lot line. A copy of the zoning ordinance and the proposed amendments are available for review at the Hope Township Office during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Written comments will be received from any y interested persons by the Hope township Clerk at the Township Hall at any time during regular lar business hours up to the date of the hearhear­ ing and may be further received by the Planning Commission at the hearing Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. The Lady Saxons will play at Coldwater on Thursday, April 27, in further Interstate 8 action. talSBI-Kii'tag Last Wednesday, April 19, the Saxons took an 8-0 win over non-conference foe Well­ The Saxons' Bella Kensington carries the ball through the midfield towards the attack during her team's win over visiting Pennfield Friday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) spring Prep. The Hastings girls are now 4-1-1 overall this season. feZsrr hife&si Vikings catch Olivet in GLAC golf standings with runner-up finish Brett Bremer top four from each squad put up scores of Sports Editor 176. The flurries had melted away enough, and the red beanies were warm enough, for the Vikings to shoot their way back to the top of Stockbridge was fourth with a 185 ahead of Leslie 189, Lansing Christian 229 and Maple Valley 258. Webb in the six spot. His 51 was seven strokes better than Olivet’s sixth best score, giving the-Vikings the runner-up spot. Perry was led to the win by sophomore Lakewood senior Drew Marquoit was the David Jenks and senior Keaton Lantis who the Greater Lansing Activities Conference day’s medalist with a 40. Fellow Viking both shot 41. Perry senior Tyler Webb shot standings Tuesday afternoon. senior Owen Richmond shot a 42, which had a 43. Lakewood had its second, second-place him in fourth individually. Olivet was led by 43s from junior Levi finish of the GLAC se season at the league The Viking team also got a 45 from fresh­ jamboree hosted by Leslie. Perry took the man Dane Webb and a 49 from junior Sam Maple Valley’s top score was a 57 from day’s win with a score of 172. Lakewood Mazurek. The Vikings’ 49 from sophomore junior Alex Graham. Sophomore Chris Mock beat Olivet, the team that won the first con­ William Grant matched the fifth Olivet play­ added a 61 and junior Diesel Curtis a 62. ference jamboree, on a tiebreaker after the er’s score, which left it up to junior Chris Sophomore Evan Fisher scored a 78. Browning and seniqr Dawson Redfield. Hastings native Gordon Johncock honored on 50th anniversary of Indianapolis 500 win Hastings native and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Gordon Johncock was presented with a miniature version of the BorgWamer Indy 500 Trophy, 50 years after winning the real thing. To mark the 50th anniversary of winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1973, Johncock was presented with a “Baby Borg" trophy during a ceremony in Indianapolis on Monday in front ofhis family and friends. Not only did Johncock take the checkered flag in 1973, but he also repeated the feat in 1982, putting him in rarefied air among fellow meets. Johncock, who is now 86 years old and launched his racing career at the now-defunct This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) and the Americans with Disabilities Act' (ADA). Hope Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the t hear­ hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed material being considered at the ing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Hope Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION 5463 S M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 Hl* ond half with Lamphere and Mathis both A pppy of this information, the entire propp^d) budget, and additional, background, ma- > City Clerk iirrW iiW Contributing Writer in City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The City Council will consid­ Christopher R. Bever .stiXr Hastings Speedway, also enjoyed a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum with his family following the presentation. The miniature trophies, presented by Auburn Hills-based auto parts manufacturer BorgWamer, are awarded to drivers that are still around to celebrate the 50th anniversary oftheir victories. Other drivers to receive the Baby Borg trophy include Parnelli Jones, Bobby Unser, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti and Al Unser. Hastings native Gordon Johncock holds up a Baby Borg trophy as he stands next to tne real thing. Johncock was awarded the trophy to celebrate the 50th anniversary ot one of his two Indianapolis 500 wins. (Courtesy photo) •ssz �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 27. 2023 — Page 11 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 198700 ORDINANCE NO. 177 ADOPTED: April 19,2023 EFFECTIVE: 8 DAYS FOLLOWING PUBLICATION AFTER ADOPTION Lakewood junior Liny burgess rounds a turn in the 800-meter run during her team's GLAC dual with visiting Stockbridge Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood junior Shane Rattier flies over one of the early hurdles on his way to a win in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles Wednesday during his team's GLAC dual with visiting Stockbridge. (Photo by Brett Bremer) An Ordinance to amend the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance to add definitions for open­ air businesses; to amend certain permitted and special land uses in the C-l Rural Area Convenience Commercial District; to allow open-air businesses and outdoor sales and activities as a special land use in the C-l District; to amend the permitted outdoor storage area in the 1-1 Light Industrial District; to add new zoning requirements for open-air businesses; to provide an effective date and to repeal all ordinances or parts ofordinances in conflict herewith. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAINS: SECTION I LHS boys win three in GLAC before running into Olivet Brett Bremer 3200, Sports Editor Alford second in 11:07.53. The Lakewood boys won four of the five The two teams split the relays. The Vikings field events with sophomore Kade Boucher took the sprints. Haight, junior Colt Endsley, clearing the bar at 9-6 in the pole vault and junior senior Ethan Weller winning the long jump 4x 100-meter relay in 49.26 and the team ofRaf- high jump for Lakewood by clearing the bar at 4-4 and freshman Taylor Carpenter improved her PR to 8-9 in winning the pole vault. Sophomore Mia Bouwens had the Vikings’ lone win on the track in an individual race. She finished the 100-meter hurdles in 24.15. Lakewood also won uncontested 4x 100-meter and 4x200-meter races. The team ofHay­ ley Merryfield, Carpenter, Kylie Walkington and Juergensmeier wont he 4x100 in 1:00.02 and Bierens, Juergensmeier, Lilly Burgess and Bouwens took the 4x200 in 2:16.11. The Lakewood ladies’ top finishes in the dual with Olivet included a runner-up finish by Carpenter in the pole vault. She cleared 8-6. Junior Annabelle Stank was second in the discus with a throw of 102-2. Weller had one ofa few wins for the Lake­ wood boys in the dual with Olivet. He set his PR in the 200-meter dash to win in 23.99. Alford took the 3200-pieter run in 10:53.59. The Viking boys gm three wins in the field. Jablonski took the high jump by clearing the bar at 5-10. Kade Boucher won the pole vault by clearing 9-0. Weller won the long jump with a mark of20-0. The Lakewood boys were seventh and the girls 12^ last Friday at the Ithaca Blue and with a leap of 19-5. fler, Galgoci, sophomore Calder Villanueva and Gold Invitational. The Lakewood varsity boys’ track and field team improved to 3-0 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference this spring with a 90-43 win over visiting Stockbridge Wednesday, April 19, at Unity Field, but the Vikings couldn’t keep pace with the defend­ ing conference champs from Olivet Tuesday. The Eagles scored a 98-38 win over the Lakewood boys to keep their record perfect. The Lakewood ladies are now 2-2 after falling 73-53 to the visiting Panthers and then being bested by Olivet 120-7 Tuesday. winning that one in 11:01.76 with Donald Wells led sweeps of the scoring spots in the 100-meter dash and the 400- meter dash for Lakewood. He took the 400 in 1:00.95 with sophomore Brandon Freidhoff second and freshman Benjamin Possehn third. Wells won the 100 in 12.22 with Weller second and junior Bryson Haight third. Weller also won the 200-meter dash in 25.03, fending off a personal record run by Stockbridge senior Damien Hayes who was the runner-up in 25.80. Junior Ethan Wright ran a personal record A 12-0 scoring advantage in the throws time of 2:16.78 to lead a sweep of the three was a big part of the Viking boys’ victory scoring spots in the 800-meter run for the Wednesday. Sophomore Cole Anderson won Panthers. the shot put with a mark of 33 feet 3 inches Junior Shane Raffler and sophomore Ryan and junior teammate Benjamin Scobey was Galgoci went 1-2 in both the 110-meter high the runner-up at 33-2. Scobey won the discus hurdles and the 300-meter intermediate hur­ at 109-11 and Anderson was second in that dles for the Vikings. Raffler won the 110’s in event with a personal record mark of 107-8. 18.67 and the 300’s in 47.64. Galgoci dropped Freshman Conner Cosme was third in both of his PR in the 110’s to 19.69 in his runner-up those throws for the Vikings. performance and finished the 300’s in 49.10. Lakewood senior Ryan Alford won as good race with Stockbridge senior Micah Eli Jablonski and Wells won the Haight won the 4x200-meter relay in 1:43.81. Jablonski was second in the boys’ high Like the boys, the Lakewood ladies had jump at 5-8, and the Lakewood boys’ team got third place finishes from Weller in the 1600-meter run. Alford some success in the field events. Sophomore finished in a personal record time of 4 min­ Kara Fedewa set her personal record in win­ long jump, Alford in the 3200 and Wells in utes 58.46 seconds. Bolton was less than a ning both throwing events. She took the shot the 400. The Lakewood girls got a runner-up quarter ofa second behind him. put at 26-9 and the discus at 81-10. finish in the pole vault from Carpenter who Bolton to take the Bolton got the better ofAlford later in the Sophomore Jette Juergensmeier won the improved her PR in the event to 9-0. Pair of HCDC regional divers score spots in June Zones in Cleveland Brett Bremer AMENDMENT TO .ARTICLE III. SECTION 3.1 DEFINITIONS OF THE PRAIRIEVILLE TOW NSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE Article III, Section 3.1, Definitions of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by adding a new subsection 71 a, Open-Air Business, which shall read as follows: Open-Air Business, A business, a substantial part of which involves activities or the display, sale, and/or rental ofgoods outside ofa building. 71 a. SECTION II AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VI. SECTION 6.4. PERMITTED AND SPECIAL LAND USES IN THE C-l DISTRICT OF THE PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDIN ANCE Article VI, Section 6.4(B) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to strike item 24 in its entirety, and in its place shall be the following: “24. Accessory uses or buildings.” Article VI, Section 6.4(C) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby revised as follows: Section 6.4(C), item 1 is struck in its entirety, and in its place shall be the following: “1. Veterinarian clinics.” Article VI, Section 6.4(C) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to strike item 2 in its entirety, and in its place shall be the following: “2. Childcare centers or day care centers which, except for the required outdoor area, are completely contained within an enclosed building. (See Section 4.39).” I Article VI, Section 6.4(C) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to strike “, as a special land use,” from item 3, which shall now read: “3. Fully enclosed mini storage buildings and warehouses for separate enclosed storage rented or leased primarily to residential and office customers subject to the following conditions and limitations:” I [Sub-sections 3(a) and 3(b) shall remain unchanged.] Article VI, Section 6.4(C) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to add a new item 4 which shall read: “4. Open air businesses. (See Section 6.12-7)” Article VI, Section 6.4(C) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to add a new item 5 which shall read: “5. Outdoor sales or activity accessory to a permitted or special land use.” Sports Editor SECTION HI A handful of competitors from' the Hast­ AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 6.4, ings Community Diving Cluj) took part in the 'USA Diving Region 5 Meet at Ohio State OTHER DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS IN THE C4 DISTRICT OF THE PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE University last weekend. Article VI, Section 6.4(D) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended to add a new item 3 which shall read: “3. Outdoor storage in connection with the uses set forth in Sections 6.4 B. and 6.4 C. shall be allowed subject to the following: Aubrey Yarger, who was selected to be a part of the AAU Red White and Blue Spring National Team in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events after her performance at a meet in Indiana last month, placed sixth in a. both the 14-15 Girls 1-meter Junior Open and the 14-15 Girls 3-meter Junior Open at the b. regional championship. tUwmtebaflirDuglife^Wsle w«^PwttWay-W^* w<tew Yarger’s finish earns her a spot in the USA Division Zones which will be held at Cleve­ land State University in late June. She has c. also already reached the scores needed this season to take part in the AAU Summer Outdoor storage shall be allowed only in the side and rear yard areas and may not be located within any required side or rear building setback. The Planning Commission may require outdoor storage areas to be visually screened from persons standing at ground level on any abutting property located in a residential zoning district and/or any abutting streets. The total area ofoutdoor storage shall not exceed 100% ofthe floor area ofthe principal building(s) on the premises.” Nationals in Riverside, Calif., on the 1-meter board. SECTION IV The HCDC team also had Lydia Slagel AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VII, SECTION 6.5, placed 14th on the 1-meter board and ninth on the 3-meter board in the 14-15 LIMITATIONS ON 1-1 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT Girls’ OF THE PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE Article VI, Section 6.5(D) of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance, titled “Limitations,” To qualify for Zones, and Junior Open. HCDC head coach Todd Bates said she will subsection 6.5(D)(1)(c) is hereby amended to read as follows: be the first diver in the history of HCDC to also have a full platform list at Zones. “c. HCDC teammates Elise Miller and Abigail The total area ofoutdoor storage shall not exceed 100% ofthe floor area of the principal building(s) on the premises.” Dumond competed in the 16-18 division for the first time and coach Bates said the compe­ SEC TION V tition was tough, but they recorded some AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VH, SECTION 6,12. good scores on their stronger dives. Miller competed on the 1 -meter board and Dumond on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. HCDC meets on Mondays and Wednes­ days at the Hastings CERC and offers schol­ arships to those who qualify. TO ADD A NEW SECTION 6.12-7 IN THE PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Hastings Community Diving Club's Abigail Dumond, Aubrey Yarger, head coach Todd Bates, Lydia Slagel and Elise Miller gather together at Ohio State University's McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion over the weekend during the USA Division Region 5 Championship members of the club competed in. Slagel and Yarger both qualified for the June USA Division Zone Championships. ZONING ORDINANCE CONCERNING OPEN AIR BUSINESSES Article VII is hereby amended to add a new Section 6.12-7 titled “Open Air Businesses” which shall read as follows: “SECTION 6.12-7 - OPEN AIR BUSINESSES Watervliet and Galesburg-Augusta are first to defeat DK baseball this spring After a 6-0 start to the season the Delton Kellogg varsity baseball team is now 6-4 on the season. There was a step up in competition as the 10-0 wins over the DK boys April 20. A single by Torren Mapes was the only hit gusta starter Hunter Krugh in the four-inning for the DK team in the opener. Tristin Boze game two. Things don’t get a lot easier. The Panthers had Delton’s only two hits in game two. are scheduled to visit Kalamazoo Christian Panthers were bested in two against visiting In the doubleheader with Galesburg-Au­ Watervliet Thursday and in two at Galesburg-Augusta Tuesday. The Watervliet Panthers took 16-0 and gusta, the Rams took 11-0 and 15-0 wins. A Kellogg for a wooden bat invitational Satur­ Boze single was DK’s lone hit in game one day. Saugatuck comes to Delton for two ball­ and Panthers were no-hit by Galesburg-Au- games Tuesday. A. B. C. D. E. for two this afternoon and head to Thornapple F. Minimum lot area shall be one acre. All open-air businesses shall be able to demonstrate that operations will effectively keep trash, paper, and other debris from blowing offthe premises. All open-air businesses shall comply with all applicable health department regulations regarding sanitation and general health conditions. Unless specifically waived by the Planning Commission, a building ofnot less than 500 square feet of gross floor area shall be available on the premises for use in connection with the open-air business. Areas used for activities or the display, sale, and/or rental of goods in connection with the open-air business shall meet all applicable setback requirements. Adequate off-street loading and parking areas shall be provided on the premises of the open air business.” SECTION VI SEVERABILITY Saxon golf team top ten at Dick’s Sporting Goods tourney The Saxons’ number four score was a 95 Brett Bremer Sports Editor boys’ Rule each shot a 78 to lead the field. Cassop­ olis senior Brayden Westrate shot a 79 to from freshman Daniel Jensen. golf team Lansing Catholic edged Haslett by two placed ninth in a field of 21 teams at Perry’s strokes for the day’s championship 336-338. place fifth. Lansing Catholic also had Jack McGinnity The Hastings varsity Dick’s Sporting Goods Invitational Saturday Cassopolis was third with a score of 343 and sophomore Hayden Riley tied with 90’s at Glenbrier GolfCourse. ahead of Williamston Davison 349, and the Cougars’ number five, senior Tomas Junior Owen Carroll led the Saxon team with an 87 that put him in a tie for 21st indi­ Almont 349, Parma Western 353, Okemos Rampe, shot a 91. The Interstate-8 Athletic Conference was vidually at the tournament. Junior Ryan Van­ 364 in the top ten. Dorp and senior Collin Fouty both shot a 90 346, The provisions ofthis Ordinance are declared to be severable. If any court of law shall hold that any section or provision hereof is invalid, such holding shall not affect or impair the validity ofany other section or provision ofthis Ordinance. 361, Hastings 362 and Hillsdale Academy Haslett junior Carter Gerard, set to get together lor ajamboree Wednesday, Hillsdale April 26, at Coldwater. Harper Creek will for the Saxons to finish among the top 30 Academy junior Rykert Frisinger and Lan­ host the conference May 1 at Binder Park scorers. It was a field of 104 golfers. sing Catholic seniors Sam Murphy and Ethan Golf Course. SECTION VII REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES/EFFECTIVE DATE All ordinances or parts ofordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall take effect eight (8) days following publication after adoption. Rod Goebel, Clerk Prairieville Township �Page 12 — Thursday, April 27,2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM , May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placl^S the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Brenda Lee Kirk, an unmarried woman to Fifth Third Mortgage - Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated September 25. 2007, and recorded on October 8, 2007, as Document Number: 20071008-0002848, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Fifth Third Bank NA by an Assignment of Mortgage dated August 03, 2022 and recorded August 11, 2022 by Document Number: 2022-008523, , on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Sixty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Nine and 72/100 ($62,249.72) including interest at the rate of 6.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing at a point 135 South of the Northeast corner of Main Street the North Section line of Section 36, or at an are feet and iron stake or point 6 feet North of the Northwest corner of foundation of the house on said lot; thence East 132 feet; thence South 50 feet; thence West 132 feet; thence North 50 feet to the place of beginning; also the South 15 feet of lot commencing at an iron stake 10 feet North ofthe Northwest comer of stone foundation of house and stake being about 84 feet, more or less, South of the Center line road, running from said stake West to Main Street; thence South 75 feet; thence East 132 feet; thence North 75 feet; thence West to the place of beginning. Commonly known as: 814 NORTH MAIN ST., NASHVILLE, Ml 49073 Ifthe property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: April 13, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Fifth Third Bank NA 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Case NbJ 22MI00552-2 (04-13)(05-04) 197996 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM on June 1,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, a husband and wife, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage to CitiFinancial, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, In official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner trustee for WF19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13, 2021 as Instrument Number 2021-004919, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $18,308.77. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit: Beginning at the Northwest comer ofSection 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52' 06" East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48' 01“ East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Uber 3 of plats, on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37' 00" West 427.89 feet Thence North 09 degrees 49' 00" East 114.74 feet Thence South 89 degrees 53' 12" East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet fo the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48' 01“ West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees ofthe Gregory H. Noord and Wend R Noord Family Trust by Warranty Deed dated 05/21/2003 and recorded 08/06/2003 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife by Warranty Deed dated 04/01/2002 and recorded 04/05/2002 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-007­ 10 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, in which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a (b) notice, whicheveris later, or extinguished pursuant to MCL600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return ofthe bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: April 24, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 (04-27X05-25) 198592 the highest bid at the sale does not automatically Registration Inc., Systems, Electronic Mortgage Mortgagee: as mortgagee, Financial Advisor for cash or cashier’s check at the place of hold ng the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly a 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 1:00 PM, on May 11,2023. The amount due on the (269)948-8265 mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Kyle Sexton, a married man and Sarah Sexton, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 13,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 16,2015 claimed Amount date on due of notice: $112,133.60 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing at the Northeast corner of Section 4, Town 1 North, Range 9 West, Barry Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence South 415 feet along centerline of Kingsbury Road for a Place of Beginning; thence West 661 feet thence South 660 feet; thence East 661; thence North 660 feet to the Place of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 10120 Kingsbury Rd, Delton, Ml 49046-8527 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.324016). If the property is sold « foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage damaging holder for during property the the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1494985 (04-06)(04-27) 197489 contact the county register of deeds office or a title Amount claimed due on date ofnotice: $42,857.20 insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. insurance company, either of which may charge a Jr and Erika Washbum, Husband and Wife Original Electronic Mortgage Mortgagee: as Inc., Systems, mortgagee, as assigns Services, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 2,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 3,2017 Amount claimed $146,241.96 due on date of notice: Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Castleton,’ Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The North 12 acres of the West 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 3 North, Range 7 the Northeast comer of above described premises. beginning; thence South 300 feet; thence West 206 24, 2004, in Instrument Number 1132917, Barry Grove Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-8431 feet; thence North 100 feet; thence East 100 feet; thence North 200 feet; thence East 106 feet to the County Records, Michigan Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Deutsche date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in and West by 20 rods North and South but of the Common street address (if any): 5290 Coats The redemption period shall be 6 months from the place of beginning. Bank National Trustee for accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject Parcel 2: Commencing at the Northwest comer of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, and Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Inc., Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-R9, by real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). running thence East along the North Section line 100 assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under hereof the sum of Seventy-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Two and 47/100 Dollars ($78,252.47). pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the The redemption period shall be 6 months from the provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in premises, or some part of them, at public vendue Attention homeowner: If you are a military service accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on MAY 4,2023. member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: been ordered to active duty, please contact the Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, The South 1/2 of Lot 905 and the South 49 feet pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage of the North 1/2 of Lot 905 of the City of Hastings, damaging the property during the member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nancy J. Krohling, attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 13,2023 Trott Law, RC. in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Amount claimed $70,736.45 Description of due Mortgage on date sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due the of mortgaged notice: premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing on the Northeast comer of the West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4; thence South 20 Rods; thence West 12 Rods; thence North 20 Rods; thence East 12 Rods to the beginning, being in Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 9 West. Common street address (if any): 4815 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Comers, Ml 49060-9778 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under encouraged to contact the county register of deeds service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 27,2023 Firm Name: Orlans PC (04-06)(04-27) Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar ‘’^Ww^lBn ’***®l ’***®l* Sl£y**S y £axi Date of Mortgage Recording: August 7,2019 due claimed on date of notice: $79,850.28 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and Qtm described as: Lot 6 of Stanley (Daniel) Addition To The Village Of Nashville, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Uber 1 of Plats, Page 4. Common street address (if any): 403 Philadelphia St, Nashville, Ml 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under held responsible to the person who buys the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. 1497095 198443 BARRY COUNTY HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29413-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 5-3­ Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Lindsey Marie Dyani Rudesill to Lynnze-Marie Dyani Rudesill-Nuyen. XJ®1 CB . T/U”ff*iv• /”* •■■ • »— Date of Mortgage: April 10,2019 (248) 642-2515 1496476 (04-27)(05-18) 2023 ® 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, 197586 and lender’s successors and/or assigns Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 unknown and whose Interest in the matter may be Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 nmgwi^j^jj-y N&itan***^ 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 TO ALL PERSONS, Including whose address Is Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Mi 48084 7 :-m nC9 Trott Law, P.C. In the matter of Lindsey Marie Dyani Rudesill. 1494887 (04-06)(04-27) Electronic Date of notice: April 27,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 Hastings, Ml 49058 File No. 23-002547 Mortgage property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 Dated: April 6,2023 Mortgagee: property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military mortgage holder for damage to the property during (248) 642-2515 Original pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be the redemption period. Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 Jr. and Sara E. Sheldon, a married couple, as Joint Tenants with Full Rights of Survivorship pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF 197780 nil ft!®; may charge a fee for this information: Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION 1495267 (04-13)(05-04) 9ERNB «2f ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Electronic STATE OF MICHIGAN 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 y^tl* .n-< n«-<•evvL2X« flLn2gXr« c^~ automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear Amount Date of notice: April 6,2023 197449 that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a Namefs) of the mortgagors): Charles E. Sheldon redemption period. The redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will This notice is from a debt collector. judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, office or a title insurance company, either of which 1:00 PM, on May 11,2023. The amount due on the 2004 and recorded August 2, 2004 in Instrument Number 1131733 and re-recorded on August for Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised information: Northwest 1/4 of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 8 West, lying Westerly of M-37 for place of according to the recorded plat thereof. 428 S. Church St., Hastings, Michigan 49058 sgss ss Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at Fractional 1/2 of the Under the power of sale contained in said }9* .•Si^ .• them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding Northwest corner of above described premises. Also excepting a piece of land 12 rods square out of mortgage and the statute in such case made and g HfiWiBEJ mortgage made by Lyle Thomas and Mona Lea Kelly-Thomas, husband and wife, to Ameriquest Mortgage Company, Mortgagee, dated July 21, as 1^*1**^ . West, Castleton Township, Barry County, Michigan, excepting a piece of land 16 rods East Company, **5**i< 5,ii< "‘I’**' sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not Default has been made in the conditions of a Trust vy on the mortgage may be greater on the day of a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of 5 *^ wfyS yggS sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Notice is given under section 3212 ofthe revised judicature act of 1961; 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PennyMac Loan property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to holder foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the 4* ^Sj Sj wg w * w,* ^sfeS# se $r for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash Date of Mortgage Recording: December 4,2020 w?g ?g place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or Date of Mortgage: November 4,2020 o o Trott Law, P.C. act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the W^ This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 6,2023 given under section 3212 of the revised judicature highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle IW> the telephone number stated in this notice. Registration LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service strive to take good care of your pets. But what might happen to them if you become incapacitated in some way? Unless you have a close fam­ ily member or friend who’s willing to take over care for your pet, you might want to consider setting up a pet trust, which can take effect either during your lifetime or after you pass away. A trustee typ­ ically will make payments to the caregiver you’ve designat­ ed for your pet, with payments continuing for the pet’s life­ time or a set number of years. Again, an estate-planning at­ torney can help you with this arrangement Estate planning certainly involves the big-picture is­ sue of leaving a legacy to the next generation. But the issues we’ve discussed can also be meaningful to you, so you’ll want to address them properly. Edward Jones, its employ­ ees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situa­ tion. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC any case, consult with your legal advisor before taking any of these steps. • Community property ver­ sus common law — Not all states treat married couples’ possessions equally. If you live in a community property state, the property you acquire during your marriage is gener­ ally considered to be owned in equal halves by each spouse, with some exceptions. But if you live in a common law state, the property you obtain while you’re married is not automatically owned by both spouses. In these states, if you buy some property, you own it, unless you decide to put it in the name of yourself and your spouse. This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that your spouse has no rights, because common law states typically have rules that guard surviving spouses from being disinherit­ ed. But here’s the key point: If you move from a community property state to a common law state, or vice versa, you might not want to assume that your and your spouse’s prop­ erty ownership situations will remain the same. Consequent­ ly, if you do move, you may want to consult an estate-plan­ ning attorney in your new state to determine where you stand. • Pet trusts - You always Mortgage LLC may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the Common street address (if any): 996 E Sager Rd, If you’ve done any estate planning, or even ifyou’rejust familiar with it, you probably know the basics — that is a comprehensive estate plan can help you pass on assets to your family while also achieving other goals, such as desig­ nating someone to take care of your affairs if you become unable to do so. But you may not know about some other es­ tate-planning issues that could prove important in your life: • Power ofattorneyfor stu­ dents - Children heading offto college may be considered le­ gal adults in many states. Con­ sequently, you, as a parent, may not have any control over medical treatment if your child faces a sudden, serious illness or is involved in an accident Instead, a doctor who doesn’t know your child or your fam­ ily may decide on a course of action of which you might not approve. To help prevent this, you may want to have your college student sign a medical power of attorney form, which will allow you to make deci­ sions on your child’s behalf if doctors don’t think your child can make those choices. You might also want to combine the medical power of attorney with an advance health care directive or living will, which lets you specify actions you do or don’t want to happen. In LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Date of Mortgage: March 29,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 4,2017 assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, Hastings, Ml 49058-9309 Some ‘did-you-knows’ about estate plans fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Thomas Washbum on MAY 4, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage feet to the place of beginning / & .A been ordered to active duty, please contact the or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit w Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml (517)760-8113 Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM feet; thence South 200 feet; thence West 100 feet; thence North and along the West line of Section 200 Wendl Stratton CFP® or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, as and described as: Parcel 1: Commencing 206 feet East of the Northwest comer of that part of the North Member SIPC contact the county register of deeds office or a title nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Baltimore, Barry County, Michigan, Jeff Domenico, AAMS® C R PC® them, at a public auction sale to the highest bid er member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is Original y a sale of the mortgaged premises, or ssome parito Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of Kelly Rutter-Sherman, husband and wife that the following mortgage will be foreclosed entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Bruce Sherman and iw Provided by the Harry County an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a Notice is given under section 3212 of ' judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3214, mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 11,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing Financial FOCUS Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement (04-27)(05-18) 198704 s NFW BtH �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, April 27, 2023 — Page 13 LEGAL NOTICES vKNXv*X ®vSL?SxS wSw^i SSsSJa »!**£ sL*** ®S5r £ft>, *■"■• SrSs £a-» • *1 ***»^*#e » #,e S k h *’*kj***h ■Jjauun WtataLL*W L*W»»: : *wSft Sft [ I I •^rtfehiraifftfci •^rtfehiraifftfcim ^WiBfcnfcrwtti i ^•no^itekrfc Anfenuniqiyftfa qtyitefrliftaot WlvnoMMlto tflVKOT 2p «w <« BrtntxrtSRE&atourrKattBm ■■vHrKKi&amn krtdhFdRghfcofSwafc Jn Uofyp Ifatyi inr rafeni taBy Motyptfttnumnkrasgi tasrc W® | a^rc todWF^ir t|pUC j/W^ ’3'2019 j on **' ’ ’-.X„■ m ~ M jg .fMwwc^JttBir irtBWil .*.*’rt*. *• rtyBCoWir^il.iV X' art* *• rt rt .fc^BryCoir^iV ’ s-sss SS® S®ssttf ^fzrr$ $&sz ***• * S^-h^X r^M*“rLrfW rM rLrfW““ Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mmortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the t highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, oh June 15,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Lois S. Myers, a single woman Original Mortgagee: Vertical Lend Inc. Date of mortgage: December 21,2007 Recorded on January 7,2008 in Document No. 20080107-0000206, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thousand Two Hundred FortyTwo and 79/100 Dollars ($100,242.79) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 16 TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 1324.52 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG SAID NORTH LINE 693.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 9.48 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107 36 FEET AND WHOSE CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107.36 FEET AND CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 33.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 198.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS EAST 220.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 198.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH '00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 220.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. TOGETHER WITH A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND PUBUC UTILITIES 33 FEET EACH SIDE OF A CENTERLINE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER ,OF SECTION 16, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 1324.52 FEET ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 16 TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 693.00 FEET ALONG SAID NORTH UNE TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16, 9.48 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, 7HE.RADJUS OE,WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE'CHORD OFWllCll BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MIIUTTES 57 SECO^pS'EAST.48.70 FEEf; THENCE Sdra^re^EEfWfiWTC^gECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 33.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 170 Akkers Away, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. Ifthe above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman RG. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1497192 (04-27X05-18) 198775 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO, and JUDGE 2023-29462-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Bernice Leonard. Date of birth: 07/19/1922. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Bernice Leonard, died 03/08/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Cheryl Frey, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication ofthis notice. Date: 4/24/2023 Nathan E. Tagg P68994 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Cheryl Frey 8450 Bird Road Hastings, Ml 49058 269-758-3813 198576 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29453-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust ALE NO. 2019-28157-TV In the matter of: The Duane R. Glasgow Trust, dated July 20,2001. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Duane R. Glasgow, who lived at 706 West Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings, Michigan 49058, died on January 14,2023, leaving a certain trust under the name of Duane R. Glasgow Trust, Dated July 20, 2001, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Donald T. Glasgow was named as Successor Trustee serving at the time of or as a result of the decedent’s death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Donald T. Glasgow, the named Successor Trustee, at Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law, 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 04/26/2023 Nathan E. Tagg (P68994) 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2900 Donald T. Glasgow 663 Hammond Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 517-898-7394 198773 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29459-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1404 Estate of David Thomas Nelson. Date of birth: 2/27/1974. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, David Thomas Nelson, died 3/9/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to William A. Nelson, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 4/25/2023 Jeffrey A. Greve P80632 200 Viridian Dr., Muskegon, Ml 49440 (231) 571-0757 William A. Nelson 11340 Frontier Rd., Camden, Ml 49232 198693 (517)254-4281 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION AND NOTICE OF FRIEND OF THE COURT ANNUAL STATUTORY REVIEW 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE ANNUAL REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE RE­ CORD OF THE FRIEND OF THE COURT Pursuant to Michigan law, the chief circuit judge annually reviews the performance record of the friend of the court. The review will be conducted on or about July 1, 2023. This review is limited by law to the following criteria: whether the friend of the court is guilty of misconduct, neglect of statutory duty, or failure to carry out the written orders of the court relative to a statutory duty; whether the purposes of the Friend of the Court Act are being met; and whether the duties of the friend of the court are being carried out in a manner that reflects the needs of the com­ munity. Members of the public may submit written comments to the chiefjudge relating to these crite­ ria. Send your written comments, with your name and address, to Hon. William M. Doherty, 206 W. Coort StrHastings, Ml 49058. leesrioiuq ertt euilne yilBoitem- i aeob eis& STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29374-ML Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1404 Estate of Gerald L. Knickerbocker. Date of birth: 01/06/36. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Gerald L. Knickerbocker, died 11/2/22. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kody Knickerbocker, personal representative, or to both the probate court at206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication ofthis notice. Date: 4-13-23 Timothy L. Tramp P41571 501 W. State St, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-9400 Kody Knickerbocker 9545 East D Ave., Apt. 7, Richland, Ml 49083 269-267-8815 198525 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29461-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Martha May Bregger. Date of birth: January 26, 1936. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Martha May Bregger, died March 14, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Robert M. Bregger, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication ofthis notice. Date: 4/24/23 Elizabeth V. Bauer P26187 128 East Bridge Street, Plainwell, Michigan 49080 (269)685-6883 Robert M. Bregger W173S7756 Westwood Drive, Muskego, Wisconsin 53150 (414)531-2940 198590 Brett Bremer Sports Editor TheDeltonKelloggvarsitysoftballteam The Delton Kellogg varsity softball made quick work of Galesburg-Augusta in a Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Division doubleheader Tuesday afternoon to run it record to 11-2 on the season. The sweep of the Rams, which included 18-0 and 20-0 shut outs, comes on the heels of the Panthers taking the Silver Division Championship at the' Gull Lake Invitational at Bailey Park in Battle Creek Saturday. The Delton Kellogg girls scored an 11-10 win over Coopersville to close out the day after a 15-13 win over South Haven and a 12-6 win over Lakeview. The Panther fought off the Coopersville girls who scored four time in the top of the seventh inning to get within a run. The Delton Kellogg defense had some hiccups commit­ ting four errors that led to six unearned runs. DK pitcher Mya Brickley was charged with four earned runs on 11 hits and three walks. She struck out one in the win. Delton Kellogg head ten hits, led by Paige Thomas who was 3 for 3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Jordan Lyons also drove in three runs and scored three times. She was 1 for 3 at the plate. Abby Fichtner, in the lead-off spot, was 2 for 3 with three runs scored. Allie Trantham was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Kasey Kapteyn also singled once and scored two rims. Of the ten hits, three were extra base hits - doubles by Thomas and Trantham and a triple off the bat of Lyons. Coopersville led 3*2 after the first inning. DK took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third and the Broncos went back in front with two in the top of the fourth. The Panthers led 6-5 after scoring twice in the bottom ofthe fifth and then after the Broncos tied it in the sixth Delton responded with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. A walk, a DK error, a double and a single had the Broncos within 11-9 with one out in the top of the seventh. Brickley got the next Coopersville batter to: fly out to Lyons in left for the second out and strand the only base runner on first. A two-out double scored the runner from first, but Brickley finally fin­ ished of f theBroncos by recording her first strike out for the final out of the ballgame. The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team celebrates its championship at the Gull Lake Invitational at Bailey Park in Battle Creek after wins over Lakeview, South Haven and Coopersville Saturday in the Silver Division. The bailgame with South Haven was back and forth too until a two-run double by Paige Davis into Centerfield scored Brickley and Allison Brandli in the bottom of the seventh to give the Panthers the 15-13 walk-off win. South Haven tied that ballgame at 12-12 with two runs in the top of the sixth and then took a 13-12 lead in the top of the seventh before DK responded with the two runs. It was a 17-hit attack for the DK girls. Thomas, Lyons, Trantham and Fichtner all tripled once. Trantham, Davis and Brickley each belted a double. Fichtner and Trantham both finished 3 for 5 with three RBI. Lyons, Thomas, Brickley and Brandli had tow hits each. Brickley drove in four runs and scored three times. Davis had two RBI and Brandli and Maysse Wiessner both drove in a run. Lizzy Stonebumer pitched for the Panthers and gave up nine earned runs on 14 hits and three walks. She struck out two. Fichtner homered and was 2 for 3 with three RBI and two runs scored in the opening round win over Lakeview. Abbi Wooden was 3 for 3 with two runs scored and a RBI. Bran- Charlevoix and Covenant Christian limit Saxon attack in Hastings Brett Breriier ,s i ie.ooo j jm ,btiS?^rA8^i^if0c । Io los eiuisoibui A couple of non-conference foes put the wood to the Saxons late last week. Charlevoix came to Hastings to score 12-2 and 14-1 victories Saturday after the Saxons suffered an 11-0 loss to Covenant Christian Thursday afternoon. The Saxons’ four Hits in the 12-2 loss to Charlevoix to open the day Saturday were singles by Lars Sorensen, Tyler Morris, Eas­ tin Tibble and Diego Coipel. Tibble had the Saxons’ two RBI’s. Tibble knocked a two-out line drive single into Renter in the bottom of the third inning to plate his team’s two runs. In game two, the Saxons were no-hit by a combination of two Charlevoix pitchers. Covenant Christian scored nine runs in the te®”of the seoQndrlnwnguand went on ’td.an 11-0 win in Hastings last Thursday. A single by Colten Denton was the Saxons’ one hit. Six Saxon errors led to seven unearned runs charged to Hastings pitchers. Hastings had its Tuesday date with Lumen Christi postponed to Wednesday, April 26, due to the weather. The Saxons return to action with a double header against Ionia in Hastings today, April 27. The Saxons head to Zeeland West for a wooden bat invitational Saturday. The 1-8 season continues Tuesday, May 2, when the Saxons host Jackson Northwest for two. Top local hurdlers run some of their best times yet at Allegan Invite Brett Bremer the Delton Kellogg girls were 12^ in a field Sports Editor Sophomore Brooklyn Hannon swept the hurdles, set a new personal record in the long jump and was a part.qf the Thomapple Kel­ logg girls’ winning 4x400-meter relay team Friday at the Allegan Invitational. of 15 teams overall. Harmon set a new personal record in win­ ning the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.84 seconds and junior teammate Joselyn DeBoer also lowered her PR with a fifth­ place time of 17.40. TK had three girls in the top eight the race. Freshman Izabelle Gruber was eighth in the 100 hurdles in 18.5. Harmon won the 300-meter low hurdles in 48.94. DeBoer set her PR in the race at 53.21 to finish fifth. That was also one of the DK girls’ top events with junior Breanna Chan­ dler fourth in 51.86. Delton Kellogg junior Torren Mapes was just as impressive on the boys’ side, sweeping the hurdles with new personal record times in both races. It was nearly enough for. the TK girls to catch St. Joseph for the day’s championship. The TK girls were second and the TK boys ninth Friday. Delton Kellogg was also a part of the meet. The DK boys were less than six points behind the Trojans in tenth place and Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... the Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 B usiness Services Help Wanted BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut,. White GENERAL LABORER: JOB Called to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: DeVries Stoneburner, Pence, Doster, Goebel, Agenda and Minutes approved Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Public comments were received. Department Reports were received. Approved: Payment of bills Amended Res. 2023-8 Logging, (269)818-7793. Ordinance 177, Zoning Ordinance 178, Michigan Gas Utilities Frahchise MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom Purchase ofAV cart Fireworks Permit trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Resolution 2023-12, Speed Study Public and Board comments were received. Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk 198703 WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. dli, Brickley and Kapteyn had two hits each. Thomas and Brandli both tripled once. Brickley and Lyons both had doubles. Brickley pitched for DK allowing one earned run in five innings. She walked two and struck out one. Both games at Galesburg-Augusta Tuesday took just three innings. Trantham homered in the opener. She was 3 for 3 with five RBI and a run scored. Fichtner was 1 for 1 with two walks, three RBI and three runs scored. Brickley went 2 for 3 with three RBI and three runs scored. Brickley and Thomas both homered in the 20-0 game-two win over the Rams. Brickley was 2 for 3 with the homer, a triple, four RBI and three runs scored. Last Thursday, the DK girls suffered their first two defeats of the season. Watervliet beat the Panthers 18-7 and 7-5 in two ball­ games. Trantham and Brickley homered for DK in the game one loss. Fichtner homered twice in game two and Thomas belted a homer as well. DKHS girls fall by three to visiting Schoolcraft Brett Bremer Sports Editor It has been a tough run of late in the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team. The Panthers are now 2-5 overall this season after three consecutive league loss­ es in the past week. Schoolcraft bested the DK girls 5-2 in Delton Monday evening. Elli Timmerman and Avery Barker scored the two goals in the loss to the Eagles Monday, and Delton Kellogg goalkeeper Johannah Houtkooper made 14 saves. The Delton Kellogg girls fell 3-1 to visiting Saugatuck last Friday. Houtkooper made 19 saves in the loss to the Trailblazers. Adelyn Stampfler scored the lone goal for Delton Kellogg by finishing off a comer kick. Last Wednesday, the visiting DK girls were pushed by Allegan in a 3-0 Tiger victory. Houtkooper made 22 saves in that match to keep her team within striking distance. The Panthers were scheduled for another conference match with Constan­ tine last night. The DK girls face non-conference foe Calhoun Christian in Delton tonight, April 27, and will be back home Monday to face SAC foe Lawton. See HURDLERS, page 14 SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting April 19,2023 Estate of Heber D. Hansen. Date of birth: 0’5/06/1943. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Heber D. Hansen, died 02/23/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Lisa R. Ingraham, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date ofpublication ofthis notice. Date: 4/21/2023 Robert L Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 Lisa R. Ingraham 4693 Griffin Highway, Olivet, Michigan 49076 (269-832-2771 198577 DK girls bounce back from first two losses of 2023 softball season includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Bene­ fits 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, ML Send Re­ sumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: AU real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.*' Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Charlevoix girls win big twice in Hastings The blastings varsity softball team was bested in ballgames with the visiting Charlev­ oix girls at Hastings High School in a non-conference doubleheader Saturday. The Rayders took a 20-2 win in game one and a 13-2 win in game two. Zoey Bennett singled for the Saxons’]and drove in a run, A single by Aubree Rowse was the other hit for Hastings. In game two, Bennett and Carly Frazer both singled for the Saxons and Jayden Kars­ en doubled and singled in two at-bats. Liliana Fox had an RBI. Hastings had a Tuesday doubleheader with Lumen Christi postponed to Wednesday this week. The Saxons return to action with a doubleheader against Ionia in Hastings this afternoon, April 27. The Saxons return to Interstate-8 Athletic Conference play at home against Jackson Northwest Tuesday, May 2. �Page 14 Thursday, April 27. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Cardinals fall to Saxon track in first 1-8 duals crew came up big by unexpectedly taking the first three places. Our vault crew, led by Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer In the first Interstate-8 Athletic Conference over the bar with some PR’s to sweep that and girls’ track and field teams took victories event. It was a fun upset that all the girls over the Cardinals of Coldwater at Baum were focused on.” Saxon girls taking firsts for the team were: Stadium at Johnson Field. The Saxon girls won with a score of92-67 Addey Nickels first in the 100-meter and moving them to 8-3 overall and 1-0 in the 1-8 300-meter hurdles; Madison Nino took first in the 100-meter and long jump, Roosien Conference. Hasting’s Head Coach, Brian Teed, noted “this was an important meet in the confer­ took first in the 400-meter and 200-meter, Arnold was first in the 3200-meter; and Oliv­ ence for the girls. Based on performances ia Friddle took first in pole vault. The 400- this year I had us losing by eight points. We meter relay team of Nino, Ava Noteboom, talked with the girls about needing to have Nickels and Friddle took first place, and the of Nino, Nickels, some upsets and needing the girls to do some 800-meter relay team things out of their comfort zone and they Roosien and Myah Vincent took first. Other Saxon girls adding to the depth lists responded. Izzy Roosien stepped out of her favorite event, the 400-meter Relay, to run Hastings junior Addey Nickels runs to a personal record time of 17.06 seconds to win the 100-meter hurdles during her team's win over Coldwater in Hastings Tuesday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) coach Erin Slaughter, got some new girls meet ofthe season, the Hastings varsity boys’ the 400-meter run and she won it for us. and also placing for the team were: Vincent in second for the 200-meter and second in the Lauren Arnold and Eva Rowley ran the high jump; Roosien finished second in the 3200-meter for us and took first and second, 100-mcter, Maddie Peake finished third in the in the pole vault; Julie Klein stepped up and got us some 400-meter and second unexpected depth points in the high jump Arnold was second in the 800-meter; Rowley and long jump, and our 100-meter hurdle was third in the 800-meter and second in the 3200-meter; Jayla Ellwood was third in the 1600-meter; Noteboom finished second in 198701 ORDINANCE NO. 178 FRANCHISE the 100-meter hurdles and tied for third in the pole vault; Skylar Fenstemaker tied for third in the pole vault; Klein finished third in the 100-meter hurdles and third in high jump; MICHIGAN GAS UTILITIES CORPORATION and Friddle finished second in shot put. Saxon junior Charles Nickels takes off after getting the baton from senior teammate Robby Slaughter in the 4x400-meter relay Tuesday at Baum Stadium at Johnson Field during the Saxons' 1-8 win over visiting Coldwater. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) The Saxon boys’ team outscored Coldwa­ AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO MICHIGAN GAS UTILITIES CORPORATION, ter 116.5-46.5 for their first Interstate-8 win A DELAWARE CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, THE ofthe year, moving them to 10-1 overall and 1 -0 in the conference. “I’m proud ofthe foe us on the boys’ team. On paper it was going t) be a fairly easy win, which can sometimes had to complacency,” coach Teed said. “Th s team, however, is dialed in and focused on getting all the PRs RIGHT, POWER, AUTHORITY AND PERMISSION TO USE THE HIGHWAYS, STREETS, ALLEYS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, COUNTY OF BARRY, STATE OF MICHIGAN, FOR THE PURPOSE OF LAYING AND MAINTAINING GAS PIPES, MAINS, CONDUITS, VALVES, DRIPS AND ALL NECESSARY APPURTENANCES IN, UNDER AND ALONG THE HIGHWAYS, STREETS, ALLEYS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES, 110m and 300-meter hurdles; Barnum fin­ Saxon boys taking first for the team were; Nickels in the highjump, Kearan Tolles in the ished third in the high jump; Caleb Gurtows- 400-meter, Layton Eastman in both the 110m ky finished third in the pole vault; and Caleb and 300-meter hurdles; Reuben Solmes in the Waller finished third in the long jump. 1600-meter, The Saxon’s relay teams dominated the Brandon Simmons in the 3200-meter, Jett night, winning all four relay events for the Barnum in the 200-meter, Robby Slaughter in night. The 4x 100-meter relay team consisted both the pole vault and long jump, Daniel ofZane Warner, Teunessen, SaintAmour and 100-meter, Riley Shults in the they can and mixing events to help the team Weatherly in both the shot put and discus, and Solmes. Winning the 4x200-meter relay was OF SAID TOWNSHIP, AND THE RIGHT, POWER AND PERMISSION TO meet their goal of a M1TCA team state meet Jonah Teed in the 800-meter. the team of Tolles, Eastman, Kohmescher and CONDUCTAND OPERATE A GENERAL GAS BUSINESS AND DISTRIBUTION birth. From Daniel Weatherly, Robby Slaugh­ Other Saxons also placing in the top three SYSTEM IN SAID TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, COUNTY OF BARRY, ter and Charlie Nickels taking control right were: SaintAmour placed second in the 100- away in the field events to the 3200-meter meter; second in the 200-meter; Tolles; and winning the 4x800-meter relay relay team setting the tone in the opening of Slaughter finished third in the 200-meter; was the team of Jonah Teed, Nickels, Caleb the running events, everybody responded and Draven Pennock finished third in the 400- Laboe, and Tolles. got after it. Important depth scoring came meter; Simmons finished second in the 1600- The Saxons will host a Co-ed Relay Invita­ from Nate Kohmescher, Aiden SaintAmour meter; Shults finished second in the 3200- tional at Baum Stadium and Johnson Field on and Lanny Teimessen.” meter; Kohmescher finished second in the Friday night, starting at 5p.m. STATE OF MICHIGAN FOR A PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) YEARS. THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, COUNTY OF BARRY, STATE OF MICHIGAN HEREBY ORDAINS: Section 1. Granting of Franchise to Use Highways, Streets, Alleys and Public Places. The Township ofPrairieville, Barry County, Michigan, (hereinafter called “Township”), hereby grants to Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation, a Delaware-corpora- Solmes Solmes. Saxons running the 4x400-meter relay were Slaughter, Nickels, Barnum and tion (hereinafter called “Grantee”), its successors and assigns, a franchise to use the highways, streets, alleys and other public places of the Township for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating a gas distribution system in said Township with full right, power and authority to establish, construct, maintain, extend and operate a South salvages tie at TKHS in final moments plant, stations, mains, pipes, conduits, valves, drips and all other appurtenances, appara­ tus and appliances within the'corporate limits of the Township for the purpose of supply­ Brett Bremer Sports Editor ing and distributing to said Township and its inhabitants gas for heating and other pur­ poses and, for such purposes, to enter upon and use the highways, streets, alleys, and public lands of said Township and lay, maintain, operate, repair and extend therein, through and thereunder such mains, pipes, conduits, valves, drips, apparatus, appliances and other appurtenances as may be necessary and proper for the distribution of gas throughout and beyond said Township and for the purpose of conducting and operating The Trojans kept their undefeated OK Gold Conference start going against South Christian in Middleville Wednesday evening, April 19, but the Sailors did put the first blemish on the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team’s conference record. The Sailors answered Trojan goals twice, getting the game-tying goal with about four minutes remaining. a gas business in said Township subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter provided. Non-Disturbance ofPublic Travel; Restoration; Construction Section 2. Maintenance. TK and South Christian are both now 3-0-1 in conference play this season after adding wins to their conference records Monday evening. In laying its pipes, mains and other appurtenances and repairing and “At the end ofthe day, walking away with a tie and leaving us still maintaining the same, Grantee shall interfere as little as possible with public travel. undefeated in conference play is a good place to be in and something After opening any portion ofthe highways, streets, alleys or other public place, Grantee that [co-coach] David Wood and I would have been happy with before shall within a reasonable time restore the same as nearly as possible to the same condi­ the match,” TK head coach Ben Sleeman said ofthe draw. “Our goal While any portion of the highways, streets, alleys or for them has always been to be playing our best soccer by the time the other public place is open, Grantee shall maintain reasonable barriers and lights at night end ofthe season rolls around. Results now are nice, but post-season tion as prevailed before opening. and other warnings to the users of said highways, streets, alleys or other public place. Hold Harmless. Section 3. Grantee shall at all times hold Township harmless from any loss, damage and expense ofany kind on account ofthe laying, con­ structing, maintenance, and use of said mains, pipes, conduits and other appurtenances. However, Grantee need not save Township harmless from claims, losses and expenses arising out ofthe negligence ofthe Township, its employees, contractors or agents. Rates Established by Michigan Public Service Commission. Section 4. The rates to be charged by Grantee and all rules of service shall be those which are | established from time to time by the Michigan Public Service Commission or such other j body which shall succeed to the jurisdiction, rights, powers and authority of said play is where and when we want to be peaking as a team and we both agree that we are heading in the right direction right now.” The Trojans weren’t pointed in quite the right direction at the start Wednesday. The Sailors^had a couple great chances that theyjust missed on and the Trojans had to weather the storm for about ten minutes. “I think sometimes ,we step on the pitch and allow the aura of South’s past success to dictate the way we play,” Sleeman said. “Once the girls started to realize that we could play with them, the match really evened out and it was back and forth for the rest ofthe time.” Madilyn Chivis was in the first place at the right time to take advan-­ tage ofa South Christian mistake to put TK up 1 -0 in the first half. Just before halftime the Trojans had a miscue oftheir own in the back end Commission. Section 5. Term: Effective Date. The rights granted in this franchise shall continue in full force and effect for a period ofthirty (30) years from the effective date thereof. The effective date of this franchise shall be the latter of the date of the acceptance ofthe franchise by Grantee, which acceptance shall be filed by the Grantee, in writing, within sixty (60) days after the enactment ofthis ordinance or the day follow- ing the date ofpublication ofthe ordinance. Etotprs. The franchise herein granted shall be revocable at the will of the governing b body ofthis Township, PROVIDED, however, that the same shall become irrevocable if and when confirmed by a majority ofthe electors voting upon the question at the next at The second halfwas back and forth with Emma Schut and Peyton Pratt carrying the play m the midfield for the Trojans. Coach Sleeman said that duo really set the tone for his team both offensively and South Christian's Jaideyn Koster clears the ball away from Thomapple Kellogg's Holly Velting in the midfield during the second half of their OK Gold Conference contest inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) defensively Tuesday. ' It was Schut that ere; ited a big chance for Holly Velting, which she finished, to put TK up:,|-1‘ early in the second half. toochise Revocable: Irrevocability Upon Approval of Section 6. that led a Sailor goal that\sent the two teams into the halftied 1 -1. TK ladies took a 2-1 non-conference victory Saturday over visiting Grand Ledge. Sleeman said TK haca moment where it struggled to clear its lines in the closing minutes-v hich led to the tying goal by South Christian. . The TK girls go theii third conference win Monday by the score of 3-0 at Forest Hills Eastern. In between those two conference wins, the TK was scheduled to return to conference play last night at home against Kenowa Hills and will be on the road twice next week in the OK Gold visiting Cedar Springs Monday and Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wednesday. Spedal deCti0n CalIed for that PurP°se. Such special election shall be held at the request of said Grantee. Secti°n 7- QfElection Paid by Grantee In the event ofa spe­ cial election, the expenses thereofshall be deposited with the Clerk ofthis Township by HURDLERS, continued from page 13 r J the Grantee. , by Township on October 9,2013, and all amendments thereto, are hereby repealed The Harmon teamed with senior Lindsey Veil­ ing, freshman Paytop Gater and junior repeal of the above Ordinance and its amendments does not affect or impair any act done, Kenady Smith to win t|e 4x400-meter relay St Joseph won the girls’ meet with 123 offense commmed, or right accruing, accrued, or acquired or liability, penalty, forfeiture, in 4 minutes 15.57 secohds. Harmon was third infthe long jump with a points ahead of TK 117.25, Otsego 89.75, , Berrien Springs 78, Plainwell 64, Coldwater personal record leap of[15 feet 10 inches and ssophomore teammate Emma Dykhouse 42, Wayland 39.75, Paw Paw 31, Gull Lake 21, Hackett Catholic Prep 19.75, Allegan 17, Bushman improved his PR in the 800-meter improved her PR to 14-8 in a fourth-place Delton Kellogg 10, Parchment 4 and Hamil- run to 2:04.92 to place sixth in that race, with finish. Smith was the high jump champion for TK ton 3.5. or punishment incurred prior to the time enforced,,prosecute,orncte. prosecuted, or inflicted. Publication u . The Townshi .py wp Clerk is hereb y directed to cause u aw ttirtuhein c tohpey T oo oofthi fwthnissh oipirddi winiathnicnettthoirb btey e p(3ublihd 0b)lisdhaed eyds iihne H reaosfti H ting R Rannpr’ n within the Township within thirty (30) days hereof 7 77 “ it E E s ^inWS-Wrietchoinrd°ntehe(1o>rwdieneakn acfetoin thteh peubBloicoaktioonf of this ordinance, the Township Clerk shall Velting, Smith, Dykhouse and junior Eva Corson completing the race in 1:52.50. senior Tyler Bushman and Sias placed second in the 4x400-meter relay in 3:34.72. , Delton’s Bedford and TK’s Alejandro Roads both cleared the bar at 5-8 in the high jump. That is a new PR for Rodas who fin- ished fifth in the event. Bedford was sixth. junior teammate Lucas Van Meter placing eighth St. Joseph also won the boys’ meet with by lowering his PR in the race to 2:06.93. clearing the bar at 5-2. She was also third in 115.5 points ahead ofOtsego 69, Wayland 67, the 200-meter dash in 28.67. Gater had a runner-up finish for TK in the Berrien Springs 64, Vicksburg 62.33, Paw enth-place time of 24.01 Paw 47, Hackett 45, Plainwell 43, Thomap- 400-meter dash with a personal record time ple Kellogg 36, Delton Kellogg 30.83, Alle- dash. The St. Joseph teams won with depth, of 1:04.81. gan 24.33, Hamilton 12 and Gull Lake 3. Presented by: Supervisor Stonebumer TK also had sophomore distance runner Ava Crews continue to drop her times in the Seconded by: Clerk Goebel mile. She was fourth in the 1600-meter run in races so far in high school, won the 5:33.50 - a new personal record. She was ^eter hi8h hurdles Friday in 15.70 and the 1600-meter run (5:17.18) Voting in FavonDeVries, Doster, Goebel, Pence, Stonebumer fourth in the 3200. Crews, freshman Madison 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 41.61. His Elena Figueroa in the 3200-meter (11:17.00). Kietzman, junior Kendra Coe and Gater teammate Rhys Bedford, ajunior, was fifth in Those two were 1-2 in the distance races and teamed up to place third in the 4x800-meter tt e J 0s Friday in 16.99. Thomapple Kellogg helped their team to a win in the 4x800-meter Shman Nate Shoemaker drop his PR in the 300 hurdles to 44.27 to place eighth.. relay in 9:54.87. St. Joseph girls were second Township of Prairievnie°County ofB^StateT°Wnship Board °fth® relay in 10:45.95. noTK senior exchange student Monica Serra-­ on the 19th day ofApril, 2023. no Aguilar and Delton Kellogg senior Joelle homapple Kellogg was powered in the St. Joseph guys won the 4x 100-meter relay meet by a couple of runner-up relay and the 4x400-meter relay, and had senior Ordinances kept by the Clerk for such nu A n anssaaZeetehderecoofm thoe AnaTmAnC d . PP rVP °o ‘si en‘ here°rnecaonrd hsohalleiancchlumdeemthbeerdaotetedof o benfgilederweitnh athne Boarwrye CacounmtyemCleerrkv woieth.An attested copy of the Ordinance shall also be filed with num n « > y vouniy vicrx wnn m one (1) week after the publication. Voting Against:None f Mlchlgan al a regular meeting held White both also improved their personal records in placing tenth and 14 Dated: April 20, 2023 Rod Goebel Prairieville Township Clerk respectively I ■ . The TK girls also had a third-place finish in the 4x200-meter relay with the team of in that 1600-meter run. ♦♦u Coldwater 22, Parchment 21, DK senior Philip Halcomb scored a sev­ in the 200-meter speed and strength. Individual wins for the St. Joseph girls included a 400-meter time of Mapes, a state qualifier in both hurdles 1 ;02.10 from senior Lauren Koch and person­ 110- al record runs by junior Gail Vaikutis in the oa oys Rt|1S eSr> S Sen en*or Gabe LaJoye and juniors Onnema’ Tyler Gavette and Jaxan y 1 -7zi T?re^LCOnd ’n 4x200-meter relay in • The team of LaJoye, Bonnema, and sophomore in the other three relay races. Trey McGinnis take the 100-meter dash in 10.75, junior Joshua Scott win the high jump at 6-0 and senior Gerald Capaccio win the shot put at 54-11. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-05-04.pdf ed5a71b35878e86b9e31195c7d12c7b6 PDF Text Text Where’s the progress our state has supposedly made? Program offers money to some city residents for home improvements See story on page 4 See story o Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590500921149058113421 lovc 005C005 ANNER Richard Hemerling PRICE $1.50 Thursday, ^ay 4, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 18 County’s first female police chief sworn in as Jenny Johnson takes the reins in Barry Township Karen 'Dirko-Ebright Contributing Writer Saturday was a histprical moment for Jenny Johnson and the rest ofthe community as she was sworn in, not only as Barry Town­ ship’s first female police chief, but also the first female police chief in Barry County. “Thank you, everyone, for being here,” Johnson said to community members and officials ofBarry Township and Barry Coun। Barry Township Supervisor Barry Bower helps swear in the township’s new police chief Jenny Johnson on Saturday at the Delton Fire Department’s fire barn. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) Jayson Bussa See STUDENTS, page 2 From left to right, Hastings High School students Layton Eastman, Lanny Teunessen, Andrew Thompson, Robby Slaughter, Johnny Schantz and Zane Warner stand next to a cave they constructed for Noah’s Ark Preschool. Several preschool students smile from inside. (Photos provided) Barry Township Police Chief retires after 40 years in law enforcement Karen Ttirko-Ebright Contributing Writer As Mark Doster steps into retirement from his 40-year career as a police officer, he cer­ tainly won’t be calling it quits from public service. The 66-year-od Te 66-year-old Barry Towns Township p police chief carries layers of experience and com­ mitment serving both his local community and his family. “After 40 years, it’s scary because it’s a constant go, go, go,” said Doster, who also serves as trustee for Prairieville Township. Doster plans to serve his community still wearing different hats and looks forward to spending more time with his family - espe­ cially his two grandsons, ages 8 and 5. 1 “I’ll probably take them fishing,” Doster said. “It’s amazing. I really enjoy these little ones. It’s hard to explain.” See DOSTER, page 3 Johnson, who is 50 years old, was hired in the Barry Township Police Department in 2011 as an officer. Johnson said she accepted an invitation to assist Barry Township Police with an ongoing criminal investigation 12 years ago. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, she was See POLICE CHIEF, page 3 Newly-named E&rry Township Police Chief Jenny Johnson (center) poses with fellow members of the force in addition to Barry County Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman (third from the right) and Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt (second from the right). Hastings trades students lend talents to enhance preschool playground Editor * Angela Stanton found herself in a bind. Stanton, the director of Noah’s Ark Pre­ school at First Presbyterian Church in Hast­ ings, ordered several items for her school’s playground only to see the company not fol­ low up with fulfilling the online order. So, a small army of students at Hastings High School stepped in. Stanton leaned on students in the school’s construction and trades program to build the items that would enhance the outdoor learn­ ing space. Specifically, these students belonged to the trades block program, a two-hour block class that takes students to job sites near their school to build things like decks, wheelchair ramps and pole bams. For Noah’s Ark, the trades block students had the opportunity to tackle projects they ty, who gathered inside the Delton Fire Bam on Saturday. State Representative Rachelle Smit and Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt attended the cceremony among many local township officials. “I would like to thank several people and agencies for their support. First being God, my family and the citizens of Barry Township,” Johnson said. Hastings police conclude investigation of potential threat that caused school closures last week Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings students returned to class this week after classes were canceled last Fri­ day due to what was thought to be a poten­ tial threat made by a student on social media. Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter released a statement at 9:30 p.m. on Satur­ day, April 29 announcing that the depart­ ment had concluded its investigation and found no credible threat against the district. “During the investigation, officers' interviewed over 50 people about the alleged threats while working closely with school administration. During this pro­ cess, the department was able to locate where the original conversation and com­ ments took place along with the original post on social media,” Boulter said in the statement. “It was also determined that the implied threat of a school shooting was found to not be a valid depiction of the conversation. While I can not divulge the final outcome of the investigation, nor release names, 1 can say with confidence that there is no threat to the Hastings school district related to reports we received on Thursday.” The statement also said information gathered during the investigation had been compiled into a report that would be sent to the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday. Barry County Prose­ cuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt con­ firmed that her office had received said report Monday. As of Wednesday this week, Nakfoor Pratt said her office was still reviewing the report and no charges had been filed. Administrators for the school harnessed social media themselves to inform the district of the situation, posting on Face­ book the night ofThursday, April 27 indi­ cating the district had “learned of an unconfirmed threat” and that the district’s buildings would be closed Friday, April 28. The Community Education and Recre­ ation Center (CERC) and daycare were also closed. “Administration learned of an uncon­ firmed threat earlier this evening and have been collaborating with law enforcement to determine its credibility,” the post read. “Out of an abundance of caution, and to allow law enforcement time to complete their investigation, we determined that taking this course ofaction was in the best interest of students and staff.” Administrators declined to provide fur­ ther comment outside of the information they offered in their public statements. The situation caused a major disruption in Hastings on Friday, with many high school bands from across the state sched­ uled to perform in the community as part ofthe Thomapple Arts Council Jazz Festi­ val. All student and daytime Jazz Festival performances were canceled Friday, with the Aubrey Logan concert being moved to 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The incident also had further reaching implications for the school district itself. HASS announced Tuesday, May 2 via a Facebook post that all schools in the district would have to adjust their last day ofschool because of the cancellation of classes. The See POLICE, page 2 RELATED Threat to Hastings schools disrupts Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Fest. See story on page 8 Mark Doster recently retired after a 40-year career as a police officer. He capped that career serving as Barry Township police chief. (Photo provided) �Page 2 — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Memorial Day parade set for May 29 The Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45 will hold its annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29. The parade will form at the comer ofBoltwood and State streets at 8:30 a.m. and will step off at 9:30 a.m. This year’s route starts on West State Street to North Broadway and will continue north on Broadway to the veterans’ memorial, where two wreaths will be placed. One will honor all veterans and the other will be a P.O.W./M.I.A. wreath. A rifle salute will be followed by a performance of “Taps.” There will then be a short presentation honoring all veterans. The next stop will be on the bridge to place a wreath in the Thomapple River in honor ofmilitary personnel who have served on and under the seas. The honor guard will fire a rifle salute, followed by “Taps.” Riverside Cemetery will be the final stop at the GAR monument at the end of the Avenue of Flags. Memorial Day ceremonies will be held there. The grave ofthe most recently buried veteran at Riverside Cemetery will receive the final wreath and honors of the event. Like in previous years, no political signs, banners, posters, sirens or horns will be allowed in the parade, and participants will not be allowed to distribute candy or hand­ outs to spectators. 1 Anyone interested in registering to participate in the parade is asked to call Jim Atkin­ son, 269-948-8219. Supper club hosts cooking school for eating with the seasons The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club, a health ministry supported by the Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church, will host a cooking school featuring recipes filled with fresh spring fruits and vegetables that go along with eating with the seasons. It will be held on Sunday, May 7, at 3 p.m. Attendees will enjoy food demonstrations and samples while learning about nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, the benefits they offer and six reasons to eat with the season. Recipes include Turkish parsley salad, strawberry spinach salad, roasted fresh aspara­ gus, fresh celery soup and rhubarb cake. The free program will be hosted in the community room of the Hastings Adventist Elementary School building, 888 Terry Lane, off of Star School Road in Hastings. The program and materials are free and free-will offerings are welcome. To register or for more information, contact Janice Cleary at 269-948-3161 or email Hhealthylivingsupperclub@gmail.com. Legal advice offered to Barry County seniors The Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct inter­ views for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested Barry County seniors this month. Those who wish to speak with an attorney should visit the Barry County Commission on Aging, 320 West Woodlawn Avenue in Hastings, between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, May 17. Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office is a nonprofit organiza­ tion that provides legal assistance, representation and education to low-income people in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. St. Rose Church to host open house St. Rose Catholic Church in Hastings will host a community open house from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. The church’s sanctuary was heavily damaged during a fire in the summer of2021, which led to over a year-long effort to renovate and restore it. Mem­ bers were welcomed back into the church in March and parish leadership welcomes the community in to see the results ofthose efforts. Spuce upyour home with newpillows, curtains, afghans Make a tote, pillowcases, quilt, tablecloth, placemats, potholders, aprons, more... fie’* QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm IS Left to right in the back row, Reed Balderson, Isaac Stanton and Cole Smith show off a bridge built by members of the Hastings High School construction and trades program. STUDENTS, continued from page 1 don’t typically take on, tasked with building a bridge, cave, picnic tables, art easels and a playhouse for the young learners. “We took that on as our rainy day or win­ ter weather project when we can’t be on the job site,” said Jason Hoefler, who leads the construction and trades program at Hast­ ings. “I think, more than it was a challenge, it made more creativity on our part,” he added. “They were able to get some generic plans andjust kind ofmorph them into what (Stan­ ton) wanted and what our kids thought their kids might like. Like the cave - it started out as something very simple and it became something cool because the kids were able to unlock some oftheir creativity.” Hoefler and students in the trades block were no strangers- to First Presbyterian Church and its preschool. The church worked with the program to construct a wooden pavilion years ago. Stanton also has a son that participates in the trades block. As is the arrangement for all projects, Noah’s Ark Preschool funded the materials and showed the class images of the products that they ordered online but were never delivered. “In the past, several years ago, the high school trades class built a pavilion at the church. And also my son is in the trades block, so it just kind of naturally came to mind,” Stanton said. “I thought they might be interested in something different. It’s not any­ thing they’ve ever done before. These struc­ tures were brand new,to them so it was a new experience for the staff and to the students that were in there.” Creating a safe, engaging outdoor environ­ ment is crucial for Noah’s Ark Preschool as Stanton said students spend 90 percent of their day outdoors. Tne new additions to the playground essentially overhauled the space and Stanton said that students have wasted little time putting it to good use. “It just gives pres Coolers the chance to learn through play aid through interacting, properly solving all c fthat is to be solved at this age,” Stanton sak 1. “When you give them a space that is easy to explore and offers a lot ofnew experiences fc r them, theyjust thrive. So now that we havethe art easels out there, those kids drawing in the dirt can transfer back and forth.” 1^® 10“ 10 itu* ihi ^WltakjtiBorn^ Hastings High School students Robby Slaughter (front) and Johnny Schantz (back) sit with students at Noah’s Ark Preschool. The construction and trades program at Hastings built the picnic table they are sitting at. Police identify Hastings man killed in two-vehicle fatal crash on M-37 NloiurWi^, Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by JAMES LAPINE Originally Directed on Broadwayby James Laplne Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunlck Into the Woods Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MB) Open to the Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, May 3 @ 7:00pm “ TICKETS: $7 Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Barry County Sheriff’s Department identified 41-year-oljd John Lewis Fisk as the Hastings man killed in a two vehicle crash on M-37 Monday morning. The Barry County Sheriff’s Department reported the fatal crash happened around 10:20 a.m. Monday morning on M-37 Highway near Rork Road in Rutland Town­ ship. Lewis Fisk was driving a Chevrolet Malibu traveling north on M-37. He pulled onto the shoulder and attempted to make a U-Turn, driving into the path of a Jeep Wrangler also traveling north driven by a 48-year-old woman from Middleville. The Wrangler struck Lewis Fisk’s Malibu on the driver’s side, sending both vehicles into the ditch. Lewis Fisk was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene after lifesav­ ing efforts were made. The Middleville woman was taken to the hospital and treat­ ed for non-life threatening injuries. North- bound and southbound lanes ofM-37 were closed for a period oftime after the crash. As of time of publication, the crash remains under investigation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State Police, Mercy EMS, Thomapple Township EMS, Hast­ ings Fire Department, Barry County Cen­ tral Dispatch, Goldsworthy’s Towing and Michigan Department of Transportation assisted the sheriff’s department at the scene. V-.SX'SSwX.X. VSX'SSX Performances Thursday, Friday, Saturday - May 4,5,6 @ 7:00pm Sunday - May 7 @ 2:00pm TICKETS: Adults $10 ~ Seniors & Students $8 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 S. Broadway - Hastings Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers or reserved by calling the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. TAHROTRSNAPPLE COUNCIL . POLICE, continued from page 1 State of Michigan allows districts to miss six days ofclasses, with Friday’s cancellation putting the entire district at eight missed days this year and Southeastern Elementary at nine. Coincidentally, the situation at Hastings was not the only Barry County school threat investigated last Thursday. Delton Kellogg Schools Superintendent Dr. Herman Latrigue, Jr. released a letter to parents on Friday, April 28 informing them that a potential threat to the district was investigated i by the Barry County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police overnight. The threat was found to be not credible and classes were not can­ celed on Friday. In a conversation with The Banner, Boulter said no connection was found to the situation at Delton Kellogg Schools at any point during the department’s extensive investigation 'of the alleged Hastings schools threat. Although no credible threat was fpund, Boulter encouraged community members to continue reporting any suspicious activity or statements that might constitute a threat in his statement released Saturday. “I do not want to discourage anyone from speaking up if they are in fear, or suspect information they’ve received may signify any type ofschool violence,” he said in the state­ ment. “In such situations, I encourage people to use the proper channels to deliver the information as quickly as possible to law enforcement or school administration. The sooner law enforcement or school staff receive the information, the safer students, staffand community members will be.” 44 SiIOV X' X �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — Page 3 Planning commission OKs 911 tower site near proposed emergency services building Hunter McLaren Stephanie Lehman, director of Barry County Central Dispatch’ provided a presentation on a proposed emergency communications tower to the Hastings Planning Commission Monday, (photo by Hunter McLaren) StaffWriter The Hastings Planning Commission gave the go-ahead for a 911 tower site on East State Road. Stephanie Lehman, ©rector ofBarry Coun­ ty Central Dispatch, ided a presentation about the project to tissioners similar to one she gave to city*council members last month. Lehman outlined the need for the tower, pointing out Barry County was behind many other counties in-the state when it came to emergency commutucations infrastructure. The proposed site location, a city-owned lot at 1037 E. State St., is ideal because ofits location in the city and also its position in relation to the Hastings airport. The city is also planning to put its planned emergency DOSTER, continued from page 1 ! Not only is Doster a dedicated family man, but serying his community is a big part of who he is, and he plans to stay connected. ■ “Even though he retired, he still wants to serve the community in some capaCityj’rsaid Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt, who worked with Doster on a variety of cases. “When we celebrated with him at our office, he told us of his love for law enforcement from the start.” Doster’s decades of police service span four police departments, including Otsego, Niles, Prairieville, and Barry Township. His last stop in Barry Township included 14-and-a-half years, with approximately nine years as police chief. He spent 10 years in Prairieville Township before that. He began his career in 1983 in Otsego, the day after graduating from Kalamazoo Valley’s Police Qfficer Training Academy. Doster said he kept the family business of law enforcement going following his uncle, who was captain of the Kalamazoo City Police Department. But the police fever kept spreading. /“My son (Mathew) is currently a deputy with Calhoun County,” Doster said. “He started with us a couple of years where he was trained, then went on to Hastings City and now to Calhoun County. It’s a family ^business.” “l iove working with people. As far as young officers -» an old dog teaches new tricks,” said Doster. “I’m going to miss tutoring young officers. There’s a lot oftricks I learned.” When he was 21, Doster started as a reserve officer with the Kalamazoo Township Police Department, where he received most ofhis training. “Some very good officers helped me through my college degree and the police academy,” he said. He enjoyed teaching others, including his own. “I used to be the field training officer, teaching young officers. I even taught my son, who started here with us,” explained Doster. Doster remembered his son showing him his college classes, much to his surprise. “I could not believe he signed up for crim­ inal justice,” Doster said. “To this day, I was surprised because I never encouraged him to be in law enforcement” When asked about some ofhis accomplish­ ments during his career, Doster replied: “It’s hard to describe. I’ve had a very inter­ esting career. I’ve seen the bad in people and the good in people,” Doster said, remember­ ing lives he saved along the way. “I did my job, and that’s the way I feel.” Doster has lived in Barry County since 2005. Besides his two grandsons, Doster has two daughters and one son. He is proud to be married for 46 years. Jim Stonebumer has been the Prairieville Township Supervisor since 2006. He spoke highly ofDoster. “He is very well known and very well respected in Prairieville Township, that’s for sure,” Stonebumer said. Barry Township Supervisor Barry Bower agreed with Stonebumer. “I did not know Mark when he was hired, but I went to a football game, and he was standing along the gate, and the kids came up and said, ‘Hi, Mark,’ - he knew their names,” POLICE CHIEF, continued from page 1 services building on the site, which would replace the city’s current fire department building. Several other tower sites explored by Lehman and city officials had to be recon­ sidered after the Federal Aviation Administra­ tion (FAA) placed height restrictions on those sites because oftheir proximity to the airport. Lehman told commissioners it was essen­ tial that the tower was as close to 300 feet tall as possible, to ensure it provided the best communications coverage possible. The site on East State Street would provide the best possible chance to be approved by the FAA for a build height closest to 300 feet, she said. The tower still faces a few more hurdles before ground can be broken at the proposed site. An FAA study, as well as a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study, will need to be conducted for the site, Lehman said. She told commissioners she had already begun drafting a lease agreement for the city property and would submit it to City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale as soon as it was ready. Ifthere were no major hangups in the next steps of the project, Lehman told commissioners ground could be broken on the project as soon as October. Ideally, the Hastings tower, as well as another tower being con­ structed in Middleville, would be fully oper­ ational by December 2024, she said. “By December of 2024, we would like to have both sites live and have system accep­ tance, meaning they’re integrated into the state system and we’re operating off of them,” Lehman said. “It’s a little bit of an aggressive timeline, but it can be done.” Bower recalled. “He said ‘hi’ back, and I thought he was a great fit.” Newly-named Barry Township Police Chief Jenny Johnson worked with former ChiefDoster since she was hired in 2011. “Chief Doster is one of the best when it comes to detailed report writing and observa­ tion. I would say this would be the most valuable thing learned while working with ChiefDoster,” Johnson said. “The second thing was his response to emergencies. He was always prepared to go. When he showed up on a call, you know you had a good backup.” When complaints are made about speeders at the bus stop, Doster made his presence known. “I sit down there running the radar once in a while ifsomebody is increasing speeds. But yeah, within reason, I’ll hit my red and blues,” Doster said. “They slow down. The first thing is officer presence as a reminder. “People going out of the neighborhood slow down roll down their window and say ‘thank you very much,’” he added. Doster credits his success to those who helped him along the way. “I was fortunate throughout my entire career as far as where I worked and who I learned from,” Doster said. He started as a reserve officer at Kalamazoo Township. Doster said he was voted in to be a lieu­ tenant commander. “I was only 22 years old. So, I learned a lot over the years,” Doster explained. “Otsego Police Chief Godswick took me under his wing a bit too. I was just fortunate.” When asked by the Banner: “Ifyou had to do it all over again, would you choose the same career?” “I probably would,” replied Doster. “I probably would.” ESTATE SALE Shop tools, Coco-Cola Collectibles, bar mirrors and glassware, dining room table, 6 chairs and buffet cabinet, furniture and miscellaneous. Fri.-Sat., May 5 & 6,2023.8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 351 Clear Lake, Dowling. No presales. offered a position. Eventually, she was hired by recently-retired Barry Township Police Chief Mark Doster. After quickly becoming familiar with the township and the residents who call lownsiup hoip^, Johnson said flat’s SSlry Township^ lace iiifeato W»0KlB iffx ■ItWlO imp'3® ZZ? ’ After serying four years; she moved up the ladder to detective, specializing in child abuse, sexual assaults and interview/interrogation. i “From the first day on the job, Barry Township and its citizens have been welcom­ ing. I er once* was made to feel like an outsid Johnson said. “I love coming to work in the community I serve. Youjust can’t ask for more than that.” • In 2020, Johnson was promoted again to detective sergeant under Doster. ' “I feel very honored to continue my'law enforcement career in Barry Township as ypur police chief. I take this opportunity as ypur chief to give back to the community that has always given so much to me,” Johnson Said. Due to her absence because of illness, Barry Township Clerk Deb Knight delivered the oath ofoffice through a speaker phone on Saturday. ; Nakfoor Pratt said Johnson had worked hard for, and earned, her position. ■ “I think Jenny Johnson deserves a huge congratulations for blazing the trail as the first female police chief in Barry County,” said Nakfoor Pratt. “It is important for young vtomen to believe they can do something if they want to.” Freshman State Representative Rachelle Smit presented Johnson with a special tribute at the ceremony, thanking her for her years of service. “Let it be known that, in grateful recogni­ tion of her loyal service in protecting and defending the people ofBarry Township, and being the first woman elevated to police chief, not only in Barry Township but in Barry County, as well, Jenny Johnson has been selected to receive this special tribute,” Smit said. “On behalf of everyone who has benefited directly from the work ofthis out­ standing law enforcement officer, and the countless others who reap the rewards ofher sacrifices, we offer our congratulations and thanks on this well-deserved acknowledg­ ment of excellence.” 1 Johnson graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1996. For 27 years, she has been in law enforcement, medical emergency services, education and provided care for disabled United States War Veterans. “Barry Township is a tight-knit, hard-work­ ing community with a big heart. From the business owners who are always happy to see you, to the farmers who wave from their combines in the field,” Johnson told the com­ munity. “I can’t leave out pancake breakfasts at the fire barns, Founders Festival, music in the park and good football games. “In this community, we know each other by name and who drives what truck or sideby-side. This is what Barry Township is all about. This is what I’m all about.” 7/ Johnson came from a long line ofUnited States military and police officers. She grew up in that type of environment. Her parents, PUPPIES! AKC Registered Amer Cocker Spaniel 1 - Sable Male 1 - Female & 3 - Male Tri-Colors (Black & White) 6 weeks old, ready to go Mother’s Day (5/14) 269-953-0912 __________________ No Money Orders_______ WE COULD ALL USE A Jenny Johnson was initially hired on to the Barry Township Police Department in 2011. brothers and uncles were involved in these roles in one way or another. Her nephew is a law enforcement officer in Washington and her niece is a law enforcement officer in Florida. “I never wanted to be anything else,” John­ son said. “If I were to start over again- I would choose it again.” She was bom in Kalamazoo and lived in Sturgis until she was 6 years old. Then, John­ son moved with her family to Ocala, Fla., where her parents pursued law enforcement careers. Several years later, they moved back to Sturgis, where Johnson attended and grad­ uated from Sturgis High School. “Few professions hold more responsibili­ ty and danger than police work. While this has always been the case, the increasing presence of drugs and violencee in our society has served to make this an even more difficult task in recent years,” Smit said in her tribute to Johnson. “The most routine and seemingly innocent situation can quickly become a moment ofterror. Each day, on each shift, the men and women who protect us cope with this pressure while maintaining the perspective that most people are law-abiding, and most hold great respect for them.” Many local officials stood among the crowd of approximately 40 who attended Johnson’s swearing-in ceremony. “I owe many thanks to the Barry Township council and Barry Township Supervisor Barry Bower,” Johnson said. “I feel honored and excited to have been given this opportunity and look forward to working with each ofyou. Next, Johnson thanked Delton Fire Chief Gene Muskovin and I ickory Comers Fire Chief Craig Wyman and their women and men who are more th m willing to lend a hand. Finally, she thanked the Prairieville Township Supervisor Jim Stonebumer and Police ChiefMike Rizeh. “My thankfulness extends beyond our neighbors to Chris Underhile, police chief of Nashville, and Dale Bolter, police chief of Hastings,” Johnson said “My ongoing thanks will always go to the Barry County Sheriff's Office, whose women and men have extend­ ed many branches - sharing ideas, knowledge and years ofwisdom. In conclusion to her speech, Johnson said every law enforcement‘speech should never end without thanking Barry County 911 dispatchers. tchers. “They are truly our lifeline and are led by Director Stephanie Lehman,” Johnson said. “The opportunity to work as a team with these agencies is a privilege.” Johnson credited her group ofofficers and reserves. “I have never hesitated to have any ofthem be my backup for any situation. Now I will be theirs as a leader,” said Johnson. “I think Chief Johnson -will set a good example to the officers that work for her. She is passionate about law enforcement, justice and protecting society,” Nakfoor Pratt said. “She embraces the reason she became a police officer in the first place - to protect and serve. She also keeps an open mind, which is important to citizens that she has cleared ofcrimes, as well- Get your Updated COVID-19 booster shot today. cherryhealth.org Comprehensive. (iviaW^iHealthcaiT. �Page 4 — Thursday. May 4.2023 - The Hastings Banner Did you imlfopinion SCC Gov. Whitmer cites progress - but for who? OPENING UP SHOP The first marijuana dispensary to open for f business in Barry County is expanding to a second location - this one just outside of Hastings city limits. Owners of Lumberjack’s Provisioning Center, which operates a location in Baltimore Township, have hung sig­ nage to announce its new location at 1450 W. M-43 Highway, which is inside a strip mall near Walmart. Representatives from Lumberjack’s appeared in front of the Rutland Charter Township planning commiscommis­ sion in January to receive a special land use permit. In April of last year, Rutland Charter Township officials approved recre­ ational marijuana businesses to open shop within the township. Do you remember? It’s fun when you catch fish! Banner May 13, 1993 Steve Hayes (far left), from Bob’s Gun & Tackle in Hastings, gives a youngster some tips about baiting a hook, but the boy appears to be more interested in what a companion (at right) has caught. Hayes put on a clinic at Fish Hatchery Park for an area Cub Scout pack last Friday afternoon, teaching boys safety and how to catch those elusive fish. Bob’s Gun & Tackle provided the bait free for the scouts and Al & Pete’s Sports Shop provided the use of cane poles. Have you met? Art Puls takes issue with a certain P-word: privileged. Puls normally shrugs it off when people tell him he’s lucky to have such a “cushy” job working from home. When someone told him he led a “privileged” life, he felt the need to set the record straight. The Muskegon native did not have a comfortable home life growing up and he had to learn how to make it on his own early. He met his wife Mary while working at a skating rink, and the two moved to Texas in the ‘80s to pursue their life together. There, he worked his way up through several managing positions at Taco Bell. He stayed in the hospitality industry for 25 years, moving back to Michigan during that time. Looking to leave the hospitality industry, he then started working for a company that repaired shopping carts. The job was 100 percent commission based. Puls would sometimes spend 16 hour days servicing 300 shopping carts. He said he’d put on some music, get to work, and he’d be “as happy as a pig in mud.” “I’m a firm believer that if you want it, you ve got to go after it. Nobody’s going to hand you anything,” Puls said. “Ifyou want go get it. I know it sounds cliche, but there’s no free ride, there’s no free lunch. Nothing.” The job took him to stores all over the country, and he often passed through Hast­ ings. Although he loved what he was doing, Puls started to look for a gig on the side to keep him busy after he retired. “I’m a firm believer that ifyou sit down in a chair and plop down in front of the T.V., you’ll be dead in two years,” he said. That’s when he and his wife started their business in 2021, A&M Lazer Gifts. He bought a laser engraving machine that he can use to make personalized gifts - tum­ bler cups, live edge wood decorations, Art Puls bourbon barrel lids, keychains, coasters and more. If a customer has an idea of what they’d like to see and an item they’d like engraved, chances are he can make it hap­ pen, Puls said. “I can do almost any (design) on any­ thing,” he said. “I get customers that say, ‘Hey, could you do this?’ I basically say, ‘I don’t know. Let’s give it a shot.’” After an exceptionally successful first year, the side gig became his main gig. While he does his work from home in Hast­ ings, it’s far from cushy. Puls said he often works from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. to make sure he’s completing projects and orders on time. The job has its upsides though, too. His wife can start dinner during the work day on slow days. It allows him to take time away from work when friends and family need him. It’s also allowed him to meet other small business owners in Hastings. The small business community is some­ thing he’s passionate about, and he regular­ ly collaborates with businesses in Hastings and around Barry County. He sits on the Downtown Business learn - even though his business doesn’t have a storefront downtown — because 1 e believes everyone benefits from a thriving; local economy. “We can either go t > the big box stores and help a CEO mak; their payment on their second boat stored at their third cot­ tage somewhere, or you can take care of local,” he said. “You can help pay for your neighbors’ kids’ T-ballJor help your neighbors pay their mortgage.” For being a champion of local business, Art Puls is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite book: The Bible. Best advice I’ve ever received: Any­ thing you want, you’vte got to go after it yourself. No free rides] no free lunch. Advice I would give: Where you’re at today is based on the’choices you made yesterday. Where your 11 be tomorrow is based on the choices you make today. If I won the lottery: I would get debtfree, same thing for my family, make sure I’m set for the rest ofmy life. Then I’d start setting up all kinds of funds and scholar­ ships to benefit others. Except, there is one selfish thing I would buy for myself: the 1960s Batmobile. There’s a company in Ohio that makes them. What drew you to Barry County: I passed through the city numerous times for my otherjob. I stopped offand had lunch a couple of times. I always said if I had the opportunity, I’d move here. Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. When she accepted the high-profile appointment last week to become the co-chair ofPresident Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer quickly parroted the Democrat crusade mantra we’ll be hearing for the next 18 months. “We’ve made progress, but there’s more work to do,” she said, deftly straddling the juxtaposition ofa typically smooth political position. I have a couple of questions for our gov­ ernor about her statement, though: To what progress are you referring? And isn’t it a bit presumptuous to move on to ‘more work’ when the work the administration has com­ pleted has put our nation at risk? Drug overdoses, despair, suicides and depression are ravaging our nation and that’s not hard to understand when out-of­ control inflation is impoverishing our nation from within. Workers are experiencing declines in real- and after-tax wages. Mid­ dle-class wealth has been obliterated while the top 1 percent of Americans amasses more wealth than the rest of us 99 percent with every passing day. The American dream is slipping away from all but the wealthiest. Meanwhile, establishment media and the ruling political class turn a blind eye to the economic collapse while allowing the nation to focus on distracting cultural wars over gender, sex and race. Does Whitmer plan to focus on an econ­ omy in which Americans are experiencing the highest inflation in more than 40 years? Thanks to the Biden Administration’s outof-control spending and destructive eco­ nomic policies, inflation hit an all-time high and the Consumer Price Index rose by 7.5 percent from January 2020 to January 2021. That doesn’t sound like progress. Does Whitmer expect to impact gas and energy prices? Gas prices remain at a sev­ en-year high - levels not seen since Biden was vice president and which are raising havoc with the general economy. That doesn’t sound like progress. And how about the rising price offood and everyday goods that are impacting average families across the country? Costs for essen­ tial services such as health care are on the rise. Seniors were impacted by the largest-ever Medicare Part B premium increase in 2022. So When Whitmer says there’s still Work to do, what can Americans expect from another four-year Biden Administration encore? This is the administration that professed that no one making under $400,000 would be impacted by higher taxes. Yet, increasing costs for energy, food and other everyday expenses are, in themselves, a tax. Moody’s Analytics states that inflation is costing American families more than $250 per month in increased costs - and Whitmer says we’ve made progress and there’s more work to do? How about Biden’s foreign policies? We’ve lost power and influence in die world and allowed China to take center stage. When the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan, we left billions ofdollars in state-of-the-art equipment for the Taliban; we lost 13 sol­ diers; and hundreds of Americans and sup­ porters were left on the ground due to our exit strategies. Now, China is threatening aggression in Taiwan and is tightening its grip on Hong Kong. We stood by while Russia invaded Ukraine. So does Whitmer have a plan to influence Biden’s foreign policies? The work to be done has only grown more diffi­ cult because ofour past dismal progress. How about our southern border where more than 6 million illegal migrants have entered the country since Biden took office? He’s made cartels rich as they smuggle and exploit men, women and children in a humanitarian dilemma with no policy guid­ ance, not to mention the projected $20 bil­ lion it’s expected to cost taxpayers each year. The open border has exacerbated America’s drug crisis with overdoses from smuggled fentanyl now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. According to Whitmer, though, there’s so much more to do. Violent crime and murders are increasing in major cities across the country as cities slash funding for their police departmentsc and endorse anti-law enforcement rhetoric that incentivizes bad behavior and allows criminals back on the streets in cities such Baltimore, Portland, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Alll have become crime-ridden hell holes but Biden Administration officials don’t see the correlation between defunding the police and increased violence. Major companies like Target, Walmart Walgreens and others are closing stores and moving from big city neighborhoods, impacting the people who rely on the convenience ofthese stores for everyday needs. Biden’s call for a more unified nation has left our country more divided, poorer and less safe than when he assumed office - but there’s more. Last wefek, the administration announced a new rule requiring lower mortgage fees for riskier borrowers, paid for by higher fees for less risky borrowers. It’s Biden’s Robin Hood scheme of taking from the people with good credit to give to those who maybe aren’ t ready to purchase a home. We’ve already tried this during the Clinton Administration and we know how that worked out - it created a housing crisis. Not good, espe­ cially when we’re already experiencing a banking crisis with three major U.S. banks failing in two months. President Biden announced his reelection bid in a video last week as he seeks to win over Americans who are tired ofhigh infla­ tion or are worried about his ability to serve a second term in the White House because ofhis age. Some are even calling for him to undergo a competency test to show voters he has the ability to continue in the job. I don’t think the test is necessary. All we have to do is review these claims ofall the progress that has been made. Biden’s poli­ cies have caused inflation; they’ve raised the cost ofliving and are damaging relation­ ships with our international allies. It scares me to think that people like Whitmer feel their political party has accomplished a lot, that there’s still more to do, and that there’s progress on which to build. As economic experts across the country now talk about a possible global recession, our problems will get even worse. And with the days clicking offtowards tandthef elec­ tion, the Biden Administration doesn’t have enough time to turn the numbers around unless it doubles down on its position on energy - throwing out the battle for a greener energy policy, and opening the flood gates to energy production. Energy impacts every­ thing in our daily lives from the cars we drive, the heat we use to warm our homes, and the everyday things that we buy. The cost ofenergy dictates our economic well-being. Last week, House Republicans narrowly passed legislation that would raise the gov­ ernment’s debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion in exchange for spending restrictions. Biden maintains it’s non-negotiable. In other words, he’s not interested in finding com­ mon ground on spending as the country’s debt reaches over $31 trillion - more than $95,000 for every man, woman, and child in this country. Whitmer and others in the Biden Admin­ istration feel there’s still more work to be done. But where’s the progress they say we’ve made? And why are they so sure four more years will bring better outcomes for most Americans? tody toy County promolinE nenl at Hay in g ta ^canGooo?:: Ss The Hastings BcllHlC^T Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@l-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere S® w Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 w �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — Page 5 Vehicle stolen from driveway in Middleville, found in Kent County Police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in Middleville around 8:30 a.m. on April 23. A 40-year-old Middleville man and 41-year-old Middleville woman reported a vehicle had been stolen from their driveway on the 8000 block ofWest State Road, and another vehicle had been broken into. The woman told police she discovered the vehicle was missing when she woke up in the morning and was preparing to leave for work. Later in the day, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office contacted Barry County sheriff’s deputies after finding the vehicle in Kent County north of Caledonia. The car was still in good condition and drivable and the owner retrieved it. The hogs are out and the cops are after them I IN® Police responded to a reportjust after midnight on April 27 oftwo pigs in the roadway on East Quimby Road about one mile east ofM-37 Highway. Police could not locate pigs on the scene, but returned to the area around 2 a.m. after the pigs returned to the area. Police found a brown hog as well as a black b and white hog, which both ran into the woods and eluded law enforcement. Police returned to the area a third time around 3 a.m. that night, when another caller told police they had “bumped” one ofthe animals with their vehicle. The caller told police both pigs then took off. Police searched the area and spoke to nearby livestock owners but were unable to establish contact with either the owners or the pigs. Delton dog owner tells police to “just shoot” aggressive dog The inside of 66 Unique Antiques in Nashville, owned by Mike and Amber Fetterhoff. The shop coordinates with dozens of vendors to fill its two floors of space with antique and vintage items. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) ^^£*■5 ■ ’4' Antique festival set for Saturday in Nashville, first of its kind Jayson Bussa Editor The inaugural installment of the 66 Unique Antique Festival is slated to overtake Nash­ ville on Saturday, May 6, shutting down a stretch of M-66 to make way for a flea market with 70-plus vendors. The event is the brainchild of Mike and Amber Fetterhoff,'who have Owned-ahd operated Nashvil le-based .antique shop .66 Unique' Antiques for the last 10 years. The couple has held twice-annual flea markets in nearby Parady Park for several years and eventually ran out ofroom and had to start turning ven­ dors away. 3® piikliffl. b® Kiev intkhlCKlDIBlIl bi iffl ttii b? This gave way to the concept ofthe festi­ val, which will put the flea market on M-66 in downtown Nashville, near the Fetterhoffs’ shop. The flea market is just one component of the 66 Unique Antique Festival, as the Fetterhoffs wanted to make the event more than just an outsized version of the events they hostlat the park. They also wanted stimulating1 programming foiqthose thatweren’t neeessar- ’ ily interested in antiques ofvintage items. ’ That’s why the festival will also feature wood carving by Artistic Timber’s Dylan Ezell, who will be doing live demonstrations at Parody Park at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Roundhead Comhole will also run a tour­ nament that kicks off at. 10 a.m. while Nash­ ville-based entertainment venue FoxView will present an antique auction from noon to 3 p.m. Food trucks Kickin’ Kurbs and Ice Box Ice Cream will be doling out food the entire day in addition to Amish baked goods, which will dlsq be available. “[We want everyone .to prosper,” Mike Fetterhoffsaid ofthe upcoming event. “We want the vendors to prosper. We want the (local) businesses to prosper. We want this to be something that it’s/not for us, but it’s for the Village ofNashville.” Greg Chandler z Hastings man calls in marijuana overdose A 24-year-old Hastings man reported to Barry County Central Dispatch he believed he was overdosing on marijuana around 3 p.m. on April 22. Police arrived on scene to a home on the 7000 block of East Cloverdale Road near Nashville to check on the man. The man told police he had taken his vitamins and some marijuana, but no other sub­ stances. EMS arrived on the scene shortly after police and evaluated the man. EMS told police the man’s vitals all appeared normal and there was no reason to be concerned about a possible overdose. EMS contacted the man’s mothei^and the responding officer stayed with the man until she arrived. City receives funds for another round of neighborhood Leadership Barry County promoting mental enhancement projects health awareness at May 10 event S***' A 51 -year old Delton woman called police to report an aggressive dog around 6:30 p.m. on April 18. Police responded to the woman’s home on the 12000 block of South M-37 Highway. Police arrived at the home and were unable to exit their vehicle without the dog attempting to enter through the driver’s side door. Police said the dog was cir­ cling the vehicle, barking and acting aggressive. The responding officer managed to make contact with the woman inside her home, where they contacted the woman’s neigh­ bor and owner ofthe dog. The man, who was not home, told police he had never seen the dog get aggressive with anyone, and instructed police to “just shoot the dog” several times. The officer told the man he was not going to shoot his dog. The man then told police he might shoot the dog himself if it was acting aggressive. Police then talked to the man’s wife, who said the dog is never out without a leash but sometimes manages to get out on its own. The woman called her children, who arrived on the scene and gained control ofthe dog. StaffWriter One out ofevery five Americans deals with • *a mental health issue, according to the Cen­ ters for Disease Control. One out ofroughly 25 Americans struggles with a serious health issue, such as major depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, according to the CDC. A leadership group in Barry County is try­ ing to address the issue ofmental health, and is hoping it will lead to greater awareness and possibly more people seeking help. Leadership Barry County, which is affiliat­ ed with the Barry Community Foundation, is sponsoring a Mental Health Day next Wednesday, May 10, at the Barry County Enrichment Center, 231 S. Broadway in Hastings. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A variety of activities are planned and representatives from local mental health organizations will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. “We said, ‘it’s such an important issue, and it affects us in so many different ways,”’ said ' Mindy Cutlip, who is a member of Leader­ ship Barry County with her husband Mike. “We just want to bring awareness, give people in Barry County resources and help people become advocates.” Leadership Barry County is a program that is designed to help both established and emerg­ ing community leaders develop their profes­ s sional and personal leadership skills, as well as llearn about issues affecting the county and building relationships. A total of21 peoplee are participating in this year’s Leadership Barry County cohort. Each cohort picks a service project as part oftheir program, Cutlip said. As members of the cohort discussed potential issues and project ideas, mental health emerged as a topic that gained broad support. “When I look at my kids’ generation, which is millennials and Gen Z, they’re not as embarrassed to seek help,” Cutlip said. ‘P People didn’t talk about it back then. Now, we re trying to become advocates of mental health and mental wellness.” Representatives from the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority will provide information on mental health resourc­ es. They will also provide information on substance abuse treatment and recovery pro­ grams. ‘You can Google all you want, but there's nothing like human interaction, and you get a cockie.JJ - Mindy Cutlip, Leadership Bai ry County Also offered are semi-private yoga lessons, reflexology sessions, counseling services and information from the community foundation on healthy eating, according to the event schedule document. A free kickboxing cardio class will also be offered in conjunction with the event at TTS Fitness in Middleville at 6:30 p.m. Sweet treats are also be offered in connec­ tion with the event. Leadership Barry County is calling it “Cookies Bring Kindness.” Left Field Cafe is making 2,000 cookies that will be offered for free at the enrichment center the day ofthe event, as well as the Village of Middleville offices, Delton Public Library and both Left Field locations, said Johnny DeMaagd, who owns the shop and is part of the Leadership Barry County cohort. Barry County Central Dispatch is one of several organizations partnering with the Mental Health Day effort. “We are unable to give our employees the day off, because we are a 24/7 center, but we are excited to be part ofthe BCMHD in other ways,” central dispatch office managerr Vanessa Booth said. “We have signed up for the Connect with Cookies, which will bee a wonderful treat for our team, and we will be encouraging our staffto take a mental health break at some point throughout their shift. “We are encouraging all employees that are not working on the 10th to stop by the expo and check out the wonderful opportunities in support of self-care. Working in 911 can be very challenging, therefore we are continually looking for new ways and ideas that promote self-care .and stress reduction for our team.” ... Sticker.s promoting mental. .he.a.lth will be available at the expo, Cultip said. “If people just put those stickers on their water bottles or their computer or they put them on ttheir (office) window, it opens the door for somebody who maybe needs to talk, you know that person is safe person to share with, to connect with,” s le said. Cutlip looks at mental health and human functioning similarly to changing the oil on your car. “If you can take 15 (m nutes) to a half-hour in your day to swing by, make some time to visit - maybe this is the oil change for your brain,” she said. “Or ma be you know some­ body in your life that /ou can grab some information for ... you can Google all you want, but there’s nothing like human interaction, and you get a cooki e.” For a complete schedule of events, go to Leadership Barry County’s Facebook page at facebook.com/leadershinbarrycounty. Jayson Bussa Editor Residents that live in a certain section on the southeastern side ofHastings will soon be able to apply for up to $9,999 to fund renova­ tions to the exterior oftheir homes. This week, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced that is has awarded $2 million in grants for neighborhood enhancement proj­ ects. This included $75,000 that was awarded to the city ofHastings. The city will set up an application process, where residents that live within a certain area can apply for up to $9,999 to cover costs associated with sprucing up the exteriors of their homes. These projects must yield results that are noticeable from the road, such as new sid­ ing, windows or decking among many other projects. Some residents might remember that the city participated in the same program last year, once again given $75,000 from MSHDA that was, in turn, allocated to homeowners in a specified area on the northeast side of the city to complete exterior home renovations. In that round of grant funding, homeowners were able to apply for up to $7,499. This year, the state raised the cap to $9,999. Ifthe amount of money in requests exceeds the available funds, as it did last year, the city will select applications via a lottery process. Last year, Hastings doled out 12 separate sub-grants for home projects. This year, residents must reside within a triangular section ofthe city that is outlined by the following borders: - Starting at the intersection of South Hanover and East State streets - South on South Hanover Street to East Clinton Street - East on Clinton Street to East State Street - Northwest on East State Street back up to South Hanover Street Dan King, community development direc­ tor for the city, said that the application pro­ cess will be made available as soon as possi­ ble and that the city will be promoting it publicly. All grant applications must be made for homes that are owner-occupied. “(Last year’s grants) were greatly appreciat­ ed by the recipients and that’s what the pro­ gram is all about - to help spruce up homes and create a renewed sense ofpride in owner­ ship in areas that are selected and have been around Hastings for a long time,” King said. “It’s nice to be able to spruce up homes?’ Thanks to all 'Hastings City 'Barry Countyflirport 'Neighbors The Hastings City Barry County Airport Commission, Airport Manager and Pilots would like to give their appreciation and Thanks to all the fellow Neighbors for their gracious participation on getting their trees trimmed and/or removed for the Airports Runway Approaches. This is esse itial for the Airport to stay in good standing with the FAA and for the safety of all the pilots and a rcraft that use the airport. It is extrem -ly important to the Airport that we have a good and productive relationship with all of our neighbc rs. Thanks Again. Ron Holley: Airport Chairperson Mark Noteboom: Airport Manager �Page 6 — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Street has resumed its monthly open house with hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The only pub­ licity has been on Facebook and this column. However, this is not a secret. The Lake Odes­ sa Historical Society maintains the museum ever since it opened soon after the museum’s relocation to Emerson Street in 1984. Another musical treat is in store at Pleasant Valley UB Church on Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. This semiannual concert is being pre­ sented by the Joybells ofthe host church and the brass group which performs in alternating fashion at each concert. Each group performs both sacred and secular numbers. These groups have performed for several years and both are made up ofaccomplished musicians. The ringers are under the direction of Janet Michaud. On Saturday, the nearby Bowne Center UM Church is hosting a beefand pork dinner with serving from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This Galen Andrus of rural Middleville and well-organized meal is handled with seating speedily maintained. This is always a tasty formerly ofrural Hastings, MI entered his meal with homemade desserts. There is ample heavenly home after a multiyear battle with parking at this site on M-50, south ofAlto and cancer on May 1, 2023 at the age of 69. He was bom July 6, 1953 as the first north of92nd Street. This is a short distance child of Clifford and Lois Andrus. He was from the T\ler Creek campground. Our spring weather caught cold. Tuesday a farm kid attending the Carlton Center and Woodland Schools, graduating from Lake­ was a very chilly day, as was Monday with cold winds and intermittent rain. Snow was wood High School in 1971. He later gradu­ predicted for Tuesday night but it would not ated from Michigan State University with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Electri­ be lasting. The village government has announced cal Engineering. In his adult life he worked as an Avionics that in the near future there will be only three pickup dates for brush and other vegetation Systems and Software Engineer at Lear on the streetside. This is a reduction of our Siegler,Smiths Aerospace, and General vital village service. How long will we have Electric (GE Aviation), retiring in 2014 stacks of brush on our streetside? We read after nearly 40 years ofemployment. that a new village manager has been hired. A In retirement he enjoyed spending time temporary manager has been in place in with his wife Claire, gardening, metal recent months while a search was being con­ machining, electronics, and attending ducted for a permanent manager. antique tractor and farm machinery shows. He was an avid reader of technical books and magazines. As a Christian he was par­ ticularly interested in Biblical Prophecy, /i • Traditional and Cremation Services with emphasis on End Time Prophecy. He was active in his church and had • Pre'P^annin8 Services served as a Deacon and Treasurer at vari­ • Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible ous times, until health issues interfered. Serving All Faiths Galen was preceded in death by his Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted paternal grandparents, Jerimiah and Anna Andrus; maternal grandparents, Cecil and Wilma Oler; parents, Clifford and Lois 1 T4 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 Andrus, and brother, Kim Andrus. A* 269-945-3252 • www.gkrbachfuneralhome.net He is survived by his loving wife, Clairei Dale Billingsley OX“ s Andrus; sister, Kathy Andrus, and numer-j Family Owned and Operated ous cousins. Serving Hastings, Barry Count) and Surrounding Communities for 50 years In lieu of flowers, memorial contribu­ tions can be made to Green Lake Calvary Church, 608 145th Ave, Caledonia MI 49316 or a charity ofyour choice. Per his request, no fimeral service will be held. Funeral arrangements have been entrust­ ed to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hast­ ings, ML conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings ML For further details please visit our website at www. danielsfuneralhome.net Elaine Garlock Spring Into the Past comes this weekend. M Museums over a large part of Mid-Michigan will be open. About 20 museums m the water­ shed of the Grand River, Thomapple River, Flat River and tributaries compose the membership of the sponsoring group. The Lake Odessa museum on Emerson Street will be one of them. Also, the Sunfield museum will be open. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The theme this year involves food; the way we prepare it and the way wee cook it now and in years past. At Sunfield, the prime attraction is a log house built within the confines ofthe former Welch Hardware with its primitive fittings. The CROP Walk was held on Sunday start­ ing from the Fellowship Hall of Central UM Church. There were walkers from the host church, Zion Lutheran and the Coats Grove Christian parish. The route used in previous years coverss two miles, all on village streets. Each walker was to have secured pledges for the walk. Funds collected go to Church World Service, an ecumenical mission. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds are returned to the community. In this case, the agency is the Lakewood Community Services, which pro­ vides funds for fire loss, Christmas baskets and other needs year-round in the Lakewood community. The day was very cold and windy, but the walkers ranging from senior adults to a five-year-old made the effort. Tai Chi classes have begun at the Lake Odessa Community Library on Thursday forenoons at 11 a.m. This is a low-key class with exercise aimed at flexibility and slow motion rather than a vigorous form of exer­ cise. This is sponsored by the Ionia County Commission on Aging. There is room in the class for more participants. The Lake Odessa museum on Emerson TJ Lenna Bom passed away April 29, 2023. Lenna was bom in Barry County on May 1, 1934 the daughter of Harry R. and Mil­ dred V. Latta. Lenna attended Delton Kel­ logg Schools and lived in Cloverdale where she met the love ofher life, George Bom Jr. and they married on December 4, 1952. They owned and operated Country Inn restaurant in Dowling for many years where Lenna prepared home cooked meals for the community. After the passing ofher husband in 1985, Lenna attended Hastings High School alongside her daughter, Lori where they earned their high school diplomas. Lenna was a strong, caring person and loved life, but most of all, she loved and protected her family until the very end. Lenna was preceded in death by her par­ ents, Hany and Mildred Latta; husband, George Bom Jr.; daughter, Lori Oleksyn; brothers: Rollo Homer, and Max Latta; sis­ ters,: Mercie Bowerman, Sally Lafountain, Lavina Arkwright; sister and best friend, Vera TasKey; and her canine, Teddy. Lenna is survived by her daughter, Debo­ rah Allen; son, George Bom; daughters, Mary (Max) Main, Karen (Mark) Bissett; several grandkids and great grandkids. Lenna’s family will receive friends on Friday, May 5, 2023, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home where her funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m.. Burial will take place at Brush Ridge Cemetei^rf.ti: :,s 9'jfio nsriw 3s Memorial cdrifribufion^^td^ thte^ Barty County Humane Society will be appreciated. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral. com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Lenna’s family. Richard (Goose) Stauffer died January 14, 2023 after a short illness in Flemington, N.J. where he had lived for many years. He was the son of Marguerite (McPharlin) and Albert Stauffer, and sisters, Judy Stauffer ofEster, AK, Janet (Stauffer) Look ofHastings; brother, Van (Rachel) Stauffer, and sister, Diane (Hauseman) Knapp of Petoskey; several cousins, and nephews. Richard graduated from Hastings High School in 1964, where he found his voice in Herb Moyer’s choir. Richard went on to study art education at Michigan State Uni­ versity. He was active in campus social affairs as a member ofDelta Tau Delta Fra­ ternity, a member ofthe 1968 Senior Class Counsel, and Homecoming Committee (1967 and 1968). Most classmates and friends knew him as “Goose,” a name that followed him the rest ofhis life. His work included in retail management when he moved in 1969 to Washington, D.C., and later in New Jersey. His voice served him well over the years singing tenor in the Raritan Valley Chorus, and until shortly before he died in “Hunterton Harmonizers” an all male barbershop group that are well known in central New Jersey where he was beloved by his choral family. A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Hastings, fol­ lowed by a luncheon at4he Welcome Corndrs Church;! c'.rfi httU ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastin gsfreemethodist .com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for .information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 A celebration of li e for Denise E. Straley will be held on May **>, 2022"3 a„t Pierc_e C2_ed>a_r Creek Institute in Ha sting?, MI. Doors open a 12:30 p.m., prog am begins at 1 p.m. at Refreshments to follow. Denise’s favorite ci dor was red; pleasejoin us in honoring her br <<c’hoos*ing re.2d at2ti’_r e__or accessories. We en courage anyone who would like to share i memory of Denise as part of the program t > please come prepared to do so. Please contact Megan LeMarbe at 517290-8478 with any qi estions. A group of Polar Dip participants scamper into Gun Lake during this year’s Gun Lake Winterfest. The unseasonably warm winter weather eliminated all the ice on the lake this year. (File photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) FRIGID FUNDS: Winterfest yields sizable charitable contribution All the polar dipping and'other activities that came with this year’s Gun Lake Winter­ fest were for more thanjust fun. The annual event, an outdoor winter festival put on by the Gun Lake Business Association, is also designed to benefit charity. This year, Winterfest raised $4,000 that will be donated to Family Promise ofBarry County, which provides temporary housing and personalized mentoring to families that are homeless or at risk ofbecoming homeless. This year’s Winterfest took place on Feb. 18 at Yankee Springs State Park. Each year, organizers ofthis outdoor win­ ter festival choose a local charity to benefit from its fundraising efforts. This year, organizers selected Family Promise ofBarry County and were scheduled to present the organization’s executive direc­ tor, Abbie Hockstead, with a check for $4,000 today, May 4. The check will be presented to Hockstead by Winterfest Chairperson Monte Baker, who will step away from the role next year as Co-Chairs Brad and Stacey Landman take the reins ofthe event. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — Page 7 Hubert Cook recalls Tyden’s early days Esther Walton Banner Oct. 11, 1990 The following piece was written for the Rotary Club in June 1945 and gives Hubert Cook’s recollections of the factories in the First Ward: “The history ofmy connection with these factories began way back in the gay nineties, when father (M.L. Cook) was manager ofthe : old wool boot factory. During summer vacations, when about 10 years old, I used to paint castings for wool carding machines and assemble conveyor belts for the same machines by riveting wooden slots on leather belts. After doing this type ofwork for a couple of summers in what time I could spare from swimming, fishing, collecting bird eggs, etc., I realized that unless I wanted to spend my life as a common laborer, I would have to specialize in some ways of work which nobody else cared to do, so I took up smoke stack painting. “This really wasn’t such dangerous work as it sounds, as I never painted any unless they were lying on the ground. This profes­ sion also appealed to me as being steady work, as at least one of the three stacks would rust out and fall down every year - two came down together in one wind storm. Another thing I liked about it was that I was my own boss and did the work by contract. “For 50 cents each, I agreed to paint them inside and out with a mixture of tar and asphalt thinned with gasoline and creo­ sote oil. “I still get a headache when ever I see a smoke stack as it recalls the awful smell of this paint when in the inside middle of a 60-foot stack on a hot August afternoon. “However, lots ofhelp was given (to) me by the regular employees of the company. They would always see that I would start <2 <2*^ painting the inside from the top end, and Mik s | BNB* iiBiit J.faaa ss when I had worked my way well inside, they would close the damper in the other end and throw bricks and stones on the outside till the noise would drive me out. With the damper closed, there was only one way out and that was on my hands and knees through all the fresh paint I hadjust put on. When I reached fresh air, nobody was in sight so I would open the damper and begin all over and the same process would be repeated. “While I kept the factory going by keeping the smoke stack bright and shiny, Richard Messer would travel over the country selling boots. It was on one ofthese trips that he met Emil Tyden on the train and became interested in his car seal patent. They began great friends and Mr. Mesmer finallyjponyincjed Mr, Tyden that Hastings was the only suitabte'pkwejibthe country in which to produce car seals. “The first car seal factory was started in the old abandoned Michigan Whip Company plant, which stood on the site ofthe present Consumer Power Company sub-station (east side ofBoltwood, between Court and Center streets). The original stock holders and direc­ tors were Mr. Tyden, the two Messer broth- era, John Lombard, father (M.L. Cook) and william R. Cook coming shortly after. This was iin 1899, and the early years were spent in eve opingto and building machinery produce the sealtsh.e necessary In I the summer of 1902, when the produclon had reached a few thousand seals a day, Lj6 Ppant Was struck struc lightning gtnng n inte the m mid-­ e of the night and was burned to the ground, estroying practically all of the machinery, drawings, patterns, etc. Such a loss would discourage anybody but Mr. Tyden, who had such great confid dence i his car seal that before the fire in stopped smoldering, he had purchased the old apple dryer plant and property in the First Ward where the present Viking plant is now located. (That building was the second building. In 1990, the building was located in Industrial Park on the north side of State Street or the west side oftown.) The next day workmen were on the job building what is now the brick part of the (old) Viking factory. There was another long period of designing and building machinery before any considerable production could again be resumed. “It was during this period that Joseph McKnight was inducted to quit his job with the American Can Company and become superintendent of the car seal factory. His experience in building tin can machinery was of great help in building car seal machinery. Some of the machines were too large to be built in Hastings and they were made in Chi­ cago by the Consolidated Press and Tool Company ofthat city. “Automatic machines often work better on paper than they do when completed, and it was often necessary to send some of the machines back to Chicago to be rebuilt before they would perform as intended. Also, needed improvements in a machine can often be seen better after they have been operated for some time. Consequently, a good many production machines were riding the rails between here and Chicago instead ofproducing car seals. “During this period another fortunate thing for Hastings occurred. The Northern Railroad decided to build their present terminal station and the Press Company, among others, was on the location they had selected. They had to move their plant somewhere in a hurry and the car seal factory induced them to locate in Hastings. “I will continue with the car seal history. “Outside ofpostage stamps, on which the government at present has a monopoly, car seals are perhaps the best thing to maqufao ture, ^s when once used they are thrown away'and *new ones have to be purchased. “Some of you may not know what a car seal is, or what it is used for. They are simply padlocks without keys. They can be locked, but nobody has ever unlocked one. They are used principally for locking freight car doors, and since the Tyden seal has been adopted by over 95 percent of the railroad mileage of tail .Doctor Universe A breath of fresh air How did our planet get to be the one with breathable air? Jacob, 11, Idaho Dear Jacob, When I wake up from a cat nap, I stretch and take a deep breath. It feels good to fill my lungs with oxygen. But that wasn’t always possible on Earth. I talked about this with my friend Sean Long. He’s a geologist at Washington State University. “The cool thing is the answer has to do with life,” Long said. “Early life forms on Earth gave us all the oxygen. They were single-celled bacteria.” Our planet is about 4.5 billion years old. There’s been life on Earth for 3.5 billion years. The first life forms were made of just one cell. They were bacteria and their cousins called archaea. Earth exists inside a bubble of gasescalled its atmosphere. It’s mostly nitrogen and oxygen now. That oxygen is in the air we breathe. Another kind ofoxygen in the atmosphere forms the ozone layer. That’s like a shield that protects Earth from some ofthe sun’s energy. Ifyou took a time machine back to early Earth, you wouldn’t be able to breathe. The atmosphere was carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor. There was no oxygen to fill your lungs. There was no ozone layer either. So, the only safe place to live was underwater. Around 2.5 billion years ago, a new type of bacteria showed up. They were cyanobacteria. Today, cyanobacteria are sometimes called blue-green algae-even though they’re not really algae. I Cyanobacteria lived in warm, shallow oceans. They grew in flat layers that cov­ ered the sea floor. They became mat- and mound-shaped fossils called stromatolites. Cyanobacteria figured out how to do photosynthesis. They could suck in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use itwith water and sunlight-to make sugar. At the end of photosynthesis, they spit out leftover oxygen. It’s the same way green plants make energy today. The oxygen those cyanobacteria spit out began to build up. “Starting about 2.5 billion years ago, oxygen levels in the atmosphere started to rise and rise and rise because the bacteria were doing so well,” Long said. “By about 1.8 billion years ago, oxygen levels were high enough to create an ozone layer.” Eventually, the atmosphere became more like the one we have today. Scientists call the change to an atmosphere with lots ofoxygen the Great Oxygenation Event. That change was a big deal for life on Earth. Thanks to oxygen, life on land would eventually be possible. One day there would be life forms made of lots of cells-like you and me. It’s amazing to think bacteria too tiny to see could change the atmosphere and life on Earth. I guess you’re never too small to make a big difference in the world around you. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. North and South America, the theft loss from freight car averages less than one cent per carload. The seals are also used by both the United States and Canada governments for shipping freight in bond through these coun­ tries. “For instance, all through cars on the Michigan Central are sealed with specially marked seals in Detroit by customs officers and the seals are inspected again when they arrive in Buffalo to make sure that the cars have not been opened or the seals tampered with while passing through Canada. “Tyden seals are also used in all packing houses for government meat inspections, the inspectors locking a seal between the two leg bones of the carcass which they have inspect­ ed and approved. “It is quite an interesting story on why the government adopted the Tyden seal for this purpose. Before coming to Hastings, Ed Tyden, who ran a market in Chicago and personally bought his meat direct from the packing plants, found that the meat delivered at his market was not always the same as he had selected. So he has his brother, Emil, send him car seals with his own name and numbers on. After that, he always received the meat he had previously selected. The government inspectors saw the merit ofthis identification and have since used the seal to make sure that no carcass is shipped without the inspector’s seal. “Tyden seals are used by all of our big game hunting states and the Canadian prov­ inces for deer, moose, elk, etc., to prevent hunters from exceeding their bag limit. They are also used in many states and provinces to identify and limit and number of pelts taken by each fur trapper. “In addition to freight cars, seals are used on tank car valves, refrigerator car doors and ice hatches, pipe lines valves, sprinkler sys­ tem valves, through railway express and mail cars and by most long haul truck lines. A fairly recent use is for bicycles licenses by many cities throughout the country, including (at that time) Hastings. “It was a real sellingjob to get the railroads to adopt the Tyden seal, not because they didn’t want it, but because it meant changing the car door hasps and pins on every door of every railway car in the country before the seal could be used. “Mr. Tyden personally did most of this pioneer work, securing orders from one rail­ road at a time, then returning to Hastings to see that the orders were properly filled by the time the railroads could get their cars ready for its use-. Eventually, the seals practically sold themselves and at not one time in.the last 30 years had we had over one salesman. “The seals formerly used were the lead and wire seals and required a heavy hand press for squeezing the lead tightly onto the wires. fl look back aims stories and 60IQMS on local history In Hie Hastlnus Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES “The disadvantage of this type of seal, in addition to the trouble of carrying the hand press around to each car door, was that all lead seals were substantially alike and any­ body could easily make the lead slugs. Con­ sequently, a seal could be broken, the con­ tents of the car rifled and the door again sealed with a pair of pliers, hammer, or even a sealing press ifthe burglar had the ambition to carry one around and nobody could tell from the outside inspection that the car had been broken into. “Every Tyden seal has the name of the railroad and a series of consecutive numbers embossed on the band of the seal and the railroads record the numbering on each seal of each car. These seal numbers, together with the car number, are checked at intervals during the car’s journey across the country to see that the original seals are on the car when it arrived at its destination.” Some smoke stacks at Hastings Wool Boot Co., where Hubert Cook painted as a child, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for May 5-11 May 1-31 - May Storywalk Book: “Box Turtle” by John Himmelman. The Story­ walk is free and self-guided. Witness time and space through theieyes of a box turtle. Starting from hatching in a New England forest in the late 1890s to the present, observe changes in the turtle’s life and its landscape. May 1-31 - Endangered Species Scav­ enger Hunt. Honor Endangered Species Day (May 19) all month long and learn about Michigan’s threatened and endan- gered species. Search for artwork ofrare plant and animal species along the Insti­ tute’s Beech-Maple Ridge (blue) Trail in their preferred habitat; scan the QR code on each work of art to learn more about the species. The scavenger hunt is free and self-guided. Saturday, May 6 — Spring wildflower walk along the Beech-Maple Ridge Trail, 9-11 a.m. Anyone ages 9 and up are wel­ come, with those under 18 being accom­ panied by an adult. Explore Michigan’s many spring wildflowers in both forests and wetlands. From marsh marigold to yellow trout lily, there is so much to dis­ cover in this 1.5-mile walk along the Institute’s Beech- Maple Ridge Trail. Spots are filling fast, so register soon if interested. Institute members can attend the walk for free; non-members must pay $8. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, May 4 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches the 1944 film “Lifeboat,” 5 p.m. Friday, May 5 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 8 — Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 9 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. The Hastings Wednesday, May 10 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Friends of the Library annual meeting, 6 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by call­ ing the library, 269-945-4263. DE>A.NNER Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! Hastinast Middleville: Shelbyville: Nashville: One Stop Shop (Marathon) Speedway Harding's Towh & lDountry The Dock Trading Post Nashville Johnny's MV Pharmacy 'Delton; Nashville C Store .' (M-43 North) Superette Family Fare Tom's Market Hastings Johnny's The General Store Marathon Mega Bev Hastings Pharmacy Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Middleville Johnny's “ Family Fare Orangeville; Orangeville Fast Stop Prairieville: (M-37 South) Family Fare Gas Station Walgreens Cloverdale: Carl’s Lake Odessa: Banfield: Lake-O-Express Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny's Dowling; Freeport: Goldsworthys L & J’s Prairieville Fast Stop Marathon Gas Station (M-37 West) Marathon Gas Station 'Delton Johnny's Carl’s Cloverdale General Woodland: Woodland Express �Page 6 — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — The Hastings Banner First Communion From left to right, Commissioner Bruce Campbell, County Board Vice Chair Dave Hatfield and Chair Dave Jackson engage in discussion during Tuesday morning’s Committee of the Whole meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) County employees get additional wage increases while elected officials are left behind Several children participated in the First Holy Communion at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Hastings on Sunday. They include (front row, left to right) Michael Gergen, Kensington Voshell, Audrey Smith and Simon Waddell; (back row, left to right) Austin Eckler, Zoe Betz, Emerson Kensington, Heaven DePriester and Harrison Roets. Father Stephan Phillip served as celebrant while Deacon Jim Mellen, Catechists Jackie Tolles and Diane Bennett and musicians Kelly Maurer and Cindy Baker also participated. excluded all elected officials. The COW has recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve adjust­ ments in pay scales for county employees that belong to a union and those that are not represented by one. This includes a pay scale increase of an additional 3 percent in 2023, 3 percent in 2024 and 1 percent in 2025. These employees were already in line for 2 percent increases for each year, meaning their The Alma College Percussion Ensemble played at the Thomapple Plaza stage salaries will now jump 5 percent in 2023, 5 Thursday afternoon as part of the Thomapple Arts Council Jazz Festival. (Photos by percent in 2024 and 3 percent in 2025. Hunter McLaren) Wage increases have been a major stick­ ing point for county officials over the last year as the county explores ways to retain employees instead of losing them to jobs in other counties or the private sector. While these county employees will bene­ fit from the wage increases, elected officials will not receive the pay bump. Their com­ pensation is determined by the county offi­ cers compensation commission, which last met in 2022 and set compensation for 2023 and 2024. This has locked in the compensa­ tion for elected officials for the next two years. The fact that elected officials cannot receive the same pay increases as their col­ leagues created frustration amongst some commissioners. County Administrator Michael Brown said that the board could vote to dissolve the compensation commis­ sion and reclaim decision-making power when it comes to compensating elected offi­ cials. However, even if they did that soon, the compensation for elected officials is Bullock Creek High School performed on the second floor of the Hastings Public locked in until 2024. Library on Thursday. “I’m not arguing because I think it’s right. I tend to agree with you - it’s certainly unfortunate,” Brown said. “I think (elected officials) should be included with the com­ pensation... I’m happy to get an attorney Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? here and have more conversation on that, but because ofthe compensation commission, if Work the 3*11 shift and want to lift weights before bed? you were to dissolve it and it would no lon­ ger exist, it was the determination they made Jayson Bussa Superintendent Matt) Goebel and (Hastings) Our fitness center is now accessible 24/7, in 2022 that continues until the end of the Editor Police Chief (Dale) Boulter, we had already two-year term.” The Thomapple Arts Council Jazz Festival heard from many schools and we decided to Commissioners Elob Teunessen and Jon faced a major hurdle this year upon the clo­ pull the plug on it and just cancel.” Not a member? Call 269,948.3139. Smelker strongly advocated discussing the sure of Hastings area schools Friday pending By canceling Friday’s schedule ofperfor­ 24/7 new member enrollment fees waived in May, idea of dissolving the compensation com­ an investigation into alleged threats of vio­ mances, the festival lost around 40 ofits 60 mission. lence against the school. school groups that planned to attend the “My personal opinion is that it’s time to While the non-competitive, educational festival. Pennock Health & Wellness Center get a resolution to dissolve the compensation jazz festival, which draws groups from rough­ “All the schools that would have attended 915 West Green Street Spectr Spectrum board and we have to stick with what we ly 60 schools around the state, is not directly have been extremely supportive and very Hastings, Ml 49058 gr Health got,” Smelker said. associated with Hastings schools, it does use understanding,” LaJoye noted. the Hastings Performing Arts Center as one Amongst the flurry of scheduled perfor­ of its venues. mances by school groups, Washington-based “When the threat to the school occurred, jazz trombonist and vocalist Aubrey Logan even though we were not going to have any was slated to make a headline performance performances during the day Friday at the on Friday night at the Hastings Performance school, concern arose with visiting schools Arts Center. and their administrators were starting to That performance was moved to First Pres­ advise their teachers that they shouldn’t byterian Church and all tickets were honored attend,” said Joe LaJoye, who founded the at that venue. LaJoye said that the perfor­ annual festival 20 years ago and still acts as mance was a massive success and featured a chairman. “After discussion with (Hastings standing-room-only crowd. Other than the massive hiccup on Friday, both Thursday and Saturday went on as scheduled. The student musicians were not the only ones to be disappointed by Friday’s cancella­ tion. A number of local restaurants were fhe Barry.Conservation District promote geared up to serve food to visiting students responsible natural resource and land use and also host musicians throughout the lunch management in Barry County. The Executive Director and dinner hours - business that they missed out on. is responsible for t he District’s consistent However, LaJoye said that he witnessed achievement of its mission and financial goals,, as the community rally around those restaurants well as the day to day operations of the District. to help ease the blow. “When Friday canceled, they weren’t Qualified applicants should possess a Bat helor’s going to get any business, so many of the degree or equivalent experience in natural local businesses stepped up and placed food resources, business, education or a related field, and orders for their employees for lunch on Frimust pass a federal background check. day,” LaJoye said. While LaJoye admitted to feeling angry and disappointed about what transpired on obs/ LADY A https://www.ba day two ofthe three-day festival, he was noth­ THURSDAY, JULY 13 For a full position To apply, send a cover letter, description, use ing but complimentary with how the tricky Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office resume, and references to: this QR code or situation was handled by both law enforce­ or FireKeepersCasino.com. visit ourjobs page ment and administrators at Hastings schools. barrycdboard@gmait.com. at barrycd.org! “I have nothing but praise for Superinten­ GET your VI WonR CASINO•HOTEL Applications will be considered until the position is filled dent Goebel and Chief Boulter,” he said. “They made all the right moves and made all Mu?th° ?Xit 104 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 the right decisions and we concurred with e or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. theirjudgment.” Jayson Bussa Editor A majority ofcounty employees are in line for a bump in their yearly wages - but not all employees. The Barry County Committee of the Whole spent a good chunk ofits meeting on Tuesday morning discussing additional salary increases for county employees that would affect 2023, 2024 and 2025, but that Beginning May 1, we are now open 24/7! Jazz Festival organizers work through disruption hiring! Join our team as Executive Director! 8c THE HOTTEST STARS toirfrl am.41 �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday., Mavy 4,2023 TK fends off Orioles in final of Wooden Bat tourney Brett Bremer w S$; Sports Editor With the bases loaded and a run in already in the top of the seventh inning Saturday afternoon, the Trojans called ace starter Gavin Snelling back to the mound. Snelling fell behind 2-0 and then proceed­ ed to fire three pitches past Ludington’s Gage Jones for the strikeout and a 5-4 win for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball team in the finals ofits Wooden Bat Tournament Sat­ urday in Middleville. The Thomapple Kellogg boys knocked off Delton Kellogg 14-4 in the tournament open­ er and then held on for the one-run win over the Orioles. “The boys really enjoy the wood bat tournament,” TK head coach Nick Iveson said. “It’s a fun way to mix up the season and give them a chance to get the pine tar out and use their wooden bats they might only use for practice normally. These weekend wins are good confidence builders especially with the tough conference schedule we have. “We had a great series last week against South Christian with a couple really close game so its nice to be on the other side of those close ones and we can bring that momentum into our conference play.” Anson Verlinde threw the first three innings ofthe championship game for TK as the Tro­ jans staked themselves to a 5-3 lead. Snelling took over in the fourth and shut out the Ori­ oles over the next three innings. Graysen Stahle came on to pitch the seventh for TK, and he got the first two outs ofthe innings, but once the Orioles inched within 5-4 Snel­ ling returned to get that final out. Snelling allowedjust one hit and struck out six in his 3 1/3 innings. The starter Verlinde gave up three earned runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out six. Isaac Kimble was 3 for 3 at the plate with a key^two-out-RBI in the bottom ofthe third inning that brought home what proved to be the winning run. Logan Snelling doubled and Jacob Davis singled for the only other two Trojan hits. ity Stoptal ootesecondtaoltieHasingiM Jazz Festival op® ton mb foots Delton Kellogg's Torren Mapes rounds third and heads for home to score a run during his team's loss to host Thomapple Kellogg at the Trojans' wooden bat tour­ nament in Middleville Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thomapple Kellogg's Riley Dressander reaches out to advance a runner with a ground ball during the top of the fifth inning of his team's 14-4 win over Delton Kellogg in the first game of the TK Wooden Bat Tournament Saturday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Coach Iveson was pleased to report that his guys only broke one bat all day long. The Trojans put those bats to a little more use against Delton Kellogg. The Trojans had seven hits to score their 14 runs. They were helped by ten walks and four Panther errors. Verlinde was 2 for 4 at the plate with two RBI’s. Logan Snelling got the win. He shut out the Panthers on one hit for three innings while striking out seven. Stahle had a score­ less inning of relief in that ballgame. Ben Koster and Abraham Figuereo-Reyes also threw in relief for TK. TK built a 14-0 lead before the Panthers scored a run in the fourth and then three in the bottom ofthe fifth. Adrian DeBoer was 2-for-3 with two dou­ bles and two RBI’s for Delton Kellogg. Torren Mapes and Dylan Fichtner both singled once. Wyatt Colwell took the loss. TK scored 12 runs against him, but only five were earned. He walked eight and struck out four. Riley Bourdo came on in relief in the fourth. He gave up two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two. Ludington started its day with a 10-6 win over the Delton Kellogg boys. Delton Kellogg’s Victor Gonzales and Philip Halcomb both singled twice. Gonzales had two RBI’s and Halcomb drove in a run. Elliott Rogers was 1 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI’s. Bardo also singled once in the loss to Ludington for DK. The South Christian Sailors wrapped up a sweep of their three-game OK Gold Confer­ ence series against TK with a 12-2 win over TK at South Christian High School Thursday. Brody Wiersma and Gavin Snelling were both 2 for 3 with a run scored at the top ofthe TK line-up. Verlinde had an RBI. Dylan Law­ rence singled once and walked once for TK. Both of the Trojan runs were unearned against Sailor pitcher Reed Grinstem who L»* It^J^ ^^ Delton Kellogg's Riley Bardo pitches during his team's contest with the host Trojans at the Thornapple Kellogg Wooden Bat Tournament in Middleville Saturday morning. w (Photo by Brett Bremer) struck out five, gave up* five hits and walked two in five innings ofwprk. Charlie Schreuer threw a scoreless inning ofrelief, striking out two. TK had its Tuesday afternoon conference doubleheader with Forest Hills Eastern post­ poned to Thursday, May 4, and the Trojans will host the Hawks for one in Middleville Friday. The Trojans are scheduled to go ta West Ottawa for two non-conference games Saturday and then take on Kenowa Hills next week back in the OK Gold. Delton Kellogg also lost to a tough South­ western Athletic Conference foe last Thurs­ day, falling 13-0 and 11-1 in a pair of ball­ games at Kalamazoo Christian Thursday afternoon. Tristin Boze was 2 for 2 at the top of the DK line-up in game two and Rogers and Cole Lane both singled once. A single by Halcomb was the only hit in the game one loss. Delton Kellogg third baseman Elliott Rogers snags a bouncing ball in front of his bag before firing to first for an out during the Panthers' wooden bat bail­ game against Thornapple Kellogg in Middleville Saturday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Thornapple Kellogg varsity baseball team celebrates its championship at its own TK Wooden Bat Tournament Saturday in Middleville. The Trojans bested Delton Kellogg and Ludington for the championship. (Photo by Brett Bremer) DK boys end Saugatuck’s 11-year win streak Brett Bremer Sports Editor A dual meet winning-streak of 11 years ended Wednesday, and it was the Delton Kellogg boys who did it. Delton Kellogg scored an 83-54 win over the Trailblazers ip Saugatuck ending a dual meet win streak that started in 2012. Saugatuck had never >een bested in a dual in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, which it joined at the start of the 2014-15 school year. Both teams were indefeated in confer­ ence duals coming ii ito the meet. Delton Kellogg is now 4-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division this spring. The Panthers have a big meet at Martin Monday. The Clippers tied Sau­ gatuck in their dual ar d are 3-0-1 so far this season in conference luals. The Saugatuck girls did score an 83-49 win over the Delton girls. Delton Kellogg bays’ head coach Dale Grimes said his guys ‘[really stepped up and set many new PR’ against Saugatuck while putting forth tremendous effort to score important points whenever possible.” Senior sprinter Philip Halcomb had a huge day. He won the 100-meter dash in 11.92 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 23.92. Running the 400-meter dash for the first time this season, he won in 55.68 seconds setting a new personal record in the process. Saugatuck junior William Doucette ran his personal record time of 24.37 chasing after Halcomb in the 200 and wass also the runner-up in the 100. Halcomb was as part of four wins as he also anchored the Panthers’ 4x200-meter relay team to a victory in 1 minute 40.57 seconds. Leading offthat race were senior Daniel Ruiz, sophomore Sebastian Rojas and junior Torren Mapes., Senior Gage Vincent anchored the 4x800-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay teams to wins for the Panthers and also won the 800-meter race in a personal record time of 2:12.00. Seniors Isaac Shepard, Giorgio Venturi and Felix Houssemaine teamed with Vincent to win the 4x400-me- ter relay in 4:40.22. The DK team of Shep­ the 3200 in 10:49.75. ard, sophomore Ethan Rimmer, HousseSummer Ritchie had a strong day for the maine and Vincent won the 4x800-meter DK girls. She won the 400-meter dash in relay in 9:10.12. 1:06.74 and dropped her PR in the 100Coach Grimes said Vincent’s strong fin­ meter dash to 13.46 to place second behind Saugatuck sophomore Mazie Robinson. ish anchoring the 4x800-meter relay set the Robinson was the hurdle champ too, tone for the rest ofthe meet on the track for his guys. taking the 100-meter hurdles in 16.08 and the 300-meter low hurdles in 50.37. Delton Kellogg swept the three scoring DK freshman Izabelle Gruber set her PR places in the shot put in the dual, led by a at 18.34 in a runner-up finish in the 100 personal record put of 41 feet 5.5 inches hurdles and placed third in the 300’s. Junior from senior Jason Lundquist who also won the discus with a throw of 107-7 — which teammate Breanna Chandler was the run­ beat Saugatuck junior Luke Barde’s PR ner-up in the 300’s and finished second in throw by an inch. the 100 hurdles. Chandler, Gruber and Ritchie teamed Junior teammates Mapes and Rhys Bed­ ford tied for first in the high jump, both with sophomore Josie Williams to win the 4x 100-meter relay for Delton Kellogg in clearing 5-6, and Bedford won the long jump with a mark of 18-6. 55.46. Chandler, Williams, Ritchie and senior Jimena Olmedo won the 4x400-meVincent tacked on a point for the Pan­ thers in the pole vault, clearing 10-0 to ter relay in 4:57.73. Delton Kellogg won the three jumps in place third behind Saugatuck seniors Will Ayers (11-0) and Luke Gorgas (10-6) who the field. Junior Maddy Waller took the both had their best vault ofthe season. high jump at 4-6. senior Joelle White won Sophomore Cooper Sandusky and senior the pole vault at 7-0. Williams won the long John Zettelmaier completed the sweep of jump with a mark of 14-4. the shot put with Lundquist, who also The throws went to Saugatuck sopho­ scored a third-place point in the lopgjump. more Niki McNeil who set personal records Mapes and Bedford piled up points in the in both the shot put (28-9) and the discus hurdles. Mapes won the 110-meter high (93-7.5). hurdles in a personal record time of 15.66 Sophomore A layah Nieuwsma won the and Bedford was second in 16.99. in the 800-meter run for Saugatuck in 2:52.13, the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, Mapes 1600-meter run in a personal record time of won in 42.13 and Bedford dropped his PR 6:18.03 and she was a part ofthe Trailblaz­ to 46.05 in a third-place finish. Ayers was ers’ winning 4x800-meter relay team. The the runner-up in the 300 hurdles in a per­ Trailblazers took that relay and the sonal record time of44.59 for Saugatuck an 4x200-meter relay. Junior Anna McQuearty d he also scored with a PR of 17.02 that put was a part of the winning 4x800-meter him in third in the 110*s. relay team before setting her PR at 14:01.59 Victories weren’t the only key moments in winning the 3200-meter run. for the Panthers. Coach Grimes was very DK had a couple of personal records in pleased to see senior Micah Martin break the distance races. White was second in the 3200-meter run in 14:29.45 and third in the up the Trailblazers’ distance pack. Martin set PR’s in the 1600-meter run and the 1600 in 6:31.71. The Saugatuck girls were 3-0 in confer­ 3200-meter run, placing second in both events. He turned in a time of 5:08.78 in ence duals on the day, also outscoring Hol­ the 1600 and 11:06.97 in the 3200. Sau­ land Black River 106-14 and Gales­ burg-Augusta 83-39. gatuck freshman Sammy Gamboa ran his PR to win the 1600 in 5:07.95 and junior The Saugatuck boys beat Black River1 85-43 and Galesburg-Augusta 82-45. teammate Loch Rigozzi ran his PR to win �Page 10 — Thursday. May 4.2023 — The Hastings Banner Delton Kellogg softball wins pair over Kalamazoo Christian girls Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team swept a Southwestern Athletic Conference crossover doubleheader with Kalamazoo Christian in Kalamazoo Thursday after“They played really well,” DK head coach Jesse Lyons said ofhis girls. Mya Brickley tallied the shutout in the circle for Delton Kellogg in a 7-0 win in the opener. SShe struck out four in the seven-inning win, giving up two hits and two walks. Jordan Lyons led the Delton Kellogg offensive attack going 2 for 3 with a doudou­ ble. She drove in two runs and scored two runs. She also walked twice. Abby Fichtner was 1 for 2 with a pair of walks. She scored a run. Paige Thomas was 1 for 5 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Allie Trantham, Alli Brandli and Kasey Kapteyn had one hit each. Brandli dou­ bled and drove in a run. Abbi Wooden had an RBI. Delton Kellogg won game two 8-6. The Panthers led 5-0 after batting in the < Nst top of the fifth inning, but the Comets struck for two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Delton Kellogg added three insurance runs in the top ofthe seventh that proved big when the Comets struck for four runs in the home halfofthe inning. Brickley and Fichtner both homered in the top of the third for Delton Kellogg. Fichtner led offthe inning with a home run and Brickley had a three-run blast. Fichtner was 2 for 4 with a double too. She scored two runs. Brickley drove in four runs in all. Thomas went 3 for 4 with two runs scored. She doubled twice. Izzy Stonebumer pitched and gave up five earned runs in seven innings on seven hit and five walks. She struck out five. Rain messed with the Delton Kellogg schedule this week. The Panthers will now play two with Wyoming Monday, May 8. The Panthers had their doubleheader with Olivet planned for this week canceled all together. The DK girls are scheduled to head to the Calvin Christian tournament Saturday, May 6. Gobles comes to Delton Kellogg for two SAC Central Division ballgames Tuesday, May 9 Insui4z o ^*v SPRAYFOAM ” Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 I* 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY » PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber W® > W B V Kylee Hoebeke pitches for the Thornapple Kellogg varsity softball team during game two of its non-conference doubleheader against Byron Center in Middleville Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Bulldogs make things tough on TKHS ladies Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity softball was bested in a pair ofballgames by visiting Byron Center Thursday afternoon The Bulldogs notched 12-1 and 19-7 wins over the TK girls in Middleville in a non-conference doubleheader. Grace Zube was 2-for-3 in the opener for TK. Kylee Hoebeke was 1 -for-3 with a run scored. Payton Stahl singled once and drove in a run. Those were the only four hits for the Tro­ jans in the opener against Byron Center head coach Ellory Dykstra. Dykstra gave up four hits in the five-inning bailgame, strik­ ing out five. Hoebeke started in the circle for TK and Jenna Robinett threw two innings ofrelief. Robinett walked one and didn’t allow a hit or a run. Stahl, Robinett and Hoebeke shared the pitching duties in game two for TK. TK took a 6-4 lead with six runs in the top of the second inning of game two, but the Bulldogs responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning and then broke things open with nine runs in the bottom of the third. Zube had an RBI triple for TK in the top of the fourth to plate her team’s final run. She also doubled in a run in the top of the second. Cadence VanOoy, Brittney Roodvoets, Rachel Shoemaker, Ella Palazzolo and Hoebeke each singled once. The Trojans hosted their own invitational Saturday and were 0-2, falling 8-1 to West Ottawa and 9-2 against Hopkins. In the loss to West Ottawa, Elaina O’Riley, Jessie Drenton and Rachel Shoemaker each had a pair of singles. Zube doubled and Ella Palazzolo singled once. The Trojans scored their two runs against Hopkins in the top of the first. Hoebeke led offthe bailgame with a double into left. Zube had an RBI triple and Palazzolo an RBI sin­ gle in the first. Zube finished the bailgame 3 for 4 with a pair of triples. Hoebeke was 2 for 4. Stahl doubled and scored a run. Shoemaker, Emalyn Cartwright and Drenton each also singled once for TK. The Thomapple Kellogg were scheduled to head to Forest Hills Eastern for an OK Gold Conference doubleheader Wednesday after having those contests postponed due to the weather Tuesday. The TK girls host Wayland for two this afternoon, May 4. TK came into this week with a 2-2 record so far in the OK Gold Conference. 5 if New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation MffETOM Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 ltfu G ■“”*252 s gnM discover secrets of ancient egypt ofsRliisteoiitaniaM^ AN EVENING WITH DR. ZAHI HAWASS Ikatn kAwHwb iwdxisiiiiifiv THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS ARCHAEOLOGIST ficinsMslixssj kfllHh|ZSm fax?*'*« #Ws^piEii ^piEiiW f***«• Detroit; May 26 at 6 PM THE TIME TO REVEAL THE SECRETS OF ANCIENT EGYPT HAS FINALLY COME! EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEW GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERIES THAT WILL BE REVEALED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! Register now at: ©ZahiLectures.com CITY OF HASTINGS REQUEST FOR BIDS Water Treatment Plant Reroofing Project The City of Hastings Department of Public Services is requesting sealed bids for the Water Treatment Plant Reroofing Project. Bid proposal forms and specifications are available at the address listed below. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in the bid proposals, and to award the bid as deemed to be in the City’s best interest, price and other factors considered. Sealed bids shall be received at the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. All bids shall be clearly marked on the outside of the submittal package “Water Treatment Plant Reroofing Project”. Travis J. Tate, P.E. Director of Public Services Thornapple Kellogg ““wnteiiuuy* *’’u left fielder Ella Palazzolo gets the ball back to the infield during game two against Byron Center Thornapple Kellogg's Grace Zube belts an RBI triple into Centerfield during game Thursday evening in Middleville. (Photo two of a non-conference doubleheader against Byron Center in Middleville Thursday. by Brett Bremer) (Photo (Photo byby Brett Brett Bremer) Bremer) Vikings sweep two with Cadillac on Cornerstone University turf Bret Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings had little sweeping a non-conference doubleheader with Cadillac under the lights the Cornerstone University Softball Field Friday evening. The Lakewood | varsity softball team pounded out a 24-9 win in the opener and then took game two tt4-3. It took a moment for the Vikings to get rolling. “We gave up five runs in the bottom ofthe first inning on five errors,” Lakewood head coach Brent Hilley said. “I am not sure if it was the hype from playing on a college field or what, but we settled in and only allowed four more the rest offthe game.” Lakewood’s Maryssa Goble had a home run and a double, going 4 for 6 at the plate. Audrey Hillard was also 4 of6. Lily Federau went 3 for 6 with two doubles and Ally Slater was 3 for 6 with a triple. Kerrigan Schroeder went 3 for 6 too. Brooke Hoppes and Kendyl Steward also had hits. Peyton Federau vvas 2 for 4 with a double at the plate for the vikings. She also got the win in the circle pitching for the Vikings. She gave up four earned runs, striking out nine and walking two. Lakewood changed things up in game two to get everybody a Chance to play under the lights on the Eagles’ turf. ‘‘We started new players at every infield position,” Hilley said. “It was a great oppor oppor-­ tunity to see how the freshman and sopho­ mores would handle a starting role. Matti The Lakewood varsity softball team gathers on the turf at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids after scoring a sweep of a non-conference doubleheader with Cadillac in the Eagles' stadium late Friday evening. [Aldrich] played very well at first and Eva [Stowell] at short. Both are freshmen so combine that with freshman pitcher Peyton Federau that is very encouraging for the pro­ gram’s future.” Aldrich and Stowell both had singles in the 14-3 game-two win. Peyton Federau had a triple and Hillard a double. Eli Richards also singled once. Steward fr the pitching victory. She struck out three and walked nine while giving up the three earned runs. Lakewood, is currently slated to visit Pennfield for a non-conference doubleheader this afternoon, May 4, and then play host to Beld­ ing for two Friday. The Vikings return to Greater Lansing Activities Conference play Tuesday at Olivet, 5 5^ dllMl �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 4, 2023 Michigan’s threatened and endangered species list updated Hie Michigan list of threatened and endan­ gered plants and animals now includes 407 species after completion ofits seventh update in nearly 50 years. Experts from universities, the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, other conservation organizations and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recommended changes to the list based on recent data. “When people come together to collabo­ rate on conservation, we can recover rare species,” said DNR endangered species spe­ cialist Jennifer Kleitch. “For instance, trumtrum­ peter swans were just removed from Michigan’s threatened and endangered species list. Their populations have grown as a result of significant conservation efforts by many part­ ners over decades.” Although the trumpeter swan has been removed from Michigan’s list ofthreatened Trumpeter swans, whose populations have grown as a result of significant conserand endangered species, it is still federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty vation efforts by many partners over decades, were recently removed from Michigan’s threatened and endangered species list. Act. While 36 species were removed from the list, others still need our help, Kleitch said. rely on high-quality natural areas that beneinformation on what each species needs to Three bat species — little brown, northern fit all of us by providing clean water, clean survive and thrive. long-eared and tri-colored - have been listed air and places for us to enjoy nature. When “I encourage everyone to take an interest in as threatened due to significant population species are struggling, it can indicate rare plants and animals - they are fascinating! declines in the state resulting from white­ declines in the functioning of those natural Learn more and support conservation efforts. nose syndrome. Rusty-patched bumblebees areas, which in turn can impact our quality Whether it be planting a native flower garden oflife,” Kleitch said. and American bumblebees were added to the for pollinators or donating to a local land con­ endangered species list because, like many You can help by learning more about rare servancy, we can all play a part,” Kleitch said. pollinator species, their populations are see­ plants and animals and their conservation Learn more about how the DNR manages needs. See a full list ofthe state’s threatened Michigan’s wildlife at Michigan.gov/Wilding large declines. In all, 58 species were added to the list as and endangered plants and animals on the life.For ideas on how to support wildlife either threatened or endangered. Michigan Natural Features Inventory web­ conservation efforts,' visit Michigan.gov/ “Many threatened and endangered species site. This website also provides additional DNRVolunteers. Panthers shut out Constantine as Baker scores a hat-trick Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team took an 8-0 win over visiting Constan­ tine in a Southwestern Athletic Conference match Wednesday. Avery Baker led the Delton Kellogg attack with three goals and three assists. Carlie Ritchie chipped in two goals and two assists. Adelyn Stampfler had a goal and an assist. Ellie Timmerman tallied one goal and Samantha O’Meara had an assist. The Delton Kellogg girls controlled play from start to finish' not allowing a single shot on goal by the Falcons. The Panthers were scheduled to host Law­ ton for another SAC bailgame Monday, but that contest was postponed due to the weather. The DK girls closed out last week with a 3-1 loss at Calhoun Christian. O’Meara scored the lone goal for the Pan­ thers off a comer kick by Stampfler. Delton is scheduled to visit Kalamazoo Christian this afternoon, May 4, and will go on the road to take on Hackett Catholic Prep Monday. DK returns home for a bailgame with Bridgman May 10. MHSAA has a few changes to line-up of spring postseason tournaments The wintery weather inevitably will loosen its grip across Michigan, and perhaps just in time with the first Michigan High School Athletic Association postseason events for this Spring 2023 season only a few weeks away and seeding for three of those tourna­ ments soon to be announced. Slightly more than 100,000 Michigan high school student-athletes participated in 2022 in spring sports for which the MHSAA spon­ sors postseason competition - baseball, girls and boys lacrosse, girls soccer, softball, girls and boys track & field, boys golf(Lower and Upper Peninsula) and girls golf (UP), and girls (LP) and boys (UP) tennis. This spring’s tournaments will incorpo­ rate a few changes, with the most notable in girls lacrosse as the top two teams in every Girls Lacrosse Regional will be seeded and placed on opposite sides ofthe bracket for ’tneTirsf'time. Golf, tennis and girls soccer also have changes that will be noticeable over these next seven weeks. In golf, the maximum number of strokes allowed per hole during MHSAA Tourna­ ment play has been reduced from 12 to 10. Also, teams will be allowed two school-ap- proved coaches to be present and actively lacrosse will be seeded and separated; the coaching during postseason rounds. other teams in each Regional will be placed In tennis, the number ofplayers who may on their brackets by random draw. Seeds be seeded at No. 1 singles has been increased and full brackets will be posted Sunday, to seven ifthere are between 21-23 players in May 7, on the girls, soccer page of the the field, and eight ifthe field includes 24 or MHSAA Website. more players at that flight. The No. 1 singles Boys Lacrosse Regional brackets, which flight is the only flight that allows for individ­ also are seeded, will be posted May 10 to the ual qualifiers from Regional play, often mak­ MHSAA Website. ing it larger than the other seven flights at the The 2022-23 Spring campaign culminates Finals. with postseason toum; tents, as the champi­ In girls soccer, the two seeded teams at the onship schedule begins with the Upper PeninDistrict level will host their games iffthose sula Girls & Boys C oif and Boys Tennis games are not scheduled to be played at a Finals on May 31 and June 1 and wraps up prearranged host site. For these Districts, the with Girls Soccer, Easeball and Softball No. 1 seed gets hosting priority, followed by Finals on June 17. the No. 2 seed, followed by the team on the top line of the bracket. Girls Soccer District brackets, with seeds, will be posted May 14 on the MHSAA Website. Girls’ lacrosse seeds will be determined by using the MHSAA’s Michigan Power Ratings (MPR) formula, which takes into account success and strength of schedule and also is used currently to provide seeding information in boys lacrosse, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, and ice hockey. Only the top two teams in girls Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley varsity boys’ track and field teams competed in the Webberville Spartan Invitational Friday getting a handful of scoring finishes and one championship. Ottawa Lake-Whiteford took the boys’ and girls’ championships on the day. The Bobcats outscored Portland St. Patrick 108.5-102 at the top ofthe girls’ standings and had a bigger gap on the boys’ side where they scored 133.5 points. Morrice and Grass Lake tied for second on the boys’ side with 85 points each. The Maple Valley boys were 12th and the girls’ 16*". Maple Valley junior Evan Brandenburg won the boys’ long jump by flying 20-1. He was also fifth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.25. The Lion ladies got points thanks to Mack­ enzie Decker’s eighth-place finish in the high jump. She cleared the bar at 4 feet 4 inches. Lion freshman Sienna Lowe had her best long jump ever, flying 12 feet 6.5 inches to place tenth in that event. The Lion team also had freshman Athena Morehouse tenth in the pole vault by clearing 6-0 and eighth in the 200-meter dash with a time of31.46 seconds. Junior teammate Nic Martin cleared 10-0 in the boys’ pole vault to place third in that event. The top relay finish by the Lion boys as in the 4x800-meter race. The team of Ayden Betancourt, Robert Laws, Jackson Burpee and Robert Schilz put together a time of 10 minutes 52.71 seconds. The Ottawa Lake-Whiteford team had senior Shea Ruddy win the 100-meter dash in 11.70 and the high jump by clearing 5-8. His teammatejunior Stephan Masserant, won the pole vault by clearing 12-0. Springportjunior Elijah Dyer had a pair of wins in the boys’ meet too. He won the 1 IO­ meter high hurdles in a personal record time of 16.92 and won the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in a personal record time of42.59. Vestaburg junior Owen Patton won the 1600-meter run in 4:43.73 and the 800-meter run in 2:02.68. Portland St. Patrick had a couple two-time champs in the girls’ competition. Junior Rylee SScheurer won the 100-meter dash in 13.50 and the 200-meter dash in 27.52. Junior teammate Sophia Schrauben won the 100-meter hurdles in 18.02 and the 300-meter low hurdles in 51.92. 1 Lakewood teams set a handful of PR’s at Central Montcal Invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity boys were third and the girls sixth as the Viking track and field teams took part in the Green Divi­ sion competition at Friday afternoon’s Central Montcalm Invitational. Olivet, a team that bested the Vikings in a battle ofundefeated Greater Lansing Activities Conference boys’ teams earlier in the week, won Friday’s meet with 179 points. Ithaca was second with 85 points ahead of Lakewood 77, Big Rapids 66, Belding 63 and Portland 56. The Lakewood boys were powered by a handful ofthird-place finishes. Senior distance runner Ryan Alford continued to drop time in the 3200-meter run. He improved his PR to 10 minutes 30.57 seconds to place third in that race. He also placed fifth in the 1600 with a personal record time of4:53.16. Senior Ethan Well moved his personal record in the 200-meter dash to 23.91 in a third-place finish. Donald Wells, a Viking sophomore, was third in the 400-meter dash in 53.58 and he dropped his PR in the 100-meter dash to 11.78 while placing sixth. In the field, the Vikings got a thirdplace finish from junior Eli Jablonski who cleared 5 feet 8 inches in the high jump. The top relay finish for the Lakewood boys was fifth in the 4x 100-meter relay with a team of Weller, Bryson Haight, Colt Endsley and Wells finishing in 46.85. Lakewood junior Shane Raffler low­ ered his PR in the 300-meter intermedi­ ate hurdles to 46.22 in an eighth-place finish. Brady Feldpausch from Fowler was the only guy to win two individual races on the track. He took the 110-meter high hurdles in 16.40 and then won the 300meter hurdles in 41.87. Olivet senior Drew Priddy went over 50 feet in the shot put for the first time setting his PR at 50-1 to win that event. He beat out Portland senior Noah Simp­ son who set his PR at 47-9. Simpson won the discus at 152-9.5 while Priddy was third in that t one with a personal record throw of 132-8. -. . Fowler won the six-team White DiviDivi­ sion championship in both the boys and girls’ competition. e, Olivet took the girls’ Green Division championship with 167 points, beating out Ithaca 130, Belding 81, Big Rapids 60, Portland 54 and Lakewood 20. Freshman Taylor Carpenter cleared 8-6 in the pole vault to place third for the Lakewood team. That was the Vikings top finish of the day. Carpenter was one oftwo Lakewood girls to finish top ten in the pole vault. Senior Madison Bierens cleared 6-6 to place eighth. Lakewood junior Annabelle Stank was fifth in the discus with a mark of91-1 and sophomore Jette Juergensmeier cleared 4-4 to place ninth in the high jump. The top relay finish for the Lakewood girls was a sixth-place time of 2:02.99 from the 4x200-meter relay team ofHay­ ley Merryfield, Juergensmeier, Stine Mackeprang and Kylie Walkington. Eight different girls won the eight individual races on the track. Belding senior Alayna Sims was one ofthose eight. She lowered her PR to 12.95 to win the 100meter dash. The 800-meter champ from Central Montcalm, sophomore Ashley Choponis, improved her PR in that race to 2:28.88. Morley-Stanwood junior Miranda McNeil improved her PR in the 1600meter with a winning time of 5:25.89. Portland senior Lily Buckland dropped her PR in the 100-meter hurdles to 16.44 in a victory. Olivet girls didn’t win a single individ­ ual race on the track, but the Eagles won the 4x 100-meter and 4x400-meter relay races and senior Payton Otto took the two throwing events. She improved her PR to 38-6.5 in the shot put and won the discus at 130-1. Katie Spicer, a sophomore from Fowl­ er who was the runner-up in the 100meter dash, won the 200-meter dash in 27.51 and took the long jump by flying 14-10.25. Sealed Bid Auction for Surplus Vehicles Barry County is accepting sealed bids for the following: 1) 2013 Chevy Tahoe Vin # 1GNLC2E09DR314442 Mileage: 136.S81 2) 2007 Chevy Tahoe Vin # 1GNEC03027R425029 Mileage: 179,508 3) 2011 Chevy Tahoe Vin # 1GNLC2E0XBR284168 Mileage: 144,141 4) 2009 Chevy Tahoe Vin # 1GNEC03079R265393 Mileage: 139,943 Boat 1:2000 Lund Alaskan 1800 (GREEN) Hull ID # LUNBC941000 Boat 2:2010 Alumicraft 16 Foot (BLACK)Hull ID # ACBV1474G010 All items sold AS-IS and available for visual inspection at the Barry County Sheriffs De­ partment Barry County reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any irregularities in any bid, and to award the bid(s) in a manner that the County deems to be in its best interest, price and other factors considered. All sealed bids most be dearly on the outside of the sealed envelope u follows: Barry County Administrator c/o 2023 May Surplus Auto Auction 220 W. State St., Hastings, Ml 49058 With your bid, please include war name and address, phone number, number description of item you are bMjhtf on 198633 ctty oi Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2023/2024 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET Brandenburg wins long jump for Lions at Spartan Invitational ge Th i City of Hastings will hold a Public Heai ing for the purpose of hearing written and/ >r oral comments from the public con­ cern! ng the annual budget for the fiscal year endii ig June 30,2024. The public hearing will be h< Id at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 08,2023 in Ciky Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The City Council will consid­ er the budget as proposed by the City Manager and presented to City Council on May 08,2023. The property tax millage rate proposed to be leyied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. All interested citizens are encouraged to at­ tend and to submit comments. A copy of this information, the entire pro­ posed budget, and additional background ma­ terials are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office ofthe City Clerk, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk 1 'rSTHlLT WTRUJECT PLAN PUBLIC HEARING The City of Hastings will hold a public hearing on the pro­ posed Water Distribution System Improvements project for the purpose ofreceiving comments from interested persons. The hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday May 22nd, 2023 during the scheduled City Council Meeting. The public is welcome to attend. The purpose of this public hearing is to review and approve the proposed project plan being submitted to the Michigan Depart­ ment ofEnvironment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to pro­ cure the opportunity for low-interest loans to fund the improve­ ments. This hearing will only approve the project plan and will not approve the execution of the project or funding. The purpose ofthe proposed project is to improve the water distribu­ tion system by replacing water mains and lead service lines to improve water quality and delivery while reducing potential wa­ ter main breaks in the future. The project will also include water main abandonment in areas with dual mains with all construction and improvements necessary to renew the roadway surface within the project limits. Project construction will involve the removal and replacement of approximately 13,766 feet of water main and other utilities within the confluence ofthe water system construction activities. Impacts ofthe proposed project include temporary road clo­ sures with detours, and, ultimately, an improved water delivery system to improve water quality. The estimated cost to users for the proposed project is approx­ imately $18.83 per water customer per month solely based on the payback on principal and interest for the estimated capital costs ofthe project. The project includes the following streets: Market, Green, East Clinton, Dibble, West Clinton, Marshall, Hanover, Broadway, North, and Apple. Copies of the draft plan detailing the proposed projects are available for inspection at the following location(s): City ofHastings Website City ofHastings City Hall - 201 E. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Written comments received before the hearing record is closed on May 22nd will receive responses in the final project plan. Written comments should be sent to: The City of Hastings, Attn: Clerk, 201 E. State Street, Hast­ ings, MI 49058 The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the Hastings City Clerk (telephone number 269-945-2468) or TDD call relay services 1-800-649-3777. 198983 Christote?.®vir City Clerk �Page 12 — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Notice of Foreclosure by AdvortiMinent. LEGAL NOTICES Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961.1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale ot the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to thehigheet bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the crcurt court in Barry County, st arti ng promptly at IDO PM, on June 15,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the puchuer to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Lois 8. Myers, a single woman Original Mortgagee: Vertical Lend Inc. Date of mortgage: December 21,2007 Recorded on January 7.2008, in Document No. 20080107-0000206. Foreclosing Assignee (If any): Mortgage Assets Management. LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thousand Two Hundred FortyTwo and 79/100 Dollars ($100,242.79) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 16, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 1324.52 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG SAID NORTH LINE 693.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4, 9.48 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107.36 FEET AND WHOSE CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107.36 FEET AND CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 33.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 198.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS EAST 220.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 198.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 220.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. TOGETHER WITH A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND PUBUC UTILITIES 33 FEET EACH SIDE OF A CENTERLINE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 16, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 1324.52 FEET ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 16 TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 693.00 FEET ALONG SAID NORTH UNE TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST UNE OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16,9.48 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE CHORD OF WHICH BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 3 SECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 33.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 170 Akkers Away, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of.such salp,’ unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such' sale, dr 1$’diys from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1497192 (04-27X05-18) 198775 FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale otf the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM , May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made In the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Brenda Lee Kirk, an unmarried woman to Fifth Third Mortgage - Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated September 25, 2007, and recorded on October 8, 2007, as Document Number: 20071008-0002848. Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Fifth Third Bank NA by an Assignment of Mortgage dated August 03, 2022 and recorded August 11, 2022 by Document Number: 2022-008523, , on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Sixty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Nine and 72/100 ($62,249.72) including interest at the rate of 6.87500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at a point 135 feet South of the Northeast corner of Main Street and the North Section line of Section 36, or at an iron stake or point 6 feet North of the Northwest corner of foundation of the house on said lot; thence East 132 feet; thence South 50 feet; thence West 132 feet; thence North 50 feet to the place of beginning; also the South 15 feet of lot commencing at an iron stake 10 feet North of the Northwest corner of stone foundation of house and stake being about 84 feet, more or less, South of the Center line road, running from said stake West to Main Street; thence South 75 feet; thence East 132 feet; thence North 75 feet; thence West to the place of beginning. Commonly known as: 814 NORTH MAIN ST., NASHVILLE, Ml 49073 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.. Dated: April 13,2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Fifth Tfiird Bank NA 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield' Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Case No. 22MI00552-2 197996 (04-13)(05-04) Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 8, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Tina G Young an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PHH Mortgage Corporation Date of Mortgage: June 26,2018 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 5,2018 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $181,136.85 Descnptlon of the mortgaged premises: automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Charles E. Sheldon Jr. and Sara E. Sheldon, a married couple, as Joint Tenants with Full Rights of Survivorship Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: April 10,2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 7, 2019 Amount claimed due on date of Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 6 of Stanley (Daniel) Addition To The Village Of Nashville, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 4. Common street address (if any): 403 Philadelphia St, Nashville, Ml 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 Situated in Township of Johnstown, Barry County,, M Michigan, and described as: Lot Numbers 26 and 27 of the Plat of Oak Grove Number 2 in Section m-’ purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). r°m the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural months unless determined from the date of such sale, Wn North,, Range g 8 West,, Barry y County, y, Michigan, according to the recorded Plat thereof Common street address (if any): 536 Oak Grove St, Battle Creek, Ml 49017-8236 The redemption period shall be 6 months notice: $79,850.28 abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, If the subject real property is used for agricultural If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, the redemption period. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have •pproperty roperty at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the •portgage holder for da.maging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of oa cr tiifveo duu htyavheasbeceonncolruddeerdedle tsos athcativne 9 d0u dtaysleaagsoe,, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is frorn a debt collector Date of notice: May 4,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1497365 (05-04)(05-25) 198865 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 27, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1497095 (04-27)(05-18) 198704 Financial FOCUS Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of th® revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or ssome part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Namefs) of the mortgagor(s): Nancy J. Krohling, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Date of Mortgage: March 29,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 4,2017 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $70,736.45 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing on the Northeast corner of the West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4; thence South 20 Rods; thence West 12 Rods; thence North 20 Rods; thence East 12 Rods to the beginning, being In Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 9 West. Common street address (if any): 4815 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, Ml; 49060-9778 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 27,2023 Trott Law, RC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1496476 (04-27)(05-18) Put vidcd by the Harry County offices of Edward Jones Mcembcer sSI,pPCc Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 w. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-4702 Can you benefit from a 529 plan? Another school year is coming to a close. And if you’ have young children, they’re now a year closer to heading off to college or some other type of post-secondary education or training. So, if you haven’t already done so, you may want to start preparing for these costs. And they can be considerable. During the 2022-23 school year, the average estimated annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other personal expenses) was nearly $28,000 for public four-year in-state schools and more than $57,000 for private nonprofit four-year schools, according to the College Board. Of course, some students don’t pay the full bill for college. Any grants and scholarships they receive can bring down the “sticker price.” Still, there’s often a sizable amount that students and their families must come up with. To help fill this gap, you may want to explore various strategies, one ofwhich is a 529 education savings plan. A 529 plan offers several key benefits. First of all, your earnings can grow tax deferred and your withdrawals are federally tax free when used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition, fees, books and so on. You may be eligible to invest in a 529 plan in most states, but depending on where you live, you may be able to deduct your contributions from your state income tax or possibly receive a state tax credit for investing in your home state’s 529 plan. Tax issues for 529 plans can be complex. Please consult your tax advisory about your situation. And 529 plans aren’t just for college. You may be able to use one to pay K-12 expenses, up to $10,000 per student per year. (However, not all states comply with this 529 expansion for K-12, so you might not be able to claim deductions and your withdrawals could be subject to state tax penalties.) A529 plan can also be used to pay for most expenses connected to apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. These programs are often available at community colleges and combine classroom education with on-the-job training. Furthermore, you can now withdraw funds from a 529 plan to repay qualified federal private and student loans, up to $10,000 for each 529 plan beneficiary and another $10,000 for each of the beneficiary’s siblings. But what ifyou’ve named a child as a 529 plan beneficiary and that child doesn’t want to pursue any type of advanced education? Ifthis happens, you, Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement 198443 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM on June 1,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, a husband and wife, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage to CitiFinancial, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instalment Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner trustee for WF19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13, 2021 as Instrument Number 2021-004919, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $18,308.77. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit: Beginning at the Northwest comer of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52' 06" East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48' 01" East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Liber 3 of plats, on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37' 00’ West 427.89 feet Thence North 09 degrees 49' 00" East 114.74 feet Thence South 89 degrees 53' 12” East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48' 01” West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wend R Noord Family Trust by Warranty Deed dated 05/21/2003 and recorded 08/06/2003 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife by Warranty Deed dated 04/01/2002 and recorded 04/05/2002 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-007­ 10 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600,3241, in which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a (b) notice, whichever is later, or extinguished pursuant to MCL600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: TIhis sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to tThe return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: April 24, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 (04-27)(05-25) 198592 Emily Taylor inancial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the crrciTrt court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 11, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Thomas Washbum Jr and Erika Washbum, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PennyMac Loan Services, LLC Date of Mortgage: November 2,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 3,2017 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $146,241.96 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Castleton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The North 12 acres of the West 1/2 of the East 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 3 North, Range 7 West, Castleton Township, Barry County, Michigan, excepting a piece of land 16 rods East and West by 20 rods North and South out of the Northwest comer of above described premises. Also excepting a piece of land 12 rods square out of the Northeast Comer of above described premises. Common- street address (if any): 5290 Coats Grove Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058-8431 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. as the account owner, are free to name another family member as beneficiary. And beginning in 2024, you may have even more flexibility if a child foregoes college or other post-secondary education. Due to the passing ofthe Secure Act 2.0 in December 2022, unused 529 plan funds of up to $35,000 may be eligible to roll over to a Roth IRA of the designated beneficiary. One of the qualifications for this rollover is to have had your 529 plan for at least 15 years. To determine ifyou qualify for this rollover, you will want to consult your tax advisor. A 529 plan has a lot to offer — and it might be something to consider for your family’s future. Withdrawals used for expenses other than qualified education expenses may be subject to federal and state taxes, plus a 10% penalty. Make sure to discuss the potential financial aid impacts with a financial aid professional. Edward Jones, its financial advisors and employees cannot provide tax or legal advice. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number: SP-1-2023 - John Paul Kauff­ man (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: Comer of Wolf & Jenkins Rd, In Section 20 of Assyria Township. ’’ q Purpose: Request to operate a'sawmill. Per Sec­ tion 2368 in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district Case Number: SP-2-2023 - Nancy Stanton (Ap­ plicant); Stone Ridge AFC (Property Owner) Location: 4825 Fruin Rd, In Section 13 of John­ stown Township. Purpose: To transfer the Special Use Permit to operate a nursing home (Adult Foster Care) to a new owner. Per Article 23, Section 2301 in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district. Case Number: SP-3-2023 & PR-5-2023 Pyramid Network Services (Applicant); Leah Berkimet (Property Owner) Location: 9645 S. M 66 Hwy, in Section 34 of Ma­ ple Grove Township. Purpose: Erect a 197’ wireless communicaton tower and associated antennas, lines and mounting hardware. Tower will be in a 100’ x 100’ leased com­ pound with equipment cabinets on a concrete pad. Per Article 2386 in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district. MEETING DATE: May 22,2023. TIME: 7:00 PM ELAQfi: Tyden Center, Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described properties will be completed by the Planning Commission members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrvcounty.Qrq. The special use applications are available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk Date of notice: April 13,2023 198951 Trott Law, RC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 145 Farmington Hills,’Ml 483\34 (248)642-251 fk / 1495267 (04-13)(05-04) 197780 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Ralph E. Peake and Joy L. Peake Living Trust. TO ALL CREDITORS: Ralph E. Peake, died March 28, 2023. There Is no personal representative of the settlor’s estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued at this time. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The trustee, Ralph E. Peake, died 3/28/2023. Creditors of the Trust are notified that all claims against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Larry A. Peake, trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 4/28/2023 Stacey M. Lott (P68809) 130 East Columbia Avenue Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 2690-963-8222 Larry A. Peake 500 Pfier Road Delton, Michigan 49046 198958 Warn and Vanderfcil 08920708 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 4,2023 — Page 13 Easey inks plans to join Scots Hastings soccer team overwhelms Sturgis in first half for 8-0 victory Brett Bremer y SJiy^sSS *^f’ £<USSS&> Wi Hastings senior Cassidee Easey gave her commitment to wrestle next year for the Alma Woman’s Wrestling team. Easey was a state medalist in her one season as a varsity wrestler. Pictured with Cassidee are (front from left) her parents Deana and Tim Easey, who is an assistant wrestling coach at HHS, as well as (back row) Hastings High School athletic director Mike Goggins, assistant girls wrestling coach Erin Slaughter, head wrestling coach Jason Slaughter and Hastings’ athletic trainer Heather Coipel. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) &<w &w Lakewood defensive back Reid accepts spot on Comets1 roster SSI* * ShS? Si Sife ***« ? Sports Editor The Saxon varsity girls’ soccer team ran its record to 6-1-2 overall with an 8-0 win over visiting Sturgis Monday after­ noon, with the final 20 minutes of the first halfsome of the best soccer the Sax­ ons had played in a bit. Hastings scored six goals in the final 15 minutes of the first half to complete the victory. Hastings head coach Tim Schoessel said his girls looked a bit rusty and out of place for the first 20 minutes. They did lead 1-0 to that point and add a second goal midway through the half. “The girls just needed to settle down and find their rhythm and then the goals took care ofthemselves,” Schoessel said. Lauren Lamphere scored five goals, Raegan Morrison had two and Bri Dar­ ling one for the Saxons. Morrison dished out a team-high three assists. Dez Mathis aded an assist as well. The Saxon defense of Bella Kensing­ ton, Jordyn Winters, Abby Byykkonen and Kenndy Lewis did not allow a single shot on goal. “We were also fortunate enough to get Dekota [Blough] back in goal and Kalli [Koning] back on the field for this game,” Schoessel said. Koning filled in admirably for Blough in goal over recent weeks. She made 11 saves in a 3-3 draw with Coldwater in an Interstate-8 Athletic Conference contest on the road last Thursday. The Cardinals scored all three of their goals in the second half after Hastings had built a 3-0 lead. Lamphere, Morrison and Mathis had the three Saxon goals, with Darling tally­ ing an assist. Coach Schoessel said his girls seemed to go back on their heels and away from the game plan during the second half. The Cardinals scored two oftheir three goals on free kicks with the final one coming with just 23 seconds left in the game. Hastings went into that match having scored a 2-0 shut out of Lakewood the day before. Schoessel said it was a bit ofa struggle with the JV team playing elsewhere, which limited the size ofthe bench. “We had several starters hurt and/or out so we played a cautious game looking for our opportunities when available. Lakewood has a good defense that made us work for every opportunity,” Schoessel said. “We had several good looks at the net, but could not put in anything in the first halfand it wasn’t until the second halfthat we managed to score two goals on some breakaways.” Lamphere and Morrison scored the two Saxon goals, assisting on each other’s score. Koning saved the only shot that came at her net. Lakewood head coach Adrian Almas was really pleased with his girls’ effort in the loss. He thought it was one of his girls’ best games ofthe season so far. The loss is part of a five-game stretch in which the Vikings have gone winless. They are now 3-6-1 overall after having dropped Greater Lansing Activities Conference/Central Michigan Athletic Con­ ference contest by the scores of 5-0 at Lansing Christian Friday and 4-1 at Laingsburg Tuesday. * ‘ •* kt *'l3»^ » 1 to04!rr ^5^2 Saxon golf sixth at Coldwater jamboree II Z ’**rr>*^ r x sr* Brett Bremer ’.• ^iMatwr? tw-rH?tau bW*Mm iM 221 **Wtyfrvtetyft^ ’WhUfttiq tatam.lqtoi if MtaittgeAFC^to ^WBUjurtriiapt t' a”MMtybfelfr SfesmpJMgfajlll sv'rft M'cn^htair mtv. mfeiMqtalWFtta wer PslttaSeder ffikft lilnr.HatrtW Mstfziqttd CwlkMUIW issuSiWt k.mWU tyri W MW 11* AWritt®J! !tt ( Lakewood senior Montreal Reid recently signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Olivet College Football team. Reid was joined on his signing day by his father John Courtney (seated left), his mother Monnesha Courtney (seated right), and his brother Marcus Courtney (standing). Reid played defensive back and running back for the Vikings this fall. He was named second team all-conference in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference finishing the year defensively with 15 tackles and one interception. Viking head coach Matt Markwart called him the quarterback of his team's defense. Sports Editor The Hastings varsity boys’ golf team placed sixth at the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference jamboree hosted by Coldwater Golf Course Wednfestfay, A^I?26. Freshman Daniel Jensen and junior Owen Carroll led the Saxon team both shooting a 91. Lumen Christi took the day’s victory with a score of313. Parma Western was a distant second at 330 ahead ofNorthwest 338, Harp­ er Creek 352, Marshall 360, Hastings 370, Coldwater 389 and Pennfield 421. $rap NOTICE TO BIDDERS (MtaJORiiaW Birmingham and VanderWoude tsss* toss shut outs for BCC baseball ^3«to»^MaSla’ jre.G.^..T.o.rft h^pMeiMr«lf*a>** ^wrrttasswttiM^rt™f|«h»,,•,*• ^wrrttasswttiM^rt™f|«h»,,•,• f3wv»ir »* **«»-»* . -sss ^Sflsss? g «#» **jM**'* M **'*ar##* ^•’’L-jrsr ■■ r##* ^•’’L-jrsr :«*.'orst. --55rr,,>> tw:«. The Saxons also got a pair of 94s from senior Collin Fouty and junior Ryan Van­ Dorp. Lumen Christi senior Nash Hanchett was the day’s medalist with an eyen-Mi-72. Northwest junior JJ Miller shot a 78"and Parma Western sophomore Hayden Kim and Lumen Christi sophomores Adam Fuller and Charlie Saunders each shot an 80. The conference was supposed to get together again Wednesday, May 3, for the jamboree hosted by Harper Creek at Binder Park GolfCourse. .&■& .&■& W **l» S > * ^ ^^**^' * * ^ W*'*l»S>*^ ■ Z i *? * * '^ ^ t8 'rt1 n*! ^TjTs®* |0 :$s>- Brett Bremer Sports Editor Barry County Christian swept a double­ header with Heritage Christian Academy Thursday, shutting out the host Eagles twice to score the two wins. Isaiah Birmingham earned the five-inning win on the mound in the opener, a 1-0 victory by the visiting Eagles. He no-hit Heritage Christian while striking out 11 and walking three. Barry County Christian scored the only run it would need in the top of the first inning. Nathan Loerop earned a two-out walk, went to third on a single by Birmingham and then scored on a single to the right side by Teegen Whitmire. Those two first inning hits were the only hits for the Barry County Christian boys in the win. Caleb Anderson, the Heritage pitcher, struck out five and walked three over his five innings ofwork. The Barry County Christian offense came to life a bit and the Heritage Christian defense struggled in game two. The Barry County Christian boys neededjust three hits to score Banner CLASSIFIEDS 5* ■r^« r ^« 198446 BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 10:30 A.M. May 11,2023 for the sale ofthe following item. 11 runs in an 11-0 victoiy. Heritage Christian made seven errors that ed to eight unearned runs for the visiting Eag les. The three Barry Coun ty Christian hits were singles by Joe Wise, Jonathan Hawkes and Dustin Lampart. Lampart and Hawkes both had two RBI’s in the win. Wise and Loerop both drove in a run. ' Grant VanderWoude picked up the shut out on the mound for BarryCounty Christian. He struck out 11 and walked one. The only run against him was unearned. The Barry County Christian boys are cur­ rently scheduled for two ballgames against Stockbridge this afternoon, May 4, and will be at Sacred Heart Academy for two with the Falcons Tuesday, May 9. (1) 2021 Caterpillar Excavator, Model 31 OCR, Approx. 700 hours Minimum Bid $140,000 The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. BOARD OF COUNTYROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY Frank M. Fiala David D. Solmes Jim C. James Chairman Member Member CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 m*»i &*& fetffe* #VT>*Li GARAGE SALE- MANY items, too many to list. Fri.Sat., May 5-6,2023 9am-5pm. 7775 Woodschool Rd., Free­ port. 4> & GOLDEN RETREIVER PUP­ PIES Very cute and adorable. Looking for forever homes, $325. (517)726-0706 Help Wanted GENERAL LABORER: JOB MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. <* %®£ yr tfj, 5*Z BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging/ (269)818-7793. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill / is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. LEGALNOTICES PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Garage Sale includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Benefits 401(k), 401(k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, ML Send Resumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.'* Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper arc available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. PUBLICATION NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Trust Estate STATE OF MICHIGAN, COUNTY OF BARRY In the Matter of the Myrtle L. Clark Trust dated April 10,2018. Decedent’s date of birth: 07/15/1933. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Your interest in this matter may be barred or affected by the following: The decedent, Myrtle L. Clark, lived in Barry County, Middleville, Michigan, and died 02/17/2023. Creditors ofthe decedent are further notified that all claims against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to: Vickie L. Ward, Trustee and/or the attorney’s office representing Vickie L. Ward as Trustee within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice.This notice is published pursuant to MCL 700.7608. If a probate estate is opened in the future for the decedent, this notice is intended to satisfy the requirements of MCL 700.3801. Notice is further given that the trust estate will be thereafter assigned and distributed to the person(s) entitled to it. Date: 4-25-23 Longstreet Elder Law & Estate Planning, PC Robert J. Longstreet P53546 607 North Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Matter of Phyllis E. Lawrence. Date of birth: 01/01/1928. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Phyllis E. Lawrence, died 04/07/023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the decedent will be forever barred unless presented to David L Lawrence and Stephen P. Lawrence within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 05/02/2023 Rhoades McKee PC Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-1921 David L. Lawrence and Stephen P. Lawrence c/o Rhoades McKee 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-1921 (269) 945-3495 Vickie L. Ward 222 Sunset Dr., Dowling, Ml 49050 269-967-1514 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY PUBLICATION NOTICE TO CREDITORS 198919 199048 In the matter of The Earl C. Furlong Trust dated January 8, 2009. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, earl C. Furlong, born August 12, 1929, who lived at 9975 Thornapple Lake Road, Nashville, Michigan died April 17,2023 leaving a certain trust under the name of the Earl C. Furlong Trust, and dated January 8, 2009, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Anita D. Fox was named as the trustee serving at the time of or as a result of the decedents death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Anita D. Fox, the named trustee at 9711 Thornapple Lk. Rd., Nashville, Michigan within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: April 27,2023 Robert L. Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 Anita D. Fox 9771 Thornapple Lake Road Nashville, Michigan 49073 198942 �Page 14 — Thursday, May 4, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hastings tennis wins handily at Northwest Brett Bremer Saxon senior third singles player Calin Redman hits a backhand back at her oppo­ nent from Northwest during her team's 7-1 Interstate-8 Athletic Conference win Thursday in Jackson. TK golf team completes busy week at Gull Lake invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golfteam played in four contests in four days last week, a string culminating in a 16th-place finish at the Tom Collins Memorial hosted by Gull Lake at Bedford Valley Thursday. Thp hgst Devjls took the day’s championsnip with a scbre of 217. Vicicsburg was second at 322 and Lowell third with a score of324. Mattawan placed fourth with a score of 327 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Byron Center both shot 327’s. The Thomapple Kellogg boys put up a score of 360 in the field of 24 teams. Senior Austin Pitsch led the TK team with a score of84. That had him in a tie for 29th overall. Junior Jordan Parks scored an 87 for the Trojans. TK also got a 91 from sophomore Tyler Voss and a 98 fromjunior Noah Newland. Catholic Central junior Will Preston was the day’s individual medalist with a score of 72. Vicksburg senior Josiah McClelland, Stevensville Lakeshore senior Jacob Marohn and Mattawan junior Mat­ thew Novak each scored a 74. The TK and Lowell boys had just been togethep Wednesday Yankee Springs Golf Course where the Rea Arrows out­ scored TK 162-173. Pitsch shot a 40, Parks a 43, Voss a 45 and Newland a 45. Lowell was led by a 39 from senior Pat­ rick de Voest. Senior Cameron Sluss shot a 40, senior Drew Veldman a 41 and junior Daniel Mitchell a 42. The Trojans were supposed to host the OK Gold Conference at Yankee Springs GolfCourse Tuesday, May 2, but that meet was postponed. The Gold is set to get together again at Gracewil Golf Course Tuesday, May 9. ~ Hastings Area ~ GARAGESALES May 19 - 20 - 21 When calling toplaceyour classifieds,please indicate which section ofHastingsyou are in. Deadlinefor classifieds is 10am Friday, May 12. Sports Editor The Saxon varsity girls* tennis team moved to 3-1 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference and 8-1 overall this season with a 7-1 win at Jackson Northwest last Thursday, April 27. The Saxons were playing a dual at Jackson Northwest for the first time in 1-8 action. The Mounties recently had new courts installed and are hosting tennis events for the first time in ten years. “Overall I was pleased with the results,” Hastings head coach Andrew Haines said. “For the most part we are right where we need to be at the middle point ofthe season. I have some more tweaking to do at the fourth doubles position, but overall we are still in the hunt to end at the top ofthe 1-8 and gain­ ing the needed experience to make a run at regionals.” Saxon first singles player Abby Beemer quickly finished off her opponent, Hailey Rowley, 6-1, 6-2 and improved her overall record to 6-3 on the new courts. Hastings second singles player Cariota Espi Vano needed even less time to best her counterpart, taking a ,6-1,6-0 win over Hollis Rumler and improving her overall season record to 8-1. Senior Calin Redman had the most chal­ lenging match of any of the Saxon singles player, but fought off Emma Flynn for a 7-5, 7-6(5) win in their third singles contest. MJ Deal was a part of the singles sweep for the Saxons, outscoring Northwest’s Abrielle Taylor 6-1, 6-0. Hastings won the top four doubles flights, led by the senior duo of Bailey Cook and Erin Daniels which outscored Kayli Shackel­ ford and Maddy McPherson 6-1, 6-0. The Saxons’ top doubles team is now 8-1 overall this season. At second doubles, Lillian Pepper stepped in to fill the shoes of teammate Sophia Ahearn, who was off to receive a national Business Professionals ofAmerica award in California. Pepperjoined Megan Rowley for a 6-1, 6-4 win over the Mounties’ Addison Surbrook and Ivy Chen. The Saxon third doubles team of Julia McLean and Audrey Vertalka cruised to a 6- 1 win in their first set against Emily Zie­ linski and Dusti Morris and then had to battle to take the second set in a tiebreaker, 7- 6(5). Jackson Northwest got its lone point from the fourth doubles team of Melia Piloski and Ally Thrun who bested the Hastings first singles player Abby Beemer smacks a serve during her win over Jackson Northwest's top player Thursday in Jackson. Saxon duo ofMakayla Birman and Lilyan Solmes 6-3, 6-1. It has been tough getting matches in lately. The Saxon Invitational was canceled Saturday and duals with Harper Creek and Lakewood were rained out early this week. The Saxons were slated to go to Harper Creek for the make- up Wednesday and will be at home to face off against Parma Western Thursday afternoon, May 4. Lakewood will host the Saxons Friday. The Saxons conclude the 1-8 duals at home against Marshall Monday and then will play host to Ionia for a non-conference dual Tuesday. Titans take two 1-8 wins over Saxons Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity baseball team fell to 0-6 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference as Jackson Lumen Christi swept a doubleheader with the Saxons Wednesday. The Titans took the opener 10-0 behind pitcher Gabe King’s five-inning shut out. He struck out 12 and allowed just a single by the Saxons’ Diego Coipel. He didn’t walk a batter. King also led offfpr the Titans and went 3 for 3 with two RBI’s and three runs scored. He doubled and singled twice. The Titans took game two 15-0 in three innings, scoring ten times in the bottom of the first. Hastings had a pair ofsingles, one each for Lars Sorensen and Landon Steward. King walked in all three of his plate appearances in game two and scored two runs. The Saxons were back in action Thursday for a non-conference doubleheader with Ionia in which the Bulldogs took a pair ofwins. Ionia won game one 14-4 in five innings. The Bulldogs outhit the Saxons 7-4 and took advantage of six Saxon errors. The Saxons’ four hits were all singles, one each for Aiden Benson, Eastin Tibble, Stew­ ard and Coipel. Coipel drove in two runs and Benson had an RBI top. Ionia won game two 15-0 in three innings. A single by Sorensen was the lone Saxon hit. Hastings had its Tuesday doubleheader with Jackson Northwest postponed this week. The Saxons are set to go to the Zeeland East Invitational Saturday, May 6, and then will head to Harper Creek for a conference dou­ bleheader Tuesday, May 9. TK ladies look to close undefeated OK Gold regular season this week Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soc­ cer team handed Forest Hills Eastern its first defeat of the 2023 OK Gold Conference season in Ada Monday, knocking off the Hawks 3-0. The Trojans were unscored upon in two conference contests, improving their league record to 4-0-1 with an 8-0 win over Kenowa Hills in Middleville Wednesday. “We are heading into arguably the most important week ofthe season as we travel to Cedar Springs and Catholic Central for our final regular season conference games Mon­ day and Wednesday,” TK head coach Caleb Sleeman said. “[Co-head coach] David [Wood] and I have been stressing to the girls that a regular season conference champion­ ship is in our control ifwe take care ofbusi­ ness in those two games. Hopefully, they are ready for two difficult matches next week and continue to focus on the task at hand, but we both believe that they have what it takes to make this season a success as we move into the final month ofthe season.” South Christian, who the Trojans tied 2-2 earlier this season, is also 4-0-1 heading into the final week of the conference regular season. Forest Hills Eastern is 3-1 in the confer­ ence currently. “Despite the final score being 3-0 it was a struggle as they made things really difficult for us and they were very physical throughout the game which definitely gave us something to work through,” coach Sleeman said. “How­ ever, David and I were pleased with the result and the way the girls saw the game out after struggling in some early games to finish games well.” Holly Velting, Paige Abshagen and Tealy Cross scored the three Trojan goes. Makenna Hoebeke made five saves in goal for her fourth clean sheet ofthe season. In the win over Kenowa Hills Wednesday, TK got three goals from Emma Schut and two from Velting. Cross, Abshagen and Madilyn Chivis also scored. The Trojans are on the road for the final two conference contests with Cedar Springs and Catholic Central. TK also has a non-conference contest at Hopkins on the schedule for Friday, May 5. Trojan tennis shuts out Knights to move back over .500 in Gold Brett Bremer Sports Editor. The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ ten­ nis team is 3-2 in the OK Gold Conference this spring after an 8-0 win over Kenowa Hills Wednesday. The TK girls didn’t drop a set on the sin­ gles side and pulled out a couple tough doubles matches to earn the sweep. The TK first doubles team of Cail in Wodrich and Libby Hess fought for a 7-6(5), 7-5 win over the Knights* Emily Hall and Sarah Buckwaiter. The Trojan third doubles team of Emma Thompson and Emilia Rickert had to rally after falling 6-4 in the opening set of their match with Olivia Adolphson and Grace Steward. They took the second set 6-3 and then finished offthe match with a 6-1 win. The Trojan team also had Tyne Bufka and Ava Zellmer at second doubles score a 6-3, 6-0 win over Allison Postema and Alayna Verkaik and the fourth doubles team ofJordan Pranger and Isabelle Schilthroat beat Laura Lohman and Vivian Van Halsema 6-0, 6-1. Charlotte Nelson won her first singles match 6-2, 6-3 over Kenowa Hills’ Madison Mersman. That was the closest ofthe singles matches. None of the other Knights won more than a single game. Hailey Dudik took a 6-0, 6-1 win over Sophia Marvin at number two, Holly Carpen­ ter beat Renata Malapica 6-0, 6-0 at number three and Thea Zellmer outscored Ella Craven 6-1, 6-0 at fourth singles. The TK ladies1 are scheduled to close out the season of conference duals'at Cedar Springs Monday and Catholic Central Wednesday this week, but Monday’s dual was postponed due to rain. The match with the Red Hawks is now set for Tuesday, May 9 in Cedar Springs. There are also plans for a trip to Zeeland East for a double dual today, May 4, and TK will play host to Hamilton for a non-conference dual Monday. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-05-11.pdf ac05972b8a2b3573f35ba6425e612798 PDF Text Text Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street Hastings Ml 49058 Time capsule installed in new Delton elementary building Culture war is poised to tarnish sports for girls, women DK boys capture SAC Central title See story on page 8 See story on page 4 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 1070490102590501008249058195427 ***—****—CAR-RT LOT**C 003 C003 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St ANNER Thursday, May 11, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 19 804879110187 PRICE $1.50 Three sentenced for roles in Brickley murder case Greg Chandler Staff Writer Three defendants have begun serving time behind bars for their rple after the February 2021 murder of Gracyn Brickley in Maple Grove Township. The three - 37-year-old Dustin Scott Ste­ phens of Nashville, 47-year-old Colleen Marie Rice of Hastings and 53-year-old Sheralyn Randolph of Nashyille - were sentenced Tuesday afternoon in Barry County court by Judge Michael Schippej*. Stephens was sentenced to 80 months to 10 Dustin Scott Stephens of Nashville stands beside his attorney Brandon Gardner as he appears in a Barry County courtroom on Tuesday afternoon to be sentenced for tamper­ ing with evidence related to the murder of Gracyn Brickley. (Photos by Greg Chandler) From Delton to the Downs Chase Chamberlin remembered exactly when his obsession with horses first began. It was at the age of 4 when he received his first riding lesson on Hallock Road in Hickory Corners. On Saturday - 29 years later - the 33-year-old former Delton-area resident hoisted a 14-karat gold trophy at Churchill Downs after his horse won arguably the highest-profile horse race in the world. Chamberlin, who attended Gull Lake Community Schools growing up, is one of the owners of Mage, the colt who was victorious at this year’s 149th Annual Kentucky Derby. The win came with a $1.8 million prize. This weekend’s edition of The Reminder wjll provide a full rundown on Chamberlin’s journey through the world of horse racing and how it felt to successfully win the “Run for the Roses.” years in prison for tampering with evidence after Brickley was murdered. He pleaded guilty in March to the tampering charge, along with being a felon in possession of a firearm, being an accessory after the fact to a felony and a felony firearms charge. He was sentenced to 40-to-60 months on the felon in possession and accessory after the fact charges and an automatic two-year sentence for the felony firearms charge. “I’m sure this case vvill be appealed, but I think there’s multiple, multiple reasons, very good reasons why the defendant should serve the maximum allowed by law in this case,” Schipper said in passing sentence on the tam­ pering charge. Rice was sentenced to one year in jail and three years’ probation for tampering with evidence, and will be allowed to take part in a drug court program. She could have received up.; to -10 yef)rs-Jn prison, op the charge, but Schipper saia at Rice’s plea hear­ ing last December that he would agree to sentence her to no more than a year in jail under what is called a Cobbs agreement. Rice would have been allowed to withdraw her plea and go to trial if Schipper decided to back out of the Cobbs agreement. She received credit for 270 days already served in jail. Randolph was sentenced to one year in jail and two years’ probation for being an acces­ sory after the fact to a felony, which could have resulted in a sentence of up to five years in prison. She pleaded guilty to the charge in March. Randolph received credit for 15 days served in jail. Brickley was shot to death on Feb. 16, 2021 outside of a residence on Guy Readjust outside of Nashville. Her killer, 18-year-old Andrew Lafey, videotaped the slaying and showed the video to Stephens, County Prose­ cutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt said. Lafey is serving a life sentence for the Brickley murder. Nakfoor Pratt called for Schipper to sen­ tence Stephens to consecutive prison terms tied to the tampering with evidence charge, which is allowable under state law. The law authorizes a court to impose consecutive sen­ tences “for any other crime including any other violation of law arising out of the same transaction as the violation of this section.” (per Michigan Compiled Laws 750.483a(10).) “The tampering can be consecutive to the accessory. The tampering can be consecutive to the felon in possession,” Nakfoor Pratt told the court. After Lafey showed Stephens the video of him killing Brickley, Lafey asked Stephens to help dispose of Brickley’s backpack and cell phone. Stephens, in turn; called Rice to come and help him dispose of those items. Later that night, Stephens, Rice and a third individ-J ual left the residence where the slaying occurred with Brickley’s backpack and cell­ phone, neither of which have been recovered, Nakfoor Pratt wrote in a sentencing memo to the court. Rice later dropped Stephens off at his uncle’s home where he met up with Ran­ dolph. In the early morning hours of Feb. 17, Randolph and Stephens burned some of his clothing. Stephens’ cell phone was destroyed and thrown out a car window, and Randolph ate the sim card that was in Stephens’ cell phone, Nakfoor Pratt wrote in the memo. - / “I do not understand how anybody could let this happen,” the prosecutor told the court. “(Stephens) was with Grace Brickley’s things, doesn’t seem to know where they are, takes his cell phone and destroys it and whips it out a window, has his friend eat a sim card out of the phone — I don’t understand how. you can do that. I don’t understand how that’s your reaction. And he saw the video, he actu­ ally saw the video that we all saw - that’s a nightmare that I, too, can’t get out of my head and probably never will.” Stephens had testified at Lafey’s prelimi­ nary hearing in November 2021 that he had not seen Rice since the night of the murder,, but then upon re-direct examination admitted he had seen her “a few weeks before the pre­ liminary hearing.” Rice had told a BarryCounty sheriff’s detective that Stephens had reached out to her, asking where she .had dis?, posed of Brickley’s phone, according to Nak^ See BRICKLEY, page 3 County board probes avenues to enhancing compensation for elected officials Jayson Bussa Editor j Debate continued to smolder amongst the Barry County Board of Commissioners on whether or not the current method of setting wages for elected officials is effective. This discussion came on the heels of com­ missioners approving additional wage increases for all county employees, except those that were elected to their positions. Late last year, commissioners also approved bonuses for county employees but elected officials were disqualified from those, as well, meaning they have missed out on thousands of dollars of additional pay designed to combat inflation and promote employee retention. “They feel like they’ve been left out and underappreciated and that’s what I worry about that they’re feeling underappreciated and we want them to know how much we value them,” Commissioner Bob Teunessen said during Tuesday’s board meeting. The county board is tasked with bargaining with labor unions that represent a good por­ tion of its employees and it also holds deci­ sion-making power in setting wages for gen­ eral fund department heads and non-represented employees. However, county commissioners have no See COUNTY BOARD, page 2 Barry County Administrator Michael Brown stands during last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting to field questions that commissioners had about the County Officers Compensation Committee. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) State mounts latest effort to take gravel, sand mining oversight away from local townships Jayson Bussa Editor . A package of bills introduced to the Mich­ igan House of Representatives last month J"eP^s®nts latest chapter in a tug-of-war e een the state and local municipali­ ties over which side will ultimately have the power to permit and oversee sand and gravel House Bills 4526. 4527 and 4528, which have garnered bipartisan support in the House, aim to streamline the supply chain of aggregate materials by handing power to per­ mit and oversee mines to the Michigan Lakes and mi tllan a“°W *0Ca* gov­ ernmental units to make those calls ca'[he d^etopment of sand and gravel pits i JT* “ contenti°us issue, with local residents citing concerns that range from dust and noise pollution to increased traffic and environmental impact as reasons why they don’t want one of these sites devel­ oped near them. . State lawmakers fear that pushback from the township and county gov­ ernments has stjfled and will continue to sti­ fle the development of aggregate materials in Michigan, where it is sorely needed to help repair and reconstruct roads, amongst other uses. The bills were introduced by House Dem­ ocrats Angela Witwer (Delta Township) and Tyrone Carter (Detroit) along with Republi­ can Pat Outman (Six Lakes). They have co-sponsorships from seven Republican law­ makers and six Democrats. While the latest legislation might be new, See STATE MOUNTS, page 2 A view of a gravel pit owned by Hamilton-based Top Grade Aggregates, located at 3300 N. Patterson Road on the border of Allegan and Barry Counties. It is one of three pits located on that particular stretch of Patterson Road. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) �Page 2 — Thursday, May 11,2023 — The Hastings Banner Lake O council reaches contract agreement with new Village Manager Ben Geiger J-Ad Graphics seeking summer fun guide submissions J-Ad Graphics is in the process of putting together its summer fun guide, and we want to be sure to include information on your event. If you are organizing a summer event this year - concert, festival, sports tournament, church event, etc. - please email all the pertinent information to news@j-adgraphics.com. Those who submit information should include the “who, what, where and why” of the event, along with the date, time and a website link for more details (if applicable). Please include your contact information in case we need to follow up for further information. Biblical author to visit Hastings Jean E. Syswerda, co-author with Ann Spangler of the best-selling “Women of the Bible: A Year-Long Study of 52 Remarkable Women,” will visit Hastings to discuss the book and participate in a book signing. Syswerda and Spangler’s book has sold over 1 million copies to date. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 18 at the Green Street United Methodist Church gathering place (lower level), 209 W. Green St. in Hastings. Syswerda, who lives in Allendale with her husband, is an author and a former editor and associate publisher at Zondervan Publishing House, where she said her passion grew for Bibles that encourage readers to dig deep into God’s word. She has written numerous books and Bible studies and is also the author of “My Bedtime Story Bible” for infants and toddlers and the “Super Heroes Bible” for elementary-aged boys. Syswerda will discuss the book and provide an opportunity for questions from the audience. Following her talk, there will be a potluck luncheon. All are welcome to attend this special event. More information is available by contacting Terri Trupiano at territbarry@gmail.com or by calling 616-648-5505. Television show American Pickers looking for homes to visit in Barry County Barry County residents with bams filled with rusted treasures could have an interest­ ed buyer. Hosts of the long-running television show American Pickers plan to stop in Michigan this summer, and they’re asking local residents with unique and extensive antique col­ lections to reach out to them. American Pickers first debuted in 2010 and has been a fixture on the Histoiy Chan­ nel. The show documents the adventures of hosts Mike Wolfe and Danielle Colby as they travel around the country on the hunt for antique items to purchase and sell at their Nashville-based antique shop called Antique Archaeology. The show’s cast has previously made its way through Michigan and will return in July to film new episodes. The show’s producers are looking for leads - anyone with a unique item or collection ready to sell. The show does not visit stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums or any establishment open to the public. The show puts an emphasis on historically signif­ icant or rare items. Those interested in reaching out to the show can send their name, phone number, location and description ofthe collection with photos to americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184. The show also maintains a Facebook page - facebook.com/GotAPick - where resi­ dents can reach out. Women's group to gather R The Stoney Point Women’s Club will meet at nooiLon Sunday, May 11, at Good Time Pizza in Nashville, 501 Main Street. Spouses of group members are also invited to attend. This meeting will conclude the regular club meetings for the 2022-23 season. Regular meetings will resume on Thursday, September 14. MSU W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest to host research field day The Michigan State University W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest will host a field day on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to showcase ongoing forestry research and outreach programming that supports Michigan’s forest industries and arborists. The public is invited to attend. W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest, an MSU AgBioResearch station in Augusta, is home to 716 acres of forestland that supports world-renowned research on tree breeding and genetics, planting techniques and plantation establishment and management. “Kellogg Forest hosts research and management programming designed to main­ tain healthy forests for Michigan residents, develop quality wood products for Mich­ igan consumers and sustain Michigan’s $21 billion forest-products industries,” said KJ. Kettler, manager of Kellogg Forest. “MSU faculty discoveries in the areas of tree breeding, tree genetics and tree planting have informed conservation and man­ agement efforts worldwide, and much of that work is done right here in Augusta, Michigan.” Following a pancake breakfast featuring Spartan Pure Maple Syrup, MSU faculty, alongside industry experts, will discuss ongoing research and the findings that apply to forest management across Michigan. The W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest Field Day will feature two separate tours of the research facility, with topics including oak wilt, a sawmill demonstration and maple syrup and oak regeneration, tree scanning and tree genetics. More information about the field day and registration is available at canr.msu.edu/ news/w-k-kellogg-experimental-forest-to-host-research-field-day-june-10. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //XI10376 I I I I I I I | Molly Macleod Copy Editor The Lake Odessa Village Council and Ben Geiger reached an employment contract agreement on Monday, making it official that Geiger will take the reins as Lake Odessa’s newest village manager. On Monday, May 15 at midnight, Interim Manager Gregg Guetschow’s contract will expire and Geiger will take over as village manager. Last month, council members voted to extend a conditional offer of employment to Geiger of Nashville. First elected to the board in 2010, Geiger recently ended his tenure as chairman of the Barry County Board of Com­ missioners. After a failed run for state repre­ sentative last fall, Geiger briefly took a break from public service and worked as a long­ term substitute teacher for Lakewood Public Schools. Geiger is a lifelong resident of neighboring Barry County and is a familiar face to many Lake Odessa residents. “I would like to thank the interim manager and the council for the opportunity to be here in Lake Odessa. This is my home. This is a destination,” said Geiger on Monday. He went on to say how he looks forward to work­ ing with village staff and learning the ins and outs of the job. Geiger interviewed for the village manager position along with Adam Stacey, a former Clinton County commissioner and Patrick Marsh, a city manager from Nevada. Geiger was chosen unanimously by the council to be the next manager for Lake Odessa. In February, the council voted to set a sal­ ary range of $80,000 to $100,000 for the new manager, depending on qualifications and experience. Geiger’s salary will begin at $80,000, reflecting his lack of experience as < say in determining the salary for elected offi­ cials, which includes the county treasurer, register of deeds, clerk, surveyor, prosecutor, drain commissioner and all eight of the coun­ ty commissioners.-Although, most commis-. sioners were explain saying that they were not arguing , for wage increases for them­ selves. The reason the county board cannot touch the compensation for elected officials is because, in 2018, it implemented what is called the County Officers Compensation Commission, a third-party board that research­ es and sets appropriate wages for those who have been elected to their positions, excluding judges. The board is a tool designed by the state and the county is beholden to follow its statutes in how the commission operates. Barry County utilized a compensation com­ mission once before, but abolished it in 2004 before reinstating it in 2018. Because the decision-making power is in the hands of the compensation commission, county commissioners are unable to enhance pay during this time of hyperinflation. The compensation commission consists of seven individuals that were appointed by county commissioners. Appointees are regis­ tered electors that reside within Barry Coun­ ty and any member or employee of the legis­ lative, judicial or executive branch of any 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 *9 i 5*27 *!!«***• County board members have probed any available avenues to circumvent the compen­ sation commission and accommodate for this unprecedented time of inflation. Last week, they even discussed dissolving it But, if they did, the wages the commission set will remain in place through 2024 regardless. “I was here before we had that (compensa­ tion) commission and it was a problem,*’ Commissioner Mike Callton said. “It was very awkward for commissioners or elected officials to be voting on their own raises. And it wasn’t being done properly and things weren’t keeping up. Going to that commis­ sion solved that problem....Some people have talked about getting rid of that. I would not suggest that.” At Tuesday’s meeting, County Board Chair Dave Jackson said the board plans to work through one of its state representatives to bring the matter to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office to see if they can get an exemption. “I don’t have anything against the compen­ sation committee - it’s the laws they’re going by,” Commissioner Jon Smelker said. “We are treating our elected officials like second class citizens. We need to take the responsi­ bility and we’re the ones that should control the wages there - not a compensation com­ mittee that don’t have to answer to no one.” OH'S* 4158 (Ml hturomi WiBt M iiritahai Slj 5u'' Ntife. heWbeca* 3 the battle over which entity gets to green­ light these projects has been going on for years. Just last term, similar legislation moved through the State Senate but ultimate­ ly died in the House before the current bills were brought forth. As someone who has served as Barry County’s planning and zoning director for 30 years, Jim McManus has had a front-row seat to the power struggle. I think this has been submitted on multi­ ple occasions and hasn’t gotten anywhere,” McManus noted. “(If the bills pass,) It would have a signifi­ cant effect on our process and on the county, especially because we have so much space, and most of it has some form of resources on it,” he added. “If they take it away, the citi­ zens would not have the ability to participate in the process, but it would lessen our work­ load tremendously over time. There are posi­ tives and negatives.”' The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy already holds oversight power when it comes to mining oil, gas and Insui4z Qfy Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm level of government cannot be part of the commission. The commission meets every even year and sets wages for elected officials for the following two years. The commission met in 2022 and set wages for 2023 and 2024. It will meet again in 2024 to set wages for 2025 and 2026, but in the meantime, is not permitted to meet and revisit the previously set salaries. Worried that the county would start losing employees, or face an inability to attract new employees, the county board has been enhancing pay. Late last year, the board approved econom­ ic impact payments to county employees. Full-time employees that were employed on Nov. 22, 2022, when the payments were improved, received $2,000 on Dec. 22,2022; $1,000 on April 13 and will receive another $1,000 on July 20. This week, the board also approved a 3 percent wage increase in 2023 on top of the regularly-scheduled 2 percent increase for the year. This bump in pay will cost the county $455,804 this year alone. The same scenario will play out in 2024, when employees are scheduled for a 2 per­ cent raise in addition to another 3 percent approved by the board. In 2025, the board will provide a 1 percent increase on top of the scheduled 2 percent raise. !। STATE MOUNTS, continued from page 1 SPRAY FOAM QUESTIONS: ASK US... a village manager. Additionally, Geiger’s contract directs him to continue his education and receive either a certificate or degree relat­ ed to being a village manager. The contract gives Geiger the option to pursue continuing education through Sagi­ naw Valley State University’s certified public j ■ COUNTY BOARD, continued from page 1 Prettyfabricsfor spring • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station > The Lake Odessa Village Council approved a contract for Ben Geiger’s tenure as the village’s new manager on Monday. The Barry County native will take the reigns officially on Monday, May 15. (Photo by Molly Macleod) manager program, Central Michigan Univer­ sity’s public administration graduate certifi­ cate program, an International City/County Management Association Credential Manag­ er designation, an advanced degree in public administration or management or any other program of an equivalent nature upon prior approval of the council. The village will reimburse Geiger for his continuing educa­ tion costs. Though he is starting out at the low end of the range, Geiger’s performance will be eval­ uated a year from now and appropriate salary increases will be made, if any. The council can opt for mid-term salary increases as well, should the need arise. Guetschow emphasized that even though Geiger may not have as much practical man­ agement experience as other candidates, his employment is an investment for the future of Lake Odessa. “I think it is important to emphasize (that) a number of provisions in this contract are not standard. They relate to professional development. We took great care - Presi­ dent Banks and I - to incorporate those provisions,” said Guetschow. “...It empha­ sizes, I think, the important role that (the) council and Mr. Geiger will play with one another to bring him along in terms of the development, the skills (and) the shows of support of council for that development. What’s contemplated here is obviously investing in a long-term relationship ... I think it is a valuable component of this agreement because of what it says about that future relationship.” Guetschow will finish out the week as Lake Odessa’s interim manager before Gei­ ger takes over on Monday. Geiger and Guet­ schow are currently working together in hopes of a smooth transition. Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville minerals - sand and gravel mining would be added to this existing jurisdiction. By hand­ ing off this power to EGLE, proponents say the state would be able to launch a stream­ lined and uniform application process that would make it easier to develop these sites, thus, helping free up the supply chain. Taking decision-making power away from individual townships has its share of positives and negatives. McManus highlighted a little bit of both, citing the fact that the process of permitting sand and gravel mines throughout Barry County can become both time-consum­ ing and expensive. The new laws would lift that burden off of local units of government. Still, those who argue against this legisla­ tion are quick to point out that local township officials have a better read on safety concerns and effects on the quality of life for residents who live nearby. State Representative Rachelle Smit, who previously served as a clerk in Martin Town­ ship, is in her first year in the House. She has quickly found that sand and gravel mining is a hot-button issue in her District 43, which includes the south and southwest slices of Barry County, where sand and gravel mining projects are commonplace. “Personally, it has been the number one concern in my district that I represent in Barry County, is having the state mandate the permitting of these gravel mines,” Smit said in an interview with The Banner. “Before I was even elected in November, I was having people reaching out to me after the primary, making me aware of this and their strong opposition to the state controlling that.” As a former township clerk, Smit also said she knows the importance of equipping local government with decision-making power. “Any time you start removing control from the local level, it brings in a lot more issues, per se,” Smit said. “The state, obviously, it’s much bigger with having EGLE issuing these permits. They’re out of touch with the local level, and it’s understandably so. They don’t have the employees on the ground working (or know) the best interests of the communi­ ties either.” Smit did acknowledge the importance of keeping a steady supply of aggregate material flowing through Michigan but added that she does not support the package of bills in their current form. The power and influence that the aggregate industry holds have already given members of the industry a leg up when it comes to negotiating with local townships over new sand and gravel sites. State law has instructed local municipali­ ties to permit the extraction of natural resources, like sand and gravel, unless the townships can otherwise prove that it will lead to “very serious consequences.” Unlike the permittance for any other kind of land use, the burden of proof is placed on the local government to prove these conse­ quences, which essentially restricts them from using full discretion. The county planning commission and local township boards are often forced to greenhght a gravel project even when constituents rally against it. We can’t say no,” McManus said. “To me, the way they did the law, the planning com­ mission takes a brunt of grief and public ire when (we) are handcuffed.” 1 S?1** < NS ‘I . nw: iSX s I 'EMk 1 * �?0 The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 11, 2023 — Page 3 City wage and compensation study finds employees; slightly underpaid, recommends pay scale w Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Pictured on screen, Mark Nottley from Municipal consulting Services LLC present­ ed the findings from a wage and compensation study to city council members; (Photo by'Hunter McLaren) A wage and compensation study found Hastings city employees were paid competi­ tively when compared to similar communi­ ties across the state. Mark Nottley from Municipal Consulting Services LLC presented his findings from the study via video conference call to council members on Monday. The report found that city employee wages were only eight percent below the market average when taken as an aggregate. Six roles were pointed out as being below the study’s minimum-recommended pay range: cashier and accounts receivable clerk; cashier and accounts payable clerk; police administrative assistant; full-time firefighter; assistant assessor; and utilities superinten­ dent. It would cost the city $16,121 in total to bump the positions to the minimum recom­ mended salary, with: most raises falling between $1,000 and $3,000. The largest rec­ ommended raise was for the assistant asses­ sor position, at $5,076. ’ Nottley laid out the main objectives of the study, which were making sure Hastings city employees were paid fairly compared to each other and also compared to other municipali- ties. The study also took into account benefits offered to employees and hoped to provide a structure to implement any suggested chang­ es. The study was conducted in four main phases: classification analysis, market analy­ sis, grade and salary structure and implemen­ tation. The classification analysis phase broke down each position at the city and its require­ ments, while the market analysis compared those roles to similar roles across the state. The grade and salary structure phase involved ranking roles based on various fac­ tors, including level of education required for Hunter McLaren Staff Writer . ** 4^ wjrtnihamiidKis MfccmMtebtoi w Mpiwdi ■asm ttMRstaKqbpdoo mi* ilR11 nm* *** •I'*** 10* QSI® fobir Pratt’s sentencing memo. As a result, Stephens was charged with perjury along with the other charges but that charge was dropped in exchange for the guilty pleas. Stephens’ attorney, Brandon Gardner, spoke of his client’s drug addiction in defend­ ing him. He said Stephens’ testimony helped lead to Lafey’s conviction and should have been considered in sentencing. ‘♦Judge, there’s no denying that this is a vfery serious case. There’s no denying this is a case that has gone on for a long time. There’s no denying that Mr. Stephens is going to prison today. Those are all facts,” Gardner said. “Here’s some more facts. He’s addicted to methamphetamine. Here’s some more facts. The prosecutor has no idea of what addiction is. Here’s another fact: she also has no idea how bad addiction might haVe played any of the decision-making that Was going on that night. She has no idea what whs1 going on through his head. She has no idea how high he might have been;” nitfNot iinderstanding'addicticwi&not under­ standing Mr.?St^pheris’'cise. 'it is1'Sweeping everything under the rug, out of convenience, because we don’t understand what’s going oh,” Gardner added. Roberta Brickley, Gracyn’s grandmother, during her victim impact statement accused Stephens of conspiring with Lafey in the death of her granddaughter. “He and Lafey did this together. I have no doubt in my mind that he needs to go away for a very long time,” Roberta Brickley said. ‘'Hopefully he’ll find out what life in prison is all about. I was a corrections officer for 15 years. I know all about people like you. I saw them every day. I dealt with them ... Your day will come.” Stephens declined to make a statement before sentencing. Schipper declined to issue consecutive sentences based on the tampering charges. “But that’s where my gifts will end for Mr. Stephens;” he said. “I challenge the Court ofAppeals, because this case will get appealed ... to please watch the videotape (of the Brickley murder) before you make a decision on appeal, because every murder is not the same,” the judge went on to say. “I’ve seen, unfortunately, too many. Of all I’ve seen, this is the worst... when you see a video, it becomes worse. It’s the audio that will haunt you forever.” ■Schipper refused to accept Stephens’ drug addiction as an excuse for his actions. nMIt’s not an excuse. It’s never an excuse. It’s not a legal excuse, there’s nowhere in the law that says it’s an excuse. In fact, it tells us the opposite. It can never be an excuse,” the judge said. Stephens had a prior conviction for third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2009, and also had a probation violation for drug use and absconded from custody twice. He also failed to register as a sex offender twice, Schipper said. Before she was sentenced, Rice admitted to dropping off Stephens at his uncle’s home. She said she “had no idea what he had done -hone.” Addressing Gracyn’s family, Rice said she hdard a phone ringing underneath her seat as she was driving home. “I threw it out the window. I didn’t know Whose phone it was,” she said. • “My son died at 18. He was shot. I didn’t get his phone back so I know the pain (of not knowing where Gracyn’s phone was). There’s no excuse. I wanted (to be) done. I could never erase the hurt or pain I’ve caused your family. I’ll never ask for your forgiveness because if the tables were turned, I wouldn’t be able to do it.” Rice said she searched for Gracyn’s phone but could not find it. 'Randolph’s attorney, Kerri Selleck, spoke of-her client’s willingness to help the prose­ cution build their case. “Had she not told the police ‘I ate the sim card and I burned the shirt,’ the police would never have known about it. They wouldn’t : ; । I I • '•'Ja^oh-Goforth (left)'and Roberta Brickley (right)/father'and grandmother-to 'mui'der ^iCtirfiWac^n^Brickrey're'spectively/offered wdrtis’hsihre^fndividtiafwette sehtGWc&f’ for their roles in attempting to cover up the murder. have known. She told them,” Selleck said. “She ratted herself out. She told them, and she did that because it was the right thing to do.” “It doesn’t make up for what she did, but she is trying, every step of the way, to make up for what she did. She testified at (the pre­ liminary hearing), knowing she was going to be charged. She testified at (Lafey’s) trial, knowing she was going to be charged,” Sell­ eck added. Schipper acknowledged Randolph’s coop­ eration with the prosecution and the court. “I do think you have turned it around, and I do think when you get out of jail, you’re going* to be this person. I do think you’re going to be a different kind of, better person,” Schipper said. “But there absolutely has to be a consequence for what took place. People need to know there’s consequences, the fam­ ily needs to know there’s consequences. A year in jail is significant to me ... I think there has to be some sort of acknowledge­ ment of maybe there is a light here that’s worth saving.” Roberta Brickley spoke of a rosebush Gracyn planted for her before she died. “That rosebush didn’t do anything the first year. The second year, Gracyn (would have) turned 19,1 had 19 blooms. Every year I get more and more; It’s a constant, constant reminder. “I hope to God you never have to go through anything like this. Nobody should have to. Losing a child is bad enough, but to lose them like this, it is' so wrong, so unnec­ essary. This did not have tb happen and what­ ever part you played in*it, you are going to reap tenfold for the rest of your life. I feel for you. I wish I was a better person and could say I forgive you, but I tan’t and I don’t.” Nakfoor Pratt indicated that she would not rule out other charges] if evidence can be found that others hindered the murder inves­ tigation. “If I find out thdre s 'no plea agreement on that - that there’s moi e here than meets the eye, and anybody can find it out - we’ve got one of the best detective s we’ve ever had on it - there’s going to be consequences for that,” she said. “That gbes for anybody that was there that night. m I See people there that are well aware of the s tuation. If I find out anybody did anything el le in this case, I have no problem (pursuing cl arges). “It’s not fair. It’s not i|£ht. What happened to Gracyn Brickley is ick and unjust, and I’m tired of people comi ig in here and acting like they just feel so ba 1 and then they walk out and they do stupid s uff.” ries and raises to be more consistent across the city’s various roles, Nottley said. * In the example provided in the study,; See CITY WAGE, page & Rick Krouse appointed as Hastings interim fire chief BRICKLEY, continued from page 1 fib; that particular role, working conditions, job requirements among others. Those roles were; then given a grade one through 11, with eachgrade being assigned to a different salary* range. ’• The study also recommended the city, move to a new pay structure using a step-^ based system. The system would allow salafi Rick Krouse will serve as the Hastings Fire Department interim fire chief. Krouse’s appointment to the position by City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale was approved by city council unanimously at their regular meeting Monday. Krouse previously served as the department’s assis­ tant fire chief, and will be heading the department in the interim while the city searches for a new fire chief to replace Roger Caris. Caris passed away last month at the age of 86 after serving the depart­ ment for 49 years total, acting as fire chief for 40. Moyer-Cale let city council members know the city had started its search for a new permanent fire chief and would start reviewing candidates June 2. “I’m accepting applications through June 2, when we’ll do the first review,” Moyer-Cale said. “But I posted the position as open until filled, so it just depends on what we get at that time.” Mayor Dave Tossava spoke in favor of appointing Krouse to the interim position and said he’d be a great fit for the role. “I’ve known Rick for a long time, he used to work for me,” Tossava said. “I think he’s a good fit for interim fire chief and I think he’ll do a great job.” Krouse provided the fire department’s monthly report to council members in Caris’s stead. Krouse said he was still reel­ ing from the loss of three long standing members of the Barry County firefighting community in April. “During the month of April, there were eight firefighters that lost their lives in the line of duty in the United States. A little closer to home for me, Barry County lost three members of its firefighting family,” he said. “As you know, Chief Roger Caris, former chief Richard Garrison from Prairieville Township and finally full-time driver Floyd Yesh here from Hastings. All three are people that I’ve worked with for many years and it was a tough month for us. Li VfiM ,vnl Rick Krouse presented the Hastings Fire Department’s monthly report to city council members Monday after he was appointed interim fire chief. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) PUPPIES! AKC Registered Amer Cocker Spaniel 1 - Sable Male 1 - Female & 3 - Male Tri-Colors (Black & White) 7 weeks old, ready to go Mother’s Day (5/14) Corrected Phone No. 269-953-0919 No Money Orders NOnCE^EEKIN^APPUcSflONSFO^^^ VOLUNTEERS The Barry County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Mental Health Board - 1 partial term: prefer lived experience with mental health or substance misuse/abuse or have a family member who has lived experience with mental health or substance misuse/abuse Solid Waste Oversight Committee - 1 partial term, solid waste industry Planning Commission - 1 partial term Zoning Board of Appeals - 1 partial term Colleen Rice of Hastings addresses the family of murder victim Gracyn Brickley before she was sentenced to a year in jail on charges of tampering! with evidence. Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor of the Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings; or www.barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application. Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 5,2023. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information. �Page 4 — Thursday. May 11,2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC? |F Defending sports for our daughters and granddaughters Off to the Races In anticipation of the Kentucky Derby, Middleville-based retirement and assisted living facility Carveth Village held its annual Derby Day event last Friday. This event included an up-close visit with some horses and baby chicks in addition to the wheel­ chair races, which always gets fast and furious. Do you remember? A look back at area rural schools Banner undated Rural school consolidation was a hot topic in the 1930s. This photo of that era shows students at the Quimby School, which later was absorbed by the Hastings district. It was unusual to see a Black child (third from the left, middle row) at an area school. The girl (Emma Robinson) lived at the County Farm (now site of medical facility) and her classmates liked her so well they fought for the right to walk her home from school each day, remembers Dorothy Hummel (Martich), who loaned the photo. Shown are (back row, from left) Lawrence Greenfield, Harold Chaffee, teacher Cameron McIntyre, Dick Chaffee, Ernest (Bud) Gross, (middle row) Maurice Greenfield, Keith Chaffee, Emma Robinson, Retah Hummel, Jane Clark, Marjorie Riteman, Albert McIntyre, Clarence Chaffee, Junior Hill, (front row) Bill Barber, Russell Mix, Dorothy Hummel and Donna Smith. Have you met? Hastings native Megan Baker left town after graduating high school. She left the small-town lifestyle behind, spending time in Kalamazoo, Grand Rap­ ids and other cities elsewhere across the country. But, even after seeing so many different locales, something called her back to Hastings. She said it felt like home. Nowhere else had the same sense of community. “Bigger cities just aren’t for me,” she said. “I love going to the bigger cities, but the personal wholeness of people in our community - like the willingness to drop everything and help somebody - it doesn’t transfer into those big cities as well.” Baker worked as a body piercer for 20 years before she started tattooing. She had wanted to do it for a long time, but it was hard to break into tattooing as a piercer, especially as a woman. “For a long time, it was a man’s industry. Especially if you were a piercer, it was a funny joke that you wanted to become a tattoo artist because they look at piercers as untalented, skill-less artists,” she said. “I’m going to tell you it’s hard to be a good piercer.” Baker worked various apprenticeships before beginning to do tattoo work on her own. It was another several years after that before she owned her own shop. It was an experience that stuck with her. Baker remembers what it was like to work hard only to have others reap the ben­ efits. It’s why she runs her shop, Tuff Love Arts, as a collective. The artists there only pay for their space in the shop, and they keep all of their profits. They work with her, not for her. “I’m trying to share the space for equal benefit. I have a hard time working for peo­ ple. I’ve always been a better ‘work with people’ person. I think there are a lot of us out there,” she said. “I would like to be the person that can offer another person that is in a situation I was in before the space that they need to be successful.” Megan Baker Her thoughts on work and community have also bled into other parts of her life. In 2011, she founded the Buttermilk Jamboree Festival and uses it as a place to build community and share skills. Each year, artists and craftspeople can gather and learn from each other, learning things like how to can and jar food, cultivate gardens and other self-sustainable staples. While her shop is now located in down­ town Hastings, she’s in the process of mak­ ing a move to 223 W. Mill St., a few blocks away. The bigger space will provide a new home for her shop next month, and she plans to utilize the larger lot to host more community events and gatherings. While she recognizes she’s one of a lucky few that can make a living from cre­ ating art, Baker also feels she has more to give back to the community. “At some point in my heart, I know that this isn’t all I’m supposed to be doing. This is what pays my bills, but it doesn’t fill my heart,” Baker said. “It’s not making me feel fulfilled.” She’s excited to be able to be the gather­ ing place for members of the community, and she hopes to expand on that part of her role as a community member. She’d like to establish a child advocacy and outreach center in the future td; create a place where kids can safely gather? and be themselves. As the mother of kids who are part of the LGBTQ community, Baker is a staunch ally of the LGBTQ community in Barry County and beyond. She said she’s no stranger to being cast out or treated differently by her peers. She hopes no other child must endure that experience alonej She hopes to be the person she needed to guide her growing up in Hastings, both f0r her kids and her younger self. “I realized I needed to go be the person that I needed, where I was when I needed it,” she said. “I need to be in this communi­ ty for the kids that are like me, or are like I was (when I was younger) and need a safe place.” For returning to Hastings to better her community and be an advocate for Barry County youth, Megan Baker is this week’s Bright Light. What the world needs now: The world needs more community and empathy. Many hands make light work! Favorite teacher: Mr. Simon, an art teacher at Hastings Middle School in the ‘90s. He never gave anyone less than an A as long as they tried and often would give us A+ 1000s. If I could have any superpower, it would be: Teleportation. It would save me so much travel time, and I would be able to see so many more places I haven’t yeti What I like about my job: I love my job because I am able to connect with so many different people. Each week, the Banner profiles a person y^ho makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because of volunteer work, fun-loving per­ sonality, the stories he or she has to tell, or for any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Sometimes government does good things. When it does, those good things need our protection. Witness Title IX, the 1972 mandate that equalized opportunities for women and girls in sports traditionally reserved for men and boys. Most of us - men and boys especially — went kicking and screaming into an era in which athletic facilities and competition opportunities had to be shared with women and girls. But look at what has happened in the past 50 years. According to the National Collegiate Ath­ letic Association, fewer than 30,000 college athletes were women in 1972. Now, more than 218,000 college athletes are women. The increase has also been massive at our local high schools, where more girls are now participating in sports than ever before. The National Federation of State High School Association says that more than 3.4 million American girls play high school sports, roughly a 1,000 percent increase from the 300,000 girls who played sports in 1972. And they’ve done it all while reminding us of the beauty of sport. Even the late leg­ endary basketball coach John Wooden of UCLA once remarked, “If you want to see . basketball played in its purest form, watch women’s basketball.” The increased participation of women has also increased interest in sports exponential­ ly. The sports you play become the sports you follow, and today, there are just as many women in the stands, in front of the televi­ sion and on the sports channels as men, putting passion into our games. But the progress that Title IX has engen­ dered is now under attack and in jeopardy due to a culture war insidiously seeping into our lives. Earlier this month, the Biden Administra­ tion proposed a new rule through the U.S. Department of Education that would expand the scope of Title IX, allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological women and girls. It would also federalize the issue, forcing states to comply with national mandates for funding. The proposed rule would allow transgen­ der men to compete as women. It would completely dismiss the millions of women and girls who have set records while com­ peting at the highest levels and have smashed through glass ceilings because of-their hard work, dedication, and commitment. Fortunately, House Republicans respond­ ed to the threat and passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which requires school athletic programs that receive federal funds to fully comply with Title IX protections for women and girls, including recognizing gender at birth for athletic purposes. This important legislation preserves fair­ ness in sports and defends our daughters and granddaughters from the destruction of the opportunities and achievements made possi­ ble for them by Title IX. This past summer at the NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship, Riley Gaines, a 12-time All-American female swimmer with five Southeastern Conference titles, was ,, fQEQed. to share .a., locker room with and com­ pete against transgender biological male Lia Thomas. The swimmers tied - down to a hundredth of a second - but then Gaines was told that the NCAA hadn’t planned for a tie and that Thomas had to have the trophy for photo purposes. Unfortunately, countless young girls and women like Gaines are being sidelined as transgender biological males, wanting to compete as women to gain a physical advan­ tage, infiltrate and dominate women’s sports. This has been and will become the great­ est challenge to sports in our era. Recently, the World Athletics Council, the governing body for international track and field, barred transgender women athletes from elite competition for women. The council said that it ultimately decided to prioritize the “fairness and the integrity” of female competition over inclusion. Its con­ cern was whether transgender women had a physical advantage over other female com­ petitors, even after transgender athletes low- ered their testosterone levels. It only makes sense that men should coni* pete against men and women should com­ pete against women. Sadly, this concept is lost due to a country that has allowed a cul­ tural war to dominate any common sense. As a father of two daughters and two granddaughters who were involved in sports, I feel it’s unfair to allow male athletes to compete against female athletes because the science appears to be conclusive. A report by Dr. Gregory A. Brown, exer­ cise professor at the University ofNebraska, indicated the scientific facts and research recognize that the irreversible physical dif­ ferences between males and females “pro­ vide a strong argument that males have an intolerable advantage over females.” “Even if male athletes are receiving androgen inhibitors and cross-sex hormones, it will not reverse the distinct advantage males have over females,” says Brown. Dr. Brown’s research shows that if female athletes are forced to compete against males, they will not have a fair chance to compete. And young girls would never get the oppor­ tunity to fulfill their dreams, no matter how hard they work. “Men and women are not interchange­ able,” says Brown. “It’s a fact of both sci­ ence and common sense that they differ in many ways. And when males who identify as females are permitted to compete in women’s sports, it is women and girls who suffer.” While some female athletes have taken d brave stand on the issue, many are ridiculed and bullied by activists who lash out against them in the name of women’s rights. That’s why we have separate men’s and women’s sports. Somehow, we’ve allowed the line between the two to become blurry and we’re letting women and girls bear the conse­ quences. It reminds me ofthe song, “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” a show tune from the 1958 Rodgers and Kammerstein musical "Flower Drum Song". If these transgender men find themselves wanting to be a girl - that’s their decision and we should respect that But transgender men should not be able to infringe on a woman’s right to compete fair­ ly which goes directly to the argument that transgender men should not be able to com­ pete inwomen’&sportsdue to their biologi­ cal differences. .... . “For the past several decades, female ath­ letes have seen their opportunities grow where the number of women’s sports teams has more than tripled since the passage of Title IX,” said Brown. “In fact, many of America’s most famous Olympic athletes are women, such as Serena Williams, Sim­ one Biles and Katie Ledecky.” •, But Brown’s research shows that iffemale athletes are forced to compete against males, even these Olympians would not have a fair chance to compete. Check out the professional women’s golf­ ers when they stop in Grand Rapids for the Ladies Professional GolfAssociation Meijer Classic on June 15-18 and look carefully to find one errant shot. Let’s not step backward from the beauty of women’s sports that came with Title DC___ “Young girls would never get die oppor­ tunity to fulfill their dreams, no matter how hard they work (without Title IX),” suggests Brown. It’s common sense that men should not compete in women’s sports no matter who they think they are or who they want to be. They should not be allowed to threaten the beauty of women’s sports. r w' J, p then's talwoesita Wplpiewlorlra SC"*!. Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads 6j-adgmphics com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings. Ml 49058 U- v �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 11,2023 — Page 5 Blaming one party for the woes of the state nation is not constructive or accurate To the editor: Fred Jacobs* opinion piece in the May 4 Banner could have been scripted by Fox J I SI News or other right-wing pundits. Laying the blame for inflation and other concerns on one party or another may be an oversimplification of the circumstances. C’mon, Fred, if you, as a consumer, have been paying attention, you’ve probably seen some glaring examples Of price gouging and billion-dollar profits being raked in by corporations lately — I don t see those CEOs and shareholders experienc­ ing inflation like you and I are, do you? I tip my hat to retailers who resist the urge to jack up their prices just for the sake of profit. The gloom-and-doom bemoaned in Mr. Jacobs’ piece is typical of politicking, espe­ cially as we approach a presidential election year. The minority party wrings their hands and cries that America will be ruined by those currently in power, or the party in power points to their challenger and says they are weak and (gasp!).“woke.”. . Gun stolen from truck in Middleville Who is empowering these attacks on the consumer, on the voter? I would guess that those who have influence (read “money”) in Washington, and the states’ capitals, are pull­ ing the puppet strings and directing a lot of this us/them rhetoric. Let’s not amplify that negative message nor be diverted from build­ ing America back better. The U.S. has been through inflationaiy times before, and we got through them. The border crisis and international diplomacy are much more complex than many of us in this county can understand. The head-butt­ ing over the debt ceiling limit and the national budget is political posturing. Yes, Fred, there is much more work to do. Let’s remind our elected officials, on all levels, that we expect them to do that work. Beth Donaldson Rutland Township Circumstances behind battery plants a valid discussion, but electric vehicles are not the problem Editor: In response to Fred’s opinion on EVs arti­ cle (on) Thursday, April 27. It is too bad that Fred tried to lump the battery plant issue in with the electric car issue. Now, finally, we have a chance to break (the) hold that fossil fuels have on our lives by changing to EVs. Regardless of what peo­ ple think about Elon Musk, he has changed the world for the better. We now have the ability to create our own energy with solar, wind and storage. If Rick Snyder and his “Good Ol’ Boys” club had not passed his silly franchising law in 2014 not allowing Teslas to be sold here in Michigan, there would be a lot more of them on the road today. As for hydrogen, it is still years away - if ever. Hydrogen cars do not make hydrogen; they bum it as a fuel. (They have) too many negatives: low power, hazardous, expensive. Distribution (doesn’t) stand in the way of progress, Fred. Where, when and how battery plants are built is up for discussion, but EVs are here to stay. Doug Anderson Delton Battery plants will impact our state forever; politicians must make this decision carefully SSI} vs acais I I ■OHK tert Mt Asec's nos famous 0^4 I Wteiuigettiiiii I Km sto’iBatiifaiiii i e:33«ebks£Eii: ptisthtps ratals OMBiiktahifk sntrcffi stelysjsiw S***®031 ►*• •*> * As mm*# Ji** I^S 5 ..tF i,r X Pj J %7 A tai impact studies, and the potential long-term effects on our environment are pretty hard to mitigate after the fact. Here, again, is a classic example of the cart before the horse mentali­ ty. By this, I mean that politicians just want to firm up that we are accepting these plants, and let’s worry about the EPA and the envi­ ronment afterward. After all, that’s what lob­ byists are paid to do. Money talks - please get informed on this decision that will impact our state forever. l Mark Bishop Baltimore Twp. Alpha Women's Center receives ultrasound machine, will provide service for free "ssnasEtrsfl'it tesnMtnipttijB I titaskl vfc0* These companies are now bankrupt. By the To the editor: way, she is now our nation’s energy secre­ During her tenure from 2003-10, Gover­ tary. nor Granholm was instrumental in attracting wind energy businesses to the tune of 175 Case in point with our current Governor million dollars of the taxpayer’s money. If Whitmer. The proposed three Lithium-ion battery plants are being shoved down the you have ever driven from Alma to the Bay City area, then you are well aware of the taxpayers’ throats as providing long-term landscape. There have been zero benefits to jobs and firming up the economy in Michigan the average taxpayer in Michigan, except for for many years to come. the subsidies paid to the landowners where I understand trickle-down economics and the electric wind generators are located. This applaud its overall benefits. However, most is a good example of “feel good” politics for of us Michiganders live here because of the 1 i Green Energy. I give former Governor Granbeauty and natural -resources that our state ■ I holm an ‘A’ for trying and an ‘E'for’results. ‘ 'bfters.’There have not’ been any envirohi’neh- Jayson Bussa Editor Thanks to fundraising by a local council of the Knights of Columbus, Hastings-based nonprofit pregnancy center Alpha Women’s Center was recently gifled with an ultrasound machine to give expectant mothers a look at their babies as they develop inside the womb. urThe Alpha Women’s Centerjdid not.previ­ ously own or have access to such equipment, but Executive Director Kim Moser expects bringing such a service in-house will be a game-changer. ‘There was a mindset that, because (our facility) was previously adjacent to (the hos­ pital), that moms who might be considering an abortion or were abortion vulnerable might choose to just go to the hospital for an ultra­ sound when that’s illogical,” said Moser, whose organization used to be headquartered on Green Street in Hastings near Corewell Health Pennock Hospital. “To get an ultrasound, you have to meet with a doctor and have a referral. Few abor­ tion-minded people are going to enact their insurance for a baby they’re not sure they’re going to keep. This now provides a free ser­ vice for them.” ; However, the space and layout of the cen­ ter’s old facility were not conducive for such a service. Still, the administration at the cen­ ter explored the idea of adopting this service, hoping it would eventually find a new build­ ing to call home. ‘ “It came at a time where we felt, in the culture, that we needed it, whether we were over (on Green Street) or here,” said Moser, whose organization moved to its new home at 533 W. State St. in Hastings at the beginning of this year. “So, we began the process even when we were on Green Street and said, ‘whether God provides a building or not, we were going to do it.’ We are still in the process of finishing the legal (due diligence of providing the ser­ vice), but we hope to be, by the end of the year at the very latest, doing ultrasounds as a regular thing.” , The Alpha Women’s Center’s new ultra­ sound machine would not have been possible had it not been for both the local and national chapters of the Knights of Columbus. In 2009, this Catholic service organization adopted a new initiative that would donate and place ultrasound machines in qualifying pregnancy centers - both mobile and stationaty - around the country. Last year, the Knights of Columbus Ultra­ sound Initiative placed its 1,500th ultra­ A 50-year-old Middleville man reported a firearm as stolen around 1 p.m. on April 23. The man told police the gun, kept inside his vehicle at his residence on the 100th block of Hunter’s Trail Court, was missing. The man was on vacation when a neighbor called to alert him about cars being broken into in the area. He noticed the firearm was missing from his vehicle upon returning home. Police reported that there were no signs of forced entry, but the man believed the vehicle was locked while he was away. Counterfeit bill passed off as real thing in Nashville Police responded to a counterfeit money complaint around 8 p.m. on April 23 at the Shell gas station in Nashville. A.44-year-old female employee reported that three, sus­ pects entered the store and acted suspiciously. The woman said one of the subjects tried to buy a lottery ticket with a $20 bill, but the coloring of the bill appeared to be off. The store had received two other counterfeit bills prior to the incident, so the woman checked the bill using a pen. The test showed the bill was a fake, which she told the suspect who had handed it to her. The suspect denied that the bill was fake, and all three suspects left after the attendant told them she would have to keep the bill. Gas siphoned from Middleville vehicle A 47-year-old Middleville woman called the police to report that her gas had been siphoned from her car at her home on the 100th block of Lem Paul Street. The woman contacted police around 3:30 p.m. on April 18 after she entered her vehicle and noticed her gas gauge showed she had only a quarter tank of gas. The woman told police she had filled the vehicle up a few days prior and hadn’t driven it since. A relative who was a mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed it wasn’t leaking gas. The woman told police she had no idea who the suspects may be. ESTATE SALE Saturday, May 13,2023 (Bain Date May 20) • 9 am-6 pm 673 TERRY LANE, HASTINGS Furniture, Vintage Collectibles, Kitchenware, Tools, Lawn Decor SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP SPECIAL BOARD MEETING April 25, 2023 -10:00 a m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Lectka, Watson, James Absent: Bellmore Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Motion to approve and adopt Resolution 2023-291 Personal Property Annual Canvas. Roll Call Vote All ayes, motion passes. Bellmore absent (excused) Adjournment 10:03 am Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor Sealed Bid Auction for Surplus Vehicles Barry County is accepting sealed bids for the following: 1) 2013 Chevy TahoeVlii«lGNLC2E69DR314442 Mileage: 136,581 2) 2007 Chevy Tahoe Vln # 1GNEC03027R425029 Mileage: 179,508 3) 2011 Chevy Tahoe Vin # 1GNLC2E0XBR284168 Mileage: 144,141 4) 2009 Chevy Tahoe Vln # 1GNEC03079R265393 Mileage: 139,943 Boat 1:2000 Lund Alaskan 1800 (GREEN) Hull ID # LUNBC941000 Boat 2:2010 Alumicraft 16 Foot (BLACKJHull ID # ACBV1474G010 AU items sold AS-IS and available for visual inspection at the Barry County Sheriffs De­ partment Barry County reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any irregularities in any bid, and to award the bid(s) in a manner that the County deems to be in its best interest, price and other factors considered. AU sealed bids must be deariv nurired on the outside of the sealed envelope as foUowK Barry County Administrator c/o 2023 May Surplus Auto Auction 220 W. State St, Hastings, MI 49058 With your bld, please Include vour name and address, phone number, number and description of item you are biddhm on. Kim Moser, executive director of the Alpha Women’s Center in Hastings, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on a new ultrasound machine that the cente received thanks to fundraising efforts by both local and national councils of the K lights of Columbus. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) sound machine. The initiative has directly affected 1 million mothers, who had a chance to see their unborn children as they developed. Locally, the fundraising efforts for the Alpha Women’s Center were spearheaded by the Knights of Columbus #3447 in Hastings. Under the initiative, the local council was tasked with raising half of the needed funds - in this case, the total price for the machine was $42,000 - while the national organiza­ tion would provide the other half. “We did that by asking other councils in the Kalamazoo Diocese,” explained Joe Shea, a member of the Knights of Columbus who spearheaded the effort. “I wrote letters to everyone asking for donations. About 15 councils responded and were very generous in donating to us. We also raised money through some breakfasts on Sunday morn­ ings. We had donations from parishioners at St. Rose and had individuals that felt strongly about the cause and wanted to contribute.” This effort also included a $10,000 dona­ tion from the Livingston County Ultrasound Initiative, run by Tim and Cindy Donovan of Fowlerville. The LCUI is a separate 501(c) Invitation to Comment on a Proposed Wireless (3) nonprofit organi^tion with the same cause - raising fundi to place ultrasound machines at pregnancy centers around the state. Altogether, Shea's local council of the Knights of Columbus i used over $22,000. Last week, repre entatives from the Knights of Columbus, ’oth locally and state­ wide, visited the AlphalWomen’s Center for a ceremony to dedicate the new ultrasound machine. “I was just amazed throughout the process how generous people Were,” Shea said. “All I had to do was ask people to donate, and they came out of the woodwork to give money to this project. So many people feel so strongly about pro-life causes. This ultrasound project has proven to be very, very effective.”’ The entire initiative is built around the power and profoundness that comes with giving mothers a vivid look at their develop­ ing child. “It has been proven [that a woman who is considering an abortion, after she sees the ultrasound image of her baby, she almost always chooses to have the baby - she choos­ es life,” Shea said. Telecommunications Facility Interested persons are invited to comment on the wireless telecommunications modification project proposed near E State St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 (42° 38’ 28.18" N, 85° 16’ 11.53” W), with respect to impacts on, and specifically, the potential effects to historic properties located at or near this facility, if any. The project will consist of installing a 300’ self-support tower (overall height 320’) within a new 70’x70’ compound. A 454’ access road and turnaround is proposed from E State St. Comments regarding potential effects to historic properties should be submitted by email to Mr. Andrew Fleming at 8610 Washington Boulevard, Suite 217, Jessup, MD 20794, (301) 776-0500, or afleming@aec-env. com. This notice is provided in accordance with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, 47 C.F.R. Part 1, Subpart I and Appendices B. �Page 6 — Thursday. May 11. 2023 — The Hastings Banner r/ Dorothy Marie Higdon Renee Louise Stockham Renee Louise Stockham, age 69, of Hastings, MI passed away on May 8,2023, at her home. r Renee was bom on April 6, 1954, the daughter of Robert and Louise (Maurer) Stockham. She was a 1972 graduate of Hast­ ings High School. Renee worked for Con­ sumers Energy, retiring after many years. Renee loved walking on the farm and spoiling her grandsons, grand nieces and nephew. She took special care of Jerry and enjoyed fishing and watching NASCAR with him. She was a member of the Moose Lodge. Renee loved to travel and had a long list of places she had visited. Renee was preceded in death by her par­ ents and her nephew, Jack Rodriguez. She is survived by her brother, Stan (Jody) I Stockham; sister, Sue (Mike) Stehr, and her life partner, Jerry Tobias. Memorial contributions in memory of Renee can be made to the Delton Moose Lodge, 5420 Mooselodge Dr, Delton, MI 49046, or a charity of your choice. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11,2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Girrbach Funer­ al Home. Renee’s Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 11 a.m. with an additional visitation one hour prior to her service at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. Interment at Hastings Township Cemetery with a Lun­ cheon to follow at the Hastings Elks Lodge, 102 'E Woodlawn Ave, Hastings, MI 49058?'Akrangmemte^byHSinbaCh^Funeral Home; To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. Dorothy (Dottie) Marie Higdon, age 63, of Cedar Creek, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully passing at home, with her husband at her side, in the early morning hours on May 5, 2023. Dottie was bom to the late Ron and Delores Tilley on Aug. 24, 1959. At the age of 18 she met Jim Higdon to whom she married three years later on Feb. 11, 1981 and had just cel­ ebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. Dot­ tie quit working and remained home to raise their three boys. Dottie love puppy dogs, crocheting, the outdoors (camping, swimming and garden­ ing), and Chinese food. Her passions in life were her faith and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ron and Delores Tilley. She is survived by her husband, Jim Hig­ don; her brother, Terry Tilley; and sisters, Barb Livingston, and Lori Coe. She is also survived by her children, A.J. (Holly) Higdon of DePere, WI, Ron Higdon of Cedar Creek; grandchildren, Josh, Dayquana, Jayden, Ash­ ley, and Brandon, with many loving nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be conducted by Pastor Jeff Worden Jr. at Hickory Comers Bible Church, located at 13720 Kellogg School Road, Hickory Comers on Friday, May 19, 2023 at noon, Luncheon to follow located in church hall. 1 * Worship Together Judy Ann Brown (Hunter) Judy Ann Brown (Hunter), age 80, of Luther (formerly Hastings), went to be with the Lord on April 13/2023. Judy unexpected­ ly passed away at home in her sleep. She was bom to the late Jess and Effie Hunter, March 17, 1943, in St. Louis, MO. Judy is preceded in death by her husband, Cleon Brown Sr.; son, Brian Brown; daugh­ ters, April Brown and Robin Wall (Brown); brothers, Bob Hunter, Joseph Hunter, Don Hunter, and sister, Carolyn Smith. Judy is survived by her children, Dewey (Cindy) Price, Mike (Isabella) Price, Cleon (Bobbie) Brown Jr., Rhonda (Jason) Cook, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed reading her bible, studying her family ancestry, playing bingo and spend­ ing time with her family. Judy was immense­ ly proud of her family and leaves behind beautiful memories. She was deeply loved and will be terribly missed. TV T ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269945-9121. Email hastfmc@ smail.com. Website: www. hastinssfreemethodist.com Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze!. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 ajn. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-9454246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH - CORRECTIONDaniel J. Pattinson of Battle Creek, MI slipped away peacefully into his eternal rest on Jan. 11, 2023 with family by his side. Graveside services will take place at the Hastings Township Cemetery on May 13, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. followed by a luncheon at the U.A.W. in Hastings. 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-9480900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. Grace Tarbet will be clebrating her 99th birthday on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Thornapple Manor, 2700 Nashville Rd., Hastings, MI 49058. Sending birthday cards would be greatly appreciated. tcenj&f Products 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301 W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Mt pa?5 9* Odelia Elaine Garlock The Ionia County Genealogical Society ^illjpe,et,Qn Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m. at the museum on Emerson Street. The speaker will be Christy Erickson, a local, whose topic wilt be the new graves program, an enhancement of Find-A-Grave. There will be library time following the meeting. Visitors are welcome. At Central UM Church on Sunday the emphasis was on church camps, with the pas­ tor’s sermon directly recalling camp experi­ ences and the personal growth and revela­ tions which come from the different location and emphasis. The coffee hour had camp food with hot dogs, dips, desserts and more such as would be served in a camp setting. The weekend marked the annual Spring Into the Past project of the Tri River Muse­ um group with about 30 museums in this area open for visitors with the emphasis on food, its preparation, how we grew it and how we cooked it. The local museum on Emerson Street had many visitors who were surprised to see the multitude of treasures stored within the walls of the two buildings. There are displays of farming life, of house­ hold items, automotive gadgets, clothing, military uniforms, furniture, many railroad items (including sections of curved tracks found in a nearby woodlot), books and pho­ tos. Some photos recently donated had no names or any sort of identification but one visitor knew all the people. Now the photos have far more meaning with the names attached. Many visitors were surprised to see many pieces related to the prisoner of war camp which was in Lake Odessa in 1945. Among the visitors were local resi­ dents who had never been inside the build­ ings. Each participating museum had on hand a supply of the 2023 directory with its map pinpointing every museum in the mem­ bership. This involves several counties, spanning from Lakeview to Byron Center and from Eaton Rapids to Rockford. Face- Grace Tarbet to celebrate 99th birthday This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches _____ and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 Maureen “Peeka Mo” Elizabeth Knorp passed away May 3, 2023, at the age of 62 in Grand Rapids, MI. Maureen was bom February 23, 1961, the daughter of Cor­ nelius Joseph and Marjorie Ann Ahearn (Bums), in Menominee, MI. Maureen graduated from Hastings High School in 1979. On August 7,1982, she mar­ ried Russell Knorp at St. Rose of Lima Church, in Hastings. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Psychology in 1983. She worked at vari­ ous healthcare systems in Dallas, TX, and as a medical social worker at Corewell Health, Grand Rapids, where she leaves behind many dear friends and coworkers. Maureen was a fiercely loyal and thought­ ful wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. She loved taking long walks in the sun and working in her garden. She was immensely proud of her work and her family. Maureen was prone to giggle fits, and she loved to crack a cold beer with complete disregard for the time of day. To say she will be great­ ly missed is a colossal understatement. Maureen was preceded in death by her sister, Kathleen Knudsen and her father. Maureen is survived by her husban, Rus­ sell; her son, Daniel (Sierrah) Knorp of Aurora, CO; her daughter, Natalie Burger (Ryan) of White Bluff, TN; sisters, Alice (Jeff) Morrill, Jean Ahearn; brothers, Cori (Brenda), Dan (Cathy), Patrick (Michelle}; and Shawn, many nieces and nephews, and her beloved granddaughter, Magorie Char­ lotte Knorp. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Barry County Animal Shelter, 540 North Industrial Park Dr, Hastings, MI 49058, of Butterworth Hospital’s Renucci Hospitality House, https://give.spectrumhealth.org/renucci/donate. Memorial Service was held Wednesday, May 10,2023, at Girrbach Funeral Home 328 South Broadway Street, Hastings, MI 49058'. To leave online condolences visit www.giiTbachfimeralhome.net. ■.■km • • Daniel J. Pattinson nh iPsiha** 3rb to fW Maureen Elizabeth Knorp Jill Ann Hall, Dowling and Ray Wil­ liam McKay, Dowling Annemarie Treanor, Bellevue and Ber­ nard James Spalsbury, Bellevue Taylor Marie Ferguson,:Hickory Cor­ ners and Jakob Lujan Frederick, Hickory Corners Scott Allen Rehberg, Middleville and Samantha Marie RU|Z/ Middleville book views of Saturday visits brought more visitors on Sunday. The garden center is open on M-50 with tons of-fertilizer, potting: ifioil,- black dirt, manure **an3manyTe3d’lngp?aritk,Asplayed outside besides rows upon rows of plants aha hanging baskets inside. This will be a busy place for the next month and then not quite so busy in the following weeks. With lengthy hours, the place is available for purchases almost from sunrise to sundown. We welcome our friends who have recently arrived from Florida, Arizona and Texas. Many of them make the multi-day drive home but some of them have given up on the long drives and make use of plane schedules to fly home. One set of neighbors fly on dif­ ferent days so one spouse can get the house open and make sure all the pipes are working before the second spouse arrives. Thanks to a great number of helpers, the Sunday project of the VFW to mount small flags at Lakeside Cemetery was accom­ plished in record time. There was a variety of helpers, far beyond the membership of veter­ ans. Now the cemetery is colorful with the flags in place. Facebook brought out the great group of volunteers. The Hosford house project of the local historical society is moving ahead with work­ men on the job daily. The exterior had been done many months ago but now the interior is a project in work. Drywall has been finished and some of the woodwork, in authentic style. In contrast to today’s houses, the rooms were small. How did a family fit into such a small space? Mr. Hosford was known to be a member of the Masonic lodge. His wife was a member of the Tupper family, one of the first settlers in Odessa Township. We keep finding references to this family. The house was built on Third Avenue and moved to the depot property when Central UM Church bought two houses on Third Avenue to create a parking lot for the church. Your personal my Social Security account is for every stage in your career Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Your personal my Social Security account is here for you at every stage of your career. You don’t have to be retired or even close to retirement to take advantage of it. With an account, you can conduct much of your Social Security business online. For exam­ ple, you can request a replacement Social Security card whether you receive benefits or not. If you are not currently receiving benefits, you can use your personal my Social Security account to: • Review your earnings history. • Estimate your future benefits to help plan for retirement. • Get instant proof that you do not receive benefits. • Check the status of your Social Security application, if you decide to apply for bene­ fits. If you already receive Social Security ben­ efits, use your account to: • Change your address. • Get instant proof that you receive bene­ fits. • Set up or change your direct deposit. • Get an instant copy of your Social Secu­ rity 1099 (SSA-1099) or SSA-1042S. • Opt out of receiving certain notices by mail and instead receive them in the secure Message Center. Anyone can make a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ ist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp HE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. ytyivillte} Coty M i* ■ *S. & 51 •1• �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 11,2023 — Page 7 Cyclone prompts idea for ‘Windstorm’ JF' Company is now organized on a state-wide basis M.L. Cook Banner Oct 9, 1941 The beautiful, stately two-story brick building on the southwest comer of Broad­ way and State, with its fine setting, impresses one as a well-planned, well-built structure. That impression will be increased if one will visit the convenient, well-appointed rooms where officers supervise a big busi­ ness, represented by $918,665,761 of insur­ ance and 747 agents in the field. There are also the work rooms, where a busy clerical force looks after the details; there are also preserved the priceless records. THE ‘HASTINGS COMPANY’ This building and the lot are now carried on the books at $30,782. But it would take more than $200,000 to duplicate it with its furnishings and equipment at present day costs of labor and materials. This is the home of the Michigan Mutual Windstorm Insur­ ance company, the largest of its kind in this state, and the second largest in the United States. This company now has $918,665,761 of insurance, all of which, under the mutual plan, becomes its assessable capital. It paid losses during 1955 of $562,431. After paying these in full, the company had more than $4,815,000 and securities on hand. It is now collecting its regular yearly assessment of 15 cents on each $100.00 of insurance. Its receipts from this company made the Hastings post office an office of the first class. Outside of Barry County, it is often referred to as the “Hastings Company,” and this city can hardly complain about that, you will admit. And this question naturally fol­ lows: “How did Hastings get it?” The writer believes he is in a position to answer that query, for he was in on the birth of this com­ pany, and can speak with some authority on that subject MR. ROGER’S IDEA Usually, there is some one person who is largely responsible for launching such an enterprise. That was true in this case, and his name was Daniel Webster Rogers, though everyone called him Wed, and he stood for it. He was bom in Carlton Township and lived on a farm until he moved to Hastings in 1876 after he was elected secretary of the Barry & Eaton First Insurance company. The Windstorm Co. was first an idea that came to D.W. Rogers while he was acting as secretary of the Barry & Eaton Mutual Fire Insurance company. It was bom in his office, which was the rear room upstairs, over what was then known as Grant’s store, now occu­ pied by Beverwyk’s Paint & Wallpaper store at 237 W. State. The front offices upstairs were, after January 1,1877, the probate office of Barry County. Clement Smith was elected probate judge in 1876, re-elected in 1880. When his term expired Dec. 31, 1884, Judge Smith continued his law office in the same place for a time. Before his election as probate judge, Mr. Smith had practiced law in Nashville for sev­ eral years. While living there, he was made the secretary of the Barry & Eaton Fire Insur­ ance company and was a very successful officer. He was a worker, very methodical, accurate, and knew all the details of that com­ pany’s business. Judge Smith and his succes­ sor, D.W. Rogers, were warm personal friends. Mr. Rogers, who had always lived on a farm, had much to learn about this new office. He naturally and wisely secured an office next to Judge Smith’s, where he could consult him about the details, which he later mastered thoroughly. PROPERTY DESTROYED How did Mr. Rogers come to think of start­ ing a windstorm insurance company? There were two very good reasons; for two cyclones visited Barry and Eaton counties, the first early in October 1880, and the second in March 1882. Both destroyed much property and livestock in the two counties. The losers had to stand all their losses, paying the cost of new buildings and other destroyed property out of their own pockets. It was a severe blow to many of them. It was natural that the secre­ tary of a mutual company would think there should be a mutual company to insure proper­ ty owners against windstorm losses. But D.W. Rogers not only thought about it, as probably others did, but he did something about it. First, Mr. Rogers looked up the insurance laws of Michigan and then found that there was no law then that would permit a mutual windstorm company to operate in that state. He knew that Iowa had many more cyclones than Michigan, so he got in touch with its insurance department and learned that Iowa had a mutual cyclone insurance company. He secured copies of its incorporation, charter, by-laws, also of its policies, applications and other blanks. Mr. Rogers was a man who took time to think over any matter he deemed of importance. He did not rush this one but thought it through. When he believed he had given his plans for starting such a company in Michigan the consideration they merited, he next consulted Judge Smith and outlined his plans. His lawyer friend gave valuable aid in framing a law that would permit mutual wind­ storm insurance in this state, also in shaping a charter, by-laws, policies, and the other blanks needed to launch this new type of mutual insurance in Michigan. The two kept the mat­ ter “under their hats” for a long time, for they wished to have the new company started right and to be the first one in this state. SUPPLEMENT SALARIES E- • *’!*s«*r>j /W«r {2 l^a>g ^k,s**«** Shinto it Pitaiootlidtai; ^hHoagi^n^ ’Bfc^ap& fctatID REdon The Hastings office of the Michigan Mutual Windstorm Insurance Co. Today, the building is known as the Barry County Friend of the Court building. ■■Rpaiibmi fcm'toifc rod fe Ffiida, Aim eI h £?&&&■&$ ■vrttaasttnoR tet'Mifabt|m0 in i wad it re :iz: ex tetanxM^sitt ( bvhiatffeBl^ 'oiBtOssaofi^oisSjtf ■fctaiarfWIwN* few(xraKca]«tBB IB fegStiri W*'* feW^on tobfeW was m 55?* ■ * I *B *s,tkxhin& nitoad I W^ksBwWta! ***2*^^”° I j^JOlltW1006 ks5**C ” - - .CfT) ■** ‘ J ;^4eh* aXftt j5^* »&** ^gjr &'*<•J v < J* \r •r •%/^C *y (\sk Doctor ■ Universe After having made thorough preparations for the launching of this new enterprise, the next step was the actual start. Mr. Rogers had planned to use the same personnel as the Barry & Eaton for officers and a majority of the directors. His reasons for so doing were that they were .good men, thoroughly sold on mutual insurance, and were well-known in the two counties where they would begin actual work in selling this new (in Michigan) type of insurance. He also realized that it would take several years for the new compa­ ny to secure enough insurance to pay reason­ able salaries. What little the new company could pay on the start would add something to what they were getting from the Barry & Eaton; so they would feel that they could afford to work for the new company. This would keep the salary expense on the start at the minimum, which was very desirable. So it was agreed among the charter members nearly all of whom were from Barry and Eaton counties - that Selah W. Maps and C.E. Chappell of Eaton County and D.W. Rogers of Barry County, who were president, treasur- I fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner Turning BflGK THE PAGES er and secretary of the Barry & Eaton, would hold the same offices in the new company. Sixty persons were charter members of the “Michigan Mutual Tornado and Wind­ storm Insurance company.” Of these, 31 were from Barry County, one each from Allegan and Ionia, and the others were Eaton County men. Of the Barry County signers of that document 56 years ago, M.L. Cook was the last to survive. CHARTERED IN 1885 The charter was granted by the state April 5, 1885. Progress was slow for a few years. Then the business grew rapidly, especially in years when twisters invaded Michigan. Pres­ idents and treasurers ofthe company changed, but Secretary Rogers continued in that office for 33 years. It was felt that his work in start­ ing the company deserved that consideration. The company built its first office building at the comer of Center and Jefferson streets. The business thereafter grew more rapidly than the officers seemed able to handle it. It really grew away from them. Mr. Rogers was well along in years when he ended his work as secretary. He is given credit for founding the company, and for the business policies that had made it a big concern when he relin­ quished his secretaryship. A valued document at the Windstorm office is the third policy issued by the compa­ ny, on April 7, 1885, to Henry N. Bowman, of Johnstown, for $2,675. This policy was taken up when the form and coverage were changed. Fortunately, it was preserved and is now a prized relic of the earliest days of the compa­ ny’s history. IMPROVED PROCEDURES Many changes and marked improvements in carrying on the business of this wide­ ly-known company have been made in recent years. Not the least is the manner of the election of the company’s executive officers president, secretary and treasurer. For several years these officers were not members of the board of directors, and were elected on the town-meeting plan - that is, all the poli­ cy-holders who desired to vote, had to come to Hastings to cast their ballots for the officers and directors. Barry and Eaton counties could thus control the elections, for they were near­ by. I have seen people brought here by train­ load (there were no autos then) from Eaton Rapids, Charlotte, Nashville, Caledonia, Mid­ dleville, also from Cloverdale, Woodland and Delton to vote at these elections. That was too much like politics. So it changed so that voting could be done by proxies - which gave policy holders all over the state a chance to be represented. Formerly the executive officers were always from. Barry and Eaton counties. Now, the officers are chosen by and from the board of directors^ as is true of business corporations, and are responsible to the board. The present officers are Harrison Dodds, president, who now. resides here, but came from West Branch; Robert E. Stanley, secretary-treasurer, whose home is now in Hastings, but who lived in Indian River before coming here, and V.P. Mott, vice-president, who lived in Hickory Comers for 18 years and Prairieville for four years and in Scottville at the time he moved* to Hastings last November. REPRESENT MICHIGAN The fifteen present board members came from various sections of Michigan including. Oceana, Ogemaw, Mecosta, Ottawa, Gratiot, Shiawassee, Ingham and Barry counties. ; Changes and improvements have been made in the methods of carrying on the busi­ ness of this company. It was well organized and is conducted on the same sound business, principles, whose worth and successful oper­ ation have been proven in leading corpora-, tions in other fields. The company has grown; from $100,000 of insurance to $900,000,000 and is heading for the billion-dollar. mark. It is helpful to th'er^tate ,ahd'tbfriisfcityito^have such a company. The credit for starting it, and shaping its policies until it was nearing the, $100,000,000 mark belongs to D.W. Rogers. Those who remember Mr. Rogers will* recall him as a quiet, modest, unassuming* man who thought before he spoke or acted,’ who wanted tg be sure as he could that what he did was'the right thing to do and was a; man of character and executive ability. Aside from his work in the insurance field,* Mr. Rogers served Hastings as aiderman and* mayor and was always interested in the prog-; ress and prosperity of this city. All whoj appreciate the benefits the Windstorm Co? confers upon Hastings will be thankful thathe not only thought of starting such a compa­ ny but insisted on establishing it in Hastings." A bug’s life Do insects have blood in their bodies? Raman, 7, Wash. Dear Raman, You probably don’t look like an insect. You don’t have feelers or wings. You keep your skeleton inside your body instead of on the outside. But what about blood? Do insects have blood like yours? I talked about this with my friend Rich­ ard Zack He’s an entomologist at Wash­ ington State University. “Insects have hemolymph,” he said. “It’s very similar to blood. Zack told me hemolymph moves differ­ ently through the body, and it doesn’t do everything blood does. Humans and other mammals have closed circulatory systems. That means their blood travels in blood vessels. A heart pumps the blood all over the body, and it moves through a network of blood vessels to get there. As it moves through the body, blood carries things with it. It carries chemical messages called hormones. It carries nutri­ ents. If you get hurt, it carries cells that repair wounds. If germs get into your body, immune cells travel in the blood to fight the germs, so you don’t get sick. Insects have open circulatory systems. They don’t have any blood vessels. Their hemolymph just sloshes around in their bodies. They have a heart, but it’s not like yours. It’s one long tube along the insect’s back. This tube pulls in some of the hemo­ lymph as it sloshes around and pushes it to the front of the insect. There, the hemolymph can pick up hor­ mones and other stuff from the insect’s brain. It carries those things with it as it flows freely back through the insect’s body. Hemolymph carries hormones, nutri­ ents, and cells for wound repair and germ-fighting-just like human blood does. But human blood does one more thing. Blood contains a protein called hemoglo­ bin. That protein grabs on to oxygen from the lungs. It carries the oxygen through the network of blood vessels and delivers it to your cells. Hemoglobin contains iron. It’s red-and that’s why human blood is red. Hemolymph doesn’t contain hemoglo­ bin. It doesn’t carry oxygen at all. Instead, insects send oxygen to their cells through tiny air tubes. Insects have openings on each side of their bodiescalled spiracles. They open these spiracles to let in air. Each spiracle is linked to a network of air tubes. Oxygen moves through these tubes to get to each cell in the insect’s body. Since they don’t have iron-rich hemoglo­ bin, hemolymph isn’t red like human blood. Hemolymph contains lots of copper. So, hemolymph is blue green. But that color can change depending on what the insect eats. “The functions of hemolymph and blood are almost exactly the same,” Zack said. “Except for this one biggie: Insect blood doesn’t move oxygen. That’s a whole dif­ ferent system in insects. But when you think of all the other things that blood does-moves messages through the body, moves nutrients, heals wounds-hemolymph does the same things.” It turns out you have a lot in common with insects after all. A drayload of statements being hauled away from the first Windstorm Co. office building on South Jefferson. The company soon outgrew these quarters. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Thursday, May 11 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches the 1948 film “Romance on the High Seas,” 5 p.m. Friday, May 12 - Science Story Time: Shellebration with special guest Watermelon, 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 15 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m.; Working with Stained Glass: Restore it or Create it, a Journey of Glass, 6:30 p.m. , Wednesday, May 17 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; writerst night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calk ing the library, 269-945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday. May 11,2023 — The Hastings Banner From left, John Trantham of Battle Creek Glass Works and a DKHS graduate; Todd Champion of The Christman Company and DKHS graduate; Wayne Compton of The Christman Company; DK Superintendent Dr. .Herman Lartigue; Dawson Fomer of The Christman Company; Elementary Principal Karmin Bourdo; Superintendent Secretary Michelle Green; Board of Education President Kelli Martin; 2022 board member Sarah Austin and 2022 board membdr Rodney Dye. Thomapple Kellogg High School senior Mia Dickman (center) is seen here with her parents Holli (left) and Jeff (right). United Way names TKHS senior Youth Volunteer of the Year Mia Dickman has sorted rooms filled with toys to give away at Christmas, planned the annual roof sit to raise funds for a community organization, hauled wheelbarrows full of mulch to spread at YMCA Camp Algonquin and helped teach younger students about philanthropy. And that’s just the short list of her many volunteer efforts. The Thomapple Kellogg High School ^senior has a heart and passion for helping others and helping make her community a better place is what earned her the Barry County United Way Youth Volunteer of the Year award. . Dickman said she was shocked when her name (vas called fbr the hoiior. “It just makes you feel good to do some­ thing to help someone else,” she said. “It has ' never been about getting an honor or recogni­ tion and it never will be. I do it because I want to leave an impact on my community and help make a difference.” She credits her parents, Holli and Jeff, for instilling a desire to help others. ■ “They raised me to always give back and Ito help where I can. I also have an older .brother (Sam) who I always looked up to. He really inspired me to be involved and I just •always wanted to be as involved in things as he was.” Dickman has been a member of the Youth Advisory Council of the Barry Community Foundation since she was in eighth grade. She served as president this year and last year as the grant chairperson. In addition to being in YAC, she is a mem­ ber of the TKHS National Honor Society, student council and teacher cadet program. Her high school activities include being in musicals, honors choir, mental wellness club, Young Life, Close Up trip to Washington D.C., student section leader, and Kent ISD student leadership. “It’s been fun and a great four years,” Dickman said. “I’ve been really involved and able to meet so many people I wouldn’t oth­ erwise get to know.” Of all her volunteer efforts, Dickman said the annual Barry County toy drive is probably her favorite. “It’s just amazing to see all the toys and clothing donated to help families,” she said. “We go through and help sort it all out and you know you are just helping in a small way for some kid out there to have something for the holidays - some family who can’t afford gifts. It’s eye-opening for me. It makes me feel good to be able to help because I know it will make the kids feel good.” With her passion for helping others, Dick­ man plans to attend Hope College next year to study to become a child life specialist and work in a hospital setting. SET IN STONE: Time capsule set in brick at new Delton elementary Karen Thrko-Ebright Contributing Writer Sealing the lid that will withstand numer­ ous decades on the 2023 time capsule in the new elementary school building marked an epoch in the history of the Delton Kellogg Schools District. The monumental moment happened quick­ ly, too. Delton Kellogg School Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue said he was notified Friday around 5 p.m. that the construction team and workers were ready for the time capsule installation. With short notice, some phone calls and emails went out, resulting in a group of about 20, including some construction workers, office staff and school principals showing up Monday morning at the construction site of the new elementary school. All who attended were excited to watch the lid sealed on the time capsule and then placed in a hqllowed-out opening in a brick wall. Once the keystone arrives - as it is expected to this toteek yet - it Will cover the time capsule. “It’s a new chapter for our school district, town and community,” said Lartigue. “We could not get everybody here that we wanted to, and that’s been difficult - it’s still a construction site. But we were able to get some folks here that were pivotal in moving this forward.” Among the group was former school board member Rodney Dye, who was responsible for fabricating the copper time capsule. While serving the school board, Dye recalled discussing a future time capsule for the new elementary school. He said the school board wanted a copper box like the one discovered behind the key­ stone in the old elementary school, which was built in 1936. “When I was on the school board at the time, they were looking for another box similar to what was in the first time,” said Dye' referring to the old capsule. “We wanted to replicate that one - it was locally made,” Dye explained. So, when it came time, he went to work and constructed his copper box. After six weeks, the product was complete and measured 16 inches long, seven inches wide, and 10 inches high. On the inside of the box lid, an engraving read: “American Preci­ sion 3D 5 Axis CNC Machining & Custom Tools, Rodney Dye.” Dye owns and manages American Preci­ sion in Delton. “So, for historical purposes, I can see where I won’t be alive for it, but generations will look back at that and say this is what they did,” Dye said. “So, historically, I think it’s pretty cool.” With limited space inside the time capsule, school officials managed to pack many items inside, including some of the following: - 2022 school yearbook - A flash drive of photos - Rotary club coin - Hastings Banner newspaper clippings - A video on a flash drive of the old time capsule - Construction update articles and docu­ ments - A 2022 graduation program - A 2022 homecoming program - 2022-23 DK schools personnel directory - Information on the Delton Rotary Club - DK newsletter - Barry County phone book - Photos of area businesses and the U.S. Post Office - A letter from Lartigue I , Kelli Martin attended the time capsule installation. Martin has been on the DK school board for 10 years and was named president earlier this year. ; “It’s very exciting because this has been in the works for years,” said Martin, about the time capsule. ; Assistant high school principal, athletic director and coach of the girls’ varsity basket­ ball team, Mike Mohn, was among those who attended the time capsule event. Mohn enjoyed watching the time capsule be sealed and installed. He graduated from Delton High School in 1980. His mother and aunt graduat­ ed from Delton, too, along with many friends. According to school officials, the new ele­ mentary school will be finished sometime at the end of December or in January. ; “I can’t thank everybody enough for their hard work,” Lartigue told the Banner and then named a list of several people he wanted to thank. That list included Dye for construct­ ing the time capsule, the construction team at Christman Company along with its project engineer Dawson Fomer and project manager Todd Champion. Lartigue said that Champion graduated from Delton in 2004. Lartigue notified the school principals of the time capsule installation and said they donated items to the and thanked the Delton Rotary Club for donating. “It’s just amazing and a testament to Delton Kellogg and its longevity going towards the future. I think it’s great. It’s really important for us.” “I let quite a few people from the commu­ nity know as well,” said Lartigue referring to the time capsule installation. “But we just found out Friday at about 5 p.m. that they would do it today.” CORRECTION: (Reminder 5/6/23 ad incorrect) - Hastings Area ~ GARAGE SALES May 19-20-21 Wfen calling to place your classifieds, please indicate which section ofHastings you are in. A copper time capsule was wrapped then coated with an insu­ late and placed inside the new Delton Elementary School, which is still under construction. Soon, it will be covered by a keystone. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) From left, Delton Kellogg Schools Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue, project engineer Dawson Fomer and Rodney Dye get ready to seal the time capsule before it is placed in a hollowed opening in the new elementary school building. CITY WAGE, continued from page 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nottley recommended using a nine-step pay scale, with each “graded” role receiving its own salary range. The scale represented a 25 percent raise from step one on the scale to the final, ninth ste'p. Raises could then be doled out uniformly to each role based on seniority, performance or a mixture of both, •Nottley said. If the city were to move to such a system, Nottley provided figures for what it would cost to provide a raise to each of the city’s 19 roles that would move them to the nearest .st?p” of the proposed nine-step scale. Including the $16,121 raise for the six city employee roles below the minimum recom- Salary’ the total cost would be j>Zo,o74. Raises for employees outside of the six that fell below the minimum recommended amount were much lower on average. A $1,750 raise for the city manager was the highest of these recommended raises. The lowest proposed raise for the city’s deputy police chief was just $37. Although the study found few major pay discrepancies at the city, City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said the information provided on how to implement a step-based pay scale was still hugely useful. ‘ One of the reasons why I really wanted to do this study was because we didn’t have a step system or have any good way to advance people through any kind of wage increase and make sure that it was fair, both internally with other positions (at the city) as well as being market rate with what other people are pay­ ing,” Moyer-Cale said. “I think this gives us the data to implement something that we can really use more effectively.” Councilman Al Jarvis said the study’s rec­ ommended pay ranges came in closer to what the city was already offering than he antici­ pated. “I guess I was kind of surprised that we weren’t as far off as I thought we were going to be,” Jarvis said. “I was pleasantly surprised,” Moyer-Caje said. “There’s a few positions that are pretty significantly lower (than recommended by the study), but for the most part a lot of the positions were very similar.” SWadiiih utiGoMfldBBpi faluiinBni �Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street Hastings Ml 49058 The Hastings ANNER JC’wn Thursday, May 11,2023 Vikings take over GLAC lead at Centennial Acres Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity boys’ golf team took over sole possession of first place in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference with a victory in the conference jamboree hosted by Maple Valley on the Sunrise nine at Centen­ nial Acres in Sunfield Thursday afternoon. The Vikings were 14 strokes better than the Olivet team they entered the day tied with atop the league standings - 167-181. Leslie . WF< «% MM'* HiX? “ CM. sZ?* ^*»»L J**w2*bfc t ,?>* *>&k “*p^t bb iw SPORTS SECTION ** s*1** ~ 1 <1X1^ “■nia* ’a^’ »* *■**> *S* ts^s Bts^j ’®*W * ‘Itodfai h»Dtei»i • ^aaiioi^: ■^■^fatffcillut riF«ifcte ~fahUuipte rich ri ic? BfavaM n Iflforhny Yipatriitaffisih I^illarorigimh -BlWK^p«ltaii)' kihrijniftisBjnpn -H2tt®ihcRoQnClii fri’ -Insltv l^ih^feilietiE -AX2ndnDaMi!) ir*w ■t«3tr -totajftekii -ta«fitite»srsandikUS. kw**^ „ -.tetaliB Whfcjjitw ** Lakewood's Owen Richmond fires a shot towards the green on number seven during the GLAC Jamboree hosted by Maple Valley on the Sunrise nine at Centennial Acres in Sunfield Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK girls bounce back from their first OK Gold Conference defeat Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans bounced back from their first OK Gold Conference defeat to score a 2-1 victory at Grand Rapids Catholic Central to close the conference regular season Wednesday. Thomapple Kellogg’s varsity girls’ soc­ cer team will be the number two seed in the upcoming conference tournament behind only the 6-0-1 South Christian team which rallied for a 2-2 draw in Middleville earlier this season. The Trojans expect to host Ottawa Hills to open the conference tour­ nament May 15. TK was 5-1-1 in the conference this spring, with the lone loss coming at Cedar Springs last Monday. Holly Veiling and Peyton Pratt scored TK’s first two goals as the Trojans built a 2-0 lead at Catholic Central last Wednesday. TK co-head coach Caleb Sleeman said his girls played well and had chances to pushed the lead to three throughout the evening. Catholic Central scored its lone goal with less than two minutes remaining. “Honestly, this year the conference has been really evenly spread amongst the top five teams with anyone capable of beating anyone and a lot of really close results,” Sleeman said. “It’s unfortunate that we slipped up on Monday, but the girls had a nice bounce back performance Wednesday and we have two non-conference games to go ... We definitely seem to be improving individually and as a team as the season wears on, and the goal will be to continue that as we head into conference tournament play and ultimately district play.” TK is now 10-3-1 overall this season. The Trojans scored a 2-1 non-conference win at Hopkins Friday, May 5, and fol­ lowed that up with a 4-2 win at Zeeland East Monday. HHS girls unbeaten in first four Interstate-8 varsity soccer games Brett Bremer «*»?' .S< r1 j*5 A >r!rc// vfcHyto Sports Editor The Hastings varsity girls’ soccer team remained unbeaten in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference heading into a big conference showdown at Harper Creek Wednesday eve­ ning, May 10. The Saxons got off to a 2-0-2 conference start outscoring Northwest 3-0 at Pierce Field in Hastings Friday. “Their defense held strong through the first half. We had several breakthroughs and shots on net but no scores. Finally in the second half we were able to score on a free kick and follow-up and from that point on continued to add more scores on the shots we were tak­ ing,” Hastings head coach Tim Schoessel said of the contest with the Mounties. Lauren Lamphere scored the opening goal for the Saxons, off a kick from teammate Bri Darling. Lamphere added a second goal and Dez Mathis also scored for Hastings. Saxon keeper saved all six shots that came at her net. The Saxons had just finished in a 1-1 draw with conference foe Jackson Lumen Christi two days prior, in Jackson. Hastings got a goal from Raegen Morrison, off a Lamphere assist, in the first five minutes and held that 1-0 lead through the first half. The Titans were awarded a penalty kick late in the second half which they converted on to even the score. “Both teams had several good looks at the net but neither one could score,” Schoessel said of the game’s final minutes. “Both goal­ keepers were fantastic in this game.” Bough had nine saves for the Saxons. Hastings followed up those two conference contests with an 8-0 non-conference win in the rain Monday at Ottawa Hills. Coach Schoessel said it took a while for his girls to get moving on the cool, wet night. Hastings led 5-0 at the half and then finished off the Bengals with more pressure throughout the first 15 minutes of the second half. Lamphere had there goals and an assist. Morrison and Mathis both scored two goals. Darling scored once. Tina Arias, Alyson Mill­ er and Mathis added assists as well. Blough saved all three Bengal shots on goal. The Saxons continue the conference sea­ son at home against Parma Western Friday and then will be on the road at Marshall Wednesday, May 17. Marshall and Harper Creek both entered this week at 3-0-1 in 1-8 contests this season. placed third with a score of 183 ahead of Perry 189, Stockbridge 201, Lansing Chris­ tian 220 and Maple Valley 242. Lakewood seniors Owen Richmond and Drew Marquoit tied Olivet senior Jaycob Delong for the day’s medalist honors. They each shot a 40. Richmond closed his round with four straight pars on seven, eight, nine and one. Marquoit had an up and down outing. He chipped in for a birdie on number six, from about 30 feet away, to keep himself among the leaders. Lakewood also got a 42 from freshman Dane Webb and a 45 from junior Chris Webb. Maple Valley was led by junior Diesel Cur­ tis who shot a 56. The Lion team also got a 60 from Evan Fisher, a 62 from Alex Graham and a 64 from Chris Mock. Senior Dawson Redfield fired a 40 for the Olivet team and teammates Alex Weaver and Ezra Dexter both shot a 49. Leslie was led by sophomores Logan Douglas and Drake Mays who both scored 44’s. The Vikings weren’t on top as the confer­ ence got together again at Hankerd Hills Tuesday, but they held onto their top spot with an outstanding afternoon. Perry won the jamboree hosted by Stockbridge with a score of 175. Lakewood shot a 176, Olivet 177, Leslie 183, Stockbridge 196 and Lansing Christian 220. The top four Viking scorers all tied for fifth overall on the day with scores of 44: Rich­ mond, Mazurek, Marquoit and junior Noah Thom, i Sophomore David Jenks led Perry to the win with a score of 40 and his senior team­ mate Keaton Lantis was second with a 43. That 43 was matched by Olivet’s Redfield and Levi Browning. The Eagles also got a 44 from Delong. Leslie sophomore Austin Lakewood's Sam Mazurek shoots his . Boertman shot a 44 too. Maple Valley got a 55 from’Curtis, a 63 ball towards the number seven green on from Mock, a 70 from Graham and a 78 from the Sunrise nine at Centennial Acres Thursday during the GLAC jamboree Dakota Martin. Olivet will host a GLAC jamboree today, hosted by Maple Valley. (Photo by Brett Bremer) May 11. Lakewood heads to the Permfield Maple Valley sophomore Evan Fisher tries to coax his putt into the hole on the number six green on the Sunrise nine at Centennial Acres Golf Course in Sunfield Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Ryder Cup the next day, May 12. In between the two conference show­ downs, the Vikings were edged 179-184 by Portland in a non-conference dual at Centen­ nial Acres Monday. .. Lakewood got 43’s from Mazurek and Richmond, a 48 from Thom and a 50 from William Grant. Portland was paced by a 38 from senior Isaac Honsowitz. Win over Clippers clinches SAC Central title for DK boys Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ track and field team wrapped up the Southwestern Ath­ letic Conference Central Division champion­ ship with an undefeated run through the con­ ference duals that concluded Monday with a 95-42 win at Martin. The Delton Kellogg boys were a perfect 5-0 in SAC Central duals this spring and won 13 of the 17 events in the dual with the Clip­ pers, who were also undefeated in conference duals coming into Monday’s meet. There weren’t many personal records set on the boys’ side in the cool, rainy evening, but the conditions didn’t slow down the Delton Kellogg distance crew much. The Panthers swept the scoring spots in the 3200-meter run, the 1600-meter run and the foursome of soph­ omore Ethan Rimmer, senior Micah Martin, senior Felix Houssemaine and freshman Dee­ gan Castaneda won the 4x800-meter relay in 9 minutes 11.30 seconds. Martin won both the 1600 and the 3200. He took the 1600 in 5:12.94. Rimmer set his PR in the 1600 in a runner-up time of 5:14.85. Houssemaine was third in that race. In the 3200-meter run that trio went 1-2-3 again. Martin won in 11:20.50, Rimmer was second and Houssemaine third with a PR of 12:26.23. Senior sprinter Philip Halcomb won his three individual races for the Panthers taking the 100-meter dash in 11.98 seconds, the 400meter dash in a personal record time of 54.72 and the 200-meter dash in 24.34. DK junior Totten Mapes won the two hur­ dles races. He took the 110-meter high hur­ dles in 15.74 and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 42.84. Mapes also teamed with senior Daniel Ruiz, sophomore Wyatt Finney and senior Philip Jorgensen to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1:39.33, In the field, Delton Kellogg swept the pole vault scoring with seniors Gage Vincent and Isaac Shepard tying for first by clearing 9-0. Freshman Nick Muday was third. ; Delton Kellogg senior Jason Lundquist won both the shot put with a mark of 37-4. John Zettelmaier (35-5.5) and Jorgensen (355) set new personal records to place second and third. Lundquist also won the discus with a mark of 116-5.5. Finney won the long jump at 19-10. Martin junior Taegan Harris set his PR at 5-11 to win the high jump: He was second to Halcomb in the 100-meter dash and the 400meter dash. He was also a part of the Clip­ pers’ win in the 4x400-meter relay. Martin won the 4x 100-meter relay too. Sophomore Gavin Meyers took the 800-meter run for the Martin boys in 2:15.97 and he was a part of the winning 4x400-meter relay team too. Meyers and Harris were joined in that 4x400 relay by seniors James Blackbum and Sam Jager. Jager, Tanner Bird, Bryce Robin­ son and Jackson Robinson won the 4x100. The Martin girl did score a 74-62 win over the DK girls Monday. While the DK girls didn’t get a win, they did keep dropping time. Sophomore Josie Williams set her personal record in winning the 100-meter dash in 14.31 seconds for DK. Junior teammate Summer Ritchie took a win in the 200-meter dash with a personal record time of 28.22 and also had a winning PR of 1:03.81 in the 400-meter dash. DK sophomore Kylie Main set her person record in winning the 3200-meter run in 16:22.11. The three scorers in the 100-meter hurdles all set their PR. DK freshman Izabelle Gruber won the race in 18.06 and junior teammate Breanna Chandler was the runner-up in 18.73. Martin junior Makala Goddard placed third in 19.41. In the 300-meter low hurdles, Chan­ dler took the win in 55.18. Delton Kellogg teams won three of the four relays. Chandler, Gruber, Williams and Ritchie took the 4x200-meter relay in 1:58.68. Gruber, Lily Boze, Maddy Waller and Wil­ liams won the 4x 100-meter relay in 57.72. The DK girls closed the meet with the team of Chandler, Waller, Gruber and Ritchie win­ ning the 4x400-meter relay in 4:43.21. The Martin girls were powered by five wins in the five field events. Sophomore Elly Blackbum took the high jump at 4-8, junior Kyia Bozzo the pole vault at 6-0 and senior Kylee Gonser the long jump at 13-1.5. Martin senior Lynsey Jager took the discus with a mark of 97-5 and the shot put at 28-0. Blackbum, Lily Stocking, Elizabeth Rein­ ke and Emily King won the 4x800-meter relay for the Clippers in 12:18.40. In individ­ ual races on the track, Martin got a win from King in the 800-meter run and Blackbum in the 1600. The three scorers in the 1600 all set PR’s too in the girls’ race. Blackbum won in 6:43.70. DK senior Jimena Olmedo was sec­ ond in 6:55.46 and DK sophomore Kylie Main placed third in 6:56.11. The DK teams competed in SAC Cross­ overs with Constantine and South Haven Wednesday in Delton. The DK boys took an 83-53 win over South Haven, but fell 88-49 to Constantine. The DK girls took a 68-59 win over South Haven and defeated Constan­ tine 76-56. Chandler set her personal record in win­ ning the 200-meter dash for DK in 29.72. Ritchie set her PR in the 300-meter hurdles to win in 54.11. Delton senior Joelle White won the 1600meter run in 6:38.11 and the 3200-meter run in 14:33.26. Delton Kellogg’s Gruber won the 100-meter hurdles in 18.12. The DK girls took the two longest relays in the three-team meet. Gruber, Williams, Olme­ do and Ritchie won the 4x400-meter relay in 5:00.49 and the team of Lily anna Sinclair, Lillian Lester, Jillian Leclercq and Main won the 4x800-meter relay in 13:18.89. Mapes got a pair of wins in the hurdles for the DK boys. He took the 110-meter high hurdles in 15.81 and the 300-meter hurdles in 43.33. Wyatt Colwell, Daniel Ruiz, Jorgensen and Halcomb took the 4x 100-meter relay for DK in 47.99, and Mapes joined Colwell, Ruiz and Halcomb to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1:37.88. The lone win for the DK boys in the field came from junior Rhys Bedford who took the high jump at 5-6. In between those SAC contests, the DK teams took part in the Parchment Relays Fri­ day, May 5. The DK girls were third and the boys fourth in the eight-team meet. Both DK squads won shuttle hurdle relay races. The DK boys had the team of Bedford, Halcomb, Shepard and Mapes win the 4xll0-meter race in 1:07.87, The DK girls’ team of Chandler, Boze, Ritchie and Gruber won the 4xl00-meter race in 1:14.99. Delton also had the girls* team of Sinclair Violet Kokx, Sydney Frie and Williams win the 4x 100-meter throwers relay in 1:02.03. �a0o 10 - Thursday. May n 20?3 _ Hmtnc$ R,nnef sprinters end Saxon boys’ undefeated 1-8 run Western Valeric Slaughter Contributing Writer Hastings varsity track athletes have moved ip in the Intcrsute-8 Athletic Conference liter meets with Parma Western and Pennkid last week at home and Tuesday night igainst Jackson Northwest in Jackson. The Hastings’teams scored wins over Pcnnficltl and Northwest, but lost to a tough Parma Western team. "The short sprints got us," Hastings head coach Brian Teed said of his guys loss to the Panthers last week. “We got swept in the 100 and 200 and then naturally in the 400meter relay and the 800-meter relay. That’s 32-0 in 4 of 17 events and is really difficult to overcome. The girls’ meet was al the opposite end of the spectrum. They were swept in the 1600-meter and 3200-mcter. Take those two events out and our girls win the rest of the meet." Placing against Parma Western and Pcnnficld for the Saxon girls' team were: Madi­ son Nino taking first in the 100-mcter and first in the long jump. Isabelle Roosien first in the 200-metcr, second in the 100-mcter, and Olivia Friddle finished first in the shot put. first in the discus, first in pole vault, and third in the 100-mcter, Myah Vincent sec­ ond in the 200-mctcr, Addy Nickels first in the 100-mctcr hurdles and 300-meter hur­ dles; Ava Noteboom second in the 100mctcr hurdles; Grace Madden finished third 1 in lite shot put. In the relays, the 4x 100-mctcr relay of Nino, Roosien. Nickels and Vincent finished first; 4x200-metcr relay of Nino, Nickels Roosien and Vincent finished first; the 4x400-mctcr relay of Eva Rowley, Maddic Peake, Skylar Fcnstcm akcr and Lauren Arnold finished third; and the 4x800-metcr relay of Arnold. Rowley, Jayla Ellwood, and Ellie Cousins finished second. Finishing in <hc top three for the boys' team: Robby Slaughter first in pole vault, first in long jump, and second in the 400meter, Charlie Nickels finished third in the 400-meter, Riley Shults finished second in the 1600-metcr and third in the 3200-mcter, Brandon Simmons took second in the 3200mcter; Layton Eastman finished first in the 110-mctcr hurdles and first in the 300-mctcr hurdles; Nate Kohmcscher finished third in the 300-meter hurdles; Daniel Weatherly finished first in the discus; Isaac Friddle took third in the discus; Charlie Nickels took first in the high jump with a PR of 6 feet 4 inches. | Hastings senior Mad ■ Nino breaks a 46 year-o'rl Hastings High School record by flying 17 teet 10 inches in the long jump dunng her teams lntorslate-8 Athletic Conference dual at Jackson Northwest Tuesday (Photo by Valene Slaughter) DK golf squad seventh at Constantine jamboree Brat Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kcllogg/Martin varsity boys’ golf team placed seventh at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Division jamboree hosted by Constantine Monday at the Island Golf Course. Hackett Catholic Prep outscored Kalamazoo Christian 161-168 for the day's victory. Schoolcraft was third with u score of 185, ahead of Lawton 191. Con­ stantine 206. Parchment 207 and Delton Kellogg/Martin 215. Freshman Tyler Howland led the DK/ Martin boys with a score of 51. Senior Brett Harsevoort shot a 54 and senior Trenton Stonebumer and freshman Carter Bricklcy both scored a 55. Hackett senior Niklas Johansson and Kalamazoo Christian senior Ethan Verkaik were the day's top players. They both scored a 37. 1-awton senior Zachary lull was third with a 40 Hackett freshman Justin Tyler, sophomore Chns Orgrin and Kalamazoo Christian senior Drew Vandcrlaan each shot a 41. Delton Kellogg is scheduled to be at the Pennfield Ryder Cup contest Friday, and larwton will play host to the SAC Valley Tuesday. brenner did a good job starting olf our 400- meter relay for his first time." Other Saxon athletes placing against ren Arnold finished second in the 800-meter, Eva Rowley took third in the 800-meter and third in the 1600-meter; Jayla Ellwood took second in die 1600-meter with a PR of 6:31.53; A. Nickels took first in the 100meter and .300-meter hurdles; Ava Note­ boom finished second in the 100-metcr hur­ dles, second in high jump and third in pole vault; Klein finished third in the 100-meter hurdles and third in high jump; Grace Mad­ den finished third in shot pul and second in the discus; Zoe Watson finished third m discus; and Skylar Fenstemakvr took second Northwest for the night were: Solmes fin­ ished first in the 100-meter; SaintAmour took second tn the 100-mctcr, C Nickels finished first in the 200-mctcr with a new PR of 23.82 and second in the 400-metcr; Bar­ num took second in the 200-mctcr and sec­ ond in long jump; Slaughter finished first in the pole vault and long jump and third in the 400-metcr; Tolles finished first in the 800meter; Jonah Teed was second in the 800metcr; Micah Johnson finished third in the in pole vault. The Hastings girls 4x 100-meter and 800-meter; Shults took first in the 16004x200-mcter relay teams remain undefeated meter; LaBoc was second in the 1600-meter: on the season. The team of Nino. Roosien, A Brandon Simmons finished first in the 3200Nickels and Vincent won both events again mcter; Alex Steward took second in the for the night. The .Saxon 4x800-meter relay 3200-mcter; Eastman finished first in the team of Rowley. Ellwood. Ellie Cousins and HO-meter and 300-meter hurdles; Arnold also took first for the night. Kohmcscher look second in the HO-meter Last Friday night the Saxon track teams hurdles and third in the 300-meter hurdles; headed to Corunna fora 15-school invitation­ Weatherly finishes first in shot put and sec­ al. The Saxons got olT to a slow start in the ond in discus with a PR of 131-08; Adam short sprints, but coach Teed noted they Jacob took second in shot and second in dis­ "tumed tilings around for us starting with the cus; and Isaiah Wilson finished third in shot 800-mctcr relay. The girls broke the malaise put; Caleb Gurtowsky took second in pole by winning the event and just missing our vault; and Draven Pennock finished third in school record by a ten th of a second. After the pole vault; excitement the rest of the team responded The Saxon boys relay teams swept all the relays for the night. The team of Wtnebrcnthroughout the evening. The girls 400-meter ner, Tcunesscn, SaintAmour and Solmes was relay team set a new school record." first in the 4x 100-mctcr; the team of Tolles, The 4xl00-meter relay of Nino. Roosien, Eastman, Kohmescher and Solmes was first Nickels and Vincent broke the 2010 record in the 4x20<J-meter relay; the team of Slaugh­ with a lime of 50.7. ter, Eastman, Bamum and Tolles was first in Other Saxon athletes finishing in the top 4 the 4x400-mcter relay; and the team of Sim­ in the 15 school field were: Slaughter first in mons. LaBoe, Johnson and Teed took first in pole vault; Tolles first in the 400-meter; East­ the 4x800-mcter relay. man third in the 300-meter hurdles and fourth For the Saxon girls' team, athletes scoring in the HO-meter hurdles; Weatherly second in the top three were: Nino took first in the in shot put and fourth in discus: Nickels sec­ 100-mcter with a PR of 13:07; Olivia Frid­ ond in high jump. The boys' 4x400-mcter dle finished first in shot put with a new relay team of Slaughter, Nickels, Bamum and freshman record and PR of 34-11.5, first in Tolle* finished in second place. the discus, first in the pole vault, and second For the HHS girls' team: Nino finished in the 100-mctcr w ith a PR of 13.12; Roosien first in the long jump and third in the 100finished first in the 200-mctcr with a PR of mctcr. Roosien took third in the 200-metcr; 26.96 and took third in the 100-mclcr, Vin­ Addey Nickels took third in the 300-mctcr cent finished second in the 200-mctcr and hurdle* and fourth in the 100-mcter hurdles; third in long jump; Maddic Peake took third and Olivia Friddle took second in shot put in the 400-mctcr with a PR of 1:10.84; Lau­ and third in pole vault. In the relays, the Saxon 4x 100-mcter relay team of Zane Warner, Lanny Tcuncsvcn. Alden SaintAmour and Reuben Solmes took second: the 4x2FaO meter relay team of Fast­ man. Jett Barnum. Kohmescher, and Solmes finished second, the 4x400-mcter relay team of Nickels, Bamum. Eastman and Tolles fin­ ished first; and the 4x800-meter relay of Shults, Jonah Teed. Caleb LaBoc and Tolles finished second. In Intersu:c-8 action on Tuesday night against the Mounties at Jackson Northwest, the Saxons got another win. The victory pushes the HHS girls to 14-5 overall with a 4-1 1-8 record, and the boys' team moves to 16-3 overall and 4-1 in the conference. Coach Teed congratulated his assistant coach, Tony Knopp. “Coach Knopp has done a great job with the long jump crew The whole crew did real­ ly well (Tuesday)." For the girls' team, Nino broke the school record, set back m 1977 by B Smith at 17-9.75, with a new PR and jump of 17-10, and Julie Klein and Maddic Peake also jumped new PR's for the Saxons. Slaughter, Bamum. Devin Smith. Cardale Wincbrenner and Aiden SaintAmour also had PR's for the guys crew. Slaughter finished first with a PR of 20-6.5 and Bamum look second just behind him with a jump of 20-3. Teed also noted, "we called on some of our depth to fill in due to some injuries with our other guys who are banged up. Cardale Wine- Tho Saxons' Layton Eastman Is a strido or two ahoad of teammate Nate Kohmescher during tho 110-motor high hurdle race at Jackson Northwest Tuesday afternoon (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) CITY OF HASTINGS REQUEST FOR BIDS Water Treatment Plant Reroofing Project The City of Hastings Department of Public Services is requesting sealed bids for the Water Treatment Plant Reroofing Project. Bid proposal forms and specifications are available at the address listed below. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in the bid proposals, and to award the bid as deemed to be in the City’s best interest, price and other factors considered. Sealed bids shall be received at the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. All bids shall be clearly marked on the outside of the submittal package "Water Treatment Plant Reroofing Project". Travis J. Tate, P.E. Director of Public Services Saxon tennis hasn’t quite caught Parma-Western girls yet in 1-8 n—Bremer *• Brett Sports Editor The Hastings vanity girls' tennis team is now 4-2 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Confer­ ence after suffering its second league defeat, against Parma Western, in Hastings Thursday afternoon. The Panthers won die l0P three singles flights and the bottom three doubles (lights to pull out the win. Hastings hod the top doubles team of Bai­ ley Cook and Erin Daniels score a 6-4, 4-6, (11-9) win over Tcagan Robertson and Alena Engle in their contest. Saxon head coach Andrew Haines said Cook and Daniels “came to win and played a great match, finding a new gear in the thirdset tiebreaker win." That Saxon duo is »t<H undefeated in the 1-8 this spring and no* overall. MJ Deal got tht Saxons’ singles point with a 6-1. 6-4 win over Kilona Carmody in the fourth single* match. ■'They are a good team, but a beatable team and we as the uhoic left a couple matches out on the court that Uc Wouldn’t has e, but I guess that's the difference between our two pro­ grams." Haines njj “1 do feel dial we have done a great job of c|0*ing the gap that once and Daniels scored a 6-3,6-3 win over Grace existed. We definitely scare them a bit more." Haines said Deal is a “grinder, and she fought for the win (at fourth single*)" Babcock and Cassidy Pratlcy at first doubled Parma Western took two other singles At third doubles. the Saxon duo of J“lu matches in extended fashion. All Carmody McLean and Audrey Vcrtalka took a 4-6,6-4. won a threc-sct match with Hastings' Calin 6-3 win over Emily Puntckcr and Everly” Redman 2-6.6-0,6-1 at number three singles. VanValkenbcrg. At second singles, the Saxons’ Cariota Espi Last Friday, playing a third match in thN< Vano lost a hard-fought, two-hour match with days, the Saxons took an 8-0 non-confetence Dni Porter in a super tiebreaker. Porter took a victory at Lakewood. 6-7(5), 6-3, (10-8) win. Lakewood took just one set all afternoon. Western also got a 6-1, 6-2 win from first M second doubles, where the Saxon doo of singles player Bella Brushabcr over the Sax­ Megan Rowley and Sophia Ahearns even®' ons’ Abby Beemer. oily prevailed over Liv Everitt and Pa>Sc Parma Western took the secund, third and Wolverton 6-1, 3-b. 6-1. fourth doubles matches in straight sets. l4,nc' >aid C“«k ond Daniel* 1 he match wa* on the heels of a 5-3 win nt ?'d °"e °r ,h«r best matches of the sea*0" Harper Creek Wednesday. May 3. lu knock oft Alli P,ckald and Abb). ihck^ Beemer bested die Beavers lop player, at fust doubles. Rachel Ostcrhart, 6-2, 6-1. Hastings scored three quick singles wins, wm Vcrtalka h'“,led fl,r 0 'd tmm h *-akcwood’s Gabby Hansen with Espi Vano taking a 6-1,6-1 win nt num­ Pcnoei n V , at * h " d doubl “ » nd ber tsso and Deal scaring a 6-3, 6-1 win at Win^' dul d>'an S^mc* scored a 6-2. number three. KciuieC|\,he V'Wn8»’ Counnic Mathe a”3 Haines said his team was lucky to escape with a win as the Beavers’ improved doubles Beem fowh doubles. ,1 "on in strai Vano’ l<cdn»°n and De**“j. squads surprised his girl* a bit. The Saxon* first and third double* teams were light* out. man faced the °n *h' ’in8lcl sid< RJly outdoing L]kewb g8<71clullen«clike the gill* in the singles victories. Cook �I The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 11. 2023 — Page 11 DK girls keep challenging themselves outside the SAC Brett Bremer Sports Editor O^WSW Siw W& Mw S&ijJ IkNW^ Paige Thomas pitches for the Panthers during their game two win over Wyoming in a non-conference doubleheader in Delton Monday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ■SfeWW SsJS V %VS5S The Panthers and Wolves didn’t let the weather force them to miss out on a pair of competitive ballgames Monday in the rain­ drops at Delton Kellogg High School. The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team split it’s non-conference doubleheader with the Wyo­ ming Wolves, with the Wolves scoring a 9-4 win in the opener and then the Panthers taking a 5-2 win in a wetness-shortened game two. A triple by Alli Brandli was the only hit for Delton Kellogg in the game two win, but three walks and a couple Wyoming errors helped the Panthers move girls around the base paths. The two teams scored a run in each of the first three half innings of game two, with the Wolves up 2-1 when Brandli led off the bottom of the second with her triple over the right fielder’s head. Abby Wooden walked behind her and a ground ball by Kasey Kapteyn got Brandli home to tie the game. Wooden went to third on a miscue by the Wolves’ third baseman, and then scored on a ground out by teammate Cadence Johnson to put the Panthers in front 3-2. A pair of Wyoming errors after a lead-off walk by Abby Fichtner in the bottom of the third for DK started the Panthers on their way to two more runs without the benefit of a hit. Fichtner walked twice in the lead-off spot and scored two runs. Paige Thomas also had an RBI for DK in the win. Thomas was the winning pitcher. She struck out two, walked two and gave up four runs in &iWsW sSSs S&? !SS SS ,**£S Delton Kellogg second baseman Cadence Johnson scoops up a ground ball during her team's game two win over visiting Wyoming Monday in a non-conference double­ header. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ■ fT **■’** \ no?. bnc .wffoz' .muinad iJol .iism f Hackett rallies with three goals in second half to best DKHS girls *>*■’* feta Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hackett Catholic Prep fought offthe Delton Kellogg girls for a 3-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference win Monday afternoon. Adelyn Stampfler put a long shot past the Hackett keeper just 12 seconds into the game, with teammate Sam O’Meara earning an assist. Delton Kellogg held that 1 -0 lead into the ■ ■■QI ***** »r>i*‘ l^f '*5i second half before the Fighting Irish scored three straight goals to build a 3-1 lead. Stampfler scored again with seven minutes to play, and the Panthers created a few more scoring opportunities as the time wound down but couldn’t find the equalizer. Johannah Houtkooper did all she could to keep her team in the game making more than 20 saves. The Delton Kellogg girls were bested 8-0 last Friday in Kalamazoo against the Chris­ tian Comets. Houtkooper had 20.saves in that contest as well. DK was scheduled to host Bridgman Wednesday afternoon and will go on the road to take on Parchment Friday afternoon. The Panthers are home Monday to take on Fenn­ ville and then Wednesday make the trip to South Haven. Vikes give Comets a battle even playing without their top player Lgj!** ^»H Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity girls’ tennis team got three doubles victories, but couldn’t quite pull out a victory against Grand Ledge Thurs­ day afternoon. The Comets took a 5-3 win while the Vikings were without first singles player Izzy Wheeler. Lakewood head coach Karrie Carter was really pleased with how Josie Elenbaas stepped up in the fourth singles spot as each of the Vikings’ regular three singles players bumped up a spot in the line-up. Elenbaas played the closest sin­ gles match of the afternoon falling 6-2, 6-3 to the Comets’ Avery Daniels. Lakewood got its three team points from the top three doubles flights. Alli Pickard and Abby Pickard took a 6-2,6-2 win over Isabel­ la Grass and Maddie Lira. Liv Everitt at sec­ ond doubles and Paige Wolverton at number & jj*****’ r ^j-1' <S ww? >>£&<, ’' , I ■ i *Li*® lz * 1 > (Z«> W 1 . the four-inning contest. One of the two runs against her was unearned. Wyoming scored four times in the top ofthe first inning and controlled game one from start to finish. DK had three singles in the opener, one each for Fichtner, Jordan Lyons and Allie Trantham. Lyons had her team’s lone RBI. The Panther had runners on the base paths thanks to eight walks. Fichtner was 1 for 2 at the plate with her single, but also walked twice and scored three runs. Mya Brickley walked twice too. Johnson scored one run. Brickley started in the circle for DK and allowed three earned runs on five hits and three walks through the first five innings. She struck out three. Wyoming scored three unearned runs in those first five innings. Lizzy Stonebumer allowed three runs in two innings on four hits and a walk. She struck out two. The Delton Kellogg girls followed that up by improving to 6-0 in the Southwestern Ath­ letic Conference Central Division by outscor­ ing Gobles 7-6 and 17-6 in a pair of ballgames in the sunshine Tuesday afternoon in Delton. Delton Kellogg rallied from a 6-4 hole with a run in the fifth and then two in the bottom of the sixth of game one to get the 7-6 victory. A two-run home run by Thonas in the bot­ tom of the sixth pushed the Panthers into the lead. She was 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBI’s in the win.The other two Delton Kel­ logg hits were a single by Fichtner and a dou­ ble from Kapteyn. Fichtner scored two runs, Jordan Lyons one and Kapteyn one. Brickley had an RBI and Johnson also drove in a run. Stonebumer got the win in the circle in relief of Brickley. She threw two scoreless innings striking out two and giving up one hit. Brickley gave up six/ runs (three earned) on four hits and four walks. She struck out five. The Delton Kellogg bats exploded for 20 hits in game two, a fiye-inning ballgame. Lyons was 2 for 4 at the plate with five Rbi’s and two runs scored. She tripled twice. Brickley was 3 for 4 with a run and two RBI’s. Thomas was 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles. She drove in four runs and scored three times. Fichtner was 3 for 3 with three singles. She walked once, drove in one run and scored four times. Wooden was 3 for 4 with a run.and an RBI. Johnson was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and Maysse Wiessner was 3 for 3 with three runs scored. Stonebumer got another win. She gave up six runs on nine hits and a walk. She struck out four in her five innings in the circle. Last Saturday, the DK girls went 1-2 at the Calvin Christian Invitational. Reese outscored the DK girls 11-10 in the opener. Zeeland West beat the DK girls lfl-l in game two. The Delton girls bounced back for a 9-4 win over Beaverton in game three. , two won 6-0, 6-0 over Willow Nelson and Ava Vandlen. At third doubles, Lakewood’s Courtnie Mathe and Gabby Hansen took a 6-4, 6-2 win over their foes. The Viking fourth doubles team of Elsey Yeiter and Savanah Mendes put up a good fight in the opening set against the Comets’ Emily Burger and Taylor Pung, but fell 7-5, 6-1 in the end. Grand Ledge girls won the top three sin­ gles flights in straight sets. Hastings took an 8-0 win over the Lake­ wood ladies at Lakewood High School Fri­ day, and then the Vikings were back in action at Coldwater Saturday where they split a pair of duals. Coldwater tok a 6-2 win over the Vikings while Lakewood outscored Adrian 7-1. Luthia Rubio Velez took a forfeit win at first singles for the Vikings in the dual with Adrian. Jasmine Stewart at second singles, Emily Pilar at number three and Wolverton playing at fourth singles all took straight set wins. The Pickard sisters didn’t give up a game in their first double^ win over the Adrian girls. Gabby Hansen and Emma Duffy won 6-1, 6-1 at number* two doubles for the Vikings. Mathe and Elenbaas teamed up at third doubles for a 4-6, 6-2, (10-3) win. Adrian got its lone point with the team of Emily Burciaga and Kaydence Pearson pull­ ing out a close two set match, 6-3, 7-6(11), with the Vikings’ Elsey Yeiter and Kenzie Everett. In the Saturday dual with Coldwater, the Vikings got a 6-2,6-3 win from Alli and Abby Pickard at first doubles and a 6-4, 7-5 wi nfrom Hansen and Duffy at second doubles. TKHS golfers a stroke behind Wayland, in sixth, at Gold jamboree Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golf team placed sixth at the OK Gold Conference jamboree hosted by Kenowa Hills Tuesday on the east course at Gracewil. i Grand Rapids Catholic Central won the Meer with a score of 154 ahead of South Christian 161, Forest Hills Eastern 163, Cedar Springs 168, Wayland 173, Thornapple Kellogg 174 and Kenowa Hills 179. Thornapple Kellogg senior Austin Pitsch, fresh off the Trojans’ senior signing day cele­ bration where he was honored for his plans to keep playing at Aquinas College, led his team with a score of 39. TK junior Jordan Parks shot a 43 and the Trojans also got a 45 from sophomore l\ler Voss and a 47 from senior Kyron Zoet. Catholic Central junior Will Preston shot an even-par-36 to finish as the day’s top individual. A group of five guys tie for second with scores of 38. That group included South Christian sophomore Brody Montsma, Wayland freshman Jaden Osterhout, Cedar Springs senior Conner Hunt, Catholic Central junior Sebastian Deimel and Forest Hills Eastern freshman Dylan Morse. Cedar Springs is set to host the conference at Cedar Chase Golf Course today, May 11. TK also has plans to visit Broadmoor Coun­ try Club in Caledonia for a dual with the Fighting Scots Friday. Delton Kellogg's Alli Brandli hits second and heads for third after knocking a triple over the Wyoming right fielder's head during game two of their teams' doubleheader in Delton Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton boys split SAC Central doubleheader with Gobles Tigers Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity baseball team is 5-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division after split­ ting its doubleheader with visiting Gobles Tuesday. The Delton Kellogg boys took a 9-3 win in game one before the Tigers rallied for an 18-4 win in game two. Wyatt Colwell got the win on the mound in game one for Delton Kellogg. He gave up two runs in five innings. He struck out five, walked six and gave up six hits. Elliott Rogers came on in relief, allowing one unearned run on three hits. He struck out two. Adrian DeBoer, Mason Nabozny and Torren Mapes each doubled once for DK. Nabozny was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and four RBI’s. DeBoer was 2 for 3 with three RBI’s. Rogers was also 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. Philip Halcomb also singled once and scored a run for DK. The Panthers made just one error in game one, but three errors helped Gobles score 12 unearned runs in game two. The Tigers also took advantage offensively of 11 walks. DeBoer was 2 for 2 at the plate with a run scored. Riley Bardo went 1 for 2 with a run and an RBI. All three DK hits in the loss were singles. Delton Kellogg goes to Lakewood for ,a tournament Saturday, May 13, and will be home to close the SAC Central season Mon­ day with two ballgames against Saugatuck. City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Hastings City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street; Hastings, Michigan. The purposeofthe Public Hearing is forCity Council to hear comments and make a determination on the necessity of improvements and the establishment of a special assessment district for the Downtown Parking Special Assessment District for 2023. The City will provide necessary reasonable aid and services to disabled persons wishing to attend these hearings upon seven days notice to the Clerk of the City of Hastings, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Telephone 269/945-2468 or TDD cejll relay services 800/649-3777. Christopher R. Sever City'Clerk City of Hastings REQUEST FOR BIDS Sale of Vehicles The City of Hastings will accept bids for the sale of two pickup trucks: (1) Truck #20 - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE CREW CAB, QUICKSILVER METALIC 4WD, 6.6L Duramax Diesel, Allison 6 Speed Transmission, Air, Cruise, Tilt, Power windows and locks, keyless remote entry with approximately 5,726 miles. Minimum Bid - $52,500 (1) Truck #30 - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE CREW CAB, ONYX BLACKS ■ 4WD 6.6L Duramax Diesel, Allison 6 Speed Transmission, Air, Cruise, Tilt, Pov^fer windows and locks, keyless remote entry with approximately 6,278 miles. Minimum Bid - $52,500 These vehicles will be sold in “as-is” condition without any warranty. Arrangements to view this vehicle can be made by calling 269-945-2468 weekdays between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in any bid, and to award the bid in a manner that the City deems to be in its best interest, price and other factors considered. Bids will be received at the office of the Hastings City Clerk/Treasurer, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 until 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. No formal bidding forms or documents are required, but all bids must be in writing and sealed. All sealed bids must be clearly marked on the outside of the bid package as follows: “SEALED BID - Truck # Christopher Bever City Clerk/Treasurer �Page 12 — Thursday. May 11, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 RK 236, MCL 600 3212. that the following mortgage will bo foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to me highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 15,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Lois S. Myers, a singly woman Original Mortgagee: Vertical Lend Inc. Date of mortgage. December 21. 2007 Recorded on January 7. 2008, in Document No 20080107-0000206. Foreclosing Assignee (if any) Mortgage Assets Management. LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Ore Hundred Thousand Two Hundred FortyTwo and 79/100 Dollars ($100,242.79) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as. COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 16, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 6 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 69 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG THE NORTH UNE OF SAID SECTION 1324.52 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG SAID NORTH UNE 693.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST UNE OF SAID EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4, 9.48 FEET) THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107.36 FEET aND WHOSE CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107.36 FEET AND CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 33.00 FEET TO THEPLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 198.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS EAST 220.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 198.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 220.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. TOGETHER WITH A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES 33 FEET EACH SIDE OF A CENTERUNE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 16. TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 1324.52 FEET ALONG THE NORTH UNE OF SAID SECTION 16 TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 693.00 FEET ALONG SAID NORTH UNE TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16, 9.48 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF'A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE CHORD OF WHICH BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 3 SECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 33.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF, BEGINNING. Commonly known as 170 Akkers Away, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days,, from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for t&e party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/si Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farrfflngton Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1497192 (04-27X05-18) 198775 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale* of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for gash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: ■ . Name(s) of the mortgagors): Charles E. Sheldon 1 Jr. and Sara E. Sheldon, a married couple, as Joint Tenants with Full Rights of Survivorship Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender ancTlender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC date of Mortgage: April 10, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 7, 2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $7^850.28 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 6 of Stanley (Daniel) Addition To The»Village Of Nashville, according to the recorded plafthereof, as recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 4. Common street address (if any): 403 Philadelphia St, Nashville, Ml 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if trie subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). IMhe property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held- responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty hasZconcluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at thelelephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. ■ Date of notice: April 27,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwwtern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (24g) 642-251® 1497095 K (04£7)(05-18) LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM on June 1,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, a husband and wife, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage to CitiFinancial, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000595, In official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner trustee for WF19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13, 2021 as Instrument Number 2021-004919, in official records of Barry Cqunty Register of Deeds, Michigan, which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $18,308.77. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit Beginning at the Northwest comer of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52’ 06” East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48' 01" East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Liber 3 of plats, on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37’ 00” West 427.89 feet Thence North 09 degrees 49* 00’ East 114.74 feet Thence South 89 degrees 53' 12" East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48' 01" West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wend R Noord Family Trust by Warranty Deed dated 05/21/2003 and recorded 08/06/2003 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife by Warranty Deed dated 04/01/2002 and recorded 04/05/2002 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-00710 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, in which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241 a 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a (b) notice, whichever is later, or extinguished pursuant to MCL600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party .'foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this noticfe ATTFNTlQlbLflM^pHASFRS-^y; This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: April 24, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 (04-27X05-25) 198592 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given tinder section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nancy J. Krohling, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Date of Mortgage: March 29,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 4,2017 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $70,736.45 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing on the Northeast corner of the West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4; thence South 20 Rods; thence West 12 Rods; thence North 20 Rods; thence East 12 Rods to the beginning, being in Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 9 West. Common street address (if any): 4815 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, Ml 49060-9778 The. redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 27, 2023 Trott Law, RC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1496476 (04-27)(05-18) 198704 198443 Financial Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 8, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Tina G Young an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PHH Mortgage Corporation Date of Mortgage: June 26,2018 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 5, 2018 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $181,136.85 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Johnstown, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot Numbers 26 and 27 of the Plat of Oak Grove Number 2 in Section 30, Town 1 North, Range1 8 West, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded Plat thereof Common street address (if any): 536 Oak Grove St, Battle Creek, Ml 49017-8236 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordancewith MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold < t foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Reviser Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.1278 the borrower will be held responsible to tf^e person who buys the property at the mortgage .foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: I If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: May 4, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1497365 198865 (05-04X05-25) Member SIPC Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml (517)760-8113 Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)948-8265 Are you protected from disability risk? Like many people, you may try to stay healthy by exercising regularly, following a good diet and avoiding dangerous activi­ ties. But as we all know, life is unpredictable, and despite your best efforts, you may encoun­ ter an injury or illness that can leave you unable to work for several months — or longer. If this happened, would you have difficulty paying your bills? Or would you be forced to dip into investments meant to help you achieve long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement? To help prevent these out­ comes, you may want to protect yourself against the possibility of a disability. One good move is to build an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of liv­ ing expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account Even if you never need this fund for a disability, it’s hardly a wasted effort, because you could use the funds for other unexpected costs, such as a major repair to your home or car. But to feel truly prepared for a disability that could threaten your financial situation, you may also need to consider dis­ ability insurance. If you work for a mid-size or large compa­ ny, your employer may offer group coverage as an employ­ ee benefit. This coverage can be valuable, but it may not be Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court, in Barry County, starting, promptly at 1:00 PM, on Jyne 8,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may"be greater on thejay of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the County register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Andrew J Schuiling, single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PennyMac Loan Services LLC Date of Mortgage: August 3,2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 27,2020 Amount claimed due J on date of notice: $153,168.95 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 14, Hickory Meadows, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in liber 5 of plats, page 92. Common street addressi (if any): 6511 OsbOrne Rd, Delton, Ml 49046-9420) The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property, is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MQL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised'Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.327B the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. , Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debit collector. FOCUS sufficient. For one thing, many employer-sponsored disabili­ ty policies won’t fully replace your lost income. Also, some group policies may make you wait longer than you’d like be­ fore your benefits kick in. And these policies aren’t always “portable,” either — if you leave your job, you might also be leaving behind your disabil­ ity plan. For these reasons, you may want to consider purchasing a long-term disability insurance policy. However, the features of these policies vary greatly, so you’ll want to be diligent in choosing the policy that’s right for you. What are the key features to compare among policies? For openers, look at the type of policy — is it noncancelable or guaranteed renewable? With a noncancelable policy, the terms and premiums can’t be changed, but a guaranteed renewable policy can increase premiums. Here are some other features to consider: • Coverage amount — How much will you receive in ben­ efits? You may be able to re­ place up to 100% of your af­ ter-tax income. • Waiting period — How much time must pass from the onset of your disability until you start receiving benefits? STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-* Hon. William M. Doherty P.ourt address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-J390 Estate of Constance L. Johnson, deceased. Date of birth: 4/13/1947. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Constance L Johnson, died 2/4/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Christopher K. Carter, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 4-25-2023 Todd M. Gambrell P57171 240 W. Main Street, Suite 1000, Midland, Ml 48640 Christopher K. Carter 194 Edgemoor Road, Rochester, NY 14618 (585)305-0096 199303 Synopsis Hope Township Regular Board meeting May 8, 2023 Meeting opened at 6:30 pm Approved: Consent agenda Ordinance 94 - Non conforming RL lots L-4029 Tax Rates Replace concrete at park estimate Long Lake Cloverdale Fireworks permit Adjourned at 6:59 pm Court Address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Elijah River Frank. TO ALL PERSONS, including whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: Submitted by: Deborah Jackson, Clerk Attested to by: Doug Peck 199520 TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on May 24, 2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Elijah River Frank to Elijah River Mesecar. 199268 1498056 (05-11)(06-01) I .W « Banner CLASSIFIEDS 199294 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29400-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Mary Louise Adams. Date of birth: 7/10/1930. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Mary Louise Adams, died 1/12/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Charles Sherrit, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice Date: 5/8/23 Charles Sherrit 1948 Stonecrest Milford, Ml 48381 248-685-7025 199297 CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Garage Sale ESTATE SALE: INSIDE and outside. Furniture, household items, outdoor tools, riding lawnmower and wagon. Fri­ day and Saturday May 19th20th, 2023 9am-5pm. 10395 Cottonwood, Middleville, MI. (In Mulberry Estates off of Bender Rd). Business Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Pets WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061 ST. BERNARD PUPPIES For sale- 3 females, 2 males. Shots & dewormed. 10 weeks old. 269-948-3754. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 2698384782. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $300.00. 269-223-5154. HgKooriMbdttt , iisrir^lievoodbd rinfydifc the back ai cans ft s making sure Ik a^tadiitotheiw »>-• f *75 w• to Grand Ida ^tfcDdton Kelli ^aodCentralMtiB* ?*•*** .'^Khip. , • Qeoid H<|ll 1)3 to®* ^"Pandd^ "k*^"layhave,«i? w Date of notice: May 11, 20 A Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334' I (248) 642-2515 IK’*’’ I I STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29475-DE • Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Gary J^Ratefin^. Date of birth: Depember 20,1956. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent Gary J. Raterink, died June 21,2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Karen L Raterink, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Rhoades McKee PC Neil L. Kimball P36653 55 Campau Ave. NW #300, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616)235-3500 Karen L. Raterink 7100 Robertson Road, Middleville, Ml 49333 (616)698-0535 199274 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29456-NC [ • Benefit duration - How long will you receive benefits? To protect against a long-term disability, you might want a policy that replaces income un­ til your planned retirement age. • Inflation coverage - How much will your benefits in­ crease each year? Ideally, you’d like your benefits to keep pace with inflation and keep up with what you might receive from future salary in­ creases or promotions. • Definition ofdisability - If you choose an “Own Occu­ pation” policy, you’ll receive benefits ifyou can’t work at the job you had when you became disabled. With an “Any Occu­ pation” policy, you’ll receive benefits if you can’t work at any job based on your qualifi­ cations. Clearly, there’s much to con­ sider when choosing a disabil­ ity policy. You might want to consult with a financial profes­ sional, who can help you pick a policy that fits within your overall financial strategy. But don’t wait too long—you may never need to use this protec­ tion, but you might like having it available. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC WELSH CORGI PUPPIES. Nice color, cute & playful. Up to date on shots & worming. $350.517-852-3007. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: AU real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis, lb report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-298^ The HUD toll-free telephone nunibertpr the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-91W. ’ �Th> Hastings Bannry — T) ursday. May II. 2023 — Page <3 Vikings get over the bar at PR heights in win Brett Bremer Sporij Editor A few Vikings went higher than ever before Tuesday. Lakewood junior Colt Endsley set his per­ sonal record in the high jump by scissoring over the bar at 5 feet 8 inches. Sophomore teammate Kadc Boucher cleared the bar in the pole vault at 10-0. Both guys set new personal records in the events and helped the Lakewood varsity boys’ track and field team to a 100-37 win over visiting Perry Tuesday. Sophomore Jette Jucrgensmeier set her personal record in winning the high jump for the Viking varsity girls’ team too - clearing the bar al 4-10. The Lakewood ladies took a 7-1-41 win over the Ramblers Tile Lakewood varsity boys’ track and field team moved to 4-1 in the GLAC this Lakewood sophomore Mia Bouwens runs to a win in the 300-meter low hurdles season with the win. The Lakewood ladies dunng the Vikings' win over visiting Perry Tuesday afternoon at Unity Field. (Photo by are now 3-2 in conference duals. Leslie will Brett Bremer) h d ccr td cd 10cr, :tcr les; put Surge for 14 runs gets Vikes split with Olivet Thc Lakewood team of Johnson. Hudson Goetluls. Brendon Hall and Alford won the 4x800-meter relay in 10:02.25. Ralller, End­ sley. Calder Villanueva and Galgoci took the 4x400-nicfcr relay in 3:59.92. Weller, Haight, Endsley and Wells won the 4x!00-mcter relay in 45.69 and the team of Haight, Ralller. Villanueva and Weller won the 4x200-meter relay in 1:38.38. Jucrgensmeier was one of two Viking champs in the girls' field events, freshman teammate Taylor Carpenter won the pole vault by clearing the bar at 8-6. Sophomore Mia Bouwens swep: the hur­ dles for Likewood. She took the 100-metcr hurdles in 21.90 and the 300-metcr low' hur­ dles in 1:03.26. Lakewood junior Kylie Walkington won the 400-mcter dash in 1:17.26 and sophomore teammate Stine Mackepr.mg won the 800meter run in 3:20.29. The Vikings won lhe three contested relays. No girls competed in the 4x800-meter race. The Viking team of Walkington, Juergensmeter, Maekcprang and Hayley Merry field won the 4xl00-mctcr relay in 57.20. Jucrgensmeier, Lilly Burgess, Mackepr.mg and Walkington won the 4x20(Lmctcr relay in 2:09.06. The Viking team of Walkington. Burgess. Carpenter and Bouwens won the 4x400-:nctcr relay in 5:45.42. Perry sophomore Abigail Cochrane won the 100-metcr dash in 13.75 and the 200meter dash in 28.32. Brett Brcmcr Sports Editor The Eagles got to Kcndyl Steward and tlic Lakewood defense m the bottom of the fifth inning of game two at Lakewood High School Tuesday. A couple of Viking errors and three sin­ gles pushed across three runs that moved the Olivet varsity softball team into a 6-4 lead as it pushed for a sweep of its Greater Lansing Activities Conference double­ header. Freshman pitcher Peyton Fedcrau. who took the loss in the opener, returned to the circle for the Vikings and promptly got a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to end the Eagle rally with runners stranded on second and third Not deterred by being replaced in the circle. Steward led oft the lop of the sixth inning with a hard shot that the Eagle short­ stop couldn't handle Her single was the start of a 14-run innings that powered the Vikings to a split of their final GLAC scries with the Olivet girls. Olivet took game one 10-6 before the Lakewood girls rallied for an 18-6 win in game two. “This is good for us.” Lakewood head coach Brent llillcy said after die back and forth doublchcader. He is making sure his girls arc tested as they head into the post­ season The Vikings are headed to Grand Ledge for a doublchcader today. May 11; hosting a tournament that includes Delton Kellogg. Traverse City St Francis and Central Mont­ calm Saturday; facing Perry in a conference doublchcader Tuesday; and taking on Ionia for two next Thursday. May 18. The Vikings also head to Grandville May 20 for the Blue Chip Softball Championship. St. Francis is ranked seventh in the state in Division 3 and Delton Kellogg has been among the D3 honorable men­ The Vikings' Maycee Rusco slides across the ptato safety to scons on a wna piten during Lakewood's 14-run sixth inning in game two against Olivet Tuesday at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) w in over Grace at first doubles. t duo of Julia look a 4-6, 6-4. er and Everlyn Steward to the plate in the sixth and ripped an RBI double into right Centerfield that scored Steward from first. She went to third on an Eagle error. She scored on a wild pitch. With the game now tied at 6-6, Maryssa (ioble started the line moving again. She singled into center and teammate Audrey 11i 1 lard reached on an error behind her Pey­ ton Fedcrau followed up with a two-run single into left field that put Lakewood in front. Next came singles from Liv Woodman and Allison Slater dial loaded the bases. Kcrigan Schroeder hit a ground ball to the Eagle pitcher Bella Strader that scored Pey­ ton from third, and a throw home was too late to pick her olT at the plate. .Maycee Rusco knocked an infield single that moved everyone up a base, sconng Woodman from third, and that brought up Steward for the second time in the inning. Steward popped up to Strader for the first out of the inning, but the Vikings w ere just getting started Lily Fedcrau ripped an RBI single into right field that scored Slater. With Schroeder on third, Rusco on sec­ ond and Lily Fedcrau on first, the Laglc battery began to struggle. Three wild pitch­ es cleared the bases. Goble walked at the end of that string and next came a single into center by Hillard and on infield single by Peyton Fedcrau. A couple of Eagle errors and an RBI single on the infield by Wood­ man brought home the bst Likewood runs d match in three > non-conferencc of the inning. Peyton then set the Eagl” down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth to finish off the tion ranks all year. Coach llillcy said his girls have had a bit ofa struggle adjusting Io up and down com­ petition this season. That may have been a port of the game one struggles against the r -n— v<L-inus were coming off two lopsided wins over Belding from Friday afternoon. "You just can't duplicate things in prac­ tice," Hilley said. "By design, the second half of our season is brutal. I scheduled Grand Ledge. I scheduled Holt. We got Io Byron Center for the Blue Chip tournament .. sve have Grand Huven and Wayland and Midland there. We should be well prepared for districts." The hits just kept corning for the latke­ wood ladies in that sixth inning explosion in game two against Olivet, and before long the dejected Eagles weren’t doing them­ selves any favors. Leadoff hitter Lily Fedcrau followed $ht i 12-run victory. Hillard was 4 for 4 H plate with a triple in the Viking victory. Lily Fedcrau was 3 for 5 w ith a double and a pair of sin­ gles. Peyton Fedcrau w** - for 3. She also walked once and was hit b> “ pitch Goble wax 2 for 4 with a triple. Woodman and Slater had three sinflf' C4ch. Stcw-ard had a single and a double- Rusco and Stew­ set all afternoon, he Saxon duo of 1 Ahearns cventuiventt and Paige 00k and Daniels Khes of the season and Abby Pickard ard both singled once. Hillard was 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth ,n 'he game one loss. Peyton Fedcrau doUb'cd and scored a run. Slater was 2 for 3 wit"1 double. Sleward. Schroeder and W^""1 “ch singled allied tor a 6-4, 6-4 lobby Hansen and oubtes, and Lillian « scored a 6-2, 6-2 2ourtnie Maihe and doubles (edman and Deal all he singles side. Redchallenge. eventually holy Pilar £.4, 6-2 aI host the Vikings for the final conference dual of the season Monday and the final GLAC Championship is set for May 24 a! Perry. Vikings won four of the five field events on the boys' side. Junior Ben Scobey also set a new personal record in die discus with a winning throw of 12(1-10. The Lakewood boys swept the three scoring places in that event w i th sophomore Cole Anderson second at 113-4 and freshman Conner Cosme firing a PR of 108-5. Senior Ethan Weller won the long jump for the Lakewood boys with a mark of 19-1.5. Perry senior Rease Teel won the 100-incter dash and the 200-meter dash, but Lakewood boys won every other event on the track. Riley Johnson, a sophomore, set a PR in winning the 800-melcr run with a time of 2 minutes 10.65 seconds. Junior Shane Raffier set a PR w m leading a Viking sweep of the 300meter intermediate hurdles in 44.69 seconds. The Viking team had sophomore Ryan Galgoci set his PR in the 300 hurdles at 47.71 and fresh­ man Benjamin Posschn lower his PR in the race to 49.6-1 in their sconng performances. Raffier also won the 110-metcr high hur­ dles in 17.55, with Galgoci setting his PR at 18.33 in a runner-up finish. Senior Ryan Alford won the distance races for the Vikings taking the 1600-mcter run in 5:25.35 and the 3200-mctcr run in 11 □2.02. Sophomore Donald Wells won the 400metcr dash in 54.39, more than eight seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. rforau roaches out Io snag an outside pitch during her Lakewood catcher Uiy r . jlina olivet in a GLAC doublohcader al Lakewood team's game two win ovc v Brcmcr) High School Tuesday. (Photo y_________________________________________ once for the VikingsGoble, Woodman Lakewood sophomore Donald Wells llios around tho final corner on his way to a win In the 400-motor dash during tho Vikings’ GLAC victory over visiting Perry Tuesday at Unity Field (Photo by Brett Bremer) RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 1WJ35 NOTICE QF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS AT JUNE 7, 2023 MEETING TO THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND. BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN. AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE trio Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on June 7. 2023. which begins at 7 00 p m. at tho Rutland Charter Township Hatt located at 2461 Heath Road, within tho Charter Township of Rutland. Barry County. Michigan The item to bo considered at this public heanng is the Township-proposed amendment of 5220-5-3 H of the Rutland Charter Township Code (Zoning) pertaining to special land use approval for the keeping of livestock on a non-commeroal basis accessory to a dwelling in the *CR* Country Residential O.strict, to add a new subsection 5 thereto prohibiting roosters and requiring otherwise permissible chickens to at all times bo confined to a chicken coop or otherwise enclosed structure and not allowed Io free range. The Rutland Charter Township Code. Master Plan, and the tentative text of the above-referenced proposed zoning text amendmont(s). may bo examined by contacting tho Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Ha'I during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after lhe publication of this Nobco and until and including tho day of the hear.ng/meobng, and further may bo examined at tho hcaring/meoting Tho Planning Commission reserves tho right to modify tho proposed amcndmont(s) al or following tho heanng/moolmg and to make its recommendations accordingly to tho Township Board Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services al the meotmg/hearlng to individuate with disabilities, such us i gnore for tho hearing Impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being cons.dcied. upon reasonable notice to the Township Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact tho Township Clerk ns designated below Robin Hawthorne. Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings. Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 <. >c,1'<*dcr each had an RBI I �Page 14 - Thursday. May 11. 2023 - Lions pull out two close ballgames with Lakewood mixes “P hil PitchCTS' ’J, “ throws Brett Bremer Sports Editor Chansc Courtney struck out 13 in a com­ plete game shutout of the Lakewood varsity baseball team as Maple Valley opened it’s GLAC doublehcadcr with a 1-0 win over the Vikings Thursday on Griswold Field at Roger ’ Callan (Hoefler) too behind the plate. Callan knows what to do and Chansc just shakes his head ‘yes’ and good luck hitting it. Chansc is the one throwing the ball, but that kid [Hoe­ fler] back there too. He fa good at calling Corey Diamond in Vermontville. And the Lions still had an ace in the hole, i Game one catcher Callan Hoefler and Car­ penter swapped positions, and Hoefler struck out eight in six shutout innings and got the win as the Lions beat the Vikings again in ~ X» ■< * «»<*■ games and running games." Lakewood ace Landon Makley matched Courtney pitch for pitch. Courtney walked one and allowed just three hits in seven innings, but did hil three barters and had to work out of trouble once or twice. Makley struck out eight in his six innings while issu­ ing no walks. Viking head coach Brad Tiiccy said the two losses sting not only for the team, but for Makley too. Game one was Makley's second consecutive start in which he took a loss despite not giving up an earned run. “It’s tough. He fa out there just dealing," Tacey said. "It was the one error that we had I games Saturday. all day that led to the one run in the first MapIcfVallcy's Jimmy Wiggs led off the game. We played significantly better defense bottom of the third inning of game one today. The one thing we have done all season against Lakewood with a line drive single long is hit the ball, and we didn't do any of game two, 3-1. Maple Valley is now 4-2 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference and 14-4 over­ all. with the two conference blemishes le oi surprising losses m league me l-uiacouple of surprising losses t® league foe LanChristian. Union City and Schoolcraft E|C__‘ A " h bested the Lions in non-conference into ccnterfield. He stole second and eventu­ ally came around to score the game’s only run on a ground ball to the nght side by teammate Noah Musser that the Vikings bobbled. Maple Valley only had two other hits tn the ballgame: a double ofT the bat of Cam Car­ penter and a single by Jakeb MacDonald - “These guys just buy in that they have got Io do the little things,” Maple Valley head coach Bryan Carpenter said. "Last year, we gave so many games away with mental mis­ takes and one play here and there. They have K bought into 'if we do things right we ascball games ' We're winning baseball games because we do things nght . and we )uve two really good pitchers." I He said Courtney just dominated the stnkc tone, as usual, in game one. ' "He just attacks the zone, throws strikes. Maple Valley third baseman Noah Musser tags out Lakewood's Gabe Porter shy of the bag at third dunng the bottom of the fifth that today." Maklcy, Walker KlifTman and Nate Wil­ lette had the three Lakewood hits. KlifTman singled to lead ofT the top of the second and then went to second on a ground inning of game two in Vermontville Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) out, but Courtney struck out the next two Vikings to get out of the inning unscathed. A pair of strikeouts also got the Lions out of a jam in the top of the fourth. Makley led While Hoefler calls the games for Court­ ney, when Courtney is behind the plate the Lions still leave the pitch mix up to Hoefler. off the inning with a single and moved to second when Brenden Straub was hit by a pitch w ith one out. The two Vikings were on second and third after a Lion error, but two more K's by Courtney got the Lion defense off the field. Willette led off the top of the seventh with a single and stole second on the second pilch to Brenncn Lehman behind him. Lehman reached base on a dropped third strike, but Willette was thrown out at third trying to advance when the ball hit the dirt making it a man on first with one out instead of two on and nobody out. Courtney got a strike out and a ground out to finish off the ball game without Lehman “He’s smart enough to know that, and to buy in to what he wants," coach Carpenter said. “They work together. We don’t call any­ thing from the dugout They call everything during the game." MacDonald came on the cam the save for the Lions in the seventh, but not without things getting interesting. Ashton Pfeifer opened the bottom of the seventh for the Vikings with a single and Willette was hit by a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate. MacDonald got a strike out and a foul pop-up to third base against the Vikings' 8-9 hitters. Lakewood lead-offhittcr Troy Acker popped a boll up that the Lion second baseman couldn't quite handle in short right field, and Pfeifer scored from sec­ ever getting to second. Lakewood is now 8-12 overall this season and 3-5 in the GLAC. Lakewood was swept in its conference doubleheadcr with Olivet Tuesday, May 9. The Vikings took two lopsided wins, 10-0 and 14-2, in mid-April over the Lansing Christian team that won a pair over the Lions the previous week. Coach Carpenter said the doubleheadcr with the Pilgrims was the one lime this sea­ son that his guys came out fiat and made a few mistakes. ........ • “It was a teaming moment. We definitely' learned. We bounced back the next night and took two from Dansville," coach Car- Maple Valley's Ayden Wilkes hits rounds third and heads for home to score a run during game two of the Lions' GLAC sweep of visiting Lakewood Thursday in Vermontville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) penter said. A ground ball single through the left side by Cam Carpenter got the Lion attack going in the top of the first inning of game two against Lakewood Thursday. Leadoff hitter Ayden Wilkes walked, stole second, went lo third on a passed ball and eventually scored on Carpenter's two-out RBI hit That was nearly the only run the Lions needed with gome-two starter Hoefler deal­ ing Hoefler gave up two hits and walked four. ond on the error. Willette was stranded on second though when Price popped a soft lime right back to MacDonald. The Lions tacked on a second run in the .....____ . top vi of ui» the fourth inning Musser tv^r - of -game two. ----------—_f ----1—1 -a one-out walk, w orked walk, stole stole second second nnrl and then went to third on a wild pitch. He came across to score on an RBI single on the infield by Wilkes. Wilkes stole second himself and then scored from there on a two-out RBI single down the left field line by Courtney. Wilkes’ run -was charged to the Viking starter KlifTman. Ethan Guiles took over on ‘‘ the mound' after Wilkes took second -------- J •*there — •in ­ the fourth inning. KlifTman gave up three runs on four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Ke struck out six. Lakewood's two hits off Hoefler were sin­ gles by Price and Maklcy. The Vikings had a pair cut down on the base paths in the bottom of the fifth. Willette led off with a walk but was caught trying to steal sec­ ond by the catcher Courtney. Gabe Porter reached behind Willette on a dropped third strike. Porter stole second, but was gunned out at third by Lion ccntcrficldcr Wilkes after a pickoff throw got by second base moments later. Seth Willette followed with a walk, but I loefler got out of it with a ground out. There was more movement without results on the base paths in the sixth for the Vikings. Maple Valley's Callan Hoefler pitches during the Lions game two victory over visiting Lakewood In a GLAC doublehoader on Griswold Reid at Roger Corey Diamond in Vermontville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) . Price led off with a walk, stole second and went to third on a ground out by Maklcy. There he stood as Hoefler, kept the shut out intact with a pair of strike outs. Guiles kept the Vikings in the game as the night went on. He threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings striking out four, walking two and allowing a pair of singles. A pair of strikeouts got him out of a two-on, one-out jam in the top of the seventh. i "He has been phenomenal all season long." Taccy said of his sophomore reliever Guiles. “We brought up as a sophomore. He throws a heavy ball and gets a lot ofouts. He is definite­ ly ■ bright spot going forward. Even Walker [KlifTman] pitched well. He gave up the one run. and then we gave up the one run in the inning there after he got pulled ... he pitched great and we played phenomenal defense for two games. We just didn't hit the ball." HHS guys all in the 80’s as 1-8 holds 18-hole event in Battle Creek Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxon varsity boys’ golf team scored a fifth place finish al the lntcniatc-8 Athletic Conference 18-hole jamboree hosted by Harper Creek Wednesday, May 3, at Binder Park Golf Course. Lumen Christi held its spot atop the league standings by winning with a score of 314. The host Beavers were second with a 328, followed by Jackson Northwest 332, Parma Western 335, Hastings 343, Mar- Beginning May 1, we are now open 24/7! I .. Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? Work the 3-11 shift and want to lift weights before bed? ; Our fitness center is now accessible 24/7. Not a member? Call 269.9483139. 24/7 new member enrollment fees waived in May. . Ptnnoch Health & Wellness Center BIS West Green Street Hastings, Ml 490S8 Spectrum Health shall 354, Coldwater 390 and Pennfield 441. Junior Owen Carroll led the Saxon team with an 83 and freshman Daniel Jensen was right behind with an 84. Jansen got off to a great start to his round, firing a par on number 18 and then going just one over through his first seven holes. Carroll too had a strong start. He was one over through six holes after starting on num­ ber one. He birdied the 325-yard. par-4 num­ ber five, sandwiching that between pars on number four and number six. Hastings also got an 87 from senior Colin Fouty and an 89 from junior Ryan VanDorp. Fouty birdied number five too. Lumen Christi senior Brendan Stevens was the day's top scorer. He shot a 76. Harper Creek got a 78 from sophomore Spencer Denney. Jackson Northw est junior JJ Miller. Lumen Christi sophomores Charlie Saunders and Adam Fuller and Harper Creek sophomore Joey Mario each scored a 79. Saxons give highly ranked Chix a battle at Zeeland East Invitational Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons are still chasing their first var­ sity baseball victory of the spring, but there have been bright spots. The Hastings varsity baseball team was bested in a pair of ballgames Saturday al the Zeeland East Invitational Saturday. The host Chix, ranked seventh in the state in Division I entering the weekend, took a 6-4 win over the Saxons lo start the day. Hastings pitchers' Landon Steward and Easlin Tibble gave up just two earned runs total in their six innings on the mound. Stew­ ard was charged with five runs, hut only one was earned. He started and went 4 2/3 innings. He walked four, gave up three hits nnd struck out three. Tibble came on foe the final 1 U3 innings. He gave up one run on one hit and two walks. The Saxons had just four hits, but did take advantage of eight walks as best they could. Steward walked twice. Alden Morton. Jackson Hayes. Zach Byle and Tibble had the four Saxon singles. Tibble had his team's lone RBI. Hastings fell 7-1 to Unity Christian the its second game of the day. Hie Saxons had two hits against the Cru­ saders, singles by Alden Benson and Tibble. Hastings was back al it in the lntenUte-8 Athletic Conference Tuesday afternoon, falling 21-5 and 17-1 al Harper Creek High School. The twx> losses drop the Saxons to 0-8 in the conference. Diego Coipcl had a single in the 21-5 opener. Tibble drove in two runs and Coipcl and David Jiles both had an RBI. Morton nnd Hayes were both 2 for 2 with a pair of singles in game two. Things don't get much easier any time soon. Hastings is supposed to host the Great­ er Lansing Activities Conference leaders from Olivet for two games Friday. May 12 and will be at home for two w ith Parma Westcm Tuesday. May 16. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-05-18.pdf 79773cb4a7b80107f512c92919c23a2a PDF Text Text 05403^ 1070490102590501113449058195427 PRICE SI.50 Thursday. May 18, 2023 VOLUME 169. No. 20 Thornapple Arts Council hopes to highlight county’s arts, culture with new music festival Jayson Bussa Editor Each year, the Thomapplc Arts Council teams up with tile city of Hastings to put on an entire summer of live music and events. The Hastings Live series features concerts on Wednesday nights and Friday afternoons and evenings and children’s programming every Thursday morning. Still, the organization found time to hatch one more ambitious event this season. "My summers are getting really boring, so why not do another thing?" joked Megan Lavcll. executive director of the Thomapplc Arts Council (TAC). Summers might be busy enough for Lavcll and her crew, but this year they arc launching something unlike anything they have done before with their newly-announced The Fair Ground Festival, an all-altcmoon music festi­ val featuring six female-fronted bands at the grounds of the Barry Expo Center where the Barry County Fair takes place every y car. Slated for Aug. 27. The Fair Ground Festi­ val will feature bands Joseph. Grand Rapids local favorites The Crane Wives. Rulhie Fos­ ter. Kyshona. Patty Pershayla and the Mayhaps and Traverse City-based The Acciden­ tals, a fan favorite ol the Hastings Live con cert series. The script for this event deviates signifi­ cantly from the Hastings Live performances that live TAC helps to coordinate inside city Gun Lake board approves new treatment as concerns continue over past copper treatments Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Gun Lake Improvement Board (GLIB) has approved a new round of treatments for the lake that will not involve the use of copper-based herbi­ cides At its May II meeting, the board approved the treatment of 48.75 acres of the lake, primarily in the channels, with several different herbicides, cost­ ing more than S34.OOO. Most noUbly, as part of that approval, the board approved the use of peroxygen algaecidcs instead of chelated copper, costing over S6.000 higher than the copper option, to treat invasive algae in the channels in the south and northwest । portions of the lake. Tlic treatments could take place as soon us today, according to Pete Filpansick of SOLitudc Lake Manage­ ment, previously known a* Clarke Aquatic Sers ices, the consultant to the I I I | I I I I I I I I I I lake board Some lake residents have been cntical of GLIB and SOLitudc for the use of copper sulfate herbicide to control invasive plants, saying it has affected uutcr quality and fishing on *Jkc’ . Resident Bill Bryker. who has tested the water near his house, submitted a letter, read by fellow resident Ann Nolan, where he criticized what nc termed “excessive, indiscriminate application of toxic copper sultate. over and over again, in the channc s a Gun Lake." . , , Under a new directive from die s ecopper sulfate cannot lie used on any lakes dunng the months of May “ June. See GUN LAKE, page 3 limits. The Fair Ground Festival is a ticketed event; general admission will cost $50. Lavcll said that TAC hopes to attract a regional audience. "I applaud the board for doing this - they definitely took a leap of faith in doing this because it's so far out of the scope of what we've done in the past.” Lav ell said. "This year, we would just love to cover our expenses with our ticket sales (and make it a yearly event)." Lavcll said that her organization's relation­ ship with The Accidentals was a catalyst for planning this large-scale event. Lavell leaned on Amber Buist. manager for The Acciden­ tals. to gain access to booking agents for these other well-known touring acts. The lineup is strong enough that Lavcll is hopeful that fans from all comers of the state can make the trip over to Barry County. “h's a female-led festival. Thai's not to say there aren't men on stage, but they're all female-led,” Lavcll said. “What we're trying to do is multi-faceted - we're supporting women in music, and we're trying to stimu­ late the local economy and kind of put Harry County on the map culturally the way that the Barry-Roubaix (gravel bike race) pul it on the map for our backroads We want to create that sense of cultural place here.” See ARTS COUNCIL, page 2 Portland, Oregon-base! band Joseph, seen horo performing at a previous the upcoming Fair Groun! Festival at tho Barry Expo Center. (Photos provided) ‘ 60 ° ° ° he s x musicaJ acts to appear at YMCA of Barry County's deal to purchase county-owned building, land nearing finish line Jayson Bussa Editor The county has found a buyer for a large swath of secluded property that has gone unused for over a year. The property is located at 2350 Iroquois Trail in Rutland Township and is home to a 7,500-square-foot. single-story office build­ ing that previously served as a day program center for Barry County Mental Health Ser­ vices. The facility has six offices, a full kitch­ en and six functional classrooms or gathering spaces. The building and property have sat vacant for over a year until, in March of this year, the county board announced that the YMCA of Barry County, which owns an adjacent parcel and operates nearby Camp Algonquin was interested in buying. The YMCA currently owns 45 acres of property - 35 acres on the north side of Iroquois Trail and 10 acres on the lake side, including an island. This acquisition would add to that footprint. The initial interest by the YMCA sparked negotiations with the county and. on Tuesday morning, the county's Committee of the Whole recommended that the Board of Commission­ ers approve the final sale of the property. As negotiations were ongoing. Jon Sporer executive director of the YMCA of Bany County, said that his organization was inter­ ested in using the building and property (o expand day camp and daycare sen ices for the local community, both of w hich are booked at capacity and have a waiting list. "This building, property and opportunity tor program growth fits our organization's strategic plan as well as our camp’s master plan. Sporer reiterated in a statement to 77;e Banner. “We are thankful for the process the county has pros ided to ensure the timeline and com­ munity needs are met and we appreciate (the public s) support of our vision." Sporer added Sporer said that the YMCA hopes to be alrcadyPCra"Onal “ IOCa,ion by thc fa" Tho YMCA of Barry County is poised to purchase this facility and property located at 2350 Iroquois Trail. Tho organization will use it to expand day camp and daycare services, among other purposes. (Filo photo by Jayson Bussa) See YMCA, page 2 Barry County Christian aciding another campus through partnership with Woodland area church Jayson Bussa Editor As the product of a newly-established part­ nership, Barry County Christian School will continue to expand throughout thc county, adding a new campus alongside the two thc school already maintain*. Earlier this week, administrators al BCCS announced that they have partnered with Kil­ patrick United Brethren Church, which is located between Woodland and Nashville and has been established for over 150 years. Together, thc two entities will launch a BCCS satellite campus that will operate independent­ ly of die existing campuses in Hastings and Middleville but shaic a common mission. Barry’ County Christian's footprint now stretches cast to west through die county. It creates a unique model dun can't be readily found elsewhere in die slate. While many private and public schools arc designed with multiple elementary schools that feed into one high school, all thee BCCS campuses are, or will eventually become, K-12 schools ol their own. “We re plowing new ground- Mld Bran­ don Strong, cxccutne d|fcctor ((|. |h<_ {) (. ounty t hrivlian School I Jucalion Axsocialion. "It's never really been our goal to central­ ize kids to one c.inIpus Wc about that. It > rou, have three schools 1,10 ?n ‘,pC n. * independently but in collaboration ‘"K another with the com­ mon vision. To be h„„^ wuh ( Jon.( know right now t„, h|gjn that operate what Wil) tlc () )I(. *?c being dor» inn rural area like ours. ► See CHRistiAN> page 3 u.u,.uu.. v.u.u,„u u..w>v< ul mu oaiiy county unnstwtn School Edumtinr. Association (loft), and Rocky Spear, lead pastor al Kilpatrick United Brethren Chi rb (right), are seen hero making a video announcement unveiling a now oartnorehLsJ. will bring a BCCS campus to tho Woodland area. (Photo provided) pdnnors™p “»• �Page 2 Thursday, May 18. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hastings school board accepts $600,000 bid for HVAC equipment for CERC, will use bond or sinking fund NEWS BRIEFS Barry County Chamber of Commerce to host annual golf outing The Annual Chamber Open Golf Outing will return for another year on Friday, June 2, at the Legacy at Hastings. The Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance hosts the annual out­ ing, which serves as the organization’s largest fundraiser. Although spots are filling quickly, a few more team spots remain open. Those interest­ ed must register before May 19 for the discounted registration price of $375. Those who register after May 21 will pay $395. Registration at the event begins at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the tournament. The tourna­ ment itself will begin after the 8:30 a.m. gunshot start. Lunch will be provided for golf­ ers, along with awards and prizes. Visit mibarry.com/registration-for-annual-events/ for more information. Pre-orders being accepted for native plant sale Pierce Cedar Creek Instituted annual native plant sale is underway, with online pre-or­ ders being accepted at CedarCreekInstitutePlants.com until Monday, May 29. An in-person sale with a limited selection will take place on Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Institute, 701 W. Cloverdale Road. Those who pre-order their plants online will pick up their selections during the in-person sale. The Institute, a nature preserve and outdoor education center in Hastings with over 850 acres of land, holds its native plant sale every year as a fundraiser for the preserve and to promote native, pollinating plants in and around Barry County. Fifty different individual species will be featured in this year’s sale, including eight types of grass and 42 species of wildflpwer. Four curated garden plant mixes are also being offered: a monarch waystation/pollinator mix, an .urban garden mix, a native shoreline mix and a shade garden mix. More information on these mixes, as well as a complete plant list with prices, are available at CedarCreekInstitutePlants.com. Staff and volunteers will be on hand at-the-sale to help answer questions and offer suggestions. Stewardship Manager Mary Parr is available to field plant-specific ques­ tions at 269-721-4192 or mparr@cedarcreekinstitute.oig. Moolenaar staff available in Sunfield, Hastings to provide constituent assistance Staff members from the office of Congressman John Moolenaar are hosting meeting I times across the district this month where constituents can sit down to discuss personal I casework issues they are having with a federal agency. Moolenaar’s office is offering help to constituents who need assistance with a federal I agency, including the VA and the IRS. Staff members will be available locally in the coming weeks in Sunfield and Hastings. On Tuesday, May 30, Moolenaar staff will be at the Sunfield Village Hall, 131 2nd Street, from 10 to 11 a.m. On Wednesday, May 31, Moolenaar staff will be at the Hastings Pub­ lic Library, 227 East State Street, from 10 to 11 a.m. Managing concerns about falls * & 5^4fS A"*)3 -• ■ Michigan State University Extension and Corewell Health Pennock are offering a new class, “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls/* on Tuesdays, May 23 through July 25. The classes will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Spectrum Health Wellness Center (main floor), 1009 W. Green St., in Hastings. There will be no class on June 27 and July 4. The program has no cost, and a workbook is provided. Refreshments will also be served. Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Many older adults also experience increased isolation and depres­ sion when they limit their interactions with family and -friends. “A Matter of Balance” can help people improve their quality of life and remain independent. “A Matter of Balance” is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance. Those interested can register or find more information by calling Laura Anderson at 269-908-9803. /J Hunter McLaren Staff Writer The Hastings school board accepted a bid to replace a piece of HVAC equipment at the Hastings Community Education and Recre­ ation Center. The $616,519 bid went to Hurst Mechani­ cal for the purchase of an Innovent Air Han­ dler. The equipment would replace the build­ ing’s current system, which is rapidly approaching the end of its lifespan, board member Mike Nickels said. “This thing is 25-plus-years-old. It’s as old as the CERC. The people maintaining it and looking at it regularly are absolutely amazed that it’s still functioning, but it is on borrowed time,” Nickels said. “It is certainly a necessi­ ty at this point that we replace it, unfortunate­ ly it is a high dollar item.” While the equipment comes at a hefty cost, the board was able to secure it for a lower price than expected. An initial estimate for the equipment came in around $800,000, but the board looked for alternative options to find a lower price. The equipment is special­ ized to circulate, heat, cool and dehumidify air at buildings with pools, like the CERC. Nickels said the district caught a break on the cost because of the way the current equip­ ment was installed. The current system is placed on top of the roof, while some other similar HVAC systems are installed in their own room inside the building. mW Superintendent Matt Goebel (right) addresses board members next to board presi­ dent Luke Haywood (left) at their meeting Tuesday in Star Elementary School. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) “We actually did get a break because when the CERC was designed and this thing was placed on the roof, it wasn’t placed in its own (room),” Nickels said. “Many are built inside, which makes it way more difficult to replace.” Funds for the air handler have been includ­ ed in the scope of the district’s upcoming bond proposal that will be on the ballot in August. If the bond proposal fails and the district does not receive those funds, board president Luke Haywood said the district would use its sinking fund instead. “If the bond passes, we will use bond funds. If, unfortunately, the bond does not pass, we will use sinking funds,” Haywood said. “But it would deplete more than an entire year’s worth of the sinking fund.” The next Hastings Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 26 at Hastings Middle School, with a public hear­ ing on the district’s 2023-24 budget sched­ uled before the meeting at 6:45 p.m. YMCA, continued from page 1 The YMCA offered to pay $750,000 for the property. David Jackson, chairman of the county board, recalled that the property was .previously assessed, at $715,000, but the board believed that, given the current real estate market, the value might be a little high­ er. The YMCA’s bid came in comfortably above the assessed value. The county was also paying roughly $11,000 in property taxes to Rutland Town­ ship, adding to costs associated with main­ taining a vacant building. Most often, coun­ ty-owned properties and buildings are prop­ erty tax-exempt, but county administrator Michael Brown explained that current law states that, if a building or property is unused and inactive, it can be put back on the tax r;<llls„wtycb iswfat, community, by-considering that.offer, from the YMCA,” Jackson said at Tuesday’s meeting. “In additional conversations with local real estate professionals, asking them the value ... it was hard to find comparables because it’s in such a remote location.” “It may have sat on the market for years before somebody could find a use for a com­ mercial building out in the middle ofnowhere. That was the opinion, of local real estate pro­ fessionals.” Gary White, formr president and trustee for the Village of Na ihville, was a voice for opposition to the tran laction, using his public commenting opportur ities to vocalize concern about selling to a 50 c3 non-profit organization that is exempt fre in paying property taxes. White also wondered if the board did its due diligence in marketing the property to devel- ?3<***’ I - jUlich^el Brown Corrm^aoi WoJacioJfijesday morn- ing about the sale of the county-owned property to the YMCA of Barry County. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) opers or potential commercial buyers since it never formally put the property up for bid. Brown cleared the air on the procedural legalities of the transaction, saying that the board could choose to sell surplus property without putting it up for bid if they saw fit. Jackson acknowledged that selling to the YMCA does take a sizable property off of the tax rolls. “We like the community aspect of working with the Y continuing to develop the resourc­ es that are going to benefit the community immediately versus hoping for something in the longer term,” Jackson said. “I can certain­ ly see the point (White) made on that - but 1 think it’s a win-win for us.” Mike Callton, who returned to the board this year after previously serving as both a county commissioner and Michigan State Representative, applauded the move, regard­ less of the tax hit. “A mentor of mine once told me, when you have a tough decision, do what’s best for children and people and you’ll never regret that decision,” Callton said at the conclusion of the meeting. “Maybe we can make a few bucks on taxes if we sold it to a private developer but this is a lot of children - hundreds of children and it’s an investment in them,” he added. ■uiiaettariK ■iiaunntta r:ktavsiih» naiaiilrCai J?* < Insular SPRAY FOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass t Roy Mast • 517-652-911? 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville ARTS COUNCIL, continued from page 1 Lavell said that! for years, she has researched how arts and economic and cultur­ al development co-mingle with one another, looking at other cities and towns with thriving arts scenes and how they can leverage that for the betterment of their entire community. “I’ve just been doing some research on what it is these other communities are doing well - they are other rural communities - and what they’re doing to bring people to them. With Hastings Live, we know that has a pret­ ty local draw. Lots of communities have out­ door concert series in the summer, and I’ll aigue that ours is a really solid lineup, but it’s not, in and of itself, a unique thing.” Lavell has high hopes that The Fair Ground Festival will be that unique thing that attracts droves of visitors from other communities. Lavell said that the community already has many of the pieces in place to draw in outside visitors. “We have great restaurants, we have the trails, we have the cute down­ towns, we have the live music and we have some outdoor art,” she said. “It’s really just an issue of how do we tell that story better? What do we have the capacity for that we aren’t doing?” MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber SSI iJSSfc * New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS . Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //XI10376 & Insured A 111 SNS ------- hayqwSpRflyfMj in c< at The Fair Ground Festival In August. as Live concert series In the past, and they will return to perform �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — Page 3 Debate continues to swirl over lake level project on Pine Lake; Drain commissioner’s office at a standstill Jayson Bussa Editor County efforts to probe methods for contrplling the lake level of Pine Lake in Prai­ rieville Township have stalled, the latest chap­ ter in a long-running and contentious matter. *Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim Dull appeared in front of the county’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday morning requesting a pledge of full faith and credit from the county for his department to complete a permit with Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy that would allow him to pump water from Pine Lake into a nearby gravel pit in'Gun Plain Township (Allegan County) to see if it is a feasible way of con­ trolling the level of the lake. Dull originally wanted to conduct this experiment in April but could not because he had not yet secured an irrevocable line of credit with the bank. The drain commission­ er’s office had planned to leverage the coun­ ty’s credit standing to provide EGLE with a $150,000 surety bond, which is required to secure the permit The $150,000 was not an expense and would likely not have been drawn on. However, citing a disagreement over the high legal lake limit of Pine Lake — or ifthere over a potential lake level project. (File photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) is even one established — Commissioner Mark Doster, who represents that district, convinced the board to put the brakes on the entire effort. Doster lobbied for the county board to remove itself entirely from the process of setting a legal lake level and suggested that the residents take up the issue directly through a petition process. Until the courts established the high lake level, Doster did not want the county spending any more money on the project - not even the minimal costs associated with experimental pumping to the gravel pit. David Tripp, an attorney with Hast­ ings-based Tripp, Tagg & Storrs Attorneys at Law, is representing a group of lake residents organized under the name Friends of Pine Lake. He also represented a group called the Pine Lake Association in a 1996 effort to establish a legal lake level. In his experience, he said that a clear majority of lake residents are not interested in controlling the level of the lake. CHRISTIAN, continued from page 1-------------------------------------------------- —------- -----------------------The Barry County Christian-Kilpatrick Campus will be located at 10005 E. Barnum Road,'the same address as the church. But, instead of using church facilities, Strong said that the school will bring in portable class­ rooms similar to those utilized for additional space at the school’s flagship campus in Hastings. -The Woodland school will initially accept students in kindergarten through fifth grade with the hope of eventually expanding it to kindergarten through eighth grade and then kindergarten through 12th grade in the com­ ing years. Registration is now open. .This new campus wasn’t one that Strong and the team at BCCS necessarily logged any long-term planning for, but it fell into place after Kilpatrick Church approached the school to learn more about the ins and outs of starting and operating a Christian school. Barry County Christian School recently celebrated its 50th anniversary at its main 7Rocky Spear, the lead pastor for Kilpatrick campus in Hastings. It also operates a K-12 campus in the Middleville area. Church, said that the idea was sparked .through cow$rsations with parishioners^ tance and people investing in the future of the “I think1 it’s inipoft^ht'to say that,' a£ &lout the'bCfrefits of ^ Christian education ' schwHftrongh that,” Spear said. “I think it all pursue this, Ave are noTplirsuing ak'feridmies ifiid the criSfttHgfe^fmfiiftds HS&f ’^ith cbfiVdittes'wnh'tfievisidn \Ve have a'conof public schools,” h^ said. uWe’te'h6f 6n^it • ■tarftnkpainl fepfepR^ihh ■assiZECisms ®t®ffl»dlfiiiJi UMB ic^jswiriirasr IBUSY tomtyfriiityri bftrt jDittffiaca&pi ‘im/BaxiiK^ ttM’***™ X. L.U.MK sBrR SS y*g «-»•■- traditional public school. “We formed an exploratory team to talk to (Christian) schools and parents to see what the need was,” Spear explained. “What they came back with was a very encouraging report to us as a team where we thought it would be a good idea for us to pursue. It was part of that exploratory team that had a con­ nection with Brandon and Barry County Christian Schools. It led to further conversa­ tions between the two and ultimately led to where we are today.” In addition to hosting the campus on its grounds as the new school seeks land for a permanent campus, Kilpatrick Church will shoulder some of the financial burden of launching the campus. “I think, additionally, we have those in our congregation that God has blessed them with financial abundance, and there will be assis- gregation.” In its exploration efforts, the leadership team at Kilpatrick Church uncovered con­ cerns families had with traditional public education - one of them being the lack of disciplinary avenues or discretion, which can lead to classroom disruptions. Some parents were also seeking the freedom to teach a school curriculum through a religious lens. “As followers of Christ, there are biblical principles that, due to our culture today, they’re not allowed to teach in public school settings, and so, as we looked at all this, we have a responsibility as parents to train our children and educate our children in a bibli­ cally principled kind of way.” Spear made sure to dispel the notion or misconception that, by establishing a school of their own, they were against local public schools. mies of them - we’re grateful there is edu­ cation happening. It’s riot a decision of us versus them. If we’re able to do this, it allows for our children to have a perspec­ tive on life that is more in alignment with the scripture as what we teach as a church versus what they’re able to teach in a public setting.” Barry County Christiah has been operating in Hastings for 50 years. In March 2020, school administrators established a Mid­ dleville campus, which leases space inside Leighton Church. However, Strong said the school is actively working to establish a per­ manent campus in that same area. In Middleville, the school hired new prin­ cipal Benjamin Kirsch in October of last year after a lengthy search. I Currently, the Hastings campus has 162 students, and Middleville has 47 students. Tripp spoke during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting. “It should be the small, vocal members around Pine Lake who want this that can file an action in circuit court. That's where this belongs,” he said. The Committee of the Whole ultimately voted to table the request for a full faith and credit pledge, which handcuffs Dull’s efforts to explore this project further. “I want to clarify with you tabling the full faith and credit - and I want everyone to understand - we will not be able to finalize our permit,” Dull stated at the end of the meeting to commissioners. “Without being able to finalize our permit, we will not be able to pump to the gravel pit. Without pumping to the gravel pit, we can’t see if it’s feasible. I want it on record that the commis­ sioners are okay with this. Because I will get a lot of blowback.” The Pine Lake issue initially resurfaced late last year when the current Board of Com­ missioners felt it best to table the issue so the newly-seated board could address it. Ever since, a steady parade of Pine Lake residents have appeared in front of commis­ sioners at both Board of Commissioner and Committee of the Whole meetings. These residents have been on both sides of the issue - for and against controlling the level of the lake. Some residents who saw their properties flooded and damaged were among those to Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim Dull (left) and attorney Doug Kelly (right) fieldquestions from county commissioners during Tuesday morning’s Committee of the Whole meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) residents against phone scam The Barry County Sheriff’s Office shared a post on social media this week warning residents against a phone scam where scammers pose as sheriff’s deputies. According to the sheriff’s office, the scam caller will tell the person that there is a warrant out for their arrest. They will claim the reason for the warrant stems from anything from a traffic violation to missed jury duty. The scammer will then tell vic­ tims that they can either surrender them­ selves1 to the sheriff’s office for arrest or make a payment to cancel the warrant. The imposters will likely ask for pay­ ment through gift cards, money orders or a payment app. “Although the sheriff’s office will some­ times make calls to inform individuals about a warrant, the sheriff’s office will channels near the Sunrise Shores neighbor­ hood on the northwest side of the lake, where levels of copper in the sediment ranged from 376 to 848 milligrams per kilogram, Mas­ selink said. “We have a lot of copper built into the sed­ iments,” Masselink said. “There’s a lot of variables that affect how toxic that copper is to the benthic fauna, the little creatures, the little wigglers that live in the muck.” However, Masselink reassured citizens about the impact of the copper in the sedi­ ment. “The copper is buried in the muck. It is not hurting humans. It is not hurting pets,” she said. Bryker sent a letter to GLIB and SOLitude late last year, asking for changes in how the lake is treated and how they report their find­ ings on the lake’s water quality and plant activity. Bryker did not attend the May 11 meeting, but SOLitude representatives responded to more than 15 questions he sub­ mitted. “The report speaks only to invasive aquatic plants. Nothing was stated about the health (or) quantity of native aquatic vegetation. A healthy fish population requires a balanced ecosystem that includes native aquatic vege­ tation. I consider this assessment very short-sighted,” Bryker wrote in his letter. Ashlee Haviland, an aquatic program spe­ cialist for SOLitude, said the surveys and reports “focus on invasive and nuisance plants because that is the purpose of the lake board and the task of the lake consultant.” “Currently, there are no reliable methods for propagating native plants, so the program focuses on controlling invasive plants and allowing native plants that naturally repopu­ late the littoral zone (the area of the lake close to the shore),” Haviland said. Bryker also suggested eliminating phos­ phorus and alkalinity tests from the testing protocol. “I would advocate including some more meaningful testing silch as total nitrogen and possibly ortho-phosphate at all the same points,” he wrote. “The other testing I would include are some sediment sample testing for heavy metals (copper from past algaecide treatments)' and total carbon (from decomposition of the aquatic vegeta­ tion from herbicide treatments). This test­ ing should absolutely be done in the canals.” Haviland said that measuring pH and alka­ line levels have been part of the lake testing protocol since 2004 and still have value. “First, these arwery easy and inexpen­ sive parameters'to test. Yes, they can be very consistent, but that is the benefit because any changes alert us to potential pollution events,” Haviland said. “Further­ more, the interaction between alkalinity, pH and dissolved oxygen helps us better gauge the overall water quality of the lake. Any changes to the testing protocol included in the current project from 2022 would need to be made by the Improvement Board pnd quoted by (Stt& tude). The other option would be to revisq the testing protocol for the next (request for proposals).” Masselink agreed that testing for pH and alkalinity should continge. “One of the criticaj things that affects how toxic copper can be, whether or riot a creature can eat and if it’s going to kill them, is pH and alkalinity. Those are very important numbers for us?* GLIB is scheduled to hold its next meeting Thursday, June 15, at 6 p.m. at the Oran­ geville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey Rd. never ask for payment over the phone or offer to negotiate a reduced payment in lieu of arrest,” wrote the Barry County Sher­ iff’s Office on social media. This latest alert follows another warning from the sheriff’s office about the scam in January. Anyone who has been a victim of a scam of this kind by providing private informa­ tion such as Social Security or banking information is asked to report the scam to the non-emergency line of the Barry Coun­ ty Central Dispatch, 269-948-4800 (option 1). Anyone who purchased gift cards or money orders to pay a fraudulent warrant is also asked to report it. The sheriff’s office urges anyone who suspects they are talking to a scammer to immediately hang up. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE GUN LAKE, continued from page 1 “In July or April, we could (still use cop­ per sulfate). It’s still legal; it’s still permit­ ted. It would be available for use,” Filpansick told the board. “The reason for the restriction on the permit was to protect fish eggs during peak spawning season. So (the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) on the permits now says you can’t use copper sulfate during May and June. That’s not even an option right now. The industry standard, in that case, is a chelated copper algaecide.” It won’t be the first time that SOLitude has used the peroxygen-based treatment for the lake. Last August, the consultant used PAK 27, a peroxygen-based algaecide. “It worked as well as the copper-based algaecides - no worse, no better,” Filpansick said. One of the areas to be treated is the channel of the swimming beach at the Yankee Springs Recreation Area, which “is inundated with invasive milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed,” Filpansick reported. “Because there’s that boat launch in there, (we’re) concerned that boat traffic in and out of that could transfer these invasive plants,” Filpansick said. | Board member Deb Masselink, who rep­ resents the Gun Lake Protective Association on the GLIB board, presented a report on sediment samples taken from the lake at the end of March. The GLPA, representing about 1,000 property owners on and around the lake, contracted the engineering firm Prein & Newhof to take 18 samples from various channel locations around Gun Lake, all of which had been treated with copper-based herbicides. The average copper level in the lake itself was found to be 3.36 milligrams per kilo­ gram. However, levels were much higher in speak to commissioners. Meanwhile, Dull and his office issued sur­ veys to residents of Pine Lake to compile data on what they were looking to achieve in regards to a lake level. In 1969, Barry County circuit court establ lished a lake level for Pine Lake. In 1997, the courts modified the language around the lake level, stating that a “normal” level was 890.5 feet, a judgment that still stands. But the 890.5-foot mark isn’t consid­ ered the high level. 890.0 feet is considered low and would trigger pumps to start adding water to the lake while many channels would be difficult or impossible to navigate. And that is a sticking point. “The numbers that you’re using and the legal level you keep referring to, 890.5 (feet), was set as a low lake level,” Doster told Dull. Dull shook his head in disagreement. “Yes, it was,” Doster said. “Every single person on Pine' Lake will tell you that that’s what it is. You’re the only person that believes you have the authority to drain down to that level when there are 18 pages of court orders explaining that that is the lower level for the pumps to pump up to. Before you go one iota further and spend any more money, you need to set a high lake level.” Board Chairman' Dave Jackson said the board would discuss the matter further and look into Doster’s grievances and suggestions about the process. THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEV­ TO: ILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on June 7, 2023 com­ mencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton MI, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning En­ abling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hear­ ing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Zoning Board of Appeal's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Zoning Board of Appeal's for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson (mthompson@Dcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. A request from property owners Joel and Catherine Schneck, 305 Grandview Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 for a variance to allow for the construction of a new single-family dwelling that fails to meet the front and/or rear setbacks, pursuant to section 4.24 "Waterfront Lots" and 4.41 "Schedule of Lot, Yard, and Area Requirements" of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 11103 Long Point Dr, Plainwell, MI 49080. Parcel #08-12-290- 057-00 and is currently zoned R2-Single and Two Family, Medium Residential. 2. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board of Appeals. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and ser­ vices, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS By: Dale Grimes, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 _________ ________ _____________ (269) 623-2064 I ______ �4 _ Thursday. Mav 18, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC? Fifth graders look to the future Bird’s the word | With spring in full effect, Barry / County has plenty of opportunities for people to get up close and personal / with nature. Recently, Hastings Banner / staffer Molly Macleod visited Pierce ' Cedar Creek Institute, where she par­ ticipated in a special day of hiking. Additional trails were made available to the public that day only. Macleod, who just might become a budding birder after all, spotted this Blue-Winged Warbler on the Institute’s Little Grand Canyon property. do y.u remember? Banner Feb. 16 1981 These ranch hands and cowboys (junior and senior high youth of the First Presbyterian Church) are preparing for the Western Dinner, which they will be serving on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ranch, better known as Leason Sharpe Hall. Posing here prior to the event are (front row, from left) Dave Byrne, Jack Wiswell, Laura Wiswell at the piano, Suzie Carlson and Laura Bowers. In the back, left to right, are Jeff Arnold, Chris Forman, Sandy Spindler and Barb Carlson. In the far back row are Heidi Spindler and Lisa Cain. Have you met? Hastings native Evelyn Ricketts has been fascinated with water for as long as she can remember. As a child, she remembers always being in the pool, putting her legs together when she swam, mimicking a mermaid flipper. If she wasn’t in the pool, she was watching “The Little Mermaid.” “My mom told me she had to actually re-buy my ‘Little Mermaid’ videotape when I was a kid because I watched it so many times a day that it actually ruined the VHS,” she said. As she grew older, her love of mermaids never went away.. Ricketts found herself still drawn to water, with a growing collec­ tion of mermaid statues. She would watch videos about the history of mermaids and “conspiracy theories” explaining how the magical creatures might be real. One day, Ricketts came across an adver­ tisement for a swimmable mermaid tail — a special kind of swimsuit with one giant flipper that allows the wearer to look and swim like a mermaid. “It was like a dream come true for me,” she said. Ricketts started saving up and eventually bought her first mermaid tail in 2019. Shortly after, she went to the Hastings Community Education and Recreation Cen­ ter and suited up in her new mermaid tail get-up. Then, something unexpected hap­ pened - she received a huge positive response from the kids at the CERC. That’s what inspired her to become the Thomapple Mermaid. She makes appear­ ances around Hastings and Barry County, where she swims with kids and teaches them about the importance of keeping our waterways clean. Although COVID-19 put her plans on hiatus, Ricketts hopes to expand her role as the Thomapple Mermaid this year. She’s planning many public appearances at Tyden Park and elsewhere in Hastings, with more information to come on the Thomapple Mermaid Facebook page. She’s also planning to expand the scope of what she does with things like meet-and- Evelyn Ricketts (The Thomapple Mermaid) greets, birthday party appearances and in-costume read-alongs. Becoming the Thomapple Mermaid has fulfilled Ricketts’ lifelong dream of becom­ ing a mermaid, but it’s been challenging, too. For starters, learning to swim with a mermaid tail can be quite tricky. Ricketts has also had to adjust to the attention and recognition of being an entertainer - and sometimes skepticism from folks who don’t understand what she’s doing or why. “I just keep telling them it’s just fun,” she said. “It’s fun to have that little spark of creativity for kids because my mom has always instilled in me that kids need imag­ ination and kids need creativity.” But for Ricketts, the pros vastly out­ weigh the cons. Becoming an entertainer was another lifelong dream for Ricketts, and she’s glad to be able to do it in a way that gives back to the community. It also allowed her to connect with the greater mermaid community. As it turns out, there are hundreds of people just like Ricketts all over the country who gather to share their love of mermaids. Ricketts said she closely follows the Society of Fat Mermaids, a group dedicated to plus-sized mermaids and body positivity. Ricketts said that the [group’s attitude is indicative of the inclusive nature of the mer­ maid community as a whole, with anyone of any background being welcome to join. More than anything, Ricketts said being a mermaid is a freeing experience. “To me, it feels magical. I think it’s just fun,” she said. “You can let go of that adult energy for 10 minutes the entire time where you’re just flipping around in that tail. You can let go of all your worries, all the things that come with adult life, and you can just be in that moment and jqst be a mermaid.” “We may still have bills, but mermaids don’t,” she said. “(Mermaids) don’t have stress or problems at work. They don’t have all of those issues. They are just carefree creatures that just swim. It can be nice as an adult to have that escape.!’ Favorite movie: Any horror movie. I’m not just a mermaid; I’m also a really creepy horror buff. My favorite would have to be ‘Nightmare on Elm Street/ the entire series. That or‘Child’s Play.’ fa Best advice I’ve ever received: You’ve got to go through to get through. Nothing in life is easy. What the world needs more of: Patience. Person I most admire: That would be my mom, Dawn Ricketts. She has been through so much but has never let it stop her from being the best mother she possibly could. Supportive, loving, caring. She has always worked so hard for us. I admire that about her. What I would tell a high school gradu­ ate: Don’t grow up too fast; enjoy life. That’s my biggest advice. Take that time to be that young kid while you have it. Enjoy being a kid while you can. Each week, the Banner profiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because of volunteer work, fun-loving per­ sonality, the stories he or she has to tell, or for any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058, or email news@j-adgraphics.com. I When you see the daffodils and hear the graduation speeches, you know it’s spring. I love this season of celebration, renewal and promise of the future. It’s a beautiful tune to honor graduates as they reach educational milestones and embark on new roads. We’ll hear a lot about those future paths in commencement speeches filled with words of wisdom from special speakers. However, over the past few years, I’ve wondered if there might be as much wisdom imparted from area fifth graders who-contribute to our annu­ al “My Future Me” booklet. My company has worked with local school, districts for the past four years to encourage Barry County fifth graders to write down what’s in store for their future. Teachers ask their fifth graders to write a short story about what they want to be someday. We publish them and then distribute them to fifth graders throughout Barry County. We get some of the expected respons­ es, such as a professional football or basketball player for the boys and, from the girls, a mother with lots of kids, an actress, ballerina or professional swim­ mer. Some say they may want to join the military or become a teacher, lawyer, computer or video programmer. There are so many more, but surpris­ ingly, many have no idea what their future might hold. That’s why we decid­ ed to take on the project; it gives kids a chance to write down some ideas and start to think about their future - which is only a few years away. Perhaps one of the most fundamental actions in our lives is preparing for the future. Experts suggest that planning makes life more meaningful and can lead to people being more generous and fulfilled. Studies suggest that the ability to think and act'on the future begins between the ages of three and five. It is unclear what underlying processes change during a youth’s development and how their parents and environment will impact them. Nevertheless, studies show that thinking about the fixture is an integral aspect of life because much of our behavior is future-oriented. However, getting young kids to think about their more-distant future is nearly impossible because they are generally only thinking about next week, an upcoming vacation, a test at school or a sporting event that weighs on their mind. Kids are worried about today - what to wear, what’s for lunch and who’s invited them over to their house after school. But by the time they are in fifth grade, kids should at least start thinking about what they might want to do or become. And that’s been the impetus for our annual “My Future Me” booklet project. “I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams!” says former U.S. Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana. It’s important to acknowledge the tools, such as a good education, that are the foundation of what our students can accomplish in their future. Vital to pro­ viding those tools are parents. Experts say that by the time kids are 10 to 11 years old - fifth-grade age they have lots of dreams about what they want to be, and some begin to real­ ize the importance of choosing a career path for their future. Naturally, the dis- S My Future Me Letters by the 2022-2023 fifth k ■M graders in Barry County cussion may focus on what the child is thinking about at the moment, but the goal for parents should be to listen for common themes below the surface, the glue of what motivates the child. That’s a search that should never end. “If you want your children to be intel-, ligent, read them fairy tales,” said Albert I Einstein. “If you want them to be more \ intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Thinking about the future can help kids shape their decision-making during their early years. That’s the investment we have a responsibility to make. “Children are the world’s most valu­ able resource and its best hope for the fixture,” said former President John F. Kennedy. We need to give them the sup­ port they need to fulfill their future plans — and part of that is taking the time to write them down, forcing them to think about the possibilities for their fixture. “My Future Me” happens again here in Barry County this year thanks to the schools, teachers and supporters. Spon­ sors for this year’s booklet were the Barry Community Foundation, which, with Highpoint Bank, promotes the Kickstart to Career program; Southside Pediatrics and its ‘Caring for the Com­ munity One Child at a Time;’ The HUB, which promotes Hands-on Career Exploration; JB Septic Service, which supports many local educational oppor­ tunities; and J-Ad Graphics, which encourages the importance of writing down one’s thoughts for the fixture. We hope the booklet will become a historic document for these kids to look back on when they graduate to assess the progress they’ve already made, to see what their next steps should be, and to hear their own voices amidst the noise of everyday life. Congratulations to this year’s gradu­ ates - and the fifth graders looking for­ ward to their own day! The Hastings BcHHICT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurlng CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 aourtijWs m, site willi city «i Wrtmfcpiite �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — Page 5 Kiwanis honors young citizens shooting threat NV'1 Citizens of the month at Star Elementary School were recent­ ly honored. Pictured are (from left) Kinley Beadle, Audi Stonehouse, Mrs. Smelker, Elli Erb and Owen Smith. >sss W sJW* IScc N'r SSr**i ^‘NS *S>k& SSi ss fes. ^nuir Hastings elementary school and middle school teachers have selected students to be honored as citizens of the month by the Kiwanis Club of Hastings. Students are selected by their teachers for reasons such as excellent citizenship, atti­ tude, conduct, academics, character, service, leadership and sportsmanship. The citizens of the month for the past two months (with parents’ names in parentheses) included: Central — Lydia Cole (Joel and Cheryl Cole), Millie Detmer (Joseph and Amanda Detmer), Tiegan Flietstra (Adam and Ruthann Flietstra) and Kyle Whalen (Christo­ Citizens of the month at Northeastern Elementary in Hastings include (from left) Bennett Ferguson, Abella Smith, Emily Rhoades and Sophie Pohja. They are joined by Mr. Heide. (Photos provided) pher Whalen and Emily Fate). Northeastern — Bennett Ferguson (Chad Ferguson and Melissa VanderPol), Sophie Pohja (Kyle and Amy Pohja), Emily Rhoades (Dustin and Jennifer Rhoades) and Abella Smith (Donald and Nicole Smith). Southeastern - Jace Keeny (Shannon Keeny), Jordan Muhqueed (Allison Underly), Destiny Newton (Kevin Newton) and Braivon Stahlhood (Bobby Stahlhood and Hildie Adrianson). Star — Kinley Beadle (Nicholas and Amanda Beadle), Elli Erb (Jeff and Kristi Erb), Owen Smith (Jonathon and Sirena Smith) and Audi Stonehouse (Caleb Stone­ house and Tiffany Speer). Hastings Middle School — Meredith Ansorge (Janette and Eric Ansorge), Dakota Cole (Bob and Pam Cole), Sage DeCamp (Kimberly and Joshua DeCamp), Leeland Dinger (Chantel Gerber and Steven Dinger), Parker Erb (Kristi and Jeff Erb), Mallory Harris (Laura Harris), Sophia Haywood (Jen­ nifer and Matt Haywood), Sullivan Hill (Kerith Redbum and Simon Hill), Remington Jerzyk (Mickayla and Douglas Jerzyk), Audree Rettinger (Angela and Byron Rettinger), Gabrielle Robertson (Summer and Dewine Robertson) and Marlayna Young (Lydia Teopas and Cody Young). **&£>?»* o f'-2***b*» Z&^ii BB b **»»«.. ^“ta“l*aU IT™4**1,4i*wB4F®6k •"■■iBtetatit Itaitar^jjkJ RP^Bfttavaktf vfentaod ^(tarrtBlV facAwiliit liid praaoks hk (res ■itaarcsniffsrr EjpfcnooE; JB Sepc Senix «!ii, ■to to to KB* s^o^aMcfw-' v w® gtcu I to and Md Gaphics, to ga rni mom eaisses & Rwa* "=i IZLgriirt doBr'sifasteft^^ ■**TL w.itatffpto®18' ?X to**** - fc^,litd *** M **-? ’ iS*““ “(LjSi* ** ofesW^ i^- 4 & . .«J Police investigate suspicious hole on island A 46-year-old Caledonia man called the police to report a suspicious hole on an island located in Mud Lake near Delton. The man told police he saw the hole while kayaking and that it appeared to be man-made but not freshly dug. The man estimated the hole was five to ten years old and about six feet long by three feet wide. The man also told police there was a mound of dirt 50 to 75 feet away, where he suspected someone may have buried something. Two Barry County Sheriffs Office deputies embarked on a boat around 1:30 p.m. on May 8 and investigated the scene. They located the hole and the mound of dirt, where they started digging. Police found only more dirt and some roots. Concerned citizen reports roads are in poor shape Police fielded a call around 8 a.m. on May 9 from a 63-year-old Hastings man con­ cerned about the state of Barry County’s state roads. The man called the police to inform them there were potholes and other unsafe road conditions on the M-43 Highway between Hastings and Delton. The man reported that the conditions between Yeckley Road and Goodwill Road were especially bad. While the man said there was no damage to his current vehicle, he told police he had to replace the front end of his last vehicle four times. The man told police he had made a complaint to the Michigan Department of Transportation about six months ago regarding the state of the road. However, he hadn’t heard anything back or seen any improvements. Police made arrangements to contact their MDOT contact and let them know about the complaint. Stranger arrives at door with laundry detergent, refuses to elaborate, leaves 1 *78k*W ^••hi Police responded around 6 p.m. on May 9 to a reported shooting threat at a church in Hastings. The caller, a 53-year-old Hastings man, reported that his 15-year-old daughter heard two 16-year-old boys at school talk about “shooting up” her church, Victory Hill Church. Police made contact with the two boys in question. Both boys said they never threatened to shoot up a church and were simply involved in a brief discussion about what church everyone in that conversation attended. Police confirmed with the boys’ parents that they do not have access to firearms and that the alleged threat seemed out of character for them. Police spoke to another student who overheard the conversation and denied hearing any shooting threat. Police determined there was no credible threat but maintained a presence at the church until everyone had left for the night around 9 p.m. Citizens of the month at Southeastern Elementary School have been named. Pictured are (from left) Jace Keeny, Braivon Stahlhood*, [Jofidap, Muhqyeed and Ms.Stein « Missing ifronry, the phptois Destiny Newton - Citizens of the month for March and April were honored recently. Pictured are (front row, from left) Gabrielle Robertson, Sage DeCamp, Sullivan Hill, Audree Rettinger, (middle row) Parker Erb, Central Elementary’s recent citizens of Dakota Cole, Mallory!; Harris, Leeland the month include (from left) Lydia Cole, Dinger, (back row) Mr. Pratt, Marlayna Millie P^tmer, Kyle Whalen and tTF^san । Young, Sophia Haywood and Meredith Fli^-ai ■L^y^ar^fjoi^d. here byqMffr I Ansorge. Missing from the photo is Mitchell. m Remington Jerzyk. Circuit court upholds decision, sides with city on signage ordinance dispute Hunter McLaren Staff Writer A city ordinance limiting city residents to four or less yard signs was upheld as legal and constitutional earlier this week. The ordinance came to Barry County Cir­ cuit Court before Judge Vicky Alspaugh for review on Monday morning. Hastings resi­ dent Charles Hertzler challenged the city on the ordinance after receiving a citation and $50 fee last year after violating the ordinance. Hertzler, who lives on the 200 block of West Mill Street, had 10 wireframe political signs in his yard when he was cited. Hertzler took the issue to city council last June, where he argued the ordinance was an infringement upon his constitutional right to free speech. Hertzler, who was running for a county com­ mission seat and currently sits as a Republi­ canprecinct delegate, argued it was important for him to be able to publicly endorse other political candidates. The City of Hastings V. Hertzler case appeared in Barry County District Court ear­ lier this year before Judge Michael Schipper, who also upheld the city’s ordinance. Hertz­ ler appealed the decision, bringing it to the circuit court. Tom Siver, the attorney representing Hert­ zler, cited the United States Bill of Rights as grounds to declare the city ordinance uncon­ stitutional; namely the First Amendment pro­ tecting the right to free speech. “The city is trying to violate your freedom of speech, my freedom of speech, (Hertzler’s) freedom of speech, their own freedom of speech,” Siver said. “Whether they like it or not, we still have to protect (Hertzler’s) right to have speech. Injustice anywhere, threatens justice everywhere. We implore upon the court to recognize that their ordi­ nance is invalid, and that it threatens the First Amendment.” Attorney John Weiss, representing the city, argued there was substantial legal precedent supporting the city’s ordinance as a reason­ able time, place and manner restriction on speech. “Search high and low, there’s not going to be a case that says you’re allowed an unlim­ ited number of signs in your yard,” Weiss said. “This is a reasonable time, place and manner restriction.” Government restrictions on the time, place aud manner of speech are allowed as long as It can be proved the regulation is content neu­ tral (meaning the regulation is not restricting Hastings resident Charles Hertzler lis­ tens as attorney Tom Siver makes his argument before Judge Vicky Alspaugh. what is being said), is narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest, and as long as the regulation leaves other avenues of speech available. On hearing both arguments, Alspaugh found the city’s ordinance met all of the requirements to be upheld as a reasonable time, place and manner restriction. Alspaugh said the restriction was content neutral as it was based on the number of signs and not their contents or messages. She said the ordi­ nance served the governmental interest of aesthetics, similar to reducing clutter via blight laws and restrictions, and safety, as passing drivers could create a hazard by try­ ing to read the signs. Alspaugh said there were many other avenues of speech available, as there was nothing stopping Hertzler from hanging signs in his windows, using both sides of a sign for different messages, or rotating which four yard signs he had on display on a regular basis. “The court does find that the ordinance section 90-971 is appropriately fashioned to meet the requirements,” Alspaugh said. “The appeal of the district court finding is denied and the court will adopt and affirm the find­ ing of the lower courts.” Siver said he and his client would be appealing the decision again in a comment made to The Banner, bringing the case to the state level. Police responded around 9:30 p.m. on May 2 to a Middleville residence on the 1300th block of Springview Court to investigate a suspicious situation. A 29-year-old Marshall woman told police she was house-sitting for the owners of the residence when a man came to the door. The woman said the man handed her an open bottle of laundry deter­ gent and said he was walking through the area and mentioned something about an app. The woman said she was having difficulty hearing him over the dogs barking from inside the house. When she mentioned she wasn’t the homeowner, he asked for the bottle of laundry detergent back. The woman said he was wearing a name tag, but it was flipped over. The man appeared to be driving a silver minivan. The woman contacted local •J neighbors, who all s^id the-man did not cbme to their houses. Consequences to ignoring Social Security crisis are coming George Schneidermann J-Ad News Services Every month, with the timing, precision and efficiency of a Swiss watch, the Social Security Administration sends $112 billion of benefit payments to 66 million Americans. That works out to $1.34 trillion per year. On the other side of the ledger, Social Security taxes are deducted from paychecks or deposit accounts of 180 million American workers. The process showcases what the federal government does best - take money away from some and give it to others - in staggering quantities. Payroll taxes, taxes on benefits and interest provide funding for the benefits paid. But there is a problem; The funding sourc­ es provide $1.22 trillioij, leaving an annual shortfall of $120 billion, which is funded from reserves. That shortfall is growing. Last month, the trustees of the Social Secu­ rity system estimated the reserves will disap­ pear by 2034. After that, by law, benefits will be reduced to the funds available. The trust­ ees think that will force across the board reductions in benefits of 20 percent to 25 percent, which will be devastating for those who rely almost entirely on Social Security for their retirement income. Politicians and bureaucrats should be scrambling to stave off the pending disaster. They are not. Most are doing nothing. However, several Republicans, most nota­ bly, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) and Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), have proposed reforms, such as increasing the eligibility age for full benefits, subjecting benefits to a needs test, and periodically subjecting the whole system to reauthorization. Their goal is to keep Social Security current and solvent. In his State of the Union speech, President Joe Biden, ridiculed and rebuffed the sena­ tors, drawing loud cheers from Congress. Republican leaders, including former Presi­ dent Donald Trump, quickly fell in line prom­ ising that Social Security benefits will not be touched. That may be good short-term politics, but 2034 is coming, and the consequences of inaction are severe. Biden’s simple response is to “protect” Social Security with higher taxes on incomes above $400,000; targeting the same taxpayer he wants to tax to pay for everything else. That, too, may be good poli­ tics for re-election. But, has he forgotten that it was the Democrats in Congress who reftised to raise taxes as he proposed in 2021? I wonder if he understands who he is pro­ tecting. It’s not the so-called little guy. Every­ one knows higher benefits are paid to work­ ers who paid higher taxes, but the correlation between high incomes and longevity is less well understood. Numerous researchers have conducted studies to document this correlation. An extreme, and frequently cited study, pub­ lished in the Journal of the American Medical Association in July 2016, reported that men in the top 1 percent of personal incomes lived 14 years longer than men in the bottom 1 percent. Women in the same subsets lived 10 years longer. Other studies suggest the advantage of higher income more broadly may be onehalf of the extremes. Five to seven more years in a typical retirement period of, say, 15 years at higher benefits add up to dramat­ ically higher cost to the system with the most advantage going to men. Joe wants to protect them. Correlation may work the other way. It is likely that healthy people tend to work harder and longer than those with impaired health. However, a Northwestern University study of healthy twin pairs still found some correla­ tion between wealth and longevity. That makes me believe mom was spot on when she had admonished us with the adage, “early to bed, early to rise, will make you healthy, wealthy and wise.“ Contrary to the image President Biden is hoping to cultivate as caring about the poor by working to “protect” them, his actions, or rather, his inaction is auguring to the benefit of the healthy and wealthy who earned higher incomes during their working years and now enjoy higher Social Security benefits for many additional years. I hope reform-minded senators continue their quest to improve Social Security in the face of political headwinds. Productive work is an important component of good health. In an age of less physically demanding work, an increase in the eligibility age for full benefits is in order. Increasing the eligi­ bility age tips the scales on both sides of the equation: more taxes paid in; less benefits drawn out. This column originally appeared in the N'West Iowa REVIEW and was printed with their permission Hope Township Notice of Adoption of Amendment to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance TO- THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at its meeting on Monday, May 8th, 2023 at 6:30PM at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S M-43 Hwy, the Hope Township Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance #94, an amendment to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance. The adopted amendment pertains to Section 8.4 and eliminates the requirement that a structure located on a nonconforming lot of record in any zoning district be no closer to any roadway than a straight line connecting the nearest building on each side of the lot. Further, the amendment clarifies that all buildings on nonconforming lots of record meet at least fifty percent (50%) of the setback requirements for the district in which they are located. These amendments to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance were adopted after the Hope Township Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of the amendment to the Hope Township Board on April 20th, 2023. A copy of the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the adopted amendment is available for review at the Hope Township Office during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The amendment will become effective eight days after the date of this published notice pursuant to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, as amended. Deborah Jackson, Clerk Hope Township 5463 S M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 _______________________ __________ (269) 948-2464____________ �Page 6 — Thursday, May 10. 2023 — The Hastings Banner dJituari&f Hake OdeJia fJ /i ^BIHBBbhJL^ 1 14 M’l -1 *• • Traditional and Cremation Services * Pre-Planning Services • Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Serving All Faiths Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted Marsha Kay (McKibbin, Richard­ son) Jordan, age 76, of Hastings, MI, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2023, surrounded by family at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo, MI. Marsha was bom on August 10, 1946, the daughter of Rolland (Ike) and Maxine (Leslie) McKibbin. After graduating from Hastings High School, Class of 1964, she continued her education, receiving her associate degree from Kellogg Community College. Moving around after school, she started her family and ended up set­ tling in Portage. She worked at Kalamazoo Mill Supply and James River for many years. She looked forward to weekends to play cards, dice and board games with family, friends, and neighbors. In 1999, Marsha returned to Hastings, opening her home to all her grandkids and friends. She spent many days and hours at Richie’s Koffee Shop with countless friends. She loved reading murder myster­ ies, knitting and crocheting, as well as her many Boston Terriers throughout the years. Marsha was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Jordan; par­ ents, Ike and Maxine McKibbin; sisters-in-law, Lucille Bledsoe, Grace Clark; brother-in-law, Jimmy Jordan and daughter, Lori Washbum. She is survived by children, Bob Jordan, Larry (Jill) Jordan, Rob (Debbie Richardson, Kim (Dave) Kellogg; sisters, Rhonda (Kevin) Laughbaugh, Darlene (Spark) Weedall; sister-in-law, Mildred Arnold and Joan (Jim) Jenkins; 11 grandkids, and 14 great-grandkids. Memorial donations can be made to Living Waters Church, PO Box 43, 1302 S. Hanover Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Visitation will be Friday, May 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a funeral service at Noon at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hast­ ings, MI 49058, Gary Newton Officiating. A Celebration of Life Gathering is also being planned for June 10, 2023, at Marsha and Dean’s residence. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online con­ dolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Glenna Elizabeth Smith, of Hast­ ings, MI passed away surrounded by her family in Charlevoix, MI on May 14, 2023, at age 94. She was bom on July 21, 1928, in Comstock Park, MI, the daughter of William and Marie (Milbert) Thurkettle. She graduated from Thomapple Kellogg Schools in 1946. In 1957 she married Ralph Edward Smith who passed away in 2002. She worked as a press operator, sec­ retary, and then owned and operated Hastings Oxygen Supply with Ralph. She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She loved taking Polaroid pictures and was a great card player and played a mean game of Gin and Rummy. She was a lover of unique collectables. She was known to enjoy drinking Irish Mist Honey Whiskey. She was a socialite who loved her husband dearly and enjoyed spending time with friends and hosting lavish dinner parties. Glenna was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 45 years, Ralph Smith; son, Daniel Thomas. She is survived by her granddaughters, Brenda (Eryn) of Charlev­ oix, Rachel (Eric) of Las Vegas, NV; grandson, Jordan (Alayna) of Janesville, WI; great-grandchildren, Kylee, Kaiydin, Westyn, Alexan­ der, Tucker, Emersyn, Everett, and Echo; niece, Marie (Mark) West­ brook, Willy Thurkettle, and Billy (Dawn) Thurkettle. There will be a funeral mass at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at St. Rose of Lima Church, 805 South Jefferson Street, Hast­ ings, MI 49058. Interment next to Ralph at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michi­ gan. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome. net. ’Zr / W/ T <4 Jr st**- x -_ -'.I fl ^28 S* Broa^way» Hastings, MI 49058 269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfimeralhome.net Family Owned and Operated own “/Meager MB Glenna Elizabeth Smith Marsha Kay Jordan steadily recording these stories and hopes to Elaine Garlock get more. Saturday will be a busy day. The annual Pastor Marilyn Danielson has been hospi­ Preakness race will be on TV in the late after­ noon. There are to be at least two memorial talized in recent days because of a health sendees that day. One is at Lakeside Ceme­ issue. She is currently pastor of the First tery in the forenoon and another will be held Congregational Church after more than 20 years in the same role at Portland. She is an at Kilpatrick Church. Spring has sprung. Lilacs are in various active member of the local chamber of com­ merce, among others. stages, depending on the variety. Some are in The tai chi class which meets each Thurs­ full bloom already. Others are a bit more day at the local library has drawn an increas­ reluctant. Flowering quince bushes are still ing attendance. There is room for more par­ hanging onto their red blossoms. Leaves seem to be finally full size. Late varieties of ticipants. Graduates from high school and college tulips are coming into their own brand of glory. Alliums are starting to show their beau­ are to be honored at Central UM Church on ty. The flowering trees in the business section Sunday. We see people planting their gardens. of town are showing white. We are treated Seeds or started plants? That is the big ques­ often to the sight of two varieties of flowering trees in a straight line so we see white with tion. In a hurry or wanting to save money? Will the finished product look like the glossy pink behind it or yellow in the foreground and a white-blossomed tree in the rear which picture on the envelope of seeds? The garden­ er is always hopeful his plants will look like gives the viewer a medley of color. The county genealogy society met last the picture on the envelope but he will be week at the freight station museum on Emer­ satisfied if it grows to be much smaller and son Street. The speaker was Christy Erickson, less lush. Another spring product is ready for har­ whose topic was “Stories Behind the Stars.” This is a cemetery project which by today’s vest. It is time to get out the recipes for rhu­ communication records the stories behind the barb pie, rhubarb crisp, rhubarb punch and gold stars which were on service flags during any other spring recipe for this seasonal wartime. This gives more information than goody in the gardens. The harvest time runs Find A Grave. The speaker’s efforts have from now until mid-June. After that, the acid in the stalks moves up the stem and causes recorded the stories of several local veterans whose lives were lost in World War II. She is the stalks to become bitter. 1 EmeriL Serving Hastings, Barry County and Surrounding Communities for 50 years Worship Together From left to right, Hastings seniors Gaitlyn Dickerson and Adrianna Nelson pose for a photo with athletic director Mike Goggins while holding their Southern Michigan College swag. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Decision Day celebrates Hastings seniors ...at the church of your choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269- ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-9454246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist .com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a jn. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-9480900. Website: wwwlifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. Tim information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: sflett 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 Thomas Christie, Andrea Rhodes, Andrew Rhodes and Trenton Lipsey pose for a photo in their Olivet College gear. . r“WWWI Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Hastings High School seniors were called up on stage to celebrate Itheir post-high school endeavors last week - some even won prizes. The festivities were part of the school’s annual Decision Day event Friday, where soon-to-be Hastings jg raduates were recog­ nized for their post-secondary activities in front of their peers^ Classmates cheered for each other as each student was recognized for their choice, whether they were enrolling at a community college or,University, enlisting in the armed forces, entering the workforce or headed elsewhere. ||j Students who were called up on stage scored some swag drom their respective future schools and po& id for a photo. Various prizes were raffled ofl throughout the event, with gift cards, scho >1 supplies and other goodies. Some lucky, students even walked away with a few dbrm room essentials, including a TV and a r lini-fridge. After every studenu was recognized, the class was split up into groups and bussed out to the district’s four (elementary schools. Anna Haywood poses for a photo after collecting her Kendall College of Art and Design swag. Kearan Tolles and Isaiah Randall pose with their Western Michigan University gear. There, they donned their caps and gowns before walking the halls lined with elementa­ ry students cheering them on. Superintendent Matt Goebel recapped the event for school board members at their meeting Tuesday. Social Security honors our military heroes Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist On Memorial Day, bur nation honors mili­ tary service member^ who have given their lives for our country. -Families, friends and communities pause to remember the many great sacrifices of out military and ensure their legacy lives on ih the freedoms we all enjoy. We recognize these heroes who, in President Lincoln’s words, “gave the last full measure of devotion.”-’ The benefits Social Security provides can help the families of deceased military service members. For example, surviving spouses and dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors’ benefits. More information about those benefits can be found at ssa.gov/survivors. Social Security also offers support to our wounded warriors. Social Security benefits protect veterans when an injury prevents them from returning to active duty or performing other work. Wounded military service mem­ bers can receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability claims. Are you a veteran with a 100 percent Permanent & Total Colin Thomas Watson, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 19, 2023 to Monique Diamond Williams and Matthew Thomas Watson of Hastings. 2 ***** Fitarai™ rmdoo. IMXMBt UUkMi!^ 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 “Students hopped on buses to the elementa­ ry schools, walked the hallways, hit the play­ grounds, and had all sorts of fun,” he said. “Some of them even got some gifts from their elementary students, and they took pictures out at the playground. It’s a lot of firn.” , Vera Elizabeth Moore, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 13, 2023 to Eliza­ beth Marie Fish and Martin Lee Moore of Hastings. Adley Jo Turner, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 20, 2023 to Blake Turner and Matt Turner of Nashville. Thea Lynn Lukas, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on April 25, 2023 to Taylor Tripp and Kevin Lukas of Middleville. compensation rating from the U.S. Depart­ ment of Veterans Affairs? We will expedite your disability claim. Both the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Social Security Administration have disability programs. You may qualify for disability benefits under one program but not the other, or you may qualify for both. Depending on your situation, some of your family members, including your dependent children or spouse, may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Want more information? Visit ssa.gov/people/veterans for answers to commonly asked questions or information about the applica­ tion process. Thinking about retirement? Military ser­ vice members can receive Social Security benefits in addition to their military retire­ ment benefits. Details can be found at ssa. gov/planners/retire/veterans.html. To the veterans who bravely served and died for our country and to the military service mem­ bers who serve today, we honor and thank you. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ ist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — Page 7 The Freeport News and Clarksville Record Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner Aug. 5, 1999 Freeport was platted out by Michael and Samuel Roush, who owned the land where a railroad was proposed to come through. The railroad was set to go from Lowell to Hast­ ings and pass through the Roush land just east of the hamlet of Linden. After some disagreement within the family about what to name the new village, Samuel wanted to call it Memphis after Memphis, Tenn., where he had been stationed during the Civil War. Michael wanted to call it Freeport after Freeport, Ohio. Samuel concurred with his older brother, and the platted area was called Freeport in 1874. The land was on the town line between Carlton Township and Irving Township and on the Kent County line. The village was not incorporated until 1907. The railroad, a narrow-gauge line, arrived in Freeport on Nov. 24, 1887. While the rail­ road did the grading from Freeport nearly into the city of Hastings, the line ended at Freeport and never went further, even after it became a standard-size track rail line built by Jerry Boyington 13 years after the line was first completed. The village was incorporated in 1907. The post office was established in 1878. Before that, the residents of the area got their mail at Fillmore to the west of Linden and Freeport. Dr. H.C. Peckham became the editor of the Freeport Herald in the 1880s. Dr. Peckham came to Freeport from the little town of Van­ derbilt in Otsego County. He invented, pat­ ented, manufactured and bottled a medicine called Peckham’s Croup Remedy. He added a room to his house where he conducted this business. He sold the paper to James W. God­ frey in 1886, who continued to publish the Freeport Herald. 'll on Day celebrates Hastings sente Charles Geiger getting a haircut in Freeport from Donald Send. Frank Brayton owned and operated a hand­ set paper, The Freeport News, until he sold the paper to Ken Braendle in 1926. The paper increased its circulation, and Ken Braendle sought to upgrade the equip­ ment for the newspaper and other printing done at the shop. He purchased a state-of-theart 1928 linotype machine with which to set the type for the newspaper. The linotype machine was invented by Otto Mergenthaler. It went through many experimental stages and was first used with success at the Tribune, New York City, in 1886. The machine consists of a keyboard similar to a typewriter. The machine allowed one operator to set type much faster than by hand. This machine is still (in 1999) at the Ron Geiger and the No. 375 Babcock Single Revolution Press, purchased in 1926 from the Kalamazoo Printing Company by Ken Braendall. The press was still in use in 1999 before The Freeport News and The Clarksville Record ceased production. Doctor Universe r s> ® All eyes and ears Do your eyeballs grow? Ashlynn, 8, Utah <0 Dear Ashlynn, I was the cutest kitten. I bet you were an adorable baby, too. Like me, you probably had a big, round head with chubby cheeks and huge eyes. The fact that babies have big eyes made some people think babies are bom with adult-sized eyeballs. I talked about this with my friend Edward Johnson. He teach­ es classes about the human body in the School of Biological Sciences at Washing­ ton State University. “It’s a very good question because there’s a lot of misinformation about it,” Johnson said. “Eyeballs do grow-but not very much compared with other parts of the body.” He told me to think about the thigh bone-also called a femur. That bone grows a lot. The average newborn baby has a 3-inch thigh bone. The average adult has an 18-inch thigh bone. That means the thigh bone gets about six times bigger. That’s a huge change. Eyeballs don’t grow nearly that much. Johnson told me adult eyeballs are about one-and-a-half times as big as baby eye­ balls. The average newborn baby’s eyeball is 0.6 inches in size. The average adult eyeball is 0.9 inches. Some scientists think babies have big peepers because traits like chubby cheeks and big eyes make babies cute. Looking at that cuteness turns on the bruin’s reward r, . ✓ Jw I 1 system. That is what makes it feel good to take care of a baby-or even just look at one. So, is there any body part that stays the same size from birth? “As far as I know, all organs and tissues grow from birth up until adulthood-with the possible exception of a couple middle ear ossicles,” Johnson said. “If any struc­ ture doesn’t grow, those would be candi­ dates.” The middle ear ossicles are three teeny bones in the middle ear. Their names are the malleus, incus and stapes. As sound travels from outside the ear through the middle ear, the bones vibrate. That makes the sound louder as it moves into the inner ear. There, it changes into a signal that goes up a nerve to the brain. It makes sense that middle ear bones don’t grow-or only grow a little bit. They’re the tiniest bones in the human body. They’re also stiffer than other bones. That helps them vibrate better. From itty-bitty ear bones to eyeballs, your body is amazing. If you think about it, asking big questions about our world is another way of growing. You’re doing that beautifully! Freeport News office and is still being used to set the type for the Freeport News and the Clarksville Record. Mergenthaler also purchased a No. 375 Babcock Single Revolution Press in 1926 from the Kalamazoo Printing Company. This press is also still (in 1999) operating in the Freeport News printers’ shop. Charley Geiger came to work for Mr. Braendle as a printer’s devil (apprentice) in 1931. He learned the business well, and in 1944, he purchased the shop from Ken Braendle and continued on with the paper. He added the Clarksville Record to the work put out weekly by the print shop. This shop is where Neil Braendle got printer’s ink in his blood also and is still very involved in a print shop in Hastings. J Mr. Geiger operated the print shop and put out the newspapers for many years. He was also very active in the community of Free­ port. He served on several boards and many committees. He was president of the village several times and was a member of the Free­ port Rural Fire Association, which covered areas in three counties: Carlton, Barry Coun­ ty; Campbell, Ionia County; and Bowne Township, Kent County. He served as secre­ tary of the association for a time. He and the papers supported the Freeport Homecoming and was one of the first persons in Freeport to open an account when Wayland State Bank opened a branch in Freeport. And along with running the papers and an insurance company, he and his wife, Thelma, were raising a family, a y A small-toyn requires _a_ great deal of effort. Most of the work is done by one or two people, and often family mem­ bers are part of the team. There are advertise­ ments to sell and collect for, subscriptions to sell and news to gather and report. The papers have to keep up with and even get ahead of the events in the communities they are serv­ ing. It is hard to get time off for vacations, as the work must be done on a consistent basis. Ron Geiger, Charley’s son, began working for the family business at a very young age. He did odd jobs, swept the floors and other tasks around the shop, observing the opera­ tions of the print shop and newspapers. He became a full-time employee after he gradu­ ated from Freeport High School in 1957. He set the type and operated the Babcock Single Revolution Press. He is still operating that press in 1999. It is believed to be the only one still operating in Michigan. He learned about the business of operating the weekly papers and a print shop. Ron married Christy in 1964, and she, too, fl look back at the stories i and columns on local history I In the Hastings Banner TURNING BAGK THE PAGES became part of the operations. She secured advertisements, collected local and area news and learned to operate the vintage linotype machine. Ron then set the type into the press for printing. The papers had correspondents in the var­ ious neighborhoods who contributed weekly news to the papers, as well as feature writers who covered various subjects. These items had to be collected, edited and typeset each week. The couple purchased the print shop, the Freeport News and the Clarksville Record from Charley when he wanted to retire. They went on operating the print shop. In 1966, during a demonstration of the workings of the press, the linotype and the print shop, Ron told the Barry County Histor­ ical Society with a touch of irony, “Techno­ logically, we are about a half-a-step ahead of Benjamin Franklin. We are kind of a working museum.” The shop puts out 400 copies of each of the four-page newspapers. The papers sell for one dollar a month. A notice published in the July 22, 1999, issue of The Freeport News read as follows: “TO OUR FAITHFUL READERS.... After some 56 years of publishing the Free­ port News and Clarksville Record, begin­ ning with Dad and Mom (Charles and Thelma Geiger) when they purchased the News and Record from the Braendle fami­ ly in 1944, Christy and I have decided that as of January 1, 2000, we will no longer publish the Freeport News and Clarksville Record. “We feel we can no longer devote the long hours it takes to publish these papers each week. Our commercial printing business has grown substantially over the past years, and we strongly feel that we must devote more time to our printing business so we can maintain the high standards our customers expect from us. “It is with deep appreciation we say Thank You to all of those persons who made our little papers a big success. “Sincerely, your editors, Ron and Christy Geiger. “P.S. We will be receiving subscription payments at $1 per month only through December 1999.” For the first time in more than 115 years, the Village of Freeport will not have its own weekly newspaper. This marks an end of an era for the village and for Barry County and Campbell Township, Ionia County. Sources: Archives: Hastings Banner, The Reminder; History of Allegan and Barry Counties, 1880; Excerpts from the Freeport Herald and the Freeport News; Old Days in Busy Freeport Recalled by Victor Sisson; History ofFreeport, Alice M. Burgess. Charley Geiger (left) was one of the first depositors when Wayland State Bank opened its branch in Freeport. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for May 19-25 May 1-31 - May Storywalk Book: “Box Turtle” by John Himmelman. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Witness time and space through the eyes of a box turtle. From hatching in a New England forest in the late 1890s to the present, observe changes in the turtle’s life and landscape. May 1-31 - Endangered Species Scavenger Hunt. Honor Endan­ gered Species Day (May 19) all month long and learn about Mich­ igan’s threatened and endangered species. Search along the Insti­ tute’s Beech-Maple Ridge (blue) Trail for artwork of rare plant and animal species in their preferred habitat; scan the QR code on each work of art to learn more about the species. The scavenger hunt is free and self-guided. Saturday, May 20 - Spring Mushroom Hike (ages 9+, under 18 with an adult), 9-11 a.m. Join Community Program Manager and MDARD Wild Mushroom Expert Ellen Holste in discovering the many mushrooms that emerge during Spring, how to identify them and the best places to look for them. Institute members can join the hike for free; non-members must pay $8 for registration. Saturday, May 20 - Native Plant Garden Stake and Planting Party (ages 12+, under 18 with an adult), 1-3 p.m. Join Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and Dayna Walton of Solstice Handmade to learn the joys of native plants and typography, the art of arranging letters to make the written language legible and appealing when displayed. Learn the basics of lettering with a brush and practice on wooden garden stakes to help you identify your plants and show off your newly-acquired skills. But this class isn’t just about lettering - it’s a party! The Institute will have pots, soil and native plant seeds to start or add to your garden. Learn how to prepare and sow different types of seeds and determine which seeds might be best for your garden. This party is suitable for painters and gardeners of all expe­ rience levels. Members must pay $20 to register; non-members must pay $28. Those interested can register for these events and find more infor­ mation at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Thursday, May 18 — Novel Ideas Book Club discusses “Larger Queen of Minnesota” by J. Ryan Stadal, 1 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1944 film in which a contrived misunderstand­ ing leads to the breakup of a songwriter and his fiancee, 5 p.m. Friday, May 19 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20 - GameQuest 12 Hours of Gaming, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday, May 22 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 23 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; acoustic jam, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by call­ ing the library at 269-945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Barry County ISD students honored at graduation ceremony Hunter McLaren Barry County Intermediate School District graduate Steven Nagy walks out of his graduation ceremony with his mother, Shannon Thornton Nagy. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Staff Writer The Barry County Intermediate School District class of 2023 walked at their commencement ceremo­ ny this week. An intimate ceremony was held Wednesday after­ noon at The Legacy in Hastings, where the school’s three graduates were recognized. Steven Nagy, Austin Morgan and Bodhi Pummill were all recognized among family, friends and classmates. Superintendent Rich Franklin was the event’s key­ note speaker. Franklin reflected on their time at the ISD and some of the challenges they overcame, including the trials of COVID-19 and remote learning’ “Your days are going to be different now with some more time to do some of the things you really enjoy, with fewer days to spend with this whole group of friends,” he said. “As you begin this next phase of your life, I hope you’ll remember all the teachers and the staff who’ve helped you along the way and all the lessons you’ve learned. Congratulations to our gradu­ ates and happy trails.” Molly Keller, who teaches the applied life skills program at the ISD, introduced and presented Steven Nagy with his diploma. She said he enjoyed many of the school’s programs, but among his favorites were music and art. “Steven takes the smile everywhere and always brightens our day. Steven continues to participate with the music at Franciscan Life Process Center, working out at Pennock Fitness Center and attending the Emmanuel Episcopal Church with his family,” Keller said. “As your journey comes to an end at Barry ISD, we are so happy to have been a part of it and we love you and can’t wait to see what’s next.” Annette Shumay from the ISD’s young adult pro­ gram spoke about Bodhi Pummill and his passion for current events, as well as his knack for conversation. “Bodhi was talking about many of the people he’s worked with, he has a history with the ISD and he met so many staff members and remembers them all,” Shumay said. “Those staff members also have told me how much he has grown in his abilities and his cour­ age.” Keller also introduced Austin Morgan and recog­ nized him for his strong and impactful personality. “Enthusiastic, funny and full of willpower, our Pis­ tol Pete,” she said. “Even though Austin was with us just for a short time, he made such an impact on all the staff at the West Learning Center.” WZXZJ >W‘$r SHANDY 1 SG LONGCORE a»** ,%$>!£•».> By: Shandy Longcore, Founder of Embracing Imperfections (501c3) ■i’-* I have just nine toes. 3»5S :>*d •’;'.«* **■ ■jrxS****"- Which makes me different. Which makes me just as normal as you, because when you stop and consider it, you too are distinguished by something that separates your essence from mine. Steven Nagy is recognized by Barry County ISD staff member Molly Keller at The Legacy at Hastings. And in embracing what makes us unique is just one reason why our lives are so sacred. And why jt would be such a waste and a pity to succumb to suicide. Michigan officials propose changes to deer hunting regulations •**25*** <!S* »»*s— &***’.* * ।S»*rS ’&<:r*'*'* ****;. imrtlR** J ■**F biwK* ’ •i-sapta*’* 1 I nearly did. At the time, in my underdeveloped psyche, I thought myself not pretty enough. So, I went into the basement of our family home where I knew a rifle to be kept, aimed it at my chest and pulled the trigger. I was 10 years old. Through what I can only attest was a series of miracles, I somehow survived. Paramount was the mistaken notion that my heart was located oh the right side of ;j my chest. Had I aimed more to the left, my name would only whisper to you from J some weathered tombstone. Ashley Zhou Bridge Michigan Spring has only just begun, but Michigan fish and game regulators are already focused on the fall. Deer season, specifically. Officials in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources last week recommended several changes to deer hunting regulations for 2023, including new opportunities for youth and disabled hunters, and changes to hunting limits in parts of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission could approve the proposed changes as soon as next month. Here’s a sampling of what’s under consideration: j chibs ata taoitaMiWintata* IHlMflHlM «t®>MlB»l« Recently, I forged a connection with the DeCamp Family foundation. As part of our collaboration, I hope to book more speaking engagements so I can further inspire young adults about what options they have besides taking their lives. Why? Because suicide is a quiet monster. Each year, more than 800,000 people die from suicide in the U.S. alone. That's an average of 129 per day. Among those aged 10 through 24, it's the second-leading cause of death. And for every person who succeeds at suicide, an estimated 25 others attempt it. In a world made even more challenging by a recent Pandemic, suicide needs to be addressed and better understood. My goal is to demonstrate how by harnessing the power within you, it's possible to beat depression and move forward in ways <1 that give you purpose. To soar. If your school or organization is seeking a passionate speaker craving opportunities to share her story and inject a message of love and hope into your people and your culture, please reach out. If together, we can save but one young adult from a tragedy-in-the-making, we've made it a better world, haven't we? Contact Shandy Longcore by calling 616-516-8281 or visiting www.embracinglmperfections.org embracingimperfections.org Across the state, DNR officials want to expand opportunities for youth and disabled hunters to kill deer during the annual “Liberty Hunt,” a weekend in September that’s only open to those groups. During a presentation last Thursday before the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, Deer, Elk and Moose Management Specialist Chad Stewart rec­ ommended lifting an existing limit of one deer per hunter, instead allowing hunters to kill a deer for each license type they possess. Hunting’s waning popularity in Michigan has caused Lower Peninsula deer populations to sky­ rocket, Stewart said. State officials hope that by allowing hunters to kill more deer they cap counter­ act that trend. Upper Peninsula In the area surrounding Dickinson County, DNR officials want to lift a number of restrictions they imposed to keep chronic wasting disease from spreading in deer after officials discovered a deer sickened with the disease in 2018. That includes ending antler-point restrictions spe­ cific to the area, and removing a ban on baiting and feeding deer. The incurable disease, which is similar to mad cow disease, attacks deers’ brains in ways that cause them to stumble, starve and eventually die. It can spread through proteins contained in their feces, urine or sali­ va, which makes communal bait piles a hazard. But DNR officials said hunters in the area can safe­ ly resume baiting deer, because CWD doesn’t appear to be spreading. Since the 2018 case, state officials have tested nearly 2,100 local deer and found no new infections. “We feel pretty comfortable in essentially removing the regulations around that surveillance zone and try­ ing to get back into a normal existence in that area,” Stewart said. In the northern U.P., DNR officials want to lift a ban on killing does during archery season. The agency established that restriction in 2015 after several cold winters knocked back deer populations. Avoiding does is one strategy to boost deer num­ bers,1 ) because does give birth to future generations. But DNR officials believe it’s no longer necessary in the northern U.P. Some U.P. residents pushed back during Thursday’s meeting, arguing there are still too. few deer to justify the change. “We have a dwindling population of deer right now in those counties,” said Mike Taylor, of Marquette. “1 iiMflHBfl asiiiitKibr tasvnWt RiiiiiiiiflHi niikwrt^ Statewide I went on to excel in school and sports and business and. more. I came to understand that I mattered. Today, I direct a one-woman non-profit called "Embracing Imperfections." My life is now dedicated to educating people about what I call "the power of one." I spend part of everyday trying to prevent suicide. Mhu» ■’Unt Michigan regulators want to make a host of tweaks to Michigan’s deer hunting regulations for next fall. (Stock photo) drove down from Marquette all the way down here and through the whole U.P. I did not see one roadkill.” Lower Peninsula In the Lower Peninsula, the department wants to reinstate a 4-point antler point restriction in 19 south­ ern counties that make up the Lower Peninsula’s chronic wasting disease management area. Years after the disease was first identified in Mich­ igan’s wild deer, the DNR removed antler-point restrictions that had applied to some deer licenses, in hopes of containing the outbreak. By steering hunters away from younger bucks, the agency hoped to encourage hunters to kill more does, thereby driving down herd numbers to keep CWD from spreading. But DNR officials have found no evidence that easing restrictions made a dent in the deer population, Stewart said. Antler point restrictions are also generally popular with hunters because they allow bucks to grow bigger. As state regulators set the rules for next year’s deer season, lawmakers are considering just how severely hunters should be punished for breaking them. Last year, it became mandatory for hunters to report their deer kill to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources within 72 hours. But the rule change also triggered a state law that threatens hunters with a stiff penalty - 90 days in jail - for failing to comply. DNR officers have so far declined to enforce the law, which the agency views as too strict. But chang­ ing it would require action from the legislature. A bill sponsored by Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint, would reduce that penalty to a civil infraction, punish­ able by a fine of up to $150. The bill has cleared the Senate and is awaiting a hearing before the House Natural Resources Environment, Tourism and Out­ door Recreation Committee. Whether or not the bill passes, Stewart said DNR officials will continue prioritizing hunter education over doling out tickets, as hunters adjust to the new reporting system. “We know that it almost takes a couple of years to reach everyone,” he said. &!*. 5S: *B<l ■•*i �Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street Hastings Ml 49058 The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday, May 18, 2023 Eagles sweep Algoma Christian for GL6 regular season title Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Barry County Christian varsity base­ ball team clinched the Great Lakes 6 regular season championship with a sweep of visiting Algoma Christian Thursday in Hastings. The Eagles took game one 10-2 and fol­ lowed that up with a 9-0 win in the nightcap. The Eagles are now 18-5-1 overall this sea­ son and the two wins move them to 11-1 in conference play this season. Barry County Christian will host the Great Lakes 6 Tourna­ ment June 3. “We played pretty good. We have been playing real good here lately. I think we're on a 12-game streak. It has been fun," Barry County Christian head coach Brandon Strong. “We have probably implemented our offense to its fullest extent. We’re playing at a pretty high level offensively, and we have mixed in our small ball approach ... we’re deadly when we get guys on base. When we get guys on base it’s just a matter of ^coring them and getting them around.” * Isaiah Birmingham got the win in the five-inning opener for Barry County Chris­ tian Thursday. He struck out ten, walked four and gave up just one single. Josiah Grzybowski threw a scoreless, hitless inning of relief to close things out. The Eagles opened the doubleheader by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first inning. They’d finish the bailgame with nine hits. Ryan Kammenzind was 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. He had a double. Joe Wise was 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and three RBI's. Wyatt Stone tripled and drove in a run' and "Jonathan Hawkes had a double and two RBI’s. The Eagles also got hits from Dustin Lam­ part, Nathan Loerop and Birmingham. Lam­ part had an RBI and so did Teegen Whitmire. Grant VanderWoude and Hawkes teamed up to fire the five-inning shut out in game two from the mound for the Eagles. VanderWoude started and got the win. He struck out four and allowed four hits in four innings. Hawkes gave up one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning of relief. “Our pitching depth has been big,” Strong said. “The ability to throw nine guys. Isaiah Birmingham is becoming the pitcher we expected him to be. It has taken a little bit of time. His ERA is 0.55. He has only given up three earned runs on the season. He has just gotten better. “Grant VanderWoude has been outstanding as well, pitching. He is a young kid we thought would get some relief time and now he’s starting to slot in 2 or 3 in the rotation. Grant has been an absolute animal.” ^WRi--XCX3K!life LDMD ■tffKlWI I HsbImIsmCm11* I .g jsze fSi -**■ *\..MlM* . W kfr* . _ ® *****i ^b®® The Barry County Christian team had six hits in game two against Algoma Christian. Whitmire was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Birming­ ham, Stone and Grzybowski each singled once. Loerop had a double and an RBI. VanderWoude drove in a run too. “It took most of April to get the kids to gel together,” Strong said. “Once we found that, then it turned into just play baseball. That went pretty well. I can’t say enough about some of the plate discipline and execution at the plate.” He has also been thrilled with his outfield defense, which has helped boost the confi­ dence of his team’s young infield a bit. The pitching staff and infield defense con­ tinues to benefit from its leader behind the plate, senior catcher Wise. “Joe Wise is playing the way you’d expect a guy who is playing at a college level to play. I have given him a lot more authority in man­ aging in-game decisions, probably more than anyone else in 20 years of coaching,” Strong said. “He has responded exceptionally well. I have a high level of expectation for Joe and he seems to want to meet that expectation every time he is on the field. It is crucial to have a good catcher. He has been our unoffi­ cial captain and unofficial leader I guess. He is playing both sides of the baseball. He is playing offense. He is playing defense. He has caught every inning this year.” The Eagles followed up the conference championship performance by winning their own Eagles Classic Baseball Invitational Sat­ urday by outscoring Godwin Heights 15-0 and then the Lapeer Lakers Homeschool team 5-4. Hawkes tossed a' three-inning shut out against Godwin. He struck but four, walked two and gave up two hits. The Eagles had eight hits including a dou­ ble from Birmingham. He drove in three runs and scored three runs. Whitmire was 2 for 2 with three runs and an RBI to go with a walk. Stone had a hit and drove in three runs. Hawkes had two RBI’s. Wise knocked an RBI double with two on and two out in the bottom of the sixth to give the Eagles the victory in the tournament championship game over the Lapeer Lakers. The Eagles led the ballgame 4-0 after scor­ ing four runs in the home half of the second. Lapeer tied the ballgame with four unearned runs in the top of the fifth. Wise’s RBI hit was the third double of the ballgame for the Eagles. Birmingham and VanderWoude both drilled one. Lampart was 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI and two runs See EAGLES, page 10 ;<0K»rate,I^ J - A-.w'SS*’" Panthers wrap up SAC Central Championship Brett Bremer The Delton Kellogg^yarsity softball team concluded an 8-0 seasdrf in the Southwestern Athletic Conference CeftfraiDi vision witK a' sweep of its doubleheader against visiting Saugatuck Monday. The Panthers pulled out a 9r7 win in the opener and then/took game two against the Trailblazers 21-4. A five-run second inning got the DK girls going in the opener. Cadence Johnson had an RBI single, Kasey Kapteyn hit an inside the park home run to right field, and Paige Thom­ as hit an inside the park home run to center field that plated three runs in the surge. Abby Fichtner doubled and scored on Thomas’ home run. Thomas was 2 for 4 in the bailgame with three RBI’s and two runs scored. Kapteyn was 2 for 3 with a run and four RBI’s. Alli Brandli also had a single in the win and Jor­ dan Lyons was 2 for 3. I Mya Brickley got the pitching win. She gave up four earned runs in seven innings on nine hits and four walks. She struck out six. Delton Kellogg scored its 21 runs on nine hits in game two, getting the help of four Saugatuck errors and nine walks. Eight dif­ ferent girls recorded a hit Fichtner, Thomas, Brickley, Allie Trantham, Abbi Wooden, Brandli and Johnson had one each. Jordan Lyons was 2 for 3 with five RBI’s and 3 runs scored to lead the way. Thomas had four more RBI’s. Teammate Massey Wiessner had two RBI’s. Stonebumer got the three-inning victory in the circle. She didn’t allow an earned run. She walked one and gave up one hit while striking out three. The Panthers challenged themselves head­ ing into the final SAC Central doubleheader. They went 2-1 at the Lakewood Invitational Saturday after splitting ballgames with Hop­ kins and Traverse City St. Francis Friday in Delton. Hopkins took a 4-3 win over the DK girls to open play Friday and then the Panthers beat the Traverse City St. Francis girls 11-8 in the nightcap. The Delton Kellogg girls were bested 4-3 by Central Montcalm to open play at Lake­ wood Saturday, then defeated Lakewood 10-5 and Traverse City St. Francis 12-3. St. Francis went into the weekend ranked sev­ enth in the state in Division 3, while the DK girls were among the teams in the honorable mention D3 rankings. Fichtner and Trantham both homered in the 12-3 win over St. Francis Saturday. Fichtner was 2 for 3 with two runs and three RBI’s. She also tripled in the bailgame. Trantham was 2 for 4 with three RBI’s and two runs scored. Thomas doubled and drove in two runs, and also got the pitching victory in the five-inning bailgame. Brandli and Jordan Lions hit home runs as the Panthers took a 10-5 win over Lake­ wood Saturday. Lyons had three RBI’s and Brandli two. Kapteyn went 2 for 3 in that win. In the one-run loss to Central Montcalm, Hornet pitcher Alyssa Johnson held the Delton Kellogg girls in check. She allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out three. All three Delton Kellogg runs were unearned. A double by Fichtner was Delton Kellogg’s only hit. She had an RBI and scored a run. She was 1 for 2 in the five-inning bailgame, and walked once. The Hornets and Panthers were tied 2-2 after one inning. Central Montcalm added two runs in the top of the fifth inning, and fought off the Panthers comeback bid holding them to one run in the bottom half of the fifth. The Delton Kellogg girls go to Pennfield for two ballgames this afternoon and will be at Watervliet for a SAC 3-Team Tournament Saturday. GLAC baseball title eludes Lions as Olivet takes two to clinch league Win*** ^^.lf4 iJ The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team celebrates its 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division Championship after sweeping its doubleheader with visiting Saugatuck Monday. The Panthers were a perfect 8-0 in conference play this season. Team members are (from left) Abby Fichtner, Alli Brandli, Lizzy Stonebumer, Abbi Wooten, Kasey Kapteyn Allie Trantham, Jordan Lyons, Mya Brickley, Maysse Wiessner, Paige Thomas, Cadence Johnson, manager Olivia Post and (back) coaches Fred Brickley and Jesse Lyons. ' ^ntd Brett Bremer >0? c//Mr . The Barry County Christian varsity baseball team celebrates its Great Lakes 6 Regular Season Championship after outscoring Algoma Christian in a pair of ball­ games at Barry County Christian School Thursday in Hastings. The Eagles were 11-1 in conference play this spring. They will host the GL6 Tournament June 3. Sports Editor The Lions won the first Greater Lansing Activities Conference baseball champion­ ship, but couldn’t upend Olivet to win a share of the last one. $ Olivet swept its GLAC doubleheader with the visiting Maple Valley varsity base­ ball team Tuesday taking 13-3 and 11-1 wins. The Eagles close out a perfect 12-0 GLAC season. The Lions fall to 6-4 in conference play this spring and will close out their time in the GLAC with two ballgames against Stockbridge in Vermontville Tuesday, after hosting their annual Ken Beardless Invita­ tional Saturday, May 20. Lion ace Chanse Courtney took the loss in game one, the 13-3 defeat against the Eagles, Tuesday. He allowed ten runs, but only four of them were earned. The Eagles scored eight unearned runs in all during the ballgame with t te aid of ten Maple Valley errors. Courtney gave up nine hits and didn’t walk a batter. Jakeb McDonald threw the final 2 1/3 innings cf relief allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks. He struck out two. Cam Carpenter hit \ two-run home run for the Lions in the toji of the first inning, but the Eagles answered with eight runs in the bottom half of the inning to take con­ trol,. Ramsey Bousseau went the distance on the mound for the Eagles. He allowed three unearned runs on six hits. He ..didn’t walk a batter and struck out nine. Olivet had 14 hits in the 11-1 Win in game two. Carpenter was 2 for 2 at the plate with a double and an RBI and the other Lion hit was a single by Ayden Wil­ kes. Carpenter also threw a scoreless inning of relief behind starter Callan Hoe­ fler who was charged with 11 runs on 13 hits and no walks. He struck out one. The Eagles scored three unearned runs off the Lions’ starter. Lalo Aguirre was the wining pitcher for the Eagles. In five innings he allowed one earned run on three hits and zero walks. He Struck out eight. Sweeping the Eagles and Stockbridge teams in the final two GLAC doublehead­ ers would have put the Lions even with the Eagles at the top of the conference stand­ ings and earned Maple Valley its first con­ ference title in any sport in the GLAC since that 2015 baseball championship. The Lions got conference wins five and six last Wednesday, May 10, at Perry. They took a 5-1 win in the opener and then won game two 11-1 in five innings. Courtney got the win on the mound in game one against the Ramblers Wednesday. He struck out 11 (in seven innings while giving up two hits! He didn’t walk a batter. Perry’s one run was an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Lion offense had seven hits includ­ ing a 3 for 4 performance from leadoff hit­ ter Wilkes. He scored three of his team’s five runs. Hoefler was 2 for 3 in the number two spot behind him and drove in two runs. Courtney, batting third, was 1 for 2 with a pair of RBI’s? The Maple Valley offense also got a sin­ gle and a run from Andrew Sheperd. Noah Musser walked and scored a run. In game two, The Lions scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and then seven in the bottom of the fourth to push themselves to the ten-run victory. Hoefler went five innings on the mound striking out eight and walking two. He gave up one unearned run on three hits. Musser doubled and scored a run. Car­ penter was 2 for 2 with a walks, two RBI’s and two runs scored. Hoefler, McDonald, Jesse Deppe and Jimmy Wiggs each had a single. Hoefler scored two runs. McDonald and Sheperd drove in one run each and Wiggs had two RBI’s. The Lions had seven walks to go along with their seven hits. Perry made five errors helping the Lions score five unearned runs. �Pago 10 — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxons break a couple of school relay records Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer Hastings track and field athletes celebrat­ ed senior night at home Monday at Baum Stadium and Johnson Field during a triple dual against Interstate-8 Athletic teams Harp­ er Creek and Marshall. Harper Creek’s teams picked up wins over the Saxons with the girls team being outscored by Harper Creek 94-68. The Saxon girls’ team outscored Marshall 11838 for a win. The Hastings boys’ team had similar standings with the Saxons outscoring Mar­ shall 121-42, but losing to Harper Creek’s team 88.5-74.5. The Saxon girls’ 4x200-meter relay team broke a 3 8-year-old record, with the team of Madison Nino, Addey Nickels, Isabelle Roosien, and Myah Vincent running a time of 1 minute 46.62 seconds. The same team also finished first in the 4x100-meter relay. The Saxon 4x800-meter relay team of Eva Rowley, Jayla Ellwood, Ellie Cousins and Lauren Arnold finished in second for the night. Other Saxon girls’ placing in the top three for the night were: Olivia F riddle finished first in the shot put and pole vault, third in the discus, and third in the 100-meter with a PR of 13.11 seconds; Roosien finished first in the 200-meter with a PR of 26.59; Nickels finished first in the 100-meter hurdles with a PR of 16.65 and first in the 300-meter hur­ dles; Ava Noteboom took second in the 100meter hurdles with a PR of 18.4 and third in high jump; Julie Klein took second in high jump; and Madison Nino finished first in the long jump. For the boys’ team, the Saxons had the following boys finish in the top three: Reu­ ben Solmes took third in the 100-meter dash; Jett Barnum finished second in the 200meter; Kearan Tolles finished first in the 400-meter with a PR of 50.74; Charlie Nick­ els took second in the 400-meter with a PR of 52.76; Riley Shults finished second in the 1600-meter; Brandon Simmons took third in the 3200-meter; Layton Eastman finished third in the 110-meter and 300-meter hur­ dles; Daniel Weatherly finished 2n in the II Section 5 Finals 5 j 6 A T A N ( Lerma Peterson Kohmeschf chapman (I5HEJ shot put and discus; Isaiah Wilson took third in shot put; Adam Jacobs took third in discus; Charlie Nickels took second in high jump; and Robby Slaughter took first in long jump and pole vault. The boys’ 4x100-meter relay team of Zane Warner, Lanny Teunesscn, Aiden SaintAmour and Solmes finished in second; the 4x400-meter relay team of Eastman, Charlie Nickels, Barnum and Tolles finished in first place; and the 3200-meter relay team of Sim­ mons, Shults, Jonah Teed and Caleb LaBoe took second. On Friday the Saxon team traveled to Alma to compete in the Alma Invitational against 11 other schools. The Saxons boys’ and girls’ teams finished in second place for the night. The Saxon boys’ 4x400-meter relay team broke the school record for the night, setting a new one with a time of 3:27.95 with the team of Slaughter, Barnum, Charlie Nickels and Tolles. Other Saxon boys finishing in the top three for the night were: Tolles finished first in the 400-meter; Eastman finished first in both the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles; and Slaughter finished second in the pole vault. For the girls’ team, Saxons placing in the top three for the night were: Nino took first in long jump and third in the 100-meter; Roosien took second in the 200-meter; A. Nickels finished first in the 300-meter and third in the 100-meter hurdles; Friddle fin­ ished first in discus with a PR throw of 105 feet 5.5 inches and second in shot put. The girls 4x100-meter relay of Nino, Roosien, Nickels and Vincent finished in first place. The Saxons near the end of the season and will compete at the MHSAA Lower Peninsu­ la Division 2 Regional Meet on Friday at Mason High School, with the top two plac­ ers, or those making qualifying marks advancing to the MHSAA State Finals in June. The Saxons will also travel to Albion College on Tuesday for the Interstate-8 Con­ ference Meet. Hastings teammates Kearan Tolles, Jett Barnum, Charles Nickels and Robby Slaughter celebrate a school-record time of 3 minutes 27.95 seconds in the 4x400-meter run Friday, May 12, at the Alma Panther Invitational. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings falls for first time in 1-8 this spring as Harper Creek rallies two *58^ * feW? Saxon teammates Madison Nino, Addey Nickels, Isabelle Roosien and Myah Vincent celebrate breaking the school record in the 4x200-meter relay Monday inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field with coach Melinda Shults, who was a member of the previous record holding team from 1988. Their new record time is 1 minute 46.62 seconds. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON CONDITIONAL REZONING OF PROPERTY The Planning Commission for the City of Hastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/or oral comments from the public concerning a conditional rezoning request from Green Development Ventures, LLC for property located at 1107 N. Ferris Street. The Planning Commission will consider the proposed conditional rezoning of said property from R-1 One Family Residential to R-2 One Family Residential. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 5,2023 in City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. A copy of the proposed changes and map are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the Community Development Director, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director, at 269.945.2468 or dking@hastingsmi.org The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings girls bounced back from a" one-goal loss at Harper Creek to score a 3-0 win over visiting Parma Western Friday evening in Hastings. The Saxon varsity girls’ soccer team improved to 3-1-2 in the Interstate-8 Athlet­ ic Conference with the win over the Pan­ thers and were looking to continue their push for one of the top spots in the confer­ ence they went to Marshall last night, May 17, for the final bailgame of the conference regular season. Marshall and Harper Creek were both 5-0-1 in conference play this spring heading into last night’s action. Even in a defeat last Wednesday at Harp­ er Creek, Hastings head coach Tim Schoes­ sel was pretty pleased with his Saxons’ efforts. “Harper Creek was a great game. It did not end the way we wanted, but the girls played one of their best games of the sea­ son,” Schoessel said. The first half mostly went the way the Saxons would have wanted. The Beavers struck first, but Hastings rallied to take a 3-1 leads at the half. “We talked about smart and Cautious play going into the second half to protect that lead, but Harper Creek was able to answer with three of their own goals on some breakdowns and miscommunication. They had the lead 4-3 with about 15 min­ utes left in the game. Our girls attacked the Harper Creek net over and over hitting the post and several near misses, but just could not find the equalizer,” Schoessel said. “The girls were worn out, tired and frus­ trated that this one slipped through their fingers but I told them to pick up their heads and be proud of their play. Harper Creek had only been scored on once in conference play and we were able to get three in on them.” Lauren Lamphere scored two of the Sax­ ons goals and Raegan Morrison had the third. Morrison and Bri Darling both had an assist. City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON REZONING OF PROPERTY Dekota Blough had seven saves in goal for the Saxons. “Kennedy Lewis, our sweeper, had a great game as well, stopping several break- n aways one on one, giving us a fighting chance to tie this game,” Schoessel said. Hastings scored all three of its goals I against Parma Friday in the second half of the first half. Dez Mathis scored twice and Morrison found the net once. Mathis assist­ ed on Morrison’s goal. Blough had six saves in goal to earn the shutout. “Parma is a solid team and has the ability to score quickly so once again we discussed smart cautious play going into the second half and protecting the lead,” Schoessel said. “This time the girls were able to accomplish that.” Hastings will be on the road at ionia Fri­ day and then home for senior/parent’s night against Dansville Monday, May 22. Hast­ ings opens the MHSAA Division 2 state tournament with a district match at Holland May 26. 199630 The Planning Commission for the City of Hastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/or oral comments from the public concerning the rezoning of 1117 S Michigan from R-S Suburban Residential to R-2 One-Family Residential. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 5,2023 in City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. A copy of the proposed changes and map are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the Community Development Director, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director, at 269.945.2468 or dking@hastingsmi.org The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk EAGLES, continued from page 9 ---------scored. Birmingham had an RBI and a run scored too. VanderWbude and Wise scored the other two Eagle runs. Wise had two RBI’s in the win. Whitmire was the winning pitcher. He threw a scoreless sixth giving up a walk and a hit. Lampart started and went three innings. He struck out one, walked two and gave up two hits. Monday, the Eagles scored a 10-1 win over the West Michigan Crusaders and then they scored a 9-1 win at Bellevue Tuesday. The Eagles went seven innings with the Crusaders Monday. Birmingham tossed the first six allowing one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out nine before VanderWoude came on for a scoreless inning of relief. At the plate, Birmingham was 3 for 3 with there RBI’s and two runs scored. Whitmire singled and drove in three runs. Stone was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Vander­ Woude and Kammenzind also had hits against the Crusaders. At Bellevue Tuesday, Stone was the win­ ning pitcher. He struck out three and gave up three hits in three innings. The one Bronco run was unearned of of Kammenzind. Grzybowski and Hawkes both pitched a scoreless inning of relieftoo. Kammenzind and Hawkes both struck out three in one inning on the bump. The four Eagle hits were a double by Whit more and singles by Birmingham, Hawkes and Kammenzind. Birmingham and Hawkes both had an RBI. The Broncos made eight errors which helped the Eagles to six unearned runs. Barry County Christian closes the regular season visiting Wyoming Lee Tuesday and then Quincy Thursday in the week ahead. 55"”"* MHiiriKiiBanhi it M �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. May 18,2023 — Page 11 TK ladies catch Bengals in final race but not in standings Brett Bremer ’Si Aiden Benson pitches for the Saxons during game one of their doubleheader against visiting Parma Western Tuesday at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Parma Western pulls out two wins over Saxons Brett Bremer ’atlteBmas -a B taw Mjwndalteijg edffiMcoisofl’sgeL il fed It epfa' tad al «1kntwnMidlifo- biRfidljKaictaKBx gy>W sec ,sfcaBK- HH0! Sports Editor The Saxons are at the Holland Invitational Satur­ day and then close out the 2023 varsity baseball reg­ ular season with Interstate-8 Athletic Conference doubleheaders with Marshall and Jackson Northwest. Hastings is still chasing its first Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference victory of the season. The Saxons fell to 0-10 in conference play with a pair of tough losses to visiting Parma Western Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers took the opener 5-1 and then won game two 9-2. Senior Austin Benson gave up just two earned runs in the complete game loss in game one. He struck out two, gave up eight hits and didn’t walk a batter. । Back to back doubles by the Panthers to start the' hop of the fburih?nhiH^Jfied tfe'balfgSme at 1-1, and then the go-ahead run came around to score on a Saxon error with two outs. The Saxons had two runners on in the fourth and the seventh innings, but couldn’t scratch out another run. Lars Sorensen, Diego Coipel, Tyler Morris and Landon Steward each singled once and Benson had his team’s lone RBI. The Panthers scored four more unearned runs in game two and built an 8-0 lead through the first five innings. Hastings scored its two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Coipel and Jackson Hayes singled to lead off the inning and the Saxons worked their way around the bases with Hayes, and Chase Rathbum in for Coipel, each stealing a base and the Panthers throw­ ing the ball around a bit. The Saxons had seven hits in the loss, by seven different players. Steward doubled. Eastin Tibble, Sorensen, Benson, and David Ji les each singled once. Morris took the loss on the mound. He allowed four runs, one earned, in three innings. He struck out three, walked three and allowed two hits. Steward threw four innings of relief. He gave up four earned runs on ten hits and a walk. He struck out six. The Saxons were bested in two ballgames by the Greater Lansing Activities Conference champions from Olivet last Friday, 14-0 and 9-1 in Hastings. A single by Tibble was the only hit for the Saxons in game one. Sports Editor ^eren’‘ 8Oin8 t0 CatCh the Bengals m the standings, but they were certain they were going to catch them before the finish line. The Thomapple Kellogg 4x400-meter relay team of Lindsey Velting, Pay­ ton Gater, Kenady Smith and Brooklyn Harmon took the OK Gold Conference championship in the final race of the day at Forest Hills Eastern High School Friday - shaving nearly five seconds off their previous best time in the race this season. The put up a time of 4 minutes 8.98 seconds to take a little bit of the sting off finishing second to the Bengals overall in the final OK Gold Confer­ ence standings. Ottawa Hills clinched the conference championship with 149 points Friday. TK was second with 129.5 ahead of Kenowa Hills 81, Wayland 70.5, Forest Hills Eastern 70, Cedar Springs 57, Catholic Central 52 and South Chris­ tian 52. Forest Hills Eastern handily won the boys’ championship outscoring Wayland 152.5 to 106.75 at the top of the standings. Velting opened the 4x400-meter relay with her fastest split of the season in the race and then got the baton to Gater, who was in third place when she took it. She chased down two competitors with a 60-second split before getting the baton to Smith who soon caught up to Ottawa Hills’ Madisen Washington. Smith waited to swing by Washington until the final 100 meters of their leg and created a little bit of a gap before handing things off to Harmon. Harmon got to the finish a second and a half before the Bengals’ anchor Enna Wainer. It was the fourth top three finish of the day for the sophomore Harmon, and her third victory. She took the 100meter hnrdles in 15.84 seconds and lowered her personal record to 46.49 seconds in winning the 300-meter low hurdles.-She was pushed to a PR in that race by Kenowa Hills sophomore Mel Holman who hit the finish line in 46.61. Of the 'first 11 finishers in that 300meter htifdle event, ope set ,her«season best tini^hd the other ten all ran^new PR. That group included TK freshman Mia Hilton who was sixth in 50.85 and junior Joselyn DeBoer who was eighth in 51.10. Harmon also placed third in the long jump with a leap of 14 feet 10 inches. The four members of the 4x400-meter relay team, junior Eva Corson and sophomore Ava Crews all earned all-conference honors for the TK girls. Corson was the runner-up in the high jump with a personal record leap of 5-2. That heigh was matched by Smith who was third and by Kenowa Hills junior Lauren Rokos who won the event on attempts. Corson was also a part of the fourth­ place 4x200-meter relay team for TK and the fifth-place 4x 100-meter relay team, and placed seventh in the 200meter dash. Crews set her personal record in the 1600-meter run. She was sixth in that race in 5:29.27. She also placed fourth in the 3200-meter run with a time of 11:51.99 and was a part of the Trojans’ fifth-place 4x800-meter relay team. Velting led the TK ladies in the sprints. She was third in the 100-meter dash and fifth in the 200-meter dash. Ottawa Hills sophomore Semaj Robert­ son won both those races, and the Bengals had three of the top four finishers in both. Robertson was also a part of the Bengals* winning 4xl00-meter relay and 4x200-meter relay teams. Robertson’s Bengal teammate, junior Selma Anderson, won the 3200-meter run in 11:27.54, the 1600-meter run in 5:13.05 and the 800-meter run in 2:21.11 and was as part of her school’s winning 4x800-meter relay team. Forest Hills Eastern’s Addison Wash­ ier broke up the Bengals’ sweep of the individual running events by taking the 400-meter dash in 58.38 seconds. The top eight girls in that race all set a new PR including Gater who was fourth in 1:02.51 and Smith who was fifth in 1:03.05. In the field, TK had senior Elizabeth Guant and junior Elizabeth Middleton place third and fourth respectively in the shot put. Middleton improved her Pr to 29-6 and Gaunt had a mark of 29-10.5. A trio of Trojans scored in the discus with senior Preslee Hall fifth, junior Mollie Moore sixth and junior Kailyn Delton Kellogg girls outscore Parchment for fifth victory of spring Brett Bremer Hastings shortstop Eastin Tibble looks to first after scooping up a ground ball during game one of his team's 1-8 doubleheader with visiting Parma Western Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Benson and Sorensen both singled in game two, with Sorensen driving in Benson for their team’s lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning of game two. The Saxons are on the road for their two with Mar­ shall Tuesday, May 23, and close the regular season at home against Northwest May 30. Sports Editor Delton Kellogg’s varsity girls’ soccer team took a 4-1 Southwestern Athletic Confererfce win at Parchment Friday. Avery | Barker scored off an assist from Carlie Ritchie for the only goal of the first! half, and then the Panthers eventually built a 4-0 lead in the second half. Baker scored off another assist from Ritchie in the second half and Adelynn Stampfler and Ritchie scored goals too. Johannah Houtkooper made ten saves in goal for Delton Kellogg. The DK girls are now 5-8-1 overall this season. The DK girls followed up the win with a 2-2 draw at home against Fenn­ ville Monday evening. Delton Kellogg scored the game's opening goal 14 seconds in, but Fenn­ ville righted itself to go in front 2-1 at the half. With 11 seconds left in a back and forth second half, Stampfler put the game-tying goal past the Fennville City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE | NO. TBD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments. Please contact Dan King, Community Development Director, at dklnq@hastingsmL org or 269-945-2468 if you have questions or comments regarding this public hearing. bW A copy of this information is available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the City Clerk, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. W J The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days notice to Hastjhgs City Clerk (telephone number 269- 945-2468) or TDD call relay services 1-800649- 3777. ON ORDINANCE NO. TBD The Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/ or oral comments from the public concerning amending Chapter 90, Article 90 - I, Section 90-1 Definitions to add the definition of a large single rear axle truck, and amending Chapter 90, Article 90-VI, Division 90 VI-14 -D1 Industrial District, Section 90-553 to add subsection (g), and amend Chapter 90, Article 90-X OffStreet Parking, Section 90-929 of the Hastings Municipal Code of 1970. The public hearing will be held on Monday June 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments. Please contact Dan King, Community Development Director, at dking@hastingsmi.org or 269-9452468 if you have questions of comments regarding this public hearing. A copy of this information is available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the City Clerk, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days notice to Hastings City Clerk (telephone number 269-945-2468) or TDD call relay services 1 -800-649- 3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk The Saxons' Landon Steward knocks a single to left during the bottom of the seventh Inning of game one against visiting Parma Western Tuesday at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) z keeper. Houtkooper had 14 saves in net in the win. Last Wednesday, May 10, the DK girls took a 2-0 win over Bridgman in Delton. Barker and Piper McArther scored the two Delton Kellogg goals with Stampfler recording two assists. The DK girls close the regular season at Watervliet Monday and then start the state tournament with a district match at Fennville May 26. City of Hastings The Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/or oral comments from the public concerning amending Chapter 90, Article 90 - III, Section 90-87 Variances Prohibited of the Hastings Municipal Code of 1970. The public hearing will be held on Monday June 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. A Vandenboss seventh. Senior Emmerson DeVries cleared 8-6 to tie for ffifth in the pole vault. Sophomore Emma Dykhouse went 14-3 to place seventh in the long jump. Kenowa Hills was third in the boys’ meet, behind FHE and Wayland, with 100 points. Cedar Springs was fourth with 85 points ahead of Catholic Cen­ tral 81.75, South Christian 47.25, Thomapple Kellogg 44.75 and Ottawa Hills 44. Freshman Nate Shoemaker had the top finish on the track for the TK boys. He set his PR at 42.79 to place fourth in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Senior sprinter Tyler Gavette was sixth in both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash for TK. He set his Pr at 23.63 in the 200. TK had two top eight finishes in the 400-meter dash. Junior Jaxan Sias was sixth in 54.03 and senior Alejandro Rodas improved his PR to 54.41 to place eighth. Lucas Van Meter, a junior, improved his 800-meter PR to 2:02.36 to place sixth in that race for TK. The top relay finish for the TK boys was in the 4x400-meter event with the team of junior Ethan Bonnema, senior Gabe LaJoye, senior Tyler Busman and Sias third in 3:31.12. The Trojan team had two scorers in the long jump. Junior Kyle VanHaitsma moved his PR to 19-6 to place seventh and Shoemaker was eighth at 18-10.5. In the pole vault, Bushman placed seventh by clearing the bar at 10-6. Rodas moved his PR to 5-10 in the high jump to place eighth. Senior Drake Sny­ der improved his PR to 42-2 to place eighth in the shot put. I Forest Hills Eastern was powered to the win by victories in all four relay races on the boys’ side, wins by senior Bryson Kuzdzal in the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash, senior Aiden Sullivan in the 400-meter dash and a 1-2 finish from teammates Henry Dixon and Brendan Hoving in the 3200-meter run. The Trojans travel to Sparta Friday, May 19 for their MHSAA Lower Penin­ sula Division 2 Regional Meet. The TK ladies will also be a part of the May 26 MITCA Division 2 Team State Finals hosted by Bep^en Springs. 199757 199628 Christopher R. Bever City Clerk �Page 12 — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM. on June 15,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Lois S. Myers, a single woman Original Mortgagee: Vertical Lend Inc. Date of mortgage: December 21,2007 Recorded on January 7,2008, in Document No. 20080107*0000206, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thousand Two Hundred FortyTwo and 79/100 Dollars ($100,242.79) Mortgaged premises: Situated In Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 16, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 1324.52 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, ALONG SAID NORTH LINE 693.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF SAID EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4, 9.48 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107.36 FEET AND WHOSE CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT WHOSE RADIUS IS 107.36 FEET AND CHORD BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 33.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS WEST 198.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS EAST 220.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 198.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST 220.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. TOGETHER WITH A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES 33 FEET EACH SIDE OF A CENTERUNE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 16, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 1324.52 FEET ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 16 TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 693.00 FEET ALONG SAID NORTH LINE TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 33 SECONDS WEST PARALLEL WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 16,9.48 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE CHORD WHICH BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 26 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 26 SECONDS EAST 63.18 FEET; THENCE SOUTHERLY 49.13 FEET ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, THE RADIUS OF WHICH IS 107.36 FEET AND THE CHORD OF WHICH BEARS SOUTH 13 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST 48.70 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 03 MINUTES 3 SECONDS WEST 559.47 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST 33.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 170 Akkers Away, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961; under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1497192 (04-27X05-18) 198775 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nancy J. Krohling, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Date of Mortgage: March 29,2017 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 4,2017 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $70,736.45 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Barry, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Commencing on the Northeast corner of the West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4; thence South 20 Rods; thence West 12 Rods; thence North 20 Rods; thence East 12 Rods to the beginning, being in Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 9 West. Common street address (if any): 4815 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, Ml 49060-9778 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised. Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 :OO PM, on June 8, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Tina G Young an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PHH Mortgage Corporation Date of Mortgage: June 26,2018 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 5,2018 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $181,136.85 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Johnstown, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot Numbers 26 and 27 of the Plat of Oak Grove Number 2 in Section 30, Town 1 North, Range 8 West, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded Plat thereof Common street address (if any): 536 Oak Grove St, Battle Creek, Ml 49017-8236 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: May 4,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1497365 (05-04X05-25) 198865 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding th| circuit court in Barry County; starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on May 25, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Charles E. Sheldon Jr. and Sara E. Sheldon, a married couple, as Joint Tenants with Full Rights of Survivorship Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: April 10,2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 7,2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $79,850.28 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 6 of Stanley (Daniel) Addition To The Village Of Nashville, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 4. Common street address (if any): 403 Philadelphia St, Nashville, Ml 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: April 27,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1497095 (04-27)(05-18) 198704 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given Financial FOCUS under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM on June 1,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, a husband and wife, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage to CitiFinancial, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assignad to CitiFinancial Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner trustee for WF19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13, 2021 as Instrument Number 2021-004919, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $18,308.77. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit Beginning at the Northwest comer of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52' 06" East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48' 01" East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Liber 3 of plats, on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37' 00’ West 427.89 feet Thence North 09 degrees 49' 00" East 114.74 feet Thence South 89 degrees 53' 12’ East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % of the adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5; Thence North 00 degrees 48' 01" West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wend R Noord Family Trust by Warranty Deed dated 05/21/2003 and recorded 08/06/2003 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife by Warranty Deed dated 04/01/2002 and recorded 04/05/2002 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-00710 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, in which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days from the date Provided by the Harry County offices of Edward Jones Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 Financial Advisor Kevin Beck, AAMS® FinancialAdvisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Four ways to use cash wisely There has been a lot of talk about a “cashless” society, but it’s not here yet. In fact, cash can still be a valuable element of your overall financial picture - if you employ it wisely. But how? Consider these four key uses of cash: • Everyday spending - Of course, you need sufficient cash on hand to pay for your cost of living - mortgage, debt payments, utilities, groceries, etc. You’ll likely rely on your savings or checking accounts to pay for these needs. • Unexpected expenses and emergencies - It’s never a bad idea to establish a monthly budget. But, as you know, life is unpredictable - and sometimes you may encounter “budget-busting” expenses, such as a major home repair or a large medical bill. If you haven’t planned for these costs, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments, such as your IRA and 401(k), which can result in taxes, penalties and less money for your retirement. A better alternative is to prepare in advance by building an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of living expenses in cash, or at least in a highly liquid account, held separately from your regular checking or savings account so you won’t inadvertently spend the money. • Short-term savings goal — When you are investing for a long-term goal - especially retirement - you will likely need to own a reasonable percentage of growthoriented vehicles, such as stocks and stock-based mutual funds. The value of these investments will fluctuate, so, if it’s possible, you’ll want to avoid selling them when their price is down - which may make them unsuitable for short-term goals. But if you’re aiming for a goal that you want to achieve in a year or so - a wedding, a long vacation, and so on - you’ll want to be sure a specific amount of money is there for you when you need it. Consequently, you’ll want to put away cash for this type of goal, possibly in a short-term savings or investment vehicle that might pay somewhat higher interest than a regular checking/savings account. • Source of investment - In regard to your longerterm investment strategy, cash can play two important roles. First, it can serve as its own asset class, alongside other classes, such as stocks and fixed-income vehicles. Unlike these other classes — especially stocks and stock­ based mutual funds - cash won’t fluctuate in value, so it can potentially help lessen the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. And second, having the cash available in your portfolio gives you the opportunity to quickly take advantage of other investment opportunities that may occur. And you may be able to use your existing investments to help replenish the cash in your portfolio. For example, if you choose to take stock dividends in cash, these dividends can be “swept” into your brokerage account and held there until you’re ready to invest them. (However, depending on your comprehensive financial strategy, it may be a good move to simply reinvest the dividends into the same stocks or stock funds.) Keep in mind that you won’t want your investment accounts to contain too much cash, as its purchasing power can erode due to inflation. By managing your cash efficiently, and putting it to work in different ways, you can gain some key benefits — and you’ll help yourself to keep moving toward your short- and long-term goals. TAw article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a (b) notice, whichever is later, or extinguished pursuant to MCL600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active toty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: April 24, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 (04-27)(05-25) 198592 MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on June 22, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Gary Kaiser, a single man, (“Mortgagor”), gave a mortgage to Advia Credit Union f/k/a First Community Federal Credit Union, (“Mortgagee”), dated June 14, 2002, and recorded on June 28, 2002, in Document Number 1082969, Barry County Records, Michigan. On the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred-Eighty and 04/100 Dollars ($13,580.04) plus accrued interest at 7.30% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Said premises are situated In the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 18 and 19, ‘ACKER’S PLAT’, as recorded in Liber 4, Page 7 Commonly: 6930 Ackers Point Road Delton, Ml 49046—Tax ld#08-07-040-01800 The redemption period shall be twelve months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of sych sale. If the property Is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: May 18,2023 Advia Credit Union, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 (248)352-4340 (05-18X06-15) 199545 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust In the matter of Hilma L. Brace Trust dated December 4,2006. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Hilma L. Brace, who lived at 4967 Thomapple Lake Road, Nashville, Michigan 49073 died 4-7-2023- leaving a certain trust under the name of Hilma L. Brace Trust, bated 'December 4, 2006, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and David G. Brace was named as the Successor Trustee serving at the time of or s a result of the decedent’s death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to David G. Brace, the named Successor Trustee at 10498 Clinton Trail, Mulliken, Michigan 48861 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 5/12/23 David H. Tripp 202 S. Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269/948-2900 David G. Brace 10498 Clinton Trail Muliken, Ml 48861 199632 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedents Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29455-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1398 Estate of Linda Louise Knutson. Date of birth: 04/20/1941. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Linda Louise Knutson, died 08/14/2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kerri Selleck, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 05/10/2023 Nathan E. Tagg P68994 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Mi 49058 269-948-2900 Kerri Selleck PO Box 233, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-9117 199587 SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting May 9, 2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. Six board members present Approved all consent agenda items Parking lot resealing Mercy ambulance letter Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 7:39 pm Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor 199808 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL. . . The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Garage Side ESTATE SALE: INSIDE and outside. Furniture, household items, outdoor tools, riding lawnmower and wagon. Fri­ day and Saturday May 19th20th, 2023 9am-5pm. 10395 Cottonwood, Middleville, MI. (In Mulberry Estates off of Bender Rd). H itsin ess Services PACILLO LAWNCARE Tak­ ing new clients in Hastings. Phone (269)838-6025.______ MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White 198443 Member SIPC sipc Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Date of notice: April 27,2023 1496476 (04-27)(05-18) LEGAL NOTICES Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269838-1782.______ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. Help H unted GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Bene­ fits 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off. Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, MI. Send Re­ sumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. tew .. ______ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — Page 13 Trojan baseball team drops first two against Cedar Springs in Gold set Brett Bremer Sports Editor It has been a tough May for the Trojans. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball team is still pushing for its first win of the month. The Trojans get their next chance this afternoon in an OK Gold Conference ball­ game against visiting Cedar Springs. The Red Hawks took a pair from the visit­ ing Trojans Tuesday afternoon - scoring 3-1 and 7-0 wins. Brody Wiersma started and took the loss for TK in the opener. He allowed three earned runs on four walks and four hits. He struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings. Maddix Ferden came on to get the final out for the Trojans in the sixth. The bailgame was tied 1-1 heading into the sixth when Cedar Springs added a pair of runs. TK got its one run to tie the bailgame in the top of the fourth. Anson Verlinde reached on an error and then Logan Snelling singled behind him to put runners on first and second with nobody out. They moved up a base on a Cedar Springs error and then Verlinde scored from third on a ground out by Ferden. TK had three hits in the game with Gavin Snelling adding a double and Graysen Stahle a single. A The lone TK hits were singles by Gavin Snelling and Verlinde in the game two shut out. TK fell in its final bailgame of a three game set with Kenowa Hills, in Grand Rap­ ids, last Thursday 9-2. East Kentwood came to Middleville Satur­ day morning and took two non-conference wins over the Trojans. The Falcons took game one 3-1 and then won game two 9-6. Singles by Wiersma and Verlinde were the only TK hits in game one. Gavin Snelling had an RBI. Verlinde allowed three runs on five hits and four walks in five innings on the mound. He struck out three. Gavin Snelling came on in the sixth and thew a pair of scoreless, hit­ less innings of relief. He struck out two and walked two. East Kentwood trailed 6-3 after three innings in game two, but rallied for a four-run fourth and then went on to the 9-6 win. Verlinde was 2 for 3 at the plate for TK. Logan Snelling was 1 for 3 with two RBI’s. Isaac Kimbel also drove in a run for TK. Wiersma, Stahle and Ben Koster each sin­ gled once. Rice wins championship at WAAM Finals Thornapple Kellogg second baseman Ben Koster moves into position to scoop up a ground ball during game one against East Kentwood Saturday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings senior Aiden Benson (seated center) was joined by family and coaches as he signed his letter of intent to join the Grace Christian University Men's Baseball Program next season. .'W,. Saxon senior Benson makes plans to join baseball team at Grace Christian J* ■ **JS’5*t*i w‘a .n. ~ ss^'s. । wawi. rJdVUC JiuOU ’’ 1 1N0^T0£W0R$:Heto 1 r adfebwtaitfirtsfci & JIBWOE CT ICMKn MUK 50 fcW MGta Brvir^ KOBW IS SW 1 FVfl *** OUS efetifUUh dduti** hvI ,agnu<£6t BMett Bremer on ©norlqelei Sports Editor At the start of his senior varsity baseball season the Saxons’ Aiden Benson made his plans for his freshman baseball season on the college level. Benson decided to accept a place on the Grace Christian University Benson joined the Hastings varsity base­ ball team as second baseman at the start of his sophomore spring. An injury to a teammate forced a move to shortstop and it has been his home ever since. “Since I can remember, I have had a glove in my hand and I’m swinging a bat,” Benson said. He played in the South Central Michigan Young Baseball league, on teams coached by his father Michael Benson, and over the past few years spent time with the Elite Grand n univHpi wSuS ' •I MUIwl ^Ihvn2l .J fciJ'liH to bl llfif I fefij lUi-'.lL' IdUll I'llfeU ltK> RapHte cluburtid therWest Michigan WartJidrs^i Micheal coached Aiden with Elite in 2019 before the move to the Warriors following the Covid stymied freshman year. “He coached me a lot throughout my life,” Aiden said of his dad. “He played some col­ lege baseball [at Southwest Michigan Col­ lege] and that is what kind of made me want to do it, to kind of follow his footsteps.” Aiden said once he stepped on Grace Christian University’s campus he knew he wanted to attend. He has plans on studying criminal justice and sports management. By the end of his sophomore season, Aiden was pretty comfortable at shortstop. He knows his bat is going to have to improve to face college pitchers. He said an injury slowed down his bat early this spring, but he is starting to feel like he is in the swing of Thornapple Kellogg's Gavin Snelling pitches in relief during game one of his team's things now. Saturday doubleheaderlwith East Kentwood in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg wins game two after wild opener with Saugatuck Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity baseball team split a pair with Saugatuck to close out the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division season Monday. The Trailblazers took a 19-18 win in the opener before DK rallied for an 8-1 win in game two. Wyatt Colwell got the win in game two. He struck out six in four innings while giving up four hits and just the one unearned run. Dylan Fichtner was 2 for 2 with a double, a single and four RBI’s for Delton Kellogg in game two. Adri­ an DeBoer also doubled and drove in a run. Torren Mapes and Elliott Rogers had the other two Delton Kellogg hits. The two teams went back and forth in the wild game one. Saugautck led 13-5 after five innings, and upped the lead to 14-5 in the top of the sixth before the Panthers struck for six runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Trailblazers struck for four runs that proved bit in the top of the seventh to go in front 18-11. Delton Kellogg scored seven times in the bottom of the sev­ enth to force an extra inning w in which the Trailblaz­ ers secured the one-run lead. DeBoer was 5 for 5 in the loss to lead the Delton Kellogg attack. He had four RBIs and two runs scored. He homered once. Mason Nabozny also hit a home run in the loss. He was 1 for 4 with five RBI’s. Cole Lane, Victor Gonzalez, Riley Bardo, Rogers and Mapes had two hits each. Mapes had two RBI’s and Bardo also drove in a run. The Panthers had a similar pair Saturday at the Lakewood Invitational. Three Rivers scored a 12-10 win over the Panthers to close the day after Lakewood took a 10-1 win over the Panthers in the day’s opener. Fichtner had a double and two RBI’s in the loss to Three Rivers. Bardo, Fichtner, Colwell, Rogers and DeBoer each singled once. Tristin Boze was 2 for 2 with an RBI and two runs scored in the leadoff spot. He walked once too. A single by Fichtner was the only hit for the DK team in the loss to Lakewood. Viking softball team sweeps its last GLAC doubleheader with Perry girls A The Lakewood varsity softball team closed the 2023 Greater Lansing Activities Conference season with a sweep of visiting Perry Monday afternoon. The Lakewood girls took game one 7-4 and then won game two 10-6. Peyton Federau got the win in the circle in game one allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks. She struck out two. Audrey Hillard had a big game one at the plate for Lakewood. She was 3 for 4 with a two-run double in the fifth that tied the game at 3-3 at the time. Maryssa Goble was 3 for 4 at the plate. Kerigan Schroeder and Peyton Federau had two hits each. Kendyl Steward had a double and Liv Woodman had a single. Hillard was 2 for 4 with a double in game two and so was Peyton. Woodman and Ally Slater both had two hits too. Lily Federau, Maycee Rusco, Goble and Schroeder had one hit each. Steward got the pitching victory in game two. She gave up six earned runs in four innings. She walked two and struck out two. The Ramblers managed ten hits against her. Federau closed out the final three innings for the save. She allowed two earned runs on five hits. The Lakewood ladies are home for a non-conference doubleheader with Ionia this afternoon and go to Byron Center for a tournament Saturday. Local wrestler Kobe Rice cele­ brates his championship at the WAAM Wrestling State Finals May 6 at Lansing Eastern’s Don Johnson Event Center. Rice pinned all there of his opponents in the 8U 58-pound weight class to earn the state cham­ pionship. 199771 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BARRY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT I PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED 2023-2024 BUDGET AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BARRY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT: DATE. OF MEETING: JUNE 13,2023 PLACE OF MEETING BARRY ISD ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOUR OF MEETING 8:30 A.M. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE: (269) 945-9545 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES ARE LOCATED AT: A COPY OF THE PROPOSED 2023-2024 BUDGET INCLUDING THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS AT: BARRY ISD ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 535 WEST WOODLAWN AVENUE HASTINGS, MI 49058-1038 BARRY ISD ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 535 WEST WOODLAWN AVENUE HASTINGS, MI 49058-1038 PURPOSE OF MEETING: 1. Public discussion on the proposed 2023-2024 budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The Board may not adopt its proposed 20232024 budget until after the public hearing. Deb Hatfield Secretary, Barry Intermediate School District Board of Education �L Page 14 _ Thursday. May 18. 2023 - The Hastings Banner Council adjusts, expands out-of-state competition opportunities at meeting Substantial changes to the rules governing allowance for MHSAA member schools to out-of-state competition by Michigan High travel up to 300 miles to play an out-of-state School Athletic Association member schools opponent; MHSAA member schools still can were among the most notable actions taken compete against those opponents, but compe­ by the MHSAA’s Representative Council tition must take place in Michigan or one of during its annual Spring Meeting, May 6-7 in the states/province listed above. Any event including schools from outside of Michigan or Gaylord. The Spring Meeting of the 19-member leg­ those contiguous states/province must receive islative body of the Association’s more than approval by the MHSAA and each state high 1,500 member schools is generally the busiest school association with a team involved in of its sessions each year. The Council consid­ order for MHSAA member schools to be ered 31 committee proposals and dealt with a allowed to participate. In an effort to strengthen the undue influ­ variety of eligibility rule, postseason tourna­ ence regulation, the Council approved a change ment and operational issues. The most far-reaching changes approved by making it a violation for coaches or their rep­ the Council shifts the MHSAA rules regarding resentatives to connect via social media with competitions against out-of-state opponents. students from another high school or with a Moving forward, MHSAA member schools student prior to ninth grade who has not yet enrolled in a high school or participated in an may continue to compete against teams from Illinois. Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin athletic practice or competition as a high and Ontario - but also may compete against school student. Violations of this rule include teams from elsewhere in the United States as connecting via social media with a “follow,” long as those competitions take place in Mich­ “friend request” or “direct message” to a stu­ igan, one of those five contiguous states or dent. The Council also expanded the portion of Ontario. The Council voted to remove the the undue influence regulation that doesn’t RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ORDINANCE SUBMITTAL TO- THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE proposed Ordinance #2023-188 appended hereto was introduced for first reading by the Rutland Charter Township Board at its May 10,2023 meeting. This proposed ordinance will be considered for adoption by the Township Board at its scheduled regular meeting on June 14,2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Charter Township Hall. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days' notice to Rutland Charter Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township. Format note—this proposed ordinance is prepared in “legislative format": new verbiage proposed to be added is shown in bold type; any existing verbiage proposed to be deleted is shown lined-through. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 2023-188 (PROPOSED) ADOPTED: Regulations EFFECTIVE: An Ordinance to amend §220-5-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances pertaining to special land uses in the CR Country Residential District, and to amend §220-9-3 of the Rutland Charter Township' Code of ordinances pertaining to special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District. THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAINS: SECTION 1 AMENDMENT OF §220-5-3 (special land uses in CR Country Residential District) §220-5-3 H.1. of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to special land use approval for the keeping of livestock on a non-commercial basis accessory to a dwelling in the “CR” Country Residential District is hereby amended to read as follows (with all of subsection H. included herein for context): “H. Keeping of livestock on a non-commercial basis is allowable accessory to an existing dwelling on the premises, subject to all applicable provisions of this Chapter, including the generally applicable special land use approval standards specified in §220-20-3, and also the following density, setback, and other requirements: 1. The minimum lot area for the keeping of any such animals is five three acres. 2. There shall be at least two acres of lot area per animal unit kept on the premises. (See definition of “Animal Unit” in §220-2-2) 3. All areas in which the animals are confined shall be located at least 100 feet from all existing residences on adjacent properties. 4. All areas in which the animals are confined shall be located at least 200 feet from any wellhead, and shall not include any drain field.” SECTION 2 AMENDMENT QF §220-9-3 (special land uses in MU Mixed Use District) §220-9-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District is hereby amended to revise subsection BB. of same to read as follows: BB. Marihuana Retailer, with or without a drive-thru or drive-up facility; provided that any drive-thru or drive-up facility shall be accessed only from a private internal access drive and shall not be accessed directly from any adjoining public street.” SECTION 3 AMENDMENT OF §220-9-3 (special land uses jn MU Mixed Uss District) §220-9-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District is hereby amended to revise subsection CC. of same to read as follows: “CC. Medical Marihuana Provisioning Center, with or without a drive-thru or drive-up facility; provided that any drive-thru or drive-up facility shall be accessed only from a private internal access drive and shall not be accessed directly from any adjoining public street.” SECTION 4 REPEAL QF CONFLICTING allow coaches and representatives to visit pro­ spective athletes and their families at the fami­ lies’ homes to not allow them to visit athletes and families at “other locations” as 'yell. The Council approved an expansion in the use of video to determine penalties when there is a bench-clearing situation or other incident where team members enter the area of compe­ tition during an altercation. MHSAA staff, based on video evidence, will be allowed to assess additional penalties including ejections and suspensions to team members, coaches and other staff who enter those areas to partic­ ipate or engage in such an altercation. Concerning specific sports, changes to three stand out from several adopted by the Council. The Council approx ed three Bowling Com­ mittee recommendations affecting postseason competition in that sport. The first reorganizes Regional competition to eight sites, with each qualifying the top two teams and top seven singles for both girls and boys competitions to the Finals (instead of the previous six sites qualifying three teams and 10 singles for both girls and boys). The Council also approved a proposal to change the Team Finals match play to a head-to-head, best-of-five Baker game format. Finally, the Council approved a proposal to adopt the Phantom II oil pattern for all MHSAA Tournament competitions. In girls volleyball, the Council approved a Volleyball Committee recommendation to begin seeding the top two teams in each Dis­ trict beginning with the 2024-25 school year. As is done currently with girls and boys bas­ ketball and girls and boys soccer, the top-two seeded teams in each District will be placed on opposite sides of the bracket, guaranteeing they will not play each other before the Dis­ trict Final. Seeding will be determined using the Michigan Power Rating (MPR) formula which takes into account regular-season suc­ cess and strength of schedule. MPR is used to seed Districts in the same way in basketball and soccer. In wrestling, the Council approved a Wres­ tling Committee recommendation adding two regular-season dual meets to the allowed num­ ber of wrestling contest dates. These must be dual meets and may not be converted into three-team (tri) or four-team (quad) meets. Teams and individuals now will be allowed 16 days of competition with no more than eight of those days allowed for tournament-type events where a wrestler competes more than twice. Here is a summary of other notable actions taken by the Representative Council at the Spring Meeting, which will take effect during the 2023-24 school year unless noted: ORDINANCES: EFFECTIVE DATE All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall take effect on the eighth day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland • The Council approved a classification-re­ lated change for the MHSAA’s smallest mem­ ber schools, allowing them to request partici­ pation .of eighth aqd seventh-grade students, based on the high school’s enrollment. Schools witn fewer1 than 125 students^instead1 of the previous 100) may request an MHSAA Exec­ utive Committee waiver to use eighth-grade students in all sports except football, ice hock­ ey and wrestling. Schools with fewer than 75 students (instead of the previous 50) may make the same request to use seventh and eighth-grade students in all sports except those three. Schools requesting a waiver must show cause and rationale for those students’ partici­ pation. Sports Medicine • The Council approved a Sports Medicine Advisory Committee'proposal requiring mid­ dle school head coaches to have valid, current CPR certification. Similar to the high school requirements for head coaches at all levels, this addition at the middle school level will ensure each team has at least one coach at each level present who is CPR-certified. This require­ ment will take effect with the 2024-25 school year, and schools will attest to its completion by the established deadline for each season. Officials • The Council approved an Officials Review Committee recommendation adjusting the minimum requirements for postseason consid- oration in wrestling, competitive cheer and soccer. In wrestling, officials must receive 75 coaches ratings (instead of the previous 100) to be considered for working a postseason meet. In girls competitive cheer, judges must be members in good standing of a Local Approved Association. In soccer, officials must work a minimum of five regular-season games (down from thejg^ious 10) to be con­ sidered for the postseflMr • The Council also approved a Committee recommendation increasing the amount paid when an official arrives on site prior to a com­ petition before receiving notice that competi­ tion has been canceled due to an “act of God” including weather that results in unplayable conditions. In these situations, officials will receive one-half of the contract fee (instead of the previous one-third). Sport Matters • For baseball, the Council approved a change to when trophies will be awarded to Regional champions. Those trophies will be presented to both Regional champions after the Quarterfinal is concluded, as Regional Finals and the ensuing Quarterfinal are played at the same site on the same day and both Quarterfinal participants will have earned a Regional championship earlier that day. • In addition to the Regional and Finals changes for bowling explained above, the Council also approved a Bowling Committee proposal seeking common start dates for prac­ tice and competition for Lower and Upper Peninsula teams. For the 2023-24 season, bowling teams in both peninsulas will begin practice Nov. 9 and competition Nov. 25. Pre­ viously, Upper Peninsula teams were allowed to begin their seasons slightly earlier - this past season four days sooner for practice and a week earlier for competition than their Lower Peninsula counterparts. • The Council also approved a start date change in girls competitive cheer, proposed by the Competitive Cheer Committee, moving the practice start date to the second Monday before Thanksgiving. This shortens the season by one week, but also allows a more comfort­ able gap between the fall sideline cheer and winter competitive cheer seasons. This change will take effect with the 2024-25 school year. • Also in cheer, the Council approved a Committee recommendation that adjusts the restricted period at the end of competitive cheer season to the Monday following Memo­ rial Day, which will allow athletes to try out for sideline cheerleading for the upcoming season after the completion of the majority of spring-sport competitions. • Additionally, the Council approved an exception to the MHSAA’s all-star regulation that will allow for individual competitive cheer and sideline cheer athletes to participate in an event that is “all-star” in name only as long as the selection components of the event comply with MHSAA reflations. • In cross country and track & field, the Council approved Cross Country/Track & Field Committee recommendations to elimi­ nate a pair of uniform-related rules adapta­ tions designating the types of head attire that previously could be worn during cross country races and body adornments that previously were allowed to be worn during competitions in both sports. • In golf, the Council approved a Golf Committee recommendation to require ath­ letes to participate in at least four competi­ tions for the high school team prior to repre­ senting that athlete’s school team in an MHSAA postseason golf competition. Those four regular-season competitions may be 9 or 18-hold events. • A Council action in gymnastics will better define how athletes are assigned a division for the individual portion of the MHSAA Finals. Athletes are assigned either Division 1 or Division 2 based on past experience and skill level - Division 1 for those with the most and the Council approved the allowance of the Xcel levels of Sapphire and Diamond to be part of the determining criteria. Athletes who have previously competed in a non-school event at either of these levels would be required to compete in the Division 1 level for MHSAA postseason competition. • In tennis, the Council approved a Tennis Committee recommendation allowing in the Lower Peninsula for a No. I doubles pair from a non-qualifying team to advance from Regional to Finals competition if that pair finishes first or second at the Regional and the No. 1 singles player from that team also has qualified for the Finals individually by finishing first or second in Regional play. (Upper Peninsula tennis does not play a Regional.) • The Council approved a Swimming & Diving Committee recommendation restruc­ turing how qualifying times for Finals are determined in an effort to provide more entries in swimming events at the championship level. Moving forward, qualifying times will be determined based on the past five years of MHSAA race data, but also will account for past numbers of qualifiers in each swim race; qualifying times will be shifted to allow for more athletes to advance to the Finals in events where fields have not been full over the previous five seasons. • The second swimming & diving recom­ mendation approved by the Council assigned specific breaks during Finals competitions. During Friday preliminaries (swam in the Lower Peninsula only), 10-minute breaks will be placed between the 200-yard medley relay and 200 freestyle races, and between the 200 freestyle relay and 100 backstroke, with a 15-minute break between the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly. The same 10-minute breaks will be mandated for Saturday Finals competitions, with a 15-minute break during Finals coming between the conclusion of diving and 100 but­ terfly races. • For girls volleyball, the Council also approved a Volleyball Committee recommen­ dation to permit the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA) a 3-minute on-court presentation during the MHSAA Finals to recognize that season’s Miss Volleyball Award winner. The presenta­ tion will take place between the second and third sets of the Division 1 championship match. Junior High/Middle School • The Council voted to make permanent cross country and track & field competitions that have been conducted at a Regional level as part of a pilot program during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. The Council also voted to expand the number of sites per Junior High/Middle School Regional to allow for large-school (Divisions 1 and 2) and small­ school (Divisions 3 and 4) meets for each of the eight Zones. Each participating junior high and middle school will be classified for its Regional meet based on the enrollment of the high school with which the junior high/middld school is connected. The Council also reviewed reports on mem­ bership, with 750 senior high schools and 767 junior high/middle schools in 2022-22 plus 63 elementary schools with 6th-grader participa­ tion; cooperative programs, with 376 high school programs for 692 teams during 202323; eligibility advancement applications, which totaled three; the use of Educational Transfer Forms, of which there were 127; school violations, attendance at athletic direc­ tor in-service workshops and Coaches Advancement Program sessions; officials’ reg­ istrations, rules meetings attendance and offi­ cials reports submitted for the past three sports seasons. The Association’s $13.3 million bud­ get for the 2023-24 school year also was approved. The Representative Council is the 19-member legislative body of the MHSAA. All but five are elected by member schools. Four members are appointed by the Council to facilitate representation of females and minorities, and the 19th position is occupied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee. Delton Kellogg boys put up biggest score at Gobles Little Guys Invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division champions from Delton Kel­ logg added another championship to their list of season accomplishments Friday. The DK boys took the title at the Gobles Little Guys Invitational, outscoring Three Oaks River Valley 96-70.5 at the top of the standings. The DK girls finished in a tie for fifth on the day at the 18-team meet. Delton Kellogg senior Jason Lundquist pushed his PR in the discus again, this time up to 127 feet 8 inches, to win that event. Senior teammate Giorgio Venturi was fifth in that event with a personal record throw of his own that went 109-8. Lundquist improved his PR to 41-5.75 in the shot put to place second in that event. The Delton Kellogg boys also had a pair of victories on the track Friday. The team of juniors Wyatt Colwell and Torren Mapes, senior Philip Halcoifib and sophomore Wyatt Finney won the 4x200-meter relay in 1 minute 34.39 seconds. Colwell, senior Daniel Ruiz, Halcomb and Mapes scored a runner-up time of 45.95 sec­ onds in the 4x 100-meter relay. Panther junior Rhys Bedford was the win­ ner in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles race. He hit the finish line in a new personal record time of 43.05 seconds. Senior Isaac Shepard was sixth in that race with a PR of 45.85. Finney and Bedford went 1-2 in the long jump, with Finney flying 19-5.75 and Bedford 19-1. The DK team shook things up a bit. Mapes didn't compete in the hurdles, but raced in the 200-meter dash for just the third time this sea­ son. He set his PR at 23.92 in the prelim’s and then dropped that time to 23.79 in a thirdplace finish in the finals. Delton Kellogg senior Gage Vincent was one of three DK guys to set a new PR in the 800-meter run. He was fifth overall in 2:07.78. Sophomore Ethan Rimmer dropped his PR to 10:57.93 while placing fifth in the 3200-meter run. Senior teammate Micah Martin lowered his PR to 5:06.92 in a 14th-place 1600-meter run finish. Vincent added a PR leap of 9-6 in the pole vault that had him in seventh place in that event. Maple Valley was also a part of the after­ noon’s competition. Lion senior Nic Martin cleared 10-0 for the first time in a high school pole vault competition at the 2022 Greater Lansing Activities Conference Championship last May. He’d been stuck on 10-0 throughout this spring until reaching new heights at 10-9 Friday to place fourth. That was the top finish for the Maple Valley boys in any event. Freshman Jackson Burpee had the Lions’ other top ten finish, clearing the bar at 5-3 in the high jump to place seventh. The Maple Valley boys’ and girls’ teams both placed 17th on the day. Gobles outscored Saugatuck 89-76 at the top of the girls’ standings. Bridgman was third with 70 points ahead of Kalamazoo Christian 69, Marcellus 46, Delton Kellogg 46, Galesburg-Augusta 43, Kalamazoo Homeschool Cougars 40, St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic 37 and Blooming­ dale 29 in the top ten. a Junior Breanna Chandler and freshman Izabelle Gruber paced the Panther girls’ team. They were joined by sophomore Josie Wil­ liams and junior Summer Ritchie in a run­ ner-up 4x400-meter relay finish. They scored a time of 4:30.30. The DK team of Chandler, Gruber, Wil­ liams and Ritchie was also third in the 4xl00-meter relay with a time of 53.87. Gruber and Chandler both both in the top ten in the two hurdles races. Gruber was the run­ ner-up in the 100-meter hurdles with a personal record time of 17.95. Chandler was seventh in that race in 19.51. They both set new PR’s in the 300-meter low hurdles. Chandler was third in 50.74 and Gruber seventh in 55.04. Ritchie was sixth in the 400-meter dash in 1:05.75 and Williams placed seventh in the 100-meter dash in 13.89. DK senior Jimena Olmedo improved her PR in the 3200-meter run to 15:41.43 to place tenth. Ritchie scored a PR in the long jump, flying 13-10 to place fifth. Freshman Violet Kokx led the DK girls in the throws. She moved her PR to 25-9.5 in the shot put to place tenth and was sixth in the discus at 76-0. Junior teammate Maddy waller was ninth in the high jump at 4-5. Maple Valley junior Mackenzie Decker also cleared 4-5 in the high jump, a new PR for her, to place tenth in that event. The Lion team had two girls in the top ten in field events. Freshman Athena Morehouse was seventh in the pole vault clearing 6-6. The Panthers are in Bangor today, May 18, for their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional Meet. They head to Constantine Tuesday, May 23, for the SAC Championship. ids ed Boakn UjanSitaiiBsfeKiai kfeWHiite �‘Hi k\vV w> Bk.w ^xv^'Kv SKSjss. CNv.*«S> k The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 18,2023 — Page 15 Saxon tennis girls close duals with ten wins SK 1^ sw sm i»Wl KSSS w s?.W; Rss W vW feMw CszSJ >a***.£* c*$w ci»Sv ^SS*4&4 tW xW 'sSfefe $!Sn ^x‘ <4*< S St *--X* XSsSi SSsSi Saxon senior Bailey Cook flips a forehand shot back at her opponents from Plainwell during her first doubles win with teammate Erin Daniels at Hastings High School Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer i?Sx*t«sw rx?** ?*s!*‘ t ’""^ «!*•*££> tNi *•**^4 **4^5® ??■**»*^ —■w*'^^?iS15 *W^<fcW SWjJ ******. 'i**fcL 45*^ **■*» Sil'S.*; <££* JJ-* «XJM i*£>' •5s?*ar?gas IB *^**2U*h RRNtmagognj :m coopnth? rm linij ® M itauHB 6a ptioh rioolprDffiKfaKaHB^U IB •sAwrbeiOTtez^E j; dpy kxm p ikifn &ffi!edtetkKfc •b^KMappovdiGs Mfffam.MteB[inr unwntoffi» rcyti dodviobtio^fflEt^e taipaaptiMtaft®® ■ wtadfo iirieMfWttiiprwfcB LteDiPnc^--^ 1.tatan aupOTrfMp®®^ Hastings senior Calin Redman sets up for a forehand shot during her third sin­ gles match against Plainwell Tuesday afternoon at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sports Editor The Saxons are third in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference standings heading into Monday’s Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Tournament hosted by Jackson Lumen Chris­ ti High School. The Saxons were 5-2 in conference duals this season finishing off the campaign with an 8-0 win over the Marshall girls on the road Friday afternoon. Hastings took forfeit wins at third singles, first doubles and third doubles in the dual with the short-handed Red Hawks. Abby Beemer, the Saxons’ junior first sin­ gles player, had a battle on her hands to pull out a 7-6(5), 7-5 win over Marshall’s top player Addison Powers. Cariota Espi Vano took a 6-3, 6-0 win over Lindsay Malone at second singles for th‘e ^axons',ari(i MJ UpdlwoiiS'-T, 6-1 over'Oliv­ ia Miller at fourth singles. The Saxon first doubles duo of Erin Dan­ iels and Bailey Cook capped off an undefeat­ ed conference regular season with their default win. Julia McLean and Audrey Vertal­ ka took the default win at third doubles. The Saxon team of Megan Rowley and Sophia Ahearns took a 6-0, 6-0 win at second doubles over Aubrey Dysinger and Danielle Arend. At fourth doubles, the Saxon team of Lilyan Solmes and Wilson Gracie defeated Mattie Herrick and Morgan Baker 6-0, 6-0. That was the second win in two days for the Saxons who took a 6-2 non-conference ■■■■ r 1’4 ?<•••••••*! I । i W V Hastings exchange student Cariota Espi Vano hits a forehand back at her Plainwell opponent in a second singles victory at Hastings High School Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) win at Paw Paw last Thursday, May 11. The Saxons fell 6-2 in a dual at Hamilton Monday and then bounced back for a 5-3 win over Plainwell in Hastings this week. Hastings won all four singles matches against Paw Paw in straight sets with the toughest victory a 6-4, 6-2 win for Redman at number three. Hastings also got doubles wins from Cook and'DahidiS at htitriber foie arid RowUy and Ahearns 'J at”, number “two ’ against the Red Wolves. Wins Monday and Tuesday have pushed Cook and Daniels’ record to 15-1 overall this season. They took a 6-1, 6-4 win over the Hamilton team of Haylie Peterman and Joelle Boeskool. Espi Vano scored the Saxons’ other point at Hamilton with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Maya Wettlaufer at second singles. In the dual with Plainwell, Hastings won the top two singles flights and the top three doubles flights. Beemer took a 6-2, 6-0 win over the Tro­ jans’ Maggie Zhu at number one singles and Espi Vano scored a 6-0, 6-3 win. Cook and Daniels scored a 6-3, 6-0 win over Drue Fontaine and Grace Carlyle. At second doubles, Rowley and Ahearns won 6-3, 6-1. In the third doubles match McLean and Vertalka took a 6-1, 6-4 win. Hastings closes the regular season with a 10-3 overall record. The Saxons will be a part of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional hosted by Otsego Friday, May 19. 199597 I RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP e oni barryj9ov^tyf^|chigan9 ,t o NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER I 220 (ZONING) OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP CODE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP I OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED I PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at the May 10, 2023 meeting of the Rutland Charter I Township Board the following Ordinance No. 2023-187 was adopted. This ordinance in its I entirety has been posted in the office of the Township Clerk and on the Township website I (www.rutlandtownship.org). The original ordinance may be inspected or a copy purchased by contacting the I Township Clerk, Robin Hawthorne, 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Ml 49058-9725, (269) 948- I 2194, during regular business hours of regular working days, and at such other times as may I be arranged. TK ladies beat Bengals to get into OK Gold Tournament semifinals Aj 0OQ yS’^lS-%5 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 2023-187 ADOPTED: MAY 10, 2023 EFFECTIVE: MAY 26, 2023 An Ordinance to amend §220-12-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances pertaining to permitted uses in the LI Light Industrial District. IP" THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN >*■■*£< *:,?S**.>I $•*\ ORDAINS: * SECTION 1 ? < 4^ 1 4* /li AMENDMENT OF $220-12-2 (permitted uses In LI Light Industrial District) w §220-12-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to permitted uses in the LI Light Industrial District is hereby amended to add a new subsection, as subsection F., with existing subsections F. and G. re-lettered to be G. and H., and to amend subsection G. (as re-lettered), thus causing subsections F.-H. to read as follows: !F.*W *1* .’Site x^x X! *-,»* .m *& / r^ Wv7t’'M‘‘ #$&$$$& ^W/ \< w? ✓ Thornapple Kellogg freshman Natalie Borrink looks to distribute the ball in the offensive end during the first half of her team's 9-0 win over Ottawa Hills Monday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “F. Crop farming.” "G. Accessory uses/buildings/structures; provided, however, that the keeping or raising of livestock and other agricultural uses other than crop farming are not allowed in this District as an accessory use or otherwise. Also see §220-16-13.8. for potential implications of Michigan Right To Farm Act siting guidelines for new and expanding commercial livestock production facilities." Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soc­ cer team will opened the 2023 OK Gold Conference Tournament with a 9-0 win over visiting Ottawa Hills in Middleville Monday. The Trojans ran through a 5-1-1 confer­ ence regular season had won three in a row heading into tournament play. The Trojans dispatched of the Bengals in one half of soccer to earn a spot in Wednes­ day evening’s conference tournament semifi­ nals. The Trojans were set to play host to Grand Rapids Catholic Central last night, May 17. South Christian, the conference regular season champ, beat Kenowa Hills 10-0 in its “H. Signs, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article XVIIL” SECTION 2 REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; EFFECTIVE DATE Thornapple Kellogg's Holly Velting arrives a moment too late to get to the ball before the Ottawa Hills goalkeeper during the Trojans' 9-0 win over the Bengals in Middleville Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) conference tournament opener Monday. The Sailors were awaiting the change to face either Cedar Springs or Forest Hills Eastern in the tournament semifinals. The Hawks and Red Hawks had their opening round match scheduled for Wednesday night, May 17. TK was 11-3-1 overall heading into Wednesday night’s contest with the Cougars in Middleville. The Trojans open the state postseason with an MHSAA Division 2 District opener against Zeeland West in Middleville May 26. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall take effect on the eighth day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland �Page 16 — Thursday. May 18, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxons score first win interim coach Redman “That was one stepping stone, then Friday there was another stepping stone,” Redman said. “We’re just going to keep going up and up and up. Little steps, that is what I keep telling them. Little steps.” The best step so far was a 14-2 win over Charlotte Friday in game one of a double­ header on the Orioles’ home field. The two teams split their doubleheader with the Ori­ oles scoring a 16-5 win ingame two. “We got every break that we could have,” Redman said. “We got some breaks. They didn’t. In the second game, Charlotte got breaks and we didn’t. The girls played well on Friday, they really did, even the game they lost they played well,” Redman said. Hastings started right away scoring five runs in the top of the first inning of game one, then scored one in the second, two in the third, three in the fourth and three more in the fifth. ■ The Saxons had eight girls hit the ball. The only starter who didn’t get a hit was leadoff hitter Zoey Bennett, but she walked once, reached on an error and scored two runs. Carly Frazer powered the attack going 3 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Dennis Redman knew he could help the Saxons have some fun. Redman, a former varsity softball coach and wrestling coach at Hastings High School, took over as interim head coach for the Hast­ ings varsity softball team late last month. Hastings High School athletic director Mike Goggins, after lining up the replace­ ment for Mike Davis who was relieved of his duties April 25, told Redman he could have his first practice April 26 on the bus to a dou­ bleheader at Jackson Lumen Christi. “I had a doubleheader on Wednesday, a dou­ bleheader on Thursday, a doubleheader that got canceled on Friday and a doubleheader on Tuesday and Wednesday. I had one practice and four doubleheaders,” Redman said. He’s seen some improvements so far. The Saxons were swept in a doubleheader at Cov­ enant Christian May 11, but were happy to put up 11 runs in game number two and to push the Chargers through the full seven innings. Covenant Christian scored 12-2 and 20-11 wins on the afternoon. Jayden Karsen, Casidee Easey and Lucy Barnard had two hits each. Sophia Sunior, Liliana Fox, Claudia Palumbo and Peake had one hit each. Abby Peake, Karsen and Sunior had two RBI’s each. Frazer and Karsen had the two Saxon hits in the game two loss to the Orioles. The only real apprehension Redman had taking over the program was that he was unfa­ miliar with all the girls, but a handful including Easey, Sunior and Palumbo were all-state wres­ tlers he was around during the winter season. Tuesday afternoon wasn’t quite as much firn as last Friday for the Saxons. They were bested 24-2 and 20-0 in a pair of Interstate-8 Athletic Conference ballgames by visiting Parma Western. “They were just flat today, right from the first pitch,” Redman said. Hastings has an. 1-8 doubleheader at Mar­ shall Tuesday, May 23, and then closes the conference season at home against Jackson Northwest May 30. The Saxons are at Ottawa Hills Saturday, May 20, for a non-conference doubleheader with the Bengals. Hastings interim varsity softball coach Dennis Redman leaves a meeting in the cir­ cle during game two of his team’s Interstate-8 Athletic Conference doubleheader with visiting Parma Western Tuesday afternoon at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings second baseman Sophia Sunior scoops up a ground ball during game two of the Saxons' 1-8 doubleheader with visiting Parma Western Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) DK boys fifth at final SAC jamboree Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Southwestern Athletic Conference varsity boys’ golf teams will finish off the SAC season at the conference championship tournament Tuesday at the Beeches Golf Club in South Haven. The Delton Kellogg/Martin varsity boys’ golf team placed fifth at its final SAC Jambo­ ree Tuesday hosted by Lawton. Kalamazoo Christian outscored Hackett Catholic Prep on a tiebreaker to win after the top four from each team put up a score of 158 Tuesday. Schoolcraft was third with a score of 172 ahead of Lawton 177, Delton Kellogg 196, Parchment 199 and Constantine 219. Junior Zachary Hale led the DK/Martin team with a score of 47 and freshman Carter Brickley was right behind with a 48. The Panthers also got a 50 from junior Blake Lillibridge. The rest of the Panthers, Brett Harsevoort, Trenton Stonebumer and Tyler How­ land, all scored 51’s. Hackett got a one-under 36 from senior Niklas Johansson and an even-par 37 from freshman Justin Tyler. Lawton senior Zachary Lull also shot a 37. ■ Kalamazoo Christian was led by 38’s from senior Ethan Verkaik and sophomore Isaac Riggs and a 39 from junior Connor DeVries. Beginning May 1, we are how open 24/7! Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? Work the 3-11 shift and want to lift weights before bed? Our fitness center Is now accessible 24/7. A Not a member? Call 269.9483139. 24/7 new member enrollment fees waived In May Pennock Health & Wellness Center 915 West Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Spectrum V Health The Saxons' Zoey Bennett lifts a double down the left field line during game two of her team's Interstate-8 Athletic Conference doubleheader with Parma Western at Hastings High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Olivet catches Lakewood boys in GLAC with two meets left to go Bretf Bremer Sports Editor Sophomore Kenriy Dutkiewicz beat out his teammates by a stroke, but the Vikings couldn’t quite beat out host Olivet at the Medalist Thursday. I The Olivet varsity boys’ golf team won their Greater Lansing Activities Conference jamboree with a sdore of 177. The Viking team fired a 179 to (finish in second place, a good enough finish to keep them at the top of the conference’s overall standings for the season. Dutkiewicz led the Lakewood team with a 44 on the day. The other guys in the top four for the Vikings, junior Chris Webb, freshman Dane Webb and senior Drew Marquoit each scored a 45. Senior teammate Owen Rich­ mond was right behind with a 46. Dutkiewicz overcame some early adversi­ ty. He shot a par on number three, a par-3, to open his round, but then ticked a ten on the score card on the part-5, fourth hole. He steadied himself to par number four and then birdied the 348-yard par-4 number six. Olivet junior Levi Browning was the day’s medalist with a 43. Dutkiewicz tied Perry senior Keaton Antis and Olivet junior Tyler Norton for second. The Olivet team also got a 45 from junior Dayton Ballard and a 45 from senior Dawson Redfield. Leslie was third in the day’s team stand­ ings with a 183 ahead of Perry 186, Stockbridge 199, Lansing Christian 225, Maple Valley 257. Maple Valley was led by a 55 from sopho­ more Evan Fisher. Junior Diesel Curtis shot a 60 for the Lions, sophomore Chris Mock a 68 and sophomore Dakota Martin scored a 74. Olivet pulled even with the Lakewood boys at the top of the GLAC standings by finishing a spot ahead of the Vikings at the jamboree hosted by Perry at Glenbrier Golf Course Tuesday. Leslie won at Perry with a score of 179 ahead of Olivet 180, Lakewood 180, Perry 183, Stockbridge 199 and Lansing Christian 219. The Eagles won a fifth-score tiebreaker to finish a spot ahead of Lakewood. Marquoit led Lakewood with a 40. Dane Webb shot a 43, Dutkiewicz a 48 and Rich­ mond a 49. Marquoit and Webb finished 1-2 in the day’s individual standings. Perry senior Tyler Webb was tied with Dane Webb with a 43. Olivet was led by a 43 from Browning. Leslie’s Allison Kobus and Logan Dougals tied for fifth with 44’s. Lakewood plays host to the final confer­ ence jamboree at Centennial Acres today, May 18, and the league gets together for the Conference Championship at Forest Akers East Golf Course in East Lansing Wednesday, May 24. In between the two conference contests, Lakewood was fourth out of ten teams at the Pennfield Ryder Cup Tournament at River­ side Golf Course in Battle Creek Friday. Viking two-milers clinch win for team in 69-68 decision at Leslie Brett Bremer Sports Editor Senior distance runner Ryan Alford hit the finish line first in 10 minutes 53.34 seconds and sophomore Hudson Goethals set his PR at 12:37.98 to place third in the 3200-meter run at Leslie High School Tuesday. The six points from those two two-milers clinched a fifth Greater Lansing Activities Conference win for the Lakewood boys who finish the conference duals at 5-1. The Lakewood boys took a 69-68 win over the Blackhawks. The Leslie girls did score a 69-52 win over the Lakewood ladies. It was the fastest 110-meter high hurdle race of the season for the Lakewood boys. Junior Shane Raffler won that race in a per­ sonal record time of 17.01 seconds and soph­ omore Ryan Galgoci was the runner-up with a PR of 18.03. Those two went 1-2 in the 300-meter inter­ mediate hurdles too, with Raffler winning in 46.69. Viking senior Ethan Weller won the 200meter dash in 23.54 seconds and sophomore teammate Donald Wells won the 400-meter dash in 56.95. Wells and Weller also teamed with Raffler and junior Bryson Haight to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1:38.67. Weller added a winning long jump of 18 feet 9.5 inches Tuesday. The Vikings won three field events. Sophomore Kade Boucher won the pole vault by clearing 9-6 and junior Elijah Jablonski took the high jump by clear­ ing 5-8. The Lakewood girls won the two sprints in their dual with the Blackhawks. Sophomore Hayley Merryfield improved her PR in the 100-meter dash to 14.56 and junior Kylie Walkington won the 200-meter dash in 31.46. Those two teamed with sophomore Jette Juergensmeier and senior Madison Bierens to win the 4x 100-meter relay in 57.55. Sophomore Mia Bouwens won the 300meter low hurdles for the Vikings in 1:06.87. The Lakewood girls had three wins in field events. Junior Annabelle Stank took the dis­ cus with a throw of 94-4.5. Freshman Taylor Carpenter cleared 9-0 to win the pole vault. Senior Reagan Lab had her best long jump ever flying 12-1.5 to win that event. The Lakewood girls close the GLAC duals with a 3-3 record The Vikings head to Mason for their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Region­ al Meet Friday and then will go to Perry Wednesday, May 24, for the final Greater Lansing Activities Conference Championship meet. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-05-25.pdf 7041a4f6611c1afbdd67129620bd5623 PDF Text Text Born from the pandemic, Hastings Virtual Academy continues on Reflecting on the somber occassion that is Memorial Day Saxons set 4x400 record again at regional •Site storffibn page 4 See story on page 9 See story on page 3 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590501242049058113421 ANNER •CAR-’ Richard Hemerling 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058- 6/30/2023 9:47:00 7:00AM AM Thursday, May 25, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 21 PRICE $1.50 No one hurt as area fire crews extinguish blaze at Bradford White facility in Middleville Jayson Bussa Editor Several fire crews were able to stifle a blaze that broke out at the sprawling Bradford White Corp, campus in Middleville, allowing the company to avoid injury to employees and prolonged disruptions to its operations. Late Monday afternoon, fire crews were dispatched to the Bradford White facility, where the Pennsylvania-based manufacturer produces water heaters. The fire originated behind the building in a pile ofwooden pal­ lets. The pallets fueled the fire, which reached up to the facility’s roof. Thomapple Township Emergency Ser­ vices, which is stationed just a few blocks from the Bradford White facility, werejoined by crews from Caledonia, Wayland and Yan­ kee Springs. Chief Bill Richardson of TTES said that crews ws from both Hastings and Freeport Were als6<<alled lo the fife aS'officials wdrfe'^orr.’ ried abbut the extent of the fire due to how large the building is< However, crews that initially arrived wereable togetthe fire under control and crews from Freeport and Hastings werfccalled offwhile inrdute tothe scene. “Crews did an amazing job getting over here, getting jnto the .building and getting it out before it really got too far into the build­ ing,” Richardson said. “The fire suppression system inside helped. No one was hurt. It was a good day.” All employees at the facility were evacu­ ated as fire crews worked through the eve­ ning extinguishing the blaze and prying open some of the steel panels of the building to check for any additional fire spread. How­ ever, the damage had minimal effect on operations at the facility, according to offi­ cials with Bradford White. “As a result Ofyesterday’s fire that occurred outside ofthe factory, Bradford White expe­ rienced a temporary interruption to produc­ tion during the afternoon (second) shift,” Peter Kattula, senior vice president and gen­ eral manager for Bradford White said, in a statement to the Banner. “Crews worked dil­ igently to clean up. the scene, including burnt pallets and production was back up and runrun-. . ning by the night shift'■ Nbrmal operations''? havecohtinued throughout (Tuesday).” Richardson Said that it appeared the fire was caused fry what he labeled “indiscrimi­ nate smoking material.” He added that ciga- See FIRE CREWS, page 2 Fire crews are stationed on the roof of the Bradford White production facility In Middleville on Monday evening, prying open steel panels, to.check forjire spreads (Photon by Jay^aBussa) First marijuana dispensary opens its doors in Rutland Township Jayson Bussa Editor The team behind Lumbeijack’s Provision­ ing Center has a knack for being the first ones to the party. The company, which is owned by Detroit­ based Green Planet LLC, was the first mari­ juana dispensary to open its doors in Barry County, setting up shop in Dowling. Following along with this theme of being first, Lumbeijack’s is now the first dispensary to open in Rutland Township after opening for business at its new location at 1450 West M-43 Highway just outside of the Hastings city limits. Lumbeijack’s occupies space within a strip mall located near Walmart, sandwiched between T-Mobile and Airway Oxygen stores. The company overhauled the suite before moving in and it now features a waiting room in the front, where staffverifies a customer’s ID, and the rest ofthe store. While a large sign that still faces M-43.; Highway states that Lumbeijack’s is “com-,® ing soon,” manager Kelly Tobias said her • team staged a soft opening on Sunday to ■. officially open for business but does not have any plans in place for a grand opening event quite yet. “It’s always a major undertaking,” Tobias said of launching the new shop. “With the state rules, (the industry) is highly controlled. You have a lot of different people where you have to meet their regulations. It was a little easier because we had the other store and were familiar with them. You just have to make sure your Ts are dotted and your ‘T’s are crossed.” j “I think it went pretty smoothly,” Tobias added. “It’s never as fastjor easy as you want it to be. But I don’t think opening any sort of |frusiness is. It’s never as smooth as you plan, but it still went marvelously.” Lumberjack’s and its new storefront are ■ significant for a couple of reasons. First, it situates the company about as close to the city ofHastings as possible and it also marks the first marijuana business to open its doors See MARIJUANA, page 2 Lumberjack’s Provisioning Center has opened a new store at 1450 West M-43 Highway in Rutland Township near Hastings. It is the first marijuana dispensary to open in Rutland Township. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) County planners OK body shop expansion, table plans for cell tower and sawmill Greg Chandler Staff Writer An automotive repair shopjust north ofthe Hastings city limits will soon expand to face an increased demand for its services. The Barry County Planning Commission Monday approved a site plan for the expan­ sion of M-43 Auto Body and Mechanical at 100 Willits Rd. in Carlton Township, at the northwest comer of M-43. The shop, owned by Seth and Rebecca Oosterhouse, has been in business for 15 years. “We’re basically just looking for more room. It gets crowded there,” Seth Oosterhouse said. The current shop is nearly 5,200 square feet. The expansion would extend the build­ ing 30 feet to the south and 44 feet to the west with a 16-foot lean-to storage area on the north side, according to the site plan applica­ tion presented to the county. The shop employs six full-time and four part-time employees, Oosterhouse said. Commissioners tabled two other agenda items on Monday after objections were raised to both projects. One seeks to erect a 197-foothigh wireless communications tower at 9645 S. M-66 Hwy. in Maple Grove Township, the other asks to be able to operate a sawmill at the comer ofWolfand Jenkins roads in Assyria Township. Verizon Wireless wants to erect the 5G communications tower on a 100-by-100 foot The Barry County Planning Commission approved a site plan for the expansion of M-43 Auto Body and Mechanical at 100 Willits Rd. in Carlton Township. (Photo by Greg Chandler) See BODY SHOP, page 3 Area high schools hold graduation ceremonies Thursday evening High school seniors from in and around Barry County will be making their cere­ monial walks across the stage on Thursday night, capping offtheir careers in second­ ary education. Hastings, Delton Kellogg, Lakewood, Maple Valley and Thomapple Kellogg high schools will all be holding their graduation ceremonies on Thursday. .^7 ning, and the J-Ad Graphics family bf newspapers will be there to provide cov­ erage. We will feature photos and a recap of the ceremonies in addition to continued coverage of the academic achievements of area high school seniors. Graduation cov­ erage will run as follows: Maple Valley: May 27 issue of the Maple Valley News - Lakewood: May 27 issue ofthe Lake­ woodNews - Hastings: June 1 issue ofthe Hqstings Banner ' - Delton Kellogg: June 1 issue of the Hastings Banner - Thomapple Kellogg: June 3 issue of the Sun and News Congratulations to all area high school seniors on your accomplishments this school year. �Page 2 — Thursday, May 25,2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Hastings Park Committee seeking input on the future of TangleTown The Hastings Park Com­ mittee is circulating a sur­ vey seeking input from the community as they plan the future ofTangleTown. The wooden playground, located in Bob King Park in Hastings, has been a beloved fixture for local families for 26 years. Typi­ cally, wooden play struc­ tures like TangleTown have a usable life of 15 to 20 years. The playground was funded and constructed by the community in 1997. The City of Hastings wrote on Facebook that the playground is showing significant signs ofwear and tear and decay in its old age. In addition, maintenance costs for the playground are increasing, and parents are raising concerns about splinters. Despite this, the playground is still safe to play on - for now. The Hastings Park Committee is now in the planning phase for the future of Bob King Park and TangleTown. The survey asks 11 questions ranging from the enjoyabil­ ity of TangleTown to what materials should be used to replace the current wooden structure. Community members can submit their feedback and fill out the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/BBZTGR3. Hastings to celebrate Memorial Day with parade, services Several services, parades and other events are being held this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day. The Hastings Memorial Day Parade, hosted by the Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45, will step offat 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the comer ofBoltwood and State Streets in Hastings. The Legion's color guard will lead the parade, followed by the honor guard, Legion members and other veterans, National Guard and Reservists, Legion Auxiliary, Legion Riders, the local Disabled American Veterans chapter members, Sons ofthe American Legion, Scouts, Hastings Area Schools Marching Band and other participants. The parade will go west to Broadway, then north to the Veterans Memorial in lyden Park, where two wreaths will be placed, one honoring all veterans and one honoring prisoners ofwar and those still missing in action. The parade will continue to the bridge, where a wreath will be placed in the river, accompanied by a rifle salute and playing of“Taps” to honor those who served and those who are still serving at sea. The final stop will be at the Riverside Cemetery on West State Road at the Grand Army ofthe Republic Monument at the end ofthe Avenue ofFlags. Another ceremony will be conducted, including the placement of a wreath, a speech, a rifle salute and the playing of“Taps. Honors will then be given, and the final wreath will be placed on the grave ofthe most recently buried veteran. County board appoints steering 1 committee to guide COA project Jayson Bussa Editor A committee that will prove instrumental in developing and executing the design and con­ struction ofa new facility for the Barry Coun­ ty Commission on Aging has come to form. At Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, the county board appointed members to a steering committee to guide the COA project. The COA, which provides a variety of ser­ vices for seniors throughout the county, will get to vacate its current facility at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings. That building is old and in various states of disrepair, includ­ ing a perpetually leaky roof. To make the move, the county will lever­ age roughly $3 million in cash assets to build a 10,000-square-foot facility on a coun­ ty-owned parcel ofland that is adjacent to the new Harvest Pointe assisted living center, which was opened by Thomapple Manor at the intersection ofMcKeown Road and M-79 earlier this year. Both Harvest Pointe and the Commission on Aging will share resources and leverage synergies to both save on expenses and create a greater hub for seniors out on the southeast­ ern comer ofHastings. But, to do it, they need leadership guiding the way, which is where the steering commit­ tee comes into play. The steering committee is comprised of members affiliated with the county board, Commission on Aging and Thomapple Manor. This committee includes commissioners Dave Hatfield, Bob Teunessen and Catherine Getty. Courtney Ziny, executive director ofthe Com­ mission on Aging, will represent her organiza­ tion on the steering committee and the COA will also recommend three additional mem­ bers. Also, Thomapple Manor Administrator Rebecca DeHaan and Facilities Director Jim James will be on the committee In addition to this newly-established steer­ ing committee, which does not have a sched­ ule of meetings on the books quite yet, the COA previously assembled its own building committee, tasked with envisioning what the project will look like. A wing of the Harvest Pointe assisted living center is pictured here next to courity-owned land, which is the planned site for the new Commission on Aging facility. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) There was some concern that the new steering committee would usurp power from the COA’s building committee. Dave Jack­ son, chairman of the county board, refuted that notion. “The Commission on Aging has a building committee that is putting together the design, the layout, all the details they would like inside the building,” Jackson told commis­ sioners. “But because ofhow this is connect­ ed to a larger county campus with Harvest Pointe and Thomapple Manor, how it fits there, where we’re going to have driveways and food trucks and everything, it’s important to have all these entities involved.” “Plus, the county has a substantial invest­ ment - a commitment of $3 million - as well,” he added. “We have done this in the past where we have set up steering commit­ tees as oversight and (for) communication so that we can be sure all entities are communi­ cating and working together to get the best outcome.” Ziny called the adoption ofa steering com­ mittee a positive development and said that her organization already has a general vision of what the facility should look like and which amenities it should include. “Any time you’re looking at a big project and what it will mean to the county as far as that area goes and the long-term vision ofthe county, I think having those people at the table is important,” Ziny said. “Our building committee met and identified what are the things we absolutely need and not willing to give up. What do we need to provide the ser­ vices we’re providing?” “Really, we have done some of that foot­ work; now we know as we go into this larger group what our minimums are and what are wish list is like,” Ziny added. Some of these must-haves included ah open floor plan that is inviting for visiting seniors. Consistent flooring material with no transitions that could trip seniors was a must in addition to increased usable outdoor space, which the organization significantly lacks at its current location. Ziny said the next step is to bring in an architect to see what a fiilly-developed plan might cost. She offered no timeline for any of the next steps but is eager for what will undoubtedly be a new era for the COA. ’ “Wejust need to keep moving,” Ziny said. FIRE CREWS, continued from page 1 Sen. Albert schedules office hours for Barry, Allegan County constituents State Sen. Thomas Albert has scheduled in-district office hours to meet with residents at two locations tomorrow, Friday, May 26. The times and locations for the office hours are: - 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Hastings City Hall, Council Chambers, 201 E. State St. in Hastings. - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Biggby Coffee, 1114 W. Superior St. in Wayland. Office hours are open for district residents to talk about issues related to state govern­ ment or to request assistance with a state issue. Priority will be given to constituents seeking to discuss issues that require privacy. No appointment is necessary, but space may be limited at some locations. Search for 2023 Michigan Christmas tree is underway The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) is kicking offits search for the tree that will grace the Capitol grounds for the 2023 holiday season. DTMB is tasked with searching and harvesting the state’s Christmas tree and once again asks for the public’s assistance in spotting the perfect tree. Over the last 36 years, trees have come from locations across the state - from back­ yards to public land near highways and forests. To be considered, a tree must be a spruce or a fir ad be at least 60 feet fall with a maximum crown of24 feet and maximum trunk diameter of30 inches. The tree’s journey to Lansing will culminate with a tree-lighting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 17, at the 39th Annual Silver Bells in the City. Individuals who wish to nominate a tree are asked to email their name, telephone number, a photograph ofthe tree, and information about its size and location to ChristmasTree@michigan.gov or by mail to: Christmas Tree Search; Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget; Building Operations Division; P.O. Box 30026; Lansing, MI 48909. SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 #8110376 & Insured Chief Bill Richardson of Thomapple Township Emergency Services can be seen walking near a pile of burnt wooden pallets as crews work to clean up the mess left behind by a Monday evening fire at Bradford White in Middleville. rette butts were “lheed around the area,” which was confirmation ofthis stated origin ofthe fire. Richardson also said that wooden pallets are supposed to be stored offofbuildings, but in this case, the pallets were near the build­ ing, which allowed1 the blaze to touch the facility. When asked if arty policy changes might be implemented because of the fire - given the fire’s origin - Kattula provided the fol­ lowing statement. “Bradford White has strict and strong smoking policies in place. Throughout the building, there are clearly marked signs indi­ cating a non-smoking area and outside the building there are clearly marked designated smoking areas. These policies will continue to be reinforced by plant supervisors and management.” Kattula concluded with: “We once again want to thank all ofthe local fire departments and first responders for their quick action yesterday.” Crews from Thomapple Township, Caledonia, Wayland and Yankee Springs were on the scene of a fire that broke out at Bradford White in Middleville on Monday evening. MARIJUANA, continued from page 1 after the Rutland Township board voted 4-3 last year in favor of zoning and licensing ordinances that approved recreational mari­ juana businesses to set up shop within the township. This includes growers, retailers and processors, among others. Rutland Township has not placed a limit on the number of marijuana businesses that can open within their township. The Village ofMid­ dleville went this route when they limited approval to two marijuana shops despite receiv­ ing five applications total. Both ofthe approved dispensaries - The Botanical Company and Crafted Leaf Cannabis - opened last year. The village also prioritized locally-owned shops. Rutland Township not capping the number of marijuana businesses comes with both advantages and pitfalls. Marijuana business owners can compete for a foothold in the territory without local government interfer­ ence. However, in other communities, this has led to a rush ofmarijuana businesses that have quickly saturated certain markets. As ofnow, at least one other dispensary is in the works for Rutland Township. Earlier this year, Rutland Township officials confirmed that another statewide mari­ juana dispensary franchise called The Woods was approved to open for business and was planning to set up shop at the comer ofM-37 and M-43 highways, where a vacant building €5^ Lumberjack s Provisioning Center features a waiting room at the front of the store, where staff verifies a customer’s ID before they enter the rest of the shop. that formerly housed Nationwide Auto Exchange sits. The Woods operates locations in both Marcellus and West Branch. Tobias said she is hopeful that the commu­ nity can thrive as a whole. “You always want your business to be suc­ cessful, and we always check prices at other dispensaries to make sure we’re competitive,” she said. “As someone that lives in Hastings, I want every business to succeed just like we want to. I hope that any other dispensaries that come in, they do their due diligence.” The team at Lumberjack’s will leverage the experience and existing infrastructure that comes with its original location to grow the new one. For instance, Tobias said that staff would rotate through both locations. Also, both shops will have almost identical inven­ tories, sales and promotions. “People seem to be super happy that we’re in Hastings, or in Rutland Township, which is as close as you can get,” Tobias said. “The customer turnout has been good. People ate super appreciative that we’re in this area.” �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 25, 2023 — Page 3 Hastings Virtual Academy continues past pandemic, offers students flexibility Hunter McLaren StaffWriter . More than 30 ofthe Hastings High School grads collecting their diplomas this week haven’t attended classes at the building for at least a year. >■ Instead, those students have been attending Hastings Virtual Academy, the online high school courses offered by the district. Originally introduced as a way for students to receive lessons from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, assistant superinten- dent of student achievement Beth Stevens said the program is here to stay. Although the program was introduced out of necessity the district still finds it’s a great option to provide for students. Stevens said there are currently 148 stu­ dents enrolled in the program through the dis­ trict. The program uses a learning platform called Edgenuity, which provides course mate­ rials for students. Although Edgenuity offers its own teachers, Stevens said school officials opted instead to utilize teachers in the district. “They provide their own teachers, we don’t purchase that part of it. We don’t want them; we want our own teachers,” Stevenss said. “We want somebody local, somebody that if students need to come in and have a meeting with them or if they’re struggling with a subject they can go to them for after school tutoring, and all those things are still available to them. We really felt it was important to not have (Edgenuity’s) teachers but to have our own teachers that are making that connection.” Hastings is continuing to offer online courses for students through it’s Hastings Virtual Academy program. The district says it offers more flexibility for students than traditional high school courses, (file photo) u '•“•kJ ikii tor8 *•»»* .'.'i .. City approves $18 million for improvements to city’s drinking water system Hunter McLaren StaffWriter City council members voted to move another step forward with $18 million in planned improvements to its drinking water infrastructure. The council unanimously voted to move forward with a proposed plan from engineer­ ; ing firm Moore and1 Bruggink for the i upgrades. RWn Aipnds ^and r Sarah Weber, • representing the fifth, presentecTkey points of • the plan to council members on Monday. The plan would replace 18 water mains throughout the city and bring them up to date with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) current stan­ dards, replacing lead lines with copper lines and increasing the minimum diameter oflines to eight inches. The improvements will replace water lines under 10 streets through­ out the city: Market, Green, East Clinton, Dibble, West Clinton, Marshall, Hanover, Broadway, North and Apple streets. While the upgrades would bring those water lines up to state standards, Arends said they would also prevent water main breaks caused by deteriorating infrastructure and generally improve the day-to-day operations ofthe city’s water infrastructure. “There are many areas within the city where structurally deficient water lines are present. Due to the age ofthose, they’ve led to all sorts of costly water main breaks that tend to happen at inopportune times,” Arends said. “There are known undersized water mains within your water distribution system, there’s no-flow issues, and there are also numerous lead water services that require replacement per EGLE requirements.” The $18 million plan will be submitted to The sun sets on the Barry County Fair last year. (File photo),. > .nsiolsV bonud yiJridoai Barry County Fair nets $52,000 in state grant money for new sign, speakers Engineering firm Moore and Bruggink representatives Ryan Arends (left) and Sarah Weber (right) provided a presentation on drinking water infrastructure upgrades to city council members. the state to apply for funding through the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which would allow the city to take out a 30-year loan at a 2.215 percent interest rate. The average monthly cost increase for city residents would be around $18.83. City Manager Sarah-Moyer Cale said the cost of the project was factored into the sewer and water rate hikes passed by the city earlier this year. Arends said the improvements would reduce water main maintenance costs to the city by an estimated $15,000 per year. Arends said approving the plan was only the first step toward the city being approved for, and accepting, the loan, and it did not mean the city was committed to accepting the loan. He also said there would still be time to make changes to the plan in the future. “Changes can be made to the project, but generally we try to stay within the guidelines specified in the project plan. There is time for public input and comment; generally that's during the design process,” Arends said. “There will be opportunities down the road if you do elect to go after the financing and the projects become a reality.” BODY SHOP, continued from page 1 f 9 Although online courses aren’t the right required to check-in with their instructors choice for every student, they can be a great around twice a week. For standardized state fit for others. Stevens said the courses offer assessments like the SAT, students report to a great deal of flexibility for enrolled stu­ their respective school building for a procdents who work during the day or otherwise tored exam. don’t fit into the traditional 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ability for students to participate in schedule. Hastings Virtual Academy is a privilege, not It also allows students to complete their a right. Interested students must apply to par­ coursework at their own pace, on their own take in the program, and failing to meet any time. Because the coursework is all online ofthe requirements can result in their privi­ and does not require students to attend a leges being revoked. For most students in the lecture at a specific time, they can complete program, Stevens said the prospect ofreturn­ their work as early or late in the day as they ing to in-person courses is enough to keep would like. Students who complete all of them motivated and on task at home. their coursework ahead of time can even The program has changed a lot since it was take on more credits, Stevens said. The first introduced, Stevens said. Students, courses offer so much flexibility that one school staff and lesson providers like Edgefamily in the district was able to go on a nuity have all learned some lessons from the nationwide road trip during the school year pitfalls ofthose early days in the COVID-19 while their kids still attended class, Stevens pandemic. Now, Stevens said the program is said. a solid offering for students that she’s glad to While some parts of online learning cer­ have at the district. tainly look different than in-person high “When we first started doing this, I was a school courses, online students are still held little bit skeptical,” Stevens said. “The times to the same standards as their colleagues are changing, and we’re changing with the going the traditional route. Online students times and offering kids choices. I think it’s a must complete their coursework and pass great thing. The traditional eight-to-three is their exams to receive credits and they’re also not for everybody.” 5^0 ^0 0 ry section of land it has leased from property owner Leah Berkimer. It will be set offsever­ al hundred feet from the road. Verizon repre­ sentative John Crane told commissioners that the tower is needed to address nearby wire­ less service issues, which he described as “spotty.” “There’s a hole in the system,” Crane said. Other wireless carriers would be able to co-locate their antennas on the tower, Crane said. Monica Willcutt, who lives on the parcel immediately to the north, challenged Crane’s claim of wireless service problems in the area. “I have Verizon. We have coverage,” Will­ ; cutt said. Willcutt also raised concerns about the 5G technology that would be transmitted from the tower, and said the project would change the character ofthe area. “I do have concerns about this type oftech­ nology and the effects it can have on health, wildlife (and) plant life. The (Federal Commu­ nications Commission) has failed to update regulations on guidelines for any type ofradiation (from these towers). It’s been 25 years, and they’re not doing theirjob,” she sad. But Crane says the health arguments against a communications tower aren’t rele­ vant to what has been presented to the county. , “I have been in the United States Circuit Court on several occasions, and the health issues are not permitted to be discussed, or evaluated by the planning commission,” Crane said, referring to Section 704 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, which pro­ hibits discussion of environmental or health issues in the placement ofcell towers. “We’ve had no issues. We’ve never had a complaint, never had an employee (become ill) from the radio frequency. We do put up warning signs around the base of the fence enclosure, primarily to keep people out.” New Planning Commission Chairman John LaForge of Delton asked to be recused from any vote on the proposal because he is chair­ man of the board for Great Lakes Energy, a utility cooperative that includes communica­ tions among its services. Two other commis­ sioners - Jack Miner and Ben Geiger - were absent from the meeting, meaning all four remaining commissioners would have had to vote yes for the plan to be approved. Commissioners tabled both the site plan and special land use request for the tower. Meanwhile, John Paul Kauffman wants to operate a sawmill on the 160-acre property he owns at Wolf and Jenkins Road. He is asking for a special land use. Several neighbors spoke out against the proposal, complaining about noise and truck traffic. Jackie and Jim Martens moved into their home on 15 acres near the site a couple ofyears ago because ofthe natural features. “Since the sawmill’s gone in, it’s noisy all day long. There’s 18-wheelers going up and down the road,” Jackie Martens said. Steve Zoss, who lives offthe comer ofJen- kins and Wolf, said the presence of the saw­ mill will affect local deer hunting in the fall. , “During hunting season, you have the saw­ mill running,” Zoss said. “You have the highpitched whine going all day long and you’re hearing the same thing all day long until late in the afternoon There’s going to be noth­ ing around there. So that interferes with my hunting land that we bought before anybody was even around there.” Kauffman said he purchased his property to harvest timber. “I had no idea that I can’t legally have a sawmill there (without a special land use),” he said. “I would like to try to do what I can to do it in a sensible manner.” Kauffman said that the sawmill produces “on the top end” about 20,000 board feet per week, or “approximately two-and-a-half semi-loads ofproduct.” Kauffman said he wants to work with his neighbors to resolve any issues. The sawmill operates five days a week, typically from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kauffman said. “If there’s activity going there in the eve­ ning, I don’t know about it, because I’m not there,” he said. In their action, commissioners asked Kauffman to have a reading of decibel levels from the property line to get a handle on the level ofnoise. The issue is expected to come back before commissioners in late July. Jayson Bussa Editor As county fairs across Michigan prepare for their pivotal summer season, the state has issued nearly two dozen grants to pro­ vide them with an infusion ofcash. This includes the Barry County Fair, which received more than,$52,500 to be used for a new digital sign to be installed in the front of the Barry Expo Center and wireless speakers to be installed through­ out the fairgrounds. On Wednesday morning, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced that 23 county fairs and expositions across the state were selected to receive a portion ofa $1.5 million grant fund designed for build­ ing and other capital improvements at fairground facilities, including structural improvements and other renovations. The Ionia Free Fair Association and the Allegan County Fair also received $100,000 as part ofthe program. The Alle­ gan County Fair will use the funds to administer bathroom renovations, while the Ionia Free Fair will use the money to replace the roof and stairs at its Floral Building. “Our county fairs and expositions are often the first connection people have to Michigan agriculture and can be the place where our youth find a lifelong passion for farming and agri-food entrepreneurship,” said Tim Boring, director at MDARD. “These grants invest in our rural communi­ ties, support our fairs and expos and help encourage our future ag(ricultural) leaders to learn and grow.” The $52,501.29 that the Barry County Fair received will not cover the frill cost of its planned upgrades but will reduce expenses significantly. The fair’s leader­ ship hopes to install the new digital sign before the festivities begin in July. Fair officials also plan to use the grant money to put wireless speakers throughout the fairgrounds. The current wired speakers have limitations, and announcements from those speakers are outside earshot of peo­ ple at the camping area ofthe fairgrounds. By investing in new speakers and recon­ figuring their setup, announcements about fair programming and emergency announcements will more effectively reach fairgoers in all comers ofthe property. notTce^eekin^pplicatTon^foe VOLUNTEERS The Barry County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Mental Health Board - 1 partial term: prefer lived experience with mental health or substance misuse/abuse or have a family member who has lived experience with mental health or substance misuse/abuse Solid Waste Oversight Committee - 1 partial term, solid waste industry Planning Commission - 1 partial term Zoning Board of Appeals - 1 partial term Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor ofthe Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings; or www.barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application. Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 5,2023. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information. �Page 4 — Thursday, May 25, 2023 — The Hastinas Banner Did you see Memorial Day - a time to celebrate and remember Farm fresh The Hastings Farmer’s Market has returned for another season, transforming the sidewalks outside ofthe Barry County Courthouse into a marketplace of home­ grown produce and goodies every Wednes­ day and Saturday. The annual farmer’s market began earli­ er this month and extends through Octo­ ber. Wednesday, when this photo was taken, featured chilly temperatures, but a handful ofvendors and shoppers came out anyway to participate. Do you remember? Woodland marker dedicated by historical society ''BannerJune 28,1984 o.-h ' M Members off the h B BarryCdunty C Hi Historical il Si Society were joined i by residents i off the h W Woodland l community i Th Thursday to dedicate i a new marker at the Woodland Town Hall. Posing with the new marker that details the history of the township and the hall are (from left) Perry Stowell, a great-grandson of Ira Stowell, who was on the town hall building committee; Thomas Niethamer, a member of the historical society’s marker committee; Barbara Furrow, president of the historical society; Lawrence Chase, chairman of the marker committee; Harold Stannard, speaker at the dedication; and Wayne Henney, Woodland Township supervisor. Have you met? Minneapolis native Jennie Sykes was working as an accountant during the eco­ nomic downturn in 1994. It was a role she had moved into after a commission-based headhunting role proved too unstable to support her family. After building some capital and seeking potential funding options through the Small Business Administration, Sykes was on the lookout for a business to buy and run along­ side her bookkeeping work. She came across only five options. A frame-it-yourself store, hardware store and a lock-and-key business all seemed viable, but Sykes said she just couldn’t get the numbers to work for an SBA grant applica­ tion. The fourth option, a gas station and convenience store, was in a bad part of town and seemed like too much ofa hassle. This led to Sykes settling on her fifth and final option: a porcelain doll-making studio. Sykes didn’t know anything about dolls, and she thought the business seemed “friv­ olous” from the very beginning. Despite her misgivings about the nature of the business, Sykes was eager to get to work. She started making a plan on how to broaden the busi­ ness’s sources of income to submit for the SBA for funding. “I started doing some research, found some potential options of how you could make more money by looking for other sources ofincome,” she said. “I put together my budget, submitted it to the SBA and got 100 percent financing without any questions, which blew away the banker and the broker.” She’s worked a few other jobs in the intervening 29 years, but she’s been involved in dolls somehow ever since. Even now that she’s retired from (most) of her bookkeeping work, she’s still making more dolls than ever. “This doll business has been a side hustle since 1994,” she said. “I decided I was sick and tired of working for somebody else. I just decided I was going to retire. So, I’m retired, ifyou can believe it or not.” Over the years, Sykes has kept exploring the craft of doll making and adding new services to her business. She can make reproduction dolls, repair antique dolls and she even makes spare parts for other doll hospitals. Jennie Sykes She moved her business, Porcelain Clas­ sics, to downtown Hastings in 2015 after her husband landed ajob at Hastings Mutu­ al Insurance Company. She offers all ofher doll services as well as hosts doll work­ shops, painting and art classes and even has space for consignment sales at the front of the store. Not only does she host workshops here in Hastings, but also nationwide. As a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Sykes has put on seminars at their traveling annual convention for doll makers and enthusiasts from across the globe. Sykes said that it is safe to say she has come to see the business she once thought was “frivolous” in a new light. “I’m living my best life right now because I’m doing something I really enjoy doing. I never ever expected to get (involved in doll making) hook, line and sinker,” Sykes said. “There’s such a huge amount of history that goes in with dolls. The whole history of porcelain doll making and how they even started and why it started is amazing to me.” Sykes estimates she’s made over 1,000 reproduction dolls throughout the course of her career, and she’s fulfilled over 1,100 orders for repairs and restorations. While she continues to take her usual orders, she’s also working to recreate dolls that have been lost to history. She’s currently working on recreating an antique doll designed by a French doll maker that also functions as a kaleidoscope by looking through the mouth ofthe doll. It requires intricate craftsmanship - even beyond the already {incredibly precise craftsmanship requiredtto mold, sculpt and bake porcelain doll parts. Between her repair and reproduction work, historical projects and managing the business, Sykes stays busy. She doesn’t mind. “It’s challenging, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” she said. “Everyday is an adventure.” For being open to new opportunities and dedicating herselfto her craft, Jennie Sykes is this week’s Bright Light. What I would tell a high school gradu­ ate: Be open. You have to look outside the box and explore as many things as you can. Hopefully, you’ll find your passion. Favorite thing about Barry County: I’ve never lived anywhere where I felt as welcomed and included as I have here. It’s a community, it’s the investment in the city that people do. People from all walks of life, from everywhere, come through Hast­ ings; it’s just mind-boggling to me. Every­ day there’s at least one person that comes in (the store) that has never been to Hastings before. I find that fascinating. Have we got some ley lines going on or something? I don’t know. What kind of music I listen to: Classi­ cal music, usually. I have a son who’s a rapper and produces beats for other musi­ cians and he’s really into hip-hop so I spend a lot of time with that. I even do some of the backup (vocal) stuff, but classical is what I was trained in. But I like a little rock and roll too. I love the ‘50s and ‘60s, and I can get into the ‘80s and ‘90s too. I was really out there doing the whole disco thing because that was my era. When we think of Memorial Day, we often let picnics, parades and fireworks take over the day rather than thinking about the real reason we celebrate this special holiday. Like every holiday in America, it’s become easy to get caught up in the excite­ ment of the celebrations and the family get-togethers to the point oflosing sight of the true meaning ofthe holiday itself. That also happens with Easter and Christmas and will happen again during our July 4th and Labor Day celebrations. That’s just human nature. But beauty still resides in celebrating together as a country. Memorial Day isn’t just about a long weekend, backyard barbecues and parades. The real meaning ofthe national holiday is much more somber. Originally called Dec­ oration Day, Monday’s holiday honors all soldiers who died during their service to our nation. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971, but its roots and importance date back to the Civil War era. Unlike Veterans Day, Memorial Day honors all military members who have died while serving in all U.S. forces. The origins ofthe holiday can be traced back to local observances for soldiers with neglected gravesites during the Civil War. Historians say the first observance of what would become Memorial Day occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, at the site of a horse racing track that Con­ federates had turned into a prison to hold Union soldiers. In a 2011 New York Times article, historian David Blight wrote that black people in the city organized a burial for deceased Union prisoners and built a fence around the site to honor those who fought for their freedom. Then on May 1, 1865, they held an event, including a parade with spiritual readings, songs and picnicking. Nearly 150 years later, a spe­ cial commemorative marker was erected at the site in 2010. On May 5, 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, an organization of Union veterans called the Grand Army of the Republic established the tradition of placing flowers on veterans’ graves on Decoration Day. President Ulysses S. Grant presided over the fifth observance of Decoration" Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, attended by more than 5,000 people, on May 30, 1873. Orphaned chil­ dren of soldiers placed flowers and small American flags on the graves of the sol­ diers that gave their lives for freedom - a tradition that continues today. “How fragile this .precious gift of free­ dom is,” President Ronald Reagan said in a special Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on May 26, 1983. “Every time we hear, watch or read the news, we are reminded that liberty is a rare commodity in this world. We owe this freedom ofchoice and action to those men and women in uniform who have served this nation and its interest in time ofneed. •In particular, we are forever indebted to._ those who have given their lives that we might be free.” As I was reading Reagan’s remarks from 40 years ago, it reminded me ofjust how powerful his words still are today, especial­ ly during a time in which the commitment and the role the United States plays in the pursuit offreedom and democracy has been questioned. As we reflect on the dedication of those in service to our country, we should all be concerned about today’s polit­ ical leaders who question our motives in promoting freedom around the world. Even though the growth of jihadist organizations like ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), with its violent ideology calling for a caliphate religious authority over all Muslims, has been considered a threat, there are new and bigger threats to democracy as we know it. According to a recent Pew Report, Americans overwhelmingly view China as The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, firn-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. a “competitor” or an “enemy” to the United | States rather than a partner. And it appears that most U.S. adults do not think that their country is winning the competition for geopolitical influence around the world. Nearly half ofAmericans, 47 percent, say the United States’ influence in the world has been getting weaker. Only about one-in-five say U.S. influence has been getting stronger, while 32 percent say U.S. influence has stayed the same. The views seem to be associated with both partisanship and ideology. Republi­ cans and Republican-leaning independents are significantly more likely than DemoDemo­ crats or Democratic-leaning independents to say U. S. influence in the world has become weaker (63 percent and 37 percent, respectively). Republicans are also more likely than Democrats to think that China’s international influence has become stron­ ger under the current Administration and that China’s power and influence are becoming a major threat to the U.S. Additionally, as the war in Ukraine con­ tinues, views of Russia’s influence are also divided along party lines, with about equal shares saying Russia’s influence has been getting stronger (38 percent) and getting weaker (37 percent), with only about one in five saying Russia’s influ­ ence is about the same. Here at home, there’s been a growing question of whether democracy and our political system are working. Both sides want changes, yet they disagree about which direction is best for our nation. Unfortunately, about 6 in 10 Americans do not think the system can change. Because it has not changed despite growing dys­ function, polarization has led to legislative gridlock, leaving Americans frustrated. Additionally, growing racial tensions and hyperbolic language have continued to divide us, putting our country and our way oflife in jeopardy. It’s easy to say, “I don’t want to get involved; it’s not my responsibility.” But the fight for freedom and our democracy has been a commitment that Americans have always been willing to fight for since our beginning. So as we celebrate Memorial Day, take some time to reflect, to remember those who served, and to commemorate those who gave the ultimate gift to our nation. Every day should be a time to think about who we are and what we stand for, dedi­ cate ourselves to working together for the good of the nation and continue the legacy ofthose who gave their lives for our free­ dom. “I can’t claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world,” Rea­ gan said, “but I don’t know any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: ‘Does the flag still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”’ That’s something we all must think about each day. We still live in the best nation on earth, but we must not take it for granted. We have big issues to address, such as inflation, mass immigration, crime, drugs and the threat of losing our culture and identity — values that have lasted nearly 250 years. So on this Memo­ rial Day, let’s pray for peace, not only for ourselves but for all those willing to seek freedom and justice for all. • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 WaGEBMBOMM aciEifijicsji ilxsiXiloKiUB ’tonsKxa© j �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 25, 2023 — Page 5 2023 Hastings grads take next steps Matt Goebel Hastings Area School System Superintendent Graduation is undoubtedly the most exciting milestone of the school year. Our Saxons have finished 13 years of education and look to the future, knowing they will impact the world in many ways. Our staff takes pride in recognizing and celebrating we obtain information. This generation of our kids. They have challenged them students has heavily relied on our teachers throughout their time here in Hastings and and staffto fully prepare them for life after' are confident they are prepared for the next graduation. We are so proud of our gradu­ chapter in their lives. ates and know they will continue to contrib­ Some have chosen to go directly into the ute to our community and the world. workforce. Some have decided to explore I love the Hastings Area School System, the military, post-secondary education or the programs we provide to our students, trade school. Others are still exploring the generosity of our staff, families and careers through internships and apprentice­ community members and the high stanship programs. dards we challenge our students to uphold This class has experienced quite a bit of daily. I’m so proud ofthe out-of-classroom societal change during its last 13 years of experiences we provide, along with extra­ education. They have experienced signifi­ curricular activities. We have one of the cant political division, cultural changes, largest Career Technical Education pro­ civil discourse, security threats, health and grams in Michigan, offering some programs technology shifts, as well as changes in how that even big tech centers do not provide. HASS HEADLINES IWMl sviX SS?Si sv && W W s*ss sss jsJSw jsw Sh ’1^ Shu ***S-^5 j&w P^'WnB. *®“®s®»ia,! -hOrii ■ h»:u u___ tf___• ***■** ®“!‘5Wh ,La®1 *»da!ttwtk -”bi* I ^E^ifessisd tti:r!Ki2iisiii tti:r!Ki2iisiiijtZF’jof&jQ. a»Ejpanifaimj KMptafcfrRto-i Ettfmniaajsi MtMKlfe 2X STOKES fl fe- - l»।'।'few }«.•atr 1a:tffllohwfc^ i«riltaniDvanip kahzks^irimicbj ifcM<M’b w w MWM ^*"£J j:?w«ww a‘rtl^ffl ’Ssl— “•*■* • T5XE^•itaia •* * ^sB*i ***F i« *%•***" *•*? •? *<r* <r nr wJJ wd /%yyZd , Mailboxes shot near Nashville We continue to offer Advanced Placement, STEM, cybersecurity, agriculture and many other courses that ensure our students are prepared for the workforce or post-second­ ary education. Our senior Saxons will be crossing the stage for the last time Thursday night at Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. But it will never be their last time as Saxons. They are Saxons for life and will enter into a strong tradition of alumni who have built values, character and loyalty going back genera­ tions. This is why Hastings is so strong and able to support their students year after year. This is what makes Hastings so special. This is why today is a great day to be a Saxon! Congratulations, Class of2023! New Bishop appointed in Diocese of Kalamazoo Pope Francis has accepted the resignation ofBishop Paul J. Bradley, 77, and appointed Msgr. Edward M. Lohse, 61, as the fifth Bish­ op for the Catholic Diocese ofKalamazoo. The Diocese of Kalamazoo includes St. Ambrose (Delton), St. Cyril Mission (Nash­ ville) and St. Rose ofLima (Hastings) parishes^ The resignation and appointment were announced today by the Holy See in Rome. Bishop-elect Lohse is currently the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese ofErie. Ordination ofthe new Bish­ op has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 25 at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo. As required by church law, Bishop Bradley submitted his resignation to the Holy Father when he turned 75, on Oct. 18, 2020. Bishop Bradley, who has served the Diocese since Msgr. Edward M. Lohse his installation on June 5, 2009, will continue as Apostolic Administrator until Bishop-elect ed from Cathedral Preparatory School and Lohse’s ordination. continued his education at Gannon Universi­ “With thanksgiving to our Loving God and ty, Erie, Pa., where he earned a Bachelor of with deep gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope Arts degree in history. He continued his sem­ Francis, our Diocese’s wait for our new shep­ inary studies at St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe,; herd has-yielded awoncferful’gift ih the select Pa.,'.graduating'with a Master of Divinity in tion ofBishop-ElectEdward M‘ Lohse as the ^’1987 and completing his ’ requirements for fifth bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo,” ordination in 1988. More recently, Bish­ said Bishop Bradley. “We welcome him with op-elect Lohse furthered his studies at the open arms and hearts filled with joy. May he Pontifical Gregorian University earning both walk with us, teaching us and leading us in a License (2002) and Doctorate in Canon the ways ofhope-filled disciples ofour Risen Law (2016). Lord.” He was ordained a priest by the late Bishop Bishop-elect Lohse is the sixth of seven Michael J. Murphy on April 21, 1989, at St. children bom to his parents, the late Edward Peter Cathedral, Erie, Pa. His first pastoral and Ida Lohse, who raised their family in appointment was as a Parochial Vicar for St. their hometown ofMcKean, Pa. He graduatThomas the Apostle Parish, Corry, Pa. He was recognized by Pope Francis in 2015 as a Chaplain to his Holiness with the title Monsi­ gnor. Throughout his 34 years as a priest, Bish­ op-elect Lohse has served in a number of pastoral, educational and diocesan assign­ ments both for the Diocese ofErie as well as the Vatican. He has held administrative roles including Director ofthe Office for the Pro­ tection of Children and Youth, Chancellor and Vocation Director for the Diocese. Addi­ tionally, he served as an Official ofthe Con­ gregation for the Clergy (a dicastery within the Vatican curia) from 2010 to 2015 and was an adjunct member ofthe faculty (from 2011 to 2015) for the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City. “I am both humbled and honored to be asked by the Holy Father to become the fifth Bishop of Kalamazoo and I am grateful to Bishop Bradley for his support,” said Bish­ op-elect Lohse. “The task ahead is a daunting one, but none of us walks the path of faith alone. I know that I will need to count on the prayers of Bishop Bradley, the priests, reli­ gious and laity ofthe Diocese, and I pledge my prayers for them in return. Together, we will go forward to proclaim Christ, and to meet him in the hearts of all God’s people in the Diocese ofKalamazoo.” As Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Bishop-elect Lohse will be the chiefshepherd ofthe close to 80,000 Catholics who reside in the nine counties of Southwest Michigan that make up the Diocese: Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch. City reintroducing special tax assessment district for downtown businesses after one-year hiatus Hunter McLaren StaffWriter City council members voted to move for­ ward with a special tax assessment district for downtown businesses after it was put on hia­ tus last year. The city moved forward Monday with a preliminary tax roll assessment for business­ es in the Principal Shopping District down­ town. The district includes businesses locat­ ed on West State Street, West Court Street, West and East Center Street, Broadway Avenue, Church Street, Jefferson Street and Michigan Avenue. Chris Bever, city clerk and treasurer, said affected business owners were mailed a letter informing them of the public hearing and action to be taken on the preliminary tax roll. Bever said the special assessment district is budgeted to generate $27,600 to go toward city parking lot maintenance and snow removal in the downtown area, covering more than half ofthe total budgeted $43,650. An additional $16,050 in downtown parking fluids comes from the Downtown Develop­ ment Authority, Beyer said. Taxes from the special assessment district were not collected during the 2022 fiscal year in an effort to provide relief for downtown businesses amidst financial hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bever said. In a memo to city council members regarding the special assessment district, City Manager Sarah-Moyer Cale noted that without the dis­ trict, the city would be required to dip into its general fund to cover costs or cut back on parking lot maintenance. “(Revenue collected from the special assessment district) is really to help support the maintenance of the city’s parking areas, including snow removal,” Bever said. “It’s an assessment where the business owners received a benefit from that.” Another public hearing regarding the district was set for city council’s June 12 meet- A 38-year-old Nashville man called police around 7 p.m. on May 12 to report his mailbox on the 6000 block ofSouth Clark Road had been shot. The man told police that the mailbox appeared fine the previous night, but upon getting his mail that day, he noticed it had been shot. He told police he also noticed his neighbor’s mailbox had been shot. In total, police found four mailboxes that appeared to have been shot with birdshot on the 6000 block of South Clark Road. Driver hits fence near Middleville YMCA camp Police were called around 8 p.m. on May 9 after a driver left the scene ofa crash near North Briggs Road and BluffDrive near the YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin. Witnesses said they saw the suspect vehicle traveling north on Briggs Road when the driver failed to negotiate the curve, hitting a chain link fence and a tree. The driver then backed out of the ditch and continued driving northbound. Witnesses described the vehicle as a lifted black Ford F-150 and the driver as a bald white man that appeared highly intoxicated. Several turkeys injured, killed after running loose Police responded to a report of turkeys being hit on the road around 11:30 a.m. on May 11 near the 4100 block of Lacey Road. Police arrived on the scene to find three dead turkeys on the road and several other turkeys still alive in a nearby field. Police contact­ ed the owners, who lived on the 4300 block ofLacey Road, and informed them that their turkeys were loose. The owners told police they would work to confine the turkeys. Captain America reports reckless driver near Middleville A concerned superhero reported a reckless driver to Barry County law enforcement earlier this month. After calling Barry County Central Dispatch around noon on May 12, the caller only identified himselfas Captain America. Captain America told the dispatch that a car was swerving in their lane, possibly on their phone, on North M-37 Highway near Parmalee Road. Police searched the area but could not find the reckless driver and received no other calls about the driver. Police did not reach out to Captain America because he said he did not want to be contacted- regarding the findings ofthe investiga­ tion. Police respond to boating collision on Pine Lake Police responded to a boating collision around 11:30 a.m. on May 14 on Pine Lake. Police arrived on the scene and assisted a Department ofNatural Resources officer in investigating a sailboat that had been hit by a fishing boat. The officers located the dam­ aged sailboat on the lake. HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO CONSIDER A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE AMENDMENT FOR A CAMPGROUND (CAMP MICHAWANA) LOCATED AT 5800 HEAD LAKE ROAD, HASTINGS, MI 49058. TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Notice is hereby given that the Hope Township Planning Commission will hold a meeting and Public Hearing on Thursday, June 15,2023 at 6:30pm at the Hope Township Hall located at 5463 S. M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 within the Township. The purpose of the meeting is to receive comments from the public regarding an application by Camp Michawana for the construction ofthree additional cabins and associated improvements on the parcel located at 5800 Head Lake Road, Hastings, MI 49058 (parcel number: 08-07-016­ 003-00). The property is within the AR, Agriculture Residential zoning district. Campgrounds (public or private) are permitted in the AR district subject to Special Exception Use approval by the Planning Commission, and as regulated by Section 4.2, J and Article IV ofthe Hope Township Zoning Ordinance. A copy ofthe Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the application is available for review at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S. M-43 Hwy, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance is also accessible at www.hopetwp.com. Written comments will be received from any interested persons by the Hope Township Clerk at the Hope Township Hall during regular business hours up to the time ofthe hearing and may be further received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. City Clerk and Treasurer Chris Bever said the final tax roll for the city’s downtown special assessment district would be presented at the city council’s June 12 meeting. ing at 7 p.m., where city council members would vote on the finalized tax roll. Bever said the city would be sending another letter to affected business owners this week to noti­ fy them ofthe public hearing. Sometime this week, another letter is going out to all the business owners with the notice of the public hearing, and the final assess­ ment roll and the calculation,” Bever said. “It’ll be basically the same thing that was sent out before, but with any changes that might happen between now and then.” This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hope Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes ofprinted material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Hope Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Hope Township Hall 5463 S. M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 �Jane Ann Hesterly Michael G. Bourdo, age 60, ofDelton, MI passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2023. Michael was bom November 24, 1962 in Plainwell, the son of Gordon and Frances (Anderson) Bourdo. Michael worked as a logger for most ofhis life. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fish­ ing, and spending time with family and friends. Michael played softball and was a trap shooter in his younger years. He was a big Kid Rock fan and went to many of his concerts throughout the years. Michael will be remembered for his genu­ ine love ofpeople. He will be dearly missed by his sons, Jere­ my (Ashley) Bourdo, Trayton Bourdo; moth­ er, Frances Bourdo; grandchildre,: JT, Jenna, Maverick Bourdo; sisters, Sally (Bourdo) Zelenock, Kelly (Barry) Smith; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Michael was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Bourdo; sisters, Jody Bourdo, and Tammy Bourdo. Michael’s funeral service was conducted on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 1 p.m. at Thornapple Valley Church in Hastings. Private burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the American Heart Association. Please visit www.xYilliamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a(condplqnce messagelor Michael’s family. Arrangements made by Williams-Gores Funeral Home. Klasiena Mae VanDenburg, age 85, passed away on May 20, 2023. Klasiena was bom on January 20, 1938, in Delton, MI, the daughter of John and Izola (Laubaugh) Stamm. She worked at Hastings Manufacturing for 30 years, retiring in 1990. She married Ken­ neth VanDenburg in 1973, and they enjoyed 39 years together. Klasiena enjoyed going to farm markets and garage sales, ceramics, sewing, and quilt­ ing. Klasiena was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth VanDenburg; parents, John and Izola Stamm; daughter, Bonnie Myers, and brother, John Stamm, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Lake; son, Jim (Angie) Raulston; son, Robert (Barb) Affman; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grand­ children; sister, Roseleen (William) Scobey; sister-in-law, Betty Stamm, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023, with a Celebration ofLife Service at Noon at Gin-bach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Interment at Rutland Township Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Elks Lodge, 102 E Woodlawn Ave, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. visit,Wwwgirrbacnfuneralhome.net. Worship Together Doreen (Sally) Kay Kent, age 83, ofHast­ ings, MI passed away May 23, 2023, in her home surrounded by family. Sally was bom on January 7,1940, to Wal­ ter and Verdie Sinclair in Hastings. After Sally graduated from Hastings in 1958, she worked for many years at the former Dog n Suds in Hastings. Later, she retired from can­ teen services inside the Bradford White Cor­ poration after over.25 years. In her free time, you would find Sally man­ aging the Hastings women’s softball team, bowling on a local league, touring around the continental united states with her long-time love; Ken, playing pool on the B&K wom­ en’s league, canoeing, volunteering for her relay for life team, collecting and selling antiques, as well .as many other adventures with her large group of close family and friends. Doreen is survived by her four children, LouAnn (Joe), Teri, Inga, Kendra; nine grandchildren, Sarah, Tommy, Zachary (Nicky), Miranda {William), Connar, Britta­ ny, Cassandra, David, Nicholas; great-grand­ children, Tyler, Brionna, 'Mikaylah, Aislinn, Michael, Avah, Baird, Ayden; one great-great grandchild, Athena (making five genera­ tions!); and three sisters, Patricia, Karen (Pete), and Judy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Verdie; husband, ■^.enijthi:’ and s^r, Geraldinei (JFI^rbei^. bfl A celebration of life will be held on Sun­ day, July 9, 2023, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the UAW Local 1002 at 308 Washington St, Mid­ dleville, MI 493337 Donations in her honor will be accepted for the Relay for Life and/or Elara Caring Hos­ pice Foundation Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings, ML conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, ML For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email gmail.com. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 269-945­ S. Jefferson. 4246 Pastor Father Stephan 4:30 Mass Philip. p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. hastfmc@ hastinesfreemethodist.com. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Matt Director, Sunday Services: Martha Stoetzel. 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Moser, Pastor. Lead 9:15 a.m. Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth www. Website: Pamela Jean Godbey WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH Randall activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday School for all ages; Hastings, 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family 6:30-8 p.m., Kids (Children Night 4 Truth Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ School 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 Roger Claypool, (517) 204- 9390. Sunday Worship Service for Group; Youth 6:30 information. MI 49058. Pastor 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. Kindergarten-5th 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH Lacey Road, Dowling, 2601 MI 49050. church Steve Pastor, Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 328 N. Worship Street. Jefferson 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: Director: 269-945-3014. Music Mark Doster. .Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy s FlexfabHimh n»«gl.u Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 Pamela Jean (Bishop) Godbey of Nashville, MI passed away May 20, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was bom October 17, 1963 to Sharon Eileen Meade and the late Herbert Randolph Bishop ofNashville, ML She was preceded in death by her brother Thomas Paul Bishop. She is survived by her husband, Glenn; her children, Sean (Jennifer) Godbey, Taran (Jared) Hibbs, and Erik (Tarah) Godbey, and 10 grandchildren; her siblings, Marcia (Brian) Culhane, Kenny (Mary) Bishop, and Randy (Teresa) Bishop. As well as many children and adults that she adopted through­ out her life. Pam and Glenn were high school sweet­ hearts, graduating from Maple Valley High School in 1981. They began their family and married in Nashville, MI in 1983. After Glenn joined the Navy, they continued to grow their family. Pam’s love was contagious which made her home the place to be no matter where her family lived. She was an avid Tigers fan and enjoyed sharing the music she loved with every­ one. Her hands were always busy creating; crocheting, sewing, baking, and crafting. Pam loved and cherished her family. She supported her children and grandchildren in everything they did, performing in sports, recit­ als and wherever their passions would take them, always encouraging them to follow their dreams. Most of her weekends and free time were spent in the company of her kids and grandchildren, she lived for their smiles andjoy. There will not be a funeral service, per Pam’s wishes. Her family will be hosting a celebration ofher life at the pond on Saturday, May 27,2023 from 2-5 p.m., please bring your own chair. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foun­ dation at https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/don Arrangements have been entrusted to Dan­ iels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit our website at danielsfuneral.net Please join us for a celebration of life hon­ oring Jane Ann (Jordan) Hesterly who passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family,-on May 22,2023. Visitation will be held at Hope United Methodist Church, 2920 M-37, Hastings, MI, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 2 p.m. to-4 p.m. The service will be held immediately following. Jane was known for her warm and thought­ ful nature. She always shared a smile, a kind word, and through a plate of baked goods, a phone call or a card always let people know she was thinking of them. She retired from Flex Fab after enjoying many years in her role as administrative assistant. She loved quilting wall hangings and ceramics and won several blue medals for both. Jane was a great woman of faith and was dedicated to serving the Lord through her commitment to her church. She had a love for music and was a beautiful pianist - playing the organ,’ piano, and keyboard during worship services and for the Praise Team and the choir. She served on the church board for many years and made paraments and worship banners to hang on the walls ofthe sanctuary. Family was Jane’s ultimate love. She trea­ sured her family and never let an opportunity pass to let each and every one of them know how special they were to her. She could always be found spending time with her fami­ ly, regardless if it was an event, a special day or a phone call - she was always there support­ ing, praying, and loving. The daughter of Carl and Mildred Jordan, she was the youngest of two children. She grew up on the farm loving horses. Some of her fondest memories included sleigh rides through the woods, horse drawn wagon rides, driving the tractor through the fields, and mak­ ing homemade maple syrup each spring in the sugar shanty. Jane was a devoted wife, mother, grand­ mother, and great-grandmother who always put God and family first. She is survived by her children, Kimberly (Hesterly) and Brent Hassevoort and Scott Hesterly; grandchildren, Daniel Payne, Jr. and Jessica and Thomas Plochocki Jr.; great-grand­ children, Ashley, Sarah, Bailey, Bryce and Ryan, Niece Kathy (Jordan) Bitney; nephew, Bob Jordan, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Herbert Hesterly; parents, Carl and Mildred Jordan and brother, Rodney Jordan. In lieu offlowers, a memorial has been set up at Hope United Methodist Church in Hast­ ings, Michigan. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachftmeralhome.net. Samantha Desiree Serbantez, Nash­ ville and Jamie Robert Hall, Nashville Matthew Paul Dascanio, Hastings and Devin Sue Dollarhide, Cadillac Austin James Schaffner, West Unity, Ohio and Victoria Caitlin MacLeod, Grand Rapids Amelia Lisbeth Cegielski, Middleville and Nicholas Trent Corbum, Middleville Kathryn Leigh Warren, Dowling and Trent Edwin Sandy, Battle Creek Eli Jon-Sterling Rohdy, Freeport and Samantha Jo Wallace, Freeport Katelyn Marie Barnes, Delton and Spencer David Langeland, Delton Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. This information onworship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Gerald Leon Cole, 87, of Oxford, PA, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA. He was surrounded by family when he passed. He met his wife, Carol Keena Cole at Michigan State University, and they shared nearly 66 years ofmarriage. Bom in Hastings, MI he was the son ofthe late Leon and Kathryn Tasker Cole. Gerald was a professor at the University of Delaware and was the head ofthe Agricultur­ al Department specializing in Agricultural Economics when he retired in 1999. He graduated with honors from Michigan State University in 1957. He received his masters at the University of Delaware and received his doctorate from Michigan State University. During his career at the University ofDel­ aware, Gerald lived in Denmark, Austria, Slovakia and Vermont, teaching at universi­ ties in each of these locations. His last trip was to Campobasso, Italy where he consult­ ed on the best use ofland. He traveled exten­ sively and was a skilled jack of all trades, doing his own projects around his home. He also enjoyed photography and camping. He started the Credit Union at the University of Delaware. He worked with the homeless and was an active volunteer for Deep. Roots in Elkton, MD. He is survived by his wife; one son, Gary Alan Cole (Maryann) ofKennett Square; one daughter, Catherine Justine Dombroski (Dan­ iel) of Pike Creek, DE; Six grandchildren, Justine O’Brien (Brady), Jonathan, Thomas and Sarah Dombroski, Gregory and Megan Cole (Paul Slotwinski); one great-grandchild, Shaelyn O’Brien; and one brother, David Cole (Lynda) ofBattle Creek, MI. He was preceded in death by one son, Gregory Gerald Cole. Services will be private. MIHM 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Ready to retire? Apply online with Social Security Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist It’s never too early to start planning for retire­ ment, and Social Security’s online tools can help. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount to access your personal my Social Security account to get an estimate of your retirement benefits based on your earnings record. Once you have an account, you can use the Plan for Retirement tool to see how your benefits can change at different ages. Don’t have a personal my Social Security account? You can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount. You can also use your personal my Social Security account to see your entire work history and make sure all your wages are recorded cor- rectly. Social Security bases your benefit amount on the earnings reported to them. Ifyou find any errors in your work history, read the guide at ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10081.pdf to learn how to cor­ rect your Social Security record. When you’re ready to apply for Social Securi­ ty retirement benefits, you can complete the online application in as little as 15 minutes at ssa. gov/retirement. Social Security will contact you if they need any further information. You can check the status ofyour application through your online account. You can apply online for Social Security retire­ ment benefits, or benefits as a spouse, ifyou: • Are at least 61 years and nine months old. • Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record. • Have not already applied for retirement ben­ efits. • Want your benefits to start no later than four months in the future. (Social Security cannot process your application if you apply for benefits more than four months in advance.) Find out more about retirement benefits at ssa. gov/retirement. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Specialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social SecurityAdministration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. ■ £ ■ .03^ C <4 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 25, 2023 — Page 7 A look at rural schools fl look back at tue stories and goIdoids on local History ft in the Hastings Banner Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner Sept. 28, 1995 The following was written by Lucille < DeWitt Hecker about her experiences while teaching in the rural school systems. Reflections “Oh, the pleasant memories I have ofthose years in the 1930s when I was initiated into a career of teaching in the country schools of Barry County. I “I was 19 years old, with one year at Barry County Normal beyond high school. Mabel Clark, principal of the County Normal, had the task ofpreparing us in those short months to develop into mature and understanding ' young adults. Toward the end of the term, she invited us to her apartment at the Striker House for our first ‘tea.’” Tanner School, Rutland District No. 4 ’ > “I remember the Tanner School in Rutland Township where those lovely, bright children, Genevieve Pease Hall, Portia McCleary, the Coleman and the Moe children, made my time there so pleasant. “I roomed with the Humphreys. Mr. Hum­ phrey was a marvelous cook and could make a delicious meal out of almost anything. “My room was off of the parlor, and the only heat was in the dining room. I’m sure that fluffy featherbed saved my life that winter. **** *■ ***!»• ** *!»• JS&* J S&*P ® ^CW }»rfU k P ®^C ? ^ n i lf Hhisf £ illfcottttir. ■ ^PMrci WMaiHUty WMai *teJtaDabtai|b ta k«fc«Hrftwtatai 4ft&D E;8iattita ?*f nfctalo^tan tai VVtBtat •.”ffi5nc\> kw^K to to fata ataniBKbta niBKbta feta eta krjc^3» iflWifepntalta fata it rad, in tan qie jkStf^osMitaiLtaifcfflrtetalidtate i»em tf iffi nd» to Dbi? sffizai^jj^eaijmi ■taK m toe II itoiMOd,! ftotem fawito ittiyea taiMiftaft itaita01^ rtov* to toCta. tototf itiftaljiff*^^^'' ^gtaHaswt^ ta'^Wo^ □jnltaii Wfyg* kitatf) to?; *■. *SS»««" jggSx ggioi^ I’LtfOH^ tf tf £*& LI xMj F If*f “I was to be married that summer, and the Coleman children gave me a pair of Bantam chickens.” Quailtrap School, Maple Grove District No. 1FR “At the Quailtrap School, south of Nash­ ville, we had two talented girls, Alice Chee­ seman and Margaret Lowell. One day a mother sent a package to be delivered to one oftheir mothers. Curious about its contents, the girls opened the package and found a man’s nightshirt, which the seamstress moth­ er had made. One of the girls put the nightshirt on, long sleeves dangling. The other girls stepped to the piano, and we had an impromptu ‘Dance ofthe Nightshirt.’ Both of the girls took piano lessons from Mrs. Graydon Andrews. “I also took piano lessons from Mrs. Andrews. I memorized ‘The Rustle ofSpring’ Beigh School students (front row, from left) Thane Young, Roger Shaw, Raymond Guy, (middle row) Iva Belson, Carl Ayres, Wayne Pennock, Earl Blake, Verl Young, and played it on her grand piano at the spring recital. Oh, happy day. (unknown) Shaw, Archie Belson, Vera Ayres, (unknown), (unknown), (back row) Marley Ayres, George Belson, Mildred Flanney, Lucille DeWitt Hecker, Grace Pennock, “Vance Cheeseman, a second-grader with Sylvia Smith and Hubert Decker. sparkling eyes and a mischievous smile, read with such animation that he brought the “Sadie, their mother, sent over a hot lunch characters in the stories to life, and the attacked. Then we had the added activity of whole school listened when he read. for me every day, bound up the kids’ wounds the ‘Battle ofthe Bees.’ and treated poison ivy and nettles with “I boarded with the Fred Fullers across the “We skated on the pond, slid and skied toad from the school. Their daughters, Alice, naptha soap. downhill in the winter. We gathered May­ Wilma and Mary, were about my age, and we “On Sunday nights, when my boyfriend flowers in the spring and participated in the had sang, played the piano, traded clothes and (Laurence) would bring me back from my county-wide field day held every spring. had many good times together. weekend at home, I would try to enter the “I remember when a music project was house quietly. Sometimes the bed slat on sponsored by Michigan State University, the which the coil springs rested would shift, and Beigh School received the award for the best when I jumped into bed, that slat hit the floor music scrapbook in the county. To learn the with a whack and awakened the whole arrangement ofthe instruments in a sympho­ house.” ny orchestra, we cut pictures from catalogs Beigh School, and pasted them in the correct positions in the Maple Grove District No. 8 scrapbook. We learned to dance the Highland “The Beigh School, built in the 1920s, had Fling and performed it on the stage of the a basement with a furnace, a lunch room with new Central Auditorium. tables and benches and a pitcher pump. On “We built a Dutch Village on the lunch either side ofthe front door were cloakrooms tables, ‘hung’ George Washington on the wall and chemical toilets. above the blackboard and helped the eight “Helen Willitts Kesler, at the McKelvey grades cram for the state tests, which had to School, Maple Grove District No. 6, and I held be passed to graduate from the eighth grade our PTA together. She directed a play, ‘Beads and to enter high school. “We pressed the leaves of trees and learned on a String.’ We were invited to present it at several other rural school PTAs. One night, as the many kinds of oak trees in the area. We I said, ‘Let’s start this off with a bang,’ the identified the birds that came to the window­ rope that held the stage curtain broke, and the sill to eat crumbs from our lunch pails. We curtain came down with a ‘bang.’ made topography maps from flour, sugar and “Roger Shaw was a bright and talented kid. water. At a play store of tin cans, boxes and At nine years ofage, he composed the music, play money, we learned to count change. wrote the lyrics and the script for the Easter “We learned to love to read by listening program. every morning to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘The “On the last day of school, we entertained Secret Garden’ or ‘Anne ofGreen Gables.’ To the parents by ‘Winding the Maypole.’ This enunciate clearly and to learn phonics, we was an old English celebration in the villages used a little book oforthography. I’m not sure to commemorate the return of spring. how much we learned, but we had fun saying, “A pole was set up with streamers. The ‘Esau Wood sawed wood.’ Quailtrap School in 1928. children sang and wove', the streamers Under “We learned about the solstices and equi­ and over until the pole covered with noxes by making charts of the sunrise arid bright colors. We had decorated the yard with sunset from the Farmer’s Almanac. lilacs, and all went well until the bees “Rose Cook was the first county nurse. We Doctor­ Universe Is there snake venom in antivenom? I want to know how snake venom in the antidote makes sense? Raagini, 10, N.Y. more damage to your body. They also show your own antibodies where to go and how to fight the venom. There isn’tjust one antivenom, though. “Antivenoms are specific to different types of snakes,” Perry said. “Antivenom for one kind ofrattlesnake might work for other rattlesnakes or viper species with sim­ ilar venom. But it might not work for cobras because cobra venom is so different.” That’s not a problem in the United States. There aren’t many kinds ofvenom­ ous snakes here. If a snake bites you, you should go to the hospital calmly and quick­ ly. Doctors will give you antivenom ifyou need it. But it’s a huge problem in other parts of the world. Some places have lots of ven­ omous snakes. Some places have few resources like hospitals and labs to make antivenom. Now, scientists want to make a new kind of antivenom, one made in a lab without snakes and horses. Hopefully, getting this antivenom to people who need it most would be easier. That’s why biologists like Perry study how venom works. Or why some animals­ like the opossum-aren’t hurt by snake venom. Of course, most snakes are nonvenomous, like Buddy. But, venomous or not, it’s important to give snakes lots of space. If you see a snake in the wild, admire it from a respectful distance. It’s the best way to ssssstay sssssafe and sssssupport sssssnakes at the sssssame time. Dr. Universe Dear Raagini, One of my roommates is a com snake named Buddy. He’s not venomous. But he’s a very private individual and really likes his space. Buddy and I talked about your question with my friend Blair Perry. He’s a biologist at Washington State University. He’s an expert on snakes and venom. Perry told me antivenom doesn’t contain actual snake venom. It’s made with anti­ bodies to snake venom. Antibodies are proteins. They’re part of your immune system. They travel in your blood to fight germs or dangerous mole­ cules-like those in venom-that could hurt you. Sometimes we get vaccines to boost our antibodies so they’re ready when something harmful shows up. But that’s not enough for snake venom. “With a snake bite, we get so many venom molecules injected all at once,” Perry said. “Plus, they act really, really fast. There’s not enough time for the body to produce those antibodies. Even if we had antibodies from a vaccine, it probably wouldn’t be enough to respond quickly and to a large enough degree.” So, scientists turn to big animals with strong immune systems-like horses-to make antivenom. First, they take venom from snakes. Then, they inject horses with teeny amounts of that venom. It’s not enough venom to hurt the horse. But the horse’s body begins cranking out antibod­ ies to the venom. Eventually, scientists can Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ ^ke some ofthe horse’s blood. They clean verse. Send an email to Washington State it up in a lab to pick out the antibodies and University’s resident scientist and writer at make it safe for people. That’s antivenom. Antivenom works because those horse Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. antibodies stop the venom from doing Beigh School, 1935. TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Lucille DeWitt Hecker on the steps of the Beigh School. were taught the value ofgood grooming, bal­ anced meals and about having one’s own drinking cup. “Maude Smith, Barry County School Commissioner, had in her office (in) the Barry Courthouse a collection ofused books. Each month, I borrowed a box of books for the pupils to read. “We designed invitations, Christmas cards and Valentines for art class and tried to write messages that were legible. “Most were willing to learn arithmetic ifit meant they could write on the blackboard. “I learned to chop wood, prime the pump, build the fire, pump up the Aladdin lamp and drain the radiator ofmy 1928 Chevy.” Hosmer School, Castleton District No. 3 “At the Hosmer School, at Christmas, we pantomimed ‘Why the Chimes Rang.’ The cathedral chimes rang only when the greatest gift was laid on the altar. The musician brought his violin (and) the King even laid his crown on the altar, but still, no sound of the chimes was heard. “Then, far up in the tower, they heal'd the chimes. When they looked toward the altar, all they saw was little Pedro, who had laid his only coin on the altar, having given the rest to various people in need as he trudged down the road on the way to the cathedral on Christmas Eve. His was indeed the greatest gift ofall. “Then came the day when Jack Semrau, a first-grader, was killed at home by a passing car. At the funeral, I sang, ‘Little children, little children, who love their Redeemer, are the jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own.’ “Those children’s creativity, wit and talents instilled in me a love ofchildren and (a) sense ofrespect for the American public schools. “Those who know me realize that love and respect still holds for the children and the schools oftoday. “As I look back 60 years to those days, I have fond memories of those children and fellow teachers when we lived in an era that was passing from view. Now whenever we meet, we recall those days as if they were yesterday and wish that we could live them all again.” Lucille DeWitt Hecker and her late hus­ band, Laurence Hecker, have shared their talents, resources and love with thepeople of Barry County. Both were very active as vol­ unteers at Charlton Park and worked with dedication to community service. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for May 26-31 May 1-31 - May Storywalk Book: “Box Turtle” by John Himmelman. The Story­ walk is free and self-guided. Witness time and space through the eyes of a box turtle. From hatching in a New England forest in the late 1890s to the present, observe chang­ es in the turtle’s life and landscape. May 1-31 - Endangered Species Scaven­ ger Hunt. Honor Endangered Species Day (May 19) all month long and learn about Michigan’s threatened and endangered spe­ cies. Search for artwork of rare plant and animal species along the Institute’s Beech-Maple Ridge (blue) Trail in their preferred habitat; scan the QR code on each work ofart to learn more about the species. The scavenger hunt is free and self-guided. Friday, May 26 - Lunch and Learn Bringing the Forest to the Farm: Morel Mushroom Cultivation in Michigan (ages 15+, under 18 with adult). The program will take place from 11 a.m. to noon in person and on Zoom. Join Ashlynn Morin, a graduate student in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Mich­ igan State University, as she discusses morel mushroom biology, why it is so diffi­ cult to grow them and some findings ofher current research to help Michigan farmers make morels a cultivated crop. This, pro­ gram will be presented virtually and syn­ chronously (in person). A recording of the program will be available to all registered participants on the Institute’s YouTube channel. Though registration for lunch has passed, those interested in only the program can still register. Members can attend the program for free, while non-members can attend for $8. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, May 25 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches Lady in the Lake, a 1946 film in which a lady editor of a crime magazine hires Phillip Marlowe to find her boss’s wife. The private detective soon finds himself involved in murder, 5 p.m. Friday, May 26 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day - library closed. Tuesday, May 30 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 31 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; open com­ puter lab, 2-4 p.m.; Virtual History Hounds: Murder Mystery Michi­ gan, 7 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by call­ ing the library, 269-945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, May 25, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Michigan gas prices rise as summer, Memorial Day approach Crews work to install a date stone over a hollowed-out area of the new Delton Kellogg elementary building where a time capsule is housed. (Photos provided) Date stone installed on Delton Kellogg elementary building, final step in sealing away time capsule Karen Tiirko-Ebright Contributing Writer Installing the 2023 date stone completes the last step in preserving the copper box time capsule inside the brick wall of the new Delton Kellogg Elementary School. For about two weeks, the capsule sat pro­ tected in black plastic wrap with the opening ofthe hollowed-out space covered in a pink insulate. On Monday, workers installed the final protective covering - the date stone. Fitting the block into the front ofthe time capsule was a smooth transfer. Next, the mas­ sive block of stone was sealed shut, preserv­ ing the elements of history inside the time capsule for multiple decades that lie ahead. Like this most recent time capsule, a previ- ous time capsule was made of copper by Smith & Doster in Delton and was placed into the old elementary school in 1936. Removal of the contents 86 years later proved to be successful. Many items were discovered inside and in excellent condition. Former school board member Rodney Dye, responsi­ ble for fabricating the copper time capsule, said the new one is a replica ofthe old one. With the time capsule project behind them, construction workers can continue checking offtheir list oftasks. School officials expect the new elementary school to be completed sometime around the end ofthis year or a bit into the new year. The new facility is possible thanks To a millage passed in 2019. The time capsule that was recently installed is a replica of a time capsule that was originally placed in the old elementary school building back in 1936. When that building was demolished last year, school officials opened the capsule. 7 Janelie D. James 7 Bridge Michigan Michiganders felt some reliefat the pumps over the last year as gas prices declined. But fuel prices, which moved up in April, are expected to trend up again this summer. As many people plan weekend trips ahead of Memorial Day, they may notice they re spending more money at the pump. Gas prices fluctuate, all the time and most people expect prices to go back down after the holi­ day weekend. Patrick De Haan, head ofpetroleum analysis at GasBuddy, an app that helps people save money on fuel, debunked the myth that gas prices usually go up around certain holi­ days but fall back down after. “Typically prices actually peak before the start of the summer ... sometime in spring between April and May,” De Haan said. “Much ofthat is due to the refinery mainte­ nance that happens between winter and spring and also the change'over to summer blends of gasoline.” Summer-grade fuel is more expensive to produce and people tend to drive more as the weather warms, increasing demand - yet another factor in higher summer prices. The Clean Air Act gives The Environmen­ tal Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to require states to switch over to summer-grade gas. Summer-grade gasoline typically contains 2 percent ofbutane, a colorless, odorless gas that is used in lighter fluid for example. In the winter, gas contains more butane, to help vehicles start up in colder weather. Fuel terminals are required to make the switch by May 1, according to the Energy Information Administration. Gas stations across the country have just a few more days to switch to summer-grade gasoline by the June 1 deadline. The summer blend bums cleaner and con­ tributes less to air pollution, which is more of a threat in hot weather. Last week the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Michigan was $3.33. This week the average is $3.56, ajump of23 cents a gallon, according to AAA Michigan. But that’s still far better than a year ago. At this time last year, the average price for one gallon ofregular gas in Michigan was $4.58. Now, residents pay over a dollar less. Fuel terminals and gas stations will make the switch back to the winter blend after Sep­ tember 15. “Prices are going to be higher in the spring and summer and lower in the fall and winter,” De Haan said. De Haan said drivers can save money on fuel by comparing gas prices in different areas and shopping around for cheaper fuel. AAA listed the average price for regular gas in Michigan metropolitan areas: — Traverse City $3.64 per gallon - Jackson $3.63 per gallon - Lansing/East Lansing $3.60 ■ - Marquette $3.60 per gallon - Grand Rapids/Muskegon/Holland $3.59 per gallon - Saginaw/Bay City/Midland $3.58 - Aim Arbor- $3.58 per gallon - Flint $3.58 per gallon - Benton Harbor $3.53 per gallon - Metro Detroit $3.51 Memorial observances and events planned to honor those who have served Karen Turko-Ebright ‘ Contributing Writer Barry County has no shortage of events and observances slated for Memorial Day weekend, a time set aside to honor those who have served their country in the armed forces. The Third Annual Shorty’s Delton Rock W Roll Circus‘is 6he such event, scheduled for Saturday, May 27. Starting at 5 p.m., with food first, Post Commander Bruce Campbell and Vice Com­ mander Ron Heilman from the Delton VFW Post 422 invite all to come out to hear a line­ up ofbands at the third annual installment of the event. The music event is free ofcharge. Howev­ er, donations will be accepted and there will be a 50/50 raffle to help raise money for a new roofat VFW Post 422. The post is located at 10353 Stoney Point Dr. in Delton. The menu for the event consists of an offering of grilled hotdogs, brats and sloppy joes plus soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The band lineup includes the following: - 7 p.m.: Blue Water Rockers, - 8 p.m.: Internal Emotions - 9 p.m.: ADY - 10 p.m.: Trantham-Foster Experience - 11 p.m.: Circus Super Group “These are amazing and talented groups that continuously show their patriotism,” Campbell said. “During the evening there will be a short time of remembrance and reflection of the men and women that made it all possible.” On Sunday, May 28 by invitation, Camp­ bell, a Vietnam combat veteran who was severely injured while there will speak at the Yankee Springs Fire Station. His topic focus­ es on what Memorial Day means to him. Campbell currently serves as a Barry County Commissioner. Following Campbell, there will be other speakers and activities included in the day’s events. The Yankee Springs Fire Station is located at 1425 Payne Lake Road in Wayland on the comer ofM-179 and Payne Lake Road. Delton’s observance is slated for Monday, May 29, when activities start with a parade in Prairieville Township that gets underway at 1 p.m. at the south end of town. The parade route leads to the Prairieville Cemetery for the “Ceremony ofRemembrance.” Delton VFW Post 422 will have its new­ ly-organized Honor Guard marching for the first time. This became a reality mostly due to the efforts ofHeilman, Commander ofHast­ ings Disabled American Veterans and Vice Commander ofthe Delton VFW Post 422. The Delton Post 422 Auxiliary will also participate in the parade along with the dads group. The dads group is part of the National Dads’ ofForeign Service Veterans. Upon conclusion of the ceremony, which ends with a rendition of “Taps” played by a member ofthe Delton High School Marching Band and the firing of rifles, everyone is invited to stop by the Delton Post 422 at 10353 Stoney Point Drive in Delton for the annual chicken dinner. “The dinner runs until the chicken is gone, so get there early - talk to some Post 422 veterans and enjoy a great dinner,” Campbell said. “Most of all, the VFW Post 422 family would like you to enjoy the weekend and always remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice that made it all possible.” The chicken dinner is $12. Every dinner includes a grilled halfchicken. Al Warren is the organizer for the veterans memorial program in Orangeville Township. The program is in its 16th year and the cere­ mony takes place Sunday, May 28 at 2 p.m. The Orangeville Veterans Memorial is located at the Orangeville Township Hall on 7350 Lindsey Rd. in Plainwell. “I want to try to bring things forward so people will appreciate the veteran,” Warren said. “If nothing is put out there, it’s just a memorial setting there. It does nothing itjust catches the eye and people go on.” That’s why Warren has a full program. The Delton High School band will be at the ser­ vice playing the national anthem and playing the songs of each one ofthe branches ofthe service. There will be special guests at the cere­ mony. Warren was in Vietnam for a year and then out for 11 years. After that, he went into the National Guard at Grand Ledge in the heli­ copter unit and stayed there for 24 more years, and retired out ofthere as an E7 Ser­ geant First Class. Warren grew up in Oran­ geville Township. He raised his family in the area and has a daughter that went through the Delton school system. “If you have a program every year there will be a little rhetoric projected to the audi­ ence and they will learn a little something,” Warren said. “I will instill something in their minds to where they appreciate not only the veterans but the country.” Alll fcz**** a OHL Beginning May 1, we are now open 24/7! Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? Work the 3-11 shift and want to lift weights before bed? Our fitness center i$ now accessible 24/7. Not a member? Call 269.9483139. 24/7 new member enrollment fees waived in May. Pennock Health & Wellness Center 915 West Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Spectrum Health kb �The Hastings ANNER Vkb VkbJ k SPORTS SECTION Thursday, May 25, 2023 Saxons close successful regional with record-setting run 1*2* J >S^ *>k*lS,» ?$> 1!-> 10'*-*;i»s 1-10'**»*'* S fi 7 '“,~ .“**!':; ; TJJMteiH ' W8*®’toicbbifcti iS i m 2*Ssaa k i 4i -!-! AliAfelifelfl.ftnI* — • *••*• ■» ।v<m , tnI*• —• —— l ife ., •—— •*• WMUPrelik IkMtanU, IkMtanU , aiVKittirl^ rtikteiT^H, •-’••"tsMiiijriti SSli^HiM ‘■tfBftaffiBhlt' Ml m it Anvik (tajjr dft^iitafatfjsi klaMiknimi' ItolfV teCriiniP afaM^pi' ««aira^ Wi*tateiHp?i’> teW»infc«*k« AMJMWiiito aai Wtta^i* arrflife kkw^« BwiRk«**r™ f™ kta -b?A; ktabA .-w-•^fptgkCW.W®1^sIitbaedk^®BMfcB ■».,«*»» ^ifcR**",k*‘ jg M a**:! a** *ii!S.<r . ‘s aa1a**1* 1afa*e*1*s *^a *ZU/ i**^^ *g*Ui*^ Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings won seven regional champion­ ships and had 11 state qualifying performanc­ es Friday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Regional hosted by Mason High School. In the last of those, it was senior Robby Slaughter passing the baton to junior Charles Nickels; Nickels getting it to sophomore Jett Barnum; and then Barnum passing it to senior Kearan Tolles to carry across the finish line. The Saxon 4x400-meter relay team broke its own school record with a time of 3 min­ utes 26.44 seconds to win the regional cham­ pionship in the race. For Slaughter and Tolles, it was their sec­ ond state qualifying performance ofthe day in Mason. Tolles won the regional champion­ ship in the 400-meter dash with a time of 51.45 seconds. Slaughter was the regional champion in the pole vault, getting over the bar at 13 feet 8 inches on a pole he was able to borrow from the Parma Western team at the last minute before the competition began. Slaughter's pole was run over by an event worker's vehicle in the grass as he unpacked poles in the Saxon team tent prior to warm­ ups and he had to scramble to find another proper one. He has now qualified for the state finals in the pole vault in all three ofhis var­ * sity track and field seasons. It still turned out to be a pretty great day to be a Saxon at the pole vault pit Freshman Olivia Friddle also qualified for the state finals by winning a regional championship in the pole vault. She cleared the bar at 9-3. The Saxon boys' team also had senior Dan­ iel Weatherly earn a state finals spot in the shot put. He was second Friday with a mark of 47-10 and he also scored for the Saxons boys with a sixth-place throw of 133-0, a new PR, in the discus. Hastings girls had three state qualifying per­ formances in the field. Friddle was the regional runner-up in the shot put with a personal record put of37-5. Senior Madison Nino won the long jump with a flight of 16-9. She was a state medalist in the longjump a year ago. Nino and juniors Addey Nickels, Isabelle Roosien and Myah Vincent won a pair of regional relay titles. They took the 4xl00-meter relay in 51.71 seconds and won the 4x200-meter relay in 1:47.01. Nickels and Roosien were also state quali­ fiers in an individual event. Roosien met the state qualifying time in the 200-meter dash with her third-place time of 26.91. Nickels placed third in the 300-meter low hurdles with a time of 48.86 which bested the state qualifying mark in that race. The top two in each event at the regional and others who met the predetermined state qualifying times and measurements earned spots in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Divi­ sion 2 Track and Field Finals that will be held at Forest Hills Eastern High School June 3. A pair ofLakewood Vikings also qualified for the Division 2 Finals in Mason. Viking sophomore Jette Juergensmeier was the regional runner-up in the high jump with a personal record leap of5-0. Sophomore Don­ ald Wells was the runner-up behind Tolles in the boys' 400-meter dash with a personal record time of 52.29 seconds. Saxon junior Addey Nickels runs to a time of 48.86 seconds add a third-place finish in the 300-meter low hurdles at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Mason Friday. Her time earned her a spot in the race at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) The Parma Western boys and the Mason girls won team regional championships Friday. The Parma Western boys finished with 105 points ahead of Mason 102, Charlotte 88, Hastings 66, Marshall 53.5, Harper Creek 49.5, Lansing Sexton 43, St. Johns 31, Port­ land 25, Haslett 25, Ionia 23, Lansing East­ ern 18, Lakewood 15, Eaton Rapids 12 and Coldwater 7. There were a few near misses for the Sax­ ons' too. Senior Layton Eastman was seventh in the 110-meter high hurdles in 16.25 and fourth in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 42.06. The time needed for addition quali­ fiers in the 300 hurdles for boys this season is 42.00. Eastman's senior teammate Nate Kohmsecher also scored with a personal record time of 16.27 in the 110-meter high hurdles that put him in eighth place. Tolles was one of two Saxons to score thanks to a top eight finish in the 400-meter dash. Nickels was fourth in 53.53. nickels also placed sixth in the high jump by clearing 6-0. Lakewood senior Ethan Weller was sev­ enth in the long jump at 19-8.25 and placed sixth in the 200-meter dash in 23.80 seconds. Hastings sophomore Jett Barnum was eighth in the long jump at 19-3.5. The Saxons were top eight in all four relays. Sophomore Brandon Simmons and juniors Riley Shults, Jonah Teed and Caleb LaBoe were fifth in the 4x800-meter relay in 8:37.41. Tolles, Barnum, Eastman and junior Reuben Solmes placed sixth in the 4x200-meter relay and the team ofjunior Zane Warner, senior Lanny Teunessen, junior Aiden SaintAmour and Solmes was eighth in the 4xl00-meter relay/ ; J In the girls’ meet,: Mason won with 101.5 -points. Charlotte was Second with 81 ahead of Hastings 69, Harper Creek 68, St. Johns 62, Haslett 54, Coldwater 52, Parma Western 51, Portland 27, Ionia 26, Eaton Rapids 26, Pennfield 13.5, Lakewood 11, Lansing Sex­ ton 9, Marshall 7 and Lansing Eastern 5. Friddle added an eighth-place finish in the discus to her day. She fired offa throw of93-2. Lakewoodjunior Annabelle Stank was fifth in that event with a season-best throw of 102-8. Addey Nickels added a third-place time of 16.72 seconds to her third in the 300 hurdles. Roosien was one of'two Hastings girls to score in the 200. Vincent was seventh in 28.00. Haslett freshman Christina Dixon won that 200-meter dash in 26.6/ seconds after having already won the 400-meter dash champion­ ship in a personal recom time of58.08. Charlotte senior Annabelle Densmore won two individual races tdo. She took the 100meter dash in 12.51 and the 300-meter hur­ dles in 44.97. Mason's Riley Gill won the 100-meter hurdles and was the runner-up to Densmore in the 300's. Gill closed her day by teaming with Payton Ball, Meghan Ford and Jocelyn Shattuck to win the girls’ 4x400-meter relay in 4:12.52. Tyler Baker, from Mason, won two boys* field events. He took the high jump by clear­ ing 6-4 and .won the long jump at 21-0. He also won the 110-metenhigh hurdles in 15.14. Hastings senior Kearan Tolles nears the finish line as the regional champion in the 400-meter dash a couple seconds ahead of junior teammate Charles Nickels who was fourth in the event Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Mason. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings senior Robby Slaughter pulls himself up to the bar in the pole vault during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Mason High School Friday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings freshman Olivia Friddle fires off one of her turns in the shot put during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Mason High School Friday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Mapes wins regional hurdles titles for Delton Kellogg boys at Bangor Brett Bremer Sports Editor He qualified for the state finals in 300meter intermediate hurdles as a freshman. He did it in the 110-meter high hurdles as a sophomore. In his junior season, Delton Kellogg’s Torren Mapes gets to run in both races at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Finals. He won regional champi­ onships in both races at the Division 3 Regional hosted by Bangor Thursday. Mapes ran his fastest time yet in both races Thursday, winning the 110-meter hur­ dles in 15.34 seconds and the 300-meter hurdles in 41.13. Junior teammate Rhys Bedford also ran his fastest 110-meter hur­ dle race ever to qualify for the state finals. He placed third in the race with a time of 16.08 seconds. The top two finishers in each event at the regional and others who met the predeter­ mined times and measurements earned spots in the Division 3 State Finals which will be held June 3 at Kent City High School. The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ track and field team had five state qualifying per­ formances at the regional. Senior Jason Lundquist was the runner-up in the discus with a throw of 133 feet. Sophomore Wyatt Finnney qualified for the state finals in the long jump for the second year in a row with a runner-up leap of 19 feet 5.5 inches. Those finishes helped the Delton Kellogg team to a runner-up finish at the regional. The Lawton boys’ and girls’ teams both won regional championships. The Blue Devil boys closed their competition with 82 points. Delton Kellogg was second with 73 points ahead of Bridgman 60, Schoolcraft 56.5, Comstock 56, Coloma 41, Hartford 40.5, Bangor 36, Niles Brandywine 35, Kalama­ zoo Christian 34, Bloomingdale 34, Water­ vliet 32, Buchanan 32, Parchment 29 and Cassopolis Ross Beatty 22. Bedford also scored for the Delton Kel­ logg team in the long jump with a sev­ enth-place leap of 18-4.75. The Panther team had a pair of guys set their personal record in the pole vault in top eight finishes. Senior Gage Vincent cleared the bar at 10-6 to place fourth and senior Isaac Shepard was seventh with a 10-0 vault. Lundquist scored in both throws. He was fifth in the shot put with a mark of41-6. Vincent added a seventh-place time of 2 minutes 9.38 seconds in the 800-meter run. Senior teammate Micah Martin set his personal record in both the 1600-meter run and the 3200-meter run. He scored in the 3200-meter run with a fifth-place time of 11:02.75. Sophomore Ethan Rimmer was seventh in that 3200 for DK in 11:15.89. While the DK boys didn’t have anyone score in the sprints, the 4x200-meter relay team had the best finish of the day of the DK relay teams. Junior Wyatt Colwell, Finney, Mapes and senior Philip Halcomb combined for a fourth-place time of 1:37.40. Shepard, Rimmer, Martin and Vincent were fifth in the 4x800-meter relay in 9:06.63. DK also had the 4x 100-meter relay team ofColwell, senior Daniel Ruiz, sopho­ more Cooper Sandusky and Mapes seventh in 47.42. The Delton Kellogg girls had a few thirdplace finishes. Those came from sophomore Josie Williams in the long jump (15-1.25), junior Breanna Chandler in the 300-meter low hurdles (50.63 seconds) and the 4x 100-meter relay team of Chandler, fresh­ man Izabelle Gruber, Williams and junior Summer Ritchie that finished in 53.54. Chandler scored in both ofthe girls’ hur­ dle races with personal record times. She was sixth in the 100-meter hurdles in 18.55. DK senior Joelle White ran her fastest 3200-meter race ever to place seventh in 14:23.64. Ritchie scored in a pair of sprints for the DK girls. She was fifth in the 100-meter dash in 13.84 and seventh in the 400-meter dash in 1:05.95. Chandler, Williams, Gruber and Ritchie combined for a fifth-place 4x400-meter relay time of 4:31.72. in the 4x800-meter relay, the DK team of senior Jimena Olme­ do, senior Lilyanna Sinclair, sophomore Jil­ lian Leclercq and sophomore Kylie Main placed eighth in 12:42.77. White also placed eighth in the pole vault with jump of 7-3. Junior Maddy Waller placed sixth in the high jump for the DK girls with a personal record jump of4-7. That pole vault was one of the Lawton girls’ top events. There were four Blue Dev­ ils among the scoring eight. Senior Rhylee Oxley won the event at 9-6 and sophomore teammate Megan Robertson upped her PR to 9-3 to place second. Lawton won the girls’ regional champion­ ship with 144 points. Buchanan was a dis­ tant second in the girls’ meet with 81 points ahead of Schoolcraft 65, Kalamazoo Chris­ tian 57.5, Watervliet 54, Bridgman 48, Delton Kellogg 38, Comstock 36, Niles Brandywine 28.5, Parchment 28, Bangor 26, Coloma 23, Bloomingdale 13, Cassopolis Ross Beatty 12 ad Hartford 9. In the field, the Lawton girls also had senior McKenna Macon set her PR at 15-7.5 to win the long jump. Watervliet junior Anya Sexton was the runner-up in that event at 15-4.25. Lawton junior Heidi Newhouse won the highjump by clearing 5-1. Newhouse had a big day for the Blue Devils. She teamed with junior Addisyn Price, junior Kendra Koster and senior Sofia Oertel to win the 4x400-meter relay in 4:16.87. Newhouse also won the 400-meter dash in 59.76. Koster took the 800-meter run for the Blue Devils in 2:19.27 with teammate Oertel third in that race, and in the 1600-meter run Koster won in 5:20.92 with Oertel sec­ ond. Comstock junior Ti’Anna Murphy Ryan was the top sprinter in the girls* meet. She won the 100-meter dash in 12.75 and the 200 in 26.76. Parchment senior William Winter had two individual wins on the track in the boys’ meet. He took the 1600-meter run in 4:25,66 and the 800-meter rim in 1:58.75. Lawton tallied big points in the field events. Sophomore Mason Mayne won the shot put with a mark of 57-0 and the discus with a personal record throw of 171-8. Senior teammate Luke Leighton won the high jump by clearing 5-10. Bridgman didn’t have a single individual win an event on the track, but teams ofBees won the 4x800-meter relay, the 4x200-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay. �Page 10 —Thursday, May 25, 2023 —The Hastings Banner — Many Saxons among 1-8’s best at conference meet gzzr The Saxons' Kearan Tolles,, (from right to left) Jonah Teed and Caleb LaBoe sprint to inerinisn oi Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship Tuesday at Albion College. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer Saxon junior Addey Nickels is now a six­ time Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Track and Field Champion - in six different events. Nickels won 100-meter dash and 200meter dash championships as a sophomore last spring and finished as the conference champ in all four of her events Tuesday at the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Finals at Albion College. The Hastings varsity girls’ track and field team placed second and the Saxon boys’ team third in the day’s final standings. The Saxon girls’ team had five individuals win 1-8 championships with Nickels winning two events with a top finish in the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. She turned in a PR of47.99 seconds in the longer race. Isabelle Roosien ran a PR of26.58 to win the 200-meter dash. Olivia Friddle won the pole vault with ajump of9 feet 6 inches. Madison Nino defended her 2022 conference champi­ onship in longjump with a leap of 17-1.5. The Saxon girls’ sprint relay foursome of Nino, Roosien, Nickels and Myah Vincent won both the 4x 100-meter in 50.44 seconds and 4x200-meter relay in 1:46.48. Hastings head coach Brian Teed noted that “the girls’ team was in third place after the conference duals and ended up placing sec­ ond in the league after the meet. Western fell from second to third after a fourth place fin­ ish. There is good parity in the girls’ meet and I thought all our athletes competed well. Our sprint relays keep getting a little faster each meet and our 1600-meter relay team of [Eva] Rowley, [Eloane] Gaillard, [Lauren] Arnold and [Maddie] Peake hit a new big PR.” Harper Creek won the girls’ meet with 116.5 points. Hastings was second with 93.5 ahead of Coldwater 78, Parma Western 76, Lumen Christi 66, Pennfield 42, Northwest 29 and Marshall 20. Placing in the top three for the Saxon girls’ team were: Madison Nino third in the 100-meter; Vincent with a 26.66 PR in the 200-meter to finish second; and Friddle fin­ ished third in the shot put with a throw of 33-1. The Saxon boys’ team “was third coming into the meet and the top of the standing didn’t change,” coach Teed said. “It is a top heavy league without much parity this year, so it is hard to make any movement by getting help from the other teams. The #4, #8 and #12 ranked teams are all in the same league.” The Saxon boys’ had seven individuals that won individual 1-8 Conference Champion­ ships for the night. Kearan Tolles won the 400-meter with a PR of50.54; Robby Slaugh­ ter won the pole vault with a jump of 14-0; Daniel Weatherly won the shot put with a throw of 48-8, and the 4x400-meter relay team of Slaughter, Charles Nickels, Jett Bar­ num and Tolles broke their own school record Hastings freshman Olivia Friddle works her way over the bar in the pole vault competition at the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship Tuesday at Albion College. She won the event, clearing the bar at 9 feet 6 inches. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) to PR and win the conference title with a time of3 minutes 26.25 seconds. Placing in the top four in the standings in the 18 for the night were: Charles Nickels with a second place finish after a PR of52.09 in the 400-meter and a second place standing in the high jump with a jump of 6-2; Tolles finished third in the 800-meter run; and Lay­ ton Eastman finished fourth in the 110m hurdles and second in the 300-meter hurdles with a PR of41.2. The Saxon boys’ 4x200-meter relay team of Tolles, Barnum, Eastman and Reuben Solmes finished in third place and the 4x800-meter relay team of Brandon Sim- mons, Riley Shults, Jonah Teed and Caleb Laboe also had a third-place finish. Parma Western won the boys’ meet with 141 points ahead ofHarper Creek 124, Hast­ ings 106, Marshall 79, Lumen Christi 39, Coldwater 24, Northwest 6 and Pennfield 4. The Saxon girls’ team has finished compet­ ing for the year other than the individuals that qualified for the Meet of Champions next Tuesday in Dexter, and those qualified for the MHSAA State Finals Meet on June 3 at For­ est Hills Eastern. The Saxon boys’ team will compete as a team one last time on Friday in the MITCA Team State Finals at Berrien Springs High School. Saxons shut out final two regular season foes Brett-Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity girls’ soccer team closed out the 2023 Tegular season with backto-back shut out victories over Ionia and Dansville. Mr Hastings will go to Holland Friday, May 26, for its MHSAA Division 2 District opener. The Saxons outscored Dansville 6-0 on Senior Night inside Baum Stadium at John­ son Field Monday in Hastings. Raegen Morrison scored the Saxons’ open­ ing goal in the third minute ofplay, finishing offa ball that teammate Dez Mathis bounded across the front ofthe Aggies’ goal mouth. Morrison would finish the night with two goals. Lauren Lamphere scored three times, and Mathis scored once herself. Mathis and Alyson Miller had the Saxons’ assists in the match. “This was another good game for us against a decent team with lots ofsolid players on it,” Hastings head coach Tim Schoessel said. The Saxons led 3-0 at the half. “This was one ofour better games on both sides of the ball. The offense and defense really played well in this game, lots of nice passing and shots on offense and very solid look down defense;” Schoessel said. The Saxons scored a 7-0 win at Ionia last Friday, May 19. Coach Schoessel said it was a result his girls really needed after a rough 8-0 loss to Marshall in the final Interstate-8 Athletic Conference match ofthe season ear­ lier in the week. “We started fast and never let offthe gas in the first half,” Schoessel said. Morrison scored in the first 20 seconds of the game to lead the way. The Saxons led 7-0 at the half, getting three more goals from Morrison and three goals total from Lamphere. Lamphere had two assists, and Morrison and Miller had one each. “The second half was a bit of a different story,” Schoessel said. “We had several oppor­ tunities and did not lack for shots on goal but could not get one in to finish offthe Bulldogs.” Saxon goalkeeper Dekota Blough had three saves in the shut out While the Saxons got on the scoreboard early in those two victories, it was Marshall who scored in the opening minutes last Wednesday. The Redhawks went on to an 8-0 win to finish tied with Harper Creek atop the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference standings. Both the Redhawks and Beavers were 6-0-1 in the conference this spring^ Hastings finishes in third in the final con­ ference standings at 4-2-2. “We went back on our heels and never recovered,” Schoessel said. “They played a great game on the offensive and defensive sides ofthe ball. We played our worst game of the season and were punished for it. We scored two own goals and Marshall ended up finishing us offwith two minutes left in the game. “We did not have many looks at the net at all, wejust really struggled to move the ball.” Blough made 13 saves in goal for the Saxons. orfstart rf 20^2563 **lfc*<l . The Saxons' Lauren Lamphere leads the attack for the Hastings varsity girls' soccer team during its 6-0 non-conference win over visiting Dansville Monday inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Notice of Public Hearing on Increasing Property Taxes The Board ofTrustees ofPrairieville Township will hold a public hearing on a proposed increase of0.1892 mills in the operating tax millage to be levied on property in 2023. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Road, Delton, Michigan. The date and location ofthe meeting to act on the proposed millage will be announced at this public meeting. Ifadopted, the proposed additional millage will increase operating revenue from ad valorum property taxes 5.89% over such revenues generated by levies permitted without holding the hearing. Ifthe proposed additional millage is not approved, the operating revenue will increase by 1.67% over the preceding year’s operating revenue. The taxing unit publishing this notice, and identified below, has complete authority to establish the number ofmills to be levied from within its authorized millage rate. This notice is published by: Prairieville Township 10115 S. Norris Road Delton, MI 49046 . (269) 623 2664 The Saxons' Alyson Miller pushes up the left side with the ball on the attack during her team's win over Dansville Monday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Saxons' Bella Kensington moves the ball through the midfield during the first half of her team's win over visiting Dansville at Hastings High School Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK ladies bounce back from loss to Catholic Central in league tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thornapple Kellogg saw its hopes of an OK Gold Conference Tournament Champi­ onship dashed by Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wednesday in Middleville. The Trojans, the second seed entering the tournament, were upset by the third seeded Cougars 2-1. “Last week was definitely a bit ofa disap­ pointment for the coaching staff and the girls,” TK co-coach Ben Sleeman said. “We had been playing well as of late and seemed to hit a wall against CC with nothing seeming to go our way. We didn’t control the pace of the game well and let adversity get the best of us at times and we made a couple mistakes that they were clinical with and ultimately it cost us a chance at a conference tournament final game.” Thomapple Kellogg scored a 2-1 win over the Cougars in Grand Rapids during their regular season meeting earlier this month. TK scored a draw in its match-up with South Christian, the conference regular season champion, and suffered its only defeat of the conference regular season at Cedar Springs. The TK ladies bounced back from the loss to the Cougars and avenged that loss to the Red Hawks by outscoring the Cedar Springs girls 3-1 Monday to wrap up the conference tournament. The Trojans open the 2023 state tourna­ ment at home taking on Zeeland West in an MHSAA Division 2 District opener Friday, May 26. The TK girls head into that district match­ up with a 12-4-1 overall this season. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 25, 2023 — Page 11 TK’s Pitsch shoots third best score at last conference jamboree Brett Bremer Sports Editor A short handed Trojan team was led by senior Austin Pitsch Thursday at the final OK Gold Conference jamboree ofthe season. Pitsch scored a 34 as the Thomapple Kel­ logg varsity boys’ golf team placed sixth at the meet hosted by Ottawa Hills at Indian Trails GolfCourse in Grand Rapids. TK had just four guys competing. Senior Kyron Zoet scored a 38, junior Jordan Parks scored a 44 and senior Hunter Cisler tallied a 50. Pitsch opened his round with a birdie on the par-4 number three and then was at one under through seven holes after shooting a four on the par-5 number seven. He would finish at one-over-par in third place individu- Thornapple Kellogg's Austin Pitsch hits his tee shot on number one at Indian Trails Thursday during the final OK Gold Conference jamboree of the season. (Photo by Brett Bremer) n । kiMsut inkvi ■ Thornapple Kellogg senior Kyron Zoet fires his ball up to the green on number nine Thursday during the OK Gold Conference jamboree at Indian Trails in Grand Rapids. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Half of OK Gold getting swapped out with start of 2024-25 season CMki 9K ess ally on the day. Forest Hills Eastern took the day’s victory with a score of 138. Grand Rapids Catholic Central scored a 145, South Christian 153, Cedar Springs 1'58, Wayland 159, Thomapple Kellogg 166 and Kenowa Hills 167. Forest Hills Eastern had five guys shoot 36 or better. The Hawks were led by freshman Hunter Morris who scored an even-par 33. Grand Rapids Catholic Central also had freshman Will Preston score a 33. Forest Hills Eastern sophomore James Seymour, freshman Jack Cavanaugh and junior Devin Kozal each scored a 35. The conference was set to get together again Wednesday, May 24, for the OK Gold Conference Championship hosted by Catho­ lic Central at LE Kaufman GolfCourse. bih farafetCl to&w c>! Brett Breriier .■ Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg will face a very differ­ ent OK Gold Conference beginning with the 2024-25 school year. TK will be the largest school in the OK Gold Conference after the latest edition of realignments shuffle opponents around. The Trojans will remain league-mates with Way­ land, Forest Hills Eastern and South Chris­ tian. They are beingjoined in the OK Gold by Holland, Hamilton, Holland Christian and Unity Christian. Thomapple Kellogg athletic director Brian Hammer said there were concerns with the last realignment that traveling across down- town Grand' >Rapids to get to places like Kenowa Hills and Cedar Springs at rush hour could prove challenging, but over the past couple years that has actually caused very few issues. Traveling across the new OK Gold he thinks will be even easier. “It’s good to keep some old foes, and to get to make some new ones. It’s not a bad thing, just something different,” Hammer said. Hammer continues to be a member ofthe OK Conference realignment committee which looks at changes to the conference structure every four years. Kenowa Hills and Cedar Springs are offto the new OK Black Conference with Mona Shores Reeths-Puffer, Muskegon, Lowell, Greenville and Northview. Ottawa Hills and Grand Rapids Catholic Central are moving to the OK Blue to bejoined by Grand Rapids Union, Coopersville, Fruit­ port, Spring Lake, Allendale and West Catholic. Thomapple Kellogg and Holland Christian spent two years together in the OK Gold in 2003 and 2004, and TK continued to keep the Maroons on as a non-conference football opponent for a handful ofseasons. Thomapple Kellogg and Hamilton were long-time conference rivals as far back as the Expressway Conference in the 1960’s and then spent 30 years'together in the OK Blue Conference before the Trojans finally left for the OK Gold in 2003. Saxon seniorswin two titlesat 1-8 tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings wrapped its best Interstate-8 Athletic Conference tennis season yet with a third-place finish at the conference tourna­ ment hosted by Jackson Lumen Christi Monday. Senior exchange student Cariota Espi Vano at second singles and the senior first doubles team of Bailey Cook and Erin Daniels won conference championships at their flight. Vano, the fourth seed at her flight despite having just two losses during the conference duals, took wins over the second singles play­ ers from Coldwater, Jackson Lumen Christi and Parma Western. She beat Lumen Christi’s Michaela Hauer 7-6(6), 6-0 in the semifinals and then knocked off Parma Western’s Dru Porter 6-4, 6-1 in the championship match at their flight. Porter took a win in tight match that ended in a 10-8 super tiebreaker when the two teams met for their conference dual in early May. Vano was only bested three times all sea­ son, falling in an April match against Pennfield’s Aubriana Farrow, and in the finals of the MHSAA Regional Tournament last week. “Cariota is just an amazing ball striker,” Hastings head coach Andrew Haines said. “She has learned to mix her game up, to incorporate her power when needed and also play with more precision throughout the year to hit hard shots and soft shots. At the begin­ ning ofthe season, she only hit hard shots.” A year after being the conference run­ ner-up at first doubles, Cook and Daniels took the title by outscoring Parma Western’s top doubles team of Teagan Robertson and Alena Engle 6-1, 6-3 in the championship match. Cook and Daniels were undefeated in the conference this spring, opening the con­ ference tournament with straight set wins over the top doubles teams from Coldwater and Lumen Christi. Despite those wins, Parma Western still won the conference title with 55 points. Lumen Christi was second with 49 ahead of Hastings 43, Coldwater 39, Harper Creek 35, Pennfield 30, Northwest 24 and Marshall 12. “I set a bar at the beginning ofthe season to be at the top end of the conference,” Haines said. “They accepted the challenge and got to that top end.” “This group of seniors will be sorely missed,” Haines added. “For the most part they all played varsity for all three years. I would have loved to have not had the Covid year with them. They’ll definitely be remem­ bered for their competitiveness and their dedication outside ofthe season too.” The team also had senior Calin Redman at third singles this spring. She fell in her first two conference tournament matches Monday, but knocked off Marshall’s number three Lucy Gensch 9-7 in the final round. Hastings junior Abby Beemer placed third at first singles Monday. She beat Pennfield’s Vivian Bums 6-3, 6-3 to open the tournament and then fell to Bella Brushaber from Parma Western 7-5, 6-1 in the semifinals. She went on to outscore Coldwater’s Emma Madden 8-3 in a pro-set in the match for third. Lumen Christi’s Maggie Page defeated Brushaber in the first singles championship match 6-4, 6-4. Saxon fourth singles player sophomore MJ Deal finished second at her flight in the con­ ference. She took wins over players from Northwest and Pennfield before falling 6-2, 6-2 to Coldwater’s Janet Rucker in the finals. The Saxon second doubles team ofMegan Rowley and Sophia Ahearns and the third doubles team of Julia McLean and Audrey Vertalka both won their opening round match and then were bested by their next two foes. At fourth doubles, the Saxon team of Lilyan Solmes and Gracie Wilson won the last of its three matches. The Saxons finished in fifth place at their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Region­ al hosted by Otsego Friday and Saturday. Allegan won the regional title with 25 points and Otsego and Stevensville Lakeshore both also qualified for the upcoming state finals finishing in a tie for* second with 22 points. Hamilton was fourth in the day’s standings with 13 points ahead ofHastings 9, Wayland 3, Paw Paw 2, Plainwell 0 and Charlotte 0. Vano led the way for the Saxon team reaching the championship at second sin­ gles. Vano scored la 7-6(4), 6-4 win over Otsego’s Lexi Layman in the semifinals. Layman went into the match with an unde­ feated record this season. Allegan’s Addy Fales bested Vano in the second singles championship 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. The Saxons’ top three doubles teams all won a match, with the top two teams reaching the semifinals. Cook and Daniel's were seeded third and opened play with a quarterfinal win over the top team from Paw Paw by the scores of 6-7(8), 6-1, 6-1. The second seeded Allegan duo of Hailey Fuller and Emma Kuebler fought offthe Saxon pair 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinal round and then went on to win the regional title by beating the top seeded team from Otsego handily in straight sets in the finals. “To play them as tough as they did and take a set and push them real hard, I couldn’t have been prouder of them,” Haines said. “They have been partners for three years. They fell short, but they got beat by a team that is better than them and I can’t ask for any more than that.” “Same is true at second doubles.” Ahearns and Rowley beat Hamilton’s sec­ ond doubles team in three sets to start the day in the quarterfinals, 6-2,6-7,6-2, but then fell to the eventual flight champs from Otsego in the semifinals. At third doubles, the Saxon pair ofVertalka and McLean knocked off Plainwell in the first round and then fell to the top seeded team from Hamilton in the quarterfinals. Redman won her opening round match at third singles 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 over Plainwell’s Brooke Pazderka and then fell to the eventual flight champion, Chloe Arbanas from Ste­ vensville Lakeshore, in the quarterfinals. Lakewood softball sweeps two from Bulldogs on Senior Night Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity softball team scored 7-4 and 16-4 wins over the Ionia Bulldogs on the Vikings’ Senior Night Thursday The program honored its two seniors, Liv Woodman and Maycee Rusco. Wood­ man is a three-year starter for the Vikings. She has started at every outfield position over the years and spent most ofher senior spring at first and second base. Rusco is in her second varsity season and coach Brent Hilley said she has been a solid DP for his squad throughout the spring coming through with some key hits. “When it’s senior night you never know how the kids are going to handle it on the field,” Hilley said. “We had a slower start at the plate than I would have liked, but started focusing better towards the middle innings of game one and then hit really well in game two. It was a great way to end our regular season home schedule.” Rusco had a hit and Woodman went 2 for 3 at the plate in the opener with the Bulldogs. Freshman Peyton Federau was 2 for 3 too, with a double. Ally Slater tripled, and Lily Federau, Audrey Hillard and Maryssa Goble each singled once. Kendyl Steward got the pitching victory. She gave up four earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two. Game two lasted just five innings, thanks in no small part to the duo ofHil­ lard and Lily Federau who both hit a . three-run home run. Hillard was 4 for 4 at the plate with a double too. Lily finished 3 for 3. Peyton Federau was 3 for 4 with a dou- ble in the bailgame, Brooke Hoppes had two hits, Steward doubled and Goble, • Woodman and Slater each singled once. The Vikings were tested Saturday at the Blue Chip Tournament in Byron Center. The Viking were 0-3 on the day with a 14-3 ’ loss to Grand Haven, an 18-5 loss to Mid­ land and an 11-3 loss to Wayland. Woodman was 2 for 3 with a run and a RBI in the loss to Grand Haven to open the day. Lily Federau and Steward both singled once. Goble and Slater both had two hits, a single and a double, in the loss to Midland. Slater drove in two runs Goble had one RBI and scored once. In the ballgame with Wayland, which was the closest ofthe day for the Vikings, Lakewood built a 3-0 lead through three innings. The Wildcats struck for four runs in the sixth and five in the seventh. The Vikings committed ten errors and allowed seven unearned runs. Lily Federau had another strong outing in the leadoff spot. She was 3 for 4 at the plate with a run scored. She had a double. Peyton Federau was 2 for 3 with two dou­ bles. Lakewood also got a double from Woodman and singles from Hillard and Steward against the Wildcats. Saxon team fifth at I-8 golf championship Brett Bremer Sports Editor Saxon senior Collin Fouty finished in a three-way tie for sixth place at the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship at Cedar Creek GolfCourse Wednesday, May 17. Lumen Christi took the day’s team champi­ onship with a score of 314 ahead of Parma Western 327, Jackson Northwest 329, Harper Creek 330, Hastings 344, Marshall 357, Coldwater 394 and Pennfield 413. Junior Owen Carroll shot an 86 for the Saxons, and junior Ryan VanDorp and fresh­ man Daniel Jensen both scored 89’s. Parma Western sophomore Hayden Kim was the individual champion with a score of 75. Northwest freshman Cody Rowe and Lumen Christi senior Nash Hanchett were a stroke back with 76’s. Lumen Christi also had sophomores Adam Fuller and Charlie Saun­ ders tie for fourth with 79’s. Rounding out the four scores for the Titans was senior Joshua Baker who shot an 80. Hastings will head to Diamond Springs in Hamilton for its MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Regional June 1. 200106 CITY OF HASTINGS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS FOR ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES The City of Hastings is soliciting the service of a qualified Certified Public Accounting firm to conduct the Financial and Compliance audit of the city’s operations, as well as single audits. Complete specifications are available on the city’s website at www.hastingsmi.org or from the Office of the City Clerk. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in any proposal, and to award the contract for services as deemed to be in the City’s best interest, price and other factors considered. Proposals will be received at the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 4:00 PM, on Friday, June 16, 2023. Proposals may be submitted via regular mail, other delivery service, or via email to cbever@hastingsmi.org and clearly marked as - “Annual Financial Audit Services Proposals”. Christopher R. Beve City Clerk/Treasurer 200112 City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Hastings City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan. The purpose of the Public Hearing is for City Council to hear comments and make a determination on the establishment of a final assessment roll for parking in the City of Hastings Principal Shopping District for fiscal year 2023/2024. The City will provide necessary reasonable aid and services to disabled persons wishing to attend these hearings upon seven days notice to the Clerk of the City of Hastings, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Telephone 269/945-2468 or TDD call relay services 800/649-3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk �Page 12 — Thursday. May 25. 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF BARRY FILE NO. 23-306-CH ORDER TO ANSWER HON. VICKY L ALSPAUGH GARY DALE BERKENPAS. MARY JO BERKENPAS, Plaintiffs. vs. LaJEAN BROWN a/k/a LaJEAN C. BROWN (deceased) and/or The Unknown Beneficiaries or Heirs of LaJEAN BROWN. Including but not limited to DAVID BROWN. FIFTH THIRD BANK (WESTERN MICHIGAN) Defendants. David H. Tripp (P29290) Tripp, Tagg & Storrs. Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2900 Attorney for Plaintiff TO: LaJEAN BROWN a/k/a LaJEAN C. BROWN and/or the Unknown Beneficiaries or Heirs of LaJEAN BROWN, including but not limited to DAVID BROWN At a session of said court held in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan on the 24th day of May, 2023. PRESENT: HONORABLE VICKY L ALSPAUGH, Circuit Judge Based on the pleadings filed in the above entitled case, it is ordered that Defendants, LaJean Brown a/k/a LaJean C. Brown and/or The Unknown Ben­ eficiaries or Heirs of LaJean Brown, a/k/a LaJean C. Brown, including but not limited to David Brown, -shall file a Notice of Interest in the above captioned case in real property commonly known as: 524 West Center Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, more fully described as: LAND SITUATED IN THE CITY OF HASTINGS. COUNTY OF BARRY, STATE OF MICHIGAN: LOT 841, ORIGINAL PLAN OF THE VILLAGE. NOW CITY OF HASTINGS, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS. Commonly known as: 524 W Center Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Parcel #: 08-55-001-275-00 by the 18” day of July. 2023 to assert any inter­ est in the above described property. If the Defen­ dants fail to do so that shall constitute a default in the above entitled matter, and on the 19” day of July, 2023 at 10:00 in the forenoon, this Court shall take proofs and shall terminate whatever interest LaJean Brown a/k/a LaJean C. Brown and/or The Unknown Beneficiaries or Heirs of LaJean Brown, including but not limited to David Brown may have in and to the above described property unless a No­ tice of Interest in the Real Property is filed in this action or unless Defendants or their representatives appear in the Barry County Circuit Court at that date and time. Honorable Vicky L. Alspaugh (P42572) Drafted by: David H. Tripp (P2929tf)’’ £ ** Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Btoadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2900 \\tnt-dc\Company\DHT Client FilesXBerkenpas, Gary & Mary JoXOrder to Answer.docx NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised Judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 29, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Logan Troy Teneyck, an unmarried man, whose address is 4705 S. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, acting solely as a nominee for Amerifirst Financial Corporation, being a mortgage dated August 10, 2021, and recorded on August 13, 2021 with Document Number 2021-010183, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated May 11,2023 and recorded in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is daimed to be due att the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE AND 04/100 DOLLARS ($106,935.04). Said premises are situated in the Township of Maple Grove, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the southwest 1/4 of section 1, town 2 north range 7 west described as commencing 900 feet south of the west 1/4 post of said section 1; thence east 250 feet; thence south parallel with the west 1/4 line, 200 feet; thence west 250 feet to west 1/4 line of said section 1; thence north 200 feet to the place of beginning. Street Address: 4705 S. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 rOm th® dat© of the sale. If the property is wid at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the i2SSjU<Ucature Act of 1961- Pursuant to MCLA §600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR To collect a debt and any INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR ™LFURP0SE' ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF I2i,nARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON AG™E DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE RAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS tS°’a<2R ,F Y0U have been ORDERED AGT,VE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE tu!°iRNEY F0R THE PARTY FORECLOSING gtat ^2RTGAGE AT the telephone number SSTATED gTATED IN TOTICE. Dated: IN THIS THIS AN NOTICE. Dated: May May 25, 25, 2023 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates,, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5000 (05-25)(06-15) 200261 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised Judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 8, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Tina G Young an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/ or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PHH Mortgage Corporation Date of Mortgage: June 26,2018 Date of Mortgage Recording: July 5,2018 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $181,136.85 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated In Township of Johnstown, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot Numbers 26 and 27 of the Plat of Oak Grove Number 2 in Section 30, Town 1 North, Range 8 West, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded Plat thereof Common street address (if any): 536 Oak Grove St, Battle Creek, Ml 49017-8236 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: May 4,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1497365 (05-04X05-25) 198865 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly - at-TiOO PM, on June-22t-2023<-The emount due on-the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Mark J. Elkins and Stacy M. Elkins, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Irwin Mortgage Corporation its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MidFirst Bank, a Federally Chartered Savings Association Date of Mortgage: May 20,2005 Date of Mortgage Recording: June 2,2005 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $66,443.10 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Unit 6, Guernsey Highlands, a Site Condominium according to the Master Deed recorded in Liber 636, Pages 592 through 650, inclusive in the Office of the Barry County Register of Deeds, together with rights In general and limited common elements as set forth In said Master Deed and as described in Act 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended. Common street address (if any): 7307 Highland, Delton, Ml 49046-8715 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: May 25,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1499387 (05-25)(06-15) 199947 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-29448-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1404 Estate of Gerald L. Knickerbocker. Date of birth: 01/06/36. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Gerald L Knickerbocker, died 11/2/22. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kody Knickerbocker, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Timothy L. Tromp P41571 601 W. State Street Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-9400 Kody Knickerbocker 9545 East D Ave. Apt. 7 Richland, Ml 49083 269-967-8815 Financial FOCUS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on June 22, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Gary Kaiser, a single man, (“Mortgagor”), gave a mortgage to Advia Credit Union f/k/a First Community Federal Credit Union, (“Mortgagee”), dated June 14, 2002, and recorded on June 28, 2002, in Document Number 1082969, Barry County Records, Michigan. On the date of this notice, there Is claimed to be due the principal of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred-Eighty and 04/100 Dollars ($13,580.04) plus accrued Interest at 7.30% per annum. Under the power of sale contained In said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice Is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 18 and 19, ’ACKER’S PLAT”, as recorded in Liber 4, Page 7 Commonly: 6930 Ackers Point Road Delton, Ml 49046—Tax ld#08-07-040-01800 The redemption period shall be twelve months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: May 18,2023 Advia Credit Union, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 (248)352-4340 (05-18)(06-15) In the matter of Madison Elizabeth Rose Bell. TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 6/14/2023‘at 2:13tpJt). at Barry County Trial Court, Family Division, Room-FCxh, 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William Michael Doherty 41960 for the following purpose(s): Pet/Minor Guardianship. Connecting to the Virtual Court Room at the time of the proceeding: Desktop PC's and Laptops: Go to Zoom Web Site (ZOOM. US). Click on “Join a Call”. Join using meeting ID 5030695658. Tablets and phones (apple and Android): Install the Zoom apt from the app store or play store prior to the call. At the time of the call launch the Zoom app and Join using meeting id 5030695658. Phone call only: Cail 646-876-9923 or 669-900­ 6833 and connect using meeting ID 5030695658 (this option may only be used with the court's prior permission). If you require special accommodations to use the court because of a disability, or if you require a foreign language interpreter to help you fully participate in court proceedings, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements. 199938 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 23029471-GM In the matter of Hank Dakota Schutz. TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 6/14/2023 at 2:15 p.m. at Barry County Trial Court, Family Division, Room FC01, 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William Michael Doherty 41960 for the following purpose(s): Pet/Minor Guardianship. Connecting to the Virtual Court Room at the time of the proceeding: Desktop PC's and Laptops: Go to Zoom Web Site (ZOOM. US). Click on “Join a Call”. Join using meeting ID 5030695658. Tablets and phones (apple and Android): Install the Zoom apt from the app store or play store prior to the call. At the time of the call launch the Zoom app and Join using meeting id 5030695658. Phone call only: Call 646-876-9923 or 669-900­ 6833 and connect using meeting ID 5030695658 (this option may only be used with the court's prior permission). If you require special accommodations to use the court because of a disability, or if you require a foreign language interpreter to help you fully participate in court proceedings, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements. Frank and Ola Schutz 10951 Wildwood Road Shelbyville, Ml 49344 906-235-4913 Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Are your goals ‘must have’ or ‘nice to have’? Like everyone, you may have a lot of financial goals. But are they all ofequal impor­ tance? Probably not And do they share a similar timeline? Again, it’s unlikely. So, your first step may be to prioritize your goals — and then follow a process that can help you achieve them. This process should include the following steps: • Identify your goals as must have” or “nice to have.” Making sure you can retire comfortably and won’t outlive your resources is a “must have” goal. For this goal, you can’t compromise — you need to be certain ofachieving it or at least as certain as pos­ sible. But if you want to some­ day own a vacation home by the beach, and you can’t ever quite afford it you might find an acceptable substitute, such as renting. So, it seems fair to say that achieving this goal would be “nice to have.” • Prioritize your invest­ ment dollars. Unless you have unlimited sums to invest — and very few of us have that luxury—you’ll probably need to prioritize where your invest­ ment dollars are going. For your main “must have” goal — retirement — you’ll be helped by the ability to automatically invest through your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. If you’re on track toward this goal, and you budget carefully and potential­ ly receive salary increases over the years, you may also find space to keep contributing to­ ward the “nice to have” goals. • Put “price tags” on your goals. You need to know what your goals will cost. Ofcourse, you may need to estimate the costs for some goals based on different factors. For example, when you think about your goal of retiring comfortably without outliving your money, you’ll need to consider some key questions, including these: When do you want to retire? What sort of retirement life­ style do you envision? Do you see yourself downsizing your living arrangements? For other goals, though, such as purchas­ ing a vacation home, you could get more specific on how much money you’ll need. • Follow an appropriate strategy. The nature of your goals, and their estimated cost, along with your appetite for risk, should drive your invest­ ment strategy — but another key factor is time. So, for a long-term goal like retirement, you’ll likely need a reasonable amount of quality growth-ori­ ented investments in your port­ folio. While these investments — such as stocks and stock­ based mutual funds — will 199939 NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number V-8-2023 - Douglas Edinger (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 2805 McKeown Rd Hastings Ml 49058 Section 27 Hastings Township Purpose: Avariance to construct a detached ac­ cessory structure with a side yard setback of 4.3 ft (the minimum is'12 ft) and a rear yard setback of 13 ft (the minimum is 20 ft) in the RR (Rural Residen­ tial) zoning district. Case Number V-9-2023 - Marcus Schmidt (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 5105 Easy St Nashville Ml 49073 Sec­ tion 30 Castleton Township Purpose: A Variance to build a 17 x 40 carport with a front yard setback of 2.6 ft (the minimum is 30 ft) in the HDR (High Density Residential) zoning district. MEETING DATE:June 12,2023. TIME: 7:00 PM PLACE: Tyden Center, Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing, interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrvcounty.orq. The variance application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department 220 West State Street Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or calling the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. fluctuate in value over short­ er periods of time, your hope is that, over several decades, they will ultimately provide the growth you need to meet your retirement goal. However, to achieve a goal you want to meet in a year or so — perhaps you’re paying for a wedding or planning a long vacation — you may want to consider more stable investments, such as certificates ofdeposit (CDs), short-term bonds or even cash or cash equivalents. They may not provide much in the way of growth, but you can essentially count on them to provide the amount you need when you need it You’ll need to regular­ ly review the performance of your investment strategy for each goal to assess your prog­ ress. Achieving any goals — whether they ’re “must have” or “nice to have” — can be chal­ lenging. But by identifying and prioritizing these goals, fol­ lowing an appropriate strategy to meet them, and consistently reviewing your approach, you can help yourselfget to where you want to go. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use byyour local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward SIPC Jones. Member NOTICE TO CREDITORS, TRUST ESTATE TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, William Thomas Baxter (date of birth: 1/25/45, who lived at 232 Edgewood Drive, Mid­ dleville, Michigan, died 4/8/23. There is no personal representative of the settlor's estate of whom Let­ ters of Administration have been issued. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the William T. Baxter Revocable Living Trust dated, 8/13/09, as amended, will be forever banned unless presented to Brenda J. O'Neal-Fultz Successor Trustee, within four months after the date of pub­ lication. Notice is further given that the Trust will there­ after be assigned and distributed to the persons entitled to it. Date: 5/18/23 Brenda J. O'Neal-Fultz 1085 Tasman Drive, SPC 242 Sunnyvale, CA 94089 650-245-5591 200016 SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting April 19,2023 Called to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Stonebumer, Pence, Doster, Goebel, DeVries Agenda and Minutes approved County Commissioner Report Public comments were received. Department Reports were received. Approved: Payment of bills Res. 2023-13 Truth in Taxation Notice Park Lease Addendum Reserve Officer Hire Bathroom Bid Public and Board comments were received. Meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk 200006 Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk 200173 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Garage Sate BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White INDOOR/OUTDOOR MOV­ ING SALE- Friday 05/26/23 and Saturday 05/27/23, 9am4pm. Furniture, household items, books, tools, Weber grill, lawn mower, and more! Cash Only. 278 Bethany Dr., Hastings. Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Business Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. 200028 Member SIPC Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 49073 (517)760-8113 199545 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 23029470-GM Frank and Ola Schutz 10951 Wildwood Road Shelbyville, Ml 49344 906-235-4913 Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones PACILLO LAWNCARE Tak­ ing new clients in Hastings. Phone (269)838-6025. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782. Help Banted GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Benefits 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Health insurance, Life insur­ ance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $300.00. 269-223-9194. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.’’ Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, May 25,2023 — Page 13 Lions dedicate improved facilities during tournament victory Brett Bremer Sports Editor Olivet pulled even with the Vikings at Glenbrier Tuesday, May 16, and then moved into the Greater Lansing Activities Conference lead with a win in the league jamboree hosted by Lakewood’s varsity boys’ golf team at Centennial Acres Thurs­ day, May 18. The Eagles outscored the Vikings 172­ 176 at the top of the standings Thursday. Leslie was third with a score of 187 ahead of Stockbridge 190, Perry 190, Lansing Christian 219 and Maple Valley 252. Lakewood senior Drew Marquoit and Olivet seniors Jaycob Delong and Dawson Redfield all shot a 42 to tie for the day’s s The Maple Valley High School baseball program dedicated its impressive new backstop and dugouts at Griswold Field at Roger Corey Diamond Saturday during the program's annual Ken Beardslee Memorial Wooden Bat Invitational. The Lions won the day's championship knocking off Potterville 16-4 and then Dansville 5-1 in the championship game. (Photo by Brett Bremer) DK/Martin boys middle of the pack at SAC boys’ golf tournament ^obku *a* ssas* a s * *■* *■* u* a jittS L Wk* ,u u*ajittS., .L „ DOI Kite i sttki s 0fr9U MlOkft awtfK SqAMI 2 ili ®b PtW WrStW®K* *"*6* a WSW WSWK**6* *wo*®* wo*® Si l l***^® l*'**'^® ® S&* S3 S3&*** ’ ****** Ek Ekr' «* «*»C ^** LEGAL NOTICES >3u8 siluA-lseH O I BbnaiA of •*.. _,ia NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM on June 1,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE SALE -Amy Drum and Daniel Drum, a husband and wife, original mortgagors, granted a Mortgage to CitiFinandal, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, and recorded December 5, 2006 as Instrument Number 1173501, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, and assigned to CitiFinandal Servicing LLC, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000595, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as owner trustee for WF19 Grantor Trust, recorded on January 19,2017 as Instrument Number 2017-000596, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, recorded on April 13, 2021 as Instrument Number 2021-004919, in official records of Barry County Register of Deeds, Michigan, which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of $18,308.77. The following described premises situated in the Township of Prairieville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, to-wit: Beginning at the Northwest comer of Section 4 Town 1 North Range 10, West and running thence on the Township line of South 89 degrees 52' 06" East 180 feet; Thence South 00 degrees 48' 01* East parallel with the West line of said Section 587.21 feet to the Northeasterly edge of Hughes Road a private drive in the plat of Shady Heights as recorded in Uber 3 of plats, on Page 37; Thence North 53 degrees 37* 00” West 427.89 feet Thence North 09 degrees 49' 00* East 114.74 feet Thence South 89 degrees 53' 12’ East parallel with the North line of the Northeast fractional % ofthe adjacent Section 5, a distance of 139.80 feet to the Section line common to said Section 4 and 5;*Thence North 00 degrees 48' 01* West on same 221.00 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, as Trustees of the Gregory H. Noord and Wend R Noord Family Trust by Warranty Deed dated 05/21/2003 and recorded 08/06/2003 in Instrument No. 1110227 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Being the same property conveyed to Gregory H. Noord and Wendy R. Noord, husband and wife by Warranty Deed dated 04/01/2002 and recorded 04/05/2002 in Instrument No. 1077704 in the office of the recorder of Barry County Michigan. Commonly known as 10929 Pine Lake Road, Delton, Ml 49046 Property ID# 08-12-004-007 ­ 10 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241, in which case the redemption period shall be 1 month, or under MCL 600.3241a 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a (b) notice, whichever is later, or extinguished pursuant to MCL600.3238. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone r ■ ■rr1 f'f jjj? r?,. Haven 374, Lawton 376, Delton Kellogg/ Martin 391, Watervliet 402, Parchment 403, Bridgman 422, Coloma 437, Constan­ tine 468 and Gobles 517. The rest ofthe DK/Martin team’s scor­ ing four weren’t far back. Freshman Tyler Howland shot a 98 and senior Trenton Stonebumer scored a 99. Hackett sophomore Chris Ogrin and Allegan senior Brandon Katsma each shot a 77 at the top ofthe individual standings. Coloma junior Carter Crist was third with a 78 and Kalamazoo Christian was led by sophomore Isaac Riggs’ 79. The DK/Martin boys head to the Med­ alist in Marshall for their MHSAA Divi­ sion 3 Regional Tournament Wednesday, May 31. " *** *5*5 fctateWB-tato Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg/Martin varsity boys’ golf team placed eighth at the Southwest­ ern Athletic Conference Championship Tuesday at the Beeches Golf Club in South Haven. Juniors Blake Lillibridge and Zachary Hale led the Delton Kellogg/Martin team both scoring a 97. Hackett Catholic Prep and Kalamazoo Christian went into the championship match ranked third and sixth respectively in the state in Division 4. The Fighting Irish outscored the Comest 326-334 to claim the title. Allegan was third with a 336 ahead of Saugatuck 353, Schoolcraft 370, South medalists honors. Eagle senior Alex Weaver shot a 43 and his team also got a 45 from junior Levi Browning. Lakewood got a 44 from Dane Webb and sophomore Kenny Dutkiewicz, senior Owen Richmond and junior Sam Mazurek each scored a 45. Junior Alex Graham led the Maple Val­ ley team with a score of 58. Junior Diesel Curtis and sophomore Evan Fisher each scored a 61. Sophomore Dakota Martin scored a 72. The GLAC was set to get together at Forest Akers East GolfCourse in East Lan­ sing for its final 18-hole conference cham­ pionship tournament Wednesday, May 24. Hastings falls in two at Marshall, closes 1-8 at home Tuesday afternoon Brett Bremer Sports Editor Marshall took two from the Hastings varsi­ ty baseball team in Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference action in Marshall Tuesday. The Redhawks won the opener 8-2 and then scored a 15-0 win in game two. Hastings had seven hits in the opener, but could only convert them into the two runs. Eastin Tibble was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Landon Steward tripled and scored a run. Diego Coipel was 2 for 3 with a pair of sin­ gles. Jackson Hayes was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Steward took the Joss on the mound. He allowed seven runs, four earned, on seven hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five. Game two was a three-inning affair. The Saxons’ lone hit was a single by Steward. The Saxons close out the 1-8 season with two at home against Jackson Northwest Tues­ day, May 30. The Saxons were 0-2 for the day last Sat­ urday at the Holland Invitational. They were bested 7-1 by the host Dutch to open the tournament and then fell 15-5 to Wayland. In the loss to the Wildcats, Hayes was 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Steward, Sorensen and Tibble had two hits each. Steward was 2 for 2 with the Saxons’ lone RBI in the loss to Holland. Panther softball splits ballgames at I the SAC 3-Team tournament Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team was 1-1 at the 3-Team SAC Tournament it hosted Saturday. The Panthers were bested 18-7 by School­ craft, but bounced back for a 6-4 win over Watervliet to close the day. The DK girls took a 4-3 lead with a run in the top ofthe sixth inning against Watervliet, then scored twice in the top ofthe seventh to seal the victory. Mya Brickley led the Delton Kellogg attack going 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI’s. Maysse Wiessner had a pair ofsingles. Kasey Kapteyn had a single and drove in a run. Lizzy Stonebumer got the win in the circle for the Panthers. She went the full seven innings allowingjust two earned runs. She gave up five hits and walked three. She struck out one. Allie Trantham was 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBI’s in the loss to Schoolcraft to start the day. Brickley was 3 for 3 with three RBI’s and Paige Thomas was 2 for 3. The Panthers went to Coloma Tuesday for two non-conference ballgames. The Comets took 11-1 and 5-3 wins. Game one lasted six innings. Allison Brandli was 2 for 3 for the Panthers. Abby Fichtner doubled. Trantham and Kapteyn also had hits. DK outhit the Comets 7-5 in game two, but couldn’t push across enough runs to get * by the Comets. All seven Panther hits were singles. Brickley, Brandli and Abbi Wooden had two each. Saxon softball beats up on Bengals and Rockets at Ottawa Hills Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity softball team swept its two ballgames at Ottawa Hills Saturday knocking offthe host Bengals 15-0 and then beating Kelloggsville 20-3. Carly Frazer popped a grand slam over the Centerfield fence during the second inning of her team’s three-inning victory over the Bengals to start the day. The Saxons were in good shape from the start Zoey Bennett singled, Frazer doubled and Jayden Karsen singled to start off the bailgame. Karsen finished 3 for 3 at the plate with a double. Frazer and Bennett were both 2 for 3 in the opener. Sophia Sunior singled and walked twice in the win over the Bengals. Liliana Fox was 2 for 2 with a triple and a walk. Hastings also got hits from Victoria Jerzyk and Ellie Payne. Jerzyk was the winning pitcher in the shut out, and Kaylee Dahms up from the JV threw for the win in game two against Kelloggsville. “They played well and had a great day,” Saxon head coach Dennis Redman said. “Just one more small step they keep taking.” Hastings returned to Interstate-8 Athletic Conference action and was downed 19-0 and 15-0 in a pair at Marshall. The Saxons are home for two with Jackson Northwest Tuesday, May 30. "* th ........ ***«« th* *“*****« « itfMM Vikings looking up at Olivet as GLAC reaches conference tourney number stated In this notice ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. This notice is from a debt collector. Dated: April 24, 2023 For more information, please call: (513) 852-6066 Daniel A. Cox Wood + Lamping, LLP Attorneys for Servicer 600 Vine Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 File 21-12006 (04-27X05-25) 198592 NOTICEOF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MOL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 22, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Austin Paul Vandermei, an unmarried man, whose address is 208 West Grant Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., being a mortgage dated August 13,2018, and recorded on August 16,2018 with Document Number 2018-007968, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated May 17, 2023 and recorded on May 18, 2023 as document number 2023-003974 in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY­ SEVEN AND 48/100 DOLLARS ($115,927.48). Said premises are situated in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 2, Block 4 of R.J. Grants 2nd Addition to the Village now City of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded In Uber 1 of Plats, Page 16 of Barry County Records. Street Address: 208 West Grant Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property Is determined abandoned In accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: May 25, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5009 BARRY COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE, MEDICATION COLLECTION, AND ‘FREE TIRE DROP-OFF Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 9:00a.m. -1:00p.m. Barry County Fairgrounds, 1350 N. M-37 Hwy. Household Hazardous Waste Including aqueous acids and bases; oil-based paints; reactives; solvents; aerosol cans; automotive liquids; pesticides (liquids and solids); automotive batteries; alkaline, nickel-cadmium and/or silver oxide batteries; liquid cleaners; heavy metal solutions; mercury-containing articles; motor oil. Electronics including computers, cell phones, laptops, gaming systems, tablets, and more will be collected for no charge. There will be a fee for TVs and monitors, $10 - $30 for CRT (tube/ box) and $5 - $10 for LCD/LED (flat screen); cash only. FREON CONTAINING DEVICES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. See www.barrycountvrecycles.org for more details. We Cannot Accept: asbestos; latex paint (when dry it can go to the landfill); propane tanks; commercially generated waste; radioactive material; explosives; unknown wastes; speakers in wooden cases; tires heavily caked with dirt. Medications need to be in their original containers with the name of the drug clearly labeled. Cross out any personal information on the containers. Help keep your home, environment and community safe DISPOSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS SAFELY Don’t pourpaint, solvent, medicine, automotive oil, or chemicals down the drain or dump them in the trash where they may end up in our drinking water and lakes! Tire Drop-Off FREE thanks to a grant from CULC *This is a ONE TIME ONLY free tire-drop off event LIMIT OF 10 TIRES PER CAR HOUSEHOLD TIRES ONLY (NO BUSINESS TIRES) First come, first serve until all trailers are full Questions? Please Call (269) 798-4107 (05-25)(06-15) 200254 Sponsored by the Barry County Solid Waste Oversight Committee with thanks to the Barry County Fair Board,,, Waste Management, Barry-Eaton District Health Dept., Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force, Sheriff’s Dept., City of Hastings Police Dept., Hastings ______________ Padnos and Local Pharmacies. �Page 14 — Thursday, May 25, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Harmon wins regional hurdles titles for TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor Downed by an injured ankle the moment she crossed the finish line, Thomapple Kel­ logg sophomore Brooklyn Harmon turned to look back at freshman teammate Mia Hilton just in time. “I saw her face when she looked at her time on the board,” Harmon said with a smile. Hilton was gazing back at the clock at the KRTANS NS jPART .f far end of Sparta’s Spartan Stadium to see SPARTA SPARTANS SPARTA SPARTANS RTA that she had qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals along with her regional champion teammate, Harmon, in the 300-meter low hurdles Friday. Thomapple Kellogg’s varsity boys’ and girls’ track and field teams combined for nine differ­ ent state qualifying finishes at the Division 2 Regional Meet hosted by the Spartans Friday. Harmon was the regional champion in both Thornapple Kellogg sophomore Brooklyn Harmon begins to go over the final hurdle in the 300-meter low hurdle race with teamthe 300-meter low hurdles and the 100-meter mate Mia Hilton (left) in the runner-up spot Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Sparta High School. (Photo by Brett hurdles. She won the 300 hurdles in 48.60 Bremer) seconds. Hilton and junior teammate Joselyn DeBoer were seeded sixth and seventh Velting placed fourth in the 100-meter dash Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Ava Hilton wasn’t far behind in that 100 hur­ the sun started to set behind the bleachers. respectively heading into that race. Hilton cut Crews makes her way around the track Harmon and Hilton aren’t the only TK with a personal record time of 13.37 and was nearly two seconds offher previous best time dles race Friday. She placed sixth in 17.29. sixth in the 200-meter dash in 28.06. Corson during the 3200-meter run Friday at the hurdlers headed to the state finals. Freshman Harmon missed qualifying for the state in the race to place second in 48.92. DeBoer added a seventh place time of28.78 in the 200. MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by finals in the 300 hurdles by about a second as Nate Shoemaker from the TK boys’ team finished 11th, just off her PR time from the The Trojan 4x800-meter relay team of Sparta High School. (Photo by Brett lowered his personal record time to 42.79 in previous weekend at the OK Gold Confer­ a freshman last spring. She said wanting to Bremer) qualify for the finals in that race pushed her the 300-meter intermediate hurdles to finish junior Kendra Coe, Gater, freshman Madison ence Championship. Kietzman and Crews was fifth in 10:15.15 second in that race behind Catholic Central through the pain from her injured ankle to the The top two in each event and others who and the 4x 100-meter relay team of DeBoer, and the 1600-meter run in 4:25.69. Sullivan, finish line. She was also thankful to have junior Mill Coleman who also ran a personal met the pre-determined state qualifying times Dykhouse, Corson and senior Emmerson senior Alex Parker, junior Liam Hinman and and measurements at the regional earn spots tough competition at the regional pushing her record time of40.78 to win it. DeVries placed sixth in 53.38. “Ijust came along, not even going to do the sophomore Henry Dixon won the 4x800-mein the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 to the finish line. The TK boys had a pair ofthird-place relay ter relay for the FHE boys too in 8:08.26. hurdles at the beginning of the season and Hilton had one extra run to make at the end Track and Field Finals that will be held June Wayland athletes won the longjump. Wild­ of the day. Harmon sat out the final race of then [coach Matt] Wonders was like, ‘you teams. Bonnema, Sias, junior Tyler Gavette 3 at Forest Hills Eastern High School. look like a hurdler, go over a hurdle.’ I went and LaJoye placed third in the 4x200-meter cat junior Kaharrie Pureifoy won the boys’ the evening, the 4x400-meter relay, with an The TK ladies have some work to do event with a leap of20-7.25. Senior Breanna ice bag strapped tightly to an ankle and her over one and he was like, ‘all right, I’ve got relay in 1:33.62. The TK 4x800-meter relay before that. They’ve also earned the chance to team ofjunior Lucas Van Meter, Bushman, Hyde won the girls’ contest at 16-11.25. hurdle partner was the top alternate on coach you in them,”’ Shoemaker said. compete in the MITCA Division 2 Team sophomore Caden Strait and sophomore Shoemaker ran some hurdles as a seventh The Wildcat girls’ team also had the top two State Finals Friday, May 26, at Berrien Maggie Wilkinson’s list. Lucas McNabnay was fourth in 8:39.73. The grader, but then focused on long jump and finishers in the pole vault. Freshman Evie The TK ladies didn’t miss a beat. Hilton, Springs High School. Mathis and sophomore Kennedy Jasinski both senior Lindsey Velting, junior Kenady Smith running events as an eighth grader. The TK 4x 100-meter relay team of senior Alejandro Harmon was just three hundredths of a Rodas, LaJoye, Bonnema and Gavette was cleared 10-9 to finish 1-2 in that event. second off her PR in winning the 100-meter and freshman Payton Gater combined for a boys’ team hadjust one returning hurdler this spring, senior Dylan LeClaire. sixth in 45.63. Grand Rapids Catholic Centraljunior Ally­ hurdles in 15.40. She has made big strides in runner-up time of4 minutes 10.19 seconds to When on the hunt for a new hurdler Won­ Gavette had a seventh-place finish in the son Broaddus won the two girls’ throws. She qualify for the finals - finishing only behind that race this season moving from a four-step ders said he is looking for “someone who is 200-meter dash with a time of 23.91. Van took the shot put at 34-4 and the discus at approach to a three-step approach beginning the winning East Grand Rapids foursome in the event. fast. I know that sounds dumb, but someone Meter set his personal record in the 800108-1 setting a new PR in both events. last summer. The last race of the night was the boys’ who is fast. Someone that is a little bit fear­ meter run placing fifth in 2:01.16. Forest Hills Easternjunior Addison Wash­ “The first meet [attempting to three-step less. They have to be the type ofkid who can In the field, the TK boys’ team got a per­ ier won a pair of individual races, taking the the hurdles], I almost biffed it over the second 4x400-meter relay. The TK boys saved up fall down a few times and pick themselves sonal record put of42-7.75 fromjunior Drake girls’ 200-meter dash in 26.31 and the 400hurdle - like bad,” Harmon said. “Like I have their energy hoping to turn in their best time ofthe season in the race and qualify for the up. They have to be someone who is willing Snyder in the shot put which put him in meter dash in 58.09. Addison was joined by never been that close before. I ran a full threefinals, and it paid off. Senior Gabe LaJdye, to say, ‘hey, I’ll do this because it’s going to step and ever since then sometimes I go way fourth place in that event. Junior Kyle Vanfreshman Kennedy Washier, sophomore too fast and I feel like my feet are going to junior Jaxan Sias, senior Tyler Bushman and help our team,’ and that’s Nate.” Haitsma was seventh in the long jump with a Zhana Sprague and senior Payton Gripso in Shoemaker didn’t make the finals of the slip out from under me. But, it’s pretty fim. I junior Ethan Bonnema combined for a thirdleap of 19-3. winning the 4x200-meter relay in 1:48.61 love it. It is probably my new favorite race. place time of3:31.33 that beat the state qual­ 110-meter high hurdles Friday, but he was Forest Hills Eastern senior Bryson Kuzdzal finishing almost a second ahead of the run­ Last year, it was the 300 hurdles.” ifying mark by about a quarter ofa second as tenth in the prelim’s with a personal record was the day’s top sprinter on the boys’ side. ner-up team from TK. time of 17.57. LeClaire ran his fastest times He won the 100-meter dash in a personal East Grand Rapids won two relays. Pio­ neer foursome ofsenior Claire Weaverjunior ofthe season in both the 110’s and the 300’s record time of 10.99 and then won the 200Friday too. meter dash in 22.48. His teammate David Avery Hecksei, junior Drew Muller and senior Camryn Bodine won the 4x400-meter “There is a culture of kids that help each Molhoek, a sophomore, was the runner-up in relay in 4:05.76: Bodine, freshman Catherine other Out,” Wonders said. “Nate didn’t get the 200 in 22.51 and placed fourth in the 100. Those two powered the Hawks to wins in the Schellhammer, sophomore Sadey Seyferth here from just himself. Dylan LeClaire has and Muller won the 4x800-meter relay in helped him out a ton. He has acted like anoth­ 4x 100-meter relay and the 4x200-meter relay, er assistant coach in the hurdles. Our girls that joined in those relays by juniors Brady Hilty 9:48.09. Muller won the 1600-meter run in 5:03.32 hurdle as well, they go there and they drill and and Tobi Thielmann. they work on their craft. They work on those The FHE boys’ team also had senior Aiden and Bodine took the 800-meter run in 2:13.14 little things and that is what they do.” Sullivan win the 800-meter run in 1:58.40 with Muller the runner-up in that race. In between the hurdles and the relays, TK sophomore Ava Crews needed to run her fast­ est 3200-meter race ever to keeper her state finals string rolling. A two-time state qualifier in cross country, Crews is now a two-time state qualifier in track and field. She cut more than six seconds off her PR in the 3200 to place fifth in 11:37.75 and beat the state qual­ ifying time of 11:43.50. Her previous PR was 11:43.93, which she set three weeks ago at the Frank Grimm Invite in Wyoming. Smith cleared the bar at 5-0 in the high jump to place second in that event and is a three-time state qualifier overall. She also teamed with DeBoer, junior Eva Corson and Velting to place second in the 4x200-meter relay with a time of 1:49.58. The TK girls were third in the day’s stand­ ings behind only perennial state powerhouses Grand Rapids Christian and East Grand Rap­ ids at the 14-team regional. The TK boys finished in a tie for sixth. Forest Hills Eastern’s boys dominated the field, outscoring runner-up Wayland 156-99. The Grand Rapids Christian girls won the Thornapple Kellogg senior Gabe LaJoye (right) puts the baton in the hand of teamregional title with 111 points ahead of East mate Jaxan Sias during the 4x400-meter relay Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 Grand Rapids 102, TK 90 and Forest Hills Regional hosted by Sparta High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Eastern 70 at the top. The state qualifying performances were far from the only outstanding finishes for the TK 200214 teams. Sophomore Emma Dykhouse had a big PR Barry County Parks & Recreation Commission in the longjump with a leap of 14-10.5 which Hiring for Seasonal & Part-time Positions put her in third in that event. Harmon also scored in the long jump with a mark of All positions must be able to work with public and provide excellent 14-1.75 that put her in eighth place. customer service. Positions available are maintenance, office, custodial, gate TK had a pair score in the high jump too. attendant or some combination. General duties could include:. mowing, g, Smith had her state qualifying leap and Cor­ landscaping, cleaning, special events set-up, answering phones, collecting son was fourth with ajump of4-9. Thomapple Kellogg freshman Payton Gater and junior Kenady Smith near the finish Senior Elizabeth Gaunt placed seventh in line at the end of the 400-meter dash Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted money, parking, and other duties as assigned. the shot put with a throw of29-5. by Sparta High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Applicant must pass criminal background check, driver’s license check, and W pre-employment physical as required. • Work schedule; varied (20hrs- 40hrs. per week) and may be required to work weekends, evenings, and holiday’s. Hours could be starting as early as 7:00AM and ending as late as 10:00PM. • Starting June 2023. • $12.00 per hour • Must be at least 18 years ofage for maintenance positions. • Must be at least 16 years ofage for certain positions with proper work permit. • Please indicate position interest. Resume or Application can be sent to: Barry County Parks 2545 S. Charlton Park Rd. Hastings, MI 49058 parks@barrycounty.org Application deadline June 9, 2023 Delton Kellogg girls unbeaten in last five games of regular season Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team notched its seventh victory as it closed the 2023 regular season with a 5-2 win at Watervliet Monday afternoon. Avery Barker scored three goals for Delton Kellogg in the first half after an initial score by Ellyse Blackbum, The Delton Kellogg girls led 4-1 at the half. Barker added a fourth goal in the second half. Adelynn Stampfler had three assists in the ballgame, with Blackburn and Samantha O’Meara each earning one assist. The Panthers are now 7-8-1 overall this season. They will go to Fennville Friday for their MHSAA Division 3 District opener. Game time is set for 5 p.m. The Panthers were unbeaten in their final five regular season games. Last Wednes­ day, the DK girls took a 3-1 win at South Haven. The two teams were knotted 0-0 into the second half until Stampfler converted on a penalty kick to give Delton Kellogg a onegoal lead. Moments later, Stampfler sent a ball over the Ram defense that Blackbum ran onto and was able to score. South Haven pulled back within a goal before the second halfwas up. Stampfler scored a second goal after a miscue by the Rams’ defense. She was able to put a long shot over the South Haven keeper’s head to push her team’s lead back to two goals. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-06-01.pdf ce6acadf3768a2bd52c8b312096d71ea PDF Text Text Middleville apartment complex gets green light from village See story on page 3 3026490102590504597149058113421 AUTO SCH 3-DIGIT 490 C005 Richard Hemerling 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-1134 AM rlASlliMua Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 ANNER Thursday, June 1,2023 VOL Memorial Day parade in Hastings honors fallen service members Steve Carr of the Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45 spoke at the Veterans Memorial in front of Tyden Park in Hastings on Monday morning. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Jayson Bussa Editor For two decades, Jim Atkinson has been a member ofthe Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45 in Hastings, helping to orga­ nize the annual Memorial Day parade and observance. To him, this work is more important now than it has ever been before. While Atkinson admitted that, overall, most people seem to still appreciate the sacri­ fices made by fallen service members and living veterans, he worries that the climate of today’s society has led to less acknowledg­ ment ofthese heroes and the wars they were involved in. “I don’t have any idea what society is going through right now,” said Atkinson, an Air Force veteran who served from 1966 to 1969, first as a medical officer and then a flight surgeon. “It’s totally different. The vets talk about it - where are we heading and what’s going on? I don’t have those answers. I’m surely not a politician and not introspec­ tive enough to crack all this down. I have talked to my grandkids and my kids about the difference.” Membership in the American Legion has also been on a steady decline as veterans pass away. Atkinson said that schools don’t approach history lessons on wars and vari­ ous conflicts in a comprehensive fashion, leading to a younger generation that lacks historical context. “Discussions of the wars and the effects they had on American society are down,” Atkinson said. “It’s evolved over those num­ ber ofyears, which I think that’s a kind way ofputting it.” Atkinson, his fellow members of the Amer­ ican Legion and other organizations were sure to honor fallen service members on Monday during the Memorial Day parade and ceremony in Hastings. The event featured a parade that stepped off from Boltwood and State Streets, headed west on State Street and then north on Broad­ way. The procession stopped at the Veterans Memorial at Tyden Park, where Atkinson and featured speaker Steve Carr offered a few words while area Boy Scouts laid wreaths honoring veterans, prisoners ofwar and those who went missing in action. The parade also stopped at the bridge on North Broadway to place a wreath to honor See MEMORIAL DAY, page 3 Barry County receives $400,000 grant for environmental assessments of brownfield sites Jayson Bussa /Editor \ Barry County received $400,000 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to fund environmental assessments of various brownfield sites, including one stretch near the Thomapple River that once featured a heavy industrial presence. Late last week, Barry County and the EPA announced the $400,000 in funding made possible through the Multipurpose, Assess­ ment, Revolving Loan and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Program. The money will be used for Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessments of brown­ field sites throughout the county. If these assessments reveal a need for cleanup work, the county can approach the Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and See $400,000 GRANT, page 2 The former site of the Royal Coach building in Hastings is one property that will benefit from a recent $400,000 grant issued by the EPA to Barry County to cover the costs of environmental assessments, which must be carried out before re-develop­ ment. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Goodbye, high school! Fr. Stephan Philip stands next to the statue of St. Rose of Lima outside the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hastings. Philip is returning to his native India after serving as the parish’s priest the past 10 years. St. Rose Church pastor leaving after 10 years Greg Chandler StaffWriter After 10 years serving as pastor ofSt. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hastings, Fr. Stephan Philip is getting ready to say farewell to his parishioners. Fr. Philip is returning to his native India, where he awaits his next assignment from his order, the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. He Will preside over his final Mass at St. Rose on Sunday, July 2. “Fr. Stephan has been a wonderful pastor,” said Phil Green, who chairs the parish council at St. Rose. “He is a very kind person, always putting the needs of the parish above every­ thing else. He has served at great personal sacrifice, being away from his family.” ' “He’s the type ofperson who brings out the best in people,” Green added. • In an interview with the Hastings Banner this week, Fr. Philip explained that his order places a 10-year limit on how long a priest can n serve in a foreign country at one time. “After a term of three years back here, if someone is needed (overseas), they can send us back, he said. “It’s up to the decision of the superiors (for the order).” Fr. Philip will go back to Tamil Nadu,,aa state located in the southeast portion of India on the Indian Ocean. His next assignment may be to a parish or as an administrator for a parish school, he said. There are so many schools run by our religious order,” he said. Fr. Philip experienced both tremendous highs and deep lows during his time as pastor at St. Rose. He was on hand for the celebra- See ST. ROSE, page 2 Last week, most local seniors finished off their high school journeys with a graduation ceremony. As part of J-Ad’s continued coverage of area graduations, this week’s Banner provides a recap of the graduation ceremonies at both Delton Kellogg (see page 5) and Hastings (see special insert) high schools. We also highlighted some of the high-performing students that received academic honors and scholarship opportunities. Congratulations to the local seniors and good luck on your next adventures. �Page 2 — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Supper club hosting bimonthly herb workshops The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club will host a new herb workshop beginning Sunday, June 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. Herb workshops will be held every other month follow­ ing June's inaugural meeting. The workshops were inspired by last month’s supper club meeting with Dr. JeffGates, DrPH; Jessaca Elem, Master Herbalist and Robbin Glass, Master Gardener. Dr. Gates shared the importance ofhaving knowledgeable people knowing herbal remedies as first aid and encouraged attendees to keep leaving. “Every community should have an herb club,” said Dr. Gates. Elem and Glass took Dr. Gates’s suggestion to heart and planned the bimonthly class­ es to continue throughout the rest ofthe year - at least Each workshop will discuss two kitchen herbs, two medicinal herbs, one tree or shrub and five herbalist terms. The upcoming meeting will focus on the uses and properties of oregano, cayenne, lemon balm, dandelion and mulberry. The instructors will demonstrate two types ofplant propagation and will start planting a medicinal herb demonstration garden. Everyone will leave the meeting with a free herb plant to start their own garden with. Experienced herbalists and novices are all encouraged tojoin the group to expand their knowledge. The free program will be hosted in the community room ofthe Hastings Adventist Elementary School building, 888 Terry Lane, offof Star School Road in Hastings. The program and materials are free and free-will offerings are welcome. The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club is a health ministry supported by the Hast­ ings Seventh-day Adventist Church to educate its members and the community. To register, or for more information, contact Robbin Glass at 517-652-3056. Road commission provides update ontwo bridge projects Greg Chandler StaffWriter One bridge repair project has been completed and a second is nearing completion in Barry County. The Barry County Road Commission Tuesday reopened the bridge on McKeown Road, just north ofNashville Road in HastHast­ ings Charter Township, about a month ahead ofschedule. Meanwhile, the bridge on North Airport Road, between Solomon and Rork roads just west ofthe Hastings/Barry County Airport,, is expected to reopen by the end of the week, Road Commission Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch said. Both bridges have been closed since May 1 J-Ad Graphics seeking summer fun guide submissions J-Ad Graphics is in the process of putting together its summer fun guide, and we want to be sure to include information on your event Ifyou are organizing a summer event this year - concert, festival, sports tournament, church event, etc. - please email all the pertinent information to news@j-adgraphics.com. Those who submit information should include the “who, what, where and why” ofthe iwith,the date, time and qrwebsiteljnkfqr more details (ifapplicable). । Please includ^ypi^^opt^ct information in case we need to follow up for further inforriJUation, HoJ ffl>.nr.d o onnh >■" rl. National Trails Day being celebrated on North Country Trail On Saturday, June 3, the ChiefNoonday Chapter ofthe North Country Trail (NCT) will host hikes in Barry, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties for National Trails Day. Those interested are to arrive at one ofthe recommended trailheads to enjoy a summer adven­ ture in the woods or prairie. Watch for the “Hike Here” sign near the trailheads below. - Barry County: M-179 NCT Trailhead, M-179 (ChiefNoonday Rd) on north side, 0.4 miles west ofthe intersection of Yankee Springs RdVNorris Rd, Middleville. - Kalamazoo County: Kellogg Forest, 42nd St. Augusta, just offM-89. - Calhoun County: Bridges Park, S. Wattles Rd., Battle Creek. Hikers will be greeted between 9 a.m. and noon by ChiefNoonday Chapter members who will supply them with a trail map and answer questions about the NCT and Chief Noonday Chapter. For those who can’t make it to Saturday’s event, all are welcome to hike the trails at their leisure. More information and maps can be found at northcountrytrail.org and northcountrytrail.org/trail/michigan/cnd. Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY a. PLUMBING ML Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. RADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation I jeense Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //<S 110376 & Insured Hu/sf Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St, Hastings • Ml OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-55:30j Saturday 9 am-3 pm I Bl BWal The bridge on North Airport Road, between Solomon and Rork roads, is expected to reopen by the end of the week. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Hastings City Band kicks off Hastings Live On Wednesday, June 6, the Hastings City Band will take to the stage at the Thomapple Plaza at 7:30 p.m. to perform the first concert of the 2023 Hastings Live Summer Concert Series. The musical theme for the evening is “Band Favorites.” The Hastings City Band, founded in 1857, is one ofthe city’s oldest and most treasured traditions. Comprised ofmusicians from high school through retirement age, the Hastings City Band performs five pops-style concerts, each with a fun and crowd-pleasing theme. Their annual “Tribute to America” concert has become one ofHastings Live’s biggest events. Hastings Live guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. The concession stand, operated by volunteers from Hastings’ Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, will be open for evening performances serving food, snacks, soft drinks and more. Smoking, vaping, non-service animals and outside alcohol are prohibited. More information on Hastings Live can be found at downtownhastings.com/events/ or at facebook.com/mihastingslive. 1 The county road commission reopened this bridge on McKeown Road this week, just north of Nashville Road in Hastings Charter Township) for what Welch calls “preventative mainte­ nance.” The project consists of milling off the old pavement, filling in cracks in the pre­ stressed concrete box-beam bridge structure over the Thomapple River, then applying new pavement over the structure, Welch said. “It extends (the life of the bridge) before we have to do a major repair,” Welch said. The repairs are expected to add 15-20 years to the life of the bridge at both loca­ tions, Welch said. Each project costs about $150,000 to com­ plete, with 95 percent of funding coming through Michigan’s Critical Bridges Fund. The road commission will cover the remain­ ing costs, Welch said. Pavement markings still have to be done on the North Airport Road bridge before it reopens to traffic, Welch said. The bridge repairs on North Airport Road were done in conjunction with a pavement overlay on a nearly 1.4-mile stretch of the road between M-37 and State Road. That project received $225,000 in federal funding through the Michigan Department of Trans­ portation’s Small Urban Program. The Road Commission contributed $50,000 to the proj­ ect, according to MDOT documents. $400,000 GRANT, continued from page 1 Energy (EGLE) and request additional funds for those efforts. Any developer interested in purchasing an existing building in Barry County can apply to have these grant dollars cover the costs of their environmental assessments, creating a more streamlined and affordable pathway to developing vacant property throughout the county. They can fill out an application with the Brownfield Redevelopment Board. “So, with this money, they’ll go out and do the Phase 1 and Phase 2 ... to determine if there is any environmental cleanup that needs to be done,” explained Jennifer Heinzman, president andn CEQ qf. the . Barry County Chamber ffe Ecoqomjq Development, Alli­ ance. She also. sits. on(the, county’s Brown? field Redevelopment Board. “Ifthey find a gas tank underground (for example) or if they find severe issues that need to be cleaned up, (the developer) will then come back to us, tell us what they found and we can apply with EGLE to get cleanup dollars to get gas tanks up out ofthe ground or to clean up the dirt so that development can happen.” “Ifpeople are going to be living there, we might need to have barriers put in between the building and the ground or have to remove all the dirt and bring in new (dirt)just depending on how bad it is,” Heinzman added. As part of the announcement, the county identified several sites along the Thomapple River in a once-heavily industrial area of Hastings that will be assessed with these dol­ lars, including the former Royal Coach build­ ing that was destroyed in a fire in 2020. Heinzman said that the Barry Community Foundation owns that property and that an interested developer is looking at it. Other sites that the county deemed as “high priority” in their announcement about the grant included an 8.23-acre former Hastings Manufacturing Co. industrial landfill located in that same area and a 1.95-acre former Hastings Manufacturing warehouse that pre­ viously stored parts and chemicals. Also, a 3.3-acre Hastings Metal Recycling Center, which housed salvaged steel, copper, alumi­ num, zinc, electronics and car batteries, was identified. All these sites and more carry potential, and they do so at a time when Hastings and Barry County are desperate for additional, affordable housing. P County officials dedicated $70,000 of a previous MARC.Grantio,conduct environ? mental assessments at the former Baby Bliss Inc. building in Middleville: Developers are looking to bring housing to the abandoned building and property. (File photo) “(The Chamber) is interested in both (com­ mercial and residential projects), but (for) both the Community Foundation and our organization, our number one priority is housing,” Heinzman said. “We’re looking at that space for housing,” she said, referring to the former Royal Coach site. While the recent EPA grant was sizable, it is not the first grant the county has received from the federal department. The county is wrapping up a three-year MARC grant cycle, where it received $300,000. Heinzman said those funds were well used and put toward environmental assessment projects inDelton, Nashville .and Hastings. Also, $70,000 ofthat grant money was used on assessments of the Baby Bliss Inc. site in Middleville. The Baby Bliss Inc. site is located at the 100 block ofW. Main Street, adjacent to the Thomapple River. The 10,000-square-foot building is where the Baby Bliss company once made baby clothes. Before that, it was occupied by an auto sales and service compa­ ny, Bennett Chevrolet. The manufacturing site has been aban­ doned for many years. A few years ago, it was rezoned from medium-density residential use to a central business district designation. Local developers are now looking to bring housing to the site. In the previous MARC grant cycle, the county was only permitted to use $200,000 for environmental assessments ofany proper­ ty, while $100,000 had to be used specifically at petroleum sites. The county used up all the $200,000 and was left with $40,000 ear­ marked for petroleum sites. This time, though, all $400,000 can be used for assessments on any site. Dave Jackson, who is chair of the Barry County Board ofCommissioners and also sits on the Brownfield Redevelopment Board, called the latest grant “transformational” for the county. “This allows our Brownfield Redevelop­ ment Board to continue the momentum work­ ing with our community partners to evaluate sites with potential risk factors and repurpose them for development,” Jackson told the Banner, in a statement. “We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the EPA. These funds have been a critical resource, fostering positive growth and repurposing properties with potential environmental risk in Barry County.” In total, the EPA has dedicated $9.3 million to the latest round ofgrants, awarded to seven communities throughout Michigan. “We’re working across the country to revi­ talize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets,” EPA Admin­ istrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement. “Thanks to President (Joe) Biden’s historic investments in America, we’re moving fur­ ther and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelop­ ment and deliver reliefthat so many commu­ nities have been waiting for.” ST. ROSE, continued from page 1 tions ofthe 100th anniversaries ofthe parish itselfin 2015 as well as its school in 2017. On the down side, there was the COVID19 pandemic which shut down in-person Mass for several months in 2020. Then on July 13, 2021, the unthinkable happened. An electrical fire broke out in the church in the early-morning hours. Hastings firefighters were on the scene within three minutes of the 911 call. However, the blaze destroyed the vestibule and several stainedglass windows, while causing smoke and soot damage to the sanctuary. Fr. Philip said he was “truly devastated” by the fire. But he quickly determined to bring his parishioners together. “People are so emotionally affected (by what happened). My first goal and aim was to bring them back and make them feel united, to come together,” he said. At 6 p.m. that night* Fr. Philip called an emergency meeting, bringing together parish members to begin the process of rebuilding and healing. “We needed to accept the reality (ofwhat happened, and decide) what next to do,” he said. Several committees were formed, address­ ing such issues as dealing with insurance claims from the fire, as well as for care of parishioners and preparation for services while the church sanctuary was unavailable. Masses were moved to the school’s gymnasium, where they would be held for the next 20 months. “We wanted to make sure we reached out to all the parishioners (and explain) what happened, first ofall, and let them know how we are proceeding,” Fr. Philip said. “People didn’t know what was going to happen. We wanted to make clear ‘this is where we are going, this is where we’re going to have the service ...let us come together. together.’” Fr. Philip called the parishioners’ response to the fire “fantastic.” Green, long-time parishioner Bill Cusack and the father-son team of Bud and JeffLaJoy led the rebuilding process. Finally, on March 19 of this year, parishio­ ners returned to the St. Rose sanctuary for the first time since the fire for a three-hour-long dedication service. The sanctuary was packed, with many parishioners wearing custom T-shirts for the event. Bishop Paul J. Bradley of the Kalamazoo Diocese blessed the sanctuary. Fr. Philip expressed his gratitude for the parishioners he has worked with over the past decade. “I could never have done so much without their support, their love, their cooperation in everything,” he said. “They are so kind and gentle, and very happy people. For all I was able to do ... to better the church and the community, it was purely because ofmy people who loved me.” The new pastor at St. Rose, Fr. Jeff Hanley, will begin his duties with the parish on July 5. He is currently the director of the Office of Worship and Liturgy for the Catholic Diocese ofKalamazoo. He has also served for the past year as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Kalamazoo, and previously served as chaplain and spiritual moderator at Hackett Cath­ olic Prep School in Kalamazoo. “He’s a person who brings a lot of energy and ideas. 1 think he will pick up from where Fr. Stephan left off,” Green said. «««> wti v B B- . �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — Page 3 Affordable housing on the way as Flats at Mid-Villa gets final approval from Middleville Council fe. wW'i: *•?,§ ?C*J& /f1 ta^JMdi«ulwSJ.. t irnriB James Gemmell Contributing Writer rjA 144-unit market-rate apartment complex will be built at the site ofthe former Middle VHla Inn. ?’»*'• /The MiddlevilleVillage Coundil voted 7-0 laAt week to approve the final Planned Un’it Development for Dutch Developers LLC Flats at Mid-wfa project. The planning cppimission had voted unanimously earlier this month to recommend that the village council approve the project, including the final plat. , The council unanimously approved a zon­ ing ordinance to rezone the 22-acre site along M-37 from a C-2 commercial highway desig­ hation to the PUD, which gives the developer more legal flexibility in the placement ofthe Buildings. The parcels are at 4611 and 4691 N. M-37 Hwy. The overall project cost is estimated to be around $30 million. “I’m ecstatic; it’s a great day,” Dutch Developers principal Nate Heyboer told the Banner after the council meeting. He and one of his brothers operate the Grandville-based dbmpany. ’• “I’m very excited to get started with the village and get this project going,” he said. ,L‘Jt was in January 2022 when the Mid­ dleville Planning Commission voted condi­ tionally to approve the final PUD for the Flats at Mid-Villa, which Heyboer had described a^ “high quality, workforce residential units.” But then, several concerns arose about the site layout and amenities not included in the original proposal, such as the lack of a child play area and storage units for residents. As a result, Heyboer decided to postpone the proj­ ect for about a year before reviving it this spring with a revised proposal that addressed several ofthe concerns. I Other aspects to be included in the devel­ opment are private drives off M-37 and Towne Centre Drive, plus more than 200 parking spaces. Some of the parking conSfruction may be included in the project’s .second phase. Pickleball courts and a gravel pathway between the apartment complex and Wildwood Trails will also be included among the added amenities. 1 The development plan still calls for six jbuildings to be constructed, consisting of 24 Apartment units each, or 144 units total. Three commercial out-lots near M-37 and private rhrs ftrrMtrwilPaiso beJnrilt.The density From left to right, State Representative Angela Rigas surprised Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf with a special tribute alongside fellow reps Rachelle Smit and Gina Johnsen. Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf recognized by state representatives The site of the former Middle Villa Inn, which was proposed to be redeveloped into a mixed-use site including 144 apartments, a self-storage facility and commercial outlots. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Dutch Developers also purchased a build­ ing on the property that will be converted into a clubhouse. Heyboer said he hopes development can begin either this fall or next spring. It will likely be built in two phases. Dutch Develop­ ers hopes to get the apartments up before storage units are added. The total number of self-storage units has yet to be determined, but there may be up to 134. “I’m really hoping I can pull off both phases at the same time. And only make a mess once,” Heyboer told the village council, He said he would like to give the apartment residents first dibs on the storage units before alloAying.the. genenal pQl>lic to rent tliem/^B ■■■BBMteta^fe^j^jijji^^ ^f;8.6 Mighty &Weds A We the f/ibH9,-but * ®V R W abandoned tjift ail propety(Rejtaj the maximum ofeight Units recommended in the village’s 2021 master plan. But tenant fees from the extra units will help offset the estimated $500,000 cost for a private lift: sta­ tion for sewage disposal that will be built on-site and for the relocation of a high-pres­ sure gas line. The development will connect to an existing water line along M-37. I don’t want them all to come and scoop up all the vacant units and then my tenants are driving across town to try to find another one,” Heyboer said. President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd said that storage containers might not be the best auxiliary use ofthe land next to the proj­ ect’s green space. ~i3Bttiniittk» iptiafelkcntr^i Ki*aaina.lfr MalrcltliilOh «»^E?*jsaiar zffiirdcsi 50301 S5f «J® S iDKlta^illKBll I EdirfiSSSfliai)'^ “Storage units like that create a lot ofheat just from the amount ofasphalt material. That might adversely impact the area,” he said. DeMaagd suggested sunsetting the addi­ tion of storage units to a later date after the rest ofthe development is built. Trustee Makenzi Peters noted there are several other storage sites around town. “The idea is to earmark a bunch of them for the actual residents themselves,” Heyboer responded. “We did call around to make sure that there wasn’t an overabundance of empty storage units in the Middleville area. And our research that we did (found) there is a waiting list for those, also. So, I don’t want stuff sitfiH^butsidd^e ?^aftin6iit^tinitS?’ Inabrzsiq ~11 Zoriffig1 Snd Plannitig1 Adminisfratot Ddu^ PbW6f? ^aid^h^ village a site ^lan tttet includes the storage unift as part of a future phase but said the timeline could be moved up.' “I can definitely see the need, especially if you need some for your residents,” Village President Mike Cramer told Heyboer, who pointed out that interest rates have risen sig­ nificantly. And so have construction costs. ^w.irarfBiPSC^^' irwuTw Tw ^terCocMsaffiK^ MEMORIAL DAY, continued from page 1 IPES I«»frp,fc ®d ^^S^SS0 it 25 »»'^'!S’ £??a® those that served oh and under the seas. The procession then proceeded to the Grand Army ofthe Republic monument in Riverside Cem­ etery and placed a wreath on the most recent­ ly buried veteran at the cemetery. Carr, an Air Force veteran, spoke of the importance of properly honoring those who gave their lives for their country, bestowing their families with tangible awards. He used the example of two Coast Guard officers, Angus Nelson McLean and James Frost, who were on board the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa when a German U-Boat torpe­ doed and sunk it in World War I. ‘ United States policy stated that Coast Guard members that served before World War II could not receive the Purple Heart award. Carr said that “injustice” was finally overturned this year when both McLean and Frost were awarded a Purple Heart in March a^ other families offallen Coast Guard mem­ bers continue to seek similar honors for their loved ones. J “We do not forget,” Carr said during the ceremony. “Whether it was an hour ago or a century ago, we remember.” Members of the American Legion conducted a three-volley salute during Monday morning’s Memorial Day ceremony at Tyden Park in Hastings. Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf greeted three Michigan state representatives at his office last week, expecting to give them a tour ofthe facilities. Although Angela Rigas, Rachelle Smit and Gina Johnsen all said they’d like a tour at some point, they revealed they were actually there for a different reason: to sur­ prise Leafwith a special tribute recogniz­ ing him for his service in Barry County. The tribute, presented on State ofMich­ igan stationery and signed by the three Barry County reps, recognized Leaf for having “willingly accepted the challenges and hazards of this profession to protect and secure the safety and well-being of your community and the state.” Rigas, Smit .and Johnsen presented the tribute to Leaf last Friday in recognition ofNational Police Week. Rigas, Smit and Johnsen all said a few words expressing their gratitude to Leafas they presented the tribute. “In honor of(National) Police Week, the state representatives of Barry County would like to present to you this tribute for your exceptional service and for keeping Barry County a safe community,” Rigas said. “Also, for advocating for the Consti­ tution, which is actually unusual in the state that we’re in right now, in Michigan.” “We appreciate you, and more need to lead from your example,” Smit said. “Thank you for all ofyour hard work and years of service here.” “Thanks for caring, Dar, for all of us,” Johnsen said, “And for putting your life on the line for ours.” So, Heyboer said revenue from the rental of for affordable housing and starter housing storage units would help offset some of the even in terms ofapartment units - is well past overall project costs. needed.” A public hearing was held at the village “I’m very pleased with the new PUD,” council meeting, but no one from the public trustee Richard Hamilton said during final spoke. council comments. Peters ^iWfiaafeVilre ® ^owffly UhdWfe^^Srtiith tWikbcP^b^rfHWWfiMpelffl^cils irojbet’s ?^fe66d’/ol,r ' ; ft&e'the projbdP§ftt»#thfca!J1J,:’fn i ■ “The apartments themselves are designed “Nate has done a bang-up job, d^Has1 thi to be for starter housing for those getting into zoning board. I think this is the culmination the workforce, and that’s something that is ofa lot ofeffort and planning and insightful­ needed here in Middleville,” she said. “A lot ness. And I want to say it speaks volumes of Middleville businesses are looking for help about those who participated, both from the regularly, and bringing in an apartment com­ Village of Middleville as well as Nate him­ plex that can house working individuals will self,” Smith said. help with those employment needs.” He added, “I’m excited for Middleville to Trustee Kevin Smith concurred and have affordable housing. We desperately thanked Heyboer for his thoughtfulness in need it. That’s just going to be a huge asset to revamping the project to address concerns our community. And I’m excited to see where raised about the initial proposal in 2021. this leads in terms of opportunity and the quality of people who continue to move here. “To continue to add affordable housing is one of the most important topics. We are, And hopefully, he’s setting a bar where peo­ unfortunately, very low on inventory. The ple feel good about coming to Middleville inventory that we do have in the village has and developing. Whether that’s affordable been historically very low in all realms of housing or bringing a business here.” housing. So, this is a great opportunity for our The former Middle Villa Inn closed in community,” Smith said. 2014 after 52 years in business. It was demol­ ished in 2015. “I’d like to speak in favor ofthe develop­ ment as a whole,” DeMaagd said. “The need SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING May 10, 2023-7:00 p.m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, James Absent: Lectka Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer's Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucher/Payroll Report Motion to accept Ordinance 2023-187 for second reading and adoption Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to accept Ordinance 2023-188 for first reading Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve Resolution 2023-290 Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve a Contingent License for Bud Express pend­ ing State approval Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 8:12 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor 200458 RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2023 TAX ALLOCATION NOTICE The Rutland Charter Township Board will discuss for approval the 2022 tax allocation rate proposed to be levied for the year 2023 at its regular-board meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall, 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan. This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act), MCLA41.72a(2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Jon Rocha stood with the American flag as the Memorial Day parade stopped at the Veterans Memorial at Tyden Park in Hastings. Rocha served as a Corporal ifr the Marines from 1999 to 2004. He Was stationed at Camp Lejeune and did a tour in Afghanistan in 2004. The Rutland Charter Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes ofprinted materials be­ ing considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days notice to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. Keegan Lindsey of the Hastings High School marching band performed “Taps” during Monday’s Memorial bay ceremony. Robin J Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Page 4 — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — The Hastings Banner y Barry County proves to be a great spot for summer stay-cationers Fun with Fido Hastings Department of Public Works crews installed new agility equipment at the Hastings Dog Park this week, giving dogs and their own­ ers more things to keep busy with at the park on Apple Street. Dogs can now jump over hurdles, scale a dog­ walk, jump through a tube or hoop and slalom through poles while at the park. Humans can, too, if there are enough treats offered. The Hastings Dog Park is located at 825 W. Apple Street behind the water treatment facility. (Photo by Molly Macleod) Do you remember? No, it’s not a zamboni Banner Feb. 7, 2002 Chris Bogart of TSK Equipmentt Company maneuvers the hovercraft sold to Yankee Springs Township by Robins Bay, Minn., when it purchased a new one. Yankee Springs Township has made it part of the rescue equipment of Thornapple Township Emergency Services. The hovercraft operates on a bubble of air and will give rescue personnel access in shal­ low, deep and moving water. It will also help rescues on ice, especially where the ice may be breaking. ***** Have you met? Wayland native Makayla Holloway is wrapping up her fourth -yeat at - Star ‘Ele­ mentary School as a social worker and behavior coach. This year was also her first working alongside her newest coworker, Pluto, a golden retriever. Trained by Paws With A Gause in Wayland, Pluto works alongside Holloway as the school’s facility dog. The two share an office, with Holloway at her desk and Pluto having his own kennel. Pluto joined Holloway earlier this year after the Barry County Humane Society covered his initial costs. Barry County United Way, Barry County Community Foundation, Gun Lake Community Church, the Southeastern Elementary PTO and First Presbyterian Church covered his ongoing costs. Pluto is trained to assist Holloway in her day-to-day activities as she works with young students to teach them emotional management skills. Holloway goes to class­ rooms for group lessons and provides oneon-one sessions for individual students who may need them. Holloway teaches kids about various life skills and situations through in-school les­ sons, after-school programs and individual appointments. Holloway works with stu­ dents to achieve more positive outcomes, whether that be through discussing anger management, how to handle changes in a student’s family, how to make, better choic­ es or any other issues a student may need help with. “Every day is different, and you never know what could come up,” Holloway said. “I think that’s what makes the job special, too, is to be able to help students in times where there’s a learning opportunity to learn how to do things differently in a more positive way.” Holloway knew she wanted to be a social worker when she was in high school. She participated in a program where students could receive lessons from a social worker before using those skills to listen to and work through their peers’ issues. Now, Holloway’s career has come full circle. As part of an internship to receive her master’s degree from Ferris State Uni- Makayla Holloway and Pluto versity, Holloway returned to her high school in Wayland and worked with the same social worker that inspired her to enter the field. After graduating, Holloway started work at Star Elementary, close to her hometown. Holloway said the support she’s received from teachers and other social workers in the district has been overwhelming. Also, she’s been surprised to hear some of her young students even refer their peers to her when they notice someone who could use her help. “That’s one ofthe most amazing moments that you can get as a teacher, as an adult, or as any professional,” Holloway said. “That feeling that what you’re doing is having an impact. You can see the outcome there.” Holloway said that Pluto has been a great addition to her team. “It’s been really amazing having Pluto here as our facility dog to help comfort students,” she said. “Having him here has been very helpful to help them regulate their emotions, calm down and be able to process what’s going on.” Pluto can help kids feel more comfort­ able talking about their, feelings just by being present, Holloway said. Plus, every­ one else working in the Star Elementary office enjoys having him around, too. “It’s been nothing less than amazing to have him here helpingout,” Holloway said. “As a dog, he doesn't! t! eeven know that he’s working. He’s just having av firn and getting loved on by anyone and everyone. ” For working with Hastings youth and ensuring they feel safej and secure, Makayla Holloway is this week’s Bright Light. What I do outside of work: I play golf. I’m in a golf league) at Gun Ridge Golf Course. I like to hang out with friends, go hiking, and go camping. I take Pluto on hikes. He loves to go and get all the new sniffs and see new things. I like to garden and read. Friends and family are really important to me. What Pluto does outside ofwork: Pluto and I, we go on walk^ all the time, almost every day. We like to go hiking; Pluto likes to spend time outside. He’s very attached to me, so if I’m inside ‘and he’s outside, he gets a little upset about that. He plays with our other dog, Grade.They get really play­ ful and get the zoomiles together, so that’s fun to see. She’s a corgi. Music I listen to: I have a broad spec­ trum of music that I listen to, but I like Noah Kahan. He’s a newer artist. Favorite thing about Barry County: I like the sense ofcommunity and how much people can count on other people. I feel like this town has everything that it needs within it. It’s all-encompassing. Yeah, there’s a good sense of community there. When someone needs something, some­ one’s there to help. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fan-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, NO 49058;; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Summer is here. To the parents of school-aged children, you have my deepest condolences. Stay strong - we’ll get through this together. For many, though, summer is defined by gassing up the minivan or hopping aboard a plane and getting out of town. Few things are more quintessential to summer than a road trip with the family. However, thanks to the rising inflation that has anchored down many household budgets, this summer ritual may be out ofreach for some. Surprisingly, based on various consumer reports, the white-hot inflation we have dealt with for the past year or two doesn’t seem to be inhibiting Americans from doing summer traveling this year. In fact, a recent report released by per­ sonal finance company NerdWallet revealed that two in every five Ameri­ cans plan to take a vacation this summer that either requires a flight or a hotel stay. On average, these travelers will spend $3,293. To sum it up, 109 million Americans will travel this summer, spending* more than $358 billion. Here’s the rub, though. In the same report from NerdWallet, more than a quarter of those travelers said they plan to use a credit card to fund their trips and won’t immediately pay off the balance. Plus, inflation is still mak­ ing an impact on travel plans. Of the respondents to the survey that said they won’t be traveling this year, 23 percent said travel has become too expensive, while another 16 percent specifically blamed inflation for putting the brakes on their summer plans. “Given increases in demand and ongo­ ing staffing shortages, most travel costs are rising higher than the overall inflatO rate,' stated NerdWallet travel expert Sally FrericK.<“Be’cause inflation is afreiady high as-is; This* summer is set2 to be rough for people seeking to travel affordably.” Postponing travel plans doesn’t have to spell doom for your summer, though. In the Bussa household, we don’t have any lavish cross-country trips on the books for this summer - maybe a few­ day camping trip or two so that my kids can roam free for a weekend. But I still foresee this summer being very fun and memorable, and Barry County has some­ thing to do with that. When I started at the Hastings Banner and Reminder almost exactly one year ago, one thing really caught my atten­ tion - the people of Barry County stay busy in the summer. In fact, as editor of our local newspapers, it was tough to even keep up with the steady stream of outdoor concerts, fairs, festivals and other events. I’m talking about Summer­ fest in Hastings, Founders Festival in Delton, Heritage Days in Middleville, the Barry County Fair, the Hastings Live series of outdoor concerts — the list is truly prolific. Once we arrive at the full sprint ofsummer, something is going on every single week and weekend and often, it’s free. These types of events keep local residents entertained. However, it’s also important to note that these events are part of an intentional effort to make Barry County a great place to live. After all, a boring place to live is not a great place to live. Economic developers throw around the term “placemaking” a lot, and this is a great example ofit. By definition, placemaking is about improving the quality of public spaces and the lives of those who use them. While placemaking is a wide-ranging concept that hits on many areas ofevery­ day life, giving residents something to do both in the summer and all year round is a very important piece ofthe puzzle. The concept ofarts and entertainment being harnessed as a catalyst for eco­ nomic development came up in a recent chat with Megan Lavell, the executive director ofthe Thomapple Arts Council. The TAC teams with the city of Hastings to put on the Hastings Live Concert series, but in addition to that busy sched­ ule, the TAC is also launching a ticketed music festival this year held at the Barry Expo Center. The Fair Ground Festival will feature a stacked line-up of female-fronted touring acts that include local flavor with Grand Rapids main­ stays The Crane Wives. According to Lavell, an impetus for The Fair Ground Festival was a desire to bring something within county lines that residents would otherwise have to leave town for. While music festivals featuring touring bands are certainly not anything new, it wasn’t something that music enthusiasts could find here in Barry County - where all the other components (i.e., venue, organizers, etc.) are already in place. Additionally, with some ofthe heavyweight names on the bill, the festi­ val has the opportunity to draw in attend­ ees from outside ofBarry County, driv­ ing economic impact for area businesses. “We have great restaurants, we have the trails, we have the cute downtowns, we have the live music and we have some outdoor art,” Lavell said. “It’s real­ ly just an issue of how do we tell that story better? What do we have the capac­ ity for that we aren’t doing?” Even ifyou’re not in a rush to insert yourself into the middle of a crowd this summer, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Barry County also featured the nat­ ural resources that vacationers often travel outside of state lines to seek from lakes and beaches to an entire net­ work oftrails. Summer events are not easy to orga­ nize, and behind every festival or out­ door concert series, there is a small army ofdedicated volunteers that are all there for the same reason - to bring fun and vibrancy to the local community. That’s an effort that should not go wasted. Free, accessible fim is available this summer. You don’t necessarily have to hit the road this year to make memo­ ries and have fun at the same time (bonus for saving a little coin in the process). Do yourselves a favor - and I promise this isn’t meant to be a shameless plug for another one of our publications when it comes out later this month, pick up J-Ad’s Summer Fun Guide, which features a comprehensive list of events coming to Barry County this summer. Embrace the effort put in by so many to make this county a fun place to live and hang out by attending some of these great events. Jayson Bussa Editor, Hastings Banner The Hastings BsHIUCIT Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurlng CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — Page 5 Delton Kellogg High School celebrates the graduating class of 2023 Karen TUrko-Ebright Contributing Writer After crossing the stage last week, Shaking hands and accepting their diplo­ mas, as, 63 Delton Kellogg seniors are now lookingg in the rearview mirror at their hI ig“hI school careers. “I think we’re unique specifically because we were the class that started high school with the COVID-19 pandem­ ic,” seniorNatalie Muday told the Banner. ‘All these .other classes talk about it, but this is the first year we might have had a mil year without going virtual.” In her speech, Valedictorian Allie Trantham noted the triumph in what “I want to thank my incredible teachers for pushing me to my limits and believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and I thought achievements like this were impossible,” Trantham said. 3 Next, Trantham thanked Mr, family and friends. ends. £yV £yV “I woul(L likf.to thaik amazing classmates for memories that will last a lifetime. We have grown up [together and grown close for 13 years‘of. our lives,” Trantham said. “And lastly, I, would like to thank my amazing parents for always supporting me in whatever I chose to do and helping shape me into the person I am today.” started as an uncertain beginning for her freshman class. “Class of2023, we did it, we graduated and we created our own path to get here that was very different from all the classes before us. We started high school in a worldwide pandemic,” Trantham said. “We faced common challenges like online learning and the disappointment of not having extracurricular activities or friend gatherings. We didn’t know what the future held, but we all persevered, and look at us now!” Trantham is heading to Albion College to play softball and study pre-med to become a pediatrician. Like Trantham, Muday is continuing her education and will attend Michigan State University in the fall to study psychiatry. She plans to go into psychology for a bachbach­ elor ofscience degree with a pre-med focus and then move on to medical school. Muday won her school’s essay contest and read it as the guest speaker during the commencement exercise. The prompt for the essay was “What Delton has meant to me.” Having contest winners read their essays instead of a guest speaker is the See HIGH SCHOOL, page 6 Delton Kellogg seniors decorated their caps. This one pictured was decorated by senior Natalie Muday. S' Hunter Potolouch Fratthew Barker Katryia Barnes Lily Boze Kayleigh Belen Mja Briddey Caleb BuichBaker Aiaigail Cobum Abigail Fichtner Sydney Frie Philip Halcomb Lillian Kokx Delton Kellogg High School Class of 2023 leeNSSc Kiersyn Cowles Chiara Ferrario Lillian Ferris Aden Harig Brett Ftarsevoort Jeyden Hgdon Samantha Hggins Felix Houssemaine Hector Jmenez Cadence Johnson Tni Johnson Ncholas Jones Phillip Jorgensen Kasey Kapteyn Ncole Krzebietke Jason Lundquist Liam Luthy Jordan Lyons Meeh hitartin Ater Martinez • Furones Kendall McCord italic Muday hitason Nabozny Jmena Olmedo Aenas Tucker Patrick-Swinehart Destiny Pawlawski Mnoent Quick Ricky Ffcmsey Brooke Risner Cartle Ritchie Daniel Ruiz Cantu Emma Sexton Isaac Shepard Dakota Sirrmons Lilyana Sinclair Grady Stidham Trenton Stonebumer Ayson Alia Trantham Salma \tardell Giorgio X£nturi Gage Mnoent Marshall Vitamer Carley Vltabb Joelle Wife Paron Wlbng John Zettelmaier S. CSSs? ■ TWaraastBii NWifaifaw.ll I HUHatikt talBdaHtat snsni j I >ss®rm®."3 ikisivaixnr EEBitioyta'ri Tack i (Nxvifik ta«8tsint!i«in SB limit'd nBW-ttatflB Paige Thornes Thank You to these businesses for their support DELTON KELLOGG SCHOOLS Quality Education for " " "j.« (Is® I® ALL Students iZ CarpenterGravel highpoint GROVE STREET CAFE COMMUNITY BANK Try Our Pizza Tate & Bate, Ta Ge, Diifr-fa President Todd Carpenter 1 -888-422-2280 Delton Drive Thru: hiqhpointcommunitvbank.com 10199 S. M-43 Hwy. 623*3777 (269) 217-2372 Member FDIC Delton, Ml 49046 M-43 Hwy. across from Delton Schools SIMPLY SWEETS, 623*8047 Phone (269) 721-9989 (269) 721-3864 Sand and Gravel and MOREI • CoeeaanW • MtartM • IMMW 11Z50 Mannln, lake Road, Delton, Ml • canxntenira.elinc.com **?,*** *** W , e- Ken s Sports Shop Delton. Ml Round 126 East Orchard Street, Delton, Ml 49046 __ THE HASTINGS BANNER www.mei.net Fe/eeSmSeai Fiber - Voice - Data Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 DELTON FAMILY PHARMACY 338 Grove St. (M-43)Delton 1351 N. M-43 Hwy, Hastings 623*5250 945*9554 269-6234565 Hi p P P BUCKLAND AGENCY CHAPPLE REALTY INC 11235 Sprague Rd, Delton 118 E Orchard St., Delton Mi 49046 269-623-4058 623-5115 133 Orchard, Delton HOW. Center, Suite B, Hastings 948*3720 WILLIAMSGORES FUNERAL HOME WESTMICHIGANLAKES.COM 623*5461 Bl 269-623-3300 n^tKD D 101 Years Strangl 00 6 M - 3 1u u 3o W 1 -4, Delton, Ml 49046 rr > Delton Moose Lodge 269.623.2112 5428 Moose Lodge Dr. (2 miles north ofDeltone on M43) <NAPA> NAPA of Delton 9939 M-43 Hwy 623-4804 LYONS SEPTIC TANK SERVICE 3840 Harrington Rd. Delton 623*2089 • 945*5379 Fast Reliable Service For Over 50 Years SMITH & DOSTER SALES & SERVICE 114 Grove (M-43) Delton 623-5111 �Page 6 — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Class Officers wm Executive Board: President: Allie .Trantham Vice President: Joelle White Treasurer: Cadence Johnson Sergeant-at-Arms: Carlie Ritchie Senior Class Officers: President: Mya Brickley Vice President: Kasey Kapteyn Secretary: Salma Vardell Treasurer: Lilyana Sinclair Representatives: Kiersyn Cowles, Jordan Lyons, and Alyson Tack t t ( Delton Kellogg High School scholarship winners — Salma Vardell: Delton Kellogg Educa­ tion Foundation, George and Doris Leonard, Donald Humphreys Memorial, Gladys Carol Williams, Mary Collier BardFan, W. William and Linda Blackmore Memorial - Caitlin McManus: Delton Kellogg Edu­ cation Foundation, George and Doris Leon­ ard, W. William and Linda Blackmore Memo­ rial, John and Lillian Arnold, Gun Lake Women’s Club Skilled Trade - Joelle White: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation, George and Doris Leonard, Mary Collier BardFan, W. William and Linda Blackmore Memorial - Allie Trantham: Delton Kellogg Educa­ tion Foundation, Gun Lake Women’s Club, Gladys Carol Williams, W. William and Linda Blackmore Memorial - Jordan Lyons: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation, George and Doris Leonard, Wyatt M. Cook Memorial - Morgan Stidham: Delton Kellogg Educa­ tion Foundation, George and Doris Leonard ■ - Natalie Muday: Delton Kellogg Educa­ tion Foundation, George and Doris Leonard, Delton Rotary - University - Lilyana Sinclair: Delton Kellogg Educa­ tion Foundation, W. William and Linda Blackmore Memorial - Tru Johnson: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation, Delton Kellogg Determined Student . - Jason Lundquist: Delton Kellogg Edu­ cation Foundation, John and Gladys Cham­ berlain — Mya Brickley: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation, George and Doris Leonard 1 — Carlie Ritchie: Delton Kellogg Educa­ tion Foundation, George and Doris Leonard - Grady Stidham: Delton Kellogg Educa­ tion Foundation, Mark Jeska Memorial - Carley Webb: Barbara Colleen Hooten Memorial, Jenny Wandell Memorial - Abaigail Cobum: Coleman Agency, Delton Rotary - Trades - Vinnie Quick: George and Doris Leonard - Lillian Ferris: George and Doris Leonard - Isaac Shepard: Delton Rotary - Trades - Marshall Warner: McCullough Family, George and Doris Leonard - Hector Jimenez: Mark Jeska Memorial - Nicholas Jones: DKHS Fine Art - Alyson Tack: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation t - Lillian Kokx: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation - Paige Thomas: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation - Cadence Johnson: Delton Kellogg Edu­ cation Foundation - Micah Martin: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation —Abigail Fichtner: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation a - Kasey Kapteyn: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation - Gage Vincent: Delton Kellogg Education Foundation (M-43 North) Superette Family Fare ■'; -Ml? Sixty-three 2023 Delton Kellogg High School graduates throw their graduation hats, celebrating their achievements and making it through four years of school that began in a global pandemic. (Photo provided) . ij rt rtf* ^* The Delton Kellogg Symphonic Band performed "Pomp and Circumstance," led by band director Sara Knight. Natalie Muday won her school's essay contest and read it as the guest speaker during the 2023 commencement exer­ cise for Delton Kellogg High School. The prompt for the essay was "What Delton has meant to me." Middleville: Shelbyville; Nashville: Speedway Town & Country Trading Post Harding's The Dock Nashville Johnny's T Middleville Johnny's Oronffeville: Orangeville Fast Stop Marathon Mega Bev Prairieville: Hastings Pharmacy Prairieville Fast Stop Marathon Gas Station Family Fare Gas Station Walgreens MV Pharmacy Greg’s Get-It-N-Go The General Store (M-37 South) Valedictorian Allie Trantham, pictured here with her parents, is heading to Albion College to play softball and study pre-med to be a pediatrician. Delton Kellogg High School’s Class of 2023 held its graduation ceremony last week Thursday inside the school’s gymnasium. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) Banner Hastings Johnny's Marathon Gas Station B.MesaOf lauiinre Tom's Market (M-37West) € 645** Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! . ■■■/« 8^ Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 Hastings One Stop Shop (Maratholf atholf Se.- HIGH SCHOOL, continued from page 5 he Hastings: > ,, 41 V-' “ Cloverdale: Delton: Nashville C Store, Family Fare Carl’s Delton Johnny's Lake Odessa: Lake-O-Express Banfield: Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny'is Carl’s Dowling: Freeport: Goldsworthys L & J’s Cloverdale General Woodland: Woodland Express new tradition during the commencement exercise at Delton Kellogg. In her essay, Muday started with a famous quote from Dwight D. Eisenhower: “For any American who had the great and priceless privilege ofbeing raised in a small town, there always remains with him nostalgic memories.” Next, she described her hometown: “A small stop on Michigan Highway Number 43 is a small town, on most maps, is a town called Delton — one gas station, one library, one coffee stop and one school district. This school district,” Muday read. Muday reflected on memories of her experiences during her 13 years growing up in a small town while attending Delton Public Schools. She talked about her father attending Delton schools and reminded her classmates of all the assemblies they sang in together. They included the Veteran’s Day assembly, the elementary winter assembly, pep rallies on homecoming, and finally, the graduation ceremony. Muday told her classmates to always remember Founder’s Day and the parade down the main road with Miss Delton on a Corvette, shows behind the fire barn and booths with fresh lemonade. “I will remember these opportunities, remember Delton fondly, and bring that small-town hospitality with me no matter where I go,” she said. But whether seniors plan on continuing their education, heading straight into the workforce, orjoining the military, Trantham encouraged all of her class­ mates with this question: “Who do you want to be when you grow up?” “If who you want to be, for example, is caring and compassionate, or generous and kind, then make sure your actions correspond with that,” Trantham said. “Those actions showing who you strive to be will define your identity and will be the qualities that are remembered. Jobs and careers will come and go, and our identities can easily be lost ifwe let those be the things that define us.” After the ceremony, the Banner caught up with Superintendent Herman Lartigue Jr. “I enjoyed the 2023 graduation ceremonies for the DK Academy and DK High School,” Lartigue said. He commended Delton’s high school principal, Lucas Trierweiler, and dean of student and athletic director, Mike Mohn, for doing an excellentjob setting up and conducting the ceremonies. In addition, Lartigue said he appreciates all the facul­ ty members who attended, wearing their college regalia, “Everybody looked so nice. 1 especially enjoyed visiting with students, faculty and families after the ceremony to do the traditional cap toss behind the school,” Lartigue said. “I feel privileged and honored to have been a part of the graduates' special day of academic achievement.” Lartigue was offered the superintendent’s position last summer, making the seniors of 2023 and DK Academy students his first graduating classes. Twenty-four graduates from the DK Academy also received diplomas in a separate graduation ceremony. DK Academy students have the option of a non-traditional approach to earning a high school diploma. All classes are online, allowing a flexible schedule for students to work on their studies any time, day or night. DK Academy graduates earn a diploma, not a GED. “Congratulations to the DK Academy and DK High School graduates of 2023; good luck in your future endeavors and in changing the world,” Lartigue said. MJ M KKJi. Ki �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 1,2023 — Page 7 Table Company started in 1890 Esther Walton Banner April 26, 1991 One ofthe mostfrequent letter requests that this author receives is information about the Table Company. Here in two articles is the history ofthe company by M.L. Cook: L.H. Evarts suggested the idea. The plan was at first to make chairs as well as dining tables. The fourth industry started in Hastings as a result ofthe agitation, begun in 1889, continuing through the next year, was the Hastings Table Company, which we will now consider. L.H. Ev&rts came to Hastings from Grand Ledge in 1889. While living in Grand Ledge he was in close touch with the very successful Grand Ledge Chair Company. He was a natural mechanic used in that flourishing Grand Ledge plant. In the early winter of 1889 and 1890, Mr. Evarts suggested that a chair factory, simi­ lar to the one in Grand Ledge, would be a fine industry to add to Hastings, which was then aggressively seeking new factories. There had already been launched here in 1889 and early in 1890 the Hastings Furni­ ture Company, the Michigan Wool Boot Company, and the Michigan Whip Factory. The appetite for factories was still keen and Mr. Evafts’ suggestion was taken seriously. In a short time, the $20,000 capital was taken locally, with Mr. Evarts the largest subscriber. The city gave 10 percent, or $20,000 additional, as it did with the Hast­ ings Furniture Company and the Michigan Whip Co. The new company was incorpo­ rated as the Hastings Chair and Table Com­ pany. Mr. ;Evarts was a stickler for doing things, right. He urged the directors of the new company to build a brick plant because it was more economical to maintain also that a factory without an inside stairway arid with heavy floors would furnish a bet­ ter foundation for machines and would considerably reduce the cost of insurance. He proved to the directors that a Corliss engine was far more economical than a plain, slide-valve engine and would save money, even though it cost considerably more. When the company completed its three-story plant, 36x100, installed its Cor­ liss engine and the other machinery and equipment necessary to carry on this busi­ ness in 1890, it was evident that $20,000 was not sufficient; so, $10,000 more was subscribed and added to the capital, which was thereby increased to $32,000- That left . some money, but not nearly enough, for working capital, most all ofit being invest­ ed in the plant. The factory started making a line of chairs and tables in 1890, but the designs for its lines did not appeal to the trade. So, the line was changed to dining tables alone in 1892, but the trade was still very low for the same reason. When the annual inventory was taken in December of 1892, the final figures showed that the company had lost considerable money and that something radical must be done to save it from bankruptcy. The directors consulted with cashier Dan W. Reynolds ofthe City Bank, who was a member ofthe Chair and Table Co.’s board of directors. They asked him ifhe thought the seven owners ofthe Wool Boot CompaCompa­ ny, W. R. Cook having been added to the original six, could be induced to take over the Table plant and business. Mr. Reynolds told them that he could not answer for the stockholders of the Wool Boot Company. He suggested that the Table Company work out a proposition they thought was fair and he would submit it to his associates in the Wool Boot Com­ pany. The Chair and Table Company directors discussed the matter seriously for two or three nights in succession. They learned from examination of the stock book that the seven Wool Boot Company directors already owned about $6,000 of the Table Company’s stock. So they would be will­ ing to increase the capital stock from $32,000 to $60,000 and issue the $28,000 additional to the stockholders ofthe Wool Boot Company if they would pay the Table Company $6,000 cash for it, also providing that the seven men would take over the management of the Chair and Table Company. After giving the matter consideration for a time, the Wool Boot Company directors accepted the proposition, hoping to save the industry for the town and prevent its going into a receivership. Of course, they also hoped that they could put the factory on a profit-paying basis. Accordingly, all directors of the Hast­ ings Chair and Table Company, except Mr. Reynolds, resigned one by one and the six other members ofthe Hastings Wool Boot Company succeeded them as directors. The new board consisted of Chester Messer, R. B. Messer, Clement Smith, P.T. Colgrove, W.R. Cook, D.W. Reynolds and M.L. Cook. The new men took over the management and direction ofthe Chair and Table Com­ pany in January 1893. A little over a month before, the severe panic of 1893 began. Had they dreamed that such a financial disaster was coming, they would not have done what they did. I know from the experience we had that it was a very difficult job;to pull the two factories-And-the City-Bank through-that panic; but they all survived. The new directors decided that they would not make chairs, so the name ofthe company was shortened to “The Hastings Table Company.” The offices were the same as the Wool Boot Company: Chester Messer, president; R. B. Messer, vice pres­ ident; Dan W. Reynolds, treasurer and M.L. Cook, secretary. It was a dreary, monotonous struggle the new management had for the next 11 years trying to save the Table Company from bankruptcy. During that time, no progress or profits were made, the company was barely holding its own, which means that it lost money because ofthe actual depreciation ofthe buildings, machinery and equip­ ment, but there were no profits from which to set up a depreciation account. In our January 1904 line, we brought out some new designs in pedestal dining tables. Dealers bought a few of them but com­ plained ofthe unsightly gap in segments of the pedestal ofthe table. The pedestal had to be cut in two in order to make the table extend to six, eight, 10 or 12 feet as desired. When the extra leaves were taken out and the original square or round table alone remained, one looking at the pedestal would be quickly and unfavorably impressed with that unsightly gap where the pedestal was divided. R.B. Messer, who then was salesman for the Wool Boot Company, always attended the Grand Rapids furniture sales in July and January as a representative of the Table Company. The trade told him the trouble they experienced in selling our pedestal tables, with this yawning gap in the pedestal when the table was pushed together into its original form as a square or round table. After the July Grand Rapids furniture sale was over for that year, Mr. Messer came home and explained this trouble to Emil Tyden, whose inventive genius had been demonstrated in the Seal factory. Mr. Tyden said nothing, but he began thinking about the matter seriously. Sometime before the 1905 January sale was to begin, Tyden had worked out and tried a pedestal lock he devised, which held the two segments ofthe pedestal leg tightly together and made it a thing of beauty instead of an ugly-looking piece of furni­ ture. He showed Mr. Messer and the other directors how he could overcome the diffi­ culty and make a rigid solid pedestal. At the January 1905 sale, the Table Company appeared with the only line on the market with tightly-closed pedestal extension tables. We had several beautiful fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES designs in pedestals, each with the Tyden locking device. They appealed strongly to the trade and sold like hotcakes. The result was that in 1905, for the first time since the new directors took over the plant, the factory made a nice profit. In the next two or three years it earned enough so that the brick plant was doubled in size, making it 200x36 feet. We also added a nice surplus to our original $60,000 capital stock. However, the styles again changed three or four years after Mr. Tyden invented his locking device and the pedestal tables, even with the Tyden lock, were not decided by the trade, so the Table Company was again back in the old condition of about playing even by the end of each year. Two or three times, we almost decided to quit, but changed our minds and still held on, for we disliked to have “failure” end our attempt to make the factory pay. By 1917 Mr. Tyden had completed his work of equipping the Seal Company with its wonderful automatic machines with which to make the Tyden car seals. R.B. Messer proposed and the directors heartily approved that we engage him to take over the management of the Hastings Table Company and to be its president. He oblig­ ingly did so. He at once set out to secure a man who could design a line that would appeal to the trade and keep the factory busy. He was successful in getting Fred Hill, who was then the designer for the Imperial Furniture Company of Grand Rapids. Tyden induced Hill to come to Hastings at a nice salary and a chance to earn a considerable holding of the company’s stock, which would be given (to) him ifat the end offive years the Table Company made enough money to pay all the debts the company owed when he came here. Mr. Hill’s new lines appealed to the fur­ niture trade, so the Table Company became a busy hive of industry. It earned him his stock bonus for him, too. We were all glad to give him the stock, for what had seemed a nightmare to us had become something very different. To be continued... --Tr g -.- ^sii Doctor Universe Raining cats and dogs How does it rain? Gabby, 10, Ohio Dear Gabby, Like most cats, I don’t love wet fur. I check a weather app every morning to see if I need an umbrella. But how rain hap­ pens was a mystery to me. So, I talked about rain with my friend Nathan Santo Domingo. He’s a field mete­ orologist with AgWeatherNet of Washing­ ton State University. That’s a weather tool for fanners, gardeners and other people in Washington. “The first thing to remember is that Earth’s surface is 71 percent water,” Santo Domingo said. “We also have a giant orb in the sky-the sun-that’s feeding energy into the atmosphere and reaching down to Earth’s surface.” The sun’s energy changes the water in the oceans, rivers and lakes. The water changes from a liquid to a gas called water vapor. That water vapor floats up into the bubble of gas that surrounds Earth-called the atmosphere. The higher the water vapor floats, the colder the air is. That changes the water vapor back into liquid water. Those drops of liquid water way up high in the atmo­ sphere are incredibly tiny. They’re so light they float. A bunch oftiny drops all float­ ing together is a cloud. Sometimes a cloud floats into a place with low air pressure. Or it bumps into a mountain. The tiny water drops move up and down. They bonk into each other. When two water drops bump together, they merge into a bigger water drop. “Eventually, a water droplet becomes so heavy the air can’t support it,” Santo Domin­ go said. “It starts to fall to the ground. It hits your head, jacket or umbrella in the form of a raindrop. Or a snowflake if it’s cold.” That rain flows back into the oceans, rivers and lakes. Someday, the sun’s energy will turn it back into water vapor. Thejour­ ney a water drop makes from Earth’s sur­ face up into the atmosphere and back is called the water cycle. Sometimes you can tell it’s going to rain by looking at the sky. But weather fore­ casts can tell us if it’s going to rain much farther out than our eyes can. Back in the day, weather scientists used tools like thermometers and barometers to predict rain. Thermometers measure chang­ es in how hot it is. Barometers measure how much pressure there is. That’s how much air is above you, pushing down due to gravity. Weather scientists still use those tools. Now they also use supercomputers to track temperature and air pressure. They mea­ sure all the way up and down the atmo­ sphere. They also use math equations about water, air, sunlight, plants and ocean tem­ peratures to make predictions. That’s how weather scientists make accurate forecasts today. That way we can check a weather app and know if we need an umbrella to keep our fur dry. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. The Hastings Table Company factory building in 1924. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for June 1-8 June 1-30 - June Storywalk Book: “Wonder Walkers” by Micha Archer. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, June 3 - Native plant sale (in-person sale and pre-order pick-up), 9 a.m.-noon. Thursday, June 8 - Lunch and Learn ? Conservation Translocations in Chang­ ing Environments. Program: 11 a.m.noon (in-person and on Zoom). Lunch: noon-1 p.m. Those interested in the lunch must register by today, June 1. Members may attend the program only for free or pay $15 for the lunch and HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, June 1 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1944 film starring Bette Davis and Claude Rains, 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 2 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 3 Very Barry Family Event at Tyden Park, 9 a.m. to noon. J;.Monday, June 5 — Crafting Pas­ sions, 10a.m. Tuesday, June 6 - Barry County Explorers SPIN Club: Hike with 4-H, 10 a.m. Register at v2.4honline.eom/#/user/sign-in. Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 7 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; children’s musician Mrs. Kate, 2 p.m.; writers’ night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. program. Non-members may attend the program only for $8 or both the lunch and program for $21. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. Barry County Road Commission Notice of Public Hearing The Barry County Road Commission is holding a public hearing per the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994, Act 451. The hearing will take place June 20th, 2023, from 6-7 pm at the Hope Township Hall. The topic of discussion will be the designation of Little Pine Lake Road from Head Road to Otis Lake Road as a Natural Beauty Road. All public input is welcome. �Page 8 — Thursday LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 22, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Austin Paul Vandermei, an unmarried man, whose address is 208 West Grant Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., being a mortgage dated August 13, 2018, and recorded on August 16,2018 with Document Number 2018-007968, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated May 17, 2023 and recorded on May 18, 2023 as document number 2023-003974 in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY­ SEVEN AND 48/100 DOLLARS ($115,927.48). Said premises are situated in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 2, Block 4 of R.J. Grants 2nd Addition to the Village now City of Hastings according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 16 of Barry County Records. Street Address: 208 West Grant Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: May 25, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for. the -party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5009 (05-25)(06-15) 200254 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 29, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Logan Troy Teneyck, an unmarried man, whose address is 4705 S. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, acting solely as a nominee for Amerifirst Financial Corporation, being a mortgage dated August 10, 2021, and recorded on August 13, 2021 with Document Number 2021-010183, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated May 11, 2023 and recorded in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE AND 04/100 DOLLARS ($106,935.04). Said premises are situated in the Township of Maple Grove, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the southwest 1 /4 of section 1, town 2 north range 7 west described as commencing 900 feet south of the west 1/4 post of said section 1; thence east 250 feet; thence south parallel with the west 1/4 line, 200 feet; thence west 250 feet to west 1/4 line of said section 1; thence north 200 feet to the place of beginning. Street Address: 4705 S. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: May 25, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5000 (05-25)(06-15) 200261 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a ssale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 22, 2023. The amount duee on tthe mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does nott automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Mark J. Elkins and Stacy M. Elkins, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Irwin Mortgage Corporation its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MldFirst Bank, a Federally Chartered Savings Association Date of Mortgage: May 20,2005 Date of Mortgage Recording: June 2,2005 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $66,443.10 Description ofthe mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Unit 6, Guernsey Highlands, a Site Condominium according to the Master Deed recorded in Liber 636, Pages 592 through 650, inclusive in the Office ofthe Barry County Register ofDeeds, together with rights in general and limited common elements as set forth in said Master Deed and as described in Act 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended. Common street address (if any): 7307 Highland, Delton, Ml 49046-8715 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date ofnotice: May 25,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1499387 (05-25)(06-15) 199947 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate jT FILE NO. 22-029364-DE Estafo ^of Jon '’Ervn?’-DbbieiPf Date of birth. 5/17/1955. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Jon Ervin Dobler, who lived at 1020 Pritchardville Road; Hastings, Michigan 49058, died on December 28, 2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Byron P. Gallagher, Jr., personal named personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, #302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the named personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 05/24/2023 Byron P. Gallagher, Jr. Personal Representative PO Box 1800 East Lansing, Ml 48826 Byron P. Gallagher, Jr. (P42996) The Gallagher Law Firm, PLC 6025 N. Hagadom Road East Lansing, Ml 48823 (517) 853-1515 200272 Financial MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under Section 3212 ofthe Revised Judicature Act of 1961,1961 FA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on June 22, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear iownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Gary Kaiser, a single man, (“Mortgagor”), gave a mortgage to Advia Credit Union f/k/a First Community Federal Credit Union, (“Mortgagee”), dated June 14, 2002, and recorded on June 28, 2002, in Document Number 1082969, Barry County Records, Michigan, bn the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred-Eighty and 04/100 Dollars ($13,580.04) plus accrued interest at 7.30% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1 ;00 P.M. on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 18 and 19, ‘ACKER’S PLAT”, as recorded in Uber 4, Page 7 Commonly: 6930 Ackers Point Road Delton, Ml 49046—Tax ld#08-07-040-01800 The redemption period shall be twelve months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: May 18,2023 Advia Credit Union, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 (248)352-4340 (05-18)(06-15) 199545 Doc^ literacy screening for free at HPAC Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Garage Sale ANNUAL BUEHLER GA­ RAGE Sale, Multi family, Friday and Saturday June 2nd and 3rd 2023 from 9am5pm and Sunday June 4th 2023 from 9am-lpm. Located at 6651 Buehler Rd, Freeport. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. PACILLO LAWNCARE Tak­ ing new clients in Hastings. Phone (269)838-6025. Business Services Help Wanted BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Bene­ fits 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in in-­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid tim e off, Retirement plan. Quality H Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, MI. Send Re­ sumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782._________________ MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdwardJones Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Member SIPC LAB PUPPIES, VERY cute & adorable. 1st shots and de­ wormed. Mom on site. $300. 517-726-0706. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to ddvertise “any preference, limitation or advertise a discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.’’ Familial status Includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legall custodians, todians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly w aaccept chciecpht iaany sn iy advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing Impaired is 1-800-927-9275. . Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 423 N. Main St Hastings, Ml 49058 Nashville, Ml (269)948-8265 (517)760-8113 A What should you expect from your investment? To help achieve . your financial goals, you may need to invest in the financial markets throughout your life. However, at times your investment expectations may differ from actual returns, triggering a variety of emotions. So, what are reasonable expectations to have about your investments? Ideally, you hope that your investment portfolio will eventually help you meet your goals, both your short-term ones, such as a cross-country vacation, and the long-term ones, such as a comfortable retirement. But your expectations may be affected by several factors, including the following: • Misunderstanding Various factors in the economy and the financial markets trigger different reactions in different types of investments — so you should expect different results. When you own stocks, you can generally expect greater price volatility in the short term. Over time, though, the “up” and “down” years tend to average out. When you own bonds, you can expect less volatility than individual stocks, but that’s not to say that bond prices never change. Generally, when interest rates rise, you can anticipate that the value ofyour existing, lower-paying bonds may decrease, and when rates fall, the value of your bonds may increase. • Recency bias - Investors exhibit “recency bias” when they .place too much emphasis on recent events in the financial markets, expecting that those same events will happen again. But these expectations can lead to-negative behavior. For example, in 2018, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell almost 6% - so investors subject to recency bias might have concluded it was best to stay out of the markets for a while. But the Dow jumped more than 22% the very next year. Of course, the reverse can also be true: In 2021, the Dow rose almost 19%, so investors who might have been susceptible to recency bias may have thought they were in for more big gains right away — but in 2022, the Dow fell almost 9%. Here’s the bottom line: Recency bias may cloud your expectations about your investments’ performance — and it’s essentially impossible to predict accurately what will happen to the financial markets in any given year. • Anchoring Another type of investment behavior known as “anchoring” an excessive reliance^ on your original conviction in an investment So, fo® instance, if you bought stoclwin a company you thought haw great prospects, you m want to keep your shares ye^^ after year, even after1 evidehc® is emerges that the company faajb real risks — for example, poo^' management, or its j products^ .could become outdated, br it could be part of an< industry that’s in decline. But if you stick with your initial beliefthat the company will inevitably do well, and you’re not open to new sources of in formation about this investment', your. expectations may never be met In many areas of- life, reality may differ from our expectations — and that, can certainly be true for our investments. Being familiar, with the factors that can shape your expectations can help youj{ maintain a realistic outlook?, about your investments. This article was written byC}Edward Jones for use byyourt local Edward Jones Financial, i Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC JCTo -r1 yd,.bMoaqasi bn.R '<rfiort “The Truth About Reading,” a documenta­ ry about literacy in America, will be screen­ ing at the Hastings Performing Arts Center next week. Directed by Nick Stanton, the film follows the stories of David Chalk and John Corcor­ an, two men who didn’t learn to read or write until they were adults. The film touches on how illiteracy affects individuals and society as a whole, as well as what steps can be taken by America’s education system to better teach kids to read and write. The film is being screened for free at 6 p.m. on June 8 in the Hastings Performing Arts Center. The event is being hosted by the Barry Intermediate School District, Calhoun Intermediate School District, Barry County Literacy Council, The Reading League Mich­ igan and the Hastings Area School System. FOCUS Elaine Garlock According to last week’s Reminder, three ladies from this area are soon celebrating a 90^ birthday anniversary. They are Eulali Gostnell, Joyce Waite and Ruth Stadel. Con­ gratulations on reaching this life milestone. High school graduations have taken place. Now come the many open house events stretching out to the end of June. With no printed announcements of the event, the traditional Memorial Day obser­ vance was held at Lakeside Cemetery on Monday morning following similar events at Clarksville and Woodland at which the local VFW post handled part ofthe service and, in some instances, the entire program. The Lakewood High School band made use of two long school buses for transportation to the three events. At Lake Odessa, the high school band director led the players for the first number but students directed the later numbers with lots of energy. Also, the flag corps performed along with the band. At Lake Odessa, the freshman state representa­ tive Gina Johnsen, who is a village resident, took part in the service held on the east side of Cemetery Road before they mounted three tall flag poles bearing the American flag, a Michigan flag and a township flag which provide the backdrop for the veteran statuary with the Vietnam era emblems. The local fire department always brings a few dozen folding chairs for use by those who choose not to stand. This is a valued service to the public. The driveways on both sides of the road had frequent traffic in the hours both before and after the service. Central UM Church has gone to its sum­ mer schedule with morning worship held at 9:30 a.m. from May 28 to the Sunday preceding Labor Day. The church on Sunday had for the second week its Pentecost trimmings with much red color in evidence. This is a very colorful season. Just look at the color in the bushes and flower beds. Snowball bushes are at their best early this week. The beauty bushes are almost at their peak. There are showy examples in at least three spots. The Engle home’s bush on the west side of Woodland Road south of Brown Road has survived being run over by a vehi­ cle involved in an accident but came through worse for wear. Another is adjacent to Union Bank’s parking lot behind the Freshwater Property office building. Another is on John­ son Street toward the north end. These bushes make a fine backdrop for high school gradu­ ation pictures. The Lake Odessa Community Library has announced its lengthy list of events planned for the month ofJune. Prize items are already in the showcase awaiting the winners at the conclusion of the summer reading program. An author event was on the list for last week and tai chi classes have continued. The Lake Odessa Depot Museum was open for visitors last Saturday in a revived schedule which had a lengthy recess during the COVID months. With almost no publici­ ty, the attendance has been small. The prem­ ise is that the two buildings will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month. Last Saturday, the attendance had an unexpected number of visitors with the arrival of a policeman, first responders and the ambulance crew who were called fbr a medical emergency of an attendant of the host society. Reverend Peggy Wilkins, who divides her years between Lake Odessa and Florida, will be the guest speaker at Central UM Church on June 4. She is the daughter of the late Robert and Normal Carter of Odessa Town­ ship. Give Give the the gift gift of ofNEWS! NEWS! » Send friends and family a gift subscription to The Hastings BANNER! To subscribe, call us at... 269-945-9554 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — Page 9 Ethel Turner Irwin eat ■■ *** Christopher “Chris” Raynold Huver, age 63, of Perrysburg, OH, passed away suddenly in his home on May 25, 2023. Chris was bom on January 11, 1960 in Grand Rapids, MI to his late parents Michael >1*?« and Barbara (Snyder) Huver. Chris was the In iDjn second oldest sibling ofseven children and he was raised in Hastings, where the majority of his family still resides. He attended St. Rose School through the eighth grade, and he grad­ uated from Hastings High School in 1978. As a young man, Chris worked as a butch­ er at Hale’s Market in town. In his early 20s he started working at Hastings Manufactur­ ing. He was there for about nine years, work­ ing in the quality control department, before the company laid him offin early 1992. Less than six months after the layoff, he moved to South Florida to be closer to his new girl­ friend, Celeste. He started working for Wjf 1 ,d I Hydraulic Supply in Fort Lauderdale, FL in the summer of 1992, and Chris and Celeste married in 1994. Chris worked at Hydraulic Supply until October 1997. Chris and Celeste relocated to Perrysburg, Ohio afterwards to work for a new, 3 PL com­ pany called Kenakore Solutions. Chris was dedicated to Kenakore and worked diligently for over two decades, becoming the president ofthe company several years ago. Chris was valued and respected by his employees and business colleagues. He was well known Tor being generous and caring about his employ­ ees and helping anyone in need. He was also a Christian man who kept God as his center. Alongside being an extremely dedicated and hard worker, he was the best dad his sons could have asked for. He loved his sons more than anything and never missed wrestling matches, baseball or soccer games. He par­ ticipated in fundraisers for their teams, and made many friends with other baseball and soccer parents. He was hilarious without ever trying and had a very charismatic personality that drew 1 people in. In their younger years, Chris enjoyed taking his boys fishing at Three Meadows Pond or the Maumee River. As the boys grew older, the three ofthem began the tradition oftaking an annual winter vacation 0 to Hollywood,- FL or Clearwater, FL beacheswhere they always made great memories. Chris was a diehard U ofM fan who loved attending games in the Big House. Unfortu­ nately he had a lot to work through when his ‘then’ eight year old son, Zach, confessed to his dad that he was bom in Ohio and there­ fore he decided to become a Buckeyes fan. Nick remained a U ofM fan, which made it a ‘divided house’. Regardless of what, team they cheered for they had fun with their play­ ful rivalry. Above all, Chris was very proud of his sons. Anyone who knew him knew that. He was a dependable father and was a man ofhis word who highly valued honesty and integrity. He taught his sons how to be a man, impacted countless individuals, and gave invaluable dad advice regardless of the topic. His youngest son, Nick, will always remember his dad’s rewarding nature and desire to express his gratitude by surprising him with gifts. Zach will miss being able to call and speak to his dad at any time ofthe day to talk about anything or nothing at all. If his car made a weird noise, he’d call. If he read about a new ’in company to invest stock in, he’d call him. He cherished their talks and all the advice he gave. Chris will be extremely missed by his family and by all of those who knew and loved him. . Chris is survived by his sons, Zach and Nick Huver; former wife, Celeste Carell; sib­ lings, Jeff (Vanna), Sue, Jim (Evie), Mitch “ Cheeto” (Christie), Beth, Bob (Kim), many ^**G*>cX. aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as numer­ ^**G*> ous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly and was very proud of. Friends and family are welcome to visit at the Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 E South Boundary St., Perrysburg, for a memorial gathering on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. A memorial service will follow beginning at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Please consider donating blood to The Red Cross in Chris’ honor, as he was an avid donor for decades or consider making a donation in Chris’ name to the Wounded Warrior Project. https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ethel Turner Irwin, on May 26, 2023, in Hastings, MI. She was bom on November 17, 1934, in Middlesboro, KY, to Sarah (Carmack) and Clayton O’Brien Turner Sr. Ethel was a devoted Christian who walked humbly with the Lord. She began her Chris­ tianjourney at the 30th Street Church ofGod in Middlesboro with her mother. After mar­ rying Thomas, he attended Fort Wayne Bible College. Ethel and Thomas attended Bible Baptist in Fort Wayne, IN, where she came to know the Lord as her personal Savior. Thomas was ordained in the Freewill Baptist Church and he and Ethel selflessly served, supported, and preached the Word ofGod as pulpit supply in the area Freewill Baptist churches. After Thomas’ passing, Ethel continued her spiritualjourney at Shiloh Church in Middlesboro, KY where they lovingly ministered to her growing needs. Continuing health issues had Ethel relocating to Michigan where she attended Thomapple Valley Church in Hastings, MI. Becoming homebound was difficult, but she found care and compassion and was ministered to by the Spiritual Care Consultants ministry through regular encour­ aging communications and later daily visits in the hospitalY'JCU and finally her home. The personal visitations meant so much to her, specifically Pastor Gale Kragt and his wonderful ministering staff. Ethel was known for her gratitude and respect for all of God’s people. She was a talented homemaker who found joy in creat­ ing beautiful homes for families and friends. She had an eye for couture that she passed on to her daughters. Ethel is survived by her daughter, Donna Jo Moesta with son-in-law, Daniel R. Moes­ ta Sr. (Hastings, MI);, loving son-in-law, Carlton E. Laubhan (Amarillo, TX); grandson, Daniel R. Moesta II; great-granddaugh­ ter, Luciana Sarah Joan Moesta and her mother, Kim Merkel (Indiana); grandson, Damian J. Moesta (Sandra) (TX); great-grandson, John R. Skipper II (TX); granddaughters, Jo Gail Jordan (CA) and Jamie D. Jordan (ME), and-one surviving brother, Arlis (Brenda) Turner (KY). Ethel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, Thomas D. Irwin who went home to be with the Lord on September 13, 1992, and her daughter, Brenda Gail Laubhan, who passed away on January 1, 2021. Ethel was also preceded in death by her parents, Sarah Carmack and Clayton O’Brien Turner Sr., along with many brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. A private burial and entombment ceremo­ ny, full of reverence and respect for the life that Ethel led, will be held for her. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her honor to the Spiritual Care Con­ sultants ministry, led by Pastor Gale Kragt, at 1375 W Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058, or by calling 269-929-2901. May Ethel’s legacy of grace, compassion, and love for all of God’s people continue to inspire and bless those arbund her. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. Mary Ann Bowerman Mary Ann Bowerman age 75, of Orleans, passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 at Core­ well Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids. She was bom July 7,1947 in Hastings, MI, the daughter of Chester C. & Mary L. (Han­ son) Cramer. She loved helping her family and friends. She enjoyed making gifts rather than buying something new. This fueled her passion and love of sewing and baking. She enjoyed cross-stitch, crocheting, playing cards, and flowers. Her passion, however, was quilting. Many family members and friends were blessed by the gift ofa beautiful handmade quilt. Over the years, she , worked for several local nursing homes and drove for the EBI Sheltered Workshop of Ionia County. Her final job was with DHL where she was employed for 20 years. Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Ralph; children, Cheryl (Chad) Shook of Hastings; Christopher (Tracy Borre) Bower­ man of Plano, IL; and Carl (Lacey) Bower­ man of Grand Rapids; five grandchildren, James Barnum IV (Bianca Picking), Kaitlyn Shook, Logan Shook, Christopher Bowerman II, and Allison Bowerman; one great grand­ daughter, Alaura Barnum; brother, Chester W.A. (Debra) Cramer ofVenice, FL; and her sister, Cynthia (Bruce) Shade' of Hastings^ and many nieces Shcfhepnews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Graveside funeral service was held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Clear Lake Cemetery, In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to The B Foundation of Belding, MI. Arrangements are by the Marshall Funeral Home, Greenville, MI, Www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com, where you can leave messag­ es ofcondolence for the family. Sharon Strickland love for the Lord by always giving a Bible to anyone she felt was in need or by sharing the perfect scripture at exactly the right time. Sharon was a woman with a deep capacity for love. She was quick to put aside her own needs, always putting others first. Sacrifice defined her as a person, and all that knew her felt the warmth of her generous heart. An avid reader and a lover of nature, Sharon was a person easy to please and happy with simple comforts. Being home curled up on the couch with a favorite book while in the company of her husband, and many pets over the years, served as a source of comfort and joy. She had an animated, silly side that was infectious and full of life. She loved to laugh and she will be missed dearly. Sharon is survived by her husband, Frank Strickland; her son, Levi (Debra) Strickland; daughter, Stacey Hines (Strickland); grand­ daughter, Samantha (Tyler) Strunk; great grandsons, Johnathan, Myles and Declan and her grandson, Kylee Hines. She is also sur­ vived by her sisters-in-law, Montene Doeher and Retha (Jack) Tesch and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Spike. She was predeceased by her mother, Beu­ lah Waterhouse and father, John Waterhouse. The family held a private remembrance of Sharon on May 24, 2023. A memorial service will be held in her honor at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Delton, on June 18, 2023 at 2 p.m. In lieu offlowers, donations can be made to The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Delton, or Wings ofHope Hospice in Alle­ gan. On May 22, 2023, Sharon Strickland, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away at the age of78. Sharon was bom in Lewiston, Maine where she received her license in cosmetology. She met her husband Franklin Strickland Decem­ ber 7, 1963 at 7:30pm in New London, Con­ necticut and they married June 19,' 1965. Frank and Sharon were married for 57 years. They moved to Michigan where Sharon worked in the kitchen for Delton Kellogg Schools while raising their two children, Levi and Stacey. Sharon’s love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, led her to her cherished church family at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Delton. Sharon was known for sharing her Worship k Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. 4:30 Mass p.m. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 am. 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ Sunday. gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Erin Kassidy O'Brian, Hastings and Samuel David Hazel, Hastings Hayley Rita Marie Allerding, Nash­ ville and Mitchell James Frailey, Nash­ ville Lisa Jean Allen, Caledonia and Chris­ topher Scott Alan Gates, Middleville Sophia Noel Smith, Zeeland and Dylan Lee Durkee, Hastings Kimberly A. Difrancesco, Elmhurst, IL and Darrick Lewis Werner, Hastings ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday School for all ages; 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, Lead Pastor. Matt Moser, Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m.. (Children Kids Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ School Youth Group; 6:30 Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 9390. Sunday Worship Service for information. 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 70th wedding anniversary Frank and Irene Bourdo will be celebrat­ ing their 70th anniversary on June 25. They were united in marriage on June 6, 1953 at Orangeville Baptist Church. Their children include David Bourdo of Plainwell, Dennis and Tina of Augusta, and John and Kim of North Carolina. They have eight grandchil­ dren and 20 great-grandchildren. There will be a celebration hosted by their kids on June 25, 2023 at Orangeville Baptist Church, 6921 Orangeville, MI 49080, from 2 to 5 p.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, Bourdos to celebrate 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: www.lifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. 4 Truth 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor night Bible study and prayer WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH contact 616-690-8609. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 MltaMkEftMi 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 �The Hastings ANNER L sports Thursday,■ *■>>» J■ *u■n >>e» 15!WS ,250!W23S TK sweeps through Zeeland teams into district final Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer tteam will host Hamilton this evening in the MHSAA Division 2 District Final in Mid­ dleville kicking offat 6 p.m. The Trojans are playing for their first dis­ trict title since 2018 after a 3-1 win over Zeeland East and a 5-1 win over Zeeland West in the first two rounds of the district tournament in Middleville. While the Trojans dominated from the start Friday against the Zeeland West Dux and were in control ofmuch ofTuesday’s district semifinal against the Chix, but Zeeland East had a 1 -0 lead at the half before the Trojans surged for the win. “[Co-head coach] David [Wood] and I were really proud of the girls’ effort and energy in the second half of a must-win game,” TK head coach Ben Sleeman said after his team’s 3-1 win over Zeeland East in Mid­ dleville Tuesday. “Being behind and playing well was frustrating, but they responded well to our talk at halftime and showed that they were the better team. We are definitely excit­ ed and ready for Thursday’s final against Hamilton and feel that we are in a good place to win ifwe play well and do the things that we’ve been doing all season that have made us successful.” Holly Velting scored two goals 20 seconds apart to pull the Trojans even and then give them the lead early on in the second half. The Trojans continued to create chances through the second 40 minutes and eventually got a third goal from Paige Abashagen to seal the win. “It pretty much mirrored the game when we played them a few weeks ago at their place,” Sleeman said. “I felt that we really dominated the first 15-20 minutes and created some good chances to score butjust couldn’t find the back of the net. Then, with about eight minutes left in the first halfwe failed to win a punt from their keeper and allowed one of their attacking players to have an uncon­ tested look at goal - which she took well. “Not long after that McKenna Hoebeke made a fantastic double save on a free kick to keep us from being down two goals.” The Trojan coach did feel like his girls missed out on what should have been a penalty kick as they tried to pull even late in the first half. Hamilton earned its spot in the district final with a 2-0 win over Holland in Middleville Tuesday afternoon. The Hawkeyes are 10-6-1 overall this season. TK improved to 14-4-1 with its district semifinal victory. Holland brought an end to the Hastings Sax­ ons’ season in the opening round last Friday, scoring a 2-1 win over the visiting Saxons. Last Friday, the Zeeland West girls strug­ gled to contain Trojan midfielder Emma Schut, which always has to be a fine line for opponents. They can’t let Thomapple Kel­ logg junior midfielder have any space. They also can’t get her too fired up. A hard tackle by Zeeland West midfielder Amarra Blattner took Schut out of the play and drew a whistle ten minutes into the sec­ ond half of the Dux’s MHSAA Division 2 District opener inside Bob White Stadium. After gathering Herself, Schut whizzed the free kickjust wide Ofthe upper left 90 on the goal at the south end ofthe field. A few minutes later, Schut finished offher hat-trick in a 5-1 Trojan victory. Schut also found just enough space in the middle ofthe Dux’ts box Friday to head two comer kicks from senior teammate Peyton Pratt into the net. Velting and sophomore Madilyn Chivis also scored for the Trojans. A header by Schut was the lone goal ofthe first halfFriday. Velting scored on a fine little give and go at the top of the Dux’s box with freshman attacker Tealy Cross to put TK up 2-0 less than two minutes irito the second half. A’ failed clearance attempt up the middle by the Zeeland West defense gave Schut a head of steam moving towards the met five minutes into the second half, and she quickly upped her team’s lead to 3-0 with a shot into the lower left-hand comer ofthe net. The lead grew to 4-0 as Schut headed a second comer kick into the goal with 20:43 to play. i Chivis’ goal came on a stunning shot from curleo a shot from the tough angle just inside cureo the far post on the rightzside the clock ticked under ten minutes tb go. Rylee Terpstra scored the lone goal for Zeeland West with 12:26 to play. Mya °n a goal by Junior teammate Holly Velting during the second half of their MHSAA Division 2 District opener in Middleville Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Last minute PK gets Holland girls by Saxons in district opener Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings was bested 2-0 by Holland in the opening round of the MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 girls’ soccer state tournament Fri­ day in Holland. Raegan Morrison scored lone goal for the Saxon varsity girls’ soccer team on an assist from Bri Darling. “The girls played a solid game,” Hastings head coach Tim Schoessel said. “We scored first and Holland answered later in the half. Both teams played very hard and both teams had several good looks at the net but the keepers were definitely on for both teams in this game.” Saxon goalkeeper Dekota Blough made ten saves in the match, including an out­ standing one on a free kick that kept the score tied 1-1 early in the second half. She made a leap to just get her fingers on the ball and push it over the net. “The second halfwas more ofthe same back and forth - good defense against good offense on both sides of the field,” Schoessel said. “The deciding factor was kind of a bummer for our girls after play­ ing so hard. Holland was awarded a PK with 40 seconds left on the clock which they capitalized on to win the game. It is hard to find the words that make that go away in the after game discussion. “We turned our focus to the positive season we did have.” The Hastings girls were 11-4-3 overall this season. Holland saw its season end with a 7-12 record in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinals in Middleville Tuesday falling 2-0 to Hamilton. The Hawkeyes are set to meet the host Trojans in the district final at Thornapple Kellogg High School this afternoon, June 1. telo'ns her W bWsasregWmW ___ Thomapple Kellogg junior midfielder Emma Schut lets out a yell after scoring the second of her three goals in a 5-1 win over Zeeland West during the MHSAA Division 2 District opener in Middleville Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) he 2023 Lakewood varsity boys golf team celebrates with its trophy after winning the final Greater Lansing Activities Conference ampionship at the 18-hole league tournament Wednesday at Forest Akers East Golf Course on the campus of Michigan State niversity in East Lansing. The Vikings beat runner-up Olivet by two strokes to clinch the conference title. Vikings beat Eagles by two at MSU, win GLAC championship Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings go out on top. The Lakewood varsity boys’ golf team clinched the final Greater Lansing Activities Conference Championship with a two stroke victory over Olivet In the GLAC Champion­ ship at Forest Akers East GolfCourse on the campus of Michigan State University Wednesday. h Having the Viking coaching staffhawking him around the green on number 12 didn’t hinder Lakewood freshman Kenny Dutkiewicz any as he looked to finish off his round. A two-put gave him a par on the 514yard number five to preserve the Lakewood lead heading offthe course. It was the last of four pars in the 18-hole round for Dutkiewicz. Viking senior Drew Marquoit finished off a season as the GLAC’s best golfer by win­ ning Wednesday with a score of 82. He fired a 38 on the back nine. He was even through his first seven holes on the back, a stretch that included a birdie on the par-4 number 14. Marquoit and freshman Dane Webb both earned first team all-conference honors in the AC for their performance over the course of the spring. Senior teammate Owen Richmond earned second team all-conferencd. Junior Chris Webb was the Vikings’ num­ b ber two Wednesday with an overall score of 87. Dane Webb and Kenny Dutkiewicz both finished with an 89. Lakewood took the team title with an over­ all score of 347. Olivet shot a 349 ahead of Perry 356, Leslie 360, Stockbridge 385, Lansing Christian 433 and Maple Valley 390. » an<* * are so Proucl this total team effort, Lakewood head coach Carl Kutch said. Our varsity roster has been ten players deep, with guys pushing and challenging each other from the midpoint ofthe season on. ‘The cool temps and wind along with firm greens made scoring tough, especially on certain holes.” Olivet was led by junior Levi Browning who was the day’s runner-up with an 83. Les­ lie sophomore Logan Douglas shot an 84 and Perry senior Tyler Webb scored an 86 to round out the top four. Chris Webb was fifth with his 87. Olivet also got an 88 from senior Jayebb Delong, an 89 from junior Dayton Ballard and an 89 from senior Dawson Redfield. V Redfield, Dane Webb and Dutkiewicz were tied for eighth individually. Maple Valley had three guys competing. Sophomore Chris Mock led the way with a 112 and sophomore Evan Fisher was next with a 120. Lakewood was set to head head to the Falls at Barber Creek for the MHSAA Division 3 Regional Tournament hosted by Kent City Wednesday, May 31. Maple Valley’s regional competitors will be a part ofthe MHSAA Division 4 Regional hosted by East Jackson at Ella Sharp Park GolfCourse June 2. rw utifenfiaeuBir. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — Page 11 LHS boys win three GLAC titles at league’s last hurrah Brett Bremer turned in a runner-up r time of2:07.54, a new Sports Editor PR, for the Vikings in the 800-meter run. The Lakewood varsity boys’ and girls’ Sophomore Kade Boucher was third in the track and field teams finished the final Great­ pole vault at 9-6. That 800-meter run was won er Lansing Activities Conference season by Olivetjunior Lucas Hopkins in 2:05.97. Wednesday at the GLAC Championship meet Perry had the meet’s top sprinter with hosted by Perry High School. senior Rease Teel taking the 100-meter dash The Olivet teams finished off sweeps of m 11.23 and the 200-meter dash in 23.53. the conference season by winning at the Hopkins also won the 1600-meter run for home ofthe Ramblers. the Olivet boys in 4:47.034, finishing six The Olivet girls won with 246.33 points, hundredths ofa second ahead ofjunior team­ ahead of Stockbridge 86, Leslie 76, Perry mate Conner Fountain. Fountain went on to 47.33, Lakewood 35, Maple Valley 15.33 and win the 3200-meter run in 10:28.35. Lansing Christian 4. Lakewood senior Ryan Alford was the Olivet outscored Lakewood 176-118 at the 3200-meter run runner-up in 10:40.02. top of the boys’ standings. Leslie was third The Olivet team of Tayven Feldpausch,, with 88 points, ahead of Perry 63, Stock­ Fountain, Dawson Feldpausch and Hopkinss bridge 48, Lansing Christian 24 and Maple won the 4x800-meter relay in 8:45.93 and the Valley 6. team of Tayven Feldpausch, Lincoln, Paul D Lakewood won three conference titles in DeVito and Hopkins won the 4x400-meter the boys’ meet. Sophomore Donald Wells relay in 3:41.06 took the 400-meter dash for the Vikings in The top finish on the track for the Maple 52.44 seconds, while also placing third in the Valley boys was sophomore Jeremiah Pen100-meter dash. Lakewood senior Ethan ny’s personal record run of 57.02 in the 400Weller won the longjump at 18 feet 6 inches meter dash which put him in sixth in that and later placed second in the 200-meter dash. race. Junior Robert Laws also ran his PR in Wells and Weller teamed with junior the race, 59.02, to finish eighth. Bryson Haight and junior Shane Raffler to Schilz was eighth in.the 1600-meter run in win the 4x200-meter relay in 1 minute 35.72 5:29.06. seconds. In the field, the top finish for the Lion Lakewood foursomes were second in two boys’ was a personal record shot put mark of other relays. The team of Riley Johnson, 36-8 from junior James Penny. Freshman Calder Villanueva, Colt Endsley and Wells Jackson Burpee was seventh in the highjump placed second in the 4x400-meter relay. clearing 5-2. Haight, Ethan Goodemoot, Endsley and The Lion boys had both their 4x400-meter Weller was second in the 4x 100-meter relay. relay team and 4x800-meter relay team place Olivet won that 4x 100-meter relay in fifth. 45.60, one of three relay races won by the The top performance for the Lakewood Eagles. girls came from freshman Taylor Carpenter in Viking junior Shane Raffler had a pair of the pole vault. She cleared 9-0 to place sec­ runner-up finishes in the hurdles, while ond. Senior teammate Madison Bierens was improving his PR in both races. He finished fourth at 6-6. the 110-meter high hurdles in 16.34 and the Sophomore Jette Jueigensmeier was third 300-meter hurdles in 43.48. in the highjump with a 4-6 leap, behind Oliv­ Olivet junior Bo Lincoln won those two et senior Megan Neitzel and sophomore hurdles race with PR runs of his own. He won Sophia Pell who both cleared 4-8. the 110’s in 15.91 and the 300’s in 42.70. Olivet girls won every field event. Senior Lakewood sophomore Riley Johnson Alyssa Kennedy took the pole vault by clear- ing a PR height of9-7. Neitzel won the long jump at 16-1. In toe throws, Eagle senior P Payton Otto won with marks of40-8.5 in the shot put and 125-11 in toe discus. Eagle teams won all four relay races on the track and seven oftoe eight individuall races. Senior McKenzie Speer ran her PR of 12.90 to win the 100-meter dash and sophomore Cassie Coleman won toe 200-meter dash in 27.38. Olivet had toe three fastest girls in both those races. Coleman also won the 400-meter dash in 1:02.45. Eagle junior Olivea Gessner won the 800meter run in 2:35.22 and the 1600-meterr run in 5:46.50, Neitzel took toe 100-meter hurdles in 16.43 and freshman teammate Emily Peters won toe 300-meter low hurdles in 46.19. Leslie junior Jalynn Schmelter was the only girl to win an event not from Olivet. She took the 3200-meter run in 13:05.0. The top relay finish for the Lakewood ladies came from toe team ofKylie Walking­ ton, Juergensmeier, Stine Mackeprang and Hayley Merryfield that was third in the 4x200-meter relay in 1:59.68. Sophomore Kara Fedewa led the Lake­ wood girls in both toe throws by improving on her PR’s. She was sixth in the shot put at 29-7 and seventh in toe discus at 88-1.5. Maple Valley freshman Athena Morehouse had a strong day in toe sprints. She was fifth in the 400-meter dash with a personal record time of 1:07.44 and also placed eighth in the 200-meter dash. Lion junior hurdler Madison Koons was fifth in the 300-meter low hurdles in a per­ sonal record time of56.95. Morehouse and Koons were also a part of the Lions’ top relay finish ofthe meet. They teamed with Decker and freshman Sienna Lowe to place third in the 4x 100-meter relay with a time of57.33. In the field, the Maple Valley girls had Decker fourth in the highjump at 4-4, More­ house fifth in the pole vault at 6-6 and Lowe sixth in the longjump at 13-0.5. Wheeler wins her way into D4 tennis finals ft regional runner-up ................ Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lakewood senior Izzy Wheeler won her way to the state finals. Wheeler was the first singles runner-up at the MHSAA Division 4 Regional hosted by Grand Blanc Saturday, May 20. The whole Viking varsity girls’ tennis team was just back ofthe three state qualifying teams from the regional. Ovid Elsie won the regional title with 22 points, ahead ofLansing Catholic 21, Durand 19, Lakewood 14, Corunna 6, Ithaca 4, Chesaning 1, Lansing Christian 0, Flint Hamady 0 and Mt Morris 0. In the end the Vikings were four points shy ofqualifying for the finals as a team. The MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 Girls’ Tennis Finals will be held this week­ end, June 2-3, at Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University in Kalama­ zoo. Wheeler was the top seed at her flight and took a pair of straight set victories to get to the championship match where she was finally bested by Durand’s Emma Warren 6-4, 6-3. Warren entered the tournament seeded third and knocked off Ovid-Elsie’s Rylee Lewis, the second seed, 7-5, 6-1 in the semi­ finals. Luthia Rubio Velez took a quick win over Leah Klan from Lansing Christian, 6-0, 6-2, in the quarter final round and then ran into the top seed at second singles. She put up quite the battle though pushing Ovid-Elsie’s Brook­ lyn Belill to three sets in a 7-5, 2-6, 6-0 deci­ sion in the end. Belill went on to win the second singles championship. Every Viking singles player won a match. Jasmine Stewart reached the semifinals at third singles with a quarterfinal victory and Emily Pilar at fourth singles knocked offthe number two seed, Itziar Bustamante from Ovid-Elsie, 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the semifinals to reach the championship round. Lansing Catholic’s Hannah Bradford outscored Pilar 6-1,6-4 in the final after that marathon semi­ final win. Lakewood was without its top doubles duo ofAbby and Alli Pickard on the day, and the top two doubles flights both were given a fourth seed. Liv Everitt and Paige Wolverton playing up at number one doubles and Gabby Hansen and Courtnie Mathe up at number two dou­ bles both won quarterfinal round matches before falling to top seeded first doubles teams that went on to win regional titles. At first doubles, that was the Lansing Catholic team ofAmy Magaway and Sarah Corey who Wolverton and Everitt battled to a 7-5, 6-4 final score. Hansen and Mathe were bested by the team ofHannah Moore and Ellyanna Carman from Ovid-Elsie. Lions win two at Bronson, set to host district tournament Saturday Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley varsity baseball team pushed its current win-streak to six games to close the regular season by sweeping two at Bronson Tuesday. The Lions tok 10-0 and 5-0 wins over the Vikings to push their record to 22-6. Maple Valley will play host to its MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament at Griswold Field at Roger Corey Diamond Saturday in Vermontville. The Lions will face 21-6 Pewamo-West­ phalia in its district semifinal match beginning at about noon. Lansing Catholic and -a* $ Springport face offin the first district semifinal of the day at 10 a.m. The Cougars opened the state tournament with a 15-3 win in their Pre-District bailgame at Delton Kellogg Tuesday. Maple Valley took game one 10-0 Tuesday in its non-conference doubleheader at Bron­ son. Pitcher Chanse Courtney shut out the Vikings on two hits while striking out 14 through his six-inning complete game victory. Cam Carpenter was 2 for 3 with a triple for the Lions and drove in one run. Ayden Wilkes was 3 for 4 in the leadoff spot with three runs scored. Callan Hoefler and Connor Joseph had two singles each. Jakeb McDonald drove in three runs for the Lions. Hoefler and Courtney had tow RBI’s each and Joseph had an RBI too. Hoefler got the win on the mound in game one. He split the shutout with McDonald in the 5-0 victory. Hoefler went five innings, striking out ten and walking four. He gave up two hits. McDonald got the save. He gave up two hits and a walks through two innings and struck out four. The Lions got their five runs with just two hits - singles by McDonald and Andrew Sheperd. The Lions managed 11 walks in the win. Carpenter walked three times and scored two runs. McDonald and Hoefler both walked twice and scored one run. Thornapple Kellogg boys shoot to fourth at OK Gold Championship Brett Bremer Sports Editor , u trojans will head to Diamond Springs jn Hamilton today, June 1, for their MHSAA ivision 2 Regional Tournament hosted by y toe Hawkeyes. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golf ^capped apped off the regular season by placing placingouith at the OK Gold Conference Championship hosted by Catholic Central at LE auffinan in Grand Rapids Wednesday. The Cougars wrapped up the conference hampionship withjunior Will Preston shoot­ c ing a four-under-68 to earn the day’s top i individual honors. His teammatejunior Mat­ thew Sokorai was eight strokes back with a 76 in second place. TK senior Austin Pitsch and Forest Hills Eastern freshman Dylan Morse tied for third with 77’s. The Trojan team got an 88 from sophomore Tyler Voss, a 91 from junior Jordan Parks and a 93 from senior Kyron Zoet. Rounding out the top four for the Cougars were senior Johnathon Meyer and freshman Tommy Jandemoa who both scored an 84. Morse was one oftwo freshmen in the top five for the Hawks. Jack Cavanaugh shot a 78. The Hawks also had sophomore James Seymour with an 81 and junior Devin Kozal with an 83. South Christian was led by an 81 from junior Jack Vining. Lansing Catholic earns spot in Vermontville Saturday with win at DKHS Nabozny and Victor Gonzalez and a single Brett Bremer from Hill. Dylan Fichtner had the Pan­ Sports Editor thers’ lone RBI. The Lansing Catholic varsity baseball Wyatt Colwell started on the mound for team scored three runs in each ofthe first DK. He was hit for nine runs, eight earned, three innings and went on to a 15-3 win on 11 hits and three walks in three innings. over Delton Kellogg in their MHSAA Elliott Rogers came on and threw four Division 3 Pre-District bailgame at Delton innings ofrelief. He was charged with six Kellogg High School Tuesday. runs, three earned, on four hits and four The Cougars pulled away from the Pan­ thers in the end with five runs in the top of walks. The Cougars didn’t strike out in the ball­ the seventh inning. Lansing Catholic will game. face Springport in the first of two district Ty Trahey got the win for the Cougars. semifinal ballgames hosted by Maple Val­ ley at Griswold Field at Roger Corey Dia­ He allowed two unearned runs through mond in Vermontville Saturday morning. four innings on the mound. He struck out Maple Valley faces Pewamo-Westphalia in six and gave up two hits. He didn’t walk a batter. Henry Fisher threw three innings of the other. Delton Kellogg cut Lansing Catholic’s one-run relief in which he struck out five, lead to 6-2 with two runs in the bottom of walked one and gave up one hit. the fourth inning. The two teams traded Daniel Shipman led the Cougar offense runs in the sixth. going 5 for 5 with a double and a triple. He The three hits for the Panthers against scored five runs, batting in the number two Lansing Catholic were doubles by Mason spot, and drove in three. Vikings close gap with Portland, but fall in first district competition Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lakewood took what it could from its first meeting of the season with Portland into its MHSAA Division 3 District contest with the Raiders Wednesday, May 24, at Lakewood High School. Portland scored a 2-0 win over the Lake­ wood varsity girls’ soccer team. The Raiders were six goals better than the Vikings the first time they met up this season. “We switched up our formation to a 5-2-3 this go around with Portland, which was a big reason we held our own. We forced them to the outside, and didn’t allow very much in our box. We had the right girls in the right situations,” Lakewood head coach Adrian Almas said. ^-‘Our fastest players played forward and created chances, just couldn’t finish. And we had our best shut down defenders playing our three center back positions, with two ofthem providing the speed we needed to recover in case we got beat.” The Lakewood girls end the season with a record of6-10-1. “I think the team progressed well through­ out,” Almas said of his first season as head coach. “There were many things that I wish we could have gotten to, that we will proba­ bly start with next spring. However, we con­ tinued to get better and better as the season went on, despite the amount oflosses we had as a result. We learned to play as a unit, pass­ ing the ball with purpose, and defended very well towards the end ofthe season.” The Raiders close the year at 10-9. They were defeated 2-0 in overtime by West Michi­ gan Aviation Academy Tuesday, at South Christian High School, in the MHSAA Divi-. sion 1 District-Semifinals. South Christian will place WMAA in the district final tonight, June 1, after scoring an 8-0 win over Grand River Prep in its own district semifinal Tuesday. Mounties hold Hastings boys without an 1-8 victory this spring Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hastings finished the 2023 varsity baseball season without an Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference victory. The Jackson Northwest boys took two in Hastings Tuesday afternoon to close out the conference season. The Mounties won the opener 6-1 and then took a 6-2 win in game two. Hastings will chase its first victory of the season Saturday at its MHSAA Division 2 District Tournament hosted by Lakewood. The Saxons take on the host Vikings at about 12:30 p.m. in the second of the day’s two semifinal match-ups. Eaton Rapids faces Olivet in the day’s opener. Northwest built a 5-0 win through four innings in the opener with the Saxons at Johnson Field Tuesday. Both teams had ten hits in the Mounties’ 6-1 win. The Saxonsjust couldn’t put enough together. Jackson Hayes, Diego Coipel and Colten Denton had two singles each for the Saxons. David Jiles, Eastin Tibble, Lars Sorensen and Aiden Benson had one hit each. Landon Steward started on the mound and took the loss. He allowed five runs, four earned, on four hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. Aiden Morton came on to throw the final 4 2/3. He struck out two and walked one while giving up six hits and one run. JR Morrow was 2 for 4 with a pair of triples for the Mounties and Gage Race was 3 for 4. Will Herman threw four shutout innings for the Mounties. He struck out three, walked one and allowed four hits. Kaleb Kitting­ er-Munro gave up the one run on six hits and one walk in his three innings. He struck out three Saxons. In game two, both teams scored twice in the first inning, but the Mounties quickly answered with three in the top ofthe second and one in the top ofthe third to take control. Northwest pitcher Drew Maples shut down the Saxons after the first. He finished the complete game striking out nine and walking two. He gave up six hits. All six Saxon hits were singles, two by Coipel and one each for Tibble, Hayes, Den­ ton and Sorensen. Tibble and Steward each drove in a run for Hastings. Benson started on the mound and allowed six runs, four earned, on seven hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out one. Relievers Sorensen and Tibble combined to shut out the Mounties over the final 4 2/3. Kittinger-Munro was 3 for 4 at the plate and Carson Lacinski was 2 for 4 with a single and a double. Public Notice The Middleville Housing Commission has developed its’ Agency Plan in Compliance with the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. A draft copy of the plan components will be available June 6^, 7^, and 8th, 2023 for public review at the Housing Commission office located at 500 Lincoln Street, Middleville, ML Office Hours are 9am-4pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday or by appointment. Please call for an Appointment 269-795-7715. All comments received prior to the finalization of the plan will be taken into consideration. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday June 20, at 7pm, in the community room. �Page 12 — Thursday, June 1, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxons and Trojans compete with state’s top teams the 110-meter high hurdles in 20.60. Brett Bremer Senior Lanny Teunessen lowered his PR in Sports Editor the 100-meter dash to 11.88 in a 28th-place The Thomapple Kellogg girls placed fifth finish. Sophomore Jett Barnum was 15th in and the Hastings boys 12th at the Michigan Interscholastic Track and Field Coaches Asso­ the 200-meter dash in 23.24. In the 800-meter ciation (MITCA) Team State Finals hosted by run, the Saxons were led by junior Jonah Berrien Springs High School Friday. Teed who moved his PR to 2:0794 while The Frankemuth boys and Shepherd girls placing 19th. won championships at the invitational where The Saxons got a top ten relay finish from each team can enter three participants in the 4x200-meter relay team that was eighth in each individual event and one relay team in 1:34.92. That group included Tolles, Barnum, each relay race and every finishers scores Eastman and Reuben Solmes. for their team. Other guys scoring points for the Saxons at Frankenmuth won the boys’ meet with the state meet included Aiden Saint Amour, 1509 points ahead of Whitehall 1443.5, Ham­ Draven Pennock, Caleb LaBoe, Riley Shults, ilton 1370.5, Berrien Springs 1192, Freeland Micah Johnson, Nate Kohmescher, Zane War­ 1177, Wayland 1148, Gladwin 1093.5, Harp­ ner, Brandon Simmons, Daniel Weatherly, Isaac er Creek 1061, Charlotte 1055.5 and Sparta Friddle, Cardale Winebrenner and Adam Jacob. 1021.5. Hastings closed the met with 995 It was a team effort for Frankemuth. The points in a field of 15 teams. Vikings only won two individual events, but Senior Robby Slaughter had the top finish still won the state title. Senior Andrew Bra­ ofthe day for the Hastings boys. He cleared man took t the long jump at 20-7 and senior 14 feet 3 inches in the pole vault to finish in Dalton DeBeau won the discus with a throw the runner-up spot. of 164-10. Slaughter also joinedjunior Charles Nick­ The Shepherd girls prevented a Franken­ els, sophomore Jett Barnum and senior Kearmuth sweep by outscoring the Frankenmuth an Tolles to place third in the 4x400-meter girls 1348-1198 at the top of the standings. relay with a time of3:29.87. Monroe Jefferson was third from a field of 14 Tolles had a fourth-place time of 51.45 in girls teams with 1189.5 points ahead ofUnity the 400-meter dash and senior Layton East­ Christian 1099.5, Thomapple Kellogg 1091.5, man scored a fifth-place time of42.38 in the Dearborn Divine Child 1080.5, Charlotte 300-meter intermediate hurdles. 994.5, Stevensville Lakeshore 988.5, Berrien The only other top ten finish for the Hast­ Springs 987 and Freeland 981.5 in the top ten. ings boys in an individual event came from Kenady Smith took a championship for the Nickels in the high jump. He was sixth getTK girls in the highjump, clearing the bar at ting over the bar at 5-11. 5-0. The TK team had three girls in the top Hastings set a handful ofpersonal records ten in that event with freshman Payton Gater on the day. Freshman Balian Marlette setting her PR at 4-10 to place eighth and cleared 5-3 in the high jump for the first junior Eva Corson tenth also clearing 4-10. time to place 33rd and sophomore Draven TK senior Emmerson DeVries placed tenth Pennock cleared 10-9 in the pole vault for in the pole vault by clearing 8-6, a height the first time to place 18th. Junior Devin matched by junior TJ Myers who was 12th. Smith was 41st in the 300-meter hurdles in Sophomore Ava Crews had a big day for 52.52 and senior Adam Jacob set his PR in the TK team. She set her PR in the 1600- meter run with a fourth-place time of5:24.91. She was also fourth in the 3200-meter run in 11:49.61 and tenth in the 800-meter run with a personal record time of5:24.91. Gater had a second top ten finish, placing ninth in the 400-meter run in 1:04.29. TK had two girls in the top ten in both hurdles races. Freshman Mia Hilton was fourth in the 300-meter low hurdles in 46.69 and junior Joselyn DeBoer was tenth in 52.24. In the 100-meter hurdles, Hilton was sixth in 17.16 and DeBoer seventh in 17.21. The TK team was competing without injured sophomore teammate Brooklyn Har­ mon, who won regional championships in both the hurdles races and was a key compet­ itor in the long jump and the 4x400-meter relay for the TK ladies throughout the season. TK had a couple others set PR’s filling in the hurdles races. Freshman Kara Smith was 33rd in the 100-meter hurdles in 20.23 and sophomore Lydia Schilthroat was 18™ in the 300 hurdles in 54.26. The top relay finish for the TK girls came from the 4x200-meter relay team of Smith, Corson, DeBoer and senior Lindsey Velting. They placed fourth in 1:49.78. The team of Hilton, Velting, Smith and Gater was fifth in the 4x400-meter relay in 4:16.11. Coe, Gater, Kietzman and Crews teamed up to place sixth in the 4x800-meter relay in 10:03.82. TK had a fewt'qther girls set personal records. Corson pulled it off in the 200-meter dash. She was 15th in the race in 27.85. Junior Kendra Coe improved her PR to 1:06.27 in the 400-meter dash while placing 16th. In the 3200-meter run, TK freshman Mad­ ison Kietzman moved her PR to 13:35.64. The Shepherd girls didn’t win a single event. The team was powered by its sprinters witih a runner-up finish in the 4x 100-meter relay and a thirdplace finish in the 4x200-meter relay. Hastings Community Diving Club member Aubrey Yarger is joined on the medal stand by HCDC head coach Todd Bates after placing 12th on the 3-meter board and 14th on the 1-meter board in the competition over the weekend in Orlando, Fla. Yarger top 14 in both events at 2023 AAU RWB National meet Over Memorial Day weekend, local diver Aubrey Yarger from the Hastings Communi­ ty Diving Club competed in the 2023 AAU Red White and Blue National Championship at the Rosen Aqudtic Center in Orlandd,' Fla. Yarger earned a medal with a 12th-place finish in her division on the 3-meter board and a 14th-place finish in the 1-meter com­ petition. “It was a three-day long tough meet,” HCDC head coach Todd Bates said. “Aubrey competed along with 220 other diVers 'that were selected’ to be' part ofthe AAU RWB National Tbani.’ We' are really proud ofher accomplishments.” Yarger qualified for the meet with her performance at the north qualifier in Indi­ ana in March. South Christian bests TK ladies by nine in Pre-District ballgame Springs to the finish line in the 4x400-meter relay Friday at Berrien Sprinas High School during the MITCA Team State Finals. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings sophomore Brandon Simmons nears the finish line at the end of the 3200-meter run Friday, May 26, at the MITCA Division 2 Team State Finals. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Adoption Week At The Barf? County Animal Shelter Brett Bremer Sports Editor South Christian ended the Thomapple Kellogg varsity softball season in the MHSAA Division 2 Pre-District bailgame in at South Christian High School Tuesday afternoon. The Sailors scored in five ofthe seven innings and pounded 16 hits in the 13-4 win. TK answered South Christian’s two runs in the top ofthe first by scoring once in the bottom half of the inning, but he Sailors came right back with three runs in the top of the second and led for the remainder ofthe ballgame. Kylee Hoebeke hit a two-run home run to left field for the Trojans in the bottom of the fifth inning that pulled her team within 12-3 at the time. Hoebeke was 2 for 3 at the plate with a walk and three RBI’s. TK’s other four hits were singles by Payton Stahl, Rachel Shoemaker, Kenzie Bouma and Ellie Vandefifer. The Sailors were helped by four TK errors which led to seven unearned runs. Hoebeke started in the circle. She was charged with nine runs, but only three were earned, in her four innings. She struck out six, allowed nine hits and didn’t walk anyone. Stahl threw the final three innings for TK. Ashley Raredon led the South Christian attack going 4 for 5 with a home run, a double and six RBI’s. She scored fourr runs. Ava Sherwood also had four hits in five at-bats. She drove in two and scored once. TK closes the season with a 7-21 overall record. The 9-10 Sailors will face 7-18 Hopkins in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifi­ nals in Wayland Saturday morning. Way­ land takes on Allegan in the district’s sec­ ond semifinal match-up Saturday. 540 N. INDUSTRIAL PARK DR., HASTINGS, MI 49058 • 269-948-4885 Vikings take on Saxons in district softball semifinal Saturday Monday June 5 thru Friday June 9 9:30 a.m.-12:30p.m. S 1:304:30p.m. each day Dogs $45 with a $7/1 year license Cats $35 Puppies/kittens not included All dogs & cats have been spayed!neutered, rabies and all shots are currentplus they are all microchipped withfree registration. Stofydown at the shelter and > with a newpartner! summer Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity softball team closed its regular season with 4-3 and 10-5 wins at Saranac Tuesday afternoon. The Vikings will start the state postseason at home Saturday taking on Hastings in the second of two MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinal contests Saturday at Lakewood High School. Ionia and Portland meet in the first game ofthe day at 10 a.m. Lakewood and Hastings are scheduled to begin about noon. Hastings was bested 20-0 and 15-0 in its final two games of the regular season Tuesday in an Interstate-8 Athletic Conference doubleheader against Jackson Northwest in Hastings. Lakewood led 2-0 until Saranac scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the ballgame at 2-2. Both teams scored once in the eighth and then the Vikings broke the 3-3 tie with a run in the top ofthe night that the Saranac girls were unable to answer. Saranac outhit the Vikings 11-6 in that opening ballgame. Junior Lily Federau led off the bailgame with a home run and hit another solo shot iin the third inning to give the Vikings their early lead. Lakewood senior Liv Woodman was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Maycee Rusco also had an RBI for the Vikings. Audrey Hillard singled once. Freshman Peyton Federau got the win in the circle. She went the full nine innings striking out 14 and walking one. She allowed 11 hits, but the only two runs against her were unearned. Lakewood took a 10-5 win in game two this time outhitting the Saranac girls 5-2. Woodman bumped up to the leadoff spo for game two and was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI Brooke Hoppes, Peyton Federau and Rusco had the other Lakewood hits Hop^S’ FnduT’JRuSC0’ Eli Richards Eva Stowell both drove in runs. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-06-08.pdf 616f56f0f5f0a47f4779f04b891734e4 PDF Text Text LGBTQIA+ Pride Month resolution fails in Middleville Graduation brings new freedom and responsibility See story on page 5 See story on page 4 .' M Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 1070490102590502427949058113421 ‘CAR-RT LOT**C 005 Richard Hemeriing 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-1 947;00 AM ANNER Thursday, June 8, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 23 804879110187 PRICE $1.50 Barry County Christian honors senior class of six 'superheroes1 Jayson Bussa Barry County Christian’s Class of 2023 lines up to display their superhero capes given to them by teacher Diana Applegate. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Editor If you walked into the Barry County Chris­ tian Sdhool gymnasium on Saturday morning in Hastings, you might have thought they were assembling a new version of The Justice League, complete with six uniquely named superheroes and their superpowers. But this wasn’t the latest summer block­ buster - the school was simply sending off its latest graduates in style. A crowd gathered at the school’s Hastings campus Saturday morning for a graduation ceremony. In the School’s over 50 years of history, it has issued 1 86 diplomas. Adminis­ trators handed out an additional six by grad­ uating Maria Jerue, Lucas Koetje, Ana Vander Hart, Jada Stolz, class salutatorian Kaitlin Lampart and class valedictorian Kevin Shaffer. One of the perks that came with a small class was that teachers and administrators were afforded time to single out each gradu­ ate, heaping praise and bestowing some part­ ing advice on them. During the ceremony, school administrator Brandon Strong did exactly that, telling each graduate what they have meant to the school and to him personally. Both Lampart and Shaffer were provided with the opportunity to address their class as salutatorian and valedictorian, respectively. “Fellow class of 2023, we made it to the end of the stage, and the door is closing as we speak,” Lampart told her class. “Just because this door is closing doesn’t mean another one isn’t about to open up for each one of us. Wherever the future takes us, you must rec­ ognize the fact that we will likely hit speed bumps along the way. Those bumps might include losing a job, failing a class, a break­ up or even the death of a loved one. Many of these things are bound to happen at some point. But in those difficult times, you need to remember that God has bigger and better things for you.” Shaffer spent his time talking about failure and how his fellow graduates must not fear failure but learn from it. Ken Ooosterhouse offered the keynote speech. Oosterhouse has proven to be a vital force for Barry County Christian over decades. He spent 22 years as an administra­ tor of the school and then volunteered for the school for an additional five years. Ooster­ house has three children and one grandchild that are alumni of the school. See GRADUATES, page 2 Hollenbeck’s Hotdogs retiring the business after more than 30 years in downtown Hastings following kerfuffle with city Hunter, McLaren Most lawns and properties around Barry County look a lot like this. The proper­ ty outside of the Barry Expo Center hasn’t had a drink in weeks while dealing with higher-than-usual temperatures. (Photo by Molly Macleod) Barry County residents, growers face challenges with hot, dry weather Jayson Bussa Editor , Like the rest of the state, Barty County remains parched for rain, and the pro­ longed period of drought is starting to impact both the residents and the agri­ cultural industry here. According to data collected by the National Weather Service at a Hastings climate station, only 1.07 inches of rain fell in May, and it has yet to rain at all in June. A typical month of rainfall in May provides around 4.40 inches of rain, and typically, the area would have seen about a half inch of rain at this point in June. This climate situation has been com­ pounded by the higher-than-usual tempera­ tures accompanying the dry climate. Aver­ age temperatures this June for the area have come in at around 71.8 degrees, while 63.3 is the average. See HOT DRY WEATHER, page 3 ,;i. j.--- J. , . Staff^VrUer. ... - 4 a Hollenbeck’s HotdogsXmay not return this year after more than 30 years of business in downtown Hastings. After being denied permission from city officials to set up at their usual spot at the corner of North Jefferson Street and East State Street near the Walldorff Brew Pub and Bistro, owner Margaret Hollenbeck said it’s unlikely they’ll seek to put their cart out at an alternate location. Margaret Hollenbeck, who runs the hot dog cart with her son Andy, said running the business at another location simply wouldn’t feel the same. Being in the heart of down­ town Hastings gave the hot dog stand a cer­ tain charm that couldn’t be replicated else­ where, she said. “It gave it a little hometown feel,” she said. “That’s not going to be accomplished by set­ ting up someplace else.” City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said there have been some misconceptions about why the city has denied the hot dog cart from operating on city property. The decision was not related to a food truck ordinance passed by the city earlier this year in April, Moy­ er-Cale said. The food truck ordinance passed in April, which outlines procedures for hosting food trucks on private property within city limits, pertains only to private property. Moyer-Cale said that while she’s unsure of any agree­ ments made by previous city officials in years past, the decision to deny the cart was based on an ordinance that has been in effect for decades prohibiting sidewalk vendors. “The issue is really that the hot dog cart has been located within the public right of way, which ’is actually a violation of an existing ordtahCe^.”,'. Mpydr-Cale... .said;: “Thefe’s ’arpeftdlcrs 'ordinance that specifi­ cally states that vendors can not be in a sta­ tionary location within the public right of way.” The issue is mainly one of safety, Moy­ er-Cale said. On a busy comer with a narrow right of way, even a small line or crowd could congest the area. Hollenbeck is disappointed with the city’s decision but ready to accept it. Hollenbeck was flattered by a wave of support that came after announcing the news on the Hollen­ beck’s Hotdogs Facebook page but said she never intended to cause such a stir. She appre­ ciated the community support, but she never intended to cast blame on any city officials or rally the community into action. “I don’t want anybody to feel they need to go to bat for us or punch somebody out. I mean, that’s what some people kind of acted like; that’s what they thought we wanted. That’s what they were prepared to do,” Hol­ lenbeck said. “We don’t want that. If we’re done, we’re done. We’re accepting it.” She started the business in 1988 with her husband Larry Hollenbeck, where they would operate the cart at the same comer on Satur­ days during the summer. The business went on hiatus in 2010, and Larry passed away in 2013. Later that same year, Margaret’s son Andy took Larry’s place and returned the cart to its comer in downtown Hastings. Although the cart likely won’t return in its usual form, Hollenbeck said she might host a' farewell event to use some of the hot dog See HOTDOGS, page 3 Margaret Hollenbeck (right) started 'running the hot dog cart business in 1988 with her husband Larry Hollenbeck. (Courtesy photos) Developer shares preliminary plans for development at former Royal Coach site Hunter McLaren a mockup of what the three-story development might look like once completed. (Courtesy rendering) Staff Writer A new development on the. former Royal Coach site is in the works. Representatives from Grand Rapids-based developer CopperRock Construction presented preliminary plans for a three-story, 138-unit market-rate housing development to city plan­ ning commissioners Monday. CopperRock has worked with the city previously, designing and developing Thomapple Plaza several years ago. The plans laid out 36 single-bedroom units, 97 two-bedrooms, and five three-bedrooms spread across three buildings on the nine-and-a^half acre lot located at 328 and 420 East Mill Street. A fourth building marked for use as a farmer’s market resides on the easternmost part of the lot. Greg Taylor, representing CopperRock, told commissioners the plans were nearly finalized and almost ready to be submitted for approval. Commissioners tentatively set a public hearing for their next meeting at 7 p.m. on June 3. Taylor highlighted one of the unique design features of the plans, a promenade running through the development. The paved walkway would run between two of the buildings, con­ necting Mill Street to the pedestrian riverwalk bridge near Thomapple Plaza. Taylor said the plans included a widening of the pedestrian bridge to allow for more heavy foot traffic. Taylor said one of the project’s goals was to create a “catalyst project” to strengthen the See ROYAL COACH, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, June 8, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Mercy Ambulance asks for $145,000 from BIRCH to continue operations as EMS navigate funding, logistical challenges Hunter McLaren Tickets on sale now for Hastings Alumni Banquet Tickets for the 2023 Hastings High School Alumni Banquet will be available begin­ ning June 15 at the Hastings Public Library, the General Store and from Alumni Associ­ ation Board members. They will not be available at the door on the night of the banquet, Aug. 26, so prior purchase is necessary. The cost per ticket is $33, which includes the meal and program. Nominations for Alumnus of the Year are due by July 15. Submissions can be made to Lois Bowers at 102 E. Clinton St., Hastings, Mich. 49058. All nominations must be typed and contain biographical information and reasons why the individual is being nominated. Reasons may include accomplishments, vocational honors and awards, community ser­ vice, organization memberships or any other helpful information. The nominee can reside anywhere but must be an alumnus of Hastings High School. Previously submitted nomi­ nees may be resubmitted. Questions may be directed to Lois Bowers at 269-945-9657. Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force giving away free marijuana lock boxes The Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force will give out free lock boxes for mar­ ijuana storage on Saturday, June 10. Those interested in receiving a free lock box can attend the drive-thru event between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday. Recipients are asked to drive through the Barry County Mental Health building parking lot, 500 Barfield Dr., Hastings, to receive their boxes. The Substance Abuse Task Force is giving away the free marijuana lock boxes to help prevent accidental poisonings and eliminate access to marijuana for young children, pets and others. More information on the Substance Abuse Task Force and the lock box event can be found at BarryCountySATF.com/marijuana.html. No Family Left Indoors kicks off next week with a night at camp No Family Left Indoors kicks off next week with Family Night at Camp on Tuesday, June 13. The YMCA will host families at Camp Algonquin, 2055 Iroquois Trail in Hast­ ings, for a night of games, crafts, s’mores and trails. The event will last from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Registration is required and can be completed at bit.ly/NFLI2023camp. The night, marks the beginning of the No Family Left Indoors programming for 2023. Each summer, No Family Left Indoors offers free weekly activities to keep families busy while school’s out. No Family Left Indoors is intended to get families - and individuals and couples, too - outdoors exploring natural and man-made local treasures. More information about the Family Night at Camp, along with a full schedule of No Family Left Indoors programming throughout the summer, can be found at sites.google. com/view/no-family-left-indoors-2023/events. Staff Writer Township representatives on the BIRCH Rural Fire Association will be going to their respective boards and asking them to pitch in toward a $145,000 bill for equipment Mercy Ambulance needs to operate in the county-. Rodney Palmer, executive director and EMT for Mercy Ambulance, spoke at a spe­ cial meeting last Thursday to bring the need to the attention of the BIRCH board. The funds would cover the costs for power cots and other equipment required by the state for the company to operate in Barry County. Mercy Ambulance is not funded through local subsidies, meaning local townships and municipalities serviced by the company do not have to pay a fee to receive service. Instead, the cost of the company’s operations are passed on to the patients and their insur­ ance providers. Palmer met with BIRCH in 2021 to discuss a similar issue. At the time, Palmer was going to seek a five-year, $118,000 contract to sub­ sidize the company. Instead, Palmer told BIRCH that Mercy Ambulance would be able to continue its operations because the state budget earmarked $50 million for EMS ser­ vices with the help of federal funds, with $12.9 million going toward Medicaid-reim­ bursements. When patients are picked up by an ambu­ lance they can pay through personal insur­ ance, Medicare, Medicaid or out of pocket. On an ambulance run that costs $1,000, Palmer said Medicare typically pays about $500 to $600 of that bill. On a similar run, Medicaid might pay as low as $200. Often, that’s the only money they’ll ever receive from those calls. Alongside these challenges, changes in the industry and local conditions in Barry County have steadily increased the cost of operations. First and foremost, equipment costs have win Rodney Palmer, right, spoke to BIRCH Rural Fire Association board members about challenges being faced by private EMS service providers in Barry County and across the state, (photos by Hunter McLaren) skyrocketed in recent years, Palmer said. “The thing that has gotten so out of control is not so much the labor costs,” Palmer said. “The thing that has been a stinger has been the cost of this equipment. I’m talking about a 70 percent increase.” Stephanie Lehman, director of Barry County Central Dispatch, attended the meet­ ing to offer some perspective on public safety in Barry County as a whole. Availability of ambulances is one of the biggest bottlenecks that Central Dispatch regularly faces, Lehman said. A number of factors continue to increasingly tax the avail­ ability of ambulances in Barry County at any given time. Growth in the county, an increase in serious crime, the COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure changes have all contribut­ ed to the issue, she said. Emergency response infrastructure is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandem­ ic, Lehman said. Because many patients went three or more years without medical check­ ups because of COVID-19 restrictions, those patients are much more likely to need emer­ gency or non-emergency ambulance transport to the hospital. In addition, because Pennock Hospital has been absorbed by the Corewell Health net­ work, the types of services offered there have changed. This means patients are being trans­ ported via ambulance from Pennock to Butter­ worth Hospital in Grand Rapids more than ever. Those patient transfers can tie up a num­ ber of Barry County ambulances for an extend­ ed period of time, which means ensuring the availability of ambulances is a top priority. ■ BIRCH board members agreed to take the issue back to their respective township boards to fund the $145,000 equipment bill, with the cost being split among the municipalities based on population. The issue will be on the agenda at the Hastings City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on June 12. GRADUATES, continued from page 1 Moolenaar staff available to discuss constituent assistance !<W Staff members from the office of Congressman John Moolenaar are hosting meeting times across the district this month where constituents can sit down to discuss personal casework issues they are having with a federal agency. Moolenaar’s office is offering help to constituents who need assistance with a federal agency, including the VA and the IRS. Staff members will be available locally in Ionia, Hastings and Sunfield in the coming weeks. On Wednesday, June 14, Moolenaar staff will be at the Ionia Community Library, 126 East Main Street, from 4 to 5 p.m. On Tuesday, June 20, staff will be available at the Hastings Public Library, 227 East State Street, from 9 to 10 a.m; Staff will also be availffile that dayat the Sunfield Township Hall, 131 2nd Street, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. LEF Annual Goff Outing open for registration iteii 'id The LEF Annual Golf Outing is back for another year next month, and golfers can register now.’ The outing, in its 17th year, will take place on Friday, July 21 at Centennial Acres in Sunfield. Like in previous years, it will be structured as a four-person, 18-hole scramble. Golfers can enjoy food, fun and prizes during the event. Those interested can register at lakewoodeducationalfoundation.org/golf . Insui4z SPRAY FOAM <4 Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber JJlia Barry County Chnstian graduated six seniors on Saturday, including (left to right) Maria Jerue, Lucas Koetje, Kaitlin Lampart, Kevin Shaffer, Jada Stolz and Ana Vander Hart. Class Valedictorian Kevin Shaffer addresses the crowd that gathered at Barry County Christian School on Saturday morning for graduation. Teacher Diana Applegate spoke on behalf of the teachers, bringing props on stage with her. Applegate fashioned custom superhero capes and masks, presenting them to the six graduates as she spoke] For each graduate, she explained why she chose the superhero names. She spoke about their gifts (or superpowers) and highlighted their “kryptonite” and how they can overcome those weaknesses. kindergarten through 12th-grade campuses in Hastings and Leighton Township. The school announced late last month that it will partner with Kilpatrick United Brethren Church in Woodland to create a satellite campus at the church. The Hastings campus was home to 162 stu­ dents this year, while 47 students attended the school at the campus in Leighton Township. The names she chose for the students included Laser Beam (Lampart); Daughter of the King (Jerue); Nicely Nice (Vander Hart); Iceberg (Koetje); Man of the Moment (Shaf­ fer) and Old Soul (Stolz). The graduates made their ceremonial tas­ sel flip with the capes still draped around their backs. Barry County Christian already operates ROYAL COACH, continued from page 1 New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation #8110376 Office (269) 948-2248 & Insured Mobile (269) 838-5112 THE HOTTEST STARS < LADY A THURSDAY, JULY 13 PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR WlifiFoN I 94toExit 104 c 1l | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Mint 6e'21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. ***»£?* Greg Taylor, representing CopperRock Construction, presented preliminary plans for a 138-unit housing development at the former Royal Coach Building site. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Hastings downtown area through connections to downtown attractions and city parks. “We’re trying to make this a catalyst proj­ ect in this part of town at a transition point,” Taylor said. Taylor told commissioners he was well aware of the site’s storied past. A workforce-housing project was canceled due to the arson of the original Royal Coach Building in 2020. Another project using the empty Royal Coach lot was moved to West State Street and turned into the forthcoming Tyden Lofts project after the Mich­ igan Housing Development Authority rescinded tax credits previously awarded to the Royal Coach site, citing its proximity to Hastings Manufacturing as a liability. With those previous false starts in mind, Taylor said he was eager to break ground on the project. He said he did not anticipate any major hurdles, and pending city approval, work on the project could begin by the end of the year, with an estimated 15 to 18 month construction time. “It’s a beautiful site, and you have a lovely community,” Taylor said. “We’re looking forward to adding to it.” Dan King, community development direc­ tor for the city, said the project could be quite impactful for the city once it is fully realized. “This is an extremely exciting project,” King said. “I feel that it’s really a catalyst project for the city of Hastings and can really catapult housing forward, along with some mixed-use components that are really kind of a neat design.” ss J1 x\ % �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 8, 2023 — Page 3 County animal shelter launches Adoption Week as facility is at capacity Jayson Bussa V*Q»Nk hXvu. sSX? JSk4'vv ■ w1 XbC'sS !>X l ^^SC51 k bJSk?^ jc**, lU*«C *S^$Wv &<W i SNJSZ £&&&& <5s ^iSwS fs?Wik Editor The purpose of Adoption Week at the Barry County Animal Shelter is two-fold. As is always the case, Director Ken Kirsch wants io place his current residents into lov­ ing forever homes. But at the same time, Kirsch and his team are desperate to open up some space fa-their facility, which is current­ ly at capacity. % “We’re just trying to get some, space,” said Kirsch on Tuesday, the second "day of the shelter’s Adoption Week. “We’re even getting swamped with calls, emails and people coming in from outside the county because other counties are also full.” For us, this is the first time we’ve been this full, at least since I’ve been here,” added Kirsch, who has been at the helm of the coun­ ty’s animal shelter since 2017. To make dog and cat adoptions even more financially accessible, costs associated with the adoption process have been slashed for Adoption Week. Through Friday, June 9, people can adopt a dog for $45 plus a $7 license, which is good for a year. Cats cost $35 to adopt, and this special does not include puppies and kittens. The adoption fee is virtually the only expense as all dogs and cats have been spayed and neutered, microchipped and have also received their rabies and other shots. They also come with free registration. Adoption Week isn’t an annual event but rather an impromptu and potential solution to what has become a crippling problem at the Barry County Animal Shelter. The shelter, as of Tuesday, housed 20 dogs. Over Memorial Day weekend, the total went up to 23 dogs, which was over capacity given the 22 kennels in the facility. The animal shelter is also at capacity with 24 cats. “We’re just inundated with dogs and cats right now,” Kirsch said. “It’s that time of year - at least, for cats, it is. For dogs, I don’t know what’s going on, to be honest. A lot of them are owned, and people just aren’t com- Visitors to the Barry County Animal Shelter are greeted by photos and information about the various dogs and cats that are currently available for adoption. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) ing to get them anymore.” When asked what sort of seasonal, or even socioeconomic, factors might be behind the influx of abandoned dogs, Kirsch, who has had a decades-long career working with dogs, couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “I’ll be very honest with you, I don’t really know,” he said. “There are lots of jobs out there - that sort of thing. Of course, if people are struggling, we offer food for cats and dogs, puppies and kittens. When we have it available, we offer cat litter, scoops, bowls, blankets, leashes, collars, towels and beds ... people just have to come down and get it.” “There are certain areas of the county where (dogs) get dumped - more rural areas,” Kirsch continued. “And I would say over 70 percent of them are already spayed and neu­ tered. A lot of them know commands, so you know they’re owned by somebody... I wish I (knew why) because I would like to solve it.” The Barry County Animal Shelter is locat­ ed at 540 N Industrial Park Dr. in Hastings. Staff are standing by during business hours to assist those interested in potentially adopting a new pet. Ozzy has been held at the Barry County Animal Shelter since Thanksgiving and is currently available for adoption. (File photo) YMCA of Barry County hits the ground running after purchase of county building g W *: ..-^jadaStrdtaW’^^ Jayson Bussa Editor . / Administrators at .the YMCA of Barry iCounty are moving quickly ^Repurchasing I?'building aril property formerly owned by ' the county to meet what executive director Jon Sporer called an “aggressive timeline.” “The next 60 days will be big for us,” Sporer said. Sporer and his team gained possession of the property and building at 2350 Iroquois Trail in Rutland Township on May 31. The property is home to a 7,500-squarefoot, single-story office building that previ­ ously served as a day program center for Barry County Mental Health Services. The facility has six offices/# full kitchen and six functional classrooms or gathering spaces. The building and property have sat vacant for over a year until, in March of this year, the county board announced that the YMCA of Barry County, which owns an adjacent parcel and operates the nearby Camp Algonquin, was interested in buying. The YMCA current­ ly owns 45 acres ofproperty - 35 on the north side of Iroquois Trail and 10 on the lake side, including an island. This acquisition would add to that foot­ print. The nonprofit organization purchased the YMCA of Barry County Executive Director Jon Sporer stands next to a building that land and building for $750,000 with plans to formerly housed a day program center for Barry County Mental Health Services. The use it for child care, day camp and potentially YMCA purchased the building and property at 2350 Iroquois Trail for $750,000. administrative offices. (Photo provided) -Now, the top priority for YMCA administra­ tors is preparing the building to host child care. home base is changing and that type of to bring day camp programming to the same Currently, the YMCA offers child care services thing,” Sporer added. facility. After that, the YMCA can start con­ but hosts them at Hastings Church of the NazSporer said that the next 60 days or so will sidering the idea of relocating administrative arene, where it can handle 14 pre-schoolers be spent on licensing matters and all the offices to that site, opening up additional and 36 kids in the afterschool program. paperwork that comes with it. As far as the space at Camp Algonquin to accommodate Once the YMCA’s new facility is function­ physical condition of the building, he said more campers. al and the necessary staff is in place, Sporer that the building was fairly turnkey. On the topic of Camp Algonquin, the anticipates they can handle 20 pre-schoolers “There will be a few things as far as YMCA staff is preparing to host campers and 50 kids in the afterschool program, licensing requirements, but there is no major there in a matter of weeks, all while they upping capacity by 30 kids. construction that we’re planning this sum­ work through this project. They plan to do all this by the beginning of mer,” Sporer said. “We might have some “It is above and beyond our normal scope next school year - Aug. 23. minor kitchen renovations and (changes to) of work for our directors and our facility “We have talked as a group of staff and (to) classroom set-ups... but we’re not having to director,” Sporer said. “There are all the nor­ our board, and we said we’ll know by July if the knock down any walls or install anything mal jobs for the summer and the normal sum­ August deadline is doable,” Sporer said. “And major. We’ve got to get IT, garbage - the mer work, and then to add this on top. We’re if it’s not, we’ll try to push it back another 30 normal things. It’s pretty walk-in ready doing some internal shuffling, and we’ve got days and continue the same work we’re doing.” because it was licensed as a day facility less a meeting this week where we’ll put our heads “We’re going to give our families plenty of than a year ago.” together to see if we heed a point person to notice if our location is changing, and we’re With child care being the top priority this keep us on track for ojir opening or if we can going to give our staff plenty of notice if their year, Sporer and his team will eventually look all absorb that work.” Scheduled meeting of county’s Committee of the Whole called off For the second straight week, members of the Barry County Board of Commissioners did not meet. No meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, May 30, as it was the fifth Tuesday of the month, and the board does not typically meet in those cases. This Tuesday, however, the scheduled meeting of the board’s Committee of the Whole was called off due to a lack of agen­ da items. This year has been a fairly busy orie for the board, which welcomed four new faces following last year’s election. . Some of the primary focuses for the board thus far have been enhancing com­ pensation for county employees, making appointments to various department boards, working with the Commission on Aging to plan out a new campus and dealing with a vacant building on a pqjperty that formerly housed a day center for Barry County Community Mental Health. That building was recently sold to the YMCA of Barry County. The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 13 at 9 a.m. HOT DRY WEATHER, continued from page 1 -------------- i— All this has created a tinder box for poten­ tial fires, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently classified fire risk in the state as “extreme.” This is a risk that the entire state was reminded of recently when a wildfire broke out in Crawford County and engulfed rough­ ly 2,400 acres of land. Crews have now con­ tained the wildfire, which stemmed from a campfire. On top of that large fire, the DNR reported earlier this week that its own crews have responded to 193 fires so far this summer. No relief was in sight this week, but there is a glimmer of hope for some rain this com­ ing weekend. Because of the dry conditions and high risk for wildfire, counties around Michigan, including Barry County, have stopped issu­ ing bum permits, and residents are asked not to openly bum trash or yard debris. However, local governments cannot tem­ porarily ban camping or cooking fires — those orders must come down from the state. That’s why local fire crews are urging cau­ tion. “If you’re going to have a campfire, it needs to be a small fire,” said Jim Yarger, who serves as Emergency Management Coordinator for Barry County and is also chief of the Freeport Area Volunteer Fire Department. “And to quote an old DNR fire officer I used to know ... the best way to tell if it’s really a cooking fire, I should be able to walk up to it with a two-foot stick with a marshmallow on it and roast it without being overcome by the heat.” Yarger also cautioned people not to bum anything that might send embers floating into the air. Once someone is done with a fire, Yarger said the proper way to put it out is by drowning it with water, stirring it up, and then drowning it again. “Otherwise, you might think you got it out, and the wind comes along and blows the embers,” Yarger said. While Yarger’s fire department is always standing at the ready - brush fire equipment remains accessible all season long - he said that during dry spells of this nature, crews tend to be even a little more vigilante when they spot smoke on the horizon. It’s not uncommon for a fire crew to inves­ tigate smoke to see if residents are unlawful­ ly burning materials without a permit. Yarger said, in some cases, it’s a simple misunderstanding, and they issue a warn­ ing. “If you’re going to have a campfire, it needs to be a small fire.” - Jim Yarger, Emergency Management Coordinator of Barry County “Most people are good about it,” Yarger said. Even if Barry County does see some rain this weekend, it might not be enough to lift the bum restrictions quite yet. “It’s going to take a substantial amount of rain before we lift the bum restriction,” Yarger said. “I always get that someone call­ ing me when we get a quarter inch of rain asking, ‘Why can’t I bum?’ That’s because it’s still dry.” The dry, hot water is also starting to affect crops, even though national drought maps don’t place much of Michigan in a definitive drought. Steve Whittington, who works with the Michigan State University Extension and specializes in crop growing, said that winter wheat is one such crop. This brand of the staple crop is planted in the fall and is nearing its final stages of growth right now as the wheat forms its ker­ nels. This process is enhanced by moisture, and since there is little of that, it can potentially affect the yield of wheat. “This crop is of particular concern right now with these drought conditions,” Whit­ tington told The Banner. “Right when they’re at this stage, you want good moisture levels. That’s really going to affect yield ...It pulls moisture up into those kernels.” “I spoke to a farmer in Montcalm County, and he said if you talked to me a month ago, I would have told you it’s one of my best wheat crops, but now, a month later, this is looking to be a pretty horrible crop,” Whit­ tington added. Other crops like com and soybeans were put in the ground not long ago, and Whitting­ ton acknowledged that they are also starting to feel some stress. “Farmers are really having to kick up their irrigation,” he said. “If they have dry land, that will be a particular challenge.” HOTDOGS, continued from page 1 —------------- 1----------------- i supplies she had bought for the summer. Although she received many offers of alter­ nate locations to host the cart, she said she’s just not interested in moving the cart to a new location. For her, the interaction that came with being on one of Hastings’ busiest cor­ ners is what made running the business worthwhile. “I’m gonna miss just the interaction with all the people and kind of getting to know some people,” she said. “We have some peo­ ple that have been regulars for a long time, and you get to be almost like friends with them. There were a lot of ‘saving the world’ conversations on that comer.” Andy Hollenbeck (left) helped his mom, Margaret Hollenbeck (right), start the busi­ ness up again in the summer of 2013 when his father Larry died earlier that year. BIBLE LESSONS . CRAFTS • GAMES ♦ SKITS • SNACKS • SONGS • FUN! June 2023 13th, 14th, 15th Time 9am - 12pm Save the Date! SonSurf Beach Bash VBS is COMING! First Presbyterian Church Address: 405 M-37, Hastings, Ml 49058 Phone: (269)945-5463 �4 Thursday. June 8, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC? Graduation brings new freedom and responsibility New (and temporary) digs Keen observers may have noticed something different about downtown Hastings this week. Several long-stand­ ing art installations, like “The Gatherer” pictured here on Jefferson Street, have been moved from their usual locations on State Street. City officials said the art pieces are only being moved tem­ porarily due to construction for the upcoming streetscape improvements expected to start in August. Do you remember? Scouts help with surplus food distributions Banner July 20,1989 Members of Boy Scout Troop No. 175 of Hastings decided to lend a hand Tuesday morning in unloading surplus food that was to be distributed at 14 sites around Barry County Wednesday. The commodity distributions are handled monthly by the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan. Have you met? Frank Purdy has been working with dogs almost his entire life. When he was growing up in upstate New York, he spent a lot of his time outside bird hunting. “When I was in high school, I hunted,” Purdy said. “So as soon as I got into college, the first thing I did was buy a black lab.” He’s been dealing with the dogs ever since. In the 50 or so following years, he’s been breeding and training black labs before selling them to buyers from all over the country. Purdy moved to the Dowling area 16 years ago when he was looking for a place to retire. He was familiar with the area because two of his sons attended Michigan State University, with one spending some time in the Kalamazoo area. He’s continued his breeding business at Oldsquaw Kennpls with his wife Sheila, who he said helps tremendously when it comes to running the business. A few years ago, Purdy noticed one of his dogs was exceptionally smart. He knew right away that Rascal, a female black lab, was going to be a dog unlike any other. “Just a neat dog,” he said. “Once in a lifetime.” He continued training her before the two participated in the 2018 Purina Derby. Ras­ cal participated in nearly 50 field trials all over the country, in which she was scored on her ability to retrieve birds. Dogs would have to retrieve birds from as far as 350 yards through trees, brush, forest and swampy areas. Rascal had no problems with any of it, Purdy said. “She just had a phenomenal memory,” he said. “She just knew where everything was.” Rascal competed against 1,000 other dogs. She beat them all. “We traveled probably around 20,000 miles in six months competing with her all over the country,” he said. “She accumulat­ ed the most points. It’s just one of those ‘once-in-a-lifetime* deals.” Frank Purdy and Rascal “I knew I had a good one, and I spent the time,” he said. “I probably won’t do it again, with all that traveling. I’m getting too old. It was quite a thrill.” Rascal was awarded the Purina Out­ standing Derby Field Trial Retriever Award. Along with bragging rights, Rascal was rewarded with a year’s supply of perfor­ mance-focused dog food and a framed oil painting of herself by wildlife artist Ross Young. Purdy still hangs the portrait proud­ ly in his home. Breeding and training dogs isn’t the only thing Purdy has been doing for 50 years: he’s also been a music director alongside running his dog business. Back in New York, he was a high school band directorfor 18 years. Here in Barry County, he’s the choir director and praise band director at Hope United Methodist Church. Even after directing, writing and composing music for all that time, he said he still loves it. “I was a music major, so for over 50 years, I’ve been a choirldirector. I became more serious about my writing in the last six years. I’ve done a number of pieces and we’ve recorded them,” he said. “It’s very fun, I’m enjoying it. Yeah, it’s kind of like a second career.” The church is always looking for more members and more performers, he said. “We love to have new members, espe­ cially people that like to sing,” he said. “Come sing in a choir. Or, if you’re a solo­ ist or a group and you want to come per­ form at Hope, we wouldlove to have you.” Even though he’s not [native to the area, Purdy said he’s had no trouble feeling wel­ comed into the community. Barry County feels just like home, too: Purdy said it reminds him of his rural upstate New York roots before it became a bedroom commu­ nity for New York City. I “It’s the same as it was when I was a child. It was just like this,” he said. “We were just so pleased to get out here.” For his exceptional dog breeding and training talents as well as his ear for music, Frank Purdy is this week’s Bright Light. If I could go anywhere in the world: It would be Israel. Favorite teacher: Tom Brooks, he was my high school principal. He was a great supporter of everything I did with not only my band, but the drama department, which I also did. He was just a great guy. I always admired him. Favorite season: Fall. You can walk the woods, see the gorgeous colors. Greatest song ever written: “The Lord’s Prayer” by Malotte. Each week, the Banner profiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because of volunteer work, fiin-loving per­ sonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, or for any other reason? Send information ^wsroom' Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Amid the celebrations, tears and beauti­ exposure to- various career options and ful words from speakers during the annual counseling as early as the eighth grade. graduation ceremonies held in our area last This is something I’ve suggested in sev­ week, Delton Kellogg valedictorian Allie eral of my columns. Exposing students to Trantham challenged her classmates with a career options is so important to their over­ question every graduate should have heard. all success, which shouldn’t be left up to “Who do you want to be when you grow them to figure out alone. up?” Trantham asked from the dais. Her Education leaders and industry must question perfectly framed the future for our come together to help our students better 2023 graduates: this is just the beginning. understand themselves and their opportuni­ Dr. Seuss wasn’t among the graduation ties beyond high school,” said Edson Bar­ speakers who offered words of encourage­ ton, CEO of YouScience. “If students rely ment and advice, but the late author’s verse on family and friends for direction, they from “Oh, the Places You Will Go” rein­ can be limited in their dreams and fail to forces Trantham’s thoughts: fulfill their potential.” You have brains in your head, Teachers, though, have taught our grad­ You havefeet in your shoes. uates to dream and pursue, a benefit that, I You can steer yourself in any direction believe, comes from living in small-town America. you choose. You ’re on your own and you know what Delton Senior Natalie Muday referenced you know. that fact while reading her essay, quoting You are the guy who decides where to go. former president Dwight D. Eisenhower: The reality of what’s next will hit these “For any American who had the priceless seniors in the coming days and months. privilege of being raised in a small town, Will they be able to follow Dr. Seuss’ there always remains with him nostalgic advice to find their way? Did our high memories.” schools prepare our students to make the That was true for Meghan Gabor, a momentous decisions they will face? Maple Valley alumnus and keynote speak­ Understandably, much of the focus for er, who told graduates to be proud of their these new graduates will be on their chosen origins. career or further education to prepare them “I’ll be the first to say that, when I lived . for their life’s work,-but did we prepare in this small town, I couldn’t wait to move to them to create a road map for success? the big city,” related Gabor, who is pursuing Transitioning from a student to a young a theater career in New York City. “These adult can be daunting. As they leave high days, when I talk to my friends or peers school, most graduates feel a sense of final­ about where I grew up and the type ofschool ity and accomplishment. All those years of I went to, it makes me feel unique and spe­ cial because I’m the only one who grew up studying, taking tests and working towards in the country, as they say, and as it turns earning a diploma are over. However, for a out, the size of my town didn’t stop me from graduating class that also lived through a getting into a great school and landing my pandemic that claimed over a million lives, dream job. And don’t be afraid to leave they now stand at a new beginning. because you can always come back” Lakewood Valedictorian Abigail Gibson Today’s graduates face a shifting eco­ acknowledged the accomplishments made nomic landscape, reshaping work and soci­ despite the many disruptions and outside ety by affecting how people think about the influences affecting this class’ educational skills and training they need to get and experience. keep a job. Dr. Seuss reminds us that grad­ “COVID hit, and we didn’t really get to uates need to accept the responsibility of finish our first year since the lockdown creating their own road map so they can happened in our second semester,” recount­ ed Gibson. “It warped our perception of find where they want to go. “The job market of the future won’t be what high school was supposed to be like. divided..between . people. with' * college ; By the end of the year, most of our ques­ degrees > and those ■ without, but • between ’ tions' about high school remained, and we work that can be outsourced and work that still had much to leam.” can’t,” points out economist Alan Blinder. All these students were robbed of so “You can’t hammer a nail over the Internet, many memories and events that graduates nor can you fix a car transmission, rewire a hold on to for years to come. But as you house, install solar panels or give a patient can see, they survived and prevailed despite an injection. These jobs all require ‘handsall the difficulties. They learned how to on’ attention.” overcome. Many of the jobs that will be available Thomapple Kellogg Senior Andy Liu for this year’s graduates will be in con­ reminded his classmates that they “appre­ struction, health care and personal care. ciate and cherish each victory in our lives, Some of the fastest-growing occupations and they came with hard work and determi­ are solar and wind technicians, plumbers, nation.” Hastings graduate Zara Franklin told classmates to “Hold onto the feeling of welders, machine tool programmers, achievement and carry it with you in future HVAC mechanics and iron and steel work­ endeavors as you reflect on everything ers -jobs that require skills training. you’ve learned thus far and the uncertain Experts say people who take the time to but exciting future you have ahead ofyou.” plan, set goals or simply create a road map For the past 12 years, high school stu­ for their life will be more successful than dents have answered to their parents, teach­ those who just live life every day with ers, coaches and other adults. Now, sud­ whatever comes their way. denly upon graduation, the responsibility “You have the power to create anything for their behavior and success rests primar­ you can imagine,” said the late author ily on their shoulders as they become “the Napoleon Hill. “Act on the ideas produced guy who’ll decide where to go.” by your imagination, and you will achieve A recent survey by YouScience reports success.” that 75 percent of graduates are “moderately, Congratulations to the class of 2023! slightly, or not at all prepared” for what might come next after high school. Signifi­ cantly, 62 percent felt that high schools should do more to prepare them for future careers. However, 57 percent reported five or fewer conversations with teachers or coun­ selors about opportunities following gradua­ tion. A huge 80 percent felt they “would have been more engaged in their learning if they better understood their own aptitudes and potential career opportunities.” Based on the survey, YouScience sug­ gests that K-12 schools can better prepare students with aptitude and skills tests, Th® Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. /io u- uA Dlv'sion J"Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 m m News and press releases. news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurinq CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30. a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year In adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 imisdiu' xr Mam'll �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 8, 2023 — Page 5 Pierce Cedar Creek awarded $20,000 for water quality monitoring program s§® i§;W ^S^N4* nSJ *sXw SWS *x«iss 4s SSNkK SSSfSk H The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) MiSTEM Network awarded Barry County’s Pierce Cedar Creek Institute $20,000 as part of an ongoing effort to create and bolster educa­ tional opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in communi­ ties throughout the state. The department made the announcement Tuesday, and its grants totaled $237,640, awarded to 13 K-12 institutions and organi­ zations. Hastings-based nature center Pierce Cedar Creek Institute received $20,000 for local students to participate in the Barry County Water Quality Monitoring program. Partici­ pants will collect data about water quality in Barry County lakes. With the experience and knowledge acquired while testing water qual­ ity, students and teachers can serve as water quality ambassadors for the community. In addition, the organization will leverage funds to produce educational materials in various media forms about water quality and fish safety to share with Barry County lake residents, lake associations and community residents. Grant proposals were submitted and reviewed through a competitive request for proposal process. Projects were selected, in part, foraddressing needs in vulnerable com­ munities in both rural and urban areas. In More mailboxes, road signs fall victim to shooting spree Hastings-based nature center Pierce. Cedar Creek Institute Ireceived a $20,000 grant to help local students participate in the Barry County Water Quality Monitoring program. Pictured, a turtle lounges on a branch in Cedar CreekJ located on the Little Grand Canyon property. (Photo by Molly Macleod) addition, this year’s proposals were accepted not only from K-12 schools and intermediate school districts but also from other institu­ tions and organizations that serve K-12 edu­ cation, like PCCI. Megan Schrauben? MiSTEM executive director, praised all the applicants for their continued efforts to work on behalf of all students to create, improve and expand STEM learning in all comers of the state and noted that Michigan is getting noticed nationally for its focus on STEM irt K-12 education. “Working together, i /e are creating a vibrant STEM ecosystem that will ultimately lead to more engaged student: and a stronger Michi­ gan workforce now and well into the future,” Schrauben said in a statement. “We are confi­ dent our work will pay dividends in sustain­ ing, attracting and growing the high-paying jobs that will drive Michigan’s economy for generations. We congratulate these schools and community partners across the state for taking advantage of these grant opportunities to benefit students throughout Michigan.” *^i5irfe*J Middleville Pride resolution fails after a crowd packs village council meeting Greg Chandler te^<**«k*!l l^^«te>»,l >fts ■Si?'' ***«SS1J*'* “>■•«.,« It**1* S-Kbc’j™** ^“'ta’itoUt ^tecanbeouMh •• points ■ out ecwft ®V ‘■ywca’tbanimaaislKfe tttaaianiUtfi ® WMB id 0CB fa toft ■liliriCBlaKliiiii afttqgridtoptofap d to tfiatas. Ita lend in to nanyonfixacvtnaMx kx5tESallsolai|EfiiR.a EmiKLlkejohtizii ’eskMoghr^U IfaqrftejotoWM ; aa»^SSE£5MT'W fa tops ptadm ^M3ci adnanswlnfi. jnK^tafaatdpdt j Sow oifctaW arc sola welders, shine HUC mm®*®’’ I ig^satairaj®^ ers-jobsfaKF^. ExpeitsfR^*1’’ plan, set g^®^. : gtoMiiWwWta®’ ^’Ba^sga^fert L^fcfc*4'*! **iS^ for their those who whatever a*4®1' “You^^^i vou can eLNapoleoflM^JJ byy0^# success-’ fc ' >%,g^ jrfrf,fe*w !*«*&* *X#d°ols ic^L^6®6 V r & >«> .a f^lJ? PiF ^CfO ■^1 Staff Writer Efforts by a Middleville Village Council member to pass a resolution marking the month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the vil­ lage went down to defeat on Tuesday at the council’s Committee of the Whole meeting. President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd moved for the resolution to be added to next Tuesday’s regular council agenda as a consent item. However, the motion died for lack of a second. The action came four days before a scheduled Pride Festival to be held on Saturday afternoon at the village’s Sesquicentennial Pavilion. “This board is a non-partisan board who vote on non-partisan issues. When we run for this office, we do not run as a Republican or a Dem­ ocrat, but as a citizen of the Village of Mid­ dleville,” . Council Trustee, Kevin. Smith jsaid. “With that, I do< riot >sup^ort this board to partic­ ipate in a partisan, divisive and destructive topic that only divides our community ... just as reli­ gion and gun$, abortion or other highly volatile topics. That is not our place; that is not. our role.” The resolution “commends the bravery, soli­ darity and resiliency of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the face of violence and discrimination, and stands in solidarity in the continuous fight for equity” and “celebrates the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ communities and commits to sup­ porting and uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices in Middleville and beyond.” The resolution also initially sought to have the Pride flag be flown in front of the Village Hall, but this, was later delet­ ed in DeMaagd’s motion. An overflow crowd of people from through­ out Barry County packed the Village Hall, coun­ cil chambers, spilling out into the hallway and an adjacent conference room. Speakers from Nash­ ville, Hastings, Rutland Charter Township, Irving Township and Yankee Springs Township took to the podium in addition to Middleville residents. The vast majority of speakers objected to the resolution and the Saturday festival, with some citing passages from the Bible to back their position. DeMaagd, who owns Left Field Cafe in downtown Middleville, expressed disappoint­ ment with the council deciding not to take up the resolution. “This resolution, not having support this eve­ ning, doesn’t impact me,” he said. “Thankfully, I am secure enough in my relationship with my higher power. I am secure enough in my own identity with my friends and my family and my community. I love Middleville. It is extremely disheartening... hearing the division, that Scrip­ ture is being used against (certain) populations. Historically, Scripture has been used to justify slavery; it’s been used to justify white national­ ism, to justify segregation ... and to justify the less than 100 percent acceptance and celebration of people in who they are.” Nate Archer, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Middleville for the past decade, spoke of the value of each person as being created in the image of God and the freedoms that all of us as Americans should enjoy. He opposed the resolu­ tion as going beyond that. “Flying the LGBT flag and declaring this as Pride Month would do more than just that. It would do more than the things that we can all get behind and agree on and create unity,” Archer said. “It would be making a statement for the entire community of Middleville with many things that the people of Middleville ... can’t affirm, such as the approval of transgender sur­ geries and procedures, which can call irrevers­ ible damage to people. It would be stating that all of us are celebrating of sexual acts between a man and woman that are not married to each other, and it would be celebrating and affirming, for all of us, that we all believe that being male and female is not a real thing, but is a social construct. We can respect each other, we can love each °lher, but we can’t affirm all these things that would be communicated by doing this. There- Former Middleville village president Amanda Fisk, who is one of the organiz­ ers of Saturday’s Pride festival, explains ■ her Support for a resolution marking ithe month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Middleville. (Photos by Greg Chandler) fore, I think that is not something that our com­ munity can or should support.” Candace Johnson, who moved to Middleville four years ago, spoke out against the drag show that’s planned as part of the Pride festival. “It’s been promoted as a family-type function, and when' you go that direction, my concern is the children,” Johnson said. “Now it becomes a grooming event for children. What are we teach­ ing our children? Are we teaching them that having a mom and a dad isn’t right? When we’re bringing confusion - and Satan is the author of confusion - we’re not doing right by everybody, and we’re not doing right by our children. We need to let children be innocent, and we need to let them be safe and we need to protect all chil­ dren at every level.” George Hubka of Johnstown Township held a sign asking, “When is Straight Month?” as he addressed the council. “I wonder why we don’t have pride months for white pride month. Why would you not pass a resolution for law enforcement pride month? Why don’t you pass a teacher pride month? If you’re going to go there, let’s honor our medical workers with a pride month. Let’s honor our truck drivers out there with a pride month,” Hubka said. Several speakers called on the Village Coun­ cil to revoke the permit allowing the festival because the drag show was added to the festival lineup after the council approved the permit last month. No such action was taken Tuesday. Stevi Barnett, who owns a small business in Middleville and has two children who attend Thomapple Kellogg Schools, defended her sup­ port of the resolution. “I have never in all my life seen so much hate in this wonderful place as I have seen in the last four or five years - so much hate for people who deserve our love and, most importantly, our pro­ tection,” Barnett said. “I want to be clear that those who are using their personal religious beliefs not to recognize Pride Month in Mid­ dleville, or to diminish members of .the LGBTQIA+ community, do not speak for all of us. While you often may be much louder than most of us, you do not speak for me or speak for the many incredible people in this loving, inclu­ sive place.” Rhonda Hulbert, who has two children who went through Thomapple Kellogg Schools, shared the stoiy of a family that experienced the loss of a 15-year-old who had come out as gay to suicide earlier this year. She also spoke of one of her children who recently moved to Denver with her wife and a phone conversation they had last weekend. t , “(She said), ‘Mom, it is so strange to live somewhere,that is accepting. That was never the case in Middleville,’... It breaks my heart that my child had to move to another state to be filled with peace,” Hulbert said. “I work in a high school. These kids are bullied enough by their peers, who have unaccepting parents, who learn George Hubka of Johnstown Twp. dis­ plays a hand-held sign and talks about other groups the village of Middleville should recognize in expressing his oppo­ sition to the resolution recognizing Pride month in the village. to hate, who learn to bully, who learn to judge. If Middleville turns down the Pride Month resolu­ tion, you are telling these kids and adults that they don’t matter as people, that they are not important in this world or in this community.” Former Village President Amanda Fisk, who is one of the organizers of Saturday’s festival, spoke of the village over the years passing reso­ lutions to honor individuals and groups in the community and said the Pride resolution had “no real legal backing.” “None of this excludes anybody,” Fisk said. “You’re not forced to do anything. Nobody has to go be gay for the month of June. None of it actually has. any real weight. But it does repre­ sent that something, you’re being noticed. You’re being seen. I see you, and I appreciate you, and I respect you as whoever you are, and that’s what Pride Month is about with LGBTQ people.” In a text message sent to the Hastings Banner after Tuesday’s, meeting, Fisk said the organiz­ ing committee did not have a firm commitment for the drag queens to perform at the festival until Sunday. “We’d been in talks with a few and did our due diligence to vet them, clarify our roles, and approve music and whatnot, and all that was completed Sunday afternoon,” Fisk wrote in her text. Fisk wrote in the message that she wrote the words “small pride month event-face paint, chalk art, snacks, small speaker with music, etc.” on the permit form for the festival. The Village Council unanimously approved the permit on May 23. Village President Mike Cramer said the Pride Month resolution would logistically “open Pan­ dora’s box” and lead to countless other resolu­ tion requests for the village. But he took excep­ tion with the tone of some of the emails he received from resolution opponents. “Some of the people that have been sending those need to learn acceptance,” Cramer said. “(Emails that say) ‘They’re welcome here, but’ doesn’t really fly. Please speak to your pastor about that. I’m not calling out anybody in the room, I’m not naming anybody, but I’ve gotten a lot of emails, and they are not accepting, and that hurts because it’s tough to be in your position.” “I don’t understand it; I don’t relate to it. It’s not my lifestyle ... I’ve seen (discrimination) with my own eyes, I’ve seen it in the workforce, I’ve seen it in prisons,” Cramer added. The Pride festival will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. DeMaagd said that despite the resolution not passing, he will continue to advo­ cate for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Middleville. . “I would just like to state that gay and trans neighbors and my siblings have a place here. You are welcome here. To anyone contemplating that they would be better off six feet under than celebrating authentically who you are, I’m here for you. I welcome you with open arms always, always, always,” he said. Barry County police received two more reports of property damaged by gunfire this month. A 60-year-old Woodland man reported hearing gunshots around 4 a.m. on May 28 near his home on the 7300 block of Davenport Road. Upon walking outside, the man said his mailbox was on fire, and he saw a black truck with a loud exhaust leav­ ing the area. The man sent photos of his mailbox to police and said he could hear more loud booms coming from Coats Grove Road. Later that same day, police received a report from a 40-year-old Lake Odessa man who said he heard shots at 3 a.m. from his home on the 14900 block of Cemetery Road. The man told police he found two yellow road signs with black arrows that had been shot 14 times on thq south side of . Eaton Highway. Motorcyclist flies over handlebars in single-vehicle accident near Nashville Police responded to a motorcycle crash around 9 p.m. on May 21 on Devine Road near Thomapple Lake Road. The driver, a 65-year-old Hastings man, was traveling northbound on Devine Road when he blew the stop sign at the intersection of Devine and Thomapple Lake Road. The man told police he continued through the intersection, failed to make the turn, went down an embankment and overturned, causing him to be ejected from the bike over the handlebars. Police overheard the man telling EMS responders he had been drinking since 3 p.m. that day. When given a preliminary breath test, the man’s blood alcohol content was measured at.202 percent. The man was transported to Butterworth Hospital by Nashville EMS. Driver strikes guardrail, involved in roll-over accident near Delton Police responded to a report of a reckless driver around 10 p.m. on May 30 on Orchard Road near Sbuth Eddy Road. A 51 -year-old Delton woman reported that she had seen a man driving a yellow Jeep strike a guardrail before speedily leaving the area. While police were searching for the vehicle, they received a report of a roll-over crash on South M-43 Highway near Stevens Road. Police made contact with a 45-year-old Delton woman who had been struck by a 70-year-old Caledonia man driving a yellow Jeep. The woman, who was driving a minivan, told police she was approaching Stevens Road while traveling southbound on M-43 Highway when she saw the Jeep traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. The woman told police it appeared the man was going to continue straight onto Stevens Road, but he then continued around the curve. The woman said the vehicle was in her lane, so she posi­ tioned her vehicle toward the centerline of the road. The man’s Jeep struck her vehi­ cle on the front passenger side, went around her vehicle and then rolled over. The Jeep was on its side when deputies and first responders arrived. The man denied hitting a guardrail earlier in the night and told police he was just out for a drive. Police smelled intoxicants in the man’s vehicle and found an opened bottle of liquor and a water bottle that smelled like alcohol. The woman was medically cleared by Mercy Ambulance EMS personnel, and the man was transported to Metro Hospital at his request. Passerby springs into action to aid man crushed by farm equipment Police responded to a farm equipment accident around 7 p.m. on May 31 on the 9100 block of North Avenue near Dowding. A 74-year-old woman was watering flowers outside when she noticed her 77-year-old husband was pinned underneath a hay bind­ er and trying to call for help. The woman called her daughter, who then called the police and ran to the road to flag down help. A 41-year-old Nashville man and member of the Amish community happened to be passing by and saw the woman calling for help. The man, traveling by horse and buggy, tied up his horse and ran onto the prop­ erty. Using a jack he found in the bam, the man was able to lift the equipment off of the man. Police were told the 77-year-old man was working on repairing the equipment when it slipped and fell onto him. Medical personnel on the scene said the man’s vitals were stable, but the man complained of chest pains and needed medical assistance. The man was airlifted to Butterworth Hospital. HELP WANTED Looking for full time office help. Must have good computer/typing skills, accurate spelling, capable of multi-tasking & good phone skills. No Week-ends. Email resume to nancy@j-adgraphics.com or mail to P.O. Box 188, Hastings, MI 49058 DEMAND JUSTICE Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have rights. Victims who suffered from sexual abuse by a member of the clergy in Michigan can seek compensation. While nothing can undo you or your loved one’s pain, you can recover compensation from the abusers arid the institutions that enabled them. You no longer need to suffer in silence. TOGETHER, WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. Call today for your free, confidential consultation. CLERGY ABUSE ATTORNEY HOTLINE 313-484-0302 Pulaski Kherkher Law Firm 2925 Richmond, Suite 1725, Houston, TX 77098 Stinar Law PLLC 5700 Crooks, Suite 200, Troy, Ml 48098 ATTORNEY ADVERTISING Pulaski Kherkhei Law Finn, with principal office In Houston, Texas, is responsible (or the content of this ad. (his photo is a fictional scene. �Fl Page 6 — Thursday, June 8, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Aake, Ot&eMa Z***W.^ Roselle Havens Elaine Garlock well as the Director of Special Education for a total of 27 years in Rockford and 35 years in education. She was awarded “Outstand­ ing Educator of Rockford” in 1970, and “Outstanding Special Education Advocate’ by the Michigan Association of Children with Learning Disabilities” (MACLD) in 1986. Upon retirement, she became a Coordinator of Student Teachers and an Adjunct Professor at Grand Valley State University in Allendale. Upon leaving Grand Valley, she bought a mini-storage business in Middleville with her son, Randall, and moved to Middleville. She served on the Middleville Village Planning Commission, as Administrative Assistant to the Village Manager and as Village Clerk. She was a charter member of the Progressive Democrats of West Michigan. Beverly (Blackford) Sharai went home to Her favorite pastimes included planning Roselle Havens, (nee Chilson), bom Octo­ be with her Lord on June 4, 2023. ber 29, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of and cooking elaborate dinners for her family Bom Beverly Jean Sharai July 9, 1938, in and friends, reading, driving her Suburu hither Leslie and Christine (nee Campagna,) Chil­ Hastings, Mich., and adopted at birth to James and yon, decoding cryptograms and solving son died Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Provision and Martha (Foley) Blackford. She is preceded puzzles. She always marveled that she had Living in Grand Rapids. Like most things in death by her natural and adopted parents, learned to cook, sew and operate a computer she did in life, she planned ahead. She wrote stepmother Marion (Hayner-Oversmith) Black­ out of books and had collected a large supply her own obituary in 2007, which she updated ford, and stepfather Richard T. Black. of “how-to” books. She passed along her in 2009 and again in 2020. With few updated Beverly lived in Hastingsn for 23 years and the pie-making skills to her family members for details and additions, what she wrote follows: rest of her life in Battle Creek. She was a gradu­ posterity! She spent several decades research­ The Chilson Family’s struggles during the ate of Lakeview High: School Adult Education Depression ended when they moved to Mich­ ing the genealogy of both her ancestors and and received a two-year scholarship to Kellogg igan at the start of World War II to work for her husband’s families and leaves an extensive Community College. She also completed Wrights Beauty and Cosmetology School. the war effort. Roselle graduated from collection of volumes of information for her Beverly was employed at several restau­ Buchanan (Michigan) High School in 1945. descendants*. Additionally, she had become a She married Dwight Havens on June 14, world traveler having traveled to Italy, Great rants and drugstores in Hastings and Battle Creek. She worked at Kellogg’s Package 1947 and became the mother of three chil­ Britain, South Korea, Mexico and Canada as Division from 1959-1971, leaving to be a full­ dren; Deborah and Randall Havens and well as seeing America on trips with a truck time mother. From 1992-1997 she was Lynette (nee Havens) Doele; the grandmother and trailer. She led a full, productive and employed at Oakview Adult Foster Care in of Ian Haight of Ramstein, Germany, Bradley happy life and leaves with few regrets. Amen! Hastings. She moved to Urbandale in 1997 Havens of Grand Rapids, Sarah,(nee Doele) A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on and was employed at the Urbandale McDon­ DeLaat, and Regan Doele; the great grand­ Friday, June 9,2023, at Pederson Funeral Home, ald’s Restaurant, retiring Christmas Eve mother of Henry, Brennan and Henna Roselle 127 N Monroe St, Rockford, MI 49341, in 2003. .On December 29, 2003, she moved to Haight, Makayla DeLaat, Harrison and Hud­ Rockford, Michigan. Live Streaming of her Bedford Manor Apartments. son Doele. She leaves two nieces, four neph­ service will be available for those unable to Both marriages to Merritt A. Pierce (father ews, four great nephews and three great attend by visiting her obituary page at www. of their daughters) and Donald C. Parkin nieces in addition to many cousins. plaisierftmeral.com. A reception will follow. ended in divorce. Roselle attended Western Michigan Uni­ Interment will be at the Mount Ever-Rest Memo­ Beverly is survived by daughters Pam versity in Kalamazoo, Michigan earning an rial Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan at a later date. (Brian) Ferris, Penny (Kevin) Villadsen, Bev­ undergraduate degree in elementary educa­ Donations to the Rockford Area Historical Soci­ erly (Dennis) Brown and Beth (Robert) tion. She earned a Masters Degree in Coun­ ety would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. Brown, ten grandchildren and their families seling from Michigan State University in East *The “Roselle Havens Collection of Del­ and nine great-grandchildren, stepsister Con­ Lansing, Michigan. She taught music for the bert Havens Post WWI Occupation Forces, nie (Oversmith) Smith, stepbrother Terry R. Allegan Public Schools; served as a substitute Europe” was dedicated in 2018 and housed in Oversmith and four nephews and their fami­ teacher for two years before becoming a fullthe Zhang Legacy Collections Center, West­ lies. She is also survived by several dear time teacher of fourth and fifth grades for the ern Michigan University, forJhe purposes of cousins and special friends. iGodfrey-Lee Schools in Wyoming, Michigan studenfc^nd public research-Moselle Hastens .Rfhe enjoyed the holidays with her family whenever she could. She enjoyed Christian televi­ and sixth grade at Parkside and Valley View was inducted into the Rockford Public Schools sion programs, reading, crocheting, word searches Elementary Schools in Rockford, Michigan. Hall of Fame in 2020. To share a photo, and going out to eat, especially spaghetti. She She served as Principal of Valley View, Bel­ memory and sign the family’s online guest­ loved her snowman collection and her Lord. mont and River Valley Elementary Schools as book, please visit www.plaisierfuneral.com Visitation will be Monday, June 12,2023, at 11 a.m. with a service at noon at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway Street, Hast­ ings. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. Last week’s heat wave brought respite from class for students in nearby city schools which lacked air conditioning. To be consis­ tent, some other schools even with air condi­ tioning had two days off classes. This week’s weather is far more conducive for confined classroom learning. If we look around, we can see the current week’s flowering bushes which bring seasonal beauty to us. Beauty bushes have had their day but are not yet shedding their pink petals. The snowball bushes which were a beautiful sight last week are fading fast and the ground sur­ rounding the bushes is white with shed petals. Even the bird bath is foil of petals. Peony bushes are at their best. Rhubarb is doing well. Are strawberries almost ready for harvest? We await the weeks of that seasonal treat. The latest issue of library news has many items of interest. What is new? The Lake Odessa Community Library now has a list of tools ready to loan. Some of them have names this writer does not recognize. Howev­ er, she recognizes the names of a sewing machine, an ironing board, an iron and a few others. Check it out. That new tool may be just what you have always imagined. Another feature is the meals program, a repeat from last year. The Feeding America program is offering lunch packets for children and teens who qualify, available Tuesday through Fri­ day. The library needs volunteers to distribute them as the eligible youths come to be served. If it comes from Feeding America, you can be sure the food is nutritious and is accompanied by a drink. Last year, Friends of the Library assisted in this program but they would like some help. The library staff is busy at the same time with other duties. The list of events for June and July fills an entire page of the newsletter. If one was driving around town last week­ end, he would have seen an amazing array of signs for yard sales and garage sales. Nearly every street had a few such events happen­ ing. Is this a holdover from the years when the first weekend of June was devoted to such sales? One wonders if this is a pattern we will see all summer or if it just the start of summer events. We are weeks late in listing one seasonal happening. To coincide with Memorial Day and the approach to it, the downtown lamp­ posts are adorned with banners, each proclaim­ ing the photo and military service of a veteran ranging from a few from World War I but far more from World War II and the ensuing con­ flicts in which the United States was involved. These are alternated with others, which are similar to the November approach to Armistice Day when another set of banners will be dis­ played. If your favorite veteran is not pictured this time, likely it will be used at a later date. However, there are not enough lampposts in town to hold banners from all the dozens or even hundreds of young men who served their nation in World War II, let alone the smaller numbers who served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, the Gulf War and other conflicts of lesser scope but just as deadly. Are you keeping watch for the floral dis­ play arranged by Jerry’s Tire on Jordan Lake Highway from Second Street south to the CSX tracks on Jordan Lake Highway? It appears that the central plants are those of July blossoms which are surrounded on both sides by today’s marigolds. This should yield a colorfol display in a few days in the near future. Keep watching. •'i <•**! • ** Battle Creek Salvation Army makes special delivery on Donut Day it* "issisi Worship Together ...at the church of your choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.CQm. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist .com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd: & S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-9454246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. » HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor, Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m.. Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-9480900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, Ml 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. sFlexfob Him Flbffgl.M rroducu 1699W.M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 In celebration of National Donut Day on June 2, the Battle Creek Salvation Army suc­ cessfully delivered a total of 360 - or 20 dozen - donuts to first responders in Battle Creek and beyond. In Hastings, donuts were delivered to both the police and fire stations. Captains Mika and Grace Roinila of the Salvation Army made the deliveries, thanking everyone for LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-Wpl Police Chief Dale Boulter (left) and Deputy Chief Julissa Kelly (center left) receive donuts from Captains Grace (center right) and Mika (right) Roinila. (MJSMHif 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 MIDDLEVILLE, MI - Lois Yvonne Slater (Gardner), age 85 of Middleville went to be with her Lord on April 30, 2023. Lois was bom in Grand Rapids to George and Elga (Kent) Gardner. Lois was a graduate of White Cloud School. She will be remembered by her surviv­ ing children: Brenda Slater, Richard (Tonya) Slater; son-in-law, Michael Chaffee; nine grand­ children; 15 great grandchildren; siblings: Donna VanGessel, Alice Owen; several nieces, nephews, and friends. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Slater; daugh­ ters: Deborah Sherman, Diane Chaffee; grand­ son, Mikey Chaffee; grandson-in-law, Brian Thomas; and many other family members. Lois will be remembered by all as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She was a dedicated employee of Kmart in Kentwood and Hastings for many years before retiring in 1996. In her younger years, Lois sold Tupperware and Avon. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Middleville. In her free time, Lois enjoyed crocheting and knitting; and made many differ­ ent cherished pieces for family and friends. Lois also was a diehard Detroit Tigers fan and looked forward to traveling to Zephyrhills, Florida where she wintered for the past 11 years. Ms. Slater’s family will receive friends on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home from noon to 1 p.m. where her memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Burial will take place at Mount Hope Ceme­ tery in Middleville. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for the family. Nicholas Jordan Brinks, Middleville and Alexis Rose Hein, Middleville. Karen Ann Tzortzinis, Delton and Micheal Joseph Kramer, Sr., Delton. their service to the community. According to Mika Roinila, more deep­ friend deliciousness could be in order for the future. “Next year, we look forward to reaching out to many of the township fire stations in Calhoun and Barry counties. For this year, we thank Sweetwater’s Donuts for providing donuts for our outreach.” David Wayne Hull, Plainwell and Lisa Deeann Madrid, Plainwell. ' Vauwn Lynn Nghiem-Olson, Mid­ dleville and Mark Allen Hinton, Jr., Mid­ dleville. Caitlin Marie Chamberlin, Middleville and Christian Lyle Elsesser, Middleville. Jason Leonard Mills, Middleville and Brook Lynette McKinstry, Hastings. Lindsey Taylor Spadavecchio, Palatine, III. and Tyler James Hanson, Palatine, Ill. Health Pennock on May 11, 2023 to Brittany Wallace and Joseph Smith of Dowling. ***** Elizabeth Elaine Firman, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 16, 2023 to Haley Boger and Jeff Firman of Tekonsha. ***** Esther Rose Collins, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 9, 2023 to Susan Byington-Collins and Timothy Collins of Clarksville. ***** Caleb Gael Mendozal, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 15, 2023 to Fabiola Alvarez Jimenez and Juan Gabriel Mendozal of Ionia, ***** Stella Grace Smith, bom at Spectrum Brigham Dimock, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 23, 2023 to Tara Harding and Zachary Dimock of Hastings. ***** Claire Eloise, bom at Spectrum Health Pen­ nock on May 23, 2023 to KEndra Colby and Antonio Cleo Aguilar III of Wayland. Barnaby Joshua Gilbert, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 29, 2023 to Desiree Gilbert and Joshua Gilbert of Hastings. -a * werse Krols s �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 8, 2023 — Page 7 Hastings Table Company...as told by M.L. Cook Esther Walton Banner May 2, 1991 The last article mentioned the fact that Mr. Tyden secured Fred Hill to make all the designs for the Table Company’s line, direct the finishes of goods and have charge of the sales at Grand Rapids. For its 1917 liner, the company displayed a large number and a wide variety of tables that appealed strongly to the trade. Mr. Tyden s brother, Oscar, was superin­ tendent of the plant, and C.W. Clarke had charge of the office. Emil Tyden was presi­ dent and the directing head of the company, shaping its policies, giving to those under him the “go” sign, but insisting that his pol­ icies be earned out. His task was by no means an easy one. Mr. Hill was made a member of the board of directors and vice president of the com­ pany and given an opportunity to earn a considerable holding of its stock, as explained last week. Fred Hill was a genial, kind man with an artistic temperament. He was like most art­ ists, quiet and temperamental, acting when the spirit moved him, but not always at the time his associates would have liked. His 1917 and 1918 lines won great favor with the trade. Despite the war into which America entered in 1917 and continued into 1918, the Table Co. did a large amount of business, which decidedly increased after the Armistice was signed. We paid small dividends. Mr. Tyden and the directors wished to get in a position to discount all bills and have a surplus in reserve to sue in case of an emergency or for any additions needed for the plant. We were all glad on his account, as well as our own, that Mr. Hill earned his $40,000 stock at the end of his first five years with the company. We increased in capital to $200,000 later, giving Emil Tyden, Oscar Tyden and C.W. Clarke the opportunity to largely increase their stock holdings. From 1923, when Mr. Hill’s five-year contract expired, until 1929, the company did a splendid business, paid some divi­ dends and added a considerable (amount) each year to its surplus. The year 1929 showed a marked decline in our annual business compared to previous years. This was especially true in the big centers, where the financial seers were trimming for an expected reaction from the overexpansion of credits; for they knew that payday and liquidation were just around the comer and that a depression was sure to follow. Our profit was comparatively small in 1929 because of the forced liquidation of debts that caused the Depression to start that year. The Table Co.’s trade shrank more in 1930 and 1931. ।—By this timer it-was apparent to Mr. 'Tyden’s associates that the long, hard pull he had made to perfect the automatic machines of the Seal Co., his successful launching of the Consolidated Press Co. (now the BCN Technical Services plant), his difficult work for the Viking Corporation and his successful efforts for the Table Co. had taken their toll of his vitality. It appeared that he was on the verge of a physical break­ down. The decline in the Table Co.’s busi­ ness called for still greater efforts on this part, and Mr. Tyden’s associates in the busi­ ness knew he ought not to attempt to do what the situation called for. It was too much of a strain. While he was game, ready to make the effort, they knew he ought never attempt it, that it would mean the ruin of his health. So his associates urged Mr. Tyden to sell the Table Co., which was in a strong position financially. It owed no debts, had strong cash reserves, had large accounts receiv­ able, had large stocks of lumber, veneer and other materials, and a good stock of finished goods and goods in process. It had a fine new power plant, ample buildings and equipment. His associates urged him to get rid of the business and save his health. They told him they were ready to make any sacrifices of their own interests in the Table Co. that might be needed to get the factory off his hands so he could recuperate. Mr. Tyden yielded to their entreaties but did so reluctantly. To dispose of the business, the company could sell the material and stock on hand and shut down the plant or find a purchaser. Mr. Tyden and his associates emphatical­ ly vetoed liquidation and shutdown of the plant. For the sake of the 125 to 150 employees and for the sake of Hastings, the stockholders refused to consider liquidation, although it would have easily netted $100,000 more than we sold the business for. But we wished to sell it to persons who would continue to operate the plant. Considered were three men who owned a controlling interest in Widdecomb Furniture Co. of Grand Rapids and sold the bulk of its product and who sold a large share of the Table Co’s, output for several years, men who knew the furniture business thoroughly. They were considered as the men who could keep the Table Co. operating, for they knew the factory, knew its customers, knew its policies, (and) knew Fred Hill, who was to continue with them as designer and have charge of the Grand Rapids sales. Mr. Tyden thought as we did that if anyone could keep the Table Co. going, these were the men. He and his associates in the Table Co. all felt that we would put the com­ pany in the best shape possible if we sold our stock in the company to them. So we did so and sacrificed at least $100,000 of what we could have gotten had we liquidated the business and closed the plant. Not only that, but we gave them such a bargain as I believe was never before given on that kind of sale. We did it because we wanted to have the plant continue tq operate here and pay wages to Hastings men. Had we been thinking of our own interests, we could have realized much more by (liquidating) the business ourselves. I can prove this to the satisfaction of any reason­ able person. fl look hack at the stories i and columns on local history y H in the Hastings Banner # I have before me the Table Company’s annual statement for the year ending Nov. 30, 1929. On that date, the company had cash in the bank, $15,647.87. It had $75,000 in die savings department of the Hastings City Bank. It had notes of the Viking Finance Co., payable on demand, for $100,000. It had other bills receivable of $19,689.38. It had accounts receivable of $118,390.36. In other words, it had quick assets of $328,727.60, of which over $190,000 was practically spot cash. The inventory of Nov. 30, 1929, showed the company had lumber, veneer, coal, sup­ plies, tables manufactured and in process of manufacture of $220,842.77 all inventories at cost. It had paid freight, which would be repaid, also insurance in advance of $2,961.16. The company’s buildings, real estate and machinery had cost $190,438.18, and it had set up depreciation accounts against these items of $85,784.43 at that time. So the plant, less depreciation, stood on the inven­ tory at $104,653.75. Adding all these I items shows that the total inventory on that date, Nov. 30, 1929, was $657,185.28. The company owed no borrowed money, and its unpaid bills at that time amounted to only $1,369.39. Included in the liabilities were reserves for discounts on sales, for federal taxes, reserves for pay­ roll and commissions. These, with the $1,369.39 accounts payable, made total lia­ bilities of $13,841.18. Subtracting that amount from the total assets of the company left the actual inventory net worth of the company (on)Nov. 30,1929, at $643,344.10. The capital setup was then as follows: • Capital Stock: $200,000.00 • Surplus: $60,000.00 • Undivided Profits: $383,344.10 Fred Hill was a member of the group that purchased the Table Company’s capital stock. He kept his own $40,000 of stock. The three men purchased the remaining $160,000 capital stock for $1.50 for each $1 of stock, or $240,000. An examination of the assets of the Table Co. will show that all the purchasers had to do to pay that $240,000 was to collect $240,000 for the $328,727.60 of quick TURNING / BflGK THE I PAGES A assets, which it could easily do, for they were $88,727.60 more than $240,000; and over $190,000 of those assets could be col­ lected any day when wanted. In other words, the buyers ofthe $ 160,000 could pay for it without taking a dollar out of their own pockets by collecting the Table Co.’s quick assets and have the other $88,000 in quick assets left; and the pur­ chasers would own the $220,842.77 of lum­ ber, manufactured and unmanufactured goods, also the $2,961.16 of freight and insurance claims and the entire plant which, after $85,784.43 had been depreciated, stood at $104,653.75. Of course, a manufacturing plant has little value unless it is in use. But this plant was worth the inventory’s price if the plant could be operated profitably. The reason we gave them such a bargain was because we believed these Grand Rap­ ids men could and would operate the plant. We felt we had done well with the Table Co. and had received enough on our investments in it, so we were willing to sacrifice the $100,000 more we might have made had we liquidated and closed the plant. We all lived in Hastings, and we wanted this factory to keep going for the sake of its employees and for the benefit of our city. This is the only reason we sold a four-fifth interest in $643,344.10 worth of property, shown in the inventory of $240,000. I will not discuss why the Table Co. failed after it was taken over by the Grand Rapids gentlemen, further than to mention what we all know that the Depression had been hard on the entire furniture industry. I do not know why the purchasers failed, so I have no right to discuss that matter. I cannot help a feeling of sadness when I pass by the table factory. I think what a busy plant it was for several years. It was too bad to have its career end as it did. That is the end ofM.L. Cook's story about the Table Company. The physical plant no longer stands on Mill Street, having fallen victim to a fire in 2020. After the Table Co. failed, the Royal Coach Trailer Company was there for several years. ^Doctor Universe Cricket carols Why do crickets make sound? Carola, 7, Va. Dear Carola, Have you ever read the book “The Very Quiet Cricket”? It’s about a young cricket who can’t chirp until he grows up. My friend Rich Zack reminded me of that book when we talked about your ques­ tion. He’s an insect scientist at Washington State University. He told me that only adult male crickets make sound. Sometimes they chirp to defend their territories. It’s how they tell other male crickets to stay away. But the main reason they chirp is to find a mate. Cricket chirps are mating songs. That song will be different for different kinds of crickets-and the song changes when the female cricket shows up. “The male sings a very specific song for that species of cricket,” Zack said. “That attracts a female of that species to him. As she gets closer and they start to recognize each other, he will vary that song a little bit. It’s a way to give the female assurance that he is the right species.” So, why don’t female crickets chirp? The way crickets make sound is called stridulation. “Stridulation means (that) the insect is rubbing two things together,” Zack explained. “Crickets have what we call a file and scraper system.” The file is a line of bumps on one of their wings. They look like pegs or the teeth of a comb. The scraper is the hard­ ened edge of the other wing. The cricket rubs the file and scraper together to chirp. You could rub the teeth of a comb along a table edge to make a similar sound. Female crickets don’t have a file or scraper on their wings. Because of this, they can’t chirp. They can hear the male cricket’s song, though. Crickets have hearing organs on their front legs. This organ is called a tym­ panum. It’s a stretchy membrane like your eardrum. Just like your eardrum, it vibrates when sounds hit it. Eventually, those vibrations change into a signal that shoots up to your brain. That’s how you-and crickets-hear. Crickets belong to the same insect group as grasshoppers and katydids. Those insects use stridulation, too. Katydids rub their wings together just like crickets. But grasshoppers have the file on their leg. So, they rub their leg against the scraper on their wing. Remember how different kinds of crick­ ets sing different songs? Zack told me you can tell the different kinds of crickets apart just by listening to them. “There are some rare crickets in Wash­ ington,” he said. “We would go out and try to find them. The way you do that is to listen for the songs. We could differentiate the songs, and then we would go search for that type of cricket. You can sit outside at night and differentiate cricket songs, too.” When you listen to those crickets sing­ ing to each other in the dark, you can imag­ ine all the young crickets listening to the songs and waiting for their turns to chirp. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. The Table Company flourished under Mr. Tyden. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for June 9-15 June 1-30 - June Storywalk Book: “Won­ der Walkers” by Micha Archer. The Story­ walk is free and self-guided. Saturday, June 10 - Taking Flight in the Outdoors, 10 a.m.-noon. The program is free. Tuesday, June 13 - No Family Left Indoors: Family Night at Camp, 6:30-8 p.m. Enjoy a concentrated camp experi­ ence including nature trails, games, crafts and s’mores. This event is organized by the YMCA of Barry County and will take place at Camp Algonquin. No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health. Wednesday, June 14 - Eat Your Invasives series: Dandelion Dig and Dinner, 6-8 p.m. Attending just the Dandelion Dig and Din­ ner program dosts $6 for members of the Institute and $8 for non-members. Register­ ing for the entire Eat Your Invasives series costs $12 for members and $17 for non-members. Thursday, June 15’- Dinner and Doug Jonas’s Artist Reception, 6-8 p.m. Dinner will cost $18 for members and $23 for non-members. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. SUMMER SHOP HOP HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE ~ June 12 thru 17 ~ 15% OFFS 14%h Passport Thursday, June 8 - Movie Memo­ ries & Milestones watches a 1952 film starring Farley Granger and Shelley Winters, 5 p.m. Friday, June 9 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 12 - Crafting Pas­ sions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 13 - Barry County Explorers SPIN Club: Hike with 4-H, 10 a.m. Register at v2.4honline. com/#/user/sign-in. Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; teen seed bomb making, 3-4:30 p.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Digital Liter­ acy: Google Docs, 2 p.m. For more information about these and other events, call the library at 269-945-4263. Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station Ml Cttol&ty! 218 E. State St.. Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm �P.igc 0 - Thursday. June B. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Amateur sting operation leads to felony charges for Hastings man Kiwanis honors young citizens Jayson Ilussa Editor Late last month, a vigilante group based in Indianapolis conducted its own sting operation that brought it to Hastings to confront individuals that the group claims were targeting children online. The effort, which the group documented v ta v ideos posted to social media, led to the arrest of a Hastings man, who was in court on Wednesday morning, where he waived his right to a probable cause hearing. Tyler Michael Kerr of Hastings was in court on Wednesday to answer for charges that include accosting a child for immoral purposes, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime and distributing sexual­ ly explicit, visual or verbal material to a minor. Kerr appeared in court with his attorney James Champion and wilt be back in court for a pretrial hearing on June 28. He remains free on bond. Tyler Kerr of Hastings (left) with his The blow-by-blow of Kerr's alleged attorney James Champion (right), as offenses was chronicled by a group called Kerr waived his right to a probable Predator Catchers Indianapolis. cause hearing Wednesday. (Photo by While the group did not respond to Greg Chandler) requests for an interview, on its website, the group characterizes itself as "a group of operations that often caught adults amv ing at a decoy home in attempts to have sexual volunteers aiming to continue to leam and collaborate with local law enforcement, relations w ith a minor. local prosecutors, and other groups work­ However, Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter said that his department wav not ing on this cause, on protecting our com­ munities and youth against online child working in collaboration with Predator predators." Catchers Indianapolis but that the group did call law enforcement just like any resi­ 1 he group uses adult decoys that pose as dent would. minors online to see if adults will prey upon them, whether that mean, exchanging Boulter said that his department respond­ ed to four different calls from the group, sexually explicit images or messages or attempting to meet in person making one arrest and further investigating This effort brought members of the two other cases In one case, the suspect had group to Hastings Videos posted to the left before officers arrived on the scene. Law enforcement traditionally disap­ group's social media show them confront­ proves of these ly pes of operations simply ing several individuals in locations around because those conducting the sting could I lastmgs beginning on Muy 26 According be putting their own lives and safety al to the group, all of the videos depicted risk. When asked what he thought of the adult men who were attempting to meet up recent operation. Boulter said the answer with underage girls for sexual purposes wasn't so cul-and-dry. This included Kerr "Is it wrong they're doing if? Absolutely In the v ideo featuring Kerr, members of not," Boulter said. "I don't say it's wrong. the group can be seen confronting him I would always ask them to look at the inside of T J Maxx before exiling the store safety aspect - not only for themselves but and having a conversation with him in the lor other members of the public because parking lot. typically it's in a public location where Those taking tile video footage told they have these meetings." viewers that they spoke with Kerr online, "If we can get these people dial arc prey­ posing as a 13-year-otd transgender girt, ing on underage kids, our department is and that he initialed a sexual cons citation and was attempting lo meet up for sex. more than happy to investigate and send up During the course of the video, local law the charges and make an arrest." enforcement arrived on the scene, and a Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt echoed Boulter's sentiments. member of the Hastings Police Department pt...ceded to arrcsi Kerr "Looping tn law enforcement is alway s best because. I totally agree, there arc sting operations of tins nature arc noth­ always risks involved." she said. "You just ing new In fact, they became much more never know who you're dealing with. But, popular with the emergence of a Dateline they did call police, and that part wav good NBC special called "To Catch A Predator." because, if there is anything more (needed) which debuted in 2004. to strengthen the case, police have the Die television program partnered with resources." national law enforcement to stage sting BLUE ZONES activate FREE COMMUNITY EVENT Join us for a Blue Zones event for the whole family with food and drinks, local business booths, prizes, a kids bike & helmet giveaway, and family activities inspired by blue zones regions around the world' With Keynote Speaker Nick Buettner. Blue Zones Vice President Barry County Expo Center 1350 M-37, Hastings, Ml 49058 Wednesday, June 14, 2023 6:00 8:00 P.M. RSVP Open your camera app aria ..can the OR code to RSVP either on Facebook or Google Please only RSVP to one link RSVP on Facebook RSVP on Google i' I Citizens ol the month at Northeastern Elementary in Hastings include Maron Marlatt (lelt) and Raegen McKenna (right). They are joned by Mr. Heide. (Photos provided) Hastings e'ctncntary school and middle school teachers have selected students to be honored as citizens of the month by the Kiwanis Club of Hastings. Students are selected for reasons such as excellent cmzcmhip. altitude, conduct, aca­ demics, character, service, leadership and sportsmanship. The citizens of the month for May (with parents' names in parentheses) include: Central - Easton Carley (Timothy and Erin Carley) and Ainslee Mattice (Joshua and Abby Mattsce). Northeastern - Moren Marlatt (Nick and Kortncy Marlatt) and Racgcn McKenna (Kimberly McKenna) Southeastern - Ashiynn Auten (Michael and Michelle Auten) and Kalin Hulscbos (Jordan and Crystal Hulscbos). Star - Hope Holmes (David and Dana Holmes) and Winter Pirtle (Jon and Rebecca Pirtle). Hastings Middle School - Ronald CoIler (Ronald and Ronda Culler). London Ham­ mond (Cal and Cotes Hammond). Ethan Haw­ thorne (Christopher and Kikkt Hawthorne). Lilly Randall (Gregory and Teresa Randall). Tremdec Snider (Kara Snider) and Aidcn Vance (Christopher and Stephanie Proulx). Citizens of the month at Star Elementary School were recently honored. Pictured are (from left) Hope Holmes. Pnncipal Smelker and Winter Pirtle. Citizen* of the month al Southeastern Elementary School have been named Pictured are (from left) Kahn Hulsebos. Maicee Vanskyock and Ashiynn Auten J] ■pow $ HOU k ■irl Central Elementary’s recent citizens of the month include Easton Carley (left) and Ainslee Matbco (nght). They are joined hero by Mrs. Mitchell. Citizens of lhe month for May were honored recently. Pictured are (from left) Mrs. Geukes, Aiden Vance, Lilly Randall, Ronald Coiler. Ethan Hawthorne. London Hammond and Tremdec Snider. Book vending machine unveiled at Page Elementary Greg Chandler Staff llhrcr Clara Keizer approached the ncwly-installed vending machine in the lobby of Page Elementary School, inverted a token and pushed the huttons to select what she wanted But lhe fourth-grader didn't receive a candy bar or a bag of chips. Instead. Clara received a book - "Whatshisfacc" by children's author Gordon Korman - the first book to be dispensed out of Page's new book vending machine unveiled last week. Clara, a member of lhe Page student coun­ cil. played 3 key role in acquiring the book vending machine She wrote a grant applica­ tion io the Barry Community foundation's Youth Adv ivory Council, asking for funding to help the school acquire lhe machine. "I just think it's cool A lot of kids are excited about it." Clara said. "Reading is always a good thing" The Page student council and the school's Parent Teacher Organization worked togeth­ er over the past year to bring in the book vending machine. Fourth-grade teachers Stacy Sikkcma and Jacki Schneider, adv Le­ ers to the student council, came up with the idea. Sikkcma had seen a news story of a similar project in another community and thought it would be worth try ing to bring into Page. "In fourth and filth grade, we know that research show, that the enjoyment of reading starts to go down a little bit." Sikkema said. "Sometimes our kids sec reading as a punish­ ment rather than us a reward. So we really wanted to tie it into out reward system and (get kids) to sec that reading truly is a reward and books should be seen a, a prize." The Page student council contributed $1,000 to the project fioni Various fundraising events. The Youth Advisory Council approved Clara Keizer's grant Application for $!t*6. YAC considers applicsnons twice yearly front schools and other groups for its grants. "(The grant) hM‘ to be student-written," said Zocy Ziny, who represented Thorrupple Kellogg High School on the YAC. "(It can be) from any school in Barry County, any nonprofit, any organization, as long as it's student-written, and it 1“' lo benefit the yuuth of Barry County." But the cost of purchasing the vending machine was more than Sb.tXK). so the proj­ ect needed a boost Jhal's when the PTO stepped in. "The no had lundv. (and) ,he> "anted lo put it toward a project. (Tlwy asked) 'What do you Itavc in p| ,cc/- Sikkcma said "They were super on bu^d with it " The PI o comnbuted $5."°"10 ,he l'tl’J'sl With the niashrnc tn p'*'. the next quev- Tho Pago Parent Teacher Organization contributed $5,000 toward tho purchase of tho now vending machine. Pictured from left are PTO members Mindy Wilson. Mary Brcckon. Sarah Hansen. Jillian Rod. Dawn Graham and Sara Sysworda. lion was how to fill it with books. Enter the Bradford White Corporation. The Mid­ dleville-bused manufacturer contributed $1,000 to buy books to fill the machine. "We have enough lo start and keep it going for a while," Sikkcma Mid. So how do kids get the opportunity lo get a book from the machine'.’ Page already has a system that rewards students for demonstrat­ ing "safe and respectful and responsible" behavior where they receive tickets that they can redeem for prizes "Hie books are going to be prizes... ■nicycan use their tickets to redeem it for a book token, and the book token gels them the book," Sikkema said. Ihonupplc Kellogg Schools Superinten­ dent Craig McCarthy praised lhe efforts of the Page staff in bunging the project lo com­ pletion "This wav really something that staff have just Liken charge of and made happen." McCarthy Mid. “I think that is a tribute to the kind of staff members that we hase. that are always looking to find ways to encourage kids lo read and to learn more. I'm just proud of the fact (that) we have staff members like Pago Elementary School lourth-grader this that are willing to go above and beyond Clara Koizer pushes the buttons to select arid find additional ways to interest students hor book from tho book vending machine. in reading." (Photos by Grog Chandler) �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday, June 8, 2023 Mapes first and second in hurdles at D3 Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor Torren Mapes ran the fastest 110-meter high hurdles race of his life - twice Satur­ day. ' It was good enough to get him the state runner-up medal in the 110-meter hurdles at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Finals at Kent City High School. But that wasn’t enough. There was more to come. Mapes followed up those runs with a per­ sonal record time of 40.01 seconds in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles which won him the state championship. Mapes beat his nearest competitor in the 300 hurdles, Harrison senior Cameron Tigner, by more than half a second. Tigner was closer to the fifth-place finisher than he was to Mapes in the end. The Delton Kellogg junior was right with the field as they approached the final hurdle on the turn and he took off as the group hit the straightaway, pulling about five meters ahead of the rest of the field for the final 100 meters of the race. Mapes ran in the 300 hurdles at the state finals as a freshman in 2021 and in the 110meter high hurdles as a sophomore last spring. Seven of the eight finalists in the7110meter high hurdles ran their personal record time. Napoleon junior Holden Van Pbppel was the only one in front of Mapes, winning the race in 14.48. They were the only two guys to finish the race in less than 15 seconds. Mapes came in at 14.71. He had already set Delton Kellogg junior Torren Mapes (center) runs to a win in his heat of the preliminaries of the 110-meter high hurdles at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Finals hosted by Kent City High School Saturday. Mapes finished as the state runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles, setting a Delton Kellogg record in the process, and then won the state championship in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. (Photo by Brett Bremer) his PR once, in the prelim’s, at 15.46. His finals time is a new Delton Kellogg High School record. Delton Kellogg junior Rhys Bedford was 24th in the preliminary heats of the 110 hur­ dles. Delton Kellogg had four guys compet­ ing in the finals. Senior Jason Lundquist was 22nd in the discus and sophomore Wyatt Finney placed 24th in the long jump. The top eight in each event Saturday scored for their team and earned all-state medals. Mapes’ two runs were enough to put the Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ team in a tie for eighth place in the final standings with Warren Michigan Collegiate and Erie Mason. All three teams closed the day with 18 points. Benzie Central took the MHSAA L.P. Boys’ Division 3 state championship with 51 points. Pewamo-Westphalia was second with 44 points ahead of Sanford-Meridian 36, Hart 36, Ottawa Lake-Whiteford 28, North Muskegon 22 and Standish Sterling 21. The three teams tied for eighth rounded out the top ten. The Benzie Central boys were powered by senior distance runner Hunter Jones who won the 1600-meter run, the 800-meter run and the 3200-meter run while also helping his team to a runner-up finish behind Hart in the 4x800-meter relay. North Muskegon junior Jerry Wiegers also won multiple state titles, taking the 200- See PANTHERS, page 10 Saxon record-setting relays win state medals '' 'u MM 0 Brett Bremer Sports Editor Kearan Tolles put the pedal to the metal with about 200 meters to go and then blew through the carnage 25 meters from the finish. When the dust settled and the last of the fallen runners had crossed the finish line, the Saxons had their second runner-up finish of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals Saturday at Forest Hills Eastern High School. The Hastings boys’ 4x400-meter relay team of seniors Tolles and Robby Slaughter, junior Charles Nickels and sophomore Jett Barnum broke its own school record ;in the relay with a second-place time of 3 minutes 25.42 seconds. Spring Lake’s anchor in the race, Tanner Guczwa, tripped and fell while chasingtGrand Rapids Christian’s Jordan Rodgers to the fin­ ish line in the final stretch of what had already been a physical final heat of the boys’ 4x400-meter relay. Tolles dodged Guczwa on the track and then blew by Whitehall anchor Trannon Taylor who was right on the heels of Guczwa when he went down. “Kearan did like the most athletic move I’ve ever seen to stay up and not fall, and take second,” Slaughter said, “which is sweet.” Tolles was in sixth place for most of the first half of his leg, and felt like that was where he was going to end up until he started rounding the final curve. “I was just really happy my boys put me in a good position,” Tolles said. “They set me up for that perfectly. That was just super fun running that. I saw some of the other guys, the anchor legs looked like they were burning out from the heat kind of so I thought that would be my time to kick it in. I was feeling good.” He acknowledged seeing someone go down in front of you is never a good thing, but it does provide a glimmer of hope for another chance. He took advantage of it. “It was exciting, thrilling, fast,” Slaughter described Tolles final leg. “He came out of nowhere.” Hastings senior Kearan Tolles hits the final straightaway in the 400-meter dash during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. Tolles was tenth in the race in 51.00 seconds. (Photo by Brett Bremer) He wasn’t so sure he and\ his teammates had put their anchor in that great of a posi­ tion, but said “Jett and Kearan just tore it up and got us in it.” “They have really good chemistry,” Hast­ ings head coach Brian Teed said of the 4x400-meter team. “Traditionally, we would shuffle the order based on their times, but they have such good chemistry we have just left it the way it is. It’s all chemistry. Chem­ istry for a relay team means trusting your teammates. They always feel like they’re never out of it. They have a lot of confidence in Tolles, which is a big deal for them.” Slaughter earned his first all-state medal in the pole vault for a sixth-place finish - clear­ ing the bar at 13 feet 4 inches. He was one of three Saxons to win multiple state medals in Ada. Senior Madison Nino burst out with a jump of 17-6.75 in her last attempt of the girls’ long jump finals to place second. Junior teammate Addie Nickels raced to the front of the penultimate heat of the girls’ 300-meter low hurdles and onto the medal stand with a Hastings junior Addey Nickels runs to a fifth-place finish in the 300-meter low hurdles Saturday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada. (Photo by Brett Bremer) fifth-place time of 47.82 seconds - a new personal record for her. Nino and Nickels also teamed with juniors Isabelle Roosien and Myah Vincent to place fifth in the 4x200-meter relay. They broke their own Hastings High School record hitting the finish line in 1:46.44. That same foursome was 11th in the girls’ 4xl00-meter relay. The top eight in each event Saturday scored for their team and earned state medals. Nino, is now a two-time state medalist in the long jump. She was third as a junior at the state finals and flew four inches further at the finals this season. She set her personal record in the event at 17-10 earlier this season. Grosse He junior Kaitlyn Molnar made it a long day for all the girls a the long jump pit. She was fifth at the finals a year ago with a leap of 16-10 and pushed her personal record to 18-5.75 on her first jump of the competition Saturday. Later she earned a medal with Nick­ els in the 300-meter hurdles, placing seventh. Nino had to squeeze her first jumps in during the 1600-meter rim, between the ibwi*r- 4x200-meter and 4xl00-meter relay races. She also had to work her finals jumps around a trip to the medal stand for the 4x200-meter relay team. She had a scowl on her face much of the day, but Hastings track and field coach Lin James-Nickels knew in the back of her mind that Nino really is at her best when she’s in a bad mood. “I was definitely in a mood today. A little upset. It was hot. I had my 4x200 and 4x100. I don’t even know where I got 17-7 from. I was so tired,” Nino said. “It was probably watching the other girls jump 17-5 and I thought okay, maybe I should at least work it a little bit. I just had to get out and run faster. Don’t think slow, go fast. Just go. Just jump.” After her final jump, which bumped her into the runner-up spot, she rushed over to hug Saxon assistant coach Tony Knop shout­ ing, “we did it!” See SAXONS, page 10 Hastings senior Madison Nino hugs Saxon coach Tony Knop after a leap of 17 feet 6.75 inches earned her a runner-up finish in the long jump at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �I Page 10 — Thursday, June 8, 2023 — The Hastings Banner PANTHERS, continued from page 9 meter dash in 22.11 and the 400-meter dash in 49.49. The Division 3 girls’ championship went to Hart which finished the meet with 64 points. Olivet was second with 56.5 points ahead of Lansing Catholic 46, Hillsdale 32.5, Jackson Lumen Christi 31, West Catholic 28, Almont 25, Onsted 24, Quincy 22, and Lawton 18 in the top ten. Hart also had a distance runner win a girls’ state title, with sophomore Jessica Jazwinski taking the 3200-meter run. Her Delton Kellogg junior Rhys Bedford runs to a 24th-place finish in the prelim's of the 110-meter high hurdles at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Finals hosted by Kent City High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) sophomore teammate Addison Hovey won the high jump by clearing the bar at 5 feet 4 inches. The Olivet girls couldn’t catch Hart despite winning four events. Freshman Emily Peters improved her PR to 46.09 in the 300-meter low hurdles to win that race. She was also a part of the Eagles’ winning 4x400-meter relay team. The Eagles won the 4x 100-meter relay too. Olivet senior thrower Payton Otto won the shot put with a mark of 39-4.5. In the girls’ sprints, Almont senior Devin Johnston won the 100-meter dash in 12.14 and the 200-meter dash in 24.98. Emery Ross from Onsted won the girls’ 400-meter dash in 56.48 and the 800-meter run in 2:11.25. Delton Kellogg senior Jason Lundquist lets loose a throw of 116 feet in the discus competition, which earned him 22nd olverall in the event, during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track and Field Finals hosted by Kent City High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) SAXONS, continued from page 9 “No, you did it,” Knop shouted back with a big smile. Her mood was improved, but she said she did have some firn running the relays with Nickels, Vincent and Roosien too. The four­ some has been together in the two races all season long. Addey Nickels and Roosien have been sprinting together in those two events for three seasons now. Roosien, Nickels and Nino have been together as a trio for the past two seasons. They just missed qualifying for the finals in the two races a year ago. “It is honestly amazing working with all ofthem,” Nino said. “We have worked for so long it’s simple. We don’t have to practice it. We just know. We know each other. We know how we run. It’s nice to go to states and get something for those girls. It makes my heart happy.” Nino was happy to have so many other Saxon state qualifiers to work with this spring in the couple weeks between the end of the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season and the state finals. Addey Nickels was happy to be back in the 300-meter hurdles this season. She was third in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference in the event as a freshman in 2021 and then focused on the sprints after the first couple weeks of the 2022 season. This year, Nickels ran to an 1-8 championship in the race with a PR of 47.99 and then improved her PR to 47.82 at the state finals. She went into the finals seed­ ed 13th and finished fifth. “I am faster and I go for it more,” Nickels said. “I started doing hurdles again, and I guess I have just had more of a drive to do it and I figured it out. I kind of have a system now. I just have to start sprinting and drive at the hurdles, and go close over them.” Tolles came up just short of a medal of his own with a tenth-place time of 51.00 in the 400-meter dash. Lakewood sophomore Don­ ald Wells was on his heels again, like he was at their regional in Mason, placing 16th with a personal record time of 51.86 for the Vikings’ top finish of the finals. The Saxon team also had senior Daniel Weatherly 17th in the boys’ shot put with a put of 46-1.25. In the girls’ competition, freshman Olivia Friddle was 16th in the shot put with a mark of 33-4 and she was 15th in the pole vault by clearing the bar at 9-9. The East Grand Rapids girls closed out their day by winning the girls’ 4x400-meter relay to cap a team state championship. The Pioneers finished with 50 points. Sturgis was second with 34 points ahead of Mason 26, New Boston Huron 26, Otsego 26, Tecumseh 24, Grand Rapids Christian 22.5, Saginaw Hastings 4x400-meter relay teammates Jett Barnum (from left), Robby Slaughter, Charles Nickels and Kearan Tolles look out from the medal stand after placing second in the final race at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings freshman Olivia Friddle gets over the bar in the pole vault during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. Friddle was a state qualifier in both the pole vault and the shot put. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Swan Valley 19, Grosse He 18, Warren Regi­ na 18 and Cadillac 18, Hastings 16, Dearborn Divine Child 16, Three Rivers 15, Marysville 15, Frankenmuth 15, Forest Hills Eastern 15, Whitehall 14, Shepherd 13.17, Monroe Jef­ ferson 13 and Charlotte 13 in the top 20. The Thomapple Kellogg girls finished in a tie for 34th with 8 points. The East Grand Rapids girls also won the first relay of the day, the 4x800-meter relay. Junior Drew Muller was a three-time state champion for the Pioneers. She won the 1600-meter run in 4:56.01 and was a part of the Pioneers’ two winning relay teams. Senior teammate Camryn Bodine won the 800-meter run, a race in which Muller was fourth, and was also a part of those two win­ ning relay teams. Corunna scored 41 points to win the boys’ championship, with Mason and Forest Hills Eastern tied for second with 35 points each. Whitehall was fourth with 33 points ahead of Frankenmuth 29, Vicksburg 26, Freeland 24, Berrien Springs 24, Dearborn Divine Child 21, Adrian 20 and Alma 20 in the top ten. The Barry County Road Commission Notice of Public Hearing The Barry County Road Commission is holding a public hearing per the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994, Act 451. The hearing will take place June 20th, 2023, from 6-7 pm at the Hope Township Hall. The topic of discussion will be the designation of Little Pine Lake Road from Head Road to Otis Lake Road as a Natural Beauty Road. All public input is welcome. Hastings senior Robby Slaughter pulls himself up to the bar in the pole vault competition during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. He placed sixth in the event with a top height of 13 feet 4 inches. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Hastings boys finished in a tie for 22nd with 11 points. Corunna junior Wyatt Bower set his per­ sonal record at 22-8.5 to win the boys’ long jump, and his twin1 brother, junior Tarick Bower, was third in the event at 21-10. The Bower brothers teamed with freshman Isaac Jacobs and senior Nick Strauch to win the 4x 100-meter relay and place second in the 4x200-meter relay. The Saxons' Myah Vincent gets a hand-off from teammate Addey Nickels for the final leg of the 4x100-meter relay Saturday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 8,2023 — Page 11 Crews adds 400 meters to her day and a medal Thornapple Kellogg's Ava Crews (from left), Payton Gater, Lindsey Velting and Kenady Smith celebrate their sixth-place finish in the 4x400-meter relay at the end of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals Saturday at Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Ava Crews ended the day at the MHSAA Lower Peninsu­ la Division 2 Track and Field Finals with an all-state medal around her neck. She earned it an a different way than she had hoped, or ever really even imagined. Crews led off the 4x400-meter relay for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ track and field team in the final event of the day at the finals, joining junior Kenady Smith, senior Lindsey Velting and freshman Paytori Gater in placing sixth with a time of 4 minutes 10.17 seconds. It was just the second time all season that she ran a competitive 400 meters, and the first time wasn’t nearly as competitive as a part of the Trojans’ distance medley relay team at the 55^ Annual Frank Grimm Invita­ tional in Wyoming back in April. Crews was a last-minute fill-in for a fill-in Saturday, and had just finished up competing in her signature event, the 3200-meter run, when she found out she . was needed in the fr4x400-meter relay. TK head coach Maggie ‘Wilkinson said ft was fortunate that there were two heats of the boys’ 3200-meter run and that her girls were running in the final, fastest heat of the 4x400-meter relay. “I knew she could do it. She’s fine. That team is about, ‘okay, let’s go,’ Wilkinson said. “She is like a powerhouse,” she added. “She has PR’s when we haver her run all four distance events. I was like ‘eh, she’s run one event. She’s fine.’ She has only gotten stron­ ger this whole entire season.” Crews got to practice a few hand-offs before the start and peppered Velting with questions. “I was asking [Velting] do I sprint this first 200 meters? And she was like, ‘yeah, you just go all out until the end,”’ Crews said. “I was like, okay I think I got this.” TK junior Kenady Smith takes off with the baton after getting a hand-off from teammate Lindsey Velting in the 4x400-meter relay at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Lakewood varsity softball team celebrates its 2023 MHSAA Division 2 District Championship after a 10-8 win over Ionia in the district final at Lakewood High School Saturday. Vikings belt their way past Bulldogs and into regionals Brett Bremer Thornapple Kellogg senior Gabe LaJoye gets out of the blocks at the start of the boys' 4x400-meter relay Saturday during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals at Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK sophomore Brooklyn Harmon suc­ cumbed to an injury after winning regional championships in the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles May 19, and was replaced by freshman teammate Mia Hilton in the 4x400-meter relay at regionals. The heat, with temperatures around 90 all day and higher than that on the track and artificial turf in the bright sun in the Hawks’ stadium, got to Hilton enough that it was decided it was best she not push things after her medal-winning performance in the 300meter low hurdles Saturday. Crews managed to beat the heat and pro­ vide a solid split in the 4x400-meter relay after setting her PR at 11:32.51 in a 14th-place finish in the 3200-meter run. “I was expecting maybe I could get all­ state in the two-mile, but I kind of doubted it. I wasn’t expecting this,” Crews said. “She did great,” Smith said. “She was so nervous about it. She was like I don’t have the right spikes. I’m going to let you guys down. I have only run a 400 one time. She ran a 1:03 and she did great and everything worked out just fine.” The East Grand Rapids girls won that 4x400-meter relay in 3:58.18. Junior Drew Muller was a part of that relay and also won the 1600-meter run, set a PR in a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run and helped the Pioneer 4x800-meter relay team to a win. Her senior teammate Camryn Bodine was a part of both of those relay victories and also won the 800 in a personal record time of 2:11.53. Those two powered the Pioneers to the team state championship. Hilton did get her state medal too thanks to an eighth-place finish in the 300 hurdles in which she ran a personal record time of 48.21 seconds. Smith was a two-time state medalist for the Trojans. She placed fifth in the high jump, clearing the bar at 5 feet 3 inches. That is a season-best leap for her and just an inch off her personal record. “It was funny, because at 5-2 I got it on my second try, and then 5-3 I just flew over it on my first try and the five girls I was doing it with none of them made it, but I did in our five-alive group. So, that was cool. Then 5-4 came along and my form just wasn’t there. It’s okay. I am really happy with fifth place at state. That is crazy.” I Smith was in three events at the finals. She teamed with junior Joselyn DeBoerjunior Eva Corson and Velting for a time of 1:48.45 which had them 15^ in the 4x200-meter relay. The Thornapple Kellogg boys’ team had the 4x400-meter relay team made up of senior Gabe LaJoye, junior Jaxan Sias, senior Tyler Bushman and junior Ethan Bonnema place 12"1 in 3:29.87, less than three seconds behind the last of the eight medal-winning teams. They cut nearly a second and a half from their regional time which was their pre­ vious best this season. . Trojan freshman Nate Shoemaker was 22n<* in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles with a time of 42.80. I EGR’s girls closed the day with 50 points. Sturgis was second with 34 ahead of Mason 26, New Boston Huron 26, Otsego 26, Tecumseh 24, Grand Rapids Christian 22.5, Saginaw Swan Valley [9, Grosse He 18, War­ ren Regina 18 and Cadillac 18. Hastings was 12th with 16 points; tied with Dearborn Divine Child. Corunna won the boys’ state title in Divi­ sion 2 with 41 points, ahead of Mason 35, Forest Hills Eastern 35, Whitehall 33, Fran­ kenmuth 29, Vicksburg 26, Freeland 24, Berrien Springs 24, Dearborn Divine Child 21, Adrian 20 and Alma 20 in the top 11. Lions no-hit by Pirates in district semi’s Brett Bremer Sports Editor Pewamo-Westphalia pitchers Drew Nurenberg and Gabe Miller combined to no hit the Maple Valley varsity baseball team in their MHSAA Division 3 District Semifi­ nal in Vermontville Saturday. The Pirates took a 6-0 win over the Lions to earn a spot in the district final where they were upended 7-1 by Lansing Catholic. The Cougars had started their day with a 7-3 win over Springport in the other semifinal contest. Nurenberg went six innings for the Pirates against the Lions. He struck out 14 and walked two. Miller walked one and struck out one in his scoreless inning of relief. The Lions committed six errors in the bailgame, and all six runs against Lion ace Chanse Courtney were unearned. The Pirates scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth and then sealed things with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Courtney took the loss allowing four hits and two walks. He struck out eight. The four Pirate hits were all singles. Zach Raines and Trey Nurenberg were both 1 for 3 with two RBI’s. Grant Pohl also singled and drove in one run. ' Sports Editor Half a dozen home runs were enough for the Lakewood varsity softball team to fend off Ionia in the finals of the MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 District Tournament at Lakewood High School Saturday. Lakewood catcher Lily Federau and right fielder Kerigan Schroeder both hit two home runs and Peyton Federau and Ally Slater hit one each as the Vikings scored in each of ineir final fiverat-bats to move ahead arid then stay ahead of the rival Bulldogs. The Vikings took the district championship with a 10-8 win over Ionia following a 15-0 win over Hastings in the district semifinals to start the day. Lily Federau was 4 for 4 with two runs and two RBI’s out of the lead-off spot in the dis­ trict final. First baseman Liv Woodman was 3 for 4 with two runs scored. She had a double and a pair of singles. Schroeder had two hits, two RBI’s and two runs scored. Slater was 2 for 3 with two RBI’s and a run scored. Audrey Hillard, Maycee Rusco and Jackie Possehn all had hits for the Vikings too. Hil­ lard had an RBI. Peyton Federau was the winning pitcher. She gave up eight runs on nine hits and two walks. She struck out four. Lakewood will go to Mason High School Saturday, June 10, to face Three Rivers in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Semifinals. Game time is set for 10 a.m. Parma Western and Lansing Waverly meet in the second regional semifinal of the day in Mason. It wasn’t all home runs for the Vikings. They played some small ball too. The Ionia Bulldogs scored a run in the top of the first inning, but the Vikings got that one back in bottom of the second. Woodman led off with a double and went to third on a sacrifice bunt from Slater. She scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-1. Ionia got a run back in the top of the sec­ ond, but that’s when the fireworks really started. Schroeder and Lily Federau hit backto-back home runs to start the bottom of the third, putting the Vikings up 3-2. Singles by Goble, Woodman and Slater moved across two more runs as the Bulldogs threw the. ball around a bit. Lakewood led 7-2 going into the fifth inning when the Bulldogs struck for four runs with two out to get within 7-6. Two-out sin­ gles by LQndyn.Brown^nd^ai^pnce^Tjhpmas were followe^by an^RBI7dpj)b,Ie-j^9^ WlftY’ na Braman and a three-run home from Kamryn Perry. Braman led the Bulldog offense going 3 for 4 with four RBI’s and two runs scored. She doubled twice and hit a solo home run. Perry had four RBI’s too. Brown and Thomas were both 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Thomas was the losing pitcher. She gave up eight earned runs on 16 hits. She didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. The first inning of the championship was the only inning the Vikings didn’t score in. They took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second in their district semifinal against Hastings, then scored four runs in the third and finished off the Saxons with nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lily Federau was 2 for 3 with a home run and a double. She drove in three runs and scored twice. Slater was 2 for 2 with two dou­ bles, two RBI’s and two runs scored. Woodman tripled, singled and drove in three runs while scoring twice herself. Lily Federau was 2 for 2 with a double, two RBI’s and two runs scored. Goble was 2 for 3 with a run scored. Schroeder was also 2 for 3 with a run and a RBI. Peyton Federau doubled once and walked once. She drove in two runs and scored twice. Pitcher Kendyl Steward also went 1 for 3 with two RBI’s. In the circle, Steward shut out the Saxons on one hit and two walks. She struck out three. The lone Hastings hit was a single by Jayden Karsen. Invitation to Comment on a Proposed Wireless Telecommunications Facility Interested persons are invited to comment on the wireless telecommunications project proposed at E State Street in Hastings, Ml (42° 38’ 28.2” N, 085° 16’ 11.5” W), with respect to Environmental Effects. The project will consist of installing a new 300-foot self-support tower (overall height of 320 feet) and the associated ground equipment. The FCC Antenna Structure Registration (ASR, Form 854) filing number is A1246358. Environmental Effects - Interested persons may review the application (www. fcc.gov/asr/applications) by entering the filing number. Environmental concerns may be raised by filing a Request for Environmental Review (www.fcc.gov/asr/ environmentalrequest) and online filings are strongly encouraged. The mailing address to file a paper copy is: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. This notice is provided in accordance with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, 47 C.F.R. Part 1, Subpart I and Appendices B. �Page 12 — Thursday. June fl. 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES MORTOAQI FORICLOSUR1 NOTICC Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is aiven under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961.1961 PA 236. MCL 600.3212. that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on Juno 22. 2023. The amount duo on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for thio information. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Gary Kaiser, a single man, ("Mortgagor’’), gave a mortgage to Advla Credit Union f/k/a First Community Federal Credit Union. (“Mortgagee"), dated June 14, 2002, and recorded on June 28. 2002. In Document Number 1082969, Barry County Records. Michigan. On the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred-Eighty and 04/100 Dollars (§13,580.04) plus accrued interest at 7.30% per annum. Under the power of sale contained In said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place-of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 18 and 19, ‘ACKER’S PLAT", as recorded in Liber 4, Page 7 Commonly: 6930 Ackers Point Road Delton. Ml 49046—Tax ld#08-07-040-01800 The redemption period shall be twelve months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: May 18,2023 Advia Credit Union, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 (248)352-4340 (05-18X06-15) 199545 NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised Judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 29, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Logan Troy Teneyck, an unmarried man, whose address is 4705 S. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, acting solely as a nominee for Amerifirst Financial Corporation, being a mortgage dated August 10, 2021, and recorded on August 13, 2021 with Document Number 2021-010183, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated May 11,2023 and recorded in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there Is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE AND 04/100 DOLLARS ($106,935.04). Said premises are situated in the Township of Maple Grove, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land In the southwest 1 /4 of section 1, town 2 north range 7 west described as commencing 900 feet south of the west 1/4 post of said section 1; thence east 250 feet; thence south parallel with the west 1/4 line, 200 feet; thence west 250 feet to west 1/4 line of said section 1; thence north 200 feet to the place of beginning. Street Address: 4705 S. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: May 25, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5000 MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sate of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public (05-25)(()6-15) ' " 200261 auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JULY 6, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Dianna K. Bosrock and Peter R. Bosrock, husband and wife, to Saxon Mortgage, Inc. D/B/A Saxon Home Mortgage, Mortgagee, dated July 24, 2006 and recorded August 1, 2006 in Instrument Number 1167934 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS as Indenture Trustee for the registered holders of SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2006-3 MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2006-3, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Eighty-Four Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Three and 81/100 Dollars ($84,453.81). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Assyria, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 21, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEG. 53’ 06" WEST 220.00 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21 TO A POINT 419.00 FEET EASTERLY FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 POST THEREOF; THENCE NORTH 00 DEG. 55’ 53" WEST, 231.02 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEG. 53’ 06" EAST 220.00 FEET TO THE EAST UNE OF SAID WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 21; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEG. 55’ 53” EAST, 231.02 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 7645 Wolf Rd, Bellevue, Michigan 49021 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing for the following: The adoption of a new Master Plan. The link to the Master Plan is httPs;//drive.gooqle.com/drive/folders/11AVrDnfau5NpRscqo7ncT CMIuTZyHO2, MEETING PATE: June 26,2023. HM£: 7:00 PM. PLACE: Tyden Center, Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Planning Commission members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrycounty.org. The Master Plan is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: June 8,2023 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF KENT 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FAMILY DIVISION ORDER FOR PUBLICATION ON HEARING File No.” STATE OF MICHIGAN Firm Name: Orians PC COUNTY OF KENT Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (06-08X06-29) FAMILY DIVISION 201007 TO: JAMES JONES Child’s Name: MAKAYLA JONES Case No. 23-50871 -NA-105666901 Hearing: JULY 13,2023 AT 2:00 P.M. Judge ALIDA J. BRYANT, 6th Floor, Courtroom 6-D Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this hearing may be conducted via Zoom. Please contact molly,nQrton@kentcountymi.9ov to participate remotely. An initial and/or supplemental child protective petition has been filed in the above matter. A hearing on the petition, including a permanency planning hearing, will be conducted by the Court on the date and time stated above in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The permanency planning hearing Financial FOCUS NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Eliza Granzotto, a single woman, to MERS/Success Mortgage Partners, Inc., Mortgagee, dated July 15, 2022 and recorded August 2, 2022 In Instrument 2022-008215 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Data Mortgage, INC. DBA, Essex Mortgage, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Six Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-One and 88/100 Dollars ($206,691.88). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute In such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. Said premises are located In the Township of Thornapple, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing 4 rods West of the Northwest corner of the intersection of Lem Paul and Main Street; thence West along the North line of Main Street, 4 rods; thence North 8 rods; thence East 4 rods; thence South 8 rods to the point of beginning. 604 W Main St, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: June 8,2023 File No. 23-005394 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (06-08)(06-29) 200744 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29488 Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Gertrude Margie Tobias. Date of birth: 10/15/1932. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Gertrude Margie Tobias, died 02/15/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Geraldine K. Tobias, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: June 1,2023 Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-1921 Geraldine K. Tobias c/o Rhoades McKee, 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-1921 200771 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate Estate of Steven L. Meninga, Deceased Date of Birth: 12/22/1962 Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 parental rights. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that you personally appear before the court at the time and place stated above and exercise your right to participate in the proceedings. This hearing may result in a temporary or permanent loss of your right to the child(ren). Dated: June 6,2023 DEBORAH L. MCNABB, CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE Emj| Jay|or Financial Advisor 421w. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Should you consider 401(k) loans or withdrawls? At some point, you may have more money in your 401(k) than in any other investment. And even though your 4010c) is intended for your retirement, you may one day think you have to tap into your account early — but should you? And if you do, how should you go about it? If it’s possible to avoid taking money from your 401 (k) before you retire, you probably should do so. You could spend 25 or more years in retirement, and you’ll need to pay for those years, so you may want to look for alternatives to your 401 (k). If you’ve built an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses in cash or cash equivalents, you could use some of this money. If you have a Health Savings Account 04 SA), you could use it to pay for qualified medical expenses. Or you could sell some of your taxable investments, rather than going into your taxdeferred 4010c). But if you have determined that you must look at your 4010c) plan to meet a short­ term Rinding need, you’ll want to carefully consider how to go about it. You typically have two main choices: loans or withdrawals. For plans that allow loans, withdrawals can typically employees can generally be taken for any purpose but borrow up to 50% of the usually are not granted until vested amount of their 4010c) you’re 59’A or older. s, up to a maximum of Unlike with a loan, a $50,000 within a 12-month hardship withdrawal can’t period. Administrative fees be repaid, while a non­ may apply, and Interest will be hardship withdrawal can charged, but it will be added usually only be repaid by back to the 401 (k) account as rolling over the amount to an part of the loan repayments. IRA within 60 days. But the Except when they’re used bigger issue may be taxes. for a home purchase, loans If you withdraw funds from must be repaid within five your 401 (k), any previously years, with equal payments untaxed money is generally made at least quarterly, unless taxed as ordinary income and payments are allowed to be a 10% penalty will apply if paused temporarily. If you you’re younger than 59!6, leave the company or don’t unless you qualify for an repay the loan according exception. Plus, your 4010c) to the agreement, the loan plan typically must withhold balance will likely be treated 20% of the withdrawal for as a taxable distribution. taxes, so you’d have to take Now, let’s consider an even larger withdrawal to withdrawals. For 4010c) plans meet your needs. that allow current employees Before embarking on a to make withdrawals, the 401 (k) loan or withdrawal, withdrawal requests are you may want to consult usually considered either with a financial professional hardship or non-hardship. and your tax advisor. Taking To qualify for a hardship money from your 4010c) is withdrawal, you must a big move, so make sure demonstrate an immediate you know everything that’s and heavy financial need involved. to pay for certain expenses, This article was written by including a home purchase, college, a medical issue or Edward Jonesfor use byyour other specified costs, and local EdwardJones Financial your withdrawal is limited Advisor. Edward Jones, Member to the amount necessary to meet the need. Non-hardship SIPC Viking golf season ends at D3 boys’ golf regional tournament Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lakewood senior Drew Marquoit was six strokes of the last of the three individual state qualifiers and the Viking team placed ninth as a whole at its MHSAA Division 3 Regional Tournament hosted by Kent City at The Falls at Barber Creek Wednesday, May 31. Marquoit was one of three Vikings in the 90’s. He shot a 90 to lead his team. Junior Sam Mazurek scored a 93 and sophomore Kenny Dutkiewicz a 99. Lakewood senior Owen Richmond and freshman Dane Webb both scored a 101. The top three teams and top three individ­ uals not on those teams at the regional earned spots in next weekend’s MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Boys’ Golf Finals. Grand Rapids Catholic Central had the top two individual scores of the day and took the regional title with a score of 317. Junior Will Preston shot a 69 and junior Mathew Sokorai a 72. Covenant Christian junior Michael Devries also shot a 72 to help his team to a runner-up finish. The Chargers closed the day with a score of 336. West Catholic was third with a score of 338, led by a 78 from freshman Owen Kotowski. Marquoit got off to a great start. He birdied the par-5 number 17 and par-4 number 18 to open his round, but couldn’t keep up that pace. Belding placed fourth with a team score of 343 ahead ofNorthPointe Christian 359, Com­ stock Park 364, Montague 375, Portland 377, Lakewood 383, North Muskegon 395, Lakev­ iew 399, Oakridge 406, Pewamo Westphalia 412, Kent City 415, Grant 438, Newaygo 448, Ravenna 453 and Central Montcalm 492. A pair of Belding Black Knights were among the three individual state qualifiers, sophomore Brayden Kenyon who shot an 82 and sophomore Dayton Reeves who scored an 84. Portland senior Isaac Honsowitz was in between that pair with an 83. Reeves came out on top in a playoff with Newaygo’s Wyatt Gorby and Comstock Park’s Luc Nyenhuis for that final state qual­ ifying spot. Steven and Kimberly Meninga Trust, dated January 20,2021 TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS:The decedent, Steven L. Meninga, who lived at 11264 Long Point Drive, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, died on May 14, 2023. The decedent and his wife, Kimberly A. Meninga, established the Steven and Kimberly Meninga Trust, dated January 20, 2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Trust and the Estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kimberly A. Meninga, Trustee of the above-referenced Trust, within four (4) months after the date of publication of this notice. Date of Publication:___________ . 2023 TRUSTEE: Kimberly A. Meninga Address: 11264 Long Point Drive Plainwell, Ml 49080 ATTORNEY: Michael A. Shields Address: Lewis Reed & Allen P.C. 136 East Michigan Avenue; Suite 800 Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 Telephone: (269) 388-7600 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 For Side WESTERN SADDLE, BAS­ KET Weaved Silver Conchos, suede seat, $250 obo, 269948-4054. Garage Sale EVERYTHING FROM SOUP . to Nuts! Except No Clothes! 407 E. Lincoln St., Hastings. Thurs. & Fri. only, June 8th & 200884 9th, 2023. 9am-5pm. Business Services will result in the child(ren) being returned home, continued in foster care, or the court may order proceedings to terminate SIPC "Member ie,noera, 'v PACILLO LAWNCARE Tak­ ing new clients in Hastings. Phone (269)838-6025._______ MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269838-1782. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. HELP NEEDED: UNLOAD­ ING One hay wagen and stacking in bam 2 times, once in July and Once in Septem­ ber. $30/hr. 269-948-4054 MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Help Wanted GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Bene­ fits 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance. Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc., 396 Main St., Sunfield, ML Send Re­ sumes to info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com. All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Gvil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which Is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. Tb report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. sss < .' WHL §W< ■W&><s S?w^x '^$^<5 *> W&ts wSjSS N w 1 it 111 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 8,2023 — Page 13 Olivet shuts out Vikings in finals of district tournament w F wt Hastings junior Owen Carroll watches his tee shot go on number three Thursday during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Hamilton at Diamond Springs Golf Course. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Saxons tenth at tough Division 2 golf regional Sr Srf **>■&** a® regional tournament SKkl kshxr M aajsMnrui fstlietedslMpSi ntOfaMiiriWiiii saiifUiHlfiJfolte tafcii jasjraffct11®" | I Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ranked number one in the lower peninsula throughout the season, the Grand Rapids Christian varsity boys’ golf team dominated the MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Diamond Springs Golf Course Thursday. The Eagles shot a 296 as a team with soph­ omore John Cassiday and junior Maxwell O’Grady battling for individual regional medalist honors each scoring a 72. The Eagle team had four guys in the 70’S with junior Dylan Clark shooting a 75 and freshman Cooper Reitsma firing a 77. The top three teams and top three players not on those teams earned spots in the June 9-10 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Boys’ Golf Finals. South Christian finished second, closer to placing eighth than first, with a score 323 and Unity Christian was third with a 327. Otsego finished fourth in the day’s team standings with a score of 332 ahead of Zeeland West 348, Plainwell 348, Hamilton 348, Charlotte 360, Holland 362, Hastings 368, Wayland 369, Holland Christian 369, ZeeThornapple Kellogg senior Kyron Zoet fires his ball towards the green on number land East 372, Allegan 374, Ionia 376, Thor­ 16 at Diamond Springs Golf Course Thursday during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional napple Kellogg 378, West Michigan Aviation Tournament hosted by Hamilton. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Academy 422 and Lansing Waverly 516. Hastings was led by an .88 from freshman Fouty had an up, and down day. He had birdie came on the par-4 number 10, the pen­ Daniel'Jgis^ng'JJie Saxons also got an 89 jhug birdies starting \yi th qfltrotrthe flpHrSBTtl; ultimate hole ip£jiis rojpifJj 3tatb from senior Coffin Fouty and a 90 from junior par-5 number 16. He birdied three: of the four Senior Austin Pitscli led Thomapple Kel­ Owen Carroll. Their team’s fifth score was a par 5’s at the tournament also shooting fours logg with an 89. Junior Jordan Parks shot a 95 101 from junior Ryan VanDorp. on number four and number eight. His last for the Trojans and sophomore Tyler Voss and senior Kyron Zoet botlyscored 97’s. Hamilton senior Eli Timmerman was fifth overall on the day individually and the top individual state qualifier from th'e tournament with a score of 77. f The other two individual state qualifiers came from the fourth-place Otsego team — sophomores Spencer Shearer and Landon Eastman. Shearer shot a?78 and Eastman a 79. Eastman had to beat out Zeeland West soph­ omore Logan Borners and senior Malachi Le in a three-person playoff for that final state qualifying spot as all three guys put up scores of 79. Alden Benson of Hastings deals a pitch during the Saxons’ 13-2 Division 2 District Semifinal loss to Lakewood on Saturday, June 3, at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lakewood took out Hastings and then the Vikings were eliminated by Greater Lansing Activities Conference rival Olivet in the championship game of the MHSAA Division 2 District Tournament at Lakewood High School Saturday. Lakewood pitcher Landon Makley tossed a solid outing on the mound for the Vikings, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks. He struck out four and kept his guys in the bailgame. Olivet pitcher Lalo Aguirre scattered five hits over his 6 2/3 innings on the mound. He got the win walking one and striking out eight. Cam Frazier came on to strikeout the final Viking batter in the bottom of the seventh. The Eagles scored single runs in the bot­ tom of the fourth and the bottom of the sixth. A lead-off walk by Bryce Wine in the bot­ tom of the fourth led to his team’s first run. He stole second; took third and then scored on an RBI single into center by Jackson Sinclair. .A double play on a botched bunt attempt by the Eagles got the Vikings out of that inning without any more damage being done. Back to back singles by Wine and Aguirre to lead off the bottom of the sixth put runners at the comers; and Wine came around to score his team’s second run on a wild pitch with two out in the inning. Gabe Porter walked to lead off the top of the seventh for the Vikings in their last gasp effort, but the Eagles put the next three Lake­ wood batters down in order. Walker Klifinan was 2 for 3 with a double to lead the Lakewood attack. Blake Price was 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and Troy Acker singled once in three at-bats. Hastings committed five errors leading to seven unearned runs for the Vikings in their district semifinal match-up as the Saxons end the season withoura victory. T’.twmxir The three Hastings Hits in the bal Igame were all singles, one each for Eastin Tibble, Landon Steward and Diego Coipel. Tibble and Jackson Hayes had RBI’s for the Sax­ ons. Gabe Porter got the win for the Vikings on the mound. He allowed two runs on the three hits and two walks. He struck out five. Lakewood had 11 hits including doubles by Price, Makley and Nate Willette. Makley was 3 for 4 with three RBI’s and a run scored. Porter was 3 for 3 with three RBI’s. Lakewood also got hits from Brennen Lehman, Ethan Guiles and Seth Willette. Price had two RBI’s and Acker and Klifinan both drove in one run. 200762 LEGAL NOTICE Jordan Lake Improvement Board Barry County and Ionia County, Ml HEARING OF PRACTICABILITY AND HEARING OF ASSESSMENT ••is X**5* TAKE NOTICE that the Jordan Lake Improvement Board will hold a HEARING OF PRACTICABILITY on a five-year improvement project (2017-2021) for Jordan Lake consisting of nuisance aquatic plant control, administration, and contingencies. The annual budget for the project would be $66,700. The hearing will be held at the Page Memorial Building located at 839 Fourth Avenue in Lake Odessa, Michigan at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, August 1,2016. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a special assessment roll has been prepared and is on file at the Hastings senior Collin Fouty lines up a putt on number two during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Hamilton at Diamond Springs Golf Course Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) KA J w examination during normal business hours. Said special assessment roll has been prepared for the purpose of assessing the cost of the improvement project to benefiting properties. Eagles added GL6 tourney title to list of 2023 victories Brett Bremer A* Barry County Drain .Commissioner located at 220 W. State Street in Hastings, Michigan and the Ionia County Drain Commissioner located at 100 W. Main Street in Ionia, Michigan for public Sports Editor The Barry County Christian varsity base­ ball team followed up its Great Lakes 6 regu­ lar season championship by winning the conference tournament championship game Saturday at the Barry County Christian School in Hastings. The Eagles took an 11-0 win over Heritage Christian Academy in the championship game after a 3-0 win over Sacred Heart Acad­ emy in the opening round of the tournament. Eagle pitchers Isaiah Birmingham, Wyatt Stone and Josiah Grzybowski combined to shut out Heritage Christian in the six-inning cham­ pionship game. Birmingham tossed two innings striking out five and walking four. Stone walked two and struck out four in his three innings of work. Heritage Christian managed just one hit off of Stone. Grzybowski threw a scoreless inning in which he walked one. The Eagles needed just five hits to score their 11 runs thanks to nine Heritage Chris­ tian 'errors. Dustin Lampart, Birmingham and Grant VanderWoude each doubled once. Josiah Grzybowski and Joe Wise both singled once. Wise, VanderWoude and Lampart each had an RBI. the Eagles won their opener against Sacred Heart in five innings. VanderWoude got the win on the mound. He threw four shut out innings in which he walked three, gave up four hits and struck out three. Lampart threw a scoreless fifth inning for the save. He struck out one and walked one. Barry County Christian had eight different guys get one hit in the win over Sacred Heart. Ryan Kammenzind had a triple and Teegen Whitmire a double. The other six hits were singles by Lampart, VanderWoude, Grzy­ bowski, Jonathan Hawkes, Stone and Wise. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Jordan Lake Improvement Board will hold a HEARING OF ASSESSMENT immediately following the aforementioned HEARING OF' PRACTICABILITY for the purpose of reviewing said special assessment roll and for hearing any objections thereto. An owner of or party with interest in real property to be assessed or his/her agent may appear in person to object to the special assessment or may protest such special assessment by letter filed with the Lake Board at or prior to the time of the hearing, in which case personal appearance is not required. Written objections may be filed with or mailed to the Jordan Lake Improvement Board, c/o Barry County Drain Commissioner, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the owner of or any party with interest in real property within the Jordan Lake Special Assessment District who, having protested said special assessment either in person or in writing, may, within thirty (30) days after the confirmation of the special assessment roll has been published in a newspaper of general circulation, appeal such special assessment to the Michigan tax tribunal or other court of competent jurisdiction. The abov^referenced hearings are being held pursuant to Part 309 of Public Act No. 451 of 1994 as amended; Jordan Lake Improvement Board �Page 14 — Thursday, June 8,2023 — The Hastings Banner Influx of freshmen helps TK program to district title The Delton Kellogg varsity softball team celebrates with its 2023 MHSAA Division 3 District Champibnshlp? trophy after besting Olivet and Fennville in the district tourna­ ment hosted by fv^apfc Valley High School Saturday. District win earns DK girls rematch with Calvin Christian Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg scored two runs in the top of the first inning against Olivet without the benefit of a hit to open its MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament at. Maple Valley High School and led from start of the semifinal to the end of the championship game Saturday. The Panthers took a 6-3 win over Olivet in the semifinals and then took a 16-0 three-in­ ning victory over Fennville , in the district championship game. Delton Kellogg heads to Newaygo Satur­ day, June 10, for their MHSAA Division 3 Regional Tournament. The Panthers face sixth-ranked -Calvin Christian in a hodq regional semifinal. Ravehna takeSfon Chippe­ wa Hills in the first semifinal of the day start­ ing at 10 a.m. Calvin Christian ended an outstanding 2022 Delton Kellogg softball season with a? 1-0 win in an MHSAA Division 3 Pre-Dis­ trict bailgame last spring - a loss the Panthers have been looking to avenge for the past 365 or so days. “It has been a driving force behind this team with last year’s pre-district loss,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jesse Lyons said. “I think that is part of the reason where you don’t just see them jumping around and getting overly excited all the time.” “The girls played really well Saturday. That’s for sure,” he said. DK pitcher Mya Brickley tossed a three-in­ ning perfect game in the championship strik­ ing out six of the nine Blackhawk batters she faced. The Panthers hammered 10 hits and scored five unearned runs with the help of three Fen­ nville errors. “They went out that first inning, I think we batted through twice,” coach Lyons said. “They came out swinging and really hit the ball well in that first inning. They did. Mya had really good command of her pitches.” Paige Thomas, Kasey Kapteyn and Jordan Lyons were each 2 for 2 at the plate. Lyons drove in three runs and scored twice. Thomas had one RBI and scored three times. Allie Trantham tripled and drove in three runs. Kapteyn had a run and an RBI. Brickley doubled and scored two runs. DK also got his from Allison Brandli and Cadence Johnson. Coach Lyons was pretty pleased with the way both of his girls pitched Saturday. Lizzy Stpnebumer threw the district semifinal game for Delton against Olivet - a move based mostly around wanting to have Brickley’s glove at third base in case the Eagles’ tried to play small ball. He also liked the idea of how Stone burner’s drop ball would help keep the Eagles from hitting the ball in the air. “Lizzy she had really good command of her pitches in that first game against Olivet. She really came through. She did a good job,” coach Lyons said. The Panthers had the Eagles playing from 'behind throughout the championship after ■ getting thdsp-two early runs. Olivet got with 2-1 with a run in the bottom of the third inning, but DK tacked on two funs in the sixth and two more in the seventh in an attempt to put things out of reach for Olivet. The Eagles’ first three batters reached in the bottom Of the seventh on a single by Sier­ ra Truax, an RBI double from Emma Fowler and an RBI triple froth Bella Strader. Olivet had a Strader on third with nobody out when Kylie Sandmire flipped a pop up behind first base. Second baseman Jordan Lyons rushed over to make a diving catch and then fired to third base where Strader had wandered too far off the bag towards home expecting the hit to drop in. Now the Eagles had nobody on with two out and the Panthers finished things off from there. Abby Fichtner, Jordan Lyons, Thomas and Brickley, the top four in the Panther batting order, were held hitless by the Olivet pitcher Strader. Normally that wouldn’t be a recipe for success for Delton Kellogg, but the bot­ tom of the order came up big. Allison Brandli and Kasey Kapteyn were both 2 for 4 at the plate. Kapteyn scored a run and Brandli drove one in. Allie Trantham was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Maysse Wiessner also went 1 for 3. Jordan Lyons didn’t get a hit, but she stole two bases and scored three runs. Fichtner walked twice an d scored a run too, Brickley walked once and scored once. The Panthers also did their job moving runners around. Wiessner and Johnson got bunts down to help keep girls going around the base paths. You’re Invited to join us at our Community Celebration The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls1 soccer team gathers with its 2023 MHSAA Division 2 District Championship trophy after a 1-0 win over Hamilton in the district final inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor For a few varsity )stalwarts it was a long time coming, but .-the Trojans are mostly ahead of schedule. < The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soc­ cer team, with two seniors and nine freshmen on the roster, captured the program’s first district championship since 2018 by scoring a 1-0 win over Hamilton in the MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 District Final inside Bob White Stadi­ um in Middleville Thursday. “I think that it could have been done years ago, but I think this team has been strong since the beginning of the season and I knew we were going to do big things since the beginning of the season,” Trojan junior mid­ fielder Emma Schut said after the victory. “The hard work we ‘have put in at practice, and just with all the freshmen coming in I think it has been an amazing experience and we worked hard and we deserved this.” Freshman Tealy Cross scored the game’s only goal. The Trojans, now 15-4-1, dominat­ ed possession throughout the first half, and really most of the bailgame, against the Hawkeyes. It wasn’t until the 25th minute that Cross was able to break free for the shot that beat the Hamilton keeper. The ball came to Cross on a long clear from sophomore center back Emma Gbukes. “I was just trying to get the ball out of there,” Geukes said. “It was crazy that she scored off of that. I was not expecting that at all.” Cross watched her shot hit the back of the net and then turned back towards the center of the field’and found senior Peyton Pratt coming her way. She leapt into Pratt’s arms and they spun together until they were sur­ rounded by their teammates. Geukes was joined in a reworked Trojan defense this season by freshman center back Ella Fischer, freshman Natalie Borrink and senior Anna Davis oii the outside and fresh­ man goalkeeper McKenna Hoebeke. How that group would come together was one of the big questions for the Trojans entering this season, and the TK program got a big answer with the shutout in the district championship game. “That was kind of. scary with our whole back line being all freshmen, but they have adjusted so well and they have become so Thornapple Kellogg midfielder Emma Schut drives by Hamilton's Bri Hernandez with the ball during the first half of their MHSAA Division 2 District Final in Middleville Friday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) strong,” Schut said. “It has just been amazing to see everyone grow so much.” “It was pretty hard at first,” Geukes said. “We don’t talk as much as we should, but over the season we have started communicat­ ing better and working better together.” She said Hoebeke is the best communica­ tor of the group, and always has encouraging words for her back line. “Both of us have spoken a lot this season with them about being aggressive,” TK co-head coach Ben Sleeman said of himself and coach David Wood, who are leading the girls’ program in Middleville for the first time Join us in celebrating 1OO years of caring for our community. Wednesday, June 21 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Join us in celebrating our past, present and future. • Picnic cook-out Pennock Hospital 1009 W. Green Street Hastings; Ml 49058 Q Corewell Health" Foundation West Michigan • MOO-ville ice cream • Tours of the Health & Wellness Center • Tours of the Baum Family Surgery Center • Door prizes • Explore the Betty Ford Breast Care Services mammography bus and more! Thornapple Kellogg freshman Tealy Cross spins in the arms of senior teammate Peyton Pratt after scoring in the first half of a 1-0 win over Hamilton in the MHSAA Division 2 District Final in Middleville Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) this spring. “They’re so young. One of them has never played center back and one of them is a freshman. Their biggest thing is being timid and not wanting the ball. Tonight, [Hamilton] had a good player up front, and we spoke to both [Geukes and Fischer] about being a bit more aggressive and trying to limit the amount of chances she got on the ball and they did a good job of that.” The Hawkeyes, who closed the season at 10-7-1, got through the Trojan defense to put a couple of solid balls at the net in a flurry ten minutes into the second half, but Hoebeke was up to the task and got a little help from one of her posts. The Trojans were set to head to Vicksburg Wednesday, June 7, for their MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 Regional Semifinal bailgame against Plainwell. The TK ladies were set to face the Plainwell Trojans without their top scorer, junior attacker Holly Velting, who received a red card with about ten minutes to play in the district final. She picked up a yellow card as the official determined she’d had a little too much contact with the Hamilton goalkeeper on more than one occasion. She; picked up her second yellow, an automatic red, with a hard tackle late in the second half. “At the end of the day, we talked about being a team and having to defend for the last 20 minutes or whatever it might be,” Sleeman said. “Then when we lose Holly and every­ thing goes into a little more^f a panic mode and trying to maintain our emotions and keeping everything in check. ‘ “We lose our fastest player on the field and we lose our leading goalscorer, but at that point [in the district: final] it is kind of is all right because we needed to defend. Even though you lose a number, you drop every­ body back a level and they look to pick up the slack. Tealy and Paige [Abshagen] we ask them to do a lot when we lose our striker, where they are trying to press high and then get back and even come centrally a little bit. They did a lot of work on the outside.” Schut was proud of the effort she saw Velt­ ing giving throughout the match. “She worked so hard and that just shows how hard we were working, for a girl to get a red card,” Schut said. “She was winning every ball. 1 just think, if you get a red card you’re working hard. I think that is just awe­ some. Just the way we fought until that last whistle, I just think that was amazing.” The Trojans earned their place in the dis­ trict final with a 3-1 win over Zeeland East and a 5-1 win over Zeeland West in the first two rounds of the district tournament in Mid­ dleville. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-06-15.pdf 656ea416347b21dcf9a712e6447b4efa PDF Text Text TK Schools extends uperintendent's contract Calvin Christian homers knock DK from regional Sieigs^o<ry; page Qi See story on page 3 1070490102590501768749058113421 **——*«*CAR_RT lot«*c q05 Richard Hemerling 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-1134 C005 6/30/2023 9:47:00 AM Thursday, June 15, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 24 PRICE $1.50 A CENTURY OF CARE: Pennock Hospital invites community to celebrate milestone Jayson Bussa Editor Cheryl Sinclair affectionately refers to her­ self as a “lifer” at Pennock Hospital. She is in her 26th year working at the hos­ pital, but she still has work to do before she matches her mother’s career there, which spanned nearly 50 years. While Sinclair’s lengthy tenure'there is noteworthy, she’s certainly not the only one. In fact, the staff at Pennock is riddled with long-standing employees that, like Sinclair, were bom, raised or reside within the local community. “It’s very family-oriented,” said Sinclair, who serves as Surgical Services Manager. “You have a lot offamily members that work here, and they take a lot of pride in that because they’re able to care for those in their community or often family and friends. I’m part offour generations that worked here, and we’re all incredibly proud ofthat.” This steady, reliable and local workforce is one of the many factors that have played a role in Pennock Hospital’s longevity. Administrators and staffat the hospital will mark yet another milestone next week when it cele­ brates the 100th anniversary of opening the hospital on Green Street, where it initially offered 28 beds thanks to a’ $20,000 initial gift from Barry Township farmers Eben and Elvira Pennock. The Pennocks pledged the money in 1913 and stipulated that the hospital must be con­ structed within 10 years. On Wednesday, June 21, the hospital will host an invite-only event in the morning fol­ lowed by a day of festivities that is open to the public from 3 to 6 p.m. Residents are See CARE, page 2 Pennock Hospital 100th Anniversary Celebration Pennock Hospital 1009 W. Green Street in Hastings Wetfn&sday; June 21; 3 to 6:30 p:m. Picnic cookout, MOO-ville ice cream, prizes and tours of the Health‘& Wellness Center, Baum Family Surgery Center and the Betty Ford Breast Care Services mammography bus Cheryl Sinclair (far left) stands with a portion of her team at the Baum Surgery Center. Sinclair has worked at Pennock Hospital for 26 years, starting as a volunteer candy striper. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) County, townships to face logistical challenges as Prop 2 shapes new election procedures Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer (left) spoke in front of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning. Palmer outlined possible changes and lingering unknowns assoasso­ ciated with the upcoming 2024 election due to the passage of Proposal 2 last year, which amended Michigan’s constitution and made permanent changes to the election process. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Jayson Bussa Editor The passage of Michigan Proposal 2 last year will usher in a host of changes to the local election process, beginning with the upcoming primary election in 2024. On Tuesday morning, Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer appeared in front ofthe Board of Commissioners to alert them to those changes and the impact they might have on the county. “I’m going to preface this right now that not all of these implications have been resolved as far as how they’re going to be implemented,” Palmer cautioned before div­ ing into the changes mandated by Proposal 2, also known as the Right to Voting Policies Amendment. In Barry County, 16,049 voters voted no on Proposal 2 last election compared to 13,829 who voted for it. See PROP 2, page 3 City approves $55,000 payment to Mercy Ambulance to pay for equipment necessary for operation Rodney Palmer, Mercy Ambulance executive director, attended Monday’s city council meeting to answer questions and provide information about Mercy’s services. Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The city agreed to pay up to $55,000 to Mercy Ambulance for the purchase of new equipment. Rodney Palmer, Mercy Ambulance execu­ tive director, was at Monday’s meeting to provide information to city council members. The payment would go toward defraying the $145,000 cost of equipment Mercy requires to continue operating. The council voted 8-1 to approve the payment, with Don Bowers making the dissenting vote. While the council approved a payment of up to $55,000, City Manager Sarah Moy­ er-Cale said the final payment might be less. Palmer made a presentation to the BIRCH Rural Fire Association earlier this month, asking township representatives to ask their respective boards if they could help defray the $145,000 price tag. The price was divided between the town­ ships based on population and the number of calls in each area. Hastings, with the largest population and number ofambulance runs by a large margin, will contribute the largest amount. Mercy Ambulance, founded in 1977, has operated as a freestanding emergency medi­ cal service provider in Barry County since 1988. This is in contrast to private EMS ser­ vices in some other counties, which receive yearly subsidies from local municipalities. Palmer said 1988 was the last time the company asked for and received a subsidy from the city. Scaled up to today’s prices and scale of operations, a similar subsidy would cost the city millions, he said. “In 1988, we were getting $200,000 a year,” Palmer said. “Ifyou do a future value (assessment) on that, that means we would be asking for $12 million a year (today) if we were not freestanding.” While some counties operate with a cen­ tralized emergency services provider, Barry County utilizes a combination ofboth various township services and private providers. Mercy operates as the largest private provider in Barry County, significantly bolstering the availability of ambulances and EMS at any given time. See CITYAPPROVES, page 3 Kelly Lewis (left) and Sue Dykstra (right) manage and own Middleville-based Creekside Growers, respectively. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Middleville grower now hub to regional cut flower industry Greg Chandler StaffWriter For the past 25 years, area residents have been flocking to Creekside Growers, just north ofthe village of Middleville, to buy flowers and other garden supplies. However, the business owned by Sue Dykstra at 10197 Garbow Rd. is taking on a new direction. Creekside is now serving as the hub for a collective of 13 flower farms called the West Michigan Flower Market. The collective includes farms from as far north as Rockford, as far west as South Haven and as far south as Battle Creek. “We’ve always been a garden center and a greenhouse, and we’re switching over to more cut flowers for the wholesale industry and the retail (industry),” Dykstra said. Dykstra has been working on this transi­ tion over the last five years. The idea behind the collective is to help all its mem­ ber farms supply designers and florists with locally-grown flowers. “We grow everything, or one of the farms in our collective grows it,” Dykstra said. See FLOWER, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, June 15, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Freeport hosting Amateur Radio Field Day activities Members of the Barry Amateur Radio Association will participate in National Amateur Radio Field Day exercises on Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25, at Freeport Village Park, 210 State Street. Since 1933, ham radio operators across North America have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill ofamateur radio. This event is open to the public on Saturday, June 24, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. All are encouraged to attend and observe radio operations, talk to hams and even make a radio contact. Field Day showcases how amateur radio works reliably under any conditions from almost any location to create an independent communications network. “Ham radio functions completely independent ofthe internet or cell phone infrastructure, can interface with laptops or smartphones and can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. That’s the beauty ofamateur radio during a communications outage,” said Bob Inderbitzen, spokesperson for the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Anyone may become a licensed amateur radio operator. There are more than 750,000 licensed hams in the United States, with operators as young as 9 and as old as 100. Locals can get involved with the Barry Amateur Radio Association. More information about Field Day or amateur radio is available by emailing bara.k8bmi@gmail.com or visiting arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio. : arae river trip planned for Middleville The Thomapple River Watershed Council, the Michigan Water Environment Associa­ tion and Indian Valley Campground and Livery are sponsoring a paddling event on Sun­ day, June 18, starting at 11:30 a.m. Paddlers will embark on the three-hour trip down the Thomapple River from Sesquicentennial Park in Middleville. While the trip is for fun, it will also raise funds for Water For People, a global nonprofit that equips communities with lasting access to clean water and sanitation services. Anyone interested in joining the event can email thomappleriverwc@gmail.com or call 808-638-1529 to learn more or get set up with a boat. Art at the Library slated to return; organizers seeking artisans and vendors Art at the Library is slated to return for the 2023 holiday season. This year, the event will take place on Dec. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hastings Public Library as part ofthe Jingle & Mingle weekend kick-off. Organizers are currently accepting applications from vendors, crafters, artisans and I small business owners in the Barry County area. Those who hold booths at the event will I “pay” for the booth by donating an item crafted or sold by the vendor to be raffled offby I the Friends of the Library at the event. All proceeds from the raffle will help sponsor I library programs and items in the future. Applications for booths can be found on the Hastings Public Library’s webpage, hastingspubliclibrary.org, under the “forms” section. The library is only accepting electronic applications this year. Those applying are asked to submit their applications with all I ^elp.v^nf materials, requested. Applications are fiqe by Sept. 3Q, 2Q^3,. AJ^yqjidors who WProved> ‘"M.^ere.^dispiay wpris migiyep•» I vant, details for the event sometime before Oct. 14. „ I I Scout Day at the Capitol is today Nearly 800 Scouts from across Michigan will be at the Capitol today, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. During Scout Day at the Capitol, members ofboth chambers of the state legislature will have the opportunity to have lunch with the Scouts and then will be pre­ sented with the annual Scout Report to the State. The Scouts will be addressed by mem­ bers of the state’s legislature, and retired General Michael C.H. McDaniel, an Eagle Scout currently teaching constitutional law at Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School, will present the keynote. Other activities will include Capitol tours, scouting displays, meeting with elected officials and interactive activities. A 30-foot rock climbing wall and an inflatable archery course will be part ofthe events, and a free lunch is being provided. Honorary co-hosts for the Scout Day at the Capitol include: Michigan State Represen­ tative Stephanie Young; Michigan State Representative Curt VanderWall; Senator Mark Huizenga; Senator Paul Wojno; General Michael C.H. McDaniel (retired). Qnst Insul4z \»v SPRAYFOAM MV Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville je MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 #8110376 & Insured Open burning permitted once again in Barry County A couple days of rain and plummeting temperatures was enough to address the extreme fire risk that Barry County and the rest ofthe state were facing. After Barry County suspended open burn­ ing due to the prolonged period of dryness, Barry County Central Dispatch announced on Monday that residents were authorized to continue with their burning. As is always the case, residents must first apply for a bum permit. Like most other areas of the state, Barry County was extremely dry until the weekend brought with it a light, persistent rain with additional chances of rain throughout the week. Up until then, data collected from a Nation­ al Weather Service climate station in Hast­ ings showed that no rain had fallen in June, andjust above one inch fell in all ofMay. Barry County’s Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Yarger last week cautioned that a little bit of rain might not necessarily be enough to lift the ban. All residents that plan to conduct open burning must apply for a bum permit. Numbers are listed below. - Thomapple Fire Service Area: 269-795­ 7243 - Bellevue Fire Service Area: 517-719­ 0861 - Nashville Fire Service Area: 269-832­ 9661 - Yankee Springs Fire Service Area: 616­ 299-1306 - All other areas: 269-205-3208 FLOWER INDUSTRY, continued from page 1 What many people may not realize is that about 80 percent ofthe cut flowers sold in the United States are imported. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States imported nearly $3.3 billion in cut flowers, plants and nursery stock during the 2022 fiscal year. Leading exporters of cut flowers to the U.S. include Colombia, Cana­ da, Ecuador and the European Union, accord­ ing to the agriculture department. “Most of the plants that come in from Ecuador are in a box, on an airplane, for up to a week,” Dykstra said, also noting that such plants are usually treated with pesticides. Farms ofthe collective do not use pesticides on their flowers, she said. “How can you think that a plant that is probably covered with pesticides, been put in a dark, dark box, been on an airplane, been handled again as it’s been divided out, is bet­ ter quality than one that was harvested (local­ ly) within 24 hours, (with) no pesticides?” Dykstra asked. With the development of the collective, Creekside has changed its approach to grow­ ing flowers, both in its greenhouse and 2-acre outdoor area. Flowers are harvested daily, Dykstra said. “We have 100,000 plants in the ground, easily/’ Dykstra said. “We plant 10,000 ofone thing at a time because that’s what the indus­ try needs. We want people to know we have the quantity. If(someone has) a wedding and they need 100 white peonies, we can meet that need ... We’re producing quantities that will work for them to produce their events.” The West Michigan Flower Market has a wholesale division where florists and design­ ers cap purchase cut flowqrs online - the (website is rootedfarmCrs.com. But there will still be flowers available for retail sale inside Creekside Growers. “People have the option to come in and grab something - men on their way home if they want to grab something for their wives, we’re here, we have (flowers) already in vases or (flowers) in sleeves they can grab and go,” Dykstra said. Kelly Lewis, manager for Creekside, says the center’s location is perfect for servicing Creekside Growers is now serving as the hub for a collective of 13 flower farms called the West Michigan Flower Market. the West Michigan region. “It’s kind ofcool, the fact that Middleville being the stagecoach stop between Kalama­ zoo and Grand Rapids, we are the flower stop for designers and florists from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids,” Lewis said. Dykstra expects the collective to operate year-round. The floral shop will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop will close Monday for harvesting of flowers. CARE, continued from page 1 invited to partake in a cookout while touring the hospital’s various facilities, including the Baum Family Surgery Center that opened in 2020. The.picnic will take place in a large tent behind the surgery center. Sinclair will be inside the Baum Center conducting demonstrations of a surgical robot. While she now oversees the surgical department - including operating rooms, preand post-surgery and endoscopy - she has seen the hospital from every angle during her journey to that position. This journey started when Sinclair worked as a volunteer candy striper when she was only a teenager. From there, she went to the dietary department, where she washed dishes and became familiar with and inspired by the work administered by the facility’s nurses. That’s when she decided to pursue nursing. Sinclair worked as a nurse tech and then as a nurse on the medical-surgical floor. She was eventually transferred to critical care and then nursing informatics. After that, Sinclair was a circulating nurse in the operating room and then became a first assistant in the OR until finally reaching her leadership role. In those 26 years, she said that Pennock has maintained its core identity as a community hospital, even when being acquired by Spec­ trum Health in 2015. Now, after Spectrum’s merger with Beaumont Health, Pennock exists under the Corewell Health banner. “It’s being open-minded to the fact that we knew change was coming whenever there is an integration,” Sinclair said about the hospi­ tal’s ability to maintain its down-home dynamic. “It’s been so beneficial to us because now we have a multitude ofresources.” In a climate where rural, standalone hospi­ tals are not faring well or have shut down altogether, Pennock has bucked the trend. Bill Hoefer, the new president of Pennock, pointed to a variety ofreasons as to why that is, but none more important than the commu­ nity surrounding the hospital. “We live in a very vibrant community. We have a community that;is very supportive of the hospital, notjust in terms ofbeing loyal to us, but there are a lot ofpeople in the community that have put a lot oftime and energy into helping this hospital be successfill and for that, we’re very grateful,” Hoefer told The Banner. Larry and Earlene Baum, owners of Hast­ ings Fiberglass, are two high-profile mem- Pennock Hospital was established in 1923 on Green Street in Hastings, thanks to an initial $20,000 investment from Barry Township farmers Eben and Elvira Pennock. Now, the hospital features a sprawling facility that offers an abundance of medical services. bers of a dedicated donor base in Hastings. The couple issued a statement to The Banner as Pennock approached its milestone: “We love our hometown of Hastings and have been blessed to have our local hospital serving gyy our community for these 100 years/’ the couple said. “This is the reason that ou our family and foundation has continued to offer support for the hospital and its healthcare initiatives. We are proud to be a part of the hospital’s legacy.” Hoefer’s praise for the community also included employees like Sinclair and her col­ league who have worked for decades within the hospital. “That’s one ofthe things I love about this hospital,” Hoefer said. “When I first came here, I noticed the vast majority of people that work at Pennock Hospital live in this commu­ nity. This is a hospital where the nurses and the physicians and the housekeepers ... they are people that live in this community, and that team takes great pride in doing a great job in this-hospital because the people who are coming here are their family members and neighbors and other people in the com­ munity.” Pick up a copy ofthis weekends edition ofThe Reminderfor a look back at Pennock Hospital s 100 years in the community and reactionsfrom hospital staffand adminis­ trators. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. June 15, 2023 — Page 3 City to hold public hearing on William Street duplex development project rezoning later this month Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The city could vote to rezone an area near William Street and North Ferris Street for a residential development project that would connect the two streets later this month. The city council performed a first reading of an ordinance that would rezone a plot of land extending from the end ofWilliam Street eastward past the end ofNorth Ferris Street from Residential 1 to Residential 2. The city planning commission voted last week to move the issue forward to the city council after a presentation from Mike West, representing developer Green Development Ventures. Green Development Ventures submitted the rezoning request as a conditional request, a type of request that allows applicants to commit to meeting certain restrictions based on the current zoning requirements. The developer agreed to use the current, smaller R-l lot sizes and setback requirements while allowing for the construction of two-family duplex condominiums. .. The development, titled Brittney Estates North, calls for the construction of 13 two-family duplexes along the street and five single-family homes surrounding a cul-desac at the end ofthe street. A David Hatfield, chair of the Hastings Plan­ ning Commission/ was at the city council meeting to provide more .information for Council members. He said the conditional request was something th the city hasn’t typicalty'dealt with in the past. s s nt S Dave Hatfield, chair of the Hastings Planning Commission, spoke with city council members Monday about a conditional zoning request for a new residential development near William and Ferris Street. (Photo by Hunter McLaren):. “The thing that is unique about this is that it’s the first time we’ve really done a condit­ ional rezoning,” Hatfield said. “It’s where the applicant has made certain commitments as to where they will retain elements of the current zoning, which is R-l. “Even though we’re rezoning it to R-2 some certain things like lot sizes and setset­ backs will remain as they were in R-l,” he said. “With it moving into R-2, it does make it eligible to put some duplexes in.” Preliminary plans for the 18-lot project were presented p to planning commissioners last month and submitted as one ofthe project’s conditions. Commissioners generally showed support for the development, with some expressing concerns that the duplexes and single-family lots weren’t intermixed. West explained that the choice was made to maximize the amount oflots available in the project while working around the area’s existing topography and lot size requirements. The development still fell in line with the city’s master plan and all zoning require-ments, West said. “We can’t move a duplex to those five lots (on the cul-de-sac),” West said last week. “Without modifying the layout, we couldn’t. I don’t know what that does to the total number (oflots). We’re trying to hit a number here that makes sense financially, from land costs to construction costs, and trying to hit the price points that we want for the homes.” Ifthe city approves the rezoning request at its meeting later this month, the project could move on to its next steps. The devel­ oper would go back before the planning commission for final site plan approval, which would then come before the city council, Hatfield said. * Thornapple Kellogg board approves McCarthy contract extension Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Monday, the Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education approved an exten­ sion of Superintendent Craig McCar­ thy’s contract through the end of the 2025-26 school year. The school board changed the format of McCarthy’s contract with the district to a rolling contract, which will allow the board to approve annual extensions. “Every spring, he’ll notify the board president that he would like to extend •his contract another year, and then the board will accept or decline that,” School Board President Matt Powers said. McCarthy became TK’s superinten­ dent in January 2022 after serving as interim superintendent for the district for four months and assistant superintendent for four years. Before that, he had held an assistant superintendent position at Northview Public Schools in suburban Grand Rapids for nine years. McCarthy received a rating of“highly effective” from the school board in ajob performance evaluation conducted last December. The new contract calls for such an evaluation each spring. McCarthy received a salary boost under the contract extension. He will be paid $195,422 during the 2023-24 con­ tract year, according to the contract doc­ ument. McCarthy would then receive a 3.5 percent pay increase for the 2024-25 school year, and any future salary increases would be subject to negotia­ tion with the board, according to the contract document. “We try to keep our (administration) salaries in the ... top half, to be compet­ itive with (other districts) in the Kent Craig McCarthy (Intermediate School District),” Powers said. In addition to the salary increase, the district will contribute 8.1 percent of McCarthy’s base salary to a qualifying 403(b) retirement plan. He will also receive 25 vacation days and 15 sick days annually, according to the contract document. In his evaluation last December, McCarthy was praised for his leadership in completing building projects tied to the $42.8 million bond issue that TK voters approved in November 2019, as well as the district’s improved academic performance and his efforts to increase his presence in the local community. CITYAPPROVES, continued from page 1 Council meifiber Jim' Cary asked Palmer’ hatwouldffraj^Afiif51i%fi8fgency calYcinre P0 in and Mercy Ambulance wasn’t available. Palmer said it would tax an already strug­ gling EMS system in Barry County. “What happens right now, depending on the type ofpriority call it is, we have neigh­ boring services that would help come into the city,” Palmer said. “On the flip side, we do the same for them.” “There are around four ambulances avail­ able most every night in the county,” Palmer said. “There probably should be six, maybe seven.” Moyer-Cale said that while the $55,000 tantyfokpfatail te. Green Development Ventures presented these preliminary plans for Brittney Estates North at last week’s planning commission meeting. The plans would put 13 duplexes and five single-family homes on a new stretch of William Street connecting to Ferris Street. (Courtesy rendering) 0B> PROP 2, continued from page 1 *** I* j Two ofthe marquee changes were a man­ datory nine-day early voting period and the /formation of a permanent absent voter list. And while these changes are designed to make voting more accessible and convenient, local municipalities are shaping up to foot a significant bill to implement the changes. Early in-person voting must be held from the second Saturday before the election through the Sunday before the election. This must be polling place-style voting, where voters come in, vote and watch their ballots as they are processed through the tabulator. The nine-day early voting period is juired only for state and federal elections j not local special elections. *$^ly Votjng . means municipalities must establish and stiff a polling place for nine days leading up to the electipn. A minimum q? three poll workers are required at each Oration. Palmer used the City of Hastings as an example ofthe staffcosts that will be incurred. Hastings consists of four wards. If all three wards operated a polling place with three workers, that would equate to over 860 bill­ able hours by poll workers during early vot­ ing. However, Palmer and her fellow clerks can work together to streamline the process and cut down on those expenses by consolidating jurisdictions. 1 In the example of Hastings, the city could host all four wards at the same polling place and staffit with just three workers. “They would just need to be on their toes to know which ballot to give out to each voter,” Palmer said. “So far, the feeling from most ofmy clerks that I meet with on a monthly basis is that they would, right now, rather try to keep all their numbers. They don’t want to give up any of their voters. They want to keep track of their numbers and their voters. So, I’ve suggested they try this during the presidential primary to see how it goes.” Potential new equipment purchases also signify another major expense to each munic­ ipality. Palmer said that due to the early vot­ ing process, all municipalities may have to purchase a new electronic poll book, another tabulator and a ballot drop box, where the ballots drop into once they go through the tabulator. Palmer estimated that tabulators cost $4,950, and the ballot boxes are another $1,000. The electronic poll books cost around $800, and municipalities may also have to purchase an additional printer. The hew setup does come with some advantages, though. For instance, it would allow each polling place to print a new ballot on-sit^ if the poll place runs out ofthem. This is a scene that played out in Hastings during the 2022 presidential election. “Ijust find it hard to believe that this is laid on our local municipalities without any reim­ bursement,” said Commissioner Mike Call­ ton, who formerly served in the Michigan State House. “Itjust doesn’t seem right.” “It’s an unfunded mandate,” Board Chair­ man Dave Jackson interjected. But the state will be picking up the tab for some expenses. This includes the postage associated with permanent absent voter forms and ballots. By using a newly-drafted form, voters can indicate that they Would like to be mailed a ballot every election and vote absen­ tee. However, they can choose to vote in person, but they must bring their absentee ballot to the poll place so that election work­ ers can spoil it to avoid someone voting twice. Each voter’s qualified voter file (QVF) will update whenever they move. It also tracks ballots sent and received by the clerk and voter history to maintain voting integrity and security. The absent voter list makes voting easier and more accessible to those who travel as well. “There is also a place on this application that, ifyou’re a snowbird and you are going to be out ofstate for a period of time, our mail service will not automatically forward your mail, even if you signed up for it,” Palmer said. “(The postal service) will not forward ballots. So, the clerk will have in this pro­ gram where to send this ballot when you’re out of state or in a different location.” Absent voter ballot drop boxes must also be installed in all jurisdictions, which is already done in Barry County. “But some clerks have said their ballot boxes are leaking or haven’t been ofgood quality, so I’ve encouraged them to apply for a new ballot drop box to replace the one they have,” Palmer said. “The state is paying for those.” There is also uncertainty now swirling around whether or not cameras will be required at these drop boxes, with Palmer indicating that the state might be letting up on that mandate. She noted that nothing has been voted on or decided yet. Jackson floated the idea that, even if the state opts not to require cameras to be installed at ballot drop box locations, Barry County should still utilize them. “I think it would be a good security (mea­ sure),” he said. “People want to know what’s going on. We want to know these are fair elections.” As Barry County moves toward the Febru­ ary 2024 primary election, Palmer and her team ofclerks await clarity from the state. “I can tell you my feeling on this is that they got the cart before the horse,” Palmer told commissioners. “They put this proposal together, got it so that it was on the ballot, people for voted for it, and it passed and now they’re trying to figure out how to implement all these expenses.” payment was a one-timee ask from Mercy, wduild benefirthfe' fiftymtftffBert tymtftffBert to anticipate financially supporting Mercy or other private EMS providers going forward. “As Rodney said, this is a one-time ask at this point, but costs are not coming down. It's frankly remarkable we’ve made it this far without subsidizing an ambulance service," Moyer-Cale said. “It would behoove us to position ourselves to be able to plan for these types ofexpenditures in the future. The writ­ ing's on the wall, in my opinion. That’s the direction this is going due to the increase in costs and the limited ability ofany service to recoup those expenses.” STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29487-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 302 West Court Street. Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Michael Franklin Cornell. TO ALL PERSONS, including whose address is unknown and whose interest In the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 7/12/2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 302 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Michael Franklin Cornell to Emma Aoife Cornell. 201268 Bat Gllys Remove GIVE US A CALL TODAY! HARMLESS BAT REMOVAL BAT PROOF & CLEAN UP FULL ATTIC RESTORATION 10 YEAR WARRANTY 517-599-1019 www.thebatguysbotremoval.com �Page 4 — Thursday June 16. 2003 — The Meetings Banner Did you SCC The one important rule I learned about being a dad Pickin' and Grinnin' A crowd gathered Saturday afternoon at William Smith Park in Delton to welcome the inaugural Delton Bluegrass Music Festival. The concert, which took the place of the defunct Music in the Park event, brought four different bluegrass bands to the stage, including Jesse Mann & The Bluegrass Band, Schlitz Creek, Calabogie Road Bluegrass Band and the Michigan Mafia String Band. The music kicked off at 1 p.m. and went into the night. Patty Snyder snapped the photo here, which features Kalamazoo-based Schlitz Creek. More photos and coverage will be available In this weekend's edition of The Reminder. Do you remember? New city park? i<*D 13» 1974* Hastings City Council members met at the former State Fish Hatchery on Monday, June 10, to look over the grounds, which are scheduled to revert to the city after the Department of Natural Resources has no further use of it. The area includes about 60 acres, and ail but about nine acres are to revert to the municipality. Attorney Richard Shaw is to draft a resolution request­ ing legislative action so that the entire area may become city property for use as a recreational facility. A sparkling stream is included. Left to right are Aiderman Larry Kornstadt, Atty. Shaw, Aiderman William R. Cook, Aiderman Ivan Snyder, Mayor Cedric S. Morey, Aiderman Lynn Brown, Assessor Don James, Director of Public Services Michael Klovanich, Aiderman Gordan Fuhr and Aiderman Ken Howe. Have you met? The other night, I was talking with my grandparents, eagerly telling them about how I had a good week at the office and, joy ofall joys, finally got a book approved for my senior English major capstone project to be completed over the upcoming fall and spring semesters. Then my grandpa asked me a question that provoked a “gush-fest” where I found myself almost incapable of shutting up for a good 10 minutes. Those who know me Will know I don't often get so excited. “Doesn’t analyzing stories ruin them?” The short answer is absolutely not. Like a mechanic, I enjoy taking things apart to see how they work. The primary difference between me and a mechanic is that I enjoy taking apart stories, boiling them down to their bare elements, structure, word choice, even commas, to see how they inform the story as a whole. So, I can’t change your oil, unfortunately. I likened it to an investigation. I see a book or a film or a television show and I like it and I ask “Why is that?” And my brain just starts shooting off ideas. Next thing I know, I’m talking about the benefits of using a steady lingering shot over a quick choppy cut in a fight scene. Or why slow-mo is the bane ofmy existence. I’m fascinated by how stories communi­ cate to us and how they show us truths about ourselves. So, analyzing a story doesn’t ruin it for me. If anything, it does the opposite. It makes me appreciate it more. If I can see how all ofthese little pieces fit together into something I love, I can see the author’s hard work, passion and care for both the project and the audience. “But what ifyou don’t like the story?” Well, if I don’t like the story in the first place, it is nearly impossible to ruin it further. I could give you scores of bad movies and books ifyou are ever looking to punish your­ self. However, I still sometimes investigate, asking a new question: “What went wrong?” The investigation is still just as fascinat­ ing to me as it is with a story I adore. Just as the heights of humanity - your J.R.R. Alexis Chandler Tolkiens, your Alfred Hitchcocks, your Gene Kellys - are fascinating, so are its spectacular failures. Often, when I analyze a story I don’t like, I find a cautionary tale. They show me what not to do when writing. I also told my grandparents that this investigating attitude shows up, albeit in a less intense way, at the office. So basically, I’m the copyediting intern here at J-Ad. I make sure that the commas are there when they should be (and not there when they shouldn’t), that words are spelled correctly and that everything looks all nice and dandy. In short, it’s my job to know how things work and ensure they are working correctly. I’m sure some of you already caught a few mistakes in this very paper. I myselfam positively haunted by that one story where it said “vigilante” instead of“vigilant.” Don’t worry. I did correct it, even if it was basically just for me at that point. I do catch most things, I promise! But, that attention to detail, that asking of hoxyHhings work, shows up a lot in copy­ editing - just on a sentence level. A lot of times I’m moving things around from pas­ sive to active voice, reading things out loud, arguing with Grammarly. But it all comes down to making things as concise and clear as possible. Because, here at J-Ad, the message of our “art” is the truth, and the truth should be clear and easily understood, not coated in flowery, distracting language or say-noth­ ings meant to only fill space. So, our sentences should be robust, full of meaning but efficient. That’s the goal. And structure, word choice and, yes, even commas, all contribute to that. First job: Assistant cook at Camp Michawana - same investigating spirit, different question: “Just how much is a ‘dash’ ofpepper?” Book I’d recommend: If I just had to pick one, “Another Kingdom” by Andrew Klavan is the best modem book I’ve read thus far (it takes place in both Hollywood and a fantasy realm - you decide which is more wacky). But also, any ofthe classics. Currently, I’m about halfway through “Peter Pan” (my capstone text) and loving every second! My biggest challenge: Reaching the top shelf. And resisting the intoxicating allure of freshly picked blueberries. Never leave me alone with a batch ofblueberries or they will mysteriously disappear, and I will deny everything. Favorite movie: It is impossible to pick just one. But, “Lord of the Rings” is the best trilogy ever put to film. Anything Hitchcock is a fascinating watch. My favor­ ites are “Rope” and “Rear Window,” but I’m also partial to “Psycho.” “Tremors” was the rare horror movie that I actually liked, and the “Dollar” trilogy with Clint Eastwood is objectively awesome. Just to name a few. Ifyou want television recom­ mendations, my top two currently are “Daredevil” (for adults) and “Doctor Who” (for everyone). Least favorite movie: “Doctor Strange: Multiverse ofMadness.” I’m a huge Marvel movie fan (ofthe good ones, at least), and I will never hesitate to bad-mouth that film. It’s the one film I use to “compliment” other bad movies: “Well, at least, it’s not as bad as ‘Doctor Strange: MoM.*” I’m turning into my dad. Yup - I have reached that pivotal moment in life where I have completed the metamorphosis from a childless young punk teenager to a man with three kids ofmy own. On the weekends, I throw on my old tennis shoes and mow the lawn. But I don’tJust mow it — I like to stand back and admire it for a little bit once it’s cut. I yell to my kids to shut the front door because “I’m not paying to air condition the whole neighborhood.” Dad jokes? Oh, man. I love ’em. For instance, when my son comes to me and says, “I’m hungry,** I simply cannot resist the urge to answer back, “Hello, hungry. I’m Dad. Nice to meet you.” I snore like a chainsaw on vacations, and it keeps everyone awake at night. I control the thermostat. I do it all. With Father’s Day rolling around this weekend, I have no problem embracing this role, even though I promised myself that this day would never come. While my kids are hard at work hatching a plan to serve me breakfast in bed and treat me like a king on Sunday (at least, I assume so), I, myself, get to celebrate the man whose footsteps I have followed in on this evolution to becoming a dad - my dad, Dan Bussa. Like so many of you dads out there, most of what I learned about being a dad, I learned from my dad. He has imparted many lessons to me through­ out my 38 years on this planet, some of which he might not have even known he was teaching me. Father’s Day is quite an appropriate time to really hype up your dad and talk about all the memories you’ve made together growing up, and I have no shortage ofthose to tell. From coaching my Little League team - a perennial powerhouse of a team, mind you — to taking my brother and me to countless •Michigan State University- basketball games, trust me when I tell you that I was a lucky kid growing up. I had, and still have, a rock star ofa dad. We went on family trips - the stereo­ typical ones where we piled into a van and drove to the many reaches of the United States, visiting national parks. One year, when my brother and I were on the cusp of leaving the nest, the Bussa men assembled for one grand finale summit. We road-tripped out near the east coast, visited a half dozen Major League Baseball stadiums and shared countless laughs all the way. Again, I was really lucky We got to do some amazing things that will stick with me for the rest ofmy life. So, it might be a little strange when I say that one ofthe childhood memories that has stuck with me the most was relatively mundane. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised ifmy dad didn’t remember it - it was that uneventful. My brother and I had an electric race track called Racin’ Bandits, where you place the cars in the grooves ofthe track and can make them accelerate by pull­ ing a trigger on a remote. It was a lot of fun to play but a nightmare to set up. I might be exaggerating a bit here, but if I had to estimate, it came in approxi­ mately 9,500 pieces. Racin’ Bandits wasn’t exactly a toy you threw together, played for a little while and put away. You had to invest your blood, sweat and tears into it. One evening, my brother and I felt the need for speed, so we asked my dad to put together Racin’ Bandits. We ini­ tially got the obligatory “maybe,” when we first asked, but our chances took a hit when we followed up with a half dozen follow-up requests. We aban­ doned hope when we got a firm “No! Not tonight.” A little caveat to this story is that my dad worked his butt off. He was an accountant, a profession far too tedious and filled with numbers for me to ever show any interest in. But he pulled some ofthe most insanely long hours I have seen someone work. So, there is a good chance that our request for Racin’ Bandits came during some very rare and coveted downtime. After our hopes for Racin’ Bandits were dashed, we found something else to occupy our time and eventually went to bed. The next morning, I got up, and Dad was out of the house, already off to work. Naturally. However, in one ofthe side rooms, I discovered that the Racin’ Bandits set was put together and ready for a day at the track. A note sat on the kitchen counter from Dad apologizing for not setting it up the night before. He spent his night sifting through the pieces of the race track just because he didn’t think he came through for us. That story sticks with me quite viv­ idly. That’s because I think it really shows the type of father that my dad was and is and the type of father that I aspire to be. He is a dad that did the big things working hard to provide for his family - but still summoned the energy to do the little things, like setting up Racin’ Bandits. He always made sure you knew he had your back. He was present. Fast forward a couple ofdecades, and boy, am I getting a taste of my own medicine. In fact, I even bought my kids a racing set eerily similar to Racin’ Ban- , dits, and I can confirm that it is a com*. : plete pain in4ie butt to assemble. I am a fan of the television show “Modem Family,” which ran for 11 sea­ sons before going offthe air. It’s mostly mindless comedy about a non-traditional family. However, one quote from the family patriarch struck a chord with me: “The key to being a good dad is, well, sometimes things work outjust the way you want. Sometimes they don’t. But you gotta hang in there because when all is said and done, 90 percent ofbeing a dad is just showing up.” When I have days that I feel like I’m failing as a father, I simply remind myselfto be present and come through in those small ways. Maybe we’ll watch a YouTube video together, play a video game or ride bikes. I show up and let my kids know I’m here for them, even iftheir request is as simple as setting up an electric race track and playing with it. So, here’s a big happy Father’s Day to all the imperfect dads out there who show up and create memories — even little ones. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 punished by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Vonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 15,2023 — Page 5 Community Action celebrates 2023 adult ed graduates as program solidifies Jayson Bussa SScXS <SsSSbJ SSS< SSSj<iS x '«.!< g*SW *SW g *'£SJ ♦.** ♦.**•* Editor While Saturday afternoon’s graduation ceremony focused on the 26 adult learners who obtained their high school diplomas, it was also a testament to a growing partnership between the Community Action Agency and Plainwell Community Schools. Community Action ofSouth Central Mich­ igan, which covers five counties, including Barry, celebrated its 100th graduate since establishing its GED program in 2018. Community Action and Plainwell Commu­ nity Schools have partnered on the Renais| sance Adult Education program, where adult learners can work to obtain their GED. The program has only been offered through Community Action for a half-decade now. Kristine Brown, Community Action’s Adult Education Manager, was the one to bring this program to her organization. Before 2018, Community Action didn’t offer a program of that nature but found that community mem­ bers could benefit from one. Brown visited with other GED programs around the community before launching a program in 2018 offered only in Battle Creek. “I was getting calls from Barry County peo1 pie wanting to enroll in the program. I was like, ; ‘You don’t want to drive all the way down to Battle Creek.’ So I found Renaissance had a spot in Hastings, so we formed a partnership.” Renaissance Adult Education did maintain a small presence in Hastings with a waiting list. The partnership allowed Community Action to expand that presence. Now, the program fields roughly 20 to 35 students at a time. In Barry County, adult learners can attend classes at the Michigan Works facility in Hastings or Community Action’s head start center, also in Hastings. Brown also visits the Barry County Jail to instruct students who might be lodged there. “We started small with around five stu­ dents at any given time, but as it started pick­ ing up, I realized (the partnership) was just so much better than anything we had done up until that point.” Sheriff’s deputy grows weary of “sarcastic” remarks about cocaine possession Some of the 26 graduates of this year’s Renaissance Adult Education program are seated on stage at Thornapple Plaza in Hastings on Saturday afternoon during a graduation ceremony. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Police recover van stolen from Texas 15 years ago near Orangeville A Troy man contacted police and told them the whereabouts of a stolen van last month. The man told police the van belonged to Travelers Insurance Company and was stolen 15 years prior in Texas by a former employee. The man requested to get the vehicle back ifpossible. Police made contact with a woman at the address given, on the 4700 block ofPrincess Drive in Orangeville Township, on May 16 around 4 p.m. When asked about the van and why it was there, the woman said her daughter dropped it off 15 yearss ago. She said her daughter had since moved to Canada but wasn’t sure where. The woman said she wanted the vehicle gone and had been trying to get rid of it for years. Police arranged for the vehicle to be towed from the scene. More mail missing in Dowling A 36-year-old Dowling woman called police to report multiple mailboxes on her block had been opened with mail missing and on the ground, including hers. Police responded on May 21 around 9 a.m. and made contact with the woman. She told police she didn’t see any mail on the ground when she had arrived home the night prior around 10 p.m. She noticed the scattered mail around 8:30 a.m. that morning. Police also found and returned mail to one ofthe woman’s neighbors. Eric Baldry of Hastings shakes hands with Heidi Huizenga, director of Renaissance Adult Education, as he accepts his diploma. On Saturday afternoon at Thomapple ±"■5% ■5% *SSl *SSl jl ’ jSltoM..ttkt ■ ,trtfa^11 ^dad.1 ** IWniFah’ii.uu .ii **tiltykp-fe stereo- ^®c0'tai!Honi. ^■stattpHtaiva tally ptndindittii ptndindittiiK national psfc liektytoty|rtii.4 Itafcd State, Plaza, adult education graduates and their supporters gathered for a ceremony. Brown and Renaissance Adult Education director Heidi Huizenga handed out diplomas while students like Maegan Harvath ofHast­ ings offered briefwords. Harvath, a 21-year-old, spoke about how she struggled through her father’s death and how he inspired her to follow through and obtain her GED. “He always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in "myself,” Harvath said. “It’s taken a few years, but I finally realized I can do this no matter what life threw at me. I wanted to do it for my dad and my son, but not only them; I wanted to do it for myself.” d taily. hnnafaa ®d <hve to ta w reaches of die ftmfctaMIwe sometoestawksjsirw oo & asp eta ilm it wmtamswiiik Bosskd isnttdfcronegrand yoogottatytelxa* fealessM-t^ffliiai ii»«Jandtae,liMt*W tfaraoss ctawt raWta i iitrtf toa lilsjustW Major i^teWstand Jfe",ta’^S SS5?;5?± s * * K B .;eS±Ss5 d oSc?* ^41 fflthmtfrfelrf^ ffl Sthomt,fir^fe'lrf^ ’” ..... "“ fter^''* ay^ ^t tL Lbs bs ||Mtt!!"ieiecaaara-fiii««ln lllleg““^iiqllft^''* ^)iBcle®"”i v f rpjaoWaJ^^ wB^etn ^ helrW Wtv raaBteW^, “-11’ sj0.1ip«i«a p«i«a“IiR Friends, family and supporters gathered at Thornapple Plaza in Hastings on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Renaissance Adult Education Class of 2023. Samuel Aguirre, a transplant from San Antonio, Texas, points at supporters in the crowd as he walks to the stage for the Renaissance Adult Education graduation ceremony on Saturday afternoon. link ones. State, nation can cut its losses by voting in Republicans ingai#’'.^1^! '^^ ID'a ID^' zz z J?** z To the editor: In baseball parlance, Fred touched all the bases with his “In My Opinion” column in the May 4 issue ofThe Banner (“Gov. Whit­ mer cites progress - but for who?). While I don’t always agree with Fred’s opinion, his latest was spot on. It was also gratifying to read a true account ofour state’s and nation’s problems in a media publication. A deputy with the Barry County Sheriff’s Department reached out to a 38-year-old Nashville woman who reported having trouble with a tenant on June 5 around 10 p.m. The woman told police she had a recording ofher tenant, a 42-year-old Ionia man, admit­ ting he possessed cocaine. Police noted that the woman could be heard asking the man to obtain cocaine to pay for rent on the recording. When the deputy asked why she said that, the woman said she only said it “sarcastically” and didn’t actually expect the man to get the drugs. When the deputy spoke with the tenant, the man told police he did not have any cocaine in the residence and never did. He told police he had only said he had the drugs “sarcastically.” The deputy told the man and the woman there was a lot of “sarcasm” involved in the situation and that the issue was a civil dispute. The woman was told to start the eviction process ifshe wanted her tenant to move out against his will. We have inept presidential and gubernato­ rial administrations. The only way out ofthis Democrat quagmire is to put the Republicans back in charge. Time to stop the government cheese train John Llewellyn Rutland Township Nashville planning commission does not recommend village handing over planning, zoning power to county HMS releases most recent honor roll Hastings Middle School has released its fourth quarter honor roll for the 2022-23 aca­ demic year. Students qualify for the honor roll for earn­ ing all A grades on their report card, the Prin­ cipal’s List, or all A and B grades. Middle school students who qualified for the fourth quarter include: Sixth grade AllA s Principal s List Layla Armour, Zoey Armour, Khloe Baker, Mavie Bernstein, London Hammond, Sebas­ tian Hernandez-Hernandez, Lexi Heydenberk, Sullivan Hill, Jeralynn Lancaster, Haley Miles, Alyssa Olin, Natalie Olmstead, Isabella Perez, Joseph Renner, Kaydin Rice, Joshua Roberts Jr., Ella Sanlnocencio, Liam Schaefer, Breeya Solmes, Lucy Sporer, Katherine Stevens, Col­ lin Storm and Brynn VanderMale. A’s and B’s Payton Arnie, Ariana Benjamin, Khloe Blantz, Porter Blessing, Kellen Boge, Abigail Byle, Elodie Clore, Emma Coenen, Ronald Coller, Sage DeCamp, Ashtyn Denton, Owen Elliott, Thomas Evers, Abigail Frazer, Austin Friddle, Gracie Fuller, Lucy Furrow, April Gates, Hadley Grove, Payton Haines, Rylee Hanford, Alexis Harper, Lauren Harris, Mackenzie Harris, Ryan Harris, Landon Hol­ man, Emerson Leary, Madisyn Leonard, Jonah Lewis, Aubrey Main, Molly McFarlan, Colten Melchert, Gavin Mix, Luke Pollet, Micah Randall, Lilyana Redmond, Carson Richardson, Gabrielle Robertson, Wyatt Sanders, Abigail Shafer, Cheyenne Smith, Andrew Tait, Haley Vaughn, Claire Walters, Gage Warner, Evelyn Webb, Karrigan Wil­ liams and Abram Winebrenner. Seventh grade All A’s Principal s List Audrey Acker, Violet Bivens, Parker Cas­ taneda, Dakota Cole, Lillian Edger, Parker Erb, Brooke Favreau, Joseph Furrow, Carson Gole, Ethan Hetrick, William Hilbert, Graceyn Horrmann, Jason Jimenez, Alexis King, Annabelle Kuck, Nolan Lucas, Mya Luna, Olivia Malik, Jayce McCord, Jett Nofz, Zane Ortiz, Lilly Randall, Cora Shattuck, Harrison Thomas, Alexander Timmers and Aiden Vance. A s and B’s Jace Acker, Isabella Arias-Pease, Taylor Aspinall, Deagan Blough, Benjamin Brown, Sophia Bucher, Kade Case, Morgan Cassel­ man, Cameron Clock, Thomas Cook, Kim­ berlee Coolidge, Graden Courtright, Landon Currier, Carter Danks, Zachary Davis, Jackson Edwards^Gayin Fields, Ashlynn Gold­ sworthy, Kyle Goos, Landon Griffin, Jaxon Groendyke, Elsie Haight, Jonah Hamp, James Henney, Maxwell Kensington, Tanner Krzysik, Reece Laws, Charles Mattice, Ange* lia McGregor, Weston Meinke, Dennon Mer­ rick, Jago O’Brien, Isabella Ozdych, Sydney Patterson, Kassidy Peake, Brenton Purdum, Kaylee Roe, Trevin Russell, Isabella Strimback, Hunter Sutfin, Grant Tossava, Weston Troyer, Ryan VanHouten, Avery Walsh and Samantha Wright. Eighth grade AllA s Principal’s List Meredith Ansorge, Morgan Cross, Alexa DeCamp, Quintin Eberly, Sadie Hanford, Ethan Hawthorne, Sophia Haywood, Gabryella Juskewicz, Tori Morgan, William Renner IV, Mallory Rohe, Donald Smith, Annika Solmes, Madison Stora, Allison Tefft and Raegan Wattles. A’s andB’s Alivia Adams, Oliver Allen, Kyra Bishop, Owen Boge, Ashton Brubaker, Kelly Burhans, Reilly Campbell, Milo Clore, Sydnic Diljak, Henry Elzinga, Petra Foster, Bella Friddle, Lola Grego, Misha Haskin, Ava Her­ bert, Brissa Hernandez-Hernandez, Harlie James, Madison Killian, Logan Kimmel, Cordelia Kniaz, Caleb Kramer, Yves LaPonsie, Joshua Lawrence, Reese Loftus, Aubree Milcher, Aaron Minogue, Tenleigh Nichols, Ava Patterson, Zachary Patterson, Brody Peake, Lacy Peck, Chloe Pirtle, Caroline Randall, Grady Reed, Cassie Rosenberg, Lucy Shafer, Hannah Sorensen, Kendra Tay­ lor, Nathaniel Toevs, Emma Warner, Zikarra Warner, Spencer Wilkins, Madison Wilson and Marlanyna Young. DEMAND JUSTICE Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have rights. Victims who suffered from sexual abuse by a member of the clergy in Michigan can ? * * seek compensation. While nothing can undo you or your loved one s pain, you can recover compensation from the abusers and the institutions that enabled them. i 0f**$l T$l , fT J , w ^/ % / Leila Wood Contributing Writer The Nashville Planning Commission met and voted against recommending a proposal to rescind Nashville’s Zoning Ordinance and give planning and zoning control to Barry County. Four commission members opposed the proposal, while three were in favor. Patti Branham, one ofthe four who voted against the proposal, said the county’s ordinance is great, “but ours was made for us.” She said that a smaller government, as a rule of thumb, will serve the people better than a larger government will. “We’re spoiled. We’re 14 miles away from the county seat, but still, it’s taking it out of the hands of the people who live here,” she said ofthe proposal. “What could happen in the future - we can’t see the future - but ifwe gave up our rights here in Nashville to Bany County, y, who knows, down the road, the State of Michigan will not take over Barry County. It could get to the point where we won’t have a thing to say unless ... we petition Lansing, said Bud Elliston, who also voted against the proposal. Those favoring the proposal cited the county s expertise and additional resources and said the village could always opt back out if they wanted to reclaim control of their planning and zoning. Bonnie White, one of several Village Council members who attended the meeting, said, “1 am a resident of Barry County. I still have a say with what goes on in my county. I can go and complain to my county. I can go to my county commissioners. We still have a voice in our county - all ofus, so don’t think that you don’t because they’re not right here in this room; you still have a voice, no matter what happens.” ■ She said she favored the proposal but wanted to know the Planning Commission members’ reasons for saying no so that she could weigh them against her own reasons for saying yes. The final decision lies with the Village Council. They expect to address the topic in an upcoming meeting. You no longer need to suffer in silence. TOGETHER, WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. Call today for your free, confidential consultation. CLERGY ABUSE ATTORNEY HOTLINE 313-484-0302 Pulaski Kherkher Law Firm 2925 Richmond, Suite 1725, Houston, TX 77098 Stinar Law PLLC 5700 Crooks, Suite 200, Troy, Ml 48098 ATTORNEY ADVERTISING Pulaski Kherkher Law Firm, with principal office in Houston, Texas, is responsible for the content of this ad. this photo is a fktionals cene. �J Page 6 — Thursday, June 15, 2023 — The Hastings Banner SOCIAL SECURITY Q&A OJitaaried Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist ' I prefer reading by audio book. Does Social Security have audio publications? Yes, we do. You can find them at ssa.gov/ pubs. Some of the publications available include “What You Can Do Online,” “Work­ ing While Disabled - How We Can Help,” “Apply Online for Social Security Benefits,” and “Your Social Security Card and Num­ ber.” You can listen now at ssa.gov/pubs. / am receiving Social Security retirement benefits and I recently went back to work. Do I have topay Social Security (FICA) taxes on my income? y law,, y py must withhold Yes.. By your employer FICA taxes from your paycheck. Although you are retired, you do receive credit for those new earnings. Each year Social Securi­ ty automatically credits the new earnings and, if your new earnings are higher than in any earlier year used to calculate your current benefit, your monthly benefit could increase. For more information, visit ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). I ’m trying tofigure out how much I need to savefor my retirement. Does the government offer any help withfinancial education? Yes. For starters, you may want to find out what you can expect from Social Security with a visit to Social Security’s Retirement Estimator at ssa.gov/estimator. The Financial Literacy and Education Commission has a website that can help you with the basics of financial education: mymoney.gov. Finally, you’ll want to check out the Consumer Finan­ cial Protection Bureau, which offers educa­ tional information on a number of financial matters, including mortgages, credit cards, retirement and other big decisions. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. I’m expecting a baby this June. What do I need to do to get a Social Security numberfor my baby? Apply for a number at the hospital when you apply for your baby’s birth certificate. The state agency that issues birth certificates / *R A v-r* Traditional and Cremation Services * * * * 1 > ■* ■*■ (Jwncr/Managcr will share your child’s information with us and we will mail the Social Security card to you. You can learn more about the Social Security number and card by reading our online publication “Social Security Numbers for Children,” available at ssa.gov/pubs. 1 haven 1 receivedmy Social Security State­ ment in the mail the lastfewyears. Will I ever get one again? in? We currently mail Social Security Statements to t workers age 60 and over who aren’t receiving Social Security benefits and do not yet have a my Social Security account. We mail the statements three months prior to your birthday. Instead of waiting to receive a mailed statement, we encourage people to open a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount so they can access their statement online, anytime. I’m gathering everything I’ll need to file my taxes this month. Do I have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits? Also, where can Iget a replacement 1099? Some people who get Social Security must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. Still, no one pays taxes on more than 85 per­ cent oftheir Social Security benefits. You must pay taxes on some portion ofyour benefits if you file an individual federal tax return and your income exceeds $25,000. If you file a joint return, you must pay taxes if you and your spouse have combined income ofmore than $32,000. Ifyou are married and file a separate return, you probably will have to pay taxes on your benefits. You can read more about tax preparation in relation to Social Security at ssa.gov/planners/taxes.htm. Social Security benefits include monthly retirement, survivors, and disability benefits. They don’t include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, which are not tax­ able. You can also get a replacement 1099 or 1042S when you open your own personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. Pre-Planning Services Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Serving All Faiths Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 2269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfuneralhome.net Family FamilyOwned Owned and and Operated Operated owner rnwrim Serving Hastings. Barry ('ounty and Surrounding ('onununities for 50 wars Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pjn. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. » fa fabH im FiM-g FiM-gi... Pr““c" 945-4700 . mtiinag 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 gratifying to see. We will soon be seeing the water wagon with volunteers nearly every night using the long wand to project water from the big vats onto the growing plants. The veteran banners still grace the lamp­ posts in the business district. Others in the series will likely be used in November in advance ofArmistice Day. Next week on Monday, June 19, the Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in town to collect blood for the bimonthly program. Hours are noon to 5:45 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of Central UM Church on Fourth Avenue. Previ­ ous donors are likely being reminded to reg­ ister to secure a spot on the reservation list. Call Marian Durkee for further details. Last week’s hosts for the Thursday night meal served free (with donations accepted) at the Fellowship Hall on Fourth Avenue were members of Life Song which meets at the Hughe House on M-50. This week’s hosts will be members ofthe host church. There are seven church groups that provide servers and desserts for this weekly meal served from 4 to 6 p.m. This follows a service of the host church which provides two hours of respite for caregivers and others. * Yue Stella Yu Bridge Michigan LANSING - Legislation that would strip local governments of the authority to regulate gravel mines is moving along in the state House, prompting disagreements with busi­ ness leaders who say the reform will cut road costs and local leaders who say it will hurt the quality oflife. The bipartisan three-bill package would shift the permitting authority for sand and gravel mines from local governments to the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Under the bills, the state would grant per­ mits to mining operations and regulate potential environmental impacts. This is the fourth donseeutiVe term i lawmakers have proposed the change. Gravel mining is important to road repairs that Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has touted as a centerpiece ofher administration. The state last month earned a D grade for road conditions from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Trade associations representing the gravel industry, business groups and unions support the legislation, arguing it would reduce road construction costs. The price of sand and gravel - raw materials used in concrete and asphalt for road repairs - is spiking, the result oflocal controversies that have thwarted mine development and increased delivery costs. Mark Schlegel, owner of Schlegel Sand and Gravels and chair ofthe Michigan Aggre­ gates Association, said local officials must take the “emotion” out oftheir decision-mak­ ing when granting a mining permit. “These permits need to be looked at with facts, not being looked at as the neighbor ... (Local officials) feel that they are letting down or their friend that’s in the room they Kaytelyn Marie Grimtes, Orofino, ID and Christopher Michael Miller, Orofino, ID Michael Delane Garrett, Hastings and Laurie Marie Licari, Elk Grove Village, IL 'I, 11115 Gordon Yoder’s Celebration of Life with military honors will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Freeport Cemetery in Freepoort., ML A luncheon will follow at the Freeport Community Center located att 209 S. State Street, Freeport, MI. All friends and family are welcome. id ol Want better roads? Make it easier to open gravel mines in Michigan, unions say PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. Elaine Garlock For months there has been signage at a vacant lot on N. Fourth Avenue where a house burned about two years ago. On Tues­ day evening last week, there was a gathering at the site with many people in attendance for blessing and dedication of the site of a new dwelling to be built by Habitat for Humanity. This is on the same street as the previous most recent Habitat house for the village and Lakewood community. On the next morning, there was much activity there with power equipment on site to begin earth moving. Since then, the site has been leveled and much material brought in for the construction of the foundation walls. A trench was dug to accommodate the walls. The view changes from day to day in these early stages ofconstruction. The view downtown has also changed in the last week in its seasonal rotation. The big planting barrels downtown have been refilled. This time, the center of each barrel has a tall specimen of canna. They will be of varied colors. Each canna is,surrounded by red leaf begonias. Watch for the unfolding beauty. This combination was used last year also and it was LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 GordonYoder fee *l^*l*i# *i Michigan still is one of the top states in gravel arid sand production, but its* rankin’g has dropped since the 1970s as local opposition has made it harder to open new mines. have a hard time saying no to,” Schlegel said. Labor unions argue the bills would create jobs for road workers. “Without expanded aggregate, we risk los­ ing another generation of professional trades­ people because we cannot logistically and financially put them to work,” said Lee Gra­ ham, a trustee of Operating Engineers Locals 324. “Given the state of our infrastructure needs, this would be catastrophic to our future.” The elected executives ofWayne, Macomb and Oakland counties support the reforms. In a May 8 letter to House lawmakers, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans argued the bills would reduce road construc­ tion costs by up to $1 billion while guarding against the environmental impact aggregate mining could bring. Local governments are under “great politi­ cal pressure” to deny mining permits and must haul in the materials from elsewhere, which Evans argued drove up the costs. “This is resulting in endless delays and denials that are pushing aggregate mining farther and farther away from our biggest public construction projects.” Michigan remains one ofthe top producers ofgravel nationwide, despite local controver­ sies, ranking fourth among states in 2018 and producing more than 43 million metric tons per year. Environmental advocates and most town­ ship leaders oppose the bills, saying the legis­ lation would side-step local control and lead to noise pollution and other woes. The state may also lack the staffto enforce mine regulations, said Laurie Fromhart, supervisor of the Bridgewater Township in Washtenaw County. “The proposed bills would also place an undue burden on (the state) that does not have adequate resources to effectively monitor and enforce these types of operations,” Fromhart said in an email to the legislators Monday. In a May 6 email to legislators, Michigan resident David Ellyatt called gravel mines “the epitome ofa corporate polluter.” “They lay waste to the landscape, generate noise and harmful silica dust and leave lega­ cies ofdestruction for generations,” he said. During the Tuesday hearing, lawmakers tweaked the bill after state environmental regulators worried the original language would have made it hard to enforce the rules. The department did not support or oppose the bills Tuesday. The new legislation would require the Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy to assess the average noise levels at a mining site over an hour-long span, down from the eight hours in the original bill. Travis Boeskool, deputy director of EGLE, told lawmakers Tuesday that eight hours is “excessively long.” “We would have to go out there, set up specialized monitoring equipment, have staff sit there for eight hours and measure those to determine that compliance,” he said. The new version also would prohibit exist­ ing mines from applying for a state permit until three un reeyearsa years after er thee bill takes aeseeffect. ec. Boeskool said it’s to prevent current mines from circumventing local rules and submit­ ting applications, which could overwhelm department staff. “Our concern was the potential for current­ ly operating mines who might be unhappy with the arrangements that they have with local units of government saying: ‘Oh, man, that state program looks great.’ And then we get 100 applications, and we have two people to review them,” he said. The department would initially have four to five people reviewing applications ifthe bill took effect, Boeskool told Bridge Mich­ igan. He acknowledged the department may need extra manpower to accommodate the workload under the bill, but said the revenue brought in by additional mining operations could offset that cost. “That’s more revenue coming in, which is more people hired for the program,” he said. bK A I r Health Pennock on May 11,2023 to Brittany Wallace and Joseph Smith of Dowling. ***** Hauses celebrating golden wedding anniversary James and Sandra (Hammond) Hause will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Jim and Sandy were joined in marriage on June 18,1973, in a private ceremony, and have resided at the family farmstead ever since. They are the parents of five children, grandparents to loads of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The couple welcomes messages and cards of congratulations addressed to: James and Sandra Hause, 2055 Tanner Lake Rd., Hast­ ings, MI 49058. Elizabeth Elaine Firman, born at Spec­ trum Health Pennock on May 16, 2023 to Haley Boger and Jeff Firman of Tekonsha. ***** Esther Rose Collins, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 9, 2023 to Susan Byington-Collins and Timothy Collins of Clarksville. Caleb Gael Mendozal, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 15,2023 to Fabiola Alvarez Jimenez and Juan Gabriel Mendozal of Ionia. Stella Grace Smith, bom at Spectrum Brigham Dimock, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 23, 2023 to Tara Harding and Zachary Dimock of Hastings. ***** OC fecS ec S& isSSi Claire Eloise, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 23, 2023 to KEndra Colby and Antonio Cleo Aguilar III of Wayland. ***** Barnaby Joshua Gilbert, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on May 29, 2023 to Desiree Gilbert and Joshua Gilbert of Hastings. <5 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 15,2023 — Page 7 Shall we have pavement in town? Mier OJU **r» i Esther Walton /tanner Sept. 11, 1986 At various times in Hastings’ past, the question ofpaved streets surfaced. Hastings made a late start in this form ofcivic improveimprove­ ment. According to M.L. Cook, the late start may have been in response to the first attempt at “paving” back in 1885.. All streets in Hastings at that time were mere dirt roads. In spring or after a heavy rain they became sticky rivers of mud. Wheel tracks cut the roads to shreds and in freezing weather eather formed a rough flinty surface. In dry weather, the roadways were pulverized into dust that covered all exposed surfaces with liberal applications offine grit. To add to this, the horses which stood hitched on the street added their contribution. The piles of“contribution” made crossing the street a precarious process for the nim­ ble-footed residents. The presence of this ingredient also created a problem of aromas ofunpleasant quality that were subdued only by blankets of snow and ice in the winter­ time. In 1885 Aiderman Jones decided to rectify the situation. It was his brilliant idea to cover the road with wood ash and it was his belief that wood ash would pack down hard and make a low-cost but hard surface. But this was not to be. Light sprinkling ofrain might have provided enough moisture to keep the topping solidly packed. Instead ofthis, there came a series of heavy downpours which soaked into the blanket of ash and turned it into a gray-white mess of goo that evoked outbursts ofprofanity from disgusted drivers and uncontrollable guffaws from the side­ walk spectators. Dry weather brought little relief. The ash surface became pulverized into a fine dust that drifted through open doors and windows and even small cracks and crevices to cover furnishing and merchandise with a telltale coating oflight gray dust. The council was soon forced to scrape away the ashes and put back the dirt and gravel. After this experience, the roads of Hastings were “maintained” but not improved. By 1904, automobiles were making their appearance in the city and again the clamor arose to improve the roads, at the very least improve the main street. The Hastings Herald, in June of 1904, interviewed, “a number of property owners who would likely be affected by such improvement,” and predictably the tally was mixed. Even today when an expensive civic improvement is proposed the responses would be about the same. Here are the results from 1904: A.E. Keanaston, city attorney: There cer­ tainly ought to be something done with Main Street, and I am in favor of permanent improvements. I think brick pavement would be all right. John Goodyear of the Goodyear Brothers Hardware dealers: Yes, I am in favor ofpaving with brick. I want it done right. J.T. Lombard, president ofNational Bank: You can’t pave any too quick for me. I wish it could be done this season. It would be a grand improvement. Wm. Andrews, of Andrews and Bessmer meat market: I haven’t the time to do it myself, but if it doesn’t cost over $175, I would like to see it done. I am heartily in favor ofthe improvement. Ex-Mayor A.E. Renkes of Renkes and Walldorff, furniture dealers: I don’t think the city ought to attempt to pave until it gets in better shape financially. Ex-Mayor A.A. Anderson, cashier of the City Bank: It’s the proper thing to do; I would like to see it done this year. It would be a grand improvement. Brick improvement is all right. W.H. Stebbins, undertaker: Whatever you do, do it right, even if it does cost a little more. Ex-Mayor D.W. Rogers, insurance: I am free to express to you that I am heartily in favor of paving State Street, and have been for several years. I believe the pavement should extend from the C.K.&S. Railroad to the soldiers’ monument. I would like to see the work done this year. I wish it had been done several years ago. The city ought to i ■.iKrfOpsahpffilials Bf ■ fife m eSMKK ta***^: a: This photo, taken early in the century, shows State Street looking west before it was paved.- ^Doctor Universe Extreme life What organisms do you think would sur­ vive an apocalypse of extreme radiation? Marshall, 11, New Zealand di *i*'>*>*r i*'>* if I, TURNING BflGK THE PAGES the material which should be used, ifwe are to have paving, should be thoroughly inves­ tigated. George Tinkler: No, I am not in favor of paving this year. I think the city is too small to have such a luxury. I think it would be far better to improve some of the roads leading into the city. E.A. Burton, of Chidester and Burton: If the municipality would expend the interest on the sum it would cost to pave State Street in keeping the gravel roads in good repair we would have the best kind of street... There is another minor objection, especially the cruel­ ty and injury to falling horses. W.R. Cook, Hastings Banner: I am in favor ofpaving. I think brick would be the thing to use. R.I. Hendershott, hardware dealer: Pave­ ment would be a fine thing, but the advisabil­ ity of making such an improvement would depend upon the cost. Luke Waters, ofF.H. Barlow & Co.: No, I am not in favor of the proposition. I think State Street can be made good enough by regraveling. Wm. H. Goodyear, druggist: I suppose it June 1-30 - June Storywalk Book: “Wonder Walkers” by Micha Archer. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Friday, June 16 - Fun Fridays in the Play Space: Flower Power, 10 a.m.-noon. This event is free to all. Tuesday, June 20 - Wellness Walk with Trauma-Informed Work Group of Barry County, 1-2 p.m. This free Wellness Walk will mix movement, nature and mindful­ ness while enjoying the natural beauty of the Institute. Tuesday, June 20 - No Family Left Indoors: All Creatures Great and Small family hike, 6-8 p.m. Find animals along the trail while enjoying an evening hike. The distance ofthe hike is between 1 and 3 miles. Prizes will be available. The free xw ns k a fan) si * In the Hastings Banner will have to be done, and I would not oppose it although I would have to pay for two (fronts). I would rather have it done next year, though. L.J. Goodyear, ofthe J.S. Goodyear Co.: I am in favor ofpaving State Street Dr. D. Fuller: 1 am opposed to paving. I think we can’t afford it. F.H. Barlow of F.H. Barlow & Co.: No, I think the city cannot afford it. R.J. Grant, elevator: No, I am not in favor of paving. I think we can use the money to better advantage, as for example, increasing the capacity ofthe water works. The improvement finally came in 1907 when Dr. George W. Lowery as mayor and owner ofthe first automobile in Hastings put through paving State Street with brick from Broadway to Michigan Ave.; South Jefferson from State to Court St. and North Church and North Michigan from State St to the railroad tracks. The brick continued to serve the purpose until 1963 when the main streets were paved over with asphalt. The only remaining por­ tion of the original brick is one block on Church St. between State and Apple Street inc ■uakfc uakfc »* A1:^..+/:^D Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for June 16-22 ^ ^^^^hasiiiatfeS^ y •rr/t fl look back at the stories have a main street to be proud of. Joseph Pffug, saloonist. I don’t know, I’ m with the majority, but something ought to be done. Frank Horton, grocer: I am in favor ofpav­ ing. Mayor Fred L. Heath, druggist: Yes, certainly I am in favor ofpaving. The only way to permanently improve the city is to put in permanent improvements. A. Woolley: Yes, I am willing to do what the rest do, although it doesn’t make much difference to me. Charles H. Gardner* liveryman: Yes, I am perfectly willing to pay my share. I would be a drawing card for the town. You can count me in on it. W.D. Hayes, cashier ofthe National Bank: Yes, I am in favor of paving. As far as my observation goes I think brick would make as suitable a pavement as any. W.J. Holloway, druggist: I have not given the matter much thought. If I had to decide the question now, I should say no. I think we should wait until the city is better off finan­ cially. L.E. Stauffer, retired merchant: I have always been in favor ofpaving and am now, but as a second improvement should be done with the city hall. I think this matter should be attended to before paving. Chester Messer, president of City Bank: No, I am not in favor of paving; I think some­ thing should be done with the city hall. There is $14,000 invested in it and we are nowhere near realizing its full value. I would favor building a separate building for the fire department and reserving the lower story for the city hall for a council room, reading rooms and a library. The second story could be let by the city at a nominal rent to an organization, say the board oftrade, who would turn it into an auditorium, something ofwhich the city is in great need. The basement might be utilized for bowling alleys, baths, etc. John Bessmer, jeweler: No one can deny that the main street needs paving but I think that we ought to wait until some ofthe pres­ ent indebtedness has been paid off. I think Dear Marshall, Sometimes I get X-rays at the veterinari­ an. They work by sending a small amount of powerful energy—called radiationthrough my body. X-rays only contain a small amount ofradiation. Too much radia­ tion would harm my cells. The organisms most likely to survive extreme radiation might be microbes. These creatures are so tiny that you need a micro­ scope to see them. To learn more, I talked with my friend Cynthia Haseltine. She’s a microbiologist at Washington State University. She studies cxtremophiles. These microbes love intense environments. Boiling heat? Freezing cold? Blistering acid? Yes, please. Haseltine told me that the amount ofradi­ ation an organism can survive is measured in grays. Just 5 grays ofradiation will kill a human. Here are five organisms that can survive way more than that. Escherichia coir, 500 grays This first creature is one of your closest neighbors. It’s a type of bacteria that’s inside your body. Some kinds of E. coli make people sick. That’s why we wash our hands and make food carefully. But E. coli also lives in your intestines and helps you break down food. It can survive 10 times the amount ofradiation a human can. Plus, it adapts quickly. Ifblasted with radiation, it would probably become resistant-or able to withstand even more radiation. SulfoIobus microbes: 500 grays These microbes live in boiling-hot mud pits-like those found in Yellowstone National Park. They thrive in the hot, stinky-sulfur mud. Just like E. coli, they would probably become more resistant when exposed to radiation. Tardigrades: 4,000 grays Tardigrades are the only animals tough enough to make the list. But these animals tiny. You need a microscope to see them. They’re sometimes called water beajs because they look like gummy bears with eight stubby legs. Tardigrades can survive extreme cold, heat and pressure. They can even survive in outer space. They can withstand 800 times more radiation than a human can. Deinococcus radiodurans: 5,000 grays Scientists discovered this microbe when they were testing new ways to preserve food. They beamed radiation at a can of meat, but it spoiled anyway. They found D. radiodurans inside the can. This creature can handle freezing cold and acid. It can live in a vacuum. That’s space with nothing in it-not even air. It even survived three years in outer space. Thermococcus gammatolerans: 30,000 grays My jaw dropped when I heard how much radiation this microbe could handle. That’s 6,000 times the radiation a human can sur­ vive. This microbe lives deep in the ocean near underwater volcanoes. It loves heat and pressure. Thinking about the incredible life on Earth makes me wonder-about other mys­ teries in the universe. “These are the organisms that are proba­ bly out there in our local solar system if we’re looking at life off Earth-because everything’s extreme out there,” Haseltine said. “So, they may be out there surviving apocalyptic conditions right now.” Now that’s radiant. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. hike is organized by the Chief Noonday Chapter ofthe North Country Trail Associ­ ation. Hikers will gather at the M-179 trailhead along the North Country Trail, between S. Bassett Lake Road and west of Yankee Springs Road. Registration is required. No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health. Wednesday, June 21 - Family Science Night and ice cream social, 6-8 p.m. This event is free. Thursday, June 22 - Do the Rot Thing: Composting Workshop, 6-8 p.m. Institute members can attend the workshop for $14. Non-members must pay $20 to attend. • Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, June 15 - Novel Ideas Book Club discusses “The Mitford Affair” by Marie Benedict, 1 p.m.; Movie Memories & Mile­ stones watches a 1945 film starring Vivian Blaine, Dennis O’Keefe and Perry Como, 5 p.m. Friday, June 16 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17 - Dungeons & Dragons, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, June 19 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 - Barry County Explor­ ers SPIN Club: Hike with 4-H, 10 a.m.; Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.-noon; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m.; “Trail Mix”er and Camping Equipment Petting Zoo, 6 p.m.; Camping 101, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Magician Mr. Jim, 2 p.m.; writers’ night, 6:30 p.m.; Inviting Birds into your Yard, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. �6 Has,ln9s Banner Banne . . 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(Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was a punch to the gut - twice. First the ball pinged off the bat of Calvin Christian’s Andrea Diemer shooting out towards center field. The next hit had the sound of a thunk as the ball bounded offthe safety yellow cov­ ering atop the outfield fence. The ball skipped up and over for a game-tying home run with one out in the top of the seventh inning ofthe MHSAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal between the Squires and the Delton Kellogg varsity softball team - eve­ ning the score at 7-7. It was the first varsity home run ever for Diemer. Macy Verbeek hit a solo home run over the left field fence and Emili Goodheart hit a two-run home run to center before the inning was up for the Squires. Calvin Chris­ tian scored eight runs in its last at-bat and went on tb a 14-8 win and a spot in the regional final against the Ravenna Bulldogs Saturday at Newaygo Middle School. “That was a heartbreaker, that’s for sure,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jesse Lyons said. “That was a tough one being up 7-6 with one out in the top ofthe seventh. It was actually an ideal situation for us. We had their 7-8-9 hitters up and we got the seventh one out.” “Lizzy [Stonebumer] had pitched an excel­ lent game right on through the whole thing,” he added. “Their bats got hot. There wasn’t much we could do. That’s for sure.” “Emotionally, thatjust charged that Calvin Christian team after [Diemer] hit that. PelaiiBfat spreads Lyre pronded by fe A (tonka wi tai of Health WMBK* r HaktisjitodBrayaboii 1j isfit ian 1J pgtiv Ifff? f**? lip Mtl ridit u Delton Kellogg senior Allie Trantham knocks a single up the middle during the bottom sof the seventh inning of her team's 14-8 loss to Calvin Christian in the MHSAA Division e3 Regional Semifinal at Newaygo Middle School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) * Delton Kellogg senior Abbey Fichtner gets a jump off third base during the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday in the MHSAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal at Newaygo Middle School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) It is the second straight season the Squires have knocked the Panthers from the state tournament. It had been a back-and-forth ballgame to that point. Calvin Christian scored single runs in the top ofthe first, third and fourth innings before DK struck for four runs in the bottom ofthe fourth to lead 4-3. The Delton girls led 7-5 after five innings, and the Squires pulled within 7-6 with a run in the top ofthe sixth. The Delton Kellogg girls knocked out three home runs of their own. Catcher Allie Trantham was 3 for 3 with a pair of home runs. She drove in five runs and scored three times. She brought in DK’s first runs with a three-run home run in the top ofthe fourth. Trantham hit a two-run home run with two-out in the bottom ofthe fifth and Allison Brandli followed up with a solo shot of her own that had the Panthers up by two. Brandli finished the day 2 for 4 at the plate. Kasey Kapteyn was 2 for 3 with a run and a RBI too. Trantham, Brandli and Kapteyn were the Panthers’ 5-6-7 hitters Saturday and were responsible for seven of their team’s ten hits. “They have been working really hard on hitting all year,” Lyons said of his girls. “That has kind of been the M.O. the last half of the season, you don’t know who you’re going to get the big hit from. It wasn’t just going to be that top four that gets the big hit, which made it nice going through the season here.” He said his team had a batting average of about.362 for the season. Abbey Fichtner had a double and Jordan Lyons and Maysse Weissner both singled once for DK. Goodheart powered the Squire attack going 4 for- 5 with a hime run, two doubles and four RBI’s. Lead-off hitter Anna Zoet also had four hits for the Squires - a double and three singles. She scored three runs. Calvin Christian outhit the DK girls 18-10. Lizzy Stonebumer took the loss in the cir­ cle for DK. She allowed 11 runs, seven earned, on 15 hits. She struck out two and walked one in 6 2/3 innings. Mya Brickley came in to the circle to finish offthe seventh for DK. Anna VanDyken started for Calvin Chris­ tian, was relieved by Goodheart to start the sixth inning, then returned to the circle to get the final two outs in the seventh. Delton had scored one run already and had the bases loaded with one out when VanDyken came on to record the last two outs. Ravenna took a 16-0 three-inning win over Remus Chippewa Hills in the first MHSAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal of the day in Newaygo Saturday, and the Bulldogs went on to an 8-1 win in the Regional Final over Cal­ vin Christian. Ravenna pitcher Emma Gillard held the Squires to one run on five hits in the regional championship, striking out three, after no-hit­ ting Chippewa Hills in the semifinals. See PANTHERS, page 11 a Plainwell scores late in overtime to end TK ladies1 postseason 4 w Brett Bremer Sports Editor Plainwell notched its sixth consecutive shut out in a 1-0 overtime victory over the 'Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team nin the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Semifi'hals at Vicksburg High School Wednesday, ■'June 7. k The blue and white Trojans from Plain­ well, ranked 11th in the lower peninsula ’'heading into the state tournament, got a goal f,from senior Laken Whittington with four ^minutes remaining in the second ten minutes 3 of overtime to break the scoreless tie. Alayna Eldred pushed a ball ahead to left comer for Plainwell teammate Kayla Baar, 'and Baar fired a perfect cross towards the far post on the right side where Whittington was Awaiting to head it into the back ofthe net. ’< “Up until then, we felt pretty good about 'going to penalties and it was really deflating to lose that close to having basically a 50/50 ^chance to advance to the final,” Thornapple jfKellogg co-head coach Ben Sleeman said. “Overall, I’d say it wasn’t the best game we "•played technically this season, but that we ^battled and worked harder than in any other ■game and for that [co-head coach] David Wood and I were proud ofthis group ofgirls.” u Eliza Harris earned the shutout, and each of the previous five as well, in goal for the Plainwell girls. The TK Trojan defense and freshman goal­ keeper McKenna Hoebeke were stellar throughout in keeping the Plainwell attack at bay too. “Plainwell has two of the best attacking threats that we’ve seen all season, and we had talked a lot Monday and Tuesday at practice about containing them and reminding the girls that they would have to play aggressive and physical defense if we wanted to stay in the game,” Sleeman said. “Our back line and McKenna Hoebeke in goal played probably the best they have all season and really kept them quiet, limiting them to a few chances from distance over the course of regulation. Our defensive effort as a team was fantastic as well with both our wide midfielders work­ ing back to defend while also trying to give us an attacking threat whenever they could.” The TK Trojan attack was limited a bit withjunior Holly Velting, the team’s top scor­ er, out having picked up a red card in her team’s 1-0 win over Hamilton in the district final the previous Thursday. “We really missed Holly Velting up top and think that she would have made a massive difference in the game because of the threat she possesses to get behind an opposing defense. [Plainwell] definitely had the better of the chances, but we had one or two good opportunities that we couldn’t quite make the most of,” Sleeman said. “Tealy Cross did a solidjob filling in for Holly, but it’s a position she hasn’t played much this season and we had to shuffle other players around to make up for her being up top which is always a tough situation to deal with.” Some ofthe TK girls’ best scoring chances came in the first ten minutes of overtime, with two or three good opportunities just not finding the net. TK closes the season with a 15-5-1 overall record. “The future is bright for this group of girls though,” Sleeman said. “We started five fresh­ men, two sophomores, two Juniors, and two Seniors. While we will miss our two seniors [Anna Davis and Peyton Pratt] it’s hard not to look at a 15-5-1 season with the overwhelming majority of our starting 11 for most matches returning with a significant amount of experi­ ence going into next season. They all play club soccer at a high level and we are confident they will be ready to pick back up where we left off this season and hopefully beyond. The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls' soccer team talks things over between the two ten minute overtime periods against Plainwell Wednesday at Vicksburg High School. The TK ladies fell 1-0 to the Plainwell Trojans in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Semifinal match. The Plainwell girls went on to defeat Pinck­ ney 6-1 in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Final back in Vicksburg Friday, but were best­ ed 2-1 by East Grand Rapids in the MHSAA Division 2 State Semifinals Tuesday evening. The Plainwell girls started the year 1-2-2 and then were unbeaten in 18 straight matches, with 17 wins during the stretch, before falling to the Pioneers. Their district championship was the first in ten years. East Grand Rapids will face Grosse Pointe North in the state final Friday. The MHSAA Division 2 Girls’ Soccer Final will be held at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Soc­ cer Stadium in East Lansing. Game time is set for 4 p.m. �Page 10 — Thursday. June 15. 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty. If your period of active duty has concluded less than 9contact the attorney tor the party toteckatog the mortgage al the 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please LEGAL NOTICES Financial FOCUS telephone number stated m this notice. Notice of toredOMire by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 d the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 6003212. that the following mortgage wffl be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of than, at a public auction sate to the NghMi bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry Carty, starting promptly at 1.-00 PM on JULY 6.2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Plying tt® highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear owrwiNp of the property. A potential purchaser H encouraged to contact the county regator of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Dianna K. Boatock and Peter R. Bosrock, husband and wife, to Saxon Mortgage. Inc. D/B/A Saxon Home Mortgage, Mortgagee, dated July 24,2006 and recorded August 1,2006 in Instrument Number 1167934 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS as Indenture Trustee for the registered holdws of SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2006-3 MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2006-3, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Eighty-Four Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Three and 81/100 Dollars ($84,453.81). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage wl be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. Said premises are located In the Township of Assyria, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF 1HE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 21. TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEG. 53' 06" WEST 220.00 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH UNE OF SECTION 21 TO A POINT 419.00 FEET EASTERLY FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 POST THEREOF; THENCE NORTH 00 DEG. 55* 53" WEST, 231.02 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEG. 53’ 06" EAST 220.00 FEET TO THE EAST UNE OF SAID WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 21; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEG. 55* 53" EAST, 231.02 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 7645 Wolf Rd, Bellevue, Michigan 49021 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property Is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redempt ion period. Dated: June 8,2023 Ale No.” Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (06-08X06-29) 201007 MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on June 22, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner: If yqu ,ar^ a military seiyice member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Gary Kaiser, a single man, ("Mortgagor*), gave a mortgage to Advia Credit Union f/k/a First Community Federal Credit Union, (“Mortgagee”), dated June 14, 2002, and recorded on June 28, 2002, in Document Number 1082969, Barry County Records, Michigan. On the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred-Eighty and 04/100 Dollars ($13,580.04) plus accrued interest at 7.30% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 22,2023. Said premises are situated in the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 18 and 19, ‘ACKER’S PLAT”, as recorded in Liber 4, Page 7 Cpmmonly: 6930 Ackers Point Road Delton, Ml 49046—Tax ld#08-07-040-01800 The redemption period shall be twelve months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: May 18,2023 Advia Credit Union, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 (248)352-4340 (05-18)(06-15) 199545 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29511-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 W. Court Street, #302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Nancy Jane Krohling. Date of birth’ October 29,1944. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Nancy Jane Krohling, died November 8,2 022.. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kenneth Bryan Thrasher, personal representative, or to both the probate zan2oat 226 W‘ Court street’ *3°2. Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice Date: 6/12/2023 Trentadue Law Group PLC David M. Trentadue P51889 PO Box 7723 Ann Arbor, Ml 48107-77723 (734) 418-3246 Kenneth Bryan Thrasher 2 Doane Drive Mansfield, IL 61854 (217)418-0942 201211 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Nolle© is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL900.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them at a public auction sale to the highest bidder lor cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on June 29, 2023. The amount due on tthe mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. e. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser to encouraged to contact the county register of office or a title Insurance company, either of wnicn may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Logan Troy Teneyck, an unmarried man, whose address is 4705 8. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, acting solely as a nominee for Ameriflrst Financial Corporation, being a mortgage dated August 10, 2021, and recorded on August 13, 2021 with Document Number 2021-010183. Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated May 11, 2023 and recorded in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE AND 04/100 DOLLARS ($106,935.04). Said premises are situated in the Township of Maple Grove, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the southwest 1 /4 of section 1, town 2 north range 7 west described as commencing 900 feet south of the west 1/4 post of said section 1; thence east 250 feet; thence south parallel with the west 1/4 line, 200 feet; thence west 250 feet to west 1/4 line of said section 1: thence north 200 feet to the place of beginning. Street Address: 4705 S. M-66 Highway, Nashville, Michigan 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property Is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale Or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: May 25, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing? Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5000 200261 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Michael C. Benner Trust xxx-xx-8696 TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, Michael Benner, born on 1/12/1944 who lived at 111 W. Franklin St., Woodland, Ml 48897, died on May 25th, 2023. There is no personal representative of the settlor’s estate to whom Letters of Administration have been issued. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against Michael Benner personally and/or the Michael C. Benner Trust dated 8/22/2001 as amended, will forever be barred unless presented to Kimberly Easey Successor Trustee, within four (4) months after the date of publication. Notice Is further given that the Trust will thereafter be assigned and distributed to the persons entitled to it. Date: June 12, 2023 By: Kimberly Easey, Trustee 201278 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 23-29396-DE Estate of Marjorie Ellen Sleeman. Date of birth: 02/13/1932. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marjorie Ellen Sleeman, died 07/26/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Ruth Sleeman Marino, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, Mi 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Robert J. Longstreet P53546 607 N. Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3495 Ruth Sleeman Marino 18677 Nathans Place Montgomery Village, MD 20886 (240) 423-1510 201384 Attention homeowner If you are a military service if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 off the revised judicature g act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the ffollowing mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of ’he mortgaged premises,, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for casht or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing tthe highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Eliza Granzotto, a single woman, to MERS/Success Mortgage Partners, Inc., Mortgagee, dated July 15,2022 and recorded August 2, 2022 in Instrument 2022-008215 Barry County Records, Mtahlgan. Said mortgage Is now held by Data Mortgage, INC. DBA, Essex Mortgage, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Six Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-One and 88/100 Dollars($206,691.88). Tp Under the power Of , sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice Is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some paft of them, at public venue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JULY 6, 2023. Said premises jare located in the Township of Thornapple, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing 4 rods West of the Northwest comer of the intersection of Lem Paul and Main Street; thence West along the North line of Main Street, 4 rods; thence North 8 rods; thence East 4 rods; thence South 8 rods to the point of beginning. 604 W Main St, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. m member on active duty Dated: June 8,2023 File No. 23-005394 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (06-08)(06-29) Andrew Cove, AAMS<® CFP ® Financial Advisor Member SIPC Jeff Domenico. AAMSt CRPCte Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 460 Meadow Run Or., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)9_4_8_-_8_2 __6_5 (269)945-3553 Special needs trust could ease families’stress If you have a family member with special needs, you might face emotional and physical issues, but you also may be concerned aboutt maximizing the financial support your loved one requires. Consequently, you may want to consider establishing a special needs trust. This type of trust can help maintain the financial security and lifestyle of an individual with special needs. Furthermore, a special needs trust can allow the trust’s beneficiary to receive financial support for supplemental needs without losing public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Here’s how it works: You, as the trust’s grantor, establish the trust and name a trustee who is responsible for managing the trust. You can fund the trust with gifts throughout your lifetime or from other sources, such as inheritances or court settlements. But another popular funding mechanism is life insurance, which the trust can purchase on the life of one or both parents of a special-needs child. And as long as the trust is also named the beneficiary of the policy, government benefits will be protected. In a special needs trust, the role of trustee is important. A trustee must manage the funds within the trust and ensure those funds are used only to supplement SSI and Medicaid, the government programs that typically pay for food, housing and medicine. Instead, a special needs trust can be used for most other expenses, including transportation and travel, education, entertainment, professional services and personal items. You could serve as trustee yourself or choose a relative or a trusted friend. Ideally, you want someone who’s familiar with your wishes and the needs of your family member with disabilities and who is also competent at managing finances and staying current on SSI and Medicaid regulations. As an alternative, you could hire a professional trust company to manage your special needs trust. This type of company has expertise in asset management and government regulations and can provide you with strict recordkeeping of all the financial transactions associated with your trust. If you go this route, you’ll want to compare different trust companies’ costs and services. For such a personal matter as administering a trust for your special-needs family member, you’ll want to be sure you’re comfortable with whatever company you select. Also, you’ll want to be familiar with some of the possible areas of concern regarding special needs trusts. For one thing, because the trustee totally controls when and how funds are distributed, beneficiaries can get frustrated if their requests for money are denied. Additionally, while third-party special needs trusts are funded by someone other than the beneficiary, firstparty special needs trusts are funded by the beneficiary’s own assets — and for these firstparty special needs trusts, the trust must typically pay back Medicaid for money it has spent on the beneficiary’s behalf after the death of the beneficiary. This repayment could deplete the trust, depriving secondary beneficiaries of any assets they might otherwise receive. Thirdparty special needs trusts do not require Medicaid repayment. Consult with a legal professional before establishing a special needs trust to ensure this arrangement is appropriate for your family’s situation. But if it is, and if it’s managed properly, it can relieve you of some ofthe stress you may feel over the future of your loved one with special needs. J* As* s*’ ■ This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC S’*41 NOTICE 200744 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TA judicial circuit COUNTY PROBATE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION/POSTING AND tyOTICE OF ACTION ‘ CASE NO. 23-116-CH Court address: 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1286 Plaintiff ARTEMIS CAPITAL, LLC c/o Bowen Law Offices ’ Plaintiff’s Attorney Jonathan R. Hoogstra, P-76102 Bowen Law Offices 1042 Terrace Street Muskegon, Michigan 49442 (231)726-4484 v Defendant ROBERT L. BOLTON, last known address 2141 Robinwood Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton, and its known and unknown beneficiaries, devisees, heirs, successors and/or assignees, APRIL BOLTON, last known addresses of either 2141 Robinwood Dr., Hastings, Ml and/or 1022 Charlton Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058, and BRUCE TOBIAS, 2141 Robinswood Drive, Hastings, Ml 49058. TO: ROBERT L. BOLTON, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton and its known and unknown beneficiaries, devisees, heirs, successors, and/or assigns. IT IS ORDERED: You are being sued in this court by the plaintiff to determine interest in real property commonly known as 2141 Robinwood Drive, Hastings, Ml 49058. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in this court at the court address above on or before June 23, 2023. If you fail to do so, a default judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint filed in this case. A copy of this order shall be permitted once each week in Barry County Legal News for three consecutive weeks, and proof of publication shall b filed in this court. A copy of this order shall be sent to Robert L. Bolton, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton, at the lastknown address by registered mail, return receipt requested, return receipt requested, before the date of the last publication, and the affidavit of mailing shall be filed in this court. Date: May 23, 2023 Judge Vicky L. Alspaugh M Provided by the Harry County offices of Edward Jones 20129 TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, Marguerite F. 05/21/1928), died December personal representative whom letters of (date of birth: Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Marguerite F. Strayer Trust dated March 12,2007, will be forever barred unless presented to Trustee, Donald Strayer, within four months after the date of publication. Notice is further given that the Trust will thereafter be assigned and distributed to the persons entitled to it. Date: June 7, 2023 Alles Law Hannah Recknagel (P85758) 5360 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids, Ml 49546 (616)365-5055 Marguerite F. Strayer Trust dated March 12, 2007 Donald Strayer, Trustee 419 Green Meadows Dr. Lansing, Ml 48917 517-321-4562 201212 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO- andJUDGE 23r29488 . ssirtW* sirtW* ■u<1isiat33 tsrb Court address: 206 W. Court Street 4_ Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Nicole Elizabeth Wieringa - deceased. Date of birth: 07/05/1978. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Nicole Elizabeth Wieringa, died 04/12/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Eric P. Wieringa, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 06/07/2023 William R. Wieringa P64514 1112 E. Centre Avenue Portage, Ml 49002 269-324-8385 Eric P. Wieringa 228 Benson Street Hastings, Ml 49058 765-243-0156 astdiziiiity' fsmiismUtaiq KQiiintakBid rciJziissuOT. 201070 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Estate Sales B as in ess Services FAMILY OPERATED ES­ TATE SALE: Fri.-Sat., June 23rd & 24th, 2023 8am to 5pm. Location: 4600 Hilltop Rd., Hastings, MI past Camp Michawana off Wilkins Rd. NO EARLY SALES and CASH ONLY- NO EXCEPTIONS’! Limited people at a time, no crowding / rushing. Lots of tools (new and old) / power tools, yard equipment / im­ plements, farm implements, household goods, furniture, kitchen accessories, electron­ ics including vintage items, full / queen bed sets, etc. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Garage Sale GUN HO ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GARAGE SALE! Fri-Sat, June 23-24,2023.9am5pm. Rain or Shine! This is a multi-family association sale! Sale locations between W Joy Rd & Lynden St in Shelbyville (Gun Lake). Antiques, tools, household items, home stag­ ing decor, lake toys, clothing, furniture, and so much more. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050._____________ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-806L BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782. W WK . PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Ail real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Actt which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18, . This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980, The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Whs ? ’k XS �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 15,2023 — Page 11 mEMorial Tournament gathering teams for 18th annual event Registration is open until July 15 for the 18th Annual Emily Duits mEMorial Sand • Volleyball Tournament which will be held . July 29 at at the Lake Odessa Fairgrounds. All ages and skill levels are welcome, from near and far. Proceeds from the tour­ nament fund a scholarship in Emily’s name and help with the maintenance ofthe Emily Duits Courts at the fairgrounds as well as other community improvement initiatives. There are divisions for 4-v-4 competitive and recreation competitions and a 6-v-6 youth division for those entering grade eight and younger. The competitive division is recommended for those with some beach volleyball playing experience. Teams in all divisions may be composed of any gender combination, but no more than half the players on-court can be male at any given time. The recreation division is recommended for those who play recreationally, for fiin and there is often a majority ofhigh school aged teams. A link to register for the tournament can be found at emilyduits.com and on the tour­ nament Facebook page. The cost to participate is $30 per team. Payments can be made in cash on-site at the tournament or through Venmo @emilyduitsmemorialinc. Contact Chelsea Brehm with any questions at 269-838-1523. All players receive a tournament shirt, lunch and dessert. Delton Kellogg's Mya Brickley fires a pitch towards the place during the top of the seventh inning against Calvin Christian in the MHSAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal at Newaygo Middle School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sign-ups are going on now for the 18th Annual Emily Duits mEMorial Sand Volleyball Tournament which will be held July 29 on the Emily Duits Courts at the Lake Odessa Fairgrounds. Registration is open until July 15. (File photo) PANTHERS, continued from page 9 if North Country Trail project begins north of Middleville Saturday .Ma, jwicoom .■.Hw..y m. .a..nilBA tefedhssfeiiaiiEatei HpKMsitanniE VBsttterttfite potiort m taw S3 B fem IrtMnpM gCentsAwu ^,1149002 Street ^1149058 2^ Brett Bremer Sports Editor While it has been a fairly dry late spring so far, plans are underway for a raised walkway project on the North Country National Scenic Trail in Barry County. Volunteers are needed to cut planks, clear path, haul supplies and lumber and more begin­ ning Saturday, June 17, on the trail just off Robertson Road in Middleville. Work begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, and the project is expected to take more than one workday. The projeetJs tacover a section ofthe trail that is often ttiu'ddy ^rfd^^ 7 01' Volunteers are invited to come for a couple of hours or more. It is recommended that they come with gloves, insect repellant and long sleeves and pants for moving lumber, as well as any tools they can for inserting screws, cutting boards and other construction. Contact Eric Longman with any questions at ericnct@gmail.com. The project is being spearheaded by the ChiefNoonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, which covers 119 miles across Barry County, Calhoun County and Kalamazoo County. The chapter also has a group hike planned for July 15 with a patriotic red, white and blue theme. The walk will begin at the gazebo in Stagecoach Park in downtown Middleville, and hikers are invited to participate in a 2.9­ A volunteer workday is planed for Saturday, June 17, beginning at 9:30 a.m. along mile or 6-mile hike. There will be a social the North Country National Scenic Trail in Middleville, just east of Robertson Road, to gathering after the hike, with Jhc location.. begin construction of a raised walkway along an often muddy section, of the trail revealed at the event.. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Maple Valley prepping for annual youth basketball camps The Maple Valley Youth Basketball Camp this summer will be held the weeks of June 19-23 and June 26-30 for various age groups in the easy gym at Maple Valley High School. The camp for K-6 students is about teach­ ing basic skills, drills and techniques ofbas­ ketball, while the camp for 7-8 grade stu­ dent-athletes, and some youngsters who may be bumped up a level, will be learning more advanced drills and skills. The K-3 group will run their camp each day from June 19-23 from noon to 3 p.m. The 4-6 grade camp goes June 26-30 from noon to 3 p.m. * The cost to participate in the K-6 camps is $25 per player, with a maximum of $60 per family. Scholarships may be available upon request. All players will receive a camp T-shirt, a basketball and a sack lunch each day. Sign-up and waiver forms were sent home with students earlier this week, and those will also be available the first day of camp at the high school. The 7-8 grade camp will run for both weeks from 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. each day. This year’s camp will be run in coordination with the Maple Valley school teams and coaches. There will be 1-on-l, 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 games. No sign up is required for the 7-8 grade group. Players can just show up and play for free. Camp T-shirts will be available for $10 each. Players can sign-up in the hallway with payment and shirt size during camp. Waiver forms must be completed and signed prior to participating in the camp. The waiver and sign-up forms for all age groups are also slated to be posted to the Maple Val­ ley Facebook page - MV Youth Basketball. Contact coach Tony Joostbems for more information at 269-838-8131. Delton Kellogg varsity softball coach Jesse Lyons looks on from the third-base coaching box during the MHSAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal against Calvin Christian at Newaygo Middle School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Ravenna girls beat Buchanan 12-6 in their MHSAA Division 3 State Quarterfinal Tuesday at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids and will face Standish-Sterling in the state semifinals at Michigan State Uni­ versity Friday at 3 p.m.. Laingsburg is into the other Division 3 State Semifinal after an 8-6 win over Cass City in the quarterfinals Tuesday. The Wolfpack will face either Ottawa Lake Whiteford or Algonac, who had a state quarterfinal planned for Wednes­ day afternoon, in its semifinal bailgame Friday at 5:30 p.m. in East Lansing. Delton Kellogg ends the season with an overall record of 28-11. The Panthers won tournaments hosted by Hastings, Gull Lake and Lakewood this season and took the the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central, Division title as well as their MHSAA Divi­ sion 3 District Championship. There will be a new look to the Panther team next spring. This year’s team included seVm’senlbfs * ftvejofU'hkihare^irtfth^g^ playing college I)all. That list includes"Fichtner (Lansing Community College), Jordan Lyons (Kalamazoo Valley Community Col­ lege), Thomas (Kalamazoo Valley Communi­ ty College), Brickley (Calvin College) and Trantham (Albion). The other two seniors on the roster this spring are Cadence Johnson and Kapteyn. “I am really proud of all ofthem as far as how they played and conducted themselves and all that,” coach Lyons said of his girls. “That was huge this year. We have a lot of capable girls. We never had any dugout issues where somebody was upset about playing time or anything like that.” City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT REZONING AND FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL The Planning Commission for the City of Hastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose ofhearing written and/or oral comments from the public concerning a Planned Unit Development rezoning and final site plan approval for 420 E. Mill, LLC certain properties located at 328 East Mill Street parcel #08-55-001-001-02 and 420 East Mill Street parcel # 08-001­ 001-04. The Planning Commission will consider rezoning 328 East Mill Street parcel #08-55-001-001-02 from D-l Industrial District to PUD Planned Unit Development and 420 East Mill Street parcel #08-001-001-04 from Royal Coach PUD to PUD Planned Unit Development. The Planning Commission will review and consider final site plan approval for a mixeduse development that will include construction of 138 units of multifamily housing. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday July 3,2023 in the City Council Chambers on the second floor ofCity Hall, 201 East State Wheeler wins her opening round match at D4 Tennis Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor She got one. Lakewood senior Izzy Wheeler finished off her high school athletic career by win­ ning once and falling once at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 Girls’ Tennis Finals in Kalamazoo June 2. Wheeler beat Brooklyn Columbia Cen­ tral junior Morgan Fausz in the opening round at first singles 6-2, 6-1. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard fresh­ man Jenny Florea was waiting for Wheeler in round two though. Florea was the second seed at first singles and scored a 6-1, 6-0 over the Vikings’ top player. Florea lived up to her seed, reaching the first singles championship match without dropping a set. Ann Arbor Green Hills sophomore Maddie Morgan, the top seed at the flight, bested Florea 6-4, 6-3 in the championship match at the end ofthe week­ end. Morgan’s first singles win helped her Greenhills team to the Division 4 state championship. Greenhills finished the tour­ nament with 36 points. Gabriel Richard was second with 20 points ahead of Bloomfield Academy ofthe Sacred Heart 18, Traverse City St. Francis 16, Grand Rapids West Catholic 15, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 15, Wixom St. Catherine 14, NorthPointe Christian 13, Niles Brandywine 12, and Jackson Lumen Christi 11 in the top ten. Shangyang Xia at second singles, Danica Rakic-Dennis at third singles and Manassa Gollapalli at fourth singles were a part of a sweep of the singles championships for Greenhills. Their team also got a fourth doubles championship from the team of Arya Prabhakar and Aoife Tang. Bloomfield Academy ofthe Sacred Heart won the first, second and third doubles flights - beating Greenhills duos in the first and third doubles championship matches. A copy ofthe proposed site plan and map are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the Community Development Director, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director, at 269.945.2468 or dking@hastingsmi.org The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk �Page 12 — Thursday. June 16,2023 — The Hastings Banner Summerfest run registration going on now Sign-up is going on now for the annual Corewcll Health Summerfest Run. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, during the annual Hastings Summerfest cele­ bration. This year’s edition ofthe event includes a 5K Run/Walk, a I OK Run and a free Kids I-mile Fun Run for those 12 and younger. The I OK race begins at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K takes offat 7:45 a.m. from Hastings Mid­ dle School. The cost to participate in the 5K is $35 for adults and $25 for those 18 and under. The cost to participate in the 10K is $40 for adults and $30 for those 18 and under. The price for adults increases by $5 for those that register after Aug. 6. On-line registration ends Aug. 25. Those who pre-register by Aug. 6 are guaranteed to receive a race T-shirt. The fun run will begin at 9 a.m. Packet pick-up and late registration can be done Aug. 26 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pen­ nock Health and Wellness Center or the morn­ ing of the race from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. inside the Hastings Middle School cafeteria. Registration can be done online at spectrumhealth.org/summerfestrun. Three Rivers pitcher records 11 K’s in regional win over Vikings Brett Bremer Runners line up for the start ot tne zozz bummenest 5K. Sign-up is kids' Fun Run, which will be held Aug. 26 in Hastings. (File photo) You’re Invited toj oin us at our Community Celebration Join us in celebrating 100 years of caring for our community. Wednesday, June 21 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Join us in celebrating our past, present and future. • Picnic cook-out • MOO-ville ice cream Pennock Hospital 1009 W. Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 • Tours of the Health & Wellness Center • Tours of the Baum Family Surgery Center • Door prizes Q Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan • Explore the Betty Ford Breast Care,Services mammography bus and more! Sports Editor The Vikings got the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but couldn t keep their season going Saturday. Lily Federau hit a two-out home run to pull the Lakewood varsity softball team within 6-4 in its MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 Regional Semifinal against Three Rivers and teammate Maryssa Goble followed with a single through the left side. Teammate Audrey Hillard grounded out to shortstop though for the final outt ofthe bailgame and the Wildcats earned a spot in the regional final with their two-run -uw. win. * Lakewood set a new school record for home runs in a bailgame in their district championship win, and Federau s homer was the second ofthe day for the Vikings in Mason. Hillard knocked one out with two out in the top of the first inning to give her team the early lead over the Three Rivers girls. Three Rivers got that run right back, and more, in the bottom ofthe first. The Wildcats put together three singles, a walk and a sacrifice to take a 3-1 lead after one inning. Three Rivers added two runs in the bottom of the third inning to push its lead to 5-1. Lakewood answered with two runs in the top of the fourth only to have Three Rivers get one back in the home halfof the inning. Goble led-off that two-rim fourth for the Vikings with a single into left and then scored when the Wildcats threw away a bunt by Hillard - which allowed Hillard to go all the way to third. Peyton Federau followed Hillard with a walk and then Hillard scored on a bunt by teammate Liv Woodman. Ally Slater lined into a double play through, which helped the Wildcats limit the damage in the inning. Lakewood finished the bailgame with five hits. Goble was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Lily Federau was 1 for 3 with a walk. Hillard was 1 for 4 and scored two runs. Maycee Rusco went 1 for 3. Peyton Federau started the ballgame in the circle for Lakewood. She was hit for six runs in five innings, giving up ten hits apd two walks. Kendal. Steward threw one scoreless inning ofrelief. She gave up one hit and struck out two. Jennaya Decker got the win for the Wildcats. She gave up two earned runs on five hits and two walks. She struck out 11 Vikings. Ava Forman had a huge game for the Wildcats a the plate. She was 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles and scored two runs. The Wildcats’ state tournament run ended in the regional final Saturday in Mason. Parma Western defeated Lan­ sing Waverly 4-2 in its regional semifi­ nal bailgame and then took a 3-2 win over the Three Rivers girls in the region- , al final. The Panthers have now been bumped from the state tournament too. Vicks­ burg scored a 10-2 win over the Parma Western girls in the MHSAA Division 2 State Quarterfinals Tuesday. The Vicksburg girls will face either Rich­ mond or Frankenmuth in the state semi­ finals today, June 15, at 10 a.m. at Michigan State University. Gaylord and Dearborn Divine Child meet in the second D2 State Semifinal at 12:30 p.m. today. TAKE A HIKE: Patriotic Hike planned for Barry County For those who* keep talking about going on a hike but never seem to actually make it out, ChiefNoonday Chapter members ofthe North Country Trail Association say this time of year is a great time to hit the trails in Barry County. New hikers can trek with a hike leader that can get them started on their adventure. Each themed hike the chapter hosts brings out both fledgling outdoorsmen and hiking experts. On Saturday, July 15, the ChiefNoonday \ chapter will host their “Patriotic Hike.” Hikers are asked to wear red, white or blue to celebrate the North Country Trail, the lon­ gest National Scenic Trail, in Middleville. The Patriotic Hike is being presented in conjunction with the Paul Henry Trail. Hikers are asked to park at the Middleville Village Hall, 100 E. Main St. Participants will meet at the gazebo at 9:30 a.m. before embarking on the hike. Hikers can enjoy the beauty of the Thor­ napple River with various waterfowl as it winds through Middleville, walking over bridges and passing by farms. This out-andback hike is 5.9 miles in total, though partic­ ipants are welcome to turn back at any time. Following the hike, participants can meet for an optional lunch at the River Dog Tav­ ern, 117 Main St. Each mile traveled on the Patriotic Hike will also count for the “100 Mile Challenge” spon­ sored by the North Country Trail Association. Those interested in further details are asked to call Jane Norton, 269-808-7334. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-06-22.pdf 521890d280fa26978363957f20280585 PDF Text Text Vintage clothing shop coming to downtown Hastings Man who led police on threecounty chase sentenced See story on page 8 See story on page 3 Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 8048 1070490102590501768749058113421 **CAR-RT LOT**C 005 Richard Hemerling I ANNER 4H21 Ni Ta fMfel e4 9 D0r5811346/30/2023 94700 AM astngs ., MrtO 1HMljS ypLUME 169, No. 25 Thursday, June 22, 2023 PRICE $1.50 Community reflects on 100 years of health care service from its local hospital The parade of speakers at the morning reception attributed the hospital’s longevity Editor > Wednesday morning’s breakfast reception to a couple ofcommon components - a local, io mark the 100th anniversary of Spectrum community-oriented workforce and a com­ Health Pennock, part ofCorewell Health, felt munity that has not shied away from funding a bit like a family reunion. transformative projects and initiatives. ; - Past leaders, donors, staffand members of Carla Wilson-Neil, who retired as Chief the community joined together in an outdoor Operating Officer of Pennock Hospital after venue staged behind the Baum Family Sur­ serving the hospital for over 40 years, is a gery Center in Hastings to reflect on the past prime example ofthe pedigree of staffmem­ century of healthcare provided by the com­ bers the hospital has leveraged to maintain a munity hospital. community-oriented dynamic - even after “We are grateful for all this community has being absorbed by a larger health system like Spectrum Health. done for Pennock Hospital, and we are very committed to making sure we have an even Wilson-Neil was bom in the hospital in better next 100 years here at Pennock Hospi­ 1954. She would later spend her career at that tal,” Spectrum Health Pennock President Bill very same hospital, walking alongside the Hoefer said to guests. organization as it kept up with the evolution of Pennock Hospital opened its doors in 1923 the healthcare industry - from moving from with a 28-bed facility, fueled by the initial paper to digital health records to the changing philanthropic efforts ofBarry County farmers models ofhealthcare reimbursement. Eben and Elvira Pennock. The couple initial­ “In the 80s, I had the opportunity to ly pledged $20,000 for the construction of a become our first risk manager when the hospital in Hastings, and the philanthropic nation underwent a medical malpractice lia­ giving from the community has continued to bility crisis, and even the smallest hospital Ihis day. was litigating multiple (medical malpractice) ‘ To mark the milestone, Pennock Hospital cases,” Wilson-Neil said. posted a listJ>of‘invited guests who were •‘Through the various years of strategic* instrumental in the hospital’s evolution over planning and visioning, our then-markdtmg time and held a community-wide open house department developed the Pennock ‘P’s ... Jater in the day, complete with food, enter­ tainment and tours ofvarious Pennock Hospi­ See COMMUNITY, page 2 tal facilities. Jayson Bussa Hastings Mayor Pro-Tern Bill Nesbitt reads a proclamation drafted by the city honoring Spectrum Health Pennock’s 100 years of service to the community. Surrounding Nesbitt are present and past hospital presidents, CEOs, board chairmen and chiefs of staff. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Barry Conservation District welcomes new director, former director moves to DNR position Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Sarah Nelson, former executive director of the Barry Conservation District, remembers visiting Michigan as a child. Her father and his family were native Michiganders, which meant she often went on trips to visit them in Portage. When she got older, she loved to go camping in Michigan and even made a trip to the upper peninsula. “I remember my first big trip to the U.P.,” Nelson said. “It was magical.” While she was studying environmental science, her father moved back to Michigan to take care ofher grandmother. ’ “When she passed away, he was looking for a new home and settled on Delton,” Nel­ son said. “I enjoyed the beautiful natural set­ ting here, so I figured I’d try to make a home here myself.” She would go on to become the Barry Con­ servation District’s executive director, a role she has carried out for the last eight years. She remembers her first project as the BCD direc­ tor: a private property stream restoration on Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Clerk’s Office has reached critical mass and is requesting additional staff in order to stave offpoten­ tial delays in its work. Barry County Sarah Nelson, pictured here taking measurements for a shoreline conservation See NEW DIRECTOR, page 3 Stretched thin by growing scope of duties, County Clerk makes plea for additional staff Clerk Pam On Tuesday morning, Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer appeared in front ofthe county board’s Committee of the Whole to See COUNTY CLERK, page 3 Palmer (left) and Senior Deputy Clerk Sarah project, left the Barry Conservation District to work with the Michigan Department of VanDenburg (right) appear in front of the county board’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday morning, sounding the alarm over a crucial staffing shortage in their Natural Resources. (Photo provided) office. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) State Street Diner closing its doors June 27, makes way for new car wash . iTlehephSottaot)e Street Diner in Hastings announced its last day before shuttingy down (File photo) * Hunter McLaren StaffWriter State Street Diner will close its doors for the last time next week. The longstanding Hastings restaurant announced on its Facebook page that it would close permanently at 3 p.m. on June 27. The business also said it would no longer be open during the evening with new hours of7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day until it closed. Lee Campbell, current owner ofthe restaurant, said there will be an auction selling everything in the build­ ing on July 10, and the new owners will take possession ofthe property on July 16. News about the restaurant’s impending closure came to light earlier this year when site plans for a car wash came before the city planning commission during their Jan. 3 meeting. The site plans called for the demoli- tion ofthe current restaurant building at 1105 W. State Street, making way for a Whitewater Express Car Wash. Campbell started managing the restaurant in 1981 when it was still a Big Boy. He bought the State Street Big Boy in 1995, overseeing the restaurant’s operations before leaving the company franchise and setting off on his own in 2015 with the State Street Diner. The restaurant continued to serve many of the homestyle meals and desserts that cus­ tomers had come to expect but with more of a local focus. The restaurant retained its diner­ interior, with historic photos of Hastings and Barry County adorning the walls. . Campbell worked in the restaurant industry for several years before starting at Big Boy in 1978, putting him close to serving 50 years in the business. After so many years, Campbell said he’s mostly just looking forward to retir­ ing and spending time with his family. “It feels good,” Campbell said. “I’ve been doing it for over 50 years. I’m going to miss the people, but really not going to miss the work anymore. I’m just getting tired.” Campbell said he will miss all the people who made the State Street Diner possible over the years, both regular customers who patron­ ized the business and tenured employees who worked alongside him over the years. “My employees are kind ofa second family to m?. I see them more often than my family, to be hondst?’ Campbell said; *T feet especially bad for (the ones that have been here a long See DINER, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, June 22, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Lake Odessa Fair is underway NEWS BRIEFS Lakewood Area Choral Society announces inaugural concert for 2023 The Lakewood Area Choral Society (LACS) has announced its first performance for 2023, titled Great Is Thy Faithfulness: A Sacred Choral Concert. The concert will be held Sunday, June 25, at 3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 406 E Bridge St. in Portland. The concert is open to the public, and the doors will open at 3 p.m. In lieu oftickets, a freewill offering will be taken. . This concert features many new works, as well as old favorites. Now in its 38th year ofproviding local audiences with high-quality performances, LACS owes its existence to Dr. Robert C. Oster, who, upon hearing a request for an adult community choir, set out to do just that in January of 1986. To appropriately set the mood, this sacred concert opens with “Lord, Here Am I” by John Ness Beck. It is based on a poem by Fanny Crosby, in which the narrator offers her life and services to God. “Softly and Tenderly,” arranged by Joel Raney, continues the mood as the choir sings ofJesus calling them home. The mood changes dramatically as the choir bursts forth with praise in “The Omnipotence” by Franz Schubert, with soprano soloist Kristen Kennedy. “Ancient Words,” arranged by Craig Courtney, is described as a hauntingly beautiful song that reminds audiences that ancient words, ever true, impart knowledge and strength. Cindy Olson will be featured as assistant conductor. “His Masterpiece,” commissioned as part ofthe choir’s 35th anniversary, was written by Jill Gal­ lina and tells how music is God’s masterpiece. During the freewill offering, offertory selections will be presented. “The Song,” by Brenda Austin, features the quartet ofCathie Ott, Carol Campbell, John Myers and Larry Ott. “O Divine Redeemer” by Charles Gounod will be sung by Cindy Olson and Mary Kuhlman. LACS pianist, Ethan Holmes, will conclude the offertory by performing his own arrangement of“The Sands ofTime Are Sinking.” The second half of the concert will open with the world premiere of “Make Me a Blessing,” arranged by Robert C. Oster, which encourages all people to be a blessing to someone each day. “I Cannot Count the Stars” by Eugene Butler features David Parker, violinist. The text by Michigan poet, Gwen Frostic, will be read by Cathie Ott, LACS vice-president, and is said to remind audiences of the beauty in nature and its great power to heal. The majestic “Hallelujah (from the Mount of Olives)” by Ludwig van Beethoven is a triumphal hymn ofjoy, praising God’s “grace and glory.” “Peace Like a River with Amazing Grace” is a traditional spiritual arrangement by Joel Raney that lifts the spirit as the choir sings ofjoy in the soul, with Cindy Olson again as assistant conductor. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” the theme for this concert, is a familiar hymn, but as arranged by Dan Forrest, it swells to a glorious conclusion. Rachel Pung, LACS alto, will sign the song. Additionally, there will be two congregational hymns, one to start the concert and another to conclude it. Legal advice offered to Barry County seniors Returning for its 88th year, the Lake Odessa Fair is currently underway at the Lake Odessa Fairgrounds. Kicking offwith the annual Grand Parade, the fair began last night with a bang. Fairgoers can enjoy carnival rides at the mi midway, food, beverages, music, dodgeball, volleyball, livestock shows, comhole, grand grand-­ stand events and much more before the fair draws to a close on Sunday, June 25. A packed schedule of events continues over the weekend with lots of opportunities for people ofall ages to enjoy the fair. Tonight, dodgeball at the sand courts begins. Meanwhile, the beer bam will be open for trivia and socialization. Motocross, truck and tractor pulls and the demolition derby will all take place at the grandstand in the coming days, offering high-octane thrills. The 2023 Lake Odessa Fair will officially conclude Sunday night after the derby with the traditional fireworks finale show. The fireworks will be launched from the fair­ grounds at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 25. The 2023 Lake Odessa Fair will conclude on Sunday, June 25 at 10:30 p.m. with the annual fireworks show. (File photo) w W Rabid bat found in Middleville € Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Barry-Eaton District Health Depart­ ment is reporting its first case ofa rabies-pos­ itive bat in Barry County this year. The health department announced in a news release Friday morning that the bat was found in Middleville and has tested positive for rabies, which is a deadly but preventable disease. Bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Bats are the most common way that people in Michigan and U.S. come in contact with the disease, BEDHD spokeswoman Emily Smale said. “Rabies can spread to people from bats after minor, seemingly unimportant, or unrecog­ nized bites or scratches,” Smale said in the news release. “Any direct contact with a bat should be considered as a possible exposure to rabies. Other possible exposures include find­ ing a bat in the same room as a person who may not be aware that contact has occurred, such as a sleeping person, a child, or someone who is mentally disabled or intoxicated.” Those who have been bitten by an animal, or have been in contact with, exposed to or bitten by a bat, are urged to call BEDHD at (517) 541-2641 as soon as possible. The law requires all animal bites to be reported to local animal control and the local health department. Anyone exposed to a bat is urged to cap­ ture the bat to be tested for rabies and imme- diately call the health department. Ifthe bat is unavailable for testing, treat­ ment will be recommended to prevent rabies. Ifthe bat is tested and does not have rabies, treatment is not needed, Smale said. It is also important to protect pets against rabies. The best way to do this is to have dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian and to prevent pets from coming into contact with wild animals while outside. Ifa pet might have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal such as a bat, raccoon, or skunk, contact a veterinarian for instructions on how to prevent rabies. For more information, visit michigan.gov/ Rabies. To speak to the BEDHD communica­ ble disease nurse, call 517-541-2641. **?Sfc^* The Legal Services ofSouth Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct phone interviews for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested Barry County seniors this month. Those who wish to speak with an attorney should call 269-224-5040 between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, June 28. Legal Services ofSouth Central Michigan-Battle Creek office is a nonprofit organiza­ tion that provides legal assistance, representation and education to low-income people in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. •I Auction Fest comes to Barry Expo Center Saturday , noiiizoq owj iqi ol’/jnuc j /.tub ■ riiJ' . ; j j Buyers and sellers will descend upon the Barry Expo Center this Saturday, June 24, for Auction Fest. The event, hosted by FoxV iew Auctions, a bonded auction company, will feature mul­ tiple lines ofsellers and a variety ofitems for sale between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Auction Fest allows people to pay $35 to bring anything in their car, truck or trailer for the auctioneers to sell. Tractors, trailers, boats, cars, motorcycles and even some animals are welcome to be sold, along with attic treasures and bam finds. Multiple auctioneers will be selling from various lines ofvehicles in order to get everything sold in the fast­ paced sale. Buyers will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items, including new retail items by the palette, vintage household items, rare collectibles, antiques, decorative finds, tools, toys and much more. Auction Fest will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Sellers will arrive and set up by 9 a.m. Auctions begin at 10 a.m. and will end around 1 p.m. Due to limited availability, sellers need to reserve attendance in advance. No guns, alcohol or animals with hooves or talons may be sold at auction. Other ani­ mals are welcome. Certain taxidermy may not be allowed. More information about Auction Fest, along with registration for sellers, can be found at yourfoxview.com/special-night-auction/. WIMItgel sa^fealdl ■ **** ***** COMMUNITY, continued from page 1 La hSS* PR1ANYS FUOMAMr z" that stood for professional, personal, progres­ sive and partnership. I'm so pleased that, through the years, as we became part ofsome­ thing larger and we evolved, the essence of those important tenets remain. I say that now, not as an employee, but simply as a consumer, customer, patient and senior citizen.” Both the City ofHastings and the office of Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville United States Congressman John Moolenaar extended written congratulations to Pennock Hospital for its service and longevity. Hastings Mayor Pro-Tern Bill Nesbitt read the city’s proclamation before handing it over to Hoefer. “On Aug. 30, 1923, Pennock Hospital opened its new 28-bed facility, and the dream of simple farmers, influential community leaders and committed community members has not only filled a critical need over the years, but it also led to impressive growth building additions, equipment breakthroughs and significant addition in professional exper­ tise care have made today's hospital an admired community resource," he said. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 New Collections by Mode® Patriotic Cottons : The Pennock Hospital staff has accumulated historical items and mementos to be put together into a time capsule, which will be displayed inside the hospital. Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station ft TiopitMitt bo Mi tftneMeWi! QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 Eystate St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm reflects on memories from her four decades with the organization. DINER, continued from page time. And the customers, we see the same customers coming in here every day.” Campbell said he was disappointed he couldn’t find a buyer that would keep a restaurant on the property so his employees could continue working under new management. He said many ofhis current employees came to work with him after the Ponderosa location in Hastings closed. “Now they’ve got to go through that again,” Campbell said. “They’re good people, though. I’m sure they’ll land on their feet.” Although he doesn’t have any plans for what he will do during his retirement yet, Campbell said he’s looking forward to set­ tling down. “People ask me ifI’m going to miss it, but I really don’t think I am for a while. Who knows, I’ve never been retired before, obvi­ ously,” Campbell said. “But I’m definitely ready to be retired. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 22, 2023 — Page 3 Man sentenced after three county chase last winter Greg Chandler Staff Writer & hSX A Marshall man will serve up to sevenJand-a-half years in prison for leading police •on a chase across three counties, including • Barry County, last winter. • Michael Bilbrey, 45,, was sentenced || Wednesday by Judge Michael Schipper to 47 [to 90 months in prison on two counts of flee­ ring and eluding a police officer-third degree • in connection with the Jan. 24 chase that {began near Battle Creek, then continued {through Barry County and ended in the city of Charlotte, in Eaton County. The sentences •will be served concurrently. S Bilbrey was also sentenced to lesser terms for single counts of assault with a dangerous Weapon, reckless driving, failure to stop after a Collision, operating while intoxicated-second offense and habitual offender charges. He pleaded no contest to-the charges in early April. He is also facing additional charges in Calhoun and Eaton counties regarding the chase. The fleeing and eluding charge is a felony that usually carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. However, the habitual offender charge boosted that maximum to 7-and-a-half years. “You could have killed countless people. You obviously didn’t care,” Schipper said in issuing the sentence. “Youjust wanted to get out oftrouble yourself, so you put everybody (at risk). It’s amazing that people weren’t hurt or killed.” The chase began shortly after 11 a.m. on Jan. 24 at Gardner Brothers Lawn and Land­ scape in Springfield. Employees at the busi­ ness advised the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office that someone had stolen a work truck from their property. While investigators were looking for the vehicle, the business owner found the truck parked at a nearby business with Bilbrey still inside. A fight then broke out between the two, and the suspect was removed from the truck, the sheriff’s depart­ ment said in a news release. While the owner of the business was on the phone with dispatchers from Calhoun County 911, Bilbrey allegedly entered the unoccu­ pied business where the truck was found, stole a Ford F-450 flatbed that was parked in the garage, crashed through the closed garage {door and fled. Later, Battle Creek police {reported that the truck struck two vehicles on [M-37 in Bedford Township, failed to stop and •kept going northbound into Barry County. । While, in Barry County, Bilbrey struck {another vehicle. The driver of the damaged [vehicle attempted to get ifc truck’s license Michael Bilbrey (right) appears in a Barry County courtroom on Wednesday morning for his sentencing. His attorney, Kimberly Younq, stands next to him. (Photo by Greg Chandler) plate number. Bilbrey saw the other driver was following him, backed the truck up, got “behind the victim vehicle and rear-end(ed) and smashe(d) into the back of that innocent victim,” Assistant County Prosecutor Joshua Carter told the court. The chase extended through the city of Hastings and the village ofNashville. In Hast­ ings, Carter said Bilbrey “jumped over some curbs and (went) behind the building” ofthe Subway restaurant on West State Street. “(It was) a very, very dangerous situation for pedestrians, other motorists, (and) law enforcement,” Carter said. The chase continued east into Eaton Coun­ ty. Deputies and a sergeant there deployed stop sticks to flatten the tires on the truck, but Bilbrey kept going, driving erratically toward the city of Charlotte, even with all four tires flat and driving on the rims, police said. Finally, sheriff’s deputies and a sergeant used their patrol vehicles to disable the truck in Charlotte. One Eaton County deputy was injured, and five police vehicles were dam­ aged during the chase, police said. Bilbrey was high on methamphetamine and had acetone in his system at the time of the chase, Carter said. “His behavior was completely unaccept-’ 3^So many people injhe.public (were) put. at risk for this,” Carter said. Bilbrey had two prior offenses ofresisting and obstructing an officer from Calhoun County in the last two years and also was charged with fleeing and eluding in one ofthe cases, Carter said. Defense attorney Kimberly Young said her client took responsibility for what happened and understood that there were consequences for his actions. “He’s not a bad person. I wish you could get to know the guy I’ve gotten to know in the last five months,” Young said. “He has the support of his family and friends. He had a drug addiction. Yes, he had meth in his sys­ tem and acetone in his blood, which is some­ thing I have never even heard of. He doesn’t remember much of this ... I believe this is more ofa drug addiction issue.” Bilbrey offered a brief apology “to every­ body involved” in the incident. Schipper rejected the drug addiction defense. “You could clearly care less if you killed anybody or their kids or their grandkids. You could care less,” thejudge said. “That kind of person shouldn’t be running around in our society. You should be in prison as long as possible.” Bilbrey received credit for 148 d ay& served in the Barry County, Jail. NEW DIRECTOR, continued from page 1 & j High Bank Creek. She picked up right where her predecessor, Joanne Foreman, left off. “Right from the start, I got to work with some really lovely landowners,, as well as some great folks from (the Department of Natural Resources) and an awesome contrac­ tor,” she said. “Joanne did a greatjob setting me up for success on that project, and I was really lucky to come in with something like that right offthe bat.” During her tenure, Nelson would do more aquatic conservation work, including replac­ ing undersized culverts on McKeown Road over Cedar Creek with a free-span timber bridge. The district tackled several conserva­ tion projects touching all aspects of natural resources under her direction, including for­ estry, invasive species, wildlife, solid waste, youth outdoor recreation and more. Nelson stressed that all those projects were made possible through the support of dedicated BCD staffand community partners. She’s especially proud ofthe private prop­ erty restoration projects, she said. She’ll occa­ sionally still get messages from landowners she’s worked with letting her know how much they appreciate the restoration work. “There are a lot ofreally lovely people in this county,” Nelson said. “Working side by side with them, learning their perspective, finding a solution together and then being able to enjoy the fruits ofthat labor together is really special.” Nelson has been settling into her new role with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, where she is a departmental ana­ lyst with the Office 6f Public Lands. She’s proud of the work her staff at the BCD accomplished during her tenure. “I’m really proud qf the fantastic staff at Barry CD and all of the relationships they have .with the community,” Nelson said. “District staffserve on boards, advisory com­ mittees and community volunteer groups. They provide free assistance and education to landowners, service groups, special interest clubs, local governments; you name it.” “They’re knowledgeable, friendly, pas­ sionate people who work really hard to pro­ tect natural resources for present and future generations in Barty County,” she said. As Nelson begins her new role, her succes­ sor Jamie Lewis Hedges has been getting himself acquainted with his new role as BCD’s executive director. He’s eager to work in a county with such a wealth of outdoor recreation and natural spaces. “There’s a lot of recreation going on (in Barry County),” he said. “There’s a lot of diversity of outdoor spaces for one county, which is really fascinating and exciting when I drive in every morning now.” Although Hedges’ circumstances have COUNTY CLERK, continued from page 1 ask that it recommend the Board of Com­ missioners approve the addition oftwo full­ time deputy clerk positions to enhance the workforce in her office. The request sparked debate amongst county commissioners, all °f whom were vocally in favor of lending additional resources to Palmer. However, some were concerned with the timing as the board awaits access to county financial information that will be contained in a recently-conducted audit. After extended debate over the matter, the Committee ofthe Whole voted 6-2 to recom recom-­ mend that the Board of Commissioners approve one full-time position in hopes of granting the office another full-time employ­ ee bby working through the formal budget request process. Board Chair Dave Jackson and Commissioner Mike Callton were the two to vote no, saying they wanted to see the information contained in the audit first, which will be pre­ sented to the county board next week. Palmer’s office utilizes five full-time clerks. However, she spent most ofher tenure with six full-time clerks before, in March of 2022, veteran deputy clerk Karen Barnes resigned. The county’s administration office took on payroll duties, and because it did, a new deputy clerk was never hired in place of Barnes, dropping the staffdown one employee. This was not a move that Palmer was anticipating. “We are really, really feeling the pinch,” appeared ready to green-light two full-time positions immediately. Still, the committee warmed up to the idea ofrecommending to the BOC that it approve one full-time position even as it awaits infor­ mation from die audit. Assuming they started on July 1, hiring one full-time staff member would cost the county roughly $37,074 for the rest of this year, while two would cost $74,148. For the full year of 2024, an additional full-time deputy employee would cost the county $80,893, and two would cost $161,786. “My recommendation would be to see this as part ofthe budget process,” County Administrator Michael Brown said. “I know that’s counter to what the clerk is asking and what she has advocated for with the need.” County officials expect a surplus in this year’s budget after assessed property values jumped, which sets the table for an increase in tax revenue. However, they can’t deal in specific numbers until commissioners and administrators take a peek at the audit Also, earlier this year, commissioners approved multi-year wage increases for non-elected county employees. This measure, carried out in anticipation of increased reve­ nue, will cost the county over $450,000 for 2023 alone. “It wasn’t that long ago that we approved substantial wage adjustments in order to deal Palmer told commissioners on Tuesday with the current inadequacies that we got,” morning. “It’s becoming vacation season. I David Hatfield, vice chair of the county don’t have staff to cover vacations. I don’t board, said. “But we were comfortable in have staff when people are sick. In fact, a doing that based on the financial projections. couple weeks ago, I had to close mid-after­ I don’t think we felt that we were using all the noon because I had just one staffperson left. resources we were going to have available to That’s not good for a clerk’s office.” make those adjustments. I think we’re going Palmer originally reached out to Jackson to look very foolish ifwe approve those wage and the board in late March ofthis year, pro­ adjustments and now can’t provide the staff­ viding a full outline of the duties that Palm­ ing level we really feel is necessary.” er’s office must keep up with. Palmer argued “I don’t see how we cannot do this, given that, over time, the clerk’s office has slowly the general consensus.” absorbed additional duties to the point that Jackson floated the idea of adding a part­ the workload is not feasible with the current time position to help the department tread amount ofstaff. water as the county embarks on its bud­ These duties range from processing Con­ get-making process. cealed Pistol Licenses (CPL) - a duty once Commissioner Mark Doster cut off the held by a separate gun board before the state idea. laid it upon county clerks - to administering “It would be woefully inadequate for elections, addressing Freedom ofInformation what’s going on,” he said. “That wouldjust Act (FOIA) requests, handling both criminal put us back to where we were a couple and civil filings, among other duties. years before (the county) moved that posi­ For example, Palmer said that she and her tion. This position has evolved. The clerk’s team are preparing to send out 2,500 jury office is the heartbeat of the county. We questionnaires this week, all of which must cannot operate without a good operating be tracked and entered into the system. clerk’s office. I would be willing to, as a On top of that, the office has been thrust compromise, do one full-time position .into a couple oftime-consuming speciaLproi- , immediately and then look at (a second) for ectsj like Infdistrict court'•'the budget. I think she!sperfectly within her iiles. The county, utilized COVID funds to duty to the coyqty to ask fpr two positionb digitize documents from 2018 and 2019 but immediately.” still needs to address 2020 through the cur­ “It’s will over matter,” Doster added. “This rent year. is what needs to be done. We should be doing As ofApril 11 of this year, the state imple­ it. We’ll come up with the money somewhere mented an Automatic Set Aside Program for else ifwe need to. This needs to be our top misdemeanor cases dating back seven years priority, and I think we should do it now.” and felony cases dating back 10 years. This Commissioner Bob Teunessen made a is part of Michigan’s Clean Slate laws that motion to recommend that the Board ofCom­ passed in 2020, where some adults receive missioners approve one full-time staffmem­ an automatic expungement. This means ber immediately. Doster supported it. Other commissioners stated they wanted to members of the clerk’s office must work through a large collection offiles as dictated see the results of the audit first before com­ by the Michigan State Police, making many mitting to the move. Some of them voted ‘yes’ on the motion because the audit will be ofthem non-public to comply with the new measure. presented at next week’s Board of Commis­ sioners meeting - and it will be presented “We don’t have enough hands working and before the final vote on this staffing issue. able to process the amount of work that’s This will allow commissioners to pump the going through our office,” Palmer said. None ofthe commissioners argued against brakes on the endeavor if any red flags arise the need for these positions. However, none from the audit. CLINICAL POSITION Position available for qualified CMA, LPN or RN with preferred outpatient primary care experience. Proficient computer skills required. Candidate must be able to multi-task along with using critical thinking skills while handling telephone triage calls and flowing patients. Competitive wage based upon clinical experience. A part-time position (3 days per week) with the potential for increased hours as needed. No holidays or weekends. Please send resume to: dianec@familytreemedicaLcom or mail to: Family Ttee Medical Associates Jamie Lewis Hedges began working as the Barry Conservation District’s newest executive director in May. (photo provided) taken him across the country, including stops in Florida, Arizona, Oregon, Arkansas, New York and Traverse City, he said it feels right to have landed in Barry County. Originally from southern Indiana, an area he and other locals affectionately call “Kentuckiana, Hedges said working in rural Barry County feels like a homecoming of sorts. “I grew up on my grandfather’s farm, and there was this moment driving into (Barry County) after I got this position where I was just looking around, and it felt like coming home to me,” he said. With an extensive background in outdoor rlecreation and environmental education he landed in Grand Rapids when his wife became a professor at Grand Valley State University. Before coming to Barry County, he worked with the Rotary Club of Traverse City’s Camps and Servicessprogram,managingand promoting various outdoor recreation facilities and programs. “My heart’s always really been in conser­ vation and looking for ways to be boots on the ground with my community and working towards solutions to the challenges we face,” he said. “This position came open in Barry Tge medical associates 1375 W. Green Street Hastings,MI49058 County, and it felt like the right place for me to be, both at the time I applied and definite­ ly now.” Hedges said he’s mostly been finding his footing in the BCD office since starting in May, checking in with staff members and learning about their Ongoing projects. Although he’s still working on getting up to speed, he said Nelson’s management of the office has made the transition much easier. “I really made it my priority focus to spend a lot of time listening, meeting people who are key stakeholders, learning what the needs are in the community, finding out what staff seess on the ground and, honestly, being a student ofall the successes that Sarah Nelson was able to put into place before me,” he said. Hedges said the work Nelson has put into preparing him for the role has made it much easier to focus on what the community needs. “She did a lot of work providing all the notes and resources that I need to thrive,” he said “It really feels like a good space forr me tocomen me in, keep everything going the way it’s going and take the time to really learn and its wrap my head around the priorities in the community.” SPAGHETTI WITH KENNY Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Hastings Elks #1965 BPOE 102 E. Woodlawn, Hastings, Ml 49058 �Page 4 — Thursday, June 22. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you see Pennock Hospital celebrates 1OO years Happy Campers There are few things more quintessen­ tial to summer than summer camp. Here In Barry County, summer camp is now In full effect. This week, the YMCA of Barry County welcomed Its first batch of campers for both its day and overnight camping programs. Here, a group of day campers and their instructors smile as they begin an action-packed week. do you remember? Crop Tour participants BannerAug. 4,1983 Carl Grashuis (left) of Coats Grove and Dave Merck, a field agent with the county’s Cooperative Extension Service, listen to the com portion of Tuesday’s Barry County Crop Tour. That portion of the four-stop tour was at Ron Stevens’s farm near Coats Grove. They saw and made comparisons between corn plants raised on land prepared with conventional tillage, min­ imum tillage and no-till. Have you met? A book could be written about any one of Lyn Briefs careers. A book could be written about her 25 years as a firefighter and EMT, or her time working for Kodak, or her time spent shoot­ ing photos and writing coverage for three national auto racing publications, or her time shooting photos and managing media at Michigan International Speedway, or the time she worked to produce an internation­ ally-read animal husbandry magazine based out ofFreeport or... The list goes on and on. Briel has done many things throughout her life that she can look back on, but she’d much rather look to what’s ahead. Briel moved a lot growing up. She attended 13 different schools and stayed on the move while following her husband Danny’s racing career, where she got involved in racing media. “When my husband was racing, I wasn’t one of those women that would sit in the grandstand, watch and scream or whatev­ er,” she said. “I just couldn’t stand being in the grandstand. I’m notjudging people that can, but it wasn’t me. So I started out and wound up being one of the first women allowed in the (media) pits.” The two landed in Barry County in 1987 when they bought a farm in Freeport, where they’ve stayed ever since. She knew right away that she was where she needed to be. “Then we felt like we were finally at home,” she said. “I’ve never worked in a place where there’s so much emphasis on serving, working within and building up the community..” Briel would take on a few more ventures while in Freeport, including working on publishing the Fiber Fest magazine, becoming the first director ofthe Thomapple Arts Council and becoming the director of the American Red Cross for Barry, Calhoun and Ionia counties. When the American Red Cross went through some restructuring, Briel was looking for yet another new opportunity. That’s when Jim DeYoung, former administrator ofThomapple Manor, reached out to Briel Lyn Briel and asked her to continue her work at the long-term care facility. At first, Briel had a simple answer for DeYoung. “I said, ‘I don’t want to,”’ she laughed. DeYoung encouraged her to come to the facility and see the work that Thomapple Manor was doing before outright turning the opportunity down. “I did, and I fell in love with the place,” Briel said. “I’ve been there ever since, and now I’m getting ready to retire.” Briel has spent the last 18 years work­ ing as the facility’s director of support, services, where she acts as a community liaison, manages emergency planning and otherwise fills in where needed. A lot of what she does involves connecting resi­ dents with volunteers and visitors, enrich­ ing their lives and letting them speak to people with familiar experiences. She immediately felt the huge impact she could make on both the community and her residents’ lives. “How more rewarding can it get?” she said. “You see their smiles, you hear their stories and you can connect them with so many other people that have the same sto­ ries.” Briel has yet to make plans for what she will do when she retires at the end of the month. Even after? several successful careers, she’s not quie ready to kick back and take it easy. She hopes to continue chipping in whereverlshe may be needed. “I really don’t waif to make a whole lot of plans,” she said, fl don’t know if I’ll wind up working part-time. I probably will volunteer; that’s a given. I’ll stay connected somehow.” “Hopefully, in fulfilling that need, I can also make a difference for other people,” she said. For her work building and connecting the communities of Ba County, as well as her work caring for Barry County’s elderly, Lyn Briel is this weei’s Bright Light. Best advice vice I’vve ever received: We never have problems| only opportunities. What motivates me: People. It’s getting up and having a purpose to make a differ­ ence in other people lives. My biggest challenge: Retiring. I have worked since I was 14. This is going to be my biggest challenge. Favorite author: Robin Cook. He’s a medical mystery writer, and I do enjoy a good one. I always look for more of his stuff. Hobbies: People may not know, but I do glass fusing. I take glass and make it. Then I will slump it together into a usable or fun or artistic something. Can you think of another medium where you have something that is so liquid and yet becomes so solid when you’re finished? Glass, when you’re working with it, it’s like fluid. Yet, when it’s all done, it’s very solid. It takes me away from a lot of other things, and I can get lost in that every once in a while. Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Yesterday’s public celebration of Pen­ nock Hospital’s 100th anniversary was as much a tribute to the legacy of giving for which this community is known as it was a tribute to the respected position that this institution has held for all that time. Near the turn ofthe last century, small towns, farming communities and frontier areas were places where neighbors knew each other and were willing to solve issues collaboratively for their greater good. That’s when Eben and Elvira Pennock pledged $20,000 from their modest farm­ ing income as a lead gift for the construc­ tion ofa hospital in Hastings, conditioned on the assurance that the community would complete the project within the following 10 years. With that looming deadline, local busi­ ness and community leadersjoined together to raise the full $100,000 necessary to build the present hospital that still stands so gracefully on W. Green Street. Groups like the Young Men’s Club at the Episco­ pal Church, Keller Stem, general manager of the local Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Co., and bankers Chester and Rich­ ard Messer stepped up to meet the dead­ line. With land donated by Richard Mess­ er, the project was a go, and, on Aug. 30, 1923, Pennock Hospital opened its new modem 28-bed facility, making Hastings the first town ofits size in the state to have its own hospital. It was the beginning ofa legacy ofcommunity support that has last­ ed for more than 100 years. Having a local hospital has been import­ ant to our community from a medical standpoint, ofcourse, but Pennock Hospi­ tal has also contributed greatly to our county’s economic growth and prosperity. As Hastings began to build out in terms of homes, businesses and industry from the days when the Pennocks and others arrived in the early 1840s, it became more apparent that a local hospital was neces­ sary for growth. A fledgling first hospital was opened on Jan. 14, 1916, at the home of Mrs. May Beadle on W. Walnut Street. By May of that year, it was determined that the house wasn’t large though-to accommodate the growing need, so it was moved to the for­ mer Daniel Striker house, which still stands on S. Jefferson St. Available beds were increased from 8 to 18. Once again, it didn’t take long to deter­ mine that a* much larger structure was needed to handle the growing number of patients and attract physicians to a rural community. Until then, a person needing medical attention was forced to travel a long dis­ tance to Grand Rapids by train or carriage. All the roads leading to larger cities around us were rough, and the travel was slow for patients. In fact, on one frigid night in 1844, when Eben Pennock needed medicine to cut a fever, Elvira set out on foot to make an 18-mile round trip to the outpost of Gull Comers because no horses were available. Over the years, Pennock has been an integral part of the healthcare network serving Hastings and Barry County, sig­ nificantly contributing to our county’s overall well-being with a wide range of healthcare services, including 24/7 emer- j I gency care. Challenges still remain. In recent years, I changes in the healthcare industry have , presented rural hospitals with lower reim- > I bursement rates, increased regulations and I reduced patient volumes. Consequently, I the local board of directors looked to the । I future ofthe organization and decided to I merge with the Grand Rapids-based Spec- ■ I trum Health System, which offered addi- < I tional services, a stronger buying system . I and the ability to work with an organiza- -| I tion that is keeping up with the latest tech- I nology and procedures. The merger also gave Pennock access to additional physicians, specialized care and patient transitioning to a larger hospital : when needed. Then once again, in early 2022, Spectrum f Health formed an affiliation with Beaumont Health, a Detroit-area system with eight hospitals, 155 outpatient locations, and ■ nearly 5,000 physicians and 33,000 employ- ; ees. With the merger came a new name, j Corewell Health, meant to “reflect the health system’s ambition of providing affordable and equitable healthcare.” Though the role of hospitals is changing in rural communities like ours, Pennock > Hospital has been our county’s most effec- | five healthcare provider. Over the years, . we’ve come to rely on its ability to give । our citizens a level of care they can count । on, serving as a key access point for the care ofour citizens. I can remember over the years visiting i the hospital when just about everything from photos on the walls, the doors, fiimi- * ture and most ofthe hospital equipment carried a nameplate ofa community donor. It’s been the hospital’s history for all ofits j 100 years that community members, busi­ nesses and industrial leaders have been . there to support the hospital’s growth. It’s been said that rural hospitals are the 2 cornerstones of their communities. Not < only do they offer high-quality healthcare, but they are also generally one ofthe larg­ est employers and help attract other businesses and industries4e the area, impac cu?t^ So, as hundreds ofcitizens and commu­ nity leaders turned out yesterday to cele­ brate the hospital’s 100th anniversary, we can’t overstate the need to preserve local access to care for the next 100 years! Congratulations, Pennock ... to you, your staff, and all the volunteers who have made the institution what it is today. And here’s to the foundation ofsuccess you’ve created for the next 100 years! Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • (Editor) (Copy Editor) (Sports Editor) Jayson Bussa • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry *County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod Brett Bremer Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) 5**jS* S*^ I* ft hka”’ ingiCttrieoii^tniostaWlity. The Hastings Frederic Jacobs 0 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 rri �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 22, 2023 — Page 5 Delton Kellogg school board approves school budgets Sen. Albert: Can’t trust Gov. Whitmer to reverse Michigan’s population woes Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer The Delton Kellogg Schools Board ofEduproved the final amendment to the zuzz-23 budget and preliminary 2023-24 budget during Monday’s board meeting. Director ofFinance Andy Nuerenburg pre­ ssented both budgets to the board and conduct­ ed a budget hearing during a special meeting on Monday before the regularly-scheduled meeting. By Sen. Thomas Albert The 2022-23 final amended budget tains the following: Kwf&v WSl iSb\ £N"S knifes •jfc* *•»«» fo*kW 5415*. 4“1^5*. I In n 2?■'• ■• 5 i ** **Sfcht,*id ■ ■ ”Mm' r “ Re.Yenues in the 2022-23 budget totaled $15 million. The largest portion ofthat reve­ nue came from the state, $9.5 million, with an additional $4.1 million from local reve­ nues. The remaining revenue, $1 million, was from federal sources, and otherr revenue totaled $297,937. — Total expenditures for the year on the 2022-23 final amended budget were $15 mil­ lion. The largest portion of those expendi­ tures was for instruction for preschool, eleele­ mentary, middle school, high school’ and summer school at $7.6 million - Added needs were much less, totaling $2.1 million. Added needs include special, compensatory and career and technical edu­ cation. - Support services and pupil support were $412,166 for the year, with support services in instruction totaling $235,416. - Expenditures for support services in gen­ eral administration, including the Board of Education, totaled $96,435, and executive administration received $373,802, bringing the total for support services in administra­ tion to $470,237. - Pupil transportation services totaled $642,436, while central support services included staffand personnel, non-instructional technology and pupil accounting, equaling $280,441. Revenues exceeded expenditures for the year resulting in a net gain of $46,511 and leaving a fund balance of $968,055. The 2023-24 preliminary initial budget included: - Total revenue equals $14.6 million, with general fund expenditures a bit higher, result­ ing in a net loss of $23,362. This deficit will The Delton Kellogg Schools Board of Education met on Monday evening. Karen Turko-Ebright) be covered by a $40,000 transfer from other funds. Consistent with the prior year, the leading revenue source will be from state revenues, $8.8 million, and instruction expenditures will again be the largest expense category at $7 million. Other business that took place during the regularly scheduled school board meet­ ing included the following: - Misty Kapteyn from Shelbyville spoke to the board about an existing concession stand that’s not in operation and how athletes that travel from long distances for activities depend on quick service since many sports start between 4:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Delton Kellogg Superintendent Herman Lartigue said he understands Kapteyn’s concerns and has been looking into the matter. $ - Registered Nurse Educator Rhonda Lundquist, also the school nurse from Delton, addressed the board about a developing well­ ness committee in the works. She said Tiffany Haines in Delton’s food service department has been very involved with the wellness committee. “We have a robust team ready to go, and we’ve been meeting and developing goals,” Lundquist said. She’s hoping more about the wellness committee will be present­ ed at a future school board meeting. “We have exciting things on the horizon that I’m excited to do and really related to the health, nutrition, physical activity for students and staff,” Lundquist explained. - The board approved reassigning at least 10 of Delton Kellogg’s fall coaches with the approval ofhiring some new coaches. - Mobile Wrench Inc. received approval from the board to serve as mechanics in maintaining Delton’s school buses. Trustee Jon Osborne expressed disagreement with the approval ofan out-of-town company hired to maintain the busses and said a local company should do the work. - Board members reminded everyone that the next regular school board meeting will start at 7 p.m., Monday, July 17, at the Delton Kellogg Elementary School Library, 327 N. Grove St. in Delton. Board approves raise for TTES chief Special to the Banner Michigan has lost population in the past two years. Only eight states have lost a higher percentage of their residents since 2020. Ifwe don’t find a way to reverse this trend, even more of our children and grandchildren will move away in search of other opportunities. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would like us to think she can fix this problem. She recently announced a new council tasked with turn­ ing around Michigan’s population trends. The irony is that Whitmer’s policies are making Michigan’s population crisis even worse. With her Democratic colleagues in the Legislature, she is turning our once vibrant Michigan peninsulas into desolate islands. It’s reminiscent of when she created or took advice from advisory councils to strat­ egize the recovery ofschools and business­ es during the COVID-19 pandemic - largely symbolic and ineffective attempts to address problems at least partially of her own creation. Stagnant population has been a concern in Michigan for decades, but the situation is worsening under Whitmer. The state’s overall population trends were not great under former Gov. Rick Snyder, either, but at least there were signs of hope. At one point, the state gained population for sever­ al consecutive years on his watch. Net migration trends generally improved, including among working-age adults. Whitmer’s COVED shutdowns during the pandemic likely contributed to the state’s population loss. The policies she is pushing this year with her new Democratic legislative majority will not help bring people back, either. Democrats have advanced tax policies that are complicated, unfairly applied and won’t spark economic growth. The state’s income tax rate will decline to 4.05 percent for 2023 - but Democrats tried to avoid that rate reduction and now want it to last only one year. Republicans want tax relief to be permanent so our state will be more attractive to people who might want to move here. Democrats repealed Michigan’s “Right to Work” law that gave workers a choice on whether they wanted to join unions and helped the state emerge from its massive recession in the early 2000s. With that law gone, somejob providers are likely to cross Michigan off their list of potential expanexpan­ sion locations. That will make it more difficult for our state to grow organically — and the expensive, taxpayer-funded corpo­ rate welfare favored by Democrats is a poor replacement. It won’t work as a long­ term strategy because funds are limited, and the return on investment is lacking on too many projects. Michigan public schools are underperforming, but rather than enforcing standards to help students succeed, Democrats are going the other way. They have undermined Michigan’s law aimed at ensuring that stu­ dents read at a satisfactory level before advancing beyond the third grade. Demo­ crats repealed the A-F letter grade ranking ofhow schools themselves are performing. There also is continued discussion about no longer linking teacher performance evaluations to student achievement, which would be another huge step backward. Perhaps the most glaring hypocrisy in Whitmer’s call to reverse the population decline is her pro-abortion policy. The number ofinduced abortions has increased in each ofthe last five years through 2021, according to the Department ofHealth and Human Services statistics, and there have been more than 1.2 million abortions in Michigan since 1982. Michigan’s decision to make it even easier to have abortions isn’t going to increase the population obviously, it will do the exact opposite. What is the alternative plan? Embrace economic growth through competitive tax rates, commonsense regulation and worker freedom instead of handouts to corpora­ tions and union bosses. Prepare the next generation with education policies that improve outcomes for students instead of special interest groups. Stop following the failed liberal policies of California, New York and Illinois - all of which are also losing population - and adopt policies with a track record of building up instead of tearing down. Unless the governor and her Democratic colleagues change course themselves, her population council will be nothing more than a modern-day version of the blind leading the blind. State Sen. Thomas Albert, represents the 18th District: \vhich includes Barry County; andportions~bfAllegan;^Calhoun, Kalcm-' azoo, Kent and Ionia counties. “e4eh#lltaiaBjt ■t in i si tap nx vs wstocuHnlja hui „„ i u CkiHfitaxfc hui CkiHfitaxfc EtuattaerwiBGof raittptaanml BadetKsarahfiBtaJx tofcfaadDXE?.? xx use rsah’ artiMa! tMvfatailriiiKfr iwjdteiicririr ^iftihrtrnlrfir>|,!< (tat**"*’*! Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Township board approved a $5,000 raise for Thomapple Township Emergency Services Chief Bill Richardson last week. The increase, passed on a 6-0 vote, will boost Richardson’s pay to $92,000 a year, Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. The raise followed a review of Richard­ son’s job performance over the past year and a comparison with salaries for people in sim­ ilar positions, according to a memo from the township EMS and Personnel and Compen­ sation committees. Richardson is nearing the end of his first year as TTES chief. He was hired by the township in July of last year after the retire­ ment of previous Chief Randy Eaton. Rich­ ardson served 23-and-a-half years with the Meridian Township Fire Department near Lansing, the last eight years as senior captain and acting battalion chief, before coming to the township. In other business, the board approved a new pay scale for TTES members that will allow for easier implementation ofraises and pay rate changes as members receive addi­ tional training and certification. The move is meant to do away with inequities that had been in the previous system. “I don’t want ever to (have a situation) where someone who has been here for two years is making more than a lieutenant who has been here seven years. That’s where we were at,” Richardson said. Under the new pay scale, firefighters who are on a probationary status will start at $17 per hour, while a tenured firefighter will begin at $18 an hour, an emergency medical technician at $20 per hour and a tenured JHake, O de iAa r “ scene of a recent fire at Bradford White in Middleville. (Photo by J ayson Bussa) firefighter who is also an EMT will start at $22 per hour, according to township docu­ ments. “For members who helped this community during the staffing crisis and were given raises above the attached scale, (they) shall maintain their current rate of pay until the pay scale exceeds their current hourly rate,” Richardson said. The board also approved the purchase ofa special washing unit for washing the turnout gear ofTTES members at a cost ofmore than $19,000. The township will purchase the unit from Universal Laundr ■ Machine of West­ land. Richardson told board members that washing turnout gear in a regular clothes washer damages the gear and doesn’t elimi­ nate the cancer-causing agents that firefight­ ers may encounter while'on a call. In addition, the board' approved a contract with a local firm, Red Maple Roofing, to replace the roof at both the Township Hall and at the TTES headquarters that had been damaged by hail earlierthis spring. The cost of the project is being covered by insurance tied to the storm. Elaine Garlock The Lake Odessa Fair is underway. It began on Wednesday with the parade at 6 p.m., which included floats, business exhib­ its, church floats, bicycles, a few horses, a dog or two, gigantic farm machinery and plenty of fire engines with frequent horn blowing. A band led the procession, follow­ ing the local police car and a stream of fire engines from all the governmental units sur­ rounding the village, including trucks from Sunfield, Berlin-Orange, Lake Odessa, Woodland, Clarksville and more. The Grand Marshals of the parade were Dawn and Kim Deardorff. The Red Cross Bloodmobile was in town on Monday. More than a dozen members ofthe Garlock family were in Ada on Wednesday last week to attend a graduation event in honor of a Forest Hills Northern graduate. They arrived from Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, Richland, Woodland and Lake Odessa. This was a rare time for Brian Garlock ofTampa to attend a family event since he is often occupied with his duties with the Lightning hockey team, where he is the team videographer. e Work progresses on the new Habitat house. In short order, the perimeter was visible with blocks that forged the foundation wall. The house will not have a basement. The site had been a vacant lot since a winter fire about two years ago. The Tri-River Museum group meets on Tuesday, June 20, at 10 a.m. in Byron Center for the monthly meeting. Monday of this week marked the (now) annual observance ofJuneteenth, which cele­ brates the freedom of previously enslaved persons and those in Texas who were unaware oftheir new freedom for two years. This is the time for the longest days ofthe year. Yesterday, June 21, was the official first day of summer and the longest day of sum­ mer, with the sun setting at 9:23 p.m. Howev­ er, we have had an abundance of summer weather since May. In less than two weeks, we will observe the Fourth of July. This year, there will again be events at Jordan Lake with a night­ time exhibit of flares around the perimeter ofJordan Lake and other events, including a boat parade. Details will follow in another week. Latest bond proposal for Hastings schools shows lack of fiscal responsibility Here we go again. The Hastings Area Schools (are) begging for more money from the taxpayers with a bond proposal for the next two years, one in Aug. of 2023 and one in 2024. What have they done with all of their COVID money that was given to them from the federal and state government, and all of (the) increases per pupil, all ofthe money the governor gave for infrastructure so the schools wouldn’t have to come to the taxpay­ ers for a bond proposal? So (why) do they do it anyway? Then they, the school, claim they are finan­ cially responsible with the money. It doesn’t look like it to me. They are greedy. The more they want and get, the more they spend and waste our dollars. Please remember (when it) GIVE US A CALL TODAY! harmless bat removal bat PROOF & CLEAN UP FULL ATTIC RESTORATION comes time to vote on this, vote “No.” They are not responsible (enough) to handle our money. Look what they spent on the school survey - $20,750 doesn’t look frugal to me. They will not even follow the survey guideline on getting rid of the current school board. So when Aug. 8,2023, comes, don’t forget to vote “No” on the school bond millage. Elden Shellenbarger Carlton Township 10 YEAR WARRANTY 517-599-1019 www.thebotguysbatremoval.com �Page 6 — Thursday, June 22, 2023 — The Hastings Banner 01 w 01 oIfii oi m MM mft inni ni bI :n in IB A/ H jdBi ni n’Bi ’B Carla Jane (Kennedy) Jiles, age 66, passed it We are sad to announce the passing of Thomas Raymond Lewis, age 69, of Hast­ Arthur Szczepanek started his earthlyjour­ away peacefully on June 8,2023, in Hastings, 3 ings, MI passed away Monday, June 19, 2023. ney on September 28, 1938. He was wel­ Robert William Joseph Taffee of Hastings, MI after a long battle with Parkinson’s. MI. Bob (or Taff) passed away peacefully at He was bom on August 1, 1953, in Hastcomed into Heaven by his favorite daughter, She was bom on April 3,1957 in Hastings, b home on June 18, 2023. ings the son of James and Eloise (Cousins) Debra ‘R’ Linske on June 17, 2023. He was bom December 22, 1949 to Wil­ Lewis. He married Shirley Jean Lewis on MI, the daughter ofAlan and Beverly (Bea- ig Art was bom in Detroit, MI. He spent June 9,1984 in Hastings. Tom was a member die) Kennedy. Carla was a big sister to Col­ ji most ofhis career in the glass business retir­ liam and Ruth Taffee. Bob lived in Hastings leen (Gordon) Elliott and Christine (James) 3 of Thomapple Valley Church. He enjoyed ing from Battle Creek Auto Glass. Art and most of his life. He married his best friend Cotant often filling in as part time mother v sitting on the porch and pontooning at Big Geri married in 1979 at which time he inher­ and love ofhis life Bobbie (Roberta) Glass at Star Lake in Baldwin, golfing, bowling, casi­ while her mother, Beverly, finished getting ited four teenage daughters. Art should be the age of 50. He has two children, Adam (Marcie) Nieland and* Elizabeth (Aaron) Tafher nursing degree. Carla was a lifelong resi- ni nos, and traveling. deemed a “saint” for putting up with and fee; two grandchildren whom he adored, dent of Hastings. She graduated from Hast­ ra supporting the girls who he loved dearly. Surviving Tom are his children, Dawn Henry and Everett Taffee. Bob has loved two Always humble and kind. “Papa Art” was (Alan Scott) Brinningstaull of Baldwin, Deb­ ings High School with the class of 1975. 3 In 1976, She married her high school love there every day for Deb with compassion that dogs Taffy Taffee (deceased) and Polly Taf- bie (Gerry) Ward of Kentwood, Randy Ellfee. His sisters are Janet Clancy(deceased), words cannot express. wood ofHastings, Jonah Lewis ofDelton, and Steven Jiles. Carla was a loving spouse to T Steve for 47 years. Carla was a devoted 41 He collected a variety of caps and Detroit Joan Taffee, Jean(Chris) Bowles, Mary Jane Jacob Lewis of Hastings; 14 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren; brothers, Harold mother to Frederick (Laura) Jiles and Stepha- ni sports teams’ memorabilia. Art enjoyed golf­ Taffee, and Kathy (Benni) Green. Also, many nieces and nephews. ing, bowling, the casino, a good polka, and beer. Lewis of Hastings, Donald (Paula) Lewis of nie (Matthew) Hokanson. She found immense Bob lived his life simply by following the Art is reunited with his heavenly family, Idaho, Mark (Marcie) Lewis ofGrand Rapids; fulfillment in nurturing and supporting her at daughter, Deb; sister, Tina (Carl) Delikta; teachings of Jesus. He lived by the RED sisters-in-law, Julie Andrews Lewis of Hast­ children as they pursued their dreams. Carla’s ' I words and because ofit, he loved everyone as ings, and Janet (Phil) Welch of Lake Odessa. brother, Tony (Diane) Szczepanek. love and guidance were a constant source of His Earthly family who misses and loves him they were.. Bob was.a giving man even in Tom was preceded in death by his lovely strength and inspiration for her family. extremely includes his wife, Geri; daughters: death. He has given his body to science. His wife of 39 years; his parents and in-laws; In her professional life, Carla made a posi­ >2 Frank A. Thiel, age 94, died peacefully on Kim (Ed) Drogosch, Cheryl (Stan) Krajewski and body will be at Western Michigan University daughter, Robin Ellwood, and brothers-intive impact on the lives ofmany as a parapro- bI in the medical department. June 20, 2023. children, Pam Schenkel; grandson, Ben Schenlaw, Terry Jenks and Bob Lewis. fessional at Northeastern Elementary in Hast- D We would like to thank the staff of The He enjoyed spending his summers at their kel; nephew, Mark Delikta; niece, Stacey Mayo. Family will be receiving friends Friday, ings. She had a nurturing and caring nature <b cottage at Gun Lake. Art’s famous words to live by “Warm beer Corewell Hospice. Without their help, this June 23,2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lake Funer­ and spent most of her time working with ?i He leaves behind his wife Mary (Sawyer) is better than no beer!” ending ofBob’s life here on earth would have al Home in Ionia. lower elementary students. .-fl and many children, grandchildren, and In lieu offlowers please donate to a charity been much more difficult. । With this being Those wishing may make memorial dona­ Later on, Carla transitioned to a role at Is great-grandchildren. ofyour choice. taqB? said,.if you want tojitfakeia. contribution tog tions to Spectrum Health Hospice Hastings. Walmart, where she continued to demonstrate -di A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, , Plje^se join Art’s pgJfibrMiRp jof life on.tei any -Hospipe l^bfSigm^jo/vOnli^icQndolences mayiheLmiade//atov^bniJa help^qfcdemje&non Her/warm smile .and gen-1" June 24, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Rose ofLima Monday June 26, 2023 at the Beeler-Gores we would love that. _j lakefuneralhomesieom^ i <rri trfor *•*■'uinei kindrtess^rightened-the^ days* of those r Church, 805 S. Jefferson, Hastings, MI 49058. Funeral Home, Middleville. Visitation will be A celebration ofBob’s life will be held on she encountered, making her an invaluable <v Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. 1 to 2 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25,'2023 at 1 p.m. at the pavil­ member ofthe Hastings Walmart. ft To read Frank’s full obituary or leave an Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com ion in Tyden Park, Hastings. Please bring Carla’s grandchildren held a special place ’.I online condolence visit www.girrbachfimer- to share a memory or to leave a condolence your own chair. Desserts to follow. in her heart, and she delighted in their accom- H alhome.net. message for Art’s family. plishments and milestones. She took great )l pleasure in being a doting, supportive grand- ib mother to Megan (Dustin) Bateson, McKin­ io ney Jiles, Troy Hokanson, Keagan Jiles, Cooper Hokanson, Landen Jiles, Breslin J Jiles, Pearl Jiles, and Abraham Jiles as well as >d a great grandmother to Calvin Bateson and Stella Bateson. Her love and support extend- d ed to her many nephews and nieces. »n A visitation to celebrate the life of Carla w Jane (Kennedy) Jiles will be held on June oi ...at the church ofyour choice ~ 28th at 6-8 p.m. at Lifegate Church (301 East F) State Road, Hastings). Family and friends are ni Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches invited to attend and share their stories and cl availableforyour convenience... memories ofher. m In 1 ieu offlowers, the family kindly requests T HASTINGS FREE ST. ROSE OF LIMA WOODGROVE that donations be made to Hastings Athletics 7 METHODIST CHURCH BRETHREN CATHOLIC CHURCH (Saxon Soccer), in memory of Carla Jiles. "We Exist To Be An 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ CHRISTIAN PARISH Donations can be mailed to Hastings Athlet- m--/ Expression Of Who Jesus Is 4246 Pastor Father Stephan 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor ics, 520 West South St., Hastings, MI 49058. m Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ To The World Around Us". Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Worship Together 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email gmail.com. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Youth www. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Matt Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: Pastor. Lead Moser, 9:30 a.m. Time .10:30 a.m. School Worship hastfmc@ Website: chair accessible and elevator. Sunday Sunday. activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH a.m. 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Sunday School for all ages; Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Sunday Services: 9:15 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ Student Senior High Youth Group 6-8 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. Nursery. Aftermath Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids (Children 4 Truth com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. Kindergarten-5th PLEAS ANTVIEW Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle FAMILY CHURCH (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ School Youth Group; 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor MI 49050. Roger Claypool, (517) 204- p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 9390. Sunday Worship Service for information. church 6:30 Lacey Road, Dowling, 2601 Pastor, Steve (269) 758-3021 phone. Sunday Olmstead. Service: 10 a.m. 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 328 N. Worship Jefferson 10 a.m. Street, Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information onworship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 3 FlettHmm niwgiu niwgiu. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 timramBt MlhtMiiMM 1301 W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Thomas G. “Tom”j O’Heran, age 88, of Hastings, Mi passed away Tuesday morning, Junj 13, 2023. He was bom in Baft e Creek on January 7, 1935, the soi of Philip and Hazel (Spaulding) O’l eran and gradu­ ated from Battle Creek Central with the Class of 1953. Tom pioudly served his country as a member oi the United States Naval Reserves. He pr< vided for his family as a meat cutter at tl e A&P in Hastings and Jewel-Osco in Kalama oo, where he retired. Tom married his cl erished wife, Kathryn (Johnson) O’Heran ir Battle Creek on June 12,1955; she sadly preceded him in death on February 27, 2002. He is survived by his sons, Timothy of Nashville, Michael (Corinne) ofDelton, and Kerry (Scarlet) O’Heran of Paw Paw; 11 grandchildren, Anthony, Kylee (Tim), Jason (Kelly), Nick (Kayla)| Katelin (Brent), Anne (Ben), Zachary (Cahdice), Jason, Taylor (Cynthia), Nicole (Destin), and CC; and 14 great-grandchildren. | Tom was also preceded in death by his parents; his brother, (Charles; and his dear cousin, Virginia. Extremely proud of his military service, Tom was a member ofthe Hickory Cor­ ners American Legion Post #45, the American Legion Post #45 Legion Riders, and attended thePleasantview Family Church. A true family man, Tom served as 4-H leader when his sons were younger and loved spending time with his family. lie volunteered many hours in the food service at the Calhoun County Fair and Hawthorne Park in Leesburg, FL. He thoroughly enjoyed riding his motorcycle, playing softball, and his many trips to livestock auctions. A memorial service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, July 9, 2023 at the Pleasantview Family Church, 2601 Lacey Rd. Dowling, MI 49050. Light refreshments will be served after the celebration. In lieu offlowers, please consider making donations to the Hickory Comers American Legion Post #45 Legion Riders. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdlee.com. Jason Carl Mier, Ionia and Sierra Rose Cappon, Clarksville Samantha Leigh Wolf, Woodland and Colton Alexander Snow, Hastings Violet Jean Hurst, Hastings and Marlin Ernest Dunkelberger, Hastings Amber Nicole Nellett, Buffalo, NY and Dylan Liam Kelley, Delton On the go? You can still use Social Security online when traveling Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Social Security is here for you when you travel, whether in the United States or anoth­ er country. Our online services page at ssa. gov/onlineservices provides you with a wide variety ofself-service options you can use on your mobile phone, tablet or computer. Through our online services, you can: - Find out ifyou qualify for benefits. - Apply for Social Security retirement, disability and Medicare benefits. - Get your Social Security Statement. - Request a replacement Social Security card. - Appeal a decision. Do you receive Social Security benefits or Medicare? If so, you can create or log in to your personal my Social Security account to: - Get your benefit verification letter. - Check your information and benefit amount. - Change your address and telephone number. - Start or change your direct deposit. - Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA1042S for tax season. - Report your wages if you work and receive disability benefits or SSI. Anyone can create a personal my Social Security account today at ssa.gov/myaccount to take advantage ofthese easy-to-use features. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49525, or via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. j | । ! ( J �I Logging onthe Thornapple River Esther Walton ft* ’ ^tathii ***S *S£^= tat • **«lfc Mt Wfau. «lc ■^taaaa ^t ---------- ' tataii nite pfeto® ni fitaoR, Stijj.g .g nty filfit fej Bobwo, task Cooper Hotel lakn Jfa. & a great enter Io fthin Bmi III SteUaBtefefisailaipiwiGa edtoiKmasyanBliK^ Sole Roai tai BUDOOtSOilXt- I Banner July 4, 1991 In 1990, the Barry County Drain Commissioner proposed to deepen, clean and widen the t channel ofthe Thomapple pp River,, in other words, to make it a drain. The result was to lower that body ofwater by four feet. The Cole family, who owned Cole’s Resort at Cole’s Landing, Thomapple Lake, objected to the lowering ofthe lake level and took the matter to circuit court in 1902 and on to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1904. There, it was decided that “Thomapple Lake, being navigable and this drain being admittedly intended to lower the ordinary level of the lake four feet, is forbidden by the statute.” In reading the-case’s testimony, a wonderful description of early logging down the Thor­ napple River emerged. This article is a summary taken from the case history ofhow, what and why logs were transported down the river: Thomapple Lake is an irregular body of water, covering (in 1990) an estimated area of about 700 acres of lake in the townships of Hastings and Castleton in Barry County. It is about three miles long and from one-half to three-quarters ofa mile wide. The lake varies in depth from shallow water at its shoreline to an estimated 40 feet at various places. Basi­ cally, the lake is a very wide part ofthe river? The lake has (and still has) two pronounced inlets on its upper and easterly end, on Mud Creek, flowing in from the northeast, and the other, the Thomapple River, flowing in from a more easterly direction. There are other smaller creeks ofnot-so-pronounced charac­ ter fibwing into the lake, such as High Banks Creek and Morgan Creek, which feed the waters ofthe lake. The Thomapple River runs from the lake in a westerly and northerly direction until it empties into the Grand River at Ada in Kent County. In 1900, the river served several mill sites. There were also several boat launching,sites that at first had been sites for launching logs into the river. In the testimony, the logging operations took place from the late 1860s up to about 1889. Cole testified, “When we first came here, (a Mr.) Quimby ‘run’ logs , downstream from some source, ... saw them go through the lake and run from there into Grand River to Grand Rapids. Quimby (a small settlement downriver), at that time, had a mill. Quimby is about two miles and a half down the river from our landing. The mill was run there for about two years, and he bought logs and ran them through the lake. “I(worked one■■ season oh the ThomappIe f River and one^eas6hlwr'MudrCreeki^.'.J I worked on the Thomapple River drive first from what is known as ‘Greggs Crossing’... The logs were floated for my brother-in-law, H.D. Harley. On this drive, there were about 107,000 or 100,000 feet, but the heaviest drive came off Mud Creek when they run two or three thousand million a year. “Mud Creek was the principal stream. Logs were floated down this creek for a num­ ber ofyears.” Cole described where the logs were launched. The main ones (launch sites) were named Dillenbecks and Gutchess. These logs were rafted down the river and Mud Creek and into Thomapple Lake to Cole’s Landing. (There was once a sawmill near Cole’s Land­ ing.) The Cole family member remembered the first drive he saw was in 1867 and the people’s names who were in charge of various drives. These people were Harley, Taylor Walker, Vester, Warren Dailey and Frank Baurer. Mr. Cole was asked ifthere was a “boom,” which was a barrier made ofa chain offloat­ ing logs enclosing other floating logs. He said, “Yes, it was a good size boom, and it was there about six or seven years, and the logs that went in the boom were taken up from Mud Creek and the Thomapple River.” Mr. Cole described one log drive: TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Baby cries / / Dear Camren, I was a very quiet kitten. I only cried when I needed something. But some kittens in my litter cried all the time. I talked about this with my friend Masha Gartstein. She’s a psychology professor at Washington State University. She studies how babies develop different temperaments. That’s how you relate to the world around you in a way that’s unique and relatively consistent. Gartstein told me babies cry because they’re helpless. They need a way to signal that they need something. “Babies are born into this world needing a lot ofassistance-and without a lot ofcom­ munication tools,” she said. “Crying is a very powerful communication tool.” fl look M at the stories and Golumas on local history In the Hastings Banner “We started this drive in March. We run the kind of power was used to start the car. A logs down there in the freshet (when the snow good guess would be steam power.) Mr. Feagles, who lived in Castleton Town Town-­ melted and the river rose) that spring. The ship, used his team ofhorses to drag the log logs were not in the river, but we rolled them in after the ice broke up. We did not roll them to the river. His comment about the later in at the high water flood because ifit went in years explains why logs were no longer float­ the ice, they would have went in themselves ed down the river. He said, “Oflater years since the timber has at the bridge, and it was not high enough to been cut offalong the shores and vicinity, there run the logs.” In describing the time it took, “It took us a has not been any floating down the river.” He went on to explain, “I worked with my week or 10 days, seven or eight days from the time we started to drive the logs until they team. There was a great many of these logs (that) wouldn’t float, and then we drew them reached the lake. It probably didn’t take as from down the river. We didn’t draw any long to drive them on the Thomapple as on (logs) down Mud Creek, but down the river, Mud Creek, but pretty near as long.” When asked when the last logs were run we drew a great many from there by land, and there was a great many drawn in the winter­ down the river, he replied, “Eight to 10 years ago,” which would have been as late as 1888 time across the lake. to 1890. “Harley’s Mill was situated about 10 rods from the steamboat dock' that the Cole broth­ One farmer named Dillenbeck testified he ers (now have). I don’t remember how many owned and lived on a farm along Mud Creek. He said he knew about rafting logs down years ago that sawmill,Jgas there; it is 28 years (1876) since I haVd done any work and Mud Creek and in Thomapple Lake. helped draw logs to the mill, and the mill He also remembered Mr. Quimby and Mr. Harley owning sawmills, saying, “Mr. Quim­ must have been there seven or eight years by run logs down this creek and the length of after that.” Later on in his testimony, he related, “I the lake for three or four years and Mr. Harley about the same length of time. Mr. Harley would think logs could not be driven down ed to put in. I have rafted such logs as these on or by motor) to draw the logs down. They floated logs after Mr. Quimby. I think he this river in ordinary water that we have in the the Thomapple River and would make a raft were put in a boom at the head of the lake and began the same season Mr. Quimby quit.” summertime. The (logs) that I drove down for as many logs as you wanted to put it. Ifyou then run a capstan three or four feet and kept When asked to state how many feet of were driven in the early spring. High water had three logs, you would make a raft to put towing them that way until they got the logs, the farmer said, “They used to buy logs continues from two to three weeks in the three logs in. I have built rafts for five or six steamboat, and they used that a good deal. I at my place, and I used to scale them, and spring ... I think it was about 24 years ago logs, that were the heaviest logs that would not guess they used the steamboat every spring since the last logs were rafted down the river.” they banked them on my grounds. There was float. In order to get them so they would float until they quit towing logs, which were rafted a good many thousand dollars’ worth every Another witness described the types of when joined together, you put two light logs and towed with the steamer. season. I know there used to be acres ofmy logs that would not float. on the outside that would float them.” “They used to tow between four and five land covered, probably seven acres, some­ “I drew the largest logs from Stacy’s Land­ Strong described the booms: “These logs hundred thousand feet oflogs down there and times 20 deep with logs, and these logs were ing that would not float in the river, that were belonging to Quimby were boomed right would make two or three trips. They towed all floated down the creek and across the lake up there and loaded, drawing these logs from across from the mill in Quimby. The logs down what they could take handily from 150 to Quimby where Quimby run the mill.” out of the woods, and we helped put them in extended up the river towards the lake.” to 200 (logs). They drew these logs some­ When asked how the logs were floated to the river. And when we come home nights, we Later in the testimony is an elaboration on times with a capstan and would take it out the mill, he replied, “These logs were not tied used to fetch a load ofthem logs and rock elms booming logs: three or four feet from the logs and use it as a together and run in a raft, they were run loose that would not float, some butt logs; the other “I never helped draw the logs out of the windlass to take up the rope. They threw the with the exception of a few that were put butt logs besides rock elm were oak. The way creek and to the mill at any time. I have taken anchor to the capstan down in the lake. The together, and we called ‘dead heads’ to raft, I account for the fact that some ofthese logs, them out of the lower end of the river and capstan was built on a platform.” and these logs were run down this stream oak logs, would sink and some would not of boomed them there and drawn them to the mill In Strong’s testimony, he gave the amount generally at high water in the spring. the same kind is that you take some kinds of because there was no current through the lake. ofhis pay: “The only time logs would be run down the lumber, and some is heavier than others. These The log run right down into the lake from the “I helped to run these logs down with a river would be in the spring. Ifthe water went rock elm will go to the bottom as quick as they riven We took them out ofthe river. They were pike pole. I think I got 12 shillings a day. I down before they got the logs in the lake, they are rolled in the stream.” boomed at the end ofthe lake; then, there was won’t say now, but what it was (then was) would have to wait for another freshet. At no Taylor Walker testified about one run: “His a boom made in the lake. He (Harley) run two dollars. I know it was more wages than I time, no lumber is (was) done on Mud Creek (Quimby) drive started about Nashville some­ them into and drew them in the mill. This got anywhere else.” or the Thomapple River, and no logs floated.” where, I cannot tell exactly where. The cir­ boom was made where the river empties into Strong also described “riffes” (a sandbar or H.A. Lathrop, who lived near Morgan and cumstance that fixes this in my mind is that I Thomapple Lake. About a mile or two from rocky shoal): “There are riffes that stop the Thomapple Lake, testified about running logs drove down through there,-and he tore the dam the mill, we made a boom at the head of the logs, and (they) won’t go down. The water over down the lake. out at Nashville to get his logs through. There lake in front ofthe river and drew them down the riffes in a freshet is from three to four feet He said, “I helped to put the logs where was no chute, and he tore it (the dam) out.” with some boats to get them down.” deep. In ordinary seasons, you could not run they rolled them in the stream. The roll-way Walker explained how to float logs that One witness described ways of moving logs down there. You can walk across it some was at Dillenbeck’s ... These logs were R.D. would sink, “We put manymfthe logs in rafts logs by capstan and boats: places and some places not over the shoe tops.” Harley’s. His mill was located at Cole’s to get them to the mill. •’Rte size of ths raft- > “We used to use a capstan (a device coin ' The testimony was more than 500 printed Landing, w where the resort is»-.. These logs I n< would depend-eft the numbenoftogs we-warii- xn£sisting ofa vertical'fcyHfitfer idasted mdnQ&i^^ pagesnM’mfdrmatWffld *4 51 ,t? IP ,| 'were boomed right by the mill in fftrnftiM' •I Cole’s premises.” When asked about the size of the boom, Lathrop replied, “I should judge they would cover two acres ofground in the boom.” Lathrop also remembered logs being float­ ed in the (Thomapple) river and where they came from. He replied, “Yes, I hauled logs there with a team to the banking grounds and also the mill, and these logs were put in at Stacy’s Landing, about two and a half miles above the lake, (and) floated down the river. From there, they were taken to Cole’s Landing. The Harley landing on the boom was where the sawmill was, by Cole’s, about two miles from the mouth ofthe river.” Lathrop gave a detailed description of loading and hauling logs for the sawmills. One time, he hauled logs overthe river’s ice to the mill. He also recalled drawing (logs) across the railroad bank up to the sawmill. Lathrop described how they loaded the logs onto trucks: “We had a (flatbed) car that was heavily loaded with iron, they run down the truck into the lake, and they got the logs directly over the cars, and they started the car. It caught the log and took it up along in the mill.” The at Thornapple Lake was at the end of the lake, near where Charlton Park is today. (It would be most interesting to know what ^Doctor Universe Why do babies cry? Camren, 7, Ind. The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 22, 2023 — Page 7 Boy, is it. A baby’s wail can be 120 decibels-about the same loudness as a siren. That’s loud enough to damage your hearing ifit goes on long enough. So, it makes sense that people jump up and help the baby to stop the noise. The way humans develop is one reason babies cry a lot. Some animals are bom ready to go. Think about giraffes. They can walk when they’re just one hour old. But humans are bom underdeveloped. It takes months for a baby to hold up its own head or focus its eyes on an object. Gartstein told me many babies cry a lot during that early time. After a few months, their brains and nervous systems become more mature. Many babies cry less after that. Plus, their caregivers get better at fig­ uring out what their cries mean. Then, they can help faster. “A lot of this reactivity is biological,” Gartstein said. “It’s a function ofthe central nervous system, genetics and maturation. But a parent can help a child cope. We know that quality caregiving is related to social and emotional development,1 temperament and brain activity. So, parents can help shape how things go.” That means when grown-ups respond to a crying baby, the baby learns jto calm down. Mostly. There are individual differences in how much a baby cries-and what things make a baby cry. Some babies cry more easily. Some babies like new things or ipeople. Some babies cry when they experience new things and meet new people. Some , crying babies are easy to distract. Some seem like they won’t stop crying no matter what you do. Gartstein says your temperament as a baby will be with you in some way through your later life. A fearful baby may grow up to be more cautious. A baby who, likes new things may grow up to be adventurous. A baby who’s upset by lots of noise or light may feel the same way as a grown-up. It’s just one part ofwhat makes ybu you. It makes you wonder ifmy calm temper­ ament as a kitten is why I’m such a cool cat now. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for June 23-30 June 1-30 - June Storywalk Book: “Wonder Walkers” by Micha Archer. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. ‘ Saturday, June 24 - Learning the Land hiking series: Tamarack Swamp Saunter, 10 a.m.-noon. Members can attend the hike for free; non-members must pay $8 to attend. Tuesday, June 27 - No Family Left Indoors: Pond Exploration, 6:30-8 p.m. Get a peek at what lives beneath the sur­ face of the water. Look at the different creatures that live in ponds and learn about the unique world of macroinvertebrates at Clear Lake Camp. This event is organized by the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center. Registration for this free event is required. Friday, June 30 - Fun Fridays in the Play Space: Dirt + Water = Fun!, 10 a.m.-noon. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, June 22 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1941 film about the life ofGeorge Armstrong Custer, 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 23 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m.; I SURVIVED Escape.Room, reserve a time. Saturday, June 24 - I SURVIVED Escape Room, reserve a time. Monday, June 26 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Take 30 Barry County - 30-minute walks and activities with Blue Zones, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27 - Barry County Explor­ ers SPIN Club: Hike with 4-H, 10 a.m.; Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 28 Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Talewise - science and storytelling, 2 p.m.; open computer lab, 2-4 p.m.; acoustic jam session, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. �Pb9* 8 — Thursday, June 22, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Southeastern Elementary continues to benefit from strong community partnerships support our school. It also allows the resources that we do get and we raise here in school Southeastern Elementary Principal Dana to be put back into programming and events for the kids.” Stein knows it is no small task to educate, Besides financial support, both Kiwanis support and guide Barry County youth. and First Presbyterian Church regularly send Luckily, Stein and her staff* don’t have to do it all alone. Thanks to partnerships with volunteers to the school to act as one-on-one Hastings Kiwanis and First Presbyterian mentors for struggling students. Volunteers Church, the school will receive new play­ have also been invited to the school to teach ground equipment as well as several volun­ kids about their careers, introducing kids to various fields they might be interested in. teer mentors. Stein said in just the past two years, she’s MIt takes a community, a village to help support kids,” Principal Dana Stein said. “We noticed a huge difference made by the volun­ teers. Stein said it’s fairly common for kids have been very blessed with their partnership. Where there’s gaps, they seem to be able to who were once disengaged from school to come to the school’s office early when their bridge some ofthose and meet those needs. needs.” Last summer, Hastings Kiwanis raised mentor is coming. “Their mentors have really walked along­ $44,000 to replace the school’s aging playside them and they look forward to it,” Stein ground equipment and volunteered to install said. “They’re checking in the office about a it. This year, they’ve raised an additional $15,000 to add a new swing set to the play­ half hour, 20 minutes early saying, ‘Hey, is ground this summer with the help of Wom- my mentor here yet?”’ Jim Bruce, a community member from en’s Giving Circle, Barry County Lumber and Hastings Fiber Glass. Dave Tripp, presi­ First Presbyterian Church, has been mentor­ ing a Southeastern Elementary student two or dent of Hastings Kiwanis, said the group aims to raise $20,000 next year for a climbing three times a week for two years. Although the mentors work with students on a variety structure at the playground. Stein said the extra financial support of school subjects, Bruce was matched with allows the school to focus its budget on stu­ this particular student because ofhis experi­ ence in environmental education. dent programming, meaning kids can have This year, another church member brought more opportunities for field trips and other a woodcutting jig for making birdhouses. activities. Bruce’s mentee supervised while every stu­ “This was a big need, and the allocation dent had a chance to make their own bird­ was beyond what we as a school could raise,” Stein said. “It allows us to walk alongside house, which Bruce will be hanging up around Kiwanis while they do mighty big things to the church with the help ofanother student. Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Greg Chandler Hastings Kiwanis members took a trip to Southeastern Elementary earlier this month to meet with staff and discuss what the club could provide for the school in the coming year. (Photo by Lyn Briel) Bruce said the mentor work is extremely rewarding and the students aren’t the only ones looking forward to it. “It helps that they’ve got somebody they can talk to, somebody that really takes an interest in that special student,” Bruce said. “When I have time to go to school, that student looks forward to working with me, and of course I look forward to work­ ing with him. That kind ofrapport happens a lot between the mentors and the stu­ dents.” Hastings native brings vintage clothing shop back to her hometown Jayson Bussa Editor During the thick of the COVID-19 pan­ demic, Autumn Phillips found herselflaid off from herjob. She ended up turning to a closet full of vintage items she acquired through garage and estate sales that she attended with her grandma and dad as a potential business ven­ ture and decided to turn her hobby into her livelihood. “During COVID, I just had a bunch of it, and I got laid off, and I was like, ‘Crap, what am 1 supposed to do?”’ said Phillips. “$o I thought, why notjust sell this stuff? I started markets and pop-ups and sold stuff online and on Instagram, and itjust took off.” Phillips made what was an opportunistic endeavor into a more conventional business in November of 2021 when she opened a brick-and-mortar shop in Middleville, located at 115 E. Main St. She called it The Vintage Haven. While Phillips has no complaints about the village or the dedicated clientele she has developed, she had always wanted to open a business in her own hometown less than a dozen miles down the road. She now has that opportunity. Phillips, who co-owns The Vintage Haven with boyfriend Riley Mclean, recently announced that she is picking up and moving to Hastings, where she will occupy a store­ front formerly used by women’s boutique The Sugar Ribbon at 104 E State Street. “When we were looking to get a shop, we were looking in Hastings, and there wasn’t anything at the time, and we wanted to be on that main strip,” said Phillips, a 2013 gradu­ ate ofHastings High School. “We waited; and the opportunity presented itself a couple weeks ago.” Phillips noticed that Kendy Varble, owner ofThe Sugar Ribbon, was liquidating many ofher assets. Phillips was originally inter­ ested in purchasing some mannequins and displays for her shop. But when Phillips stepped into The Sugar Ribbon, she fell in love with the space and asked whether it was spoken for. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I love this building,”’ Phillips recalled. “I could see myself in here and where I’d put things - it was so pretty in there, and it was the perfect location.” The commercial space is under the same ownership as Barlow Florists. Phillips sub­ mitted an application, and, despite compet­ ing interest in the space, she was granted the lease. The Vintage Haven will hold a grand open­ ing event throughout the day on June 24. The County planners set public hearing on new master plan Autumn Phillips (right) and Riley Mclean (left) stand in front of a Hastings storefront that formerly housed women’s boutique The Sugar Ribbon for over a decade. The duo, which operates vintage clothing retailer The Vintage Haven, is now leasing the space and will hold a grand opening for their shop on June 24. (Photo provided) occasion will give shoppers a first glance at the store and a chance to win some prizes, such as a $50 gift card to the shop. Refresh­ ments will also be served. Phillips will follow up with a June 30 rib­ bon-cutting ceremony joined by members of the Hastings Area Chamber ofCommerce. Phillips, who always finds time to scour area flea markets, thrift shops and estate sales to keep inventory stocked, is using the move to make a few tweaks to her shop. “We changed our logo and everything,” she said. “We’re not rebranding, but we’re improv­ ing it. We’re going for a simplistic, chic, mid-century look. It will be different from what everyone is used to, but in a good way.” She is aiming to introduce more men’s clothes into the mix, as well. StaffWriter It’s been 18 years since Barry County updated its master plan. Now after going through a yearlong process that included the county Planning Commission, a steering committee and public input from residents and visi­ tors, an updated plan is now available for the public to comment on. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing t at 7 p.m. Monday night in the communi- j ty room of the Tyden Center, 121 S. ’ Church St. The plan is intended to guide future \ development and land use in the county, ; while maintaining the county’s rural character. Top priorities identified in the plan include: For economic development: - Designate area of growth and con- [ centrated development in the county. - Target housing development ofden- • sity toward designed growth areas to lower utility and transportation costs, ' support local employers and protect \ agricultural land. For infrastructure: - Actively foster the build-out of • broadband communications infrastruc- ' ture in the county. - Convene discussion among local ' jurisdictions about infrastructure growth ’ Ians, specifically regarding sewer and * water, options for alternate energy facil­ ities and broadband. - Use the county’s asset management plan and capital improvement plan to coordinate infrastructure expansion and upgrades in direct consideration of planned growth areas. For natural resources: - Work with communities in the coun­ ty to develop a countywide waterfront and shorelie protection approach the incentivizes low-impact development, waterfront setbacks and vegetative shoreline buffers. - Explore reductions in impervious 1 parking area requirements. - Develop and adhere to stormwater best management practices to minimize • the negative impact that land use can ‘ have on runoffand water quality. r’ For communication "r' — Adopt a clearly stated and adver­ tised board recruitment and appointment • process. - Engage in continuing educational development regarding land use plan­ ning techniques, practices and policies. - Build site plan review skills to take advantage of the opportunity to impact site design and fully realize the objectives ofthe county’s zoning stan­ dards, especially those designed spe­ cifically to address key land use issues. - Involve the community in county planning and zoning activities and deci­ sion-making. The 204-page report was put together • with the help of planning consultant Rebecca Harvey and McKenna Associ- ' ates ofKalamazoo. Serenity Village faces funding gap after inflation market pressures knock! project off course Jayson Bussa Editor For a group trying to develop a hospice facility in Hastings, the process has becomee a practice in persistence. Serenity Village, a 501(cX3) non-profit organization based in Hastings, has long probed the concept ofconstructing and oper­ ating a facility that would serve as an alterna­ tive to end-of-life care for patients that can no longer be cared for in their homes. The six-bed facility would be equipped with the staff and infrastructure necessary to provide end-of-life care for individuals. Serenity Village is slated to be an indepen­ dent hospice facility so that hospice caregiv­ ers from all different organizations can oper­ ate there, making it more accessible to local residents. The idea was formed in 2015, and Tom DeVault, now the executive director who is quarterbacking the process, got involved in 2016. Over several years, the conceptual idea NOTICE TO BIDDERS BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O., Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 11 A.M. July 12,2023 for the following items. Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above address of at our web site at www.barrycrc org. Agricultural Lease The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. BOARD OF COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY David D. Solmes Chairman Frank MzFiala Member Jim James Member began to slowly morph into a concrete plan. The process gainecj momentum in 2019 when Hastings residentslAl and Pam Jarvis gifted the non-profit a piece of property off East Woodlawn Avenue, totaling roughly seven acres. With Serenity Village having a site, the group approached! potential lead donors to secure initial funding. This included $50,000 in seed money from the Spectrum Health Foundation Pennock and additional funds from the Barry Community Foundation. With money coming in, the group hired a consultant and conducted a more formal feasi­ bility study. This work continued until March 2020, when the rfOVID-19 pandemic came into the picture and put everything on hold. “It was quicklyldecided to put everything on pause until we figured out what (in) the world was happening,” DeVault said. “We were getting great feedback from people saying, ‘Hey, we really support this project, but my 401 (k) just dropped 50 percent, andI don’t know what’s going on with COVID. Serenity Village kickstarted fundraising in 2021, looking to raise $2 million, a goal that they increased to $2.7 million when they realized that $2 million wasn’t enough. The board wanted to build and furnish the facility with a little left oyer for first-year expenses. DeVault said the campaign was a success, as Serenity Village raised around $2.4 mil­ lion, allowing them to complete architectural drawings, file all needed paperwork with the city and start to receive bids from general contractors. ' '< The boar.d put out a request for a proposal (RPP) with general contractors, hoping to see Project costs come in at around $1.8 million or $2 million. Receiving four bids in February planned for East Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings. (Rendering provided) ofthis year, the lowest bid was $3.1 million. These inflated sums were driven by fac­ tors outside the organization’s control, such as increased construction costs and labor shortages. “So, we have around a $1.3 million fund­ ing problem, DeVault said. “We’re about that far away from where we think we can build the building, furnish it and have a little for first-year operating costs.” So far, Serenity Village has around 300 contributors that have chipped in. The board irs not only looking for the community to help raise the final amount but is also exploring other avenues, such as borrowing the money,, which DeVault was not enthusiastic about’ He also said they may look to leverage a grant loan program through the USDA. Serenity Village has selected a general contractor in Grand Rapids-based CD Barnes, which it has worked with to reexam­ ine the building plans to search for cost-cuiting measures. Despite the setbacks, DeVault and his board are passionate about the project and its potential impact on the community. “I don’t know how you put a dollar amount on it,” DeVault said about the care that Sereriity Village would provide. “If it happens tb your family, you feel the gravity ofthat and the importance of that. That’s something we’ll be able to give to our community, not just today, but it will be a part ofour community for generations to come. bsteiisipIrMiHI �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS Thursday., June 22, 2023 Youth golfers win big at Porter Charity Classic ™ the * * A group of PGA Junior League Members gather together during a recent trip to the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythef ield Country Club north of Grand Rapids. Organizations like the PGA Junior League get help growing the game of golf in the area through donations from the Barry County Junior Golf Association which took the top prize at the 20th Annual Bill PorterMemorial Charity Golf Classic Friday. Barry County Junior Golf Association Bill Porter Memorial Charity Classic committee leader Danielle Storrs (from left), tournament chair Janie Bergeron and BCJGA pres­ ident Nathan Tagg celebrate with a giant check for $8,000 after the BCJGA was announced as the winner of the top prize at the 20th Annual Bill Porter Memorial ^5Jr Jr | ftrwwafe- • ‘ I8® \ Brett Bremer lives ofyoung people by providing learning Sports Editor facilities and educational programs that pro­ Pre-pandemic the annual Bill Porter moter character-development and life-en­ Memorial Charity Golf Classic grew to as hancing values through the game of golf. many as 54 teams competing in morning and The BCJGA was established in 2020 and afternoon events at The Legacy at Hastings. focuses much of its support towards the /Interest soared again to a pair of shotgun PGA Jr. League at The Legacy and other starts at The Legacy for the 20^ edition of golfprograms in the area .like the YMCA of I the Classic Friday in Hastings. A group of41 Barry County’s co-ed youth golf program | teams total took part in the morning and after­ happening on Mondays and Wednesdays in noon rounds. June at The Legacy. ; Thee big g wnners winners o of thee day ay were young A group of more than 25 young golfers golfers in and around Hastings. The Barry from the area’s PGA Junior League were able County Junior GolfAssociation was the top to attend the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythevote getter; flnjmg^the/tpurnameiat’ficfQuikloc^l । fielcL^ountryyClub last-week where 144 of ccharities this spring: The Barry County' Junior the top female players in* the world competed GolfAssociation received a check for $8,000 for a total purse of $2.5 million. at, the end ofthe day. All four of the 2023 charities took home T The mission of the Barry County Junior funds thanks to golfers and sponsors Friday. Golf Association (BCJGA) is to impact Central Elementary PTO in Hastings was Charity Classic Friday at The Legacy at Hastings. second in the voting and was awarded $4,000 which it plans to use towards improvements to the Central Elementary playground. The Tripp, Tagg and Storrs team played in er Real Estate, Kloosterman’s Sports Tap, Kyomi’s Gift was third among the “com­ both the 8:30 a.m. and the 1:30 p.m. group, Rhoades McKee, Attorneys, Highpoint Com­ peting” charities and the Family Support shooting a 55 and a 56 during its two rounds. munity Bank, Flexfab, PF3 Paint Supply, Center ofBarry County was fourth. Lunch was hosted between the two rounds Buskirk Lumber, Dewey’s Auto Body, South­ Event organizer Janie Bergeron said that at The Legacy clubhouse. Nashville Route 66 side Pediatrics, Thomapple Credit Union, over the 20 years of the tournament more Business District ran the Outback on the back Mancino’s ofHastings, Law Offices ofCarol than $500,000 has been.distributed to local of the course offering hot dogs and other Jones Dwyer, Baker Law Office, PLC, Ols­ son Investments and Bary Associates. charities. Winning charities typically receive goodies to raise funds. somewhere around $10,000 each year - give Much of the money the event is able to Golfers voted for charities and the charities or take a couple thousand. award is gathered through sponsorships. This were also able to sell tickets for voting, up to On the course, the team of Matthew Cool­ year’s list included Endoscopy Repair Spe­ four per person, to people not participating in cialist Inc., Hastings Mutual .Insurance।Com- ! the golftournament in theteadrUP to ithe event, ey, Mike Kalmink, Tyler Kalmink amiSte-no BgFgerom phen Peurach took the championshi^and w§s bpanjfe Hastings faaverty the-event continue s4o» be seeing’many com­ Services LLC, Tripp, Tagg & Stons,Att6rhanded the toumamenrfrophy by Bill Por­ petitors who are not regular golfers enjoying ter’s widow Penny Porter who regularly han­ neys at Law, Edward Jones - Andrew Cove, dles that duty at the tournament. The four­ Caledonia Farmers Elevator, Corewell Health their day on the course. “It went really well, really, really well,” - Pennock, Coleman Insurance Agency, some put up a scramble; score of 54 on the Bradford White, Munn Manufacturing, MillBergeron said. 18-hole course at The Legacy. Garber steps up from JV to lead TK basketball i ivzir; * Tse te siBfte I gift-i is by W « i adufliw* a***® jappa**"' Brett Bremer Sports Editor “That’s changing,” said new Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball coach Phil Garber, glancing up at the banners hanging on the west end ofthe Thomapple Kellogg High School gymnasium after a week ofyouth and middle school basketball camps at the high school in Middleville. .. Then senior Steve Converse put up 16 points and 11 rebounds and junior Jerry Post­ ma had 15 points as the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team scored a 65-44 win over Allegan in the MHSAA Class B District Final at Allegan High School in early March of 1995. Their Trojan team put up a 15-5 fegular season record, won the OK Blue Conference title and followed up with that district cham­ pionship under head coach Kurt Holzhueter. ■. “1995” is still the most recent conference and district championship on the black, orange and white boys’ basketball banner at the end ofthe row. “I can promise that. That is changing,” Gar­ ber said. Garber played for coach Holzhueter, gradu­ ating from Thomapple Kellogg in the spring of2003, before the “new” gymnasium where those championship banners hang was even constructed. He spent the past two winters coaching the Thomapple Kellogg junior var­ sity boys’ basketball team. After graduating from Thomapple Kellogg, Garber spent a year in the Grand Valley State University Men’s Basketball program and has since coached in the Byron Center, Lowell and Wyoming Rogers programs while also spending 15 years as a basketball official. Garber said the TK JV boys won 14 and 15 games in each ofthe past two seasons. He’s hoping to be able to carry that kind of success New Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys' basketball coach Phil Garber gets some ballj.games rolling during the camp for seventh, eighth and ninth grade boys at the high wzz -school in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) A up to the varsity level. He is taking over for former head coach Joshua Thaler, who TK chose not to bring back ndxt season. The TK JV and varsity) ballplayers helped run thee you youth camps last* as wee week.. Garber arer was pleased to have more than 40 seventh, eighth and ninth graders working and playing Mon­ day through Thursday at the high school. The younger groups had their damp at the middle school in Middleville each morning. Garber said he knows youth events like that are the foundation ofthe program. • “It’s not just about basketball it is about building good human beings to society,” Gar­ ber said. “If I can coach and teach them life lessons we can use on and off the court. That’s when we win. That’s when Middleville wins. That is when we win.” 1 The high school players will have team camps in the weeks ahead. Garber already has those guys focusing on a Nov. 28, 2023 date with Allendale - the season opener. “We’ll bring high energy, high intensity, hustle, heart and defense for sure,” Garber said. “We will drive teams with our defense. When we knocked off Catholic and South Christian last year they were like man, you guys were like a steel curtain, and that kind of stuck with me. We’re going to be a steel cur­ tain. When teams come in here, they’re going to know that they’re going to get stuck. You’re not dropping 90 points on us. You’re going to get stuck. “We’re going to fly around. We’re going to hustle. No one will outwork us. That is going to be my goal. We’re not going to be the big­ gest. We’re not going to be the -strongest. We’re not going to be the fastest. But, we will work the hardest and we will hustle.” i He expects that defense to be flowing from a 2-3 trapping zone to a 1-3-1 as well as some man-to-man. “High intensity, full-court,” Garber said. “I love to press and see what that brings, ifyou can create turnovers. If that doesn’t work you get back into a 2-3, and with the length that we have and the size it is going to cause teams some trouble. The guys like it. It’s not a typical 2-3 where you sit back, it’s a trapping thing, so as soon as it goes to one side we trap that and teams think something is open and it’s picked off.” At the moment, he’s is looking forward to having close to 20 guys ready for tryouts in November. He’s hoping to have a big bench working to improve and motivating team­ mates from the sidelines. “We’re trying to keep high levels in the program at all three level - freshman, JV, var­ sity,” Garber said. The Trojan varsity team was 2-21 a year ago, and the program’s last winning season was in the winter of 2014-15 when the TK boys went 12-10 overall. The seventh, eighth and ninth grade boys a part of the Thomapple Kellogg summer basketball camp gather at mid-court at the end of their four days in the gym Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �Page 10 — Thursday, June 22, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Eliza Granzotto, a single woman, to MERS/Success Mortgage Partners, Inc., Mortgagee, dated July 15, 2022 and recorded August 2, 2022 In Instrument 2022-008215 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage Is now held by Data Mortgage, INC. DBA, Essex Mortgage, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Six Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-One and 88/100 Dollars ($206.691.88). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Thornapple, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing 4 rods West of the Northwest comer of the intersection of Lem Paul and Main Street; thence West along the North line of Main Street, 4 rods; thence North 8 rods; thence East 4 rods; thence South 8 rods to the point of beginning. 604 W Main St, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: June 8,2023 Hie No. 23-005394 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (06-08X06-29) LEGAL NOTICES Attention homeowner If you are a rmktary service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have bean ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage win be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made In the conditions of a mortgage made by Dianna K. Bosrock and Peter R. Bosrock, husband and wife, to Saxon Mortgage, Inc. D/B/A Saxon Home Mortgage, Mortgagee, dated July 24, 2006 and recorded August 1,2006 in Instrument Number 1167934 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS as Indenture Trustee for the registered holders of SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2006-3 MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2006-3, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum ul Eighty-Four Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Three and 81/100 Dollars ($84,453.81). Under the power of sale contained In said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Assyria, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 21, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEG. 53' 06" WEST 220.00 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH UNE OF SECTION 21 TO A POINT 419.00 FEET EASTERLY FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 POST THEREOF; THENCE NORTH 00 DEG. 55’ 53" WEST, 231.02 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEG. 53' 06" EAST 220.00 FEET TO THE EAST UNE OF SAID WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 21; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEG. 55’ 53" EAST, 231.02 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. 7645 Wolf Rd, Bellevue, Michigan 49021 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: June 8,2023 file No." Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (06-08)(06-29) 201007 200744 STATE OF MICHIGAN Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in.Barry County, starting;promptly a| 1:00 PM, on, July 20, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Jonathon D Groeneveld and Ashleigh Groeneveld, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): ARK-LA-TEX Financial Services, LLC DBA Benchmark Date of Mortgage: April 22,2022 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 29,2022 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $185,557.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 128 feet of Lot 6, Block 8, of Kenfield's 2nd Addition Subdivision to the City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, as recorded in Liber 1, Page 37 of Plats, Barry County Records. Common street address (if any): 937 S Hayes St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2430 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military sendee member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: June 22,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1501747 (06-22)(07-13) 201488 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29509-DE Court address: 206 W. Court Street, #302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Laurel Gene Garrison, Deceased. Date of birth: 5/13/1953. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Laurel Gene Garrison, died 11/27/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Brandon Garrison, personal r representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 6/20/2023 Bruce R. Redman P46958 5161 Gateway Centre Dr., Suite 100 Flint, Ml 48507 248-508-4333 Brandon Garrison 11459 E. Shore Dr. Delton, Ml 49046 269-601-8958 PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Georgia H. Smith Revocable Trust, dated January 15,2015. TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, Georgia H' Smith' died May 3, 2023. There is no personal representative of the settlor’s estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued. COUNTY Pr0B*J?qv ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBUCATION/POSTING AND NOTICE OF ACTION CASE NO. 23-116-CH Court address: 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1286 Plaintiff ARTEMIS CAPITAL, LLC c/o Bowen Law Officer Plaintiff's Attorney • Jonathan R. Hoogstra P-76102 Bowen Law Offices 1042 Tefrace Street Muskegon, Michigan 49442 (231)726-4484 v Defendant . sM ROBERT L. BOLTON, last known address 2141 Robinwood Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton, and its known and unknown beneficiaries, devisees, heirs, successors and/or assignees, APRIL BOLTON, last known addresses of either 2141 Robinwood Dr., Hastings, Ml and/or 1022 Charlton Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058, and BRUCE TOBIAS, 2141 Roblnswood Drive, Hastings, Ml 49058. < F TO: ROBERT L BOLTON, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton and its known and unknown beneficiaries, devisees, heirs, successors, and/or assigns. IT IS ORDERED: You are being sued in this court by the plaintiff to determine interest In real property commonly known as 2141 Robinwood Drive, Hastings, Ml 49058. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in this court at the court address above on or before June 23, 2023. If you fail to do so, a default judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint filed in this case. A copy of this order shall be permitted once each week in Barry, County Legal News for three consecutive weeks, and proof of publication shall b filed in this court. A copy of this order shall be sent to Robert L. Bolton, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton, at the lastknown address by registered mail, return receipt requested, return receipt requested, before the date of the last publication, and the affidavit of mailing shall be filed in this court. Date: May 23,2023 Judge Vicky L. Alspaugh 20129 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust Estate TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, Judith K. Schieffer (date of birth) 4/14/1943, who lived at 1080 Cloverdale Rd., Hastings, Ml 49058, died 4/28/2023. There is no personal representative of the settlor’s estate to whom Letters of Administration have been issued. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Schieffer Revocable Living Trust dated 9/16/2016 as amended, will be forever barred unless presented to Todd Edgerton, Successor Trustee, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street within 4 months after the date of publication. Notice is further given that the trust will thereafter be assigned and distributed to the persons entitled to it. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The trustee, Georgia H. Smith, died May 3, 2023. Date: 6/20/2023 Creditors of the trust are notified that all claims against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Julie S. Kibby, Trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 6/16/2023 Successor Trustee Todd Edgerton 104 E. 600 S. Ste. 332 Heber, UT 84032 435-602-9521 201647 Stacey Lott P68809 130 East Columbia Avenue SYNOPSIS Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 Hastings Charter Township 269-963-8222 Regular Meeting Julie S. Kibby, Trustee 1725 East Hickory Road Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 June 13,2023 Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones Member SIPC Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 49073 (517)760-8113 Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 Biggest threats to a comfortable retirement? If you save and invest for decades, you’d like to know you can retire without finan­ cial worries. Nonetheless, you still have to be aware ofsome threats to a comfortable retire­ ment — and how to respond to them. These threats include: • Inflation - Inflation has been high recently, but even a mild inflation rate can seriously erode your purchasing power. In fact, withjust a 3% inflation rate, your expenses could dou­ ble in about 25 years — and your retirement could easily last that long. So, ifyou’re go­ ing to rely on your investment portfolio for a sizable part of your retirement income, you will need to own a reasonable number of growth-oriented investments, such as stocks or stock-based funds, whose po­ tential returns can equal or ex­ ceed the inflation rate. • Excessive withdrawals - Once you retire, you should establish a withdrawal rate for your portfolio — an amount you can take out each year and still feel secure that you won’t run out of money. Some people make the mistake ofwithdraw­ ing too much, too soon, once they’re retired. Your withdraw­ al rate should be based on sev­ eral factors, including your age at retirement, the size of your portfolio and the amount of income you receive from other sources, such as Social Secu­ rity. A financial professional can help you determine a with­ drawal rate that’s appropriate for your needs. • Market volatility - The financial markets will always fluctuate. When you’re still working, this volatility may not be such a problem, as you have years or decades to recov­ er from short-term downturns. But when you retire, you don’t want to have to sell investments when their price is down. To help prevent this, you can tap into the cash in your portfolio, assuming you have enough to cover several months’ worth of living expenses. You could also draw on a CD “ladder” — a group of CDs that mature at different times — to provide you with resources for the next few years and allow your equi­ ty investments time to recover their value. • Unexpected costs - You had them when you were working, and you’ll probably have them when you’re retired: the furnace that breaks down, the car that needs a major re­ pair, and so on. But ifyou’ve established an emergency fund containing a year’s worth of living expenses, with the mon­ ey kept in a liquid account, you may be able to “ride out” these costs withoutjeopardizing your STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate Estate of Steven L. Meninga, Deceased Date of Birth: 12/22/1962 Steven and Kimberly Meninga Trust, dated January 20,2021 jro All creditqp^pJ trlIj93rn jC e^bilidszib NOTICE TO CREDITORS:The decedent; Steven L Meninga, who lived at 11264 Long Point Drive, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, died on May 14, 2023. The decedent and his wife, Kimberly A. Meninga, established the Steven and Kimberly Meninga Trust, dated January 20, 2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Trust and the Estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kimberly A. Meninga, Trustee of the above-referenced Trust, within four (4) months after the date of publication of this notice. Date of Publication: June 22, 2023 TRUSTEE: Kimberly A. Meninga Address: 11264 Long Point Drive Plainwell, Ml 49080 ATTORNEY: Michael A. Shields Address: Lewis Reed & Allen P.C. 136 East Michigan Avenue; Suite 800 Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 Telephone: (269) 388-7600 201522 201489 investment portfolio. Be sure to keep these reserves separate from your typical day-to-day accounts to avoid the tempta­ tion of spending your emergen­ cy money. • Health - Retirees may face more health concerns than younger people, and those con­ cerns often come with larger medical bills. That’s why it’s important to maximize the benefits from Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan. Also, if you contributed to a Health Savings Account (HSA) while you were working, and you haven’t depleted it, you can use tire money in retirement As long as the HSA funds are used for qualified medical expenses, withdrawals are tax- and penal­ ty-free, and won’t be included in your income. This could help keep your income below cer­ tain levels, lower your Medi­ care premiums or avoid the 3.8% surtax on net investment income th at can be assessed on high-net-worth taxpayers. Retirement can be a pleasant time in your life — and you’ll enjoy it more ifyou’re prepared for the challenges that face all retirees. 7%Zs article was written by EdwardJonesfor use byyour local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC -j-Estate of Marsha K. Jordan. Date of birth: 08/16/1946. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marsha K. Jordan, died 05/12/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Robert Richardson and Robert Jordan, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 6/15/2023 Robert L. Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 Robert Richardson and Robert Jordan 10615 Clear Lake Rd. and 195 Powell Rd. Battle Creek, Ml 49014/Hastings, Ml 49058 269-838-6049 269-830-9623 201531 All board members present STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY INVENTORY Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 22-029130-01-DE Court Address: PO 8, Barry County Trial Court Family Division, 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 In the Matter of Estate of Timothy George Brooks. Personal Representative Meg Lauren Brooks 4306 Debbie Lane Kalamazoo, Ml 49006 269-680-7968 I, Meg Lauren Brooks, personal representative, submit the following as a complete and accurate inventory of all the assets of the estate and the fair market valuations as of 11-19-21. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF REAL PROPERTY: 12-033-011-00 Commencing 293 feet South of the Northeast comer of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 33 Town 1 North, Range 10 West, for the point of beginning, thence South 157 feet, thence West 304 feet, thence North 157 feet, thence East to the point of beginning. 15630 Enzian Rd., Plainwell, Ml 49080. Lien Amount: 0. SEV x2 Gross Value $29,800. Inventory Value $29,800. Total Gross Value $29,800. Total Inventory Value $29,800. Date: 6/5/2023 Meg Brooks 201503 The 2022 Water Quality Report for Barry Township is available on our website. barrytownshipmi.com Approved all consent agenda items Banner CLASSIFIEDS Accepted 2022 Audit report Hazard mitigation plan resolution Meadow Lane drain meeting CALL... The Hastings BANNER * 945-9554 Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 8:15 pm Estate Sales Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor 201616 NOTICE - PUBLIC LAND AUCTION The Barry County Treasurer will offer taxreverted real estate at public auction on August 1st, 2023. The auction will be held online at www.tax-sale.info from 10:00am to 7:00pm EDT. Bids can also be placed up to 30 days in advance on the website, and assistance is available for those without computer or internet access. Incomplete or voided sales from the August 1st auction, if any, will be re-offered online on September 29th, 2023. Please visit www.tax-sale. info/faq for additional details. For more information and a list of the properties being sold, visit www.tax-sale.info or call 1-800-259-7470. Sale listings may also be available at the county treasurer’s office. PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing ■Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Ourr readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised In this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone "umbertoff the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-927 . FAMILY OPERATED ES­ TATE SALE: Fri.-Sat., June 23rd & 24th, 2023 8am to 5pm. Location: 4600 Hilltop Rd., Hastings, MI past Camp Michawana off Wilkins Rd. NO EARLY SALES and CASH ONLY- NO EXCEPTIONS!! Limited people at a time, no crowding / rushing. Lots of tools (new and old) / power tools, yard equipment / implements, farm implements, household goods, furniture, kitchen accessories, electron­ ics including vintage items, full / queen bed sets, etc. Garage Sale MOVING SALE- FRI.-SAT., June 23rd-24th, 2023 9am-5pm. 906 Balsam Dr., Hastings. DOWNSIZING TWO FAMI­ LY garage sale. Friday 6/23/23 and Saturday 6/24/23 9:00 to 3:00. 1005 N. Jefferson St., Hastings. B usiness Services MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782. Help Wanted GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Benefits401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Den­ tal insurance, Vision insurance, Health insurance, Life insur­ ance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to: infEquality hardwoodsinc.com BAND SAW FILER- Duties METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. .i *** STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29520-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 » Oouifdaaphbne'no/?(tifi9)r94fiEi1396.* O | Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. r 201725 Financial FOCUS STATE OF MICHIGAN judicial wsiRicrr STH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT NOTICE include sharpening and re­ pairing band head rig saws, band resaws, carbide tipped circle saws, chipper knives and dressing guide blocks. Full-time employment starting at $25.00/hr. Benefits- 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insur­ ance, Vision insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com HELP WANTED Small Engine Repair Tech Pay commensurate with ex­ perience. Apply at Hastings Ace Hardware. Ph. 269-945-2003 MAINTENANCE TECH­ NICIAN- Troubleshooting equipment breakdowns to include electrical/electronic, computer hardware and soft­ ware, hydraulic, pneumatics on sawmill equipment. Weld­ ing, fabrication and planning are needed along with the ability to work with and be a part of a growing compa­ ny. Full-time employment starting at $25.00/hr. Bene­ fits- 401(k) 401(k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com Farm FOR SALE BLACK Beef An­ gus Cross Bull 269-945-9338. Please leave a message. new *WPOS0J) �gs *1 Dowling man sells barn he doesn’t own to two separate buyers Barry Count) Sheriff'* Deparuncni depones made two trips to • bam on the MOO block of Ban>v।lie Road in Dowlag cartirr due month Depones armed on the tccne around 9 JO a.m M June 3 after a 39-year-old Fremont man reported he bought the bam from a man who didn't own h. The man repotted buying the bam and the metal not of • botme on the property for 51,000 cash on May 23 from a 63-year-old Dowling man He found signs Bating die property jhaionged to someone etec a hen he armed there in June, prampang him to cad police i Officers returned to the property an June 5 after reactvmg a call from the real owner ofthe 14^ bom, who told police someone wm on the property attempting to tear the ban down. The 63-year-old fraudster hod once again told the bora he didn't own to a 53-year old Rodney man. receiving S300 and a 2007 Chevrolet Impale in return. The teal owner of the bam. a 44-year-old Dow ling man. told police he had alto bought the property from the fraudster beck in 2022. Although the 63-year-old fraudster told the owner he would move out after the aale of the property, the real owner told police that die fraudster had not done so, and he had to move to evict him. *% Late-night gunshots just man defending livestock Police received a report of gunshots juat before midnight on June 8 on the 200 block of East Tikeluk Trail When police arrived on the scene, they noticed a 21-year-old Hastings man walking near the road holding a garbage bag. The man told police a raccoon had gotten into his chicken coop, and he shot it The man told police he wm on his way to dispose of the now -deceased critter. ‘«ut 4. <js* 20® it NOTICE OF ORDINANCE SUBMITTAL *Q‘?!2i?4SS. ■V S^ ** ollf« e settL , ■Sr° **«•■ wtjgt, <? «*a<» «< m m**l»i4 l»i*4 4 aa® a® ^® '*”• * "“fi*II fL^ L^®’%< S’tki^_?|a** '“*/ "“fumis** fe’«raS’taki^?**» / KSS%• «*. ^^SWKfrW ^^SWKfrWtS to ■’r" 1 **•"*»«„**,** * **’*»' Iwaitnyitltrgi-ffljB *«■ss •s!s ■•„!, «ssss TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: This proposed ordinance will be considered for adoption by the Township Board at its scheduled regular meeting on July 12,2023 commencing at 7:00 pm. at the Charter Township Halt. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting fleering upon seven (7) day*' notice to Rutland Charter Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township. Format note—this proposed ordinance is prepared in “legislative formal new verbiage proposed to be added is shown in bold type; any existing verbiage proposed to be deleted is shown lined-through. jnOMBMMKSB BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN kta K*** UW«>!M ORDINANCE NO. 2023-189 (PROPOSED) Stf %u6i«*"r ADOPTED: MmaWW leqKR.’SW® 48 Mt »? »**? » » t*?" M" M EFFECTIVE: An Ordinance to amend $220-5-3 ofthe Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances pertaining to special land uses in the CR Country Residential District rllW set pt* THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND 0 g£f BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN A J»<® *•!•!*!£ *•!•!*! It SECTION 1 I AMENDMENT OF 1229-5-3 Daedal land usci in C R Cuuntn RnidrntialDistrict) w***7w* *></>< du^T-XlU511 ^f**/i5* J#®'KjjnlC^s |P^'■<>*** 8220-5-3 H.1. ofthe Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to special land use approval for the keeping of livestock on a non-commcrcial basis accessory to a dwelling in the “CR” Country Residential District is hereby amended to read as follows (with all ofsubsection H. included herein for context): “H Keeping of livestock on a non-commcrcial basis is allowable accessory to an existing dwelling on the premises, subject to all applicable provisions of this Chapter, including the generally applicable special land use approval standards specified in §220-20-3, and also the following density, setback, and other requirements: 1. The minimum lot area for the keeping of any such animals is three acres. $ '$* 2. There shall be at least two acres ofiot orca per animal unit kept on the premises. (See definition of “Animal Unit" in §220-2-2) Z'Z- 3. All areas in which the animals arc confined shall be located at least 100 feet from all existing residences on adjacent properties. 4. All areas in which the animals are confined shall be located at least 200 feet from any wellhead, and shall not include any drain field. 5. Roosters are prohibited. Otherwise permissible chickens shall at all times be confined to a chicken coop or otherwise enclosed structure and not allowed to free range.” $ ioM CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 2023-188 ADOPTED: JUNE 14,2023 EFFECTIVE: JUNE 30,2023 An Ordinance to amend §220-5-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances pertaining to special land uses in the CR Country Residential District, and to amend §220-9-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances pertaining to special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAINS: SECTION 1 A.MEND.MEN 1 OF 6220-5-3 (special land uses in CR Country Residential District) use approval for the keeping of livestock on a non-commcrcial basis accessory to a dwelling in the “CR” Country Residential District is hereby amended to read os follows (with all of subsection H. included herein for context): “H. Keeping of livestock on a non-commercial basis is allowable accessory to an existing dwelling on the premises, subject to all applicable provisions ofthis Chapter, including the generally applicable special land use approval standards specified in §220-20-3, and also die following density, setback, and other requirements: 1. The minimum lol area for the keeping of any such animals is three acres. 2 There shall be al least two acres of lot area per animal unit kept on the premises. (Sec definition of “Animal Unit" in §220-2-2) 3. All areas in which the animals are confined shall be located at least 100 feet from all existing residences on adjacent properties. 4. All areas in which the animals arc confined shall be located at least 200 feet from any wellhead, and shall not include any drain field." SECTION 2 AMENDMENT QF H20-9-3 (wrritl had kw in Ml Mixed U«cDhtrict) §220-9-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District is hereby amended to revise subsection BB. of same to read as follows: “BB. Marihuana Retailer, with or without a drive-thru or drive-up facility; provided that any drive-thru or drive-up facility shall be accessed only from a private internal access drive and shall not be accessed directly from any adjoining public street” SECTION 3 AMENDMENT QF *220-9-3 (stwfol had in Ml Mixed Vie District) §220-9-3 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated special land uses in the MU Mixed Use District is hereby amended to revise subsection CC. of same to read as follows: “CC. Medical Marihuana Provisioning Center, with or without a drive-thru or drive-up facility; provided that any drive-thru or drive-up facility shall be accessed only from a private internal access drive and shall not be accessed directly from any adjoining public street” sEtnuaLL REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; EFFECI IVE DATE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES: EFFECTIVE DATE All ordinances or parts ofordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall take effect on the eighth day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall take effect on the eighth day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland \ fiif PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at the June 14, 2023 meeting of the Rutland Charter Township Board the following Ordinance No. 2023-188 was adopted. This ordinance in its entirety has been posted in the office of the Township Clerk and on the Township website (www .rutlandtownship.org>. The original ordinance may be inspected or a copy purchased by contacting the Township Clerk, Robin Hawthorne, 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Ml 49058-9725, (269) 948-2194, during regular business hours of regular working days, and at such other times as may be arranged. SECTION 4 \ IIt THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN, AND ANY OT HER INTERESTED PERSONS: ORDAINS: ki* t TO: §220-5-3 H. I. of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to special land CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND tiMfrtanavii temXitlreM M WEWW MMmqWM flMira rIMf ** NOTICE OEADOPTIQN QF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 220 (ZONING) OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP CODE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE proposed Ordinance #2023-189 appended hereto was introduced for first reading by the Rutland Charter Township Board at its June 14,2023 meeting. ttafanaiMifribiWinifr ■«■ NtotaM teMfMdiitti •y>Cir>n>M«i KMS rtMf -' BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN S?!*!l!l!tai *!tai *X** RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP wA <w <v Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland MDARD encourages owners to help keep their animals cool and safe as temperatures rise As many parts ofthe stale, including Bony County, grapple with rising temperatures, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding owners of some ofthe best ways to keep ani­ mals cool and safe. “As we head into the summer months and temperatures rise, keeping animals cool and hydrated is essential," said State Veterinari­ an Dr. Nora Wineland. “It's important to recognize the signs of heat stress in animals and even more critical to prevent this stress from occurring. Michiganders can follow five easy steps to help keep animals cool and safe this summer." Keep animals safe from the heal by follow­ ing these tips: - Let It Flow: Provide unlimited cool, clean, fresh waler Just like people, animals can quickly get parched in hot temperatures. No matter the spedfes. animal! {MBRTMNififceBffo'QHRtflited cool, dean, fresh water to prevent dehy­ dration. - Know Their Limits: An animal’s ability to tolerate heal varies An animal's age, breed, type of coat and health history can all play a role in their abil­ ity to tolerate the heat Keep on eye on them for signs of heat stress-like increased panting or drooling and being more lethargic. If they are showing these signs, it is time to move them to a cooler area immediately. Also, consider talking to your veterinarian. They wil I have a greater knowledge of your animal(s) and be able to give more specific guidance on how to best handle them in hot weather. - Happy Paws: Test surfaces to make sure they won't bum paws Surfaces like asphalt, concrete and sand can really heat up in the sun. which can bum paws-or at least make a walk very uncom­ fortable. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for you. consider taking a different route that is mostly grass or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool. - Get in Gear: Parked vehicles are not places to park pets Even when temperatures feel more moder­ ate, vehicles can heat up very quickly, creat­ ing dangerous conditions for the animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and/ or parking in the shade do little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about -A Place to Chill: Make sure animals have a place to cool down Animals know when they are too hot and will usually try to find a place where they can cool down. Make sure they have access to shade, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and/ or air-conditioned spaces to help them stay comfortable. Following these tips can help keep your animals cool and comfortable through any heat wave. If there arc any concerns about your animals’ health now or throughout the summer, please talk to your veterinarian. SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS HunnsBiANNER �Page 12 — Thursday. June 22. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Members of the 2022 NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University Football program, Including Thomapple Kellogg High School graduate Mitchell Middleton, celebrate outside the White House in Washington D.C. Monday, June 12, during the annual College Athlete Day. Middleton and Bulldogs celebrate title in D.C. The back-to-back NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University football squad was honored along with other national championship teams from across the country on Monday, June 12, during a special ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C. The Bulldogs, who received an invitation from the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden along with First Lady Jill Biden, sent a group ofnearly 25 FSU student-athletes including Thornapple Kellogg High School graduate Mitchell Middleton, head coach Tony Annese and selected staff, who departed on Monday morning for Washington, D.C., with the ceremony taking place on the South Lawn as part ofa “College Athlete Day” hon­ oring several national championship teams from NCAA Divisions I, II and III. Middleton booted eight kickoffs in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in December, a 41-14 Bulldog victory over Colorado Mines. “This honor is amazing and it’s a once in a lifetime experience for all of us,” said FSU head coach Tony Annese. “This is an incredi­ ble opportunity for our guys to be here. It’s an honor not only for us, but also for Ferris State University and the Big Rapids community.” The group arrived late Monday morning in Washington, D.C., for the ceremony on the South Lawn followed by sightseeing oppor­ tunities at historic landmarks before returning home. The trip covered nearly a 24-hour span after a lengthy flight delay in Chicago on the trip back to West Michigan. The NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State Bulldogs, which claimed a sec­ ond consecutive national title this past fall, were previously honored in March by the state ofMichigan during a special visit to the State Capital in Lansing. This past fall, the Bulldogs captured a sec­ ond consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship, finishing with a 14-1 overall record. Over the past two seasons of action, the Bulldogs own a 28-1 overall record and FSU has reached the NCAA Division II Play­ offs eight consecutive years and counting. Ferris State has also reached the NCAA Divi­ sion II National Semifinals five times in the past six seasons of action and ranks as the country’s winningest program over the past eight full seasons in D2 Football. FSU is 55-3 over the last three seasons ofon-field action. The Bulldogs are also the country’s presea­ son #1 team heading into the 2023 campaign, according to Lindy’s Sports. Story courtesy of Ferris State Athletic Communications. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently approved the regularly scheduled three-year duration of deer regulations, which will be in effect for the 2023,2024 and 2025 hunting seasons. (Photo courtesy the Michigan Department of Natural Resources) Deer regulations approved for 2023-2025 hunting seasons At the early June meeting ofthe Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Roscom­ mon, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the commission approved the regularly scheduled three-year duration of deer regulations, which will be in effect for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 hunting seasons. DNR deer program experts say that while many of the traditional regulations remain unchanged, there ‘are several important updates aimed at enhancing deer hunting opportunities for Michigan deer hunters this year and beyond. “There are many challenges facing deer hunting in Michigan and across much ofthe Midwest in the coihing years,” said Chad Stewart, the DNR’s deer, elk and moose man­ agement specialist. “While the approved reg­ ulations for the 2023-2025 deer seasons are geared toward increasing opportunities for a declining hunter base, we recognize that we’ll have to continue to evaluate all possible options to sustainably manage Michigan’s deer herd in the future.” Updated regulations include: Restricted tag Of the deer combo license. The four-point antler point restric­ tion on the restricted tag ofthe deer combo license has been reinstated in 19 Lower Peninsula counties: Barry, Calhoun, Clin­ ton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lenawee, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa and Shiawassee. Under the updated regulation, all deer combo licenses in southern Lower Peninsula coun­ ties will now have an unrestricted regular tag and a four-point restricted tag. Liberty Hunt. Hunters participating in the Liberty Hunt, a firearm deer hunt on private or public land for youth and hunters with disabilities, will now be allowed to harvest more than one deer. While the limit for bucks remains at one, hunters can pursue multiple antlerless deer. It is important to note that a separate license will be required for each deet harvested during this hunt. U.P. CWD Surveillance Zone. The Upper Peninsula Chronic Wasting Disease Surveil­ lance Zone (including parts ofDelta, Dickinson and Menominee counties) has been removed. As a result, hunters in this area can resume baiting and feeding practices. The hunter’s choice antler point regulations, which include an unrestricted tag for the deer license and point restrictions for the regular/restricted tag of the deer combo license, have been reinstat­ ed. The restrictions on the deer combo license are three points on a side for the regular tag and four points on a side for the restricted tag. Late archery season and crossbows. The proposal to allow crossbows in the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula was rejected. That means hunters are still prohib­ ited from using crossbows during the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula. This includes hunters in the previous CWD Sur­ veillance Zone where crossbow use in the late archery season had previously been allowed. Antlerless harvest in northern DM Us. The proposal to reinstate antlerless harvest opportunities in several northemdeer man­ agement units (007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131) using archery equipment was reject­ ed. Antlefle^s harvest remains largely prohib­ ited in those units, with exceptions only for qualified individuals during the Liberty Hunt and through Deer Management Assistance Permits, where authorized. The DNR remains committed to ensuring sustainable and scientifically sound manage­ ment ofthe state’s deer population. For more on deer management, hunting opportunities and other resources, visit Michigan.gov/Deer. Full summaries of approved deer regula­ tions will be available closer to hunting sea­ son openers. MHSAA officials registration underway for 2023-24 Ferris State University kicker/punter Mitchell Middleton stands outside the White House in Washington D.C. As the Bulldogs celebrate their 2022 NCAA Division II Football Championship Monday, June 12. The Michigan High School Athletic Asso­ ciation is accepting registrations online or by mail for game officials for the 2023-24 school year. the MHSAA registered approximately 8,300 officials for the 2022-23 school year as building back the ranks continues after the number ofregistrations decreased during the height ofCOVID-19, All officials who register may sign up for up to two sports as part oftheir registration. Officials also will receive membership in the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), which comes with a variety of edu­ cational and training resources including a subscription to an MHSAA-branded “Refer­ ee” digital magazine, and the NASO’s Shield liability insurance that will provide $6 million in coverage for officials while they are work­ ing both MHSAA and non-MHSAA events. HOPE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Hope Township Zoning Board ofAppeals will hold a meeting and public hwnng on‘Thursday, July 13* 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hope Township Hall, 5463 South M-43, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within the Township, to consider the following variance request: Tim Ray Fulton is requesting relief from Sections 10.2, 16.6, and 18.3 of the Hope T Township Zoning Ordinance to construct a new 26-foot by 40-foot accessory building within the required street side and rear yard on a parcel located at 4665 Hine Road, Hastings, MI 49058 (parcel number 08-07-016-006-05). Ifgranted, the variance request w f ould allow the proposed accessory building to encroach fifteen (15) feet into the twenty­ five (25) foot street side yard setback and fifteen (15) feet into the twenty (20) foot rear yard setback. - ^Township Zo.ning Ordinance and die application is available for review at the Hope Township . ’i. i < ’ . Hastings, Michigan 49058, during regular business hourss 9:00 : am throuh noon a.m.troug www ki Pf'm' througE 3:00 P-m- on Wednesdays. The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance is also accessible at Wr,dfn comments will be received from any an interested ntereste persons ersons byteHopeTowns the Hoe Township received hv K T?wn?,pdunng regular business hours up to the time of the hearing and may be further y e Zoning Board of Appeals at the hearing. Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. X’ MnMPliu“ W4lh PAJ67 Of 1976 an,ene een ct mercans such as ' ?°Pe- T“wnsh,P W,U Provide "««smy reasonable auxiliaiy aids and services. inidthiv dMM “ualf1 wh±l, “nn,g?,'ra PdP°aanuu ?d?dCCi°i°Te “7) odafPSrrin ’innntOOeetdt ii“ma*tter °erhiaelHbeoinegT coonnsisdheiPre Cd “a ,'ra hPPeaeaTlTlred red8 8“ U Ud TetannP((7) att the the'"hdeiariindg“ g,, ltso tweiltehphd“ “one n1± 1l±“eS bdow? ? heT8 heT8 UP°n UP°n ?CTen ?CTen(7) (7) dayS dayS’ ’ nOti nOti“ “ *°,he *°H,h<>eP HopeTownshiP He To°pWeTnoSwhinpsChilP“C Ck“ “at -d- '"divid e'""ddidvricd“s“»ls s» °lsr with s H<>Pe T°WnShip Cl“k at d,e "ddrcss telephone nl“eS bdow HOPE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Hope Township Hall 5463 South M-43 Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 Tony Joostberns waits to get another inning rolling between the Lakewood and Maple Valley varsity baseball teams in Vermontville in May. The MHSAA is currently working to register officials for the 2023-24 school year. (File photo) For new and returning officials, a $70 fee covers registration for up to two sports. Offi­ cials may register for additional sports at $16 per sport. To avoid a $30 late fee, all fall sport regis­ tration applications must be received by Aug. 16, 2023. Winter sports registrations must be received by Nov. 11 to avoid the late fee, and spring sports registrations must be received by March 17, 2024. Online registration can be accessed by clicking “Officials” on the home page ofthe MHSAA Website at www.mhsaa.com. More information about officials registration may be obtained by contacting the MHSAA by phone at (517) 332-5046 or by e-mail at register@mhsaa.com. There is an officials’ registration test for first-time officials and officials who were not registered during the past school year, derived from the MHSAA Officials Guidebook. New officials and those who didn’t officiate during 2022-23 also must complete the online MHSAA Principles of Officiating course. Additional exams must be taken by those registering for football or basketball for the first time or those who were not registered for those sports during the previous school year. Links to the Officials Guidebook, Principles of Officiating presentation and the football and basketball mechanics manuals can be found by following the “New Officials” link on the Officials page ofthe MHSAA Website. There also are opportunities to officiate for students at least 14 years old and in grades 9-12 through the MHSAA Legacy Program. Juniors and seniors may officiate subvarsity contests, while freshmen and sophomores may officiate contests at the middle school/ junior high levels. Mentor officials will work events with Legacy participants to provide guidance and support. Find information on the Legacy Program by clicking “Officials Registration” on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website and following the “Legacy Official Information” link. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-06-29.pdf f0d15c6783b6129bc738d223ee8d5962 PDF Text Text r£ Hastings school board approves budget Hastings swimmer named Academic All-American See story on page 5 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 00-.iV.6«0Z/0£/9tiCt^g0J6Q13,3lWJJes6lu Nn sBH’ RuwavuaH PjW3ft! 10704901025905019783490588113421 R’ yOLUME 169, No, 26 ANNER Thursday, June 29, 2023 PRICE $1.50 Hastings Rotary honors Brad Johnson with Red Rose Award Molly Macleod Copy Editor The Rotary Club of Hastings awarded its Red Rose Award to Hastings accountant and community leader Brad Johnson during its Monday meeting. The ceremony, a complete surprise to Johnson, was held to honor him for his continued years ofservice to the Rota­ ry Club and to the community. Johnson is a Hastings mainstay, having lived in the community his entire life. Though he is known for his accounting firm in down­ town Hastings, Johnson & Company P.C., • Johnson has devoted decades of his life to service in the community in other ways, including a long tenure on the Pennock Hos­ pital Board. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Hastings since 2005. Johnson’s father, Tom Johnson, is also a recipient of Hastings Rotary’s Red Rose Award. The honor came as a complete surprise, though Johnson was clued in upon entering the Rotary meeting on Monday to see several tables filled with his family members. Not to be outdone by the four full tables of family members that came to celebrate John­ son in person on Monday, two of Johnson’s children, Sam and Hannah Johnson, attended Brad Johnson, a Hastings accountant and former member of the Pennock Hospital Board, was awarded the Hastings Rotary the meeting via Zoom from across the coun­ try. Sabrina Johnson, Johnson’s niece, also Red Rose on Monday. Here, he is joined by his family and friends. Pictured are (front row, from left) Freya Keeton, Sophia Mallory, celebrated her uncle over Zoom. Kai Hoyt, Lilith Keeton, Brad Johnson, (middle row) Angle Johnson, Jessica Keeton, Sharon Kubek, Alexz Malory, Tammy Snook, The Red Rose Award was created in 1945 Alvina Griswold, Tom Johnson, Kaye Johnson, Sandy Weller, Bernie Weller, (back row) Troy Dalman, Joe Kubek, Larry Griswold, to honor Rotarians who personify “service Marc Johnson, Thomas Austad, Richard Snook, Angie Kooi, Gene Snook and Diane Snook. above self.” Carl Schoessel, a member ofthe Red Rose selection committee, explained that the award began after an unexpected tragedy in the Dowagiac chapter ofthe club. District Governor Art Frazie created the award to honor the lost members ofhis club, as well as honor those that are living. Schoessel said that the Red Rose Award was created to celebrate those who exemplify service while they are still alive and actively serving the community. “Art (Frazie) felt that we should tell people what we think of them, how we feel about them (and) the value that they have while they’re with us, rather than waiting until they have left our presence,” said Schoessel. “So that’s what we’re going to do today. We’re going to tell our honoree, Brad John­ son, exactly what we think ofhim,” Schoessel joked. Schoessel and Randy Teegardin, another member of the selection committee, told anecdotes about Johnson and his youth, along with his various lighthearted antics as an adult. The stories painted Johnson as a self­ less, caring man with a penchant for comedy and service. Fred Jacobs, CEO ofJ-Ad Graphics and a member of the award’s selection committee, chronicled Johnson’s decades of community See RED ROSE, page 3 Delton grad prepares to put baking skills on display with new Gun Lake area business Fourth of July festivities slated to bring fun to Barry County next week Banner Staff Annual doses of family, food, fun and fireworks are on tap for Barry County this coming week as part ofthe Fourth ofJuly holiday. But, with the dry weather the area has been subjected to, some residents are on edge about lighting up this year’s fire­ works. “I got a lot of emails from people con­ cerned about fireworks and what we can do about it as a county board,” said Bob Teunessen, county commissioner for Dis­ trict 1, which surrounds the city of Hast­ ings. “I’ve checked into it and talked to the chair - there is nothing we can do to, curb anyone from doing their own fire­ works. It is very dry, (it’s important to be) doing it in a safe manner.” “Just try to be responsible and have fun — be safe,” he added. Michigan law prohibits municipalities from banning fireworks from June 29 through July 4 - residents are permitted to do them on private property. The fairly consistent rain that fell this weekend does help in a small way to reduce the fire risks associated with setting offfireworks, but it does not erase the month-plus of drought the area has contended with. Many city-organized displays around the state are slated to go on as planned, too. But, fireworks are just part of what Barry County has planned to mark Inde­ pendence Day., Residents in Hastings will have the option to partake in Independence Day festivities of all flavors. The Annual Old Fashioned Fourth ofJuly and Veterans Bar­ becue will take place at Historic Charlton Park on July 4 beginning at noon and going until 3 p.m. The event features a flag-rais­ ing ceremony at noon with old-time games on location. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. inside city limits, the Hastings City Band presents a Tribute to America. This concludes the band’s five-concert series for the season. Attend­ ees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to Thomapple Plaza for the free outdoor performance. The Legacy in Hastings also invites golf enthusiasts to take advantage ofthe day off of work by participating in its July 4th Scramble. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start. Lake residents around the local area have the opportunity to participate in, or view, a couple ofparades out on the water. The Greater Wall Lake Association in Delton has organized a boat parade sched- Karen Thrko-Ebright Contributing Writer She set out to be a nurse. Instead, she took another path. Now, Maddie Pape, a 19-year-old graduate of Delton Kellogg High School (Class of 2022), will swing open the doors ofher own business on Saturday in the Gun Lake area. Maddie’s Cookies & Cream, located at 11937 Marsh Rd., will make its debut when doors open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Satur­ day, July 1. Pape’s inspiration to bake came from her great grandma. “For sure - yes, I love to bake, but making cookies is my favorite,” Pape said. “My Grandma Toby was always the cookie maker and made the best cookies, so I was blessed to have her and get her recipes.” Pape’s mom, Kate, said she was not sur­ prised her daughter decided to run a baking business. “This is what she’s been wanting to do. She thought about being a nurse. She got her Certified Nursing Assistant license, and she See DELTON GRAD, page 3 No charges filed in Hastings High social media threat following month-long investigation Greg Chandler Writer No charges will be filed in connection with a social media threat that was reported at Hastings High School in late April that led to a districtwide cancellation of classes and the Thomapple Arts Council canceling portions of its annual Jazz Festival. The announcement by County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt followed an investigation by local law enforcement that took more than a month and involved interviews with more than 50 people. Simply put, she says there wasn’t enough evidence. “With everything we have right now, we can’t charge anybody,” Nakfoor Pratt said in an interview with the Hastings Banner last week. “I don’t see how we can.” The incident first canle to light about 6 p.m. on April 27. Two Hastings police offi­ cers were at the high school talking to stu­ dents about a completely different incident. Two students in the hallway began discussing See FESTIVITIES, page 2 See NO CHARGES, page 2 In April, a threat posted to social media forced schools in the Hastings Area School System to temporarily shut down. After over a month of investigation, no charges have been filed in the case. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) �Page 2 — Thursday, June 29,2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Hastings Live featuring David Bowie tribute band, puppet show and more Though the week is nearly over, Hastings Live has a packed schedule ofentertainment continuing through the weekend. Fresh from last week's Fridays at the Fountain concert, Susan Harrison returns to Hastings Live this week for Playing at the Plaza with her children’s music and puppet program, Palamazoo. The show will take place at 11 a.m. at the Thomapple Plaza this morning, Thursday, June 29. Harrison wows audiences with her upbeat interactive performances that incorporate her lively spirit, playful original songs, colorful Palamazoo puppet characters, enchanting stories, rhythmic dance, humor and words ofwisdom. Fridays at the Fountain returns at noon on Friday, June 30, at the Barry County Court­ house Lawn with Bows’ N Buddies. Bows’ N Buddies is an eclectic group oflocal string, wind and percussion artists. They play old fhvorites and pop music from the ’60s through the ’80s. Hazy Past makes its Friday Night Features debut on Friday, June 30, at 7:30 p.m. Hazy Past plays vintage rock from the hazy past, deep cuts, B-sides and hits. Featuring the standard rock setup with drums, bass, guitar and vocals, the band will bring its Davis Bowie tribute show to Hastings Live. Hastings Live guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. The concession stand, operated by volunteers from Hastings’ Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, will be open for evening performances, serving food, snacks, soft drinks and more. Smoking, vaping, non-service animals and outside alcohol are prohibited. More information on Hastings Live can be found at downtownhastings.com/events and facebook.com/mihastingslive. Sen. Albert holding local office hours tomorrow State Sen. Thomas Albert has scheduled in-district office hours to meet with residents at two locations on Friday, June 30. The times and locations for the office hours are: • 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Odessa Community Library, 1007 Fourth Ave. in Lake Odessa. • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Biggby Coffee, 11826 Fulton St. in Lowell. Office hours are open to district residents to discuss issues related to the state government or request assistance with a state issue. Priority will be given to constituents seeking to discuss issues that require privacy. No appointment is necessary, but space may be limited at some locations. Local office hours in other parts ofthe Senate’s 18th District will be scheduled at a later date. The 18th District includes Barry County and portions ofAllegan, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent and Ionia counties. Residents unable to attend office hours may contact Albert’s Senate office via email at SenTAlbert@senate.michigan.gov, by calling 517-373-1734 or by calling toll-free at 855-347-8018. More information is available on Sen. Albert’s website, SenatorThomasAlbert.com. DK alumni hosting Class of 1968 reunion next month Graduates ofDelton Kellogg High School’s Class of 1968 can walk down memory lane at the 55th class reunion next month. The reunion will be held on Saturday, July 15, at 7253 Kingsbury Road in Delton. Social time begins at 5 p.m. The dress will be casual. Anyone seeking additional information or directions can call or text Cindy, 269-268­ 0116, or Alex, 269-330-2819. No Family Left Indoors_continues next week with Chalk Your Walk Nd Family Left'Indoors continues this iveek with Chalk Your Walk on Tuesday, July A^The Thomapplfe Arts‘Council will host families athhe ThomapjMdiBla^aXIOlE. State! Street in Hastings, for an evening ofmusic and art. The event will last from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. No registration is required for this week's No Family Left Indoors event. The night will be a come-and-go event with no costs associated. Participants will cre­ ate sidewalk chalk masterpieces while enjoying the Hastings City Band’s Tribute to America concert. Each summer, No Family Left Indoors offers free weekly activities to keep families busy while school’s out. No Family Left Indoors is intended to get families - and individuals and couples, too - outdoors exploring natural and man-made local treasures. More information about the Chalk Your Walk, along with a full schedule of No Fami­ ly Left Indoors programming throughout the summer, can be found at sites.google.com/ view/no-family-left-indoors-2023/events. W SPR^ANYSFOUAi4MZ/o Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 I jccnse //SI 10376 & Insured < * AnnualJuly Sale\ : 20°/o OffFabrics ; (excludes sale items) Audit comes back clean for county; commissioners dip into fund balance to add staff member to clerk’s office Jayson Bussa Editor Members of the Barry County Board of Commissioners saw nothing on the county’s 2022 financial audit that stopped them from dipping into unrestricted funds to provide the clerk’s office some immediate relief on staffing. During Tuesday morning’s meeting, com­ missioners were presented with an audit report by Joe Verlin of the Grand Rapids-based accounting firm Gabridge & Co. Upon conclusion ofthe report, commission­ ers were comfortable using funds that were not already earmarked for other purposes to add one full-time staffmember to the clerk’s office. Commissioners also plan to work that new position - and possibly a second full-time position - into the budget as it currently embarks on the budget-making process. Last week, during a meeting ofthe board’s Committee of the Whole, Barry County Clark Pam Palmer appeared in front of commis­ sioners to outline the growing number of duties that her office has absorbed over time and to ask for two additional full-time employees to keep up with the work. One additional staff member would cost the county $37,074 for 2023 and $80,894 for 2024 and two new staffmembers would cost $74,148 and $161,786, respectively. While commissioners at that time acknowl­ edged the need for additional staffing in the clerk’s office, some wanted to confirm that adding to the staffwas financially prudent by first looking at the audit. The COW ultimately approved the resolu­ tion and sent it to the Board of Commission­ ers for final approval. The audit was presented to commissioners before they considered approving the addi­ tional staffmember for the clerk’s office. Not spotting anything of concern in the audit, they approved the measure with little further discussion. “I know that Pam wouldn’t have come in front of us if it wasn’t very needed,” Com­ missioner Bob Teunessen said. “My comment on it is that I’m going to vote yes on this position,” added Commis- ?'i/ Joe Verlin of Grand Rapids-based Gabridge & Co. provides an audit report for the Barry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) sioner Jon Smelker. “And as far as I can see, it’s coming out offund balance so I think this needs to be looked at really good when we do budget this year and see if we can’t get it back somewhere.” The audit provided a clean bill offinancial health for the county, with Verlin highlighting a few ofthe key cliffnotes that pointed to a strong financial position for the county. A clean opinion, which Barry County received, is the best opinion a county can achieve. The county’s net position was $61.2 mil­ lion at the end of 2022. This is a theoretical number that points to how much money the county would have left over in the event it sold all ofits assets and proceeded to pay off all ofits liability. This net position, essential­ ly a general barometer of overall financial health, grew by $2.6 million from 2021 to 2022. Balances across all governmental funds totaled $15.3 million to end 2022, which was a decrease of around $103,188 - meaning more cash went out than came in during 2022. Ofthat $15.3 million, $2.2 million of those .1ft WhetherJarthird <stbdentj“wouldJorcouid have the capabilities ofcausing harm to students, staffor the school;” Police Chief Dale Boulter said during the interview. “One student tells the other student what his thoughts, were. The student that he told then posted a message on a social media app called Discord, and from there, it hit pretty much any and all social media platforms that adults, young adults (and) children use, whether it be Facebook, Instagram, Snap­ chat,” Boulter said. : “It spread like a wildfire that there was basically going to be. an event at the school, and warned people not to come to school (the next day) because this individual (said) ifhe was going to go down, he was going to take others out with him.” At about that same time, HHS Principal Teresa Heide called police to report a threat as well. Heide told police about a group chat screenshot she had received from a student. Four people were in the group chat that Heide was able to identify. ■ A portion of the text in the group chat read, “@eveiyone so um a guy named (student’s name redacted) said that if hes (cq) going down hes (cq) taking everyone with him,” according to a copy ofthe police report that the Hastings Banner obtained through a Free­ dom ofInformation Act request. Another portion of the text read, “while I was walking home 2 guys from gun lake (cq) stopped me and prayed for me so might be a school shooting tomorrowjust figured id (cq) let you guys know,” according to the police report. Boulter met with Hastings Area Schools Superintendent Matt Goebel that night to discuss the situation. “At that point and time, we didn’t have enough time to figure out if there was an actual threat or ifit wasjust implied,” Boulter said. “At that point,' he canceled school for the entire district (for the following day) so it would give us time to investigate.” Boulter also spoke to representatives ofthe Thomapple Arts Council about the threat because the Jazz Festival was to have begun the next night. The council decided to cancel most ofthe festival events. “We had schools calling us from all over the state ofMichigan that were scheduled to come in for the JazzFest,” Boulter said. Three Hastings High students were at the center ofthe police investigation. Because no 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 uled for the morning of the Fourth. Those who want to attend are encouraged to meet at the end of Beechwood Point with decorated boats by 10 a.m. Similarly, residents in Lake Odessa will hold its Jordan Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade at noon. Participants are asked to con­ gregate at Lake Beach Dock while spectators can line Lake Odessa Beach. Saturday 9 am-3 pm ggiplaiW8^’ 9 9 years .in prison or a finee, ofup)itoir$5;;l000.”>i oi charges were filed, their names have not been “The big thing with No. 3 here w as being released. Boulter and Nakfoor Pratt identified able to prove or say he had (the) intent to the individuals as No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. No. cause ... student No. 1 to suffer tlhis - not 1 was the person who was being investigated only him, but the entire school, to c ause this for the earlier incident. No. 2 and No. 3 were fear,” Boulter said. “It wasn’t therne. If it is the students who had the conversation in the there, we don’t have it. We can’t su pply that school hallway discussing whether No. 1 to the prosecutor.” could carry out a threat. As it turned out, No. “We looked at all the elements of that 2 and No. 3 had conflicting accounts oftheir crime, and we do have the fact tlhat it did conversation. cause consequences, and it caused tlhe conse­ “No. 2 insists he didn’t say that No. 1 said quences that are listed in the statu'te,” Nak(he would cany out a threat),” Nakfoor Pratt foor Pratt added. “But that could j ust be an said. “(He) said ‘I think he could’ or ‘gee, I incidental. We have to prove that he inten­ wouldn’t be surprised,’ that kind of a com­ tionally caused it.” ment. No. 3, though, is saying ...he told me While the case is considered cl osed, the that this kid said it. That was something we prosecutor said she’d be willing to consider had to consider. new evidence ifit’s presented. “Did No. 3 misunderstand No. 2, or is one of the two guys lying? Sometimes peopld k*^$We’re always open to new infoirmation if Hm^fleoody’s got anything,” Nakfoor IPratt said. aren’t lying; they’re just mistaken about whajIM they heard. We never could come to a conclu- ^Il^ne prosecutor and the chiefsaid there are sion after all the interviews. Some people valuable lessons to be learned from the incident were repeatedly interviewed. • Phones were “Don’t tell another student your thoughts. looked at... We could not come to a conclu­ Tell your parents, tell the authoritie s, tell the sion that anybody was blatantly lying. We do know for a fact that we have nothing on No.r- school. Don’t tell your friend,” Nak foor Pratt 1, that No. 1 didn’t do anything wrong.” said. “We want these kids to come to the right Boulter said the misunderstanding could have been avoided had No. 2 reported his people when they have a suspicion, when they feel as ifthey’re not safe,” Bo ulter said. concerns to someone in authority. “Instead of No. 2 discussing it with No. 3, “We need them to come to (autthhoorritiyty figures), No. 2 should have come to (the) school whether it be school staff, mom and dad, the administration to express his feelings based police, whoever it may be, so w e can get things and resources available aind started upon what No. 1 may have or could be (pos­ sibly) doing,” the chiefsaid. right away.” So with No. 1 cleared ofany responsibility Boulter said students who have a concern for the threat, the focus shifted to No. 3, the but want to report something ano nymously person who reported the threat on Discord. can do so through OK2SAY, a statteewide stu­ “(I got asked) why can’t you do some­ dent safety program where studenntt!s can sub­ thing? Can you do something to No. 3, mit tips on potential threats to stud ents, staff because they think No. 3 essentially made a or school buildings. threat, even ifhe blamed another kid for the “It’s unfortunate how it all went down, it’s threat,” Nakfoor Pratt said. “(No.) 3 can’t be unfortunate the amount ofmanpow er that all charged with making the threat because he the agencies put in, it’s unfortunate for the didn’t make a threat.” community, for JazzFest, for (the) Hastings Nakfoor Pratt said she looked at charging school district,” Boulter said. “I think the No. 3 with unlawful posting ofa message and outcome, though - I’m glad that thee outcome using a computer to commit a crime. The law was what it was. The threat was edebunked. says no one can use the internet or a comput­ Nobody was harmed. The school was safe. er or other electronic communications medi­ Yeah, they had to go to school a d ay longer um to post a message “that would make the because (ofthe next day cancellattiieon), but in victim feel terrorized., frightened, intimidat­ regards to all decisions that were rmade with ed, threatened, harassed or molested,” and my office and Julie’s office and M att Goeb­ el’s office ... I would say therree^’s nn<o decision that would cause someone “to suffer emo­ tional distress.” The unlawful posting of a we’d make differently. We can alvways learn message is a felony punishable by up to two from these events and make a few <changes.” FESTIVITIES, continued from page 1 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; assent NO CHARGES, continued frompagel Sale endsJuly 31st ask us. dollars were unassigned, with no earmarks or restrictions. Total revenue for the county rang in at $55.8 million for 2022, a significant jump from $51.8 million in 2021. However, some of this increase was attributed to the $2.5 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The county has also funded 78 percent of its net pension liability, which Verlin report­ ed is better than the average municipality. However, the county added $10 million ip other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liar bility, Verlin attributing it to significant mar­ ket losses during that year — around 14 per­ cent, specifically. “Unmodified is the gold standard - this is the highest level ofan opinion we can provide on your financial statements,” Verlin said. “It means that the information that was provided to us - the financial statements - we were able to work with third parties to confirm and ver­ ify the numbers with various financial institu­ tions, the state ofMichigan, granting agencies to make sure the information was accurate and timely. Everything came back clean.” The Middleville Lions Fourth of July Celebration will overtake the village on Tuesday with a full list of festivities planned. These include downtown activi­ ties at the pavilion and amphitheater, inflatables, kids’ games and a hot dog eat­ ing contest during the morning and throughout the day. Starting at 6 p.m., the event offers food trucks, laser tag, axe throwing and archery tag which concludes with fireworks, which are launched near the middle school soccer field and bus garage at 10 p.m. Also in Middleville, local organization OutcastZ of Michigan presents its Fourth of July Touch a Truck event in front of Bob White Stadium, featuring fire trucks, hot rods and lifted trucks. temiiHiniaiia MROBIM k tai lift to sb l lOHMi i I I I *w'*itsiii I vsi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 29, 2023 — Page 3 J Js. s sjS Si*%ww*%St *%St *S s< s<2 .\ Ss, s S . %£*%brf k?us %£%brf k?^u k?^us t **->! sS, wSjj I-^‘ I- JSCS**'«« *<> t ^*4S2^.> ^*4S2^> . **k‘^*l * f■ :X£ ?**s * •tt^**»-*C! «SSfesfi3S «SSfe*sfi3S ^teEk Wtsw I ■■■wfclNUiiJbli stmBiiii2a» I .nntwtyraa rEwaariitatj; KMtH sfifls wfaatoRsmi VbfaAWtaiXti m saa wx ; Mitet^tai^jta ft(KN> atamitaAiiiatak hoc’ ■Ww'-^^4w»r—/fa tifaiikmsata arii'bb'fcfcfci* rii'bb'fcfcfci* “I fchMrf iW««*l lt t*»* •‘‘■S ■SSte teSS!5 !5 pi*:^?‘*- sSS ^ 1^1 ie Barry County Board of Commissioners featured employ srvjce awards ohifeesday morning.' Pictured are honorees, t'rQW, Jbftvtb fight) ilulie Smith* (Friend of the Coyrjg hanie Lehman (Central Dispatch) and (back r^WH&fi fo ) Matthew Funk (transit), Sara Vandenburg (C)drk’s Office), '■ r Leinaar (Clerk’s Office) anxL Sdshhne Huebner Emission on Aging). (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Jayson Bussa ‘ Editor 1 The Barry County Board of Commission­ ers honored a handful of county employees who are celebrating professional milestones this year. Board Chair Dave Jackson took time during Tuesday’s meeting to recognize nine individuals, who were celebrating five, 10,15 Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Jackson (right) shakes hands with Julie Smith, an enforcement officer with the Friend of the fepurt. Smith was honored for 20 years of sery*^’ “Twenty yppi^Js an outstanding career and vye appreciate your time and effort, and energy in there especially in serving the Friend of the Court;$hat can be an interesting job at times but you do it with a $mtt^di(,your face,” Jackson said. ah’d 20 years ofemployment with the county. Deputy Clerk Holly Leinaar, Barry Coun­ ty Transit’s Assistant Manager Matthew Funk and Brian Hansford of the Sheriff’s Office all celebrated five years of employ­ ment with the county. Those celebrating a decade of service included Animal Shelter Clerk Cindy Argo and Commission on Aging Office Manager Susanne Huebner. A trio of personnel, were celebrating 15 years of service, including Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman, First Deputy Clerk Sarah Vandenburg and Bill Romph, a Deputy Sherifffor the county. Julie Smith, who serves as an enforcement officer for Friend ofthe Court, celebrated 20 years of service, as well. Concerns about Blue Zones raised at county master plan hearing Greg Chandler StaffWriter Some Barry County residents are con­ cerned about what they see as the influence of one organization on the county’s updated master plan. Several residents spoke out Monday night at a county planning commission public hear­ ing at the Tyden Center against the involve­ ment ofBlue Zones Activate Barry County as an “active partner” in the development ofthe master plan, which is designed to address the county’s future land use needs while preserv­ ing its rural character. It’s the first update of the master plan since 2005. Commissioners voted 4-2 on a voice vote to recommend) tbe counit^ Boanbof.^ammissjoners adopt the plan, blit not before moving Blue Zones from an “other governmental” designation to a community member. Blue Zones is an initiative that seeks to improve the health and well-being of county residents, leading to living longer. However, objectors are taking issue with some of the organization’s recommendations, such as encouraging a plant-based diet. “Blue Zones has a strong impact and influ­ ence on how this plan has been written and designed,” Yankee Springs Township resident Dave Laansma said. “They’ve been active in Barry County for a number ofyears. We’ve got serious issues with their philosophical background and where they want to head with this ... It’s not necessarily a reflection of the community, but it’s a reflection of their gdals and their agenda. We don’t need that type ofoutside influence affecting decisions that need to be made locally for our county.” “By them getting into the master plan, their plan is to have government participate in their organization,” Gary White ofNashville said. “This is a reason I think you need to remove them out of the master plan by name. They’re looking for recognition. Could some of the things they (propose) be good? Yep. Public funding for their initiatives is not good.” Blue Zones is one ofseveral organizations that are listed as “active partners” in the master plan update, along with the Barry Community Foundation, the Joint Planning Alliance, Thomapple Arts Council, Barry County Economic Development Alliance, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and Gun Lake Protective Association, according to the plan document. “They have people that are willing to assist in the planning process,” County Planner Jim McManus said ofBlue Zones. “It wasn’t a spe­ cific policy (that we were looking for). There was a recognition that they could have value for us as we move on different kinds ofprojects.’’ Blue Zones is listed in the plan document as having a potential role in implementing some ofits recommendations. They include: - Prioritizing the improvement of motor­ ized and non-motorized transportation sys­ tems that connect population andjob centers. - Implementation of the Barry County 1 Trailways Plan. r.^drnplemOTitatflicKTiof.ihe.icounty parka<nnd> recreation plan!. - Targeting housing development density toward designated growth areas to reduce utility and transportation costs, support local employers and protect farmland. - Routinely engage in community outreach to get input on Barry County land use issues, host educational sessions and encourage part­ nerships. Some commissioners expressed similar reservations about Blue Zones. “It started out as people live longer in other countries by (following the Blue Zones model). Other countries have embraced the socialism that goes with that. That’s not something that I feel comfortable with,” Commission Chairman John LaForge said. “There could be a slippery slope.” J' But Commissioner Jack Miner pushed back on those concerns. “We have all kinds of ways to promote fear. There’s nothing to fear with this group. We have control of the funds. Our county commissioners, the last I knew, were all from the same political party,” Miner said. “Do you think the county commissioners (would support) something that’s socialistic?” • Dave Hatfield, the county board’s repre­ sentative on the planning commission, said part of the problem over Blue Zones was created by the plan’s designation ofthe orga­ nization as an “other government” group. “I don’t think Blue Zones, in any way, is ‘other government,”’ Hatfield said. “Blue Zones is representative ofthe community and should be no different than how we deal with community members or business. They are members of the community; they are not a government organization.” “It’s largely transportation issues (they would address). Diet is not mentioned in here in any fashion,” Hatfield added. On a completely different topic, several Johnstown Township officials raised concerns about the possibility of erecting solar panels in the township. Township Treasurer Karmen Nickerson spoke of Consumers Energy pur­ chasing land from a local farm with the idea ofproposing the construction of solar panels. “I don’t know if. you haye a designated amount of land where [you’re going to have solar panels on, but it seems like a big portion offt li$) tocour)tbiMnship,TandjwbTdtafriwantlU all in Johnstown Township,” Nickerson said. The 204-page master plahlwas put together by the planning commission with the help of consultant Rebecca Harvey and McKenna Associates, a planning consulting, firm from Kalamazoo. “There is growth pressure on the county, but Barry County’s natural beauty and its rural character are its primary strengths,” Christopher Khorey, McKenna senior princi­ pal planner, said. “The purpose ofthe plan is to quantify what that growth pressure might be and find an appropriate amount ofland in appropriate places where that growth may be accommodated while protecting the overall character ofthe community.” Some of the plan’s recommendations include designating areas ofgrowth and con­ centrated development in the county, foster­ ing the buildout of broadband communica­ tions across the county, * working with com­ munities on developing a countywide water­ front and shoreline protection plan and start­ ing up discussions on growing infrastructure such as sewer and water. “We wouldn’t want to^ for example, put an extension ofutilities in an area that isn’t iden­ tified as a growth area,” McManus told com­ missioners. “We wouldn’t (want) to bond for something like that. Farmland preservation applications that come before you should follow the master plan as far as where farm­ ing should go.” The plan could be presented to the Board of Commissioners at a Committee of the Whole meeting on July 18, McManus said. +<Z & '?55%2&%'<! %2&%<! & > < <* DELTON GRAD, continued from page 1 started that, but she’s always loved baking,” be a bad smell, said Jespreet. “I have known she said, adding that Pape spent a lot oftime Maddie and her brothers for years. I watched baking during COVID. Maddie grow up. She’s a good kid. They are “We would do Facebook baking live with good people. I am so happy for them.” her brothers. So, that was fun, but since then, A new business is a far cry from where she’s loved to bake.” Pape started baking her cookies, though. Pape’s specialty is baking cookies. She “When I graduated, I started baking out of caught the baking bug from her Great Grand­ my parent’s house, then I finally made a ma Toby and Grandma Kelli when she was a Facebook page selling them,” said Pape, who little girl. soon realized her online business started “My grandma was a cookie baker, and growing fast. Maddie adored her. I think my grandma “I had a great opportunity to rent this place inspired Maddie to bake,” Pape’s mom said. and bake out of it, so I took it,” Pape added. “I knew this was what she wanted to do, but “I also had always grown up with my grand­ who knew this would be so fast? It happened ma Kelli and great grandma Toby baking. so soon to get her own little brick-and-mortar.. They’re amazing bakers,.and Lalso found my Business, usness, going,? gong, n a iu u j . .u. u.d? dh.. zz soe. sloe.loVtfjof loVtfjofbakingJromjfteinfeit bakingJromjfteinfeittjttaugh tjttaughthem. them.””J I Ufrfortuhdtefy,GGxdafel^paadma Thby, dSlfimfti Lidice she sMui^hedlodiqqjnewfhisuiTsM-orfl died in June of 2021 after a five-year battle G“un ~Lake, ~Pape no longer has her Bake My with Multiple Myeloma. Day shop online. However, customers can Kate said her mom, Grandma Kelli, con­ still order cookies online and pick them up in stantly influenced Pape’s life. the store. Pape said she would haye various “My mom would watch her when I cookies already baked and ready for walk-in worked,” Kate said. “She would be in the customers. kitchen with Grandma. She loved anything to Pape and her family started renovating the do with Grandma.” space in April and spent three months remod­ During the pandemic, Pape found joy in eling it for opening day on July 1. baking. After that, she started her own online “I was super excited when I was told I business, Bake My Day. could! They’re such good people and want “I’ve always liked to bake, but I really me to go far with what I’m doing,” Pape said. found my love doing it in COVID,” Pape “They both work at the gas station here and there.” said. Pape’s mom is her biggest fan. The Nannans own another Citgo in Delton. “She makes her cookies from scratch,” Jespreet said the space has been vacant for Kate said. “Her cookies are big fat cookies. two years but previously was occupied by a They’re delicious.” sub shop and another food business. He said Before it was Maddie’s Cookies & Cream, he’s looking forward to Maddie’s Cookies & Cream moving next to his store. it was Bake My Day. The latter was her online business, but she traded it in for brickMaddie’s Cookies & Cream will offer over and-mortar adjacent to the south side of the 30 cookies, including added holiday options. Plus, Pape offers MOO-ville hand-dipped ice Citgo Gas Station on Gun Lake. cream with different flavors weekly. Jespreet Nannan and his father, Dave NanHours at Maddie’s Cookies and Cream are nan, owners ofthe Citgo Gas Station on Gun Lake, bought their business in 2015 and from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednes­ opened on July 4. Pape and her mother days, Thursdays, and Sundays and from noon approached Jespreet Nannan about a vacant to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and closed space attached to his gas station in mid­ on Mondays. Customers can also search for the shop on March. Facebook. When they proposed their idea of Mad“I plan to stay open all year round,” Pape die’s Cookies & Cream, Jespreet could not said. “I’m hoping maybe to do coffee in die refuse. winter- still not for sure on that idea, but I’d “No store is going to complain about bak­ love to do it.” ing smells in their store. That’s never going to Program Assistant RED ROSE, continued from page 1 involvement, including some of his misad­ ventures during his teenage years. “Brad, I want you to know that I talked to Judge (Michael) Schipper over the weekend with some questions about your past, and he assured me that the information I have is OK to talk about because the events are protect­ ed by the statute of limitations,” Jacobs joked. Johnson served on the Pennock Hospital Board from 2007 to 2018, with stints as trea­ surer and board chair during his time. John­ son was on the board during a critical time in healthcare and helped navigate the hospital through big changes when the Affordable Care Act was implemented. “Brad is known around the hospital for his unique leadership gifts and strong finance acumen and the ability to cultivate relation­ ships with board members, staff and physi­ cians. He made sure projects and initiatives were well organized and necessary. He was always digging into the details, yet main­ tained a sense ofhumor that led everyone to higher performance levels,” said Jacobs. /' Johnson was grateful for the honor, repeat­ edly saying how shocked he was to receive it. “Oh my goodness, this is amazing. It’s an The inside of Maddie’s Cookies & Cream, which will open for the first time on Saturday at 11937 Marsh Road by Gun Lake. The Barry Community Foundation is in search of a highly motivated and organized individual with a desire to learn. The Program Assistant position is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities. Pay range $15 - $17 depending on skill level. The desired candidate also has: • Ability to work effectively and independently within their work area. • Must have ability to work with MS Office Software programs with emphasis on word, database management, and related software programs. • Ability to organize events and activities. • An established reputation of honesty and integrity. • Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. • Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced changing environment. • Dedication to community service and improvement. Please scan the QR code below and complete the application by July 10,2023, to: Brad Johnson (right) receives a bouquet of red roses from Carl Schoessel (left). honor and certainly I’m not worthy of this,” said Jphnson. Johnson credited the work of others in the community for his honor. “I’m standing on the shoulders of giants before me,” said Johnson upon receiving his plaque and bouquet of roses. “I think that’s how I’ve gotten to be able to give back to the community all these years and many years to come.” SCAN TO APPLY 202058 �Did you inion SCC For one day we should celebrate as Americans Pour one out By the scent in the air on Wednesday morning, on.e might have thought that the City of Hastings was attempting to set a Guinness World Record for pouring the largest cocktail ever. Instead, it was. a one-vehicle accident that I, occurred at the intersection of West Green and South Broadway Streets. A truck tipped over on its side turning east onto West Green. Witnesses and first responders on the scene said that no other motorists or passen­ gers were involved i In the accident and that the driver escaped with only minor injuries. However, the truck’s cargo, which consist consist-­ ed of bottles of wine and liquor, didn’t fare as well. Crews spent part of the morning unloading boxes and bottles of beverage. (Photo and reporting by Jayson Bussa) Do you b remember? aiedmerr bispd ispd ev& '■oiigiaqo to tnebge ique cfh BBnn - to rnortod oritjl/iw iw fft <1 ■ -»'uov bnc mo ^lq< Communities unite to memorialize lost youths nitorr’02 lenad Banner May 30,1991 W h. W. 4i;>. Over 80 businessmen and women, public officials, residents and other volunteers set aside their/usual daily tasks to lend their skills and physical labor to a mammoth project, the construction of a $50,000 playground superstructure in Lake Odessa starting May 29. Swifty’s PLACE is expected to be completed Sunday, ending with a ribbon-cuttirig ceremony at 5 p.m. The playground is an effort to commemorate Lake Odessa area children who have died, whether to car accidents, diseases, fires or other causes. Here, Lake Odessa Village President Dr. Steve Gariinger, right, helps cut and sand some of the 2,556 piec­ es of lumber involved. Also included will be 1,408 feet of utility poles, 230 linear feet of treated timber, 210 tons of stones, 78 tires, 550 pounds of nails, 30,000 deck screws, 120 gallons of sealer paint and more. When done, plaques bearing the names of lost children will be mounted in the structure, and a group will meet one day each year to reseal it. The village will maintain the structure, inspired by the late Thomas Adams Swift and spearheaded by his parents, Al and Linda. (Banner photo) Have you met? Abby Larabee has always had one goal in mind. She’s always known she wanted to work in a marketing role. Everything she’s done has been to get her closer to achieve that goal. “I’ve always known exactly what I want to do,” Larabee said. “It’s always just been years of getting experience, building more ofit and kind of narrowing (that idea) down a little bit because when you say ‘market­ ing,’ that can mean so many things.” As a Hastings High School student, Larabee participated in Business Professionals ofAmerica competitions, even making it to the national level. She dual enrolled in Kel­ logg Community College courses during her high school tenure before graduating in 2020, which put her on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas Col­ lege later this year. As ifgraduating in three-and-a-half years wasn’t tough enough to manage by itself, Larabee has done it all while working a variety of jobs and summer internships. She’s worked for Aquinas College, Catho­ lic Central High School and West Michigan Construction Institute. She even started her own marketing LLC, AEL Designs, to take on more projects after work hours. Although she stays busy through her day-job and contract work, she said she doesn’t mind. For her, business and market­ ing jobs are a fun hobby just as much as they are work. “There’s not a whole lot ofrelaxed time (for me),” Larabee laughed. “I really do stay super busy and I love it.” Of course, she’s also worked several positions at J-Ad Graphics over the years - a family business to Larabee by virtue of her grandfather and CEO, Fred Jacobs. Even though she’s family, she said that hasn’t given her any license to slack. She’s worked various positions at the company, first as a sales rep in Marshall and more recently doing design work in Hastings. “I knew I wanted to come back here because I do love working with my family,” she said. “There’s so many opportunities at a newspaper business.” Abby Larabee Larabee said J-Ad was the perfect place to explore her interests in business and mar­ keting because ofthe sheer variety ofroles involved in making a newspaper. While she enjoyed her time working sales for the company, she said she’s really found her niche as a designer for J-Ad. “I’ve definitely been thankful to be able to (work for a newspaper) because it’s gotten me a lot ofopportunities to realize, ‘Okay, I like marketing, but not that side of it,”’ she said. “I like more of the creative side of it. I’ve been able to kind oftest the waters and see what I like and what I don’t like.” Larabee, never content to kick back and take it easy, is starting a new full-time ven­ ture while she wraps up the last few credits ofher bachelor’s degree this summer. “I’ve always known exactly what I’ve wanted to do, and I’ve been really passion­ ate about it,” she said. “I’m so eager to start, get a full time job and just finally begin my professional career. I’m just so antsy to graduate.” Starting next week, she’ll be working as a public relations specialist for Hastings Area School System. There, she’ll manage the district’s social media, photograph and record video of school events, write and design district newsletters and more. Larabee said that although she’s stoked to start her first professional venture after graduating from college, she’s even more excited that she gets to work for a school district that has supported her in the past. “I have a lot to give back,” Larabee said. “They did so much for me throughout my four years there.” For her hard work and dedication as well as her commitment to her community, Abby Larabee is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite TV program: That’s for sure the show “Friends.” ,ik If I could go anywhere: I’d love to go out west. I’ve never been out west, Colora­ do, Utah. That’s definitely on my bucket list. A big accomplishment for me: My junior year, a few other people and I made it to nationals for BPA. We got to go to Anaheim, Calif, for a week and compete and go to seminars as a group. That was really cool. I got to go with a teacher that I love,.Bob Carl. He’s in charge of BPA and he’s like my favorite teacher ever at Hastings High School, so that was really fun. Favorite season: Summer. I’m totally a warm weather person. I always asked my parents “Why do we live in Michigan?” I hate winters, and 1 feel like that’s way too much ofthe year here. What motivates me: The future. I’m definitely goal oriented, so just knowing that there’s so many opportunities moti­ vates me. I know exactly what 1 want to do and I just want to get there. Favorite vacation destination: My fam­ ily always goes to New Smyrna Beach in Fla., so that would be my favorite. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-loving per­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@/-adgraphics.com. Amid all the screaming, conflicts and division we’ve been enduring, Ameri­ cans will celebrate with fireworks, bon­ fires, parades, picnics and, of course, some speeches on Tuesday. More important than all the Fourth of July fanfare, though, is that our holiday cele­ bration be as Americans — a people appreciative of the freedoms we have and not divided by the things that sepa­ rate us. “Ifthere is a single issue that divides the world today, it is independence,” said President John F. Kennedy, speak­ ing on July 4, 1962, from the site where our grand democracy began, Indepen­ dence Hall in Philadelphia. “The theory of independence is as old as man him­ self, and it was not invented in this hall. But it was in this hall that the theory became a practice; that the word went out to all, in Thomas Jefferson’s phrase, that ‘the God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.’” Kennedy went on to note the high price our liberty exacts from us and that, as a nation, as one people, we need to continually deter aggression, strive to achieve a world of law and free choice, and banish war and coercion. “Acting on our own, by ourselves, we cannot establish justice throughout the world,” said Kennedy on that July 4, 61 years ago. “We cannot insure its domes­ tic tranquility, or provide for its common defense, or promote is general welfare, or secure the blessings of liberty to our­ selves and our posterity.” But, Kennedy told his listeners, Amer­ ica is resolved. “Today this nation - conceived in revolution, nurtured in liberty, maturing in independence - has no intention of abdicating its leadership in that wbrtdwide movement for independence toany nation or society committee to systemat­ ic human oppression.” Kennedy was mindful of the history where he was standing that day in 1962 and was poignantly moved by the words ofAbraham Lincoln. “On George Washington’s birthday in 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln spoke in this same hall on his way to the Nation’s Capital,” Kennedy recalled. “He paid tribute to the men who wrote, who fought for, and who died for the liberty ‘of the people of this country that, in due time, the weights should be lifted from the shoulders ofall men, and that all should have an equal chance.*” In Kennedy’s speech, he praised the American democratic system with words that should never be forgotten, a system that “encourages differences and allows for dissent.” In another eloquent presidential address on July 4, 1986, Ronald Reagan reminded us that 56 men gathered in 1776 in Independence Hall to hammer out an agreement that would stand the test oftime. Their courage, said Reagan, created a nation built on a universal claim to human dignity and the proposi­ tion that every man, woman and child had a right to a future offreedom. Yet Reagan warned us that “the real obstacle to the hope ofAmerica comes from within” and marveled that our founding fathers were able to sit down in Philadelphia and hammer out a docu­ ment for independence. Once that was gained and a government was formed, though, partisan politics began to get in the way. And here we are now, nearly 250 years later, dealing with our biggest problem: The inability ofthe two parties to deal with some ofthe real issues that ‘ I face all ofus as Americans. Due to party politics, it’s become more about winning and losing rather than what’s in the best interest ofmost Americans. “Freedom is never more than one gen- » . eration away from extinction,” said Rea- > gan. “We didn’t pass it to our children in ®r a the bloodstream. It must be fought for, ' protected and handed on for them to do the same.” Reagan’s message was that we should be proud to be Americans. Whether we’re a Republican or a Democrat, we • must remember that we are Americans J first. Reagan spoke as an American, and, especially today, his words transcend party affiliation. “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but ‘ '» the right answer,” said Kennedy. “Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the hi*» future.” Many of today’s politicians look to the future with a fixation on what’s best for them rather than what’s best for most Americans and our future as a country. As Kennedy so aptly suggested, “Poli­ ’ tics is ajungle - tom between doing the J right thing and staying in office.” “America will never be destroyed • from the outside,” said Lincoln, yet * 1 another former president whose political party affiliation is detached from his wise words as an American leader. “If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will & 1 be because we destroyed ourselves.” Our nation was built on the ideas of freedom and the advantages of self-de1 termination, for which Americans have 1 been willing to fight. But in today’s America; we’re^bfteti1 drawing lines, creatirtg idivisions rather than focusing onn 31 1 what’s in the best interest ofAmerica. 1 For this nation of 350 million Americans, the Fourth of July holiday - or 1 Independence Day - celebrates our free­ doms and everything that makes our 1 country special. So as you fire up the grill, whip up some hamburgers and hot 1 dogs and a host ofsummer salads, take a few minutes to think about all the things we cherish, that we’ve fought for and that we so often take for granted. Sometime during the holiday weekj end, I’m sure you will hear Lee Green­ wood sing, “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m . ’ free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA.” It’s important to enjoy the holiday 1 with fun and family gatherings, but let’s not forget it’s a day to remember and celebrate how important freedom is for all Americans and for the memory of those willing to give their lives to guar­ antee it for all ofus. Forever. The Hastings BtUlIMBlT Devoted to the Interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News end press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Bany County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 f*/ */J 6'/ 6' '/ mJ MU rw fe X jus®?* -a aciEsifi MB ____ i&iikWHakria x-viJmamsra rxtvwt•• �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 29, 2023 — Page 5 Former state reps Callton, Sheltrown talk bipartisanship at local government forum fJSSKSS sSakkSS ^%W<N W<N *?? S*?& * 1 ’ At<S> ”**SkfcJ kfcJ^'k s^'k ^••SSw SS!wi 11 * »«S"bs-^4 SfeSW “e* h^iS^^*tWR» ^f“ a-hi^^tes , wwatytyi Mik-teib wwayy -e I I ^'-^rttlia tai incite totei arftehijnit^ ' IfctafeE'j&r dgnnzizjKb' ' I 1ML fctetecteteilteb tetetataateii ■ teoteitesiaki^ tatttteiiDfcta I j feteiGpfM1* - M«fc»kT jtaiZwwito’riJ WW’txfeaflgd* Lrlf’d*110^ 9* 0* ** * ^ ■*piiieto^ - *«*L^i* |T0 0? ^4? 9f 1* (d Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Two former Michigan state representatives met in Barry County last week to discuss politics. Former reps Mike Callton and Joel Shelttown attended the Government Accountabili Forum meeting last week Thursday, par­ ity ticipating in a wide-ranging discussion on bipartisanship,, abortion, gun rights, education and more. | Callton, a Republican state representative fifom 2011 to 2016, and Sheltrown, a Demo­ cratic state representative from 2005 to 2010, were joined by Brandon Strong, administrator for Barry County Christian School, and Jfcff Edwards, pastor at Augusta Bible Baptist dhurch. ■ Joel Ibbotson, founder of the Government Accountability Forum group, acted as the event’s host and directed questions to the four guests. Ibbotson said he started the group several years ago as a way to create a more effective dialogue between the public and public officials. I “The reason 1 started the forum, and we started back in 2018, was we were going to (tounty) commissioner meetings and school board meetings all the time. They get to ram­ ble on and on and on, and we got three min­ uses to talk,” Ibbotson said. “So this group is the place where we give them a chance to read their report, and then we get to grill them with questions.” I The discussion focused heavily on the state of bipartisanship in Lansing. Sheltrown said compromise and bipartisanship were key to Making things happen as a member ofeither party. However, he has noticed an increase in partisanship since his term. I “What I find right now is the partisanship is so strong,” Sheltrown said. “I lay that on the backs of the primary system that we have, where everybody’s worried about getting to the primaries, so they take very strong posi­ tions on one side or the other side and won’t compromise. I needed to get things done, and you cannot get things done unless you com­ promise.” I Callton echoed Sheltrown’s sentiments. He said it was aggravating to him that bipartisan­ ship was easiest to find on non-important treasures like symbolic resolutions, while it A^as much harder to work toward bipartisan solutions to the most impactful legislation. I “On really important issues, it’s really hard to get together because there’s often quite a hard philosophical divide,” Callton said. Callton said compromise is inevitable on S e most impactJui legislation, ftvenifBjparty Strange man just a dream From left to right, former Democratic state representative Joel Sheltrown, former Republican state representative Mike Callton and Barry County Christian School Administrator Brandon Strong discussed bipartisanship at the Government Accountability Forum last week. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Stolen truck located in Woodland Barry County Sheriff s Office deputies responded to a report of a stolen truck found in Woodland. Police arrived on the scene around 9:30 p.m. on June 11, where the truck was parked behind a building at 107 S. Main St. The caller told police he saw the vehicle, and it closely matched a photo posted on Facebook advising the truck had been stolen. Officers were able to confirm that it was the same truck that was reported as stolen. Police on the scene also noticed that the truck’s dashboard appeared to be burnt, and there was a large amount ofheavily charred papers on the dashboard. State Senator Thomas Albert gave a brief report on legislation moving through Lansing. Albert serves on the State Senate’s appropriations and labor com­ mittees. Callton closed out the discussion by per­ forming a rendition of the blues classic “Stormy Monday.” Sheltrown played keys and saxophone and provided vocals, while Callton played the harmonica. Even the “provisioning center” name result­ ed from compromise with pharmaceutical groups. Callton said the groups pledged their support of the bill only if it avoided specific words that were part of the pharmaceutical industry’s “proprietary lexicon,” like pharma­ cy, apothecary, prescription and prescribe. “To get really huge bills like this past, you have to meet with a lot of different groups,” Callton said. “There’s a lot ofgive and take. You can’t just be rigid and think you’re just going to bulldoze these people. They’ve been around a lot longer, and they have a lot of money behind them.” When asked what advice they would offer freshman legislators, Callton said they should ,try rto meet; in the,, middle andjayoid beingjOoapattisaiubfii k.? mon ' - abiw “Don?t marginalize yourself,” Callton said. “I’ve seen too often people come in, and they’re so extreme that leadership just pushes them to the side and maybe puts them on committees that don’t really matter that much.” Sheltrown said it was important for legis­ lators to come together not only while work- ing on bills but also when dealing with each other personally. He said being respectful on the House floor without engaging in politi­ cal or personal attacks was an important step to being able to work together more effectively. He also warned that; those personal jabs could drive away some legislators who might otherwise he great representatives. Sheltrown, who is a Vietnam vet and holds pro-life views, said he has been called a communist and had his Christian faith questioned because of his Democratic Party membership. “Frankly, those kinds of things chase out the best people,” Sheltrown said. “Not that I’m the best, but theyjphase a lot of other pleople out, and you’re left with the bottom of Tim Berlin,, assistant superintendent p of operations, p ,ggave board members a projec-1 uox zee ■| ticvixifthe 2O2Br^4fdlstri6^budget.f|Mo0^|,Hifilfer McL3f€frJ? t|e barrel sometimes.” pushing the legislation holds a majority. A He encouraged any members ofthe public an example, he cited his experience working who might feel disillusioned with the current to pass a bill creating and regulating “provi­ state ofpolitics to show Up to the ballot box. sioning center” medical marijuana dispensa­ “I would just say make sure* you vote. I ries. He said the final bill resulted from don’t care who you vote:for, make sure you $4.4 million. Hunter McLaren Working with interest groups representing vote/’ Sheltrown said. “It’s a great system. It StaffWriter “That is a pretty tight budget we have right police, pharmaceutical and medical industries works. No one else in the-world has really got Hastings Area School System approved its now,” Berlin said. and the Michigan Chamber ofCommerce. one like ours.” 2023-2024 budget this week. The school’s operating millage will be A budget hearing and the budget were holding steady at 17.7953 with no decrease approved at Monday’s school board meeting. due to a Headlee rollback. The Headlee Amendment to the Michigan State Constitu­ Tim Berlin, assistant superintendent of oper­ ations, presented information about the tion requires non-homestead operating mill­ upcoming fiscal year budget to board mem­ age rates be reduced in any year property values increase at a higher rate than inflation. bers. Although the state’s budget, including “The last couple years, we have been appropriations for education, won’t be final­ rolled back by Headlee; this year, we are ized until much later in the year, the district is not,” Berlin said. “Inflation is obviously out­ Jayson Bussa required by law to approve a budget before pacing just about everything this year.” Editor July 1. Because the state’s budget is not final­ While the district can levy up to 18 mills, Wildfire smoke made its way from Canada ized until the fall, it can be hard to predict any increases in the operating millage rate to Michigan this week, causing concern over how much per-pupil state aid funding each must be voter-approved. A proposal to air quality. increase the millage rate to 18 was voted district will receive. Because of this, public i As wildfires continue to rage in Canada, down at the ballot box in November. school district budgets typically undergo sev­ smoke has wafted into parts of the United eral amendments throughout the year. Berlin highlighted increased costs due to States for the last few weeks. Berlin told board members he created the inflation as a potential point of concern for ■ A couple ofweeks ago, that smoke created budget using a middle-of-the-road estimate the budget going forward. He also pointed captivating sites in large east coast cities like out that the school’s sinking fund is set to based on the current budget proposals in the New York City, which were shrouded in a expire in two years and would require another state legislature. Berlin projected $9,608 in smokey haze. This week, the smoke invaded sinking fund proposal be passed by voters to per-pupil aid, a $458 increase from last year. a large swath of Michigan and other Mid­ maintain the fund. Berlin said the fund has The bump would result in an extra $1.14 mil­ western states. In fact, the Grand Rapids and been especially helpful for bolstering the dis­ lion in state funds allocated to the district. Detroit areas featured some ofthe poorest air The sun begins to set over a cornfield in Bowne Township on Tuesday evening trict’s finances. Because many federal funds would be quality ofanywhere in the United States. through a haze of smoke caused by wildfires in Canada. The smoke has hampered Board members utilized the sinking fund to decreasing by about $1 million, the school’s • Both Tuesday and Wednesday brought a pay for a $1 million roof replacement project, local air quality, prompting concerns over health risks. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) budget would only come out slightly ahead, persistent presence of smoke that looked which they voted on last year. Luke Hay­ Berlin said. Many grants utilizing ESSER like fog. - Stay inside. wood, board president, said the district was COVID-relief funds expire, in 2023, leading quality. J The Michigan Department of Environ­ - Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not planning on bringing another sinking fund to the major dip in federal funding. - Do not add to indoor air pollution. Do not ment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) issued have an air conditioner and it is too warm to proposal to the ballot in 2024. “It almost canceled each other out; we bum Candles or use gas, propane, wood-burn­ an air quality alert for the entire state on stay inside with the windows closed. If you “(The sinking fund has) been a huge bless­ came out a little bit ahead,” Berlin said. ing stoves, fireplaces or aerosol sprays. Do Tuesday, warning that the air quality could be don’t know where to go, you can text or call ing for the district,” Berlin said. “This is now The projected budget put the district’s gen­ not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products unhealthy .for both sensitive groups and 211 to find out ifthere is a shelter or cooling the eighth year, we have two more years of eral fund at $32.1 million, just $26,000 ahead or vacuum; everyone, in general. center nearby. the ten-year millage, and I have to. say it’s of the projected expenses. The extra revenue - Have a supply of N95-style masks and ■ Ajoint announcement made by EGLE and - Use air filters to improve indoor air truly been a blessing to this district.” would put the school’s general fund at about learn how to use them. the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - and echoed by the Bar­ ry-Eaton District Health Department - stated the following: „ Havea 11 BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION , “Anyone can get sick from exposure to wildfire smoke but some people are more sensitive to particle pollution. Older adults Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road ,or aged 65 and older, pregnant people, children Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI and people with lung and heart conditions 49058, until 11 A.M. July 12,2023 for the following items. J may be more likely to get sick if they breathe iij_ wildfire smoke. Symptoms from breathing in particle pollution from wildfire smoke Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road can include wheezing, coughing and short­ Commission Office at the above address or at our web site at www.barrycrc. ness of breath. If you have asthma, follow org. eadline for ADS: Monday, July 3rd at noon your asthma control action plan or contact Agricultural Lease Deadline for NEWS: Monday, July 3rd at noon your health care provider ifyou have symptoms. Ifyou . have heart disease and experi­ Deadline for CLASSIFIEDS: Monday, July 3rd at 2pm The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive ence these symptoms, contact your health irregularities in the best interest of the Commission. care provider. The most protective option vjhen air is unhealthy for you is to stay indoors with air conditioning, reduce strenu­ BOARD OF COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS Papers will be on the ous, activities and limit outdoor activities. If OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY J1 news stands Thursday, ybu have to be outside, N95 masks offer David D, Solmes Chairman enhanced protection when used according to July 6th Frank M. Fiala Member product instructions.” 1 The two entities provided some safety tips Jim James Member 201641 to .stay healthy when air quality is low. < |> eni Hastings school board approves budget Health concerns rise as air quality in Barry County, state plummets due to Canadian wildfires NOTICE TO BIDDERS •*, A 96-year-old Battle Creek man called police around 10 p.m. on June 14 to report a man who “wasn’t dressed for the weather” walking outside his home on the 600 block of East Shore Drive. The concerned citizen told police he was worried the man might freeze to death ifnothing was done for him. When police arrived on the scene and made contact with the 96-year-old, he told police he had fallen asleep earlier in the evening, and he awoke to find the strange man walking around the neighborhood. The 96-year-old then told police that after he called Barry County Central Dispatch, he did some further thinking about the situation. That’s when he realized he might have been dreaming, as the weather conditions outside did not match what he remembered the man to be walking through. He told police he had dreamed ofother situations in the past and that this may have been another one ofthose situations. |Early Holiday Deadline The Hastings Banner 10 ||JW 0 BTalltTJyS The s f nestings Denner i �w Page 6 — Thursday, June 29, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hastings native Gretchen James takes helm of Middleville DDA Greg Chandler Gretchen James has hit in her first few weeks ass Midd evi Downtown Development Authority • Neal LaRoy Dingman “I’ve been all around town.. ve me ofthee businesses o usnesses an and ^usjness/>wne[^_w usness wne _w , „ the sales part ofhis career the best because of ducing myself and letting them there , all the people he met and helped get into a t ’s anything the DDA can doo James said last week at her h first 3 decent car and had many repeat customers. meeting since taking the position, a en Neal was raised on a dairy farm in Nash­ my first staffmeeting (and am) very 8ra e ville, and was a life-long farmer producing for all the people in the office an, crops, raising cattle, and horses on his farms knowledge they’ve shared with me. in Hastings and in Nashville. He raced stanJames is the third person to fill the; DDA dardbred harness horses in the Michigan fair director role in Middleville this year- a. eJ‘,ne circuit for over 30 years and served on the Bussard stepped down from the position in an Barry County Fair Board. He was also a uary after nearly two years on thejob. Erm y e member ofthe Michigan Hamess Horsemen was hired to replace Bussard on Marc Association resigned three weeks later for personal reasons. Neal was preceded in death by his parents, James had previously been with the Barry Howard and Unah Dingman and wife Annetta Community Foundation, first as an intern and Dingman. then more recently as a foundation employee He is survived by his daughters Diana (Michael) Karpinski of Michigan City, IN, working in marketing. A native ofHastings and 2019 graduate of Gail (Mark) Horsefield of Hastings; grand­ Hastings High School, James earned her children, Tyler Eaton and Allison Eaton both bachelor’s degree in anthropology and public of Hastings, Erik Karpinski and Kyle and nonprofit administration from Grand ValKarpinski both of Michigan City, IN; lley State University this spring. She was Neal LaRoy Dingman, age 86, passed great-grandchildren Mia Eaton of Hastings hired for the opening at a special DDA board away peacefully surrounded by family at and Donovan Karpinski of Michigan City, meeting on May 26 on a 5-0 vote. Her Woodlawn Meadows in Hastings, MI on June IN, special daughter Teresa (Bruce) Coenen appointment was recommended by a 23, 2023. ofHastings; siblings Loren (Margaret) Ding­ Neal was bom on August 19, 1936, in man ofHastings, Roger (Bonnie) Dingman of three-member interview committee that con­ Hastings, the son of Howard and Unah (Stew­ Nashville, and Lois Dingman-Browne of sisted ofboard members Justine King, Kris­ ten Fisher and Renee Smith. Village Manager art) Dingman. He was a 1954 graduate of Evart; 13 nieces and nephews, many great Nashville High School. On June 12, 1960, and great-great nieces and nephews. Neal married Annetta Marie Stamm, and Per Neal’s wishes there will not be a sep­ enjoyed 53 years together until her passing in arate visitation. The service and lunch will be August of 2013. Neal proudly served his Casual Farmer Friendly just like Neal and country in the National Guard and Reserves. will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11 After high school, Neal became an auto­ a.m. at Two-Hearts Bam, 463 N Charlton motive mechanic for Reahms Motor Sales in Park Road, Hastings, MI 49058. Hastings. In 1986 he went to work for the Memorial contributions can be made to Frantz dealership in Hastings and was there Hastings FFA Alumni, 799 Durkee Rd, Hast­ Robin Erb until he retired from the same location under ings MI 49058. Bridge Michigan Tens of thousands ofMichiganders will get the Seif Chevrolet name in 2007. He started Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. as a mechanic, then moved to service manag­ To leave an online condolence visit www. at least one more month ofhealth care cover­ er, and was in sales when he retired. He loved girrbaclifuneralhome.net. age through the state’s safety-net insurance, Medicaid, and more than 62,000 others have been “passively” enrolled by the state meaning they haven’t had to file specific paperwork to stay enrolled. _____________ Ft Tel.(269)-945-3252 Butjust how many people will lose cover­ FUNERAL HOME Fax(269)-945-0663 age in the coming weeks as the state reviews 328 S. Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 eligibility for each beneficiary is still unclear. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reviewing eligibility requirements now^f2.17,000 people current> Dale Billingsley and Bay-Girrbach.. redjdiid. ltss’the first bateh of ' ' - Providing Exceptional Service’ • the more than 3• mfillfionp people whose quailli-with Compassion and Care fications will/be reevaluated from now through May 2624. \ Anecdotally, staffat local MDHHS offices are answering questions from current benefi­ ciaries responding to the state’s request for income arid other information that will help determine their continued eligibility, said Meghan Groen, who heads the state’s Medic­ aid program. That means, she said, that the state’s efforts to reach those beneficiaries by mail, email, text and social media are working to an extent. “Our local offices; are hearing from people (and) we are able to help people through that process” ofreenrollment, Groen said. “That’s something we’re really feeling good about.” HASTINGS FREE Since 2020, a special COVID-era rule has ST. ROSE OF LIMA WOODGROVE allowed people to st^y on Michigan’s Medic­ METHODIST CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH BRETHREN aid programs, including the MI Child and "We Exist To Be An CHRISTIAN PARISH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ Healthy Michigan Plan, without proof that Expression Of Who Jesus Is 4246 Pastor Father Stephan 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ they’re eligible. To The World Around Us". Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. chair accessible and elevator. The Families First Coronavirus Response 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Act, offered a 6.5 percent increase in match­ 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ Sunday. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. ing funds to states that agreed to stop bump­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ Youth activities: call for ing people out of Medicaid coverage for the gmail.com. Website: www, HASTINGS information. duration ofthe public health emergency. For hastingsfreemethodist.com. BAPTIST CHURCH more than two years, that action essentially Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. LIFEGATE halted the chum ofpeople in and out ofMed­ Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. COMMUNITY CHURCH icaid programs and that kept enrollment fairly Director, Martha Stoetzel. 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. stable over time. Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday School for all ages; Those 775,000 additional beneficiaries Scott Price. Phone: 269-948 ­ 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; expanded the programs to cover more than 3 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. Nursery. Aftermath Student Senior High Youth Group 6-8 million Michiganders, the largest enrollment com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. ever, at a cost of more than $50 million a Wednesday Life Group 6:30 Wednesday, Family Night month, according to a December analysis by p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth the Michigan House Fiscal Agency. CHURCH OF DELTON But some ofthose beneficiaries are no lon­ (Children Kindergarten-5th PLEASANTVIEW 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, ger eligible for Medicaid because their Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle FAMILY CHURCH income or family size has changed or a new (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ School Youth Group; 6:30 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, employer now offers: health coverage. 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Now the clock is winding down, and bene­ Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 Roger Claypool, (517) 204Call Church Office 948-8004 ficiaries must prove they’re still eligible. But church phone. Sunday 9390. Sunday Worship Service for information. in one recent survey, six in 10 adults on Med­ Service: 10 a.m. 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and icaid didn’t realize they faced such a dead­ Children’s Ministry. Wednesday CHRIST THE KING line. Those who lose coverage could face EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL PRESBYTERIAN Craig Stolsonburg and Village Clerk Rhonda Van Polen also sat in on the second interview. “I was very excited at both of her interviews,” King said. “I’m excited to see what she does for the village. I’m excited for her background, being fresh out ofschool. I think it’s going to bring a fresh energy around here that we really need..” Thornapple Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer, who represents the township on the DDA board, said he has been impressed with James so far. I think that the interview committee made a very wise choice,” Schaefer said. James is the niece ofDDA board chairwom­ an Kim Jachim. Jachim did not participate in the interviews and asked to be recused from the May 26 vote to hire James because ofher family relationship. The request was approved by the remaining board members on a 5-0 vote. James has future meetings planned with Travis Alden ofThe Right Place, the Grand Rapids-based economic development organization, and Eric Longman of the North Country Trail to discuss economic development ideas. In other business, on Tuesday, the DDA board approved an extension ofthe Market on Main for an additional two Fridays and possibly a third in September, weather permitting, and the Sesquicentennial Pavilion is available. DDA member Joe Mancini, who serves as the master ofthe market, voiced support for the extension. “Come September, we’re going to have rM s&XWb rs fw fcr Wir w s s rJr\^ Gretchen James, the new Downtown Development Authority director for the village of Middleville. James attended her first DDA meeting last week. w Jt *»1X more vegetables,” Mancini said. Current vendors “wouldn’t have to pay an additional charge, and then any new vendors would have to pay the traditional $25 rate for a booth during one of those days,” James said. Thousands on Michigan Medicaid will keep coverage for at least another month Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. * CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Produet. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 desk, making sure each patient has filed their most up-to-date paperwork with the state. ( “For the vast majority, it’s just paperwork (that they need to file) rather than they’re g rpedicaid.gt ineligible,” Valbuena said. Already, at least 1.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia had been disenrolled as ofMonday, according to KFF, jplng America Heallhy a San Francisco based health care research nonprofit tracking states’ efforts to review Resourc * Federal Policy Guidance eligibility. KFF noted that states varied on how “aggressively” they disenrolled beneficiaries, surprise bills the next time they go in for a based on an analysis of“procedural disenrollments” in-about two dozen states. check-up, try to fill a prescription or go to an |emergeiicy room. SiipK diseijrdllments .can happen because ’ Medicaid is”‘‘mostly paid for by" federal* the state has'“out(iate’d contact information or because the enrollee does not understand taxes, however. And the special federal rule that halted the regular chum in Medicaid pro­ or otherwise does not complete renewal packets within a specific timeframe,” grams ended earlier this year, meaning states were forced to restart the regular process of according to KFF. Ofthe people disenrolled in South Caroli­ eligibility checks, which in turn, would pare back their Medicaid enrollment. na, for example, 95 percent were procedural That process began In March. Some states disenrollments; while in Alaska, 15 percent decided to do a more speedy review; Michi­ were due to procedurally disenrolled. gan and at least 32 other states will take a full It’s not yet clearjust how many Michigan­ year. In March, it sent out its first batch of ders stand to lose coverage. letters covering more than 217,000 beneficia­ The state doesn’t have data yet on how ries, alerting the beneficiaries that their cov­ many people have turned in eligibility paper­ erage would end if they didn’t complete work, according to Groen. And now file extra paperwork to show they’re still eligible. month in Michigan offers a bit ofcushion for MDHHS staffwere able to enroll just over beneficiaries who might be caught off guard 62,000 of those beneficiaries, meaning the by the changes. “I want people in that first month to have state could verify their qualifications through the same awareness and knowledge ofwhat other data sources, Bob Wheaton, a depart­ (paperwork) they need to return as anybody ment spokesman told Bridge in an email. else going through that process,” Groen said. Then earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services relaxed But delaying the deadline also comes at a still unknown cost — likely tens ofmillions of some ofthe rules for disenrollment, including dollars that cover residents no longer eligible, allowing states to take extra time to match given the House Fiscal Agency estimate from beneficiaries with other data sources, such as December. the income information supplied through the “You are spending money that could be federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance spent in other ways - in a school, on roads, or Program and Temporary Assistance for in small businesses,” said Josh Archambault, Needy Families programs (SNAP and TANF). The delay also gives local health clinics a visiting fellow with the Mackinac Center and health care advocates time to nudge ben­ for Public Policy. Archambault has written that spending money on people no longer eficiaries to file paperwork to keep their Medicaid. eligible for Medicaid has gone “unchecked Meanwhile, staff at local health centers, for three years.” hospitals and others are stepping up efforts to Those funds - actually the money spent to keep people on Medicaid month to month make sure enrollees - some of whom might be homeless, have moved addresses, or may “line the pockets” of insurers that provide not be able to understand the state’s notifica­ managed-care Medicaid coverage, he told tion letters - don’t lose coverage because of Bridge Monday. The state, after all, continues paperwork snafus. to make regular payments for those beneficia­ About a half-dozen people each day request ries, even if they’re no longer eligible for help from the staff at the Community Health coverage because they’ve got a higher-paying and Social Services Center, CHASS, in job, have obtained employer-sponsored insur­ southwest Detroit, said CEO Dr. Felix Val­ ance, or moved out of state, for example. buena. “Every delay is lining the pockets ofa man­ There, stafftrained in the Medicaid enroll­ aged care company,” he said. “I’m not saying ment process now rotate next to the reception that’s their motive, but that’s the reality.” Z»«*’ edicaid.gov How SSA serves people who have limited English proficiency Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist At the Social Security Administration, we strive to deliver great customer service and helpful information to everyone. That includes improving access for underserved communities. We aim to reduce language barriers and increase access to Social Securi­ ty programs, services and benefits. If you’re assisting a client with limited English profi­ ciency (LEP), know that we have the resourc­ es available to help them in their preferred language. What resources are available? We encourage you to learn about the resources that are available to serve LEP communities. We provide benefit information online in Spanish - including Retirement, „<• «#• Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) -at SeguroSocial.gov. Our free interpreter services are avail­ able, by telephone and in person, in more than 200 languages, to your clients who prefer to conduct business in a language other than English. These services are accessible by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting a local office and asking for an interpreter in their pre­ ferred language. Ifyour clients need information about our programs, we offer publications in languages other than English. Please check out our non-English publications and other resources available in more than 12 languages at ssa. gov/multilanguage. These include: • A sample Social Security Statement and 10 supplemental fact sheets. • Social Security Number for Non-Citi­ zens. • Understanding the Benefits. Our Language Access Plan increases access to benefits and services for people who prefer a language other than English. For more information, we encourage your clients to review the updated plan at ssa.gov/pubs/ LAP2022-23.pdf. Diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. We want to ensure an inclusive) environment for everyone we serve. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special* istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. 1 52 IKIMW" niiirtfti ■Mt*1 Ng *gg| a ». , ?b***l S®&Ssi SSS vaS $$$; w$ ; k£ k£K I I �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 29, 2023 — Page 7 The legend of ‘Old Sam Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner Oct. 8, 1992 During the early days ofthe settling of Barry County, tluire was a legend aboutt a nilk-white stag.j He was called "Old Sam " and was seen ibout the Pine Lake areafrom time to time. In he Barnett scrapbooks there is an article fated May Ity, 1943, takenfrom the Grand Rapids Press! about another sighting of "Old faw" J It is ap'follows: “Hastings - Has ‘Old Sam,’ the milk-white jhantqlrn stag ofPine Lake returned to Barry Sounfty haunts? I “Conservation Officer George Sumner, statifoned at Hastings, does not believe deer boin for spirit-materialization but admits that ■ flesh and blood albino buck may have wan­ dered down from Kent County or other north­ ern wilds. “On Tuesday morning, two residents ofthe .westernparto estern part ofBarry arry County ountywere were driving rvngto to [their work in Middleville when they passed a (smoldering swamp grass fire near Yankee Springs Park and saw what appeared to be a (white deer dash out ofthe rolling smoke and ( [leap into a nearby thicket. It was a fleeting glimpse, partially obscured by white smoke, .but they were sufficiently impressed to tell of the t incident, and at once the ancient legend of the Pine Lake phantom stag was resurrected, dusted offand is now going the rounds. “Officer Sumner further shatters any y probability that it was the spook of ‘Old Sam; by pointing out that there were no huge ‘ghostly hounds’ baying at the heels ofthe animal and moreover, no ‘golden antlers.’ “The milk-white stag of Pine Lake was originally identified in a nebulous, historical manner, as an albino buck kept as a pet by one Reuben Short, who became a hermit on Beech Island in Pine Lake. “Short was a veteran of the War of 1812 and was reported to have a quantity of gold obtained from British ships, (which) he helped sink during that war. Apparently hav­ ing little use for the commodity in the unsetunset­ tled wilderness ofBarry County and (as) the government had not yet provided its Fort Knox repository for the material used to fill teeth, Short is alleged to have plated the horns ofhis pet stag with the precious metal, hammered to a gold-leafthinness. The Indians believed the ‘white stag* to be an evil spirit and when Short died in 1843, they set their dogs on the animal and killed it. ‘ Every seven years thereafter, the ghost of Old Sam,’ as he was called, returned to cause whateverr repentance he could among the Indians, dashing in a disconcerting manner through their teepees or whatever one dashes through when disconcerting Indians and always (was) pursued by the ‘great, ghostly hounds.’ The Phantom Stag never bothered the pioneer settlers. “His last ‘official’ appearance with his hounds and his gold horns in his ‘haunt’ act g. was in August 1902. Indians had become mighty scarce in these parts and a horse and :• lari mw: Semite- «rtetynH}Mf srimliMHiriiil fimjfliijfibF* ; othltaL nmrifrW MiIkco^ flffarwwM’Jlbfc Ik sis tel teHrt Bi iiffltfrwfrwdtta* TZifcnriy cnriy ^■W*wlW* tes> A map of Prairieville Township, where the ghost of “Old Sam” was reported to be. • > Mg Ji -^v? bgr &■ Doctor Universe S , jF*** V^'2 Disease across the Seven Seas ** fi atp***( 0» * ** f b* !p>** :£■<> W s^W s <*£(/ !> nF t* /,y., y ,Z4 * W* 4vTZfV 4$5& TURNING BflGK THE PAGES George A. Sumner buggy age was doing a very busy lake resort business at a well-patronized summer hotel (Shelp’s Resort) near a small bayou in Pine Lake, west ofBeech Island. “The Kaffir Boys Choir was enjoying a weekend stay at the resort following a concert ih Kalamazoo and ‘Old Sam,’ confused by their dusky complexions and believing that they must be Indians and being anxious to live up to his reputation, which had been plentifiilly retold to the group of boys, sud­ denly, it is reported to have appeared ‘baying hounds, gold antlers’ and all to two of the Kaffir boys who were fishing in the bayou. “Their excited calls brought the rest ofthe choir and a few of the other resorters, who arrived in time to hear a remote splashing as ‘Old Sam’ vanished. It gave the Chicago cho­ risters quite a thrill. “Charles Crawford jpf Orangeville, who died three years ago (1940), had the secret of the 1902 appearance. He was one ofthe old­ est settlers at the time of his death and an ardent hunter and sportsman. In 1902 he had been aware that an albino doe was in the county. “When he heard ofthe choir boys’ experi­ ence, he knew (that) his quarry had been playing spook for ‘Old Sam.’ “‘I knew that ghosts don’t go splashing around, but seeing a white deer is surprising enough and wisps of evening fog can easily be mistaken for (ghostly) baying hounds or almost anything else.’Crawford would tell his listeners at the little grocery store in Oran­ geville. . ru'nric|> Holte OdeMa Elaine Garlock Work is progressing on the site ofthe new Habitat house on N. Fourth Avenue. Power equipment is being used. One day last week, a lady volunteer was at work using the big scoop to move sand. Another lady was using a shov­ el. There is obviously a mix of workers, not just men. Early this week, the piles ofsand had been distributed around the site, filling all the space between the foundation walls. The lampposts have been switched, in advance of file parade, to be adorned with summer banners. The veteran banners have been removed to be used again at future com­ memoration dates. Sebewa resident George Carpenter had a pleasant surprise on Sunday when he was greeted at church by a former farmer friend from Manchester who had driven to Lake Odessa to attend church services with George and his daughter. The visitor is currently a swine farmer whereas years ago George raised rabbits, among others. The visitor had recently attended the annual conference of the United Methodist Church in Michigan held in Traverse City and had a chaiice^cpnv^rsation -with CentraLChurch’s representa­ me albino and found fracps of blood as it fled tive Recognizing^ filename of their local into the scrub oaks, out he, never found the church, he inquired if she knew any people deer and does not feel that he killed it. He named Carpenter. This conversation led to his always held the theory that it escaped to some impulsive urge to visit his old friend and less populated part ofMichigan. attend another church as a visitor all in one “The ‘golden antlers’ phase of the ‘Old fell swoop. The Carpenters and guest then Sam’ legend always brought a good-natured enjoyed sharing a meal together. chuckle from Crawford in his role of Every summer we can look forward to the spook-debunker. floral display provided by Jerry’s Tire along “‘Rube Short must have been mighty care­ less with his gold,’ he would say. ‘Anybody knows that a buck sheds his antlers once a year.’ “Conservation officer Sumner says that if an albino deer is in Barry County, more reports will be coming in during the summer. He definitely discourages the plans of any who intend to devote the summer months to Friday, June 30 - Fun Fridays in the Play ‘prospecting’ for gold hat racks.” Space: Dirt + Water = Fun!, 10 a.m.-noon. (George Sumner was conservation officer July 1-31- July Storywalk Book: in Barry Countyfrom 1928 until his retire­ “Beyond the Pond” by Joseph Kuefler. The ment in 1953.) Storywalk is free and self-guided. Tuesday, July 4 - No Family Left Indoors: Chalk Your Walk, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Be inspired by the Hastings City Band pirates lived very close together. “Ships were very crowded spaces,” Hat­ ter said. “Sailors aboard a ship would have only about 12 to 18 inches of space. They would sleep in hammocks right next to each other. So, if somebody got sick, it could spread very quickly.” Gangrene Sometimes pirates suffered battle inju­ ries. But they could also get hurt in acci­ Thursday, June 29 - Movie Memories & dents-like falling from the sail riggings on Milestones watches a 1947 film about Sintheir boats. They didn’t have great options bad the Sailor starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. for medical care on the ship. and Maureen O’Hara, 4:30 p.m. “They wouldn’t really have known how Friday, June 30 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 to treat a wound,” Hatter said. “Other than if there’s any evidence ofgangrene, youjust a.m. Monday, July 3 - Library closed. have to keep cutting.” You heard that right. Badly injured pirates needed surgery. There were no antibiotics, painkillers or clean operating rooms. Some­ times the surgeon was the ship’s cook or carpenter. Infection-like gangrene-was a problem. It’s not all bad news, though. Hatter told me pirates may have been better off than Temporary other sailors. “Part ofthe reason sailors joined a pirate ship was for better working conditions,” he said. “They were more democratic and less authoritarian. The pirate captain worked largely through consensus. So, pirates might have suffered less disease than nor­ mal sailors because their conditions and food were better.” Maybe that was the real pirate’s booty. Jordan Lake Avenue from Second Street south to the railroad tracks. The central por­ tion ofthe strip on the east side ofthe high­ way is filled with lilies of an orange hue. Both sides are lined with marigolds. The lil­ ies are perennial but the marigolds have to be planted anew each year. Thank you, Jerry’s Tire, for providing the railroad crew and also the hundreds of motorists who travel this county road/village street every day a beauti­ ful view. This likely numbers in the thou­ sands over the summer. Perusal ofthe fair book shows some chang­ es from years past. There are still listings ofa dairy show, a livestock show and a horse show but no mention of canning exhibits, sewing, handicrafts or artwork. Obviously, tastes change over the years. In years past, there was a lady’s day show which featured quilts. This year’s event included some inter­ esting additions such as children’s eye screen­ ings, youth volleyball, a classic car show, children’s pedal pulls, children’s games and a comhole tourney. Old favorites which returned are the demolition derby on the final night and truck and tractor pulls. Another returning feature. was> thej^bees..bam^Some exhibits lost otfriwhen the^state chostmot to provide funds for blue ribbon items. Also, the state stopped providing funds for harness races. Agriculture lost out to the automobile as the decades rolled around. With fewer fanners cultivating more acres than their grandfathers ever imagined, the emphasis shifted. Now, we see fields that are far larger than entire farms were a century ago. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for June 30-July 6 ■n'peqkiRiteiW TX »*» w »l T fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner What diseases spread on pirate ships? Anika, 9, Ga. Dear Anika, A pirate’s life was dangerous. They attacked other ships and battled other pirates as well as the law. But they were also at the mercy ofanother foe: sickness. I talked about this with my friend Law­ rence Hatter. He’s a history professor at Washington State University. He told me the big era for pirates was 1710 to 1730. It was a time when many sailors were out of work, so some became pirates. Here are four kinds ofdisease they might face on the job: scurvy, mosquito-borne diseases, infectious disease's and gangrene. Scurvy “Scurvy was probably the major killer of sailors at the time,” Hatter said. “It’s a vita­ min C deficiency.” Most people get enough vitamin C by eating fruits and vegetables. It helps heal wounds. People with scurvy get too little vitamin C for a long time. In pirate lingo, “scurvy” - as in “ye scur­ vy dog” - means disgusting. That’s because the worst symptoms were terrible. People with untreated scurvy can’t heal their wounds. Even worse, very old wounds can open back up. Diseases from mosquitoes Many pirates sailed in tropical places. They encountered diseases like yellow fever and malaria. Those sicknesses don’t pass from person to person. They spread by mos­ quito bites. That’s why mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth. But people wouldn’t figure that out for nearly 200 more years. Pirates probably thought they got sick after eating bad food or breathing bad air. Infectious Diseases-like dysentery, tuberculosis and food sickness Today, we know all about germs. We take antibiotics to fight bacteria. We take medicine to help battle some viruses. We stay home so we don’t pass sickness to other people. But there were no antibiotics or antivirals in the 1700s. People didn’t even know bac­ teria and viruses caused disease. Plus, Tribute to America concert while creating sidewalk chalk masterpieces. This week’s free event will be at the Thomapple Plaza and organized by the Thomapple Arts Council. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedar­ creekinstitute, org/events.html . HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Tuesday, July 4 - Library closed. Wednesday, July 5 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Digital Literacy: Google Docs, 2 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. HELP WANTED The Barry County Drain Commissioner is seeking a maintenance laborer Qualifications include: High School Diploma or equivalent and preferred experience working around heavy equipment. Send completed application, resume, and cover letter to: Elizabeth Hutton, Deputy Drain Commissioner, 220 W. State St., Hastings, MI 49058. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at DrUniverse@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. For additional information, a position description, and to apply online, please visit www.barrycounty, org or contact Barry County Drain Commission at (269) 945-1385. Position will stay open until filled. 202071 �Page B — Thuraday. June 28. 2023 — The HaMnge Banner Summer reading program in full swing at Thornapple Kellogg library Cannan Selph of Middleville chooses toppings for her ice cream sundae during the Thomapple Kellogg Community Library ice cream social last week as part of the annual summer reading program. (Photos by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg Community Library hosted an Ice Cream Social as part of its annual Summer Reading Program last week at Thomapple Kellogg High School in Middleville. There were arts and crafts for visitors, like decorating ice cream coloring pages with puff balls and glitter and ice cream cone hand-pup- pets. There was also the opportunity for everyone to build an ice cream sundae. The summer reading program continues throughout the months ofJune and July. Summer library hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, and 10 a.tn. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A Safari Scavenger Hunt will be hosted the week beginning July 10, July 20 is Paper Airplane Palooza! From 10 a.m. to noon, and readers can stop in with their completed read­ ing charts for prizes the week ofJuly 24. Youth can stop by the library to get a copy of a summer reading calendar to fill out when they meet their goals, or find a version ofthe calen­ dar online at the tkschools.org library page. Adult forms are also available at the library and online. Adults have challenges to go along with their reading - things like “eat ice cream or a popsicle" and “ride your bike or take a walk.” iiftP Wt* j. Barrett Davis of Middleville decorates a picture of an ice cream cone with glitter beside his brother Beckham Davis during the ice cream social the TK Community Library last week. ^* 5 ’■ *** ihfll Ayala named Village Clerk of the Year by statewide association was named Village Clerk ofthe Year by the Michigan Association ofMunicipal Clerks at the association’s recent convention in Detroit. Speaking at Tuesday night’s Middleville Village Council meeting, Ayala thanked the council and village staff for their support in the nearly six years she has worked for the village. “All of you guys believed in me, believed in my experi­ ences and my qualities and everything I have in me,” Ayala said. “You always pushed me out ofmy comfort zone.” Ayala was hired as a part­ time deputy clerk by former Village Manager Duane Weeks in July 2017. She recalled her first interview with Weeks for the deputy clerk position. “He asked me, ‘Why do you want this position? You’re so young. This position is part-time. We don’t have any possibility of promotion,”’ Ayala said. “(I said), ‘This is HARMLESS BAT REMOVAL what I’m looking for. I’m a BAT PROOF & CLEAN UP stay-at-home mom, and I just FULL ATTIC RESTORATION wanted to go back to work, and I need something that can 10 YEAR WARRANTY help me be at home and do whatever I need to do, and I needed the experience to work in the United States.’” wwwJhebatguysbotreinoval.com In the spring of2020, Ayala was promoted to village clerk ilii IxnnsiitiM olia'cans jai.aifciattt Greg Chandler StaffWriter She may no longer be the village clerk in Middleville, but that didn't stop a statewide association from honoring Glorimar Ayala for her service to the village. Ayala, who was appointed the village’s treasurer and finance director in early May, Ous® udbut hint 517-599-1019 City of Hastings Public Notice Notice is hereby given that the Election Commission ofthe City of Hastings will meet at 5:30 PM on Monday July 10th, 2023 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings. The purpose of the meeting is to appoint election inspectors, approve ballots, and deal with other matters pertaining to the special election to be held on Tuesday August 8, 2023. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the Clerk of the City of Hastings (telephone number 269-945-2468 or TDD call relay services 1­ 800-649-3777). Christopher R. Bever, City Clerk 201929 ■ran m ,'kiieisHd k •k Green Development Ventures presented these preliminary plans for Brittney Estates North at the June 5 planning commission meeting earlier this month. The plans call for 13 duplexes and five single-family homes on a new street segment con­ necting William and Ferris streets. (Courtesy Rendering) Memo*’1 GIVE US A CALL TODAY! EsssiilfeaiStes ikmtwaK atafanlk tatiktstoBaeIHri wz QHAWWRMM Glorimar Ayala City approves rezoning for Brittney Estates North project; neighborhood residents express concerns after her predecessor, Elaine Denton, retired. “Glorimar knows! the scope of her job, does it well and is ajoy to work with,” wrote current Village Clerk Rhonda Van Polen, who nominated Ayala for the MAMC award. “Glorimar is stellar at her statutory duties, Hunter McLaren and she regularly goes above and beyond. StaffWriter She pays careful attention to all timelines to City council members approved a rezoning get things done in the time called out for request in the city’s northeast residential dis­ completion,” Van Polen wrote. “In addition to trict, paving the way for a proposed residen­ her regular duties, she manages the village tial development. Facebook page and updates the lighted sign Brittney Estates North project developer welcoming people to our village.” Green Development Ventures came before Ayala played a central role in the village, the city planning commission on June 5 to filling several key positions in the past year, request a conditional rezoning at 1107 N. Van Polen wrote. Ferris St. The request asked that the area “Glorimar has not only posted the posi­ between East William Street and North Ferris tions but helped with updated job descrip­ Street be rezoned from R-l to R-2 to allow tions, rating of candidates and setting up for the construction ofduplexes. interviews,” Van Polen wrote. “She is also the The request was submitted with the condi­ key contact for our IT needs and serves as the tion that the duplexes in the project would use Title XI coordinator.” the R-l lot sizes and setback requirements, as During her tenure, Ayala has taken con­ well as preliminary plans for the project’’s tinuing education courses through the Michioverall design. The plans called for 13 gan Municipal League. She also provided duplexes along a new street segment connectadministrative support for the village’s plan--iing William and Ferris Street, with five sinsin­ ning and zoning, utilities, billing and tax gle-family homes around a cul-de--sac. departments. Van Polen wrote. Marva Shumway, a resident of the 1100 The MAMC honors municipal clerks each block of North Ferris Street, attended Monyear for demonstrating professional and per­ day’s council meeting to express her concerns sonal excellence in their profession. Awards about the project. Her main concerns were are presented in four categories - city, town­ that the project would introduce too many ship, village and deputy clerk, according to new homes to the neighborhood and that conthe association website. struction structioncould couldaffect affectwater waterrunoff runoffininthe thearea area Ayala spoke of being committed to the Shumway said she’s had issues with flooding village for the long term. when construction was performed in the pastt “I hope I can be a great asset to you guys and said the introduction of 13 duplexes from now until 1 retire,” she said, drawing a would significantly impact the character of few laughs at the retirement reference. the neighborhood. “I just don’t think it’s compatible with our neighborhood,” Shumway said. “I think we d be significantly impacted. impacted.” Shumway expressed her concerns at the planning commission meeting earlier this month, along with two other residents who submitted their concerns about the number of duplexes via email. Mike West, repre­ senting Green Development Ventures, was present at the June 5 meeting to receive feedback. He said he understood why resi­ dents might wish to retain the current deadends on their streets. However, the neigh­ borhood was zoned for residential expan­ sion, which was part of the city’s master plan. He didn’t foresee a significant change in traffic, he said. Although city council members voted to approve the rezoning, Mayor Dave Tossava reiterated during Monday’s city council meet meet-­ ing that Green Development Ventures would still have to come before the city planning commission before the development could be approved. Tossava said council members and planning commissioners had heard the pub­ lic’s concerns. J “This (ordinance) here only has to do with rezoning the property. This project is g°in8 to come back to the planning commission, Tossava said. “They’re going to have to pro­ ppose a site plan, and one ofthe main issues on the site plan is drainage. We had our pu lie comment; we did listen to the people in the audience.” ’S.is® kJ**1*. �SPORTS The Hastings ANNER L Thursday, June 29, 2023 Hammerheads dive into 2023 summer swim season ters The Hammerheads' Addison Hoekwater competes in the girls 11-12 100-yard freestyle Thursday at the CERC in Hastings, (photo by Brett Bremer) IL* Brett Bremer Sports Editor The meet opened with eight-year-olds Florence Graham, Leana Gyekis and Stella Bremmer scoring a 1-2-3 finish for the Ham­ merheads Swim Club in the girls 8 & under 25-yard freestyle and ended with high school varsity swimmers Hunter Tietz and DJ Kuck among others leading a 1-2 finish for the Hammerheads in the boys 13 & over 200yard freestylejelay Thursday. I; The Hammerheads Swim Club opened its 2023 summer season wuna dual against the Otsego Swim Club in the Community Educa­ tion and Recreation Center pool at Hastings High School. “We have great facilities. It is such a great sport. It is healthy. I don’t know why, but people are good, families are good, the kids are good. I don’t know if it just attracts that type of person, but it is,” Hammerheads coach Mike Schipper said. The final overall score with boys and girls combined showed the Hammerheads with a 159.45-1352.5 victory, but the first meet of the season was really more about swimmers getting used to competition for the first time, setting the standards for the summer season and racing to their fullest. Throughout the evening Hammerheads got victories from Hailey Hawks girls 9-10 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard breaststroke; Tietz in the 13 & over 50-yard freestyle; Graham in the girls 8 & under 25-yard backstroke and 25-yard butter­ fly; Ethan Klopfenstein in the boys 13 & over 100-yard backstroke, 50-yard butterfly and the 100-yard breaststroke; and Nora Dehaan in the girls 13 & over 100-yard breaststroke. Hammerhead teams also won the mixed 8 and under 100-yard freestyle relay, the girls 9-10 200-yard freestyle relay, the girls 13 and ovfef ZOO^^d^freestyle-relay and that;;final‘ boys 13 and over 200-yard freestyle relay. While a few of the high school programs in the area have parted ways, the Hammerheads continues to serve Hastings and the entire surrounding area. The club currently has stu­ dent-athletes from Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Delton, Nashville, home-schooled students, students from South Christian, Zion Christian and have had more over the years. There are about 50 swimmers in the club this summer and includes 17 first-time swimmers. “It is very nice [to have that many new swimmers],” Schipper said. “This spring, they had a little two-week middle school swim that they did here. When they split the [varsity] teams I think they were a little wor­ ried about numbers. We had a really good turnout for that, which was nice, because every practice we had more kids start doing it - which was a good sign. “I don’t teach in the.school, so it is hard to recruit,” Schipper added. “A lot ofkids think, ‘oh, I can’t swim that well,’ but once they get here and they start swimming and see kids from other schools, and they get to meet new friends, they realize ‘I can do this. I don’t have to be a pro.’ Most kids that try it stay. I think we just have to 'get them in the water.” The winter season i ** ‘ " '*• ‘ ’DUSICSl seaSWrifftfft^bol fdlPi the club finally surpassing^he 100 swimmer mark in a season for thetfirst'time recently. “Our goal 3-4ye£rs ago wasMo get 100 kids in the winter and we have been there,” Ham­ merheads coach Mike Schipper said. “Now, I am looking bigger. I’ll have a little more free time this year since I am not coaching the high school boys. I can do a little more mar­ keting and a little more social media. “I have kind ofheld back, but how my goal is 200,” Schipper added. “That is my goal now. I don’t care ifit is crazy, bin you have to shoot big.” During the toned dowil summer season, the Hammerheads have just two Sheets on the schedule. They will head to South Haven this afternoon, June 29. The season will conclude with 10-and-under and 11-and-up conference championship meets in late July. Hammerheads Swim Club coach Mike Schipper directs young freestyle relay swim­ mers during Thursday's meet against the Otsego Swim Club at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) * « The Hammerheads' Hunter Tietz races through the water during the boys 13 & over 10O-yard breaststroke Thursday during his club's dual with the Otsego Swim Club at the CERC in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg swim teams find place in new co-ops Sophia Marcukaitis, junior last fall at Thornapple Kellogg High School, prepares to win a conference championship in the 50-yard freestyle at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings. Thornapple Kellogg swimmers and divers will compete at Grandville High School during the 2023-24 school year in newly formed co-ops with West Catholic, Hopkins, the Calvin Christian girls and the Unity Christian boys. (File photo) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg swimmers and divers have found their new teammates. They’re Squires, and Vikings, and Crusaders and Falcons. Thornapple Kellogg High School student-athletes arejoin­ ing a pair of swim co-ops. The TK girls will compete with ath­ letes from Calvin Christian, Hopkins and West Catholic during the fall of 2023-24. The TK boys’will compete with boys from West Catholic, Hopkins and Unity Christian during the winter 2023-24 season. The teams plan to practice and compete at Grandville High School. Calvin Christian is the prima­ ry school for the girls’ team which will begin competing in the fall. Squire athletic director Tom Bouma said the program is currently in the process of hir­ ing a head coach and expects the choice to be finalized soon. The Trojans spent 20 years swimming and diving with stu­ dent-athletes from Hastings and Delton Kellogg before being forced to look for a new oppor­ tunity following the 2022-23 season. Hastings and Delton Kellogg have plans to continue with their co-op based out ofthe Commu­ nity Education and Recreation Center in Hastings. While the Hastings/Delton Kellogg co-op has plans to begin competing in the Saxons’ home conference, the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference, the TK girls will continue to com­ pete in the OK Rainbow Con­ ference Tier II. The West Catholic and Calvin Christian girls competed togeth­ er as a co-op last fall. Hopkins High School is new to varsity swimming and diving. “I believe the added number ofswimmers will make us more competitive,” Bouma said. “We will have the ability to fill all of the relays and the other individ­ ual events.” The Delton Kellogg/Thornappie Kellogg/Hastings girls were fourth in the Tier II confer­ ence a year ago and the Calvin Christian/West Catholic girls placed fifth. The 2023-24 high school girls’ swimming and diving sea­ son begins Aug. 7 with the first practices of the fall. Contests can begin Aug. 16 in the lower peninsula. Thomapple Kellogg is th primary school for the bo team. The boys are also prep ing to practice and compete Grandville High School. The MHSAA allows for practice for the winter boys’ season to begin Nov. 20. �Page 10— Thursday, June 29,2023 — The Hastings Banner Viking catcher earns; all-state honorable mention in D2 > Dawn Patrol breakfast takes flight soon Brett Bremer Sports Editor Among the honors rolling in this summer for the Lakewood varsity softball team are all-state honorable mention forjunior catcher Lily Federau. Federau began her varsity career behind the plate as a freshman, hitting out of the lead-off spot for the Vikings. She had a.482 batting average this season and a.542 on-base percentage while belting 12 home runs. She picked off 11 baserunners. She is the Vikings’ career home run leader with 19 and just keeps maturing and getting better and better. “I would say one ofthe biggest things she has improved on is not forcing plays that aren’t there to make,” Lakewood varsity softball coach Brent Hilley said. “Her freshman and sophomore years she made some unnecessary throws to bases with runners on and a few times it cost us runs. This year she really showed her experience, especially in big games knowing when to and when not to take risks. “Another thing you don’t see a lot ofat the high school level is she calls all of our pitch­ es. That is a testament to how well she knows our pitchers and having the softball IQ to know what is and what isn’t working for them that game.” Lily caught a lot ofpitches this spring for the Vikings from her sister, freshman Peyton Federau who pitched and played some fust base. Peyton batted.448 and hit five hornen runs and 20 doubles this season; She had J a.514 on-base percentage and was one offiv»n Lakewood players, including her big sister, toft win both all-conference and .all-district honrii ors. She struck out 102 batters this year. ’ 1 The Federau sisters were joined on the Alfe-t GLAC and all-district teams, after theft Vikings’ district championship run, by senior.; utility player Liv Woodman, junior shortstop?; Audrey Hillard and junior centerfielder Mayrssa Goble. • Jiw Woodman, Hillard and Goble all hit weUft over.400 on the season. Woodman closed thou campaign with a.962 fielding percentage andft also earned all-region and academic all-state j awards. She was a two-year captain for theo Vikings and a three-year varsity starter. Hillard and Goble have both also been; starters since their freshman season. Hillard was a team captain this spring. Junior pitcher/outfielder Kendyl Steward] and junior third baseman Allison Slater bothri earned honorable mention all-conference -jnftt the Greater Lansing Activities Conferenced this season. Both girls had batting averageso over.300 in their second year, starting for then Viking varsity. Steward was 12-2 as a pitcher this season. 'u The annual Dawn Patrol Breakfast hosted by the Hastings Flying Association returns to the Hastings/Barry County Airport Saturday morning, July 8. The event is supported by the Middleville Lions Club, Middleville Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and the Thomapple Flying Academy. The event, which brings in planes from all around the Great Lakes, runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. An all-you-can-eat breakfast is $10 for adults, $5 for children 10-and-under, and $5 for military members and veterans. There will be raffles, prizes and attendees of all ages can take plane rides for $40 per person. (File photo) Delton Kellogg center fielder, Thomas , gets all-state nod in Division 3 Brett Bremer Sports Editor Senior centerfielder Paige Thomas, now a Delton Kellogg High School graduate, has been named all-state honorable mention in Division 3 by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association. Thomas has plans to continue her playing days at Kalamazoo Valley Community CpU b “[Thomas] is an' ouistatidihg outfielder with her defense and offense combined,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jesse Lyons said. “It really pushed her onto that honorable mention list The way she reads the ball off the bat, she gets a really goodjump on it. She catches a lot of line drives that are usually base hits in left center or right center.” Thomas was one offour all-region honor­ ees for the Panther team this season, joined by second baseman Jordan Lyons, shortstop Abby Fichtner and catcher Allie Trantham who all have plans to play collegiately as well after graduating this spring. That group was joined on the all-district team this spring by teammates Mya Brickley, Alli Brandli, Lizzie Stonebumer and Kasey Kapteyn. The Delton Kellogg girls won an MHSAA Division 3 District Championship this season after a championship campaign in the South­ western Athletic Conference Central Divi­ sion. Jordan Lyons, Fichtner, Thomas, Trantham and Brickley were all first team all-confer­ ence in the SAC Central. ioiCoRi* Itustelil InilpEffijli! tafefedsdHgj Mik ttlur Sipim Call to place your Hastings Banner classified ad 269-945-955407 1-990-879-7085 Mw-' Delton Kellogg centerfielder Paige Thomas topped off her senior season by being named honorable mention all-state in Division 3 as an outfieldei by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches, (File photo) CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 618 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that TO AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY LIMITS. was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting oh the 26th of June 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9’00 AM to 4-00 PM. Christopher Bever City Clerk Lakewood junior catcher Lily Federau earned all-state honorable mention in Division > 2 this spring from the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association in her thirdj varsity season with the Vikings. (File photo) -uud PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 615 The undersigmed; being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TOa AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE 90-I, SECTION 90-1 DEFINITIONS TO ADD DEFINITION OF A LARGE SINGLE REAR AXLE TRUCK, ARTICLE 90­ VI - 14 D-1 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT SECTION 90-553 TO ADD SUBSECTION (G), AND ARTICLE 90-X OFF STREET PARKING, SECTION 90-929. was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 26th of June 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever 201966 City Clerk Youth tennis clinics planned S for July at HHS The YMCA of Barry County is hosting ia<] Co-ed Tennis Clinic for students entering grades three through eight in the fall begin-1 ning July 11 at the Hastings? High School / tennis courts. ■ The clinic will be held Tuesdays andu Thursdays the final three weeks ofJuly - .on July 11, 13, 18,20,25,27. Third through fifth graders will have their I. clinic from 5:30 to 6:30 each evening. The t sixth through eighth grade group will work out from 6:45 to 7:45 each evening. ;>ij The cost to participate in the clinic is $60..-J The clinic will be run by former Hastings r High School varsity tennis players Brooklynng Youngs and Abby Beemer. Registration deadline for the camp is 4sj p.m. on July 5, 2023. Registration can bes done online at ymcaofbarrycounty.org. >.-u M88JI0f$®»S» I ]■■■ I MMf �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 29, 2023 — Page 11 V oU oUllk k ■ MI KCC offering । “A Day in the Life” camps for teens [1] Sodium is not a regulated contaminant. City of Hastings Water Quality Report 2022 [2] The chlorine “Level Detected” was calculated using a running annual average. [3] E. coli MCL violation occurs if: (1) routine and repeat samples are total coliform- positive and either is E. coli-positive, or (2) the supply fails to take all required repeat samples following E. coli-positive routine sample, or (3) the supply fails to analyze total coliform-positive repeat sample for E. coli. INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD: Ifpresent, elevated levels oflead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primanly from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. City of Hastings is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materi- als used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for sev- eral hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you have a lead service line, it is recommended that you run your water for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line. Ifyou are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing meth- ods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead . Infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their physleal or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Copper is an essential nutnent, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess ofthe action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor. I The information in this report is based on the water sampling that was com- pleted in 2022 I for the City of Hastings. NK\Xw NK\X'w Xvw JS!W nnXSr* SXsSrS* t'^xSu t'^xSu Ss&t st ScsS S ' l7WR 7'WRu u<i_s 7^1 7 1 Kellogg Community College’s youth KelloggCommunityCollegesyouthsummer camp offerings continue with two “A Day in the Life ’ career exploration camps for middle school and high school students focused on careers in advanced manufactur­ ing and skilled trades. Both camps - for ages 12 to 18, described below - will be held at the College’s Fehsenfeid Center campus in Hastings, which is located at 2950 West M-179 Highway just minutes from downtown Hastings. Camp scholarships offered in partnership with INNOVATE Albion through a grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation are available to cover up to 50% ofthe camp fee for eligible campers. Scholarship applications can be completed online at https://forms. office.eom/r/Wmf6gQUf7g. A Day in the Life: Bruins Industrial Trades (BIT Mobile) Experience 1 to 4p.m. Thursday, June 22 Campers will experience KCC’s Bruins Industrial Trades Mobile Trainer, highlight­ ing portable training units related to the dif­ ferent trades they can study at KCC. Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, campers will experience welding, electricity, machining and HVACR. A Day in the Life: KCC Advanced Man­ ufacturing Assembly (KAMA) Training Camp 1 to 4p.m. Monday, July 17 The perfect camp for youth who like to fix things or take things apart! It’s an awesome new camp that includes hands-on assembly activities. Campers will practice using basic measuring and manufacturing tools and will take home a project they make during camp. Careers in skilled trades are in high demand. This camp is a fun way to gain valuable skills and find a path to a future career. For a frill camp schedule, more informa­ tion about each camp or to register online, visit kellogg.edu/youth. Additional Hastings Summer Camps In addition to the “Day in the Life” camps described above, KCC is offering the follow­ ing youth camps in Hastings this summer. For more information or to sign up online, visit kellogg.edu/youth. CampsforAges 8-12 Super Scientists . 9 a.m.to a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, ursay,June June 29_ _ ' Water Works Art 9 a.m. to noon Monday, July 17 S’mo re Fun! Camping Crafts 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 1 Dinosaurs and Paleontology 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 CampforAges 10-14 Writer and Illustrator Camp 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, June 21- July 19 For more information about Bruin Youth Programming at KCC, contact KCC’s Life­ long Learning Department at ll-info@kellogg.edu or call 269-965-4134. Communities may get grants for fire equipment Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced this week that Michigan communities with part-time, on-call or volunteer firefighters have two weeks remaining to apply for a grant to purchase fire equipment through the MI Fire Equipment Grant Program before the July 10 deadline. “We must ensure our firefighters have the safety equipment they need to do theirjobs effectively,” said Whitmer in a statewide ahnouncement. “The MI Fire Equipment Grant Program provides up to $10,000 for communities to purchase fire equipment like turnout gear, hard suction hoses, or first aid supplies. I encourage all eligible communi­ ties to take advantage ofthis opportunity and support their first responders.” Under the State of Michigan’s fiscal year 2022-23 budget, $12 million was appropriat­ ed to the Michigan Department ofTreasury to establish and operate the MI Fire Equipment Grant Program. Grant awards of up to $10,000 are available for local units ofgovernment for eligible fire equipment purchases made between Aug. 1,2022 and Sept. 30,2023. Local communities with fire departments that are predominately on-call, part-time or volunteer in cities, villages, townships, tribal governments or authorities or commissions are eligible to apply for a grant award. Applications must be received by the Michigan Department of Treasury before July 10, 2023. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in August 2023. Local communities with questions about the MI Fire Equipment Grant Program should be directed to the Michigan Department of Treasury at Treas-MIFireGrant@michigan. gov. Additional information, such FAQs, pro­ gram guidelines and application material, is available at Michigan.gov/MIFireEquipmentGrant. Is our water safe? Yes. The City of Hastings meets or exceeds all requirements of the Safe Drink- Ing Water Act. This report covers the drinking water quality for City of Hastings for the 2022 calendar year. This information is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided to you in 2022. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and state standards. Where does my Drinking Water Come From? Your water comes from 3 groundwater wells, each over 290' deep. These wells are in the Marshall Sandstone aquifer. This aquifer is an important source of freshwater. Many com­ munities draw from this aquifer that stretches across 52 counties. Only the margins ofthe Marshall Sandstone aquifer are exposed to the surface. Most of the aquifer is covered in thick layers ofgrave, stone, clay, and sand. The State performed an assessment of our source water to determine the sus- ceptibility or the relative potential of contamination. The susceptibility rating is on a seven-tiered scale from “very-low” to “very-high” based on geologic sensi- tivity, well construction, water chemistry and contamination sources. The sus- ceptibility ofour source is moderately high. There are no significant sources of contamination in our water supply. We are making efforts to protect our sources by following our Wellhead Protection Program. We invite public participation in decisions that affect drinking water quality. The City of Hastings holds council meetings on the second and fourth Monday of every month. For more information about your water or the contents of this report, contact Veme Robins Superintendent of Utilities (269) 945-2331, email: vrobins@hastingsmi.org. For more infor­ mation about safe drinking water, visit the USEPA at http://www.epa.gov/safewater. We will update this report annually and will keep you informed of any problems that may occur throughout the year as they happen. Copies are available at City Hall and online at hastinqsmi.org. CONTAMINANTS AND THEIR PRESENCE IN WATER. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and poten­ tial health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800- 426-4791). Our water supply has 300 known lead service lines and 1700 service lines of unknown material out ofa total of 2600 service lines. The City of Hastings DPS staffis in the process of investigating the unknown service lines in our community. I I Monitoring and Reporting to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Requirements: The State of Michigan and the USEPA require us to test our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. During the past year, we were required to conduct 1 Level 1 Assessment. 1 Level 1 Assessment was completed. In addition, we were required to take 1 corrective actions, and we completed 1 of these actions. To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the USEPA prescribes regulations that limit the levels of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Federal Food and Drug Administration regulations estab- lish limits for contaminants in bottled water which pro- vide the same protection for public health. I Water Quality Data: The table below lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the 2022 calendar year. The presence ofthese contaminants in the water does not necessarily indi­ cate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done January 1 through December 31, 2022. The State allows us to SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER: The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. Our water comes from wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the con- centrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. All the data is repre- sentative ofthe water quality, but some are more than one year old. Terms and abbreviations used below: Contaminants that may be present in source water include: 90TH PERCENTILE: The minimum level of contamination found in the highest 10 percent of samples collected. MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sew­ age treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL GOAL (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drink­ ing water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occur­ ring or result from urban stormwater runoff, Indus- trial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture and residential uses. RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS, which can be naturally occurring of be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. MAXIMUM RESIDUAL DISINFECTANT LEVEL (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfec­ tant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for contra) of microbial. a>ptam^jnants. MAXIMUM RESIDUAL DISINFECTANT L^EL GOAL (MRDLG): The level of a drinking ORGANIC CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS, includingsynthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial process- es arid petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants VULNERABILITY OF SUB-POPULATIONS: Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the gener­ al population. Immuno-compromised persons such as per- sons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have under- gone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune systems disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infec- tions. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. USEPA/Center for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). TREATMENT TECHNIQUE (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. N/A: Not applicable ND: not detectable at testing limit PPM: parts per million or milligrams per liter PPB: parts per billion or micrograms per liter ACTION LEVEL (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other require- ments that a water system must follow. Unregulated Contaminant Name Average Level Detected Range Year Sam­ pled Comments LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENT: A study of the water supply to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system. Chloride (ppm) 6 N/A 2022 Results ofmonitoring are available upon request 254 N/A 2022 Results ofmonitoring are available upon request LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENT: A very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/ or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions. Hardness (ppm) Number ofSam­ Typical Source ofContaminant ples Above AL al MCLG Lead (ppb) 15 0 7 0-11 2022 Lead service lines, corrosion ofhousehold plumbing including fittings and fixtures; Erosion ofnatural deposits Copper (ppm) 1-3 ’•3 0-7 0-.8 2022 Corrosion ofhousehold plumbing systems; Erosion ofnatural deposits Inorganic Contaminant Subject to ALs samples c< or Rqhilflted Contaminant Yoyr Waterhl Range ofResults Year Sampled oi MCL/rr,or MRDL MCLG or Level Detected MRDLG Year Sampled Range Violation Yes/No typical Source ofContaminant ND N/A 2019 No Erosion ofnatural deposits; Runofffrom orchards; Runoff From glass and electronics production wastes o7 0-.07 2019 No Discharge ofdrilling wastes; Discharge ofmetal refineries; Erosion ofnatural deposits to ND N/A 2022 No Runoff from fertilizer use;.Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion ofnatural deposits 4 4 •49 0’49 2022 No Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories N/A N/A 9-9 N/A 2032 No Erosion ofnatural deposits TTHM Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) 80 N/A 18.7 0.0-18.7 2022 No Byproduct ofdrinking waler disinfection HAA5 Haloacetic Acids (ppb) 60 N/A 5 2022 No Byproduct ofdrinking water disinfection ChlorinefZl (ooml Total Coliform (total number or % ofpositive samples/ month) 4 4 P.53 0-5 .13-87 2022 No Water additive used to control microbes TT N/A N/A N/A 2022 No Naturally present in the environment See £ Co/f note 5 0 N/A N/A 2022 No Human and animal fecal waste Arsenic (ppb) 10 Barium (ppm) 2 Nitrate (ppm) JO Fluoride (ppm) Sodium[i] (ppm) 0 Disinfection and Disinfection By-Products E coli in the distribution system (positive samples) Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)_ Regulated Contaminant MCL,TT,or MRDL MCLG or Level Detected MRDLG Range Year Sampled Violation Yes/No Typical Source ofContaminant 37o N/A ND N/A 2022 NO Discharge and waste from industrial facilities utilizing the Gen X chemical process 420 N/A ND N/A 2022 NO Discharge and waste from industrial facilities; Stain-resistant treatments 51 N/A ND N/A 2022 NO Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (ppt) 400,000 N/A ND N/A 2022 NO Firefighting foam; Discharge and waste from industrial facilities Perfluorononanoic acid (PI NA) (ppt) 6 N/A ND N/A 2022 NO Discharge and waste from industrial facilities; Breakdown ofprecursor compounds Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (ppt) 16 N/A nd N/A 3022 NO Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (ppt) 8 N/A ND N/A 2022 NO Hexa fluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (PPt) Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) (ppt) Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) (ppt) Firefighting foam; Discharge and waste from industrial facilities Firefighting foam; Discharge from electroplating facilities; Discharge and waste from industrial facilities Discharge and waste from industrial facilities; Stain-resistant treatments �Page 12 — Thursday, June 29, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is aiven under section ction 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JULY 6,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the- county register of deeds office or title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions off a mortgage made by Eliza Granzotto, a single woman to MERS/Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. Mortgagee, dated July 15, 2022 and recorded August 2, 2022 in Instrument 2022-008215 Bany County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Data Mortgage, INC. DBA, Essex Mortgage, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Six Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-One and 88/100 Dollars ($206,691.88). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue at the place of holding the circuit court .within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JULY 6, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Thornapple, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, describedt as: Commencing 4 rods West of the Northwest comer of the intersection of Lem Paul and Main Street; thence West along the North line of Main Street, 4 rods; thence North 8 rods; thence East 4 rods; thence South 8 rods to the point ofbeginning. 604 W Main St, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: June 8, 2023 File No. 23-005394 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1.650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (06-08X06-29) Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that t the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on July 27, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Nicholas Gregaitis, a married man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC Date of Mortgage: February 22, 2022 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 25,2022 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $237,546.42 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Beginning at a point on the North line of Section 21, Town 4 North, Range 7 West, distant 214.5 feet from the Northeast corner of Section 21; -thence South 190 feet parallel with the East line of Section 21; thence West 102.5 feet; thence North 8.5 feet; thence East 8.0 feet; thence North 181.5 feet to the North line of Section 21; thence East 94.5 feet to the Point of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 127 W Broadway St, Woodland, Ml 48897-9709 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at-foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: June 29,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY PROBATE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION/POSTING AND NOTICE OF ACTION CASE NO. 23-116-CH Court address: 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.; 269-945-1286 Plaintiff ARTEMIS CAPITAL, LLC c/o Bowen Law Offices Plaintiff’s Attorney , Jonathan R. Hoogstra^T)-76l02 Bowen Law Offices 1042 Terrace Street Muskegon, Michigan 49442 (231)726-4404 S Defendant ROBERT L. BOLTON, last known address 2141 Robinwood Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton, and its known and unknown beneficiaries, devisees, heirs, successors and/or assignees, APRIL BOLTON, last known addresses of either 2141 Robjhwood Dr., Hastings, Ml and/or 1022 Charlton Dr., Hastings, Ml 49058, and BRUCE TOBIAS, 2141 Robins wood Drive, Hastings, Ml 49058. TO: ROBERT L. BOLTON, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton and its known and unknown beneficiaries, devisees, heirs, successors, and/or assigns. IT IS ORDERED: You are being sued in this court by the plaintiff to determine interest in real property commonly known as 2141 Robinwood Drive, Hastings, Ml 49058. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in this court at the court address above on or before June 23, 2023. If you fail to do so, a default judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint filed in this case. A copy of this order shall be permitted once each week in Barry County Legal News for three consecutive weeks, arid proof of publication shall b filed in this court. A copy of this order shall be sent to Robert L. Bolton, The Estate of Robert L. Bolton, at the lastknown address by registered mail, return receipt requested, return receipt requested, before the date of the last publication, and the affidavit of mailing shall be filed in this cdiirt. Date: May 23,2023 Judge Vicky L. Alspaugh 20129 SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting June 21,2023 1502375 (06-29)(07-20) 201799 200744 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public aucti sale, to the highest bidder for cash or plae^l^ldinglhe circdit courtIn Barry starting-promjw^-# 1:00 PM, on July 20, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Jonathon D Groeneveld and Ashleigh Groeneveld, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): ARK-LA-TEX Financial Services, LLC DBA Benchmark Date of Mortgage: April 22,2022 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 29,2022 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $185,557.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 128 feet of Lot 6, Block 8, of Kenfield's 2nd Addition Subdivision to the City off Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, as recorded in Liber 1, Page 37 of Plats, Barry County Records. Common street address‘(if any): 937 S Hayes St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2430 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner; If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: June 22, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1501747 (06-22)(07-13) 201488 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE2 3-29501-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 Court address: 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Donald R. Irving. Date of birth* 07/21/1946. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Donald R. Irving, died April 22, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Sandra J. Neal, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 mqfcths after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 6/23/2023 Robert L. Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 / Sandra J. Neal 4985 North Bay Road Delton, Michigan 49046 269-329-0800 LEGAL NOTICES 201896 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 W Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058:iug fly/o ’iarb i flusm Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Marla K. Kniss-Boss, Deceased. Date of birth: September 8,1952. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marla K. Kniss-Boss, Deceased, died April 24, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Corey Kniss, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 6/26/2023 Tyler J. Stewart P60750 211 E. Water Street, Ste. 401 Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 (269) 343-2106 Corey Kniss 5753 Highway 85 North, PMB 3982 Crestview, FL 32536 (269) 716-5444 Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk 202013 SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING June 14,2023 - 7:00 p.m. "‘Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, James, Lectlja 201890 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-295249-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 W. Court Street, #302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Mark E. Peake, Deceased. Date of birth: 06/07/1958. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Mark E. Peake, died 05/11/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Jill D. Eddy, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication ofthis notice. Absent: None Approved theAgend i Approved the Cpndl it Agenda Monthly Treasurar'i Report Monthly Clerks yoA her/Payroll Report Approval to repair bwnShip Hall mailbox Roll Call Vote - All ayes, m >tion passes Motion to accept On inance 2023-188 for second reading and adoption I toll Call Vote - All ayes, mo­ tion passes Motion to accept Ordinance 2023-189 for first reading Roll Call Vote All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve F esolution 2023-291 Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motior passes Motion to approve 1 inding of Mercy ambulance up to $30k Roll Call V( to - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve A/ FAyearly dues Roll Call Vote -All ayes, motion pas: es Motion to approve >023 L-4029 with amended fire millage Roll Call V< te - All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 8:46 p n Respectfully submitter, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor Date: 6/23/2023 Stacey Lott P68809 130 East Columbia Avenue Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 269-963-8222 Jill D. Eddy 403 Beech Street Charlotte, Michigan 48813 Called to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Stonebumer, Pence, Doster, Goebel, DeVries Agenda and Minutes approved Public comments were received. Department Reports were received. Approved: Payment of bills _J?ublic Hearing; & JLZ j 1a Approved Resolution 2023*1 ^TruWiri^ Wiri Taxation Rates Public and Board comments were received. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 201888 201995 Financial FOCUS Provided hy the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Membeerr sSiIpPcC Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® Financial Advisor Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor 00 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-4702 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 ETFs can spell opportunity ' (Mutual funds ' ''»» offer investors a chance to own shares in dozens of companies, as well as bonds, government securities and other investments. But you might be able to broaden your portfolio further by owning another type of fund — an exchange-traded fund (ETF). An ETF, like a mutual fund, can own an array of investments, including stocks, bonds and other securities. Many ETFs are passively managed in that they track the performance of a specific index, such as the S&P 500. In this respect, they differ from most mutual funds, which tend to be actively managed — that is, the fund managers are free to buy and sell individual securities within the fund. Another difference between ETFs and mutual funds is that ETFs are traded like stocks, so shares are bought and sold throughout the day based on the current market price, whereas mutual funds are traded just once a day, at a price calculated at the end of the trading day. Whether this ability to make intra-day trades is meaningful to you will likely depend on how active you are in managing your own investments. For some people, the main attraction of ETFs is their tax advantages. Because many ETFs are index funds, KF11 iff they generally do much less buying and selling than actively managed funds — and fewer sales mean fewer taxable capital gains. These ETFs are somewhat similar to index mutual funds, which are also considered to be tax-efficient, as opposed to actively managed funds, which constantly buy and sell investments, passing on taxable capital gains to you throughout the life of the fund. (Keep in mind, though, that mutual funds that trade frequently may still be appropriate for your financial strategy. While taxes are one element to consider when evaluating mutual funds, or any investment, other factors, such as growth potential and ability to diversify your portfolio, are also important.) ETFs typically also have lower operating costs than mutual funds, resulting in lower overall fees. Part of the reason for these lower costs is that actively managed mutual funds, by definition, usually have larger management teams devoted to researching, buying and selling securities. By contrast, passively managed ETFs may have leaner, less-costly management structures. But while most ETFs may share the same basic operating model, many types are available. You can invest in equity ETFs, which may track stocks in a particular industry or an index of equities (S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and so on), or you can purchase fixed-income ETFs, which invest in bonds. ETFs are also available for currencies and commodities. Of course, as with all investments, ETF investing does involve risk. Your principal and investment return will fluctuate in value, so when you redeem your E1F, it may be worth more or less than the original investment. Also, liquidity may be an issue. Some ETFs may be more difficult to sell than other investments, which could be a problem if you need the money quickly. And because it’s so easy to move in and out ofETFs, you might be tempted to “overtrade” rather than following an appropriate long-term investment strategy. A financial professional can evaluate your situation and help you determine whether ETFs are suitable for your needs. At a minimum, they represent another investment opportunity that may prove useful as you work toward your financial goals. ■I mJ® * -r V III* I 1 This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC “ hMf Banner CLASSIFIEDS i CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554; Garage Sale HUGE TOO MUCH STUFF Multi-family Sale! Thurs-v day, July 6th, 2023 through Sunday, July 9th, from 8am6pm, weather permitting. 1900 Boulder Dr.A Hastings. Tons of brand new Target ■clothes with tags. Priced to sell. Mens, womens, and kids sizes. We will add more Target clothes daily, and case packs are some of the clothes that will also be available, as well as brand new and gently used furniture, lots of household items, toys, etc. Don't miss this one, there is something for everyone. Card ofThanks THE FAMILY OF Fred Ost Would like to express our sincere thanks to family, friends, neighbors, and Grace Brethren Church for the love, prayers, and sup­ port during the loss of our loving husband and father. Thank you all for the won­ derful luncheon, flowers, food, and generous dona­ tions during this time. We are truly blessed to have you all in our lives. To Hospice, Care Link, and Spectrum Health, we want to thank you for the tremendous care and compassion that you gave to him. Love in Christ, Dolores Ost & Family Business Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050._____________ MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Cafi 269-804-7506. F-l-B MINI BERNEDOODLES- Very cute and fluffy. WiU stay small. Vet checked - ready to go! $500.00 Call 517-726-0706._____________ POMSKY PUPPIES- VERY Cute and adorable. Up to date on shots and dewormed. $325.00. CaU 517-852-3007. Help Wanted BAND SAW FILER- Duties include sharpening and re­ pairing band head rig saws, band resaws, carbide tipped circle saws, chipper knives and dressing guide blocks. Full-time employment start­ ing at $25.00/hr. Benefits401(k), 401(k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com HELP WANTED Small Engine Repair Tech Pay commensurate with ex­ perience. Apply at Hastings Ace Hardware. Ph. 269-945-2003 GENERAL LABORER: JOff indudes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lifE 50lbs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Benell fits- 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance. Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality, Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to: info@quality hardwood-, sinc.com ""d ■ MAINTENANCE TECH-^ NICIAN- Troubleshooting equipment breakdowns to^ include electrical/electronic. computer hardware and soft-‘ ware, hydraulic, pneumatic^ on sawmill equipment. Weld-ing, fabrication and planning are needed along with the/ ability to work with and be a part of a growing compa-4 ny. Full-time employment^ starting at $25.00/hr. Bene­ fits- 401 (k) 401 (k) matching. Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurances Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. LjWibehsjitjLjWibeh sjitj- I �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, June 29, 2023 — Page 13 tattle Creek Outdoor Education Center irector retires after 37 years of service Hunter McLaren StaffWriter t Amy Cherry recalls landing her first role in Outdoor education completely by chance. The Cincinnati native had spent time workmg as a counselor at a summer camp in Wyo­ ming while working in elementary education during the school year. Cherry, who had Studied elementary education during her Undergraduate studies, was looking to find an Education role she felt was a good fit. She stumbled across a want ad in her local paper. j “Honest to God, (it was) in the Cincinnati Newspaper in my parents’ dining room, back when you looked for jobs in the want ads. There was an ad that said, ‘Like kids? Like being outside? Give us a call,”* Cherry said. Tl was like, ‘I like kids. I like being outside.* I called and it was Camp Joy.” I Cherry said it was the first time she had Aven heard of outdoor education, where stu­ dents can spend time at an overnight camp during the school year. She started at Camp loy near Cincinnati as an instructor in 1984. She would become an instructor at the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center near Dowl­ ing shortly after, in 1986. It’s where she’s worked ever since, becoming camp director in 2013. I The camp itselfhas a rich history in Barry County, dating back to its start as a boarding school for underserved youth in the 1930s. Camp Clear Lake, as it was originally known, would go on to be one of the first outdoqr education camps in the country, Cherry said. । Throughout her tenure at the camp, CherCher­ ry said she’s seen the camp continue to evolve. In recent years, it’s adopted more STEM focused programs. Kids attending the eamp today can take part in classes includ­ ing a pond lab, remote operated vehicle program, and boat building class. All these Are offered among the camp’s more tradilional outdoor and adventure classes like irchery, canoeing, fire building and the (amp’s living history exhibit. “I do not know any (outdoor camps) that 1 ocus as much on STEM and the sciences, as 1 ve do,” Cherry said. “It does make a different < xperience.” Cherry said she’s changed a lot, too. “I have spent 37 years here,” she said. ‘ You know, I grew up here.” Now, Cherry is getting ready to retire and ] ass the torch to her successor, Blake Tenney. ^t£s«s s«s$X ** but ‘J? ‘ * •’ d'% Si4u£ SSI •J2S J2S 2S ^4-^* |^i ****k*^ gfc gf *k ■ kk3|L 3|L. *k*^ m । Blake Tenney (left) is replacing Amy Cherry as director of the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center. Cherry is retiring after 37 years at the camp. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) As she wrote her thank-yous and goodbyes, she said she specifically avoided the word “bittersweet.” “It’s not bitter,” she said. “I feel that it is time for me to move on. I feel that Blake and the admin team here are in good hands, and will move it forward and grow from this point.” Cherry said she’s excited for what’s to come at the camp. While she ended her time as director after a few years of dormancy thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s confident Tenney is in a place to launch the camp back into action. “I’m excited, really, more than sad. I’m excited for the growth this place will have with new leadership,” Cherry said. “I’m not going to say bittersweet because there’s nothing bitter about it. It’s an exciting time for the OEC.” Tenney said he’s excited to be back at the Battle Creek OEC. He attended as a camper when he was in the sixth grade, later going on to work as an instructor alongside Cherry in the 2000s. He left for Colorado in the 2010s, before leaving outdoor education and becom­ ing involved in the hospitality industry. He’s spent the last 12 years in Arizona, working as an event planner for Fortune 500 companies. If circumstances were different, Tenney wouldn’t have minded staying at the Battle Creek OEC. He said the economic downturn in 2008 had other plans for him. “It wasn’t anything like I outgrew this place, or it was a bad thing or anything,” Ten­ ney said. “It wasjust kind oftime to move on and make the decision for myself before it could possibly be made for me.” Coming back to the camp is a chance for Tenney to continue pursuing his passions of teaching and the outdoors, he said. He’s excited to bring his event planning experi­ ence with him to utilize the camp in new ways, expanding what the camp can offer. There’s already an event planned in October to celebrate the camp’s 90th anniversary. Tenney said he’s excited to add to the camp’s extensive legacy. “It’s a great place - I wish more people knew about it,” Tenney said. “The people that do know about it are always really excited about it. They came here to camp or they’ve sent their kids here. You talk to people in town and they’ll come up with all sorts of memories. It’s just a very neat place. I’m excited to be back.” i Residents in fourth ward of Hastings socialize through first-time event mffiCMIEfflMUJ®' ^mfr -L.-u IM totter *** T Daidinw®^ *!Z i->^ jamHcalU'* iSfessg fessg -M* ^5l dtl /*-..«^M >1fl a J'!®SS ®SS **a£3 £3 H"H Jfu!®F S*rtanMS'*ll!’ iSStfiS^ wss rJfzi Sj^jf^SS / v> JF ‘ Sunday’s outing featured a community art rt proje project, which will be installed at the Jriangle at Bumblebee Plains. (Photos provided) Jayson Bussa Editor ■ Residents in one Hastings neighborhood certainly know how to throw a shindig. * On Sunday afternoon, residents in the Fourth Ward ofHastings, known by some as Bumblebee Plains, held a community event that encouraged neighbors to get out and enjoy one another’s company for the day. ? The event included a kids’ bike parade, a community art project and three different porch concerts. Residents in the neighbor­ hood were able to secure a $500 grant from the Michigan Municipal League Foundation and the Thomapple Arts Council matched it with $250 of additional funding. j “We heard such great feedback,” said Megan Lavell, who is executive director of the Thomapple Arts Council and also lives in ly SUGAR RUSH: COA hosts cake decorating contest The Barry County Commission on Aging hosted nine teams of grandparents and grandchildren for a cake decorating contest earlier this month. Eight-inch cakes and a half-dozen cup­ cakes were donated by the Hastings Family Fare for each team to decorate. Decora­ tions were supplied, but teams came ready to compete with pre-planned ideas and many with their own supplies. Thejcakes were judged on creativity, originality and overall appearance. Coming in first place was Ollie’s Follies with their design inspired by the movie “Frozen” - complete with Lego figurines. The Rolling Scones came in second and the Adult Day Service team, Flour Power, came in third. “Every team deserves bragging rights for their amazing cake designs,” said COA director Courtney Ziny. More information on the Barry County Commission on Aging can be found on their Facebook page or by stopping by the office, 320 W. Woodlawn Avenue in Hast­ ings, to pick up their quarterly newsletter. Flour Power, the team consisting of COA Adult Day Service team mem­ bers, came in third at the cake decorat­ ing contest with their lion cake design. CITY OF HASTINGS The event in thd Fourth Ward of Hastings received funding from the Michigan Municipal League Foundation and Thomapple Arts Council. Organizers said the event was a “resounding success.” the Fourth Ward of Hastings. “People loved the bike parade. They loved to be able to go listen to music and just kind of talk to peo­ ple... We think, overall, it was a resounding success to the point where we want to contin­ ue to do it even without the grant funding. , Lavell initially came across the grant opportunity in her professional capacity but brought the idea to her fellow residents in the Fourth Ward, who embraced the idea and took on the planning. “When I saw this grant application, I sort of thought instead of focusing on this as an organization we should focus on it at a resi­ dent level - as a grassroots group that wants to get to know their neighbors and put forth the effort to engage with the people who live close to us.” Distracted driving law effective July 1 J-AdNews Service Beginning on Saturday, July 1, vehicle drivers in Michigan will be prohibited from using their handheld electronic devices while driving with certain exemptions in place. “Under the amended MVC (motor vehicle dode), a ‘mobile electronic device’ is defined as an electronic device that is not permanent­ installed in a motor vehicle and includes devices capable of text messaging, voice communication, entertainment, navigation, accessing the internet or producing email. However, it does not include radios designed for citizens band (CB) service, amateur radio service of the Federal Communications Com­ mission (FCC), or commercial 2-way radio Communications devices or equipment per­ manently installed in a motor vehicle. Medi­ cal devices designed to be worn, such as insulin pumps, are also exempted,” explained Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker. j The prohibition ofusing a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle Applies to individuals who are not operating a Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or a school I. Ollie’s Follies was the winning team for the Barry County Commission on Aging’s cake decorating contest earlier this month. Their winning design was based on the Disney movie “Frozen.” (Photos provided) bus. Holding or using a mobile electronic device in such cases is a civil infraction pun­ ishable by fines of $100 or 16 hours ofcom­ munity service for the first offense, and $250 or 24 hours of community service for the second offense. If a driver is involved in an accident while using an electronic device, the fine is increased to $200 and 32 hours of community service for the first infraction and $500 or 48 hours of community service for the second infraction. Drivers with three or more civil infractions in a 3-year period will be ordered by the court to complete a basic driver improvement course. While the new law prohibits the use of handheld electronics, many of the newer vehicles allow for a hands-free option that uses voice commands or controls on the steering wheel that is still permitted. “Basically, you can use your electronic devices ifthey are configured in a way that both hands remain on the steering wheel. I expect that in the future, automotive manu­ facturers will include more features that allow for the control of electronic devices remotely,” Kempker said. The new Distracted Driving Law is consid­ ered to be a primary Violation and ifan officer observes a driver using a handheld device they can be pulled over. However, there are exemptions to these prohibitions. Law enforcement officers, fire­ fighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, operators of authorized emer­ gency vehicles, public safety first respond­ ers, public utility employees or contractors, and individuals using a mobile electronic device for emergency purposes are exempt­ ed from these regulations. Additionally, the use ofa mobile electronic device in voice-op­ erated or hands-free mode, the use ofGPS or navigation features without manually enter­ ing information and the use of a mobile electronic device solely for continuous video recording dr broadcasting are also exempted. “Even though it is permitted for our offi­ cers to use their cell phones in patrol vehi­ cles, we are looking at policies and proce­ dures when cell phones can be used,” said Kempker PUBLIC. NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 616 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING THE FOLLOWING: ARTICLE 90 - III, SECTION 90-87 VARIANCES PROHIBITED. was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 26th of June 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever 201965 City Clerk CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 617 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that TO AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY LIMITS. was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 26th of June 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever City Clerk �New puncheon covers NCT over often mucky spot near Middleville Brett Bremer Sports Editor Volunteers laid the final boards and the drove the final screws on a stretch of board­ walk on the North County National Scenic Trail just east of Robertson Road in Mid­ dleville Friday. A team ofmore than 20 volunteers worked to complete much ofthe span Saturday June 17, lugging eight-foot sections of4x4 treated lumber and deck boards the roughly tenth of a mile from the small parking area along Robertson Road to the area of the trail in need of some puncheon. About a half a dozen volunteers returned June 23 to finish the final 25-feet or so of the boardwalk and small ramps at either end of the rise. The finishing touch on either end: deck boards branded with the North BONDI! TUESDAY AUGUST 8 V&TE Country National Scenic Trail logo. “Grateful for the time you are spending there. I walk there often and that was a slog when it’s damp,” Michael Ann Enders of Middleville posted on the Chief Noonday­ Chapter ofthe North Country Trail Associa-? tion’s Facebook page during the project. The area’s recent dry spell kept volunteers with having to deal with any “slog” during the building process, and certainly helped to keep the area’s mosquito population in cheeky Conditions haven’t slowed the growth ot poison ivy along the stretch oftrail between Robertson Road and Johnson Road this sum< mer however. “The problem has been there for quite a while,” NCTA Chief Noonday Chapter vice president Eric Longman, who delivered lum-* ber and led the project, said. “We reached out an the NCTA and got a grant for the money for that. It was about $1,200 if I remembe^ correctly.” Longman p Lg plans to still g get a thank y you card to the NCTA grant writer for the assisassis­ tance, and he had plenty of thank yous tej pass out to the volunteers who spent a total of about four hours completing the stretch through the Middleville State Game Area. ’ “We’re actually in pretty good shape right now,” Longman said, referring to the condr-i tions off the Chief Noonday Association’^ section of trail which traverses 119 mileg from southeast of Battle Creek in Calhdun County, across Calhoun County around Gull Lake, up Barry County through the Yanked Springs Recreation Area and then up through Middleville towards Lowell which is hom^ to the North Country Trail Association. Headquarters. Longman said the next project the chapter is looking into is the possibility ofadding to some of the extensive boardwalk in the marshy Fort Custer area in Battle Creek where thee caper were chapter has as areay already built u a at least eas 260 feet of puncheon and a 30-foot bridge, which was constructed in 2015. The North Country National Scenic Trail stretches 4,800 miles in all across.eight states, from Vermont to North Dakota. *:■ ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Register to Vote Find your Poll Location https Apply for your Absentee Ballot .state uhrtctlpesr:k//mvic.sos.stat Volunteers work to construct puncheon over a section of the North County National Scenic Trail northeast of down* etoxwn Middleville near Robertson Road June 17. (NCTA volunteer photo) Learn more about our Bond Proposal at !023 or by scanning the QR code below: S C A N ens4h ass? utm_sou ME IT'S A GREA T DAY TO BE A SAXON! PAID FOR BY C5 star schooiApo ZO/O O I Hn OkynxJUL HD HASTINGS, Ml 49058 Newly built puncheon winds around trees on the North Country National Scenic Trail just east of Robertson Road in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ’• t> f � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-07-06.pdf 1cb792f0cb41dc712e670b0e52683218 PDF Text Text Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 The Hastings *= ANNER1 Thursday, July 6. 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 27 PRICE $1.50 Planning commission approves plans for housing development at former Royal Coach site Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Hastings planning commissioners approved site plans for a mixed-use residential devel­ opment on the former Royal Coach site. The 135-unil housing development, now tentatively titled the Thornapplc River Mill Project, was presented to planning commis­ sioners last month by developer CopperRock Construction The plans will go before city council members for approval later this month following a public hearing at their July 9 meeting. Greg Taylor, representing CopperRock. presented the updated plans to commission­ ers Monday. The project has been split into two phases Phase one would consist of the three residential buildings and the promenade connecting them to the Thornapplc River pedestrian bridge, while phase two would involve the construction of the planned farm­ ers' market and commercial space. The division of the project into phases would allow the housing project to get under­ way as quickly as possible while the details of the commercial space are finalized, Taylor said The biggest change from the project's preliminary plans involved moving the proj­ ect's 10.080 square loot "Harry Community Foods and Arts (. enter" to the west side of Buller Creek. Taylor said the building was moved from the cast side of the creek to put it closer to downtown Hastings after input from commercial tenants. Moving the com­ mercial space to the second phase of the project would allow phase one construction to commence while the developer awaited approval from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and avoid possible interference with the Thornapplc River floodplain. “We’re still working through EGLE and with the tenants to determine exactly what the correct scope of that building is going to be," Taylor said. "That's why we’ve broken it into phases so that we can methodically work through with EGLE. where that can be built, how it can be configured and build exactly what the non-rcsidenlial tenants need." Ken Dixon, principal architect of Dixon Architecture, spoke about the project’s design with commissioners. He said that because of the project's location in down­ town Hastings and its promenade design, the firm took extra care to ensure the buildings' facade would create a warm and inviting public space. The finn also took cues from See ROYAL COACH, page 2 ine project cans (Dr» uunriecung mreo rosiaontiai buildings with a mix of one, two and Ihreo-bedroom units to the Thornapplc River pedestrian badge. (Courtesy rendering) lne Barry Expo Center gets upgrades as county fair takes place this month Jayson Busva Editor Visitors that attend this year's Barry Coun­ ty Fair will notice a few new upgrades to its home venue. The 170th installment of the Barry' County Fair kicks ofT on Monday, July 17, at the Barry Expo Center, and organizers are com­ ing down tile final stretch preparing for the week-long event. These yearlong prepara­ tions included a couple of facility improve­ ments that were made possible thanks to a state grant given to the Barry County Fair board in late May. Tlic Barry County Fair received a piece of the total SI.5 million that the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Devel­ opment (MDARD) granted to 23 county fairs and expositions across the state. Barry County's take was 552,500, which the board used to install a new public address sys­ tem and - a more noticeable change to anyone who has driven by the Barry Expo Center - a new digital sign to replace the old one. Dennis Redman, president of tlte Barry County Fair Board, said that the new PA sys­ tem includes -13 speakers across the expo center grounds, a new feature that will enhance public safety for fairgoers. "The old PA didn't really reach any of the fairgrounds - it might have reached 5 percent of it," Redmon said. “It was a safety factor, for one. God forbid if a child comes up miss­ ing or something. We had no way of getting that out, but we do now. (If) somebody gets hurt, if we can't get ahold of the (Sheriff"s) Posse, we can get them on the PA system. (We can use itj even when cars arc dou- See EXPO CENTER, page 3 In late May, leadership al the Barry County Fair announced that it had received over $50,000 In grant money to make Improvements to the Barry Expo Center Some of that money was used to replace the facility's old sign (left) with a newer, high-tech version (right). (Photo by Jayson Bussa) PREVIEW THE ACTION Open up a copy of The Reminder this weekend for the Barry County Fair preview section, which provides an overview of the event that runs July 17-22. It also offers features on some of the folks participating in this year's fair. Fun on the Fourth Most residents In Barry County and beyond spent their Tuosdxv ■ with friends and family to observe Independence Day with parados oothnd n°9 cookouts. festivals and a steady stream of fireworks7 At hE Chari S in Hastings, organizers continued the park's annual “Old-Fashioned Fourth July, welcoming visitors for a free day of fun and games from a bvaono^ Hero, Ana Billings of Nashville (left) and her racing partner Lily WiIscm? (rinhn^ Charlotte burst out laughing os they pull ahead of the rest of the field in am ee logged race hold on tho lawn in tho center of the park. For a roMn of tbi? S3nV,s:ompZai,2Chart,°n Pa* and °,hOr F°Urth Jufy S Barry County Jail transitions to video visitation, does away with in-person visits Jayson Bussa and Hunter McLaren Banner Staff Staff al the Burry County Jail have adopted a video-only visitation policy that went into effect ut the beginning of this month. Those looking to v isit with an inmate at the facility now must do so via video either at a visitor kiosk in the jail lobby or from home through their own computer or camera-en­ abled device. The new video visitation sys­ tem is administered through Florida-based app company InmatcSalcs. Before adopting the new visitation for­ mat, visitors could conduct in-person visits with incarcerated individuals. Under this format, imnates and their visitors were sep­ arated by glass and spoke to each other over u telephone receiver. The recent change not only leverages a much higher level of technology, but Barry < ounty Sheriff Dar Leaf said that safety and security were the primary drivers. "We don't have to move inmates around, which is always a security issue," Leaf told Hie Banner. Ixafulso said that while the new system doesn't necessarily Im stalling to pull off. it docs make it m*? 0I> the existing staff. This recent change aligns the Barry Coun­ ty Jail with the pr*«'«‘ J»l» in neighbor­ ing counties. Alkgan aid Ionia counties ort* v,d7 visitation only, onsite or remotely, through an internet con­ nection. .. ... r ... . “This is nation*1"'' Lfal said of the new format. . The Michigan Department of Corrections offers both video »nd in-person contact visits between inmates and their loved ones at pris­ ons across the state. This allows inmates to have physical contact with their loved ones, which is especially vital for those serving long-term sentences. And while stays at county jail are often significantly shorter than prison stays, some argue that a video-only visitation policy is cruel to inmates, while others have decried the fees associated with such systems. With the new system just rolling ouL Leaf and his department are waiting on feedback. "This just went into effect on Saturday. We’re still waiting to hear. It’s (a) change. and people don't always like change." Leaf said. Leaf cited the convenience of visiting with an inmate remotely instead of traveling to the jail as one major benefit of the new system. Visitors w ho come to the jail for a visit can do so tor tree. The jail's visitation room is outfitted with two kiosks that visitors can use to connect with an inmate inside the jail. InmatcSalcs provides technical support, and See JAIL, page 2 �a®e 2 Thursday Juiu a « l— __ _y 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Expansion at Meadowstone Apartments brought before planning commission 0 Family Left Indoors continues with Stroll and Read The Barrv'r Indoors continues this week with Stroll and Read on Tuesday, July fl. Cedar Cr ®rcat $tart Collaborative, the Hastings Public Library and Pierce Hastine Ff *nSt’tute, Will host families at Fish Hatchery Park, 1011 W. Green St. in Tuesday ’evcn’n& of hands-on activities. The event will last from 6 to 7 p.m. on ^’stration *S reclu’red for this week’s No Family Left Indoors event. ioat * a come-and-go event with no costs associated. Families will particP® U1 a variety of fun, hands-on activities and games outside that will get everyone m°ving and learning together. each। summer, No Family Left Indoors offers free weekly activities to keep families busy while school’s out.* More information about Stroll and Read, along with a full schedule of No Family Left indoors programming throughout the summer, can be found at sites.google.com/view/ no-family-left.indoors-2023/events. Friends of the Hastings Public Library plan July Book Sale Book lovers looking to escape the heat can kill two birds with one stone later this month. The Friends of the Hastings PublicLibrary’s annual July BookSale is slated for Thurs­ day, July 13, and Friday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the library. On Saturday, July 15, patrons can return between 9 a.m. and noon to fill a bag full of books for $5. The Friends of the Library will take book donations for their sale between Thursday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 11. Barry-Eaton Baby Cafe Expands to Eaton County The Bany-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) has. announced the opening of a new Baby Cafe in Eaton County. Bany-Eaton Baby Cafe meetings are held on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon at ALIVE in Charlotte and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hastings Public Library or l\den Park (weather permitting) in Hastings. New, pregnant, breastfeeding and experienced mothers are encouraged to attend. Older siblings are always welcome, and light refreshments are always provided. The Barry-Eaton Baby Cafe is supported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Maternal Child Health Block Grant in affiliation with BEDHD, ALIVE and Hastings Public Library. Baby Cafes are free, drop-in, informal breastfeeding sup­ port groups offering ongoing professional lactation care and intervention. The Barry-Ea­ ton Baby Cafe provides pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with a friendly and comfort­ able environment to learn more about breastfeeding. At Baby Cafe, mothers can relax, share tips and techniques and socialize with other moms. One-on-one help from special­ ly trained health professionals is available, including professional lactation support and peer counselors from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Babies can also have their breastfeeding assessed at Baby Cafe, providing additional support for parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively breast­ fed for about the first six months, then continue to breastfeed while introducing comple­ mentary foods until a child is 12 months or older. For more information on the Barry-Eaton Baby Cafe, please contact Lindsey Patterson at lpatterson@bedhd.org or follow us on Facebook @Barry-EatonBabyCafe. Hunter McLaren Staff Writer The Hastings planning commission reviewed preliminary plans for an expansion to Meadowstone Apartments that’s been more than 20 years in the making. Dan King, community development direc­ tor for the city, explained to commissioners that the Meadowstone Apartments planned unit development at 1611 S. Hanover St. had its first stages approved in 1999. Original plans called for 13 buildings with 12 two-bedroom units per building, for a total of 156 two-bedroom apartments. Six of those build­ ings were constructed in the early 2000s, putting 72 units at the site. At Monday’s meeting, plans were shared to continue construction planned at the site, with updates. King said that because the plans called for changes to the original PUD, they had to be reviewed and approved by the commission. “It does classify as a major modification to the original site plan,” King said. “Obviously, times have changed in 20 years, so they’re proposing items that are kind of bringing it into the current day.” Joel Kamstra, representing developer Een­ hoom Development, said the developer is look­ ing to add five more buildings to the site, with some modifications from the originally approved PUD. Because of changes in the rent­ al market, Kamstra said the buildings would instead consist of somewhere between 88 to 92 one-bedroom units of various sizes for rent. “As things have changed dramatically in the market over the last 20 years, we have tried to meet existing residential demand and try to modernize a little bit, which came through that site plan,” Kamstra said. Kamstra said that while the 72 two-bed­ room units on the site have a nearly 98 per­ rm Joel Kamstra, representing Eenhoom Development, presented preliminary plans for a five-building expansion at Meadowstone Apartments. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) cent occupancy rate right now, Eenhoom was looking to diversify the site and respond to demand in the market for one-bedroom rent­ als. Decreasing the average square footage would help keep rent costs lower while also meeting a need, he said. “They’re very inefficient right now. They’re huge two-bedroom units,” he said. “Some of them even have lofts. It’s just not necessary in today’s rental market.” In addition to the new one-bedroom units, the updated plans call for the property’s leas­ ing office, currently located off-site, to be moved on-site for tenant and management convenience. Plans also propose several ame­ nities for the complex, including a fitness area, dog park, community garden and sports courts. The developer will have finalized plans to present for a public hearing at the planning commission’s next scheduled meet­ ing at 7 p.m. on Aug. 7 in Hastings City Hall. “We feel like we’ve drafted something here that fully maximizes the site, makes it very efficient, preserves as much green space as possible and drives a nice community feel to the overall development,” he said. p * ^•1 a* i<0&4l Moolenaar staff available to discuss constituent assistance Staff members from the office of Congressman John Moolenaar are hosting meeting times across th listrict this month where constituents can sit down to discuss personal casework issue hey are having with a federal agency. Moolenaan Ece is offering help to constituents who need assistance with a federal agency,, inclul phe VA and the IRS. . , . Staff membf will be available locally in the coming weeks in Ionia, Hastings and n iSunfieid.OitWednesday/July 12, Moolenaar staff wilhbe at theTonia:Community Library, 126 East Main Street, from 4 to 5 p.m. On Tuesday, July 25, staff will be available at the Hastings Public Library, 227 East State Street, from 9 to 10 a.m. Staff will also be available that day at the Sunfield Township Hall, 145 Main Street, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Saigas®®, 10 MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber L- Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 City planning commissioners sent plans for a 135-unit housing development with commercial space at the former Royal Coach site to the city council for approval. (Courtesy rendering) #8110376 & Insured ROYAL COACH, continued from page 1 WWWVVVVVVWV| AnnualJuly Sale 20°/o Off Fabrics (excludes sale items) Sale endsJuly 31st ft te&n Gtnebitfin! QUESTIONS: 218 E. State St, Hastings * 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; E" Saturday 9 am-3 pm THE HOTTEST STARS PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 STYX FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR CA^M NO 'HOTEL I-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 NUcftwn Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets bB^yj|g^llablllty. Schedule subject to change. < the previous Royal Coach building’s design, featuring brick exteriors as a nod to the his­ torical significance of the site. “What a great site to come from the ashes, literally from the ashes, and be rebuilt (in a way that is) historically relevant to what was once there,” Dixon said. “The architecture that we modeled looks in some ways a little plain, but that is the style, the architecture, of the old Hastings Table Company, the Royal Coach.” City council members John Resseguie and Jim Cary attended the meeting, and both spoke in support of the project and CopperRock’s reputation as a developer. Resseguie said that as a resident who was notified of being within 300 feet of the development, he was more than happy to see the project go in his backyard. “I want to thank you for what you’ve done tonight,” Resseguie said. “It’s not always about us and whether it’s in our backyard. It’s about our city and making an upgrade.” Bonnie Gettys, president and CEO of the Barry Community Foundation, spoke in sup­ port of the project. The foundation purchased the Royal Coach property several years ago for the purpose of bringing a housing devel­ opment to the site, and it was exciting to finally see that vision come to fruition, Gettys said. She was impressed with CopperRock’s ‘’’CfllEk Ken Dixon, an architect involved with the development, said the project was designed as a nod to the former Royal Coach building. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) persistence and was glad to be able to work with them, she said. “This property has not been without its challenges. They certainly have found ways to make sure that not only do they meet those challenges, but they exceed what the commu- nity really could expect from a developer,” Gettys said. “We are very lucky that they chose Hastings. We’re lucky that they chose this particular property, and I cannot wait for the golden shovels to start at that Mill Street property.” weekly video visit limit. Inmates can answer video calls directly from their cell, allowing them to connect remotely with visitors who could be calling from across the country. Free video visitation appointments using the department’s kiosks will be available in 20-minute increments from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Paid video visit appointments that can be done remotely will be available in 20-minute incre­ ments from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. A paid video visit costs about 20 cents per minute, Rocha said Once visitors have registered for the ser- vice online or through the mobile app using their name and photo identification, they’ll be ready to make calls. Rocha asked visitors to be patient with jail staff while they transition to the new system. “Just like with any new technology, there are going to be some bugs. Jail staff are work­ ing on how to best make that transition,” Rocha said. “We ask for some grace on that. We are going to help out everybody as much JAIL, continued from page 1 the Sheriff’s office said that help desk sup­ port is available when needed. As has always been the case, visitations must be scheduled in advance and can be done so through the InmateSales interface. Visits conducted from home or at a remote location come with a fee. Jon Rocha, corrections cadet at the Barry County Jail, said the new video visitation sys­ tem will open up new visitation options for inmates. While inmates were previously only allowed one visit per week, there will be no S as we can. We’re not going to turn anybody away from their visits.” �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 6,2023 — Page 3 51st annual Charlton Park Antique Gas and Steam Engine Show to run July Now in its 51st year, the Charlton Park Gas and Steam Engine Club is presenting its annual Antique Gas and Steam Engine Show on Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, from 8 a.m. to dusk at the Historic Charlton Park Village, Museum and Recreation Area. Displays of antique tractors, stationary engines, steam engines, farm machinery and other rare antiques are planned. Minneapo­ lis-Moline, Twin City, Oliver, Hart Parr and Cockshutt tractors and equipment will be highlighted at the show this year. Demon­ strations of an 1895 Corley sawmill, hitand-miss and gas engines as well as thresh­ ing are slated for the two-day show. Visitors will also get a glimpse of the rare 1884 Westinghouse Traction Engine in the Park’s collection. This year, the show will high­ light the Kemler family as the featured steam family. A tractor pull is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, at 10 a.m., and a kids’ pedal pull is planned for Saturday, also beginning at 10 a.m. A miniature horse pull will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Spectators should plan to * kJk,kkS’Vt!jsM I bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating for the events. The pancake breakfast will take place Sat­ urday morning in the Gas and Steam Bam. Food vendors will serve festival favorites throughout the event, and a swap meet/flea market area will be available. Registration ahd camping are available for vendors and exhibitors. Exhibitor registration is required, but membership is not required to participate. The show’s organizers believe this event has something for all ages. Admission to the event is $5 per person for those 1-3 years old and over. Ages 12 and under are free. Exhibitors enter free as well. All event proceeds support the Charlton Park Gas and Steam Club and Charlton Park. Donations are welcome. Charlton Park is located between Hastings and Nashville, North of M-79, at 2545 S. Charlton Park Road. More information can be found by calling 269-945-3775, visiting charltonpark.org or visiting Charlton Park’s Facebook page. Threshing machines like the one pictured may be in action at this year’s Antique Gas and Steam Engine show. Growers wait to see how month-long drought will affect crop being impacted. Jayson Bussa bucket. It’s hard to make up for that lost The Michigan Crop Weather report from Editor moisture that we were supposed to have reg­ June 26, which was put together by the Unit­ Growers of all sizes and varieties will ularly in May and into June.” ed States Department of Agriculture, stated continue their journey to harvest time with Wheat is one crop that will likely take a hit, that just 28 percent) of com, 23 percent of plenty of worry and unknowns due to a crip­ as it’s planted in the fall and harvested in July soybeans, and 31 percent of winter wheat pling dry spell that gripped the state in May or August. This summer’s drought period were classified as being in “good” or “excel­ and June. aligned with a crucial growing phase when lent” condition, while the percentage of While steadier rain patterns started to form the wheat attempts to draw moisture from the those crops categorized as “poor” continued early last week, the damage has already been, ground to form its kernels. to grojv; done to some crops, while the impact on oth­ Some area farmers and industry profes­ Specialty crops have also taken a signifi­ ers remains to be seen. sionals are bracing for what could be one of cant blow. . Steve Whittington, a field crops educator the worst crops in a long time. Whittington would know, as he maintains with the Michigan State University Exten­ “We’re not Kansas pr North Dakota^.-but sion, said that the recent rain has been a wel­ it’s still a significant crop for some farmers' his own market garden, which has proved come sign, but it does not erase worries from who built that into their operations,” Whit-^ challenging this season. area fanners, especially those that do not >“A lot of those fruiting crops like strawbertington said. “(The weather) has been detriJ'have irrigation on their land. mental this year.” ries, they’re being affected this season, which “Certainly, any moisture is better than no “The extent of how bad that is, we don’t' is looking like it might be a short one,” Whit­ moisture at all, which is where we were a know until we look at harvest numbers,” tington said. Bweek or so ago,” said Whittington, who is “(With) any sort of no.n-consistent moisT ased in northern Kent -doiinity. “We’re JaC^w^dW^^mple crops like com and soybeanscK pf berry berry crq^s, ‘ ture, ture, lots lots of crqps, especially especially strawberj strawber? ver an eight-inch deficit.-When you thirik;?iSre\hfore tresilienLkadi can more effectively Tories, wilLstress it. They _stop...putting.. then about it like that, it’s kind of a drop in the mine moisture from the soil, they’re still energy into fruit'production and go more into A view of a strawberry patch at Cotant’s Farm Market in Hastings. self-preservation mode. That’s why they say it will be a short season.” This is not welcome news for long-time berry pickers, who plan on fresh, local­ ly-sourced produce each summer. Whittington told a story about how he encountered a local U-pick farm near his home that had dozens of cars lined up to pick berries, only for the farmer to have to send them away because there we no more berries. Hastings-based Cotant’s Farm Market knows this struggle well. The staff there maintains multiple strawberry patches. In late June, though, they released a video update on . social media asking customers to temper thenexpectations as strawberries were scarce and inconsistent, even with irrigated grounds. Bob Cotant has spent countless hours in the fields this season moving around irriga­ tion, trying to make sure the variety of crops he Iplants -remain in good, condition. ।. to -- .? I ?Any yeatoi^with) Strawberries, uritihyauc get them harvested, it’s always a crap shoot,” Cotant said. Cotant has been doing this for five decades, so a drought of this sort admittedly does not rattle him. Plus, his farm is equipped with irrigation, which has been an enormous benefit through­ out the last couple of months. “We do irrigate. If we were trying to do a lot of the crop without irrigation, say sweet com, for the last four to five weeks, you wouldn’t have even been able to get sweet com to germinate in the soil because the soil was so dry,” Cotant said. “It’d be really diffi­ cult.” As far as being at the mercy of the weather, Cotant nonchalantly admitted that it’s simply part of the gig. “It’s always pretty intense getting every­ thing done whether it’s diy or a really wet season - then you’re.^jling.-with, .fimgal diseases on crops and a^les and stuff,” he i^saido “Farmings is always intenseaiurii^r.the growing season.” Some strawberries grow ahd ripen out in a patch at Cotant’s Farm Market in Hastings. Due to the grueling weather, strawberries have been hard to come by at Cotant’s and with many other growers. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) EXPO CENTER, continued from page 1 ble-parked. It helps in an immense amount of ways. Safety is the biggest thing, really.” g With some speakers being hardwired into place and others WiFi-enabled, announcements made by fair staff can now reach all comers of the grounds, including in the camping area. SPRAY FOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass ^••According to Redman, the new digital sign also brings its share of benefits but replaces a familiar site that some residents have gotten used to over the last mree-plus decades. ‘ “The sign out front (was) 35 years old,” Redman explained. “It was hard to get parts for it, and it was falling over; we couldn’tp,ut any more mpney into jt. It was time to get rid of that old arid aging 6quipment.”^ While crews tore out the old sign, Redman said that staff at the Expo Center have held on to the lettering and art on it and will hang that up in one of the facility’s buildings. The new digital sign is programmable, so fair staff can add text, graphics and animations to promote a vari­ ety of events to passersby. This especially comes in handy for the fair, which features a robust day-to-day schedule. One change to the Expo Center’s infrastructure that will likely gain visitors’ approval is that, for the first time, the fair will accept credit card payments at the gate, office, ticket booths and grandstands. Previously, these areas of the fairgrounds only accept­ ed cash payments. Another aspect of the fair that is different this year isn’t necessarily a positive one. Gate prices for the fair have increased from $5 to $8 this year, and most grandstand events jumped from $10 to $15. Redman said that it was the first price increase since 2006, and he and the board hope that they won’t have to do it again any time soon. “Everything we touched has gone up 20 percent, give or take,” Redman said of the pressures to raise prices. “Part of the reason we put it up to where it is now is we didn’t want to bring our prices up a dollar this year Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Remo^' GIVE US A CALL TODAY! The 170th Annual Barry County Fair, featuring 4-H barns, a midway and action at the grandstand area, kicks off Monday, July 17. (Photo by Greg Chandler) • and have to bring it up a dollar next year and again the next year,” Redman added, “We did it once, and we’re done with it for a while.” The recent infrastructure projects are certainly upgrades to the Barry Expo Center. But has Redman and his crew reached the end of their wish list? Not even close. ‘There is always a wish list,” Redman said. “We’d love to pave the whole parking lot and all of the roads in the fairgrounds, but that would be hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we can’t afford that. We’d love to put allnew steel roofs on the buildings, but we can’t. So, there is always a wish list.” HARMLESS BAT REMOVAL BAT PROOF & CLEAN UP FULL ATTIC RESTORATION 10 YEAR WARRANTY 517-599-1019 www.thebatguysbatremoval.com �Page 4 — Thursday, July 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC? Supreme Court calls out wily politicians on student debt Smile for the camera A couple of years ago, the Village of Vermontville was outfitted with a new water tower — and now village officials have taken measures to protect it. Late in June, crews wrapped up installing four security cameras near the tower. According to village officials, the project wasn’t in response to any threats; rather, it was a proactive measure to protect this important asset. The cameras accompany a security fence that was already in place. The camera project was funded by a Risk Reduction Program grant offered through the insurance provider Michigan Township Participating Plan. d» ,<,« remember? Saluting cancer survivors Banner Aug. 19, 2004 aeoq'iuq am io! gimasH jfon-.r?3fn£ olort iiiw egiihaaH ) adt ’iol fo>nuo3 iiT K Fresh flowers were given away to cancer survivors Friday evening as they began their walk in the annual “Relay for Life’ fundraiser at Tyden Park in Hastings. (Photo by Nicole Meredith) Have you met? Jordan Howard tells people he is not very complicated. He summed up his passions into three words: plants, exercise and coffee. His sim­ ple lifestyle is no accident - it’s something he’s carefully cultivated. “I like to keep it to the basics,” Howard said. “For me, the key to finding my peace and happiness was to just keep it as simple as I could. Nothing too complicated.” Originally from Kentwood, Howard attended Caledonia High School. After graduating, he began work as a Medicare insurance salesperson. It’s a role that wasn’t quite a good fit for him, he said. “At the end of the day, it just wasn’t working out. I didn’t like sitting in an office all day having conversations on the phone with people who didn’t want to talk about health insurance,” he said. “I just realized that that’s not who I am. I’d rather do some­ thing much smaller and have kinder inter­ actions.” Howard made his way to Middleville after meeting Left Field Coffee Co. owner Johnny DeMaagd. Howard said the two of them hit it off right away, and they’ve been dating for several months. When DeMaagd invited Howard to work with him at Left Field, it was a no-brainer. “He said he needed help at the cafe, so I made a career switch,” Howard said. “It was the best switch I’ve ever made.” Howard said working at Left Field has been everything he was hoping for. “I love it here; it’s great. The atmosphere and the environment that Johnny and the team has created is just something else,” he said. “The openness and kindness that exists within Left Field, both the building and as a company, it’s difficult to find real­ ly anywhere else. I’m very glad to be here.” Left Field is also where Howard discov­ ered his green thumb - DeMaagd even refers to him as the cafe’s head of horticul­ ture. After receiving a plant as a gift earli­ er this year, Howard noticed there were quite a few plants to take care of around the cafe as well. Since then, he’s added those and around 100 other plants to his care, tracking their watering schedules through various apps. When it comes to sunlight, wind exposure and other factors, Howard prefers to keep track of and experiment with those himself. It’s all part of the fun, he said. Jordan Howard “The key to plant care is being very patient. I’m just paying attention to the sim­ ple things, the small things,” he said. “If something catches your eye, touch it, feel it, look at it. Trust your gut because humans have grown up around plants our whole lives. I mean, it’s in our genes to help care for plants.” Outside Left Field, Howard has contin­ ued his passions of running and refereeing soccer. He said running his first marathon was a major accomplishment and some­ thing he recommends every runner push themselves to complete at least once. By the time he finished his second marathon, he said he realized that maybe just once was enough. “Two marathons? Nobody brags about two marathons or even three iparathons,” he joked. “You don’t need to prove that you can run multiple marathons. Just one is fine.” As a soccer ref, he travels across the state and sometimes the country to officiate games. While he said people often ask him why he would put himself at the mercy of angry parents and spectators, it’s something he truly loves. His love for the game and the strong community of sports officials in Michigan has kept him invested in the job. “The community we have as referees in Michigan is simply unmatched. There’s a kindness and compassion that I’ve not seen anywhere else,” he said. “I’m glad to repre­ sent the state of Michigan when I go out of state for events, and it’s a place that I’m really glad to be part of.” Howard said he’s alsd glad to be a part of the Middleville community. Just as he’s set­ tled into his new role at Left Field, Howard said he’s settled into Middleville as well. “It feels nice to walk down the street and recognize people you know, to see regulars that come in, and you can check in to see how their day is going,” he said. “You can make them a cup of coffee and maybe sneak them a free cookie when Johnny’s not looking. You know, just stuff like that - just caring about people is really kind of what my job description is, and it’s some­ thing I really enjoy.” For helping the people of Barry County start their early mornings on the right foot, Jordan Howard is this week’s Bright Light. What I would tell a high school gradu­ ate: Keep it simple and surround yourself with people that you feel comfortable with. What kind of music I listen to: Taylor Swift. Greatest fear: The world becomes a place where I’m no longer accepted. Being queer, historically, has always been a fight to exist, period. To exist is one thing; to be accepted is something else. I’m okay with the amount of acceptance we have. I’m okay with get­ ting called a slur every now and then if it means I can marry who I want, and I don’t have to worry about my rights being taken away. That’s where it used to be 20 years ago. My greatest fear is that we go backward and we start taking away rights because of something that I have no control of. Movie I’d recommend: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is very underrated. It’s really this nice exploration of existing in a corporate, systemic America where there is this path to success that we’ve been told about our whole life. You end up being successful but not happy. He realizes the secret to happiness is that the structure is there to give you options but to find happi­ ness, you have to follow your heart. Each week, the Banner profiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because of volunteer work, Jun-loving per­ sonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, or for any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. The craven underbelly of politics was on full display last week when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Biden Administration’s student loan forgive­ ness plan. I hope Americans - and especially those who pay too little attention — aren’t blinded from seeing the ugly side of how politicians are running this country. Biden’s scheme would have directly transferred $400 billion of outstanding student loan debt to all American tax­ payers. Friday’s 6-3 ruling impacts around 43 million borrowers nationally, including more than 800,000 in Michi­ gan who will be expected to continue loan repayments starting in October after a 3-year pause due to COVID. An ever-growing number of citizens had been expressing frustration over the proposal, viewing it as a slap in the face to those who’ve already paid their loans and to those who never went to college. The administration doesn’t care about fairness because it was attempting to offer a handout for political gain. This isn’t the first time that politicians have tried to use a program to entice voters to support them - Lesson One in how pol­ iticians fleece the people they are charged with protecting. Today, America is staring down the barrel of a total $31 trillion-dollar-plus debt, which amounts to more than $93,000 for each and every one of us to pay. When Biden came into office, he pledged to be a “unifier,’ yet he’s done more to divide our nation than any pres­ ident in recent memory - give-a-way programs like the student debt loan for­ giveness plan are wedge issues that only divide our country. Out-of-control tax-and-spend policies like this latest proposal are bleeding the ' American economy. Wasteful govem■ 'ment spending fueled1 the worst inflation crisis in more than 40 years, small busi­ ness optimism has plummeted, interest rates on everything from home mortgag­ es to car loans continue their devastating trajectory upward, and it doesn’t look like it’s getting better anytime soon. Left unresolved, these economic chal­ lenges will spell disaster for American prosperity, productivity and competi­ tiveness. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, concluded that the Biden Administration exceeded its authority by wiping clean $400 billion - nearly a half a trillion - in student loan debt without authorization from Con­ gress. The justices didn’t agree with the argument that the program was justified by a law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks that gave the U.S. education secretary the power to “waive or modify any stat­ utory or regulatory provision” on stu­ dent loans during a national emergency. At the time, it was meant for those who signed up for military service and were still paying college debt. Biden used this provision during his 2020 presidential campaign to buy votes from young voters. Even former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said those who believe Biden can forgive student debt on his own are misin­ formed. “The president can’t do it,” said Pelosi at a press briefing. “That’s not even a discussion.” Lesson Two is being taught right now: Watch the back door. Once Friday’s ruling came down from the Supreme Court, the Biden Adminis­ tration was at it again, looking for anoth­ er way around paying down the debt rather than admitting it didn’t have the authority to do so. “Today’s decision has closed one path,” said Biden, “now we’re going to pursue another.” The new plan relies on the'federal “Higher Education Act” to “compro­ mise, waive or release loans under cer­ tain circumstances” and has also crafted a “ramp-up repayment plan” that gives borrowers extended protection from default as they return to paying back student loans. As the president looks for a way around the last week’s verdict, I’m with the millions of Americans posing the question, “How can we ask those who decided to go directly into the workforce or took the risk of starting their own business to pay for those who chose col­ lege knowing they would have to face the cost at some time?” How about the waitress working to pay her bills or the people who decided to go to college and work at the same time to reduce their debt? And how does President Biden answer the families who went without to support the cost of college for their children? These are all valid issues that bring us to Lesson Three: Planning the future in order to avoid or mitigate our mistakes. Why isn’t the administration looking at the out-of-control cost of a college edu­ cation rather than helping to cancel the bloated, already-existing debt? Due to growing demand, bloated student ame­ nities, food and lodging expenses, the cost of college is still spiraling upward. According to a recent CNBC survey, adjusted for inflation, the cost of private schools has risen by 129 percent since the 1980s. The cost of public schools increased by an even more staggering 213 percent. Students are graduating with an average of $37,172 in costs totaling more than $1.5 trillion in collec­ tive student loan debt shared amongst more than 43 million Americans. And while high school dropout rates are decreasing, the United States is experiencing a growing 40 percent col­ lege dropout rate every year, with only 41 percent of students graduating after four years without delay. Canceling stu­ dent debt does nothing to deal with the core issue of rising college costs. Some view the proposal as nothing more than another welfare program. The students and their families who have responsibly saved and paid for col­ lege will not benefit at all. In fact, they will, in effect, be paying on the loans of those selected students who would have benefited from this political proposal. Taking on debt to pay for college is supposed to be an investment in a per­ son’s future. The long-run pay-off is a higher-paying job and financial stabili­ ty. However, due to the out-of-control cost of college, it’s more difficult for i students to keep up with the unreasonable^price." ■ There are ways to make continuing education more affordable, such as com­ munity college, living at home, working part-time and taking online classes. In Michigan last year, lawmakers and the governor agreed to fund the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which pro­ vides funding for the high school class of 2023 and beyond to attend a Michi­ gan community college, an independent nonprofit college or a public university. The state also has the Michigan Reconnect program, which enables people 25 and older without a bache­ lor’s degree to attend their local com­ munity college tuition-free. There is also a chance the state will return to the business of lending money to students to pursue a college education, which it stopped in 2008. Controlling interest rates on college debt would make it easier for students to pay down their loans. Plus, every year in communities all over the state, hundreds of local scholarships go unused because stu­ dents aren’t doing their due diligence to benefit from these funds. The Atlantic magazine recently sug­ gested that the insane cost of college is a condition somewhat unique to the Unit­ ed States, pointing out that the combined contributions of individuals, families and government amounts to roughly $30,000 in expenses per student per year. That’s about double the average amount per student across the rest of the industrialized world. What hurts, especially, is that there is no evidence that this expense has pro­ duced superior academic outcomes or professional opportunities for our stu­ dents. It’s time that Congress takes a look at the cost of college with the determina­ tion to bring down the cost making it more attainable for more students. That won’t be solved as a political issue. We need both sides to work together to find solutions for the benefit of our country so we can entice more students to continue their education after high school. x •* id*1' «■*•*** sK •>. is?* s 3 Qk v Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. MSsc W w �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 6, 2023 — rage 5 Woman reports daughter owns a bobcat A crew works to unload boxes of booze from an overturned delivery truck last Tuesday, June 27. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) A truck carrying wine and spirits overturned at the intersec­ tion of West Green and South Broadway streets, briefly shut­ ting down a small stretch of Green Street. Swift response, gratitude and a dash of humor: City workers handle booze mishap I Our city’s response team showcased remarkable efficiency and a sense of humor when a box truck carrying an assortment of alcoholic beverages toppled over at a busy intersection. In just minutes, these dedicated workers transformed chaos into order, minimizing disruption and leaving us with a delightful mixology experiment on the road. With the area secured, the workers skill­ fully unloaded the spilled alcohol, uninten­ tionally creating an impromptu cocktail extravaganza. Jack Daniels mingled with Tanqueray, beer waltzed with wine - an unexpected party on the pavement. Their precision contained the situation, prevented further mishaps and restored normalcy faster than you can say “cheers.” Amidst our gratitude for their rapid response, let’s raise a glass to these unsung ‘ more dihii wt JF Sleeping man disturbed by evasive apparition heroes. Their exceptional capabilities, quick thinking and dedication to public safety deserve applause. They effortlessly handled this booze mishap, complete with an acciden­ tal mixology masterpiece. We’re fortunate to have such capable city workers who not only ensure our safety but also bring a touch of humor to unexpected situations. Cheers to the city workers who turn spills into thrills, mishaps into laughs and chaos into impromptu celebrations. Let us appreciate their unwavering commitment, their efficiency and their ability to find joy even in the most unexpected cocktail creations on our streets. Jim Carey Hastings City Councilman Michigan is now explicitly allowing the gender delusion issue to be used as a ‘pro­ tected class.’” Rep. Rigas’s phrase “gender delusion” is presumably meant to deny and ridicule the self-understanding of trans people. As a pri­ vate person, Rigas, of course, has the right to her own reality-denying opinions on this and other topics. But we should expect better of a legislator. The bill defines “gender identity or expres­ sion” as “having or being perceived as having a gender-related self-identity or expression whether or not associated with an individual’s assigned sex at birth.” Is Angela Rigas unable to read and under­ stand a straightforwardly written bill? Or does she truly believe in impunity for those who would,terrorize another person by engag-, mg*jin.>a willfuLdduree «ofi conduct involving sustained harassment because they lotriequeer - or, for that matter, because they look straight? Either way, Angela Rigas’s response to this bill is intolerable. / Contrary to some headlines I have seen, this bill isn’t about slipping up and using the wrong pronoun or even about deliberately declining to use another person’s preferred pronouns. The bill doesn’t even mention pronouns. If Representative Rigas misspoke - and misvoted - because she misunderstood the bill, she should apologize to her constitu­ ents and work on improving her reading comprehension. If she supports impunity for intimidation, threats and violence against people on the basis of their gender identity or expression, or any of the other characteristics mentioned in the bill, she should resign. James Ernest • Caledonia tanifeihbltsriiti, KBaMtansnif psdi&onfefeL tnpgxrnsiL Unexplained explosion in Woodland Three neighbors on the 1200 block of North Woodland Road reported hearing an explosion around 8 a.m. on June 13. One of the residents, a 62-year-old Woodland woman, drove to her neighbor’s house to investigate. The neighbors told the woman they had heard the explosion but didn’t know anything else. The woman called a different neighbor, who said they had also heard the explosion and seen a plume of smoke rising from somewhere near the property of the other neighbor the woman had visited. Police spoke with all three neighbors and were unable to identify the source of the explosion. Rep. Rigas’s response to hate crime bill 'intolerable’ ’ Editor: ? Michigan’s House of Representatives has passed HB 4474, which defines as a hate crime, the perpetration of violence, bodily injury, property destruction and intimidation of people based on characteristics including race or color, religion, sex, sexual orienta­ tion, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, age, ethnicity and national origin. J The bill defines intimidation as “a willful course of conduct involving repeated or con­ tinuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable individual to feel terrorized, frightened or threatened, and that actually causes the victim to feel terrorized, frightened or threatened.” State Representative Angela Rigas opposed his bill..ni> -//uni c iu i&ou She. is; quoted inijhew§ijsquroes« objecting o the bill on the grounds that “thenstatelof A 55-year-old Lake Odessa woman called police around 5 p.m. on June 23 and said she believed her daughter had a bobcat in her Nashville residence. The woman told police the cat had bitten three people and she was worried about her grandchildren at the house. The woman’s 26-year-old daughter told her it was just a Maine Coon. The woman said she had contacted the DNR, who had directed her to Barry County Animal Control. The woman told police she wanted the alleged bobcat taken from the home and released into the wild. The responding officer forwarded the report to an animal control deputy. wscdtoWfeMns! Schola^iip, tip' Mi ton « An 84-year-old Hastings man called police around 4 a.m. on June 21 after being star­ tled by someone in his home. The man told police he was sleeping in his chair when he woke up to a man in a jacket standing in his living room. The man said he yelled “Hey” three times before the man vanished into thin air. A deputy from the Barry County Sher­ iff’s Department arrived on the scene, checked the house for intruders and looked for signs of someone uninvited being on the property. Finding no evidence of an intruder or trespasser, the officer locked the man’s front door and told him to call back if he saw anything else. Man calls police seeking advice for dealing with his mother Police spoke with a 47-year-old Hastings man seeking advice around 10 p.m. on June 23. Police said the man was looking for advice regarding how he could repair a broken relationship with his mother. The officer on the line told the man to seek a counselor and that the police could not help him with this matter. 202187 City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT REZONING AND FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL The City Council for the City of Hastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/or oral comments from the public concerning a Planned Unit Development rezoning and final site plan approval for 420 E. Mill, LLC cer­ tain properties located at 328 East Mill Street parcel #08-55-001-001-02 and 420 East Mill Street parcel # 08-001-001-04. The City Council will consider rezoning 328 East Mill Street parcel #08-55-001-001-02 from D-l Industrial District to PUD Planned Unit Development and 420 East Mill Street parcel #08-001-001-04 from Royal Coach PUD to PUD Planned Unit Development. The City Council will review and consider final site plan approval for a mixed-use development that will include construction of 138 units of multifamily housing. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday July 24,2023 in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. IflT gjafereilie^^n Ji» 0*^1 . -^veafaiconiJ^i Left Field Coffee Bar owner Johnny DeMaagd said he served over 100 guests during the two-hour event, greatly exceeding his initial expectations of around 30 customers. Hastings Pop-up Pride Night celebrates LGBTQ community 1* g \f * FI HI * f1 FI II F I Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Hastings capped off Pride Month with its first-ever Pride celebration. Left Field Coffee Bar in downtown Hast­ ings hosted the Pop-Up Pride Night last week Thursday. The cafe stayed open late, with in-house chef Stephanie Komondy serving baked goods. Patrons filed into the coffee shop adorned in Pride bracelets, buttons and flags as they celebrated the LGBTQ community. The event was organized by Queer and Friends of Hastings, a group dedicated to increasing visibility and providing support for the LGBTQ community in Hastings. The group was founded by J. Maizlish Mole and Cloe Rose Oliver, who created the group to put out an LGBTQ-affirming advertisement in The Reminder last month. Mole said the two were overwhelmed by the amount of support they received. While they originally were only fundraising to take out the advertisement, they saw a need for a more permanent presence for the group when supporters kept asking how they could con­ tribute to the group’s cause, financially or otherwise. ' “Hundreds of people signed (the ad), and then we raised more money in the first day and a half than we needed,” Mole said. “Even after we told them we’d met the goal for pub­ lishing, people still wanted to send money in. So we thought we should keep doing this because there’s obviously a need for an LGBTQ organization in Hastings.” Mole said he and Oliver saw the success of the Middleville Pride event and wanted to bring some sort of celebration to Hastings. With lim- ited time to plan and organize, the group settled on a simple pop-up event to kick off one of the first Pride celebrations in Hastings. Johnny DeMaagd, owner of Left Field Coffee, said he was more than happy to host the event when approached by the group. While the event was smaller-scale than Mid­ dleville’s celebration, DeMaagd said it was an important way to increase visibility of the LGBTQ community in Barry County. “It was a little too late to get a large-scale something for Hastings, but queer people exist in every part of the country. Urban, rural, big state, small state, you name it,” DeMaagd said. “We needed to do this this year because there’s so many people that need to know that they are appreciated, known and celebrated for who they are.” DeMaagd said the shop had prepared for about 50 people to show up, expecting closer to 30. Instead, he said the store received more than 100 guests. “Not only did more than 100 people show up, it was a packed house,” he said. “People were showing up afterwards, wanting to stay in fellowship and connect, just exist within a community of peers.” DeMaagd said he was overwhelmed by the support as a business owner and member of the LGBTQ community. He hopes other small businesses owned by marginalized communities - whether those communities are based on race, sexual identity, gender or ability - can receive the same level of support in Barry County and beyond. “Those businesses exist year-round. Even if there’s just one month dedicated to high­ lighting or celebrating one sort of communi- ty, those places exist, and they can always use your support,” DeMaagd said. “It’s good to support small businesses when you can and especially to mindfully support them through­ out the year.” While Mole said he and other Queer and Friends of Hastings organizers weren’t sure what to expect for the group’s first event, they were once again taken aback by the level of support they received. He said the group owed much to Olivia Bennett and Amanda Fisk, who organized Middleville’s Pride celebration. Although it’s too early to tell what next year’s celebration will hold, Mole said the group definitely wants to create an annual celebration in Hastings that’s even bigger next year. Although LGBTQ rights have become an increasingly politicized topic, Mole said the group’s only goal is to care for and support people. In a small community like Hastings, it’s even more important to show that LGBTQ support can come from people of all backgrounds, he said. “Everything around LGBTQ people is very politicized, but LGBTQ visibility in a community like this is not a left or right thing for us; it’s a people thing. People from all kinds of backgrounds signed our statement (in the advertisement), including secular peo­ ple and people of faith,” he said. “Most peo­ ple have queer people among their family and friends, whether they know it or not, or accept it or not.” “We’re just here to let those people know that they’re not alone and there are allies around them, no matter what kind of back­ ground they come from or who they live among,” Mole said. A copy of the proposed site plan and map are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the Community Development Director, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director, at 269.945.2468 or dking@ hastingsmi.gov The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD. call relay services 800.649.3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurlng CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year In adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �2 Page 6 — Thursday, July 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner A fr 4! /JW rwlrj r YMCA seeks volunteers to help clean up site for future childcare center I Elaine Garlock Here’s hoping you had a happy Fourth of July. The day was marked with beautiful weather. Temperatures were in the 80s. Lake Odessa already had its year’s share of fireworks on the final night of the Lake Odes­ sa Fair. However, around town, there were smaller bursts of the incendiary stuff done by individuals. The boat parade was scheduled for noon, starting opposite Buddy’s on the Beach. There was no set theme this year, but individuals Were asked to decorate their watercraft. Spectators were invited to use scorecards to rate the passing boats. The night of July 3 was to have had a “Ring of Fire” around the lake. Flares had been sold earlier in the week, and residents around the lake were asked to set a flare at intervals, and they were to be lit at precisely 10 p.m. There was such a response from spectators that it was almost impossible to find a spot to view the spectacle. Cars were lined bumper to bumper along Lakeview Drive. The parking lot at the public beach on M-50 was packed with cars. With the lake­ front occupied about 99 percent with cottages and year-round homes, there were no vacant lots for watching. It paid to have good friends on the waterfront who would invite one to come and join the fun of seeing a solid ring of lights around the lake except for short stretch­ es such as the Enz farmland between McLenithan’s and Ottland Shores with no cottages on the southwest part of the lake. Back at the time of the nation’s bicentennial, there was a similar venture to have flares circling the lake. At that time, band boosters sold the flares. The high school band played from two pontoon boats. Sound waves carry very well over water, so the music from the band could be heard at a great distance. The times could be recognized even in the north­ ern part of town. This would not be possible over land. More than 50 people attended the dinner at the Fellowship Hall on Thursday of last week. The meal was prepared by Swede’s Restaurant of Mulliken. Each week, the serv­ ing is done by one of the nine participating churches in the Lakewood district. The host group provides manpower and also a variety of desserts. On the same day, the host church provides an afternoon ministry for compan­ ionship and respite care for individuals who are often homebound or with minimal human contact. The participants usually stay for the meal, so they do not have to eat alone. Wheat fields are rapidly turning to their golden hue. Our fathers would be surprised to see how much shorter the wheat stalks are compared to the stalks from years ago when longer straw was needed for bedding for ani­ mals. One pitfail of the older varieties is that rain or strong winds back then would flatten the wheat crop, resulting in loss of grain and the valuable straw. The shorter variety of wheat has less risk of loss due to the weather. The county genealogical society is doing something different this month. Instead of meeting locally with a speaker, the members will carpool to Lansing to visit the State of Michigan Archives to do their research. This will be a first-time visit for some of the mem­ bers. Who knows what treasure will be uncovered with access to documents that were, until now, out of reach? Worship Together ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-9454246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-9480900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 am. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1699 W.M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 Si 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 of The YMCA of Barry County is working to convert this former county-owned building into a childcare center. It is seeking volunteers to help lighten the load. (File photo by Jayson Bussa) sign up to clean areas such as windows, screens, cabinets, closets and walls. Out­ door tasks also include light landscaping, shed demolition, branch trimming and trail cleaning. Those interested in volunteering can call the YMCA at 269-945-4574 to volun­ Here are some tips to follow when you identify a potential scammer: • Hang up right away or ignore the mes­ sage. • Never give personal information or money. • Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa. gov/report/. If you owe money to Social Security, we’ll mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. We only accept payments elec­ tronically through pay.gov or Online Bill Pay, or physically by check or money order through our offices. We will never do the following: • Threaten you with arrest or legal action Robert “Bob” William Davis, age 87, of Hastings, MI, passed away on July 3, 2023. Bob met the love of his life, Sandra Purchis, of Nashville, MI, in 1957, and they married on November 8. 1958. They enjoyed 64 wonderful years together. Bob was bom to Charles and Charlotte (Longwell) Davis on August 28, 1935, in Grandville, ML His family moved to Hastings when he was a young boy. Over the years Bob worked for E.W. Bliss, Hartz Mountain, Archway Cookies and McKee Baking Company (Little Debbie). Bob was a veteran, having served in the Naval Reserves and the U.S. Army (137th Armored Ordnance Maintenance Battalion in Ger­ many). He was very proud of his service to our country. He was a long-time member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. His faith and charity work were very important parts of Bob’s life. He also loved sports, hunting, and fishing. Bob was a family man through and through. He and Sandy always put their children first. Bob was a hard worker and a people person. He loved to tell stories; lots of stories! He would talk to anyone at any time. Bob is survived by his wife, Sandy; sons, Nick (Kelly) Davis, Shaun (Pamela) Davis, Joel (Marci), Davis, Matt (Terese) Davis and daughters, Alissa (Rick) Davis, and Darcie (Rod) Purdun. He is also survived by grandchildren, Grant (Tatiana) and Bryce (Raegen) Davis, Sidney Dudley, Brandon and Cami Davis, and Abigail and Alec Davis* along with great grandchildren Barrett and Beckham Davis. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, MaryAnn and brother, Chuck. A visitation will take place on July 22,2023 from 9:30-10:30 a m at Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Bob’s final mass will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church in Hastings. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Hastings. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Rose of Limn Parish. S Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online con­ dolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.com. Alice Zoet, born at Spectrum Health Pen­ nock on June 3, 2023 to Tara Zoet and Ryan Zoet of Clarksville. ■ ? :1 b ! j mail. There are no vacations for fraudsters, so S you need to stay informed of the latest Social Ji Security-related scams. For more informa- ‘i tion, visit our blog at blog.ssa.gov. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special- *J ist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o& Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp^ NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at < hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. ■■■■ Robert William Davis Dannielle Lynnette Gilbert ‘ \ i'.'• Dannielle Lynnette Gilbert, age 66, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 29, 2023, with her husband by her side. lr i Dannielle was bom on May 1957, in Bend, OR, the daughter of W illie and Ephajane 1 (Brown) Jones. She attended Borah High School in Boise, ID 1, unt*' ।11 1984, she moved to Michigan, obtaining her high school degree from Lakewood | TL ' *K J High School Adult Education irt i1997, and received an associate / degree from Kellogg Commu­ nity College. She married Michael Gilbert in 1994. She loved traveling with Michael and together they had visited 50 percent of North America’s National Parks. Dannielle was self-employed doing housekeeping for six years, she also refinished and repaired cabinetry and woodworking, she worked for 15 years for Stephenson and Lawyer Foam Fabrication, retiring in 2006. Dannielle eqjoyed crafting with rock, tile, wire and rope. She enjoyed gardening and agriculture, utilizing organic technics. She was a big proponent of recycling, reusing, and recirculating. She enjoyed making scrap fabric blankets and crocheting. She loved studying Bible Scripture. Dannielle was preceded in death by her father, Willie Jones. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Michael Gilbert; her mother, Ephajane Jones, children, Daniel Conners, lezzica Ivy Hilgenfeld, Brent Gilbert, Renee Gilbert, Elly Gilbert, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and siblings Pam, Mike, Denice, Kelly, Sheila, Josh, and Travis. Visitation will be on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Country Chapel, 9275 M-37 Dowling, MI 49050, Pastor Rick Foster officiating. Interment at Fuller Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Green Gables Haven Com­ munity Shelter, PO Box 388, Hastings, MI 49058 or Alpha Women’s Center, PO Box 203, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online con* dolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Archer Joseph Sottillie, bom at Spectrum Armalie James Rudd, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on June 3, 2023 to Paige Ann Health Pennock on June 19, 2023 to Kiley Marie Sottillie of Hastings. Miles and Austin Rudd of Hastings. ***** Stetson Shea DeLeeuw, bom at Spectrum Health ^j^en Jane Woodman, born at Spectrum Pennock on June 13,2023 to Fiona B. DeLeeuw and Heafrn Pennock on June 20, 2023 to Melissa Wyatt B. DeLeeuw of Grand Rapids. Woodman and Joshua Woodman of Delton. aiM1 4 do another project.” because you don’t agree to pay us money immediately. • Promise a benefit increase in exchange formoney. | • Ask you to send us gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency or cash through the U.S. ./ r >**"*1* teer to sign up. “This won’t be the only time that we’ll probably do something like this,” Sporer said. “If these first two days don’t work out for (someone, they can) reach out to us, arid we’ll pick another day and another time to Fraudsters never go on vacation Product* 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 L r/ JTjlf .i ■■■MB ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience... SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Allerding, the Y is welcoming volunteers to Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Fraudsters will never take a break. While you are out enjoying fun and sun this sum­ mer, they are working hard to find new ways to scam you. Seniors and younger people are particularly vulnerable to scam­ mers who claim to represent Social Securi­ ty. To protect yourself and your loved ones, you can: • Visit our “Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams” webpage at ssa.gov/scam for information on what tactics scammers use and how to report them. • Check out the Federal Trade Commis­ sion’s page at cortsumer.ftc.gov/scams for additional scam-related information. Ring of Fire HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is lb The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze!. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. Jayson Bussa ' Editor The YMCA of Barry County has long thrived on the efforts of volunteers. The organization is now asking for some additional elbow grease from volunteers to whip into shape a newly-acquired facility that administrators plan to convert into a childcare center. Jon Sporer, executive of the YMCA of Barry County, has reached out to various local organizations asking for help cleaning up the facility located at 2350 Iroquois Trail near its home base of Camp Algonquin. “We sort of pushed it out to groups that have a history of volunteering,” said Sporer, mentioning the Rotary Club of Hastings, Hastings Kiwanis Club, the Algonquin Lake Community Association and the Barry Coun­ ty United Way, in addition to the Y's own fulltime staff members and board of directors. The YMCA took possession of the facility at the beginning of June after purchasing it from the county for $750,000. The building, which measures around 7,500 square feet and features six offices, six classrooms and a full kitchen, was formerly used to host Barry County Mental Health Services day programs. The YMCA intends to make the facility ground zero for its childcare services, which it currently provides by operating out of Hast­ ings Church of the Nazarene. The organization is currently working through the licensing process, which is where volunteers can’help to expedite the process. The YMCA; is hosting cleaning days on both Friday, July 7, and Tuesday, July 11. Led by facilities director Scott **** >* ^d1>~ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 6, 2023 — Page 7 Back to Burger Catherine Lucas Banner February 10, 1994 Lpuisa M. Everest Burger, an Ionia County native now living in California, has written two books about her childhood that are used to teach history in fifth-grade classes in that state, as well as a few other states. The two books are “Shake My Hand” and “Swing the Pail,” and they may be ordered from Floating Island Publications, P.O. Box 516, Point Reyes Station, Calif. 94956. Louisa was bom about 12 miles south of Ionia and a few miles north of Woodbury in 1909. Her grandparents lived one house south of where she was bom, and their house is still standing (1994). Louisa Everest graduated from Lake Odes­ sa High School and attended Lake Odessa Congregational Church when she was a youth. Her grandfather was Adam Fender, who came to Michigan to homestead after the Civil War. He lived for a while near Hastings before settling in Ionia County and marrying Louisa Swietzer. Some time ago, we published some of Lou­ isa Burger’s stories from the books she has written about her childhood near Lake Odessa. Here are two of her stories from her first book, “Shake My Hand.” The first story is called “The Cure,” and after reading it, I started looking for more folk cures from the 19th century. Later I will do a “Time to Time” article on what I have found. The second story is about another time Lou got into trouble by not minding her elders. The Cure When I did not mind my father, I always seemed to end up in trouble, and this was no exception. My grandpa decided to tear down an old shed and build a larger one. As my father was a contractor, he was hired for the job. “Now, you stay away from the area where we are working. We will be tearing down these old timbers. They are rotten and full of to J8| rusty nails - large rusty nails. They will be strewn over the ground until we can clean up. It will be very dangerous to be in the area.” “All right, Daddy, I won’t. May I just go down to the chicken coop and look up?” Bacall *** “Yes, just so you do not go any farther.” The men started the wrecking right away. It was so fascinating to me. I sneaked down to the edge of the chicken coop and watched and watched. Then I edged up a little closer every day. Finally, I was there. Oh yes! I was there! Down came my foot on a large rusty nail sticking up in a board. It came through my foot and stuck out the top. I screamed. Dad and the men came run­ ning. They had to pull the board off my foot. I was crying wildly in pain and fear. Dad carried me up to the house. Grandma and Mama heated water and soaked my foot in creosote solution. It was a puncture wound and had closed up. I suppose this only sterilized the outer edges. They could only hope that I did not develop blood poi­ soning or lock-jaw. They did not have teta­ nus shots or modem medicine to treat infec­ tions in those days. The doctor was called, and he came to the house. “You have done all you can,” he said. “Keep her as quiet as possible. I will keep in touch.” It did not do any good. Almost at once, I developed blood poisoning. The foot started to inflame and swell. It crept up my leg. They did the only thing they knew: they kept some kind of dressing on it. The leg became so bad that the doctor finally said, “I am sorry. I can do no more. If the infection keeps creeping up the leg, I am afraid we will lose her.” At this stage, my Grandfather stepped for­ ward. “Are you folks all done? If so, I am going to take over. The rest of you stay out of my way and do as I say.” “Mother,” said Grandpa, meaning Grand­ ma, “find two large clean pieces of oilcloth. Put one under her, especially the leg area. Give me the other.” With these words, he left the room. Grandma and Mama came in and carefully placed an oilcloth under my leg and upper body. My mother said, “I wonder what he is going to do.” “Haven’t an idea,” Grandma answered. L F TURNING / BflGK THE IL paintings that hang in her home in California. We soon found out Grandpa had taken the other oilcloth out to the barn. Meanwhile, he had fastened the cows in their stanchions instead of turning .them out. He sat there on the milking stool and watched the cows. When he got an idea that a cow was going to go to the bathroom, he ran over, placed a piece of oilcloth under her tail and caught the warm manure. He then closed it up tight. Rushing to the house, he ran up the stairs to the bedroom and ithrew back the covers. He opened the oilcloth and carefully packed the warm manure on and around the leg. Then he covered the leg with the oilcloth and the bedcovers. * “Keep this on as long as it is warm. I will be back with more a little later.” They kept this upt for a day and a night, always changing the poultice when it cooled off. By the second day, you could see the improvement. The pain had eased, the fever was down and the swelling. The red streak had stopped traveling up my body. Then they only put the poultice on three or four times a day. By the fourth day, they discontinued it. The doctor, meanwhile, had called. He could not believe ft. Neither could he explain what had happened. The leg improved rapidly, and I was soon up and around. Grandpa merely mused and kept his counsel. vacations it J 1 UmnielleLjinnetieGU Dannielleb^ HrdU 66-wefltIobe^ Hk SH husband by hcf Dannielh^ K■ da^erof^ » 1 ■*13 Congregational Sunday School Class about 1922-23. Lou Everest is at the left end of the front row. 1957. in ^Doctor * until umfll I Universe «-w Calendar creators . tile Who invented the calendar? Audrey, 9, Ore. pF * Ik। r r J ■ /ZX Dear Audrey, I use a calendar to keep up with my work as a science cat. I also love calendar apps that count down to big events - like my birthday. People have always tracked time for work and holidays. I talked about this with my friend Niko­ laus Overtoom. He’s a professor of ancient history at Washington State University. He told me we use the Gregorian calen­ dar today. That’s a revised version of the Julian calendar. The Romans invented the Julian calendar. But there were calendars before that. Ancient people all over the world had cal­ endars - including a detailed calendar made by the ancient Maya. Early people looked to the heavens to understand the movement of planets and stars,” Overtoom said. “They used that information to help structure their societ­ ies. They needed to know when to plant crops or move their herds.” The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. A solar calendar tracks the position of the sun as Earth orbits all the way around it. That’s called a solar year. It takes Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 59 min­ utes and 16 seconds to go all the way around the sun. That’s a challenge for making calendars because it’s not a whole number. The calendar the Romans used before the Julian calendar only had 355 days. Since it didn’t line up with the solar year exactly, the seasons shifted a little every year. That made it hard to plan things like when to plant crops or have religious festivals. So, the Romans added temporary months to the calendar to catch up. That was the high priest’s job. Sometimes they added extra months for corrupt reasons - like so their friends could stay in power longer. “By the 1st century BCE, the Romans realized the calendar was not working,” Overtoom said. “It was almost to the point that it was a disaster.” fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner // Then Julius Caesar came to power. He told astronomers to fix the calendar to line up with the solar year. The result was the Julian calendar. It was 3,65.25 days long. It was close to matching the solar year - but not quite. It was still 11 minutes off. So, the calendar gained one day every 128 years. About 1,500 years later, Pope Gregory XIII decided to fix it. 1 . “Astronomy had come a long way,” Overtoom said. “They were able to pinpoint that the solar calendar is*365.24 days. They adjusted the calendar, so it doesn’t slip over time.” The calendar has 365 days most years. Every four years, we have one extra day February 29. Years with 366 days are called leap years. Most countries use the Gregorian calen­ dar now. That makes it easier for people to work together. But there are other calendars out there. The Romans also gave us the months of the year. Have you noticed that some months seem out of order? The prefix “oct” means eight - like the eight arms of an octo­ pus. But October is the 1.0th month. That’s because the pre-Julian calendar only had 10 months. Back then, October was the 8th month. Eventually, they added two more months at the beginning of the calendar and pushed October back. You could say that some months were real roamin’ numerals. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University *s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. PAGES My Grandmother always maintained that she never got the smell out of that bedroom. And that was her best bedroom. Postlude I have talked to many doctors and bacteri­ ologists about the healing powers of the warm manure. Of course, they could not explain anything. In fact, I do not think they even believed me. Recently I was talking to a woman who lived many years on a ranch here in the Point Reyes area. I told her about this incident. I was surprised to hear her say, “I believe you. I remember the men would often develop an infection on their fingers, hands or arms that they could not cure. I have seen them go out to the hot manure pile and stick their arm into it and hold it there. It never failed to heal.” In those days, you could trade your butter, I am a firm believer that somewhere in that cheese and eggs for items at the grocery store. “cow pie” was a natural antibiotic. It was delicious, especially on hot home­ Mind? made bread. Grandma had to bake all her own Wonder why I wouldn’t mind. Almost' bread. There were no bakeries in those days. every time I didn’t, I was sorry. In fact, the first bakeries I remember were in When Grandma first started taking care of the 1920s. the milk, she put in large earthen crocks. The buttermilk left from the churning was Grandpa would bring it up warm from the also used. They drank a lot of it. What was bam. It soon cooled off in these jars. left was also fed to the chickens and pigs. Grandma let it stand until all the cream had Later, Grandma got a milk separator. It was come to the top. Then she took a ladle and in a small room off the kitchen porch. Grand­ dipped the cream into a smaller jar. pa would carry the milk up from the bam in The skimmed milk stayed in the large jar. milk pails to this room. Either he or Grandma It was dipped out of there for various uses. would run it through the separator. Grandpa used a lot of it to feed his pigs. The milk was poured into a large container Grandma let it thicken and fed it to her chick­ at the top. By some magic I did not under­ ens. Grandpa fed some of his little calves stand, the skimmed milk went out one spout when he had any. into a milk can. The cream went through When the cream thickened up, Grandma another spout into a container. made butter. At first, she had a chum with a This separator was always a fascination to me. In the mechanism, there were cog wheels dasher. She would sit and work this dasher up that turned the machinery. I often watched and down until the butter “came.” You had to knpwjust the7 right'timd; She watchied it 1 Grandma run it through. Shewas ahvay^say-7closely near the end. One minute it wasjusf " mg to me: “Now, don’t you come in here by yourself. thick cream. The next, small lumps started You stay away from the separator. You might coming. When these lumps became bigger, get hurt.” you were done. Grandma then drained the buttermilk off “All right, Grandma, I won’t.” the butter. She put the butter in a bowl and, But did I mind? One day when no one was around, I sneaked into that room to play with using a wooden paddle, worked and shaped it the separator. I turned the handle, and the up. Sometimes she made big rolls to sell or trade. She even put fancy designs on the top. cogs went around. I kept it up. Then some­ thing happened. I wasn’t watching what I was doing. My ring finger on my left hand got caught between the cogs. I screamed in pain. Grandma came running. She got my finger out. But the whole end of my finger was prac­ tically chewed off. They took me to the Doctor. He said my finger would heal, but the bone and cartilage were all chewed up. To this day, you can see the cog marks. (Look, I’ll show you.) I paid dearly for that accident. I could never put any pressure on that finger. I had wanted to be a cellist. I took lessons and got just so far. Because my finger could not exert enough pressure against the heavy strings, I had to give it up. Why don’t we ever learn? That experience should have taught me a lesson. I remembered it just as long as the next time. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for July 7-13 July 1-31 - July Storywalk Book: “Beyond the Pond” by Joseph Kuefler. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Tuesday, July 11 - No Family Left Indoors: Stroll and Read, 6-7 p.m. at Fish Hatchery Park. Families will participate in a variety of fun, hands-on activities and games outside to get everyone moving and learning together. This week’s free No Family Left Indoors event is organized by the Great Start Collaborative, Hastings Public Library and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. Thursday, July 13 - Lunch and Learn: Field Station Walk and Talk Tour. Tours: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. The program only is free to all. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE July 6-11 - The Library will be accepting book donations for the Friends Book Sale. Thursday, July 6 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1962 film starring Ran­ dolph Scott and Joel McCrea, 5 p.m. Friday, July 7 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8 - Reptile Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, July 10 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Library Board of Directors meeting, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11 - Barry County Explor­ ers SPIN Club: Hike with 4-H, 10 a.m.; Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m.; Stroll & Read at Fish Hatchery Park, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Humane Society of West Michigan: Dog Safety, 2 p.m. at the Thor­ napple Plaza. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, July 6,2023 — The Hastings Banner ■ Grand jury nears charging decision in vote machine tampering case that involves Barry County Sheriff Jonathan Oosting Bridge Michigan h. secret grand jury is “ready” to decide whether to indict former Michigan attorney general candidate Matt DePemo and others suspected of illegally tampering with voting machines after the 2020 presidential election, according to court filings by special prosecu­ tor D.J. Hilson. Among these additional defendants is Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf. The Hastings Banner reached out to Leaf for comment on the case, but he declined to provide one at this time. The attorney general’s office has alleged that Leaf instructed Irving Township clerk Sharon Olson to comply with an election fraud investigation and turn over a voting tabulator to a third party. Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf Leaf has long contended that he did not coerce Olson, or anyone else, to turn over a voting tabulator. . . . The pending grand jury decision however, is on hold as Hilson asks a judge to help inter­ pret a Michigan law that generally prohibits “undue possession” of voting machines. Hilson disclosed the imminent conclusion of the probe in a May filing, two months after he first asked the Oakland County Circuit Court for a declaratory ruling on what could be a felony charge for unauthorized posses­ sion of voting equipment. The court documents, which show that Hilson petitioned for a grand jury in October, were first obtained and reported by The Detroit Free Press. Potential charges have been delayed by a dispute between Hilson and Stefanie (Juntil- la) Lambert, an attorney and suspect who alleges local clerks had authorized access to the voting machines as part of an amateur audit. Hilson, in seeking a declaratory ruling, asserts the law only allows private individ­ uals to access voting machines with approv­ al of the Michigan Secretary of State or a court order, such as a warrant - not a local clerk. But the special prosecutor wants a judge to declare whether his interpretation of the law is correct before advising the grand jury, which was convened in March, according to court documents. “The police investigation is now sufficient­ ly complete and a charging decision is ready to be made by the charging entity,” Hilson wrote in a May 9 filing. NOTICE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023 BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN HASTINGS SCHOOLS - GULL LAKE SCHOOLS - LAKEWOOD SCHOOLS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following proposals will appear on the ballot: TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS: The Barry County Townships of Assyria Township, Baltimore Township, Barry Township, Carlton Township, Castleton Township, Hastings Township, Hope Township, Irving Township, Johnstown Township, Maple Grove Township, City Clerk; the Office of the appropriate County Clerk; a Secretary of State branch office, or other designatedstate agency. Registration forms can be obtained at www.mi.gov/ vote and mailed to the Township Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at[www, GULL LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL EXEMPTING PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND 0TRERPR0RER™_EXEyP™ BYLAW ^,leRlZlT^KC^nH^Ot’dland eXPre5SSQS-CQm* iKi-rv nr i'0/*n 2than ^Bfson COUNTY OF BARRY with the local clerk is Monday, July 24, 2023. FOR HEADLEE REST™ TOP^IF NECESSARY Township, Bedford Township, and City of Hastings. mi i Municipality Hours on Saturday, August August 5,2023 Hours on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 8094 Tasker Road Bellevue, Ml 49021 By Appt. only. 10 am-6 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Penny Ypma ■ Baltimore Township 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings, Ml 49058 By Appt, only -i Deb Knight ; Barry Township ' .41300 South M-43Hwy. Delton, Ml 49046 'Wednesdays 9-noon & 4-5^ -8:00am-4:00pm •Hosting Prairieville Twp. forr this election only. 7:Ck) am ~ 8:00 pm' 85 Welcome Road Hastings, Ml 49058 Wednesdays 10 am -12 & by appointment 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm 915 d Street, PO( Box 679, Nashville, Ml 49073 Wednesdays 1 - 4 pm Hosting Maple Grove Twp. for this election only. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 885 River Road Hastings, Ml 49058 Tuesdays 9 am- noon; 1 pm- 4 pm 8 am- 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm 5463 M-Hwy. Hastings, Ml 49058 Wed. 9 am- noon; 1:15 3pm Thurs. & Friday 1 pm - 3pm 8:0 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Sharon Olson Irving Township 3425 Wing Road Hastings, Ml 49058 Monday 9 am to noon Wednesday 9 am to noon 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Sheri Babcock Johnstown Twp. 13641 S. M-37 Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 Mon & Wed 9 am - 3 pm or by Appt. Consolidated w/ Assyria Twp. for this election only. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am - 8:00 pm 7:00 am-3:00 pm Assyria Township ■ Address 1 ____ ___ Amanda Carothers Carlton Township 1 Marcia Scramlin Castleton Township Anita Mennell Hastings Charter ■ : Debby Jackson Hope Township 1 ।----------- — ■ ■ W After this date, anyone who qualifies as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency (MCL 168.492) at the following: Regular Business Hours I Annette Terry 8 am - 5 pm Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Hastings Area School System, 232 West Grand Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, telephone: (269)948-4400. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERAL AD VALOREM TAXES. LAKEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $39,000,000 Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Lakewood Public Schools, 223 W. Broadway Street, Woodland, Michigan 48897-9798, telephone: (616) 374-8043. 7:0Q am - 8:00 pm PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERAL AD VALOREM TAXES. NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TESTS Notice is hereby given that a Public Accuracy Test for the May 2,2023 election will be conducted by the clerks of the named townships on the voting equipment pursuant to MCL 168.798 at the addresses noted on the following dates: August 2,2023 at 3:30 pm at CITY OF HASTINGS 3100 East Dowling Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Townships participating in the August 2,2023 date: City of Hastings * 721 Durkee Street, Box 240, Nashville, Ml 49073 By Appointment Rod Goebel Prairieville Twp. 10115 S. Norris Road Delton, Ml 49046 Tuesday - Thursday 9am-12noon and 1:00 pm-5:00 pm - Consolidated w/Barry Twp. for this election only. 7:00 am - 3:00 pm 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 Monday - Thursday 9 am - 3 pm. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 7:00 am-8:00 pm 156 S. Main PO Box 98 Woodland, Ml 48897 By appointment. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Woodland Twp. 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Amy Hubbell City of Hastings 201 E. State Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm 7:00 a.m.-3:00 pm 7:00 am-8:00 pm Joyce Feraco Bedford Twp. 115 S. Uldriks Drive Battle Creek, Ml 49037 Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm 7:00 am-3:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m. 1 Elizabeth Busk July 26,2023 at 10:00 am at BARRY TOWNSHIP 155 East Orchard Street, Delton, Michigan 49046 Townships participating in the July 26,2023 date: Barry, & Prairieville Townships 7:00 am - 8:00 pm July 27,2023 at 5:00 am at CARLTON TOWNSHIP 85 Welcome Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Townships participating in the July 27,2023 date: Carlton Township July 19,2023 at 9:30 am at CASTLETON TOWNSHIP 915 Reed Street, P0 Box 679, Nashvillle, Michigan 49073 Townships participating in the July 19,2023 date: Castleton & Maple Grove Townships July 13,2023 at 10:00 am at HASTINGS CHARTER TOWNSHIP 885 River Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Townships participating in the July 13,2023 date: Hastings Charter Township July 20,2023 at 9:30 am at HOPE TOWNSHIP 5463 S. M-43 Hwy. Hastings, Michigan 49058 Townships participating in the July 20,2023 date: Hope Township July 10,2023 at 10:00 am at IRVING TOWNSHIP 3425 Wing Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Townships participating in the July 10,2023 date: Irving Township ■ on behalf of: ■ Assyria Township ■ Annette Terry ■ Township Clerk Baltimore Township Penny Ypma Township Clerk Barry Township Deb Knight Township Clerk ■ Carlton Township ■ Amanda Carolthers ■ Township Clerk Casleton Township Marcia Scramlin Township Clerk Hastings Charlter Township Anita Mennell Township Clerk Irving Township Sharon Olson Township Clerk Johnstown Township Sheri Babcock Township Clerk Maple Grove Township Holly Carpenter ■ Township Clerk Prairieville Township Rod Goebel Township Clerk Rutland Township Robin Hawthorne Township Clerk ■ Woodland Township Elizabeth Busk Township Clerk City of Hastings Amy Hubbell City Clerk Bedford Township Joyce Feraco Township Clerk I Hope Township ■ Deborah Jackson ■ Township Clerk I I July 20,2023 at 9:30 am at BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP 3100 East Dowling Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Townships participating in the July 20,2023 date: Baltimore Township 7:00 am - 8:00 pm I PAMELA A. PALMER, BARRY COUNTY CLERK I■ HASTINGS AREA SCHOOL SYSTEM GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED 17,470,000 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Holly Carpenter Maple Grove Twp. Robin Hawthorne Rutland Twp. Full text ofthe ballot propositions may be obtained at the administrative offices of Gull Lake Community Schools, 10100 East D Avenue, Richland, Michigan 49083, telephone: (269) 548-3400. d a ddv STATE OF MICHIGAN PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualified elector of the above named jurisdictions who is not already registered, may register to vote at the office of the Township or July 17,2023 at 9:30 am at JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP 13641 S. M-37 Hwy., Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 Townships participating in the July 17,2023 date: Johnstown Township July 18,2023 at 9:30 am at RUTLAND TOWNSHIP 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Townships participating in the July 18,2023 date: Rutland Township July 11,2023 at 6:30 pm at WOODLAND TOWNSHIP HALL 156 S. MAIN, P0 BOX 98, Woodland, Michigan 48897 Townships participating in the July 11,2023 date: Woodland Township July 11,2023 at 9:00 am at BEDFORD TOWNSHIP HALL 115 S. ULDRIKS DRIVE, Battle Creek, Michigan 49037 Townships participating In the July 11,2023 date: Bedford Township YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO QUALIFY AS A VOTER! QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTI. Citizen of the United States At least 18 years of age on or before August 8, 2023 Resident of Michigan and the township/city where you are applying to vote 11 | | f I The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and the computer that will be used to tabulate the results for the election have been prepared In accordance with law. MONDAY, JULY 24,2023 LAST DAY FOR VOTER REGISTRATION OTHER THAN IN-PERSON Persons with special needs, as defined In the Americans with Disabilities Act, should contact the City or Township Clerk. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired may place a call through the Michigan Relay Center TDD#1 -800-649-3777. This notice is given as required by law (MCL 168.498(3). 1 “Therefore the parties require clarifica­ tion of the law to determine whether a clerk has the legal authority to permit any person to take possession of voting tabulating machines for any purpose.” Hilson, who is an elected Muskegon County Prosecutor, was assigned the case September. Democratic Attorney General. Dana Nessel requested a special prosecutor take over because one of the suspects DePemo - was running against her at the time in the general election, creating a con­ flict of interest. In requesting a special prosecutor, Nes­ sel’s office alleged DePemo, Lambert and seven others “orchestrated a coordinated plan to gain access” to voting machines in multiple jurisdictions following the 2020 presidential election. Attempting to prove the machines were rigged against former President Donald Trump, the suspects allegedly took five bal­ lot tabulators from Barry, Roscommon and Missaukee counties to Oakland County. There, Michigan State Police contend the machines were “broken into” for “tests/’ according to court filings. DePemo has dismissed the case as a polit­ ical “witch hunt” that was launched by his former political rival, Nessel. Other suspects in the case include Leaf, former state Rep. Daire Rendon, R-Lake City, Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan, Ben Cotton, Jeff Lenberg, Ann Howard and James Penrose. Oakland County Judge Phyllis McMillen, who is considering Hilson’s request for a declaratory judgment on the “undue posses­ sion” law, has scheduled a July 7 hearing on the matter. “Normally a charging decision is made by the prosecutor without any input from the. prospective defendant,” McMillen wrote in a June 6 opinion, rejecting a request by Lambert to dismiss the request. “But here, (Hilson) has asked that both sides of the disagreement be heard.” Lambert, however, is again attempting to halt the proceedings. In a Tuesday filing with the Michigan Court of Appeals, Lam­ bert’s attorney argued that a declaratory ruling could jeopardize her potential defense in the underlying criminal case. “The special prosecutor seeks a favorable interpretation of an, at best, ambiguous stat-' ute so that he may then run to a grand jury’ and tell them that (Lambert) broke the law,” attomeyiiMichael j'J.uSmith: jwrote .in th® appeals-filing. -r “A starker case of the constitutional vio­ lations inherent in applying an interpretation of the criminal law to a single individual could not be imagined.” Jayson Bussa of the Hastings Banner contributed to this Bridge Michigan report, providing additional information on Barry County SheriffDar Leaf Panel to keep young people in Michigan features local names, no one young Ron French Bridge Michigan The 16 Michigan residents named Friday to serve on a state commission focusing on population growth range from community and business leaders, to a university presi­ dent to a former Republican lieutenant gov­ ernor. One thing most have in common: they’re at least a generation older than the young adults the state needs to retain and attract. Only one member named so far is under, the age of 40, according to Michigan voter records. The commission will eventually' have 28 members, with at least one required' to be under the age of 25. The formation of the Growing MichiganTogether Council was announced May 31 by' Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as a response to a building consensus that Michigan’s lagging population growth is at the root of many of the state’s challenges. Michigan ranks 49th in population growth since 1990, ahead of only West Virginia. Its stagnating population impacts the state’s abil­ ity to attract new businesses and for existing companies to expand. Two commission members named Friday included: Brian Calley, 46, of Portland, president of the Small Business Association of Michi­ gan. He has also served as lieutenant gover­ nor under Gov. Rick Snyder. - Bill Parfet, 76 or 77, of Hickory Cor­ ners, chair and CEO of Northwood Group. Parfet has held numerous public company positions, including Chairman of the Upjohn Company (now a part of Pfizer) and Stryker. �The Hastings ANNER W' --------- ’ viosoum SECTION Thursdav. July Julv 6,2023 Thursday, TK's Ellinger enters MHSFCA Hall of Fame Brett Bremer Sports Editor His answer wasn’t a fireman, a policeman or a chef. Astronauts weren’t a thing yet. When Tom Ellinger’s kindergarten teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, Ellinger said he wanted to be a coach and a teacher. His father Arthur “Art” Ellinger, coached football, baseball, basketball and track and field for Mendon for years, before moving on to Vicksburg and then eventually closing his 33 years in education as the Thomapple Kel­ logg Schools superintendent. While still in kindergarten, Tom drew up a play for his father’s Mendon boys to run on a Friday night. “That Saturday morning I asked him if they ran it, and he said yes, it was a game-win­ ning touchdown,” Tom said. “I was hooked.” Tom graduated from Thomapple Kellogg High School in the spring of 1972, started helping out with the football program in the fall of 1972 and has been doing so ever since. He was as part of the 14-member class of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inducted at the banquet and ceremony at the Detroit Mariott. The class was honored one more time Satur­ day, at the MHSFCA East-West All-Star Classic in Southfield. “It went well. It went real well,” Ellinger said. “ My wife and one daughter were there, and my best friend from school, my brother and sister-in-law came from Puerto Rico and Jeff Dock and Tim Penfield were there. It was a nice night.” “I introduced myself as the old fart known in Middleville,” Ellinger said. “The joke around is that I have coached Moses but moses was a heck of a blocker. The way he carried the ten commandments was formed just like a<hlocki would beuLitold- about our creed that we say after every’practide‘and J* sports Thomapple Kellogg football coach Tom Ellinger (center) takes the field with his classmates during the 50th anniversary of Bob White Stadium in Middleville during the 2021 varsity football season. (File photo) after every game. I just stated the first lines of it and embellished on it a little bit, about what it means.” He talked about the importance of players believing in one’s self, in believing in team­ mates and believing in their coaches - and what needs to happen to earn that trust. “I think that it is important for kids to believe in themselves, because it’ll be a hard life if they don’t believe in themselves,” Ellinger said. “I think it is the coach’s responsibility to give them the confidence to believe in themselves Tbcy^cari do whaievn er they want-to'dbf. They Just have'ttf'hafve hard work and have the persistence to get it done.” Ellinger remembers his wife Deb saying to him more than once in July, “see you in December.” The pair have been married now for 38 years. They have three children, five grand­ children and a sixth on the way. A quarterback in school, Ellinger remem­ bers the team gathering to help sod the “new” field at its current spot near the high school on Bender Road. Once he’d joined the program as-r.a TK graduate, Ellinger eventually started keeping stats for coach Bob White in 1979, hit the road to scout opponents and has been happy to accept whatever position he’s been needed for in Trojan football program over the years. He got to coach in the program when his father Art was working with Ray Page, coached with Skip Pranger and Tim Penfield. He helped with quarterbacks and running backs and spent time as offensive coordina­ tor. Ellinger took over as special teams coor­ dinator with Chad Auger at the head of the program, and was proud of the results from that endeavor. “I did that and never had a blocked field goal or a blocked punt, and returned some for touchdowns on kickoffs and punts and never had anything returned on us.” Ellinger took over as defensive coordinator when current varsity head coach Jeff Dock joined the program. After some time, Ellinger decided he’d be better utilized at lower levels of the program. “I really put emphasis on technique and doing all the little things correctly [Dock] said, I absolutely agree,” Ellinger said. He is onto his third season working with the TK freshmen now, teaming up with former Caledonia varsity head coach Tom Burr ill sharing offensive and defensive coordinator duties between the freshmen and JV levels. Ellinger said Penfield recently asked him how many high school games he has attended over the years, and between the freshmen, JV and varsity levels Ellinger put his guesstimate right around 1,400. He’s got his sights set on 2,000 now. While he hasn’t had a varsity football head coaching gig, he was the Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball coach for a stretch. Ellinger graduated from Grand Valley State College and spent much of his working life at Amway. He taught at the KISD’s Lin­ coln School, where his wife Deb has worked, fo?q the past- nine years . before retiring from teaching after the 2022-25rschool yearcmfed. Thomapple Kellogg football coach Tom Ellinger was one of 14 members of the class of 2023 at the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet Friday, June 23, at the Detroit Mariott. (File photo) “That’s the one thing you cherish the most, the friendships, and kids still come up that have graduated years, and years, and years ago and call you coach. That’s gratifying,” Ellinger said. “Dad said when I was younger, ‘coaches have an integral part in their athletes lives,”’ he added. “Nowadays family lives are tough and everything else, but they can always come to a coach and talk to the coach. He says, ‘you have a very important job’ and I take that very, very seriously. You’re doing it Tors the kids. If»thiey need something, I’m going to be theref'f^f them.^H fa tab I coiAlal^Bri^^i wmimwinm I KFIWTIIMNtHBIlf I -“S Panels younjff I I I -sssS5, fealui*5"" oneyirt p11”' jj/ Kapteyn helps Hillsdale women keep on winning Brett Bremer Sports Editor Erin Kapteyn is home for a bit of a summer break. She earned it. Kapteyn, a 2020 Delton Kellogg graduate, helped the Hillsdale Chargers to one of their best softball seasons ever this spring. She spent some of late June finishing up some research into Alzheimers disease using fruit flies on the Hillsdale campus. Kapteyn, a biology major with an empha­ sis on pre-med at Hillsdale, finished her third season with the Chargers’ women’s softball program this spring - helping Hillsdale to another outstanding season while earning second team all-conference honors in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). “I knew it was going to be pretty difficult. It defienilty is,” Kapteyn said. Softball has mostly been fun. Kapteyn was as captain for the Chargers this spring. Hills­ dale won the G-MAC Tournament Champi­ onship and earned a spot in the NCAA Divi­ sion II Midwest Regional Tournament for the second time in Kapteyn’s three seasons there. The Chargers were the G-MAC regular sea­ son champions in 2022 and were regional qualifiers in 2021. In March, Kapteyn fired the first no-hitter for the Chargers since 2012 in a 4-0 win over Queens (NY) in ballgame hosted by Emb­ ry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Dayto­ na Beach, Fla. The DKHS alumnus was named the G-MAC Pitcher of the Week three times throughout the course of the season even while being the Chargers’ number two in the circle behind fellow ace Joni Russell. Between the two of them it was an honor they won seven times this season. Both Kapteyn and Russell earned All-GMAC honors, Russell first team and Kapteyn second team, and Russell was the first Hills­ dale player to earn the G-MAC Pitcher of the Year award. Russell, a sophomore from Cable, Ohio, led the G-MAC, in both ERA and strike outs this season. She set a new Hillsdale record for strikeouts with 268 and is already top three all-time in strike outs in the history of the program. The duo led a Chargers’ pitching staff that put up a 1.71 ERA which was top ten in the nation in Division II and a new G-MAC record. The Chargers’ staff as a whole set a new program record for strike outs in a sea­ son too. 1 Hillsdale, the second seed in the confer­ ence tournament, won two out of three against top-seeded Findlay during the G-MAC Tour­ nament in Findlay, Ohio, the first week of May to clinch the conference championship. The Chargers beat Findlay 4-0 in the semi­ finals of the double-elimination tournament May 5, fell 3-2 to Findlay in the first game of the championship May 6, and they came back later that day for a 9-1 win over the Findlay women in the tournament finale. Kapteyn threw in the 3-2 loss to open the championship round allowing two runs on 3 2/3 innings on two hits and two walks. Katpeyn allowed just one baserunner through the first three innings before a walk and a home run to start the fourth evened the score at 2-2. Russell came on with one out and one on and got the Chargers out of the inning then threw three more scoreless frames before the Find­ lay team got the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning. Being that it was the Chargers’ first loss of the tournament they two met again and this time Russell got the start. She held Findlay to one run on four hits. She struck out five and didn’t walk a batter in six innings as the Char­ gers clinched the title with their 9-1 win. Kapteyn got into 18 ballgames as a fresh­ man during the 2020-21 season, making five starts and throwing 45 2/3 inings. Her ERA has inched down every season. She sat at 3.53 as a freshman, 2.11 as a sophomore and moved that number down to 1.95 this season. She started 21 games this spring throwing 122 innings. She struck out 78 and walked 32 while compiling a 13-7 record. “As a freshman I wasn’t really expecting to go in a lot of innings. We had a fifth-year who, was a pretty dominant pitcher. I really tried to capitalize on the oppoeritnites I got freshman year,” Kapteyn said. She said the coaching staff was impressed with the way she was able to work out ofjams, especially given the fact that she isn’t really a strike out pitcher. Kapteyn throught that she learned as a junior playing in big games at Delton Kellogg how do deal with pitching under pressure. She of course missed out on a senior season at DKHS with the rest of her classmates due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “I got a bigger role sophomore year [at Hillsdale], which is really where I had my breakdthough,” Kapteyn said. She didn’t worry so much about throwing hard her sophomore season, and found some really great movement on her pitches “which has been really beneificial in being able to throw off batters and their timing” she said. Her confidence grew during her sopho­ more season and her junior season was just about building on that success and taking over as a leader,. The Chargers had to Erin Kapteyn replace six of the nine regulars in their line­ up this spring and had seven freshmen on the roster. She is happy to help her teammates wher­ ever she can both athleticially and academi­ cally. “[Russell] is really good at throwing the ball by people,” Kapteyn said. “I kind of jump in the second game and work more on offspeed pitches and movement. “We work with each other and push each other to try and be the best pitchers we can be. We compliment each other very well. I have been trying to help her with her change-up. She has been learning a couple different grips. I’ve been trying to show her what I can do to be successful. I throw my change-uyp a lot.” Kapteyn said that her fastball is normally between 60-62 miles per hour and Russell sits closer to 63-65. “I topped 64 once, but I don’t know how I threw it,” Kapteyn added. The Chargers were bested in their two NCAA Division II Midwest Regional ball­ games in Indianapolis in mid-May, fallign 1-0 to Indianapolis and then 5-0 to Illi­ nois-Springfield. Kapteyn came on in relief of Russell in the regional bailgame with Springfield, throwing the final 3 2/3 innings of the season. “It was our goal to make it really far in the postseason, but our offense kind of struggled a little toward the end of the year,” Kapteyn said. “We had always said from the beginning of the year that this was a pretty great team.’” The Chargers have won 33,31 and 35 ball­ games in Kapteyn’s three seasons. Those are Erin Kapteyn pitches for the Hillsdale Chargers during her junior season in the spring of 2023. Kapteyn was named second team all-conference in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference while helping the Chargers to a G-MAC Tournament Championship and a spot in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional. (Hillsdale College photo by Isabella Sheehan) the first 30-win seasons for the program since 1991 when they were competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Dana Weidinger was the one to start show­ ing Kapteyn the collegiate ropes during the 2020-21 season. Weidinger was a fifth-year senior that spring. “She was very driven as a player and very nose to the grindstone,” Kapteyn said. “[In 2022], we had eight seniors graduate. This year was trying to figure out who we were as a team without them. They had some pretty big personalities and they were really great ballplayers. It was all about how they performeed and what they did when the coaches weren’t watching.” Hillsdale’s 2022 seniors Reagan Gensiejewski and Elaine Townley “were both really big role models, and Madison Stoner, Kapteyn said. “Reagan was one of the best people I’ve ever met. Elaine was a Marine who exceled in school and is very successful in life. Catcher Madison Stoner was a coule years older than me. She helped with the tran­ sition between high school and college and was someone I could relate to a lot... [2021 senior] Sam Catron so many people I could tell you about.” Kapteyn is one of five siblings. She has two older brothers, Christian and Andrew, and two sisters. Kasey Kapteyn just finished up her senior softball season at Delton Kel­ logg High School last month. Her big sister Jordan Kapteyn played two years at Grand Rapids Community College after graduating from Delton Kellogg. �Page 10 — Thursday, July 6, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on July 27, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Nicholas Gregaitis, a married man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC Date of Mortgage: February 22, 2022 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 25, 2022 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $237,546.42 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Beginning at a point on the North line of Section 21, Town 4 North, Range 7 West, distant 214.5 feet from the Northeast corner of Section 21; thence South 190 feet parallel with the East line of Section 21; thence West 102.5 feet; thence North 8.5 feet; thence East 8.0 feet; thence North 181.5 feet to the North line of Section 21; thence East 94.5 feet to the Point of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 127 W Broadway St, Woodland, Ml 48897-9709 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: June 29,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1502375 (06-29)(07-20) 201799 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23029506-NC Hon. William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Dyllan Luke Crapo. TO ALL PERSONS, including: Darryl L. Crapo, whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKFNOTTCE: AHeaTffig will be held ori Adgust 16, 2023 © 1:25 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Dyllan Luke Crapo to Dyllan Luke Hammond. 202188 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-029508-NC Hon. William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Megan Elizabeth Crapo. . TO ALL PERSONS, including: Darryl L. Crapo, whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on July 26, 2023 @ 2:15 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Megan Elizabeth Crapo to Megan Elizabeth Hammond. 202191 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-029508-NC Hon. William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Megan Elizabeth Crapo. TO ALL PERSONS, including: Darryl L. Crapo, whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on August 16, 2023 @ 1:45 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Megan Elizabeth Crapo to Megan Elizabeth Hammond. 202190 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23029508-NC Hon. William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Dyllan Luke Crapo. TO ALL PERSONS, including: Darryl L. Crapo, whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on July 26, 2023 @ 2:15 p.m. at 206 W. Court St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Dyllan Luke Crapo to Dyllan Luke Hammond. 202189 LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number: SP-4-2023 - Joseph & Dora Det­ weiler; (Applicant/Property Owners) Location: 607 E. Bristol Rd, In Section 8 of John­ stown Township. Purpose: Request to operate a bakery as a Home Occupation (major) pursuant to Article 23 Section 2339 of the Barry County Zoning Ordinance. Case Number: SP-5-2023 - Dustin & Kelli Pash; (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 4184 Bristol Oak St, In Section 3 of John­ stown Township. Purpose: Request to have an accessory dwelling pursuant to Article 23 Section 2305 of the Barry County Zoning Ordinance. Case Number: SP-6-2023 - Junior Dan Lambright (Applicant); Joseph Detweiler (Property Owner) Location: 8200 S Broadway, in Section 29 of Balti­ more Township. Purpose: Request to create a cemetery pursuant to Article 23 Section 2317 of the Barry County Zoning Ordinance. MEETING DATE: July 24,2023. HM£: 7:00 PM PLACE: Tyden Center Community Room; 121 South Church Street; Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described properties will be completed by the Planning Commission members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrvcountv.org. The special use applications are available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk 202220 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29512-DE Judicature ad of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, In Barry County, starting promP'£ aV:00 PM, on.uly 20, 2023. Tho amount due on the "^gwemay to _ . on _ ..the .day . of . sale.placing bid at greate Hac gthe highest ^9 the sale does not automatically T to free and clear ownership of who rmintvreniRtAr purchaser is encouraged to conta oithor nf of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s)>of. the mortgagors). Jonathon D Groeneveld and Ashleigh Groeneveld, husband and Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if anV): ARK-LA-TEX Financial Services, LLC DBA Benchmark Date of Mortgage: April 22,2022 IDate of Mortgage Recording: April 29,2022 * Amount claimed due on date of notice: $185,557.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 128 feet of Lot 6, Block 8, of Kenfield’s 2nd Addition Subdivision to the City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, as recorded in Liber 1, Page 37 of Plats, Barry County Records. Common street address (if any): 937 S Hayes St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2430 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MOL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: June 22,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1501747 201488 (06-22)(07-13) NOTICE PUBLIC LAND AUCTION Estate of Richard B. Sharp. Date of birth: 08/09/1938. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Richard B. Sharp, died 04/05/2023. Creditors of trie decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Lisa B.Patel and Robert R. Sharp, personal ^representative, or to both the probate court at 206*W. G^urt Street-/ Ste.»302,! Hastings, Ml 49058 the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. The Barry County Treasurer will offer taxreverted real estate at public auction on August 1st, 2023. The auction will be held online at www.tax-sale.info from 10:00am to 7:00pm EDT. Bids can also be placed up to 30 days in advance on the website, and assistance is available for those without computer or internet access. Incomplete of voided sales from the August 1 pt auction, if ,any,. wilj be re-offered ppline on September 29th, 2023. Please vistt?www.tax-saie. info/faqlofaci'dltiori'AI details^'' For more’information’and a list of the properties being sold, visit www.tax-sale.info or call 1-800-259-7470. Sale listings may also be available at the county treasurer’s office. Robert J. Longstreet P53546 607 N. Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3495 Lisa B. Patel and Robert R. Sharp 714 Lakeview Drive Portage, Ml 49002 (269)312-0763 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER •:945-9554 HUGE TOO MUCH STUFF Multi-family Sale! Thurs­ day, July 6th, 2023 through Sunday, July 9th, from 8am6pm, weather permitting. 1900 Boulder Dr., Hastings. Tons of brand new Target clothes with tags. Priced to sell. Mens, womens, and kids sizes. We will add more Target clothes daily, and case packs are some of the clothes that will also be available, as well as brand new and gently used furniture, lots of household items, toys, etc. Don't miss this one, there is something for everyone. F-l-B MINI BERNEDOODLES- Very cute and fluffy. Will stay small. Vet checked - ready to go! $500.00 Call 517-726-0706. Business Services MAINTENANCE TECH­ NICIAN- Troubleshooting equipment breakdowns to include electrical/electronic, computer hardware and software, hydraulic, pneu­ matics on sawmill equipment. Welding, fabrication and planning are needed along with the ability to work with and be a part of a growing company. Full-time employ­ ment starting at $25.00/hr. Benefits- 401(k) 401(k) match­ ing, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793._______________ METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050, _____ MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. POMSKY PUPPIES- VERY Cute and, adorable. Up to date on shots and dewormed. $325,00. Call 517-852-3007. VERY CUTE & ADORABLE Cockapos Puppies that will stay small. Up to date on shots and de-worming. Ready for forever homes. $500. 517726-0706 Help Wanted Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Member SIPC MemDer Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Financial Advisor GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Bene­ fits- 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to: info@quality hardwoodsinc.com ___________________ BAND SAW FILER- Duties include sharpening and re­ pairing band head rig saws, band resaws, carbide tipped circle saws, chipper knives and dressing guide blocks. Full-time employment start­ ing at $25.00/hr. Benefits401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml (517)760-8113 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)948-8265 Can you build an estate plan like a house? If you’ve ever been involved in building a house — or even if you’ve just heard about it — you know that there’s a welldefined process to be followed. But here’s something to think about: Some of the same steps connected to constructing a home are the same as those needed to build an estate plan. What are those steps? Here are some to consider: • Get the right “builder.” Unless you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer, you’ll probably have to hire someone to build a house for you. Of course, you’ll make your wishes known about what you want your house to look like, but you’ll be relying on the builder’s .expertise. And the same is true with estate planning — you’ll want to share your goals and vision with a legal professional who’s experienced in creating comprehensive estate plans. • Build a strong foundation. “Every house needs a strong foundation” isn’t just a metaphor — it’s true for every house that’s built. And when you create an estate plan, you also need a foundation that includes whatever basic elements are appropriate for your situation — a will, a living trust, power of attorney and so on. • Make the necessary additions. Even if you’re pleased with your new house, you may eventually decide make some changes, such adding on a new bedroom bathroom. And the structure to as or of your estate plan may need to undergo some modifications, too. For example, if you drew up a will two decades ago, but haven’t looked at it since, it may be out of date — especially if you’ve experienced changes in your life, such as new children or a divorce and remarriage. That’s why it’s a good idea to review your estate plans at least every few years. • Protect your investment Of course, when you build a new house, you’ll have to insure it properly. And while there’s no actual “insurance policy” for an estate plan, you do have ways to protect it For one thing, you need to make sure beneficiary designations on retirement plans, investment accounts, insurance policies and other assets are correct These designations are powerful and can even supersede the instructions in your estate­ planning documents. So, unfortunate, but mistakes do happen in home construction. Water stains can indicate that water is seeping through cracks in the foundation. Or cracks in retaining walls and garage floors could be a sign that the concrete structures were installed improperly. Estate plans can also contain errors or bad choices. Some are inadvertent, such as failing to put intended assets into a trust, but others are done with the best of intentions, such as naming adult children as joint owners of your assets. Even if your children are quite responsible, this move could & give their creditors access to your money. If you want your children to be able to step in as needed, you could find other methods, such as giving them power of attorney. Following these “construction” techniques can help you create an estate plan that can last a lifetime — and beyond. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial —M ■ Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Edward Jones, its employees need to ensure your beneficiary designations are updated if you want to protect how insurance proceeds, investments and other and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding assets are distributed. • Watch for mistakes. It’s your situation. lint*!*’1**} 1 fyyifcwluMW u.ul za Events mar king Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week July 2-8I July 8. Public awareness about the impacts of harmful, nonnative aquatic plants and ani­ mals is critical to protecting Michigan’s eco­ systems, tourism and economy. The boat landing events are part of the tenth annual Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Landing Blitz in which local partners such as lake associations and cooperative invasive species management areas (CISMA) give boaters tips to prevent the spread of invasive species and comply with recently-updated laws for recreational boating. The Landing Blitz web site allows boaters to search for an event near them. Similar AIS Landing Blitz events will be held in each of the Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces. The Yankee Springs Recreation Area boat ramp at Gun Lake is among the locations listed for events on the Landing Blitz web­ from the water body, if possible. Wash boats and trailers before leaving the access area, if possible, or at a nearby car wash or at home. Dry boats and equipment for five days before launching into a different water body? —IWIWM —■ - * * r i ■ **• fe*^!**^ earlier) shows how easy it is to clean, drain, and dry boats and trailers to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.;* and organisms. Boaters can elp prevent the spread of AIS waters.” * Events at boat launches are contingent on weather and volunteer availability. Contact Kevin Walters for a list of events. AIS Awareness Week is sponsored by EGLE’s Water Resources Division, in part­ nership with the departments of Natural before transporting a watercraft. Dispose of unused bait in the trash, not in ■WWW—I water.) It A NotMISpecies webinar from EGLE; “Clean It Up, Drain It Out, Dry It Off: Boat-, ing Hygiene for the 21st Century” (recorded spread the word about simple steps that can be taken when out recreating on Michigan^ launching or transporting. Remove all drain plugs and drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells laMhtam itaraoiha Disinfect live wells and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons ing awareness about this important issue to stopping the spread of invasive aquatic plants plants, from watercraft and trailers before Hi leaving the access area. Dispose of the mate­ rial in a trash receptacle or otherwise away site. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proc­ lamation to mark AIS Awareness Week rais­ gan Remove all aquatic organisms, including JE Recommended additional actions - pro-? tect our waters by following these steps Clean boats, trailers, and equipment by removing plants, debris, and mud beford “Recreational boaters and anglers can play a key role in helping prevent the spread of invasive species,” said Kevin Walters, aquat* ic biologist with EGLE. “Instead of spreading invasive species, we’re asking people to help by following these simple steps: Required actions — it’s the law in Michi­ ^*5 r as mentioned, if you’ve had significant life changes involving your family, you Over 50 boat landing events are planned across the state to mark this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, July 2 to 202241 Garage Sale ^Financial FOCUS Stem­ 's Resources and Agriculture and Rural Devel­ opment, federal agencies, and private and nonprofit organizations. For more informa­ tion about AIS Awareness Week or the AIS Landing Blitz, visit Michigan’s invasive spe* cies web site at Michigan.gov/Invasives. the water. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it Illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, >ex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18, This ‘ newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which Is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. It's All a Part ofYtur Local Newspaper! •4 to th# Inimgta of Borry CowUy Stoc* IAM Banner Hastings �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 6, 2023 — Page 11 HHS grad Gonzales honored with MITCA’s top award Brett Bremer Sports Editor l The Michigan Interscholastic Track and Field Coaches Association (MITCA) honored fjerek Gonzales of Ypsilanti Lincoln present­ ing him his 2021 Hall of Fame Charles Sweejjgy Award during the 2023 MITCA Track and Field Clinic earlier this year. KGonazales is a Hastings High School grad­ uate and a former MITCA executive board Inember. He has coached for more than 30 years, serving for 21 as a varsity head coach |n both boys’ and girls’ track and field and xjys’ and girls’ cross country'. He spent three rears at Ann Arbor Greenhills and 18 at Ypsianti Lincoln. After graduating from Hastings Jigh School, Gonzales continued his educaion at Eastern Michigan University. Gonzales holds the Hastings High School ecord in the long jump with a mark of 22 eet 2 inches which he set during his senior Reason in the spring of 1992. He is also a f jart of one of two 4x 100-meter relay teams m the Saxon record board. He teamed with j Jcott Ricketts, Matt Haywood and Mark ’eterson for a run of 44.2 seconds that same spring. That 4x100-meter time was matched |>y the team of Chase Delcotto, Ryan Burg­ dorf, Josh Coenen and Greg Woodmansee in p008. । Over the years, more than 100 of coach Gonzales’ student-athletes earned all-state honors and they won seven individual state titles. j Gonzales is currently a volunteer assistant :oach at Saline where his son Dolan Gonzaes capped off his senior season by winning he pole vault championship with a leap of 16 St*<&** 2>* feet at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Divi­ sion 1 Track and Field Finals last month. Derek has served on several MITCA and MHSAA committees over the year, served as chairman of the MITCA Track and Field Committee and was a member of the MITCA Executive Board for eight years, serving as MITCA’s technology officer. His teams won seven conference titles, five regional titles and finished in the top ten at the MHSAA Track and Field Finals six times. Gonzales was honored in person at the MITCA Award Banquet in January at the Crowne Plaza in Lansing. The 2021 and 2022 MITCA award winners were celebrated at the event because of the ceremonies being can­ celed in 2020 and 2021. The Sweeney Award is given in recogni­ tion of the recipient’s long and outstanding service to the sport of track and field, MITCA, and their community. It is given to someone who epitomizes the definition of “Coach”. The “Sweeney Award” is the highest honor that MITCA bestows on a Track & Field coach. Recipients are honored as part of the MITCA Hall of Fame. MITCA also honored 2023 Hall of Fame Charles Sweeney Award Winner Joan Ludtke of White Cloud and 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee Jamie LaRocca of Summerfield at the event. In high school along with his Saxon records, Gonzales was sixth in the long jump as a senior at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Class B Track and Field Finals in 1992 and fourth in the event at the Finals in 1991 - the year in which future and now former Univer­ sity of Michigan and NFL running back GffliS JOYS 2U »* nt 20091 7*0*] tu» mH wFwi] i»r wil fadatodw tjBjggguZ-- t&o 1»L ____ WbJSSL—— KMflokyn* UM <» ^3 <2 md - 5^55 ano J fcM.* 1996 ^2.25" 2000 !■*■>** konMMdkMKidBV QMitaikNilnM arrw wr mt VST W CWlQmy CWftiow^ Tyrone Wheatley won his third consecutive state long jump title competing for Dearborn Heights-Robichaud. R Wheatley won the 1991 championship with a mark of 23 fed while Gonzales was just 1.25 inches shy of Lumen Christi’s Steve Fletcher who was the state runner-up at 21-6.25. Gonzales wept 21-5 at the Finals as a junior and 21-3.25 as a senior. n>*> m *** e< jmmUWMM"" Ui So] Derek Gonzales, a 1992 Hastings High School graduate, was chosen as the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Charles Sweeney Award winner in 2021 and was finally able to be presented his award this year. - QytfcGoftWte* Susan Hubbard Dta wAmi B—nda Smite Ktr wt vrvr IwImwb wur iyr yr w BtefrWMtem HtomitWw Srin Goggins The inagural edition of the Hastings High School Track and Field record board inside the entrance to Baum Stadium at Johnson Field still lists 2021 MITCA Charles Sweeney Award winner Derek Gonzales among the Saxon record holders - in the long jump and 4x100-meter relay. (File photo) Walters honored with Norris ^ward after 44 years officiating fek’S s'" I 2h# fid ■***• onfaausis -•wnn I ' «« S> ■ baseball turned into working subvaristy football. After his son graduated from Napo­ leon, Walters’ Friday nights opened up and he filled that personal sports void by begin­ ning a long and successful career in varsity football as well. He first registered for two years at the start of the 1970s, and returned to register without pause beginning with the 1981-82 school year. In addition to working youth and high school athletes, Walters has umpired college baseball primarily at the Division II, III and NAIA levels but also in the Big Ten Confer- From volunteering to umpire slowpitch joftball to officiating at last season’s 11-Play;r Football Finals at Ford Field, Jackson’s Zhuck D. Walters has enjoyed every step of he climb over 44 years as a Michigan High School Athletic Association-registered offi:ial. As a revered and beloved trainer, menor and recruiter of officials, he’s also dedi:ated decades to providing opportunities to he next generations of officials in his comnunity. L For especially his work in nurturing others . in the avocation, Walters has been selected ; as this year’s l^JHSAA Vem L. Norris Award honoree. M 5s* The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vem L. Norris, who served as executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86 and was well-re­ spected by officials on the state and national levels. Area officials being honored followed the 3022-23 season include Michael Burgess of Clarksville, Fred Koning of Hastings and Darren Oliver of Middleville who all have now earned their 20-year service awards from the MHSAA. from the •; Walters has registered to officiate MHSAA wesnra,^""*.' §jotball again this fall, which will begin his 45th year of refereeing or umpiring school tass Week III) M fljashorathooie Dty boats I postseason games in those sports including tix football and two baseball Finals. 1 “Chuck Walters is one of the best people I»\ye known through officiating. He’s been a leader and mentor for hundreds of officials in the Jackson area over many years,” said MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl, who also is a longtime football and baseball offi­ cial at the high school and college levels. ** ■ 5 sports. He’s a member of the Jackson Area Officials Association, Kalamazoo Officials Association and Southeast Michigan Sports Officials organization, and he has served as a football and baseball trainer in the JAOA , gj \ while also working more than 100 MHSAA t S!-*' Chuck D. Walters has been named the MHSAA’s 2023 Vern L. Norris Award Winner.The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials associa­ tion, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. “Chuck is the epitome of what the Vem Norris Award is meant to honor.” Walters was a three-sport athlete at East Jackson High School - playing football, basketball and baseball - and upon graduat­ ing in 1965 took a job with Chrysler at its Proving Grounds in Chelsea. While later coaching his son Chuck in youth baseball, Walters put on a slowpitch softball tourna­ ment to benefit the local Little League asso­ ciation - and umpired the bases at those games to help save money so more could go to the organization. From there, he began filling a need locally for youth umpires. Relationships built in also served 3 a years as? the volunteer dock operator at Napoleon High School basket­ ball games - his current football crew includes multiple former Napoleon athletes or coaches. Among recommendations for this Norris Award came a letter from his entire crew and another noting Walters continues to mentor 14 current officials while always seeking to introduce opportunities to others. “I used to go to a lot of college football meetings just to stay current, and they’d talk about this and that and my head would be spinning forever,” Walters said. “We have four new officials in our area starting foot­ ball this fall, and I know their heads will be spinning when we talk about this and that. My focus will be to get those new officials’ feet on the ground, get them (progressing) step by step by step. Once they get that pas­ sion to officiate whatever sport it might be, they just take off.” Walters received the Al Cotton Award in 2013 from the Jackson Citizen Patriot for his contributions to Jackson-area sports, and was named to the Basketball Coaches Asso­ ciation of Michigan (BCAM) Hall of Fame in 2021 as a “friend of basketball” for his hundreds of games operating the clock. Walters and his high school sweetheart Judy have been married 57 years, and they have adult children Stacy and Chuck. Wal­ ters retired from Chrysler after 32 years and has a car restoration business. Summerfest run registration z continues through race day - Sign-up is going on now for the annual Corewell Health Summerfest Run. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, during the Annual Hastings Summerfest celebration. This year’s edition of the event includes a 5K Run/ Walk, a 10K Run and a free Kids 1-mile Fun Run for those 12 and younger. The 10K race begins at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K takes off at 7:45 a.m. from Hastings Middle School. The tost to participate in the 5K is $35 for adults and $25 lor those 18 and under. The cost to participate in the 10K is $40 for adults and $30 for those 18 and under. The price for adults increases by $5 for those that register after Aug. 6. On-line registration ends Aug. 25. Those who pre-register by Aug. 6 are guaranteed to receive a race T-shirt. The fun run will begin at 9 a.m. Packet pick-up and late registration can be done Aug. 26 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pennock Health and Wellness Center or the morning of the race from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. inside the Hastings Middle School cafeteria. Registration can be done online at spectrumhealth, org/summerfestrun. The seventh Barry County BrewFest will be held in Middleville Saturday, Aug. 19. Event organizers are currently on the hung for volunteers. Help is needed for set-up, tea­ down, bartending, running ice, scanning tick­ ets working the merchandise tale and more. Volunteer spots do fill up quickly because all volunteers receive free admission to Brew­ Fest, including an event tasting glass, five tasting tickets and a BrewFest T-shirt. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old on the day of the event. TIPS certification is encouraged for bartenders, but not required. The BrewFest has a signupgenius.com page for volunteers. A link can be found at the event Facebook page. The event is presented by the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alli­ ance. There will be live music and there will be food available at the event. Plans are to have beverages from 30 Michigan craft brew­ eries, wineries, meaderies and distilleries. Devoted io the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 HastingsBanner Area L.oca.tion.s to purchase the Hastings Banner! HesSSas: Middleville.- One Stop Shop (Marathon) Speedway (M-43 North) Supet*tfe Family Fare ? | Harding's Sign-up going on now for 2023 Summerfest Backwoods Triathlon / Sign-up is going on now for the 2023 Hastings Summerfest Backwoods Triathlon. I The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, and is Marathon Gas Station Prairieville: Prairieville Fast Stop - (M-37 South) Walgreens Nashville Johnny's MV Pharmacy 11$^ Delton Johnny's . OrgngevHIe; . Orangeville Fast Stop 'S Hastings Pharmacy Family Fare Gas Station Trading Post The Dock < Family Fare Mega Bev Marathon Gas Station Nashville: Town ^Country tMtoni ■ • £ Middleville Johnny's Marathon (M-37West) ShelbyvjUes Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Tom's Market The General Store PPen to the first 48 teams to register. Teams of two can fegister by calling Heidi Lyttle at 269-838-8556. J The event begins with nine holes of golf at Gun pidge Golf Course with a 9 p.m. shotgun start. Teams will then compete in a Scotch Doubles Bowling Tour­ BrewFest signing up volunteers for August event in Middleville FVM Hastings Johnny's > nament and A Com hole Tournament at Hastings Bowl. Prizes will be awarded for the top teams. The cost to participate is $120 per team. Sponsorship opportunities either for tee signs or prize donations are available now. Contact Lyttle for more information or find a sponsorship form online on the Backwoods Triathlon page at www.hastingssummerfest.com. Barry County BrewFest is currently signing up volunteers for its 2023 event which will be held in Middleville, Aug. 19, where the inaugural 2016 Barry County BrewFest was held. Cloverdale: Nashville C Store Carl’s Lflfce Odessa: Lake-O-Express Banfield: Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl’s ■■ Dowling: ElSSPLOrt: Goldsworthys L & J’s Cloverdale Generad Woodland: Woodland Express �Page 12 — Thursday, July 6,2023 — The Hastings Banner SUN, FIREWORKS AN Fourth of July in Barry ICounty Hjutnw/usx- Kids take off across the lawn at Historic Charlton Park as part of the three-legged A large crowd descended on Historic Charlton Park for the “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July” on Tuesday. race on Tuesday. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Stephen Marais of Battle Creek chows down on a slice of watermelon during a watermelon eating competition at Charlton Park’s “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July.” (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County residents celebrated the Fourth of July in a variety of fashions on Tuesday. Hoards of bathing suit-clad sun seekers lined up at the U-Rent-Em Canoe Livery in Hastings, ready for a turn to float down the Thomapple River. Over in Middleville, families passed the time waiting for fireworks with a variety of Kody Bryant performs Woody Guthrie's This Land Is Your Land” on the stage during the Middleville Independence Day Celebration Tuesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) games and entertainment. But, over in Historic Charlton Park; fami­ lies traded in the big, booming fireworks and sunbathing for primitive games that trans­ form^ them back to a bygone era. The park played host to its annual “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July,” welcoming visitors to the park grounds for free to partake in a celebration with Jieavy doses of fim and laughter. But, it all started started with a som­ ber reminder of why we collectively celebrate. Five-year-old Berkley lets a hale bale fly as she competes in the hay bale throwing competition at Charlton Park on the Fourth of July. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) The event began at noon as members of the Hastings Lawrence J. Bauer Post 45 of the American Legion hoisted the American Barry Wood, judge advocate for the group, read the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence and praised the heroes who brought the country freedom and indepen­ dence. The event also doubled as a barbecue, helping to raise funds for Post 45. Attendees were able to fuel up before hitting the green space for games suitable for all ages. Separated by age groups, participants were able to take part in events like a sock race, watermelon eating contest, baby crawl, threelegged race and a hay bale toss. The cheers from the spectators echoed throughout ail comers of the park and winners were award­ ed with ribbons for their accomplishments. > The following are some sights from all the action. A group of competitors in the 18-and-older division sit down to partake in the watermelon eating competition. —r-— Vacation Bible School STREET July 9 through Jul Jf2 Steve Carr is shown attaching the American flag to the halyard while veterans form a two-line mili-j tary salute as the flag was raised at high noon, celebrating the birthday of our nation. The ceremony opened the “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July” at Historic Charlton Park on Tuesday. (Photo provided) i Vacation Bible School > Sunday, July 9 through Wednesday, duly 12 > 9:00 am until Noon > Preschool through Fifth Grade > Come for Any or All of the Days > Bring your friends! > “Hero Hotline” is the Theme! Located in the Heart of Hastings for a Purpose! 1 Green Street Church is located at 209 West Green Street For more info; M.green or 269-945-9574 The crowd begins to gather on the AYSO Fields in Middleville, between Thomapple Kellogg Higti School and Middle School, for the Middleville Independence Day Celebration Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 1 Attendees at this year’s Barry County Fair treated to beautiful weather, classic fair experience **** k****k^’2*’*ki?' ,S ,,bte Fresh off of the midway opening, a group of kids take a ride on a dragon rollercoaster at this year’s Barry County Fair. The rides and attractions were provided by Elliott’s Amusements of Mason, Mich. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) A chicken gets a quick bubble bath to look its best prior to the small animal sale at this year’s Barry County Fair. A group of students parade their pigs around the Show Arena at the Barry Expo Center as part of this year's hog show. requested to treat patients intravenously on-site rather than continue to send con­ voys of patients to Pennock Hospital. But this year was nothing like that. When we visited Yarger at this year’s fair, he was joined by fellow members of Freeport’s fire department, and they were enjoying a chance to relax. With only a couple of days left of the fair, it had been one of, if not the most, uneventful county fairs in Yarger *s time working the event, which was exactly what everyone wanted to see. “I always try to have two or three paramedics here,” Yarger explained. “Some years, we’ve needed that many. Especially when it’s hot.” And that was one of the ‘things that set this year’s county fair apart from the others. Held in the usually sweltering heat of July, the shadeless grounds of the Barry Expo Center can get a Continued next page �Page 2 — 2023 Barry County Fair Results B.C. FAIR Continued from previous page little toasty. But Mother Nature dialed down the heat from broiling to a simmer throughout most of the week, making for a pleasant experi­ ence for those visiting the fairgrounds. When we spoke to Yarger on Thursday of fair week, he and his crew had only treated one individual for-potential heat exhaustion, but’Yarger said some other factors played into the individual’s need for medical attention. Yarger also said that when temperatures are pleasant, the ariimals tend to be more docile, leading to a lower risk of injury to their han­ dlers. “As a dairy and beef farm­ er for a number of years, that’s my working theory,” Yarger laughed. “The cooler they are, the better off they are — even in the show nng. —While Iher weather is nor­ mally just another innocuous part of the backdrop of the fair, it became a focus of conversation due to how kind it Was to the fair staff and attendees this year. Barry County Fair Board President Dennis Redman said that, in his nearly two decades on the board, he had never experienced weather like that. Not only were the temperatures dialed down compared to the typical year, but he also noted the absence of rain, another first in his tenure. East year, the fair nearly wrapped up without any rain until a violent storm moved through the area to close it off on a stressful note. “We didn’t get wet, arid we didn’t cook,” Redman said. “We had a good week of The ferris wheel towers above the midway at this year’s Barry County Fair. weather (this year).” And the crowds responded favorably. The fair already set records for the most money brought in at the gate by Tuesday and Wednesday. This isn’t neces­ sarily a surprise, as fair orga­ nizers raised gate prices for the first time since 2006, but still, Redman said that the crowds were solid and made for a very successful year. The annual livestock auc­ tion, a feather in the cap of. the fair each year, which* generates significant money year,’the livestock auction brought in $1.17 million after auctioning off 437 ani^jnals. This outpaced last eyear’s total of $1.09 million. jjrRedman credite^fetftgg - roughly 400 volunteers: bri for 4-H students auctioning -site for the success of this off their projects, continued year’s fair. to set new profit highs. This ***»«„ RESERVE SHOW Detroit-based Madd Hatter’s Circus Sideshow set up a stage and featured perfor­ mances throughout the week, where cast members did everything from lay on a bed of nails to climbing a ladder made of swords while barefooted. The award-winning rabbits and cavy are displayed in their respective cages at the Barry County Fair this year. �2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 3 Grandstand shows thrill throughout Barry County fair week Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was another record-setting summer week in front of the grandstand at the 2023 Barry County Fair. Hamess racing rolled into revving engines and the annual rodeo entertained throughout the week. Before the riders were r£t_v-' ■ ■ **4. Bal to- a ifesppkaifad yessfn. . r sa ne» ptft tete. His even spinning on the mid­ way members of the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association competed the weekend of July 15-16 during the day. With near perfect track con­ ditions two-year-old and three-year-old trotters and pacers, all Michigan bred or sired, set eight new track records. The weekend of racing cul­ minated in the three-year-old colt pacer Captain Max Henry running the fastest mile ever on a Michigan fair track, with driver Don Harmon urging him to a time of 1:52 4/5. The list of record-breakers announced by the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association also included 2FT Johns’ Baby Filly, 2CT Rankin, 2CP Bom Wild; 2FP Flippin Lucky; 3FT Miss Sparty Mar; 3CT Andover N Out; 3FP Mega Diamonds and Fix Ur Makeup. The record-setting perfor­ mance broke a record that had lasted only moments. The Mandalorian had just won the first division of the 3-yard old colt pacers 1:54 “That first one, I was flab­ bergasted,” said Barry County Fair speed superin­ tendent Jerry Seekman a day after the performances. “If you know anything about horse racing it’s just awe­ some. It’s a pretty significant thing for the Barry County Fair. They don’t even realize it yet.”. Race officials took the time to replay the video to verify the time and measured the track, finding that it was Brynn Bolo of Hastings is interviewed by Unique Motor actually set-up as a mile plus Sports Jim Trolard after winning the powder puff off road five feet. “I didn’t expect it at all,” derby feature Friday, July 21, at the Barry County Fair. Captain Max Henry trainer (Brett Bremer) The sun sets on a full grandstand during the Unique Motorsports Off Road Derby Tuesday, July 18 at the Barry County Fair. (Photoby BretjJSremer) . .. BfflRn TomlifiSon said. “[Captain Max Henry] is a nice horse, but I never dreamt that on that track he’d go 1:52 and 4. He did it easy. He did it the week before, he just drew away at Big Rapids and. the same Sunday at Hastings. He is kind of coming into his own. He was a little slow growing up. Like a kindergartener The Valley Truck Parts Green Ghost takes a run during the West Michigan Pullers truck and tractor pull at the Barry County Fair July 20. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Continued next page These area businesses make this special seclion possible VMSHMSS Piston Rings r-vviMn cun moOo at Hasttnas Manufocturlngl | CONGRATULATIONS! | hastingspistonrings.com 325 N Hanover, Hastings BUCKLAND AGENCY 11235 Sprague Rd, Delton 623-5115 HOW. Center, Suite B, Hastings 948*3720 FFA focuses on middle and high school classes promoting agriculture education. Congratulations to the 2023 SOUTHSIDE 4-H Participants AUTO BODY 2295 S. M-37 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 269-953-1239 chad@millersouthsideauto.coin Carpenter Gravel Broadway Veterinary ZVinic, LIZ. *H5N M43lligbw.il Haslin.ia, Ml 4'105?- q40-2-340 v 7 President Todd Carpenter Ph (269) 721 -9989 (269) 217-2372 Fax (269) 721 -3864 Sand and Gravel and MORE! • Commercial • Industrial • R esldential 11250 Manning lake Road, Delton, Ml; caipgrtegirawjincxiiin_________ In every state in the nation, alumni and supporters work to create environments to develop the potential offuture leaders. REDMOND WOOD FLOORS It 269-838-5561 or Find us on Facebook www. RedmondWood Floors,com �Page 4 - 2023 Barry County Fair Results Three scholarships awarded to Barry County 4-H Members This year, three scholar­ ships were given to Barry County graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary opportunities. The students receiving these scholarships have shown a dedication to the Barry County 4-H pro­ gram, the local chapter of the United States-based network of youth organizations whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development”. Today, 4-H offers a diverse range of topics and interest areas. 4-H is also the largest youth development organiza­ tion in Michigan. Cailin Redman of Hastings received the Travis Wenger 4-H Scholarship. Cailin has participated in 4-H for nine _____ Back row (left to right) Tyler and Stephanie Wenger, Tessa Wenger, Phil Wenger. Front row (left to right) Macy and Madi Wenger, Cailin Redman (scholarship recipient) and Becky Wenger Left to right, Julie GOe, Carolyn Worth, Thea Zellmer (recipient), Paden Morris and Kary Morris years and will be pursuing a degree in agribusiness and animal sciences from Huntington University. Thea Zellmer ofThomapple Kellogg received both the Jane Morris 4-H and the Show of champion winners ■ Gordon & Carolyn Worth Scholarships. Thea has par­ ticipated in 4-H for nine years and served as the vice president for her club. Thea is pursuing a degree in polit­ ical science and law at the University of Michigan. “The Barry Community Foundation and the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation along with their donors are very proud to support students who partic­ ipate in our county’s 4-H program,” said Annie Halle, Vice President of Operations at the Barry Community Foundation. “Barry County 4-H has had a rich history and instills the type of dedi­ cation, leadership and engagement skills that our youth need to be successful. Barry County students will have access to apply online to all scholarships through the foundation starting on Dec. 1,2023. To learn more about these and other scholarships visit barrycf.org or contact Annie Halle at 269-945-0526. GRANDSTAND Continued from page 3 <l"rom r ft t0 e9??. Sln’OrS: S^ah RusselL Olivia Win9’ Sara,in Taber- Summer Koster. Connor Joseph, Madison Koons, Case Shellenbarger, Claire Benham (Reserve Champion), Brooklyn Bracy (Champion) Intermediateh^Kerndl wy ?reSJ?" <ChaT°n)- T^sa Rogers" (Reserve Champion), Brayde^ReJser, Son Lettmga, Isaiah Koster, Weston Memke, Mallory Momenee, Audrey Wieringa. and all of a sudden you’re in first grade.” Captain Max Henry is owned by Darwin Shaver, Ann Shaver and Laura Pemiciaro. “The quarter at 28.1, 57.1, three-quarters 1:25.2 and the mile 1:52.4. It takes away the tenth-race track record and now becomes the fastest mile ever paced around a Michigan fair track,” announcer Jeff Seekman exclaimed at the conclusion of the 11th and final race of the July 16 competitions. “How about that for a Sunday afternoon racing card ... I knew he was in high flight that last quarter, he was rolling!” A new kind of horse power rolled in Monday with the fair’s first Mud Mitten Race Series Mudbog — an event highlighted by Lindsey Goodin of Emmett winning the Mega Truck Class in her truck Nightmare’s Mistress. She had a time of 4.75 sec­ onds on her pass through the mud pit in front of the grand­ stand, the fastest of the eve­ ning’s show. Travis Ross capped off the show with a few freestyle passes over the jumps in his Jeep as the sun set behind the ferris wheel on the midway. ^8 �2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 5 4H4H4H4H 4H4H4H Dog winners Amanda Ringewold, who is seen in the center of this photo with her dog, was Reserve Champion at this year’s Barry County Fair dog show. r.'W woirisbipari Guta 4 Csolji Wt fa (, tst i Etas al Staskps Ita ts> pr Rntta'k H o. oats t® tcptd in U fa mt UlteNit —■ taplta. yasrimteiiiig tatty IWWItaiflit pakitaiatis.lla-tai M ’nrlfrti'C r*g art tmit spwtetapft- ebb^ J* (fan 41 Bi it iduKtatk tyul'i fcBSjifHfa •’I'M’ -Ts tanCta!|WB’ ■ tWgg ■ Millie Simmons was named Grand Champion at Barry County Fair’s dog show this year. Junior Reserve Champion. .• f W*’ 'fid V Hi **gi j |x> * ’«* । Summer Koster was the Senior Champion for the Show of Champions while Hope VanderWall (not pic­ tured) was Senior Reserve Champion. These area businesses make this special section possible. fcteW*® ^gWST**11” Mason Koster was the Junior Champion for the Show of Champions. Brenden Haywood (not pictured) was ALEDONIA PACKING LLC Pat Doezema USDA and Custom Livestock Harvest & Processing PI^©IUIID ©F IFIF^ Associate Broker REALTOR® 4}alnl 616-891-8447 SEPTIC SERVICE Joe Lyons & John Curtis, Owner/Operators 3892 92nd St. S.E., Caledonia, MI www.caledoniapacking.com Pt*® dSJ^'& i &* cell 269.838.1469 office 269.948.5775 2169 W. M-43 Hwy. Hastings, Ml 49058 pdoezema@greenridge.com www.mei.net Congrats to all the participants of 4-U andFFA. 3305 West Quimby Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 269.945.4240 �Page 6 — 2023 Barry County Fair Results Goat winners MIR OM*V^ Brady Reaser was named the top intermediate show­ The top senior showman out of the goat barn this year man. was'Serafin Taber. BrttRS COUNTS MIR The award for junior novice showmanship champion wenf'to Anna Tietz. BARRS COUNTS MIR Holly Casarez of Hastings was the junior.showmanship champion at this year’s goat show. She also raised the Grand Champion rate of gain market goat in her highly successful outing at the fair. COUNTS MR Adalyne O’Heran of Nashville raised this year’s Grand Champion market In addition to being named top senior showman, goat, seen here. O’Heran Serafin Taber was also this year’s best overall show­ belongs to the Barnyard man. Buddies 4-H club. , jtr The Reserve Champion market goat belonged to A.J. Lorenz of Delton, who participates in the Panther Paws 4-H pro­ gram. These area businesses make this special section possible ^HASTINGS Piston Rings Piston Rings and great careers are made at Hastings: Manufacturing! 325 N Hanover, Hastings Dr. Scott Bloom 1510 N. Broadway (M-43 Hwy.) Hastings • Wayland 269-945-3906 DrScottBloom.com . GRANGER WASTE SERVICES 117 N. Main St. Nashville, Ml 517.852.9207 122 W. Mill St. Hastings, Ml SCREENPRINTING & EMBROIDERY 269.948.2811 GreenStone' FARM CREDIT SERVICES (888) 947-2643 https://qrco.de/bculMe 333 W. State St., Hastings 269-945-9415 GrangerWasteServices.Com �2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 7 Poultry winners Maguire Simmons of Middleville poses with his Reserve Champion market duck, which weighed in at 8.8 pounds. Simmons's gray call hen earned him the title of Grand Champion of the barn for 2023. Levi Boomsma was named Grand Champion in the Carter Coenen's market turkey earned him the title of market turkey category. Boomsma, of Middleville, reserve champion this year. The Hill N’ Dale club mem­ belongs to the Gun Lake 4-H Club. His turkey weighed ber's turkey weighed in at 20.5 pounds. 21.7 pounds. am AJ Lorenz of Delton was this year’s market goose champion. His goose weighed 9 pounds. Abilene Jibson poses with her Grand Champion mar­ ket duck. Jibson’s duck weighed 8.54 pounds. FAIR Annemarie Allerding, this year’s Grand Champion of the market pen of three ducks category, poses with her ducks. Oita tl UM* Leah Smith was this year’s Grand Champion in the pen of three fryer chickens category. Smith is a member Ryder Thompson, a member of Country Kids, poses of the Barry Good Critters & Crafts club. with his 3.2-pound Grand Champion fryer chicken. Maryrose Beard was this year's Grand Champion in the market eggs category. These local businesses support 4-H & FFA programs Congratulations Barry County 4-H Participants! ELECTRIC MOTOR SERVICE Congratulations on another successful Fair! Rick James, Owner 1569 S. M-37 Hwy., Hastings 269-945-5113 Trust your hearing to. fro Auto highpoint Call today: 269.558.4786 1761 W. M43 Hwy., Ste. #4 Hastings, MI 49058 Major & Minor Repairs Check Engine Light & Electrical Diagnosis Transmission Flushes Coolant Flushes Fuel System Cleaning COMMUNITY BANK 1-888-422-2280 150 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 highpolntcommunltybanlc.com Member FDIC 269-948-2121 229 N. Broadway, Hastings Owners Jerry & Patty Ballard OPEN M-F 8am-5pm �Page 8 — 2023 Barry County Fair Results Horse winners Barry County Fair Grand . Grand rc,t»a™Woj» Reserve DEBDOfr Keirra Halloran (left) was crowned overall Grand Champion at this year’s Barry County Fair. Madison Koons (right) was overall Reserve Champion. (Photos by Patty _____ Snyder) ' '' " ____ Reserve cWamMOj>> I ^^SS*** KAYLA BOYD HORN HyDeBTaay.(left) i^as crowned Gfgnd Champion of the junior performance, pompetition and Kayla Bbyd<oght),finish^'as.gpserveCf>ampion. AMELIA HODGES CORA SCHANNALS 202fN(Jta3 CHAMPS Reserve Grand, rGrand Reservlr Cora Schannals (left) earned a Grand Champion finish in the novice division while Amelia Hodges finished as Reserve Champion of the division. Marcella Konetzka (left) finished as Grand Champion of the junior showmanship competition followed by Reserve Champion Tess Rogers (right). These local businesses support 4-H & FFA programs > ConxjratulalionA 4-TI & TTfl Members on a job 'Well Done at the Darry, County, fair! BROWN’S CARPET ONEz^ & CUSTOM INTERIORS 221 N. Industrial Park Dr. IR.RBACH 269-945-3252 ' Funeral home www.girrbachfuneralhome.net www.barrycountylumber.com Hastings, Ml 49058 Phone (269) 945-2479 • Fax (269) 945-4080 1 jumuma nmiissimmi Congratulations to All Barry County Fair Participants! (269) 945-0300 269.945.3431 BCU Advantage Plumbing & Drain is a licensed local company that services both residential customers and commercial businesses. We don’t just 225 N. Industrial Park Dr Hastings, Ml Barry County ---------- LUMBER ---------- say we are the best, we earn it daily. Located In the Heart of Hastings for a Purpose We Feed People I Worship Sundays at 10:00 am and Tuesdays at 5:00 pi Green Street Church Is located at 209 W. Green St. For more Info: aww,greenstreetume,faith or 269-945-9574 SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION HIGH PRESSURE FULL LINE OF PLUMBING WATER JETTING SEPTIC TANK PUMPING �■ 2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 9 Horse winners All the boys and girls that participated in this year’s horse competitions at the Barry County Fair line up for a group photo. Grand £,bamp/O/> Reserve KEIRRA ' HALLORAN DEKAM In this year’s senior performance competition, Chloe DeKam took home Grand Champion honors followed by reserve champion Keirra Halloran. This year’s Barry County 2023 horse state delegates include (left to rightj?Keirra Halloran, Madison Koons, Cadynce Ringleka, Chloe DeKam, Mylee Wiers, Mendan Phillips, Taylor Casey, Baylie Guernsey, Lauren Gilbert, Braxton Steele, Emma Koons, Alysa Dimas, Cadence Vanooy, Chloe Webb and Jordyn Winters. k. 3 Alysa Dimas (center) was named 2023 Leader to Youth Award winner. This year's Barry County 2023 horse state alternates include (left to right) Laurel Phillips, Sam Pavlik, Elie VandenHeuvel, Cadence Johnson, Maddie Olsen, Addison Morgan, Lydia Helder, Jenna Hubert, Lakyn Conway and Brooklyn Bracy. These local businesses support 4-H & FFA programs. OCATION^ REALTY GREENRIDGE Realty, Inc. 269-945-4091 - Office 305 S. Church St., Hastings www. locationreal tyrri .com 130 W. State Street Downtown Hastings K KINGS 269-945-4284 APPLIANCE -o'* 2169 W. M-43 Hwy. Hastings, Ml 49058 Miller REAL ESTATE 269-948-5775 s4 www.greenrldge.com MILLER REAL ESTATE THE HASTINGS BANNER Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 1351 N. M-43 Hwy., Hastings 269-945-9554 4 �Page 10 — 2023 Barry County Fair Results Rabbits and Cavies winners ft2 . iea Holly Casarez earned first place in the junior cavy Kylynne Merica was the first place junior novice cavy The Best in Show award for this year’s cavy show showman division. showman. went to Miley Merica. Mfe*d0V**^* The Reserve in Show award for this year’s cavy show Brooklyn Brace (right) was the top senior showman at went to Holly Casarez. this year’s rabbit show. She was followed by senior reserve champion Adrianne VanDenburg. Other top showman in their respective divisions included Charlotte Dykstra Qunior novice); Mallory Momenee (intermedi­ ate); Holly Casarez (junior) and Kayden Mizer (junior novice). Chloe Wymer raised the Grand Champion homegrown pen of roasters. She also raised the Reserve Champion homegrown pen of roasters. 5^ Grand Champion of the purchased pen of roasters went to Nolan Miller. Amongst her many honors at this year’s fair, Holly Nolan Miller was named Grand Champion for his purCasarez was also Grand Champion for the homegrown chased pen of fryers. single roaster category. �2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 11 Rabbits and Cavies winners Non-livestock winners Alexandria Roslund raised the Grand Champion pen of fryers, standing as one of this year’s market winners. These 4-Hers were recognized for their Outstanding non-livestock projects. Pictured are (front row, from left) Natalie Miller, Reagan Berg, Maya Ricket, Macy Winger, Nora Patrick, Harper Dakin, Holly Casarez, Caitlyn Gilbert, Audi Stonehouse, Mason Starr, Liam Roodvoets, Lucy Wieringa, Emilie Landry, Madison Koons, (bottom middle) Samantha Pavlik, Madison Angus, Levi Boornsma, Chloe Dekam, Aubrie Scott, Cadency Van Ooy, Isaac Shepard, Victoria Tack, Bridgette Kayser, Madilyn Snyder, Nathanial Blasen, Brynleigh Rounds, Jdci Goodroe, (top middle) Anna Tietz, Katie Comeau, Olive Westcott, Ally Golemeeske, Izzy Ricketts, Jaydin Gawards, Brandalynn Steele, Payton Billotti, Maddie Olsen, Payton Getter, Noelle Smith, Emily Coe, Carter Coenen, Izyk Showers, Audrey Wieringa, (back row) Lilly Boornsma, Kayli Demond, Miley Runkel, lakyn Conway, Annalyn Dakin, Mallory Momenee, Aubree Rouse, Kayla Boyd, Travis Mosquera, Noah Griffith, Brent Zurface, Kendra Coe, Easton Perry, AJ Lorenz and Jason Mann. > BARRY COUNTY FAIR fc023 BEST OF SHOW Audrey Wieringa received Reserve in Show honors at this year’s rabbit show. —rWeHOrtu?0’®1’1 Patrick Rugg raised the Grand Champion single fryer at this year’s rabbit show. 4-H members were honored for their Best of Show non-livestock projects. Pictured are (front row, from left) Rachel Feldpausch, Jordyn Dakin, Marjorie Hesselschwardt, Ariella Wilson, Nora Patrick, Macy Wenger, Maci Callihan, Lucy Damico, Audi Stonehouse, William Beuer, Jordynn Bellgraph, Samantha Wright, Victoria Tack, Anna Tietz, Audrey Wieringa, Liam Roodvoets, Noah Roodvoets, (middle row) Aubree Rouse, Nadia Griffith, Natalie Miller, Madison Koons, Emma Koons, Payton Billoti, Katie Comeau, Chloe Wymer, Ember Smith, Kaden Mizer, Addison Oakley, Robber Bever, Charlee Wiers, Sarah Ogden, Owen Tietz, (back row) Mckenzie Strouse, Taylor Casey, Annalyn Dakin, Annabelle Pennington, Treena Getter, Aubrey Scott, Cadence Van Ooy, Maddie Olsen, Sarah Cook-Kirsen, Saddle Poppema, Ainsley Mattice, Isabelle Poll, Braden Denton, Kendra Coe, Treyson Rounds, Maeve Klein and Brent Zurface. GRANDSTAND Continued from page 4 Holly Casarez was named Best in Show at this year’s Barry County Fair rabbit show. Unique Motorsports enter­ tained the spectators with an Off Road Derby on the first of its two night’s at the fair - with youth, powder puff, 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder off road derby competitions. A demolition derby was added at the end of its second show, Friday night July 21. Brad Hall of Carson City won the demolition derby at the end of the night Friday. Brynn Bolo of Hastings won that powder puff feature. Deagan Sanders of Hastings won the youth feature. Joe Morey of Middleville won the 4-cylinder feature and the 6-cylinder A feature champi­ onship went to Randy Kill of Hopkins. That Friday night off road derby opened with the Chad Keizer family of Middleville and the Matt Rowley family of Hastings facing off in a family derby - won by Chad’s son Logan. The race include Chad and his wife Sarah Keizer, their son Logan and their daughter Clara racing in an off road derby for the first time. Matt Rowley was joined by his wife Keri Rowley and their daughters Megan and Eva. Chad and Matt had been competing together in off road derbies and demolition derbies for more than 20 years, and over those years their family members have been been pulled into the contests. Logan Keizer added a win in a youth heat on the night. Sarah Keizer �Page 12 — 2023 Barry County Fair Results 4-H booth winners First place, Barnyard Buddies (Delton) Third place, Young Riders^Dowling/Bellevue/ Second place, B.C. Rustlers (Hastings/Delton) Fifth place, Hoofin It (Hastings/Nashville) Fourth place, Bridles & Bits Club (Hastings) �2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 13 Beef winners n: Layna Case of the Cedar Creek Community 4-H Club sold her Grand Champion steer to LJ Fluid Power at this year’s livestock auction. Case is from Dowling. Wayland’s Jackson Lettinga, who participates in 4-H through CommunityFir^t, raised the Reserve Champion steer and sold it to Lake-Odessa Livestd?Sk.3' Weston Van Eeuwen of Middleville, who is a member of Community First 4-H, sold the Grand Champion carcass to Three Brothers Pizza. Blake Pillars of Martin raised this year’s Grand Champion home grown steer. Ron Bunning Roofing was the buyer. �Swine winners The Grand Champion market gilt also belonged to Emma Geukes of Middleville, Emma Geukes of Middleville raised this year’s Grand Champion market barrow, who is a member of the Lakewood Community 4-H club. The animal was also named which was sold at the livestock auction to Morgan Electrical Services. Supreme Champion market hog and Geukes received top senior swine showman honors. The gilt was purchased by Mud Creek Club Lambs. Jackson Hayes of Hastings, who participates in 4-H through B.C. Rustlers, raised this year’s Reserve Champion market barrow, selling it to Joe & Barb’s Septic Service. AJ Lorenz of Panther Paws 4-H Club in Delton was the owner of this year’s Grand Champion carcass, which went to Bradford White Corp. Baseline Club’s Reece Chapman was the proud owner of this year’s Reserve Champion market gilt, selling the animal to Dragon Manor Ranch at the livestock auction. �2023 Barry County Fair Results - Page 15 Sheep winners In addition to her Grand Champion ewe, Ainslee Mattice also was the proud owner of the Grand Champion carcass, which she sold to Chapple Realty Inc. Ainslee Mattice of the Lakewood Community 4-H Club raised the Grand Champion ewe this year, which was purchased by J&G Party Rental. Claire Benham’s Grand Champion wether went to Drs. Bloom & Bloom. Benham participates in 4-H through the Lakewood Community club. She also won Supreme Champion lamb and was top showman to cap off her 4-H career. Charles Mattice of Lakewood Community 4-H Club raised the Reserve Champion wether, which he sold to Mud Creek Club Lambs. Annika Hulst of Wayland, who participates in 4-H through Barry Good Critters and Crafts, raised the Reserve Champion ewe. She sold it to Caledonia Farmers Elevator. �V Page 16 — 2023 Barry County Fair Results Buyers from the 2023 Large Animal Sale Carpenter Gravel Centrie Concrete Cutting AIS Construction Chad Miller’s Southside Aaron & Melissa Auto Body LLC __ VansyckleChapple Realty Inc Adams & Sons LLC Chase Crest Hills Farms Alaska Excavating Comp Cherry Valley Plumbing & LLC Aten Concrete Electrical Choice Concrete Ausra Equipment Chris Fennema B & K Farms Chuck & Monica Skinner Birch Builders Cindy Johnson Barb Strongs Lakes & Clark Brothers Country Real Estate Co-Dee Stamping Inc Barry County Fair Board Barry County Lumber Commercial Bank Cornerstone Ag Beeler-Gores Funeral Home Management LLC Bellabay Realty Corson Family Blue Wagyu Cory Hamilton Trucking Bob Teunessen Drywall Cripps Fontaine Bob’s Repair Excavating Braden Electric And Solar Crystal Flash Energy LLC Custom Manure Irrigation Bradford White Corp D & S Machine Repair Brian VanAman Dan Vos Construction Brodbeck Farms Dave Owen Buist Electric DeHaan Dairy Bull Creek Vet Service Dorr Vet Clinic Burgess Concrete Doster Country Store gnmette Foods Double W Farm Bumips Equipment Doug Ybema - Integrity CLW Financial Group Caledonia Farmers Dozie’s Dirtworks LLC Elevator Dragon Manor Ranch Carbon Green Bio Energy Drs Bloom & Bloom LLC Eaton Community Bank Edward Jones Investments - Bob Knapp Elite Auto Clinic Of Gun Lake g Endeavor Ag & Energy Endsley Charolnis Farms Erick Perry eWurks Excel Excavation FB Thompson LLC FCC Construction Family Fare - Delton Family Farm & Home Hastings Family Tree Medical Farm Bureau - Parks Agency Farm Depot Feder al-Remington Ammunition Fine Line Construction & Excavating First Choice Mobile Home Sales G+H Concessions “Cinnamon Roll People” GRM Farms GVL Excavating Golden Grain Farm Gole Dental Group Grand Equipment Grand Valley Lawn Care Green Goddess Farm Greenmark Equipment Greenstone Farm Credit Service Hastings 4-H Fashion Show winners COUNTS 1IR kt Greg & Karen Zuver H3 Properties HGCInc Halbert Dairy Farm LLC Hammond Dairy LLC Hastings AceHardware Hastings NAPA Haywood’s Farm Stand Heise Farms Heritage Apartments Hickory Gables Dairy Hidden Acres Transport Highpoint Community Bank Hoeksma Farms Hoffman Brothers Inc Holbrook Show Cattle Homegrown Grooming Hopkins Elevator Hubka Rentals In Memory of Bob & Iva Osborne Integrated Exteriors Ironwood Forge LLC J & G Party Rental J-Ad Graphics JMJ Inc JPSTerk Painting Jelsema Concrete Jim & Angie Reurink Joe & Barb’s Septic Service John & Carolyn Steensma Jones Farm Meats K & S Plumbing KR Companies Kant Hardly Farm Kapnick Insurance Kara McKeough Realetor Ken Keller Ken Osborne and Kelly Springer Key Cleaning Services Kitchen House LJ Fluid Power Lake Odessa Livestock Legacy Farms & Excavating Lobbezoo Trenching Long Range Concrete Pumping Lumen Electric Inc. MEI Telecom Services MJR Electric Marsh and Meadow South Kent Veterinary Outdoors LLC Hospital Masselink Dairy Spaulding Real Estate & McDonalds Auction Mckeown % & Kraai Spectrum Health Pennock Professional CPA Springer Family Farms Mensch Manufacturing Stafford Farms Michigan Pipe & Valve Stanton Farms Middleville Youth Football Starr Lawn & Garden Mike Hamilton LLC Stoneburner Beef Miller Real Estate Stoneco of Michigan Moline Co-op Suds Mobile Cleaning Morgan Electrical Services Swarthout Excavating Mud Creek Club Lambs T & S Custom Homes Mueller Construction TTS Fitness Musgrove Grain LLC The Jabara Family Neds On Gull Lake The Kacee Lamange Norm & Kim Hammond Agency - Farmers Ins. Nutrien Moline The Mitchell Family Oetman Excavating The South Jefferson Olson’s Farm Inc . General Store Osborne Farms The Sunshine Group PRBuilders INC Three Brothers Pizza Pickle Street Veterinary Tom Parker Services Tool-N-Die Inc Premier Partners Insurance Trademark Electric LLC Prime East Properties Trevor Petroelje Tri Clor Inc Priority Collision Center Professional Code Under Sheriff: Jason Inspections Sixberry Professional Hydroseeding Union Bank Proline Concrete Van Laan Construction & Raising Grace Farms Supply Randy Dunn Trucking & Vandyken Mechanical Excavating W Soule + Co Restore Michigan PAC Walinga Usa Ric Halbert Walmart Of Hastings Rick Reed Builders Waste Management Riverside Cafes Wayland Family Farm and Riverside Integrated Home Systems Wenger Ag Services Ron Buning Roofing West Michigan Gutter & Russ & Pat Kermeen Guards LLC S&F Propane Wieringa Dexter Farm Williams-Gores Funeral Sanlnocencio Timber Home Products Sand Creek Dairy LLC Wilson Farms Scott Cattle Company Woodhams Equipment Shady Acre Dairy Farm Yankee Springs Golf Course Shea Family Zeeland Farm Service Sheely Plumbing INC Sneller Snow & Grounds Zook Farm Equipment Snow + Son Custom Construction GRANDSTAND Continued from page 11 The 4-H Fashion Show made a return to this year’s fair. This competition involved students and their animals dressing up in creative costumes. Grand Champion hon­ ors were given to Lailah Getter (left) for her 2 Ducks and a Truck costume. Reserve Champion Alexis Konetzka (right) was honored for her Painter and Painted Horse costume. took third in the powder puff feature and Megan Rowley won a powder puff heat. Championships were won in 10 different classes as the West Michigan Pullers truck and tractor pulls rolled across the track in front of the grandstand the Thursday of fair week. The street diesel truck class was the biggest of the night to open the show with 13 competitors. Cody Bulifont took the champion­ ship with a distance of 314.36 feet in his 2004 Ford F350. In between the first night of off road derby and the truck and tractor pulls the Super Kicker Rodeo was the evening’s entertainment Wednesday, July 19. Chase Boyer won the bull riding competition with a score of 78. The ranch bronc riding victory went to Devon Eastman’s score of 72. Kacie Worgiss and David Worgiss teamed up for the top team roping time of 6.84 seconds. Amber Erbes took the girls’ barrel racing championship with a time of 14.084 sec­ onds. The SJO Productions State Fair Supercross Series capped off the week of grandstand shows July 22. Charlotte’s Jake Ewing had a big day winning the 85 12-15, 125 2-stroke and Open C classes while plac­ ing second in two other classes. He finished first or second in each of his ten races of the day. 1 � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-07-13.pdf 6f47a2603fd44d2d82132700dd72e1f9 PDF Text Text Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street Hastina^MM905 Local EMTs and first responders recognized See story on page 5 Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 1070490102590502069449058195427 ... *............... CAR-RT LOT’*C 003C003 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings Ml 49058-1954 ANNER Thursday, July 13, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 28 PRICE $1.50 Hastings student's fair project to benefit global nonprofit Jayson Buss a Editor When Olivia Meeker sells her dairy feed­ ers at the conclusion of next week’s Barry County Fair, she will no doubt secure a solid payday. But not all ofthat money will go into her pocket or bank account. The Hastings High School student has teamed with a global nonprofit that is work­ ing to equip populations around the world with the knowledge and skills to create last­ ing solutions to hunger. Meeker, a member ofthe Hastings chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA), will donate a portion of her earnings to an Illi­ nois-based organization called Growing Hope Globally. Growing Hope teams with churches, farm­ ers, agribusinesses and, more recently, FFA chapters, to raise money and fund overseas "agricultural development projects. These projects equip populations everywhere, from Asia to Guatemala; with what’s needed to create sustainable food sources and effective­ ly make a divot in the world hunger crisis. This isn’t the first time a Hastings student has worked to benefit Growing Hope Globally, either. Last year, recent graduate Addison Mays did the same thing with her dairy feeders. Meeker will follow in Mays’ footsteps this year, and raising dairy feeders is completely new to her - she has mainly raised pigs in the'past. “It has definitely been a learning experi­ ence,” said Meeker, who uses the Hastings High School ag bam to house her dairy feed­ ers. “With pigs, they’re pretty smart animals. You definitely have to work with them less than you do with these guys. I would say the hardest part about it is baths. (Cows) are not really keen on being washed. So, I’ve tried to make it out here almost every night to get them walking and get them used to me. But, it’s a very different world.” Meeker started her project in February, bottle feeding her dairy feeders morning, noon and night. All ofthis hard work will come to fruition when she shows her projects at the Barry County Fair and ultimately sells them at the livestock auction. Then, she will calculate the amount of See FAIR, page 2 170TH ANNUAL BARRY COUNTY FAIR Julyl7-22 Barry Expo Center 1350 M-37 Hwy. Hastings For a day-to-day schedule, visit BarryExpoCenter.com Olivia Meeker of Hasting? poses wlthone of her dairy feeders, which she will show at next week’s Barry County Fair. Some of the proceeds from ‘th^sale of her fair project will benefit an organization called Growing Hope Globally. (FKoto's^by Jayson Bussa) Drunk driver gets a decade in prison for role in fatal wreck Greg-Chandler Staff Writer A 54-year-old Middleville man has been sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for a drunk driving crash in Rutland Charter Town­ ship last January that killed a Jenison man. Scott Raymond Handley was sentenced Tuesday afternoon in Barry County court by Judge Michael Schipper on one count of operating while intoxicated causing death in the Jan. 27 crash on M-37 near Whitmore Road. The crash killed 62-year-old Matthew Fuller. Handley pleaded no icontest on April 19 to the operating while intoxicated charge. Fif­ teen years is the maximum allowable sen­ tence for the crime under Michigan law. “This is not an accident. This is a purpose­ ful act. It’s a purposefill act that took some­ body’s life, and that person will be dead for- Scott Handley of Middleville turns around and apologizes to the family of Matthew e 0 die •ln a *atalwrec^ caused by Handley, who was ultimately sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for his actions. (Photos by Greg Chandler) See DRUNK DRIVER, page 3 Deputies with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office directed traffic away from Walmart while Michigan State Police investigated a bomb threat last Thursday. Store employees gathered outside the store along the M-43 Highway. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Walmart bomb threat Hastings man thanks first responders investigation continues for saving his life after car wreck no suspects identified Jayson Bussa Editor Michael Schnerre’s birthday was June 14. He now refers to it as his “re-birthday.” That day this year, Schnerre remembers leaving Ace Hardware in Hastings, excited about playing a round ofgolfat The Legacy, with which his wife had surprised him. But that’s all he can remember. During his drive, Schnerre went into cardiac arrest, blacked out and crashed into a tree at the intersection of North Michigan Avenue and East Blair Street. „ The only thing he remembers is waking up three days later in a Grand Rapids hospital. “I don’t remember being dragged out or anything,” Schnerre said. “All I remember is my wife, three days later, in the hospital say­ ing, ‘It’s a miracle that you’re here.’ I was responding to her and things like that. A lot of my Army buddies came, and I was responding tothem,too.” ’ Schnerre had been in a medically-induced coma for days. Doctors told him that his See SAVING LIFE, page 3 Michael Schnerre of Hastings hands his old Army beret to Sam Slinger, a paramedi with Mercy Ambulance Service, as Schnerre’s wife and daughter look on. Ellinger ic plucked Schnerre out of his vehicle after he suffered a cardiac arrest and crashed lastt month. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The police investigation of a debunked bomb threat to the Hastings Walmart last week continues this week. The Hastings Walmart was evacuated by employees and Michigan State Police troopers last Thursday afternoon after a bomb threat was called into the store. Troopers cleared the store while Barry County Sheriff’s Office deputies directed traffic away from the scene with the help of the Michigan Department of Transporta­ tion and first responders. Police said the threatening call came in directly to the store around 12:20 p.m. from an unknown individual. Police and Walmart employees evacuated customers from the store, with police reporting bomb-sniffing K.9 units were searching the store for explo­ sives around 2 p.m. The Michigan State Police Fifth District Twitter account posted its final update ofthe day at 4:29 p.m., stating no explosives were found. “(The) scene has been cleared. Normal activity has resumed in (the) area as no explosives/bombs (were) located during (the) search,” the post read. “Wayland troopers will continue (the) investigation into locating the suspect. Thanks for your cooperation. Remember, ifyou see some­ thing, say something.” Michigan State Police said the investiga­ tion was still open, and there were no updates to share as ofpress time Wednes­ day. Walmart did not respond to a request for comment. Linda Boyce, credit manager at J-Ad Graphics, was in the store when the evacu­ ation efforts began. She said she noticed a group of 15-20 employees gather at the store entrance while she was near the self-checkout. Boyce said she saw the employees disperse throughout the store before one ofthem approached her calmly. See BOMB, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, July 13, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Free electronics collection in Nashville on Saturday Locals can take their electronic waste for recycling on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village ofNashville Transfer Station, 300 E. Casgrove St. in Nashville. Items that will be accepted include computers, laptops, laptop batteries, circuit boards, hard drives, servers, USB drives, RAM, memory, computer chips, processor power sup­ ply, power cords, cables and wires, printers, scanners, fax machines, keyboards, mice, audio equipment, inkjet, toner cartridges, desk, office, and cell phones, cell phone batter­ ies, AC adapters with wires, GPS units, gaming systems, iPads, tablets, mixed batteries, small household appliances, holiday/Christmas lights and, of course, TV screens and monitors. Freon-containing devices will not be accepted at this time. You can, however, take freon-containing devices directly to Padnos for recycling. Electronics will be collected at no cost. There is a suggested donation of $10 for TVs and monitors to offset the cost. This project is funded by a grant from the Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). This event is open to all Michigan residents, notjust Nashville residents. Fleetwood Mac tribute band and more perform this week J Two Michigan State Police vehicles parked outside the store while troopers investigated inside. Bomb-sniffing K9 units were later brought to the scene. BOMB, continued from page y .y, Hastings Live is well underway, with many more opportunities for entertainment. Perennial favorites return to Playing at the Plaza and Fridays at the Fountain this week while Friday Night Features introduces yet another new tribute band - this one showcas­ ing the music ofFleetwood Mac. The John Ball Zoo is coming Thursday, July 13, at 11 a.m. for Playing at the Plaza at the Thomapple Plaza. Participants will learn about wildlife in a hands-on learning expe­ rience with zoo education staff. The animals present will depend on their behaviors and the weather that day. Ifthe temperature is 90 degrees or above, the event will be canceled. Fridays at the Fountain continues at noon on Friday, July 14, on the Barry County Courthouse lawn with a performance by the Hastings Community Music School, a pro­ gram of the Thomapple Arts Council. The school provides musical listening, learning and performance opportunities to people of all ages and skill levels in Hastings and the surrounding areas. Kaitlin Rose and the Band ofThoms will perform a Fleetwood Mac tribute concert at the Thomapple Plaza on Friday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. for Friday Night Features. Enjoy Fleetwood Mac songs spanning over 45 years, from their biggest anthems to their deepest ballads. Hastings Live guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. The concession stand, operated by volunteers from Hastings’ Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. More information on Hastings Live can be found at downtownhastings.com/events/ and facebook.com/mihastingslive. No Family Left Indoors continues with Wild Wednesdays She said he told her to leave everything in her cart without moving it and exit the store. The employee told Boyce he couldn’t tell her why, she said. She would only find out about the threat later. When Boyce and other patrons reached the front of the store, she said there were more employees there that directed customers to return to their vehicles and leave the premis­ es. Boyce said there was a heavy police pres­ ence outside the store at that point, but the scene remained calm and orderly. “Everybody was very cooperative. There was no running. No one acted alarmed. We just walked out together, everybody that was in the store,” Boyce said. “Then, when we got to our cars, there were employees in the parking lot telling you to get in your car and leave.” Boyce said she felt law enforcement and store employees handled the situation well and with care. “Anything I’ve ever seen in the media, in TV, whatever — it’s always a panic situation,” Boyce said. “I didn’t feel that, and I didn’t see it that day. 0 The Michigan Department of Transportation worked with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office deputies to direct traffic near the store. Michigan State Police released a statement on Twitter, saying that the store was all-clear with no explo­ sives found at 4:30 p.m. No Family Left Indoors continues this week with Wild Wednesdays! The Dragon and Damselflies program will take place on Tuesday, July 19, at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanc­ tuary, 12685 E. C Avenue in Augusta, from 10 a.m. to noon. No registration is required for this week’s No Family Left Indoors event. The, Dooming will consist of guided activity with no costs associated. Families will participate in a variety of fun, interactive activities on dragonflies and damselflies and create a nature-themed craft. Each summer, No Family Left Indoors offers free weekly activities to keep families busy while school’s out. More information about Wild Wednesdays, along with a full schedule ofNo Family Left Indoors programming throughout the summer, can be found at sites.google.com/ view/no-family-left-indoors-2023/events. Fail turkey license application period open now Fall turkey hunting license applications for the 2023 season are available now through Tuesday, Aug. 1. You can buy an application for $5 online at eLicense, anywhere DNR licenses are sold or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. When applying, enter your email or phone number to be automatically alerted of drawing results on Monday, Aug. 14. Hunters can learn how to apply and find season regulations in the Michigan Fall Tur­ key Hunting Regulations Summary at Michigan.gov/Turkey or in the app. Questions can be answered by calling 517-284-WILD (9453) or emailing DNR-WildIife@Michigan.gov. * SPRIAnYs FuOlA4Mz M Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass From left to right, LaRaine Salmon, a crops consultant from Nutrien Ag Solutions; Rachel Conley, regional director at Growing Hope Globally; and Hastings High School student Olivia Meeker. Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 ju 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville FAIR, continued from page 1 MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber [ Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 Z/8II0376 & Insured nnua lJuly Sale 20°/o OffFabrics (excludes sale items) Sale endsJuly 31st Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station ; to be, << QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; PHR Saturday 9 am-3 pm < money that went into raising her projects, and Meeker is then able to decide how much money she would like to donate to Growing Hope Globally. She can also select which overseas development project she would like her money to benefit. Rachel Conley, a regional director for Growing Hope based in Holland, said that her organization is grateful for all contributions made by the farming community and that working directly with students in FFA chap­ ters is still a relatively new concept. “I would say most of our Growing Hope projects around the United States are with farmers, churches and agribusinesses,” said Conley, who oversees projects in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. She also oversees the overseas ag development projects in Asia, although she has not been there since the COVID-19 pandemic. “FFA is kind of a new thing for us. We developed a curriculum for students to do their supervised ag experience on international ag development. We really try to get more FFA chapters involved. Hastings is the first one to be involved in this way, I believe, in all of Mich Michigan. ”igan. We keep frying to get others to do it.” Hastings FFA supervisor Andria Mayackl and the students in her Hastings High School agriculture program first became familiarr with Growing Hope Globally during a tour of a Nutrien Ag Solutions facility, which manufactures a variety of agricultural projects.. Nutrien is a partner with Growing Hope. growing HOPE I WHH II Wl HilllH II Till HMH II Hili HUHIII IHHIi IIH ItllHif . w . A sign for Growing Hope Globally hangs in the ag barn at Hastings High School. This is the second year that a member of the Hastings FFA is participating in a project to benefit the organization, which works to promote food security around the world. Mayack said the concept ofthe organization and its work piqued the interest of some of the students. LaRaine Salmon, a crop consultant for Nutrien Ag Solutions, sits on the board for Growing Hope Globally and has supported the Hastings FFA members in their projects. “I have a passion for helping people and agriculture, so I’m in a natural spot to help,” Salmon said. “Nutrien is also very generous about community development and giving, so I try helping people that need the help, and Nutrien is super big about FFA and develop­ ing kids to go into agriculture. 1 help Rachel fill in the gaps and help wherever I can.” Meeker, and bams filled with projects from FFA and 4-H students from around the coun­ ty, will be at the Barry County Fair, which kicks off on Monday, July 17, and winds down on Saturday, July 22. > �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 13, 2023 — Page 3 DRUNK DRIVER, continued from page 1 ever,” Schipper said, emphasizing the last word in that sentence. .“We try to quantify that, and we’re not going to put life in prison as the maximum (sentence), but 15 years seems kind of not enough.” According to an investigation by the Barry County Sheriff's Office, Handley was driving a Chevrolet Silverado truck eastbound on M-37 when it crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a westbound Ford Transit van that Fuller was driving while he was on the job. Fuller was . .killed instantly from the-impact. Handley had a blood alcohol level of0.16 at the time ofthe crash, Schipper said. The probation department had recom­ mended a sentence of 29 to 57 months for Handley in its pre-sentence report. Assistant County Prosecutor Christopher Ellsworth rejected that recommendation and called for the maximum possible sentence. . “This is horrible. This is a man who was going about his business during the day, and all ofa sudden (he’s gone), through absolute­ ly no fault ofhis own,” Ellsworth said. Dylan Fuller speaks in a Barry County Fuller’s wife, Kim, and the couple’s two courtroom on Tuesday morning about his Children, Dylan and Paige, offered statements late father, Matthew Fuller, and what he to the court on how the crash has impacted meant to him. the victim’s family. They urged Schipper to hand down the maximum possible sentence “I met Scott shortly after I was appointed to Handley. to represent him,” Russell said. “That first “Life is all about choices, and on Jan. 27, meeting, he could barely speak because he we believe Scott had a choice,” family friend was crying so much. I don’t think he was Andrea Healey read from Kim Fuller’s victim crying because he was caught. I think he was impact statement, battling tears as she read. crying because ...he killed a man, and he “He could have called a friend, a taxi or an couldn’t believe it happened.” Uber. But instead, he made the selfish choice Handley wrote a letter to the Fuller family that no one else’s life or safety mattered. He apologizing for his actions and then apolo­ made a choice to drink and drive, killing my gized again in court Tuesday to the family. husband, our kids’ father and our grandba­ “I know that first impressions are the hard­ est thing to break, and the first impression bies’ Pop. I “The only person that didn’t get a choice yqu have of me is (I’m) pretty pathetic,” that day was Matt, and he paid for this crime Handley said. “I made a bad decision. I am sorry that we’re all here because ofmy deci­ with his life.” The Fullers, who met at a roller-skating sion. I am sorry for your loss. I do have three kids ofmy own. I would feel vengeful (if that rink when they were 12 and 10 years old, respectively, had been married 34 years at the happened to one ofthem).” time ofMatthew’s death. Handley said that he prays every night for 4 “Matthew David Fuller was my hero. He the Fuller family. was my role model, and he was my dad,” “I can’t ask for forgiveness. I don’t deserve it,” he said. Dylan Fuller said. “He was the most caring and loving father a son could ask for or ever Schipper encouraged Handley to make the most ofhis time in prison and help others. wish for. On Jan. 27, shortly into the after­ “I do think there’s goodness in you, abso­ noon, my dad was stolen from me and my lutely. I do think there’s purpose in you,” the family. Our lives forever changed, and not for the best. We’ve had to wake up every morn­ judge said. “You know what? I don’t know how God works, but maybe this is a purpose. ing since then ... with this massive empty I don’t know. Maybe this is where you’re hole in our hearts, never having a chance to supposed to be. Maybe there’s someone there say goodbye or a last ‘I love you.’” that you’re supposed to change. I don’t know, Defense attorney Kathryn Russell said but I hope so.” Handley has been remorseful about the crash Handley received credit for 165 days since it happened and has replayed it in his jmind repeatedly. served in the Barry County fail. Investigation underway in BoCo Cannabis break-in Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is searching fot suspects in a recent break-in at a cannabis shop in Middleville. The burglary took place shortly before 6 a.m. on June 28 at the Botanical Company, also known as BoCo Cannabis, at 640 Arlington Court. Deputies from the sheriff’s office were summoned to the dispensary after central dispatch received 12 burglary alarms .starting at 5:55 a.m., according to the police report. ;z Deputy Morganne Hubbell was the first officer to arrive at the scene about 12 min­ utes after the alarms sounded. When she arrived, she checked the front doors and found they were locked. However, she found the door handle on the north side of the building was broken. “Once I was inside, I immediately noticed that the store had been broken into. There was several items on the floor, with drawers and cabinets open and disorganized,” Hub­ bell wrote in her report. A second deputy later arrived and found that the doors to the garage ofthe building had also been damaged, Hubbell wrote in her report. BoCo Cannabis owner Jarred Biggs arrived shortly after the deputies and assisted them in checking the surveillance cameras. Video footage taken from those cameras showed five black males, all wearing gloves and hoods, exiting a gray Kia sedan and blue Kia Forte and entering the building. “Two suspects are seen holding objects that look similar to a crowbar while the other suspects are holding black garbage bags,” Hubbell wrote in her report after reviewing the footage. “The suspects forced entry Middleville-based BoCo Cannabis was burglarized in the early morning hours of through the north exterior door at 0554 June 28. The Barry County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate. (File photo) hours. The suspects are seen going through the cabinets and shelves behind the counters. juana, packaged in one-pound increments, als and the same two vehicles may have been The suspects then disappear to the south end was stolen from a shelf inside “the vault,” involved in a prior break-in at a marijuana of the store and are later seen back in the valued at about $20,000. A vape display had dispensary in Wayland. storefront carrying several totes and bags full also been stolen, the report said. BoCo Cannabis became the first marijuana ofmerchandise.” In addition, McCarthy told investigators dispensary to open in Middleville in October The suspects left the building at 5:58 a.m., that 20 C-vaults - portable marijuana storage of last year. The Village Council voted in entered the two vehicles and then took off containers containing various amounts ofthe August 2021 to legalize the sale and growing northbound on M-37, according to the police drug, up to one pound each - were stolen ofmarijuana within the village, allowing them report. from the storefront portion of the shop, the as special land uses in certain zoned areas. The BoCo Cannabis general manager Drew report said. village allowed for only two retail dispensa­ McCarthy then took inventory of what was At the time the report was filed, deputies ries. The other dispensary in the village is taken. McCarthy directed deputies to a por­ were unable to provide a description of the Crafted LeafCannabis at 314 Arlington St. tion of the shop called “the vault,” where suspects other than that they were black The Sheriff’s Office has refused to release extra inventory was kept inside. He told males that appeared to be in their early to late any additional information on the incident, investigators that about 16 pounds of mari- jtedhs. The fepdrt also says the fivMridividti^ Citiifg that'ft is an opeh investigation. ' i bn -'to - I-to 7h hi I Passing of the gavel From left to right, Chris Komondy, Rob Neil, Cody Eister and Rick Krause, all of the Hastings Fire Department, join Michael Schnerre and Mercy Ambulance Service paramedic Sam Ellinger for a photo. In June, Schnerre suffered a cardiac arrest and crashed his vehicle as a result. These members of Hastings Fire and Mercy Ambulance responded to the accident and helped save his life. This week marked the end of Jillian Foster’s year-long tenure as president of the Hastings Rotary Club. She turned over the gavel to Jennifer Heinzman, a familiar face to many in Barry County as she also serves as President and CEO of the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance. Heinzman will serve as the 2023-24 Club President for the Rotary Club. “Rotary International’s theme this year is creating hope, with a focus on mental health. My goal is to further unite Rotarians,” Heinzman said. “I will be implementing programming that allows us to get to know each other better, more service projects, more networking, events and more opportunities to do good in the community and around the world.” Heinzman also encouraged anyone interested in attending a meeting to do so as her guest. Hastings Rotary Club meets Mondays at noon at Walldorf Brew Pub & Bistro. SAVING LIFE, continued from page 1 diagnosis was ultimately a massive cardiac arrest, a brain injury resulting from the acci­ dent and kidney failure. But, considering the alternatives, Schnerre is now in much better shape upon his exit from the hospital after being outfitted with a stent and defibrillator. “I feel really good,” Schnerre said. “Obvi­ ously, (I was) sore from chest compressions, but it’s the best soreness I’ve felt in my life. I know they did it right.” The “they” that Schnerre mentioned were members of the Hastings Fire Department and Mercy Ambulance Service, both ofwhich responded to the scene of the accident to extract Schnerre from his mangled 2006 Land Rover that he had bought just over a week before the crash and hoped to one day hand down to his son. First responders transported him to Spec­ trum Health Pennock, where emergency trews worked on him for over an hour before transporting him to Grand Rapids. Last week, Schnerre visited the Hastings Fire House during the department’s monthly meeting to offer^heartfelt thanks. “I’m here today because of you guys,” Schnerre said in front of departmentt members. He was accompanied by his wife and one ofhis six children. “Thanks for sticking in the fight for me. I have six children, and I just can’t thank you enough for all your intestinal fortitude to give CPR that long.” Schnerre gifted the Army beret he received as a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade to Sam Ellinger, a paramedic with Mercy Ambulance. “This, T is beret, and I want you to have it, Schnerre said. “Because it belongs to heroes. It’s been around the world and back again, and I want a hero like you to have it. I appreciate it, man.” Ellinger was able to provide Schnerre with a first-hand account ofthe accident he cannot remember, saying the Schnerre drove a fair distance before finally crashing. “I got him out ofthe vehicle and noticed he was in a workable rhythm, so I performed my protocol, shocked him four times... We got him to Pennock within about seven minutes ofpulling him out. Ellinger, who resides in Richland, has been a paramedic for three years after spending two-and-a-halfyears ds an EMT. Ellinger said he doesn’t typically get any follow-up about patients he transports to the hospital, let alone a personal, face-to-face thank you. t “Honestly, I mink he s the first one. Out of the ones that have come out of the hospital, he’s the t first one, Ellinger said. “So, it’s definitely an honor.”” Schnerre made one last open invitation to all who helped save his life that day. “At the house, we have a pool out back. You can come swimming whenever you would like,” he said. ■ Tyden Park, Hastings (large pavilion) W&W Saturday, July 15, between 1 and 5 pm Stop by for some good conversation, food, and beverages provided by the Barry County Democratic Committee BC1DEMS BARRY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC Paidfor by the Barry County Democratic Committee PARTY �Page 4 — Thursday, July 13,2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you irrMy^Jptnion SCC It’s fair time in Barry County No ophidiophobia here! This “vicious” snake, which was spotted on Howard Lane in Hastings, is anything but. This is Howard, a rock snake that has been orga­ nized by Carmen Perry, a local resident that lives on the cul de sac. “I had seen some other cities posting about rock snakes but there wasn't one started in Hastings so I thought that was something interesting," Perry said. “It was the beginning of the summer and I figured it would be something good for the neigh­ borhood kids and something for everybody to do for the summer - an activity.” Those that live in the area - or even members of the community at large - are encouraged to decorate a rock and add it to Howard. Perry and her neighbors want to see how long Howard can get before he potentially goes away once summer is over. Do you remember? Pink Cow’ greets local folks Banner May 24, 1984 Persons who had never seen a pink cow had a chance to meet one Tuesday during the Michigan Week activities in Hastings. For the local observance during Tuesday’s focus on agriculture, this Pink Cow was spotted greeting customers of several restaurants. Here, Ms. Cow pours milk at Rodees to the delight of (from left) Fran Ruthruff, Melissa Kanieczny and Brian Coffman. The cow’s visit was sponsored by the Michigan Milk Producers and the Independent Milk Producers, and many local restaurants were offering customers two glasses of milk for the price of one during the day. Have you met? Lowell native Tiffany Whittington had been working as a preschool teacher for about eight years before she started work­ ing in the Barry County Courts and Law building. “I just needed a change of pace, so I applied, and here we are,” Whittington said. That’s how she came to work in Barry County as a juvenile probation officer several months ago. Although early childhood education might seem like a world away from criminal justice, Whittington said her transition has been fairly straightforward. In fact, she’s studied and has degrees in both childhood development and criminal justice. Her previous work was through the Head Start program, where she worked with low-income families to ensure kids have a successful school career. Whittington said the program wasn’t just about interacting with kids but also their families. “I have honestly taken a lot ofthe strat­ egies and kind of how I approached the family dynamic in some of those situa­ tions with me, and it has kind of been a linear transition,” she said. “Obviously, some of the cases are more severe. The kids are older. But a lot ofthe background in the dynamics of the people that we serve are kind ofmirror images. It’s good practice with building that relationship with the family and that rapport. It’s just the same thing, but dealing with bigger kids, essentially.” Along with teaching kids during class, she would make multiple home visits to work with kids and their families in their homes. It’s an experience that led to her working with families from a diverse set of backgrounds - providing her with a per per-­ spective that she still carries with her today. “With that demographic, you serve a plethora offamilies with different national­ ities, different religious backgrounds, those types ofthings,” Whittington said. “It was a Tiffany Whittington really cool exposure to not only different cultures, but the different family dynamics that come along with that, or just learning different customs from different cultures.” It’s a perspective that is especially useful in her current role, where she not only assists court-involved kids but also coordi­ nates wrap-around services for families that need them, ensuring kids get the support they need to succeed. Along with their social, cultural and economic backgrounds, trauma can also change a kid’s behavior. Whittington said it’s something she keeps in mind as she works with kids ofany age. By finding those ele­ ments that shape people and how they act, Whittington strives to better help kids become the best version ofthemselves. “I have learned every form ofbehavior is a form of communication,” she said. “For every behavior or every action that an individual does, almost every single time there’s like an explanation as to what’s causing you to do that.” Along with her transition to the criminal justice field, Whittington said she’s been enjoying her transition to Hastings just as much. An avid outdoors enthusiast, she said she looks forward to spending more time in Barry County as she digs into her new role. “I love how the feel ofthe town is very similar to Lowell, butjust on a little bit ofa smaller scale. I like that,” she said. “You can be familiar with not only your cowork­ ers, but you know the people in the busi­ nesses. (Hastings has) that small town feel where you know people, and you can feel comfortable, and everybody’s been super welcoming, really kind and helpful.” For working to keep Bany County’s youth on the right track and give them a second chance, Tiffany Whittington is this week’s Bright Light. Something most people don’t know about me: I was bom on my dad’s birthday, so we sshare a birthday. Something on my bucket list: To own enough property to have my own small hobby farm and a large vegetable garden. Favorite season and why: My favorite season would have to be fall. I love fall because the cooler weathfer is my favorite, and I can wear jeans and a sweatshirt (which is my most favorite outfit). I love all the different colors and doing fall activities. If I could go anywhere in the world: If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go back to Ireland. Ireland was one ofthe most beautiful places I have ever seen, and there is still so much more I would love to see and explore. week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, , orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 135J N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058;; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. There’s a reason why in today’s hyped-up, tricked-out, show-time world, the county fair continues to thrive. While big-time entertainment venues like Disney World, Cedar Point and Michigan's Adventure rake in the dough, they still can’t touch the annual county fair held each summer in every commu­ nity in Michigan. Next week, the Barry County Fair begins its 170th year. Across the state this summer, 86 county fairs will mark another historic year of local fun, food and entertainment, unlike anything to be found under bigger big tops - because they’re dedicated to community. Oh sure, there’ll be rides, all the spe­ cial foods, entertainment and competi­ tion on the Barry County Expo Center grounds next week, but the greatest thing will be what you don’t see at the flashy amusement parks around the country hundreds of 4-Hers from across the county who have been busy preparing their show projects and animals in antic­ ipation ofthe big event. The annual community fair is also a great reminder for us all to focus on one ofthe state’s largest industries: agricul­ ture. According to the Michigan Depart­ ment ofAgriculture, there are more than 46,500 farms in the state, which contrib­ ute $104.7 billion annually to the state’s economy. Livestock, including dairy, has the greatest impact at $5.13 billion, fol­ lowed by field crops at $5.12 billion. Other agricultural-related industries, such as nursery and landscape produc­ tion, bring in $1.26 billion. The vegeta­ ble sector contributes $278.32 million and the fruit production adds more than $753 million to the state’s economy. Plus, Michigan’s food and agriculture system is a large portion of the state’s workforce, consisting of approximately 805,000 workers or about 17 percent of the state’s employment. So not only does the county fair offer a fun-filled summertime event, it’s a reminder of how important agriculture is to our state’s overall economic stability. Not to mention the great opportunity it offers young people between the ages of five and 19 in 4-H and FFA programs, which give kids experiences that will last a lifetime. “Kids who participate in 4-H get bet­ ter grades and are more likely to go to college,” according to the Michigan Extension Agency. “They’re also less likely to use drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, and are more likely to give back to their communities.” The National 4-H organization proud­ ly points but that 4-H is the largest outof-school youth program in the United States. It dates back to 1898, has grown to serve nearly 6 million youth in over 80 countries and attracts thousands ofadult volunteers annually. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communi­ ties. The essential elements of the pro­ gram include creating an environment where youth feel a sense of belonging, have an opportunity to master new skills, practice independence and develop a spirit ofgenerosity. The 4-H motto is “To Make the Best Better,” and its promise is that “I pledge My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service and My Health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world.” These area youth “leam by doing” through programs that expose them to working with others and setting and achieving specific goals. The programs offer educational opportunities and lots of fun for hundreds of area youth - giving them skills and memories that will last a lifetime. Adult volunteers also give countless hours ofsupport to local youth in numer­ ous projects by encouraging self-esteem, confidence, leadership, citizenship and a sense of community pride not found in many programs available to our young people today. When I was growing up, I participated in 4-H, attended the fair and still enjoy the event and watching our local youth as they leam and have fun by participat­ ing in 4-H and FFA activities. For more than 40 years, I’ve attended the annual livestock auction and purchased pigs, goats, chickens and steers, and I plan to attend again this year. Each year, 4-Hers visit local business and industry venues, dropping off infor­ mation about the livestock auction and the animals they plan to take to the fair. It’s a great time to meet these young people and hear about their animals and the hard work ofpreparing their projects for the fair. It gives these kids a chance to experience business (sales and mar­ keting) and showcase their projects during the fair. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, leam more, do more and become more, you are a leader,” said John Quincy Adams. That’s what our young people are doing and becoming. Watching these young people at work gives us a new perspective and confi­ dence that these programs are a great opportunity for local youth and adult volunteers to work together to make it all possible. Even though the fair takes place only once each summer, planning and preparation is a year-round activity. The fair also provides a great time for kids from several local school districts to renew fair friendships and build long-lasting relationships by taking part in 4-H programs. Walk the grounds next week and notice some recent improvements made since last year’s fair. In fact, there’s a Barry County Fair Youth Improvement Fund established at the Barry Community Foundation that helps support upgrades and other projects on the fair­ grounds. That money is used to enhance and maintain the facilities for the benefit ofour youth for generations to come. It’s a way in which we all can make a contribution to maintaining one of the finest county fairs in the state and the programs that impact thousands of area youth year after year. The fair kicks off this weekend. For more information, look in last weekend’s Reminder for all the details, times and events for the entire week. And, remem­ ber, the county fair is a great place to take the family, meet friends and enjoy some entertainment and some delicious treats you only find at the fair. It’s great to know that a long-lasting tradition remains in spite ofall the chal­ lenges we face in the world today. You won’t want to miss this year’s Barry County Fair — still offering “Fun for the Entire Family” since 1852. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Bany County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 13, 2023 — Page 5 EMS Advisory Council recognizes EMTs and first responders for their service wMi\ ^■M^5 ^■M ■M 5 <k C*'SKfc <k^C* ii* iip* p* * wSh ’ MUl^^SS StS1 StS*1 i??& “«5 i?*^?& ikh,*w ** Mh»u?"i'4itii *??'•* ?•* ?'•* Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The EMS Advisory Council recognized several local EMS personnel for their efforts at its first awards ceremony. The awards were given during the Barry County Medical Control Authority (BCMCA) EMS Advisory Council meeting Tuesday night. The awards recognized a medical first responder, a basic EMT and a paramedic EMT for their impact on the community, alongside several honorable mentions. Mel Oakley, director and paramedic for Castleton Maple Grove Nashville EMS, said this year was the first that the board collected ‘ nominations and gave awards to its “EMS Providers of the Year.” He said the awards were something the board had wanted to do for a long time, and he was glad it finally I came to fruition. “This is one of those things that is really important for us to do,” Oakley said. “Because j this job is not exactly easy to do, and it often goes without much recognition.” The council recognized Wayne Gould from ■ the Nashville Fire Department as Medical First Responder ofthe Year, Cody Eister from ! Mercy Ambulance as Basic EMT ofthe Year and Sam Ellinger from Mercy Ambulance as I Paramedic EMT ofthe Year. David Gilbert from the Delton Fire Departjment, Lani Forbes from the Freeport Fire Department and the Johnstown Fire Department’s team of medical first responders all : received honorable mentions for the MFR of the Year award. Chris Komondy from the Hastings Fire I Department received an honorable mention for the Basic EMT ofthe Year award. Honor­ able mentions for Paramedic EMT ofthe Year included Mason Evers from Wayland Area EMS, Bill Rentz and David Kaczmarczyk from Mercy Ambulance and Patrick Alleman and Sandra Egleston from Castleton Maple I Grove Nashville EMS. Oakley said that although Gould, Chief of ; Nashville Fire Department, had only recently ■ started serving as a medical first responder, his impact could already be felt. “He’s not been an MFR for long, but the impact he has made on the Nashville com- Police respond to neighbor dispute after woman shoots at neighbor’s dog Police arrived around 1 p.m. on June 17 at a property on the 15000 block of Lang Road near Hickory Comers to settle a dispute between neighbors. Police were respond­ ing to a call from a 38-year-old woman who reported their 31-year-old neighbor had driven into their driveway, threatened to kill her birds on the property and refused to leave. Police then received a second call from the 31-year-old man’s mother, who told police the man’s neighbor had shot his dog. When police arrived, they made contact with the man. He said he was outside when he heard a.22 rifle shot, which made him realize he didn’t know where his dogs were. He saw his neighbors, the 38-year-old woman and her h 45-year-old wife, close to his property line with a gun. He told police he asked his neighbors ifthey had shot at the dog, and they said yes. Police then made contact with the caller, who said they have had issues with the dog trespassing and going after birds on their property. The 38-year-old woman said shee saw the dog on their property before texting her wife and telling her to get the gun. That’ s when the woman shot toward the dog, she said. The officer demonstrated that not only was she shooting toward her neighbor’s dog but also his property and his house. From left to right, Faith Smith from the Delton Fire Department (representing Dave Gilbert), Wayne Gould from the Nashville Fire Department, Lani Forbes from the Freeport Fire Department and Jennifer Hammond representing the Johnstown Fire Department received recognition for their work as medical first responders. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) munity has been amazing,” Oakley said. “His leadership has helped other new MFRs become more confident, he’s always been helpful to Nashville ambulance, and his smiling attitude is a blessing when they arrive on scene.” Oakley said Eister was recognized for his great work as an EMT and his ability to work as a member of a team, citing three events in which he administered CPR. Oakley also said his soft tone when working with patients made him a calming presence on any emer­ gency scene. “Cody is an exceptional example of an EMT,” Oakley said. “He has a great under­ standing ofthe EMS system, and most ofall, his patient care is top-notch.” J Rodney Palmer, executive director and EMT for Mercy Ambulance, thanked Dana Yarger from Spectrum Health Pennock for organizing the awards and making the effort to recognize Barry County’s dedicated EMS personnel. He also took a moment to thank and recognize everyone in the room for their efforts to better EMS services in Barry Coun­ ty and care for patients. Palmer shared an anecdote of one. of his experiences working with Ellinger. Palmer joked that he dreaded having to work with Ellinger because of his reputation as the black cloud — the worst calls always came in while he was working. That day was no dif­ ferent, with Palmer and Ellinger responding to a t-bone accident with several patients pinned in a car and helicopters brought to the scene. “It was just like, ‘Yep, that’s working with Sam,”’ he said. “But I will say this - he, like all of you in this room, is intentional about becoming a better paramedic and a better person. Sam, I really do appreciate you. You’re one heck ofa nice young man.” ^bSS"’’**' 1 •****M«aift| * *B*d«i * B*d«i Rsaagg *■■*?« ? W wZttSX ?«W ZttSX ■RfflktaafcOlfcl ■ _J _ ftnklkwqtiiMM I iiBt aiabitbafaklaA ttitrati^pta- taciiEmiK rflBKEK®h»D filWBiimilSCi ax’iwrffliiainiEiiEnaisk IDCI □W SB! to aSOTfiEOBSK* BII«®I«» p®tlE|£l^ ^a HC CJRU q. Tjfijflitfl potential pest Police received a call from a 60-year-old Delton man around 4:30 p.m. on June 30 about a conversation he had with a neighbor about someone in the area. The man told police his neighbor had seen a man wearing a pest-control company T-shirt riding a Segway around the area and asking people ifthey were interested in pest control. Poli Police told the man they would document the incident and investigate if there were any more calls about the person in question. Steering committee for COA project meets, begins journey through construction project Jayson Bussa Editor A. newly-formed steering committee, assembled to guide the construction ofa new Commission on Aging facility, has recorded its first meeting. On Tuesday morning, Barry County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Dave Hatfield provided a report on the first meet­ ing ofthe committee, which took place two weeks ago. The committee is comprised ofrepresenta­ tives from the county board, Commission on Aging and Thopiapple Manor, which , oper■. -Jxates in a sprawling campus adjacent to the site of the future COA building. The two entities plan to collaborate and leverage resources to create a hub of sorts for seniors in that comer ofHastings. Earlier this year, the county board rolled out its intentions to leverage $3 million in cash assets to help the COA build a new 10,000-square-foot facility next to Thomapple Manor’s newly-built Harvest Pointe. The COA maintains its own building committee, but the steering committee is designed to loop in rep­ resentatives from other collaborating entities. In its first meeting, the steering committee recommended to the COA that it appoint an additional member to the steering committee - Sheryl Lewis Blake, who is the former CEO of Spectrum Health Pennock. Blake oversaw the transition when Pennock was purchased by, and integrated into, Spectrum Health. The hospital recently celebrated 100 years of service. “The basis of that recommendation was (that) she has extensive experience not only with building projects but also with commu­ nity consensus building, and we thought both of,those would be very valuable toj t^e group,” said Hatfield, who represents! the county board on the steering committee along with commissioners Catherine Getty and Bob Teunessen. The steering committee also intends to bring before the county’s Committee of the Whole a request to fund the adoption of a master plan for Thomapple Manor “so we can make sure the total vision out there comes forward in the most expeditious way possible,” Hatfield said. The steering committee will meet on the fourth Wednesday ofthe month at 10 a.m. nHiC3*Wtls HiC3*Wtls’’!Bl; !Bl; I ' takidytais'^ Cody Eister from Mercy Ambulance was recognized as the Basic EMT of the Year. Bob Hess from Wayland Area EMS (representing Mason Evers), Bill Rentz from Mercy Ambulance, Sandra Egleston from Castleton Maple Grove Nashville EMS (representing Patrick Alleman) and David Kaczmarczyk from Mercy Ambulance were recognized for their work as paramedic EMTs. -•-S?.‘!!U !U I ^titM^1-•-S? irtjwir *r£L **** *£S5^ City of Hastings Full Time Administrative Assistant Position Available The City of Hastings is seeking a full time Administrative Assistant. The position functions as the receptionist and first point-of-contact for the city. The successful candidate will have experience in an office setting and proven communication, organization, problem­ solving, and customer service skills. Starting salary range $16.71 -$17.75 per hour, DOQ with full benefits. To apply, visit www.hastingsmi.gov or 201 E State St, Hastings, Ml 49058 for a full job description and application. Position open until filled, but candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by 4:00pm on July 27, 2023. p ■w 9B*r F F Traveling pest control peddler reported as «>'' > The City of Hastings is an equal opportunity employer. 202581 J ^SXv* SXv*0 r was recognized as the Paramedic EMT of the Year. Rodney Palmer, Mercy Ambulance executive director and EMT, took a moment to recognize the work of his employees and every EMS worker in Barry County. £ Student loan borrowers are stuck with almost no recourse fl / f W J I F F f fM fM To the editor: Politics is like a game of paintball. The more you can paint someone with your color, the better chance you have ofwinning. I. agree that the student loan situation is Pressed up, and the cost of tuition has been inflated something fierce. This needs to be fixed. However, the students that this affects the most cannot claim bankruptcy due to the law. Those who do not go to college or trade school and start a business or buy a house or raise a family, but find they are unable to pay for the expenses they have incurred, can claim bankruptcy. Who pays for that? I believe the taxpayer has to ultimately pay City of Hastings Part-Time Assessing Assistant Position Available The Assessing Assistant performs a variety of support to the assessing department including field examinations, research on property history, principal residence exemptions and property transfer affidavits, business verifications, database maintenance, and similar tasks. The Assessing Assistant should be familiar with assessing and tax collection laws and procedures. A high school diploma or GED is required. Michigan Certified Assessing Officer (MCAO) certification or Michigan Certified Assessing Technician is required within one year of hire. Must hold a valid driver’s license. Please review the full job description on our website at www. hastingsmi.gov for additional requirements. This is a part-time position with a starting pay range of $19.10 - $21.49 per hour. for this. Students are the only group ofpeopie who cannot claim bankruptcy. So, how iis that fair? <‘ " Apply via email with resume and completed job application by July 31, 2023. Applications and any questions or inquiries regarding, the position can be made to the City Manager by email at smoyer-cale@hastingsmi.gov or by calling 269­ 948-3875. Sharon “Skipper Boyko Hastings The City of Hastings is an equal opportunity employer. �Page 6 — Thursday, July 13, 2023 — The Hastings Banner J^rea dfyuaried Mdrsha Ellen (Cooper) Brown Ray, the love ofher life, on November 23, 1951. Martha prioritized her roles as a gracious homemaker, loving wife, and doting mother. In addition to providing a wonderful home for Ray, Tina, Gordie, and Brenda, the kitch­ en door was always open for friends and family to gather and be loved. Outside the home, she excelled in a variety ofroles at the Hastings Manufacturing Company, Hastings Mutual Insurance, and the Chamber of Com­ merce. In the late seventies and early eighties, Ray and Martha owned The Cone Zone where they enjoyed serving ice cream,, milkshakes, laughter and connection. Later in their mar­ riage, Martha and Ray enjoyed wintering in Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, FL. She and Ray hosted parties and picnics for many neighbors and friends throughout their 60 years ofmar­ riage! Their lives showed great love and devotion to each other, to their family and to their communities. In 2015, Martha moved to Salisbury, MD where she lived until June 2023 surrounded by family, including five ofher great-grand­ children. These years were filled with joy and lasting memories. Martha recently returned to Barry County and enjoyed her time visiting with friends and family who welcomed her back to Hastings. We thank God for His good care of Martha through Harvest Pointe Assisted Living facil­ ity, Spectrum Health and Hospice in her final days. By faith in Jesus Christ, we believe Martha and Ray are now reunited with great joy in God’s presence and with all those who have trusted in Jesus. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Girrbach Funeral Home (328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI) on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11 a.m., visitation from 10 to 11 a.m.. Martha and Ray will be interred togeth­ er at Hastings Township cemetery. An additional memorial service will be held at a date to be determined in Salisbury, MD. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. Visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net to leave a condolence. On July 11, 2023, Martha L. Mead passed into Heaven after enjoying 90 years of life! Martha was bom, raised, and married in the same farmhouse on South Broadway in Hastings, MI. Her parents, Glen and Mabel Ingram, owned and operated the Ingram Jersey Dairy. The family also owned and operated Clear Lake Dance Hall in the for­ ties. Martha is survived by her three children, Tina Bradford (Steve) ofSalisbury, MD; Gor­ don Mead (Teri) ofAustin, TX; and Brenda Guerkink (Brett) of Middleville, MI; her grandchildren, Christine Franklin (Brent), Emily Labbe (Will), JeffBradford (Rebecca), Jacob Mead, and Carolyn Bergersen (Brian); great grandchildren Cadence and Jay Frank­ lin; Evan and Aaron Labbe; Landon, Zachary and Tyler Bradford, and Bennett, Mackenzie and Kennedy Bergersen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Arthur Mead in October 2012; her parents, Glen and Mabel Ingram, and her sisters, Doris Greenfield and Dorothy Wil­ liams. Martha also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and friends. Martha was bom on February 21, 1933, in Hastings, MI. She graduated from Hast­ ings High School in 1951. Martha married Ruth Inga Landon (Moe), age 90, ofFreeport, MI peacefully passed Friday, May 5, 2023. She was bom’ October 31, 1932, in Hastings MI, to Sjur and Margot Moe. In 1950 Ruth took her future husband Wayne to his firstt car race, beginning a pas­ sionate racing tradition that would be passed down for generations. She married Wayne in 1952, having five children Rita, Jerry, Terry, Linda, and Lorie. She worked as a waitress in Hastings also at The Piston Ring. In 1958 she was the winner of a powder­ puff race at Lansing Speedway using her husband’s race car. In 1956 tragedy struck, and daughter Rita, age 3, was lost due to an accident at Hastings Speedway. Devastation struck again in 1979, when son Terry age 19 was in a fatal auto accident. Then again in 1989 a racing acci­ dent took son Jerry. Despite the hardship she faced, Ruth held steadfast. Devoted to her husband, and their surviving children, grandchildren, and fami­ ly business. In 2000, she won her battle against breast cancer. Despite the harsh chemo treatment, she never missed a race that season. She was awarded “Woman ofThe Year” by the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Ruth was preceded in death by her hus­ band of 67 years Wayne Landon; two broth­ ers and seven sisters, her sons, Jerry and Terry and daughter, Rita. She is survived by her sister, Janice; daughters, Linda (Teddy) and Lorie; six grandchildren, Nick (Katie), Chris (Emily), Tracy (Sky), Stacy, Lydia, Emily (John); great-granddaughter, Inga who helped in caring for her, and Wayne in their final years. She also leaves behind 10 other great-grand­ children. Ruth was very loved and will be missed terribly. Her family will continue to live her legacy by enjoying car races, rock collect­ ing, frog watching, and cooking big meals together. Visitation will be on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11 a.m. with a Celebration ofLife to follow at Noon at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. A luncheon will follow at the Woodgrove Church in Coats Grove, MI. Memorial contributions for a monument marker will be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfimeralhome.net. Bapne Signeski Bayne Signeski, age 18, of Hastings, MI passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 8, 2023. The family will receive visitors for a Cele­ bration ofLife on Friday, July 14, 2023 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Legacy at Hastings, 1550 North Broadway, Hastings, MI. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings, MI. conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. w £s■ rs Marsha Ellen (Cooper) Brown, most pre­ cious wife and mother, of Hastings, MI passed away in passe n the e eary early hours ours o ofTuesday, uesay, July 4, 2023 at home surrounded by family. Marsha Was bom July 26, 1944 to Rolland and Winifred Cooper of Merrill, MI. She married the love ofher life of61 years,, Bill Brown on June 16, 1962. Known to many as the beloved Mrs. Brown, busdriver from Hastings school district for 29 years. She developed her love ofsinging by doing s karaoke with friends. s Marsha is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Brown; daughters, Paula (Dan) S Knight and Deann Nuttall (John Miller); four grandchildren, Sarah (Caleb) Davis, Christopher (Shelby) Nuttall, Ashley Knight, and Erica (Michael) Gertler; seven great-grandchildren, Lawson, Camden, Wyatt, Brynlee, Penelope, Silas, and Evelynn; brothers, Gordon (Bert) Cooper, and Greg (Vicki) Cooper; brother and sister-in­ law, Jesse (Barb) Brown and Margaret Palmer; along with many nieces, nephews and friends they called family. A celebration ofMarsha’s life will be on Saturday, July 15,2023 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Maple Leaf Grange Hall, 7490 M-66, Nashville, MI 49037. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesocjr i ety.tBW/lecdfton/grand-rapids^cremation for the Brown family. Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An CATHOLIC CHURCH BRETHREN 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. ST. ROSE OF LIMA Expression Of Who Jesus Is 4246 Pastor Father Stephan To The World Around Us". Philip. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ Mass 4:30 p.m. Sunday. 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Matt Moser, Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday School for all ages; Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Nursery. Aftermath Student Senior High Youth Group 6-8 Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, WOODGROVE 6:30-8 p.m., (Children Kids 4 Truth Kindergarten-5th LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ School Youth Group; 6:30 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 9390. Sunday Worship Service for information. 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: HfMty College's Fek WonMtas a How much did you earn at your first job? Social Security can tell you Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Ever wonder how much you earned the year you worked your first job? Or any other year you worked?. You can find out by reviewing your Social Security earnings record. Your earnings record shows your income for each year worked and your progress toward your future Social Security benefits. We keep track of your earnings so we can pay you the benefits you’ve earned over your lifetime. That’s why it’s important for you to review your Social Security earnings record. While it’s your employer’s responsibili­ ty to provide accurate earnings informa­ tion to us, you should still review your earnings history and inform us of any errors or omissions. This is so you get credit for the contributions you’ve made through payroll taxes. You’re the only per­ son who can look at your lifetime earnings record and verify that it’s complete and correct. If an employer didn’t properly report even just one year ofyour earnings to us, your future benefit payments could be less than they should be. Over the course of a lifetime, that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in retirement or other benefits to which you are entitled. It’s important to identify and report errors as soon as possible. As time passes, you may no longer have easy access to past tax documents. Also, some employers may no longer exist or be able to provide past payroll information. The easiest way to verify your earnings record is to visit ssa.gov/myaccount and create or sign in to your personal my Social p.m. Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle J« «iir** Please join us for a Celebration ofLife in honor of Timothy Scott Eerdmans Jr. Security account. You should review each year of listed earnings carefully and con­ firm them using your own records, such as W-2s and tax returns. Keep in mind that earnings from this year and last year may not be listed yet. You can find out how to correct your Social Security earnings record by reading our publication “How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record” at ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10081 .pdf. Let your friends and family know they can access important information like this any time at ssa.gov and do much of their business with us online. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Spe­ cialistfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. Clerk’s office makes new hire quickly Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer wasted no time adding to her staff once permitted by the county board to do so. 1302 S Hanover St In late June, the Board ofCommissioners approved the addition ofone full­ Hastings, MI 49058 time staff member for the clerk’s office, which, by Palmer’s account, has Light luncheon, brings'k become bogged down by the accumulation ofadditional duties over time. The five additional workers that accompany Palmer were not enough to keep up. your stories & memories After getting the green light, Palmer has moved forward by hiring a new to share deputy clerk, Andrew Green ofHastings. Green is a familiar face to the office after previously serving as an intern there, where he assisted with projects. April 4,1988 - July 2,2023 Green’s first day will be July 17. A private burial tookplace at Port Custer National Cemetery. “He ended up applying, so I kind of consider it hiring from within, almost,” Palmer said. “He’s already been doing some projects. We only had a few half days a week, so we’ll be working to expand his horizons.” w * * r^rac^^onal and Cremation Services ** Palmer interviewed one other candidate in Pre-Planning Services her brief search for additional personnel. ^ar8e Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Palmer initially requested two additional Serving All Ruths full-time staffmembers. As the county board works through the budgeting process, com­ * Pre'IUTangement Transfers Accepted missioners said they would consider figuring another position into the budget. Broadway. Hastings, MI 49058 In addition to keeping up with a growing 269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfuneralhome.net workload, staffing is even more crucial as Dale IlillingsleL Owiier/Managcr Ray Girrbach Palmer plans to retire this fall before her term JJ ends. A new clerk will then be appointed to Serving Hastinos iv.m Counix and Surrounding <:orninunitics for 50 wars her post. Saturday, July 15,2023 l-3pm at Living Waters Church > • TJ A 2 Fiberglass 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 Products 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 IWJRDWBESIfffilBIOl HodJutloohUrtuDflii 1301W. Green St Hastings 945-9541 W5 k �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 13, 2023 — Page 7 Hope Township is featured as 1955 Farm of the Week Banner December 1, 1955 The farm owned by Lewis K. Acker, locat­ ed this side of Cloverdale in Section 16 of Hope Township, was the 40th place to be featured in the Farm ofthe Week series. The location ofthe farm is probably better known to hundreds ofarea residents as being near Acker’s Point on Long Lake, for more than a half-century, a recreational area for people in Barry and surrounding counties. Lewis’s father, John L. Acker, around about 1891, developed Acker’s Point as a resort. He built the Acker’s Point hotel, dance hall and several cottages on the point. Many excursions and honeymoon trips were made to the point from Lansing, Kalam­ azoo and Hastings, as well as from other more distant communities. It was always a gala occasion, according to old stories, for families to pack their lunches and catch the old CK&S train, which should take them directly to the point’ Year after year, families looked forward to these outings of baseball, fishing, boating and other activities that were held at this landmark. Few outings were considered complete unless they included a round trip on the steamer “Reindeer” to Cloverdale and back. Lewis’s father purchased his original 62 acres from Mr. and Mrs. Konrad Kahler. The deed was recorded on Sept. 18, 1868. Later on, John Acker gave the right ofway - for a consideration of $1 - to the old Kalamazoo, Lowell and Northern Michigan Railroad company. It was a strip ofland 100 feet wide. John died in 1913, and after the CK&S j “/fib'*'*!6 ib'*'*!6 ss s ssBs ' Lewis Acker and his two sons, Robert (left) and John, are pictured with Letha Enzian, their housekeeper, on the Acker farm, well known by many Barry County residents. (Photo by Barth Studio) *a trains were discontinued in 1937 and the tracks were removed, Lewis began thinking ofdeveloping more ofthe lakefront property. Late in the 1940s, Lewis bought back the right ofway. : With the purchase ofthe right ofway, easy access to lots on Long Lake was possible. Lewis organized the Long Lake Develop­ ment Company with himself as president, Leonard Riepenhoffas vice president and Les Hawthorne as treasurer. Baldwin Bros., with their bulldozers, trucks and’crane, cleared, filled and leveled the lots and graveled the swimming area. The subdivision was named Casa Del Mar, or “home on the lake.” The original 47 lots in that development have practically been sold, and now Lewis has developed another plot to the westt containing 29 lots. “I’ve had a lot offun developing the area,” Lewis said. He had sold the original hotel after his father died, and the fourth owner, R.K. Harris, now operates it. In addition to the original 62 acres, his father had acquired 40 acres near the curve at Horseshoe Lake, and Lewis acquired the 80 between that and the home place. He also purchased 40 acres across M-43 to the south on Section 21, and with the 13 acres pur­ chased from the railroad, he now has 233 acres. Lewis, up to about eight years ago, farmed heavily, feeding out cattle and swine. Since then, he has rented most of his fields but does have about 100 sheep which his adopted sons, John, 12, and Robert, 9, enjoy feeding. He also keeps some pigs. The present owner was bom and raised on the farm, but since taking it over completely, all of the buildings have been remodeled or rebuilt. Lewis’s father came to the United States from Germany when he was two years old. The family settled on a farm at Hope Center. His mother, the former Elizabeth Shultz, was bom in Pennsylvania, Ohio. She passed away in 1925. John and Elizabeth also had four daugh­ ters, and only one, Mrs. Nellie Givens of Delton, survives. In addition to his farm and resort develop­ ment, Lewis had had an interest in the Hast­ ings Ice & Fuel Company for about 30 years. fl look Hack at the stories A1:+..+/:^D in the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Jlaha 04eiia Elaine Garlock The Tri River Museum group will meet next week on Tuesday, July 18 at the Saranac museum at 10 a.m. The downtown lampposts had a quick change from the spring banners recently to the summer banners which read that Lake Odessa is a friendly port. A sailboat is pic­ tured on one side. The wheat harvest has begun and maybe is already complete. With today’s massive farm equipment, a field of 80 or 100 acres can be harvested in short order. We may not get to see the massive machines at work. Fields on both sides of M-43 in Woodland Township were showing only wheat stubble on Sunday. A new marker at Lakeside Cemetery is unique in more than one way. It is notable because of its size. Also, it bears no individ­ ual name nor any dates, only the family sur­ name. Rev. Duane Bagley of Kalamazoo was at Central United Methodist Church on Tuesday for a time to answer questions from local church members. His district now contains a greater number of church congregations than in years past due to redrawn district lines. Central Church has been in a Lansing-based district for a few decades after being in a Grand Rapids district for many more years. Work continues on the new Habitat Hb housee on 4th Avenue. So far, all the work has been done at ground level with no structure any higher up. Last week’s host at the community dinner served at the Fellowship Hall was Living Gospel Church, located in the northeast cor­ ner oftown. Nine churches in rotation do the serving and provide desserts. Rain forecasts for this week are very wel­ come. This has been a summer with very little rain, resulting in short seasons for rhu­ barb and berries. It is time for strawberries to come onto the market. People who have gardens have reached the time for abundant zucchini. The latest gimmick in fundraising seems to be printing calendars. Does anybody need one for next year? The latest count was close to a dozen. They are unsolicited but they keep coming in the mailbox. Would I please send the donor 10 bucks or maybe 20? No thanks. Kellogg Community College’s Fehsenfeld Center offers chance to win free credit hours during “What’s Bruin” event hikBromfe. iMyooemlyort W Security you Fall semester students at Kellogg Commu­ nity College will have a chance to win free credit hours while checking out the college’s Hastings campus during a walk-in services event on July 25-27. KCC’s Summer 2023 “What’s Bruin” event at the College’s Fehsenfeld Center campus will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the center, which is located at 2950 West M-179 Highway in Hastings. Onsite services offered will include applica­ tion assistance, help viewing and registering for fall classes, self-guided tours ofthe cam­ pus and giveaways. Those who stop in during the event will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win a voucher for credit hours good toward fall classes at KCC. One winner will be selected at random and contacted by email. KCC’s Fehsenfeld Center campus opened in the fall of 1996 and serves hundreds of students per year on its 95-acre campus. The center consists of a main building with 12 classrooms, including eight standard class­ rooms, two computer lab classrooms, a sci­ ence lab and a CNA lab, as well as a student lounge, open computer lab for students and free WiFi. The center also houses advanced manufacturing assembly training for skilled trades students. For more information about the “What’s Bruin” event or the Fehsenfeld Center, visit kellogg.edu/hastings. Doctor • Universe 1 1 Thirsty fish Dofish and sharks drink water? A A Copper, 9, Fla. Dear Copper, All living things need water. It’s how life works on Earth. But do animals that swim in water drink water? j I talked about that with my friend Nora Hickey. She’s a fish veterinarian at Wash­ ington State University. She told me it depends on the kind of fish. Saltwater fish constantly drink water. Freshwater fish drink hardly any water. It’s all about the salts inside their bodies. Those salts make their muscles and nervous systems work. “Ifyou look at blood from saltwater fish and freshwater fish, they have about the same number ofsalts in their bodies,” Hick­ ey said. ' Saltwater fish and freshwater fish use different ways to keep those salt numbers the same. It has to do with osmosis. That s the way water moves across a thin barrier to make things equal on each side. In this case, one side ofthe barrier is the water inside the fish. The other side is the water outside the fish. The water inside a freshwater fish is salt­ ier than the water it swims in. So, water constantly moves into their bodies through their skin and gills. All that water flowing in could dilute the fish’s body salts. That would be bad for their muscles and nervous system. So, freshwater fish constantly pee to remove extra water. They don’t drink much water because they don’t need more. Saltwater fish are the opposite. Their insides are less salty than the water they swim in. So, water constantly flows out of saltwater fish through their skin and gills. They replace the water by drinking constantly. Ofcourse, they’re drinking salt water. So, they ne^d to get rid of the extra salt. They mostly push out the extra salt in their poop. They hardly pee at all because they need to Kellogg Community College’s Fehsenfeld Center in Hastings. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) save the water in their bodies. So, what about sharks? “Sharks are like a combination of fresh­ water fish and saltwater fish,” Hickey said. Bony fish have swim bladders. It’s like a bag of gas inside them: It helps the fish control how much they float or sink. Sharks don’t have that. They use the shape oftheir fins, extra fat in their livers and urea in their blood for buoyancy. Urea and salts aren’t the same things. But they’re both dissolved in the water inside the animals’ bodies. So, they influence whether water flows into the animal or out ofthe animal through osmosis. Thanks to that urea, sharks have less water inside than outside. So, water con­ stantly flows into them across their skin and gills. That’s just like freshwater fish - but even more dramatic. Sharks can take in 167 percent oftheir body weight in water every hour. That means a 10-pound shark could have nearly 17 pounds ofwater flow into its body every single hour. Sharks don’t drink, but they do pee constantly. All that water coming in is saltwater. So, sharks need ways to remove extra salt. That’s like saltwater fish. Sharks have a special gland near the anus that pushes extra salt out oftheir bodies. 1 The next time you dip your toes into a river or ocean, remember that freshwater is full of fish pee - and saltwater is full of shark pee. It’s good to know what kind of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for July 14-20 July 1-31 - July Story walk Book: “Beyond the Pond” by Joseph Kuefler. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Monday-Friday, July 17-21 - Mem­ ber Appreciation Week at the Institute. Institute members can enjoy an extra 5 percent discount in the Institute’s gift shop and drinks on the deck during Vis­ itor Center hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) this week. Not yet a mem­ ber? You can become a member for as little as $30 for the whole family (includ­ ing children and grandchildren) for an entire year. Wednesday, July 19 — Wild Wednes­ days: Dragon and Damselflies, 10 a.m- noon. Explore the natural world through hands-on activities and outdoor adven­ tures. Join the WK. Kellogg Bird Sanctu­ ary in fun, interactive activities about dragonflies and damselflies and make a nature-themed craft at the Sanctuary. Reg­ istration is required. Wednesday, July 19 - Wild Rice Man­ agement Workshop, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The deadline to register for lunch at the work­ shop is today, Thursday, July 13. Members will pay $20 for the event, and non-members must pay $28. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE water you’re in. Thursday, July 13 - Book Sale, 10 a.m.-6 Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse.. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse.com. p.m. Friday, July 14 - Book Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15 - Book Sale: Bag sale day, 9 a.m.-noon. Monday, July 17 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 18 - Barry County Explorers SPIN Club, 10 a.m.; Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; Teen Tiny Terrariums, 3:30 p.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 19 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Geology and Geodes, 2 p.m.; Writers’ Night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, July 13, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Michigan abortions for out-of-state patients jumped 66 percent last year The ruling effectively cut off abortion access in states that passed “trigger laws” in anticipation of the decision. In Ohio, for example, the Supreme Court’s ruling allowed a 2019 so-called “heartbeat law” to stand, banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a stage in which many women don t yet realize they are pregnant. By October, 13 states had banned abortion with two more states, including Wisconsin, poised to do the same. That forced 66 clinics to end abortion services in 15 states, includ­ ing Wisconsin and Kentucky, according to research by Guttmacher Institute, an abor­ tion-rights research group. To the south ofMichigan, Ohio and Indi­ ana moved to restrict access to abortion, with Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee banning it with few exceptions. As the Ohio law took effect, phone lines lit up at Michi­ gan abortion providers and wait times increased, though - as it turned out - some patients had booked multiple appointments in the post-Dobbs confusion. As other states limited access, Michigan voters last November passed a ballot mea­ sure that enshrined abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution, while reelecting Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and putting Democrats in charge ofthe Legisla­ ture, leading to a raft of legislation support­ ive ofabortion and reproductive rights. At the 14 clinics run by Planned Parent­ hood of Michigan, 10 to 15 percent of the patient load now comes from out of state, said Paula Thornton Greear, the group’s executive director. That’s roughly triple the rate ofa year ago. Robin Erb Bridge Michigan Michigan doctors performed nearly 1,100 additional abortions on out-of-state resi­ dents last year than in 2021 — as neighboring states tightened restrictions or banned the procedure. But even as abortions for out-of-state patients spiked 66 percent, the overall num­ ber ofabortions in Michigan remained stable, for reasons providers say they don’t fully understand. And in the final months of last year, abortion demand — from local and outof-state patients - fell significantly, according to at least two major providers. “It went crazy those months after Dobbs,” Renee Chelian, founder of.Northland Family Planning Centers, said of the influx of patients from other states immediately following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in June of last year that struck down federal abortion protections. “We were overwhelmed, especially with Ohio patients.” Michigan doctors performed 2,761 abor­ tions on out-of-state patients last year — com­ pared to 1,665 in 2021, according to new data obtained from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. That amounted to 9.2 percent of the roughly 30,000 abortions recorded in Michigan last year. That’s the first time out-of-state patients accounted for more than 6 percent ofMichigan procedures. Michigan quickly gained favor as a refuge for people seeking abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled decades offederal protections by overturning Roe v. Wade in June oflast year. The numbers are “a stark reminder ofthe barriers - travel, hotel stays, child care costs, time off work — some patients face to get care, and that may be worse as more states further restrict abortion access, Thornton Greear said. “We’re one of the few Midwestern states where patients can get abortion care uninter­ rupted, and we are happy to open our doors and offer that care,” she said. “But let’s be honest: Is that sustainable? Is that a long-term solution?” Women in many states face hurdles. Front July of last year to this March, more than 80,000 people in states where abortion is banned fully or at six weeks “encountered disruptions” seeking care, including having to travel to other states to receive care, according to a June report by the Soci­ ety of Family Planning, a research organi­ zation. Chelian, representing the independent clin­ ics, and Thornton Greear, representing Planned Parenthood’s network, said Ohio residents made up the majority of their outof-state patients. Right to Life Michigan, which opposes abortion, suggested in an email that the increase from otheristates was “undoubtedly the result ofGovernor Whitmer touting abor­ tion tourism,” referring to a phrase some­ times used by abortion opponents to describe when women leave their state or country to get an abortion. * Whitmer has framed reproductive freedom not only as a fundamental right but as an eco­ nomic development issue during the guberna­ torial race last year against Republican chal- While Michigan’s overall number of abortions was relatively stable last year, a far greater percentage of them were performed on out-of-state patients. longer Tudor Dixon. And earlier this year, the Whitmer administration drafted ads to encourage out-of-towners to move to Michi­ gan, touting “EV and Plan B” - references to electric vehicles and the pill that prevents pregnancies. A mysterious drop But then last fall, overall demand for appointments waned, not only at Northland but at other clinics, too, said Chelian, who is part of regular phone calls with a handful of independent clinics as well as Planned Par­ enthood of Michigan. For reasons not fully known, appointments at Planned Parenthood clinics “plateaued” at the end of2022, Thorn­ ton Greear said. Even as the number of overall abortions remained flat, last year marked the first decline in the state’s abortion rate - to 14.4 abortions for every 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 - since 2009. That’s a fall from the 15.1 rate in 2021. Chelian said she and others are perplexed by the drop in patients seeking in-clinic abor­ tions, especially since several clinics sought to boost staff to meet an expected spike in demand, but didn’t end up needing to. “We’ve all talked about it and we’re trying to figure out what it is,” Chelian said. All this makes predictions on future demand for abortion uncertain, as neighbor­ ing states continue to debate abortion rights and restrictions, which could continue to drive patients to Michigan. In Ohio, voters may put abortion rights on the ballot this November, while Indiana’s Supreme Court ruled last week that that state’s abortion ban - temporarily blocked by a lower courtjudge since September— doesn’t violate the state constitution. City water meters could be 1OO percent radio-read by the end of the year, officials say Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Water meters in the city could be 100 percent read by radio by next year, city offi­ cials said. City Council members approved $210,000 to be used to purchase water meter fittings, gaskets and replacement parts at their meeting on Monday. About $90,000 ofthe funds will be used to purchase devices that allow water meters to>be read retnotely-by city officials. < •'' City "Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said ’that as the city has been replacing its outdated water meters, it has been fitting the newly installed meters with devices that allow city staffto read them remotely. Verne Robins, the utilities superintendent for the city, said about half ofthe meters in the city can currently be read remotely. The funds allocated should be more than enough to replace the rest ofthe outdated meters by the end ofthe year, he said. Robins said getting the city’s meters fully remote would greatly reduce the hassle to homeowners and city staffhours used to read meters. “We have about half of our community currently that has radio-read (meters),” Rob­ ins said. “This would eliminate our staff ml winvisct I ■mifttrwa uiamtaE itailn.tani Verne Robins, the city utilities superin­ tendent, said water meters in the city could be read completely remotely by the end of the year. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) having to go out and foot read. This would knock us down to one day ofreading meters.” The rest of the funds budgeted toward the water meters would be used to buy and replace city water meters as needed, Robins said. s’more fumi caiipmc cnans You will feel like you are in the great outdoors in this new themed camp! We'll camp out in the classroom to decorate walking sticks, create marshmallow paintings and foil painted campfires, paint story stones, make camp themed string art and fashion a DIY camping lantern, You'll have s'more fun than you know what to do with! The Women’s Giving Circle of Barry County recently donated over $6,500 to Family Promise of Barry County. Pictured are (from left) Ashleigh Schultz and Abbie Hockstad of Family Promise and Carla Wilson-Neil, Kimberly Norris and Nancy Goodin* of the Women’s Giving Circle. (Photo provided) Women’s Giving Circle contributes to Family Promise of Barry County The Family Promise ofBarry County is the latest recipient ofdonations from Barry County’s Women’s Giving Circle. ' The May 3 Women’s Giving Circle meeting took place at the Walldorff Bistro and Brewpub. Members meet quarterly to learn about Barry County nonprofit organi­ zations and contribute to one, which is voted on by the members present. Mem­ bers at the May meeting voted to give their combined donations to Family Promise of Barry County. Those donations totaled $6,550, bringing the total amount of donations ofWomen’s Giving Circle members to $290,865 since the group began in 2013, benefiting over 30 Barry County nonprofit organizations. The next meeting of the Women’s Giv­ ing Circle is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. The meeting will be held at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 W. Clo­ verdale Rd. in Hastings, at 6 p.m. A dinner will start the meeting. Members of the Women’s Giving Circle commit to contributing $50 per quarter or $30 per quarter ifunder the age of30. Women are encouraged to learn abougj and join the Women’s Giving Circle at any time by contacting one of the organizing members, Caroline Dimmers, Stephanie Fekkes, Sue Kolanowski, Debra McKe­ own, Kim Norris, Carla Wilson-Neil or Nancy Goodin. Goodin can be reached by» email at NanGoodin@aol.com. Informa­ tion, which includes guidelines and a mem­ bership form, will be emailed to interested women. The Women’s Giving Circle of Barry County, Michigan, also has a Face­ book page. Ages 8-12: Tuesday • August 1 • 9 AM-12 PM $40 • Rachel Miller oinosauns a pmhtology Paleontology is the study of ancient life, from dinosaurs to prehistoric plants and animals. In this awesome new camp with Mr. Paul, we will "dig in" to the history of the earth. We will learn about prehistoric Michigan by building volcanoes, submarine simulations and searching for fossils. We will also construct models of amphibians, have a dino "dig up," make T-Rex teeth and more. It'll be a roaring good time! NOTE: Lunch will be provided, or students may bring lunch. Ages 8-12: Wednesday • August 2 • 9 AM-3 PM $50 • Paul Rheaume All Camps are held at Fehsenfeld Center 2950 West M-179 Hwy., Hastings KELLOGG COMMUNITY COLLEGE Lifelong Learning Register today! ONLINE kellogg.edu/youth DY PHONE 269-965-4134 'whso* BEDHD reports EEE-carrying mosquitoes found in Barry County Mosquitoes carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been found in Barry County this summer. The Barry-Eaton District Health Depart­ ment has urged residents to take precautions against mosquito bites after mosquitoes col­ lected in Barry County on June 30 tested positive for EEE at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories. A BEDHD press release stated that although there have been no reported cases in people or animals this year, one bite from a mosquito carrying the disease is enough to cause an infection. While anyone can become infected, individuals under 15 and over 50 are at the greatest risk ofcomplications. Symptoms ofEEE infection include sudden onset of fever, chills and body andjoint aches that can progress to severe encephalitis (inflammation ofthe brain). Headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysiss are all potential symptoms of encephalitis. Any­ one experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention, as permanent brain dam- age, coma or death can occur in some cases. BEDHD said residentss can reduce r their risk of contracting the disease by reducing their exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants outdoors, applying insect repellent and using door and Photo courtesy of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention window screens can all reduce the risk ofcon­ tracting mosquito-borne diseases. Emptying standing water from buckets, children’s pools and other containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs can also help decrease the risk of con­ tracting the disease, BEDHD said. EEE is particularly harmful to horses, with a 90 percent recorded fatality rate in horses that fall ill. The disease can not be spread horse-to-horse or from horse-to-human con­ tact. The Michigan Department of Agricul­ ture and Rural Development recommends owners protect their horses by vaccinating their horses against mosquito-borne diseases, placing horses in a bam under fans from dusk to dawn, using animal-approved insect repel­ lent and contacting a veterinarian ifan animal shows signs ofillness. The BEDHD release noted that more than 600 mosquito pools had been tested in Michi­ gan in 2023. Along with Barry County, a mos­ quito pool in Bay County also tested positive for EEE and another pool in Saginaw County tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus; More information about EEE can be found at Michigan.gov/EEE. **t®*Wrj 1** **3*®***ia �Cl ik The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday, July 13, 2023 Alward looks to build on All-GLIAC season at DU Brett Bremer Sports Editor Running defensive line drills during sumworkouts, which started a little earlier than usual on May 15, was never really a duty Austin Alward expected to hold. Most mornings, the Davenport University football team gathers for offense/defense or position group work. “We’re out there doing a lot of sprints, doing a lot of 40 starts and doing a lot of combine, testing type actives and flexibility type stuff,” Alward said. “We spend an hour in the weight room. We have a great strength and conditioning coach, and he puts us through a lot of good workouts through the offseason. Then there is positional skill x x i) work.” Alward, a 2016 Thomapple Kellogg High School graduate, is getting ready for what is going to be his third full season of playing NCAA Division II football at Davenport Uni­ versity (DU) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Davenport was third in the GLIAC in the fall of 2022, finishing behind only national ! powerhouses Ferris State University and ; Grand Valley State University. Alward was a big reason for that. He was named First Team i All-GLIAC as a defensive end, racking up 45 tackles while leading the Panthers with 14 : tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. ! This 4th of July week has been the first ' week offof training since things ramped back up in May for the Panthers. “When I walked on, I never thought I’d be leading the defensive line,” Alward said. “I walked on as a wide receiver and got red-shirt­ ed. After that, they asked, ‘Do you want to come over to the dark side?’ I went over to defense and went to defensive end. I was a little bit lighter than all ofthe other guys, but I made up for it in other ways.” “I’ve added about 25-30 pounds since I then,” Alward added. “Fifteen more to go, I aftd i’ll be right where I want. I’m trying to bl Ifafta ta &Sh MMMMW :r. tee fariat1 id's Giving Circle contrite ^MseolBainW, 0* I I OOOpDDl 6 sctaM® ’ It1 •no no lfi get up to 240.” Alward is always happy to get into the weight room. He graduated from Davenport with a Bachelor of Business Administration this spring and is getting into the graduate program at DU this fall. He hopes the busi­ ness degree will help him in his goal ofsome­ day becoming a personal trainer and opening a fitness center of his own. He spent a year working as an intern at MaxEffort Perfor­ mance in Caledonia, where he got to work Austin Alward with Thomapple Kellogg and Caledonia stu­ dent-athletes, among others. Alward played for Coach Chad Ruger at Thomapple Kellogg. An injury cost him most ofhis junior season, but in his senior year, he was named honorable mention all-conference in the OK Gold. As a receiver, he averaged over 20 yards per reception while tallying 385 receiving yards on the year. He played both ways at Thomapple Kellogg and remem­ bers having some success on the defensive line, but he always thought of himself as a receiver. “I played defense all my life, but I really focused on the offensive side of the ball,” Alward said. “I focused on wide receiver. My talent was (that) I could catch the ball. I would make some sweet catches, Ijke.the one-handed catches and things. I excelled at that. I went to 7-on-7’s in the winter [during high school] and gave up other sports to train on that in the offseason.” As a defensive end in high school, Alward said, “I didn’t know one thing about it. I was just trying to get offthe ball and be quicker and stronger than the other guy. At the high school level, you can get away with a lot of those things.” His father, Scott Alward, played tight end at Ferris State University and had NFL try- Austin Alward, a 2016 Thornapple Kellogg High School graduate, earned First Team All-GLIAC honors as a defensive end for the Davenport University football team in 2022. He is leading the Panther linemen in summer workouts in preparation for his red­ shirt junior season this fall after graduating in the spring. (Davenport University photo) outs in 1984 with the New York Giants and Detroit Lion^.____. a. ,, __... Alward said his moni, Kyle Williams, an'd his dad would always encourage him and his older siblings, Paige feash and Erik Alward, to be outside doing something. “I was terrible at catching the ball when I was little. Finally, I started getting it down,” Alward said. He is thankful for the way his family set him up for success/ even ifit took him some time to find it. “Everybody has a different path,” Alward said. “Out of high school, I didn’t know exactly if I had what it takes to fully be the best version of myselfand follow my dreaais. Mentally, I don't think I was there. I did [Grand Rapids Community College] for a couple ofyears. I was trying to get past foot­ ball, but I just couldn’t. I started personal training and online certification and every­ thing, but something just told me I can’t give up on my dreams.” He had always been training and even got into bodybuilding for a bit. He eventually got a workout with the Pan­ thers, earning himself a spot in the program as a walk-on for the 2019 season. He was red-shirted that year and then the COVID-19 pandemic limited/the.Panthersto Just two ball1 games with)'Gannon during* the <2020 season, which really happened in the spring of2021. Between 2019 and those spring 2021 ball games, defensive line coach/recruiting coor­ dinator Lucas Melo sat Alward down one day in the weight room and convinced him the defensive line is “where you’re going to make your money at.” See ALL-GLIAC, page 11 Richardson returns to lead Northern Michigan football Brett Bremer Sports Editor Shane Richardson rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown as the 1995 Lakewood varsity football team scored a 30-13 win over rival Ionia to close out a 5-4 season. Richardson’s football journey took him from that final game ofhis senior season to Northern Michigan University, where he was named the program’s most valuable line­ backer in 2000, to assistant coaching stops at Northern Michigan, Jamestown, North Dakota State and then most recently to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he was the head football coach from 2014 to 2022. Richardson has now returned to Marquette, where he is preparing for his first season as the head coach ofthe NMU Wildcats. It has been a whirlwind of setting up a coaching staff, recruiting for the 2023 and future class­ es while settling back into Marquette since it was announced the day after Christmas that Richardson would be named the 23rd head coach in the NMU program history. “I try to just live in the moment as much as I can,” Richardson said. “I am not quite sure I had some major aspiration that I was going to come and take over this program someday. It has certainly been something that maybe has crossed my mind on’occasion. The opportunity and the timing, everything was just right to where it was very ripe for that to happen this time around. “I just want to impact and affect the situation that I am in, wherever that is, whatever location. I want to do the best job I can so that I am influencing the people around me so I can push them to be the best they can be.” Richardson grew up in Clarksville and played on both sides of the ball for head coach Ted Hollern on the Lakewood High School varsity football team. He graduated in 1996 and played linebacker for the Wildcats in Marquette from 1996 to 2000. The Wildcats had a winning record in each ofRichardson’s five seasons but have had just two winning seasons since then, with the last being a 6-4 record in 2009. UI am pleased that Shane Richardson will be our next football coach,” NMU Athletic Director Rick Comley said in a December statement. “He is a loyal and proud alumnus who has grown while at UNC Pembroke and will use that experience to move Wildcat Football back toward contention in the GLIAC. NMU is proud of its football pro­ gram, and this is our first step on the road back to our expected level of support and success.” Steve Mariucci, the former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions head coach who led NMU to an NCAA Division II National Championship as quarterback in 1975, con­ tinues to be one ofthe program’s supporters. He was an advisor to the NMU search com­ mittee looking for a new head coach. “I am certain that Shane is the right guy for our program,” Mariucci said in a statement. “He brings significant experience as a head coach, is battle-tested and has a passion to bring his alma mater back to national promi­ nence. I’m excited about what is ahead and wish Shane, his family and his coaching staff all the best as they usher in a new era of Wild­ cat football.” It wasn’t until January ofhis senior year of high school that Richardson ever visited Mar­ quette. “The weekend I came up here on my visit, there was something really special about being here. It felt like a great fit, a unique fit,” Richardson said. “It was one ofthe best deci­ sions I have ever made. I met some of my best friends from that time here, was able to be on a competitive football team, and we were able to win some games and do it the right way.” He got his degree in secondary education with a social studies emphasis. While student teaching in the upper peninsula, Richardson got the opportunity to stay with the NMU program as a graduate assistant. I tried it, and once I started doing it, there was something about it I absolutely fell iin love with and absolutely thought to myself it was something I could see myself doing something I had an excitement for and an energy and a passion towards. When you’re thing is ready to go when the 2023-24 foot­ ball season begins in August. Being a college football coach since he graduated from Lakewood High School hasn’t left many opportunities for homecom­ ings for Richardson. He’s not sure he’s seen a Lakewood football game since graduation, except perhaps one during an off-week from NMU. But he still keeps in contact with Coach Hollern. “He was somebody who wanted things to be sharp,” Richardson said ofCoach Hollern. “He wanted guys to be tough. He wanted guys to really do things the right way. He saw details, and he cared about guys. He had a good personality to where you developed relationships. I can remember getting to know his family extremely well. I actually still keep in touch with him to this day. I think ofthe influence he had on me. He was a great family man. He was somebody that cared about his players. He was somebody that wanted to push his players to be the best he could be.” The 2023-24 Wildcats open their season Thursday, Aug. 31, at Minnesota Duluth and Shane Richardson, a 1996 Lakewood High School graduate, is gearing up for his then will host Lake Erie College on Sept. 9. first season as the 23rd head coach in the history of the Northern Michigan University Richardson and the Wildcats will be within a Football program this fall. quick drive in back-to-back weeks this fall, visiting Ferris State University in Big Rapids young and haven’t really figured out life yet, 2020. The Braves were 37-48 under Rich­ Sept. 30 and Davenport University in Grand you can do things that take you places, and ardson. you h have a little more freedom.” Rapids Oct. 7. Richardson got on campus full-time in “We want to pride ourselves with being He was the linebacker coach at NMU in Marquette on Jan. 4. extremely competitive, and we could be out­ 2002 and then that freedom took him to the “Really, since we have been here, we have matched, we could be out-talented and University of Jamestown in 2003 and North been on a journey to recruit our butts off. out-rostered or whatever, but we’re going to Dakota State in 2004. He met his wife Jenna We’ve had to really fill the roster. We’ve kind be extremely competitive no matter who we in Fargo, N.D., and they married about a year of been non-stop recruiting to get the roster play against. Hopefully, people can see that,” later. They now have four children Ford (16), where it needs to be for this fall. We’re doing Bo (14), Jude (12) and Bear (9), who were all recruiting for the future too. We had a lot of Richardson said. born in North Carolina. He expects his teams to be “gritty,” “hard­ camps that we were conducting or visiting nosed,” and “blue-collared” and to never be Richardson made the move to UNC Pemand working in the month ofJune. The month broke in 2006 with coach Pete Shinnick, ofJune is kind of swamped with camp life.” outworked. who coached at NMU prior to Richardson’s “We’re going to have a lot oftogetherness. Meanwhile, July has been about getting arrival in Marquette. They started the pro­ I am really making sure we have people that some time in with the family. Richardson gram there together, with Shinnick as the believe in each other, support each other and doesn’t expect to have too much of an issue head coach from 2007-2013. Richardson are excited about each other’s success; who adjusting to the climate differences between coached linebackers and defensive backs are able to work together when times get dif­ North Carolina and Northern Michigan with before re becoming the head coach in 2014. ficult; who are bringing a lot ofenthusiasm to their Fargo and mid-Michigan roots. But The Braves played as an independent until while spending a little time with his family, the sport; and that there is a lot ofenergy that joining the t Mountain East Conference in is being displayed in what we do. Richardson is continuing to make sure every- �Page 10 — Thursday. July 13. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on July 27, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Nicholas Gregaitis, a married man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc,, as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assj9"s Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC Date of Mortgage: February 22,2022 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 25,20^ Amount claimed due on date of notice: $237,546.42 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Beginning at a point on the North line m Section 21, Town 4 North, Range 7 West, distant 214.5 feet from the Northeast corner of Section 21; Jh®nce South 190 feet parallel with the East line of Section 21; thence West 102.5 feet; thence North 8.5 feet; thence East 8.0 feet; thence North 181.5 feet to the North line . of Section 21; thence East 94.5 feet to the Point of Beginning. Cgommgo.n street address (If any): 1_2_7_ W _Broadway St, Woodland, Ml 48897-9709 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If I the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: June 29,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1502375 (06-29)(07-20) 201799 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on July 20, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does hot automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Jonathon D Groeneveld and Ashleigh Groeneveld, husband and wife Electronic B, Irfc:: es^nortfegee, as nominee • for lender and len succesSttra and/or assigns i Foreclosing Assignee (if any): ARK-LA-TEX Financial Services, LLC DBA Benchmark Date of Mortgage: April 22, 2022 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 29,2022 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $185,557.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 128 feet of Lot 6, Block 8, of Kenfield’s 2nd Addition Subdivision to the City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, as recorded in Liber 1, Page 37 of Plats, Barry County Records. Common street address (if any): 937 S Hayes St, Hastings, Ml 49058-2430 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, ifthe subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: June 22, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1501747 (06-22)(07-13) 201488 , Original Synopsis Hope Township Regular Board meeting July 10, 2023 Meeting opened at 6:30 pm Approved: Consent agenda Resolution 2023-10 Foreclosed properties Resolution 2023-11 Primary Bank Depository Ordinance 95 Zoning Amendment Guernsey Lake Fireworks Permit Transfer funds from ARPA fund to Road fund Adjourned at 7:09 pm Submitted by: Deborah Jackson, Clerk Attested to by: Doug Peck, Supervisor NOTICE - PUBLIC LAND AUCTION The Barry County Treasurer will offer taxreverted real estate at public auction on August 1st 2023. The auction will be held online at www.tax-sale.info from 10:00am to 7:00pm EDT. Bids can also be placed up to 30 days in advance on the website, and assistance is available for those without computer or internet access. Incomplete or voided sales from the August 1st auction, if any, will be re-offered online on September 29th, 2023. Please visit www.tax-sale. Info/faq for additional details. For more information and a list of the properties being sold, visit www.tax-sale.info or call 1-800-259-7470. Sale listings may also be available at the county treasurer’s office. LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN 56-B DISTRICT COURT JUDICIAL DISTRICT/CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY ORDER REGARDING ALTERNATE SERVICE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-1039-GC Court Address: 206 W. Court St., Ste. 202, Hastings, Ml 49058 Phone: 269-945-1404 Plaintiff MCM Ml Gun Lake, LLC (Gun Lake) c/o Plaintiff Attorney Plaintiff’s attorney The Law Office of Aaron D. Cox, PLLC Aaron D. Cox (P69346) 23820 Eureka Rd. Taylor, Ml 48180 (734) 287-3664 V : ’ Defendant Shane VanKampen 4726 Princess Dr. ’Shelbyville, Ml 49344 v 'THE COURT FINDS: .' L Service of process ujxJn the defendant, Shane VanKampen cannot reasonably be made as provided In MCR 2.105 and service of process may be made in a manner that i? reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard. IT IS ORDERED: 2. Service of the summons and complaint and a copy of this order shall be made by the following method(s). a. First-class mail to 4726 Princess Dr., Shelbyville, Ml 49344 b. Tacking or firmly affixing to the door at 4726 Princess Dr., Shelbyville, Ml 49344 d. Other: Publication in the Hastings Banner for 3 consecutive weeks in accordance with MCR 2.106(D)(1). For each method used, proof of service must be filed promptly with the court. Judge William. M Doherty (P41960) By: Michael L. Schipper (P42154) 202379 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 23-29441-DE In the matter of Linda Rae Ervin. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS including: Christopher A. Ervin and all other living children of Kenneth Ervin, whose addresses are unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on August 2, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty P41960 for the following purpose: Motion to Approve Wrongful Death Settlement, Pay Attorney Fees and Costs, and Distribute net Proceeds to Interested Persons. Date: July 11,2023 Sinas Dramis Law Firm Thomas G. Sinas P77223 312 Fulton Street East Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 (616)301-3333 . •40fiCj 40fiCj <;-|j Leslie Erica Boonstra 427 Bluff Dr. Middleville, Ml 49333 (269)953-6170 NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the t highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property.. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Laran Muhqueed and Dylan Wallace, Both Unmarried, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. and/ or lenders successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 9, 2021 and recorded July 19, 2021 in Instrument Number 2021-009162 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is .now held by PLANET HOME LENDING LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Two Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Six and 32/100 Dollars ($202,996.32). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 17,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: THE NORTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT 10, BLOCK 12, Lincoln park Edition to the city of HASTINGS, ALSO, TH®N0RTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT 1130 AND THE SOUTH 331/2 FEET OF LOT 1067, THE ORIGINAL PLAT OF THE VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF HASTINGS. 716 S Market St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale,’unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: July 13,2023 'T File No. 23-006944 Firm Name: Orlans PC W Firm Address: 1650 West fig Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 07-13)(08-03) 202651 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE Nd. and JUjDGE 23-29548-DE William M. Doherty Court .address: 206 WeaCourtStreet, Hastings, Ml 49058. Financial FOCUS f/ti Provided by the Barry County offices of EdwardJones Member SIPC Kevin Beck, MMS® Financial Advisor 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 421 w Wowj|awn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Retirees: Talk finances with your grown children When you're retired, you’ll likely have some financial concerns —just like all retiree?. However, if you’ve invested regularly and followed a long­ term financial strategy, you should be able to address most issues that come your way. But there’s one important action that’s sometimes overlooked by retirees: sharing their financial situation with their grown children. And this knowledge can benefit everyone in your family. and misperceptions. If you’re in good financial shape, your adult children may be reassured that you won’t be needing their assistance. And if you are feel ing some financial pressures, you can inform your children ofthe steps you are taking to improve your situation. One such step may be to reduce your cost of 1 iving — the less you spend day to day, the better your ability to preserve your investment and retirement You might be surprised by the concern your children have accounts. You may be able to reduce costs in many small for your financial well-being. Consider these findings from ways, such as ending streaming services you no longer use, but you could make an even bigger impact by downsizing a 2023 study by Age Wave and Edward Jones: • 66% of millennials (generally defined as ranging from 27 to 42) worry that their parents or in-laws may not have enough your living arrangements. In fact, 72% of today’s retirees money to live comfortably in have downsized or are willing to downsize to reduce their housing costs, according to the retirement • 83% of millennials would Age Wave/Edward Jones survey. Downsizing isn’t for everyone, rather know their parents are but if it’s a possibility for you, it may be worth considering financially secure in their retirement, even ifit means their because the savings could be you owe onto a single card with a more favorable interest rate. Here’s another move to consider: Adjust your investment mix to possibly provide you with more income in retirement. During your working years, you may have invested primarily for growth — after all, you could be retired for two or more decades, so you’ll need to draw on as many financial assets as possible. But once you’re retired, your investment focus may need to shift somewhat toward income­ producing opportunities. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll still need some growth potential to help keep ahead of inflation. One final suggestion: Let your children know if you already have a strategy in place to meet the potentially high costs of long­ term care, such as a nursing home stay. This burden is certainly something you won’t want your children to take on. By informing your children ease everyone’s significant. it, you can them. If you have children in this You may also be able to reduce or consolidate your debts. minds — so keep the lines of communication open. age range or older, or who soon will be, how can you address Start by understanding how much and what kinds of debt their concerns and potentially improve your financial outlook? Communication is the key. By you have. Then, consider ways to lower your payments, such as refinancing. For example, if openly you’re carrying a balance on multiple credit cards, you might with your family about your financial status, you can reduce anxieties 202667 CORRECTION Carlton Township NOTICE OF REGISTRATION Public Accuracy Test July 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Date: 07/06/2023 Michael J. McPhillips P33715 121 West Apple Street, Suite 101 Hastings, Michigan 49058 26y9-945-3512 Robert Lee Taylor 918 Coal Street Trevorton, PA 17881 570-809-0233 Advisor. EdwardJones, Member SIPC be able to transfer the amounts 202541 isti I tariff"* -• ' iitiittlWjll I wawBiaw I tfMiisfc Cal id Pi M Mi JiflHr Hli BannerCLASSIFIEDS Garage Sale GARAGE SALE Kids and Adult Clothing, Estate items, Duck decoys, Fishing/ Hunt­ ing stuff. Lots more! 4463 Guy Rd., Nashville. Thursday 7/13/23, thru Saturday 7/15/23. 9am-5pm. Huge Yard/Bam/Garage Sale. Lots ofeverything. 3575 Fight­ er Road, Hastings. Weekdays 9am-5pm. July 12-July 27, 2023. Automotive Jayson Bussa Editor PAYING UP TO $1,000 FOR SCRAP VEHICLES, 7 DAYS A WEEK. 269-967-5744. Wanted PAYING UP TO $1,000 FOR SCRAP VEHICLES, 7 DAYS A WEEK. 269-967-5744. Business Services Ricky Esther ceedings by attorney David H. Tripp, is also the target of an ongoing civil lawsuit by the family of his victim. Despite Esther’s absence, Old Towne Tav­ ern remains open for business. Give the gift of NEWS! Send friends and family a gift subscription to The Hastings BANNER! To subscribe, call us at... 269-945-9554 i CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Local business owner jailed back in Match for physical altercation The owner of a Hastings bar and restaurant has been sitting in the Barry County Jail since late March and will stay there until he com­ pletes his 200-day sentence. Ricky Lee Esther, who is listed as the owner of Old Towne Tavern at 114 S Jeffer­ son St. in Hastings, was convicted of a felony charge after he got into a physical altercation with a neighbor outside oftheir homes in late 2021. Esther, whose residence is located on Whispering Hills Lane in Irving Township, was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. Esther opted to take his case to trial where a jury found him guilty of the charge in November of 2022. In March of this year, Esther was sen­ tenced by Judge Michael Schipper to 200 days in the Barry County Jail with credit for one day served. Esther, who was represented in the pro- । rife re This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial *fWl0-1TOALLCREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Tfe decedent, Susan Jean Taylor, died 5-12-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Robert Lee Taylor, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of thi? notice. a®, about your financial picture, and how you’re trying to improve parents pass on less money to communicating to to* BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050._____________ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets’ bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $300.269-223-9194. YORKIE MIX PUPPIES. Adorable, very cute. First shots and dewormed. Will stay small. $350.517-852-3007 Help Wanted GENERAL LABORER: JOB includes lifting and stacking lumber, must be able to lift 501bs. Full-time employment starting at $18.00/hr. Bene­ fits- 401 (k), 401 (k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance. Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to: info@quality hardwoodsinc.com BAND SAW FILER- Duties include sharpening and re­ pairing band head rig saws, band resaws, carbide tipped circle saws, chipper knives and dressing guide blocks. Full-time employment start­ ing at $25.00/hr. Benefits401(k), 401(k) matching, Dental insurance, Vision in­ surance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, ML Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com Satiiffo^j MAINTENANCE TECH­ NICIAN- Troubleshooting equipment breakdowns to include electrical/electronic, computer hardware and soft­ ware, hydraulic, pneumatics on sawmill equipment. Weld­ ing, fabrication and planning are needed along with the ability to work with and be a part of a growing compa­ ny. Full-time employment starting at $25.00/hr. Bene­ fits- 401 (k) 401 (k) matching/ Dental insurance, Vision‘insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid Mme off. Retirement plan. Quality Hardwoods, Inc, 396 Main St, Sunfield, MI. Send Resumes to- info@qualityhardwoods inc.com Community Notice BARRY COUNTY DEMO­ CRATIC Committee is host­ ing a picnic at Tyden Park (large pavilion) on Saturday, July 15th from lpm-5pm. Yes, there really are Democrats in Barry ^County! Stop by and enjoy am afternoon bf conversation^ food, (hot dogs and sides), and non-alcohonc beverages.! PUBLISHER’S NOTICE? All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. ins in NS �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. July 13,2023 — Page 11 Family uses golf outing to honor loved one combat the disease that claimed his life to L ^agrsf s II feast i ll Jayson Bussa Editor । This weekend will mark the eighth time that Michele Moretti and a small army ofher family and friends will come together to stage .'a golfouting in memory ofher father, Carl. ! But, this year, they’re kicking it up a notch {in hopes of spreading awareness and searching for a cure for the disease that claimed his life. . Moretti and her family are once again plan­ ning the eighth installment of the Annual {Carlo William Moretti Memorial Golf Out­ ' ing, which will take place at Yankee Springs •Golf Course on Saturday, kicking off with a •shotgun start at 2 p.m. I The event serves as a third-party fundraiser ,'to benefit the non-profit organization, The ’ Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration '(FTD). This is the disease that claimed the • life of Moretti’s father in 2015. And while not many people were aware ofthe disease back .when he was grappling with it, FTD has been [recently thrust into the limelight after actor Bruce Willis announced that he had been (diagnosed with the same thing. [ In brief, FTD is a result ofdamage to neu’1rons in the frontal and temporal lobes ofthe [brain. While it is rare, it can occur at a young[er age when compared to other forms of [dementia. This can lead to a whole host of •symptoms, from impaired judgment to drastic I changes in personality, which both Moretti [and her mother, Pat, remember experiencing [with their father and husband. ’ “My father passed away in 2015, and with •Bruce Willis coming forward with what he’s 'had, people have been going to the golf outling for seven years, and now they’re like, UBUNANCf® frjP Larry Nassar, ex-MSU doctor who abused patients, stabbed in federal prison [‘Oh, that’s what your father had?”’ Moretti [said. “I’ve tried telling people that this is 'what he had the whole time, but it takes 'someone famous for it to really hit home. So, [it’s fresh because it’s in the limelight again.” [ And that’s why they’re taking a straight[ laced golf outing and making it more of a [high-octane fundraiser, complete with spon­ sors, a silent auction and a performance by •the Grand Rapids-based party band Brena, in . which Moretti performs. I The golf outing will also welcome Jillian [Magee, a representative from the Association [of Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), •who will provide further information on the (disease and how her organization is working Ito combat it. “Her team is working side-by-side with the Willis family, as well,” Moretti said. “We tried to get a rep from the Willis family but were unable. It has just really been a motivat­ ing factor this year to really step it up.” The golf outing originated as a smaller ■F Golfers line up during a previous year of the Annual Carlo William Moretti Memorial Golf Outing at Yankee Springs Golf Course. (Photos provided) affair in 2016 when Carl’s long-time golf partner Kevin Marcy teamed with the Moret­ ti family to honor Carl while raising money to combat the disease. Many ofthe golfers have faithfully attended each year ofthe golf out­ ing. The nature of this fundraiser was a no-brainer, as Carl was an avid golfer. “He loved golf. He would golfevery day if he could. In fact, sometimes he did,” his wife, Pat, said. To date, the Morettis have raised $23,000 for AFTD through the golfouting. With over 100 golfers registered for this year’s event, they’re poised to bring in over $10,000. Carl and Pat Moretti embrace. Carl passed away in 2015 as a result of Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). The annual golf outing in his memory raises funds to help find a cure. 8th Annual Carlo William Moretti Memorial Golf Outing Saturday, July 15 2 p.m. shotgun start Yankee Springs Golf Course 12300 Bowens Mills Rd, Wayland Features golf, silent auction and musical performance by the band Brena Money raised will go to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration Janelie D. James Bridge Michigan Larry Nassar, the former sports doctor at Michigan State University who was con­ victed of sexually abusing female gym­ nasts and other patients, was stabbed mul­ tiple times in a federal prison in Florida, the Associated Press reported. The altercation took place Sunday eve­ ning at the U.S. Penitentiary Coleman II, a high-security facility an hour outside of Tampa. Two people who spoke to the Asso­ ciated Press said that Nassar was stabbed in the chest and the back, may‘hav^a^^Coilapsed lung and is in stable condition. The prison had experienced staffing shortages and officers were mandated to work overtime. During the night of the altercation, one ofthe officers assigned to the unit Nassar was in had been working their third straight 16-hour shift; another officer was working their second straight shift, the Associated Press reported. In May 2018, Nassar was moved from a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, when he was assaulted just hours after being released to the general population. Nassar was accused ofassaulting dozens of children and young women including Michigan State University athletes and members of the U.S. national gymnastics team. In 2018, Nassar pleaded guilty in Ing­ ham County to sexually assaulting athletes and was sentenced to a 40 to 175-year prison sentence. In February 2018, he was sentenced an additional 40 to 125 years in a Michigan State prison. He was also sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography charges, which he must complete before he can serve his state charges. The Michigan Supreme Court rejected his final appeal in June 2022. Nassar’s lawyers argued he did not get a fair trial and deserved another one because of comments made by the Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. Larry Nassar “Our Constitution does not allow for cruel and unusual punishment,” the judge said at one point. “If it did ... I would allow some or many people to do to him what he did to others.” More than 100 women who accused Nassar of sexual assault including Olym­ pic athlete Simone Biles sought more than $1 billion from the federal government for the FBIs failure to stop Nassar after reports of sexual assault became known to offi­ cers. In addition, MSU paid over 300 survivors $500 million. And the USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Commit­ tee paid $380 million to survivors in a set­ tlement. The state Legislature recently passed sexual assault legislation that would pro­ hibit health care professionals from admin­ istering exams that require vaginal or anal penetration, create a new felony for sexual­ ly assault patients by way ofmedical treat­ ment and require schools to improve awareness about sexual assault. The package of bills was introduced after the conviction ofNassar, and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in late June. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP - yr NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW From left to right Jon, Pat and Michele Moretti. Jon and Michele are Carl Moretti’s son and daughter while Pat was his wife. The [family comes together each year to stage a golf outing in the memory of Carl, an avid golfer. ALL-GUAC, continued from page 9 j On March 20, 2021, Alward got in the • Panthers’ ball game at Gannon University in j Eiie, Penn., as a situational pass rusher and (recorded two sacks. ' | “I think I hit a swim move and got around |a guy and got my first sack and ended up (getting another sack the same game.” At that point, he thought to himself, “It’s not easy, but I feel like I can do this.” He had 31 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and 7.5 jP?L in 11 games in 2021 and forced a fumble. A fourth-quarter sack helped set up the Panthers forr a game-clinching touchdown drive in a come-from-behind win over Michigan Tech on Oct. 1 of last season. Two weeks later, against Wayne State, Alward stuffed a couple runs in the back­ field to help the Panthers get the ball back for the winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Against his father’s alma mater at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids in November, Alward had seven tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in what would be a 28-7 loss to the eventual NCAA Division II National Champions from Ferris State. The Bulldogs would best the Panthers again two weeks later in the opening round of the playoffs. “I know what’s on the line now, and I know what I’m capable of,” Alward said. “I’ve got to go all in. I can’t take my foot offthe gas. It’s really just about living the dream. I want to be the best version of myself for myself and for my team.” The DU team starts Alward’s red-shirt junior season on Sept. 2 at home at the Farm­ ers Insurance Athletic Complex in Grand Rapids against Thomas More. Pursuant to provisions in MCL 211.7cc (19), MCL 211,7b, MCL 211,7u and MCL 211.53b, the Board of Review will meet on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 1Q:Q0 a.m. in the office of the Assessor at Rutland Charter Township Hall, 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan to consider appeals related to Principle Residence Exemptions, Disabled Veterans Exemptions, Poverty Exemptions and to Correct Qualified Errors. Dennis McKelvey, Assessor RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2194 202643 �Page 12 — Thursday. July 13,2023 — The Hastings Banner Charlton Park celebrates 51st annual Gas and Steam show Members of the Charlton Park Gas and Steam Club cut logs on a sawmill estimated to date back to 1885. (Photo by Mike Hook) Molly Macleod Copy Editor Historic Charlton Park’s Antique Gas and Steam Engine Show returned for its 51st year last weekend, bringing out gas and steam experts from across the Mid­ west, along with many enthusiastic novices. Charlton Park Gas and Steam Club Vice President Daryl Cheeseman said this year’s show was perhaps the biggest yet for the club, bringing in folks from near and far. Rows ofMinneapolis-Moline, Twin City, Oliver, Hart Parr and Cockshutt tractors lined the grounds ofHistoric Charlton Park on Friday and Saturday, the featured machines ofthis year’s show. Other perennial favorites, including John Deere, Farmall, Caterpillar and Advance Rumely equipment, were also seen at the show. This year, some members of the Charlton Park Gas and Steam Club restored a C. Aultman & Co. threshing machine, which was demonstrated in action at the show. According to Cheeseman, only a few Aultman threshing machines are left in existence and even fewer still func­ tion. The threshing machine that club members restored is estimated to have been originally built between 1878 and 1882. Threshing was not the only demonstration at last weekend’s show. Spectators were able to view tractor pulls, sawmill demonstrations and a dragsaw demonstra­ tion, to name a few. A mini horse pull also took place Jeff Brown of Springport, Mich., shows off a rare 1924 Minneapolis steam engine. This particular machine was the third to last ever made. (Photo by Mike Hook) over the weekend, with teams coming as far as Indiana to participate. Additionally, many ofthe oldest engines at the show were fired up and paraded around the park throughout the two-day event. The jewel ofCharlton Park’s own collection ofgas and steam engines is the 1884 Westinghouse traction engine, which was running, per tradition, throughout the show. For many ofthe Gas and Steam Show’s 51 years, the vast majority of attendees came from Michigan, mostly from Barry County and the surrounding areas. This year, participants traveled from places as far as Kentucky to enjoy the show. “The biggest thing I took away from the show this year is that it’s amazing how far people are traveling to come participate,” said Cheeseman. “We had three gas engineers come up from Milford. We had spectators come and camp from Ludington, (and) the guys that (came) up from Ohio and helped. It’s starting to (become) a show that encompasses more than just Michigan, and that’s really cool. That’s something that’s really hard to accomplish, and once you do, it’s really nice.” ■ Though many Gas and Steam enthusiasts traveled far to come to the Charlton Park show, locals showed up in full force to support the show as well. Cheeseman said gate attendance this year was up from years past. It is community support, Cheeseman said, that allows the club to keep doing what they do. Historic Charlton Park’s 1884 Westinghouse traction engine is a common sight at the annual Gas and Steam show, despite the rarity of the machine. Even rarer, the antique steam engine still runs and was seen traversing the park grounds over the weekend. (Photo by Molly Macleod) This year’s Gas and Steam Show featured equipment manufactured by Minneapolis-Moline, Twin City, Oliver, Hart Parr and Cockshutt. Here, featured tractors fill up the lawn at Charlton Park. (Photo by Molly Macleod) Christinas Pete Yeager (left) and Joe Sancimino (right) carry a wreath from storage to sell at this month’s Christmas in July bazaar. (Photos provided) m TYDEIU PARK • SATURDAY, AUG. 26™ Mm The JUUSUttHnNUKlI perO toSamT o'f. .3 .or 4 players C per toam of 3 or 4 players i JkS .1 A Entries must be to the Chamber ' 'W X '^W” X1 1 .^'”l1 Z1 » *®v*W^£*’* by Friday, Aug, 18th Make checks payable to Hastings Summerfest 2023 CHECK IN... 8:30 AM Pick up T-shirts at this time TIP OFF... 9:30 AM Team Name >ys & Giris ges 12-14) IBoys & Giris l(Ages 15-17) I iiMen&Women |—iMen&W I—l(l(Ages 18-25) I___](Ages26 Age brackets subject to change based on participation Team Captain. Send Entries to... Phone# Team Members Email. Barry County Chamber of Commerce 221W. State Street Age Hastings, Ml 49058 Questions Please fill out form completely Call (269) 948-3025 or email i brettQj-adgraphics.com [| ■ TUfcra TOKK • SATURDAY, AUG. 26™ After two years of accumulating items for the annual Christmas bazaar in 2021, St. Rose of Lima. Catholic Chinch, parishioners were excited to empty the church’s storage spaces. With no room left to store the items that accu­ mulated during the papdemic, organizers of the sale decided to move up the timeline and hold the sale in July 2021. However, at 3 a.m. on July 13, 2021, after parishioners brought in loads of boxes and sorted through all the items, a fire broke out in the vestibule ofthe cjiurch. The rest is history. , | Two years ofrebuilding and restoring later, the church is back to its former glory, and the Christmas in July sale is finally ready for its maiden voyage on Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with a hot dog lunch available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will begin on Sunday at 9 a.m. and con­ clude at 1 p.m. The bazaar will be held at St. Rose ofLima Catholic Church, 805 S. Jeffer­ son St. in Hastings. The sale’s items consist ofthings no longer needed by parishioners and encompass a large swath ofcategories. Those who visit the Pete Yeager (left) and Carol Kensington (right) are shown with just a few of the bazaar’s plethora of items. bazaar can browse departments, including glassware, kitchenware, books and audio, religious items, Christmas items, lawn and garden, crafts, candles, toys, stuffed animals, holiday items, linens, jewelry, frames, wrap­ ping paper and cards. Additionally, organizers say unique items will be featured at the sale, including a boot scraper and dryer, a foot circulation device, a briefcase solar charger, a juicer, a dressing basket, antique sleds, handmade furniture and rocking horses, to name a few. The church’s Christmas bazaar was not always a July event. At a 2008 meeting ofthe Catholic Daughters ladies’ group ofSt. Rose, a member suggested bringing back the Christmas Bazaar that the St. Bernadette’s Guild and St. Rose School Parents’ Club used to hold annually in the 1990s. Though the sale would be different from the original iteration that focused heavily on crafts, it would serve as both a fundraiser for the church and a recycling endeavor ofunwant­ ed goods. Up to the task, parishioners boxed up their items from bygone days and shipped them off to the bazaar to be sold or given away for free. The first “new” bazaar took place in Decem­ ber 2009 and was a rousing success. The sale continued each year until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the country. Neither a global pandemic nor the “momen­ tary light affliction” of a fire deterred Carol Kensington, a founder of the reinvented bazaar. This year, like in years past, Kensing­ ton put out the call for items and found cre­ ative places to store them during the church’s reconstruction. It’s said that a person can find almost any­ thing at the bazaar, notjust Christmas-themed items. Organizers describe the annual sale as a way ofrecycling, reinventing and repurpos­ ing unused or unwanted items that may be cherished in another home. Thornapple Twp. approves cemetery addition honoring former community leader Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Toxynship board Monday gave the go-ahead to begin development of an addition to Mt. Hope Cemetery that hon­ ors a longtime community leader. The board voted 7-0 to spend $5,307 to have Wickham Cemetery Services mark out and map a cemetery addition that honors Walter Eavey,, a former township trustee and firefighter who died in October 2020 at the age of 87. “The cemetery is full,” Township Clerk Cindy Ordway told board members. “We have a couple of random spaces here and there, so we need to get going.” A total of 504 spaces will be added to the cemetery as a result ofthe addition, accord- ing to township documents. Eavey served as a township trustee from 1996 to 2016. While in that role, he took an active interest in the care of Mt. Hope and Parmalee cemeteries, particularly the graves ofveterans who were buried there. Each fall, he made sure that every veteran’s grave was marked with a military marker. Eavey also served as a firefighter and first responder with the former Middleville Fire Department and Thomapple Township Emer­ gency Services from 1956 until his retirement in 2004. He was named Middleville’s Home­ town Hero in 2017. In other business Monday, the board approved a quote from B&E Coating Ser­ vices of Blanchard for resealing the parking lots at the Township Hall and TTES head- quarters in the amount of $7,098. “It is needed. It’s a needed piece ofmain­ tenance that we probably took too long in performing,” Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. The board also approved appointing Ord­ way as the township’s Freedom of Informa­ tion Act coordinator. In addition, TTES Chief Bill Richardson introduced Caleb Meek, who has been pro pro-­ moted to a probationary firefighter position with the department after having been recruit for the past year, receiving a yellow protective shield to be worn on his helmet Meek completed both firefighter training school and got his emergency medical techni­ cian license while working a full-time job, Richardson said. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-07-20.pdf 962e9a909c73ba63f50d880a22ca3e67 PDF Text Text Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street ■—Hgetmyj Ml 4905g 1 Man sentenced for fatal drunk driving wreck in Baltimore Twp. Michigan State Police send off Hastings trooper Harness racing records broken at County Fair See story on page 2 See story on page 11 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 lllllllllllll,lllCllAllRlllRlTlllLlOllTl,llCll0ll0l3llllC,lO>Ol3lllllllllllllll ., «...,.„„,..,..CAR_RT LOT..C 003 COO3 Ha Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings Ml 49058-1954 ANNER Thu Barry] County Fair in full swing; Animal and livestock auctions today and tomorrow Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry Expo Center has become a beehive ofactivity this week as it plays host to the 170th installment ofthe Barry Coun­ ty Fair. The theme ofthis year’s events which has been providing entertainment for families around the county since 1852, is “Kids, County and the Barry County Fair.’’ While annual fairgoers generally expect the spacious, shade-less fairgrounds of the expo center to feel like an oven under the hot July sun, the weather has been pleasant early on, providing relief for visitors everywhere from the midway, which opened on Tuesday afternoon, to the 4-H bams. Mason-based Elliott’s Amusements fired up rides on Tuesday and hordes of kids moved in on Tuesday evening to get first crack at them. The fair also provided special promotions over the last few days, welcoming in both veterans and seniors on Tuesday at a deeply discounted rate. The Barry County .Commis­ sion on Aging helped to organize the outing to the fair and seniors were provided with special accommodations along with pro­ gramming from a variety of participating Organizations. y .Wednesday Wednesda was a day desjgnalej far kids, who were able to ride on the midway at a discounted rate throughout the afternoon. Today, July 20, is ladies’ day, where ladies See FAIR pae 3 , A group of kids enjoy one of the first rides on a dragon rollercoaster, operated by Mason-based Elliott’s Amusements. Rides on the midway opened on Tuesday afternoon and will operate through Saturday. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) A goat, raised by Liam Roodvoets of Barry Good Critters & Crafts, peeks his head out of his enclosure to say hello. County board’s Committee of the Whole mulls resolution after demands for 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' from local GOP Jennifer Heinzman County secures $720,000 to cpmbat blight, demolition of former Baby Bliss building Jayson Bussa I Editor H A pair of state grants will allow the Barry County Land Bank Authority (BCLBA) to conduct demolition on a prune piece ofreal estate in Middleville and‘also rehabilitate blighted homes throughout the county. Earlier this week, the recently-formed BCLBA announced that it has been {warded a total of $720,000 from the Michigan State Land Bank Blight Elimination fund. This fund was formed out ofCOVID reliefdollars received by the state, meant to target blight and revitaliz| communities throughout the state. See BABY BUSS, page 2 Jayson Bussa Editor ■. In late April, members of the Barry County GOP flooded into the mezzanine ofthe Barry County Courthouse to plead with county commissioners to declare the county a “Sec­ ond Amendment Sanctuary.” After three months of mulling over the demands, commissioners introduced a resolu­ tion during Tuesday morning’s meeting ofthe county board’s Committee of the Whole but did not take action on it. The issue initially arose at an April 18 Board ofCommissioners meeting where the Barry County GOP presented a resolution it had drafted in response to gun control legis­ lation that was either proposed or already passed by a Democrat-controlled state legis­ lature. The county GOP wanted the board of commissioners to designate Barry County as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary County,” just as dozens of other counties throughout the state have. At the time, members ofthe party admitted that the move was primarily symbolic, as the Board of Commissioners has no say in how the offices ofthe Sheriff or prosecuting attor­ ney conduct their business. Still, the county GOP felt it was an important move and implored the board to add it to a future agenda. The resolution that the board’s Committee ofthe Whole rolled out on Tuesday morning was a bit more broad, not expressly mention­ ing second amendment rights, but rather, counting it as an affirmation of support for the constitutional rights as a whole. “The Barry County Board of Commission­ ers has been requested to adopt a resolution to become a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary County’ and, whereas, input from our legal counsel, prosecuting attorney and sheriff have duly noted that the proposed resolution exceeds any authority that rests with the board ofcommissioners, especially to the extent that it directs the activities of the sheriff and/or prosecuting attorney,” the resolution stated. “Whereas, when we assumed office, we all took an oath of office under which we swore to support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution ofthe State ofMichigan.” Barry County Sheriff'Dar Leaf speaks to county commissioners on Tuesday morn­ ing. The county board’s Committee of the Whole was considering a resolution that would affirm the board’s support of the Constitution. The resolution came as a response to demands from the Barry County GOP, which wanted to commissioners to declare the county a “Second Amendment Sanctuary.” “The Barry County Board ofCommission­ ers wishes to re-affirm support for the Consti­ tution ofthe United StatesiofAmerica and the state of Michigan in its entirety including all ofits amendments,” the resolution also read. Dave Jackson, chairman of the county board, has stated numerous times that his view ofthe board’s function is to conduct the business ofthe county ahdlhat the board does not wade through political issues often, if ever. Jackson stuck to thatJiine of thinking in presenting this resolutions1 I “We had some discussions on it. My feel­ ing is that when I went to the GOP meeting and they put the resolution out there from the Barry County GOP, I voifid ‘yes’ on it,” Jack­ son explained. “I’m ay gun owner. I’m an NRA member. I’m a hunter. I believe in; all that stuff. Ifthe Barry County GOP wants to send that to the state of Michigan declaring that on behalfofthe Barry County GOP. that they want to be a ‘Second Amendment Sanc­ tuary County’ I think that’s fine.” “This board has a business function for the county. My opinion is that we stay in our lane and do what we’ve always done.” The committee sought input from Sheriff Dar Leaf, who was on hand to field questions. Leafsaid that his office has not received a formal breakdown of some of the new laws that have recently been enacted by the Dem­ ocrat-controlled state government concern­ ing hate speech and the variety ofgun legis­ lation. City holds public interview for fire chief candidates Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The city held a public interview for candidates poised to take over as the city’s next fire chief. City officials and members ofthe pub- ; lie were invited to meet the city’s top \ three candidates for the role and ask them any burning questions they may have. The interview was hosted last week Wednes­ day, July 12 in the WalldorffBallroom. Sarah Moyer-Cale, city manager, acted as the event’s emcee. She said the city received and reviewed 15 total candi­ dates, six ofwhich were interviewed by a panel consisting ofherself, Marshall Fire Chief Martin Erskine and Alma Fire. Chief Harold House. The panel then chose the top three candidates; Jared Willman, Mark Jordan and Rick Krouse. Krouse, Hastings assistant fire chief, is serving as the city’s interim fire chief. Krouse assumed the interim role in April, following the death of previous longtime Fire ChiefRoger Carts. Moyer-Cale said the public interview was a key part ofdetermining which candi­ date would be the best fit for the position. “A huge part of being a fire chief is technical expertise and knowledge, background training, education,” she said. “But another really important part is fitting in with the community, and that’s really what this is all about.” Each candidate introduced themselves and outlined what experience they could bring to the role. Krouse cited his 39 years with the Hastings Fire Department, with 28 years as assistant chief; Jordan pointed to his previous experience work­ ing as the fire chief in Bellevue, and Willman shared his experience working various fire services roles in the military as well as his proximity to the area as a Rutland Township resident. See FIRE CHIEF, page 3 See COMMITTEE, page 2 �* Pape 2 — Thursday, July 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Grand Rapids Symphony to perform free concert in Hastings tomorrow Members ofthe Grand Rapids Symphony will take the short trek to Hastings tomorrow to perform a number ofrock hits. The free concert will be held at the Thomapple Plaza, 301 E. State St in Hastings, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Members ofthe Grand Rapids Symphony’s brass and percussion sections will be fea­ tured at the concert, with Duo Shen conducting the players. The players will perform classic rock hits including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “More Than a Feeling” and “Live and Let Die.” No Family Left Indoors continues with Unde Irving’s Treasure Hunt No Family Left Indoors continues next week with Uncle Irving’s Treasure Hunt. The self-guided scavenger hunt will take place from Monday, July 24 to Friday, July 28 at Historic Charlton Park. Barry County Parks and Recreation will host families at the Park, 2545 S. Charlton Park Rd. in Hastings, for a week of hands-on activities and exploration. No registration is required for this week’s No Family Left Indoors event. The week will consist of self-guided activity with no costs associated. Families will follow clues leading them throughout the Historic Village on a hunt to locate Uncle Irving’s treasure trove. The first clue is located at the entrance ofthe Village, just outside the Upjohn House at Historic Charlton Park. Each summer, No Family Left Indoors offers free weekly activities to keep families busy while school’s out. More information about Wild Wednesdays, along with a full schedule ofNo Family Left Indoors programming throughout the summer, can be found at sites.google.com/ view/no-family-left-indoors-2023/events. Greg Chandler StaffMiter A 19-year-old Bellevue man will serve at least l seven years in prison for a drunk-driving crash in Baltimore Township last fall that killed one ofhis friends. Chase Winslow-Clayton Brandt was sentenced Wednesday to a term of86 months to 15 years in prison on a charge of operating while intoxicated causing death in the Oct. 26, 2022 crash on Maple Grove Road near Foster Road that claimed the life of 17-year-old Zacharee Mason ofHastings. Brandt and two other pas­ sengers in the car were injured in the wreck. “He was my best friend,” Brandt said of Mason as he addressed Judge Michael Schipper before sentencing. “I know I was being stupid that night” Brandt pleaded no contest on April 26 to the OWI causing death charge, as well as operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and false report ofa misdemeanor to a Michigan State Police officer. According to Michigan State Police from the Wayland post, Brandt was driving west­ bound on Maple Grove Road near Foster when he lost control ofhis car, and the vehi­ cle overturned in a cornfield. The vehicle was traveling at a speed of about 60 to 70 miles per hour when it hit a bump in the road and SS. Cyril and Methodius hosting blood drive The SS. Cyril and Methodius parish will host a blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25. Versiti Blood Center will be the service provider. The church is located at 159 131st Ave. in Wayland. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weighs more than 110 pounds may be eligible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is only time. In return, donors leave knowing they have helped sustain someone’s life. Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Lifesaving care starts with one person mak­ ing a donation. High school donors make up over 35 percent ofthe daily blood supply. When schools are on summer break, patients need their community’s support even more. Blood is vital, precious and in short supply, say organizers. Each donation can help save three lives. While all types ofblood are needed, Type O blood, especially, is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals. Questions may be directed to Versiti Blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD, or 269-792-3543. Appointments are preferred and may be made at donate.mivchigan.versiti.oig, but walk­ ins are welcomed. w/ Brandt sentenced in Baltimore Twp. drunk-driving fatal Chase Brandt of Bellevue speaks during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday morning in a Barry County courtroom. Judge Michael Schipper sen­ tenced Brandt to 86 months to 15 years in prison for his role in a fatal drunk driv­ ing crash that claimed the life of Brandt’s 17-year-old friend Zacharee Mason. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Jasmine Croft, the sister of accident victim Zacharee Mason, speaks in court during the sentencing hearing for Chase Brandt. lost control, Assistant County Prosecutor Christopher Ellsworth said. Mason was ejected from the vehicle as a result ofthe impact and killed. After the wreck, Brandt convinced one of the passengers in the car, Carl Baldwin, to admit to police that it was Baldwin who was behind the wheel, Ellsworth said. “Because Carl Baldwin admitted he was the driver, he was the only one who had a (preliminary breath test for alcohol) on scene and a legal blood draw done,” Ellsworth said. Then on Oct. 29, three days after the crash, Baldwin recanted his story and said Brandt was the driver ofthe car, Ellsworth said. “I believe that was because the individual (Mason) died, and (Baldwin) didn’t want to be on the hook for OWI causing death,” Ells­ worth said. “Carl told the police that Chase asked him to take the blame.” On Nov. 2, Brandt was interviewed by police and confessed that he was the driver, Ellsworth said. “You have a six- to seven-day window between when the crash occurred and Mr. Brandt ended up taking responsibility,” Ells­ worth said. Mason’s sister, Jasmine Croft, called on the court to issue the maximum possible sen­ tence for her brother’s death. “Zacharee was a light He did everything he could to make everyone smile,” Croft said as she wept “He was kind. He is special. Every day without Zacharee here is heartbreaking. Every moment that we spend without him is like trying to breathe and there’s not enough air. Our family has less laughter, less happi­ ness and more hardships because ofhis death.” For Schipper, this was the second straight week where he has sentenced someone to prison for a fatal drunk-driving crash. “Something has to change. Drinking and driving kills people. It’s not an accident You choose to drink, you choose to drive. The accident word does not go with this. This is no different than you putting a bullet in a gun and shooting it randomly downtown and hopefully (no one gets hit),” Schipper said. Brandt apologized to Mason’s family for his actions, and said he wants to use what happened to help others. “It’sjust a terrible thing. I don’t want any­ one to ever have to go through that again,” he said. In addition to the sentence on the OWI causing death charge, Brandt was sentenced to 40 to 60 months for OWI causing serious inju­ ry and 93 days for filing a false police report. Five other charges were dropped in exchange for Brandt’s no contest pleas, including reck­ less driving causing death and having an open container ofalcohol in a vehicle. Brandt received credit for 107 days served injail. uic' mnk iiai:[Ei3Er33S£- COMMITTEE, continued from page 1 “I’ll keep you guys abreast on (those changes to the law) but if it’s anything that violates anyone’s due process, we’re not interested in enforcing it,” Leafsaid. “In fact, we’ll do just the opposite and stand behind due process rights here at the Sheriff’s office and I’m sure the prosecutor’s office will do the same thing. That’s the right thing to do.” The scene Tuesday was far different from the April 18 meeting, when the mezzanine was packed. There were only a few gallery members on hand Tuesday. Larry Bass, a Carlton Township resident, did speak on the issue during the public comments. “After March, April, May, June and now July, I would have hoped we would have done much better than the resolution that is before you folks today,” Bass said. “As a matter offact, my recommendation would be you table this today and have a more in-depth conversation and come back with something that is more palatable to a lot ofus.” The Committee of the Whole ultimately took no action on the resolution, most mem­ bers acknowledging that they already took an oath ofoffice to uphold the state and federal constitutions and also that the resolution wouldn’t accomplish anything tangible. Mike Callton, who has served as a state rep­ resentative, provided some insight into the pro­ cess and ramifications ofsymbolic resolutions. SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-511 [AnnualJuly Sale ► 20°/o OffFabrics ► (excludes sale Items) ► Sale endsJuly 31st Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station ft < 4 QUESTIONS. ask us- 218 E. State St, Hastings * 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm City of Hastings PUBLIC NOTICE Summer Tax Deferments Notice is hereby given that applications for deferment of summer taxes are available at Hasting City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058. Those who qualify may complete the application at City Hall or on our website at www.hastingsmi.gov The deadline for completing and filing a deferment application for the 2023 summer tax season is September 15,2023. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk/Treasurer ---- it?’"'*? Dave Jackson, chairman of the Barry County Board of Commissioners, listens during Tuesday morning’s meeting of the board’s Committee of the Whole. “When I was in the legislature, resolutions were endless and I used to laugh because I noticed that they were usually put forth by the most ineffective legislators that couldn’t pass any legislation so they would have resolutions that no one could say no to,” Callton said. “These resolutions just congest the whole system of the legislature because it’s a Pando­ ra’s box,” he added. “...It’s just something to think about ifwe’re going to start doing res­ olutions. It could be unending.” BABY BUSS, continued from page 1 The funds must be used to undertake reha­ bilitation efforts on blighted proprieties throughout Barry County, helping to stabilize property values while eliminating safety haz­ ards, amongst other negative impacts. Heinzman explained that the funding came in two different grants. The BCLBA was granted $220,000 in round two of funding, which will all be used to demolish the former Baby Bliss Inc. build­ ing in Middleville along with additional structures on adjacent parcels of land. The Baby Bliss building is located in the 100 block of West Main Street adjacent to the Thomapple River. It is being eyed by Ada-based 975 Ventures LLC to create housing at the location. The development has been dubbed River Run Flats LLC but plans for it have not been finalized. To comply with the terms of the grant, BCLBA officials must first review education­ al materials to help them mitigate risks and address hazardous situations that might arise during the demolition process. “We have to know what to look for before they can go through with demolition,” said Jennifer Heinzman, President of the Barry County Chamber and Economic Develop­ ment Alliance. “We’& taking the educational classes. We still hoffe'io get those buildings down this year yet, that’s our goal. Developers will have to work with the village to see what can go there.” 975 Ventures is looking to develop riverside housing at that location but the village has not signed off on their initial plans. Whether those plans come to fruition or not, demolishing the Baby Bliss building will make the site ready for a project. Heinzman’s organization had previously applied for similar grant dollars for the purpur­ poses of addressing the Baby Bliss building but was turned down due to the absence of contracts with a developer. The other round of grant money awarded to BCLBA - $500,000 - will be used to bring blighted homes from around the county up to code and eventually put back on the market to be sold. Heinzman said the BCLBA will work with townships across the county to identify blight­ ed homes, acquire those properties, rehab them and eventually put them on the market. The BCLBA will also be working in tandem with the Barry Community Foundation to executive on the initiative. Heinzman explained that the foundation would front the BCLBA funds for the rehab work and later be reimbursed by the grant money. Under the model, there will be no limit to the number of homes that the BCLBA can rehab and sell. As an example, the BCLBA might pur­ chase a property for $50,000 and spend $100,000 to rehab it, signifying a $150,000 total investment. The Barry Community Foundation would provide the funding and be reimbursed by grant dollars. If the home sells for $200,000, then $150,000 will be returned back to the Michi­ gan State Land Bank Blight Elimination fund to be used again while the BCLBA would pocket $50,000. > ./ “We’ll reach out to all the municipalities,” Heinzman said about starting this process. “They’ll have to actually blight these houses, so iinstead of driving up every road in the county, we can ask them what is available now. We’ll probably go to their commission or council meetings and tell them what we’re doing, as well.” Heinzman and the chamber have been relentless in chasing down grant dollars, which are still flush with COVID reliefcash. Since the beginning of June, Heinzman and her team have secured $1.4 million in grant funding as they prepare to apply for additional dollars. b AS Su ’bbi ia? �The Hastings Banner—Thursday, July 20,2Q23 — Page 9 411 FAIR, continued from page 1 Chloe Webb, a 14-year-old student from Bellevue, maneuvers her horse around a barrel during a competition at the horse arena at the Barry County Fair on Tuesday afternoon. (aim |(lmitted to the fai^ fbr $2 until noon. This year, the fair bumped its gate prices up from ^5 19, but Barty County Fair ^oarj Presi­ dent Dennis Redpjjm -did not aqtjcjpate it hurting ^endgnce to this । year’s event ppr . did he expect additional price fokes any type in the near tutpjp. The animal barns.are qjvyays a focal point of the p^ept,.as 4-H and EFA students (display the animals that they worked to raise throughout the year. । _,-(.. All ofthat hard wprk pays off during .the small anitpal ^pd live­ stock sales, where each animal is auctioned off and, the .student pockets the money from that sale. the small animal safe is- slated for 5:30 p.m. today, .at IJje show arena .while the livestock sale begins at 9 a.m. and goes, all day Friday, July 21. The total generated from that sale traditionally sets,a npw high watermark every year. Last year wa? a notable year when foe small animal sale and livestock auction combined to eclipse, foe $1 mil­ lion .mark, a major milestone for an event that gamers strong sup­ port from the community. , That year, the small animal .sale brought in $59,425 and the livestock sale netted $1.1 mil­ ' lion. This year will likely be more ofithe same. ' ‘ ‘'It’s a very good benefit for the kids,” said Chri§ Morgan, who is superintendent of the fair’s livestock auction, put leans, on, fa small army ofvolunteers to execute the event. .“It.’ig!a'good way to' to sell your product, at a pre-; ¥ mium and a lot of kids use it to funtitheir College.” Students track the money that’ they spend raising their fair proj­ ects throughout the year so that they can learn how to properly, calcplate profit. Meanwhile, buyers from foe community'can bid on livestock. If they successfully purchase one, they have three options — process it, donate it for foe use of a legal f°0<l shelter or re-sell the an imal at market rate, recouping some qftheir money but not all. Mprgan said that a majority of buyers opt to prodess the animal, Andria Mayack, who directs the । Hastings chapter of the Future,, Fanners of America, underscored how important the animal salelis to the students. "Barry County is set very well as far as the community support­ ing kids and their projects at fair, whether it’s 4-H or FFA,” May­ ack said. “We’re very fortunate for that. I do know kids put in a lot-of hard work.” “Those dollars are very important because kids get that money back,” Mayack added. “That goes into an account depending on how parents do it. I know with my own... they don’t have-access until they’re older. Now, Vou’re looking at college or a car; now they have funds sitting there. It’s very cool.” The strong community support shown through foe animal auc­ tions has been a point of pride fotji Barry County Fa'ir organizers. “I’ve always said our commu­ nity .is giving and I would find it ham to belieye that (the total mtfrtey brought in from the sales) wouldn’t stay the same or be high­ er,” Fair President Redman said. Cole Schellenbarger of Middleville leads his hog away from the show arena of the Barry County Fair on Tuesday afternoon after completing youth hog judging. Students work hard throughout the day to keep 4-H bams looking spic-and-span. Here, 12-year-old Jackson Boldt rake's debris in the poultry bam. FIRE CHIEF, continued from page 1 Following introduqtiqtis, Moyer-Cale asked several questions before opening the ■floor to questions from the public. Some of foe candidates’ answers have been included below, edited for space and clarity. Can you tell us who you are, and about your work and educational background? Willman: I am a member of the communi­ ty 1 live tn Rutland. At this juncture, my background is 20 years in this business. Cur-rently, I work full-timefor the city of Battle .(Creek as a firefighter. I work part-time for (Thomapple Township Emergency Services); and teach for Lansing Community College; I got 21 years in foe military as a firefighter: That’s kind ofmy professional background:-!’ have an associate’s degree, and a bachelors degree in fire science and am working on a master’s degree currently in staffing. So I’ve tried to pursue any and every educational ripportunity in this business to try and make .myself a resource wherever I’m at; „ ajfli Jordan: I live down in Bellevue.J’ve been ‘.in the fire service since 1993. Started right af foe roots as an unpaid volunteer firefighter,; rose through foe ranks and moved to Michi-, -gan in 1999. Got off the department fori a couple ofyears while I was doing some other work. I got right, back into it because I missed it so much. Started picking up on my educaition and took all my officer classes, hazmat classes and such. I just really, really liked the fire service. It’s,-something I like and enjoy.; It’s something I enjoy doing. Krouse: I’m the current assistant fire chief ip Hasl'ngs- Fve been here for 39. years. I started as a volunteer, worked up through foe ranks of lieutenant and assistant chief. (I’ve spent) the last 28 years approximately as assistant chief. I’m currently serving as inter­ im chieftaking care of foe daily business of the fire department. I’m Fire Officer certified, and started my Fire Officer II. The state has changed their criteria so 1 have to take all those all over again, which I’m more than willing to do. As I said, I’ve been here for 39 years. I grew up here, went to school here, raised my family here and my family is also , in foe fire department as well. When did you know you wanted to be a fire chief.’ ,. Jordan: Right around 2001, when I’d been in Bpllevue’s department for a couple of years. I got to know the chiefthere pretty well and -repljzed that this is where I want to go. It’s a very challenging position to be a chief, and a lot oflegwork to get there. To be respected by jqembers offoe community and by the depart­ ment is not an easy task, it’s something that -needs to be worked on. It was a challenge 1 wanted to do. In 2016,1 became a captain first. I was a captain for four years. When the chief retired, he recommended me for the position. Krouse: I think I’ve wanted to be the fire chiefsince I became foe assistant chief. For­ tner chiefRoger Caris and I had a very good working relationship. We’ve worked together ^ide-by-side, and we helped each other in decision-making. Ever since then, that’s kind of what I wanted to do. During that time, ,w#’ve worked on a lot of different responses together and I think that has been a great building block for me in this community. h t Willman: I probably wanted to be a fire । chiefmy entire career. I continued to work up and try to t leant as much about the job as I could. It was solidified by my last deploy­ ment. I was a deputy chief, had two installations, six stations, and over 100 firefighters SEASQNAL HELP 2023 -TEMPORARY SEASONAL GENERAL LABORER- • no EXPERIENCE NEce^AKV • S.TARTtNG^YSTO3/hpur *ri W1SI15E WdRk’ Ma/k dQrifofl (center) addressees public during the city’s public fire chief interview last week. Jordan answered questions about the role alongside interim chief and longtime assistant chief Rick Krouse (left) arid Jared Willman (right). (Photo by Hunter McLaren) working for me. I enjoyed that challenge, It was during foe NEO (Noncombatant Evacua­ tion Operation), moving all foe Afghanis. It was a unique challenge that gave me a lot of different viewpoints on that job and what it entails. That’s basically when it was solidi. fled about two years ago. What does an effective fire department look like? How do you measure success? Krouse: I think a successful fire depart­ ment is a community-based group ofpeople working together for the betterment oftheir community, their families and their neigh­ bors. With the training that these guys do, I think that is an important part ofbeing in the community. These members want to be more community-related. We held our first depart­ ment open house last fall; it’s something we look forward to doing more of. These are the people that make it happen. With these peo­ ple, anything can happen. The commitment to training only makes us better ifwe are better. It (makes our work) safer for us, we’re safer for the community and we can deliver those services better to the community. Jordan: It’s important that the department always puts a positive image out to the com­ munity. The department should have an open­ door policy. Ifanyone wants to come tour the building, go right ahead. I’m happy to show you around and show what we do. It also drives membership up within the department and creates a lot of interest,within the depart­ ment. Quite frankly, the department needs to show that they’re a good steward ofthe tax­ payers’ money. So we do.the correct thing, we don’t waste money. When we respond to calls, we have a positive response. We don’t blow through lights, we don’t drive reckless­ ly. We want to be part of the community. We don’t want anyone complaining about how the fire department does something, that’s the worst thing you can do. Jt’s got to be 100 percent positive. That’s how 1 see myself. I’m always out in the community in the schools all the time, mingling with the kids, getting to know foe kids and working on the cadet pro­ gram. That’sjust a great way ofgetting mem­ bers involved and the community involved. Willman: Well, I think that’s a multifacet­ ed question. Success is measured in multiple ways. First and foremost are foe rigs going out the door when the tones drop? That’s what the community expects. There’s a benchmark. Are there people to respond on those rigs that are trained and competent individuals to meet the community’s needs? There’s another benchmark; Dp they have the equipment that they need? Another benchmark. All of those things build togetherr to build a solid department. So there’s already a solid foundation, and it’s about how, you expand that, The fire department is the best job in the world, whether you do it volunteer, paid on call or full time, it is a family and that’s probably the single most important thing to me - in a smaller department, small­ er community making sure that foe members are: happy, have what they need, and can respond to foe call supporting and building that foundation. Through training, through sweat equity, being able to sweat together and lead together - that makes us closer and gives us the ability to build; that foundation, to respond to foe needs, of the community because ultimately that is, foe benchmark, In what ways do yquir goals and values align with those ofthe city ofHastings and the fire department? I Willman: It may sound cliche but, “Integri­ ty first; service before selfand excellence in all we do.” It’s foe Air Forcejs core values, and it’s something that I try to live by. I do foe best that I can and with what I am tasked with. 1 think that aligns with most entities and organizations to be able to build that foundation of trust because at foe end offoe day, that community trusts-us to come into their house and take care oftheir family members at their time ofneed. That’S a level of trust that has come on foe backs ofothers before us Continuing that with those-foree core values, is super important to me, apd that’s how I try((and live my life.,,,.,. Jordan: I put 110 percent into anything I do, and .working with,a true volunteer part­ time .department, those । people woultfojti be there if they didn’t do th; same thing; Togeth­ er, we would grow the department together. It’s, already a very good department, it works very; wpll with what,.pe currently have.,I would like to see mysel [.become part ofthat department and help , it move forward, Remember, the chief,isi ijj the one that really makesfoe decisionspit;( the members.TVs a lot ofwork to get everybody to respecLeach othcr-and move forwafo..pnd make the depprtmentfoe best it can bfti.L, j > ]., Krouse: All the members of foe depart­ ment .whether ittsa ment.weter ’s a y yflunteer, unteer,part-tme|or part-time |or full-time person, wouldn’t be there jf,,foey didn’t,, want to serve the,public. This ip pots a full-time job with a sfljj|% being a firefj^btpr. Thia ifl ajob that we dq, wt oflove. We do, it. as part ofthe community, to support oun community and it helps us to beta more solid member of the community. You re absolutely right - the chief may have his name fan the bottom line for a decision. But the deg^jpn has to be m^feas a gpqpp. Every memfaej jig? to buy info ifogpd ?yi?Bfifl?Praher has to wqjjk toward that goal pr else it will not work. I want to continue thatt process ofgetting that work done. Applicant must be at least 18 years of age by start date, have a valid Driver’s License, and be able to pass a drug test. Hours Monday-Thursday 6 AM- 4 PM and some Fridays. Starting hourly pay $16.43 per hour, no benefits. Application &job description can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings between 6 AM - 3:45 PM, or on our website at www.barrycrc.org. The Barry County Road Commission is an Equal Opportunity. Employer. 202921 POSITION OPENING BARRY COUNTY TRANSIT DIRECTOR Applications are being accepted for the position ofBarry County Transit Director. Those interested please submit your resume by August 15,2023. The Director, Sometimes referred to as the Transportation Manager, is responsible for/to: • General management ofthe mission and transportation services provided to all Barry County Residents. • Maintain full compliance with all State Federal Transit Administration regulations. • Guide and Direct Administrative and Supervisory staff. • Cultivate and maintain a strong working relationship with the Transit Oversight Board, reporting monthly on Financial Position, Potential Liabilities, and Performance Metrics. • Prepare and manage annual Operations Budget. • Explore, prepare and submit grant requests for rolling bus stock and other capital assets. • Submit Annual Grant Application for both Operations and Capital Funding to the Barry County Board ofCommissioners and M.D.O.T. for approval. • Submit quarterly, annual, reconciled, milestone and charter reports to M.D.O.T. • Reconcile annual audit with annual performance reports. • Promote Transit services through public speaking engagements and public media advertising. • Perform duties as a voting member ofthe Small Urban and Rural Task Force. • Maintain a good faith collaborative with all other County Departments and local service arid resource groups. • Cultivate focal transportation service agreements. Duties listed above, being critical, are not all inclusive. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong sense ofcommunity and peo­ ple skills; future vision with a sense ofurgency and understanding ofthe social importance of responsive local transportation, analytical thought and financial - budgetary'ability. Posting Date: July 19,2023 Effective Date: Official date is January 3,2024 - Training to commence prior. Salary & Benefits: $77,925.12 Beginning; MERS Retirement; Full Medical Barry County Transit 1216 W. State St. Hastings, MI 49058 269-948-8125 bvoigt@barrycounty.org �Page 4 — Thursday, July 20, 2023 —- The Hastings Banner Ut^Mytjpinion When legislation gets twisted, voter trust breaks History comes alive On Saturday and Sunday. Historic Chariton Park in Hastings brought the sights and sounds of the Civil War to life with its annual Civil War Muster event. The two-day event stands as one of the region’s largest and most popular Civil War reenactments. Civil War Muster features two busy days, which includes everything from battles and weapon demonstrations to a fashion show, tours of the camps and merchants on Sutlers Row, which sell reproduction Civil War items. In this photo, taken by Mike Hook, the 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry defends the Upjohn House in Charlton Park against the Confederates. Do you remember? Ribbon cutting officially opens Barry County Fair 4 BannerJuly 19,1990 The Barry County Expo Center officially opened Monday of Fair Week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and balloon launch. Scissors in hand, Congressman Howard Wolpe and Fair Board President Don Geukes snip the ribbon. Have you met? Anyone who’s stopped by the J-Ad Graphics office north ofHastings can attest to the fact that it’s staffed by a colorful cast ofcharacters. Amber Clemens is likely to be one ofthe first staffmembers they’d meet. Clemens helps man the front desk at the office, directing visitors and phone calls. It’s an important job for any office, doubly so for a newspaper company that handles a large flow of information. Although J-Ad staff are an interesting crew, some of the office’s regular corre­ spondents, both visitors and callers, can be just as compelling. Clemens said no two days at the desk are the same, and few days come without their share of surprises. It all works to keep thejob more interesting than most, she said. “It definitely keeps it interesting. It’s much better thanjust sitting there doing the same thing over and over repetitively,” Cle­ mens said. “You meet some pretty interest­ ing people sometimes.” A 2003 Hastings High School graduate, Clemens is no stranger to customer service. Prior to her current role, she managed the Algonquin Lake Party Store for 10 years. She saw her fair share ofregulars and inter­ esting characters there too, she said. Managing the store also got her involved in one of her favorite hobbies completely by chance. She said she was going through the store’s cash and coins one day before taking it to the bank when she found a Buf­ falo nickel. Minted only up until the late 1930s, the coins are fairly rare. After that, Clemens said she became a coin and currency collector. Clemens said she’s even sold a few online to fellow col- Amber Clemens lectors for much more than face value, including some silver coins and some $2 bills. No matter how busy she was, she’d look through the store’s cash for any valu­ able coins or bills. “I had to look through all the coins before I brought (them to the bank) because you just never know,” she said. “You could give that million-dollar quarter away.” Although Clemens’s coin collecting habit has slowed down quite a bit after moving away from a job that required her to exchange a lot ofcash, she still keeps an eye out for any interesting currency. Lately, she’s been spending time practicing her other hobby, pour painting. It’s a painting technique that requires mixing paint and pouring it on a canvas to create vivid abstract landscapes ana patterns. “Ijust tried it and I was hooked,” she said. “My whole basement was transformed slow­ ly over time into a 1 ittle art studio. It was so messy down there; the (floors were just cov­ ered in paint. It’s a very messy hobby.” Although Clemens said her hobbies may seem fairly pedestrian |to some, she doesn’t care. “If it’s fun to you that’s what counts, right?,” Clemens said “People think that about coins - ‘Oh, mat’s boring.* Yeah, until I find that $100,000 pennyl” For her help in directing J-Ad Graphics’ many, many phone calls and visitors, Amber Clemens is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite season: finitely summer. I hate the cold, I don’tTike the snow. I love being outside on the Meh. A place I’d like toko: Anywhere tropic cal. I would love to go to those hotels where the beds are over the water. If I won the lott : Oh, that would make me so happy,, A moment that changed my life: When my kids were bom;---because it i made me grow up. I have twokj kjds, 11 and 15. • 1 jrraH Each week, the Bankerprofiles a person who makes the comn&nity shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fan-lovingpersonality,for the stories.he or she has to tell, orfor any other reaskp&Send information to Newsroom, Hastim Banner, 136f<N' Mr43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058tth or email news@j-adgraphics.com. When voters changed the Michigan Con­ stitution to protect abortion rights under Proposal 3 last November it was controver­ sial, to be sure. But how many voters could have seen the smoking residue twisting up now from the fine print of this new law which also promotes child sex transitions without the consent ofparents? Proposal 3 was sold as “Reproductive Freedom for All,” protecting a woman’s right to an abortion. Now we find the law also includes children and their rights to reproductive freedom. Sounds innocuous enough - what child will ever need an abortion, right? Then here comes the Mich­ igan Department ofEducation and its chill­ ing use of the new law to promote child sexual transitions without parental consent. According to the City Journal, a public policy magazine, the Department of Edu­ cation has adopted a radical gender theory program that promotes gender “fluidity” beginning in elementary school and encourages teachers to facilitate the sexual transition of minors without asking for parental consent. Never mind that a minor has always had to reach the age of 18 to be considered a young adult with the right to make medical decisions for themselves. Under Proposal 3, minor children now have the constitutional right to pursue procedures intended to change their physical sexual characteristics and sterilize themselves - and parents lose the right to consent or be informed of the procedures. The new law clearly allows children to undergo “gender change therapy without parental consent.” Now that the law is in place, the Michi­ gan Department of Education is holding training programs for public school employ­ ees encouraging staffto adopt the principle of“intersectionality.” The training program recommends that staff abandon so-called gendered language, such as “boys and girls” and replace those terms with gender-neutral variations such as “earthlings.” The Department ofEducation goes so far as to suggest that staff create “Gender and Sexuality Alliance Clubs” targeting students as young as elementary school, using pri­ vate communications and fictitious names -lo-conceal the- natyre. of these .initiatives ifrom parents. The program teaches'schobl employees howito facilitate the sexual' trank sitton*of children under their 'care' white keeping the process a secret from parents. Richards Middle School, a public school in Fraser, Mich., has already been charged with hiding the transgender status of a stu­ dent, allowing the student to go by a differ­ ent name and pronoun while directing the teacher not to inform the mother of the student about the transition. A school counselor warned teachers ahead ofthe school’s parent-teacher confer­ ences to use only the student’s “birth name” and “refer to the pronoun ‘he’” when talking to the student’s mother. Yet, the counselor referred to the student, who is a biological male, by that student’s chosen female name and pronoun throughout the email and informs the teacher that the par­ ent is unaware ofthe transition. When pressed for comment, a school spokesperson did not deny that the district was hiding the gender status from the stu­ dent’s parents, but said the “district is mindful of the complaint with its obliga­ tions under Title IX laws.” Response from state governments and federal administrators regarding this whitehot social issue has been ail over the map. Several states have implemented or consid­ ered actions aimed at limiting LGBTQ+ youth’s access to gender-affirming health care - in some cases, denying all health care. At the same time, the Biden Administration, which has been working to eliminate barri­ ers and expand access to health care for LGBTQ+ people more generally, has come out against restrictive state policies. The last three presidential administrations have kicked the issue back and forth, often including gender identity as among the discriminations not allowed under Title IX. Presently, the Michigan State Board of Education advises districts to evaluate such matters on a “case-by-case basis,” stating that, “school districts should consider the health, safety, and well-being of the stu­ dents, as well as the responsibility to keep parents informed” while “privacy considerations may vary with the age of the stu­ dents.” But as options are becoming available and leaders fumble for solutions, the issue becomes more intense As a parent and grandfather, I have to wonder how in the hell did we get to this* point where so many young people are struggling with who they think they are rather than who they want to be? Not keep­ ing parents involved in the discussion is wrong when some ofthese kids desperately n need professional counseling. The idea that state educators would go to any lengths to conceal their efforts from the public is out­ rageous. As parents start to really listen and understand what’s happening, they will and should revolt by demanding their fundamental right, as parents, to have a say in the educa-;*. tion oftheir children. These kids aren’t the I responsibility of the state - the parents* r should be included in any medical or mental health issues relating to their children. In conversations I’ve had with some local school administrators, I’ve been assured that our local schools do not instruct staffto i hide information from parents and, when communicating with parents and guardians, they address the student by their given name. The only way a student can have their names changed is with parental permission. This alone cannot solve this crisis. These students are dealing with mental health issues, much ofit coming from social media sites that make alternative choices sound like cool, exciting and normal behavior. Parents should be wary and ask questions about why the State Board ofEducation is supporting and training staff in the process ofhandling gender-affirming cases. The DOE’s guidelines are supposed to be voluntary and should not be considered r mandates. The approved guidance from the state office reads, “Decisions by districts to utilize their guidance should be made at the local level employing the normal communi­ ty input, processv” But J dog^t think many-n districts Avant'td debate the guidahce pro- H cessiahd thatVwhy Ijiisisercighavmdstdmprf may spin out of controls ••vU* Jnh’; i.. School boards are not looking forward to engaging parents on such a controversial subject while influencers are endlessly driving billions ofsocial media impressions against traditional family values onto our most vulnerable people. It’s sad our education system is being, assaulted by something as distracting as “intersectionality” when, based on the most recent National Assessment of Education, Michigan fourth-graders rank 43rd in thei’ nation on reading scores. That’s a signifi-, cant drop from the state’s 32nd ranking in 2019. Michigan’s eighth-grade rankingu dropped to 31st in the nation from its 28th position in 2019. We send our kids to school to learn to read and write - not to worry. * about what sex they feel they want to be. Bad policy happens when voters don’t educate themselves on the issues and then s don’t follow those issues as They’re imple­ mented. We may feel we elect representatives to support what’s in our best interest, but then we forget the power of special interests that rule the halls of government. That’s when what’s best for communities and their chil­ dren sneaks offinto the corrupt shadows and good government never wins out. » Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by.. Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 ws and press releases: news Gj-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads Gj-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuurlng CFO • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker • NEWSROOM• Subscription Rates: $78 per year In Barry County Jayson Bussa (Editor) $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 MS ip * &$£ &$£$-• $£ $-"•** 5r Msi^iniaKiiss bHhiMfldfiUI ■ft „ v bd an a n !’eo insalhi^ir **> J* • * 0 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 20,2023 — Page 5 Now is the prime time for a HASS bond proposal Xi Many people around the community have asked me, “Why are we going for a bond proposal now?” That’s a great question and one that has multiple answers that would ben­ efit our kids and the community ofHastings. This question needs to be answered with facts so everyone understands how it impacts the taxpayers and how the strategic plan for the district will be supported for many years to come. Our goal is to keep the tax rate as low as possible while continuing to maintain and support our taxpayers’ facilities. We have asked you - the Hastings commu­ nity - for feedback on what you would like to see and vote for in terms ofa bond. And your response was this: the bond package we are now proposing is one that voters would sup­ port. We also received suggestions on how to improve, and we have already made many of those changes through a commitment to com­ munication and transparency. We believe it is essential to listen to our students, parents and community - even ifwe don’t always agree on every topic. And this timing is critical. Our strategic plan is to pass this bond proposal as the tax rate is falling off, providing us with $17,470,000 to focus on district-wide improvements to extend the life * of our facilities. The current millage rate is 6;0 mills. This proposal in August is asking for a 5.85 millage rate. This is a decrease from the current rate. If the proposal does not pass, the rate would fall to 5.25 mills. The difference between 5.25 and 5.85 is 0.60 mills. For a market value house of$200,000 with a taxable value of $100,000, the 0.60 Woman reports intruder rifling through her purse while she’s home Police responded to a report of an intruder around 3 p.m. on July 7 at a home on the 14000 block ofUldriks Road in Johnstown Township. A woman told police she was tex­ ting her fiance from her couch when she heard something moving around in her kitchen. She told police she saw a tall, skinny man with blond hair in her kitchen looking through her purse. The woman said the man might have noticed her, as he took offrunning out of the house and left on a bicycle. The woman said the man hadn’t stolen anything. Police searched the area but could not find anyone matching the suspect’s description. mills equates to $60 per year ($5 per month). Furthermore, our sinking fund is expiring in 2025. It will need to be renewed by a vote in May 2024 in order to continue maintaining our facilities. This two-part strategic plan will allow us to keep our tax rate low and, at the same time, enable us to refrain from asking taxpayers to vote on anything school-related for a significant period oftime. Our intention is to be fiscally responsible, as we have shown with many years ofunmodified opin­ ions on our audits. We have also stayed com­ mitted to focusing on district improvements based on suggestions from the community. All of the details regarding the proposed improvements are available on our website: https://www.haSskl2.org. These projectss are in i dire need of attention. In addition, these improvements will enhance our ability to increase Consumers Energy rebates by replacing two roofs (the high school and 1997 portion of the middle school), renovating original restrooms (1930 and 1954), renovat­ ing locker rooms (1954 and 1970) and updat- ing the original high school cafeteria and media center, just to name a few. In public education, it is essential to finan­ cially support the district through a balance of the general fund, sinking fund and occasional bond funds. There are limited ways we can increase revenue for very large capital improvements. If we cannot pass bond pro­ posals, we are forced to look at cuts in trans­ portation to school/athletic/extracurricular events, programming or other activities that are academic-related or pertain to the school day itself. Of course, we don’t want cuts in these areas to impact our students and fami­ lies.... I am requesting that you consider support­ ing the Hastings Area School System on Aug. 8, 2023. If you have any questions or con­ cerns, please do not hesitate to call me at 269*945-6137 or via email at matt.goebel@ hasskl2.org. Matt Goebel Superintendent - Hastings Area School System Man sleeping in truck just tired A Delton gas station clerk called police around 4:30 a.m. on July 11 to report a man had been sleeping in his vehicle for two hours. The clerk told police he thought the man might be intoxicated. Police arrived on scene and made contact with the 39-year-old Delton man, who said he was just tired and fell asleep. A breath test detected no traces ofalcohol and the man told police he was OK to drive before leaving the gas station. School millage about creating a safe, productive environment for students Editor: Regular maintenance is crucial for the safe­ ty and functionality of our schools. By allo­ cating resources for regular inspections, time­ ly repairs and infrastructure upgrades, we can foster, a culture ofresponsibility and create an environment that supports academic growth. Let us acknowledge the seriousness of school maintenance and advocating for prop­ er funding and proactive measures to provide our students with the safe and optimal learn­ ing environment they deserve. To make this vision a reality, let’s rally behind and support the (Hastings) school millage, ensuring the necessary funds are available to maintain and improve the schools for generations to come. Jim Cary Hastings Yankee Springs parking lot project $52,000 over estimate ******* a ^■psieansps a■cHMIiMm Siodtatatau'i stiknteiioi1 -atssus!' Greg Chandler StaffWriter Last week Thursday, the Yankee Springs Township Board approved spending the remaining $11,563 of its allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act for the new park­ ing lot at the township park, . However, that allocation will only cover a small portion ofa major cost overrun for the project. As of Thursday, the cost of installing the tew.lot had.tapped $152,000.^3 awpll.^bov^ he $100,00.0<esiimhte>jprbtidedjjteJhejtdwri'hipby'kB/crigmeeriiig consultant, Kleis & /andenBrink, when thfe project was first pro^ posed last year. That price tag is likely to go higher as additional engineering fees come in, Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. The board had already set aside $100,000 out of its $468,000 ARPA allocation for the parking lot before approving the additional funding Thursday. The towiiship had a $5,975 balance left over from its $150,000 obligation for road improvement projects in the town­ ship and $5,588 remaining from an $18,000 obligation to look into the feasibility of expanding the township’s water system to serve the Yankee Springs Meadows manufac­ tured home park, Cunningham said. “Since the park seems to be over budget with their project, I think that might be a good place to put (the remaining ARPA funding),” Township Treasurer Deb Mousseau said. The township general fund will absorb the remaining costs ofthe project. So what led to the cost overrun? I The first part was when the project was bid out in October of last year. Four companies bid on the project, with their bids all exceeding the $ 100,000 Fleis & VandenBrink estimate. B&R Excavating of Shelbyville won the contract with a low bid of$106,534. The other three bids ranged from $146,979 to $166,940, according to township records. “We were over budget right off the bat,” Cunningham said. v j Another strike on theproject came,. wheh the contractor wept to tear upq meM th© old'pavement:* B'&Ri determinedvolqmo tiielmaterial lindemdath woiild notrsupport a' new asphalt surface. That led to a change order for a sand base that added $9,900 to the proj­ ect cost, according to township documents.' Cunningham said the initial $100,000 esti­ mate included engineering fees, perhaps about $15,000. To date, Fleis & VandenBrink has assessed the township $29,445 in engi­ neering fees, with more expected to come, according to township documents. Another $3,250 has been added to the proj­ ect cost for the installation of bumpers to keep vehicles from going too far Over the pavement into a grassy dip between two sec­ tions of the parking lot. The bumpers have not yet been installed. Another $2,877 is going toward the installation ofsprinklers for the grassy area, township documents show. The cost overrun drew criticism from two township residents at the meeting. Pat Jami­ son questioned the township’s priorities when it came to deciding which projects to spend ARPA funding on. “I thought the ARPA money was supposed to help people, and you guys put up a parking lot? Yikes,” Jamison said. “We’ve got residents in Yankee Springs Meadows still drinking arsenic in their water. You’re , talking about PFAS up in Gun Lake. You want to put a new line in for the ^jjness district while peoplef iaM^nkee Springs Meadw/^ are still drinking irsinic Over a year later?^efe help thole peo- ple, okay? Can we do that?” Several tests of wells at Yankee Springs Meadows over the last three years have found levels of arsenic and nitrates above state drinking water standards. Representatives of the: township and the mobile home park met to discuss the possibility of extending water service to the community’s 284 homes, but the township wanted a contribution from Yankee Springs Meadows to cover part of the project cost. Yankee Springs Meadows decid­ ed to back out of the ptoject, with the idea they might pursue developing their own water supply system, Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis said. I Ofthe remaining ARPA allocation for the township, $150,000 was set aside toward the purchase ofa new fire truck, and $50,000 was used for a secure entry at the Township Hall that was linked to the hall expansion and ren­ ovation project. On a related note, a portion of the new County to take over planning and i zoning for Nashville next year Leila Wood Contributing Writer The Nashville Village Council passed con­ ditional transfer agreements, under Act 425 of 1984, with the adjoining townships ofCastle­ ton and Maple Grove to transfer responsibility for planning and zoning within the village to the townships, effective March 1,2024. As* both townships have currently contract­ ed the Barry County Planning Commission to provide that service, the transfer will put the village’s planning and zoning in the hands of the,county, as well. The Village Council had previously coqsidered making an agreement directly with the County Planning Commission, as the town­ ships have done, which would have required rescinding their Zoning Ordinance, but the Village Planning Commission rejected that proposal at their meeting last month. Under the current arrangement, the Nash­ ville zoning ordinance has not been rescinded. The agreements transfer jurisdiction over planning and zoning, which means that the Village will be subject to the Barry County zoning ordinance, but they have the option to terminate the agreements and revert to their zoning ordinance for any reason or no reason, with 60 days written notice. Recording to Nashville Village Clerk Kayce Nelson, “If the zoning ordinance was rescinded, say we wanted to pull from this agreement, we would then have to create a Whole new zoning ordinance and a whole new Master Plan, which would take a lot.” The council resolved to reexamine the agreements in five years. -If they decide to continue long-term, the agreements will not expire or need to be read­ dressed until 2043. The agreements passed with five council members in favor, one opposed, and one absent. Bonnie White, Henry Felder, Johnny Hart­ well, Steve Priddy and Village President Mike Kenyon voted in favor. I The primary reason they gave was that the county has more resources to put toward ordi­ nance enforcement than the village does. Sherry Hummel voted in opposition to the agreements. She said, “Most of the cities (our size) that I looked up have their own planning and zoning.” She also voiced concerns about Barry County’s zoning ordinance being more lenient than Nashville’s is and not as well tailored to their community. .Not everyone saw that as a drawback, though. “To me, sometimes I think that we can be overbearing on our ordinances within the village,” said White. .• There was also a public hearing during the meeting, in which two others, Gary White and Nashville Planning Commission Chair Patti Branham, spoke about their thoughts on the issue. Branham said she did not want to see Nash­ ville’s zoning ordinance set aside. “We did a hand-in-glove set of ordinances for our village. I walked every street. We looked at every lot line,” she said. She said she respects the county plan­ ning commission, “But their planning and zoning was designed for a county, which includes a lot ofrural areas, not specifically for villages or cities.” ■ Gary White said he is lot against the agree­ ment, but he has some rjservations about the current Barry County Pl ing Commission, in part because it is mostly comprised ofpeo­ ple from Delton and Hasi ings and lacks repre­ sentation from other p ofthe county. “You have two districts, in all of Barry County, that are well represented but not much else,” he said. Evening out the representation on the coun­ ty planning commission land updating the vil­ lage master plan, which they plan to submit to the county to help shape the ordinances that will be applied to the village, were among several things he said still need to be worked outlto make this change i success. Updates to the village master plan are scheduled for completion next February, shortly before the agreement will take effect, according to Nelson. J bb According to Kenyonj both the Castleton and Maple Grove township boards unanimous­ ly approved the agreements at recent meetings. The fact that the agreements had come before the townships before the village coun­ cil discussed them wasii concern for some members, including Hummel, who said, “I saw dt. in the newspaper that’s how I knew there were public hearings. ’ Bonnie White said, “I don’t have a problem with it (the agreement) going forward. I have a problem with (the fact that) we didn’t know that itwas going forward^ Kenyon apologizech.ibr the insufficient commuhication and s^I^I thought we were all up to speed on thi^' 'Shame on me ifwe werenlt.”.. — asphalt surface on the parking lot suffered some damage over the Fourth of July as a result offireworks that were blown up on the surface. “It caused quite a mess for them to clean up,” Cunningham said. In other business Thursday: — The board approved the spending of $11,649 to purchase uniforms for the fire department. The patches on the uniforms will specifically say “Yankee Springs,” even though the Yankee Springs station is part of the Wayland Fire Department. The purchase will cover the cost of uniforms for 19 fire­ fighters. Township Trustee Dave VanHouten Says the uniforms will help build camaraderie and pride among township firefighters. “I think it will help them bond and make them feel like a team, make them look good, we can be proud ofthem, they can get recogni­ tion,” VanHouten said. - The board approved an application by William and Kathleen McKeown to have 40.1 acres oftheir 70.7-acre farm on Kiser Road be set aside for the Michigan Farmland and Open Space Preservation program. If approved by the state, the land would not be developed for a period of 10 years. The McKeowns would be able to seek tax credits through the program if their application is approved. - The board reminded residents that the open house for the Township Hall expansion and renovation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Tours and light refreshments will be offered. 202868 City ofHastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING MEADOWSTONE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT MODIFICATION AND FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL The Planning Commission for the City of Hastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/or oral comments from the public concerning Meadowstone Planned Unit Development modifi­ cation and final site plan approval for Meadowstone Apartments III, LLC certain properties located at 710 Barfield Drive parcels #08-55-250-016-50 and 08- 55-250-016-55. The Planning Commission will review and consid­ er final site plan approval for the construction offour (4) buildings with a total of84 residential units and construction ofa fifth mixed-use building with up to eight (8) residential units. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday August 7,2023 in the City Council Chambers on the second floor ofCity Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. A copy of the proposed site plan and map are available for public inspec­ tion from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office of the Community Development Director, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director, at 269.945.2468 or dking@hastingsmi.gov The Citywill provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ no­ tice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. Christopher R. Bever ______________________________________________________ City Clerk �Page 6 — Thursday, July 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Jake QrteAAa Elaine Garlock One sign ofthe season is that the ice cream parlor owned by businessman Bill Rogers is now open on certain days. This new venture was a victim ofCO VID when it was only one season old. It was open again last year but with the space restrictions necessary the pre­ vious year. Instead of patrons entering the uniquely equipped business, one approached the building on the side street and placed his order through a window. Then other features were added with the use ofthe Second Street sidewalk, roping and other features. This year, there is again a window for ordering but with additional attractive seating and tables, roped offfrom passing foot traffic. It is a very enticing comer with tasty treats as a bonus. The building has striped awnings for the sec­ ond-story windows and door and a stairway which adds to the beauty ofthe location. The flowering barrels on all the downtown comers are getting more attractive day by day. The central canna plants are well over a foot high now. The surrounding lower plants are thriving so it is a treat when driving by or walking to see the variety of colors in the many planters which line the business section of town. The canna plants have a variety of colors. Many ofthe lower surrounding plants are red-leafed begonias. Last week, Living Gospel Church mem­ bers were the servers at the community din­ ner held weekly at the Fellowship Hall of Central United Methodist Church. The meal is provided by Swede’s Restaurant ofMullik­ en. The host church provides desserts each week. Members also provide kitchen help with serving. The tables in use now are round tables which invite conversation ofall diners at each table. For its most recent meeting, members of the Women’s Fellowship of First Congrega­ tional Church made a visit to the Sunfield Welch Museum on the afternoon of their usual meeting. This museum could easily take an afternoon for a visit if one carefully looked at even half of the exhibits. One fea­ ture is an array ofmilitary uniforms. Another feature is a wall full ofgraduation composite pictures from Sunfield High School before its merger into the Lakewood school system. Other sections have a tastefully arranged bar­ ber shop, schoolroom, mini church and others featuring a variety ofbusinesses. The space in past years likely housed three businesses. Welch’s Hardware in its lajer years occupied the entire space. Within it^ walls is a carefully constructed log cabin copied from an early example. Last week’s Reminder had an excellent article about the upcoming three-on-three basketball tournament to be held in the park­ ing lot ofFirst Congregational Church under the direction of a nearby resident who has offered his services using his expertise from earlier years ofplaying. This week, residents had a pickup ofbrush that had been accumulating for many weeks. This service used to be done monthly but it was announced early ’in the summer that this year it would be done only twice. As a result, some ofus have had growing piles ofbranch­ es in our lawns. One advantage served was to cut down on lawn mowing. Where there were stacks of branches, we need not mow. This week we saw the village equipment come with a truck and loader and our stacks were gone. However, we were left with rag­ ged-looking yards surrounding the pile sites. Likely, it will be late in the fall before we get out next pickup service. For several years, the local Lions Club has provided wheelchair ramps for local citizens with mobility issues. For many years, these were built using wood. The first ramp using metal mesh was installed on Johnson Street. It is soon to be moved'across the street for another resident who needs one. Celebrate your independence with Social Security Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Every July, we take pride in celebrating our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped provide financial independence to millions ofhard­ working people. We have useful online tools like the Social Security Statement and our benefits estimator tool that help people not yet receiving benefits. The Statement shows the benefits you and your family may be entitled to and includes personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits estimator tool allows you to get estimates based on the different ages you want to begin receiving benefits^ These tools can help you plan for financial independence in retirements^ ’ "Don’t receive benefits? You can get the most out of your online experience if you • Start or change your direct deposit have a personal my Social Security account. (Social Security beneficiaries only). • Check your information and benefit You can: amount. • Get your Statement instantly. • Request a replacement Social Security • Change your address (Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District beneficiaries only). ofColumbia). • Request a replacement Medicare card. • Find out ifyou qualify for benefits. • Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA• Appeal a decision we made on your 1042S instantly for tax season. claim. • Report your wages. if you work and Already receiving benefits? If so, you receive disability benefits or SSI. can use your personal my Social Security You can create your personal my Social account to: Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. • Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Spe­ cialistfor West Michigan^ YoujsarhwriteJi&r.., ofColumbia). ____ • GeJ an instant benefit verification letter .<c/o Social Security (AdnvnistratipK'304^ ] tbrSucuU Security, Medicare, and^upple- ^A'/zr/p/j /y/T, WW5; icfir n mental Security Income (SSI). •via email at 'hilldiyffat€h@ssa.gdv.' Middleville council creates ad hoc library committee 'MP Greg Chandler StaffWriter An ad hoc committee has been established to look into the possibility of a standalone community library in Middleville. On Tuesday, the Village Council voted 6-0 to create a nine-member committee to study options for both the location of the new library as well as how it would be funded. The committee would report back to the council on options for the project by Aug. 1, 2025. The committee will include two members of the Village Council and one member of the Thomapple Kellogg Board ofEducation, with the rest of the membership to be appointed by Village President Mike Cram­ er, subject to final council approval. It’s likely that some ofthe members will be from the group Middleville Needs a New Library, which has met for more than a year to dis­ cuss ideas for a library separate from the TK school district. The current Thomapple Kellogg School and Community Library is located inside Thomapple Kellogg High School. It is only open 12 hours a week during the school year. The district has hosted the library since 1934. so 0^1*7 The Middleville Needs A Library group has been looking into a “Friends of* designa­ tion that could raise funds for the new library. They may tap into an existing fund called the Beacon Society, Friends of the Middleville Area Community Library, which is tied to the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation, an arm ofthe Barry Community Fund. Phoenix Reign Schmuck, bom at Spec­ trum Health Pennock on June 21, 2023 to Katherine Schmuck ofMiddleville. Leo Drake Keener, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on June 22, 2023 to Laneshia Keener ofBattle Creek. ***** Elyse May Rose Beckley, bom at Spec­ trum Health Pennock on June 22 to Britta- Louisa, bom at Spectrum Health Pen­ nock on June 29, 2023 to Katie Jo Kirgis and Caleb Kirgis ofClarksville. ***** Whitney Ann Wagner, bom at Spec­ trum Health Pennock on July 5, 2023 to Leslie Wagner and Steve Wagner of Hast­ ings. Everly May Louis, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on July 5, 2023 to Alexa Louis and Love Bidonel Louis of Clarks­ ville. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. Ron and Don Avery 90th birthday open house Because you have shared in their lives by your friendship and love - we invite you to join in the celebration of 90 years oftwins - Ronald and Donald Avery on August 5, 2023<at>Pleasantview>Family« Church, 2601 LaceyjiRd.Mfom'^id/S p.ini Special cake lift t and M O Oiv i 11 e ice cream wi H be: served. A ub short program' at 3 0.m. They request only •• ’ the pleasure ofyour company. 945-9554 945-4700 Elke Sofia Forsythe Idrfd J? * ■ -r-J iiiiMUtaiik- as***3^lief?* ' xntasMSiK JApifliiis it to* tatatadlnUta iBlMHMllfciiV Bernadette Ann Murdoch WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. Hmts Hastings 30t W s texfQb 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 12041 2041 SB “I"*-" I This information on worship servicesisprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. ^4B m Sim** ‘ S laiftd arid fete lifcaiiaK«m ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. -XL* ny Beckley (Buehler) and Tim Beckley of Middleville. Worship Together HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist .com . Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. Jr rif iF1 MlhtltglitErtM 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Elke Sofia Forsythe, age 61; ofFreeport, MI, passed away on July ip, 2023, surrounded by her family. Elke was bom on January 1, 1962, in Sin­ sheim, Germany, the daughter ofHeinrich Wilhelm and Eva Ema (Anklam) Schlossmeuller. On December 16, 19911* Elke married Charles Forsythe, and they enjoyed 31 years together. Elke enjoyed going to the casino, gardening, traveling, exotic birds af d Great Danes. Elke was preceded ii) death by her parents; sister, Luise Schlossmqajler; brother, Hermann Schlossmeuller, and father-in-law, Carol Forsythe. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Charles Forsythe; brother Marc Schlossmeuller; sister, Inge Janks; mqftior-in-law, Judith Forsythe; brothers-in-law, £arl Forsythe, Christopher Forsythe; sister-in^aw, Linda (Carl) Wood; nieces, Susan McCrae^, Nicole (Walter) Kohl, April Bang, and Faith Smith; nephews, Charles Janks, Cody Forsythe, Carlind Forsythe^ Domenic Schlossmeuller and Oliver Schlossmeuller, and great-nieces and nephews, Eva McCracken, Scott McCracken, Jennifer Kohl, and Christo­ pher Kohl. A Memorial Celebrp^pn of Life Service is being planned for a laf^^te. Arrangements by Gjrjbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girsbachfuneralhome.net. Bernadette Ann (Bernie) (Quigley) Murdoch passed peacefully into the arms of“My Jesus” with her four daugh­ ters holding her hands and with other family by her side on July 15, 2023. Bernie was bom on September 21,1934, in Detroit, MI. Bernie was a loving wife to Donald M. Murdoch for 49 years before his death in 2003. Bernie and Don spent their early years living in Detroit and Indiana until moving to Grand Rapids, where Bernie w^s primarily a homemaker, enjoying raising their four daughters. In 1976, they found their way to Hastings and enjoyed life on Algonquin Lake. After moving to Hastings, Bernie ventured out with long-time friend Norma Witker, attending clown school (Bigby the clown) and then together securing jobs in the lunchroom at the Hastings Middle School. From lunch­ room to the office, oh, the friends she made and the stories she could tell! After retiring from HMS she was approached about joining the “Back Door Deli”, a new restaurant about to open. Here, too, Bernie made new and long-lived friends and found great sto­ ries to share. In addition to her varied work experiences, Bernie found time for fun. She was a longtime bowler, even bowling a perfect 300 game! From bowling to bridge to bunco, she enjoyed the games she played, butr more impor­ tantly loved the friends she made along the way. Bernie’s faith in God grew strong as she learned to depend upon Him more. She lived out her faith lovingly and gen­ erously in various roles alongside her beloved church family at First Presbyte­ rian in Hastings. At most funerals, she could be found in the kitchen preparing meals and serving grieving families. She was a participant in Adult Sunday School classes and weekday Bible studies, as well as serving as an Elder and Deacon in the church. Bernie was preceded in death by hus­ band, Donald M. Murdoch; parents, Dan­ iel and Portia (Mitchell) Quigley; siblings, Leona, Jack, Mary, Gerald and Daniel. She is survived by her brother, Francis (Kathy) Quigley and special sister-in­ law, Janice Quigley- Gorospe. Also surviving are her four daughters, Sandy Murdoch, Joni Murdoch, Nancy (David) Allerding; Michelle (John) Donnelly; grandchildren, Joey, Kerri, Jenny, Samantha, Scott, Julie, Becky, Michael, Nicholas and Donald. Bernie would say that she is not only blessed with (4) daughters and many grandchildren, but was privileged to be called great gramma. Being a great, great gramma, put her over the top! She will be missed by special nieces, nephews, many friends who loved her and beloved dog Dusty. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery on July 27,2023, at 3 p.m. The public is invited to a memorial service held at the First Presbyterian Church, Hastings on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Youth Mission Fund. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Kxw J id �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 20, 2023 — Page 7 The last rural Barry County school Esther Walton Banner May 3, 1990 A Banner newspaper account of 1967 told ofthe closing ofthe last rural school in Barry County. The Mayo School, located in Maple Grove ToWhship, served students from both Maple Grove and Assyria townships. In July 1967, the members of the school district voted to consol­ idate with the Maple Valley School System. The Mayo School District in 1981 covered the southeast Section of27, a slim slice ofthe southwest Section of 28, almost all of Sec­ tions 34 and 35 and a small slice of Section 33. In Assyria, it covered a major part of Section 1, all of Section 2, half of Section 3 and a small fraction of Section 11. The exact district lines in 1967 were not located. Sirs. Josephine Mapes wrote the 1967 his­ torical article for the Banner. Most of her information is repeated here, but the names of the schoolchildren are omitted. The history ofthe Mayo School dates back to the fall of 1844 when Charles G. Baker and Daniel L. Talbot built the first frame school­ house in District No. 2 in Section 2 of Assyr­ ia Township. “This was across the road from the present Mayo School,” reported the 1967 Banner article. “The first school was known as the Baker School. O.B. Sheldon of Castleton taught the first school and Jane Farnsworth the second.” tn 1844, Assyria received a settler named Rogers, who straightaway introduced himself as a Methodist Episcopal preacher and, in the Baker schoolhouse, conducted public wor­ ship. every Sunday. The first known school records date from 1865, when Cynthia Jane Foster was the teacher. The term started in November and ran for 17 weeks. The teacher received $85, or $1 a day. The next year, 1866, they had a spring term of 13 weeks, with Anna Marie Mulvaney as teacher and P.M. Haywood as director. John Mayo was the moderator, and C.G. Baker was the school assessor. Miss Mulvaney received $39 for her 13 weeks. The same fall, Susan M. Brooks taught 13 weeks for $65. The next year, 1867, they did not have a spring term, and in the fall of 1867, Jacob Hoffinan, director, hired Sophia Dittimer. There were 19 students enrolled. School offi­ cials were elected for only one term, and the school board elections were held every year. Nettie Briggs taught in 1868 for $1 per day for 13 weeks. Josephine A. Hoffinan taught 12 weeks of school for the spring term of 1869, ending May 1. On- No.v* j8p 1869,. Ruth A> -Hyde.started 4he_ fall term as, n^teacher dvithJohni Wilkinson, direttdr. Kattid Mattersom taught thfe'^fihg term of 1870. In the fall of 1870, ArVilla Sackett was the teacher, and Lucian B. Potter (was) director. In . the notes ofthe annual school meeting, the motion was made and carried that the schoolhouse be repaired with new skills, sid­ ing, roof, floor sash paint and plaster. Thejob ofrepair, according to the Banner, “went to Charles Baker for $215.” “A special meeting was called for the same fall for the purpose of changing the school­ house site. The motion lost. Order was drawn for repairing the schoolhouse, $215,” contin­ ued the Banner article. “Evidently, every­ thing did not run smoothly, and at the annual meeting in September 1871, the director resigned and a meeting was called the next week. Eldridge Potter was elected director to fill the vacancy, and Anderson McKimmey was elected moderator. John Mayo was school assessor..!,” At an annual meeting, it was voted to raise $1.75 for the rent? ofthe ground occupied by the schoolhouse. Neil Galushas was the teacher for 1872. i X J TURNING BflGK THE PAGES The Mayo Schooj, the last eight-grade rural school in Barry County. This photo was taken in 1957 and is part of the Charlton Park collection. The school boards for these small schools were very strict about their teachers’ behav­ ior. Some forbade teachers to date; others forbade teachers to dance or play cards. The Mayo School was no exception. In the place reserved for remarks, contin­ ued the article, “By the director, it was observed that one of the teachers failed to fulfill her part ofthe contract, her agreement to not dance during the school term. They finally compromised, and she was marked as giving general satisfaction. “In 1886, H.H. Winde taught the school, and it was written in his contract that he was to deliver oral lectures, to pledge his name and honor to employ no profane language, use of intoxicating liquor or tobacco in any form and to receive the attentions ofno lady.” Anna Yourex taught both the spring and fall terms of 1873, with Sarah Mulvany teaching the spring of 1874. In that year, a small boy called Willie Potter entered the school. Wil­ liam W. Potter became a noted lawyer, Barry County Judge and Justice of the Supreme Court ofMichigan. Justice Potter was a schol­ ar and historian who wrote many books and articles on state and local history. Julia Madison taught 16 weeks in the fall of 1874 for the sum of $210. Ann Mulvany taught the spring term, and Sarah Mulvany in the fall of 1875. Anna Brooks taught the spring of 1876, and Hattie A. McCarthy taught the fall and spring terms of 1877, with W.S. Hecox as director, John Mayo as moderator and Joseph Waburton as assessor. Mary Ge5?Tmi<nSi Hattie McCarthy’s spring term ‘ in 1877. Anna Cooper taught the fall term of 1877, with Mary McCarthy returning in 1878 for $3 per week and her board. In the annual meeting report, a motion was made that the school board build a new schoolhouse. The motion lost. Herbert Powers was the teacher in 1878, and Eunice E. Powers taught the spring term of 1879, while Agnes Powers taught the fall of 1880. At the annual meeting, the motion was made and carried that the board purchase from Mrs. John Mayo and her heirs a site for the new schoolhouse for the sum of$85. Charles Baker was to build a fence around the lot for $24. In 1881, John Clever was the teacher. It was decided to build a new school, and John Wilkinson, Jacob Hoffinan and Oris Mapes were appointed as a committee to draw up plans. A special meeting was called in Decem­ ber, and the contract was let to Charles Baker for $800 to be ready for the next school year (1882). This was named the Mayo School. In 1882, Lillian Briggs and Anna B. Brooks ^Doctor Universe Creepy crawlies Why do all insects have six legs? Charlie, 10, Ohio ml . A? A’? ' A r JtIWI Dear Charlie, • There are about 40 kinds of cats out there, like me. There’s only one kind of human on Earth now. But there are more than a million kinds of insects - and that’s just the insect species we know about. Every single one ofthose insects has six legs. I talked about why that is with my friend Allan Felsot. He’s an insect scientist at Washington State University. He told me there must be some evolu­ tionary reason why insects have six legs, like better stability when walking. “In biology, every ‘why’ question has the same answer,” Felsot said. “Things are the way they are because of adaptations that have allowed organisms to live longer,” An adaptation is a trait that helps organisms survive in their environment. It helps fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner them live long enough to have babies and pass on their genes. Insects and their closest relatives are arthropods. That includes crustaceans like lobsters and shrimp, arachnids like spiders and myriapods like millipedes and centi­ pedes. Arthropods have traits in common. They have limbs with joints. They have a hard shell on the outside called an exoskeleton. They’re symmetrical. If you drew a line down their bodies - from head to tail - they look the same on both sides. But insects and only a few other arthro­ pods havejust six limbs. Crustaceans usual­ ly have 10 limbs. Arachnids have eight legs. Myriapods can have hundreds of legs. Insects have all the limb genes crustaceans have, but some of those genes are turned off. That’s because havingjust six legs'made life better for some insect ancestor millions ofyears ago. It survived and left six-legged babies. were the teachers. At a Special meeting in October, the old school was sold to John Wilkinson for $24. Also, the stove and pipe were sold to him for $2. The motion was made and carried to build two new outhouses to be let to the lowest bidder. John Wilkinson built the two for $55. They were to be finished before school start­ ed on Nov. 10. Dottie M. Evans taught in 1882 and in 1883. Minnie Fruin taught with the provi­ sion written in her contract that she was to stay at the school during the noon hour. She must have given satisfactory service because she taught the following fall for the eight weeks (of) school. She was followed by Truman L. Parker. In the annual school meeting, the motion was made and accepted that ifany scholar did any damage to the schoolhouse, the parent of said child shall pay for the damages. In 1884, Truman L. Parker again taught. Mary E. Wilcox taught two terms in 1884. A motion was made that year and carried to buy from Mrs. Mayo eight rods of land in proportion to the rest. In 1885, at the annual meeting, the motion was made and carried that the school year be graded and an order drawn for $7.50 for the same. Anna K. Bea­ dle was the teacher that year. The following year, 1886, a motion was made to set out shade trees on the school iground&'This-motiondost, but in the school borders 6f '1889,. there uisAan order to Harry Mayo for $3.Wfdr setfiW$ frees: Also, Olive1 Mayo cleaned the schbbfhouse nihe'times in succession for $2.50 each time. Pay for the school officials was nominal. It was considered their public duty to serve, but these were the fees listed for their services in 1889: Director, 50 cents to $1 for hiring the teacher, $1.50 for making out census list, making out reports and taking them to the clerks. They received $1 for going after the teacher and, in one instance, $1.50 for going to Woodland for a teacher. Minnie Frost taught in 1887, followed the same year by Claud Welton, Franc Sargeant and F.W. Fitzgerald. One hundred years ago (in 1890), William Thompson and E.W. Brown both taught in thd spring. John Ketcham taught in the spring and fall terms of 1891. Ketchani later, in 1899, was the County School Commissioner, and in 1912, he became the Master ofthe Michigan State Grange. In 1929, he ran for Congress and won by a big margin. He served honor­ ably in Congress for 12 years. In 1936, he became Commissioner of Insurance for Michigan. Ketcham died in 1941. One big advantage of Having exactly six legs is balance. Felsot says it’s called static stability. That means an insect on six legs can speed up and stop fasti It can change the direction it’s moving without falling over. Being able to stop and change direction without wiping out helps insects dodge ene­ mies like hungry birds oT people with fly swatters. That balance has to do with the way insects use their legs while walking. Insects usually walk with three legs touching the ground at a time. They might start with one left leg and two right legs on the ground. Then, they take a step by putting two left legs and one right leg oh1 the ground and lifting the others up. It looks like a tripod - the three-legged stand that supports a camera or telescope. Or a stool. “You can’t have a two-legged stool,” Felsot said. “But a thrde-legged stool or tripod is probably the most stable configu­ ration.” It’s so stable that scientists who make robots use insects as models. That’s called biomimicry. They’re copying the balance insects can achieve thanks 46 their biology. Eventually, insects gdt another adaptation, too ■- wings! They-tai the only arthro­ pods that did that. It’s orieTeason they’re so successful. NoW that’s fly. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. 1 Send an email td Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu &'Visit her website,, askdrUniverse.com. JfI JfI*J*J The Mayo School started to hold reunions in 1928, inviting back old teachers and stu­ dents. On Aug. 14, W.W. Potter was the guest speaker. Ketcham was also asked to speak at other reunions. In 1967, the annual Mayo School Reunion was held on July 9, with a potluck dinner. Five of the older scholars were honored: Nettie Hoffinan Jones, Hazel Olmstead Goltz, Ednal Mayo Herrick, Ira Hoffinan and Lee Mapes. It was a sad reunion, as the school closed that year. A tribune to the school was given: ’ “For many years, the little school districts and rural churches have been the nucleus of rural communities, but (in) the past 25 or more years, the picture has been changed. The Mayo School Board, as others have '•*. done, decided that (the) education interests of the district could best be served by annexing to the Maple Valley District.” Thus, the last rural school in the county closed. ! Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for July 21-27 July 1-31 - July Storywalk Book: “Beyond the Pond” by Joseph Kuefler. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, July 22 - Learning the Land Hiking Series: Cedar Swamp Stroll, 10 a.m.-noon. Members of the Institute may participate in this hike for free; non-members must pay $8. Saturday, July 22 - Learning the Land Accessible Tours, 2-4 p.m. Members ofthe Institute may participate in this hike for free; non-members must pay $8. Tuesday, July 25 - Learning the Land Accessible Tours, 10 a.m.-noon. Members ofthe Institute may participate in this hike for free; non-members must pay $8. July 24-28 — No Family Left Indoors: Uncle Irving’s Treasure Quest. Families will follow clues leading them throughout Historic Charlton Park on a hunt to locate Uncle Irving’s treasure trove. This week’s No Family Left Indoors event is self-guided and organized by Barry County Parks and Recreation. The scavenger hunt will take place at Historic Charlton Park in Hastings. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, July 20 - Novel Ideas Book Club discusses “The Charm Bracelet” by Viola Shipman, 1 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1963 film starring Robert Preston and Jean Simmons, 5 p.m. Friday, July 21 — Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 24 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 25 - Barry County Explor- ers SPIN Club: Hike with 4-H, 10 a.m.; Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; open computer lab, 2-4 p.m.; Acoustic Jam Session: Fireplace Camp­ fire Songs, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263’. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Planning Commission meeting and public hearing regarding zoning ordinance text amendments will be held on August 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Road, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Planning Enabling Act, Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include the following: Zoning Ordinance text amendments regarding fencing standards, including definitions (Section 3.1), and revisions to Section 4.32 Fences, Walls and Screens regarding height, design and type, maintenance of fences and approval process. Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Section 6.6 A district regarding permitted land uses (Section 6.6B), special land uses (Section 6.6 C). Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Section 6.6-1 AP district regarding permitted land uses (Section 6.6-1B), special land uses (Section 6.6-1 C). Such other and further business as may properly come before the Planning Commission at said hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the proposed text amendments.can be reviewed at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days and will also be available at the time and place of the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that written comments will be taken from any interested person concerning the rezoning application at the email address of the Township Clerk below, at any time during regular business hours up to 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing and will further be received by the Planning Commission at the time of said hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Prairieville Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the proposed text amendments and overlay zoning district map at or following the public hearing. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ notice to the Prairieville Township Clerk. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Rod Goebel, Township Clerk Prairieville Township Hall 10115 S Norris Road, Delton, Ml 49046 (269) 623-2726 RGoebel@prairievilletwp-mi.orR 202826 �Pag© 8 — Thursday, July 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Family, friends gather to remember Hastings graduate lost in fatal crash HuntetaMfLaren Huntet Staff Writer A candlelit vigil in memory of 2023 astings graduate Bayne Signeski was eld outside of Culver’s Monday night, ayne had plans to attend Ferris State niversity to study social work, (photos y Hunter McLaren) Bayne Signeski played soccer and par­ ticipated in track and field during his time as a Saxon, (file photo by Brett Bremer) Family and friends gathered to remember and honor a recent Hastings graduate killedd in a car crash last week.; Bayne Signeski, 18, died in a car crash on July 8 according to a post from the Hastings Area School System Facebook page. “Our hearts are broken. As you may have heard, we recently losrone of our own,” the post read. “Bayne Signeski, a 2023 graduate, passed away this past Saturday.” In a statement to The Banner, Hastings High School Principal Teresa Heide said she’s been close with the family for years and would be keeping them in her thoughts. “Bayne was the kindest soul,” she said. “He would do anything for anyone and not think twice. He will be greatly missed.” A Celebration ofLife for Signeski was held last Friday at the Legacy, in which fam­ ily and friends were invited to wear white and share their memories. His family requested donations be made to the Hastings High School Boys Soccer program in lieu of flowers. A candlelit vigil was held in his honor Monday night at the Hastings Culver’s, where Signeski was an employee. The restaurant shared 25 percent of its earnings that day with Signeski’s family and shut down two hours early at 9 p.m. Coworkers, employees and classmates gathered outside to share fond memories. They remembered Bayne for his sense of humor and his kindness, with few/ X Classmates and coworkers attended the Monday night vigil to remember Bayne, sharing stories of his kindness and his sense of humor. coworkers recalling Bayne cracking jokes in the restaurant or passing them cheeseburgers like a basketball. Taylor Hester, owner ofthe restaurant, said it was important for her and her team to honor Signeski because of how closely they worked together. Bridget Kuhlman, a close family friend speaking on behalf of the family, thanked Hesler and everyone in attendance for organizing the event. “I was basically Bayne’s second mom oh Marshall Street for 11 years,” Kuhlman said. “He is definitely going to be missed.” Addressing Signeski’s classmates, Kuhl­ man said she hoped they would live their lives to the fullest and stay safe. “Life is a blessing,” she said. “Don’t take it for granted.” J** If at tick Operation Pollination members plant native garden at KCC Fehsenfeld campus Molly Macleod Copy Editor ■ Taylor Hesler, Culver’s owner, and Myrakle Wilburn, general manager, organized the vigil to remember Bayne. The restaurant donated a quarter of its earnings on Monday to the Signeski family. NOTICE TO ACCEPT BIDS RUTLAND TOWNSHIP CEMETERY SIGN REBUILD PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: The Rutland Charter Township Board is now accepting bids on the rebuild of the Rutland Charter Township Cemetery sign at the Township Cemetery located on M-37 Hwy, Hastings, Ml 49058. • Project diagram is available at the Township Hall or on the Township website: www.rutlandtownship.org • Project requires masonry work. Including brick, block and poured concrete. • Township Hall office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9am to 3pm. All bidders must carry their own insurance and supply all their own equipment. Sealed bids will be accepted by mail or at the Township Hall, located at 2461 Heath Road, Hastings. All bids must be submitted by August 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. The Rutland Charter Township Board reserves the right to reject any bids submitted that do not meet the boards approval. Robin J. Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2194 RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION/SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 220 (ZONING) OF THE RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP CODE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Ordinance No. 2023-189 was adopted by the Rutland Charter Township Board at its July 12, 2023 meeting. This Ordinance amends Chapter 220 (zoning) of the Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances, as summarized below: SECTION 1: AMENDMENT OF §220-5-3 PERTAINING TO SPECIAL LAND USES IN CR COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT—this section of the ordinance amends §220-5-3.H of the Code relating to the keeping of livestock on a non-commercial basis accessory to an existing dwelling on premises in the CR Country Residential District so as to prohibit roosters, and require otherwise permissible chickens to at all times be confined to a chicken coop or otherwise enclosed structure and not allowed to range free. SECTION 2: REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; EFFECTIVE DATE—this section of the ordinance repeals conflicting ordinances/parts of ordinances; provides for the ordinance to take effect on the 8th day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. This ordinance in its entirety has been posted in the office of the Township Clerk and on the Township website (www.rutlandtownshlp.org). A copy of the ordinance may also be purchased by contacting the Township Clerk as indicated below during regular business hours of regular working days, and at such other times as may be arranged. Robin J. Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland Rutland Charter Township Hall 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 Telephone: (269) 948-2194 202823 Members of the Operation Pollination committee were hard at work this week, planting a 400-square-foot native plant gar­ den at Kellogg Community College’s Fehsenfeld Center in Hastings. The native garden, will promote pollina­ tors, furthering the group’s goal to increase the world’s population of pollinators through education and increasing pollinator habitats on private ,and public lands. i Operation Pollination is apoliirtator-promoting Rotary initiative tharbegan in 2015. Over the years, Operation Pollination has gained steam and grown to become an inter­ national initiative. While Operation Pollina­ tion is Rotary-sponsored, local Operation Pollination groups work with community partners to promote pollinating species and native plants. In Aug. 2021, the Rotary Club of Hast­ ings signed a pollinator resolution and offi­ cially partnered with the project in Nov. 2022. Since then, the local Operation Pollina­ tion group has been planning pollinator initiatives. This week,' committee members consisting of locals and Rotary members took to KCC’s Fehsenfeld campus to plant the large native species garden near the entrance ofthe building. The garden boasts a myriad of native, pollinator-promoting species like butterfly weed, bergamot, blazing star, coreopsis, catmint, prairie smoke, serviceberry trees, blueberry bushes, wild indigo and more. In the coming months, the garden will fill out and create a haven not only for pollinating species like insects and birds but also for onlookers. At the front ofthe garden is an Operation Pollination sign, detailing the committee’s BSsScST >■« >■« । - -TTP '(fohfcjjsialsstal EadisSsjasfebriB KxstiMiiiS ritlfofokafcitei- Barry County’s Operation Pollination committee planted a 400-square-foot native pollinator-garden at Kellogg Community College’s Fehsenfeld Center this week. (Photo by Molly Macleod) initiative to promote pollinators despite the changing climate and disappearing habitats. In addition to the KCC garden, Operation Pollination committee members traveled to the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center on Saturday to prepare another native gar­ den for planting. Members of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) planted the native garden on Saturday, featuring more of the same plants planted in the KCC Fehsenfeld garden. With two native gardens down, Barry County’s Operation Pollination committee has no plans to slow down soon. All are welcome to join the committee and can learn more about the group by contacting Michelle Skedgell, 269-721-4190, or by emailing mskedgell@cedarcreekinstitute. org. nrijsswrafost! y.tcrtt'jesii at "“forishiais ss'EafsissEsEj wainimUtu imaoutaik * * r-i .'.rat be®w’te« t ** * C ? ‘ ? Serviceberry trees planted at KCC's Fehsenfeld Center. (Photo by Molly Macleod) Grassroots organization Revitalize Delton focused! on addressing problems stymieing town’s growth Jayson Bussa Editor. A handful of Deltop Kellogg Education Foundation board members saw a red flag in the fact that enrollment in the district has steadily dropped offoyer time. Seeing it as a symptom ofa greater issue, they banded together to create a grassroots effort to start probing for solutions. The resulting organization is called Revi­ talize Delton, which was jointly founded by Leah Stoll, Marcia Bassett and Jerry McCoy, who are all members of the Delton Kellogg Educational Foundations They werejoined,by Delton Kellogg Schools Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue Jr. ,, The organization has two town hall meet­ ings under its belt al.rpgdy and its members have begun to dig info the issues that have held the Delton community back from grow­ ing and thriving. na n<' “A few ofus on the Pelton Kellogg Education Foundation board really have been notic­ ing that enrollment has been dropping at the school. So, this is a grassroots movement,” Stoll said. “As far as who is in charge - it’s the community. We’ve held these town halls and we want the community input anl^ act‘on so that’s why we created, community-drjven committees.” , ,|( |(li rll. r. Last as meeng, meeting, Stoll,and ol,and her colleagues cre cre-­ ated those committees^ which are focused on three main areas: housing, marketing and local economic development. In terms ofmarketing, Revitalize Delton is looking for ways to rebrand and reposition Delton to make it more attractive to potential home buyers or renters. The committee that oversees local eco­ nomic development is tasked with figuring out what sort of amenities and needs are being unmet in Delton and how they might be able to bring them there. “We need to have things here that will help sustain the town so that they don’t necessarily have to leave town to get stuff,” Stoll said. “We need access to things that otherwisee we would have to leave the community for. With all ofthis, we kind ofjust started hitting the ground and talking to people.” Stoll said that one of the ideas that has been floated is a community center. “Quite a few people talk about maybe get­ ting a community center and .1, think that would be great,” she said. “Obviously we need people (living here) to build a commu­ nity center so it’s one ofthose things that we need to take a few steps before we can do that.” The lack of housing is another sticking point for the Delton community, as it is in other areas right now. “I attended all ofschool here in Delton but I also lived out in Gun Lake as an adult. Same thing out there - there are a lot of seasonal purchasers and those sorts ofthings and it’s really driving down the ability for young families to move to towns like this," Stoll said. “We identified that as one ofthe main contributing factors as to why our enrollment is down.” ।) Recently, the Gun Lake Sewer Authority purchased 115 acres of land in Delton, allo­ cating 25 acres to be used potentially for housing. The area would have access to sewer and, eventually, water. Stoll said that her group could potentially, work alongside the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development to help bring these larger-scale housing projects to fruition. Stoll said turnout to the first two town halls has been strong with around 44 attendees at the first meeting and 59 people at the most recent one. The next meeting is slated fon Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Delton Kellogg High School. .,fi Stoll stressed that all members ofthe com4 munity are welcome. “We have had a good representation front all standpoints in the community, which iSi really cool,” Stoll said. “We had a couple ofi people that were like ‘I just live here’ and w& were like ‘That’s exactly what we want, though. We want you to keep living here andwe want this to be a good place for you!*” ■/ & xsr Su- �The Hastings ANNER is % SPORTS SECTION Thursday, July 20,2023 Colts set state record on fair track %S5S & ■i’’.."' .."'K 'K C^S..i- F Cannier FM>nwte|toW^ X£j ^stoJwiilyMsge'sF^trttiai ■siFttiRtai s ' "ss ’Tam Brett Bremer Sports Editor The 3-year-old colt pacer Captain Max Henry pushed the gate and held the lead from start to finish in the fastest mile ever paced on a Michigan county fair track Sun­ day during day two ofharness racing at the Barry County Fair. . Captain Max Henry, driven by Don Har­ mon, took the victory in the final Michigan Bred Colt Stakes race ofthe day, but it took some time before race officials were ready to release the final winning time as they double checked the result against the race video. I “It was a few minutes before they announced the time of the race/* Captain Max Henry trainer Allen Tomlinson said. “I can’t hear so well, so one ofthe other guys he called over there to him and they weren’t quite ready to declare it official. They did give him the time, 52 and 4 and he was like ‘holy mackerel.’ “I can’t believe this is happening.” The final time of 1:52 4/5 not only set a new track record, but an all-time state record. Even one of the top racing venues in the state, Northville Downs, lists its top 3-yearold pacer time ever as 1:55 2/5. The record-setting performance broke a record that had lasted only moments. The Mandalorian, driven by Kody Massey and trained by Marion Chupp, had just won the first division of the 3-yard old colt pacers 1:54 2/5. “That first one, I was flabbergasted,” said Barry County Fair speed superintendent jerry Seekman. “If you know anything about horse racing it’s just awesome. It’s a pretty significant thing for the Barry County fair. They don’t even realize it yet.” i Tomlinson runs Tomlinson Stables in Mason. He has been training horses profeslidnally since 1969. ’ “I didn’t expect it at all,” Tomlinson said. '‘[Captain Max Henry] is a nice horse, but I hever dreamt that on that track he’d go 1:52 and 4. He did it easy. He did it the week before, hejust drew away at Big Rapids and the same Sunday at Hastings. He is kind of coming into his own. He was a little slow growing up. Like a kindergartener and all of a sudden you’re in first grade.” ■ “Jerry measured the track and it was five feet longer than a mile track,” Tomlinson added. “He is a good horse and he has kind ofgrown up.” I Captain Max Henry is owned by Darwin Shaver, Ann Shaver and Laura Pemiciaro. I “The owners ofthis horse, they have some other horses and they’re really good people,” Tomlinson said. “They do a lot of good things for the horse business.” Tomlinson gave Seekman’s track mainte­ nance a lot of the credit for the record-setting times. The track was described as a near perfect mix - hot too soft and not too firm, with kind of a spongey asphalt feel. It is a description that sounds an awful lot like the feel ofan updated track and field oval. • “They raced in Charlotte a week ago Sat­ urday, and I don’t think there was a race that went faster than 2:00 0/5. That is the differ- ence in the courses. Same horses,” Seekman said. The fair also had its fastest performance ever by a trotter on Sunday with Andover N Out, driven by Brad Kramer and trained by Kelly Goodwin, winning the 3-year-old Colt Trot in 1:57 0/5 too. “The horses have gotten so much faster and the breeding has changed so much,” Tomlinson said ofhorse racing as a whole in the past 60 years. “The whole business is changed, but none the less, we enjoy what we’re doing. I have always said it is my business and my hobby. The state ofMich­ igan has been down on horse racing for a bit and it’s having a bit of a comeback now.” Seekman said there has been some push and pull between race tracks and casinos over gambling dollars during the past three decades. Horse racing is starting to make a come back with the help of the state of Michigan. “Michigan’s horse racing industry will benefit from more than $6.9 million in taxes collected in 2022 on various forms of betting regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), including internet wagering and simulcast wagering on horse races, internet casino gaming and internet sports betting,” opens the 2022 Michigan Gaming Control Board Horse Racing Report. “Simulcast wagering - wagering at a Michigan horse track on live races occurring at other venues - produced $1.7 million in tax revenue in 2022. The State ofMichigan does not tax wagers placed at Northville Downs on live races.” The state amended its horse racing law in December of 2019 to allow internet wager­ ing on simulcast horse races through a third-party facilitator which had a tax revenue ofnearly $878^000 in 2022? “A portion ofthe taxes on internet casinb gaming and internet sports betting by law go to the Agriculture Equine Industry Develop­ ment Fund (AEIDF) annually,” reads the report. “Each year, 5 percent ofthe Detroit casinos’ taxes from internet sports betting and internet gaming is allocated to the AEIDF. The funding is capped at $3 million per fiscal year from each tax source. Tribal operators* payments on these forms ofgam­ ing do not go into the fund. In calendar year 2022, the fund received $4.2 million total revenue from the two forms ofgaming. This included more than $3.5 million in internet casino gaming taxes and nearly $701,300 in internet sports betting taxes.” “The AEIDF promotes economic devel­ opment by providing funding in Michigan’s rural areas. It supports the breeding ofhorses in Michigan as well as research beneficial to the industry. Additionally, it promotes horse racing and other equine competitions in the state. The AEIDF also supports MGCB’s regulatory expenses, including race person­ nel, licensing and blood testing.” Seekman said he still races now and then, but he got out ofthe horse business four or five years ago. “A lot ofpeople are trying to talk me into twice Captain Max Henry, driven by Don Harmon, races by the grandstand at the Barry County Fair Sunday on the way to a state fair record mile time of 1:52 4/5 in the 3-year-old colt pacer race to close the day of racing at the fairgrounds. (Photo by Tammy Headworth) -di getting Back in. I hadm pretty.goodrtin when I MeffWQ^@<h^8d^hcind going away. That is'iWij* rF wotfk hard on the track to get this going,” Seekman said. He was drawn torHastings in the first place by the quality ofthe race track at the “new” fairgrounds on M-37 just west of Irving Road in Irving'Township at the Barry Expo Center. There is typically only harness racing on the track once a year - during the Barry County Fair. He has made friends across the state and across the country through his horse-racing days. “The novice doesn’t understand how many people it affects, the horse-racing business,” Seekman ^said. “It’s thousands now that the breeding is coming back.” Seekman said his brother Jeff Seekman lives in Gaston, Ind., and races at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind; Jeff announced the weekend’s races in Hastings. • “The quarter at 28.1, 57.1, three-quarters 1:25.2 and the mile 1:52.4. It takes away the tenth-race track record and now becomes the fastest mile ever paced’ around a Michigan fair track,” Jeffannounced at the conclusion ofthe 11^ and final race. “How about that for a Sunday afternoon racing card ... I knew he was in high flight that last quarter, he was rolling!” Owner Darwin "Si" Shaver (left) and trainer Allen Tomlinson stand together with horse Captain Max Henry. Captain Max Henry and team set a new state fair record ifi the 3-year-old colt pacer event at the Barry County Fair Sunday. (Photo by Tammy; Headworth) *£&£ £ F^fe F^feM^ MHSAA schools continue rebound in sports participation ; «15<^ 15<^ ‘‘^^^V'i $••V'i *V££'i>; r9 W#*> ■*; MW 7-»*C5xW^^25 ^2 ; O5 .. -; O5» w>>: <«^««/ ><•' y i d . Participation in Michigan High School Athletic Association-sponsored sports increased for the second-straight school year in 2022-23, continuing its recovery from a COVID-related decline and despite another decrease in school enrollment among the MHSAA’s 750 member high schools. A total of268,071 participants were count­ ed across the 28 sports for which the MHSAA sponsors postseason tournaments - a 2.7-percent increase from 2021-22 as participation has grown a combined 9.9 percent from a drastic downturn in 2020-21 during the height ofthe COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022-23 increase of 2.7 percent also came as enrollment at MHSAA member schools fell 3.2 percent from the previous year. More specifically, boys participation rose 3.4 percent to 156,501 participants, despite a 2.9-percent decrease in boys enroll­ ment. Girls participation rose 1.7 percent to 111,570 participants despite a 3.4-percent enrollment dip. MHSAA participation totals count students once for each sport in which they participate, meaning students who are ihultiple-sport athletes are counted more than once. A total of 18 sports saw increases in participation in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22, with wrestling the largest gainer by 15.7 per- cent to 10,477 athletes - a rise in part attrib­ utable to a 41-percent increase in girls partic­ ipation to 874 wrestlers which coincided with the second year ofthe MHSAA sponsoring a girls-only division at its Individual Finals. This year’s wrestling total was the sport’s highest since 2012-13. Boys bowling enjoyed the next largest increase at 8.1 percent to 4,417 partici­ pants. Five more sports saw increases in participation by at least five percent over the previous school year - girls track & field (5.6 percent to 16,470 participants), boys lacrosse (5.6 percent to 5,038), girls lacrosse (5.3 percent to 3,215), girls bowl­ ing (5.3 percent to 2,826) and football (5.2 percent to 34,997). Also enjoying increases in participation during the 2022-23 school year were boys track & field (up 4.9 percent from 2021-22), girls competitive cheer (3.5 percent), boys basketball (3.2), girls tennis (2.9), girls volleyball (2.5), girls skiing (2.0), girls basket­ ball (1.4), boys golf(1.3), boys soccer (0.9), baseball (0.8) and girls soccer (0.3). Ofthe eight sports that did see declines in 2022-23, four experienced decreases in participation that were lower than the 3.2-percent decrease in enrollment at MHSAA member schools - boys ice hockey (-1.4 percent), boys cross country and boys tennis (both -0.9 percent) and softball (-0.7). 1 Football, with a combined 34,997 partic­ ipants over the 11 attd 8-player formats, remained the most-played sport during the 2022-23 school year in posting its highest total of athletes sinde12018-19. Boys track & field (23,211) and boys basketball (20,663) were next* for total participants, followed by girls vdlleyball (19,270) which remained the host popular girls sport - ahd then baseball (1^663) and girls track & field (16,470).. ' For the second-straight year, girls skiing (854 athletes) posted itS’highest participation total since 1998-99. golf(6,916) joined wrestling in posting highest total since 2012-13, and girls’’volleyball enjoyed its highest participation since 2017-18. Boys track & field, girls tfdck'& field and baseballl all posted their higWsV participation totalis since 2018-19. ’ u The participation figures are gathered annually from MHSAA member schools to submit to the National Federation of State High School AssodlWiOOs (NFHS) forr com­ piling of its national'participation survey. Results of Michigan g surveys y from the 200001 School year to ptadnt may be viewed on the MHSAA websife Wrestling saw the largest participation gams among MHbAA sports in 2022-23 com­ pared to 2021-22, with another increase in girls' participation helping boost the total number of high school wrestlers in the state to 10,477. �Page 10 — Thursday, July 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney lor the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. _ Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given uunder 1 section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest ppklder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding Rhe circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at K .00 PM on AUGUST 17. 2023. The amount due on the Knortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing The highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle ithe purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, .either of which may charge a fee for this Information. * Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Laran Muhqueed and Dylan Wallace, Both ■Unmarried, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, as nominee for Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. and/ tionc., nrrc lenders successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 9, 2021 and recorded July 19, 2021 in Instrument {•Number 2021-009162 Barry County Records, Michigan. Maid a mortgage is now held by PLANET HOME LENDING lLLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the Mate te hereof the sum of Two Hundred Two Thousand Nine [ Hundred Ninety-Six and 32/100 Dollars ($202,996.32). L Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage Rind the statute in such case made and provided, notice Ds hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by n sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, Et Et public public vendue vendue at the the place place of holding the the circuit circuit court court within Barry County, Michigan at 1XX) PM on AUGUST a17,2023. S,aid premises are located in the City of Hastings, Said Barry County Michigan, and are described as: . THE NORTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT 10, BLOCK fl 2, LINCOLN PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF ■TASTINGS. ALSO, THE NORTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT ■130 AND THE SOUTH 33 1/2 FEET OF LOT 1067, THE ORIGINAL PLAT OF THE VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF ■TASTINGS. ■ 716 S Market St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 f The redemption period shall be 6 months from the Blate of such sale, unless determined abandoned in ■accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the Redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such Saale. ■ IIf the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant Bn MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible ■o the person who buys the property at the mortgage ^foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. fated: July 13,2023 frile No. 23-006944 •Firm Name: Orlans PC jFirm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 fFirm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 j07-13)(08-03) 202651 fl P Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised dicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, hat the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale bf the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash For cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit (Ecourt in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 .*00 PM, on * BAugust 17,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may jbe greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid «jat the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser Jto free and clear ownership of the property. A potential। Spurchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of, □which may charge a fee for this information: Jti Natoe(s) of the fhortgagbr^y? Jofth ’ Hoffman, a ■tMmmmoodi bns gnhssri uHumm m uiur;i r LEfi ALINOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised Judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the Circuit Court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does nort automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Jesse Carver, SP and Stacey Nowack, Single Person Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., Its successors and^assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstaf, Mortgage LLC Date Of Mortgage: July 24, 200&.|-pate of Mortgage Recording: August 6, 200Zttmbunt claimed due on mortgage on the date- of notice: $141,683.69 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Yankee Springs, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 8 of Pleasant Valley Plat according to the plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 4 of Plats, Page 13 of Barry County Records. Commonly Known as: 1733 S. Patterson Rd., Wayland, Ml 49348 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 07/20/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 2 48-853-4400 316444 203093 (07-20)(08-10) STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29527-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 , WhwOFoqi------------- | [ol [ d^®MteWtoonenQxt(a^)84grrt8lO Ibvc. »for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns fi Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MIDFIRST BANK ' ■ Date of Mortgage: May 5,2015 J Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16,2015 ■ Amount claimed due on date of notice: $86,622.20 F Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated ■n Township of Irving, Barry County, Michigan, and ^described as: The South 332 Feet Of The Southeast 1^1/4, Northeast 1/4, Section 17, Town 4 North, Range * hp West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan. * This Parcel May Also Be Described As: That Part Of EjThe Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 Of Section 17, Town M North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, ^Michigan, Described As: Beginning At The East 1/4 ^Corner Of Said Section, Thence North 0 Degrees 00 Minutes East 332.0 Feet Along The East Line Of ^Said Northeast 1/4; Thence South 89 Degrees 59 ■Minutes 20 Seconds West 1312.35 Feet Parallel With faThe South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4; •Thence South 0 Degrees 04 Minutes 54 Seconds East •The &32.0 Feet Along The West Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, ■Northeast 1/4; Thence North 89 Degrees 59 Minutes J20 Seconds East 1311.88 Feet Along The South Line ■Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 To The Place Of Beginning. | Common street address (if any): 5501 N Solomon |Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8719 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the ■date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in ■accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real ^property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by L 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under hapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, rsuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held esponsible to the person who buys the property at the rtgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for amaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service ember on active duty, if your period of active duty has luded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: July 20,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 n(248) 642-2515 j[1504407 j(07-20)(08-10) 202910 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29566-DE William M. Doherty wCourt address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Jeannine Service. Date of birth: 6-24­ 1941. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Jeannine Service, died 2-14-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred ■unless presented to Steven R. Townsend, personal Representative, or to both the probate court at 206 ■West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the Jpersonal representative within 4 months after the ■date of publication of this notice. ■Date: 07/11/2023 ■Michael J. McPhillips P33715 ■121 West Apple Street, Suite 101 ■Hastings, Michigan 49058 ■269-945-3512 ■Steven R. Townsend ■14910 Copperfield Street SW Byron Center, Michigan 49315 616-780-6537 Estate of Charles R. Purdum, Sr. Date of birth: 10-14-35. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Charles R. Purdum, Sr., died 6-10-23. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Candice Purdum, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Mi 49058 and toe personal representative within 4 months after toe date of publication of this notice. Date: 07/14/2023 David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings. Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Candace Purdum 8350 Hidden Drive Middleville, Ml 49333 269-838-8197 202869 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS TRUST In toe matter of: The Joseph McWilliams and Marjorie McWilliams Trust, dated October 24,2017. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Joseph McWilliams, who lived at 2449 Wasabinang Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, died on May 3, 2023, leaving a certain trust under the name of Joseph McWilliams and Marjorie McWilliams Trust, dated October 24, 2017, wherein toe decedent was the Settlor and Stephanie L. Norris was named as Sucessor Trustee serving at toe same time of or as a result of the decedent’s death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Stephanie L. Norris, the named Successor Trustee at Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law, 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 07/17/2023 Nathan E. Tagg (P68994) 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2900 Stephanie L. Norris 3253 Heath Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-953-2409 202911 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29522-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court address: 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Sally Jo Jones. Date of birth: 04/09/1939 TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Sally Jo Jones, died 09/03/2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Ronald Allen Jones, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the W. personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 07/14/2023 202874 Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-1921 Ronald Allen Jones c/o Rhoades McKee, 150 W. Court street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-1921 202072 VARNUM-Q-P^ttomey* 333’Brldge Street NglGiW Rapids, Ml 49504 NOTICE OF SALE OFRE FRE AL ESTATE PU PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT dHFolMCLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING ( TO COLLECT A DEBT ANY INFORMATION WE ! OBTAIN WILL BE D FOR THAT PURPOSE. Financial FOCUS &| ATTENTION HOMEO ^EA: If you are a military i service member on a ve duty, if your period of 1 activ^duty has conclu ed less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, pleaffi contact th the attorney for the party foreclosing inortgage at the telephone number stated in •notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Land Cont ' Foreclosure (the “Judgment”) entered on June iJ, 2023, In toe Circuit Qfinyt,toGthe County of CKjtoe Case No. 22-667-CK e 4 Court has ordpr^i sale at public auctionn biteaj eaj property property undqr undqr aa LL Contact .(the “Land CWra<) made between A Lee Spdrks and Carolyn-Lee olyn-Lee Sparks, Sparks Trustees of the Andy Lee Sparks Trust, Vendors, and David Wooten (“Vendee”), dated August 13, 2007, as evidenced by the Memorandum of Land Contract recorded on August 20, 2007, in Document No. 200708200001046, Barry County Records. The Land Contract balance is due and payable In the amount of NinetyNine Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Three and 64/100 Dollars ($99,683,64) as of July 20,2023, with the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate of seven percent (7%) per annum, plus such other fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to toe Land Contract and the Judgment. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the Judgment and toe statute In such case made and, provided, and to pay said arpount with interest as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, the Land Contract will be foreclosed by sale of toe1 Land Contract premises at public venue to the highest bidder in the main lobby of the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State l Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of the foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, toe Vendee will be held responsible to the person who buys toe property at the foreclosure sale or to the Vendor for damaging the property during toe redemption period. Pursuant to MCL 600.3150, the purchaser at the sale shall be entitled to possession of toe Property at the time of toe sale. The premises covered by said Land Contract is commonly known as 9645 Shawnee Branch Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, and is situated in the Township of Orangeville, Barry County, Michigan, described as follows: Parcel B: That part of toe Southwest 1/4 of Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West’Sescribed as: Beginning«at a point found by commencing at the Center of the said Section; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to toe place of beginning of this description; thence continuing South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East, 509.75 feet to the East and West 1/8 line of the Southwest 1/4; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East on said 1/8 line, 207.46 feet; thence , North 07 degrees 32 minutes 32 seconds West, ! 614.52 feet to toe place of beginning. Together, with Member SIPC SIPC Member Andrew Cove, AAMSGCFP® 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. 203017 (07-20)(08-24) state of Michigan PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedents Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29543-DE William MJ Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 (My* - ' • l)iov • Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Gabriel Burton High. Date of birth: 8-4­ 71. TO ALL CREDITORS: ; NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Gabriel Burton High, died 3-25-2023, Creditors of the decedent are notified. tha| dll claims against the estate yyill be forever barred unless presented to Tonay Homister, personal representative, or to both toe probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date; 07/14/2023 David H. Tripp P2929O. 202 South Broadway ■i Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Toriya Homister 7057 Head Road Delton, Ml 49046 269-217-6581 ii/- d-ji £02(fr0 NOTICE PUBLIC LAND AUCTION n da yhui The Barry County 'T^asurer 'T^a will offers taxreverted real estate at pMc,auction pMc,a on August 1st, 2023.,IOJ19bl. ,IOJ19bl. The auction wlll*a>>be held onHnpj ..at wyvw.tax-sale.info frdW'TO^Oam to 7:00prj\ EQT. Bids can also be plac'M,iip;fo 30 days In Advance on the website, and assistance is available for those without computer or Internet access. Incomplete or voided sales from the August 1st auction, if any, will be re-offered online on September 29th, 2023. Please visit www.^x^ale. info/faq for additional For more information and a list of the projberties being sold, visit www.tax-sale.lnfo ODrcdll 1-800-259-7470. Sale listings may also be available at the county treasurer’s office. 1 fa** FinancialAdvi 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-8265 (269) 945-3553 Retired? Consider benefits of part-time work After spending decades in the workforce, you might look forward to the day you retire. But if you decide, for one reason or another, that you’d like to redefine "retirement” to include part­ time work or consulting, you could enjoy exercising your skills and meeting new people. But you can also receive some key financial benefits. Specifically, bringing in some paychecks in your retirement can help you in these areas: • You could contribute more to your IRA. During your working years, you may have contributed regularly to an IRA, but once you retired, you might have thought those days were over. But there’s no age limit - if you have any earned income, you can contribute to an IRA and boost the financial resources you have available for retirement. • You could potentially lower your withdrawal rate. Once you’re retired, you will likely need to rely on your investment portfolio to provide you with some — or maybe most — of your income. Consequently, you’ll need to establish an appropriate withdrawal rate a percentage ofyour portfolio that you, Qari take out each ------ yx.------------------- year without running the risk of potentially outliving your money. Income from part-time work or consulting may lower your dependency on investment income, thereby reducing your annual withdrawal rate and extending the overall longevity of your investment portfolio. • You could add to your grandchildren’s 529 plans. When you invest in a 529 education savings plan, the earnings and withdrawals are federally tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified education expenses. As a grandparent, you can contribute to a 529 plan with your grandchildren as beneficiaries. And a 529 plan can be used for more than college - it can fund some programs at trade schools and K-12 expenses in some states. So, by putting some of your earned income to work in a 529 plan, you can help improve your grandchildren’s prospects. • You could reduce your debts. By the time you reach retirement, you may or may not have retired your, mortgage, but you might have other debts on your books. Ifyou can apply some of your earned income to these debts, you can improve your cash flow and possibly avoid dipping into your -. j I a non-exclusive easement being more particularly ’ described as follows: A 66.00 foot wide Easement for ingress and egress lying 33.00 feet each side of the following described Centerline: Beginning at . a point found by commencing at the Center of said Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet to the point } of beginning of this easement; thence the Centerline runs South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West 1513.10 feet to the point of ending. ALSO described. ! for tax purposes as: Commencing at toe Center o Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 miryjtes 44 seconds East -on the North 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63/ degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to the point of beginning; thence continuing South03 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; ; thence South 13 degrees 42 minutes 41 seconds East, 519.45 feet; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East, 207.46 feet; thence North 07 degrees 25 minutes 15 seconds West, 624.42 feet to the place of beginning (the “Property"). Parcel No. 08-11-031-011-44 > Dated: July 20,2023 ANDY LEE SPARKS and CAROLYN LEE SPARKS, Trustees ofthe Andy Lee Sparks Trust Mark Sheldon, Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Civil Process Service, LLC. P.O. Box 282 Hastings, Ml'49058 21456730.1 Jeff Domenico, AAMS®CRPC® Financial Advisor retirement accounts for short­ term needs. Of course, you’ll also have to consider some issues if you end up working in retirement, particularly if you bring in a sizable amount of money. For example, if you’re earning income and collecting Social Security before you reach your “full” retirement age - which is likely between 66 and 67 — your monthly benefits will be reduced. (However, these “lost” benefits will be restored once you'do reach your full retirement age.) Also, the added income could push you into a higher tax bracket or even cause you to pay the Medicare premium surcharge or the 3.8% surtax on net investment income if your income reaches certain levels. So, before embarking on any employment that may yield a large additional income, consult with your tax advisor. Overall, though, the financial benefits ofpart-time employment income during your retirement years may be _woydh.it - so give some thought to “unretiring.” This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones FinancialAdvisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC 4 at ’ ’ aTisgirloiM gnolB §ni§navBoa ’ .j,h NOTICE C6’ min tsW I rni Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number ^tatedinthis^ce. foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given : Under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, . <1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or .some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Thomas L. Janke, single man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 27, 2021 and recorded November 17, 2021 in Instrument Number 21-014224 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by U.S. Bank National Association, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-Nine and 67/100 Dollars ($173,429.67). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, ‘2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing 80 rods North of the Southeast corner of Section 16, Town 4 North, Range 7 West, Village of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan; thence, North 5 rods; thence West 20 rods; thence South 9 rods 1 foot; thence East 10 rods 21/2 feet; thence North 4 rods 1 foot; thence East 9 rods 14 feet to the place of beginning. 265 N Main St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: July 20,2023 File No. 23-007075 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (07-20)(08-10) 1 1 iR* iR* . 203076 Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that toe following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of toe mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to toe highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at toe place of holding toe circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at toe sale does not automatically entitle toe purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact toe county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Justin Carl Howard and Katherine Elizabeth Howard, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: October3,2017 Recorded on October 10, 2017, in Document No. 2017-010218, Foredosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Amount claimed to be due at toe date hereof: One Hundred Twelve Thousand Four Hundred ThirtyOne and 73/100 Dollars ($112,431.73) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: LOT 6, B-Z-BEES ACRES, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS, PAGE 12 Commonly known as 15201 Doster Rd, Plainwell, Ml 49080 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from toe MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If toe above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to toe person who buys the aaatemilaate . ____ ____ 1 ft’*”^** property at toe mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging toe property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for toe party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1504587 (07-20)(08-10) 203102 CORRECTION CITY OF HASTINGS Public Accuracy Test 201 E. State Street Hastings, Ml 49058 August 2, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. ■Vi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 20, 2023 — Page 11 Michigan State Police sending off Hastings trooper after more than 20 years of local service I •JJSSS jSSS e* -< Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Rod­ erick remembers when he first wanted to become a trooper. When he was 16-years-old, the Three Riv­ ers native was working his summerjob in St Joseph County. He was pulled over by an MSP trooper, with the interaction inspiring him tojoin the police force one day. Unable to afford going to college after high school, Roderick said he opted to join the military instead. He served for 10 years as a military police officer before leaving active duty in 1996. Roderick had one goal in mind when he returned to civilian life: to join the Michigan State Police. After working as a corrections officer for the state for a year, Roderick was accepted ;■<& sS^A sS^A* S^A* >»$S >k<^ &S, C&jA'tj & !*«? «SS?S. c&sw >S&5 — -- n«> nS«»«55 ^ S S»«55 ^ "**»*■* "**»*■* ■■•kzishh ■••:*: s» ^stety; X.yFX'^F A photo of Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Roderick during the early days of his career. into the state police academy and placed in the Monroe post in 1997. He worked on the east side of the state for four years before transferring to the Hastings post in 2001. Roderick's been in Hastings ever since. Even after the Hastings post was merged with the Wayland post in 2011, he said he spends most ofhis time in Barry County. Not only is Hastings where he worked and raised his family, but it’s also where he spent most of his time coaching soccer, building relation­ ships and raising money for charity at the Hastings bowling alley, through the Bowl for Kids’ Sakes and Barry County Hungry Games programs. Roderick said he’s still close with many of the kids he coached and interacted with over the years. “I built a dot of relationships that I still maintain these days with a lot ofkids that are now adults in the world and have their own families,” he said. “So it’s been an adventure.” Now that his kids are grown, Roderick said either he and his wife Michelle have out­ grown their little red house on the comer of Market and Clinton streets or it’s outgrown them, but he’s not sure which. The two have moved closer to Grand Rapids as Roderick prepares for his last day with the force on July 31. Moving away from Hastings was a tough decision for Roderick and his wife, he said it just made sense for the latest chapter in their life. “Anybody that knows me, knows that I’m true all the way through. I’m loyal. I’m dedi­ cated,” Roderick said. “But, you know, I turned 56 this year. I’ve got grandkids, and my own kids that are grown. I’m looking forward to spending some more time with my wife of 36 years, we’ve known each other since high school and been together since then. I’m looking forward to being able to enjoy the next chapter ofmy life.” Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Roderick Although he no longer lives in Hastings, Roderick said he’ll be sure to visit often. He said the toughest part ofleaving the force will be trying to find new ways to help people as a civilian. “I still come back even on my days off,” he said. “I’ll still maintain some of those rela­ tionships, just in a different light.” Roderick said he’ll forever be grateful for the connections he made in the community, both with fellow officers at the Barry County Sheriff’s Department and Hastings Police, as well as other community members who just want to work together to make Barry County a better place. “Barry County, and Hastings in particular, is a wonderful community. It was a great place to raise my family, a great place to build friendships and relationships,” he said. “We’ve been very blessed and we’re thankful for the opportunities and the memories that we got” A celebration of Roderick’s service with cake and refreshments is being held from noon to 3 p.m. oh July 28 at The Blue Wagyu in Wayland, open to the public. Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Roderick, set to retire after more than 20 years of service in Barry County and Allegan County, shared this photo of his cruiser. Hope Township Notice of Adoption of Amendment to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at its meeting on Monday, July 10th, 2023 at 6:30PM at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S M-43 Hwy, the Hope Township Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance #95, an amendment to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance. Amendment #1 Robust recovery of bald eagles continues across Michigan R*lwr» ■■drC G WtUaii^ ■■ 11Kjfty JKJ1 toipittiillttw <*7m4hvHjifetyto 7m4hv j yo ■WNfrl^ iluketB ItoafffiWim Mlntoqityhtoi ■>■11 ■BlikilMseteinjfarlt dedlBv$ipHii|il bliwrijr bote uro teUiFitrtliliipv ■■Bl JIB toBwoifwn f!>MKttsipn £■« feaQiDi(iBE|(iV>M 1imWUBfcW ‘ abitypRhfBiM® ■htytoltytfMHHB piBiiv jgWitffi ■■MW attldisfcfeswiu’ WMplS^*1* fRKa<K»wtelinfieifcaili pMB*** ifcailiMB*** ifca ” ” ..INf *?!!! 5b*«JE-Sf JESf xS?5 xS?.5 5b«w*»*Sw w*»*Sw w 25>*5 25>5 tSOfyS 1^7 ■rtSfe rtSfe S-ft-J SftJ 17 i»t^Sjf Sjf'^a^am mf lEf lE 11 iSSJ^S 5 While enjoying the great outdoors this summer, people can keep their eyes to the skies for bald eagles - our national emblem. 1 These very large raptors can-be-found fish­ ing and scavenging along Michigan’s lakes and rivers - and are often spotted in the trees and skies above the Thomapple River. Bald eagles have become a popular sight across Michigan and are expanding in south­ ern Michigan as they adapt to nesting in more open and urban landscapes. Recent statewide surveys found approximately 900 breeding pairs in the state. This compares to only 359 breeding pairs in 2000 and 83 in 1980. And 60 years ago, you would not have been able to see bald eagles across much of Michigan or the United States. In 1963, the U.S. bald eagle population had reached an all-time low of417 nesting pairs across the lower 48 states, and the bird was an endangered species. Their populations declined due to loss of nesting habitat, persecution by humans and a pesticide called DDT, which caused repro­ ductive problems that accelerated population declines in the 1950s and 1960s. Michigan led the way in bald eagle conservation and was the first state to ban DDT in 1969, three years before it was banned nationally. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 additionally increased protections and funding to support the recovery of endangered species like the bald eagle. Erin Rowan Ford, conservation manager for Michigan with Audubon Great Lakes, works in partnership with the DNR on MI Birds. She said that after near-extinction in the mid-20th century, there now are more than 300,000 bald eagles in the wild across the country. ii LEGAL NOTICES These amendments to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance were adopted after the Hope Township Planning.Ccuwpis^ion held a public hearing and recommendesdi approval ofth^^Wridmenttothe Hope Township Boa^pn^py 18^ 2023, A'.w/W of the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the adopted amendment is available for review at the Hope Township Office during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The amendment will become effective eight days after the date of this published notice pursuant to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, as amended. Deborah Jackson, Clerk Hope Township 5463 S M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 202827 A bald eagle takes flight from a Michigan tree. There are now roughly 900 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the state, more than double the number from the year 2000. (Michigan DNR Photo - John Peppin) “The species’ recovery is a success story, one that speaks to the groundbreaking work of conservationists and researchers, which led to policies that continue to protect wild­ life today,” she said. Despite their name, bald eagles are not actually bald. Adults have white heads and tails that contrast with their dark brown bodies. Juveniles, which will be leaving their nests this month, have dark brown bodies, heads and tails, with brown and white mottling. Bald eagles are no longer on the endan- gered or threatened species list, but are still federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. “You can help bald eagles succeed in Michigan by keeping a safe distance from nests and avoiding certain activities that could disturb them,” said Chris Mensing, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist based out of Lansing, Michigan. “When out­ doors, take a moment to clean up trash, safely dispose of old fishing line and lures, and avoid using lead shot and lead tackle.” (269)948-2464 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY TO: COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on August 10,2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that. In addition to participation during an public hearing, mem­ bers of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson (mthompson@pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: Banner CLASSIFIEDS STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29544-DE William M. Doherty r/ f" l& l&r -i Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of J.C. Ritchie. Date of birth: 8-6-40. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, J.C. Ritchie, died 3-18-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Janet Ritchie, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication ofthis notice. Date: 07/15/2023 David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Janet Ritchie 11968 Saddler Road Plainwell, Ml 49080 269-664-4671 For Side FOR SALE- VINTAGE Home Comfort Kitchen Range, early 1900's wood or coal fired range. Very good, clean con­ dition. Great for cabin or vacation home. 35in wide x 30 inches deep x 61 inches high. $1800 obo. 269-795-3439. Garage Sale Huge Yard/Bam/Garage Sale. Lots ofeverything. 3575 Fight­ er Road, Hastings. Weekdays 9am-5pm. July 12-July 27, 2023. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. 2. A request for property owner Robert and Regina Hynes, 10033 4 Mile Rd, Plainwell, Ml 49080 for a Special Land Use/Site Plan Review to allow for the construction of an accessory structure failing to meet location requirements, pursuant to section 4.20 "Residential Accessory Buildings" of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 10033 4 Mlle Rd, Plainwell, Ml 49080. Parcel #08-12-016-01120 and Is currently zoned A-Agricultural. 3. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. ____________ BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793._____________ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. All real estate advertising in this newspaper Is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to w advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the sge of 18 living with parents or legall custodians, pregnant women and people at securing custody children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly A request for property owner Jeff Russell, 14875 Doster Rd, Plainwell, Ml 49080 for a Special Land Use/Site Plan Review to allow for the construction of an accessory structure failing to meet location requirements, pursuant to section 4.20 "Residential Accessory Buildings" of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 14875 Doster Rd, Plainwell, Ml 49080. Parcel #08-12-030-008-30 and is currently zoned A-Agricultural. CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Business Services 202871 The adopted the amendment clarifies that outdoor elevated stairways above twentyfour (24) inches may also project into a setback indefinitely, provided that they are not permitted within five (5) feet ofany non-waterfront lot line. 1. * *S^ 10.13 (Accessory Dwellings): Amendment #2, Section 10.18 (Yard Encroachments): The adopted amendment clarifies that at-grade outdoor surfaces and structures of twenty-four (24) inches or less, such as patios, drives, walkways, decks, and stairs, may project into a setback indefinitely and to the lot line. Further, 1 *-*«!»# ** fej* * Section amendment eliminates the requirement that accessory dwellings must be served by the same gas or electric meteras the principal dwelling. Further, the amendment corrects the formatting and numbering ofsubsections. The Prairieville Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendment(s) at or following the public hear­ Ing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. wccept W advertising for real estate a which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised |n ^js newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. the hearing impaired Is 1-800-927-9275. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Fritz Bork, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 ill 914 202976 �Page 12 — Thursday, July 20, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Lindsey Goodin takes off in her truck “Nightmare's Mistress" on a winning pass in the Mega Truck division at the Barry County Fair Mudbog Monday evening in front of the grandstand. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Deagan Sanders of Hastings rolls back towards the pits after winning the youth heat of the Unique Motorsports Off Road Derby at the Barry County Fair Tuesday. (Photo By Brett Bremer) City of Hastings Part-Time Assessing Assistant Position Available The Assessing Assistant performs a variety of support to the assessing department including field examinations, research on property history, principal residence exemptions and property transfer affidavits, business verifications, database maintenance, and similar tasks. The Assessing Assistant should be familiar with assessing and tax collection laws and procedures. A high school diploma or GED is required. Michigan Certified Assessing Officer (MCAO) certification or Michigan Certified Assessing Technician is required within one year of hire. Must hold a valid driver’s license. Please review the full job description on our website at www. hastingsmi.gov for additional requirements. This is a part-time position with a starting pay range of $19.10 - $21.49 per hour. Apply via email with resume and completed job application by July 31, 2023. Applications and any questions or inquiries regarding the position can be made to the City Manager by email at smoyer-cale@hastingsmi.gov or by calling 269­ 948-3875. The City of Hastings is an equal opportunity employer. 202583 City of Hastings Full Time Administrative Assistant Position Available The City of Hastings is seeking a full time Administrative Assistant. The position functions as the receptionist and first point-of-contact for the city. The successful candidate will have experience in an office setting and proven communication, organization, problem­ solving, and customer service skills. Starting salary range $16.71 - $17.75 per hour, DOQ with full benefits. To apply, visit www.hastingsmi.gQv or 201 E State St, Hastings, Ml 49058 for a full job description and application. Position open until filled, but candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by 4:00pm on July 27, 2023. New Mudbog and usual Off Road Derby open fair Brett Bremer Sports Editor The 2023 Barry County Fair grand­ stand shows roll on. this week with Michigan Truck and. Tractor Pullers on Thursday evening, July 20, a Unique Motorsports Demolition Derby Friday and the Michigan,State Fair Super Cross Series Saturday. .. Entry into the truck and tractor pull­ ers’ contest is $10 Thursday evening, plus the $8 fair entry fee. Tickets for the demolition derby and supercross are $15, plus the $8 fair entry fee. The remaining shows all being at 7 p.m. and the grandstand gates open an hour prior to the show at 6 p.m. each day - and don’t think there won’t be a line past the foot-long hot dogs, the bust a balloon with a dart game and the ele­ phant ears once the weekend rolls around. The Super Kicker Rodeo was set to entertain grandstand guests Wednesday evening. ..X*' The week’s shows opened with a Mud Mitten Race Series Mudbog Monday evening - an event highlighted by Lind­ sey Goodin of Emmett winning the Mega Truck Class in her truck Night­ mare’s Mistress. She had a time of4.75 seconds on her pass through the mud pit in front ofthe grandstand, the fastest of the evening’s show. Travis Ross capped offthe show with a few freestyle passes pver die jumps in his Jeep as the sun set behind the ferris wheel on the midway. 1 Unique Motorsports]'entertained the spectators with an Off Road Derby on the first of its two night’s at the fair — with youth, powder puff, 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder offroad derby competitions. More than 50 vehicles competed in the 6-cylinder heats, with Mike Till of Fennville ultimately coming out on top in the championship heat at the end of the evening. Thomapple Kellogg-Sehools fourth grade teacher Sarah"Keizer accepts*‘her trophy after winning the Powder Puff heat of the Unique Motorsports Off Road Derby Tuesday at the Barry County Fair. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Remington Foster of Dorr and Steven Brown of Hastings do some bumping as they make their way around the course during a four-cylinder heat of the Unique Motorsports Off Road Derby at the Barry County Fairgrounds Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The City of Hastings is an equal opportunity employer. 202581 Welcome Dr Sam McNeiiil ER I ADVANCEDEYECARE professionals f Are eye exams important? Yes! Many eye conditions, in | their early stages, have no obvious signs or symptoms, so an annual exam is often the only way to detect eye conditions early. J % This can leave people believing there is nothing wrong with their eyes. However, since there are no signs or symptoms, regular comprehensive eye exams are key to maintaining good vision and £ healthy eyes. < • Optometrists - O.D. (Dr. McNeill, Dr. Weller, Dr. Slate, Dr. Jackson) • Ophthalmologists - M.D. (Dr. Flohr, Dr. Harrell, Dr. Smith) • Eye Exams, Glasses, Sunglasses & Contacts HASTINGS 269.945.3866 AEPeyecare.com/SEE Cars line up for the start ofthe 4-cylin’der feature Tuesday near the conclusion of the Unique Motorsports Off Road Derby. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings • Ionia • Lowell • Sheridan Schedule an exam today! Deen hunting access permit application period now open This year’s deer hunting access permit application period opened last week and will remain open until Tuesday, Aug. 15. Select hunters may y need to apply for a limited-hunt access permit to hunt deer in some areas. Universal antler-less licenses are available for purchase over the? counter without an application. Upper Peninsula deer hunters In the central part ofthe Upper Peninsula, deer management units (DMU) 351 and 352 will require an antler-legs deer hunting access permit and a universal antler-less deer license to hunt antler-less deer. DMU 351 is made up ofDMUs 021, 349, 249, 149,017 and 117. DMU 352 is made up of DMUs 027, 036, 152 and 252. See the online deer management units map for a map ofDMUs. On thousand access permits will be avail­ able in each ofthese two DMUs. One antler-less deer hunting access permit for the DMU you are hunting in, plus one universal antler-less deer license, are required for each deer harvested. Ifyou hunt in DMUs 022, 122, 055, 155, 255 and 121 in the Upper Peninsular, alll you will need is a universal antler-less deer license to hunt antler-less deer. DMUs 127, 066, 031, 131, 042, 007 and 048 in the northern part of the U.P. are closed to antler-less hunting. Lower Peninsula deer hunters Hunters participating in a reserved deer hunt at Sharonville State Game Area, Shiawassee River National Wildlife Refuge or Shiawassee River State Game Area will need to apply forr a reserved deer hunt access permit. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-07-28.pdf 7481e0edbb16599a730c7d36db0fc90b PDF Text Text Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street Bids approved for city’s $3.5 million streetscape project See story on page 3 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590502175749058195427 •**********MCAR-RT LOT**C 003 C003 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings Ml 49058-1954 VOLUME 169, No. 30 8048 ANNER hursday, July 27, 2023 RICE $1,50 City appoints Mark Jordan as new fire chief Others make case to promote interim chief Jim Brown. BIRCH Fire Association chairman, urged city council members to appoint Rick Krouse as chief of the Hastings Fire Department. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Therese Maupin-Moore, former city council member, said she was disappoint­ ed in the city council members who sup­ ported the appointment of Mark Jordan as Hastings fire chief over Rick Krouse. Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings City Council members voted to appoint Mark Jordan as the city’s new fire chiefin a decision that Split the council. Council members Don Bowers, Al Jarvis, John Resseguie, Bill Nesbitt and Mayor Dave Tossava voted to confirm City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale’s appointment of Jor­ dan as the city’s new fire chief. Council members Jim Cary, Mandy Furrow and Norm Barlow voted no. Jacquie McLean was absent from the meeting following a loss in her family, Tossava said. Moyer-Cale selected Jordan following the conclusion of a months-long interview pro­ cess. The city received 15 applications for the position, which it narrowed down to six, who were reviewed by a panel consisting ofMoy­ er-Cale, Fire Chief Kerry Minshall from Mason and Fire ChiefMike Burke from Elba Township. The top three candidates, Mark Jordan, Rick Krouse and Jared Willman, were publicly interviewed on July 12. Krouse has been serving as the interim chief since the death of former chief Roger Caris in April. Krouse worked alongside Caris for many years, with 28 ofhis 39 total years of tenure at the Mayings Fire Depart? ment being served as assistant fire chief. Jordan has worked in fire services for 30 years, including five years as Bellevue’s fire chief. A memo to council members from Moyer-Cale noted Jordan also has an Associ­ ate of Science Degree, various certifications and experience as a business owner and a communications engineer. The agenda item was the topic of much discussion at Monday’s council meeting, with firefighters and members ofthe public urging the council to deny Jordan’s appointment in favor of Rick Krouse, currently serving as interim fire chief. Jim Brown, chairman of the BIRCH Fire Association and Hastings Charter Township supervisor, was the first to address the coun­ cil Monday and said Krouse’s experience and knowledge of the community would make him the best pick for the role. “In talking to our BIRCH members, Rick Krouse would be the best choice,” Brown said. “We realize this is the city’s decision, but we all have a price to pay for the changes coming and we need Rick Krouse to be a part ofthose changes and our future.” Resident and former city council member Therese Maupin-Moore supported Krouse and said his proximity and familiarity with the city and department made him the best choice. “I think it speaks to Rick’s leadership when you can see that half of his personal family and halfofhis fire services family are here to' support him,” she said. “I think they would' probably all agree it would be nice if you^ guys would turn down the recommendation (to hire Jordan) and would make the recom­ mendation to hire Rick Krouse.” Bryon Lehman, Woodland Township fire chief, said he was trained by Krouse 20 years ago. He said Krouse has been very involved in running the department beforeand after his appointment as interim fire chief, and he thought the department stood to lose a lot without Krouse’s training and teaching abilities. “I fear if we lose Rick, we might lose something else,” Lehman said. Retired Hastings Fire Department member Bruce Conan spoke in favor ofpicking Krouse for the chief position. Conan, who retired in 2019 after 42 years ofservice with the depart­ ment, said Krouse worked closely to train and run the department even when Caris was chief. See MARK JORDAN, page 2 Barbenheimer’ brings droves of locals back to the movies Molly Macleod Copy Editor On paper, there really aren’t two movies that are more different than “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” gracing theaters right now. Despite this, movie-goers across the coun­ try, and right here in Hastings, are coming out in droves to see the two films - a double-fea­ ture that has been dubbed “Barbenheimer” in circles online. The unlikely double-feature featuring a beloved doll and the inventor of the atomic bomb comes off of months of online chatter preceding the two films, which both released on Friday, July 21. “Barbenheimer” was by all metrics a resounding success, with “Barbie” bringing in $337 million worldwide and “Oppen­ heimer” netting $174.2 million across the globe in the opening weekend. Hastings was no stranger to the “Barbenheimer” mania, with local theater-goers flocking to the GQT Hastings 4 for their night at the movies. Steve Miller, manager of the Hastings 4, said the box office hits brought in hundreds of people to the theater over the weekend, more than the theater has seen in ages. “For us, Friday and Saturday were real busy, we had more than 400 people come in each day for the theater, which is quite a bit for us on a weekend,” said Miller. “(On Sun­ day,) we hadjust over 500 (people) and most of those were for ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer. See BARBENHEIMER, page 3 Potential buyers pack into the show arena for the 2023 livestock auction at the Barry County Fair on Friday morning. The sale brought in $1.17 million. (Photo provided) Livestock sale at Barry County Fair generates $1.17 million for local 4-H students “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were released last weekend, smashing box office records and bringing people back to the movies in droves to see the two critically-ac­ claimed films. In Hastings, at the GQT Hastings 4, several locals participated in a double feature of the two films, dubbed “Barbenheimer.” (Photo by Jayson Bussa) County Republicans forge ahead as State GOP grapples with disunity within party Jayson Bussa Editor As headlines paint the Michigan Republi­ can Party as one entrenched in general strife and conflict, leaders of the Barry County GOP say they’re experiencing quite the oppo­ site here at a local level. “At the county level, we’re very solid,” said Phillip Joseph, who serves as the chair­ man for the Barry County GOP. “When we vote as a board - when we all come togeth­ er - we do so almost unanimously. I would say we’re extremely solid right now. We haven’t had any major strife or any major fall-offs.” fall-offs. While Joseph and his party have found common ground, the same cannot be said for the party at a state level. Earlier this month, reports from a Michi­ gan GOP state committee meeting held in Clare stated that the party had around $93,000 in its bank accounts, putting it in peril of financial insolvency. Also, at a closed-door committee meeting, a physical altercation broke out between Mark DeYoung, chairman of the Clare County Republican Party and James Chap­ man, a Republican from Wayne County. This is all happening under the watch of newly elected chairperson Kristina Karamo, who has also butted heads with fellow mem­ bers ofthe party. Jon Rocha, a Hastings resident and mem­ ber ofthe Barry County GOP who serves as a state committee member, was at the meet­ ing and said that the'physical altercation See REPUBLICANS, page 3 Jayson Bussa Editor EDITOR’S NOTE: Pick up next weeks issue ofthe Hastings Bannerfor our 2023 Barry County Eair wrap-up section. In it, we will honor the accomplishments ofa long list of4-Hparticipants and get reac­ tionsfrom organizers on what made this yearsfair special. As organizers expected, the 2023 live­ stock sale at the Barry County Fair set yet another new record by raking in a grand total of $1.17 million for 4-H students around the county and beyond. The livestock sale is one ofthe marquee events to help close out the fair. This year’s sale played out on Friday as community members packed into the show arena to bid on beef, swine and lambs. Last year’s sale was notable because it was the first time the livestock sale broke the $1 million barrier, bringing in a grand total of $1.09 million. With just five animals more up for bid compared to last year, the sale generated just south of $100,000 more than last year. This is exactly what livestock auction superintendent Chris Morgan had forecast before the sale. “We’ve had years where we had too many animals and the dollars per pound dropped but the total dollars spent doesn’t drop,” Morgan said. “Prices don’t drop on commodities like that. They’re buying a commodity. They’re paying premium for it to help the kids out but all in all they’re buying a commodity,” he added. This year’s total, by the numbers, is as follows: - Beef: 112 beef steers, combining for 141,817 total pounds of meat, generated $585,499, or a $4.12 per pound average. - Swine: 437 hogs, combining for 214,734 total pounds of meat, generated $499,841.50, or a $7.93 per pound average. - Lamb: 80 sheep, combining for 9,910 total pounds of meat, generated $87,660.50, or a $8.84 per pound average. The success of the livestock auction hinges on the generosity ofthe local com­ munity - both private residents and local businesses that choose to purchase an ani­ mal. When a buyer purchases an animal, they are presented with three options: Have the animal processed at one ofthe select local processors, donate the animal to a local food bank or resell the animal to a pool of resale buyers. �Page 2 — Thursday, July 27,2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS HHS Alumni Banquet tickets available now Hastings High School Alumni Banquet tickets are available now for purchase at the General Store, the Hastings Public Library or from any board member. The banquet is being held on Saturday, Aug. 26,2023, at the First Presbyterian Church. Event organizers say this is a great opportunity to get reacquainted with classmates, many ofwhom travel a great distance to reconnect. Tickets cost $33 each and will only be available until Monday, Aug. 21. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event and will not be available at the door. Questions about the event may be directed to Lois Bowers, 269-945-9657. Hastings Rotary Club presents free sharpening event The Hastings Rotary Club, in conjunction with the Middleville Rotary Club, has announced a special free sharpening event on Saturday, Aug. 12, from' 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering the community an opportunity to have their tools, scissors and knives sharpened at no cost. The event will take place on the Barry County Courthouse lawn and coincide with the Hastings Farmer’s Market Those interested can bring scissors, lawn mower blades, fingernail clippers, kitchen knives, shovels, hoes, hatchets, axes or any other bladed tool that needs a little extra edge. Rotary Club members will sharpen the tools for free. The event is part of the Hastings Rotary Club’s ongoing commitment to serve the community and promote the spirit ofgiving back. By offering free sharpening services, the club aims to help residents save money on tool replacement and extend the lives of their essential equipment. Jennifer Heinzman, current Hastings Rotary President, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “We are delighted to bring this free sharpening event to our communi­ ty. It’s a fantastic opportunity to not only support our residents by providing a valuable service but also to create a fiin and engaging experience during the Farmer’s Market.” While the sharpening services are complimentary, the Hastings Rotary Club will grate­ fully accept donations during the event. Donations received will support the Imagination Library ofBarry County, an initiative promoting literacy and a love for reading among young children. Sign-up going on for Summerfest Backwoods Triathlon Sign-ups are going on now for the 2023 Hastings Summerfest Backwoods Triathlon. The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26, and is open to the first 48 teams to reg­ ister. Teams oftwo can register by calling Heidi Lyttle at 269-838-8556. The event begins with nine holes of golf at Gun Ridge Golf Course with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Teams will then compete in a scotch doubles bowling tournament and a comhole tournament at Hastings Bowl. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams. The cost to participate is $120 per team. Sponsorship opportunities, either for tee signs or prize donations, are available now. Contact Lyttle for more information or find a sponsorship form online on the Backwoods Triathlon page at hastingssummerfest.com. National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 5 The Barry County Community Mental Health Authority (BCCMHA) continues to promote awareness of National Depression Screening Day, which falls on Thursday, Oct. 5, this year. If you are having a difficult time and are not currently receiving mental health services, BCCMHA asks that you call 269-948-8041 or stop in at Barry County Community Men­ tal Health, 500 Barfield Drive, in Hastings. They would like to;assist you in connecting witfi'appropriate services. - Thomapple Township Emergency Services captain pleads guilty to drug charges Greg Chandler StaffWriter An officer with Thomapple Township Emergency Services pleaded guilty Wednes­ day to two misdemeanor drug charges. Chad Nicholas Klutman, 46, pleaded guilty to charges of use of marijuana and allowing consumption of a drug by a minor in Barry County court. Judge Michael Schipper sen­ tenced Klutman to one year probation and ordered him to pay $480 in fines and court costs, plus $400 in oversight fees. Schipper dropped the original felony charge of delivdeliv­ ery or manufacture ofa controlled substance in exchange for the guilty pleas. Klutman, a firefighter and paramedic who holds the rank of captain at TTES, has been on a leave of absence from the department since early this month. The charges stem from an incident on June 9 in Thomapple Townd \ Assistant County Prosecutor Christophe^ illsworth told the court that Klutman was riring marijuana in a vehicle occupied by two other people, a 19-year-old man and 17-year-old girl. Klutman’s attorney, Joseph Brugnoli, asked the court to sentence his client under Michigan’s 7411 statute that allows first-time drug offenders to have their crime expunged once they complete terms of their sentence. Klutman had no prior offenses. However, Ellsworth objected to Brugnoli’s request. “I don’t object to 7411 for first-time offenders if the use is their own,” Ellsworth said. “This, I consider, not necessarily Mr. Klutman’s use, but the fact that he was doing it... with an individual who was 19 years old, and he provided that marijuana to the 19-yearold. So that 19-year-old has violated the law himself.” Schipper asked Klutman directly what he was doing with the two other people that were in his car. “Other than driving around your own kids at that age or coaching kids, what are you doing with a 19-year-old and 17-year-old?” the judge asked. “I was not in a clear state of mind, your honor,” Klutman responded. “I wasjust look­ ing to smoke and find someone who smoked, and it was him, and I did not realize that his girlfriend was under the age of 18 ... I wasn’t fully aware ofthe rules regarding use ofmar­ ijuana in the presence of someone under the age of21.” 1011 Chad Klutman (left), an officer with Thomapple Township Emergency Services, stands next to attorney Joseph Brugnoli during Wednesday morning’s hearing in front of Judge Michael Schipper. (Photo by Greg Chandler) “It was incredibly, incredibly ? stupid of me,” he added. Schipper rejected the 7411 motion. He also spoke of Klutman’s position with the fire department and the visibility and responsibil­ ity that comes from being associated with the department. “My dad was a pastor and then a high school teacher, and he said it may not seem fair, but every job carries with it different responsibilities,” Schipper said. “Ifyou don’t want those responsibilities and how people look up to you, then don’t do those jobs. “You’re in a position that people think is a responsible position and a position that peo­ ple look up to. That carries weight with it If you’re not prepared to carry that weight, then get a different job.” Klutman said he has entered into counsel­ ing and apologized for his actions. “I regret my choice, and I just want to get back to doing what I love to do, in helping people and taking care ofmy community,” he said. “I know I’ve let so many people down, and I just want to get back and take care of people.” Schipper ordered Klutman not to have any contact with any individuals under the age of 18 unless it’s in the context ofhis work. TTES Chief Bill Richardson wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon that he is waiting to meet with Thomapple Township’s Person­ nel and Compensation Committee to deter­ mine what the next steps should be with regard to Klutman’s future with the depart­ ment. fl MARK JORDAN, continued from page 1 INSUL4,, SPRAYFOAM ” Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 #8110376 & Insured mmmmi 20°/o OffFabrics (excludes sale items) Sale endsJuly 31st Huist Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 6 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm Celebration ofLifefor Ronald C. Prucha Pleasejoin us Saturday, July 29 for a light luncheon to celebrate the life of Ronald C. Prucha at the Hastings Elks Lodge 102 E. Woodlawn Ave., Hastings from 1-4 p.m. “(Rick Krouse’s) 39 years (with the depart­ ment) says a lot,” Conan said. “I’djust like to see the continuation ofthe tradition ofbring­ ing up your fire chieffrom your department.” Council member Jim Cary, who voted against the appointment of Jordan, started the council discussion by directly addressing Moyer-Cale. “Wrong choice,” he said. Cary later added that he knew it likely wasn’t an easy choice to pick Jordan over Krouse, but he couldn’t support it. Cary said Krouse has personally responded to a fire at his home in the past. “Sarah, that’s a hard seat to sit in over there. You’ve done a superjob on all kinds of stuff,” Cary said. “But (imagine you) go home one day and your house is on fire. (Rick Krouse) showed up and I’m still living in that house because ofit. I appreciate that, what he did. Real professional about it, too.” Council member John Resseguie, who voted to support Jordan’s appointment, said he would prefer to appoint Rick Krouse from within but he was also obligated to support the city manager’s decisions. Al Jarvis, voting in support of Jordan’s appointment, echoed Resseguie’s sentiments. “I sat and met with the city manager and gave my opinion. After our discussion, I said I would support her decision,” Jarvis said. “We hired the city manager to run the city, and I think she should pick her team. I’ll leave it at that.” Bill Nesbitt said he appreciated Krouse’s service to the city over the years and the com­ ments he made during the open interview about fire service workers functioning as a family. Nesbitt said he believes the city should promote from within, but he chose to support the city manager’s decision following a meeting with her. “The city is a family also,” Nesbitt said. “I look forward to seeing your participation to ensure that the Hastings/BIRCH Fire Depart­ ment continues to thrive.” Nesbitt, who has a law enforcement back­ ground, later added he saw Krouse as some­ one with high integrity and “a man who’s put in the hours and a man that (deserves) a fair shake.” He hoped Krouse could be provided train­ ing and other opportunities to make him bet­ ter suited for similar roles that might be available in the future, he said. “I understand putting in the hours. I under­ stand having something seemingly just taken right away from you. I’ve been there,” Nesbitt said. “I do appreciate your service.” Mayor Dave Tossava said while the deci­ sion was not an easy one, he supported the city manager’s choice to hire Jordan. I have a lot of respect for Rick Krouse,” h said. “That being said, we did a search for he a city manager. Under our city charter, it calls for the city manager to make all hiring and firing (decisions). I think I’m obligated to support our city manager.” i ka tat tern hki tigtataMbfcBb ■hriaata fe few Mark Jordan (center) answers a question during a public interview earlier this month. Jordan, who formerly served as chief for Bellevue Fire Department, was appointed as the new chief of the Hastings Fire Department on Monday. “I really appreciate Rick, 1 talked to Rick today,” Tossava said. “1 really hope that you find it in your heart to stay with the fire department and help us build the future.” During public comment near the end ofthe meeting, Maupin-Moore said she was disap­ pointed city council members approved Jor­ dan’s appointment. Maupin-Moore served as a city council member after being appointed in 2016. She resigned from the position in 2021, citing personal reasons. “One of the reasons why I stepped down from this board is because I feel like a lot of times the constituents’ needs (and) wants fall on deaf ears, and I do believe that happened again today,” she said. “You guys want to talk about supporting the city manager, and I think (you really) should have been support­ ing your own, Rick Krouse.” “I think you guys made the wrong deci­ sion tonight,” Maupin-Moore said. “Shame on you for not listening to your constituents once again.” Megan Jordan, Mark Jordan’s daughter-in­ law, told council members Mark comes from a family with many members in fire service and law enforcement and he would be moving closer to Hastings to fully dedicate himselfto his role. She said as long as everyone in the department works together to serve the people ofHastings, it doesn’t matter who’s in charge. “What you get with Mark is a family of service,” Megan Jordan said. “Mark has been a firefighter for a very long time. He’s very much a community man and willing to do whatever it takes, to step up for the needs of his community.” Council member Mandy Furrow reiterated that she would have liked to see the chief position go to Krouse. “We’re a small town. We stick together and look out for one another. If you do good things for your community and work and serve your way through those years, you should be rewarded for that,” Furrow said. “I respect our city manager, but as a lifelong city resident, I’d like to see this (position) go to Rick. I’m familiar with him and I respect him.” Tossava reiterated that he hoped Krouse would stay with the city despite not receiving the chiefposition. “I’ve already told Rick how I feel about him. I used to call him in the middle of the night and it wasn’t ever anything about a fire, Tossava said. “He always made me look good, and he makes the city look good. I hope he continues on.” Correction: Coverage in last week’s edition ofThe Hastings Banner incorrectly iden­ tified the two fire services officials who sat on a panel to assist City Manager Sarah Moy­ er-Cale in the hiring process. The two offioffi­ cials who sat on the panel were Fire Chief Kerry Minshall from the Mason Fire Department and Fire Chief Mike Burke from the Elba Township Fire Department. The Banner regrets this error. Moyer-Cale thanked Krouse for his work as the interim chief of the Hastings Fire Department and welcomed Jordan to his new role in Hastings. I would like to thank Rick Krouse for serving as the interim chief these past few months. He has done an excellentjob. He has gone above and beyond, especially at the beginning (when) there were very few breadclrumbs to follow to find a starting place for a lot ofthese things,” she said. “He showed his dedication and I greatly appreciate that.” S r rWife r lo^l % % �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 27, 2023 — Page 3 City approves bids for streetscape project totaling $3.5 million Plans for the Thomapple River Mill Project call for three residential buildings and commercial space for a community food market. Developers said the building’s brick facade and flat roof design were an homage to the historic Royal Coach building that formerly stood on the site. (Courtesy rendering) City gives Royal Coach housing development final .approval Hunter McLaren r. &' ? ’ ’* ■ StaffWriter ’ . t Hastings City Council provided its final approv­ al for a mixed-use residential development on the ■fermer Royal Coach site. Council members unanimously voted to approve the project’s final plans fol lowing'a public hearing at Monday’s meeting. The prqject,, titled the Thor­ > n^pple River Mill Project, will brihg:135 single, two- and three-bedroom housing units to the foritier Royal Coach site at 328 and 420 E. Mill St. Greg Taylor, representing developer CopperRock Construction, said at previous meetings the project would be completed in two phases. The first phase would include the housing units, parking and a promenade connecting the three residential build­ ings to the Thomapple River pedestrian bridge near Community Development Director Dan King Thomapple Plaza. Phase two would include the took a moment to recognize city staff for their efforts to move along several significant proj­ construction ofplanned farmer’s market and com­ mercial space on the lot. ects. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Dan King, community development director for the city, took a moment at Monday’s meeting to recognize city staff for their contributions toward moving several large projects forward. “We’re in exciting times,” King said. King said that alongside the Thomapple River Mill Project, the city is coming closer to begin­ ning its streetscape project, construction is due to start soon qn the Tyden Lofts project and the city is in the process ofapproving five new buildings at Meadowstone Apartments. “With a streetscape project and those three projects alone, we’re going to bring placemak­ ing and amenities to the city of Hastings, as well as housing that has been sorely needed for several years now,” King said. “Again, it is exciting times. As council members and staff, we should all be proud and happy ofthe accom­ plishments that are moving forward with more to come.” New master plan nets Barry County statewide award <r eras' n •« ini Jayson Bussa Editor With the ink still drying on The Barry County 2040 Master Plan, a statewide association ofpro­ fessional planners has already acknowledged it as one ofthe industry’s best. Earlier this month, the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP), which is the state’s chapter of the American Planning Association, announced that Barry County was a recipient of the Out­ standing Best Practice Award for the 2023 Plan­ ning Excellence Awards. The county’s planning commission will receive an award plaque to commemorate the honor and three ofthe central individuals that helped devel­ op the master plan are invited to the Planning Michigan Annual Conference in Traverse City on Oct. 4-6 to accept the award and give a presenta­ tion on it. Barry County Planning and Zoning Director Jim McManus and consultant Rebecca Harvey, who both worked with Kalamazoo-based cqtnrpu-. nity planning firm McKenna, will make the trip. A representative from McKenna will also be there. McKenna submitted Barry County’s master plan, which was approved by the Barry County Board ofCommissioners on Tuesda^moming, to be considered for the award. Harvey has served several years ofi the board of MAP and was familiar with the nomination and award process, explaining that plans are reviewed by a panel ofprofessional planners from outside the state. “This is totally not nothing - this is a big deal for you to get this and we’re really thrilled with this,” Harvey said during a county board meeting last week. sThe 204^pgg^iJpasterpJa^was put together by , the planning coimnission with the help ofHarvey and McKenna. It was subject to a public hearing last week after all of the county’s jurisdictions were given an initial look at it back in March. Some of the plan’s recommendations include designating areas of growth and concentrated development in the county, fostering the buildout ofbroadband communications across the county, working with communities on developing a countywide waterfront and shoreline protection plan and starting up discussions on growing infrastructure such as sewer and water. Hunter McLaren StaffWriter City council members approved construction bids and fees totaling $3.5 million for the upcoming downtown Hastings streetscape project. Sarah Moyer-Cale, city manager, said total costs for the project came in about $500,000 over initial estimates. The project will be pri­ marily funded by the Downtown Development Authority, using $800,000 from the DDA’s fund balance and $2.7 million in bond financing, which will be repaid by the DDA. Moyer-Cale said the DDA had agreed to pay more upfront and take on a bigger yearly pay­ ment when bids came back higher than expected. “We made some modifications to what the repayment amount would be on an annual basis for the DDA. We agreed with die DDA board that it would go up to approximately $200,000 a year,” Moy­ er-Cale said. “Our previous discussions had been that it’d be about $170,000 a year, so that gave us a little bit more room. We’re also supplying more cash upfront from the DDA’s fund balance to help with that difference.” The remaining cost of the project will be paid for using funds acquired through the sale ofthe Tyden Lofts property, as well as other city funds. The city would be left to cover somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000 ofthe project’s remaining cost, she said. Moyer-Cale said the city was eligible to apply for a grant through The Right Place Inc. and the Michigan Economic Development Cor­ poration for up to $650,000 to fund the project. “We will not know the success or failure ofthat (grant application) until September,” she said. “They can’t give us a definite amount on that. However, they are taking the almost unprecedented step offund­ ing projects that are already underway... so we can go ahead and move forward with this project.” If the city received the grant, it could mean the city wouldn’t be required to provide additional funds and the DDA could reduce its upfront contribution, she said. The redundant DDA contributions could then be used to fund other DDA projects. Council member Al Jarvis suggested that some amenities from the planned streetscape project could be cut to save costs. Jarvis pointed to cutting a planned public fireplace as a potential $84,000 cost-saving measure, citing his uncertainties about whether it would be popular or even ifit would be legally allowed given state and federal discussions about potentially banning gas-powered stoves. Moyer-Cale said while the council could take a more conservative approach and cut amenities from the project, she was confident the city would have no problem funding it even with the $500,000 price increase. Ifanything was to be cut from the project, Moyer-Cale said some walls could be cut from the project to save over $100,000. The fireplace was popular among residents who answered a public survey about the project and would serve as an important placemaking ele­ ment, she said. Council member Don Bowers asked what the purpose ofthe project was and ifit was included in the city’s budget. u j JteiR5°ject» which incudes renovations to, pedestrian area^ on State Street from Broadway Avenue to Boltwood Street, involves repairing ..sidewalks as well as providing-new amenities. A public fireplace, puh^ lie seating areas and mid-block pedestrian crosswalks are all part of the planned project. Moyer-Cale said the planning of the project started when the city noticed downtown sidewalks needed repair, many trees were dead or diseased and streetlights required repairs. “Those are all indicators that the existing streetscape as it is has really come to the end of its useful life and needs to be redone,” she said. “The fundamental purpose of this project is to create a more safe, welcoming environment for patrons of the downtown area. Since we’re doing this project anyway and we need to make these repairs, we have added the additional goal of improving placemaking elements to attract more visitors to the downtown and have them stay longer.” ■Hi* POSITION OPENING COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE VITAL RECORDS CLERK REPUBLICANS, continued from page 1 ii*1 *■#*£* ‘d^-» &■ »* took place just outside-ofthe room and that he did not witness it; JRpcha, wfyo ran a wrhe-in campaign for,state representative ifrDi strict 78 last election, admitted- that, at a state level, the GOP has been going through what he called “growing pains,” f .He and the Test of the Barty Coiinty GOPers are not letting those pains push them offtheir mission. “I’ve talked to Phillip about this, as well as the rest of our district, and I’ve said, ‘Look, we can focus on our county and what we can do county-wide and focus on what we can do district-wide,’” Rocha said. “Our district is very strong and very united, and we’re very prolific in getting out there and marketing and talking to people.” “Even if we disagree, it’s okay; we still love each other and appreciate it and con­ tinue on,” Rocha added. “That’s not hap­ pening at the state level at all. If you disagree at all, you’re something... you’re not part ofus.” Both Rocha and Joseph also pointed out that the GOP’s financial woes at the state level will impact top-of-the-ticket elections but wouldn’t necessarily impact local races. The Banner -reached out to State Representative'Rachelle Smit, one of the three state representatives with constituents in Barry County The Shel­ byville Republican had the following torsay. Mt seems as though We are facing a lot ofchallenges in our state party right now, but we need to remember that what we should be focused on and fighting for are the values and principles of what we believe in as Republicans, not each other,” Smit said over email. “It takes a lot ofpeople doing some­ thing to get things done. Republicans are motivated to *win at the local and state level more than ever. I see it and hear it all over my district. We know what it’s going to take, and I believe that we are learning to work together towards a stronger and more unified party to acconTplish victory in 2024.” Barry County Republicans won’t need to win anything back in the upcoming election as they hold all elected offices. But, because ofthat, Rocha said the local party was conscious ofnot getting com­ placent and that driving more Republi- Base Pay: $17.88/Hr. + Benefits Please send Resume to: Pamela A. Palmer 220 West State Street Hastings, Ml 490 Hastings Area School System Phillip Joseph can voters, out to the polls will help them hold ground in the county while also benefitting Republicans across the rest of the state. Joseph said that, despite belonging to a red county, the upcoming election is still crucial. “The Republican Party is here to get Republicans elected,” Joseph said. “We have had a lot oftimes in the past where people have just run, and they say, ‘I’m a Republican,’ but they have no affiliation with the Republican Party. Our main goal is to make sure that we actually have real Republicans that have real affiliation with our party get elected.” ™ Hastings Area School System is currently seeking bids for lawn care for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Interested parties are required to attend a pre-bid walk through Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 at 11:00am. Interested parties are required to meet at the Hastings Area School System Maintenance Building located at 232 W. Grand St., Hastings. Jon Rocha If you have any questions please feel free to call (269) 818-2284 or email dale.krueger@hasskl2.org J J *$$■$ >M $$<■■5$> %&J* >M<5> %&J*5 p r r r i*>i**x i*>if**ox *&ti4 W *w&v<ti4 BARBENHEIMER, continued from page 1 The COVID-19 pandemic was a death sentence for many movie theaters across the country, especially local and inde­ pendently-owned theaters. The GQT Hastings 4 emerged from the pandemic, but the movie industry has not been the same since. With more and more movies skipping theaters entirely and going directly to streaming services, it can be hard for theaters to keep up with the con­ venience of streaming from home. “Barbenheimer” could signal a light at the end of the tunnel for theaters, evi­ denced by the record-breaking box office numbers. ■O^W WW f “It’s just wild to see the response in our town, you know, being so amped about stuff like that, especially newer movies. When (new movies) come out, a lot oftimes you can stream things, and it goes that way nowadays,” said Miller. “But some of those movies are only playing in theaters now, which is fun to get people back. It’s been a huge response for us.” Woodland native Lily Kostanko, now a Grand Rapids resident, traveled to her home theater in Hastings to celebrate “Barbenheimer” weekend. Kostanko opted to make the trek to Hastings instead ofgoing to a closer theater, like a Celebra­ tion Cinema, due to price and nostalgia. ‘ The Hastings 4 is my home-court theater,” said Kostanko, “and it was only right to have my ‘Barbenheimer’ experi­ ence there. Plus, it is a lot cheaper than in Grand Rapids.” Though “Barbie” outperformed “Oppenheimer” at the box office, many committed to the double-feature experi­ ence, including this writer. The Hastings 4 and other theaters made the double feature convenient for movie-goers,,y offering a wide variety of showtimes. But the biggest challenge for the “Barbenheimer” experience often came down to which movie to see first, and, ofcourse, what to wear. “We had quite a few ladies come through with pink outfits, like really, big, pink cowboy hats,” said Miller. He even saw one theater-goer t show up with a light-up cowboy hat, a fashion statement Barbie herselfwould be proud of. “Everybody’s really been getting into it this year, which is kind ofnice with two movies that are basically polar opposites ofeach other,” continued Miller. At this point, it is unclear whether the successes of “Barbie” and “Oppen­ heimer” signal a change in course for the movie industry, one that takes movies back to theaters like Hastings 4. Despite the uncertainty, it is clear that there is still a certain magic associated with going to the movies. “The idea ofgoing back to the movies and being open and having those interac­ tions with people has been actually quite nice,” said Miller. “I’ve only been the acting theater manager here for about a month, so I’m still getting used to things, but it’s been a really, really great wel­ coming.” Hastings Area School System Hastings Area School System is currently seeking bids for snow removal for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Interested parties are required to attend a pre-bid walk through Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 at 11:00am. Interested parties are required to meet at the Hastings Area School System Maintenance Building located at 232 W. Grand St., Hastings. If you have any questions please feel free to call (269) 818-2284 or email dale.krueger@hasskl 2 .org �— The Hastings Banner IlrMyOfiin ion SCC Did you High Fashion Thinking about — my future me The 4-H Fashion Show made a return to the Barry County Fair this year after a brief hiatus. The event offers a bit of levity for youth that have worked so hard throughout the year to raise their animals and show them at the fair. Participants and their animals both wear fun, creative outfits for a one-of-a-kind fashion show. This is a photo of Alexis Konetzka, who was Reserve Champion of the event. She outlined her horse's spots with painter's tape and wore a paint smock, dubbing it “Painter and Painted Horse. Horse. ” Lailah Getter was crowned Grand Champion of this year's event. oyou remember ? Would you care for a joust? Banner May 26, 2005 Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism will present a program, “A Look at Medieval Life,” at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, at the Barry County Courthouse lawn to kick off the Hastings Public Library’s summer reading program. Members of the non-profit organization will make their presentation to start this summer's “Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds” series on Wednesday afternoons through July 30. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Have you met? Hastings native Morgan Johnson discov­ ered she had a passion for people while working as an intern at The Kellogg Com­ pany in Battle Creek. “I quickly found out that I am a lot more people-driven than I am money-driven. I am more about the causes that are going to help people than what we can do to make more money,” Johnson said. “Kellogg’s was great, but I could see that I wanted to work more for what the people needed.” Bom and raised in Hastings and a Hast­ ings High School graduate, Johnson attend­ ed Kellogg Community College before transferring to Western Michigan Universi­ ty. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in advertising and promotion with a minor in graphic design. Following her epiphany during her internship, Johnson began looking forr a role where she could utilize her talents while helping people. Johnson continued working in Battle Creek at a volunteer center before landing her current role at the Barry County United Way. She’s been there for 13 years, handling the nonprofit’s marketing and graphic design projects. Coming back to Barry County to work and raise her family was always part ofher plan, she said. “Barry County is a lot different than any other community,” Johnson said. “It’s a community where collaboration is key, and where we’re here to genuinely help others in the community. It’s not an ‘I’ game, it’s a ‘we’ game.” Johnson and her husband Brandon, also a Hastings native, wanted their kids to be able to receive the same opportunities they had growing up in Hastings. Their four kids, ages 10, .9, 7 and 6, all attend Star Elementary. Ifshe’s not working a commu­ nity event with United Way, Johnson said she’s likely attending one ofher kids’ sports events. If she’s not doing that, she’ll be attending a sports game that one of her nieces or nephews is playing. (Outside ofwork I’m doing) anything Morgan Johnson that my kids are involved in,” Johnson said. “I’m definitely going to be that mom that’s going to cheer competitions, basket­ ball games, football. We’re just at the start ofkids getting involved in everything, but I can already tell that we’re going to be involved.” As she raises her family, Johnson said it’s been an interesting experience coming into her own in Barry County. Granddaughter of Art Steward and daughter ofSteve Steward, Johnson’s family has been well-established in the Hastings community for many years. Although people still recognize her as Steve’s daughter from time to time, she’s also leaving her mark on Hastings. “My dad always lived with the legacy of my grandpa. We always lived with the leg­ acy ofmy dad,” Johnson said. “My dad has not passed away, but this new generation is coming through. We’re moving away from ‘I’m Steve Stewards’ daughter’ to ‘I’m Morgan Johnson’ now.” For dedicating herself to helping people in Barry County and forging her legacy, Morgan Johnson is this week’s Bright Light. Best advice I’ve ever received: God has control of everything? and whatever God’s will is for my life will happen. It’s in God’s hands, it’s not in my hands. His will is going to be the way my life goes. What I do outside*of work: Honestly, I immerse myself in my kids and being at work and helping thJ community. One of the things about working in an organization (like United Way), especially in Barry County, is it’s never eight-to-five. I live and breathe the work I do, so I never see it as, ‘Oh, my work is done at five o’clock.’ Any given night, I could be talking to someone (about my work) - you just don’t know when those things are going to happen. It’s never like an eight-to-fivejob, it’s your life. What the world needs more of: That just makes me think ofthat song. Honestly, this sounds so cliche but I think love is the biggest thing that we need in the world that we live in, and kindness. Music I listen to: I do love all kinds of music. I will say that we have seen Chris Tomlin probably five or six times, so that’s what plays in our house most of the time. That, or Disney. What I would tell a high school gradu­ ate: I won the Young Athena Award through the Chamber, and the year I won it I spoke at the Senior Tea for the girls. The advice I gave them was that your life is going to give you disappointments, but it’s how you move on from those disappointments and how you work beyond that that really brings out the best in you. I spoke about how sometimes what you think is going to work for you doesn’t work for you, and that’s okay. It’s about being okay with those different paths that your life might take. Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fan-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. As earnest as we are as a community to provide young people with alternative career paths from those requiring a col­ lege degree, we may be getting ahead of ourselves. How many times have we asked a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As kids head back to school in a few weeks, it’s important that we give them the support they need to find their place in a world that is filled with all kinds of messages and concerns. I’m just not sure that suggesting they focus on a career before they’re prepared to do so accom­ plishes the purpose ofa good education. Instead of that favorite question we adults continually ask children, maybe our most important - and appropriate advice should be to see and enjoy the journey ofdiscovery. For the last couple ofyears, my com­ pany has produced a book for Barry County fifth graders called My Future Me. We work with local schools to get students to think about their future and who they might want to be. We want to encourage children to dream about the things that interest them most. Not every kid is headed to college and has a special career in mind. Many will find something they have an aptitude for, such as an electrician, welder, plumber, builder, salesperson or landscaper. Their satisfaction may come in working for one of our local manufacturing companies. It really doesn’t matter - as long as they enjoy what they’re doing. Most kids may find it difficult to make career choices at such an early age, but imagining their future life and putting it in words is a process of becoming the total someone they want to be when they become an adult. Ask any adult, and I’m sure they have a story to tell about some of the things they did along their journey. It reminds me of“My Way,” a song made famous by Frank Sinatra. “Myfriend, III make it clear, I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain I’ve lived a life that’sfull, I’ve traveled each and every highway And more, much more, Idid it my way Regrets, I’ve had afew But then again toofew to mention ' Idid whatIhad to do, Isaw it through without exception Iplanned each charted course Each careful step along the byway And more, much, much more Idid it my way. ” The important thing for all of us is to find the joy in life that comes from hard work, struggling and learning. Joy comes from the process ofbecoming. “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind,” suggests chil­ dren’s author Dr. Seuss. Two people - public servants whose stories were featured in last week’s Ban­ ner - exemplify that advice perfectly. Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Roderick was 16 when he decided he wanted to be a police officer. He joined the military because he couldn’t afford college and spent 10 years as a military police officer. He then spent a year as a corrections officer before being accepted into the State Police Academy and then assigned to the Monroe post in 1997. After four years, Roderick transferred to the Hastings post and spent the rest of his career working in Barry County. Now, as he plans his retirement, Roderick says he can look back on all the relationships and special people he met and know they were all people who “just want to work together to make Barry County a better place.” Roderick enjoyed thejourney and is ready to enter the next phase ofhis life. Rick Krouse, Hastings assistant fire chiefwho is now serving as interim chief following the death of previous longtime Fire Chief Roger Caris, also began following his journey as a youngster. After 39 years with the Hastings Fire Department - 28 years as assistant chief - Krouse recently interviewed to achieve his ultimate career dream as official fire chief. And while he wasn’t ultimately select­ ed, his story still resonates for good reason. Krouse’s story is much the same as Roderick’s. “I’ve always wanted to be the fire chief since I became assistant chief,” says Kro­ use, who started as a volunteer and worked through the ranks as lieutenant and assistant chief. “I grew up here, went to school here, raised my family here and my family is in the fire department, as well.” “This is ajob we do out oflove,” added Krouse. “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t want to serve the public. Every member has to buy into it, and every member has to work toward that goal or else it will not work. I want to continue that process ofgetting that work done.” Both ofthese men charted their course and did what was necessary to fulfill a journey that provides the satisfaction of doing something they love. These are the kinds of stories we need to tell our stu­ dents to help them create a roadmap as they begin theirjourneys. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a fixed-minded way of thinking about children’s futures. It suggests they must choose one career, train for it and then do it for the rest of their lives. But that isn’t reality for most ofus. It’s most often after we graduate and actually enter the work world that we find what interests us. Maybe that’s why American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Kids today are under a great deal of pressure, especially when they begin to think about what they want to be some­ day. But if you read through our My Future Me booklets, you’ll be assured that kids haven’t really changed much, as they still want to be firemen, nurses, policemen, professional athletes, teachers and all kinds ofherpes. In' aJ survey •1 conducted * by online " resume-builder Zety, taken by more than 2,000 Americans, respondents were asked to examine their childhood dream jobs and their evolution to adulthood. The survey found that more than 6 in 10 failed to reach their childhood dream jobs. Sixty-seven percent ofrespondents stated they were not able to achieve their childhood vision dreamjobs, yet 58 per­ cent still dream about fulfilling their dreams. While some respondents said their childhood dreams evolved over time, the most common response was they “became more realistic.” One sur­ prising finding from the survey was that 82 percent ofpeople who did not fulfill their childhood dream jobs are not pur­ suing them at all in adulthood; they’re concentrating on the jobs they have today. It’s important for kids to have a dream job idea because as they grow and mature, as their life changes, they’ll learn to be flexible, patient and satisfied in life’s journey. This is what we should be telling our children. It’s not important that you decide today - it’s a process that will take a lifetime. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bus^a (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year In Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 4 4^ Cm asS CdlfejlWIII!65 JhiIb �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 27, 2023 — Page 5 Voting is central in restoring common sense and dignity to our society W^ RW S& >v W ^^'s-sSS*' ^^^'sS-&sSSSSNf*Ar' S S^S&SSNfAr SNA SS N*A? 1**$^.^) st % ■% s*' WlSSb^Sj;; &•• J A’ite "11“^^imta ^i^wtaaqta MtaawH w w eWtetcaj)^ e ecaj) : jfcritsnfavtttf/ hiw,nA,^m rina | tasMtatltH UtuitaMta IkBporaataferilofBsr^fcMjraW SKijOj'iDt&Kaahhri ^terotibtatK idaighnita^ta iWiinitaiMR Murn' Murn' HttHESf i rifMI | II | | WWre re KKrrprproo~~cece——ssss -G-G----itit-e -e --00i-i-'B'-B-ee «ui3drafli «ui3drafli itatffifte itatffifte ■ KHlsyitajuWtae taWm^’ I BK^uMisteailte fe**■<*« I1 taffeta' —fc^tatbewK"1’ wy gB js.vstft eawdmbi^* ^oJt ’ BBjol»«*F - -a OT p l if t t t e^^. tali8ioidiiHwW ^- U MUj/ iu;----- - - -- - i±iS**£J& £J&sS * . ^2 .-SScerHe5 *ce5r-He%^5^!;;^^ $<1’ 2*5 '2’*;5i,,i%«!f^: $<1 $S<r**1’ ’; t& H£«g sS te$ fit < ’ ^jjj,e« tnagnast^ * ^jjjetnanat^ jjje nana |&*i r<* / / s Jfjsft5 ^tiKl' We have become worse than third-world nations and are becoming not much different than Nazism and communism. But this can be changed by voting in people who are sane in their thinking, who have common sense and who believe in God and his teachings. Voting for people who know that by not indulging the selfish, fickle and sinful human nature and treating it as a virtue will help bring back a culture with common sense, dignity and protection for the most innocent. Joe Perotta Nashville Hastings school bond proposal makes sense for many reasons ' I’m careful when I vote because I want to make the best decision. Voting ‘yes’ on this (Hastings) school bond request, I believe, is the right decision. I believe it’s the right deci­ sion for several reasons. ; 1. The strength of a school, and the perceived quality ofa school system, is a signif­ icant factor in housing prices. So, even if you don’t have children or grandchildren in the school system or really don’t care about the school, the value of your home will be increased by voting ‘yes’ and improving the schools. I2. These current students are our future and the physical quality of a school abso­ lutely matters. When you walk into a nice hotel, you immediately feel good and are happy and proud to be there. The same is true of students walking into a school. When it looks good and is up to date, the students , feel better about their school and take more pride in being a student at that school. 3. As with any home fix-up, ifyou wait too long to fix a problem, the problem can become much worse and an initial inexpen­ sive fix can become a huge expense. That’s where the schools are. The roofs and win- dows and other fixes are right at the point where, if not fixed now, the expense to fix might be much greater in a year or two. This bond request is fair, is reasonable and is needed. The school is not asking for items and expenditures that aren’t truly needed. The bond is literally only a few dollars a month to each household, and our students deserve to be proud of their school and the facilities that they spend their days in. Please vote ‘yes’ on the bond request. Local state rep touts bills that Would keep gun sales private , allow CPL holders to carry on college campuses 0% ®LiboM* zz [ Republipaqja^^^pjn^Jp^qsei^ introduced a pair qfbills she hopes will .help to preserve the rights ofgun owners throughout the state ofMichigan. I Johnsen, ofLake Odessa, represents the 78th Dis­ trict and introduced the bills back in March, both of which were sent to different committees. ; “We drop these bills, introduce them and then we have to wait to see where they go,” Johnsen said. “Will they be discussed in committee? Will they go straight to the floor? Do they go nowhere? So, we’re sfill kind ofwaiting to see.” ' The tbills tackle two separate issues of gun sales and ownership. One, House Bill 4831, would prohib­ it! banks and credit card companies from requiring Michigan retailers to use specialized codes to flag firearms purchases. The other bill, H.B. 4285, would allow Concealed Pistol Licensed (CPL) holders to carry their firearms on college and university camptises. j Current law states that CPL holders cannot carry in dprms or classrooms while schools also have the djsci^tion to ban CPL holders from canying through the entire campus. ‘Johnsen said that the bill was inspired by the events that unfolded in East Lansing in February when a gunman opened fire on the campus ofMichigan (State University, killing three people and injuring five others. ■ MSU does not allow CPL holders to cany on its campus. j “It certainly was drawn from the MSU situation,” Johnsen said ofthe bill. “I’m a mother. I’m an aunt of college-age students. And it was horrifying to me to think that our students, our loved ones, are sitting on a campus just reading a book in the library, pre­ paring for a test, eating food in a food service area, in aiclassroom learning and they’re sitting ducks and nobody is allowed to have a firearm to stop a violent apt ofany kind.” Johnsen also contended that the legal red tape that CPL holders must adhere to in order to get their license- is enough of a safeguard to ensure that guns do not fall into the wrong hands. ..Meanwhile, H.B. 4831 would create the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which Johnsen saiTwould protect the privacy of gun buyers from having their information spnt to the IRS, another government entity dr even a marketing firm. “We want to protect the privacy ofthose that purchase anything really, but in this case, we’re honing w wJ w sf rw F f f <$• Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township will hold its second ' annual Family Community Funfest Saturday at j the Township Park, 1825 Parker Dr. I The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 2:30 (p.m. and will include Treasures in the Trunk, a fundraiser for the Gun Lake chapter ofthe General ‘Federation ofWomen’s ?lubs (GFWC), where club ■ members will sell items from the trunk of their | vehicles. Taxpayer money is not paying offthat debt. Contrast that with the student loan borrow­ ers mentioned in that letter. While it may be true “that tuition has been inflated,” that is an issue for another day; the question at hand is repayment of the loans the student freely signed for. Many students in the past have determined that while working part-time or full-time and going to college carrying less than a full load of classes may mean less time for partying, and may take an extra year of classes, the student would graduate debt free with no student loans hanging over them for the next 40 years. Under any government plan that wipes out or reduces any student loan debt, we the tax­ payers will be on the hook for all those bad decision(s) the student borrowers signed for and agreed to pay back. What “is fair” is for those whom signed for the student loans to get a damned job and pay offyour loan and not expecting us taxpayers to pay it. George Hubka Dowling NOTICE TO ACCEPT BIDS RUTLAND TOWNSHIP CEMETERY SIGN REBUILD PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: The Rutland Charter Township Board is now accepting bids on the rebuild of the Rutland Charter Township Cemetery sign at the Township Cemetery located on M-37 Hwy, Hastings, Ml 49058. • Project diagram is available at the Township Hall or on the Township website: www.rutlandtownship.org • Project requires masonry work. Including brick, block and poured concrete. • Township Hall office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9am to 3pm. The Rutland Charter Township Board reserves the right to reject any bids submitted that do not meet the boards approval. Robin J. Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)948-2194 202824 SPECIAL ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD HW THE: COUNTY OF BARRY STATE OF MICHIGAN Tuesday, august 8,2023 FOR SPECIAL ELECTION THE PLACES HOLDING THE ELECTION IN SAID MUNICIPALITIES ARE INDICATED BELOW: ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP BARRY TOWNSHIP CARLTON TOWNSHIP CASTLETON TOWNSHIP HASTINGS CHARTER TWP HOPE TOWNSHIP IRVING TOWNSHIP Rep. Gina Johnsen in on firearms because there seems to be so much attention on flagging those that have firearms as if they’re more dangerous than someone else,” Johnsen said. Johnsen has seen a number ofher Republican col­ leagues sign on to both bills, including fellow Repre­ sentatives Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) and Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville). H.B. 4831 was referred to the Committee on Insur­ ance and Financial Services and H.B. 4285 was referred to the Committee on Government Opera­ tions. Most committees will be on recess until Sep­ tember. But the legislation will likely not go far while Democrats hold the majority in both the House and the Senate, where they have passed legislation of their own intended to curb mass shootings, like safe storage and red flag laws. Still, Johnsen feels her bills will prompt important conversation. “Number one is education. Number two is to have a full conversation on it,” Johnsen said of what she hopes will come ofher bills. “Ifthe goal is truly safer ty r- and that’s what everybody says, both sides of the aisle, safety is the goal. We have the same goal, but what is actually going to get us to the goal?” Family Community Funfest on tap in Yankee Springs / After reading in a recent Hastings Banner that a fellow reader felt that “Student loan borrowers are stuck with almost no recourse,” I felt it was necessary to point out some dif­ ferences between the student borrowers and the others listed in the letter, who are able to file bankruptcy and whom such action(s) have an effect upon. Those who do not go to college most likely are out in the labor pool earning an income from day one, not sitting in some college classroom piling up massive student debt that the colleges and government make so easy for them to secure without any thought as to how they will pay it back. Lenders who make loans to borrowers for purchase ofa house, car, credit cards or busi­ ness expenses usually do a goodjob ofdeter­ mining who they will make loans to depend­ ing on both the borrower’s credit history and the likelihood ofsecuring repayment from the borrower and/or having collateral to recover toward the outstanding debt. If a borrower files bankruptcy against those creditors whom unwisely elected to loan to that person, those lenders “then eat the loss” for their mistake. All bidders must carry their own insurance and supply all their own equipment. Sealed bids will be accepted by mail or at the Township Hall, located at 2461 Heath Road, Hastings. All bids must be submitted by August 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Mike Schipper Middleville Jayson Bussa M11HAr J/Uexidiinia am Letter to the Editor: ■ America used to be a great country, and while not perfect, it was a light of freedom to people from nations around the world, a place unlike any other, where hard work, common sense, justice and a caring for decency abounded. ' But now we have allowed insanity to become the norm. In doing so, we have allowed compassion and caring, especially for the most innocent and defenseless in our county (i.e. babies, children and youth), to be twisted into a new definition that is defined as killing them ifthey are considered inconvenient to their mothers or allowing them to be deceived by the gutter culture politicians (and the schools they control) aroupd them into thinking that they are something they are not and to push mutilation of tijeirsouls, spirits and bodies. And, this is all done in the name ofprogress? Students loans are no excuse; borrowers do have recourse More than 20 vehicles are expected to participate. The event raises funds for the lending library locat­ ed inside Water’s Edge Floral and Gift Shop, which the club has maintained on the west side of Gun Lake for many years. The festival will also feature a dog costumer parade at 11 a.m. and a decorated bike parade at noon. A bounce house, games for kids and fire trucks will also be part ofthe event. Lunches from Schondelmayer Bar-B-Q ofHastings will be avail­ able for purchase. Precinct 1 Precinct 1 Precinct 1 Precinct 1 Precinct T Precinct 1 Precinct 1 Precinct 1 JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIPPrecinct 1 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 RUTLAND TOWNSHIP Precincts 1 & 2 WOODLAND TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 CITY OF HASTINGS Wards 1,2,3 & 4 BEDFORD TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 8094 Tasker Road, Bellevue, Ml 49021- Voting at Johnstown Twp. 3100 E. Dowling Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 155 E. Orchard Street, PO Box 705, Delton, Ml 49046 85 Welcome Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 915 Reed Street, Nashville, Ml 49073 885 River Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 5463 M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 3425 Wing Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 13641 S. M-37 Hwy., Battle Creek, Ml 49017 721 Durkee Street, PO Box 240, Nashville, Ml 49073 10115 S. Norris Road, Delton, Ml 49046 - Voting at Barry Twp. 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 156 S. Main PO Box 98, Woodland, Ml 48897 201 E. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 115 s. Uldriks Drive, Battle Creek, Ml 49037 TO VQTE ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITIONS LISTED BELOW: GULL LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL EXEMPTING PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND OTHER PROPERTY EXEMPTED BY LAW 2.90 MILLS FOR 11 YEARS FOR HEADLEE RESTORATION PURPOSES, IF NECESSARY Full text of the ballot propositions may be obtained at the administrative offices of Gull Lake Community Schools, 10100 East D Avenue, Richland, Michigan 49083, telephone: (269) 548-3400. HASTINGS AREA SCHOOL SYSTEM GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED 17,470,000 Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the adminis­ trative offices of Hastings Area School System, 232 West Grand Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, telephone: (269) 948-4400. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOL DISTRICT IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OB­ LIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERALADVALOREM TAXES. LAKEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCED $39,000,000 Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the admin­ istrative offices of Lakewood Public Schools, 223 W. Broad­ way Street, Woodland, Michigan 48897-9798, telephone: 616) 374-8043. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OB­ LIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENER­ AL AD VALOREM TAXES. Sample ballots may be viewed at www.mi.gov/vote. THE POLLS OF SAID ELECTION WILL BE OPEN AT 7 O’CLOCK A.M. AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 8 O’CLOCK P.M. ON THE DAY OF ELECTION. Absent voter ballots must be mailed to voters no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023. Registered voters may contact their local Clerk to obtain an application for an absent voter ballot. For any other questions relating to the election process, please contact your local Clerk: ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP BARRY TOWNSHIP CITY OF HASTINGS CARLTON TOWNSHIP CASTLETON TOWNSHIP HASTINGS CHARTER TWR HOPE TOWNSHIP IRVING TOWNSHIP JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP RUTLAND TOWNSHIP PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP WOODLAND TOWNSHIP BEDFORD TOWNSHIP Annette Terry Penelope Ypma Debra Knight Amy Hubbell Amanda Carothers Marcia Scramlin Anita Mennell Deborah Jackson Sharon Olson Sheri Babcock Holly Carpenter Robin Hawthorne Rod Goebel Elizabeth Busk Joyce Feraco 2 269-967-8032 269-908-1978 269-623-5171 269-945-2468 269-945-5990 517-852-9429 269-948-9690 269-948-2464 269-948-0633 269-721-3710 517-490-9510 69-948-2194 269-623-2664 269-367-4915 269-968-6917 PAMELA A. PALMER, COUNTY CLERK 203261 �Mt Page 6 — Thursday. July 27, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Thornapple Kellogg schools near completion on strategic plan update Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Kellogg Schools are nearing completion on an update to the district’s strategic plan. Last week, the TK Board of Education heard a presentation by Penny Kentish McWilliams, a consultant from the Michigan Association of School Boards, which has served as a consultant to the district during the strategic plan process that started last fall. The five-year plan serves as a roadmap to guide the district in the areas of academics, learning environment and culture, commu­ nications and community engagement, finance and operations. The plan is built around the district mission statement of “encouraging and developing the greatest potential of each student,” Superintendent Craig McCarthy said. More than 900 people tied to the district, including school board members, adminis­ trators, teachers, support staff and parents, provided input toward the crafting of the strategic plan. That included an online community survey that was conducted at the start ofthis year. “The board had the opportunity to fill out the survey (as well as) administrators, instructional staffand support staff- it was sent out to everybody in the district, but it was also sent out to parents as well,” McCarthy said. The school board then held a retreat with MASB consultants in March to discuss the strategic plan, followed by a separate meet­ ing involving administrators and consul­ tants. Then the district set up a series of community forums to seek additional input on the plan. “We had forums for our instructional staff and support staff, and then we had a number of meetings where community members could come in,” McCarthy said. “We also had a Zoom meeting where indi­ viduals could weigh in on the strategic planning process.” The new strategic plan is intended to dovetail into a new statewide initiative called the Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP), which seeks to improve student outcomes by assessing “whole child” needs to develop plans to coordinate funding. nv ‘jBviery year, school districts have to put together their school, and district improve­ ment plans. There were several different locations at the state that you would have Craig McCarthy to send information (to). Now, our strate­ gic plan will dovetail right into the MICIP program, because MASB has been work­ ing with the state on this, so that we’re not doing things two or three times over, McCarthy said. Once the board approves the strategic plan, the next step is implementation. “The board is setting those high-level goals, and now what we’re doing is putting together the implementation plan to achieve those goals,” McCarthy said. “The imple­ mentation plan is all how me, the adminis­ trative team and instructional staff will work to achieve the goals.” The district’s last strategic planning update, which occurred in the 2018-2019 school year, emphasized facility updates as well as academics. In November 2019, voters passed a $42.8 million bond issue for districtwide facility upgrades, includ­ ing additional classrooms at all three ele­ mentary schools and the construction of the district’s new Early Childhood Center, which opened last fall. The district will monitor results in each of the five targeted areas, and McCarthy will provide regular updates on progress toward meeting the goals in the plan. “This will be part ofthe evaluation pro­ cess for me (as superintendent). I’ll be reporting to the board what our achieve­ ments have been,” he said. “I’ll therefore be going to our administrators, (asking) ‘where are you on this process now?’ Hold­ ing everybody accountable keeps our eye oil... the end goals.’’ fl ,r<r The board is expected-rto approve thestrategic plan at its next meeting Aug. 14, McCarthy said. ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastinesfreemethodist.com Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p..m, SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. County planners OK Amish cemetery in Baltimore Twp Greg Chandler StaffWriter It took two votes, but the Barry County Planning Commission approved a proposal to create an Amish cemetery in the southern portion ofBaltimore Township on Monday. The site plan for the cemetery on a hilly 41-acre parcel, owned by Joseph Detweiler at 8200 S. Broadway Rd., gained passage after Commissioner Jack Nadwornik proposed locating the burial site as far away from a nearby stream as possible in an attempt to address concerns about chemicals from decomposing bodies leaching into the water. Burials would start as far back from the stream as possible and then move closer to the water over time. “If we start the farthest away from that stream, it will mitigate anything getting into the stream, into the water,” Nadwornik said in making his motion .for approval. Nadwomik’s proposal was approved on a 5-0 vote. An earlier proposal gained three “yes” votes and two “no” votes. Four “yes votes were needed for passage. Junior Dan Lambright and Robert Bender Sr. presented the cemetery proposal on behalf of their Amish community. The community already has a cemetery on Lawrence Road in the eastern half of Baltimore Township, but the applicants sought approval over concerns There will be no shortage of activity in Freeport on Sat­ urday, as the village hosts its Freeport Homecoming event. Freeport Homecoming will include a 4 p.m. parade, which welcomes pets (on a leash or in a cage), bikes, scoot­ ers, wheelbarrows and anything else human-powered. Noth­ ing with a motor is permitted in the parade. The event features a robust slate of activities and enter­ tainment, including: - Car show (9 to 10 a.m. on Main Street) and antique tractors (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Warren Street) - Automotive swap meet at Blough Automotive, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Fireman’s breakfast and fireman’s garage sale, 8 to 11 a.m.' - Freeport District Library book sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Turtle Derbyiat Blough Automotive (turtles provided), iO'a.M’ al j noinoq i > vortrM^ndar^pni Wrem8freqti,9a»m,itQ;i2 p.rti. - Comhole tournament at L&J’s, 11 a.m. - Horseshoe tournament at Shamrock, Noon - Free popsicles at Backwoods Trading Post, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Live music by Dirk at Chop Shop, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. - Live music by Lew Russ at Shamrock (backyard), 1 to 4 p.m. - Food, games and activities at Heinz General Store, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Historical Society Museum open, Noon to 3 p.m. - Paint the bug at Blough Automotive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Good Works Food Sale on Main Street, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Freeport Parade, 4 p.m. start; Line-up at 3:30 p.m. at Irving and Main • - Music on Main: The Blind Squirrels, 6 p.m. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: www.lifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. PLEAS ANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. 90th birthday open house Because you have shared in their lives by your friendship and love - we invite you to join in the celebration of 90 years of twins - Ronald and Donald Avery on August 5,2023 at Pleasantview Family Church, 2601 Lacey Rd. from 2 to 5 p.m. Special cake and MOO-ville ice cream will be served. A short program at 3 p.m. They request only the pleasure ofyour company. A Peace of Mind Seminar Presented by WGIRRBACH LONGSTREET c.e_ALDER law a £*3 ESTATE PLANNING P.C. s flexfab 945-4700 Elaine Garlock At the start of this week, the site ofthe Habitat house on Fourth Ave­ nue had a tall supply oftrusses and rafters on site in preparation for a future date when the house has some height to it. At present, the concrete flooring is in place and there are protruding cables to be used for in-floor heating. We await further developments. The clever bulletin board messag­ es at First Congregational Church continue with the latest one using puns such as “lettuce be kind,” “squash gossip” and “turnip for church.” Pastor Paul Reissman has begun a series ofsermons to highlight sever- al phrases included within the state­ ment of faith recently adopted by and for the congregation. This week’s emphasis was “being a vibrant beacon.” Bill Rogers’s ice cream place is getting yet some more inviting touch­ es. There is now a new black canopy for shade stretching over some ofthe tables. The sidewalk on Fourth Ave­ nue has new black chairs and tables. There are striped black and white umbrellas elsewhere on the premises. His business before COVID was all interior with attractive touches on the walls. It had interesting furniture. Now, the interior space is no longer for customer use. The best-laid plans ofmice and men... Governor’s free lunch program could negatively affect federal funding, school administrators say Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Governor Gretchen Whitmer pro­ vided free breakfast and lunch for every student in Michigan next year when she signed the 2023-24 state budget late last month. The measure will almost certainly reduce food insecurity among chil­ dren statewide and provide financial relief for Michigan families across all tax brackets. Public schools may also receive drastically less federal funding because of the measure as an unintended consequence. The issue came up at Monday’s Hastings school board meeting, in which Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement Beth Stevens outlined how the school receives federal Title I, II, III and IV funds. Stevens said the number of stu­ dents who qualified for federal free or reduced lunch programs in a dis­ trict was one ofthe primary drivers for how much federal funding the school received. Superintendent Matt Goebel said the school makes it a priority to get as many families to apply as possible to ensure the district receives as much funding as it can qualify for. “This is why we ask parents to apply for free and reduced lunch every single year, because the feder­ al government identifies on a per pupil formula,” Goebel said. “How do they identify students that are at risk? Well, one of(those ways is the) free and reduced lunch population.” Goebel said gathering as many applications for the free and reduced lunch program as possible has always been a priority ofthe district. Goebel said administrators are always thinking of ways to reach parents and tell them to. apply. Par­ ticipation rates are high among ele­ mentary-aged students and drop off as students get older, he said. “We really would like them to apply for it, even ifthey don’t take advantage of free or reduced lunch ever. This is one of the ways that schools can take advantage of increasing the funds in Titles, espe­ cially Title I and Title II,” Goebel said. “We want that number (of families who apply) as high as we can so that it increases the amount of(students eligible for federal) free and reduced lunch and we can get more money.” “The free lunch (provided by Whit­ mer’s budget) is a great thing,” Goeb­ el said. “But at the same time, it may steer people away (from applying for federal free and reduced lunch).” Stevens said she could foresee Whitmer’s new statewide free lunch program causing a decrease in fami­ lies who apply for the federal free and reduced lunch program. Because students will be getting free lunch regardless, families will be less incentivized to apply. It’s something the district has seen before. Stevens said the district’s Title I funds hit an all time low in 2020, coinciding with federal uni­ versal free lunch programs as a result ofthe CO VID-19 pandemic. Stevens said the number ofparents who filled out federal free and reduced lunch applications dropped drastically. “I think that’s increasingly going to be a problem for us this coming year, with the governor’s new bud­ get (providing) everyone with free lunch and breakfast,” Stevens said. 6:30 PM Hmks HIMKUfUIV 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. FUNERAL HOME Wednesday, August 16,2023 Flborgla.a Hastings 945-9554 vaults are not required by state or federal law, Planning Commission Chairman John LaForge said. Adams then raised concerns about who has oversight over the new cemetery. Balti­ more Township has oversight over its ceme­ tery, he said. “It’s a private cemetery,” LaForge said. “If it’s approved to go in there, they have the obligation to follow the state of Michigan rules and regulations. That’s something that the Department of Health, I would imagine, would have to oversee ifthere is anything in there for them to oversee.” According to plans presented to the county, only about 1.1 acres ofthe property would be developed for the cemetery. The property has gone through a perc test before the site can be developed, County Planning Director Jim McManus said. In other business Monday, commissioners approved a request by Detweiler and his wife, Dora, to operate a bakery as a home occupation at their home on East Bristol Road in Johnstown Township. The Detwei­ lers have been operating the bakery as a cottage business. Commissioners put in a condition that the business, which will have customers coming to buy their baked goods, comply with provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Freeport Homecoming slated for July 29 This informationon worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. that some members have to cross M-37 in their horses and buggies to attend burials at the Lawrence Road site. “The community is just getting bigger. We just wanted another cemetery further over at the other end (ofthe township),” Lambright said. Detweiler agreed. “We need one at this end ofthe communi­ ty, and not having to cross the road (is import­ ant),” he said. It is estimated that there are about 415 Amish people in Barry County, according to a 2022 census conducted by Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, which extensively studies Amish life and culture. Two years earlier, that population was about 345 people, according to the college’s website. Some neighbors spoke out against the cem­ etery proposal. “I really don’t understand. They have a cemetery already on Lawrence Road. Our townships are not that big,” said Scott Adams, who owns property to the north ofthe parcel. “We have one cemetery for all ofour township ...I don’t see that there’s a need for them to put another cemetery right down next to us.” Concerns were also raised about how buri­ als are conducted - such as bodies not being buried in a vault below ground - and whether the burials follow state regulations. But burial MlteMtEf^ial 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Walldorff Ballroom 105 East State Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Topics of Discussion ♦Asset Preservation ♦Long Term Care ♦Funeral Preplanning Reserve yourseat by calling 269-945-3252 Appetizers will be provided 'This is why we ask parents to apply for free and reduced lunch every single year, because the federal government identifies on a per pupil formula. How do' they identify students that are at risk? Well, one of (those ways is the) free and reduced lunch population.” — Matt Goebel, Superintendent, Hastings Area School System If’1* «****^ « �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, Juty 27, 2023 — Page 7 W' >< iS W N St hM ? Honte^n % Nix’* Nst Thefollowing was read before the Barry County Pioneer Society in 1903 by Mary Lewis Hoyt ofKalamazoo, daughter of“Yan­ kee " Bill Lewis, founder ofYankee Springs. Banner June 18, 1903. On the afternoon of a summer’s day, August 26, 1836, nearly 67 years ago, there might have been seen a covered wagon con­ taining a stalwart man of 34 years and five children between the ages of 11 and two years, driving through the then unbroken wil­ derness of Barry County, in the Territory of Michigan. Accompanying this wagon was a woman on horseback, carefully guiding her gray sad­ dle horse over the rough roads of the new Country. She had, in this way, performed near­ ly the whole ofthejourney, their having start­ ed from Weathersfield, Genesee County, New York, three weeks before, taking Canada in their route and expecting to settle in Indiana. This party consisted ofmy father, William Lewis and Mary Goodwin, his wife, three daughters and a son, also an adopted daugh­ ter, Flavia Stone. We were at this time about to spend the night with an older brother (of William’s), Calvin Lewis, who came to Mich­ igan a few weeks in advance ofus and settled at Yankee Springs, but the result was that we settled there also. I was a child of four years at the time, so the words of my mother will best describe our coming into Michigan: “After leaving Detroit, the road was mostly through dense woods, Marshall, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo being marked by little clus­ ters of houses surrounded by forests. After leaving Kalamazoo, we passed through Gull Prairie, now Richland, and met Leonard Slat­ er, located there on the Indian Reservation, as a missionary to the Indians of the Pottawatomi tribe. Leaving this place, we plunged into the wilderness andjourneyed 18 miles farther through the woods without see­ ing a single habitation.” Tired and trav­ el-worn, weary and hungry, we halted at nightfall in a lovely valley in the wilderness where a log house was in the process oferec­ tion. Living springs ofclear cold water were gushing from a bank, and on a nearby poplar tree, someone had fastened a shingle marked “Yankee Springs.” A welcome was given to us by our rela­ tives, and the log cabin of two rooms was shared together. A quilt was hung over the door space, and the windows were boarded. A supper was served, and we settled down for the night. Dismal tales have come to me of those first nights in the forest, that the bark­ ing ofwolves broke the stillness ofthe hours, and that the glittering eyeball of the panther looked down upon us with no friendly gaze. Why we settled there, I do not know. Per­ haps it was the pure springs of water that attracted us; perhaps it was to avoid the wea­ riness of furtherjourneying. My father located 1,000 acres ofland there, and it soon grew to be an attractive place. We endured in common with all the early settlers the trials and privations ofpioneer and fron­ tier life and lived to see the wilderness sub­ dued and surrounded by all that pertains to a later civilization. In this thick forest, the land entirely unclaimed, we settled. The woods were filled with Indians, and our nearest white neighbor, Calvin G. Hill, was eight miles dis­ tant from us, and from Middleville to Ada, the direct route to Grand Rapids, was a dense forest, an unbroken wilderness without an inhabitant. But we were not alone. The fur trader and the speculator were abroad in the land, and to fill the increasing demands ofthe weary traveler, our little cottage oftw o rooms was extended, building after building, until we occupied “nine stories on the ground” and became the “halfway house” to ail the country round. But one portion of the old building now remains — a mute witness of bygone times, when the stagecoach was the means of rapid transit and the ox team the ordinary method. Since the erection of that pile of buildings, Chicago has grown from a frog pond to be the second largest city in the coun­ try, and innumerable cities have sprung into existence everywhere. Telegraphs and telephones were unheard of, and autos and bicy­ cles; to have even thought that human beings could be rushed about in such ways, would have relegated one to an insane asylum, except that Michigan did not boast ofone. People were all supposed to be level-head­ ed in those days. Together, this husband and wife labored and toiled, their chiefdesire seeming to be to give happiness to those about them. With a hospitality that was proverbial and a generos­ ity that cannot be measured by ordinary meth­ ods, they greeted all who came. The man without money was treated as well as the man whose pocket bulged with the currency ofthat day. Ministers of all denominations, irrespec­ tive of creed, were entertained free of charge but were expected to hold an evening service in our large dining room, and men were sent out to notify the neighbors to that effect. The first Episcopal service I ever heard was ren­ dered there by Dr. Francis Cumming, who was journeying to Grand Rapids to settle over St. Mark’s Church in that city. ■Humin 12:45 Wapil'G frcSKRitMl seriesofswloffi^ taa. tstataxitadjlto cHfitfloEfaalfae, 11 l^^l0iai>2p> {ohm's teliidw* nejitMjifikMW stttaOW «-* Ueinasiit’i11* j The above cut was taken from a Main Street scene in Hastings in the early 1850s. The gentleman in the buggy is the late Henry Hoyt of Kalamazoo. The second one from the left is said to be the late Dr. Wm. Upjohn, while the one with the plug hat was the late Alvin Bailey. The mother of the pony shown in the picture was the one upon which Mrs. Wm. Lewis rode into Barry County. ^Doctor Universe Scratching the itch Of d115 d iVW 2® ig: sgg Why do we get rashes on our skin? Claire, 9, Va. Dear Claire, I’ve been allergic to fleas ever since I was a kitten. Flea bites give me an itchy, red rash. I talked about why that happens with my friend Bevan Briggs. He’s a nurse practi­ tioner and professor at Washington State University. Nurse practitioners are nurses with advanced training. They diagnose ill­ nesses, order tests and prescribe medicine. Briggs told me that often rashes happen when the immune system gets turned on. The immune system is the body’s defense system. “It’s the way our body tries to protect us from germs and poisons,” he said. “Rashes happen because your immune system iden- tifies something as foreign-either an infec­ tive agent or some kind oftoxin.” When a flea bites me, it punctures my skin with its sharp mouthparts. Then, it feeds on my blood. A little bit of the flea’s saliva drips into my body. My immune system knows that flea sali­ va isn’t part ofmy body. It’s an invader-and invaders could be dangerous. So, my immune system sends out special cells and chemicals to deal with it. Some ofthe chemicals my immune system activates are called histamines. They do a couple things. They send signals to rev up my immune response. It’s like screaming, “Over here!” Histamines also cause my blood ves­ sels to become a little bit leaky. Both those things help my immune system get special cells and chemicals to the right place. They also cause symptoms like my rash. We were in very close touch with the peo­ ple of Grand Rapids in the early days and visited often in their amities. Much of our trading wass done there, and although 38 miles distant from tis, we made frequent journeys there- I remember seeing Louis Campau and Rix Robinson - those grand pioneers — the earliest. Their names should never be forgotten by us. They were here in the early 20s, and none who came after exceeded them in powers of endurance or the cheerfulness with which they bore the hardships and toils of that period. The Withey family, the Moreaus, the Godfreys, Morrisons, Mary A. White, Henry R. Wil­ liams, the Almys, P- R- L. Pierce, Canton Smith, an early hotel keeper ofthat city, the Rathbones, early settlers there, who built a large hotel and opened with a big dance. (I was there and danced all night.) Mrs. T.B. Church, that noble pioneer woman who played the organ ofSt. Mark’s Church for 50 years and is still living in that city, her gifted son Frederick Church, then a babe in arms, now celebrated worldwide as an artist — all these and many more were household names with us, and went to make up a part of our family life in a time when there were few social barriers, and man felt and needed the sympathy and encouragement ofhis brother man. Society in those days was very primiprimi­ tive. There was little courtesy and less polish but much kindly feeling and appreciation of the genuine. There were no social corrup­ tions, and parents had little fear for the mor­ als of their children. Domestic scandals were exceedingly rare, and divorces were almost unknown. Those pioneers in coming to Michigan had calculated not so much upon their own imme­ diate advantages as upon giving their children a chance “to grow up with the country,” and their first work was to inaugurate a good school system, which has been well devel­ oped by those coming after, and today Michigan leads in her grand educational advantag­ es. Children in those days prized their few advantages and even excelled in general knowledge and application more than many college-bred students oftoday. My father was a man of indomitable cour­ age and perseverance - never discouraged always happy, and with a fund ofhumor, wit and storytelling rarely excelled. He was just the one to lead in settling and establishing a new country. He planned largely and liberal­ ly and was able, with his perseverance and strong health, to carry out his plans and, by his personal magnetism, encouraged others to work and persevere also. He was the first to contract for carrying the U.S. Mail through that portion o tatporton of te the country.In country. In te the first rstconcontract,'he was assisted 6^ General1 Withey df Grand Rapids. This route was from Battle Creek to Grand Rapids. Later, a contract was taken to carry the mail from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids. Lines of stages were put on, and several coaches a day were started from these points, all meeting at Yankee Springs, “the halfway house,” for refreshment ofpas­ sengers and change of horses. For many years, this was the only route through the woods from Battle Creek and Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, and until other roads were opened up, it made for very lively times at the old house. The Yankee Springs post office for a long time supplied the adjacent country, Hastings coming there with others for the mail. Letters xMere luxuries rare and costly in those days. Envelopes and postage stamps were unknown; We wrote on three pages ofpaper, foldingnt so the name could be written in the middle pfthe fourth, sealing it with a wafer, directed and paid our 25 cents postage on it or left it to be collected by the person to whom it was addressed a just as we chose. Sometimes, it wass difficult for the old settler to produce the 125 cents to pay the postage, and he had to earn it before he could claim his letter. So, my rash isn’t caused by fleas directly. It happens when my: immune system responds to the flea saliva. Sometimes invaders-fike some virusesdamage cells before the immune system gets there. That can cause a rash, too. The immune system will serise the damage. It will send immune cells,and chemicals to fight the virus and fix the damage. Most of the time, the immune system works well. Without it, we would be sick all the time. But sometimes it gets a little overeager. That’s like my flea allergy. Flea saliva isn’t going to kill me. But my immune system launches a huge response anyway. That can happen if someone is allergic to a medicine, too. Sometimes the immune system gets con­ fused. It may recognize the body’s healthy cells as invaders and try to fight them. That’s called autoimmunity. It can also cause rashes. Briggs told me that rashes often get better on their own-but it’s a good idea to talk to a nurse practitioner or other healthcare pro­ vider if you have a rash. They’ll help you figure out what’s causing the rash and how to treat it. That’s awe-flea good news if you’re itchy. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. fl look DacK at the stories and eoloms on local history In the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES My father and Rix Robinson built the first bridge across the Thomapple River in 1838. The road then ran on the old Indian trail across Scales Prairie. In 1838, my father also built the first bridge across the Coldwater Stream on Section 35 in Caledonia. Split logs were used for flooring, pinned down by wooden pins. He, in company with some oth­ ers, started in 1849 to build a plank road that was to run from Galesburg to Grand Rapids. A good deal oftime, energy and capital were expended on this scheme, but it was finally abandoned. There was a period when the Yankee Springs property was considered very valu­ able, and the Rathbones in Grand Rapids wished to change their hotel property for our own - we to retain the farmlands. This Grand Rapids property is now worth several hun­ dred thousand dollars and is the present loca­ tion of the Widdecomb building, comer of Monroe and Market streets, and the other, deserted and forsaken and requiring a stretch of the imagination to believe it was ever of great importance. Wheat and potatoes at this early date brought fabulous prices, but the table was always well supplied with the essentials and with many delicacies. Great care and atten­ tion was given to the large garden of several acres that lay across the road from the old house. No vegetable or flower then heard of was not grown there. The light soil, highly enriched by muck taken from the marsh, was , calculated to bring them'forward to speedy i perfection. The mostJltisciotis fruits, melons and vegetables were grown in abundance, all luxuriating in the new warm soil ofthe val­ ley. Arbors were filled with choice grapes, peaches ripened in the sun, and flowers - the good, old-fashioned flowers of that day grew in abundance. Celery, the first grown in Barry County (and perhaps in the state), was raised there. Tomatoes were raised. They were first called “love apples,” and we grew them for their beauty, but soon learned to eat them. Men were constantly employed in car­ ing for the ground. Water was supplied for use by wells dug on the ground. We were ten years in advance of the Mich­ igan Central railroad. We heard rumors ofits approach, but so slow was it in coming that the old stagecoach kept right along its undis­ puted way for many years. The Central was built by the state and in sections; starting from Detroit in 1836, it reached Ypsilanti in 1838, Ann Arbor in ’39, Jackson in ’41, Mar­ shall in ’44, Battle Creek in ’45 and awoke the echoes in Kalamazoo Feb. 2, 1846. At this period, the state sold the road to the Michigan Central, and six years later, in May 1852, the road reached Chicago. That vener­ ated relic ofthe past - the old stagecoach - The above half tone of “Yankee Bill Lewis,’’ as he was familiarly known, was taken from a daguerrotype taken ih Detroit in 1846, when he represented Barry and Allegan counties in the state legislature, Detroit then being the Capitol of the state. can be commended for bringing people to a common level, making them acquainted with each other and tolerant of each other’s opin­ ions. You may ride all day in a railway car by the Side of a man, and he may not deign tb converse, but ih the old coach,'s'ilehCdJft5linp a tongue and unsociability a voice. Common want made them companions, and common hardships made them friends. Michigan was the 13^ ofthe new states to come in on an equal footing with the original 13, and her acceptance doubled the count of the states, making her the 26^ state to come into line, and the people ofMichigan accept­ ed their place as citizens with unbounded confidence in its future, which has increased with their years and her growth. January 26, 1837, marked the day of her birth, and her proclivities at that period were strongly democratic. Michigan went into the banking business as soon as she was admitted into the union, and a great variety ofbills ofdifferent denominations were soon issued, such as “red dog,” known by a red line running through them, “blue pup” having a blue line, and “wild cat,” all in gray like the animal it represented. Everybody felt rich for a while, but the reaction came in a very short time and soon money matters were settled on a more solid basis. Part 2 of “Founding of Yankee Springs ” will be released in next week s Turning Back the Pages. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for July 28-Aug. 3 July 1-31- July Story walk Book: “Beyond the Pond” by Joseph Kuefler. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, July 29 - Gala in the Garden, 6-9 p.m. Celebrate the Institute at their largest fundraiser of the year, formerly known as a Latesummer Night’s Green. Aug. 1-31 August Storywalk Book: “Berry Song” by Michaela Goade. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Tuesday, Aug. 1 - No Family Left Indoors: Play off the Beaten Path, 6-7 p.m. Play outside with yard Yahtzee, Bocce ball, minute-to-win-it games and explore the natural world with bark rub­ bings and DIY nature journals. This week’s free No Family Left Indoors event is organized by the Hastings Public Library and will be held at Riverside Park in Hastings. Wednesday, Aug. 2 - Dog Days of Sum­ mer: Doggy Party on the Trails, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Institute members may participate in the dog hike for free; non-members must pay $8 to register. Thursday, Aug. 3 - Field station end of summer celebration, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Writ­ ers’ readings will take place at 7 p.m. This event is free to all. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, July 27 - Movie Memories & Milestones will enjoy a double feature start­ ing with a 1948 film starring Kristine Miller, Arthur Franz and Ross Ford and followed by a 1945 film starring Tom Neal, Ann Savage and Claudia Drake, 4:30 p.m.; Useful Plant Walk at Bliss Park and Food Forest, 7 p.m. Friday, July 28 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 31 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mah­ jong and chess, 5 p.m.; No Family Left Indoors at the Thomapple Plaza, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Writers’ Night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, July 27, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Michigan’s police officer shortage becoming dire Ron French Bridge Michigan In 1992, early in his law enforcement career, Larry Weeks applied for one of 16 openings in the Grand Rapids Police Department. There were 250 applicants. Three decades later, Weeks is the police chief in mid-Michigan’s Eaton Rapids, and can’t find people who want to be police offi­ cers.. He had five vacancies out of 10 fulltime positions in 2020. He now has eig t officers, but still being short two employees means the chiefhas to pick up the occasional weekend graveyard shift along with his man­ agerial duties. “It’s notjust us, most employers are strug­ gling to hire good quality folks, Weeks said. “We’re competing against everybody.” ' Police departments across Michigan are struggling to fill positions, with the number oflaw enforcement officers statewide shrinking more than 4,500 since 2001 (a decline of 19 percent), and down about 900 in just the past three years. Worker shortages are common across many fields in Michigan. With a current unemployment rate of3.6 percent - the lowest in the state in 23 years - private business­ es and public agencies alike are having trou­ ble finding qualified job candidates. But some worker shortages have bigger impacts than others. Police point to a decrease in road patrols as one reason accident fatalities are rising. With fewer officers on the street, it can take longer to respond to 911 calls. Stress from mandated overtime prompted by police officer shortages leads to bum out and resigna­ tions, exacerbating the problem. “I think most people don’t realize the fra­ gility of our public safety systems,” Weeks said. “Eventually people are going to call 911 and it’s going to take longer and longer for people to show up.” ‘Where did everyone go?’ The police officer shortage is a national issue. With jobs available in many fields, law enforcement positions that offer the opportu­ nity for public service - but also modest-pay Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller says police work is more dangerous and stressful because of a critical shortage of officers. (Bridge photo by Ron French) 203312 JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL TO:THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board of Johnstown Township, on the basis of petitions submitted and as authorized by PA 188 of 1954, as amended, proposes to undertake an aquatic plant control project (with associated activities) in the Bristol Lake Channel in Johnstown Township as more particularly described below and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment district within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed include parcels with frontage on the channel in Bristol Lake in Johnstown Township and are more particularly described as follows: BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: 08-09-190-013-00 08-09-200-'083-00 08-09-200-072-00 08-09-200-078-00 08-09-190-015-00 08-09-200-073-00 08-09-200-075^00 08-09-200-080-00 08-09-200-084-00 08-09-200-069-00 08-09-200-081-00 08-09-200-086-00 08-09-200-070-00 08-09-200-077-00 08-09-200-082-00 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed aquatic plant control project, associated activities, any proposed improvements and locations thereof, together with an estimated total project cost of $13,500, which includes administrative costs, which is the amount to be raised by the special assessment district. The Johnstown Township Board has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to create the afore-described special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has placed the project plans and cost estimates on file with the Township Clerk and said plans, cost estimates and the proposed special assessment district may be examined at the Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF and high stress - are proving less attractive Afri­ than in the past. High-profile killings of Africcan Americans by officers, including the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 22020, affected publie attitudes toward police and made recruitment even more of a challenge, particularly in communities ofcolor. According to data from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), the state agency that offers certification for police officers, there were slightly more than t 23,000 police officers working in Michigan in 2001. Today, the figure hovers around 18,500. There’s no official atate tally ofpolice officer job openings, but police officials across the state who spoke to Bridge Michigan said the number of openings and the difficulty attracting candidates is unprecedented. The MCOLES website lists job ads from 88 Michigan gp police agencies g pposted since June 1, a “huge increase” over past years, said Joe Kempa, acting deputy executive director ofthe agency. The Macomb County Sheriff’s office had 40 of its 230 deputy positions open recently, but a recruiting class has dropped the short­ fall to about 20, said Macomb SheriffDepart­ ment Commander Jason Abro. “There’s a big financial impact (of officer shortages) because of overtime,” Abro said. “We have a 24-7 Operation and there are shifts you have to fill.” Retirements are outpacing new hires, Abro said, putting constant pressure on the remain­ ing deputies to work more hours. “I don’t understand, where is everyone?” Abro said. “You go to restaurants and they’re short staffed, too. My brother’s working 80 hours a week because he can’t find help. “Where did everyone go?” At the Kalamazoo County SherifFs Depart­ ment, one third ofpatrol officer positions (16 of48) are open. “We’re killing it With overtime and our people are getting worn out,” said Kalamazoo Sheriff Richard Fuller. “The people (we have) are leaving us for other positions. I was at the National Sheriffs Association confer­ ence (recently) and everyone was talking about this. Everybody has this problem.” Fuller has worked in law enforcement for 39 years and said it’s never been this difficult to hire officers. “Our pool of people that we used to have to choose from is now a puddle,” he said. Part of it is that, with nearly full employ­ ment in the economy, people have many choic­ es, Fuller said. Meanwhile, public respect for police has dropped in [ecent years, following thetfldHinig ofFloyd\ahd other, cases,ofpolice misconduct. Just 27 percent of Black adults had a great deal or quite a.lot ofconfidence in police in a 2021 Gallup poll; 56 percent of white adults said they were confident in police. “I’ve had parents say ‘I’m not sending my kid to a profession and being demonized in their career,”’ Fuller said. Fuller apologized for speaking to a Bridge Michigan reporter in his cluttered office rather than a nearby conference room, which was being used to interview a candidate for a county jail position. When someone walks in expressing interest in a position, depart­ ment officials make time to talk to them immediately. To lure employees, the sheriff’s office is now paying $10,000 in academy training that in the old days - when recruits were aplenty - officers paid for themselves. The depart­ ment pays the recruits nearly $1,000 a week while they take that 16-week training, and offer a $10,000 signing ponus. By the time they are ready to hit the streets, taxpayers have invested more than $35,000 in a new deputy. All too often, Fuller said, fresh­ ly minted deputies quit within a year or two and take a hiring bonus at another department. There’s currently a bidding war going on among some Kalamazoo: County law enforce- Eaton Rapids Police Chief Larry Weeks said he sometimes pulls overnight patrol , shifts because of staff shortages. (Photo provided) ment agencies, with the sheriff’s department’s $10,000 signing bonus being met and raised by $15,000 bonuses at the city police depart­ ments ofKalamazoo and Portage, Fuller said. Calls to those departments were not returned. Pension systems used to keep police offi­ cers in one department for a career, because pensions take years to become vested. Today, most pensions have been dumped for 401(k) retirement accounts that typically are portable between jobs. The result is police officers “department-hopping” for bonuses, better hours and higher wages, said Matt Saxton, executive director of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association. “That’s not putting more officers on the street, it’s just changing the street they’re patrolling,” Saxton said. Adds Fuller, “We?re all faced with this huge dilemma where we want to make sure that people that are brought into this profes­ sion understand that this is an honorable profession, and that it’s • something that we would hope that they come in with the mind­ set that they’re here to protect their commu­ nity, be a part oftheir community and grow their community. And that’s a really difficult thing to get across to people who sometimes mightjust be looking for the nextjob.” Robert Stevenson, executive director ofthe ■Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said the public suffers when there are signifi­ cant police shortages. “When you’re short, you start to cut things like community service (and) DARE (drug education) officers,” Stevenson said. “You have fewer detectives, fewer school resource officers.” The Kalamazoo Sheriff’s office has fewer officers on traffic patrol, which some studies say leads to more traffic fatalities, and 911 calls where fewer officers respond to an inci­ dent than Fuller would like. “There are calls happening now where you’re sending one person to, that should be two or three (officers),” he said. “There are calls that you send two people that you might need four, and it’s just not happening. “I swore in (as an officer) a young man yesterday and he is going to be out there responding to calls with fewer backup people than I ever had (when Fuller was a patrol officer), with more violent calls on a regular basis, with more mentally unstable (people) and more drug situations,” he said. “I have more mandatory overtime than I’Ve ever had before,” said Fuller, now in his 14th year as sheriff. “They have to go from one high stressful call to the next. And then they go home but they went home hours late because of overtime. And then they have to • be in tomorrow. And it really cuts into the$ time a body needs to recover.” Earning more hauling trash Stevenson, ofthe police chief association?1 said “no state has figured out” how to erase > law enforcement officer shortages, but Mich­ igan departments and the state Legislature are scrambling to find solutions. The chiefs association has put together a promotional video as a recruitment tool and individual departments are advertising on social media. One department, which Kalam­ azoo’s Fuller wouldn’t name, is spending money on a digital billboard in Kalamazoo to lure recruits to a nearby community. “I know for a fact that we have higher wages and better benefits than that depart­ ment,” Fuller said. He checked into the possi­ bility of a billboard of his own, but decided I the cost wasn’t worth it. The kind ofsigning bonuses the KalamazooJ Sheriff’s office has used since the fall of2022 are becoming more common. Some depart-^ ments are now trying to distinguish themselves,c; by offering more flexible work schedules. It’s ajob candidate market now, and police departments have to adjust, said Chad Trussler, labor representative for the Michigan Association of Police labor union. “I’ve toldr ( administrators, ’Hey,, you neqd .them more// than they need you^|becqqs&v^}ji.can down the road.’” Last year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer,,, announced $30 million in grants to help departments pay for police academy recruits,;, and in April the Legislature passed a bill that allows departments to recoup all or some^, training costs from recruits ifthey leave for;-, another department within four years. In Eaton Rapids and many other small departments, low pay is part ofthe problem,, Chief Weeks said. The local waste manage­ ment service advertises starting salaries of/ $24 an hour, with pay rising to more than $3Q/ an hour. Eaton Rapids starts its officers at about $20 an hour. “When you can be a garbage person and,-, make more money and have peace of mind,? (compared to the stress ofpolice work),” car-j < rying a badge for less money makes recruit-, q ment a challenge. When Weeks was young, his father was almost shot in a robbery. That’s when Weeks decided he wanted to be a police officer. f “You have to feel the call” to serve, Weeks > said. He sees that less and less nowadays. “It’s difficult for me to understand why t people don’t want to serve,” Weeks said. “It’Sj; not a judgment, it’s just not a mindset I understand.” hi* tfiijprriiaasix COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board proposes to make a per-parcel special assessment each year for a period of five years (2024 -2028 inclusive). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, district and cost estimates will be held at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641 S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek, Michigan, on August 16, 2023 at 6 p.m. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing, and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. At the hearing (or any adjournment of the hearing which may be made without further notice), the Township Board may revise, correct, amend, or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. Crane] Road bridge remains closed Greg Chandler StaffWriter The bridge on Crane Road over the Thor­ napple River in the village ofMiddleville will remain closed for at least another week or more as additional repairs are made. Department ofPublic Works Director Alec Belson updated the Village Council on the status ofthe project Tuesday night. “From the very beginning, the contractors and engineers told us (it would take) two weeks (to finish the project),” Belson said. “During the course of construction, they started removing some ofthe old scour pro- PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if written objections to the project are filed with the Township Board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the Township Board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the Township. Written comments or objections may be filed with the clerks at the address set put below. Appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his/her appearance or protest by letter and, in such case, his/her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and the cost estimates. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessment, the Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing w be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear will public comments concerning the proposed special assessment. Johnstown Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to the Township Clerk. ———_ Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641S. M-37 Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 (269) 721-9709 CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 619 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BY DELETING ARTICLE Vll-C ROYAL COACH PUD AND ADDING ARTICLE Vll-C 420 E MILL PUD was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 24th of July 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher Bever 203381 City Clerk tections on the riprap (below the bridge­ deck). That was determined through the contractors and engineers that the block* wall that they were intending to put in there-? was not going to work. So they diverted that, and went into heavy riprap. That is essentially 150-to-300-pound rocks, placed 1 underneath that shoring on the east end of j the bridge.” The scour protection is meant to prevent * potential erosion at bridge abutments. Because ofthe project change, the village I had to go back to the Michigan Department ; of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to ■ get approval for revising plans. EGLE gave j approval to the revisions on Friday of last week, Belson said. But because of scheduling conflicts with, contractors, the project has not yet resumed. ^ Work’is expected to pick back up on Monday^ | Belson said. “I’m in daily conversations with contrac- | tors, trying to move it along as fast as I can,” | Belson said. The Village Council in February autho- I rized Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg to | sign a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation to undertake preventive maintenance repairs on the bridge, following . a 2019 inspection, by engineering consultant^ Williams and Works. The project had an ini-? ? tial estimated cost of$290,000, with $130,000$ coming from the Local Development Finance > Authority and another $50,000 coming from ? an MDOT grant. Mi* �The Hastings 8s ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday, July 27, 2023 Saxons close camp with outdoor dual ^(16 ft I ik ikJT kJT Kt te r-n- ^•*»btk Members of the Hastings High School and Middle School wrestling program gather together as the sun sets on the final day of the three-day Saxon wrestling camp Wednesday, which ended in a wrestling dual on the program's new mat at the 50-yard-line of Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) R'F&^atfr RF&tf ■■far ■far■fa fa iaaMsi'fc H|MbitotiwtifafcwrialfKiis tfa Spins taji I fat tssffiSfeoisalfjt tssffiSfeoisalfjteft intern M's ofc Its M aJrterciair® kdfafa ■mfa g fait gut irfit Ufa dill & 8SI23E& tea*1* iirilia .™'R'R ^Linailswlifc”^ SS k > St Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons took their new seven-piece Dallamur wrestling mat for a field trip Wednesday to the' 50-yard-line inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field.1' b:>'3n The Hastings wrestling program wrapped up a three-day high school and middle school camp by wrestling a dual in the middle ofthe football field as the sun set. A group of 21 wrestlers took part in 12 matches as a part of a dual scored on take downs. Grapplers battled over two and a half minutes to see which could score the most takedowns with the winner’s side adding their total number oftakedowns to the scoreboard. Hastings varsity wrestling coach Jason Slaughter officiated the matches with sides headed by assistant coaches David Lares and coach Zack Corey. Team Lares took a 37-28 victory, getting contributions from team members Maxson Eichorst, Austin Friddle, Jordan Milanowski, Austin Abson, Reese Hammond, Jordan Humphrey, Emilyah Neal, Preston Humphrey, Maverick Peake, Isaac Friddle and Colton Smith. The wrestling camp included a few differ­ ent sessions between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. each evening. Hot outdoor temperatures kept the Sttxons inside for most oftheir work. “We were trying to do a lot of technique and team-building stuff,” Slaughter said of the quick late-summer camp. “We would do See SAXONS, page 12 Marsh Evans celebrates the championship at the 2015 Barry County Invitational with his Saxon varsity baseball team. He is the 2023 Hastings legend being hon­ ored during the Aug. 5 Buzz Youngs Legends Golf Classic at The Legacy. Evans was the head varsity baseball coach at Hastings for 16 seasons and surpassed the 300-win mark as head coach during that 2015 season. Evans also spent 37 years coaching in the Hastings football program. , . “ , * Evans to be honored as 2023 legend at Buzz Youngs Classic Austin Friddle (top) scores a take down against Jace Acker during their bout, as officiated by Hastings varsity wrestling coach Jason Slaughter, during the final night of the Saxons' recent three-day wrestling camp in the middle of Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Wednesday, July 19. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) . Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings Athletic Boosters’ Buzz Youngs 'Legends Golf Classic will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, at The Legacy at Hast­ ings. The annual fundraiser for the boosters includes an 18-hole golf scramble and the honoring of2023 legend Marsh Evans. Evans coached in the Hastings football program for 37 years alongside previously honored legends Bill Karpinski, Bernie Oom, Jeff Simpson, Jeff Keller and Bill Wallace and also coach JV baseball under Bemie Oom and later Simpson before tak­ ing over the baseball program himselfand leading the Saxon varsity for 16 seasons. Evans won more than 300 ballgames as the Saxon varsity baseball coach. The Buzz Youngs Legends GolfClassic will open with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and there will be a program at 8:30 a.m. before tee-off. The cost for a team of four players is $400, which includes golfand a cart. There are option skins games and other prize holes at the contest, which is open to a maximum of 30 teams. To register for the golfouting contact The Legacy at 269-945­ 9554 or Denny Storrs at 269-967-4277. “For decades, the Hastings Athletic boosters has successfully supported our middle school and high school student athletes,” Hastings Athletic Boosters pres­ ident Becky Deal said. “Fundraising is our See EVANS, page 12 HCDC divers earn four medals at AAU National Championship i „ ■ HCDC divers Aubrey Yarger and Lydia Slagel compete in their synchronized diving competition on the 3-meter board during the AAU Diving National Championships at Riverside College in California earlier this month. The duo placed sixth in the event. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Aubrey Yarger finished as high as eighth in an individual event and teamed with Hastings Community Diving Club (HCDC) partner Lydia Slagei for two top ten places in syn­ chronized competitions at the AAU Diving National Championships in Riverside, Calif, this month. Yarger placed eighth in the Girls Bl 14 years old 3-meter Finals with an eight-dive score of 245.35 points. She had her top per­ formance of the competition in round sixth with an inward 2 somersault dive in the tuck position which earned her 38.40 points. She earned her top marks from the judges on a slightly easier reverse dive in the pike posi­ tion earlier in the competition with a few 6.0 scores thrown into the mix. Yarger was in the finals in all four of her events. She placed 11th in the Girls Bl 14 years old 1-meter Finals. Slagel and Yarger teamed up to place sixth in the Girls 14-15 Synchronized 3-meter competition and eighth in the Girls 14-15 1-meter Synchronized 1-meter competition. Slagel is the first HCDC competitor to perform on the 5-meter platform at the AAU National Championships^ She finished 26th in that competition with a new personal record score of 155.55 points. She scored over 27 points in two different rounds, with an inward dive in the pike position and a for­ ward 1 'A somersault in the pike position. There was also a 19th-place finish for Slagel in the prelim’s of the Girls Bl 14 years old 3-meter contest. “It was a great experience for them both,” HCDC coach Todd Bates said. “They are both young divers. They were focused and goal oriented and were definitely on a mis­ sion to bring home some hardware. The divers were at the pool from 7 a.m. and fin­ ished at 8 in the evening. We were well represented and proud io bring home four medals.” Yarger was a Michigan Diving Association State Meet Champion this summer and Slagel a state runner-up. They competed along­ side 488 divers from across the country at the AAU National Championship which were held July 10-18 at Riverside City College. Those interested in joining the dive club can contact odd Bates by phone (248-227­ 7718) or email (toddbates@att.net). Scholar­ ships available for those who qualify. HCDC divers Aubrey Yarger (left), Lydia Slagel (right) and HCDC head coach Todd“ Bates celebrate their team's medal-winning performances at the Riverside Aquatics" complex in Riverside, Calif, during the awards ceremony for the 2023 AAU Diving* National Championships �Page 10 — Thursday, July 27,2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made In the conditions of a mortgage made by Laran Muhqueed and Dylan Wallace, Both Unmarried, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. and/ or lenders successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 9, 2021 and recorded July 19, 2021 in Instrument Number 2021-009162 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by PLANET HOME LENDING LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Two Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Six and 32/100 Dollars ($202,996.32). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 17, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: THE NORTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT 10, BLOCK '12, LINCOLN PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF HASTINGS, ALSO, THE NORTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT 1130 AND THE SOUTH 33 1/2 FEET OF LOT 1067, THE ORIGINAL PLAT OF THE VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF . HASTINGS. 716 S Market St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: July 13,2023 Hie No. 23-006944 firm Name: Orlans PC . Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 202651 07-13)(08-03) Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: wlortgagor(s): Justin Carl Howard and Katherine Elizabeth Howard, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of .mortgage: October 3,2017 Recorded on October 10, ‘2017, In Document No. 2017-010218, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a .Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One .‘Hundred Twelve Thousand Four Hundred Thirty'One and 73/100 Dollars ($112,431.73) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: LOT 6, B-Z-BEES ACRES, ACCORDING •TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS .RECORDED IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS, PAGE 12 •Commonly known as 15201 Doster Rd, Plainwell, Ml 49080 The redemption period will be 6 months ■from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under •MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, lor 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, {whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant Ito MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property [Is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of jAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower Swill be held responsible to the person who buys the ■property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during {the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your (period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, [please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, jLLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee •Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 '1504587 (07-20)(08-10) 203102 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS DECEDENDTS TRUST In the matter of The Betty Ann Fighter Revocable Trust. Date of birth: 10/14/1928. , LEG AL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, tthat the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part.of tthem, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does nott automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Jesse Carver, SP and Stacey Nowack, Single Person Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: July 24, 2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 6, 2007 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $141,683.69 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Yankee Springs, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 8 of Pleasant Valley Plat according to the plat thereof, as recorded In Liber 4 of Plats, Page 13 of Barry County Records. Commonly Known as: 1733 S. Patterson Rd., Wayland, Ml 49348 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, * or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 07/20/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 2 48-853-4400 316444 203093 (07-20)(08-10) NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the reyjsed judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage' will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Thomas L Janke, single man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 27, 2021 and recorded November 17, 2021 in Instrument Number 21-014224 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by U.S. Bank National Association, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-Nine and 67/100 Dollars ($173,429.67). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, 2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing 80 rods North of the Southeast corner of Section 16, Town 4 North, Range 7 West, Village of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan; thence, North 5 rods; thence West 20 rods; thence South 9 rods 1 foot; thence East 10 rods 21/2 feet; thence North 4 rods 1 foot; thence East 9 rods 14 feet to the place of beginning. 265 N Main St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: July 20,2023 File No. 23-007075 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (07-20)(08-10) 203076 TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Betty Ann Fighter, died 04/30/2023, leaving the above Trust in full force and effect. Creditors of the (decedent or against the Trust are notified that all [claims against the decedent or trust will be forever .[barred unless presented to Highpoint Community .Bank, Trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 07/21/2023 Highpoint Community Bank 150 W. Court Street - Hastings, Ml 49058 J269) 945-2401 203246 Synopsis HASTINGS CHARTER TOWNSHIP Regular Board meeting July 11, 2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. All board members present. Approved all consent agenda items Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 7:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by, Jim Brown - Supervisor 203285 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29500-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Marjorie Lorraine Hallifax. Date of birth: 3-1-1925 TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marjorie Lorraine Hallifax, died 3-29-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Robert Hallifax, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Robert Hallifax 2340 44th Street Galesburg, Ml 49053 269-317-3578 STATE OF MICHIGAN 58-B DISTRICT COURT JUDICIAL DISTRICT/CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY Phone: 269-945-1404 Plaintiff MCM Ml Gun Lake, LLC (Gun Lake) c/o Plaintiff Attorney Plaintiff's attorney The Law Office of Aaron D. Cox, PLLC Aaron D. Cox (P69346) 23820 Eureka Rd. Taylor, Ml 48180 (734) 287-3664 v Defendant Shane VanKampen 4726 Princess Dr. Shelbyville, Mi 49344 THE COURT FINDS: 1. Service of process upon the defendantt,, Shane VVanKampen cannot reasonably be made as provided in MCR 2.105 and service of process may be made in i a manner that is reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard IT IS ORDERED: 2. Service of the summons and complaint and a copy of this order shall be made by the following method(s). a. First-class mail to 4726 Princess Dr., Shelbyville, Ml 49344 b. Tacking or firmly affixing to the door at 4726 Princess Dr., Shelbyville, Ml 49344 d. Other: Publication in the Hastings Banner for 3 consecutive weeks in accordance with MCR 2.106(D)(1). For each method used, proof of service must be filed promptly with the court. Judge William. M Doherty (P41960) By: Michael L. Schipper (P42154) 202379 VARNUM LLP Attorneys 333 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, Ml 49504 NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney fdr the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Land Contract Foreclosure (the “Judgment”) entered on June 7, 2023, in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, Case No. 22-667-CH, the Court has ordered the sale at public auction of real property under a Land Contract (the “Land Contract”) made between Andy Lee Sparks and Carolyn .Lee Sparks, Trustees of the Andy Lee Sparks Trust, Vendors, and David Wooten (“Vendee”), dated August 13, 2007, as evidenced by the Memorandum of Land Contract recorded on August 20, 2007, in Document No. 20070820­ 0001046, Barry CountyJRecords. The Land Contract balance is due and payable in the amount of NinetyNine Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Three and 64/100 Dollars ($99,683.64) as of July 20,2023, with the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate of seven percent (7%) per annum, plus such other fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to the Land Contract and the Judgment. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the Judgment and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay said amount with interest as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, the Land Contract will be foreclosed by sale of the Land Contract premises at public venue to the highest bidder in the main lobby of the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of the foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale pursuant to MCLA‘600.3278, the Vendee will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the foreclosure sale or to the Vendor for damaging the property during the redemption period. Pursuant to MCL 600.3150, the purchaser at the sale shall be entitled to possession of the Property at the time of the sale. The premises covered by said Land Contract is commonly known as 9645 Shawnee Branch Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, and is situated in the Township of Orangeville, Barry County, Michigan, described as follows: Parcel B: That part of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West described as: Beginning at a point found by commencing at the Center of the said Section; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to the place of beginning of this description; thence continuing South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East, 509.75 feet to the East and West 1 /8 line of the Southwest 1/4; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East on said 1/8 line, 207.46 feet; thence North 07 degrees 32 minutes 32 seconds West, 614.52 feet to the place of beginning. Together with a non-exclusive easement being more particularly described as follows: A 66.00 foot wide Easement for ingress and egress lying 33.00 feet each side of the following described Centerline: Beginning at a point found by commencing at the Center of said Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet to the point of beginning of this easement; thence the Centerline runs South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West 1513.10 feet to the point of ending. ALSO described for tax purposes as: Commencing at the Center of Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to the point of beginning; thence continuing South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 42 minutes 41 seconds East, 519.45 feet; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East, 207.46 feet; thence North 07 degrees 25 minutes 15 seconds West, 624.42 feet to the place of beginning (the “Property”). Parcel No. 08-11-031-011-44 Dated: July 20, 2023 ANDY LEE SPARKS and CAROLYN LEE SPARKS, Trustees of the Andy Lee Sparks Trust Mark Sheldon, Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Civil Process Service, LLC. P.O. Box 282 Hastings, Ml 49058 21456730.1 (07-20)(08-24) 203187 mandalFOClJS ORDER REGARDING ALTERNATE SERVICE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-1039-GC Court Address: 206 W Court St., Ste. 202, Hastings, Ml 49058 ’ 203017 p 'rovided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones Member SIPC Wendl Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 49073 (517)760-8113 Emily Taylor Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 Help get your teen started with a Roth IRA To be successfill in most to put all the money in — you es comparable to what you’d endeavors, it’s important to de­ and the child’s grandparents pay a regular employee for the velop good habits — and that’s can also contribute. In fact, you same work. certainly the case for investors. might want to “match” your But wherever your child’s And the earlier one develops child’s contributions up to the wages come from, using some these habits, the better. So, if limit to provide an incentive of them to help fund a Roth you have teenagers who may for them to continue invest­ IRA can be a good move. For be starting to work at part-time ing in the Roth IRA. Not only one thing, it gives you a chance jobs, now may be a great time will your matching contribu­ to explain the value ofputting to introduce them to invest­ tion help build the Roth IRA’s time on your side when you ing — and one place to begin assets but it can also instill in invest — simply put, the more might be a Roth IRA. your child’s mind the benefit years you invest, the greater As you may know, a Roth ofearning a match - which can your chances of accumulating IRA is a popular retirement prove valuable later on, when the resources you need to meet savings vehicle — its earnings your child is in the workforce your goals. And by helping can grow federally tax-free, full time and has a chance to your teen open a Roth IRA, provided withdrawals aren’t receive an employer’s match­ which holds stocks, mutual taken until the investor is at ing contributions in a 401 (k) or funds or virtually any other least 59/2 and has had the ac­ similar plan. type of security, you can dis­ count five or more years. But Your child may well find a cuss the different risk/reward because a Roth IRA is funded job at a local restaurant or shop, characteristics ofvarious types with after-tax dollars, contri­ as these businesses have expe­ of investments — the kind of butions can be withdrawn at rienced a shortage of workers basic knowledge that all inves­ any time, penalty-free, to pay the past couple of years. But tors should have. for any expenses — including ifyou have a family business, Once your teen’s first pay­ college. Roth IRA earnings can you can employ your teen to checks start coming in, con­ also be used to help pay for col­ provide income that can go into sider bringing up the idea of lege, although these withdraw­ a Roth IRA. Furthermore, ifthe opening a Roth IRA — you als will be taxable. However, business is one parent’s sole may well be opening the door ifa child is the account owner, proprietorship, or it’s a part­ to a lifetime of consistent and a lower tax bracket will likely nership in which each partner informed investing. is the parent, the payments for applyIn 2023, up to $6,500 per a child younger than 18 are not This article was written by year can go into your teenag­ subject to Social Security and Edward Jonesfor use by your er’s Roth IRA, as long as the Medicare taxes. As an employ­ local Edward Jones Financial amount contributed doesn’t ee, your child must perform Advisor. exceed the amount of their tax­ reasonable tasks necessary- for Edward Jones, Member able compensation for the year. the business and be paid rea­ SIPC And your child doesn’t have sonable wages — that is, wag- PUBLICATION OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS REVOCABLE TRUST In the Matter of: Barbara A. Rook Trust TAKE NOTICE: The Barbara A. Rook Trust ("The Trust”) was established on September 5,2001. The Settlor, Barbara A. Rook a/k/a/ Barbara Ann Rook lived at 11555 Marsh Road, Shelbyville, MI49344. Barbara A. Rook a/k/a/ Barbara Ann Rook was bom on 7/29/1936 and died on 6/27/2023. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Creditors of the Settlor, Barbara A. Rook a/k/a/ Barbara Ann Rook, and/or “The Trust” are notified that all claims against the Barbara A. Rook Trust will be forever barred unless presented to: Theresa Rook, Successor Co-Trustee, of 317 Garfield St., Otsego, Ml 49078, or Stephanie M. Rook, of 12643 Saddler Road, STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29531-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Shirley A. Tripp. Date of birth: 8-23-44. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Shirley A. Tripp, died April 26,2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Donna Bradley, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. r*1 *1 disirta** 'ngQjg. in ‘4/torn j____ . _____ * vw ■ Plainwell, Ml 49080 within 4 months after the date Date: July 18,2023 Matthew L. Glaser P40490 2510 Capital Ave. SW, Suite 103 Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 269-964-9035 Donna Bradley 9055 J Drive S Ceresco, Michigan 49033 269-275-7683 of publication of this notice. Dated: 07/20/2023 Michael J. Becker (P81132) ORTON, TOOMAN, HALE, McKOWN & KIEL, P.O. 314 Trowbridge St, P.O. Box 239 Allegan, Ml 49010 (269) 673-2136 203259 5^% 203245 I ^*ll Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 ’’Ju Garage Sale Garage Sale- His and Hers, cool stuff! 2900 W. Quimby Rd, Hastings. Sat 7/29/23 and Sun 7/30/23. B usiness Services METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available.. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair,'custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPPY- Beautiful Blue Merle. First shots and dewormed. Ready to go! $275. 517i7260706. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $300. 269-223-9194. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. SsSr It �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, July 27. 2023 — Page 11 Duits mEMorial tourney to fill courts Saturday in Lake O SMUT adich m Jeff (right) and Selena Duits (left) join 2023 high school graduates Alli Pickard from Lakewood (center left) and Paige Williamson from Caledonia (center right) as they're announced as the 2023 Emily Duits Memorial Scholarship recipients in June. AS The 18th annual Emily Du>ts mEMorial Sand Volleyball Tournament has a total of44 teams set to play in the Satur ay, ju|y 29, event at the Lake Odessa Fmrgrounds. Because ofthe demand this summer a high school division was created for this year’s edition ofthe tournament on/the Emily Duits Memorial Sand Volleyball ourts. High school and youth divisions will begin com­ peting at 8 a.m. Satuiday. Competitive and rrecreational divisions, will begin play after the lunch break at around 1:30 p.m. The annual event brings the community together to celebrate the life of Emily Duits, s, the sport ofvolleyball and to raise funds for the annual Emily Duits Memorial Scholarship among other good deeds. Lakewood High School graduate Alli Pickard and Caledonia High School graduate Paige Williamson were honored as the 2023 scholarship recipients earlier this summer by the FaR Out Volleyball Club. Lunch begins at noon Saturday and is free for all players. Lunch is available to all spec­ tators, friends and family. Donationss are encouraged, but not required. There will be unlimited free ice cream for all tournament attendees. There will also be coffee and donuts avail­ able for purchase in the morning. A concession stand with snacks and drinks will be open in the afternoon.’ The Emily Duits mEMorial Committee announced that there are some “insane raffle prizes this year,” which were supplied by donation, and the committee strongly encour- Seger set to enter national high school coaching Hall of Fame Brett Bremer Sports Editor Larry Seger was set to make the trip west this week to Lincoln, Neb.,for the 2023 National High School Athletic Coaches Asso­ ciation (NHSACA) Hall of Fame Induction Banquet held Tuesday, July 25. Seger, who coached 86 seasons worth o of varsity boys varsy oys ’ an and grs girls’ tennis ennsa at Thomapple omappe Kellogg High School over the years and was recently inducted into.the Michigan High School Coaches Association (MHSAC) Hall ofFame in the class of 2022, is one oftwo Michigan coaches in the 2023 NHSACA Hall ofFame Class. ??**** * ?£*?*** ?£*? * Seger coached boys’ tennis at TK from 1969-2008 and coached the girls from 1974­ 2020. During that time his teams put together a record of 741-345 in duals and finished among the top ten at the state finals seven times. His teams had ten undefeated dual meet seasons. The Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held at the Lincoln Station Great Hall. Seger is looking forward to seeing the Mid­ dleville Thomapple Kellogg tennis program honored more than anything. “This is an honor for our community,” Seger said. “Thomapple Kellogg Schools, and especially the tennis community of par­ ents and student-athletes that gave so much over the years have produced one of TK’s best and most successful sports programs.” He is very appreciative of all the parents and athletes for their dedication to the sport over the years. Seger’s teams won eight boys* and 14 girls* conference titles and two boys* and three girls* regional champion- ships. In all, his players managed six all-state singles performances throughout the years. Seger said there is a get-together for the Michigan contingent in Nebraska Monday. He is joined in earning the Hall of Fame honor by Traverse CityiCentral’s John Lober who coached track and field from 1977­ 2021 with 27 years as the cross country coach added in. Lober was named the NHSACA National Track Coach ofthe Year in 2015. The state also has Grant Fanning from Chelsea, Tyrone Spencer from Detroit Mar­ tin Luther King, Jill Evers from Kent City and Scott Werner from Pewamo-Westpha­ lia up for as national finalists for the NHSACA Coach of the Year honors. Those four will be honored during ceremonies today, July 27. _ ■vteniM to inuoms RRn ■Mama FWsBscte LEGAL NOTICES tokhto VsestoiedirSepMer^M DHMKISX fey feisra A Rootafca/Bataataito KsfylMR Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised toafttaaWBateaViilWBteEttfttylWrtlM judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale fWatfcfedoofM. of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on Bnara A. Rook aW n ara . oo a August 17,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may J^'toTiusf3BnolWMalBB?,s be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): John Hoffman, a single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MIDFIRST BANK Date of Mortgage: May 5, 2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16,2015 gs Amount claimed due on date of notice: $86,622.20 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated In Township of Irving, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 332 Feet Of The Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4, Section 17, Town 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan. This Parcel May Also Be Described As: That Part Of The Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 Of Section 17, Town 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan, Described As: Beginning At The East 1/4 Comer Of Said Section, Thence North 0 Degrees 00 Minutes East 332.0 Feet Along The East Line Of Said Northeast 1/4; Thence South 89 Degrees 59 Minutes 20 Seconds West 1312.35 Feet Parallel With The South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4; Thence South 0 Degrees 04 Minutes 54 Seconds East 332.0 Feet Along The West Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4; Thence North 89 Degrees 59 Minutes 20 Seconds East 1311.88 Feet Along The South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 To The Place Of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 5501 N Solomon Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8719 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a; or, if the subject real property Is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: July 20,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1504407 (07-20)(08-10) 202910 JtT i e f3 B lWM lBB? JHTSJiwa’zs Ji*'* . SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting July 19, 2023 Called to order at 6:32 p.m. Present: Stoneburner, Pence, Doster, Goebel, DeVries Agenda and Minutes approved Public comments were received. Department Reports were received. Approved: Payment of bills Resolution 2023-15, Designation of Representative Purchase of Radar signs Public and Board comments were received. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Caso Number V-7-2023 - Douglas DeHaan/DeHaan Builders, Inc.(Applicant); Dirk and Liesl Pruis Trust( Property Owner) Location: Parcel 2 Tall Oaks Shelbyville Ml 49344 Section 6 Orangeville Township Purpose: Request a variance to construct a de­ tached garage with a setback of 3.6 foot from the road right of way (the minimum is 10 ft) In the RL (Recreational Lake) zoning district. MEETING PATE: August 14, 2023. UM£: 7:00 PM PLACE: Tyden Center, Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or In writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanu8@banycountv.org. The variance application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or calling the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk 203357 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate ALE NO. 23-29504-DE Estate of John T. Deason, Deceased. Date of birth: 04/07/1942. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, John T. Deason, who lived at 1155 West Bernie Court, Wayland, Ml 49348, died April 24,2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Angela Foresta and John W. Doster, named co-personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: July 25,2023 David F. Kiel (P43048) Orton, Tooman, Hale, McKeown & Klei, P.C. 314 Trowbridge Street, P.O. Box 239 Allegan, Ml 49010-0239 (269) 673-2136 Co-Personal Representatives: Angela Foresta John W. Doster 532 Heritage Court 51040 High Meadow St. Charles, IL 60175 Granger, IN 46530 (773) 567-7600 (574) 210-5260 NOTICE TOCREDITORS TRUST In the matter of THE STERKEN FAMILY PROTECTION TRUST TRUST u/a/d December 3, 2015 TO ALL CREDITORS:* NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Judith A. Sterken, who lived at 4294 W. Joy Road, Shelbyville, Michigan 49344 died 10/14/2022 leaving a certain trust under the name of THE STERKEN FAMILY PROTECTION TRUST TRUST, u/a/d December 3, 2015, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Terry W. Sterken and Todd G. Sterken were named as the co-trustees serving at the time of or as a result of the decedent’s death. ■ Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Terry W. Sterken, a named co-trustee at 1891 135th Avenue, Hopkins, Ml 49348 or 3631 30th Street, Hamilton, Michigan 49419 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: July 21,2023 David H. Tripp (P29290) 202 S. Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269/948-2900 Terry W. Sterken 1891 135th Avenue Hopkins, Ml 49328 ages the afternoon recreation and competi­ tive teams to join in for the lunch and raffle period. Raffle tickets can be purchased on-site with cash, check or Venmo. We have some insane raffle prizes this year (thanks if you donated!) and strongly encourage all rec and competitive teams to be here for lunch and raffle, even though it’s before your start time. Raffle tickets can be purchased on-site via cash, check or Venmo. Pool play in those divisions will being after the raffle is complete. Another addition this summer is a large water slide for both kids and adults - so everyone is reminded to feel free to bring a suit ifthey want to join the fun. Played side-by-side with the sand volley­ ball tournament will be the Emily Duits Open on the pickleball courts of the Lake Odessa Picklebowl. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 202831 2024-2033 PODUNK LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (AQUATIC VEGETATION CONTROL) NOTICE OF AUGUST 9, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON PETITION/ CREATING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT, TREATMENT PLANS, AND COST ESTIMATES TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN; OWNERS OF PROPERTY ABUT­ TING OR HAVING DEEDED ACCESS TO PODUNK LAKE IN LAND SECTIONS 26, 27, 34 AND 35 OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP; AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that as a result of petitions signed by the record owners of lands abutting Podunk Lake (including the channel) or having deeded access to Podunk Lake in Land Sections 26, 27, 34 and 35 of Rutland Charter Township the Township Board proposes to create a special assessment district for the eradication and/or control of aquatic weeds and plants in Podunk Lake in 2024-2033 and finance such improve­ ments by special assessments on the properties within the special assessment district, as a renewal of the existing Special Assessment District and continuation of the 2019-2023 lake improvement program. The Special Assessment District within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be undertaken and within which the cost thereof is proposed to be specially assessed is described as follows: All lands abutting Podunk Lake (including the channel) or having deed­ ed access to Podunk Lake in land sections 26,27,34 and 35 of Rutland Charter Township, Barry County, State of Michigan. The Township Board has passed a Resolution July 12, 2023 tentatively declar­ ing its intention to proceed with the process to create the petition-requested special as­ sessment district for the 2024-2033 lake improvement program and the resulting special assessments on the benefited properties, and has found the petition for same to be in compliance with statutory requirements. The Township Board has received plans for the anticipated 2024-2033 aquatic vegetation control program, and an estimate of the costs of the ten-year program in the amount of $119,250, and an estimate of the legal and administrative expenses associated with the proposed program in the amount of $5,000. If this improvement program is ap­ proved these cost estimates may be subject to annual redetermination/revision to reflect actual costs incurred/property transactions. The Township Board proposes to allocate any revenue surplus from previously imposed special assessments for the improvement pro­ gram undertaken in 2019-2023 to the 2024-2033 improvement program as cost-overrun contingency revenue. A public hearing on the proposed 2024-2033 improvement program, including the plans and the estimated costs of same, the special assessment district proposed to be created for the assessment of the costs of such improvement, and any objections to the petition, will be held at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in conjunction with a regular meeting of the Township Board commencing at 7:00 p.m. At this hearing/meeting the Board will also consider any written objections to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the Board at or prior to the time of the hearing, as well as any corrections or changes to the plans, estimate of costs, or to the proposed special assessment district. The program plans, estimate of costs, the boundaries of the proposed special assessment district (the same as the special assessment district for the 2019-2023 pro­ gram), and the petition, may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk and may further be examined at the public hearing. If the Township Board determines to proceed with the proposed 2024-2033 im­ provement program, a second public hearing will be held at a later date to be set by the Township Board (tentatively scheduled for September 12,2023) for the purpose of review­ ing and hearing objections to the proposed allocation of the total costs/expenses of the program among the various properties included in the special assessment district. The proposed allocation of those costs/expenses is tentatively as follows, in accordance with the petition: For the 2023 special assessment levy, for the 2024 treatment program and administrative/legal expenses incurred in 2023: $315.00 per year for each lot/parcel in the special assessment dis­ trict with frontage on Podunk Lake. $273.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake channel frontage. $190.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake deeded ac­ cess. For the special assessment levies in 2024-2032, for the treatment pro­ gram in 2025-2033: $217.00 per year for each lot/parcel in the special assessment dis­ trict with frontage on Podunk Lake. $175.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake channel frontage. $92.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake deeded ac­ cess. Appearance and protest at such a second public hearing or as otherwise allowed by 1962 PA 162, as amended, is required in order to preserve a right to appeal the amount of any such special assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal after the confirmation of a special assessment roll. Formal notice of any such second public hearing will be pub­ lished in a newspaper and mailed to affected property owners as required by law. The foregoing hearings and all proceedings associated with these special as­ sessment matters will be conducted in accordance with and pursuant to 1954 PA 188, as amended, the Michigan Open Meetings Act, and any other applicable law. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058-9725 (269) 948-2194 �Page 12 — Thursday, July 27,2023 — The Hastings Banner Off Road Derby is family fun at county fair Brett Bremer Sports Editor J Clara Keizer of Middleville said she ’thought off road derbys, like the one run by ■Unique Motor Sports at the Barry County -Fair Friday night, were kind of scary until 'this summer. j Her big brother Logan said Clara, 10 years • ;old, begged to race this time around. “Yeah, but I got really nervous and I didn’t want to do it anymore - but I did,” Clara said. . । The nerves popped up on the infield in . 'front of the Barry County Fair grandstand * during the drivers’ meeting and lasted - through the playing ofthe national anthem. Clara got her first chance to compete during a special family race that opened event - a {race with four Rowleys and four Keizers ,around seven laps. ; “I couldn’t really see anything. My gog­ gles were covered in mud,” said Clara, who spent a little bit oftime practicing operating the vehicle in her family’s driveway in the ‘lead-up to the race. If she could have seen better, she’d have seen Logan take the checkered flag. ' Chad Keizer and his wife Sarah Keizer competed alongside their children and their friends Matt Rowley and Keri Rowley, and their daughters Megan Rowley and Eva Row­ . ley from Hastings. Chad started competing in demolition der­ bys and off road derbys 24 years ago, and Mattjoined in a couple years after that. Slow­ ly but surely, their wives and children got Involved too. Sarah placed third in the powder puff fea­ ture Friday, slowed a bit late in the competi­ tion by a flat tire. She started racing 20 years ago and also scored a trophy in the offroad derby the Tuesday offair week. Logan won his heat in the youth class and had the lead on the penultimate lap of the youth feature before getting spun around and finishing behind the top three trophy winners. Deagan Sanders ofHastings took that win. Megan Rowley earned a trophy too for a win in a powder puffheat. So, the group of eight Rowleys and Keizers went home with three trophies. In, Keri Rowley (left) and Clara Keizer race their cars in the Keizer/Rowley family race at the start of the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby Friday at the Barry County Fair grandstand. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “Matt Rowley instigated it. He thought it’d be cool since we’re all able to, and who knows how long we’ll be able to. We might as well take the opportunity,” Sarah said. “Earlier this spring the idea was planted, and we talked to Jim [Trolard who runs Unique Motor Sports] and he said we could do it.” Matt said Trolard liked the idea while they were chatting at the Unique Motor Sports event at the Lake Odessa Fair this summer. Matt’s daughters ran at the Lake Odessa Fair. “Chad [Keizer] was the reason I got into it,” Matt said. “We haven’t missed a season yet, well 2020 but everybody missed that. Outside ofCovid, Chad has been here every year. Even years that I didn’t have a car he said ‘you’ve got to do it,’ and he has given me a car.” “Sarah and Ijust loved coming and watch­ ing,” Chad said, “and one night we were up there and we were walking out and there was a kid I knew that I worked with who said, 4 SEASON Al. HELP 2023 -Temporary seasonal general laborerNO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY OUTSIDE WORK STARTING PAY $16.03/hour Applicant must be at least 18 years of age by start date, have a valid Driver’s License, and be able to pass a drug test. Hours Monday-Thursday 6 AM- 4 PM and some Fridays. Starting hourly pay $16.43 per hour, no benefits. Application & job description can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings between 6 AM - 3:45 PM, or on our website at www.barrycrc.org. ‘why don’t you go out there and do that?’ There was another buddy that did it.” He’s been mostly^good with the transition to the offroad derby format - which is a race around-a dirt track where bumping and crashing are allowed. There were around 150 competitors Friday and just one heat of demolition derby as the grand finale to the evening^ show. Chad likes the sniashing ofthe derby bet­ ter, but acki(6wledges-that the offroad derby is better for&any because ofhow many more years ofracing a car will last. He said he was lucky to have a demolition derby vehicle last more than two evente. Everybo^r in hi^ family was driving a Chevy Luirifea Friday. Chad and Logan have had theif current cars running through three competitions at the Barry County Fair and one at Lake Odessa. He said Sarah’s car has been running:derbys for at least five years. “I didn’t have to build a fresh one this year, so that makes it a lot easier,” Chad said. He said it fakes about two full days or two weeks of nights to be able to get a vehicle ready to compete in the derbys. “You must take out the airbags. You must have a driver’s net. The only window you can leave in the vehicle5 is the front windshield. The gas tank .can either be moved into the back of fthe car or tie left 'in the stock position,” Trolara annpqnced to 'the standing room only grandstan stand crjiwa Ffitiay as'the Rowleys and Keizers lined up for their race. “That is pretty much it. You have to have one roll-over bar in.the driver’s door.” Matt and Chad agreed that things are a bit safer now than they Were in their early years as the UMS crew gofhelp watering down the track to slow the course down a bit between races. Races were run in a clockwise pattern, always turning right,.Friday. That changes up Megan Rowley (left) and McKaylya-Hope Page go over the video of their powder puff heat in the pits Friday night during the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby at the Barry County Fair. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Barry County Road Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. __ The Rowley and Keizer families gather with their trophies after the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby Friday at the Barry County Fair. The two families ran a sev­ en-lap race to open the evening's grandstand show. Pictured are (from left) Clara Keizer, Chad Keizer, Sarah Keizer, Logan Keizer, Eva Rowley, Matt Rowley, Keri Rowley and Megan Rowley. ______________________________________________________________________________202921 TYDEN PARK • SATURDAY, AUG. 26™ Thelll‘iii hMMiii' MEMORIAL A muddy Eva Rowley gets ready for the youth feature Friday during the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby at the Barry County Fair. (Photo by Brett Bremer) from event to event, but Chad said running in that direction can limit hard collisions on the drivers’ side ofthe cars. “In those early years [of off road derby], there was a single and then a double [jumps on the track],” Chad said. “But nobody doubled it but Chad though,” Matt said. Matt cuts grass for a living in the summer, and the dry weather for much of June and early July gave him plenty of time to think about racing and to prep cars. Eva said she stripped down her first car and built it into a derby car with her dad’s help. She is 15 and said her driver’s educa­ tion teacher questioned her about where she’d picked up her driving skills when she started class. “It was pretty cool. That was nice. I am glad Jim let us do this,” Eva said ofthe fam* ily race. Eva and her big sister Megan ran in a youth race at the Lake Odessa Fair in the summer of 2022, with Megan winning the trophy and Eva placing second. Megan got to experience some drama Fri­ day. McKaylya-Hope Page from Allegan got credit for the victory in their collision-filled, powder puff heat, but Megan had mostly avoided the carnage and her supporters she was the rightful winner ofthe heat. Page said her 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix has been doing really well. She said she has won five trophies since starting racing last fall, with a front end painted with-; “BRCA1” in honor ofher mother who had breast cancer. Megan and Page took the time to rest on a I hood and watch the video of their heat on a phone and then when it was clear Megan! deserved the win Page passed offthe trophy. < Page got her own trophy later on finishing second in the powder puff feature. Brynn Bolo of Hastings won that powder pufffeature. Joe Morey ofMiddleville won the 4-cy lin- ] der feature and the 6-cylinder A feature championship went to Randy Kill of Hop* kins. Brad Hall ofCarson City won the dem­ olition derby at the end ofthe night. EVANS, continued contin from page 9 per team of 3 or 4 players Entries must be to AW££A.CHr" C. 1 yVr the Chamber by Friday, Aug, 18th j '** rJ r Make checks payable to Hastings Summerfest 2023 C__HECK IN... 8:30 AM Pick up T-shirts at this time TIP OFF... 9:30 AM Team Name Boys 4 Giris I (Ages 12-14) I— I—II(Ages (Ages 15-17) 15-17) I Boys & Giris [—|Uen4Women | IpnMAenA2WomeTl I—l(l(Ages 18-25) I ((Ages 26 & up) main source to raise 4nd donate tens ofthou­ sands of dollars each year so our student athletes can have an,Enjoyable athletic expe­ rience. Please consider volunteering justt a few hours a school’year -r we are a small group, but can makeAbig impact.” Hastings High School athletic director Mike Goggins said the boosters’ contributions are for things.^ small as. scorebooks and as large as scorecards. ecards. The Hastings Abietic Boosters have donated more than $112,000, with the help ofa generous $15,000 private donation for a new set of track and field hurdles, since Jan­ uary 2022. Evans’ teams benefitted like all the others through the years. Evans graduated from Caledonia High School in 1978 and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in special education from Hope College. He later earned a Masters degree in educational leadership from Western Michi­ gan University. He began his teaching and coaching career at Onekama High School where assisted in both the football and baseball programs while also serving as the athletic director. He moved to Manistee High School for a time whercdie revived a varsity baseball program which had been dormant for five years. Evans and his wife Kim, a long-time teacher in the district, came to Hastings with their daughter Chelsea in 1985. Evans taught and coached at Hastings until 2022, while also working with Goggins running sporting events at the school. | Age brackets subject to change based on participation Team Captain Send Entries to.., Phone# . Email. Barry County Chamber of Commerce SAXONS, continued from page 9 221W. State Street Team Members Hastings, Ml 49058 Questions??... Please fill out form completely Call (269) 948-3025 or email brettQj-adgraphics.com SATURDAY, AUG. some wrestling technique, we went for a run one day, and another day we did a team game out on the soccer field. We kind ofmixed in other activities.” There were about 30 wrestlers total who took part in the workouts. The mobility of the program’s new mat made the Wednesday evening competition possible. Coach Slaughter didn’t know of the program having a wrestling competition on the football previously. He said the pro­ gram was supposed to have its new Dallamur mat for the start of the 2022-23 high school season, but delays meant it arrived just before school let out for the summer. “Just thought it’d be a fun,” he said. The program has had some open gym times throughout the summer and Slaughter expects to keep having those as student-ath­ letes ramp up for the upcoming fall sports season. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-08-03.pdf e21ef28c6b599da52ec645f0657c50b4 PDF Text Text Read our full recap of the 2023 Barry County Fair! Fall athletic schedules come into focus for Saxons See special section inside See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 92490581 13421 Richard ard Hemertng 7,,%OLUME 169, No. 31 ANNER1 Thursday, Augyst 3,2023 RICE $1.50 • passing of Hastings school bond issue on Aug. 8 s critical for district, superintendent says Hunter McLaren StaffWriter ■J The upcoming Hastings school bond elec­ tion has consumed Superintendent Matt ’Goebel’s summer. ■ On the ballot Aug. 8, the $17 million bond 'proposal comes at a crucial time for the district, Goebel said. He’s spent the summer with the bond as his number one priority, •working alongside school staffand community members to disperse information about the Ibond proposal as widely as possible. ? Next week’s proposal is likely to have huge consequences for the district ifit were to fail, Goebel said. After passing a bond proposal in 2015 for building repairs and the construction ofthe Hastings Performing Arts Center, six subsequent bond proposals seek­ ing to fund major infrastructure repairs in the district have been voted down. The district’s infrastructure issues have compounded in the intervening years and have reached a critical point, Goebel said. In addition, Tuesday’s proposal may be the district’s last best chance to ask for the funds Without calling for a tax increase. Without securing tire bond funds, the district will have to make major budget cuts in order to repair buildings in the district before they fail completely. “If we don’t keep an eye on our facilities to maintain them, I’m going to be forced to make some very difficult decisions relatively quickly. That’s not a threat; that’s just reali­ ty,” Goebel said. “Those decisions are going to be coming this fall, unfortunately.” Two of the biggest ticket items included in the $17 million bond issue are replacement roofs at Hastings High School and the 1997 portion ofHastings Middle School. Although the. district has paid for replacement roofs at Northeastern, Southeastern and Star elemen­ tary schools using its sinking fund, the cost of repairs has greatly outpaced the fund’s reve­ nue generation. The proposal also calls for the removal and replacement ofsingle-pane windows installed in the high school in 1954. Other items include renovating some ofthe district’s old­ est bathrooms, including Central Elementa­ ry’s 93-year-old bathrooms from 1930 and Hastings High School’s 53-year-old bath­ rooms from 1970. See PASSING, page 2 A mock-up rendering showcasing proposed updates to the high school cafeteria under Tuesday’s bond proposal. (Courtesy renderings) Michigan Supreme Court ruling a massive I victory for statewide auto accident victims Jayson Bussa I Editor \ Mark Jordan was appointed the Hastings Fire Department's new chief last week. Jordan has previously served as the chief of the Bellevue Fire Department for five years. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) New fire chief Mark Jordan aims to work with members, run department as smoothly as possible Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings’ newest fire chief, Mark Jor­ dan, has wanted to work full-time in fire services ever since he started as a volunteer firefighter in 1991. Living in Missouri at that time, Jordan was friends with the local chief, who encouraged him to join the department. He went through the fire and EMT training and hasn’t looked back. “Ijust enjoy it. I like to help in the com­ munity,” Jordan said. Jordan worked his way through the ranks ofhis department in Missouri, where he became a captain. He moved to Michi­ gan in 1999 to pursue a full-time role as a communications engineer, utilizing his knowledge ofradio systems. He joined the Bellevue Fire Department as a firefighter, becoming chief in 2016. He served as the department’s chief until 2021 before becoming interim fire chief for the Charlotte Fire Department. Feeling that Charlotte wasn’t the right place for him, Jordan left the position and began searching for another fiill-time fire position. Opting not to move out of state, he had spent some time searching for a position in Michigan when former Hast­ ings Fire ChiefRoger Caris passed. Jordan said the two had met when Caris worked for the state. Hastings seemed like the right place. Jordan said he was excited to embed him­ selfin the community. “The community is certainly going to see a lot ofme,” he said. “I’m not the sort ofperson that hides in the office.” After being appointed chief last Tuesday, Jordan moved into an apartment in Hastings while he and his wife look for a new home. He had heard community con­ cerns that he might not be available after hours because he lived in Eaton County and decided he could best serve the com­ munity as a resident. “That wasn’t in the initial plan, but I .decided (to move into Hastings) for the good ofthe department and to address some ofthe concerns I heard,” he said. “I’m trying to stick to what I said I’d do, and I said I’d be here for after-hours calls. That was one of the big things that came up - ‘Will the chief be available after hours?’ Absolutely. It’s not When Teresa Hughes heard the news, she moire down. “Ijust cried for a halfhour - happy tears,” said Hughes, who is from. Middleville. “Because my son’s life has changed so much - drastically bad.” Hughes’ son, 35-year-old Troy Hughes, is one ofthe thousands ofmotorists around the state ofMichigan who were critically injured in an auto accident and unexpectedly saw the quality and accessibility to medical care plummet when lawmakers in Lansing made sweeping changes to the state’s auto no-fault insurance laws. Because ofthe new law, any medical ser­ vice not already covered under federal Medi­ care laws, which includes in-home caregiv­ ers and transportation to medical services, will now only be reimbursed by insurance companies at 55 percent ofwhat they were back before 2019. Existing accident victims were not grandfathered into this change in the law, either, which drastically affected the type and level of care they were able to receive. Troy Hughes, who was critically injured in a motorcycle accident 16 years ago, experi­ enced this firsthand. He can’t speak or swal­ low and relies on round-the-clock care to survive - care that has greatly diminished See MICHIGAN, page 3 Troy Hughes is pictured outside of his current living facility at Spectrum Health Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Grand Rapids. Hughes was injured in a motored* cle accident over a decade-and-a-half ago and requires around-the-clock cai^' (Photos provided) County board to do away with third-party commission tasked with setting pay for elected officials Jayson Bussa Editor The county board plans to abolish a com­ mittee tasked with setting compensation for elected officials. During Tuesday morning’s meeting ofthe Barry County Board of Commissioners’ Committee ofthe Whole, Commissioner Bob Teunessen entered a motion to green-light a resolution that would abolish a third-party board referred to as the County Officers Compensation Commission. This commission is comprised of resi­ dents from each district in the county who were appointed to their positions and tasked with researching and setting appropriate wages for those who have been elected to their positions, excludingjudges. See FIRE CHIEF, page 3 See COUNTY BOARD, page 2 Commissioner Bob Teunessen (left) speaks during Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Committee of the Whole. Teunessen introduced a resolution to abolish the County Officers Compensation Committee. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) �Page 2 — Thursday, August 3, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS : Supper club hosting wilderness survival skills workshop ■ tt i J ' k ‘ ’■ Have you ever wondered how you would survive in the wild if an emergency hap­ pened? The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club will host a wilderness survival skills workshop on Sunday, Aug. 6 at 3 p.m. The workshop will be led by Jessaca Elem, a naturalist and master herbalist. The workshop will be a “mostly outdoor” hands-on experience, where participants will learn how to use plants for shelter, water, fire, food and medicine, while also connecting with the earth. Attendees will learn and practice methods ofstarting a fire, how to gather water naturally, how to make rope and how to build a shelter. Elem will lead participants on a walk identifying edible and medicinal plants. The free program will be hosted at the Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church community hall and grounds, 888 Terry Lane, offof Star School Road in Hastings. The program and materials are free; free-will offerings are welcome. The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club is a health ministry supported by the Hast­ ings Seventh-day Adventist Church to educate its members and the community. To register or for more information, contact Janice Cleary at 269-804-9959. <%■ > S'/ 53* k rendering of proposed renovations to the Hastings High School commons area. Art Meade named HHS Alumnus of the Year Art Meade from the Hastings High School Class of 1956 has been selected as the 2023 Alumnus of the Year. He will be honored at the annual Alumni Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 26. Meade, who considers himselfa “Country Boy,” worked on both ofhis grandparents’ farms during summers while growing up. In 1972, he and his wife Della moved to a farm near Woodland where they raised purebred Charolais and Simmental cattle. Their cattle won several awards at shows in five different states. During this time, Meade was named president ofthe Charolais organization. In 1962, Meadejoined the Hastings Jaycees, where he later became president. He also joined the Chamber ofCommerce Association of Michigan, where he was president from 1965-1967. Meade was a member ofthe Lions Club for 51 years, also serving as presi­ dent. From 1959 to 1968, Meade found the time to play on the Hastings City League basketball and softball teams as well. In February, Meade was recognized for breaking the world record for selling cars with his 13,002n“ vehicle sold. He was honored by two Michigan congresswomen. Much of his life had centered on being a car salesman, which he still is today. These days, pro­ spective car buyers can find Meade at Sundance Chevrolet in Grand Ledge. Meade said he is thankful for attending Hastings High School and graduating with the class of 1956. He has enjoyed and continues to enjoy being part ofthe Hastings, Wood­ ; land and Lake Odessa communities. Hastings High School Alumni Banquet tickets are available now for purchase at the General Store, the Hastings Public Library or from any board member. The Aug. 26 banquet is being held at the First Presbyterian Church. Event organizers say this is a great opportunity to get reacquainted with classmates, many ofwhom travel from a great distance to reconnect. Tickets cost $33 each and will only be available until Monday, Aug. 21. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event and will not be available at the door. Questions about the event may be directed to Lois Bowers, 269-945-9657. Legal advice offered to Barry County seniors The Legal Services ofSouth Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct interviews for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested Barry County seniors this month. Those who wish to speak with an attorney should visit the Barry County Commission on Aging, 320 West Woodlawn in Hastings, between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Lg Services ofSouth Central Michigan-Battle Legal g Creek office is a nonprofit p organization g that provides legal assistance, representation and education to low-income people in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. PASSING, continued from page 1 “Those bathrooms are getting used every day by 2,600 students throughout the dis­ trict,” Goebel said. “They’re getting a lot of foot traffic.” The proposal also calls for updates to some of the high school’s most utilized spaces, including the school’s media center and cafe­ teria. Updating those spaces could go a long way to make students feel proud to be part of the district, Goebel said. “Those are two big areas that are original (construction),” Gobel said. “I feel we could instill a sense of pride in our students by bringing (those areas) into the 21st century, (on par with) what a media center and a cafe­ teria should look like for this day and age.” The renovations and upgrades will allow the school to be good stewards ofdistrict facilities and taxpayer money, Goebel said. Ifapproved on Tuesday, the bond proposal would provide the district with its needed funds while still providing a tax decrease for local residents. Because of district debt that is falling off, the district’s current millage rate of6 mills would drop to 5.85 mills ifthe proposal is passed. If Tuesday’s bond proposal were to fail, the tax rate would fall slightly further to 5.25 mills - with huge financial implications for the district, Goebel said. The 0.6 mill difference in tax rate would be negligible for the average taxpayer - amounting to between $5-10 a month - but could make or break the school’s budget, Goebel said. “I know $5 a month is a lot for some peo­ ple, and I don’t want to minimize that. But $5-10 a month - that’s the difference between putting a roof on a very large school or for windows that need to be replaced from 1954,” Goebel said. “Those are the types of things that I think we need to support our students with, rather than making severe cuts which will also impact our kids in a negative way.” Voting “yes” on the bond is a win-win for taxpayers, Goebel said. Taxes go down, and the school receives much-needed funds. Vot­ ing “no” in hopes ofa marginally bigger tax break would have huge consequences for the district, likely resulting in cuts to programs and resources for students while also ensur­ ing that the district would have to come back to taxpayers later to ask them for a tax increase to pay for huge repair projects with costs that have continued to compound. When crafting the proposal, Goebel said the district adhered closely to options that community members approved in a survey sent out earlier this year. Concerns about tax rate increases were a common piece of public feedback received by the district that Goebel said he took seriously. “I think it’s important that we keep the tax rate as low as we can,” he said. “I think our citizens are savvy enough to know and 40 understand that I’m trying to do the best for them as taxpayers, but at the same time take care ofour facilities.” Goebel said the district has carefully planned how to best cover its expenses and maintenance costs in the coming years, care­ fully utilizing its general funds for opera­ tions, its sinking fund for emergency small­ scale repairs and its bond funds for largescale projects. In order to execute that plan, Goebel said the district needs community support on next week’s bond proposal and renewing the district’s sinking fiind next yeqr. - Once those two sources of funding are secured, Goebel said the district would be financially stable and self-sufficient for quite some time to come. .J “Our community is one that is very gener­ ous, and they provide a lot of support. Npt only financially, but with intangible support to our students in regards to our programming and how we care about their growth and development,” Goebel said. “I would ask the community to consider if they can consider supporting our students and supporting our facilities now rather than getting hit (withpa larger cost) later. kasa-Msata Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Wife* Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville A mock-up of proposed updates to the high school media center. COUNTY BOARD, continued from page 1 Russ’ Auto Repair Is Closing Up Shop! We want to give a big thanks to all of our loyal customers over the last 20 years. Our doors will be officially closed on August 31st, but Thomas Solmes will still be offering some mobile services, and can be reached at 269-838-6852 * Thank You! This includes such officials as the county treasurer, register of deeds, clerk, surveyor, prosecutor, drain commissioner and all eight county commissioners. The Compensation Commission is behold­ en to state statutes, which completely removes discretion from the hands of the county’s commissioners. The county has had an on-again, off-again relationship with this Compensation Com­ mission, utilizing it once before but abolish­ ing it in 2004 before reinstating it in 2017. The idea to scrap the Compensation Com­ mission arose late last year and again early this year when county commissioners were issuing one-time bonus payments to county employees and permanent pay increases. The commissioners took such actions to keep up with an unprecedented time of inflation and to quell the worry that an already shortstaffed county might see a further mass exo­ dus of employees ifthey weren’t financially incentivized to stay. “I want to say how much we appreciate our elected officials,” Teunessen said to open up. discussion on the resolution Tuesday morn­ ing. “Through this whole process, no one anticipated this high inflation and everything else that we’ve all gone through and handing out these bonuses to try to retain people. So, when I found out that the Compensation (Commission) basically controlled the fact that our elected officials couldn’t be a part of that process, I just didn’t think it was fair, and we weren’t showing them our appreciation.” Late last year, the board approved economic impact payments to county employees. When the payments were improved, full-time employ­ ees who were employed on Nov. 22, 2022, received $2,000 on Dec. 22, 2022, $1,000 on April 13 and another $1,000 on July 20. Earlier this year, the board also approved a 3 percent wage increase, in 2023 on top ofthe regularly scheduled 2 percent increase for the year. This bump in pay, will cost the county $455,804 this year alone. The same scenario will play out in 2024 when employees are scheduled for a 2 per­ cent raise in addition to another 3 percent approved by the board. In 2025, the board will provide a 1 percent increase on top of the scheduled 2 percent raise. However, elected officials missed out on these wage enhancements as their pay is locked in by the Compensation Commission and could not be altered by county commis­ sioners. The Compensation Commission meets every even year and sets wages for elected officials for the following two years. The commission met in 2022 and set wages for 2023 and 2024. It was scheduled to meet again in 2024 to set wages for 2025 and 2026. Teunessen had been outspoken about his opposition to the limitations imposed by the Compensation Commission, saying that he is worried that elected officials will feel underunder­ appreciated and left out as other county employees receive increased pay. The Committee ofthe Whole voted 6-2 on the resolution to abolish the Compensation Commission, with the two no votes coming from Chairman David Jackson and CommisCommis­ sioner Mike Callton. Both commissioners stated that the reason for their no vote was that they wanted to spend more time develop­ ing ideas on how the county board would determine compensation for elected officials without the commission in place. The resolution will move to the Board of Commissioners for final approval on Tuesday. The sticky part of taking on this work themselves is that the county commissioners will then be tasked with setting wages for their own positions. Callton previously served as a commis­ sioner when they had to do that. “That was problematic because no one likes voting for their own raise and, politically, it seems self-serving,” Callton said. Jackson said that elected officials are not being forgotten, and when the Compensation Commission met again, it would have had,ia chance to adjust pay in accordance with infla­ tion. jf He highlighted his point by presenting sal­ aries for certain county employees to show that they have steadily received raises over the years. “I think there is a sense ofunfairness with what happened that certain employees got this and elected officials did not,” Jackson said. “To give you some historical perspective...for example, the sheriff’s salary in 20J>9 was $90,616. The sheriff’s salary after the 2020 (Compensation Commission meeting) went up to $96,193 for 2022. Today, the sher­ iff’s salary for 2024 will be $100,048. So it’s gone up literally about $10,000 in that time frame. It’s not like they’ve been ignored.” q The sheriff’s salary marked a similar trend amongst elected officials. The treasurer a^d clerk positions were also used as an exampip. The county treasurer’s pay was $66,196 .in 2019 and went to $76,854 in 2023. As for the clerk, that position was paid $66,624 in 2019 and rose to $79,327 in 2024. But Teunessen found support from his fellow commissioners and even ardent support suppo *1 from Jon Smelker. “I agree with Bob. I think we were elected to make these decisions, and I voted for the (Compensation Commission) that’s there, but I think we should be doing this ourselves,” Smelker said. “It’s not easy, but we can vqte for full-time elected employees raises a$d make it right. And maybe we can get a civil­ ian committee to (set) the commissioners (wages)... I tell you, if we don’t bring oyr full-time elected employees up, we’re goiijg to get what we deserve.” The idea of appointing a civilian commit­ tee - one that is not beholden to state statutes - to help guide the process ofsetting compen­ sation for elected officials found support amongst the commissioners, many of them saying they plan to explore that route as they disband the Compensation Commission. ’ �Tyden Lofts developer requests easement agreement with county as |t prepares new housingdevelopment Jayson Bussa Editor As a Wisconsin-based firm prepares preares to Kuild a multi-family workforce housing deveelopment adjacent to county-owned propjjirty iin downtown Hastings, the two parties Continue to work out the fine details associat8|d with property access. 8General Capital, the developer behind the ®0-unit Tyden Lofts project that will be con­ structed on the southwest comer of West State and North Broadway streets next to the bounty’s vacant and former Friend of the “Court building, sent the county an easement agreement last week. The easement agreement would create .shared vehicle entrances while also allowing General Capital the opportunity to install a stormwater detention solution. After significant discussion among com­ missioners at the county board’s Committee °6fthe Whole meeting on Tuesday morning, Commissioners ultimately tabled the discus­ sion as it continues to pick through the details s, - ofthe proposed agreement. v County Administrator Michael Brown '-Walked commissioners through the easement Xjj’ agreement proposed by General Capital, which hastily arrived to the county last week and was inexplicably riddled With typos andl errors. Under the agreement, General Capital would allow the future tenants ofthe vacant Friend ofthe Court building to use its vehicle entrance offCourt Street to gain access to the county’s parking lot. The county would provide General Capital with permission to use both vehicle entrance ways offofNorth Broadway, with one major caveat. Brown said that the Department of Trans­ portation requested the county close the northern ofthe two entrances to the parking lot to limit access points to this state highway (Broadway St.), especially since it’s so close to a major intersection. The Department of Transportation also stated that the M-37 Corridor Commission, comprised ofrepresentatives from municipal­ ities with M-37 frontage, also suggested closing that entrance. “My response is that we don’t know what we’re doing with that building at the moment,” Brown said. know ifclosihg’rafr access would be a probprob­ lem. So we pushed back a little bit.” Brown said he was unsure ofthe county’s options and if it could defy the opinion of MDOT and the M-37 Corridor Commission. He also said that General Capital prefers that both entrances remain open. Yet another component of the agreement and the most pressing, per General Capital was the county granting access to a portion of its parking lot so crews can install a catch basin to collect stormwater that would otherwise have flowed into the once-vacant property. Brown said that likely next summer, con­ struction crews would have to tear up and re-pave a portion ofthe county’s parking lot to install those measures. County board chairman Dave Jackson asked if this proposed agreement would be more effective as two separate easement agreements. Brown said it could be either one or two, but due to the prevalence of errors, it was not currently in recordable form. He said he would work with the county’s register of deeds and General Capital to cre­ ate a more viable agreement. II ^VIICHIGAN, continued from page 1 .Si» : ^because of the change in the law, which went 1mto effect in July 2021. But all that changed on Monday when the ^Michigan Supreme Court ruled to affirm a previous Court ofAppeals ruling that those injured before 2019 are exempt from the 'Sweeping changes that Michigan lawmakers Tiad made. The Supreme Court sided 5-2 with the 5Gdurt ofAppeals in a case involving plain­ tiffs Ellen Andary of East Lansing and Phil­ ips Krueger ofAnn Arbor, who had suffered ‘’traumatic brain injuries in crashes before ^019 and now require round-the-clock care. ^They were suing USAA Casuality Insurance for violating their contractual rights to full rfeimbursement. [ - Before 2020, Michigan was the only state I in the country where drivers were required to jastrophic injuries in an accident unlimited Pmedfcsfrt^^&^fer,the tfhaqag^s J^the^law insurance costs - unlimited coverage became optional, and drivers are'fiow allowed to pick Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 Hughes saw a dramatic one. Due to the changes in the law, in Novem­ ber of 2021, he had to move from Home­ wards North at Spectrum Neuro RehabilitaI tion Services Residential Program, where he At his previous home, Troy got nearly one;i6n-one care from staff and would split time tfetween his own room and commons areas, •Where he had a lot offriends. Teresa Hughes said that, now, her son (ifcmains in his room pretty much all day. "I- “No one even talks to him anymore,” she ‘‘shid. “They just come in, roll him over, do ^Whatever they need to do, roll him back and out the door they go.” Still, she doesn’t blame the staff - she tfoiows they’re trying their best but simply 4ftck the manpower to provide a higher level ^fcare. vehicle occupied by a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl. Klutman told the court ? at last week’s hearing that he has entered ►; counseling and apologized for his actions, < saying he wanted “to get back to doing. what I love to do, in helping people and 5 taking care ofmy community.” Klutman, a firefighter and paramedic J with the department, asked for an unpaid < leave of absence in early July when he J became aware that charges would be filed ' against him, Schaefer said in a press release. { “Chad is a valued member of the depart- / ment and has had an enormous and posi- • five impact on public safety over his 20-year tenure,” Schaefer said in the .. release. “This commitment to service does j not alleviate or lessen Chad’s responsibili- • ty for his actions. “Thomapple Township and the Thomappie Township Fire Department do not con- « done or endorse Chad’s behavior in this ‘ matter and are actively undertaking steps to : address such behavior in the future. Chad’s ■ employment with the department will be • treated in a maimer consistent with the • township and department’s adopted poli-. cies and requirements,” Schaefer added. Thomapple Township Fire Chief Bill • Richardson declined to comment further; on Klutman’s status, deferring to Schae­ fer’s statement. New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Sisurance rates in the country. ■ And- while most of the state’s population didn’t see a difference, people like Troy M1 StaffWriter A Thomapple Township Fire Depart­ ment officer remains on administrative leave following his guilty plea on drug-re­ lated charges but will stay on as a member ofthe department. Capt. Chad Klutmah, a 20-year depart­ ment veteran, has been placed on an addi­ tional two weeks ofunpaid leave on top of the four weeks of leave he has already served, Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer wrote in an email to the Hastings Banner Wednesday morning. “Chad remains a member ofthe depart­ ment,” Schaefer wrote in the email, saying that he expects Klutman to return to duty once the two additional weeks ofadminis­ trative leave are completed. Klutman, 46, pleaded guilty on July 26 to misdemeanor counts of use of marijuana and allowing consumption of a drug by a minor in Barry County court. Judge Michael Schipper sentenced Klutman to one year of probation plus fines, court costs and oversight fees. An original felony Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber i J'om varying levels ofcoverage? 3| The effort hardly moved the needle, as Ofichigari still has some of the highest auto Tike 13 patients, and that’s ridiculous to think ’they can take care of 13 people that can’t even get themselves to the toilet or get to ^fed.” Greg Chandler I MICHAEL KINNET PLUMBING k" RetHjbltens ^JmWtT^^d^^^Wmartempuio drive crown. -gj “it’s not someplace that a person with that level of injury should be,” his mom said. ^The few people that work there, they have Thornapple fire captain remains on leave, expected to stay on with department charge ofdelivery or manufacture ofa con­ trolled substance was dismissed in exchange for the misdemeanor guilty pleas. The charges stemmed from a June 9 incident in Thomapple Township. Prosecu­ tors said that Klutman used marijuana in a JJpay for full personal injury protection insur­ ance, which offered those who sustained cat- -had lived for 13 years. The facility was shut­ ting down as a result of the changes to the law and later reopened to provide care for more independent patients. Troy Hughes was moved to Spectrum Health Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 4118 Kalamazoo Ave. near Kentwood. There, his mother, Teresa, said he receives much ,J16wer quality care. Two driveways allow motorists to enter the parking lot of the county’s former Frieriji of the Court building off of North Broadway Street. The entrances are part of a potential easement agreement between the county and Wisconsin-based developer General Capital, which is working to build Tyden Lofts. > WWWVWVWV VWW V V VWWV ► ; Troy Hughes (left) visits with his mother Teresa (next to him) and niece Meya Hughes last Halloween. Brian Harrison, executive director for ther­ apy ofservices for Grand Rapids-based AdvisaCare Home Health and Hospice, has visited county board meetings multiple times to prod the county into adopting a resolution that would signal to the state that they need to restore full reimbursement for accident vic­ tims. His company provides care for Sandy Poland of Hastings, who appeared at one of those meetings to tell commissioners about her personal struggles. Harrison said the ruling was a success but that he, and many advocates, are frustrated that they had to go through that struggle. “The biggest thing to note is that this is just for families injured before 2019, and hopeful­ ly, Lord willing, they’ll be able to recover and get additional services in the home that they had lost and get back to a way of life that is more sustainable and productive.” “The legislature still needs to fix and do something for people that are buying an unlimited policy today that can’t be cashed in right now,” Harrison added. Even though Troy Hughes’ reimbursement on care is back to 100 percent, he and his family are not out ofthe woods quite yet. His mother is worried that the damage has been done and, because of the initial fallout ofthe changes in the law, there won’t be any­ where for Troy to go. J Michigan Public Health, commissioned by the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, found that 4,088 healthcare workers lost their jobs as a result of the changes, and over 6,800 crash survivors have been discharged from local care providers. The study also found that 10 care companies have had to close their doors completely since the changes, while over a dozen more are expected to close in the next year. “At the moment, I don’t have a clue how we’ll use his funds to» actually make his life better again, but I hope that comes along because all the foster homes like he lived in are all closed up.” 1 • “I’m really afraid ofthat,” she added. “I’m hoping in Troy’s lifetime that someone steps up and opens facilities' ofthat sort again.” New from Mods® Forest Frolic, Batiks, Sweet Melodies, Joyful Gatherings New 108" Cottons Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station ; < ; 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; 8“ Saturday 9 am-3 pm THORnnPPLC Auditions * Auditions * Auditions The Importance ofBeing Earnest by Oscar Wilde Directed by Erin Merritt When: August 14th at 7PM fl RE CHIEF, continued from page 1 tyhe sort ofjob where you can just go home, Turn the radio offand watch TV.” Although he’s been chief for less than two "weeks, Jordan has been busy meeting as many •Members ofthe community as he can. Ifhe’s •iVot working in his office or on a call, Jordan fiaid he’s walking around the community intro­ ducing himself to business owners and resi­ dents. He said he’s already been recognized ^hd stopped in the street by a few residents. Once he’s met with everyone, Jordan said He hopes to learn how the Hastings Fire ^Department works in order to better work Alongside its members. He’s been working Closely with assistant fire chief Rick Krouse 'Io ensure the department continues to run Smoothly, with hopes that members of the department continue to haye a say in how things get done. “It’s a learning curve for everybody,” he said. “I’m in the phase now where I see how we do things as a department. I’m not the type of guy that jumps in and says, ‘No, we’re not doing that (anymore).*” Jordan attended last week’s BIRCH Rural Fire Association meeting to introduce himself to board members and discuss his first steps as the department’s new chief. Having worked with fire boards in the past, Jordan said he was happy to work with BIRCH members and is a big supporter ofmutual aid agreements between departments. One of Jordan’s first goals is to get the department to run more smoothly by replac­ ing older equipment and trucks with newer, more efficient models that could help the department do more with less. He promised to bring a list of proposed equipment sales Where: Dennison Performing Art Center located at 231S Broadway Hastings, Ml and purchases to the' BIRCH board at their meeting next month.' ’ ’ His next priority is to build the department by adding more staff members. The department will be hiring for part-time positions in the coming weeks, with the minimum age requirement dropping from 21 to ^.Applications will be available1 online as well as at the department. As he continues to settle into his new role in Hastings, Jordan said he hopes to continue meeting as many members of the community as he can. He encourages anyone who’d like to chat with him to call the department or stop by. II m honored to get the position, and I look forward to working with everybody here,” he said. My door is always open. Any concerns, compliments, I’ll takb’them all. Just give me, give me a call, and I’ll stop in.” Open to high school seniors or older. Auditions will consist of reading selections from the script. No preparation is needed. Rehearsals begin on August 21st scheduled Monday through Thursday Production Dates: October 4th - October 8th Interested, but unavailable for this date? Contact us via the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002, so other arrangements can be made. Follow us on Facebook for more information. Community Foundation Community Theatre Association of Michigan Of Barry County Michigan �4^ ^age 4 — Thursday, August 3, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC? frA<v frA<v, When local government keeps its eye on the ball, constituents win Movin’ Dirt Construction crews broke ground at 326 W. State St. this week, where the Tyden Lofts project will stand once completed. Originally slated to use the former Royal Coach building and later the grounds after the building was lost to arson, the 60-unit workforce housing development is a result of collaboration between developers General Capital, the city of Hastings, Barry County, community organizations and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Do you remember? State Street sports new look BannerAug. 17,1995 The corridor on State Street in Hastings between Broadway and Cook Road sports an entirely new look with the completion of work installing banners, ornamental pear trees and lights, effectively tying the downtown area and the rest of the highway heading west out of the city together with the entire length of State Street now decorated with the same type of fixtures. (Photo courtesy of Howard Wilson) Have you met? Bom in Detroit and raised in Kentucky, Kolleen Brown moved to Barry County when she was 20. Growing up in Kentucky was pretty much like growing up anywhere else . except for one thing, Brown said. When she moved to Michigan, she took two years of speech lessons to lose her Southern accent. Anyone who didn’t know she has taken lessons would assume she’s a Midwestern native, but Brown said her accent still incomes through on occasion. “When I go back to visit (family in Ken­ tucky), if I spend more than three days | there, my accent definitely starts coming » back,” Brown said. “It takes me a while , once I come back home to get back out of | that..” ; Here in Barry County, Brown has worked | at BCN Technical Services, formerly I known as the E.W. Bliss Company, for । more than a decade. She’s one ofthe first । faces visitors will see when they visit the ! building, where she works the front desk as | an administrative assistant. * Brown also does a lot ofwork as a sort of i company historian. During her time at the company, Brown said she’s taken care to I, collect documents and historical objects from the company’s early days. Because the company has been in Hastings for so long, j it s not too hard to find something interestj*. ing. i She said her coworkers have found and B brought her ledgers, notebooks, news clip■ pings and more, with some pieces being anywhere from 50 to 100-years-old. I m a history buff. buff I love history, history so the Bliss is like the perfect place for me,” Brown said. “I’m always finding something like, Look what I found! It’s covered in dust, isn’t it amazing?”’ ’ Alongside tracking down historical Bliss documents, Brown has worked on recreats ing ng tem them as we well.. One ne o of her er most recent ^projects included restoring and reprinting p F Kolleen Brown an old company manual to preserve it. The manual, last printed in the ‘80s, contains multitudes of technical specifications, product information and historical informa­ tion about the company. Brown said many employees affectionately refer to the manu­ al as the “Bliss bible” because ofhow thick the book is. The Bliss bible project is just a part of one of Brown’s ongoing projects aimed at preserving and sharing the company’s lega­ cy in Hastings. She’s been involved with a remodeling project taking place in the build­ ing’s lobby, turning it into a history show­ room. Although she said she’s not ready to reveal all of the surprises she’s found over the years, she’s excited to be able to share and display some ofher best historical finds once the project is complete. Brown said working on the project has been special because of how many people in the Hastings community have been involved at the Bliss company throughout the years. She said she’s always shocked when she sees how many locals attend the company’s public events! “Anyone that has grown up here at some point has had a family member that worked at the Bliss, or has retired from the Bliss,” Brown said. “We’ve had picnics that we opened to the public and there were so many people that would come, hundreds, and they had all worked there or had a fam­ ily member who worked there.” Being able to preserve the history ofsuch a storied business in Hastings is very rewarding, she said. “It’s just really awesome to see how much one company can change a small town,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of lives that have ties to that.” For preserving and protecting Barry County history Kolleen Brown is this week’s Bright Light. Best advice ever received: Always keep ' your grace, even when others do not. What I’d tell a high school graduate: Don’t be so busy stressing over the future that you overlook your accomplishments, be proud ofyourself! What I like about my job: My cowork­ ers! I am very thankful to be surrounded by some amazing people! I’m most proud of: My children, always. I am most content when: I’m playing dinosaurs with my 6-year-old. The world fades away and nothing seems to matter... until a T-Rex comes out of nowhere and takes down my Brontosaurus! Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingpersonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058;; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Right now, you’re reading the words of someone who can get sidetracked very easily. In fact, over the course of writing this column, I’ll likely get up from behind the computer multiple times, eat a snack and probably take in five minutes ofa random television show playing in the back­ ground. I think that’s natural - most peo­ ple have a propensity to become distract­ ed from time to time, and it doesn’t gener­ ally affect the population at large. But, when local government becomes distracted, it’s a much different story. For a number of meetings now, the Barry County Board of Commissioners have, at the very least, discussed what sort ofaction they might take in response to the Barry County GOP’s calls for adopting a resolution to designate this as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary Coun­ ty.” This would signal to the state govern­ ment that residents here in the county find many of their gun control measures to infringe on their constitutional rights, and those laws would not be enforced in this county. From the moment the Barry County GOP piled into the county courthouse on April 18 for an hours-long meeting, there has been one nagging question hanging on to their request: What would this actu­ ally do? As members ofthe GOP presented this resolution, many ofits members admitted that this was more or less a symbolic ges­ ture that would have no real teeth, as county commissioners don’t have any sort of authority to tell the county’s sheriff or prosecuting attorney how to go about their business. After noodling on it, county commis­ sioners responded with a resolution to affirm their support ofconstitutional rights as a whole. The board brought up the res­ olution at a meeting earlier this month and ultimately, following significant discus­ sion, didn’t do anything with it. While authors of the resolution were most likely disappointed that it didn’t come out on the other side ofthe county board in its original form, commissioners likely spent more time discussing it than I would have. It simply wasn’t the venue for such a resolution, and those being implored to take action had no power to enact any real change when it comes to statewide gun laws and how they’re enforced. Chairman Dave Jackson constantly echoed a sentiment that should be welcome by any tax-paying resident ofBarry County. Jackson underscored that the county board is tasked with conducting the busi­ ness of the county and that it has never set a precedent ofwading into purely politi­ cal issues. And by not taking action on this “Second Amendment Sanctuary” res­ olution, the board has remained firm in that precedent. “This board has a business function for the county,” Jackson said. “My opinion is that we stay in our lane and do what we’ve always done. We’ve never taken on these types ofresolutions in the past. We have been doing some really good things going forward.” He highlighted the nearly $1.5 million in grant dollars the county recently secured for things such as rural develop­ ment, brownfield assessments and anti­ blight efforts. None of these are hot-button political topics, but they’re important nonetheless. “Ifwe stay focused on the business of the county and stay focused on the things that are working, we are able to do some great things,” he concluded. Jackson’s words carry weight, especially considering the fact that he was one of the GOP members to vote for the resolu­ tion at a party level and admittedly is a gun guy.” Instead of leading through the lens of his personal beliefs, he instead has opted for what he considers to be best for the county, which is what most people would ask ofan elected leader. Resolutions of this nature serve as a distraction, and the board was right to just let it go. Mike Callton, who has experience working as a state representative, shared his thoughts on the validity of what are sometimes called “feel-good resolutions” and how entertaining them can lead to hours and hours ofwasted time and effort. “When I was in the legislature, resolu­ tions were endless,” he said. “I used to laugh because I noticed they were usually put forth by the most ineffective legisla­ tors who couldn’t pass any legislation, so they would have resolutions to which no one could say ‘no.’ Then, they became annual. For instance, there was a resolu­ tion to declare October Chiropractic Awareness Month.” “There was no end to resolutions... These resolutions just congest the whole system of the legislature because it’s a Pandora’s Box,” he added. What’s important to note is that this is not necessarily an indictment on (the) merits of the resolution itself. If a large swath of Barry County’s population is worried about their ability to arm and defend themselves and feels like the state is stripping them of their natural or consti­ tutional rights, those are valid concerns. Those concerns should be brought to someone with decision-making power in thatjurisdiction. Local governments should work to avoid divisive topics that accomplish little or nothing, regardless ofpolitical flavor. On the opposite side of the traditional political spectrum, a similar situation played out in Middleville in early June with calls to pass a resolution marking the month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It was another hot-button social topic, another packed house, another hours-long meeting and a similar outcome - only this time, it was voted down as opposed to no action taken. The same principles apply to this situ­ ation. The motivation behind such a request and the merits ofit are noble and important. But once again, the Mid­ dleville Village Council adopting such a measure would have changed little to nothing. Adopting such a resolution doesn’t erase homophobia where it lies, and it would not tangibly change anything that would make life easier for the LGBTQIA+ community outside of gar­ nering moral support. And we can debate if, for that purpose alone, the resolution should have passed. Village President Mike Cramer defend­ ed the validity of the LGBTQIA+ com­ munity’s request, noting that he has wit­ nessed intolerance. But, he also said that the Pride Month resolution would logisti­ cally “open Pandora’s Box” and lead to countless other resolution requests for the village. No one’s concerns or hopes for change should ever be minimized. Residents, however, must funnel those concerns to the necessary parties and allow local government to pour their time and energy into the business oftheir municipalities. jW a a a • 7*1 71 i W*11’ ******* Ijkhi Wt M M? t*?-^16 Wi Jayson Bussa Editor, Hastings Banner The Hastings BcillllCT Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. . A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuurlnq CFO ’ Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker • NEWSROOM • Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) $85. per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 J * �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 3, 2023 — Page,7 Founding of Yankee Springs - Part 2 Thefollowing was read before the Barry County Pioneer Society in 1903 by Mary ^ewis Hoyt ofKalamazoo, daughter of “Yan­ kee” Bill Lewis, founder ofYankee Springs. Banner June 18, 1903. THE INDIANS It has been said, “There is no good Indian jut a dead Indian,” but in our experience, we lid not find in them the treachery and deceit hey are usually credited with. They had great •espect for my father, and we lived in peace and harmony. The woods were full of them, but we did not fear them and I believe they Iwere our friends. They were strict in their Heal, and if they made a promise, they kept it. They brought us berries of all kinds from the poods and constantly supplied us with fresh [venison, never bringing any part of the car­ W&AV O O J? VN \\SS ;W, ;WW$I , *&*'&*>>'■&' vfi «ZM^Nyi xII fit^ *N NZMNi, SfiSS ?W E’4‘CS *% W ^Sb^' ^ *« J'i9*”* <iSZEMS EJMSS? 5 ajj 5 jJ* J*J J SSUt Ut??i|| i|| <aa^^tewi ^^iteSwiZZa j5 *» 5<blai® , ’‘‘^ L 1’*^! •ukitesikofi kitesikofi ' J;-1**** £^«32r» 5CT^fel '* '* bo qmvttooHiin qpat fr araifriiH. tta'ialtapwtaitBi omit be Im and toft m nUtotWi ofcrccd. ftf Jiffy distal Ctanoa Dr Jacbs of tatetojfti »r :t ffyri > fongt to iJifrfMtj^^r'c«*am$isiste rttoiftiwfrk cc taW VW3) H&ftt) • BJWmss- w w*** ‘’12 w n estf® «WEd^ila®J ^jfcwi®!-; nestf® ^jfc i[Wtt(^T^k*iftelll»f»: -Ct^ss> is> s tjSSj <>^.5 **'ji«' **'ji«'*' ji« iff ft bass but the hams, which were always 25 cents, no more nor no less. They brought Ifresh fish from the lakes, and the muskellunge pom Gun Lake were enormous. They made a peat deal ofmaple sugar. In 1840, these Pot­ Jawatomies were removed by the U.S. government beyond the Mississippi, and very reluctantly* they left their homes among the lakes and oak openings and the silver streams of Michigan. Noonday, the chief of the Pot­ lawatomies, greatly impressed me by his dig­ nified bearing. Six feet tall and well-propor­ tioned, he was then nearly 100 years old. His face was painted, and a great circlet of eagle feathers was around his head. He looked kindly and laid his hand on my head. He died soon afterward and was buried in the Richland cemetery by the side of his wife. “Noonday” assisted in the War of 1812 and witnessed the burning ofthe city ofBuffalo. “Ye say they all have passed away, | That noble race, and brave, • That their light canoes have vanished I From offthe crystal wave. । That in their grand old forests . There rings no hunter’s shout J But their name is on your waters [ And ye may not wash them out.” j There were poets in those days, and frequently, the old place was sounded in story pnd song, and occasionally, one was found jwhpse “feelings” overflowed to the extent that he published his production. Such a one •was George g Torrey y Sr.,., who,, coming g from Boston at an early day, settled in Kalamazoo County and was associated with the KalamaKalama­ zoo Telegraph at its birth in 1844. He traveled through Barry County at that date, and a poem published in the Telegraph soon after feached us in this form. He had not the world­ wide fame of a Kipling, but this poem has survived perhaps longer than some of Kipling’s will. j “Did you ever go out to Grand River From Detroit to Kalamazoo, . , ., , . ftl,a sffiJe arl« Through a country that looks very new? Ifyou are hungry and wish for a dinner, Breakfast, supper and lodgings to boot, Ifyou’re a Turk, a Christian or sinner, Yankee Springs is the place that will suit. The landlord is a prince ofhis order, Yankee Lewis, whose fame and renown Far and near throughout Michigan’s border Is noised about country and town.” It finished by enumerating the bill of are, which seemed to afford him great satsfaction. Personally, I knew little of the hardships of rioneer life, for I was protected and sheltered >y my parents. There was so much life and ictivity about us that it was akin to life in a city, ind we had no time for loneliness. Being the dmost constant companion of my father and /isiting with him all the towns within a large adius, I saw life in all its form in the new counry, traveling in coach, wagon or horseback, rhere was no underbrush in those days. The innual fires consumed it, leaving the forests ree from obstructions, and one could walk, ide or drive anywhere as freely as in a beautiiil park. Nature was liberal in the diffusion of ruits, nuts and flowers, and from the little The above half tone of “Yankee Bill Lewis,” as he was familiarly known, was taken from a daguerreotype taken in Detroit in 1846. The picture from which the above was taken is the only one known to be in existence and is said to have been one of the first pictures of the kind ever taken in Detroit. violet in early spring, there was a successive graduation of flowers of all kinds and colors until the frost came in the fall. We lived only two and one-half miles from Gun Lake, that inland gem ofBarry County. My first view ofit will never be forgotten. Scouring through the woods one day on my French pony, we came out suddenly on its shore, and I gazed in silent wonder on that broad sheet of water, flashing and dimpling in the sunlight, where no white man’s boat had ever been and only the Indian’s canoe had disturbed the calm serenity of its waters. Not a tree had been disturbed, and the dark forest clear around us was reflected on the glistening surface of the water. As I silently gazed, a feeling ofawe stole over me. The sol­ emn stillness of lake and forest frightened me. I turned my pony and fled and never drew rein until the distance from home was covered. In the new country, you sometimes looked around for your neighbors, and they were not there, and so it was that some ofthe birds we had known, the robin, the wren and the swal­ low, w, w were not there,, but u the blue-jays u- y and the whippoorwills were not lacking. The crows had not come, neither had the flies, but the fleas and mosquitoes were plentiful. We heard of a neighbor who opened her Bible one day and found a fly pressed between its leaves. “Now, children,” she said. “Don’t you touch that fly; let it remain here in this bookjust as it is, for that fly once lived in our old home in New York state.” There were no rats or. mice, and neither were there any house cats. The coijqfty JiafLpo needier thpip,. but I had, and so Rapids, upon opening which out jumped two lovely Maltese kittens. The prettiest, regardless of sex, was immediately christened “Tommy” and nursed and petted to a great extent. One day, he was missing, and there was a great outcry. Finally, when found, he was nursing a lot of little kittens ofhis own. From this small beginning, many came, and no doubt, the descendants ofthis same cat are racing around on the sand hills of Barry County today. My father represented the counties ofAlle­ gan and Barry in the state legislature in Detroit in 1846. He came home for a short time during the winter and, when he returned, was accompanied by his two youngest daughters, who took their first ride on the new railroad and indulged in the gayeties ofthe capitol city for two weeks. That was the last winter the legis­ lature convened in Detroit. Some feared that the frivolities of the gay city might affect the manners and morals of the members of that day, and so voted Lansing, forty miles from any railroad in the heart ofthe forests of Ing­ ham County, should henceforth witness the assembling of that august body. My father lived for six years after this event, dying in September 1853 at the age of fifty-one. His ^Doctor Universe A dog’s best friend IVhy do dogs have tails? Bailey, 7, Ohio Dear Bailey, My best friend is a golden retriever. When I get home, she greets me with a goofy smile and a big wag ofher fluffy tail. I talked about why she has a tail with my friend Jillian Haines. She’s a veterinarian at Washington State University. She told me dogs use their tails for lots of things. Tails help dogs balance while running, jumping or swimming. Tails help dogs communicate with each other and other animals. Some dogs in the Arcticlike sled dogs-use their tails to stay warm. They curl up and cover their noses with their fluffy tails. When a dog is moving, its tail acts as a counterbalance. When you need to balance yourself, you probably stick out your arms. That’s what a dog’s tail does, too. If the dog starts tipping one way, it can stick its tail the other way to stay balanced. “It is also used for making sharp turns,” Haines said. “Breeds like greyhounds that are fast runners, have a whip-shaped tail. They can use it to make a quick turn. It also balances them when they’re jump- ing.” Some dogs are good swimmers. They use their tails for balance and steering in the water. It works like a boat’s rudder. Tails are also important for communica­ tion. “It’s how dogs talk to each other-and it’s part of how they talk to us,” Haines said. “Depending on how that tail is held, it can tell us the dog is feeling happy or excited. It can tell us the dog is scared. It can say they’re last request was that he might be buried on the hill overlooking the old place. I have twice removed his remains, once after the old place passed from our hands to the nearby cemetery and again to lay them by the side ofmy moth­ er in Kent County. She outlived him by thirty-five years, dying March 1, 1888, in Alaska, Kent County, Mich., at the age of83 years. My mother descended from old Revolutionary stock on the Norton-Goodwin side and will ever be remembered- as a faithful friend and worthy type ofwomanhood. In the afflictions of life, from which she was far from being exempt, she displayed that true Christian forti­ tude that commends her example to us. Hastings was “our next-door neighbor,” and we knew all the old settlers there. The Paramlees, so cultured and refined, the Bun­ kers, McClellans, the Hayes family who have lived here always, the Kenfields, the Knap­ pens, Roberts, Robinsons, Holbrooks, Bar­ lows, Goodyears, the Cooks, Mary Tyler Goodyear, good old Zarah T. Hoyt, who married us all and christened our babies. All these and many more we personally knew. Many now are sleeping on the hillside that overlooks the river. The first six years ofmy married life were spent here, and two sons were bom to us in our home on the hill over­ looking your beautiful city. It is generally the better class of men and women who emigrate - the drones stay at home. You will all acknowledge that no better men ever walked your streets than those ener­ getic men who first settled here. In the early days, every settler fejt\liimself an aristocrat, one ofthe true nobility whohad earned his title by useful toil in the high school oflabor. They laid the foundations in toil and hardship so that those coming after might enjoy the peace and quiet ofthe lovely homes you occupy today. The solid forests have vanished, and we sometimes feel that the solid men have van­ ished, too. The type of character they repre­ sented may not be needed now, but they are worth remembering for their courage in open­ ing up this country, reclaiming it from brush and bramble, trees and stone, and placing Michigan in the front rank she holds today among the states of the union. By her iron, steel and copper products, by her salt and lumber, she can control the markets of the country, ifnot the world. On the whole, it niay be said of the pio­ neers of Michigan that in character and in aim, in what they were and in what they did, what they suffered and what they accom­ plished, they deserve! and should have the grateful remembrancejof those who, coming after, reap the fruitageioftheir sowing. Find Part 1 of ^Founding of Yankee fl look back at the stories and columns on local nistory In the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Aug. 4-10 Aug. 1-31 - August Storywalk Book: “Berry Song” by Michaela Goade. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Tuesday, Aug. 8 - No Family Left Indoors: Reframe Your World - Nature Art Frames, 6:30-8 p.m. Nature frames can help you discover new things in nature. Attendees will join Institute staff for a HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 3 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1949 film starring Mil­ ton Berle, Virginia Mayo and Ruth Roman, 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Library Board of Directors meeting, Consignment Auction 9790 Cherry Valley Ave Caledonia, Ml 49316 (616)920-6651 www.M37Auction.com Upcoming Auctions: August 8, August 22 Accepting Consignments: Antiques and Vintage Items Appliances ATVs, Boats, Motorcycles, Trailers, and Vehicles Building Materials, Hardware, and Lumber Business DeadStock/Excess Inventory Business Liquidations/Retirements Coins and Collectibles Electronics and Musical Equipment Estate Sale Items Farm Implements and Equipment Furniture Generators, Power Washers, and Pumps Jewelry/Gems Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Outdoor Living Equipment, Furniture, and Supplies Sports Memorabilia Sporting Goods Tools ready to play. Or it can say to stay away.” Not all tail wags are the same. A happy dog usually holds its tail softly and wags it in a chill way. An angry dog might wag its tail, too. That dog might hold its tail high and stiff. It may wag its tail very fast. The direction of the tail wag sends a message, too. Dogs usually wag their tails CITY OF HASTINGS REQUEST FOR BIDS City of Hastings Parking Lot 8 Reconstruction to the right when they see something they like-such as their hqman. They usually wag their tails to the left when they want to stay away from something-like another aggressive dog. But some dogs are bom without long tails. These include corgis, Boston terriers, bulldogs, and some Australian shepherds and spaniels. I • when squeezing through obstacles or tight areas.” So, humans have bred some dogs to have a bobtail instead of a long tail. These dogs can still wag. “That little wagging nubbin is just as cute and rewarding to see as a big fluffy tail,” Haines said. Just don’t tell that to my bestie. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Di: Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse.com. 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.;mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. M37Auction.com Springs” in last week's Turning Back the Pages. “For those dogs, having a tail can make it harder for them to dp theirjobs or can be a source ofinjury,” Haines said. “A low-tothe-ground herding dog could get their tail stepped on by a cowl A tail can get stuck short walk on the trails. There, participants can create their own nature frames using recycled and natural materials. This week’s No Family Left Indoors event is organized and hosted by Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. The City of Hastings Department of Public Services is requesting sealed bids for the City of Hastings Parking Lot 8 Reconstruction. Bid proposal forms and specifications are available at www.hastingsmi. gov, or at the address listed below. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in the bid proposals, and to award the bid as deemed to be in the City’s best interest, price and other factors considered. Sealed bids shall be received at the Office of the City Clerk, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. All bids shall be clearly marked on the outside of the submittal package “Parking Lot 8 Reconstruction". Travis J. Tate, P.E. Director of Public Services 203627 �Page 8 — Thursday, August 3, 2023 — The Hastings Banner R * ; Dubbed “Grandma’s Bucket of Bolts,” the 1959 Chevy Impala cus­ tomized by the Daniels' during the 1970s has a very cluttered dash­ board. p on Satu Over 100 cars lined Division Street in Freeport The car show was one of many activities going on y y P Homecoming 2023. Brian King of Shelbyville displayed his 1992 Geo Metro at Saturday's*) car show at Freeport Homecoming 2023. King has been toying with the&d vehicle for years, adding a long list (literally a list that he displays withrii the car) of parts and components along the way. sdi a FAST TURTLES, FASTER CARSii Freeport Homecoming 2023 takes over village Jayson Bussa Editor When Brian King received a flyer to bring his car to Freeport for a car show that coin­ cided with Freeport Homecoming 2023, he had one small question. “Where is Freeport?” he said, laughing. King, of Shelbyville, admitted that he had a vague idea ofwhere the small village was, but it was his first time, showing a car in the annual car show, which generally ropes in a solid group of cars each year. Last year, the car count was 115, while organizers expected roughly 120 this year. ' King tries to occupy; his summer with about one car show a week, so he brought his souped-up 1992 Geo Metro to this year’s show. On the windshield ofhis Metro, King dis­ plays a long list ofparts’ that he has added to his vehicle, showing passersby that he has built it literally one piece at a time. “I bought it in 1993 and drove it for 19 years and decided that it was either time to throw it away or play with it,” King said. “I found the taillights in an unclaimed freight store; they were off a bus. I was thinking early T-Birds when I started it. I took about a winter to change it around, but for the last 11 winters, I changed it a little bit every year.” Freeport was buzzing with activity both in and around the car show as part of the Homecoming celebration, which also fea­ tured live music, comhole, horseshoes, an antique tractor show, a swap meet and other activities. It’s a rare occasion that large crowds descend on the tiny town. Jeremy Cochran, a : jjttiti Freeport resident and a gunsmith at local busi-jn ness Iron Sights Tactical LLC, used the influx;” offoot traffic to talk to people about the shop. “The store has been here a little over au year, and we have offered gunsmithing foni just over a month now,” said Cochran, who/d was out chatting with passersby. “We’ve just been growing and doing great. We’re a nice little hometown shop.” Blough Automotive was also the site of few fun 'and creative activities. Kids wer th^ invited to paint a Volkswagen Beetle with water-based paint. The vehicle service shop was also the sit^ ofa crowd favorite: the Turtle Derby. Participants could either bring a turtle of their own or race one provided to them. A crowd gathered to take in fast- and slow­ paced action. r h jit might not be a pristine, award-winning hot rod, but this converted 1959 Chevy Injpala certainly turned heads in Freeport on Saturday. It was built by Phyllis and Bfuce Daniels of Delton back in the 70s. Now, their grandson takes it to a handful of local shows. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) te 203312 JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL jTO- THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, WdhtdklV XnB AWbVfi?ftIfoTERESf£tfrBwfi?:no+f :<ns'njzc<3i) ?f,,‘bbA •’I‘ ,, odi njoit i. ’bbA .hieotj bfu* J PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board of Johnstown Township, on the basis of petitions h ” submitted and as authorized by PA 188 of 1954, as amended, proposes to undertake an aquatic • plant control project (with associated activities) in the Bristol Lake Channel in Johnstown Township £1 9 as more particularly described below and to create a special assessment district for the recovery ati nt life Irti « of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. nKffiKfescaiUfe j PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment district within which the foregoing J improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially i frahate fra* 12 • assessed include parcels with frontage on the channel in Bristol Lake in Johnstown Township and I are more particularly described as follows: BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: 08-09-190-013-00 08-09-200-072-00 08-09-200-078-00­ 08-09-200-083-00 08-09-190-015-00 08-09-200-073-00 08-09-200-080-00 08-09-200-084-00 08-09-200-069-00 08-09-200-075-00 08-09-200-081-00 08-09-200-086-00 08-09-200-070-00 08-09-200-077-00 08-09-200-082-00 Hazel Rademaker, age 3, taps a buck­ et against the ground; in hopes of coaxing her turtle to move quicker during a heat of turtle races on Saturday at Freeport Homecoming 2023. Jase Huey (foreground) competes against a group in a turtle race as part of the s Freeport Homecoming 2023. Organizers provided turtles, or participants could racer] their own. 1 costs, which is the amount to be raised by the special assessment district. The Johnstown Township 1 Board has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to I create the afore-described special assessment district. ? PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has placed the project plans and cost DePerno, ex-Rep. Rendon charged with Votemachine tampering {estimates on file with the Township Clerk and said plans, cost estimates and the proposed special J assessment district may be examined at the Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date ♦ of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PROPERTY SHALL NOT • BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF I COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC । HEARING. | PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board proposes to make a per-parcel special I assessment each year for a period of five years (2024 -2028 inclusive). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, district and cost estimates will be held at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641 S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek, Michigan, on August 16, 2023 at 6 p.m. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing, and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. At the hearing (or any adjournment of the hearing which may be made without further notice), the Township Board may revise, correct, amend, or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if written objections to the project are filed with the Township Board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the Township Board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the Township. Written comments or objections may be filed with the clerks at the address set out below. Appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his/her appearance or protest by letter and, in such case, his/her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and the cost estimates. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessment, the Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessment. Johnstown Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to the Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641 S. M-37 Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 .(269) 721-9709 Jonathan Costing Bridge M chigan LANSING - Former >tate Repi.. Daire Ren­ don and attorney Mattnew DePemo are fac­ ing criminal charges forkheir alleged role in a plot to illegally access voting machines fol­ lowing the 2020 presidential election. Rendon and DePemo [were arraigned Tues­ day morning and released on personal bonds after arrests by Michigan State Police, accord­ ing to Oakland County Circuit Court records first reported by The Detroit News. The charges are the first in a probe of an alleged conspiracy to access Michigan voting machines in an attempt to prove former Pres­ ident Donald Trump’s claims the 2020 elec­ tion was rigged againsi him. Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf is among those that potentially face criminal charges in the case. Rendon, a Lake City ^Republican who left office at the end of Iasi year, is accused of conspiring to gain “uqdue possession” of voting equipment as part ofa conspiracy and making false statements with intent to defraud. DePemo, the GOP nominee for Michigan attorney general in 2022, is charged with undue possession of a voting machine, con­ spiracy to possess voting equipment, conspir­ acy to gain unauthorized access to a computer system and willfully damaging a voting machine. All charges are felonies punishable by four or five years in prison, according to special prosecutor D.J. Hilson. As with all defen­ dants, Rendon and DePemo are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court oflaw. “The charging decisiop was the result ofa thorough decision-making-process by an independent citizen’s grandjury,” Hilson said in a statement. “This citizen’s grand jury carefully listened to the sworn testimony and analyzed the evidence as required by law and returned a decision to indict.” Rendon did not immediately respond to a voicemail seeking comment on the charges. But DePemo, through Bloomfield Hills defense attorney Paul Stableifi, “categorical­ ly” denied any wrongdoing. DePemo “maintains his innocence and firmly believes that these charges are not based upon any actual truth and are motivated primarily by politics rather than evidence,” Stablein said in a statement provided by DePemo. A third suspect - metro Detroit attorney Stefanie Lambert (Junttila) - announced last week she had been informed she would be indicted this week. As ofTuesday afternoon, there were not yet public court records indi­ cating she had been charged. The “process is still ongoing and not over,” Hilson said, telling Bridge Michigan that charging decisions have not yet been made for other suspects in the case, including Barry County SheriffDar Leaf, Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan and Cyfir CEO Ben Cot­ ton, who have each been involved in 2020 election probes. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, referred the tabulator tampering case to Hilson last year, citing a conflict of interest because Republicans had nominated DePemo to challenge her in the general elec­ tion. In a request for a special prosecutor, the attorney general’s office alleged DePemo, Rendon and others “orchestrated a coordinat­ ed plan to gain access” to voting machines in multiple jurisdictions following the 2020 presidential election. The suspects allegedly took five ballot tabulators from Barry, Roscommon and Mis­ saukee counties to Oakland County. There, Michigan State Police contend the machines Wli en I PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed . aquatic plant control project, associated activities, any proposed improvements and locations ’ thereof, together with an estimated total project cost of $13,500, which includes administrative mm vs vs* mm were “broken into” for “tests,” according to* court filings. An Oakland County judge this montffl tffl paved the way for a charging decision in th© tabulator tampering case by granting Hilj son’s request for a legal interpretation of £ law banning “undue possession” of voting equipment. The new charges are the latest in a string criminal accusations against loyalists Trump, who is himself battling multip indictments related to alleged hush mone payments and classified documents. Nessel last month charged 16 “fake ele tors” with felony charges for signing doc: ments falsely declaring Trump had won Michigan in 2020. »? In a Tuesday statement, Michigan HoussB Minority Leader Matt Hall called electio i% integrity “incredibly important” and said Republicans will be watching the tabulatee tampering case closely. “Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is incredibly important, and fraud should be thoroughly investigated wherever and whenever it occurs,” said Hall, R-Richland^Township. itfi But many Americans are concerned about-^ “politically charged prosecutions,” Hall added, noting Hilson “will need to prove his* allegations in court beyond a reasonable&i doubt.” Nessel, in a statement of her own, calledlq the allegations against DePemo and RendonA “incredibly serious and unprecedented.” d The grand jury indictments obtained by» Hilson “requires a prosecutor to meet a muchiv higher threshold than the more routine charging process in Michigan,” Nessel said, -'di “The alleged actions by these defendants;^ and others, who worked to erode trust in oufL election system caused undeniable harm to our democracy.” SIS'?** ^* **••1 -a �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 3, 2023 — Page 5 Get all the facts before voting on Hastings school bond proposal ^Editor, hf you vote ‘yes’ for the (Hastings school) the rate will decrease from 6.0 to n5fIf5llage, l 5, and you will see a slight decrease in lit tax amount. If you vote ‘no,’ the millage g will be 5.25, which will decrease your eseven more. [n the May 27,2023 issue of The Reminder, re is i a list of key projects. How many of se key projects, such as bathrooms, win«ws and roofs, will be completed in the next tvfi) to four years? Hopefully, these needs will be addressed. Will this millage complete all the projects, or will they run short again as they did in 2015 and need to ask for more? The HASS webpage or the 2023 Bond Proposal FAQ #2 answers this question, and Would-be boat thieves foiled after boat trailer gets stuck on fence the answer is “No, this bond will not com­ plete all the projects.” Do you trust that the people who are han­ dling your tax dollars will get the job done? Keep in mind the district will also be asking for a renewal ofthe sinking fund in May of2024. You decide. Vote Tuesday, Aug. 8. Terry Greenfield Hastings Invest in our communityon Aug. 8 Our local schools here in Hastings are in desperate need of some basic repairs and updates such as doors, windows, roofs and bathrooms. We as a community have an incredible opportunity to make these much needed improvements without an increase in the current tax rate to local residents. .How is this possible, you might ask - the answer is simple; we are retiring some cur­ rent debt and have the opportunity to reinvest by voting to approve the upcoming school H millage proposal. Our school district has worked with com­ munity members through surveys and com­ munity forums to put together the best possi­ ble proposal that provides the best value to community members and tax payers. As a community, we must rally together and invest in our future. Taking care ofthese basic needs is imperative to ensure the suc­ cess of our local schools. We must take care of our facilities and cannot keep kicking the can down the road. By ignoring these needs, it will be too costly for our students in the long run. Our local schools are the backbone of our community. Strong schools make our com­ munity stronger. Vote ‘yes’ on Aug. 8 and invest in our future. Luke Haywood School board president - Hastings Area School System Pierce Cedar Creek Institute holds 14th annual Gala in the Garden / PUBLIC NOTICE All Barry County Townships APPLICATIONS FOR DEFERMENT OF SUMMER 2023 TAXES Application Deadline: Sept. 14, 2023 Those that farm agricultural real property may also qualify ifthe gross receipts ofthe farming operation are not less than the household income ofthe owner. Additional information and deferment applications may be ^obtained from the following treasurers: the annual garden party. I Though this is the 14th year of the fundfund­ raiser, it is only the third year the event has bden held outside, with the Institute’s tall grass prairie serving as the scenic backdrop. (“We’ve found that it is ideal having it out­ side and having it casual and people are supportive. People here understand what we do and appreciate it,” said Pierce Cedar C reek Institute Executive Director Michelle Skedgell. If ventgoers were entertained Saturday with t Police responded to a report ofan abandoned dog around 5:30 p.m. on July 18 to the Marathon gas station on M-37 Highway south ofHastings. A store clerk told police a customer had entered the store and told her there was a dog tied to the propane tanks outside. The clerk didn’t know how long the dog was there or who the owner was. Police untied the dog and transported it to the Barry County Animal Shelter. All township treasurers in Barry County are currently accepting applications for summer 2023 tax deferments (deferments are not exemptions). To qualify, a household annual income cannot exceed $40,000. The applicants) must also be: 1) 62 years of age or older, including the unmarried surviving spouse ofa person who was 62 years of age or older at the time ofdeath, 2) paraplegic, hemiplegic or quadriplegic, 3) an eligible serviceperson, eligible veteran or their eligible widow or widower. 4) a blind person, or 5) a totally and permanently disabled person. Iistitute, along with other community pro­ grams hosted throughout the year. ♦This year, the gala’s theme centered around low-country cooking. Guests were treated to southern comfort food ranging from a lokv-country boil to peaches and cream. Addi­ tionally, local beer and wine were featured at a variety ofgames and entertainment, with all proceeds going back into the Institute’s funds for community programming and college researchers. Blues rock from the Michigan Mafia String Band entertained attendees throughout the night as they perused silent auction and raffle items, which ranged from an her oft Sheriff’s deputy rescues dog tied outside Hastings gas station Molly Macleod Copy Editor Volunteers and supporters of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute gathered on Saturday to cele­ brate and support the Hastings nature pres e and biological research station. The annual Gala in the Garden, formerly 1 known as “A Latesummer Night’s Green,” is the Institute’s largest fundraiser each year, arjd serves to raise money for college researchers that spend their summers at the niheat A concerned citizen called police around 10 p.m. on July 15 to report a boat in the roadway on Saddlebag Lake Road near Lucy Lane in Woodland. The caller said a boat on a trailer was halfway in the road with no other vehicle nearby, and he was worried someone might hit the boat. Police investigated and found a chain securing a gate on the property had been cut with bolt cutters. Police said it appeared the would-be thieves attempted to steal the boat, trailer and all. However, whoever was towing the trailer failed to clear the fence gate, which became wedged in between the boat and trailer and left the trailer’s tongue partially in the roadway. Police made contact with the boat own­ ers and told them about the damage to the fence gate and the boat. ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP Terry Ryder-Stephens, Treasurer Melissa VanSyckle, Treasurer (269) 721-3502 (269) 339-9569 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute hosted its annual Gala in the Garden fundraiser on Saturday, which raises money for college researchers and community programming. (Photos by Molly Macleod) antique clock from Bill Pierce’s private collec­ tion to a stay at the Institute’s Batts Cottage. Though fundraising totals are not yet cal­ culated, the Institute has raised nearly $50,000 from the gala in past years. “Thank you all for coming, on behalfofall ofthe staffhere, all of our volunteers, especially the big crew that it took to put tonight together, our board of directors and our part­ ners - our sponsors are so very important to us,” said Skedgell. “I also want to thank you on behalf of all ofthe people who come out to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute to depend on it, to walk the trails that are so well main­ tained, to come to air the educational pro­ grams and our summer research students that are completing amazing research projects. We could not do what we do without all of you, and we certainly couldn’t have tonight without all ofyou.” SUPPORT iOCAL NEWS ern**?....... read D contribute O advertise BARRY TOWNSHIP Judith Wooer,Treasurer (269)623-5171 CARLTON TOWNSHIP Terri Geiger, Treasurer (269) 945-5990 CASTLETON TOWNSHIP Joy Mulder, Treasurer (517) 852-9479 HASTINGS CHARTER TWP Jenee Phillips, Treasurer (269) 948-9690 HOPE TOWNSHIP Arlene Tonkin, Treasurer (269) 948-2464 IRVING TOWNSHIP Doug Sokolowski, Treasurer (269) 948-0633 JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP Karmen Nickerson, Treasurer (269) 721-3611 MAPLE GROVE TWP Stacey Denton, Treasurer (517) 852-4658 ORANGEVILLE TWP Michelle Ritchie, Treasurer (269) 664-4522 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Judy Pence, Treasurer (269) 623-2664 RUTLAND TOWNSHIP Sandra Greenfield, Treasurer (269) 948-2194 THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP Laura Bouchard, Treasurer (269) 795-7202 WOODLAND TOWNSHIP Shawn Durkee, Treasurer (269)367-4915 YANKEE SPRINGS TWP Deb Mousseau, Treasurer (269) 795-9091 CITY OF HASTINGS Francie Brummel, Dep Treasurer (269) 945-2468 Has'iings BaNNER j he ift Art in the Park returns to Lake Odessa next month for its 48th year. (Photo provided) Art in the Park returns to Lake Odessa on Aug. 5 HastingsDANNERI Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! Halting Middleville: One|Stop Shop (Marathon) Speedway Harding's Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Middleville Johnny's (M-43 North) •Art in the Park is back, marking its 48th year as a • su summer tradition in Lake Odessa. The fun takes place this Saturday, Aug. 5 in Lake Odessa’s Village Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PThe annual tradition is hosted by the Lake Odessa Area Arts Commission. “Whether people are in the market for a unique piece ofjewelry, pebble art, paint- ' mW ing, home d?cor, folk art or apparel, there will be plenty to spark the imagination,” said Lake Odessa Arts Commission Chair Meg Hermes. “We’re excited to present an expanded lineup of talented artists and artisans this year and expect to see a good turnout of visitors for the event.” Organizers say more than 5,000 people attend Art in the Park annually, where this year nearly 100 arts and craft booths will display a rich variety of offerings, along with vendors serving up food and drink. Throughout the day, visitors will be treated to the sounds ofsome favorite Michigan-area musicians. In addition to great musical entertainment, activities for the younger visitors will be available at the Kids’ Zone from 9 a.m. to noon, featuring fun, eco-friendly craft projects using recycled and upcycled materials, free coloring books with an “earth friendly theme and Buttons the Clown. The 2023 Art in the Park has been made possible with generous support from local area businesses and community organizations, say organizers, as well as a grant from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. “These businesses and organizations commit their pre­ cious resources to support the quality of life we enjoy here in the Lake Odessa area,” said Hermes. We are grateful for the strong support we receive which allows us to continue this favorite annual tradition.’ More information on the event can be found by picking up a copy ofthe 2023 Art in the Park Visitors Guide at area merchants or by viewing it online at LakeOdessaArts.com. evoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 Superette Family Fare Tom's Market Hastings Johnny's The Geperal Store Marathon Me^a Bev Hastings Pharmacy Marathon Gas Station (M-37 West) Marathon Gas Station (M-37 South) Family Fare Gas Station Walgreens QranawlUei Town & Country The Dock Delton; Family Fare Delton Johnny's Orangeville East Sop Prairieville; Prairieville Fast Stop Cloverdale: Banfield: Banfield General Store Nashville: Trading Post Nashville Johnny’s MV Pharmacy Nashville C Store Carl’s iftt/re Odessa; Lake-O-Express Lake-OMart Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl’s DowUngt' Ereeport: Goldsworthys L&J’s Cloverdale General Woodland; Woodland Express �Page 6 — Thursday. August 3, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Lynda Fisher Donald Kesler Keech Donald Kesler Keech, age 94, ofHastings, MI, passed away on July 28, 2023. Donald was bom on January 28, 1929, in Hastings, MI, the son of Chester and Metha (Kesler) Keech. He was a 1947 graduate of Hastings High School and a 1951 graduate of Michigan State College. He received his master’s degree from the University ofFlori­ da in 1961. Donald worked for the Michigan Depart­ ment of Public Health as a Civil Sanitary Engineer. On October 22, 1948, he married Nadine Endsley, and they enjoyed 74 years together. Donald loved to fish, hunt, and waterski. He served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon at Lake Lansing Baptist Church and Served on the School Board for Haslett Public Schools. Donald was preceded in death by his par­ ents, Chester and Metha Keech, and brothers, William Keech and Russell Keech. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Nadine (Endsley); son, Michael (Sheryl) Keech; daughter, Donna (Keech) (David) Sun; son, Mark (Brenda) Keech; son, Stephen (Shari) Keech and son, Douglas Keech. Don’s funeral service was held Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Hastings Baptist Church, 309 E Woodlawn Ave, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. gtorbtchmneralhome.net. Warren Stanford Butler, age 79, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away May 18, 2023. He was bom on October 1,1943, in Grand Rapids, MI, to the late Clipper and Clara But­ ler. Warren graduated from Thomapple-Kellogg High School in 1961. He played several sports and was in the band, but most notable was his earned rank ofEagle Scout. He attended Albion College, where he met his future wife and graduated with a BA in Mathematics. He received his MA in Mathe­ matics from the University of Oklahoma and added an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He began his career as a mathematics professor before moving to the finance and insurance industry in Chicago, IL, where he spent more than 20 years. He then returned to his first love ofteaching as a college professor after moving to Daytona Beach to be closer to his parents. After a debilitating stroke, Warren moved back to Grand Rapids where he enjoyed spending time with his brother attending musi­ cal performances at St Cecilia Music Center. He also loved to read, frequenting the pub­ lic library, listening to his extensive music collection, visiting the art museum where he was a member, and dining at his favorite downtown restaurants. He is survived by his brother, David (Betsy) Butler; nieces, Anne-Marie (Chris) Hammond arid Michelle (Chad) Berry; five great nieces and nephews, and his ex-wife, Cynthia Butler ofJackson, MI. A private family memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a dona­ tion in memory of Warren to St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids. Worship Together Jerry Welton Johncock, age 95, of Gun Lake, MI passed away on July 27, 2023. Jerry was bom on February 2, 1928 in Orangeville Township, the son ofLynden Sr. and Esther (Osgood) Johncock. Jerry proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Jerry was a father offive boys, loving hus­ band, pastor and passionate follower ofJesus Christ. He was an active member ofMcCal­ lum United Brethren Church for many years and was also a member of Hastings Assembly ofGod, and pastor for Otsego United Breth­ ren Church. Jerry was also involved with various ministries in Mexico, Trinidad, and T-L Osborne Ministries. Jerry loved running, starting at the age of 49 and was involved in the Kalamazoo Track Club. He ran 116 marathons and was the USA Track & Field Masters Athlete ofthe Year in 2018, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2003, 2000, and 1999. He still holds the USATF American Record for age 85-89, 25 KM and 30 KM road races. Jerry is survived by children, Tom Johncock, Jim (Toni) Johncock, Phil Johncock, Bill (Carol) Johncock, and Mark (Rhonda) Johncock; Ashley Calver, Randy Leasure, and Michelle Leasure; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Lynden Jr. (Marilyn) Johncock; sister, Joy Duffy; sever­ al nieces and nephews, , |( ,, ,, ( . Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorlene Johhcock; twin brother, Jack Johncock; and many in-laws. A memorial service will take place at McCallum United Brethren Church at a later date, with burial at Prairieville Cemetery. Memorial contributions to McCallum United Brethren Church will be appreciated. Please visit www.williamsgoresfimeral. com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Jerry’s family. ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze!. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pjn. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (5J7) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 ajn. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 pm. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 pm., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 pm. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 pm. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 am. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. conf Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 Producto 1699W.M43 Highway, 1301W. Green St. Hastings, Ml 49058. Hastings 945-9541 945-4700 aAAG Election Day is right around the comer next week on Tuesday, Aug. 8. With new rules in place for voting, the option ofearly voting is on the horizon but is not yet avail­ able this year. A former bank building in Ionia is to be used by all precincts in the county, which will be a big cost-saver. It will cost about $50,000 to accommodate all voters in Ionia County rather than about $450,000 ifthe early election voting was to be held in each precinct. The building to be used on Ionia’s Main* Street is now owned by the Hall-Fowler Memorial Library and is the former Mercantile ile Bank of Michigan building. The votingjplace will be staffed by election workers from the 19 municipalmunicipal­ ities on a rotating basis.’ This is in response to a constitutional amendment voted into place last November that requires nine days of early voting. The llonia County library hopes to one day move into the bank build­ ing. However, severaj millages to accomplish this have failed. Using the former bank building for this -voting purpose is one way to make use ofthe building. Security is one factor in using this building because of its former bank use. ’ Library fans might want to check out the new library known as White Pine Library in Stanton. This regional entity was formerly near the Montcalm County courthouse but two blocks south of Stanton’s main street. One drawback ofthe location was the lack of a parking lot. The new building in use now for about a year is longer and possibly wider than its predecessor but it has a very large parking area in the far northeast part of the city. By contrast, Lake Odessa’s library is in the midst of the downtown business section with only four parking spots. However, there is a village public Lynda Fisher, age 80 of, Hastings, MI passed away peacefully on July 22, 2023, at her home in Hastings. Lynda was bom in Plainwell, MI, on Feb­ ruary 10, 1943, a daughter ofthe late Lillian and Robert Steeby. She was raised in the Hastings area and attended local schools, completing her educa­ tion at Hastings High School. She was mar­ ried to Richard “Gary” Sunior and the couple had a son Scott. In 1963 she married Duane Arthur Fisher. Duane and Lynda made their home together in Charlottesville, VA. In 1984 Lynda began working for Accent Jewelers, later purchasing the business in 1988. Lynda and Duane had celebrated 34 years ofmarriage when he passed away in Decem­ ber 1997. After losing her husband, Lynda closed thejewelry store and returned to Hast­ ings, establishing her home on the sixth hole ofthe Legacy golfcourse in 2002. Duane and Lynda were avid golfers, who also loved to travel. They combined their passion for golf and travel selecting destinations all over the world to experience and play unique golf courses all over the world. Lynda also loved the Detroit Tigers, and college basketball, faithfully rooting for the University of Virginia Cavaliers!, watching the games on television whenever possible. She is surviyec) by her sonm Scott; her sister, Bonnie Converse; her brother-in-law, Robert Sensiba, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; her sisters, Susan Sensiba, and Dawn Loftus; her brother-in-law, Charles Converse, and her Yorkie Poo “KiKi”. There will be a celebration of life for Lynda on Sunday, Aug. 6,2023, from 1:00 to 4 p.m. at Hastings Elks Lodge located at 102 East Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings, MI. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, con­ veniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. parking lot nearby. At the time ofits open­ ing, a village official stated it was good to have a business in every building on its main street because that induces foot traffic. Another big day is coming. Art in the Park returns on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the village park on M-50 and Fourth Avenue. A block ofFourth Ave­ nue is closed to traffic to accommodate vendor parking. However, there is parking on all side streets. There are occasional spots for parking on private property. There will be more than 100 vendors lining the paths in the wooded village park. Ifyou tire of walking, there are picnic tables with bench seating near the pavilion and its stage area where there will be entertain­ ment full-time. There will be food vendors also. Their program ofstage events includes the opening ceremony with local Boy Scouts and the VFW presenting the flag ceremony and music by the band members ofLakewood High School. The first enter­ tainer will be Russ Franzen who is a songwriter and balladeer. Next up is a visual treat with Center Stage dancers performing for the next hour. At 11:15 a.m. comes the B-Side Growlers, an acoustic trio from Grand Rapids. At 12:45 p.m. comes Michael Mulett who sings and plays 10 different instruments. For two hours in the midaftemoon, you will hear the Michigan Mafia String Band with their acoustic blue­ grass and country music. At 4 p.m. there will be the announcement of door prize winners. There will be restroom facilities at three locations. Here and there will be food vendors who will be selling tacos, popcorn, elephant ears, lemonade, brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs and ice cream cones. Besides all this, there will be a spe­ cial area for children with crafts, coloring, a clown and balloon fun. The variety of crafts that will be for sale at the many booths is too great to list. Baskets, bowls, aprons, paintings, deer antler jewelry, yard decor, books for children and candles are just a few ofthe craft sale items. Come and join the fun at this once-a-year event. Xuan-Mai Thi Roush In Loving Memory of Xuan-Mai Tpi Roush j Xuan-Mai Thi Roush, passed away peacefully on July 29,2023, at the age of74Bom on December 24, 1948, she livedA life filled with courage, resilience, and loy?' Xuan-Mai will forever be remembered fpr her strength and bravery during the Vietnajn War, where she exhibited unwavering deter­ mination even in the face ofadversity. In September 1967, she married h^r, beloved husband, William J. Roush, at the U.S. Embassy in South Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Their love and companionship endured throughout the years, as they face^ the trials of life together, including being wounded in an attack during the war. Xuan-. Mai was treated at a U.S. Forces field hosp^ tai, where she and William were medevaced] together. Despite being hit in the leg, she continued to show remarkable resiliency throughout her life. In June 2023, she was hospitalized due ta an infection in her leg, the same leg wound­ ed during the Vietnam War. Despite this, she displayed incredible strength and determination, as she had done throughout her life. X. Xuan-Mai was a devoted mother to hifr three children, Andy, Aija, and Yvon. H# love and care for them knew no bounds, and her memory will forever live on in their hearts. rtoiR Outside of her military experiences and family life, Xuan-Mai had a deep passion for reading and studying the Bible. She woujd. spend eight to ten hours a day reading aqd underlining its sacred verses, showcasity^ her profound devotion to her faith. Her love for nature was evident through her admir^q tion for all types of birds and flowers, aqd. she tookjoy in caring for her beautiful g^ den. Xuan-Mai was preceded in death by both her parents, who were also from South VieJ^ nam. Her passing leaves a void in the hygs, ofall who knew and loved her, but her lega­ cy of strength, love, and deep faith wjll] continue to inspire those who were fortunate} enough to share in herjourney. May she rest in peace, forever in tfipj hearts ofher family and friends. Xuan-Mai’s Funeral Service will be hjfl on Friday, August 4, 2023 at Noon with a1 visitation one hour prior at 11 a.m. at Gi(d bach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, HaaH ings, MI 49058. \I Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home J To leave an online condolence visit www-l girrbachfuneralhome.net. Ron and Don Ave 90th birthday open house Because you have shared in their lives by your friendship and love - we invite you to join in the celebration of 90 years of twins Ronald and Donald Avery on August 5, 2023 at Pleasantview Family am y Church, Curc, 2601 60 . Lacey Rd. from 2 to 5 p.m. Special cake andj MOO-ville ice cream will be served. A short program at 3 p.m. They request only the plq^ sure ofyour company. ilr ’ Slips'® «■ 3 i’fet 1 |||0 Vita Itamiitatas tariffu ta tae ■rUs •PBbtlW; MU Nt �The Hastings sports ANNER Thursdavy., Au goust 3,2023 Saxons set schedule for first practices of 2023-24; Practices for all the Hastings High School all season sports teams begin in the week head and the Saxons have released informa­ ion about the start ofthe middle school fall iiS3\' iS3 <»fcu iports season too. [ Most begin try-outs and practice Monday, Aug. 7. All athletes must have a completed physical, dated after April 15, 2023, on file in the school office in order to participate. I Hastings Area Schools and local Health tare Professionals will offer a sports physi­ cal for those that still need one on Tuesday Aug. 8. Girls grades 6th through 12th will be 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and boys grades 6th through 12th will be 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p:.m. at Hastings High School in the main gym. Physicals are free but the doctors assisting are asking for a $10 donation with dll proceeds going to the Saxon Athletic Boosters. ‘ "‘Physical forms are available in the high school office, the middle school office and tfre administration office. ’‘•Contact athletic director Mike Goggins v^th questions about physicals or the upcomfrig sports season at mike.goggins@hasskl2. rag or call 269-838-5010. ^The first Saxon varsity football practice of the season will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. Players should meet at the field h’ouse next to the tennis courts at the high stjhool. Contact coach Jamie Murphy for fribre info at 269-804-2739. JV and freshman football will hold their first practices of the season Monday from The 2023-24 Hastings High School football season begins Moriday, Aug. 7, the first day allowed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Hastings High School athletic programs begin practices Monday and Tuesday in the week ahead. (File photo) 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Players should meet at the field house. Tryouts for varsity, JV and freshman vol­ leyball will be held beginning Monday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Players should meet in the should meet in the entrance to the main gym at the high school. Contact coach Erin Slaugh­ ter for more information at 269-953-7412. The first practice for the Hastings/Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ swimming and diving team will be held from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Community Education and Rec­ reation Center pool at Hastings High School. No competitive experiehce is necessary to be a part ofthe team. Contact coach Carl Schoessel for more information at’269-838-8407. Tryouts for varsity and junior varsity boys’ soccer will be held at Pierce Field behind Hast- ings High School from 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. beginning Monday. Contact coach Matt Hokanson for more information at 616-322-3888. The first high school cross country practic­ es for boys and girls will be held Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. Runners are asked to meet at the main entrance to the football sta­ dium, Baum Stadium at Johnson Field, near the high school. Contact coach Steve Collins for more information at 269-804-7156. The first girls’ golfpractice ofthe season­ will be held Monday at The Legacy at Hast­ ings from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact coach Ross Schueller for more information at 616-485-3234. The Hastings High School boys’ tennis; program starts practice Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the high school tennis courts. Practice will run from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact head coach Krista Schueller for more information at 716-417-2671. The Hastings High School sideline cheer program will hod its first practice ofthe sea­ son in the high school auxiliary gym from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8. Practice for seventh and eighth grade side­ line cheer will begin Aug. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Central Elementary gymnasium. Equipment for seventh and eighth grade football players will be handed out from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the football field­ house and practices will begin Wednesday, Aug. 16, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. behind Hastings Middle School. Seventh and eighth grade volleyball try­ outs will be held Aug. 23, and the middle school volleyball program will be holding three non-mandatory preseason skills ses­ sions each day Aug. 14-16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hastings High School for those wish­ ing to brush-up on their skills. Middle school cross country practice begins Aug. 23 and will run from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. *hlL Summerfest events searching for contestants 110 ’** »»E I ■. Brett Bremer d"10K' Run Arid a free ^id^I-mile FurirRhn Sports Editor ^Hastings Summerfest is now just over tmee weeks away and the annual Summerfest ^foiling events are on the hunt for competi- for those 12 and younger. The 10K race begins at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K takes off at 7:45 a.m. from Hastings Middle School. The cost to participate in the 5K is $35 for adults and $25 for those 18 and under. The cost to participate in the 10K is $40 for adults and $30 for those 18 and under. The price for adults increases by $5 for those that register after Aug. 6. On-line regis­ tration ends Aug. 25. Those who pre-register by Aug. 6 are guaranteed to receive a race T-shirt. Iots for the final full weekend in August. b 'The list of contests includes the Corwell Cor Health Summerfest Run, the Backwoods Triathlon, the Jim Jensen Memorial 3-on-3 Bas­ ketball Tournament as well as Summerfest vyeightlifting and softball competitions. fJfThe Corwell Health Summerfest Run will be5 held Saturday, Aug. 26, and this year’s edition ofthe event includes a 5K Run/Walk, iB|KS3Kl. «**b* “i « -a J ' The fun run, will beglnrdf A.m. ‘ Packet pick-up arid late registration can be done Aug. 26 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pennock Health and Wellness Center or the morning ofthe race from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. inside the Hastings Middle School caf­ eteria. Registration for the runs can be done online at spectrumhealth.org/summerfestrun. The Backwoods Triathlon will be held Sat­ urday, Aug. 26, and is open to the first 48 teams to register. Teams of two can register by calling Heidi Lyttle at 269-838-8556. The event begins with nine holes ofgolfat Gun Ridge GolfCourse with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Teams will then compete in a Scotch Doubles Bowling Tournament and A Com hole Tournament at Hastings Bowl. The cost to participate is $120 per team. Prizes will be awarded for the top teams. Backwoods Triathlon sponsorship oppor­ tunities either for tee sights or prize donations are available now. Contact Lyttle for more information or find a sponsorship form online on the Backwoods Triathlon page at www. hastingssummerfest.coui The Jim Jensen Memorial 3-on-3 Basket­ ball Tournament will bejheld Saturday, Aug. 26, at Tyden Park. The .cost to participate is $25 per team for teams dfthree or four partic­ ipants. T-shits will be passed out to the first 100 at check-in. Teams are required to pre-register for the event. Check-in for registered teams will begin at 8:30 a.m. with basketball games to begin on the four courts at Tyden Park no later than 9:30 a.m. The registration deadline for 2023 is Friday, August 18. Double-elimination tournaments will be held in 12-14, 15-17, 18-25 and 25-and-up age divisions, although age divisions and tournament style may Ibe altered based on I participation. There are not Separate divisions for males and females. -Team and individual trophies will be presented to the winners in each division thanks to the sponsorship from J-Ad Graphics. Registration forms can be found in the August editions ofthe Hastings Reminder as well as in some current, editions ofthe Hast­ ings Banner. Checks should be made payable to Hastings Summerfest, and found on the Summerfest Facebook page and website. Contact Brett Bremer by email at brett@j-adgraphics.corii for more informa­ tion or for help getting a team registered for the event. A slow pitch softball tournament will be held at Fish Hatchery Park throughout the weekend. The tournament is open to the first 12 men’s teams to register. Contact Aaron Snider at 517-927-9912 to get registered. The cost is $175 per team. I %<<»& 5V '’"Players compete on the basketball courts at Tyden Park during the 2022 edition of the Hastings Summerfest Jim Jensen Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. The 2023 event will tip-off Aug. 26 at Tyden Park. (File photo) The Summerfest Weightlifting competition will be held at the comer of West Court Street and South Church Street in Hastings Satur­ day, Aug. 26. The competition is set to run from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a $10 fee to participate, and competitors can sign-up the day ofthe event. Runners take off at the start of a Hastings Summerfest 5K/10K Run in 2019. The annual race will start again the Saturday morning of Summerfest, Aug. 26. (File photo} MHSAA provides heat management reminders Temperatures reached record highs in some parts of Michigan at the start of this summer, and heat waves have made head­ lines nationally over the last month. Although the state didn’t experience similar extremes during July, the beginning of August always is a pertinent time for reminders that more hot weather is likely in many areas and should be prepared for as Michigan High School Athletic Association practices are set to begin Monday, Aug. 7. Each year, the MHSAA provides infor­ mation to its member schools to help them prepare for hot weather practice and game conditions during the late summer and early fall. Practices for all Fall 2023 sports - cross country, football, Lower Peninsula girls golf, boys soccer, Lower Peninsula girls swimming & diving, Lower Peninsula boys and Upper Peninsula girls tennis, and volleyball - may begin Monday, Aug. 7. The “Health & Safety” page of the MHSAA Website (https://www.mhsaa. com/about/looking-general-resources/ health-safety/heat-hydration-resources) has links to several information sources, including the MHSAA preseason publica­ tion Heat Ways, which is available for download and includes valuable informa­ tion on heat management in addition to requirements and resources regarding head injuries and sudden cardiac arrest. The first days offormal practices in hot weather should be more for heat acclima­ tization than the conditioning of athletes, and practices in such conditions need planning to become longer and more strenuous over a gradual progression of time. Schools also must consider moving practices to different locations or different times of day, or change practice plans to include different activities depending on the conditions. Furthermore, football prac­ tice rules allow for only helmets to be worn during the first two days, only shoul­ der pads to be added on the third and fourth days, and full pads to not be worn until the fifth day ofteam practice. The MHSAA advises student-athletes to make sure to hydrate all day long beginning before practice, continuing during and also after practice is done. Water and properly-formulated sports drinks are the best choices for hydration. A number of member schools follow the MHSAA’s Model Policy for Managing Heat & Humidity, which while not man­ dated for member schools was adopted as a rule for MHSAA postseason competition in 2013. The plan directs schools to begin monitoring the heat index at the activity site once the air temperature reaches 80 degrees, and provides recommendations when the heat index reaches certain points, including ceasing activities when it rises above 104 degrees. (When the tempera­ ture is below 80 degrees, there is no com­ bination of heat and humidity that will result in a need to curtail activity.) The model heat & humidity policy is outlined in a number of places on the MHSAA Website, including as part ofHeat Ways. �.Page 10 — Thursday, August 3, 2023 — The Hastings Banner VARNUM LLP Attorneys • 333 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, Ml 49504 ‘NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT I TO JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE ;• OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military • service member on active duty, if your period of • active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, - or if you have been ordered to active duty, please < contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Land Contract / Foreclosure (the "Judgment") entered on June 7, % 2023, in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, .'Case No. 22-667-CH, the Court has ordered the ’ sale at public auction of real property under a Land ' Contract (the “Land Contract") made between Andy Lee Sparks and Carolyn Lee Sparks. Trustees of the •« Andy Lee Sparks Trust, Vendors, and David Wooten ' (“Vendee"), dated August 13, 2007, as evidenced "by the Memorandum of Land Contract recorded • on August 20, 2007, in Document No. 20070820•- 0001046, Barry County Records. The Land Contract • balance is due and payable in the amount of Ninety7 Nine Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Three and <64/100 Dollars ($99,683.64) as of July 20,2023, with the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate - of seven percent (7%) per annum, plus such other . fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to the - Land Contract and the Judgment. Notice is hereby ' given that by virtue of the Judgment and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay said • amount with Interest as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, the Land Contract will \ be foreclosed by sale of the Land Contract premises • at public venue to the highest bidder in the main > lobby of the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State L Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on /Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of the - foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure ’ sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the Vendee will be held responsible to the person who buys the _■ property at the foreclosure sale or to the Vendor for *. damaging the property during the redemption period. Pursuant to MCL 600.3150, the purchaser at the . sale shall be entitled to possession of the Property /at the time of the sale. The premises covered by ‘said Land Contract is commonly known as 9645 / Shawnee Branch Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, , and is situated in the Township of Orangeville, Barry . County, Michigan, described as follows: Parcel B: That part of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 31, Town -2 North, Range 10 West described as: Beginning at a point found by commencing at the Center of the ’•said Section; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes •44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, ‘ • 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 % seconds West, 279.55 feet to the place of beginning >of this description; thence continuing South 63 ‘■■degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; , ■ thence South 13 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds s East, 509.75 feet to the East and West 1/8 line of the J Southwest 1/4; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes ? 57 seconds East on said 1/8 line, 207.46 feet; thence /North 07 degrees 32 minutes 32 seconds West, 614.52 feet to the place of beginning. Together with ?a non-exclusive easement being more particularly y described as follows: A 66.00 foot wide Easement «.’for ingress and egress lying 33.00 feet each side ■ of the following described Centerline: Beginning at ’’ a point found by commencing at the Center of said ‘•Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence S South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on , the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet to the point bof beginning ofthis easement; thence the Centerline s runs South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West ? 1513110 feet to-the1 point of'Ending. ALSO described \ for W purposes as: Coriirffencihg!fat the Center of ‘-Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence • South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on ’•the North 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 • degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet ,• to the point of beginning; thence continuing South 63 J degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 42 minutes 41 seconds '.East, 519.45 feet; thence North 86 degrees 52 ,• minutes 57 seconds East, 207.46 feet; thence North ;*07 degrees 25 minutes 15 seconds West, 624.42 / feet to the place of beginning (the "Property”). Parcel •* No. 08-11-031-011-44 /Dated: July 20, 2023 > ANDY LEE SPARKS and CAROLYN LEE SPARKS, _ Trustees ofthe Andy Lee Sparks Trust Mark Sheldon, ;«Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Civil Process Service, LLC. ► P.O. Box 282 Hastings, Ml 49058 21456730.1 (07-20) (08-24) 203017 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement /Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised /judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, t that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a xsale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of 5 them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder J for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1.00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due 'on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the J sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ' ■ ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is . ^.encouraged to contact the county register of deeds ^office or a title insurance company, either of which ■ (may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of ‘•the mortgagor(s): Jesse Carver, SP and Stacey »• Nowack, Single Person Original Mortgagee: S Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., »*as mortgagee, as nominee for SunTrust Mortgage, - Inc., its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date _ of Mortgage: July 24, 2007 Date of Mortgage /Recording: August 6, 2007 Amount claimed due ;.on mortgage on the date of notice: $141,683.69 .^ Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated • in in the the Township Township of of Yankee Yankee Springs, Springs, Barry Barry County, County, j Michigan, and are described as: Lot 8 of Pleasant \\Valley Valley Plat Plat according according to to the the plat plat thereof, thereof, as ■recorded in Liber 4 of Plats, Page 13 of Barry County Records. Commonly Known as: 1733 S. Patterson Rd., Wayland, Ml 49348 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, • unless determined abandoned in accordance with <MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption .. period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, ;;or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if anUr Per’°d active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector । Date of notice: 07/20/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 2 48-853-4400 316444 (07-20)(08-10) 203093 legal notices Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on August 17,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): John Hoffman, a single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MIDFIRST BANK Date of Mortgage: May 5, 2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16,2015 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $86,622.20 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Irving, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 332 Feet Of The Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4, Section 17, Town 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan. This Parcel May Also Be Described As: That Part Of The Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 Of Section 17, Town 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan, Described As: Beginning At The East 1/4 Comer Of Said Section, Thence North 0 Degrees 00 Minutes East 332.0 Feet Along The East Line Of Said Northeast 1/4; Thence South 89 Degrees 59 Minutes 20 Seconds West 1312.35 Feet Parallel With The South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4; Thence South 0 Degrees 04 Minutes 54 Seconds East 332.0 Feet Along The West Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4; Thence North 89 Degrees 59 Minutes 20 Seconds East 1311.88 Feet Along The South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 To The Place Of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 5501 N Solomon Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8719 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: July 20,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1504407 (07-20)(08-10) 202910 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961 ,iW61PA23Bj MCL 600.3216, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Justin Carl Howard and Katherine Elizabeth Howard, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: Octobers, 2017 Recorded on October 10, 2017, in Document No. 2017-010218, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Twelve Thousand Four Hundred ThirtyOne and 73/100 Dollars ($112,431.73) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: LOT 6, B-Z-BEES ACRES, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS, PAGE 12 Commonly known as 15201 Doster Rd, Plainwell, Ml 49080 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1504587 (07-20)(08-10) 203102 SUMMONS & COMPLAINT NOTICE: To: Christopher Schoonmaker 1. You are notified that you are being sued by The Law Offices of Duff, Chadwick and Associates, P.C. (Plaintiff) Cage #23-0898-GC in the 56B Barry County District Court located at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Phone no. 269-945-1404. 2. You have 28 days from the date of this publication to request a copy of the complaint from either the Barry County District Court or from the Plaintiff. 3. If you do not answer or take other action within the time allowed, judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. Date: July 24,2023 Thomas W. Chadwick P-63397 220 W. Main street Ionia, Ml 48846 (616) 527-0020 203286 Iw NOTICE I1U . Attention homeowner: if you are a military service member on active duty, if ypur period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 11961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a pu$c auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashler’&check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry 'County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the miIr rines jnot automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register ofdeeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Thomas L Janke, single man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns. Mortgagee, dated August 27, 2021 and recorded November 17, 2021 in Instrument Number 21-014224 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by U.S. Bank National Association, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-Nine and 67/100 Dollars ($173,429.67). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, 2023. Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing 80 rods North of the Southeast corner of Section 16, Town 4 North, Range 7 West, Village of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan; thence, North 5 rods; thence West 20 rods; thence South 9 rods 1 foot; thence East 10 rods 21/2 feet; thence North 4 rods 1 foot; thence East 9 rods 14 feet to the place of beginning. 265 N Main St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a> jn wfiich case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold, at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: July 20,2023 File No. 23-007075 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (24^)^02.1400 (07-20)(08-10y 203076 NOTICE Attention homeowner: jf. you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active fluty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. s­ Notice offoreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under, section 3212 of the [evised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.33W 2, that the following mortgage, wilrtbe foreclosed by a s^jyofthe mort_g_aged1 premijsgjfsfiSjtdoj sorfe part.oj them, at a'^bl '^blfiice auction sale to the li^^bbeessTt' bidder for cash or cashitt check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barr} rr} C County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 17,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater dn,the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does hot'.automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge# fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Laran Muhqueed and Dylan Wallace, Both Unmarried, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. and/ or lenders successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated July 9, 2021 and recorded July 19, 2021 in Instrument Number 2021-009162 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by PLANET HOME LENDING LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereofthe sum of Two Hundred Two Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Six and 32/100 Dollars ($202,996.32). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 17, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: THE NORTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT 10, BLOCK 12, LINCOLN PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF HASTINGS, ALSO, THE NORTH 36 1/2 FEET OF LOT 1130 AND THE SOUTH 33 f/2 FEET OF LOT 1067, THE ORIGINAL PLAT OF THE VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF HASTINGS. 716 S Market St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless; determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys th# property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: July 13,2023 File No. 23-006944 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502 1400 07-13)(08-03) 202651 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29545-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 | Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Katherine A.: Simmons. Date of birth: 6-30-44. TO ALL CREDITORS: ’ NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Katherine A. Simmons, died 2-8-23. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estata' will be forever barred unless presented to Richard Simmons, personal representative, or to both We probate court at 9330 r Campbell Terrace Drive, Anchorage, AK 99502 and t the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Richard Simmons 9330 Campbell Terrace Drive Anchorage, AK 99502 907-227-0679 203500 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Harry County offices of Edward Jones Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® Financial Advisor a m, Mcmemoebre r S IP C ^ev-n gec^ FinancialAdv 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 400 w. state St, Suite B. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Smart ways to invest in bonds Most investors are aware of the different types of stocks: big-company, small-company, technology, international and so on. And it may be a good idea to own a mix of these stocks as part of your overall investment portfolio. But the importance of diversification applies to bonds, too — so, how should you go about achieving it? To begin with, individual bonds fall into three main types: municipal, corporate and government. Within these categories, you’ll find differences in the bonds being issued. For example, government bonds include conventional, fixed-rate Treasury bonds as well as inflation-protected ones, along with bonds issued by government agencies, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (or Fannie Mae). Corporate bonds are differentiated from each other by several factors, but one important one is the interest rate they pay, which is largely determined by the credit quality of the issuer. (The higher the rating grade — AAA, AA and so on — the lower the interest rate; higher­ rated bonds pose less risk to investors and therefore pay less interest.) Municipal bonds, too, are far from uniform. These bonds are issued by state and local governments to build or improve infrastructure, such as airports, highways, hospitals and schools. Generally, municipal bonds are exempt from federal tax and often state and local taxes, too. However, because of this tax benefit, municipal bonds typically pay lower interest rates than many corporate bonds. How can you use various types of bonds to build a diversified bond portfolio? One method is to invest in mutual funds that invest primarily in bonds. By owning a mix of corporate, government and municipal bond funds, you can gain exposure to much of the bond world. Be aware, though, that bond funds, like bonds themselves, vary widely in some respects. To illustrate: Some investors may choose a low-risk, low return approach by investing in a bond fund that only owns Treasury securities, while other investors might strive for higher returns — and accept greater risk — by investing in a higher-yield, but riskier bond fund. But you can also diversify your bond holdings by owning a group of individual bonds with different maturities: short-, intermediateand of long-term. This type help diversification can protect you against the effects of interest-rate movements, which are a driving force behind the value of your bonds — that is, the amount you could sell them for iP you chose to sell them befor^i they matured. When marked! interest rates rise, the price of your existing, lower-paying] bonds will fall, and when rate?] drop, your bonds will be worthy more. But by building a “ladder*’^ of bonds with varying^ maturities., you can take ‘ advantage of different interest­rate environments. When1’ market rates are rising, yoir can reinvest your maturing*/! shorter-term bonds at the new, higher rates. And when marker’ rates are low, you’ll still I have your longer-term bondsrf working for you. (Generally though not always, longer^ term bonds pay higher ratesrj than shorter-term ones.) A bond ladder should bev' consistent with your investmentJ objectives, risk tolerance ano1 financial circumstances. But if it’s appropriate for you?1 needs, it could be a valuable tool in diversifying; youK» bond holdings. And whilert diversification — in either stocks or bonds —• can’kr always guarantee ssuccess or avoid losses, it remains core principle of successful investing. z g g This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your r'11 local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member^ SIPC i « - YM STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29572-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Donald Emory Ayer. Date of birth: 02/02/1929. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Donald Emory Ayer, died 04/19/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kirk S. parent, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 07/27/2023 Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 Rhoades McKee 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-1921 Kirk S. Parent c/o Rhoades McKee 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-1921 203499 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS DECEDENT’S TRUST ESTATE mu wu worn Decedent: Arthur Edward Szczepanek, aka Arthur E. Szczepanek, Deceased. Date of birth: G©28-1938. M TO ALL CREDITORS:. A NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Artfifir Edward Szczepanek, aka Arthur E. Szczepanek, who lived at 4787 South M-37 Highway, Hastings, Michigan, died 06-17-2023. There is no probate estate. ,c* Creditors of the decedent are notified that 4ll claims against the Arthur E. Szczepanek Trwt Agreement, Dated July 14,1998, as Amended, wll be forever barred unless presented to Geraldine®. Szczepanek, the named Successor Trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notid^. Date: July 26, 2023 0 Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC John G. VanSlambrouck P32968 277 South Rose Street-Suite 6000 Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 269-383-5829 Geraldine M. Szczepanek 4787 South M-37 Highway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-8141 l •cow Banner CLASSIFIEDS 'W'CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-955 - For Sale FOR SALE: TURTLE Meat. $20/LB 517-694-8050 Garage Sale HUGE YARD/B ARN/ Garage Sale. Lots of everything. 3575 Fighter Road, Hastings. Week­ days August 3rd-August 15th, 2023.9am-5pm COMMUNITY BARN SALE. Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Gooseneck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, water tank, furniture, golf dubs, dog crate, etc. GARAGE SALE 636 West Grand St, Hastings. Friday 8/4/23 8am-5pm & Saturday 8/5/23 from 8am-? Some Har­ ley items, misc items, and lots more. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. SSb s Business Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. CaU 269-804-7506. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. ___ PUBLISHER’S NOTICEh All real estate advertising in thjsj newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal tfl advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, br an intention, to make any sucte preference, limitation or discrimination^ Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legfl/ custodianstafleonaiv women and people securing cuSto<ty of^children children under 18 18.'" This newspaper Jivill not knowingly) accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that alL dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number fin the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-927^ k _____________________ _ ass �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 3. 2023 — Page 11 BIRCH discusses future of the board next steps with new Hastings fire chief RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 2024-2033 PQDUNK LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (AQUATIC VEGETATION CONTROL) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Newly appointed Hastings Fire DepartI ment Chief Mark Jordan met with the BIRCH NOTICE OF AUGUST 9, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON PETITION/ CREATING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT, TREATMENT PLANS, AND COST ESTIMATES I Rural Fire association to discuss his plans for j the Hastings Fire Department just days after ! his appointment. Appointed last Tuesday, Jordan met with gie board last Thursday to discuss his plans «r the department and the city’s partnership ^ith BIRCH. Jordan said although he’s still TO: getting acquainted with his new position, he’s looking forward to diving in headfirst. “I’ve been reading through the contracts, looking at equipment and trying to get myself familiar with what we need to be working on. One of the things that I pride myselfon is I’m very involved,” Jordan said. “I run on all the calls if I’m available. I’m not going to sit bphind a desk and let the other guys handle it ifthere’s a call, I’m going to be out there with them doing it” 1 Jordan, formerly chiefofthe Bellevue Fire jii Department and interim chiefof the Charlotte Fire Department, said he worked with fire I* I Bi to xt \I bbards similar to BIRCH in both roles. \ r “I have a lot of experience with Ibk. Ibk. hull hull ‘ftisorv cm3 >;l rural boards. I’m very familiar with how they nor’’’ mally operate,” he said. “(BIRCH has) a few B Me jmore members here than the other boards J normally have. That’s really a good thing because it gives you more people to take back to your local boards and discuss.” ( Jordan said he had already started taking inventory of equipment at the Hastings Fire Department, and found the department likely had more than it needed. In addition, some of the trucks and their equipment were reaching [the end of their useful life and would soon infeed to be replaced. It made sense to take I stock ofwhat equipment could be sold before I the department dedicated funds on costly | repairs and maintenance, he said. jj “We have a few issues to resolve on the jj’ trucks. The trucks are aging, we all know ’■’ tijat,” Jordan said. “A couple ofthem are run■ning better than others. We currently have • two out (ofservice).” I < “If the truck’s not going to be used that BIRCH Rural Fire Association chairperson Jim Brown discussed potentially moving away from the fire board structure toward a fire authority in the future, (photo by Hunter McLaren) vices building and necessary equipment pur­ chases on the horizon as reasons to consider switching from the fire board structure to an independent fire authority. As it stands now, members ofeach partici­ pating BIRCH township take issues from BIRCH meetings back to their respective township boards to be voted on. This means BIRCH board members as well as each town­ ship board must reach a consensus to take action on certain items. In a fire authority structure, the fire authority would be its own ® Mass 0 u .Min in Mapfesttog tiMit J ■ wimi wimi imcm WOfWKI WBKECOURT . rImdscr ■mo* mom iwwwim IntfiEMi CASUJUDGE2M957ME MWM SK230.I ■■ILDoterty Coras’'fesCorSM Sutil MrESzogftMM MIOHJB QtfW $00 ^ forever^ -g -JgssSir 4 H STATE OF MICHIGAN 56-B DISTRICT COURT JUDICIAL DISTRICT/CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY ORDER REGARDING ALTERNATE SERVICE a CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-1039-GC -Gourt Address: 206 W. Court St, Ste. 202, Hastings, Ml 49058 Phone: •’069-945-1404 .Raintiff MCM Ml Gun Lake, LLC (Gun Lake) jmo Plaintiff Attorney Plaintiff’s attorney jipie Law Office of Aaron D. Cox, PLLC (Aaron D. Cox (P69346) 1^820 Eureka Rd. Taylor, Ml 48180 ,<734) 287-3664 P Defendant Shane VanKampen 4726 Princess Dr. Shelbyville, Ml 49344 THE COURT FINDS: 1. Service of process upon the defendant, Shane VanKampen cannot reasonably be made as provided In MCR 2.105 and service of process may be made In a manner that is reasonably calculated to give the dpfendant actual notice of the proceedings and an bpportunity to be heard. IT IS ORDERED: 2. Service of the summons and complaint and a copy of this order shall be made by the following method(s). „■ a. First-class mail to 4726 Princess Dr., Shelbyville, . Ml 49344 Vb. Tacking or firmly affixing to the door at 4726 Z Princess Dr., Shelbyville, Ml 49344 Z d. Other: Publication in the Hastings Banner for 3 < consecutive weeks In accordance with MCR 2.106(D)(1). -4’For each method used, proof of service must be filed promptly with the court. Judge William. M Doherty (P41960) By: Michael L Schlpper (P42154) 202379 To All Creditors: The Settlor, Marsha Brown, born on 17726/1944, who lived at 14471 Frances Ave., Battle Creek, Ml, died on July 4, 2023. There is no personal representative of the settlor’s estate to whom Letters of Administration have been issued. J Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against Marshall Brown, personall 4nd/or the William E. Brown and Marsha E. fyown Trust dated 9/15/2003 as amended, will forever be banned unless presented to William Brown, Successor Trustee, within four (4) months after the date of publication. Notice is further given that the Trust will thereafter be assigned and distributed to the persons entitlted to it. Date: July 28, 2023 Sy: William Brown Trustee 203561 THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN; OWNERS OF PROPERTY ABUT­ TING OR HAVING DEEDED ACCESS TO PODUNK LAKE IN LAND SECTIONS 26, 27. 34 AND 35 OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP; AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that as a result of petitions signed by the record owners of lands abutting Podunk Lake (including the channel) or having deeded access to Podunk Lake in Land Sections 26, 27, 34 and 35 of Rutland Charter Township the Township Board proposes to create a special assessment district for the eradication and/or control of aquatic weeds and plants in Podunk Lake in 2024-2033 and finance such improve­ ments by special assessments on the properties within the special assessment district, as a renewal of the existing Special Assessment District and continuation of the 2019-2023 lake improvement program. The Special Assessment District within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be undertaken and within which the cost thereof is proposed to be specially assessed is described as follows: All lands abutting Podunk Lake (including the channel) or having deeded access to Podunk Lake in land sections 26,27, 34 and 35 of Rutland Charter Township, Barry County, State of Michigan. The Township Board has passed a Resolution July 12, 2023 tentatively declaring its intention to proceed with the process to create the petition-requested special assessment district for the 2024-2033 lake improvement program and the resulting special assessments on the benefitted properties, and has found the petition for same to be in compliance with statutory requirements. The Township Board has received plans for the anticipated 2024-2033 aquatic vegetation control program, and an estimate of the costs of the ten-year program in the amount of $119,250, and an estimate ofthe legal and administrative expenses associated with the proposed program in the amount of $5,000. If this improvement program is ap­ proved these cost estimates may be subject to annual redetermination/revision to reflect actual costs incurred/property transactions. The Township Board proposes to allocate any revenue surplus from previously imposed special assessments for the improvement pro­ gram undertaken in 2019-2023 to the 2024-2033 improvement program as cost-overrun contingency revenue. KjH A public hearing on the proposed 2024-2033 improvement program, including the plans and the estimated costs of same, the special assessment district proposed to be created for the assessment of the costs of such improvement, and any objections to the petition, will be held at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in conjunction with a regular meeting of the Township Board commencing at 7:Q0 p.m. t At this hearing/meeting the Board will also consider any written objections to any ofthe foregoing matters which are filed with the Board at or prior to the time of the hearing, as well as any corrections or changes to the plans, estimate of costs, or to the proposed special assessment district. HI The program plans, estimate of costs, the boundaries of the proposed special assessment district (the same as the special assessment district for the 2019-2023 pro­ gram), and the petition, may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk and may further be examined at the public hearing. If the Township Board determines to proceed with the proposed 2024-2033 im­ provement program, a second public hearing will be held at a later date to be set by the Township Board (tentatively scheduled for September 12,2023) for the purpose of review­ ing and hearing objections to the proposed allocation of the total costs/expenses of the program among, the ^various properties included, in the special assessment, district irThe roposed allocation of those costs/expenses is tentatively as follows, in accordance with the petition: A (’’The William E. Brown and Marsha E. Brown ■frust. SSI XXX-XX-9816. . board’s attention. “This has worked very well for a long time. I’m not opposed to running it for another 100 years if it made sense,” Brown said. “But if there’s something better out there that we should be looking at, I think we should do it.” j * Jordan said he’d come to next month’s BIRCH meeting with a list of equipment he recommended to be bought and sold. । BIRCH chairperson Jim Brown said now ! might be a good time to reexamine the struc! ture ofthe BIRCH board and its partnership j with the city to ensure it’s the best solution ] for local area fire services. Brown cited the [change in leadership at the department, the city’s plans to build a new emergency ser- NOTICE TO CREDITORS ft municipal authority with members of each participating township and city representatives as voting members. Although Brown said he was in no hurry to make drastic changes to the BIRCH board, he wanted to bring the issue to the Trojans earn spots on spring all-league lists much, then maybe we look at taking them out j ofservice and selling them,” he said. “We’re j still going to have plenty ofequipment.” 3** •*»»!» »!» 202831 For the 2023 special assessment levy, for the 2024 treatment program and administrative/legal expenses incurred in 2023: $315.00 per year for each lot/parcel in the special assessment dis­ trict with frontage on Podunk Lake. Thornapple Kellogg High School had 15 student-athletes honored as all-confer­ ence performers in the OK Gold Conference during the 2023 spring season. The group included (top from left) Lindsey Velting, Ava Crews, Brooklyn Harmon, Eva Corson, Kenady Smith, (middle row) Payton Gator, Emma Schut, Maddie Chivis, Payton Pratt, Holly Velting, (bottom) Kylee Hoebeke, Alaina O'Riley, Gavin Snelling, Austin Pitsch and Charlotte Nelson. $273.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake channel frontage. $190.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake deeded ac­ cess. For the special assessment levies in 2024-2032, for the treatment pro­ gram in 2025-2033: STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29547-DE William M. Doherty Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Richard G. Risner. Date of birth: 9-14­ 46. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Richard G. Risner, died 5-12-23. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Misty Torres, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Misty Torres 6850 Lafountain Drive Plainwell, Ml 49080 269-680-9168 203498 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29573-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Robert J. Rosema. Date of birth: 1/10/1951. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Robert J. Rosema, died 05/01/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Michael Rosema, Jill Hune, and Andrea Helton, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. James A. Wesseling (P40226) 6439 28th Ave. Hudsonville, Ml 49426 616-669-8185 Jill Hune, 9166 Young Ave., Rockford, Ml 49341 Andrea Hilton, 2900 52nd St. SW, Wyoming, Ml 49418 Michael Rosema 6262 Fillmore, Allendale, Ml 49401 203576 $217.00 per year for each lot/parcel in the special assessment dis­ trict with frontage on Podunk Lake. $175.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake channel frontage. NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Planning Commissionwill conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number: SP-1-2023 - John Paul Kauffman (Applicant/Property Owners) Location: Comer of Wolf & Jenkins Rd, In Section 20 of Assyria Township. Purpose: Request to operate a sawmill, per Section 2368 in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district. Case Number: SP-3-2023 & PR-5-2023 - Pyramid Network Services (Applicant); Leah Berkimer (Prop­ erty Owner) Location: 9645 S. M 66 Hwy, in Section 34 .of Maple Grove Township. Purpose: Erect a 197’ wireless communicaton tower and associated antennas, lines and mounting hardware. Tower will be in a 100' x 100* leased compound with equipment cabinets on a concrete pad, per Article 2386 in the RR (Rural ResidentiaQ’izonlng district. Case Number: SP-7-2023 - Denise Hettinger (Appli­ cant & Property Owner) Location: 1300 Royce Rd. in Section 19 of Castleton Township. Purpose: Request to construct a personal storage building, per Section 2357 in the RL (Recreational Lake) zoning district. MEETING DATE: August 28.2023. TIME: 7:00 PM. £LA££: Tyden Center, Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described properties will be completed by the Planning Commission members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. ■ Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrycounty.org. The special use applications are available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk 203742 $92.00 per year for each lot/parcel with Podunk Lake deeded ac­ cess. Appearance and protest at such a second public hearing or as otherwise allowed by 1962 PA 162, as amended, is required in order to preserve a right to appeal the amount of any such special assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal after the confirmation of a special assessment roll. Formal notice of any such second public hearing will be pub­ lished in a newspaper and mailed to affected property owners as required by law. The foregoing hearings and all proceedings associated with these special as­ sessment matters will be conducted in accordance with and pursuant to 1954 PA 188, as amended, the Michigan Open Meetings Act, and any other applicable law. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058-9725 (269) 948-2194 , STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29574-NC Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1286 In the matter of Phillip Alexander Taylor. TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose Interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 8/23/2023 at 2:30 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Phillip Alexander Taylor to Filip Aleksandar Taylor. 203538 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29542-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Richard Lee Krebs. TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address Is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 8/9/2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Richard Lee Krebs to Rikki Leigh Krebs. 203565 �Page 12 — Thursday, August 3, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Duits tourney hits new high with 43 teams the high school age right now, ifwe can get four more finishers prizes ordered we can create a high school division and let them duke it out.” late to lunch. Brehm said the tournament’s social media The youth and high school divisions filled presence helps pull in the high school age the six Emily Duits Memorial Sand Volley Volley-­ group, and that there were good participation ball Courts at the Lake Odessa Fairgrounds from area clubs like FarOut and MVA. Saturday morning during the 18 Annual There were 14 high school division teams, mEMorial Sand Volleyball Tournament. Receight in the youth division and 43 overall this reational and Competitive tournaments filled summer. That is the largest number ofteams the afternoon and early evening hours. Team Lily and Team Lauren worked* the tournament has ever hosted. It is the sec­ ond summer of having six sand volleyball through a three-set battle with Team Lauren courts to compete on at the fairgrounds rather winning the opening set 18-15 and Team Lily taking the second set 17-8 in the youth divithan three. Alli Pickard, a 2023 Lakewood High sion championship match. School graduate, and Paige Williamson, a Team Lily looked poised to get everyone 2023 Caledonia High School graduate, were into the big red bam at the fairgrounds soon this year’s Emily Duits mEMorial Scholar­ after that for lunch, raffle prizes and some ship award winners as chosen by the FarOut heartfelt speeches, but after Lily built a 14-6 Volleyball Club. They were recognized lead, in a deciding set to 18 points, Team during the lunch break along with this year’s Lauren surged to tie things up at 14-14 and Spirit ofthe Game award winner Izzy Brown eventually served for match point twice. Team Lily fought off Team Lauren both from Cadillac. “One of the biggest decisions we made times and then pulled out an 18-16 victory, between last year and this year was bringing earning teammates Amaya Frias, Cambree a scholarship in Em’s name back to Lake­ Krause, Liv Wender, Kiley Manyen, Kinsley wood,” Brehm said. “Our community is so Whitfield, Ava Geerlings and Lily Eveland giving, and so generous, and so many of these sea green championship waterbottles. bushiness showed up for us and wrote us That youth team was the only champion­ ship team without at least one current or for­ checks and gave us raffle prizes. “This year there was a Lakewood kid, but mer member ofthe Lakewood varsity volley­ we just feel the need, if we’re asking our local ball team on its roster. Teams played 6-V-6 in the youth division and 4-v-4 in the three older community for our dollars. We will be creat­ ing an Emily Duits Memorial Scholarship to divisions. The high school division only got through hand out to Lakewood students.” its semifinal matches before the lunch break. The plan is to also continue on with an The team of Abby Pickard, Carley Pierceaward for a FarOut club participant. field, Colton Piercefield and Seth Willette Brown was chosen for this summer’s Spir­ came out victorious in that competition. Pick­ it of the Game award by Buche and Selena ard and Carley Piercefield were both first Duits, Emily’s mother. Brown’s name will team all-state in Division 2 with the Viking forever adorn the Spirit ofthe Game trophy varsity in the fall of2022. Selena and Jeff Duits gave up running the They are the first ever high school division tournament, which honors the memory oftheir champions at the tournament. Scrolling daughter Emily who passed away from injuries through the rec. division entries in the lead-up sustained in an automobile accident at the age of 16 in 2005, after the 16^ edition in 2021. to the tournament Chelsea Brehm, one ofthe event organizers, noticed that many of the Having 43 teams is pushing the limit for as teams were made up ofhigh school students. many as the tournament can get through in a “So, I pitched it to the group,” Brehm said. day on the six courts. There was plenty of “Ijust said, ‘hey guys we have a booming in daylight left for the team of Brooke Francis- Brett Bremer Sports Editor Team Lily and Team Lauren were a little High school division winners Seth Willette, Colton Piercefield, Carley Piercefield and Abby Pickard are joined by Selena Duits (left) and Jeff Duits after wrapping up their competition at the 18th Annual Emily Duits mEMorial Sand Volleyball Tournament at the Lake Odessa Fairgrounds Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) co, Caden Francisco, Ola Nowak and Charlie Anderson to capture the recreational division championship and the team of Cameron Rowland, Maradith O’Gorman, Jordan Drake and Julia Bishop to win the competitive championship. Brehm said one more change for 2023 was a godsend for tournament organizers like herselfand Jessie Buche. The youth and high school divisions played on assigned courts in the morning and the competitive and recre­ ational division matches were played on assigned courts in the afternoon. It made tournament administration smoother, kept players from extended breaks between match­ es waiting for an open court, and it also allowed spectators a little more confidence in settling in near a single court. It may have cost the group a few partici­ pants in the lunch time festivities and with many of the youth teams leaving by early afternoon the tournament didn’t go through quite as much of the free MOO-ville ice cream as it would have had there been more children rushing up for seconds and thirds throughout the afternoon. All-in-all, the 2023 tweaks were mostly positive. The tournament administration was also helped along by an updated sound sys- tern at the fairgrounds. When the fairgrounds updated its sound system at the grandstand recently, the tournament committee paid to have brackets placed on one ofthe volleyball court light poles and the fair board was kind enough to allow for the grandstand speakers to be used at the courts for music and announcements throughout the day. HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL seiRnrs FIRST PRACTICE INFORMATION All athletes must have a completed physical on file in the school office in order to participate. Ifyou have not received a physical after April 15th 2023, we recommend you see your family doctor. Hastings Area Schools and local Health Care Professionals will offer a sports physical for those that still need one on Tuesday August 8th. Girls grades 6th through 12th will be 6:30 to 7:30 and boys grades 6th through 12th will be 7:30 to 8:30 at Hastings High School main gym. Physicals are free but the doctors assisting are asking for a $10 donation with all proceeds going to the Saxon Athletic Boosters. Physical forms are available in the HS office, MS office and the Administration office. Hastings High School Fall Sports Ashton King makes as pass during a competitive division pool play match Saturd^ during the 18th Annual Emily Duits mEMorial Sand Volleyball Tournament at the Lake? Odessa Fairgrounds. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Varsity Football - Monday, August 7th - Practice, 8am - 2pm. Meet at Field House (next to HS Tennis Courts) Coach: Jamie Murphy 269 804-2739 JV Football - Monday, August 7th - Practice, 3:30 - 6:00pm. Meet at Field House (next to HS Tennis C ourts). TYDEN PARK • SATURDAY, AUG. 26™ Freshman Football - August 7th - Practice, 3:30pm - 6:00pm. Meet at Field House (next to HS Tennis Courts). Volleyball - Monday, August 7th, Varsity, JV and Freshman Tryouts 3pm-6pm. Meet at Hastings HS Athletic Main Gym Entrance. Coach: Erin Slaughter, 269 953-7412 Girls Swim - Monday, August 7th, Practice 3:00 - 5:30pm CERC Pool Open to !Hastings and Delton Kellogg girls. No competitive experience necessary! Ifyou can swim yoJ can make the team! Coach: Carl Schoessel 269 838-8407 Boys Varsity and JV Soccer - Monday, August 7th, JV and Varsity Tryouts 3:15 - 5:30 on Pierce Field (behind the HS) Coach: Matt Hokanson 616 322-3888 Boys Tennis - Tuesday, August 8th, Practice 3:30 - 5:30pm at the HS Tennis Courts. Coach: Krista Schueller 716 417-2671 MiurS i.i.3? Cross Country - Monday, August 7th 10am - 12pm. Meet near the Main Entrance ofthe Football Stadiur Coach: Steve Collins 269 804-7156 Girls Golf- Monday, August 7th, Practice 3:30 - 5:30pm at the Legacy GolfCourse Coach: Ross Schueller 616 485-3234 HS Sideline Cheer - Sideline Cheer: Tuesday, August 8th, 6pm - 8pm at HHS Aux gym. For all 12th graders. Coach: Lindsey Jacinto 269 838-2150 through Hastings Middle School Fall Sports 7th and 8th Grade Sideline Cheer: Practice begins Wednesday, August 16th, 6 - 8pm at Central Elementary Gvm Coach: Connie Williams 269 953-0505 95 3-0505 * 7th and 8th Grade Football: Equipment handout Tuesday, August 15th 3:30 - 5:30 at the Football field fttldhouse. ractice begins Wednesday, August 16th, 3:30 - 5:30pm behind the Middle School. Contact: Mike Goggins AD 269 838-5010 MS 7th and 8th Girls Volleyball Non-mandatory preseason skills sessions will be offered August 14th, islh,16th rom pm to 8pm at Hastings High school for girls wanting to “brush up” their skills before tryouts. Tryout’S will be August 23rd, the 2nd day ofschool. ' 1 Contact: Mike Goggins AD 269 838-5010 Age brackets subject to change based on participation Team Captain______ Age Phone# MS (6th, 7th, 8th graders) Cross Country practices will begin August 23rd, the 2nd day ofschool. 3-15nm’- 5-15om Contact: Mike Goggins AD 269 838-5010 or 948-4409 P P For Questions please contact Athletic Director Mike Goggins at mike.goggins@hasskl2.org or call 269 838-5010 mike. Send Entries to... Barry County Chamber of Commerce Email. 221W. State Street Team Members Age Age Hastings, Ml 49058 Questions??... Please fill out form completely Call (269) 948-3025 or email brettQj-adgraphics.com TYDEN PARK • SATURDAY. AUG. 26™ � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-08-10.pdf 015aaa72d363b4bef2eca3ca17095641 PDF Text Text 50th anniversary of Delton Founders Festival on tap ■T Hastings planners approve of apartment complex expansion See storv on page 5 See story on page 2 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 8048 107049010259050273994905 Richard Hemeri ngAR'RTLOT"C005 C005 421 N Taffee Drr Hastings Ml 49058-1134 7/30/2024 9:25:00 AM VOLUME 169, No. 32 ANNER Thursday, August 10, 2023 PRICE $1.50 County finalizes sale of small slice of land to make way for housing development Jayson Bussa Editor After over a year ofback-and-forth negotiation and waiting, Barry County has finalized the sale and transfer ofa small plot ofland to a housing developer. At Tuesday morning’s Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board signed off on a final bill of sale to Wisconsin-based General Capital for a small portion ofa park­ ing lot that belongs to a still-vacant county-owned building. The property is located on the southwest comer of file intersection of W. State and S. Broadway streets, where the county’s former Friend ofthe Court building sits. Adjacent to that building, General Capital, which is oper­ ating as GenCap Hastings Limited Dividend Housing Association LLC, has broken ground on a 60-unit workforce housing development called Tyden Lofts. Originally, General Capital wanted to pur­ chase the entire Friend ofthe Court building and incorporate it into its housing develop­ ment, but the county could not be swayed. After further negotiation, both sides finally settled on the sale of a small portion of the parking lot - 0.26 acres specifically. County administrator Michael Brown pre­ sented the Offer to Purchase at Tuesday’s meeting, and commissioners approved the sale ofthe portion ofthe property for $1. David Jackson, chairman of the county board, said that the deal “adequately address­ es our needs, General Capital’s needs, our protection and keeps the project moving for­ ward.” Along with the sale, the commissioners also had to pick through and sign off on a series of easement agreements between both sides. Two weeks ago, General Capital sent an agreement that contained a series ofease­ ment requests. Due to the nature ofthe docu­ ment, it was not recordable by the county’s register of deeds. Brown and the county’s attorney, Mark Nettleton of Grand Rapids-based Mika Meyers PLC, worked over the past week to split up the one agreement into four separate agreements that are in recordable form. The easements included the following: - Pedestrian access over certain portions of the Barry County property. Barry County See SLICE OF LAND, page 2 This is a vehicle access point off of Court Street that leads into the future site of Tyden Lofts, which sits next to a vacant coun­ ty-owned building. As part of a series of easement agreements, the project’s developer has permitted the use of this access point by future tenants of the county-owned facility. Voters approve one school bond proposal, reject another Walmart appeals Rutland Township assessment takes tax dispute to Michigan Tax Tribunal , Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Walmart aims to utilize a legal loophole that would significantly reduce its taxable value, as assessed by Rutland Township. It’s a move Walmart and other big box retailers have been making across Michi­ gan and throughout the country in-the last decade. Retailers, using a value-in-ex­ change tax assessment theory known as the As some of the signage around the Hastings area would suggest, it truly was a “great day to be a Saxon” on Tuesday after voters in the district went to the polls for the special election to approve a $17 million bond proposal put forth by the Hastings Area School System. The measure passed with 2,324 “yes” to 1,719 “no” votes and will provide funding for things like replace­ ment roofs at Hastings High School and the 1997 portion of Hastings Middle School. However, Lakewood Public Schools was less fortunate as district officials saw their $39 million bond proposal voted down, suffering the same fate as a previous bond proposal on the ballot in November of last year. See page 3 for a recap and reaction to this week’s special election. “dark store theory,” argue their stores’ tax­ able value should be assessed based on the property’s worth as a vacant building. Thi' theory suggests that ifthe big box retailers' were not utilizing the property, it would be little more valuable than an empty ware­ house. See WALMART, page 2 The Hastings Walmart has disputed its taxable value as assessed by Rutland Township, arguing it should be about $600,000 less. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Barry County Sheriff avoids charges, vows to press on with election fraud investigation Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf speaks in front of the Irving Township Board last fall. Leaf was being considered for criminal charges over the past year after the state attorney general’s office accused him and other individuals of conspiracy to obtain and test voting tabulators. (File photo by Jayson Bussa) Jayson Bussa Editor Almost one year ago to the day, Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf learned he could potentially face criminal charges for what the state attorney general’s office characterized as potential crimes committed while trying to investigate what he considered to be possible voter fraud. Still, Leaf contends that it didn’t weigh on his mind much as he waited all that time. “To be honest, I never really lost any sleep over it. And yeah, it is a load offmy mind and for my family,” said Leaf upon finding out last week from the special prosecutor assigned to the case that he will not be charged. Not all the individuals accused of partici­ pating in a conspiracy to obtain and test vot­ ing equipment by the attorney general’s office avoided charges, though. The same special prosecutor, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson, announced over the last couple of weeks that a trio of individuals would be charged in the case. Attorneys Matthew DePemo and Stefanie Lambert Junttila, in addition to former state representative Daire Rendon (R-Lake City), were indicted and face multiple felony charges that are punishable by up to four or five years in prison. The charges were autho­ rized by a grand jury. A special prosecutor was assigned to the case because, at the time, current Attorney General Daria Nessel was facing DePemo in the 2022 race for office. The individuals charged were character­ ized by the special prosecutor’s office as the masterminds behind the conspiracy, but in a public statement, Hilson said that there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Leaf, who was accused ofconvincing Irving Township Clerk Sharon Olson to turn over a voting tabulator to a third party as part ofan inves­ tigation. Olson was never named in the case, but Hilson noted that none of the township clerks involved would be charged with any crimes. Olson told The Banner that everything she knew about the case was learned from media reports, and she was not personally involve^ in the proceedings. “This ends the charging decision in thia investigation,” Hilson stated in an Aug. 3 announcement, where he revealed the charges being levied to Junttila. “The deci-* sion not to issue charges on the other identic ■ fied suspects, including Barry County Sher- See SHERIFF, page 3 �Page 2 — Thursday, August 10,2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Herb workshop slated for Sunday The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club will present a herb workshop this weekend Ph Sunday, Aug. 13, at 3 p.m. The workshop will be led by Robbin Glass, a Master Gardener and Master Herbalist in training. Glass will teach workshop attendees the uses ofmullein, wild lettuce, echinacea, parsley, thyme and rosemary. Participants will learn how to dry, preserve and store herbs, along with how to make tinctures. I Two prizes will be given away during the class. Those interested are encouraged to attend and to discuss the herbs they would like to learn more about. The free program will be hosted at the Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church com­ munity hall, 888 Terry Lane, offStar School Road in Hastings. The program and materials are free; free-will offerings are welcome. The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club is a health ministry supported by the Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church to educate its members and the community. To register or for more information, contact Robbin Glass at 517-652-3056. . — Barry-Eaton District Health Department launches community survey The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is undertaking a planning process to create a community-informed, action-oriented strategic plan that will support Barry and Eaton Counties in being communities where everyone has the opportunity to live a long, healthy and active life. BEDHD is seeking community input to inform the strategic planning of its priorities and goals over the next five years. Individuals living or working in Barry or Eaton Counties are encouraged to complete a brief survey to help inform the strategic planning process and support the health of the Barry and Eaton communities. The community survey can be found on BEDHD’s Facebook page and website, banyeatonhealth.org. Community input is crucial to the effectiveness ofpublic health agencies, and a community survey is an important step toward making sure every voice in the community is heard and reflected in fixture BEDHD services and programming. BEDHD has partnered with Public Sector Consultants, a Lansing-based, nonpartisan research and consulting firm, to facilitate the planning process, including distributing and analysing surveys. Any information shared will remain confidential, and contact details will not be col­ lected. The survey is open until Thursday, Aug. 24. Michigan Fiddlers Convention slated for next weekend The Michigan Fiddlers Association will host its annual Fiddlers’ Convention and Tra­ ditional Music Festival on Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12, at Winding Creek Campground in Hastings, 2329 Campground Road. The convention will conclude on Sunday morning, Aug. 13, with a hymn sing from 9 to 10 a.m. The Fiddlers Hall of Fame presentation will also take place during the convention. While there is no charge to attend, donations are appreciated. Several workshops are scheduled for Friday and Saturday morning, with open mics on tap for both afternoons. On Friday, Aug. 11, a square dance with caller Bethany Commons will be held at 7 p.m. Dave Langdon and friends will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12. There will be several areas both inside and out for openjamming. Attendees are asked to bring thejr own lawn chairs and beverages. No concessions will be available. , Camping arrangements will be handled by Winding Creek Campground, windingcreekcamp.org. Planning commission approves Meadowstone Apartments expansion neighbors express concern Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings planning commissioners approved changes to a long-planned expansion at Meadowstone Apartments. The expansion would add five buildings to the site, housing 164 one-bedroom apartment units in addition to the site’s existing six buildings and 72 two-bedroom apartments. When the Meadowstone planned unit development was first approved by the city in 1999, the plans called for a total of 13 build­ ings on the site with 156 two-bedroom units. Six buildings with 72 total units were built before the remainder ofthe project was post­ poned, where it remained in limbo until the new preliminary plans were brought to plan­ ning commissioners last month. Although the original plans were already approved by the city in 1999, the new plans had to come before commissioners because ofthe significant changes made. Joel Kamstra, representing Eenhoom Development, said the developer switched to smaller one-bedroom units to meet market demand. Kamstra said the more compact one-bedroom units were in higher demand than the com­ plex’s spacious two-bedrooms and would help diversify the types ofhousing offered. The new plans also call for several new amenities like a community garden space, sports courts, more sidewalks and green space. Kamstra said the goal was to bring the complex more in line with modem develop­ ments and offer space for pet owners to walk their dogs. “Currently, they don’t have any designated space. There are no amenities on the property to speak of,” Kamstra said. “20 years ago, people didn’t really build a lot of amenities. Today, we’re trying to build places that peo­ ple want to stay for longer than a year.” Five residents ofTerry Lane, located along S *5?^ 5? Hastings Planning Commission Chair Dave Hatfield told a neighboring resident he was sorry their realtor had misled them in regards to potential developments at Meadowstone Apartments. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) the south edge of the project’s footprint, spoke during the project’s public hearing to express concerns with the expansion. Com­ mon concerns included increased light pollu­ tion, lack of privacy screening, potential drainage issues and increased activity at the site. Kamstra said the complex wanted to ensure it was a good neighbor, and had addressed any potential issues. The plans called for increased screening on the south side of the property using existing and newly planted vegetation. The project’s proposed stormwa­ ter drainage at the site had been approved by the city’s Director of Public Services Travis Tate. Kamstra said one of the complex’s dumpsters could potentially be moved further away from Terry Lane, but it would be enclosed in masonry walls and well main­ tained to ensure it wasn’t an eyesore. Planning commission chair Dave Hatfield thanked residents for sharing their concerns, and apologized to a resident who said she was told there would be no further developments at the site when she bought her house. “I want to thank all ofyou for being here. We do appreciate your comments,” Hatfield said. “I’m particularly sorry that you were so misled by your realtor, but this project has been well publicized and well known. (The realtor) obviously shot from the hip on that without raising questions to anybody in the position to be able to answer, and that’s most unfortunate.” j $5 SLICE OF LAND, continued from page 1 /MX J4s -ry M37Au::ction.com il'jrfl .pni Consignment Auction 9790 Cherry Valley Ave Caledonia, Ml 49316 (616)920-6651 www.M37Auction.com Upcoming Auctions: August 22, September 5 Accepting Consignments: Antiques and Vintage Items Appliances ATVs, Boats, Motorcycles, Trailers, and Vehicles Building Materials, Hardware, and Lumber Business DeadStock/Excess Inventory Business Liquidations/Retirements Coins and Collectibles Electronics and Musical Equipment Estate Sale Items Farm Implements and Equipment Furniture Generators, Power Washers, and Pumps Jewelry/Gems Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Outdoor Living Equipment, Furniture, and Supplies Sports Memorabilia Sporting Goods Tools ■ THORROPPLE provided an easement to General Capital so pedestrians can walk north and south between th^^wo bwldings to access,Tyden Lqfts,; - Vehicular zaccess over portions of the General Capital property. General Capital is installing a vehicle access point off Court Street into its property. General Capital is granting an easement allowing visitors to use that entrance to the county property. —A stormwater drainage easement between the two will allow Barry County to utilize General Capital’s stormwater drainage facili­ ties. Construction crews will also need access to the county’s parking lot to install those solutions, which the agreement permits. - Right ofentry to the county’s property to install a new ramp on the main entrance of the former Friend ofthe Court building. This is not an easement, as it does not run in per­ petuity. However, the county is granting Gen­ eral Capital’s contractors access to its proper­ ty to construct a new handicap ramp on the main entrance to the building, which is locat­ ed on its west end. ’The decision was made during negotiations that both parties would benefit from this arrangement as the county would get a cost-free improvement made to its building, which would also blend in with the aesthetics of the forthcoming Tyden Lofts. One issue that General Capital included in its original request that went unaddressed was two vehicular accesb points to the county’s property offof South Broadway Street. Gen­ eral Capital would like an agreement that grants them the use ,of those two drives, but the county continues to discuss whether or not it might close off one of those access points at the request ofthe Michigan Depart­ ment of Transportation and the M-37 Corri- The county's former Friend of the Court building still sits empty as a housing developer breaks ground on a new development next to it. This developer, Wisconsinbased General Capital, will also construct a new ramp onto the county-owned facility. The current ramp is seen here. dor Commission, which is comprised ofrepresentatives from municipalities with M-37 frontage. The board is cautious about making a deci­ sion on whether or not to close off an access point before knowing what the building will be used for in the future. “We decided to leave that alone for the time being even though it was a recommen­ dation from the M-37 committee,” Jackson said. “I don’t think we’re in a hurry to give up those access points at this point without fur­ ther discussion and seeing what the long-term plan is for that (building).” Auditions * Auditions * Auditions The Importance ofBeing Earnest by Oscar Wilde Directed by Erin Merritt When: August 14th at 7PM Where: Dennison Performing Art Center located at 231S Broadway Hastings, Ml Open to high school seniors or older. Auditions will consist of reading selections from the script. No preparation is needed. Rehearsals begin on August 21st scheduled Monday through Thursday Production Dates: October 4th - October 8th Interested, but unavailable for this date? Contact us via the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002, so other arrangements can be made. Follow us on Facebook for more information. Barry Community Foundation ^ite ™NAPPLE Community Theatre Association of Michigan OfBarry County.M......... .. ic.h.igan WALMART, continued from page 1 Dennis McKelvey, Rutland Township asses­ sor, said the dark store theory runs at odds with the cost approach, also known as “the highest and best use’' approach, that township assessors are required by state law to follow. “As I see it, the Walmart store (property’s) highest and best use is a big box retail store,” McKelvey said. Operating under that assumption, McKel­ vey said he assessed the property by compar­ ing it to similar commercial properties, fac­ toring in land value, age of the building and various other economic factors. Following the highest and best use theory, McKelvey said the store is worth much more than what Walmart claims. “One thing that I feel is very important is the fact that this is the only large big box retail store in Barry County,” he said. “I feel it obviously has a lot more value than what Walmart is maintaining or alleging.” However, the dark store theory has become more widely supported by state tax authori­ ties across the country, including Michigan. Just this year, the Michigan Tax Tribunal sided with Walmart in two similar appeal cases iin Houghton and Big Rapids, resulting in massive cuts to the stores’ respective taxable values. Big box stores are free to appeal tax assess­ ments as they please, just like any other resi­ dent or business owner in the township. The appeals process is often prohibitively expensive for townships, leading them to settle in court rather than pay for a lengthy legal battle with diminishing returns. McKelvey said legal fees for disputes such as these could cost the township upwards of $40,000 - much more than the $2,350 the township currently receives in yearly tax revenue from Walmart. “The expense is enormous,” McKelvey said. “By law, no government entity other than the local unit, the township,... is responsible for defending that (taxable) value. That expense comes on our shoulders and our shoulders alone - even though, as a taxing unit, we receive the least benefit in taxes.” McKelvey said he hopes to meet Walmart in the middle with a value that could work for the township and the store. Walmart is cur­ rently assessed at around $2.2 million in tax­ able value, a number that Walmart has peti- tioned to slash to about $1.6 million. At its current taxable value, the store generates about $93,860 in tax revenue, with $2,350 of that revenue going to Rutland Township. Under the lowered tax value proposed by Walmart, total tax revenue would drop by about $26,400, McKelvey said. Re-evaluating the parcel through the val­ ue-in-exchange approach used by Walmart, McKelvey said he proposed a $220,000 cut to the store’s taxable value, putting it around $2 million. McKelvey said he was informed Tuesday that Walmart declined that offer. Ifit were approved, that agreement would have only cost the county $9,900 in tax revenue. McKelvey said the township has retained its attorney while the case unfolds, and he hopes to come to an agreement with the retailer soon. While he hopes to come to a settlement sooner rather than later to avoid a long and expensive legal process, McKelvey said he has a good idea of what Walmart’s parcel is worth from comparing it with other commercial properties in the township. ‘I maintain that there is a lot of value in that property that’s being appealed,” he said. & -Hi. sis 'W Ws w �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. August 10. 2023 — Page 3 SHERIFF, continued from page 1 iff Dar Leaf and Jason Rybak (another accused individual), was based on careful consideration ofthe totality ofthe*evidence gathered by investigators, review ofthe wit­ ness statements, evaluation ofthe law relat­ ed to viable defense and decision on what is fair and just.” “It was determined that the county and municipal clerks that turned over the tabula­ tors to the unauthorized third parties were deceived by some of the charged defendants. The clerks had no idea of the scope, nature or duration of how their tabulators were going to be manipulated or that they would be out of their possession for an extended period oftime.” The announcement also stated, “As it relates to SheriffDar Leafand Jason Rybak, there is not sufficient evidence to prove a crime, and therefore charges will not be Hastings Area School System passed a $17 million bond proposal Tuesday to pay for new roofs and other infrastructure projects. filed.” Tuesday’s results capped off a six-year saga of unsuccessful bond proposals for the district. (File photo) In an interview with The Banner, Leafsaid that he was confident he didn’t break any laws the entire time as he embarked on his still-ongoing investigation into voter fraud associated with the highly contentious 2020 election involving then-President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. “It’s funny because people are saying, ‘He worked out a deal with the attorney general.’ No, I didn’t work out any deal with the attor­ ney general. I knew that I didn’t break any laws, and I know what probable cause is,” Leaf said. When asked for his thoughts on the cases Hunter McLaren number of voters that turned out for the from Paw-Paw based Perspectives Consult­ involving DePemo, Rendon and Junttila, StaffWriter August election as well as the wide margin by ing Group. The district worked with the Leafsaid he did not wish to comment at this Voters have finally approved the Hastings which the measure passed. group to conduct a community survey ask­ time, but he did add that he suspected he school district bond proposal six years and “It’s really a huge vote,” Goebel said. “So ing voters what they would support in a would be subpoenaed to testify at some six attempts in the making. we’re very excited about that, and the voice bond proposal. point. The $17 million proposal approved on expressed through voter turnout of people The district used the findings to craft a lean For Leaf, at least, this ends a dramatic Tuesday will pay for new roofs, locker rooms, saying, ‘We really want to support our kids, $17 million request, primarily funding essen­ story that has stretched over the last year, infrastructure repairs and other renovations and we want to support our community.’ I’m tial infrastructure fixes in the district. The pitting the county’s Sheriffagainst state offi­ for the district. Ofthe 4,043 votes cast for the excited about that moving forward, espe­ smaller proposal along with retiring debt in cials as he embarked on a relentless effort to ballot item, 2,324 voters cast a “yes” vote on cially in the planning ofthese projects.” the district means the district’s tax rate will investigate possible fraud or irregularities the item while 1,719 voted “no.” The replacement of the high school roof drop to 5.85 mills from 6 mills following the that have compromised the election process. Hastings Superintendent Matt Goebel saw and the 1997 portion of the middle school passing ofthe bond. Last August, the attorney general’s office the final results as they came in late Tuesday roof are the district’s top priorities, Goebel Goebel said with the bond secured, the identified Leaf as one of nine individuals night. said. He’s eager to follow-up with other district is one step closer to achieving its suspected ofparticipating in a conspiracy to “Number one, I’mjust happy for our kids,” items listed in the proposal, including updat­ plan of extended financial stability for the obtain and test voting tabulators. At that Goebel said. “They deserve the facilities. I’m ing bathrooms, locker rooms, the high school foreseeable future.1 While the passing ofthe time, Attorney General Nessel released a commons and cafeteria, and more. so excited that they’re going to be able to bond will ensure the school won’t need to petition for file appointment of a special experience some of these updated and reno­ The triumph for the district comes after a make cuts to its operational budget to fund prosecutor to consider a variety of criminal vated spaces.” focused effort from school administrators to infrastructure fixes, the school will be look­ charges against the group, including conspir­ The results are a “game changer” for the prioritize the passing ofthe bond this year. ing to renew its sinking fund millage in May acy, using a computer to commit a crime and district, Goebel said. In addition to providing Prior to Tuesday’s victory, the district had 2024. Goebel said ifthe district could secure willfully damaging a voting machine. kids with facilities and funding critical infra­ tried and failed to pass similar bond propos­ that millage renewal, which would maintain The petition said the group conspired to structure repairs, he said the vote sent a clear als six separate times since 2017. Earlier the district’s current tax rate with no unlawfully obtain voting tabulators to con­ message of community support to district this year, the district made an effort to increase, the district would be able to oper­ duct tests following the 2020 election. staff. He was surprised by both the large rethink its strategy and met with consultants ate and maintain its "facilities for years to According to the petition, the group was come. able to get their hands on five different tabu­ “The short term here is the bond, but the lators and conducted tests on them at hotel long term will be the sinking fund,” Goebel rooms and short-term rentals in the Detroit Said; “(Thli' Sinking hind) witP b£ abkHo area. The petition alleged that DePemo was mainfdlft hlf 8f 'those' focfliti^1 fhUhy,' frian^ there for the testing. years into the future so’ tHat'We don’t have to Those tabulators included a machine from go for another election1 fof a significant Irving Township, which the attorney gener­ amount ofyears after May 2024.” al’s office said Leafconvinced Olson to turn Goebel said Tuesday's results wouldn’t over as part ofan investigation. have been possible without a huge amount of Leafdenies having coerced Olson. community support, both from voters and vol­ Nessel’s office was tipped off to the unteers on the district’s citizens committee. alleged activity in February oflast year when “This could not happen without the team. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sent a This could not happen without all ofthe citi­ request to the AG’s office and the Michigan zens that are Saxon strong, care for and love State Police to investigate third-party access our community as a whole,” he said. “I’m so to voting tabulators. In the month after that, grateful and honored to be a part ofthat team.” Michigan State Police raided Irving Town­ “I am just overwhelmed with joy for the ship Hall as part ofthe investigation. people on that team who gave a lot of their Upon MSP’s raid, Leaf worked through The Hastings High School locker rooms, are ’one of many areas of old or original time and energy for the improvement and Junttila to file a lawsuit against various state construction being updated in the district with bond funds. This rendering portrays how development ofour kids,’ G- oebel said. “And officials, including the attorney general and they might look following renovations. (Courtesy rendering) that’s what it’s all about.’! secretary ofstate, saying they were meddling in his independent voter fraud investigation. xj * % $17 million Hastings school bond proposal passes after six years and six unsuccessful attempts is » Lakewood bond proposal fails again 0* jtaMF i*1 0* *-*■ *-*■* ■ ::■£? ::*■£? w If If ’ M4 46 6 M S65^ 65^ MM S Molly Macleod Copy Editor For the second time since November, Lakewood voters struck down a bond propos­ al on Tuesday. The failed bond, a $39 million ask, comes hot on the heels of another failed bond issue for $64 million in November 2022. The most recent failed bond would have funded school safety improvements, general maintenance and upkeep, bus purchases, parking lot resurfacings, a new bus garage and the construction of a new elementary school, among other things. The $39 million price tag is a $25 million decrease from last year’s proposed $64 million bond, and the payoff period for the new-and-improved bond would have been over 20 years instead of30. If the bond had passed on Tuesday, taxpay­ ers would have seen a 1.2 mill increase in 2024, raising the total debt millage rate in the district to 5.2 mills. Currently, taxpayers pay 4 mills in 2023, down from 7 mills in 2022. With a 1.2 mill increase, a home with a tax­ able value of $100,000 would expect a $120 increase in taxes next year. Voters in the Lakewood district rejected the bond and, in turn, the tax increase on Tuesday, though vote margins were much closer than in November. According to the unofficial vote totals on Wednesday, 1,393 people living in the Lake­ wood district, which stretches across Ionia, Barry and Eaton counties, voted in favor of the bond proposal on Tuesday. That number was not enough to pass the bond, with 1,750 no votes outnumbering those in favor. A dif­ ference of 357 votes across three counties decided the election. If one were to divide out the vote totals across the three counties, the bond proposal still fails in each county. In Ionia County, where the majority of the district lies, residents voted down the proposal, with 927 “no’ votes to 770 “yes” votes. In Barry County, the A Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf However, a Michigan Court of Claims judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding that Leaf did not sign the affidavit and that Leaf and his legal team did not respond to summa­ ry motions for disposition filed by state attor­ neys. Hilson was eventually assigned as a spe­ cial prosecutor in the case. He is a Democrat . who has been serving in his role since 2013. Leaf said he was not happy with how the attorney general’s office pursued its investi­ gation. “The reality is, I never ever have seen an attorney general’s office act this way,” Leaf . said. “I was glad to see a special prosecutor. I think he has been a lot more professional. I never ever had seen an attorney general throw a list out to the news media on ‘These are the people I’m going after.’ Never seen it before in my career.” The Banner reached out to the attorney general’s office for comment. “When we refer a matter for a special prosecutor, we are required to share the names of those we are investigating. Once assigned, it is the responsibility of the new prosecutor to complete the investigation and determine whether or not. charges are war­ ranted,” a representative from the office stated. Leaf also said that, instead of hindering what he considers to be a legitimate investi­ gation, the attorney general’s office should be inclined to work in collaboration with law enforcement. “All the attorney generals in the past had their investigator reaching out to us saying, ‘What are you working on? What do you That n^ver happened” Leaf, who has proven to'be a fairly divi­ sive character in the political landscape of Barry County and beyond, said that, despite his brush with the law, he would press on with his investigation. He will be up for re-election next year and said he hasn’t decided on ^whether he will run. When he does decide, he said he would make an announcement. “We didn’t do anything wrong. I’m confi­ dent that my guys do it correctly,” Leaf said. “And, the fact that we told you guys we’re going to give you a thorough investigation, that’s very, very difficult to do because it’s such an emotional topic. But we plan on pressing forward and getting it done. We are still waiting on reports from all around. I can’t elaborate on where.” NS U 1 SPR^A Y F OA4MZ/MoClosed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast . 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING E T2R HERS T9 VOTE Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber VOTE HERE New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 Voters struck down Lakewood’s $39 million bond proposal on Tuesday. The failed bond follows another failed proposal in November. (Photo by Molly Macleod) margin was even narrower, with 474 “no” votes outnumbering 455 “yes” votes, a differ­ ence of 19 votes. A higher ratio of Eaton County voters rejected the bond than in other counties, rejecting the proposal with 359 “no” votes to 168 “yes” votes. Notably, Eaton County is home to the former Sunfield Ele­ mentary School, which was shut down by Lakewood in 2016. The main differences between November’s bond and the most recent bond proposal lie in the removal ofthe installation ofartificial turf on Unity Field and the axing of a community athletic center and administration building. In November, the $64 million bond proposal failed, with 4,059 “no” votes to 2,445 “yes” votes. District residents are still paying offa con­ troversial 2007 bond issue, which funded the remodeling ofseveral school buildings across the district, including the now-closed Sun­ field Elementary School and Clarksville Ele­ mentary School. Over $20 million is still owed on that bond. Because the bond did not pass, the district is now faced with the task of moving for­ ward. Superintendent Jodi Duits could not be reached for comment by press time on Wednesday. In an earlier conversation with The Banner, Duits said that Lakewood will not be able to host MHSAA track meets this school year, nor will students, athletes or community members be able to use the track at Unity Field due to its disrepair. Additionally, school buildings across the district will not be receiving safety overhauls to entrances. One of the goals ofthe bond was to install safe and secure entrances at every school building in the district. //8110376 A Insured New from Mode® Forest Frolic, Batiks, Sweet Melodies, Joyful Gatherings New 108" Cottons Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; ff" Saturday 9 am-3 pm AA. �Page 4 — Thursday, August 10. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCO? America’s farmland is a legacy Fresh coat of paint This new mural in downtown Hastings has made quite the splash, leading to much discussion on what it might mean and why it is there. Painted by local artist J. Maizlish Mole in conjunction with the Thomapple Arts Council, the “Me First” mural has taken residence on the back side of the Miller Real Estate building. A social media post by the Thornapple Arts Council said the mural is only “the first of a two-phase public arts project," with phase two of the project to be revealed shortly. Do you remember? Farmer’s Market opens for season BannerAug. 6,1987 The Hastings Farmer’s Market opened at the comer of Market and State Street on Saturday and will con­ tinue to offer fresh fruits and vegeta­ bles like pumpkins, peaches, toma­ toes, onions, potatoes and much more on Saturdays and Wednesdays until theu weather no longer permits. Customers were found making. their: choice selections at the market yester­ day, including Barbara Sinclair, left, as she chatted with vendor Heather DePriest. Have you met? Woodland native Bre Chase always wanted to land back in the community she grew up in. After graduating from Hastings High School in 2008, Chase attended Grand Val­ ley State University, where she studied social work and psychology before receiv­ ing her degree in 2013. She moved to Vicksburg for a time before returning to Woodland to work with Barry County kids in foster care. Chase worked in the field for six years y before making a career change. Choosing to leave the field wasn’t an easy decision for Chase. Ultimately, she found the job’s unpredictable, long hours and its emotion­ ally taxing nature made it difficult for her to be present with her family at home. “My heart was in it, and I loved working with the kids. I loved working with the families. It was rewarding and challenging all at the same time,” Chase said. “1 would have loved to continue doing it, but emo­ tionally and mentally, it was just challeng­ ing. ” Chase, who originally attended GVSU to study accounting, made a new career in finance. After a few short years of on-thejob training, she landed her current role as branch manager at the Clarksville United Bank. There, she does a little bit ofeverything. Because there’s no assistant manager, she assists staff where needed. Alongside tak­ ing transactions, helping customers with loans and managing accounts, Chase said she spends a lot oftime hosting or partici­ pating in community events. “The sky’s the limit,” she said. “Whatev­ er is needed is where I fall, which is fun. It’s different every day.” Although her new role might seem com­ pletely disconnected from social work, Chase said there are a lot of similarities between the two positions. “I’m working with people,” Chase said. “I’m trying to find a product that might be right for them. Whereas when I was in Bre Chase social work, I was trying to find the right fit (for kids) and what that’s going to look like as far as the plan for getting them from AtoB.” Outside of work, Chase said she loves spending time in the community and giving back. She serves on the Lakewood Educa­ tional Foundation and the Lakewood Chamber ofCommerce boards, where both positions allow her to raise funds for Lake­ wood Public Schools. Chase is also a huge advocate for Barry County 4-H programs, having participated every year she was eligible when she was younger. Although she typically helps with 4-H programs at the Barry County Fair, this year, she was chosen as the judge for the 4-H Horse Show ofChampions. She said it was an honor to be able to encourage the next generation ofcompetitors. The many opportunities to give back in Barry County are part ofwhat makes it so great, Chase said. And she has no plans of slowing down. This year, she’s gearing up to be a Lakewood soccer coach as herr son enters kindergarten. “I just like to be involved. I like to know and be involved with what my kids are doing and the things that interest them,” she said. “I like to be involved in a community andjust keep giving back.” “I think there’s a lot bfroom for opportu­ nity (in Barry County) for others to give back,” she said. “I have grown up here, and my kids are going to be a part ofthis coun­ ty. I want to make sure it’s a good and healthy environment for my kids.” For finding ways to get involved in Barry County and make it better for our kids, Bre Chase is this week’s Bright Light. What kind of music I listen to: I grew up listening to the 70s rock and roll that our parents listened to and then 90s country. Place I would like to go: I would love to go to Italy. Ideally, I’d like to cruise all around Italy to be able to go along that shoreline. Europe in general, I’d like to experience it. I would like to see a different culture. Best advice I ever received: Don’t ever give up, and always^ always believe in yourself. No matter how difficult anything is, you can always depict the outcome ofit. Whatever you’re given, whether it be apples or lemons, you can change that and use that to your advantage. You can get the worst news, but how you react to it and how you handle that situation is going to depict the future. What I like about my job: I love to be involved with people. I love to help people. I love to be out and about, and I am very blessed that my employer wants us to be out and about and likes us to be involved in the community. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. As it does every year when I attend the large livestock sale at the Barry County Fair, my heart swelled with pride last wwk for our young people and their future. Orga Orga-­ nizations like 4-H and Future Farmers of America offer such wonderful opportunities to teach coming generations about the beau­ ty of agriculture and careers in agricul­ ture-related industries. In Michigan, agriculture contributes more than $104.7 billion annually to our state’s economy, second in diversity only to California. Agriculture is Michigan’s second-largest industry and employs near­ ly 1 million people, almost a quarter ofthe state’s workforce. The state’s fanning not only provides uss with food and fiber on nearly 10 million acres, it s become a foundation for a dynamic food and agricul­ tural industry. As I watched our young 4-Hers show their fine animals at last week s fair, though, my heart also felt some concern for the future that awaits them. According to a 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 109 countries’ currently own U.S. farmland, Canada being the largest, followed by the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany. Particularly concerning is the rapid rise of China to 18th on that list Chinese investors held nearly 400,000 acres, according to the 2021 report — a total of366 parcels ofland for a total value ofmore than $2.1 billion. Granted, computer magnate Bill Gates owns nearly as much farmland as China, at 248,000 acres, but China continues to step up its pursuit ofour farmland. That’s a concern notjust for our country but also for the young people we’re so carefully nurturing in the gifts our land has to offer them. As outside interests use our resources for their own benefit, America will slowly lose the farming legacy it takes such pride in passing down to new genera­ tions. Senators Joni Ernst (R-lowa) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) have been work­ ing on legislation that would actively mon­ itor foreign acquisition ofAmerican farm­ land and prevent our foreign adversaries from buying farmland. The bill would require all international purchases over $5 million or 320 acres to be reviewed by the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States. But the Chinese move qn.our land may not be as simple asjust an agricul­ tural interest. In January, lawmakers in North Dakota raised concerns about a Chinese proposal to build a wet com milling plant 12 miles from the Grand Forks Air Base after the U.S. Air Force warned that the installation would pose a “threat to national security.” Even though Chinese investment in U.S. land has become a cause for concern for lawmakers, they hesitate to stop or reduce the amount of land being bought up by Chinese inves­ tors and the Chinese government. In Michigan, the Whitmer Administration has been working with Chinese electric bat­ tery companies to build state-of-the-art bat­ tery facilities near Big Rapids despite the proposed federal legislation that cracks down on foreign land ownership in the state. The Michigan House of Representatives is currently considering House Bill 4329, which would prohibit the sale of Michigan land to a foreign government, business or person from countries designated as state sponsors ofterrorism as defined by the U.S. Department of State and countries deemed as a “non-market economy country” by the U.S. Department ofCommerce. Other states such as Virginia, Texas, Montana, North and South Dakota, Arkan­ sas, Indiana, Alabama, Georgia, Arizona, Missouri, Idaho, Mississippi and Utah are also considering legislation to block or reduce the ability of Chinese purchases of their state’s farmland. Farmers in Iowa are also concerned, accusing the Chinese state of stealing valu­ able seed samples from America that have been genetically modified to improve crops in order to reproduce them in China. A bipartisan delegation from Congress recent­ ly held a roundtable in Dysart, Iowa, to hear what farmers had to say about the impact the Chinese Communist Party tactics have had on undermining American agriculture. It comes at a time when there are already concerns about Chinese intervention into U.S. security, fueled by the appearance ofa spy balloon over America earlier in the year and an ongoing trade war. Keeping large swaths ofAmerican agri­ cultural land out of the hands of foreign investors — especially Chinese entities — should be one of the administration's top proposals. Failing to deal with such a seri­ ous issue could jeopardize our national and economic interests, not to mention our energy and food security. “In my opinion, it’s part ofa much larger, country-wide, slow-motion heist ofAmeri­ can intellectual property,” says Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher of Wiscon­ sin, chairman ofthe House Select Commit­ tee on China. “We have a duty to protect all our technology, whether it’s in Silicon Val­ ley or in a cornfield here in Iowa.” In 2020, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the agency had seen economic espio­ nage cases linked to China increase by more than 1,300 percent Plus, recent esti- c* Pjp mates suggest that China’s purchase of American farmland is up more than 465 percent. Yet Congressional leaders continue to discuss the issue with not nearly enough action, apparently leaving the concerns up to the states. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a law that bans Chinese citizens from buying property or land in the state. DeSantis argued that the Chinese govern­ ment’s encroachment on American assets is one ofthe “greatest geopolitical threats” to the U.S. “This has become a huge national securi­ ty issue — and Michigan must do its part in forbidding foreign adversaries from pur­ chasing land in our state,” says State Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township). “In my opinion, I firmly believe that American farmland belongs to American farmers, and we should demand from our state and national leaders to once and for all reduce the ability of any foreij^n government to purchase our precious land-.” Why do we allow China to buy land in our country — with little or no oversight — when no person, government or business in America can purchase land in China? That doesn’t make sense, and according to a growing number of experts- throughout our government, it’s become a national security issued “To protect our country, we need to enact aggressive new restrictions on Chinese ownership of any vital infrastructure in the United States, including energy, technolo­ gy, telecommunications, farmland, natural resources, medical supplies and other stra­ tegic national assets,” says DeSantis. This must be a bipartisan issue where all officials come together to pass legislation before Chinese investors gobble up more of our precious farmland. We owe it to ourselves in the best interest ofour nation to call on our state and federal legislators to pass legislation that prohibits the Chinese government and investors from purchasing land and other critical infra­ structure and eventually force the sale of their current holdings. This is a serious issue that shouldn’t be placed on the back burner or allowed to become a political hot potato. Allowing purchases to continue could have drastic consequences, and we have no idea of how damaging these pur­ chases could become. Make plans to attend next year’s 4-H livestock show and sale and look into the eyes of our future. Let’s not let this gift to our children be hijacked. The Hastings jti* z JP JP Wjw* ■■R Braq •• I fa u s SSSiisS Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: newsQj-adgraphics.com • Advertising: adsQj-adgraphics..com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker • NEWSROOM • Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County Jayson Bussa (Editor) $85 per year in adjoining counties Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) $90 per year elsewhere Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Alexis Chandler (Newsroom intern) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 wk �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 10,2023 — Page 5 kww wSS>&w sS\nS This photo is from 1963, during the first Delton Founders Festival. The first festival came after 100 years of what was called “Pioneer Daze,” which eventually evolved into the Founders Festival that Delton residents enjoy today. In the photo, attendees dressed up in garb from the IBOOs. (Photos provided by Mid-Lakes Screen Printing) Delton Founders Festival celebrates 50th anniversary with three-day event &w»< w» &S&SS? Jayson Bussa Editor I This year marks a milestone for the Delton Founders Festival. I The long-running, family-friendly, Delton­ wide event will be celebrating its 50th anni­ versary this year, serving as a testament to the committee of individuals that have planned the annual event over the years and the com­ munity that has continually embraced it. j “Our community has always rallied around Founders Festival,” said Becky Kahler, who is; the festival committee’s chairperson. | After all, a 50-year event doesn’t just hap­ pen by accident While this year’s Founders Festival might look significantly different than the version that existed 50 years ago, the 3*hku'** Ml aim is still generally the same: A focus on fun and fellowship for both kids and adults. Founders Festival is jam-packed with events and attractions and spans three days. The festival will kick off on Friday, Aug. 11 and will wind down on Aug. 13 with the car and tractor show near William Smith Memo­ rial Park. The park serves as a ground zero of sorts for the festivities, but the celebration also extends to areas such as Delton Kellogg Mid­ dle School, the Delton District Library and various businesses around town. As Founders Festival prepares to celebrate 50 years of fun, Kahler has been with the event for a good chunk ofthat - roughly 20 years now. She said that the board has worked ' **»«lpittawu J~*'4B1I"*CM» . l3®tolsre»tatffe i<< •• fl»S f*l»*S f“*l"»*S -wrbsQt' >*\M >&*\EMblstQiniDNCKodRkMDllh O ^^wcaiij.iediiB ■■&EbltQiDCK]R|MllO W? w rotates oo Cea teicante^ftat 12 tela fra MtaArteitefcO IWS^DC^^lbl tetatefcteiiuite D.lctaLWi&tai’in ju tat teal h# fa itmiitealsffteteto ttetaatttillltete Eaiaraal^’sjsDeSEa taicadrscDiiMs.Itoitibeibipattetettei tetatbfftendKia cffidriscorati^ethcrtpBslcptei ritetafte^t^tate- totarostaite^ Ryan Williams (right) is seated next to his attorney Anastase Markou in Barry County court on Tuesday afternoon. After being sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzling over a half million dollars from Hastings-based Flexfab, Williams was granted a motion for resentencing. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) .difkctap fco»a& ni , r MS 0 8k -***! 5\ jgj ofc ffljal * ~L 1^0* M® XJi^i«® i^i®i| il’*^ ---^S£«S£5 « Teens banned from Delton golf course after doing burnouts in golf cart •«*S^ *7*^ J^,^L®j2faP * /Li*fo4- * Police responded to a golfcourse in Delton around 6 p.m. on July 27 after an employ­ ee reported there were three teen boys who refused to leave the course after being asked. The employee told police she asked the teens to end their round because a golf league was about to begin and offered them a refund for the nine holes they did not get to play. The employee told police the teens refused to leave, started calling her names and did a burnout on the fairway in a golf cart. The teens left before police arrived, with the responding officer notifying them they were not welcome back to the golfcourse. ***tiT*£ Officer advises teens to stop riding on roof of car A concerned citizen called police with a reckless driving report around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 near Cook Road and Yeckley Road in Rutland Township. The caller told police they had seen a kid riding on the roof ofa car while it was driving down the toadway. A responding officer caught up with the two teens in question, who confirmed that one of them had been on the roof ofthe car while it was driving. The officer’s report notes he “went over the numerous reasons why that was a terrible idea” and strongly encouraged them not to attempt any similar antics ever again. The teens said they understood. S>J J x «?' Sickly driver gets car stuck after being pulled over by police ! jt IF % . I w '<qi 0/ Detroit Circus, a troupe ofperformers that do everything from aerial acrobatics to eating fire. The act had been involved with the Founders Festival in the past, according to Kahler, but this is the first time they have returned in many years. Another fun addition to this year is the Great Grasshopper Gathering event. “We’re putting a thousand (plastic) grass­ hoppers throughout town and whoever brings in the most wins a prize,” Kahler explained. Festival staples, like the Delton Idol sing­ ing competition, the Cow Plop, the parade and fireworks will also be in the mix per usual. For more information on the event, and a full schedule, visit deltonfoundersfestival. org/events. Mid-Lakes Screen Printing in Delton has developed a logo and T-shirts for this year’s Delton Founders Festival, striving to embrace the long-standing tradition that is behind the event. Former employee that embezzled from Flexfab set to be resentenced fit’™.*. *4.^? 4? . S***'!** to keep the festival fresh with new events and strives to add new people and ideas to the board, which has helped with its longevity. “Probably in the last 10 years we noticed it was fizzing out a little and we got some new members (on the board) and we got some new booths and energy and we realized that we needed to add Something different or something changeable every year,” Kahler explained. “It was kind of stagnant. We had the same stuff. Some of it was working and some ofit wasn’t working. So we kind ofjust did a little revamp and so that has helped in the last couple ofyears, changing it up.” Organizers stuck to that mantra this year, as well. Founders Festival will welcome back the . 1 I j Police responded to a report of a reckless driver around 2 p.m. on Aug. 1 near State Road and Becker Road, where a caller reported a driver opening his door while driving and almost striking a mailbox. Police arrived on scene, identified and stopped the vehicle. The driver, a 35-year-old Hastings man, told police he had not been drinking or smoking marijuana. The man told police he was surprised to hear the concerned caller had said he almost hit a mailbox. The driver successfully completed several sobriety tests with no signs of intoxication, intoxication including a breathalyzer test. Police noticed the man was having some difficulty keeping his balance, which the man said was due to him being ill for the past few days. Police advised the man should probably seek a ride for the safety ofhimself and others, and the man agreed to have someone pick him up. Police noted that the man had pulled so far offthe road during the initial stop that his vehicle became stuck, and he told police he would contact a tow service. Jayson Bussa Editor A former Flexfab eqipjoyee who was given a decade-long prisomsentence for embezzling over a half million dollars from the Hastiqgs-hasedicqmpaity will beiresentenced in.a , nfatteeotfngmihsr..'' ‘ nUot oiow ewnoteuO 1 The■ fcuccdssful nwtfibte fbr:resentencing gives him a glimmer of hope: to potentially shave time offhis lengthylsentence. Ryan Williams, originally from Richland, was in a Barry County courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, appearing in front of Judge Michael Schipper to sort through several mat­ ters. He was brought in from G. Robert Cot­ ton Correctional Facility in Jackson, where he is seven months into his sentence. Joined by his new attorney, Anastase Markou, Williams intended to file a motion to withdraw his guilty plea and file a motion for resentencing. The defense and prosecution also had some unresolved matters to iron out regarding restitution. In January, Williams appeared in the same courtroom for a tense sentencing hearing in front ofSchipper, who, at the time, was seem­ ingly incredulous about the details associated with Williams’ case. •• As senior desktop architect for the Hast­ ings-based manufactureriof hoses, tubes and ducting, Williams embezzled from the com­ pany over the course oi six years, making purchases through Flexffib’s Amazon busi­ ness account and with a company-issued credit card. This included everything from computers, televisions 'and laptops to an above-ground pool. At that January hearing,' the county’s Chief Assistant Prosecutor Chas Elsworth showed that Williams had made 12,800 separate pur­ chases until he was eventually caught by a fellow employee and subsequently terminated. Despite Flexfab’s request for no jail time for their former employee, Schipper sen­ tenced Williams to a decade in prison for a felony charge that carried a maximum sen­ tence of20 years. During Tuesday’s ■ hearing, Markou explained that if Schipper was receptive to a motion for resentencing, then Williams would not move forward with his motion to with­ draw his guilty plea. 1 “He is willing to withdraw that motion to withdraw a plea given we are heading toward a resentencing,” Markou said. Markou moved forward with the motion for resentencing and requested that the new sentencing date be set several months in the future. “I am going to be requesting this resen­ tencing be set about three months from now so that I can gather the materials that 1 need to adequately represent Mr. Williams at a resentencing if the court is willing to do that,” Markou said. Schipper said he spoke with Markou and Elsworth last week and was open to the idea. Setting a resentencing date three months in the future also allows Williams an opportuni­ ty to liquidate any assets he purchased with Flexfab funds and use the proceeds to pay restitution upfront with the hopes oflessening his sentence when that time comes. However, Schipper made no sentencing guarantees. “It’s my understanding, Mr. Markou, that part ofthe reason you would like sentencing put out three months is, I think, what your Judge Michael Schipper agreed to resentence Ryan Williams but stopped short of offering any sort of sentencing agreement. goal would be to do is to accumulate as many ofthe stolen items - the embezzled items - as possible and bring those to some sort ofpub­ lic auction or... whatever might be necessary, and then have some sort of restitution from that sale, correct?” “That is correct,” Markou responded. Markou also highlighted the legality associated with selling items that were purchased through embezzled funds, as they technically belong to Flexfab. “The thought was that we come up with a process that these items could be offered to Flexfab. Assuming they are going to do what we assume, which is say, ‘No, these are not things we need ourselves,’ we would then have an order entered with the court for some sort of public auction with some sort of trust account set up so the money goes to Flexfab upon sale.” Both sides ironed out restitution on Tuesday, as well. When sentenced, Williams admitted to embezzling $336,198 while con­ testing an additional $229,724 that he was accused of in fraudulent spending. On Tuesday, both sides determined that Williams owed a total of $565,906. Of that amount, $555,906 would go to the insurance company that handled Flexfab’s claim, while $10,000 would go to Flexfab to cover the company’s deductible. At January’s sentencing hearing, Schipper said that he instructed Williams and then-at­ torney Benjamin Norg to liquidate items. The fact that Williams did not angered the judge. “I gave him a chance when we talked the attorneys in the chamber - and I explained this at the plea. I gave him months for him to return items, and he comes in here and wants to dispute some stuff?” Schipper said on that day in a tense exchange. “Where is it? I told him it would be a serious factor in how much time in jail and/or prison he would do.” Norg, at the time, contended that there were logistical challenges associated with identifying and selling the items in question, to which Schipper scoffed. On Tuesday, Schipper also wanted to make certain that Williams knew there was no sen­ tencing agreement in place. Markou alluded to the fact that, during his initial sentencing, Williams did not understand the discretion the court had in sentencing after signing a plea deal. Therefore, he felt blindsided by the lengthy sentence. “You now understand that, under the plea agreement offered, even though it wasn’t what you thought it was, that the prosecutor had not reached a sentence agreement with you, correct?” Markou asked his client. “Yes,” Williams responded. “And you also understand that the court did not reach a sentence agreement with you, correct?” Markou asked, to the same response. Williams still holds the right to appeal if Schipper sentences above the guidelines. Williams is also accumulating credit for time served. HELP WANTED RN Nurse Care Manager Middleville Family Practice Chris Noah, MD • 24-hour week flex time, hybrid/home-office • Previous care management and/or CCM preferred • EMR experience, MS Office Word & Excel preferred • Occasional backup for clinical patient check-in nurse Please email resume to chriszoet@cvfp.us �Page 6 — Thursday, August 10, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Jack A. Louden Jeffrey Paul Miller Jeffrey Paul Miller, age 70, of Hastings, MI, passed away on August 4,2023. Jeffwas born on April 6, 1953, in Lansing, MI, the son of Maynard G. and Mary Jean (Dryer) Miller. He was a 1971 graduate of Charlotte High School. On March 18, 1972, Jeff*married Lucy Simmons, and they enjoyed 51 years together. He worked for over 30 years as a welder at D & S Machine Repair, retiring June 1, 2015. Jeffwas an avid gun collector and 2A sup­ porter. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. Jeffwas a member of the Conser­ vation Club in Hastings. Jeffwas preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, and three daughters. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Miller, of Hastings; daughters, Angie Miller of Hast­ ings, Anna (Nick) Milligan, ofMulliken; son, Dan Miller of Hastings; grandchildren, Dylan (Sydney) Miller of Greenville, Mary (Russ) Billings of Hastings, Ally (Josh) Richardson of Sunfield, Quinn Miller of Hastings, Ste­ phen (Miller) Bolthouse, Austin (Zayda) Mil­ ligan of Lansing, Jamie Metzger-Miller of Hastings, and Alayna Milligan of Mulliken; great-grandchildren, Arielle and Ayla Miller, Danny Billings, and Jesse Richardson; sib­ lings, Eve Lumbert of Charlotte, John (Cher­ yl) Miller of Charlotte, Jean (Bill) Voigt of Hastings; in-laws, Verna Brown ofHastings, Ron (Hazel) Simmons of Mulliken, Bill (Chris) Simmons of Saranac, Wayne Sim­ mons of Saranac, Kenyen Simmons of Sun­ field, Cheryl Stamm ofHarrison, and several nieces and nephews, and can not forget about his beloved dog, Elliott. Jeff was well loved and will be dearly missed by many! The memories we have will forever be cherished. A celebration of life gathering will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. For updates or to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfimeralhome.net. Isaiah Lucas Mennell, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on July 11,2023 to Destiney Chyanne Nicole Mennell and Michael Cody Mennell ofHastings. ***** Ivan Harold Hatton, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on July 11, 2023 to Janae Nickerson and Leon Hatton. ***** William Robert Orton, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on July 13, 2023 to Alexis Marie Lynn Orton and Schylor Philip Orton ofHastings. Wrenleigh Grace Blakenship, bom at Spectrum 1 lealth Pennock on July 9, 2023 to Shayann Blakenship and Ethan Bennett ofHastings. ***** ***** Octavia Renel Jousma, bom at Spectrum Health Ppnpock on^July, 10, 2023 to Rox- . Potter Makay Markwart, bora at Spec­ trum Health Pennfek bh'Jfaty*20, 2023 to * ann Ren^e C ornelius and t)ylan Roy Jousma ofMiddles ille. Lauren Markwart and Makay Markwart of ***** Nashville. Worship Together 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8. Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfinc© gmail.com. Website: www. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Stephan Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH Director, 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer OBI time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 pm. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. This information on worship servicesis provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 s tate 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 David Duwayne Wright, Sr. was bom December 6, 1961 and passed away unex­ pected July 3, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip Wright and Janet Morgan and his sib­ lings, Mike, Ronnie, Patty, Scotty and Daniel. He is survived by his sisters, Dawn and Debra; his children, Douglas, Angela, Daniel, William, David, Zachariah and Skylar; also many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. David was known to many as a talented worker and well educated on many subjects and trades. He was always reaching out to help some­ one in any way he could. A light to the world, he will be missed by many. Auditions for Thornapple Players’ ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ set for Aug. 14 The Thomapple Players are kicking off the 2023-24 season of shows with “The Importance of being Earnest” by Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde. The play, which-Xvill kick off the Players’ 25th' season; Will be< directed by Erin Merritt. The Players are hosting open auditions for “The Importance ofBeing Earnest” on Mon­ day, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Dennison Per­ forming Arts Center, 231 S. Broadway, Hastings. Auditions are open to high school seniors and adults. No preparation for audi­ tions is needed; those auditioning will read selections from the script. “The Importance of Being Earnest”: is described as a farcical' comedy that7 mo'cks the culture and manners of Victorian soci­ ety, relying on satire and a comic resolution to make that mockery more palatable for viewers. Rehearsals will begin on Aug. 21 and will be held Monday through Thursday starting at 7 p.m. each week. The Players will perform “The Impor­ tance of Being Earnest” Oct. 5-8, and will haveahopen-to-the*publiE'dres$ rehearsal on Oct. 4. Questions can be answered by emailing the Players at thomappleplayers@gmail. com or by visiting their Facebook page. Revive, a first-year event for Barry County, is slated for this month ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us’1. Jack A. Louden, ofNew Port Richey, FL, passed away July 18, 2023. He fought a strong battle with lung cancer. Always ask how he was always said he was fine. He passed away at his home with family. He was bom in Kalamazoo, MI October, 1, 1943 to Donald and Francis Nicholson Louden.He was raised on the farm He attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. Walking, it was a quarter of mile there and back. He attended high school in town when it was first built, and he was a football player and in 4-H. He enlisted in the USAF at age 17, April 1961.He received medals for service in Viet­ nam, Korea and excellence as an instructor. He Was an instructor teaching cardio proce- dures and use of equipment. He also worked in the ER at Pennock Hospital, the VA in Battle Creek, and as a courier in New Port Richey traveling 500 miles each day before he totally retired. His favorite color was blue, he loved fish­ ing, reading and watching airplanes land and taking offat different airports on his computer. He loved seeing his grandchildren and great grandkids and even just talking to them on the t phone, he also loved, painting scenes of beauty, and watching his family grow. He absolutely loved living on the lake and watch­ ing NASCAR. When he retired from the USAF he was a master sergeant, and he was a VFW member. He liked comedy-comedy movies. He was married to Peggy H. O’Neill until 1993 when they got divorced. He then mar­ ried Susan Wetherrell in 1996. She made our dad very happy. His proudest family moments were being present for each one ofhis chil chil-­ dren’s births. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Michael; his son-in-law, Ralph Westbrook; his son, Donald Wayne Louden in 2014, and Aaron Wetherell. He is survived by his wife Susan Louden; daughter, Cheryl Westbrook; son, Scott Loud­ en, Denice Louden, and Jessica Custer; grandkids, Brandy, Jeremy, Nichole, Allison, Christoper, Michael, Nicholas, Chelsea, Madison, Tiertza,and X-Avier and 19 great grandchildren. Our dad was proud to serve and protect the Constitution. He was a hard worker, a great dad and grandpa. Jayson Bussa Editor As a public servant and someone active in politics, Phillip Joseph thought it was time for a respite from politically charged events and rallies. That is the overly-simplified explanation for his upcoming event, dubbed Revive: Barry County Festival. Joseph, a resident of Delton and former candidate for state representative, has taken it upon himself to plan a new event, slated for Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. injlyden Park in Hastings. While the festival is centered on Christian heritage, Joseph stressed that individuals and families of all walks-of life are invited to a pressure-free social gathering that celebrates our community. The overarching theme is: You are special, you are loved and you belong. “It’s literallyjust me (organizing the event)/’ said Joseph. “I was pretty adamant not to make it political or anything like that. So it’s not a group or anything - literallyjust myself.” Joseph has worked to create a casual event with relatively loose parameters for the ven­ dors, businesses and organizations that have opted to participate. When The Banner spoke with Joseph, he said he had over 20 organiza­ tions signed up, including churches, busi­ nesses and vendors. “I want something that will supersede the individualities of the religions because you can be Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Bap­ tist, but at the end of the day, they’re all Christians,” Joseph said. While the event is still coming together, he said that attendees can plan on food, games, music, general fellowship and vendors. “What I told all the vendors, specifically, whatever is on your heart, that’s what I want you to do. I’m not necessarily giving anyone directions,” Joseph said. Joseph also said he hopes to make Revive an annual event, and this year’s installment will set the tone for it. “I don’t need this to be a blowout - wejust need it to be a success,” he said. Middleville council approves moving $250,000 in reserves to shore up pensions Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Tuesday, the Middleville Village Coun­ cil voted to dip into its reserves to bolster its pension plan. With a 6-0 vote, the council approved moving $200,000 out ofthe village’s general fund reserves and another $50,000 from sav­ ings in its major streets fund to make up a portion ofunfunded liabilities to the pension plan, which is operated through the Munici­ pal Employees Retirement System of Michi­ gan. The village ended last year with a funding level of 80.2 percent in its MERS defined benefit pension plan; with actuarial accrued liabilities of $2,706,016 and valuation assets of $2,171,199, leaving the village $534,817 short in that plan. The pension plan currently has 33 members, iricluding 12 retirees and their beneficiaries, 12 active employees and four former employees who are vested in the plan but are not yet eligible to collect bene­ fits. The village entered this year with general fund reserves of about $1.47 million and another $1.28 million in its major streets fund balance, according to Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg. Trustee Kevin Smith said the council should look at making another similar contri­ bution out of its reserves to the pension plan next year. “This is such an important issue and some­ thing that is a legacy issue,” Smith said. “Obviously, (for) the folks that have put their time in for the village, this is something that is much deserved. Truly, we should be mind­ ful ofthis, given the fluctuation ofwages and things like that... This has been kicked down the road a few years now, and I’m really super happy we’re doing this.” Stolsonburg was asked whether the village could use some of its funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to make up the pension fund shortfall. “That is not an allowable expense ,for ARPA dollars,” Stolsonburg said. Village employees contribute 4.5 percent oftheir wages to the pension plan, while the village makes an annual contribution of $75,000 to $80,000, along with 3,5 percent of each employee’s pay to MERS. The village’s contribution of employee pay to the plan is scheduled to rise to 4.15 percent effective Jan. 1, 2024. MERS is an independent, professional retirement services company that serves cit­ ies, villages, townships and counties across Michigan. The system manages about 3,300 municipal retirement and employee benefit plans across the state. MERS is overseen by a nine-member board ofdirectors. Barry County Administrator Michael Brown chairs the board. Check the status of your Social Security benefits online FltMrgl... MUMHUftflff MUoeltoblE^Mt 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist If you applied for Social Security bene­ fits or have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can check the status online using your free personal my Social Security account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one at ssa.gov/ myaccount to see the following information about your claim: • Date offiling. • Current claim location. • Scheduled hearing date and time. • Incomplete applications. • Servicing office location. • Publications ofinterest, depending on the claim and current step in the process. Use your personal my Social Security account to check the status of your application or appeal at ssa.gov/myaccount. y?u have questions about retirement, disability, Medicare or survivors’ benefits, as qq a* SuPP,emental Security Income, visit SSA’s webpage at ssa.gov/benefits. . ^f^ary Hatch is the Public Affairs Specialfstfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp HE Grand Rapids, Ml 49525,, or via email at hlll^yhatch@ssa..gov. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 10, 2023 — Page 7 Old Wishing Tree near Wall Lake Esther Walton Banner March 23, 2006 For more than 100 years in Hope Town­ ship, a wishing tree hung over M-43. The tree was located near Wall Lake. Originally, M-43 was an Indian trail between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. The pioneers said the Indians bent the Wishing Tree as a directional sign. The Indians bent the tree when it was young. They did this by tying the treetop to the ground. As the tree grew, it retained its U-shaped arch, becoming a familiar landmark. For many years, children would make a wish as their parents drove under the tree. Up to the 1940s, M-43 was a dirt road with many curves in it. Because the road had fol­ lowed the old Indian trail, it twisted and turned around marshes, high hills and other obstacles. During this time, the State Highway Department started to improve roads across Michigan. The program eventually would doom the Wishing Tree. The Hastings Banner on Oct. 18, 1945, tells the story of “The Wishing Tree” near Wall Lake on M-43, a familiar landmark to many generations of Barry County residents and visitors, was nearing the end of its trail, so to speak. According to the acting superintendent of the Highway Department, the problems were many. It was rotten, merely an empty shell, the roots were decaying and the tree had set­ tled downward about 18 inches from its for­ mer height. “This left too little room under the arch for safe clearance of large freight trucks which use this route. Trucks going toward the lake had to make a wide swing from the right­ hand lane into the center ofthe road to avoid hitting the arch of the tree.” “Just beyond the tree, there is a small hill which cuts down the visibility ahead. If an approaching car happened to come speed­ ing over the crest of this hill at the same time (that) a big truck was swinging into the center of the road to avoid hitting the arch of the tree, a serious accident might result. Furthermore, roadmen say that the structure of the tree is so weakened by decay that a heavy wind could send it crashing down onto the roadway.” The result was the tree was a hazard and had to be removed. Two months later, on Dec. 13, 1945, the Banner printed on the front page a letter titled: “Woodman, Spare That Tree.” A man named C.D. Bottom wrote, “I have heard several times about the ‘Wishing Tree,’ down by Wall Lake is about to come down. In fact,Jssi Sunday’s Detroit News carried a (picture ofahis'popular tree that the Michigan State Highway Department has ruled that * * Stljlk ’**15 ^ ’"“"’potohlltaii u ,*®ScR®®u u .. t^isp w,*®ScR®®u t^s ■!1y^ ,-> tC®XiVTW ®XiVTW 'F*OCII»tt *•*>» Wib >Z!?“r™,“- mOitt ®,1?“ i3 t nifteab* TURNING BflGKTHE PAGES The Old Wishing Tree. this popular tree must come down as a mea­ sure ofpublic safety. “I suppose your fellows around Hastings have gone into this matter very thoroughly, and maybe the situation is hopeless. Howev­ er, the thought came to me that (the) possibil­ ity ifthis tree is still alive, it could be sup­ ported in some artistic way so that there would be no danger to the public and that the tree might still live for a good many years more since it would not have to support itself. Though maybe the hardboiled engi­ neers had possibly made a quick decision and decided it was unsafe and that it should come down, or perhaps one of them made a wish that didn’t come true and they have it in for the old tree. Anyway, let’s see that ample consideration is given to the matter, for while there’s life, there’s hope.” The letter ends with “P.S. The fact is, Ijust don’t like to see this tree down.” There is some speculation that there was no real person named Bottom, but someone working in the Banner office wrote the letter. (The Wishing Tree) was a unique antique left behind by the Indians and perhaps over 100 years (old) and was the last known one ofits kind in Michigan. This letter stirredjhf State Highway Department, for one week later, the tree had been cut down. The Banner printed the following poem about this tree on Dec. 20, 1945, titled, “Former Resident Regrets Loss ofThe Wishing Tree.” This article says, “Another former Hast­ ings;jcesidetnL who frequently went tri Wall Lhkep Mr$ i LkrisrAs Pryon Uitchcultp iibw df Detroit, is sorry that the ‘Wishing Tree’ has been cut down. Mrs. Litchcult (is the) daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Pryor of Hast­ ings.” Under the Wishing Tree There’s one outstanding memory, Ofthose days so long gone, The thoughts ofit is dear to me While reminiscing on The things Ihoped some day would be under the Wishing Tree. How many times since childhood days, those happy days gone by, Haveyou trekked oyer those byways And there, youpaused to sigh Or dream a dream, wished it could be Under the Wishing Tree. Did some ofthosefond dreams come true That to you meant so much? Not many —just.a certainfew You .held in deeper touch And wished so hard that they could be. Under the Wishing Tree. Under its great arching branch, there Many a secret told Andpeople camefrom everywhere This strange tree to behold And wished, as did both you and me Under the Wishing Tree. And now they say that it must go Perhaps its.efyed its time Butfolks willfriissnit, we all know It was a wishing shrine. A place endeared toyou and me, >.;><l1cI jfW'd^rAtfre adT ^rSitfytyedrs ddterpedplef&tillfmouiw>lh&?S. loss ofthei Wishing Tree. '“‘‘■fcJWRttir fcjfcifa^ worijiSHilaFitjitr; . i frst-year event lor Barry Cowl) i lor this month aikeCaiwS ^ta2S™1 to 1st to a o* adrffc^0^ . a^®CI . aJtotatoidffiaila®^ WltoldaJfc^ It40 40* TTS to** to^ ig,,to i« » 2£»i 22*1 Elaine Garlock The Habitat house is taking shape. By the weekend, all the studding was in place which gives an advanced idea ofthe ultimate appear­ ance. From the placement of the window openings, it appears that sleeping rooms will be on the shady north side of the house and the utility-type rooms will be on the sunny south side. By Monday, the rafters were in place. United Methodist Women of Central UM Church held their annual salad luncheon on Monday with more than 50 present. There were several guests from other churches who enjoyed the meal and the following program held later in the sanctuary. A Grand Rapids lady used a screen to illustrate several portions of her message about the use ofIcelandic hors­ es in treating persons with certain ailments involving the nervous system. Part of the information is that Iceland; has only four hours of daylight in winter but 24 hours in midsum­ mer. Their horses have an unusual appearance with their very long tails and their short legs. A Back to School Bash was held at the Lake Odessa Fairgrounds, on Sunday spon­ sored by the Lakewood Community Women. Tuesday was voting day on a school issue. Back when the Woodland building was new, one of the teachers was a-Miss Elvira Hoogerhyde of Benton Harbor! She arrived on the C.K.&S. railway from Kalamazoo. Classes in the fall of 1923 were in the old two-story school in the southeast part of Woodland. When the new school was finishing, pupils and teachers each carried a stack ofbooks to the new building. The rest of that year, the occupants had frequent surprises at the inno­ vations of carpenters in the new building. Now, the central core of the Woodland school is 100 years old and still in use. One ofher new pupils was to coach a girls’ bas­ ketball team even though she had never played the game. ^itiolxasiift® itiolxasiift® *** /^Doctor Universe Perilous perches Why don’t birds get electrocuted when they sit on power lines? Angel, 14, Calif Dear Angel, I’ve never sat on a power line. I like to keep my paws firmly on the ground. But birds love resting there, especially in winter. Power lines give off a little heat, so it’s a good spot for birds to snuggle together and stay warm. I talked about how they can do that safely with my friend Javier Guerrero. He’s a pro­ fessor of electrical and computer engineer­ ing at Washington State University. He told me birds do get electrocuted on power lines sometimes. But that won’t hap­ pen so long as the bird only touches the power line — and doesn’t touch other lines or the pole at the same time. fl look back at the stories FI and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner Power lines carry electricity. To under­ stand how this works, we have to talk about atoms. Everything in the world is made of atoms: the air, the water, the bird sitting on the power line - even you and me. Atoms are the basic building blocks for everything. Atoms are made of three kinds ofparti­ cles: protons, neutrons and electrons. The protons and neutrons stick together in the middle of the atom. The electrons float around the outside of the atom. Electrons closer to the middle stick to the atom. But electrons farther away aren’t as stuck. They can be pulled off. Power plants use magnets to pull offelec­ trons and send them through power lines. They flow down the power line to people’s homes. That’s electricity. There are also electrons in the ground. “The electrons in the power line and the electrons in the ground want to get together, Guerrero said. “But mat’s not possible unless you provide a path for them to get together. Anything you put between the power line and the groun i provides a path for them to hang out.” The big poles that hold up power lines are buried deep in the ground. If that pole touched the power line, it could be a path for electrons to get together. But power companies stop the pole from touching the power line by installing insula­ tors. They’re made of glass or plastic or some other material that electrons can’t move through easily. They cut off the path, so the electrons don’t move, That’s why a bird can safely stand on the power line. All the electrons stay in the powe.r line and out ofthe bird’s body. But if a bird stretches its wings and touches the pole and the power line at the same time, it makes a connection between the pole and the power line. The electrons will flow through the bird’s body - also known as electrocution. That doesn’t happen very often because power companies design.their equipment to minimize accidents. Sometimes, they even build nesting platforms to give birds a safe, cozy spot away from any electrical danger. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 10 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches the Oscar-nominated “42nd Street” starring Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels and George Brent, 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11- Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 — Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Writers’ Night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. F Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Aug. 11-17 Aug. 1-31 - August Storywalk Book: “Berry Song” .by Michaela Goade. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. Middleville committee to review sign regulatiQncfor jw XQne districts Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Planning Commission is holding off on rezoning properties along Main and State streets until a subcommittee has a chance to determine how signs should be regulated in the new zone districts. The commission’s Ordinance Committee will take up the signage issue for the transi­ tional mixed-use and transitional industrial zoned districts at an Aug. 15 meeting. Commissioners are proposing rezoning 27 parcels that are currently zoned medium-densi­ ty residential along Main Street as transitional mixed-use, along with four parcels along State that are proposed as transitional industrial. “If these zoning districts were adopted without any sign regulations, it would require a use variance to allow for any sign additions or modifications, requiring public hearings that aren’t necessary,” Village Planning and Zoning-Administrator Doug Powers said. The creation ofthe new districts is meant to make the properties more attractive for future development and would meet require­ ments of the state’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program. A public hearing on the rezoning could take place next month. The Ordinance Committee consists of commissioners Amanda Pullen, Maria Dahl­ ke and Di Wilke. A Peace of Mind Seminar Wednesday, August 16, 2023 6:30 PM Walldorff Ballroom 105 East State Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Presented by LONGSTREET ELDER LAW & ESTATE PLANNING P.O. rllN t RAL TiO Topics of Discussion • Asset Preservation • Long Term Care • Funeral Preplanning Reserve your seat by calling 269-945-3 252 Appetizers will be provided �Page 8 — Thursday, August 10, 2023 — The Hastings Banner COVID cases jump in one week in Michigan. Experts downplay mini surge Michigan gas up 9 cents to $3.76 a gallon, the highest this year Janelle D. Janies Bridge Michigan Michigan drivers are paying more for gas than they have all year, an average of $3.76 per gallon for regular unleaded gas and $4.68 for premium. Prices have gone up 9 cents in the last week, and 26 cents in the last month, accord­ ing to AAA. The state's average is slightly lower than the national average, $3.83 per gallon ofreg­ ular gas. Still, Michigan motorists are paying an average of$56.40 to fill 15-gallon tanks. “Tightening gasoline (inventory) alongside higher crude oil prices had been the main rea­ sons for the increases we’ve seen over the past few weeks,” AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland told Bridge Michigan in an email. The recent heatwave in the United States also impacted production in the Gulf Coast region, she said. U.S. demand for gasoline slightly decreased from 8.94 million to 8.84 million barrels per day, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But total domes­ tic gasoline inventory increased by 1.5 mil­ lion barrels to 219.1 million. “Gas prices across Michigan continue to rise, reaching the highest prices so far this year,” Woodland said. “Lower gas demand amid increasing supply will likely help to slow price increases.” When inflation is taken into account, gas prices may not be as expensive as they seem. In 2011, a gallon ofgas averaged $3.57, the same buying power as $4.95 in 2023. Here are the average prices in Michigan, according to AAA: - Flint: $3.72 per gallon - Grand Rapids/Muskegon/Holland: $3.74 -Traverse City: $3.75 - Lansing/East Lansing: $3.75 - Saginaw/Bay City/Midland: $3.76 - Metro Detroit: $3.76 - Jackson: $3.77 - Benton Harbor: $3.77 - Marquette $3.78 -Ann Arbor: $3.82 W.K. Kellogg Manor House sets history to music with a summer concert and tours Locals can enjoy a late summer after­ noon ofmusic surrounded by the rich his­ tory of W-K. Kellogg’s former home and estate later this month. The W.K. Kellogg Manor House’s annual tours and Lakeside Concert event is set for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. The Manor House is located at 3700 East Gull Lake Dr., in Hickory Comers. The family-friendly concert and tours are free and no registration is required, but donations are appreciated. Guests are invited to bring a picnic lunch, take self-guided tours ofthe Manor House and grounds, and learn more about the Kellogg Biological Station’s research, education and outreach activities before and after the concert. Check in at the Manor House for a copy ofthe Historical Walking Tour map. Docents-some dressed in character as a young W.K. Kellogg, his daughter Elizabeth, and Manor House staff-will be on hand to share historical facts about the manor and estate. In addition to the estate tours, the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary will offer free admission that day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Cereal City Concert Band ofBattle Creek will perform beginning at 3 p.m. under a canopy tent on the grounds ofthe Manor House. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets. No outside alcohol is permitted, but beer and wine will be available for sale on site. More information can be found at conference.kbs.msu.edu. Direct questions to manorhouse@kbs.msu.edu or 269-671­ 2160. City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING MEADOWSTONE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT MODIFICATION AND FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL The City Council for the City ofHastings will hold a Public Hearing for the pur­ pose ofhearing written and/or oral comments from the public concerning Mead­ owstone Planned Unit Development modification and final site plan approval for Meadowstone Apartments III, LLC certain properties located at 710 Barfield Drive parcels #08-55-250-016-50 and 08- 55-250-016-55. The City Council will review and consider final site plan approval for the construction offour (4) buildings with a total of84 residential units and construction ofa fifth mixed-use building with up to eight (8) residential units. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Mon­ day August 28,2023 in the City Council Chambers on the second floor ofCity Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. A copy ofthe proposed site plan and map are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office ofthe Community Development Director, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Community Development Director, at 269.945.2468 or dking@hastingsmi.gov. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. 20 Christopher R. Bever City Clerk Mike Wilkinson Bridge Michigan As summer travel sends many across Michigan and the country, the number ofnew COVID-19 cases is rising quickly as well, mirroring a national uptick in the virus. On Tuesday, Michigan health officials reported 1,864 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past week, more than double the 761.cases the previous week. Nearly 620 of those cases were from before July and came from a dump of old results from a laboratory, officials said. However, that still meant a week-overweek increase oFabout 480 cases, or 64 percent, and that is a vast undercount because most people with COVID-19 don’t get con­ finnation through a laboratory test. Experts urge caution, however, as hospital­ izations remain low. “It has gone up a little bit, but not a tremen­ dous amount,” said Dr. Matthew Sims, direc­ tor of infectious disease research for Core­ well Health in southeast Michigan. Last week, the number ofCOVID-19 posi­ tive hospital patients rose 29 percent in Mich­ igan to 169. Last year at this time, 991 state­ wide patients had COVID-19 and there were nearly 3,000 new weekly cases. John Karasinski, a spokesperson for the Michigan Health & Hospital Association noted “the overall rates of hospitalizations continue to be at an all-time low since the beginning ofthe pandemic.” In recent months, Sims said he has seen fewer COVID-19 .patients and often none. But he and the hospital are starting to see a few more patients, admitting a few and helping them get better with different thera­ pies that weren’t available during the worst ofthe pandemic. The result of the therapies and the help provided by immunity from vaccinations and prior infections have dramatically lowered the number ofCOVID-19 deaths. The state reported just five COVID-19 deaths in the past week, the fewest ever reported since March 2020. Between April 1 and July 15 of this year, there were 464 COVID-19 deaths, or about four a day. That would project to about 1,600 a year, compared to 13,017 in 2020,15,007 in 2021 and 9,345 last year. That steep drop in deaths is the result of COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Michigan, mirroring a small surge nationwide, but experts are downplaying its severity. (Bridge photo by Robin Erb) fewer cases, improved immunity from vac­ cines and prior infections and better treat­ ment for those who do contract the highly contagious disease. “A lot of that is blunting the severity (of infections),” said Marisa Eisenberg, an asso­ ciate professor ofepidemiology and complex systems at the University ofMichigan. Eisenberg said the state has experienced its longest stretch of declining cases, but researchers predict they have detected the “beginning burbles of an increase” as chil­ dren return to school and cooling tempera­ tures send people inside. Still, she’s optimistic. “I’m hopeful that if we see an increase this fall it won’t be as severe.” Those who come down with COVID-19 can, if caught early enough, take antiviral Paxlovid, which is taken orally and can blunt the symptoms and shorten the length ofillness, Sims said. For patients who seek care after a longer bout with COVID-19, he said he has pre­ scribed antiviral Remdesivir, administered , intravenously, to improve breathing. “We’re certainly seeing those low levels (ofdeaths) due to those factors,” said Jimena Loveluck, health officer for the Washtenaw County Health Department. The state reported just five COVID-19 3 deaths in the past week, the fewest ever since 9 the pandemic began andjust a third ofthe 14 9 deaths reported in the previous week. But just 14 COVID-19 patients statewide I are in intensive care units. In January, when just over 1,000 COVID-19 patients were ,« bbeing treated, there were 170 in ICUs. The increases come as a new dominant subvariant ofthe omicron variant has emerged. * ■ ‘ Dubbed EG.5, it is now the most common ] variant circulating in the United States. But just because it is new doesn’t mean it *3 is worse that XBB and other variants, 2 researchers have said. New Lee Elementary School principal named Greg Chandler StaffWriter Lee Elementary School will have a new principal when classes resume later this month. Megan Wonders, who has worked for Thomapple Kellogg Schools for the last 15 years, has been named to serve as principal of the school that serves the district’s second and third grade students. Wonders most recently served as Title 1 coordinator for the district, assisting students who need extra time and instruction in read­ ing, working primarily at Lee and Page Ele­ mentary Schools. She previously taught fourth grade at Page and was a literacy coach at Lee. Wonders also has seven years ofteaching experience in other school districts. “As an educational leader, I believe in establishing a collaborative learning environ­ ment with high expecmtions,” Wonders wrote in a letter that was sent out to Lee parents this week. “In addition, building relationships to encourage academic and social growth is essential. I look forward to supporting stu­ dents, families and staff in the continued climb towards success)” Megan Wonders TK Superintendent Craig McCarthy said that Wonders “has a broad base ofexperience at the elementary level, which makes her uniquely qualified for this role.” “She has had the opportunity to work with all the teachers at Lee Elementary in (her) previous roles. Her collaborative contribu­ tions have been instrumental in assisting our mUiJOfu |cl[1 3Cli 2£W .DOTnob' ', i 1 uu third-graders meet the state ofMichigan read- /V ing standards,” McCarthy wrote in an e-mail >o to the Sun and News. dr Last fall, Wonders was honored by the J Thomapple Kellogg Education Association with its Above and Beyond Award for her work. In nominating Wonders for the honor, a Lee teacher Mamie Reynolds said that Won- -a ders helped prepare reading intervention ii schedules for more than 20 teachers at the io school. [u “She trains staff, she provides materials and '4 she’s always willing to meet with individual staffmembers about students they have ques- e! tions about,” Reynolds said last fall. “She O helped develop and organize our summer tutoring program for students that qualified. She met with teachers, trained them on the materials that they were going to use, and provided them with everything they needed.” Wonders’ husband, Matt, is a health and physical education teacher at Thomapple Kellogg High School. The couple has two children - a daughter who is a sophomore at TKHS and a son who is in seventh grade at the middle school. Wonders holds a master’s degree in educa­ tional leadership. A compromise offers hope for Michigan library defunded over LGBTQ books Ron. French Bridge Michigan A compromise is offering hope that a West Michigan library defunded over LGBTQthemed books may be able to keep its doors open. The Patmos Library, in Jamestown Township in Ottawa County, will ask voters for a third time to approve a millage that provides 84 percent of the library’s $250,000 budget. That vote will take place Nov. 7. Similar millage requests have failed twice in this politically conservative community, following outcry among some residents over several graphic novels shelved in the young adult section of the library that had LGBTQ themes. One ofthose books, “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” tells the story of the author’s coming of age as nonbinary, and includes illustrations of sex acts. The difference this time: The library board voted Tuesday to add labels to the insider covers of all books, giving readers a brief overview, of the genre and subject matter. The labels would be copied from book descrip­ tions from the Library of Congress or book-selling websites like Amazon. The labels won’t include anything written by the staff or the library board. While not offering warnings, those descriptions could provide clues to parents about content some may find objectionable for their children. For example, part of the description of “Gender Queer” on Amazon reads that the book is an “intensely cathartic autobiography chart(ing) eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortifica­ tion and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation ofpap smears.” The labeling will begin with new book pur­ chases. The first section of existing books to get labels will be children’s and young adult books, with librarians eventually adding labels to all the 90,000 books in the collection. No books will be removed from the library as part of the compromise. “Gender Queer” is currently kept behind the counter, where it can be checked out by patrons. Three members of the six-person library board were involved in a campaign in 2022 to defeat millage efforts in August and Novem­ ber of last year. In what could be an encour­ aging sign for the library regaining taxpayer support, those three members voted to put the latest millage request on the ballot this November. Board members could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The small town library gained internation­ al attention last year, when residents voted to defund the public facility. More than $200,000 was raised from donors from as far away as Australia to help the library stay open. HHS Alumni Banquet tickets available now Hastings High School Alumni Banquet tickets are available now for purchase at the General Store, the Hastings Public Library or from any board member. The banquet is being held on Saturday, Aug. 26, at the First Presbyterian Church. Event organizers say this is a great opportuni­ ty to get reacquainted with classmates, many ofwhom travel a great distance to reconnect. Tickets cost $33 each and will only be available until Monday, Aug. 21. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event and will not be available at the door. Questions about the event may be directed to Lois Bowers, 269-945-9657. ! FdlibBlnkM �The Hastings J ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday, August 10,2023 Saxons celebrate record-setting spring IJJ Hastings boys' 1600-meter relay record holders (clockwise from bottom right) Robby Slaughter, Charles Nickels, Jett Bamum and Kearan Tolles make sure their decal looks smooth on the Saxon track and field record board inside of Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings High School track and field athletes Jett Barnum, Kearan Tolles, Olivia Friddle, Addey Nickels, Isabelle Roosien, Myah Vincent, Madison Nino, Charles Nickels and Robby Slaughter celebrate their school-record performances together after updating the record boards inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 1 I I I Itoapplt Mog faan totrta! I is Alwt ad Bejrod Atofais' I bmIlIdd®^Meisfaitkn to bdpdprqire reading to ritoahntaZOktofr faulkl «■» dool %tas.^ ieprowdesiMaBi ifart rofofltoitolatHi fofltoitolatHi rted dfitfcp to crgania ar ^inpnfrtoeDts^FUdiiifltawwltoij Brett Bremer Sports Editor “Unprecedented,” was the first thought Wayne Oom'spoke as he gathered athletes;1 coaches, parents, alumni and friends around the entrance to Baum Stadium at Johnson Field in Hastings Tuesday evening. Oom, a member of the Hastings High School 3200-meter relay team that set the school record in 1987-and is the second fast­ est student-athlete (trailing only Tom Duits) in the history of the Hastings High School cross country program, led the ceremony to update the record boards that point out towards the track. “16 new decals to place, so it is going to take us a little while. That’s really cool,” Oom said. “Obviously, we have got a lot of hard-working athletes. We have a great coaching staff, it is deep and it is dedicated. It is fantastic. The whole program is in great shSpe.TTiavewafched this program for ifiafiy' years and combined boys and girls I don’t think it has ever been this strong.” Facing out of of the stone and metal entrance to the stadium, the board to the left lists the Hastings High School track and field and cross country school record holders. The boards on the right side of the entrance list those student-athletes who have earned all­ state honors in track and field and cross coun­ try as well as a list ofthe top team placings at the state finals. “To the student-athletes that are going up there, welcome to the club. It is a difficult club to join,” Oom said. He is featured on both boards, for the boys&3200-meter relay record with teammates Chuck Robinson, Marc Lester and Rob Trowbridge and on the all-state board for twodaM^tafB finishes in the 3200-meter run and two more in cross country. “I think it takes three things. It takes, obvi­ ously, talent, but it takes more than that. You can’t just show up with talent and put your name on the board. You have to be willing to work hard. That is numberttwo, and I know you’re all hard workers, because that is what it takes. There is a third one4hat you probably don’t think about, and that’sk little bit ofluck ... For all the people that are up here there are See RECORDS, page 12 The Saxons' Olivia Friddle puts her shot put record decal on the Hastings High School track and field record board inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) MHSAA approves more finalists in tennis and swim I ■*’ **^fctf* u ss^'* i***a.£0 * jart1 *%.!*» ** %.!» % A series of changes, including adjust­ ments to postseason qualification in multi­ ple sports and several playing rules, will take effect Monday, Aug. 7, as more than 95,000 athletes statewide are anticipated to begin the Fall 2023 season across nine sports for which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors postseason tournaments. Teams in girls’ and boys’ cross country, football, lower peninsula girls’ golf, boys’ soccer, lower peninsula girls’ swimming & diving, upper peninsula girls’ tennis and lower peninsula boys’ tennis, and girls’ volleyball may begin practice Monday. Competition begins Aug. 14 for golf and tennis, Aug. 16 for cross country, soccer, swim­ ming & diving and volleyball, and Aug. 24 for varsity football. Football teams at all levels must have 12 days ofpreseason prac­ tice - over a period p of 16 calendar days before their first game. Qualification requirements for MHSAA Finals competition have been adjusted to provide more opportunities in two sports. The Swimming & Diving Finals could enjoy larger fields this fall thanks to a change in the structuring of qualifying times. Moving forward, qualifying times will be determined based on the past five years of MHSAA race data, but also will account for past numbers of qualifiers in each swim race. This shift will allow for more athletes to advance to the Finals in events where fields have not been full over the previous five seasons. In tennis, for the first time in Lower Pen­ insula play, a No. 1 doubles flight from a non-qualifying team will be able to advance from its Regional to Finals competition. To do so, that No. 1 doubles flight must finish first or second at its Regional, and the No. 1 singles player from that team also must have qualified for the Finals individually by fin­ ishing first or second in Regional play. As is annually true, a series of playing rule changes also take effect with the new season. The following are among the most notable: • The most significant in football changes how the ball is spotted after penalties by the offense that occur behind the line of scrim­ mage. Previously, those were marked from the spot ofthe foul; now those penalties will be marked from the previous spot - the line of scrimmage where that play began. This change was made to eliminate excessive penalties on the offense when an infraction took place well behind the line of scrim­ mage. • In volleyball, teams will stay on the same bench for the duration of a match unless officials determine a clear disadvan­ tage exists for the bench on one side ofthe court. In that case, teams will exchange sides ofthe court after each set. • Another pair of changes affect where volleyball coaches may be positioned during matches. Coaches may stand in a new coaching zone, now defined by the libero Among the changes to state tournaments for the 2023-24 school year approved by the MHSAA is that more athletes will likely qualify for the MHSAA Swimming and Diving Finals with the qualifying requirements taking into account how many swimreplacement zone extending beyond the end mers have qualified in previous years and being designed to fill event fields that have not been full in the past. line and sideline extended. During dead-ball situations, one assistant coach also may stand within the coaching zone to provide Also affecting MHSAA Tournament play, association, and any multi-team event ing that sport’s season Saturday, Nov. 25 instruction; only one assistant coach can golfers now are required to participate in at including schools from outside ofMichigan and Sunday, Nov. 26, instead of with the stand at a time, but the assistant coach who least four competitions for the high school or those contiguous states/province must traditional Friday/Saturday schedule. This stands may change throughout the match. team prior to representing that school team one-year adjustment is being made to receive approval by the MHSAA and each in an MHSAA Regional or Final. Those four state high school association with a team • Two officiating-related changes will be accommodate the Michigan State/Penn regular-season competitions may be 9 or State football game Friday, Nov. 24, at Ford involved in order for MHSAA member especially noticeable on the soccer pitch. 18-hole events. schools to be allowed to participate. Officials now may stop the clock to check on Field. A pair of significant changes have an injured player without that player being Opportunities have been created as well Rules changes will be literally visible in switched up the Finals schedules this fall in beginning this fall for scheduling more outtwo sports as more flexibility will be allowed required to leave the match - previously that boys soccer and football. Instead ofplaying of-state opponents in all sports, as teams are by new wardrobe exceptions in cross coun­ player would have to sub out. Also, catego­ at multiple sites as in the past, all four Boys now able to play opponents from anywhere ries for fouls have been redefined: careless try and girls volleyball. In volleyball, small, Soccer Finals will be played on the same in the United States as lonfe as those compe­ secured studs or posts now may be worn (which is a foul but does not receive a card), day at the same site, Nov. 4 at Grand Ledge titions are played in Michigan, contiguous above the chin. In cross country, athletes reckless (a foul with a yellow card) and High School beginning with Division 4 and states Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota or may now wear temporary body adornment excessive force (foul with red card). Wisconsin, or Ontario. All out-of-state ending with Division 1. (painted or fastened) during competition, • In swimming, stroke modifications were opponents must be members in good stand­ and runners also may now wear any type of made in the backstroke and breaststroke The 11-Player Football Finals will start ing of their respective high school athletic and finish a day later at Ford Field, concludhead attire during racing. events. �Page 10 — Thursday. August 10, 2023 — The Hastings Banner VARNUM LLP Attorney* 333 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids. Ml 49504 NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement service member on active duty, If your period of Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, jjudicature tudicature act of 1961, 1961 pa 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale or If you have been ordered to active duty, please of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash mortgage at the telephone number stated In this or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Land Contract court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1.00 PM. on Foreclosure (the "Judgment") entered on June 7, August 17,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may 2023, in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld Case No. 22-667-CH. the Court has ordered the at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser sale at public auction of real property under a Land to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential Contract (the “Land Contract") made between Andy purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register Lee Sparks and Carolyn Lee Sparks, Trustees of the of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of Andy Lee Sparks Trust, Vendors, and David Wooten which may charge a fee (or this information: (“Vendee"), dated August 13, 2007, as evidenced Name(s) of the morlgagor(s): John Hoffman, a by the Memorandum of Land Contract recorded single man on August 20, 2007, In Document No. 20070820­ Original Mortgagee. Mortgage Electronic 0001046. Barry County Records. The Land Contract Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee balance is due and payable In the amount of Ninetyfor lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Nine Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Three and Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MIDFIRST BANK 64/100 Dollars ($99,683.64) as of July 20.2023, with Date of Mortgage: May 5,2015 the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16,2015 of seven percent (7%) per annum, plus such other Amount claimed due on date of notice: $86,622.20 fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to the Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated I <ind Contract and the Judgment. Notice Is hereby Inn Township T of Irving, Barry County. Michigan, and given that by virtue of the Judgment and the statute described as: The South 332 Feet Of The Southeast in such case made and provided, and to pay said 1/4, Northeast 1/4, Section 17, Town 4 North, Range amount with interest as provided in the Judgment, 9 West, Irving and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including Township, Barry County, Michigan. attorney fees allowed by law, the Land Contract will This Parcel May Also Be Described As: That Part Of be foreclosed by sale of the Land Contract premises The Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 Of Section 17, Town at public venue to the highest bidder In the main 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, lobby of the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W State Michigan, Described As: Beginning At The East 1/4 Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding Corner Of Said Section, Thence North 0 Degrees the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on 00 Minutes East 332.0 Feet Along The East Line Of Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. local Said Northeast 1/4; Thence South 89 Degrees 59 time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption Minutes 20 Seconds West 1312.35 Feet Parallel With period shall be six (6) months from the date of the The South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4; foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure Thence South 0 Degrees 04 Minutes 54 Seconds East sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the Vendee will 332.0 Feet Along The West Line Of Said Southeast 1 /4, be held responsible to the person who buys the Northeast’1/4; Thence North 89 Degrees 59 Minutes property at the foreclosure sale or to the Vendor for 20 Seconds East 1311.88 Feet Along The South Line damaging the property during the redemption period. Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 To The Place Of Pursuant to MCL 600.3150, the purchaser at the Beginning. sale shall be entitled to possession of the Property Common street address (if any): 5501 N Solomon at the time of the sale. The premises covered by Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8719 said Land Contract is commonly known as 9645 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the Shawnee Branch Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in and is situated In the Township of Orangeville, Barry accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real County, Michigan, described as follows: Parcel B: property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by That part of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 31, Town MCL 600.3240(16). 2 North, Range 10 West described as: Beginning at If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under a point found by commencing at the Center of the Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, said Section; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, responsible to the person who buys the property at the 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for seconds West, 279.55 feet to the place of beginning damaging the property during the redemption period. of this description; thence continuing South 63 Attention homeowner: If you are a military service degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; member on active duty, if your period of active duty has thence South 13 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been East, 509.75 feet to the East and West 1/8 line of the ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for Southwest 1/4; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone 57 seconds East on said 118 line, 207.46 feet; thence number stated in this notice. North 07 degrees 32 minutes 32 seconds West, This notice is from a debt collector. 614.52 feet to the place of beginning. Together with Date of notice: July 20, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. a non-exciusive easement being more particularly 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 described as follows: A 66.00 foot wide Easement Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 for ingress and egress lying 33.00 feet each side (248) 642-2515 of the following described Centerline: Beginning at 1504407 a point found by commencing at the Center of said (07-20)(08-10) 202910 Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet to the point NOTICE of beginning of this easement; thence the Centerline Attention homeowner: If you are a military service runs South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West member on active duty, if your period of active duty has 1513.10 feet to the point of ending. ALSO described concluded less than 9.0 days ago, or if you have been for tax purposes as': Commencing at the Center Of ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the Section 31; Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on stated in this notice. the North 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, to the point of beginning; thence continuing South 63 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or thence South 13 degrees 42 minutes 41 seconds some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest East, 519.45 feet; thence North 86 degrees 52 bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding minutes 57 seconds East, 207.46 feet; thence North the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 07 degrees 25 minutes 15 seconds West, 624.42 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, 2023. The amount due on the feet to the place of beginning (the “Property”). Parcel mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing No. 08-11-031-011-44 the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle Dated: July 20, 2023 the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. ANDY LEE SPARKS and CAROLYN LEE SPARKS, A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county Trustees ofthe Andy Lee Sparks Trust Mark Sheldon, register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Civil Process Service, LLC. of which may charge a fee for this information. P.O. Box 282 Hastings, Ml 49058 21456730.1 Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Thomas L Janke, single man, to Mortgage (07-20)(08-24) 203017 Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 27, 2021 and recorded November 17, 2021 in Instrument Number 21-014224 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised held by U.S. Bank National Association, by assignment. judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a of One Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Four Hundred sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of Twenty-Nine and 67/100 Dollars ($173,429.67). them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding and the statute in such case made and provided, notice the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by at 1:00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on AUGUST 24, 2023. automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear Said premises are located in the Village of Woodland, ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is Barry County Michigan, and are described as: encouraged to contact the county register of deeds Commencing 80 rods North of the Southeast corner office or a title insurance company, either of which of Section 16, Town 4 North, Range 7 West, Village of may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Woodland, Barry County, Michigan; thence, North 5 rods; Mortgagor(s): Justin Carl Howard and Katherine thence West 20 rods; thence South 9 rods 1 foot; thence Elizabeth Howard, husband and wife Original East 10 rods 21/2 feet; thence North 4 rods 1 foot; thence Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration East 9 rods 14 feet to the place of beginning. Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), solely as nominee for 265 N Main St, Woodland, Michigan 48897 lender and lender’s successors and assigns Date of The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date mortgage: October 3,2017 Recorded on October 10, of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance 2017, In Document No. 2017-010218, Foreclosing with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One to the person who buys the property at the mortgage Hundred Twelve Thousand Four Hundred Thirtyforeclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to One and 73/100 Dollars ($112,431.73) Mortgaged the property during the redemption period. premises: Situated in Barry County, and described Dated: July 20,2023 as: LOT 6, B-Z-BEES ACRES, ACCORDING File No. 23-007075 TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF,, AS Firm Name: Orlans PC RECORDED IN LIBER 4 OF PLATS, PAGE 12 Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Commonly known as 15201 Doster Rd, Plainwell, Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 Ml 49080 The redemption period will be 6 months (07-20)(08-10) 203076 from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, STATE OF MICHIGAN or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION whichever Is later; or unless extinguished pursuant BARRY COUNTY to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29538-NC will be held responsible to the person who buys the William M. Doherty property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 mortgage holder for damaging the property during Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 In the matter of Grant Michael Walker. days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Mortgagee/Asslgnee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: Megan Deweese has filed a petition for name change. A name change hearing will be held 9-6-2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court 1504587 (07-20)(08-10) St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Grant Michael Walker to Oliver Steven Richards. 203102 FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner If /ou are a ml,itary sc^’ce member on active duty lf y°ur Period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago. or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1901 PA 236. MCL 600.3212, that the ffollowing mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, att a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuitt court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, September 7,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the County register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information Default has been made In the conditions of a extern mortgage made by Larry W Hoffman and Allison K Hoffman, Husband and Wife to US Bank National Association as successor by merger to U.S. sank National Association ND, Mortgagee, dated .March 31, 2006, and recorded on April 7, 2006{* as Document Number 1162327, Barry County Record^ on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Forty-Eight Tffousand Five Hundred NinetyThree and 11/100 ($146,593.11) including interest att the rate of 7.55000^ ppr aiinum. Said premises are situated in the Tqwtship ship of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, and areSescribed as: Commencing: at • post on the North aj| South 1/4 line-14 chains and 45 links South ofthe 1/4 post in the center of Section 20, Town 3 North, Range 9 West, thence West 3 chains, thence South 2 chains, thence East 3;chains, to the 1/4 line, thence North on the 1/4 line 2 chains to the beginning. Commo$y known as: 1692 ERWAY RD, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from thi date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to tile date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: August 10, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for US Bank National Association as successor by merger to U.S. Bank National Association ND 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00082-1 (08-10)(08-31) 204092 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 196[1,1961 PA236, MCJ- p00.3212, that the following mortgage will tie foreclosed by a sdle rbf ’tfie mo^M§eafprerrilsfe^,‘1Sf,,sBiW them, at a public auction,sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on August 17, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Jesse Carver, SP and Stacey Nowack, Single Person Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: July 24, 2007 Date of Mortgage Recording: August 6,'2007 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $141,683.69 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Yankee Springs, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 8 of Pleasant Valley Plat according to the plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 4 of Plats, Page 13 of Barry County Records. Cogimonly Known as: 1733 S. Patterson Rd., Wayland, Ml 49348 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 daws from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever Is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 07/20/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 2 48-853-4400 3164441 (07-20)(08-10) PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, I imitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. 203093 Member SIPC Jeff Domenico, AAMS0CRPC® Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 423 N. Main St Hastings, Ml 49058 Nashville, Ml (269) 948-8265 (517)760-8113 How will you exit your business? If you own a business, you’ve always got a lot on your mind. But no matter how busy you are today, you need to think about tomorrow. Specifically, you’ll want to create an exit strategy for the day you want to move on frorp your business to a new •phase in your life. To develop this. strategy, you’ll need to address these key questions: • How much do you need (or want)for your business? Ideally, you’ll want the sale ofyour business to meet your retirement and estate-planning goals. So, you’ll need to think carefully about these goals and what costs they may entail. And these issues aren’t just financial — for example, when you think about how you may want to spend your time in retirement, you might realize that you don’t really want to exit your business completely. So, you might decide to selljust part ofit, or sell it entirely, but stay on to help manage it or possibly do some consulting for the new owners. • How much isyour business worth? You may want to calculate your business’ value three to five years before your planned exit. You could do this on your own, but it’s typically advantageous to use professional valuation you than another. To cite just services. If you’re gifting one factor, if you don’t have or selling your business to an obvious choice for a family family members, selling member to take over the it to an employee stock business, you might have to ownership plan < (ESOP) consider other buyers. In any or settling an estate, you’ll case, you’ll need to explore need to get a more formal all the economic and personal qualified appraisal to meet factors involved in the choice IRS standards. of successor. • How canyou close thegap Who can help you with between what you need and your exit strategy? Exiting whatyour business is worth? a business can be complex. The amount you need from To ensure you’re making the sale of your business to the right moves for your support your retirement goals overall financial and family may be more than what your situations, you may want business is actually worth To to build an exit strategy help close this gap, you could team, possibly consisting try to boost your business’s of your financial, legal and profits through the usual tax advisors. You may also means, such as introducing need to enlist the services of new products, raising prices or a commercial banker and a cutting costs. But you might business evaluation expert. also try to lower the amount Each of these professionals you need from the sale by can bring a different area working longer, reducing your of expertise to your exit personal spending and saving decisions, and together they can help address all the issues more outside the business. related to your exit strategy. • H’/// take over your Exiting your business will business? When planning for a successor for your take a lot of planning and business, you have several decisions — but if it’s done choices, including selling right, it can be worth the to a family member or an effort. This article was written by outside buyer. Going public or liquidating the bMsine^iEdwoKjJ^nesfor use byyour are also options. These are localEdwardJones Financial distinct paths, but depending Advisor. vso. Edward Jones, Member on your circumstances, one might be more appropriate for SIPC STAJE OF MICHIGAN ’IB |01 8 S^SS® ic*<rLfc«i Ejsns’* . PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29574-NC Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Cdu^le'le^h one No. 269-945-1286 In the matter of Philip Alexander Taylor. TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 8/23/2023 at 2:30 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Philip Alexander Taylor to Filip Aleksandar Taylor. 203538 To: Christopher Schoonmaker 1. You are notified that ybu are being sued by Law Offices of Duff, Chadwick and Associatt P.C. (Plaintiff) Case #23-0898-GC In the 5i Barry County District Court located at 2 W. Court Street, Hastings, Michigan 490 Phone no. 269-945-1404. 2. You haya^S^days^o om the date of thl! publication to request copy of the complain from either the Barry bounty District Court 0 nraiaMMi from the Plaintiff. 3. If you do not answer dift take other action withii the time allowed, judgment may be enters against you for the relief demanded in th complaint. Date: July 24, 2023 Thomas W. Chadwick P-63397 220 W. Main street Ionia, Ml 48846 (616) 527-0020 ■ 20328a 'Rfc Banner CLASSIFIED! CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 For Sale Garage Sale B usiness Services FOR SALE: TURTLE Meat. $20/LB 517-694-8050 HUGE-MULTI FAMI­ LY SALE. Too much stuff again sale. Thurs-Sun, Au­ gust 17, 18, 19 & 20th, 2023. 9am-6pm. 1900 Boulder Dr, Hastings. Too many items to list everything. Tons of Brand New(with tags) Target clothes-priced to sell, more added from last sale. Mens, women & kid sizes- we will add more daily. Brand new & gently used furniture. A lot of household items, toys & misc. Don't miss this one! Something for everyone! MATT ENDSLEY FABRI-j CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears] etc. Call 269-804-7506. DARK BROWN COUCH, $100; Dark brown chair with ottoman, $75. $150 for all three. Futon with black iron frame and black pad, $40. 269-312-1917. Estate Sales THIS YEAR'S GRAND estate sale includes items from 4 uniquely abundant homes in the Gull Lake area. Each es­ tate offers the BEST of several different decades, styles, and movements. We brought these quality items to our Red Bam Estate Sale Center to offer the most grandiose estate sale you will ever attend! Items to offer: RARE Herman Miller fumiture/decor, primi­ tives, high endjewelry, power tools, classic rock vinyls, Sam­ sung Wash/Dryer, Golf Cart, beer mirrors, glassware, and SO MUCH MORE! The sale will be held August 18th, 19th, and 20th. 9am-5pm, Just behind Village Antiques at 8411 N. 32nd. St. in Richland. You wont want to miss this one! HUGE YARD/BARN/ Garage Sale. Lots of everything. 3575 Fighter Road, Hastings. Week­ days August 3rd-August 15th, 2023.9am-5pm GARAGE SALE: AUG 11,12, 13,2023, Friday-Sunday. 8am5pm. 1838 S Broadway, Hast­ ings. Something for everyone. COMMUNITY BARN SALE. Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Gooseneck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, water tank, furniture, golf dubs, dog crate, etc. BUYING ALL HARD) WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. G WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061.' METAL ROOFING SALE) Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship'. 269-888-5050. MINI BERNEDOODLES. 1st shots and wormed. Very nice’ $250.00.517-726-0706. ssSis WTO WTO �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 10,2023 — Page 11 Resources Commission meeting in Grand Rapids A presentation on the DNR’s approved the campus of Grand Valley State Universi­ 2024 operating budget, an update on sever­ ty, 333 Michigan St. NE, in Grand Rapids. Before the meeting, from 9 to 10 a.m., the public is invited to “Coffee with the Com­ missioners” - an opportunity to get to know al fisheries orders and regulations for warmwater species, the regular legislative report and several land transactions are just some of the agenda items for the Thursday, commission members better in a less formal Aug. 10, meeting ofthe Michigan Natural setting. Resources Commission. The meeting starts at See the full draft meeting agenda and 10 a.m. at the other commission details at Michigan.gov/ Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences on NRC. LEGAL NOTICES j The Maple Valley High School football coaches and players gather on the tank at Fort Custer for a photo during their team building and training week in Battle Creek the final week of July. S - »» Lions train at Fort Custer camp Brett Bremer Sports Editor । It has been a Saxon tradition for some time. The Lions got in on it this time around. • The Hastings varsity football team has Jieaded south to Battle Creek for team buildling and conditioning exercises at the Fort Custer Training Center with the Michigan (National Guard in Battle Creek. Maple Valley {varsity football coach Marty Martin said he tried to line up a time for his Lions to work out at Fort Custer three different summers, and finally with the assistance of Hastings head varsity football coach Jamie Murphy the Lions were able to get on the schedule. They weren’t working out together, but both the Lions and Saxons spent the final full week ofJuly at Fort Custer. Martin said he had 22 members ofthe Lion varsity 8-player football program in atten- spc CASENOW P.C.(IW)CseSWiiii flany ny Cart/ 23W Mm •pyas-g MdbNoS&3 2YW1 ikiil fromdter fe iryla bote *XlOSic^nB! tanfefW j . OjwitoMtmohferfaafcj define M, agnljUirtodMi] XKKEAteit'iW’ COffipfefit 11 201V. Mail sUse! 0 All . Members of the Maple Valley High School football program work together on the obstacle course at Fort Custer in Battle Creek during the team building week with the Michigan National Guard the final week of July. dance from June 24-27. “We had the Michigan National Guard put them through a couple difference challenges that required them to communicate and work together to solve problems,” Martin said. “The first day we were having to solve prob­ lems and try to get ammo cans across barriers that were over water. As coaches we just sat there and watched and listened. It was great •to see them work together. We had seniors teamed with freshmen. The seniors listened to the freshmen and led when they had to.” He liked his seniors’ leadership and the teamwork he saw overall from his guys throughout the week. J The Lions worked together in teams of eight to complete an obstacle course in day two. Martin said some players had to over­ worked together to make sure everyone was able to complete their physical challenges. There were more physfpal challenges on the third day with a two-mile run ending in a long uphill challenge before the two-mile run back to the barracks. “Again, my seniors looked out for the young guys,” Martin said. “They were look­ ing out for each other because some ofthem were hurting pretty good. .They weren’t let­ ting kids sit there in their own misery. They were encouraging, ‘hey keep up with me.’” “We are just trying to build on that,” said as the Lions got rolling oh their first days of official practice this week. Martin said Murphy and Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Cody Johnson were instru­ mental in getting his players the opportunity to work out at Fort Custer. 1 “All we had to do was feed our own kids,” Martin said. “They gave us a field to practice on. We stayed in barracks that were air condi­ tioned. We at in the messjhall that was air conditioned. It was a big mess hall. It rained on Wednesday, so we stayed inside and did film and walkthroughs in there.” “The kids had a blast. I was so happy we were able to do that,” he added. The Lions are scheduled to open the 2023 varsity 8-player football season on the road against Mesick Friday, Aug. 25. The Bull­ dogs, who have qualified ubr the MHSAA 8-player playoffs in four ofthe past six sea­ sons, are a new opponent for the Lions. Practice is underway at Hastings High School as well. Coach Murphy and the Sax­ ons open their 2023 season'at home against rival Thornapple Kellogg Thursday, Aug. 24. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE OF HEARING RLE NO. 23029557-NC In the matter of Jami Marie Braska. TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 8/30/2023 at 1:45 p.m. at Barry County Trial Court, Family Division, Room FC01, 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William Michael Doherty P41960 for the following purpose(s): Adult Name Change. Connecting to the Virtual Court Room at the time of the proceeding: • Desktop PC’s and Laptops: Go to Zoom Web Site (ZOOM.US). Click on "Join a Calf. Join using meeting ID 5030695658. • Tablets and Phones (Apple and Android): Install the Zoom app from the App Store or Play Store prior to the call. At the time of the call launch the zoom app and join using meeting ID 5030695658. • Phone call only: Call 646-876-9923 or 669-900-6833 and connect using meeting ID 5030695658 (this option may only be used with the court’s prior permission). If you require special accommodations to use the court because of a disability, or if you require a foreign language interpreter to help you fully participate in court proceedings, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements. Jami Braska 90 N. Airport Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 616-647-7799 203992 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29583-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Christopher Mead. Date of birth: 12/30/1959. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS; The decedent, Christopher Mead, died 06/19/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to James Mead, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 07/31/2023 Robert L. Byington P27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 James Mead 12752 North Avenue Bellevue, Michigan 49021 269-589-9130 NOTICE TO CREDITORS 203908_1 STATE OF MICHIGAN NOTICE TO CREDITORS Revocable Inter Vivos Trust In the Matter of The Alex Fugate, Jr. Revocable Trust dated August 30,2017 TO ALL CREDITORS: The Settlor, Alex Fugate, Jr. (date of birth: April 16, 1935), who lived at 4311 Harmony Drive, Shelbyville, Michigan 49344, died July 28, 2023. There is no personal representative of the Settlor’s estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued. Creditors of Alex Fugate, Jr., deceased, are notified that all claims against Alex Fugate, Jr. or the Alex Fugate, Jr. Revocable Trust dated August 30, 2017, will be forever barred unless presented to Denise A. Young, Trustee, within four (4) months after the date df publication. k' Robert Young Living Trust dated December 11, 2015. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The Settlor of the trust, Robert Young, who lived at 1491 W. Dowling Road, Dowling, Ml 49050, died July 1, 2023. Creditors of the Settlor, Robert Young, are notified that all claims against the trust will be forever barred ,unless presented,^Brenda-.R. Young, the trustee of the trust at 1491 V\L Dowling Road, Dowling, Ml Notice is further given that the Trust assets will thereafter be assigned and distributed to the persons entitled thereto. Date: August 8,2023 ALEX FUGATE, JR. REVOCABLE TRUST DATED AUGUST 30, 2017 DENISEA. YOUNG, TRUSTEE 1228 Forest Dr. Portage, Ml 49002 Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos, P.C. StEPHEN L. SIMONS Attorneys for Trustee PO Box 4010 Kalamazoo, Ml 49003 269-324-3000 204112 49050 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 08/04/2023 Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos, P.C. By: Kay E. Kossen P56627 One West Michigan Ave. Battle Creekt Ml 49017 269-966-3000 Brenda R. Young 1491 W. Dowling Road Dowling, Ml 49050 203932 TYDEN PARK • SATURDAY, AUG. 26th -pi Vj Sponsored by I Jim Jensen MHSAA ‘AD Connection Program’1 debuts The B Barry County area has been blessed With som some long-tenured athletic directors, but a first-of--its-kind mentorship program is greeting more than 100 first-time high school athletic directors across the state who are official­ ly beginning their tenures at Michigan High School Athletic Association member schools with thee sar w start o ofthee 2023-24 - scoo school year. , i The “AD Connection Program” has matched those firjst-year high school athletic directors with one of eight mentors who have recently retired from the field and will now provide assistance as those new administrators transi­ tion to this essential role in school sports. ! | A total of 102 first-year high school athletic । directors are beginning at MHSAA schools, meaning a new athletic administrator will be . taking over at nearly 14 percent of the 750 I| member high schools across the state. Athletic director turnover at MHSAA high schools has reached 10 percent or more annually over the last few years, and it’s hoped that this addiI tional mentorship will support athletic direc। tors adjusting to the high pace and responsi- bilities ofthe position for the first time. The AD Connection Program will build on training received at the required in-service program all new athletic directors must attend each fall. There is also a strong connection to programming from the Michigan Interscholas­ tic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA), the professional development orga­ nization for the state’s athletic administrators. “When you crystalize it, the AD Connec­ tion Program is an attempt for us to give a true year-long in-service to new athletic directors with people who have done it,” said MHSAA Assistant Director Brad Bush, who is coordinating the program and joined the MHSAA staffin January after more than two decades as an athletic administrator at Chel­ sea High School. “This also connects new ADs with a larger professional group, and it will culminate in March at the annual MIAAA conference, where there will be several faceto-face meetings with all ADs. “These mentors are meant to become that first-year AD’s go-to person.” Mentors will conduct frequent meetings with their cohorts. They also will meet monthly (or more) with each first-time athlet­ ic director individually via zoom, and at least once during the academic year face-to-face at the mentee’s school. The eight mentors, noting their most recent schools as an athletic director, are Chris Ervin (most recently at St. Johns), Brian Gor­ don (Royal Oak), Sean Jacques (Calumet), Tim Johnston (East Grand Rapids), Karen Leinaar (Frankfort), Scott Robertson (Grand Haven), Meg Seng (Ann Arbor Greenhills) and Wayne Welton (Chelsea). Leinaar also will serve as the AD Connection Program’s liaison to the MIAAA, which she serves as executive director. High school practices at MHSAA member schools may begin today, Monday Aug. 7, for the nine fall sports for which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament. The AD Connection Program was approved by the MHSAA Representative Council during its annual Winter Meeting on March 24. cost....$ .2 S per team of 3 or 4 players Entries must be to the Chamber by Friday, Aug. 18th Make checks payable to Hastings Summerfest 2023 CHECK IN... 8:30 AM Pick up T-shirts at this time TIP OFF... 9:30 AM >ys & Giris get 12*14) Team Name ys i Giris II— —)(AgMl5-17) )( A g IB o y —lltenSWomen J—iMenSW l(Agos 1B-25) I—l(Agn26 Age brackets subject to change based on participation Team Captain. Phone# Send Entries to... Email. Barry County Chamber of Commerce 221W. State Street Team Members Hastings, Ml 49058 Questions Please fill out form completely Call (269) 948-3025 or email brettOj-adgraphics.com -TYDERI PARK • SATURDAY, AUG. 26™ �RECORDS, continued from page 9 a lot ofpeople thatjust missed or had a little bit ofbad luck.” The record boards were a gift ofthe Oom and Duits families installed in the summer of 2019, part of many recent improvements to the high school track and football stadium. “These decals have to be put up with preci­ sion, because you kind ofget one shot,” Oom said. “If1 put them on crooked, it’ll be crook­ ed forever, and I’ll feel bad for that. So, I came up with a solution so I don’t feel so bad: I am going to have you guys put your own names up.” He started with Madison Nino, member of the 2023 graduating class of Hastings High School. She had some experience with the record boards already. She was all-state as a junior in the longjump in 2022. She broke the school record in the long jump this spring with a leap of 17 feet 10 inches, earned her second all-state award in the event. Her name now graces the two boards in five different places. She was joined by relay teammates Isabelle Roosien, Addey Nickels and Myah Vincent, all members of the class of 2024, this spring in setting Saxon records of 50.44 seconds in the 400meter relay and 1 minute 46.44 seconds in the 800-meter relay. The fifth place finish in the 400-meter relay by that Saxon foursome at the MHSAA Division 2 Lower Peninsula Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School makes it the first relay team in the history of the nearly 100-year-old Saxon track and field program to earn all-state honors. The Hastings girls’ team set three new school records in 2023. Freshman Olivia Friddle earned the shot put record with a mark of37-5. The Saxon boys* 1600-meter relay team of Robby Slaughter, Charles Nickels, Jett Bar­ num and Kearan Tolles set the school record at 3:25.42 while scoring a runner-up finish in the event at the MHSAA Division 2 L.P. Finals. Slaughter also placed his name just under his big brother Jason Slaughter’s on the all­ state board. Both were all-state pole vaulters. Nino added her name to the all-state board a second time in the longjump and for a third time with her 800-meter relay team. Nickels is on that relay list with her and she has a spot ofher own thanks to her fifth place finish in the 300-meter low hurdles at the state finals. The five school records for 2023 represent the most for any single season on the Saxon board at this point. The years 1992 and 2009 are both represented four times. Ryan Burg­ dorfset the Saxon boys’ 100-meter dash, 200meter dash and 400-meter dash records in 2009. The 1992 board notes the boys’ long jump record set by Derek Gonzales, shot put and discus records set by Chris Youngs. Those two years are also represented in the boys’ 400-meter relay record off44.2 seconds set by the 1992 team ofGonzales, Scott Rick­ etts, Matt Haywood and Mark Peterson and the 2009 team of Burgdorf, Chase Delcotto, Josh Coenen and Greg Woodmansee. “Enjoy it while it lasts, because these can be bumped off and probably will some day. But, cheer for the next person,” Oom said. Recent HHS graduate Layton Eastman got the last turn to put a decal on the board, not­ Hastings High School girls 400-meter relay and 800-meter relay record holders Myah Vincent (from left), Addey Nickels, Isabelle ing the Saxon boys team’s 12th-place finish Roosien and Madison Nino update their records on the Hastings track and field record board at the entrance to Baum Stadium at at the Division 2 MITCA Team State Finals. Johnson Field Tuesday. Saxon track and field athletes set five new school records in the spring. (Photo by Brett Bremer) BON D PASSED! IFF WITH YOUR YEMVOTES. YOU ARE SAYING YES TO OUR CHILDREN, YES TO OUR COMMUNITY AND YES TO OUR FUTURE! WE REVIVED THE PRIDE! � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-08-17.pdf 697b96c5d12020af92d10c968897a91b PDF Text Text D-K Panthers fall sports preview See pages 9-12 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 ANNER **—*—***********CAR-RT LOT**C 005 C005 4 Richard Hemeriing 421 N Taffee Dr ursday, August 17, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. ICE $1.50 School officials contend with variety of issues initiatives as students return for another year Hastings Banner Staff With a marching band blaring music and a gaggle of children playing games and engag­ ing in activities on Saturday night in Nash­ ville, it almost seemed like school was in full swing already. . Put on by the Nashville Route 66 Business District, Saturday’s Back to School Bash was aimed at readying Maple Valley students for the new school year, which kicks off on Monday as it does for students across Barry County. As the final summer vacation days melt away for both students and staff, administra­ tors have worked throughout the break to ensure that their respective districts have tied up all loose ends. Last year, in speaking with area superinten­ dents, most districts were focused on logging one full year of normalcy following the year­ long COVID-19 pandemic that proved hugely disruptive to local schools. Staff shortages were a prominent pain point for many dis­ tricts. And while those concerns have not completely dissipated, area districts have worked on overcoming those challenges. Maple Valley Schools, for instance, faced a bus driver shortage that crippled its transpor' tation department. After dedicating an advi­ sory committee to the issue, the district is on solid footing in that area. “We’re down one driver now but we have a pretty healthy sub base,” Dr. Katherine Bertolini, superintendent for the district, said. “We’d like to get another route driver just to have a full, full staffbut we’re in pretty good shape, all things considered.” Bertolini was at the Back to School Bash promoting volunteerism in the schools after those numbers were still ailing since COVID. As far as staffing, the district made prog­ ress. “The teacher shortage is scaring every­ body but we have a lot oflocal people grow­ ing into becoming teachers, which I think is amazing and we also got people who we are being promoted to be teachers and are new to the profession,” Bertolini said. “I’m hopeful we can keep growing those folks internally. If we can’t get them right out ofuniversity, at least we can grow them ourselves and take good care of them and help create a good teacher base.” See SCHOOL, page 3 Families gathered! ip Nashville on Saturday evening for a Back to School Bash, put on by the Nashville Route 66 Business District. Students return to class on Monday. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Bradford White car show returns after CO VID hiatus, honors iconic CEO Greg Chandler StaffWriter Bradford White Corporation resumed a long-standing company tradition last week Thursday, and now the event bears the name ofone ofthe company’s most iconic figures. More than 50 company employees and retirees brought their classic cars, trucks and motorcycles to the parking lot of the company’s Middleville plant for what will now be known as the Bob Carnevale Memo­ rial Car Show. The company renamed the event in honor ofCarnevale, who served as its chief executive officer from 1991 to 2009 and stayed on as its chairman of the board until his death in March 2019 at the age of79. “He meant a lot to the business. He’s prob­ ably the big reason we are who we are today,” said Mike DeHoog, who organized this year’s event. “It was important for us to honor him ... but also, he was a car guy - American muscle (cars).” Carnevale had a classic car collection that Plans for new jail, vacant Friend of the Court building may come into focus soon included a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, according to his 2019; 6|>ituary.( , . The car show had not been held since 2019 for a variety .ofreasons, including reconstruc­ tion ofthe plant parking lot and the COVID19 pandemic, DeHoog said; Darwin Kosbar of Hastings brought his 1959 Ford Edsel to the show - a car that was restored by Kosbar’s wife, Donna, and her father, Jasper Eugene Weeks, who was a weld­ er at Bradford White for more than 30 years. “We took it right off the frame and did a whole restore, right back to its original,” Kosbar said. In addition to being a welder, Jasper Weeks was a union steward at Bradford White. He owned Edsels from each model year that Ford produced the car - 1958 to 1960. Weeks died in March 2017. Kosbar had a wooden plaque with his father-in-law’s obituary underneath the hood ofthe Edsel for the show. See CAR SHOW, page 2 A 1926 Ford Model T owned by Carl Foster was one of the many classic cars dis­ played at last week’s car show at Bradford White, which is now called the Bob Carnevale Memorial Car Show. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Former Hastings auto teacher reassembles classic car 40 years after students took it apart Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Steve Balderson bought his 1959 Corvette 10 years after it came offthe line in 1969. Sixteen years old and living in St. Johns at the time, Balderson was working as a mechan­ ic at a full-service gas station. He bought the car from the man who would go on to become his auto shop teacher and a close friend to this day, Larry Button. Balderson would go on to work in Hast­ ings as an automotive teacher from 1975 to 1990. He taught several sections ofthe class, where students would learn their way around an engine. He said his goal was to teach students not only how to work as mechanics, but also how to become good workers ant productive citizens. Although Balderson made sure to impar life lessons tp- his students, that’s not to saj they didn’t get their hands dirty - the clas: operated as an auto shop, taking vehicb repair and service orders from teachers ant parents in the district. Balderson said th< class almost always had a backlog ofcustom er work orders. In the rare chance the class had idle time Balderson brought in his ‘59 ‘Vette for th< class to tinker with. With plans to restore ant See CLASSIC CAR, page HASTINGS SUMMERFEST The Hastings Car Club Car Show is Just one of the many events that will be taking place at Hastings Summerfest on Aug. 25-27. For a full preview ofthis annual event, read this weekend’s edition of The Reminder. Former Hastings auto shop teacher Steve Balderson stands next to his 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, cornpletely rebuilt after his students disassembled it in 1983. The car will be on display at the Hastings Car Club Car Show at Summerfest on Aug. 27, where Balderson has reserved space for his students to register their cars and cele­ brate 40 years since they disassembled the vehicle. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Jayson Bussa Editor Last year, the Barry County Board of Commissioners formed an ad hoc com­ mittee to focus on the county’s inventory of vacant or underutilized facilities and real estate. At the time, the committee was pri­ marily focused on working with housing developer General Capital as it looked to leverage county-owned property within the city ofHastings to develop the forth­ coming Tyden Lofts project next to the vacant Friend ofthe Court building. But, since then, the scope of the committee expanded and it continues to push a few pressing projects forward. “There have been a lot of meetings and a lot ofthings going on behind the scenes and I think that some of that will be coming to fruition in the next few months where you’ll see some activity on that,” said Dave Jackson, chair ofthe county board, who also sits on the three-commissioner ad hoc committee. Few, if any, facilities-related projects are more pressing and persistent than the construction of a new jail to replace the aging, outdated facility the county cur­ rently utilizes. After a failed millage request in 2020 to fund the jail, county officials have grappled with the thought ofreturning to the voters or funding it themselves. The new board, which was seated earlier this year, signaled that they would be addressing this need and likely finding a way to forge ahead without asking tax­ payers to foot the bill. Thejail was one ofa few facility proj­ ects that Jackson brought up in an inter­ view with The Banner. He revealed that the county has its eye on a couple of city-owned properties as a potential new home for the jail. “One of them may require a little brownfield work; the other one would require quite a bit of planning and exca­ vation to make it work,” he said. “That’s something we’re working on. Hopeful- See NEW JAIL, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, August 17, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Driver strikes Shell gas station in Hastings, damaging the building and toppling shelves Free English class being offered in Hastings Area residents can sign up for a free English language learners class being offered this fall. . The program, which is offered for those who want to learn or improve their English, will provide extra support to English learners in reading, writing, listening and speaking. The class will take place every Thursday starting Aug. 31 from 5 to 6:20 p.m. at the Michigan Works Service Center, 130 E. State Street in Hastings. Students are asked to park and enter at the rear ofthe building. Those interested in the free class can register at bit.ly/3Ywamul. Yankee Springs Fire Department hosting blood drive The Yankee Springs Township Fire Department will host a blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22. Versiti Blood Center will be the service provider. The fire department is located at 1425 S. Payne Lake Road in Wayland. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weighs more than 110 pounds may be eligible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is only time. Stats show that, every two seconds, someone needs blood. Lifesaving care starts with one person donating. Donors will be entered to win $1,200 in electronic gift cards that can be used for a new TV, computer or any other new home entertainment device. Questions may be directed to Versiti Blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD, or 269-795-9091. Appointments are preferred and may be made at donate.mivchigan.versiti.org, but walk­ ins are welcomed. Gun Lake Women’s Club celebrates 40 years with ‘Mix & Mingle’ The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Gun Lake Area Women’s Club celebrates 40 years next month and is inviting all area women to join them in celebration. On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the Gun Lake club is hosting its 40th anniversary “Mix & Mingle” celebration. The event will stretch from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and all ladies 21 and over, regardless ofmembership to the club, are invited to come celebrate. The celebration will take place at the Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsay Road in Plainwell. Attendees can learn about the Gun Lake Area Women’s Club while enjoying a glass of wine or tea, along with snacks and sweet treats. Those who are looking to make a difference in their community, achieve personal growth orjust have fun are encouraged to learn more about the group. Members often play cards and games, make arts and crafts projects, go on excursions and participate in book clubs. The Gun Lake Area Women’s Club will collect non-perishable food at the anniversary event, which will be shared with local food banks. Those attending are asked to RSVP. RSVPs can be made by texting “Mingle” to 517­ 861-6897. A driver struck and damaged the Hastings Shell gas station at 135 E. Green St. last Friday, punching a hole in the south side of the building. (Photos provided by Clarissa Allerding) Hunter McLaren Sta# Writer A driver struck and damaged the Hastings Shell gas station late last week. The crash was reported around 10:30 a.m. last Friday at the gas station on 135 E. Green St. Hastings police arrived on the scene short­ ly after the incident occurred and spoke with the driver, a 44-year-old woman. The driver told police she was parking her sedan in a handicap space in front ofthe store when the incident occurred. She told police she wasn’t sure exactly how her vehicle jumped the curb, crossed the sidewalk and struck the building. She said she must not have put the vehicle in park after pulling into the spot. The woman denied medical attention at the scene. The collision was significant enough to cause damage to the building, punching a hole through the building’s facade. Shelves on the other side of the wall were disturbed and toppled over, with merchandise scattered across the floor. The station continued to operate throughout the day and had cleaned 1'^ Product shelves on the opposite side of the wall were sent toppling over, spill­ ing merchandise onto the floor. up the mess by early Friday afternoon, right­ ing the toppled shelves and placing a tarp over the hole in the wall. Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter said there were no injuries and the department was waiting to receive a damage estimate from the gas station. ■A. ■A CAR SHOW, continued from page 1 !•* **: !•*!>* ^*‘*^«* Delton’s Bernard Museum open through September The Bernard Historical Society and Museum, located on Upper Crooked Lake at 7135 Delton Road in Delton, is free and open to the public on Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. through September. With over 40,000 items on display, there is something for everyone ofevery age. The museum provides a glimpse into the history of early Barry County and its people. Local Indian artifacts include a dug-out canoe found in Wall Lake in 1971, estimated to be at least 150 to 1,000 years old. Military displays include a drum from the War of 1812, a plane propeller from World War I and two World War II Army Jeeps. Thanks to continued local support and donations, the museum remains free and open to the public. , . Tjirmain museum building was recently upgraded to include air conditioning to prerJiserve the collection from moisture and add to the comfort ofvisitors. The North Pine Lake School, a one-room schoolhouse also known as the Brown School built in 1873, was moved from the comer of Pine Lake Road and Lindsey Road to the museum in 1963. It features antique desks and books, plus an antique Round Oak stove. Other buildings include a seamstress cottage, a blacksmith shop and a replica of a general store from the 1800s. The Implement Building includes local farm and railroad antiques along with a collection ofgas pumps, license plates and metal signs. Most items were used locally and donated by Barry County families. The windmill is a favorite attraction. It was moved to the Bernard Museum in 1993 from what is now Michigan State University’s Lux Arbor Reserve. The windmill dates to the late 1800s or early 1900s. The Bernard Historical Museum will be closing for the season after September. It will reopen again in June 2024. More details can be found at BemardMuseum.com or by searching the Bernard His­ torical Museum on Facebook. tos** os "I Taylor Alberts owned the winning vehicle at the Bob Carnevale Memorial Car Show. It was a 1969 Chevy C10 long bed that was carrying a 1964 Snowmowtractor. People could vot&for their favorite classic vehicle at the shoivj ffaylor Alberts’ 1969 Chevrolet C-10 long bed pickup truck received the most votes. Alberts’ truck carried a 1964 Snowmowtractor. In addition to the car show, company retir­ ees had the chance to tour the plant to see what has been added on in recent years. “A lot of these folks haven’t seen it. They’re so excited to get into the plant,” said DeHoog, a product support manager at Brad­ ford White, The car show also included monster trucks, a training trailer where people could learn about Bradford White products and a Chickfil-A food truck. The Barry County United Way and Volun­ teer Center also had a table to let people know about its various services. United Way This 1959 Ford Edsel was restored by Jasper Eugene Weeks, who worked at Bradford White as a welder for more than 30 years, and his daughter, Donna Kosbar. Kosbar’s husband, Darwin, brought the Edsel to the car show. Executive Director Lani Forbes said the com­ pany has been a valuable contributor to Unit­ ed Way over the years, both financially and in terms of volunteer help for countless pro­ grams. For example, two Bradford White employees volunteer every Wednesday with the Fresh Food Initiative food distribution program, Forbes said. “The employees not only want to be invest­ ed in Middleville but in the (Barry County) community as a whole,” Forbes said. DeHoog says he expects the car show to continue and grow in the future. Bradford White is one ofthe country’s larg­ est manufacturers of water heating products for residential, commercial and industrial uses, and also produces space heating, combi­ nation heating and storage products. The com­ pany is the largest employer in Barry County. iiqraput1 This plaque memorializes Jasper Weeks, who restored the 1959 Edsel. !««««» !«««« NEW JAIL, continued from page 1 . Insui4z SPRAYFOAM ” Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 ly, in the next 60 days, we’ll have more information on a potential jail location and put a plan together for that for the spring.” Ifthe county decides to pursue one of the city-owned properties, it may have some real estate within the city that could prove valu­ able for a potential trade. The county owns a nondescript, three-stall garage and parking lot near South Jefferson and Walnut streets, which would be a fairly prime location to develop housing, which is sorely needed in Hastings and throughout Barry County. And, if the jail were to move to a new location, its current location at 1212 W. State Street could also make for a potential site for housing. “The current jail site has also got some good redevelopment potential being right next to the hospital and right in the downtown district; we really want to evaluate everything with how it fits and how it works best for the community,” Jackson said. Barry County’s former Friend ofthe Court building, which sits on the southwest comer ofWest State and South Broadway streets, is another high-profile project as the Tyden Lofts is constructed next to it. Last week, the facilities committee toured the building again, evaluating its renovation needs. New windows are near the top of that list. “We’re in the process offormulating a plan, which would include probably, as opposed to dropping the $90,000 on windows, maybe putting in windows in part ofthe building just to be sure the fit and finish is what we want.” A rough vision is coming together for that facility, but nothing is set in stone. The larger open space in the middle is being eyed for community space, similar to what is offered at the Tyden Centerjust a few blocks away. Jackson said that the board could poten­ tially transfer certain county departments to that location, but did not identify which county departments and individuals would make that move. si* With the current facility being constructed in 1970, the county is long overdue for a new jail. (Courtesy photo) “There is maybe an opportunity to use some of that space as incubator space, col­ laborating with the Economic Development Alliance and some of the other partners in the community like (Barry Community Foundation) to help businesses get started or work with community partners,” Jackson added. “I know there is always a need for space like that. We’re just trying to see what will have the best benefit for the community as well as keeping a long-term vision on what the county’s needs will be and kind of balancing that out.” “Nothing is set in stone; the facilities com­ mittee will meet and put a plan together and make a formal presentation probably to the (Committee ofthe Whole) in the next four to six weeks and see ifwe can’t move that for­ ward,” Jackson also said. “There may be a decision sooner.to start working on some of the remodeling as far as the windows go, at least putting some ofthose in and trying that out to be sure that’s what we want.” Earlier in the year, the facilities committee played a role in formulating the transformational plan for the county’s Commission on Aging, as it collaborates with Thomapple Manor to build a new facility southeast ofthe city. After that splashy announcement, things quieted down. Some public commenterss at county board meetings suggested that the bioard had stalled out on its efforts and prom­ ises to address vacant properties and facility needs. Jackson said that has not been the case. As a business owner, 1 can make deci­ sions, snap my fingers and push things on. As a commissioner, I don’t make those decisions independently,” he said. “It takes planning, it takes quotes and estimates and working with community partners to figure out what’s best for some of these spaces and that stuffjust takes time.” �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 17, 2023 — Page 3 CLASSIC CAR, continued from upgrade upgrade it, the class had the car completely disassembled in 1983. The car was stripped all the way down to its fiberglass frame Balderson said he had to put those plans on gold when the project started to take away ume ume from from their their customer customer work. work. 7 °It Was going good. They had a two-year plan to have it done,” he said. “But it got in the Way ofeducation for me. We were trying to give this time and our customers time ” He refocused his students’ work on cus cus-­ tomer jobs and the Corvette, still disassem­ bled, laid inert and forgotten. • fa 1989, Balderson was approached by tools manufacturer Snap-on Incorporated and asked to manage the company’s statewide corporate sales. It was a tough decision, but balderson said he agreed to join the company as long as he could finish out the semester with his students. ■ I really had to do some soul searching,” he said. “I felt guilty leaving my students iin the middle ofthe year.” He stayed with Snap-on until 2002 when he left the company and went back to teach­ ing. Balderson taught auto mechanics at the Grand Rapids Career Center until 2014 when he retired. The interior features reupholstered seats, original gauges, door panels custom All the while, Balderson was hanging on to designed by Balderson and a steering wheel ordered from Italy. his 1959 ‘Vette. It remained disassembled until 2018 when Button called him up to let him “It was fun,” he said. “That’s the thing; I know St. Johns was hosting a 50-year class top, in the rain,” he said. “But it made it under enjoyed working on it as much as I enjoy reunion in 2020. He told Balderson he had two its own power.” driving it.” After his own class reunion, Balderson years to put the car together so he could show Fifty-four years after he bought it, Baldersaid he got an idea: why not hold a 40-year it offto his former auto shop classmates. son is once again driving the ‘59 Corvette he Balderson went to work on reassembling reunion for his own students? It seemed like the vehicle, keeping the car original where he the perfect way to reconnect with his pupils bought from his automotive instructor, who had bought it from his automotive instructor. could. Of course, the disassembled vehicle and celebrate the reassembly of the vehicle Although there are still a few more things to was like a blank slate - he upgraded a few they had so meticulously taken apart. Balderson reached out to the Hastings Car tweak before next weekend’s car show, the parts along the way. He upgraded the engine Club and secured space at their Aug. 27 Sum­ Corvette is running in a better-than-new con­ to 410 horsepower, he replaced the drum brakes with modem disc brakes, modernized merfest car show for his vehicle and his stu­ dition. “My wife would rather ride in this than our dents’ vehicles. He’s hoping anyone who had the suspension and redid the interior, among other changes. There is likely not a single his class from 1975 to 1990 will register their Malibu,” he said. “It’s more comfortable.” He .w.asn^t s^e^th^^ay.yvould ever come, inch on the vehicle that he hasn’t had to work car or truck, park it in the “student corral” and celebrate the 40 years that have passed since but Balderson said putting the car back on at some point. together and fully restoring, it has always the Corvette was disassembled. “Every nut, bolt, screw and washer has Although his students helped him take the been one of his goals. Now, he’sjust happy to been changed on this,” he said. car apart 40 years ago, many of them also be able to share it with his students.* The reunion was postponed to 2021 “Proba,bl,y ha.ck.. th__qp^when I bought the because of COVID-19, and Balderson used helped him rebuild it inrecent years. Balderevery extra hour he had to get it ready before son stayed close with many of his local,, car), I didn’t even kqpw-lif I’d haye'Jhe car students, several ofwhich offered him their that long,” he said. “But^pever really wanted then. Balderson got the car running three to get rid ofit. It was always a goal. I collect­ days before he was set to make the trip back advice and expertise throughout the rebuildto St. Johns. After a last-minute tire align*, ipguprocess. He hopes to see all of his for­ ed rebuilding booksjSndrestoration books ment appointment the day before, Balderson mer pupils so they can lay eyes on the over the years, all on Corvettes. It was evolvput the rubber on the road. vehicle and swap stories about their resto­ ing all the time. Itjustigot to that point where ration projects. <• “The next morning I left With nd hood, no I made it*fappehi *52 52 Hlf. Barry County Board Vice Chair David Hatfield (left) and Chair Dave Jackson (right) participate in a weekly meeting earlier this month. Commissioners did not meet this week due to lack of agenda items. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Committee of the Whole meeting canceled, will soon discuss how to replace compensation committee Jayson Bussa Editor Members ofthe county board had the week offafter a scheduled meeting ofthe Commit­ tee of the Whole Tuesday morning was can­ celled. Late last week, the county’s administration office announced that the COW would not meet due to a lack ofagenda items. The Barry County Board of Commissioners (BOC) is still slated to meet this coming Tuesday. When the COW does return, it has a fairly pressing agenda item to tackle. During last week’s meeting of the BOC, the board passed a resolution to abolish the County Officers Compensation Commission, which is a third-party board that sets compen­ sation for elected officials. The resolution to abolish it was brought forth by Commissioner Bob Teunessen and echoed the sentiments of many of his fellow commissioners who felt that the rigid statutes that dictate the commis- sion have made it ineffective in adjusting compensation for elected officials during these times ofunprecedented inflation. By abolishing the commission, the power to set wages for elected officials returns to the hands of the commissioners, who will also have to set pay for their own positions. The resolution to abolish the Compensa­ tion Commission passed 7-1, with Mike Call­ ton being the only “no” vote. County commissioners did say they still want to utilize a third-party board to set wages for elected officials and will explore avenues in which to install one on their own. “I would like to see potentially the first (Committee of the Whole meeting) in Septem­ ber, maybe (Vice Chair David) Hatfield and Commissioner Teunessen can get your heads together and potentially put an ad hoc commit­ tee together to talk about, moving forward to the new compensation commission, how to set that up,” said board chair Dave Jackson. SCHOOL, continued from page 1 Hastings Area School System jQoks to^mbark on infrastructure Ejects MB* ar AAAI Hat rt«i kaptadKcidvfio Mr* EM® x afffldal ad tayCoaty * f f Hastings Superintendent Matt Goebel has had a singular focus going into the upcoming school year. “I’ve just been so focused on the bond,” Goebel said: “It’s full speed ahead. We’re looking forward to a good year ahead, with lots of infrastructure planning.” .^ Following the passing of the district’s $17 million bond proposal on Aug. 8, Goebel said the district has already set to work on tackling its projects. Before construction can start, the district must work with investors, bankers and financial advisers to ensure it can secure the funds needed through the actual sale ofbonds. “Once we secure those funds, we can work with construction management and building management to put RFPs (requests for pro­ posals) out and start collecting bids,” Goebel said. “It does take a little bit oftime, but we’ll be having an initial meeting in the next week or two to get started on that.” Once construction starts, the district will face its next challenge: how to start working on the bond proposal’s various projects while working around students and faculty in. the building. “Some of these projects can’t be done within the school year,” he said. “At the same time, we want to start showing progress while being the least disruptive to the learning envi­ ronment as we can.” Some projects, like replacing the high aphool rOof and part of the middle school /jgpf, will have to wait until school is out next Rummer. Others, like bathroom and locker doom renovations, are more feasible but still tricky. Goebel said the district should be able to complete those projects in phases, working on one at a time to ensure students and staff dbn’t lose access to facilities they need. . “(For example), we might have to shut down one set ofbathroom?, (complete reno­ vations), open them up and move on to other ones,” Goebel said. “We can’t shut down all the bathrooms in the school. People have to use the bathroom.” Outside ofthe bond issue, Goebel said the district is excited to add on two grant-funded positions: a school resource officer and an additional social worker. “We’re trying to take advantage ofas many grant funds as possible,” Goebel said. .Long-time Hastings Police Department Officer Josh Sensiba will be joining the dis­ trict as a school resource officer, working with the district to address any security or safety issues. “It will be awesome to have him leading our safety and security at the schools,” Goeb­ el said. “His kids went to Hastings, so he’s a Hastings guy. He knows Hastings and every­ one knows Josh, so he’s a great fit.” Goebel said the additional social worker in the district will go far to support students in many ways. “We’ve also added an additional social worker through grant funds, not only to help The pool at Thornapple Kellogg High School will remain closed as crews work to reconstruct a wall that was not structurally sound. (Photo provided) Completion of TKHS pool renovation delayed to early ‘24 Members of the Maple Valley pep band play music during Saturday’s Back to School Bash. with mental health, but to help with general academics,” he said. “We want to make sure kids feel good about themselves and they can move forward and develop academically.” Thornapple Kellogg overcomes transportation woes At Thornapple Kellogg Schools one year ago, the district was scrambling to find driv­ ers for its school buses. That’s not a problem this year. Superintendent Craig McCarthy told the TK school board Monday that the district is fully staffed with drivers as school gets ready to start. “We’re just happy that we’re going to be able to run all ofour routes,” McCarthy said. “Last year, we had to implement walking zones (because ofthe driver shortage).” ' McCarthy’s announcement drew cheers from board members. “You should celebrate that,” board vice president Krissy Hooson said. “It’s huge right now.” TK has 28 new staff members this fall, including 17 new teachers and eight new support staff. “All of our instructional staff positions have been filled. We do have a few open support staff positions at this time. This is normal for this time ofyear,” McCarthy said. The new teachers had an orientation ses­ sion on Monday. “TK is a destination district. Teachers want to be here,” McCarthy said. “It’s a great community. The teaching staff is like a family.” The district has a new principal in Megan Wonders, who takes over at Lee Elementary School for Angie Jefferson, who had been Lee’s principal the past 11 years. Wonders is a 15-year veteran of the TK district, having served as a literacy coach, teacher, and Title I coordinator for the elementary schools. Construction projects tied to the 2019 bond issue have been taking place over the sum­ mer, including roof replacement work at the middle school, Page Elementary and McFall Elementary. Mechanical work has been tak­ ing place at the high school, McCarthy said. A kickoff event for the next school year will take place Monday morning at the high school auditorium. Delton Kellogg prepares to open new elementary school One of the most highly anticipated mile­ stones for this year in the Delton Kellogg school district is the opening of the new­ ly-constructed elementary school. Superin­ tendent Dr. Herman Lartigue Jr. said he expects Oct. 2 to be the first day for elemen­ tary students to start in the new school build­ ing. Currently, they attend classes in the middle school. “We’re extremely excited. It holds a lot of promise for the town,” Lartigue said. “It’s fantastic, especially when you see it outside. It has a lot of facets from the old building worked into the new building. It looks like the old building but more modem.” For Lartigue, last year was his first year as superintendent, spending much of the year learning the needs of the district. With one year under his belt, he said that he and admin­ istrators will strive to focus a bit more on curriculum and instruction this year. One initiative Lartigue mentioned specifi­ cally was expanding career tech education (CTE) classes, and forming partnerships with local businesses for things like welding or millwright training. “We’re doing that progressively,” Lartigue said. Happy to report that there are no glaring staffing holes in the district, Lartigue also mentioned that the district will be launching its new website in about a week, making information more accessible to students and parents throughout the district. Hastings Banners staff members Jayson Bussa, Hunter McLaren and Greg Chandler contributed to this report Greg Chandler StaffWriter The timeframe for completing the renova­ tion of the Thomapple Kellogg High School pool has been pushed out to early next year. An unexpected development has resulted in the completion ofthe project being delayed tp/^p^ly in the second semester” next year. It had Originally been scheduled for completion in November or early December. XwheneVtf you open up an old building, yoji might find surprises,” Thomapple Kel­ logg Schools Superintendent Craig McCarthy to!4 school board members Monday, night. “We took the roof offthe pool and found that the southern wall is not structurally sound.. When it was constructed, you had the decorative brick on the outside, the decorative brick on the inside, and foam in between the two no cihder blocks, nothing. “t’rp* surprised that wall actually withstood the last 50 years there.” •I 1 After discussing the situation with district officials, project engineers determined that the wall will be taken down and rebuilt to make it structurally sound, McCarthy said. “With construction, anytime you open something up, you end up having to bring it up to code. We tried to find a solution that would be best for us ... to make sure it’s structurally sound, for the future, for the next 50 years. We want to take it down and then build it back up with cinder blocks,” he said. ■ The demolition and reconstruction of the ■southern wall is expected to add about $30,000 to $40,000 to the final project cost, which is estimated at more than $3.4 million. Those funds will come out of a contingency line item from the 2019 bond issue, Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie said. The pool was closed in March 2020, short­ ly before the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread, because ofmechanical issues. WOW! What a party. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate 90 years! Each and every visitor is special. Thank you Cindy. fr Best Regards, Ron - Don Avery _ ____ wvvvwnvnfrfvffwvfvfffi Back to School Items\ Book Bags, Totes Pencil Case 1 • Cotton for comfy gifts • Wide 108" cotton backs • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station 4 7^44^ (je4 eeunt'uf! QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; SJ* SJ Saturday 9 am-3 pm < J �4 _ Thursday. August 17, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC The death of common sense PLOP! No year at the Delton Founders Festival would be complete without the Cow Plop event. For this yearly event, organizers sec­ tion off the soccer field into boxes and let a cow loose. Festival attendees purchase tick­ ets, which put them in the running for prizes. The cow ultimately gets to decide the win­ ner by ... doing its business ... in one of the lucky boxes on the field. For a full recap of all the smelly action of the Cow Plop and additional coverage of this year's Delton Founders Festival, check out this weekend's issue of The Reminder. Do you remember? i Banner June 25,1998 The ribbon cutting for the official grand opening at the new City Hall took place Wednesday morning during the start of Mayor Exchange Day in Hastings. Shown in the front row are (from left) Mayor Frank Campbell, Ionia Mayor Dan Balice and former Mayors Mary Lou Gray-Hart, Cedric Morey and Ping Beckwith. City staffand officials have moved into their new headquarters at the comer of State and Michigan, leaving the old City Hall at the comer of State and Broadway, which has been sold to the county. Have you met? Grand Rapids native Faith Kuzma is coining to the end ofa five-yearjourney in Barry County. She has spent the last five summers at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, where she’s been completing fieldwork as a Grand Val­ ley State University student working toward her master’s degree in biology. Now, her time at the institute has come to an end as she nears the completion ofher studies. “This was my last summer, I actually moved out on Friday,” Kuzma said. “I’m wrapping things up. I have to write my the­ sis this fall semester, but then that’ll be it. So it’s been kind ofbittersweet.” Kuzma said she’s been interested in biol­ ogy and conservation for as long as she can remember. “As a kid, I would watch National Geo­ graphic and read all the books,” Kuzma said. I just really liked learning about animals and the natural world and I wanted turn that interest into a career.” While completing her undergraduate biology studies at GVSU, Kuzma’s adviser brought up the opportunity at PCCI. She applied and was accepted, beginning her research on turtles at the institute. “I’m focusing on the Eastern Box Turtle population that they have at the institute,” she said. Eastern Box Turtles are a threatthreat­ ened species in the state of Michigan, and their numbers are declining pretty signifisignifi­ cantly. We re working on different conservation strategies to try to boost the number ofturtles that we have at the institute.” Kuzma said living at the institute has been a great experience. Aside from com­ pleting work in her field, it also provides an opportunity for her to connect with her peers and fellow researchers. It basically feels like adult summer Faith Kuzma camp,” she said. “There are researchers from a bunch ofuniversities in the area that all come and we live in the same house together, sometimes up to 16 to 20 ofus in one house. Everybody’s doing different research projects, and it’s really fim to help out with everybody else’s projects, and they come help you with yours.” Before participating in the research pro­ gram, Kuzma said she hadn’t spent a lot of time in Barry County. She said the experi­ ence opened her eyes to how much biolog­ ical value resides in the county. It’s also just a fim place to stay, she said. “I really do feel like it’s kind of a hidden gem of Southwest Michigan ifyou’re inter­ ested in anything biology-related,” she said. “It’s still rural enough that we have a lot of our threatened and endangered species that still exist there. But it’s not so far away from civilization that you can’t go for a day trip or something like that. I really enjoyed living out there every summer.” When she’s not doing research, she likes to spend time traveling and in the outdoors. “I’m a big national parks fan,” she said. “I’m trying to go to all'ofthe national parks in the United States. I’m about a third of the way done with that.” While she’s not sure what’s on the hori­ zon once she completes her thesis and fin­ ishes up her degree, Kuzma said she hopes to continue doing research in her field. “I would love to continue doing conser­ vation-based research with wildlife, so hopefully (I’ll end up doing) something along those lines,” Kuzma said. “We’ll see what happens.” For lending her research skills to Barry County and helping us better understand our half-shelled friends, Faith Kuzma is this week’s Bright Light. First job: Face painter at John Ball Zoo. I did that for three years and I loved it! Favorite TV program: Big Bang Theory. Something on my bucket list: I really want to get SCUBA certified! Favorite historic period: I would have to say the Victorian Era. It was a really exciting time for scientific exploration. Favorite national park: That’s a tough one. I would probably have to say Denali National Park in Alaska. That’s just a crazy place to be, overall. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason?. Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or emailnews@j-adgraphics. com. Today we mourn the passing ofan old friend by the name ofCommon Sense. No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helpingfolks getjobs done withoutfanfare andfoolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as know­ ing when to come in and out ofthe rain, the early bird gets the worm and life isn *t alwaysfair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financialpolicies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (adults are in charge, not kids), and adag­ es such as “it’s okay to come in second. A veteran ofthe Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and the Techno­ logical Revolution, Common Sense sur­ vived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and “new math. ” But his health declined when he became infected with the “if-it-only-helps-oneperson-it’s-worth-it” virus. In recent decades, his waning strength proved no matchfor the ravages of over­ bearingfederal regulation. He watched in pain as goodpeople became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero-tolerancepolicies, reports made of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassmentfor kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher firedfor reprimanding an unruly student. His health declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform theparent when thefemale student ispregnant or wants an abortion. Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became business­ es, criminals received better treatment than victims andfederaljudges stuck their noses in everythingfrom the Boy Scouts to professional sports.. ___ j Common Sense^ was preceded in death by his. parents, Truth and Trust; his wife^ Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because sofew realized he was gone. Author unknown I was reminded just how badly the world misses common sense when I came across his obituary in my files the other day and thought about how relevant the principles are for which he stood. Bringing compromise and bipartisanship to our lives could solve some ofour biggest and most vexing issues. Where’s the common sense, for instance, in allowing more than 8 million immi­ grants to enter the country with little or no knowledge ofwhere they came from, what skills they have and where they plan to live? Immigrants should have a sponsor who accepts them, who helps them settle in our country and prepares them to go to work. Filling our cities with hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have no plans for their future is nothing but chaos. Where’s the common sense in “Bidenomics?” The president maintains his program is working for Americans. His press secretary says that “people are feeling better about their personal finances.” Well, I don’t know of anyone who is feeling better about their finances. In a recent RealClearPolitics survey, only 24 percent ofvoters feel the country is on the right track while 66 percent say we are on the wrong track. Common sense tells us that gas, food, interest rates and energy costs are impacting everyday Americans’ lives. Credit card debt is now more than a trillion dollars because people just can’t make it when prices continue to rise. Where’s the common sense in defunding the police? That’s not working. Last week’s . news video ofa mob ofthieves swarming a Nordstrom store in Los Angeles and taking more than $100,000 worth of merchandise tells me that, without the proper amount of/ police protection, mobs take over. Under mob rule, no business is safe. Look at the 7/11 store in Stockton, Calif, that was vandalized twice in the same day and, on a third incursion, store employees tried to stop the robbery suspect with a stick. Unbelievably, prosecutors threatened to charge the employees rather than convict the robber. Where is the common sense? The “defund the police” movement has notjust resulted in smaller police budgets, it has also resulted in lower police morale, leading to a wave ofretirements and resig­ nations. Plus, fewer young men and women are thinking about law enforcement as a . career leaving communities unsafe because they don’t have enough officers on thejob.. Where’s the common sense in ignoring the mission oftwo prominent climate sei-;; entists taking on the Environmental Pro­ tection Agency’s new rules to cut CO2 emissions in electricity generation, argu- I ing in testimony that the regulations, “will * be disastrous for the country, for no scien­ tificallyjustifiable reason?” Citing extensive data to support their case, William Happer, professor emeritus in physics at Princeton University, and Richard Lindzen, professor emeritus ofatmospheric' science at Massachusetts Institute of Tech-. nology (MIT), argue that the claims used by , the EPA to justify the new regulations are, not based on scientific facts but rather polity . ical opinions and speculative models that ,< have consistently proven to be wrong. “The unscientific method of analysis,.;relying on consensus, peer review, govern- r j f ment opinion models that do not work, cher- i?{ ry-picking data and omitting voluminous ; contradictory data, is commonly employed in these studies and by the EPA,” the two stated. “All the models that predict cata- •, strophic global warming fail the key test of < the scientific method: they grossly over-pre- . diet the wanning versus actual data.” Common sense tells us that we should . bring scientific experts together to debate; and. assess the, problem,. peeping. it out of politjgspThafc .howeim is wjtersithcdeathJ of common sense hast occurred: with our.? political elites. They concentrate on power and influence rather than what’s best for the nation - and they’re stepping all over the next generation’s future. Young people have lost confidence in our elites. According to a recent Pew Report, 90 percent of young people feel it’s essentially American to be free to express themselves and their opinions. But they’ve, , learned that, when you speak out, you risk.. > being canceled by one side or the other, sq it becomes easier to remain frustrated rathr, er than take the risk. That’s not in the best;, interest ofour country. “Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed . and no republic can survive,” said former r president John F. Kennedy. We should be rooting for our country,questioning and challenging it, and want- } ing it to improve. Our nation is frustrated, concerned and mad. We’re looking for a little common u sense. Unfortunately, the gift common sense , i bequeathed us before he died has not been accepted. Or maybe we never saw it. ‘jjS* *’* iif iif 1 _ tai*' ““"•I * W SK. * The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewher POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 few w Mi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 17,2023 — Page 5 Thirsty craft beer connoisseurs gear up for Barry County BrewFest Jayson Bussa Editor JisSiSS Wi'L \<AKtwX twX I Barry County BrewFest will return to where it all began this weekend. | Now in its seventh year, the annual craft beer festival will take place in downtown Middleville, under the pavilion at Sesquicentennial Park at the comer of Main and Rail Rail-­ road streets. J Put on by the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance, BrewFest will run from noon to 5 p.m. J Middleville was the site of the inaugural BjewFest, but the event moves locations throughout Barry County each year, visiting Freeport, Delton, Nashville, Hastings and the Gun Lake area last year when it set up shop near Guriy Cone. “It should be really nice — we’ll be under the pavilion and the weather is supposed to be great,” said Kim Martin, who oversees the festival for the chamber. As with any annual event that organizers hope to build longevity around, Martin said that organizers are always focused on adding or tweaking something each year so that it does not get stale. At the same time, Brew­ Fest has steadily grown organically as more and more craft beer fans from in and around Barry County learn about it. “We try to enhance it every year; we try to do something different every year,” Martin ; Barry County BrewFest returns to downtown Middleville under the pavilion at Sesquicentennial Park, home of the inaugural BrewFest. (File photos) said. “This year, we will have 36 different vendors,,. both breweries and wineries. When it started, I believe we only had 16 or 17 ... every year y it has gotten bigger. We have 120 different tastes or samples for this year.” Once again, breweries of all sizes from across tthe state ofMichigan are participating and providing something for every taste bud from fruity Wapatooie from Upper Hand in Escanaba; All Day West Coast IPA from Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids; Sundanc­ er Summer Wheat from the Walldorffin Hast­ ings; Peanuts and Cracker Jack Porter from the Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids and many flavors and styles in between. Alternatives to beer include spirits from Gull Lake Distillery, Long Drink, Smirnoff Red, White & Blue, wines from St. Julian and others, Twisted Tea and drinks from Tandem Ciders among others. While products from breweries, wineries, meaderies and distilleries are always available at this annual event, Martin said that, for the first time, attendees are able to sample some moonshine thanks to Grandville-based Michi­ gan Moonshine, which will be in attendance. The company sells its product out of its home bar but also distributes products throughout the greater Grand Rapids area. Presale tickets are currently available for $30. Tickets are $40 on the day ofthe event. Admission includes a commemorative tasting This year, 36 different vendors will be on hand at Barry County BrewFest, offering a total of 120 products to sample. The seventh annual event continues to grow year by year. glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tast­ ing tickets will be available for purchase. As is the goal for any chamber-produced event, Martin is striving to notjust provide a fun event for locals but also draw in visitors from outside of Barry County, which Brew­ Fest consistently does. “It brings people in from other areas - it’s not just Barry County people that come to Barry County BrewFest,” Martin said. “What we’re hoping is that, when you come to visit, you go eat at Riverdog (Tavern) or Red’s Sports Bar and eat at the local restaurants. Or stop in at Left Field (Coffee Bar). That’s part of this community event. We want to bring people to local businesses.” BrewFest is held in a different Barry County location each year. Last year, it set up shop in the Gun Lake area, near Curly Cone. City discusses economic development and marketing strategy, housing remains big issue ^C^Ui 1 ■tetferiL^w! lh*'**J^ 2x?*H dbwlZl^ w *■•■■■« KEi^tiffl’sfcR tBrntfriap ^bttectftai Mran ar efa. Aaordag fc i mt Pei | l^jtpdilwnitUi'i i 'wnaiptobHwH css^Affien^tobefeeteBp® sn WwEdtacpMiBlkj^ dix’W5-®® fcBMWB«kp*« ^'■^■****'1 bsxsxsbe “ _L _ U3* fftaiititeniWsirtafcWi ^r^rtoaMn ««*■**■*■ ^r^rto »**•* Jen ^a,riftW Hunter McLaren StaffWriter I As the city looks at its future economic development and marketing strategies, hous­ ing will likely remain a key issue for some time. | Place & Main Advisors, LLC consultant Joe ’Borgstrom went over a 52-page report With city council members on Monday night detailing areas of opportunity and potential pitfalls for the city’s economic development and marketing strategies in coming years. | The report is part of the city’s efforts to become “Redevelopment Ready Certified” by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a status that would allow the city easier access to development funds and resources from MEDC. I As Borgstrom highlighted key takeaways from the report, he said a shortage ofhousing in Hastings remains its number one issue. । “That’s something that everyone we talked to here, the shortage ofhousing came up as an I issue. I ddft^W^'What^s^tdf JptFWPln, when it comes to economic development - if you don’t have housing for people, for poten­ tial workers, for potential new residents - it becomes an issue.” j While the city has made great strides in recent months with high-density projects like the Tyden Lofts workforce housing project being constructed downtown, he said it is crucial that the city continues to push for njore housing. Borgstrom encouraged city staff to scout potential development sites, both city-owned or privately-owned, and work toward bringing residential develop­ ments to those sites. | “We think housing is your number one issue here, from an economic development perspective,” Borgstrom said. “Industry has said that they need it, retailers have said that they need it, every group that we’ve talked to has talked about the need for more housing.” j Upper-floor housing in downtown busi­ nesses and affordable housing for “the miss­ ing middle” near the downtown corridor were two key areas the city should focus on, he said. In addition, the city should prioritize MB- Joe Borgbtronh principal at Placed & Main lAdvisorsSLLC, sppke with pity council m&nberi about th© © results of a 52-p^ge report detailing the cityf economic develop- ment opportunities. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) higher density developments, seeking to cre­ ate duplexes, triplexes, quad plexes or mixeduse developments over new single family homes. Outside of housing developments, Borgstrom encouraged the city to continue work­ ing on place enhancements like the upcoming streetscape project. Borgstrom said that proj­ ect, along with similar projects, would make the city more accessible and open up new opportunities on the wider sidewalks, like outdoor dining. Borgstrom said the city also had plenty of opportunities to better leverage its existing assets. He pointed toward hiring a professional photographer to create marketing assets show­ casing what Hastings has to offer, creating business training opportunities for local entre­ preneurs, and using Michigan.org to market the city’s trails and parks to potential tourists. Turning Hastings into a hub for Barry County visitors could support a second hotel in the city, which Borgstrom said could bring “...before anybody becomes a resident of your community, they're usually a visitor first.” — Joe Borgstrom, economic development consultant more residents and more developments into the community. “One of the things that we always tell folks is before anybody becomes a resident of your community, they’re usually a visitor first,” he said. Yankee Springs Township board pulls trail funding Greg Chandler StaffWriter I In 2015, the Yankee Springs Township Board voted to set aside $100,000 in its annu­ al budget toward the development ofa trail in the township. ; Eight years later, the township hasn’t spent a-dime on the idea. Last week Thursday, on a 3-2 vote, the Township Board voted to pull the $100,000 assigned to trail development from the 2023­ 24 township budget. Clerk Mike Cunninghum, Treasurer Deb Mousseau and Trustee Dave VanHouten voted to remove the fund­ ing, while Supervisor Rob Heethuis and Trustee Larry Knowles opposed the idea. “It did not begin to cover the cost of the project at that time, and there was no approved project,” Cunningham said. “Itjust got on the budget and stayed there.” ■-Cunningham found evidence in the board irjinutes from two different meetings in 2015 that there was some interest in having a proj­ ect be brought to voters to see if there was interest. He said removing the funding would “wipe the slate clean” and make the budget more accurate. ' “I think we should wait to assign these dol­ lars until there’s actually a project on the table, kind of like when we assigned money for the Township Hall. We assigned that when we had a project approved,” Cunningham said. । Heethuis pushed back, saying there have been discussions on trail projects dating back td 2015 involving the Township Parks Comnjittee. The supervisor pointed out that while there are certainly other trails in the township, there isn’t one that’s handicap-accessible. “By gosh, you can see an eagle, a blue heron — they’re going through the woods, man. You can see deer and turkeys and squirrels. That’s an adventure. I don’t want to see this lost.” — Rob Heethuis, Supervisor, Yankee Springs Township “Not one ofthose trails that we have in the game area or in the (recreation) area helps a handicapped person at all,” Heethuis said. “There are trails that are great for snowshoe­ ing and skiing andjogging and bicycling, but not one person that’s handicapped can use those trails.” “Can you imagine somebody, instead of walking around in a circle, they’re going through the wetlands? By gosh, you can see an eagle, a blue heron - they’re going through the woods, man. You can see deer and turkeys and squirrels. That’s an adventure. I don’t want to see this lost,” Heethuis added, his voice rising as he spoke. Parks Committee Chairwoman Sandy Marcukaitis said after the vote that there have been two studies down on the trails. She also said there was a request to create a separate trail fund. “We asked a long time ago as a committee to take that $ 100,000 and put it in its own fund so it would draw interest,” Marcukaitis said. In 2021, the Parks Committee commis­ sioned the engineering firm Prein & Newhof to put together construction estimates for two pathway options - a 10-foot-wide pathway on M-179 from Patterson Road to Briggs Road and the DNR easement from M-179 to the Yankee Springs. State Recreation Area and an 8-foot-wide pathway following that same configuration. It would have included boardwalks, according to township docu­ ments. But without a specific plan that would be presented to the board or a determined fund­ ing mechanism, Cunningham did not waver from his position. “We don’t have guarantees of any of this stuff. There’s a lot of difficulty involved in going across private land (to obtain ease­ ments for a trail). We don’t have that stuff. We just have comments that it’s going to happen. I’m not willing to vote on anything based on a dollar amount that is not accurate and promises that are just talk so far. I would like to see somebody put a solid (plan) together and find out how easy or difficult it is and give us something to talk about,” Cun­ ningham said. Cherry Health’s Barry County Community Health Center, located at 200 S Boltwood St in Hastings. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Cherry Health honored during National Health Center Week Jayson Bussa Editor While Cherry Health’s Barry County Com­ munity Health Center has been open for busi­ ness for a decade now, it still has a ways to go in gaining exposure amongst residents. “I was surprised when (our office manager) went to a chamber ofcommerce meeting and a lot ofmembers didn’t know what we do,” said Julee Geib, who serves as Director of Practice Operations for the Grand Rapids-headquartered Federally Qualified Health Center. Sitting in the shadows of Spectrum Health Pennock, Cherry Health, which opened in February of 2013, provides health sendees that are based on a patient’s ability to pay. The Barry County Community Health Center serves as a primary care facility, where patients can go from birth to death. It also employs a dentist and dental hygienist as well as a behavioral health professional. Access to care is the focus for Cherry Health, which works with 55,000 patients over all of its locations and around 1,200 medical patients in Barry County alone. Last week, in celebration of National Health Center Week, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss issued a proclamation honor­ ing Cherry Health for its vital role in “shap­ ing the future of local health care.” National Health Center Week is dedicated to raising awareness of the mission and accomplish­ ments of community health centers around the United States. The little bit of added exposure for Cherry Health was appreciated by Geib and her staff, who continue to serve as ambassadors for their services in Barry County and throughout other pockets ofWest Michigan. Geib said that Barry County’s location is managed by Sandy Dargatz, and due to its rural nature, patients face a unique set of hurdles. “We do know that there is a great need for our residents in Barry County and I think one of the biggest barriers we’ve been encountering is transportation because it is such a rural area and it really is a barrier for our patients to get in and get care,” Geib said. “Those that don’t access to care are finding it hard to get it.” Geib said that some potential solutions would include utilizing Barry County Transit, which helps to get residents around the coun­ ty while some insurance providers will foot the bill for medical transportation. Geib said Cherry Health also tries to leverage existing patients to potentially lend a hand. “There is a limit to how much we can help because of limited services,” she added. The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic is another hurdle as Cherry Health’s Barry County clinic lost patients and the organiza­ tion is working to reengage and try to bring them back. As Cherry Health’s team looks to solve these area-specific needs, it continues to grow. “We’ll be adding a new provider in Barry County in the next couple of months, so we have more capacity to take on more patients,” Geib said. HELP WANTED RN Nurse Care Manager Middleville Family Practice Chris Noah, MD • 24-hour week flex time, hybrid/home-office • Previous care management and/or CCM preferred • EMR experience, MS Office Word & Excel preferred • Occasional backup for clinical patient check-in nurse Please email resume to chriszoet@cvfp.us �Page 6 — Thursday, August 17, 2023 — The Hastings Banner tyt'pJ' M’ t y/t Richard Carl Nelson Eddis Mae Szudzik coworker friends. Eddis made many friends at Pennock. Most say she kept her unit run­ ning smoothly. They remembered never to touch her phone and not to take her chair. Eddis’ friends and family recall several tasty meals she made. Some of her most requested mealss were pan burritos, cheesy potato soup, hamburger/vegetable soup, beef Stroganoff, chili, and Swiss steak dinner. Her moto was. “Ifyou leave here hungry, it’s your own fault!”. Eddis enjoyed gardening her flowers and tomato plants. They were always tall and bountiful. Eddis loved her cats, most recently she had three named Milton and Gracie, she adopted them from the animal shelter, and a special kitty showed up at her house, in which she lovingly named, Little Lady. Eddis* favorite name/role besides “mom” was being called “mema”. The love she had for her seven grandchil­ dren and three great-grandchildren was Eddis Mae Szudzik (Hayes), age 73, passed away peacefully on August 14,2023, in Hast­ immeasurable. She adored supporting her grandchildren at their activities, such as ings, MI. Eddis was bom to Albert E. Hayes Jr. and sports, plays, band, and music. At times these included overnight travel. She would make it Edna M. (Studdard) Hayes on June 20, 1950, in Hastings. She was a 1969 graduate of a “vacation”. Eddis was always willing to eat at favorite Hastings High school. On May 11, 1968, Eddis married Wayne restaurants, have family birthday dinners at K. Hendrick, before he was drafted into the home, and shopping at Goodwill, K-Mart, US Army and sent to Vietnam later that Target, and Dollar General. Weekend trips to year. Following his return home in July Birch Run outlet mall and Frankenmuth, usu­ ally included a huge meal at Tony’s 1-75 1969, they began growing their family. Wayne and Eddis were raising three chil­ restaurant. Eddis enjoyed traveling by car around dren together until Wayne’s death on Febru­ Michigan with Tom. They would stop at casi­ ary 23, 1989. In 2002, Eddis met Thomas C. Szudzik, and they were married on Sep­ nos and Eddis would play quarter slot tember 25, 2004. Thomas passed away on machines. When she was bored, or ran out of money, she would find a good place to sit and October 23, 2020. Eddis started working at Hastings Medi­ “people watch” or scroll through Facebook. Once Tom was finished playing poker, they’d cal Facility (Thomapple Manor) in the early move onto the next casino. Other places 1970s as a nurse aid. She worked there until gaining employment at Pennock Hospital in Eddis vacationed were Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and 1979. Eddis worked as a nurse aid, and she many of the states out west. She and Tom cross trained to be a unit secretary. She was respected greatly by her coworkers, includ­ even drove out to Las Vegas, NV. She loved ing the nurses, doctors, and others in many vacationing in Florida and made several trips departments. Eddis made many lifelong with her family over the years. Spring of friends while working there. She concluded 2022, she was able to vacation to Florida in her employment at Pennock in September the Orlando area one last time with most of •2014Jrtgin vebeiuriT Iasi bieoFF ■ ' •inwoi her family. J During Eddis’ time working at Pennock, -i'ji JEddis was proceeded in death by Timothy she attended many bus/car trips to Chicago, Wayne, her infant son; Wayne K. Hendrick, Detroit, Shipshewana, and Windsor Canada husband; Thomas C. Szudzik, husband; par­ for shopping, and entertainment with her ents ,Albert and Edna Hayes; Patricia Hayes Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc© gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreernethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390, Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Jeff Hanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pan. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: i FlettHh Fii»r»im 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 WWGS immav 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 and Evelyn Hayes, sisters-in-law; James Hayes and Eugene Hayes, brothers; Sharon DeMond, sister. Eddis is survived by her children, Shelley (Casey) Wolfe; Joseph (Toni) Hendrick; Laura (James) Pickett, all from Hastings; grandchildren, Sara Hendrick; Steven Wolfe (Brandie Batten); Taylor Pickett; Madison McMasters; Makayla Pickett; Ryan and Kara Hendrick; great grandchildren, Natilee Rose; Malea and Malayna Johnson. Also surviving brother, Arthur (Jane) Hayes, Shelia Hayes, sister-in-law, and Roderick DeMond, brother­ in-law. Along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Eddis’ Celebration ofLife will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at 7 p.m. with a vis­ itation one hour prior at 6 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, ML Her final wish is to be buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery next to her first husband and infant son. Memorial donations may be made to Cys­ tic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org/donate or Dementia Society of American, www. dementiasociety.org/donate or diabetes.org/ ways-to-give, or Autism Alliance of Barry County, 433 W. Green St, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Richard Carl Nelson, age 85, ofHastings, MI entered the gates ofHeaven on August 13, 2023, surrounded by his family. Spending time with his family was one of his greatest joys, which included regular vis­ its with his brother. His lifetime hobbies included hunting, golfing, gardening, watching/feeding the birds and he was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. Richard was bom to Lial and Isabel Nel­ son on July 15, 1938, in Lowell, ML Rich- Hake (Media Elaine Garlock The Tri River Museum annual event took place' oil' 'Tuesday Ht I the iCutreach^hurdh north of Lake Odessa near the 1-96 freeway. There were about 90 in attendance. This event featured a catered noon meal served by Swede’s Restaurant of Mulliken, a speaker, door prizes, a cash drawing and many guests. Vice chairman Judy Gager ofGreenville pre­ sided. The delightful speaker was Dr. Gary Hauck whose topic was “Let’s Eat: Celebrat­ ing the History ofFood.” This was a fast-mov- ing subject as presented by the entertaining speaker. We learned much about the develop­ ment ofour diets.'Each society in attendance provided a door prize item. They ranged from flowers to jars ofpickles to books. A second drawing for which members bought tickets brought prizes of cash and centerpieces from the tables. The Habitat house on Fourth Avenue near Lincoln St. is rapidly changing day by day. It is similar in style to the earlier Habitat house built two blocks further north on the same ard married his wife Darlene on April 30, 1965. Richard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Darlene; his children, Khris Kenyoh, Dale (Ruby) Kenyon, Patricia (Wade) Dakin, Pamela Nelson and Paige (Scott) Herrington. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kati (Mike) Mitchell, Zakary (Magan) Ken­ yon, Ronald Allerding, Kelsi (Adam) Johns, Alexis Dakin (Braden), Maicee (Brandon) VanSkyock, Lezlie (Josh) Ehredt, Samuel (Alayna) Dakin, Matthew Allerding and Cayden Herrington. In addition to his grand­ children, he is survived by 13 great grand­ children who brought great joy to his life. Additionally, he is survived by his brother and best friend, Robert Nelson along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lial and Isabel; infant son, Tommy; his sister, Gwen Provost, and his infant granddaughters, Jalae Dakin and Kendra Nelson. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 at Thor­ napple Valley Church, Hastings Campus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospital Hospitality House Henson Ave­ nue, 1800 Henson Ave, Kalamazoo ML 49048 or online at www.HHHKZ.org. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrrbachfuneralhome.net. farm-to-market street. The Red Cross Bloodmobile was at the Fellowship Hall of Central UM Church on Monday. Donors no longer get a meal but there are ample liquids and some food to replenish the donors. The next time for dona­ tions will be in October. The Monday rain measured more than two inches. It fell steadily and sometimes with gusto. Low spots on lawns filled rapidly and puddles soon became pools. Even a few damp spots appeared on basement floors. Rain barrels were refilled and containers no longer needed attention. Robert and Lynda Warner were gone last week! to attends Michigan iHddlets’ gathering. Bob is the Michigan president of this group. They were home in time for the Sunday con­ cert and sharing jam on Sunday afternoon. Tomatoes are ripe. There are many variet­ ies on the market. Home gardens are produc­ ing plentifully. There is a large variety avail­ able. Meaty orjuicy, dark red to purple, as big as a baseball or as small as a pingpong ball. You get your choice. Michigan gas rises 15 cents to $3.91 a gallon, new high for the year Janelie D. James Bridge Michigan Michigan’s gas prices have surpassed the record set for highest prices all year in just one week, rising to an average of $3.91 per gallon for regular gas from $3.76 last week. Average prices per gallon have risen 37 cents in the last month, according to AAA. The state’s average is higher than the national average, $3.82 per gallon for regu­ lar. Michigan motorists are paying an aver­ age of $58.65 to fill 15-gal Ion tanks. National demand for gas jumped from 8.84 million to 9.30 million barrels per day last week, while supply for domestic gaso­ line decreased from 219.1 million to 216.4 million barrels, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. High­ er demand, amid tighter supply, keeps prices high. “Gas prices across Michigan continue to rise, reaching another milestone for high prices this year,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson for AAA Michigan. “If gas demand remains high, alongside increasing oil prices, drivers should brace for increases in pump prices.” The Associated Press reported this month that Saudi Arabia will continue to cut oil production to 1 million barrels each day until September, which may be a contribut­ ing factor to high gas prices in the United States. Severe weather including heavy storms and hurricanes could limit the capacity of domestic oil refineries. The ongoing heat­ wave in the GulfCoast region hasn’t helped because oil refineries have had to slow down production. According to AAA, here’s the average cost ofa gallon of gas across Michigan: - Metro Detroit: $3.87 - Ann Arbor: $3.93 - Benton Harbor: $3.93 - Traverse City: $3.94 - Flint: $3.95 per gallon - Saginaw/Bay City/Midland: $3.95 - Lansing/East Lansing: $3.96 - Grand Rapids/Muskegon/Holland: $3.97 -Jackson: $3.97 - Marquette $3.97 Recognizing the needs of people on the autism spectrum and their families Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Social Security is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligi­ ble for their benefits receive them. They provide income security for the diverse pop­ ulations they serve. This includes people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. RBACH FUNERAL. HOME Many parents and caretakers of children with disabilities lose work hours and income because of their children’s care needs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly financial support to low-income families with children who have developmental and behavioral disabilities. These include ASD - and physical impairments. For more information on SSI, visit ssa.gov/ssi. Tel. (269)945-3252 Fax (269)-945-0663 328 S. Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrbach Providing Exceptional Service with Compassion and Care People with ASD may have questions about how ASD affects their employment options. They may also see their ASD as a barrier to employment. Employers have start­ ed to recognize that many people with ASD can bring a variety of skills and strengths to the workplace; Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security and want to work. The Ticket Program helps get vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals and other employment support services. More information on this program can be found at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-0510061.pdf. Social Security says they recognize the need to support, understand, accept, include and empower those on the autism spectrum. Hillary Hatch is the PublicAffairs Specialistfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp Grand Rapids, Ml 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. $5$ 5$ gwytfexfp< gy $4$ &fes e fe£ tote Ad a „g,r s ^gfiTSll’l® aM,k<^*rf^^agjrTt ttriv*** issjfiiki®^ iri«** ttriv «■»Bj B»j ff* 11 1•1 tfatMMM HVOLVimaB «!■ «!!■■•«*• ■tfllUKte XllBiMBl'W ftlMMMi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 17, 2023 — Page 7 Biography of Calvin Hill founder off Middleville - Part 1 ax x TO® * "Ik fl vwJ* ML teg ■Matt s — ® » 25v.SSii®jHBfe3 I<B86Rlfd|{n|iQ fcMBiM.taiat ririfrajgftfaig M K HL snf Bui ® it SB gas rises 15 cents to Banner July 23, 1914 Editor’s note: Thefollowing wasprepared for the Barry County Pioneer Society by C.R. Watson, ofIrving. The time of this sketch dates back to the year 1834. Then Calvin G. Hill, a York state man looking for a suitable location in the west for colonization purposes and the founding ofa home for his family, purchased 400 acres ofland lying on both banks ofthe Thomapple River. The land all lay within what is now the present village limits ofMid­ dleville. In speaking ofestablishing a colony in the new country, that was a theme that lay very close to the hearts of all settlers off an enterprising nature in those days. They want­ ed to see their location built up and the center of a thriving, growing settlement. So it was with Calvin Hill when he chose the site for his settlement. Not alone did he figure upon the excellent location that this spot offered for agricultural development and the rich lands for grazing purposes, but we may assume that he was also most favorably impressed with the excellent facilities offered by the river for water power so essential in Charlotte and Calvin Hill, founders of Middleville. pioneer settlements. At this late day, it is safe to place a high the banks of the river bearing that euphonious this building was used as a schoolhouse and estimate upon the far-sightedness of “Squire name and thus, the settlement was designated a place for religious worship at different Hill,” as he was familiarly called during the such until the year 1843 when the post office times. The ground upon which the present time that the Thomapple settlement was mak­ was moved from “Gates Comers” as it is now fine school building at Middleville is locat­ ing slow growth due in large measure to the ed was donated by Calvin G. Hill for school called, three miles south of Middleville, to rugged enterprise ofthe early founder ofthis the settlement called “Thomapple.” The purposes, and a brick schoolhouse was settlement. His contemporaneous associates name of the post office was left “Middleville” erected, which was something pretentious in deserve more than passing mention. on the post office records at Washington, so those days, and in 1871, it was replaced by The first settlement made in the village of Thomapple then came to be known as “Mid­ the present building. what is now Middleville was a log house In the frame building before mentioned dleville,” this name coming originally from built up on the hill on the west side oftown the Indian village over on Scales Prairie and on the east side ofthe road on what is now and about upon the spot now occupied by the estimated to be halfway between the settle­ Arlington St., religious services were con­ residence of Dr. Birge C. Swift. This was ment of Kent, now Grand Rapids, and Bron­ ducted by a Rev. Waldo, who also taught built in the year 1835. Soon after this was son on the Kalamazoo River. school during the week. The families for completed, Calvin G. Hill brought out his When the post office was removed from miles around came here to attend religious family, which consisted ofhis wife and two Gates Comers to the Calvin G. Hill settle­ services, and Mrs. Jennie Lee, at that time sons and three daughters, who were soon at ment, Squire Hill became postmaster, which Miss Jennie Dennis, recalls that she used to home amid the wild but natural scenic beau­ added another care to the life of his busy accompany her parents, with her brothers, ties ofthe place. His brother, Elias Hill, and man. The incumbents of the office, while John and Jacob Dennis, to attend services at his family also came to this place with then! located three miles south of Middleville, the frame schoolhouse above mentioned. and located here. Elias Hill located west of were B.S. Dibble and John Bradley in the The chorister was a Mr. Mead, an elderly this brother, Calvin Hill, taking up land order named. man with some smattering of knowledge located now one mile west of Middleville When, in April 1838, the first township about the notes ofthe musical scale, and he and lying on the south side of the road election was held at the house ofB.S. Dib­ used to get the proper “pitch” by the use of ble, the township of Thomapple then includ­ a tuning fork which he would strike upon some land as good as any to be found in the county - owning lands now taken in by the ed the lands now comprised ofThomapple, the seat by his side and raise the fork to his Van-Every and Finkbeiner farms, west of Irving, Yankee' Springs and Rutland. We ears and after making a few do, re, me, fas, Middleville. find the subject of this sketch, Calvin G. he would strike offwith the song. The choir, Another pioneer who came to the ThomapHill, was elected supervisor and commis­ which consisted of his daughter, Miss Mary ple settlement in 1835' in .the. fall was Henry sioner of-highways, as well as one of the Mead, and her sister^ Mrs. Charles; Paul, and Leonard; whd’settled - upon ildndnpurchased inspectors iprimaryi Schools. The irfiust ifiheuMisdesoDella and ^Harriett)'HiIfrdaugh­ from Calvin G. Hill and located north ofMr. meeting ofthe Inspectors was held in April ters of Squire Hill, would then join in, Hill’s habitation. Henry Leonard was the 1838, with Calvin G. Hill as chairman, and assisted by the rest of the' congregation, father of the late Orrin Leonard and was a the township was laid out into five school who usually put lots of life into the music. man who left a lasting record upon the com­ districts, the present township of ThomapAbout everybody went to church in those munity in which he settled. He was the first ple constituting District No. 1. This was days - all turning out to religious services coroner in the county, and it was through his subdivided the next year into four districts, as there was not such'a great diversity of instrumentality that his brother, Philip Leon­ but these were soon after reunited into one. attractions to divert people’s attention away ard, came to the Thomapple settlement in the The first school was a log hut built on the from divine services as exist today. year 1836. west side ofthe riverjust north ofthe Leon­ Miss Jennie Dennis, now Mrs. Jennie Lee, Calvin G. Hill was impressed with the ard Hotel. In the year 1840, this was replaced taught the school out on Scales Prairie during facilities for the building of a sawmill over by a frame building erected about one-half the years 1852-55, holding the position at the near Duncan Lake, and we find him engaged mile north ofthe comers where West Main salary of $1.25 per week, which was consid­ With Ebenezer Duncan, the pioneer settler Street intersects Arlington Ave. This school­ ered good pay in those days. An early record close by the lake that bears his name - and a house was located in some oak grubs, and of Thomapple Township shows that in Dis­ man named Bainbridge Gage - all ofwhom one ofthe pupils who went there to school trict No. 1 in the year of 1843, there were set to work building the proposed sawmill so in the forties was Oscar M. White of Mid­ employed J.H. Hare and Jane Hill as teachers. necessary to the development ofthe pioneers’ dleville. The Indian children, or some of That Hare received $43 for teaching the three lives. This mill was not used for any great them, came to this school from the encamp­ Rs for three months and that Jane Hill length oftime and soon came into disuse and ment on Sec. 1 in Thomapple Township. Mr. received the munificent salary of$16 for four went out ofcommission. It is remembered as White remembers that Kelsey, the son of months’ labor as a schoolmistress, or 25 cents being the first sawmill in the township. Chippewa, was a schoolmate of his at this less per week than Miss Jennie Dennis Prior to the year of 1843, this settlement time. A part of this old frame building is received over on Scales.Prairie, a few years was called Thomapple. It was early suggest­ now a part ofa bam or shed standing on the subsequent to this time. ed that the settlement should be called “Thor­ place ofthe late William Dickens Sr. From Part 2 ofthe “Biography ofCalvin Hill, napple” on account ofthe prolific growth of 1840 until the time that the schoolhouse was Founder of Middleville" will be in next the thomapple scrubs found growing along built on the east side of the river in 1854, week’s issue ofthe Banner. - te L' yjiD yjiDS** v * grf***^ ***^ *^*' fiisk Doctor Universe A hairy situation How does hair grow? Aidric, 9, Ohio 0 I# Dear Aidric, My whole body is covered in thick, glossy cat fur. Humans look mostly furless. But people grow hair on every part oftheir bodies except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Most human hair is just super fine and hard to see. That’s what my friend Edward Johnson told me. He teaches classes about the human body in the School ofBiological Sciences at Washington State University. He also told me hair grows from follicles. Those are special organs in the top layer of the skin. Everything you need to grow hair is inside the follicle. “In the epidermis, which is the outer­ most layer of the skin, the cells dip inward,” Johnson said. “At the bottom, they form the hair bulb. That’s part ofthe hair follicle. There are cells there that mul­ tiply. They grow upward from the follicle, and as they grow up, the hair gets longer and longer.” Each hair has a root. That’s the part of a hair that’s inside the follicle. The hair bulb is at the bottom ofthe hair root. It’s connected to nerves and blood vessels under the skin. The blood brings nutrients to the cells in the hair bulb. Those cells begin to multiply. The new cells clump together and get stiffer. They push the hair up. That makes the hair outside the skin longer. A head hair grows about one centimeter-or a little less than halfan inch-every month. But hairs fall out, too. Humans shed between 50 and 100 hairs every single day. You probably see them in your hair brush. Or in a big slimy clump in the bath tub drain. That happens because hair has a resting phase. At a time set by your genes, a han­ separates from the nerve and blood vessel at the bottom of the follicle. Without any nutrients, the cells stop multiplying. The skin slowly pushes the rest of the hair out of the follicle until it sheds. I Eventually the growing phase starts again. The cells get nutrients and begin to multiply. Soon, a brand-new hair starts growing in the follicle. Head hair has a longer growing phase than other kinds of hair. The hair on your head can get very long. The growing phase is much shorter for other kinds of hair. That’s why your eyelashes and nose hairs don’t grow as long as your head hair. Johnson told me that hair color happens inside the follicle, too. That’s because of a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the follicle inject two kinds ofmelanin into new hair cells. Eumelanin makes brown to black shades. Pheomelanin makes yellow to red shades. The amount and type of melanin determines the color ofyour hair. There’s sure a lot going inside that tiny organ in your skin. You could say it’s pretty folli-cool. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State Universitys resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. fl look back at the stories A1.84/+/3^D In the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Road end can be used for public access to Gun Lake, township says Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township says an access road to Gun Lake can be used by any member of the public and that adjacent lot owners do not have private deeded access to the lake. Following a review of the original plat for West Gun Lake Resort, which dates back more than 100 years, as well as past letters from the township and Barry Coun­ ty Road Commission officials and recent legal opinions, the township concluded that the public can use the 50-foot-wide ease­ ment extending east from the end of Rus­ sell Street to enter or exit from Gun Lake. That strip was included in the original 1909 plat map, Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea said last week Thursday night. “This is public access. Nobody has the right to exclude anybody,” Shea said. “It is not in any way a private access for anyone Yankee Springs Township Zoning in the neighborhood to exclude anyone Administrator Joe Shea addresses the else.” * • ..in isd Township Board last Thursday night. 'fflO'Shea sent arletterffc^about 50-601 proper­ f snniRj ty owners in the West Gun Lake Resort right to that being a public access. They area and nearby parcels on July 28 in just quit throwing tax dollars ... to main­ response to complaints over access to Gun tain it,” Heethuis said. Lake from the end ofRussell Street, east of On Thursday, the board voted unani­ Cork Street. mously to purchase and install a sign on the “There’s been disputes over the years, site detailing rules for the use of the lake over the decades really, in the neighbor­ access. It will cite an existing township hood over who owns it and who has a right ordinance regulating public easements to to use it and to what degree and what ways any lake in the township. it can be used,” Shea told the Township The ordinance limits public access to Board. the lake to the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Barry County Road Commission records daily. No loitering is allowed, no parking showed that the streets in the West Gun of vehicles or trailers is permitted in the access area, and no alcohol, marijuana or Lake Resort plat were dedicated to the public in 1909 and were certified as county other controlled substances are allowed. roads from 1951 to 1966. However, after No dock, raft or similar equipment is allowed to be placed in the lake within the 1967, none of the streets in the plat were certified as county roads, according to a boundaries of the public access, and no September 2005 letter from the road com­ watercraft can be moored at the end ofthe access area, according to the township mission to the Township Board. “I did not fmd any record of abandon­ ordinance language. “It puts in plain language, and in a short­ ment; therefore, the Barry County Road er version, the requirements of our ordi­ Commission would ‘claim’ that the public still has (right-of-way) in the plat of West nance that governs the use ofpublic ease­ Gun Lake Resort,” then-road commission ments,” Shea said. Users are required to pick up their own assistant engineer Heather Smith wrote in trash and are asked to respect the private the 2005 letter. property rights of adjacent landowners, Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis spoke with Road Commission Assistant according to the ordinance language. Anyone wishing to report a complaint Managing Director Jake Welch, a Yankee can call the township at (269) 795-9091 or Springs resident, about the 2005 letter and report it through the township website, said Welch stood by that letter’s findings. “They never abandoned or vacated their yankeespringstwp.org. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Aug. 17-23 Aug. 1-31 - August Storywalk Book: “Berry Song” by Michaela Goade. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Tuesday, Aug. 19 - No Family Left Indoors: Youth Day, 10 a.m.-l p.m. Partic­ ipants will join the Barry County Conser- vation District at Charlton Park in Hastings for an afternoon ofoutdoor fun with many different hands-on outdoor activities. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 17 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1941 Oscar-nominated film starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall and Teresa Wright, 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 - Warhammer and Dun­ geons & Dragons role-playing games, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Final day ofReading Beyond the Beaten Path Summer Reading Event. Monday, Aug. 21 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; acousticjam session, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, August 17, 2023 — The Hastings Banner utlandcharter vJShi BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS QF MASTERPLAN^ZONINGQRDINANCE AND ZONING MAP AT SEPTEMBER 8- 2073 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY. TO: MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on September 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland. Barry County. Michigan. The purpose of this public hearing is to consider the following matters: 1. On application of Rutland Charter Township, the proposed amendment of the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan text so as to designate the zoning district(s) compatible with each future land use designation In the chart on page 80 of the "Zoning Plan" component of the Master Plan. This proposed amendment is intended to correct the current content of that chart which Inadvertently refers to former zoning districts that no longer exist In the current Zoning Ordinanoe/Zoning Map. 2. On application of Rutland Charter Township, the Future Land Use Map of the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan (Map 11 on page 71) is proposed to be amended to change the future land use designation of parcel no. 13-002-001-20 from "Instltutlonal/Publlc' to "Parks/Recreation/Camps". This parcel is being acquired by the Barry County YMCA for a proposed expansion of the existing camp on the adjacent property. This proposed amendmentt of the Future Land Use Map is coordinated with the proposed rezoning of the above-specified parcel to the PRC Parks/Recreation Camps District consistent with the zoning of the adjacent existing camp property. See Item 5 of this Notice. 3. 4. On application of Rutland Charter Township, the Future Land Use Map of the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan (Map 11 on page 71) is proposed to be amended to change the future land use designation of the Boys & Giris Club of Kalamazoo property In land sections 28 and 29 from Institutional/Public to Parks/Recreation/Camps (parcel numbers 08-13-028-008-00. 08-13-028-009-00, 08-13-029-006-00, 08-13-029-007-00). This proposed Future Land Use Map amendment is coordinated with the proposed rezonlng of the above-specified parcels to the compatible PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District. See item 6 of this Notice. On application of Rutland Charter Township, Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code (Zoning Ordinance) is proposed to be amended to add text provisions for a new "l/PU Institutional/Public Use District zoning classification, corresponding with and to implement the “Institutional/Public" future land use designation in the Master Plan text and on the Future Land Use Map (Map 11) of the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan. These proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments include. A. A new Article XIV stating for the proposed new ‘l/PU Institutional/Public Use District the purpose of the district, the designated permitted uses and special exception uses for the district, and references to other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance for the density, area, height, bulk and placement regulations for this District, and relating to site plan review for certain uses in this District. B. § 220-15-1 of the Code (Article XV, Schedule of Regulations) is proposed to be amended to add at the end of the existing Schedule a new line specifying the regulations for the proposed new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District. C. § 220-18-6 of the Code pertaining to permitted signs in the AG/OS, CR, MDR, HDR, and PRC districts, is proposed to be amended to also apply that section to signs in the proposed new l/PU Institutional/ Public Use District, as applicable to the uses allowed therein. D. The existing Table of Contents for Chapter 220 of the Code is proposed to be amended to include there­ in new content corresponding with the preceding items pertaining to the proposed new l/PU Institutional/ Public Use District, as applicable. See Items 1-4 of Tentative Text document. 5. On application of the Barry County YMCA, the Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is proposed to be amended so as to rezone parcel no. 13-002-001-20 from the CR Country Residential District to the PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District. 6. On application of Rutland Charter Township, the Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chap­ ter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is proposed to be amended so as to rezone the fol­ lowing Boys & Girls Club of Kalamazoo property from the AG/OS Agricultural/Open Space Preservation District to the PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District, consistent with the planning designation for these parcels in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan (as proposed above to be amended): Parcel no. no 08-13-028-008-00 08 Parcel no. 08-13-028-009-00 The Hastings band performed a preview of its show for the upcoming year, titled “Select Start.” The show features selections from several retro video game soundtracks, (photo by Hunter McLaren) Collaboration between industry partners and Hastings students remains important, school says Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Collaborations between the Hastings school district and local industry leaders will remain a key way for the district to provide opportunities to students in the coming year. Hastings school staff gathered with business and industry leaders to discuss career opportunities for students at this year’s Business, Industry and Educa­ tion Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon. Superinten­ dent Matt Goebel first thanked community members and district supporters for their work to pass a $17 million bond proposal earlier this month. “This ‘yes’ vote means our community supports our kids, understands our programming and values our staff,” he said. “This ‘yes’ vote is an endorsement of what we do within the walls of our classrooms and our community certainly has a sense of pride, which has been revived.” Goebel said the district’s Career and Technical Edu­ cation (CTE) programs have been a key part of the district’s offerings, giving students the opportunity to explore and develop skills for future careers. “We’re very proud of our CTE partnerships within the community providing students the opportunity and experiences to engage them in a career pathway,” he said. The district will carry on its current career develop­ ment initiatives, encouraging students to develop goals and make positive career choices, Goebel said. In addition, the district will be partnering with Chris 1 Stafford, owner of The Hub of Barry County. Stafford L said he plans to leverage the organization as a tool to '• connect students with career opportunities, provide'mentorship and develop skills in conjunction with the district’s CTE programming. •■ ' > “These (CTE programs) are great opportunities, but^ I think we need to continue to grow this to show that career paths within our schools are not only for two- * and four-year colleges and universities, that there are’1 opportunities with apprenticeship and technical •* schools,” Stafford said. “There are great career pathsJ within that as well.” By connecting businesses with students and vice"1 versa, Stafford said he aims to create a bridge between 2 the public and private sectors to build strong commu­ nity partnerships. He hopes those partnerships will 1 lead to students investing their future in Barry County,7 enabling them to become involved in the community * professionally and personally. “When I volunteer for Hastings Robotics, you canq see the kids understanding mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, design, computer programming,71 and one of the other big things: teamwork,” Stafford said. “I think the community is a team. I think that’sB what we need to continue to grow, to show our kids an understanding that as a community, we support themy and we want them to stay in our community.” j'h Hastings Public Library window replacement; project set to begin later this month Parcel no. 08-13-029-006-00 Hunter McLaren Parcel no. 08-13-029-007-00 7. StaffWriter On application of Rutland Charter Township, the Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chap­ ter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is proposed to be amended so as to rezone the fol­ lowing property used for the Hastings City/Barry County Airport from the ACLI Airport Commercial/Light Industrial District to the proposed new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District (which designates "airport” as a permitted use therein), consistent with the planning designation for these parcels in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan (as proposed above to be amended): Parcel no. 08-13-011-007-00 Parcel no. 08-13-011-007-10 Parcel no. 08-13-011-905-55 9. 10. 11. On application of Rutland Charter Township, the Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chap­ ter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is proposed to be amended so as to rezone Kellogg Community College property (parcel no. 08-13-014-054-00) from the CR Country Residential District to the pro­ posed new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District (which designates "Community College" as a permitted use there­ in), consistent with the planning designation for this parcel in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan. On application of Rutland Charter Township, the Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chap­ ter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is proposed to be amended so as to rezone the Rutland Charter Township Hall/Office property (parcel no. 08-13-014-034-10) from the MDR Medium Density Residential District to the proposed new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District (which designates “governmental administration or service building" as a permitted use therein), consistent with the planning designation for this parcel in the Rut­ land Charter Township Master Plan. On application of Rutland Charter Township, the Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chap­ ter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is proposed to be amended so as to rezone the Rutland Charter Township Cemeteries (parcel nos. 08-13-004-011-00; 08-13-009-016-00) from any existing zoning classification to the proposed new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District (which designates "Publicly-Owned Cemetery" as a permitted use therein), consistent with the planning designation for this parcel in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan. On application of Marty and Connie Haywood, § 220-5-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the permitted uses in the CR Country Residential District is proposed to be amended to add as a designated permitted use in that district: “M. Work is set to begin on the Hastings Public Library’s window replacement project later this month. Landscaping crews will be on site kicking off the first phase of the project on Aug. 28. Once the land­ scaping has been removed from around the building, —------------ crews will work to remove and replace the building’s 336 windows starting in early September. During the process, the interior of the building will be repainted. Once the windows have been replaced, the library’s heating and cooling system is slated to be upgraded to Parcel no. 08-13-010-031-00 8. Ik teas 4k Cws i II 3K <k itatatairiiihtWtaMifchta MWM all akfdiBiiQRm jb'i vtk m Existing two-family dwelling, lawfully existing as of (date of adoption by Township Board to be inserted here); provided such dwelling shall not be enlarged beyond the spacial footprint or height of the existing building, and may only be reconstructed or replaced within the spacial footprint and height of the existing building,” Item 5 of Tentative Text. account for the slightly-less insulated windows in January or February of 2024. The project will con­ clude when new landscaping is installed in the spring. Library Director Peggy Hemerling said although the project is set to overlap with construction related to the city’s streetscape project, coordination on the two projects has been made easier because both jobs have the same contractor. Hemerling said the streets­ cape construction will begin further down the block near Hastings City Hall until the windows on the south side of the library can be replaced. Once that work is done, crews will come back and complete the streets­ cape work slated to be done near the library. “They’re coordinating with us,” Hemerling said. “They were really good about it and they were really willing to work with us.” A defect in the library’s 336 windows has caused them to tarnish and become increasingly opaque over time. The library carried out a $1.2 million fundraising campaign to replace the win­ dows last year, (file photo) the second floor to address a. leak in the building. She said she’s been eagerly anticipating the beginning of the project and wanted to thank the community donors who made the project possible. During construction, some parts of the library will be temporarily closed while crews go to work. The drive-thru lane and some parking on the north side of “We have been planning this for over four years and can’t wait to look through clear windows again,” she said. The project is the culmination of a $1.2 million fundraising campaign, with a majority of the funds coming from private donors. The windows, installed when the library was constructed in 2007, were creat­ ed with a defect that trapped moisture in between the the building will be inaccessible. Closures, impacts to services and updates will be posted to the library’s Facebook page, website, through emails to patrons and signage around the building. Hemerling said the first window to be replaced is on glass panes and tarnished the silver coating inside. The result is permanently fogged windows, with each window growing more opaque as time passed. The original window manufacturer went under in 2012, leaving the library with no recourse. THE HOTTEST STARS Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Rutland Char­ ter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting, and may further be submitted to the Planning Commission at the public hearing/meeting. The Rutland Charter Township Master Plan, Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code (Zoning Ordinance), the Tentative Text of the Proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments, existing Zoning Map, and a map showing the properties proposed for rezonlng, may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and Including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify any of the proposed map amendments at or following the hearing/ meeting and to make its recommendations accordingly to the Township Board. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meetlng/hearing to Individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing Impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 19 Tickets available starting 8/19 at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR Vl^fiFoN- 11™.EPEJS l-94toExit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Hastings Public Library Director Peggy Hemerling poses with a sample of the new windows that will be coming to the J library later this month, (photo provided) ■ �O-line hopes to provide good foundation for DK ^V'khV* ^uV'khV* ^Vx'kWhV* SsSav n» JSSssSysf ??^s»> ?s»>. **'»^«5i*.S'K S'Ki *£• ***4SS^ sS^SS# vl*****^.. l*****^ o&SSw ^W^ ■• £ kUEh ’"*^ '»«£S‘* feij Mio» ttpf ^Wfetat Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity football team is still on the hunt for a week one opponent after Hartford announced it would be can­ celing its 2023 varsity football season a week ago. That has the Delton Kellogg team focused on what could be its season opener, Aug. 31, against Parchment. It’s a young Panther squad, with a back­ field full ofjuniors, but the Panthers would really rather have a week one opponent if they can find one rather than the extra prac­ ticetime. Leading the way back from a 4-6 team from a year ago are a handful ofsenior offen­ sive linemen, a group that includes Luke Watson, Victor Gonzalez, Adrian Debor and tight end Collin Muskovin. Senior Wyatt Col­ well andjunior Cooper Sandusky are back to spend time at running back. The Panthers have qualified for the state playoffs in six ofthe past eight seasons. .Delton Kellogg head coach Ryan Bates, who is entering his 31st season at Delton Kellogg and 13th as the varsity head coach, is also excited for the addition ofTristin Boze, Gauge Stampfler, Mitchell Swift and Luke VanderWall to the varsity. Swift and VanderWall will give the Pan­ thers an added boost along the lines. “Our O-line will be a strength,” Bates said. “\jte,have.somewayottw<arito{ we are very , exfited about with Mitchell Swift and Luke VanderWall. We also have some physical returners. We are not as big as we have been in the past, but we make up for it with quickness. We feel our trench players are going to set the tone for our season.” He said it’ll take some time for everybody in the backfield to get up to speed. “We have a lot to prove this year and a lot ofwork to do. Our numbers are a challenge just like everyone else,” Bates said. Delton team gets defensive ® The Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Division season starts for the Panthers Sept. 22 when they play host to Lawton. That will also be the Panthers’ annual Salute to Veterans game. Coach Bates expects that to be a battle. Lawton and Constantine look like the top two teams in the SAC Valley heading into the fall. “Everyone in the league will be much improved from last year. It will be a tough road for sure,” Bates said. . The Panthers have five home games on the 2023 schedule and they will play four of those contests. The home opener is Sept. 8 against South Haven. They face Allegan Sept. 15, have the bailgame with Lawton and then take on Saugatuck Sept. 29. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Graduation hit the Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ soccer team pretty hard last fall as the program lost of few of its top offensive per­ formers ever. That’ll leave the defense to lead the way this season. It’ll be a group effort led by Tyler Howland, Austyn Lipscomb and Myles Hat- ton who are a few ofthe team’s top returnees from a year ago. Hatton will be key as a cen­ ter midfielder and Lipscomb could spilt time between defense and midfield. The Panthers will be led by new head coach Jon Cannell, who assisted previous See SOCCER, page 11 Good Luck Teams Thank You to these businesses for their support. https://q GRANGER WASTE SERVICES DELTON KELLOGG SCHOOLS “A small school feel... Big school opportunities” highpoint GROVE STREET CAFE COMMUNITY BANK Try Our Pizzu Tulle & Bute, To Go, Dine-in 1-888-422-2280 Delton Drive Thru: hiqhpointcommunitvbank.com 10199 S. M-43 Hwy. 623-3777 Member FDIC Delton, Ml 49046 M-43 Hwy. across from Delton Schools SIMPLY SWEETS, 623-8047 THE HASTINGS BANNER Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 1351 N. M-43 Hwy, Hastings 945-9554 BUCKLAND AGENCY 11235 Sprague Rd, Delton 623-5115 CHAPPLE REALTY INC 118 E Orchard St., Delton Mi 49046 269-623-4058 “""‘WESTMICHIGANLAKES.COM 623-5461 of Delton LYONS Delton Moose Lodge 269.623.2112 5428 Moose Lodge Dr, (2 miles north ofDeltone on M43) Caipen&jGravd Phone (269) 721-9989 President Todd Carpenter _ <NAPA> NAPA 9939 M-43 Hwy 623-4804 SEPTIC TANK SERVICE 3840 Harrington Rd. Delton 623-2089 • 945-5379 Fast Reliable Service For Over 50 Years _ (289) 217-2372 ^^§^©^(269) 721-3864l ^ Sand and Gravel and MOREI • Commercial • Industrial • ResMentW 11250 Manning Lake Road, Delton, Ml • carpentergravelinc.com DELTON FAMILY PHARMACY 338 Grove St. (M-43)Delton 623-5250 269-623-3300 133 Orchard, Delton HOW. Center, Suite B, Hastings 948-3720 WILLIAMS-GORES FUNERAL HOME 888-947-2643 grangerwasteservices.com 101 Years Strong! 10036 M-43 Delton, Ml 49046 SMITH & DOSTER SALES & SERVICE 114 Grove (M-43) Delton 623-5111 �Pago 10 —- Thursday. August 17. 2023 The Hastings Banner I FGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236. MCL 800.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 14, 2023 The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information MORTGAGE Mortgagors): Elizabeth Lonergan, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. fMERS*), solely as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and assigns Date of mortgage: August 23,2013 Recorded on August 27,2013, In Document No. 2013-010429, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing. LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Sixty-One Thousand Ninety-One and 16/100 Dollars ($61,091.16) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Commencing at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West, Hastings Township. Barry County, Michigan; thence North 1473.70 feet along the East line of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds West. 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence North 171.72 feet parallel with the said East line; thence North 89 degrees 00 minutes East, 200.03 feet to the East line; thence South 174.81 feet along the said East line to place of beginning. Also commencing at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; thence North 1409.78 feet along the East line of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 30 minutes West, 200.01 feet; thence North 65.26 feet parallel with said East line; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds East, 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence South 63.92 feet along the East line of said Section to the place of beginning. Commonly known as 718 Powell Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507067 (08-17X09-07) 204502 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate Estate of Richard J. Johnson, Deceased. Date of birth: 03/14/1949. Richard and Debra Johnson Trust, dated August 31,2021. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Richard J. Johnson, who lived at 11820 Lakeway Drive, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, died on July 24, 2023. The decedent and his wife, Debra L. Johnson, established the Richard and Debra Johnson Trust, dated August 31, 2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Trust, and the Estate will be forever barred unless presented to Debra L Johnson, Trustee of the above-referenced Trust, within four (4) months after the date of publication of this notice. Date of Publication: 8-17-2023 Trustee: Debra L Johnson Address: 11620 Lakeway Drive Plainwell, Ml 49080 Attorney: Michael A. Shields Lewis Reed & Allen P.C. 136 East Michigan Avenue; Suite 800 Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 Telephone: (269) 388-7600 204226 NOTICE TO ALL CREDITORS: John Allen Den Boer (the “Decedent") was bom on November 15, 1947 and died on March 18, 2023. No probate of assets is required due to the death of the Decedent so there is no Personal Representative of the Decedent’s estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued. Creditors of the Decedent are notified that all claims against John Allen Den Boer will be forever barred unless presented to HEDGE LIFE LAW at 4123 Embassy Drive SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546, within four (4) months after the date of publication. Date: August 14,2023 Jordan W. Bush (P70201) HEDGE LIFE LAW 4123 Embassy Drive SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 (616) 348-7100 (08-17) 204331 SUMMONS & COMPLAINT NOTICE: To: Christopher Schoonmaker 1. You are notified that you are being sued by The Law Offices of Duff, Chadwick and Associates, P.C. (Plaintiff) Case #23-0898-GC in the 56B Barry County District Court located at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. Phone no. 269-945-1404. 2. You have 28 days from the date of this publication to request a copy of the complaint from either the Barry County District Court or from the Plaintiff. 3. If you do not answer or take other action within the time allowed, judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. Date: July 24,2023 Thomas W. Chadwick P-63397 220 W. Main street Ionia, Ml 48846 (616) 527-0020 203286 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 49c of the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966,1966 PA 346 MCL 125 1449c, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM. on September 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Amanda Yahne, single woman Original Mortgagee: Neighborhood Loans. Inc Date of mortgage: November 4, 2022 Recorded on November 10, 2022. in Document No. 2022 2022-­ 011423, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Michigan State Housing Development Authority Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof. One Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Seven and 52/100 Dollars ($136,927.52) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: PART OF THE WEST 1/2 OF SECTION 7, T1N, R9W, BARRY TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT 273.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7, SAID POINT ALSO BEING SOUTH 71 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 03 SECONDS EAST 335.14 FEET FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1, POPLAR BEACH PLAT AS RECORDED IN LIBER 3 OF PLATS, PAGE 14, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST, 135.40 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 18 SECONDS WEST, 146.28 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 16 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, 153.21 FEET; THENCE NORTH 49 DEGREES 53 MINUTES 03 SECONDS WEST, 216.81 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 265.04 FEET TO BEGINNING. EXCEPT: COMMENCING AT THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH, 43 FEET; THENCE EAST, 624.40 FEET; THENCE NORTH 62 DEGREES 40 MINUTES EAST, 143 FEET; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST 116.2 FEETTO A POINT WHICH IS SOUTH 43 DEGREES 45 MINUTES EAST, 25 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 5 OF THE RECORDED PLAT OF POPLAR BEACH, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS, SAID POINT BEING 168.41 FEET NORTH AND 834.68 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST, 274.50 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS 274.80 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE NORTH 50 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 52 SECONDS EAST, 136.60 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS NORTH 50 DEGREES 30 MINUTES EAST, 136.60 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 48 DEGREES 46 MINUTES EAST), 260.94 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF KLINE STREET TO A POINT BEING 279.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7 AND THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH"’4#^DEGREES MINUTES EAST) 168.56 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF KLINE STREET TO THE CENTERLINE OF SPRAGUE ROAD; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 19 SECONDS WEST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 45 DEGREES 24 MINUTES WEST), 95.46 FEET; THENCE NORTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS WEST, 157.63 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 95.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 11438 Sytsma Dr, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 125.1449v, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 125.1449v(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Michigan State Housing Development Authority Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507066 (08-17)(09-07) 204503 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Trust In the Matter of Roger S. Caris, Sr. and Barbara A. Caris Revocable Trust. Date of Birth: Roger S. Caris, Sr. -10/04/1940. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Roger S. Caris, surviving Trustee, died 04/19/2023 leaving the above Trust in full force and effect. Creditors of the decedent or against the Trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or trust will be forever barred unless presented to Sue McKeough, Trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 04/14/2023 Rhoades McKee PC Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-1921 Sue McKeough c/o Rhoades McKee 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-1921 VARNUM LLP Attorneys 333 Bridge Street NW Grand Rapids, Ml 49504 NOTICE OF SALS OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less ,han .9° days a9°. or If, you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney bi the party foreclosing the one number stated in this mortgage at the tel [ho judgment of Land Contract notice. Pursuant to _jud Foreclosure (the •Judgment”) entered on June 7, 2 2023, in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, Case No. 22-667-CH, the Court has ordered the sale at public auction of real property under a Land Contradt (the “Larfd Contract") made between Andy Lee Sparks and Carolyn Lee Sparks, Trustees of the Andy Lee Sparks Trust, Vendors, and David Wooten (“Vendee"), dated August 13, 2007, as evidenced by the Memorandum of Land Contract recorded on August 20, 2007, in Document No. 200708200001046, Barry County Records. The Land Contract balance is due and payable in the amount of NinetyNine Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Three and 64/100 Dollars ($99,683.64) as of July 20,2023, with the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate of seven percent (7%) per annum, plus such other fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to the Land Contract and the Judgment. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the Judgment and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay said amount with interest as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costa, charges and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, the Land Contract will be foreclosed by sale of the Land Contract premises at public venue to the highest bidder in the main lobby of the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of the foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the Vendee will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the foreclosure sale or to the Vendor for damaging the property during the redemption period. Pursuant to MCL 600.3150, the purchaser at the sale shall be entitled to possession of the Property at the time of the sale. The premises covered by said Land Contract is commonly known as 9645 Shawnee Branch Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, and is situated in the Township of Orangeville, Barry County, Michigan, described as follows: Parcel B: That part of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West described as: Beginning at a point found by commencing at the Center of the said Section; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to the place of beginning of this description; thence continuing South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East, 509.75 feet to the East and West 1 /8 line of the Southwest 1/4; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East on said 1 ZB line, 207.46 feet; thence North 07 degrees- 32 minutes 32 seconds West, 614.52 feet to the place of beginning. Together with a non-exclusive easpmeht( being more particularly describpd as follows: A 66.00 foot widp Eqsement for in^res^wd §3!06,fbdt,bdchl!Sidb of the following described Centerline: Beginning at a point found by commencing at the Center of said Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 Minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet to the point of beginning of this easement; thence the Centerline runs South 63 degrees; 14 minutes 56 seconds West 1513.10 feet to the point of ending. ALSO described for tax purposes as: Commencing at the Center of Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to the point of beginning; thence continuing South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56. seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 42 minutes 41 seconds East, 519.45 feet; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East, 207.46 feet; thence North 07 degrees 25 minutes 15 seconds West, 624.42 feet to the place of beginning (the “Property”). Parcel No. 08-11-031-011-44 f J Dated: July 20, 2023 ANDY LEE SPARKS and CAROLYN LEE SPARKS, Trustees of the Andy Lee Sparks Trust Mark Sheldon, Deputy Sheriff Sheldort Civil Process Service, LLC. P.O. Box 282 Hastings,-Ml 49058 21456730.1 (07-20)(08-24) 203017 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29573-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 "• Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Robert u. Rosema. Date of birth: 1/10/1951. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Robert J. Rosema, died 05/01/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Michael Rosema, Jill Hune, and Andrea Helton, personal representative, or to both the probate court;at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. James A. Wesseling (P40226) 6439 28th Ave., Hudsonville, Ml 49426 616-669-8185 Jill Hune, 9166 Young Ave., Rockford, Ml 49341 Andrewa Helton,, 2900 52nd St. SW, Wyoming, Ml 49418 I 204265 Michael Rosema 6262 Fillmore, Allendale, Ml 49401 204264 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Kevin Beck, AAMS® Member SI PC Financial Advisor 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Tay|or Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 529 plans offer benefits in all markets A new school year will soon begin. And if you have young children, that means it’s one year closer to the day when they head offto college or some other post-secondary education or training. You might be preparing for that day with a 529 education savings plan — but should you be concerned ifyou need to start taking withdrawals to pay for education expenses when the financial markets are volatile? Long-term investment vehicles based on the financial markets, like a 529 plan, will always fluctuate in value. If you’ve had a 529 plan for many years, you’ve probably invested money when the market has been, up, down and flat In fact, during down periods, it’s often a good time to invest because your dollars buy more shares than they could when prices are up. Your hope is that over the years, your 529 plan will gain enough to overcome the short-term declines in value. In any case, you’ll want to keep in mind the key benefit of 529 plans: Earnings and withdrawals are federally tax free when the money is used for qualified education you. expenses for college and While this investment some trade school programs. feature <doesn’t guarantee And your state may give you you’ll complete have an income tax deduction or immunityf from financial a credit for your 529 plan market volatility, it can help contributions. In some states, reduce its impact when you a 529 plan can be used for need access to the money. K-12 schooling as well. Here’s one more point to You have another incentive keep in mind: Just because to keep your 529 plan intact you’ve planned to access despite temporary drops in your 529 plan when your value. Specifically, if you child reaches 18, or whatever withdraw money and don’t age they begin their post­ use it for eligible education secondary education, you’re expenses, your withdrawal not required to take money may be subject to a 10% out at that point You can keep penalty, in addition to state your 529 plan intact until and federal income taxes. you feel more comfortable That could be a high price making withdrawals, though to pay for a move that may you’ll need to consider how not be in your best interest this decision will affect your After all, if you were to move ability to help pay for your your 529 plan money into a child’s education. minimal-risk asset, such as The financial markets will some type of cash vehicle, always be in some type of flux, you could sacrifice some but don’t let these movements of the growth potential you deter you from sticking with might need to meet the high a 529 plan — it’s still one of costs ofhigher education. the best investments you can Many 529 plans offer make in your child’s future. investment portfolios that This article was written by gradually become more risk Edward Jonesfor use byyour averse as the beneficiary localEdwardJones Financial gets closer to college age. A Advisor. financial advisor can discuss Edward Jones, Member the investment options with SIPC 50 K1 .1 ' rr S0 ■ - Jfl Jfl 0 B rxrao rxrao* NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Nptice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash -or cashier’s. check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting' promptly Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court inrBarrv^gup^ starting .promptly at LOO PM, .on August 17,202xt6e arii&irit dtie ontfie mortgage may at 1:00 PM, on September 28, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Molly Swartzlander, a married woman, whose address is 829 Greenwood Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Amerifirst Financial Corporation, being a mortgage dated May 15,2017, and recorded on May 16,2017 as Document No. 2017-005058 in Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee of Discovery Mortgage Loan Trust, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated February 21, 2023 and recorded on February 21, 2023 and given Document Number 2023-001190 in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN AND 71/100 DOLLARS ($152,237.71). Said premises are situated in the Village of Middleville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot 38 of Middleville Downs No 2, Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, according to the Recorded Plat thereof as Recorded in Liber 5 of Plats on Page 13. Street Address: 829 Greenwood Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: August 17, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5111 (08-17X09-07) 204500 be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s); John Hoffman, a single man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): MIDFIRST BANK Date of Mortgage: May 5,2015 Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16,2015 • Amount claimed due on date of notice: $86,622.201 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Inring, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: The South 332 Feet Of The Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4, Section 17, Town 4 North, Range, 9 West, Inring Township, Barry County, Michigan. This Parcel May Also Be Described As: That Part Of The Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 Of Section 17, Towrt 4 North, Range 9 West, Inring Township, Barry County) Michigan, Described As: Beginning At The East 1/4 Corner Of Said Section, Thence North 0 Degrees 00 Minutes East 332.0 Feet Along The East Line Of Said Northeast 1/4; Thence South 89 Degrees 5S( Minutes 20 Seconds West 1312.35 Feet Parallel With The South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4? Thence South 0 Degrees 04 Minutes 54 Seconds East 332.0 Feet Along The West Line Of Said Southeast 1/4; Northeast 1/4; Thence North 89 Degrees 59 Minutes 20 Seconds East 1311.88 Feet Along The South Line Of Said Southeast 1/4, Northeast 1/4 To The Place Of Beginning. Common street address (if any): 5501 N Solomon Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333-8719 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. ' Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: July 20, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1504407 (07-20)(08-10) 20291Q han J*J*5® 5®SIB®; SIB®; Ik El118*** 8*** Wi ss S �The Heatings Banner — Thursday. A wss ust 17, 2023 — Page 11 TAPRC honors Saldivar Coach of the Year winners Bref t B rrtn e r ing team and being a model ofsportsmanship coming from our community ** | Already sporttng the tan of a youth hue A number ofmembers ofCartwright's ball ball coach in early August under his Jackie team gathered around him to celebrate and Robinson Day Detroit Tigers cap, Jake Cart- take photos at the end ofthe awards presenta­ Iwnght ’s skm got just a little more red when tion. .TAPRC chairperson Catherine Getty Behrendt was lured to the meeting by announced his name inside the Thomapple being asked to give a rundown ofher softball U ownship Hall Wednesday. season and the state of the program as a Cartwright and June Behrendt were named whole - she did make sure to deliver an (he TAPRC’s two 2023 Andy Saldivar Coach abridged version of her extensive report to ofthe Year award recipients at the opening of the board after the aw ards ceremony. khe TAPRC board meeting in downtown Mid“Again, a coach that really embodies fcfleville. everything we value here al TAPRC," Getty Getty was in the unfamiliar position of said of Behrendt. “She coached a team that basing to bang the gasel to get the meeting she didn’t even have a player on, which is a started due to the crowd gathered to help cel­ tremendous amount of work ... way above ebrate Cvtwright and Behrendt Cartwright and beyond." coached a UI2 baseball team this summer “‘Before the season even started, coach .and Behrendt coached a UIO softball team June offered to get together with any of the and a tee ball team as well. girls who wanted to throw the ball around and i “One of the nominations read, ‘he makes learn more about softball,’” Getty read from sure not only his team, but the other team is one ofthe nominations for Behrendt. “‘That’s having fun. He goes above and beyond at amazing, and when this person’s daughter every practice and game He gives out the showed interest in pitching she sent us home with extra drills to try and a tool to help her chugjug award. ” (jetty read, “which is the first I have heard ofthis, ‘which is a Gatorade with her accuracy and aim. And she met with at each practice for whoever puts in the most several girls for an extra session to work on work and dnves his teammates to push them­ batting and pitching.” selves At the end ofevery game he gives out Getty said the 18 baseball and 9 softball !a ‘Crushing It* award which is an Orange nominations are the most the TAPRC board (Crush w ith a custom can coozie for w hoev er has ever received in its coach ofthe year pro­ has the best hits ofthe night He even had the cess. “Every year 1 think people become more boys give their award to a player on the opposing team because they had the major and more accustomed to nominating, but we hit. the best ofthe night"* had 18 nominations for baseball coaches and • “That, like I think cinched it for the board, 9 for softball coaches. As you can imagine, because it demonstrates everything that that was a lot to go through, and if I could ^TAPRC is about. It is about encouraging not give coach of the year out to each of those just those around you, but those on the opposcoaches I would, but in the spirit ofthe Andy Sporti Editor w O O s» s»M w &w Ww s ^ss'nnwSSi s W w w w Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission 2023 Andy Saldivar Coach of the Year honorees Jake Cartwnght (front left) and June Behrendt (front nght) are presented with their awards by TAPRC board chairperson Catherine Getty (front center) with fellow board members Emily Dock (back from left), Ann Williams, Tom Hamilton, Anne Hamming, Kristen Cove and Eric Schaefer Wednesday at the Thomapple Township Hall in Mkfcfleviile. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The TAPRC board is also still working on finding a replacement for now former youth sports program director Nathan Fischer, and the board discussed the recommendation of Getty and fellow board member Emily Dock to break the position down into a baseball and softball director positions and also the possi­ bility ofadding sponsorahip/unifonii supervi­ sor and equipment manager positions in the vein ofthe current field maintenance supervi­ sor position filled by Mike Bremer. The board authorized up to $7,000 to pur­ chase a new equipment shed on Thomapple Kellogg School property. The board currently had $3,000 in the budget for capital purchas­ es and $4.000 from the recent sale ofa Polar­ is Ranger utility vehicle. The TAPRC is still on the hunt for a more modest vehicle to help with field maintenance such as an old garden tractor or golf cart. The motion to spend funds on the new shed drew the only roll call vole ofthe e\ cmng and was passed by a 7-0 margin. There was also discussion about whether the community activities committee or the fundraising committee would take the lead on the 2024 used equipment sale; an update on the charity shed which the TAPRC is current­ ly sharing with a new community partner which benefits youth each month; an update on the plans for a dunk tank at Middleville Heritage Day in September; and there was a 7-0 vote to to transfer $10,000 from a dona­ tion from Bradford While Corp., and another $500 donation it received, from the TAPRC to the TAEF Special Project Fund. Those fond are slated to help in the creation ofthe Sheridan Park facility in Middleville. The board also voted 7-0 to approve a list ofTAPRC governance standards. Saldivar coach ofthe year award it really is to honor a coach that goes «bo\e and beyond. “If anybody here knew Andy, and I know some of us did, he was there way more than he needed to be as a varsity softball coach. He was going to our 8U, I0L' softball games and really encouraging those girls to continue to play and knew them by name - which was amazing." It was as standard TAPRC board meeting in a much quieter room once the awards cel­ ebration died down. Coach Behrendt shared her well-thought out ideas with the board, including her girls’ desire for more colorful jerseys, what types ofpractice equipment could be beneficial in future years, the benefits ofon-line coaching tools, and how she used a candy bucket as a coaching tool to help focus and moti\ ale her players, and more. Getty said it would be great to have coach ofthe year winners help lead coaching meet­ ings at the start ofeach season to share their experiences. “It was a good time. I am really glad that 1 didn't say no," Behrendt said of coaching a couple ball teams. The board accepted the treasury report from treasurer Tom Hamilton and accepted the draft ofan audit report that he shared. junior Ellie Hudson a 90 as well. Honhart finished in sixth individually and Codie O’Krangley and Hudson were part ofa three­ way tie for seventh place. Copelin opened the invitational on number 17 and was two under after four holes thanks to birdies on the par-5 number one and par-4 number two. She tallied birdies on the par-3 number seven and the; par-five number 14 too. The TK girls were scheduled to host Low­ ell for a dual at Yankee Springs Wednesday, Aug. 16, and will face off against Caledonia again in a dual at Yankee Springs Tuesday. Thomapple Kellogg Opens the OK Gold Conference season at the jamboree at Indian Trails Golf Course Wednesday. Aug. 23. Thomapple Kellogg teammates (from right) Joselyn DeBoer, Kendra Coe and Ailana Leos and head coach Bob Kaminski wait for the number seven green to clear at Orchard Hills Golf Club Monday during the season-opening Wayland Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ----- ss g5Sx :£§ ><&* ?$$:£ A S?AX$! TK third as it opens golf season at Wayland Invite ? **&%*!>££ «w? jwb? 8??«jb : S?«L* S0lnfe«««BW •j’®sBt^5S 2«BiW ® •’®Btyees52 ®Btyees52nius ^32 secoms |fe !S*«S ££••* *1’***»h^ » "“ * — ’ b ito it ’■bitoouitoiiib s a s® sas retexrfa ®^®r!eitteeCxBrifdqsaaj JWonSett JWonSettefe^BT^ nn^®®!iteCBidsaj ^efe^^BT^^ ■ o Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia had four girls among the top nine scorers and the Fighting Scots ran away with the championship at the season-opening (Wayland Invitational for the second straight season Monday. i Junior Copelin O’Krangley, a Division I state qualifier a year ago, was the individual runner-up to lead the Fighting Scots with a score of 75. She was behind only Zeeland East senior Carly Lukins who scored a 74. Lukins was a state qualifier last year in Divi­ sion 2. The Fighting Scot team put up a score of 343 overall, finishing ahead ofPlainwell 365, JJipmapple K^I&gg*3?ftF- Jernson 393, Zee- land West 403, Zeeland East 424 and Way­ land 456. Junior Ailana Leos led the Thomapple Kel­ logg girls with a score of78. She was fourth overall. Zeeland West senior Rylee Smith, a state medalist in Division 2 last season, placed third with a 77. The TK team also got a 96 from junior Rae Borrink, a 101 from senior Kendra Coe and a 103 from senior Emma Schut. The invitational puts teammates together in groups to open the season with groups of three traversing the course together. Behind Copelin O’Krangley for the Fight­ ing Scots, senior Elizabeth Honhart shot an 88,‘ ‘SOphomqre'Godie- O'Knmgley a 9ft and ^■-PtaWWesttHre ^■-PtaWWesttHre wf few waififlelyeffnWneWt tys^MMtef fe^j ^ajtth^ he^flfl l*U»Ms0anisEaston feaifyfetysMfeatefl iMfeSBSlKtbfeiat aMa^efftfepiztetfenH MHujNima tw^(lfeW^A|ttaWa»i fatferiftoMmi srrwn-Sme encongedtoarfeafiecariyepsSrc/oeaS s^nruBxseanjfe!ofce or a Sb insrate awpar^ eftrito WtovtpM nd era VSO tote m^ctageafeefarlEftrMtai ICRW ZnaylteM fFORW Oefai has teen rale h ft typ ityO ahMVlettm confinns a cetir natap rafe bj IWr ^jasciivw*’ mtBUtari^ SnM a roamed nra itae aUess s M ^ p l R ii O K ^ tyri Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 b rtji tn r i ca r ni wo M^plRiiOK^ tadltaBtyM GStetWB^® 5artfet2?SStel aRs^oSj^slMWhfc-lawwWen8Be*^nc ww****» jteMlMySouti®R^SjsMh-awne^«■!•>■<*•■ gggifcfl EegfctiafScdsflg rsseconds eeecosn5d2s EefctaSdsgrees 52 •f<tet ferae M M ^ -,Rr8>’5 S/SST! IWMtf_fM_g .n - *%-* S^Sgg eWiw* Sbs-SSJJ?^ IliSf^XsSS®8 ^’ GAU r IT $$ Af Arf #S js-B rfe #J*sS fess js-ees js-Bfe fesss* -WW-S -WW-SJ * 5®W /$% Bw-t «T <* Estate Sales RED BARN ESTATE SALEHuge, Huge, Huge Sale! Come and celebrate with us by way of estate sale, the lives, mem­ ories, travels, and treasures that have been consigned by 4 local Richland/Gull Lake families. The bam is literally packed! There are no bare Walls. Now to offer: Original vintage Herman Miller furpiture - Bedroom Suite from George Nelson’s Primavera collection includes: Light­ ed suspended vanity with green leather stool. Queen size green leather headboard, pair of nightstands that fea­ ture pull out trays, and a 4 drawer dresser/credenza. George Nelson's comprehen­ sive shelving system. Ray and Charles Eames plywood chair in Birch. Mid-Century George Nelson ball clock. Herman Miller molded fiber­ glass chair. Comb-grain oak twin size headboards. Pair of George Nelson "Sergeant Schultz* helmet table lamps with original paint. Also we have prototypes from retired Herman Miller employees. Other sale items: Vintage button jars, costume jewelry, small assortment of silver and gold jewelry. Railroad lantern, floor model power tools, 2 sleigh dresses (Grand Rapids). Pair of Lane Leather lounge chairs, Howard Miller grandfather clock. Mid-centu­ ry octagon game table with 4 barrel chairs. Power squad­ rons nautical lithos signed by Donald Demers. 1930's Canary and blue uranium Martini glasses. Hitchcock chairs. Murano glass, Fenton art glass. Fire king. Vintage collectible kitchenware. Art Deco wicker Furniture. New Samsung washer and dry­ er. Yamaha golf cart. PBR beer lamp, plus beer mir­ rors. Housmann weight set & dumbbells. Antique Hubbly Scottie dog doorstops. Signed bronze bookends. Antique book press. General store cast iron meat slicer and tobacco cutter. Largest assortments of collectable glassware. Vinyl Rock records. Garden art, and so much more! This is going to be a fun sale you don't want to miss. There will be something for everyone. You can view pictures on estatesales.net. Absolutely no early sales. All will be available the 1st day of sale, come and party with us and leave with a treasure August 18th, 19th, and 20th. From 10-5pm. 8411 N. 32nd Street Richland, MI 49083 Be­ hind Village Antiques! Garage Sale HUGE-MULTI FAMILY SALE Too much stuff again sale. Thurs-Sun, August 17­ 20th, 2023. 9am-6pm. 1900 Boulder Dr, Hastings. Too many iterns to list everything. Tons ofBrand New( with tags) Target clothes-priced to sell, more added from last sale. Mens, women & kid sizes- we will add more daily. Brand new & gently used furniture. A lot ofhousehold items, toys & misc Don't miss this one! Something for everyone! COMMUNITY BARN SALE, Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Gooseneck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, water tank, furniture, golf dubs, dog crate, etc. MULTI-FAMILY SALE: Lots ofclothes, books, tools, house­ hold items, and much more. Everything is priced to sell! Friday & Saturday, 8/18/23­ 8/19/23 8am-4pm. 235 Indian Hills Dr. Hastings. GARAGE SALE: 3992 S. Shore Dr, Delton. Thurs & Fri, Aug 17th & 18th, 2023. 10am-5pm. Downsizing vaca­ tion rentals! Canoe, oak table, dishes, lake & home decor, sheets, comforters, 2 TVs, lamps, blankets, twin bunk bed, small furniture, cush­ ions, games, toys, 2 sewing machines & more! Follow the PINK signs. Business Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwcxxisinc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, Wliite Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability 4c workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. _________ METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Pets MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $300.269-223-9194. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real eataie advertising in this new ifwper is subject to the Fai r Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, htnitMioa or discrimination baaed on race, color, religton, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This ncwspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is I 8(XF927-9275. SOCCER, continued from page 9 head coach Alan Mabie for two years before taking over the soccer program. The DK team was 11-5-1 a year ago, and won the program’s first district championship the year before that in 2021. Coach Canned likes his guy’s optimistic/ positive attitude. He has them looking at improving and pushing for the team's second district championship at the end of this sea­ son. NOTICE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236. MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage w8l be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1pm, on Thursday. September 14.2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. The foreclosure sale is pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Mortgage made by CHRISTOPHER B. WALKER and SHANNON J WALKER. Mortgagors, to First National Bank of America, Mortgagee, dated November 9, 2004, and recorded November 17, 2004, in Instrument Number 1137316, of Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due as of the date of this notice $78,271.34, including interest at 9.95% per annum. Said premises are situated in Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as Beginning at the NW comer of the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 9, T4N, R9W; thence 26 2/3 rods East; thence South 12 rods; thence West 26 2/3 rods; thence North approximately 12 rods to the place of beginning. Together with rights of ingress and egress over the currently established road, except that part deeded to the State of Michigan in Uber 246 on Page 589; c/k/a 6153 Cain Creek. Freeport, Ml 49325. The redemption period shall be six months from the date of the sale, unless the premises are determined to be abandoned pursuant to MCL 600.3241a, In which case the redemption period shall be one month, or until the time to provide the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c) expires, whichever is later. The redemption period further may be shortened pursuant to MCL 600.3238(10) if the property is not adequately maintained, or if the purchaser is denied the opportunity to Inspect the property Please be advised that if the mortgaged property is sold at a foreclosure sale by advertisement, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale, or to the mortgage holder, for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Dated: August 17,2023 Randall T. LeVasseur P41712 LeVasseur Dyer & Associates. PC Attorneys for Mortgagee 3233 Coolidge Hwy Berkley, Ml 48072 (248)236-1765. (06*17X09-07) 204504 Looking to help boost the team’s chances of that are Tanner Mellen and Blake Mellen. Tan­ ner is a senior in his first varsity season, joining his brother Blake who is a freshman this fall. The Panthers are working on developing their skills and improving their match fitness as the preseason continues. Delton Kellogg is scheduled to open its season Monday on the road at Lawton. That is not only the season opener for the Panthers. but it is also the Southwestern Athletic Con­ ference Valley Division opener. Coach Canned said he expects Allegan to be the toughest foe in the Valley Division this fall, and sees Fennville as one ofthe toughest squads in the Lakeshore Division ofthe SAC. Delton Kellogg will be home for the first time this season Friday, Aug. 25, when it plays host to Parchment for a SAC Valley contest. TYDEN PARK • SATURDAY, AUG. 26™ -Fl Won Vi VlHi Sponsored by MEMORIAL \ Make checks payable to Hastings Summerfest 2023 CHECK O9.t. 9:30 AM Pick up T-shirts at this time TIP OFF... 9:30 AM Team Name 0N12-14) I—l(AgM 15-17) L-J(Agtt 18-25) LJIAOMS Age brackets subject to change based on pa rtlc Ipat Ion Team Captain Ag Send Entries to... Barry CcNHrty Phono f _ __C_h_a_m__b_e_r _o_f_ O__m_u_n_erce 221W. State Street Team Members Age Age Hastings, Ml 49058 Questions??... Please fill outform completely Call (269) 948-3025 or email brett@j-adgraphics.com TVDEN PARK • SATURDAY, AUG. �Page 12 —Thursday, August 17, 2023— The Hastings Banner Panthers look for young squad to claw out wins Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg varsity volleyball coach Erin Thornton, opening her sixth season lead­ ing the Panther program, calls her team “young and hungry.” The Panther varsity program lost eight girls to graduation last fall so there will be a lot of new girls on the court throughout the fall, and many of them only have a couple years ofcompetitive volleyball experience. Leading the group of returnees are junior setter Claire Wesolowski and senior outside hitter/middle Tori Morris. Wesolowski moved up the varsity midway through her freshman year, and coach Thorn­ ton thinks that was as pretty good decision for the program as a whole. “She has a great mind for the game and is able to adapt well under pressure,” Thornton said ofWesolowski. “She takes every oppor­ tunity to get better and more consistent, and it shows almost daily on the court. She has really taken her setting position as the leader on the court seriously, and I have no doubt she’ll get accolades this year that will be overdue. It’s hard to get praise as a setter, everyone has an opinion, but I see Claire going big and not going home.” Morris, a senior, will be one ofthe team’s top hitters this season. She took her sopho­ more season off from the sport, but returned to the game last fall and coach Thornton said she surprised her with her ability to play all around - never missing a beat. “It’s been very refreshing watching her grow and adapt from last season to this sea­ son,” Thornton said. “I have no doubt that she will have more surprises up her sleeve for me. She is a genuinely good person as well, so it helps build rapport with her teammates and become a leader. She’s humble, and may look mild mannered, but once she’s on a streak she won’t back down. I like that she can be mild and gritty at the same time. Those two helped the Panther team to an 8-26-3 record overall last season. The Pan­ thers won academic all-state honors as a team. A couple ofthe key youngsters looking to help the team improve on those numbers are sophomore defensive specialist/libero Jalin Lyons andjunior middle/opposite hitter Kierstyn Kokx. “[Lyons] is a competitive kid that won’t quit,” Thornton said. “She will push herself and her teammates in every drill, every day, in every way, to get done what needs to be done. I love her style and can’t wait to see what she’s able to bring to the table every day. She makes coaching easy.” The Panthers are pleased to be adding Johannah Houtkooper Panthers hope pack can move up in conference Kokx’s size to the front line. “She’s going to be able to get blocks up,” Thornton said. “She’s got the height that will keep her going on the front line, but add in a bit of skill with the hit and she’ll be a force. She’s learning new stuffevery day, and hopefully will be able to put it all together. Once we get her playing to her full ability, she’s going to be fun to watch.” Coach Thornton said her girls are ready to go to the next level mentally on the court, and turning their athletic skills into volleyball skills will make them more and more suc­ cessful as the season goes bn. “They each know they have a role, and if they play that role 100 percent we’ll be able to do great things,” Thornton said. The Delton Kellogg girls get to compete for the first time Saturday, Aug. 19, at a tour­ nament hosted by Coloma. They will be home for their own Delton Kellogg Invita­ tional Wednesday, Aug. 23. The Southwest­ ern Athletic Conference Central Division RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE QF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT APPLICATION AT SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 REGULAR MEETING ■ TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on September 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The items to be considered at this public hearing includes the following: L The application of RPM Holley, LLC (Patten Monument Company) for special land use approval of a proposed facility for the manufacture of cemetery headstones/monuments and the retail sale of same within a fully enclosed building. The subject property is a vacant parcel of approximately 9.5 acres in size located on North M-37 Highway (parcel no. 13-009-010-00). The Planning Commission will consider this application pursuant to §220-12-3.D. and U. of the Rutland Charter Township Code, and the special land use approval standards specified in §220-20-3.A. of the Rutland Charter Township Code; and any other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. 2. Such other matters as may properly come before the Planning Commission at this meeting; including a site plan for the development specified in the preceding paragraph submitted for review and potential Planning Commission approval at this meeting. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting, and may further be submitted to the Planning Commission at the public hearing/meeting. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Zoning Map, Master Plan, and the above­ referenced special land use application may be examined by contacting the Rutland C Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the- meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids br services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road 204322 Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269)948-2194 season starts when the Panthers play host to Martin Sept. 12. , This will be the true test ofours,” Thornton said of the dualtwi|h Martin. “We’ve been beaten by Martin the last few years, and with us being so close in proximity to each other it’s becoming a silent rivalry for us.” The SAC Central volleyball .division also includes Saugatupk?! Black River, Gales­ burg-Augusta and Gqbtes. j “I’d like to. think we’ll be towards the top of the Central Division in the SAC this year,” Thornton said. “1 wquld love to see the girls fight their way to one or two in the division. The way the SAC has split the last few years, it’s really opened everything up in the Central for a new leader to come along. It’s wide open for the taking,^,. In the SAC as a fwhole, Thornton expects Kalamazoo Christid aftd Schoolcraft to likely be the class ofthe Conference, with Water­ vliet, Bridgman an South Haven having typically' solid team! tod? Brett Bremer Sports Editor There isn’t a stand-out yet, but Delton Kel­ logg varsity girls’ cross country coach Dale Grimes thinks is pack could push for one of the top spots in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this fall. Juniors Johannah Houtkooper and Kylie Main are the top returning runners from last year’s Delton Kellogg squad. Houtkooper was 41st at the SAC Championship as a soph­ omore last fall. The squad also brings back senior Summer Ritchie who battled injuries throughout her junior season and senior Lillian Lester. Grimes is happy with the work he has been seeing from them so far this summer, espe­ cially Main who hasn’t missed a practice or an optional summer workout since prep for the fall season began. The DK coach said he also likes the “new level of competitiveness I’m seejng out of [Houtkooper] this year. She has been leading the way in practices.”. The Panthers expect to have senior Saman­ tha O’Meara, a new cross country runner and sophomore Izabelle Gruber to be working to score for the team on a regular basis. O’Meara finished second at the Founders Day 5K in Delton last weekend, and Grimes said she is feeling pretty confident about things. He is also excited to see how Gruber does over long distances after a solid freshman track and field season in the sprints. Sophomore Elli Timmerman is also look­ ing to work her way into the top seven for the varsity this fall along with senior Avery Bark­ er and sophomore Piper McArthur. “This will be their second year,” Grimes said of Barker and McArthur. “The two of them , were right on the bubble number six, number seven, number eight, number nine [last season] as far as being a part ofthat varsity squad.” “Overall, I think we’re going to have a / pretty solid girls’ team,” Grimes said. “It J could be one of those seasons where every- . body is rotating through those top positions.' ; > It could be a different line-up, a different •] group any given race, especially when you J get to number five through number eight1 *3 which is exciting, which keeps the pressure < on everybody.” The Delton Kellogg girls open their season fl at the Lawrence Jim Carey Early Bird Invita- fl tional Friday, Aug. 18. The Panthers’ first home meet ofthe season *1 is a dual with Gull Lake Aug. 22. They’ll fol- <| low that up next Friday, Aug. 25, running in the d South Christian 2023 Under the Lights Invite. 1 The Panthers will also host the Delton Kel- ] logg Invitational Sept. 7 and the Barry Coun- j ty Invitational Oct. 24. The South wester© Athletic Conference | season- starts at Parchment Sept. 13. South Haven will host a conference jamboree too and the conference championship meet is set for Oct. 12 at US 131 Motorsports Park. if.. Coach Grimes said he expects Schoolcraft | and Kalamazoo Christian to be tough to beat in the SAC this fall, and for Lawton to have a j solid squad. He thinks his girls should be able < to push for one ofthose top spots in the con- J ference standings too, and maybe even qualify jj for the MHSAA Division 3 Lower Peninsula j Cross Country Finals at the end ofthe season.* . “Hopefully, we’ll be right there,” Grimes said. “I am liking the group that is developing along already this season.” Rimmer chasing spot in cross country state finals BreKBremer SpomEditor Delton Kellogg junior Ethan Rimmer ran the fastest race of liis life at regionals at the end ofhis freshmanjseason in 2021. Fie did it again atfcsophomore at the end ofthe 2022 seasomKfeL He’s working to do it a> third time this fall, with the hopes that ftiew PR at the end ofthe season will be enoi«h to qualify him for the MHSAA Division j Lower (Peninsula Cross Country Finals. M Rimmer earned ajl-conference andAll-Barry County honors §ts a sophomore with the Delton Kellogg vafstty cross country team last fall. He led the DK team at the South­ western Ath|etic Conference Championship with a 15th-place finish and then set his PR at 18 minutes 4.32 seconds in a 36th-place regional finish. Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ cross country Coach Dale Grimeslsaid Rimmer had a good track and field season last spring and has been practicing hard in preparation for this fall season. “He is hoping to get to state,” coach Grimes said. “He has been close a couple times, knocking oq the door. We’ll see if he can pull it offthis year.” Rimmer sets the pace for a small Delton Kellogg boys’ team this fall. There are cur­ rently just five guys out for cross country at the hi high school level. It’s enough for the Pantne^l Pantne^llfto earn a team score, but coach Grimes wbu^d' sur urf'l^V e to boost the team’s depth as mqlh as jpsiib siible. ;z The i lonej senwnraumihg -to the- program this fall is Rhys Bedfor Bedford, who is a four-year high school cross country runner. Brock Hickerson, ajunior, is the only other guy wjth milch varsity running experience. Roiih’dirig out the DK squad are freshman Isaiah Kellogg and sophomore Nick Muday. The Panthers will get a gauge of where they stand as a team when they open the sea­ son Friday at Lawrence’s Jim Carey Early Bird Invitational. The DK team will host Gull Lake for a dual at Gilmore Car Museum Tuesday, Aug. 22, apd then will head to. South Christian for the 2023 Under the Lighfe Invite Aug. 25. The Panthers will also host an invitational Sept. 7 and the annual Barry County Invita­ tional Oct. 24. The Southwestern Athletic Conference season starts Sept. 13 when Parchment plays host to the first of two conference jambo­ rees. The league gets together three times this season with the championship race set to be hosted by Martin Oct. 12 at US 131 Motorsports Park. “Obviously, we try to set goals to be at the top every year,” coach Grimes said. “Last year we finished up third out ofthe expanded conference. This year is going to be a little bit different, but wis’re still going to be setting goalSi-We’irpiCK a ffe^ teams ahead ofus and go ‘alpight, we're going after them.’” He said lie expects Hackett Catholic Prep to be tough this fall in the conference after the team’s performance a year ago and some of the strong distance runners he watched during the spring track season. Saugatuck, Bridgman, Parchment and Kalamazoo Christian should be challenging for top spots in the conference too. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-08-24.pdf b1c23b03dec2bf6f628063768e07787a PDF Text Text Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 49058113421 ANNER Thursday^August 24, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 34 PRICE $1.50 Consumers Energy details renewable energy projects in Johnstown Twp.; Residents push back Leila Wood Contributing Writer Consumers Energy unveiled plans for renewable energy projects slated for John­ stown Township farmland during last week’s board meeting. Spring Creek Dairy is a roughly 1,600acre renewable energy project, plans for which include solar panels and a biodigester system, which collects natural gas from decomposing manure. Consumers Energy Community Affairs Manager Greg Moore thanked the township board for giving them the time to “publicly introduce this project to the community” and said, “We’ve been eager to do this for a long time.” Stakeholder Engagement Manager Ryan Carrigan, also of Consumers Energy, dis­ played a map ofthe proposed project, which he said is not yet final. “The county still needs to go through their specific zoning process to come up with all the specifics of the ordinance that we obvi­ ously would need to meet.” He noted that the entire project encompass­ es about 1,600 acres, but that does not mean 1,600 acres ofsolar panels. There will also be a functioning dairy farm, several undeveloped wetlands and wooded areas, and a large portion ofthe land that will remain agricultural, under their cur­ rent plan. “We do not touch any trees. We try not to cut any trees. We try to stay away from all the wetlands that are available ... because, number one, it creates an environmental nightmare for us. Number two, we have to get tons of permis­ sions to be able to cut any trees,” said Project Development Manager Mohamed El-Gafy. Setbacks and screens are included in their plan, but Carrigan advised against the cre­ ation of an ordinance that would require larger setbacks than Consumers is planning for, as that would spread out the project, and he said, “focusing more on where there are residential homes next to the project is our preference because we can produce a nice, compact product that minimizes how much it spreads in the community around it.” If Consumers Energy ever decides to expand the solar panels in the future, that would require approval from the county, and this is currently their only solar project in Barry County. Consumers Energy is required to provide 90 percent of its energy from clean sources by 2040, and according to Carrigan, they have chosen to focus on solar. < “We’re going to do 8,000 megawatts in the next decade or so. Solar is the cheapest way to produce energy right now,” he said. Carrigan and El-Gafy directed residents to Lazard and the Department of Energy, to research the economics ofenergy production further. “Lazard is an independent organization that tracks that ...ifyou believe the govern­ ment, look at the Department ofEnergy web­ site. If you do not believe the government, look into Lazard, and you will find different numbers. Pick the numbers you believe,” said El-Gafy. According to Stakeholder Engagement Manager Dena Isabel 1, Consumers expects to save over 600 million dollars that would be spent to build or update coal and other facilities. Producing that volume of solar energy will take 70,000 to 80,000 acres, or about oneand-a-half percent of Michigan’s farmland, according to Carrigan, and he said, “putting solar there, quite honestly, is one ofthe few change of uses that at the end of it, you can still farm it again... I like to think of it as solar helps preserve the opportunity to farm,” he said. To produce energy from solar panels as cost-effectively as possible, Carrigan said it is necessary to “do solar at utility scale.” Therefore, they are trying to focus on prop­ erties where they can produce 100 megawatts or more. “For each megawatt, you need ... between five or 10 acres. I’d calculate it at about seven, but that will range a little bit, obvious­ ly, based on your topography and the solar resource in your region,” he said. At Spring Creek Dairy, he said they plan to produce 140 megawatts - 100 in Johnstown Township and 40 south ofthe county line, in Bedford Township. “Altogether, that will provide energy for about 25,000 homes,” said Carrigan. He said solar panels do not make noise. Their inverters do, but those will be located some distance from property lines and should not be audible to neighbors, and by design, solar panels absorb light, not reflect it, so glare should be minimal. Carrigan also said they plan to reach out to the neighbors in the area. “We want to make sure they’re hearing directly from us (and) that we capture any concerns ... maybe there are ways we can work together to address those concerns with additional screening, things like that that might help make it at least a little bit more palatable and ease any concerns that they may have.” Carrigan said that he works as a zoning administrator in two townships, and a solar project has been allowed in one ofthose two. “It’s not as big as this,” he said, “but (there are) a lot ofthe same concerns, and I can tell you I’ve sat on both sides of having to say, ‘how do we regulate this and address people’s See ENERGY, page 3 Corrections officer honored for saving life in county jail suicide attempt Jayson Bussa Editor Details have emerged for the first time publicly about a Barry County Jail inmate’s suicide attempt that occurred over the spring and one corrections officer is being honored for her role in saving a life. Barry County SheriffDar Leafappeared in front of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning to present the Sheriff’s Life Saving Award to Deputy Susan McCracken, who has been working in corrections for the county forjust under two years. McCracken took action during an incident on April 20 involving an inmate who was attempting suicide, helping to save the indi­ vidual’s life. Citing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Sheriff’s office did not release any identifying infor­ mation about the individual involved. However, Leaf recounted the moments that played out just before 2 p.m. on April 20 when McCracken observed video surveil­ lance of a holding cell where an inmate was being held. The inmate was covered by a blanket on the floor with a sock tied around their neck attempting suicide. “The inmate was unresponsive; their face was blue and they were not breathing,” the Sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Deputy Retired Army Sergeant Brad VandenBerg-has found riding a motorcycle to be effective in helping him grapple with the PTSD he acquired during his years of service. He wants to help other disabled vets to experience the same benefits. (Photos provided) Local man that customizes motorcycles for fellow vets to stage fundraiser at Hastings Summerfest Jayson Bussa Editor Ifyou’re looking for Brad VandenBerg at Hastings Summerfest this weekend, he won’t be hard to find. He’ll have a big ol’ Harley Davidson parked next to his booth. -But, it’s not his bike. He’s working on customizing this 2006 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster for a fellow disabled veteran. “I’ll have that setting there so people see how much work I have ahead of myself, VandenBerg said. VandenBerg, who grew up and resides in the rural southwestern portion of Barry County, has a burning passion for two things: Riding his motorcycle and helping out his fellow veterans. After all, Vanden­ Berg is a veteran himself, a former Sergeant in the United States Army who was medi­ cally retired from active duty due to injuries he sustained fighting in the Korangul Vai- See SUMMERFEST, page 2 Hastings SummerFest Aug. 25-27 Downtown Hastings Fora full schedule ofevents, visit hastingssummerfest.com See SAVING LIFE, page 2 Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf presents a Life Saving Award to Deputy Susan McCracken during Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Board of Commissioners. McCracken administered life-saving treatment to an inmate that was attempting sui­ cide earlier this year. Hastings school board looks at next steps following passing of $17 million bond proposal Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Work is already underway to secure Hast­ ings bond funds approved by voters earlier this month. Although voters approved the $17.4 mil­ lion request on Aug. 8, there are still a few more steps the district has to follow before it can access and spend the funds. “We do have a lot ofpeople asking ques­ tions,” Superintendent Matt Goebel said. “‘Okay, the bond has passed. Should (the district) get a check tomorrow?’ Well, no. It doesn’t necessarily work that way.” Tim Berlin, assistant superintendent of operations, provided a briefoverview ofthe process required to secure bond funds at Monday’s board meeting. “There’s nobody that would like to get going faster than Matt and I, I know, but it is See BOND, page 3 Hastings school board members Brad Tolles (left) and Michael Nickels (right) discussed the district’s successful bond proposal Monday. Tolles said he hoped it was a sign of increased trust in the district, (photo by Hunter McLaren) �Page 2_Thursday, August 24, 2023 — The Hastings Banner New 4-Hcoordinator brings love i for horticulture to Barry County NEWS BRIEFS Volunteers being sought for United Way Day of Caring * Volunteers for the Barry County United Way will be out in droves-for Day ofCaring activities on Thursday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 16. Over 500 volunteers are expect­ ed to be working in Barry County on those days, and those interested can still sign up to volunteer. * , ... Volunteers can choose from a myriad ofprojects to help out with,, including opportunities, in the morning and afternoon on Thursday, Sept. 14, and in the morning dn Saturday, Sept. 16» In addition to the in-person volunteering, there are opportunities for volunteers to help out virtually with “Caring in Action.” Each volunteer1 will receive a T-shirt . . ’. ’ All vol.un.teers are invited to. join the United Way at the YMCA Camp Algonquin, 2055 IroquQis.Tkail, for the annual Day ofCaring Luncheon On Thursday, Sept. 14 from noon to 1: 3 0 p.m. * ' • Those’ interested in volunteering during the Day ofCaring can sign up at the Barry County United Way’s website, bcunitedway.org. Hastings Nazarene hosting community worship and picnic The Hastings Church,ofthe Nazarene will host a community worship and picnic at Thomapple Plaza; 304 E. State Street in Hastings, on Sunday, Sept. 17. . The worship will begin at 10:t5.a.m. on Sunday and the picnic will commence at noon. All are welcome to join.the community-wide worship and picnic, which is planned to conclude around 2 p.m. ’ Hastings Church’ ofthe Nazarene credits the generosity oflocal businesses for facil facil-­ itating the community picnic. Attendees ate encouraged to bring lawn chairs and yard • games. * • ’ *• Mor.e information about the picnic and* worship can be found by contacting Hastings Nazarene’s Bikram Ranapheli, connections pastor, at 616-500-4317. Pleasant Valley Baby Pantry celebrates 20 years , The Pleasant Valley Baby Pantry celebrated its 20th anniversary last month, celebrat­ ing two decades ofhelping local families care for small children. The pantry, located at the Pleasant Valley United Brethren Church, 13120 Bell Road, was created to help anyone caring for children with clothing, food and furniture. Though the mission has stayed the same, there have been some changes to the pantry over the t years. The pantry moved out ofthe old church sanctuary, which was not handicap accessible, to the basement. Dry food staples have been added to help with needs for the whole family. . .. 7 * ’ Over the past 20 years, the pantry has helped .nearly 400 clients with their needs. There are no income or residency requirements to use the- pantry, “Ifwe have some­ thing you need, it is yours,” say organizers. Pleasant Valley’s baby pantry is Open Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Friday from 11 to 1 p.m. The church can-be contacted at 616-693-2265. , . DNR to offer oil and gas lease rights in Barry County during online auction Approximately 3,000 acres of state-owned oil and gas lease rights in 12 Michigan counties will be offered during a Department of Natural Resources online auction Tues­ day, Oct. 24. • . «. * r . The counties included in the auction are’ Allegan, Arenac, Barry, Cass, Cheboygan/, Grand Traverse, Ionia, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Saint Clair and Washtenayv. More information about the auction can be* found on the DNR oil and gas webpage, bit.ly/3QJTPBf; or by emailirig DNR-LeaseManagement@Michigan.gov (subject line should read AUCTION)/ ; ♦ . National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 5 The Barry County Community Mental Health Authority (BCCMHA) continues to promote awareness ofNational Depression Screening Day. This year, National Depres­ sion Screening Day falls on Thursday, Oct 5. . ", Ifyou are having *a difficult time and are not currently receiving mental* health ser­ vices, BCCMHA asks that you call 269-948-8041-of stop in at Barry County Commu­ nity Mental Health, 500 Barfield Drive, in Hastings. They would like.to assist you in connecting with appropriate services. *. MSP sport. s ‘new look to 'icoUnic• bubble Michiganders may soon notice a different look to Michigan State Poljce cars’ iconic bubble light MSP announced last week a redesigned beacon for their Chevrolet Tahoe PPV fleet* with new and innovative technologies that increase visibility for added officer safety. New features include: • - 360-degree scene, front takedown, alley and reverse lighting: White lighting' around the entire vehicle for additional visibility during incident management, investi­ gations and’search and recovery efforts. . V . - 360-degree warning light: Reflectors provide for a full 360-degree coverage of emergency lighting, providing better off-angle coverage during traffic stops and clear­ ing intersections. ’ . • ' 4 • . • -Additional visibility: Although the new modernized tjeacon is three Inches shorter, the new beacon boosts 144 light-emitting diodes (LED), a 42 percent increase in bright­ ness from the previous model.* - Synchronized flash patterns: Designed to increase officer safety during traffic stops, scene investigations and provide less distraction and more clarity for approach­ ing motorists. • ♦ - Lower profile: Allows members to enter facilities with standard garage door open­ ings. LEGAL NOTICE FOR 2023 BARRY COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION The Barry County Conservation Easement (BCCE) Board is pleased to announce the 2023 application cycle for the Barry County Conservation. Easement Program. Deadline for submission is Monday, October 30,2023 at the Barry County Administration Office. The BCCE program was created to help landowners place conservation easements on their parcels to permanently preserve important farmland and natural land. Landowners retain ownership oftheir land and may receive compensation for their conservation easement based on ’ a state approved appraisal oftheir l^nd. Participation is completely voluntary. There are also tax benefits to donating a conservation edsement to the county. Interested landowners may obtain an information packet and application for this voluntary program by contacting , «. t Heather Wing at 269-275-2351 * dr heatherhving@gmail.conj. fhe Barry County Conservation Easement Program will be hosting two landowner workshops to discuss the Conservation Easement Program. • Thursday, September 7, 2023, 7:00 pm, Tyden Center Community Rm., 121 S. Church St., Hastings • Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 pm, Tyden Center Community Rm., 121 S. Church St,, Hastings Lindsay Patton • Contributing Writer ' When LilyRose Arriaga kicked offher role as Barry County 4-H’s second full-time pro­ gram coordinator, it was July 17 - the week of .the' Barry County Fair* Arriaga quickly found out wjiy the organization created the position. • “I describe, it as a ‘good*, overwhelming,” she said. Arriaga, recognized something special about the Barry County Fair, during that week. Prior, to starting her role at 4-H, she visited other county fairs that now.seem small in comparison to Bairy'County’s. “The fair is something so ’important to Barry County.” ‘ It has how. been six weeks since Arriaga’s first day, and she has since foUnd a home at Barry County’s office of the Michigan State University Extension. “It has been an amazing time so far,’? she said. “He^e in Barry County, we are a1 very tight-knit community.” f • That tight-knit culture is also present at the Barry County 4-H office, where there.’are five employees that work in different areas. The intimate environment has been especially helpful to Arriaga as she onboarded. “It makes it more comfortable to come into this position, and since we’re all female, we get along well/’ she said. A Chicagoland native, Arriaga was attend­ ing community college when an adviser changed the coprse ofher life and suggested horticulture as a potential interest. “She was telling me she teaches a horticul­ ture class and' that I should be a part. From there, I fell -in love with it,”. Arriaga said. Through that intro class, Arriaga was intro­ duced to horticulture as a whole, as well as all its different parts. Immediately, she discov­ ered a new passion. “Horticulture is a whple bubble of indus- LilyRose Arriaga tries put together,” she said. “There’s land­ scaping, there’s gardening, there’s public gardening, and learning all the different parts ofhorticulture is what got me hooked.” Arriaga began working at her community college’s student farm, where she found another passion in organic farming. The stu­ dent farm also participated in community-sup­ ported agriculture, which is a crop-sharing system that puts food directly into the local community. “It showed me how horticulture can actual­ ly support a community and provide so much more,” she said. “And I really loved that.” As Arriaga’s involvement in horticulture grew, she- became serious about making it a career path. A supervisor recommended Michigan State University for its strong hor­ ticulture program. Arriaga was on her way to becoming a Spartan. On the drive to her new home in East Lan­ sing, Arriaga noticed something after cross- ing state lines. “My very first time visiting Michigan I fell in love with the trees,” she said. “I was driv-j ing with my parents and I remember jusli looking out the windows and I honestly felt I could see the difference between the trees irii Michigan and Illinois.” • As she settled into MSU, that love only grew as she got to know her new home state and its natural resources. ‘^Being in horticulture, I feel there are more; opportunities in Michigan. I knew Michigan;; was a big agricultural state and ... I wanted to be a part ofexpanding agriculture. I just feltt right at home coming to Michigan.” In her new role as Barry County 4-H pro­ gram coordinator, Arriaga will be a big part ofexpanding agriculture. Some of her respon­ sibilities include building relationships withwith­ in the community and implementing more diverse programs in the organization. “Barry County is centered around traditradi­ tional 4-H and livestock,” she said. “In my position, they want me to bring more natural resources and outdoor education to 4-H..... I’m trying to bring in something new to the county, something more diverse.” Currently, a dream project for Arriaga is the children’s garden at the Barry County Fair. During her first week, she struck up a conversation with a few Master Gardeners, who shared the garden’s challenges. Over the past few years, the garden hasn’t been tended to appropriately and Arriaga is hoping to get the garden back up and running for the com­ munity’s children to enjoy. “I’m hoping that’s an area I can touch on. It really hits home.” As she settles into her role, Arriaga is look­ ing to build connections and learn more about Barry County. She welcomes suggestions from the community and can be reached at arriaga4@msu.edu. 1 11 <•^4 SUMMERFEST, continued from page 1 ley in Afghanistah.*He returned home in 2009 and embarked pn' his journey to heal both physically and mentally.Throughout that pro­ cess, he found that he had a passion for servoing injured veterans who found themselves on that samejourney, leading him to volunteer at his local Veterans Affairs (VA)*hospital.' (VahdenBerg was diagnosed with* PTSD ’ and he made an effort to learn all about the ailment an<]?what might help himwoverc6me it. He found that riding his motorcycle was therapeutic arid effective m helping to* stave offhis symptpms. He is eager for other dis­ abled veterans to reap the, same benefits, but mapy can’t ride traditional motorcycles because oftheir disability. *And that’s thS impetus behind Vanden­ Berg’s non-profit organisation. . Wheejs- for Warriors is a one-man opera-, tion 'where VatndenBerg selects a worthy, disabled 'veteran and customizes a motorcy­ cle for them so that they cart enjoy the same therapeutic benefits of riding as he has. These projects'are funded, by donations and he has completed three oftheni, He’§ embarking on •another one and* will be teaming-with the •American Legion Riders Post 45 in Hastings to help raise some ofthe necessary funds. • VandehBerg selected’. Pamela Murray, a disabled veteran from Youngstown, Ohio, as the recipient ofhis next build. Murray served active duty in the United States Navy from 1980 to 1993.. . •*' Jn. 1981, she was serving on the USS Nimitz when a pilot crashedhis EA-BbB Prowler as*,he .came in to land on. the flight deck. The accident ■ injured many crew members and caused dozens of casualties. The1 traumatic experience caused Murray to develop PTSD. “Part ofthe reason that I picked Pam, tod, is that the truth is that female veterans often get overlooked;”' VandenBerg §aid. “I really want tQ do something that raises awareness ■ for bur female veterans.” ; But, to get Murray comfortably on-her new bike, VandpnBerg must* overhaul the 2006 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster and convert it into a trike, an-effort that will cost well- north of$10,000. Like wifh-his*Qther projects, he is seeking donations, and this includes, a fundraising effort at the annual Hastings'* Summerfest,, •which kicks offon Friday.’ . The American Legion Riders Post 45 will match donations from the general public up This 2006 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster is Brad VandenBerg’s next project, as he looks to convert it to a trike and gift it to Youngstown, Ohio-based disabled veteran Pamela Murray. Pamela Murray to $2,000. So, if VandenBerg can reel in $2,000 in donations from the public, he’ll double it to $4,000 immediately, Vvhich will help get the ball rolling on the project. “The American Legion Riders, I’ve always had a good rapport with them,” VandenBerg said. “They’re a great resource to, find yeteT: ans that need the help to find a bike.” VandenBerg is also careful about who he selects to build a bike for. He knows all too well that many veterans face a dark period when they return home - many grapple with a dependency on drugs or alcohol. He wants to make sure that when he invests time and donations into a bike, the recipient will enjoy it and use it for its intended purpose. “It should be a reward for not only their service but also for the work they do after they serve,” VandenBerg said. “They’re tak­ ing a disability and making it an ability. Those are veterans I choose to build my bikes for. Pam, she volunteers at the Y(MCA) and she was the first female post commander for her American Legion.” Hastings Summerfest is the city’s annual three-day celebration featuring a variety of events, from an arts and crafts fair that over* takes the Barry County Courthouse lawn to a parade, 5K/10K races, musical entertainment and a variety of athletic competitions. A full schedule of event? can be found at hasti SAVING LIFE, continued from page 1 McCraqken attempted to untie, the socks, but was unable to do so because they were tied in several double knots!” \ ' The statement continued on to. say that MqCrabken used a tool to cut- the socks away from.the inmate’s neck and performed CPR. Following TO tQ 15 chest compressions,the inmate started to. breathe and had a strong pulse while; normal color returned to.their, face. ’ •. , “Deputy McCracken’s ^actions during his emergency being diligent in her Observations and quick to respond to her instincts, and training save* the person’s.llfe,” the statement said., * f . . In ah interview with thefianqer? Leafsaid that the inmate did* go on to. make a full recovery and was»rfo longer housed at the countyjail. Leafexplained that the jail has three hold­ ing cells that are designated for inmates that might be suicidal or detoxing. They are used as a precautionary measure, as it allows cor­ rections officers to keep a closer eye on those inmates. The inmate in question was in one of those cells when they attempted suicide, which staff are trained to spot and react to. “They’re actually more frequent than you might think,” Leaf said. “This one here just went a lot of further. He had a blanket over his head and that’s not uncommon inmates who are in there. They’re depressed. (McCracken) trusted her instinct and went back there and saved him.” The Sheriff’s office has had to contend with a short corrections staff, but Leaf said that the situation has improved and that the jail is almost fully staffed. He pointed to an instance like this to highlight the necessity ofa full corrections staff. When you’re short staffed you might be tied up doing something over in another cell and not being able to go back to the monitors. We have someone sitting back there but we have a lot ofcameras (to monitor) back there..” While staff was able to save a life in this more recent instance, other situations, like one tthat played out three years ago, underscores the importance ofremaining vigilance. On the evening of May 1, 2020 sheriff’s deputies and emergency personnel responded to an unresponsive inmate, who eventually died due to an apparent suicide attempt. Even before that, in 2016, another instance grabbed headlines when deputies rescued a suicidal inmate who attempted to hang themselves from a bunk using a bedsheet. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 24, 2023 — Page 3 Library installs new solar picnic table funded by private donor l&« Hunter McLaren Ws ?^kkii’£>?cSx»sIS*C*$CSCSS ?£?S s s ? David Edelman, assistant director at the Hastings Public Library, said the new solar-powered picnic table was com­ pletely funded by an anonymous donor. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) ssss w §§ §S^ S^ §*<* $'>s„; fc**?*s ^22*^ fe*?s> **S** Ma* ‘“’S W*| ^u Stait* ••*< StaffWriter Hastings library-goers have a new place to beat the sun downtown. The Hastings-Public Libraryinstalled a solar-powqred picnic table on thp north side of the, building Tuesday aftern^tn. Aside from shade and shelter, the tabl^ also provides wireless internet connectij®; ^yirel^ss phone charging, LED lights, US^jorts rts and outlets for charging other deviceiT Hastings Department bf m£*e ces wofksrs»Jlaced a cementpad'fbr'the ^ble e earlier this month, connecting it to thb rieighboring sidewalk and making it csotamfffrleekfee&i wheelchair accessible. Library , reused some of the animal-themed stencils used to create tracks and footprints in the library rain garden’s path, making the new addition fit right in. David Edelman, the library’s assistant director, said the table is completely free for the public to use. “It will be nice for people to be able to play cards, they can read, they can work here,” Edelman said. “They can do whatever they want.” The table was completely paid for by an anonymous donation, which allowed the library to finally tackle the project after think­ ing about it for a long time. “All paid for from an anonymous dona­ tion,” Edelman said. “They wanted us to use it for something we couldn’t normally do. This has been on our wishlist for several years.” Over 150 chicks found dead inside Lakewood High School greenhouse BOND, continued from page 1 a bit of a process,” Berlin said. “One of the things on your board packet tonight is the authorization ofthe bonds. We actually have to go out on the market and sell the bonds, so we probably will not have bond dollars until sometime in October at the earliest.” Board members approved the authoriza­ tion ofthe bonds and approved Stifel, Nico­ laus & Company, Inc. as underwriter for the bonds. Berlin said the district was still look­ ing at potentially selling the bonds in two series, although the goal was to get as much funding as possible from the first series to help secure lower construction costs for bond projects. While bond funds may not be available until the fall, Berlin said the district was still moving quickly on bond-funded projects. School administrators and employees are scheduled to meet with the architect and con­ struction managers early next week. Berlin said he would have more informa­ tion available for local residents hoping to purchase bonds at the next board meeting. Goebel said .making bonds purchasable by locals was a priority for the district. “We did have some local people whp .were interested in investing in bonds,” Goebel said. “We wanted to make sure that we had that available for our local citizens.” Over 150 chicks were found dead earlier this month inside a greenhouse belonging to Lakewood High School. A gas leak is suspected as the cause of death for the young fowl. (Photo by Molly Macleod) Berlin also addressed how the bond funds would impact the school’s overall finances. Using a “three legged stool” analogy compar­ ing the district’s debt service fund (funds provided by bond proposals), general fund and sinking fund, he said the district was looking much more financially secure. Funds from the Aug. 8 proposal would be able to pay for the district’s immediate infrastructure needs, like new roofs for the high school and part of the middle school, that otherwise would have significantly cut into the school’s general fund. Board members thanked school adminis­ trators, involved community members and voters for their part in helping the district secure the funds outlined in the Aug. 8 pro­ posal. “(It was) a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, work tirelessly and have a positive outcome,” Board Presi­ dent Luke Haywood said. “You know, we’ve done it four or five times before without quite the outcome that we had hoped for.” Looking ahead, Berlin pointed toward the district’s sinking fund as its next area ofcon­ cern. Set to expire in December 2024, Goebel has said proposing a renewal ofthe sinking fund in, May is the district’s next hurdle. Securing teMJ-year-renewal ofthe fund would keep the district financially stable for years to come, he said. Board member Brad Tolles said the approved bond proposal showed promise that trust in the district could be rebuilt after a community survey conducted earlier this year showed a public perception offiscal irrespon­ sibility. “I think we’re slowly building that trust back that this board should have with the public,” Tolles said. “I think a lot of the momentum that we have now going forward will hopefully continue with the financial information and the transparency that we’re trying to project. Hopefully we’ll get more questions from the public andjust continue to build on what we’ve got now.” Goebel, who made communication with the public a priority following the survey results, said the district’s work wasn’t over yet. Continued transparency and communica­ tion would continue to be a priority for the district, he said. “I want to make sure that we remember what we need to do to continue to gain that trust,” Goebel said. “Yes, we made a stride to get the community to trust more in our school system. At the same time, we’ve got to keep showing up, keep showing fiscal responsibil­ ity and keep that communication.” Molly Macleod Copy Editor Over 150 chicks were found dead inside a greenhouse at Lakewood High School earlier this month. Police reports obtained by The Hastings Banner stated that a Barry County Sheriff’s deputy was sent to the school to investigate on Friday, Aug. 11 after receiving a tip that over 150 deceased chicks were suspected to be inside the greenhouse, located near the science wing ofLakewood High School. The caller, who does not work for the school, told deputies that they believed the chickens were neglected and left in the green­ house over the summer. Upon arrival, the officer wrote that he observed a large number of deceased chicks across the floor ofthe structure. Contact was made with Lakewood High School Principal Stephen Williams, who told deputies that a gas leak was suspected to have caused the deaths. Williams said a teacher at the high school purchases the chicks each year and that this is the first year a casualty event of this scale has occurred. The report states that Williams said the chicks all died within two hours ofbeing placed in the greenhouse. The Hastings Banner could not reach Wil­ liams for comment. Though the remains of the chicks were present when officers first arrived at the scene on Aug. 11, they have since been cleaned up. Williams told deputies should an incident like this happen again, the animal remains will be disposed of as soon as possible. As for why the remains were not immediately taken care of, the report states that “no one ever got around to disposing ofthe chics (sic).” It is unknown how long the animal remains were left in the greenhouse. According to the reports, the case is now closed and the incident is being handled by the school. Staffwriter Hunter McLaren contributed to this report. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEV­ ILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: ■<£S Brffafr SNERG Y, continued from page 1 fconcems?’ PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on September 14,2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning En­ abling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Toyvnship. being frying to gfe^ ects isabeB'3jP ai iodige pared them tp septic tanks. ManureVs allqwj sealed silo^producin n, is a fairly common 9T2K2 »«■ ggt*ggt* »W ai1i?W**$ seM M^* "tatii M tatii *w*saS» XWftberW?i XaWf, tbW?i*'ii tberW?i ZVJJd*.18 (fl &SS* *>*>l«’* <s># 5 J*» JS»>‘I*^> I " >1 >/ , wr I F , Fr r f^XdJz^Sfi fr^drJr^fi 4%‘>f « «%% JJ* w w <%» my y&f.A &y <% » - ioO o decompose in a j >gas, which she'said id d Biog id they plan and putt^into their system^ tdsfe>e p'uurf ed by customers who \yant tenewable riapjral gas, at aA additional cost. .jw:/’ ' She sai^this is beneficial rar the farm, and the manure solids left over ban be used as fertilizer or dried arid used as bedding for the cows, “but there’s also a benefit for Consum­ ers Energy to capture that renewable natural gas and put it back into our system. There are customers that would voluntarily pay for that, to have that renewable natural gas.” If they were not planning to capture the gas, it would simply be flared offand lost into the atmosphere, she said. She also addressed a couple of concerns she has heard frequently and said are myths: that digesters smell bad and that they are bad for the environment. Isabell said that contain­ ing the decomposing manure in a digester reduces the amount of methane that is released, which she stated is healthier for the environment than manure ponds. The risk ofspills and leaks is also reduced, she said, and this method “reduces the odors significantly.” Isabell said this project is a showcase, “It’s a way to maintain agricultural, farming com­ munities while bringing in renewable energy, as a way to show how we can continue to support operations of our ag community in this township... while bringing in biodigesters to support renewable natural gas and helping support those operations of the existing farm.” Several representatives from Bowne Town­ ship-based Swiss Lane Farms came with the team from Consumers to provide information on their involvement in the project. Swiss Lane Farms is located in Alto, Michigan, where they are also working with Consumers on a $17 million biogas project. Swiss Lane Farms CEO Matt Oesch said a couple ofyears ago, they took over the Hal­ bert Dairy Farm in southern Barry County, in collaboration with Consumers, which had bought the property from the owners, who were retiring. Oesch said, “the challenge that my genera­ tion has is how do we transition the owner­ ship and the success that the dairy has had in the past to this next generation ... I think it’s only 30 percent of family businesses make it to the second generation, and only about 12 percent make it to the third. We’re in the fourth, looking toward the fifth.” In 2019 and 2020, Oesch said he started seeing a trend of large dairy farms perusing renewable natural gas projects. “We believe that 20 years from now, any dairy in the 2,000-cow range is going to have a methane digester, and they’re going to be : YKU gnmaai ’ 'izeeiqga tsnoitsM PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission’s consid­ eration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Eric Thompson (ethompson@ Dcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Eric Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. A request from property owner, Michael Golembiewski, 4416 Bridgeport Ct Hud­ sonville, Ml 49426, for a Special Land Use/Site Plan Review to allow for the con­ struction of an accessory building failing to meet the required setbacks pursuant to section 4.20 “Accessory Structures”. The subject site is located at 11345 Oak Dr., Parcel # 08-12-240-021-00 and is currently zoned R2 -Medium Residential. bedding on manure solids ... that’s the sus­ tainable way to care for cows,” he said, Consumers Energy4tW)ically prefers to lease land or utilize easements and “work with participating landowners on making it work for them, on their farm,” said Carrigan. In many cases, he said, farmers have offered to let them put in solar panels on less productive parts oftheir land, Which provides a more stable source ofincome,than crops. In this case, however, the property in question is owned by Consumers. v The dairy farm on the Halbert property will remain ain operational,»along Avith Avith-ConsumerS* Spring Creek rebewaBlg energy,.|i&jpct. Nashville resident Gary White quoted from the Barry County Master Plan, which states that the county’s natural beauty and agriculture must be protected, and he said, “restrictions must be in place to control the unbridled sprawl of experimental energy. Your county commissioners are neglecting their sworn responsibilities to protect the best interests of the land, and most impor­ tantly, the people of Barry County.” Several also questioned whether producing more energy in Johnstown Township would have a direct effect on their energy bills. The answer was no; that energy would go into the grid and be used by their community. “Any electricity takes the shortest path from where it’s generated to where it’s used, so ifyou are connected closer to the source, where it’s generated, I can guarantee you that you will have a priority to use that electricity that is generated here, not because we regu­ late it; it’s pure physics,” said El-Gafy, but the bills will not go down in Johnstown Township until they are able to lower them across the state. 2. A request from Michael and Pamela McBride on behalf of the property owner Deborah Young Trust, 12120 Southgate Dr., Plainwell, Ml 49080, for a for a par­ tial parcel re-zoning. The subject site is located on Lindsey Rd adjoining Handy Ln, Parcel # 08-12-008-018-36 and is currently zoned A -Agricultural. The applk cant is requesting a re-zoning to R2-Residential. 3. A request from Nick Richmond on behalf of the property owner, Jonathan and Christine Petro, 10220 N 24th St. Plainwell, Ml 49080, for a Special Land Use/ Site Plan Review to allow for the construction of Storage Units on C1-Commercial property pursuant to section 6.4 “C1 Rural Area Convenience Commercial District”. The subject site is located at 12209 M89 Hwy, Parcel # 08-12-031-013­ 10 and is currently zoned C1 - Commercial. The Prairieville Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendment(s) at or following the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Carrigan said Consumers is .“not' going to . Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, (to‘ahyjhihg on those properties*that impact to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four .(4) days' prior notice to the Township their ability to have a viable dairy farm.” Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the The township board encouraged people at Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION the meeting to submit written questions for By: Fritz Bork, Chairperson the team from Consumers. Prairieville Township Hall Most ofthose who gathered for the meet­ 11015 S. Norris Rd. ing said they are opposed to the solar farm Delton, Michigan 49046 and are concerned that there may be various 204796 repercussions. Some of the concerns included crop loss, due to the conversion of crop fields to solar fields; silt runoff, from construction; and rumors that eminent domain could come into play, although after some Woodland will hold a public hearing on a proposed increase of 9.2556 mills in the operating tax millage rate to discussion, it appeared that those rumors stem, at least in be levied in 2023. part, from a misunderstanding The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. at 156 S. Main Street, Woodland, Ml 48897. regarding an existing 80-foot­ The date and location of the meeting to take action on the proposed additional millage will be announced at this wide ITC utility easement. Township Treasurer Kar­ public meeting. men Nickerson expressed a If adopted, the proposed additional millage will increase operating revenues from ad valorem property taxes sentiment that was echoed by 5.25% over such revenues generated by levies permitted without holding a hearing. If the proposed additional many others in the room. millage rate is not approved the operating revenue will increase by 4.35% over the preceding year's operating rev­ “I know you say that what you’re putting solar panels on enue. is a very small percentage of The taxing unit publishing this notice, and identified below, has complete authority to establish the number of mills farmland, but in our township, to be levied from within its authorized millage rate. it’s not a very small percent­ age; it’s almost all ofour farm­ This notice is published by: land here ... and it’s going to Woodland Township change what our township 156 S. Main St., Woodland, Ml 48897 looks like, when we see those 269-367-4915 solar panels,” she said. Notice of Public Hearing on increasing Property Taxes �Page 4 — Thursday, August 24, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you itrM^Opmion SCC? Is the political divide in America eroding patriotism? Farm Vac Forget the Dirt Devil - Hastings* own Mensch Manufacturing has a high-powered vacuum that is able to clean up the major messes that farmers have to deal with. The company had its model V2520 manure vacuum on display at the 2023 AgroExpo held near St. Johns last week. Here, compa­ ny representative Sarah Mensch (right) explains the use and benefits of the heavy machinery for larger livestock operations to Nelson Weaver (left) of Sandusky, Mich. The V2520 vacuum can clean a barn alley in one pass and has found great acceptance in the international marketplace with units shipped overseas for the European market. (Photo by George Hubka/MG News) Do you remember? It’s that time of year again, Banner Sept. 1,1988 Bev Siekman, a first grade teacher at Northeastern Elementary in Hastings, explains an assignment to some youngsters on their first full day of school. 0O04J Have you met? StaffWriter Hunter McLaren is a Report corps member covering schools, city government and community issues in Barry Countyfor The Hastings Banner. Reportfor America is a national service project that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-cov­ ered issues. As part ofthe program, corps members are expected to take on a service project that benefits the community. McLaren hosts a weekly, two-hour summer writing class for middle and high school students in Barry County. This weeks ’ Bright Light features writing and reporting contribu­ tionsfrom local students Gregory Neubaur, Jacob Jay Lewis and Patience Schulz. Hastings resident Jon Schmidt grew up working in his dad’s car shop trying to live up to the sign hanging above his desk. “He was a perfectionist. He had a sign over his desk that said, ‘Ifit isn’t perfect, it isn’t finished,’” Schmidt said. “He was a very hard man to work for. I love my dad, but boy was it hard to work for him. Because he meant it - if it isn’t perfect, it isn’t finished and it doesn’t go out the door..” Once he got out ofcollege, Schmidt started running an Earl Scheib Paint & Body shop in Kalamazoo. Schmidt said at that time they only charged $29.95 for a paint job, and their work often reflected that. “My dad said if it wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t done. Earl Scheib said get it out the door, there’s two more coming. That was his philosophy,” Schmidt said. Schmidt said he took a lesson from his time in his dad’s shop and focused on upping his shop’s quality of work. The move was a success and helped him get more work with local dealerships and start a bonus program for his employees, he said. After several years, Schmidt said he left the automotive business to get away from enti­ tled customers who expected a lot from their $30 or $40 paint and repairjobs. “The people start to get to me after a while. They really expect the world for 40 bucks,” he said. “They would bring us rusty, trashy, dirty cars and expect us to make them shiny. I got tired of pacifying people.” for America Jon Schmidt Although he found a new day job, he’s kept tinkering with cars at home. He cur­ rently has a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass and a 1938 Ford, both ofwhich he’s restored and upgraded. Although those two are his most recent models, he’s lost count ofhow many cars he’s owned over the years. It’s a hobby that’s kept him out oftrouble, he said. “I’ve always had a shop in the last 40 years. I buy and sell older cars, play with them for a while, pass them on and find something else. It’s a hobby,” he said. “It’s not very lucrative. I don’t make a lot of money, but my wife knows where I am, so she’s happy.” Now, Schmidt has helpers. With nine grandkids and three great-grandkids, his home gets busy during the summer months. Although a few kids have shown an interest in what he does in the garage, he said they’re not old or interested enough (yet) to help too much. Either way, they like taking rides for ice cream. “The car to them is a fun thing. It never breaks down, never needs gas and never has a flat tire. No, none of those things,” he said. “It’s just grandpa turns a key, and we go.” Schmidt said that while it’s a humble hobby, he still enjoys itjust as much as he used to. Being able to work on cars in his garage away from his father’s watchful eye and his customers persmcketmess has its perks, too. “There’s no sign that says it’has to be perfect before it’s donle in my shop,” Schmidt said. “I’m 72 and still having a lot offun. It can last ifyou stick with it.” For sticking with his passion and sharing it with Barry County youth, Jon Schmidt is this week’s Bright Light. First car: My dad bought my sister and I our first cars, and he bought us cars from our birth year. I don’t know where he found her a ‘42 Pontiac, but he did. He bought me a 1950 Jeepster, which was a rear-wheel drive Jeep with a folding top, and it was very slow. It was very cold in the winter because it had side curtains instead ofwin­ dows. I think I went 60 in it once, it wasn’t fast. He told me, “As long as you drive that, I’ll pay for the insurance and plates.” He wanted me to drive something slow and not go very far or go very fast. I took him up on that and I had that vehicle for 32 years. But I let him offthe hook for the insurance and plates after 10. Favorite car: My next one. I have, had some favorites in the past, some that stick in my mind. I had a ‘56 Ford that I bought for $50. It was one ofthe best cars I’ve ever owned. That’s hard to believe because you can spend $50 on lunch these days, but in ‘68 it could actually buy you a decent car. But generally I’m never happy until the next one gets into the shop, and then I get all excited because I have stuffto do again. What’s changed about cars over the years: A lot of plastic.; Lots and lots of plastic. It’s sad in a wayi but I guess that’s an economical thing. The other main thing is everything looks the shme. Ifyou took a Lexus and put Kia emblems on it, I don’t think anybody would know the difference. Remember patriotism? Can anyone recall those special holidays like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the annual commemoration of 9/11 when our whole nation celebrated freedom, sacrifice and the gift to live freely in America? Apparently, few ofus do. Alarmingly, maybe we no longer care, A recent poll published by the Wall Street Journal shows a steep decline in the number of Americans who say that patriotism is very important to them only 38 percent. That’s down from 70 percent in 1998 and 60 percent in 2019. How can we explain such a decline in the attitudes of Americans toward their own country in the past 25 years? And what can we do about it? Other polls show that this once-great country is changing in other concerning ways, as well. The importance of religion has dropped dramatically and only 23 percent ofAmerican adults under the age of 30 feel that having children is important to them. These are statistics that should daunt every American who still believes we live in the greatest nation on earth. “America will never be destroyed from the outside,” said Abraham Lin­ coln. “Ifwe falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed our­ selves.” Is that what’s happening? Are we allowing our strong principles, our dedi­ cation to a country founded on the tenet that every American is created equal and possesses inalienable rights to wash away in greed and narcissism? Have we allowed left- and right-wing groups to define who we are and to reframe the mistakes America has made in the past into debates over oppressors and victims? 'That’s not?‘the America1 I know where anything is possible if you’re willing to fight or work for it. Today’s problem is that we’ve lost the ability to discuss important issues calmly and respectfully regardless of party affilia­ tion or other differences. Our future may truly be injeopardy because ofour reck­ less spending, Godless government and mean-spirited attempts to silence anyone who doesn’t agree with the way we think. Many people today don’t believe in free speech, the canon ofour democracy. Oh, they support free speech ... but with conditions. Our beliefs have no meaning unless we tolerate things that are said that we loathe — along with those things of which we approve. That’s understanding and supporting free speech. Too often today, we are inclined to suppress opinions just because we don’t like them, or attack the viewpoints of those who express them. “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” said writer and philosopher Voltaire. That’s what a commitment to free speech is all about The idea that anyone can express the way they feel isn’t working today in America because we’re allowing groups of people to dictate the conversation. If you don’t agree with them, you will pay a price. It’s happening in our own com­ munity where people have taken* sides on issues or voiced their opinion only to be cancelled or threatened for their posi­ tions rather than being allowed their right to free speech. This is a free country, isn’t it? Then, as good citizens, we should cherish the abil­ ity to say what we think or hear what Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: newsGj-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren o O’ 3*** <>*** !£»!*«***!*!** . <-***££ 1 ■<» w al ta| *w: The Hastings BdllllCT CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. others think without resentment from anyone or any group. For much of our country’s history we were taught to believe that, through hard work and perseverance, we could achieve just about anything. Today, however, people - and espe­ cially young people - seem to accept that nothing they do matters since the system is stacked against them. A recent Pew study found Millennials describe themselves as more “patriotic” than any other generation, but let’s not misinterpret that data. Millennials are reinterpreting patriotism through their own unique lens. According to Pew, Mil­ lennials have made a clear delineation between patriotism and protest, between those who dogmatically defend our coun­ try and those who criticize it just as vocally. Millennials are passionate critics of our nation’s flaws and our history. Yet, when asked how they felt about our country, 86 percent said they were “proud to be an American.” They just have a different interpretation of what it means to be “patriotic,” which is less ofa rigid acceptance of an ideology of accepting one politics over left or right viewpoints. The Pew report suggests that Millenni­ als identify as more politically indepen­ dent than associating with either political party. They’re looking for answers and action on issues that impact their lives and they don’t feel either party is focused on solving problems. And that’s a per­ spective that more of us than just the Millennial generation are seeing. So is the lack ofpatriotism the prob­ lem or does this new view have more to do with lack of confidence in our gov­ ernment? Common sense says it begins with the highest inflation we’ve been dealing -with in more than 40 years." Mortgage* arid interestI rates'have ’hit iin highs not seen in 20 years. Food, gas, energy prices and the clothes that every average American purchases every day have hit all-time highs. Common sense tells us that average people are not in’ a very good mood, which is impacting our patriotism polling numbers. Someone once said, “A good scape­ goat is almost as good as a solution,” and we’ve got a barnyard full of scapegoats these days. We won’t solve our problems by look­ ing for a scapegoat, though. It takes lead­ ership, understanding and commitment to make a difference - something that is lacking in government today. We need a chance and a new direction or patriotism numbers will continue to decline. “To lodge all power in one party and keep it there is to insure bad government and the sure and gradual deterioration of the public morals,” said Mark Twain. Common sense tells us that America is going in the wrong direction, no matter how the politicians play it or the national media reports it. Americans are fed up and are ready for a new direction. top & • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year In Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 24,2023 — Page 5 Water quality “excellent” on Gun Lake, treatments continue on canals, channels to slow aquatic plant growth Greg Chandler k\X Xl. <JS *ss vlK <vJS JsSX,,sv ’*5^*5? ^*5? v s s T* gsT WWw ^“w w S S;s ShrtXS. sSfi? rjss. && njss && && &£' **csxs &£ cs < 2$S5 *;K ; ““Sa^‘ **£*“•*>t, ^ktad^ st j° ^^^lasMjt *'“4*«teiJll ^■ofc.talasMjt ^^•^wqjra® I toifetauita' .W*i fttyJ .A E3an:l Jjrtid ifiuiea ii Jjrtid 0R ■ posa 1 wi’’iitt ’RtiamjrtWs acf/ncesadfc^st;'. ■SJMitvtlKKiBtws.tairasi *■ zee in atty al LbmtWif JtI h**-t--fek I w V &Asstatrafprtfyri&B (anisnoKKtltk&iii^^'f ■fArina OifaR^ ^nWDiwpiB zruepriy beosr'aried- itcsqacasKpcissn StaffWriter Water quality levels on Gun Lake are said to be “excellent,” according to a recent study. At the same time, though, challenges con­ tinue with regard to invasive and nuisance aquatic plant growth in the lake’s canals and channels. In a report to the Gun Lake Improvement Board last Thursday night, Pete Filpansick of SOLitude Lake Management said that phos­ phorus, alkalinity and chlorophyll levels on the lake were generally within acceptable lev­ els. Water samples were collected from three different locations within the lake on Aug. 2 - one on the east side ofthe lake with a depth of65 feet, one on the west side ofthe lake with a depth offive feet and a thirdjust off the boat launch at Yankee Springs Recreation Area with a depth of 50 feet, Filpansick said. “The best water quality in the state (for phosphorus) is 10 parts per billion or less. Acceptable is about 30 (parts per billion) or less. Ifyou go down the list, you’re going to see a lot ofnumbers in the teens, a couple in the mid-20s,” Filpansick said. “Water quality for phosphorus is very good.” There was one outlier in the phosphorus testing, an area on the east side of the lake where water was tested at a depth of60 feet, where phosphorus levels were 67 parts per billion, well above the standard. “We had this same issue last year,” Filpansick said. “There’s two possibilities (as to why it’s happening). One, either we stirred up sediment offthe bottom as we’re going down, we hit the bottom... when we pulled the sam­ ple and hit some sediment that’s nutrient-rich off the bottom, giving an artificially high reading. The other alternative is that there simply is a lot ofphosphorus in the sediment and when there’s no oxygen, that phosphorus is being released up into the water column.” Filpansick pointed out that in that same area at a depth of 50 feet, phosphorus levels were 18 parts per billion. “That phosphorus-rich water or sediment is trapped at the bottom of the lake. It’s a perfect place for it,” he said. “If we started seeing that number creeping higher up in the 50,40,30 feet ofwater, we see that phospho­ rus moving in the water column, that’s where we would raise a red flag and say we’re about to have a nutrient problem, we’re going to see an algae bloom late summer, we need to do something about the phosphorus.” Filpansick is awaiting field notes the aquatic biologist who.conducted the waterjsam-i ping. His report, iis1 based'oh the sampling analyses, which were done by an indepen­ dent, certified laboratory. Levels of alkalinity ranged from 131 to 168 parts per billion, while acceptable levels are considered to be 120 to 200 parts per bil­ lion, Filpansick said. SOLitude Lake Management reported that the water quality on Gun Lake is excellent as it continues to treat canals and channels for aquatic plant growth. (Photo provided) Meanwhile, chlorophyll-A levels, which serve as an indicator offree algae growth, were generally less than 10 parts per billion, well within acceptable standards, Filpansick said. Low-flow inlet sampling was conducted at the Payne Lake tributary and the Cuddy Inter-County Drain. Water quality at Payne Lake was found to be excellent - “very clear water” — while levels oftotal phosphorus and total suspended solids at the Cuddy drain were higher than when samples were taken in the spring. However, flow rates for the sites have not yet been calculated, which could impact the final results. “It depends on how much water is coming in. Even a low phosphorus reading can be a significant source ofpollution ifthere’s a lot ofwater moving,” Filpansick said. Meanwhile, the Gun Lake board Thursday approved herbicide treatments on more than 42 acres of canals and channels in the lake, after a survey taken earlier this week found continued presence ofinvasive and nuisance plants in those areas. Treatment areas are generally in the northwest and southern por­ tions ofthe lake. “The canals held various combinations'of I algae, macrdalgae and'aqudtitfplants^ihiluding both non-native species and native spe­ cies growing to nuisance densities,” Filpansick wrote in his report to the board. The canals and channels will be treated with peroxygen algicides in concentrations ranging from 100 to 200 pounds per acre and a combination of flumioxazin and diquat dibromide at a concentration of 100 parts per billion. The cost ofthe treatments adds to $21,989. GLIB had budgeted $127,500 for herbicide treatments for this year, ofwhich it has spent to date $72,405. That’s an increase from $63,857 at the same time one year ago. Board Chairwoman Vivian Conner cited a change away from copper-based herbicide treatments for the increased cost. “We’re using a product that costs more,” Conner said. Some Gun Lake residents have been criti­ cal ofthe board for past use ofcopper sulfate and other copper-based treatments, saying they have harmed native plants and affected fishing quality on the lake. Board member Doug Kammeraad ofWay­ land Township expressed concern about the money being spent on treatments in the canals and channels. “We’ve got the lake under control. But yet we’re spending most ofour budget right now on channels,” Kammeraad said. “And most ofit on algae controls,” Filpansick jgsggnded. '“\VhaHiappens if we Jet hit by, all of a sudden, a large area of Eurasian milfoil? Then we’re back into (treating the area) with ProcellaCOR and we could be dropping $40,000 real quick,” Kammeraad said. Filpansick said his company is always looking at new technologies and new meth- sailGofaffsidd Bta I g^Eqccsiaw®! Longtime educator takes on newly-created role at Thornapple Kellogg High School .\,1tt«r-«*fcl i L*.*r* r*** *****7,8^' ** ‘'Jcr:®#3’1* JS**£*S&'* >***, Being around students is nothing new for Thom apple Kellogg High School’s new dean ofstudents, Sean McLaughlin. He’s had a long career in public education and actually retired after 36 years, only to realize he wasn’t done helping students. “I missed the impact ofworking with stu­ dents, staffand parents,” McLaughlin said. “I wanted to get back into being part ofthe dayto-day operations ofthe school again.” McLaughlin’s career started with 10 years of teaching elementary grades. He followed that with serving as an elementary principal for a total of26 years, retiring in 2020 after finishing seven years as principal at Kettle Lake Elementary School in Caledonia. He thought he was prepared to take on a new challenge. “I got my real estate license before I retired and have enjoyed helping people buy and sell homes these past couple of years,” McLaugh­ lin said. But it didn’t take long before he answered a call to public education again. Caledonia Community Schools called on him to serve as an interim elementary principal for several weeks at the end ofthe 2021-22 school year. The next year he moved to a position in safe­ ty and security for Caledonia schools before getting hired as the dean of students at Thor­ napple Kellogg High School. This is a new position at TKHS and a chai- idf f**cc*jd**^*' *' utt* Sean McLaughlin **^**?f*!* Dogs at large damage chicken pens in Nashville ^^jgln *£*&< Barry County deputies responded to a report ofdogs damaging a chicken pen around 8 a.m. on Aug. 15 at a residence on the 4700 block ofBarryville Road. The homeowner, a 34-year-old Nashville man, told police two pit bull-like dogs were in his yard around 6:15 a.m. that morning trying to get into his chicken pen. The man said he ran the dogs offand they belonged to his 40-year-old Nashville neighbor. Police noted damage to the chicken pen, but the birds themselves were unharmed. Police spoke with the man’s neighbor, who said he was having lots of issues with one ofthe dogs in particular and was in the process ofrehoming it. He told police he would pay for the damages to his neighbor’s chicken pen. ,/l , /l Police evict four people living in storage unit, arrest two on outstanding warrants Police responded to a storage unit facility in Middleville just before midnight on Aug. 14 at a request from the facility owner. The owner told police there were four people living in one of the storage units. The owner had told the 42-year-old Byron Center woman renting the unit she and everyone else living in the unit needed to leave by the end of the day. Police discovered two ofthe other people living in the unit, a 49-year-old Middleville man and a 28-year-old Jenison man, had warrants out for their arrest. Sher­ iiff’s deputies stayed on the scene until officers from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentwood Police Department could respond to pick up the two men. lenge McLaughlin said he’s looking forward to. He explained his job is multi-faceted. “I’m here to support the office staff and oversee TK Virtual School. I’m really here also to be another trusting adult in the building to make connections with stu­ dents,” he said. He will most likely become a familiar face quite quickly in the school helping monitor students in the hallways, during lunch periods and throughout the building each day. “I don’t think there can ever be enough caring adults in the lives ofkids,” McLaugh­ lin said. “I just want to be another person they can look to for help and guidance and I hope I can build the same kind of relationships at the level I was able to with the elementary students.” He also said he’s excited to see what the start ofthe year is like at the high school and can’t wait to meet all the staffand students. “I just want tp be a valued part ofthis high school community and do what I can to help,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to this and glad to be here at TK.” McLaughlin and his wife live in the TK district. They enjoy traveling, spending time with family and riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles together. “We love this community and everything Barry County has to offer,” he said. ods to combat the growth of invasive and nuisance plants. “I tell everybody, if you use a swimming pool analogy - you stop putting chlorine in the swimming pool, what happens? It turns green with algae,” he said. “A swimming pool’s got a long head start in front of a lake. The moment you stop managing the lake, the algae’s going to be the first thing to grow out ofcontrol - espe­ cially an invasive algae like starry stonewort. The more tools we have, the better we can use those tools to manage it, the better we’ll be.” SOLitude Lake Management, formerly Clarke Aquatic Services, serves as a consul­ tant to the Gun Lake Improvement Board under a contract with the board. The board is expected early next year to decide on a new lake management contract. GLIB consists ofnine members — includ­ ing a county commissioner and the drain commissioner from Barry and Allegan coun­ ties, representatives from Yankee Springs and Orangeville townships in Barry County and from Wayland and Martin townships in Alle­ gan County, and one representative from the Gun Lake Protective Association. HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Hastings Area School System Hastings supports kids through bond proposal passage - what’s next? On behalf of the Hastings Area School System Board of Education and all of our stakeholders, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who helped with Tuesday’s bond proposal and your direct involvement through the Steering and Citizens Committee this year. We are so thankful to our voters for their support. With their ‘yes’ votes, they are saying ‘yes’ to our children, ‘yes’ to our community and ‘yes’ to our future. Your insight, support and hard work have come to fruition now that the voters have approved the 2023 Hastings Area School System’s Bond proposal. While there is plenty ofhard work ahead, now is the time to appreciate all ofyou who helped guide us to this win for the families and kids we serve at Hastings Area School System. Thank you. The bond will go a long way toward pro­ viding needed infrastructure improvements, including the provision ofroofs, high energy efficiency improvements, locker room/bathroom renovations, playground equipment and furniture. People have already asked me, what’s next? That’s a great question, and I believe it’s important to communicate the process to our citizens. First, we have already contacted our finan­ cial advisors and underwriting team to move forward with negotiating the sale ofthe bond funds. This takes some time since we will obtain the funds from typically larger banks and investors that can afford to purchase bonds ofthis size. At the same time, we will be meeting with our building management team (Wolgast Construction) and our architects (The Collab­ orative) to assist us with developing requests for proposals (RFPs) for companies to bid on projects. This provides us with the lowest price possible for our project needs and gives local companies the opportunity to bid on these projects, which we highly encourage. We will also be prioritizing the high school and middle school (1997 portion) roofs - the two highest-priority projects. Simultaneous­ ly, we will begin work on other projects, while making every effort not to disrupt learning during the school year. I look forward to continuing to communi­ cate with you regarding next steps and prog­ ress. We will be transitioning into the design phase of the bond, and there will be many opportunities for community input and engagement in the months ahead. Again, my heartfelt thanks to all ofyou for your contri­ butions to this process. Matt Goebel Superintendent Hastings Area School System Notice of Discontinuance of Local Phone Service by MClmetro Access Transmission Service LLC Elizabeth Busk was appointed as the Woodland Township Clerk on 06-19-23 She is available Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Township Office, and other days by appointment. Phone: (269) 367-4915 Email: clerk@woodlaridtwp.com g Back to School Items\ Book Bags, Totes Pencil C • Cotton for comfy gifts • Wide 108" cotton backs • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station j 4 < fypMffeWl 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; r Saturday 9 am-3 pm Pending jurisdictional approval where required, Small Business & Residential Local Phone services provided by Verizon subsidiary MClmetro Access Transmission Services LLC will be discontinued on or after December 31, 2023 throughout the state of Michigan. Verizon will waive any early termination charges associated with discontinued service. In connection with the discontinuance of Small Business and Residential Local Phone service, Verizon will also remove any adjacent items, including any bundled long distance service, from your account. We invite you to call us at 1-888-MCI-LOCAL (1-888-624-5622) to discuss alternative Verizon solutions, as available. You can also contact other providers to discuss their offerings. �Page 6 — Thursday, August 24, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Douglas Robert Wooden Douglas Robert Wooden, age 71, ofDelton, MI passed away peacefully on August 19, 2023 at his home. Doug was bom September 8, 1951 in Kalamazoo, the son of Robert and Barbara (Leonard) Wooden. Doug worked as a redi mix driver at Consumers Concrete for over 30 years. He was very proud ofhis work and that his family has four generations that have worked at Consumers. Doug always knew someone wherever he went, and enjoyed giv­ ing a tour of the places he has gone. He would often make it a point to tell them, “I poured that driveway.” In his free time, Doug enjoyed being out­ doors, hunting, riding his golfcart around his property, and being with his grandkids. He was a member ofthe Delton Moose Lodge. Doug loved traveling to the U.P., especially Grand Marais and to Canada with his boss and good friend Greg. Doug was a true fami­ ly man and they will miss his quick wit and wonderful sense ofhumor. Surviving is his loving wife of 53 years, Linda; children, Troy (Jill Smith) Wooden (Michelle Wooden), Joshua (Heather) Wood­ en, Katie (Brian) Lebeck; grandchildren, Christopher (Jessica), TJ (Brooke), EmmaLea (Keith), Lauren, Seth, Abbigail, Allison, Sophie, Briar Melanie; great grandchildren, Glenna, Haisley, Rosalyn, Elizie, Max; sis­ ters, Sue Ann (Ed) Jones, Paula Jean (Kim) Loomis; special friends, Rex and Sue Porter; special cousins, Bob and Deb Truax; several nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law: Ray Perry and Ron Dewey. Doug’s celebration of life will take place on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Delton Moose Lodge. Memorial contributions to the Delton Moose Lodge will be appreciated. Please visit www.williamsgoresfimeral. com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Doug’s family. It's All a Part ofYour LocalNewspaper! ro the fnirresrs ofRarry) County Store 1956 Donaldsons to celebrate 60th wedding anniversary • Schaubels to celebrate 50th wedding anniversary Barry and Bonnie (Cur­ tis) Donaldson were mar­ ried September 7, 1963 at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Hastings, by the Rev, V. L. Draggoo. Those wanting to wish them well may send cards to: 6240 Martin Road, Woodland, MI 48897. Ray and Judy Schaubel will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on Aug. 26. They wero united in marriage on August 26, 1973 at Williamston, Mich. •; Their children include Stacy and Ralph Noffke of Middleville, Mark Schaubel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mindy and Kevin Bluhm ofMiddleville. They have six grand­ children and four great-grandchildren, u Largest crowd yet turns out for Barry County ■* BrewFest over the weekend in Middleville Jayson Bussa Editor Every year, the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance orders 500 pieces of custom glassware to hand out to attendees ofBarry County BrewFest. This year, organizers had to scamper back to the office to grab some undated glassware they had on hand as a backup in order to meet the demand. Kim Martin, who coordinates BrewFest for the chamber, agreed that it was a good prob­ lem to have. “This was probably, we think, our biggest BrewFest yet,” Martin said. “We had well over 600 in attendance.” The weather is the obvious and most cru­ cial variable associated with this annual out­ door celebration of all things craft beverage. This year’s BrewFest was blessed with a HastingsDANNER Worship Together great day as attendees enjoyed beverages from 36 different vendors while Grand Rapids-based band SilentBark provided the soundtrack. j Martin said that holding the festival in mid- to late August seems to be the sweet spot for the festival and attracts the biggest crowds. ’ And, while the event is designed to drive some revenue back to the county’s chamber* ofcommerce, Martin said that the focus i§j£ft. put on an event that draws in visitors from outside of Barry County and maximizing economic impact for local businesses. To do it, organizers are constantly brain­ storming little wrinkles to add to keep the festival fresh. .■ “We always try add different stuff every, year, so that’s definitely something we can hang our hats on,” Martin said. The location for BrewFest rotates around the county. Next year, BrewFest will return tQDelton, where it will coincide with the annual. Founders Festival in mid-August once againr, ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availableforyour convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc<§ gmail.com. Website: www, hastinesfreemethodist.com, Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze). Sunday Morning Worship: 9: 45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10: 30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Jeff Hanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ■ M* -« ___to |*»’8'*?Uii *£S**-* SSdjS-x■pit* -*“-<* !«**“*! ' •— **• **• j^F8*" ** •zZL« —z *"* _____ 4 vggrfw*^1 MtW***g h M*1®*’* ^y jik®ffl ibi | *nc«*®,a? tame total ^touteiJI ^touteiJI®^®® hiwBiib»it»B totamtiiBB* • naEffcirittsan hMiitaMlf litaiitototoihi WHvtxiaoB taadteEJsta& iti utaum hMbitn Jn«Bh®mfc ftawiwate ^■iiiioiknbg i **hiMjhr—g ’^‘■hihaai ■hihaa^i^ ^•ftatahtoib JJ>u& 5J s*» 5s» s»i! SSSI S sf SWkk?n fcs? Mike Cramer, president of the Village of Middleville, serves beers from the Waldorff Brew Pub in Hastings during the seventh annual Barry County BrewFest on Saturday afternoon. ^ JJ.. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. AMUMfflfflBOF MltoMlIMM 945-4700 '^**2’>9'' K-’ ,***’' j«s»i fefe I**” ijsfeJ ij eJ e -s; 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948­ 0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc. com. Sunday Worship 10 ajn. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. Atwaiau Hastings 945-9554 S^ii*8i* ><?•* J^&>jJ“i. £> ;>#" J&jJ- £ .,#... ‘s J***»»J**I **»»J**I ^K ^K „ „ *>* *% exfab Hhmks 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. /*&**;* /*&*** /*& LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH This information onworship servicesis provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. *‘ i ti i>teei» ! 22**Mte WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. <5»s»*J&<J** tfZwr? 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 as the band SilentBark performs at the] pavilion in downtown Middleville during) Upper Hand beers,from Bell's sister brewery in Escanaba await drinkers at the sev­ enth annual Barry County BrewFest in Middleville on Saturday afternoon. the seventh annual Barry County] BrewFest on Saturday afternoon. (Photos! by Brett Bremer) SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Social Security online learning tools Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) online learning resources for educators are great for teaching others about Social Security. Chances are that a student will know someone who receives retirement or disability benefits. SSA’s educational resourc­ es help communicate information about their programs to a new audience and show them how the programs can help people other than retirees. Understanding how Social Security helps wounded warriors, children and adults with disabilities can inspire greater empathy and encourage them to learn more. SSA offers an educator’s toolkit to engage students and teach them about their pro­ grams. Educators can use the toolkit to cre­ ate their own lesson plans. Teachers can also use the toolkit to teach their child or grand­ child about Social Security’s important pro­ grams. The toolkit includes: • Lesson plans with objectives. • Infographics and handouts for each les­ son plan. • Links to Social Security web pages. • Talking points. • Quiz questions and answers. More information is available by accessing the toolkit at ssa.gov/thirdparty/educators.html.' Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Specials istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o| Social Security Administration, 3045 Knappl NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email a/| hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. >vA w$ wxSS$S �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 24, 2023 — Page 7 Biography of Calvin Hill founder of Middleville - Part 2 fl look back at the stories t and a columns on local history 840^5199668^ w w ... asiisfehiioaKi Ikbi&’iforfeiffilM ‘ I* Banner S\x\y 23, 1914. floor over to a friend for the rest ofthe eve­ In 1848, Dr. S.S. Parkhurst came to Mid­ j Editor’s note: Thefollowing wasprepared ning. It was a blow first in those days, and dleville, being at the time a medical student jar the Barry County Pioneer Society by C.R. the word came after ifany apologies were to working his way through college. He ffatson, ofIrving. be made. promptly undertook I to teach the village I The history of this settlement would be far In addition to dances given in the old tav­ school in order to augment his income with too briefwere not mention made ofthe hosern, there were “singing schools” given in the understanding with the school board that jelries that flourished in those days. Travelers the frame schoolhouse up on Arlington Street whenever it was necessary to do so, he could {vere abroad in the land, and the country was by way of variety, and at this time, a man close the school to minister to the bodily whom no one seems to know by his real full of agents selling lands and prospectors comfort of those needing a doctor’s care. fooking for townsites and emigrants who name but who went by the title of “Yankee Although he had to frequently let out school sometimes bought their land ofslick-tongued Stimson” used to give entertainments in the to see patients, still he taught out the term. Leonard Hotel on the west side of the village. agents back cast and then journeyed west to He returned to college, graduating in 1850, find they had been gold-bricked. Houses of “Yankee Stimson” was an actor and enterand came back to practice medicine in the Entertainment for man and places of shelter' tainer of varied accomplishments, and the village. It is said that at one of the Indian for the beasts were necessary in those pio­ repertoire of his class of entertainment was pow-wows held about upon the site of the exceedingly varied. He used to give “con­ neer settlements. About 1840, Calvin G. Hill present Middleville Inn, one ofthe Indians erected a building on the hill in the west side certs” at which a small fee was charged for was taken sick, and Dr. Parkhurst was called ifthe Thomapple settlement to be used as a admission. The things that he was capable of to administer unto him. The Indian recov­ {tore building, but it was never used for that doing at these concerts have not been forgot­ ered, and ever after, Dr. Parkhurst was held purpose. At first, it held a select school, then ten, and we are informed that he could play in great esteem, so much so that in 1851, he passed into possession of Chas. V. Patrick the buffoon or the sage with equal grace. He was called out to the Chippewa Encamp­ kept the audience laughing with his “funny and later came to be owned by Philip Leon­ ment on Section 1, Thomapple Township, to stories” and his “comic songs” which he ren­ ard and was known as Leonard’s Hotel. see two sick Indians - Kennebec, a chief, In the early fifties (1850s), Chas. V. Pat­ dered upon these occasions, being a sort ofa and a squaw of Chippewa (whether he had rick built a village tavern, a framed building musician and juggler as well. His visits more than one not known) ... afflicted with on the site where the present hotel now helped to break the monotony ofthe routine consumption. Chippewa’s dwelling, unlike of everyday life, and he was always given a stands. The “Middleville Inn” and this hotel the other wigwams ofthis settlement, was a were formally opened to the public with a hearty welcome when, upon his itinerant log hut with a lean-to adjoining it made out grand ball and reception on New Year’s Eve joumeyings, he held forth at Middleville. of cloth or hides - a sort of shed addition. 1852. The landlord was Ralph Bugbee, who Philip Leonard, proprietor for some few When Dr. S.S. Parkhurst made this trip, he remained tavern keeper in Middleville but a years ofLeonard Hotel on the west side, took was gallant enough to ask two young ladies Short time when Chas. V. Patrick himself for a wife Miss Della Hill, daughter ofSquire to accompany him, Miss Jennie Dennis and took possession. This has been described by Hill, and whenever occasions ofan important Miss Harriett Hill, they being delighted with Mrs. Jennie Lee as having been a very pre­ nature brought a bevy of guests to Landlord the prospects ofa trip to the Indian Encamp­ tentious affair for those times, and guests Leonard’s house of entertainment, then the ment. The Indians were preparing some flocked in from the country about on every unmarried daughters of Squire Hill were potatoes for eating by roasting them on the Side, coming from points distant like Hast­ called upon to help their sister Della out with coals offire. ings, Orangeville, Yankee Springs and Prai­ the culinary work as well as acting in other It so chanced that down in Orangeville, a rieville. The banquet supper was in the capacities as waiters at tables and the thou­ village tavern had been built and opened up charge ofMrs. Charles Williams, who acted sand and one things which needed doing at in 1855, and the citizens planned to celebrate as caterer. After the banquet, the guests those times. the occasion with a “blowout,” as it was repaired to the dance floor, above which was Miss Jennie Dennis came to Middleville in called, on the Fourth ofJuly. To do this in the a swinging floor, or in other words, there 1851 and describes the town as being comright way, they went over to Hastings to bor­ were no center posts underneath, and the posed of a row of low buildings situated on row a cannon known to belong to some citi­ boards making up the floor were not fas­ what is now on the east side ofthe river and zens of the town. The cannon was down at tened to the sides of the building so that running from near the river part way up the Middleville... in the possession of John F. when the dancers were stepping off the mea­ hill eastward. Most of these buildings, with Emory, landlord ofthe Middleville hostelry, sures of the light fantastic formations, the the exception ofpossibly two or three small and who, by the way, was planning upon a floor would move up and down not unlike buildings, were on what is now the west side Fourth of July celebration for Middleville. the motions of a ship at sea, and the harder ofEast Main Street. Here it was that the pio­ The Orangeville parties came on to Mid­ they danced, the more the floor would rock neer merchants and traders did what business dleville, having in their possession an order up and down, and the more wavy effect there was to be done with the few white set­ with which to get possession ofthe cannon, would be felt by the parties stepping off so tlers and the members of the Ottawa and but Landlord Emory refused to give it up. lively and brisk to the tunes of “Virginia Chippewa Indians who were to be seen sup­ Defeated for the time being but not disheart­ Reel” and “Money Musk and the Good Old plying their wants from the supplies that had ened, the Orangeville men sent back home Hornpipes, Clogs and Schottisches.” No been brought from a great distance to catch for reinforcements, first drawing off with doubt they got all the sensations in those their eyes. They traded notions and other their forces awaiting their arrival, and when days that are accredited today to the tango gewgaws to the Ottawa and Chippewa Indi­ more help came, they made an attack after fildihe turkCty wdt.’-’»«» nirruM ans who used to live up on-Section 4, close—-midnigh^and-succeeded in carrying-off-the ■ Sb great an attraction was this dancing by the Coldwater or Little Thomapple rivers cannon by reason ofsuperior numbers. Land­ floor that the boys used to climb up the posts and with remnants of a tribe, presumably lord Emory tried boldly to hold his ground on the front porch ofthis hotel and, standing Pottawatomies, who lived south and east of and was assisted by his wife, who exercised on the balcony, look through the windows at Middleville near the river at certain seasons some sharp military movements on the the merry couples of dancers. Whether this ofthe year. invaders’ flanks with a broomstick, but the was tried more than once, we are not aware, Prominently identified with the mercantile storming party got away safely with their but four young men tried it one evening after life of the village for many years was Isaac prize, landing in Orangeville at daylight. Illis time to the annoyance ofthe floor man­ N. Keeler, a pioneer merchant who came to Afterward, Emory sought redress by causing ager whose name it will not be seemly to the arrest ofthe invaders of his place ofbusi­ this settlement as a peddler, his entire stock mention here. He was a good floor manager being carried at the time in a tin trunk. This ness but was glad to compromise the matter as he had always been successful in putting was was in in the the year year of of 1850. 1850. Deciding Deciding upon upon by dropping the suits when they came to downstairs any characters not desirable who locating at Middleville, Mr. Keeler bought prosecute him for selling liquor illegally. made themselves conspicuous by their pres$300 worth of merchandise in New York Such are a few ofthe incidents briefly told ence. On the night when these four young City, which was brought so far as Galesburg relating to the early settlement made upon men tried to see the sights through their by way of water routes and railroad and the Thornapple by Calvin G. Hill, who hand by the front windows, the floor manag­ thence overland with wagons to Middleville. passed to the Great Beyond in 1867. His er ordered the boys down or else take pun­ He kept (a) store in a part ofA.C. Bruen’s remains are at rest in the cemeteryjust east of ishment by being pitched up and thrown house for a short time, and then after build­ the village in which he had such an important bodily to the street,, some dozen or more feet ing a store across the street, he moved his part in laying out as a town site and which, below. Three of these young men shied stock to that location about where the big during his life, he saw grow from a council down three convenient posts, but the fourth double store now stands, kept by Nelson & grove used by the Indians from time imme­ jtood his ground and was soon at it “hammer Son. Mr. Keeler had a thriving business, bar­ morial to be a thriving and growing village. 4nd tongs” with the floor manager, who tering with the Indians during the early years The pioneer’s life was indeed a remarkably round he had got hold of a match and then of his merchandising at Middleville. This changing one. some. The floor manager was bested up was the pioneer store ofthe village, with Mr. Part 1 ofthe “Biogrdphy ofCalvin Hill, mere on the narrow porch and had to turn the Keeler retiring from active business after 10 founder ofMiddleville” can befound in last management of the hall and the swinging years. week’s issue of the Banner. s ^Doctor Universe w w Night owls Why do owls stay up at night? Zelezina, 8, Md. Dear Zelezina, I love how humans use figures of speech about animals to describe their behavior. An early bird is someone who likes to get up early, A night owl is someone who loves to be awake late at night-like an owl. I talked about why owls stay up all night with my friend Dr. Marcie Logsdon. She’s a wildlife veterinarian at Washington State University. She told me that for many owls, the dark is a good time to catch a meal. “Owls are just taking advantage ofa time when they can excel at finding prey because there are a lot ofother things that are active at night, too-like rodents,” Logsdon said. It’s such a good time to hunt that those ’ 7 7^ owls’ bodies have adapted to the dark. That’s why they have big round eyes. Big eyes with large pupils let in more light. That helps owls see in darker conditions. Those big eyes can’t move around like our eyeballs-because they’re not balls. Owl eyes are shaped like bells. Their skull bones hold those bell-shaped eyes into their heads with no space to move. To look around, an owl turns its whole head. The internal structure of an owl eye is special, too. Most vertebrates have rod cells and cone cells in their eyes. Cones detect colors. Rods detect light and motion. Diurnal animals are awake during the day. There’s lots of light, so it’s usefill to see lots ofcolors. It makes sense that diurnal animals have more cones than rods in their eyes. Nocturnal animals are awake during the night. Since you can’t really see color in the dark, nocturnal animals have more rods than cones. Their eyes are optimized to detect movement-like prey sneaking around-even in very low light. Owls use their ears to hunt at night, too. Logsdon told me scientists tested how well barn owls hunt for mice in completely dark rooms. They had no problem picking out those tasty squeakers in the dark. “Instead ofhaving nice Symmetrical ears like we do, a lot ofowls have slightly offset ears,” she said. “Sound hits them at slightly different times so they can pinpoint where the sound comes from. Some owls do that with the soft tissues-like our ear flaps. Some owls have changes in their skulls that help offset their ears.” You might be surprised to hear that not all owls stay up all night. Some owls are awake during the day-although that’s not as common. Some owls are crepuscular. That means they prefer to be awake at dawn when the sun is coming up or dusk when the sun is going down. Some owls are cathemeral. That means they’re awake at random times without any real pattern. That’s like me. Cats have random periods of sleep and wakefulness. That’s how we get the best figure of speech of all: the cat nap. Dr. Universe TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Elaine Garlock The freight house and depot will be open to visitors on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. By last weekend, the Habitat house had a new look with a white plastic envelope cov­ ering the entire structure. Roofboards are in place. The interior layer is in place with no openings yet for doors and windows. More than two years ago, the local Lions Club installed the first metal ramp for a per­ son needing a wheelchair. Until that time, all the ramps the service club had installed were built with lumber. The metal ramp was much quicker to install and could be used again in another location. The day came last week when at least eight vehicles appeared on Johnson Street intent on moving that first ramp to a new location almost across the street. The workers worked speedily and moved the ramp from its mooring to a long utility trailer hitched to a pickup truck. It was tnoved a fe^nBlffidghprffio the opposite side ofthe street where the preparation work had been done weeks earlier. The helpers were very meticulous in making sure all the components were aligned. A wooden rollway at the lower end of the set had been built weeks ago. Now it is ready for use by the resident, a man with multiple health issues. For this project, most of the Lions workers were neighbors and Yonkers family mem­ bers. Last week’s hosts at the community Thurs­ day night dinner were members of Living Gospel Church who had so many workers they even had greeters. Instead of baked goods for dessert, they provided ice cream bars. The planting barrels on Fourth Avenue are really striking in their beauty. The central plants are yellow and red cannas which are now so tall they reach more than five feet high. The lower plants are colorful begonias which complement the central flowers. This annual project is the handiwork ofthe local arts commission. With beautiful weather and typical summer temperatures, there was heavy boat traffic on Jordan Lake on Sunday. Many cottage own­ ers had their craft in the water. The public landing at the foot of Tasker Road on the; north edge ofWoodland'TOvTisfiip was filled and the overflow traffic consisted of at least five rigs parked along the drive downward to the landing. More than 25 pickup trucks were using the site by midaftemoon. By the end of the day, the number ofusers would be much higher because ofin and out traffic from early morning to dusk. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Aug. 24-31 Aug. 1-31 - August Storywalk Book: “Berry Song” by Michaela Goade. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, Aug. 26 - Learning the Land Hiking Series: Prairie Fen Promenade, 10 a.m.-noon. Institute members canjoin the hike for free. Non-members must pay $8 to register. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 24 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1944 film starring Anne Baxter, John Hodiak and Charles Winniger, 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast* 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber HK Licensed Journeyman Plumber Do you have a question? Ask Dr Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. B'® B B > V New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation I” .icense Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //8110376 LInsured �Page 8 _ Thursday, August 24, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Lani Forbes celebrates 25 years at helm of Barry County United Way Jayson Bussa Editor Lani Forbes can remember donating to the United Way as a 16-year-old working her first job at a Meijer grocery store. “My dad had always been a donor, so I was familiar with what they did,” she said. For the last 25 years, instead ofjust donat­ ing to the United Way, Forbes has managed entire campaigns in her role as Executive Director ofthe Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center. Forbes just recently celebrated the 25-year milestone. Her colleagues surprised her at last week’s board of directors meeting with an engraved granite award, flowers, cake and cards from various members ofthe communi­ ty extending congratulations on the two-anda-halfdecades at the helm ofthe community organization. While Forbes admitted that she knew the big 25-year marker was fast approaching, she said the surprise celebration was exactly that - a big surprise. jivE Today CHANGE , e V*»T££ /iwn Lani Forbes speaks at a United Way campaign kick-off event in September of 2011. (Photos provided) ROOTED IN SERVICE Forbes sat down with the Banner to reflect on her 25 years of service to Barry County, tracing her career all the way back to the day she walked on to the job. And while Forbes has spent a quarter cen­ tury of her life serving the community, she was doing similar work even before she arrived at the Barry County United Way. Prior to applying and accepting the execu­ tive director position, Forbes worked at a downtown Grand Rapids-based inner-city Christian child care center called Building Block. There, as a development director, she worked with area homeless shelters to pro­ vide safe and secure preschool and daycare for at-risk childrep. “I really loved what I was doing,” Forbes said. “I loved working with the families and the different organizations in downtown Grand Rapids.” That’s why, when she was invited to apply for the position of executive director at the Barry County United Way (absent from the volunteer center at that time), she admitted that she initially wasn’t interested. The Barry County United Way and the Barry Community Foundation had formerly shared an executive director before each get­ ting their own. Forbes said that Lyn Briel, a long-time, hyper-involved Barry County community member who has served in roles with organiza- Celebrate the SAXON SPIRIT PRE-GAME TA LGATE PARTY FRIDAY, AUG, 25 5:30-,7:15 PM, To show community support for our football team and the spirit of being a Saxon, is sponsoring a tailgate party with free grilled hot dogs, chips and a drink to anyone before the games with MTK at the main entrance to Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. Varsity Soccer at 5 PM • Varsity Football at 7 PM SAXON SPIRIT let it show! tions like the Thomapple Arts Council, Ameri­ can Red Cross and Thornapple Manor, really pushed her to try for ttye^newly-open position. As someone who inflow a 33-year resident ofFreeport, the; job change would also give Forbes a chanceJo serve the county in which she resided. “(Briel) said ‘I think you should apply for it. I’ll write your resume. I’ll write your cover letter. I’ll deliver it,’” Forbes said. “She really pushed me to apply to the position. It did sound very interesting but I wasn’t sure if I was quite capable ofall that. It seemed like a lot and I was a volunteer center director and a development director/ I didn’t think I was prepared to be an executive director.” But, it turns out the board of directors thought differently as Forbes was brought on to the job. She said, in those initial years, she leaned heavily on long-time Barry Community Foun­ dation President Bonnie Gettys and the Unit­ ed Way ’s board ofdirectors to find her way. “Bonnie had really grown the organization by leaps and bounds (as shared executive director of the United Way and Barry Com­ munity Foundation). Again, part of the reason they needed to split was because she had grown both organizations to the level they were at...... So,,’fortunately, we were in the same office. Bonnie was in the front office and I was in the hack office.” Forbes took over in July, right as the Unit­ ed Way was gearing up for its annual cam­ paign. Ron.Neil' a retired post commander for the Michigan State Police, was the cam­ paign chair that year as the United Way aimed at raising around $362,000. “I can femember both Ron and I thinking ‘What do we do now?’1 because neither ofus knew,” Forbes said with a smile. “Luckily, Bonnie was there to guide us as well as the United Way board was thankfully gracious toward what I didn’t know and was willing to help.” EVOLUTION OF THE UNITED WAY But once Forbes got her feet under her, a fairly significant transformation ofthe United Way ensued. With the help ofthen-administrative assis­ tant Jennifer DeVault - who was Jennifer Lani Forbes is seen here at a volunteer award event that took place around 2008. She: is seated next to Megan Lavell (left), now the executive director of the Thomapple Arts Council and Liz Lenz (right), who heads up the Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force! Richards at the time - Forbes and the United Way formed its volunteer center, harnessing the energy ofvolunteers from throughout the Barry County community. Her organization’s mobilization of volun­ teers - and how it underscored the generosity ofthe local community - has become a call­ ing card for the United Way. In that same vein, Forbes and her team also created the annual Day ofCaring event, which is coming up next week and is expected to draw about 500 volunteers who will go out and complete several community service projects. “When we have volunteers, we’re really empowering people to use their time and tal­ ent to make things better in the community,” Forbes said. “It’s such a great opportunity to engage and find out what’s going on in the community when you can volunteer.” The laundry list ofdirect services the Unit­ ed Way offers now - everything from the Fresh Food Initiative and utility assistance to car seat education and the annual backpack program - did not exist back when Forbes took the helm. The United Way, at that time, directly funded other agencies instead of doing the work itself. “Every time there seems to be ah issue that comes more to the forefront, our board of directors is willing to step out and take a look at what that looks like and how to move for­ ward with that,” Forbes said, heaping praise and credit into her organization’s board. Now, United Way offers an extensive menu ofdirect services while still partnering with a robust list ofagencies in order to help them in their work, as well. “Lani has created one ofthe premier Unit­ ed Ways in the entire country,” Gettys told The Banner. “It is one ofthe only ones that is fully supported by an administrative endow­ ment, so when they do their United Way campaign in the fall, actually every single penny goes to the organization.” Listening to the community and its mem­ bers is no doubt a crucial part ofthe gig and one that Forbes has thrived at. “It’s important to look at how do we make sure that every person in the community has the ability to make their voice heard? So, it’s notjust folks that are upset about the political Colleagues and community members surprised Lani Forbes with a celebration last week to commemorate her 25 years of service as executive director of the Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center; “ ~ environment that you hear from,” Gettys said; “It’s truly the mother that is struggling on how to make ends meet and the senior citizen that is living alone and feeling isolated. How do we get to them and get their stories and help them have their voice in the community?” And, what’s in store for the next 25 years' for Forbes? From the sounds ofit, she’s going to keep truckin’. “No different from when I started here,” she said, “t don’t know. It has kind ofalways been about where I’m supposed to be. I enjoy empowering our staff to lead that direction and our board to lead that direction—to really look at what the needs are in the community.? And those needs ebb and flow, as Forbes and her team found out during the COVID-19 pandemic when they had to throw its tradi£ tional playbook out the window. “I don’t think we really ever know what ii next in front of us,” Forbes said. “We ca^ plan all we want but that’s not what seems t§ happen.” Hastings Police: Slow down, be careful as kids head back to school S Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Class is back in session, bringing with it the chaotic early morning drop-offs and late afternoon pick-ups at schools throughout Hastings. With the increased Vehicle and pedestrian traffic downtown, Hast­ ings Police Chief Dale Boulter said it’s important for drivers to be cautious, especially in the hours before and after the school day. “Pay attention, be careful, watch and obey the crossing guards,” Boulter said. “Not only the crossing guards, but the school buses, too.” . The Hastings Police Department just wrapped up training for its school crossing guards this year, Boulter said. Although they’ll be positioned at busy intersections before and after school, he implores drivers to be aware oftheir surroundings and slow down where there are pedestrians. Boulter said it’s common for a few drivers to speed past a crossing guard while they’re still in the intersection. The department takes a hard stance on 1(. endangering pedestrians and won’t hesr utate to issue drivers a citation, he said. “It seems like every year there’s always some issues. I don’t think people intentionally do it, I really don’t,” he said. “Last year there were some citations issued for disregard of a crossing guard. Ifthey are caught, they will be issued a citation no matter what. I have a pretty hard stance on that.” ' State law mandates that drivers must wait for pedestrians antf crossing guards to clear the street completely before proceeding through the intersection. Drivers in violation can be charged with a* misdemeanor. Drivers who disregard stopped school buses can also face penalties^ Flashing yellow lights on a bus function like a yellow stop-light, sig> naling drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. When the lights flash red, drivers on both sides ofthe road are required to stop by state law? Violators can be charged with a civil infraction and receive points on, their license. The most important thing to keep in mind is the safety ofkids, their parents and crossing guards, Boulter said. While HPD officers will be strictly enforcing laws to keep crossing guards safe, it will take somj awareness and caution from drivers to ensure the safety ofthe Hast*’ ings g community. y. “I get the fact that you’re busy, or that there’s a lot ofdistractions in your catf’ Boulter said. “Blit this is something we definitely have to; monitor 100 percent ofthe time, and we can’t be everywhere alt the time. Hastings Summerfest Community Worship Sunday, August 27, 2023; 9:30 am |, z UVEWB Here (Thomapple Plaza) Free Community Cookout at 11:00 am Tuesday marked the first day of the new school year. Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter wants to remind drivers to be careful of the increased foot traffic on busy roads, like South Broadway Avenu$ near Central Elementary and Hastings Middle School. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Stttepoii sidings Rwiiifai �The Hastings SPORTS ANNER ST Saxons looking to grow defensively Ss&i Ss& Brett Bremer * *■«•&** ** *£*!*<* =•** I?" «*' «*'“ “*'* *'* ■ tit1"* ptavtafc toawifc larsBikEnMi- .litasMiilih.ra jnsiataESBKsx rtniBMngM r iiimiaziprStrBt ptaiin InWttoitBi irsarKiB5tfSB2S®8it ViwpwBkritkiArtg 'A'liasteiltaij'si dikt cfs Fttati Thursdavy., Auagust 24, 2023 Abby Sports Editor Matt Hokanson took over as head coach of the Hastings varsity boys’ soccer team in June and immediately got the Saxons’ sum­ mer program running - hosting a youth camp and the regular high school camp while also getting his guys some voluntary training ses­ sions in a couple times a week. The Saxons need to get all the experience they can whenever they can get it. Hastings was senior heavy squad a year ago and has just a few seniors on the roster this season. The most experienced seniors are midfielder Sergynho Arias and forward Charlie Nickels. They’re a couple of the top returnees for the team along with junior midfielder Troy Hokanson, the riewicoach’s son. Troy earned AU-Barry County second team honors and was honorable mention all-conference in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference. That trio will lead a solid attack along with junior Mickey Jiles. Jjles has extensive club experience despite not playing with the Sax­ ons a year ago. Sophomores Dan Jensen and Bronson Elliott will look to boost the offense at times too. The defense opens .the year as a work in progress. The group is led by junior Alex Flikkema. Beemer “We lost pretty much our whole defense „ [to graduation],” coachHokanson said. “Werp having to replace that this year. It’s going to be tough.” Stepping into key roles on defense will be sophomore AJ Komescher, senior Easton Tib­ ble, junior Keegan Sutfin and possibly Jensen. Sutfin, Komescher and Jensen will open the ofa 5-1 with her putting up passes all the way year rotating through goalkeeping duties too. around. Those guys will keep working on improv­ Vertalka and Fenstemaker return at the net,, ing the back line. The Saxons are 0-2 on the both likely spending time in the middle. One season so far with a 7-2 loss to Hopkins in the thing about moving Beemer to a full-time,, season opener last Wednesday and a 5-0 loss setting role is that the Saxons’ miss out on her at Lakewood Monday evening. attack at the net a bit. “We just need to get them time on the ball Size is one thing the Saxons do have and time on the field,” coach Hokanson said though, and some experience. Coach Slaugh­ ofhis guys. “Luckily, we have a lot of soph­ ter will have five girls back who contributed omores. It’ll be good for them to get up to to the varsity a year ago. The group also varsity and get good playing time against includes junior outside hitter Rachael Hewitt good competition, and hopefully those guys will grow into a strong role.” While there is a good sophomore group, See VOLLEYBALL, page 11 numbers are down as bit in the program as a Saxons look to keep on moving up 1-8 standings Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons had their best Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference varsity volleyball finish ever last spring, and a handful of girls back from the team that went 24-17 overall last fall are back to lead the way in 2023. That group is headed by the senior trio of Audrey Vertalka, Abby Beemer and Kimber Fenstemaker. Beemer returns at setter for the Saxons. Head coach Erin Slaughter opened the season running a 6-2 offense, with a pair of setters, last fall and before long thanks to Beemer’s skills the Saxons swapped out ofthat in favor Sergynho Arias whole still. Coach Hokanson said the Saxons will play 8-v-8 matches on the JV level while having a regular varsity roster of 14-15 guys. Hastings will be at home for its next three matches taking on Thomapple Kellogg Fri­ day, Godwin Tuesday and Kenowa Hills next Thursday, Aug. 31. The Interstate-8 Athletic Conference sea­ son starts when the Saxons travel to Coldwa­ ter Sept. 14. “Coldwater is going to be tough,” coach Hokanson said. “They’re always tough. It is always a battle when we play Coldwater. Last year, it was a good thing that we tied with them. That was actually a big step for­ ward. Jackson Northwest will be tough again too. They usually have a pretty good squad on the field.” He is hoping that his guys will be able to make a push to finish in the top half of the conference standings. Beyond this Saxon season, coach Hokanson said he is really looking forward to the chance to grow the game ofsoccer in Hastings. THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Good Luck Teams NAPA HASTINGS NAPA LITTLE CAESAR’S 122 N. Jefferson St. Home ofthe Hot & Ready Pizza! Hastings 216 N. Broadway, Hastings 269-948-9696 269-948-2824 Flexfab GRANGER WASTE SERVICES Engineering trust. Around the world?* 888-947-2643 grangerwasteservices.com DEWEY’S AUTO BODY 1111 W. Green, Hastings www.deweysautobody.com (269) 948-2900 • www.tts.law 202 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 COMMERCIAL BANK (800) 547-8531 629 W. State St., Hastings Ml www.commercial-bank.com J * Leaping Lizards Landscaping 269-945-3533 1699 W. M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 SOUTH SIDE’ nlck@leaplngllzardslandscaplng.com F(HASTINGS BODY AUTO 2295 S. M-37 Hwy., Hastings Owners 269-953-1239 • Hours: M-F 8-5 Chad & Jennifer chad @ millersouthsideauto.com Miller BROWN’S A WORLDWIDE SUPPLIER OF Hot Line Tools & Equipment Cvlernan CARPET ONE <8 OFHASTINGS, INC. \ & CUSTOM INTERIORS 269-945-2479 221 N. Industrial Park Dr., Hastings SAXON PRIDE SINCE 1906 Jason Larabee 269-838-7053 SINCE 1908 312 E. Court, Hastings - 269-945-3412 Insurancefor all ofyour needs. SEPTIC SERVICE Joe Lyons S John Curtis, Owner/Operators 3305 West Quimby Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 269.945.4240 �Page 10 — Thursday. Auguat 24. 2023 — The Hastings Banner WWlF^lll^SlpW^fatjeWJlleWM o %**5X %*>** *5JXifl Jif Isabella Morey DK/HHS girls set to take on new swim conference Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg/Hastings varsity girls’ swimming and diving team was set to open its first season as a two-team co-op at the Southwestern and Central Michigan Confer­ ence (SCC) Relays hosted by Harper Creek High School Wednesday evening. The first dual ofthe season is on the slate for Aug. 29 at Ionia and the team will be in its home pool competing at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hast­ ings for the first time Sept. 12 when it lakes Owen Carroll on South Haven. Head coach Carl Schoessel, who has been leading the co-op for its 20 seasons likes the enthusiasm of the new team members those with some swim racing experience and the many who have not competed in the past. A couple of the team’s top returning ath­ letes are senior diver Maelea Martin and senior Isabella Morey, in the backstroke and the butterfly. More had a top ten finish in the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference in the 100yard butterfly a year ago and also scored for the then Delton Kellogg/Thomapple Kellogg/ Hastings team in the 100-yard breaststroke. Coach Schoessel is also looking forward to junior exchange student Saga Jones, from Sweden, competing with the team this season. The. DK/HHS girls were set to get their first look at a number of conference foes Wednesday. They will be joined in the SCC this fall by Allegan, Harper Creek, Marshall, Otsego, Plainwell, South Haven and Sturgis. Harper Creek will also host the SCC Champi­ onship Meet Novi 2-3. The first conference dual ofthe season for the DK/HHS girls is Sept. 7 at Sturgis. HHS football opener moves to Friday Brett Bremer Sports Editor To beat the Thursday heat the Hastings varsity football team is moving its season opener to Friday night, at home inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field, against rival Thor­ napple Kellogg. A high of 93 degrees is predicted for this afternoon, Aug. 24, while a high of83 degrees is predicted for Friday with temperatures _ inching down towards the 70’s by kick-off. Hastings has won back to back bgllgames against the Thomapple Kellogg boys in the past two seasons and will try to keep the heat on the Trojans with a group often guys who return from last year’s team which won the program’s third consecutive Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference Championship and its first district championship. “We’re looking okay,” Hastings head c.oach James Murphy said. “We’re looking pretty healthy at the varsity level with 34 kids and we have, I think, I counted ten returning starters. We lost quite a few offof last year’s champi­ onship team. It is going to be tough to replace them, but we have a group ofunderclassmen that have been working really hard in the off­ season to make that a possibility for them.” The group ofreturnees offensively includes third-year varsity player Diego Coipel on the line, senior quarterback Owen Carroll, senior running back Haiden Simmet andjunior run- ning back Owen Wilson. Returning along the lines with Coipel are senior lineman Devin Smith and junior tight end Tom Hollars. Coipel was a captain for the Saxons as a junior last season. Simmet, senior Aiden Saint Amour and junior Dre Mathis are working to earn the fullback role in the preseason. Hastings will also look forjunior Draven Pennock to be a key piece ofthe offensive backfield. Saint Amour leads a strong defensive badkfield along with senior Landon. Steward and junior Jett Barnum who are returning from the 2022 group. “That leadership back there really helps against the passing teams that we play,” coach Murphy said. That group offoes includes Parma Western and Pennfield in the 1-8 and the Whitehall team the Saxons are slated to visit in week three of the season. The Hastings varsity is still without a week two opponent on the schedule. Mathis and Barnum are likely to start the season offensively at split end, and should provide solid targets for Carroll who will be in his third season with the Saxon varsity. Barnum pulled in 12 catches for 283 yards and a TD last year while adding 31 tackles, Better court awareness a goal for HHS tennis team Sports Editor It is a senior heavy group for the Saxons on the tennis courts this fall. There is still some growing to do among the group. “As a team, our focus is on court move­ ment and ball placement,” Hastings head coach Krista Schueller said. “We ate work­ ing on knowing where we are on the court, where we want the ball to go, and moving to where we need to be. That way, we can play more offensively and control the points more.” Experience should help out senior Heath Hays this fall. He jumped up in the line-up from second doubles to first singles last fall. He’ll be back for a second season at first singles. Coach Schueller said there is a focus on consistency and ball placement for him. “He has been working on getting the ball out ofthe middle arid moving his opponent around,” Schueller said. Also back are seniors Keegan Lindsey and Caleb Borton. Lindsey played second singles as a junior, but looked good early 269.838.1469 GREENRJDGE REALTY HASTINGS pdoezema@greenridge.com 2169 W. M-43 Hwy. Hastings, MI 49058 highpoint Member FDIC HODGES JEWELRY & GIFTS <» wsiM ■ ■fcBiiw®a4F 3X3’^®®- ariMtwnAH*1 't**”’*!,/* w iuKSEissw susiit!® J®' arja'utitrai ttfelijlMK Hta’>E«iiiE 'musshsii ts'jSBiiscsiia MaEntabaa pa’nsiunpq BiBUjatEsEK RM* J®»*« ik«ilkaKte <sx»i3 <tsox;»=ia3’_3’_ aast J®»«ik«ilkaKte to;=a3aast. *’»®'aiWin ifcksii ifcksiiBjf^^^MtessfeSxfea. Wii..> ■ ,„ ..* (&HraiW„.tm2 , “^nW ^nWak iai Heath Hays 819 E. Railroad St. Hastings 130 W. State, Hastings 269-948-9472 269-945-4284 •SS SS jj **1?** BROK» ---- WOKBR 120 E. Main St. Middleville, , Ml v I$1U S*, v«ih(L 269-241-1050 Southern BBQ. & Catering braken^TnakereoTn < ’’•8U '»tw? W.$^2 .$2 $^2< Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 117 N. Main St. Nashville, Ml Scott Bloom, O.D. APLDUMIMBIN/GV &T ADRGAIEN 517.852.9207 — 2 LOCATIONS — HASTINGS; 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 * WAYLAND; 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 122 W. Mill St. Hastings, Ml SCREEN PRINTING MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Millpy MILLER REAL ESTATE 269-945-2963 269-945-5182 Hastings - Delton - Middleville www.thornapplecu.com r.gjglS ■ ,!1?«iW*®? **TL KING’S ELECTRONICS & APPLIANCES 149 W. State St, Hastings ( Thornapple \ Credit Union . - BbSB® ®^1* ■?£ J- *1'** - ’ F PRECISION AUTO BODY REPAIR 122 W. State St, Hastings GO HRSTIOGS SfiXOftS! rt*wlln^ *'L«.aB aB“ “s’ ^jSSJ See TENNIS, page 11 COMMUNITY BANK 1-888-422-2280 hiqhpointcommunitybank.com »-,«'<» »»&*{W* {W* SsO^®' Ss Bdfefc^ dfefc^‘ THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Associate Broker/ Realtor® *WX Brett Bremer See FOOTBALL, page 11 Pat Doezema stx** stx MIKING 210 N. Industrial Park Dr., Hastings Vikinggroupinc.com & EMBROIDERY 269.948.2811 EDWARD JONES Andrew R. Cove, AAMS Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn, Hastings 269-945-3553 . iitiii Vi-jufi jiiH JI 88[WI>IIB^BISTII0 105 £. State St. Haitingi, nil 49058 *^SS SjLsS? S*ssSS' s SkS Z*“ SLSS S &Mwteiua(, @ ^aidMtial 269-945-0300 3 Thanks to Brett Bremer for his areas sports coverage. THE HASTINGS BANNER Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 1351 N. M-43 Hwy., Hastings 269-945-9554 S s s S S sis SSs i^sStisS. x i^sStisS OW Wc$ SKW nNSNS WWvi �Youth boost Saxon C.C. program RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 2024-2033 PODUNK LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (AQUATIC VEGETATION CONTROL) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity boys" and girls’ cross country teams are getting a nice boots from the freshman and sophomore classes this fall. The difference between the two squads is that the boys* team already has a pretty great base in place. Junior Anika Bourassa is the lone returning runner for the girls’ program - and is a two-time varsity letter winner. The boys’ team brings back a strong group of juniors and seniors looking forward to push­ ing for a top spot in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference. Seniors Riley Shults, Reuben Solmes and Jonah Teed are the Saxon boys team’s three co-captains this fall. All three are four-year varsity runners. Shults was an individual state qualifier a year ago in Division 2 and the two-time defending Barry County Meet champion. He earned first team all-conference honors in the 1-8 for the first time last fall. Also back in the scoring group for the Sax­ ons are junior Micah Johnson and senior Caleb LaBoe. Both are in their third year running with the varsity. Others returning to the program this fall are senior Kenneth Vastine, sophomores Spencer Crozier and Carter Krzysik and junior DJ Kuck. The group of new sophomores looking to break in to the varsity scoring group includes Austin Abson and Maxson Eichorst, and freshmen Ethan Hawthorne, Jay-Dee George, Logan Kelly and Logan VanZandt are brining their talents to the high school level. The Hastings boys were fourth in the Inter­ ; state-8 Athletic Conference a year ago, sev­ enth at regionals and took the championship at the Barry County Meet. The Saxons would like to defend that county title and push for improvements in the conference and at regionals. The regional field continues to be a tough one with East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills Eastern and South Christian among the top teams which will be competing in the Divi­ sion 2 competition at South Christian High j School at the end ofOctober. । jThe regional will also include the Saxons* Interstate-8 rivals from Harper Creek and Marshall. Both of those squads bring back their top seven runners from last year’s squads that went 1-2 in the conference in 2022. Parma Western was the other team ahead ofthe Saxons in the conference a year ago, and the Panthers have a strong returning group back too. Bourassa will be joined on the course this fall by sophomores Alexia Owen and Lakaya Evans and sophomores Caroline Randall, Chloe Pirtle, Alexa DeCamp and Lilianna NOTICE OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2023-2032 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL TO: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Supervisor/Assessing Officer of Rutland Charter Township has reported to the Township Board and filed in the office ofthe Township Clerk for public examination a proposed special assessment roll/special assessment column in the regular tax roll pertaining to the 2024-2033 Podunk Lake Improvement Program Special Assessment District (Aquatic Vegetation Control) pursuant to action by the Township Board on August 9, 2023 (Resolution No. 2023-293). This proposed special assessment roll proposes to allocate the costs ofan aquatic vegetation control program for 2024 through 2033 (including estimated administrative/ legal expenses incurred primarily in 2023) in the approximate total amount of $126,550 over the ten-year program to the various lots and parcels within the District as follows (in each instance treating multiple contiguous lots/parcels under the same ownership as a single assessment unit), as follows: $2,268.00 to each lot/parcel abutting Podunk Lake, levied and payable in ten annual installments as follows: $315.00 in 2023, only The 2023 Hastins varsity boys' and girls' cross country teams opened the season at the Portage Early Bird Invitational Friday, Aug. 18. Team members competing included (front from left) Riley Shults, Anika Bourassa, DJ Kuck, (middle row) Reuben Solmes, Bailey Pennock, (back) Cole Greenfield, Kenny Vastine and Alex Steward. consistent basis and holding each other accountable for being there,” Murphy said. “In the past, when I first stared we’d have three or four seniors, varsity players, at lifting sessions in the summer. It has gone to 23-24 players together lifting in the summer togeth­ er. That allows our kids to really develop our tight knit bond and that relationship they wouldn’t have ifthey weren’t together every day during the summer.” Coach Murphy expects Marshall, Parma Western and Harper Creek to be the teams best positioned to knock his team offthe top ofthe 1-8 this fall - saying Marshall is at the top ofthat list. “Marshall is just explosive,” Murphy said. “Any time they step on the field they can make a lot of things happen. They have a good quarterback, good running backs and a couple really good wide receivers.” Hastings opens conference play on the road at Coldwater Sept. 15. This year’s Saxon homecoming game is scheduled for Oct. 13 when they take on Jackson Northwest. 101, Battle Creek Lakeview 144, Paw Paw 203, Lowell 227, Loy Norrix 258, Hastings 280 and St. Joseph 283. Simmons led the Saxon team with a 15th-place time of 17 minutes 30.16 seconds. Shults was right behind in 18th in 17:31.51. The Saxon team also had Teed 59th in 18:51.10 and then a pair of freshmen in the top fiye, Ejchorst was 143rd in 2-1:31.90, and ^wjfipippjj^rd in no yni noyn The top four for the Hastings girls were freshmen. Randall was fourth overall in 20:02.83, Pirtle 161st in 26:43.27, DeCamp 188th in 27:58.91 and Enyart 211th in 29:09.42. Bourassa placed 254th in 36:54.99. St. Joseph won the girls’ meet with 87 points. Jenison was second with 96, ahead of Rockford 108, Portage Central 113, Stevens­ ville Lakeshore 161, Kalamazoo Central 166, Gobles 179, Battle .Creek Lakeview 223, Buchanan 270 and Kalamazoo Homeschool 274 in the top ten. TENNIS, continued from page 10-----this season teamed with fellow returning senior Andrew Haines at first doubles. Borton filled that second singles spot in a dual with Ionia Monday in Hastings - just a step up from his third singles position last year. There will be holes in the line-up this fall for the Saxons. They filledjust four flights in their dual Monday. Senior Evan Porter and freshman Owen Boge teamed up in the sec­ ond doubles flight. This is Porter’s third year as a regular in the Saxons’ doubles line-up. The Saxons were scheduled to make a trip to Lowell Wednesday. They will be back in action Monday at Kelloggsville. The Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference season starts when the Saxons host Coldwater Sept. 7. It’ll be another challenging season in the conference, although perennial league power Parma Western did lose three of its four sin­ gles players and three of its top four doubles players to graduation last spring - which may or may not bring the Panthers back to the pack a bit. VOLLEYBALL, continued from page 9 and junior defensive specialist Bri Darling who were solid contributors for the Saxons as sophomores. Also back is junior middle Jordan Milanowski, who joined the varsity midway through the 2022 season. “For the most part, everybody is kind of returning to their same spot so we are hop­ ing for some consistency there,” coach Slaughter said. While the Saxons coach is happy to finally have an experienced team, she also is happy to add some young talent to the mix. Junior Liliana Fox is joining the Saxons as a defen­ sive specialist and junior Isabel Gee will work for a spot in the front row. Sophomore Olivia Friddle will look to add her athleticism wherever it is needed. The Saxon team will be working to improve on its 1-8 finish from a year ago, getting a pair ofwins and then getting a bit ofrevenge over $217.00 in each of years 2024-2032 $1,848.00 to each lot/parcel abutting primarily the channel of Podunk Lake, levied and payable in ten annual installments as follows: Enyart. Randall was the middle school con­ ference champion a year ago at Turkeyville. Jackson Lumen Christi’s exit from the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference changes things a bit. Harper Creek, Marshall and Parma Western were all in the top halfofthe final team standings in the league a year ago and will be pushing for the top spots with good returning groups. Jlastings will host, (he first conference competition ofthe season Sept. 12. The Saxons get to run on their regional course Friday night at South Christian’s Under the Lights Invitational. They opened the season last Friday at the Portage Central Early Bird Invitational. In a field of 18 teams the Hastings boys were ninth and the girls 17th. Kalamazoo Central took the championship in the boys’ race with a score of 42 points. The rest ofthe top ten included Rockford 84, Kalamazoo Homeschool 97, Portage Central FOOTBALL, continued from page 1 four interceptions and ten pass breakups in his team’s first ten games last season. Carroll threw for 643 yards and rushed for 316 yards last season in the Saxons’ Wing-T offense. He threw six TD passes and rushed for four scores. Coach Murphy expects junior Andrew Haines and senior Mason Bailey to step up and play big roles on the Saxons’ offensive line. “Quite a few of those boys have been working hard in the offseason and they expect a lot out ofthemselves which is kind ofa breath offresh air with the general popu­ lation of kids, this group of young men are pretty self driven and self motivated,” coach Murphy said.” The Saxon coach sees the commitment to weight lifting continuing to grow as his guys see results from year to year. “I believe the kids see the results ofconsis­ tent longevity in the weight room, working hard together and seeing that payoff in the fall the past four years makes a huge differ­ ence in their attitude about being there on a THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN; OWNERS OF PROPERTY ABUTTING OR HAVING DEEDED ACCESS TO PODUNK LAKE IN LAND SECTIONS 26, 27 AND 34 OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP; AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: the Jackson Northwest girls by knocking them offat the conference tournament. Cold­ water and Northwest both took five-set wins over the Saxons during the regular season. Coach Slaughter still thinks of the math that showed Coldwater finishing just two points better, 115-113, than her Saxons in their con­ ference duel. Coach Slaughter expects Marshall to remain a tough competitor in the 1-8 this fall after a top ten state finish a year ago. Harper Creek will also be a strong team to watch out for in the conference. How well the defense comes together will determine a lot of the Saxons’ success this fall. Coach Slaughter said back row defense and passing is something the program from the middle school on up is really trying to work on. The Saxons had their regular open gyms throughout the summer and hosted an All-American Volleyball Camp in late July - getting to work with a couple NCAA Divi­ sion 1 volleyball players who are in the pro­ cess of getting ready to play professional volleyball. That was followed up by tryouts and the opening weeks of practice. Coach Slaughter had to make more cuts than she ever has before, which is a tough thing but an okay thing for the program overall. “I get jealous of wrestling where every­ body gets to have some role,” Slaughter said ofthe tough process at the end oftry-outs. “We definitely have some strong athletes coming through and those are just some of those growing pains we haven’t felt yet.” There is some consistency in the program overall this fall. Slaughter is glad to welcome back Jillian Collins as the JV coach and to have returning leaders at the middle school level too. Alexis Mast is taking over the freshman team. $273.00 in 2023, only $175.00 in each of years 2024-2032 $1,018.00 to each lot/parcel abutting neither Podunk Lake nor the chan­ nel but having deeded access to Podunk Lake, levied and payable in ten annual installments as follows: $190.00 in 2023'orHy io $92.00 in each of years 2024-2032 The special assessments for each of years 2024-2032 will be subject to annual redetermination by the Township Board when the actual costs of the yearly program and any relevant administrative costs are known. Any such annual redetermination of costs and assessments will be made at a regular meeting of the Township Board in SeptemberNovember of each year, or thereabouts, without further notice or hearing except as may be required by law or as may be further determined by the Township Board; provided that the allocation of individual special assessments resulting from any such annual redetermination shall be based on the same allocation method used for the initial 2023­ 2032 special assessments. Unpaid assessments will be subject to interest at a rate to be determined by the Township Board not exceeding 8.0% per annum (tentatively 3.0%). Note: In 2024 the Township Board may consider whether any surplus from the previous special assessments levied for the 2019-2023 lake improvement program should be applied in whole or in part as an offset/credit to the special assessment installment that would otherwise be levied in 2024-2032 for the 2024-2033 program. A public hearing on any objections to the proposed special assessment roll will be held at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan, on ^ednesdayi. .September 13. 2Q23 in conjunction with a regular meetioa Qf the Township Board commencing at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to this public hearing the Township Board may approve and confirm the proposed special assessment roll as submitted, or may approve the proposed special assessment roll with revisions, or may direct a new roll to be made. The proposed special assessment roll, and the program plans, estimate of costs, the boundaries ofthe 2024-2033 Podunk Lake Improvement Program Special Assessment District, and the Resolution ofthe Township Board creating the Special Assessment District and directing the Supervisor/Assessing Officer of the Township to make the proposed special assessment roll, may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk and may further be examined at the public hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT APPEARANCE AND PROTEST AT THIS HEARING IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO APPEAL A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL. AN OWNER OR PARTY IN INTEREST OR HIS OR HER AGENT MAY APPEAR IN PERSON AT THIS HEARING TO PROTEST A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, OR MAY FILE AN APPEARANCE OR PROTEST BY LETTER WITH THE TOWNSHIP CLERK BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE HEARING OR WITHIN SUCH FURTHER TIME AS THE TOWNSHIP BOARD MAY GRANT, IF ANY, AND IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES A PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE HEARING SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED. THE OWNER OR ANY PERSON HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY WHO PROTESTS IN PERSON OR IN WRITING AS PROVIDED ABOVE MAY FILE A WRITTEN APPEAL OF A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT WITH THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL WITHIN 35 DAYS AFTER THE CONFIRMATION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL (OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW). The foregoing hearings and all proceedings associated with these special assessment matters will be conducted in accordance with and pursuant to 1954 PA 188, as amended, the Michigan Open Meetings Act, and any other applicable law. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. 204290 Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Page 12 — Thursday. August 24. 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 21,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Juilene Chilton, a married woman, as her Sole and Separate Property Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee,, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage. January 29,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 9,2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $320,880.02 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West described as follows: Beginning at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence North 00 degrees 12 minutes 48 seconds East, along the North and South 1/4 line of Section 28, a distance of 962.01 feet; thence South 89 degrees 47 minutes 12 seconds East, at right angles to said North and South 1/4 line, 594.42 feet; thence North 70 degrees 51 minutes 18 seconds East 113.00 feet; thence South 16 degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds East 84.15 feet; thence South 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds West 129.11 feet; thence South 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 seconds West 176.43 feet; thence North 77 degrees 25 minutes 58 seconds West 114.51 feet; thence South 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds West 399.26 feet; thence South 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds West 156.43 feet; thence South 20 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East 159.14 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 11.60 feet to the South line of said Section 28; thence North 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West, along said line, 337.17 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to and together with a non-exdusive easement for ingress, egress and public utilities over a strip of land 66 feet width, the centerline of which is described as follows: Commencing at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence South 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East, along the South line of said Section 28, a distance of 337.17 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 208 40 feet; thence North 88 degrees 08 minutes 44 seconds East 35.10 feet to the true place of beginning of said centerline; thence North 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 32 seconds West 148.29 feet; thence North 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds East 121.90 feet; thence North 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds East 327.86 feet; thence North 86 degrees 10 minutes 49 seconds East 90.76 feet; thence North 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 seconds East 246.64 feet; thence North 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds East 129.11 feet; thence North 16 degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds West 84.15 feet, thence South 70 degrees 51 minute? 18 seconds West 113.00 feet; thence North. 21 degrees 20 minutes 31 seconds West 168.54 feet; thence North 40 degrees 14 minutes 40 seconds East 130.44 feet; thence North 82 degrees 52 minutes 52 seconds East 213.48 feet; thence South 76 degrees 55 minutes 51 seconds East 104.49 feet; thence North 68 degrees 45 minutes 24 seconds East 112.30 feet to the centerline of Day Road and the point of ending Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 14950 Loon Lake Dr, Bellevue, Ml 49021-8228 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: August 24,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1507643 (08-24)(09-14) 204831 SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting August 16,2023 Called to order at 6:31 p.m., all present. Pledge of Allegiance, moment of silence for our troops. Approved agenda and minutes of August 9 Special Meeting. Public comments were heard. Department reports were received, bills were approved. Approved correction of Police Chief salary. Approved Resolution 2023-16: Michigan CLASS investment option. Accepted bids for cemetery work. Public and Board comments were received. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk 204622 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING REGARDING PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29542-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058-1857 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Richard Lee Krebs. TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose Interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: Richard Lee Krebs has filed a petition for name change. A name change hearing will be held 9/13/2023 @ 2:15 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Richard Lee Krebs to Rikki Leigh Krebs. 204649 VARNUM LLP Attorneys 333 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, Ml 49504 NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Pursuant to a Judgment of Land Contract Foreclosure (the "Judgment") entered on June 7, 2023, In the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, Case No. 22-667-CH, the Court has ordered the sale at public auction of real property under a Land Contract (the “Land Contract”) made between Andy Lee Sparks and Carolyn Lee Sparks, Trustees of the Andy Lee Sparks Trust, Vendors, and David Wooten (“Vendee"), dated August 13, 2007, as evidenced by the Memorandum of Land Contract recorded on August 20, 2007, in Document No. 200708200001046, Barry County Records. The Land Contract balance is due and payable in the amount of NinetyNine Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Three and 64/100 Dollars ($99,683.64) as of July 20,2023, with the debt accruing interest since that date at the rate of seven percent (7%) per annum, plus such other fees and costs that may be recovered pursuant to the Land Contract and the Judgment. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the Judgment and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay said amount with interest as provided in the Judgment, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, the Land Contract will be foreclosed by sale of the Land Contract premises at public venue to the highest bidder in the main lobby of the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan, the place of holding the Circuit Court within Barry County, Michigan, on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. local time. Pursuant to the Judgment, the redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of the foreclosure sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the Vendee will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the foreclosure sale or to the Vendor for damaging the property during the redemption period. Pursuant to MCL 600.3150, the purchaser at the sale shall be entitled to possession of the Property at the time of the sale. The premises covered by said Land Contract is commonly known as 9645 Shawnee Branch Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, and is situated in the Township of Orangeville, Barry County, Michigan, described as follows: Parcel B: That part of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West described as: Beginning at a point found by commencing at the Center of the said Section; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to the place of beginning of this description; thence continuing South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East, 509.75 feet to the East and West 1/8 line of the Southwest 1/4; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East on said 1/8 line, 207.46 feet; thence North 07 degrees 32 minutes 32 seconds West, 614.52 feet to the place of beginning. Together with a non-exdusive easement being more particularly described as follows: A 66.00 foot wide Easement for ingress and egress lying 33.00 feet each side of the following described Centerline: Beginning at a point found by commencing at the Center of said Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North and South 1/4 line, 588.59 feet to the point of beginning of this easement; thence the Centerline runs South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West 1513.10 feet to the point of ending. ALSO described for tax purposes as: Commencing at the Center of Section 31, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 02 degrees 58 minutes 44 seconds East on the North 1/4 line, 588.59 feet; thence South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet to the point of beginning; thence continuing South 63 degrees 14 minutes 56 seconds West, 279.55 feet; thence South 13 degrees 42 minutes 41 seconds East, 519.45 feet; thence North 86 degrees 52 minutes 57 seconds East, 207.46 feet; thence North 07 degrees 25 minutes 15 seconds West, 624.42 feet to the place of beginning (the “Property"). Parcel No. 08-11-031-011-44 Dated: July 20,2023 ANDY LEE SPARKS and CAROLYN LEE SPARKS, Trustees of the Andy Lee Sparks Trust Mark Sheldon, Deputy Sheriff Sheldon Civil Process Service, LLC. P.O. Box 282 Hastings, Ml 49058 21456730.1 (07-20)(08-24) 203017 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29591-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Mark Jeffery Diekhoff. Date of birth: March 4,1963. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Mark Jeffery Diekhoff, died July 1,2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Jacob Mark Diekhoff, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 8/15/2023 Paul T. Joseph P33709 223 E. Grand River Avenue Williamston, Ml 48895 517-655-1700 Jacob Mark Diekhoff 1485 N. M66 Highway Woodland, Ml 48897 269-908-2192 204540 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 49c of the State Housing Development Authority Act of1966-1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1449c, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Amanda Yahne, single woman Original Mortgagee: Neighborhood Loans, Inc. Date of mortgage: November 4, 2022 Recorded on November 10, 2022, in Document No. 2022­ 011423, Foredosing Assignee (if any): Michigan State Housing Development Authority Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Seven and 52/100 Dollars ($136,927.52) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: PART OF THE WEST 1/2 OF SECTION 7, T1N, R9W, BARRY TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT 273.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7, SAID POINT ALSO BEING SOUTH 71 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 03 SECONDS EAST 335.14 FEET FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1, POPLAR BEACH PLAT AS RECORDED IN LIBER 3 OF PLATS. PAGE 14, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST, 135.40 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 18 SECONDS WEST, 146.28 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 16 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, 153.21 FEET; THENCE NORTH 49 DEGREES 53 MINUTES 03 SECONDS WEST, 216.81 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 265.04 FEET TO BEGINNING. EXCEPT: COMMENCING AT THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH, 43 FEET; THENCE EAST, 624.40 FEET; THENCE NORTH 62 DEGREES 40 MINUtES EAST, 143 FEET; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST 116.2 FEETTO A POINT WHICH IS SOUTH 43 DEGREES 45 MINUTES EAST, 25 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 5 OF THE RECORDED PLAT OF POPLAR BEACH, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS, SAID POINT BEING 168.41 FEET NORTH AND 834.68 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST. 274.50 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS 274.80 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE NORTH 50 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 52 SECONDS EAST. 136.60 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS NORTH 50 DEGREES 30 MINUTES EAST, 136.60 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 48 DEGREES 46 MINUTES EAST), 260.94 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF KLINE STREET TO A POINT BEING 279.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7 AND THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCjli SOUTH 48 DEGREES' 59 MINUTES-46 SECONDS EAST ^PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 48 DEGREES 46 MINUTES EAST) 168.56 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF KLINE STREET TO THE CENTERLINE OF SPRAGUE ROAD; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 19 SECONDS WEST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 45 DEGREES 24 MINUTES WEST). 95.46 FEET; THENCE NORTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS WEST, 157.63 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 95.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 11438 Sytsma Dr, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 125.1449v, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 125.1449v(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Michigan State Housing Development Authority Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507066 (08-17)(09-07) 204503 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Trust In the Matter of Roger S. Carls, Sr. and Barbara A. Caris Revocable Trust. Date of Birth: Roger S. Caris, Sr. -10/04/1940. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Roger S. Caris, surviving Trustee, died 04/19/2023 leaving the above Trust In full force and effect. Creditors of the decedent or against the Trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or trust will be forever barred unless presented to Sue McKeough, Trustee, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 08/14/2023 Rhoades McKee PC Stephanie S. Fekkes P43549 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-1921 Sue McKeough c/o Rhoades McKee 150 W. Court Street, Ste. A Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-1921 Financial FOCUS Andrew Cove, AAMS8CFP® Financial Advisor Member SIPC Jeff Domenico, AAMS®CRPC® FinancialAdvi 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 (269) 948-8265 Should you downsize when you retire? When you retire, you’ll experience many changes — should one of them involve your living arrangements? The issue of downsizing is one that many retirees will consider. If you have children, and they’ve grown and left the home, you might find yourself with more space than you really need. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean you must pack up and scale down yourself. You might love your home and neighborhood and see no reason to go. But if you’re open to a change, you could find that moving to a smaller house, a condo or an apartment may make sense for you. Let’s consider some ofthe advantages ofdownsizing: • You could save money. Moving to a smaller space could lower your utility bills and upkeep costs. • You could save effort. A smaller home will mean less maintenance and cleaning. • You could de-clutter. Over the years, most of us accumulate more possessions than we really need. Downsizing gives you a chance to de-clutter. And you can do some good along the way, too, because many charitable organizations will welcome some of your items. • You could make money. Ifyou’ve had your home for many years, it’s certainly possible that it’s worth more — perhaps a great deal more — than what you paid for it. So, when you sell it, you could pocket a lot of money — possibly without being taxed on the gains. Generally, ifyou’ve lived in your home for at least two years in the five-year period before you sold it, you can exclude $250,000 of capital gains, if you’re single, or $500,000 if you’re married and file taxes jointly. (You’ll want to consult with your tax advisor, though, before selling your home, to ensure you’re eligible for the exclusion, especially if you do own multiple homes. Issues can arise in connection with determining one’s “primary” residence.) While downsizing does offer some potentially big benefits, it can also entail some drawbacks. First of all, it’s possible that your home might not be worth as much as you had hoped, which means you won’t clear as much money from the sale as you anticipated. Also, If you still were FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, September 7,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a foe for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Larry W Hoffman and Allison K Hoffman, Husband and Wife to US Bank National Association as successor by merger to U.S. Bank National Association ND, Mortgagee, dated March 31, 2006, and recorded on April 7, 2006, as Document Number 1162327, Barry County Records,, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred NinetyThree and 11/100 ($148,593.11) including interest at the rate of 7.55000% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at a post on the North and South 1/4 line 14 chains and 45 links South of the 1/4 post in the center of Section 20, Town 3 North, Range 9 West, thence West 3 chains, thence South 2 chains, thence East 3 chains, to the 1/4 line, thence North on the 1/4 line 2 chains to the beginning. Commonly known as: 1692 ERWAY RD, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bld amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: August 10,2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, PC. Attorneys for US Bank National Association as successor by merger to U.S. Bank National Association ND 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00082-1 204913 (08-10)(08-31) 204092 SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting August 15,2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. Six board members present Approved consent agenda Items Approved payment of bills Approved L-4029 for 2023 Discussed Increasing cost of telephone service Approved increase In Election budget Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 7:48 pm Respectfully submitted. Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor 204794p paying off a mortgage on your bigger home, you may have been deducting the interest payments on your taxes a deduction that might be reduced or lost to you if you purchase a lessexpensive condo or become a renter. Besides these financial factors, there’s the ordinaiy hassle of packing and moving. And if you’re going to a much smaller living space, you may not have much room for family members who want to visit or occasionally spend the night. So, as you can see, you’ll need to weigh a variety of financial, practical and emotional issues when deciding whether to downsize. And you will also want to communicate your thoughts to grown children or other family members who may someday have reason to be involved in your living space. In short, it’s a big decision — so give it the attention it deserves. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning < Board ofAppeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number V-10-2023 - Telitha Dunklee & Bert Jones III Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 7729 Woodland Rd. Lake Odessa ML<£ 48849 Section 3 Woodland Township Purpose: Request a variance to construct an 8 x 10 deck on an existing house with a .6 ft side yard a setback (the minimum is 10 ft) in the RL (Recre- J ational Lake) zoning district. Dean Endres ! Case Number V-11-2023 (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: B Drive, Hastings Ml 49058 Section 5 Hastings Township Purpose: Request a variance to complete a land division to create a new parcel on a 33 ft road ease- > ment (the minimum is 66 ft) on a road less than 18 | ft wide in the RL (Recreational Lake) zoning district * MEETING DATE:September 11,2023 TIME7:00 PM PLACE: Tyden Center, Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Mich­ igan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property J will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either * verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barTycountv.org. The variance application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street. Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or calling the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator. 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A Palmer, Barry County Clerk 204664 STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Trust In the matter of: The Metz Family Revocable Trust Agreement, dated August 2,2002. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedents, John R. Metz, who died on June 29, 2017 and Gwendolyn W. Metz, who died on April 13, 2023, lived at 11983 Marsh Road, Shelbyville, Michigan 49344, leaving a certain trust under the name of THE METZ FAMILY REVOCABLE TRUST AGREEMENT, dated August 2. 2002, wherein the decedent was the Settlor and Terri Lee Colburn was named as Successor Trustee serving at the time of or as a result of the decedent’s death. Creditors of the decedent and of the trust are notified that all claims against the decedent or against the trust will be forever barred unless presented to Terri Lee Colburn, the named Successor Trustee, at Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law, 202 South Broadway, Hastings, Michigan 49058 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: August 17, 2023 Nathan E. Tagg (P68994) 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2900 Terri Lee Colburn 622 S. Payne Lake Road Wayland, Ml 49348 269-804-5537 204611 <2 siF® .w • �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. August 24,2023 — Page 13 Lakewood ladies beat Olivet in first golf match Lakewood opened up the 2023 varsity girls’ golf season with a 242-259 win over Olivet in a dual at Centennial Acres in Sun­ field Wednesday. Viking senior Makenzie Vasquez led the field shooting a 49. Vasquez was an indi­ vidual state qualifier last fall as a junior. o’SsSS*^* o s sS s Si?2$ sJ^5rc Si?2$J^5rc fe$ss^ SShXKsSJ sSiwS sSwSS sSiwSS wSS SS ^>SSS . iuz^jk S:sN :sN ifc rJ^^' J^^' *«»’'‘:*^*k r Sr * *=< ^S88® £*** ■1? *•’ *' ^COBTf COBTf » •fcIW‘,Jtai » *Jtai **<se< ? **<se hk. ^ifawai iSte^;./ 2tf~^ .'.'■{ ^.-L ?^xtitl ’W^imsnri, R*W ’** t*too ■2■»>« »>^«*— —“"—■»» »’»t«ato t*oiu«i«ni«i «*i: —_ "*••‘.,,'—••* ’— ^•BlEDG. *UUIP ,Jflt>®»tM^5Mrirar J»J.'DJ!E»/tDjrerj re rue arr5ri?<fln?y®i?XPM jjaw'Z'inz^Treiy^ togfe ^gXttatXZi^2<^ LEGAL NOTICES TK senior Reece Hoeksma works to keep the ball from Otsego's Tyler Wolf during the second half of their match in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thomapple Kellogg junior Simeon Biltawi shoot a pass across the top of the Bulldog box as he's defended by Otsego's Kristofer Saucedo during the second half of their match in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Bulldogs bite Trojans with late equalizer Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans showed off a myriad of ways they may score goals this season during the season opener against the Otsego varsity boys’ soccer team in Middleville Thursday. The problem was they only actually scored one. Otsego scored with 63 seconds remaining to even their non-conference opener with the Thomapple Kellogg boys at 1-1. A foul near midfield led to a long free kick for the Bull­ dogs, and senior Joel DeBoer was able to get a piece of his head on the ball and flick it on through into the Trojan net. The Thomapple Kellogg boys were the aggressors throughout the night, had scoring chance after scoring chance, took a 1-0 lead in the tenth minute of the game and were left with just a draw. Senior Fernando DeSantiago scored the Trojans’ lone goal. Junior Simeon Biltawi drilled a comer kick from left to right across the front of the Bulldog net in the tenth min­ ute of action. Otsego keeper Gabriel James deflected the ball off his line where it found TK senior Reece Hoeksma. Hoeksma put it back in and DeSantiago directed it by the Bulldog keeper into the goal. James was stellar in goal for the Bulldogs. The comer kick that lead to TK’s goal was one of back-to-back shots into the box by Biltawi. James deflected the first up and over his net. He had Biltawi shaking his head on the sideline later in the second half. “I don’t know how he saved that. I was starting to celebrate,” Biltawi told his team­ mates at the bench not long after James made a save diving down to his right to knock away a Biltawi shot with his fingertips. A nice overlapping play along the left side­ line by Trojan teammates Blake Dykstra and Peyton Foreman led to the Biltawi chance. Foreman centered the ball to the top of the box after finding space outside and and Biltawi blasted a shot low towards the left post with about 14 and a half minutes to go in the game as TK continued in vain to add an insurance goal. James thwarted challenges from Juan Agu­ iar and Ashton Nichols. TK had at least two shots on net saved by Otsego defenders. Jordan Rowley headed a comer kick from Foreman just over the crossbar. Aguiar and Hoeksma put together a strong charge up the right side early in the second half and Hoeksma fired a perfect service across the box to DeSantiago who somehow deflected the shot just wide of the net. Anoth­ er ball in from Ryan Skidmore was knocked just wide by Rowley. Jayce Curtis received a long throw-in from teammate Braden Sharrar and ripped a shot towards the goal that found a defender before it go too far. Curtis had another tremendous shot from about 30 yards out that flew just to Brett Bremer Sports Editor Kanm-i'ititiv® irajewjsc tew# - ta*a haWk^H©^ ’2TGWC tyKqflimaiM M^urW**1^ aus »R~— atfto***;*!? iww^* rtww „ i<»iibR«*~<—*** * MS’**—*",S': MV* 0* MV*JU** glw*Zw****, *!«*i**!Ui* Wrt**** **Su^W** Su^ ftf ** **””***J!S^w«^4 «^US5*** 4*^*i ***J^«US*^ feZ Thornapple Kellogg junior Ailana Leos celebrates her school record 36 after a round against Lowell on the red nine at Yankee Springs Golf Course Wednesday. SisfeJ ’ Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 5% <• e te! d' eUfi^tf1^^ ✓ . 1<!%Z 1! the right of the far post. All the while, the defense led by Nathan Shoemaker and Rowley in the middle was steady in front of goalkeeper Owen Comer. Comer was a bit late coming off his line once or twice in the early going, but got out on attackers once or twice to thwart chances too. The Bulldogs did ring one shot oftheir own off the crossbar midway through the first half. TK’s second-year head coach Andrew Kiel knew coming into the season that the Trojans would be looking to replace a lot of the goal-scoring ability it lost to graduation last spring. They found the chances Thursday, the next step is to finish them ... and they did just fine with that to start the day Saturday at the Oakridge Invitational. The Thomapple Kellogg boys took the tournament championship at Oakridge with a 5-2 win over Kelloggsville to start the day. They followed that up with a 2-1 win over Oakridge and a 2-1 shoot out win over Wil­ liamston in the day’s finale. TK is now 4-1 having also tallied a 2-1 win at Zeeland East Monday evening. The Trojans return to action at Hastings Friday evening, at 5 p:m. leading up to the. varsity football game between the two teams inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. The Trojans kick off.the OK Gold Confer­ ence season next week at home against Cedar Springs Tuesday and Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wednesday. Leos sets school record in dual at Yankee Springs tataiHpdNHst. ^iitavaBimafit)TOCTlHiljinSS!!! IrtrHfearaJ!^* □Ktsi triads fte uft gBM^Itgl ®K?75T' BFJiV"®»BJ#W** HO®11 The Viking team also got a 62 from sophomore Galatea Archbold-Pyle, a 65 from junior Savanah Mendes and a 66 from sophomore Madison Fenlong. Olivet was led by a 54 from Jocelyn Rolston and a 59 from junior Brianna Preston. Garage Sale B asin ess Services SALE AT MID-LAKES Mini BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums Storage. Three 10 x 20 units. September 1-4,2023 9-5. Auto­ motive Equipment and tools, cabinets, NASCAR items and household. 231-329-7096. COMMUNITY BARN SALE. Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Gooseneck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, water tank, furniture, golf clubs, dog crate, etc. Wanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852­ 0667. for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. CaU 269-804-7506. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell; qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. Junior Ailana Leos set a school record by shooting a 36 on the red nine at Yankee Springs during a non-conference dual with Lowell Wednesday, Aug. 16. She finished at. even-par with birdies on the. par-4 two and seven arid bogies on the par-4 numbers one and six. ] It was the second match of the season for the Trojans, who opened play the previous Monday at the Wayland Invitational. Lowell took a victory in the team dual with a score of 173. TK scored a 193. Leos is part of a Trojan team that returns its whole list of varsity scorers from a year ago. The group includes' seniors Kendra Coe, Emma Schut, Sydney ^Robertson, Isabelle Mosley, Josie DeBoer and junior Rae Borrink. Borrink was the team’s number two Wednesday with a score of 47. Coe shot a 54 and Schut a 56 to round out the top four for their team. “While we are an experienced team and all our golfers are retuming’from last year, over­ all we still have areas that we need to work on,” TK head coach Bob Kaminski said in the preseason. “I think cohsistency and short games are the two areas We need to work on.” Lowell was led by a 39 from junior Elie Sluss. The Red Arrows also got a 42 from junior Hannah Flickinger, a 45 from junior Leah Krieger and a 47 from sophomore Elyse Veldman. The Trojans were slated to open the OK Gold Conference season at Indian Trails Golf Course in Grand Rapids Wednesday and will be back at Yankee Springs Friday for their annual early season TK invitational. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. LEGAL NOTICES PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Special Meeting August 9, 2023 Called to order at 6:37 p.m. Present: Stoneburner, Pence, Doster, Goebel, DeVries, Attorney Kaufman, approximately 20 public Pledge ofAllegiance Agenda and Minutes approved Public comments were received Approved Resolution of Intent: S.A.D. 2023-1 Bay View Tabled Resolution of Intent: Fire Protection S.A.D. Tabled Resolution of Intent: Police Protection S.A.D. Designated Minute Taker for ZBA/Planning Commission Approved purchase of election equipment for early voting. Public and Board comments were received. Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk 204623 All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which Is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center al 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. NOTICE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961.1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1pm, on Thursday, September 14,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. The foreclosure sale is pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Mortgage made by CHRISTOPHER B. WALKER and SHANNON J. WALKER, Mortgagors, to First National Bank of America, Mortgagee, dated November 9, 2004, and recorded November 17, 2004, in Instrument Number 1137316, of Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due as of the date of this notice $78,271.34, including interest at 9.95% per annum. Said premises are situated in Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Beginning at the NW comer ofthe SE 1/4 ofthe SE 1/4 of Section 9, T4N, R9W; thence 26 2/3 rods East, thence South 12 rods; thence West 26 2/3 rods; thence North approximately 12 rods to the place of beginning. Together with rights of ingress and egress over the currently established road, except that part deeded to the State of Michigan in Liber 246 on Page 589; c/k/a 6153 Cain Creek, Freeport, Ml 49325. The redemption period shall be six months from the date of the sale, unless the premises are determined to be abandoned pursuant to MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be one month, or until the tirhb to provide the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c) expires, whichever is later. The redemption period further may be shortened pursuant to MCL 600.3238(10) ifthe property is not adequately maintained, or if the purchaser is denied the opportunity to inspect the property. Please be advised that if the mortgaged property is sold at a foreclosure sale by advertisement, pursuant to MCL600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale, ortdlhe-rtiortgage hofden-for damaging the property ; duViPrt} the redemjStl8flTp^n(^ Attention homeowHdF^ c Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Dated: August 17,2023 Randall T. LeVasseur P41712 LeVasseur Dyer & Associates, PC Attorneys for Mortgagee 3233 Coolidge Hwy Berkley, Ml 48072 (249) 236-1765. (08-17)(09-07) 204504 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 28, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Molly Swartzlander, a married woman, whose address is 829 Greenwood Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Amerifirst Financial Corporation, being a mortgage dated May 15,2017, and recorded on May 16,2017 as Document No. 2017-005058 in Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee of Discovery Mortgage Loan Trust, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated February 21, 2023 and recorded on February 21, 2023 and given Document Number 2023-001190 in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereofthe sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN AND 71/100 DOLLARS ($152,237.71). Said premises are situated in the Village of Middleville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot 38 of Middleville Downs No 2, Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, according to the Recorded Plat thereof as Recorded in Liber 5 of Plats on Page 13. Street Address: 829 Greenwood Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: August 17, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5111 (08-17)(09-07) 204500 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 21,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Bryan M. Perreault, married man and Jenea Perreault, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (ifany): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date ofMortgage: January 22,2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: January 29,2020 Amount daimed due on date ofnotice: $135,727.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Irving, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Unit No. 2, Daisy Lane No. 1, according to the Master Deed recorded in instrument No. 1095651, as amended, and designated as Barry County Condominium Subdivision Plan No 27, together with rights in the general common elements and the limited common elements as shown on the Master Deed and as described as Ad 59 ofthe Public Acts of 1978, as amended. Common street address (if any): 2517 Daisy Ln, Middleville, Ml 49333-8140 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Ad of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, ‘ please contact the attorney for the party foredosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date ofnotice: August 24,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1507593 (08-24)(09-14) 204830 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature ad of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foredosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the drcuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Pladng the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Elizabeth Lonergan, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Ihc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date ofmortgage: August 23,2013 Recorded on August 27, 2013, in Document No. 2013-010429, Foredosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servidng, LLC Amount daimed to be due at the date hereof: Sixty-One Thousand Ninety-One and 16/100 Dollars ($61,091.16) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Commendng at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West, Hastings Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence North 1473.70 feet along the East line ofthe Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds West, 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence North 171.72 feet parallel with the said East line; thence North 89 degrees 00 minutes East, 200.03 feet to the East line; thence South 174.81 feet along the said East line to place of beginning. Also commendng at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; thence North 1409.78 feet along the East line of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 30 minutes West, 200.01 feet; thence North 65.26 feet parallel with said East line; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds East, 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence South 63.92 feet along the East line of said Section to the place of beginning. Commonly known as 718 Powell Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foredosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foredosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507067 (08-17)(09-07) 204502 �Page 14 — Thursday, August 24, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxon team nets firstdoubles win over Ionia Hastings senior Caleb Borton hits a serve against his opponent from Ionia during their second singles match Monday afternoon at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor A. short-handed Hastings squad filled four flights, two singles and two doubles, during its first home dual of the season Monday afternoon against Ionia. The Saxon first doubles team of seniors Keegan Lindsey and Lang Haines picked up the team’s lone point in a 6-2, 6-3 win over the Bulldog duo of Jude Gregory and Ryan Lee in Ionia’s 7-1 victory. It was the first doubles match of the season for Lindsey, who spent his junior season in the second singles spot for the Saxons. Haines has been a staple ofthe Saxon doubles line­ up for most of his first three high school Hastings senior Evan Porter stretches out for a backhand return during the second doubles match against Ionia at Hastings High School Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) seasons, but is happy to be back to 100 per­ cent after missing out on the chance to play during much ofhis junior campaign. “I love tennis. It is really fun,” Haines said. The two fared well Monday. Haines felt the duo served well, and he was happy to see Lindsey playing so well at the net - even if their Bulldog opponents were able to beat him down the line once or twice as he tried to poach a few volleys in the middle ofthe court. “He was playing amazing net, he was poaching shots, and he was winning it and killing it at the net too. He was playing way better tennis than me today - easily,” Haines said ofLindsey. “He was having a lot of fun too. We both were.” Haines was pleased with the way he served Monday and where he found himself on the court. He has been working not to get stuck in no-man’s land, an area in the back third ofthe court that is tough to defend that he has found himselfin a little too often in the past. That first doubles team had a 3-2 lead in the second set and then surged to win the final three games ofthe match. “One ofthe big things we talked about, is closing the gaps,” Hastings head coach Krista Schueller said. “[Lindsey] is used to just run­ ning around his singles court. Here he has Lang, so learning where you are and where your partner is so you can close down your gaps is important.” Hastings senior Lang Haines hits a forehand back at the Ionia first doubles team during his win with teammate Keegan Lindsey Monday afternoon at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Haines played with fellow senior Evan Porter in the first doubles spot Saturday to open the Season at Three Rivers and that was something that duo really needed to work on. Schueller thinks Haines and Lindsey will be able to string together some victories this season ifshe can keep the duo together. The Saxons were competitive at the four contested flights with the Bulldogs. Ionia’s Cole Petersen managed to outlast Saxon senior Heath Hays 6-2, 6-2 in the first singles flight. Owen Shippey took a 6-4,6-0 win over Saxon senior Caleb Borton at second singles. Borton stepped up a spot from third singles to second singles for Monday’s dual. Hayes is in his second season as the Saxons’ first sin- gles player. He held that spot as ajunior too after playing with Haines at second doubles most ofhis sophomore season. The Saxon second doubles team of Porter and freshman Owen Boge fell 6-3, 6-2 to the Bulldogs’ Riley Yokum and Palmer Jaxon. ■ Schueller said that Boge has typically been a singles player, but Monday’s math meant that teaming with Porter was the best spot for him. She is hoping to add a few more playeqs v to the squad ifpossible. Ionia got forfeit wins at the other four. flights. Sophomore Anderson Forrel filled a sin- . gles spot for the Saxons last Saturday, but' wasn’t competing Monday. Gull Lake bests Delton teams in early dual Piper McArthur Lillian Lester and Avery Barker make their way around the course at Gilmore Car Museum during the Delton Kellogg varsity cross country team's dual with Gull Lake Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Gull Lake had sev£n ofthe first eight fin­ ishers in both the boys’ and girls’ races at Gilmore Car Museum Wednesday. It was still a good second run ofthe season for the Delton Kellogg teams. Senior Samantha O’Meara, in her first var­ sity cross country season, led the DK girls’ team for the first time turning in a time of25 minutes 38.92 seconds that put her seventh place. She wasjust a few seconds offthe time that put her in 13th at last Friday’s Lawrence Jim Carey Early Bird Invitational. “It was good to see Sam O’Meara, she is new to this it is her first year running, and she just kind of put her head down and went after it,” Delton Kellogg head coach Dale Grimes said. “Her time I don’t think reflected that, but everybody’s times were not quite as fast as what we’d like to see - not quite as fast as at Lawrence on Friday.” There were far fewer runners competing Tuesday in the rare cross country dual than at the invitational Friday. The 20 girls and 23 boys competing for their teams Tuesday were about halfthe number in Lawrence. “I think that is part of [times being slower]. You lose contact withsomebody and that lit- Hastings Summerfest Community Worship! Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 9:30 am Free Community Cookout at 11:00 am Thornapple Plaza tle race mentality slips away. We have been practicing in the morning. Everything we have done has been in the morning, so this is our first time doing anything in the afternoon. That might be a little factor. “But it is good. It is an eye-opener for some ofour beginners yet that we’re not there yet. We have work to do. It is early.” Junior Ethan Rimmer led the Delton Kel­ logg boys in the dual hosted by Gull Lake with a third-place time of 19:34.9. He was about a minute off the pace that had him third overall at Lawrence’s invitational last week. “He was pushing himself pretty hard today,” Grimes said of Rimmer, “which is good. We need to see more ofthat.” Gull Lake took the boys* race 18-45 Tues­ day while the Blue Devil girls scored a 15-49 win. Gull Lake senior Kendall Wank won the girls’ race in 23:47.84 ahead of freshman teammate Lane Isom who came in at 23:57.95 in the runner-up spot. A pair of sophomores led the Gull Lake guys. Gavin Markucki won in 19:00.60 and Finn Tauren was second in 19:20.65. The Blue Devils had four sophomores among the first six finishers in the boys’ race and 12 of the first 13 finishers overall. In the scoring group, Delton. Kellogg’s Brock Hickerson was ninth in 22:55.15, Nick Muday tenth in 22:59.45 and Rhys Bedford 11th in 23:05.29. The 12th-place scorer for DK was Isaiah Kellogg in 30:31.31. Bedford was the only Delton Kellogg guy to cut his time from the season opening meet in Lawrence. He shaved offabout 23 seconds. Gull Lake girls finished in the first six spots in their race. In the scoring for DK, junior Kylie Main was ninth in 26:33.09, Elli Timmerman tenth Delton Kellogg senior Samantha O'Meara winds her way around the build^ ings at Gilmore Car Museum during her. team's dual with Gull Lake Tuesday aftefr noon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) in 27:19.39, Summer Ritchie 11th in 27:19.64 and Izabelle Gruber 12th in 28:24.51. Coad} Grimes was pleased with Main’s kick at the end to beat out Gull Lake sophomore Josie Shanley and liked how strong his own soph­ omore Timmerman looked overall. “Overall, we’re seeing some improvement today. We’ll take the good with the bad and keep working,” Grimes said. The Delton Kellogg teams will be back in action Friday, Aug. 25, at the South Christian Under the Lights Invitational. Worship Featuring Many Talented Musicians and Singers! Sponsored by: Green Street, First Presbyterian, Hope and Welcome Corners Churches Community Focus: Family Promise ofBarry County Hnys Bedford and Brock Hickerson close in on the finish of the course at Gilfrior^ Car Museum during the Delton Kellogg varsity boys' cross country team's race aqainst Gull Lake. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-08-31.pdf 12425effb7f062b07936e9fda1d85f2f PDF Text Text City approves apartment expansion amid drainage concerns Fair Ground Festival attracts hundreds to Expo Center See story on page 5 See story on page 3 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590503245649058113421 Richard Hemerimg 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-11 7/3Q/2()24 9:25:00 AM ANNER Thursday, August 31,2023 VOLUME 169, No. 35 PRICE $1.50 Hastings Summerfest organizers enjoy smooth event on heels severe storm Jayson Bussa Editor Karla Miller is a veteran ofthe craft show circuit and this weekend’s visit to Hastings Summerfest was certainly not her first rodeo. Still, a quick and violent system of storms that moved through West Michigan on Thurs­ day night, producing tornadoes in some areas ofthe state, threw something brand new at her. “All three ofmy tents were gone - one of them landed down the road there some­ where,” said Miller, who is from Portland. “It’s still down there somewhere.” This year’s Summerfest, which kicked off last Friday and capped off on Sunday with a car show that featured roughly 400 cars, fea­ tured great weather and steady crowds. One of the only hiccups that came with the pro­ cess was when many of the 180 arts and crafts vendors were setting up shop*; on the lawn of the Barry County Courthouse on Thursday night. stqrms barreled1-throuufiTBifty County !and the reSt W Wesr Michigan, causing widespread power outages • and destruction. Before the storm provided Relief, vendors had to contend with the . oppressive heat that had hovered around the area for the previous two days. • MiHer owns Endless Etching, a craft ven­ dor that specializes in sandblasting and' engraving custom glasses, mirrors and other products. She also works for a second vendor, called Pam’s Pantry, which sells a variety of dip mixes, cheese spreads and similar food products. In total, Miller sets up shop under three tents, all of which blew away in the storm and she was unable to recover them. With a little help from fellow vendors, Miller was able to get three new tents and set up shop at Summerfest for the weekend. “I was able to save most of my materials and people have been buying stuff,” Miller said when The Banner spoke with her on Saturday morning. “Wejust need to get three new tents by next week. We’re up in St. Ignace (for a show).” In her 12 years working shows - she tries to attend at least 15 shows each year - Miller said she had never lost a tent But, the rough start eventually straightened out and Miller said she, overall, was having a positive experience crafts markets in the state ofMichigan. “It’s been good - people are awesome,” Miller said. “It r was a little slower (Friday) but people were helping everyone recover from it. There was a lot ofdamage.” See SUMMERFEST, page 8 Craft vendors filled up the lawn of the Barry County Courthouse this weekend for another installment of Hastings Stummerfest. This tent belonged to local stained glass artist Jennie DeWitt, who was able to avoid damage to her booth from a severe storm last Thursday night, fyot every*Vendor Wa^uite as fortunate; (Photosby Jayson tfussa) Collaboration between COA , Thornapple Manor sparks some concern Jayson Bussa Editor A group of owners and administrators at Barry County-based assisted living and adult foster care facilities have voiced concerns about the Commission on Aging and its new collaboration with county-operated Thomapple Manor. Earlier this year, the Barry County Board ofCommissioners unveiled a plan that would outfit the county’s Commission on Aging, which provides a variety of services for area seniors, with a new and greatly needed facil­ ity. Under the plan, the Commission on Aging would move from its current location of 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings to the south­ eastern outskirts ofthe city, near the intersec­ tion ofM-79 Highway and McKeown Road. The new COA location puts it in the vicinity of the sprawling complex of Thomapple Manor, a county-operated skilled nursing facil­ ity. The new site for the Commission on Aging See COLLABORATION, page 3 Harvest Pointe assisted living center opened in March on the southeast outskirts of Hastings. Now, the county is planning to build a new COA building on a parcel of land adjacent to Harvest Pointe, even connecting the two buildings in order to leverage and share resources. (File photo) Restaurant industry in Hastings shifting due to many factors, Barry County Chamber says Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings restaurant scene has changed rapidly in recent weeks and months, with a handful of establishments closing their doors and others announcing they will be moving in. Nichole Lyke, economic development director at the Barry County Chamber & Eco­ nomic Development Alliance, said there are many reasons why the local dining scene may seem tumultuous recently - and many of them have nothing to do with the economy. “It’s about finding the right restaurant in the right spot for the community,” Lyke said. “It’s getting the right restaurant with the right owner and leadership team that’s important. ! A major issue facing Hastings and Barry County restaurants, especially locally owned eateries, is a lack ofsuccession plan­ ning. Succession planning ensures that owners have a leadership team in place and ready to take up the mantle when they retire. See RESTAURANT, page 2 The KFC on State Street closed earlier this month, leaving many to wonder what will come to the site next, (photos by Hunter McLaren) This photo shows a small portion of sidewalk in downtown Hastings —- south­ east of the intersection of South Jefferson and West State streets — that will be transformed by an upcoming construction project. Work begins on Monday, Sept. 11. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) City of Hastings set to kickoff streetscape construction project on Sept. 11 A project to transform sidewalks and roadsides through the heart of downtown Hastings will kick off in less than two weeks. The downtown streetscape project, which will take place on State Street from Boltwood to Broadway streets, will com­ mence construction on Sept. 11. The north side ofthe project will take place in 2023 until the winter weather sets in. The south side of the project will commence in the spring. All project activities will be com­ plete no later than June 28, 2024. “The Hastings DDA has been working over the last few years on developing a streetscape renewal project. The pandemic slowed our progress,* but the final plan will begin this fall,” Patty Woods, chairperson for the Hastings Downtown Development Authority, said. “We want to keep our downtown looking as vibrant and welcom­ ing as possible. The construction phase, while disruptive, will bring great results.” This project will result in replaced sidewalks, new street trees, LED and dark sky compliant lighting, an outdoor fire­ place, two mid-block crossing areas, more seating and gathering areas, plant­ ers, landscaping and similar amenities. The design was selected after several public input sessions including a charette and public survey. The project cost is $3.53 million, which is primarily being funded by the Downtown Development Authority. The streetscape was last updat­ ed in 1992. General contractor for the project is Katerberg VerHage Inc. of Grand Rapids. State Street is expected to remain open through fall construction. Businesses will remain open and accessible to customers throughout the project. “The downtown core is key to the com­ munity’s economic success,” said Hastings City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale. “Much oftire feedback received on the new design was people wanting a place to linger and spend time. The final design reflects those interests and will build on the placemaking goals the city has adopted.” �O’ Page 2 — Thuredey. August >1. 2023 — The HMUngs Banner NEWS BRIEFS Hastings Fire Department to acquire three new vehicles; BIRCH faces existential crisis W W Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Woodland Homecoming Celebration kicks off tomorrow The annual Woodland Homecoming Celebration kicks offtomorrow, offering some­ thing for everyone during its three-day run starting Friday, Sept. 1, and ending Sunday, Sept 3 pThe celebration kicks offFriday night, Sept. 1, with an ice cream social at the Harold E. Classic Memorial Park in Woodland featuring MOO-ville ice cream and grilled hot dogs. The Woodland Eagles will also host an all-you-can-eat fish fry, and softball tour­ naments will begin Friday. j^awdey, Sept 2, is a full day ofactivities, food and fun beginning with pancakes in the park at 8 a.m. The softball tournaments continue all day. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. and features this year's grand marshals, Woodland residents Doug and Judy MacK­ enzie, and Sierra Brodbeck, who is 2023 Miss Woodland. Throughout the afternoon, attendees can enjoy food from several vendors, the conces­ sion stand or from the Eagles on Main Street. Homecoming attendees can also visit crafters in the park or peruse a library book sale. Kids can test their strength at the pedal puli and their skill at free games. A bouncy house will also be on site. New this year is a hay bale toss for both adults and kids. Saturday will also feature co-ed dodgeball games and a horseshoe tournament A family movie is to be held in the park at dusk. A favorite of the Saturday celebration is the annual Lions Club Chicken Barbecue. Chicken dinners complete with ice cream for dessert can be purchased to eat at the park or to take home. Sunday's programming begins with a 9 a.m. church service at the park. This year will feature the second annual installment of a cruise-in car show in memory of lifelong Woodland resident, Ken Makley, who passed away in 2019. The car show will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Softball tournaments continue and comhole tournaments begin at 2 p.m. New this year, a foam party for kids will take place in the park at 3 p.m. on Sunday. A hymn sing will be held in the evening. Lake Odessa Union Bank remodel underway After months of planning, the remodel of the Lake Odessa branch of Union Bank began on Monday, Aug. 28. Construction is slated to wrap up in January 2024. For the safety ofthe bank’s customers and employees, the lobby ofthe Lake Odessa branch will be closed during construction. Drive-thru, ATM and night drop services will continue to be accessible. Customers wishing to bank in person may visit the former Union Bank Corporate Office at 933 Fourth Avenue in Lake Odessa. The Fourth Avenue location will be open for business Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All Union Investment Solutions team members have been temporarily relocated to the Fourth Avenue location. Those interested in scheduling an appointment can call 616­ 374-1530. “Union Bank has proudly served the community of Lake Odessa since 1934. Our hours and commitment to serving the community will not change during the remodeling process. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we update our facility to provide a warm and welcoming environment to serve all of your banking needs for many years to come,** said Cortney Collison, Union Bank president and CEO. Mackinac Bridge joint replacement work begins Sept. 6 The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) will invest nearly $5 million this fall to replace joints on the north viaduct span, with work scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept 6. The project includes replacing 11 reliefjoints and three sliding-plate expansion joints, which are connections in the bridge deck that allow for expansion and contrac­ tion due to temperature changes, as well as movement from traffic. The north viaduct span is an elevated part of the bridge located over the north causeway, immediately north ofthe truss spans ofthe bridge. This work will require closing one lane of traffic in each direction in two phases (both inside lanes closed, and both outside lanes closed) with one lane open in each direction at all times. Weekend traffic peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., often resulting in traffic backups, even with all toll lanes open. Drivers should consider crossing at off-peak times or prepare for delays. Currently, the contractor for the project, Anlaan Corp, ofGrand Haven, plans to have the work completed and all lanes open by Nov. 8, weather permitting. b-St INSUMZ/C SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass l Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 The acquisition ofthree new Hastings Fire Department vehicles has underscored several issues facing the BIRCH Rural Fire Associa­ tion board in recent months. Mark Jordan, appointed Hastings fire chief in late July, said the three new vehicles were an absolute necessity for the department. The three vehicles, a rescue operations SUV, a tanker truck and a pumper truck, would all replace vehicles at the department that had well exceeded their useful lifetimes. Jordan made it clear to BIRCH members at their meeting last Thursday that hanging onto the trucks for any longer wouldn’t be thrifty — in fact, it would cost the department more and more each year as the trucks became more expensive to fix and maintain. Not only that, but the maintenance issues at the depart­ ment had elevated to safety issues. “I'm not throwing up the alarm for no rea­ son. I wake up at three o'clock at night and realize I’ve only got one pumper available to me, and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and (other safety regulatory boards) all require that I have two functioning pumpers at all times. I don’t have that right now,** Jordan said. “We’re outside compli­ ance and we have been for a long time. We’re just floating by for a big incident to happen. While I*m the chief, I take on all the respon­ sibility if something goes wrong, but 1*11 tell you if a resident gets killed or one of my firefighters gets killed, it doesn't stop at that point It just keeps on. We're all going to be involved.’’ The City of Hastings approved the pur­ chase of the $456,000 pumper truck at its meeting Monday, along with an upgraded H VAC system for the department that could be later transferred to a new building ifneed­ ed. While neither items were budgeted expenses, City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said the city was anticipating funds from the Barry Community Foundation that would cover both expenses. If those funds fell through, the city could utilize unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Jordan brought requests for the SUV and tanker truck to BIRCH members Thursday. The nearly half-million dollar ask brought into focus several' issues the BIRCH board has been grappling with. The board's first challenge was figuring out how to fund the request with a lack ofcash on hand. Board members agreed to pay up to $41,000 from the organization’s fund balance for the SUV, which would replace the depart­ ment's ambulance and function in the same rbfe. The? department cotddr|thtn sell the ambulance, - arid put the funds back ihto BIRCH, Jordan said/ The tanker truck posed a larger challenge, with a nearly $450,000 price tag. BIRCH board members had to move quickly - Jordan said the truck in question could possibly be the department’s only chance to secure a tanker in the next year. After lengthy discus­ sion, board members agreed to put forward around $280,000 toward the purchase, using $130,000 ofits general funds as a down pay­ ment and voting to cash out its CD account for an additional $150,000. Board members BIRCH Rural Fire Association members met last Thursday in the Hastings Fire Department to discuss the purchase of a in._e_w__S_U__V__a__n_d__ta__n‘ker truck. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) voted to bring the issue back to their respec­ tive townships and ask for an additional con­ tribution to BIRCH, split evenly among them using a formula similar to the one used to calculate other BIRCH costs, to make up the $160,000 cost. The move left BIRCH with about $40,000 dollars in its general fund. The issue felt like a repeat ofone discussed earlier this summer to some board members. Mercy Ambulance came before the board in early June to ask for a $160,000 contribution to pay for new equipment, which resulted in BIRCH members asking their townships to pitch in to help pay offthe sum. In both cases, BIRCH members were con­ cerned that the board was bringing in a sig­ nificantly lower amount of money than it needed to fund necessary equipment expendi­ tures. Some board members also questioned the efficiency ofthe board. In many cases, the board is left with few options aside from ask­ ing its constituent townships to vote on send­ ing additional resources to BIRCH. At that point, each township can vote to not send the resources to BIRCH for any rea­ son. Even ifeach member township agrees to contribute their share, it’s a cumbersome process. While it may not be an issue in some cases, it can make granting funds for time-sen­ sitive requests a challenge. After BIRCH member’s voted to provide the funds for the SUV and a down payment on the tanker truck, Jordan had to briefly step out ofThurs­ day’s meeting to contact sellers and confirm he could buy the vehicles. BIRCH treasurer Doug Sokolowski, repre­ senting Irving Township, pressed the board on what their primary purpose was. “I’m the newest member ofthis board, and I mean no disrespect to anyone. But I wonder, what is the function of this board?,” Sokolowski said. “We have nd budgetary responsibility. So what authority do We exer­ cise? We can only spend the money we have collected from the townships and we can’t ask for additional money unless our own boards vote to support that.” It was one ofthe questions that Sokolowski was hoping to answer for the other members of his township, who were contemplating leaving the BIRCH board entirely. Sokolows­ ki presented a letter, signed by Irving Super­ visor Jamie Knight, asking for an exemption from a clause in the BIRCH contract requir­ ing a year’s notice from any townships look- ing to leave the association. The letter stated the township was considering three options: Irving would either leave BIRCH and extend its fire coverage through Thomapple Town­ ship (which currently covers a third ofIrving Township’s area for fire protection and the entire township for ambulance services), con­ tract directly through the City ofHastings for fire services, or remain a member ofBIRCH. The board voted down the motion, which Sokolowski said only further proved his point, — Irving could still choose to leave the board, without a year’s notice, and BIRCH would; have no recourse except to seek arbitration. Sokolowski said Irving was still considering options and hadn’t decided to leave BIRCH at this time. Ifthey were to leave, they would' tell the board by October, he said. As to the question ofthe board’s purpose, most board members seemed to agree it was to mitigate fire and emergency equipment costs to the local townships by diffusing the cost among them. Whether or not BIRCH was the best way to achieve that goal was a point ofdiscussion. The board steadily agreed on one thing: something needed to change. Jim Brown, Hastings Charter Township' supervisor and BIRCH chair, said drastic' change would have to come to the board soon. “It’s time to make a change on how we partner with the city and with each other. I think it’s time that we sit down and redo this whole thing,” Brown said. “If we don’t do something about this, we'll betaiking about it this way come down until doomsday.** “We've been dodging this bullet for many years,” Rutland Township Supervisor Larry Watson said. “Now the bullet is coming through the wall. Can's kicked in the comer and can’t go down the road anymore.” Both Jordan and Hastings City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale Agreed it Could be benefi­ cial to reevaluate how exactly the city part-’ ners with the townships, but it would have to wait until after the Hastings Fire Department secured the vehicles and equipment it so crit­ ically needed. “It's a two-piece project We're at a state right now that we have to do something right away for the good of the citizens and the members ofthe fire department,” Jordan said. “That being said, if you want to make chang­ es so the city owns all the equipment, that's something we can probably work out shortly down the road.** z* * ^99-“ •sS ***'“ 'J*. J. J nwttHKia Eiz-ExtemoiL'gpKlkKfti*' I RESTAURANT, continued from page 1 Although it sounds simple, it can require years ofplanning. “What we’re finding is that traditionally, with those mom-and-pop restaurants, when grandma and grandpa retire, it’s a child or a grandchild that then takes over. That’s not happening as much anymore,” Lyke said. “We’re seeing a lot of people where normally that business would have been handed down, and either there’s no one in the family to do that, or the people that are in the family that could do that are not interested.” The sale and closure of the State Street Diner earlier this summer is a good example of this, Lyke said. The business, which was located at the high-traffic area of 1105 W. State St. wasn’t closed due to bad sales or lack ofrevenue, but because the owners were ready to retire. Additionally, even ifemploy­ ees wanted to buy the restaurant and continue to run it, they would have likely had a diffi­ cult time raising enough funds to match the offer made by Whitewater Express Car Wash, which will soon take its place. When it comes to franchised-restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken, which abrupt­ ly shut down earlier this month at its location at 1320 W. State Street, there are a number of reasons why a franchised location might shut down. Those reasons aren’t necessarily related to their sales or the economy. Lyke said the Chamber is still looking for details on why the KFC location on State Street chose to close up shop, but it could be related to franchise licensing violations. If a location owner were to violate their franchise license too many times, the corporate owners can shut down the location entirely. “Depending, on how quickly that process moves, sometimes they’re able to transfer that license right away to another franchise owner. Sometimes everything'gets stripped out of it and now you have a building that someone else can buy,” Lyke said. “We’re unsure right now what is going on with the KFC here, ifit is being updated and another franchise owner is taking over or if the corporation is just going to sell that site. We’re trying to track down that information right now.” The Hastings Banner reached out to the corporate offices of KFC, which provided no The sale of the State Street Diner was finalized earlier this summer, making way for a Whitewater Express Car Wash location. new insight into the closure, issuing a state­ ment that read: “One ofour franchisees closed this restaurant as a normal course ofbusiness. While this is always a difficult decision, we appreciate the patronage ofour loyal guests.” Ofcourse, economic factors do play a role in determining which businesses stay open. The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on every industry, with some of its most immediate effects being felt by the dining industry. A larger focus on takeaway food, curbside service and e-commerce has lin­ gered long after COVID-19 mandated social distancing rules have been cast away. So, too, have lingered a general shortage of labor, a shortage of skilled workers and an increased focus on remote work. All of these things, while not specific to the restaurant industry, are still having a major effect on any business owner in Barry County, Lyke said. Businesses with the most flexible models are the most likely to come out on top, she said. “There are certain restaurants or businesses in town where it seems like they’ve been able to pivot better than some of die other ones that really struggled,” Lyke said. “Sometimes that’s not any fault of theirs. Dependingg on what industry you’re in, it can be extremely difficult to pivot.” Although there have been restaurants mov­ ing out oftown, there are also many looking to move in, Lyke said. R&D’s Pizzeria in Nashville recently announced on Facebook that they would be opening a new location in Hastings at 150 E. State St., formerly Short­ stop ofHastings and Vitale’s Pizza. The Banner reached out to the restaurant’s owners, but they were not ready to provide details on the new location at this time. This December, Lyke said a Texas-based barbecue company is looking to move into 128 S. Jefferson St., formerly Bunker's Smokehouse & Grille and County Seat Restaurant. West of town, a Jimmy John’s location at 1670 M-43 is getting closer to opening in Rutland Township. That restaurant is next to a recently-opened Starbucks. Hastings isn’t just a revolving door, either - Left Field Coffee Bar, which opened in Hastings last summer, maintains a strong presence downtown alongside State Street’s more established businesses and eateries. While it can be easy to focus on businesses leaving town, there’s no need to panic yet. It’s just a symptom ofgrowing pains as Hastings tries to find the right businesses for its com­ munity, Lyke said. “We do have businesses moving in. It might not always be the exact type of business that I personally want or you personally want, but there is opportunity here,” she said. “We W ’re seeing investors and business owners take advantage ofthat.” sssi «««>■ iS- �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 31,2023 — Page 3 Barry County Central Dispatch fields huge amount of calls as result of statewide storni Hunter McLaren Patty PerShayla^a Grand Rapids hative who now resides in Nashville, Tenn., performs live with her band the Mayhaps and later joined The Accidentals on stage at the Fairground Festival on Sunday. Sb* First ever Fair Ground Festival attracts hundreds to the Barry Expo Center for a day of female-led music Jayson Bussa * Jsrfs *»■ Ir***Mw klK bSyvtti ttttbt ri^mtavtlRhntyis ifrifeMOlattar- Editor After a year of planning, the inaugural edition of the Fair Ground Festival came to I fruition as the Barry Expo Center wel­ comed six bands and their fans on Sunday. In the works sjhce the fall of last year, the Fair Ground Festival was organized by the Thomapple Arts Council (TAC) and designed to honor women in the music industry while developing an event that would pull visitors into Barry County from • throughout the state and region. The all-day music festival featured six different female-fronted bands or artists, which each had an hour-long performance ‘ slot. Joseph, a three-piece, all-female indie rock back outi of Portland, Ore. served as the headliners for the event. With a lofty goal of attracting a couple thousand through the gates ofthe expo center, atten­ dance shook out to about 700 people, who brought in their own chairs and blankets to Watch ah afternoon and evening ofmusic. The festival featured performances by ‘Kyshona, Patty PerShayla and the May• haps, Ruthie Foster, The Crane Wives, The Accidentals and Joseph. “It felt really .great to see income to fru/ition; we have been working on it for, / honestly, probably since last fall, so for a year or almost a year now,” said Megan I Lavell, executive director of the Thomap■ ,ple Arts Council. “And it was, I think, hugely successful. Of course, we always ., want more pepple tp attend but the people -r^vho wererifi^pJwd/ftr^^^'^mMtfiee ■ felt good ana we heard great feedback.” r? As with any event - especially with the first of what could potentially become an annual affair - an incident-free afternoon is always a positive sign, which is what orga­ nizers were able to achieve with the Fair vlGroupdJFpstivaLfH , , Lavell credited her committee. “A couple ofthem said ‘things are going to go wrong and we’ll be the only ones to know about it,’ and that was basically true?’ Lavell said. “The only issues we had were just some technology things with credit card J Traverse City native Savannah Buist performs with her band, The Accidentals, during Sunday’s first-ever Fair Ground Festival, held at the Barry Expo Center. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) readers. Other than that, things went very smoothly. I’m sure each of us would have 100 things we would do differently but I don’t think any ofthem are huge things.” The Fair Ground Festival played out during a busy weekend in Hastings - the same week­ end as the three-day Hastings Summerfest In fact, Summerfest wrapped up earlier in the day on Sunday with its car show. Lavell, who worked closely with Amber Buist, manager for Nashville-based band The Accidentals, said that scheduling an event ofthis magnitude was a little tricky. “One ofthe things that made this festival difficult when it came to planning the date wasttji^<j^e’^ dod^pgjg&'m^ny other fesiH0 > want WAqga1 pete with those,” Lavell said. “The great thing about having it during Summerfest, while it’s a lot for the Hastings community, we’re not stepping on the toes ofother (festivals).” For Lavell and her crew, they now turn their attention to the next big TAC-organized event, which is Arts and Eats. This event features a self-driving tour through Bany, Allegan, Cal­ houn, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties visiting participating businesses that will pro­ vide experiences in art, food and agriculture. This year’s Arts and Eats is slated for Oct. 21 and 22. StaffWriter Barry County Central Dispatch received a huge influx of calls last Thursday as a sur­ prise storm swept across the state. On any given day, Director Stephanie Lehman said the dispatch center will typical­ ly receive about 20 to 30 calls between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Last Thurs­ day, Central Dispatch fielded 311 calls in that same time. “We’re a well-oiled machine. We know what to do and how to segregate duties when this happens,” Lehman said. “The key to that though, is having as much prior notice as possible. Unfortunately in this situation, that didn’t happen.” The storm formed quickly Thursday night, defying initial weather forecasts. Severe weather struck across the entire state, with the National Weather Service reporting seven tornadoes. Lehman, who was in Mount Pleasant at the time the storm hit,.said she was in con­ tact with dispatch’s supervisor on-site and assisting remotely in any way she could. Four dispatchers were scheduled to be work­ ing during the storm and influx ofcalls, with an additional five called in after an allhands-on-deck alert was sent. Six dispatch­ ers worked the floor at consoles accepting emergency calls, while another three fielded non-emeigency calls to coordinate storm relief services with Barry County utility and emergency services partners. Lehman said she did not once doubt her team. “Our team really pulled together. They did a great job,” she said.. “I’m happy that we had five people respond and come in andjust - I don’t know. We just do it. Wejust get it done.” Of the 311 calls dispatch received that night, Lehman said only about 25 of those calls originated from Barry County. The rest were primarily overflow calls from Ionia County, as well as some from Kent and Eaton County. Each dispatch center is handled to equip a certain amount of concurrent calls, Lehman explained. Barry County Central Dispatch, for example, can handle eight calls at one time. Once a dispatch Renter goes overj^ capacity, those calls are redirected to other dispatch centers with a prior agreement to field those calls. Ionia County Central Dis­ patch’s overflow calls go to BCCD, and BCCD’s overflow calls go to Calhoun Coun­ ty Consolidated Dispatch Authority. Calls waterfall through dispatch centers this way until they p^n-berespop4p4,tOr^eqmaking some extreme cases, Lehman said. It’s a process that allows for the 911 system to run smoothly during times ofcrisis, but it’s not without its limits. Thursday’s storm caused relatively little damage to Barry County, with Ionia and Eaton County receiv­ ing much of its destructive force. Had the storm drifted more toward b Barry County,> BCCD would have had an even larger vol­ ume of calls, Lehman said. Her sympathies went out to Ionia dispatchers who, working in an office very similar in size and function to BCCD, had to live that reality on Thursday. E9i1 CENTRAL DISPATCH Barry County Central Dispatch directed 311 calls in the span of two hours last week during a statewide storm Thursday, a feat that Director Stephanie Lehman said is extreme but not unprecedented. (File photo) “I can’t even imagine what was going on inside their center,” Lehman said. “If we received that many calls that were overflow, it had to have just been catastrophic in there.” It won’t be fim if and when that time comes for Barry County, but Lehman said BCCD will be prepared. The dispatch cen­ ter is built to Federal Emergency Manage­ ment Agency (FEMA) specifications and to withstand extreme weather, including up to 100 mph straight-line winds. The center’s communications tower as well as existing and planned towers in Barry County are built to similar specs, carefully engineered to withstand extreme winds and ice storms. In worst-case scenarios, the dispatch cen­ ter’s basement is heavily fortified and built to function as an emergency operations Center. i “That was designed for basically when the worldfalls apart, for people to be able to i lotetxnti . come there to work and nothing to be able to get in,” Lehman said. A successful emergency response, no mat­ ter the scenario, begins at BCCD, Lehman said. Dispatchers work to gather information and relay it to the appropriate local and coun­ ty services, ensuring a swift and appropriate response. That work hinges on the effective-1 ness of BCCD’s team of dispatchers, whom: Lehman said she trusts wholeheartedly. “(To be a dispatcher) you have to be will-i ing to put the needs ofthe community above your own needs. A lot ofmy dispatchers live in Barry County,” Lehman said. “These are. people that have to leave their families and the comfort of their homes in times of inclement weather, large dangerous events^ and civil unrest to come into work to take care of other people. It sounds like I’m not saying enough, or maybe it sounds a little bit callous, but we just do it. It’s ourjob?’ tnwv <nurn | City of Hastings NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING R oi irit Notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of the City will hokj bfosM sdT hearing during its regular meeting on September19, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The purpose of the public hearing is to hear commqntg and make a determinqtioh; ‘d^ variance request by owner Lifegate Community Church of 301 East State Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The applicant has requested a variance from Section 90- 971(b) of the City of Hastings Code of Ordinances, that if granted, will allow the placement of two temporary portable signs. COLLABORATION, continued from page 1 Legal description of said property is: I** z z F P w. w is directly adjacent to Thomapple Manor’s newly-built assisted living facility Harvest Pointe, which opened for business earlier this year and is currently at around halfcapacity. In fact, as plans firm up, the new COA facility will be attached to Harvest Pointe and feature Some shared spaces, which is a major sticking point for people like Makenzi Peters, who is the administrator at Middleville-based, privately-owned assisted living facility Carveth Village. Peters, who said sh& has talked about this issue with her counterparts at other facilities throughout Barry County, is concerned that this collaboration makes the COA and Thor­ napple Manor essentially synonymous with each other, creating an unfair advantage in the marketplace. “The COA would no longer be required to showcase any other resources because Thor­ napple Manor and Harvest Pointe would have become synonymous,” Peters said. “...I do feel that referrals won’t be there, or at least a need to house information for other facilities, because no one is going to look left or right to see ifthere are other options.” The Commission on Aging is a county department that is designed to assist seniors throughout the aging process by providing a variety of services, including adult day ser­ vices, Meals on Wheels and a nutrition pro­ gram. The goal of the COA is to allow seniors to live independently for as long as possible. When they can no longer do that, the COA provides resources for assisted living. Because of the partnership between the COA and Harvest Pointe, owners and opera­ tors ofprivately run facilities worry that this will create a pipeline leading seniors directly to Harvest Pointe and Thomapple Manor. “At the end ofthe day the optics are what they are,” Peters said. “I can’t speak to any­ one’s intent and I certainly can’t speak to the forethought they put into it, but the optics are going to be the same,” Peters said she has received direct support for this sentiment from administrators at Lallybroch Adult Foster Care Home, Woodlawn Meadows Assisted Living Facility and Cedar Creek Adult Foster Care Home, all in Hastings. “With COA moving on to that property, chure and it lists a dozeq. adult foster care and Thomapple Manor really becomes their only assisted living facilities, including those who connection and that shuts out 10 or 12 other have raised concerns. This information is also privately-owned and operates homes like mine available online through the COA’s website or the one that Makenzi works at,” York on a subpage labeled ‘Helpful Resources’ Adams, owner ofLallybroch, told The Banner. under the heading ‘County Resources.’ Under the current plan, the COA would “Assisted living or any type of ‘what’s the share a kitchen with Harvest Pointe. The' next step for my family member or myself?’ motivation behind that shared space is that. is such a personal thing and each situation is would Streamline the preparation and delivdeliv­ different,” Ziny said. “So that’s why we ery offood for the Meals on Wheels program. wouldn’t ever provide a direct referral. You Outfitting a new COA building with its own have to look at the full picture.” kitchen of that scope could run up to nearlyi Peters said that, during the planning phase, $1 million. she wished that input from her and her col­ Harvest Pointe and the COA would be leagues was factored in. She characterized attached by a hallway. At that area where the the plans coming together via a “backroom two facilities join, current plans show a discussion.” shared area for dialysis and outpatient treat­ “I know they need a new building but (they ments, an area owned and operated by Har­ should have) seen where the community vest Pointe and available to the community. wants it to be,” Peters said. “(The county Peters said that she raised her concerns should have considered) a needs assessment when commissioners unveiled its vision for a like the Village of Middleville is doing with new COA and that she was told the two build­ the library committee, making sure all parties ings would be separate. are involved.” “That doesn’t seem to be the case any­ “It’s notjust our facility groups that have an more,” Peters said. issue with it; it’s also individuals that rely on Peters has taken these concerns to the the Commission on Aging’s location for easy recently formed steering committee for the accessibility and things like that,” Peters added. project, which is comprised of members of “So, I’m also fielding complaints from people the COA, Thomapple Manor and county that come visit their families here and have commissioners. heard about it and don’t want to see the facility Courtney Ziny, executive director of the moved further away out in the boondocks.” Commission on Aging said that concerns Catherine Getty, a Barry County commis­ coming from Peters and her colleagues are sioner who is also on the steering committee valid, albeit, that the collaboration is strictly for the COA project echoed Ziny’s sentiments a way to bring cost efficiency to the project. in that commissioners were focused on lever­ “I know what my intentions are, and what aging county-owned resources in an attempt the intentions ofthe organization are. So, for to provide the best possible care for seniors. her to bring it to our attention and to say ‘this Getty acknowledged Peters’ concerns and is how it could be perceived,’ I think it’s said that she welcomes the input from all important to listen,” Ziny said. “In my head, it adult foster care and assisted living facilities is two county departments working together as the vision for a new. pOA moves forward. to best utilize county resources. That’s where “I think her input is really valuable - as the COA board feels it is coming from.” much inputs we can get from them, and meet­ Ziny said that the Commission on Aging ing with all of them as we work with the does not make direct referrals when seniors facility planning is going to be super import­ and their families are looking for assisted or ant,” Getty said. “Really critical in making skilled living facilities. Instead, they provide a sure there is no unfair advantage. I think we brochure that lists all the resources available. just need to make sure that they’re sitting The Banner obtained a copy of the broaround the table.” CITY OF HASTINGS LOTS 3-7 OF DAN STRIKERS ADDITION. COMBINED FROM 095-103-00 & 095-104-00 FOR 2015 Written comments will be received on the above request at Hastings City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 4:00 PM on the day of the hearing. Requests for information of said hearing should be directed to Community Development Director, Dan King at 269-945-2468 or dking@hastingsmi.gov. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days notice to Hastings City Clerk (telephone number 269-945-2468) or TDD call relay services 1-800-649- 3777. 205154 Christopher R. Bever City Clerk CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 620 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 90 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BY MODIFYING ARTICLE VII, DIVISION 90-VII-3 MEADOWSTONE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 28th of August 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 205155 Christopher Bever City Clerk �Page 4 — Thursday, August 31,2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you HtrMy^Opmion SCC It’s time to learn that we can be different and not divided Scary sight in front of J-Ad Graphics Reporters from the J-Ad Graphics family of newspapers generally have to travel throughout the county to arrive on the scene of breaking news. On Tuesday, the J-Ad home office in Hastings became the scene of one. In a scary chain of events, around 5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, a vehicle overturned in a single-car crash along North Broadway in front of the J-Ad Graphics offices. Employees in the press room at J-Ad helped to respond and check on the driver involved. As The Banner works to collect additional information, no serious injuries were reported. (Photo by Matt Linderman) Do you remember? terns COA names first ‘Senior Citizen of the Year’ Banner July 29, 1999 Kensinger Jones of Hastings shows the plaque he received for being named the Barry County Commission on Aging's first “Senior Citizen of the Year.” A retired advertising executive, Jones has lived in the county since 1975 and has contributed his talents and volunteered his time, to many worthwhile projects and organizations, ranging from the County Futuring Committee to the Barry Community Foundation and Charlton Park Village Foundation. The award was presented during the County Fair last week. **■ of gfnaiE Have you met? Bom and raised in Hastings, Ellen Frey has spent nearly her whole life here. Nearly - she admits to moving to East Kentwood for about six months as a sopho­ more in high school. “When you’re in high school and you grew up in this town, everyone is like, ‘Oh, I can’t wait to get out of here and leave.’ And then I did leave, and I wanted to come back,” Frey said. “I kind of learned that early on in my high school years, the grass is not always greener on the other side.” Frey moved back to Hastings and fin­ ished her high school career as a Saxon. She was involved with Business Profes­ sionals ofAmerica, continuing her studies at Kellogg Community College where she received an associate’s degree in business management. Frey then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Davenport University. She landed at a commercial construction company in Grand Rapids, where she stayed for 10 years. She wore many hats there, working in marketing, safety, admin­ istration and even doing some I.T. work. Working in Grand Rapids felt like some­ thing she always wanted to do, she said. That being said, she found herself wanting to work closer to home in Barry County. “My dream was to work in Grand Rap­ ids and be a girl working in the city, and I did that for 10 years,” she said. “I live 10 minutes away from my grandparents and my family. It’s nice because there was no way I could be a city girl and live in Grand Rapids.” This summer, an administrative assistant to the superintendent position opened in the Hastings school district. Frey said the tim­ ing couldn’t have been more perfect - she felt her skills were a perfect fit for the role. “There wasn’t an opportunity until this opened up,” Frey said. “It all happened at Here in America, we are deeply divided. Right about now, you’re probably thinking ‘I paid $1.50 for this kind of insight? Yeah, thanks, Captain Obvious.’ Because, yes, the evidence that we are a divided people is readily available. You don’t have to look very far to find it. In fact, turn on the television set, surf a few channels and you’ll no doubt stumble upon a talking head who is loudly (always loudly) stating why other people - people that are different from him or her — are wrong and evil. Or, spend approximately a millisecond on social media, and you will witness constant bickering and vilifying of any­ Scan this QR code to watch the video one who thinks, acts or looks differently. same, or similar, exercise — one that is College students generally learn in entry-level psychology classes that differ­ focused on, just as the tide would suggest, the things that we have An common with ences and conflicts are what make life one another. I interesting. Ifthere was no conflict, then -*'’, • It’s worth a view, and not to life would be boring. And that’s true. But spoil it. \ we have reached a point in society where, These videos start with a large, diverse for whatever reason, most people tend to be hyper-focused on what makes us dif­ group ofpeople. These are 'people ofdif­ ^jstoneAp^ jstoneAp ferent ethnicities, backgrounds and life­ ferent from each other and dwell on why styles. that is a bad thing. *in■div-idualAs part of the exercise, This focus on our differences can man­ leading the exercise will statt i fact and if i ifest itselfin a variety ofways. It can play out in the form of a petty argument on that fact applies to an individi I, they must step forward and form a sub­ roup. These t Facebook or Twitter. Or, it can play out in O’’ facts start a bit more trivial atkfiiurasti atfurast wituhl wtu much more sinister terms, which the DsmedngMoo^B slmloecddn ofgG country was reminded of this week in a things such as “I have a tattoo” ok “I llocdofGcials I story that played out down in Jackson­ class clown when I was in school. The > issues initial statements break the ice and every ville, Fla. That was the site ofa racially-motivat­ one in the group can see that a still-div J ^2 i ft l » ^.2 in ftror ol ed shooting that claimed the lives ofthree range ofpeople fit into these molds. The subjects get much more profound s Black people and also the gunman. as the exercise moves along. People come i In short, the incident was carried out by forward to signify that they’ve been bul- \ i gtarAlhms ws a 21-year-old man named Ryan Christo­ lied or have overcome a hardship. In one \ « pher Palmeter, who eventually opened fire at a Dollar General store in Jackson­ moment, the moderator even asks all ville, killing the three victims. The subse­ those who feel lonely to step forward. quent investigation into the act revealed This exercise is effective in pointing ; that Palmeter left behind deeply racist out that, on the outside, people might ahnwicapM appear to have insurmountable differenc-' messages, indicating that his desire to kill ihlandto** es.jBut; U?hen life comes tdcthb'ir hopes', ra o was racially motivated.' 1 tai te sori sit of dreams, fears and wishes, they often have In fact, national media reported that, fatatadpotfBkr before Palmeter carried out the shooting much more in common than they original­ » fcpricotaaBi) tatwk i at the Dollar General, he first attempted to ly thought. Through an exercise like this, a viewer enter the campus of a historically Black i itoifct su codd college (HBC) called Edward Waters Uni­ can quickly find that regardless of race, color, religion or sexual orientation, we’re versity, located in nearby New Town. idistfeodnsifie all striving for similar goals and contend­ Palmeter left the campus after a security ratafcreatDri ing with similar hardships. How much guard noticed him and confronted him. tvoftetaifap While, again, this is an extreme exam­ easier would it be to tackle those hard­ । tsanffoftaeo ships ifwe supported each other? ple, and one that we all no doubt hope and [ cnihcsg Now could not be a better time to adopt { pray is isolated, it brings to light our sick uasrjOM this sort of filter for your everyday life. > addiction to dwelling on and vilifying the Outfit stall With each passing decade, America and differences in each other. 'Whaler retene its people statistically become more and I These differences can be anything from political and religious beliefs, to the color more divided. In fact, in 2021, the Pew ^ hage io the Research Center surveyed people in 17 of our skin, sexual preference or general lifestyle. It’s almost as if, when we meet different countries about division and, to other people, the default question that we little surprise, America ranked as the most first go to is ‘How is this person different divided nation ofthose that were polled. . from me?’ The findings showed that Americans were It’s no mystery that our country and its most likely to say their society was split people would fare better if we were able along partisan, racial and ethnic lines. to strike some semblance of unity. But, While we might be different in parti­ it’s a pipe dream to ever think that all san, racial and ethnic ways, that doesn’t Americans will someday come together in mean we have to be divided along those unity. The divide is simply too great But, lines - not when we focus on the things I implore readers in their own lives to we have in common. look at the things you might have in com­ mon with those you encounter, instead of leaning on the differences. I stumbled upon a video posted to social media probably around six years ago now and at the time, it didn’t seem very impactful. But, during times of tur­ moil and constant division, it’s a video that I think back to frequently — it has stuck with me. Take some time to search on YouTube for the term “All that we share.” Or, scan Jayson Bussa the QR code above to view one right now. Editor, Hastings Banner These videos you will fmd employ the mi wiltm v*” Ellen Frey the perfect time. Everything happens for a reason.” Frey started at the district in early July, where she hit the ground running. She works as Superintendent Matt Goebel’s right-hand-woman, fielding calls and scheduling meetings. She also handles important administrative work for the dis­ trict’s board of education, putting together agendas and taking meeting minutes. She also assists with student enrollment and takes calls from parents in the district, along with anything else that might come across her desk. “It can be challenging at times but hey, I’m up for a challenge,” she said. A 2008 Hastings graduate, Frey said it’s been an interesting experience returning to her alma mater. Frey said working with Assistant Superintendent of Achievement Beth Stevens has felt like a full-circle moment for her, as Stevens was her fourth­ grade teacher. It’s also been interesting seeing how the district has changed since she was a student, she said. “Everything is so different from how it was when I was here,” she said. “It’s all positive changes, just different. It’s kind of all new again, to me.” She’s excited to watch the district contin­ ue to grow and improve in the years to come, she said. She’s eagerly awaiting the upcoming bond-funded projects in the dis­ trict, both as an employee and an alumnus. “I’m excited to see the fruition of the bonds that passed, to see the school get updated and get some much-needed things done. It’s exciting for our students and our community,” Frey said. “It’s super exciting that it finally passed and we’re reviving the pride in the community. I’m an alumnus too, so it’s exciting to be a part ofthat.” For dedicating herselfto her community and her alma mater, Ellen Frey is this week’s Bright Light. Person I most admire and why: My grandpa, Marvin Frey. Because he is the hardest working farmer I’ve ever met. He is the most humble, funny, caring and wisest person I know. Book I’d recommend: “Daring Great­ ly” by Bren? Brown. A big accomplishment for me: Putting myselfthrough college debt-free. Favorite teacher and why: Tracy George, Hastings High School. She was my BPA leader and got me interested in business. When it’s quiet: I nap! Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, jun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the Interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuurlng CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore *ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Greg Chandler P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 Hunter McLaren uutiWi nHWtl �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 31, 2023 — Page 5 Hastings man victim of drive-by dog bite Police responded to a reported dog bite around 7 p.m. on Aug. 16 on the 2400 block of South Charlton Park Road in Hastings. Police noted the caller and victim, a 65-yearold Hastings man, appeared intoxicated when they arrived. The man told police he saw a white car stop at a nearby intersection. The man said a female driver got out of the vehicle and opened the trunk ofthe car, which led him to believe there was a “domestic situation” going on. The man said he then approached the car in an attempt to stop any potential “domestic situation.” He told police he “grabbed his cocktail and went down there to see what was going on.” The man said he saw a German Shepherd sticking its head out the car window barking at him. He attempted to pet the dog, at which point it bit his hand. The man said the woman apologized to him and then left. Man starts fires at home in Delton, leaves s office andThe city'" completed^reS^ nisvin Q r- ,p p s for vaiciessiy. (Hhoto by Hunter McLaren) City approves Meadowstone Apartments expansion amidst concerns with water drainage S Mi., Tito, f A man called police to report his neighbor, a 53-year-old Ada man, was taking parts of his own house and burning them around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21 on the 5600 block ofReese Road. When police arrived with the Delton Fire Department, the man was no longer at the residence. Two people on the scene said he had started the fires and left to get food. The Delton Fire Department extinguished the fires. - Compiled by Hunter McLaren HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Hastings Area School System Hunter McLaren ftltl**11 *"* i I Wianshiiinol W. Ut I uh fr fa ft—faafafait si-aitoEfK Ifa—toiiaKattn* avfadtiDitiktiiBWi continued to worsen, Meadowstone Apart- prior to this month’s public hearings. StaffWriter ments and the city could be liable for any Kamstra ’s ’s meeting Kamstraargued arguedthat thatMonday Monday Members ofthe public, city council mem- potential flooding that may occur in the area. was too early in the process to hash out any bers, local officials and,Meadowstone Apart­ “I’m advising the city, before they pass drainage issues, which would be worked on ments developers engaged in a back-andthis, to review these plans very carefully,” alongside city staff once the project was forth discussion regarding concerns of poor Dull said. “Get an agreement with the builder, approved. Kamstra also argued that the devel­ water drainage around the complex as it seeks contractor or whoever that you can take care oper already had approval from the city to to expand. of these issues before you agree to this develop seven more buildings using a much City Council approved the five-building thing.” larger overall footprint dating back to the expansion to Meadowstone Apartments fol­ Jim Brown, Hastings Charter Township complex’s original approval in 1999, which it lowing a publip hearing at its meeting Mon­ supervisor, echoed Dull’s sentiments and could still build at any time. Because the new day. Neighboring residents and local officials warned city council members to proceed site plans proposed only five buildings, uti­ at the meeting warned water drainage issues carefully. Brown said Hastings Charter Town­ lized a much smaller footprint and included a in the area could be aggravated by the expan­ ship residents have had issues with water on large wetland area on the east side ofthe site, sion. Council members voted 6-2 in favor of Terry Lane backing up onto their property. Kamstra said it would Have a much smaller approving the1 site plan, with council mem­ While he fully supported the expansion on impact on local water drainage than if the biers Norm Barlow and Mandy Furrow dis­ the site and saw it as a much-needed step to original plans were to come to fruition. senting. Council member Al Jarvis was Lamer, one of the engineers involved in the bring housing to Hastings, he suggested city absent. , council members take the drainage issue seri­ project plans, demonstrated to council mem­ Jim Dull. Barry County drain commission­ ously. bers how drainage at the site was intended to er, spoke to city council members and warned “We’ve got some water coming from the function. Water coming from the south side then? that the expansion could have big impli­ city back onto some ofour residents in Hast­ ofthe site (near Terry Lane) would be direct­ cations tions down the road ifit was not completed ings Township on the other end of Terry > ed to the north and east sides ofthe complex, carefully. Dullrisard Terry Lane arid/ the Sur­ Lane,” Brown saidhSitfvjrounadd this ztovit, i whdre it would then floWarouriffthe complex rounding area, located'on the south side of we’re looking at a massive potential problem to the northwest into an existing* drainage the apartment complex, has faced poor water that none ofus want. We’re all in this leaky system. drainage issues in the past and continues to boat together. I suggest we find the best way Lamer said any drainage issues on Terry retain more water than it should. The to put the cork in the drain on this thing and Lane were likely “upstream” from the com­ increased parking lot surface area could make it work. We can do it, but (we need to) plex, meaning water is primarily flowing aggravate the issue and cause flooding ifthe do it now.” from Terry Lane onto the Meadowstone site, proposed expansion were to go forward, Dull Four Terry Lane residents and a Meadow­ and not vice versa. If that was indeed the said; Pointing' toward one of the buildings stone Apartments resident also-expressed case, there was little he^or anyone involved proposed on the southeast comer ofthe com­ their concern with drainage in the area and with the Meadowstone property could do to plex, marked as “Building E/D” on the site how the expansion might worsen the issue. alleviate those issues, he said. plans, Dull said the construction would Joel Kamstra, representing Eenhom Devel­ Lamer it was in his best interest to work directly interfere with an area of the site that opment, and Rob Lamer, representing Exxel with the city to alleviate any drainage issues Engineering, defended the expansion. Both where it was possible to do. currently acts as a makeshift water retention basin. Kamstra and Lamer said they were largely “I will not seal a drawing that’s going to unaware ofany drainage concerns in the area Dull wanjed that if drainage in the area flood somebody. I will hot,” Lamer said. fee; County planners approve Assyria sawmill, with conditions Greg Chandler if iIf Itf H^S StaffWriter An Assyria Township resident has received the go-ahead to operate a sawmill at the cor­ ner of Wolf and Jenkins roads, despite con­ cerns from neighbors about noise and truck traffic resulting from the project. Barry County planning commissioners Monday night granted approval of a special land use for the sawmill to John Paul Kauff­ man - on the condition he submits a detailed site plan for the project on the 160-acre site. Commissioners also added a condition that the sawmill limit its operating hours to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sawmills are an allowable special land use in areas zoned rural residential, according to the county zoning ordinance. The county planning office received com­ plaints earlier this spring from nearby resip dents who said Kauffman was already operat­ ing the sawmill, even though t the county hadn’t approved any plans for the project. Neighbors complained of noise and truck traffic in the area. Kim Zoss said Kauffman continued to run the mill even after a late May planning commission meeting. GIt It was quiet for a few weeks, I’ll give him that,” Zoss said. “But the whole rest of the summer, that thing was going, day after day after day ... I’m concerned about the tttfter disrespect, because ifthey’re going to disrespect this board, how are they going to be as neighbors? I’m very concerned. He continued to run (the mill) despite you tell­ ing him not to.” Kauffman, who is Amish, told commissioners at that May meeting he purchased the Property at Wolf and Jenkins roads, just west of M-66, specifically for harvesting timber, snd wasn’t aware he needed a special land ose to operate the sawmill. County Planning Director Jim McManus ordered Kauffman to cease operating the sawmill at the end ofJuly until the planning commission could make a decision on the special land use request. “I fully support the fact that you have a sawmill there and you want to be running it,” Planning Commission Chairman John LaForge told Kauffman. “But I also am con­ cerned about the people that live there, and if we make rules and stipulations to allow you to get that license, I don’t want to have to have them calling every week to complain because you’re not doing what you’re sup­ posed to do. “That’s a major concern for me, because so far, in my opinion, you haven’t done what you’re supposed to do, in the right way. You never got your permit when you were sup­ posed to.” Commissioner Jack Miner, who has visited Kauffman’s property twice, expressed frus­ tration with what he has seen so far at the site. “We have yet to figure out where the prop­ erty boundaries are. I have yet to figure out the site plan. I have yet to figure out why Mr. Kauffman didn’t come to us when he wanted to put a sawmill there. Why didn’t he come to us at the start?” Miner asked. Commissioner Dave Hatfield, who is the county’s board representative on the planning commission, had similar sentiments. “It bothers me that the operation was start­ ed without proper permits. It bothers me that after we indicated to him that he should stop operations, he apparently resumed operation in order to fix things that he thought improved the property ... It was just ignoring the order that we gave,” Hatfield said. ’ Kauffman said he spoke to other sawmill operators and also contacted Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf to ask for advice about his situation. “He should be knowledgable in law, so I asked him,” Kauffman said of his conversa­ tion with Leaf. “He advised me ... he said he does not know I am breaking any law. That’s what he told me. He said you have to survive, you have bills to pay. That’s what I was trying to do. We did not cut a lot of lumber this summer, not nearly enough to pay the bills.” “I thought I was talking to the right per­ son,” he added. Commissioners asked Kauffman at the May meeting to have a decibel reading done from the property line to measure noise lev­ els. Sgt. Steve Lehman from the Barry Coun­ ty Sheriff’s Office recently conducted such a reading, with levels ranging from 53.3 to 55.6 decibels, which meets the county standard of noise levels being no more than 60 decibels at any property line, LaForge said. Jacob Comer of Irving Township, who has worked full-time for Kauffman for the last two years, spoke out in support ofhis employer. “Best boss I’ve ever had,” Comer said. “Coming from a military background, 1 sin­ cerely enjoy the way he treats us. I don’t think I could work for a better guy.” Kauffman said the sawmill produces about 20,000 board feet per week, approximately enough to fill two semi-truck loads. He had been starting the sawmill operations at 7 a.m., but commissioners were united in calling for him to move back the start time by one hour. An initial motion by Commissioner Joyce Snow to approve the special land use failed to gain a second, leading to further discussions. McManus told commissioners they could approve the special land use but under the condition that Kauffman submit a site plan for the sawmill. “You could stipulate that he come back with a formal site plan, showing everything, and you would approve the site plan separately, and he would not be operational until the site plan was formally approved,” McManus said. A subsequent motion to approve the spe­ cial land use with the conditions of site plan submittal and hours of operation gained unanimous support. HASS has great kick off to new school year As we enter the second week of school, our students and staffare offto a wonderful start. We are excited to announce and com­ municate some things that the community should know about. First, we are very proud and lucky to be partnering with the Hastings City Police Department with Josh Sensiba starting as our new full-time school resource officer. Officer Sensiba will officially “sit” at Hastings High School, but will have safety and security responsibilities across the dis­ trict. HASS was awarded a grant this past year to assist with the expense of this sup­ port, and we welcome Officer Sensiba as an important part of keeping our staff and stu­ dents safe each day; Secondly, we had our initial meeting-with our building management team (Wolgast) and architect (The Collaborative) this week. We have been developing strategies and pri­ oritizing projects for the recently passed bond. While some ofthe larger projects will need to be planned for next summer or the summer of 2025, our short-term plan is to start working on some of the smaller proj­ ects this school year. We will be having a meeting with our financial advisors and attorneys to provide assistance for the actual sale of the bonds. Our plan is to have some of these bonds available to Hastings citizens for investment purposes. We will be communicating more on this in the coming months. • 6c j oiib . Lastly, we would like to thank the staff and parents that help the first day and week of school happen. As we visit our class­ rooms, we are so impressed by the details the staffputs into making the learning envi­ ronment exceptional for our kids. Further­ more, we are amazed at the amount of supplies that are donated from our parents tor support our students. It has also been great to see the outpouring of support for our extra­ curricular and athletic activities during the first week of school. We are truly a village that takes care of each other and we are so proud to be a part of the development of these children who will one day lead, work and grow this community. HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEET­ ING TO CONSIDER A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE APPLICATION FOR A SMALL EQUIPMENT REPAIR BUSINESS LOCATED AT 7010 S. M-43 HWY, DELTON, MI 49046. TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF HOPE TOWN­ SHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Notice is hereby given that the Hope Township Planning Commission will hold a meeting and Public Hearing on Thursday, September 21,2023 at 6:30pm at the Hope Township Hall located at 5463 S. M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 within the Township. The purpose ofthe meeting is to receive comments from the public re­ garding an application by Joseph Zolakar for the establishment ofa small equipment repair business and associated improvements on the parcel located at 7010 S. M-43 Hwy, Delton, MI 49046 (parcel number: 08­ 07-021-001-20). The property is within the AR, Agriculture Residential zoning district. Small equipment repair businesses are permitted in the AR district subject to Special Exception Use approval by the Planning Commission, and as regulated by Article IV ofthe Hope Township Zon­ ing Ordinance. A copy ofthe Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the application is available for review at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S. M-43 Hwy, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Hope Township Zoning Ordinance is also accessible at www.hopetwp.com. Written comments will be received from any in­ terested persons by the Hope Township Clerk at the Hope Township Hall during regular business hours up to the time ofthe hearing and may be further received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hope Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes ofprinted material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Hope Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Hope Township Hall 5463 S. M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 205179 �Page 6 — Thursday, August 31, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Zoning board approves 911 tower site in Middleville ings in April gave BCCD the go-ahead to pull out (our truck) to get out (a call).” BCCD has been looking to upgrade its com­ erect a 315-foot-high tower at Bliss River­ munications system since 2018. Lehman said front Park at 1037 E. State St. Currently, all law enforcement communi­ that in addition to the present 700/800 Mhz cations in the county are transmitted off a tower site near Nashville, central dispatch 700/800 MHz tower in Castleton Township needs six or seven similar tower locations near the village ofNashville, while fire and across the county to be able to support moving EMS rely on an antiquated VHF radio sys­ all emergency communications onto a single platform. The current price tag for erecting all tem, Lehman said. “There is no cross-communication between those towers is about $30 million, she said. Of course, the challenge with making the two systems,” Lehman said. “We present­ ly have law enforcement on one, fire and BCCD’s vision a reality is how to pay for the EMS on the other - two different technolo­ new towers. The first two towers in Hastings gies, two disparate (systems) ... not a lot of and Middleville have an estimated cost of $5.8 million, which will be paid for out ofan interoperability between them.” Relying on a single 700/800 MHz tower in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant and the eastern portion of the county presents chal­ a $3 million allocation from the state’s budget surplus that was awarded to BCCD earlier lenges for law enforcement, Lehman said. “Indoor coverage is nowhere near what we this year, Lehman said. “I do need to find the money to build four need it to be, specifically for law enforce­ ment,” she said. “Often times, when officers more (towers), but it’s a great start,” she said. are on a complaint and we need to check “We’re kind of piece-mealing this project status, they need to have some type of com­ together. Some is better than none.” BCCD originally looked at two locations munication with us, they’re not able to. They’ll basically get a ‘bonk’ on their porta­ in Thomapple Township for placing the tower ble (radio) ... They’re not able to communi­ - one in a residential-zoned area and another near Duncan Lake, which Lehman said was cate with us. They may have to go outside, too far north to be an effective site. Then the they may have to call us on a cell phone.” Meanwhile, the VHF system on which fire village Department ofPublic Works property and EMS rely has components that are aging came up as a possibility. Lehman and former and costly to replace. It would cost BCCD $1.2 Middleville Village Manager Duane Weeks, million to overhaul a VHF system that Lehman now a member of the county 911 Central says is dying. The county has eight VHF tower Dispatch Authority, met with current Village sites, including one attached to the village water tower near Thomapple Kellogg Schools. The limitations ofthe county’s central dis­ patch system showed during a recent fire at Bradford White Corporation, the village’s largest employer. Thomapple Township Fire Department responded to the call. “We had a hard time communicating with (Chief Bill Richardson’s) team that were in that facility suppressing fire, because the Barry County Central Dispatch Director (VHF) equipment’s old, dated - the radios are Stephanie Lehman addresses the older and dated. There just isn’t enough Hillary Hatch Middleville Zoning Board of Appeals oomph for power to get out through the walls Public Affairs Specialist regarding the 911 communications tower to make it back to the water tower where that Social Security has expanded its outreach that will be built near the village’s waste­ antenna is/’ Lehman said. to people in critical need of financial help water treatment plant on Sheridan Street “We can’t get out sometimes in our bay (in who may be eligible for Supplemental Secu­ Tuesday night. (Photo by Greg Chandler) our building),” Richardson said. “We have to rity Income (SSI). SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 6.5 and older or to other adults - and children - with a disability or blindness who have limited income and • Traditional and Cremation Services financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic • Pre-Planning Services needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. • Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Social Security .identified underserved communities in rural and urban areas across Serving All Faiths Greg Chandler StaffWriter Barry County Central Dispatch will move ahead with plans to erect an emergency com­ munications tower near the village of Mid­ dleville’s wastewater treatment plant as part ofupgrading its 911 coverage. The village’s Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday night voted 4-0 to grant a variance allowing BCCD to build the 300-foot-high tower on village-owned property at 607 Sher­ idan St. The village ordinance normally lim­ its the height of a communications tower to 120 feet. “The need for 911, the need for police, fire, EMS - it’s grown tremendously in our com­ munity,” Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman said. The new tower is one of two new 700/800-megahertz towers that are being built as Barry County works to move all ofits police, fire and emergency response commu­ nications to a single system. The city ofHast- Manager Craig Stolsonburg and DPW Direc­ tor Alec Belson in the fall oflast year to dis­ cuss the feasibility of an emergency commu­ nications tower at the village site. John Ellis, whose home on Crane Road abuts the DPW property, questioned why the site was proposed for the tower, as well as the height. “Why couldn’t it be placed where the pres­ ent (tower) is now? I’m familiar with the high school and the water tower area,” Ellis asked. Lehman said the site was proposed by Motorola as the most optimal location for coverage. She said locating the new tower by the water tower would present a coverage problem, particularly in areas of Irving and Rutland townships. “That’s basically real close to the county line. At that point we would be providing more coverage to Allegan County than we would be for Barry County,” Lehman said. Lehman also said the topography of the county made construction ofa 300-foot tower a necessity. “It’s very hilly, there’s a lot of water. Water does a lot ofunique things in terms of land-mobile radio coverage. Sometimes LMR ... will skip right over it, sometimes it penetrates right through it, and sometimes it blocks it,” she said. “The water, the hills, the elevation that we have, specifically on the west side ofthe county, is a challenge for us to cover.” “The height is needed to provide adequate coverage that we need for the entire township, the entire village, also to provide some of that coverage ... into Irving Township, j she added. “911 didn’t determine the heights I didn’t determine the height, the engineer-j ing that builds these systems determine thej height.” Lehman went on to say that Barry County* is lagging behind neighboring counties iih incorporating the new technology, which would present a serious problem in the future with regarding to mutual aid situations. “All ofour surrounding communities have already built these systems. They already’ totally migrated everybody to 700/800 MHz,^ or they are in the process of doing so. Kent) County is done, Allegan County has been* done for a very long time. Eaton County is^ done. Kalamazoo (County) just finished.] Ionia and Calhoun (counties) are now under-] way to start their process ... We are at risk of? becoming an island and having very limited/ interoperability right now with our surround-c. ing communities,” Lehman said. Lehman cited an automatic mutual aid, agreement between Thomapple and Caledo-t nia townships to the north in Kent County, i Thomapple operates on the current VHF system while Caledonia is on Kent County’s. 700/800 MHz system, meaning the twou departments have challenges communicating? with one another. / SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS J J Social Security expands outreach and access for SSI » the country. They focused on areas with the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic. Their outreach efforts targeted areas where a majority ofpeople are living at or below the federal poverty threshold. People who receive SSI may qualify for other financial help, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP bene­ fits (formerly known as food stamps), Medic­ aid, and discounted internet service through the Federal Trade* GtfnrmissibfTs Affordable Connectivity Program. Social Security bene­ ficiaries may also be eligible for SSI. People with limited income and finan-y cial resources and internet access can visit’ ssa.gov/ssi to learn moke about SSI eligi­ bility and request an appointment to apply! f benefits. People without access to the! for internet can call our National 800 Number! at 1-800-772-1213 to speak i with a repre-!! sentative. tti. Hillary Hatch is the Public fairs airs Special-', istfor West Michigan. You ca write her c/o\ Social Security Administration^ 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, oft via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. i fess ess Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted TA **• 2 Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfiineralhome.net “.Xs Family Owned and Operated Serving Hastings. Barry Count)' and Surrounding Communities for 50 years Worship k Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Sunday Services: 9:15 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ Sunday School for all ages; 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; hastfmc@ 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Senior High Youth Group 6-8 gmaiLcom. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer Wednesday, Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 6:30-8 p.m., 945-9121. Email SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 4246 Pastor Father Jeff Hanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 328 N. Worship COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH Jefferson 10 a.m. Street. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 2 PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH Lacey Road, Dowling, to 7 p.m.; Sunday School - 2601 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Lead Moser, Kids a.m. 4 Truth Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This infomationon worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churvhesand these local businesses: Fiborglas. 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 MlteMtWot 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 social media shows Kerr being confronte group members inside the a Hastings Maxx department store. Those taking the* video footage told viewers they had commu-! nicated with Kerr online, posting as a 13-year-?j old transgender girl, and claimed Kerr tried tq ’ set up a meeting for sex. Hastings Police laterj arrived on the scene and arrested Kerr. Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter said a|j the time of Kerr’s arrest that his departmeri was not working in collaboration with Preda tor Catchers Indianapolis. v> .-fKerr is free on bond pending sentencing. Pastor. p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Family Night (Children S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Matt A- Schippgr in Batjkgbupfy court. TheaSbosting aenna for immoral purposes A Hastings man who was arrested during a carries a sentence ofup to four years in pris­ sting operation cohductec^ihy yan out-of-state on, while the related felony charge ofusing a citizen group targetiiftg QnSi?e child predators computer to commit a crime could result in a earlier this su/nmer pfLded nq epnt^st Wednes­ sentence of up to 20 years behind bars. In day to four-^iminal our-^i (fcurits against him. addition, Kerr would have to be included in Tyler M^hael Ke|r, 35, entered the ple ple^as the state’s sex offender registry for 25 years. Karr’s alleged offenses were chronicled ofr for B i feRM^catm ^catmta tana a online by Predator Catchers Indianapolis. misdemeanor countW usings Computer to The group uses adult decoys that pose as commit a crime andUa charge ofattempting minors online to see ifadults will prey upon to distribute sexually explicit visual of VerVer­ them, either by transmitting sexually explicit bal material to a minor. He will be sen-, images or messages or attempting to meet in tenced at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 by Judge Michael person. The incident in which Kerr was ■of WGSt GSt^ ^aaa ■■of o WGSt !h (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ Hastings man netted in sting pleads no contest to sex chafes zee/Me# Kristina Frances Wood, Northfield, IL and Daryl Joseph Martin, Northfield, IL Nathan Adam Kooiman, Middleville and Brianna Leigh Heikkila, Middleville Cameron David Sweers, Middleville and Sophie Grace Jensen, Hudsonville Ashley Annamay Sheppard, Plainwell and Travis Eugene Lowe, Plainwell Bayli Elizabeth Hoyt, Bellevue and Derik Lee Odette, Bellevue Janet Kay Dillon, Hastings, and Billy John Cobem, Hastings Morgan Kay Reed, Dowling and Michael Damian Edwards, Delton Jessica Hope Petto, Delton and Cole Robert Rutherford, Delton Lori Leah Haywood, Delton and Ste­ ven Patrick Sleeman, Delton Doreen Marie Gould, Tucson, AZ and Melvin John Goff, Tucson, AZ Kayla Dominguez, Hastings and Miguel Angel Arjona-Rodriguez, Grand Rapids Mackenzie Ryan Monroe, Hastings and Daryn James Armstrong, Dowling Brookann Arline Hitchcock, Shel­ byville and Matthew Robert Holly, Allegan Taylor Elizabeth Wright, Hastings and Noah Oliver Elliott, Hastings Eric Milton Oliver, Hastings and Amanda Mae Leinaar, Delton Cody Phillip Eister, Hastings and Samantha Marie Shealy, Hastings Matthew James Lane, Delton and Makayla May Orr, Delton Vincent Samuel Battiata, Wayland and Audrey Linnae Hoag, Wayland Christina Marie Bolema, Hastings and Conrad Darrell Hougen, Littleton, CO Jordyn Kelsey Rdodvoets, Middleville and Christopher Jeffery Salsbury, Mid­ dleville Donaldsons to celebrate 60th wedding anniversary Barry and Bonnie (Curtis) Donaldson were married September 7, 1963 at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Hastings, by the Rev, V. L. Draggoo. Those wanting to wish them well may send cards to: 6240 Martin Road, Wood­ land, MI 48897. Michael & Dorothy Janose to celebrate 61st anniversary Michael and Dorothy Janose will be celebrating their 61st anniversary on Aug. 31, 2023 in Hastings, MI with family at later date. Their children include Ron Janose (Sandra) ofCaledonia, । MI, Pamela Tolan (Art) ofKalkaska, MI, deceased Denise Wellington. They have five grandchil-1 dren and six great-grandchildren. To send them a card, please mail to 5370 Woodschool Rd.J Hastings, MI 49058. VJ-Vk J-V 1 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 31, 2023 — Page 7 - W WWw Ww Walking in the Labor Day Novice Races across the Mackinac Bridge Editor 's note: Thefollowing is an account from Mortimer C. Nichols, the oldest contes­ tant to cross the Mackinac Bridge competing in the Novice Races. He last walked the bridge in 1968 at the age of87. The narra­ tive, though undated, is suspected to have been written in the early 1970s. Nichols died at the age of 93 on Oct. 24, 1974. I have long been accustomed to a fair amount of physical activity, so when we came to town in 1959, I started to do some walking. I quit driving in 1965 and since then have made a number of round trips to such nearby points as Carlton Center, Coats Grove, Bump Lake and others... and some one-way trips of similar and lesser distances. A large part of the walking since coming to town has been in preparation for the Labor Day Novice Races across the Mackinac Bridge. One of the most used routes for this purpose was out West Green Street to Cook Road and then south to the end ofthe pavement and return - a total distance about equal to the 4.5-mile walking course on the Mackinac Bridge. In the long summer days, such trips were usual­ ly made in the early morning. At the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day preceding the general mass recreational walk, are two races. In the first race, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union, Ronald Laird, who had walked in Europe and in the Olym­ pics and in other events, won first place in the fastest walk ever made across the Mackinac Bridge. He walked 4.5 miles in 32 minutes (and) 58.3 seconds in 1963. In the second face, called the Novice Race, sponsored by (he International Walkers Association under the direction ofMr. and Mrs. S.L. Gladfelter, co-chairmen, the usual winning time expressed in minutes is from low to the mid­ dle 40s (minutes) for the men and boys and from the low to middle 50s for women and girls; 17 years separate the boys and girls from the adults. According to the official A1:81.+/:^D In the Hastings Banner “I got a medal and never won a race nor even came close. All I had to do was to be born first.” - Mortimer Nichols records ofthe Novice Races for the five years - 1961,1962, 1963, 1966 and 1968-the fast­ est time was made by Chester Saysnski, 19, ofDetroit: 41 minutes and 39 seconds. In 1961, Mrs. May Hoexema, 82, of Kalamazoo, was the oldest contestant. She walked the 4.5 miles in 70 minutes and 5 seconds; and in 1966, Esther Hettinger, 57, county clerk ofAllegan County, won second place in the Women’s Division in 56 minutes even, seven seconds behind the winner. In 1963, Primrose Whelock, 18, an exchange student from Ireland, won first place in the Women’s Division in 52 minutes and 48 sec­ onds and Elizabeth Winter, 16, an exchange student from Hamburg, Germany, won first place in the Girls’ Division in 54 minutes and three seconds. In the same year of 1963, Jack Dogtoram, 66, of Cincinnati, Ohio, made his best time - 57 minutes even, and I, also, at 82, made my best time at 56 minutes and 29 seconds, catching up with Jack about a quarter mile from the finish line. Three years later, in 1966, Jack and I came in side by side in 59 minutes and 56, four seconds under an hour - the last time we walked across the bridge in less than an hour. In the five years for which I have records, no one else in the Novice Races has walked across the Mackinac Bridge in less than an hour after he was 70 years old. My last walk in the Novice Races across the Mackinac Bridge was in 1968, at the age of 87. It showed what enough birthdays can do to you. I got off to my usual slow start. When I had got underway, I saw Jack Dogtoram about 40 feet ahead ofme. This time, instead of catching up with Jack as I had usually done, the distance between us increased and then I lost sight ofhim. I final­ ly went down (in) defeat. He made the 4.5­ mile trip in 61 minutes and 10 seconds. He was a fine competitor. As I approached the finish line, instead of passing other walkers as had been my custom, other walkers were passing me. I finally reached the end of the course after 63 minutes and 50 seconds, the longest it had ever taken me and 7.5 minutes longer than my best time five years before. Early the next summer, I wrote to Ruth Haven at Mackinaw City, who had furnished us shelter on all those nine trips, that we wouldn’t be going to the Straits that coming Labor Day. Walking in the Novice Races over the Mackinac Bridge has been a thoroughly happy experience. I got a medal and never won a race nor even came close. All I had to do was to be bom first. I am much indebted to my daughter, Ruth (Mrs. Edward S. Paulson), who drove from Detroit to Hastings, then to the Straits and back, so many times; and to my sister Lousena, Mrs. Fred Henney, who always went with us, and to my wife, Irma, who, unable to make the long trip, cheerfully remained at home. £$§§§§ ■ dat by Mr Ctto fl look back at the stories dfataaMfei ei | TURNING BACK THE PfiGES JLahe, (Metta Elaine Garlock The biggest excitement this week will be the annual Woodland Homecoming with many events planned for Friday through Monday. On Saturday, there will be one of High’s chicken barbecue dinners served at Harold E. Classic Memorial Park sponsored by the Lakewood Lions Club. Yet another national holiday comes on Monday with the annual observance ofLabor Day. Locally, we see little concerning the original emphasis ofthe day. This is a good excuse for a picnic or weekend trip with lots ofconcern over traffic. Please drive safely. Members of Central United Methodist Church enjoyed a picnic-style meal on Sun­ day at Eagle Point at the home ofthe Gentners. The sunny day was very enjoyable with great food capped by homemade ice cream, thanks to .the Dykhgusg (guple. There was..akg> birthday cakefdr the church-s.oldest member, who was present. In mid-afternoon, some of the people took advantage ofthe host’s offer ofa pontoon ride on Jordan Lake. Lorraine McMillen and husband Don host­ ed their family on Sunday afternoon in honor of his mother’s birthday. Family members came from Charlotte, Richland, Grand Rap­ ids and Big Rapids. The storm which hit this area on Thursday evening did considerable damage to the vil­ lage’s trees. Many homes had large limbs loaded with leaves cast onto their lawns. Some villagers were unable to move their cars out of their driveways. One home afterward had a large pile ofpossible firewood stacked and ready for months ofdrying so it would be burnable. A trip to the Meijer store in Ionia was surprising, with only one entrance usable, dim lighting inside and no frozen or refriger­ ated food for sale. Some specialty businesses at the front were open but more were closed. By afternoon on Friday, the store was nearly back to normal. Newspaper reports from the Lansing area report widespread damage, especially along the 1-96 corridor. Many of the billboards which are visible to high-speed traffic were stripped off their posts. Also, many trees along the freeway had their tops broken off with long trunks visible but with no branches on top. One nurse who had picked up three victims of an accident was trying to drive them to a hospital but because i °^the intensity ofthg stprm tgok stater ' an overpass until-the storm abated; She then continued to the hospital. It would have taken far longer for an ambulance to reach the injured family. Ingham County was hard hit One farm family lost three bams. The past two weeks have seen tall sunflow­ ers at their best. They tower over the neigh­ bors’ fences and grab the attention of anyone passing by. Ifperchance you do not see them close by, you could always substitute a copy of the famed Van Gogh painting ofsunflowers. Last week’s services at the community dinner were members of Living Gospel Church. Walkers begin the trek across the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day in 1959. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Sept. 1-7 HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Sept. 1-30 — September Storywalk Book: “Fletcher and Falling Leaves” by Julia Rawlinson. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. fletDocfor Universe Smooth as silk What are butterfly cocoons made of? Anabelle, 8, Mass. Dear Anabelle, When I was a kit, I looked a lot like the adult cat I would become-even though I was smaller and fluffier. But wiggly cater­ pillars don’t look like butterflies at all. I talked about this with my friend Allan Felsot. He’s an insect scientist at Washing­ ton State University. He told me cocoons are mostly silk. But they’re usually made by moths. A butterfly “cocoon” isn’t really a cocoon at all. It’s called a chrysalis. Both butterflies and moths belong to a big group of insects that go through complete metamorphosis. They have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. They go through a massive change to become an adult. That big change happens when the insect is a pupa. That’s like their teenager stage. A moth pupa usually changes inside a silk cocoon. Sometimes people harvest that silk to make fabric. Abutterfly pupa might look like a cocoon, but it’s different. “Many butterflies have what we call a naked pupa or chrysalis,” Felsot said. “The wings, mouthparts and antennae are glued to the body, and it’s compressed. But ifyou poke it, you’ll see it wiggles around.” A butterfly pupa is covered with the same tough skin that you see on any insect. It’s just a temporary, baggy version ofthat skin called a chrysalis. The chrysalis is often tethered with silk, so it stays put. Insect silk generally comes from the same organs that make saliva. “There are lots of things that salivary glands do,” Felsot said. “One thing is pro­ duce silk proteins. These are in the form of a gel. So, it’s very viscous, and it’s forced out as a drop. But then the insect pulls away from it-maybe they wiggle their head or move their body a little bit-and that spins it into a fiber.” As the gel hits the air and the insect pulls away from it, the silk crystallizes. The par­ ticles in the silk line up in an orderly way. That makes the silk strong. The silks made by different kinds of insects are all a little bit different. Insects use silk for all kinds of things. Some insects like moths wrap silk around their bodies to make a silk cocoon. Some insects use silk like glue to make cases out ofstuffthey find. One of my favorites is the caddisfly. They’re related to butterflies and moths, but their larvae live underwater. Some caddisflies use silk to glue together tiny bits ofsand and debris. It forms a little house a larva can live in and carry around. When it’s time to change into an adult, the insect usually seals up the entrance to the case with more silk. Caddisfly silk is so special-sticky, stretchy and waterproof-that scientists want to copy it so they can make better bandages and stitches. Scientists study insect and spi­ der silks to learn how to make all kinds of things. It’s just one more way insects make our lives smooth as silk. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Thursday, Aug. 31 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1957 film starring Anne Baxter, John Hodiak and Charles Winniger, 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 - Final day to pick up summer reading challenge prizes. Monday, Sept. 4 — Library closed. Tuesday, Sept 5 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; writers’ night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. LEGAL NOTICE FOR 2023 BARRY COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION The Barry County Conservation Easement (BCCE) Board is pleased to announce the 2023 application cycle for the Barry County Conservation Easement Program. Deadline for submission is Monday, October 30,2023 at the Barry County Administration Office. The BCCE program was created to help landowners place conservation easements on their parcels to permanently preserve important farmland and natural land. Landowners retain ownership oftheir land and may receive compensation for their conservation easement based on a state approved appraisal oftheir land. Participation is completely voluntary. There are also tax benefits to donating a conservation easement to the county. Interested landowners may obtain an information packet and application for this voluntary program by contacting Heather Wing at 269-275-2351 or heatherlwing@gmail.com. The Barry County Conservation Easement Program will be hosting two landowner workshops shops to discuss the Conservation E Easement Program. ,S S S. Rm., 121 S. Church St., Hasting �Page 8 — Thursday, August 31, 2023 — The Hastings Banner The Hastings High School marching band makes its way down State Street for the Hastings Summerfest parade. SUMMERFEST, continued from page 1 Sharon Elzinga, who chairs the arts and crafts vendors for the Hastings Summerfest committee said that around 10 canopies in total were destroyed in the storm, which stuck when around 90 percent ofthe vendors had set up their stations. “People were able to get second tents. Other crafters had extra tents they could bor­ row. They bought some new ones. Everyone stayed — they wanted to stay and try it for the weekend,” Elzinga said. “Everyone is doing really good,” she added. “I’m so happy with the way the town has come out to help support everyone. That’s what it’s all about.” Elzinga is also a vendor at the show and has been for decades. Like her fellow longtime vendors, she knows that being prepared for the weather is one ofthe top duties ofthe job. “When you do outdoor shows, you have to make sure that you have stakes in and you have weights,” she said. “That’s the whole thing is always being prepared for what comes. I was here at my very first show 32 years ago, it was so cold we needed winter coats.” Jennie DeWitt, a stained glass artist who sells at Summerfest each year, already deals with a long and arduous set-up process that takes her roughly three hours to complete. The incoming storm before Summerfest cer­ tainly didn’t help her in that process, but for­ tunately for her, her booth near the comer of South Broadway and West State streets remained unscathed thanks to an extensive setup that included ground stakes, cement weights and sandbags. Despite locking down her tent like it was Fort Kiiox, the wind tried to bother it. “The wind swirled some. I’ve never had my (tent’s) zippers come up and my husband came back down here in the storm and said a lot of my zippers were about halfway up...and (the tent) was flapping.” “I understand that about 10 tents were destroyed. The police had to pull one out of the road.” Outside ofthis brief and isolated incident, another Hastings Summerfest is now success­ fully in the book, with the annual celebration cramming a long list ofactivities and athletic competitions into one weekend. Karla Miller of Portland (right) saw her three tents blown away by the wind last Thursday night as she was set up for Hastings Summerfest. Fellow crafters pitched in to outfit Miller with three new tents. S ’** The Roaring 20s was the theme of this year’s Summerfeqt, Like many others, Barry County Lumber embraced this theme with this float at the parade. Five-year-old Crew^federson of Vermontville, gets his face painted during Hastings Summerfest on Saturday morning. t BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP 1*1901 BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL-ASSESSMENT PUBL[CHEARING HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL W ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, has determined, on its own motion, to undertake a private road improvement project on Hickory Hill Lane in the Township, and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. The Special Assessment District shall be known as the HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the land and premises In the special assessment district within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed are more particularly described as all parcels abutting Hickory Hill Lane, or with access to Hickory Hill Lane (including Pheasant Ridge Drive, Sleepy Hollow Trail, Lilypad Lane and Timberlost Trail) which Include the following parcel numbers: HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed road improvements with associated activities, together with an estimate of the cost of the project in the amount of $180,000 (including administrative costs), and has placed the same on file with the Township clerk; has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to make the improvement and to create the special assessment district; and has tentatively found the petitions for the improvement in compliance with the statutory requirements. The portion of the project to be financed through the special assessment district is $90,000, plus any administrative costs. The plans, cost estimates and special assessment district may be examined at the Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the petitions, plans, district and cost estimates will be held on September 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Baltimore Township Hall, 3100 E Dowling Road, Hastings, Michigan. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. If written objections are filed with the township board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the township board may not proceed unless petitions In support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the township.. Following the hearing, the township board may revise, correct, amend or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his or her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required. All Interested persons are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and tost estimates. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT. AND THE, ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. a PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessments, t he Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to r record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessments. Baltimore Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to Individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days' notice to the Township Clerk. Penelope Ypma Baltimore Township Clerk 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings Ml 49058 (269) 721-3552 ■MRI A member of the Battle Creek chapter’of theflfeladiri Shririers* pulls over his Mini-T to greet a young parade-goer on Saturday morning during Hastings Summerfest. 205109 Winners.crowned in SummerfedY 5K, 1OK runs as event eyes a J return to downtown Hastings Jayson Bussa Editor Micah Johnson didn’t seem very tired as he floated across the finish line at Hastings Mid­ dle School Saturday morning, completing the 10K race of the Spectrum Health Pennock Summerfest Run. He had every right to be, though. Thejunior from the Hastings High School cross country team didn’t go to bed until around 1 a.m. the night before as the Saxons competed at a rare nighttime meet under the lights at South Christian High School. Still, he got himselfto the start/finish line bright and early the next morning for the annual race, which coincides with Hastings Sum­ merfest. Johnson navigated the 10K course in 42:22 to take first place. He grinned for the camera as he crossed the finish line safe­ ly in first. He was followed by Dave Book, who was about a half-minute behind Johnson, and Matt Williams, who finished in 42:59. “I expected to be a little slower because I had to run last night, but my goal was to win this and I was able to do that,” said Johnson, who was competing in the event’s 10K for the first time after running in the 5K run for many years prior. “It was pretty tough on the hills.” After running nearly 10 iniles in the previus 24 hours, Johpson*s day wasn’t even done,<either. “I still have to march in the parade,” he said with a smile, d a In the 5K run, a io of Kellogg Communi­ ty College cross country .athletes used the Summerfest Run, as a4unte-up for the upcom­ ing season. , Carson Lenzihgef, a freshman at KCC who graduated from Gull take High School, finished in first in I7?44. He was followed by fellow Bruins A|£x Steward, a Hastings High School graduate, and'Zachary Piercy. It was Lenzinger’s first year running in i the Summerfest Run. ’ Tina Frank, who chairs the event for the Summerfest committee, said that participa­ tion in the event rose to just under 140 run­ ners this year, which Is up from 122 last year. Organizers have focused on steadily expand- Micah Johnson makes his way down the final stretch to the start/finish line at the; Spectrum Health Pennock Summerfest Run on Saturday morning. (Photo by Jayson; Bussa) ing the field of runners after the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cancellation of Summerfest a few years ago stymied its momentum. This year, organizers folded in another event to go along with the Summerfest Run. The Kids Fun Run - a leisurely mile-long course - was held at the conclusion of the timed run. The Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force previously organized the event before it went on hiatus. The Summerfest Run crew picked it up and offered it this year. Frank and organizers also mentioned to those in attendance that they will lobby ta have the start/finish line moved to downtowii Hastings for future runs, allowing the merfest Run to be closer to all the Summer-; fest action, which originates around the Barry; County Courthouse. “How great would it be to have all these; people downtown?” Frank said. “I would; love to see it ifit works out.” 4 To make the move, Frank needs to clear it with the Hastings Police Department and also ensure that the event would not impede on the annual Summerfest parade. mi*i SebASJI �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS Thursday, August 31,2023 Hastings and DK take the field this week Brett Bremer irs,crowned in Summed OK runs as event eyes a Io downtown Hasiif ■W with the extra-point with 2:59 to play in the Sports Editor first quarter. ■ There will be football for the Saxons and The Saxons neededjust four plays to go 55 Panthers this week. yards for a score on their ensuing possession, Hastings High School athletic director getting a 40-yard TD run from Carroll that finally secured a week two game for the moved his team within 14-12. Saxon varsity Tuesday evening. The Saxons The Hastings defense got the first stop of will go on the road to face Pontiac Notre the bailgame with seven minutes to go in the •Dame Prep. first half, forcing a TK punt. The two teams “They were supposed to play Hamtramck, then traded stops until a TK punt from its ibut they cancelled due to low numbers,” own 25 only managed to cover ten yard with Goggins said Wednesday morning. “I would 41 seconds to go in the first half. A pair of have liked to be home, but since it is so late Saxon passes fell incomplete before Simmet notice, I was unable to get officials. Notre snuck through the left side and turned the Dame Prep was supposed to be home, so they corner on his 35-yard TD run that got his had a crew so we will travel there. team it’s first lead at 20-14. ’ Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. Friday night, TK managed to even things up in the 20 Sept 1. seconds before halftime. Zach Eldridge “Notre Dame is a quality program with a returned the Saxons kick-offto the 50-yardvery good team,” Goggins added. “We are line. TK got to the Saxon 24-yard-line on its happy to get a game and our players and first play, with back Tyler Gavette taking a coaches would play anybody! It should be a pitch from Middleton and then firing a pass great game!” deep down to teammate Ethan Bonnema. Delton Kellogg will be playing for the Middleton followed that up with a 25-yard first time this season tonight, Aug. 31, as it touchdown pass to Sias who was racing travels for a contest at Parchment. DK was from left to right across the field and just slated to play Hartford in week one, but took managed to get the ball over the goal-line at a forfeit win after Hartford announced in the right pylon. The extra-point attempt was early August that it would not be playing bobbled, and the Trojans tried to get a pass varsity football this fall due to a lack of num­ ahead for the two-point conversion but offi­ - bers in the program. cials ruled that the ball was somehow just Parchment opened its season with a 24-18 shy ofthe white as Tyler Ybema came down win over Coloma last week. with a pass from holder (and QB) Brody Thomapple Kellogg, Lakewood and Wiersma on the goal-line. Maple Valley will all be home tonight. The TK got the lead back two and a halfmin­ Maple Valley 8-player football team is look­ utes into the second halfon a 60-yard TD run ing to move to 2-0 after a win at Mesick last by Snyder, following a stop by the TK Friday night. defense. He spun off a block at the line of Maple Valley takes on a 1-0 Marcellus scrimmage, rolled off the back ofanother one team that whipped Tri Unity Christian 58-8 in Seniors Diego Coipel (77) and Mason Bailey (72) lead the Hastings varsity football team onto the turf inside Baum Stadium at ofhis own blockers just through the line and week one. Johnson Field in Hastings before the start of their 50-34 win over visiting Thomapple Kellogg Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) then stumbled across the 50 before regaining Lion head coach Marty Martin said Mar­ his footing and racing to the end zone. The cellus is kind ofa mirror image ofhis squad Three Rivers 52-22 in week one and are one Ottawa Hills 0-1, 0-0 extra point made it a 27-20 TK lead two and in-that they both- hav^a- number ofthree-year of the favorites -in-the-CAAC-WhitQ^his fafr ^-Thomapple Kellogg 0-‘|, 0-0— — —a-halfminutes into the second half. - - varsity players on the TB^er jaft£Ljhey.’vc ^ after going 8-1 in the regular season a year ^■-’Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Hastings got the. lead ha^k for a few min­ faced some common opponents over the past ago - falling only to conference foe Portland. Delton Kellogg 1-0, 0-0 utes with a 16-yard touchdown pass from few seasons. Lawton 1-0, 0-0 Carroll to Steward and a Steward two-point Local Standings (W-L), playoffpoints “They’re physical. They’re big and we’re Saugatuck 1-0, 0-0 run with 4:20 to go in the third quarter. really going to have to have a great defensive Hastings 1-0, 50.000 Schoolcraft 1-0, 0-0 Steward had the only two Saxon recep­ effort and a great offensive line effort,” Mar­ Delton Kellogg 1-0, 35.000 _■ Galesburg-Augusta 0-1, 0-0 tions, covering a total of 38 yards. Carroll tin said. Lakewood 0-1,0.000 ?•_ CapitalArea Activities Conference White was 2-of-6 passing. David Jiles added four | Charlotte 1-0, 0-0 Martin said his team had more support in Thomapple Kellogg 0-1, 0.000 rushes for 41 yards for the Saxon offense. the stands at Mesick than the home squad did Maple Valley (8-playef) 1-0, NA Lansing Catholic 1-0, 0-0 Brennan Sensiba and Coipel led the Saxon and is looking forward to more great support Lansing Sexton 1-0, 0-0 defense with seven tackles apiece. Jett Bar­ for his team in its home opener. Conference Standings Portland 1-0, 0-0 num and Aiden Saint Amour had six tackles Thomapple Kellogg had pretty great sup­ (overall, conference) Eaton Rapids 0-1, 0-0 each, Carson Gates had 1.5 sacks, splitting port in Hastings too, but saw the Saxons pull Interstate 8 Athletic Conference Ionia 0-1, 0-0 one with Sensiba. Harper Creek 1-0, 0-0 away in the fourth quarter of their annual Lakewood 0-1, 0-0 “I was really happy to see the kids finish a rivalry match to begin the fall. Hastings 1-0, 0-0 Olivet 0-1, 0-0 game the way they did,” coach Murphy said. The Trojans will face Lowell inside Bob Parma Western 1-0, 0-0 Tri-River 8-Man “Their composure in stressful situations was White Stadium in Middleville tonight. The Pennfield 1-0, 0-0 Maple Valley 1-0, 0-0 a real sign of maturity. Now I would like to Red Arrows knocked of Mattawan 56-28 in Coldwater 0-1, 0-0 Britton-Deerfield 0-1, 0-0 see four quarters like that, a complete game.” their season opener. The. Red Arrows have Marshall 0-1, 0-0 Concord 0-1, 0-0 . Snyder closed the bailgame with a teamreached the state postseason 24 times in the Northwest 0-1, 0-0 Morenci 0-1, 0-0 high 116 yards rushing on 12 carries for TK. past 26 seasons and are looking for a second OK Gold Conference Here is a round-up of last week’s local Gavette had 107 yards rushing on five car­ straight win over the Trojans who they bested Forest Hills Eastern 1-0, 0-0 gridiron action. ries. Bonnema had five rushes for 77 yards in week two a year ago. Kenowa Hills 1-0, 0-0 and Middleton carried 11 times for 37 yards. Lakewood has a tough one at Unity Field South Christian 1-0, 0-0 Hastings 50, Thornapple Kellogg 43 Middleton was 2-for-3 passing for 29 yards tonight too, opening the Capital Area Activi­ Wayland 1-0, 0-0 The Saxon defense came to life in the and the one TD. ties Conference White Division season G.R. Catholic Central 0-1, 0-0 fourth quarter and the offense scored touch­ Chad Lennert led TK with seven tackles. against Charlotte. The Orioles rolled over Cedar Springs 0-1, 0-0 downs on its three fourth quarter drives to Jayce Brummel and Snyder had five each and Hastings senior quarterback rolls to his power the Hastings varsity football team to a Wiersma and Dylan Welton added four apiece. right and looks down the field during the 50-34 season-opening win over visiting Thor­ first quarter Friday night against Tanner Buxton had two tackles for loss. napple Kellogg Friday night inside Baum Delton Kellogg 2, Hartford 0 Thornapple Kellogg. (Photo by Brett Stadium at Johnson Field. The Delton Kellogg varsity football team Bremer) Thomapple Kellogg led the bailgame earns a forfeit win over Hartford in the open­ 34-28 after an 11-yard touchdown run by ing week of the 2023 season. Hartford Trojans. Hastings got its first lead at 20-14 on Drake Snyder on the first play of the fourth announced in early August that it would not a 35-yard touchdown run by Simmet and a quarter. be competing at the varsity level this season. Steward two-point run with 24 seconds left to Haiden Simmet powered the Hastings Pennfield 34, Lakewood 13 play in the first half. attack with nine rushes for 182 yards and The Lakewood varsity football team fell “We have a lot ofconfidence in Owen Car­ three touchdowns, and quarterback Owen roll,” coach Murphy said. “His grasp ofwhat behind 18-0 in the opening halfand ultimate­ Carroll had a few key runs. He had five rush­ we are doing allows us to leave some ofWhat ly fell 34-13 to visiting Pennfield to open the es for 84 yards and two touchdowns and 2023 season Friday afternoon, Aug. 25. we do in his hands. We know he will get in threw for another score. the right play at the right time. “We came out a little flat andjust penalties “We didn’t make big adjustments at half­ killed us, just early gamejitters,” Viking head Coach Murphy was really pleased with the time,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy coach Matt Markwart said. “We are pretty efforts of his two-way starters like Steward, said. “We talked about executing the details Devin Smith, Simmet and Diego Coipel. inexperienced. I graduated my offensive line that we practiced all week on O and D, and Thornapple Kellogg took the opening drive ; last year ahd we’ve got a new quarterback.” playing with some sense ofurgency. TK came ofthe game 72 yards for a score with quarter­ The Vikings had a couple pass interference offthe line better than us in the first quarter back Grant Middleton scooping up a bobbled calls against them early on, allowed a punt and a half. They are a good football team.” snap and plunging forward into the end zone return on a touchdown Lakewood brings back The game was back and forth until Simmet five minutes into the contest. just one of its five regular starting offensive answered Snyder’s fourth quarter TD run The Saxon offense popped all the big linemen from a year ago. “Their offense caught our defense in some with a 53-yard score ofhis own on the Sax­ plays it really needed. The TK defense had ons’ first offensive snap after taking over the Saxons in a third-and-12 at their own 28 ■ bad situations and got some big plays on us. Just some inexperience did us in,” Markwart possession ofthe football. Simmet tacked on on Hastings’ first possession ofthe bailgame. the two-point run too and Hastings led 36-34 A play-fake in the backfield left Steward ' said ofthe other side ofthe ball. He said his team was aggressive all game, running wide open behind the TK defense, with 11:07 to go. The Saxon defense then smothered four and if Carroll had gotten a little more air which he liked, and that his guys limited their penalties in the second half and continued to TK running plays to get the offense the ball under the ball it would have been a sure TD. back at the Trojans* 27-yard-line. A big Sim­ Instead, Carroll followed pulling right guard move the football; Things picked Up for the met run got the Saxons inside the ten-yardVikings in the second half, and coach Mark­ Coipel around the left side for a 45-yard TD line and Draven Pennock eventually scored run on the next snap. J axan Sias smothered wart was pleased that the team rushed for 234 on a two-yard run with 6:07 to go in the Carroll’s attempted two-point pass to leave yards as a whole. game. Landon Steward’s extra-point kick TK in the front 7-6 seven and a halfminutes “As the game went on we got better and nudged the Saxon lead to two scores at 43-34. into the game. better and some guys showed up and played Steward was 4-for-4 on extra-point kicks. really well in positions we didn’t know they TK scored the big plays it needed to too, Simmet tacked on a 36-yard touchdown for a little over two quarters. Tyler Gavette could play in because they didn’t play there Hastings senior running back Haiden Simmet works to drive through the tackle of with 1:19 to go for the final margin. before,” Markwart said. took offon a 74-yard run around the left side Thomapple Kellogg's Brody Wiersma during the second quarter of their varsity Carroll had TD runs of 45 yards and 40 to start TK’s next possession and Middleton football game inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field in Hastings Friday. (Photo by yards in the first halfas the Saxons were able plowed into the end zone form a yard out two See page 11 to answer two first half scoring drives by the Brett Bremer) plays later. The Trojan lead jumped to 14-6 F00rB4LL, �Page 10 — Thursday, August 31, 2023 — The Hastings Banner TK leaders cuttimes under the lights Brett Bremer Sports Editor The fastest Trojans were about as fast as they have ever been as Friday night turned into Saturday morning at South Christian High School. Two-time state qualifier Ava Crews, a junior, led the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team to a runner-up finish in the Midnight Big Schools Division race at South Christian’s Under the Lights Invita­ tional Friday. Crews was third individually with a time of 19 minutes 25.20 seconds. That is more than 45 seconds faster than her time at the 2022 Under the Lights Invita­ tional and almost 21 seconds better than her time on the same course, in the daylight, during the Division 2 Regional race last fall. She has only been faster than she was Friday on a few occasions over her first two varsity seasons. The Thomapple Kellogg boys were eighth in their Midnight Big School Division race that took offjust after midnight. Senior Lucas Van Meter was 12th overall in 16:47.00 - set­ ting a new personal record at the Under the Lights Invitational for the second year in a row. He shaved 26.5 seconds from his time at the midnight meet a year ago. Thornapple Kellogg freshman Ellie Harmon rounds a turn during the final mile-of the South Christian Under the Lights Invitational Friday night. (Photo’By Brett Bremer) Jenison won the Midnight Big Schools Division girls’ race with 65 points. The TK ladies finished with 91 points, ahead ofZee­ land West 94, Ottawa Hills 106, Kalamazoo Central 111, Hudsonville 114, Fruitport 128 and Forest Hills Northern 144. The TK ladies were happy not only to fin­ ish ahead oftheir OK Gold Conference foes from Ottawa Hills, but also to race better than fellow conference foe South Christian which ran at the same time in the Midnight Small Schools Division. ”1 was just shooting for a good race I guess. I was probably trying to get in the 20’s. I wasn’t planning to get in the 19’s today,” Crews said. “I feel like after I got faster during track season I trained harder over the summer and did some more mileage and stuff,” Crews said. “I am really trying to hit the 18’s this year. I am actually getting pretty close.”” Her extra training this summer included some more long mileage runs adding about five miles a week to her overall total. “We have a really strong team,” Crews said. “We have two freshmen this year that came from middle school strong and now they’re coming into high school really strong. They’re doing really good. good.” The top seven for the TK ladies included freshmen Ellie Harmon (13th), Meghan-Jane Skidmore (21st) and Peyton Hardy (37th) as well as sophomores Madison Kietzman (26th) and Avery Hagemann (53 rd). Kietzman set her personal record time at 21:34.50, and those other underclassmen set PR’s too in their first varsity race. Harmon came across the finish line in 20: 32.00 and Skidmore finished in 21:21.30. Trojan senior Holly Vetting was fifth among the Trojan scorers and 28th in the Midnight Big School race with a time of 21: 56.10. TK head coach Sam Wilkinson told his girls prior to the event not to get too high or too low during the race or based on the results “But then I looked at the team results and I had to work on curbing my own enthusiasm. Although I planned on looking at times and places of the athletes and the place of our team with curiosity and to gain more data points, I wasn’t putting a lot of emotional stock into this race,” Wilkinson said. “How­ ever, when I saw that we finished in front of a handful ofour OK Gold Conference rivals, I couldn’t help but to have a big smile on my face, let out a war whoop, and give my son Frank, who was standing next to me, an enthusiastic knuckle pump. Having said this, I realize it is very early in the season and all may not be as it seems. We have much more Work to do, more1 to prove to ourselves, and j so does every other team out there. It’s way too early to be dancing jigs or getting ahead Hope Township Notice of Public Hearing and Planning Commission Meeting to Consider the Adoption of Amendments to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance TO: THE RESIDENTSAND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Hope Township Planning Commission will hold.a public hearing and meeting on Thursday, September 21,2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S M-43 Hwy, within the Township. The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments from the public on the adoption of an amendment to Sections 15.3,16.5,19.2, and 20.2 of the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance pertaining to planned unit developments and manufactured housing communities. Amendment #1 Section 15.3 (General Restrictions and Standards); If adopted, the amendment would modify the section to allow planned unit developments in the RL, Residential Lake and MHC, Manufactured Housing Community zoning districts, clarify existing language, reduce minimum area standards for planned unit developments containing multiple-family dwellings and commercial uses, specify that manufactured housing communities may be permitted in planned unit develdevel­ opments on lots offour acres or larger, and clarify what zoning requirements may be modified by the Planning Commission. Amendment #2. Section 16.5 (Land Use Standards): Ifadopted, the amendment would modify the table to add planned unit developments as a special exception use in the RL and MHC zoning districts. Atmendment #3, Section 19.2 (Special Exception Uses in the RL Zone): Ifadopted, the amendment would add planned unit developments to the list ofspecial exception uses in alphabetical order. Amendment #4, Section 20.2 (Special Exception Uses in the MHC Zone): If ad­ opted, the amendment would add planned unit developments to the list ofspecial exception uses in alphabetical order and reduce the minimum area requirement for manufactured housing communities from fouracres to ten acres. A copy of the zoning ordinance and the proposed amendments are available for review at the Hope Township Office during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Written comments will be received from any InterInter­ ested persons by the Hope Township Clerk at the Township Hall at any time during regular business hours up to the date of the hearing and may be further received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. Oral comments will be taken at the meeting. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings A Act) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hope Township will provide necessary treasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Hope Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Hope Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. HOPE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION 5463 S M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 205180 ito M A pack filled will with the Thornapple Kellogg and South Christian girls mostly takes off at the start of the Midnight girls' race Friday a little after 11:30 p.m. during South Christian's Under the Lights Invitational. The TK ladies finished second to Jenison in the Midnight Big Schools competition. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ofourselves, but we can and should feel good about the data points we created in this race. “The girls did outstanding. I couldn’t be more pleased with what they did in this race. With Ava leading the way, with our veteran leadership, and our red hot freshman, we have the potential to do something cool maybe a few somethings. Our girls are fierce competitors and our bumper crop offreshmen have come in and they have given us a much needed boost. Seeing them run over the last few years in middle school we knew they were special and they are delivering. This was a good start for us.” Ottawa Hills’ senior Selma Anderson won the Midnight Big School girls’ race in 17:52.60. She was well ahead of all the 222 girls overall competing in the Midnight big and small school races. Kalamazoo Central junior Annie Alkema was second in 19:21.40. There were 130 girls who finished in the Midnight big schools race. It was a mostly young group for the TK boys too, behind Van Meter and fellow senior captain Kaden Hamming who was 71st in the Midnight Big School boys’ race. Freshman Elijah Frazer, and, Grady Galaviz right his heels finishing 72nd laml y^dj^speptively. flamming hit the finish line in 19:26.00, Frazer in 19:26.80 and Galaviz in 19:28.60. Like Crews, Van Meter upped his training this summer boosted by confidence he gained during the 2023 spring track and field season. “The more you run the better you do I guess,” Van Meter said. “I probably have more experience than I ever had. I almost qualified for state in track in the 800 and I got a lot faster working for that. I think that really helped me in the last mile [tonight] probably.” Van Meter is working on pacing himself a bit better in training this season. He much rather be setting his PR at the end ofthe sea­ son this time around while pushing for a spot in the cross country state finals. He said he is going to try and take it a little easier in his couple physical education classes throughout the fall. He thinks he has been a strong starter to the past couple season because of all his 8-10 mile summer runs, which make the 3.1 miles seem really easy at the outset of the season especially when tackling those shorter runs with a competitive attitude. The TK boys’ team also had junior Hunter ‘'■SVlS hornapple Kellogg freshmen Elijah Frazer (left) and Grady Galaviz race side by side during the South Christian Sailors' annual Under the Lights Invitational during the midnight hour Saturday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Tietz 157th in 20:07.30, sophomore Benja­ min Postma 117th in 21:09.70 and sopho­ more Luke Archer 120th in 21:13.90 among its seven scorers. Kalamazoo Central won the Midnight Big Schools boys’ race with 40 points, ahead of Jenison 60, Zeeland West 68, Hudsonville 133, Ottawa Hills 135, Forest Hills Northern 141, Fruitport 142 and TK 209. Jenison junior Seth Conner was the indi­ vidual champion in 15:54.70 with Kalamazoo Central senior Jasper Cane second in 16:01.10 and Ottawa Hills senior Liam Walters third in 16:14.50. There were 176 boys in the Midnight Big Schools race and 282 finishers overall between the big and small division in the final race ofthe night. Newcomers run well in crowd under the lights Brett Bremer Sports Editor A pair of the area’s top new varsity cross country runners came across one after anoth­ er as the Delton Kellogg and Lakewood var­ sity girls’ cross country teams both competed in the Sunset Small Schools Division race at South Christian’s Under the Lights Invita­ tional Friday. Freshman Ana Grant set her personal record in her first varsity 5K race with a time of24 minutes 15.90 seconds and Delton Kel­ logg senior Samantha O’Meara dropped her PR to 24:25.9 in the third race of her first varsity cross country season. They finished 19th and 20th among the small school division runners in the Sunset race. Each varsity race Friday, and into Satur­ day, consisted ofabout eight small school and eight large school teams competing at the same time. O’Meara led the Delton Kellogg girls to a fifth place finish. Stanton Central Montcalm won the girls’ Sunset Small School title with 29 points Hopkins was second with 67 points ahead of Kent City 74, Portland 82, Delton Kellogg 124, Holland Black River 145, Grand River Prep 189 and Lakewood 193. The Delton Kellogg and Lakewood boys were sixth and seventh in their Sunset Small Schools race with more personal records at the front. Viking junior Riley Johnson broke the 19-minute mark for the first time to place 12th in 18:31.60. Johnson was right on the heels of Delton Kelloggjunior Ethan Rimmer who was 11th in 18:23.90 - his best time ofthe season so far. Central Montcalm won the boys’ meet too with 33 points. Kent City was second with 52 ahead of Black River 82, Grand River Prep 107, Hopkins 114, Delton Kellogg 142 and Lakewood 154. Kent City senior Samuel Martini won the Sunset boys’ race in 16:01.30. Central Mont­ calm took the title with the second and third place finishers sophomore Gage Hoffman and senior Graham Coston who were both also across the finish line in less than 17 minutes. Delton Kellogg also had Rhys Bedford 28th in 21:11.50, Brock Hickerson 30th in 21:18.40, Nick Muday 39th in 21:47.40 and Isaiah Kellogg 61st in 30:55.00. It was the first full 5K for the Lakewood boys this fall. Hudson Goethals placed 31st in 21:19.50, Vincent Risk 32nd in 21:20.50 Bryce Schelter 46th in 22:19.60 and Jonah Lancaster 62nd in 33:52.30. Central Montcalm had the girls’ Sunset champ too in junior Kyah Hoffman who hit the finish line in 18:23.20. Kent City junior Lila Vokers was the runner-up in 18:48.80. Central Montcalm had five girls among the first 11 finishers in the small school compe­ tition. Delton Kellogg’s top returning runner, senior Summer Ritchie, led her team on the night with a 16th-place time of23:46.90 - new season best for her. Each of the top six runners for DK notched their best time ofthe season. Junior Kylie Main was 26th for DK in 25:21.70, sophomore Elli Timmerman 30th in 26:02.70 and sophomore Izabelle Gruber 33rd in 26:21.80. Junior Jillian Leclercq also recorded her best time of the season at 27:01.50 while finishing 37th. Lakewood had senior Allison Slater 35th in the small school race with a time of26:41.30. Freshman Laurelye Carterr was 54th in 33:34.90, sophomore Marci Nurenberg 55th in 33:36.50, freshman Elizabeth Stoneman 57th in 35:53.60 and freshman Jayda Miller 61st in 40:48.00. In all there were 212 girls and 187 guys who finished the Sunset division races among the big and small school divisions at South Christian Friday. Hl �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 31, 2023 — Page 11 TK boys win by two at HHS Brett Bremer match with TK. “We weren’t letting through Sports Editor balls through. We weren’t letting balls over The Trojans remain unbeaten and the Sax­ the top. We were shutting that down. I felt ons are still shooting for their first victory. like we made Middleville work for all the The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ soc­ goals they got today. We didn’t give up any cer team scored its fifth win of the season cheap goals.” Friday knocking offthe Hastings boys 4-2 in He liked the efforts of AJ Kohmescher, their non-conference match on the turf inside Charlie Nickels, Christian Boniface and oth­ Baum Stadium at Johnson Field in Hastings. ers in the back row. Nickels, a senior, has Junior Ryan Skidmore scored three goals been a leader for the Saxon defense while for the Trojans and senior Ashton Nichols settling into his new position in the back. scored once. The Trojan head coach, Andrew Kiel, Junior Troy Hokanson had two assists for called his a frustrating night for his guys the Saxons, adding the helpers on goals by Friday. seniors Serg Arias and Charlie Nickels. “We have been playing such good soccer Hastings led the match 1-0 after Nickels’ these last four games. Wejust went and played goal at the midway point of the first half. Zeeland East who is a good team. We played Skidmore answered with a goal offan assist Williamston who is a really good team. We from sophomore teammate Peyton Foreman went out and we not only won, but we won four minutes later. TK then took its first lead possessing the ball, dominating and tonight we on Skidmore’s second goal a little over five just did not win fifty-fifty balls, we did not minutes into the second half. possess as a team, we did not work through the Arias’s goal tied the match at 2-2 12 minutes middle, we werejust trying to dump it behind. into the second half. That Saxon lead lasted It was just chaotic and it was not organized, less than a minute before Nichols put TK in and it drove me crazy. Absolutely crazy. front. Skidmore found the net a third time with “It was one ofthose where you win, but it didn’t feel like a win.” 21:05 to go in the game, ending the scoring. The Trojans are now 5-0-2 overall this There were a few bright spots. He liked season. They opened the OK Gold Confer­ junior Simeon Biltawi’s strong second half ence season with a 2-2 draw against Cedar offensively distributing the ball and drawing Springs in Middleville defenders into the middle of the field and finding through passes. Hastings is currently 0-4. The Saxons were bested 11-3 by visiting Godwin Heights Senior Reece Hoeksma chipped in three assists for TK andjunior Jayce Curtis had one. Tuesday afternoon. The four goals against TK was the fewest The Trojan coach also liked how Skidmore the Saxons have given up in a contest so far has put pressure on defense while also com­ this season. That had new Hastings head ing back to win balls, and he saw continued coach Matt Hokanson fairly pleased with solid play from senior Blake Dykstra on the outside. Friday’s result. “Overall, our defense is coming together “Dykstra on the outside has just been one way, way better than what we started the sea­ ofour most consistent players all season, just owning that left side putting pressure on son offwith,” coach Hokanson said after the Hastings senior Charlie Nickels pushes through the midfield with the ball as Thornapple Kellogg's William Nathan gives chase during the second half Friday inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings junior Troy Hokanson shoots the ball ahead during the second half of the Saxons' 4-2 loss to visiting Thornapple Kellogg Friday night inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. (Photo by Brett Bremer) opponents not only defensively, but also get­ ting involved in the attack and keeping things moving,” Kiel said. ( TK was scheduled 'to face its second conference test at home against Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wed lesday. The Trojans go on the road for the fin t time in the Gold Sept. 6 at Wayland. Hastings is set to host Kenowa Hills tonight. The Saxons return to action Sept. 7 at Portland. LHS tennis squad thrilled to fill most of its line-up Brett Bremer Sports Editor After a season with seven players, the Lakewood varsity boys’ tennis team is happy to be up to 11. That is just one shy ofthe dozen needed for a full varsity line-up. Head coach Kevin Wheeler and his squad had to forfeit three matches right out ofthe gate last fall because ofa lack ofnumbers. Wheeler took over as interim head coach of the program last fall and took over as the official new head coach late this summer. Wheeler is really looking forward to the chance of growing the Viking tennis pro­ gram frpm the yotrtlrtevel on up. He has a good mix of experience and youth on his varsity squad this fall. Leading the way back is junior Reily Teigeler in his third varsity season. He’s opening the year at first singles for the second straight fall. “He has been working out in the gym,” Wheeler said of Teigeler. “He is a huge baseball player and he keeps bragging about his time in the gym and it shows. He is a bigger stronger kid and he is really under control. He is going to be a really, really good tennis player.” Teigeler is off to a 1-3 start so far. He scored a 6-1 6-2 win over Pennfield’s top player, Bee Doviak, in their dual Aug. 21 and opened the season with a tough three-set loss to Lowell’s top player Noah LaMore. Teigeler took the first set 6-4, then fell 6-4 in the second before LaMore took a 10-8 super tiebreSk^rTofthe'Vfctory Aug. 16. Teigeler will be challenged soon for that top spot by Spanish foreign exchange, stu­ dent Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue, who Wheeler is excited to add to the program. He expects him to earn one ofthose top two spots in the singles line-up at some point. As a team, the Vikings are currently 0-4. They fell 6-1 in a dual with Lansing Chris­ tian Monday afternoon. Their point came from the second doubles team ofAna Grant and Kaden Rohrbacher who took a 6-0, 6-3 victory over the Pilgrims’ Nathan Dery and Antonio Furleo-Semeraro. Sounding out the singles line-up Monday were varsity returnees James Mackenzie and Will Grant in the second and third spots and Sydney Tefft at number four. Tefft played first doubles throughput the'2022 season for th’e Vikirtgs. Tefft, Grarii'hnd'Eliyha are a trio of girls on the Vikings1 roster who have other athletic endeavors to pursue during the spring girls’ tennis season. rimifHa tear«*l lip* tot /4re you interested ui learning morels about the Catholic Church?” Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church? If so, we invite you to a special opportunity: We are forming a group to explore the teachings ofthe Catholic faith and to search for a greater understanding of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Perhaps you are thinking about becoming Catholic yourself. Perhaps you want to understand your Catholic friend a bit better. Or, perhaps you are just curious to know what Catholics believe. All are welcome to come and see. Classes begin Thursday, September 21, at St. Rose at Lima Church, 805 South Jefferson Street, Hastings, Michigan. Classes will meet weekly on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Religious Ed Room. Attendance is free; For more information, please contact Phil Green at philgreenofstrose@gmail.com JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL TO; ,- .THfi,I^IJ)EJ4i;^lg^PRORJ^Q^NER%^F ^OHNSTOWNeJWWP*#^ MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: -c • bsneitclivnl • PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board of Johnstown Township, on the basis of petitions submitted and as authorized by PA 188 of 1954, as amended, proposes to undertake an aquatic plant control project (with associated activities) in the Bristol Lake Channel in Johnstown Township as more particularly described below and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment district within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed include parcels with frontage on the channel in Bristol Lake in Johnstown Township and are more particularly described as follows: «MI tas BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL 38-09-190-013^0 08-09-190-015-00 38-09-200-069-00 38-09-200-070-00 S-S *** '.u I I* fat MWjt jtfv, *fv', A MW & Q8-Q9-2QQ-Q78-QQ 08-09-200-080-00 08 09-200-081^00 08-09-200-082-00 D8-Q9-2Q0-083-00 ■Q8-Q9-2Q(LQ8.4-QQ ■Q8-Q9-2QQrQ86-QQ costs, which is the amount to be raised by the special assessment district. The Johnstown Township Board has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to create the afore-described special assessment district. Saxons Gage Holtrust (50) and Kai Richardson (18) team up to trip up Thornapple Kellogg's Tyler Gavette as hi s returns the opening kick-off during their season-opening varsity football game inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field in Hastings. (Ph oto by Brett Bremer) Colt Endsley had a team-high 81 yards rushing on eight carries. Cole Anderson added 12 carries for 58 yards. Bryson Haight, the Vikings’ new starting quarterback, had seven carries for 40 yards and connected on 8-of-14 passes for 114 yards. Endsley had spent most ofhis time offen­ sively on the football field as a wide receiver before the season opener. “Our linemen did well for being new,” Markwart said. “I had two guards, one hasn’t played football since 8th grade the other this is only his second ever offootball. They did well.” That duo on the interior of the offensive line is made up of Levi Carter and Thomas Schaffer. “We played four or five different guys in spots. They all played well. We did all right. Their heads were down, but when they watch film they will see there are a lot ofpositives. Wejust need to clean some things up,” Mark­ wart said. Ethan Goodemoot and Connor Cosme scored the two Lakewood touchdowns. Tight end Brennen Lehman had five recep­ tions for 95 yards for the Vikings before leaving the game in the second half with an injury, which coach Markwart said is a leg injury that turned out not be be as bad as originally feared. Maple Valley 38, Mesick 14 The Lions stepped offthe bus ready to go, and they were on that bus for a long time. The Maple Valley varsity eight-player football team opened the 2023 season with a 38-14 win at Mesick Friday night, outscoring the host Bulldogs 24-0 in the first quarter. In the first eight minutes the Lions got short touchdown runs by James Penny and Andrew Shepard and a 76-yard touchdown pass from Jakeb McDonald to Cam Carpenter. Penny scored on a five-yard run three min­ utes into the game. Shepard scored on a fouryard run with four minutes to go in the quarter. McDonald fired his first touchdown pass of the season with 26 seconds left in the quarter. The first quarter touchdown was just the start ofan outstanding night for Shepard who rushed 22 times for 189 yards. The Lion team had 281 yards on the ground for the night. Maple Valley led the ballgame 32-14 at the half. Skyler Cook recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown with 1:31 to play in the first half for the Lions and Penny added a one-yard TD run with 3:32 to go in the third quarter. Penny had nine rushes for 49 yards in the ballgame. Maple Valley head coach Marty Martin was extremely proud of his team’s offensive line Friday night highlighting the efforts of Chris Mock, Owen McGlocklin, Jericho Payne and tight ends Carpenter and Cook. The Lions also got solid effort from H-back Callan Hoefler. “Between the scrimmage and tonight, our footwork, and trusting our blocking paths, and trusting our scheme,” Martin said of the biggest improvements his guys up front have made so far. Coach [Chad] Curtis who has worked with them, and we really, really worked on our blocking technique. Wejust repped, and repped, and repped and repped. Tonightt our double teams were moving people and our single blocks were moving people sideways.” The Lions did get called for a few more PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has placed the project plans and cost estimates on file with the Township Clerk and said plans, cost estimates and the proposed special assessment district may be examined at the Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. FOOTBALL, continued from page 9 100^ u . D8-Q9-2QQ-QZ2-.QQ. 08 09-200-073-00 Q8-Q9-2QQ-Q75-.QQ 38-09-200-077-00 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed aquatic plant control project, associated activities, any proposed improvements and locations thereof, together with an estimated total project cost of $13,500, which includes administrative St#*1 t *8’ I’5 PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: holding penalties than (they would have liked though. The offense split QB snaps between the junior McDonald and senior Landon Wilkes. McDonald was 4-of-6 passing for 130 yards. Wilkes completed one pass for 11 yards. Car­ penter had a team-high three receptions for 123 yards. Coach Martin was really pleased with Pen­ ny’s running in his return to football and with the defensive efforts of Evan Brandenburg in his first varsity contest. “He made a couple TD saving tackles for us where he was the fastest guy on the field and chased a guy down,” Martin said of Brandenburg, “And then he made a couple nice tackles stepping up and hitting people.” Noah Musser had a team-high nine tackles. Shepard and Nic Martin had seven tackles apiece. Carpenter had six tackles. Nic Martin added a fumble recovery and Brandenburg and Hoefler both picked ofpasses. The Lions had their 24-0 lead until Jaeden Simpson scored on a one-yard run with 9:47 to go in the first half that pulled his team to within 24-6. Mesick also got a 15-yard TD pass from Ben Humphreys to Tyler Hall with a minute to go in the first half. Wyatt Putney led Mesick on the ground with 18 rushes for 85 yards. Humphreys was 10-of-17 passing for 124 yards. Hall had seven receptions for 93 yards. “It wasjust a great team win and it wasjust building on what we did this summer and at camp these first few weeks of the season,” coach Martin said. “The kids are playing for each other. When the kids play for each other you’ve got something special going on.” PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board proposes to make a oer-parcel special assessment each year for a period of five years (2024 -2028 inclusive). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, district and cost estimates will be held at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 13,2023 at 5:30 p.m. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing, and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. At the hearing (or any adjournment of the hearing which may be made without further notice), the Township Board may revise, correct, amend, or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that ifwritten objections to the project are filed with the Township Board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the Township Board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the Township. Written comments or objections may be filed with the clerks at the address set out below. Appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his/her appearance or protest by letter and, in such case, his/her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and the cost estimates. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that ifthe Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessment, the Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessment. Johnstown Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to the Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641S. M-37 Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 (269) 721-9709 205169 �Page 12 — Thursday. August 31. 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago. or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM. September 7,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Larry W Hoffman and Allison K Hoffman, Husband and Wife to US Bank National Association as successor by merger to U.S. Bank National Association ND, Mortgagee, dated March 31, 2006, and recorded on April 7, 2006, as Document Number 1162327, Barry County Records, , on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred NinetyThree and 11/100 ($148,593.11) including interest at the rate of 7.55000% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at a post on the North and South 1/4 line 14 chains and 45 links South of the 1/4 post in the center of Section 20, Town 3 North, Range 9 West, thence West 3 chains, thence South 2 chains, thence East 3 chains, to the 1/4 line, thence North on the 1/4 line 2 chains to the beginning. Commonly known as: 1692 ERWAY RD, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: August 10, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for US Bank National Association as successor by merger to U.S. Bank National Association ND 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00082-1 (08-10)(08-31) 204092 Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 28, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Molly Swartzlander, a married woman, whose address is 829 Greenwood Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, as original Mortgagors, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Amerifirst Financial Corporation, being a mortgage dated May 15,2017, and recorded on May 16,2017 as Document No. 2017-005058 in Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned to Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee of Discovery Mortgage Loan Trust, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated February 21, 2023 and recorded on February 21, 2023 and given Document Number 2023-001190 in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN AND 71/100 DOLLARS ($152,237.71). Said premises are situated in the Village of Middleville, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: Lot 38 of Middleville Downs No 2, Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, according to the Recorded Plat thereof as Recorded in Liber 5 of Plats on Page 13. Street Address: 829 Greenwood Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: August 17, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone((312) 541-9710. File No.: Ml 23 5111 (08-17)(09-07) 204500 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 21,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Juilene Chilton, a married woman, as her Sole and Separate Property Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: January 29,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 9,2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $320,880.02 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West described as follows: Beginning at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence North 00 degrees 12 minutes 48 seconds East, along the North and South 1/4 line of Section 28, a distance of 962.01 feet; thence South 89 degrees 47 minutes 12 seconds East, at right angles to said North and South 1/4 line, 594.42 feet; thence North 70 degrees 51 minutes 18 seconds East 113.00 feet; thence South 16 degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds East 84.15 feet; thence South 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds West 129.11 feet; thence South 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 seconds West 176.43 feet; thence North 77 degrees 25 minutes 58 seconds West 114.51 feet; thence South 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds West 399.26 feet; thence South 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds West 156.43 feet; thence South 20 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East 159.14 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 11.60 feet to the South line of said Section 28; thence North 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West, along said line, 337.17 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to and together with a non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and public utilities over a strip of land 66 feet width, the centerline of which is described as follows: Commencing at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence South 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East, along the South line of said Section 28, a distance of 337.17 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 208.40 feet; thence North 88 degrees 08 minutes 44 seconds East 35.10 feet to the true place of beginning of said centerline; thence North 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 32 seconds West 148.29 feet; thence North 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds East 121.90 feet; thence North 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds East 327.86 feet; thence North 86 degrees 10 minutes 49 seconds East 90.76 feet; thence North 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 seconds East 246.64 feet; thence North 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds East 129.11 feet; thence North 16 degrees, 11.minutes?;32 seconds . West 84.15 feet; thence South 70 degrees 51 minutes ”18 seconds West 113.00 feet; thence North 21 degrees 20 minutes 31 seconds West 168.54 feet; thence North 40 degrees 14 minutes 40 seconds East 130.44 feet; thence North 82 degrees 52 minutes 52 seconds East 213.48 feet; thence South 76 degrees 55 minutes 51 seconds East 104.49 feet; thence North 68 degrees 45 minutes 24 seconds East 112.30 feet to the centerline of Day Road and the point of ending Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 14950 Loon Lake Dr, Bellevue, Ml 49021-8228 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: August 24,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1507643 (08-24)(09-14) 204831 Financial F OCUS Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 49c of the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966,1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1449c, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Amanda Yahne, single woman Original Mortgagee: Neighborhood Loans, Inc. Date of mortgage: November 4, 2022 Recorded on November 10, 2022, in Document No. 2022011423, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Michigan State Housing Development Authority Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Seven and 52/100 Dollars ($136,927.52) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: PART OF THE WEST 1/2 OF SECTION 7, T1N, R9W, BARRY TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT 273.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7, SAID POINT ALSO BEING SOUTH 71 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 03 SECONDS EAST 335.14 FEET FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1, POPLAR BEACH PLAT AS RECORDED IN LIBER 3 OF PLATS, PAGE 14, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST, 135.40 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 18 SECONDS WEST, 146.28 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 16 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, 153.21 FEET; THENCE NORTH 49 DEGREES 53 MINUTES 03 SECONDS WEST, 216.81 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 265.04 FEET TO BEGINNING. EXCEPT:' COMMENCING AT THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH, 43 FEET; THHNCE EAST, 624.40 FEET; THENCE NORTH 62[DEGREES 40 MINUTES EAST, 143 FEET; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST 116.2 FEET TOA POINT WHICH IS SOUTH 43 DEGREES 45 MINUTES EAST, 25 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 5 OF THE RECORDED PLAT OF POPLAR BEACH, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS, SAID POINT BEING 168.41 FEET NORTH AND 834.68 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST, 274.50 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS 274.80 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE NORTH 50 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 52 SECONDS EAST, 136.60 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS NORTH 50 DEGREES 30 MINUTES EAST, 136.60 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 48 DEGREES 46 MINUTES EAST), 260.94 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF KLINE STREET TO A POINT BEING 279.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7 AND THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46. SECONDS. EAST, (PREVIOUSLY. RECORDED’ AS’ SOUTH 4'8''"DECREES' 4'8''"DECREES '46 MINUTES EAST) 1'6^6'' FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF: KLINE STREET TO THE CENTERLINE OF SPRAGUE ROAD; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 19 SECONDS WEST (PREVIOUSLY .RECORDED AS SOUTH 45 DEGREES 24 MINUTES WEST), 95.46 FEET; THENCE NORTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS WEST, 157.63 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 95.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 11438 Sytsma Dr, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 125.1449v, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 125.1449v(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Michigan State Housing Development Authority Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507066 (08-17X09-07) 204503 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL.;: The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Garage Sale SALE AT MID-LAKES Mini Storage. Three 10 x 20 units. September 1-4,2023 9-5. Auto­ motive Equipment and tools, cabinets, NASCAR items and household. 231-329-7096. Ifanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852­ 0667. /i asin ess Ser i 'ices BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Pets CAT - Young adult rescued, desperately need home, fully vetted, good indoors, friendly, playful, great companion, great with dogs. 269-948-4054 POMERANIAN PUPPIES: VERY very cute and playful. Up to date on shots and de­ worming, $550.00 (517)726­ 0706 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: , All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act apd the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Provided by the Barry County offices fEdward Jones Wendl Stratton CFP® Membcr SIPC ma*A<. ,v’sor Financial Advisor 421 w- Woodlawn Ave. MoS Mu Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 (517)760-8113 Should you invest... or speculate? You’ll find some big differ­ your longer-term bonds, which ences between traditional and generally—but not always-pay speculative investments — and higher rates than short-term ones. knowing these differences can And when interest rates rise, you matter a great deal when you’re can redeem your maturing short­ trying to reach your financial term bonds at potentially higher goals. rates. To begin with, let’s look at With speculative investments, the basic types oftraditional and though, price movements can be speculative investments. Tradi­ extreme as well as rapid. During tional investments are those with their short history, cryptocurren­ which you’re probably already cies in particular have shown familiar: stocks, bonds, mutual astonishingly fast moves up and funds, government securities, down, resulting in huge gains certificates ofdeposit (CDs) and followed by equally huge, or so on. Speculative investments bigger, losses. The risk factor for include cryptocurrencies, foreign crypto is exacerbated by its being currencies and precious metals largely unregulated, unlike with such as gold, silver and copper. stocks and bonds, whose transac­ Now, consider these three tions are overseen by welkestabcomponents of investing and lished regulatory agencies. There how they differ between tradi­ just isn’t much that investors can tional and speculative invest­ do to modulate the risk presented ments: by crypto and some other specu­ The first issue to consider is lative investments. risk. When you own stocks or A second key difference be­ stock-based mutual funds, the tween traditional and speculative value of your investments will investments is the time horizon fluctuate. And bond prices will involved. When you invest in also move up and down, largely stocks and other traditional in­ in response to changing interest vestments, you ideally should be rates. However, owning an ar­ in it for the long term — it’s not ray ofstocks — small-company, a “get rich quick” strategy. But large-company, international, etc. those who purchase speculative — can help reduce the impact of investments want, and expect, volatility on your stock portfolio. quick and sizable returns, despite And owning a mix ofshort- and the considerable risk involved. long-term bonds can help you de­ A third difference between the fend yourself somewhat against two types of investments is the interest-rate movements. When activity required by investors. interest rates fall, you’ll still have When you’re a long-term inves- tor in traditional investments, you may not have to do all that much, once you’ve built a portfo­ lio that’s appropriate for your risk tolerance, goals and time hori­ zon. After that point, it’s mostly just a matter ofmonitoring your portfolio and making occasional moves — you’re not constantly buying and selling, or at least you shouldn’t be. But when you speculate in crypto or other in­ struments, you are constantly watching prices move — and then making your own moves in response. It’s an activity that requires considerable attention and effort One final thought Not all speculative instruments are nec­ essarily bad investments. Pre­ cious metals, for instance, are found in some traditional mutu­ al funds, sometimes in the form of shares of mining companies. And even crypto may become more of a stable vehicle once additional regulation comes into play. But ifyou’re investing for long-term goals, such as a com­ fortable retirement—rather than speculating for thrills and quick gains, which may disappearjust as quickly — you may want to give careful thought to the types ofinvestments you pursue. This article was written byEd­ wardJonesfor use byyour local EdwardJones FinancialAdvisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement NOTICE Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale.' Placing the highest bld at the sale does not Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the high ; bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding t circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on SEPTEMBER 28, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by John C. Smith and Amanda J. Smith, to Fifth Third Mortgage - Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated December 12, 22007 and recorded January 11,2008 in Instrument Number 20080111-0000387 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, NA as Successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four and 82/100 Dollars ($107,004.82). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue aat the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on SEPTEMBER 28,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Rutland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Part of the Northwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 27, Town 3 North, Range 9 West, Rutland Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as commencing at the Northwest comer of said Section 27; thence South 66.00 feet along the West line of said Section 27 to the true Point of Beginning; thence East 200.00 feet parallel with the North line of said Section 27; thence South 600.00 feet parallel with said West line; thence West 200.00 feet parallel with said North line; thence North 600.00 feet along said West line to the Point of Beginning. 2031 Hubble Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: August 31,2023 File No. 23-008524 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (08^1X09-21) 205130 automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Elizabeth Lonergan, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: August 23,2013 Recorded on August 27, 2013, in Document No. 2013-010429, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Sixty-One Thousand Ninety-One and 16/100 Dollars ($61,091.16) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Commencing at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West, Hastings Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence North 1473.70 feet along the East line of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds West, 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence North 171.72 feet parallel with the said East line; thence North 89 degrees 00 minutes East, 200.03 feet to the East line; thence South 174.81 feet along the said East line to place of beginning. Also commencing at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; thence North 1409.78 feet along the East line of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 30 minutes West, 200.01 feet; thence North 65.26 feet parallel with said East line; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds East, 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence South 63.92 feet along the East line of said Section to the place of beginning. Commonly known as 718 Powell Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507067 (08-17X09-07) 204502 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29496-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Kelly Eileen Rutter-Sherman. Date of birth: February 22,1958. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Kelly Eileen Rutter-Sherman, died November 9,2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Nathaniel E. Boracci, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, #302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 8/26/2023 Trentadue Law Group PLC David M. Trentadue P51889 PO Box 7723 Ann Arbor, Ml 48107-77723 (734) 418-3246 Nathaniel E. Boracci 122 Cassistoaga Road, #217 Santa Rose, CA 95403-3702 (707) 339-3352 205081 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 31,2023 — Page 13 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Champions crowned at annual Jim Jensen 3-on-3 Lakewood exchange student Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue maneuvers through Charlotte defense during the Vikings 9-1 win inltheir CAAC-White opener at Lakewood High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ft® UCF took the championship in the 18-and-up division at the 2023 Hastings Summerfest Jim Jensen Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Saturday at Tyden Park. Team membe ers are (from left) Matt Newton, Gavin Wilson and Bryant Stewart* (Photo by Brett Bremer) Vikes close in on key conference clash well-timed passes through gaps that found teammates Sports Editor who were moving well without the ball. The Vikings have one more tuneup and then it is “The guys moved the ball around today, and tight­ on to the one they’ve been waiting for since last ened up a little bit defensively,” Lakewood head October. coach James LeVeque said. “We already know we The Lakewood varsity boys’ soccer team opened can score goals. We have seen it. We have scored the 2023 Capital Area Activities Conference White against everybody. We have played the bench a ton Division with a 9-1 victory over visiting Charlotte in the early part of the season, so we could have Tuesday at Lakewood High School - a victory that scored more goals than we have. Everybody has pushed the Vikings to 5-0 on the young season. They been playing, which is great. have outscored their opponents 36-7 so far. “I’m not worried about scoring goals though. I’m There was a non-conference contest with Pennworried about giving up goals. We have given up field on the slate for Wednesday and the Vikings go goals to teams ... we shouldn’t be giving up those on the road to face Eaton Rapids in a CAAC-White goals.” clash next Tuesday. Those Greyhounds are currently Troy Acker stepped up from the defense to the offto a 3-1 start to this season after extending their midfield to record three assists. 2022 season with a 2-1 win over the Lakewood boys The Viking defense was as solid as it needed to be in their district championship game at Eaton Rapids throughout the match Tuesday, and goalkeeper Ben last October. Scobey was in good position to make a couple nice Lakewood built a 7-0 lead in the first half against saves in the second half. Charlotte Tuesday, the i, t’s youngster,s dome action Coach LeVeque said that most of the defensive early,.,ini th^^econ^- lgd^^aq^Gth^i finished ofF the ^i^ue.s so fer lhis season have had to do more^with^ , victory with 16 minutes stiff left on the^cjoek. staying focused in games where his team should Be"' Donnie Wells, Garret Feighan, Weston Potter, in control rather than anything physically or techni­ Brendan Snider, Connor Merritt, Jackson MacKen­ cally going wrong. zie and Miles Grinnell each scored oncfe for Lake­ “We have the exact same defense back as last year, wood and Spanish exchange student Bruno Cano and the same goalie, and we have depth in those Fernandez Vegue found the back ofthe net twice as spots,” LeVeque said. “I am not concerned about our the Vikings combined solid passing with good offthe defense, but I want them to start locking in because the ball movement throughout the game. games are going to get harder. Eaton Rapids is going Cano Fernandez Vegue now has 11 goals in five to be a tough game. That should be for the league games, and head coach James LeVeque believes the championship. They have a lot of guys back just like best is yet to come as the Vikings face stiffer chal­ we do. So, we need to be ready for it and I’d like to see lenges ahead. our defense ramp it up a little bit before we get there.” The Vikings did a good job of workihg together Alex Gonzalez had the lone goal for the Orioles offensively. None ofthe nine goals were scored by a early in the second half. player pushing the play on his own to try and find the Charlotte had just one sub on the bench for the net. There were good overlapping runs on the run and contest. Brett Bremer bL- f ... tfE XI icrue • KF hp <bp? ta Wiiwnpiwii^qBj. Dream Team took the championship in the 15-17 division at the 2023 Hastings Summerfest Jim Jensen Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Saturday at Tyden Park. Team members are (from left) Tyler VanDerMeulen, Titis Spencer, coach Kyler Jackson, Grant Spencer and Brayden Jackson. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Itakty-llUlkRtMtab t«aow MM M rwW»<» Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 21,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Bryan M. Perreault, married man and Jenea Perreault, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: January 22,2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: January 29,2020 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $135,727.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Irving, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Unit No. 2, Daisy Lane No. 1, according to the Master Deed recorded in instrument No. 1095651, as amended, and designated as Barry County Condominium Subdivision Plan No 27, together with rights in the general common elements and the limited common elements as shown on the Master Deed and as described as Act 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended. Common street address (if any): 2517 Daisy Ln, Middleville, Ml 49333-8140 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: August 24,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1507593 (08-24)(09-14) 204830 ^**!*; !; ; Ice Spice Elite took the championship in the 15-17 division at the 2023 Hastings Summerfest Jim Jensen Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Saturday at Tyden Park. Team members are (from left) Trevin Russell, Bryce Etheridge, Quincy Brown and Johan Hamp. (Photo by Brett Bremer) HHS girls win six of their first nine matches Brett Bremer 2. ■F r r f 5^' {te ** Sports Editor The Hastings varsity volleyball team split a pair of matches at the West Michigan Aviation Academy Quad Tuesday, Aug. 22. The Saxons fell to the host Avia­ tors 25-18, 25-9 and then bounced back for a 25-6, 25-9 win over Kelloggsville. Hastings head coach Erin Slaugh­ ter said her girls came out a little flat and never could get into their groove against the Aviators, but did a good job ofturning things around against the Rockets. “I’m happy to see the team in this new line-up, but also that they are able to bounce back after a game where they didn’t play very well. They were mentally strong and then found their rhythm,” coach Slaugh­ ter said. Hastings opened its season at Fremont’s First Dig Invitational Aug. 18. The Saxons were 5-2 overall on the day to place second overall. Fremont bested the Saxons, and the Hastings girls took wins over Tri-County, White Cloud, Holton and Frankfort. Rachael Hewitt led the Saxons team with 43 kills. Liliana Fox and Bri Darling did much of the Sax­ ons’ passing. Abby Beemer put up 94 assists. Audrey Vertalka had a team-high 15 solo blocks on the day. Olivia Friddle added 17 aces. While the Saxons shuffle their positions in the early season, Slaughter was happy to see every­ one sharing the load, working hard and pulling their weight. Hastings was scheduled to visit Hackett Catholic Prep last night. The Saxons host Charlotte after the Labor Day break, Sept. 7. Lakewood exchange student Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue maneuvers through Charlotte defense during the Vikings 9-1 win in their CAAC-White opener at Lakewood High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) NOTICE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1pm, on Thursday, September 14,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing thejiigrie^’bld’aftHe";sale 3oes not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. The foreclosure sale is pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Mortgage made by CHRISTOPHER B. WALKER and SHANNON J. WALKER, Mortgagors, to First National Bank of America, Mortgagee, dated November 9, 2004, and recorded November 17, 2004, in Instrument Number 1137316, of Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due as of the date of this notice $78,271.34, including interest at 9.95% per annum. Said premises are situated in Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Beginning at the NW comer of the SE1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 9, T4N, R9W; thence 26 2/3 rods East; thence South 12 rods; thence West 26 2/3 rods; thence North approximately 12 rods to the place of beginning. Together with rights of ingress and egress over the currently established road, except that part deeded to the State of Michigan in Liber 246 on Page 589; c/k/a 6153 Cain Creek, Freeport, Ml 49325. The redemption period shall be six months from the date of the sale, unless the premises are determined to be abandoned pursuant to MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be one month, or until the time to provide the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c) expires, whichever is later. The redemption period further may be shortened pursuant to MCL 600.3238(10) if the property is not adequately maintained, or if the purchaser is denied the opportunity to inspect the property. Please be advised that if the mortgaged property is sold at a foreclosure sale by advertisement, pursuant to MCL600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale, or to the mortgage holder, for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Dated: August 17,2023 Randall T. LeVasseur P41712 LeVasseur Dyer & Associates, PC Attorneys for Mortgagee 3233 Coolidge Hwy Berkley, Ml 48072 (248)236-1765. (08-17)(09-07) 204504 Notice of Public Hearing on Increasing Property Taxes Barry Township will hold a public hearing on a proposed increase of 0.2723 mills in the operating tax millage rate to be levied in 2023. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at 11300 S. M-43 Hwy., Delton, Ml 49046. The date and location of the meeting to take action on the proposed additional millage will be announced at this public meeting. If adopted, the proposed additional millage will increase operating revenues from ad valorem property taxes 5.8% over such revenues generated by levies permitted without holding a hearing. If the proposed additional millage rate is not approved the operating revenue will increase by 2.00% over the preceding year's operating revenue. The taxing unit publishing this notice, and identified below, has complete authority to establish the number of mills to be levied from within its authorized millage rate. This notice is published by: Barry Township 11300 S. M-43 Hwy. Delton, Ml 49046 204570 269-623-5171 �Page 14 — Thursday, August 31, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Viking spikers off to a successful start to ‘23 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity volleyball team settled into the new season with a 5-0 per­ formance at the Capital Area Activities Conference Preseason Tournament and then stepped up to go 3-0 at the Corner­ stone University Quad Aug. 22 and 3-0 at the East Kentwood Quad Aug. 24. The Lakewood girls took a 25-18, 25-18 win over Forest Hills Central, a 25-22, 25-10 win over Holland Christian and a 12-25, 25-22, 15-13 win over Rockford at Cornerstone. “It was a bigjump in the level ofcompe­ tition and it was great to see us handle it so well,” Lakewood head coach Cameron Rowland said. “Our offense was excep­ tional against Forest Hills Central and Holland Christian and then against Rock­ ford we started out playing terribly and then slowly figured out how to cause them fits, and in the tight situations we made some big plays for the separation we need­ ed at the end ofset two and three. Emma Duffy, the Vikings’ sophomore setter, put up 35 assists and had a teamhigh seven aces on the night, adding 16 digs too. Abby Pickard added 32 assists to go with 20 kills, 30 digs and seven blocks. Alivia Everitt matched Pickard for the Lakewood lead in kills with 20 and Cadence Poll tied Pickard for the team lead in blocks with seven ofher own. Maryssa Goble chipped in 17 digs and 4 kills at the net. Cadence had 9 kills and Duffy finished with eight. Senior libero Carley Piercefield record­ ed 51 digs to go with six assists and three aces. Hayden Bump and Camyla Copelin had 5 aces each and Jazzy Stewart had three aces to go with her 19 digs. Copelin added 11 digs and Goble had ten. “I do think our ability to command the ball and hit our serving spots is going to be crucial for us all season as when we have teams scrambling we have the arms this year to terminate much more efficiently than a season ago,” Rowland said. “I am excited to see how we continue to progress throughout the season and continue to get better each and every time we play.” At the CAAC Preseason Tournament, the Vikings bested Fowlerville, Lansing Waverly, Eaton Rapids, Portland and St. Johns in straight sets. There was more tough volleyball ahead for the Vikings whq defeated Grand Ledge, Traverse City Cen­ tral and Traverse City St. Francis at the East Kentwood Quad Thursday. The Vikings split their four matches at the Rockford Rumble Saturday. They beat Hudsonville 25-23, 26-24 and Portage Central 25-17,25-13, and fell 29-31,25-22, 15-11 to Grand Rapids Christian and 25-21, 25-14 to Lowell. The Vikings will keep pushing them­ selves in the non-conference schedule. The team’s new conference, the Capital Area Activities Conference White Divi­ sion, should do a little betterjob ofprep- Saxon freshman breaks 20 at South Brett Bremer ping the Vikings for the postseason than the Greater Lansing Activities Conference did over the years. “1 am more excited to coach this group than any other I have had as I told the team what we look like from now until Novem­ ber is going to be completely different,” Rowland said. “We have a tremendous amount of room for growth and we are going to see that growth every single day. “Our schedule does not provide much breathing room and our new conference will hopefully provide a bit more of a test than it has in recent years. As the season progresses I am hoping to see our athletes new to varsity continue to expand and own their roles for the big moments. I have been challenging the team a little bit more each day to push their belief of what their role looks like and to strive to make the most of it and then grow it.” That new conference line-up in the Cap­ ital Area Activities Conference White Division contains the Vikings’ old Greater Lansing Activities Conference rivals from Olivet as well as Lansing Catholic, Port­ land, Ionia, Eaton Rapids, Lansing Sexton and Charlotte. The Lansing Catholic girls were a top ten team in Division 2 at the end ofthe 2022 season. The Vikings still plan on working to be one of the top teams in the state in Division 2 while trying to extend their streaks of20 consecutive conference championships, nine consecutive district titles and nine consecutive regional championships this season. Getting by the Eagles in districts will be a tough task. “As I told the returners, this year is going to be more difficult than ever for us and require even more work than we have put in in the past, but it is also going to be that much more rewarding too as we cele­ brate every improvement and milestone we reach,” Rowland said. That group ofreturnees is a talented one with returning senior three-time all-state libero Piercefield andjunior all-state setter/ outside hitter Pickard. Piercefield is a three-time all-state player. As far as the Vikings go in the postseason this season is as far as Rowland will be leading the program. The Viking head coach has made the tough decision that this will be his final season leading the Lakewood pro­ gram, but he is expecting this to be one of the most rewarding campaigns yet. “I do not have the time required after ||iis year to continue to maintain and grow the program at its current level,” he said. “This decision was one ofthe hardest deci­ sions I have ever had to make as this pro­ gram has been a part ofmy entire life, but it is what is right for the program to be able to maintain its perennial power and at a right time for it to be taken over in great hands. I would not be having this be my final season ifthat was not the case.” The Vikings will play their first home match Sept. 6, taking on Lowell. The only other home date on the slate before October is a conference dual with Sexton Sept. 19. Saxon freshman Caroline Randall runs to a personal record time and a fourth place finish in the Starlight Division girls' race at South Christian's Under the Lights Invitational Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ummmttuam D RICK KROUSE on his retirement from the Hastings Fire Department. Rick is retiring on Aug. 31, 2023 after 39 years of dedicated service to our community. A public gathering will be held at Barry County Central Dispatch, 2600 Nashville Rd., Hastings on Friday, September 1,2023 \ from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Please Join us for refreshments as we honor Rick's years of volunteerism, leadership, and training ofhundreds ofnew firefighters and, ofcourse, storytelling and memories. Hastings junior Brandon Simmons rounds a turn on the grounds of South Christian High School during the Sailors' annual Under the Lights Invitational Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) City of Hastings REQUEST FOR BIDS Sale of Vehicle The City of Hastings will accept bids.for the sale of a pickup truck: Truck #30 - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE CREW CAB, ONYX BLACK 4WD 6.6L Duramax Diesel, Allison 6 Speed Transmission, Air, Cruise, Tilt, Power windows and locks, keyless remote entry with approximately 6,300 miles. 7 Minimum Bid - $52,500 This vehicle will be sold in “as-is” condition without any warranty. Arrangements to view this vehicle can be made by calling 269-9452468 weekdays between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in any bid, and to award the bid in a manner that the City deems to be in its best interest, price and other factors considered. Bids will be received at the office of the Hastings City Clerk/ Treasurer, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 until 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. No formal bidding forms or documents are required, but all bids must be in writing and sealed. All sealed bids must be clearly marked on the outside of the bid package as follows: “SEALED BID - Truck #30”. Christopher Bever Cit^Clerk/TreasuiBr Saxon junior Micah Johnson works his way along with the crowd during the final mile of the South Christian Under the Lights Invitational Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings junior Anika Bourassa works her way around the first mile of the course at South Christian High School Friday during the Under the Lights Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sports Editor Saxon freshman Caroline Randall showed once again she’ll be a star at South Chris­ tian’s Under the Lights Invitational Friday. . Randall placed fourth in the Starlight Big Schools Division race at the Sailors’ annual late night run. Randall was the only fresh­ man in the top 12 in the eight-team stand­ ings and accomplished her goal ofpushing her varsity personal record under 20 min-, utes. She finished her first varsity race in 20. minutes 2.9 seconds in Portage the previous weekend and hit the finish line Friday in 19:26.5. All three girls that finished ahead of her ran at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals last November, and two ofthem were state medalists. The Saxon girls’ team was seventh and the boys’ team sixth in their Starlight Big School competitions. It was a brutal slate ofcompet­ itors in their eight-team competition includ­ ing OK Red Conference foes Grand Haven and East Kentwood as well as the East Grand Rapids teams that took home trophies from the state finals in Division 2 a year ago (boys’ first, girls’ second). A trio of Saxons earned medals in the Starlight races. Brandon Simmons was 29th overall and Riley Shults 33rd, and they placed higher than that in the team scoring when the Starlight races were broken down into their Big School and Small School divi­ sions. Grand Havenjunior Valerie Beeck was the individual girls’ champion in 18:46.30. Zee­ land East teammates Allison Kuzma and Emma Dmek were second and third overall. Kuzma came in at 19:04.30 and Dmek at 19:20.00. Despite being a freshman, it wasn’t Ran­ dall’s first Under the Lights contest. She competed in an open JV race as an eighth grader she said. “There were some parts between the gaps of lights where it was a little dark, but it was a good course. .! liked it,” Randall said - not­ ing it seemed a bit darker than in 2022. “I improved my time quite a bit.” “I started in sixth grade, and I have started running all year round — seven days a week usually. That is what I did to prepare for this season was seven days a week,” Randall said. In between moments spent cheering for her teammates rounding the final turn into the finish line Friday night, Randall thought long and hard about the last time she took a day off from running. “I was sick one time. I had a fever, so I didn’t run that day. That was the beginning of summer, early June,” Randall said. Randall said that if the workout with the team isn’t enough she’ll put in some extra miles with her father Greg. “Ijust love it. It isjust what I do. I love it,” Randall said ofrunning every day. She knocked her time down to 19:10.7 as the Saxons competed in Marshall’s Barney Roy Invitational Tuesday - although head coach Steve Collins noted that the course at Turkeyville was about 200 meters too short Tuesday so she was right at about her pace from Friday night. She is already among the five fastest varsity Saxon girls ever and has her sights set on chasing down school record holder Trista Straube’s time of 18:39.9 before the season is up. The four fastest guys in the Starlight boys’ race all finished in less than 16 minutes with East Grand Rapids senior Alex Thole win­ ning in 15:40.40, about 13.5 seconds ahead of Grand Haven senior Seth Norder who has had runner-up finishes at the DI state finals in each ofthe past two seasons. Norder and the Buccaneers took the team title in the Starlight Big School race Friday though with 37 points, ahead of East Kent­ wood 49, East Grand Rapids 59, Cedar Springs 100, Zeeland East 131, Hastings 135 and Kenowa Hills 212. Simmons was 18th in the scoring with a time of 17:23.90 to lead the Saxon boys. Senior teammates Shults and Jonah Teed weren’t too far behind in 20th and 27th respectively. Shults hit the finish line in 17:32.80 and Teed in 1807.10. The Saxon boys’ team also had junior Micah Johnson 36th in 18:31.20, senior Reu­ ben Solmes 40th in 18:49.60, senior Caleb LaBoe 48th in 19:15.90 and freshman Max­ son Eichorst 65th in 20:46.00. Zeeland East beat out Grand Haven for the Starlight Big School girls’ championship 40-47. East Grand Rapids was third with 73 points ahead of East Kentwood 107, Cedar Springs 142, Reeths-Puffer 155, Hastings 203 and Kenowa Hills 224. Behind Randall for the Saxon team, Chloe Pirtle was 88th 27:17.10, Alexa DeCamp 90th in 27:24.60, Lilianna Enyart 105th in 28:59.20, Alexia Owen 125th in 32:22.30 and Anika Bourassa 133rd in 36:49.20. Solmes and Johnson from the boys’ team joined Randall, Shults and Simmons in win­ ning medalist honors at Turkeyville Tuesday. Randall was second overall in the girls’ race. Shults was ninth in the boys’ race, Simmons 12th, Solmes 14th and Johnson 16th. Marshall won the boys’ race with 27 points, ahead ofParma Western 55, Hastings 73, Olivet 85, Charlotte 121, Pennfield 185 and Springport 207. The Hastings boys also had LaBoe 23rd, Teed 24th and Eichorst 37th. Charlotte took the girls’ championship with 49 points, ahead of Parma Western 53, Marshall 55, Stockbridge 117, Olivet 121 and Hastings 129. The Saxon girls’ team had Pirtle 44th, DeCamp 50th, Enyart 52nd, Owen 68th and Bourassa 78th. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-09-07.pdf fb6c6eac5f73d2710ca43dde5ed73bde PDF Text Text Local decision-making over government overreach See story on page 4 LOT-C 005 COO5 Richard Hemerling 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-1134 7/30/2024 9a:.2 zo5:u 0u0 AM HASTINGS VOLUME 169, No. Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 ANNER RICE $1.50 * Thursday, September 7,2023 Sheriff’s office files lawsuit against county,) claims FOIA requests not honored has been the sheriff’s department’s designate Banner Staff ed deputy to investigate alleged fraud front: Allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 pres­ the 2020 election, submitted a FOIA request idential election by Barry County SheriffDar to the county. The sheriff’s office and county Leafhave reached a new level. later “discussed certain aspects and clarifica-i Leaf’s office has filed a lawsuit against tions to the request.” Barry County government, alleging the On Aug. 4, 2022, the county submitted a' county has failed to release election-related bill to the sheriff’s department for $*3,019.76 emails that were asked for in a Freedom of as the costs of processing the FOIA and asked), Information Act (FOIA) request filed by the for full payment before the emails would be sheriff’s office. The suit was filed Aug. 29, released. No payment was made at the time court records show, and there is no hearing and the request was considered “abandoned,” set as ofyet. court records show. Leafdid not respond to a request for com­ The FOIA request was resubmitted by Note­ ment on the matter. boom on Jan. 10 ofthis year to David Shinaviv “Defendant Barry County has wrongfully er, the county’s information technology and: withheld and/or otherwise failed to produce geographic information systems director. It responsive records in a timely manner which asked to “inspect or receive copies of any and PlaintiffBarry County Sheriff’s Office is enti­ all e-mails, inbound and outbound” from any, tled to receive under the FOIA,” the lawsuit employee of the county clerk’s office, the reads. “Defendant Barry County has acted Michigan Secretary of State, the Michigan) arbitrarily and capriciously in its delay and/or Attorney General’s office, the county *prosecu refusal to comply with the FOIA and its own tor’s office, city ofHastings, and all townships) policies. Defendant Barry County has acted in Barry County that include the words “invest intentionally in its delay and/or refusal to tigation,” “election,” “EPB, (for electronic poll book)” “integrity,” “poll book,” “pollbook? comply with the FOIA and its own policies.” The sheriff’s office first submitted the See SHERIFF, page j request for the election-related emails on May 4, 2022. Deputy Mark Noteboom, who Jayson Bussa & Greg Chandler Sheriff Dar Leaf speaks in front of the Barry County Board of Commissioners earlier in the summer. Leaf’s,office recently filed, a lawsuit against the county government, alleging that it failed to fulfill a FOIA request he submitted in an effort to find and expose voter fraud. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Owners, administrators of assisted living facilities bring their concerns over COA project to county board Jayson Bussa Editor A group of people who own and operate private senior care facilities around Barry County have become more vocal about objec­ tions to the ongoing vision for the new­ ly-planned Commission on Aging. On Tuesday, they brought those concerns to the county board’s Committee of the Whole. Spearheaded by Makenzi Peters, adminis­ trator for Middleville-based Carveth Village, the group turned up the volume on their grievances associated with the new $3 mil- A group of people representing assisted living facilities in Hastings and beyond gather around, and speak with, Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Jackson (center) upon the conclusion of Tuesday morning’s meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) lion COA facility, which is to be built on county-owned land southeast ofHastings. The Commission on Aging, a county department that is focused on delivering a variety of services for seniors, was in sore need of a new facility, as their current build­ ing at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings is in a perpetual state ofdisrepair. In an effort to cut costs associated with the new construction, and to leverage existing services of another county-operated entity, the new plan is to connect the COA building with Harvest Pointe, an assisted living facili­ ty that is owned and operated by Thomapple Manor, a non-profit skilled nursing facility run by the county. The COA and Harvest Pointe would share a kitchen space, allowing the COA to produce food for Meals on Wheels on-site rather than order it from Grand Rapids. A hall would connect the two buildings and the plan also includes a co-mingling outdoor space. As outlined in a Banner report last week, one of the primary concerns that private­ ly-owned facilities have with the plan is that the COA and Harvest Pointe would become synonymous with each other, creating an anti-competitive climate in the local industry. “Regardless of price, (Harvest Pointe) charges residents to live there which means See COA PROJECT, page 3 Retired TTES Fire Chief Randy Eaton waves as the grand marshal of the 2022 Middleville Heritage Days Parade on Main Street. (Photos by Brett Bremer) Heritage Days brings festivities! to Middleville this weekend Greg Chandler Staff Writer Middleville’s annual Heritage Days cele­ bration' is set for this weekend. , The two-day festival begins Friday afternoort with the Middleville Market at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion at 3 p.m. and will run until 7 p.m. Live music by Ellie Youngs will take place at the Downtown Development Authority amphitheater from 6:30 to 8:30) p.m., with , the Lions Club offering c*onces sions during the concert. Saturday’s festivities will include the annu^ al Heritage Days parade, which begins at 10 a.m. downtown. After the parade, the Charlie See HERITAGE DAYS, page 3 Hastings student struck by car while running across street Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A student was struck by a car last week in a Hastings neighborhood while walking hpme from school. »r The incident occurred around 3;Q7 p.m. bn Wednesday, Aug. 30 according to a Hast­ ings Police Department report. The victim, a 13-year-old Hastings Middle Schbol stu­ dent, was struck by a driver on Clinton Street between Park and Washington Street. Witnesses on the scene said the victim suddenly attempted to cross the street mid­ block, giving the driver little time to react. Witnesses also said the driver, a Hastings High School student, appeared to be driving the posted speed limit and made attempts to stop the vehicle and avoid the pedestrian. The pedestrian appeared to suffer only minor injuries and was alert, conscious and standing on the: scene after the accident. Police and EMS treated the victim arid con­ tacted her parents before she was transported by Mercy Ambulance to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. Hastings Police ChiefDale Boulter said the incident could have had a much worse outcome if the driver involved was not driving carefully. “Very lucky. It could have been much worse,” Boulter said. “I’m glad the driver of the vehicle was not traveling at a high rate of speed, (otherwise) it could have been totally different.” Boulter said the incident underscores why it’s important for drivers to be extra cautious in the hours when students are walking to and from school.. “Itjust goes to show us that children don’t always pay attention,” Boulter said. “That’s why we as drivers need to pay attention, so the outcome is as best as it could be.” The Thornapple Kellogg High School Marching Band led by the color guard make| its way along Main Street in downtown Middleville during last year's annual Heritage Days Parade. �® Thursday, September 7, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Plant-based cooking school aims to inspire recipes from the garden The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club will host a cooking school featuring nutrit tious, plant-based recipes filled with garden vegetables and other healthy foods on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. E participants can get the most out of their summer garden hauls and will enjoy food demonstrations and samples while learning the health benefits of farm-to-table meals. Featured recipes will include tasty ratatouille; summer taco filling that can be eaten in a lettuce wrap, as a topping on a salad bowl or inside a taco shell; and rich no-bake date oatmeal walnut balls. Recipes will be provided. The free presentation will be hosted at the Hastings Seventh-day Adventist Church community hall, 888 Terry Lane, off Star School Road in Hastings. • The program and materials are free; free-will offerings are welcome. e The Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club is a health ministry supported by the Hast­ ings Seventh-day Adventist Church to educate its members and the community. it To register, or for more information, contact Janice Cleary, 269-804-9959, or email B|tealthylivingsupperclub@gmail. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute fundraiser raises record-breaking numbers E Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s annual Gala in the Garden fundraiser broke records in July, raising $40,000 for community programming and for hosting summer college researchers. Ofthe total $40,000, $20,500 was raised for the Institute’s Fund a Future program. Last year, the gala raised a total of $34,200. Representatives from the Institute thanked the community for its support. I Next year, the Institute’s Gala in the Garden will be held on Saturday, July 27,2024. Moolenaar staff available to discuss constituent assistance Staff members from the office of United States Congressman John Moolenaar are hosting meeting times across the district this month where constituents can sit down to discuss personal casework issues they are having with a federal agency. | Moolenaar’s office is offering help to constituents who need assistance with a federal agency, including Veterans Affairs and the IRS. Staff members will be available locally in the coming weeks in Ionia, Hastings and Sunfield. On Tuesday, Sept. 19, Moolenaar staffwill be at the Ionia Community Library, 126 East Main Street, from 10 to 11 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 26, staff will be available at the Hastings Public Library, 227 East State Street, from 9 to 10 a.m. Staff will also be available that day at the Sunfield Township Hall, 145 Main Street, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Legal advice offered to Barry County seniors The Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct inter­ views for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested Barry County seniors this month. Those who wish to speak with an attorney should visit the Delton Faith United Church, 503 S. Grove St. in Delton, between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Legal Services ofSouth Central Michigan-Battle Creek office is a nonprofit organiza­ tion that provides legal assistance, representation and education to low-income residents in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. Barry County United Way seeking cereal donations The Barry County United Way is collecting cereal throughout September to help sup­ ply the organization’s Fresh Food Initiative. Citing rising costs, United Way organizers say it is becoming difficult to purchase much-needed food items for its Fresh Food Initiative program. Because ofthis, the Barry County United Way is seeking the generosity of locals to help offset costs and ensure local families are fed. Those looking to support the Fresh Food Initiative can drop offtheir new, unopened and unexpired cereal boxes at the Barry County United Way office, 231 S. Broadway in Hastings., MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 #8110376 & Insured NOTICE: SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS Hastings police officer moves to school support role after 25 years of service at department Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings police officer Josh Sensiba has trained many recruits over the years, teaching them all about three types of attitudes: look what I can do, look what I have to do and look what I get to do. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it’s always the best idea. If you are doing something because you have to, you will come to resent your work and never give it your all. However, ifyou see the opportuni­ ty to do your job as a privilege, it will empower you to do the best work you can do, Sensiba said. Sensiba has always pushed recruits to find themselves in the “look what I get to do” camp, where he’s firmly planted himself for the last 25 years he’s served the department. Being able to work as a community police officer has always felt like a tremendous priv­ ilege, Sensiba said. Hastings Police Officer Josh Sensiba poses for a photo with Administrative Assistant “They pay me to do this, man. They’re Danielle Petrak, one of many staff members who contribute to his daily task of sup­ crazy,” Sensiba said. “I feel like every night porting students. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) when I go home, I’m sticking it to the man because they pay me to do what I love. Is that crazy or what? That’s been my philoso­ stantly moving - the care that they have for the the uncomfortable feelings surrounding police students is really second to none, and I appre­ officers in schools, with some arguing they phy, glass half full, my entire career. I still ciate that. I see how hard they work,” Sensiba contribute to the “school-to-prison pipeline.” stick by it.” said. “They don’t have a second to sit down He wants to assure those with any uneasy feel­ Although Sensiba has always loved his and relax, and to me that is amazing. The care ings that he is aware of those greater social position at HPD, he admits he was thinking issues at play and is doing everything he can to about retiring this past February after a quar­ that they give these students, it’s phenomenal.” In his daily duties, Sensiba supports the make a positive impact on students’ lives. ter-century of service. That’s when Hastings district in a few different ways. As a police “I am not up here to get any ofthese students Police Chief Dale Boulter, hoping to keep officer, he’s a designated first responder for in trouble. In fact, myjob is the complete oppo­ Sensiba in the department, presented him any emergencies. He also helps the district be site. My job is to keep them out of trouble,” with the opportunity to become a school prepared for those situations by coordinating Sensiba said. “My job is to mentor these kids, resource officer at Hastings High School. “He knew that I would not turn down that • safety drills and preparing “go-bags” full of keep them safe and make their high school emergency supplies for each classroom. Sensicareer enjoyable with a conducive learning opportunity. I love kids, I love mentoring. ba said the largest portion ofhis time has been environment that they don’t have to stress over.” I’ve always done that,” Sensiba said. dedicated to simply interacting with students. Outside of his office, Sensiba maintains a “Throughout my 25 years, I’ve done more Sensiba follows the triad method ofschool friendly presence throughout the school. He mentoring than anything, whether it’s adults policing, a model that calls for officers to be said he’ll often get called into classrooms by or kids. That’s what I love about my job.” a law enforcement officer 10 percent of the students eager to show him their latest proj­ The school resource officer position was something both the school district and the time, a teacher for another 10 percent and a ects, and students often joke back and forth department have been trying to implement mentor for 80 percent. In reality, Sensiba said with him during their lunch hour. Sensiba said for some time. This year, the conditions were his split has been more like 95 percent mentor he’s been humbled by the positive response he’s received from students, who have grown just right. The district received a grant to help and 5 percent teacher. Alongside school counselors, Sensiba aims accustomed to greeting him outside the high fund the position, and the police department has increased its staffing levels to help light­ to provide students with a healthy .support school with a fist bump every morning. system to ensure they stay on the right track. “One day, after weeks (of being out there en its load. His office acts as a space where students can to greet students), there was a day I had a Sensiba’s been working at the high school since the school year started about three vent their frustrations at school, at home or in meeting and I couldn’t be out there. I was in weeks ago. He said the experience has been their personal lives before they head back to the lunchroom later and I heard about it. ‘We an “eye-opener,” leaving him in awe at what class. Even though he’s only been at the dis­ didn’t get our fist bump!’ That’s the stuff that teachers, administrators and staff do at the trict for three weeks, he said it’s a space that makes this job priceless,” Sensiba said. “If I district every day. While he always knew many students have been utilizing already. could create a perfectjob for me, this checks Sensiba stressed that his goal as a school educators worked hard, seeing those efforts every box. I love working with students, teen­ resource officer is primarily to help kids stay on agers, kids, people. If I can help shape them up close is still impressive, he said. “To see them in action on a daily basis contrack, not punish them. He’s aware of some of or keep them out oftrouble, that is my goal.” “qualified voter file,” “QVF,” “ballot,” or “fraud” anywhere in the document, according to court records. The scope of such a request would yield thousands, if not tens of thousands, ofemails that then must be sifted through. “This is an active criminal investigation,’ there shall be no redaction of information,” Noteboom wrote in the FOIA request. The FOIA law requires a governmental entity that receives a request for information for public records must respond within five days. The suit claims the county did not respond to the sheriff’s office request by Jan. 20, which was five business days after the request was received. In March, the county once again submitted a bill for $3,019.76 for expenses connected with the FOIA request and said the emails would not be released unless the bill was paid in full upfront. A statement from the county on its expense report said “the number of hours required to review and redact emails, due to the broad scope of the request, is excessive and well beyond the amount that should be absorbed by the county.” On April 19, the sheriff’s office paid the FOIA bill in full. However, the suit claims the county still has not released any of the requested emails. In its request for relief, the sheriff’s office called for the county to be ordered to release the emails, to reimburse the sheriff’s office the full amount offees that were paid, to pay attorney fees and costs related to the lawsuit, as well as imposing of civil fines allowed under the state Freedom of Information Act law. The law allows for fines to be issued of no less than $2,500 and no more than $7,500 per occurrence. Kentwood lawyer Thomas Lambert has been retained to represent the sheriff’s office in the lawsuit. Lambert previously represented gun owners in a 2020 lawsuit challenging a directive from Secretary of State Jocelyn Ben­ son making it illegal for anyone to open carry a firearm within 100 feet of a polling place entrance or exit, inside any polling place or any hallway used to access a polling place. Barry County Administrator Michael Brown serves as FOIA coordinator - all FOIA requests go through his office before being diverted to the applicable departments. To Brown’s knowledge, the necessary county officials were working with the Sheriff’s department to fulfill the request. The abrupt lawsuit caught Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Jackson by surprise, saying that the county’s various departments have a long track record of working collaboratively to iron , out issues. According to Jackson, this lawsuit came “abruptly” and “without any communication.” “When I was learning about this, it was very disappointing and very frustrating at the same time that we got such a good record and there is always that spirit ofcooperation here but yet this was kind of done just abruptly or quickly with­ out allowing any conversation or any potential resolution for it,” Jackson said. “It kind ofgoes against the spirit ofwhat we try to do here.” Jackson added that he expects the county to work and keep this matter out ofcourt.1 “We’re going to, of course, see ifthere is a solution to this that doesn’t involve legal going to court over this,” he said. “That would be just ridiculous. We’ll work with legal counsel as needed.” reyou interested in learning more^^ about the Catholic Church?” Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council -1 position Community Corrections Advisory Board - 1 Service Area, 1 Business Community, 1 Criminal Defense Attorney, 1 Communications Media, 1 Citizen at Large, 1 Workforce Investment Board Department of Health and Human Services - 1 position Parks & Recreation Commission - 2 positions Solid Waste Oversight Committee - 2 General Public; 1 Solid Waste Industry Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church? If so, we invite you to a special opportunity: We are forming a group to explore the teachings of the Catholic faith and to search for a greater understanding of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Perhaps you are thinking about becoming Catholic yourself. Perhaps you want to understand your Catholic friend a bit better. Or, perhaps you are just curious to know what Catholics believe. All are welcome to come and see. Classes begin Thursday, September 21, at St. Rose at Lima Church, 805 South Jefferson Street, Hastings, Michigan. Classes will meet weekly on Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor ofthe Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings^ jpvw.barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application. Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25,2023. Contact 269-945-1384 for more information. 204324 1 / A 5’*2®^5’J &1 *^*«^« **** MB*MB* SHERIFF, continued from page The Barry County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Barry County Conservation Easement Board - 1 Agricultural Interest; 1 Conservation Interest; 1 Township Official/designee Building Authority - 1 position Commission on Aging Board - 4 positions I Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Religious Ed Room. Attendance is free. For more information, please contact Phil Green at philgreenofstrosecagmail.com As for Lambert, who is representing the Sheriff’s department, county administrator Brown said Leafhasn’t indicated that he will be billing the county for whatever expenses he incurs, ifany. This falls in line with circumstances sur­ rounding other legal actions Leaf has taken in the past, including last year when Leaffiled a lawsuit against various state officials and members of the Michigan State Police for allegedly harassing him and interfering with his voter fraud investigation. In that case, he was represented by then-at­ torney Stefanie Lambert Junttila, who has since been charged with alleged wrongdoing associated with the acquisition and testing of voting equipment. When Leaf worked with Junttila, he never billed the county for any legal expenses. “Based on his past practice, I don’t antici­ pate seeing a bill for this,” Brown said ofthe lawsuit against the county. The lawsuit comes nearly a month after Leaf was, cleared by a special prosecutor of charges he took part in a conspiracy to obtain and test voting tabulators, seeking to prove there was fraud in the 2020 election. One of the tabulators that was tested came from Irving Township. Following the announcement, Leaf told the Banner that his investigation would con­ tinue and he was confident that his investiga­ tors would conduct their work in accordance with the law. “We plan on pressing forward and getting it done. We’re still waiting on reports from all around. I can’t elaborate on where,” Leaf told the Banner in early August. Leafhas long vowed to conclude his exten­ sive investigation - the scope of which extends both statewide and nationwide - and present his findings to the Board ofCommissioners. Former President Donald Trump received 65 percent ofthe votes in Barry County that were cast in the 2020 presidential election, a total of 23,471 votes, compared to 33 percent for cur­ rent President Joe Biden, who received 11,797 votes. Trump received a greater show of sup­ port from county voters in 2020 than when he won the presidency in 2016, when he received 63 percent ofthe vote compared to 30 percent for Hillary Clinton - 19,202 votes to 9,114. “It’s frustrating that we continue to chase the ghost of 2020 without any tangible results or information or any expectation of an end game in sight especially since we know, I’m confident there was not election fraud in Barry County,” Jackson said. “Our clerks are well trained, they’re professionals, we have a good canvassing board, there were no irregularities that would have made any substantial difference. But when we continue to waste administration and various county departments’ time in these things, it really is a point of frustration for all the people involved in this thing. Wii *^«lfecwfr I — I iI s ".. I% I h - �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 7,2023 — Page 3. Reprinted technical manual offers glimpse of Hastings manufacturing giant’s past Hunter McLaren • • ***X!"|% | AsfwUnto,^^! 181—1 ^WNb M’s department, m m r**Ki Jtawrai *ku said Leaf bsftifartni g w 11 Xlbad^i s billing the count)-for tap irv'xw i»ta StaffWriter A newly reprinted technical manual has offered a glimpse into Hastings’s history and its contributions to the manufacturing industry. The E.W. Bliss Company, now known as BCN Technical Services,/has been an insti­ tution in Hastings for well over 100 years. Even before being bought by the E.W. Bliss Company in the early l^OOs, the East State Street site was home to the Consolidated Press Company, owned by industrialist Emil ’jjMen. ‘'Known worldwidee for its industrial press­ es and munitions manufacturing during World War I and World War II, it’s hard to overstate the impact the company has had on the industry. Current Employees Ken Windes and Kolleen Brown Have been hard at work trying to preserve arid share the company’s rich history. Their latest project recreated a document known affectionately by employees as the, “Bliss bible.” Originally printed in 1950 and simply titled “Blisri Power Press Handbook,” the technical manual details anything and everything there ih to know about the E.W. Bliss company and its products. It earned its moniker for its resemblance to a Christian Bible, both in si£e and appearance. Throughout tjie years, the book has acted as a sort ofkeystone document for the com­ pany. In great detail, the book displays every press the company manufactured in 1950 alongside thorough technical diagrams and parts lists. Whale some of the information has become obsolete in the intervening 73 years, much ofit is still pertinent to the manufacturing i workv today. Windes said many of the presses .displayed in the book remain in use, making it a great reference document. “people in the press business love these,” he paid. “They have a lot of good informa­ tion. They have layouts ofthe presses to help customers identify parts when they’re ordering, it gives the history ofthe company and tokvard the front are pictures ofthe different Bljiss plants.” At the time, Bliss had locations across the country as well as overseas in France and the Ljnited Kingdom. Those plants are pictured Light alongside an aerial depiction of the East a 'State Street facility. / Not only do the books offer a glimpse into the past ofthe company, but also its employ­ ees. Windes’ 1950 edition of the handbook was passed down to him by the late Ed Free­ land, the man who hired him onto the compa­ ny in the ‘70s. Freeland’s signature sits atop the inside cover, something Windes said is common for the older editions to have. Throughout the years, the books would be handed down from retiring mentors and reused by newer employees. BLISS POWER PRESS HANDBOOK A 2023 reproduction of the famous “Bliss bible” (left) sits next to an original 1950 edition of the technical manual (right). (Photos by Hunter McLaren) “Even the old ones, we don’t throw them away. We just recycle them and people use them,” Windes said. “It kind of keeps that history going, knowing that somebody else used it.” The company has reprinted the manual several times to keep a healthy supply on hand. In recent years, it’s been harder to find a company with the know-how and equip­ ment necessary to bind such a robust, 700page manual in the same style. Brown said after making calls to several printing compa­ nies, J-Ad Graphics in Hastings was the only one able to accommodate the request. Now, the company has a new run of the books ready for order. The books retained their iconic “Bliss bible” style and present all of the same information that was included originally in 1950. The only additions made to the manuals were disclaimers informing operators which presses don’t meet today’s safety standards. Both Brown and Windes said they are always surprised by the demand for the books, with people outside the company often asking how to get their hands on a copy. Windes recalled a conversation with a cus­ tomer who was ecstatic to have found a sec­ ondhand copy online for $200. Brown said when she announced the new run ofmanuals online, she received a message from a man in the U.K. who had heard about them and was looking to pick one up. Brown said those interactions just go to show what a unique document “the Bliss bible” really is. “What’s awesome about them is ifyou’re retired or used to work on presses, it’s nice to have that piece ofhistory. It’s all there in this book. Ifyou wanted to explain something to your kids or grandkids, it’s got pictures and everything right in there,” Brown said. “But ifyou’re still out there working on the presses hands-on, it’s also a very good book because all the information is right there.” Anyone interested in getting their hands on a copy ofthe “Bliss Power Press Handbook” can contact the company to order one for $100. The manual is just one of the compa­ ny’s efforts to preserve its history, with more historical documentation to be reprinted soon, Windes and Brown said. Alongside original historical documents, the company has been working to print col­ lected histories ofthe company and its vari­ ous products. These reprinting projects are all happening alongside a lobby renovation proj­ ect that aims to turn the front ofthe building into a museum, due to be completed later this month. Visitors will be able to see original documents and products from the company’s earliest days. Brown said preserving and showcasing the company’s history is something they take very seriously, alongside encouragement from company president Carlos Valdes. With the company.having such a rich history, in Barry County and beyond, if’scerin no small task. “That’s what makes the company, the company, right? /It’s all about the history of the company,”/Brown said. “That’s what makes Bliss, Bliss. It’s changed so much over the years; but the history will always be the same.” The front pages of the book include an aerial depiction of the E.W. Bliss Company? as it appeared in Hastings in 1950, pictured here below the now-defunct Toledo, Ohio? facility. I SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING August 9,2023 -7:00 p.m Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, James, Lectka Absent: None Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer’s Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucher/Payroll Report Motion to approve Resolution 2023-293 Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Approval to repair Township Cemetery Sign Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to NOT add topsoil to the Township Cem­ etery Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 8:08 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor 205436 Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass IMP___■—nTa-_i»r-w--7—iirr -Hb&Hsinfeiiid®Mf ijg^ linjili^Hfiir i^oiberto^^1 City seeks input about parks and recreation ■■■■ \ AL-XMtffaliffP AL-X^MtffaliffgP ^” ”1 0 ■I dl•"*'.* r*S**rta^ Si ^‘S--“- The City ofHastings is seeking input con­ cerning local parks, recreational facilities and programming. Through a briefonline survey, both local residents and those from outside ofthe city have an opportunity to provide their thoughts on the current parks and recre­ ational facilities in and around Hastings. It also gives survey participants a chance to identify needs in the community or where the city can improve. In an announcement about the survey, the . Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville city said that the input collected will be used to determine its focus when crafting a future parks and recreation strategy. A link to the survey has been posted on the City of Hastings’ website and on its Face­ book page. • Flannel for Everyone - Kids andAdult **' -** -** ‘•*1'' f'£**0%f*i**0iS** S ’*J< '*£%** wiP *k«* *L* -<s!l^ ;W O <O$># <$># #$$ Care Home in Hastings said he just heard about the plans a week ago. “Is that the most accessible point for our seniors? Who knows. Studies have to be done. Have they been done? I don’t know because that information isn’t readily avail­ able,” Easlick said at Tuesday’s meeting. “I’m here before you today to ask you guys to think about the ‘why.’ Is this creating the biggest impact for our seniors and is this the right decision?” Easlick added “We struggle to get employees. We struggle to stay self-sufficient. We want to continue to help impact our county in a way that enriches the lives ofour seniors.” Some commissioners responded to the concerns later in the meeting, including Bob Teunessen, who is part of the steering com­ mittee that is guiding the new COA project forward. He and others associated with the project contend that the collaboration was designed to optimize the dollars spent and to provide the highest level of services possible for local seniors. It s a great thing to see that there is actu­ ally cooperation going on and that’s what we kind of felt people wanted — to see people • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station; working together for once,” Teunessen said. “And that’s what this, will offer is people working together and getting something done and actually providing a great service.” “Ifsomeone has a better idea ofwhere this heeds to be, bring it up,” he added. “It’s the most logical place to utilize services.” County board Chairman David Jackson echoed those sentiments and said he wanted to make sure that, as plans continue to firm up, assisted living facility owners and opera­ tors had a seat at the table. “If you represent a senior care facility in the county and you’re here today, thank you. Your voices are being;heard,” Jackson said. “We’re not going to just dismiss this. All input is important inbut and it’s valuable input because there is always opportunity to be better.” “We just have to put our minds together and think about how;we can create more communication, more collaboration and cer­ tainly a fair playing field for everyone involved in senior care because our number one goal is to provide (the best possible care and opportunity for seniors in the county,” he added. HERITAGE DAYS, continued from page 1 Pullen Memorial Auto Show, which is held in memory of the late village president, will be held in the Village Hall parking lot, running until 3 p.m. Other activities for the day include an artisan craft show at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., concessions from food trucks and booths starting at 11 a.m.» kids games and slime making by the amphitheater from after the parade to 1 p.m., and a dunk tank sponsored by Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commis­ sion beside the pavilion from after the parade to 4 p.m. The Middleville Rotary Club will hold its annual fundraising duck race by the canoe launch on the Thornapple River at 3 p.m., while the Thomapple Township Fire Department will hold its Fire Department Push at the fire station at 3 p.m. as well. ; * Christmas Gifts - Quilts, Pillow Cases, Placemats, Ornaments, Table Cloths, Tree Skirts COA PROJECT, continued from page 1 this is a private-pay facility therefore, they are operating in a private industry which means they are competitors,” Peters said in front of the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday. “They don’t pay property tax, which the rest ofus do, so there is already an advantage.” Peters argued that, when families are look­ ing for an assisted living facility, they gener­ ally are content with going on a waiting list for their primary choice instead of exploring alternatives. “With COA having a conjoining building, they become a direct line to Thomapple Manor and Harvest Pointe - no potential res­ ident will look at any other aging-in-place options that offer through-end-of-life care, such as Carveth (Village) and others.” “The biggest (point) is this,” she added. “The Commission on Aging was designed to be an uninfluenced resource for Barry County seniors. With this merge between Thomapple Manor, which operates in a private industry, the Commission on Aging is no longer inde­ pendent. It will become synonymous with the Thomapple Manor and Harvest Pointe con­ glomerate and vice versa.” Don Easlick of Cedar Creek Adult Foster J Live music featuring tributes to Jimmy Buffett, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra will take place at the DDA amphitheater from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Finally, the fire department will hold its annual turkey dinner fundraiser at the fire station from 4 to 7 p.m. For more information and registration forms to sign up for the car show or the parade, go to middlevilledda.org. QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; r Saturday 9 am-3 pm CITY OF HASTINGS REQUEST FOR BIDS 2023 City Tree Planting The City of Hastings is soliciting bids for the provision of trees to be planted in the City owned street right-of- way throughout the City. The RFP and specifications are available at hastingsmi.gov The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in the bid proposals, and to award the bid as deemed to be in the City’s best interest, price and other factors considered. Bids will be received at Hastings City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 10:00 AM, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. Bids shall be clearly marked on the outside of the submittal package - “SEALED BID 2023 CITY TREE PLANTING”.. Travis Tate, Director of Public Services �4 Thursday, September 7, 2023 — The Hastinqs Banner Did you SCC • Government overreach is muting our voices Turning the big 100! Last Thursday, the Putnam District Library celebrated 100 years of serv­ iing the Nashville community. A crowd gathered for the event and learned more about the history behind the library, which was built in 1884 and 1885 and was originally the home of Charles and Agnes Putnam. Charles moved to Nashville from Bridgewater, Ohio at the age of 19 and became a notable businessman and philanthropist. Agnes, who grew up in the area, was the town’s first teacher and the daughter of the first Village President. In this photo, several people who took music lessons at the Putnam District Library over the summer per­ form a selection of Victorian-era and eariy-American music during the cele­ bration. (Photo by Leila Wood) Do you remember? Tape savers win computers Banner Sept. 19,1991 Saving cash register tapes from the Felpausch Food Center in Hastings paid off for students at St. Rose School. The 136 kids earned these two computers by collecting about $206,000 worth of tapes. Shown here with the prizes are (from left, back) Andi Pond, Nicole Main, Greg Brower, St. Rose Principal Steve Youngs, Felpausch Assistant Manager Larry Cook, Katie Loftus, Mark Noteboom, Molly Woods and (front) Chad Noteboom. Have you met? Nashville native Lori Courtney never expected to be a full-time business owner, but she’s also not totally surprised. Her father, Larry Decker, was also a local business owner. He ran Farmer’s Gas and Oil in Nashville, now known as Musser’s Auto Service. “I guess it’s just always been in my blood to be my own business owner,” Courtney said. A Maple Valley graduate, Courtney went on to work variousjobs at Carl’s Supermar­ ket before settling into ajob at Kent Oil & Propane. During her time there, she became involved with the Maple Valley Athletic Boosters and helped screen-print some T-shirts for the group. She found herself intrigued by the screen-printing process. “I got involved with the Maple Valley Athletic Boosters and did the apparel for them,” Courtney said. “I was doing that with the screen printer that was here in town, and I was very interested in it.” After some convincing, Courtney was able to get her husband Phares on board with buying a local screen-printing business in 2007. Originally intending to pick up screen pprinting as a hobby, Courtney dedicated herselfto the business the next year. She and her husband have been running Court-Side Screen Printing & Embroidery ever since, entering their 16th year in Nashville. Courtney said she never foresaw that the business would be as successful as it is, or the level of community support they’ve received. “We were expecting to do this as a hobby, and within just a few short months we bought a building and I quit myjob. The success that we’ve had - the greatt commu­ nity and customer support, even when we Lori Courtney and Stephanie McKinney went to Hastings - that reception was awe­ some,” Courtney said. “I probably didn’t see myselfdoing this back in the early ‘90s or whatever, but I was always trying to find something that could be my thing.” The business has allowed her to stay connected to the Nashville community, where she stays involved. She’s one ofthe founders ofthe Route 66 Business District, has remained involved in the Maple Valley Athletic Boosters and serves as a Nashville Village Council trustee. It’s also allowed her to stay close with her family. Even though her son and daugh­ ter have moved out of Nashville, they’ve both remained fairly close by in Barry County. It also allows her plenty of oppor­ tunities to see her four grandkids. While she and her husband run the busi- ness in Nashville, her daughter Stephanie McKinney and son-in-law have taken on a new location in Hastings. Opened in 2016, the Hastings location has entered its sev­ enth year ofoperations. Courtney is hopeful that she and Phares can pass the torch to Stephanie and her husband someday. “The awesome thing about (the business is) it’s pretty much a family thing,” Court­ ney said. “Our daughter and son-in-law run our Hastings store, and they are phenome­ nal. It’d be awesome (to have them take over the business), then we could think about retiring.” For her dedication to the local communi­ ty and her family, Lori Courtney is this week’s Bright Light. Something people would be surprised to know: I’ve never had a bucket list! If I won the lottery! After 1 made sure my family was taken care of, I would like to randomly help others out who are deserv­ ing. I’d make a donation to our schools and community to help make things easier for people and small businesses, whether that be a facade upgrade or something else. I am most content: Being at home doing a 2,500-piece puzzle or spending anytime I have with my kids and grandkids. Favorite childhood memory: Camping with my grandparents, which is something I hope to do with my grandkids someday. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. I’ve always enjoyed the quote from for­ mer President Ronald Reagan who, some 40 years ago, framed the relationship between governments and their people with his humorous but ominous observa­ tion that, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” The wisdom ofthose words is proven by how often Reagan’s quote is used - and needed - in today’s world and right here in Barry County right now. My concern is that government now is not even waiting for us to accept its offer to help — it’s moving on with what it thinks we need with no input from the citizens it’s sworn to protect. Barry County residents certainly remem­ ber the recent uproar in Hope Township when the state attempted to move in to license sand and gravel mining operations in the middle of our county’s most pictur­ esque and lakeside land. The Michigan Aggregates Association said, “Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure and strong economy is driving up demand for a limited amount of permitted aggre­ gate. The statewide supply shortage is due to local units of government effectively blocking the opening ofnew mines.” In large part, that business group correct­ ly identified a growing challenge in our state, but in southern Barry County and across the state, residents filled zoning board meetings expressing their concerns over what the new mines will do to their home values, roads and water sources. Instead of working with residents to find acceptable compromises, state legislators moved to take over the permitting process, leaving local units ofgovernments and con­ sumers defenseless - and with no voice. Now, the next act is beginning, and it’s following a similar script. House Majority Leader Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) told Bridge Michi­ gan recently that he plans to introduce legis­ lation to move control of utility-scale wind and solar projects to the state’s Public Ser­ vice Commission (PSC). Moving the process to the PSC will take away from county com­ missioners - who represent us - their say over a current Consumers Energy renewable energy project planned in Johnstown Town^ship on one ofthe county ’s largest farms. tSmsuniers Energy plans to construct roughly a 1,600-acre solar energy and biodi­ gester system that collects natural gas from decomposing manure at Spring Creek Dairy. Commissioners will be faced with allowing rich farmland to be turned into a solar ener­ gy system and possibly setting the stage for other future projects. With the approval of Rep. Aiyash’s bills, though, the local hurdle will be eliminated. The state will usher into any neighborhood what it deems best for us. It’s no wonder trust in government is waning so dramatically. Based on a recent poll conducted by the National Election Study, trust in government remains low, as it has for much of the 21st century. Only two-in-ten Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right. Two percent of Americans say they trust the government “just about always” and 19 percent say “most of the time.” Since 2007, the number of people stating they can trust the government always or most ofthe time has not surpassed 30 percent. So, when Gov. Whitmer announced last week that she plans to support moving con­ trol ofutility-scale wind and solar projects away from local governments to a state agency to speed up decisions, it should concern Michigan residents. It’s part of Whitmer’s plan to help reach her goal ofa carbon-free electricity standard by 2035. Never mind that precious farmland is being turned into solar and wind farms that reduce our farm acreage. According to the U.S. Dept, ofAgricul­ ture, in 2017 there were 938 farms in Barry County farming 154,624 acres with the average size farm at 165 acres. You can see by the numbers that turning more of our farmland into solar farms isn’t in the best interest ofour county. Turning over the pro­ cess to the t PSC wiuldjeopardize preserva­ tion and take away any local control over the issue, allowing big electric companies to use their influence' to speed up the steps toward approval in their favor. Also concerning y and not likely to be discussed ifthis move to state control proceeds - is that recently a group of more than 1,600 international scientists and professionals signed a “Wo Climate Emergency” declaration that dismisses the existence of a climate crisis and insists that carbon dioxide is beneficial to) the Earth. “There is no climate emergency,” says the Global Climate intelligence Group (CLINTEL) in their August release. “Climate science should be less political, while climate policies should be more scientific. Scientists should openly address uncertain­ ties and exaggerations in their predictions ofglobal warming, while politicians should dispassionately count the real costs as welll as tthe imagined benefits ; of their policy measures,” said CLINTELThe Biden administration set a national goal of 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035. Last week, Gov. Whit­ mer iintroduced her plan to'(generate 60 percent ent of the state’s electricity from renewable resources and phase out coalfired power plants by 2030,'. just seven years from now, and 100 percept by 2035. Y, utility-scale Yet, y wind and solar propos­ als have met fierce resistance in many Michigan communities. Solar projects can take up thousands of acres, often ofl rich farmland, and wind turbines that dot; the landscape can be seen for miles, some tall­ er than the Mackinac Bridge. Yet politi­ cians, using measures we’re seeing rightt here in Barry County, are determined tq move forward with little or no conversation with us the citizens ofthe state. Natural gas, too, is on the hit list. Natu­ ral gas is currently the source ofmore than\ 25 percent of the nation’s electricity. According to the Energy of Information Association, in 2035, 46 percent of new generating capacity added to the grid will I come from natural gas. But neither Con­ IV sumers Energy nor DTE is focused on the grid.and, when business and industry lose * pbwpr, consumers will pay the price.. The government centralization move­ ment is already spending billions of tax dollars that we don’t have and is clearing the way for projects about which we have less and less say. It’s increasingly leaving consumers weary. “Decisions that impact local communities should be left to those communities,” said Judy Allen, director ofgovernment relations for the Michigan Townships Association. “We are not against renewables, we know there’s a need, but a one-size-fits-all approach to such large projects doesn’t acknowledge differences among communi­ ties. Ifstate agencies alone make these deci­ sions, you’d have no input on the local level in the process on projects that can have a huge negative impact on a community.” Maintaining local control of zoning and the permitting process for solar, wind and mining projects should remain local if we want to protect the beauty ofour communi­ ties. So, beware of the experts in Lansing and Washington. They’re from the govern­ ment and they say they want to help, but they might not be acting in our best interest. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics..com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) MollV MaclAOd (ClnrtXJ PriiinA Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year In adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 7,2023 — Page 5 Record numbers of Hastings preschoolers off to class this week Hastings Area School System’s grant-funded Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) kicked off this week, and record ^umbers of pre­ schoolers entered their classrooms for the first time. Our district has two classrooms at North­ eastern Elementary and Central Elementary and one classroom at Southteastem Elementary and Star Elementary. A total of 84 students have enrolled in the GSRP'for the 2023-2024 school year, and there are spaces still available. | Enrollment continues to be open for fami­ lies that do not meet the income requirements but is also, open to families who choose to pay on the tuition sliding scale, which starts at $75 per p semester.. To qqualify, y, students need too turn four years old by Deb. 1,2023, and trans­ portation is provided to/ those living outside the city limits. ) Panic button triggered by employee trapped in store’s fridge HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Hastings Area School System gram and the dedication of our teachers and staff who provide the care and attention our children need at such a young age. Ifyou are interested in enrolling your child in the GSRP program, you can visit our website at hasskl 2. org, or call the administration office at 269­ 945-2259. Early childhood education is essential for literacy, mathematical and social develop­ ment. Research shows that children engaging with same-age peers early on in their lives experience significant growth in these areas as they enter Kindergarten and beyond. We are so proud ofthe growth ofour pro- The COA’s collaboration a good idea; Room remains for all assisted living facilities to thrive ' Ip the editor: , / ! 1 am writing regarding the story in the Aug. 31 st edition ofthe Hastings Banner regarding the possible new GOA building on the campu;s o of Harvest/ ves Pointe, “Collaboration between COA, Thomapple Manor sparks some concern. ” / j j'certainly understand the concerns shared by the assisted li/ving facilities in Barry Coun­ ty. While I personally support the concept of jth9t collaboration between the COA and Thor­ napple Manon, I am writing now to simply Share some information from my perspective need in the county. jand experience that I believe may be helpful The very first step was to conduct a market When considering this issue. study, which was completed in early 2019 I As notpd already, the COA has been strugthat showed the need and demand in Barry gling wifth the current building for years and County for assisted living was for an addi­ they, aljbng with the county’s Board of Com Com-­ tional 90 beds. Harvest Pointe was construct­ missioners have worked to find a cost-effec­ ed with, and added, 50 beds intentionally tive solution that this collaboration can prounder building the bed need by almost half vid^. This is good for us tax payers by reduc­ (40) beds. The assisted living demand in ing] the cost ofconstruction. Barry County will only grow from here. ; But I would like to discuss the numbers Why? Baby Boomers. ffQm a different perspective. The average age in an assisted living is ,i When Thomapple Manor considered the about 75 years old. Baby Boomers were Pfttion of building independent living and bom from 1946 to 1964 making the oldest Msisted living, there were two critical must- baby boomers 75 to 77 years old. They are haves. The first was to not come at the cost just beginning to make an impact on this fo .tax payers. Secondly, it must meet a real market. While certainly not every baby WK bilb^fisnsigiBi irifcBahlwoia taMcjatixa/acz 0 I* 0 ✓1 Police responded to the scene of an accident around 6 a.m. on Aug. 28 near Cherry Valley Road and Adams Road in Middleville. Before police arrived, EMS personnel checked the area and could not find a vehicle. Police also checked the area and did not find a vehicle, although a section ofcom in a field nearby appeared to have been run over by a vehicle. Police assist four boaters after boat capsizes Barry County Central Dispatch received a call about a capsized boat on Pine Lake around 3 p.m. on Aug. 20. When Barry County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on the scene, two boaters were still in the water while another two had boarded another boat. None of the boaters suffered any injuries. The boat captain, a 47-year-old Plainwell woman, said she activated the bilge pump and drove forward when she noticed the ves­ sel was taking on water. The attempt to prevent the boat from capsizing was ultimately unsuccessful. Deputies assisted on the scene until a barge could tow the boat to shore and remove it from the lake. Donald A. Haney Middleville Middleville council moves toward I library committee I*appointment , Fact 2: Let’s look closer at the Commis­ sion on Aging. For the last 24 years, my family has worked closely with the COA. We, along with many other senior living facilities, have known it to be an unbiased and uninfluenced organization where they have helped connect seniors, small business­ es and resources to enrich the lives ofthose over 60 years old in Barry County. These businesses include, but are not limited to, in-home services, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing care facilities, veteran ser­ vices and Medicaid benefits. This of course is in alignment with their vision statement on their webpage. However, when looking at their website, assisted living resources are not easily found. But when scrolling to the bottom of their webpage, the only profes­ sional health care facility that is easily found is Thomapple Manor. This listing is linked directly to Thomapple Manor’s webpage which showcases their rehab, dementia care, skilled long-term care, and, of course, Har­ vest Pointe. This could be due to the organi­ zation being Barry County-operated. But no other facility that has worked with, donated to, or collaborated on projects with the COA has a resource link that goes to their web pages. However, when I pressed this issue at the meeting, others and I were told the COA doesn’t provide referrals and ifthey needed to, they would simply call a placement ser­ vice for an individual. That may be true now, however, historically, this is not factual based on my family’s experience and the experience of other facilities in the area. Regardless ofhistory, this certainly does not promote the networking spirit ofa non-prof­ it that should be working collaboratively with all Barry County senior facilities. Fact 3: Transparency in the moving dis­ cussions (was) nonexistent. The only notifi­ cation that this move was being considered was from publications in The Reminder of when a steering committee was approved by Barry County Commissioners to move (the) COA to TAM. I then called all the assisted living facilities in Barry County that had residents who would be affected by this, I compiled their concerns and took them to the COA, Barry County officials and TAM. At the time, I was assured it was only due to convenience ofproperly and that the build­ ing would be separate from TAM and by those ends (the) COA would remain com­ pletely unbiased and uninfluenced from an outside health care entity. We now know this is untrue based on their webpage, location of the steering committee and lack of commu­ nication or requests for involvement from other invested businesses that this move would affect. My final three points are as follows: - There are hardworking, property tax-paying businesses and individuals that deserve a COA to be separate and unbiased from the influence ofall health care entities. Reported accident leaves few traces boomer will need assisted living care in the next few years, just based on numbers alone, the need and demand for assisted living should grow exponentially. And there is already excess demand in the county at least according to the 2019 market study conduct­ ed by Living Forward, a part of Plante & Moran and large CPA firm. I offer this information and perspective simply as information that I feel should be considered within this conversation. To be clear, yes, I do support this project and collab­ oration and hope the County, COA and Thor­ napple Manor continue their discussions. Collaboration for-iboid seniors, but/'ilyuoj for J whose benefit? ,'«m noilGSilbUntia ftidnirna/og bob vsjj'-iiiu ” ... I I had the pleasure of attending a steering committee meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, at 10 a.m. hosted at Harvest Pointe in Hastings. The meeting was comprised of elected officials from (the) Barry County •Commission, Thomapple Manor (TAM) Executives and Commission on Aging exec­ utives (COA). The meeting was primarily focused on construction plans for the new Barry County Commission on Aging build­ ing. These plans showcased building addi­ tions that would conjoin, from my under­ standing, the Thomapple Manor skilled side to the Harvest Pointe building for the pur­ pose of Commission on Aging operations. The benefit for these organizations is that they would have a shared kitchen to help (the) COA with Meals on Wheels and there would be co-mingling spaces for COA visi­ tors, TAM residents, and Harvest Point resi­ dents. Some committee members stated that this is a great opportunity to allow seniors to have a campus where all needs can be met. Other comments made were that this move is convenient, cost-saving, and the intent for this project is for the betterment ofseniors in Barry County. That genuinely may be the intent, but let’s look at the bigger picture. > Fact 1: (The Barry County) Commission bn Aging is a non-profit organization with the foundation to be an unbiased resource for jail senior citizens in Barry County. The orga­ nization is funded through (a) millage which is paid for by property taxpayers. This non-profit organization is merging with (Thomapple Manor and Harvest Pointe. Both of which do not pay property taxes even though Harvest Pointe is a 100-percent pri­ vate-pay facility and Thomapple Manor requires private pay for the balance left of what Medicare/Medicaid does not cover. Basically, this means they charge residents to live there, and it is for some profit. With this move, you have merged a non-profit, county­ wide resource with an organization that func­ iions like a privatized, for-profit business that does not contribute to property taxes. ! The concern with this fact is there are half a dozen or so privately owned assisted living and skilled living businesses throughout the bounty that pay hundreds of thousands of {dollars in property tax(es) annually. They preate jobs and help seniors. How can they compete with a conglomerate that has near limitless funds, doesn’t have the expense of property tax and now has the only non-prof­ it public senior resource operating within their building and campus? A comment was friade to me at the meeting after expressing this concern that there will be plenty of seniors to sustain businesses. That is a state­ ment from someone not familiar with the industry. When it comes to assisted living, my professional experience is that clients would rather be placed on a waiting list than move into their next best choice. But I guess only time will tell what happens with that. Police responded to a hold up alarm at a Middleville gas station around 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 27. Dispatch attempted to contact the store and received no answer. Shortly after, a woman who worked at the store called authorities and said she was locked inside the beer cooler while stocking it and couldn’t get out. She hit the panic button before finding her way out ofthe cooler herself. Police made contact with the woman and confirmed both she and the business were okay. With this move, (the) Commission on Aging will become synonymous with Thomapple Manor and Hardest Pointe. - The organizers of this process did not even once consider the impact ofsmall busi­ nesses in the community. - That the organizers went for the option of convenience versus the option of quality ofservice for all. This move may be cost-sav­ ing for the Commission on Aging; however, it will serve as an amenity or business pitch to better the salability of their new building that taxpayers paid for. In summary, these are not just my opin­ ions, but shared concerns ofbusiness own­ ers who have been staples in the Barry County Community and citizens who rely on those businesses for tax revenue, job creation and community engagement. Ulti­ mately, we feel by sharing a building and campus, this will cause a conflict ofinterest by means of an organization (Harvest Pointe) profiting from a tax-funded organi­ zation (Commission on Aging). Additional­ ly, it will further alienate long-term care facilities and their residents from the bene­ fits ofthe COA and potentially put private­ ly-owned businesses out ofbusiness. Makenzi Peters Administrator Carveth Village Greg Chandler StaffWriter A committee that was created to look into the feasibility of a standalone community library in Middleville is starting to take shape. The Village Council is expected next Tues­ day to approve the appointment of six com­ munity members as well as two council rep­ resentatives to the nine-member ad hoc com­ mittee, which would study options for both the location and funding of the new library. Meeting as a committee of the whole on Tuesday, the council voted to move the appointments to next week’s agenda. The council voted July 11 to set up the com­ mittee, giving the group two years to report back to the council on options for the project. “I believe that we will come to a good solution for our neighborhood and communi­ ty,” said Josh Mosey, one of the six citizen members who are expected to be appointed to the committee. “I’m excited to see this thing move forward, to be able to make solid steps in providing the citizens of Middleville with a service that they deserve.” The village received six applications for the citizen appointments, with all six being members ofthe volunteer group Middleville Needs A New Library. The group has been meeting for more than a year to discuss ideas for a community library separate from the school district. Besides Mosey, the other applicants for the appointments are Chris Boysen, Sarah Buer, Kattie Bynski, Michelle] Frey and Jamie Bowman. The group had been looking into a “Friends] of’ designation that could raise funds for t*he new library. There is an existing fund called] the Beacon Society, Friends ofthe Middleville Area Community Library, which is linked to the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation, an arm of the Barry Community Fund, that could be tapped for a fundraising effort. Two members of the Village Council and one member of the Thomapple Kellogg Board ofEducation will serve on the commit-] tee. Village President Mike Cramer and! Council Trustee Makenzi Peters are expected' to be the council representatives on the com-l mittee, and the TK school board has appoint-! ed Brenda Hess to be its representative. Council Trustee Kevin Smith expressed a| desire for the applicants to come to next’ Tuesday’s council meeting and possibly give a short statement as to why they want to serve on the committee. “It’d be nice to put a face to the name,” Smith said. “It’d be good to see them in person.” Thomapple Kellogg Schools have hosted the local library in Middleville since 1934. The current library, located inside Thomapple Kellogg High School, is only open 12 hours a week during the school year. Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 The Hastings .DANNER Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! One Stop Shop (MaratKon (M-43 North) Superette r -a« Family Fare! ‘ v. Middleville: Shelbyvillei NwhvUtei Speedway Town & Country Trading Post Harding's The Dock Nashville Johnny's MV Pharmacy Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Middleville Johnny's Delton: Nashville C Store Tom's Market Family Fare Carl’s Hastings Johnny's Delton Johnny's Lake Odessa: The General Store Mega Bev Prairieville: Hastings Pharmacy Prairieville Fast Stop Marathon Gas Station (M-37 West) Marathon Gas Station (M-37 South) Family Fare Gas Station Walgreens Lake-O-Express Orangeville Fast Stop Marathon Banfield: Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl’s DowHliai Cloverdale: Goldsworthys Cloverdale General Woodland: Woodland Express L & J’s �Page 6 - Thursday. September 7. 2023 - The Hastings Banner Former Grand Rapids city commissioner named new director of Michigan’s DNR Daniel Lee Rench Daniel Lee Rench, age 37, ofHubbardston, MI, died unexpectedly on August 25, 2023. He was bom in March of 1986 in Hastings, MI to Lucinda (Sindie) Rench-Endsley and Delano Endsley Jr. Daniel is survived by five children, Mariah (17), Brianna (15), Starlette (10), Daniel Jr. (4), and Kenzlee (2); siblings, Sherri, Tonya (Spenser), and Miranda (Josh). Cruising the back roads with his Jeep or Harley and busting knuckles in his mechanic shop werejust a couple of his many passions. His biggest life goal was to be the world’s greatest dad. He was employed by Matcor in Ionia, ML Graveside services were held Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 at Tuttle Cemetery in Ionia, MI. There was a Celebration of Life Potluck bonfire Saturday, Sept, 2, 2023 at 11188 Minkley Drive Portland, MI 48875. 4:20 friendly. “Shitchya” -Daniel Rench Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com This week,, Governor Gretchen W i m appointed M. Scott Bowen as Director o Michigan Department of Natural Resourc (DNR). 4 . e . . “We are blessed to have some oft e beautiful beaches, forests and lakes in e ccountry right in our backyard,, ” Whitmer sai in a statement. “But that also means we ave take care o a tremendous responsibility to tae these natural wonders. Scott is the rig t person to lead the Department of Natura Resources as they undertake historic rc’10V^" tions and upgrades at state parks across Mich Mich-­ igan. Together, we will leave our public lands in better shape.” Bowen has a long history ofpublic service to Michigan. He served as the Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery from January 2008 to Feb­ ruary 2017 making him the longest serving lottery director in state history. Prior to his appointment as lottery commissioner, he served as the Director of Office of the State Employer. Bowen’s history of government service also includes two terms on the Grand Rapids City Commission. Before his governmental service, Bowen served as judge ofthe 62-A District Court in Wyoming, Michigan after being appointed by JLahe Elaine Garlock Hannah Lynn Cook, bom at Spectrum Robert David Sanders, bom at Spec­ Health Pennock on July 25, 2023 to Sarah Cook ofNashville. ***** trum Health Pennock on Aug. 15, 2023 to Terranda-Jo Lamay Brown and Robert Li Sanders ofSpringfield. ***** Wrenley Lloyd Childers-Hines, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on Aug. 22, 2023 to Alison Childers and Kylee Hines of Nashville. ***** Buckley, bom at Spectrum Health Pen­ nock on Aug. 24, 2023 to Ashley Pierson and Andy Pierson ofHastings. ***** Kinsleigh Alveena Fischer, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on Aug. 25, 2023 to Hailey VanSiclen and Dough Fischer ofPortland. Hunter Sky Middlemiss, bom at Spec­ trum Health Pennock on July 29, 2023 to Samantha Jo Middlemiss and Shawn Michael Middlemiss ofDelton. ***** Noelle, bom at Spectrum Health Pen­ nock on Aug.1 10, 2023 to Erin Drexler and Joseph Drexler ofHastings. ***** ■ Brooks Walter Westendorp, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on Aug. 10, 2023 to Victoria Westendorp and Levi Westendorp ofNashville. ***** mnnn: Worship Together SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M­ Matt 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Sunday Services: Lead Moser, Pastor. 9:15 a.m. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Roger Claypool, 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com. 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Senior High Youth Group 6-8 Children’s Ministry. Wednesday p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. night Bible study and prayer Wednesday, Family Night Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 945-9121. Email (517) 204- Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Stoetze). Martha LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 9:45 am. with Kids Church and 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Student Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Nursery. Aftermath Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. Price. 269-948-0900. Phone: Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 269-945­ CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 328 N. Worship COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH Street. Jefferson 10 a.m. 4 Truth Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle Youth School Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. a.m. 10 Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. 4246 Pastor Father Jeff Hanley. 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Sunday School for all ages; (Children Sunday Morning Worship: Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. activities: Youth call for information. 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 pm.; Sunday School - 2601 Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Lacey Road,Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 www.cbchastings.org. church 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Copy Editor '■ While many traveled to the lake this past weekend, some Woodlanders chose to stay closer to home for the annual Woodland Homecoming Celebration. This year’s event, which spanned from Friday, Sept. 1 to Sunday, Sept. 3 at the Har­ old Classic Memorial Park in Woodland, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Woodland school building, now known as the Lakewood Early Childhood Center. The school was constructed in 1923 after local fundraising efforts, ending the era ofcountry schools in the Woodland area. Attendees of the celebration were treated to many of the beloved mainstays of the event, including chicJtgn dinners from the Lakewood Lions Club, an Eagles-hosted fish fry, a weekend-long - softball tournament, kids’ games and entertainment, and, ofcourse, the annual parade. There were some new additions to the entertainment lineup this year, including a foam party for kids. The Ken Makley Memorial Car Cruise-In returned for its second year this year, along with the comhole tournament. Doug and Judy MacKenzie led the parade this year as Woodland Homecoming Grand Marshals. Sienna Brodbeck was crowned Miss Woodland 2023. „ I Though the Village ofWoodland is small, with only 530 residents, the full support and presence ofthe community was felt over the weekend. Many folks traveled from near and far to return to their hometown for the home­ coming celebration. Now, Woodland looks towards next year’s celebration. As always, the celebration will take place over Labor Day weekend and will offer all the essentials: Food, fun and com­ munity. 945-9554 945-4700 M. Scott\Bowen 269-945-3014. Director: '<Sublim5e frU'u u <55 Cornhole is a popular sport among Woodland Homecoming attendees. This year, the cornhole tournament returned for another year. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. GRAND STREET, HASTINGS IS HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE Saturday, Sept. 16 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Music Mark Doster, Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Come and visit our church Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. • Bible Study Rooms for Kids • Nursery • Youth Group Studies • Sanctuary & Kitchen • • • • MKMHIBir MltehobMHul 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 irfct booh It Dozens of gear heads brought their hot rods to the Woodland Homecoming Celebration last weekend for the second annual Ken Makley Memorial Car Cruise-In. (Photos by Molly Macleod) 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: ollie ax: EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH Fibnotau 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. internet access, restroomsX air conditioning and an elevator. I I The George Johnsons haVe hosted family members from Indiana and from overseas in recent weeks. During that tim^ they also hosted the outdoor wedding of a granddaughter. gra The wedding reception was hel<? at the Morris building at the Lake Odessa Fairgrounds.3P Central UM Church on Sept. will revert to its hours of 9:30 a.m. for Sunday Sun school and 10:30 a.m. for worship hour.'There will be a guest pastor on Sept. 24 while! the resi­ dent pastor is on vacation. The servi rviice on Sept. 17 will feature a campfire service? ce? on the a south lawn. Sept. 18 marks the 58^ wedding anniver­ sary ofJohn and Terri Catt. At the library, Mr. Mike has informat p available about raising milkweed plants d nurture butterflies. At the rear ofthe l*ibra he has his butterfly garden as an example. e has handouts available to distribute. js*M1 lo b: 2 Hastings Brecheisen Yoder playing piano accompani­ ment. There were visitors from Zion Luther­ an, Faith Bible Church, Lakewood Church, Lake Odessa Central and probably others. Midway through the service, the roles switched and the pastor went to the organ keyboard and Martha led the singing. A gen­ tleman sang two solos. This was another pleasant occasion. Floral growth is taking place all over town. In the meantime, Koops Funeral Chapel has a different approach with their window boxes filled with beautiful foliage plants in darker shades. Check it out to see a unique display. Since Lakewood schools no longer offer any classes for adult education such as high school completion or GED preparation, local students are making use of similar programs from Belding schools. They are making use of the education building of Central UM Church which was well-equipped with sec­ ond-story rooms outfitted with blackboards, W Woodlanders turn out for annual homecoming celebration This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Shannon Lott has beep serving as the acting director ofDNR following the resignation of Dan Eichinger earlier this year. She will continue to serve in a leadership role at DNR. 1 W f*ew few Molly Macleod ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches available for your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". The Ionia County - Genealogy Society meets on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Depot Museum on Emerson Street. There is library time following the speaker and busi­ ness section. The Woodland Homecoming Celebration took place as scheduled. The chicken barbe­ cue was another success with all the meals sold before 6 p.m. Latecomers were out of luck. The rush must have come early. The traditional hymn sing held at the Woodland United Methodist Church was on Sunday evening. The Rev. Kathy Smith pre­ sided and led the singing with Martha Governor Jennifer Granholm in 2003. His appointment came while he was a partner at McInerney & Bowen, having previously founded the firm ofBowen, Distel & Haynes P.L.C. Bowen has also served as city attorney for multiple West Michigan cities and worked as special assistant attorney general for the Michigan Department of Transportation, where he specialized in condemnation work. Most recently, Bowen served as Senior Vice President of Business Development for NeoPollard Interactive, LLC, a Michi­ gan-based technology company. He holds a Bachelor of Art in history from Michigan State University and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit. Bowen has also been an active member of the State Bar ofMichigan for more than 30 years. “I’m excited tojoin the DNR team. It will be an honor to contribute a chapter to the agency’s long history of managing and protecting the natural and cultural resources that help define what it means to be from Michigan,” Bowen said. “I know how essential this work is to maintaining the state’s quality of life and eco­ nomic vitality. My background in overseeing other state agencies and building relationships has provided valuable experience that I can draw on, and I’m eager to get to work.” The interior of Dan and Diana Childs’ 1957 Chevrolet 150. The Vermontville couple’s car sports a classic pair of fuzzy dice. Meet Pastor Tod Shook - Church Members Prayers, Private Talks, Answer Questions Free Cookies, Coffee Grief Sharing Soplease come and visit our church We are a growing church, but we serve a mighty God. Informal Talk/Discussion Dinosaurs & the Bible, etc. rVi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 7, 2023 — Page 7 An adventure of Jenny Lind fl look back at the stories Republican Banner, May 22, 1856. A1:...+/:^D Editor’s t note: The Republican Banner would later be renamed to the Hastings Ban­ ner. This is the earliest article ofthe paper In the Hastings Banner w present in the Barry County History Portal online archive. In the early days ofthe paper, many stories were partisan or human interest stories, such as this one. Viewers of “The Greatest Showman ’’ may recognize the sub­ TURNING BflGK THE PAGES ject ofthis article as one ofthe main characters in the film. The Swedish Nightingale remained three weeks in Paris without singing, without speaking the language even - such is her antipathy - and was about to pass the straits to Dover to meet a London audience, for, being a woman, she was tired of silence. She had left Paris by railroad, but before crossing the Channel, she took her room in the Hotel ofthe Port to recruit her strength for her disagreeable voyage by a night’s rest. The musical dilettanti of the city ... were anxious to hear her and thought at first of crossing the Channel in order to enjoy that exquisite voice, which was denied to France and its Provinces. The process was expensive and stupid. They thought of a better one. No sooner was the Cantatrice installed in her apartments than three grave gentlemen entered - and with an air of authority, and of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Sept. 8-14 severity even, demanded her passports. Astonished but faithful to her vow of silence on the soil of France, Jenny Lind handed them the paper without saying a word. The gentlemen read it with an air of disgust and then replied with soberness: “Oh! We know you have neglected no pre­ caution and that you are traveling under a fictitious name!” “For what do you take me, then?” demand­ page of the May 22, 1856 issue of The Republican Banner, the earliest known copy of the paper. (Image courtesy of the Barry County History Portal) ed Jenny, obliged to break silence. “Do not attempt to impose on us, Madame. Sept. 1 -30 - September Storywalk Book: bers can register for $8. Members interest­ “Fletcher and Falling Leaves” by Julia ed in signing up for the entire Eat Your Rawlinson. The Storywalk is free and Invasives self-guided. Non-members can sign up for the entire Wednesday, Sept. 13 - Eat Your Inva- where she has made series for $14. Those interested can register for these Institute members can register for events and find more information at cedar- Wednesday’s program for $6. Non-mem- intrigante of assumed rank has just fled from Paris, register for $10. sives Series: Autumn Olive and Pie, 6-8 p.m. You shall see that we are well-informed. An Series can creekinstitute.org/events.html. numberless (offenses) and is now attempting to escape to England.” “And you suppose^ perchance -?” HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE “That you are the woman. Your features and person correspond with our description. Our instructions are/precise.” Indignant and perplexed, the songstress broke out into earned remonstrances, which we replied to with cold irony - Had she any witnesses? Could/she give bail? She knew no Thursday, Sept. 7 - Movie Memories & Tuesday, Sept. 12 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; one! Then it wou/ld be necessary to take cus­ Milestones watches a 1959 film starring Fred tody of her person! A threat so alarming drew MacMurray, William Bishop and Nina Ship­ out a new vollley of remonstrances, which man, 5 p.m. 10:30 a.m.; Digital Literacy: Android Basics were repeated/ till, at last, the spokesman of the three said: Friday, Sept. 8 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 aim. (registration required), 2 p.m.; Friends of the “Well, Madame. There is one method of Monday, Sept. 11 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Preserving Summer’s Garden Bounty proving yfour identity. You pretend to be . j^yj^ffid. There is no need of bail or of (canning and freezing), 6 p.m. mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, Library meeting at Tyden Park pavilion, 6 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. witnesses. You bear with you the unmistak­ able evidence of your identity - Nothing is easier for you than to give proof of your wonderous talent. Our own voice will pronounce BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP your acquittal. I am myself too good a musi­ BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN cian not to be, in that sense, a good judge.” The artist hesitated and was confused. “Ah, we were sure of it. Quit, then, this NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC HEARING disguise which you are unable to maintain, HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL and do not disgrace an illustrious name.” ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 “It is my name, Monsieur.” “Enough of that, Madame, your assertions are disproved by your inability to give so sim­ TO: ple a proof. We must execute our warrant.” THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: “Well,” exclaimed the songstress, “since I Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, has determined, on its own motion, to undertake a private road must do it, listen and judge,” - and after a improvement project on Hickory Hill Lane in the Township, and to create a special assessment district for the pause in which she calmed herself, she burst forth with the Cavatina from Northa. She sang Jenny Lind was a Swedish opera singer referred to as the Swedish Nightingale. (Courtesy photo) recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. The Special Assessment District shall be known as the HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1. with all the richness of her melodious voice. The three gentlemen listened in ecstasy. “Bravo, it is admirable - it is sublime!” they cried as it closed. had gathered to await the chance of the ting forth that their longing to hear that voice PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the land and premises in the special assessment district within which experiment. had so wrought upon their minds that they had the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially We need not translate the story further. To become desperate; and how gracefully the many tell how gracefully and eloquently the guilty Swedish Nightingale forgave them. We leave voices in the antechamber, where several authors of the imposition begged pardon - set- all that to the imagination of the reader. “Admirable! Sublime!” echoed assessed are more particularly described as all parcels abutting Hickory Hill Lane, or with access to Hickory Hill Lane (including Pheasant Ridge Drive, Sleepy Hollow Trail, Lilypad Lane and Timberlost Trail) which include the following parcel numbers: HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 02-045-001-00 02-045-002-00 02-045-003-00 02-045-004-00 pattern. Then a female of the same species will respond with a different pattern. Ideally ; Doctor Universe the right male finds the right female, and A firefly’s glow is also a warning. It lets predators know that the beetle is poisonous and not a good snack. $180,000 (including administrative costs), and has placed the same on file with the Township clerk; has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to make the improvement and to create the special assessment district; and has tentatively found the petitions for the improvement in compliance with the statutory requirements. The portion of the project to be financed through the special assessment district is $90,000, plus any administrative costs. The plans, cost estimates and special assessment district may be examined at the fireflies we have in the western United States. Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such They either don’t light up at all or glow so public hearing. chemical signals to find their mates instead. reaction-and the glow stick lights up. reaction PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the petitions, plans, district and cost estimates will be held on September 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Baltimore Township Hall, 3100 E Dowling Road, Hastings, Michigan. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing and any objections or comments raised at the invitation. Different kinds of fireflies have hearing. If written objections are filed with the township board at or before the hearing, signed by the record different eating habits as adults. Some never owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the eat at all. Some eat nectar or pollen. But the the two liquids mix. That causes a chemical chemical Q2;Q45.-QQa:QQ PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed road faintly that you can’t see them. They use Natural night light A firefly’s 02-045-009-00 02-045-010-00 02-045-011-00 02-006-101-00 But some fireflies don’t glow. Those are the female firefly’s glow is the worst kind of Asher, 7, Md. Q2-O45-OO6-QO- 02-045-019-00 02-045-020-00 02-045-021-10 02-045-026-00 02-045-007-00 improvements with associated activities, together with an estimate of the cost of the project in the amount of they mate and everybody’s happy.” For some unfortunate male fireflies, a What makes fireflies light up at night? Q2-Q45-Q05-01 02-045-012-00 02-045-014-00 02-045-015-00 02-045-016-00 02-045-017-00 02-045-018-00- fireflies from the group Photuris are preda­ tors. They’re also aggressive mimics. township board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the township. Following the hearing, the township board may revise, correct, amend or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. happens Female fireflies from this group hang out inside a special light organ in its abdomen. on the ground looking for the flickering pat­ PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal When I was a kitten, there were tons of The stuff inside the light organ-a molecule terns of male fireflies from another group. to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in fireflies in my grandparents’ yard. My litter called luciferin and a protein called lucifer- They respond by mimicking the glow pat­ interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall mates and I loved to gently catch them and ase-don’t glow on their own. But when the tern the male firefly expects to see from a let them go. firefly’s body lets oxygen into the light potential mate. He gets closer and closer­ organ, a chemical reaction happens and the and then the female eats him. As a bonus, estimates. firefly’s abdomen glows. that gives the Photuris firefly the poison she ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND needs to protect her from predators since PUBLIC HEARING. Dear Asher, I talked with my friend Richard Zack about how and why fireflies light up. He’s an insect scientist at Washington State Uni­ Zack told me the big reason fireflies light versity. ,, Those glowing insects are a kind of bee- up is to find mates. You’ve probably noticed that a firefly’s light doesn’t stay on. It flicks tle. But we call them fireflies or lightning on and off. Different kinds of fireflies use bugs. Their glow is a form of biolumines- different patterns of lighting up and turning cence. That’s when a chemical reaction inside a living thing makes it light up. Zack told me to think about a glow stick. off to find each other. and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and cost PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessments, this group doesn’t make it on their own. I’m pretty sure she gives the meal a glow­ ing review. the Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessments. • Dr. Universe Baltimore Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities “If you’re watching fireflies, the ones you see flying around and flickering are be permitted to file at or before the hearing his or her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to be present In person or by representative at the hearing upon seven (7) days' notice to the Township Clerk. Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ If you shake it, you can tell it has liquid mostly males,” Zack said. “If you look verse. Send an email to Washington State inside it. There’s also a small glass capsule down at the ground, you will see flickering Universitys resident scientist and writer at filled with another liquid inside. When you females. So, what happens is the male is out Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, crack the glow stick, the glass breaks, and there giving off its species’ flick, flick, flick askdruniverse, com. Penelope Ypma Baltimore Township Clerk 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings Ml 49058 (269)721-3552 5109 �Page 8 — Thursday, September 7, 2023 —— The Hastings Banner Rutland charter township BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 2024-2033 PODUNK LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (AQUATIC VEGETATION CONTROL) PROPOSED 2023-2032 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN; OWNERS OF PROPERTY ABUTTING OR HAVING DEEDED ACCESS TO PODUNK LAKE IN LAND SECTIONS 26, 27 AND 34 OF RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP; AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: 35,000 visit the Mackinac Bridge for the 2023 bridge walk Light breezes balanced out the bright sunshine for the 2023 Mackinac Bridge Walk this week, and those near-perfect conditions deserve at least some of the credit for the biggest crowd seen in several years. “With roughly 35,000 people from across Michigan and beyond joining us for the bridge walk, this is the largest crowd we ve seen since 2016 when 45,000 people walked the bridge,” said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “It was a beautiful day, and a perfect opportuni­ ty to enjoy the unparalleled views of the Straits.” The bridge, which closed at 6:30 a.m. to all vehicle traffic for the walk, reopened prompt­ ly at noon. Based on the success ofthe recent events, the 2023 Annual Bridge Walk again started from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminated the need for busing and offers additional options for participants. The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pan­ demic. The 2022 walk was the 64th event, when 26,000 people participated. f PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Supervisor/Assessing Officer of Rutland Charter Township has reported to the Township Board and filed in the office ofthe Township Clerk for public examination a proposed special assessment roll/special assessment column in the regular tax roll pertaining to the 2024-2033 Podunk Lake Improvement Program Special Assessment District (Aquatic Vegetation Control) pursuant to action by the Township Board oh August 9, 2023 (Resolution No. 2023-293). This proposed special assessment roll proposes to allocate the costs ofan aquatic vegetation control program for 2024 through 2033 (including estimated administrative/ legal expenses incurred primarily in 2023) in the approximate total amount of $126,550 over the ten-year program to the various lots and parcels within the District as follows (in each instance treating multiple contiguous lots/parcels under the same ownership as a single assessment unit), as follows: $2,268.00 to each lot/parcel abutting Podunk Lake, levied and payable in ten annual installments as follows: $315.00 in 2023, only $217.00 in each ofyears 2024-2032 • $1,848.00 to each lot/parcel abutting primarily the channel of Podunk Lake, levied and payable in.ten annual installments as follows: $273.00 in 2023, only $175.00 in each ofyears 2024-2032 $1,018.00 to each lot/parcel abutting neither Podunk Lake nor the chan­ nel but having deeded access to Podunk Lake, levied and payable in ten annual installments as follows: Roughly 35,000 people participated in the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk this year, the largest crowd since 201 (Photo hoto provided) rovided) I $190.00 in 2023 only NOTICE $92.00 in each ofyears 2024-2032 The special assessments for each of years 2024-2032 will be subject to annual redetermination by the Township Board when the actual costs of the yearly program and any relevant administrative costs are known. Any such annual redetermination of costs and assessments will be made at a regular meeting ofthe Township Board in SeptemberNovember of each year, or thereabouts, without further notice or hearing except as may be required by law or as may be further determined by the Township Board; provided that the allocation of individual special assessments resulting from any such annual redetermination shall be based on the same allocation method used for the initial 2023­ 2032 special assessments. Unpaid assessments will be subject to interest at a rate to be determined by the Township Board not exceeding 8.0% per annum (tentatively 3.0%). Note: In 2024 the Township Board may consider whether any surplus from the previous special assessments levied for the 2019-2023 lake improvement program should' be applied in whole or in part as an offset/credit to the special assessment installment that would otherwise be levied in 2024-2032 for the 2024-2033 program. A public hearing on any objections to the proposed special assessment roll will be held at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan, on Wednesday. September 13. 2023 in conjunction with a regular meeting of the Township Board commencing at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to this public hearing the Township Board may approve and confirm the proposed special assessment roll as submitted, or may approve the proposed special assessment roll with revisions, or may direct a new roll to be made. The proposed special assessment roll, and the program plans, estimate of costs, the boundaries ofthe 2024-2033 Podunk Lake Improvement Program Special Assessment District, and the Resolution ofthe Township Board creating the Special Assessment District and directing the Supervisor/Assessing Officer of the Township to make the proposed special assessment roll, may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk and may further be examined at the public hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT APPEARANCE AND PROTEST AT THIS HEARING IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO APPEAL A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL. AN OWNER OR PARTY IN INTEREST OR HIS OR HER AGENT MAY APPEAR IN PERSON AT THIS HEARING TO PROTEST A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, OR MAY FILE AN APPEARANCE OR PROTEST BY LETTER WITH THE TOWNSHIP CLEf^K BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE HEARING OR WITHIN SUCH FURTHER TIME AS THE TOWNSHIP BOARD MAY GRANT, IF ANY, AND IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES A PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE HEARING SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED. THE OWNER OR ANY PERSON HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY WHO PROTESTS IN PERSON OR IN WRITING AS PROVIDED ABOVE MAY FILE A WRITTEN APPEAL OF A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT WITH THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL WITHIN 35 DAYS AFTER THE CONFIRMATION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL (OR SUCH OTHER PERIOD OF TIME AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW). The foregoing hearings and all proceedings associated with these special assessment matters will be conducted in accordance with and pursuant to 1954 PA 188, as amended, the Michigan Open Meetings Act, and any other applicable law. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)948-2194 204290 Give the gift of NEWS! Send friends and family a gift subscription to The Hastings BANNER! To subscribe, call us at... 269-945-9554 SPIRITUAL CARE CONSULTANTS Of West Michigan ANNUAL MEETING/BOARD MEETING September 12,2023 5:30 PM County sticks with, accounting firm for audit despite big jump in fees ■e Jayson Editor *Editor After concluding a six-year engagement with accounting firm GauUdge & Co., Barry County officials were left with a decision — continue using Public Welcome the firm to carry out its yearly financial audit or seek bids from other firms. After mulling it over at Tuesday morning’s meeting ofthe county’s Com? RSVP for instructions on how to join the mittee ofthe Whole, commissioners ultimately decided to extend the agreed ment with the Grand Rapids-based firm for two more years. It came at meeting. significant price increase, which served as a stark reminder ofthe inflation^ 269-929-2901 ary pressures that still loom large. Gabridge & Co. has been conducting the financial audit for Barry County since 2018> TOWNSHIP OF CARLTON charging $26,060 per year. On Tuesday, the BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN Committee ofthe Whole made a recommenj dation that the Board of Commissioner^ NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC HEARING FOR extend the agreement by two more years, but to the tune of$49,860 in 2023 and $50,800 iq MIDDLE LAKE WEED CONTROL 2024. TO: The residents and property owners bordering the foregoing lake and all other inter. “I did have a little concern with that price, ested persons. I reached out to our peers to try to see where PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Carlton Township Board has scheduled a public their fees were,” Barry County Administrator hearing for an aquatic weed control project for Middle Lake within the Township, on the es­ Michael Brown told the Committee of th^ timated costs of such improvement and on the special assessment district proposed to be Whole on Tuesday Morning. created within which the costs of such improvement is proposed to be collected. He found that comparable counties were PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the aforesaid special assessment district paying similar fees such as Isabella County at is more particularly described as follows: $44,000; Montcalm County at $40,000 an<j Approximately 101 properties that front on Middle Lake । the larger Midland County at $70,000. A complete list of parcel numbers is available at the Township Hall Brown recommended that the Committed of the Whole extend the agreement with PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the estimated costs for a lake manage­ Gabridge & Co. because the county expects ment program for the control of weeds and/or algae in Middle Lake for the 2024 through 2027 seasons is in the approximate amount of $105,000.00 or $35,000.00 per year and are to see retirements amongst key administra­ on file with the Township.Clerk for public examination and will be available at the scheduled tive personnel and Gabridge’s familiarity public hearing. with the county and its finances would make PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has tentatively de­ for an easier transition. clared its intent to make the foregoing improvements and to create the afore-described Commissioner Bob Teunessen asked it special assessment district for the collection of the costs thereof and has tentatively found Brown knew the reasoning behind such a the foregoing to be reasonable and proper. steep hike in price, and Brown said that he PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the public hearing on the foregoing im­ was told it was primarily due to staffing costs provements, estimated costs and the special assessment district within which such costs on behalf ofGabridge & Co. are to be collected, will be held at the Carlton Township Hall, 85 Welcome Road, within the “They chose to bid that. I don’t necessarily township on Monday, September 11, 2023, commencing at 7 p.m. At the hearing the feel for them, if you may. I’m not trying to Board will consider any written objections to any ofthe foregoing matters filed with the Board negotiate on their behalf,” Brown said. “They at or before the hearing as well as any revisions, corrections, amendments or changes to chose to put that bid in. But we have beeij the plans, estimates or special assessment district that may be raised at such hearing. The happy with their service. They do a nice job. Township Board reserves the right to revise, correct, amend or change the plans, estimates The key right now is they understand QUf of costs or special assessment district at or following said public hearing. county. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if written objections to the improvement County board Vice Chair David Hatfield, are filed with the Township Board at dr before the aforesaid public hearing, signed by record who wields decades of experience in the owners of land constituting more than 20% of the total frontage upon the lake proposed to be improved, then the Township Board may not proceed with the project unless petitions finance industry, found Brown’s recommeny in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of such frontage are dation to be compelling. p g. filed with the Township. Such objections may be filed with the Township Clerk at the fore­ “I think your rationale for not making a going address. Please take further notice that if the Township Board determines to proceed chance in firms right now makes sense,” Haty with the project, it will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared for the recovery of field said. “But at least in the corporate the costs thereof and another hearing will be held preceded by notice to record owners of world, at least a five-year rotation ofauditory property proposed to be specially assessed and by publication in the Banner, to hear public is common. In the banking industry, it’s many comments concerning the proposed special assessments. dated. So, 1 do think that next time we should PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that Carlton Township will provide necessary take it out for bid and consider a rotation. I’m and reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the hearing to individuals with disabilities comfortable with the recommendation for upon reasonable notice to the Carlton Township Clerk ofthe need for the same. Individuals this year and next year.” with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the office ofthe Township Clerk in writing or by calling the undersigned Clerk at least five days prior to the hearing. Before engaging with Gabridge & Co., ant) locking in at the $26,000 yearly fee, the councoun­ All interested persons are Invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, in ty had been paying just over $38,000 for its person or by representative, and to submit comments concerning the foregoing. audit. “1 think what it looks like is we’ve been CARLTON TOWNSHIP getting a heck of a deal at $26,060 for a fexy Amanda Carothers, Clerk years,” said Dave Jackson, chair ofthe couny 86 Welcome Road Hastings, Ml 49058 ty board. “That’s below market value. They’re 269-945-5990 probably making up a bit on that end but that 205567 was a heck ofa deal for the last six years.” Spiritual Care Consultants Healing Center r r rvk vWv vwk’ vvWvwk. �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday, Seoptember 7,2023 Tough birdie helps Vikings to second Maple Valley's Isaiah Ross steers the ball away from Olivet's Connor Toburen during their non-conference contest at Olivet High School Wednesday, Aug. 30. (Photo by Brett Bremer) * despite Lakewood sohpomore Ellie Benham watches/her tee shot fly on number five at The Medalist Tuesday afternoon during {he second CAAC-White jamboree of the fife ft teat Lakewood sophomore Galatea Archbold-Pyle watches a shot from the fairway fly towards the green on number four during the CAAC-White jamboree hosted by Olivet at The Medalist Golf Club Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) season. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer HMT WtIGi tetacita1 EMFOFOO igfjgnww - ’2024. **55"-* 2024. w,»es- f*t Sports Editor Portland senior Malia Thelen asked to hold the flag on the number four green at The Medalist Golf Club Tuesday afternoon as Lakewood senior Makenzie Vasquez set up for a birdie putt. “I want to be a part ofthis,” Thelen said. , A couple outstanding shots, including a long fairway iron shot that dropped Vasquez’s Ball to within about six feet ofthe pin, led to the birdie on the toughest hole at The Medalist for the Vikings’ returning state qualifier. Vasquez was just two over through five Boles after following up that four on the par-5 number four with a par on number five. She Closed her day with a 45 overall that had her in third place individually. In the race for second place, the Lake­ Wood varsity girls’ golf team came out on top Tuesday. The Lakewood girls beat out Portland by a jingle stroke for second place at the second Capital Area Activities Conference White Division jamboree of the fall 318-319. Port­ land finishedjust ahead ofthe Vikings for the second-place spot at the opening conference jamboree ofthe season last week. Lansing Catholic Central, the top ranked team in the state in Division 4, won for the Second time in the conference in two tries putting together a score of 189. The Cougars had three of the top four flayers at the conference jamboree. Senior Sophie Hauser shot a 42, junior Brynn Anderson a 44 and sophomore Addi Rule a 46. The Cougars also got a 57 from sophoinore Elisabeth Ruddell. < Portland had four girls in the top ten in the standings, including Thelen andjunior Bailee Fish who each shot a 55. Junior Annabelle Bower led the Raiders with a 53 and junior Faige Spedoske scored a 56. Lakewood junior Ellie Benham matched Spedoske with a 56 to finish in a tie for tenth individually. The Viking team also got a 58 from senior Audrey Hillard and a 59 from sophomore Galatea Archbold-Pyle. Lakewood head coach Carl Kutch was happy to see senior Audrey Hillard dig her heels in and finish after a rough start to her found. Benham bounced back after a bit of a tough start too. “We always focus and talk a lot about the short game,” Kutch said, “about not losing Strokes to putts and we’re having to con­ sciously take our time pre-shot and line them Up and pull the trigger. We’re really trying to build on getting some strokes back on chip­ ping and putting. I think Ellie had three up and downs, which is another thing we empha­ size a lot and we do a couple drills where kids have to go up and down to move on and that kind ofthing.” Archbold-Pyle was at the top ofthe Viking Scoreboard at the first conferencejamboree of Lakewood senior Mackenzie Vasquez rolls a birdie putt across the areen on number four at The Medalist Golf Club Tuesday during the CAAC-White jamboree hosted by Olivet. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the season, in her first varsity season, and earned that spot in the top four for the team again Tuesday. “[Archbold-Pyle] has emerged early on as that number four, five player,” Kutch said. “With 15 kids out total, we have a little battle in the middle. We have kids trying to get that spot. She, early on, won some challenge matches. She has played in almost every var­ sity match. Ifyou continue to post the num­ bers we use, it’s really your spot to lose.” Charlotte was fourth in the day’s team standings with a score of 233 ahead of Ionia 236, Olivet 276 and Eaton Rapids 285 “The heat was a factor today, in addition to the tougher track, I think that heat played a role too,” Kutch said of the humid, near 90 degree day. “I feel pretty good after two jam­ borees coming back and beating Portland by a couple strokes.” The Vikings are scheduled to play in a Laingsburg’s Ryder Cup event Friday and then will head to Forest Akers East in East Lansing Monday for a CAAC Open. The next conference jamboree will be hosted by Lan­ sing Catholic at Groesbeck Golf Course Tuesday, Sept. 12. Lions improve play in loss against Olivet the first half. Our defensive form wasn’t Sports Editor shifting right away. Usually, when they stop J Thp Liqns. qpntinufi to expect bettej; .r^su^ rdojngthat it is bec^^t^ey ajp, getting tire&. ^h^Lafter aSrbette^performance Wedn’ esday??9 O*SHteffes finished offhis hat-trick with 4-5;44 to go in the game. Smalley was able to knock evening at Olivet. away a long high shot in at his net, but the The Eagles took a 4-0 non-conference vic­ rebounded deflected to Steffes who rushed in tory over the visiting Maple Valley varsity to one-touch the ball into the net. boys’ soccer team that drops the Lions to 0-4 “The first three games, one halfwe played overall this season at the time. Maple Valley to our potential,” Webb said. “Tonight, we head coach Chris Webb doesn’t see why any of the matches left on the 2023 schedule played 70 minutes to our potential. We made aren’t winnable if his guys don’t keep pro­ a big stride today. Our youth showed. We had some ofthose mental breakdowns.” gressing. Offensively, coach Webb said his guys That proved prophetic Tuesday as the Lions scored their first win ofthe season by need to do a bit betterjob ofworking the ball through the midfield quickly. the score of2-1 at Bellevue. The Lions were playing on back-to-back The Lions’ best chance to put the ball in nights Wednesday and hadjust one substitute the net against the Eagles last Wednesday was one of their last ones. Sophomore Bradley available at Olivet. Coach Webb is expecting Harvey took a direct free kick from just out­ to have three more guys available in the side the top left comer ofthe Eagle box and week ahead. “Tonight, I was hoping we could be com­ fired a shot by the Olivet wall that clanged off petitive going into next week when we have the crossbar. our full roster, and the boys gave us what we Most of the best chances happened the other way, with the Eagles doing an excellent wanted,” Webb said. “Nic Hansen, a sopho­ job of creating scoring chances but an okay more playing center back tonight, played job of finishing those chances until the sec­ outstanding. [Freshman] Tyler Curtis stepped up and played well too. Our youth really ond half. stepped up today and enabled us to really The Eagles ledjust 1-0 at the half, and that goal didn’t come until the 39™ minute of compete.” Hansen helped lead the defense withjunior play. Jaden Smith centered a ball from left to Robert Schilz. The Lions will look to move right. Teammate Levi Rigelman got it down Schilz up towards the attack as the roster gets in the box and then Christian Steffes man­ its boost next week. He stepped up into the aged to power it past Lion keeper Doug attack during the second half as the Lions Smalley for the goal. tried to rally against the Eagles Wednesday. Caiden Giguere scored on a PK for the The Lions will get to measure their prog­ Eagles in the opening minutes ofthe second ress this season when they play host to the half and the Eagles pushed their lead to 3-0 Eagles Oct. 5. nine minutes into the second halfon a second “The boys are very optimistic,” coach Steffes goal. Webbs said. “We lost 4-0, but they saw the “I think some fatigue went into play in the second half,” coach Webb said. “Our mid­ potential in the way that we played. I think a little fire was lit tonight, which is good” fielders weren’t getting back like they were in Brett Bremer Vikes fall 3-0 in early conference showdown Brett Bremer Sports Editor It wasn’t the outcome the Vikings were shooting for Tuesday night. Eaton Rapids took a 3-0 victory over the visiting Lakewood varsity boys’ soccer team in their Capital Area Activities Con­ ference White Division clash. The loss is the first ofthe season for the Vikings and drops them to 6-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Eaton Rapids scored the game’s first goal with about 15 mihutes to play in the first half, added a goal on a penalty kick to move ahead 2-0 in the second halfand then added a third tally to put the game away. “The score wasn’t really reflective ofthe game overall,” Lakewood head coach James LeVeque said. '‘They looked like the better team, but we had far more chances to put balls in the back ofthe net. We had five comer kicks in the first halfand we had two or three at least partial breakaways.” The Vikings were playing without their current leading goal scorer, foreign exchange student Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue who suffered an injury over the hol­ iday break. Coach LeVeque expects him to return to action this week. The Lakewood head coach said the match was up and down in both directions, but the Greyhounds were able to just take advantage ofthe chances that they had bet­ ter than his Vikings. The Viking head coach did think his guys had earned a couple more scoring chances then they got as he disagreed with a few offsides calls against his team throughout the afternoon. If he was disappointed in his guys for anything it was that the Greyhounds beat them to most ofthe 50/50 balls despite the Vikings’ size advantage. “Eaton Rapids played well. They were fast to the ball, very fast defensively and played everything well out ofthe air,” LeVeque said. Lakewood returns to action Sept. 11 at home against Battle Creek Lakeview. The CAAC White season continues when the Vikings travel to Portland Sept. 12. The Vikings also have a non-conference match at Delton Kellogg Sept. 14. Lakewood went into the match with Eaton Rapids undefeated having scored a 5-0 win over visiting Pennfield last Wednesday, Aug. 30. Cano Fernandez Vegue scored twice in that win over Pennfield to up his total to 13 goals on the season. Garret Feighan scored three times. Troy Acker chipped in two assists and Eli Steed had one. �Page 10 — Thursday, September 7, 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 21, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee ’for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Juilene Chilton, a married woman, as her Sole and Separate Property Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: January 29, 2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 9,2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $320,880.02 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West described as follows: Beginning at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence North 00 degrees 12 minutes 48 seconds East, along the North and South 1/4 line of Section 28, a distance of 962.01 feet; thence South 89 degrees 47 minutes 12 seconds East, at right angles to said North and South 1/4 line, 594.42 feet; thence North 70 degrees 51 minutes 18 seconds East 113.00 feet; thence South 16 degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds East 84.15 feet; thence South 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds West 129.11 feet; thence South 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 seconds West 176.43 feet; thence North 77 degrees 25 minutes 58 seconds West 114.51 feet; thence South 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds West 399.26 feet; thence South 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds West 156.43 feet; thence South 20 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East 159.14 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 11.60 feet to the South line of said Section 28; thence North 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West, along said line, 337.17 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to and together with a non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and public utilities over a strip of land 66 feet width, the centerline of which is described as follows: Commencing at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence South 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East, along the South line of said Section 28, a distance of 337.17 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 208.40 feet; thence North 88 degrees 08 minutes 44 seconds East 35.10 feet to the true place of beginning of said centerline; thence North 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 32 seconds West 148.29 feet; thence North 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds East 121.90 feet; thence North 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds East 327.86 feet; thence North 86 degrees 10 minutes 49 seconds East 90.76 feet; thence North 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 seconds East 246.64 feet; thence North 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds East 129.11 feet; thence North 16 degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds West 84.15 feet; thence South 70 degrees 51 minutes. 1&seconds West 113.00 feet; thence North degrees’20 minutes 3’1 seconds West 168.54 feet; thence North 40 degrees 14 minutes 40 seconds East 130.44 feet; thence North 82 degrees 52 minutes 52 seconds East 213.48 feet; thence South 76 degrees 55 minutes 51 seconds East 104.49 feet; thence North 68 degrees 45 minutes 24 seconds East 112.30 feet to the centerline of Day Road and the point of ending Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 14950 Loon Lake Dr, Bellevue, Ml 49021-8228 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: August 24,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1507643 (08-24X09-14) 204831 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 23-02961-GA In the matter of Mark Alsup. TOO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS including: any and all family members of Mark Alsup whose address(es) is/are unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on October 4, 2023 at 2:45 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 via Zoom before Judge William M. Doherty P41960 for the following purpose: Hearing on the Petition For Appointment of Guardian. Date: 9/5/2023 William M. Azkoul P40071 99 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 800 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 616-235-5500 Clearstream Rehabilitation, Carla McKelvey 240 E. North Street Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-9584 205452 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 49c of the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966,1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1449c, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidderfor cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Amanda Yahne, single woman Original Mortgagee: Neighborhood Loans, Inc. Date of mortgage: November 4, 2022 Recorded on November 10, 2022, in Document No. 2022­ 011423, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Michigan State Housing Development Authority Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Seven and 52/100 Dollars ($136,927.52) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: PART OF THE WEST 1/2 OF SECTION 7, T1N, R9W, BARRY TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT 273.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7, SAID POINT ALSO BEING SOUTH 71 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 03 SECONDS EAST 335.14 FEET FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1, POPLAR BEACH PLAT AS RECORDED IN LIBER 3 OF PLATS, PAGE 14, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST, 135.40 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 18 SECONDS WEST, 146.28 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 16 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, 153.21 FEET; THENCE NORTH 49 DEGREES 53 MINUTES 03 SECONDS WEST, 216.81 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 265.04 FEET TO BEGINNING. EXCEPT: COMMENCING AT THE WEST 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH, 43 FEET; THENCE EAST, 624.40 FEET; THENCE NORTH 62 DEGREES 40 MINUTES EAST, 143 FEET; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST 116.2 FEETTO A POINT WHICH IS SOUTH 43 DEGREES 45 MINUTES EAST, 25 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 5 OF THE RECORDED PLAT OF POPLAR BEACH, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS. SAID POINT BEING 168.41 FEET NORTH AND 834.68 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH 46 DEGREES 15 MINUTES EAST, 274.50 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS 274.80 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE NORTH 50 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 52 SECONDS EAST, 136.60 FEET (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS NORTH 50 DEGREES 30 MINUTES EAST, 136.60 FEET) ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LINE OF KLINE STREET; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 48 DEGREES 46 MINUTES EAST), 260.94 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF KLINE STREET TO A POINT BEING 279.92 FEET NORTH AND 1335.28 FEET EAST OF SAID WEST 1/4 POST OF SECTION 7 AND THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS EAST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 48 DEGREES 46 MINUTES EAST) 168.56 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF KLINE STREET TO THE CENTERLINE OF SPRAGUE ROAD; THENCE SOUTH 46 DEGREES 41 MlNtJTES 19 SECONDS WEST (PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AS SOUTH 45 DEGREES 24 MINUTES WEST), 95.46 FEET; THENCE NORTH 48 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 46 SECONDS WEST, 157.63 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 06 MINUTES 57 SECONDS EAST, 95.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 11438’ Sytsma Dr, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 125.1449v, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 125.1449v(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Michigan State Housing Development Authority Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507066 (08-17)(09-07) 204503 NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number: SP-8-2023 - Stephannle Cas­ tle (Applicant); Stephannle & Jeffery Castle (Property Owner) Location: 1913 Star School Rd, in Section 21 of Hastings Township. Purpose: Requesting a special use permit to operate a day care - group pursuant to Article 23, Section 2324 in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district. Case Number: SP-1-2022 - Michigan Materi­ als & Aggregate Co.; (ApplicantiProperty Own­ er) Location: Miller Road, Delton, in Section 25 of Orangeville Township. Purpose: Requesting a special use permit to op­ erate a mine for sand and gravel pursuant to Article 23, Section 2351 in the RR (Rural Residential) zon­ ing district. MEETING DATE: September 25, 2023. UMfi: 7:00 PM Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212,, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit courtin Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on September 21,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information:. Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Bryan M. Perreault, married man and Jenea Perreault, his wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: January 22, 2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: January 29,2020 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $135,727.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Irving, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Unit No. 2, Daisy Lane No. 1, according to the Master Deed recorded in instrument No. 1095651, as amended, and designated as Barry County Condominium Subdivision Plan No 27, together with rights in the general common elements and the limited common elements as shown on the Master Deed and as described as Act 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended. Common street address (if any): 2517 Daisy Ln, Middleville, Ml 49332^8140 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: August 24, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 204830 1507593 (08-24)(09-14) NOTICE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1pm, on Thursday, September 14,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. The foreclosure sale is pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Mortgage made by CHRISTOPHER B. WALKER and SHANNON J. WALKER, Mortgagors, to First National Bank of America, Mortgagee, dated November 9, 2004, and recorded November 17, 2004, in Instrument Number 1137316, of Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due as of the date of this notice $78,271.34, including interest at 9.95% per annum. Said premises are situated in Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Beginning at the NW comer of the SE1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 9, T4N, R9W; thence 26 2/3 rods East; thence South 12 rods; thence West 26 2/3 rods; thence North approximately 12 rods to the place of beginning. Together with rights of ingress and egress over the currently established road, except that part deeded to the State of Michigan in Liber 246 on Page 589; c/k/a 6153 Cain Creek, Freeport, Ml 49325. The redemption period shall be six months from the date of the sale, unless the premises are determined to be abandoned pursuant to MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be one month, or until the time to provide the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c) expires, whichever is later. The redemption period further may be shortened pursuant to MCL 600.3238(10) ifthe property is not adequately maintained, or if the purchaser is denied the opportunity to inspect the property. Please be advised that if the mortgaged property is sold at a foreclosure sale by advertisement, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale, or to the mortgage holder, for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Dated: August 17,2023 Randall T. LeVasseur P41712 LeVasseur Dyer & Associates, PC Attorneys for Mortgagee 3233 Coolidge Hwy Berkley, Ml 48072 (248)236-1765. (08-17X09-07) 204504 PLACE: Tyden Center Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Planning Commission members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at jmcmanus@barrycQunty.org. The special use application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk 05403 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING REGARDING PETITION NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29604-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W, Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Reese Madalyn Braska. TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: Stephanie Lehman has filed a petition for name change. A name change hearing Financial FOCUS rovided hy the Harry County offices of Edward Jones Member SIPC Andrew Cove, AANIS® CFP ® Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-8265 What does it cost not to have life insurance? It’s probably not on your calendar, but September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. And that means it’s a good time to become more aware of the benefits of having life insurance family? , Clearly, if you were to assign these benefits a “price tag,” it would be pretty high. And that’s the value of owning sufficient life insurance. So, let’s return to the issue of people putting off buying insurance because they don’t know how much they need, or what type they should have: • How much is enough? You might hear that you need life insurance equal to about seven to 10 times your pretax annual salary. That’s not a bad “ballpark” figure, but not everyone is playing in the' same ballpark. To get a true sense of how much of a death benefit you require from your life insurance, you’ll need to consider a variety of factors, possibly including your current income, spouse’s income, the size of your mortgage (in addition to other liabilities), number of — and the dangers of not having it. Unfortunately, confusion about some of the basic elements of owning life insurance may be keeping people from getting the protection they need. More than half of uninsured Americans say they have put off purchasing coverage because they don’t know what to buy or how much they need, according to Life Happens and LIMRA, two nonprofit organizations that provide research and education about life insurance. Yet, while this confusion may be understandable, a delay in acquiring appropriate insurance can be costly in more ways than one. From a strict doilars-and- cents perspective, it’sr generally much more affordable to buy life insurance when you’re younger. But there are potentially much greater costs involved in not having insurance when it’s children, educational expenses and final expenses for funeral arrangements. • What type? You can essentially choose between two - basic types of life insurance: needed — and these costs are personal. To be specific, what is it worth ... to know your family could stay in your home if something happened to you? ...to knowyour children could continue their education plans? ...to know your debts could be paid without burdening your St, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge Madalyn Braska to Reese Madalyn Lehman. between term and permanent insurance, you’ll want to evaluate several issues, such as how long you think you’ll need coverage and how much you can afford to pay in premiums. Finding out about the benefits, costs and types of life insurance can help you make informed choices to help protect your family for years to come — so don’t delay learning what you need to know. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency ofNew or 20 years. Generally speaking, term insurance is quite affordable Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309 for most people, especially when they buy policies as young adults. On the other hand, permanent insurance, such as whole life or universal life, is usually Mexico, L.L.C.; ®•15 ®15 and Edward For Arkansas (when applicable): Arkansas Insurance License Number [insert FA license number] considerably more expensive than NOTICE Attention homeowner. Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the cjrcuiUourt in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on SEPTEMBER 28, 2023. the amount due on the mortgage Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 12 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212,) that the following mortgage will b foreclosed by a. sale of the mortgaged premises, r some part or them, at a public auction sale to the'hghest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding; the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at! 1:00 PM, on September 14, 2023. The amount a due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing, the highest bid at the sale *^dtoyes automatically entitle, the purchaser to free and clear ownership df-'tfie'property. A'potential purchasbr'fe may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by John C. Smith and Amanda J. Smith, to Fifth Third Mortgage - Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated December 12, 2007 and recorded January 11,2008 in Instrument Number 20080111-0000387 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, NA. as Successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four and 82/100 Dollars ($107,004.82). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on SEPTEMBER 28,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Rutland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as:. Part of the Northwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 27, Town 3 North, Range 9 West, Rutland Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as commencing at the Northwest comer of said Section 27; thence South 66.00 feet along the West line of said Section 27 to the true Point of Beginning; thence East 200.00 feet parallel with the North line of said Section 27; thence South 600.00 feet parallel with said West line; thence West 200.00 feet parallel with said North line; thence North 600.00 feet along said West line to the Point of Beginning. 2031 Hubble Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: August 31,2023 File No. 23-008524 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (08-31X09-21) 205130 encouraged to contact the county register of deeds' office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE)' Mortgagors): Elizabeth Lonergan, an unmarried/ woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electroniq Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: August 23,2013 Recorded on August 27, 2013, in Document No. 2013-010429, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Sixty-One Thousand Ninety-One and 16/100 Dollars ($61,091.16) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Commencing at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West, Hastings Township, Barry County, Michigan; thence North 1473.70 feet along the East line of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds West, 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence North 171.72 feet parallel with the said East line; thence North 89 degrees 00 minutes East, 200.03 feet to the East line; thence South 174.81 feet along the said East line to place of beginning. Also commencing at the Southeast comer of Section 16, Town 3 North, Range 8 West; thence North 1409.78 feet along the East line of the Southeast 1/4 of said Section to the place of beginning; thence South 89 degrees 30 minutes West, 200.01 feet; thence North 65.26 feet parallel with said East line; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes 05 seconds East, 200.00 feet parallel with the South line of said Section; thence South 63.92 feet along the East line of said Section to the place of beginning. Commonly known as 718 Powell Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner. If you are a militaiy service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr. Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1507067 (08-17)(09-07) 204502 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29607-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 Court address: 206 West Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Pamela S. Briggs. Date of birth: December 20,1946. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Pamela S. Briggs, died 04/08/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to David D. Briggs, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street,Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 9/01/2023 Robert L. Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 David D. Briggs 4 Stonegate Drive Alexandria, KY 41001 513-200-9970 /if term insurance. This is because permanent insurance premiums, in addition to providing a death benefit, help build cash value, which you can typically access through loans or withdrawals, giving you additional flexibility should your financial needs change over time. In choosing term and permanent. As its name suggests, term insurance is designed to provide coverage for a designated period, such as 10 will be held 10-4-2023 @ 2:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court William M. Doherty to change the name of: Reese Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Financial Advisor 205405 I fartKjr fartKjrtiB agno&fdNt Mm H;U ***^8 K A N 'i, M*i«^** �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 7, 2023 — Page 11 TK hosts Salute to Service Night lead to 20-0 early in the second halfthanks to a three-yard touchdown pass from quarter­ back BJ Hunt to Jaden Taylor. Taylor had scored the opening points ofthe ballgame on a 13-yard touchdown run, and then caught a two-point pass from Hunt to push their team in front 8-0 in the opening quarter. Parchment got a 28-yard TD pass from Hunt to Ben Pellettier to move its lead to 14-0 before the half. Delton Kellogg answered Parchment’s third touchdown by driving inside the Parch­ ment ten-yard-line, but fumbled the ball away in the backfield. Gauge Stampfler made up for his team’s offensive miscue two plays later though, returning an interception 15 yards for a touchdown that got Delton Kel­ logg its first points ofthe evening. Jamil Rivera-Griffin responded with a sev­ en-yard TD run for Parchment early in the fourth quarter. Delton Kellogg got its first offensive touch­ down of the season on a 45-yard TD run by Stampfler midway through the fourth quarter. Mitchell Swift kept some hope alive late in the fourth quarter with a fumble recovery for the Delton Kellogg defense, but the DK Pan­ thers weren’t able to keep the ball moving down the field. Brett Bremer •i» •Mae Sports Editor I Thornapple Kellogg and Delton Kellogg are the two teams getting to play on their Home turfthis Friday night, the first full Fri­ day night ofthe 2023 varsity football season, f Thornapple Kellogg plays host to Cedar | Springs for its OK Gold Conference opener. I Both teams are looking for their first victory ofthe season. It is the Trojans’ annual Salute tb Service Night. All active service memtjers, veterans and first responders will be Admitted into the game for free with proper identification. ‘ The Delton Kellogg is still a couple weeks away from its annual Veterans/Salute to Zeroes Night. The Panthers will host that evening when they take on Lawton, Sept. 22. I ^outh Haven is on the schedule for this week the Delton Kellogg team plays its home , opener. I The Panthers took a six-point win over the Aams a year y ago in the first-ever meeting tjetween the two teams and it should be a tjght one again as both teams come in at 1-1. The South Haven team, like Delton Kellogg, iis coming off its first defeat of the season Aom last week. The Rams were thumped .■47-14 by Forest Hills Eastern. j Hastings is looking to bounce back from a tpugh one with another tough one. Notre tDhame Prep handed Hastings its first loss of e season last Friday night in Pontiac, outscoring the Saxons 56-12. It was the first time 4 Hastings varsity team had given up more than 50 points since 2016. I Now the Saxons go on the road to face a Whitehall team that just shut out Tecumseh 45-0 last week. The Whitehall Vikings are off tp a 2-0 - start having avng bested este Unity nt Christian in me opening week ofthe season. j The Lakewood Vikings are on the road Friday night too. They’ll shoot for their first Capital Area Activities Conference White bivision win ofthe season when they take on ' pe Eaton Rapids Greyhounds. It’s a battle of iiwo winless squads who had tough times of meir own last week. The Vikings were bested m their conference opener by Charlotte while Eaton Rapids fell 62-12 to Ionia in their con­ ference opener. The Greyhounds haven’t won a bailgame since late in the 2021 season - a string of 12 1 straight losses. 1 Maple Valley is the lone undefeated Barry County varsity football team left. The Lions Hit the road to face Morenci in the first of tpree Tri-River 8-player Football Conference games this fall. The Maple Valley defense has been up to the task so far this season limiting (jiponents to just 22 total points in the first two ballgames. i< ^***?“*> Mt ^*r** • The Lions are one fopr from t&e?§tate of Michigan 'f^^i^^^ijfigpgs * at8222^sijwfeEma sijwfeEma • ■•■■If qtyitetarin&n MW M ■MW M Bas low. ran ir n are battling this fall. Their five other oppo­ nents are from the state of Ohio. The Bull­ dogs took a 66-42 win over Stryker a week ago, and are 1-1 this season. They were hancfled by Toledo Christian in week one. Hn is Local Standings (W-L), fety top (I ■s—■■■ Idw playoffpoints r ? | ’ ■ Hastings 1-1, 27.000 Delton Kellogg 1- 1, 19.500 Lakewood 0-2, 2.500 Thornapple Kellogg 0-2, 2.500 Maple Valley (8-player) 2- 0, NA Conference Standings (overall, conference) Interstate 8Athletiz&ytference. Harper Creek 2-0, 0-0 Parma Western 2-0, 0-0 Hastings 1-1, 0-0 Northwest 1-1,0-0 Pennfield 1- 1, 0-0 Coldwater 0-2, 0-0 Marshall 0-2, 0-0 OK Gold Conference ' Forest Hills Eastern 2-0, 0-0 Wayland 2-0, 0-0 G.R. Catholic Central 1-1, 0-0 Kenowa Hills 1-1,0-0 ' South Christian 1-1,0-0 1 Cedar Springs 0-2, 0-0 ’ Ottawa Hills 0-2, 0-0 l Thornapple Kellogg 0-2, 0-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Lawton 2- 0, 0-0 Saugatuck 2-0, 0-0 2-0, 0-0 , Schoolcraft 1-1,0-0 Delton Kellogg 0-2, 0-0 , Galesburg-Augusta CapitalArea Activities Conference White Charlotte 2-0, 1-0 2-0, 1-0 Lansing Sexton 2-0, 1-0 Portland , Ionia 1-1, 1-0 0-2, 0-1 Eaton Rapids 1-1, 0-1 Lansing Catholic Lakewood 0-2, 0-1 Olivet 0-2, 0-1 Tri-River 8-Man Maple Valley 2-0, 0-0 Britton-Deerfield 0-1, 0-0 Concord 0-1, 0-0 0-1, 0-0 Morenci Here is a round-up of last week’s local gridiron action. ' . i ! • ) । Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 56, Hastings 12 The Saxons learned they have some work to do on Friday night at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. The Hastings varsity football team suffered its first defeat of the season by a score of 56-12 against the Fighting Irish Notre Dame senior quarterback Jacob Tut­ tle competed 16-of-l 9 passes for 295 yards Lowell 34, Thornapple Kellogg 13 Thornapple Kellogg senior quarterback Grant Middleton looks to run through a hole during the first half of his team's non-conference loss to visitihgLowell inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Thursday, Aug. 31. and five touchdowns, and sophomore Sam Stowe was 2-for-2 passing for 49 yards and another TD. “Notre Dame had a more sophisticated passing game than we are used to seeing,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy said. “They ran a lot ofplay-action passing which caused a few issues with our defense.” There wasn’t a lot of time to prep for the Notre Dame Prep passing game as the Saxons finally got the week two contest on the sched­ ule Wednesday evening. Haiden Simmet scored on a 70-yard run a minute into the bailgame to put the Saxons in front 6-0, but Notre Dame Prep answered three minutes later to go up 7-6 and then extended its lead to 42-6 by the half. had 207 yardsrushingin'thc bailgame, with 114 ofthose yards coming on Simmet’s long TD run and a 44-yard touch­ down run by Draven Pennock midway through the third quarter. Saxon quarterback Owen Carroll was 2-of6 passing for 44 yards. He was intercepted once and sacked twice. Simmet finished the ballgame with 12 rushes for 109 yards. Pennock had eight car­ ries for 57 yards. Notre Dame Prep had eight different guys haul in at least one reception. Joe DeCasas had four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown to lead the way. He was one of six Notre Dame receivers to haul in a TD pass. Jake Rose, Bradon Prater, Lucas Mylenek, Zach Mylenek and Drake Roa each had a TD reception. Aiden Saint Amour had six tackles tackles for the Saxon defense and teammate Landon Steward had five tackle# as well as a forced fumble. “The biggest thing that came from this game was how our team responded,” coach Murphy said once hist Saxons were back home and prepping for this week’s contest with Whitehall. “They responded in a posi­ tive way, not only in thAsecond halfbut this week in practice as well .{They are ready to go to work. That shows what kind of leadership we have, and the type ofcharacter this group ofyoung men has. “They are ready tojo^up their sleeves and face another really goo^1 team. They know what it means to learn from our mistakes and move forward. From their actions, they have jipdersVm^jba|. failure,jsg’t S0m®thmg‘tofbe afraid oCiWe-learn we grow; we move on, and that is how you prepare to be successful in life.” . For the second week in a row the Trojans found themselves in a tight ballgame in the second half. And for the second week in a row, their opponent pulled away for the ‘ W.’ The Thornapple Kellogg varsity football team fell to 0-2 on the season with a 34-13 loss to visiting Lowell in the home opener inside ofBob White Stadium in Middleville. TK fell 50-34 to Hastings in week one in a ballgame that was tied 20-20 at the half and where they led by six at the opening of the fourth quarter. The Trojans struck first again Thursday night against Lowell and the Red Arrows held just a 20-13 lead at the half, but they shut out the TK offense the rest ofthe night while putting together two steady scoring drives oftheir own. The Trojans had a couple drives end in Lowell territory. The toughest one was by way of a fumble that the Red Arrows’ Mar­ shall Van Wagner snagged on one hop and took 73 yards for a touchdown that gave his team its first lead in the ballgame with 10:17 to go in the first half. There was no one between him and the end zone at the south end of the field when the balljumped up into his arms. His score and Todd Parcheta’s extra-point kick had Lowell up 14-7 at the time. The Trojans, rallied from the miscue, and. got wjthin 14-13 with 5:33 to go before the halfon a one-yard TD run by senior fullback Drake Snyder - who was the workhorse of the Trojan backfield for most ofthe night. Parchment 26, Delton Kellogg 12 Delton Kellogg turned the ball over on downs on each of its first two drives near midfield and Parchment turned the other way with the football to build a 14-0 lead early in the first half Thursday. The Parchment Panthers went on to a 26-12 win over the visiting Delton Kellogg Panthers in what was Delton Kellogg’s first competitive action of the season after a week one forfeit victory. Parchment stretched its See FOOTBALL, page 12 jlpeyou^curious- Come join us for a verse by verse study ofthe “Book ofRevelation Tree Bemawal, Tree Trlmmlni, Eieavatlon, lit CliitUL 8 [OVERffHEiiTiOPJCLlEflRINGj 'iiMW, ■ ■ ■■ by Pastor Tod Shook. Starting Sunday, September 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 269-953-3366 S David Case7 bJhiiirW9topcleariiig@om8H.cDm Community Baptist Church The Barry County Conservation land and may receive compensation for Easement (BCCE) Board is pleased to their conservation easement based on announce the 2023 application cycle a state approved appraisal of their land. for the Barry County Conservation Participation is completely voluntary. Easement Program. Deadline for There are also tax benefits to donating a submission is Monday, October conservation easement to the county. 30,2023 at the Barry County The BCCE program was created to help landowners place conservation easements on their parcels to permanently preserve important farmland and natural land. Landowners retain ownership of their for this voluntary program by contacting I Heather Wing at 269-275-2351 • Thursday) October 12, 2023, 7:00 pin, Tyden Center Community Rm., 12.1 S. Church St., Hastings v ______ In the matter of Mark Alsup. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS including: any and all family members of Mark Alsup whose address(es) is/are unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on October 4, 2023 at 2:45 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 via Zoom before Judge William M. Doherty P41960 for the following purpose: Hearing on the Petition For Appointment of Guardian. Date: 9/5/2023 William M. Azkoul P40071 99 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 800 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 616-235-5500 Clearstream Rehabilitation, Carla McKelvey 240 E. North Street Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-9584 1205452 NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 5,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. pefautt has been made in foe conditi'o^:'pr^mortgage made by Rick D. Voiosky , a married' man? to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Proficio Mortgage Ventures, It’s successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated February 22,2013 and recorded February 28, 2013 in Instrument Number 2013-002316 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on February 8, 2016, in Instrument Number 2016-001283, and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on March 17, 2020, in Instrument Number 2020-002610, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Wells Fargo Bank, NA, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Sixty-Nine and 60/100 Dollars ($137,069.60). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 5,2023. Said premises are located in the City of HASTINGS, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: LOT 835, OF THE CITY, FORMERLY VILLAGE OF HASTINGS, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, BARRY COUNT/ RECORDS 420 W. Center St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to foe property during foe redemption period. Dated: September 7,2023 File No. 23-009002 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number. (248) 502.1400 205413 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 For Sole Business Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill FOR SALE: TURTLE Meat. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. $20/LB 517-694-8050 Garage Sale GARAGE/YARD/BARN Sale. 7 days a week. 8am- 8pm. Month of September. 'EVERYTHING'. 3575 Fighter Road, Hastings, MI. or heatherlwing@gmail.com. The Barry County Conservation fcasement Program will be hosting two landowner workshops to, discuss the Conservation Easement Program. • Thursday, September 7, 2023, 7:00 pm, Tyden Center Community Rm., 121 S. Church St., Hastings 205406 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 23-029612-GA (*2089)>07)(09 Interested landowners may obtain an information packet and application Date: 9/01/2023 Robert L. Byington P-27621 222 West Apple Street, P.O. Box 248 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-9557 David D. Briggs 4 Stonegate Drive Alexandria, KY 41001 513-200-9970 502 E. Grand St., Hastings LEGAL NOTICE FOR 2023 BARRY COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION Administration Office. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29606-DE William M. Doherty P-41960 Court address: 206 West Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Richard W. Briggs. Date of birth: April 25, 1943. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Richard W. Briggs, died 08/01/2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to David D. Briggs, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street,Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Wanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852- 0667. for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793.______________ MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-8Q0-927-9275. �Page 12 — Thursday. September 7. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Panther girls drop times at Rustbuster Invitational Great Lakes 6 title goal of BCCS Eagle soccer this fall Otsego dominated the field with just 22 points in the girls’ race. Jenison was second Brett Bremer with 63 points. ISSSporto SSporto Editor Otsego had five girls finish among the top The Barry County Christian varsity boys’ ten and all five turned in their top time ofthe soccer team nudged its Great Lakes 6 ConCon­ season. Bulldog senior Emma Hoffman was ference record to 2-0 with a 5-3 win over the individual champion in 18:31.02 and her visiting Fellowship Baptist Academy Thurssenior teammate Logan Brazee was the run­ day evening in Hastings. ner-up in 18:59.25. The Eaglet took a convincing 8-0 win Senior Maddie Vande Bunte led Jenison to over Creative Tech in their conference its runner-up finish with a third-place time of opener a week prior. 19:22.58. “We’re eagerly anticipating the start of Fennville was third in the final team stand­ the season that will test our progress and set ings with 149 points ahead of Three Rivers the stage for ourjourney ahead,” Eagle head 153, Plainwell 156, Gobles 157, Paw Paw coach Justin Schultz, who is in his seventh 186, Vicksburg 194, Mattawan 194, Hopkins season lleading the program, said as his guys 202, Schoolcraft 264, Lawton 298 and Delton ramped up in the preseason.”As we continKellogg 341. The Delton Kellogg team didn’t earn a score in the boys’ meet, with just four finish­ ers. Senior Rhys Bedford led the way with a 92nd-place time of 21:12.7. Sophoiqore Nick Muday came in 96™ at 21:20.9, junior Brock Hickerson 111^1 in 22:54.2 and freshman Isaiah Kellogg was 129^ overall in 27:13.8. That is a new personal record for Kellogg. Jenison beat out Otsego for the boys’ championship on the Brett Bremer day 43-50. Jenison junior Seth Sports Editor Conner was the individual cham­ pion in 15:52.4 and his junior The Hastings varsity girls’ golfteam scored teammate Mason Lucas dropped a fifth-place finish at the first Interstate-8 Athletic Conference jamboree of the season his PR to 15:54.6 in a runner-up finish. Thursday. Harper Creek was well ahead ofthe field in Plainwell was third in the boys’ the team standings, and Parma Western had a team standings with 73 points solid hold on the runner-up spot. The Beavers ahead of Vicksburg 131, Three Rivers 141, Paw Paw 153, Mat­ outscored the Panthers 395-416 at the top of Visit our website at FireKeepersCasino.com or purchase at the Box Office inside the Hotel. tawan 187, Parchment 274, Colo­ the standings. Coldwater was third with a score Register your email with your Red Hot Rewards account ma 291, Constantine 296, Allegan to get access to exclusive presale opportunities. 308, Schoolcraft 313, Bangor 325 and Hopkins 353. GET YOUR VKfliFoN- i11W Ul BATJT„IEB.®CR JEE®K.?S Brett Bremer Sports Editor Senior Samantha O’Meara chipped a little more time off her personal record and the Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team placed 13™ Wednesday at the South Haven’s Southwest Michigan XC Rustbuster Invitational. O’Meara placed 49™ overall in 23 minutes 2.46 seconds to lead the Delton Kellogg girls. Juniors Johannah Houtkooper and Kylie Main were second and third across the line for the DK team with their best times ofthe season so far.. Houtkooper placed 61st in 23:41.81 and Main 84^ in 25:18.31. Rounding out the top five for the DK girls sophomore phomore Eli Timmerman was 93 rrd in 26:08.33 and junior Jillian Leclercq placed 98dl in 26:45.3, her best time so far this sea­ son. entertainment acts The Delton Kellogg teams run Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. again this afternoon as they host their own Delton Kellogg Invita­ tional at Gilmore Car Museum. JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY’ OWNERS OF JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, TO: MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board of Johnstown Township, on the basis of petitions submitted and ds authorized by PA 188 of 1954, as amended, proposes to undertake an aquatit plant control project (with associated activities) in the Bristol Lake Channel in Johnstown Township as more particularly described below and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment district within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed include parcels with frontage on the channel in Bristol Lake in Johnstown Township and are more particularly described as follows: BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL PROPOSED DISTRICT: The properties indicated by parcel numbers: 38-09-190-013-00 38-09-190-015-00 38-09-200-069-00 38-09-200-070-00 38-09-200-072-00 38-09-200-073-00 38-09-200-075-00 38-09-200-077-00 38-09-200-078-00 38-09-200-080-00 38-09-200-081-00 38-09-200-082-00 38-09-200-083-00 38-09-200-084-00 38-09-200-086-00 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed aquatic plant control project, associated activities, any proposed improvements and locations thereof, together with an estimated total project cost of $13,500, which includes administrative costs, which is the amount to be raised by the special assessment district. The Johnstown Township Board has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to create the afore-described special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has placed the project plans and cost estimates on file with the Township Clerk and said plans, cost estimates and the proposed special assessment district may be examined at the Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board proposes to make a per-parcel special assessment each year for a period of five years (2024 -2028 inclusive). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, district and cost estimates will be held at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 13,2023 at 5:30 p.m. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing, and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. At the hearing (or any adjournment of the hearing which may be made without further notice), the Township Board may revise, correct, amend, or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if written objections to the project are filed with the Township Board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the Township Board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the Township. Written comments or objections may be filed with the clerks at the address set out below. Appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, r s a be permitted to file at or before the hearing his/her appearance or protest by letter and, in sue case, his/her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to e present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and the cost estimates. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special l55*5*™6'"* e e and toughness. “Our players bring fast pace striking to the game, and our defense stands strong, unyield- . ing against any challenge,” Schultz said. The Eagles are eying a Great Lakes 6 » Championship this fall. Coach Schultz said • his players’ strengths and a strategic focus on seizing key opportunities are what should help his team accomplish that goal. Barry County Christian will test itself, outside the conference with a match at Maple Valley this evening, Sept. 7, and the Eagles go on the road to take on Fruitport Calvary Christian Friday. The Great Lakes 6 season continues Sept. 12 at Libertas Christian. Nickels leads HHS golf to fifth at first 1-8 jamboree get your tickets FOR THE HOTTEST 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 ue to work towards our goals, our player camaraderie and shared commitment to excellence remain the driving forces propel­ ling us forward.” Coach Schultz said his guys had a dozen wins last fall and the group returning looking to build on that win total includes sophomore striker Isaiah Lamphere,junior center attacker Keagon Robinson, junior stopper Johnathan Hawkes andjunior fallback Eyan Tuthill. The team gets a boost this fall with the addition of sophomore goalie Noah Lilley, who will see time at defense too, freshmen defenders Landon Lamphere and Malachi Verstraete. Coach Schultz said team is built on speed t e Board oar w will cause a speca special assessmen assessment ro roll to o be e prepare prepared an and ano another er hearing earng wl will , a er notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessment. Johnstown Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to the Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641S. M-37 Hwy. Battle Creek, Ml 49017 (269) 721-9709 205169 of448 ahead ofJackson Northwest 486, Hast­ ings 501, Marshall 505 and Pennfield 550. Senior Addey Nickels led the Saxon team with a score of 112. Sophia Greenfield, a sophomore shot a 126 for the Saxons. Hast­ ings also got a 131 from junior Kennedy Lewis and a 132 fromjunior Sophia Hamilton. Parma Western teammates Kaia Bruneel and Gabriella Davis were the day’s top two individual performers. Bruneel shot an 87 and Davis an 88. Coldwater senior Hailey Price placed third with a 94. Harper Creek had four girls tied among the top eight scorers at the meet. Senior Rachel Kyger led the way with a 96. Mallory Flan­ ders shot a 98, Ellie Sandel shot a 100 and Celia Kyger shot a 101 for their team. Hastings will host its own Saxon Dozen Invite at The Legacy in Hastings Friday morning and the Interstate-8 gathers at The Legacy next Wednesday, Sept. 13, for the second jamboree ofthe season. FOOTBALL, continued from page 11 Snyder finished the ballgame with 18 car­ ries for 79 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored the TD on TK’s opening drive of the ballgame on a 14-yard run. Braden Sharrar’s extra-point kick was good after that first TD, but his second attempt was blocked leaving TK down one late in the first half. “I like what we’re doing on offense,” TK head coach JeffDock said. “I think our offen­ sive line is coming off the ball really well. Drake, our fullback, he is^a'horse. He is awe­ some. He is tough to bring down. I think, the key is to figure out ways to consistently get our guys the football'! I think we did some of that well, and I hav^to find better ways to do that on a consistent basis. They played hard on offense for sure, on defense too.” The Trojan offense moved the ball in the first half. Quarterback Grant Middleton was 2-for-2 passing for 22 yards in the first half and the Trojans managed 155 yards on the ground. TK didn’t complete a pass in the second halfthough and managedjust 49 more yards on the ground over the final two quarters. “That’s the frustrating thing in both week one and week two, it’s not like they changed anything defensively,” Dock said. “There weren’t any adjustments made. We missed a play here and we missed a play there, or we have a procedure penalty.” “In both games, you watch the film they’re doing exactly what they’ve been doing. It’s not like they came out in a new front or any­ thing,” he added. w Dock said he and the coaching staffneed to work on making sure the Trojans’ playmakers are all getting a chance with the football bet­ ter. Senior Tyler Gavette had five rushes for 54 yards in the first half, but didn’t get a second down carry. Senior Ethan Bonnema had 17 yards on three carries in the first half and gotjust one more carry in the second half - an eight-yard gain. Those are two of the Trojans’ most explosive athletes on offense. “We need to keep track of how many touches our guys have and figure out ways to get them the footbail. Tyler [Gavette], Ethan [Bonnema], Jaxan [Sias], Drake [Snyder], those are four pretty dam good football play­ ers, great kids ana hard workers. They’re seniors, a lot of them are three year seniors, and we have to findways to spread the ball to them. Typically, when the ball is in their hands good things happen.” The Trojans once again got junior quarterback Brody Wiersma some time. Coach Dock has been pleased with the way his senior Middleton has been running the offense, but has also looked for a spark in each ofthe first two weeks from Wiersma. Senior quarterback Jackson Reisbig made a lot ofbig things happen for Lowell. He was 5-of-5 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown. He connected with senior Ben Gaskin for a 34-yard score four minutes into the fourth quarter putting the final TD of the night on the scoreboard. He was also the lead ballcarrier on the ground for the Red Arrows. He scored on an 11 -yard run at the end ofthe Red Arrows first drive ofthe bailgame to tie things at 7-7 and then scored on a six-yard run midway through the third quarter to extend his team’s lead to 27-13 at the time. I Running back Bobby Nichols extended his team’s lead from 14-13 to 21 -13 with a touch­ down run with 2:44 to go before the end of the first half. Lowell nearly added more points to its lead before the TKHS marching band took the field for halftime. The Red Arrows had first and goal at the TK seven-yard-line with four seconds to go in the first half. Reisbig scram­ bled to his right and the Trojan defense man­ aged to get him to the turn at the one-yard­ line. Charlotte 39, Lakewood 8 Charlotte senior Cutler Brandt returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown and later returned an interception over 100 yards for a touchdown. Junior Lucas Martin also recorded a sack for a safety and the special teams and defen­ sive points helped boost the Orioles in a 39-8 win oyer the Lakewood1 varsity football 'team at1 Unity Field in the Capital Area-Activities Conference White Division opener for both teams Thursday. Brandt opened the first halfwith his kick­ offreturn and closed it by picking offa deep Viking pass over his shoulder in the left cor­ ner of the end zone. He turned across the field with wall of blockers up the Charlotte side­ line until he was cut off around the 50-yardline and then cut back across the field to the right. Brandt managed to dodge the tackle of Lakewood quarterback Bryson Haight at the Lakewood 20-yard-line and finish off the return in the end zone in front of the Lake­ wood student section. The Orioles led the ball game 31-0 at the half. Lakewood, now 0-2 on the season, got its points on a two-yard dive by back Carter Cosme. Eli Jablonski hauled in the two-point conversion pass. Charlotte improves to 2-0 with the win. Lakewood head coach Matt Markwart said he expects Charlotte to once again finish as one ofthe top teams in the state in Division 4 this fall - and the Orioles are the favorites for a CAAC-White title. “They’re a really good football team and my guys played really tough,” Markwart said. “We haven’t played a caliber of team like that in a while.” Injuries had the Vikings a little short-hand­ ed already with four varsity players out including three of the team’s four tight ends. The Vikings did add a couple JV play­ ers using fifth quarter rules to fill out the roster. Seth Willette had a team-high 36 yards rushing on eight carries for the Vikings. Colt Endsley carried the ball 11 times for 31 yards. “Our defense improved [from week one to week two],” Markwart said. “Our offensive line it’s not young, but we have a lot of seniors that haven’t played since eighth grade and 9™ grade. We got a lot better everywhere. We competed for four quarters. They played hard. Our defense played hard. At any point when they were up 23 we could havejust quit and it could have been 100-0 and these kids kept fighting and playing. As we get healthy again, we’re going to get better and better.” Markwart said Charlotte was far bigger in the trenches. There are still some penalty issues, but the Viking coach said his boys did clean up some things from week one in that regard. Maple Valley 28, Marcellus 8 Marcellus scored 58 points in week one. The Lions held the orange and black Wild­ cats to just eight Thursday night. The Maple Valley varsity 8-player football team improved its record to 2-0 with a 28-8 win in its home opener. “We beat a good football team tonight, and we played really well,” Maple Valley head coach Marty Martin said. “We made adjustments. We played against a team that was much bigger than us psychically. They were a power offense, and we played a dis­ ciplined, physical strong mentality type of game. “The biggest thing was, the kids had a lot offan. You can tell these guys are playing for each other. There are no egos. There is no competition, even thought we have a lot of competition at positions. You can tell they enjoy each other’s company and they enjoy playing for each other.” Quarterbacks Ayden Wilkes and Jakeb McDonald both tossed touchdown passes in the first half as the Lions built a 12-0 lead? Wilkes laid a pass out for a wide open Noah Musser to sebte from3*5 yards out two aHd‘!Ahalf minutes into the bailgame to give the s Lions the lead. McDonald connected on a ten-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining in the first halfto double the Lion > lead. The two combined to go 6-of-ll passing for 45 yards. Cam Carpenter had threej^cep-^ tions for 19 yards. The Lions were really powered by their ground game offensively though, which amassed 196 yards. Andrew Shepard had a team-high 20 carries and covered 76 *yards Evan Brandenburg showed off his sprint speed rushing four times for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Brandenburg scored on a 29-yard run with 2:11 to go in the third quarter and then scoredf on a 57-yard run with 5:49 to play in the game. Wilkes tossed a pair oftwo-point con^j version passes to Callan Hoefler. “Andrew Shepard played a great game,” Martin said. “The kid is a workhorse. Hejust. carried people with him and converted some big third downs and big fourth downs where he was hit and carried guys three, four, fivd ’ yards with him.” The Lions only had nine more yards of offense than Marcellus, but kept drives alive and got the couple big plays. Carpenter was especially important with a couple big third and fourth down receptions. “I can’t say enough about our offensive line they were blocking guys twice our size’ and they were moving them,” coach Martin said. “The second half they were moving them backwards. The kids put the time in in the weight room. They wanted to have some-­ thing special this year.” The Lions led 28-0 before Dawsen Lehew scored on a one-yard run with 25 seconds to go in the game for the Wildcats. Dawsen Lehew threw the two-point pass to Parker Adams for the final margin. Coach Martin was really pleased with everyone, but said Skyler Cook, Carpenter, Hoefler and Jimmy Wiggs really stood out along with Shepard and the two quarterbacks - and Brandenburg ofcourse. Linebackers Nic Martin and James Penny , were especially outstanding on defense. Nic has 14 tackles and Penny had 13. “They were the two smallest guys on the field,” coach Martin said. “Little guys like that getting their nose iit there against guys that are three times theif size. They played their hearts out tonight. It was nice to see Maple Valley play Maple Valley football tonight.” Cook added seven tackles for the Lion defense. Martin and Hoefler both had a sack and Wilkes intercepted a Wildcat pass. Dawsen Lehew led the Marcellus offense rushing 33 times for 169 yards. Wildcat quarterback Parker Adams was 7-of-15 passing for 60 yards. Nathan Mihills was his top receiving target finishing with three catches for 29 yards. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-09-14.pdf 5fd7501bcaf539a40d0d90bcfd5765c6 PDF Text Text Nashville crash claims the lives of two Lakewood vollevball edged out in top 10 showdown See story on page 2 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 1070490102590503347649058113421 lOT**C 005 C005 ANNER Richard Hemeriing 421 N Taffee Dr Thursday, September 14, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 37 PRICE $1.50* Community needs increase, shift as United) Way and other agencies look to help Jayson Bussa Editor When Lani Forbes and her team at the Barry County United Way and Volunteer Cen­ ter set their financial goal for each year’s fundraising campaign, they look closely at the needs ofthe community and partner agencies. In a time of unprecedented inflation and tough economic sledding, those needs are many. “We want to be able to provide the pro­ gramming to meet the needs ofthe communi­ ty,” said Forbes, executive director of the local chapter ofthe United Way. “And, every year, there are more programs and services to address what’s changing and evolving in the community.” This morning at the Barry Expo Center, the United Way held a kick-off event for its new fundraising campaign, centered on the slogan “Better together for a better tomorrow.” In tandem with the launch of a new campaign^fhe United Way is also holding its Day ofCaring event, which takes place both today and on Saturday. Day of Caring is when the United Way mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to take on service projects around the county. This year’s Day of Caring is expected to be the organization’s largest one yet. Last week, the United Way reported having over 500 volun­ teers signed up already. For each year’s fundraising campaign, the United Way sets an ambitious goal. Largely fueled by small donations from employees who work for local businesses that participate in the fundraising campaign, the United Way has never fallen short ofits goal. This year, the United Way has a $750,000 total in its crosshairs. In setting the mark, the needs of the community in light of tough economic times for many, have come to light. “We’re kind ofback to the point of ‘What are the basics that are needed?”’ Forbes said. She highlighted how everything from gro­ ceries and gas to electricity seems to be high­ ly inflated, which means that personal bud­ gets for many residents have been shaken up. Not only does the United Way provide direct services to meet some ofthese needs, like its Fresh Food Initiative food drive, but it also directly supports partner agencies that are also on the front lines helping to meet these and other needs. “I don’t think it’s only our agency (experi­ encing an increase in need), either,” said Morgan Johnson, who serves as director of outreach and community engagement for the Barry County United Way. “That’s why the campaign goal keeps increasing - because the agencies are seeing these needs, too, so See COMMUNITY, page 3 From left to right,: volunteers Heafher Albright, Stacy Gangwer, Ronnie Fogg, Melissa Priest and Leah Ruesink from the Barry Co.UQtyJSD worked'to Clean up the gardenjflfront qf the Habitat for Humanity building in Hastings during last year’s Day of Caring event. This year’s irfetallment of Day of Caring kicked off today arid is expected to draw the largest pool ot volunteers in the event’s history. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Heritage Holiday Council member Jim Cary (left) listens as fellow council member Mandy Furrow makes a closing comment at Monday’s city council meeting. Furrow said she wished council members could respond to public comments made at meetings. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Council member accused of abusing power, Hastings police launch investigation 12e v.u,a9e OT Miaoieviiie honored its history with a modern, two-day celebration. The annual Heritage Days took over the village last Friday and Saturday complete with its parade, Middleville Market, live music, concessions, charitable duck race^ Charlie Pullen Memorial Auto Show and other attractions. Here, Thornapple Kellogg Schools superintendent Craig McCarthy emerges from the Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission dunk tank on Saturday morning during the celebration in downtown Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A. city council member is being asked to resign after text messages surfaced that show he may have abused his position with the city. The revelation came to light during Mon­ day night’s city council meeting, where coun­ cil members were presented with printed copies of a text exchange involving council member Jim Cary. The texts were presented by Rutland Town­ ship resident Joel Ibbotson, who also operates a grassroots government watchdog group, called the Government Accountability Forum. Ibbotson said the conversation transpired between council member Jim Cary and “his former daughter-in-law.” The texts appear tq show the two discussing a personal conflict; with many references to an incident that occurred between the woman and someone identified as Cary’s son. See COUNCIL, page 2 No movement on sheriff’s lawsuit against county Jayson Bussa Editor A lawsuit filed by the Barry County Sher­ iff’s Department against its own county govempient has remained in limbo for over two weeks now. Barry County court records revealed that, on Aug. 29, Sheriff Dar Leafs department filed a lawsuit against the Barry County gov­ ernment alleging that that certain depart­ ments failed to release election-related emails that were asked for in a Freedom ofInforma­ tion Act request filed by the sheriff’s office. For a number ofyears, Leafhas embarked on an ongoing investigation into potential voter fraud stemming from the 2020 presi­ dential election. The FOIA request to the county was part ofthat effort. But, as ofmid-week this week, the county had not been served notice ofthe legal action against it and no hearings have taken place or have been scheduled. It’s entirely possible that Leaf and fellow county officials could work collaboratively to sort out the conflict, thus, keeping the matter out of court. However, Leaf is being repre­ sented by attorney Thomas Lambert ofKentKent­ wood. Leaftold the Banner this week that he selected Lambert because he is an attorney with an expertise in FOIA law. The stalemate centers on a FOIA request that was first submitted in May 2022 and then resubmitted on Jan. 10 ofthis year. The more recent request asked to “inspect or receive copies of any and all e-mails, inbound and outbound” from any employee ofthe county clerk s office, the Michigan Secretary of State, the Michigan Attorney General’s office, the county prosecutor’s office, city of Hastings, and all townships in Barry County that include the words “investigation, election,” “EPB, (for electronic poll book)” “integrity,” “poll book,” “pollbook.” “qualified voter file,” “QVF,” “ballot,” or “fraud” anywhere in the document, according to court records. Leaf, however, said that the roadblock with the request has come within the prosecutor’s office, which his department awaits to receive emails from. “I think we’ve been more than patient,” Leafsaid in a brief interview with the Banner. “And, in defense ofthe prosecutor’s office, I know they had a lot of big cases last year, and that’s why we were patient,” he added. When asked ifhis department was working with the county prosecutor’s office to move toward a resolution, Leaf said “I haven’t heard from the attorney we reached out to to handle it yet. He’s an expert in FOIA law and helped write some of the more recent FOIA laws. Our whole goal, even with him, is not to cause a major impact on tax dollars.” “I’m not going to say exactly what we’re looking for right now,” Leaf added. “We’re not targeting clerks, though. I might as well put that out there.” The Banner reached out to Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt for comment on the matter and did not hear back. In March, the county submitted a bill for $3,019.76 for expenses connected with the FOIA request and said the emails would not be released unless the bill was paid in full up front. A statement from the county on its expense report said “the number of hours required to review and redact emails, due to the broad scope of the request, is excessive See SHERIFF, page 2 Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf speaks to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning, providing a monthly update on operations at the jail. Leaf’s department has filed a lawsuit against the Barry County government, alleging that it. has not complied with a FOIA reques tied to an ongoing investigation into potential election fraud. �Page 2 — Thursday. September 14. 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Relay for Life is Saturday at Tyden Park Barry County Relay for Life will return to Tyden Park in Hastings this Saturday, Sept. 16. The annual event unites those who have been affected by cancer and offers a chance to remember loved ones who lost their battles with cancer. Hosted by the American Can­ cer Society, Relay for Life is the world’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event to save lives from cancer. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, groups and individuals will raise funds to go toward cancer-related therapies and services. Food vendors, craft vendors, a caricature artist and more will be present at Tyden Park during the event Hastings High School Alumni Board announces 2024 banquet date The Hastings High School Alumni Board has announced that 2024’s alumni banquet will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. This coming year, the banquet will celebrate the classes of 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004,2009, 2014 and 2019. Graduates from these classes are encouraged to include the banquet in their individual anniversary celebrations. The board is still looking for representatives from these classes, who are asked to contact Lois Bowers at 269-945-9657. The class celebrating its 50th anniversary normally participates in the banquet pro­ gram, which will be the class of 1974 in 2024. The banquet is still in the early stages ofplanning and the board is seeking the help and input ofothers with planning. Information about the Hastings High School Alumni Association can be found on the group’s Facebook page at Hastings High School Alum­ ni Association Hastings Michigan and on the Hastings High School website at hasskl2. org. Graduates are encouraged to keep updated on the two sites. Barry-Eaton District Health Department awarded CDC grant to bolster overdose prevention Hastings seeking to give away $25,000 in home improvement grant funds Hastings homeowners in some southeast­ ern neighborhoods could receive money from the city to improve their homes. Dan King, community development direc­ tor, said the city has $25,000 ofuncommitted Neighborhood Enhancement Program funds available. The funds, provided by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, can be b used by homeowners for exterior improvements including siding, painting, roofs, driveways, doors and windows among other upgrades. King said the grants are aimed at lower-to-moderate income households to pay for improvements that otherwise not be affordable. To be eligible for the program, homes must be single-family and owner-occupied in the neighborhoods north of East Clinton Street, west of East State Street and east of South Hanover Street. King said defining an eligi­ ble area ofthe city is part ofthe requirements to receive funding from MSHDA, with the city choosing these neighborhoods based on the number ofaging homes and low-to-moderate income households there. Rental properties are not eligible for the funds. Eligible applicants can receive up to $9,999 to commit toward exterior improve­ ments as long as all work involved is com­ pleted by Dec. 31, 2023. King said the funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis until they are no longer available. Any­ one interested in the program can get an application from city hall, or contact Dan King for further information. Two killed, one injured in accident involving Amish sulky carts Jayson Bussa The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) has been selected as a recipi­ ent of a five-year grant that will bring close to $ 1 million per year to the district to address and prevent overdoses in the community. The grant was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) pro­ gram. The grant represents a transformative opportunity to strengthen ongoing efforts in combatting the overdose crisis and reducing overdose-related harms. The CDC’s 0D2A program plays a vital role in advancing the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. OD2A supports fundedjurisdictions to implement prevention activities and to collect accurate, comprehensive and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses. This data is used to enhance programs and surveillance efforts. With this grant, Barry and Eaton counties will be able to respond more quickly, effectively and equitably to resi­ dents’ needs, using data to drive action to reduce overdose deaths and related harms. This grant will allow BEDHD to reduce overdose-related harms by: - Expanding BEDHD’s Connections Program, which will increase the availability of community health workers and allow for improved identification ofand outreach to peo­ ple in need ofcare and services for substance use disorder. - Increasing access to harm reduction services, including distribution of naloxone through health resource vending machines. Improving partnerships, collaborations and bidirectional referrals amongst organiza­ tions working in overdose prevention. - Improving data sharing and data use to inform overdose prevention and response efforts. BEDHD currently works to reduce overdose-related harms through a health resource vending machine in the lobby ofthe BEDHD office in Charlotte (1033 Health Care Dr.). The purpose of the machine is to provide free health resources to the community in a private and easily accessible way. Stoney Point Women’s Club reconvenes this afternoon The Stoney Point Women’s Club will meet today, Thursday, Sept 14, kicking off a new year. The club will meet at 1 p.m. at Karolyn Blocher’s home. Roll call will be taken with the three P’s. Elections ofofficers will take place at Thurs­ day’s meeting as well. Members will decide at the meeting what to do for the coming year’s project. The club will also reveal its secret pals with a gift and will draw new names for the next year. Refreshments will be served by the host. SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 #8110376 & Insured Single-family, owner occupied homes north of East Clinton Street, west of East State Street and east of South Hanover Street are eligible for the funds. Editor A Tuesday evening crash in Nashville involving two Amish sulky carts and a tra­ ditional motor vehicle claimed the lives ofa father and his son and sent another to the hospital. The crash occurred at around 7:17 p.m. on East Cloverdale Road, east ofGuy Road in Maple Grove Township. The Barry County Sheriff’s Office stated that its initial investigation into the matter revealed that a westbound Volkswagen Tiguan collided with two westbound Amish sulky carts, which are lightweight carts with two wheels and a seat. They are different from traditional Amish buggies. The sulky carts were carrying three indi­ viduals. A 40-year-old man and his 14-yearold son, both from Nashville, were pro­ nounced dead at the scene ofthe accident. An additional 17-year-old boy from Nash­ ville was transported to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police and fire crews shut down that stretch of road as rescue efforts and the ensuing investigation were administered. The individual driving the Volkswagen, whose description was not provided, was not injured. While the Barry County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the accident, it does not believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. As of the time ofprint, the sheriff’s office was not releasing any names of those involved. A host of first responders assisted in the accident, including the Nashville Fire Department, Castleton Maple Grove Nash­ ville Area EMS, Mercy EMS, Barry County Central Dispatch, Michigan State Police, Barry County Road Commission and the Western Medicine Office of the Medical Examiner. Vacancies to open up on county boards and commissions banner Staff A number of seats on county boards, com­ missions and committees will open up at the end ofthe year and residents throughout Barry County are encouraged to apply to serve. On both Oct. 31 and Dec. 31, a handful of individuals already serving on these various boards and committees will see their terms expire, opening up spots that are up for grabs to the general public. These include: - One position on the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council - Three positions with the Barry County Conservation Easement Board - One position with the Building Authority - Four positions with the Commission on Aging Board - Six positions with the Community Cor­ rections Advisory Board - One position with the Department of Health and Human Services - Two positions with the Parks & Recre­ ation Commission - Three positions with the Solid Waste Oversight Committee Those whose terms are expiring can re-ap- ply for their seat. Some of the committees call for special criteria in order to apply. For instance, one of the spots available on the Solid Waste Over­ sight Committee is reserved for a member of the solid waste industry. Interested parties can pick up an applica­ tion at the Barry County Administration Office on the third floor of the courthouse, located at 220 W. State St in Hastings. Appli­ cations are also available at banycounty.org. Applications must be returned no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25. es^i* ** 0^^ I jj I I i ^1*^**“ fcaarB*1’* RhcuiHiw illid Gll ( (aiidiIs swi te htiitauihw SB ifcntanitKipMnrriMrtui ik MF falbSKKMil s tiniiainiBkKf st COUNCIL, continued from page 1 The texts appear to show Cary leveraging his relationship with Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter to intimidate the woman involved. “Breaking and entering? I’m real good friends with Dale Boulter,” one of the texts from Cary reads. “Just remember I am in charge of Dale Boulter [sic] salary,” another message reads. Cary references his relationship with Boulter several more times throughout the roughly 25-text message-exchange that was shared. At one point in the exchange, which happened on an unknown date, Cary alleges he had a scheduled meeting with Boulter coming up before a city council meeting. “No problem [sic] Dale and I have a meet­ ing next Monday,” the text reads. “Usually we meet up about a half hour before the meet­ ing. Let’s see what he says.” Another text from Cary mentions a tangen­ tial relationship with Barry County Judge William Doherty. “Geez, I got a couple ofbuddies over at the courthouse [sic] friends with Bill Doherty. They always need something to look at,” the message reads. Ibbotson presented the texts shortly after the meeting started Monday night during the first public comment. Without naming a council member, Ibbotson called for the board member involved to resign. “I find this reprehensible, despicable, and as far as I’m concerned - and this is the first time that I have ever come here to ask this of any official - I think it demands a resigna­ tion,” Ibbotson said Council members appeared surprised by the allegations. Ibbotson said he attempted calling board members before the meeting. Cary later said in an interview with the Hastings Banner he had no knowledge or record ofIbbotson calling him or leaving a message. During the meeting’s second public com­ ment period, Ibbotson again asked for a res­ ignation and named Cary as the council member who sent the text messages. “I started the Government Accountability Forum over five years ago now in an effort to hold government accountable,” Ibbotson said. “In those five years, I have never once asked for a resignation. I hope it carries some weight when I come here and ask for your resignation, Mr. Cary.” Cary confirmed with the Banner that he was the author ofthe messages “Yes, I did (send those texts),” Cary said.. “I did that, though, in anger.” Cary said he and the woman he was texting had long been at odds over personal and family matters. He said the messages came after an incident involving the woman, which he alleges involved a breaking-and-entering, left him concerned for the safety ofhis family. T The text evolved out of a situation out of anger, and also to protect my grandkids,” Cary said. “This had been numerous times (that something like this happened), and I wasn’t aware ofhow this would evolve.” Cary said he regrets how the text exchange depicts Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter and Judge William Doherty. Cary said it was wrong and inaccurate to insinuate he held sway over either ofthem or their offices. Cary said the family dispute in question had left him going to extreme lengths to find a resolution “A lot of (what I said in those texts) was misinformation. I do know Dale, and we do vote on his salary. I do know judges, but I’m not buddy-buddy playing golf with them,” Cary said. “But I do know them. To protect my family, I would approach them to deal with this. I was ready to go that far with it.” hfc-a Cary said Hastings Police Chief Boulter was completely unaware ofthe text-exchange before they were presented publicly at Mon­ day’s meeting. Cary regretted that his actions could call into question Boulter’s integrity through no wrongdoing ofhis own. “I don’t want to do anything that harms Dale,” Cary said. “He had no idea what was going on.” “He called me into the (police department) office (after the meeting Monday) night not to say, ‘Hey, buddy, you screwed up.’ He did his job,” Cary said. “He was doing his job, and he’s a professional. professional.” Boulter declined to comment on the situa­ tion when reached by the Banner, except to say an investigation into the matter was being led by Hastings Deputy ChiefJulissa Kelly. Kelly confirmed she was leading an inves­ tigation into the matter and said she had no fUrther information to share at this time. Once complete, Kelly said her findings would be presented directly to City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale for review. Cary said he has no plans to resign from his position. There was no need for what he sees as a private personal matter to be brought before the city council, he said, and his resig­ nation could set a bad precedent for other members ofthe council. “We’re an effective group and we need to be able to take bullets,” Cary said. “To let this one situation, when there are so many other things that could be presented to council that really have merit, to have family problems come up - yeah, city council was just not the right format.” “As far as resigning, all that would do is promote this kind of behavior. We really need to stay on target,” Cary said. “The city has lots ofthings that need to be taken care of. SHERIFF, continued from page 1 and well beyond the amount that should be absorbed by the county.” The county sent a bill for the same amount after the initial FOIA request last year, and it went unpaid. But, on April 19, the sheriff’s office paid the FOIA bill in full. However, the suit claims the county still has not released any of the requested emails. Leaf said that the $3,019.76 “went from one account to another,” referring to the fact that money simply switched hands across county government departments. Franky, I think it’s ridiculous I’m getting a bill when we’re doing a criminal investiga­ tion,” Leaf said. Leafappeared in front ofthe Barry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morn­ ing to provide a monthly report on the opera­ tions ofthe jail. The topic ofthe lawsuit did not come up during the session. sSS sWSS W ;'S �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 14, 2023 — Page 3 Housing shortage, state incentives driving developer interest as residential market slows down Hunter McLaren taMoata jjgp - -M^wh^ irt-bii -r« pottoi vAteCoam w* . A BUR -SaxsaciiifeGwi Mmum imi ttaUtaytad tfur -teptavifeDps/ IBBi ckres -IwMtmsrtfc.taib lfciWtaiik»«ta sufrai OK aaCarsxr - te»M ■’’"“IK OKS^tUMftt ;.,rUwis5 ■ ^Vl jb* i*#1 —»«d"oBl «d"oBl*L '•J StaffWriter •The ongoing nationwide housing shortage ptfntinues to drive and shape the local real estate market in Barry County, both for resi­ dential and commercial properties. ■ Nichole Lyke, economic development director for the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance, said the need for housing has greatly affected the types ofprojects developers are interested in. Currently, Lyke said she’s noticed a large focus on mixed-use developments: projects that include both residential and commercial Space. ^“There’s a lot ofinterest right now in doing mixed-use developments,” Lyke said. “(Mixed-use developments) generally prov vide commercial or retail restaurants on the main floor, and then either office space or apartments above.” An increase in state grants and funding for mixed-use projects has contributed to devel­ oper interest as well. Barry County faces a unique challenge in that it has different types Developers toured available main-floor commercial space in the Lofts @ 128 builddfsites available for development when com­ ing on 128 Apple Street last week. Thd building’s apartments were spoken for before i pared to other counties, Lyke said. Other construction was completed last December, but the commercial space has yet to be areas ofthe state have access to more brown­ filled. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) field sites - sites that previously held indus­ trial developments - that can be converted it’s typical for homes to stay on the market “More businesses are starting to create for about six months. At the height of the into new residential projects utilizing state spaces for remote workers and temporary housing market hype around 2022, Peck said incentives. workers that are maybe gig workers,” Lyke houses were on the market for about 10 to 14 “For these types of programs, the state is said. “You’re seeing a lot more gig work right days on average. Today, Peck said he’d realizing they can pour all the money in the now. So we’re starting to see more spaces that expect a home to stay on the market for about world into the development of an industrial cater to those types ofprofessions.” site,” Lyke said. “But it’s not going to matter a month. Justin Peck, co-owner ofMiller Real Estate Although the market is starting to slow a ifyou don’t have people that live in the state in downtown Hastings, said the increase in bit, Peck said it’s not because the housing that can work in those areas and fill those remote work has changed the demand for shortage has been solved. Several factors are commercial property. Where downtown spac­ jobs.” making potential homebuyers hesitate, like Barry County does have some brownfield es once served as a prime location for niche sites, but Lyke said most ofthem are smaller high-interest rates. As* more and more Baby businesses or hobby shops, many business Boomers move into retirement, there will be than ones in other areas ofthe state. The larg­ owners (and customers) are turning to online a shrinking demographic looking to buy a est available sites in Barry County are green­ businesses instead. retirement home. More retirees who have field sites - sites with no prior developments. “I think in general, across the entire nation, secured their retirement homes will hunker Although they offer developers a blank slate, more people are working from home,” Peck down, further decreasing movement in the they also come with an additional price tag said. “More and more people are able to start, market. for the legwork needed. Some of the sites run and continue to run a successful at-home All of these factors have combined to aren’t connected to city water and sewer business, where they don’t necessarily need a infrastructure. ensure the housing shortage will not be shop or a building.” solved any time sooiiVKe fcaid. 1 The commercial real estate market in Barry I “A lot of the sites that are available are vacant land,” Lyke said. “Some ofthem don’t County has remained mostly stable for the “People still need a place to live,” Peck have any type of infrastructure at all. Those said. “There’s hardly any rentals and hardly last five years or so, Peck said, even before any houses for sale. Ifsomeone is either mov­ projects tend to be a little bit more expensive the COVID-19 pandemic. While downtown because infrastructure built out is one ofthe ing here for ajob or is*building a family, they office spaces have been lingering on the mar­ most expensive costs to some ofthese develstill need a place to live.” ket, Peck said there’s been a lot ofmovement ogmenV^t^a^^^ ■< on !-e<- « week’s Developers Day Downtown properties remain an area of duplexes, triplexes and apartment complexes. can nelp drive developer interest and create opportunity for new developments in Banjy The housing market is showing signs of movement in the market, Ppck said. Hosted County, Lyke said. As several industries slowing down, but values are still going up. by the chamber, the event welcomed several adjust to a more remote-focused work sched­ Peck said housing is likely to continue to potential developers into downtown Hastings ule, office spaces downtown are well-posi­ shape the greater real estate market for a few and Middleville, offering a guided tour of tioned to receive state incentives to become more years, with some economists not pre­ available development sites with chamber mixed-use spaces. The shift to remote work employees and city officials. I dicting a housing market downturn in the has also opened up opportunities for new 2030s. Lyke said while last week’s event focused bn Hastings and MidclTdville, the chamber is kinds of offices, like co-working studios In a “normal” housing market, Peck said working to host similar events with other communities as well. Plans are already in place for a similar event in Delton, she said. “It just so happened that the city and the village had the most available spots that we could tour that were site-ready right now,” Lyke said. “The community leaders have somewhat of a vision of what they’d like those properties to be developed into based on what is in their master plan.” Developers heard about state and local incentives available for each site and heard firsthand from city and village staff what kinds of developments! would best suit each location. Peck said the’event functioned as a great way to showcase other, ongoing devel­ opments around the county to developers who might otherwise, be unfamiliar with Barry County. “If potential business owners don’t see that, or don’t see the trend ofwhat’s happen­ ing, they’re not going to come invest here,” Developers, community leaders and chamber employees networked in Leason Peck said. “They’re net going to open up a Sharpe Hall after a countywide tour last week. business.” FF** Low-flying helicopters may be spotted in Barry County later this month Banner Staff 1TC Holdings Corp., a Novi-based electricity transmission company, recently released a schedule for its upcoming equip­ ment inspections, a process that utilizes low-flying helicopters ITC, which has installed and services transmission infrastructure across Michi­ gan, uses helicopters to conduct aerial patrols of its high-voltage transmission structures and lines. The statewide effort began on Sept. 11 and continues through mid-October. According to a statement from the com­ pany, ITC will carry out inspections in 70 different counties. Per the company’s specified timeline, ITC plans to conduct aerial inspections in Barry County on Sept. 25,26 or 27. During this stretch, the company will also be con­ ducting inspections in Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalama­ zoo, Kent and Lenawee counties. Crews check for damaged or worn equipment and vegetation hazards. The inspection flights are often conducted at low altitudes to allow accurate visual inspection ofequipment for lightning dam­ age, wear or other potential problems. This is normal procedure and ITC officials assure that there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near trans­ mission lines. More information is available at itc-holdings.com. Barry County United Way Executive Director Lani Forbes addressed volunteers* before they headed out to their Day of Caring projects last year at the Barry Expo Center. The United Way kicked off this year’s fundraising campaign this morning. COMMUNITY, continued from page 1 they’re either increasing their programming or, as a result, creating new programming to meet the needs. That raises their ask.” Family Promise ofBarry County is a part­ ner agency with the United Way that houses homeless families, equipping them with the resources they need to transition back to an independent life. Like any local resident, this organization has felt the impact ofinflation. “We’ve been getting more and more calls for requests in services, whether it’s the need for shelter or the need, to help prevent .evicr tion'because r^il' has beer?raised, as0 well as11 Aside from the more glaring problems that come with rising costs for essentials, this economic dynamic also puts other things out; of reach for households, such as program-' ming for children. “If you’re struggling to meet those basic needs, your kids probably aren’t going to be able involved in a YMCA camp or not neces-, sarily able to participate in youth sports,” said1 Forbes, whose organization directly supports; the. YMCA of Barry County in providing financial assistHricePof^tnijieJ;.' ' ■ ' ‘’ ^ftere are atfWiSse flSSf^ie^iPfflat don’f hearing that a family has to move because the landlord is selling,” said Abbie Hockstad, executive director for Family Promise. “Noticing that the economy isn’t in the best place right now makes it much more important for us in the work that we do to support those in need within our community as best we can.” Hockstad also said that, because of the cost of essentials rising, families in the program have needed an extended stay as it is difficult to find affordable housing and create a sus­ tainable budget. fit into budgets anymore that are really, important to the development and the growth ofchildren.” Jon Sporer, executive director and CEO of the YMCA of Barry County echoed those' sentiments. ...• . “Registrations are up (for youth sports) but our financial assistance requests are also up,’* Sporer said. “They’re very much correlated.The United Way’s assistance allows us to1 provide the appropriate equipment for the youth and financial assistance for the youtbt and the families.” 1 notice TO BroDERsT" BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 11:00 A.M. September 27,2023 for the following items. Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above address or at our web site at www.barrycrc.org. Processed Gravel The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waiveirregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. fI*** ‘TIMES ARE GOOD': TK schools report $1.61 million surplus for 22-23 n«* BOARD OF COjlAfTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUbJTt OF BARRY 5A Davi^pLSolpi^s 205893 Frank M^Fiala Jim James * rr t tF f,wp f,w /0f5^ W5r ,/ tr5^ 5 wA ww Am m t f j* wy Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Kellogg Schools took in more revenue than the district expected during the 2022-23 school year, while keeping spending almost dead even with what it had budgeted. The result: a surplus of more than $1.61 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30, boosting TK’s reserves to $7.88 million, rep­ resenting 18 percent ofthe district’s expendi­ tures, Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie told the Board ofEducation Monday night. “It was a very good year,” LaHaie said. TK took in $46,703,358 in revenues for the year, plus added in $75,000 from its food ser­ vice fiind, for a final amount of $46,778,358. That’s $193,528 more than had been budget­ ed. LaHaie cited several factors for the increased revenue, including more than $70,000 in additional child care and preschool fees, along with increased investment income. The district spent $43,696,789 on education­ al services, administration, transportation and operations for the fiscal year - an amount.08 percent less than had been budgeted - and trans­ ferred an additional $1,469,629 into its capital projects fund, resulting in final expenditures of $45,166,418 and a surplus of $1,611,940. , Board Trustee Derrick Brock was impressed with how close the district came to budget on spending. “Chris, I think you’re downplaying your skills a little bit. That variance with those kinds ofdollars, that’s a bullseye,” Brock said. Board Secretary Anne Hamming said the district is in much better fiscal shape than when she first became a board member. “When I came on the board 10 years ago, we were at a 9 percent fund balance, which is against our policy,” Hamming said. “We were looking at, ifwe had a really bad year where enrollment was drifting downward, we could have hit that 5 percent threshold’ That was a distant, but a very real possibility. You have no idea how wonderful it is to see a fund, balance , like that and contracts settled.” The school board recently ratified two-year contracts with teachers and support staff. LaHaie said the district is trying to use its improved financial strength to bolster both its operations and instruction. Times are good right now. Not everywhere, but these are good financial times for school districts, and they won’t last forever,” LaHaie said. Chairman Member Member “flreyou interested in learning more^^ about the Catholic Church?” Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church? If so, we invite you to a special opportunity: We are forming a group to explore the teachings of the Catholic faith and to search for a greater understanding of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Perhaps you are thinking about becoming Catholic yourself. Perhaps you want to understand your Catholic friend a bit better. Or, perhaps you are just curious to know what Catholics believe. All are welcome to come and see. Thornapple Kellogg Schools Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie goes over the district’s fiscal year-end results at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Greg Chandler) The board will hear a report next month on its financial audit for the 2022-23 school yeaf. .MJ, , Classes begin Thursday, September 21, at St. Rose at Lima Church, 805 South Jefferson Street, Hastings, Michigan. Classes will meet weekly on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Religious Ed Room. Attendance is free. For more information, please contact Phil Green at philgreenofstrose@gmail.com �Page 4 Thursday, September 14, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you see. Have we turned the pageon 9/11? Digging in The streetscape construction project in Hastings has commenced and is poised to transform the aesthetic of the city’s downtown corridor. Crews have started to work on the block that houses Hastings Public Library and Hastings City Hall. In an update provided to city council on Monday, Hastings City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said that crews would spend the next month working on that block, removing cement work, streetlights and trees before administering renovations. From there, crews will work block-byblock as they make their way down State Street. Moyer-Cale said that the foreman for the project will alert area businesses when, and if, construction will cause dis­ ruption to their operations. More informa­ tion on the project’s timeline can be found on the city’s website on both the announce­ ments and DDA pages. Do you remember? Under the big top Reminder My, 1990 Elephants in the Kelly Miller Circus stand on the grounds of Historic Charlton Park. The circus, which visited Charlton Park every year in decades past, was a three-ring circus that featured local and professional clowns, elephants and daring per­ formers. (Reminder photo) Have you met? When Rusty Dowling retired from her position at the city last month, city council members wished her the best. John Resseguie said he’d miss calling into city hall and hearing her distinctive voice along with her warm-and-welcoming attitude. “You ought to put that in a recording somehow,” Resseguie said. Mayor Dave Tossava joked that after eight years of holding the position, he’d finally have to do some work now that Dowling wouldn’t be around to help him. “She’s a sweet lady. I’m going to miss her,” Tossava said. “She was totally profes­ sional, but she had a genuine interest in anyone who came in or called on the phone. She was a wonderful person to do thatjob.” Dowling became the voice ofHastings in 2015 when she started working at the front desk ofcity hall as an administrative assis­ tant. She previously worked for 28 years as a certified medical assistant in Kalamazoo, where she was bom and raised. When a part-time position working for the city became available, Dowling saw it as an opportunity to move closer to her two kids in Barry County. She was offered a full-time position shortly after starting, which she held right up until her retirement two weeks ago. While local government might seem a world apart from the healthcare industry, Dowling said the role felt like a natural fit. “It’s a service business. It doesn’t matter what you’re dealing with,” she said. “I used to deal with medications, surgeries and things like that. Switch that to whatever (city visitors) called for, I’d try to get them to the best person to handle their request.” Even before working for the city, Dowl­ ing had long been familiar with Hastings. She often visited Barry County to stay at her parents’ cottage. “When I was in high school, my folks purchased a cottage on Bassett Lake here in Barry County. We had that for a few years so I was very familiar with Hastings,” Dowling said. “I had many a fish hook Rusty Dowling taken out ofmy head at Pennock from fish­ ing with kids.” Although her time at the city has come to an end, Dowling said she still drops by to chat with her former coworkers when she misses them. The city feels like part ofher extended family, she said. “That was a long and hard decision for me because I will miss everybody and I loved my job. I loved my job dearly,” Dowling said. “It was just ajoy. There was never a day that I didn’t want to get up and go to work.” After working for the past 60 years and supporting herselffor the 34 years since she lost her husband to cancer, Dowling said she was ready for some time to herself. She plans to stick around Barry County, spend­ ing time with her two kids and four grand­ children. She’s already working on travel plans, volunteer opportunities and personal projects to keep her busy. Most of all, she’s excited for the future. Dowling said she can’t wait to see what’s in store for Hastings. I “I’m so excited to look forward and to see the city’s headed in a great direction. I’m just excited to see what’s around the next comer,” she said. “The leadership is outstanding. I truly believe the leaders of the city are outstanding-, and I’m anxious to see where they take us.” For her service to the City of Hastings and its residents, Rusty Dowling is this week’s Bright Light. How it feels to be retired: Actually it has (felt weird), because I’m so used to getting up and going to’ work every day. I still get up early and do things. I’m reach­ ing out to volunteer doing a Bible study class at our church, Gun Lake Community Church. I’d like to help out some of the agencies around the city. They’ve always got a spot for volunteers, so I’m starting to reach out to some ofthem to see ifthere’s anything that I can help them with. I want to do some traveling, and I’ve got lots of projects to do. I’m a crafter and scrapbook­ er, and I do lots of needlework. So, you know, I’d like to spend more time doing those things. Where I’d like to travel: Well, we’re taking a trip to Bransbn next month, my friends and I. None of us have ever been there. Then we’re planning a big trip, maybe next year - you know, a large trip. I decided I had to retire‘because they went to Europe last year without me. I haven’t let him live it down yet. | Something I loved about my job: I loved (helping visitors). If they needed to know a phone number? I would always look it up for them or, you know, get on Google and look it up. Google was my friend. Sometimes, they just didn’t have access to the internet. The world is going electronic, and they were used to telephone books. For some ofthem, that was a tough transition. Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fan-lovingper- sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email aews@j-adgraphics.com. In times ofpersonal heartache, I’m sure most of us have found that time helps in easing our pain. As the noted poet Willie Nelson once sang, “It’s not somethin’ you get over, but it’s somethin’ you get through.” As we honored the 22nd anniversary this past Monday ofthe horrible terrorist attack in New York City that took down the massive Twin Towers and the lives of nearly 3,000 of our innocent brothers and sisters, it’s probably safe to say we’ve gotten through it. My concern as I watched all the replays ofthe videos and television coverage from Sept. 11, 2001, is that we’ve also gotten over it. Granted, anyone under the age of25 has no memory ofthat day’s horror, but have the rest of us closed down our emotions from a day ofnational shock and sadness, fear and anger? Most victims were innocently working atjobs to provide for their families in the Twin Towers or valiantly sacrificing their own lives to save others. Others died in the Pentagon as they diligently worked on keeping our country safe. Even others commandeered hijackers so that a fourth plane would not hit the White House and all passengers died in that service to their country in a field at Shanksville, Penn. Have we chosen to forget the passion of first responders, firefighters, police and other ordinary citizens who risked their lives, knowing they might not come back, because it was for the good ofour country? A rare spirit ofpublic unity marked the months that followed the 9/11 attack. Patriotic sentiment surged in the aftermath and more than 80 percent of Americans said they were proud to display the Amer­ ican flag according to the Pew Research Group. The public largely set aside politi­ cal differences and rallied in support of the nation’s major institutions, as well as its political leadership. But today, 22 years later, political dif­ ferences highlight the news. American trust in the federal government has reached a low level not seen in decades. Plus, in the months following the attack, 78 per­ cent of Americans said they turned to religion and faith and were praying more often. Yet today, only 47 percent of Amer­ icans say they belong to a church, syna­ gogue or mosque, down from 50 percent in 2018 and 70 percent in 1999. As American politics and culture have drifted in the past 22 years, I contend that we’ve not only chosen to forget to honor those who gave their lives on 9/11, we’re doing their memories a disservice by fail­ ing to follow through on our commitment to never let it happen again. Because the 9/11 crimes were carried out by militant Islamic terrorists who had gained entry to the U.S., we directed a big part of our anger and revenge to border security. But here we are, 22 years later, still arguing about how best to carry that out while millions ofunvetted immigrants cross our borders. We do not know who they are, what plans they have, or what they bring with them such as drugs, sex trafficking operations, or violence. As we look back on 9/11 and the les­ sons it taught us, Americans should be demanding our political leaders get the border under control. Last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the problem is financially affecting his city and called on the White House and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to stop sending immi­ grants to New York City. He slammed Abbott as a “madman down in Texas” over the governor’s program of busing thousands ofmigrants into “sanctuary cities” to protest the current administration’s immigration policies. Mayor Adams should know that Gov. Abbot is not the madman in this scenario. The real madmen are the politicos in Washington who opened the gates with little or no plans to deal with the millions ofimmigrants that have entered our country. Not to mention the billions it’s going to take to pay for the lodging, food, medimedi­ cal expenses and miscellaneous costs of allowing millions to enter our country with little or no plans for their future. The United States has had an immigra­ tion policy since 1965 when it passed the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing immigrants to come here seeking greater economic opportunity or in search ofrelireli­ gious freedoms. As a result, the nation experienced a shift in immigration patpat­ terns. But we had a better handle on the number of immigrants, where they were headed, and what was expected ofthem. In fact, many churches and non-profit organizations sponsored families from other countries and accepted the responsi­ bility of providing life-saving services and aid to refugees such as educational resources, health care and social and legal support to immigrants from various backgrounds, particularly those who were most vulnerable, such as women and children. They assisted immigrants in becoming integrated members ofAmerican society. The last time our government even addressed the immigration issue - and the last time we even had an updated immi­ gration policy - was when President Ron­ ald Reagan passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986, the most far-reaching immigration law passed in his presidency or any time since. The problem has been that key points of the policy, such as the e-verify system for employers to check' on the legal status of potential workers, have never been implemented. For more than 35 years, members of each political party have been pointing at each other to take the blame for what almost everyone agrees is a broken immi­ gration system. When the Biden Adminis­ tration came into office, it took down parts of the wall, stopped the wait-in-Mexico policies ofthe former administration and opened the gates allowing a constant flow of immigrants from all over the world. As we look back on 9/11, we have a responsibility to have policies to make sure that anyone coming into our country is coming here willing to assimilate into our way oflife and is willing to work hard and become a productive American citizen. That kind of commitment is what this nation needs to properly honor the memo­ ry of 9/11, to forever commemorate the life ofNew York City firefighter Stephen Siller whose story ofbravery on 9/11 has inspired his fellow firefighters to raise over $500 million to assist families of9/11 victims and those families offirst respond­ ers, firefighters and police officers who gave their lives in service to fellow Amer­ icans on that day. The national media needs to hold our leaders accountable for commitments our government has made for more than 50 years to keep this country safe from the borders inward. In honor of the men and women who gave their lives to this great nation on 9/11, we must allow only those who come for the right reasons to cross our borders. It’s just common sense. Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. The Hastings BdlUlGlT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics..com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverma Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County Jayson Bussa (Editor) $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 Pa ^" -mvided vided <r. axJ 1^8^* •'•wk Wilt I*, tv a �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 14,2023 — Page 5 Man cited for reckless operation of jet ski on Gun Lake **»,'» , UwW' Beasley Hastings facility dogs making w paw prints” on school community w aS?,a>t»vSi aS?a>t»vSi , hLRR'Rs' hLRRRs SS!S> S!S> RS.SR . “Rsms sm.sR <4n31k^ T1 *<“*• £*»» tas as E* ES ‘S* । ’■■■"ikailp. ■■■"ikailp I arfAin»ijitySBitt I j ® ® ip Kffliiitijp.ant tat ife|iiiR R ! asormtrfexfoi wofttaiiftWta iSUri^asi!! tantipttasi As Aiena poiki M ota haveItaUiaHiitetol I i jaciapKluLaaaiitaaffMP^EaKK' KKMWiEitaMDCT ^Itavmikta ^Itavmikta | frr tapsterkm M^'rc fcttannsifitnishftSfaiteanoftrndllta; I «||Hgito^OVM!OQl *S*«,f*J Bssst^ t^ U Uli® ® £-$ £$ I^’^lllsd*18’ 0‘ f£ f£ ni.p ^'Sm**** HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Concerned resident places speed bumps in front of Middleville home Police responded to a reported traffic hazard in a Middleville neighborhood around 2 p.m. on Sept. 2. The caller told police someone had placed speed bumps in the road near View Pointe Drive and Tall Ridge Drive. Police arrived on the scene and located the speed bumps. A 43-year-old Middleville man and local resident told police he had placed the speed bumps in the road due to reckless and speeding drivers. The man told police he had reported the problem to law enforcement several times. He agreed to remove the speed bumps and told police he would raise the issue with the local homeowner’s asso­ ciation as well as the Village ofMiddleville. Hastings Area School System Cause has been seamless and well-organized to train the facility dogs in an educational environment. Of course, this valuable pro­ gram requires annual sponsorships to cover all facility dog costs, including food, groom­ ing, veterinary services and more. Our most-tenured facility dog is Beasley, who is starting his fourth year of service at Southeastern Elementary. He has been spon­ sored over the years by First Presbyterian Church and Southeastern families. Beasley’s at-home and school handler is social worker Maicee VanSkyock. Halo is currently in his second year as the facility dog at Hastings Middle School. His annual sponsor is Gun Lake Community Church. Halo’s at-home handler is Dawn James, and his school handlers are Pam Cole, Leah Lucas and Michelle Barrows. Pluto, who is Halo’s brother, is in his sec­ ond year ofservice at Star Elementary. Spon­ sors for Pluto are Barry County United Way and the Barry Community Foundation. His at-home and school handler is social worker Makayla Holloway. Fortunately, we will be receiving a fourth facility dog at Central Elementary in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more informa­ tion on this additional furry friend for the district. Man makes good on promise to buy now, pay later A Nashville gas station employee called police around 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 3 to report a man who had fueled up without paying. The man, a 62-year-old Nashville resident, had visited the store earlier in the day. The man told the employee he had pumped $35 worth ofgas before realizing he forgot to bring money to pay for it. The man told the employ­ ee he would get the money and bring it back to the store by the end of the day. The employee called the police after several hours had passed since the initial interaction. Police were able to make contact with the man in question. He told the officer he had returned with the money and gave it to a different employee, who took the money and placed it inside the cash register along with a note explaining the situation. Police called the store manager the next day, who was able to confirm the money was present and accounted for. Hastings Fire Department moving to meet recommendations made in consultant report ..oiiow aril isvo he nion aUimsjifnnn Aiwlwklidihi! ^teofc.(r>frEibfff fiff ^n notoitiini j For those of you who have spent time in Hastings Area School System buildings over the past few years, it’s not uncommon to see four-legged friends walking amid students in the halls and wagging tails in classrooms. Through our partnership with the Humane Society, Paws With A Cause and multiple sponsors, our students are fortunate to currently have facility dogs at three of f our schools. These dogs, all of which are Golden Retrievers, have made an incredible impact throughout our district. They have provided service to students in a variety ofways, rang­ ing from emotional support, behavior and/or sensory needs, or simply bringing a smile to a student who may be having a rough day. The dogs are recognized as much more than facility dogs or “pets” within the district. They are regarded as valued staffmembers. Initially, the idea of having facility dogs was brought to the attention ofHASS by the Barry County Humane Society, which has been overwhelmingly generous in all aspects ofbringing this program to fruition. Further­ more, the partnership with Paws With A Sheriff's deputies responded to a report ofa reckless jet ski operator around 2 p.m. on Sept. 3 near Murphy’s Point on Gun Lake. The caller, a 36-year-old Caledonia man, told police the watercraft operator sped through the no-wake area near the point within 100 feet ofseveral kids swimming. After the caller told the man to slow down because ofthe no-wake zone and children in the water, the man turned around and approached the caller on his craft before turning abruptly to stop and spray the caller. The caller and the jet ski operator exchanged words, while other people on the scene disconnected the craft’s safety lanyard in attempts to stop the vehicle. The craft was able to operate with­ out the safety device, and the man left the scene. The caller showed police a video ofthe incident, who were able to identify the craft and its owner. Police made contact with the man, a 55-year-old Shelbyville man, at his home on the south side ofthe lake. The man denied operating his watercraft in a reckless manner. Police informed him he was caught doing so on video and cited him for reckless operation ofa personal watercraft. i r-r> r-r> 4«iwi 4«iwi 4rn! 4rn! — <- th Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A fire department consulting group has provided the city with a prioritized list of actions. The 98-page report from McGrath Con­ sulting Group, Inc. outlines areas for potential improvement. Many of the .actions recommended by the group, includ­ ing the purchase of new vehicles, had already been taken or partially taken by the department in recent months. The report ranks recommendations made from priority one to priority five, with pri­ ority one needs being the most urgent. The replacement of outdated vehicles and equipment, an increased focus on docu­ mentation and changes to personnel were some ofthe issues that ranked at the top of the list. The report includes a detailed break­ down ofthe 10 vehicles currently in use at the department. The significant age ofthe vehicles was noted, with eight ofthe vehi­ cles being over 20 years old. The report recommends the department move down to eight vehicles and work to replace the old­ est vehicles over the next five years. The issue ofaging firefighting apparatus has been a topic of discussion at BIRCH Rural Fire Association meetings in the past -isq 8\ kr,rr"rt adj gtiiwoiloi »om uro I i j-.,. ■ Mfr. several months. Hastings Fire ChiefMark Jordan brought up the issue at the first meeting after his appointment in July. Since then, BIRCH purchased a new SUV to act as a response vehicle and agreed to purchase a tanker truck. Hastings city council members approved the purchase of a new pumper truck for the department last month and approved costs for a pick-up truck at the department to be outfitted as a medical response vehicle Monday. Another issue listed was a lack of docu­ mentation for various processes in the department. The report states maintenance records for vehicles, training documenta­ tion and fire incident reports were all found to be either lacking or non-existent. Jordan said with the two trucks paid for by the city and BIRCH on the way, it’d be easier to tackle documentation issues at the department and ensure there were no issues going forward. “I think things will flow better once we get the new vehicles in. It kind of seemed like a whirlwind of rushing here, rushing there. Now that we’ve got the trucks ordered, we just have to sit and wait,” Jor­ dan said. “Things will slow down a little bit now while we’re waiting for equipment to come in. Now we can start putting pro­ cesses into place.” The department was in the process of tackling personnel issues outlined in the report, as well, Jordan said. All firefighters would be moving to an hourly pay rate, doing away with stipends. The department would also be putting a larger focus on recruitment, hoping to add several more members. Jordan said two members are currently being onboarded and set to start in a few weeks. Jordan said that, going forward, the city would continue to evaluate the partnership between BIRCH and the department. How the partnership works and where it could be improved would be further discussed at the BIRCH meeting later this month, Jor­ dan said. “We are looking at how the whole membership piece is . put together, how we’re going to work together going for­ ward. (The consultants) made a comment that it looks like it’s! two separate fire departments where it really isn’t,” Jordan said. “One of my goals is to rebrand the fire department. Once we figure out what we’re going to do, then we’ll think about a new patch and ne^w signage on the trucks. That’s really going to be down the road once we figure I out what happens between the City 'of Hastings and BIRCH?’ BIRCH recently approved the purchase of this 2021 Ford Explorer to be used as a fast response car. Hastings Fire Department Chief Mark Jordan said the car is equipped to be the first vehicle on any scene. (Photo courtesy of the Hastings Fire Department) • Flannel for Everyone - Kids andAdult • Christmas Gifts - Quilts, Pillow Cases, Placemats, Ornaments, Table Cloths, Tree Skirts • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station City Counsel gut check - will justice be served? 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 >%■ fir rtePT^S** On Sept. 11, a presentation was made to the Hastings City Council. The following section from the standards of conduct for public officers was given: “15.342 Public officer or employee; pro­ hibited conduct. Sec. 2. (3) A public officer or employee shall use personnel resources, property and binds under the officer or employee’s official care and control judiciously and solely in accordance with prescribed constitutional, statutory and regulatory procedures and not for personal gain or benefit.” After listening to some ofthe alleged text messages, I was dumbfounded. Being elected or appointed to an office should never be taken lightly. The founders of this country fought a bloody and difficult rebellion against a» world superpower over abuses of power exactly like this. I would like to thank Mayor David J. Tossava for making sure that all of the screen- shots of the text messages were put in the tice served and the constitution as well as the OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; rsr hands ofthe other council members. Most of them looked at it, but one of them quickly folded it and put it away. This was clear on the video. They were all made aware ofthis abuse of power by one ofits members. Now they have to stare history in the face and decide how to handle it. I would hope they want to see jus- laws upheld. I think we all want to see justice served and the law and constitution upheld. It would be a pity ifthis travesty were quickly folded and put away. Aaron Gross Hastings Saturday 9 am-3 pm M Come join us for a verse by verse study ofthe “Book ofRevelation by Pastor Tod Shook. Starting Sunday, September 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Sheriff finds himself in FOIA hypocrisy First our sheriffis sued because he refused to obey a lawfully submitted FOIA request, and loses. The cost ofthat action is approxi­ mately $20,000 and all the costs aren’t in yet. Then, weeks later, he turns around and sues the county as he doesn’t feel they fully com­ plied with a FOIA his department submitted. You can’t make this stuffup! Will the contro- versy he creates never end? Larry Osborne Delton Community Baptist Church 502 E. Grand St., Hastings �Joy Ann Blakely Daniel A. Burghdoff Daniel A. Burghdoff, age 74 of Freeport, _ MI, passed away quietly at his home on September 06, 2023 with his family around him. He was bom in May 1949 to Arthur and Beatrice Burghdoff. He attended school at Z -. Thomapple Kellogg in Middleville and grad­ uated in 1968. He entered the US Army in April of 1969 and was stationed at Fort Knox, - - KY until being sent to Viet Nam where he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. After returning home, and being honorably discharged from the Army in May of 1971, he married the love of his life, Darla Walton, from Freeport, and they cherished 52 years together. Dan retired from the Barry County Road Commission where he worked for 39 years. BACH FUNERAL HOME He loved hisjob and the men he worked with. They were like brothers to him. He was able to be reunited with his 101st Airborne 2/17 Cavalry “Dirty Delta Troop” in 2003 at their first reunion. After having been out ofthe service for over 30 years, it was an emotional but joyous reunion. They contin­ ued to have reunions every few years thereaf­ ter and reinforced their bond as a band of brothers. Dan and his wife enjoyed many hobbies and interests. They crosscountry skied, golfed, camped, rode bikes and played cards with many cherished friends and family. Dan built and raced go-carts. They also taught country line dancing years ago and belonged to the Michigan Two Steppers group. Dan is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Darla; daughter, Angela (James) Raulston ofHastings and estranged daughter, Sara (Don) LaVair ofMiddleville, along with very special grandson, Tyler Slayton and grand­ sons, Alex Hause, Connor and Garrett LaVair, James (Tennille) Raulston, and Jamie Dawn Raulston and five great-grandchildren; broth­ ers, Rex (Pam) Burghdoff, Tom (Bonnie) Burghdoff; sister, Michele Burghdoff and a very special uncle, Robert Burghdoff, along with many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Pamela Guyott. Services are being planned for September 30,2023 at 11 a.m. Visitation at 10 a.m. prior to service. A luncheon to follow. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings. Please visit their website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net Joy Ann Blakely, age 91, of Lake Odessa, MI passed away on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. William'David Selby, age 86, ofHastings, MI, passed away on September 12, 2023, surrounded by his family. William was bom on October 14, 1936, in Rexton, MI, the son of Richard and Clara (Martin) Selby. William attended Hartland High School. On September 8,1956, he married the love of his life, Nelma Brower. William was a farmer. He was also an avid woodworker, building household furniture such as gun cabinets, bedroom sets, and kitchen cabinetry. He loved hunting out west, fishing and gardening. William was a mem­ ber ofthe Hastings Masonic Lodge and had been a member of the Woodland United Methodist Church since 1963. William was preceded in death by his par­ ents; his son, Gary Selby, and brothers, Rich­ ard, James and Robert Selby. TeL Fax rfriuoa Worship Together HASTINGS FREE SOLID ROCK BIBLE HASTINGS CHURCH OF DELTON BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. An To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. LIFEGATE Sunday Morning Worship: COMMUNITY CHURCH 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nurseiy. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p..im. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 pm.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 pm. www.cbchastings.org. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328! N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. bril iol >lond bai Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Elder abuse is the intentional mistreatment or harming of an older person. An older person is defined by thte Social Security Act as someone over age 60. This abuse takes many forms including physical, emotional, and sexual harm, neglect and financial exploitation. More than 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of abuse each year. That number is likely much higher because elder abuse is often underreport­ ed - especially in undeserved communities. Abuse victims typically show emotional and behavioral red flags, such as depression, unusual fear or anxiety or intentional isola­ tion. Many victims are abused by someone they know or trust. It’s important to look for unusual changes in behavior around: - Family members } ■ - Staffat inpatient,.facilities - Hired or volunteer ccaregivers - People in positionss oftrust like doctors or financial advisors I Hastings 945-9554 exfab Hum Produc*8 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 d wb bavtaa 9;.norfhuo: ‘X g 'fl fgcairfikcR cj cjiMtaipoi apo AWUWKVfIBV HHIlKMlEftMt 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 - Poor nutrition or hygiene - Lack of necessary medical aids like glasses or medications that a caretaker should be providing There may also be indications of financial abuse. These may include: - Unpaid rent -Sudden changes to a will - Unusual changes in money management - Large, unexplained financial transactions - Mortgages despite sufficient financial resources - Allowing someone new to access bank accounts Ifyou suspect that someone is a victim of elder abuse, don’t ignore it! Ifyou or some­ one you care about is in a life-threatening situation, call 911. Ifyou suspect that some­ thing isn’t right — but nobody seems to be in immediate danger — contact: Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp, NE, GrandRapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. Elaine Garlock Next week on Thursday, Sept. 21, the Ionia County chapter ofthe Michigan Asso­ ciation of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) will meet at the intermediate school district office on Harwood Road at noon. The meeting’s theme is “Living your Best Retirement” and includes “Sharing your Hidden Gems.” On Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Tri River Museum group will meet at Lowell at 10 a.m. The Ionia County Genealogical Society met on Saturday last week with the speaker Jessica Trotter. Her topic was on homesteading in this nation. This act went into effect and continued until 1972. The last piece of land thus handled was a spot in Alaska. Anyone of age 21 or younger if head of a family (including former slaves and women) could apply for federal land if they were citizens and had not fought for the Confed­ eracy. A homestead included up to 160 acres. The would-be farmer was required to live on the land continuously for five years and improve it. The completion required proofoffulfillment ofterms with the home­ steader and witness testimonies. About half of the claims were never completed. The', average acreage of a homestead was! enlarged to 320 acres in 1909. About 10] percent of the entire United States was set- .1 tied through this plan, amounting to 270> million acres. To our north, Canada had a similar pro-' gram begun in 1872. Who remembers read­ ing stories from the early history of this* country, such as the Little House on the Prairie series and other works of fiction? In' one of the Wilder books, a man who had1 staked a claim to a homestead had made his* start but the family’s best interests were served by his working away from home. In­ die story, the wife and small children stayed, in place to keep their claim while the hus-; band was far away working for pay. At Central United Methodist Church on Sunday parishioners were invited to wear team sports wear. There were jackets and heavy shirts from a wide variety ofcolleges and also some from professional sports, teams. Following the service there was a tailgate party instead of the usual coffee hour with tailgate food served. This has been an annual event at Central UMC in recent years. Next week, there will be an outdoor service with a campfire on the south lawn. It is wise to bring your own lawn chair - and maybe a blanket. The Habitat house on Fourth Avenue is showing definite progress. In the past week, all the windows were installed. Workers are on site nearly every day. plained injuries. There may also be signs ofneglect like: CHURCH Flberglnss 1351 North M-43 Hwy. boiiaq You can also hem'make a difference by checking in with older loved ones. Looking for warning signs ofmistreatment is the first step to preventing abuse. Signs of physical abuse include bruisejs, burns or other unex- This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: A- '*•*;**** ELDER ABUSE: Combating injustice METHODIST CHURCH Be He is survived by his wife, Nelma Selby; his children, Wayne (LouAnn) • Selby, Pam (Rick) Gutchess, Gloria (Rich) Pratt; grand­ children, Renae, David, Nathan, Benjamin, Luke, Lindsey, Lee, Jessica, Jonah, Noah, and Hannah, and 15 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Funeral service will be held on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at 11 a.m., with a one hour visita­ tion prior at 10 a.m. at Woodland United Methodist Church, 203 N. Main Street, Woodland, MI 48897. Interment at Wood­ land Memorial Park Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Lakewood Church, 10265 Brown Rd (M-50), Lake Odessa, MI 48849. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... To ‘ft* 1-** ll**XL**» MliMBiM In bnn .qGiU aril *16 iuo Exist ft8816 /ci Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrba Providing Exceptional Servic with Compassion and Care "We Joshua Blakely, Jacob Blakely, Hogan Scheidt, and Carly Scheidt; 38 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren, and longtime caregiver, neighbor and friend Paula Jewell and many cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clare, son, Bruce; daughters, Gay and Shirley (daughter-in-law); great-granddaughters, Emma and Olivia; her brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Evelyn Hampel, sis­ ter-in-law, Priscilla, Hampel; p her sisters and d brothers-in-law, June and Dick Morlok, and Linda and Chuck Begerow. Funeral services were held at the Lake­ wood Church on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at 11 a.m.. Joy will be laid to rest next to Clare in Lakeside Cemetery in Lake Odessa, MI. Donations in Joy’s name can be given to Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foun­ dation or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Fond memories and expressions ofsympathy for the Blakely family may be shared at www.koopsfc.com. Arrangements made by Koops Funeral Chapel. William David Selby 328 S. Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Expression Of Who Jesus Is She was bom to Theodore and Marion Hampel on December 18, 1931, in Grand Rapids, MI. Joy married the love ofher life, Clare Hazen Blakely on October 8, 1949, until his death in 1971. Joy was a devoted wife, mother and grand­ mother who cherished her family above all else, never missing a game, band concert, field trip or scout meeting. She had a passion for sewing, crafting, cooking, and canning, and was famous for her delicious pies and cookies. Joy had a tradition ofmaking popcorn balls at Halloween for the past 68 years, leaving lasting memo­ ries on generations ofTrick-or-Treaters. Her decorating for every holiday was so impres­ sive it would make the Lake Odessa Wave. Joy will be lovingly missed by her children, Randall Blakely, Kelly Blakely, Jayne Blake­ ly, and Carol (Mark) Gates; brother, Keith Hampel; grandchildren, Carrie Spalding, Rachel Jenkins, April Spalding and Zachary Blakely, Kurt (Erin) Blakely, Kris (Tammy) Blakely, Ted (Ashly) Blakely, Katie (Jason) Shong, Adam Thelen, Jessica Jankowski, Robert and Linda Tolles to celebrate 60th anniversary Robert and Linda Tolles will be celebrating their 60th anniversary on Sept. 14, 2023. They were united in marriage on Sept. 14, 1963 at Green Street United Methodist Church. There will be a private celebration hosted by their family this week. To send congratulations, please email crtolles@ yahoo.com - Your local Adult Protective Services at apsa-now.org/help-in-your-area - The National Center on Elder Abuse at; 1-855-500-3537 (ELDR) You can also find additional local resourc­ es by searching the Eldercare Locator for your community at eldercare.acl.gov/Public/l index.aspx. Take some time to call or visit with an older adult. Ask ifthey are OK and listen toj what they tell you. Pay attention to signs of] abuse or unusual behavior. Most of all, don’t] be afraid to report instances of suspected] abuse. Please share this information with! *1 Wj, those who need it. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her do S ix vA Six �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 14, 2023 — Page 7 The courthouse tower clock fl look back at the stories an(l345^5 60umns on 06al Illslory ,199669^, Joyce F. Weinbrecht JXi®jv SSWs | f few i®O I ^isS® I s | . I. I. ^W! w w > > u s 4 wJ^^ l4 i4 . 3 w—^1JU* ^ll ^”* l SSSJI ' *i > j ft *®ft. fts Jii S^Sa'^l Sal i I 3 ^ 1* l ”* . J? *** . T**4 " ." •. * .*Jr ftrnmiiB ■ - . " " I SOCIAL SECIWMATI Banner Oct. 8, 1998 In August 1998, the Barry County Commissioners voted to have the clock in the courthouse repaired. The clock mechanism has finally given up. For many years, Vem DeMott has kept the TURNING BACK THE PAGES single motor ofthe old clock working, but the time has come to do something different, adding another chapter to the history of the Barry County Courthouse. The bell, actually cast in 1891, will remain. The bell and clock were shipped into Hast- ings by railroad car in time to be installed iin the steeple ofthe new courthouse in 1892. Verdin Company of Illinois will duplicate the current clock design. There will be four motors to operate the clock and new faces made of a plastic composite material will be used for the four faces and will look identical to the current faces. Barry County held its first session of the circuit court on May 6, 1840, in a small frame building on the southeast comer of State and Jefferson streets. The building was so small that thejury room was in the log cabin tavern of Levi Chase, two blocks away just south and west ofthe Michigan Street bridge. It took several days of riding the forest trails by SheriffWillard Hayes to line up ajury. The first jurors were A.E. Bull, Henry Leonard, Calvin G. Hill, Hiram and William Lewis, C.W. Spaulding, A.S. Barnes, O. Barnes, S.V.R. York, William P. Bristol, John Culver, Cleavland Ellis and Lorenzo Mudge, giving a good overall county coverage in this jury. Judge E. Ransom of Kalamazoo presided at this initial session of the court, with Nathan Barlow Sr. and Isaac Otis acting as associate judges. H.G. Wells, W.H. Brown and Mr. Giddins acted as layers. SheriffVanderwalker of Kalamazoo came to Barry County to instruct Sheriff Willard Hayes about his duties and responsibilities concerning the court session. One thing was evident: Barry County needed a courthouse. On Jan. 13, 1842, Hiram J. Kenfield was contracted by the county commissioners to build a courthouse. The building was two stories high, faced north and cost $1,213.92. There were fourjail cells located in the south­ east comer of the first floor, with jailer’s quarters in the southwest comer of the same floor. The county offices were in the front of the. building. The courtroom, the jury room and an office for the presiding judge were located on the second floor. The building was ready for use in 1843. The new courthouse was built on the Court House Square, which was a gift to the county from the Hastings Village Company and is recorded as being deeded to the Hastings Village Company by Eurotas P. Hastings on July 26, 1836. The Hastings Village Compa­ ny deeded the piece of land known as the Barry County’s second courthouse, completed Jan. 19,1849. “Barry County Seat Purchase” to the supervi­ sors ofBarry County on Oct. 8, 1842. The new courthouse was only used for a short period of three years when it was destroyed by fire. The fire started in the chim­ ney in the jailer’s quarters. The building was a total loss. Prisoners had to be taken to Kalamazoo and boarded there until a new jail was completed in 1853. John Lewis drew up plans for a new courthouse to be erected on the same site. The contract was awarded to Alvin W. Bailey on Jan. 6, 1847. The com­ pleted structure was accepted by the board of supervisors on Jan. 19,1849. Mr. Bailey had contracted to build the build­ ing for $2,381.09 but went over the contracted price by $300, which the commissioners agreed to pay. They also paid John Lewis $75 for his services during the1 building of a new court­ house. Another $300 was spent on furniture. In late Januaiy of 1849, the county clerk, register of deeds, county treasurer and sheriff were moved into the new courthouse. In 1859, the supervisors agreed that it was unaccept­ able to allow horses, cows or other four­ legged animals to pasture on the courthouse square. Many villagers, including Dr. William Upjohn, owned cows, which were free to roam the streets. It was common practice to turn horses loose within the fenced courthouse square to pasture on the grass that grew there. The new ordinance put a stop to this practice. The courthouse served during the period when the Civil War was approaching and after it actually began. Many meetings took (ABUSE: ComWi* -taisaisstes , II “ * 0 , ~^* T^traasacw» The bell in the courthouse tower, July, 1995. place there, rallying the people to join the war effort. New recruits were drilled on the court­ house lawn. This courthouse was the site of many trials. A new jail was built in 1853. This was a neat brick building that stood at the southwest comer ofPark and Court streets. This build­ ing was remodeled into a residence when the third courthouse andjail were being built. The courthouse and jail were becoming crowded and worn. In 1891, an effort was directed toward building a new courthouse andjail to replace the “outmoded” structures then in use. A large display at the Barry County Fair that year was designed to illus­ trate why this investment in a new facility was a sound and necessary one for the coun­ ty to make. At the January 1891 session ofthe supervi­ sors, it was decided by a unanimous vote to place the question ofraising $10,000 to build a new jail and $54,000 to build a new court­ house to a vote by the citizens. At the election, which was held on Monday, April 4,1892, the proposition carried by a vote of 2,722 to 1,677. Construction of the new and third courthouse for Barry County began in 1892. The architect for the new courthouse was Albert E. French from Detroit. Mr. French designed many of Michigan’s courthouses and other public buildings. The style is known as Richardsonian Romanesque. The red brick for the new courthouse and jail were built of red bricks from the kilns of Barry County. The woodwork for the courthouse was made from beautiful oak, with carved banis­ ters ofoak. The spectators’ chairs in the court­ room were a combination ofwrought iron and wood, cast with the initials B.C. for Barry County cast into the design. Each one had a hat holder under the seat ofthe chair. Many of the metal knobs in the building also had (and still have) the letter “B” in their design. The roofwas originally made of slate. The court­ house was heated with a steam heat system. The actual cost of the construction and furnishing for the new courthouse and jail totaled $47,173.28. This included the archi­ tect’s fee of $1,785. The cost ofthe hail was $1,390.25, which also included the architect’s fee of$200. In the fall of 1893, the citizens of Barry County were invited to visit the Barry County Fair and to include in their outing a tour ofthe new county buildings. In the meantime, the question ofa clock to be included in the steeple of the courthouse was raised. John Bessmer, a resident ofHast­ ings from 1864 until his death in 1912, busi- ^M^ *** ^Doctor Universe What is echolocation? c' I CkW CkwW kwWii I i Why do dolphins and beluga whales have echolocation and what is it? Carolyn Grace, 8, Va. Dear Carolyn Grace, Toothed whales-like dolphins and belugas-might live in the ocean, but they have some big things in common with cave-dwell­ ing bats. They’re all mammals that live in dark places and use echolocation. That’s why I talked about your question with my friend Christine Portfors. She’s a biologist at Washington State University. Her lab keeps a colony ofbats. Many bats sleep in caves and zoom around at night. Their world is dark, so they use sounds and their echoes to perceive the world around them, which is called echolo­ cation. Toothed whales live in dark oceans or murky rivers and lakes. That’s why they use echolocation, too. “Whenever there isn’t enough light for an animal to do the things that it needs to do like navigate, collect food and find mates, then it has to use some other sensory system besides vision,” Portfors said. “So, they send out sound. That sound bounces off objects in their environment and comes back as an echo. They use those echoes to identify objects and navigate. navigate.” A bat sends out squeaks from its mouth or nose. A toothed whale sends out clicks from a fatty lump on its forehead. The lump is called the melon. One of my favorite animals is the river dolphin. It lives in rivers so dark and cloudy that its eyes are useless. Instead of looking where it’s swimming, a river dolphin uses its melon to shoot out clicks. It can tell a lot from the echoes that return. “An object is going to produce different types ofechoes when a sound hits it depending on where that object is in space,” Portfors said. “Is it offto the right or left? Is it straight ahead?. Is it up or down? An animal that uses echolocation can figure those things out all because of the way that the sound comes back as an echo.” Plus, the sounds don’t hit the object injust one spot. If a river dolphin’s clicks bounce off a tasty fish, the sounds hit a bunch of different parts of the fish. When all those echoes bounce back, the dolphin’s brain forms something like a map or image ofthe fish and what’s around it. It’s a little bit like how we see-but using sound instead oflight. The sounds bats and toothed whales use for echolocation are special, too. Those squeaks and clicks are very high frequency. They’re usually so high that humans can’t hear them at all. That’s important because sound travels in the air or water as waves. The waves from low frequency sounds are far apart. If a river dolphin used low frequency sounds for echolocation, the sound waves might bounce offbig things-like a giant underwater rock. But those waves might go around a little fish. That means no echo. The dolphin would have no idea the fish was there. The waves from high frequency sounds are close together. They’ll definitely hit the fish and bounce back, so the river dolphin can find its meal. You could say that echolocation using very high frequency sounds works very whale. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at DrUniverse@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Vern DeMott and the courthouse clockworks, July 3,1995. nessman and activist in the community of Hastings, raised the cost of a clock and its 1,400-pound bell in the key ofG, by popular subscription. Mr. Bessmer, a jeweler in the city, raised the money, ordered the clock and oversaw its installation. The clock cost $420 and was made by Meneely Bell Co. ofTroy, N.Y. Its deep tones in the key ofG could be heard throughout the city and to the city limits, jits four six-foot dials couId'rbel^Ti‘W^66sFaify’Jetton ofthe city. The clock was operated by a sin­ gle motor. The last repairs (as of 1998), which kept the clock running for a while longer were made in 1995 by Vem DeMott. V. Harry Androunie was raised in the house across the street from the courthouse on South Broadway. He said that he could never get away with coming in late at night, as the old clock always struck and let his mother know what time he actually arrived home. John Bessmer was born on Aug. 27, 1834, in the Village ofMaber, then the kingdom of Wurtenbery, Germany. After his public edu­ cation, he trained to be a tailor. He and his sister came to the United States in 1853. He worked at various places and at various trades until he finally arrived in Hastings in 1864. The city of Hastings had a population of 800 persons when he arrived here. He opened a barbershop in a rented building which was owned by Mrs. Knappen. He paid 50 cents a week for the use of the shop. (This building was located about where King’s Appliance is now located. That building no longer exists.) John Hewes had been conducting a barber business at this spot. John was a carpenter and cabinet maker and had his shop in the same building. Ifsomeone wanted a shave or a haircut, Hewes laid aside his tools and gave the shave or haircut. Mr. Bessmer paid $25 for the goodwill ofMr. Hewes’s shop. John Bessmer found that he now had a bar­ ber’s chair which was a common chair with the back legs sawed off to make it sit at an angle. There was a headrest fitted on the back. A butter firkin served as a wash tank and a wooden dry goods box was the dresser. There was a mirror with a broken comer. The brush­ es were more like paint brushes and the Wade and Butcher razors had veQ( wide blades. Hewes moved but of the shop, and after Mr. Bessmer cleared out a wagonload of shavings and the crude barber’s outfit he installed some modem furniture. The towns­ men predicted that he would never survive and he wouldn’t be able to pay his rent. But many men came to have haircuts, shaves and dye jobs for their beards, and Bessmer’s shop became popular and he prospered. He was able to build a new building in the same block after two years. He had decided to retire from the barber business at age 49 and purchased a stock ofjewelry and thus began his second business in Hastings. He was elected treasurer of Hastings Town­ ship in 1869 and 1870. When Hastings became incorporated as a city in 1871, Henry Goodyear was the first mayor and John Bessmer was the first city treasurer. He served as a member ofthe board ofeducation for nine years and only missed one meeting in all that time. He was secretary ofthe Riverside Cem­ etery Association. He saw the need for a clock on the new county courthouse and set about procuring one. The clock is expected to be repaired and again ringing out the hour and perhaps even on the half-hour by the first week in Decem­ ber 1998. It is expected that the cost of repairs will run about $30,650. To be continued... Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Sept. 15-21 Sept. 1-30 - September Storywalk Book: “Fletcher and Falling Leaves” by Julia Rawlinson. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, Sept. 16 - Fall Forager’s Har­ vest with Maggie Conklin, 1-4 p.m. In this workshop, participants will receive handson experience identifying fall plants and processing them for use in herbal reme- dies. Attendees will also receive recipes and resources to build upon their knowl­ edge at home. Space is limited. Institute members can register for $30. Non-members can sign up for $42. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Sept. 14 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1940 film starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland and Ronald Rea­ gan, 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 - Role playing games: Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Arm Chair Travel: Conser­ vation research in Dominica, Croatia and Europe, 6 p.m.; writers’ night, 6:30 p. p.m. More information about these and other CaUing librarV’269’ �Page 6 — Thursday, September 14. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Gov. Whitmer leads statewide observance of September 11 attacks Governor Gretchen Whitmer recognized Sept. 11, 2023, as Patriot Day to remember and honor the heroes who lost their lives and those who sacrificed their lives for others, including first responders who showed bravery in responding to the Sep­ tember 11 attacks and aiding the victims. “On Patriot Day, we remember and honor the Americans who lost their lives, the first responders who came to their aid, and the service members who pursued and brought to justice those who were respon­ sible,” Whitmer said in a statement. “The 9/11 attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives and changed our nation forever. It also strength­ ened our commitment to our core values and reminded us of our shared bond as Americans. On this somber day, let’s com­ mit to remembering what unites us: our fundamental values ofliberty, freedom and democracy, and commit to building a brighter future for our kids.” IIn accordance with a presidential proclamation, Governor Whitmer directed U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the state to remain lowered at half-staffon Monday. “We will never forget the heroes lost, the bravery of our service members and first responders and the families that were impacted by this tragic attack,’ said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “I invite all Michiganders to honor and pay tribute to these patriots by observing a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. on Patriot Day.” Patriot Day occurs on Sept. 11 of each year in memory ofthe individuals killed in the September 11 attacks. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. E GRAND STREET, STREET HASTINGS IS HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE Saturday. Sept. 16th 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come and visit our church • Bible Study Rooms for Kids • Nursery • Youth Group Studies • Sanctuary & Kitchen • Meet Pastor Tod Shook - Church Members • Prayers, Private Talks, Answer Questions • Free Cookies, Coffee • GriefSharing Soplease come and visit our church We are a growing church, but we serve a mighty God. Informal Talk/Discussion Dinosaurs & the Bible, etc. Williams-Gores Funeral Home in Delton celebrates 100-year anniversary Karen Tferko-F. bright Contributing Writer When Royce and Mary Hen­ ton came to Delton in 1923 from Nashville, Michigan, they bought a residential home on East Orchard Street Royce, a barber, worked in a building on South Grove Street. In the late 1930s and early ’40s, the Henton’s turned their home into a funeral business - The Henton Funeral Home. It was the first funeral business in Delton. Today, that establishment is still open and, after a string of ownership changes, locals know it as the Williams-Gores Funeral Home. The local small business will be celebrating its centennial anniversary this weekend with a special open house event slated from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 16. The business features a rich history that originated with Royce and Mary Hen ton. From 1954 to 1965, Royce Henton’s daughter, Marquita, was married a man named Ivan Smith. When Royce passed away in 1954, Smith took over the funeral business, which was renamed Henton-Smith Funeral Home, and Smith added stone siding to the exterior of a house that has become a fixture in the Delton community. The next chapter of history took place when Bob and Pat Williams acquired the Hen­ ton-Smith Funeral Home in 1965 when it became the Williams Funeral Home until 1999. The Williams family adminis­ tered some renovations five years after moving into the funeral home, constructing an addition on the upper portion ofthe house in the 70s to make room for Grandpa Adrian Williams. The family also added a paved park­ ing lot. In 1982, the casket room moved from the upper level of the funeral home to the renovat­ ed garage area. The stairs inside the funeral home in the chapel, leading upstairs, to the previous casket room, were removed. In the early 1990s, the kitchen was also removed, opening up the space and turning the lower level into a funeral chapel. beth Gores were excited abourt the renovations because their parents added glitter to the ceil­ ings in their bedrooms. Local carpenters remodeled the four upstairs bedrooms and installed bookcases. They added new kitchen cabinets, a cooking island and an eating area. Red plush carpeting was installed on the main floor in the chapels, the ceiling was replaced and some pillars were moved, Gores explained. The Gores moved into the, remodeled home in January 2000. Emily and Elizabeth remem­ ber having to be quiet upstairs while funeral services were id progress. g. Behind the scenes, the Gores installed a new boiler, air condi­ Matt Richmond stands at the door of the Williams-Gores tioner, sound system and under­ Funeral Home in Delton. Matt and Kelly Richmond acquired the Williams-Gores Funeral Home five years ago and the business ground sprinkling. “Improvements were nevis celebrating its 100-year anniversary this weekend. (Photo by er-ending,” said John Gores. Karen Turko-Ebright) Today, though, the Wik liams-Gores Funeral Home is That would usher in the era of under the ownership of Matt and the Williams-Gores Funeral Kelly Richmond, who bought it Home. five years ago. They also bought John and Pam Gores acquired the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home The Williams:' Funeral Home from Bob Williams on May 1, in Middleville. They have a 4-year-old daugh­ 1999. It then became the Wilter, Hazel, and a 2-year-old son, liams-Gores Funeral Home. Henry, the first boy to grow up in Before the funeral business became his career, John Gores the funeral home. The . Richmonds are ardent was a teacher from 1976 to 1987. supporters ofthe local communi­ One day, he decided to switch ty and very active in the various careers. events in, and around, Delton. “It was not as rewarding as it They also do their part to give once was,” John Gores explained. back through their business. “My dad died quite suddenly in “We have assisted and worked 1976.” John was 23 when his with many local veterans and dad, 66, passed away in Florida. John and Pam Gores other groups throughout the He recalled when he was at his acquired The Williams Funeral years in helping honor our local dad’s funeral, he decided to be a Home from Bob Williams on heroes,” Matt Richmond said. mortician. May 1, 1999. It became the “We do have a passion to help “I saw the sense of reliefin my Williams-Gores Funeral memorialize each ofour veterans mom’s face and I wanted to be Home.(Photo provided) in a special way by coordinating able to help people like that,” full military honors with the The Williams-Gores Funeral John Gores said. “IfI could have Home underwent a variety of assistance from the American that kind of impact on people, Legion Post 45 and our active-du­ renovations under John Gores’s that would be very rewarding.” ty military personnel at the time Gores became a funeral direc­ guidance. oftheir passing.” “We completely remodeled tor and managed a few different 1 “Also, we have specifically the living quarters upstairs first funeral homes until he bought his and took out the casket room and helped many local churches in own and operated it for 34 years. creating,, memorial _gardens to put in vaulted tceilings,” he said. Then, in 2012, John and Pam help honor those members ofthe “That was our living room and Gores acquired the Beeler Funer­ congregation who have passed family room in there.” al Home in Middleville. They away,” he added. Daughters Emily and Elizasold that in 2018. It 0* I ihASK^111* fell* McARTHUR DRAIN NOTICE OF DAY OF REVIEW OF DRAINAGE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND REVIEW OF APPORTIONMENTS DATE: TIME: LOCATION: Thursday, October 5,2023 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Office of the Barry County Drain Commissioner 220 W. State St. Hastings, MI 49058 QUESTIONS: (269) 945-1385 At the Day of Review, the Drain Commissioner will have the tentative drainage district boundaries and apportionments against parcels and municipalities within the proposed Drainage District available to review. The Drain Commissioner, engineers, and other staff members will be available to assist individuals throughout the day, and to make revisions where necessary. There is no need to schedule an appointment for a specific time. Comments on the apportionment of benefits may be submitted to the Drain £?"lmissioner m vvrit’ng before the Day of Review at the Office ofthe Barry County Drain Commissioner, 220 W. W State Street, Street Hastings, Hastings Michigan 49058 or idull@barrycounty.org idull@barrycountyorg- or comments may be submitted m writing or verbally at the Day of Review. Comments submitted in advance must be received by the Drain Commissioner prior to the Day of Review to ensure consideration. A licensed professional engineer has recommended lands be added District. A general description of the lands by section number proposed to o be ea added e or eee the Drainage District is as follows: Drain Name Woodland Township McArthur Drain Village of Woodland Portions of Sections Added Section 20: SE '/. ofNE !4; E */2 of SE % Section 21: W of S W W'AofNWVijN’/aofSE %; E Vi of SW % Section 21: NE '/. of NE '/. Section 22: NW !4 g rom Portions of Sections Removed Section 21: NE !4 of NW '4, E ’A of SW %; N A of NE *4 ofSW% Section 21: NW *4 of NE *4; N '/2 ofthe SW 7. of NE SE % of NE 7< Section 22: NW 7, of NW The computation of costs will also be available at the Day of Review. Drain adsseissesaetco ec Hei the same manner as properly taxes and will appear on your winter tax bill. If drain assessments are Heine collected for more than one (1) year, you may pay the assessment in full with any interest to date at anv ttime and avoid further interest charges. Barry County, Woodland Township and the Village of Woodland are to be assessed at-large. atlarge 5 uuooianu Additional information, including a map ofthe Drainage District, and the Notice of Letting (containine the number and length ofsections, the average verage width ofeach section, and ifthe drain will be closed th™»nt Hundreds traveled to Wayland last weekend for the annual Balloonfest. (Photos by Gregory Roth) Balloons take flight at Wayland Balloonfest Banner Staff Wayland’s annual Balloonfest was held last week­ end at Calkins Field in Wayland. Hundreds Came out to Balloonfest, where attendees could view a wide variety of hot air balloons both on the ground and in the air. Over the course of the two-day event, attendees could enjoy a kids’ carnival, a car show, live music, food trucks, balloon flights and more. Hot air balloon pilots were present for meet-and-greets with curious attendees. Many of the balloons displayed at last weekend’s show did not have to travel far to the festival. Ralph Payne and Eric Reeder, both of Hastings, had their balloons displayed at the event. Hot air balloons take flight at Wayland Balloonfest. be installed, if any; and conditions upon which the contract will be awarded) can be found atwww.barrvcountv.org/departments and officials/ofilcials/drain commissioner/ commssoner Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective opvaerti/cviopiacteio) norinth trhoeugDha tyh o- fiuR£ehvi‘ ew sh„ou, ld contact the Dram Commissioner’s Office at the number noted above /voice) or through th- iu£h‘ „ , viiiesettww bdi to t the th Rn R oCen Cre o ntttthhe erre at ar ta 7-1 7s-si1 is --tt11an(TDD (TceDDY Y))o at aut mleast leaaysta24 2p4p hou heoauj jrrllhhss ein in r adv aedvvi isaaiince nocne o ooffff tt tthhhe hee DDD Day raayiin of oafg RRe e eDDvi riicttoott boundaries ’r . Circuit Court within ten (10) days and you may also anneal Bany County Probate Court S Z. (lojI d^of?he \V1 S *° t”e ®anY County °f aPPorti~ts to the Jim Dull Jjarry County Drain Commissioner Some hot air balloons participated in the Balloon Glow at night, illuminating the skies for eventgoers. ,1* �The Hastings ANNER ’Ah KKS P tk-ii ''S' ''S C , **341 ** pff harf ***ih4iafat ***ih4i ®5i ®5i * jrn* mi kwh JKwnt »w«ln|r«aial SPORTS Thursdayv,. Senpteambher 14,.290H23 Top ten showdown goes to Lowell ladies Brett Bremer Sports Editor Sometimes they’re ahead, sometimes they’re behind, but in the end its the battles like these that have the Vikings ready to push for a spot in Battle Creek every November. Lowell, ranked eighth in the state in Divi­ sion 1, scored a five-set win over the Lake­ wood varsity volleyball team in its first bestof-five match ofthe season Wednesday. The Lakewood ladies come into the season ranked third in the state in Division 2 behind fellow powerhouses North Branch and Grand Rap­ ids Christian. Lakewood fed off the home court advantage for a 25-18 win in set one, but the evening turned as Lowell rallied from a 23-16 deficit to eventually win that second set 29-27. The Vikings served for set point three times before the Red Arrows finished offthe win. “I feel like we played up and down,” Lake­ wood head coach Cameron Rowland said. “We struggled to let our offense flow smooth­ ly for critical stretches ofthe match. Yes, I do think that Lowell making their comeback at the end ofthe second flipped the momentum and we regained it in the fourth, but the roll­ ercoaster of the match never allowed either team to get into rhythm. Lowell took the third set 25-20 and then it was the Vikings’ turn to bounce back and rebound they did for a 25-15 win in the fourth. The fifth set was tied at 9-9, but things just didn’t play out the way the Vikings’ needed in the end. A cross-court attack towards the Lowell bench by Alivia Benedict was ruled wide; the Vikings misplayed an overpass by the Red Arrows; and a . couple Lakewood serves went into the net as Lowell closed out a 15-11 win. Seniors Everitt and Cadence Poll in the middle powered the Viking attack throughout the evening. Everitt had 16 kills and Poll had 13. There were moments in the match where they appeared to swing with more confidence than they ever have. Junior setter/outside hit­ ter Abby Pickard had eight kills to go along with a team-high 22 assists. “Cadence and Alivia are asked to do a lot in the middle for us and I thought both were great all night. The errors they made were aggressive errors that are fixable,” coach Rowland said. “If both of them continue to bring that level of intensity and fire to their play they are going to be absolutely dominat­ ing at the end of the season. They both are hitting above.380 on the season right now which is exceptional but I do believe those numbers will only continue to grow.” Piper Risdon, the Red Arrows’ senior mid­ dle, also had a say in the impact that the Vikings middles were able to have according to coach Rowland. “[Risdon] is playing at an extremely high level for Lowell this season. She was matched up with Cadence most of the night and I thought Cadence contained her as well as anyone has all year. Seeing [Poll and Everitt] perform how they did in that type of match last night was extremely reassuring that they are getting more and more used to the work­ load expected ofthem. “A livia’s three balls in the fifth set that were called out were also in and that has her hitting over.450 in the match if they are called correctly. Lowell knew they were our money for the match and they were'bbth still our best offense in the match.” Risdon finished the night with 14 kills and six blocks for the Red Arrows. Senior Brax Baker had a match-high 20 kills. Sophomore libero Annalise Clark had 35 digs and nine assists for Lowell while sophomore setter Rylie Barriger added 18 digs and 35 assists. Poll led the Vikings in blocks with three and Pickford and Maryssa Goble had two each. Goble and Duffy added three kills each. Senior libero Carley Piercefield was all over the back row for the Vikings recording 39 digs and five assists. Lowell managed just five aces in the five sets - a total matched by Duffy alone. Camyla Copelin chipped in four aces for the Vikings, Jasmine Stewart had two and Pickard and Piercefield had one ace apiece. It was the first big, raucous, five-set, varsi­ ty home match for a handful of Vikings including Copelin and Stewart. “I think the newcomers had great moments and moments of pause because it was the first time in a match ofthat magnitude,” Rowland said. “Execution oftheir skills has improved tremendously from the beginning ofthe sea­ son. Now it is comes down to performing them in the clutch moments and trusting themselves to do so.” . Lakewood faced some more tough com­ petition Satuday at the East Kentwood Invi­ tational falling to Hudsonville and Grand Rapids Christian. The Hudsonville girls are currently ranked second in the state in Divi­ sion 1 and the Christian girls are No. 2 in Division 2. The Vikings opened the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division season with a 25-13, 25-13, 25-11 win at Portland Tuesday evening The Vikings head to the Cadillac Invita­ tional next Saturday, Sept. 16, and then will be home Sept. 19 for a CAAC-White dual with Sexton. 1 K. . Lakewood sophomore setter Emma Duffy looks to get an attack by the block of Lowell’s Jordyn McClymont (4) and Amaya Jackson (8) during their non-conference match at Lakewood High School Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Runner-up finish for TK ladies at Riverside Lakewood senior defensive specialist Jasmine Stewart passes a Lowell serve as senior teammate Carley Piercefield looks on in the back row Wednesday at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood junior setter Abby Pickard puts a pass up during her team’s five-set non-conference match with visiting Lowell Wednesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) First 1-8 foes tally wins over Saxon tennis team Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was a tough start to the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season for the Hast­ ings varsity boys’ tennis team. The Saxons were bested 8-0 by Harper Creek and Coldwater in the first two con­ ference duals ofthe season. The Harper Creek Beavers took a win in Battle Creek Tuesday afternoon, sweeping the six contested flights and getting forfeit wins at fourth singles and fourth doubles. The tightest set ofthe afternoon played out at first doubles where the Saxon duo of Keegan Lindsey and Lang Haines pushed Evan Munoz and Ethan Kline to 6-4 in the opening set before the Beavers finished off the win with a 6-1 second set. The Saxons started the conference season Sept. 7 at home against Coldwater. Caleb Borton at third singles got offto the best start for the Saxon team against the Cardinals. Coldwater’s Eric Rucker took the first set 6-3 and then closed out a 6-1 win. The Saxons were scheduled to return to conference action Wednesday afternoon against Marshall at Hastings High School. They head to Lowell for a non-conference dual today, Sept. 14. Next week in the 1-8, the Saxons host Parma Western and visit Northwest Wednesday. In between those last two conference duals the Saxons placed fourth at their own Hastings Quad Saturday. Grand Ledge took the day’s championship with 21 points ahead ofColdwater 17, Kalamazoo Central 7 and Hastings 3. Lindsey and Haines took a 6-1, 6-2 win at first doubles for the Saxons in a match with Kalamazoo Central’s top doubles team. Saxon second singles player Ivan Rojo Hernandez took a 3-6, 7-6, (10-8) win over Kalamazoo Central’s Lukas Palmitessa. The Saxon team also got a default victo­ ry from its third doubles duo ofAnderson Forrel and Oliver Allen. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Only the Ottawa Hills girls were faster than the Trojans at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids Wednesday evening, in a race pushed back a couple hours to avoid the hottest part ofthe day. The Bengals finished the first OK Gold Cqnference jamboree of the season with 50 points. The Thornapple Kellogg girls were second'with 61 points. Forest Hills Eastern (74 points) and South Christian (82) weren’t too far behind the TK ladies. “With the separation ofpoints between the top four teams being 50, 61, 74, and 82 respectively, I believe each ofour con­ ference meets will be an ‘Any given Sunday’ situation,” TK girls’ coach Sam Wilkinson said. “Today Ottawa Hills certainly looked to really be in control, but we were very much in the mix.” Junior Ava Crews placed fourth individ­ ually to lead the TK team with a time of 19 minutes 37.40 seconds, and she was fol­ lowed across the finish line by a pair of freshmen. TK’s Ellie Harmon was ninth in 21:05.40 and Meghan-Jane Skidmore ran her fastest race yet to place 11th in 21:15.10. Ottawa Hills had three girls in the top ten led by individual champ Selma Ander­ son. The Bengal senior hit the finish line in 18:17.60. The Bengal team also had sophomore Enna Wainer sixth in 20:36.00 and senior Campbell Hansen tenth in 21:07.90. Rounding out the top five for the Tro­ jans were sophomore Madison Kietzman and freshman Peyton Hardy. Kietzman placed 18th in 21:58.20. Hardy was 19th in 22:12.90. Ottawa Hills also had junior Reese Hansen 13th in 21:41.20. The Bengals’ number five was sophomore Jana Kalumbula who was 20th in 22:19.80 just behind the Trojans’ four and five. Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior Emily Tomes was the runner-up in 18:42.90 and Forest Hills Eastern senior Addison Washier was third in 19:27.90. Cedar Springs was fifth in the team standings with 110 points ahead of Grand Rapids Catholic Central 136, Kenowa Hills 214 and Wayland 221. Forest Hills Eastern dominated the boys’ meet finishing with 25 points. Cedar Springs won the battle for second place with 91 points ahead of Catholic Central 96 and Ottawa Hills 97. South Christian was fifth with 116 points ahead of Wayland 128, Thomapple Kellogg 162 and Kenowa Hills 231. Senior Lucas Van Meter led the TK boys with a time of 16:54.90 and the Trojans’ number two was freshman Grady Galaviz who was 40th in 19:05.50. Galaviz has gotten a little faster in each of the Trojans’ three races this fall and cut an impressive 23 seconds offhis PR Wednesday. Senior Kaden Hamming was TK’s num­ ber three. He placed 43rd in 19:30.80. The TK team also had freshman Elijah Frazer 50th in 20:00.50 and junior Hunter Tietz 63rd in 20:30.90. Ottawa Hills senior Liam Walters won the boys’ race in 16:17.10 beating out For­ est Hills Eastern junior Henry Dixon by two tenths ofa second at the finish line as Dixon put on a late hard charge to try and pass the front-runner. The next three guys across the finish line were Dixon’s senior teammates. Coo­ per Jacobsen was third in 16:45.20, Bren­ dan Hoving fourth in 16:45.90 and Liam Hinman fifth in 16:46.10. The Hawks’ number five was senior Tate Miller who placed 11th in 17:13.70. The Trojans will also play host the the next OK Gold Conference jamboree Sept26 at Murphy’s Point on Gun Lake where theyjust hosted their annual Coach B Invi­ tational Monday. �10 — Thursday, September 14,2023 — The Hastings Banner Lions look to top Tri-River this fall Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley varsity football team last dded numbers to the championship banner or a conference title in 2001. The chance to update that banner hinges on his Friday night as the Lions play host to Concord in the Tri-River 8-Man Football Conference. Concord and Maple Valley are he top two teams in the diminished fouream conference this fall. 1 Concord is already off to a 1-0 start in con­ ference play having bested Britton-Deerfield ast week. This will be the conference opener or the Maple Valley boys who are 3-0 after humping Onekama on the road last Saturday. “Whoever wins this Friday is really in the :atbird seat,” Maple Valley varsity football coach Marty Martin said. » “I’d love to have a lot of people there to Watch a really good football game. They’re fcood, fast and Mekhi [Wingfield] their lead­ ing receiver has committed to Grand Valley. [They y have another g good receiver..q Their quarterback has thrown for over 800 yards this year. They’re big, they’re fast. We have our Work cut out for us.” [ Hastings is the other local team still realis­ tically eyeing a conference championship. The Saxons are just getting started on it this week too as they open Interstate-8 Athletic Conference action on the road at Coldwater. It has been a tough start for both teams against some solid competition. 4 The Cardinals opened conference play last Weekend falling 35-6 to Marshall. * The Saxons have won three in a row against Coldwater, lining up with their cur­ rent three-year run of finishing atop the 1-8 standings. Thomapple Kellogg will play its third con­ secutive home game this Friday against anoth­ er team eyeing a conference title this fall - and more. The Trojans host the 2-1 Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars who shut out Way|and in their season opener last Friday. , The Cougars have won state champion­ ships in five of the past seven seasons and naven’t lost more than two games in a season since 2014. Catholic Central is looking to get back on top ofthe OK Gold Conference this fall after being upended by South Christian |n the conference last fall. The Cougars’ lone loss this season came against Loyola Academy out of Wilmette, Ill., in week one ofthe Season. Lakewood faces a tall task in the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division this Friday on the road at Portland. The Raid­ ers are offto a 3-0 start and haven’t allowed more than one touchdown in any of its three Kellogg marching band as the Panthers (wait their opponents from South Haven :riday night at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) victories to start the season. That opening run for the Raiders includes a 44-7 win over Oliv­ et and a 42-6 win over Ionia in conference action. Delton Kellogg will be home to take on an undefeated Allegan team Friday night. The Tigers knocked off Loy Norrix last week to keep their record perfect. Local Standings (W-L), playoffpoints 1-2, 22.667 Hastings 1-2, 15.667 Delton Kellogg 0-3, 3.333 Lakewood 0-3, 1.667 Thomapple Kellogg Maple Valley (8-player) 3-0, NA o.-m Conference Standings (overall, conference) Interstate 8 Athletic Conference 3-0, 1-0 Harper Creek 3-0, 1-0 Parma Western 1-2, 0-0 Hastings 1-2, 0-1 Northwest 1-2, 0-1 Pennfield 0-3, 0-1 Coldwater 1-2, 1-0 Marshall I feX I OK Gold Conference 3-0, 1-0 Forest Hills Eastern G.R. Catholic Central 2-1, 1-0 2-1, 1-0 South Christian 1- 2, 1-0 Cedar Springs 2- 1, 0-1 Wayland 1-2, 0-1 Kenowa Hills 0-3, 0-1 Ottawa Hills 0-3, 0-1 Thomapple Kellogg Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley 2- 1, 0-0 Lawton 3- 0, 0-0 Saugatuck 3-0, 0-0 Schoolcraft 1-2, 0-0 Delton Kellogg 0-3, 0-0 Galesburg-Augusta CapitalArea Activities ConferenceWhite 3-0, 1-0 Charlotte Lansing Sexton 3-0, 2-0 3-0, 2-0 Portland 1-2, 1-1 Ionia 1-2, 1-1 Eaton Rapids 1-2, 0-2 Lansing Catholic 0-3, 0-2 Lakewood Olivet 0-3, 0-2 Tri-River 8-Man Concord 2- 1, 1-0 Maple Valley 3- 0, 0-0 Morenci 1-1, 0-0 Britton-Deerfield 0-3, 0-1 Here is a round-up of last week’s local gridiron action. Whitehall 56, Hastings 28 The Saxons can hit the reset button after this one. Hastings suffered its second straight tough non-conference defeat on the road Friday night, 56-28 at Whitehall. Now it is on to the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season for the three-time defending conference champi­ ons who are 1-2 after the loss to the Vikings. Whitehall quarterback Kyle Stratton rushed 12 times for 122 yards an a touch­ down and also completed 12-of-15 pass attempts for 238 yards and four touchdowns. “Whitehall has a very dynamic quarter­ back,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy said. “He made plays when we had great cov­ erage and when we had good pass rushes.” Stratton fired 31-yard and 29-yard touch­ down passes in the first quarter as the Vikings built a 14-0 lead in the first 12 minutes. His team upped its lead to 35-14 by the half. Hastings The Saxons got their first points with 7:30 to go in the first halfon a six-yard touchdown run by Landon Steward. He added the two-point run to get his Saxons within 21-8 at the time. Whitehall answered with two more touch­ downs before Haiden Simmet scored on a 69-yard run with 3:02 to go in the first half. Steward scored a second touchdown on a ten-yard run midway through the third Delton Kellogg's Luke Watson (left) and Tristin Boze (right) team up to bring down South Haven running back Xavion Harrington during their contest at Delton Kellogg High School Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) quarter. The Saxon team had 282 yards on the ground. Simmet had seven rushes for 79 yards. Steward finished with 18 carries for 73 yards. Saxon quarterback Owen Carroll was 0-of-6 passing the ball. “Our offense moved the ball well,” Mur­ phy said. “We had several long drives that we didn’t convert into scores. It was great to see our team respond in difficult situations. Many players stepped up and kept us focused on the field. "However, as a team, we need to tackle better. Although they' had some good runners carrying the ball, we did not tackle well.” The Saxons did get the only two turnovers ofthe game, but couldn’t convert either into points. The Saxons recovered a fumbled punt and also recovered an on-side kick to get an extra possession. Aiden SaintAmour led the Saxon defense with six total tackles. Deandre Mathis had five and Jett Barnum and Simmet added four tackles each. Whitehall’s Trannon Aylor had six recep­ tions for 161 yards and a touchdown. Team­ mate Camden Thompson had five catches for 71 yards and three scores. Cedar Springs 58, Thornapple Kellogg 52 Cedar Springs sophomore Luke Egan spun off the pack before getting to the pole vault pit in the south east comer ofBob White Sta­ dium in Middleville Friday night where his Red Hawks were celebrating. He made it with his leaping, celebrating teammates from the bench as far as the end zone before spinning away from hysterics to hug and console one ofthe Trojans squatted down back at the five-yard-line in the middle ofthe field. It was a ballgame neither team will forget for quite some time. 1 Cedar Springs opened the 2023 OK Gold Conference season with a 58-52 overtime victory over the Thornapple Kellogg varsity football team, getting a ten-yard touchdown run from sophomore back Caden Dreyer at the end ofthe first overtime period. The Trojans led 28-21 at the half. That was the biggest lead ofthe game for either team until Trojan senior running back Tyler Gavette scored on a 24-yard run with 5 minutes and 11 seconds to go in the third quarter. The twopoint conversion upped TK’s lead to 36-21. The teams went back and forth over the next 12 minutes, coming out the other end tied at 52-52. The Trojans failed to score on their opening possession of overtime, and Dreyer managed the ten-yard touchdown run on a counter on second down to secure the walk-offvictory. The Trojans had big-play answers for everything the Red Hawks threw at them until the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter. Cedar Springs got within 36-28 three minutes after Gavette put TK up two scores there late in the third quarter. Quarterback Grant Middleton completed a 42-yard touch­ down pass to tight end Jaxan Sias that pushed TK’s lead back to two touchdowns with 23 seconds to go in the third quarter. The Trojans led 44-28 at the opening of the fourth quarter and then traded TDs with the Red Hawks in the first 3:11 ofthat final peri­ od. Marek Oleneack scored on an eight-yard run 2:16 into the fourth quarter and added the two-point run to get his team within 44-36. He had four touchdown runs in the bailgame. Gavette responded to that touchdown with a 74-yard touchdown run less than a minute later. Drake Snyder’s two-point run had the TK lead back up to 52-36 with 8:49 to go in the game. Senior Dylan LaFontsee scored for the Red Hawks with 6:55 to go and his team added the two-point conversion to get within 52-44. Cedar Springs got the ball back and added a touchdown run by Oleneack with 4:32 left on the clock that evened the score with the addition of the two-point conversion. It is the first victory of the season for the 1 -2 Red Hawks while the Trojans are now 0-3 on the year. The two teams had traded the lead back and forth in the first half. Tk led 6-0, but a quick answer had the Hawks up. 7-6 at the end ofthe first quarter. The teams combined for five touchdowns in the second quarter with the lead changing hands each time. TK came out ahead at the half28-21. Snyder had three short touchdown runs in the first half for TK, and then the Trojans took their late lead before the intermission on a six-yard touchdown pass from Middleton to Ethan Bonnema. South Haven 44, Delton Kellogg 0 That’s the cycle ofhigh school athletics. “They were last year where we are this LEGAL NOTICE FOR 2023 BARRY COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION [The Barry County Conservation [Easement (BCCE) Board is pleased to ‘announce the 2023 application cycle for the Barry County Conservation land and may receive compensation for their conservation easement based on a state approved appraisal of their land. Participation is completely voluntary. 'Easement Program. Deadline for submission is Monday, October There are also tax benefits to donating a conservation easement to the county. 30,2023 at the Barry County ‘Administration Office. The BCCE program was created to help landowners place conservation [easements on their parcels to t permanently preserve important ‘farmland and natural land. Landowners retain ownership of their Interested landowners may obtain an information packet and application for this voluntary program by contacting Heather Wing at 269-275-2351 or heatherlwing@gmail.com. The Barry County Conservation Easement Program will be hosting two landowner workshops to discuss the Conservation Easement Program. • Thursday, September 7, 2023, 7:00 pm, Tyden Center Community Rm., 121 S. Church St., Hastings • Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 pm, Tyden Center Community Rm., 121 S. Church St., Hastings Delton Kellogg's Dylan Fichtner fights to get out of the grasp of South Haven's Jacob Bosma as he returns the opening kick-off Friday night at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) year,” Delton Kellogg varsity football head coach Ryan Bates said after his team’s 44-0 loss to visiting South Haven in the Panthers’ home opener Friday night. “They were younger [last year] and we were able to get them with some counters and we were able to get them with some decep­ tion with the T,” Bates said. “This year we weren’t able to dent the front enough and get get a push enough to get any seams to break free, and we couldn’t get outside them and we couldn’t throw the ball. We couldn’t get drives established.” It wasn’t for lack oftrying. It was for lack of size and experience. It wasn’t often that a single Delton Kellogg defender could bring down South Haven senior running back Xavion Harrington or senior quarterback Grayson Knox. It was clear from the start. The Rams first drive covered 44 yards with three runs by Knox and two by Harrington. The last was a one-yard TD run by the quarterback Har­ rington who then tossed a two-point pass to senior teammate Shane Olney for an 8-0 lead four minutes into the ballgame. “We’re trying to set the edge with 160pound defenders against three lead blocks that are all over 240 or whatever,” Bates said. “Size is a factor there. We’re getting rolled up. My comer [Tristin Boze] is the toughest kid. He says he’s 160 pounds, and I think he’s 145, he flew up and took two lead blocks at 240 pounds and he took them both out. What can I ask for out of that kid, and he’s my quarterback? “I can’t complain. They battled. I’ve got nothing to complain about. I can’t say that my kids didn’t play hard. I can’t say that my kids didn’t listen and weren’t coachable. I can’t say that. They’re doing what they can do, and when they’re sending three monster tight ends out to lead block on my three defensive backs on that side that might average 145 pounds between the three of them you can’t put aFerrari against a bulldozer. It doesn’t turn out well. The margins were thin for the Panthers on the other side ofthe ball and they moved the ball well at times, especially early. Delton Kellogg answered that first South Haven touchdown with a 15-play drive. It took two fourth down conversions by running back Wyatt Colwell though to keep that drive alive and move it into Ram territory. A third fourth down, this one on a fourth-and-ten from the Ram 35-yard-line, ended with quarterback Tristin Boze needed to just heave the ball down field to avoid the runs. Ramjunior Eli­ jah Eddy intercepted the pass to start the second Ram scoring drive. This time three runs by Harrington, two by Knox and one by Olney had the Rams in the end zone. Knox scored his second TD ofthe night on a 16-yard run with 9:26 to go in the first half. The DK offense went back to work, put­ ting together an 11-play drive that included a fourth down conversion on a pass from Boze near midfield. DK had the ball at the Ram 18-yard-line before a run got stuffed and illegal procedure penalty set them back to the 23. The Panthers lost a fumble on the next play and the Rams were headed the other way again. Harrington scored on a one-yard run with 39 seconds to go in the first half and the Rams added the extra-point to lead 23-0 at the half. They opened the second halfwith a drive that culminated in a 13-yard touchdown run by Knox and another two-point convert sion for a 30-0 lead. Knox added a 40-yard touchdown pass to Parker Williams late in the third quarter and Jacob Bosma added a six-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter. “We have three kids on defense that played See FOOTBALL, page 11 -- A*?. Ms'’* a ip?11 * 1 m w Ire n kt laMKlMI iiuthlteyHltai ■■•I ttnvia VflHIW ’ 1 VflHIW 4 1 4 l& ana; kl '|C “’•■ms.’ -’•‘""thito A' Si Si &SS ‘^i 1. • WB ■Al �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 14,2023 — Page Saxon teams middle of the pack at first 1-8 race Brett Bremer Sports Editor Saxon freshman Caroline Randall won the 2022 Interstate-8 Athletic Conference middle school championship in 2022 and opened the 2023 season by winning the first varsityjam­ boree of the conference season Tuesday at Charlton Park. As a team, the Hastings girls were fifth and the Hastings boys were fourth as they played host to the conference’s seven teams. Randall hit the finish line in 19 minutes 53.6 seconds. She was a little over four and a half seconds than the runner-up, Marshall senior Camille DeCola. Senior Riley Shults led the Hastings boys with a time of 17:31.9 that put him in tenth place overall. Marshall won the boys’ meet with 38 points. Parma Western was second with 43 points ahead of Harper Creek 63, Hastings 85, Coldwater 132, Jackson Northwest 175 andPennfield 193. Marshall had the two fastest guys,. Junior Jack Bidwell won the race in 16:20.7 and senior teammate Connor Griffith was second in 16:47.2. There were four guys who finished the race in less than 17 minutes. Parma Western senior Cooper Singleton was third and Harper Creek junior Dominic Lowrie fourth. Hastings had its top six all among the first 25 finishers. Junior Brandon Simmons was 12th overall in 17:50.1. Junior Micah John­ son came in 19th at 18:49.9, senior Reuben Solmes 20th in 18:53.9 and senior Caleb LaBoe 24th in 19:16.8 to round out the Sax­ ons’ top five. Senior Jonah Teed was right behind with a 25th-place time of 19:18.6. Parma Western won the girls’ meet with 41 points ahead of Marshall 53, Harper Creek 64, Hastings 110 and Jackson Northwest 114. Hastings had for freshmen at the front of its pack. Chloe Pirtle was 40th in 26:15.9, Alexa DeCamp 43rd in 26:21.9 and Lilianna Enyart 61st in 29:38.4. Rounding out the top five for the Saxons was sophomore Alexia Owen who set her personal record with a 65th-place time of30:21.9. The Hastings boys were third and the girls fifth as they competed in the Small School division at the Battle Creek Lakeview Invi­ tational. Jackson Lumen Christi won the boys’ and girls’ titles. In the boys’ meet the Titans fin­ ished with 40 points ahead of Three Rivers 58, Hastings 58, Olivet 82, St. Philip 128, Bronson 149, Pennfield 191 and Quincy 247. Lion soccer squad gets first victory of the fall season Brett Bremer Sports Editor Robert Schilz put a comer kick past the Bellevue keeper and Michael Harwood found the back ofthe net for the Lions as they scored their first victory ofthe season Tuesday, Sept. 5. The Maple Valley varsity boys’ soccer team knocked off Bellevue 2-1 in i a non-conference match at the home ofthe Broncos. “We got out of there with a win,” Maple Valley head coach Mike Webb said. “It wasn’t pretty, but we got the vic­ tory on the road. We’ll take.” The Lion head coach said he felt like his guys played much ofthe night in the offensive third ofthe field, but great scor­ ing chances were few and far between. Things played out similarly in a 1-1 draw with Barry County Christian at Fuller Street Field in Nashville Thursday. “We dominated possession. We got it in their defensive third a lot. We just couldn’t find the back ofthe net,” Webb said. “We’re going to work on timing our runs off the ball. Soccer is all about angles, creating angles and breaking down angles. We have to create better angles for our midfielders to pass to.” The Lions first goal Tuesday and their Hastings freshman Caroline Randall hits the finish line third at the end of the Battle Creek Lakeview Invitational Saturday. (Photo by Will Kowalski) Shults was fifth in 16:54.48 and Simmons sixth in 17:04.53. Johnson came in 14^ in 18:11.62, LaBoe 16^ in 18:24.66 and Solmes added a 17th-place time of 18:26.27. Lumen Christi won the girls’ meet with 19 points ahead ofThree Rivers 57, Quincy 84, Olivet 128, Hastings 128, St. Philip 157 and Maple Valley 176. Randall was third with a time of 19:36.61. DeCamp, Pirtle and Enyart all set their PR. DeCamp was 29^ in 25:34.77, Pirtle 30® in 25:53.78 and Enyart $6® in 27:19.65. wir .nojsui ni<Mi£rn only goal Thursday came on comer kicks. Schilz scored the opener against the Broncos by curling a comer kick towards the net and off the fingertips ofthe Bel­ levue keeper. “I am very big on comer kicks. To me it is a scoring opportunity,” coach Webb said. “Ifyou make a proper run, get to the ball first, there is no reason why you can’t get a body on the ball and deflect it into the net. We have a couple kids that have a good foot — Robert and Bradley Harvey have good feet. We practice on getting that ball serviced right on the goal-line. The last 15 minutes of every practice we do that. We work on it.” Bellevue evened the game at 1-1 with a penalty kick and the two teams went into the halftied. Harwood scored the winning goal Tuesday, finishing off an assist from Isa­ iah Ross by hitting the ball with his left foot into the far side ofthe net. Schilz headed home a comer kick from Harvey to tie Thursday’s game with Barry County Christian at 1-1 midway through the second half. Coach Webb said his guys started doing a better job of playing through the mid­ field this week, but there is still work to do. He’d like to see his attackers doing more to help their midfielders. “We probably possessed the ball a lot more than Barry County Christian did,” Webb said. “When you’re on the attack on offense, you have to be able to time your runs. And what I mean by timing your runs is not getting ahead ofthe ball. ■ If all of our offense is up ahead of the ball, [the midfielder] has nobody to play to. The inexperience comes into play with that. Their eyes get really big. We get an advantage and they’re flying up the field and then it stalls.” The Lions continue to be happy with their youngsters’ progress. Harwood scored the winner Tuesday and fellow freshman Tyler Curtis has become a key part ofthe defensive line with his aggres­ siveness. Curtis made the move from the midfield back to the defense during the Lions’ contest with Olivet Aug. 30. Coach Webb also continues to be pleased with the leadership of junior Doug Smalley in net. He had five saves in the win over Bellevue and four in the draw with Barry County Christian. The Lions are now 1-5-1 overall this season. They were bested 4-1 in a match with Ionia Monday afternoon in Nash­ ville. They return to action tonight against Jackson Christian and then will host thenown Maple Valley Invitational Saturday at Fuller Street Field in Nashville. HHS/DK girls improve times in early contests The Hastings/Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ swimming and diving team set eight new program records and head coach Carl Schoessel said all his girls set new personal best times as the team was bested at Sturgis Thursday. The Trojans took a 92-69 win over the visiting HHS/DK girls. Maelea Martin won the diving competition with a score of 163.25 points. The HHS/DK team also got the winning points in the 200-yard freestyle relay, from Morgan Cross in the, 100-yard backstroke, MilM! « Sage Jones in the 100-yard breaststroke and in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Coach Schoessel said Cross, Shiloh Crandall, Petra Foster, Naomi Grummet, Jones and Bella More were part of new team record performances at the meet. The HHS/DK team swam its first home dual Tuesday, falling 101-66 to the South Haven girls., Coach Schoessel said his girls set team records in seven of the 12 events, with everyone bettering their times once again. Cross, Foster, Jones Maelea Martin, au-bm b Maggie Martin, Morey, Maddie Peake and Amelia Price were part of new team-re­ cord performances. Cross took the first place points in the 100-yard backstroke, Jones took the first place points in the 100-yard breaststroke and the HHS/DK girls had the top scoring time in the 400-yard freestyle relay at the end ofthe meet. The HHS/DK team will be home again Tuesday to take on Plainwell and then will host its Hastings/DK Invitational Sept. 23. i wH FOOTBALL, continued from page iwikitaills ikitaills tains fcgEttsifeWkw itai swans lad & »ax tanihMtara’In faritalfetKondlorikM ® ® SSSS k*“TkleadM? 5?Ji* .. substantial reps on the varsity level and three or four on offense. The rest of our kids were JV kids last year. We are very young and they come to work every day. They work hard. They do everything we ask. When you’re playing against a senior-laden team that aver­ ages 240 pounds ... our kids battled, they never gave up, they did everything I asked them to do. We were out-maned tonight phys­ ically and we had some kids that showed us a lot of moxie. We found some kids that can play in different positions tonight, we found some depth in different areas.” . A couple ofthe flashes he saw were along the defensive line in seniors Luis Perez and Michael Decker. “They have primarily been offensive play­ ers, and both of them came out and we had to change some strategies and they did what we asked,” coach Bates said. “Decker is taking his guy that we asked him to take. He’s on the ground. He’s getting his head kicked, literal­ ly, and he gets right back up and does it again. He showed us a lot ofmoxie. We’re just tak­ ing those things as small victories, trying to get better and move forward from here.” Colwell led the DK offense on the night with 17 rushes for 68 yards. Wyatt Finney had two receptions for 33 yards. Harrington was over the 100-yard rushing mark by the time he had five carries for the Rams. He finished the night with 14 rushes for 189 yards. Knox had eight rushes for 96 yards and completed both his pass attempts for 48 yards. Olney closed the nigh with six carries for 85 yards. Eaton Rapids 14, Lakewood 8 Eaton Rapids limited Lakewood to a sec­ ond halftouchdown in a battle oftwo previ­ ously winless teams at Eaton Rapids High School Friday - scoring a 14-8 Capital Area Activities Conference White Division win. The Vikings got an eight-yard touchdown run from Seth Willette in the third quarter to cut into a 14-0 lead the Greyhounds built in the first half. Brennan Lehman hauled in the two-point conversion pass from Bryson Haight to get his team within six points. Eaton Rapids opened the scoring with a two-yard TD run by back Hayden Hendrick­ son and led 8-0 after adding the two-point conversion. Quarterback Keegan Gochenour added an eight-yard TD run in the second quarter to push his team’s lead to two scores. “We again gave up points early, going down 14-0,” Lakewood head coach Matt Markwart said. “We had plenty ofopportuni­ ties in the game to score, but for one reason or another we came up short — penalties, inexperience, missed opportunities.” Connor Cosme had a team-high 54 rushing yards on 15 carries for the Vikings. Colt Endsley had six rushes for 21 yards. Haight was 10-of-19 passing for 122 yards. Eli Jablonski had three receptions for 53 yards and Lehman had a big night with six receptions for 60 yards. “We are gaining experience every week and the boys continue to play hard throughout the game,” coach Markwart said. “We are still learning to play at the speed of the xS* x tew6 $6 t the Lions too. Onekama falls to 1-2 overall , this season w , 0' Maple Valley 54, Onekama 12 Onekama hit two bit pass plays, but the Lions controlled things the rest of the evening as they scored a 54-12 win at Onekema Sat­ urday afternoon. The Lions intercepted four Onekama pass­ es and recovered two fumbles, and had an offensive attack led by back Andrew Shepard who rushed 12 times for 132 yards and three touchdowns.’ “Defensively, we did a lot ofthings right,” Maple Valley varsity football coach Mary Martin said. “They scored on a flukey pass. It hit [senior defensive back Ayden Wilkes’] hand, it hit their receiver’s hand and deflected into another receiver’s hands and he ran it in from way out, then kind ofa similar thing on their last touchdown. There was a deflection and they ran it in.” Onekama quarterback Luke Brandenburg threw 24 passes. His guys caught nine. The Lions caught four. Shepard had two intercep­ tions and Jakeb McDonald and Noah Musser had one each. Jim Wiggs and James Penny recovered fumbles for the Lions. I “Cal Hoeffler had a really nice game at outside linebacker,” coabh Martin said. “He did a greatjob with his reads and reacting and making plays. Our middle linebackers set the tone early, both Nic martin and James Penny had really nice games, then of course Cam Carpenter and Skyler Cook on the inside did a really nice job of getting penetration and keeping [Onekama’s] traps limited to short yards and getting off the ball. On the other side, Andrew Shepard difl a really nice job of stopping their sweeps and quick pitches. He was pleased with the secondary too. “Our defense set the tone early and got them offthe field on fourth downs, and they went for it often,” Martin said. Hoefler had a team-high six tackles. Shep­ ard and Martin had five each and Musser finished with four. Carpenter had a sack for ktfe PV7// PV7 CAAC and not the speed ofthe GLAC.” “Each week we mes better and better together and play faster and faster,” he added. Gochenour was 11-of-17 passing for the Greyhounds for 117 yards. Hendrickson led the Greyho9unds on the ground with ten car­ ries for 58 yards. Marvin Deh had three receptions for 68 yards. Deh and Ashton Col­ lins had seven tackles apiece for the hosts. Wyatt Colwell (22) leads the Delton Kellogg varsity tootball team onto the turf for its home opener against South Haven Friday night in Delton. (Photo by Brett Bremer) with the loss. Evan Brandenburg had another big game at running back for the Lions. He opened the scoring with a 31-yard TD run with 3:55 to go in the first quarter. He closed the game with nine rushes for 88 yards. Wilkes tossed a two-point pass to Carpenter and the Lions led the rest ofthe way. Onekama got its first TD less than a minute later on Bradford’s 79-yard TD pass to Hart that bounced around. Shepard got those points back with a 13-yard TD run before the end of the first quarter and Wilkes tossed another two-point pass to Musser. It was 16-6 Lions at the end ofone quarter. They pushed their lead to 38-6 by the half. McDonald tossed a 33-yard TD pass to Hoefler and scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter. Wiggs returned a fumble 47 yards for a score with two and a halfminutes to go before the half. Shepard scored on runs of 37 yards and four yards in the second half. Coach Martin was really pleased with the work of offensive linemen Jericho Payne, Owen McGlocklin, Chris Mock and Brody* Trowbridge and his backs ran hard. “Andrew Shepard is a workhorse. He gets the tough yards. He carries people. He did nice job of getting us nice yards after con-, tact,” coach Martin said. “Evan Brandenburg did a nice job too. He. is kind of our outside back to Andrew*^ inside. Our QB’s [McDonald and Wilkes] didi a nice job just running the offense and run?’ ning the ball ... Overall it was just a good* day. We rotated people every series both onoffense and defense. We were able to get a loti ofplaying time, which is going to help withjour depth.” Onekama closed the scoring with a 68-yard TD pass from Bradford to Hart with 83 sec^' onds left in the game. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on October 4,2023, com­ mencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115, S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Zoning Board of Appeal's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Zoning Board ofAppeal's for receipt prior to the meeting, in care ofthe Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thomp­ son (mthompson@pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. 2. A request from Ben Clark of Clark Brothers Contractors on behalf of property owners Jeff and Julie Grimes, 7081 Division Ave, Delton, Ml 49046 for a vari­ ance to allow for the construction of a new single-family dwelling that fails to meet the front and rear setbacks, pursuant to section 4.24 "Waterfront Lots" and 4.41 "Schedule of Lot, Yard, and Area Requirements" ofthe Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 7081 Division Ave, Delton, Ml 49046. Parcel #08-12-070-009-00 and is currently zoned R2-Single and Two Family, Medium Residential. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board ofAppeals. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and ser­ vices, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS , 772 By: Dale Grimes, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 ___________________ (269) 623-2064___ �Page 12 Thursday, September 14, 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29581-DE HON. WILLIAM H. DOHERTY Court address: 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Darrell Charles Kosltzke. Date of birth: 6/01/1958. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Darell Charles Kosltzke, died June 17, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Jacob A. Kosltzke, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 9/1/2023 Leo F. Madarang P-73360 230 Kent Street Portland, Ml 48875 517-647-7873 Jacob A. Kosltzke 7354 Hager Road Nashville, Ml 49073 517-760-5085 205646 I NOTICE Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1.00 PM, on September 21, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Juilene Chilton, a married woman, as her Sole and Separate Property Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC Date of Mortgage: January 29, 2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: February 9,2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $320,880.02 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township ofAssyria, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West described as follows: Beginning at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence North 00 degrees 12 minutes 48 seconds East, along the North and South 1/4 line of Section 28, a distance of 962.01 ' feet; thence South 89 degrees 47 minutes 12 seconds East, at right angles to said North and South 1/4 line, 594.42 feet; thence North 70 degrees 51 minutes 18 seconds East 113.00 feet; thence South 16 degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds East 84.15 feet; thence South 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds West 129.11 feet; thence South 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 _ seconds West 176.43 feet; thence North 77 degrees 25 minutes 58 seconds West 114.51 feet; thence South 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds West 399.26 feet; thence South 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds West 156.43 feet; thence South 20 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East 159.14 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 11.60 feet to the South line of said Section 28; thence North 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West, along said line, 337.17 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to and together with a non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress and public utilities over a strip of land 66 feet width, the centerline of which is described as follows: Commencing at the South 1/4 post of Section 28, Town 1 North, Range 7 West; thence South 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East, along the South line of said Section 28, a distance of 337.17 feet; thence South 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds East 208.40 feet; thence North 88 degrees 08 minutes 44 seconds East 35.10 feet to the true place ofbeginning of said centerline; thence North 21 degrees 45 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 25 seconds West 231.86 feet; thence North 20 degrees 44 minutes 32 seconds West 148.29 feet; thence North 16 degrees 06 minutes 37 seconds East 121.90 feet; thence North 30 degrees 09 minutes 59 seconds East 327.86 feet; thence North 86 degrees 10 minutes 49 seconds East 90.76 feet; thence North 27 degrees 02 minutes 05 seconds East 246.64 feet; thence North 07 degrees 05 minutes 51 seconds East 129.11 feet; thence North 16, degrees 11 minutes 32 seconds West 84.15 feet; thehce South 70 degrees 51 minutes < 18 seconds West 113.90 feet; thencd'JNdrthl B 21 degrees 20 minutes 31 seconds West 168.54 feet; thence North 40 degrees 14 minutes 40 seconds East 130.44 feet; thence North 82 degrees 52 minutes 52 seconds East 213.48 feet; thence South 76 degrees 55 minutes 51 seconds East 104.49 feet; thence North 68 degrees 45 minutes 24 seconds East 112.30 feet to the centerline of Day Road and the point of ending Barry County, Michigan Common street address (if any): 14950 Loon Lake Dr, Bellevue, Ml 49021-8228 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: August 24,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1507643 (08-24)(09-14) 204831 Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or Ifyou have been ordered to active dirty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1.00 PM on OCTOBER 5, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. A potential purchaser iss encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Rick D. Volosky , a married man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Proftdo Mortgage Ventures, It's successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated February 22,2013 and recorded February 28, 2013 in Instrument Number 2013-002316 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on February 8, 2016, in Instrument Number 2016-001283, and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on March 17, 2020, in Instrument Number 2020-002610, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Sixty-Nine and 60/100 Dollars ($137,069.60). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 5,2023. Said premises are located in the City of HASTINGS, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: LOT 835, OF THE CITY, FORMERLY VILLAGE OF HASTINGS, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS 420 W. Center St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: September 7,2023 File No. 23-009002 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (09-07X09-28) Financial 205413 FOCUS notice Attention homeowner.. Ifyou y are a militaryy service memoerr on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on SEPTEMBER 28, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by John C. Smith and Amanda J. Smith, to Fifth Third Mortgage - Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated December 12, 22007 and recorded January 11,2008 in Instrument Number 20080111-0000387 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, N.A. as Successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four and 82/100 Dollars ($107,004.82). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and tthe statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part ofthem, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on SEPTEMBER 28,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of Rutland, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Part of the Northwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 27, Town 3 North, Range 9 West, Rutland Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as commencing at the Northwest comer of said Section 27; thence South 66.00 feet along the West line of said Section 27 to the true Point ofBeginning; thence East 200.00 feet parallel with the North line ofsaid Section 27; thence South 600.00 feet parallel with said West line; thence West 200.00 feet parallel with said North line; thence North 600.00 feet along said West line to the Point of Beginning. 2031 Hubble Rd, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period’shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: August 31,2023 File No. 23-008524 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (08-31)(09-21) 205130 NOTICE NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA23q, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortaage will be for^losed .by a sale ofthe mortgaged premises, or some pan ortnem, at a public auction* sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Branden Shane O'Conner and Liz Medenblik, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Grand River Bank, It’s successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 4, 2017 and recorded August 21, 2017 in Instrument Number 2017-008403 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, N.A., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-Seven and 69/100 Dollars ($97,267.69). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 12,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of THORNAPPLE, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing 165 feet West of the Northeast comer of Section 12, Town 4 North, Range 10 West; thence South 330 feet; thence West 165 feet; thence North 330 feet; thence East 165 feet to the point of beginning. 7015 W. Parmalee Rd, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: September 14,2023 File No. 23-009472 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (09-14X10-05) 205671 Attention homeowneh'lfyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or §p,me part of therrvaLa public auctiopjsple to tijp,^ic|hest> bidder for cash or cashier’s:cneck at the place or holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 2,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day ofthe sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. < Default has been made .in the conditions of a mortgage made by Randy Miller and Patti Miller, to Household Finance Corporation III, Mortgagee, dated August 12, 2005 and recorded August 19, 2005 in Instrument Number 1151324 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust 2021-GS1, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereofthe sum ofOne Hundred Eleven Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Four and 1/100 Dollars ($111,674.01). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part ofthem, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 2,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: LOT 12, BLOCK 16 OF LINCOLN PARK ADDITION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 1 OF PLATS, PAGE 55, BARRY COUNTY 705 W Clinton, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: September 14,2023 File No. 23-009410 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248)502.1400 (09-14X10-05) 205882 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-28598-DE HON. WILLIAM H. DOHERTY Court address: 206 W^st Court Street, Ste. 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Mary Elizabeth Herbert. Date of birth: 10/30/1946. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Mary Elizabeth Herbert, died 4/22/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Mark Richardson, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Ste. 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 9/5/2023 Benjamin Fulger P80541 2196 Commons Parkway Okemos, Ml 48864 517-349-9090 Mark Richardson 1008 RG Curtiss Ave. Lansing, Ml 48911 . 517-202-6000 Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones Member SIPC Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St. Nashville, Ml 49073 (p5i1O7)/o7u60-0-8111143 O/ou-0114 _M_ad..IsonC_oye o w 42J * Wood'?^e- Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3 2699453553 * Own a business? Consider these retirement plans If you own a small business or are self-employed, you’ve always got plenty to do, but you can’t forget about the days when you’ll be less busy — that is, when you’re retired. How can you prepare for that time of your life? One key step is establish­ ing a retirement plan for your business or yourself. And thanks to the 2022 SECURE 2.0 Act, you can now receive tax credits for opening and administering a 401 (k), SEPIRA or SIMPLE IRA. These aren’t the only plans avail­ able for small businesses or sole proprietors, but they are among the most popular. Let’s look at each ofthem: • 401(k) - A 401(k) offers several key benefits: First, any earnings growth is tax de­ ferred, and your contributions can be tax deductible. (Taxes are due upon withdrawal, and withdrawals prior to age 5914 may be subject to a 10% pen­ ally.) Ifyou choose a Roth 401 (k), your contributions aren’t de­ ductible, but your earnings and withdrawals will be tax free, provided you meet cer­ tain conditions. And a 401(k) offers a variety of investment options. If you have workers, you’ll need to consider wheth- er to offer matching contribu­ tions, which are tax deductible to you, up to the limit of 25% of compensation paid to eligi­ ble employees. But even if you’re self-em­ ployed, with no employees other than your spouse, you can establish what’s known as a “solo” or “owner-only” 401 (k). In 2023, you can put in up to $22,500 as an em­ ployee, plus a catch-up contri­ bution of $7,500 if you’re 50 or older, for a total of $30,000. Plus, you can contribute an additional 25% of earned in­ come as an employer, up to an overall employee and employ­ er maximinn of $66,000 (or $73,500 if you’re 50 or older). • SEP-IRA - An SEP-IRA may be attractive to you if you’re self-employed or ifyou own a business but have few or no employees. That’s be­ cause you must contribute an equal percentage ofyour own compensation to every eligible employee. In 2023, you can contribute up to $66,000 or 25% of your income, which­ ever is less. • SIMPLE IRA-A SIM­ PLE IRA is easy to estab­ lish and administer. As with an SEP-IRA, earnings in a SIMPLE IRA can grow on a tax-deferred basis. If you have employees, they aren’t required to contribute to this plan — but you are. You must match up to 3% ofemployees’ contributions or provide 2% of their annual salaries, although you do have some flexibility. If your business goes through a rough patch, you can tempo­ rarily decrease SIMPLE IRA contributions to 1% for up to two years out of the previous five. Your contributions to your employees’ accounts are tax deductible, but in in terms of building resources for your own retirement, a SIMPLE IRA may be less appealing be­ cause ofits contribution limits, which are relatively low com­ pared to a 401(k) or SEP IRA. In 2023, you can put in up to $15,500, or $19,000 if you’re 50 or older. You should consult with your tax advisor to determine which retirement plan is right for you. Your financial advisor can also help you explore your options. And the sooner you put a plan to work, the better. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local EdwardJones Financial Advisor.. Edward Jones, Member SIPC 1 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice offoreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 ofthe revisedjudicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following. mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged ’ premises, or some part ofthem, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, October 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Joel Burgess, A Married Man to Fifth Third Mortgage Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated August 1, 2016, and recorded on August 8, 2016, as Document Number 2016-007747, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Fifth Third Bank, National Association, FKA Fifth Third Bank as successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 31, 2017 and recorded November 01, 2017 by Document Number 2017-010991,, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Four Hundred Forty­ Eight Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Eight and 81/100 ($448,688.81) including interest at the rate of 3.75000% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the NE 1/4, Section 30, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 comer of said Section; thence North 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds E 504.60 feet along the North line of said Section to the point of beginning; thence North 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds East 657.22 feet; thence South 00 degrees 05 minutes 48 seconds West 1587.37 feet parallel with the East line of said North 1/2; thence South 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds West 657.22 feet; thence North 00 degrees 05 minutes 48 seconds East 1587.37 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly known as: 12309 GREEN LAKE RD, MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. Ifthe property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: September 14,2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Fifth Third Bank, National Association, FKA Fifth Third Bank as successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00559-1 (09-14X1005) 205766 205846 i9 1 Notice is given under section 3212 ofthe revisedjudicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day ofthe sala Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatical!^ entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagors): Robert Erick Gorden, Jr. and Mary Gorden, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Heartland Home Mortgage, LLC, its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: September 12, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16, 2019 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date ofnotice: $177,193.16 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Beginning at a point on the West line of Lot 70 of Glasgow's 2nd Addition, according to the recorded plat thereofin Liber 3 of Plats on Page 4, a distant North 01 degrees 20 minutes 27 seconds East, 186.92 feet from the Southwest comer of said Lot 70; thence North 01 degree 20 minutes 27 seconds East, 116.08 feet along said West line; thence South 88 degrees 43 minutes 33 seconds East, 450.10 feet; thence South 01 degrees 20 minutes 27 seconds West, 116.08 feet; thence South 88 degrees 43 minutes 33 seconds West, 450.10 feet to the Point of Beginning, Hastings City, Barry County, Michigan. Commonly Known as: 1381 Star School Rd., Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return ofthe bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded lless than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 09/14/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 317791 (09-14)(10-05) tew Km Bl IB I l is a �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 14, 2023 — Page 13 Runners pick up pace at Coach B race Vikings drop time at Uncle John’s Brett Bremer ’ ^4Ni Jww •wL'’* »?«<s "*•<*£? 2?‘**«*e „ "K "Kin Sports Editor Kort Thompson was on the ground at the end of the chute still catching his breath look­ ing across the finish line when Lucas Van Meter circled back to congratulate the Fighting Scotjunior. Thompson set his personal record, break­ ing the 17-minute barrier for the first time, to win the Thomapple Division boys’ race at the Thomapple Kellogg varsity cross coun­ ttry team’s annual Coach B Invitational at Gun Lake. Thompson hit the finish line in 16 minutes 58.8 seconds. Van Meter had been just ahead ofThompson, injust under 17 minutes, when the two squared offa little over a week earli­ er in a dual between their teams at Caledonia High School. Van Meter finished as the run­ ner-up Monday in 17:00.52. Thompson was one of 13 Fighting Scot boys to finish among the top 25 in the Thor­ napple Division competition for the larger schools at the meet. The Fighting Scots took the Thomapple Division championship with 33 points ahead ofGrand Rapids Track Club 44, Thomapple Kellogg 89, Wayland 95, Grand Rapids Union 125 and Wyoming 161. The Grand Rapids Track Club Peregrines won the girls’ Thomapple Division championship with 26 points ahead of Thomapple Kellogg 34, Caledonia 63 and Wayland 115. “The Coach B Invitational is a special one because it gives a chance to salute [former TK cross country coach Tammy Benjamin], but not just because of all of her accolades, but because she is Coach B,” TK varsity girls’ cross country coach Sam Wilkinson said. “Our girls love having her there and Coach B enjoys seeing them go to work and providing encouragement. Personally, I always want to win this race to add to the celebration of Coach B. We didn’t win our division today, but we had a really strong showing and the girls were runner’s up. The girls can definitely feel proud about how things unfolded.” Peregrine freshman Giana Chaignot won the girls’ race in a personal record time of 19:08.62. Trojan junior Ava Crews raced a new personal record time of 19:18.63 in a runner-up finish. Four ofthe first six finishers in the girls’ race were Peregrines. The rest ofthe top ten was all TK and Caledonia girls and all but one of the 25 medalists ran their personal Brett Bremer Thornapple Kellogg junior Ava Crews is at the front as the pack stretches out behind her not long after the start of the 2023 Coach B Invitational hosted by the Trojans at Gun Lake Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) record or season best time TK freshman Ellie Harmon dropped her PR to 20:24.17 to place fifth, freshman Meghan-Jane Skidmore lowered her PR to 20: 50.82 to place seventh and sophomore Madison Kietzman pushed her PR down to 21: 23.95 to place ninth for TK. The Trojans’ number five was freshman Peyton Hardy who placed 11th in a personal record time of21:30.28. Caledonia got top ten finishes in the girls’ race from senior Kloe Kimbrell who moved her PR to 21:16.89 to place eighth and junior Hannah Dupuis who now has a PR of 21:25.38 after placing tenth. Qnbsl In the top 25 the Scots also got PR’s from freshman Akaela Daman who was 13th in 21: 34.24, freshman Olivia Hawkins who was 14th in 21:45.15, freshman Isla Sheely who was 18th in 22:16.37, freshman Cora Draft who was 19th in 22:20.49 and sophomore Hannah Bennett who was 20th in 22:22.34/ Thomapple Kellogg had a pack finish at the end of the medal-winning group. Senior Holly Veiling was 22nd in 22:34.64, fresh­ man Carmen Reynolds set her PR at 22:40.85 to place 23rd, senior Katherine Powers moved her PR to 22:50.87 to place 24th and fresh­ man Alaina McCrumb improved her PR to 22: 51.79 to place 25th. There weren’t quite' as many personal records set in the boys’ race a light rain that had everything wet to start the day picked up as their race progressed. The Fighting Scots, having hadjust the one race prior to Monday, did have their fair share of season-best times. Senior Micah Nagel placed fourth overall for the Scots in 17:26.12. ^opKdrrfore l‘EH Veiling Sports Editor Emma Tidd ran her fastest race of the season to lead the Lakewood varsity girls’ cross country team to a ninth-place finish Wednesday at the 22nd Annual Ovid-Elsie Marauder Invitational. The sophomore Tidd ran to a time of25 minutes 36.58 seconds which put her in 42nd-place in the day’s Large School race at Uncle John’s Cider Mill. The Lakewood girls were ninth and the Lakewood boys tenth in their Large School divisions at die meet. It was the second full-distance race of the season for the young Lakewood teams. Senior Allison Slater was the second Lakewood lady across the finish line plac­ ing 54th in 27:12.44. Sophomore Marci Nurenberg ran her fastest race ofthe season top lace 84th in 31:50.40. The Vikings’ trio of freshmen Laurelye Carter, Elizabeth Stoneman and Jayda Miller finished 90th, 91st and 105th respectively. Stoneman dropped her PR to 34:13.26 at the meet. Holt beat out Charlotte 50-63 for the girls’ Large School championship, finish­ ing ahead of Lapeer 84, Saginaw Swan Valley 108, Ovid-Elsie 126, BirchRun 160, Olivet 179, Chesaning 180, Lakewood 251 and Lansing Everett 277. Holt had three of the races’ four fastest runners led by individual champion Lauren Walker, a junior, who hit the finish line in 19: 10.53. Herjunior teammate Ella Reaves was a ways back with a runner-up time of 20: 37.13. Teammate Jessica Bossenbroek, a senior, was fourth in 21:21.88. Birch Run freshman Kaylie Mausolf RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT APPLICATION AND PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS AT OCTOBER 4. 2023 MEETING TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on October 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The items to be considered at this public hearing include the following: 1. 17:35.05. Senior Ayden Duffin set his PR in a iMsttEJCEEfe OV. '6TB S tc TOT t: ta krc it 3 srap i tei iipanteniMiiMi wree tr HaW ta te EC fcttosKrtasn ForamqataifajihMit susWlftrS r IQLC IWIF »’ ~~9 77— 4imSSsetms Thornapple Kellogg senior Lucas Van Meter races with the leaders during the first mile of the Coach B Invitational hosted by the Trojans at Gun Lake Monday afternoon.. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ninth-place run that took 17:38.75. The fifth scorer for the Caledonia boys was junior Ethan Bauer who placed 12th in 17:53.67. Other top 25 finishers for the Caledonia boys included junior Joshua Maier 13th in 17:55.27, senior Levi Moss 15th in 17:56.86, junior Andrew Tava 18th in 18:22.61, junior William Sheely 19th in 18:36.01, junior David Potgeter 20th in 18:39.63, sophomore Kaden Van Ryn 22nd in 18:42.22, sophomore Luke Smith 23rd in 18:49.40 and junior Mason Morrell 25th in 19:01.66. Tava and Van Ryn both set new personal records. The TK boys’ team had two guys in the top 25. Senior Kaden Hamming improved his personal record time to 18:41.17 to place 21st. Trojan freshman Grady Galaviz was 26th in 19:09.19 and his freshman teammate Eli­ jah Frazer was 37th in 19:35.21. The TK team also had junior Hunter Tietz 45th in 20:08.11 in its top five. Sophomore Brendan O’Donohue led the Grand Rapids Track Club boys with a thirdplace time of 17:10.16 and Wayland junior Dylan Pallett was fifth in 17:31.79 to lead his team. West Michigan Aviation teams took the championships in the Kellogg Division races for the smaller schools at the event. Both the Thomapple and Kellogg Division races were contested at the same time this fall. Sopho­ more Noah Johnson won the Kellogg Divi­ sion boys’ race in 17:36.67 for the Aviators. Senior Emma DeVries took the Kellogg Divi­ sion girls’ race for the Aviators in 19:12.68. Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 For Sale Business Services WANTED: STANDING TIM­ BER- Top local sawmill is seeking for SALE: TURTLE Meat. $20/ BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut land owners with 25 or more ma­ ture hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. LB 517-694-8050 Garage Sale GARAGE/YARD/BARN Sale. 7 days a week. 8am-8pm. Month of September. 'EVERYTHING'. 3575 Fighter Road, Hastings, MI. White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & work­ man's c8 comp. o7m79p3. Fetterley Logging. (269)818-7793. * METAL ROOFING SALE! Qual- Wanted WANTED; OLD FASHIONED Maytag ringer washing machines. 517-852-0667. ity affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050._________________ MATT ENDSLEY FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269­ 804-7506. POMERANIAN PUPPIES: VERY very cute and playful. Up to date on shots and deworming, $450.00 (517)726-0706 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Al! real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. broke up that Ram pack a bit with her third-place time of21:04.82. Junior Riley Johnson paced the Lakewood boys’ pack with a time of 18:00.83 that put him in 14th place overall. Vikingjunior Hud­ son Goethals was their team’s second scorer with a 53rd-place time of20:56.41. The Viking team also had sophomore Vincent Risk 70th in 21:56.32, sophomore Bryce Schelter 74th in 21:59.66, freshman Kaden Rohrbacher 101st in 25:06.73 and sophomore Jonah Lancaster 127th in 33:52.43. Lapeer beat out Olivet by three points for the boys’ Large School title 83-86. Saginaw Swan Valley was third with 96 points ahead of Ionia 96, Birch Run 131, Holt 148, Charlotte 171, Ovid-Elsie 210, Lan­ sing Everett 232, Lakewood 256, Chesani­ ng 297 and Harper Woods 309. Ionia senior Jacob Montgomery took the individual victory with a time of 16L39.02. Saginaw Swan Valley had the second and third place finishers as sophomore Murphy Wagner (16:40.80) and junior Owen Fen­ nelly (16:41.03) both set new personal record times. Olivet senior Lucas Hopkins was fourth in 16:53.67. Lapeer’s leader was junior Jacob Essenmacher who placed seventh in 17:21.91. His team’s victory came down to the wire as Lapeer’s number five runner finished less than half a second behind the Olivet Eagles’ number three scorer and within three and a halfseconds of the Eagles* four, five and six runners who were on his heels. The Vikings will be a part of the Lansing Catholic Central Invitational this after­ noon, Sept. 14. The application of Barry County YMCA for special land use permit 5B apfttdvbl of a “summer campion a 22 acreparcel located at the northeast corner of Buehler Road and Iroquois Trail (parcel no. 08-13-002-001-20). The applicant is requesting zoning approval for a proposed expansion of its existing summer camp facility on the adjoining parcel. Following the public hearing the Planning Commission will discuss and may decide this special land use permit application at this meeting pursuant to the standards for special land use approval specified in § 220-20-3 of the Zoning Ordinance, and any provisions of Item 10 of § 220-20-7 applicable to a summer camp. Note: the applicant has requested parcel no. 08-13-002-001-20 be rezoned from the CR Country Residential District to the PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District, and this proposed rezoning is pending before the Township Board. Any approval of the special land use permit application, and any related site plan, will be subject to Township Board approval of the underlying proposed rezoning. 2. The proposed amendment of the following designated text sections within Chapter 220 (Zoning) of the Rutland Charter Township Code to provide for “accessory dwelling unit" land use: § 220-2-2 is proposed to be amended to add a definition for the new term “accessory dwelling unit”. § 220-17-14 is proposed to be amended to permit the establishment of an accessory dwelling unit associated with an occupied principal single family dwelling, in certain circumstances, pursuant to a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator upon determining various specified standards have been met. § 220-17-1 and § 220-17-2 pertaining to accessory uses and accessory buildings, respectively, are proposed to be amended to reference § 220-17-14 with respect to an accessory dwelling unit. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting, and may further be submitted to the Planning Commission at the public hearing/meeting. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Master Plan, the above-referenced special land use application, and the Tentative Text of the above-referenced proposed Zoning text amendment(s), may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify any ofthe proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments at or following the hearing/meeting and to make its recommendations accordingly to the Township Board. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 205753 (269) 948-2194 �Page 14 — Thursday, September 14, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Delton Kellogg junior Ethan Rimmer starts the second mile of the Coach B Invitational near the boat launch at Gun Lake Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood junior Riley Johnson works his way to a runner-up finish in the Kellogg Division competition at Thornapple Kellogg's Coach B Invitational Monday at Gun Lake. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Maple Valley senior Lilly Faurot nears the midway point of the Coach B Invitational at Gun Lake Monday after­ noon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Saxons' Kimber Fenstemaker tips the ball over the net during her team's win over the Charlotte Orioles at Hastings High School Thursday. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Saxon spikers j overcome slow start Deltno Kellogg's Elli Timmerman (833), Jillian LeClerq (835) and Izabelle Gruber (828) run in a pack during the first mile of the Coach B Invitational hosted by Thornapple Kellogg at Gun Lake Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg senior Summer Ritchie closes in on the finish line just ahead of Thornapple Kellogg's Avery Hagemann during the Coach B Invitational hosted by TK at Gun Lake Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer)^ Aviators front of pack at Gun Lake Brett Bremer Sports Editor West Michigan Aviation had the six fastest girls, but the Delton Kellogg girls were firm­ ly in second place behind the Aviators in the Kellogg Division race for smaller schools at the annual Coach B Invitational hosted by Thomapple Kellogg at Gun Lake. Delton Kellogg senior Summer Ritchie ran her fastest race ever to place eighth in 23 minutes 11.68 seconds. She was one ofseven Delton Kellogg girls in the top 25, and all five of her team’s scorers were among the top 13 overall. DK senior Samantha Ritchie was ninth in 24:03.24. Junior Jillian Leclercq placed tenth in 21:13.99 to improve her personal record. The Panther team also had junior Kylie Main 12th in 24:23.85 and junior Johannah Houtkooper 13th in 24:26.61. Not far back DK had sophomore Elli Tim­ merman set her PR at 25:19.67 to place 17th and sophomore Izabelle Gruber set her PR at 26:18.16 to place 22nd. West Michigan Aviation’s girls closed the race with 15 points ahead of Delton Kellogg 47, Grand River Prep 97, Lakewood 116 and Maple Valley 116. Maple Valley was paced by senior Lilly Faurot who came in 11th in 24:22.08. Lakewood was led by sophomore Emma Tidd who was 15th in 24:49.26. The Viking team also had senior Allison Slater 21st in 26:00.20, setting a new person- Amish Benefit Dinner September 22,2023 from 4:00 to 7:00pm 7981 S. M-66 Hwy., Nashville, Ml ~ Made From Scratch ' Cafeteria style, no reservations needed. Take-out provided. Menu to include: barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, bread dressing, gravy, mixed vegetables, salads, pies and homemade ice cream. Refreshments of coffee and water. (Baked Goods available for purchase!) Proceeds to go for living expenses for Mrs. Ben (Susan) Raber. (Ben Raber died 4 years ago). The family of Ben Raber wishes to express their hgartfelt thanks for your kind thoughts and well wishes! Mrs. Susan Raber & Family al record. Sophomore Marci Nurenberg was 35th in 31:49.45, freshman Laurelye Carter 37th in 35:04.68 and freshman Elizabeth Stoneman 39th in 36:00.7. For Maple Valley, senior Mackenzie Deck­ er was 27th in 27:19.97, junior Isabel Emer­ ick 30th in 27:42.78, sophomore Addison Shank 38th in 35:50.96 and junior Brianna Gurd 40th in 41:38.96 were also among the top five scorers. West Michigan Aviation was led to the girls’ victory by senior Emma DeVries who hit the finish line in 19:12.68. The boys’ team title in the Kellogg Divi­ sion also went to the West Michigan Aviation team, which had seven of the first nine finish­ ers. Sophomore Noah Johnson won the race in 17:36.67. Lakewood junior Riley Johnson was the runner-up in 18:13.38. Delton Kellogg junior Ethan Rimmer wasithe other guy breaking up the Aviators’ front back. Rimmer was fourth in 18:24.11. Grand River Prep finished second to the Aviators 18-55 on the scoreboard with Delton Kellogg third with 67 points. Lakewood didn't have a team score, but had its top three guys finish among the top 25. Freshman Kaden Rohrbacher was 16th in 20: 23.38 and junior Hudson Goethals 21st in 21: 00.16. The Vikings’ number four was sophomore Jonah Lancaster who placed 51 st in 32:44.88 - his best time ofthe season. Delton Kellogg had four in the top 25. Senior Rhys Bedford ran his fastest race of the fall to place 23rd in 21:05.85, sophomore Nick Muday was 24th in 21:11.07 and junior Brock Hickerson was 25th in 21:26.43. The Panthers’ number five was freshman Isaiah Kellogg who was 47th in 29:03.89. Maple Valley had a trio of guys racing. Freshman Quincy Page was 35th in 23:26.84, senior' Robert Laws 40th in 25:55.31 and freshman Brayden Joseph 45th in 28:36.25. Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer In the first home game ofthe season, Hast­ ings Saxon varsity volleyball team got offto a slow start against the Charlotte Orioles. Charlotte got the first point ofthe night off a Hastings’ serve then continued to score six more in a row. Saxon head coach, Erin Slaughter, noted that “starting off 0-7 was definitely not how we planned to start. We had great warm-ups full of good energy and positivity from the team. Even in the moment I never thought we were out of it. We had long rallies and they were being scrappy, I could tell the girls wanted this game and wouldn’t give up. I had faith that their mind­ set would stay strong.” Hastings was down at game point 21-24 when Abby Beemer came up to serve. Beem­ er served up four in a row to put the Saxons in the lead at 25-24 until Charlotte got the ball back and made it a tied set at 25-25. The teams exchanged points back and forth and were up 28-27 when sophomore, Olivia Friddle came up to serve and scored the game point for the Saxon win 29-27. Senior captain Audrey Vertalka said after the game, “being down 0-7 and then 20-24 before coming back to win was exactly what we needed to realize what we are capable of. The entire night was my dream for Hastings volleyball. The long rallies, the student sec­ tion, the energy and the win. It all was exhil­ arating. This year’s team is very young, but their determination and positivity is nothing like I’ve ever seen. Coach Slaughter has a great approach in coaching us. We have a perfect, well-rounded mix and I’m super excited for our season.” The Saxons started the second set strong, Rachael Hewitt, the second server ofthe set, served 6 in a row to put the team up 8-1 before turning the ball over. The team never let up in the second set and stayed ahead of the Orioles before closing the set with a 25-16 score. In the final set of the night, the Orioles fought for a come back and pushed to a 6-3 lead early on until Vertalka got the serve as the score was 8-9. Vertalka scored three to put the team up 11 -9. The Orioles didn’t take the lead again the rest ofthe match. The Saxons were up 24-19 with a Charlotte serve when Friddle scored a kill to close the match with a 25-19 win. Coach Slaughter stated “the win was great proofto show them that they keep trying and working towards their goal, they can be suc­ cessful. The momentum from the first set continued through the next two sets, and I think the girls understood they could work from behind and still be successfill.” Leading the team for the night were the senior captains. Abby Beemer, who had 17 serves and 55 sets. Vertalka had nine kills and 30 passes, and the final senior, Kimber Fenstemaker also had nine kills for the night. Junior Jordan Miianowski had three blocks on the night. On Saturday, the Saxon team traveled to Union City where they faced Athens, the tenth ranked team in the state in Division 4, in the first round. The pools only played two sets and the Saxons split the set with Athens, losing only by one total point. The Saxons went on to score wins over Kalamazoo Loy Norrix and Battle Creek Central to finish pool play 2-1. In the first round ofbracket play the Saxons defeated Delton before losing in a close 3 sets to the seventh ranked team in Division 4, Colon. The Saxon team lost the first set 26-28, then came back with a solid win 25-18, before dropping the final set 8-15. The team was led in defense by libero, Liliana Fox, who had 102 passes and digs for the day. Beemer led in serves with 39 serves and 10 aces along with 57 assists. Hewitt led the attack with 19 kills and Vertalka’s defense at the net ended with 12 blocks for the day. Coach Slaughter noted that while they did not leave with a trophy that the team played well. “Going into conference play I’m hoping that we can continue our success from last year. We said last year we were going to change and build the program and I think we are doing that. We are coming into this year with a couple conference wins last season and tying for fifth last year. With the attitude and mindset that we will be successful, I think we can play well and hang with just about any­ one in the conference.” The Saxons will start Interstate-8 Athletic Conference play this week at Coldwater before ending the week with a quad at Hast­ ings High School Saturday. । no oaAuio uoraan Miianowski goes up for a block during her team's win over visiting Charlotte Thursday evening (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-09-21.pdf 69e05b31eca6498a53f50a99141bc33f PDF Text Text County residents voice concerns over solar energy projects Irving Twp. woman publishes book on historic GR figure See story on page 2 See story on page 8 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 LOT-C 005 ■ Richard C005 Hemefling 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-1134 7/30/2024 9:25 00 AM ANNER Thursday, September 21, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 38 PRICE $1.50 New county clerk successor named as Palmer approaches retirement Cindy White Jayson Bussa Editor As current Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer heads toward her retirement date this year, her successor has been named. Cindy White, who has logged over two decades of service with the county, will take Palmer’s place upon her retirement, effective Oct. 20. Palmer’s term as an elected official goes through 2024. She ran unopposed for the position in 2020. Palmer leaving her post early leads to White’s appointment, which was announced at Tuesday’s meeting of the county board’s Committee ofthe Whole. In fact, the announcement fell a bit under the radar, drowned out by a nearly three-hour meeting that focused on opposition to planned solar energy projects in Barry County and a run-through ofthe preliminary coun­ ty budget. Barry County’s Circuit Court Judge Vicky Alspaugh briefly appeared in front of the Committee of the Whole during the public commenting portion of the meeting to inform the board that she had met with Chief Judge William Doherty and Judge Michael Schipper to determine a successor for Palmer, who has spent nine years as county clerk after 19 years as ajudicial clerk. “That’s going to be Cindy White,” Alspaugh said. “She has been an employee with the county for some 24 years. I worked with her in the prosecuting attorney’s office way back in the day when I was there. We’re very confident that she has the skills and the abilities that are needed to carry out the duties ofthe county clerk.” White wields 24 years of experience work­ ing for the county. She initially logged 10 years working in the county prosecutor’s office before taking some time off to spend with fam­ ily and to help in her husband’s business. But, in 2007, she had the opportunity to return, this time working in the district court office, where she remains today. White and Palmer had previously worked together when Palmer served as a clerk for former Judge James Fisher. “I heard about (Palmer’s) retirement and I had a few conversations with her and became interested and was looking for a new challenge,” White said about what led her to the role. “(Palmer) has a great staff and they are very helpful and informative,” White added. “She’s been informative. I’ve actually spoken See COUNTY CLERK, page 2 Chamber’s Tech Week event looks at bringing BCCMHA Silicon Valley opportunities to Barry County expands Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Industry leaders, tech experts and local professionals are offering students and the public insider insight! through various events thi&week. The Barry County Chdmber of Commerce Jon French, a 2013 Hastings High School graduate, spoke about his work with company mode40 integrating tech-based solutions to solve workplace problems. and Economic Development Alliance is host­ ing Tech Week, offering seyeral events cen­ tered around emerging technologies and how they can be utilized for industry. Nichole Lyke, economic development director for the chamber, said the event is one of many it hopes will create new tech career opportuni­ ties in Barry County. Tech Week is part of a county-wide push for tech initiatives and integration that Lyke said are critical for the future of Barry Coun­ ty industry. Positioned between two major tech-focused economic development groups, The Right Place based in Grand Rapids and Lakeshore Advantage in Allegan and Ottawa counties, Barry County will need to be proac­ tive to keep up, Lyke said. “We are going to be getting squeezed in both directions. From our perspective, the best thing that we can do is share as much informa­ tion about these emerging technologies to our businesses, to our industry leaders, with our educators and our school systems,” Lyke said. “There’s not a way for us to escape it. We’re right in the middle in the eye ofthe storm. It’s coming, and we need to be prepared.” IfBarry County industry leaders don’t act now, the county risks losing some of its best talent. By moving- to integrate new and emerging technology, local businesses can keep that talent local, Lyke said. “What we don’t need is more ofour profes­ sional talent, more of our youth talent going outside ofBarry County forjob opportunities when they exist right here,” Lyke said. To retain that talent, the chamber is work­ ing to facilitate conversations between employers, tech experts and Barry County students. Events like Tech Week can show employers how to incorporate new technolo­ gy while also exposing students to local tech opportunities. Tuesday’s event took place at The HUB of Barry County, a collaborative career explora­ tion space located just north of Hastings. Speakers Ryan Knox, co-founder of Bridge Digital, and Jon French, sales executive for mode40, shared their experiences in tech with local stakeholders and networked with work­ force development leaders. See TECH WEEK, page 3 Bob Picking, former HCB president and CEO, dies at 87 Molly Macleod Copy Editor Hastings banker, businessman and com­ munity leader Robert Picking died last week at 87. Picking, bom in Illinois in 1936, moved to Hastings in 1975 after serving as vice president ofloans at Security First Bank in Grand Haven. He married his wife of63 years, Jean (Kennedy) Picking, in 1960. Afterjoining the team at the then-Hastings City Bank, now Highpoint Community Bank (HCB), Picking •took over for Tom Stebbins as president of HCB in 1979. Picking was appointed to the .CEO position in 1981, which he held along with the title ofpresident until his retirement in 2002. Under Picking’s direction, HCB grew exponentially, blossoming into the institution it is today. The bank’s total assets were $51 million in 1979 when Picking was named president. Picking grew the bank’s assets to $211 million under his tenure. Today, HCB’s total assets clock in at over $300 million. , “He was an outstanding fellow to sit on the board oar w, with,” sa said Flexfab exa founder ouner Doug oug DeCamp, who served on the Hastings City bank board during Picking’s time as presi­ dent and CEO of the bank. “...He was out­ standing in the banking industry and had a Very good rapport (throughout) the whole industry.” ’ Picking’s leadership helped navigate the bank into the 21st century, with HCB opening Several new locations in the area under his direction. “He was always there working and helping everyone do a better job and also to service the community,” DeCamp added. Both Picking’s friends and colleagues remember him not only as a shrewd banker but also as a kind, caring individual. “Bob Picking was a pillar of the Hastings and Barry County community for many years. I am pleased and privileged to call him a friend and mentor,” said Judge Jim Fisher, another former member ofHCB’s board. Fisher first met Picking after moving home to Barry County after finishing law school in 1977. After meeting Picking, he worked with him on many charitable and community projects over the years. “He was always very involved in the com­ munity. He devoted himselfto his family, to his community and to his bank, and we are all better offbecause of that devotion. He will be missed by me and many others,” said Fisher During his free time, Picking was known to be involved in numerous community groups and boards. Picking was a member of the Hastings Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge and both the Hastings and Grand Haven Elks Lodges, to name a few. Addition­ ally, Picking was a member ofthe St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven. Picking also served as president of the Michig an Bankers Association in 1997. “Bob was a great community leader and mentor to many of us,” said Fred Jacobs, CEO of J-Ad Graphics. “He had a special way about himself. He always listened to what you had to say and was always willing to give suggestions to help solve problems. “Bob was very supportive when my family purchased The Hastings Banner. He under­ stood the importance of local news coverage, keeping watch over local governments and educating our citizens on what’s going on Bob Picking helped navigate Highpoint Community Bank into the 21st century. Here, Picking (right) is pictured with current HCB President and CEO Mark Kolanowski (left). around us. Plus, he was supportive of all of our publications and advertised regularly to support the cause.” Though he retired over 20 years ago, Picking’s influence is still felt in the community. Before retiring in 2002, Picking helped men­ tor Mark Kolanowski, current president and CEO ofHCB. “Working with Bob Picking was an abso­ lute pleasure. I feel fortunate to have had him as a friend and mentor for so many years, ” Kolanowski told The Banner. “He was fun-loving, caring and passionate about fam­ ily, community and the bank. Bob’s leader­ ship style was people-centric; he valued spending time with people, both customers and staff. He wanted to make a difference and understanding people was the key. Bob was a great leader for our organization and deeply understood the importance and impact of a strong financial institution in the community. services in response to rising need Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Barry County Community Mental Health Authority has launched a new program to. reach out to county residents who might be struggling with a mental health issue. BCCMHA has established what it calls a “crisis outreach response team,” a mobile team that will go anywhere in Barry County to connect with people who might be experiencing a mental health crisis. “This (team) is pretty much open to anyone that’s having any type of crisis, and the individual defines the crisis,” BCCMHA chief executive officer Rich­ ard Thiemkey said. “It (will) be a mas­ ter’s level and a bachelor’s level staff will respond to them, and the goal is to deescalate the individual, provide sup­ ports and services wherever they’re at, so they don’t have to either go to the hospital or some other facility.” The establishment of the crisis out­ reach team is the latest effort by the mental health authority to expand ser­ vices in Barry County in response to an increasing number ofcalls for assistance across the county. Over the last three fiscal years, the number of clients BCCMHA has served has grown by more than 28 percent, from 1,187 in the 2020-21 fiscal year to 1,527 in the recently completed 2022-23 fiscal year that ended Aug. 31, Thiemkey said. “Our requests for services continue to go up, and that’s across the board - chil­ dren, families, adults,” Thiemkey said. BCCMHA expanded its services with the help of a two-year, $3.35 million Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic grant awarded by the federal Sub­ stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in August 2021. That grant allowed the authority to hire at least 12 new clinicians, as well as create its Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, which goes out into the community to work with county residents experienc­ ing an acute mental health crisis. The team is comprised of a clinician, thera­ pist and caseworker, Thiemkey said. “Some individuals in our community, they just have a hard time coming to us for services,” Thiemkey said. “So they quite often will go to people’s homes and provide therapy, case management, (medication) management.” The ACT team may get tips on people who might be struggling from family members or from law enforcement, Thiemkey said. See BCCMHA, page 3 See BOB PICKING, page 2 �P*®* 2 — Thursday, September 21, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Hastings High School hosting blood drive Sept. 26 Hastings High School will host a blood drive next week and is seeking donors. The bipod drive, to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., is open to anyone. The drive will take place at the high school, 520 W. South Street, inside the auxiliary gym on Tuesday. The blood drive, held through Versiti, will help fulfill the nation’s critical need for blood. One in seven people entering the hospital will require a blood transfusion. Blood supplies are struggling to keep up with the current demand. Those interested in donating are asked to eat a healthy meal and to drink plenty of water before donating. Those interested in signing up to donate can visit versiti.org. Appointments are still available. Celebrate autumn at Historic Charlton Park this weekend The Charlton Park Gas & Steam Engine Club is presenting its annual Fall Harvest Festival and Tractor Show at Historic Charlton Park on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23. Event activities run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days ofthe festival. Volunteers sta­ ttioned in the park’s Historic Village and throughout the grounds will offer pumpkin painting, com shelling and apple cider along with rope-making and numerous activities for kids, including a peddle pull in the Gas & Steam Bam. A tractor parade will take place daily. Saturday will include a pancake breakfast and farm tractor pull along with a mini-horse pull. Wheat threshing, antique sawmill and shingle mill demonstrations will take place, as will many other activities throughout the day. Spectators should plan to bring lawn chairs and blankets for parade seating. Food vendors will serve festival favorites and a swap meet and flea market will take place daily near the Gas & Steam Bam. Spaces are still available for $10 each. “We’ve intentionally designed this event with families in mind, carefully creating various activities to promote having fun while observing our rural heritage,” said Daryl Cheeseman, Charlton Park Gas & Steam Engine Club Vice President. Daily admission to the event is $5 for ages 13 and up. Children 12 and under are free. Thornapple Wind Band kicking off its 2023-24 season The Thomapple Wind Band will bring music to the Barry County area once again this year and has announced its schedule for the 2023-24 season. The band will begin rehearsals on Thursday, Sept. 28. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings in the Hastings Middle School band room from 7 to 9 p.m. Concert dates to round out the year are Nov. 4 and Dec. 17,2023. The band will pause rehearsals after the December concert until they begin again on Thursday, Feb. 8. Concerts following the break will be performed on March 17 and April 21,2024. All concerts are at 3 p.m. at the Hastings Performing Arts Center. The band is open to high school students through adults who play a wind band instru­ ment. Organizers invite those who have not played an instrument in years to pick it back up. The ensemble is conducted by Joan L. Bosserd-Schroeder, director emeritus ofthe Hastings Area School System band program. She encourages all wind players to take the opportunity to join the group. Members do not have to live in Hastings to perform with the group. The group boasts players from all over the area, including those from Delton, Richland, Battle Creek and Olivet. Legal advice offered to Barry County seniors The Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct inter­ views over the phone for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested parry. .County seniors this month. . Jlw$Q‘whoflvish to, speak with an attorney should .call 269-224-5040 between 10:30 „ a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Legal Services ofSouth Central Michigan-Battle Creek office .is a nonprofit organiza­ tion that provides legal assistance, representation and education to low-income residents in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. Residents of rural Barry County voice concerns, objections over potential solar fields Jayson Bussa Editor Kelly Lenz sat in front ofcounty commissioners on Tuesday morning wearing a shirt that read “Stop Solar Fields” and ‘No farms. No food. No fUture.” Lenz, a fifth-generation farmer who maintains a farm in Maple Grove Township, was one of the many people to visit the county board’s Committee of the Whole to voice their concerns about future solar field proj­ ects in Barry County. These concerns have been spurred on by recent movements on the solar energy front. Consumers Energy is planning a project on 1,600 acres of land in Johnstown Township and, last month, representatives from the energy utility detailed their plans for a solar field and biodigester there. While that project is only in the planning stages, many local residents find no comfort in a recently approved county Master Plan that allows 3 to 5 percent ofavailable land in Barry County to be dedicated to large-scale solar arrays, which equates to 9,100 to 15,200 acres. The Johnstown Township project already raised concerns with residents down in that area and has put farmers and rural residents all across the county on high alert that these types of projects could come to their own backyards. “The tax incentives and the deep pockets of someone like Consumers (Energy) makes it very hard, ifnot downright impossible (for farmers to acquire more land),” Lenz said. “In addition, let’s face it, Consumers has little concern for the residents ofour county. They just want to make more money. The money being given to Consumers by our government is our taxpayer dollars. Residents should have a say, or at the very least, a vote, to have our voices heard to how this affects us.” The nearly dozen members of the gallery that provided public comment on Tuesday morning trotted out a variety of concerns, ranging from damage to the land, potential hazards that come with solar panel disposal, drainage issues and the general eyesore that can come with rolling fields ofsolar panels. Lenz highlighted one other potential prob­ lem. “We are already having extensive crop damage from deer,” she said. “What will hap- A gallery filled with concerned residents watches on as Barry County Planning Director and Zoning Administrator Jim McManus speaks to the county board’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday morning. McManus provided information on what his office is able to do in regard to regulating solar energy fields that developers migh| want to bring to the county in the future. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) pen when they are fenced out of the places they eat and live right now? I can tell you, more crop damage will occur.” Barry County Planning and Zoning Direc­ tor Jim McManus anticipated the outpouring of concern at Tuesday’s meeting and opened the meeting with comments ofhis own. He highlighted how the planning commis­ sion would work to create a zoning ordinance that would closely regulate specifically com­ mercial-level solar projects, like the project planned for Johnstown Township. The county already has zoning ordinances in place for residential solar and wind energy projects. Consumers Energy has signaled that it is waiting for the ordinance before moving for­ ward with the project. “That ordinance will create parameters, guidelines, conditions and management expectations for what projects have to meet and I don’t have any answers yet or any idea of what all those things are going to be,” McManus said. He did state that the ordinance, when draft­ ed, would be available to the public, subject Free CPR, AED training taking place Sept. 25 Locals will have the opportunity to learn CPR and how to use an AED at a free work­ shop being held later this month. Kim Domke, an American Red Cross (ARC) instructor, will teach the 90-minute train­ ing session at Grace Lutheran Church, 239 E. North St. in Hastings, on Monday, Sept. 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Domke will teach attendees how to care for conscious and unconscious choking vic­ tims, how to perform CPR and how to use an AED. Domke will also provide practice time on the infant, child and adult CPR dummies. Though the free class is not a full course, participants can contact Domke if they desire to achieve ARC certification. Those interested in the class can register by contacting Domke at 269-908-0024 or via email at kdomke08@gmail.com INsul4?} A SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber । Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobde (269) 838-5112 //XI10376 Sheri Babock, clerk for Johnstown Township, speaks to county commissioners on Tuesday morning. Johnstown Township is home to a planned Consumers Energy solar project that would be installed on a 1,600-acre farm. Gift List: Quilts, Totes, Purses, Runners, Tree Skirts, Tablecloths, etc. Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station j QUESTIONS: ASK US_. 218 E. State St., Hastings * 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm • I Rife n M ■ IniiBRssu xsasttiaiiEkn iisoiiy ■•>»== don’t become inundated with these projects. “When we say 3 to 5 percent (of land can be used for solar arrays) that don’t sound too, bad, but when you change it to 15,000 acres,that’s what sounds bad,” Campbell said., “And that’s what we’re doing. So, we do that. r What protects my townships from not sus--, taining the brunt ofthat? We know where the, primary area for solar fields is. Johnstown, already gave up 6.849 percent.” McManus said that he does not expect, commissioners will see a zoning ordinance to, regulate commercial solar projects until early, 2024. “Hopefully we have something for the; public and townships to consider before that; — before we start to schedule those (public), hearings. BOB PICKING, continued from page 1 “His professional contributions to both Barry County and the Michigan banking community are still felt today. During his tenure, HCB experienced impressive growth. The bank’s assets grew from $51 million in 1979 to over $211 million in 2001. We expanded into several new mar­ kets during that time, including Nashville, Caledonia and Wayland. Although Bob has been retired for many years, he continued to care tremendously about the bank. We talk­ ed frequently, including several days before he passed. And that conversation, similar to those that we’ve shared for decades, began and ended the same way. His first question was always, ‘How are things at the bank?’ and his last question was always ‘And how are you?”’ TnTmvrTmwnfvmTVFi Tn ’TmvrTmwnfvmTVF New Cotton Blenders, Flannel, < 108" Backs, Solid Colors, more... to a public hearing and would need to be' signed off on by the Board of Commission­ ers. “But the public needs to know, as a county, in any jurisdiction, we cannot exclude any legitimate land uses from a zoning ordi­ nance,” McManus said. “The minute you, begin to exclude or try to deny any use, youtj ordinance will be challenged and you’ll have it thrown out and then you’ll lose your lever-, age as a government when those projects are-, about to come forward.” „ >fn McManus underscored this sticky scenariq, by highlighting a situation in Decatur Town­ ship in Van Buren County, where the South­ west Michigan Solar Project wants to install, a 650-acre solar field. Despite 80 percent ofj township residents trying to shut it down, a1 legal battle will likely allow it to move for-j ward. j Proponents of local control over projects like these face even worse news at the state » level. r. The Michigan Legislature is working on a. package of bills that would take away local, zoning cpntrol for commercial wind and solarJ projects and., transfer it to the Michigan PubJ^j Service Commission (MPSC). Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has indicated sup^ port for transferring renewable energy siting to the state and plans to work with lawmakers,, on the issue as her administration is eying, ambitious goals for renewable energy. Pro-j posed legislation would mandate that Michi^ gan utilities transition to 100 percent car­ bon-free electricity sources by 2035. e Bruce Campbell, a Barry County commis-sioner who represents rural Johnstown, Assyria, Baltimore and (partial) Maple Grove townships said that something needs to be, done to ensure that only a few townships' Pickings memorial service is taking place^ today, Thursday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. at Klaas-, sen Family Funeral Home. Visitation will, follow the service from 4 to 5:30 p.m. ; A celebration of life for Picking will be be( held in Hastings at Highpoint Community Bank, 150 W. Court Street, on Sunday, Oct. 8j from 3 to 9 p.m. The celebration has been^ dubbed “Bob’s Big Bash.” 1 COUNTY CLERK, continued from page 1 with other county clerks now and I’m just doing my due diligence.” While White will take over the position immediately, she will have to run for election in 2024, adding a political element to her career for the first time. “The policy I live by is that I try to do the bes“tjob at anything I do,” White said. “Pm not a politician,” she added. “I’ve seen it before - I’ve watched it before but I’m not a politician. But, I am a worker. I will do the best for the constituents as I can.” Amongst the many, and growing, record-keeping duties handled by the clerk’s office, While will also be the new leading lady to administer elections county-wide. This includes a Presidential primary election in February ofnext year leading into the 2024 general election, which includes a race for the White House. White and her office will take over at a time when the state has mandated a variety of changes to the voting process, as dictated by Proposal 2, which was passed by voters during last year’s mid-term election. This proposal is designed to expand voting rights, which entails at least nine days ofearly voting and required prepaid postage for absentee ballots in addition to the pre-processing and early tabulation ofthese absentee ballots. The proposal also expanded the types of valid IDs needed to vote. Palmer and her office continue to untangle j these mandates, some ofwhich are feared to; be unfunded by the state, and will hand her • duties offto White soon. Election integrity has proven to be a hot-but-1 ton topic within Barry County, one that White | looks to navigate with full transparency. She took a page from a recent sermon at j her church to highlight her approach to; h addressing these concerns. “Harmony is not just one note — everyone । hass to be heard, heard” she said. “There are several [ voices to be heard to have harmony. You can' only do that by being transparent and open i with what’s going on — keeping everything on i the up and up.” <t* m FF' . JT"4 * - �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 21, 2023 — Page 3 Jimmy John’s location opens in Rutland Township Banner Staff Hungry Hastings-area residents now have a popular nationwide franchise to choose from When they are on the hunt for a sandwich. • After an announcement was made during the spring of this year that a Jimmy John’s restaurant would be coming to Hastings, the Ijlinois-based sandwich chain opened its 4oors to customers on Monday. • The Barry County Chamber ofCommerce & Economic Development joiped Jimmy John’s staffto hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremo­ ny and welcome in some ofits first customers. | Jimmy John’s is located at 1672 M-43 highway in Rutland Township in a cluster of storefronts that is situated aerpss Heath Road IK from Walmart/. ’ The locationsitsnext to a Starbucks, Mich also opened earlier this year. Plans for 4n AT&T retail store have been in the works for the remaining vacant storefront, but it currently sits empty. J Jimmy John’s also operates locations in both Wayland and Charlotte in addition to Multiple locations throughout the Grand Rap­ * **ss* , W ^! ‘‘ <J!?> <J!?^> C C''^ ids metro area. ■ Jimmy John’s arrives in Hastings during a Members of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development stand with Jimmy John’s staff forr a r ceremony at the restaurant’s new a ribbon-cutting location in Rutland Township. (Photo provided) volatile time for local eateries. Further down t road from Jimmy John’s, a Kentucky Fried the Chicken abruptly closed its doors for good a few weeks ago. Also, independently-owned restaurants State Street Diner and Bunker’s Smokehouse & Grille, both in Hastings, have closed for good this year. Hastings students build playhouses for auction as part of summer trades program * sx2< wJ* 5<Z%>;$$ : «"■*. ^Sk^’kk *'» c c •<hZ^*ii &5S , —■ iZ 2* **. — QQftit Qftit -UUa^® i nd. ’■'*wfc •’/ " ^‘••«R*k’ A H A^^Wuhiitatoft.’ "»* ^^Wmii,/ 1 P*fa?<if'*hnZk zRcmicij^ ^mdfcuai 1i SavittCaaft ’ J 1 Gov.Grax^Kxj. ponfortraataiflffiq loteateztar an the issue skEansen amtagebbisKjt.posaHtjiiiirt^ amifeasKitoit too-fadcinw'- i Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Two playhouses built by Hastings middle schoolers will be going up for auction to fund next year’s summer programs. The playhouses were built during one of this year’s summer programs. Hastings students shared their work at Monday’s school board meeting, where they received a certificate rec­ ognizing their participation in the program. Hastings Middle School teacher William Renner ran the summer trades program for the second time this year, introducing kids to local industries. Students had the chance to tour Waste Management facilities, the Hast­ ings Department of Public Services, Saw Dust Express Sawmill and other businesses. Students received hands-on demonstra­ tions from local professionals, learning about available career opportunities. Throughout the three-week course, students built their playhouses from scratch. Saw Dust Express Sawmill donated a tree, which students helped cut into boards for ftieif This year’s programming included a day dedicated to automotive careers, taking stu­ dents to Dewey’s Auto Body, Pro Auto Ser­ vice and Burkey Auto Glass. Students had the chance to see the damage caused to vehicles by a storm, and how the shops went about fixing them. “At Dewey’s Auto Body, we were talking about how, when it comes to specialty mixers of the paint, there are a lot more women in Hastings Middle School students showed off their handiwork at Monday’s school board meeting, posing here in front of two playhouses they built from scratch this summer. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) that field-because- they are better at seeing —p£-^^gffeis»-WGrkr-jau- have to be preci^aboftt+iow you do your tfadtfs.” RennefeSB t|iose‘colors,” Renner said.^it was-a good “There’s a reason you Wni how to do'ihese way to reinforce it’s not only menin the trades but men and women working together.” things right, and nqtjust close enough.? Renner said he hopes the program serves The playhouses/made by this year’s stuas a good way for students to leam about the dents will be going up for {auction on the opportunities that are there for them in the Hastings Middle School Facebook page soon, fiiture. Even ifstudents involved don’t go on Renner said. Anyone interested in purchasing to be in the trades, there are many lessons to one of them can do so online or by contacting be learned, Renner said. Working with wood^* the school. The proceeds from the auction cutting boards and constructing a project will go toward funding supplies for next gives kids practical problem-solving skills. ■year’s summer trades program. Ryan Knox, co-founder of Bridge Digital, spoke about how to make complex tech­ nology practical and convenient for industry leaders. TECH WEEK, continued from page 1 Lyke said French, a 2013 Hastings High workflow by using them to support their School graduate, and Knox, a former FlexFab employees and processes. “I think people are afraid ofAl or machine employee, perfectly encapsulate the type of talent that Barry County should try to retain. learning replacing (jobs),” Knox said. “It’s Knox is now located in Plainwell, while really about optimizing and supporting.” French recently returned to Hastings after Knox said he was impressed by the Barry time in Detroit and Miami. County chamber’s initiative when it came to Through mode40, French helps local supporting tech programs. Collaborative ini­ industries find tech-based solutions to tiatives like The HUB are a key part ofbring­ increase efficiency and solve problems. Com­ ing stakeholders together to have conversa­ panies can save time and manpower by utiliz­ tions about the future ofthe workforce. ing smart technology to automate tedious Knox also said all of these things come tasks, allowing them to redirect those resourc­ together to make high-paying career paths for es elsewhere. Barry County students. Those students can French said now is the perfect time for then stay in Barry County instead of leaving Michigan to reinvent itself. Once powered by for Silicon Valley. the automotive industry, the state could posi“Why can’t you be here in Barry County? tion itself as a smart-manufacturing giant. Why can’t I be in Plainwell?” Knox said. “I French said manufacturers and community think that’s really important (to retain local leaders can take action to make Michigan an talent). I think this specific building (The industry powerhouse, including right here in HUB) is a cool step forward that Barry Coun­ Hastings. ty invests in.” French said part ofthe reason he returned Tech Week continues today, with tours of to his hometown was to create those opportu­ the Corewell Health facilities and discus­ nities for tomorrow’s workforce. sions ofthe technology used there at 2 p.m. “This is a good community. I wanted to Friday’s events focus on electric vehicles, take some of the fruits ofmy labor, my indus­ starting with a tour of the Gilmore Car try knowledge and experience and really help Museum’s historic electric vehicles before cultivate the next generation,” French said. returning to the Hastings Public Library. “We have an enormous opportunity at our Electric vehicles will be on display with fingertips for the state of Michigan to really information from Consumers Energy, includ­ reinvent itselfas the manufacturing capital of ing how consumers can apply for programs to offset the costs of hom. e charf«eete.- Satur4 the world.” g Knox works^rtlPeo^aifiies to inipfefotefit '^/ffKy^re Kids Day affiTOd HUB;‘tvifir'ft^i5s-on| dJe- m- onstrations ’from TocaT employers. Par­ Al and machine-learning solutions, using data to tackle problems. Knox spoke about demystifying Al and other advanced technol­ ogies by making them easy and practical to use. Through the adoption ofthese technolo­ gies, industry leaders can optimize their ticipants will even get a chance to check out the. Hastings First Robotics Team T-shirt cannon. All events are free and open to attendees of all ages. ^Bitoatad^* wripflM^ lotnsriM^iP*’® W•taKK«3«5^*^ •»taK«r3t5^, I ^±S I ±S -ww*^JSL ***Trtk ***Ttk llF IJ^ ^ ^!f!^ & ' >^1* ^1* i^sc^fM* BCCMHA, continued from page 1 “We have found that providing crisis ser­ vice in the community allows us to provide service in a more trauma-informed way, in the person’s environment, where they typically feel more comfortable or the crisis is occur­ ring,” Jennifer Higgins, access and crisis ser­ vices supervisor for BCCMHA, wrote in an email to the Hastings Banner about ACT. “Our team provides de-escalation, treat­ ment interventions, crisis planning and link­ ing to resources to assist in helping a person safely manage a crisis situation and return to baseline. When needed, we link people to a hospital for further stabilization, but our goal is to provide treatment in the least restrictive way possible and increase engagement in service, in a way that is empowering and per­ son-centered,” Higgins added. While ACT seeks to resolve a situation without having an individual be taken to a hospital, sometimes the situation is such that hospitalization is needed to stabilize the person. “If somebody is needing in-patient (care), we’ll find the nearest available bed,” Thiemkey said. Barry County does not have an in-patient psychiatric facility, so that typically means someone in need of such care has to be transported to Grand Rapids, to either Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services or Forest View Hospital. However, if those facilities are full, as they often are, that per- son may be taken to a facility outside of West Michigan. “There’s definitely a need for increased in-patient beds (across the region),” Thiemkey said. Sometimes, the situation involving a per­ son struggling with their mental health turns deadly. In 2021, the most recent year such statistics are available from the state ofMich­ igan, 13 Barry County residents died by sui­ cide, the most since 2015 when 15 people in the county died as a result of suicide, state vital statistics show. The Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force has worked to put out messages in the community about helping those who might be thinking about taking their own life, to encourage them to reach out for help. Those messages have included billboards and flyers, as well as social media posts, S ATF coordina­ tor Liz Lenz, said. Lenz says that calls to central dispatch to report someone who is experiencing suicidal ideation have gone up in recent years, which she sees as a positive. “That means more people are taking (suicide) seriously and recognizing it’s an emer­ gency,” Lenz L said. “We are normalizing talking about not feeling well, mentally and getting help..” Last year, the new three-digit number 988 became the nationwide number to call for someone experiencing a mental health crisis Community Mental Health Resources List r *? p, * %r<% %<zz ii%W> ^i%W> dr jfJJr — Barry County Community Mental Health Authority: 269-948-804; barrycountyrecovery.com — Cherry Health-Barry County Community Health Center: 269-945-4220 — Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services: 800-678-5500 — Michigan Department ofHealth & Human Services Mental Health Warmline (10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Seven days a week): 888-733-7755 — National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or800-273-TALK — Other resources (food, rent, utilities): 211 or Barry County United Way at 269- 945-4010 or considering suicide, thanks to legislation that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by Presi­ dent Donald Trump. It’s not known yet how many county residents have called 988 to report a situation sincgf*lhe number went online. When someone in the county mgkes a 988 call, it is routed to central dispatch, Thiemkey said. .• fjl “Then based on wh^their Situation is, (they will) direct the cap appropriately,” lie NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY CHURCH OF HASTINGS -1490 E State Rd., Hastings, Ml 49058 Friday September 22 @ 7 PM • A Freewill Offering will be taken said. And in; the. more seriqfe^ituations, that’s when ACT gets to work. Higgins wrote that the team is looking to continue to ways to improve how it serves those residents in the county who struggle with mental health. “We’re looking at involving more provid­ ers with lived experience, providing a care pathway for those at risk of suicide, and incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to approve comprehensive care to those individ­ uals experiencing behavioral health crises,” Higgins wrote in her email. “We’ve incorpo­ rated nurse care managers and care coordina­ tors into our access process to assist with linking and coordinating with physical health needs and are in the process of partnering with law enforcement to better serve those experiencing a behavioral health crisis and maintain the safety of all those involved.” Higgins wrote that an increasing number of county residents are struggling with a lack of housing, financial strain arid addiction, which she said puts them at higher risk ofexperiencing a behavioral health crisis. “Our hope is that by partnering with law enforcement, continuing to expand crisis ser­ vices in schools/homes/other community locations, and looking at the whole person and what their needs are, and continuing to coordinate with our local hospital, we will provide more intervention and service to those who need it,” Higgins wrote. “We hope to reduce the need lor inpatient psychiatric placements, reduce deaths by suicide, and increase engagement in intensive behavioral health services.” ACT can be activated by calling the coun­ ty’s 24-hour crisis line at (866) 266-4781 or by calling the 988 crisis line. For more information about BCCMHA and its services to Barry County, visit barrycountyrecovery.com. 11THHOURGG.COM THORFIHPPLe PLAYERS TmportnMx^ By Oscar Wilde Dennison Performing Arts Center 231S. Broadway - Hastings Performances I Thursday, Friday, Saturday - October 5,6, 7 @ 7:00 PM Sunday - October 8 @ 2:00 PM ALL TICKETS: $12 Open-to~the-Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, October 4 @ 7:00 PM ~ ALL TICKETS: $10 Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers, 102 E. State St., Hastings or reserved by calling the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. CT1JW ®ta t Tapple Oomnuity Theatre■ Aaaodonon of Mchgc*1 COUNCIL Of Barry County MlcWgan Thornapple Players Is a non-profit organization providing theatrical opportunities to the Barry County area, For more Information, email: thornappleplayers@gmall.com �Page 4 - Thursday, September 21.2023 Did you HTMyDfiinion SCC? Constitution Day needs its ‘rightful’ place Cruisin’ to Alto Three national holidays in just over three months — with all their parades, picnics and fireworks - are the highlights of any summer, but as this one fades into fall how many ofus realize we’ve just missed another national holiday? Sept. 17 marks Constitution Day, or Citizenship Day, every year. It’s a special day because it commemorates the signing ofthe United States Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. It’s hard-to believe we haven’t honored it with official and celebratory events as we do for Memorial Day, the Fourth ofJuly and Labor Day. Maybe we should because, with the growing tensions across the country, it’s imperative that we have a better under­ standing of our rights as citizens, especially when there’s been a trend across the country to reduce or take away our rights to free speech, to own a gun, or to be con­ cerned about what our kids are being taught in school. Recently, Gov. Michelle Grisham of New Mexico declared gun violence and drug abuse a public health emergency and suspended open and concealed carry laws in two counties. The order temporarily banned the carrying of guns on public property with certain exceptions. Within days, Grisham was forced to scale back her orders due to individuals and groups who sued to block the action stating that it violated their Constitutional rights. Throughout the country, parents have As summer winds down and eventually gives way to the more unfavorable weath­ er associated with winter, classic car enthusiasts all over Barry County will put their rides away in storage for another season ... but, not without a few more opportunities to show them off. Saturday’s Alto Harvest Fest & Car Show was one of them, attracting well north of 100 cars to this small town cele­ bration. One of those whips included this 1934, hand-built Roadster from Andy Geelhoed of Hastings. The event also featured family-friend activities, such as face painting, inflatable attractions and a petting zoo. zoo (Photo by Jayson Bussa) y(,u remember? d. Tony the Tiger comes to town Banner Sept. 8,1988 Fourteen-month-old Terry Rose of Hastings was one of the multitude of children who flocked to Felpausch Food Center in Hastings Tuesday to see Tony the Tiger, the spokescharacter of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes. Children seemed delighted to receive free snapshots of themselves with the famous Tiger plus posters and stick­ ers. Tony is in the midst of a 28-city nationwide tour. (Banner photo) Have you met? Pennfield native Blake Tenney is looking forward to winter this year. Not only that, he is hoping it snows. A lot. “I’m hoping for a doozy. I want a big winter,” Tenney said. “I know everybody else is probably like, ‘Oh, you know, we’ve kind ofliked the milder winters.’ But ifI’m going to be here, I want a winter. I want to be able to ski, cross-country ski, play in the snow and have things look gorgeous.” This year will be Tenney’s first Michigan winter in almost 15 years. Before he left the state in 2009, he was working as an instruc­ tor at the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center. Other opportunities took him across the country, where he worked in restaurant management in Colorado and the events industry in Arizona. Tenney regularly planned events for For­ tune 500 companies, including NASCAR, the NFL and the NCAA. He’s proud ofthe work he did in Arizona, but 70-hour work weeks started to leave him feeling burnt out. That was around the time he received a call from Amy Cherry, former director of the OEC. Cherry had worked with him when he was an instructor and wanted to let him know she was looking to retire. “I have a love for camp. I grew up going to different camps, I came here as a kid,” Tenney said. “Amy called me and told me she was retiring and thejob was going to be opening up. I applied just kind of like, ‘Well, we’ll see where this takes me.’” Tenney landed the role, settling in as the new OEC director about four months ago. He’s acclimating to a new routine - while he’s still got a lot ofwork on his hands, he said the pace is a lot more manageable than some of his previous roles. It’s given him some time to become reacquainted with his home state. “I’ve enjoyed getting back into the com­ munity and doing some of the more^ Mid­ western things,” Tenney said. “Just trying new restaurants, going to all the old places I used to go to, checking things out and reconnecting with folks. Just kind ofseeing Blake Tenney what’s new in the area.” Although a lot has changed in the area since he’s been gone, Tenney said the OEC remains largely unchanged. It holds a rich history in Barry County, having first been established in 1933 as a school for under­ served youth before it became one of the nation’s first outdoor education camps. It’s a history that Tenney and the OEC team hope to celebrate soon, with a 90th anniversary celebration on Oct. 14. The camp will be holding an open house with activities for the public, including hikes and visits with animal ambassadors. October’s anniversary celebration isjust one ofthe ways that Tenney hopes to turn the OEC into a community asset. He hopes he’ll be able to bring more campers and members of the public to the education center through other events and collabora­ tions. “It’s a piece of the community that should be used as much as possible,” Ten­ ney said. “I feel like it’s underused at times.” For returning to Barry County to direct one of Barry County’s oldest institutions, Blake Tenney is this week’s Bright Light. Places I’ve traveled: I just got back from Derry, Ireland. That was my first time. I have family over there, so I’m surprised it took me that long to go there. I’ve been there and to Australia, and Mexico many times because I was living in Arizona. That was just the easiest way to get to the beach and not be in the United States. Favorite thing about Barry County: I love the small-town feel while still having some ofthe bigger town stuff, like the WalldorffBrew Pub and stufflike that. I can still go and have a nice dinner, try some differ­ ent foods, and yet still live in a small, close­ knit community. I like the accessibility to different parks. We’Ve got Pierce Cedar Creek, Fish Hatchery Park in Hastings, Charlton Park. There’S a bunch ofthem in Battle Creek. Coming from Arizona, there is just more open nature spaces here. What I like about my job: I like the flexibility while still being able to stay con­ nected with nature arid serve tomorrow’s youth in the area. What kind of music I listen to: I’m a big concert junkie. I’ve probably been to over 500 shows. I just saw Guster at Frederik Meijer Gardens last Friday. My favorite kind ofmusic, it kind ofdepends. I listen to literally everything. I Some of my favorite shows I’ve been to: I think Pearl Jam at United Center, that must have been ‘97 or ‘98. That one was pretty good. Paul Simon. The Eagles with my mom during the “Hell Freezes Over” tour. I like a lot of the new stuff, but I’m still trying to check off a lot of the big names. Thankfully, I’ve seen some ofthem before they pass, but there will definitely be some I’ll never get to see. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, firn-lovingpersonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. been turned away and even arrested when speaking out at local school board meet­ ings over safety measures, obscene library books and attempts to teach children about critical race theory and gender ideology in our schools. A recent national poll by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy found that a majority ofAmericans feel they have lost more personal freedoms in the past 10 years than they have gained, and will con­ tinue to lose more than they gain in the next decade. Across most groups, at least 60 percent indicate that there will be a net loss of liberties, freedom and rights over the next decade, a number that should concern all ofus. These are signs ofhow important Con­ stitution Day should be to us, ofhow vital it is that we know our rights as citizens to the Constitution’s guarantee of“Life, Lib­ erty and the Pursuit ofHappiness.” Over the years, there have been conver­ sations to set aside a day to commemorate American citizenship, but it wasn’t until 1953 when Congress, and then-President Dwight Eisenhower, designated Sept. 17-23 as “Constitution Week.” According to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, Ameri­ cans struggle to recall elements of the Constitution and much of our country’s early history. In fact, today the lack of civics classes in American classrooms links directly to the lack of knowledge many students exhibit. This should con­ cern us because parents are not realizing the importance of students, and them­ selves, being exposed to the importance of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and the protections they offer to all Americans. The Foundation raised concerns about the lack of knowledge ofAmerican history and considers it to be one ofthe greatest educational challenges facing our country. “As students head back to school, we need to take a serious look at what our students care about, how to best engage them and meet them where they are,” says Patrick Riccards, chiefstrategy officer and director of the Foundation’s American History Initiative, a major national effort to transform how American history is being taught today. In its research, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation found only 15 percent of Americans knew when the Constitution was written. Even on a multiple-choice exam, many thought it was 1776. And only 25 percent ofAmericans knew how many amendments there are to the Constitution. In addition, when given a multi­ ple-choice question about the First Amend­ ment, 25 percentt of Americans didn t know that freedom of speech was guaranteed under the First Amendment. And few knew knew who wrote wrote the the document document that defined definedthe rights and responsibilities of its citi­ zens. The Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention held in Phil­ adelphia from May 25 to Sept 17 1787. The convention w was attended by 55 delegates from 12 states, which were appointed by the state legislatures to sug­ gest changes to the existing Articles of Confederation. The delegates soon decid­ ed that the Articles ofConfederation could not be amended to satisfy all members and they needed to start over. The objective ofthe men credited with writing the original Constitution docu­ ment - James Madison, George Washing Washing-­ ton, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton - and the other delegates was to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, yet without so much power that individual fundamental rights would be at risk. (SH On the morning of Sept. 17, 1787, Franklin addressed the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia with some surprising words. “I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve,” though he nevertheless urged its adoption. “I doubt, too, whether any other convention may be able to make a better Constitution. “For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all their prejudices, their pas­ sions, their errors of opinion and their local interests and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect pro­ duction be expected? It therefore astonish­ es me, sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does.” Franklin’s assessment rings true today. The U.S. Constitution recognizes that government is necessary for a free people and that, in the hope of creating a “more perfect union,” it can effectively achieve that end. Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788 -a. known as the Anti-Federalists .-r arguedio. instead for a Bill ofRights as essential to preserving liberty. The Anti-Federalists lost the ratification debate but, when it came to their push for a Bill of Rights, amendments were added to the Constitu­ tion in 1791 that constitute what we now call the Bill ofRights. Today, a growing number ofAmericans cannot answer questions about the U.S. Constitution. That’s concerning because do we realize how important the document is to our lives and our freedoms? The Con­ stitution created and currently maintains a national government consisting oflegisla­ tive, executive and judicial branches with a system of checks and balances among them. The Constitution also divides power between the federal government and the states. It protects various individual liber­ ties for us the American citizens beginning with the words “We the People.” So even though most ofus have missed celebrating Constitution Day again this year, let’s always think about, understand and appreciate the benefits guaranteed under the Constitution that will determine how we protect our rights into the future. The Hastings Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. Banner Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren -E. .. niiaitaiftiinddiKsi Mp pzhiibe to Mihite £ £ l- 5^CPlacesby C April 2022 A b.^^Gra#1 hij; Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... 5^ * Affi?TISING DEPARTMENT* Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverma Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Bany County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 Servin �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 21, 2023 — Page 5 HASS using grants to update district security I Hastings Area School System (HASS) was fortunate to have multiple grants awarded for security purposes in the past year. The first grant, using Section 97c hinds, enabled us to Mre Secure Educational Consultants (SEC), who jpent two days on-site evaluating the current Security procedures and protocols. The second grant, which uses Section 97 funds, allowed the district to address some ofthe prioritized needs In the evaluation list from the SEC. I Over the summer, we have been hard at work implementing the following securi­ tty-related upgrades throughout the district: I - Finished installing and upgrading every camera era in each building buildin and added cameras jo the athletic complex w W I - Installed digital card readers in all build­ - Added safety y and p protective shatterproof film in each ofthe building vestibules HASS Headlines Matt G oebel, Superintendent Hastings Area School System • }nsta^e^.exter’or door Pr<>P alarms at tie middle and high school zii -i?r!!VerTd stair chair bfts for people with disabilities in the three buildings with two stories - Hired a full-time school resource officer - Provided every teacher with a “go-bag” including flashlights, water, rosters, meikits, etc. - Updated every phone in the district. Furthermore, all staffreceived emergen­ cy response training in August, and we’ll be implementing “Stop the Bleed” training in October. We continue to evaluate our safety and security protocols throughout the year, and we will continue working to improve our training and resources moving Barry County sheriff’s deputies stopped an erratic vehicle around 8 p.m. on Aug. 30 on South M-37 Highway near Star School Road. Police saw the vehicle stopped in the middle ofthe road, only starting to drive when the officer drove behind it. The vehicle was then seen swerving across the road. When police stopped the vehicle, the 74-yearold Grand Rapids man exited the vehicle. The man told police he was on his way home, but seemed confused. He told police he was trying to get to Grand Rapids, but was traveling southbound. When asked for identification, the man said he left it at home before he started searching the vehicle’s center console. Police stopped the man and asked him to stand near the patrol car when they saw a gun in the console. The officer had the man call his sister-in-law, who told police his wife had been looking for him all day. Police brought the man to the sheriff’s office, where his wife picked him up. Police turned the firearm over to the man’s wife, who said her husband struggled with Alzheimer’s disease. forward. Middleville D D A ap p rove s depot interior restoration I _ _ _ _ _ | Greg Chandler StaffWriter I A Hastings-based company that performed exterior restoration of Middleville’s historic tain depot last year will now handle restoring •* *“>>>>.. ^‘*^5 j interior. The Middleville Downtown Development uthority board Tuesday approved awarding the contract for the interior restoration ofthe lid Michigan Central Railroad depot to Vin­ tage Building and Restoration Inc., at a cost if$64,400. Vintage Building and Restoration Irving Township board members voted to remain as a member of BIRCH Rural Fire Association at their meeting Tuesday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Irving Township votes to remain member of BIRCH, ask for more equitable cost-sharing fc owned by Rob Pohl. j “(Pohl) said he would begin working on it in December and finish by F February,” DDA Director Gretchen James said. । CConstitoiiffl titiiffl^ The contract was approved on a 7-0 vote, funding for the project will come from the in the hope of Rfea union,’’it 01^ feenii DDA’s facade budget, James said. The interior restoration project will include installation of a new furnace and air condi­ tioner, new plumbing and electrical work, iainting, repairing the plaster walls inside Bbk who opposed Contitutonn in UU t. hMastheMFatalai' iiBteadforaBillofRijijga Fsening liberty. Ik Ai^a ■UMltlOBflOOK ta tte (tifatkn dtteki tanzxss-sj rent anil came to their push fol Bi ft ■dtetato mendmaitsi'endMbiiGi tiooin 1791 tlatcastt call the Bill of Rghtt Fson Toda)', a growing ®t answer qu®to tik Coqsuq'oi Hat’stffl®1833 ddowredcthwW1®^ b otwre hdcthwdW1®t^t1^ 1f^M b torrhe andortotfM ^treated 19®iofcldsal^ iofcldsal^ ata Bite11Bite11 SoS -o-- me depot,1 rfefinishhig and repairing hard­ wood floors-, replacihg ldamagedi and /rotten flooririgp installing new tile floors in the Iathrooms and demolition work, according ) village documents. “I’ffi so excited (that the project is moving i head). It is such a gem,” DDA Board Chairi iroman Kim Jachim said. “So much of it is (riginal. It’s going to be amazing.” “There’s the original typewriter in there, 1 here’s the original wagon in there, the origi1 al coal door is still on. It’s just amazing,” . achim added. Vintage Building and Restoration was hired by the DDA in March 2022 to restore the exterior ofthe depot at a cost of $31,300. That project was also with funded out of the fecade budget. । The 116-year-old depot, which was acquired by the village in 2017, was named to the National Register of Historic Places by die U.S. National Park Service in April 2022. j According to michiganrailroads.com, pas­ senger train service to Middleville began in 1869. Middleville operated a station on Michigan Central Railroad’s Jackson-to-Grand Rapids line. The Michigan Central Railroad eventually became part of the New York Cen­ tral Railroad system. Passenger service to the village ended in 1959 while freight service was discontinued in 1972. Hunter McLaren The Middleville DDA approved hiring Rob Pohl of Hastings to administer interior restoration work on the village’s historic train depot, seen -here. (Photos by Greg Chandler) An original typewriter that is housed inside the historic train depot in Middleville. The depot has been designated a state and national historic site. 1 Staff'Writer Irving Township will remain a member of the BIRCH Rural Fire Association, at least for the near future. Township board members voted down a motion to provide BIRCH with a notice of their intent to leave the board and approved an additional $15,000 contribution toward the purchase ofa new BIRCH fire vehicle. Irving Township was the last to approve its contri­ bution, with all other constituent townships meeting earlier in the month approving their contributions. At Irving Township’s Tuesday meeting, Township Treasurer Doug Sokolowski rec­ ommended the board provide notice to BIRCH of their intent to leave the associa­ tion. While Irving was still unsure ofwhether it would like to remain or leave BIRCH, Sokolowski said notifying the BIRCH board ofthe township’s intent to leave would pro­ vide the township with the most options. The issue of Irving’s potential departure from the fire association arose during the Aug. 24 BIRCH meeting. At that meeting, Sokolowski presented a letter asking for an exemption to a clause in the BIRCH contract asking for a year’s notice before any town­ ship left the association. BIRCH board mem­ bers voted down the request. Sokolowski raised a few concerns if the township were to remain a member of BIRCH. The formula used by BIRCH to col­ lect funds from townships needs to be changed drastically, he said. In addition to underfunding BIRCH, Sokolowski said the formula unfairly put a heavy burden on Irving Township. While Irving had the lowest tax­ able value protected by BIRCH among the five constituent townships, it had the highest fire protection millage rate. “BIRCH has not really accrued enough! money to really fund the department, if you will. On average, they save about $33,000 to $35,000 a year. At that rate, it takes a long time to build up (enough funds) to buy an engine,” Sokolowski said. “In addition, with the exception ofIrving Township, none of the other townships pay even one mill towards fire protection.” Hastings Fire Chief Mark Jordan, attend­ ing the meeting Tuesday night, said he heard the township’s concerns* and was working on addressing them. “I think leaving BIRCH or attempting to leave BIRCH now is a little premature,” Jordan said. “I’ve just got here, we have a lot ofgood ideas we’re planning on working on that will make this organization worth­ while.” Jordan, appointed Hastings Fire Chief in August, said he’d already made significant changes and improvements to the depart­ ment’s operations. Given two to three more months, he said it’d be likely BIRCH would be running more smoothly and with a much improved cost-sharing formula. Sokolowski commended Jordan’s improve­ ments to the department but said he was not certain ifevery constituent BIRCH township would be willing to pay a higher amount to properly support the fire association. “There’s no doubt there’s been significant improvement (at the department). It’s more of a question of is BIRCH going to make the commitment to be on the right path,” Sokolowski said. “All townships have to commit to paying the right amount ofmoney to support that.” “I think they will,” Jordan said. The next BIRCH meeting is 6:30 p.m. next week Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Hastings Fire Department. ‘‘^reytm interested iii learning about the Catholic Church?” 0®IT . f Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church? If so, we invite you to a special opportunity: We are forming a group to explore the teachings ofthe Catholic faith and to search for a greater understanding of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Perhaps you are thinking about becoming Catholic yourself. Perhaps you want to understand your Catholic friend a bit better. Or, perhaps you are just curious to know what Catholics believe. All are welcome to come and see. ©jl © * Classes begin Thursday, September 21, at St. Rose at Lima Church, 805 South Jefferson Street, Hastings, Michigan. Classes will meet weekly on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Religious Ed Room. Attendance is free. For more information, please contact Phil Green at philgreenofstrose@email.com V �Donovan Ingersoll Peabody, Jr. Robert E. Picking ing, fishing, gambling at casinos, and remodeling houses. He was a member ofthe Moose Lodge where he served as Governor and1 cook. He loved traveling, especially to Ship-' shewana, He would go on any adventure if he the Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge, and Elks Lodge ofHastings and Grand Haven. Bob was a former active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven for many years. He enjoyed fishing, snowskiing, playing tennis, international travel, and espe espe-­ cially sharing fellowship and breaking bread wass up to it and walked to stay fit. Donovan was preceded in death by his parents; three wives, Shirley Jean (Haddy)] Peabody who passed in 1969, Virginia (Ward) ; Peabody who passed in 1985, and Virginia * Ginger (Black) Peabody who passed away in 2022;, son, David Ward, and sister, Darlene1 with family and friends. Bob will be remembered and missed by his wife of 63 years, Jean; their daughter, Susan Picking and her spouse (Michael Wheeler) of Grand Haven; and son, David Picking of West Olive; two grandchildren, Robert Picking, II and Anne (Chris) Stephan, both of Ypsilanti, MI; Peter Stephan; two sisters, Delores Ferraiaulo and Judith (Jerry) Lang; three brothers: Ronald (Caroline) Picking, Darius (Cindy) Picking, and Steven (Marilyn) Picking; and several nieces and neph­ Julie Ann Smith, age 75, ofHastings, MI, passed away on September 17, 2023. Julie was bom in Battle Creek, MI, on June 10, 1948, the daughter ofBuddy L. and Evon N. (Wilson) Lake. Julie worked at Floral Designs and retired from Hastings Manufacturing. Julie enjoyed flowers, gardening, painting, and fishing. Julie was preceded in death by her parent, Buddy and Evon Lake and her brother, Wil­ liam Lake. She is survived by her sister, Diana Miller; son, Scott D. (Melanie) Smith; daughter, Denna (Jen Meiler) Smith; grandchildren, Kim, Vickie, and Brandon Smith; great-grand­ children, Emma, and fur-babies, Sky and Romeo. Following Julie’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, (https://www.stjude.org/donate), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. Robert “Bob” E. Picking, age 87, ofWest Olive (formerly Hastings), passed away on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 at home. Bob was bom on April 25, 1936 in a farm­ house in Loran, IL to the late Ralph and Sophie (Janssen) Picking. He married Jean Kennedy on June 25, 1960 in Freeport, IL. Bob graduated from Freeport High School, and later, Illinois Wesleyan University, where he was in the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He also attended University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking and University of Michi­ gan School ofBanking. He moved from Iowa to Grand Haven, MI in 1965, and held a position as vice president of loans at Security First Bank until 1975, then served as president and C.E.O, ofHast­ ings City Bank from 1975 to 2002, then mov­ ing to West Olive and retiring. He served as president of the Michigan Bankers Associa­ tion in 1997 and served on many boards in the community. Bob was also a member of Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ww w.cbchastings .org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: w •Ftexfcb ews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Picking; and three brothers-in-law. The memorial service for Bob will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Visitation/ Reception will follow from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery. There will also be a Celebration of Life, “Bob’s Big Bash” held on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Highpoint Commu­ nity Bank, 150 West Court St., Hastings, MI 49058. Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Please visit www.klaassenfuneralhome. com to sign Bob’s online guestbook. Donovan Ingersoll Peabody, Jr., ofNashville, MI, passed away on September 15, 2023, in Hastings, MI at age 93. Donovan was bom on December 15,1929, in Haslett, MI, the son ofDonovan Ingersoll and Marie (Schmidt) Peabody, Sr. He gradu­ ated from Haslett High School. During World War II, he honorably served in the United States Navy for six years. He retired from Oldsmobile in Lansing. He enjoyed bowling, dancing, card games, board games (Aggravation), painting, hunt- Homing. He is survived by sons, Steven G. Peabody of Nashville, MI, and Michael A. (Sally) Pea- * body of Salem, VA, Michael Bushman of' Marshal, MI, Mark (Laura) Ward of Mar- I shall, MI; daughters, Laura Lee Bushman oF Battle Creek, MI, Billie June (Glen) Ward oP Three Rivers, MI, and Paula (John) Huggett • of East Leroy, MI, many grand, great grand and great, great grandchildren; brothers, Dan (Rosana) Peabody of Perry, MI, Owen Pea-*'4 body ofWashington, MI, He will be laid to rest with his parents aC; Oak Plain Cemetery, Shaftsburg, MI. There will be a Celebration ofLife Gather- ’ ing at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at the1 American Legion Post 45, 2160 M-37, Hast-'' ings, MI 49058. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online6 condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome. net. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Sept. 22-28 m Klaassen • Family funeral Home • Burials • cremations • monuments Elaine Garlock Fall is upon us. This week marks the time when our 24-hour day is evenly divided between light and darkness with the sun set­ ting due west and rising at a point due east. Last week brought visitors to the village for differing reasons. Margaret (Brokaw) Barker of Belding was in town to meet up with an old friend and eat lunch together. Yolanda (Lonnie) Sherwood who graduated in 1971 from Lakewood High School was visiting her daughter in Berlin Township and chose to attend a church service in town. She resides at Sault Ste. Marie. She said she returns about once a month to this area. Work is underway oh the Stuart project on Third Avenue. A lot of earthmoving has taken place. One report is that they unexpectedly found a tunnel below ground. This was part of the high school building which had been built following the 1927 fire which consumed the public school building. Sept. 1-30 — September Storywalk Book: “Fletcher and Falling Leaves” by Julia Rawlinson. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Friday, Sept. 22 - Science Story Time: Autumn Apples and Pumpkin Picking, 10:30­ 11:15 a.m. This event is free for all. Friday, Sept. 22 - Learning the Land Hik-1 ing Series: Oak Savanna Slide, 10 a.m.-noon.Institute members can join this hike for free;'1 non-members must pay $8. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedar- creekinstitute.org/events.html. A new magazine has some pertinent infor­ mation which should be helpfill to those ofus who are klutzes about our gardens and lawns. Birds & Blooms magazine lists plants that should be seriously pruned in the fall and another list has which should be left at full size until spring. The five plants that should be left at their full size are coneflowers, hibiscus, ornamental grasses, Russian sage and sedum. The dozen that are best pruned are irises, which should be trimmed back to a fan shape about six or eight inches long, fol­ lowed by bee balm, cut down to the soil to discourage mildew. Another is the peony, which the homeowner should grab the leaves and prune to a few inches but wait until after the first frost. The fourth variety is the daylily, which should be grasped at the base of each plant in a tight handful and cut. Other lilies should be pruned after the leaves turn color. Snip the stalks near the soil line. Prun­ ing phlox helps prevent mildew. Prune at the soil line. Blazing star also should be pruned at the soil line. Chrysanthemums can be cut back after they bloom or are hit by a hard frost. The leaves can be left with the plant for insulation. Prune hosta leaves near the crown to keep this plant healthy. Hollyhocks can be cut back to six inches high. Ifyou find seed pods, scatter them so hopefully you will gainnew plants next spring. The outdoor Sunday service at Central ? United Methodist Church came off as. planned even though the day was very cootj People brought their own lawn chairs and dressed suitably. The container that held the fire was of generous size, so it coulC^ accommodate the many sticks of firewoo^t at a time. Most of the congregation mem-\ bers were on the south lawn with the pastor ; and worship leader on the north side. There ] was sound equipment and also recording] tools. Pastor Paul Weissman IV played gui-« tar for accompaniment for the hymns. Afg the close of the service, those attending^ were invited to write a word or phrase tot denote a concern or an unresolved hurt and1then cast the paper in the fire. This was a.^ memorable service. In years past, a similar service has been held but always in the heat ofsummer. Apparently, the DPW of the village hasfl added a new service to its list. On Tuesday of this week, a truck with two employees?! riding in the open bed of the truck were i making the rounds trimming low-hanging> branches of trees which probably were ‘ overhanding the street surface. SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Five benefits you can apply for using SSA.gov Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Social Security continues to make it easier for you to access ouffprograms and benefits. Our website offers a convenient way to apply for benefits online. 1 Here are five ways you can apply for benefits using ssa.gov. 1 - Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits — You must be at least 61 years and 9 months and want your benefits to start in no more than 4 months. Apply at ssa.gov/retirement. - Disability Benefits - You can use our online application, available at ssa.gov/benefits/ disability to apply for disability benefits ifyou: -- Are age 18 or older. - Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record. -- Are unable to work because ofa medical condition that is expected pected to last at least 12 months or result in death. — Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, our online appeal application is a starting point to request a review ofthe determination we made. Please visit ssa.gov/ apply/appeal-decision-we-made. - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabili­ ties who meet the financial qualifications. If 5 you meet certain requirements, you may begin the process online by letting us know you would like to apply for SSI at ssa.gov/ssi. Ifyou do not have access to the internet, you can call your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply. — Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs — The Extra Help program helps with the cost ofyour prescription drugs, like i deductibles and copays. People who need j assistance with the cost of medications can apply for Extra Help at ssa.gov/medicare/ part-d-extra-help. -Medicare - Medicare is a federal health insurance program for: — People age 65 or older. — Some people younger than 65 who have j disabilities. —People with end-stage renal disease or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). If you are not already receiving Social | Security benefits, you should apply for Medi­ care 3 months before turning age 65 at ssa. gov/medicare. Hillary Hatch is the PublicAffairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o I Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp ! NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE 2 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings Fiberglass Fibergla Products 699 W. M43 Highway, Hastinags, Ml 49058. 1301W. Green St. 9454700 Hastings 945-9541 945-9554 Thursday, Sept. 21 - Novel Ideas Book Club reads “Mrs. Kennedy arid Me,” 1 p.m.;; Movie Memories & Mitestones watches a 1930 film starring John Wayne, Marguerite Churchill and El Brendel, 5 p.m. Friday, Sept 2^- Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m.; Science Storytime: Autumn Apples and Pumpkin Picking with Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 10:30 a.m.; Drive IElectric Modern EV Technology and how it Impacts Drivers, 5 p.m.; Electric car show in the library parking lot, 5-7:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong and chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept, 27 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; computer lab, 2 p.m.; acoustic jam session, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 21, 2023 — Page 7 Barry County Courthouse, 1892-1998 iw w ’ ?P Mlfe1 ' ^BfeaDi Wjhw r ifuv*T^ia * * WM ieY oars st is he tiiiK.ltaoffeauMn ■UHg lheB’s ■■I J14 *x Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner Oct. 16, 1998 J Following a proposal to build a new court­ house, an effort to get approval for the new courthouse began in 1891. The idea was pub­ licized to promote the outmoded and toosmall facilities. The vote was held in an election Monday, April 4, 1892. The proposal passed by a healthy margin and construction of the new and third courthouse was begun. An open house was held during Barry County Fair Week and the citizens of Barry County were invited to come see the new county buildings and hear the new courthouse clock strike the time. Comments by the public indicated that people were very proud of the new court­ house, which was a model for other courtcourt­ houses, and the control ofthe costs was held up as an example ofhow it should be done. The building itselfwas considered the “state ofthe art” for its time. The jail was quite as well accepted. 77?e Hastings Banner of Sept. 21, 1893, stated: “People of Barry County have reason to be The Barry County Courthouse with the original fountain. proud of their new courthouse, which is a model in many respects, for one, of its by the United States field artillery in the war put in place at the entrance to the plaza. The expense. The new jail is all right, what there between the states. John Franklin Reynolds, new fountain was installed as part of the is ofit, but was constructed on too much ofa who took part in 101 engagements in Cuba Hastings Downtown Development. The new condensed plan.” In the 1970s a new jail was and ia nd the Philippines during the Spanish-AmerSpanish-Amer­ fountain was first started up in early Novem­ bpilt on the western edge of the city, just ican War, had the Civil War cannon standing ber 1993 to check it opt according to Ray beyond the fairgrounds, and the old jail was i his yard. He donated the cannon for the in Ward, maintenance supervisor for the court­ used for commissioners’ space and office courthouse lawn. house. It then was drained, winterized and ' - space for a number ofyears. When the United States went to war fol­ restarted in the spring of 1994. The new ? The new courthouse which had opened in lowing the bombing ofPearl Harbor on Dec. Courts and Law building was also completed 1849 was purchased by Nelson T. Parker. He 7, 1941, scrap drives became an important in 1993 and the old Courts and Law building moved it off ofthe site in 1892, before con­ Par^ °f the war effort. The Hastings scrap was tom down in April 1994, and a parking struction o of thee new courouse courthouse began. - srucon egan. It was drive included 3,000 pounds ofthe fountain lot was put in where it had stood. ' ’ placed on a lot north ofthe Hastings Hotel on iron, 840 pounds ofthe Civil War cannon and The new fountain also had posed some Church Street. Here it was used as a sample an iiron grille from the stairway and balcony, maintenance problems, with an occasional and display room for many years. In January which was on the west side of The Hastings dumping ofdetergents into the fountain caus­ 1918 it was torn down. Banner building on West State Street, which ing it to become a foamy scene. In spite of the In 1889, a memorial fountain to honor weighed one-and-one-halftons. nuisance of this practice, it is a pretty sight Daniel Striker, former Barry County Clerk In the fall of 1942, a 60-foot flagpole was and is used by many people during the spring and a Michigan Secretary of State, Barry erected in the place where the fountain had and summer. County’s first elected state official, was com­ stood. The high school band was present to Over the years, with the advance ofequip­ pleted and placed on the courthouse lawn. It play for the dedication ofthe new flag pole ment, the steeple ofthe courthouse was used was located on the northeast comer of the and andthe the raising raising of ofthe the big big flag flagwhich whichwould would to mount antennae for the use ofthe sheriff’s lawn. The new courthouse was built to the fly each day from the staff. Thirty-two tons of department. The weight of these, as they south and west ofit. The fountain was 17 feet cement were used to form the base ofthe big became more complex, along with the ravag­ tall and had three tiers, with two statues of new flag pole. It was conjectured that the war es of time, made the steeple unstable and Cupids holding aloft a conch shell, from effort was used as an excuse to remove the unsafe. In 1957, the steeple was removed which the water flowed. The cost ofthe foun­ fountain, as it was hard to keep clean because down to the clock, rather than make the tain was $1,000. people would dump all types ofwaste into it. extensive costly repairs needed. In 1908, a Civil War cannon was donated In 1993, a new fountain plaza was located In 1975, it was decided to replace the stee­ for the courthouse lawn. The 840-pound, on the Barry County Courthouse lawn where ple with one designed to be as nearly like the three-inch, wrought iron gun had been used the flag pole had stood. A new flag pole was original as possible. The steeple is 20 feet tall. The peak ofthe steeple is about 125 feet above the ground. The job of replacing the steeple was given to contractor Carl Cabral at the cost of $4,283.75. / Thej ^arry \ County ^'Hi^toitical Society reproduced the weather vane, which stood on the top of the former steeple. This does not seem to be on the steeple now, in 1998. In 1981, the interior was refurbished, with the expanses of oak woodwork with its carved banisters on each staircase were refurbished through Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) funds. The banisters, doors, baseboard and furniture are all made of the hardwood, with a beautiful golden color. The Barry County Courthouse Com­ plex was entered on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1988, the voters of Barry County approved a $1.35 million millage bond issue to renovate the courthouse structure, making it handicap accessible, installing the elevator and opening the upper floors for meeting and office space, as well as increased storage space. A mezzanine was added above the third floor, for the use ofthe commissioners, with a large skylight letting in natural light. The third floor houses the administrator’s offices, the drain commissioner’s office and the Office ofVeterans’ Affairs. Air condition­ ing was also added to make the building more comfortable in the summer months. This renovation was carried out in 1990The new Fountain Plaza was installed in November 1993. ^Doctor Universe w'W Wjj6"' X: । Grabbing a byte to eat What do robots eat? Why do they have mouths if they don’t eatfood? Oliver, 4, Va. Dear Oliver, II just scarfed down tuna with a side of kibble. That’s how I get the energy I need to A f investigate your questions. f To do that, I talked with Ming Luo. He s a robotics scientist at Washington State Uni­ versity. t He told me that robots don’t eat like we i°* .•"A human has a digestive system,"" Luo said. “That’s how food can be converted to energy. But a robot can’t do that. The robot f can just take in energy directly. When you eat, your digestive system b breaks down food into sugars, fats and proteins. They’re full ofenergy. Your cells use oxygen from breathing to release that energy. Then, you can use it. A robot needs energy, too. But it doesn’t have organs to break down food or cells to turn it into energy. It doesn’t breathe in oxy­ gen either. Instead, a robot taps into a source ofenergy directly. It might get electricity by being plugged into an outlet to charge. It could use a battery that stores electricity. A very large robot might have a system that uses fuel and pressure to inject the robot with energy. That’s called hydraulic power. So, why do some robots have mouths if they don’t eat or breathe? Many robots designed to interact with people have faces. That’s because people feel more comfortable when robots look a little human. “For human-robot interactions, it’s better to develop something that looks like the human face, Luo said. “Many people are afraid ofrobots. We must figure out the best way for robots to look and behave, so peo­ ple feel less anxiety.” It’s a challenge because a robot that looks too human also freaks people out. That’s especially important for scientists designing robot caregivers. These robots could live with elderly people. They could help them take medicine or care for their pets. Have you heard of artificial intelligence or Al? It’s different from a robot. A robot is a machine designed to do physical tasks­ like your body does. Al is a system designed to make decisions or learn-like your brain does. Some robots have Al built in. I asked an Al chatbot what food it would like to try. An Al chatbot is a program that can have conversations with people. “I don’t experience interest in the same way humans do,” ChatGP I said. “However, I find human food fascinating from a knowl­ edge and information perspective.” It told me some of the most interesting foods are spices, chocolate, tomatoes, pota­ toes, sushi and pasta. Maybe someday we II invent chocochoco­ late-flavored electricity for our robot and Al friends. Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an entail to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, coni. Dr. Universe fl look back at the stories A1:84/+/3^D in the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES A view of the south side of the Barry County Courthouse. County Commissioner Lew Newman inspecting the clockworks in the Barry County clock tower, July 1995. 1991. The courthouse complex was rededi­ cated at ceremonies held in 1991. The windows were replaced with the tight­ er, thermopane windows to help reduce the loss ofheat in the winter and keep it cooler in the summer. This project took a couple of years and was completed in 1998. Parking has long been a problem for the courthouse. In the 1990s, Barry County rent­ ed several parking lots. In 1998, the county purchased the old City Hall, formerly the Hastings Mutual building (now the Friend of the Court Building). This helped with parking and though the plans are not completed should help with the constantly growing need for more space. The county systems are now pretty well computerized, with increases in services available to the citizens ofBarry County. The Courthouse Foundation Plaza is the site of several community events, during all seasons ofthe year. And parts ofSummerfest are held on the lawn. The courthouse has been the subject of several collectors’ plates. One such plate was made in Germany and sold at the former Meyers 5 and 10-cent store, which was an active business on State Street. Another col­ lectors’ plate was done by the Barry County Historical Society during the 1980s. The Barry County Courthouse is ready for the next century and could stand for another century of service. Sources: Archives Hastings Banner; Barry County History of 1985; Archives of The Hastings Reminder; History ofAllegan and Barry County 1880; History ofBarry County with Biographies, Hon. W.W. Potter, 1912: NOTICE: SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS The Barry County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council - 1 position Barry County Conservation Easement Board - 1 Agricultural Interest; 1 Conservation Interest; 1 Township Official/designee Building Authority - 1 position Commission on Aging Board - 4 positions Community Corrections Advisory Board - 1 Service Area, 1 Business Community, 1 Criminal Defense Attorney, 1 Communications Media, 1 Citizen at Large, 1 Workforce Investment Board Department of Health and Human Services - 1 position Parks & Recreation Commission - 2 positions Solid Waste Oversight Committee - 2 General Public; 1 Solid Waste Industry Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor ofthe Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings; or www.barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application. Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25,2023. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information. 204324 �Page 8 — Thursday. September 21, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Irving Township resident publishes book on historic Grand Rapids mansion servatory of music out of the Sweet House Greg Chandler from 1914 to 1919. Malek founded the Grand StaffWriter As a young girl growing up in Grand Rap­ Rapids Civic Orchestra, which was the fore­ ids, Carol Dodge would walk past the Sweet runner ofthe current Grand Rapids Sympho­ House, which at the time was the clubhouse ny Orchestra. for the Grand Rapids Women’s City Club, on A native of New York state, Sweet is credited with saving the banking industry in her way to choir practice at a nearby Congregationalist church. Grand Rapids in the early 1860s, when the country was in an economic depression. He “I just fell in love with the building,” the purchased a struggling bank and renamed it longtime Irving Township resident said. the M.L. Sweet & Company Exchange Dodge wondered what it would be like to have lunch inside the house. Bank. “He took the risk because he knew that to Then in her senior year at Grand Rapids have a solid business foundation, you had to Central High School in 1953, Dodge got her opportunity. She was named a recipient of the have a good banking system,” Dodge said. Sweet made it profitable and then merged Daughters of the American Revolution Award it with First National Bank in 1864. Sweet at her school and was invited to a special tea served as bank president and as a member of at the Sweet House with DAR award recipi­ its board of directors. First National Bank ents from other Grand Rapids high schools. would later become Old National Bank, and “I received a very formal invitation, and on then merge with another bank to become Old it, it said I had to wear a hat and gloves,” Kent Bank (now Fifth Third Bank) in the Dodge said. late 1920s. She came away from the experience Sweet also built Sweet’s Hotel at the cor­ impressed by the beauty ofthe house and the ner of Canal Street (now Monroe Avenue) setting for the tea. and Pearl Street in 1867. It was one of the Many years later, Dodge would document first high-end hotels in Grand Rapids. the history of the Sweet House, named for “The railroad was just coming into Grand Martin Luther Sweet, a prominent figure in Rapids, and Sweet knew that things were the early days of Grand Rapids as a miller, going to start popping in Grand Rapids,” banker, hotel owner, furniture manufacturer and mayor. She would give addresses and Dodge said. The hotel remained in operation until the write articles for the Women’s City Club early 1900s, when it became The Pantlind. newsletter about Martin Sweet himself and Today, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel stands the Sweet House. Now, at age 88, Dodge has captured her on the site ofSweet’s Hotel. A retired insurance agency administrator, stories about the Sweet House in a new 260Dodge began documenting the stories of page book titled “The Mayor, the Maestro and the Mansion,” which was just published Martin Sweet, Ottokar Malek and the Sweet by the Sweet House Foundation. The book House after she was asked to chair the Wom­ recounts the history ofthe mansion that was en’s City Club’s history committee in 1992, built in the early 1860s and still stands today shortly after she became a member of the at 254 Fulton St. East, as well as the life of club’s board. Martin Sweet. “There (was) no book or collection of The book also tells the story of Ottokar information about Sweet or Ottokar Malek or Malek, a concert pianist who came to Grand the mansion,” Dodge said. “As I started to Rapids in the early 1900s and operated a conlearn things about this house - the importance A look at the Sweet House in Grand Rapids as it currently stands. (Courtesy photo) ofthese two men that nobody knows about, they contributed to the community tremen­ dously (in) culture and development. I want­ ed to share that with the members. So I start­ ed writing scripts (for) programs and writing articles.” Dodge found some of her information through the Grand Rapids Public Library and found additional information on the internet. She also connected with two of Martin Sweet’s relatives via email. As she conducted her research, Dodge never thought of putting the information in the form ofa book. “My original intention was I wanted to share that information with the members of the club,” she said. “They had this beautiful clubhouse, but didn’t know its history and didn’t know about these two men. “As I got older, I kept thinking, ‘What’s going to happen to all this information when I’m gone?’ I’d like to live forever, but I’m not going to ... At a significant birthday a few years ago, I decided I needed to write a book. There needs to be a book about Sweet and Malek and the mansion.” Putting the information she had into a book was not difficult for Dodge. “I didn’t have to start researching. I had all these scripts and articles and everything. It was putting them together and taking them out of an oral presentation and putting them into a written manuscript,” she said. Dodge worked with a couple of editors on the final product, and the manuscript was sent to three publishers to see if there was any interest in having it published. One publisher rejected it outright because they thought the potential audience for the book was too nar­ row. Two others asked for the full manu­ script, but it would have been eight to 10 months before anyone got to read it and decide whether it was worth publishing. “I can’t wait that long,” Dodge said with a laugh. “So I decided we had to self-publish.” An anonymous donor then made a contri- Carol Dodge of Irving Township dis§ plays her self-published book “The Mayor*, the Maestro and the Mansion.” The book documents the history of the Sweet House in Grand Rapids and its owner, Martin Luther Sweet, who was a prominent figure in the city. (Photo by Greg Chandler) bution to tibie Sweet House Foundation, which owns the mansion, to cover the cost ofpub* fishing. The Sweet House was home to the Worn- en’s City Club from 1928 to 2018. Today, it i§ open for tours and events such as weddings; Dodge gives tours ofthe home. She hopes the book will raise awareness of the mansion’s history and will lead to its preservation; The mansion is in Grand Rapids’ Heritage Hill neighborhood, which is a national histor­ ic district. The foundation is working to have the home designated a national historic site. ; Copies ofthe book are available at Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, and also through the Sweet House Foundation. A book can be obtained through the Sweet House Foundag tion for making a tax-deductible donation' Dodge said. Corewell Health Pennock Hospital commemorates century of care with time capsule ceremony Corewell Health Pennock Hospital com­ pleted its summer-long . 100th anniversary cejebration this week with a time capsule ceremony. The hospital’s board members and staffgathered to share memories and histori­ cal stories created throughout the last 100 years. “This ceremony represents the past, pres­ ent and future of Corewell Health Pennock Hospital,” said Bill Hoefer, president ofPen­ nock and Zeeland hospitals. “Undoubtedly, there will be many changes over the next 100 years. I truly believe the unwavering commit­ ment and dedication of our hospital staff, board members and the communities we serve will remain the same.” During the ceremony, Maggie Coleman, Pennock Foundation board chair, shared remarks about her connection to the hospi- tal’s history. Coleman, her father and grand­ father were previously members of Pennock hospital’s boafd of dilators. Coleman’s grandfather sealed a preceding time capsule into the hospital’s structure on June 11, 1950. “I’m the third generation in my family to benefit from this vibrant health care facility and to take part in its evolution,” said Cole­ man. “I’m honored to be part ofthis special occasion at Pennock Hospital.” The anniversary planning committee selected a mixture of new and present-day items representing the conversations and hard work ofmany community members and staff who shared a common goal: to establish an equitable health care system in Barry County. More than a dozen pieces of memorabilia and historical artifacts were enclosed at the time ofthe ceremony, including: Celebrate the SAXON SPIRIT PRE-GAME ^TAILGATE PARTY > FRIDAY. SEPT. 22 To show community support for our football team and the spirit of being a Saxon, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company is sponsoring a tailgate party with free grilled hot dogs, chips and a drink to anyone before the game with Harper Creek, at the main entrance to Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. Start Time for Varsity Football is 7 PM SAXON SPIRIT rjlet it show! -• Barry County Medical Society meeting minutes dated 1919 to 1935 - Resolution and cqurt documents transfer: ring funds from thenBarry County Loyalty League to the Barry County Hospital Associ­ ation, Operating Pennock Hospital dated Sep­ tember 1922 - Trust Agreement dated March 1923 - Pennock Hospital medical staffmeeting minutes dated Oct. 16, 1935, to May 1, 1936 - Pennock Hospital open house brochure dated May 20, 1951 - Pennock Hospital reorganization notifi­ cation dated March 17, 1988 - Dissolution of the Pennock Hospital trust dated April 21, 1988 - Declaration of Integration: Pennock Healthcare System and Spectrum Health Sys­ tem dated April 15, 2015 - Spectrum Health Pennock 95th anniver­ sary publication dated June 2018 - Spectrum Health Pennock Baum Family Surgery Center publication dated June 2018 - CO VID-19 pandemic documents and test kit - Pennock Hospital 100th Anniversary VIP Breakfast and Community Picnic invitations - Proclamations and recognition from the City of Hastings, UJS. Rep. John Moolenaar and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow - The Hastings Banner featuring Pennock Hospital’s 100th anniversary celebration dated June 22, 2023® - The Hastings Reminder featuring Pen­ nock Hospital’s 100th anniversary celebra­ tion dated June 24, 2023 The last item placed into the capsule was Doris I. Cappon’s volunteer smock. Cappon contributed $1.5 million to the Pennock Foundation. She was a member of the Pen­ nock Hospital Auxiliary for many years and Corewell Health Pennock Hospital completed its summer-long 100th anniversary celebration this week with a time capsule ceremony. The time capsule, filled with several artifacts and memorabilia surrounding the hospital, will be opened during Pennock’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2073. Pictured are (from left) Community Board Vice Chair Sarah Alden, Community Board Chair Don Haney, Pennock Foundation Board Chair Maggie Coleman, President Bill Hoefer and Pennock Foundation Board Vice President Dr. Jim Weatherhead. (Photo provided) upon her death in 2003, the health career scholarship program was established in her name. Today, the Doris I. Cappon Scholar­ ship fund assists individuals who wish to make a difference in health care. The 100th anniversary time capsule can be found attached to the hospital’s historical wall, located just outside the Green Street Cafe. In the year 2073, during the hospital’s 150th anniversary, the time capsule will, be opened to celebrate the importance and lon­ gevity ofCorewell Health Pennock Hospital. “The time capsule is a great reminder of the history ofCorewell Health Pennock Hos­ pital in our community,” said Don Haney, Pennock community board chair. “The items we have placed inside represent our history as well as bur present. Anticipating its opening in 50 years signals the strength of Corewell Health Fennock Hospital well into the future?’ Orangeville brothers among those acquitted in Whitmer kidnapping plot case YueStella Yu BridttMichigan Three men accused of assisting in a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen W Whitmer were acquitted of all counts by a jury last Friday mofning in Antrim County. The defendants fEric Molitor and brothers William and Michael Null of Orangeville. were previously chaiged with carrying possessing a firearm when committing or’ attempting a felony, as well as knowingly providing material support for terrorism, court records shov The acquittal ws wis the last of all trials tied to the domestic terrorism plot against Whitmer over her CO VID-19 pandemic lockdown policies in 2020. Federal official! announced arrests of a group of armed men in October 2020 for allegedly staking out Whitmer’s northern M Michigan cottage and plotting to kidnap her before the November election. Nine of the 14 men accused Of being involved in the kidnapping plot have been convicted. Five of them were found guilty on state felony charges of gang membership, firearm possession or providing support with terrorism, according to the office of Michigan Attor­ ney General Dana Nessel’s office on Friday. They face a total ofup to 131 years in prison. Two ringleaders, Adam Fox of Michigan and Barry Croft ofDelaware, were convicted in August 2022 ofthe conspiracy. Croft was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison while Fox received a 16-year sentence, according to the U.S. Department ofJustice.’ William Null and Molitor defended them­ selves, arguing they did participate in gun drills and took turns to check Whitmer’s res­ idence, the Associated Press reported But Null said he and his brother broke from the group when members started discussing explosives, and Molitor said Fox was too “dumb” to pull off the conspiracy, the news outlet reported. Michigan Attorney General Dana^ Nessel said' the Friday verdicts “are not what we hoped* for?’ “(But) ythe successes we have achieved throughout these cases, in both state and fed­ eral courts, sends a clear message that'acts of domestic terrorism will not be tolerated in our state,” she, said in a statement. State Representative Rachelle Smit, who represents constituents in a'southem swath of Barry County, posted xeadtion to the verdict on her social media. Defense attorneys in this case have argued that FBI informants per-* suaded defendants to go along with the plot.! “Congratulations to my constituents, the Null brothers, for their recent acquittal in the plot tq kidnap Gov. Whitmer. The corrupt FBI setup failed andjustice prevailed,” Smit’s post read. * The Hastings Banner added reactionfrom Representative Rachelle Smit to this story J �The Hastings SPORTS ANNER Thursday, September 21,2023 Beavers will try to dethrone Saxons !k**'*^* feSJSj L u Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons have played a few tough teams so far. Whitehall is ranked number one in the state in Division 4 by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is ranked fifth in Division 5. Those were tune-ups for future match-up as much as they were ballgames the Saxons worked to win in the non-conference slate. The Hastings varsity football team faces what head coach Jamie Murphy calls his team’s toughest task ofthe season as it plays host to 4-0 Harper Creek for an Interstate-8 Athletic Conference ballgame Friday inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. “Harper Creek is 4-0 and hitting on all cylinders,” Murphy said. “They are a double-edged sword. They are big up front and have a group of fast running backs. We will have to be dialed in to compete with them.” The Beavers opened the season with wins over Battle Creek foes Lakeview and Central and are offto a 2-0 Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference start having scored lopsided wins over Jackson Northwest and Marshall in the _ past two weeks. Hastings scored a lopsided win of its own at Coldwater to open its conference schedule ; - last week, and the Saxons ofcourse are play­ ing for their fourth consecutive conference football championship. Ilie Maple.Valley Lions will be playing for their first .conference championship since 2001 when they head to Britton-Deerfield next week for a Sept. 29 Tri-River 8-Man Football Conference showdown. This week, the Lions are the first ofthe area schools to host their 2023 homecoming football game. The Lions are off to a 4-0 start after a big conference win over Concord last week. They hosLan 0-4 Lawrence team this week. Pelton Kellogg is still shooting for itSjfirst victory since a season-opening forfeit win over Hartford. The Panthers host Lawrence to open the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Division season Friday night in the annual Salute to Heroes Game in Delton. All veterans, active duty military, EMS, law enforcement, fire and first responders are invited to attend and take part in the pre-game ceremonies. There will be an official flag-rais­ ing ceremony and the guests ofhonor will all be invited tojoin the team on the field for the pregame introductions and the playing ofthe national anthem. The honored heroes receive free admission to the event and will also receive a ticket for a trip to the concession stand. Lakewood is also home this Friday night, and the Vikings are tasked with facing an undefeated team for the second consecutive Friday night in Capital Area Activities Con­ ference White Division play. Lansing Sexton visits Unity Field Friday. Sexton is off to a 4-0 start overall and is 3-0 in the CAAC-White with wins over Lan­ sing Catholic, Olivet and Charlotte so far. The J-Dubbs from Sexton shut out the Ori­ oles 28-0 last week and are ranked eighth in the state in Division 4. Like the Vikings, Thomapple Kellogg is still working for its first win ofthe season. The 0-4 Trojans take on the 2-2 Wayland Wildcats at Wayland Union High School Friday. The Wildcats opened the season with back-to-back non-conference victories, but over the past two weeks ofOK Gold Conference play have been bested by the same two conference foes who have topped the Trojans - Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Cedar Springs. The Trojans have won five in a row against the Wildcats dating back to 2018. Local Standings (W-L), playoffpoints Hastings 2-2,31.750 Delton Kellogg 1-3, 14.750 Thomapple Kellogg 0-4, 7.0 Lakewood 0-4, 6.250 Maple Valley (8-player) 4-0, NA Conference Standings (overall, conference) Interstate 8 Athletic Conference Harper Creek 4-0, 2-0 Parma Western 4-0, 1-0 Hastings 2-2, 1-0 Northwest 2-2,1-1 Marshall 1-3,1-1 Pennfield 1-3, 0-2 Coldwater 0-4, 0-2 OK Gold Conference G.R. Catholic Central South Christian Cedar Springs Forest Hills Eastern Kenowa Hills Wayland Ottawa Hills Thomapple Kellogg 3-1, 3-1, 2- 2, 3- 1, 2-2, 2-2, 0-4, 0-4, 2-0 2-0 2-0 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-2 0-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Saugatuck 4-0, 0-0 Lawton 3-1, 0-0 Schoolcraft 3-1, 0.0 Delton Kellogg 1-3, 0-0 Galesburg-Augusta 1-3, 0-0 CapitalArea Activities Conference White Charlotte 3- 1,2-1 Lansing Sexton 4- 0,3-0 Portland 4-0, 3-0 Ionia 2-2,2-1 Eaton Rapids 1- 3,1-2 Lansing Catholic 2- 2,1-2 Lakewood 0-4, 0-3 Olivet 0-4, 0-3 Tri-River 8-Man Maple Valley 4-0, 1-0 Concord 2-2, 1-1 Britton-Deerfield 1-3,0-1 Here is a round-up of last week’s local gridiron action. Hastings 52, Coldwater 7 Haiden Simmet touched the ball five times Friday night at Coldwater. The Cardinals only tackled him once. Simmet scored three rushing touchdowns and had a 48-yard touchdown reception as the Hastings varsity football team opened the 2023 Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season with a 52-7 win over the Cardinals. He scored all four ofthose touchdowns in the first half as the Saxons built a 31-0 lead. ■* Maple Valley senior quarterback Ayden Wilkes looks for room running to his left during the Lions' Tri-River 8-Man Football Conference win ’.over visiting Concord Friday. (Photo by E tic a Ulfich). The Saxons finished the night with 517 yards ofoffense including 469 yards rushing. Hastings pushed its advantage to 45-0 before the Cardinals scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Landon Steward scored on a 54-yard run in the opening seconds of the second half for Hastings, and Gerald Miller and Kyle Echtinaw added their first varsity touchdowns on runs in the second half. Miller scored on a 44-yard run with 54 seconds left in the third quarter. Echtinaw scored on a nine-yard run with 2:07 to play in the game. Hastings had 14 different guys with a rush­ ing attempt in the ballgame. Isaiah Wilson had six carries for 59 yards. Miller’s lone rush was his TD run. Cardale Weinbrenner had three rushes for 33 yards. Simmet finished the night with four rushes for 134 yards. “14 different guys carrying the ball is proof that the offensive line makes this offense go,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy said. “Kai Richardson, Mason Bai­ ley and Gavin Tinkler had their best games blocking on the front line. Building competi­ tion into practice has made this group better. Coach [Pat] Coltson, coach [Brian] Donnini and coach [Jeff] Keller have the offensive line battling in drills. The guys in the trench­ es have come to love the drills they get to compete in. It always seems to pick up the intensity ofpractice. “Cohen James and Isaiah Wilson had great blocking games coming out of the backfield as well. Thornapple Kellogg senior running back Ethan Bonnema tries to fight off a Catholic Central tackler during the Trojans' OK Gold Conference contest with the Cougars in Middleville Friday. _ . —..... Steward kicked four extra points and rushed for a two-point conversion as well. Wilson rushed for a two-point conversion and Draven Pennock caught a two-point pass from quarterback Owen Carroll after Sim­ met’s first TD run ofthe game. The Saxons burst big plays all evening long. Carroll had three rushes for 35 yards. The TD to Simmet came on the only pass he attempted. Steward closed the night with seven carries for 71 yards. Simmet opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown run with 5:28 to go in the first quarter. Carroll connected with him for a 48-yard TD pass with 8:39 to go in the sec­ ond quarter. Simmet finished off the touchdown scoring in the first half with a 23-yard TD run with 2:51 to play before the intermission and a 79-yard TD run on the final play as time expired in the first half. Coldwater’s lone score came on a 1-yard TD pass from Zack Coffing to Kendall Austin. The Saxon defense limited Coldwater to just 134 yards of total offense, and just 35 rushing yards all game. Coffing was 5-of-9 passing for 87 yards. Dayton Ennis had three receptions for 53 yards. Keavyn Zabonick had two receptions for 45 yards. Simmet and Aiden Saint Amour tied for the team lead for Hastings with three tackles each. Allegan 41, Delton Kellogg 28 Allegan outscored Delton Kellogg 20-6 in the second halfto pull away for a 41-28 win r iZ,:,: on the turfin DeRon FridayTugKl m the Pan­ thers’ final bailgame before the start of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Division season. Delton Kellogg led 22-21 at the half and added a five-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Colwell had his team in front 28-27 in the third quarter, but the Panthers couldn’t get back to the end zone again. Allegan answered that Colwell TD with a three-yard touchdown run by Dominik Bury and Bury added the two-point run that put his team in front 35-28. The Tigers led the rest of the way. The Panthers followed up that Allegan score by going on a drive that reached first­ and-goal a the Tigers’ ten-yard-line, but a pair ofruns resulted in a loss ofthree yards from there. A pitch left to Colwell ended with him being run out ofbounds at the five on fourthand-goal. The Tigers managed to get out of the shad­ ow of their own goalpost, driving across midfield before turning the ball over on downs at the Delton Kellogg 25. Delton went back the other way, getting across the 50, before losing a fumble in the backfield. On the next snap, Allegan quarterback Luke Ellis scrambled to the right for a 45-yard touchdown that pushed his team to its final advantage. Allegan led 7-6 after one quarter. DK got its first points on a nine-yard run by Colwell that had his team up 6-0 at the time. A five-yard TD run by Cooper Sandusky and a Sandusky two-point run pushed Delton Kellogg in front 14-7 early in the second quarter at the end of a methodical Wing-T drive that covered 70 yards on nine plays. The Panthers followed up that TD by recovering an on-side kick, but eventually turned the ball over on downs. Allegan went the other way for a touch­ down that pulled the Tigers within 14-13. Ellis scored on a 12-yard run on a fourth-andseven snap. Back and forth they went from there. Col­ well scored on a two-yard run and added a two-ppint run to extend Delton Kellogg’s ?? lead back to 22-13 before the half. Allegan though answered with a kick return for a touchdown from Bradyn Kosi- • orowski. A two-point conversion moved the ' Tigers within 22-21. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 49, Thornapple Kellogg 14 The Trojans moved the football, but couldn’t slow down the high-flying Cougar attack as they fell 49-14 in Middleville Friday. It was a tough start to the second half for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team. The Cougars led 20-7 at the half and then added three touchdowns by running back l/* If D®lton Kellogg running back Cooper Sandusky (24) gets the hand-off from quartere^yatt Fjnney(3) as Collin Muskovin (81) throws a block on Allegan's Aiden Moyer (78) Friday night. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Hastings sophomore Kyle Echtinaw carries Coldwater defenders towards the goalline during the second half of their 1-8 contest in Coldwater Friday. (Photo by Dan Goggins) See FOOTBALL, page 10 �Page 10 — Thursday, September 21, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Crews wins division at Sparta Invite Brett Bremer Spring Lake had four girls finish improved their PR’s. set her PR at 20:56.47 right behind Sports Editor among the top eight and won the title Of the eight TK guys competing Hardy placing 16 . Trojan senior The fastest Trojans continued with 36 points. TK was second with four set new personal records and two Holly Veiling turned in her fastest trimming time from their personal 60 ahead ofOK Gold Conference foe others had their top time of the season. time ofthe season to place 19dl. She records in the Gold Division race at Forest Hills Eastern who finished The trio ofsenior Kaden Hamming hit the finish line in 21:15.48. the Sparta Invitational early Satur­ with 74 points. Fruitport was third and freshmen Elijah Frazer and Grady TK also got personal record times day morning. with 76 points ahead of Sparta 130, Galaviz came in together again. Ham­ from freshmen Carmen Reynolds and Trojan junior Ava Crews won the Coopersville 147 and Hamilton 193. ming led the group with a time of Alaina McCrumb in the girls’ race. individual title in the girls’ race with Spring Lake was led by senior 19:00.22. Frazer dropped his Pr to Forest Hills Eastern won the boys’ a personal record time of 18 minutes Kyla Meyers* third-place time of championship Saturday morning 19:02.15 to place 35™ and Galaviz Ga 57.56 seconds. It is the first sub-19 was 36th with a PR of 19:02.98: 19:29.55. Fruitport senior Tatum Dy with 41 points followed by Sparta race of her outstanding varsity run­ stra was the runner-up in 19:24.87. TK junior Hunter Tietz ran his 47, Hamilton 72, Fruitport 112, ning time so far. TK senior Lucas In a unique format, the girls’ fastest race ofthe year to place 42nd Wayland 116, Thomapple Kellogg Van Meter placed sixth in the boys’ race took oo off o two wo minutes m nu es after aer thee overall. He came in at 19:39.30. TK 144 and Coopersville 179. r race with a personal record time of boys’ race. also got a personal record time from Sparta had the two fastest guys. 16:33.11. Crews cut about 21 secThe girls’ pack for TK finished the sophomore Noah Donker Saturday Senior Gregory Janesak improved onds offher previous best time and ace with five girls in the top 20. morning. his PR to 15:40.21 to win the indi­ Van Meter cut almost 14 seconds Freshmen Meghan-Jane Skidmore Thornapple Kellogg heads to Cal­ vidual title. His sophomore team­ from his previous PR. and Peyton Hardy were the Trojans’ vary Christian for an invitational mate Owen Metzger was the run­ Ofthe nine TK ladies racing, eight two and three. Skidmore placed Saturday morning and then will host ner-up in 15:58.45. The next two had their fastest race of the season with ninth in 20:29.40. Hardy came in at guys across the finish line were an OK Gold Conference jamboree six ofthose a new personal record. 20:54.58. It is the fastest varsity race Forest Hills Eastern junior Henry on the course at Gun Lake where the That wasn’t quite enough to get the yet for the two youngsters. Dixon (16:02.25) and senior Cooper Trojans host their annual Coach B TK ladies the team championship. TK sophomore Madison Kietzman Jacobsen (16:23.85) who both Invitational Tuesday, Sept. 26. Saxon golfers fifth at home jamboree Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxon varsity girls’ golfteam scored a fifth-place finish at the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference jamboree it hosted Wednesday, Sept. 13, at The Legacy in Hastings. Harper Creek finished well ahead of the field with a score of 359. Parma Western was 47 strokes back in second place. There were five Bea­ vers in the top ten finishers overall. Hastings was led by senior Addey Nickels who placed tenth with a score of99. She opened her day with a par on number ten and added two more pars on the front nine late in the day, on number five and number seven. Parma Western senior Gabriella Davis was the day’s individual champion with a score of78. Harper Creek senior Mallory Flanders was the runner-up with an 84 and Cold­ water senior Hailey Price placed third with an 88. The Parma Western girls finished t day with a score of406 ahead of the Jackson Northwest 432, Marshall 4 456, Hastings 466, Coldwater 481 and Pennfield 493. Sophia Greenfield was the number two scorer for the Saxons. The sophomore tallied a 110. Hastings also had senior Peightyn Cronk and junior Kennedy Lewis among its top four scorers. The Saxons head to Morrison Lake Country Club for the Lake­ wood Invitational Friday, Sept. 22. The Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship is on the schedule for Sept. 27 at Cedar Creek GolfClub W W/ ## FOOTBALL, continued from page 9 Kellen Russell-Dixon in the first four and a to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the Capital Area other team in the conference this fall. The halfminutes ofthe third quarter. Activities Conference White Division with Lions take on the Patriots Sept. 29, after this Russell-Dixon usse- xonscore scored ona on a 28-yard -yar runa run the win. Lakewood falls to 0-4 and 0-3 in Friday night’s homecoming ballgame with minute into the second half, added an 82-yard conference play with the loss. Lawrence. TD run two and a halfminutes later after aa The Raiders, ranked fourth in the state in Shepard finished Friday night with 26 car­ TK punt, and then finished off a short drive Division 4, have yet to give up more than ries for 198 yards and the Lions had 409 total following a TK fumble by scoring on a twoseven points in any contest this season. rushing yards as a team. Evan Brandenburg yard run. “We ran into one of the best teams in the had nine rushes for 98 yards for the Lions. The Cougars move to 2-0 in the OK Gold state,” Lakewood head coach Matt Markwart Brandenburg scored on an eight-yard run Conference with the win and 3-1 overall. The said. “Portland is a very different team than we with four minutes to go in the first half to • Trojans fell to 0-4 with the loss. have played in the past few years. My players break a 16-16 tie. Russell-Dixon also scored the Cougars’ first played hard till the very end and did some Concord got two-touchdown passes from points on the night on a 14-yard touchdowns things we are going to be able to build on. We quarterback Gavin Riske to Mekhi Wingfield reception from quarterback Connor Wolf. are learning to play faster and getting faster at in the first half, and Wingfield added a oneThe Trojans had a 7-0 lead after getting a calling the adjustments that need to be made yard TD run early in the fourth quarter after a four-yard touchdown run by Drake Snyder at on the offensive line before each play.” 20-0 surge by the Lions in the third quarter the end of a long first drive that ate up the Portland recovered three Viking fumbles in that had Maple Valley ahead 50-16 heading first half ofthe opening quarter. TK'still led the bailgame, including two as it built its lead into the fourth quarter. 7-6 at the end of the first quarter after the in the first half, intercepted one Lakewood “We ran the ball down their throats. We Cougars’ were unable to convert on the extra­ pass and managed a safety that bumped the executed on both sides of the football,” point try following Russell-Dixon’s first TD. Raider lead to 29-0 at the time in the second Maple Valley head coach Marty Martin said. Catholic Central took its first lead of the quarter. “It was anybody’s game until about a min­ game at 12-7 with three minutes to go in the Senior Bryson Haight had a team-high 43 ute and 20 seconds to go in the second quar­ first halfon a one-yard TD run by Wolf. yards rushing on four carries for the Vikings. ter. [Concord] had a 10-12-15 play drive and The Cougars tacked on a ten-yard TD pass Colt Endsley had five rushes for 21 yards. hit us over the top for the second touchdown. from Wolfto Jami Williams with 20 seconds Portland quarterback Dominic Novara All week we had prepared for not allowing to go in the first half and added a two-point threw two touchdown passes to Evan Gross them to get over the top of us. Their wide conversion. and had 120 total passing yards. Portland had receiver, Mekhi, he still got over the top of A couple solid runs through the middle by five different guys scoring rushing touchus. We went to a man-free where I had a free Snyder and a 41-yard pass up the left side downs, a group that included Kayden Dick­ safety over the top of everything, then they from quarterback Brody Wiersma to Jaxan erson, Conner Kazamer, Caden Lockwood, kind ofdinked an dunked it. We ran a bit ofa Sias got the Trojans in position to score again Isaac Kramer, Caden Thelen and Conner blitz package. [Riske], started to roll and he following the Cougars’ outburst to start the Thelen. threw an interception^ second half. Snyder scored on a one-yard run Brandenburg picked] offthe Risks pass, to with 2:39 to go in the third and the extra­ Maple Valley 50, Concord 32 r .setup setup the drive that led to his touchdown run. point got TK within 42-14; bsDRrSenior runningci r back a Andrew Shepard The L ton defense got another t0 Catholic Central got the final TD of the scored on a two-yard run with four seconds to get the offense the ball back for one more TD bailgame with ten minutes to play on a nineHastings junior Draven Pennock finds room to run at Coldwater High School Friday go in the first half and then again less than before the halfwas up. yard run by Lucas Thelen. mhT I?er^ax°ns ^teystate-B Athletic Conference victory over the host Cardinals7 two minutes into the second halfFriday night Coach Martin was thrilled with how backs (rnoio oy uan Goggins) against visiting Concord. Shepard and Brandenburg ran and with the Portland 56, Lakewood 0 The two touchdownsh Thetwo touchdowns helped turn a tight blocking up front by everyone, including Portland scored 43 points in the first half bailgame between the top Concord got the game’s first points three two teams in the Levi Raymond had 11 catches for 96 yards. tight ends Skyler Cook, Cam Carpenter, cencen­ and d went on to a 56-0 560 win over the visiting minutes in on a 27-yard TD pass from Riske three-team Tri-River 8-Man Football Confer­ Hoefler had a team-high 11 tackles for the ter Brody Trowbridge, and guards Owen Lakewood varsity football team in Capital to Wingfield, and those two teamed up for a ence into a victory for the Maple Valley var­ Lions, Nic Martin had eight and Shepard and McGlocklin and Jericho Payne. Area Activities Conference White Division two-point pass following the score. sity football team. The Lions bested the visit­ Brandenburg had five tackles each. Noah “We’re what we call a zone [blocking] action Friday in Portland. Riske hit Wingfield for a seven-yard TD ing Yellow Jackets 50-32 to move to 4-0 Musser intercepted a Concord pass in the team, so everybody steps the same way,” The Portland defense forced three turn­ four minutes into the second quarter and Car ­ overall this season and 1 -0 in the conference. second half. coach Martin said. “We try to work dou­ overs and scored a safety and the Raider ter Arbuckle ran in the two-point conversion Concord is now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Coach Martin said Hoefler made some nice ble-teams and try to work up to a linebacker. offense did its job too. The Raiders iimprove to even things at 16-16. Tri-River 8. Britton-Deerfield is the only tackles in space to save touchdowns — split­ It’s like a dance. Everybody is stepping up.” The -Lion run in the third quarter started ting his duties between spying the Concord The Lions worked in a bit of their old and ended with touchdown runs by Shepard, quarterback, taking away the Yellow Jackes’ Wing-T offense and also added a couple new one from 2 yards out in the first two minutes hook passes and interrupting crossers over pass plays to the attack, which proved vital in PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION of the second half and one on a 4-yard run the middle. a few key situations, with 1:36 to go in the third quarter. Ini PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Coach Martin said keeping a free safety Junior quarterback Jakeb McDonald had a between McDonald hit Hoefler for a 28-yard COUNTY M^rJirT^AMn^0 PR0PERTY 0WNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY back was combined with getting the Lion cor­ five-yard rushing touchdown and a two-point TD pass. COUNTY, MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: ners a bit more physical at the line of scrim­ run that tied the ballgame at 8-8 with four Collin Thompson tacked on a two-yard TD mage in an attempt to break up Concord’s minutes left in the first quarter for the Lions, run for the Concord team at the end of the at 7-nn n m N°T,m.E that 3 pub,ic hearing win be he,d on October 12,2023 commencing timing and give more opportunity for the and then Maple Valley took its first lead three TOorwdnsihnipan«c^rfLouVLSd3 hV,l,ekToPwr°nVsbiSiip°nHSa,°tf 10HM5i<S^. NonrriZs°nRidn.,g DEenlatob,ninMg lA, c4t9 a0n4d6 twbeithZio nntihnge game. defensive front of Carpenter, Cook and Jack­ minutes later on a 15-yard touchdown run by Ordinanc^foVS Hoefler had four receptions for 45 yards in , son Burpee to pester Concord’s quarterback. Shepard. McDonald threw the two-point pass the ballgame. The Lion head coach was even really to Callan Hoefler after Shepard’s first score Wingfield had eight receptions for 166 pleased with the play of his senior punter ofthe puhlif^»l'^E NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hearing, members to give the Lions a 16-8 lead after one quarter. yards for the Yellow Jackets and teammate Hunter Redman. tohmmPentsi forCthe Pla ^nining f Commis isiton’ssi co tnsitdherationtiby em iailing or mailing th« V ° prov,de ccomments Planning Commission consideration emailing Of the Sh to theeP,anning annngComm^ion omm onfor orreceptprorotemeetng,ncare receipt prior to the meeting, in care phone mewaafnri 'I8 Administrator' Mark Thompson (mthompson@pcimi.com) or by leaving a 269-948-4088* P t0 meeting Witb tbe Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at ^brief the followhg^ N°T'CE 1’ astf*" - ff*I« MrWWteW* • onia®5 von 55*^8 58 Z? 48051 ,tem(S) t0 be COnsidered at said pub,ic hearln8 Cnossen on behalfof property owner, Bob and Deb Mcilvaine, 549 f , HLnS-?! e’IL.60521’for a Special Land Use/Site Plan Review to allow for an esso1^ building with living space pursuant to provisions in section 6.1 “R-2 Low tn a lla D*str*ct” failing failingto tomeet meetheight heightand and size sizerequirements requirements pursuant pursuant 20 Accessoiy Structures”. The subject site is located at 15505 S M43 Hwy Hickory y Corners,, MI 49060,, Parcel # 08-12-036-050-00 --- and is currently y zoned R2 Medium Residential. 2. Mi Ionin fIOm property owner Nathan and Rachel Garnaat, 12797 M89 Hwy., Plainwell, PlainumH 'aTAXv3 parcel re‘zonin6-The subject site is located at 12831 M89 Hwy., Tho a i* 49080 Parcel # 08-12-031-007-00 and is currently zoned A -Agricultural. ne applicant is requesting a re-zoning to Rl-Residential. 3. Ste^ieSS7o°ino^a/ld Schreuder on behalfof property owner Carl and Charlene alll^LL e N'NapIes’FL 34108’for a Special Land Use/Site Pi™ Review a pursuant Merlau Atn va A°f ao accessory building failing to meet required setbacks V? Access 1^ Struyctures ”. The subject site isthe located at 12624 CsidS 49080 Parcel # 08-12-3<S0-036-00 is -oned R2 make charts h?the a tove’menHn Pl^nning ^^mission and Township reserve the right to ownsp Board oarreservetergtto above-mentioned proposed amendment(s) at or following the public hearing. above- electronicc meXeThlH meXeThlHT,0"5 lnVited tQ be present at the aforesaid unic meeting Is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. and place, or, if an tfii ffddcciiaabi lilaX"at V4 reasonable redason' ablie auxiliary auxitliary t aids a0idths and anTd "services, servhilcesC, to lto kInIdIdnivivddlliidvduuiiddaals ulsallwwit s witllMMtf sbaibblila eX 'the u pr°Vide ne“ssarV tIhndivdidduals wlttfi d“isab le“s ^ (4) days' prior notice t0 the To"nshlp Clerk, the address orte“e“^ W! ^ 206133 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Fritz Bork, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 Delton Kellogg's Dylan Fichtner (15) wraps up Allegan's Brayden Sbcch hoaofelr (P(1h3o)toinb th PeerfrirstHahradlifn)Friday night at Delton Kelloqaq Hiaah School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) The Panthers use time management to keep Allegan’s offense off the field with quarterback Wyatt Finney (3) waiting for the play clock to wind down before snapping the ball Friday in Delton. (Photo by Perry Hardin) 'NS �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 21, 2023 — Page 11 LEGAL NOTICES FORECLOSURE NOTICE wv* NS® NS Ss vss s ;- II' it ■HiL-iUDjMhittt aaj'aiiEr-biiiiaiiK M & pl ipwefeemiipgidCi- | > ji »»k ** ^2 jBJW'if1®!*'1'’ I Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice offoreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revisedjudicature act of 1961,1961 PA236. MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, October 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Joel Burgess, A Married Man to Fifth Third Mortgage Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated August 1, 2016, and recorded on August 8, 2016, as Document Number 2016-007747, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Fifth Third Bank, National Association, FKA Fifth Third Bank as successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 31, 2017 and recorded November 01, 2017 by Document Number: 2017-010991,, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Four Hundred Forty­ Eight Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Eight and 81/100 ($448,688.81) including interest at the rate of 3.75000% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the NE 1/4, Section 30, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 comer of said Section; thence North 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds E 504.60 feet along the North line of said Section to the point of beginning; thence North 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds East 657.22 feet; thence South 00 degrees 05 minutes 48 seconds West 1587.37 feet parallel with the East line of said North 1/2; thence South 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds West 657.22 feet; thence North 00 degrees 05 minutes 48 seconds East 1587.37 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly known as: 12309 GREEN LAKE RD, MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 if the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. Ifthe property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date ofthe foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: September 14,2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Fifth Third Bank, National Association, FKA Fifth Third Bank as successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00559-1 (09-14)(10-05) 205766 NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning Board ofAppeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number: V-12-2023 - Conner Blough (Applicant); Kenneth & Karen Heise (Property Owner) Location: Next to 7415 Cunningham Rd., Lake Odessa, Ml 48849 Section 1 Carlton Township. Purpose: Request a variance to create a 16 acre parcel with a width to depth ratio greater than 1:4 in the A (Agriculture) zoning district. Case Number: SP-1-2022 - Michigan Materi­ als & Aggregate Co.; (Applicant/Property Owner) MEETING DATE: October 9, 2023. IHVIg: 7:00 PM ELAC£: Tyden Center Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections ofthe above described property will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at lmcmanus@barrycounty.org. The variance application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes ofprinted materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. . ^°^ce °I Foreclosure by Advertisement jNotice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale ofthe mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public a^ct|on sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry S?o-I't^i,Startin9 prompt,y at 1:00 PM- on October 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a tee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Gergory D. Duits and ’n®a. . Dulls FKA Tricia D. Chase, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Pore^osln9 Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Date of Mortgage: January 11,2020 Date ofMortgage Recording: January 16,2020 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $83,119.97 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and d described as: Lot 1 of Samuel W. Cree Addition to the Village of Woodland, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 2 of Plats bn Page 11. Common street address (if any): 189 W Broadway St Woodland, Ml 48897-9709 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, ifthe subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). Ifthe property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofthe Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days y ago, g, or if you y have been n ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephonee number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: September 21,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1509882 (09-21)(10-12) 206038 (09-07)(09-28) Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk Dated: September 14,2023 File No. 23-009410 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 NOTICE Attention homeowner Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 5,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownershipxrf-the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Rick D. Volosky , a married man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Proficio Mortgage Ventures, It’s successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated February 22,2013 and recorded February 28, 2013 in Instrument Number 2013-002316 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on February 8, 2016, in Instrument Number 2016-001283, and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on March 17, 2020, in Instrument Number 2020-002610, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Sixty-Nine and 60/100 Dollars ($137,069.60).Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part ofthem, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 5,2023. Said premises are located in the City of HASTINGS, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: LOT 835, OF THE CITY, FORMERLY VILLAGE OF HASTINGS, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS 420 W. Center St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: September 7,2023 File No. 23-009002 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 206027 205413 (09-14X10-05) 205882 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day ofthe sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to. contact the.’county' register of deeds office.or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagors): Robert Erick Gorden, Jr. and Mary Gorden, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Heartland Home Mortgage, LLC, its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: September 12, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16, 2019 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date ofnotice: $177,193.16 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Beginning at a point on the West line of Lot 70 of Glasgow's 2nd 'Addition, according to the recorded plat thereof in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 4, a distant North 01 degrees 20 minutes 27 seconds East, 186.92 feet from the Southwest comer of said Lot 70; thence North 01 degree 20 minutes 27 seconds East, 116.08 feet along said West line; thence South 88 degrees 43 minutes 33 seconds East, 450.10 feet; thence South 01 degrees 20 minutes 27 seconds West, 116.08 feet; thence South 88 degrees 43 minutes 33 seconds West, 450.10 feet to the Point of Beginning, Hastings City, Barry County, Michigan. Commonly Known as: 1381 Star School Rd., Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later, or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser. This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return ofthe bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 09/14/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 317791 205846 (09-14)(10-05) Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Garage Sale Business Services INSIDE ESTATE & GARAGE SALE: THURS-FRI, SEPT 21ST & 22ND, 9AM-5PM. SAT, SEPT 23RD, 2023, 9AM-2PM. 550 WIL­ LETTS RD, HASTINGS, OFF N. BROADWAY. FURNITURE, CARPET, ANTIQUES, COLLECT­ IBLES, DISHES AND SO MUCH MORE. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality Wanted WANTED: OLD FASHIONED MAYTAG ringer washing ma- chines. 517-852-0667. Br affordable roofing installation! Li­ censed and Insured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diam­ eter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetter­ ley Logging, (269)818-7793. Financial NOTICE Attention homeowner Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 1 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises,, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 2,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Randy Miller and Patti Miller, to Household Finance Corporation III, Mortgagee, dated August 12, 2005 and recorded August 19, 2005 in Instrument Number 1151324 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust 2021-GS1, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Eleven Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Four and 1/100 Dollars ($111,674.01). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part ofthem, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 2,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: LOT 12, BLOCK 16 OF LINCOLN PARK ADDITION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 1 OF PLATS, PAGE 55, BARRY COUNTY 705 W Clinton, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwood8inc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY FABRICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears,, etc. Call 269-804-7506. All real estate advertising in this newspaper Is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it Illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an interttion, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.'* Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Member SIPC Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Consider financial gifts for grandchildren If you have grandchildren, you probably enjoy spending time with them and watching them grow. And to help them achieve a bright future, you might like to make some financial gifts — but which ones? You have several options. Let’s look at three ofthem: • 529 plans - When you invest in a 529 education savings plan, any earnings growth is distributed federally tax free, as long as withdrawals are used for qualified education expenses. (Withdrawals used for expenses other than qualified education expenses may be subject to federal and state taxes, plus a 10% penalty.) And in-state residents who invest in their home state’s 529 plan may also receive state tax incentives. A 529 plan can be used for college, approved trade school programs, qualified student loan repayments and even some K-12 costs. And if the grandchild you’ve named as a beneficiary of a 529 plan decides to forego further education, you can generally switch beneficiaries to another immediate family member. You can contribute up to $17,000 in 2023, per grandchild, to a 529 plan without incurring gift taxes. Furthermore, as of the 2024-25 school year, grandparent-owned 529 plans won’t affect financial aid eligibility. However, tax issues for 529 plans can be complex, so consult with your tax advisor about your situation. • Roth IRA - Any earnings growth in a Roth IRA is distributed tax free, provided the owner is at least 5916 and has had the account at least five years. If your grandchildren eam money from babysitting or a part-time job, they can open a Roth IRA with the help of a parent or other adult. You could “match” your grandchildren’s contributions, possibly on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to provide them with an incentive for saving. In fact, you could fully fund the Roth IRA, up to the annual contribution limit, which is $6,500 or the amount of your grandchild’s taxable compensation, whichever is less. (The annual limit is $7,500 for those 50 or older.) And your grandchildren can withdraw the contributions — not the earnings — at any time to pay for college or anything else. • Custodial account - You can open a custodial account, also known as an UGMA or UTMA account, for a grandchild, and fund it with most types of investments: stocks, mutual funds, bonds and so on. For that reason, it can be a good way to teach grandchildren about the nature of investing — risks, returns and the value of holding investments for the long term. Plus, there’s an NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL'600.3212,thatthe following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Branden Shane O’Conner and Liz Medenblik, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Grand River Bank, It’s successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 4, 2017 and recorded August 21, 2017 in Instrument Number2017-008403 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, N.A., by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-Seven and 69/100 Dollars ($97,267.69). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 12, 2023. Said premises are located in the Township of THORNAPPLE, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing 165 feet West ofthe Northeast corner of Section 12, Town 4 North, Range 10 West; thence South 330 feet; thence West 165 feet; thence North 330 feet; thence East 165 feet to the point of beginning. 7015 W. Parmalee Rd, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: September 14,2023 File No. 23-009472 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (09-14)(10-05) 205671 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29613-DE Court address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Thomas Kurt Whittington. Date of birth: 02-01-1971. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Thomas Kurt Whittington, died July 1, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kevin R. Brady, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 9/14/2023 Kevin Brady 11671 Ramseyer Drive Plainwell, Ml 49080 269-998-9204 206048 initial tax benefit to custodial accounts: The first $1,250 of your grandchild’s investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains) is tax free, and the next $1,250 is taxed at the child’s rate. Anything above that amount is taxed at the parents’ marginal tax rate. However, once your grandchildren reach the age of termination — usually 18 or 21, depending on where they live — they take control of the account and can do whatever they choose with the money. So, while a custodial account could be considered as a funding source for college, it might alternatively serve as a gift that could eventually enable your grandchild to fulfill another desire or goal — take an overseas trip, pay for a car or maybe even start on a path to entrepreneurship. Making financial gifts to your grandchildren can be rewarding — for them and for you. So, consider the possibilities carefully and put your generosity to work. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC EdwardJones, its employees andfinancial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consultyour attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised . judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 19, 2023. The amount due oh the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale? Pladng’the highest bid at ttfe sale does not automatically'entitle'thte purchaser to free ano clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagors). Mark Chellberg and Jennifer Golz, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: September 23,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: October 1, 2021 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $195,472.77 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Prairieville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Sixty-Three (63) feet off and from the Westerly side of Lot 53, Supervisor’s Plat of Ford’s Point, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Liber 2 of Plats, Page 72, Barry County Records. Also, Lot 55, Supervisor’s Plat of Ford’s Point, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Liber 2 of Plats, Page 72, Barry County Records. Commonly Known as: 11650 Ramseyer Dr., Plainwell, Ml 49080 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return ofthe bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee's attorney. Attention homeowner: Ifyou are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 09/21/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 317924 (09-21)(10-12) 206246 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29611-DE HON. WILLIAM H. DOHERTY Court address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Bonnie Jo Duncan. Date of birth: 11-13­ 1967. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Bonnie Jo Duncan, died 3-16-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Joshua Deinrich Duncan, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 9/15/2023 Chad B. Spencer P51495 P.O. Box 238 - 403 S. Capital Athens, Ml 49011 (269) 729-5344 Joshua Heinrich Duncan 103 E. High St. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)419-0577 206037 �# y# Page 12 — Thursday, September 21,2023 — The Hastings Banner FHE takes advantage of second half chances HHS/DK swim team hosts relay invitational Saturday LEGAL ISOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Gregory R. Keagle, a married man and Christopher M. Daniels, a married man, as tenants in common Original Mortgagee: Albion Investment and Loan LLC Date of mortgage: September 19, 2022 Recorded on September 30, 2022, in Document No. 2022-010189, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): None Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Two Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand One Hundred Thirty-Five and 00/100 Dollars ($228,135.00) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Parcel 1: LOT 17 CROOKED LAKE SUMMER RESORT. Parcel 2: LOT 38 CROOKED LAKE SUMMER RESORT. ALSO THAT PORTION OF GWIN'S AVE VACATED IN L.244-96 E'LY OF SAID PROPERTY. Commonly known as 11070 E Shore Dr, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this LLC Mortgagee/ team’s play. Forest Hills Eastern scored two goals in the first ten minutes ofthe second half and held on for a 3-1 win over the Trojans inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Monday. “The first half we were 0-0, Kiel said. “We should have been up more and we don’t put our opportunities away. Even in the second half, you can take the score line and they win, but we possessed the ball and we were the t better team. They had four opportunities and they put three away. That Biltawi. Biltawi ran onto a chip into the Hawks’ box behind the defense. From just to the right ofthe penalty spot he hit a shot at the lower left hand comer ofthe net that Steenwyk managed to lay-out for and snag. Forest Hills Eastern’s Noah McGraw put his team back up by two goals at 3-1 with 5:53 to go on the block. A well-timed run up the right side and a ball from inside out led to the scoring chance. The ball came back to the middle for McGraw who fired it into the net. McGraw also scored the Hawks’ opening goal on a 30-yard shot that he lasered under the cross bar. Trojan sophomore defender Nathan Shoemaker chased down a long ball into the TK box to prevent the initial scoring chance, but the Trojans’ clearance found McGraw charging back in on goal 5:50 into the second half. . l.i The Hawks scored again three minutes later. Forest Hills Eastern’s Lawrence May found space on the far side ofthe field and the Hawks managed to get the ball across the field from left to right before the TK defense could completely rally. With the opening on the right side, May cut through the Trojan box with the ball and maneu­ vered through a couple ofdefenders for the space to roll a shot by keeper Owen Comer. Comer was solid in goal for the Trojans. He had one excellent save on a free kick by the Hawks that curled by a Trojan wall from about 35 yards out late in the first half. “We have to capitalize,” Keil said. “And that has been the story ofour season. We are not threatening enough up top.” The Trojans have started working to push ^: Thornapple Kelloqq's Reece Hoeksma looks on as ms snot gets oy roresi rims eastern aere er Mars Steenwyk for a goal in the second half Monday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the attack ahead more with an extra man in the midfield. Coach Keil said that Shoemaker’s speed and ability have allowed the team to try and play with three defenders along the back line more often lately than in the early part of the season. Coach Keil said he likes how fellow defenders Blake Dykstra and Jordan Rowley are able to pressure oppo­ nents and then leave Shoemaker to clean things up. Another key part of the change is that it should help limit opponents’ space through the midfield. “It’s working. It’s just converting now,” Keil said. “We’re leaking less and we seem to have a better foot­ hold in the game. We’ve just got to get things clicking.” . The Hawks did do well possess^ ing in the midfield, but especially in the first half had a tough time break­ ing through to create great scoring chances - like the ones they took advantage ofin the second half. The loss drops the Trojans to 1-4-1 in the OK Gold Conference this season and 6-5-2 overall.TK fell 4-0 at South Christian last Wednesday, Sept. 13, in conference action. TK was scheduled to visit Kenowa Hills last night in the OK Gold and will be outside the confer­ ence to visit West Catholic Mon­ day, Sept. 25. The Trojans go to East Grand Rapids next Thursday, Sept. 28. a fa'*" s^=si£ s^=si£^ M***^^*** fiffliniw* 0W» igtaiMfctataiBfc Mim» AMtaMktaM laupflt •«wiiraafcitafcH^ aWMattbmod*teaMingiM«|HBi rt Ifttal^Wctantetafrlta, If^tltfaelM^Wii(cetkagnttaeMtaiff rClottaep, i n Sea <>'«(>* ^lfeMi,i(ekgtaMif Cotep in Sea <>'«(>* ■•WlBMtaq Carty Fiyuftfep toihia Hfe as b tii tot i ^"’w wwWta TK junior Jayce Curtis works to try and turn and get a shot off as he‘s defended oy roresx Hills Eastern's Dylan Potter (7) and another Hawk in the box during the first half in Middleville : > Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Vikes see how they stack up in their new league Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood girls placed sixth and the boys seventh as Portland hosted the first Capital Area Activities Conference White Divisionjamboree ofthe season Tuesday. Junior Riley Johnson led the Lakewood boys with a fifth-place time of 17 minutes 43.5 seconds. A trio of seniors were at the top of the boys’ standings. Ionia senior Jacob Montgomery had the fastest run ofthe day hitting the finish line in 16:49.3. Olivet senior Lucas Hopkins was right behind in 16:51.4. Olivet senior Conner Fountain placed third in 17:28.6. Eaton Rapids senior Jack Huntington ran to a new season best time of 17:30.1 to place fourth. The first six Greyhounds across the finish line all ran their fastest time ofthe season to help their team to the win Tuesday. The Greyhounds bested runner-up Lansing Cath­ olic by just two points, 68-70. Olivet was third with 81 points ahead of Olivet 83, Portland 106, Charlotte 138 and Lakewood 159. Lakewood had the duo ofjunior Hudson Goethals and freshman Kaden Rohrbacher come across the finish line together. Goethals was 41st in 20:34.8 and Rohrbacher 42nd in 20:37.4. Sophomore Bryce Schelter was 51st over­ all for the Vikings in 21:20.2 and sophomore teammate Jonah Lancaster was 72nd in 31:57.6. Lansing Catholic won the girls’ race with 25 points followed by Charlotte 43, Portland 88, Eaton Rapids 89, Olivet 125 and Lake­ wood 166. Lansing Catholic had five girls in the top ten and three ofthe first four across the fin­ ish line. Cougar senior Tessa Roe won the girls’ race in 20:09.0. Portland junior Avery Wezensky was the runner-up in 20:58.5. Lakewood was led by sophomore Emma Tidd who placed 22nd in 23:49.9.. Viking senior Allison Slater finished 37th in 25:59.0. Sophomore Marci Nurenberg came in 57dl in 31:47.5 and freshman Laurelye Carter 58® in 31:56.9 for the Vikings’ Lakewood freshman Elizabeth Stoneman ran her fastest time yet (32:12.0) to place 60th. Lansing Catholic had sophomore Frances Melinn third in 21:01.9 and freshman Grace Wonch fourth in 21:39.7.. Charlotte took second in the team standings with six girls in the top 14 and three in tohe otoep sBevenle. eThMe Ooorioeles whoere lesd bfyiftshophiooe Baylee ee Moore ooe wo who ws was fifth in 21:55.9. Charlotte freshman Helena Goodrich moved her PR to 21:56.2 to place sixth and sophomore teammate Avari Mont­ gomery was seventh in 21:59.8. Lakewood returns to action at Jackson Saturday and then will be a part of the Pewa- \ ■ J mo-Westphalia Invitational Sept. 27. 206258 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals will be received at the office ofthe Barry County Road Commission, 1725 West M-43 Highway, P.O. Box 158, Hastings, MI 49058, until 11:00 A.M. September 27,2023 for the following items. Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Road Commission Office at the above address or at our web site at www.barrycrc.org. Processed Gravel The Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive irregularities in the best interest ofthe Commission. BOARD OF COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF BARRY David D. Solmes Chairman Frank M.Fiala Member Jim James Member .. ■■ w i i> just wide ofthe net. TK got got its its lone lone .goal goal with with 11 11 minutes minutes to to TK play when Biltawi looked up in the center of the attacking zone and found senior team­ mate Reece Hoeksma to his right. Hoeksma ripped a shot by a defender that glanced off Eastern keeper Mars Steenwyk and into the back ofthe net. That goal came on a good, hard shotjust inside the near post, but Steenwyk would have surely liked to have had the chance for the save back. He made up for it moments later, keeping his team in the lead 2-1 by stealing a scoring chance away from ilF ilF W W is the frustrating part. The Trojans’ Simeon Biltawi had two shots ring off the post in the first half and Jayce Curtis had one great chance whizz BARRY COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION 205893 kww^ > wg: k Eastern. He was looking for ideas on how to improve the overall consistency of his Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings/Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ swimming and diving team will host its annual Hastings/DK Relay Invi­ tational Saturday at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. The HHS/DK team was in action Tuesday against visiting Plainwell and fell 95-75 to the visiting Trojans. Maelea Martin won the diving compe­ tition for the HHS/DK team with a score of 159.70 points. The HHS/DK team also got wins from Morgan Cross, Petra Foster, Saga Jones, Bella Morey, Maddie Peake and Amelia Price on the evening. The HHS/DK team got the first place points in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 2:21.03 and in the 400yard freestyle relay wit h a time of 5:31.19. Morey won the first-place points in the 100-yard backstroke in 1 minute 15.68 seconds. Jones won the first place points in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:30.24. The next dual for the HHS/DK girls is Tuesday at Allegan. notice. Albion Investment and Loan Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 2 48.539.7400 1510117 (09-21X10-12) W$'s# Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys* soccer coach Andrew Kiel asked his guys to think about how to be better prepared for the start of a contest before excusing them for the evening after a loss to visiting Forest Hills HHS tennis team defeats Marshall for first 1-8 win Brett Bremer Sports Editor Heath Hays at first singles and the the first doubles team of Keegan Lindsey and Lang Hayes pulled out tight victories to help the Hastings varsity boys’ tennis team to its first conference win ofthe season Wednesday. The Saxons knocked off the Marshall boys’ tennis team 5-3 in Interstate-8 Athletic Conference action at Hastings High School. Hays won a marathon of a match against Marshall’s Landon Fazekas. Hays won the opening set 6-3 before Fazekas rallied for a 6-4 win in the second set. Hayes rallied for a 6-3 win in set number three. Lindsey and Haines fought off Marshall’s Brendan Parks and John Hazen in the first doubles match scoring a 7-5, 6-4 victory. Marshall only won one match on the court. Hastings forfeited the fourth singles and fourth doubles matches to the Red Hawks. Hastings won all three contested singles flights. Ivan Rojo Hernandez took a 6-1, 6-2 win for Hastings over Xavier VanDeMoortel in the second singles match. At third singles, the Saxons’ Caleb Borton scored a 6-1, 6-2 win over Marshall’s Jack Marsh. Hastings picked up a second doubles point at second doubles.Evan Porter and Owen Boge pulled out a 7-5 win in the opening set against the Marshall duo of Luke Bierbaum and Caleb Hill and then finished off the match with a 6-1 win in the second set. Marshall’s team of Carter Bowman and AJ Coats scored a 6-1,6-3 win over the Hastings team ofAnderson Forrel and Oliver Allen at third doubles. The Saxons were back in action Thursday for a non-conference dual with Lowell at the home of the Red Arrows. Lowell took a 5-3 win in that one, finishing ahead of the Saxons thanks to forfeit wins at fourth singles and fourth doubles. Borton took the lone singles win for Hastings. He defeated Anderson Stoner 6-0, 6-1 at third singles.. j Hastings got its other two points at the top J of the doubles line-up. Haines and Lindsey outscored the Lowell team of Nick Lothian and 4 Alexander Repp 7-6(4), 5-7, (10-7). It was a . little smoother sailing at second doubles where j Porter and Boge outscored Lowell’s Jackson J Abbott and eli VanGroningen 6-3, 6-0. Hastings returned to 1-8 play Monday with an 8-0 loss to visiting Parma Western. The -j Panthers won the six contested flights in J straight sets. The loss to the Panthers moves the Saxons’ record to 1 -3 in the Interstate-8 this fall so far. The Saxons were scheduled to visit Jack­ son Northwest Wednesday and will be at home this afternoon, Sept. 21, to face Hamilton in a non-conference dual. Hastings is back in action Saturday at the Grand Rapids Union Invitational. The conference season resumes Monday when the Saxons play host to Pennfield. i • d ■J a �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, September 21, 2023 — Page 13 Trojans sweep singles points South wins doubles matches Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tennis team moved its OK Gold Confer­ ence record to 2-1-1 finishing in a 4-4 draw at South Christian Wednesday. The Tk team won all four singles matches in straight sets led by Kameron Nichols’ 6-1, 6-1 win over Ike Schroetenboer in the first singles match. Rapha?l DeMonval took the second singles win for TK by besting Vinny Klas­ sen 6-1, 6-0. At third singles, TK’s Jacob Draaisma bested Ben Vos 6-0, 6-0. The fourth singles match was the clos­ est one ofthe afternoon. Franklin Wilson bested South Christian’s Gavin Griffen 6-3 in the opening set and the closed out a 6-1 win in set number two. The results were reversed on the dou­ bles’ side with South Christian winning all four flights in straight sets. The tightest of the four matches was at number two where the Sailor duo of Josh Fles and Ryan Wiers took a 6-3,6-4 win over TK’s Dylan Bailey and Andrew Beckering. The TK Trojan doubles players bounced back Thursday to help the team score an 8-0 sweep of Plainwell in a non-conference match on the road. The top TK doubles team of Aidan Dudik and Anson Verlinde started slow, but rallied for an 0-6, 6-2, (12-10) win over Plainwell’s Andrew Hampton and Teagen Wilson. Bailey and Beckering won 6-1,, 6-0 at second doubles. TK also had the team of Daniel Beckering and Landon Conroy win 6-3, 6-2 at number three doubles and Kyan Haywood and Tom Lorach win at number four 6-2, 6-1. TK won all eight sets played in the fourth flights on the singles’ side. Nichols out­ scored Plainwell’s top player, Calvin Strad­ er, 6-3, 6-0. DeMonval scored a 6-0, 6-2 win at number two singles, Draaisma won 6-0,6-1 at number two and Wilkinson won 6-0, 6-0 at number four. The Trojans host a tough conference dual with Forest Hills Eastern Monday and then head to Vicksburg next Saturday, Sept. 23. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Calvin Christian/West Catholic/Thomapple Kellogg/H opkins varsity girls’ swimming and diving team was bested by host Holland 100-84 Tuesday evening. ’ The Calvin Christian co-op team got a vi tory from sophomore Aliyah Garcia in the 100-yard breaststroke. She won the race in 1 minute 17.98 seconds and her team also finished first in the 200-yard medley relay to start the meet with a time Of2:12.41. The diving competition was a good one for the Calvin Christian team with Lydia Slagel leading a sweep of the top three scoring places. She won with 221.40 points. Natalie Wickstrom was second with a score of 217.15 and Abigail Dumond placed third with a mark of205.80. In the 500-yard freestyle the Cal­ vin co-op had three ofthe five scor- RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ORDINANCE SUBMITTAL THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE proposed Ordinance #2023-190 appended hereto was introduced for first reading by the Rutland Charter Township Board at its September 13, 2023 meeting. This proposed ordinance will be considered for adoption by the Township Board at its scheduled regular meeting on October 11, 2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Charter Township Hall. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to Rutland Charter Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township. Format note—this proposed ordinance is prepared in “legislative format”: new verbiageproposed to be added is shown in bold type; any existing verbiage proposed to be deleted is shown lined-through. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 2023-190 (PROPOSED) ADOPTED: EFFECTIVE: An Ordinance to amend Chapter 220 (Zoning) of the Rutland Charter Township Code to include provi­ sions for a new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District; to amend the Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2 so as to rezone several parcels in various land sections of the Township to the l/PU Institutional/Public Use District or the PRC Park/Recreation/ Camps District; and to amend § 220-5-2 pertaining to permitted uses in CR Country Residential District. THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAINS: ... SECTION 1 r AMENDMBrr.TflgflOyiEW ARTICLE XIV TEXTFQR NEW I^U INSTiTUTIQNAUPUBLIC USE DISTRICT Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter township Code is hereby amended to add as Article XIV the text for a new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District reading as follows: ARTICLE XIV 1M^1 ^Mb- Kflam Ifetoli taritf l/PU Institutional/Public Use District § 220-14-1. Purpose of District. This zoning district is derived from the Institutional/Public Future Land Use classification in the Master Plan. This District is primarily intended to accommodate the existing institutional and governmental land uses identified with this planning classification in the Master Plan, including the Hastings City/Barry County Airport in Sections 10 and 11, Kellogg Community College in Section 14, the Rutland Charter Township Hall/Offices in Section 14, the Barry County Fairgrounds/Expo Center in Section 5, and poten­ tially other institutional/public land uses. § 220-14-2. Permitted Uses. ifrlpi Khu y aftl ^^TT3S*e(il TT3Se(ilfo? ’fo?' ci* g Community College. D. Publicly-owned cemetery. Essential services. . Accessory uses/buildings/structures; provided, however, that the keeping or raising of livestock and other agricultural uses are not allowed in this District as an accessory use or otherwise. Also see §220-16-13.B. for potential implications of Michigan Right To Farm Act siting guidelines for new and expanding commercial livestock production facilities. F. Signs, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article XVIII. t-a^i -a -a^i ^A^i A irt$ £ . > ? ” ! irt <£ » * 5* j& --s S;^« 5i ** % ; « ^? ,&s| .9.. . ii ^ L if t 1’ J $£>?! § 220-14-3. Special land uses. The following uses are designated as special land uses In this District, subject to special land use approval and site plan approval in accordance with this Chapter: A. County Fairgrounds/Expo Center. B. O e uses similar Other s In cc character, e, nature ue and intensity es y to o a designated esg e pe permitted e use o or spec special land use In this District, and therefore compatible with such uses, as determined by the Zoning Administrator. § 220-14-4. Density, area, height, bulk and placement regulations. In accordance with Article XV, except as otherwise specified in this Article or Chapter. § 220-14-5. Site plan review. Site plan review is required for all special land uses, and for other uses as specified in § 220-21-1 .B. SECTION 2 AMENDMENT of § 220-15-1 (ARTICLE XV. SCHEDULE OF REGULAT1QNS1.TQ ADD REGULATIONS FOB NEW l/PU INSTITUTIONAL/PUBLIC USE DISTRICT § 220-15-1. of the Rutland Charter Township Code (Article XV, Schedule of Regulations) is hereby amended to add at the end of the existing Schedule a new line (and footnote 5) specifying the regulations for the new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District reading as follows: Schedule of Regulations I § 220-15-1, Schedule ofRegulations Schedule of Regulations u|| |^/ « Minimum Yard Requirements (feet) Aj Minimum Lot Area (square feet or District acres) The existing Table of Contents for Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code is hereby amend­ ed to include therein new content corresponding with preceding Sections 1 -3 of this Ordinance pertaining to the new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District, as applicable. m • .-?riru uj - Iro'> - - nr '--SECTION 5 ■. X AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZOillNG OPPARCELNO, 134)02-001 tn The Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is hereby amended so as to rezone parcel no. 13-002-001-20 from the CR Country Residential District to the PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District. SECTION 6 AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NOS, 08-13-028-008-00, 08-13-028-009-00, 08-13­ 029-006-00, 08-13-029-007-00) The Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is hereby amended so as to rezone the following Boys & Girls Club of Kalamazoo property from the AG/OS Agricultural/Open Space Preservation District to the PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District, consistent with the planning designation for these parcels in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan (as amended): Parcelno. Parcelno. Parcelno. Parcelno. Minimum Dwelling Unit Size (square Maximum Lot Coverage 20% SE<ynoN7 AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NOS, 08-13-010-031-00, 08-13-011-007-00, 08-13­ 011-007-10. 08-13-011-905-55) The Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is hereby amended so as to rezone the following property used for the Hastings City/Barry County Airport from the ACLI Airport Commercial/Light Industrial District to the new l/PU Institutional/ Public Use District (which designates “airport” as a permitted use therein), consistent with the planning designa­ tion for these parcels in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan (as amended): • • Parcelno. 08-13-010-031-00 Parcelno. 08-13-011-007-00 • Parcelno. 08-13-011-007-10 Parcelno. 08-13-011-905-55 • SECTION 8 AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NQ, Q8-13--Q14.-Q54-Q.Q) The Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is hereby amended so as to rezone Kellogg Community College property (parcel no. 08-13-014-054-00) from the CR Country Residential District to the new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District (which designates “Community College” as a permitted use therein), consistent with the planning designation for this parcel in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan. SECTION 9 AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZQNING OF PARCEL-NO, Q8-13-Q14-Q34-10) The Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is hereby amended so as to rezone the Rutland Charter Township Hall/Office prop­ erty (parcel no. 08-13-014-034-10) from the MDR Medium Density Residential District to the new l/PU Institutional/ Public Use District (which designates “governmental administration or service building” as a permitted use therein), consistent with the planning designation for this parcel in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan. SECTION 10 AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NOS, 08-13-014-054-00. 08-13-009-016-00) The Zoning Map of Rutland Charter Township, as made part of Chapter 220 of the Rutland Charter Township Code by § 220-3-2, is hereby amended so as to rezone the Rutland Charter Township Cemeteries (par­ cel nos. 08-13-004-011-00; 08-13-009-016-00) from any existing zoning classification to the new l/PU Institutional/ Public Use District (which designates “Publicly-Owned Cemetery” as a permitted use therein), consistent with the planning designation for this parcel in the Rutland Charter Township Master Plan. SECTION 11 Side (1) Rear(l) Stories Feet feet) 15 25 N/A 2% 35 io-^, Tisaobliee hD -4A, are imenaea to generaiIhoh hv another orovision of this chapter providing a different maximum height limita- 125 08-13-028-008-00 08-13-028-009-00 08-13-029-006-00 08-13-029-007-00 AMENDMENT OF § 220-5-2 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED USES LNL Front (1 l/PU 1 acre (5) The mavimtim Iv annlv nniaee^ Maximum Height (5) (6) Minimum Lot Width (feet) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Coldwater won three close sets for an Interstate-8 Athletic Conference victory over the visiting Hastings varsity girls’ volleyball team Wednesday, Sept. 13. It was the opening conference contest ofthe seasons for the Saxons. The Cardinals won by the scores of 25-21, 25-19, 25-20. Saxon head coach Erin Slaughter said that despite some great play back and forth her Saxons just weren’t quite able to finish ofthe sets in the final few points. Audrey Vertalka had seven blocks and seven kills to power the Saxons at the net. Rachael Hewitt added seven kills. Setter Abby Beemer led the axons in assists. Coldwater was led at the net by seniors Mackenzie Scheid and Jaelah Sloan. Scheid had 16 kills and Sloan 13. Sophomores Mya Porter and Maren Debeau had 17 digs each for the Cardinals and Porter had a team-high three aces. Junior setter Ellianna Foley put up 34 assists for Coldwater. The Saxons were set to return to conference action last night at home against Harper Creek. The Hastings girls head to the Ottawa Hills Invitational Saturday and then will go on the road in the 1-8 Sept. 27 to face Mar­ shall. § 220-18-6 pertaining to permitted signs in the AG/OS, CR, MDR, HDR, and PRC districts, is hereby ^amended to also apply that section to signs in the new l/PU Institutional/Public Use District, as applicable to the uses allowed therein, thus causing the section to read as follows: § 220-18-6. Permitted signs in the AG/OS, CR, MDR, HDR, and PRC and l/PU districts. In these districts the following signs are allowed, for a land use that is otherwise allowed in the district, upon ^issuance of a sign permit pursuant to § 220-18-10: A. Signs allowed in all zoning districts pursuant to § 220-18-5. B Signs for churches, schools, and public facilities: one ground-mounted sign not exceeding four feet in height, and one wall sign (only one of which may be illuminated, but with the aggregate area of all such signage not exceeding 50 square feet). Signs for campgrounds, golf courses, stables, nurseries, and similar open space activities: 1. One wall sign not exceeding an area of 50 square feet. 2. One ground-mounted sign not exceeding an area of 32 square feet and six feet in height. 3. Two directional signs not exceeding an area of three square feet and three feet in height. Signs for subdivisions or other forms of concentrated residential development: one ground-mounted identification sign per entrance, not exceeding an area of 32 square feet and six feet in height. Signs for farm markets (in the AG/OS and CR districts only): one sign not more than eight square feet in area and six feet in height. Signs for a lawful commercial use for which no other provision of this Article specifically authorizes signage: one sign not more than eight square feet in area and six feet in height. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an otherwise permissible sign in any of these districts shall not include any electronic message board; except one electronic message board is allowed to advertise events/activities on the premises of a county fairgrounds/expo center in the AG/OS District (or l/PU District), only, subject to the design stan­ dards and use limitations specified in § 220-18-8.H. SECTION 4 AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 22Q_TABLE OF CONTENTS TO INCLUDE CONTENT PERTAINING TO NEW l/PU INSTITUTIONAL/PUBLIC USE DISTRICT The following uses are designated as permitted uses in this District: A. Governmental administration or service building. B. County/Municipal Public Airport. E. MrtV ers. The group was led by Garcia who won in 5:54.99. Mia Bergman was third and Grace Schumacher was fifth in that race for their team/ Aubrey Hawks had a strong swim in the 200-yard freestyle to earn a runner-up finish for Calvin Christian. She touched the wall in 2:21.69. She was also second in the 100-yard back­ stroke in 1:13.32 with teammate Avery Hollebeek right behind in third place. Elizabeth Middleton scored a thirdplace finish in the 200-yard individual medley for the Calvin Christian team with a time of2:50:36 and she was sec­ ond to Garcia in the breaststroke with a time of 1:23.56. In the 50-yard freestyle the Calvin team had Berta Garcia-Quilez third in 30.26 and teammate Malia Hamby fourth in 30.92. Hamby later added a third-place time in the 100-yard butterfly. SECTIONS AMENDMENT OF § 220-18-6 PERTAINING TO SIGNS IN NEW l/PU INSTITUTIONAL/PUBLIC USE DISTRICT TO: ll* HHS spikers fall in three tough sets with Cardinals Calvin co-op wins handful of events in Holland pool 40 limitations in this scneauie ana m g ^ see, for example, § 220-17-11.A, specifying other building Beiamht lS h imitaXtion °thmS^ S °a / hJannlicablen too “ builpdliyng»s iAn t»hPe s"pecified circ-u1mPstaMnces0. WThe max bimy ufemd h™eig!»ht» BmSXmSno.“ply » A»P" -1PM -1PM 0. 0. W W by by fed.™!»» fed.™!»» or regulations to exceed the specified limitation. CR COUNTRY § 220-5-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the permitted uses in the CR Country Residential District is hereby amended to add a subsection M. reading as follows: M. Existing two-family dwelling, lawfully existing as of (date of adoption by Township Board to be inserted here); provided such dwelling shall not be enlarged beyond the spacial footprint or height of the existing building, and may only be reconstructed or replaced within the spacial footprint and height of the existing building. SECTION 12 REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; EFFECTLVEJDATE All ordinances or parts of ordinances In conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall take effect on the eighth day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland 206014 �Page 14 — Thursday. September 21, 2023 — The Hastings Banner DK runners keep lowering PR’s as SAC season starts Brett Bremer Sports Editor Sophomore El li Timmerman ran her fastest race ofthe season by more than 50 seconds to help the Delton Kel­ logg varsity girls’ cross country team to a top ten finish at the first Southwestern Athletic Conference jamboree of the season Sept. 13 at Parchment. Seniors Summer Ritchie and Samantha O’Meara led the Delton Kellogg girls’ team. Ritchie placed 30th over­ all in 23 minutes 17.77 seconds. O’Meara hit the finish line in 37th place with a time of24:02.86. Timmerman was the third Delton Kellogg girl in plac­ ing 47th overall. She had a time of24:25.10. Junior Johannah Houtkooper and Kylie Main rounded out the Panthers’ scoring top five. Houtkooper was 48th in 24:29.71 and Main 49th in 24:31.56. Junior teammate Jillian Leclercq was in that Panther pack finishing in about 24 and a half minutes too. She placed 50th in 24:33.49. Gobles took the team championship in the girls’ race with a score of 55 points. Fennville was second with 71 points followed by Saugatuck 82, Hackett Catholic Prep 131, Bridgman 136, Kalamazoo Christian 146, Watervliet 172, Schoolcraft 186, Delton Kellogg 191, Martin 244 and Holland Black River 246. A pair of freshmen led the Gobles Tigers to the win. Libby Smith won the race in 19:30.28. Ava DeYoung was the runner-up with a personal record time of20:16.67. The first five finishers overall were freshmen and eight ofthe first 12 across the finish line. Fennville freshman Isabelle Sliter was third in 20:19.82, Martin’s Veyda Con­ ley fourth in 20:38.47 and Gobles’ Lauren Shaffer fifth in 20:57.28. Ethan Rimmer had the top individual finish ofthe day for the Delton Kellogg program. He led the boys’ team with a 12th-place time of 18:24.01. The DK boys were 11th overall. Panther sophomore Nick Muday was 50th overall in 20:43.71. Junior Brock Hickerson ran his fastest race ofthe season to place 54th in 20:54.55. Senior Rhys Bedford wasn’t far behind for DK with a 58th-place time of21:12.53. DK had five guys competing. Freshman Isaiah Kellogg was 115th overall in 27:57.04. Saugatuck took the boys’ title with 65 points ahead of Hackett Catholic Prep 96, Bridgman 130, Holland Black River 137, Kalamazoo Christian 175, Schoolcraft 189, Parchment 192, Allegan 211, Constantine 218, Watervliet 260, Delton Kellogg 265, Lawton 303, Galesburg-Augus­ ta 315 and Fennville 321. Coloma senior Boden Genovese won the boys race, one of three guys to finish in less than 17 minutes. He took first in 16:37.34. Watervliet junior Daniel Mandujanon was second in 16:53.31 and Hackett sophomore Marek Butkiewicz was third in 16:55.13. Hackett also had senior Gavin Sehy place fourth in 17:19.84. Delton Kellogg as back in action Tuesday at the ParchParch­ ment Classic. The DK girls were fifth and the boys ninth in a field ofnine full teams. Marshall won the girls’ title with 65 points ahead of Schoolcraft 73, Quincy 93, Kalamazoo Christian 98, Delton Kellogg 136, Bronson 145, White Pigeon 168, Martin 180 and Bangor 226. Bronson had the two fastest runners. Sophomore Ashlynn Harris won in a personal record time of 19:53.77. Junior teammate Ava Hathaway was second in a sea­ son-best time of20:10.14. Ritchie ran her fastest race ever Tuesday to place 14th in 23:10.89. Sophomore teammate Izabelle Gruber also set her PR with a 44th-place time of25:54.31. In between those two, the DK girls’ team had O’Meara 29th in 24:20.44, Main 32nd in 24:29.94 and Houtkooper 33rd in 24:45.80. A battle between a pair of Interstate-8 Athletic Confer­ ence rivals, Coldwater edged Marshall for the boys’ title 70-73. Bronson was third with 92 points ahead ofSchool­ craft 100, Allegan 124, Parchment 146, White Pigeon 180, Pennfield 180 and Delton Kellogg 194. Allegan freshman Kellen Chalupa won the boys’ race in a personal record time of 17:53.80. Delton Kellogg’s Rimmer was 20 seconds behind Chalupa with a third-place time of 18:13.19. In between those two, Schoolcraft junior Dante Pillot was second in 18:0.6.89. The two guys behind Rimmer for Delton Kellogg ran their fastest races ever. Bedford was 47th in 20:16.39 and Muday 50th in 20:25.19. The Panther team also had Hickerson 67th in 22:21.79 and Kellogg 105th in 28:21.52. BARRY COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE, MEDICATION COLLECTION, AND * FREE TIRE DROP-OFF Saturday, Sep*. 23,2023 from 9:doa.m. — l:OOp.m. Barry County Fairgrounds, 1350 N. M-37 Hwy. Household Hazardous Waste Including aqueous acids and bases; oil-based paints; reactives; solvents; aerosol cans; automotive liquids; pesticides (liquids and solids); automotive batteries; alkaline, nickel-cadmium and/or silver oxide batteries; liquid cleaners; heavy metal solutions; mercury-containing articles; motor oil. Electronics including computers, cell phones, laptops, gaming systems, tablets, and more will be collected for no charge, there is a suggested donation of $10 for all CRT and LCD TVs and monitors, cash or check only. This collection is supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Limit of 10 gallons per vehicle FREON CONTAINING DEVICES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. See www.barrvcountvrecvcles.org for details. We Cannot Accept: asbestos; latex paint (when dry it can go to the land­ fill); propane tanks; commercially generated waste; radioactive material; explosives; unknown wastes; speakers in wooden cases; tires heavily caked with dirt. Medications The Saxons' McKinney Jiles (17) slips past Beaver defenseman Alex LaFleur (11) and works the ball upfield during Hastings' 1-0 win over visiting Harper Creek inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. Tuesday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Defensive shift helps Saxon soccer to win Brett Bremer Sports Editor Troy Hokanson booted a comer kick from the right comer ofthe field and Charlie Nickels got his head on it and directed it into the net early on in the Saxons’ Interstate-8 Athletic Conference match with visiting Harper Creek Tuesday inside Baum Stadium at John­ son Field. The Hastings varsity boys’ soccer team pushed for another goal throughout the next hour of action, but that one early score held up as the Saxons scored a 1-0 victory. Hastings is now 1-1 in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference this season. The Saxons fell at Coldwater 5-2 to open the con­ ference season Sept. 14. Hastings head coach Matt Hokanson said he started changing up his team’s defense during that match at Coldwater. The Cardinals scored three goals within three minutes early in the contest, sparking the alter­ ations. Coldwater moved in front 5-0 at the half, but the Saxons managed to shut out the Cardinals in the second halfwhile scoring two goals oftheir own. . The big change to the defense has been moving senior Serg Arias from an attacking spot to a center back spot. He joins the senior Nickels in the center of the Saxon defense. 5 “That has made a huge change for us,” coach Hokanson said. “We did that last weekend at the Alle­ gan tournament to some good results. Even though the scores don’t indicate that, it was a big bonus.” < Arias played some at right back as ajunior when the Saxons needed help on the back line. “Serg has played back there before,” coach Hokanson said. “When I made the move to put Serg back need to be in their original containers with the name of the drug clearly labeled: Cross out any personal information on the containers. Help keep your home, environment and community safe DISPOSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS SAFELY Don'tpour paint, solvent, medicine, automotive oil, or chemicals down the drain or dump them in the trash where they may end up in our drinking water and lakes! Tire Drop-Off FREE thanks to a grant from g ga This is a ONE TIME ONLY free tire-drop off event LIMIT OF 10 TIRES PER CAR HOUSEHOLD TIRES ONLY (NO BUSINESS TIRES) First come, first serve until all trailers are full Questions? Please Call (269) 798-4107 t Baarmr-EEaattonn n DisatHricrtt HSeahlth DneteaBBaarrryrCCoouUn?ty.SSuob Jsl1t1a WncaestAebOuvseeraTla9shkl F CoormcemiStth eeerwififth DtheantksC tito ohfeHBaasrtriyn Co PunoltiyceFaDire Btoa Hrda,s Wtinasste P Madan naog s eamne dnLto tHricrtt Health HSeahlth Dept., Dnep^t., Barry BBaarrr'y County rCCoouUn?ty Substance .S u b Jsl1t1 WncaestAbuse AebOuvseeraTask Tla9shkl Force, Coormcem, Sheriff. F iStth eeerwifift.hDept., Dtheapnt.k, sCity C titoy t of ohfeHasting. HBaasrtriyn Cg.o Police PunoltiyceFaDept., DirepBto.,a Hastings Hrda, Wtinagsste Padnos P Madan naog s eand amne dnLo Lt Barry-Eaton District ea y y So a s Saxon freshman Aden Armstrong (8) fires a throw-in up the sideline early in the second half Tuesday against Harper Creek. (Photo by Perry Hastings gy junior Troy Hokanson sends the ball up the sideline in the second half Tuesday against visiting Harper Creek inside Baurw S Stadium at Johnson Field in Hastings. (Photo by Perry Hardin) 8; there he was very receptive to it. He was nothing buisi st positive about it. He asked in second game [at Allo* gan] to go back on defense. He has been all about playing defense.” The Saxons fell 3-0 to Paw Paw and then 3-2 to thg host Allegan Tigers Saturday at the Allegan Invfag tional. The Saxons were up 2-1 in the match with Allegan at the half, with an own goal accounting for the Tigers’ lone score. The Tigers got a penalty kick early in the second halfto tie up the match, a shot which sophoY more keeper Dan Jensen made an outstanding first kick save on before the Tiger shooter followed up by hitting the rebound home. Not wanting a draw, Hastings pushed for a goal late taking a member ofthe back line and moving him up to the midfield, but eventually the Tigers found the Saxon back line out ofposition and managed to put in a go-ahead goal.. Overall though, the Hastings defense improved throughout the day Saturday and was very good in the shutout victory Tuesday evening on the turf. “My guys really shut them out. We rode that [first goal] out til the very end. We kept trying to press in the second half to get another goal to try and get a little more ofa cushion there,” coach Hokanson said. When a second goal never materialized the SaxoQs packed things in back in the defensive end for the final few minutes to close out the victory. Coach Hokanson said some of his younger guys, some of whom had never played soccer before, aw starting to pick things up and continue to gain an understanding ofhow he wants his teams to play. -J The Saxons are back in action in the conference tonight, Sept. 21, at Marshall and then will be on thd road to face Parma Western Tuesday. The Saxons are home again Sept. 28 when they play host to Jacksoh Northwest. > � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-10-05.pdf 3bf00c7cc0a235ccd8b0ec1d9ea3a26b PDF Text Text community art led in Hastings C ry on page 5 iome Saxons' 1-8 showdown moved to Olivet College S Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 8 rd He^er''n9 ^asW HLeilNGS ANNER PRICE $1.50 Thursday, October 5, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 40 Local teen spots rare bird in Charlton Park, bringing flock of bird enthusiasts Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Birdwatchers journeyed to Barry County in droves last week to. catch a glimpse of a rare bird, alh thanks to the local teen who spotted it. Dalton Rose, a 15-year-old Hastings resi­ dent, started bird watching about a year and a halfago. He got interested in the hobby after watching his mother mark birds in her logbook, noting their characteristics and tracking their behaviors. Rose frequents Charlton Park, where he’ll bring his binoculars and watch for birds. While there last week, he made a shocking discovery: a lone Limpkin. ' “I’ll usually go down by the river, and I’ll see what birds are down there. I noticed that there was something that I’ve never seen before down there,” Rose said. “I got out my field guide, I found out what it was, and I called one ofthe guys in the Bird Club.” The Limpkin, a heron-like bird normally seen no further north than Florida, likes to Spend its time in warm swamps or marshes munching on snails. To see one this far north is highly unusual. After reaching out to his fellow birders in the Barry County Bird Club, Rose’s suspicions were, confirmed - he had spotted Barry County’s first Limpkin.. •' “I was nervous tejjayean expert come put there1 and identify it with me because ‘if iv Wasn’t the Limpkin then I would have been disappointed and kind of embarrassed,” Rose said. For midwestem birdwatchers, it was a rare opportunity to see a bird far outside of its normal habitat. Doug Klein, an organizer of the Barry County Bird Club, said the sighting immediately began to draw bird watchers from across the state who wanted a chance to see the Limpkin. “Someone went out and verified the bird (last) Monday night. Birders started pouring out there at first light,” Klein said. “It’s been hanging around, eating snails I guess. It’s been sticking around for a while, probably enjoying not having to look out for alligators.” . For many of these visiting bird watchers, Klein said the sighting could be a “life bird” or “lifer,” what bird watchers call their first sighting of a species. Last week’s sighting is the first time a Limpkin has been recorded in Barry County and only one ofa handful ever spotted in the state. “To see it in Michigan is so unusual,” Klein said. While it is unusual, it’s not entirely unprec­ edented. Klein said Barry County birders spotted a scissor-tailed flycatcher in 2014, normally native to Oklahoma or Texas. Just in the past few weeks, national media outlets have reported on flamingos being spotted as far north as Pennsylvania and Ohio. Chad Machinski, conservation manager for the Michigan Audubon Society, said there are several reasons why birds can sometimes be found outside oftheir normal habitats. In the case of the flamingos, the birds likely got pushed outside oftheir nor­ mal habitat by Hurricane Idalia. The Limp­ kin in Barry County is a little harder to explain, he said. “Five years ago, it would have been very odd that this bird would have shown up,” Machinksi said. “But in the past two years, Limpkins have been turning up everywhere in the fall.” In 2021, four states recorded their first Limpkin sighting. Nine more states, including Michigan, recorded their first sighting in 2022. Just this year, Limpkins have been spot­ ted in Michigan in October and November. Although there seems to be a trend, Machinksi said it’s . too early to tell why Limpkins are exploring so far outside of their normal territory. While they aren’t migratory birds, juveniles tend to explore a bit after maturing and separating/from their parents. It’s likely these far-frbm/home birds, known as “vagrant” birds, are young Limpkins look­ ing for a hew. habitat to settle into. Why Michigan? Several factors could be contributing, Machinksi said. Drought in Florida and diminishing wetlands due to development have leflLj^e. birds' looking for See RARE B/ IRD> PD S&Ee 2 Limpkin, pictured here, visited Charlton Park last week. Normally'natfveTo Florida, the birds live in marshy areas and eat snails and crustaceans. (Photo by Shelly Sulser) Plans come into focus for prime piece of county real estate Jayson Bussa Editor Over a year ago, the Barry County Board of Commissioners refused to sell one of its vacant downtown Hastings properties to a developer for a housing project. The board deemed the property too vital a component of the government’s campus of buildings and vowed to utilize it. On Tuesday morning, the vision for that building came into focus. County Board Chairman Dave Jackson provided an update as a member ofan ad hoc committee assembled last year to focus on county-owned real estate, making recommendations to the full board. The property in question is the former home to the county’s Friend of the Court, a two-story, 9,800-square-foot facility located on the southwest comer of West State and South Broadway streets. See FOC BUILDING, page 3 A county-owned building in the heart of downtown Hastings that formerly housed the Friend of the Court has sat empty for roughly a year-and-a-half. The county’s leader­ ship has released their ideas on what to do with it. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) With permit pending, county board defers to residents of Pine Lake on long-running lake level issue Jayson Bussa Editor After over a year oftense back-and-forth, Barry County’s commissioners appear to have made ah ultimate decision concerning a potential lake-level project on Pine Lake in Prairieville Township. That decision was to have the drain com­ missioner’s office obtain a permit from the Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to carry out work, but only do so ifa firm majority ofPine Lake residents give the project a green light. No more testing or action will be taken on the lake once acquiring the permit. Thus is the conclusion to an issue that has lingered around for years and comes after the Barry County Drain Commissioner’s Office already spent over $300,000 attempting to find an effective way to manage flooding that has cropped up on that lake over the last decades. Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim Dull speaks in front of the county’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday morning concerning the issue of a lake level on Pine Lake in Prairieville Township. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) See PINE LAKE, page 3 �Page 2 — Thursday, October 5, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Smokin’ hot new ride Birdhouse expert to speak at Thornapple Garden Club meeting The Thomapple Garden Club will meet on Thursday, Oct. 12, featuring a presentation from Bill Stovall, founder and creator of Stovall Wood Products. Stovall, who has been making birdhouses for nearly 35 years from his shop in rural Delton, will teach attendees all about which bird feeders and birdhouses to add to attract certain birds. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Green Street United Methodist Church with refreshments and a social hour. The program starts at 7 p.m. It is open to the public. Organizers ask that attendees use the ramp entrance in the parking lot to get to the meeting. e I Stovall’s products, all made from cedar, can be found at a variety ofstores locally and online, including Walmart, Amazon and Backyard Bird Watcher. “Cedar is the standard ofthe industry and they last long, they’re light, they’re easy to manufacture because the wood is easy to work with,” Stovall said ofhis birdhouses in a past Fox News interview. “Whether we realize it or not, one house doesn’t fit all birds. There are technical things to know such as entrance hole size, since larger holes can let predators in with smaller birds. Sometimes different bird species can use the house on different levels over one mating season. A woodpecker house may keep the bird from pectyng on your house.” D ft Affordable health screenings coming to Hastings Residents living in and around the Hastings area can learn about their risk for cardio­ vascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with afford­ able screenings by Life Line Screening. Hastings Free Methodist Church, 2635 N. M-43 Highway, will host the community event on Nov. 11. Screenings can check for: ., -The level ofplaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health - HDL and LDL cholesterol levels - Diabetes risk - Kidney and thyroid function Screenings are affordable and convenient and free parking is also available. Consultants will work with clients to create a package that is right for them based on age and risk factors. Those interested in an affordable health screening are asked to call 1-877-237-1287 or visit the website at lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required. Hastings Fire Department Chief Mark Jordan signed for a big delivery last week. The department received a new addition to its fleet, a 2023 pumper/tanker truck that holds 3,000 gallons. The vehicle came as one of the first of many new vehicles for the department, which will be replacing 20- to 30-year-old vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life. The truck pictured here is expected to roll into service this week. Jordan gave his thanks to the BIRCH Rural Fire Association and the City of Hastings for funding the department’s equipment needs. (Photo provided) KCC seeking applicants for free Kellogg Kickstart program for new students Kellogg Community College is accepting applications now for a free “Kellogg Kick­ start” program designed to give new students a head start on college. The program is open to any student intending to register for Spring 2024 classes at KCC who has not received a *C’ grade or better in college-level English or math. The Kellogg Kickstart program, a state-funded program offered as a way to help stem learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ran for the first time this summer. For­ ty-four students completed the program in August with 38 ultimately registering for classes to continue their education this semester at KCC. The Fall 2023 Kellogg Kickstart cohort will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 10 through Nov. 16, with a free meal provided from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Interested individuals can apply now for free online at kellogg-5207.page451. sites.451.io. The Kellogg Kickstart program is free for students, and completing it offers many benefits. Kickstart students will: " Complete the requirements for KCC’s required First Year Seminar course and Learn­ ing Technologies Readiness course, which saves them time and money. - Fulfill KCC’s required academic advising appointment. - Receive a weekly stipend in Visa gift cards and a free meal every day ofclass. - Get all course materials, including textbooks, free. - Receive free use ofa laptop while participating in the Kickstart Program. - Prepare for college-level English and math courses. For more information, email KCC’s Center for Student Success at css@kellogg.edu or visit kellogg.edu/kickstart. Commercial Bank celebrating 130 years Commercial Bank is celebrating 130 years ofcommunity banking this month. Tomorrow, on Friday, Oct. 6, each bank location, including the location at 629 W. State Street in Hastings, will celebrate the milestone with giveaways, treats and more. The celebrations will be centered in the lobbies ofeach bank. Bank representatives say the 130-year mark is a huge milestone for the bank, which prides itselfon staying locally-owned all these years. Bank representatives say they are grateful for their customers and the privilege ofcelebrating 130 years. A tNSUlx^ SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Public hearing on 2024 budget slated for Oct. 24 Banner Staff The Barry County Board of Commis­ sioners will hold a public hearing for the county’s proposed 2024 budget on Oct. 24. The public hearing will be held during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. that day in the mezzanine of the Barry County Courthouse. Following the public hearing, commissioners will vote on whether or not to pass the budget. A final draft of the proposed 2024 budget was distributed to county officials and department heads with a copy being made available through the county’s website. Printed copies are available by contacting the County Administration office. This year, there were no budget appeals, the avenue in which various departments go about formally requesting additional funds. Commission on Aging seeks feedback as it plans new facility Jayson Bussa Editor As the Barry County Commission on Aging embarks on a transformational project to construct a new home facility on the out­ skirts of Hastings, the organization’s leader­ ship is seeking input from area seniors and their families. The COA recently unveiled initial render­ ings ofwhat their new facility might look like when it is built at the comer of M-79 and McKeown Road, attached to the Harvest Pointe assisted living center, which is also operated by the county as part ofThomapple Manor. The new facility will be around 16,500 square feet in size, which is a signifi­ cant expansion compared to its 10,000 square-foot home at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings. Many ofthe expenses tied into the project have been defrayed thanks to the county providing the land and an additional $3 mil­ lion. Those funds have been combined with funds that the COA already had on hand, leaving the organization in need of$2.5 mil­ lion, which it will try to raise via a capital campaign. Along with that campaign, the COA board is launching a listening tour in order to gain tebibramiM kfisisiaai, Mlcensindn^xQuJ An initial rendering of the new Commission on Aging facility, which will soon be constructed at the corner of M-79 and McKeown Road. (Courtesy rendering) feedback from area seniors and their families, which could ultimately be integrated into the final plans for the facility. A schedule for the upcoming community conversations is below. At these sessions, attendees can review the conceptual drawing of the new facility and provide their thoughts and feedback. - Oct. 13 (10 a.m.) - Commission on Aging; 320 W. Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings - Oct. 19 (2 p.m.) - Delton District Library;-’ 330 N. Grove Street, Delton - Oct. 25 (5:30 p.m.) - Commission on? Aging; 320 W. Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings J - Nov. 1 (3:30 p.m.) - Village of Mid­ dleville; 100 E. Main Street, Middleville * - Nov. 8 (5 p.m.) — Two or Three Together;112 Main Street, Nashville -Nov. 13 (10:30 a.m.) - Woodland Eagles. Club; 105 N. Main Street, Woodland Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 l 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 New Cotton Blenders, Flannel 108" Backs, Solid Colors, more... The sighting brought bird watchers from all over trying to catch a glimpse of the bird at Charlton Park. (Photo provided) • Gift List: Quilts, Totes, Purses, Runners, Tree Skirts, Tablecloths, etc. Doug Klein (left), an organizer of the Barry County Bird Club, shakes hands with Dalton Rose (right) after the teen spotted the Limpkin and spread the word. (Photo by Del Bachert) RARE BIRD, continued from page 1 Hulst Cleaners Pick-UpStation QUESTIONS ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm fll z those swampy, marshy areas full of tasty snails and crustaceans. Strange and extreme weather patterns might also be confusing the birds, similar to the flamingos. As the climate continues to change, there will likely be more strange bird sightings in the future. Machinski said there’s been an upward trend of tropical bird sightings in Michigan the past few years, but it’s likely the birds will remain as just visitors. Michigan is still just too cold for many of these birds to establish any kind ofpopulation in the state. 011 Machinski encourages anyone in the area to try and see the bird ifthey can, which was seen hanging around Charlton Park as recent­ ly as Monday. Those new to the hobby sou take should ake care to give the bird space to ensure it isn’t stressed and can get back to its normal habitat. Klein said anyone interested in birding can contact the Barty County Bird Club at barrycountybirders@gmail.com or on their Facebook page Klein said they welcome commu­ nity members reporting their unusual sight- ings, like the Limpkin. The Limpkin may leave Barry County soon as fall continues to drive temperatures down, leaving behind its entourage of admirers and photographers. The first-time Barry County si sighting will surely be a lasting memory for many Michigan birders. Rose said he was happy to have caught a glimpse of the bird completely by chance. “I feel lucky just to even be there at the right time and see something that wouldn’t normally be here,” Rose said. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 5, 2023 — Page 3 Staff\Writer h pop-up up store downtown is offering a hew type of shopping experience in Hast- ’"foc "focated at 107 S. Jefferson St. between Gilmore Jewelers and Al & Pete’s Sports Shop, a nondescript green door labeled Hunt + Gather” acts as a gateway. 3.. , • “You can come in here and yqp can escape, you can be recharged,” owner Daniel Mark said. “It is kind of like stepping into Narnia, dr stepping through the looking glass in ‘Alice in Wonderland. ■ Mptk; Hastings .native, Chas Resigned the space to engage ail five senses. Visitors stepping into the store will be greeted by several vignettes displaying antiques, fur fur-­ 4niture, niture, knick-knacks, handcrafted items 4nd more. Jazz music hangStin the air alongside a cozy aroma of leather, tobacco and vanilla. Each part ofthe space presents a new scene. vThe enpre experience has been handcraft­ ed by Mark, Mb has a degree in interior design and has' worked for various major retailers across the country. He wanted to bring his talents back to Hastings, where his mother, Glenda Koutz, ran a craft store on Main Street back in the ‘90s. He’s collabo­ rating with AlFresco owner Terri Albrecht, Daniel Mark has opened Hunt and Gather on South Jefferson Street, offering a whom he’s known and worked with for unique shopping experience in downtown Hastings. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) years. ' “I’ve had a really great friendship and partnership with her. It’s just kind ofbrought me to this point, to open up a shop,” Mark said. “We really wanted to just collaborate and try to bring business downtown, to shop local, to support small business and have everybody come to Hastings.” The store offers a seasonal inventory with a collection of handpicked items, with antique furniture sitting alongside candles and hand-sewn pillows. The store’s invento­ ry will change over time, with the current collection focused on a fall farmhouse aes­ thetic. Items on sale have paper tags and come bundled in paper. J “People love the roosters, and the com stalks and just like the old farms and the cows,” Mark said. “We wanted to be really thoughtful with all those elements, down to even the tom paper and the jute twine, how we package things.” The store is open Wednesday through Saturday, with plans to stick around through December. Depending on the store’s recep­ tion, it could stick around longer, Mark said. He hopes he can bring the same sense of excitement to shoppers that he feels while looking for the right pieces to add to his inxentoiy.,_______ “You’re out hunting for treasures,” Mark said. “It creates that sense of a treasure hunt Tucked away at 107 S. Jefferson because the inventory is always changing Shoppers will be greeted by a series of Street, the Hunt and Gather seasonal from day to day or week to.week. It should curated vignettes like this one, offering a pop-up storefront is scheduled to leave in hopefully create a sense ofexcitement.” variety of handcrafted and thrifted goods. December. k&SI ■■■me City Council censured member accused of abusing power before resignation ■I 011^ MU - uriEBsasauixsai^^te" l^idbwDAW Meeting minutes obtained by the Hastings Banner show the Hastings City Council voted to censure council member Jim Cary at its Sept. 25 meeting following a closed-session. (File photo) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings City Council voted to cen­ sure former council member Jim Cary before he resigned, city documents show. According to meeting minutes drafted by the city and obtained by the Hastings Banner, the vote took place later in the night at the Sept. 25 meeting. Members voted 7-2 to cen­ sure Cary, with council members Cary and Don Bowers voting in opposition. The vote came after a closed session meet­ ing to receive privileged attorney-client com­ munication, which the minutes denote begin­ ning at 7:40 p.m. The minutes show the closed session adjourned at 8:50 p.m. A motion was then made to add the resolution to censure Cary to the agenda alongside a; direction authorizing the city manager and city attorney to draft a “more stringent” code, ofethics. The minutes show council member^ ; adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m. Cary submitted his 'letter of resignation ' from the city council the following <day. His resignation came amidst allegations he had abused his power by calling out relationships to local law enforcement in a series of text messages. The messages had been shared by a resident at the council’s Sept. 11 meeting. FOC BUILDING, continued from page 1 A A The ad hoc committee - consisting ofcom­ missioners Bruce Campbell, Jon Smelker and Jackson - toured the facility once again last month and is making several recommendations to the board on how to proceed with using it to meet the county government’s operational needs. The board has not been asked to approve any funding as ofyet. New windows are at the very top of the wish list for the former FOC building, which is sorely needed and would be possible for around $90,000. County leadership would look to install a few first to determine they are appropriate for the building before moving forward with the entire project. Other components of the building’s transformation would include the following. — Finding, or creating, a secure place to store Friend of the Court files that are still housed in the building and doing so according to state requirements. This could be on-site at the former FOC building or moved to a differ­ ent facility. - The building’s large open area in the cen­ ter will be used for community space, which county departments can utilize for meetings. This would be similar to the Tyden Center, which maintains a fairly heavy schedule of meetings and is therefore not always accessi­ ble. Renovations to this space would include measures such as new “carpet, paint and maybe tables and chairs,” Jackson said. - Repurposing one ofthe existing offices to be reserved for Michigan or United States representatives who might be in town and want to meet with constituents. - Repurposing another one of the current offices to be used for meeting space for coun­ ty commissioners. These areas would create a neutral environment for one-on-one meetings with constituents. The building is two«stories and Jackson said that the board would look to block off access to the upstairs while developing the main floor as opposed tojyenovating the entire facility all at once. “These are an overvievy.pf some ofthe things we’d like to see. As I said, we did not request funding for this. I think that will come in the future as (Director of Buildings and Grounds) Jeff (Hall) has a chance to evaluate and work through it and come bapk to the board with some of these expenses going forward, but I really like the idea ofhaving some community space there for county departments, business and people that need additional space.” Pine Lake resident Pam Weston speaks to county commissioners on Tuesday morning, saying that the lake level is safe for all residents right now, but they need to be ready to take action in the event flooding returns to that area. PINE LAKE, continued from page 3 A potential lake level or drain project on Pine Lake became a hot-button issue at the Barry County Board ofCommissioners meetings over the last year, where, on several occasions, residents have appeared in droves to either voice approval or disapproval of such a project. Proponents ofthe project have detailed the damage that has come along with fairly con­ sistent flooding on the lake while another subsection of residents feared that human intervention on the lake could potentially bring the level down so low that certain areas would become inaccessible. The contingent ofPine Lake residents that showed up at Barry County’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday morning was just as passionate and split as the crowds have been over the last year. The Committee ofthe Whole was discuss­ ing a resolution that would require the county to pledge full faith and credit for payment of the Pine Lake Special Assessment District’s irrevocable letter ofcredit. This is a necessary procedural step that would allow the county’s drain commissioner, Jim Dull, to acquire an open-ended, five-year permit from EGLE that would allow his department to carry out work on the lake if need be. However, the move does not mean any sort of project would move forward at this time. Dull said that his office has been working for roughly three years to get this permit and it has almost been a year since he applied for it. After a year expires, the county would have to conduct all the testing once again and risk losing the permit, so immediate action on the issue was crucial. The county board entertained the same reso­ lution back in May, but it was ultimately tabled because ofthe fierce division on the issue. 8 A series ofmurky .)^al( decisions'qp th?, 7 lake level for Pine Lake is at the heart ofmis matter, and the cause ofmost ofthe arguing. The most previous court decision on this mat­ ter, which came in the late 1990s, referenced a lake level of890.5 feet above sea level. But, neither side ofthis issue can seem to decide whether the 890.5-mark is considered the legal lake level or ifthat’s the low level and a legal maximum level does not currently exist. Dull has operated under the understanding that 890.5 feet is the level at which the lake should be legally maintained, but his office was aiming to install measures that would ensure it does not rise above 392.5 feet. “890.5 feet is a maintenance level... main­ taining that, everyone’s idea of that is differ­ ent,” Dull said once again at Tuesday morn­ ing’s meeting. “My idea of maintaining that is that there are four seasons in a year, and somewhere in those seasons, it should be close to that level.” Currently, the lake is sitting at around 392 feet and no flooding has been reported. Dull has tried out a variety of solutions over the years to manage the level. With a new permit in hand, his department wanted to try pumping water to a nearby gravel pit in Gun Plain Township, but it doesn’t appear that those efforts will move forward given the latest decision by commissioners. David Tripp of Hastings-based Tripp, Tagg, Storrs Attorneys at Law, appeared in front of commissioners during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting. He represents a group ofresidents called Friends of Pine Lake and he said, that before taking action, a legal lake level should be set with absolute clarity. This can be done 'by the Board of Commissioners or if two-thirds of Pine Lake residents come together and peti­ tion the court for a new lake level. “Before anything happens, I think either the county commissioners should discuss with their attorney what’s going on and why we’re trying to set a maximum (by acquiring this permit) when it’s clearly not to be done, ” Tripp concluded. Commissioner Mark Doster, who rep­ resents the district where Pine Lake is locat­ ed, has been outspokenly against moving any project forward without a clear legal lake level in place. Both back in May, and on Tuesday, he engaged with Dull in an especial­ ly combative line of questioning. “What needs to be done is a high lake level needs to be set first before you move forward with anything,” Doster said. “You need to see if there is support from the people - twothirds ofthe people - on that lake.” . “Your request to Allegan County (to pump water to the gravel pit) is so full of holes,” Doster added. “There are so many problems and it’s your fifth idea.” “That is correct. I really appreciate you bringing up the point that we have been really diligent about looking at different options,” Dull replied sarcastically. “I do appreciate that.” Doster and some residents at the meeting were worried about expenses that have already gone into this effort and how they will eventually foot the bill for them. When asked, Dull said that his office had spent “about $300,000 to $400,000” so far on the project. The Banner spoke with Dull a day later to pin dow...n. „a concrete number. Current expens­ esjjave totaled tmia ‘t th’ ere are still some outstanding bills ms* office has not received yet, and by getting the full faith and credit from the county, they will also need to pay for an irrevocable line of credit from Highpoint Bank. The county’s Committee of the Whole eventually approved the resolution ofextend­ ing full faith and credit to obtain the permit, but with one vital caveat that even got Doster on board with the measure. The county will support Dull in obtaining the EGLE permit but added a measure that no more action is to be taken on it unless an emer­ gency arises - which Dull will then have to submit a formal request from the county board - and Pine Lake residents can come to a con­ sensus on a legal level for the lake. Spending on the project will cease outside ofthe $1,000 per year required to maintain the permit “Every other lake of that stature - with million dollar houses on it - has protections for the people that live on it,” Barty County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Jackson said. “I would really like to see this go forward from the standpoint ofa lake asso­ ciation- or a lake resident-initiated project. I’m not opposed to passing the permit on the condition that... it stays on ice for five years or that an emergency or something is needed.” “I don’t see a reason for this board, at this point, to go out with all the various opinions on this and say ‘Hey we want you to go spend more money to test on this,”’ Jackson con­ cluded. NOTICE: SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS The Barry County Board ofCommissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Barry County Conservation Easement Board - 1 Agricultural Interest - Partial term Building Authority - 1 position Commission on Aging Board - 4 positions Community Corrections Advisory Board -1 Communications Media Solid Waste Oversight Committee - 2 General Public Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office 3 rd floor ofthe Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings;; or www. barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monda October 30,2023. 302023. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information I 206514 �Page 4 — Thursday, October 5, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you inion see New voting rules come with consequences I’m not sure that when Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 2 last November, they realized the impact it would have. Proposal 2, the constitutional amend­ ment that makes sweeping changes to our state’s voting laws, does take a stand for democracy and our time-honored respect for the right to vote, but the new voting options and expanded access comes att an unexpected financial cost. A nine-day voting period, pre-paid mailing of absentee notifications and votes for all future elec­ tions, and voter drop boxes for every 15,000 registered voters is the price taxpayers will pay for the big Proposal 2 victory. “Voting is the cornerstone ofour system of government,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Michiganders spoke with a clear, united voice last November when they voted Changing of the guard A familiar face in the Hastings community has called it quits from a 28-year career. Last week, Troy Dalman, who operates a Farmers Insurance agency in Hastings, officially retired and handed the reins of his business to Korin Ayers, who served as an employee there for five years. In addition to running his agency, Dalman has been active in the community and plans to continue that pattern of serving. Some of his service to the community includes his involvement with the Hastings Rotary Club in addition to two stints serving on the board for the YMCA’s Camp Algonquin. He’s also served on the March of Dimes committee for Barry County and has coached youth sports and volunteered in other ways. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Do you remember? Police nab raccoon burglar Banner Oct. 7,1993 Hastings police officers had their hands full in capturing a raccoon that broke into Hook’s Drugs Sunday morn­ ing. They managed to pull the animal from behind the back wall of the phar­ macy with a pole and lasso. The rac­ coon was first sighted behind a soft drink machine in front of Hook’s, said clerk Pam Smith. It sneaked into the drug store when a door opened. The animal was released in the parking lot behind the store. Have you met? Originally from the Flint area, Hadlee Andrews-Robinson has always had a pas­ sion for nonprofit work. The daughter oftwo UAW union mem­ bers, Andrews-Robinson said she grew up watching her parents volunteer on the weekends with their fellow union mem­ bers. During the Flint Water Crisis, her parents were in the community handing out water and providing support for local families. It’s an experience that has stuck with her, she said. “Watching the community and the com­ munities around us come together to sup­ port one another, I think that’s what took me into nonprofit work and believing in the missions of organizations that want to change the world,” Andrews-Robinson said. “Now, I view myself as the person who gets to fund all of the amazing work that nonprofits do.” She moved to Kalamazoo to attend West­ ern Michigan University, studying political science and public policy. After graduating in 2020, she began working in the nonprof­ it field, fundraising for organizations she felt could make a difference. She’s recently moved into a role at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, as its new development director. While she’s still acclimating to her new role, she said it feels like a perfect fit. “I love being outside and my job is get­ ting to do something I enjoy, which is fund­ raising, grant writing and building relation­ ships in the community,” she said. “I feel like I kind of get to do that on behalf of nature now.” Andrews-Robinson said she was imme­ diately struck by the institute when she first arrived. “It is absolutely beautiful,” she said. “When I pulled in for my interview, I was on the phone with my husband. Pulling into the driveway I was like, ‘Yeah, I want to work here! It’s so beautiful.” She and her husband spend a lot oftheir time outdoors, with her working at the Institute and his family owning a golf course in Calhoun County. They also travel Hadlee Andrews-Robinson a lot, bringing along their two dogs for walks along trails, going to concerts and just seeing new places. “We love doing day trips,” she said. “My mom thinks we are crazy, but a workday is eight hours. We feel that if we can drive somewhere in eight hours, that is a worthy trip. Because we could have spent it working, but instead we’re getting to a new place.” While their travels have taken them all over the country, she said they’re not look­ ing to leave West Michigan anytime soon. Aside from a couple of visits to her home­ town of Durand, she said she’s looking to stay on this side of the state and continue exploring Hastings and Barry County. “I love (the Flint) area, that will always be home,” she said. “But southwest Michi­ gan -1 feel like I’m stuck like glue here.” For her dedication to community-fo­ cused work and her role in supporting con­ servation efforts right here in Barry County, Hadlee Andrews-Robinson is this week’s Bright Light. Music I like to listen to: I’m kind ofall over the place, but I think I’d probably live in an indie alternative space. I love Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius, Rainbow Kitten Sur­ prise, Taylor Swift, Japanese Breakfast, Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan and Mt. Joy. Greatest song ever written: I think my perfect song would probably be “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage The Elephant. I have listened to that song an obnoxious amount of times. It’s a very popular song so you hear it a lot, and it’s perfect every single time. It’s just like a little bop. Book I’d recommend: “Braiding Sweet­ grass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It’s a fab­ ulous book. After I read it, I think that is what really pushed me to want to work in the environmental space as well. What I like about my job: The things I get to do every day, I find them to be really fun and challenging. I like that every day is a little different than the day before. But what I’m really, really loving about the Insti­ tute so far is - I don’t have any sort of sci­ ence background, and I am really new to the environmental space - so I really, genuinely enjoy listening to my coWorkers and learn­ ing from them. I went out on a property tour with our stewardship manager. And it was the most fascinating hour-and-a-half I’ve had all month. Listening to them talk about the biological field station and the science programming in the schools - I just think that they are a wonderful group ofpeople to be surrounded by and to get to learn from. What I like about Barry County: It’s really beautiful here, the natural landscape. I genuinely enjoy my commute every day. I think that I have the most beautiful com­ mute I could have ever imagined. I watch the sunrise over Wall Lake every morning on my drive, and 1 consider. myself very lucky. I also love the small-town feel of Hastings. I like that people are walking around and waving at each other. There’s stuff to do, but we all seem to know each other. I think that’s really special. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, NO 49058; or email news@f-adgraphics.com. overwhelmingly in favor of Proposal 2, expanding voting rights.” While other leaders in government had concerns over voter security, a growing problem that we’ve seen across the country in recent elections, they also warned that Proposal 2 could open up more opportuni­ ties for improprieties in future elections. For instance, the new provisions allow clerks in municipalities with a least 5,000 people to process and count absentee bal­ lots eight days before election day; voting can start nine consecutive days prior to election day. It also requires each munici­ pality in the state to have at least one accessible absentee voter drop box for every 15,000 registered voters in the municipality. It expands options for photo identifications used in voting and requires an absentee ballot tracking system and prepaid postage on the ballots. All admirable changes, but I’m not sure that Michigan voters realized the added cost and the impact that Proposal 2 would have on local governments. Barry County 15 a prime example. Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer appeared before the Board ofCommission­ ers last week to outline her plans to consol­ idate voting locations amongst the county’s 16 townships and the City of Hastings to ''shve money and staff as well as to mini­ mize the cost ofnew equipment needed to carry out the nine days ofearly voting. Due to the changes in the law, the coun­ ty faces roughly $125,000 in new equip­ ment expense in addition to the over $100,000 needed to staffthe early voting locations throughout the county. Palmer went on to voice her concerns that Propos­ al 2 may prove to be an unfunded mandate by the state if Barry County doesn’t receive reimbursement. Palmer’s initial information from the state indicates that the state could potential­ ly reimburse 40 percent ofequipment costs to individual townships and 80 percent to those townships that consolidate voting. In their $82 billion budget for fiscal 2024, lawmakers included $46 million for the Michigan Department of State to implement Proposals 1 and 2. Proposal 1 changed the term limits for state legisla­ tors from three 2-year terms (6 years) in the state house and two 4-year terms (8 years) in the state Senate to 12 combined years in the Legislature. The Secretary of State’s office said it plans to stretch the $30 million set aside for the additional costs across Michigan’s 83 counties, but there is no commitment to cover all the additional expenses. I agree with Palmer that this could be another unfunded mandate for counties across the state. Palmer did her best to promote consoli­ dation for most of the county other than five townships that have chosen to remain separate due to the highly-populated size oftheir voting districts. That’s where Proposal 2 is breaking down. It was sold as “historic, voting rights legislation,” but it’s turning out to be a costly $46 million budget buster. Though Palmer told commissioners she applied for a grant reimbursement for the additional cost, she also warned commis­ sioners that they could be “on the hook” for some of the equipment required to meet the new standards. Most Americans - seven in 10 U.S. adults - feel it’s very important to vote in elections in order to be a good citizen, according to a recent Pew Research Cen­ ter report. The survey did indicate differ­ ing views, though, between older and younger Americans. For example, 86 per­ cent ofthose ages 65 and older say voting is very important compared to around half, 47 percent, of those under 30. But that comes with maturity and as younger people settle down, enter the job market and begin their careers, they generally get more involved in choices in society. Michigan can take pride that in this past November’s election, a larger number of younger voters participated. Voters aged 18-29 turned out at a rate of 37 percent, higher than any other state according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE). Additionally, Michigan was one of only four states where youth turnout was higher in 2022 than in 2018, perhaps due to the several proposals on the ballot, including abortion rights. “We continue working with Michigan’s colleges and universities and their local clerks to ensure young citizens can conveniently cast their ballot and know how to do so, and I’m thrilled to see data recog­ nizing the impact of our work,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “A strong democracy requires informed and engaged citizens - and Michigan is leading the way in ensuring our youngest voters are active participants in determining our future.” It all sounds good, but did voters realize the financial impact of mandating rules that force local governments to accommo­ date the new voting requirements? For more than 50 years, I’ve been voting on what was considered “Election Day” when voters were expected as good citi­ zens to Set aside the time to Vote. Voters with valid' reasons for not being 'able tord vote on that day could get an absentee bal­ lot prior to Election Day. Now, with nine days of voting, poll workers will sit for hours waiting for people to cast their vote rather than getting it all done in one day. Plus, the new rules require additional equipment, an extra financial burden to counties across the state. The only good option is consolidating voting locations, though the few Barry County townships that choose not to con­ solidate say it’s due to the difficulty in keeping track oftheir own voters and the differences in ballots. Itjust shows us that voting has its con­ sequences not only when changing poli­ cies, but ultimately in making wise deci­ sions. It’s important for voters to spend more time on the issues and candidates to make sure they make the best decisions because every vote does matter. “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely,” said former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The real safeguard ofdemocracy, therefore, is education.” The Hastings BclIlIlCT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM• Jayson Bussa (Editor) (Copy Editor) Bremer (Sports Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County ounty $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod Brett Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 ez /jb1 FF. I * nnvaris' MMMHI taeigtalik M NHMM wsmi mm • b bcm pa 4 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 5, 2023 — Page 5 CERC expands over past year with .’additional programming, facility updates wX &w ^JsViWW SSwAJM <*^v5SS s fe^W **• I ^S^SSSSj* j . I>&s . >&s,,Se? Se? MA te$^ te$^ f1 JL^Wr fc.1 JLW ijSS I b'*,iB'®2s;,*2tte?s'» II I JS±^is^ I > JS!*8*^* A^s1 I l***^^! 11’^1 fcftj fe I <hUtatsifftfakw “ tastaiiteiii I ttttB tata At an te fc r? rala re ta& ■atafttaancaE to mx r an tai tai JlHypEitatata «n®to | by te a itay C<® to' i^qtaojMBtta ituiittanat djtata0&h djtata0&h £2 ufliDi bk ta reiptlisttaw* hEt®?jh hxrEsta®?.j^eh'mta xrsa.jema t0’’ 3E4.ta3SSEW>-y ^jj-aaiftniBiP irM fr Ifeg imicB**J fr * '4* L’ tad K®)**** ■'**i2!i>*'S> 2!> “"‘ •“?*»> fa* i***^)' )i "*£>£/ £>£/ R^ _ iwrLriF iwrLri director. Emily Doherty, has been working i h^d to expand programming and access to i the community center. Several new fitness classes have been i added to the weekly sch^ule mcludmg. tiwee : yoga ccfliasses, pilates, Zumba and SHiNE I dn ance fitnness.. Most recently, we ve added a ! taukenbo martial arts and self-defense class i on Monday and Thursday evenings. evenings Kajuken Kajuken‘ to hybrid martial art from Hawaii that jncorporaes it ates a blend of striking, kicking, take-downs and disarmament. I Community education programming has also ' expanded with sewing classes, first aid CPR and AED classes, kids’ craft events, a book club and an introduction to hiking seminar. This win­ ter the CERC will be partnering with Colleen Acker ofCareWell Services to provide a threepart dementia caregiving series to educate participants on the impact of dementia, how to keep those who have dementia engaged and tips for managing behaviors and self-care. HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Hasti ngs Area School System wnMr wnr been een wor^ng hard to increase nntinn ln 0Ur community and offer many Adnif fu swimming tesons for youth and Quits inn Hastings and beyond. The CERC is Qus home to not only the Hastings High School swim and dive team,, but also the Hammerhead •• ii ,u^ ,u^ an^ an^ Hastings Community Divu /^CDC). The Hammerheads arc a youth swim club open to ages 8-18 who can swim freestyle and backstroke. The HCDC is a year-round registered AAU and USA Diving Competitive Club with USA diving and U-certified coaches offering lessons in both recreational and competitive diving. Updates to the facility include the addition ofnew cardio equipment and weight machines to the weight room with plans to refinish the balcony flooring and add televisions in the cardio area. The CERC has also recently partnered with Tivity Health, Silver Sneakers and Renew Active to offer qualifying community members memberships to the CERC att no cost. Furthermore, we are continuing to seek partnerships with other providers to expand this access to as many of our community members as possible. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Oct. 5 — Movie Memories & Mile­ stones watches a 1938 film starring Billy Curtis and Yvonne Moray, 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mah­ jong, 2 p.m.; Young Authors Write, 3:30 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Affordable Connectivity Porgram (register for refreshments and gift cards), 2 p.m.; Learn Crochet (supplies available, located near the fireplace), 6 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Oct 6-12 Oct. 1-31 - October Storywalk Book: “Amara and the Bats” by Emma Reynolds. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, Oct. 7 - Stewardship workday, 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 — October Brunch. Brunch seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; program from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.; Rex Roscoe’s art- ist reception from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Institute member adults and children will pay $22 and $12, respectively, for the brunch. Adults who are not members of the Institute must pay $27; non-member children cost $14. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. Mystery mural revealed to be community art project Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A mysterious mural that’s been a source of speculation has been unveiled as a collabora­ tive community art space. The mural, located on the back wall of 149 W. State St. in downtown Hastings, sparked discussion when residents noticed it earlier this summer. The striking pink-and-black message, “Me First,” puzzled and confound­ ed many who took to social media to share . their thoughts. The mystery further grew when the Thor­ napple Aits Council made an announcement this summer that the mural was only part one of a two-phase project, with more details to come. Part two was announced on Monday, designating the space as “Painter’s Alley.” The large white space under the mural is a ; canvas for local graffiti artists, who are free \ to paint the designated area in any way * they’d like. The rules are simple: stick to » painting the designated areas, pick up after ! yourself and don’t use hate symbols or ‘ speech. j The project was a success before it was even unveiled on Monday. Artist J. Maizlish Mole, who painted the “Me First” mural, said • work on the site was completed on Saturday. i Before TAC officially announced the com­ I pleted project, another message had appeared by) Mondays imbmimgjjjfMejSeoond^V signed I by an artist using the moniker “Rev.” j After months ofwork on the project, Mole said he couldn’t possibly think of a better ; way to christen it. “The message was so on point, that I felt ' just elated with it. It’s a little bit ofa vindica, tion after so much anticipation about whether I it was going to work or not,” Mole said. “(I j worried) whether people would understand ! it, or whether people would show up and add 1 to it. But yeah, I was very happy to see it.” That lone message was the first of many, i with more showing up before the end ofthe j day Monday. The canvas has become even ! more crowded as the week goes on, showcas■ ing a colorful variety of art and messages. • From here, the project lies solely in the com­ ' munity’s hands. ' The wall will inevitably run out of space. ! Artists will have to paint over old art. Old j messages will be erased and new ones will J^a^n a^e ^&e/uej Jordan Michael Bassett, Nashville and Amber Lynn Palmer, Nashville Hastings-based international artist J.Maizlish Mole posed for a photo alongside some of the first pieces on the wall Monday afternoon. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) □j babasn Jn-jmqiupa wan io jxim I take their place, over and over. A sign nearby warns visitors to take a picture if they see something they like because it might not be there tomorrow. It’s all part ofthe art form, Mole said. “Whatever happens, happens, and thet’s okay,” Mole said. “It’sjust a space for people to use and fill up and it creates a dialogic. It’s already created dialogue.” While the graffiti wall concept might be new to Hastings, it’s been around for a long time. They exist all over the state and lhe country, offering artists a spade to flex their creativity without defacing public or private property. Mole said the concept has even existed in Hastings before, with an old, ply­ wood graffiti wall existing at the local skaiepark before time and the elements broke it down. Mole said there are many parallels to be drawn between the two spaces. “A graffiti wall works on the same princi- Keeley Regan Hinton, Delton and Joshua Ryan Colwell, Delton Hayley Jae McLeod, Woodland and Michael Thomas Weiland, Knightstown, IN Kacee Jordan Lamance, Delton and Denver Jacob Sweat, Delton Carissa Ann White, Hastings and Christo­ pher Michael Pillars I, Hastings Sophia Anastasia Hamilton, Hastings und Daniel Andrew Shumake, Grandville Early Monday morning, a mural in downtown Hastings received its first response to its “Me First’ message, reading “Me Second.” (Photo provided) ple as a skate park. We build a place for people to do this thing, which is often done illegally and which is regarded as a menace,” Mole said. “They go (to the designated space) and they do it there instead, and they take pride in it, and they take care of the place.” “It’s a public utility. It keeps them from skating down the courthouse handrail, or whatever they’d be doing otherwise,” Mole said. “And the same works with graffiti.” Mole said the depiction ofthe “Me First” message on the wall acts as a caricature of the art form. The thick, blobby strokes and the carefully illustrated drips ofpaint act as an homage to form, much in the same way that Roy Lichtenstein’s work paid tribute to the comic book. The whole experience gets fairly meta - Mole said he was distinctly aware he was painting a painting. While painting the big illustrated drips, his own paint would run and drip, creating a self-re­ peating, fractal experience. He knew going into the project that the piece was going to be more controversial than his previous work on South Jefferson Street. Alongside chatter online, Mole said the piece has received lots ofpositive recep­ tion as well, with many onlookers stopping to chat while he was painting it. Whether the community likes his part ofthe project isn’t as important to him as how the collaborative space is received, he said. “I really am hoping that people will appre­ ciate this in time as a public art space that’s helpful,” he said. “If they get upset about people painting things that they don’t like, I hope - I urge them to come down and cover them with things they do like because it’s a public forum.” Marilyn Ann Anderson, Battle Creek and Nicolas Ray Willavize, Battle Creek William James Courtney, Bellevue and Ali­ cia Katherine Anglin, Bellevue Taylor Ann Kuhlman, Hastings and Travis Lawrence VanPutten, Hastings Sophia Elizabeth Groendal, Hastings and Kenneth Joe Smith, Delton Jessica Mae O’Connor, Middleville and Adin Nuhagic, Middleville Bryce John Spurgeon, Hastings and Rebecca Jo Linsea, Hastings Kimberly Anne Jones, Delton and Cameron Henry Hudson, Richland Ryan Michael Levering, Lake Odessa and Nicole Brianna Freeman, Rockford Madelane Gene Weatherby, Delton and Ryan Robert Clark, Delton Joumi Lynn Neil, Hastings and Brent Allen Farrugia, Hastings Councilman Cary should reconsider resignation painter’s alley This is a free & legal graffiti space. GROUND RULES: I. 2. 3. LEAVE NO TRASH BEHIND NO HATE SYMBOLS/SPEECH STAY OFF THIS UNPAINTED SI If you like something, take pictures. It may not be visible tomorrow. This space exists by courtesy of: Miller Real Estate Phillips Tax & Consulting Thomapple Arts Council J Maizlish Mole. Coordinator A sign near Painter’s Alley lays ground rules for artists and visitors.alike, telling onlookers to take photos of anything they like before it gets covered by something new. (Photo provided) Madison Leeann Wellman, Middleville and Dominic Joseph Koepke, Hastings Cole Lena McKelvey, Hastings and William Allen VanProoyen IV, Hastings Sabrina Lynn Wright, Hastings and Mark Donald Sherk, Hastings Jeremy Jay Koning, Caledonia and Sara Krystan Hayman, Caledonia Connor James Campbell, Hastings and Kris­ ten Lee Cantrell, Hastings Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 Hastings oanner Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner? To the editor: It was a great disappointment to read in The Ban■ ner that Councilman Jim Cary had submitted his ' resignation due to the actions ofJoel Ibbotson. I have । known Jim for many years and I feel he was an excel■ lent councilperson. I do not live in the city but many ; decisions the city council makes effects me as a j county resident. I think what Joel Ibbotson did was inexcusable. • To bring a personal matter up in front of a public ' meeting without first contacting the parties is rude. Ibbotson says he attempted to contact council members prior to the meeting. I find that hard to believe out of eight members, plus a mayor and city man­ ' ager, (that) he was unable to contact even one mem­ ber. Ibbotson calls himself a watchman of county gov­ ' eminent but who is watching him? He left out many i details in his accusations ofCary. The first being that । the female in question is his cousin. Yes, Cary admitted he had said such things conceming ChiefBoulter and Judge Doherty but who has not HaitiHaw Middleville: Shelbyvilles Nashville: One Stop Shop (Marathon) Speedway Harding's Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Middleville Johnny's Town 8l ^Country The Dock D^ho.ni Trading Post sg Nashville JohnnjZs MV Pharmacy ,^! Nashville C Store Orangeville: Family Fare Delton Johnny's (M-43 North) Supltate Family Pare inthe heat of anger made comments or threats in a similar manner? I believe we all hive at some point in our lifetime. Ibbotson wanted to be a grnndstander to look important with his group but he failed, it made him look the opposite. He was rude in the manner of addressing this situation. I would like to see Jim Cary reconsider his resignation and continue on the council The council needs more honest people like him. Sarah VanDenburg Hastings ; Tom's Market Hastings Johnny's The General Store Marathon Megei Bev Hastings Pharmacy ' । Marathon Gas Station (M-37 West) Marathon Gas Station (M-37 South) Family Fare Qas Station Walgreens Orangeville Fast Stop Hanfield: Prairieville: Banfield General Store Prairieville Fast Stop Carl’s Lake Lake-O-Express Lake-O-Mart Lake Odessa Johnn Carl’s Dowlingz Cloverdale: Goldsworthys Cloverdale General Woodland: Woodland Express L & J’s �Page 6 — Thursday, October 5, 2023 — The Hastings Banner W! Ansel Simeon Kingsbury Patricia Lou (Bell) Williams passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 at Woodlawn Meadows Assisted Living Facility where she was very much loved. Pat was born in Kalamazoo, MI on March 16, 1937 to Clarence and LuLu Bell. Pat knew how to love well and always had a beautiful smile to share. She loved her Lord and brought music and love into the lives of everyone she met. Patricia is survived by her three daughters, Kathy (John) Adamonis of Fremont, IN; Kris (Mark) Wolverton of Battle Creek and Beth (Brent) Cravens of Delton. Pat dearly loved and was very proud ofher grandchildren, Wil­ liam, Gabriel (Kat), Nicholas (Jenna), Jillian (Matt), Lacey (Matt), Daniel (Stacie), David (Becky), Tyler (Stephanie) and Chelsea (Dan). She was blessed to be the great-grandmother ofDallas, Sydney, Cash, Noah, Hadley, Kendric, Crystal, Ethan, Harper, Emerson, Zander, Wyatt, Amelia, Dax, Wayion, Ezekiel, Cecilia, McKenna, Ivy Bell, Granger and Titus. Pat was a dear sister to Judy Williams. Her nieces and nephews also survive as well as special friends Mary and Willie Sager. Pat was predeceased by her parents; broth­ er, James Bell and brother-in-law, Thomas Williams; sister-in-law, Kay Williams, as well as her beloved husband, Bob. Pat, better known as Patsy Bell, was raised in Parchment, MI and was a proud 1955 grad­ uate ofK^lamazpo (Jratral tHigh School. She attended Western Michigan University and’ was introduced to the love of her life, Bob, on a blind date. They were married after her graduation from WMU on August 15, 1959. Pat started her teaching career in Romulus, Michigan in 1959 as Bob finished Mortuary School. In 1961, Kathy was bom followed the next year by Kris. In 1963, the family moved to Cedar Springs, Michigan where Pat taught and Bob worked for the local funeral home. In 1965, Pat and Bob purchased the Hen­ ton-Smith Funeral Home in Delton and Pat stopped teaching to partner with Bob in the business. Beth was bom in 1967 and their family was complete. Pat loved working with children and music most. She sang and directed church choir and taught Vacation Bible School at Faith United Methodist Church in Delton. One of her favor­ ite times of life was being the director ofthe Delton Sweet Adelines group. Pat absolutely adored these ladies and singing with them. Their yearly show is something that many people still remember. She continued to have monthly luncheons with many ofthese ladies. In 1990, Pat returned to the Kindergarten classroom at Pleasantview Elementary School in the Hastings Area Schools district. When Star School was built, Pat helped design the new Kindergarten classroom and then taught there. Bob passed away in 2006 and Pat’s Star School family were her rocks and helped her navigate her new path. Pat retired in 2009 but has continued in the ensuing years to attend many high school graduations each spring. She was a much beloved Kindergar­ ten teacher and friend to many. In 2022, Pat moved to Woodlawn Assisted Living and Memory Care. The staffand resi­ dents soon became extended family and she came to love all ofthem as ifthey were her own family. She loved the family-style meals, eating Nutter Butter cookies, playing Bingo and cards, playing the piano and being a bright light to those around her. Her family was honored that Pat was able to return home to Woodlawn to spend her last hours in the care ofthose who loved her so much. Above all else, Pat loved Jesus and was assured that she was going to heaven when she left this world! Pat’s family received friends on Tuesday, Oct. 3,2023 at Williams Gores Funeral Home, 133 E. Orchard Street, Delton. Pat’S celebra­ tion of life took place on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at Faith United Methodist Church. Pas­ tor Rick Foster officiated. Burial took place in East Hickory Comers Cemetery. Memorial contributions'can. (be ma^e. ;to.J Country Chapel Niiracle Fund'. Please visir www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Pat’s family. Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 pm. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 10 7 pp.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service - J] a.m.to 12:00p.m. Ww.cbchastings .org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. Jto information on worship services ispmvided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: s Flexfab Himks V 51 North M-43 Hwy Hastings 945‘9554 1 gg9 MF / » MFI MF ^43 Highway Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 FiberfliflSB FiberfliflSB AMftMKlumBV AMftMKlumBV 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Dolores Eleanor Bleam Linda Jean Garrison M Ansel Simeon Kingsbury, age 60, of Dolores E. Bleam, age 92, ofHastings, MI, Delton, MI, passed away on October 1, 2023. passed away on October 3, 2023, at Wood­ Ansel was born on January 25, 1963, in lawn Meadows of Hastings. Dolores was Hastings, MI, the son of Orville John and born in Freeport, MI on May 7, 1931, the Juanita (Burton) Kingsbury. He was a 1982 graduate ofDelton-Kellogg daughter of Joseph and Genevieve (McDon­ High School. On June 22, 1991, Ansel mar­ nell) Doyle. Dolores married the love ofher life, Arthur ried Dawn Marie Lancaster, and they enjoyed Bleam Jr., on June 24, 1950. They enjoyed 32 years together. 53 years together, until his death in 2003. Ansel worked at Delton Body Shop, Murcos Meats, Maaco’s in Battle Creek, Alpine Together, Dolores and Art remodeled many Collision, Goldsworthy Auto, and various odd houses in Hastings, long before “flipping jobs, retiring from Delton Body Shop in 2011. houses” became a thing. They took pride in Ansel enjoyed auto body restoration, bow their work and Dolores enjoyed decorating and gun hunting, fishing, and motorcycle each house. events. Dolores was a hard worker all ofher life. Ansel was preceded in death by his par­ She grew up on the family farm in Freeport. ents, Orville J. and Juanita (Burton) Kings­ She worked at Goodyear Hardware in Hast­ bury; his grandmother, Lonnie (Burton) ings, ran her own daycare, and retired from Kingsbury, and grandfather, Homer Burton, the State ofMichigan after 30 years. After and brother and sister-in-law, John and Corey that, she went to work at St. Rose of Lima (Billings) Kingsbury. He is survived by his wife, Dawn M. Kings­ Parish as the bookkeeper, retiring from that bury; sons. Adam (Jessica) Kingsbury and job at age 80. She stayed involved in sev­ eral boards and enjoyed helping out where Bradley (Christy) Kingsbury, and grandsons, she could. Logan Kingsbury, Nox and Galvin Kingsbury. Dolores was preceded in death by her hus­ Memorial contributions in memory of Ansel can be made to Spectrum Health Foun­ band, Arthur; her brothers, Joe, Don and dation - Hospice, https://www.spectrumKenny; her sisters, Gerry and Sharon, and her health.org/foundation/ways-to-give/memorison-in-law, David Kirby. als-and-tributes, 25 Michigan St NE, Suite She is survived by her children, Lorri 4100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or the Amer­ Kirby of Richland MI; Joseph (Melissa) ican Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer. Bleam ofFreeport, MI; grandchildren, Scott org/, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 .t Kirby of Lansing,. Ml, Caitlin.. (Jerome A Celebration of Life Gathering is being1 Kliick) Kirby ofLarising,.ML Loj^iri Bleam afiftb'dpb adt Oft’ i v'mn rlnuncH plafiftb'dpb of Middleville, Ml’ Ian Bleam ofHastings, Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. MI, Austin Bleam of Caledonia, MI, Greg To receive updates about the Celebration of Kirby ofHesperia, MI, Kelly (Mike) Torian Life or to leave an online condolence visit of Broomfield, CO; great grandchildren, www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Polly and Vinny Torian ofBroomfield, CO, and Charlie Ann Kirby Kluck of Lansing ,MI, and several nieces and nephews. William James Gleason, Sr. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity ofone’s choice. Visitation will be on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Funeral Mass will be Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 805 S. Jefferson Avenue, Hastings, MI, 49058, interment to follow at Mt. Cal­ vary Cemetery. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfimeralhome.net. Linda Jean Garrison, age 82, of Freeport, MI, passed away on September 28, 2023, at home with her daughter by her side. Linda was bom on August 30, 1941, in Hastings, MI, the daughter of Arthur and Gladys (Wilkins) Keeler. Linda attended Hastings High School. On October 7, 1967, Linda married Harry Garri­ son, and they enjoyed 54 years together until his death in 2021. She worked at Hastings City Bank as a bookkeeper and as a nurse at Pennock Hospital and Tendercare Assisted Living Center. Linda spent many years processing entries for the Barry County Fair, a position she took, on after Harry was elected to the fair board. She and Harry enjoyed traveling to and camp­ ing at antique tractor shows for over 20 years. Linda also enjoyed quilting and cross stitch. Linda was preceded in death by her par- ‘ ents, Arthur and Gladys Keeler; husband, t Harry Garrison; grandson, Donnell Rowe; * sister, Judith Furlong, and brothers, Ken, Keith, Don, and Charles Keeler. She is survived by her children, Janine (Ricky) Rowe of Goldsboro, NC, Annette (Perry) Raab ofLake Odessa, MI, Julie (Brian Foster) Garrison of Rockford, MI, Kathleen (Lee) Garrison-Haynor of Eaton Rapids, MI; grandchildren, Cassandra, Di’Anthony, Branden, Caleb, Elizabeth and Michael; six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-, grandchild^ sifter, Jan Day of Battle Greet MI, antfWverafmeces MI tfW f and d nephews. h Memorial contributions in memory of Linda can be made to the Barry County Humane Society, https://barrycountyhumane. org/ (Donate Now), 231 S. Broadway, Hast­ ings, MI 49058. Memorial visitation will be held Thursday,, Oct. 5, 2023, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfimeralhome.net. / ini’1" X'Jiilili® '’ IlM William James Gleason, Sr., age 94, origi­ nally of Chicago, IL, passed away on Sep­ tember 26, 2023, in Middleville, ML William was born on September 29, 1928, in Chicago, IL, the son of John and Lillian (Hogan) Gleason. He was a 1946. graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Chicago, IL. On Februaiy 2, 1963, William married Marilyn Dalton, and they enjoyed |7 years together until her passing in August of 1990. William proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a Captain of the Chicago,. Fire Department, retiring in September of 1992. William was a member of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local #2 and was a “Friend ofBill W.” William was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Gleason; daughter Margaret Brasher; his parents, John and Lillian Gleason, and siblings, John “Jack” Gleason and Margaret Anderson. He was the stepfather ofGayle (Frank) LaRocco and Eugene Blomquist, and the father ofthe late Margaret (Michael) Brasher, Mary (Gary) Altman, William J. Gleason, Jt, Lenora (Bruce) Johnson, and Beverly (Kevin) Bull grandfather ofTimothy Brasher, Christopher Greene, AmanAman­ da Dovalina, Sarah Myers, Rosemary Brasher, Gary Altman, Jr., Jacob Bull, Matthew Bull, Margaret Gleason, and Erin ffiilk great-grandfa­ ther ofseven, and loving uncle to many. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 805 S. Jefferson, Hastings, MI, on Saturday,Oct. 7,2023, at 10 a.m. with Celebrant Father Jeff Hanley. A private burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. 1 Teresa Mary Delaphiano, a beloved wife, mother, and nana, passed away peacefully on September 29,2023, in Kalamazoo, MI. Bom March 3, 1955 in Plainwell, MI, Teresa was a beacon of love, kindness, and creativity, touching the lives of many with her warm spirit and infectious enthusiasm. Teresa is survived by her devoted hus­ band, Jim Delaphiano; her loving mother, Bessie Hermenitt, and her cherished chil­ dren, Tracy (Grant) Cook and Joey (Jenn) Delaphiano. She was a doting grandmother to Micayla, Mason, Emma, Alexis, Brayden, a proud great-grandmother to Malakai, and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of two more great grandchildren. Teresa was a dear sister to Dennis, Tom (Julie), Ruth, Terry, and David (Jody) Hermenitt, and a beloved sister-in-law to Sherry (Jim) Charkowski ss&ks!®8'?4® naw* idMataoa* amklBoIi ■iiwiH sstv Teresa Mary Delaphiano and Vicki (Bobbie) Ritchie. She was predeceased by her father, Ken-. neth Hermenitt, and her siblings, Robert and . Deborah Hermenitt. Teresa will also be fond- j ly remembered by her numerous nieces and j nephews. A proud graduate of Delton-Kellogg High I School, Teresa continued to serve her alma ! mater as a Parapro, where she was well-loved ; by students and staff alike. Her passion for j sports was evident in her 30-year tenure as a • cheerleading coach and her involvement as a I softball coach and player. Teresa’s interests extended beyond the ; sports field. She was a talented crafter and 1 an avid scrapbooker, preserving precious j family memories with her creative touch. » She had a deep love for Christmas, garden- ' ing, and decorating, infusing her home with j warmth andjoy. Above all, Teresa loved her ‘ family deeply and took great pleasure in * attending sporting events for her children . and grandchildren. Teresa Mary Delaphiano was a wonderful woman who lived her life with kindness and love. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched with her loving spirit and ' creative flair. Teresa’s family received friends on Mon- ; day, Oct. 2, 2023 at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home and again on Tuesday, Oct. 3, • 2023 fat Faith United Methodist Church where her funeral service was conducted. , Pastor Roger Claypool officiated. Burial took place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Orangeville. Memorial contributions to Delton Kellogg ! Education Foundation will be appreciated. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral. . com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Teresa’s family. m Si. Si �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 5, 2023 — Page 7 Michigan means beans to some |jS A- hS ’ r- i ■ ss? ss Cd pS hlltffiikktwhw iHofBraBfiaiCD. I ■ Madr *■■! aiiilKpbm tariisuricM frill*ai k ritii | Iffflt gGfcM ifeHfeiw* •e®E®st ayCM1 Catherine Lucas Banner Sept. 30, 1993 beaInnsm wye early life 'n California, white navy beans were called “Michigan beans.” After I married Jim Lucas, we received beans every year from the Lucas farm in Woodland. I can’t remember now if Jim’s sister sent them or ifWillis Dalton had them shipped, but we had lots of little white beans each year. My ste.pfather’s special Boston baked bean recipe and bean soup with ham bones always ttasted much better when made with those fresh beans than the beans that came from the grocery store, where they had been in the commercial warehouses and transportation system for months or even years. Everyone knew that the United States Senate dining room in Washington D.C. always had Michigan bean soup on the menu. Yes, when “Michigan did not mean automobiles, it meant beans, especially little white navy beans. Some time ago, I received a magazine called “Michigan Bean Digest.” This maga­ zine’s lead article is called “The First 100 Years - Michigan Beans and the MBSA from Whence - Through the 20th Century.” This article states the Michigan Bean Job­ bers Association was formed Dec. 7, 1892. The article says that during the 1890s, the outline of modem marketing methods was confirmed. The principle of surplus produc­ tion for cash sales became the norm. Some subsistence or partially subsistence farming, which had been the mainstay of the pioneer period, was still practiced. However, the pattern offeeding one’s own family and maybe trading a small surplus with close-by neighbors, artisans or crafts­ men was now past. Agricultural production was now used for cash sales in regional, national and even world markets. Later in the same article, it is stated that most of the southwest part ofthe state, where there is superb cropland, was acquired by the Treaty ofChicago in 1821 and that the open­ ing of the Erie Canal in 1825 provided a major link to the western lands, so people began moving into the interior of the lower peninsula ofMichigan. As far as I can ascertain, commercial bean - production started in Michigan in the early 1880s. Another article in the bean magazine is titled “A Bit ofMystery About the Origin of Beans and the Navy Bean in Particular” by - Karl Albrecht, ofBay City. This article tells how the Native Ameri­ cans used maize and beans in combination, ever growing them together because they had learned wfiat. excellent'’nufriHbn this combination provided. Albrecht stated that it could be said for sure that the Indians found out thousands ofyears ago that com­ bining the two New World foods of maize and beans provided them with the basis ofa nutritious diet and provided many tasty dishes that are still popular today. The Indi­ ans even had dances to celebrate the two crops, during which they expressed thanks to the spirits for giving them both maize and beans. The Native Americans grew the small, round pea bean with com, and this “Indian Bean” rapidly became a favorite with early settlers. Later, it became known as the “navy bean” because ofthe large demand that developed for this bean for naval and marine food sup­ ply purposes. . . _ _______ ........... ___ Such demand was only natural since the navy bean, when properly matured and dried, has remarkable keeping qualities. It could as appropriately have been called the “army bean,” as it also furnishes one ofthe import­ ant foods of our Army and has since at least the Civil War. fl look back at the stories A1:../+/3^^ In the Hastings Banner ladies working in the bean room were photographed by Eva Makley (later Stowell) who worked there from 1915 until she married Ford Stowell in April 1917. The ladies standing are (from left) Cassie Cramer, Stella Farlee, Jennie Eddy, Beckie Furlong, Lucy Sease, Myrtle Thomas, May Leonard, Jeannette HOI, Bertha Niethamer, Clara Niethamer, Emma Wolf and Jennie Kilpatrick. Seated ladies are (from left) Daisy Guy, Phoebe Oaks, Lurah Barker, Ruth Wagamen Hershberger, Nellie Euper Hewitt and Bina Palmerton. The magazine quoted an interesting short article titled “More About Beans,” by Dora L. Murray, from a 1940 edition of “The Char­ lotte Republican Tribune,” which recounted a family story about how beans, at least in one instance, came to Michigan: “A Mr. Harlo Billings, of Eaton County, visited his old home in ‘York State’ during the winter of 1872, and while there learned some of his relatives and former neighbors were raising white beans as a commercial product, and quite successfully. “Billings inquired about how best to raise such beans, then brought a big bag back to Michigan. “The following spring, he gave part ofthe beans to his neighbor, Hiran Leverty, Dora Murray’s father, and each planted a small patch. “To their surprise, Murray said, both plots produced large yields ofbeans relative to the amount of seed used. “Thus the bean industry was introduced into Michigan and Eaton County.” The magazine says, “Well, maybe so. But one must certainly consider whether or not other batches of navy beans were brought here from New York State during the great influx of immigration from there, beginning in the mid-1830s and at least used by subsis­ tence farmers, perhaps later providing the basis for increased commercial production.” A writer named Stone noted that it was the custom ofearly settlers in new areas to bring seed with them for the. purpose ofgrowing a supply of food for' family use. White navy beans have been a staple crop in Barry, Eaton and Ionia counties for at least 100 years, as local custom and legends well support. About 1908, a method ofharvesting beans rotated with wheat was known as the McNaughton system. In this system, bean vines were cut by a knife dragged under­ ground, (this process was called “pulling”) then staked in high piles, where they waited for the threshers who used special bean equipment. Previous to this time, the vines were pulled by hand or cut offwith a hoe. Because wheat usually followed beans in the crop rotation, (and it often still does), wheat was planted around and between the stacks, while.the .beans dried. According to Forest Begerow, who has raised beans most of his life, some farmers cleared the area where beans would be stacked on stakes and planted wheat there so it would be under the bean stacks. Then, or even if they thought the beans would be threshed and out of the field before time to plant wheat, they either used boards or straw to keep the beans in each stack off the ground. Begerow said some farmers used steel posts to stake the beans, and others used wooden stakes. He said that after fanners began to acquire combines, they were used to thresh the beans instead ofhaving professional threshers come with machines. This allowed the farmer to take the combine to each stack andjust toss it in instead of having to move each stack to the stationary threshing machine, and made for much less labor in the threshing process. Through time, better varieties of beans were developed, mostly at Michigan State University. These newer varieties of bean vines stand up straight and the beans mature, ripen and dry uniformly, all at the same time; so now farmers can cut and thresh the beans in one process with their combines. As late as the 1940s, horses still outnum­ bered tractors in Michigan agriculture. Farm­ ers used 25 to 35 percent oftheir land to grow grain and hay to feed their work animals. Finally, in 1950, the number of tractors surpassed that ofdraft animals. During the 1960s, beans being handled in bulk started to be put in bags rather than bushels. Significant improvements in dryer equipment also were adopted during the decade. In 1973, the record bean prices were paid, in some instances as much as $55 per hun­ dredweight. Though navy beans are still the dominant variety grown in Michigan (1993), this prob­ ably will not be the case in 10 or 20 more years, as more and more Michigan beans are being sold in Mexico and South American countries. These people prefer red or black beans, and Michigan farmers now are learn­ ing to grow them successfully. New varieties of pinto, Great Northern and black turtle beans are being developed, which will be better adapted to growing conditions in Michigan. Each community has always had an eleva­ tor, where the farmers took their beans and other dry crops to be sold. In 1902, Charles Rowlader, who owned an elevator in Woodland, started a bean-picking business. This became a busy part ofhis ele­ vator business in the fall and winter seasons. The bean-picking room was located in a welllit room on the second floor at the south end ofthe elevator. “Picking beans” had nothing to do with taking them off of the vines as we do in a garden, but it concerned cleaning them ofdirt and debris, which was “picked” out. TURNING BACK THE PAGES Beans were brought down from overhead bins into tables fitted with canvas belts, which the women workers operated with a treadle, much like a sewing machine. The workers’ pay was determined by the amount ofdirt and waste picked out and weighed. Since about 18 women picked beans at a time, the bean room was a great source of local news. I have found references to bean room gossip in the history of Woodland, Woodbury and Sunfield while working on various proj­ ects in the last few years. It seems in each community, most news or gossip items repeated were usually worded, “so-and-so heard up in the bean room that so-and-so did or said such-and-such.” This machinery was used from 1902 until new machinery was put into use in the late 1930s. In March 1907, David Smith of Lake Odessa purchased the Woodland elevator from Rowlader, and on Aug. 6, 1907, the corporation of Smith Brothers Velte & Co. was formed. David and George Smith and Samuel Velte added the Woodland and Hast­ ings elevators to their chain offarm elevators, which consisted ofthe original Smith’s Ele­ vator in Woodbury, established in 1891; the Lake Odessa elevator, brought from Nimms in 1894; and the Coats Grove elevator, built by Henry Shaibly, a first cousin of David Smith, who decided to return to farming. In the late thirties and early forties, George Smith’s son, Raymond, took over all manage­ ment ofthe firm. After World War II, David Smith’s son, Lawrence J. Smith, returned to Lake Odessa and took over the business. The Woodland elevator in its day had grain and bean storage, grain dryers, bean cleaning facilities and larger grinding facilities. It was sold in 1992 to American Bean and Grain, of Reese, Mich. American Bean and Grain sold its Lake Odessa properties to Lake Odessa Farm Co-op in 1984, and the Woodland plant was closed after 98 years of service to local farmers. Beans are now cleaned mechanically, and not by hand by women sitting at tables. Michigan white navy beans are still a major crop in this area ofsouthwestern Mich­ igan, though the quantities grown have been declining in recent years. Researchers at Michigan State University are working to reverse the decline in the pro­ duction of Michigan beans by developing varieties with improved productivity and new management practices. The diversification should permit expansion into both domestic and international markets to which Michi­ gan-produced beans have previously been virtually excluded. Projections ofproduction to the year 2000 predict a rise in the produc­ tion ofMichigan beans. Lately, farmers have been adding kidney, cranberry and black turtle beans to their plantings for U.S. consumption and export. It is hoped that Michigan dry beans will still be a major part ofthe state’s agriculture after another 100 years. As this century races to a close, Michigan farmers and elevator men can feel assured that a database with 100 years of experience in production and pro­ cessing beans has been successfully chroni­ cled and is available to be used. The infra­ structure ofthe industry remains. The legacy and tradition are still strong and, though more attention will have to be given to the color and size ofthe bean mix produced in Michi­ gan, there should be great hope for the future. Informationfor this article has comefrom “This History> of Woodland - 1837-1987, ” two issues ofMichigan Dry Bean Digest and personal interviews and experiences. Beans on the John Cramer farm near Lake Odessa, after cutting but before staking by the McNaughton system in 1930. Doctor Universe Out of this world Besides telescopes and spaceships, how do that there are otherplanets? la, 12, Mont. we really know Dear la, I looked through a high-power telescope for the first time in college. I couldn’t believe how many stars I saw. It’s hard to imagine all the planets orbiting all those stars. I talked about how we know those plan­ ets are out there with my friend Jose Vazquez. He’s an astronomer at Washington State University. He told me that scientists look for plan­ ets outside our solar system using a number of instruments-like a photometer. That’s a tool that attaches to a telescope and mea­ sures light. The sun and eight major planets make up our solar system. All the planets outside our solar system are called extrasolar planets or exoplanets. Some of them are called hot Jupiters. Exoplanets orbit other stars-just like we orbit the sun. The closest exoplanet is nearly 25 trillion miles away. Scientists can’t point a tele­ scope and look directly at a planet that dis­ tant. They can’t send a rover that far. Instead, they look for clues that a planet is there. One clue is called a light curve. Imagine you’re facing a distant star with a planet. As the planet orbits its star, sometimes it will pass between you and the star. The star’s light will get dimmer as the planet passes by. Then it will get brighter again. Scientists measure a star’s light using a photometer. They take lots of measure­ ments over time. Then they plot them into a graph called a light curve. Any time the light dims, there’s a dip in the graph. The dip shows when the planet passed in front of the star. Generally, the deeper the dip, the bigger the planet. Scientists also use a light curve to tell how long it takes the planet to orbit its star. They can even tell how hot the planet is and how thick its atmosphere is. In 2009, NASA wanted to see how many Earth-sized exoplanets they could find. They wanted to learn more about the uni­ verse. They wanted to see if there were other planets that could support life. So, they launched a giant space telescope called Kepler. Its main instrument was a photometer. It zoomed around measuring the light from different stars. Then, scientists made light curves and looked for exoplanets. So far, scientists have found more than 5,500 exoplanets. They’ve found many more possible exoplanets. Scientists are still combing through the Kepler data. Plus, another space telescope called TESS took over when Kepler ran out of fuel. You don’t have to be an astronomer to hunt for exoplanets. Anybody can use robot-pow­ ered telescopes online to look for planets and other objects in space. Or you can look through the data from Kepler yourself. “The MicroObservatory Telescope Net­ work is for anybody who’s interested in extrasolar systems,” Vazquez said. “With just a few clicks, students can take pictures and try to make contributions to finding these planets.” That’s an invitation to do community science that’s out ofthis world. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State Universitys resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. THORIinPPLC PLAYERS Auditions * Auditions Auditions A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas by Pat Cook Produced by special Arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC., of Woodstock, Illinois Directed by Audrey Burton When: October 16th at 7PM Where: Dennison Performing Art Center located at 231 S Broadway Hastings, Ml Open to high school seniors or older. No preparation is needed. Auditions will consist of reading selections from the script. Rehearsals begin on October 23rd and are scheduled Mondavc Tuesdays, days, andand Thursdays, Thursdays, with with thethe possibility possibility of of ■ Wednesdays should they be needed. Production Dates: December 6th — 10th Interested, but unavailable for this date? Contact us via the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2Ono so other arrangements can be made. Follow us on Facebook. *-7 -rwiMi �Page 8 — Thursday, October 5.2023 — The Hastings Banner Retired teachers honored by colleagues, family members as Middleville Hometown Heroes Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Cindy and Keith Middlebush were fionorea as Middleville Hometown Heroes Thursday night in Hastings. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Family, friends and colleagues gath­ ered last week to celebrate Keith and Cindy Middlebush as this year’s Mid­ dleville Hometown Heroes. The two longtime Thomapple Kellogg teachers were recognized for their vari­ ous contributions to the district and the larger community last Thursday night at Leason Sharpe Hall in Hastings. Their daughter and current TK teach­ er, Cary Saxton, said she has learned much ofwhat she knows about teaching from her parents. Saxton said she still benefits from their tireless and constant support - the same support that they’ve extended to hundreds of students over the years. It’s a level ofcare that requires many hours of work, time which her parents give freely and selflessly. “I have seen what goes on behind the scenes of their heroic lives, and it is much tedious hard work and sacrifice. It’s hours and weeks and weekends, all adding up to years oftime that they have given to the y people ofthis community, but definitely not in vain and definitely not under duress,” Saxton said. “They are passion­ ate, thoughtful educators who chose to make educating and supporting the youth of Middleville their life’s work. As their daughter, I can say that they were the first and greatest teachers I ever had. Karen Seifert, also currently an instructor in the district, spoke about her time working with Cindy at McFall Ele­ mentary. She characterized those years as tthe highlight of her teaching career, both because of Cindy’s knowledge and her dedication to students. “I was instantly impressed with her professionalism, insight and tireless devotion to the children. She worked hard,” Seifert said. “She brought so much knowledge on how to reach struggling readers from her years as a special educaeduca­ tion teacher. She is a true collaborator. She always listens, ponders, and then su88ests. She has this natural wisdom, and she lets her decisions be guided by the philosophy of what is best for kids.” Gordon Dahlgren, former TK teacher, said it was great to see Cindy and Keith working together as such a team. TogethTogeth­ er, they ve always found ways to give back to the community. Inside and out­ side of the classroom, they would show their students how valuable giving back really is. “One of the many qualities that set Keith and Cindy apart as educators is that not only would they look for opportunities to help others, but they’d also encourage students to learn the value of helping others by becoming positive contributors in our school and in our community,” he said.1 “For Keith and Cindy, what happened in the classroom wasjjust the beginning ofthe impact they hope to have on their students. Craig Stolsonburg, speaking as vice president of the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation, said Keith and Cindy were the perfect fit for this year’s Middleville Hometown Heroes recognition. Stolsonburg personally thanked the two for their contributions to his own life. Keith for encouraging him when he wass a TK student, and Cindy for giving his daughter a love for reading. “A hero is defined as a person or peo­ ple admired or idolized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qual­ ities. When we make our annual call for Hometown Hero nominations, we describe the Hometown Hero as an out­ standing individual or individuals in a community who exemplify integrity, excellence and commitment,” he said. I think we’d all agree that our honorees tonight exemplify it all. Rotary District Governor visits Hastings club NOTICE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023 BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN BELLEVUE SCHOOLS - EATON RESA - MARTIN SCHOOLS TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS: The Barry County Townships of Assyria Township, Baltimore Township, Castleton Township, Hastings Charter Township, Maple Grove Township, and Orangeville Township. MARTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $17,150,000 Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Martin Public Schools, 1556 Chalmers Street, Martin, Michigan 49070-041, telephone: (259) 442-0500., COUNTY OF BARRY STATE OF MICHIGAN PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualified elector of the above named jurisdictions who is not already registered, may register to vote at the office of the Township Clerk; or a Secretary of State branch office, or other designated state agency. Registration forms can be obtained at www.mi.gov/vote and mailed to the Township Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at www.expressSOS. com. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERAL AD VALOREM TAXES. The last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk is Monday, October 23,2023. Notice is hereby given that a Public Accuracy Test for the November 7, 2023 flection will be conducted by the clerks,of the named townships on the voting equipment pursuant to MCL 168.798 at the addresses noted on the following dates: After this date, anyone who qualifies as ah elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency (MCL 168.492) at the following: Municipality Address Regular Business Hours Hours on Hours on Saturday, Tuesday, November 7, November4,2023 2023 Annette Terry Assyria Township 8094 Taster Road Bellevue, Ml 49021 ByAppt only. 10am-6pm 7:00 am-8:00 pm PennyYpma Baltimore Township 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings, Ml 49058Consolidated w/Assyria Twp. for this election only. By Appt only 8am-5pm 7:00 am-8:00 pm Marcia Scramlin 915 Reed Sheet, Wednesdays 1-4 pmhosting Hastings Charter Twp,for this elation only. [ Castleton TownshipP0( Box 679, Nashville, Ml 49073 Anita Mennell Hastings Charter Holly Carpenter Maple Grove Twp. Mel Risner Orangeville Twp. 885 River Road Hastings, Ml 49058Consolidated with Castleton Twp. tor this election only. Tuesdays 9 am-noon; 1pm-4pm 721 Durkee Street PO Box 240, Nashville, Ml 49073 ByAppointment 7350 Lindsey Road Plainwell, Ml 49080 Monday-Wednesday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm 7:00 am-8:00 pm 9:30am-11:30am. 9am-5:00pm October 47, 2023 at 3:00 pm at ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP 8094 Tasker Road, Bellevue, Ml 49021 Townships participating in the October 17, 2023 date: Assyria & BaltimoreTownships October 18, 2023 at 2:00 am at CASTLETON TOWNSHIP 915 Reed Street, PO Box 679, Nashville, Michigan 49073 Townships participating in the October 18, 2023 date: Castleton & Hastings Charter Townships October 18,2023 at 10:00 am at ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP 7350 Lindsey Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080 Townships participating in the October 18, 2023 date: Orangeville Township have been prepared in accordance with law. 7:00 am-3:00 pm 7:00am-8:00pm | MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2023 LAST DAY FOR VOTER REGISTRATION OTHER THAN IN-PERSON Persons with special needs, as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, should contact the City or Township Clerk. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired may place a call through the Michigan Relay Center TDD#1 ■800-649-3777. This notice is given as required by law (MCL 168.498(3). YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO QUALIFY AS A VOTER! QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE Citizen of the United States At least 18 years of age on or before November 7,2023 Resident of Michigan and the township/city I where you are applying to vote. Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Bellevue Community Schools, 904 W. Capital Avenue, Bellevue, Michigan 49021^1312; telephone: (269) 763-9432. PAMELA A. PALMER, BARRY COUNTY CLERK on behalf of: EATON REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY SPECIAL EDUCATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL .9 MILL FOR 10 YEARS Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Eaton Regional Education Service Agency, 1790 Packard Highway, Charlotte, Michigan 48813-9717, telephone: (517) 543-5500. ■ Rotary’ District Governor Sharalyn Davis (left) visited the Hastings Rotary Club last week, kicking off a hew year,of Rotary with the theme “Create Hopein the World.” Here, Davis is pictured with CROP Walk for hunger relief set for Sunday in Middleville Greg Chandler Assyria Township Baltimore Township Annette Terry Penny Ypma Marcia Scramlin Township Clerk Township Clerk Township Clerk Orangeville Township Castleton Township Hastings Charter IWp Maple Grove Township Anita Mennell Holly Carpenter Mel Risner Township Clerk Township Clerk Township Clerk Barry County residents will take to the Paul Henry Thomapple Trail on Sunday to raise money for hunger relief efforts around the world and in the local community. The annual Barry County CROP Walk will begin at 2 p.m. from Middleville United Methodist Church, with registration at 1:30 p.m. CROP Walks are community-based fundraising events that take place across the country to support the mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization that responds to issues of hunger, poverty and natural disasters around the world. CROP Walks have been held in Barry Coun­ ty for about 40 years and have raised more than $467,000 for hunger relief throughout the local event’s history. About 125 walkers from 10 churches participated in last year’s Barry County CROP Walk, raising $10,321, local walk coordinator Nolan Hudson said. Ofthe funds that are raised each year, 75 percent go to Church World Service’s world­ wide hunger reliefefforts. The remaining 25 percent go to support four local food pantries in Barry County - at Middleville UMC, Green Street United Methodist Church in Hastings, Barry County Cares in Hastings and Maple Valley Community Center of Hope in Nashville. Each ofthe four pantries received $645 from last year’s CROP Walk proceeds, Hudson said. Requests for help at the local food banks have increased by 25 percent over the past year, Hudson said. “There are more people in need, more fam­ ilies in need,” he said. The location of the Barry County CROP Walk rotates annually to include Hastings and Nashville, Hudson said. To register to walk or to donate to the CROP Walk, you can go online at events. crophungerwalk.org/2023/event/hastingsmi. , |' MlifrawiW'a :® » ■tnlHtah aa’iiEk iaiifea Hastings Rotary president, Jennifer Heinzman (right). In the coming year, Rotary clubs across the world will contin­ ue to serve others in their communities, with a special focus on mental health and the arts. Davis commended the Hastings club for its robust membership, participa­ tion and community impact. Staff Writer The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and the computer'that will be used to tabulate the results for the election BELLEVUE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL EXEMPTING PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND OTHER PROPERTY EXEMPTED BY LAW 19.9907 MILLS FOR 9 YEARS ■ >44 - 7:00 am-8:00 pm PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following proposals will appear on the ballot: I NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TESTS October 13, 2023 at 11:00 am at MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP 721 Durkee Street PO Box 240, Nashville, Ml 49073 Townships participating in the October 13, 2023 date: Maple Grove Townships 9:00 am -5:00 pm 7:00 am-8:00 pm Hl*l^* -'tC^ .iia®hsiiiRa 1 J'* i&ss* �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS Thuiir^ srdtayv, O CJcrtn otbwe»r 5 R ,2023 Personal records fall for Saxons at Otsego ^IS ELECTION Hi । wSfesS BWfflpmatASSMTOWH> WTatorfead, Bellevue, MI49J21 pacangrlieOctobeflZ, 2023date: Ass/nal b fewetaships oeuwotesmte-i WiMJamatCASTlEIONTOO dittos ISeLPOBox 679, Nashville, Hichigan 49W3 ^B[heOdoter18,2023tt:Cattl Charter Townships MPWaftfr «*«*•* lungerreW Townships Avery Hagemann 58th in 21:40.69 and soph­ Brett Bremer omore Megan Schuurmans 67th in 22:23.89. Sports Editor Randall was one of three Hastings varsity The Saxon leaders Saturday smashed their runners to set a PR in the girls’ race. Fresh­ personal records. Junior Brandon Simmons led the Hastings man Beatrice Creaco placed 92nd in 25:02.29 varsity boys’ cross country team in the Divi­ and freshman Alexa DeCamp was 94th in sion 2 boys’ race at Saturday’s Otsego Bull­ 25: 14.88. The Saxons’ scoring five also included dog Invitational at Otsego High School fin­ freshman Chloe Pirtle who was 97th in ishing in under 17 minutes for the first time 26: 03.28 and freshman Liiianna Enyart who ever. He hit the finish line in 22nd place with was 100th in 27:37.96. a time of 16 minutes 45.94 seconds. Grand Rapids Christian had seven runners Freshman Caroline Randall from the Hast­ ings girls’ team finished in less than 19 min­ in the top 25 and two more among the top 30. The Eagles’ took the day’s championship utes for the first time. She was one of the 25 with 36 points and like the boys had a strong medalists in the girls’ race placing ninth in ‘B’ team performance. 18:45.79. Otsego was second with 57 points ahead of Simmons was one of two Saxon guys to finish in less than 17 minutes. Senior Riley Zeeland East 106, Holland Christian 117, Shults just got in under the mark with a Unity Christian 165, Thomapple Kellogg 207, Grand Rapids Christian *B’ 226, South 28th-place time of 16:59.83. Christian 227, Paw Paw 258 and Three Riv­ The Saxons were seventh in a field of 17 teams, a few spots behind Interstate-8 Ath­ ers 272 in the top ten. The Hastings girls were 14th with 386 points. letic Conference front-runner Harper Creek Grand Rapids Christian senior Natalie which placed fourth. Grand Rapids Christian VanOtteren won the D2 girls’ race in 17:43.50. won the D2 boys’ title in Otsego Saturday Otsego had three girls in the top six including with 52 points. Plainwell was second with the second- and third-place finishers. Sopho­ 96 points ahead of Holland Christian 110, Harper Creek 145, Grand Rapids Christian more Emma Hoffman led the Bulldogs in a ‘B* 202, Otsego 206, Hastings 214, Zeeland personal record time of 18:03.76 and senior East 226, Unity Christian 242 and Dearborn teammate Logan Brazee set her PR at 18:10.88 to place third. Divine Child 252 in the top ten. Thomapple The Saxons and Trojans are both scheduled Kellogg’s boys were 15th with a score of to be a part of the Portage Invitational this 332 points. The TK boys got a PR from their leader Saturday, Oct. 7. too. Senior Lucas Van Meter placed 11th with a time of 16:29.74.m The three fastesr guys in the race all set their PR. That group included Dearborn Divine Childjunior Colin Murray (15:42.58), Harper Creek junior Dominic Lowrie (15:54.75) and Holland Christian junior Will Engbers (16:00.84). There were five Saxons between the Thor­ napple Kellogg leader, Van-Meter, and his senior teammate Kaden Hamming wjjo placed 70th. The Saxons had junior Micah Johnson 51st in 17:47.85, senior Jonah Teed 55th in 17:53.15 and senior^ Reuben Solmes 62nd in 18:11.21. Hamming set his PR for TK, hitting the finish line 70th in 18:21.34. Thomapple Kellogg had freshman Elijah Frazer 79th in 18:44.59, freshman Grady Galaviz 89th in 19:03.25 and junior Hunter Tietz 93rd in 19:11.82 - a new PR for him. The Saxon varsity boys also got a PR from freshman Maxson Eichorst in the race. He was 95th overall in 19:18.93. Those local results were flipped in the girls’ meet. Randall led the Saxons with her ninth-place time and then all seven Thomapple Kellogg girls came across the finish line before the next Hastings runner. The Trojans were led by junior Ava Crews who joined Randall in winning a medal. Crews placed 11th in 18:59.60. The TK team had sophomore Madison Kietzman 40th in 20:52.77 and freshman Thomapple Kellogg's Peyton Hardy Peyton Hardy 42st in 20:54.31. rounds a final turn towards the finish The next three TK ladies across the finish during the Division 2 girls' race Saturday line set their PR on the day. Freshman Alaina at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational. (Photo McCrumb was 57th in 21:39.85, sophomore by Brett Bremer) Saxon freshman Alexa DeCamp works her way to the finish during the 2023 Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday morning at Otsego High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings freshman Beatrice Creaco picks up her pace as she nears the finish of the Otsego Bulldog Invitational Division 2 girls* race Saturday at Otsego High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood girls fourth in return to CAAC golf r Hastings junior Brandon Simmons kicks to the finish of the Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday morning at Otsego High School. Simmons improved his PR to 16 minutes 45.94 seconds in the race. (Photo by Brett Bremer) w Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lansing Catholic finished off a run to a league title and Lakewood finished fourth overall as the Vikings wrapped up their return season to the Capital Area Activities Conference Wednesday at Willow Wood Golf Club. The Cougars closed out their conference championship season with a score of357 at the 18-hole event. Portland was second with a score of410 ahead ofCharlotte 419, Lakewood 431, Ionia 444, Eaton Rapids 541 and Olivet 546. Lakewood senior Makenzie Vasquez earned first team all-conference honors this fall and teammate Ellie Benham finished as an honorable mention all-conference award winner. Vasquez led the Vikings Wednesday with a score of 101. Lansing Catholic senior Sophie Hauser was the day’s individual champion with a score of75. Lansing Catholic had four girls among the top seven scorers on the day. Sophomore Addi Rule shot a 92, junior Brynn Anderson a 94 andjunior Julia Sambaer a 96. Ionia freshman Lila Redder was the day’s runner-up with an 82. Portland senior Ella Gruber tied for third with a 92. Vasguez was in a tie for ninth individu­ ally. Benham, a junior, shot a 106 for the Vikings and sophomore Galatea Arch­ bold-Pyle scored a 110. Senior Audrey Hillard turned in the Vikings’ fourth score, a 114. Lakewood celebrated senior night with a tough dual against Bath at Centennial Acres Thursday afternoon. The Bees, a former GLAC/CMAC foe of the Vikings, took a 182-207 victory. Vasquez led the way for Lakewood with a 46. Hillard shot a 50, Benham a 52 and Archbold-Pyle scored a 59. Seniors Kylie Walkington and Lexi Boom rounded out the Vikings’ six on the day. The Viking team had five seniors this fall: Vasquez, Boom, Walkington, Hillard and Lily Federau. Bath had the day’s top two scorers. Senior Aubrie Schaibly shot a 41 and junior Anna Schaibly scored a 44. The Bees’ next two were also under 50. Senior Kaitlyn Dickey scored a 48 and junior Aubri Torok a 49. Three goals in second half get DK first win rf-i. > Hastings freshman Maxson Eichorst sprints to the finish line for a new personal record time of 19 minutes 18.39 seconds during the Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday at Otsego High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) . .dKI^ x Brett Bremer Sports Editor It took some time, but the Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ soccer team finally finished offits first victory ofthe season Wednesday. The Panthers knocked offvisiting Water­ vliet 3-1 at Delton Kellogg High School. The two teams were knotted at 0-0 at the half, but Delton Kellogg got two goals from Grant McArthur and a third John Sinclair. Sinclair finished off a corner kick from teammate Keegan Hill. McArthur was assisted on his two goals by Austyn Lipscomb and Tanner Mellen. “It feels good to finally get that *W’,” said Delton Kellogg head coach Jon Cannell. They’ve been right there all along, coming together and playing better every practice and game.” The first-year DK head coach is hoping that the victory will help his guys build some momentum heading into the state tournament. The Panthers were bested in a non-conference match on the road at Fennville Monday. Delton Kellogg closes the regular season at home against Kalamazoo Christian Mon­ day. The Panthers had a date with Harper Creek on the schedule for last night, Oct. 4. Delton Kellogg will open its MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament taking on Olivet Wednesday, Oct. 11. �Page g 10 — Thursday, y, October 5,2023 , — The Hastings g Banner Saxons to face Western on Olivet turf Brett Bremer Sports Editor The roadshow is headed to Olivet Friday night. The biggest game of the Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference varsity football season will be held at Olivet College Friday as the 6-0 Parma Western Panthers take on the 4-2 Hast­ ings Saxons. Both teams are 3-0 in confer­ ence py. ece play. Hastings s gs co continues ues too wo work towards ows its fourth consecutive Interstate-8 Athletic Conference championship. Parma Western hasn’t been 6-0 to start a season since 1963. The Panthers won close ballgame3s with Dearborn Divine Child and Detroit Country Day to open the season and have allowed more than seven points only once all season so far. Back Alex Ruddell has powered the attack for the Panthers each of the past two weeks with around 150 yards on the ground in wins over Northwest and Harper Creek. Across town Friday night, Olivet High School will host a contest between the win­ less Lakewood Vikings and the 1-5 Olivet Eagles. The two teams are meeting up in the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division for the first time after years as the two powerhouses ofthe now defunct Greater Lansing Activities Conference. The two teams have had similar CAAC White slates so far with the Vikings and Eagles both falling to Charlotte, Portland and Lansing Sexton in league play. Olivet got its one victory two weeks ago, a 33-6 win over an Eaton Rapids team that edged the Vikings by a touchdown a couple weeks earlier. While Lakewood shoots for its first victory, former GLAC-mate Maple Valley is looking to get to 7-0 in its eight-player season. The Lions clinched the conference title in the three-team Tri-River 8-Man Football Conference last week with a win at Britton-Deer­ field and now will face one oftheir toughest tasks ofthe season in taking on a 3-3 North­ Pointe Christian team in Grand Rapids Fri­ day. The ballgame was a late addition to the Lions’ schedule this season after the Mus­ tangs left the Tri-River 8 for the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League White Division this fall. The 1-5 Delton Kellogg Panthers go on the road to face the 2-4 Decatur Raiders this Fri­ day in a non-conference match-up. Decatur has faced a tough slate this fall with two of those four losses coming against still unde­ feated Jackson Lumen Christi and White Pigeon squads. Thomapple Kellogg faces a tall task Friday facing a 5-1 South Christian team at East Kentwood High School. The Sailors remain in their annual battle for a conference title with Grand Raids Catholic Central. The Sail­ ors and Cougars are both 4-0 in conference play this season. The Trojans picked up their first OK Gold Conference win on homecomhomecom­ ing in Middleville last Friday. Local Standings (W-L), playoffpoints 4-2, 44.867 Hastings l-5, 20.167 Thomapple Kellogg l-5, 15.667 Delton Kellogg 0-6, 14.667 Lakewood Maple Valley (8-pIayer) 6-0, NA Conference Standings (overall, conference) Interstate 8 Athletic Conference 6-0, 3-0 Parma Western 4-2, 3-0 Hastings 4-2, 2-2 Harper Creek 3-3, 2-2 Pennfield 3-3, 1-2 Northwest 1-5, 1-3 Marshall 0-6, 0-3 Coldwater OK Gold Conference G.R. Catholic Central 5-1, 4-0 South Christian 5-1, 4-0 Forest Hills Eastern 4-1, 3-1 Cedar Springs 2- 4, 2-2 3- 3, 1-3 Wayland 2-4, 1-3 Kenowa Hills 1-5, 1-3 Thomapple Kellogg Ottawa Hills 0-6, 0-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Lawton 5- 1, 2-0 6- 0, 1-0 Saugatuck Schoolcraft 5-1, 1-0 Delton Kellogg 1-5, 0-2 1-5, 0-2 Galesburg-Augusta CapitalArea Activities Lansing Sexton Portland Charlotte Ionia Lansing Catholic Eaton Rapids Olivet Lakewood Conference White 6-0, 5-0 6-0, 5-0 5-1, 4-1 2-4, 2-3 3- 3, 2-3 1-5, 1-4 1-5, 1-4 0-6, 0-5 Tri-River 8-Man Maple Valley 6-0, 2-0 Concord 3-3, 1-1 Britton-Deerfield 2-4, 0-2 Here is a round-up of last week’s local grid­ iron action. 206814 TOWNSHIP OF CARLTON BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ROLL FOR MIDDLE LAKE WEED CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 TO: The residents and property owners bordering Middle Lake and all other interested parties. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Supervisor has reported to the Township Board and filed in the office of the Township Clerk for public examination a special assessment roll prepared coveting all properties within the Weed Control Special Assessment District No. 1 benefited by the weed control project Said assessment roll has been prepared for the purpose of assessing a portion of the costs for the proposed Weed Control Special Assessment District No. 1 as more particularly shown on the plans and estimates of costs on file with the Township Clerk within the township, which assessment is in the approximate amount of $105,000.00 for three seasons. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the supervisor has further reported that the assessment a against each parcel of land within said district is such relative portion of the whole sum levied against all parcels of land in said district as the benefit to such parcels bears to the totall ’ benefit to all parcels of land in said district. The proposed special assessment as shown on the roll is in the approximate amount of $105,000.00 for the three seasons, or $35,000.00 per year ($347.00 per year per parcel) of land in the district. For further information you are invited to examine the Roll. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board will meet at the Carlton Township Hall at 85 Welcome Road, Hastings, MI 49058 on Oct 9,2023, at 7:00 pm for the purpose of reviewing said Special Assessment Roll, hearing any objections thereto, and thereafterr confirming said Roll as submitted or revised or amended. Said Roll may be examined at the office of the 1 ownship Clerk at 85 Welcome Road, Hastings, MI 49058 by appointment until the time of said hearing and may further be examined at said hearing. Appearance and protest at this hearing is required in order to appeal the amount ofthe special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner, or party in interest, or his or her agent may appear in person at the hearing to protest the Special Assessment, or may file his or her appearance or protest by letter at or before the hearing, and in that event, personal appearance shall not be required. The owner or any person having an interest in the real property who protests in person or in writing at the hearing may file a written appeal ofthe Special Assessment with die State fax Tribunal within 30 days after the confirmation of the Special Assessment Roll. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Carlton Township Board will proride necessary and reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon reasonable notice to the Carlton Township Clerk of the need for die same at least five days prior to the aforesaid bearing. Hastings quarterback Owen Carroll goes through his progression in the backfield as backs Haiden Simmet, Landon Steward and Isaiah Wilson go their separate ways during the Saxons' 1-8 win in Marshall Friday. (Photo by Dan Goggins) Hastings 30, Marshall 0 Hastings faced its first deficit ofthe Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference season Friday. It didn’t last long. Marshall held a lead for 56 seconds Friday night early in the opening quarter against the visiting Saxons, but Hastings quarterback Owen Carroll tossed three touchdown passes before the first halfwas up to get his team on its way to a 3-0 start in the conference. Marshall’s Austin Miller connected with Will Kreuger for a 14-yard touchdown pass four and a half minutes into the bailgame, and the extra point by Brandon Contat was good to put Marshall in front 7-0. The Saxons never trailed in wins over Coldwater and Harper Creek to start confer­ ence play. The Saxons got rid of that first deficit with Carroll connecting on a 36-yard touchdown pass to Landon Steward with 6:43 to go in the first quarter. The two-point run by Steward had Hastings in front for good. Carroll tossed a second touchdown pass before the first quarter was up, this time cov­ ering 27-yard to Jett Barnum. Carroll also threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Steward with six seconds to go in the first half. The Saxons led 30-7 by the half. Haiden Simmet had touchdown runs of 22 yards, 28 yards and 76 yards in the ballgame. Steward scored on a 52-yard run at the start of the second half and,Tate Warner finished the 'touchdown scoring for the: Saxons-with a 13-yard-runwith 9:39*jto go in the contest. Deandre Mathis booted four extra points for the Saxons in the second half. Marshall added a seven-yard touchdown run by Akin Olapade in the third quarter and a three-yard touchdown run by Will Laditka in the fourth quarter. The Saxons concluded the ballgame with 419 yards rushing and 100 yards of passing offense. Carroll was 5-of-6 throwing the ball. Simmet led the Saxons on the ground with six carries for 135 yards. Isaiah Wilson had eight rushes for 60 yards for Hastings. Steward had two carries for 56 yards and David Jiles chipped in six carries for 52 yards. Carroll closed the night with three rushes ofhis own for 32 yards. Barnum had three receptions for 62 yards and Steward covered 38 yards on his two touchdown catches. Olapade had a solid night for the Red Hawks on the ground with 20 carries for 154 yards. Miller completed, 7-of-l3 passes for Marshall for H9 yards with Elliot Dodds his top target hauling in four catches for 93 yards. Isaac Friddle and Brennan Sensiba had seven total tackles each for the Saxon defense. Simmet finished with six and Trapper Reigler and Aiden SaintAmour had five tackles apiece. Diego Coipel had a sack for the Sax­ ons too. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place to submit comments concerning the foregoing. Amanda Carothers, Clerk Carlton Township 85 Welcome Rd Hastings, MI 49058 (269) 945-5990 Saugatuck 42, Delton Kellogg 14 Saugatuck kept its record perfect at 6-0 with a 42-14 win over the Panthers on home­ coming night at Delton Kellogg High School. CARLTON TOWNSHIP BOARD Serving Carlton Township since 1842 85 Welcome Rd. Hastings, Michigan 49058 PH: (269) 945-5990 Fax: (269) 945-9571 Bradley Carpenter, Supervisor _T_e_r_r_i _G_e_i_g_e_r_, _T_re__a_su_r_e_r_ Ref: Middle Lake Weed Special Assessment District 2023 04-028-323-00 04-028-324-00 04-028-320-00 29.04-033-292-00 30.04-033-293-00 04-033-294-00 04-028-326-00 04-029-40J -00 04-029-402-00 32.04-033-295-00 33.04-033-296-00 04-033-297-00 04-029-403-00 04-029-404-00 04-029-405-00 io.04-029-406-50 04-029-414-00 04-029-490-00 13.04-029-493-00 14.04-029-494-00 04-029-495-00 16.04-029-499-00 17.04-032-105-00 18. 04_-_0_3__2_-_1_4_6_-0__0 19. 04-032-148-00 20. 0‘4-032-550-00 21.04-033-236-00 22.04-033-238-00 23.04-033-240-05 24.04-033-245-05 25.04-033-250-00 26.04-033-251-00 27. 0__4_-0__3_3-290-00 ■ 04-033-291-00 35.04-033-298-00 36.04-033-299-00 37.04-040-001-50 38.04-004-002-00 39.04-040-003-00 40.04-040-006-00 41.04-040-007-00 43 04-040-011-00 04-040-013-00 45.04-040-014-00 46.04-040-018-00 47.04-040-019-00 48.04-050-001-00 49.04-050-002-00 50.04-050-003-00 51.04-050-004-00 52.04-050-006-00 53.04-050-008-00 54.04-050-009-00 55.04-050-010-00 56.04-050-011-00 57.04-050-012-00 84.04-065-028-00 85.04-065-030-00 58.04-050-013-00 86.04-065-031-00 59.04-050-014-00 60.04-050-016-00 87.04-075-004-00 88.04-075-011-00 61.04-055-008-00 89.04-075-012-00 62.04-055-010-00 63.04-055-014-00 90.04-075-014-00 64.04-055-015-00 91.04-075-015-00 92.04-075-016-00 65.04-055-017-00 93.04-095-001-00 66.04-055-019-00 94.04-095-003-00 67.04-055-022-00 95.04-095-004-00 68.04-055-023-00 96.04-095-005-00 69.04-055-024-00 97.04-095-006-00 70.04-055-025-00 98.04-095-007-00 71.04-055-026-00 99.04-095-009-00 72.04-055-027-00 100.04-095-011-00 101.04-095-014-00 73.04-055-033-10 74.04-055-034-00 75.04-055-035-00 76.04-055-036-00 77.04-055-038-00 78.04-055-039-00 79.04-055-040-00 80.04-055-041-00 81.04-055-044-00 82.04-055-046-00 83.04-065-026-50 Hastings lineman Devin Smith hauls down a Marshall ballcarrier during Friday night's 1-8 ballgame in Marshall. (Photo by Dan Goggins) 0 i’**S** >** a* jpm: j 2^52 'jE^gssliaEJ&sl’ DtaWiiWiMl Delton Kellogg quarterback Tristin Boze (12) follows Wyatt Colwell (22) on a designed quarterback run play in the first half of the Panthers* homecoming loss to visiting Saugatuck Friday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) The Trailblazers got three rushing touch­ downs from will Doucette and opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run from Cass Stanberry. Stanberry also hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hartgerink that helped the Trailblazers build a 28-7 halftime lead. Doucette had TD runs offour yards and 14 yards in the first half and scored his team’s first points of the second half on a 67-yard third quarter touchdown run. Hartgerink tacked on a four-yard TD run for the Trail­ blazers in the fourth quarter. It was a tough start for the Panthers as they went three-and-out on their first series, but a low snap on a punt attempt caused the ball to be marked dead at the Panthers’ own 20-yard-line. Doucette scored on the Trailblazers first offensive snap following the turnover on downs, and later his 67-yard touchdown run came on the first snap ofthe second half. The Panthers go their first points on a twoyard touchdown run by Wyatt Colwell in the second quarter. Delton Kellogg also put together a long drive that ended in a two-yard touchdown run around the right end by quarterback Tristin Boze in the third quarter. Thornapple Kellogg 46, Ottawa Hills 12 It took two snaps for the Trojans to have a lead they would never relinquish on homecoming night in Middleville Friday. Senior back Drake Snyder took a hand-off four yards up the middle to the 47-yard-line for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team on the first play ofits OK Gold Confer­ ence contest with visiting Ottawa Hills inside Bob White Stadium. Senior quarterback Grant Middleton twist­ ed to his left after getting the second snap of the game and flipped a pitch out left for senior back Ethan Bonnema who was already on the move. Bonnema looked on as senior TE/WR Jaxan Sias trucked Ottawa Hills’ Willie Duke backwards, eventually driving him to the turf. “I caught the ball. I saw Jaxan blocking. He was the only guy out there. I got around him, and there was nobody,” Bonnema said. There wasn’t another Bengal in sight. Sophomore Zach Eldridge and junior Spencer Ybema were left downfield looking for somebody, anybody to block, but there wasn’t anybody. Bonnema sprinted up the visitor sideline 53 yards to the south end zone for the first of his three touchdowns in the Trojans’ 46-12 victory. “I just knew that he was coming my way and I had to do my work for him to get a touchdown,” Sias said of the block. “It felt good to be able to put up that block for him to get in.” It was the first time this season the now 1-5 Trojans have had the chance to feel good after the final whistle this season. They had a two-touchdown lead get away against Cedar Springs in a bailgame the Red Hawks eventu­ ally won in overtime and then were nipped by rival Wayland 17-14 last Friday, Sept. 22. “We have been waiting for it,” said Sias who was crowned homecoming king along­ side queen Ava Corson at halftime of the victory. “We have been putting so much time in the weight room, and so much time in the summer, and for things tojust go wrong at the very end of every game. Some things just don’t end up right. It just feels good to put one together for once.” Bonnema said head coach JeffDock and the other members of the coaching staffhave been doing a good job of keeping everyone in a positive mindset. The players have been work­ ing to keep each other in good spirits as well. “We have some great captains on this team,” Sias said. “The linemen, the linemen, keep going every single day. Every single day at school and every single day at prac­ tice they’re so much firn. All the credit ttf them up front.” Snyder continues to run hard behind his linemen. He scored on a five-yard dive through the line to end the Trojans’ second possession and put them in front 13-0. The Bengals struck back with a touchdown on their next drive to get within 13-6, but wouldn’t sniff the end zone again until the Trojans’ victory celebration was well under­ way in the fourth quarter. TK got a four-yard touchdown pitch from Middleton to junior Brody Wiersma, touch­ down runs of 19 and 13 yards from Bonnema,’ and a 46-yard touchdown run from Middleton before the halftime homecoming ceremonies! even began to lead 39-6. Wiersma’s TD run put TK up 19-6 at the* 10:13 mark ofthe second quarter, and team-* mate Tyler Bentley beat all the Bengals to a* short pooch kick by teammate Braden Sharran to get the ball right back for TK. Only 17; seconds had gone offthe clock since Wiers-’ ma’s TD when Bonnema scored on a run* around the left side that put TK up 25-6. The Trojans’ only touchdown ofthe second half came on a 12-yard run by sophomore Kizatici ■iBi&WRto ^jninnm iifiL iifeiL ev See FOOTBALL, page 11 ■a*i �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. October 5.2023 — Page 11 Saxons play regional at home Tuesday Hastings' Sophie Greenfield chips her ball up near the cup on number nine during the Pre-Regional Tournament hosted by the Saxons at The Legacy at Hastings Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor About halfthe teams scheduled to take part in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional Tournament at The Legacy at Hast­ ings next Tuesday, Oct. 10, took part in a Pre-Regional event Monday, Oct. 3. In an effort to change things up a bit from the regional format each ofthe seven partici­ pating teams had three individuals shooting Monday as well as a scramble duo. Senior Addey Nickels was the top singles player for the Saxons shooting a 104. Sopho­ more Sophia Greenfield put up a total of 1J1 and senior Peightyn Cronk also shot a singles round for the Saxon team. Juniors Kennedy Lewis and Sophia Hamil­ ton teamed up in the scramble for the Saxons. Plainwell freshman Ayla Jaeger had the day’s top singles score at 81. Vicksburg senior Brooklynn Ringler was second with an 82 and Paw Paw junior Kay­ lin Pease shot a 90 to lead her team. Plainwell also got a 97 fromjunior Anessa Jaeger. Paw stsT* stsT Paw junior Grace Mitchell and Vicksburg senior Valerie Hamilton both also shot a 97 to tie Anessa for fourth individually. Teams from Hastings, Plainwell, Vicks­ burg, Hamilton, Paw Paw, Pennfield, and Vicksburg. A total of 15 teams will compete in next week’s regional where the top three teams and top three individuals not on those qualifying teams earn a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Girls GolfFinals. The Saxons closed out the regular season last Wednesday placing fourth at the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference Championship at Cedar Creek GolfCourse. Harper Creek took the championship with a score of 367. Parma Western was second with a score of 383 ahead ofColdwater 432, Hastings 443, Marshall 444, Pennfield 450 and Jackson Northwest 454. A trio ofgirls finished the day at 85: Harp­ er Creek senior Rachel Kyger, Coldwater senior Hailey Price and Parma Western senior Gabriella Davis. Parma Western had three girls among the Hastings' Addie along the fairway the Pre-Regional the Saxons at ' (Photo by Brett Br Nickels fires a shot on number 11 during burnament hosted by he Legacy Monday. imer) top five scorers, b t couldn’t overtake the Beavers who match'd that. Harper Creek got a 92 from junior A abella Stanley and a 92 from senior Mallory Flanders. Parma Western junior Camryn Boh t shot an 89 and junior Kaia Bruneel scorec a 92. The Beavers toe c the championship by adding a 97 from j inior Ellie Sandel while senior teammate Ce ia Kyger added a 99. Nickels led the S xons with a 103 that had her in 11th indiv dually, and Greenfield scored a 104 to plac e 12th. The Saxon team ilso got a 117 from Ham­ ilton and a 119 fror i Cronk. '"W "W FOOTBALL, continued from page 10 Derious Robinson midway through the fourth quarter. It was set up by a 52-yard pass from the back-up quarterback Wiersma to junior Jacob Davis deep down the right side. The Trojan side got fired up for Davis’ catch. Sias was also pretty excited to see junior lineman Connor Martin get his hands on the football on a kick return. The victory is the first of the season for either team. TK is now 1-3 in the OK Gold Conference. Ottawa Hills falls to 0-6 and 0-4 in the conference with the loss. Wkltaer finished ^P^comest •Wfeeaapo® 11 touchdoun •iHri quarter and ItailyWILaiitb k oesjnsd 0^ m n ft ft q| ntafeftlpnjewft 1110 ofpassing lliefeitagttented Ijatafritnaaii Qsoy.ay Qstoy.SatyihWiH •>>« 5S* S*‘*'*?*;£ * ; Lansing Catholic 33, Lakewood 20 Lansing Catholic scored the game’s first 33 points and then kept the Vikings in check enough to score a 33-20 win over the visiting Lakewood varsity football team in Capital Area Activities Conference White Division action Friday. The Cougars evened their record at 3-3 with the win while keeping the Vikings win­ less on the season. The Cougars led 27-0 at the half. “We started out slow and got behind early,” Lakewood head coach Matt Markwart said. “We put together a good drive at the end of the [first] halfdriving down to the 15, but the drive stalled.” Lansing Catholic quarterback Alex Fer­ nandez threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns in the first half as his Cougars built their lead. Joe Olson added an early ten-yard touchdown run for the Cougars in the second half. Lakewood answered that last Cougar touchdown with a drive ofits own that ended in its first points of the bailgame on a oneyard QB snake from Bryson Haight. Haight added an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Gaigoci and a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brennen Lehman in the fourth quarter. “Even with the slow starts we are having, the boys are still fighting to the end,” coach Markwart said. “Connor Cosme, Ethan Goodemoot and Colt Endsley ran the ball hard. The line is getting better every week. We are getting to our blocks and we are not sustain­ ing our blocks which has been, and will still be, an area offocus.” Goodemoot had 13 rushes for 58 yards and Cosme had 11 rushes for 63 yards to lead the Lakewood offense on the ground. Fernandez finished the bailgame 16-of-23 passing for 180 yards. He had ten rushes for 62 yards. Olson was the Cpugars’ top ground­ gainer rushing nine times for 83 yards. Braden Rabideau and Justin DeVarona were Fernandez’s top targets Rabideau had six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. DeVarona had four receptions for 49 yards and a score. The Cougars finished their first drive of the ballgame with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Fernandez to Rabideau. The Viking defense forced a turnover just across the Lakewood side of midfield on the Cougars’ second drive, but the Lakewood offense went three-and-out for the second time and punted the ball away. Catholic Central stretched its next drive into the second quarter getting a nine-yard touchdown run from Fernandez early in the quarter. Fernandez capped the next Cougar drive with a nine-yard touchdown run and then added the final TD ofthe first half on a 25-yard pass to DeVarona. Lakewood faces its long-time Greater Lan­ sing Activities Conference rival in Olivet this Friday in their first CAAC-White match-up. The Eagles are 1-5 on the season so far. Maple Valley 56, Britton-Deerfield 6 In the fall of 2021, the first season ofthe Tri-River 8-Man Football Conference, the Maple Valley Lions were bested 61-8 by the Britton-Deerfield in the final game of the conference season, clinching an undefeated league championship for the Patriots. The Lions returned the favor Friday night, Sept. 29. The Maple Valley varsity eight-player foot­ ball team captured its first Tri-River 8 champi­ onship, and its first conference title in football since the fall of2001, by outscoring the Patri­ ots 56-6 to finish offa 2-0 conference slate. “We sat there [in 2021 ] and watched them celebrate their league championship,” Maple Valley head coach Marty Martin said. “I said, ‘in three years this could be you, but you’re going to have to hit the weight room, work hard, and make each other accountable.”* The Lions were 1-3 in the Tri-River 8 that first season and then 2-3 in the conference a season ago. “You could see how big it was for them,” coach Martin said of his guys. “21 years. Who would* have thought back in the -80s,1 90s, and 2000s it’d be' 22 years for Maple Valley to win a league championship.” “[These guys] know what they did,” coach Martin added. “I am coaching kids ofkids I have coached before. Cam Carpenter, and Callan Hoefler and Brody Trowbirdge, there is my son Nic, and Noah Musser and Jimmy Wiggs. All these guys, they have a direct link to those teams of the past - so you cold tell how important it was to them. They wanted to be a part ofthe Maple Valley tradition.” The victory moves Maple Valley to 6-0 overall this season. The Lions will finish the season over.500 for the first time since 2017 and just the second time since 2006. The Patriots close the season at 1-1 in the Tri-River 8 and are now 2-4 overall. “Our defense played with their hair on fire tonight,” coach Martin said. “They gave us great field position right offthe get-go.” The Lion defense also contributed on the scoreboard with Wiggs returning an intercep­ tion 55 yards for a score late in the third quarter. Wiggs saw a little bit of extra time on the field with an injury to teammate Andrew Shepard. Nic Martin and Hoefler also had intercep­ tions for the maple Valley defense and Jakeb McDonald recovered a fumble. Martin had a game-high 12 tackles. Hoefler added ten tackles and McDonald had eight. Nick Burpee tipped a pass at the lien of scrimmage that gave Nic Martin the chance for his interception. Coach Martin said defensive backs Ayden Wilkes and McDonald did a tremendous job in coverage on the Patriots’ ends. “It wasn’t like they could run the ball either,” coach Martin said. “Our defensive line and our middle linebackers did a great job ofmaking plays as well.” NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED BUDGET fl PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on October 24,2023 at 9:00 a.m. the Barry County Board ofCommissioners will hold a public hearing on the 2024 Barry County budget during the regular Board ofCommissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers, located on the mezzanine level ofthe Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings MI 49058 The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. feSW SW few/ f/ e Delton Kellogg's Victor Gonzalez (44) pulls down a pass late in the game for a nice gain against Saugatuck Friday night at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) A copy ofthe proposed 2024 Budget is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the County Administrator’s office, 3rd floor, Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings MI 49058, or at http ://www.barrycounty.org/budget Pamela A. Palmer, County Clerk Barry County Board of Commissioners 206836 The Saxons' Peightyn Cronk hits her tee shot on number 11 during the Pre-Regional Tournament hosted by The Legacy at Hastings Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Offensively, the senior quarterback Wilkes scored the Lions’ first two touchdowns on runs on 27 yards and 15 yards in the first quarter. Evan Brandenburg added a two-point conversion run after Wilkes’ first TD midway through the first quarter. Shepard scored on a nine-yard run three minutes into the second quarter and then Brandenburg added a five-yard touchdown run with two and a halfminutes to go in the first half. The Lions led 26-0 at the half. g Brandenburg then returned the opening kickoff to the second half 81 yards for a touchdown. James Penny added a 19-yard rushing touchdown for the Lions with five minutes to go in the third quarter and McDonald had a 15-yard rushing touchdown with four and a half minutes to go in the game. In between those two offensive touchdowns in the sec­ ond half the Lions got their defensive score from Wiggs. Shepard had another solid night running the football. He had 17 carries for 82 yards. Wilkes finished with five rushes for 48 yards. The Lions had 220 yard on the ground as a team. Wilkes was 2-of-4 passing for 17 yards and McDonald completed l-of-3 passes for 19 yards. Carpenter had a 17-yard reception for the Lions and Skyler Cook had a 19-yard catch. Britton-Deerfield got its points on a twoyard touchdown run by Caden Freeman three and a half minutes into the second half. Freeman had 13 rushes for 76 yards in the ballgame. Britton-Deerfield quarterback Caden Kubacki was just 3-of-13 passing for 42 yards. Thornapple Kellogg junior Jacob Davis waits for a pass to fall into his arms during the second half of the Trojans' homecoming win over visiting Ottawa Hills in Middleville Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 206423 JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR BRISTOL LAKE CHANNEL AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Supervisor and Assessor have prepared and filed in the office of the Township Clerk for public examination a special assessment roll including all properties located within the Bristol Lake Channel Aquatic Plant Control Special Assessment District No. 1 that are benefited by the proposed aquatic plant control project. The roll has been prepared for the purpose of assessing the costs of the project within the aforesaid special assessment district, which district is more particularly shown on the plans on file with the Township Clerk. The costs of the project are as shown on the estimate of costs on file with the Township Clerk. The total project cost is $13,500 (including administrative costs, which is the amount of the assessment roll. The amounts assessed against each property will be $900. The term of the special assessment will be five years (2024 through 2028 inclusive). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Supervisor and Assessor have further reported to the Township Board that the assessment against each parcel of land within the district Is such relative portion of the whole sum levied against all parcels of land in each district as the benefit to such parcels bear to the total benefit to all parcels of land in each special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Johnstown Township Board will meet at the Johnstown Township Hall, 13641 S. M-37 Hwy, Battle Creek Michigan on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the special assessment roll, hearing any objections to the roll and confirming the roll as submitted, revised or amended. The assessment roll may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days until the time of the hearing and may further be examined at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his/ her agent, may appear In person at the hearing to protest the special assessment or may file his/her appearance and protest by letter before the hearing, and in that event, personal appearance shall not be required. Any person objecting to the assessment roll shall file his/her objection In writing with the Johnstown Township Clerk before the close of the hearing on the assessment roll. The owners or any person having an Interest in real property who protests in writing at or before the hearing may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 30 days after confirmation of the special assessment roll, as provided by law. Johnstown Township will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' notice to the Township Clerk. Sheri Babcock, Clerk Johnstown Township 13641S. M-37 Hwy Battle Creek, Ml 49017 (269) 721-9709 �Page 12 — Thursday. October 5, 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236.MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagors): Robert Erick Gorden, Jr. and Mary Gorden, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Heartland Home Mortgage, LLC, its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Date of Mortgage: September 12, 2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: September 16, 2019 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $177,193.16 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Beginning at a point on the West line of Lot 70 of Glasgow's 2nd Addition, according to the recorded plat thereof in Liber 3 of Plats on Page 4, a distant North 01 degrees 20 minutes 27 seconds East, 186.92 feet from the Southwest comer of said Lot 70; thence North 01 degree 20 minutes 27 seconds East, 116.08 feet along said West line; thence South 88 degrees 43 minutes 33 seconds East, 450.10 feet; thence South 01 degrees 20 minutes 27 seconds West, 116.08 feet; thence South 88 degrees 43 minutes 33 seconds West, 450.10 feet to the Point of Beginning, Hastings City, Barry County, Michigan. Commonly Known as: 1381 Star School Rd., Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 09/14/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 317791 205846 (09-14X10-05) NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction aateJo thehlghestpjdder foe cash or cashier’s check ■ dfthe place of holding the circuit court in Ba’rfy GSOntJC starting promptly at LOO FM on OCTOBER 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Branden Shane O’Conner and Liz Medenblik, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Grand River Bank, It's successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated August 4, 2017 and recorded August 21, 2017 in Instrument Number2017-008403 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Bank, N.A., by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-Seven and 69/100 Dollars ($97,267.69). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on OCTOBER 12,2023. Said premises are located in the Township of THORNAPPLE, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Commencing 165 feet West of the Northeast comer of Section 12, Town 4 North, Range 10 West; thence South 330 feet; thence West 165 feet; thence North 330 feet thence East 165 feet to the point of beginning. 7015 W. Panmalee Rd, Middleville, Michigan 49333 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible t the person who buys the property at the mortgage to foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: September 14,2023 File No. 23-009472 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502 1400 (09-14X10-05) 205671 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29629-DE/HON. WILLIAM H. DOHERTY Court address: 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Carolyn Kay Phillips. Date of birth: 1-24-1954. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Carolyn Kay Phillips, died 8-26-2023. Creditors of th6 dece^en.tt are notified that all claims against t eQ®sta^e W’H b® forever barred unless presented U 11 tieadworth of T°3 East Clinton Street,, nr ♦ n?S' Michi9an 49058, personal representative, u !he Probate c°urt at 206 West Courtt et’ Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal n!K.rl®Se.ntative within 4 months after the date off publication of this notice Date: 09/27/2023 J- McPhil|iPS (P33715) utL81 Apple stre0t. Suite 101 u oen r!?8, Michi9an 49058 269-945-3512 Shanell Headworth u03,?ast Clinton Street 6iTR??,4l!!,ichi9an 49058 oi o-633-144g FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at a 01:00 PM, October 12, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Joel Burgess, A Mamed Man to Fifth Third Mortgage Ml, LLC, Mortgagee, dated August 1, 2016, and recorded on August 8, 2016, as Document Number 2016-007747, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Fifth Third Bank, National Association, FKA Fifth Third Bank as successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 31, 2017 and recorded November 01, 2017 by Document Number: 2017-010991,, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Four Hundred Forty­ Eight Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Eight and 81/100 ($448,688.81) including interest at the rate of 3.75000% per annum. Said premises are situated in the Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the NE 1/4, Section 30, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 corner of said Section; thence North 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds E 504.60 feet along the North line of said Section to the point of beginning; thence North 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds East 657.22 feet; thence South 00 degrees 05 minutes 48 seconds West 1587.37 feet parallel with the East line of said North 1/2; thence South 89 degrees 34 minutes 59 seconds West 657.22 feet; thence North 00 degrees 05 minutes 48 seconds East 1587.37 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly known as: 12309 GREEN LAKE RD, MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 Ifthe property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrowers) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: September 14,2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Fifth Third Bank, National Association, FKA Fifth Third Bank as successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00559-1 (09-14X10-05) 205766 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, .1961-BA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgSge’wlir be fot&3osed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Gergory D. Duits and Tricia D. Duits FKA Tricia D. Chase, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans Inc. Date of Mortgage: January 11,2020 Date of Mortgage Recording: January 16,2020 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $83,119.97 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated inVillage of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 1 of Samuel W. Cree Addition to the Village of Woodland, according to the recorded plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 2 of Plats on Page 11. Common street address (if any): 189 W Broadway St, Woodland, Ml 48897-9709 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: September 21,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1509882 (09-21X10-12) 206038 Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-23029523-DE Court address: 206 W.Court Street, #302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Vernard Albert McClelland Jr. Date of The decedent, Vernard Albert McClelland Jr., died 05/26/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Sue McClelland, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street #302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 09/29/2023 Sue McClelland 1810 W. Brogan Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 309-6480 , Hundred Eleven Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Four and 1/100 Dollars ($111,674.01). Under the power of sale c itained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or somelpart of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 2,2023. Said premises are locatedjin the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: LOT 12, BLOCK 16 OF LINCOLN PARK ADDITION, ACCORDING TO THE PLATlTHEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 1 OF PLATS, PAGE 55, BARRY COUNTY 705 W Clinton, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA§600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. ' Dated: September 14,2023 File No. 23-009410 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Finn Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (09-14)(10-05) 205882 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for^thi^jinformalipn. Name(s) Qf.,thp mortgagor(s): Mark'C hell Berg: and Jennifer Gdlz, Husband and Wife, Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: September 23,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: October 1, 2021 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $195,472.77 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Prairieville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Sixty-Three (63) feet off and from the Westerly side of Lot 53, Supervisor's Plat of Ford's Point, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Liber 2 of Plats, Page 72, Barry County Records. Also, Lot 55, Supervisor’s Plat of Ford's Point, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Liber 2 of Plats, Page 72, Barry County Records. Commonly Known as: 11650 Ramseyer Dr., Plainwell, Ml 49080 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241 a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee's attorney. Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 09/21/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 206246 Motion to accept a budget amendment for Mercy service agreement Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Attested to by, y ,p What should you ask a financial advisor? Managing your finances and investing for your future are important tasks — and they can be challenging. But you don’t have to go it alone. Many people benefit from working with a financial advisor, someone who knows then- needs and goals and makes appropriate recommendations, If you’re considering gettingsome help, you’ll want to ensure a particular financial advisor is right for you, so it’s a good idea to ask questions. Here are some to consider: • Have you worked with people like me? All of us are unique individuals. Yet, you do share certain characteristics with others — age, income, family situation and so on. And you might feel comfortable knowing that a financial advisor has worked with people like you and can readily understand and appreciate your needs and specific goals: college for your children, a certain type of retirement lifestyle, the kind of legacy you’d like to leave and Others. The more information you can provide about yourself upfront, the better your chances offinding a good match. categories. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these types of approaches, but you might be better served by working with someone who takes a broader view—one that emphasizes helping clients meet their goals over any particular philosophy or strategy. • How will you communicate with me? Open and frequent communication are key to a successful relationship with a financial advisor. So, you’ll want to know what you can expect. Will you have annual or semi-annual reviews of your accounts? In between these reviews, can you contact your advisor at any time with questions you may have? How will an advisor notify you to recommend investment moves? Is the financial advisor the individual you’ll communicate with, or are other people involved? • How do you define success for your clients? Some investors track their portfolios’ • Do you have a particular investment philosophy'? Some financial advisors follow a performance against that of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500. But these types of benchmarks can be misleading. For one thing, investors should strive for a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and other investments, whereas the S&P particular investment style, while others might focus on specific investments or 500 only tracks the largest U.S. stocks. So, when you talk to potential financial advisors NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number: SP-9-2023 - Jeremiah Angoli (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 11876 Cobb Rd, in Section 11 of Barry Township. ; HI J J Purpose: Requesting a special use permit to' operate a Home Occupation Major (taxidermy busi­ ness) pursuant to Article 23, Section 2339 in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district. MEETING DATE:October 23,2023. UME: 7:00 PM PLACE: Tyden Center Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Planning Commission members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus atjmcmanus@barrycounty.org. The special use application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. about how they define success for their clients, you may want to look for responses that go beyond numbers and encompass statements such as these: “I’m successful if my clients trust me to do the right things for them. And, most important, I’m successful when I know I’ve helped my clients reach all their $ goals.” • How are you compensated? Financial advisors are compensated in different ways — some work on commissions, some charge fees, and some combine fees and commissions. There isn’t necessarily any best method, from a client’s point of view, but you should clearly understand how a potential advisor is compensated before you begin a professional relationship. These aren’t the only questions you might ask a potential financial advisor, but they should give you a good start. When you’re trusting someone to help you with your important financial goals, you want to be completely comfortable with that individual — so ask whatever is on your mind. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. EdwardJones, Member SIPC J ft! gj 1 J* TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marvetta Jeanette Payne, died 8/7/2023, died 8-7­ 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Michael Payne, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. ■1B0M Hmm teMi ha'Wn Date: 9/27/23 Jackie Baker P76955 137 W. State Street Hastings. Ml 49058 269-945-3999 Michael Payne 570 Apple Tree Drive Holland, Ml 49423 269-945-7967 206616 Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Pamela A. Palmer, Barry County Clerk CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Wanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852­ 0667. Business Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. fafl STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29626-DE Court address: 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 .., Court telephone no.: (269)' 945-3999 ,pEstatqpf pEstatqpf tylarveta Jeanette Ppyqp. Date of birth’ 8M/1929’ Banner CLASSIFIEDS • Absent: None Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer's Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucher/Payroll Reportt Motion to approve Resolution 2023-295 Roll Call Vote — All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve a counter offer to Walmart Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve charges for BIRCH Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to approve Resolution 2023-294 Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes M Motion to approve Ordinance 2023-190 Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Madison Cove Financial Advisor 421 w. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 ^W| W| SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING September 13,2023 - 7:00 p.m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, James, Lectka Adjournment 8:23 pm Member SIPC Kevin Beck, AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 W. State St., Suite B Hastings, Mi 49058 (269) 945-4702 I 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 317924 (09-21)(10-12) STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS birth: 04-23-1951. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: l Provided by the Barry County offices of EdwardJones h less thlan 90 days agoh, or if you faveh I f i h dduty, uty, please e attorney please contact contact th the attorney for for the the party party foredosing foredosing the the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notiw is given under section 3212 of the revised judira ure act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to ttie highestt b bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 2,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds officee or a title t insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. I Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Randy Miller and Patti Miller, to Household Finahce Corporation III, Mortgagee, dated Augu August 12, 2005 and recorded August 19, 2005 in'Instrument 'Instrument Number N b 1151324 115132 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust 2021-GS1, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at toe date hereof the sum of One FOCUS Financial NOTICE Attention homfeowner IIyouafrea,.mll,SSh^TdS on lon active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Help Wanted HOW WOULD YOU like the same schedule as your child? Nights, weekends & holi­ days off. YOU EVEN GET A SNOW DAY!!! FLEXIBLE HOURS AVAILABLE. Cale­ donia Schools Food Service is looking for help. Experience preferred in food & customer service, ability to work in a fast paced environment. If interested in joining our team please call 616-891-0227 from 8am-Noon Mon.-Thurs. Or apply online at aramark.com click on Caledonia Schools. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $300.269-223-9194. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation ordiscrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. October 5, 2023 — Page 13 Lions snap skid by beating Colts The Hastings varsity volleyball team celebrates its championship Saturday at the Lakeview Invitational, Ti eSaxons have now won the tournament in back-to-back seasons. HHS girls win Lakeview Invite again - j ‘Mitt*. M , 1 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity volleyball team won the Lakeview Invitational for the second season in a row Saturday. Hastings head coach Erin Goggins said her team had to overcome some adversity with a pair of players out injured and a third who was lost to an injury early in the day. “The girls stepped up to the challenge, taking on new roles and leading their team to a trophy,” coach Goggins said. Hastings won its pool with Carson City-Crystal, Northern Michigan Christian, Big Rapids Cross­ roads Charter Academy and didn’t lose a single set all day. The Saxons finished offthe championship run by outscoring Montabella in the bracket play semifinals and then scoring a second win over Northern Michigan Christian by the scores of25-7, 25-19 in the tournament championship match. The host team from Lakeview placed third. Saxon setter Abby Beemer had a big day for the Saxons with 13 aces on 50 serves. She put up 45 assists. Liliana Fox showed off great defensive leadership while putting up 60 passes. The Hastings team got 15 kills from Rachael Hewitt. Kimber Fenstemaker had a total of 12 touches and blocks at the net. Coach Goggins said Olivia Friddle and Jordan Milanowski stepped up and stood out too. Friddle had 14 kills and four solo blocks. Milanowski con­ tributed 13 kills and had 45 serves. The Saxon coach said that Lilyah Solmes stepped up and played well for her team through the bracket play taking over for injured teammate Audrey Vertalka. The Saxons were hoping to carry some momen­ tum from the tournament into a Wednesday night, Oct. 4, Interstate-8 Athletic Conference dual at Parma We item. Hasting > faced Marshall on the road in the con­ ference la it Wednesday, Sept. 27. Coach Goggins said her g rls played great until the end. They were scrappy a id showed lots of heart in the three-set loss. The Red Hawks won by the scores of 25-16, 25-21, 25--pO. Coach joggins said inching closer in each set had her te im confident that they were doing things right. Thiy’ll hope to continue that on into the upcoming conference tournament. Hammer had 35 assists and four blocks in the match. Fo c had 33 passes in the back row. Vertalka and Hewitt had six kills each for Hastings and Friddle chipptd in three solo blocks. The Saxon team will be at the Hanover-Horton invitational Saturday, Oct. 7, and then will be home to face Jackson Northwest Tuesday, Oct. 10. Hernandez has top finish for Saxons at 1-8 tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ivan Rojo Hernandez at second singles had the top finish ofthe day for the Saxons as Harp­ er Creek High School and Marshall hosted the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Tournament Monday. ( a The big win ofthe day for Hernandez came in match with Warper Cfeek’s6Quihten Valenzuela in which he fell 6-3 in the opening set but then rallied for 6-2, 6-2 wins to close out the victory for the Hastings varsity boys’ tennis team. Parma Western’s Jaxon Porter beat out Hernan­ dez in the semifinals before Hernandez fell to Coldwater’s Eric Rucker in the match for third and fourth. EkWcttrllC ri 2 3kk b fe ten Porter and the Parma Western Panthers fin­ at their flight. ished on top ofthe conference standings with 18 Hastings head coach Krista Schueller said points on the day. Coldwater was second with 14 Caleb Borton at third singles had an epic first followed by Northwest 11, Harper Creek 11, match to open the day against Jackson North­ Marshall 7 and Hastings 3. west’s Gayin Rush, but couldn’t quite steal the The Saxons also got a couple wins in consola­ second set Rush took a 6-1, 7-5 victory. tion from their first doubles duo ofKeegan Lind­ Saxon first singles player Heath Hays fell in a bn^J^ Fazekas, sey and Lang Haines. They were bested Harper Creek duo of Evan Munoz and Ethan 10-8, in the consolation rounds. Kline 6-4, 6-1 to start the day, but then outscored Coach Schueller said all of her guys played the first doubles teams from Marshall and Penn- well against some tough competition throughout field in ten-game pro-sets. the day. The Hastings second doubles team of Evan The Saxons are scheduled to host Ottawa Hills Porter and Owen Bogue and the third doubles for a dual Monday, Oct. 9, and will head to Hol­ team ofAnderson Forrel and Oliver Allen both land Oct. 13 for their MHSAA Lower Peninsula lost closes matches to finish in. seventh place Division 3 Regional Tournament. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Maple Valley varsity boys’ soccer team pulled out a 2-1 victory over the host Comstock Colts in light rain under the lights in Kalamazoo Wednesday evening. The win was the third of the sea­ son for the Lions who are now 4-12­ 1 overall this season. They split a pair at the Barry County Christian Wisner Soccer Invitational Saturday falling to Kentwood Lighthouse Academy 2-0 before rallying for a 5-2 win over Bellevue in the tourna­ ment consolation game. Former Greater Lansing Activities Confer­ ence foe Leslie took a 5-1 win over the host Lions Tuesday. The Lions had lost four in a row heading into the match with Com­ stock. The Maple Valley boys will be home to take on the Kalamazoo Phoenix tonight, Oct. 5, and to face Potterville Oct. 9. Maple Valley opens play in its MHSAA Division 4 District Tournament hosting Battle Creek Calhoun Christian Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. Sophomore midfielder Bradley Harvey scored one goal in each half against Comstock, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead with an unassisted goal with 14 minutes to go in the match. He dribbled the bail in from the top of the Colt goal-box with a defender chasing him from behind and ripped a point-blank shot by the. Colt keeper. It proved to be a key insurance goal as the Colts upped their attack and managed to get within a goal with five minutes to play. A shot into the box deflected to the Comstock junior forward Trey Kohler at the top ofthe box and he had the space to put a low shot into the right side ofthe net, out ofthe reach of diving goal­ keeper Isaiah Ross. Ross as a capable fill in for regular Lion keeper Doug Smalley, who was injured in a tough non-conference defeat at Hopkins Monday evening. Harvey scored the game’s first goal a little over 12 minutes in, again beating the Colt keeper in a 1-v-l situation after getting a fine feed from teammate Ben Mater who earned the assist. Harvey perfectly placed a shot into the lower left comer ofthe net to put his team ahead 1-0. Maple Valley head coach Mike Webb was really pleased with his guys’ communication and ball distribution throughout the match. “We play through our midfielders,” Webb said. “We get the ball into the midfielder, and sometimes Brad­ ley [Harvey] is not quick on getting rid of the ball. He recognized, he took his space and then got the ball up to our forwards or out to the wings.” “Given the conditions I think we played pretty well,” Webb added. “We had a few mental lapses where they scored, but our mental lapses • weren’t, as frequent and long in dura­ tion as they have been normally.” Ross made a diving stop in his net soon after Harvey’s first goal that kept the Lions in front. He had halfa dozen saves in the first half. The Colts also had a couple other wellstruck shots fly just wide of the Maple Valley goal and a few others lined right at a well-positioned Ross. The Lions had their near misses too. Coach Webb reminded freshman attacker Michael Harwood to keep his head up as he created a couple outstanding scoring opportunities. Harvey chipped a ball to the top of the box from about 40 yards out mid­ way through the second half that Harwood chased down and had a shot flyjust wide right. Harwood had another shot, after the ball bounded around following a comer kick, just miss its mark with the Lions still leading 2-0 in the second half. “He works his tail off,” Webb said of Harwood. “He was making the runs that we teach him to do. He was getting there and he was getting his hits.” Finishing is something that comes with time and experience Webb said. In the end, the Lions had all the goals they needed. ■juwflBriBiwraiatfFG&® iBltfcteteeiDrtii LEGAL NOTICES ffl&M #6395 lit# Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. IW' 5* fe? e 1^ e 1 ^ e fed Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Gregory R. Keagle, a married man and Christopher M. Daniels, a married man, as tenants in common Original Mortgagee: Albion Investment and Loan LLC Date of mortgage: September 19, 2022 Recorded on September 30, 2022, in Document No. 2022-010189, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): None Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Two Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand One Hundred Thirty-Five and 00/100 Dollars ($228,136.00) Mortgaged premises: Situated In Barry County, and described as: Parcel 1: LOT 17 CROOKED LAKE SUMMER RESORT. Parcel 2: LOT 38 CROOKED LAKE SUMMER RESORT. ALSO THAT PORTION OF GWIN’S AVE VACATED IN L.244-96 E LY OF SAID PROPERTY. Commonly known as 11070 E Shore Dr, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Albion Investment and Loan Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 2 48.539.7400 1510117 109-21X10-12) LLC Mortgagee/ Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on November 02, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagors): Richard L. Reyff and Susan V Reyff, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: The Huntington National Bank as successor by merger with TCF National Bank successor by merger with Chemical Bank FKA Chemical Bank and Trust Company successor by merger with Chemical Bank West successor by merger with Bank West Date of mortgage: June 25,2001 Recorded on July 3, 2001, in Document No. 1062448, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): None Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Thirty Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty­ Eight and 56/100 Dollars ($30,968.56) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Lot 19, Middleville Downs Addition No 1 to the Village of Middleville, according to the recorded plat thereof In Liber 5 of Plats on Page 4. Commonly known as 314 Stadium Dr, Middleville, Ml 49333 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later, or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale will be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee's attorney. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. The Huntington National Bank Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1510778 (09-28)(10-19) 206268 206609 Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: F Maple Valley's Bradley Harvey turns his team towards the attack during the second half of its non-conference win at Comstock High School in Kalamazoo Wednesday evening, Sept. 27. (Photo by Brett Bremer) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Commission of Yankee Springs Township will conduct a public hearing concerning the following matters on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, in the Township. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include the following: Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Article IV, Special Exception Uses, Section 4.2 B Special Exception Use Procedure and Section 4.3 Annual Inspections, regarding revocation of a special exception use permit, termination of a special exception use permit and annual reviews of special exception use permits. Such other and further business as may properly come before the Planning Commission at said hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the proposed zoning ordinance amendments can be reviewed at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days and will also be available at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that written comments will be taken from any interested person concerning the proposed text amendments at the office of the Township Clerk at the address set forth below, at any time during regular business hours up to 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing and will further be received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes to the proposed zoning ordinance amendments at or following the public hearing. AU interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals requiring services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Mike Cunningham, Township Clerk Yankee Springs Township 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 Saxons plan to honor Signeski at Pierce Field Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity boys’ soc­ cer team evened its Interstate-8 Athletic Conference record at 3-3 with a 5-3 win at Pennfield Tues­ day evening. The Saxons have a non-conference match with Ottawa Hills on the schedule for tonight, Oct. 5. Game time is set for 5:15 p.m. The Saxons will take a few minutes to remember former Saxon varsity soccer player and 2023 Hastings High School grad­ uate Bayne Signeski, who passed away this summer. There are plans to dedicate a new flagpole and plaque at Pierce Field. The Saxons play to wear memorial arm bands. That ceremony will be in addi­ tion to the Senior/Parent Night festivities and there are also plans for a tailgate party at the field prior to the start ofthe game. The Saxon athletic department is also accepting donations to go towards the flagpole and to fund a scholarship in Signeski’s hame to got to a current junior or senior soccer player that competed with Signeski. Donations came be made at the game or sent to the high school athletic department at any time. The Saxons came ready to play and scored in the first three min­ utes of the ballgame Tuesday at Pennfield. The two teams were back and forth from there and were tied 3-3 in the second half before Hastings rallied to score the game’s final two goals. Serg Arias and Eastin Tibble both scored a goal for Hastings and Troy Hokanson tallied his second hat-trick ofthe season. Dan Jenson and Brennen Arm­ strong combined to make 15 saves in goal for Hastings. The Saxons were coming offa tough 5-0 loss at ionia from Sat­ urday. Last week in the 1-8, the Saxons picked up their second conference win by outscoring Jackson North­ west 4-3 in Hastings. �■■P aayoi<» ay goe 1i<4» — — Tmhuurresdaay,, Oc cto obe er r 5,, 2023 The ee Ha as stinngs s Baan nnneerr —murea, coer, — asns anner ■ ■ Delton Kellogg leaders medal at Otsego Invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg leaders Summer Ritchie and Ethan Rimmer finished among the top 25 medalists in the Division 3-4 races at the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday afternoon, following up on an outstanding Southwestern Athletic Conference jamboree from last Wednesday. The Division 3 and Division 4 competi­ tions were held together with team scores broken down between the two divisions, but individual medals handed out to the top 25 among the 22 teams in the two divisions Sat­ urday. The Delton Kellogg girls were seventh and the boys eighth in the day’s Division 3 standings. Ritchie, a senior, led the DK girls with a 15th-place time of22 minutes 42.23 seconds in the D3 Competition. Fellow DK senior Samantha O’Meara was 27th in 23:31.34. A trio ofjuniors rounded out the top five for the Panthers. Kylie Main was 37th in 23: 56.27, Johannah Houtkooper 40th in 24: 28.84 and junior Jillian Leclercq 45th in 25: 42.24. Bronson sophomore Ashlynn Harris won the D3 girls’ competition with a personal record time of 19:32.79. Fennville freshman Isabelle Sliter was the runner-up in 19:34.66 and Bronson junior Ava Hathaway also fin­ ished in less than 20 minutes with a thirdplace time of 19:48.23. Sliter led her Fennville team to the D3 girls’ championship withjust 40 points. Quin­ cy was second with 86 points ahead of Kalamazoo Homeschool Sports 90, School­ craft 98, Kalamazoo Christian 111, Bronson 113, Delton Kellogg 146 and Bangor 231. The Kalamazoo Homeschool Sports team boys dominated their D3 competition with five guys among the top eight finishers and a final total of26 points. Bronson was a distant Delton Kellogg seniors Summer Ritchie (left) and Samantha O'Meara run side by side during the early stages of the Division 3-4 girls' rape Saturday at the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational at Otsego High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) THE HOTTEST STARS QUEEN NATION TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF QUEEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 7 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. VISION ■R 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue | Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. second with 82 points. Bloomingdale senior Jaden Barnes won the D3 boys’ race in 16:14.17. Kalamazoo Homeschool senior Bryce Lloyd was the run­ ner-up in 17:09.77. Rimmer hit the finish line 14th in 18:35.89 on the heels of the Kalamazoo Homeschool team’s number six finisher. The Delton Kellogg team got a personal record run from freshman Isaiah Kellogg who placed 98th in 26:53.02, DKjunior Brock Hickerson was 44th over­ all in 20:16.10. Senior Rhys Bedford came in 52nd in 20:27.13. Th/DK team also had sophomore Nick Muday 73rd in 21:28.15. The Panthers are back in action at anoth­ er big invitational Saturday, Oct. 7, the Portage Invitational. The final Southwest­ ern Athletic Conference jamboree of the season is on the schedule for Thursday, Oct. 12. The SAC was together last Wednesday, Delton Kellogg junior Brock Hickerson (right) works his way through the crowd not long after the start of the Division 3-4 boys' rSPP Saturday at the aqqyg| Qt§ggq Bul|dpg lnY*tatipnal at Otsego r High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sept. 27, for a jamboree hosted by South Haven at the Warner Camp. The Delton Kellogg boys’ team jumped from 12th in the standings at the first confer­ ence jamboree to seventh Wednesday. Rim­ mer was the t only Delton Kellogg guy in fhe top 50 at that first conference jamboree and the Panther team had four guys in the top 50 in South Haven and all four ofthem set a new personal record. Rimmer led the way with a seventh-place time of 17:13.85. Hickerson placed 31st in 19:21.97. Bed­ ford was 38th in 19:35.74. Muday came in 45th in 19:56.52. For Bedford and Muday it was their first time breaking the 20-minute mark. Rounding out the scoring five for DK was Kellogg with a time of27:58.12 that put him in 107th place. Hackett Catholic Prep was first on the day with a score of 38 points. Bridgman was second with 70 points ahead ofKalam­ azoo Christian 126, Allegan 155, Watervliet 168, Schoolcraft 168, Delton Kellogg 180, Constantine 192, Parchment 192 and Fenn­ ville 212 in the top ten. Black River fin­ ished with 224 points ahead ofLawton 270 and Gobles 345. Ofthe 12 fastest guys on the day 11 set a new PR. That included Hackett’s Butkiewicz who won in 16:19.42. Watevlietjunior Daniel Mandujano was second in 16:32.75 and Bridgman junior Andrew Mabry third in 16:36.73. It was another big day for the Gobles fresh­ men in the girls’ race, leading their team to a win with 54 points. Saugatuck was second with 67 points. Gobles got personal record runs from Libby Smith (18:40.92), Ava DeYoung (19:48.14) and Lauren Shaffer (20:03.82) who placed first, third and fourth respective­ ly. Sliter from Fennville was the runner-up in 19:24.77. Martin freshman Veyda Conley placed fifth in 20:04.12. Fennville finished third with 71 points ahead of Bridgman 105, Schoolcraft 142, Hackett Catholic Prep 158, Kalamazoo Chris­ tian 180, Watervliet 187, Delton Kellogg 192, Lawton 229 and Allegan 276. Halfofthe dozen DK girls racing set their PR. Ritchie lowered her best time ever to 22: 18.47 in a 27th-place finish. O’Meara was second for DK with a 35th-place time of 23: 12.13. Houtkooper was on O’Meara’s heels with a 37th-place time of 23:22.89 - a season best time for her. The DK team got a PR from Main who was 47th in 23:52.03. Junior Jillian Leclercq was OK’s number fiye with a t’me °f 25-13.19 that had her in 64th place overall. Delton Kellogg junior Jillian Leclercq closes in on the finish line at the end of the Division 3-4 girls' race Saturday at the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational at Otsego High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg junior Rhys Bedford traverses the course Saturday during the Division 3-4 boy's race at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational. (Photo by Brett Brenier) idh-*- PR’s help Lions meet goal at Otsego Brett Bremer Sports Editor A trio of girls running their fastest race ever helped the Maple Valley varsity girls’ cross country team meet its team goal too in the Division 4 competition at Saturday’s Otsego Bulldog Invitational. The Maple Valley team placed fourth in the ten-team girls’ competition at the massive day-long invitational. “The team’s goal for the race was to try to finish in front of [Battle Creek] St. Philip Catholic Central. We were ranked behind them by a few points, so the girls had a plan to push themselves ten come out better,” Maple Valley head coach Tiffany Blakely said. “I was so proud of them. Every time they were in a position where they needed to get ahead, they did.” The Lion team got personal record runs from junior Isabel Emeripk, senior Macken­ zie Decker and sophomore Addison Shank. Emerick placed 38th in, 26 minutes 10.97 seconds. Decker hit the finish line in 26:32.07. Shank came in 42nd in 34:20.32. Lion junior Brianna Burd was just behind Shank in a season-bes/.time of 35:44.25 which put her in 43rd place. Senior Lilly Faurot led the Maple Valley girls with a time of 24:20.57 that put her in 16th place. “What has been exciting is watching the girls gain experience and confidence while running,” coach Blakely said. “We are just over the midway point ofthe season and we had an over 18 minute spread between our first five runners. At this meet it was 11 minutes. I can’t wait to see the timesjqpntinue to drop as we come into our final weeks ofthe season.” Gobles won the girls’ D4 title on the day with five girls in the top 15 finishers. A trio of freshman led the Tigers. Libby Smith won the race in 18:58.20. Ava DeYoung was third overall in 20:27.65 and Lauren Shaffer placed fifth in 20:44.34. Martin freshman Veyja Conley was the runner-up in the race with a personal record time of 19:41.81. Gobles closed the day with just 24 points. Lion freshman Quincy Page works his way along the course near Otsego High School Saturday during the Division 3-4 boys' race at the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Joseph was 42n^ in a personal record time of 26:00.25. “The boys didn’t have a team today due to the others having soccer commitments,” Blakely said. “However, the two freshmen runners for the team did outstanding. Quincy Page was only seconds from a new personal best time and has been working on different strategies to see which will work to improve his race times. “Brayden y Joseph p had an outstandingg, race, Hackett Catholic Prep was second with 44 finally shaking offhis injury and putting in the points ahead of Centreville 66, Maple Valley race that I knew he had in him. He looked 112 and St. Philip Catholic Central 115. really strong throughout the race and took off St. Philip was led by senior Mimi Hibbard over a minute and a half to run a new personal who placed 12^ in a season-best time of best time. This has encouraged both boys to 23:19.15. keep working hard to get their times to drop.” With just us two worunners, runners, thee Maple ape Valley a An independent runner, Luke Long, finboys were among the teams not earning a ished at the front of the race with a time of team score in the D4 boys’ race. Hackett took 16:05.64. Hackett won the title with five guys the championship in that event with 21 points in the first nine finishers, including sophoahead of St. Philip 42 and Centreville 65. more Marek Butkiewicz who was second in Lion freshman Quincy Page placed 34th 16:29.13 and senior Gavin Seyh who was with a time of22:57.19 and freshman Brayden third in 16:46.19. The Division 4 runners competed at the same time as the Division 3 runners Saturday, with the top 25 overall between the two divi­ sions earning medals. Bloomingdale senior Jaden Barnes won the Division 3 boys’ race in 16:14.17 with Kalamazoo Homeschool Sports senior Bryce Lloyd second in 17:09.77. The Kalamazoo Homeschool boys dominated the D3 field with a point total ofjust 26. Bronson was second with 82 points in the 12-team D3 standings on the boys’ side. Bronson sophomore Ashlynn Harris won the D3 girls’ race in 19:32.79 - a new person­ al record for her. Fennville freshman Isabelle Sliter was the runner-up in 19:34.66. The Fennville girls won the D3 title with 86 points while Quincy took the runner-up spot with 86 points. The Lions were set to see the Bronson boys and Quincy girls again Tuesday, Oct. 3, as Maple Valley High School planned to host the second Big 8 Conferencejamboree ofthe season. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-10-12.pdf 842600433637ea19901a0f83f8758c0a PDF Text Text Middleville Village Council member steps down amid investigation Vision for former FOC building is uninspiring Saxons honor seniors, remember Signeski See story on page 3 See story on page 4 See story on page 14 Devoted to the Interests of Barry County Since 1856 ANNER 02 vni IIME 169, No. 41 ICE $1.50 USPS unveils new stamps in first day of issue ceremony in Woodland Molly Macleod Copy Editor Hundreds gathered in Woodland on Tues­ day to celebrate the first day of issue for a new collection ofstamps. The United States Postal Service held the first day ofissue ceremony for its new Win­ ter Woodland Animals stamp collection at the old Woodland Township Hall this week. Naturally, Woodland was a fitting location for the stamps’ debut. The ceremony, which was originally planned to be held inside the historical building, constructed in 1870, was moved outside after the floor inside the old Wood­ land Township Hall on M-43 began to give way. The flood of Woodlanders and stamp collectors alike proved to hold too much weight for the old floor. Luckily, no one was hurt, and organizers and attendees seemed relatively unphased by the unplanned mishap; With little ado, the ceremony was moved to a roomier location outside the Kall and proceeded as planned. The first day of issue ceremony featured participation from both USPS representa­ tives and Woodland natives. Anita Duits, principal’s secretary at Lakewood High I ' School, sang the national anthem while stu­ dents from the Lakewood Early Childhood Center down the street from the old town hall led the pledge ofallegiance. Jay Bigalke, editor in chief of Linn’s Stamp News emceed the stamp unveiling ceremony, with locals Woodland Township Supervisor Jeff MacKenzie, Lake Odessa Postmaster Janette Bremer and Lakewood High School Class of 1977 graduate Denise Lazaro IT making remarks. Donald Dombrow Jr., U.S. Postal Service Michigan District 2 district manager, and Jennifer Patton, founder ofFoxes Sanctuary in Howell, also spoke at the ceremony. MacKenzie gave some of the history of Woodland and Barty County. Barry County is known as a cabinet county, one ofthe 10 counties in Michigan named after members ofPresident Andrew Jackson’s cabinet. William T. Barry is the namesake for Barry County, whq coincidentally served as U.S. Postmaster? MacKenzie gave some history on the old town hall as well. See USPS, page 2 Woman charged by Attorney General, accused of stalking members Barry County prosecutor’s office Jayson Bussa Editor The Michigan Department of Attorney General has filed charges against a woman who it claims spent the last several months harassing members of the Barry County Prosecutor’s office. Rita Williams, age 37, was taken into custody last Thursday and arraigned in 56-B District Court in Barry County with two counts each of stalking and use bf a computer to commit a crime. Both charges are misdemeanors and cany up to a year of incarceration. Williams spent a night in the Barry County jail before being released on her own personal recognizance and will appear back in court on Nov. 7 for pre-trial proceedings. Meanwhile, she is not allowed to use the internet, the medium through which the alleged harassment was conducted. Williams and her interactions with mem­ bers of the Barry County prosecutor’s office began nearly a year ago when her husband, a former IT employee at local manufacturer FlexFab, was charged and eventually con­ victed of embezzling over a half million dollars from the company through purchases made through the silicone hose manufac­ turer’s Amazon business account and with a company credit card. Williams’ husband pled guilty to the charge and was initially sentenced in January by Judge Michael Schipper to 10 to 20 years in prison. He is currently lodged at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson. Williams’s husband returned to Barty County court in August and filed a petition for re-sentencing and to potentially with­ draw his guilty plea. Schipper granted him and his attorney an opportunity for re-sen­ tencing and will do so in early November; while making clear that it didn’t necessari­ ly mean he would receive a lighter sen­ tence and explicitly stating that there are no sentencing agreements in place. On the heels of her husband’s initial sentencing by Judge Schipper, Williams took to social media to speak out on aspects ofthe case that she felt were unfair while championing legal and prison reform issues both in Michigan and around the country. “Dedicating oneself to government employment of law enforcement does not mean being subjected to stalking or unmitigated harassment should come with the job. These activi­ ties are illegal, no matter who the target is...” — Dana Nessel, Attorney General, Michigan Peppered into these social media posts were Screenshots ofalleged emails that she sent to parties such as Barry County Prose­ cuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt, Assis­ tant Prosecuting Attorney Chris Elsworth and the offices ofJudge Schipper. Some of them were laced with profanity. In a statement about the recent charges, Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office alleges that Williams directed “hundreds bf email(s) and voicemails” to members of the prosecutor’s office in response to her husband’s legal proceedings. “When instructed to cease contact by the prosecutors; it is alleged Williams persisted gratuitously, sending harassing messages to the attorneys on both their work and personal devices,” the statement said. “Public service is a calling for many, often too few, devoted residents in our state,” Nessel was quoted as saying in the statement. “Dedicating oneself to govern­ ment employment or law enforcement does not mean being subjected to stalking or unmitigated harassment should come with thejob. These activities are illegal, no mat­ ter who the target is, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The case puts members ofthe prosecutor’s office in unfamiliar territory - as victim? in the case as opposed to the party that will be trying the case. Members of the attorney general’s office will be handling the case. See CHARGES, page 2 Hundreds gathered in Woodland on Tuesday for the debut of the Winter Woodland Animals stamp collection. Pictured are (from left) Jennifer Pattop, founder of Foxes Sanctuary; Jeff MacKenzie, Woodland Township Supervisor; Donald Dumbrow Jr., U.S. Postal Service Michigan District 2 District Manager; Denise Lazaroff; Janette Bremer, Lake Odessa Postmaster; and Jay Bigalke, editor in chief for Lirin’s Stamp News; (Photo by Molly Macleod) uJ.fi> City approves design work for “Tangle Town 2.0” Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A beloved community playground could be receiving a major facelift soon. City council members voted to begin the design phase for a play structure at Bob King Park to replace the 26-year-old TangleTown. Built in 1997, the aging wooden play struc­ ture has exceeded its expected useful lifetime of 15 to 20 years and is showing signs ofage. Plans to replace the structure began in May when a city survey asked the public how to proceed at the site. City Manager Sarah Moy­ er-Cale said the city received over 1,600 responses, most of which said they’d like to see the playground replaced with something similar to the current design. “The overwhelming response was that people really love TangleTown,” Moyer-Cale See TANGLETOWN, page 3 TangleTown, the well-loved wooden play structure at Bob King Park in Hastings, could be receiving a new iteration after 26 years. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) County Clerk honored on eve of her retirement Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Board of Commission­ ers honored Clerk Pam Palmer, outlining her ability to lead her department even through some ofthe more turbulent times in the county’s history. During its regularly scheduled meeting on T Tuesday morning, the Board ofCommission­ ers passed a resolution in honor of Palmer as she heads into retirement following nine years at the position. In total, she has spent 28 years serving the county in various capacities Her retirement is effective on Oct. 20 The lifelong Barry County resident began her service to the county in October bf 1995 sserving as Barry County Trial Court judicial assistant for 19 years before she wasappointwas a ed to her current position in 2014 Palmer has served two terms' as clerk and willl now step aside, making ng wav Y tor newly-appointed inted clerk Cindy White While the position of.County Clerk Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer holds up ah honorary resolution given to her by the Board of Commissi mers oh Tuesday morning. Palmer is retiring from her position next week after 28 years of total service to the county, nine of them as clerk. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) ■y...... I. .nd ” ««• eteiOT! [ot ” « See COUNTY CLERK, �p®9« 2 — Thursday, October 12. 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS City seeking new council member to fill empty seat Revitalize Delton seeking community input tonight Revitalize Delton is seeking community input on the future ofDelton. The grassroots group is working to revitalize Delton through expanding housing opportunities, increasing local economic growth and development and promoting increased school enrollment. Revitalize Delton is inviting the community to attend tonight’s meeting, Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Delton Kellogg High School LOI. Revitalize Delton will be joined at the meeting by members of the Antero Group, who will be attending to gather input from the Delton community on what they would like to see in the future for Delton and the corridor project. The information gathered will be used to outline a plan for Delton and advise the community on what it needs to do to achieve its goals, including advice on grants and other funding opportunities for community projects. There will also be updates on the subcommittees of the Revitalize Delton project, including housing opportunities, infrastructure and local economic growth and devel­ opment, and marketing and community relations. The Antero Group is helping Delton with a corridor project thanks to a grant that was received by the Barry County Chamber ofCommerce & Economic Development AlliAlli­ ance to improve the economic development in some of the communities in Barry County, including Delton. The Revitalize Delton project is led by community members who are volunteering their time and energy. Delton Moose Lodge hosting pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday Members ofthe Delton Moose Lodge will be flipping flapjacks Saturday morning to benefit Delton students. The pancake breakfast, slated for 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, will be host­ ed at the Delton Moose Lodge, 5420 Mooselodge Drive. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Delton Kellogg Educational Foundation (DKEF), which provides scholarships to graduating Delton seniors to attend colleges, universities and trade schools. Additionally, DKEF funds classroom grants for DK teachers and stafffor the benefit oftheir students. Members ofDKHS’s National Honor Society will be present at the breakfast, help­ ing serve attendees. Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings is taking applications for an open city council seat. Hastings City Council members formally accepted former fourth ward representative Jim Cary’s resignation at their meeting Mon­ day, leaving an open seat on the council. Mayor Dave Tossava laid out an estimated timeline for the city to fill the seat by Nov. 10. According to the city’s charter, council members have 45 days to appoint a new member to fill the seat before a special elec­ tion must be held. Tossava said the city will accept letters of application for the position through Nov. 2, with applications being forwarded to city council,members on Nov. 3 for their consideration. Appeciall meeting will be held Nov. 7 for city cdUncil members m to inter­ view candidates, with the new council mem­ ber being appointed on or before Nov. 10. The council member appointed this way will serve the remainder of Cary’s term, through 2026. Appointees must meet the same criteria required ofthem ifthey were to run for the position. Candidates must live in the fourth ward of Hastings, be in good stand­ ing with the city, be registered to vote and may not have any felony convictions. While candidates must reside in the ward they are representing, they do not have to own proper­ ty in the city, Tossava said. Cary submitted his resignation on Sept. 26, in which he cited health issues that have made it difficult for him to perform his duties. Cary appeared before the council on Monday Former city council member Jim Cary thanked council members for their support following his resignation, which he has cited came as a result of health issues. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) and thanked them for their support. “I just want to thank all the council for jeez, now there’s too many to count - the many phone calls of support I had in the last couple of weeks,” Cary said. “It amazed me how much you guys support some of the other people here. You guys are a real good group.” Cary had been accused ofabusing his power on the council last month, when text messages were presented to the council showing Cary pointing to his relationships with local law enforcement during a personal conflict. Council members voted to draft a resolution ofcensure against Cary at their Sept. 25 meet­ ing, voting unanimously to formally approve the measure on Monday. Council members also voted to draft a more stringent code of ethics at their Sept. 25 meeting, scheduling a workshop at 6 p.m. on Oct 23 before their regular meeting to review the draft. Moolenaar staff available to discuss constituent assistance Staffmembers from the office ofCongressman John Moolenaar are hosting meeting times across the district this month where constituents can sit down to discuss personal casework issues they are experiencing with a federal agency. Moolenaar’s office is offering help to constituents who need assistance with a feder­ al agency, including the VA and the IRS. Staffmembers will be available locally in the coming weeks in Ionia, Hastings and Sunfield. On Tuesday, Oct. 17, Moolenaar staffwill be at the Ionia Community Library, 126 East Main Street, from 10 to 11 a.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, staffwill be available at the Hastings Public Library, 227 East State Street, from 9 to 10 a.m. Staffwill also be available that day at the Sunfield Township Hall, 145 Main Street, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. J*?* Stoney Point Women's Club meets today The Stoney Point Women’s Club will meet this afternoon, Thursday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. at Becky Livermore’s home. Roll call with the Three P’s will be taken. The group will be working on the project for the year. Organizers ask that attendees remember their Secret Pal with a card for Halloween and ion their special days. • 'ji>। Refreshments will be him ished by the frosty y mi Planet Fitness locations in West Michigan to offer free weekend club access for factory employees lilt In response to the continuation offactory strikes impacting local communities, West Michigan Planet Fitness locations are opening their doors to any factory employee from any industry wanting to exercise. The free club access will be in effect from midnight on Fridays through the close ofbusiness on Sundays until further notice. Together, Planet Fitness franchisee divisions EPIC Fitness Group, Red Mountain Companies and Impact Fitness own and operate 18 Planet Fitness gyms in West Mich­ igan. Locations include Grand Rapids, Greenville, Byron Center, Muskegon, Holland, Grand Haven, Kalamazoo, Portage and Battle Creek. Any factory employee interested in taking advantage ofa free workout can simply show up at Planet Fitness with both a photo and employee I.D. Planet Fitness locations feature a large selection of cardio and strength equipment, 30-Minute Circuit training areas and functional training as well as amenities such as full-service locker rooms, tanning, massage chairs and HydroMassage beds. Addresses and hours ofoperation can be found at planetfitness.com. Edward Jones adds financial advisor Edward Jones Financial Advisor Andrew Cove announced this week that a second financial advisor, Madison Cove, has joined his office in Hastings. “I am really looking forward to working with Andy Cove,” said Madison Cove. “I’ll have all the advantages ofworking with an experienced investment professional while getting to know local investors.” Edward Jones is a leading financial services firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of$1.8 trillion in client assets under care at the end ofJune 2023. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation IJcense Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 #8110376 & Insured • DMC Floss New Collection Cotton Cotton Flannel - Prints & Solid Colors ! Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station! QUESTIONS: ASK US... ’ So many people showed up for the stamp first day of issue ceremony that the floor inside the old Woodland Township Hall began to give way. Thankfully, nobody was hurt and the ceremony was moved outdoors. (Photo by Molly Macleod) USPS, continued from page 1 “The building was completed in 1870, Several local stamp collectors were in making it more than 150 years old. Some of attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony. Denise us might believe the age of that based on Lazaroff highlighted the presence of Vir­ what happened inside that building earlier ginia Decker in her speech, who at 96 may thjs morning,” Mackenzie joked. be the oldest Woodland-native stamp col­ The Winter Woodland Animals collection lector. comes from the efforts of artist Katie Kirk Celebrations were not limited to the cer­ and USPS Art Director .Antonio Alcala. emony itself in Woodland on Tuesday. “We’re honored the Postal Service has Following the event, attendees were chosen Woodland, Michigan as the first day encouraged to patronize the Taqueria El of issue location for these beautiful stamps,” Azteca food truck located across from the said Dumbrow. “Featured on the stamps are Woodland Post Office. From there, attend­ four species that make their homes in the ees met under the pavilion at the Harold E. woodlands of North America: deer, rabbits, Classic Memorial Park in downtown owls and foxes.” Woodland. Each animal featured in the new collection Ceremony attendees were also able to pur­ has been depicted in previous stamps. chase their new Winter Woodland Animals “As you add these stamps to your collec­ stamps and have envelopes canceled with tion, or use them, we hope they inspire you to them at the event. learn more about deer, owls, rabbits and The Winter Woodland Animals stamp col­ foxes, and all animals that have captured our lection is out now and can be purchased at interests and hearts through the years,” said any United States Postal Service location. Dumbrow. The stamps cost 66 cents each. ^5 The new Winter Woodland Animals stamps feature foxes, deer, rabbits and owls in a winter setting. (Image provided by USPS) CHARGES, continued from page 1 Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber Pratt spoke with the Banner about the recent­ ly announced charges but stopped short ofdis­ cussing any specific incidents or evidence as the AG’s office works through the case. “We W certainly have people that express their thoughts and feelings to us or an entity,,” Pratt said about the nature ofherjob. “This one, just, we had to turn it in (to the AG s office). There is so much here. It took a turn, in my opinion, in August,” Pratt added. Pratt added that the nature ofthe commu­ nications “got personal.” Williams issued a statement to the Banner and her view on these matters is diametrically opposed to what is being laid out by the Attorney General’s office. Williams alleges various forms ofmisconduct by the prosecutor’s office over the dura- tion of her husband’s trial, and she consistent­ ly refers to him as a “wrongfully convicted man” on her social media posts. Williams has been public about filing grievances with various oversight groups and higher levels oflaw enforcement, such as the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and even the same State Attorney General’s Office that is now charging her. She said the recent charges are an effort to silence her from speaking out about the alleged misconduct she has faced. “I sent emails to their public email address­ es confronting their misconduct and then immediately exposing it on social media that is your legal right to dissent as a citizen and hold government accountable,” Williams wrote to the Banner. “My only hope was they would do better and stop hurting people. I specifically informed them I was informing the public so they could not hurt anyone else the way they’ve destroyed my family. I even told them, start doing your job, you won’t hear from me again. again.” Judge Schipper, whom Williams has exten­ sively criticized publicly over the course of the last year and whose office had received similar communications at one point, is assigned to the case. A party can file a motion to have a judge disqualified, which would be accompanied by a1 hearing on the matter. Ajudge can also request reassignment ifvarious criteria are in play that might affect his or her ability to be impartial. Neither has happened at the early stages of the Williams case. CORRECTION 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm !. The Oct. 5, 2023 issue ofthe Hastings Banner featured a letter to the editor penned by local resident Sandra VanDenburg. The Banner inadvertently attributed the letter to Sarah VanDenburg, who is an employee with Barry County. The contents ofthe letter do not reflect the thoughts or positions of Sarah VanDenburg and The Banner staffextends an apology for the careless error. VW �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 12, 2023 — Page 3 DeMaagd resigns from Middleville council amidst sheriff’s department investigation Greg Chandler Sr<j# Heifer Middleville Village Council President Pro Temtpore Johnny DeMaagd resigned his seat Tempore on the council Monday, less than a week after an incident at Village Hall where he allegedly struck a parked vehicle as he was arriving for a committee of the whole meeting of the council. “To better serve our neighbors - and espe­ cially to better advocate for the LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized groups - I am stepstep­ ping down from my position,” DeMaagd wrote in his letter, addressed to Village Pres­ ident Mike Cramer. “My resignation is effec­ tive immediately. “I believe Middleville is one of the most beautiful communities this state has to offer, and I wish the village the best in the coming years ofgrowth.” DeMaagd, who owns the Left Field Cafe coffee shops in Middleville and Hastings, was elected to theVillage Council as a writewrite­ in candidate in November of last year, and was chosen by his council colleagues for the president pro tempore role in January. He declined further comment on the incident and his resignation on Tuesday. The Village Council accepted DeMaagd’s resignation at Tuesday night’s council meet­ ing. “It’s unfortunate to lose someone with so much potential, over a mistake,” Cramer said after the meeting. “We all make mistakes. I respect his decision to resign.” The incident took place in the late after­ noon hours of Oct. 3, as the council had begun its committee of the whole meeting. DeMaagd arrived at the meeting 20 minutes after it started in a Left Field Cafe van. The van scraped the rear passenger side of a parked car in the Village Hall parking lot. DeMaagd was questioned by a Barry County sheriff’s deputy from the Middleville unit after the meeting. The Hastings Banner filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the police report from the incident on Oct. 4, the day after the incident. The sheriff’s department has not released the report as of press time, citing an ongoing investigation. . DeMaagd arrived as the council was dis­ cussing the recommendations of an ad hoc committee that had been formed earlier this siunmer to .consider legalizing the use ofrofff Middleville Village President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd ranting on the topic of an ordinance that would legalize the use of off-road vehicles on village streets during last week’s committee of the whole meeting. (Photo by Greg Chandler) ing) J2-year-olds to cross M-37,” DeMaagd went on to say. “'Someone’s going to get hurt, someone’s going to get killed here. I will not have that on my conscience, I will not have that on my hands. I’m sick ofit. I yield.” Andrew Beck, who is a member of the ORV ad hoc committee, responded to DeMaagd’s comment that the proposed change would not allow anyone that young to operate an ORV in Middleville. “It was my recommendation that we did not follow the state of Michigan and Barry County. My words at the (July 18 ad hoc committee) meeting were that we should go with 16 (years old), with a legal driver’s license. (Those) were my exact words,” said Beck, who submitted a petition to the village in February calling for legalizing the use of ORVs. More than 50 business owners signed the petition. Tl|p: incidenHinvolving DeMaagd led two trustees on Tuesday night to propose a code ofconduct for the council. “There really iSap’t much in the ways of behavior and the state ofmind ofcoming into meetings,” Trustee Makenzi Peters said. “It’s not something I expect immediate action on, but it’s something I think we should adopt. As a council, there’s no law saying you can’t adopt a code of conduct, but there’s also no laws giving us a code of conduct, other than to not be unruly. I think this would protect us and be able to hold accountable ... people who come into a meeting with mind-altering substances.” Trustee Kevin Smith agreed. “I think we, as a board, should have a bare minimum ofbehavior patterns that are exem­ plary of not only the role that we’re playing, but also as leaders in the community,” Smith said. Smith, who is the longest-serving trustee on the council, will temporarily fill the role of president pro tempore until a new one is appointed next month. DeMaagd, a graduate pfHope College, ran as a write-in candidate to the Village Council last November to a |wo-year term that is County braces TANGLETOWN, continued from page 1 ———— said. “They love the wood structure, they love that their kids were playing there and the imagination that they can have in that play­ ground is really different from a lot of other play spaces.” The city reached out to the same group that designed the original TangleTown in 1996 and 1997, Playgrounds by Leathers. “They’re still building similar structures. They’re made of a little bit different material and they last much longer,” Moyer-Cale said. “We feel like they’re a really good fit for what we have there and what it is that we want that space to be like. We’re hoping that it’s just as imaginative and a great place to play as the current TangleTown is. It’ll be TangleTown 2.0, basically.” The company now uses recycled plastic lumber, which provides the same wood­ en-structure appearance while lasting up to twice as long as real wood and eliminating concerns of splinters. While the layout won’t be exactly the same as the TangleTown of today, it will be very similar in design, Moy­ Johnny DeMaagd er-Cale said. scheduled to expire in November 2024. He Planned layout changes include a larger received 41 write-in votes to six for Robert focus on accessibility, both in terms ofequip­ Bishop, who was later appointed to the coun­ ment at the playspace and the overall design. cil after the resignation of longtime Trustee Mulch at the park will be replaced with a rubber surface, both increasing accessibility Mike Lytle. DeMaagd opened Left Field Cafe on Main and reducing maintenance costs. Moyer-Cale Street in November 2018, shortly before he said the new design should also make it easi­ graduated from Hope, then opened Left er for parents to keep an eye on their kids at Field’s Hastings location on State Street in the park. July 2022. He sits on the board ofthe Thor­ Playgrounds by Leathers has estimated napple Area Enrichment Foundation and is a the total cost for “TangleTown 2.0” to be member of the Hastings Rotary Club, accord­ $650,800. The city has set aside $250,000 to ing to his website. contribute to the project, $200,000 ofwhich DeMaagd helped organize an LGBTQ came from the sale of a city-owned house Pride Festival in Middleville in June, and near Fish Hatchery Park last year. The rest tried unsuccessfully to have the council adopt of the money would be obtained through a r resolution declaring that month “Pride fundraising, with the city developing a stratMonth.” His motion failed to gain a second egy in conjunction with Playgrounds by from his council colleagues. Leathers. The council has 45 days to appoint a Council members Mandy Furrow and Don replacement for DeMaagd, Cramer said. Bowers took issue with the project’s price. The Hastings Banner will provide continu­ Both voted in opposition to paying for the $52,600 design phase fee from Playground ing coverage ofthis story as the police report is released. By Leathers. “$650,000 just seems absolutely crazy to me,” Furrow said. “I’ve got kids that play there, and to me, it is not that bad. I think that we could fix the stuff for a heck of a lot cheaper than that.” Moyer-Cale said total replacement of the busy holiday season “Unfortunately, a lot ofthe wood is start­ ing to rot. The cores ofthe posts are rotting out,” Moyer-Cale said. “There’s really not a fix short ofreplacement.” Furrow asked why the project had such a large scope, and Bowers questioned whether a new design wasnecessary/MoyerrGalfesaid the-project was designed around theTeeCibackreceived from the community, which showed1* an overwhelming level of support for the project. “That’s what the public said they wanted, and we feel like there will be support there for the fundraising effort,” Moyer-Cale said. - Because ofTang leTown’s vocal support­ ers, and because a majority ofthe project is slated to be paid for through fundraising efforts, Moyer-Cale said she was comfort­ able moving forward with the project despite the cost. “I’m hopeful that with us having 1,600 people who responded to the survey, which is absolutely huge, the level ofcommunity sup­ port the playground has and the (community) commitment to having this really cool, great play space in the community that we’ll be able to do that,” she said. “Now if this was all road vehicles on village streets. The current ordinance, which has been in place since 2001, allows ORVs only to be driven on pri­ vate property. L Shortly after arriving at that meeting, QfcMaagd*wentton• a jamWmg^ two-minuteSr allow Idren aS young asH2 tobeaoM cross m g gr g fgg * icwd outdoors. (Photo by Molly Madeod) ataswefeni j lZg^tm nony- Denis : presence of V* iw. ’60’1^' ■tfi iw^ stamp » ^fcwdtotbew on Tue* *** I* * tn**®1® any street or road, while operating an ORV as long as they have a valid ORV safety certifi­ cate and are under the direct visual supervi­ sion ofan adult “I’m grateful forihe ^ork that the subcom­ mittee has done. However, I want to recog­ nize that... people at the age of 12 years old can drive underneath this recommendation. Twelve,” DeMaagd said, drawing out the word “twelve” in his comment. “I wouldn’t give second thought to (allowing) people that are 12 years old (to drive). They’re not even teenagers, they’re not even teenagers. It angers me, it pains me to see the committee has even recommended that people 12 years old would be able to operate off-road vehicles — granted, don’t get me wrong, I drove an ORV (last week). They had a plate, they had a tag, they had everything that they needed to. They were fully licensed as an ORV... ORVs can and should have a way in which they could be fully licensed.” “This is asinine. This is absurd that we are even discussing this. We’re done with this. There’s no need to continue to discuss (allow- COUNTY CLERK, continued from page 1 La r0 ! 1I»*? 1I» * ms*< *1 <i *1j w»,i"i i*i^ i?^*'1 > ■• —— /* irL»* ■ J fJj. <*? w>$ w1 .wy / ers is one of the higher-profile jobs. Palmer serves as the election official for the county, assisting the Bany County Board of Canvassers in canvassing the election, preparing election certification and board minutes, overseeing cam­ paign finance laws and receiving associ­ ated filings. After a 2020 presidential election that stirred up theories of election fraud and improprieties - at a county, state and national level - Palmer’s office was forced to weather a barrage of FOIA requests and other inquiries from parties seeking to expose such alleged activity. The board praised Palmer for her patience and transparency throughout a period where her office unnecessarily came under fire. “Since taking her oath of office, Clerk Palmer has faithfully served the citizens ofBarry County by preserving the integ­ rity ofBarry County elections in an envi­ ronment which has become increasingly contentious and has handled the conflict with the utmost grace and integrity,” the resolution read. One of Palmer’s final acts on the job has been a fairly arduous one. After Michigan’s Proposal 2 passed in the 2022 election, a variety ofmajor changes must be implemented to the election process, including nine days of early voting. Palmer has been busy organizing with townships throughout the county on the best format and structure to facilitate the taxpayer city funds, I’d say we just can’t do it. But if it’s something that we can work together with other organizations and com­ munity members to make happen because it’s something that people are really passionate about, then I say let’s give it a go.” Jack-o’-Lanterns are appearing on porches across Barry County while kids eagerly pick out their Halloween costumes. Others might already be cranking up the Christmas tunes and taking their fake evergreen trees out of storage. The holidays truly bring a lot of hustle and bustle. Across the county, there are plenty of special events and programs to participate in. In this weekend’s issue of The Reminder, we will highlight over 100 fall and winter happenings that readers won’t want to miss. (Photo from All Hallows Eve at Historic Charlton Park) new rules mandated by the state. Another major hurdle that Palmer faced during her tenure - just as her col­ leagues in other county departments did - was the disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The clerk’s office is a very public-facing, service-oriented department, and shutting down opera­ tions was simply not an option during this unprecedented time. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clerk Palmer kept her office running and serving the public providing the vital services needed for constituents of Barry County,” the commissioners wrote in their resolution. Aside from the words laid out in the resolution, individual commissioners heaped praise on Palmer during the meet­ ing; many ofthe commissioners said that Palmer practiced patience with them and took time to educate them as they were just starting. SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville 220 W. Colfax St. Hastings, Ml 49058 “You were appointed as clerk just before I became a commissioner and wandering through how to do elections as a new commissioner and setting those many things up and the many things we’ve been through,” Chairman Dave Jackson said. “I always appreciate you being there - home phone, office phone, many hours and I’m just one (person). I know you had a lot ofphone calls and a lot of things to do but I appreciate your dedication to the job.” It hasn’t been an easyjob, there have Barry County commissioners and gallery members at Tuesday morning’s meeting stand and applauc County Clerk Pam Palmer, honoring her years of service: been a lot of people who 1 ave ques­ tioned you, but we have always known that you’ve b een there and! done the right thing with the utmost ^integrity,” Jackson added. Palmer soaked in the kind Words and only ly offered a few ofher own. Y 3/4 acre lot with ample parking. Set up as a dentisto offi? “The journey doesn’t seem like it’s been that long when I’ve gathered so many friends along the way,” Palmer said. Read next week’s issue as the Banner recaps Palmer’s nearly three-decadeslong career. with plans to become a museum with a tribute bute to the arte Lori Beduhn At Home Real Estate 107 E. State St., Hastings, Ml 49058 PH 269-945-7112 �PaQ® 4 — Thursday. October 12. 2023 — The Hastings Banner SCC Did you Time for county leaders to put words into action Halloween Town Ghost and goblins are beginning to emerge along Green Street in Hastings. As Halloween nears, homeowners on this historic street of Hastings are getting into the spirit, many with elaborate decorations in their yards. When the big day does arrive, Green Street also becomes ground zero for trick-or-treating for local youth. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Do you remember? 'i’dn84 Kathryn Kimball (right) tries a genu­ ine fireman’s helmet on Carley Case during a visit by a Humpty Dumpty preschool class to the Hastings Fire Dept, on Mill Street Tuesday. The class, under the direction of Sandy Carlson, made the trip as part of a special unit on transportation. Have you met? Naomi Nicholson has been rediscovering her hometown after some time away. Nothing against Hastings - itjust gets a little too chilly in the winter for her liking. “I hated the cold. So I went south and lived in a few different places,” she said. “Then I kind of settled in Texas. I lived in Texas for 23 years and then came back.” She landed in Houston, which she said was a great place to raise her kids. “Houston is very nice. It’s very diverse. They like to celebrate everybody’s differ­ ences. I love Houston,” she said. “The heat though, that was getting kind of excruciat­ ing. When the temperature feels like 120, that was pretty intense. But I also don’t like the cold, so I guess I clearly can’t be happy.” Nicholson found her way back to Hasti ings about a month ago to be closer to fam­ ily. She’s been working the front desk at J-Ad Graphics, directing visitors and helping to organize the everyday chaos. It’s been a good way to get back in the communhity, being able to meet new people and help them in various ways - recently, she’s been going through a stack of 10-year-old photos to reunite them with theirr owners. Around town, she’s seeing what changed since her last visit and what stayed the s been having fun checking out the Hastings Performing Arts Center, new restaurants, and spotting people she knows or seeing their names around town. It s fun to see some ofthe changes and things that have taken place,” she said. Lverything has kind of gotten a little bit Naomi Nicholson bigger. There’s different places that you can shop at and eat at that weren’t here before, so that’s exciting.” While Nicholson is getting reacquainted with Hastings, her daughters are experienc­ ing it for the first time. “It’s fun to take my girls around,” she said. “They experience more of a culture shock than me. It’s all absolutely brand new to them.” She’s been working to get her kids acquainted with Michigan and the small town life. A lot ofthat means just showing them things native Michiganders might take for granted - changing fall leaves, hay rides, the Great Lakes and more, “(I want to show them) the things that you kind oftake for granted after seeing it every year and growing up around it,” she said. “I’m excited for that, right? Because I can show them things like Holland, Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island, the bridge and all that fun stuff that I liked to do when I was younger.” If I could have any superpower: Natasha Lyonne from “Russian Doll” is in this other show (“Poker Face”) and she can sense when people are BSing her. I would love that superpower. That would be so much fun. Favorite teacher: My favorite teacher in high school was Mrs. LaJoye, because I love to sing. She was my favorite in theater and stuff like that, and she was a good teacher. Best advice I’ve ever received: Life is about balance, right? Top much or too lit­ tle of anything can kill you, even air and water. I m always amazed at how politicianscan talk and say nothing. If you’ve listened to the Barry County Board ofCom­ missioners recently you’ll witness we have eight of them who can do that at the same time. The latest empty space they’re filling with fancy words and no action is what county taxpayers should be doing with the vacated former Friend of the Court building, a project they have dreams for but with no idea ofwhat it might cost. A year ago, the commissioners had an offer to sell the building as part of the Tyden Lofts housing development project, which is currently underway. Butt rrather than sell it, county officials felt it was a vital component of the government’s campus. Recently, as the building has sat empty, the commissioners put together an ad hoc committee to review the structure and its possible uses. That brought even more bluster and tall stories that were dis­ cussed at last week’s county commission meeting. The ad hoc committee, consisting of board chair Dave Jackson, and commis­ sioners Bruce Campbell and Jon Smelker, toured the facility recently to come up with some plans for the use of the building and what renovations might be needed. New windows topped the list, with an estimate of around $90,000. With a building of that age, windows just might turn out to be the first of many expenses to prepare the building for any fixture use. I think taxpayers can deduce this group hasn’t come up with any serious ideas on how to use the building and still can’t get its story straight. Never mind that they once had a buyer with plans; they had assurance that the structure would be properly taken care of in the future and, ofreal value, they had the chance to put the building back on the tax rolls. Like today’s all-talk, no-substance pol­ iticians, commissioners pointed out that the Friend of the Court still has files in the building, which would need to be relocated, but that’s a pretty expensive structure to use as a storage facility. * 'Then Then they talked aboutusing about using the center area on the main floor ofthe building for a community space that county departments could utilize for meetings. They also discussed repurposing one of the existing offices to be reserved for Michigan or United States representa­ tives who might be in town and may want to use the facility to meet constituents. “The building has two stories,” said Jackson, “and the board would look to block off access to the upstairs while developing the main floor as opposed to renovating the entire facility at once.” These are all possible uses, but are they in the best interest ofcounty taxpay­ ers? Whether they admit it or not, these commissioners don’t have a serious use for the structure. They just want to keep the building for some potential and as-yet undetermined use in the future. The lack ofmeeting space in the com­ munity for constituents to meet their vis­ iting representatives is the hollowest of excuses. There are many community places for people to meet such as the Tyden Center and its renovated space in the now former Hastings library. Ample meeting space exists at the Community Foundation, the Hastings Library, local churches, township halls and many com­ mercial meeting rooms. Highpoint Bank has a huge meeting room. If commissioners say they need stor­ age, then taxpayers better remind them that keeping a building the size of the Friend of the Court and its potential expense is not a good use ofthe building. Before county officials pour a bunch of money into the building they should iW wj iW u. i?®89 ' ■ ■■' ’ ...” ■ ■; ■ - ■’ '■ ■kuimm ■“'■••lai EL J, ■ Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. The Hastings BcHIUCIT Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics..com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058;; or email news@j-adgraphic$com. bring the general public into the conver­ sation for insights on what’s the best use of the structure. Because even though commissioners originally turned down the request to sell the property, maybe the developer would still be interested in buying the building. In the original con­ versations with the county, the develop­ er stated a willingness to make space available for the county in the future. The idea that the county needs another community space or is obligated to offer office space for elected representatives to meet with constituents looks to me like an excuse to sell the idea to the tax­ payers who will be on the hook for any renovations. Originally the home of Hastings Mutual Insurance Company and then Hastings City Hall, the county actually saved the historic structure from demoli­ tion by purchasing it from the city. The city had been entertaining an offer from a national pharmaceutical company to tear it down and replace it with a cement block structure. Once the county purchased the former Hastings Library building and moved the Extension office and other offices there, it allowed the Friend of the Court to move into the Courts and Law building where it belongs. I understand the idea ofa county cam­ pus with all its major buildings grouped close, but it could be years before com­ missioners find a reasonable use for the Friend of the Court building and they really don’t have a good idea what the total cost ofrenovations could be. The county already has two big proj­ ects on which it is presently working, the Commission on Aging building and the agingjail. It’s also important to take a moment and commend the board for its work on the COA project - an important one to this community. The board should focus on those proj­ ects, which have been on the to-do list for several years and which have been con­ suming thousands ofdollars in plans and surveys. One of'ther'more important 'skills of leadership^ eaers p sis i listening.. stenng.. Commissioners omm ss oners a a have Met'and discussed the buildings now it’s time to open the discussion with taxpayers on what’s in their best interest for the historic structure. Governments need to play a role in economic develop­ ment because it creates stronger commu­ nities and allows growth in their revenue as well. Preserving the historic, architectural and aesthetic character ofthe building on the main intersection in downtown Hast­ ings is vital as it helps create a sense of place and identity for the community. Across the country, historic preserva­ tion has become part of smart growth by creating a symbol of a community’s her­ itage. But it needs a purpose, not an excuse just to maintain it as part of the county’s campus. The building should be used to attract investment focusing on residential and/or commercial development while preserving the significant historical structure and its history for years to come. • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren W S? * APyf?IISING department • Clasysified ads accepted Md oendp ayathrroutghm Fre idany, Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. sj!'/erma'’ Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 X �r The Hastings Banner — Thursday. October 12, 2023 — Page 5 Hastings High School senior works overtime to prepare for his future W\\V Ww sw •W ® ® . ! !w> <w w J\W w V W1** ^Si{ VW* Si{ ZVSW SS s$»s*sS n'\XsS &$,,§s,8 sS„ '>W' NTSSb"SW SL ss X S JSS S^f'Sk S^Sf'sSbk S Jj$s & ■"•*>; ,“ >>>kliL %kl^iL ‘ S&Sll “•££>< *'*>"{{Su'aJS uaaJS *«';**; Su teQUj"arifirB’ h s-®!J1 i fr ___ * ' iscssed thebdi witiikiiopflifltifcfli^i! fotet&SKEEEKOf tqipaitaftiilbartatife fcr&tattcstnjctin. Go> Go>™ ir amg oftatkarci for^Bpfayirofemecononikdra Efltariaaes strain ikinivm iffiBiih^tii in terra iKfrfcfeDCm ^HtoteBo m'tel tagteikoric,arctea JmiL’itetetaiteilte® j'O.'c^ftoftotolty fatrfgoitjflJ* ^tetain^noHlb xiaeKSS-31- - «'«***'“*“ aa***!B*^ JJSS'* SS ’11 iiaMofacoMB?^ W* Since the age of 10, Hastings High School ssenior, Trey Casey, has been paving his way gnd working overtime to pursue his auction* eering career. Casey is a fourth-generation auctioneer who started out helping his dad and grandpa at their horse and tack auctions. Over the years, he’s gotten more involved and invested in his family’s business and has taken his skills all over the region. After working with his family, Casey’s parents traveled with him to Oklahoma, where he had the opportunity to train with a world-class livestock auctioneer, Ralph Wade, and earn his Certificate ofCompletion. Since then, Casey has been busy auctioneering with his family at their monthly horse and tack auctions and estate sales, participating in clowning rodeos, as well as continuing his education. Casey has had such great success with clowning rodeos that - even before graduating from high school - he’s received titles that were on his bucket list. Being so invested in his career, Casey has transitioned his senior year to completing his courses online to allow more time to grow his future. Once Casey graduates, he plans on attend­ ing Kellogg Community College to obtain his business and marketing degree online and will continue to expand his auctioneering career. After gaining more experience and being able to market himself, Casey is moti­ vated to take over his family’s auctioneering business and hopes to continue his success with clowning rodeos. After becoming a member of the Profes­ sional Rodeo Cowboys Association and clowning more rodeos, Casey is confident that one day his hard work will pay offwhen he’s selected to work the Wrangler Nationals Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas as the Funny Man. Police break up dog and pony show Barry County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a loose dog complaint around 2 a.m. on Sept. 24 on the 8900 block ofGreggs Crossing Road. A 61-year-old Nash­ ville man told police two large black dogs were going after the ponies on his property and had run off after he shined a spotlight on them. The man told police it was an ongoing issue. Police checked with a nearby neighbor, who showed police his dogs were sleeping in their kennel. Police told the complainant to try to secure photos or videos of the next time a similar incident occurred to help identify the dogs so the responsible owner could be found. Beaver trap nets dog instead Police were called around 2 p.m. on Sept. 24 to the 10700 block of Bird Road near Dowling to assist with a dog stuck in a beaver trap. While headed to the scene, the call­ er made contact with police and let them know the dog was free ofthe trap and they no longer needed assistance. Police help trap trespassing turkey A 71-year-old Nashville woman called police around 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 25 to the 4000 block ofMorgan Road regarding a feathered trespasser. A neighbor’s turkey was in her yard, defecating and pecking at her vehicles. Police assisted the woman while she caged the turkey. The woman loaded the turkey into her pickup truck and delivered it to her neighbor’s property. Dog jumps into stranger’s car at bus stop Hastings High School senior Trey Casey, seen here on the far right, is pictured with his father, Cal (left) and grandfather Leon (center). (Photo provided) BIRCH votes to raise contributions Barry County Economic equally, looks into dissolving board Success Summit slated for Nov. 1 Hunter McLaren StaffWriter After months ofdiscussion on what’s next for the BIRCH Rural Fire Association, the board has voted to look into doing away with BIRCH entirely. BIRCH board members voted at their Sept. 28 meeting to raise each township’s yearly contribution to 1.25 mills of their pro­ tected taxable value. Board members had reached a consensus that contributions needed.to .to increase tcrensureiahealthyifund tcrensurei a healthyifund balbal­ an ce could'be'buiiO up following ithe purchase I ofseveral replacement vehicles for the Hasty* ings Fire Department. The board was caught unprepared for the large expense that came to light after an equipment inspection and inventory in The BIRCH Rural Fire Association vot»ad to raise its/contributions and asked the city August, forcing the board to move quickly to produce funds for the new vehicles. With to look into contracting with each township directly at their Sept. 28 meeting. (Photo assistance from the City of Hastings, state by Hunter McLaren) grant funds and additional contributions from each township, the board was able to secure By approving the contribution increase make sure that that works for us both finan­ the funds it needed. across the board and asking the city to look cially and administratively, and then work through how you put together an agreement Discussions about the future of BIRCH into individual contracts for each township, have been ongoing since then. Many members BIRCH moved closer to both solutions at for that. But theoretically, it seems doable.” felt that BIRCH had failed in its purpose of their last meeting. The board is set to meet at 6:30 p.m. on building up funds to prevent situations like the D Hastings City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cai 3 Dec. 7,jin ,jin Hastings Township To ship Hall to further one that happened in August. Two main solu­ said the city would look into whether individ­ discusss the possibility oi townships contract­ ing directly through the city. Ifthat turns out tions came into view: either reform BIRCH ual township contracts would be feasible. and make it work, or dissolve the board and “It’s helpful to know that that’s the direc­ to not be possible, the board is set to continue have each township contract directly with the tion that you want to go,” she said. “It’s going its partnership with the city with the adjusted city to fund the Hastings Fire Department. to take considerable effort on our part to contribution rates. Recent online predator sting a reminder that local law enforcement must be vigilant ■"■’2S’*-' ■tf ■ Si? Some of you may have seen the video being circulated (on social media) about the out-of­ state group that recently used an online sting operation to catch a registered sex offender trying to meet with a 12-year-old girl in our county. Sadly, this is not the first time we’ve seen outside groups such as this one have suc­ cess with catching sexual predators here. I noticed in the Facebook-posted video that the first responding officer was actually our county sheriff. I thank him for taking this call seriously, as protecting our kids should be a top priority for our county’s law enforcement. I’m hoping this is wakeup call for him to start redi­ recting his efforts towards creating a task force similar to what these guys have developed. ULuT U^LuT *?%* A*1 I realize that such an effort won’t be cheap, but I for one will not be complaining ifthat’s how my tax dollars are spent! Larry Osborne Delton Nothing is getting done in D.C. - and we’re all paying for it Isn’t it funny that our elected people in D.C. cannot take care of the most basic duties tey are eecte they elected to do? o? How many tmes times have ave they passed a temporary budget? Instead, all they can do is keep investigating each party against each other. 4 5Z S^ X? I JF A 28-year-old Battle Creek woman called police to surrender a dog around 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 25. The dog jumped into her vehicle while she was at her children’s bus stop, the woman said. Police met with the woman to collect the dog and made contact with the owner, who eventually took the dog from police Our borders and military are all being ignored. We have so many in the big Senior House that should be voted out of office and the people just keep voting them back in. Things won’t get better until they are gone. The economy is not better for the most of us as they keep reporting and the media is also at fault as they don’t report the news as is - they always put their own spin on things. Tom Burghdoff Woodland More road signs needed to protect members of the Amish community We were sadden by the loss of lives last month in Dowling where a car hit two Amish buggies, killing a father and his 14-year-old son. My friend and I often visit the Amish vegetable stand on Brogan Rd. We always admire the wellkept farms and beautiful flowers and lawns. Once we saw several young boys with hand-push mowers and that impressed us with their sense ofcommunity. So the Amish among us are a treasure. An example of the way things were years ago, and they hardly contribute CO2 to our atmosphere. We need more Amish signs on the roads in Barry County. Lets not have one more tragedy. Dorothy Dingman Delton An event focused on all things economic development in Barry County will take place on Nov. 1 at the Hastings Performing Arts Center. The Barry County Economic Summit, which runs 1 to 4:30 p.m. that day, will fea­ ture a slate of speakers and is open to profes­ sionals ofall industries and experience levels. Forecasting for the Future is the theme of this year’s event. The event will feature Maggie Woodlin from the United States Chamber of Com­ merce, Jim Holcomb from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Heinzman of the Barry County Chamber & EDA, Jim Robey from Robey Analytics LLC and Alli­ son Wiswell ofthe Barry County Blue Zones. - Maggie Woodin: The Manager of Gov­ ernment Affairs for the U.S. Chamber’s Great Lakes Regional Office. Prior to joining the Chamber, Woodin spent seven years working in Washington, D.C.. She most recently served as Legislative Director for Represen­ tative Peter Meijer from Michigan’s Third District. Prior to working for Rep. Meijer, Woodin worked for Representative Mike Gallagher and Representative Reid Ribble, both from Wisconsin. Woodin has a bache­ lor’s degree in Spanish from Indiana Univer­ sity and is a Milwaukee, Wise, native. - Jim Holcomb: He started his tenure as President and CEO in January of2022 as part ofa two-year strategic Executive Leadership Transition Plan announced by the Michigan Chamber Board ofDirectors in early 2020. Holcomb first joined the Michigan Cham­ ber in 2008 to lead its Business Advocacy Team where he designed, coordinated and implemented strategies to enact the Cham­ ber’s legislative agenda and advance policies to strengthen Michigan’s business climate and economic competitiveness. From there, he jumped to Executive Vice President and Gen­ eral Counsel. Jim also directed the Chamber’s political action activities and the Michigan Chamber Litigation Center, a nonprofit orga­ nization dedicated to championing important precedent issues before the highest courts in Michigan and nationally. His work has helped the Chamber consistently earn top honors as the “Most Effective Association” in a biennial survey ofMichigan capital insiders. - Jennifer Heinzman: Heinzman has been serving the community since 2006 whervshe went to work as the Executive Director of the Clare Area Chamber of Commerce in Clare, Mich, directly after college. With a passion for community and economic development, she continued on that same path after being recruited to the Mecosta County, Michigan Chamber ofCommerce and is currently serv­ ing as the President and CEO of the Barry County Chamber and Economic Develop­ ment Alliance, in Barry County, Michigan. Jennifer has spent much of her career focusing on barriers to employment, commu­ nity advancement, and business develop­ ment. With housing, broadband access, work­ force development, placemaking, and child­ care as her organization’s current primary areas of focus, she values the partnerships in her region and understands that collaboration is the key to success. - Jim Robey, Ph.D: Robey is Principal of Robey Analytics, LLC, a professional con­ sulting firm specializing in economic devel­ opment, workforce development and site selection services. Robey is an applied econ­ omist, economic developer and site selector with more than 30 years of experience. He has worked with corporate, nonprofit and economic and workforce development orga­ nizations in problem solving, strategy and policy decisions making from the local to national levels. His expertise includes indus­ try studies, applied occupational analysis, economic impact analysis, economic impact modeling, economic and workforce develop­ ment research and analysis and site selection assistance. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED BUDGET PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on October 24,2023 at 9:00 a.m. the Barry County Board ofCommissioners will hold a public hearing on the 2024 Barry County budget during the regular Board ofCommissioners meeting in the Commission Chambers, located on the mezzanine level ofthe Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings MI 49058 The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. A copy ofthe proposed 2024 Budget is available for public inspection normal business hours at the County Administrator’s office, 3rd floor Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings MI 49058, or at http://www.barrycounty.org/budget Pamela A. Palmer, County Clerk Barry County Board of Commissioners �tt 9 4 f w Page 6 — Thursday, October 12, 2023 — The Hastings Banner W W.. <«54ZJ Justin Timothy Keeler Marian Rose Rupright Peltz A true light to anyone’s life whom she encountered, with a smile and voice ofnat­ ural encouragement to anyone’s paths with whom she crossed. Marian Rupright, age 67, of Nashville, MI, passed away on the evening of Septem­ ber 14th, 2023. Marian Rose was bom May 18, 1956, in Midland, MI, the first daughter ofMuri and Esther (Kindy) Rupright. Raised in a home to parents who owned and operated an adult foster care facility, at a young age she found purpose in the field ofcaregiving. At die age of 18, she became secretary for the director ofnursing for two years. In 1977, she and the family moved to Hastings, where they opened and operated their own AFC home, where Marian was the facility manager until she met and married her beloved late husband, Ronald Peltz. The two moved to Grand Rapids in 1994 where she continued several management roles for their own adult care homes, while addition­ ally managing administrative duties for her husband’s mortgage company. In 1997, her sister, Judith Rupright, passed away leaving her two children ages 2 and 5, with wishes for them to be raised by Marian, alongside their father and longtime beloved family friend, Rick Conklin. From there on, being a proud and involved mother became her life’s largest passion and most fulfilling role. Along with her love for the caregiver field, she had a deep passion for writing and teaching in all forms. However, all those who knew Marian, also knew her largest and longest-standing passion in life was music. With only four years of formal les­ sons, she became an extraordinary self­ taught pianist at a very young age. She sang in the trio, Jerico Jubliee for two years in Midland, MI, and surrounding areas. She played for the Bethal Brothem in Christ Church in Merril, MI for several years before her move to Hastings, MI where she played Mary Todd for one year, alongside Gerald Bestrom who was the town’s longtime beloved “Abe Lincoln”. And then found a home for her music once again when she moved to Nashville, MI, playing for the Baptist Church ofNashville for six to seven years. All the while playing on her pianos at home during her free time. The loss ofher music is one felt in addition to the loss of her bright smile and loving energy. Forever to be missed. Marian was a deeply loved mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend. She was known to say “Some friends were brought into our lives because they were the family our spirits needed.” Often regarding those who impacted her life profoundly, and she considered as fami­ ly within her life and heart forever - Gerald Gieseler, Melisa Carnevale, Jerry Cumper, and Jerry Fletcher. She was preceded in death by her father, Muri Rupright; her sister, Judith Rupright; her husband, Ronald Peltz; her niece, Crys­ tal Agee. She is survived by her mother, Esther Rupright; her sister and brother-in-law, Olive and Michael Agee; her four nephews, Michael Agee, Joshua Agee, Elijia Agee, and Isaac Agee; her son, Jaimian; and her daughter, RaChaesley. Services will be held at the Nashville Baptist Church, 312 Phillips St., Nashville, MI October 21, 2023 at 10 a.m. Worship Together J loJIil 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ email.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetze!. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 pm.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service-11 am. to 12:00 p.m. ww w.cbchastings .org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd.,P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. Justin was bom on August 18, 1992, in Hastings, MI, the son ofTimothy Arthur and Tracy Ann (Gaston) Keeler. He was a 2011 graduate of Hastings High School. Justin worked for Rick Reed Builders and was a current employee of All Call Restoration Justin loved to hunt and fish with his kids and spending time with his family. Hejoined a softball league with his work friends and joined a co-ed team. He loved to go on long motorcycle rides. Justin felt most at home on his parents back patio grilling and playing with his kids Aiden and Jaxson, his sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephew. Justin was a wonderful father. He loved being with his children most of all. He was passionate about his work and work friends. He loved his family fiercely. Earl M. Thom Earl “Butch” M. Thom, age 75, of Grand Marais, and formerly ofDelton, MI, died late on October 7, 2023 at his son’s home in Grand Marais following a lengthy illness. He was bom on February 8, 1948 in Kalamazoo, MI to the late John and Kathleen (Yeazell) Thom. Butch grew up in Delton and graduated from Delton Kellogg High School in 1967. In the early 1970s, Butch started his employment with the railroad. He worked for many years as a member of the track crew, ensuring the safety operations of the tracks. He was later named assistant track supervisor and retired in 2010. Butch loved to snowmobile, and he fell in love with the U.P. and especially the Grand Marais area. He purchased property in the 90s and moved here full-time following retire­ ment. Butch owned and operated the Green Haven Lodge on M-77 for many years. He Sawyer Henry Wayne Densmore, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on August 29, 2023 to Sarah Norton and Lucas Densmore of Hastings. ***** Lyla Ariyana Duncan and Jasper Parker Duncan, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on August 29,2023 tp Samantha Duncan and Darrell Lewis Duncan, Jr. ofDelton. *♦♦♦» ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is 3 To The World Around Us". Justin Timothy Keeler, age 31, of Hastings, MI, passed away unexpectedly October 4, 2023. 7on October 4 2023 7 HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 pm. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 pm. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 Sunday church phone. Service: 10 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: Harriet Layne Halliwill, bom at Spec­ trum Health Pennock on August 30, 2023 to Shelby Halliwill and’Zach Halliwill ofHast­ ings. ***** Blaire Naomi, bom at Spectrum Health looked forward to the many groups and families who would visit year after year for either their bird camp or snowmobile home base. Butch was the camp greeter and enjoyed getting to know all who visited the lodge. He also enjoyed road trips with his springer spaniel Bailey and time with friends at the WolfCamp. Butch is survived by his son, Greg (Tanya) Thom of Allegan, MI; grandchildren, Michael (Kelsey) Cottingham and Krystal Klintworth; great-grandchildren, Michael and Mason Cot­ tingham and Hayden and Madison Klintworth; niece, Amy VanCamp; and dog, Bailey. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Kathleen; grandson, Logan Thom; grandson-in-law, Brian Klintworth; and sis­ ter, Sherri VanCamp. No public services will be held at this time. Butch’s obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfimeralhome.net Pennock on September 3, 2023 to Trishawn Carpenter ofMiddleville. ***** Hunter James Coughlin, bom at Spec­ trum Health Pennock on September 5, 2023 to Raven Gaiski and Ryan Coughlin ofHast­ ings. Chevelle Joann Clock, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on September 8, 2023 to Heather Kenyon and Cory Clock ofHastings. ***** Atlas Van Schliep, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on Sptember 29, 2023 to Mikaela Respondek and Andrew Schliep of Vermontville. Emily Lauren Franks, Middleville and Aaron Mitchell Morgan, Middleville Laura Christine Behlow, Oswego, IL and Christopher Michael Bender, Hamburg, NY Daniel Charles Crowe, Chicago, IL and Madison Kelsey Wright, Chicago, MI Jennifer Lynn Palmatier, Hastings and Jason Dale Pennock, Hastings Zachery Michael Allyn, Hastings and Kristen Hazel Arnold, Hastings Bret Michael Mulder, Middleville and Nicole Lynn Samson, Middleville Erin Renee Davis, Plainwell and Chris Michael Losee, Plainwell. Amanda Fem Zalewski, Hastings and Jeremiah Charles Austin, Hastings Kamren Margeurite Prefontaine, Middleville and John Michael Jasperse, Middleville Help for the Holidays program signup underway Help for the Holidays, a Barry County-wide program coordinated by Hastings-based non-profit organization Barry County Cares, helps those in need at Christmas time. Barry County Cares connects individuals and families with churches, organizations, businesses and others who provide help, such as food for a family or toys for children. Individuals or families must first register. Sign-ups began Monday, Oct. 9 and will end Wednesday, Nov. 22. Locations to sign up, based on home address, include: - Hastings and Middleville addresses: Contact Barry County. Cares at 231 S. Broad­ way St. in Hastings on Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or call 269-948-9555. - Delton addresses: Contact Delton District Library at 330 N. Grove St. in Delton on Tues­ day and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Satur­ day 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or call 269-623-8040. - Freeport addresses (in Barry County): Contact Freeport District Library at 208 S. State St. in Freeport on Monday and Thurs­ day 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or call 616-765-5181. - Nashville addresses: Contact the Village Clerk’s Office at 203 Main St. in Nashville on Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call 517-852-9544. Residents at all other Barry County addresses may call Barry County Cares, 269­ 948-9555. Those wishing to “adopt” a family may call the Barry County Cares office, 269-948-9555. More information is available by calling Tina Horrigan at 269-948-9555 or e-mailing at barrycotmtycares@yahoo.com. TeL (269)-945-3252 Fax(269)-945-0663 328 S. Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 Hotihtlbob&EfdpMl 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrbach Providing Exceptional Service with Compassion and Care Left to cherish his memory are his parents,*: Timothy and Tracy Keeler; sons, Aiden and’ Jaxson Keeler; sister, Maigan Keeler Baird; brother-in-law, Brian Baird, nephew LucasiBaird, nieces Ella Baird and Marissa Baird,, his grandpa Jay Gaston, and many aunts/ uncles, and cousins. Contributions in memory of Justin can be made to the Aiden and Jaxson Keeler Special Needs Trust that is being set up at Highpoint Bank for Justin’s Children. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Oct/ 15, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. with a Celebw tion of Life Service to follow at 4 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. A luncheon will follow,, at 13773 Saubee Rd., Lake Odessa, MI 48849. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.' To leave an online condolence visit www> girrbachfimeralhome.net. %w 6%w wz w wfarw . >zz z . t /zj^ 1 WW^J *4 ffr 9JXr^ L * *«Lwt"»1^*1 «w" 1^1 «w jf jf, Beulah Mae Erridge Beulah Mae Erridge, age 84 of, Hastings, MI passed away peacefully on October 07/ 2023, at home in Hastings, M. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday,! Oct. 14,2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Rose ofLimat Catholic Church, in Hastings MI with Father JeffHanley officiating. Immediately following the Funeral Mass,! guests are invited to remain at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church for a time of fellows ship and luncheon provided by Beulah’s' beloved church family. Funeral arrangements have been entrust- ' ed to the Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, conveniently located at 1401 North Broad-’ way, Hastings, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneral^j home.net *a SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Representative i payees help you: manage your | Social Security | Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Some people who receive monthly Sociafi Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments may need help man*t aging their money. When we receive infor/ mation that indicates you need help, we’Ih work with you to find the most suitable rep­ resentative payee to manage your benefits. A representative payee is someone whcC receives your monthly benefit payment on’ your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs, including: - Food — Clothing - Personal care items - Housing and utilities - Medical and dental expenses - Rehabilitation expenses (if you have a | disability) Ifyou need help managing your benefits, tell a Social Security representative that there is someone you want to be your rep­ resentative payee. Your representative payee should be someone you trust and see often, and who clearly understands your । needs. Social service agencies, nursing. homes, or other organizations are also qual­ ified to be a representative payee. Ask them to contact us. You can write to us within 60 days of being assigned a representative payee ifyou: don’t agree that you need one or ifyou want a different representative payee. We also offer Advance Designation, which j allows you to designate someone to be your representative payee in the future. There may come a time when you can no longer make your own financial decisions. You and your family will have peace ofmind knowing that. someone you trust may be appointed to man­ age your benefits for you. You can submit your Advance Designation request when you apply for benefits or after you are already receiving benefits. You may do so through your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling and speaking to a Social Security representative. You can find more information at ssa.gov/ payee. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Spe-1 cialistfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 ' Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. fti^*1 £■<152 fess-as^ affi* **-»*■•• ftki*** W ■w ■wW !■■■ w Mi J �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 12, 2023 — Page 7 Deer hunters in Barry County w o i ] 1*1 iijjp. j. “ mu 9 Esther Walton Banner Nov. 10, 1988 I When the first white man entered Barry Jounty, deer were abundant. One could go out in the morning and return at night with at least one deer. There was no limit to the Amount ofdeer one could shoot. 1 As more and more people settled, the area deer were confined to smaller and smaller ateas, and the herds became smaller. Deer hides were as valuable as the meat to the early pioneers. In Richland, there was a deer hide operation where farmers would bring in as many deer hides as possible. It made a nice cash crop for the farmers during the long winter months. The Native Americans complained bitterly, saying the white man was destroying their food, wasting it by leaving what was left of the deer laying on the ground to spoil. Once the deer had been cleared out ofthe area, the operations moved elsewhere, leaving the remaining Native Americans without a ready supply offood. \ The deer herd continued to decline until 1922 when the State Conservation office closed deer hunting in southern lower Michi­ gan.. This forced the hunters to travel to northern Michigan for deer hunting season. During this time, it was a rare event to see deer grazing in the farmers’ com fields. 4 To remedy the situation, during the Depression the national government, in cooperation with the state government, bought up the poor farmland around Yankee Springs Township and made it a State Game Area. For 12 years, no hunting was allowed. The land was planted with aspen trees, com fields and other things that would encourage the repopulation ofthe deer herds. By 1948, the land was reopened to hunters for the first time in many years. Needless to say, there was great excitement and interest in the event. The Nov. 18, 1948, issue of the Banner carried this story about the reopening. “Michigan’s annual deer season opened Monday, with hundreds of Barry County nimrods encamped in the state’s vast northern areas inhabited by whitetails, and while reports filtering down from the hinterlands that the extent of the kills there have been meager, that has not been true in local areas where the take on the opening day was great­ er than anticipated by most sportsmen. “With practically the only concentration of hunters in all of southwestern Michigan located in the Yankee Springs area - Conser­ vation Officer George Sumner figured the number ofhunters there at around 500 Mon- day - it is estimated by officers that between 40 and 50 bucks were bagged in the county. “It was the first open gun season here in 22 years and the first buck honors for the county - as far as is known - go to Linden Cunning­ ham, 19, who downed a six-point buck at 7:10 Monday morning on the Henry Frost farm in north Irving Township. “The devastating power ofa shotgun load­ ed with buckshot was demonstrated by local hunters throughout the day. “Joe Beck, 22, Consumers Power Compa­ ny employee, brought down a nine-point buck in Section 33 ofYankee Springs at 8:15 Monday morning with one shot fired at a range of60 to 75 yards. “The buck, which dressed out at 161 pounds, was struck in the front shoulder, with pellets hitting the neck. He traveled about 20 yards before he dropped. “An ex-Marine, Beck was hunting for the first time and went out alone at 5 a.m. He was able to drive his car up to the buck and load it in. He jokingly reported that he had ‘half a mind’ to drive up to Bill James’s camp near Prudenville and take the boys some venison. “Leon ‘Sammy’ Young, 37, who lives at Podunk Lake, dropped a dandy 195-pound, 11- point buck in his tracks about 5 p.m. Mon­ day hunting on the north end ofOtis Lake. “Young was using No. 1 buckshot in his 16-gauge gun and fired at about 25 yards. He saw the horns on the deer first and when the deer raised up, he let him have it. He had hunt­ ed all day and the one he took home was the 11th he had seen, including four with horns. “Howard Ferris dropped his 10-pointer in Section 21 of Rutland Township at 9 a.m. Ferris, a farmer, bagged his deer about threeand-a-halfmiles from his home. “More proofofthe power ofbuckshot was shown when Kenneth Brott, 19, of Mid­ dleville, brought a grizzled granddaddy with 15 points into town. Ken knocked the unwary animal down about 12:30 with one shot at a distance of about 90 feet. Brott used a 12- gauge with 00 shot and one ofthe pellets went right through the some 220-pound deer. Brott was hunting with Ray Ridder, 27, of Middleville, and the two found him about four rods from where he had been shot dead. “George R. Foote, Delton, was home before noon with a 10-point, 230-pound buck taken in Orangeville Township. Another buck taken before noon was shot by Roger Wilcox, 31, Route 1, Freeport, who downed a six-pointer at 11:20 on the township road between Rutland and Yankee Springs. “Elwyn Courtney, 36, 625 E. South Street, bagged his 11-pointer at 9:30, about a mile and a half west of Otis Lake in Yankee Springs. He was a big fellow, who went (weighed) about 225 (pounds). Courtney fired one shot from his 16-gauge, using No. 1 buckshot at a distance ofabout 45 yards. The deer walked right toward Elwyn and then the old chap turned broadside to give him a better target. Courtney blasted him in the back of the front shoulder on the right side. “Courtney, a Royal Coach worker, was hunt­ ing in (the) back ofhis father’s farm with his father, LeRoy Courtney, and Zel Courtney, of Plainwell, an uncle. The three worked from 9:30 to noon to get the deer to the car. Courtney reported that he had had the runway spotted. “The heavy concentration ofhunters in the relatively small area and the fact that the deer were not too wild, several were reported shot while looking at the woodsmen, helped account for the heavy kill here, which with­ out a doubt accomplished the objective ofthe lConservation Department in keeping the local herd from exploding’ into a rampaging, damaging herd. “The kill dropped off to almost nothing Tuesday - with fewer hunters and fewer bucks. Officer Sumner knew of only one taken the second day and he stated categorically that he did not believe that the Barry herd could stand two more days like Monday. “If I there is another concentration ofhunters like there was on opening day, when 187 cars were checked by the two officers alone, the herd as far as bucks as concerned, may be wiped out. Some bucks may be left in the sanctuary. “Hunters were present from all over South­ west Michigan, Sumner said. “Officer Sumner who ‘processed’ nine nimrods throughjustice court Tuesday to give them a more liberal education, reported that he had heard of no rifles being used and believed the illegal kill was low. The officer found one ‘button’ buck slaughtered, but not the chap who shot the deer. “Most of the bucks killed here have had big hall trees mainly because they’ve had time to grow ‘em since the last season. “From the north, few reports have been received and by the looks ofthings, the Ban­ ner staff will go without venison, with only Superintendent Russ Kimmel, Harry Foster and George Willard in the hinterlands. “One of the few bucks reported taken Tuesday was killed by Harry Schultz, ofMid­ dleville, about 9 a.m. in Yankee Springs Township. The deer had five points and tipped the scales at 160 pounds.” ± ■oktaiilptyD n X' lAin ■iv*wi* wi* man® jut ’’ Social Sert MiN At fl look back at the stories and columns on local history Iff the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES JLatwQAeiia Elaine Garlock The downtown lampposts are now sporting autumn banners which replace those for sum­ mer which call the town a “friendly port.” Doubtless, we will be seeing winter and Christmas banners in a few weeks. Work continues on the Fourth Avenue Habitat house. Work also continues on the Stuart housing project on Third Avenue. The homes tour hosted by the Woodland Women’s Study Club comes on Saturday, Oct. 14 in the afternoon. Six homes are on display. The Ionia County Genealogical Society meets on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Emerson Street Depot Museum at 1 p.m. with a speak­ er, followed by library time for research. Central United Methodist Church’s United Women ofFaith met on Monday afternoon at the; church , with the vice president in charge due to the recovery time for President Teri Catt. Some plans for future events were dis­ cussed. Action on the plans will come later. The unit will host several vendors for Christ­ mas ‘Round the Town in November with lunch provided for the vendors. JWe 11-known Tom Wacha of Sunfield has a tttcjFlo the editdr in ihfcTatSSt issue ofMich-.x igan History Magazine. The Tri River Museum group meets on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Grattan Museum west of Greenville and north of Lowell. Do men get pedicures? Yes, indeed. Last week on Friday, three men were occupying three treatment chairs in the nail salon which 15 within the Meijer store in Ionia on M-66. One ofthem continued his session by getting a manicure. Granted, some ofthe gentlemen appeared to have health issues, making this sort oftreatment a necessity. Last week, a local lady was handed her souvenir Elvis umbrella which has been miss­ ing for years. A friend noting the light rain falling turned to her car to reach for an umbrella safely stashed in the elasticized pocket on the rear side of the front seat. Opening it for protection, she was surprised to see the accessory was emblazoned with images of Elvis Presley. She had never had such a piece and wondered from whence it came. Possibly a passenger had left it in the car some time ago. She left it in the open position in the garage to dry. Later in the day, her daughter arrived and saw the open umbrella. She asked her mother why and where did she get such an umbrella. It must belong to Thelma Curtis, who has been a longtime Elvis fan. The day later, she returned the piece to Thelma who exclaimed that she had not seen the umbrella in many years. Where had it been all these years? It had been safe in the pocket of a friend’s car. Neither lady could recall any time when, they had ridckn in that car togetyer^U^ welT that ends well. w The umbrella had been in a safe place for all these years and now it is back in the hands ofits rightful owner. Monday, Oct. 16 will be the last time for brush pickup in the village. In previous years, it was done more often than the three times slated for 2023. Leaf pickup comes later. These are very helpful services provided by village staff besides street maintenance and snow plowing. fflrW Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Oct. 13-19 fe people a®feinDOflty><^J a&s -food R- gft 'S^', ^aSoCLne)^y r A family admires a fallen deer and a victorious deer hunter about 1915, somewhere in Barry County. Doctor Universe Super hearing How dofish hear? Lamarcus, 8, Ohio a 6)4 w ; Dear Lamarcus, » My goldfish roommate hates when peo- pie tap on his tank. The tapping sound he hears in the water is loud and scary. I talked with my friend Rikeem Sholes ■» about how fish hear. He’s a fish scientist. He ^ studies salmon hearing at Washington State 'University. * He told me that a fish’s hearing system v includes sensory cells in the inner ear and in a line along the outside of the fish’s body and head. Some fish also use their swim bladder to have super hearing. - “A lot of people don’t realize that fish •5 have ears,” Sholes said. “Fish don’t have * external ears like we do. But they do have an inner ear that looks a little different from ours.” Your external ear is the flappy part attached to your head. It helps you collect sounds from the air. But the sounds fish hear travel through water. So, fish ears are under their skin. Three dense stones sit inside a fish’s earcalled otoliths or ear stones. They’re made ofcalcium carbonate just like bones. Tucked under those ear stones are senso­ ry cells called hair cells. They’re not really hair. Theyjust look like tufts ofhair under a microscope. Hair cells send electrical signals to the fish’s brain. Sound moves through the water and into the fish’s body as a vibration. The vibration hits the ear stones and makes them move. As they move, the hair cells under the ear stones bend. When they bend, they send electrical signals to the brain. The brain uses that signal to understand what sound it’s hearing and where the sound comes from. Fish also have hair cells on the outside of their bodies. They circle around a fish’s head and eyes. They make a long row down the fish’s side called the lateral line. The hair cells of the lateral line are like feelers. As a fish swims, the water can bend those hair cells. That sends a signal to the fish’s brain-just like the hair cells in their ears do. The lateral line helps fish swim in a school. It also helps them detect prey or predators. Some fish can hear extra well, thanks to their swim bladder. Thatjs a sack of gas in the middle ofa fish’s body-like a balloon. It helps a fish float or sink depending on how much air is inside it. That’s how a fish moves up or down in the water. Some fish have a connection between their swim bladder and their ears. For them, the swim bladder amps up sound vibrations that hit the ear stones. ' . “It amplifies their ability to hear-like super hearing,” Sholes said. Maybe that’s why tapping bothers my goldfish so much. We can protect our fish friends by being careful about the humanmade sounds they hear in enclosures and in the wild. Thinking about how we affect other animals and ecosystems helps us all get along swimmingly. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse.com. * Oct. 1-31 - October Storywalk Book: “Amara and the Bats” by Emma Reynolds. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, Oct. 14 - Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse Party. Program: 11 a.m.-noon (in-per­ son and on Zoom). Picnic lunch and solar viewing: Noon-2 p.m. Members ofthe Insti- tute can attend the just the program for free and non-members must pay $8. To attend the program and picnic lunch, members will pay $15. Non-members must pay $21. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Oct. 12 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1956 film starring Mickey Rooney and Virginia Welles, 5 p.m.; Wine pairing and basket auction at Seasonal Grille (tickets required), 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; Young Authors Write, 3:30 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 - Library closed for stafftraining. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, October 12,2023 — The Hastings Banner Barry County dispatcher recognized as Michigan 911 Telecommunicator of the Year Former WWF star to appear at wrestling event in Vermontville! Jayson Bussa Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Megan Green distinctly remembers when she first arrived at Barry County Central Dispatch. When she first applied for a position, she was finishing up her public administration degree at Grand Valley State University. BCCD Director Stephanie Lehman told Green she was interested, but would need her to start right away. Lehman reached out to Green a few months later in 2019, after she had finished her studies. When Green arrived to talk to Lehman about the position, she remembered one thing: Lehman was mopping the floor. “I didn’t remember that,” Lehman said. “But she remembered that and told me a couple oftimes through the years when she came to talk to me, I was mopping. I’m always like, ‘Well, the floor must have needed mopping.’” The all-hands-on-deck mentality at BCCD is one that Green has found no issues adjusting to. As Green spoke to the Hastings Banner about her time as a dis­ patcher, she continued fielding emergency calls throughout the interview, occasional­ ly looking over her shoulder to assist the dispatcher she is currently training. Green said she could hardly believe it had already been four years since she start­ ed at the dispatch center. She’s fielded thousands ofcalls, even helping to deliver a baby over the phone during her first year. She said it feels surreal that her career has already come full circle, with her now training a new dispatcher. “It’s crazy. It doesn’t seem possible that I have (come this far), but I have,” Green said. “It’s funny because now I’m training someone who was my age when I started.” Green was recently honored as the 911 Telecommunicator ofthe Year by the Mich­ igan Chapter of the Association of Pub­ lic-Safety Communications Officials (MI-APCO). Lehman and Green’s supervi­ sor nominated her for the award, an exten­ sive process that required, among other cri­ teria, a written essay. She’ll be honored at the MI-APCO statewide ceremony in Frankenmuth on Oct. 26, alongside other top emergency communications professionals from across the state. Green’s name will then be entered into the APCO International pppl^ be selected .tp attend the organization’s Aug. 2024 con­ ference in Orlahdo, Fla. Editor , . During the week, Chris Chavis is a proud poppa helping to train t his 14-yearold son to become the elite wrestler that he is today. On the weekends, he flies around the country wielding his signature Native American headdress and tomahawk, signing autographs and even delivering a body slam or two inside ofthe wrestling ring. “I’m very busy,” Chavis said just after rattling offall the states he has visited in the last month. a This is the cadence of Chavis’s life these days. Professional wrestling fans of the 1990s know Chavis better as Tatanka, a wrestler with the World Wrestling Federa­ tion whose Native American heritage is Megan Green Lehman said nominating Green was a no-brainer. She’s heavily involved at the dispatch center, working to train new dispatchers and is a part ofthe BCCD public relations committee. Green manages her workload all while remaining 100 percent authentic, even when Lehman or her super­ visor are dispatching alongside her, Leh­ man said. “Not only can she handle the emotional capacity ofthe work that’s happening here inside the dispatch center, she’s also able to fit in with a team,” Lehman said. “She’s adaptable.” In an office with lots ofstrong personal­ ities, Lehman said Green is able to work alongside anyone easily. Green’s easygoing attitude, something Lehman said is some­ what atypical for emergency dispatchers, lets her contribute to the team’s chemistry effortlessly. “She brings a gentle, calm strength to the center which is needed and appreciat­ ed,” Lehman said. “You’ve got to have that balance, and Megan does a really goodjob ofsupporting that balance.” Green said none of what she’s accom­ plished at BCCD would have been possible without the help ofeveryone else around her. “I really don’t believe I could be here without the amazing team that I have, and all the mentors I’ve had here,” Green said. “Stephanie, my supervisor, and everyone that I worked with has just helped mentor pie and help mq.VepQine the .dispatcher that I. am today. I’m., forever..grateful for the people I work with.” Thornapple Players hosting auditions for Christmas comedy on Monday The Thomapple Players are already getting into the holiday spirit and are holding open auditions next week for the Christmas come­ dy, “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” by Pat Cook. Open auditions will be held on Monday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Dennison Performing Arts Center, 231 S. Broadway St. in Hastings. Audi­ tions are open to high school seniors or older. Those auditioning need not prepare; the audition will consist ofreading selections from the script. The cast will begin rehearsing on Oct. 23. Rehearsals are typically scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with the possibility of Wednes­ days should they be needed. The Players describe the show as a hilari­ ous play that follows one family’s attempt to get everyone together for Christmas - and somehow stay jolly about it. The show is being directed by Audrey Burton. Production dates are Dec. 7-10 with an open dress rehearsal on Dec. 6. More infor­ mation can be found by visiting the Thomapple Players Facebook page or by emailing thomappleplayers@gmail.com. woven into his in-ring persona. As Tatanka, Chavis spent time wrestling against,, or alongside, some of the most iconic wrestlers in the business, including “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker. He has also wrestled at WrestleMania, the marquee event in all of professional wrestling. Chavis belonged to an era that most people consider to be the golden age ofprofessional wrestling - even more memorable than the action within the current World Wrestling Entertainment, which is now a multi-billion dollar company. “We didn’t realize it then when we were doing it, but you realize it now because of social media and us being in the market and more in touch with our fan base,” Chavis told the Banner. “All the fans across the world, when you talk to them, the majority ofthem are not talking about today’s wres­ tling. They’re talking about the times ofthe World Wrestling Federation because it was magical. It was special. All the characters were unique. Everyone looked different. You had guys that were big, huge guys that you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley.” Professional wrestling is still quite popu­ lar, occupying plenty of air time on televi­ sion with the WWE and All Elite Wrestling Chris Chavis, known by his wrestling name Tatanka, jumps from the top rope to deliver a blow against “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels during a WWF match fa the early 90s. (Courtesy photos) (AEW). This means Chavis is still in heavy demand to make appearances at autograph signings or small, independent wrestling events like the one that will be visiting Ver­ montville on Saturday. Chavis will appear at the Vermontville Community Center as Tatanka for an eve­ ning ofwrestling matches. The event starts at 6 mi. and tickets are still ayailabfe. Aside from his. many appearances at independent wrestling events, Chavis is signed to what is called a legends contract with the WWE, where he can be called in to make appearances on events that honor the wrestlers ofold. Even at the age of 62, he’s not afraid to step jn the ring. “I can still wrespe like I did in 1990,” Chavis said. “If you really want to fight, then you got a fight with me because I can still fight. I will whip your butt, too, and have fim whipping your butt.” Chavis’s son, Jeremiah, is seemingly following in his footsteps, but he’s doing his work on a high school wrestling mat as opposed to inside a ring. Chavis said that, even at the age of 14, his son is already an All-American and pas wrestled at the high school level starting in seventh grade already.. In fact, Chavis’s son was invited to explore the wrestling facilities at the Uni­ versity of Michigan, an attractive destina­ tion for any budding wrestler. But it hasn’t come for free for Chavis’s son. “He’s done a lot ofthese things because of hard work, dedication, perseverance things like that don’t happen without the hard work and dedication,” Chavis said. THORnnPPLC L P fl Y E B S Hastings city manager approved for raise following positive evaluations f Auditions * Auditions * Auditions A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas: by Pat Cook Produced by special Arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, IhlC, ,j of Woodstock, Illinois Directed by Audrey Burton When: October 16th at 7PM Where: Dennison Performing Art Center located, at 231 S Broadway Hastings, Ml Open to high school seniors or older. No preparation is needed. Auditions will consist of reading selections from the script. Rehearsals earsals begin begin on on October October 23rd 23rd from from 7PM-9PM 7PM-9PM and are % ... J^heduled Mondays. Tuesdays, and Thursdays Thursdays, , with the possibility of Wednesdays should they be needed. Production Dates: December 6th — 10th Interested, but unavailable for this date? Contact us via the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002, so other arrangements can be made. Follow us on Facebook. barr/ igg " ,,r ' fife CTSJW Community Thcdro Awodolton o I Michigan y?MZ%A%R S THTOSRN APPLE Council Hunter McLaren StaffWr iter Hastings City Council members have approved a raise for City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale following a round of positive evaluations. Mayor Dave Tossava said he received six evaluations from council members this year, which are then used to improve the city man­ ager’s job performance and determine their salary. Tossava said he reviewed the evalua­ tions with Moyer-Cdle and recommended a raise based on her performance. “Sarah and I went over all the evalua­ tions and noted any (deficiencies. I’ll be the first one to say it; Sarah had an excellent evaluation,” Tossava said. “We had a few areas that are slightly off of being excellent, and she appreciated the scoring and looks forward to improving her perfor­ mance.” Council members unanimously voted to approve a raise for Moyer-Cale’s yearly salary from $118,000 to $123,539. The 4.7 percent pay bump puts Moyer-Cale on the sixth step of the city’s nine-step compensa­ tion system, created after the completion ofa wage and compensation study in April. City council members approved a raise for Hastings City Manager Sarah Moyer* Cale, who stepped into the role in 2021. (file photo) �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS section Thiuirfstdriayv., October 12,.2023 Saxons get first 1-8 win on senior night Brett Bremer Sports Editor A. first swing at it flew at a bit too much of an angle and landed wide ofthe court late in the third set with visiting Jackson Northwest Tuesday night at Hastings High School. Saxon senior setter Abby Beemer kept fir­ ing passes to junior outside hitter Rachael Hewitt on the left side though. Three straight kills by Hewitt clinched a 28-26 win in the third set for the Hastings varsity volleyball team and put the Saxons in control for their first Interstate-8 Athletic Conference win of the season. Hastings went on to a 23-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-21 victory. “It was great,” Hewitt said. “I just felt it, and I knew we needed it. I felt like I needed to take action and do it myself. We’ve got to get the passes. We had great passes, great sets and great kills.” Hewitt finished with a team-high 15 kills on the night. Beemer finished with 26 assists. That flurry by Hewitt late in the third set was just the culmination of an impressive rally. Northwest had a 24-21 lead looking to go ahead two sets to one. A couple key plays by senior Audrey Vertalka in the middle for the Saxons, a block and a kill, helped power Hastings back to even at 24-24. Hastings still had to pull out two set points for the Mounties before they would secure the win. Hewitt had the kills that tied the score at 26-26, put the Saxons up 27-26 and then the one that finished the set. The Saxons never trailed in the fourth set, with a solid service run by junior Jordan Milanowski extending a 12-9 lead to 15-9. Hastings led by at least three points the rest of that final set. “[Hewitt] and I were really connecting tonight,” Beemer said. “We connected from The Saxons' Audrey Vertalka (8) and Kimber Fenstemaker (10) try and get their hands on an attack by Jackson Northwest's Avery Redmond during their Interstate-8 Athletic Conference contest at Hastings High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the start. I was hitting her and she was the one that was getting the kills, so I just kept hitting her. She seemed to be who was getting us the most points. “Most of the time it is her and Audrey [Vertalka], but [Hewitt] had to step up because Audrey has been hurt.” Saxon head coach Erin Slaughter said that Hewitt is especially skilled at finding a way to get a good swing on passes that aren’t perfect. Passing is still the skill Saxons need to put the most work into as the postseason nears. “I don’t know how she manages it. [Hewitt] hits balls that shouldn’t be able to be hit, and nobody else thinks they should be able to be hit, and she snags them and they go down,” Slaughter said. “She is a consistent aggres­ sive player, especially in that tight set she kept wailing on it when they were tipping. I think that makes the difference, staying aggressive when you feel confident in your­ selfand pulling it through that way.” The Saxons stayed steady throughout the night and didn’t get down with the Mounties took the opening set of the best-of-five match. Northwest had a slim lead throughout much ofthat opening set as neither team was able to string any kind ofa run together. Saxon sophomore Olivia Friddle assisted senior teammate Kimber Fenstemaker for a kill in the middle that had the two teams knot­ ted at 23-23 late in that first set, but North­ west got a kill from senior Ashley Weller and then her junior teammate Lucy Bivens slammed down a Saxon overpass to clinch the set for their team. The second set was going much the same way, with neither team able to get a lead of more than a point or two until Friddle went to the service line after setting up Fenstemaker for a side-out kill that put the Saxons in front 15-12. She fired thrde aces in a run of four service points, getting a key dig on what would eventually turn, into a kill for Beemer on the other point, as'Hastings extended Its' lead to 19-12. “In the past, we have always gotten down in the last sets,” Beemer said, “we always seem to lose in the last sets. We’d win the first and lose the second and it goes on and one. This time, we came back and we stuck with it and we kept the energy alive.” She was really impressed by her team’s blocking Tuesday night. Vertalka had a teamhigh nine solo blocks. Liliana Fox had a team-high 59 passes from her libero spot in the match for Hast­ ings. “I am really proud of how they played,” coach Slaughter said. “I think they played really scrappy. We won every really long rally, and came out on top. They were really aggressive the whole way. There were a lot of good things from it.” Beemer was one of four Saxon seniors honored on the team’s senior night - joined Hastings junior Rachael Hewitt flips an attack over the block of Northwest's Avery Redmond (left) and Brooke Grant (right) during their 1-8 match at Hastings High School Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) by Vertalka, who did get in her share of the action Tuesday, Kimber Fenstemaker and Sophia Sunior. “They’re just so encouraging. They have been my mentors since freshman year,” Hewitt said. The seniors are picking each other up where they can. With Vertalka dealing with an injury, Fenstemaker has had to add back row' duties to go along with her work in the middle at the net. Milanowski is stepping up in the back row too. “That is a place where they don’t necessar­ ily feel comfortable, but they’re doing a good job,” Slaughter said of the couple back row fill-ins. “It is difficult to pull them and give those spots to somebody else on the bench because they’re not really doing anything wrong. They have it under control. “I think we have really grown and matured. We have a lot of young girls, and Abby and Kimber and Audrey, have really helped these young girls mature and kind of smooth out their wild, crazy tendencies. They’re definitely leveling out a bit here and finding our groove, which is nice.” Beemer has shared setting duties with sophomore Olivia Friddle throughout this fall. Beemer is handling most of the setting duties, but Friddle gets her turn as the Saxons progress through their rotations. The pair Trojan junior earns spot in D2 Finals for first time Thornapple Kellogg senior Ailana Leos earned a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls Golf Finals with a third-place finish at the regional tournament at Point O'Woods Country Club in Benton Harbor Tuesday. (File photo) 1 Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thornapple Kellogg junior Ailana Leos offset one trouble hole on the front nine with a pair of birdies to earn a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls’ GolfFinals for the first time this fall. Leos finished in a tie for third overall to earn one ofthe three individual state quali­ fying spots. The top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams at regionals across the state this week earn spots in the state finals. Leos shot an 82 on the course at Point O’Woods Country Club in Benton Harbor tying Mattawan junior Charlotte Stenger. Gull Lake sophomore Charlotte Boudeman was the individual regional champion with a score of 80 and Portage Northern senior KT Leinwand was second with an 81. St Joseph took the team regional champi­ onship with an overall score of 364. Gull Lake shot a 373 and Sturgis earned the third and final team state spot with a score of379. The top three teams were well ahead of the field. Leinwand and the Huskies from Portage Northern were fourth with a score of 395 ahead of Mattawan 400, Harper Creek 401, Zeeland West 402, Stevensville Lakeshore 413, Thomapple Kellogg 416, Zeeland East 446, Wayland 486, Coldwater NTS and Holland NTS. Sturgis junior Madison Webb shot an 85 and Zeeland West senior Rylee Smith and Zeeland East senior Carly Lukins both shot an 86 to round out the top five individually, with Smith and Lukins the closest girls in the field to chasing down Stenger and Leos for the final individual state qualifying spot. Lukins was a part of the three-way playoff for two individual state qualifying spots along with Leos at their regional at Yankee Springs GolfCourse in 2022, with Leos the odd-man out that day. The Thomapple Kellogg team also got a 103 from senior Kendra Coe, a 106 from senior Emma Schut and 125’s from senior Joselyn DeBoer andjunior Rae Borrink. Leos was at three over through her first ten holes, but an eight on the 418-yard par-5 number seven set her back a bit. She rallied for a par on number eight and a birdie on the 106-yard par-3 number nine to finish offthe front nine with a 40, and went on to close out a strong round that earned her a first appearance in the state finals in her third varsity season. St. Joseph took the regional team title with four girls under 100. Senior Margaret Cox led the way with an 89. Freshman Mary Walters shot a 90, senior Clara Berry a 92 and senior Grace Rommel a 93 from St. Joseph. Behind Boudeman for Gull Lake, senior Kara Nelson shot a 94, junior Ella Schaberg a 95 and junior Aubrey Crowley scored a 104. Behind Webb for third-place Sturgis, senior Aspen Hyska shot a'95, senior Citori Kosmerick a 97 and sophomore Piper Ster­ ling a 102. The MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls’ Golf Finals will be held Oct. 20-21 at Forest Akers East GolfCourse on the campus ofMichigan State University in East Lansing. happen to also be a Couple oftheir team’s top attackers. “She has come a long way,” Beemer said ofFriddle. “She started and it wasn’t the best, but she sticks with it and she tries. Every point is a new point. Ifshe messes up, shejust needs the reinforcement. I just encourage her along the way.” Beemer has enjoyed getting to show off her attacking skills OnFriddle’s passes this fall. Coach Slaughter said she^s-teve to run a 6-2 with the two equally sharing the setting duties, but Beemer is such a talented “quar­ terback” on the court that her team needs her in the setting position more often. Besides, “[Friddle] is a monster on the outside when she gets ahold ofit. She is real­ ly scary when you’re on the other side ofit,” Slaughter added. Hastings is now 1-4 in the 1-8 this season. They return to conference play at Pennfield Oct. 18 and then will be a part ofthe confer­ ence tournament at Harper Creek Saturday, Oct. 21. The Saxons also host a non-conference quad Monday, Oct. 16. The Saxons were in action at the Hanover-Horton Invitational Saturday where they went 2-2 with wins over East Jackson and Adrian and losses to their 1-8 partners from Parma Western and to Addison in close sets. Coach Slaughter said her girls worked hard throughout the long day focused especially in improving their defense. Beemer had 36 assists and six aces at the tournament. Milanowski had six aces to go with four solo blocks. Fox was the team’s top passer. Hewitt had a team-high 19 kills. That was the second straight competition day in which the Saxons saw the Parma West­ ern girls. Hastings fell in three sets to the Panthers in their 1-8 dual last Wednesday. Hewitt had eight kills and Milanowski three blocks in that dual, and coach Slaughter was pleased with the efforts of Fenstemaker stepping in to play the back row. Hastings senior setter Abtyl^Z puts a pass up during her team's winSi visiting Jackson Northwest oh night at Hastings High School Tu^rtl (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sda*- �Page 10 — Thursday, October 12, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Saxon teams second at Wayland Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity boys’ and girls’ cross country teams both finished second to Hamil­ ton Tuesday afternoon at the Wayland Invita­ tional. The Hamilton boys took a 31-44 victory over the Saxons in the field which included five full teams and more. Wayland as third with 63 points ahead of Lakewood 113 and Wyoming 127. . The Saxon boys’ team had two guys int eh top five. Senior Riley Shults ran to a thirdplace time of 17 minutes 36.52 seconds. Junior Brandon Simmons placed fifth in 17:44.42. Hamilton junior Abatu Dykstra took the individual win with a time of 17:06.46 and Wayland junior Dylan Pallett was second in 17:13.93. Lakewood junior Riley Johnson scored a top ten finish too with a time of 18:16 that had him in tenth place. Hamilton had four runners finish sixth, sev­ enth, eighth and ninth in front ofJohnson. That group included Noah Hernandez and Evan Kraker who both cracked the 18-minute mark. The Saxon team also had junior Micah Johnson 11 th in 18:21.52, senior Caleb LaBoe 12th in 18:32.57 and senior Reuben Solmes 13th in 18:46.79. Senior teammate Jonah Teed was right behind in 14th place with a time of 18:56.07. Lakewood had freshman Kaden Rohrbacher 24th in 20:21.71 and junior Hudson Goethals 27th in 20:50.43. Viking sophomore Bryce Schelter was 38th in 22:18.64 and sophomore Jonah Lan­ caster placed 50th in 32:19.54. Saxon freshman Caroline Randall won the girls’ race in 20:06.51. She was one ofthree freshmen in the top four. Martin freshman Veyda Conley was the runner-up in 21:16.23 and Hamilton freshman Lydia Nelson was fourth in 22:46.06. The only girl breaking up that pack was Lakewood sophomore Emma Tidd who placed third in 22:44.90 - a season-best time for her. Hamilton had five girls place in the top ten and won the meet with 27 points. Hastings was second with 53 points ahead ofLakewood 75, Wyoming Lee 97 and Wyoming 118. Hastings had freshmen finish in each ofits top five scoring spots. Chloe Pirtle was 14th overall in 25:27.68, Alexa DeCamp 15th in 25:32.75, Beatrice Creaco 25th in 27:30.32 and Lilianna Enyart 27th in 28:15.94. Lakewood had senior Allison Slater as its numheD^voi She-pjaeeduiiZth in 25:22JI. The Viking team also had freshman Laurelye Carter 32nd in 31:37.46, sophomore Marci Nurenberg 33rd in 31:45.94 and freshman Jayda Miller 39th in 34:02.45. The Saxons head to Turkeyville in Mar­ shall Oct. 21 for the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship. There weren’t any personal records set by the Hastings runners on the hilly course in Wayland Tuesday, but a handful of Hastings athletes had their best runs ever or at least of this season at the annual Portage Invitational last Saturday. Randall was a medalist in what is one of the most competitive invitationals ofthe sea­ son,, placing 17th in the Division 2 girls race. She hit the finish line in 18:57.0. The Thomapple Kellogg girls were 19th and the Hastings girls 39th in the 45-team field. Grand Rapid Christian took the D2 girls’ championship with 100 points. Otsego was second with 142 points and Spring Lake third with 199. St. Joseph senior Gail Vaikutis ran her fastest race ever to win in 17:35.7. She was one of three girls to finish in under 18 minutes. Grand Rapids Christian senior Natalie VanOtteren was second in 17:39.5 and St. Joseph junior Elena Figueroa was third with a PR run of 17:43.2. Junior Ava Crews led the Thornapple Kel­ logg girls with a 26th-place time of 19:06.2. The Trojan team also had sophomore Madison Kietzman in the top 100. She placed 74th in 19:06.2. The Hastings team got personal record runs form Creaco, Pirtle and Enyart. Creaco came in at 25:00.3, Pirtle in 25:14.6 and Enyart in 26:58.9. The D2 boys’ title went to the Pinckney team that finished with 115 points. TK’s OK Gold Conference rivals from Forest Hills Eastern were second with 121 points and Allendale was third with 143 points. The Hastings boys were 26th and the Thomapple Kellogg boys 41st overall. Pinckney senior Evan Loughridge led his team to the championship with an individual title he won by dropping his PR to 15:17.3. East Grand Rapids senior Alex Thole was second in 15:31.3 and Fremont senior Sean Pettis placed third in 15:32.8. There were 19 guys who finished in less than 16 minutes. Senior Brendan Hoving led Forest Hills East­ ern with an 1 Ith-place time of 15:49.9, a new PR for him. Hastings had junior Micah Johnson 134th with a PR of 17:39.0 and senior Caleb LaBoe 165th with a PR of 17:59.8. Simmons and Shults were at the front for the Saxon team. Simmons was 112th in 17:27.3 and Shults 120th in 17:29.9. Round­ ing out the Saxqns’ ^coripg^gye was the senior Teed who came in 186th in 18:1272. Thomapple Kellogg was led by senior Lucas VanMeter’s 72nd-place time of 16:55.6. Nickels leads Saxons at regional meet Brett Bremer Sports Editor Senior Addie Nickels closed out her time as a varsity golfer by leading the Saxons at their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional at The Legacy at Hastings Tuesday. Nickels shot a 108 which had her in 29™ individually in a field of65 golfers. The top three teams and top three individ­ uals not on those three teams Tuesday earned spots in the MHSAA L.P. Division 3 Girls Golf Finals which will be held the weekend ofOct. 20-21. Vicksburg won the team regional title with a score of368, well ahead ofthe field. Dow­ agiac was second with a score of 391 and Paw Paw third at 394. Plainwell was a dozen strokes back in fourth place with a score of 406 ahead ofSouth Haven 408, Edwardsburg 423, Otsego 424, Hamilton 448, Hopkins 448, Niles 465, Three Rivers 475, Pennfield 480, Hastings 486, Allegan 492 and Berrien Springs NTS. All five Vicksburg girls finished among the top 20 scorers. Senior Brooklynn Ringler led the Bulldogs and the field overall with a score of 78. Senior teammate Maddison Diekamn placed third with an 88. Vicksburg also got a 100 from junior Oliv­ ia Perry and a 102 from senior Peyton Smith. Plainwell freshman Ayla Jaeger was the runner-up with a score of 85 and her junior teammate Anessa Jaeger placed ninth with a 98. Ayla qualified for the finals with her per­ formance, but Anessa was a stroke behind the last ofthe individual state qualifiers from the event. South Haven's Hannah Kaczmarek shot a 95 and Niles’ Baylee Davis shot a 97 to earn the final two individual state qualifying spots. Dowagiac had two top five finishers in its runner-up finish as a team. Junior Rebecca Guernsey shot an 89 and junior teammate Carlee Spagnoli scored a 92. The third-place Paw Paw team was led by junior Grace Mitchell with a 97, junior Kay­ lin Pease with a 98 and junior Mary Stewart with a 99. Senior teammate Marcy Haase was right behind with a 100. Saxon sophomore Sophia Greenfield shot a 118 to finish second on her team. Hastings also had senior Peightyn Cronk and junior Kennedy Lewis among its top four scorers at the regional. City ofHastings Notice ofIntent to Fill City Council Vacancy The City of Hastings seeks candidates who are residents of the Fourth (4th) Ward for appointment to the Hastings City Council. The appointment will be for a partial term ending December 31, 2024. Ward maps are available on the t City’s website at www.hastingsmi. gov. Interested persons are encouraged to apply for appointment by completing an application form available on the City’s website or at Hastings City Hall. Applications must be completed and returned to City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058, by November 3» 2023, at noon. For any questions, please call 269.945.2468 or email cbever@hastingsmi.gov. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk 207066 Thornapple Kellogg's Nate Shoemaker gets a header on a Trojan corner kick in front of the Forest Hills Eastern net as a crowd of Hawks and Trojans look on during their OK Gold Conference Tournament game in Ada Wednesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Comeback victory for TKHS boys at FHE Brett Bremer Sports Editor Wandering out of the stadium at Forest Hills Eastern High School after a one-goal game, the Trojans were left talking about the goal that might have been. But they had smiles on their faces while they were doing it. Thomapple Kellogg’s varsity boys’ soccer team avenged a regular season loss to the Hawks by outscoring them 2-1 in the second round of the OK Gold Conference Tourna­ ment in Ada Wednesday, Oct. 4. Jordan Rowley and Reece Hoeksma scored goals for the Trojans as they dug out ofa 1-0 hole against FHE, but all the orange and black really wanted to talk about was junior William Nathan’s non-goal. RoWley fired a Iqpg throw' in towards teammpte Jayce Curtis at the top ofthe FHE box with about nine minutes to play and the Trojans clinging to their 2-1 lead. Curtis turned towards the goal as the ball bounded in and collided with FHE defender Tobi Thielmann who came jumping in at him from the weak side to head the ball weakly away. Thielmann fell back as the ball bounced to Nathan five yards to the right ofthe penalty spot and he knocked a perfectly placed shot into the upper left 90 and then took the cele­ bration to the far comer ofthe field with his teammates. Forest Hills Eastern senior goalkeeper Mars Steenwyk had returned the ball to mid­ field and the Trojan celebration was dying down as they returned to their end before it became clear to everyone other than the offi­ cial that he had called Curtis for a push back in the Hawks’ box. The victory allows for the smiles. The victory also gave the Trojans the chance to avenge another conference defeat in the final round ofthe conference tournament, at Kenowa Hills Monday, at Kenowa Hills Monday, where they scored a 7-3 victory. TK opened the conference tournament with a 3-2 shootout loss at Cedar Springs Monday, Oct. 2. “We played really well Monday for Cedar Springs. We brought them to PK’s and lost in the PK’s. The past three games we have turned a comer as a team,” TK head coach Andrew Kiel said. “We are clicking and not all the results are there,; but we have just been playing really well and doing good stuff- On a different night than tonight maybe we get three or four goals, but we don’t, we get two. Two is still enough for the win. “Just as a team, all 18 ofthese guys, all 18 of them have gotten in the past three games and gotten time, gotten minutes, and it just shows the level of commitment they have and the level of depth that We have on the bench. It makes a difference this late in the season when you have guys who are fresh and can go out and run. I am just really pleased and happy, with the past three or four games we have been playing. We have reconnected as a team.” Nate Shoemaker connected on the two Trojan goals in the contest with Cedar Springs Monday. He also had an assist on Hoeksma’s goal Wednesday night.; Shoemaker and Rowley, a couple ofTrojan Troj defenders, have become key pails of the attack this season. Rowley’s long throw-ins were as good as comer kicks much of the night. Shoemaker was called up to try and get a head on those and on the Trojans’ corner kicks throughout the contest. He just missed getting his head on a couple corner kicks miidway through the first half with FHE in front 1-0. The team is organized enough and we now each other well enough that we know i oema^er^ and Rowley are two go-getters W c?mes to 50-50 balls, along with Jace, ai] i] t I IIs why they are center backs. So, at w en we get those opportunities down there <51.^ — , Lx '.xLi— Ln ■tn toutMfvreii liwii’issBt tet u.** 5SS ft? 5SS: II Thornapple Kellogg senior Ashton Nichols (right) and Forest Hills Eastern's Isaac VanDyke battle for control of the ball out in front of the Hawks' goal during the first half of their OK Gold Conference Tournament match in Ada Wednesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) [on the offensive end], we throw them up and as a team we understand what the shift is. “Our outside backs who are a little smaller and getting up and down the field will pinch to the middle. It is not by accident. It is design. That is what we want. I think [Row­ ley] and [Shoemaker] both have four goals each this season, just from coming up and doing stuff like that. That is a strength of ours, set pieces, so the more set pieces we get the better. etter.” On one flurry following a comer, TK’s Fernando DeSantiago and Isaac Ruth both got good hits on the ball and Shoemaker rolled a pass across the goal-line that proved just out ofreach ofteammate Braden Sharrar. Moments later, the Trojans earned a free kick 35 yards from the end-line along the right sideline. Sharrar flicked the ball backwards where it was saved offthe goal-line by Hawk defender Wes Conkling whose header went directly to the right foot ofRowley in the mid­ dle of the Hawk box. Rowley one-touched it into the lower right corner ofthe goal to tie the score with 16:53 to play in the first half. TK got the go-ahead goal with 21:44 to SSSS play as Shoemaker sent a perfect cross from left to right through the offensive third ofthe field to Hoeksma who was making a run in on goal. Hoeksma ripped a shot by Steenwyk. Getting a ball by the Eastern keeper hasn’t been an easy task for the Trojans this season. Steenwyk held TK to one goal in a 3-1 FHE win in Middleville last month. Nathan really had a great shot at two goals. The Hawk keeper made an outstanding diving save on a low hard shot by Nathan, following an East­ ern turnover, in the closing minutes of the first half. It was announced at halftime that it was Steenwyk’s 100th save ofthe season. Thomapple Kellogg heads into the state postseason with a 8-9-2 overall record this season. One ofthose seven victories was by a 2-1 score over Zeeland East in August. The Trojans were set to see the Chix again yester­ day, Oct. 11, when they played host to an opening round game in their MHSAA Divi­ sion 2 District Tournament. The winner ofthat district match will face second-ranked Holland Christian in the dis­ trict semifinals at Holland High School Tues­ day, Oct. 17. ss kr ^4 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 12, 2023 — Page 11 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Member SIPC Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® Financial Advisor Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-8265 421 W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 When should you sell investments? Lakewood senior libero Carley Piercefield passes a Caledonia serve during their Gold bracket quarterfinal match Saturday afternoon at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood setter Emma Duffy sets up for a serve during her team's loss to Caledonia in the first round of the Gold bracket play Saturday at the Lakewood Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Vikes go five sets with top-ranked team Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings took the first set from the top ranked team in the state in Division 3 Wednes­ day night, fell behind two sets to one, rallied for a fourth set win, but then couldn’t quite finish things off against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. Lakewood’s varsity, volleyball team, ranked third in Division 2, fell by the scores of 22-25, 25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 against the Kestrels. “SMCC is a great team to have to play in a three out of five set match and is exactly why we put the match together as they do not get challenged much in their league . either,” Lakewood head coach Cameron ^Rowland said. The Kestrels have played in the MHSAA Division 3 State Final in three ofthe past four seasons and won two state championships during that stretch. “We serve received exceptionally well,” coach Rowland said. “Our offense looked really good at times. We just have to keep working on the rhythm part of the game to make sure that we are getting more first ball side-out opportunities to limit the runs of the opponent.” Emma Duffy had 26 assists and two kills for the Vikings and Abby Pickard had 18 assists and 15 kills. Alivia Everitt led Lake­ wood with 17 kills and had a team-high four blocks. Maryssa Goble had ten kills and Cadence Poll five. Pickard and Poll had three blocks each, Goble had two and Duffy one. Pickard also had 15 digs and a team-high four aces. Libero Carley Piercefield recorded 37 digs. Goble chipped in 13 digs, Duffy had ten and Camyla Copelin had nine. Lakewood followed up that tough match with a few more tough ones at their own Lakewood Jnvitational Saturday. The Vikings went M in their four-team pool bracket, beating Okemos and falling to Harper Creek. Opening the Gold Bracket play, the Vikings were downed by the eventual tournament runners-up from Caledonia. Rowland said his girls just never really got in a rhythm Saturday. The Vikings did close out their day with a consolation victory over Hamilton. Lakewood returned to Capital Area Activi­ ties Conference White Division play Tuesday improving its record to 5-0 with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-4 win over visiting Ionia. The Lakewood ladies head to the Harper Creek Quad Monday and then will place host to Charlotte for their final home CAACWhite match Tuesday. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 Hying with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody tf children under J8<j This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. If you’re a long-term investor, your portfolio may stay fairly stable over time. However, that doesn’t mean you will never sell any investments. But when should you sell — and why? Here are some scenarios to consider: • If an investment has consistently underperformed — For one reason or another, some investments may not live up to your expectations. Rather than holding these investments in the hope that they will eventually show consistently positive returns, you might be better offselling them and using the proceeds to buy other investments that could help you make progress toward your goals. Keep in mind, though, that short-term price swings are inevitable for virtually all investments, so you may not want to sell an investment afterjust a few price drops, as it may still have strong fundamentals and good prospects. • If the investment itself has changed - The nature of some investments, such as stocks, can change over time. Stocks represent companies, and companies can evolve and adapt — or not. So, you may own shares in a company whose management has changed or whose products are less competitive than they once were. If this company no longer seems like a sound investment, you may consider selling your shares and moving on. • If an investment is “redundant” - Over time, you may have added investments that are similar to others you already own. If you do have too many investments that are alike, you risk not having a fully diversified portfolio, and while diversification can’t always protect against all losses or guarantee profits, it can help reduce the impact of market volatility on your holdings. holdings. _ Consequently, you you might might want want to to sell sell an an investment that may now be “redundant” to your portfolio and replace it with another one that could boost your diversification efforts. • If an investment takes up too much space in your portfolio - If you bought an investment years ago, and it’s grown substantially in value, it could eventually take up more space in your portfolio than you had intended, which could expose you to more risk than you’d like — because too much of any single investment may leave you more vulnerable to market downturns. Of course, if the investment is still appropriate for your needs, and still has a good outlook, you may not want to totally liquidate it, but you could consider scaling back on the shares you own. • Ifyour own needs have STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-023605-DE Court address; 206 West Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Marie Alice Gilbert, Deceased. Date of birth: 10/14/1948. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marie Alice Gilbert, died 02/14/2021. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to James DeForest Gilbert, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 10/9/2023 LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the Circuit Court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Name(s) of the mortgagors): Mark Chellberg and Jennifer Golz, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Nationstar Mortgage LLC Date of Mortgage: September 23,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: October 1, 2021 Amount claimed due on mortgage on the date of notice: $195,472.77 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in the Township of Prairieville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Sixty-Three (63) feet off and from the Westerly side of Lot 53, Supervisor's Plat of Ford’s Point, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Liber 2 of Plats, Page 72, Barry County Records. Also, Lot 55, Supervisor's Plat of Ford's Point, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Liber 2 of Plats, Page 72, Barry County Records. Commonly Known as: 11650 Ramseyer Dr., Plainwell, Ml 49080 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(16) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention Purchaser: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee for any reason. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return ofthe bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, and the purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee's attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: 09/21/2023 Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 251 Diversion Street, Rochester, Ml 48307 248-853-4400 317924 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on November 02, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Richard L. Reyff and Susan V. Reyff, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: The Huntington National Bank as successor by merger with TCF National Bank successor by merger with Chemical Bank FKA Chemical Bank and Trust Company successor by merger with Chemical Bank West successor by merger with Bank West Date of mortgage: June 25, 2001 Recorded on July 3, 2001, in Document No. 1062448, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): None Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Thirty Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty­ Eight and 56/100 Dollars ($30,968.56) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Lot 19, Middleville Downs Addition No 1 to the Village of Middleville, according to the recorded plat thereof in Liber 5 of Plats on Page 4. Commonly known as 314 Stadium Dr, Middleville, Ml 49333 The redemption period will be one year from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. Ifthe above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale will be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee's attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. The Huntington National Bank Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1510778 (09-21X10-12) 206246 (09-28)(10-19) 206609 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Bany County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on October 19, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Gregory R. Keagle, a married man and Christopher M. Daniels, a married man, as tenants in common Original Mortgagee: Albion Investment and Loan LLC Date of mortgage: September 19, 2022 Recorded on September 30, 2022, in Document No. 2022-010189, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): None Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Two Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand One Hundred Thirty-Five and- 00/100 Dollars ($228,135.00) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: Parcel 1: LOT 17 CROOKED LAKE SUMMER RESORT. Parcel 2: LOT 38 CROOKED LAKE SUMMER RESORT. ALSO THAT PORTION OF GWIN'S AVE VACATED IN L.244-96 E'LY OF SAID PROPERTY. Commonly known as 11070 E Shore Dr, Delton, Ml 49046 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Albion Investment and Loan LLC Mortgagee/ Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 2 48.539.7400 1510117 (09-21X10-12) 206258 Bruce R. Redman P46958 5161 Gateway Centre Dr., Suite 100 Flint, Ml 48507 248-508-4333 James DeForest Gilbert 2802 Burlington Dr. Hickory Corners, Ml 49060 269-762-0598 207059 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Wanted WANTED: OLD FASHIONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852-0667. Business Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Paying Premi­ ums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & work­ man's comp, Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and references available. Free es­ timates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. MATT ENDSLEY FABRICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Pets BOXER PUPPIES. 1st shots and wormed. Very cute. Parents on site. $550.517-726-0706. Help Wanted HOW WOULD YOU like the same schedule as your child? Nights, weekends & holidays off. YOU EVEN GET A SNOW DAY!!! FLEX­ IBLE HOURS AVAILABLE. Caledonia Schools Food Service is looking for help. Experience preferred in food & customer service, ability to work in a fast paced environment. If interested in joining our team please call 616-891-0227 from 8am-Noon Mon.-Thurs. Or apply online at aramark.com click on Caledonia Schools. changed - You originally created your investment mix to help you reach certain goals, such as a comfortable retirement. And during much of your working life, you could possibly afford to invest primarily for growth, accepting the risk that comes along with that approach, as you knew you’d have time to potentially overcome the short-term volatility that’s part of investing. But as you near retirement, you may want to lower your risk level. Consequently, you could decide to sell some of your growth-oriented investments and move the money into income-producing ones. However, even during retirement, you’ll still need your portfolio to provide some growth opportunities to help you ahead of inflation. Generally speaking, you may not want to do a lot of selling (or buying) of investments once you’ve built a portfolio that’s appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. But if you are going to sell investments, make sure you do so for the right reasons. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given- under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on November 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) made by Beth Leslie f/k/a Beth Schoendorf and James Leslie, wife and husband, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated March 12, 2015, and recorded on April 3, 2015, Instrument No. 2015­ 002855, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated October 3, 2023, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and recorded October 4, 2023, Instrument No. 2023­ 007817, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage is $51,020.70 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage as stated above, plus interest on the amount due at the rate of 5.75% per annum; all legal costs and expenses, including attorney's fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in the Village of Middleville, County of Barry, State of Michigan described more fully as: Unit 11, East Town Homes, a condominium established by Master Deed, recorded in Instrument No. 1074113, Barry County Records, and being designated as Barry County Condominium Subdivision Plan No. 23, as amended, if any, together with rights in the general common elements and limited common elements as set forth in the Master Deed and as described in Act 59 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1978, as amended. Tax ID No. 08-41-195-011-00 Commonly known address: 136 Irving Road #3, Middleville, Ml, 49333 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holderr for damaging the property during the redemption period October 10, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN* Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street 752-462^ ^ Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) (10-12)(11-09) 207172 �rPage 12 — Tinhuirosd suay, day, vOwctiowbveir 12, 2023 — Ti h u । ieo iHiaaosutinygas oBatninveir m| Saxons stifle Parma conversion try to win Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons fought offa conversion attempt in the final seconds to hold on for a one-point win over Jackson Parma Western at Olivet College Friday and now the Saxons are well on their way to a fourth straight Interstate-8 Athletic Conference championship. Hastings isn’t going to overlook anyone and the Saxons will certainly be looking to be at their best in front ofthe homecoming crowd inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Friday as they play host to a 4-3 Jack­ son Northwest squad. A Saxon victory clinches at least a share ofa conference title for Hastings. Northwest has won two in a row. The Mounties pulled out a 7-6 win at Coldwater last week. The Saxons are 7-0 against the Mounties since joining them in the 1-8. Lakewood is also hosting its homecoming ballgame Friday night. The Vikings host for­ mer Greater Lansing Activities Conference foe Perry. The Ramblers are 5-2 so far this season with a four-game winning streak going after outscoring Stockbridge 14-13 last week. Lakewood is still working for its first victory ofthe season. Thomapple Kellogg got its first win ofthe season in its homecoming ballgame earlierr this month and after a heartbreaker against South Christian last week the Trojans are looking to bounce back in an OK Gold Con­ ference contest against Forest Hills Eastern in Middleville this Friday. The Hawks are 5-2 with their only two losses against the two teams leading the OK Gold Conference - Grand Rapids Catholic Central and South Christian who also meet up this weekend. Delton Kellogg scored, its first win on the field last week, over Decatur, and will try and carry some momentum into its annual Southwestern Athletic Conference battle with Schoolcraft. That ballgame will be held on the turf at Vicksburg High School. The Eagles come into the bailgame at 5-2 overall having suffered a seven-point loss to SAC Valley Division foe Lawton last week. The Maple Valley varsity eight-player football team is looking to bounce back from a loss for the first time this season after get­ ting pushed around at NorthPointe Christian last week. The Lions are home for their final two ballgames of the season including this Friday’s contest with Bangor. The Vikings head into the contest at 4-3 overall. Local Standings (W-L)fplayoff 5- 2, 52.619 Hastings 1- 6, 23.571 Thornapple Kellogg 2- 5, 19.857 Delton Kellogg 0-7, 14.571 Lakewood 6- 1, NA Maple Valley (8-player) Conference Standings (overall, conference) Interstate 8 Athletic Conference 5- 2,4-0 Hastings 6- 1,3-1 Parma Western 5-2, 3-2 Harper Creek 4-3, 2-2 Northwest 3-4, 2-3 Pennfield 2-5, 1-3 Marshall 0-7, 0-4 Coldwater OK Gold Conference 6-1, G.R. Catholic Central 6-1, South Christian 5-2, Forest Hills Eastern Cedar Springs 3- 4, Wayland 4- 3, Kenowa Hills 2-5, Thomapple Kellogg 1-6, Ottawa Hills 0-7, 5-0 5-0 3-2 3-2 2-3 1-4 1-4 0-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Lawton 6- 1, 3-0 Saugatuck 7- 0, 2-0 Schoolcraft 5-2, 1-1 Delton Kellogg 2-5, 0-2 Galesburg-Augusta 1-6, 0-3 CapitalArea Activities Conference White Lansing Sexton 7-0, 6-0 Portland 7-0, 6-0 Charlotte 5-2, 4-2 Ionia 3-4, 3-3 Lansing Catholic 3-4, 2-4 Olivet 2-5, 2-4 Eaton Rapids 1-6, 1-5 Lakewood 0-7, 0-6 Tri-River 8-Man Maple Valley 6-1,2-0 Concord 4-3, 1-1 Britton-Deerfield 2-5, 0-2 Here is a round-up of last week’s local grid­ iron action. Lakewood's Conner Cosme lunges to bring down Olivet quarterback Ty Evert during their CAAC-White bailgame at Olivet High School in the rain Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 207079 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on November 1, 2023, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions ofthe Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. to Lakewood junior quarterback Seth Willette, running the final offensive drive of the night at Olivet for the Vikings, fires an option pitch out to a teammate Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings 20, Parma Western 19 Pushing to knock the Saxons offthe top of the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference for the first time since 2018, previously undefeated Parma Western scored three touchdowns in the final 5 minutes and 35 seconds Friday night. It still wasn’t enough as the Saxons stopped the Panthers’ Alex Trudell on his two-point conversion run with six seconds left on the clock to preserve a 20-19 victory. The Saxons are now 4-0 in the conference with two weeks to play, the last team unbeaten in 1-8 this fall. Parma Western was a perfect 6-0 coming into the contest, and is now 3-1 in 1-8 action. Hastings built a 12-0 lead in the first quar­ ter and held that until the final half of the fourth quarter. Owen Carroll tossed two touchdown passes to wide receiver Jett Bar­ num on the rainy, cold night at Olivet College where the game was moved due to conditions on the Panthers’ home field. (parroll tossed a 16-yajd TD p ass to Bar­ num five minutes into the game to give the Saxons a 6-0 lead. Running back Haiden Simmet made it 12-0 Saxons busting free for a 70-yard TD run with a minute and a halfto go in the first quarter. No one found the end zone again until Parma Western quarterback Reed Myers tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to teammate Caleb Rudd-Jones with 5:35 to play in the game. That cut the Saxon lead in halfto 12-6. Hastings answered that first Panther score a minute and a half later with Carroll con­ necting with Barnum for an 80-yard touch­ down. This time Landon Steward ran in the two-point try to give Hastings a 20-6 lead. The Panthers responded with a one-minute drive that culminated in a five-yard touch­ down run by Alex Trudell, and then got the ball back in the final moments to go in for a seven-yard touchdown pass from Myers to Brody Videto. Simmet had a game-high 12 tackles to lead the Saxon defense and forced a fumble. Aiden SaintAmour had seven tackles. Isaac Friddle had a fumble recovery and Travis Oliver forced a fumble for the Saxons too. The stats were as even as the final score­ board showed. Parma Western actually outgained the Saxons 346-329 on the night. Hastings had 233 yards rushing to the Pan­ thers’ 219. With the big TD pass to Barnum, Carroll finished 2-for-2 passing for 96 yards. On the other side, Myers was 12-of-20 passing for 127 yards and his two TD’s. Steward led the Saxons on the ground with 16 rushes for 83 yards. Simmet had six car­ ries for 75 yards and Isaiah Wilson chipped in 15 carries for 62 yards. Myers rushed seven times for 95 yards for Parma Western and Trudell finished with 15 carries for 91 yards. Ben Parrott was Myers’ top receiving target, hauling in five recep­ tions for 44 yards. Gibson French had a team-high ten tackles for Parma Western. Delton Kellogg 12, Decatur 6 Delton Kellogg recovered a Decatur fum­ ble in the middle of the third quarter at the Raiders’ 20-yard-line and moved in for the go-ahead touchdown on a one-yard TD run by back Cooper Sandusky that accounted for the final points in a 12-6 Panther victory. It is the first victory on the field for the Panthers this season after taking a forfeit win over Hartford in week one. That fumble recovery wasn’t the last big play the Delton Kellogg defense would have to come up with though as the Raider offense kept threatening the end zone at the other end ofthe field for the rest ofthe ballgame. The Raiders pinned the Panthers back in deep in their own territory early in the fourth quarter with a punt, and then a poor snap on a Delton Kellogg punt led to Deca­ tur taking over possession at the Panther 18-yard-line. That possession was thwarted by the Delton Kellogg defense eventually. After two failed runs by the Raiders and a botched snap on the first three plays, Raider quarterback Ryder Gardner heaved a pass into the end zone on fourth down and officials ruled DK defender Dylan Fichtner arrived a moment Too early to break up the play. The pass interference call left the Raiders trying to convert on a fourth-and-2 run inside the Panther tenyard-line, but Gardner was spun down by Wyatt Cowell and the DK defense as he tried to find space around the left side. The Panthers weren’t out of the woods yet. They eventually punted the ball back to the Raiders and in the end hail Mary heave PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Zoning Board of Appeal's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Zoning Board ofAppeal's for receipt prior to the meeting, in care ofthe Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thomp­ son £mthompson(g)pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: A request from property owner Michael Curbey, 15585 Locke Ln, Richland, Ml 49083 for a variance to allow for the construction of a roof over existing deck that fails to meet the waterside setbacks, pursuant to section 4.24 "Waterfront Lots" ofthe Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 15585 Locke Ln, Richland, Ml 49083. Parcel #08-12-280-006-00 and is currently zoned R2-Single and Two Family, Medium Residential. 1* Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board ofAppeals. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS By: Dale Grimes, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 (269) 623-2064 rinHtth^SQUn'Or '!v,de receiver Barnum pulls in one of two touchdown receptions Cr «nll JL eeF i?daxonis hItnt(ePrh statte-b8 ADthletGic Coinfe)rence win over Parma Western at Olivet College Friday night. (Photo by Dan Goggins) by Gardner into a crowd at the DK ten-yardline fell incomplete. Colwell scored the game’s first points on a 70-yard touchdown run by Cowell on the second snap ofthe ballgame. That lead lasted until late in the second quarter when Gardner tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to even things at 6-6. South Christian 29, Thornapple Kellogg 20 South Christian scored the game’s final 13 points in the fourth quarter to keep its undefeated OK Gold Conference record intact heading into a big showdown with fellow conference leader Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The Sailors and Cougars meet up this week both sporting 6-1 overall records and 5-0 marks in the OK Gold. TK is now 1 -6 overall and 1-4 in the conference. Thornapple Kellogg had the lead more often thari'ffrdidhkih'the ballgamewith the' 1 Sailors in the rain and wind at East Kent­ wood’s Falcon Stadium Friday. Thomapple Kellogg took the lead in the bailgame on its first possession, getting a one-yard TD dive from quarterback Grant Middleton. The extra point kick from Braden Sharrar made it 7-0. The Sailors tied things up on a 14-yard touchdown run from Charlie Schurer early in the second quarter, but TK got the lead back before the half. With 11 seconds left on the clock, TK finished off a long drive with a touchdown pass from Middleton to running back Drake Snyder. The Sailors got within one four and a half minutes into the third quarter on South Chris­ tian quarterback Carson Vis’s seven-yard touchdown to Austin Tiesma. The extra-point was no good, leaving TK up 14-13. TK went right back the other way with a drive that ended on a 14-yard touchdown run by Brody Wiersma. This time it was TK’s extra-point try that went awry, leaving TK in front 20-13. The Sailors came right back with a method­ ical drive that culminated in a three-yard touchdown pass from Vis to Jake VerMaas on a play in which Vis batted a high snap into the air and then eluded TK rushers before finding VerMaas in the end zone on a third-down play. The Sailors eyed the lead and went for two, and somehow Sam Weiss managed to keep his feet inbounds along the end-line while pulling in a pass from teammate VerMaas who took a reverse running from left to right and looked to throw. Now trailing, TK faced a third and long in its own end and Middleton had a pass picked off by VerMaas which the Sailor defender returned to the TK 35-yard-line. The TK defense came up with a huge play to get the ball back still down one. Jaxan Sias came off the left end for TK to get into Vis’ face forc­ ing an errant throw that was intercepted by TK teammate Jordan Simpson. TK took over with a little over seven min­ utes to go at the its own 17 and manged one first down, but then faced a fourth and six at their own 32-yard-line. Quick pressure up the middle from the Sailors forced Middleton to scramble before having any chance to get a pass away, and his scramble was brought down short ofthe line to gain. The Sailors took over with three and a half minutes to go and drove in 34 yards for sev­ en--yard touchdown run by Vis. The Sailors chose to go for two points again, looking to push their advantage to two scores with a little over two minutes to go. Vis rolled right away from pressure and managed to hit James VanderArk with a pass on the side ofthe end zone to upped their team’s lead to nine points, sealing the victory for all intents and purposes. Snyder had 15 rushes for 90 yards in the ballgame, but suffered an injury that forced him tot he sideline and set back the TK See FOOTBALL, page 13 I jit 1 1 fl ' • i 1 LwnirtWF - uaWsaiaBb rniRikfliii JR Ibbikidnii IS S1 1***?* ? Xu �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. October 12, 2023 — Page 13 Lion ladies pick up the pace at the Olivet Pink Out Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lions were faster than they’ve been at any time previously this season Saturday at the Olivet Pink Out briritational held at the Country Mill Orchard in Charlotte. The Maple Valley vanity girls’ cross coun­ try team had five of its six runners turn in their best time of the season with four ofthem notching their best time ever. “This is that race that'as coaches we all are waiting for,” Maple Valley head coach Tiffany Blakely said. “The [race that shows the potential ofall of their hard work that they’ve been putting in day after day, but the weather just wouldn’t cooperate. This race the day was perfect and the girls were ready to work hard. In the end, we now have our top three girls only a minute apart.” Junior Isabel Emerick and senior Macken­ zie Decker both took about a minute offtheir previous PR. Emerick placed 35^ in 24 minutes 55.56 seconds and Decker was 37th in Maple Valley's Addison Shank (left) and Isabel Emerick (right) make their way along ■ the course at the Olivet Pink Out in Charlotte Saturday. 24:59.93. The Lion team was led by senior Lilly Faurot who placed 28^ in 23:43.12. Sophomore Addison Shank blew past her goal and dropped about two minutes from her time for the Lions to place 73r<* in 32:10.56. Brianna Gurd and Arial Coleman, a pair of Lions juniors, pushed together for new season-best times. Coleman improved her PR to 35:52.31 in placing 82n<^. Gurd fin­ ished 81st in 35:28.50. Charlotte won the girls’ championship with 46 points ahead of Sparta 56, Belding 65, Olivet 144, Portland St. Patrick 185, Portland 203 and Maple Valley 213. Jackson Northwest sophomore Chloe Khon won the girls’ race in 19:32.44. Sparta freshman Mia May was the runner-up in 19:55.59 and Olivet senior Olivia Gessner placed third in 20:24.75. In the boys’ race, Maple Valley got a per­ sonal record from freshman Quincy Page who placed 54“* in 21:58.46. Freshman Tyler Curtis led the Lion team with a 45th-place finish in 21:03.97. The Lions also had freshman Brayden Joseph 66^ in 26:19.03 and senior Robert Laws 67t" in 26:55.78. “Like the girls, the boys had a really great race day,” Blakely said. “We were joined by our soccer runner again, freshman Tyler Cur­ tis, who improved on his last time to once again lead the team. Freshman Quincy Page also ran a new personal best by nearly a min­ ute and is excited to keep on improving that time. He’s working on getting under 20 min­ utes and is excited when he keeps making progress toward that.” Joseph was just offhis personal best time. Sparta won the boys’ race with 55 points ahead ofOlivet 63, Charlotte 113, Northwest 128 and Lansing Waverly 178. Olivet senior Lucas Hopkins was the indi­ vidual champion in 16:25.09 — his best time ofthe season. Charlotte junior Braylen Eaton was the runner-up in 17:00.88 and Sparta was led to the team title by junior Justin Bradford who placed third in 17:01.46. The Lion teams returned to action Tuesday at the second Big 8 Conference Jamboree of the season, hosted by Concord. The Maple Valley girls were sixth and the boys seventh at the race. Curtis and Joseph both set their PR’s with Curtis finishing 24^ in 20:39.47. Joseph was 46th in 25:06.39. FOOTBALL, continued from page 12 Handful of DK guys and gals improve their PR’s at Portage attack. Fellow senior Ethan Bonnema closed the game with ten rushes for 70 yards. Sias had three receptions in the game for 37 yard for TK. Zach Eldridge had a 22-yard catch. Middleton was 5-of-ll passing for 66 yards and the one TD to Snyder. « Whit jwawSffiB ffiB-tritely . taJdtytfcHifc HlhfepistidGni irnia® Hfl aBBitfliBiM ■ rn it j ■■ ■ •“ k .j&asLfflS 6fe»ion^f i**" Olivet 22, Lakewood 6 Senior quarterback Seth Willette came on late and fired a 16-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Brennen Lehman for the Vikings’ lone points on a soggy, cool night at Olivet High School Friday. The Olivet varsity football team scored a 22-6 win over the visiting Lakewood team in a bailgame that was tied 0-0 at the half. The only spark either offense found during a rainy first half in which they traded turn­ overs came from Eagle senior Tayven Feldpausch. He took a pass in the left flat nine yards for a first down late in the first halfand followed up with a 17-yard run on ajet sweep around the left side. Prior to that, the two teams had combined forjust four first downs in the first half. The Eagles came out in second half and turned that spark into a flame putting Feldpausch to work as halfback in> the tlrfonmotipo and just powering forward between the hash marks to take control ofthe game. Four runs by Feldpausch took the Eagles from their own 47-yardline to start the first drive ofthe second halfto the Viking 12, and Feldpausch eventually scored the first points ofthe game on a threeyard run with 9:42 to play in the third quarter. “We knew this could be a changeup that Olivet was going to do,” Lakewood head coach Matt Markwart said. “He made some good cuts, but we over pursued or we jumped inside when we shouldn’t have.” After a turnover on downs by the Vikings at their own 34-yard-line, the Eagles went 34 yards bn three runs by Feldpausch. He scored on a 24-yard run through the right side ofthe line that moved his team to a 12-0 lead with 6:19 to go in the third quarter. A 46-yard pass from Eagle quarterback to Ty Evert to Teegan Otto, in which Otto plowed through one tackler after another, put the Eagles in position for their final TD at the Viking 15-yard-line. Feldpausch took a carry from the 15 to the 12 and then rushed into the end zone from there on the next snap. The extra-point extended the Eagle lead to 19-0 with three min­ utes yet to play in the third quarter. The Eagle lead got to 22-0 after a 25-yard field goal by Alec Raymond with 6:03 to go in the fourth quarter. Lehman’s touchdown came at the end ofa six-play, 58-yard drive by the Vikings that ended with 3:30 to play. The Viking defense had been stellar in the first half. Lakewood forced a turnover on downs near midfield on the Eagles’ first drive and forced a punt on the only other Olivet possession of the first quarter. Senior Eli Jablonski intercepted a pass on the Eagles’ first offensive snap ofthe second quarter. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ and girls’ cross country teams had a handful of runners set new personal record times as they competed in the Division 3 races at the massive annual Portage Invitational Saturday at Portage West Middle School. The Delton Kellogg girls’ team had three of its top seven runners Saturday turn in their best time ever. That trio was led by junior Kylie Main who placed 157^ in 23 25:44.8. Junior Ethan Rimmer led the Delton Kellogg boys’ team with a time of 18:33.3 that put him in 125^ place. DK junior Brock Hickerson was 179^ in 19:28.6 and DK also got PR’s from sophomore I_z_a_-_ senior Rhys Bedford placed 226^ m belle Gruber who. was 215^ in 25:07.0 and . . 20:0377. :0377. The DK boys were 33Td in a field of 36 semor Mia Ploog who was 290^ in 27:32.0. minutes 44.5 seconds. Senior Samantha O’Meara was the lead­ er ofthe Panther pack Saturday. She hit the finish line 148^ in 23:33.5. DK junior Johannah Houtkooper placed 170^ in 24:01.0 andjunior Jillian Leclercq was 182nd in 24:16.4 to round out the top Hastings running back Haiden Simmet has nothing but open space ahead on a run during the Saxons' 20-19 win over Parma Western at Olivet College Friday which put Hastings alone in first place atop the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference standings. (Photo by Dan Goggins) A great punt by Connor Cosme pushed Oliv­ et deep into its own end with a little over nine minutes to go in the first half. The Vikings downed the kick at the Eagle seven-yard-line. The Viking defense allowed one first down and then forced an Eagle punt - which wasn’t as successful as Cosme’s previous one. The Lakewood offense took over at the Eagle 37-yard-line. A drive powered mostly by junior back Ethan Goodemoot got the Vikings inside the Eagle 15-yard-line before a fumble gave the ball back to the hosts - tak­ ing away the best field position either team had earned all night to that point. “All year we have had problems putting a whole game together,” Markwart said. “The time that we are having problems is getting shorter, but it is still causing us problems in the games. The team is still playing hard and working hard and willing to work to fix the mistakes we are making.” The Lakewood boys are still working for their first win in the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division while the Eagles moved to 2-4 the conference with the victory. NorthPointe Christian 38, Maple Valley 0 Maple Valley varsity eight-player football coach Marty Martin gave his guys the choice between a couple opponents for week seven S Sxz 1 Swi w I O’ - Hastings defender Isaac Friddle smothers Parma Western ballcarrier Aiex i ruaen along the sideline as the Saxons score a 20-19 win over the Panthers in their Interstate-8 Athletic Conference contest at Olivet College Friday. (Photo by Dan Goggins) Hart junior Jessica Jazwinski was the individual champion in the girls’ race with a time of 17:30.9. Lumen Christi senior Madison Osterberg led her team to the championship with a runner-up time of 17:44.7. Central Montcalm junior Kyah Hoffinan was third in a PR of 17:50.8. Sophomore Nick Muday and freshman Isaiah Kellogg ran personal record times for the DK boys at Portage. Muday placed 210^ in 19:49.9 and Kellogg was 365^ in •ofthe varsity football season. The team wanted a shot at NorthPointe Christian. The Lions accepted the challenge, but couldn’t overcome the talented Mustangs in a 38-0 loss in Grand Rapids Friday. “They were physically bigger and psychi­ cally stronger,and we had a hard time block­ ing them and a hard time tackling them,” Maple Valley head coach Marty Martin said. “The kids played hard,” he added. “They did everything we could ask from them. That’s the game of football, sometimes you play against teams that are better than you.” Jamari Hughes rushed 12 times for 120 yard and two touchdowns for the Mustangs, and quarterback Logan Hedlund was 3-of-3 passing for 87 yards. Hedlund rushed for two touchdowns and threw two touchdown passes to Alex Pranger who caught all three Mustang pass attempts. NorthPointe Christian scored the first points of the game on a 49-yard pass from Hedlund to Pranger and the Mustangs went on to increase their lead to 20-0 by the half. Hughes scored his first touchdown on a sev­ en-yard run in the second quarter. Hedlund connected with Pranger on an eight-yard touchdown pass before the half. Hedlund had touchdown runs of eight yards and one yard in the third quarter, and Hughes scored on a 13-yard run. NorthPointe Christian held Maple Valley to 86 yards total for the night. Evan Branden­ burg led the Lion offense with 11 rushes for 69 yards. “Evan Brandenburg had a really good night on both sides ofthe ball,” coach Martin said. “Andrew Shepard got hurt last week. He was able to play our opening drive and he was limited after that, and towards the end of the first half he just couldn’t go. This is Evan’s first year of football and he doesn’t like contact. Tonight, it didn’t seem to bother him playing against the biggest team we have played, the strongest team we have played. He was running guys over and he was tackling guys. He really played well.” The Lions didn’t have much luck passing the ball. Senior quarterback Ayden Wilkes was 1-for-l passing for six yards while junior Jake McDonald was 0-of-6 throwing the ball. Nick Martin led the Lion defense with 12 tackles and Callan Hoefler had eight. James Penny and Wilkes had five tackles each. Coach Martin said he was pretty happy with the job Hoefler and James Wiggs did on the outside ofthe Lion defense - setting the edge. five scorers for the DK team. There was field of 31 full teams and more than 340 runners in the D3 girls’ race Saturday. Jackson Lumen Christi won the team title with 83 points ahead ofTraverse City St. Francis 104, Pewamo-Westphalia 139, Covenant Christian 149 and Central Mont­ calm 169 in the top five. The Delton Kel­ logg girls were 281*1 as a team. full teams. Traverse City St. Francis won the D3 boys’ championship with 98 points ahead of Pewamo-Westphalia 149, Covenant Christian 155, Hanover-Horton 181 and Jonesville 210 in the top five. Pewamo-Westphalia senior Collin Farm­ er was the individual champion in 15:40.3. Hart freshman Robert Jazwinski III placed second in 15:51.4 and Coloma senior Boden Genovese set his PR at 15:55.6 to place third. There were five guys who hit the finish line in less than 16 minutes. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 207052 NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT APPLICATION AT NOVEMBER 1 2023 REGULAR MEETING THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on November 1,2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The items to be considered at this public hearing include the following: The application of Holly Kidder for special land use approval of a proposed “family business” (candle production workshop) within a fully enclosed accessory building on property in the Country Residential District commonly known as 596 Noah Drive (parcel no. 13-016-012-30). The Planning Commission will consider this application pursuant to §220-5-3.C of the Rutland Charter Township Code, and the special land use approval standards specified in §220-20-3.A. and §220-20-7, Item 4 of the Code; and any other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Such other matters as may properly come before the Planning Commission at this meeting; including a site plan for the development specified in the preceding paragraph submitted for review and potential Planning Commission approval at this meeting. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting, and may further be submitted to the Planning Commission at the public hearing/meeting. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Zoning Map, Master Plan, and the above-referenced special land use application may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day of the hearing/ meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 TO: �Hastings junior Troy Hokanson works to get by Parchment's Cayden Brown along the sideline during the second half of their non-conference match on Pierce Field in Hastings Monday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Hastings and Parchment varsity boys' soccer teams gather with Hastings community members, classmates and friends and family of Bayne Signeski, who passed away unexpectedly in July a couple months after graduating from Hastings High School. A new flag pole and field markers were dedicated to Signeski's memory in ceremony before the senior night match on Pierce, Field Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Hastings senior Eastin Tibble gets high off the turf to try and get his head on a Saxon comer kick during the second half of hi§ team's win over visiting Parchment on Pierce Field Monday eve­ ning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Saxons honor seniors, and Signeski in win Brett Bremer Sports Editor At some point early on in the season it became clear that senior center back Serg Arias needed to be the Saxon to trot up to the box and put the ball on the spot should the Saxons be awarded a penalty kick. He was a perfect 2-for-2 on PK’s, and added an assist as well, as the Hastings varsi­ ty boys’ soccer team scored a 4-2 win over visiting Parchment Monday. It was senior night at Pierce Field in Hast­ ings and the final match ofthe 2023 regular season for the Saxons. Hastings will go to Otsego Thursday, Oct. 12, to face the Bull­ dogs in the opening round of their MHSAA Diyisjpp ^Dj^trict Tournament. “Serg is money, every time. It was a no-brainer that we Use Serg for that,” Hast­ ings head coach Matt Hokanson said. Serg was one of five Saxon seniors hon­ ored along with his parents at halftime. The group also included Charlie Nickels, Evan Osenbaugh, Eastin Tibble and Cristofer Her­ nandez Avalos. The Saxons moved their record to 5-16 with the win. Parchment ends the regular season at 10-6-1. Some back and forth with the ball between Saxon juniors McKinney Jiles and Troy Hokanson led to their team’s first goal with 24:42 to play in the first half. Jiles got one shot offin a crowd in the Parchment box and then beat everyone to it and took a second swing at the ball to make sure it made it across the line. “It has been a point of emphasis the past two weeks that we have really had to focus on our offense,” coach Hokanson said. “At the start ofthe season, we really had to focus on our defense because our defense is so young. That was our main focus. As the defense came together and it was clicking, before Charlie got hurt back there, we kind of switched our focus to the attack. It has been a slow process trying to get all those guys working together. “Troy and Mickey have been playing with each other since they were five years.old. They grew up playing,in the club in Hastings, to TASC to Midwest United. They just have that automatic chemistry. Tonight, there were a couple balls where they were off. Mickey wanted Troy to go one way, but Troy was going another way. You will have that some times. They communicate well together. At practice, that has been our huge focus trying to get everybody on that same page.” The Saxon head coach was pleased with those two as usual, and liked some of the work up top by the senior Tibble tod. There were three PK goals in the second half. Parchment earned one five and a half minutes into the second half, with freshman Cameron Wagner getting tripped up moving across the top ofthe'Saxon box box, and convert­ ed to pull even at 141. Arias helped snap that tie with a long free kick from the Saxqns’ side of midfield that Ji les managed to secure behind the Panther defense and tap into the net to snap the tie and put Hastings in front for good. A Parchment defender stabbed at Troy Hokanson as he maneuvered through the Pan­ ther box as the clock ticked under 16 minutes to play in the second half, earning the Saxons’ their first PK ofthe night which Arias blasted just by the Parchment keeper for a 3-1 advan­ tage. Arias scored his second PK goal with just under five minutes to play as heavy pres­ sure had the Parchment keeper (w9ll(fqff his line and he took dqwn a Saxon, attacker as they rushed towardsf£he edge ofthe box. In between those , jtwo goals, the Panthers did pull back within 3-2 with Parchment’s Darius Baker beating Saxon keeper Dan Jen­ sen to a long ball into the box by inches and chipping a shot up that glanced offthe cross bar, down and in with just over 11 minutes left in the game. While the Saxons honored their seniors at halftime, they spent time before the match honoring the memory of 2023 graduate and former Saxon varsity soccer player Bayne Signeski who passed away unexpectedly in July. The tribute had been planned for last Thursday, but heavy rains forced the post­ ponement ofthat match and the Saxons were thankful to find a new opponent for Monday to allow for the tribute. A new flag pole and field markers have been placed at the northwest comer ofPierce Field where a small ceremony led by Hast­ ings High School athletic director Mike Gog­ gins was held for family, friends, former teammates and classmates. Family friend Steve Hoke, a former Saxon athletic director and assistant principal, spoke to the crowd and shared a message from Signeski’s family with the Hastings and Parchment teams gathered around. He recalled Signeski being smart, funny, strong-willed and, someone that loved unconc|itipnally.,. Hoke shared a message with the players, “Did you follow in Bayne’s path. Did you play smart? Did you care when you were playing? Did you care about not only your teammates, but the rest ofthe people on the field? Did you care about the game of soccer itself? Did you play with your whole heart, or was this a night that you were thinking about something else and you weren’t into the game as much as you should have been. Before the game started, did you set your mind to something, and if you did did you set your mind and follow through with every single thing that you have? “Those would be the things that Bayne would want you to do. Those are the things that he did in his life. He would want you to be kind. He would want you to go after this game with passion and integrity.” Goggins said that the flag pole and field marker have been made possible with many donations from the Saxon family of students, former soccer players, family friends and the Hastings Saxon Athletic Boosters. Wood was donated for the field markers by Buskirk Lumber Mill in Freeport and Gog­ gins said that they were cut and milled by a 2010 Hastings graduate and former Saxon soccer player, Jon Northrop. The rough cut lumber was then prepped, sanded, finished and plaques were mounted and installed the Saxons’ own building trade students undej the guidance, of. teachers Jason Hoefler and Mike Schniederhan. ^*1 “The family wants to thank the community of Hastings,” Hoke said, “wants to thank al! oftheir friends and wants to thank them foj showing their love and support over the last few months. The last few months as you caq imagine have not been easy for any ofus, but especially the family, special thanks going out to the soccer team, the school and the athletic department for honoring Bayne and finding a way for him to be remembered lik^ we are here today. “Like I said at the family’s memorial for Bayne, don’t shed tears for having lost Bayne shed tears ofhappiness that you knew him.’’* TK singles player win top flights at OK Gold tourney Brett.Bremer Sport Editor Thomapple Kelloggjunior Kameron Nich­ ols proved the OK Gold Conference’s top player this fall going 10-0 in his conference matches including a perfect 3-0 day at the OK Gold Conference Championship Tournament Wednesday. The Thomapple Kellogg boys had their best-ever finish at the OK Gold Conference Tournament, played on the courts at TK and South Christian High School, placing second behind only the conference champions from Forest Hills Eastern who are currently ranked fourth in the state in Division 3. Nichols went 6-0 at first singles during the conference duals, aijd won a match against Grand Rapids Catholic Central at second sin­ gles. Nichols got to face the Cougars* top player, Charlie Lindemann, at the conference tournament Wednesday and pulled out a three-set victory after falling in a tiebreaker in the opening set oftheir match. Lindemann outscored Nichols 7-4 in their first-set tiebreaker, but Nichols rallied forr a 6-0 win in the second set and then finished offthe win with a 6-1 win in the third set of the championship match. Lindemann was playing his second three-setter of thee tournament after he knocked off Kenowa Hjlls’ Logan TenBrink 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in the semifinals. Nichols opened his championship run with a 6-0,6-2 win over Wayland’s Austin Graham and then beat Ike Schroetenboer from South Christian 6-3, 6-0 in the semifinals. Rapha?l Fre Fresse De Monval, who filled the first singles spot in the Trojans’ regular season dual with Catholic Central beforee set set-­ tling in at second singles, won his flight too He outscored Forest Hills Eastern ’s Justin Hunter 6-3, 6-4 in the championship round Members of the Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys' tennis team celebrate their team's runner-up finish at the OK Gold Conference Tournament Wednesday on the courts at South Christian High School. t after opening his day with convincing wins over the number two players from Wayland and South Christian. DeMonval’s only loss so far this season was a tight defeat against Lindemann in their conference dual. He has gone 9-0 at second singles since then. As a team, TK went 4-2-1 in OK Gold Conference duals this fall. The Trojan team also had Jacob Draaisma place second at third singles and Franklin Wilkinson place fourth at fourth singles. On the doubles side, the TK team got a fourth-place finish from the number one team ofAnson Verlinde and Aidan Dudik. Dylan Bailey and Andrew Beckering at second douj bles, Daniel Beckering and Tom Lorach at third doubles and Landon Conroy and Kyan Haywood at fourth doubles all placed third at their flights. The TK were set to return action yesterday^ Oct. 11, at their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional Tournament hosted by Holland High School. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-10-19.pdf de69fc2ad35a432a3e5eeb9d653e570a PDF Text Text BIRCH has, and continues to, serve community well Lakewood duo wins state See story on page 4 See story page 9 equestrian title Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 0704901025905023891149058113421 ------------------- CAR-RT LOT"' Richard Hemerling 421 N TI afnfee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-11347/30/2024 9:25:00 AM ino 1 ll'NOd ANNER Thursday, October 19, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 42 PRICE $1.50 Road Commission names headquarters after retiring managing director make the best decision possible. For all this, I’d like to say a heartfelt ‘thank you.’ Thank StaffWriter you for making the Barry County Road Com­ “Dependable. Predictable. Results-orientmission the top (road commission) in the ed ... consistent, competitive, a mentor.” state ofMichigan.” This is how Barry County Road Commis­ sioner Frank Fiala described outgoing Road Lamberg thanked the commissioners for their kind words. Commission Managing Director Brad Lam­ berg on Tuesday, in paying tribute to the man “It means a lot. Ijust want to thank you all. who has led the county road agency since I appreciate all the friends and family I have October 1997. here ... I won’t forget it. Thanks,” said Lam­ Moments later, commissioners unanimous­ berg, who was joined at Tuesday’s meeting ly approved a resolution renaming the Road by his wife, Michelle. Commission’s administrative headquarters as Lamberg is leaving the Road Commission the Bradley S. Lamberg Administration at a time where the county’s road network is Building. ranked the best in the state, as measured by “The Bany County road commissioners the Michigan Transportation Asset Manage­ wish to honor Mr. Lamberg for his exception­ ment Council, which provides independent al service and have his legacy remembered by data on the condition of Michigan’s roads future generations,” Assistant Managing and bridges. Director Jake Welch read from the resolution. In the most recent assessment of roads Lamberg will officially retire at the end of that are under the Road Commission’s juris­ the year. He is the longest-serving managing diction (not including state highways such director in the Road Commission’s 107-year as M-37, M-43 and M-179), only 3.1 per­ history, Welch said. cent of them are rated in poor condition. “You have left this organization and the Meanwhile, 53.4 percent ofthe roads under taxpayers of Barry County in an exceptional jurisdiction of the Road Commission are position for future success,” Road Commis­ rated in good condition and 43.6 percent are sion Board Chairman David Solmes said. rate in fair condition. By comparison, in “While it wasn’t alwayspopular.you have 2012,26.2 percent of Barry County roads always chosen to do what is right andnotjust under Road Commission jurisdiction were take the easy route. rated in poor condition, according to the “You took time to make sure the board had TAMC website. sufficient information - at times a little too much information - but you always took time See COMMISSION, page 2 to make sure we had the best information to Greg Chandler From left, Barry County Administrator Michael Brown, County Road Commission Board Chairman David Solmes, retiring Managing Director Brad Lamberg, Road Commissioner Frank Fiala and Road Commissioner Jim James in front of the Road Commission administrative offices, which will now be known as the Bradley S. Lamberg Administration Building. (Photo provided) County board to sign resolution pushing back on state's effort to take permitting power for wind, solar projects Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Board of Commission­ ers is expected to sign a resolution that will signal to the state that Barry County opposes its current efforts to commandeer permitting powers for large wind and solar projects. The state lawmakers are currently working through a multi-bill package that would allow the state to overrule county and township governing bodies when it comes to permitting these green energy projects with a capacity of over 50 megawatts. Rural counties and townships have fre­ quently slowed or derailed solar and wind energy projects in the past, a dynamic that could serve as a significant roadblock for the current administration’s lofty green energy goals, which include achieving 100 percent carbon neutrality by 2050. See SOLAR, page 2 Shults and Meeker honored as HHS homecoming royalty _ From left to right, commissioners Catherine Getty, Mike Callton and Mark Doster discuss the issue of permitting powers for commercial wind and energy projects during Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Barry County Committee of the .Whole. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) City receives $474,500 grant to fund streetscape project, closes funding gap Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings was awarded a major windfall for its downtown streetscape project. The project, which is currently ongoing and poised to transform the sidewalks along the State Street corridor, received $474,500 earlier this month as part of the Revitalization arid Placemaking Program, an incentive pro­ gram administered by the Michigan Econom­ ic Development Corporation. 'Economic development organizations Greater Muskegon Economic Development, Lakeshore Advantage and The Right Place collaborated to solicit and rank 41 applica­ tions in the West Michigan region, awarding a total of$6.1 million to 17 projects. See GRANT, page 3 Crews are working their way up State Street as they carry out renovations to sidewalks as part of a major streetscape project. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Seniors Rile)/ Shults (right) and Lovey Meeker are crowned the 2023 Hastinqs High School homecoming king and queen during a ceremony at halftime of the Saxon varsity football team's victory over Jackson Northwest Friday inside Baum �Page 2 — Thursday, October 19,2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Women’s Giving Circle of Barry County contributes to Battle Creek Education Center Members ofthe Women’s Giving Circle ofBarry County voted at their Aug. 2 meeting to contribute funds to the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center’s Clear Lake Camp. Women’s Giving Circle members met for their latest meeting at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. Members meet quarterly to learn about Barry County nonprofit organizations and contribute to one, voted on by members present. This quarter’s donations to the Clear Lake Camp rang in at $6,000. This brings the total donations ofWomen’s Giving Circle members to $296,865 since the group began in 2013, benefiting over 30 Barry County nonprofit organizations. Members of the Women’s Giving Circle commit to contributing $50 per quarter or $30 per quarter if under age 30. Women are encouraged to learn about andjoin the Women’s Giving Circle at any time by contacting one of the organizing members: Caroline Dim­ mers, Stephanie Fekkes, Sue Kolanowski, Debra McKeown, Kim Norris, Carla Wil­ son-Neil or Nancy Goodin by email, NanGoodin@aol.com. Information, which includes guidelines and a membership form, will be emailed to interested women. The Women’s Giving Circle of Barry County Michigan also has a Facebook page. The next meeting ofthe Women’s Giving Circle group is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. Hastings Tractor Supply Company store to host Halloween pet photos Tractor Supply Company is inviting customers to celebrate the Halloween season with a pet photo event at its Hastings store. On Saturday, Oct 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., customers can bring in their four-legged family members, with or without a costume, to have their photos taken by a local photographer. The first 25 participants will also receive a free magnetic picture frame. In addition to the pet photos, customers will also have the opportunity to enjoy a pet costume contest. This event is open to the public and will take place at 2490 W. M-43 Hwy. More infor­ mation can be found by contacting the Hastings Tractor Supply at 269-945-1477. Salvation Army’s Golden Kettle contest returns next month The Salvation Army is once again starting the Christmas Golden Kettle Campaign, its biggest fundraising effort for the year. The campaign starts nationwide on Saturday, Nov. 10, and ends on Dec. 24. The initial version ofthe Golden Kettle Competition brought out support from many local service clubs, but help was also received from clubs further away. The Christmas Campaign will include volunteer bell ringers at a total of 13 kettle locations that will be spread across the counties with kettles in Battle Creek, Hastings, Marshall and Albion. The sites will include Family Fare stores, Walmart stores, Sam’s Club, Horrocks Market, Hobby Lobby, and possibly some other retail locations. Some counter kettles will also be found in several local businesses and restaurants. The Salvation Army will share updates on standings as to who is leading and how the funds are increasing towards its ultimate goal. That campaign goal will be announced in early November. Service clubs and volunteers in Hastings are encouraged to get involved. There are only two locations with kettles in Hastings: Walmart and Family Fare. Groups can join their brothers and sisters in other areas to put out a solid, collective effort to raise the most money for the.Christmas Campaign. ............ Mika Roinila Willvisit the Hastings KiwnniSClub on Oct.'25. He hopes to visit other Hastings service clubs soon to talk? about the outreach and mission ofThe Salvation Army, Which is to “preach the gospel ofJesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination”. The funds raised in the Christmas Kettle Campaign directly help The Salvation Army remain in operation. All service clubs in Calhoun and Barry counties are encouraged to participate. Businesses! interested.in hosting a counter kettle can call the local Salvation Army office at 269-963-3640. Volunteer sign-ups are available at RegisterToRing.com. Individuals and groups can pick their shifts, locations and dates online. MDHHS recommends vaccinations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV The Michigan Department ofHealth and Human Services (MDHHS) is recommend­ ing residents get the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to protect themselves and their communities against respiratory viruses this upcoming season. Getting vaccinated is critical because flu, COVID-19 and RSV frequently spread at the same time ofyear. Residents can get their COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu. vaccine and RSV vaccine ifthey are eligible. Vaccinations are safe, effective strategies to protect residents, their families and communities from illness. Adults ages 65 years and older are recommended to receive one ofthe following if available: high-dose influenza vaccine, adjuvanted influenza vaccine or recombinant influenza vaccine, over the standard-dose influenza vaccine. If none of the recommended vaccines are available, any age-appropriate vaccine should be used and the opportunity to be vaccinated should not be missed. The flu vaccine is the best way to reduce risk from the seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications. Each year, flu vaccination reduces the burden ofinfluenza significantly in the United States preventing millions of illnesses, and thousands ofhospitalizations and deaths. Visit Michigan.gov/flu for more information or visit IVaccinate.org to find answers to your vaccine questions. CORRECTION: An advertisement for Historic Charlton Park on page 11 of the Oct. 14 issue ofthe Hastings Reminder incorrectly stated that the park’s All Hallows Eve event is Oct. 18. The actual date ofthe event is Oct. 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. . F 6. SPRAYFOAM to *0^ Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass L Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248* Mobile (269) 838-51121 //SI 10376 & Insured County employees see cost of health benefits stabilize, find avenue for savings Jayson Bussa Editor Employees of Barry County will likely breathe a sigh ofreliefwhen they see a finan­ cial breakdown of the various health insur­ ance plans being offered for next year. With enrollment poised to open in the early weeks of November, representatives from the Health Care Cost Containment Committee appeared in front ofthe county’s Committee ofthe Whole on Tuesday morning to provide a rundown ofthe available plans. Last year, county employees saw a signifi­ cant bite taken out of their paychecks to address soaring premium payments./ But, through measures taken by the Health Care Cost Containment Committee and the coun­ ty’s administration office, these employees will find some relief. But, that’s not to say that the insurance market is a favorable one in the least, with employees around the country facing fast-ris­ ing premium payments. Barry County employees are at an additional disadvantage because of their high usage rate, which includes a large amount of what insurance companies call “super users,” or those whose yearly claims exceed $50,000. This usage drives up costs for all employees. As a reference on how rates have held steady for county employees for next year, a Blue Care Network HMO standard plan in the coming year will require a single individual to pay $32.86 per pay period as opposed to $33.54 per period last year. On that same plan, a family will pay $179.37 per pay period which is about a dollar less than last year. Employees will also find an avenue for significant cost savings after the county has joined a new insurance pool of nearly 150 entities. A traditional plan in this new pool will cost a single person $16.63 per pay peri­ od and a family $68.09. Deputy County Administrator Luella Den­ nison said these cost savings were attributed to the purchasing power ofthe pool. “I think it’s important that your board and body understands that every year, it’s kind of a juggling act,” Stephanie Lehman, director ofBarry County Central Dispatch and mem­ ber of the Health Care Cost Containment Committee, told commissioners on Tuesday; “It’s a play on numbers ifyou will.” “The committee, even the newer members! ofthe committee, knew we had to do some-i thing different this year,” she added. “Front an administrative perspective, this absolutely impacts our recruitment and retention and I think it’s important for everyone to know that one thing we cannot change is our claims data — our utilizations. And ours is high.” Lehman said that moving to the new pool was a “slam dunk” this year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the county won’t face sim­ ilar issues in the future. Dennison also noted that this year’s enrollment will be done on paper as there will not be enough time to set up online enrollment. € SOLAR, continued from page 1 The package of bills would allow energy companies to go directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission, which would yield the power to permit such projects. Representative Abraham Aiyash, a Demo­ crat from Hamtramck, is the lead sponsor on the package of bills and has contended that urban areas have long and disproportionately shouldered energy production for the state through coal and gas production. He, and supporters ofthe package, say that this would spread renewable energy production around the state more proportionately. But, that’s not what many residents and leaders in rural areas like Barry County think - areas that stand to become inundated by such projects as energy companies generally choose open, agricultural lands to meet the size and scope oftheir projects. Consumers Energy is already eying farm­ land in Assyria Township to install a solar farm, waiting for the Barry County Planning Commission to draft ordinances that would give them parameters to work- within. As seen in the last couple of weeks at Board of Commissioners meetings, local farmers are sounding the alarm on what relinquishing permitting power could do for the area. This was also a topic ofdiscussion at Tues­ day’s Committee of the Whole meeting, where Commissioner Jon Smelker added an agenda item to discuss signing a resolution drafted by the Michigan Association ofCoun­ ties (MAC) - to which Barry County belongs - opposing the legislation. “The governor has proposed the Michigan ‘Public Service Commission be the sole regu­ lating authority for solar and wind projects to expedite these efforts and by granting the Michigan Public Service Commission this authority, local control will be preempted,” the resolution states. “Should local control be preempted, a county, township city or.village would be unable to determine the location, size, setback distance, decibel level or any other criteria for a solar or wind facility,” it continued. Smelker discovered the resolution in regu­ lar communication emails from MAC and thought it served the best interests of Barry County residents to sign andjoin like-minded counties. “I would like to see us move this to the full board as soon as we can,” Smelker said. Most commissioners that spoke on Tuesday equivocally opposed the state taking permit­ ting powers from local government entities, but not all commissioners felt that signing such a resolution would help their cause. Commissioner Mark Doster pointed to a resolution brought to the board by the Barry County Republican Party earlier this year that asked the board to declare Barry County a “Second Amendment Sanctuary City,” that would distance itselffrom gun laws that over­ reached constitutional rights. The board mulled it over before amending the language and ultimately not taking action on it after all. The board’s stance at that time was that it needed to focus on conducting the county’s business and not tackling statewide issues If1 that it had no power over. Doster said that this current resolution falls into the same category. “It’s still a symbolic resolution,” he said. “This is something that is beyond the purview of this board. We used this same argument when we denied the resolution that came before us (earlier this year) ... If we start looking at these advisory-type resolutions, we can just get sucked down a hole oftime and effort when it’s something that we actual­ ly don’t vote on.” This time, though, some commissioners disagreed with that notion. “The county planning commission is responsible for doing exactly what is being addressed here,” said Commissioner David Hatfield, who also serves as the chair for the Hastings Planning Commission. “It’s in our ballpark because they’re trying to take some­ thing away from us as well as away from our townships. I think we do have an interest in this that is different from the situation that you cite.” Commissioner Mike Callton, who previously served as a State Representative, also pointed out that the MAC and the Michigan Township Association are strong lobbies in Lansing and that signing on to support their effort will indeed carry weight. “It I may seem like we’re little Barry Coun­ ty and it’s symbolic but our muscle in Lansing is the Michigan Association of Coun­ ties, Callton said. It’s a strong lobby group and with us will be the Michigan Township Association. That’s our right and left punch on this issue and we all have to be together on this issue and impact this issue collectively in this way.” The leaders elected to represent Barry County at a state level appear to be in lockstep with local government, as well. “Michigan residents, by way oflocal governments, should have a say in what goes on in their communities,” said Rachelle Smit,Representative for District 43, which includes the southern portion of Barry County. “I, stand with our local decision-making author­ ities and I’m doing all I can to ensure that the people who live in our rural communities have a say in their future.” Representative Angela Rigas, a Hastings native who now resides in the Caledonia area and represents a portion of Barry County,urged residents to make their individual voic­ es heard in Lansing, as well. “The Democrat playbook right now is this: remove obstacles to power so that (they) can force through the very specific policies and solutions (they) believe are best for you,” Rigas said in a statement to the Banner. “I disagree. The power to create solutions has to remain with Ideal officials. Their control over their communities should never be in ques­ tion or threatened by pressure from the state government. “But I also want Barry County and every county to understand just how much influ­ ence they still have,” Rigas added. “Phone calls to these Democrats will frighten them. (Residents) can change policy with their out­ rage and I strongly encourage them to do so. Find these bills online, see their sponsors and call those numbers. Tell them you want your voice back.” The Committee ofthe Whole voted 6-1 to recommend that the Board ofCommissioners sign the resolution. Doster was the lone no vote and Board Chair Dave Jackson was absent. Since the Committee of the Whole could not take immediate action - only make a rec­ ommendation to the board - commissioners! agreed to draft a letter to MAC to let the organization know that Barry County intends to sign the resolution as the package ofbills quickly moves its way through the state leg­ islature. COMMISSION, continued from page 1 The Road Commission has jurisdiction over 1,067 miles ofroads in Barry County, of which 626 miles are paved. Early in Lam­ berg’s tenure as managing director, the agency was aggressive in paving gravel roads, largely funded by local townships. The resolution recognized Lamberg’s work in that area. “Mr. Lamberg has created and nurtured excellent relationships with township partners, the Barry County Board of Commis­ sioners, and many other community groups in and around Barry County,” Welch read from the resolution. A graduate of Michigan State University with bachelor and master’s degrees in civil engineering, Lamberg joined the Road Commission in 1996 as a project engineer after previously working for road agencies in Berrien and Newaygo counties. A year later, he was promoted to managing director after the retirement ofJack Kineman. Lamberg has been actively involved with the County Road Association of Michigan, the organization that represents road commissions across the state. He currently serves on the association board and was its president iin 2014-15. Welch will officially assume the duties of managing director on Jan. 1, 2024. He joined the Road Commission as a project manager in 2013. Two years later, he was promoted to director ofoperations. In 2021, he was named engineering director and last year was pro-' moted to assistant managing director. “He’s been a huge mentor for me, and cer­ tainly helped me get where I am today,” Welch said of Lamberg. “I’m super thankful for that and thankful for the place he left this organization, because it’s made my life a heck of a lot easier. I’m looking forward to the future and thrilled I got to work with him as long as I did.” A reception to honor Lamberg will be held today from noon to 2 p.m. at the administration building, 1725 W. M-43 Hwy. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 19, 2023 — Page 3 >b w$Wx *ss JvJ JvJ* This rendering of a portion of the finished streetscape project in downtown Hastings provides an idea on what sort of aesthetic upgrades will be implemented. (Courtesy rendering) sKSi&s^ sKSi&s ■‘<>K £«»’<: X^>s ^> , s GRANT, continued from page 1 Left Field Coffee Bar owner Johnny DeMaagd is seen here during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the shop’s location in Hastings last summer. (File photo by Hunter McLaren) Left Field Coffee Bar closes up shop in Hastings Greg Chandler StaffWriter ; The Left Field Coffee Bar in downtown Hastings is closing its doors after 15 months in operation. The coffee shop at 126 E. State St., which opened in July 2022, will consolidate its .Operations around its Middleville location at 124 E. Main St., owner Johnny DeMaagd wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday. The post also alluded to a new full-service restaurant that might be on the horizon in Middleville. “We’ve had an absolute blast the last 15 months with y’all in Hastings, but in order to continue to provide the best quality roasted cof­ fee, plant-focused brunch (and) lunch, and even­ tually open our full-service restaurant: Thuis Fuego, the team and I have decided to close and consolidate operations back to our Middleville coffee bar,” DeMaagd wrote in the post. Left Field will continue roasting its own coffee out of the former fire bam in Mid­ dleville, and plans are in the works for the new Thuis Fuego, which is tentatively scheduled to open in the summer of2025, DeMaagd wrote in a text message to thefastings Banner. The $474,500 grant will allow the streets­ cape project to be close to fully funded by the Hastings Downtown Development Associa­ tion. The city had tentatively planned to kick in from its general fund or using American Rescue Plan Act dollars after the project’s cost came out to be about $3.5 million, about $500,000 higher than initial estimates. While the city will still be contributing the $157,000 it received for the sale of a city lot used as the Tyden Lofts site, there will be no need for the city to make any further contri­ butions to the streetscape project. The rest of the grant funds will go toward reducing the DDA’s $800,000 upfront contribution. “Just to make everything work, the city was going to have to potentially put in up to $200,000 in general funds or ARPA money if it came to that. That’s not going to have to happen anymore,” City Manager Sarah Moy- er-Cale said. “The balance that’s remaining will reduce the DDA’s cash amount that they’ll have to put in, as well. It benefits both the city’s general fund as well as the DDA fund.” As a result, Moyer-Cale said both the city and the DDA will be left with more cash-onhand for other projects. The DDA already has several on the horizon, with renovations to Parking Lot 8 slated for next spring. There are also plans to bring streetscape updates and amenities to the streets surrounding the State Street corridor, Moyer-Cale said. “We really want it. to seem like a core downtown area rather thanjust a district,” she said. “By having some more cash on hand earlier on in the process as a result of this grant, they’ll be able to take on those tasks more quickly than they otherwise would have been able to.” Hastings certified Redevelopment Ready Community, paving way for future developments R iiaahi ■BMW IW ksb In vac air Mwm itaaniaWM, ilmMBCBftniMk IpRfcW^ i tdntfwW' S5^-?-“£S a---■sisssMsWa^ aaiua- bbe* • *L«.«- 25#ss s5|*af 5' 5 fffta^**^*’*!^*!!*' ffft iiftpft iiftpft 5® Joe Borgstrom, principal at Place & Main Advisors, LLC, worked with the city to develop an economic development and marketing strategy, (file photo) “This (certification) will be just kind of another feather in the cap as to what we have to access to all the benefits it brings. offer,” King said. “Developers or people inter­ Moyer-Cale said now that the city is certi­ ested in doing business in the city now have a fied, Hastings will be put in touch with someQne-stop sourqe at OUr website to go and find alL x^phefroni MEDC to assist with marketing^ ofthe relevahtfflfdmratioriin’one placeiho srli jlin potential development sites. The MEDC'repThere are more concrete benefits to the resentative will seek out city properties that process as well. Through the RRC process, could be advertised for future projects. MEDC paid for 75 percent of an economic “They will help us locate those sites and planning and marketing strategy from consul­ develop information packages so we can bet­ tants Place & Main Advisors, LLC. RRC ter reach out to developers about what we communities also receive preference for var­ have available, and attract them to our area,” ious grant opportunities, King said. Moyer-Cale said. “We’ll also have access to “Having been on the (Redevelopment Ready the state’s marketing capabilities. They have Community) path, it has already benefited us. a whole website and system that developers It benefits the city, the DDA and the residents use to locate these areas.” from not having to expend all that money to While the RRC certification shows devel­ knock off (the economic planning and market­ opers various policies and procedures in ing strategy) that’s required for certification,” place to assist them, it also shows the willing­ King said. “Also, there are opportunities that ness ofvarious boards and committees within come up in the grant arena, that RRC commu­ the city to collaborate. Moyer-Cale said near­ nities are kind offront and center for.” ly every board and city department contribut­ The city began striving for RRC certifica­ ed to the process in some way. tion in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic put a “This really was a community-wide temporary halt to the program, with the city effort to get us here. It was no single person, continuing its efforts in 2021 before receiving it was no single project or activity,” she its official certification last month. Going said. “There were a lot ofdifferent pieces of forward, the city is required to keep its poli­ the puzzle that needed to come together to cies and procedures updated to maintain its get us to the certification, so everyone real­ RRC certification. Keeping the city’s certifi­ ly pulled together, did their part and did a cation up-to-date will ensure the city has greatjob.” Hastings school board aiming to prioritize financial transparency throughout bond process SsJsS?^ SjjSisW SjjSisW^ Js sw s^w .df* Superintendent Matt Goebel said the district was noping to implement a public information dashboard tracking the progress of various projects paid for by the $17 million bond proposal passed in August, (photo by Hunter McLaren) ew^654» ^654’» Hunter McLaren StaffWhiter . Hastings hasubeenire^ognizedas a Rede­ velopmentReady Community-after <a> nearly five^ar'jdumdyj'H ptel aril rrr nw pA The certification from the. Michigan Eco­ nomic Development Corporation recognizes the city for taking steps to attract, assist and retain developers for local projects. It also makes the city more eligible for grant oppor­ tunities and other resources from MEDC. City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said the certification is a way to show developers that Hastings is ready and able to accommodate new construction. “It signals to developers that we already have our plan in place, we have our zoning adjusted and we have our development review criteria set up in an effort to assist them as much as possible through the process and avoid any unnecessary delays or costs that could hinder their project,” she said. Although the RRC certification was the city’s end goal, many of its benefits come from the steps taken to meet the MEDC’s criteria. Dan King, community development director, said the policies, planning and information gathered during the process will all he help Hastings remain a competitive community. Hunter McLaren S7q// Writer Financial transparency continues to be a topic of discussion among Hastings school administrators in the wake ofthe $17 million bond proposal passed in August. School board members discussed progress made on the bond proposal’s various projects at their meeting Monday. Superintendent Matt Goebel told board members the construction management team and architects involved with the bond proj­ ects had walked through the district last week to better understand the scope ofthe project. Goebel said requests for proposals would be going out soon, with the high school and mid­ dle school roof projects coming first among the bond proposal’s many renovations. “We should be doing an RFP rather quickly for that high school roof and the middle school roof,” Goebel said. “We want to get a contract locked in for next summer because those are two ofour highest priorities.” Board member Justin Peck asked if there would be a way for the public to keep up with the progress ofthe bond projects as they were completed. Goebel said he’d already dis­ cussed implementing some sort of public information dashboard with Abby Larabee, a public relations specialist at the district. “Yeah, I think I’ve already talked to Abby about doing that - about setting up a spot where (people can see) this is the project, this “Like you said, as we complete these it was the bid, this is what it really cost, so that would be nice to be able to have a dash­ everybody’s very transparent on what the board, something that keeps us up-to-date.” actual bid was, what was spent and when the Goebel agreed a centralized location for board voted on it,” Goebel said. information would help everyone stay on The district has put a major focus on the same page. Because the projects can’t financial transparency since a community all be completed simultaneously, Goebel said it’d be a good way to track what’s been survey distributed early this year revealed there was a public perception of financial completed and what still needs to be done. irresponsibility in the district. Goebel and “We have to take it in chunks and steps, school board members have been making and that’s what we plan to do,” Goebel efforts to shift that perspective by communi­ said. cating more openly and thor­ oughly about the school dis­ •DMC Floss trict’s finances. The district has. received the best possible rat­ • New Collection Cotton ing on its audits for several years, including the 2022-2023 • Cotton Flannel - fiscal year which was dis­ Prints & Solid Colors cussed at Monday’s meeting. Luke Haywood, board presi­ • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station dent, supported the idea of a Habitat Quilt Tickets Available here. dashboard with the latest infor­ Drawing October 25th at noon mation on bond projects. He $ (S(Mce> fyoplt said it would not only provide clarity for taxpayers, but it QUESTIONS: would also serve as a way for ASK US... board members and school 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 administration to stay informed OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; throughout the lengthy process. S atu rd ay 9 am-3 pm “This is going to be a threeyear project,” FJaVwood said. �Page 4 — Thursday, October 19, 2023 — The Hastings Banner imon SCO? Did you What’s the future for BIRCH? The dust that’s been swirling around the BIRCH Rural Fire Association is evidence that change can be hard - but it also can be good. BIRCH, an acronym for the five townships it serves - Hastings, Balti­ Would you like to buy a vowel? The Hastings Downtown Business Team has launched an ongoing scarecrow decorating contest, and it has taken over the downtown area. A variety of businesses decorated scarecrows and they have been placed throughout the downtown corridor - like this one, which pays homage to the long-running game show Wheel ofFortune. To see a comprehensive gallery of the scarecrows, visit facebook.com/HastingsDowntown BusinessTeam49058 and select your favorite by pressing the ‘Like’ button on the respective post. Do you remember? Clowning around Banner March 8,1984 Cindy Bender’s kindergarten class at St. Rose school takes clowning around seriously enough to hold their own circus for parents Tuesday. The class has been studying the circus for the past six weeks, including circus lingo, makeup and preparation for the big show. Tuesday’s show featured a lion tamer act, tight rope walkers, clowns, acrobats and discussion. Kids got to see the real thing three weeks ago with a visit to the Shrine Circus in Grand Rapids. Have you met? Molly Keller always knew she wanted to teach special education. “I’ve always really enjoyed helping oth­ ers and making a difference in people’s lives,” she said. She knew it was the right fit for her after participating in an independent study, assisting in a special education gym class. “I really enjoyed that, and I thought that that would be a great way for me to use the skills that I have,” Keller said. “I just real­ ly enjoyed that class with those students and thenjust decided that was going to be my path.” After graduating from Hastings High School in 2003, she went on to study at GVSU before receiving her master’s degree in special education. She’s been teaching ever since, working in the Barry Intermedi­ ate School District for the last six years. Keller is in a level-five classroom, mean­ ing she teaches students at BISD with the most significant impairments. Because she spends more time with her students than general education teachers do, they start to feel like a second family ofsorts. “I have my students that I teach for a really long time, and I think that’s a really special bond that I get to have with my stu­ dents,” she said. “I get to watch them grow and achieve so many goals over the 13-plus years that I have with them.” Her work goes beyond the classroom, too. Working in such an intimate, special­ ized classroom allows Keller and her col­ leagues to work one-on-one with families and prepare students for their lives after they graduate. “We get to have the opportunity to work in a smaller setting where we get to know our students and the needs that they have,” she said. “We really get to work closely Molly Keller with the families to help give support to students to hopefully help their lives be better in the future, past 26.” Keller said her hometown has been the perfect place to pursue her path in special education while raising a family of her own. She lives in Hastings, raising two kids with her husband Andrew, a teacher at Hastings Middle School. With the two of them spending so much time at school during the day, Keller said they do their best to not talk shop at home. “I feel like school gets your whole life,” she said. “My kids and my students that I teach often get the best parts ofme.” Outside of school, Keller coaches her kids’ sports through the YMCA, watching them grow and improve each season. In her spare time, she enjoys treasure hunting at -------------------- —------------------ antique and furniture markets. She said Hastings has been the perfect home base for their family. “I think Hastings is just a great place to grow a family and have a community. I really, really just think it’s a great place,” she said. “My husband is also from Hast­ ings, so we have family ties. We started a family and this has just been a great place.” First job: Swim instructor and lifeguard for backyard swim with YMCA. IfI could go anywhere in the world: I’d go to Africa, to help at an elephant reserve. People I admire most: My parents! Favorite teacher: Mrs. Kendall, she was my fourth grade teacher at Central Elementary. Greatest thing about Barry County: This is going to sound cheesy, but the schools. It’s a great place to have your chil­ dren grow up and be awesome individuals. Other than that, I love all the activities you can do with your family. We have so many great opportunities for families to do things for free. I think it’s really neat that we sup­ port each other in Hastings. What I like about my job: Putting smiles on their faces and giving them the best day that they can have, watching them grow into such great individuals and help­ ing them achieve those goals, earn a little bit more independence or help their fami­ lies -1 think it’s really special. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. more, one-quarter of Irving, Rutland, one-half of Carlton — has been a venerable institution in this community for nearly 100 years. Along with the City of Hastings, it provides emergency, and non-emergency services for life and property over a 135 square-mile radius and, according to its website, handles approximately 450 calls every year. It’s staffed with a full-time chief, one full­ time driver, and, amazingly, 21 volunteer firefighters. Though this remarkable cooperative has saved money over the years, ever-increasing costs and aging equip­ ment are now outpacing the taxes set aside by BIRCH members to operate effectively. When new chief Mark Jordan was appointed to replace the late Roger Carts, he called the attention of the BIRCH board to some issues that need­ ed immediate attention. “We have a few issues to resolve on the trucks,” said Jordan. “The trucks are aging, we all know that, a couple of them are running better than others, but we currently have two that are out of service.” Jordan said three new vehicles were an absolute necessity: A rescue opera­ tions SUV, a tanker truck and a pumper truck to replace vehicles that exceeded their useful lifetimes. Naturally, Jordan caught board mem­ bers off guard with a large expense request that forced them to move quick­ ly. Fortunately, with the assistance of file city, state grant funds, and additional contributions from each of the townships, the board was able to sidestep this immediate crisis by securing the needed funds. But that brought up the difficult question ofwhether the present system is working and whether future changes to the way it- operates are necessary. ■ This is where the change that brings good gets very hard to manage. The BIRCH Fire Association Board has voted to not abandon the longtime cooperative arrangement entirely. It has reached a consensus, however, that each township’s annual contribution to the BIRCH budget must be increased to 1.25 mills of its individual property tax value. Therein lays the first hard rock to climb. Presently, BIRCH board members don’t have any authority to act on issues; they just take information back to their respective township boards for approval. That means that BIRCH board members and their township boards have to reach a consensus to take action - in all five townships and the City of Hastings. That sounds like an added bureaucratic layer between the town­ ship boards and BIRCH members, but it’s worked all these years, so is a change necessary? Jordan, formerly the chief ofthe Bel­ levue Fire Department and interim chief of the Charlotte Fire Department, says he’s worked with five boards similar to BIRCH in both roles. “I have a lot of experience with rural boards and I’m familiar with how they normally operate,” says Jordan, noting that the BIRCH board has a few more members than other boards normally have. “That’s really a good thing because it gives you more people to take back to your local boards and discuss.” BIRCH Board Chair Jim Brown, who is also supervisor in Hastings Township, is open to discussion and says now might be a good time to reexamine the structure of the BIRCH board and its partnership with the city to ensure it’s the best solution for local area fire ser­ vices. “This has worked very well for a long time,” says Brown, “but if there’s some­ thing better out there that we should be looking at, I think we should do it.” My concern is that unanimous town­ ship approval is necessary on every important BIRCH matter, including its very existence. I hope that BIRCH members have the passion for this mis­ sion, a commitment like the one I see from members of the Barry County Road Commission which has won state­ wide recognition for its leadership. I also hope that BIRCH board mem­ bers, their township boards, and all of us in Barry County before we make a pos­ sible change realize the inestimable value ofthe volunteers who deliver fire and emergency medical services to us. These volunteer firefighters step up when called to help people during the most challenging times in their lives. They work hard to preserve homes and property and even save lives in emer­ gencies. This makes firefighting a very meaningful job for these trained professionals. Many communities across the country rely on volunteers who are willing to take the necessary training and be avail­ able at a minute’s notice to help their neighbors. And for many, they’ve felt the pain of declining membership put­ ting a strain on the challenges ofrecruit­ ment and retention. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 800,000 of America’s 1.1 million firefighters are volunteers. Ofthe nearly 30;000^fire departments in the U.S., more than 25,000 are either mostly or completely volunteer, which saves taxpayers nearly $50 billion a year compared to what they would pay with a career service. And if you add volunteer EMS to the mix, the number >. KKr wouldstaggering*. elhifilqiiK 'Cornmunities aerosS the’ country arcin' facing a common challenge of stretch­ ing tax dollars and looking for other ways to best fund municipal services. That’s why the collaboration with the neighboring townships has been good for the city and the townships under the BIRCH system. So, bdfbre the govern­ ing bodiesjump to end this relationship, they need to take the time to dig into what the ramifications would be ifthey were to dissolve this group. It’s been a great collaboration to reduce costs and provide good service to the citizens and businesses ofthe area, which is what the organizers attempted to provide when they put the contract together nearly 100 years ago. “A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn,” said Helen Keller. Though we face some hard decisions in this change, it doesn’t mean that BIRCH isn’t working anymore - it just needs more informa­ tion with which to work and with which to bring more good from change. The Hastings YaB» BttaqUtt spas mWbiiIib Ititeai nak Wkihaa ^hkaamanj h SI ^^P^Btiaoi Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 KSS Ks w w w Hl al’BiWBi lata .rtawiBtew �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 19, 2023 — Page 5 Hastings students rake for a difference with United Way 555® w 5®MaW S\ wv. 2v>wiS 5vviiS >S JwwQ* js^S XX ? Si sxs s Ssj <sb s r^Q ^Q’t ** S T2f*sS *»«f ^itk •*** tsts’*6‘5e*fc II kr^ *i *^2> 2g**^ >^ *■»&?< ^lUk^lUkkr^g*^ * *^ *■»&?< I k»<ji!rl*i'* *&**? i ^«fcd/^eW*&**?< *&**? cs s^ ^jh jh** ** I ®<*3jSEa2sj ?|lMil ?,*|l*Mil *’*>«i|»lfc| Jj"’® teiahij ufc •*^««» Ckmsmjm), Hi vs it tail fa faianBticfaglfa fioCBiririr'Xg iigl&iilforifafrt fttHOfeAMtaM up id tat tod fa as^rnabniiijp Mify&cohtaiiiii 3^ERafiKiaidy.kki id^m^hita^ wyi-flMcx miffgizflc fcfci^idittailiii Etjjj ei conticoB lo ot 3RCHsysttL So, tfflRsp*-' £■ «ItKtwl> s’«s~:a2us ■tanfcfaW^ ««w g£S 01* rW I?**-, ‘e%S»b6teK1 J BIRCH ®an'1®1 '** nt - < i®1 **£»*•»*•? **£»*•»*• *« SSS7*ww** <^i t*g«SS* SS **^ Hastings Middle School students are gearing up to help the Barry County United Way with their annual Rake a Difference event. Each October, eighth-grade students go into the community and work in teams to rake and bag leaves and clean gutters for local seniors. The service is free of charge ind serves seniors, aged 60 and older, who are unable to perform or pay for the ser­ vices. Raking leaves and cleaning gutters is an essential part of protecting homes from the winter season before cold weather and snow Arrive. Often, seniors try to do clean-ups themselves, putting themselves at risk for injury. Hastings Area School System is proud HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Hastings Area School System to work with the United Way annually on th s project, ensuring that our local seniors have access to fall cleanup services and a helpirg hand in prepping for winter. With the Rake a Difference day comirg soon, Hastings students are getting excited to mobilize around Hastings to serve as many seniors as possible; It’s a fun and engaging day for the students to give back to the community in a much-needed way. Yankee Springs board OKs moratorium on new short-term rental apps Greg Chandler StaffWriter ■ Yankee Springs Township is putting a tem­ porary hold on consideration ofnew applica­ tions for short-term rental permits. The Township Board last Thursday night voted unanimously to enact a six-month mor­ atorium on new registrations for STR permits while a subcommittee reviews and considers changes to the current ordinance that was passed by the board in March 2021. : The resolution does not affect the process­ ing ofcurrent short-term rental permit renew­ als' nor any new applications that were received before Thursday’s vote. ; “It will have the effect of pushing the pause button on STR registrations for six months only. It will not result in any harm to our cur­ rent STR permit holders,” Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea told the board. “Right now is the perfect time to do this because we’re past the peak rental season, and six months will expire next April, prior to next year’s peak rental season. It will give our STR subcommittee six months to work on STR issues and make some recommendations to the Planning CoinhilBsiort.”rh, Shea worked closely with township attor­ ney; Catherine Kaufman in crafting the mora­ torium resolution. “In Catherine’s opinion, it’s legally defensible,^ Shea said. “We put a lot of detail in (the resolution), a Jot of factual .basis, a lot of i based on complaints ^at>Bjgdii(Willihms< zoning enforcement officer) and 1 received bn $TRs this summer.” | The township received complaints ofdrunk and disorderly conduct, loud music and noise late in the evening, illegal parking and litter­ ing associated with short-term rentals, according to the resolution language. : Shea was asked Whether any public hear­ ing was needed before the moratorium was adopted. He said no. J “What we’re doing ...is known legally as a police power resolution,” he said. “No public hearing is required. A police power resolution means that it is based on being a necessary and appropriate action to preserve the public health, safety and welfare ofthe township.” Shea went on to say that any changes to the short-term rental ordinance that would be Recommended to the Planning Commission would go through a public hearing process. Actually, we would like to hear from (res­ idents) during the six months that we’re spending on this. I would invite people to dmail, call, let us know what they think about Short-term rentals,” Shea said. । The STR ordinance language states that the tjownship “wishes to preserve and retain the Fr. Jeff Hanley (left) was officially installed this week as pastor of St. Rose and St. Cyril Catholic churches in Hastings and Nashville. Bishop Edward M. Lohse (right) conducted the ceremony on Sunday. (Photo by Dave McIntyre) St- Rose and St. Cyril Catholic churches name new pastor residential community character ofthe town­ ship” and says the intent ofthe measure is 10 “make the STR activity permitted -by* ths ordinance resemble the existing and tradi­ tional residential uses made by resident own­ ers and lessees.” The township approved 32 STR permits this year, but Shea said there are many more property.owners in Yankee Springs thaf aie. renting.out.their homes/aridiGqttages* without! a permit; -based on aTfeview Of such Mfebtfitesl as Vrbo and Airbnb. The subcommittee s expected to address how to handle those non-compliant properties in any potential amendments to the ordinance, Shea said. In other business Thursday: - The board approved spending $2,800 10 upgrade the township website.’‘Clerk Mike Cunningham said the current website soft­ ware is 13 years old and that some visitors 10 the website have experienced “major issues with their computers” after visiting the web­ site. Ocean Inc., the township’s information technology provider, will update the websi e and give it a new look, Cunningham said. - Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis gav e his evaluation of Shea’s performance durirg his first year as zoning administrator. “He hus exceeded my expectations. I believe Joe no v feels comfortable with taking the lead cn township zoning ... I believe our township has taken a positive, giant step by bringing our zoning administrator in-house, and Jo j, with his team, filled that void beyond my wildest dreams,” Heethuis said. The township had contracted with an outside company for zoning administration services for several years before hiring Shea for the position. Shea credited Williams, Trustee and former zoning administrator Larry Knowles and zon­ ing assistant Sandy Marcukaitis for helping him grow in the position. - On matching 3-2 votes, the board voted to forgo a 3 percent penalty fee and a 1 per­ cent interest charge for winter 2023 taxes that are paid op or after Feb.)15 through Feb. 29, |0^4> T-p^fiiirffi -Deh Mausseau said this has beeb'a common practice of the township since 2008. Trustees Dave VanHouten and Larry Knowles voted against the measure. “When it’s due, it’s due. It seems like we’re always lowering the bar,” VanHouten said. - The board approved the purchase of a new precinct tabulator and ballot bin, as well as a laptop computer, specifically for early voting that will take place starting with next year’s presidential primary, at a cost of$8,100. - The board approved the assessment roll for aquatic plant control treatment on Payne Lake. The board approved the treatment on the lake last month, at an expected cost of $20,000-$25,000 per year for the next five years. A total of 125 properties are affected by the assessment, with front lot parcels to be charged $172 per year and back lot parcels to be assessed $84 per year during the five-year period. - The board approved a $3,000 payment to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Gun Lake chapter for maintaining the berm at the township park this summer. - The board approved the purchase ofa pet waste bag dispenser at the township park at a cost of$415. “It’s a huge privilege to lead a community Molly Macleod offaith here at St. Rose, and something that’s Copy Editor impressed me about the church here but also Fr. Jeff Hanley of Saint Joseph was the community at large is there is a great love installed this week as the new pastor of the ofthe faith as well as Christianity,” Fr. Han­ St. Rose ofLima and St. Cyril of Jerusalem ley continued. “I see so many different churches in Hastings and Nashville. Christian denominations (in the area). I’ve Fr. Hanley, 32, takes the reins from Fr. had a chance to meet with many ofthe other Stephan Philip, who led the churches for Christian ministers and pastors in the area 10 years. Philip led his final Mass at St. and (I’m) just really getting a sense that this Rose on July 2 before returning to his is a place where the faith means a lot.” native India. The year 2023 has been a year ofchange Bishop Edward M. Lohse ofthe Catho­ for St. Rose. On March 19, parishioners lic Diocese of Kalamazoo was present at returned to St. Rose’s sanctuary for the first St. Rose’s Mass on Sunday and officially time since July 2021. After a devastating installed Fr. Hanley as priest. Bishop I^phse was appointed in July-of thi^..year —-electrical fire that broke out in. a vestibule by Pope Francis^* in 2021, parishioners were forced to gather in the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Fr. Hanley felt the call toward priest­ gymnasium for Mass each Sunday, Months hood near the end of high school. After of hard work by parishioners and church attending college in California, Fr. Hanley administrators paid off, and the sanctuary applied to the Diocese of Kalamazoo’s is back and better than ever. seminary school. Though Fr. Hanley comes to St. Rose “(I’ve) always felt as ifGod was calling after the dust has settled somewhat, he rec­ me to serve the people back home,” said Fr. ognizes that his tenure begins at the start of Hanley. a new chapter for the church. Fr. Hanley was ordained as a priest in “One thing I’d want to kind ofsay to the 2017 at the age of 26. His installment on whole community is that whether you’re Sunday marks the first time Fr. Hanley will Catholic or not, you’re welcome at St. serve as pastor ofa parish. He said he looks Rose ofLima. We would love to have you forward to serving the community. come and join us for our Sunday worship. “Seeing that need for both Hastings and The doors are open. You don’t have to be Nashville... our previous bishop, Bishop Catholic to come and join us - you also Paul Bradley, asked me to come here to don’t have to be perfect to come and join Hastings, and I was very happy to oblige,” us,” said Fr. Hanley. Fr. Hanley said. Michigan Farm Bureau urges drivers |o share the road with farm equipment » I It’s harvest season in Michigan, and that I* •** jP\\ \ Wans farmers are busy gathering food in Michigan and beyond. Of course, this is all done with aid of Equipment of all sizes. That means drivers * 3*j**25*i * 3*j**25*i ’ lr<’ ®ay soon be seeing more farm machinery on the road, which can signify a safety hazard w1hen motorists are not being attentive. 1 The Michigan State Police 2022 State- rI* wide Traffic Crash Data Year End Reportt Showed crashes involving farm equipment ।L# Bishop Edward M. Lohse of the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo speaks at St. Rose on Sunday. Jose from 195 in 2021 to 214 in 2022 - a jtearly 10 percent increase year-over-year, four of the crashes last year were fatal, with fO injuries reported across the state. The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) has pleased a statement asking that drivers keep ®ye out for anything that has an orange Wangle bn the back — which is a slow-mov- »* * < 0 !> z*' *' w, > ■& ■ ^ r </ f % / 6X vehicle sign. 1 “IIf you’re driving 55 miles an hour it only fakes about five seconds to travel the length a football field and catch up to a piece of Equipment going 15 miles per hour,” said Andrew Vermeesch, MFB legislative coun“That’s why it’s critical to be attentive Wd be ready to slow down.” Fanners also ask that if motorists are behind farm equipment on the road, they s^°w down and only pass when it’s safe to do So* One rule of thumb for motorists to jjiember: Ifthey can’t see the machinery’s ®lvjer, then the driver can’t see them, either. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, while only 19 percent of Americans live in rural areas, 45 perce nt of traffic crash fatalities occurred on rural roadways from 2016 to 2020. (Photo provided by Michigan Farm Bureau) While farmers try their best to stay close to the shoulder of the road, drivers should also keep in mind that they might have to merge over to avoid hitting something - lik e i a mailbox. Machineiy doesn’t turn like a-car, either^ so operators may need to make wide turns. “We all want to get our work done safely and get back home safely to our families, and we can do it - together,” Vermeesch added. “Thank you for sharing the road with farmers.” �Page 6 — Thursday October 10.2023 — The Hastings Banner Kimberly DeWeese Sovern Sarah Jane Nichols Sarah Jane (Wood) Nichols passed away peacefully in Kalamazoo, MI, on October 14, 2023, having graced this world with her thoughtful and generous presence since July 3, 1954. Bom in Charlotte, Ml, Sarah creat­ ed a vibrant legacy that spanned family, work, and community. She is survived by her sons, Jim (Jodi) Nichols, and Bill (Allison Bazairc) Nichols, along with three grandchildren who were her utmost delight: Easton, Keiser, and Eli Nich­ ols. Sarah's siblings Nancy Adams, Norm (Jackie) Wood, Wilmott (Deborah) Wood, Edgar Wood, and John (Nicole) Wood, and their families, share in the loss. Her loving sisters-in-law, Mary Dewaid, Pat Nichols and Sandy Wood, and brother-in-law, Larry (Brigette) Nichols, will forever remember her warmth. Sarah was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold Nichols, daughter, Mary Nichols, her parents, and brother, Rob­ ert Wood. Beyond her family by blood, Sarah’s unwavering hcaihelcL^ chosen family dear. Lacey (Brian) fnelni us. and their children Ellie, Laylee, and Jack, as well as the broader Patterson family equally mourn their loss. . Sarah had numerous “other kids” that she loved and cherished their presence in her life.. Starting as a teen, Sarah served the State ofMichigan for nearly 39 years - a position she initially took up for three months at the tender age of 16. Her dedication to her work was clear evidence ofher tenacity and com­ mitment. On June 16, 1979, Sarah married the love ofher life, Harold Nichols. During their 38 years together before Harold's passing in December 2016, the couple savored their shared passion for travel. Sarah’s selfless­ ness shone brightly through an annual Easter egg hunt tradition she started even before she had children ofher own. This event cel­ ebrated its 40th year last Easter, bringing Sarah immense joy as she filled over 3.000 eggs, witnessing hundreds of thrilled chil­ dren participating. Sarah was part ofthe congregation ofthe First Baptist Church in Middleville. People remember her as a woman who was both thoughtful and generous, willing to extend her hand to help anyone in need. Sarah’s spirit will be missed not only by her family but also by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who are left to cherish her memory. Sarah made a mark on this world with the love she spread, the work she accomplished, and the families she built. As we mourn her passing, we also cel­ ebrate the values, love, and joy she brought into our lives. Sarah’s family will receive friends on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home. A celebration of Sarah’s life will be conducted on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Middleville, Pastor Nate Archer will officiate. Sarah will be laid to rest next to her hus­ band at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mid­ dleville. Memorial contributions to the Maty Fund will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Sarah’s family. Worship Together church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... ...of the HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfrecmethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. www.cbchastings .org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministr}'. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. PLEAS ANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. Paul Thomas went to see Jesus and praise God in heaven on October 15, 2023. Paul was bom in Battle Creek, MI on Janu­ ary 3, 1940 to Howard Thomas and Wilma Burgan (Meek) Wing, joining his sisters Roberta and Ardith. Mary, and Martha and Norma. They were the fourth generation of Thomas and Elizabeth Wing, who came from England in 1853 tasettle on 40 acres in Assyr­ ia Township, Barry County, MI. The farm grew to 440 acres and is still farmed by the fifth and sixth generations today. Paul was a farmer first and made time to serve his community. He earned the “Ameri­ can Fanner” degree in FFA and completed the two year Agricultural Short Course at Michi­ gan Agricultural College (later MSU). He went on to serve on the Bellevue School Board and many boards in Barry County, including Farm Bureau, Conservation District Board, and Conservation Easement Board. He was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association for over 35 years. He was especially passionate in his “retirement” about preserving farmland, and recently received recognition from the state ofMichigan for his lifelong work in agriculture preservation. Most important to Paul was his faith in Jesus Christi He wds active at Baseline UMC, holding several offices on the church board and participating io many events where he wotshipodv'Gqd laodjenjoyed ringing) rifli.the choir formarty y ?^r.sr’ ^...-,<4 Paul married Alma Sue Olmstead, his kin­ dergarten crush and high school sweetheart, in Bellevue, on September 5, 1959. They raised five Christian children: Jennifer Jane (Brian) Krauss, Abby Anne (Leo) Green, Thomas Jason (Heather) Wing, Beth Michele (Roy) Hoffman, and Rebecca (Becky) Lucille (Glenn) Noffsinger. Liz (Jesse) Crofoot also joined the family, as have 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchil­ dren. All survive him, as well as his sister, Norma (Richard) Gregg, sisters-in-law, Ilene MacDonald and Alice Palatas, brother-in-law, Bob Erwin, and many nieces and nephews. Paul will be remembered for his love ofhis family, showing up when others needed help, loving unconditionally, and appreciating a good joke and a game of cards. He is surely rejoicing in heaven and will be greatly missed here on earth. Paul will be laid to. rest at Bell Cemetery in Assyria Township directly after a church ser­ vice to honor his life at Baseline Church, 9617 E Baseline Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017 on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, with visitation from 10 a.m. -noon, funeral at noon, and a luncheon at church following the burial. Services will be by Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Sendees and officiated by Pastors Carole J. Smith This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: 1351 North M43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 X MIMAMffrW 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Carole J. Smith, age 83, of Hastings, MI passed away on September 11, 2023, at Spectrum Health Blodgett in East Grand Rapids, ML A Celebration of Life service will be held for Carole on Saturday, Oct. 21,2023 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 405 N. M-37 Hwy, Hastings, MI 49058. There will be a light luncheon following the service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, con­ veniently located at 1401 North Broadway Hastings, Ml. For further.details please visit our website at www.danielsftineralhome.net. Kimberly DeWeese Sovern, age 64, of Mid­ dleville, MI, passed away on October 9, 2023. Kim was bom on October 26, 1958 in JLake (Metta Elaine Garlock Funeral services for Mary Arlene “Peg” Faulkner are to be held on Friday, Oct. 20. She will be remembered (among other things) for her many years of service as secretary to Superintendent William Eckstrom at Lake­ wood Public Schools, her role in the Goodemoot family of eight, her service in several roles at Central United Methodist Church, her years of active membership in the Alethian group ofher church, her role within the fami­ ly created with Lyle Faulkner, her neighbor­ hood both on Harwood Road in Berlin Town­ ship and -in Tier later neighborhood on Wash­ ington Boulevard plus her role as a mother of six and grandmother oftwo more generations. The annual homes tour sponsored by the Woodland Women’s Study Club was another success on Saturday despite the rainy weath­ er. People either removed their footwear or useiLplastic booties .over-their sboc&to.pro? teeb the-floors Ofthd homes the patrons visit­ ed. Two of the homes were directly on the waters of Jordan Lake. Each had a balcony for a full viewing of the lake from both the main floor and the second story. Most homes had islands in their kitchens. One very new home on Brown Road had great views ofthe nearby woodlands which have frequent view­ ing ofwildlife. One rural home has been on other tours sponsored by other groups with many features conceived by the designer who was an engineer. He designed the kitchen to have sloping drainboards and also ingenious access to the family wood supply in the days ofwood-burning stoves. This feature was not an attraction ofthis tour, however. Battle Creek, Ml, the daughter ofJoseph and Marilyn (Hume) DeWeese. Kim’s greatest passion in life was and always has been her family. She is survived by her loving husband of42 years, James Sovern; daughters, Kameron (David) Clark of Mears and Kassidy (Steve) Hall of Grand Rapids. Though she loved her husband and daughters they could hold no match to her four biggest treasures, her grand­ children, Jamison and Hadley Clark, and Gray-1 cen and Emersyn Hall. Kim is survived by her sister, Kristina (Brett) Darwin of Alabama; nephews, Ean and Evan Darwin and niece, Meghanne Ullrich-Garland ofBattle Creek. Kim was preceded in death by her parents. A celebration of life will be held in Kim’s honor on November 4,2023 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home in Middlevillei In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Kim’s family. One ofthe unique spots was a second-story facility that can be used as an overnight rental? This one even had a fireplace and an outdoor patio which is shielded for privacy. It also included hanging pictures of early houses in the village. One home had an island with two varieties ofsurface. The original border ofthe countertop was too narrow for an eating sur» face so it had an extension ofa complimentarycountertop material. At each ofthe homes, the owners were present to answer questions and provide information on the origins offurnish­ ings and building techniques. The cunent attendance at the Thursday din­ ners held at Central UM Church’s Fellowship Hall has reached 80 on most nights. One unique feature is that a table full of men who are widowers has developed. This gives eachofthem a night away from home with men of similar circumstances who can converse and have a night free from kitchen duties. These men likely would never have come to know each other except for their status in common.Otherwise, there are several men who attend with their wives. There are pairs of siblings who meet at this dinner each week to share a meal with non© of them having* to prepare food: - Each week, the tables’ are1 marked with the name of the host church which provides the servers and those who prepare the desserts. A Carlton Township couple on a trip to the Upper Peninsula last week stopped at a rest stop along the highway by chance and were surprised to see by the signage it was dedicated to Ceo Bauer. He is an Ithaca resident who reached his 100-year mark last summer, which the wife had attended. He was a WWII veteran wounded in Metz, France, and a hospital, patient for the next year who used his GI ben­ efits to attend Michigan State, earning his degree in civil engineering and spent his work-, ing years as an employee of MDOT. This was a top-notch facility, even with solar heating. SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Four questions about Social Security that can help you plan your future Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of almost every American worker. If you’re among the many people covered under Social Security, you should know what your future benefit may be. Monthly benefit payments will likely be an important part ofyour retirement income. We base your benefit payment on how much you earned during your working career. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. If there were some years you didn’t work or had low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than ifyou had worked steadily. Ifyou never worked and did not pay Social Security taxes, you may be eligible for spouse’s retirement benefits. You must be at least 62 years old, and your spouse must already be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Our retirement page at ssa.gov/retirement is a great place to start mapping out your retirement plan. For example, have you considered: - Which factors may affect your retirement! benefits? - What is the right time for you to start; receiving your retirement benefits? - What you need to do after you apply for retirement benefits? - What documents you need to provide us! for your retirement application? You can use your personal my Social Seen-' rity account at ssa.gov/myaccount to get an! instant estimate of your future retirement! benefits. You can also see the effects ofstart­ ing your retirement benefits at different ages.! You may also wonder about: - Benefits for a spouse or children. - How work affects your benefits. - Medicare. - Whether you will have to pay taxes onj your benefits. You can learn more at ssa.gov/retirement. ! Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special-istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o\ Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp\ NE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49525, or via email ari hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. Norma Weeks to celebrate 90th birthday Norma Weeks, of Hastings, will be celebrating her 90th birthday on October 28th. A card shower in her honor would be appreciated. Cards may be sent to Norma Weeks, 690 W. Main St., Middleville, Ml 49333. w 19» tf***^^ 5* J.. sis**"1 not fr Jill® siWo&iiilaiNO^lirfkteteiwMi isivwhlkwAt tat �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 19, 2023 — Page 7 Bay Pointe and its early history ‘Swiss' ft swc7 55 ® to.' war !'■ l Hifarfaitaitty.MisiK fat hatei fafafaitebfakOKwn Dfrwfafa’WhKfcfBw-1 fa to. He is rka mi ■fii&Oirnn'witaK1 iiEiS ESBl W iiEiSE dito* dit bfafat* & Esther Walton Banner Oct. 22, 1992 4 Bay Pointe Restaurants, located on Marsh Road at the south end of Gun Lake in Shel­ byville, has been listed on the National Reg­ ister ofHistoric Sites since 1985. ; The 10-room Dutch Colonial Revival-style house, constructed in 1901, was originally the summer home ofAustin and Frankie Dwight. Austin Dwight was bom in 1855 in New Haven, Conn. He was the second oldest child mi a family ofseven, six boys and one girl. In 1865, the family moved to a farm in Martin Township, Allegan County. In 1868, the fam­ ily moved to Plainwell. • Austin’s wife, Frankie Allcott Dwight, was bom in Rochester N.Y. On March 12, 1855. She moved with her parents to Plainwell and married Dwight in that village on March 4, 1876. Austin and Frankie had only one child, Maude, bom in 1877, and who died in 1880. After the Dwights married, they moved to Detroit, where Austin was associated with the later president ofthe Dwight Brothers Paper Company. The company did very well, and just before the turn of the century, the Dwight Brothers Paper Company moved to Chicago. While living in Chicago, Austin and Frankie bought the Gun Lake property in 1899. When the Dwights bought the property from a Mr. Noble, it had a farm and a hotel known as Gun Lake Resort. The Dwights also bought an adjoining farm owned by C.W. Morrell and increased their land holdings to over 300 acres. In 1901, the old farmhouse had been moved across the road and the present Bay Pointe was built. The Dwights, now both 46 years old, owned 320 acres ofland adjoining the lake. By 1902, the local newspapers referred to the “Dwight Villa” as the cultural summer spot on Gun Lake. The house was built to entertain. For 25 years, the Dwights used the residence to entertain large and small groups. 1 Many entertainers from Chicago would perform for the guests, who would come and stay with the Dwights for a weekend or lon­ ger. Sometimes the Dwights entertained 20 people for a month. Not all the guests were from Chicago. The Dwights hosted parties for the neighborhood children. A small model steam engine wound around the property to take children for rides. There also were the'end-of-the-summer par­ ties and Halloween parties. Austin Dwight left the Dwight Brothers Paper Company in 1911 to found and become the president ofthe Hawthorne Paper Compa­ ny in Kalamazoo. He held that position until his death in 1926. triJ4awthornet< Paper- *Mill was nationally famous for' its* high-grade quality1 papers. They were made from rag paper, which was ideal for bond and ledger stock. Its paper machines were specially fitted with brass and copper water connections to eliminate iron contamination, which could stain the high-grade product. Hawthorne specialized in tough watermark jobs, employing skilled craftsmen to fashion “dandy rolls” that impressed a watermark design into the wet paper. Austin and Frankie moved to Kalamazoo to oversee the new company, but they spent six months out ofthe year at their Gun Lake villa. Frankie died in 1924 and Austin died in 1926. The Gun Lake property became tied up in probate. Originally, Austin was to inherit all ofFrankie’s estate, but before it was set­ tled Austin had a. stroke and then died. This (eft the estate in trust for Austin Dwight, and his heirs consisting ofseveral brothers, neph­ ews and a few people who had cared for the property. The Bank ofKalamazoo had custo- ITURNING BflGK THE nn i iiiifiinum PAGES The Dutch Colonial Revival-style Bay Pointe house in 1992. dy of the estate. For eight years, the matter was not resolved. What exactly happened between 1926 and 1937 is not clear, but these facts are known: Both Dwights are dead leaving no direct heirs. A complicated will was made by Austin, stipulating a nephew was to inherit the Gun Lake house, and if the nephew didn’t want it, other plans were to be put into place. Stephen Monroe was treasurer ofthe Haw­ thorne Paper Company and worked closely with Austin Dwight. Monroe was also associ­ ated with the Kalamazoo bank that held the estate trust for the Dwights. Monroe bought the property under the title of Kalamazoo Improvement Company. At the time of purchase, the Kalamazoo bank had failed and was in receivership, and just before its failure, the Dwight estate borrowed $11,000 not through the trust but through the Commerce Department. This left the Commerce Department, “holding the bag” with an unsecured note for $11,000 given to the Dwight estate. Because the transfer was done by former officials of the bank and not signed by the officials in charge of the bank’s receivership, officials said it made the transaction null and void.JTharles Schultz, receiver for the^Bank of Kalamazoo, objected 'to1 the transaction and the matter went to the courts. The deci* sion: “The trust officials had no right to sell the property.” This was not the end of problems for the house. Monroe had hired workmen to do extensive work in the house and the workmen filed a “Lis Pendens” on the property. A Lis Pendens prevents a property from being sold when the workmen haven’t been paid for the work they did. Once that matter got settled, the house was mortgaged to pay off the work­ men and Monroe. On Nov. 22, 1938, Charles Schultz, administrator de bonia of the Kalamazoo Bank, claimed the heirs had no right, title or interest in the property and Charles Schultz became the sole owner of the property. By 1939, the heirs declared they did indeed have an interest in the property, and back to court they all went. This time, the matter was settled in the Barry County court, with the heirs being the owners. DoatcM'■ Universe The dark ages How did one comet kill all the dinosaurs? Ifcrocodiles, snakes and birds camefrom dinosaurs, did it actually kill all of them? Mya, 11, Va. Dear Mya, It’s hard to imagine that one space rock wiped out the dinosaurs. But it did more than that. It killed 75 percent of the plants and animals on Earth. I talked about that with my friend Barry Walker. He teaches geology classes about Earth’s history at Washington State Uni­ versity. Walker told me that we call a space rock that hits Earth a meteorite. The meteorite that took out the dinosaurs set off changes on Earth. Those changes lasted for thousands of years. That’s how it killed so many things. “We’re not saying everything got wiped out immediately,” Walker said. “Something happened, and within a geologically short amount oftime-maybe 10,000 years or sothe damage was fully wrought.” fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner That something was a meteorite called Chicxulub. It crashed into Earth nearly 66 million years ago. It made a giant bowl­ shaped hole in the ground called a crater. The crater is about 100 miles wide and around 12 miles deep. It’s near Mexico. The meteorite killed everything near the crater. It caused fires for hundreds ofmiles. It set off earthquakes, huge waves called tsunamis and volcano eruptions. It also sent up a ginormous cloud ofdust and soot. That cloud spread over the planet. Today we can see a layer of rock from that time all over the world. It contains a rare element called iridium that came from the meteorite. All that dust, soot and wildfire smoke in the air blocked out the sun’s light. Earth became dark and cold. Plants need the sun’s light to make food. Without light, lots of plants died. Then plant-eaters and meat-eat­ ers died, too. Scientists think Earth was dark for about two years. But the changes on Earth The house had sat empty for almost 20 years. In 1944, it was finally sold to Paul and Pearl Keyser, Pearl’s husband died in 1946 and Pearl was left to remodel and pay for the house herself. Without her husband’s income, she couldn’t financially support the house, and the mortgage was foreclosed. Ruth Harp­ er of Kalamazoo finally bought the property and cleared the title. Bay Pointe had two more owners. Richard Cutshaw in 1969 bought the prop­ erty and opened a real estate office in it. He also converted the side lawn into a trailer park. The majority of the house still stood empty. In 1978, Roy and Jackie Martin bought the house and restored it. In 1983, the house was restored and opened as a restaurant. The property was nominated and accepted for a National Register designation as an out­ standing Dutch Colonial Revival-style sum­ mer home. The house faces north towards Gun Lake and is surrounded by sweeping lawns, curved drives and hedges. Many mature oak and black walnut trees grace the lawn. The grounds originally were bordered with sculptured trees, one shaped like a duck. The Dwights - were -avid flower -growers.—The house lanes were devoted to the culture of dahlias. The house has a semi-circular enclosed porch across the front. On the east side was a large bay window. The west side has an exte­ rior massive stone fireplace that balances the bay window on the opposite side of the house. The interior of the house reflects the Dwights’ interest in entertainment. The firstfloor living room (40x32 feet) created a large open space. This wide area is made possible by the second floor being hung from the attic by a unique bracing system. The bracing involves three large trusses stretching 17 feet, 28 feet and 38 feet Steel rods are connected to the ceiling supports on the first floor, traveling through the interior wallsfofthe second floor up to the tops ofthe trusses. Today, in 1992, interested people can visit the restaurant, have a gracious meal and enjoy the lavish house and its unique history. lasted much longer. The animals that survived mostly got lucky. They adapted to the changes and made homes where other animals couldn’t. It was easier for animals who ate detritusor bits ofdead stuff. Or animals who could go without food for a long time. Like snakes and crocodiles. It was harder for big animals who lived on land. Like the big dinosaurs. But some dinosaurs did survive. They’re still alive today. We call them birds. They belong to a group of dinosaurs called theropods. That’s the same group that once included T. rex and velociraptors. Scientists think that bird-dinosaurs with­ out teeth were the ones that survived. They used their beaks to pick out tiny seeds in the soil. They were small so they needed less food. Of course, no humans were around back then. Everything we know about Chicxulub comes from looking at clues. They’re our best guesses. “Science is a method of asking ques­ tions,” Walker said. “All the stuff we’re talking about is based on evidence. But being comfortable with uncertainty is a good thing. It’s an opportunity.” The exciting thing about your question is that scientists are still answering it. For now, I guess you could say surviving the meteorite was for the birds. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University "s resident scientist and writer at DrUniverse@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. County Master Plan honored at statewide planning event From left, Chris Khorey (McKenna Associates, Grand Rapids Office); Barry County Planning and Zoning Director Jim McManus; Barry County Administrator Michael Brown and Rebecca Harvey (Harvey Consulting, Kalamazoo) accept the Outstanding Planning Project: Best Practice Award at the Planning Michigan 2023 conference in Traverse City on Oct. 4-6. (Photo provided) Jayson Bussa Editor Earlier this month, Barry County Plan­ ning and Zoning earned some time in the statewide spotlight, honored for its work on the recently released master plan. Representatives from Barry County, including Planning and Zoning Director Jim McManus, made the trip to Traverse City for the Planning Michigan 2023 pro­ gram, where it accepted an Outstanding Planning Project award for the 2040 Master Plan. The award focused on the best prac­ tices that went into developing the plan. “It’s nice. It doesn’t happen to counties a lot because usually those types of awards go to smaller jurisdictions where you can kind of pick out specific details to proj­ ects,” McManus said. “But to have a coun­ ty like ours awarded is a testament to all the work we’ve been doing. What we’re really trying to get accomplished is to man­ age growth but do it in simplistic terms so everyone knows what their role is.” County leaders finalized the new master plan a few months ago and additional ordi­ nances are on their way, specifically for large solar projects, to fine-tune it even further. The county worked alongside consultants McKenna and Associates and Harvey Con­ sulting to compile the award-winning docu­ ment. An example of the best practices that went into crafting the master plan was gathering input from a far-reaching popula­ tion, according to McManus. “You get to a bigger size community like a county as opposed to a township or a village or city, it’s harder to get people involved so we tried to go out and go to them as much as we could,” he said. In addition to accepting the award, the representatives from the project provided attendees with insight into how they brought the master plan together. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Oct. 20-26 Oct. 1-31 — October Storywalk Book: “Amara and the Bats” by Emma Reynolds. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Friday, Oct. 20 — Dinner and a Movie: Reimagining Fire. Dinner: 6-7 p.m. Films and discussion: 7-9 p.m. Dinner and films screenings cost $25 for Institute members and $30 for non-members. For the film screenings only, members will pay $7. Non-members will pay $10 for just the screening. Saturday, Oct. 21 - Learning the Land Hik­ ing Series: Oak Woodland Walk, 10 a.m.noon. Institute members can join the hike for free. Non-members must pay $8. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Oct. 19 - Novel Ideas Book Club discusses “The Gilded Wolves” by Roshani Chokshi, 1 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1950 film starring James Stewart, Jesse White and Josephine Hull, 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 - Warhammer and Dun­ geons & Dragons (extra tables for beginners), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; Young Authors Write, 3:30 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; computer lab, 2 p.m.; acoustic jam session, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library 269945-4263. �Page 8 — Thursday, October 19,2023 — The Hastings Banner County clerk to end final week on the job with a community open house Jayson Bussa Edi/or , . K u Pam Palmer is quick to admit that she knows it is the right time for her to retire. But, that decision isn’t so easy when she consults her heart, “That’s when it really gets tough,” Palmer saiAd, her voice beginning to crack. As just about anyone who has logged decades of service on the job can attest to, Palmer faces a bittersweet moment as she pries herselfaway from 28 years of working in the Barry County Courthouse - 19 years as a judicial clerk in the circuit court and the previous nine that were spent as the county’s clerk. This is Palmer’s final week on the job, which will be punctuated by a community open house, slated for 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday at the Tyden Center in Hastings. Cake and cook­ Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer this week is wrapping up a 28-year career serving the county. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) ies will be served. Palmer takes with her the myriad ofmem­ ories that came from wearing so many hats as the clerk. She recalled moments she spent serving as a bailiff in court, leading juries in and out of the courtroom; as a magistrate conducting arraignments and setting bonds; and even officiating a handful ofweddings. That whole journey began for Palmer, a Woodland native who graduated from Lake­ wood Public Schools, nearly 28 years ago to the date. Palmer’s entrance to county work came when she served as.judicial secretary for Cir- PAM PALMER RETIREMENT OPEN HOUSE Friday, Oct 20 , St 2 to 4 p.m. Tyden Center ! 121S Church St, Hastings, Ml 49058 cuit Court Judge James Fisher. Palmer had worked with Judge Fisher previously legal secretary when he was practicing law, l She ran into the recently elected judge at a wedding reception and he extended her the invite to serve as his secretary. After Judge Fisher’s exit, Palmer went on to work for Judge Amy McDowell before throwing her hat in the ring to become the county clerk. “I thought it would be a pretty easy transition (to become county clerk), but it wasn’t,” Palmer recalled with a smile. “I was used to working the files ... but there are so many more hats for a clerk to wear than just working the files.” Palmer had submitted her resume for the gig upon the departure ofher predecessor, Pam Jar­ vis. Palmer didn’t think she would get the job. “I interviewed in front ofthe three judges and when I got the phone call, Judge McDow­ ell was on vacation already, and when I got the call from her, I’m thinking ‘Oh-no, what did I just do to myself.’ The terror set in.” Palmer took office in January of2015 and that next year she had to run a campaign and ask for the voters to confirm the choice the judges already made. That was the only year she faced opposi­ tion - and formidable opposition, at that. Palmer faced offagainst fellow Republican Craig Stolsonburg, who was serving as the chair ofthe Barry County Board ofCommis­ sioners at the time. Stolsonburg is now Mid­ dleville’s village manager. “I ate more pancakes than I ever would like to admit,” Palmer said of that campaign. “I went to every pancake breakfast. I was in parades. I went around to the different town­ ship meetings and introduced myself to the different people at the townships just so they could see my face and get to know me.” She received the stamp of approval from Dogs kill neighbor’s chickens A 3 8-year-old Nashville woman reported a neighbor’s dog had killed her chickens on Sept. 21. The woman said her neighbor’s dogs had been coming onto her property on the 6000 block of South Clark Road and killing her chickens repeatedly over the previous tl^ree days, killing a total ofnine chickens. The woman said .the dogs were nice and just puppies, but she didn’t want them on her property because her flock of chickens had been destroyed. Police spoke with the woman’s neighbor and sent a report to animal control. Woman told to stay away from neighbor’s dog A 67-year-old Battle Creek woman called police around 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 to East Hickory Road. The woman told police she walks her dog on the same route every day. The woman said she had been told by a man on the block to stop interacting with his dog on her walks, but she continued because the dog is “so sweet” and “loves her.” The woman told police the homeowner yelled at her to stop talking to his dog, and she was scared by his tone ofvoice and the knowledge that the man owns guns. Police told the woman to stay away from the man’s house, his dog and to fmd a new dog-walking route. Dogs kills neighbor’s cat A 62-year-oId Nashville woman called police to report a neighbor’s dog had killed one ofher cats. Police responded to the woman’s home on the 6000 block ofEast Dowling Road around 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 25. The woman told police her neighbors had only lived in the house for a few months, but their two dogs had been on her property several times. That morning, she told police she saw both dogs attacking one ofher outdoor cats. She ran outside with a stick to chase them off and found the cat deceased. Police contacted the woman’s neighbor and sent a report to animal control. 207455 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on November 9, 2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions ofthe Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission’s con­ sideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for re­ ceipt prior to th’e meeting, in care ofthe Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson (mthompson@pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: i. A request from property owner, Brent Johnson, 3042 Garfield Ave, Highland, IN 46322, for a Special Land Use/Site Plan Review to allow for an accessory building on an otherwise vacant waterfront lot pursuant to provisions in section 4.20“Residential Accessory Buildings” ofthe Prairieville Township-Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at the southern portion ofLower Crooked Lake on Milo Rd., Plainwell, MI 49080, Parcel # 08-12-022-012-00 and is currently zoned AG -Agricultural. 2. The Prairieville Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendment(s) at or following the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and ser­ vices, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days7 prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Fritz Bork, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 Last Week, Pam Palmer was honored in front oPthe Barry County Board of Commissioners for her 28 years serving the county, the last nine of which were spent as the county’s clerk. A wooden name placard that says ‘Pamela’ sets on Pam Palmer’s desk in the Barry County Courthouse. The plac-? ard formerly belonged to Palmer’s pre­ decessor, Pam Jarvis, who handed it down to her. voters and didn’t face opposition after that. “Once you’ve established yourself, you’re either approved or not approved,” Palmer said' One aspect of Palmer’s legacy, whether she likes it or not, is how she stood up to claims of alleged statewide voter fraud and impro­ prieties. Many of these accusations and much ofthis noise came from inside her own coun­ ty, including from Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf, who has placed himselfat the forefront of investigating what he believes to be fraud in the election process. Palmer and her office have been, at timesj pummeled by FOIA requests that have comd from all over the country. Both local and national media have made their way to Barry County to document the conflict. g “I don’t regret how I handled elections/ Palmer said. “I have ho regrets. I know that some people don’t like me. But I know a lot of people^ stand behind me and I appreciate them. I follow the letter ofthe law and ifI’m ever not sure, I contact the Bureau of Elec­ tions for guidance or a county attorney or whatever. I don’t try to play it off like I’m knowing when I might not have it right.” Palmer said administering elections is one ofthe things she will miss most after retiring, proud of the fact that she came in knowing nothing about elections and gained copious knowledge over the last nine years. Palmer must be a glutton for punishment as, on election night, she tends to spend all night at the courthouse as returns come in. She remembered one election night not returning home until 6:30 a.m. She stopped in long enough to brush her teeth and then head­ ed back out for a day ofwork. “I’m going to miss this -1 love elections/’ Palmer said. Palmer also admitted that, on the night of the next-major election, she will still stay up and watch the returns come in. a-But, as a mother of three adult kids and a grandmother of seven, Palmer is all but assured to stay plenty busy in her new life of retirement. On Sunday, she said she started a new trai dition with her oldest granddaughter, Abby. < “We bake cookies on Sunday afternoons,” Palmer said. “I’m teaching her to bake. Next week, we might try a pie. We’re testing new territories.” 4^ W -W %*««•** e^#*s'atk« - t afemteam' Rt Longtime dairy farmer, agricultural advocate passes away at age 83 Jayson Bussa Editor A relatively routine agenda item at Tues­ day morning’s meeting of the Barry County Committee ofthe Whole briefly turned into a moment to honor a fierce advocate for local farmers and farmland. Paul Wing of Assyria Township passed away on Sunday surrounded by family mem­ bers. He was 83 years old and a long-time dairy farmer at Wing Acres Dairy, located in the southeastern comer ofBarry County. Wing’s agricultural legacy extends far beyond farming his own land, though. He was active in efforts, to preserve farmland, especially during his retirement years. Wing served on numerous Barry County boards, which included the Farm Bureau, Conserva­ tion District Board and the Conservation Easement Board. He was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association for over 37 years, as well. Wing’s daughter-in-law, Heather Wing, a fifth-generation farmer in her own right, spoke about him as she was being reappoint­ ed to the Conversation Easement Board on Tuesday morning. She serves as the chair of that board. “Paul Wing spent more than 20 years working to make sure Barry County agricul­ ture was maintained as a healthy, viable resource for generations to come,” Heather Wing said in front ofcounty commissioners. “The legacy that my father-in-law (left) to value our resources through efforts to protect our farmland through permanent conversa­ tion easements is an exemplary mission,” she added. Heather Wing admitted that a position on the Conservation . Easement Board can be taxing on her time, but she is now, more than ever, devoted to protecting local farmland as new state legislation aims at stripping local governments ofdecision-making power when permitting commercial solar and wind energy projects. While Heather Wing said she wasn’t nec­ essarily applying for re-appointment to the board in honor ofher late father-in-law, she is certainly picking up where he left off. SN vC1* Heather Wing, daughter-in-law of Paul Wing, speaks in front of county commissioners during Tuesday morning's meeting of the Committee of the Whole. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) future farming. In March of this year, the Barry County Easement Board was awarded a grant from the Agricultural Preservation Fund Board to purchase an agricultural easement on the 438 acres ofproperty owned by Paul and his wife Alma, who agreed to donate nearly 62 per­ cent of the total easement value to the Barry County Easement Board to make it happen. In a recent announcement released by MDARD, Paul Wing explained why he did what he did. LVIAl Paul Wing “Who else is going to feed everyone?” he was quoted as saying. “They needed people to protect farm ground so that the world would not go hungry.” mat win H leas Mu “He was the perpetual dairy farmer; never (had) enough time but (was) always over­ committed and dedicated to helping everyone around him. And land preservation was something very, very dear to his heart,” Heather Wing said. The Wing family was honored in September by the Michigan Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development and the Agricul­ tural Preservation Board for helping preserve 438 acres of Barry County farmland for ii—I— a �i The Hastings ANNER ’ ’ sports section Thursdayv., October 1Q9., 20H2M3 Viking duo wins MIHA State Championship Brett Bremer Sports Editor Where Katelyn Steele zigs, Mylee Wiers w wxpx xpx xp St rW5gi in). pta&dgisihtaiUi 1r fe' he zagsThey zig-zagged, circled, trotted, walked and raced their way together with their hors­ es to the Michigan Interscholastic HorseHorse­ manship Association Division D State Championship over the weekend at the Midland County Fairgrounds. The senior Steele and sophomore Wiers made up the 2023 edition of the Lakewood High School equestrian team, and the duo won district and regional titles on their way to the state finals. The state championship is the first for the Lakewood program since 2011. Neither ofthe Vikings had ever partic­ ipated in the state finals before, just missing out on qualifying with a fourth-place region­ al finish in 2022. The duo won the final event, the two-per­ son relay, to clinch their regional champion­ ship and finished off their run at the state finals by winning the race again Sunday in Midland. “They really didn’t know [they were in the lead] until the last event,” Lakewood eques­ trian coach Laura Steele said. “I had done some calculations, in my head on Saturday night and I was like, I think we got it pretty well locked up, but we didn’t tell the girls.” “The [two-person relay] is actually kind of a fun event to end with,” coach Steele said. “The girls had to work together. It is a speed event. One person starts off and runs as fast as they can to one end ofthe arena where the other rider is waiting and they hand offthe baton and the other rider runs back.” There are times in an equestrian competi­ tion where the girls are competing together, but much of the time they are supporting each other while they do their own thing. Coach Steele said the two Vikings really took care ofeach other and kept each other going through the five-day competition which ran Oct. 11-15. The girls competed in 16 total classes (events) over the course ofthose five days. Division D is the smallest of four divisions, with 11 teams at the state finals made up of one or two competitors. “Mylee takes eight and Kate takes eight spots,” coach Steele said. “Mylee is really good in eight things and Kate is really good Mylee Wiers (left) and Katelyn Steele, the two members of the 2023 Lakewood High School equestrian team, celebrate their Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association Division D State Championship Sunday at the Midland County Fairgrounds. in eight different things. They kind of cover every class between the two ofthem.” Wiers takes care ofthe English and saddle seat events. Kate is focused on the western events. “One of the classes [Mylee] does is the jumping,” coach Steele said. “That is some­ thing she has grown up with. She has grown up the dressage world, which is all English based. That is kind of where she has honed her skills.” “Kate is much more focused on the west- em events. That is kind of what she has grown up in throughout her career. The trail ... is another strong suit she has. Mylee has jumping and Kate has the trail.” That combination earned the Lakewood team 245 points at the state finals, beating out the Reserve State Champions from For­ est Hills Eastern that finished with 222 points. Each of the 16 classes are judged by two judges, who rate the teams from top to bottom and then points are awarded based on those placings. There are a max of20 possi­ ble points in each event with ten points for a first-place finish from each of the two judg­ es. Kate took first in the eyes ofboth judges in hunt seat fitting and showing, saddle seat fitting and showing and western bareback, with first place from one of the judges in wester equitation, cloverleaf race and the timed event. Mylee had first-place judgings in the hunt seat bareback, hunt seat over fences, and the double first in the two-person relay. Fennville was third in the final team stand­ ings with 190 points ahead of Bay City All Saints 180, Grosse He 179, Team Shamrock 152, Chippewa Hills 144, Pewamo-Westpha­ lia 136, Mother of Devine Grace 101, Peck 86 and Mona Shores 66. The Lakewood pair was in third place after four events and then moved into a lead which it held for the rest ofthe weekend. “Both girls have grown up showing since they were littles,” coach Steele said. Mylee and Kate both have their own horse for competition, and Kate borrowed a second especially for the speed events. After missing out on a state finals spot by two places at regionals last fall, this was the goal for the Lakewood girls as they opened the season with their three district competitions. The Vikings compete in District 19 competing at the Barry Expo Center and finished as the Division D Champion this fall with Maple Valley finishing as the Division D Reserve Champion in the district. Both teams qualified for the regionals which were held at the Berrien County Fairgrounds Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Winning the; championship-et regionals earned the Vikings the spot in the state finals. “Their goal right from the start this season was that they wanted to get to the state cham­ pionship,” coach Steele said. “They worked super hard through the three district meets, got to regionals, they went to regionals last year and they finished fourth. This year when they went to regionals they were clawing their way all weekend.” *4 -1 * *_:- - _ " -Z H 1 hifwtaiw* * J TK ladies win first league title since 2015 Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was quite a climb for Thornapple Kel­ logg sophomore Aveiy Hagemann, and it helped the Trojans climb back to the top of their conference. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team captured the 2023 OK Gold Conference title by winning the con­ ference championship meet at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids Tuesday. Hagemann was 45th with a time a little over 24 minutes at her first-ever OK Gold Conference varsity race in early September. By late September she shaved nearly two minutes offthat time and placed 25th at the second conference jamboree. She set her personal record along the banks of the Grand River Tuesday with a 17th-place time of 20 minutes 49.1 seconds. That finish made her the fifth TK girl across the finish line. “We had a long talk the night before this race, but the point of the talk, among other things, was to race for each other and that the team has each other’s backs no matter what, and that they know what to do,” Thor­ napple Kellogg girls’ coach Sam Wilkinson said. “It was the second long talk our team had, but I promised them that today I would only say five words about the race: “‘You ... know ... what... to ... do.’ “The girls did know what to do and they really showed up.” Trojan junior Ava Crews, already a two­ time state qualifier, raced to a fourth-place time of 19:12.08 to lead the TK team. A couple of pairs came in behind her. Fresh­ man Peyton Hardy set her PR at 20:36.67 to place 12th and fellow freshman MeghanJane Skidmore was right behind in 13th with a time of20:39.95. Trojan sophomore Madison Kietzman was right ahead ofHagemann m 17th place with a time of20:47.97. Freshman Alaina McCrumb set her PR at 21:31.00 to place 28th overall for TK and rounding out the top seven was freshman Carmen Reynolds in 37th place with a time of22:04.61. The TK team won its first conference title since 2015 with 62 points. The fourth-place The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls' cross country team celebrates winning the 2023 OK Gold Conference Championship after winning the conference championship meet at Riverside Park in downtown Grand Rapids Tuesday evening. team was only 15 points back. South Chris­ tian was second with 67 points ahead of Forest Hills Eastern 72, Ottawa Hills 77, Cedar Springs 100, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 118, Kenowa Hills 202 and Wayland 239. A pair ofseniors pushed each other to new personal records at the front of the girls’ pack. Ottawa Hills Selma Anderson won the race in 17:20.97 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Emily Tomes was second in 17:33.60. Forest Hills Eastern senior Addi­ son Washier ran her fastest race of the sea­ son to place third in 18:49.93. Anderson was the runner-up at the conference meet her freshman and sophomore seasons and the conference champion at the end ofherjunior and senior campaigns. South Christian was led by senior Ellia Agear who was fifth in 19:24.66. The onepoint difference in the scoring between Crews and Agar was also the difference between the Trojans and Sailors after the two teams had three runners across the line. South Christian hadjunior Rachel Berkenpas place tenth in a PR of 20:19.34 and sophomore Lili Zondervan set her PR at 20: 46.47 in placing 15th, just ahead of Kietzman and Hagemann. That Trojan sophomore duo though raced in just ahead of South Christian’s four and five to clinch the win for TK. Sailor senior Riley VanderLaan was 18th in 20:54.94 about five seconds behind Hagemann. Sailor senior Brooklyn Springvloed placed 19th in 21: 01.06 - a season best time for her. Wilkinson said Hagemann and Kietzman were especially instrumental in the win by passing the right people at the right time. The TK JV girls won their competition Tuesday too with the top three runners in that race from TK, led by individual champ Ellie Harmon, a freshman, who won in 20:49.44. That time would have put her right behind Hagemann in the varsity race. Crews, Skidmore and Hardy all earned all-conference honors while Kietzman and Hagemann earned honorable mention all-conference for TK. In addition to the both teams winning, Ava Crews, Meghan Skidmore, and Peyton Hardy earned All-Conference honors, and Mady Kietzman and Avery Hagemann earned All-Conference Honorable Mention. “These girls have their eyes on an even bigger prize,” Wilkinson said. They want to earn a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals. Trojans will head to South Christian High School for their regional race Oct. 28 where they will face stiff competition from state powerhouse East Grand Rapids as well as their own OK Gold rivals from South Christian and Forest Hills Eastern. Coach Wilkinson said there are a few other teams looking to push for one of the three state qualifying spots at the regional. A ; minimum ofseven individual state qualifiers will come from the regional as well with everyone that finishes in the top 15 individ­ ually guaranteed a spot in the finals. The Thomapple Kellogg boys took a sev- enth place finish Tuesday in a meet dominat­ ed by the Forest Hills Eastern boys. The Hawks closed the OK Gold Championship with 28 points. Catholic Central as second with 82 points ahead of Ottawa Hills 105, Cedar Springs 106, South Christian 111, Wayland 128, Thomapple Kellogg 158 and Kenowa Hills 209. Forest Hills Eastern had four guys among the top six finishers led by junior Henry Dixon who won the race in 15:43.57. He beat out Ottawa Hills senior Liam Walters who was second in 15:51.77. There were fourth guys who hit the finish line in less than 16 minutes. Thomapple Kellogg’s leader was senior Lucas Van Meter who placed eighth in 16:38.27. The pair ofTK seniors at the front ofthe pack have something to push for in the boys’ regional race at South Christian too. Van Meter will be trying to qualify for the state finals for the first time with a great race, and Kaden Hamming can set his sights on break­ ing the 18-minute mark for the first time. Hamming, on the fast, flat track at River­ side Park, improved his personal record to 18 minutes 3.97 seconds to place 27th. He cut more than 15 seconds from his previous PR. He had a march similar to Hagemann’s in the OK Gold this fall moving from 43rd at the first jamboree, to 37th at the second all the way up. to 27th at the championship race. Hamming pulled away from the rest of the Trojan pack. TK freshman Elijah Frazer was 39th in 19:00.29, freshman Grady Galaviz 41st in 19:11.43 and junior Hunter Tietz 43rd in 19:16.00. TK’s six and seven runners both set thenpersonal records. Sophomore Benjamin Postma was 48th in 19:49.60 and junior Case Dykhouse 49th in 19:51.73. �Page 10 — Thursday, October 19. 2023 - The Hastings Banner Saxons look to finish perfect 1-8 run Brett Bremer Sports Editor Sure there was a celebration for a homecoming victory, but the Saxons are hoping for more this week. The Hastings varsity football team has clinched at least a share of the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship and will look to put the finishing touches on a perfect conference season when it travels to Battle Creek to take on the Pennfield Panthers Friday night. It has been an up and down season for the green and gold Panthers, but they just hung 75 points on Kelloggsville in a non-conference win last week. “This week will be another defensive chal­ lenge for us,” Saxon head coach Jamie Mur­ phy said. “Pennfield consistently scores points. Last week they put 75 points on the scoreboard. We love this type of challenge. We understand that they have playmakers, but we will try to force them to drive the field and make more than one or two good plays. We will see if we can stay disciplined long enough to keep them out ofthe end zone.” The number one goal ofthe season for the Saxons, according to their head coach, is the undefeated conference championship. They are excited to be back in the postseason once again after picking up their sixth victory of the season last week. Maple Valley is the only other team with that kind ofwin total in the county this fall, but the Lions once again can not qualify for the MHSAA 8-Player Football postseason because their enrollment is over the limit allowed by the MHSAA. That means the Lions are playing for pride as they take on a talented Martin team at Maple Valley High School this Friday. Head coach Mary Martin is hopeful that his defense, led in part by his senior son Nic Martin, will be as disciplined and successful at slowing down the Martin Clipper’s talent­ ed quarterback in the season finale as they were at slowing down Bangor’s QB in the * Lion team’s seventh victory of the season last - week. The Clippers are 6-2 heading into the match-up with the Lions after a 28-14 win over Marcellus Friday night. They defeated NorthPointe Christian 46-30 a week before those same Mustangs handed the Maple Val­ ley guys their only defeat of the season so far. Lakewood got its first victory of the season last week, knocking off former Greater Lan­ sing Activities Conference foe Perry. The Vikings will go for their first Capital Area Activities -Conference White Division win this Friday when they play host to rival Ionia The Bulldogs are currently 4-4 overall this season after back-to-back wins over Lansing Catholic and St Johns this month. Delton Kellogg and Galesburg-Augusta will both be playing for their first South­ western Athletic Conference Valley Division victory in Delton Friday night. Both teams are 0-3 in conference play this fall and 2-6 overall. Thomapple Kellogg will look to build a lead and hold it against a 2-6 Kenowa Hills team in Grand Rapids Friday. TK led South Christian and Forest Hills Eastern in the sec­ ond half, but couldn’t hold on against those OK Gold Conference foes. The Knights played competitive ballgames with those two teams this season, and won a barn-burner at TK last fall. Local Standings (W-L), playoffpoints Hastings 6- 2, 57.179 Delton Kellogg 2-6,34.014 Thomapple Kellogg 1-7,26.125 Lakewood 1-7,20.75 Maple Valley (8-player) 7- 1, NA Conference Standings (overall, conference) Interstate 8 Athletic Conference Hastings 6- 2,5-0 Parma Western 7- 1,4-1 Harper Creek 6-2,4-2 Northwest 4-4,2-3 Pennfield Marshall Coldwater 4-4, 2-3 2-6, 1-4 0-8, 0-5 OK Gold Conference 7-1, 6-0 G.R. Catholic Central 6-2, 5-1 South Christian 6-2,4-2 Forest Hills Eastern 4- 4, 4-2 Cedar Springs 5- 3, 3-3 Wayland 2-6,1-5 Kenowa Hills 1-7, 1-5 Thomapple Kellogg 0-8, 0-6 Ottawa Hills Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley 7-1,4-0 Lawton 7-1,2-1 Saugatuck 6-2, 2-1 Schoolcraft 2-6, 0-3 Delton Kellogg 2-6, 0-3 Galesburg-Augusta CapitalArea Activities Conference White 8-0, 7-0 Portland 7-1,6-1 Lansing Sexton 6-2, 5-2 Charlotte 4-4, 3-3 Ionia 3-5, 2-5 Lansing Catholic 3-5, 3-4 Olivet 1-7, 1-6 Eaton Rapids 1-7, 0-6 Lakewood Tri-River 8-Man Maple Valley 7-1, 2-0 5-3, 1-1 Concord 2-5, 0-2 Britton-Deerfield Here is a round-up of last week’s local gridiron action. Hastings 51, Jackson Northwest 14 The Saxons dominance ofthe Interstate-8 Athletic Conference continued Friday night as the Hastings varsity football team clinched at least a share of its fourth consecutive con­ ference championship by outscoring Jackson Northwest 51-14. Hastings improved to 5-0 in the confer­ ence this fall with the homecoming victory and 6-2 overall, clinching a spot in the state postseason. Running back Haiden Simmet scored on a two-yard run three minutes into the ballgame to put Hastings in front 8-0 when coupled with teammate David Jiles’ two-point conver­ sion run. The lead grew to 38-0 before the halftime festivities and then to 44-0 early in the third quarter on a second Simmet TD run, this one from 50 yards away. Isaiah Wilson scored on a four-yard run for the Saxons with a minute and a halfleft in the first quarter and then ran in the twopoint conversion himself for a 16-0 Saxon lead. Saxon quarterback Owen Carroll ’ran into the end zone in the opening moments of the second quarter and his team added a twopoint conversion run by Draven Pennock to make it 24-0. It was Landon Steward’s turn to run into the end zone, from 11 yards away, with 8:44 left in the first half for the Saxons. Steward booted an extra point kick for a 31-0 Saxon advantage. Hastings upped its lead to 38-0 at the half with Carroll completing a 20-yard touch­ down pass to junior Jett Barnum. Steward followed up with a second extra-point kick a second before the half. Cohen Hames scored the Saxons’ final touchdown on a one-yard run with 9:23 to play in the football game and Steward made it a perfect 3-for-3 on extra-point tries. The Hastings defense kept the Mounties to 212 yards of offense, all on the ground and Wilson and Jayse Peterson recovered North­ west fumbles for Hastings. “We have taken a few big strides with our defensive pursuit over the last three weeks,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy said. “Coaches have been stressing the importance of getting nine, ten, 11 guys to the ball. The team has really responded well.” Peterson had a team-high seven tackles and James had five. As a team, the saxons had four tackles for a loss including one each from Brennan Sensiba, Deandre Mathis and Trapper Riegler. Rutland Charter Township Sexton Bid 2023 All Bids due November 27,2023 1. The Sexton agrees to maintain the Cemeteiy Grounds to the roadway, also to include new addition using the trimmer where impossible to mow. The Sexton also agrees to hand trimming around headstones, bushes and fences to the roadway at the Cemetery. The Sexton agrees to use his own riding lawnmowers and furnish gas and oil for same and all maintenance of said mowers, shall be own responsibility of the Sexton and not of the Township. All mowing and trimming to be completed at the same time. 2. The Sexton shall deliver death certificates and burial permits within one (1) week after burial to the Township Clerk. 3. Execute all burials and dis-interment plans. 4. Such maintenance ofthe grounds shall not include such things in the nature of new and permanent improvements as a new fence construction, new posts or grading ofCemetery. 5. The Sexton shall construct new footings within four (4) weeks oforder. 6. The Sexton shall not employ, or allow anyone under the age ofeighteen (18), to operate any power drive machinery or otherwise such as lawnmowers, etc., on the Rutland Charter Township property. The Sexton shall provide his own Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance. Township will furnish top soil. This contract shall last 3 years. Waterlincs shall be blown out in the fall. 7. 8. 9. 10. W W 'W Lakewood sophomore running back Conner Cosme tries to pull away from Perry senior linebacker Austin Poirier during the Vikings' homecoming game at Unity Field Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Offensively, Simmet led the Saxons with ten rushes for 117 yards and Jiles and Stew­ ard both had five carries for 51 yards. “David Jiles has been putting in some extra work on the offensive side.” coach Murphy said. “He will continue to start at halfback. Sophomore, Caden Pettengill is feeling more comfortable and being more consistent on the offensive line. Our tackles Mason Bailey and Gavin Tinkler have taken some ownership of the offensive line and created some nice gaps for our running backs.” Barnum had two receptions I n the win for 46 yards and the one TD. Steward also caught a 21-yard pass from Carroll who was 3-of-5 overall for 67 yards. . Northwest was powered by Nathan Latoszewski on the ground. He had 22 rushes for 160 yards. He scored both Northwest touch­ downs in the second half on runs often and three yards. Schoolcraft 50, Delton Kellogg 6 It was quickly clear it wasn’t the Panthers’ night on the turf at Vicksbuig High School Friday. The Schoolcraft varsity football team recovered a Panther fumble at the Delton Kel­ logg 26-yard-line on the first snap ofthe game and two plays later Eagle running back Isaac Noora scored the first of his five rushing touchdowns two plays later on a 12-yard run. The Panthers turned the ball over on downs once and fumbled it away twice as School­ craft built a 29-0 lead in the first quarter and the Eagles went on to a 50-6 victory in their Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Division match-up. Noora added touchdown runs of34 and 18 yards before the opening quarter was up and tacked on 59-yard and 13-yard touchdown runs in the second quarter. Schoolcraft secured its spot in the state postseason with its sixth victory ofthe sea­ son. The Eagles also got a 31-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Ling to Kolby Lloyd in that opening quarter and their team closed the scoring with a short fourth quarter touch­ down run. The Panthers got their points on a one-yard touchdown run by Cooper Sandusky in the third quarter. Sandusky had five carries in the bailgame for 51 yards. Wyatt Colwell had three rushes for 32 yards. DK quarterback Wyatt Finney completed one offour pass attempts, a 30-yard comple­ tion to Delton Kellogg fumbled the ball away on the first snap ofthe game. The Panthers fall to 0-3 in the Southwest­ ern Athletic Conference Valley Division with the loss and 2-6 overall. Schoolcraft is now 2-1 in the conference and 6-2 overall. Forest Hills Eastern 36, Thomapple Kellogg 30 It happened again. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team saw another second half lead slip away in the OK Gold Conference as Forest Hills Eastern came back for a 36-30 win over the Trojans on senior night in Middleville Friday. Quarterback Grant Middleton and backs Drake Snyder and Ethan Bonnema had touch­ down runs in the second quarter to put TK in front 30-22 at the half. The Hawks pulled even with a five-yard touchdown run by Max Ferrick in the third quarter and a one-yard TD run by Preston Hoexum in the fourth quarter moved their team in front. Hoexum finished the bailgame with 129 yards on the ground. TK had 300 yards rushing in the ballgame and 350 for the night, outgaining the Hawks who finished with 266 yards all on the ground, but the Eastern defense managed to keep TK offthe scoreboard the entire second »*•«•*» **■ Hastings senior running back Landon Steward finds room to run through the left side of the Jackson Northwest defense during the Saxons' homecoming contest inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Friday. (Photo by Dan Goggins) halfin the rain inside Bob White Stadium. The Trojans turned the ball over once, and were penalized seven times for 31 yards hurting their cause. FHE turned the ball over once as well, but was only flagged for two penalties. TK also had second halfleads get away in conference contests with Cedar Springs and South Christian this season. Forest Hills Eastern took a 6-0 lead in the ballgame with a six-yard touchdown run on its first possession ofthe game. The Trojans answered with a four-yard scoring run by Snyder and a successful twopoint conversion run by Middleton that put them in the lead 8-6. Snyder bounced around the right side to find clear running space into the end zone. That first Trojan scoring drive was boosted by a 30-yard run by Brody Wiersma after taking an option pitch from Middleton. Middleton’s one-yard TD plunge and another two-point conversion, once again on a Middleton run, had TK in front 16-6 at the end of a 95-yard scoring drive to start the second quarter. The Trojan defense stifled a fourth down run by the Hawks two-yards shy of the line to gain in the shadow of its own goalpost to start that go-ahead drive. TK plowed forward from there. A couple runs had the ball across the 30, then Sias shook a tackle after hauling in a pass in the left flat and 25 yards into Hawk territory. Back and forth the two teams went in that second quarter. The Hawks scored on a 15-yard run and added a two-point try to get within 16-14 after a big kick-return to the Trojan 30-yard-line. That TD came on a second-and-goal play from the 15-yard-line where the FHE ballcarrier dodged a couple would-be tacklers in the backfield before busting around the left side. TK’s answer was a 24-yard Snyder TD run, on which he just blew through the center of the FHE defense with the football, that had his team ahead 22-14. The Hawks tied things up at 22-22 before the halfthanks to a seven-yard TD run, and a successful two-point pass, on another drive sparked by a long kick return. The Hawks weren’t the only ones to make a big special teams play or two. Wiersma took the ensuing kick-off 83 yards south to north i front of the visitor bench to the Hawk in 12-yard-line in the final moments ofthe first half. Bonnema eventually scored on a threeyard run and another successful two-point conversion, by Wiersma this time, moved the TK lead to 30-22. Bonnema had eight rushes for 75 yards in the game and Brody Wiersma carried five times for 74 yards while adding a 15-yard reception. Jaxan Sias had two catches for 35 yards for the Trojans. Middleton rushed the ball 11 times for 34 yards. Lakewood 18, Perry 7 Senior Jaden Manhart was out front. It didn’t matter if there were not many more than three students and 12 parents left in the cold wet stands, or how soon the Vikings could get to the homecoming dance. They were going to sing the fight song in front of the home bleachers inside Unity Field at Lakewood High School Friday night. They sang it loud and they sang it proud. The Lakewood varsity football team scored its first victory of the 2023 varsity football season knocking off former Greater Lansing Activities Conference foe Perry 18-7 in the penultimate game of the season. Lakewood closes the campaign against longtime rival and new Capital Area Activities Conference White Division foe Ionia. Seniors Eli Jablonski and Brennen Leh­ man caught touchdown passes from junior quarterback Seth Willette andjunior running back Ethan Goodemoot scored the final TD ofthe night. Lakewood trailed 7-0 as the clock expired in the first half, but a flag for a horse collar tackle against the Ramblers gave the Vikings an untimed down from the Perry 44-yardline. Willette lofted a deep pass down the right side that was just over the hands of leaping teammate Colt Endsley. But as eyes in the stands on the field turned to Endsley and his defender leaping for the football, the ball fell into the arms ofJablonski on the run now a step by his defender at the 15-yardline. The ball glanced off his body and then back down into his arms as he trotted the final ten yards into the end zone to pull the Vikings within 7-6 at the half. Willette hit Lehman with a nine-yard TD pass with 9:10 to go in the game on a thirdand-7 play. The senior tight end snagged the ball between a pair of Perry defenders and then backed his way into the end zone for a 12-7 Lakewood advantage. Both teams had opportunities get away amidst the rain drops. Lakewood took its first possession of the second half from its own 32-yard-line to the Rambler three-yard line before losing a fumble as it tried to go in for the go-ahead points. See FOOTBALL, page 11 •itot t®omBm|mW >. VMaj i nJt VI �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 19,2023 — Pag© n Olivet knocks off Delton Kellogg boys in first district competition Brett Bremer Sports Editor Olivet brought an end to the 2023 Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ soccer season Wednes­ day in Delton. The Eagles took a 5-2 win in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 3 District Tournament last week. Olivet built a 2-0 lead in the first halfwith goals from Drew Garcia and Levi Rigelman, and then fought offthe Panthers with Chris­ tian Steffes scoring twice in the second half and Jace Morris adding a goal. The Delton Kellogg boys end the season with a 1-13-2 record. One of those two ties came against the Lakewood team that picked Delton Kellogg s Brady Raymond (right) tights for possession of the ball with with Olivet's Noah Flach during their MHSAA Division 3 District opener in Delton Wednesday, Oct. 11. (Photo by Perry Hardin) up its 14th win of the season Monday while beating those same Olivet Eagles 3-1 in the district semifinals at Eaton Rapids High School Eaton Rapids defeated Hillsdale 4-0 in the district’s other semifinal match-up, and Lakewood and Eaton Rapids were set to meet in a district final at Eaton Rapids High School for the second straight fall; last night. ksarkpt Brett Bremer Sports Editor Goalkeeper Dan Jensen kept making saves and the Saxons kept their season going, until time finally ran out in the second overtime period at Otsego High School last Thursday. The Bulldogs scored with about three minutes to play in the second ten-minute period of overtime and went on to a 1-0 win over the Hastings varsity boys’ soccer team in their MHSAA Division 2 District opener. “We got into the game and the game­ plan kind ofwent out the window in the first half,” Hastings head coach Matt Hokanson said. “We struggled offensive­ ly. Give Otsego credit. They did their homework on us. They knew what they had to do to beat us.” He was hoping his guys would be able to control the midfield and win the 50-50 balls throughout the evening, and to try and get the ball up quickly ahead to attack­ er Troy Hokanson. But the Bulldogs were better in the midfield and more aggressive going after balls than coach Hokanson had seen in studying up on their team. Otsego also knew that the Saxons would be trying to spring Troy on the attack, and coach Hokanson said they bracketed Troy with three or four defend- Delton Kellogg goalkeeper Francesco iMonni knocks away an Olivet penalty kick during the MHSAA Division 3 District opener Wednesday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) singles title at their flight, besting Zeeland East’s Brady Schanski 6-2, 6-1 in the final. The top two teams from regionals across the state last week earned spots in this week­ end’s state finals. Hamilton made it three state qualifying teams from the Holland regional in D3 by scoring ten points in the eight-team field. TK junior Jacob Draaisma won the third singles flight knocking off Zeeland East’s Charlie Reese in the championship round 6-1, 6-3. Draaisma, the second seed at the flight, defeated Wayland’s Cam Sieffert 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round then took a 6-0, 6-3 semi­ final win over Zeeland West’s James Stewart.' The Trojans had runner-up finishes at the other two singles flights. Junior Franklin Wilkinson, the number four seed at his flight, beat Holland Chris­ tian’s Zach Apotheker, the top seed, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinal round before falling 6-1, 6-3 to Hamilton’s Dylan Loew in the champi­ onship. Wilkinson started his day with a quick 6-0, 6-1 win over Zeeland East’s Dominik Rieder. Exchange student Rapha?l DeMonval was the runner-up at second singles. Entering the tournament as the top seed, he eventually fell to unseeded Dylan Becksvoort from Holland Christian in three close sets in the champion­ ship match. Becksvoort knocked off the third, second and first seeded players at the flight to get the victory. The Trojans were unseeded at all four dou­ bles flights and fell to seeded teams in the opening round in all four oftheir matches. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Maple Valley varsity boys’ soccer coach Mike Webb saw some maturity in his guys on a tough night against Calhoun Christian Wednesday, Oct. 11. The Cougars took an 8-0 win over the Lions at Fuller Street Field in Nashville in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 4 Boys’ Soccer Tournament. “Calhoun Christian, I like their team,” Webb said. “I like their coach and I like their players. They’re a very respectable, wellcoached team with eight seniors. They’re big and physical. They move the ball well and their touch is good.” As the Cougars recorded goals,,the Lions k,epXbattling. t f ( r-. “Even though the score didn’t indicate it,' the boys played the hardest they’ve played all season. For the first time this season they played the whole game,” Webb said. “They didn’t fight. They didn’t get on each other. They gelled. With a very young team when you’re getting beat up on it, is very to start pointing fingers and they didn’t do that,” he added. Chances on the offensive end were few and far between for the Lions, but Webb said his »* * I < three-yard-line with 5:06 to go in the first half. The extra-point from Brody Webb had their team in front 7-0 for the time being. Maple Valley 54, Bangor 6 The University of Michigan had its pointa-minute Wolverines at the start of the 20^ century. Maple Valley was a little over three points a minute in the second quarter Friday night. The Lions scored 38 points in the second quarter, en route to a 54-6 win over visiting Bangor to improve to 7-1 in the 2023 varsity 8-player football season. The offense can’t score that many points without the defense getting it the. ball back fast, and the Lion defense was stellar Friday night. It limited Bangor to just 83 yards of offense and three first downs all game. Ban­ gor’s only points came on a touchdown run on the final play ofthe third quarter. Maple Valley meanwhile amassed 393 yards rushing. Andrew Shepard returned to form with 20 carries for 158 yards and senior quarterback Ayden Wilkes carried if himself ten times for 129 yards. Noah Musser chipped in a 57-yard touchdown on his one carry of the night. It was Wilkes who opened the scoring with a 47-yard touchdown run with two and a half minutes to go in the first half. Shepard’s twopoint run put the Lions in front 8-0. A safety by the Lions’ James Penny got the scoring onslaught started for the Lions in the second quarter. The Lion defense also created an extra possession in the second quarter with Callan Hoefler forcing a fumble on a kick-off. Two minutes after the safety, Shepard scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 13-yard run. About two minutes after that, Evan Brandenburg took off on a 36-yard TD run. The Lions led 22-0 after those touch­ downs by their running backs. It was their quarterback’s turn next. Wilkes scored on a 42-yard run with 6:54 to play in the first halfand added a 41-yard TD run with 2:41 to go before the break. Musser’s 57-yard TD run came with 11 seconds to go in the first half. A pair oftwo- guys did earn a handful of comer kicks and have a couple ofshots clang offthe posts. “It was all around a very good team effort,” ’ Webb said. “Bradley Cushing, Evan Fisher, Ayden Betancourt, Robert Schilz and Tyler j Curtis all had very strong games. They played L very hard.” The Lion coach wished he could have said the same thing about his team’s Oct. 16 regu- lar season finale, but Potterville came out much more ready to play than the Lions and went on to a 9-1 win in Nashville. Cushing had the Lions’ lone goal during a ten minute spurt in the second half when Webb said his guys really picked up their effort. “We got the ball deep on them, and we got a few shots off, but it was. too. .little too late,” Webb said. ... «rt The Lions close the season with a record of 4-15-1. Calhoun Christian ends its season at 12-7­ 1. Hackett Catholic Prep defeated Calhoun Christian 5-0 in their district semifinal match in Kalamazoo Tuesday evening. The Hackett Fighting Irish will face cross­ town rival Kalamazoo Christian in the disdtrict final this afternoon at 5 p.m. The Com­ ets knocked off the Kalamazoo Phoenix 7-0 in their district semifinal contest Tuesday. Rutland Charter Township Janitorial Service Bid All Bids due by November 27,2023 FOOTBALL, continued from page 10 Lakewood junior Christian Harton set the Vikings up for their go-ahead touchdown with an interception in the Ramblers’ end that he returned to the 16-yard-line. Perry picked up one first down and had the ball first-and-ten at its own 49-yard-line on the drive after Lehman’s TD, trailing 12-7. But things went backwards from there. The Ramblers lost a snap to face second-and-24 at their own 35; got called for holding to change that to second-and-131 from the 28; had Leh­ man and Bryan Aguilera smother Rambler quarterback Austin Poirier on an option run to make it third-and-36 at the 23; and then had Lakewood senior Samuel Mazurek smother Poirier as he tried to scramble from pressure making it fourth-and-37 from the Rambler 22-yard-line. The Ramblers punted the ball away with about six minutes left. They would get another shot or two at it. The next one didn’t go any better. Lakewood couldn’t keep the ball for long after the Rambler punt and turned the ball over on downs at the Rambler 37. MPerry went backwards again. Aguilera and Mazurek teamed up to sack Poirier on first down. A pass fell incomplete on second-and-18; Mazurek and Goodemoot teamed up to sack Poirier on third down; and Poirier had an interception bobbled by two or three Vikings before it fell to the wet grass incomplete on fourth-and-28. This time Lakewood took advantage ofthe short field, getting a 26-yard touchdown run from Goodemoot with 2:48 to go that seemed to seal the victory - especially combined with Jablonski’s interception on the first play of the Ramblers ensuing drive. But back and forth they continued to go. The Vikings fumbled the ball back to the Raiders two plays into their possession, only to have Endsley intercept a Poirier pass three snaps into the Ramblers last gasp possession. There were only 105 seconds left on the clock tafter Endsley’s interception and senior quarterback Bryson Haight came on to knee out the rest ofthe clock. Poirier scored the Ramblers’ touchdown PoirierscoredtheRamblerstouchdownon a fourth-and-one run from the Lakewood ers at times. Troy and teammate Mickey Jiles were still able to create a few scoring chances, but a few ofthe Saxons’ best rushes into the Bulldog zone were thwarted before they could get a shot off. Jensen was outstanding in goal accord­ ing to his coach. The Saxons close the season with a 5- 17 record. “My team grew,” coach Hokanson said. “A lot of my players had never played soccer before, or ifthey did, they played very little. Some of them came in that couldn’t even trap and pass a soccer ball. By the end of the season we had them doing that. Every kid made strides this year. We knew we were a young team. Everybody grew.” He’s looking forward to adding a tal­ ented freshman class to the high school program next fall. The Bulldogs had a battle with one of the state’s top ranked teams in Division 2, Gull Lake, to look forward to after the win. The Gull Lake Blue Devils ended the Otsego boys’ season with a record of 6- 11-1 in the district semifinals in Otsego Monday night. Gull Lake was set to take on Plainwell in the district final last night, Oct. 18. Calhoun Christian bests Valley in district match Trojan singles players have strong day at D3 regional Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tenpis team was three points shy. of earning a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Divi­ sion 3 Boys’ Tennis Finals at their regional tournament in Holland Wednesday, Oct. 11. The TK boys placed fourth in the field of eight teams. Holland Christian won the regional championship with 16 points ahead of Zeeland West 12, Hamilton 10, Thomapple Kellogg 7, Holland 6, Zeeland East 5, Hast­ ings 0 and Wayland 0. TK junior first singles player Kameron Nichols pushed third-seeded Aiden Sin from Holland in their opening round match, but Sin eventually tallied a 7-5, 6-2 win. Hamil­ ton’s Marco Catalano eventually won the first Saxon soccer falls 1-0 in district opener overtime point conversion runs by Shepard added on had the Lions in front 46-0 at the half. A Lion penalty wiped out a kick-offreturn for a touchdown by Brandenburg to start the second half, and if Lion head coach Marty Martin had any complaints on the evening it was that his team committed a few too many penalties. Shepard scored on an eight-yard TD run with 6:49 to go in the game and Cam Carpen­ ter rushed in the two-point conversion for the game’s final points.s ] Coach Martin thought his senior quarter­ back Wilkes had a nice game, and was disap­ pointed he missed out on a couple passing touchdowns that were called back due to penalties. “Ayden ran the ball well and really direct­ ed our offense well tonight,” Martin said. “As the season has gone on, he has just stepped up and really done what we need­ ed him to do as a three-year starter,” he added. Wilkes ended up l-of-3 passing with a 50-yard connection with Carpenter his lone completion. Nic Martin led the Maple Valley defense with ten tackles and Hoefler had five. Coach Martin was especially pleased with Hoefler’s efforts. “He really set the tone early,” coach Martin said. “He had some tackles for loss and had a nice tackle on a kickoff return and knocked the ball loose and we recovered it.” He thought Skyler Cook did a nice job of stopping the run from his defensive end spot, and was pleased with the play of Penny and Nic Martin on the inside. • “As a defense, we did a nice job to contain their quarterback,” coach Martin said. “He has a tendency when he would drop back to pass ofpulling it down, and trying to run.” He said his defense did a good job of cre­ ating a wall that forced the Vikings’ QB, Eloy Martinez Jr., to run sideline to sideline when he would try and scramble. Martinez finished 3-of-6 passing for 40 yards on the night. The Lions limited him to 14 yards on 15 rushing attempts. I. Weekly cleaning services ofthe Rutland Charter Township Hall. 2. Areas to be cleaned include bathrooms, board room, conference room, offices and kitchen. 3. Cleaning duties include dust, vacuum, sweep, mop and empty all trash cans. 4. Wash all windows in the spring and fall. 5. Janitor is to provide their own cleaning supplies and equipment. 6. Must have Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance on file, with the Township. 7. This contract shall last 3 years. Mowing and Snowplowing Bid Rutland Township Hall All Bids due by November 27,2023 Mow weekly or as needed 2. Remove weeds from mulch area and sidewalk by hand or chemical 3. Trim sidewalk edge, around shrubs and flowers edge. The back and west ofbuilding as needed 4. Blow off all sidewalks and drive ifgrass is present 5. In the fall, cut down all flowers and trim hedges on the east side of the building 6. Spring freshen up mulch beds 7. Snow plowing parking lot and sidewalks as needed. Salt as needed Monday thru Thursday before 8:00 am. Remove snow during the day as needed Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 8. Fix yard from plowing in spring as early as weather allows 9. Must have Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance on file with the Township 10.This contract shall last 3 years �Page 12 — Thursday, October 19, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Viking tennis season ends in regional full of talented teams Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity boys’ tennis team had its season come to an end Thursday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 Regional Tournament hosted by Allegan. It was a field so tough that even with an extra third state qualifying team from the regional not even tenth-ranked South Chris­ tian was able to advance. Fifth-ranked Allegan won the regional championship on its home courts with 17 points. The eighth-ranked Kalamazoo Chris­ tian Comets were second with 15 points, and Unity Christian earned an extra state finals spot with 11 points. The top two teams and any team with more than ten points at an eight-team regional last week qualified for this weekend’s state finals, as well as any first or second place finishers at first singles or first doubles who weren’t on a state qualifying team. South Christian was left on the outside look­ ing in at the end of the day with seven points and Hackett Catholic Prep was fourth with seven points. Lakewood, Pennfield and South Haven were all held scoreless on the day. First singles player Colton Blacquiere helped Unity Christian earn its state finals spot as a team by winning the first singles f flight. He knocked offKalamazoo Christian’’s Ethan West 6-4, 6-0 in the championship match at their flight. They were the top two seeds going in and the results played out Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor opening round match 6-0, 6-4. Junior James MacKenzie competed at secsec­ ond singles and junior Sydney Tefft at fourt singles for the Vikings. Sophomore Ian Cole and junior Alayna Hawkins teamed up at fust doubles for the Vikings and freshmen Ana Grant and Kaden Rohrbacher teamed up at second doubles. Viking junior Hudson y0®' thals and freshman Mitchel Fortier filled the 423 N. Main St. Nashville, Ml 49073 (517) 760-8113 exactly as predicted. Lakewood junior Reily Teigeler took on Allegan senior Evan Eichbauer, the third seeded first singles player, in his opening round match and fell to the Tigers’ number one 6-3, 6-0. Junior teammate Will Grant was the only Viking to win more games in a match Thurs- Cole Muenzer. The MHSAA L.P. Division 4 Boys Tennis Finals will be held Oct. 20-21 in Holland. LEGAL NOTICES TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: Alexander Jonathan Russell has filed a petition for name change. A name change hearing will be held 11/15/2023 @3:00 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Alexander Jonathan Russell to Alexander Jonathan Maleport. STATE OF MICHIGAN 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING REGARDING PETITION NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29633-NC William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 In the matter of Casey Sue Steidle. TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: Casey Sue Steidle has filed a petition for name change. A name change hearing will be held 11/15/2023 @ 2:30 p.m. at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of: Casey Sue Steidle to Casey Sue Fischer. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate Estate of Annette Garrison, deceased. Date of death: 11/07/1949. TO ALL CREDITORS: Annette L. Garrison, Trustee of the Annette L. Garrison Revocable Trust, dated August 31, 2011, and First Amendment to the Annette L. Garrison Revocable Trust, dated August 31, 2011, is now Deceased. As Successor Trustee, Nancy Chantrenne, 172 East Leinaar Road, Battle Creek,Ml 49017, Successor Trustee will be distributing assets and closing said Trust. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Annette L. Garrison, died 03/20/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Nancy Chantrenne, Successor Trustee, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 172 East Leinaar Road, Battle Creek, Ml 49017 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 10/17/2023 Stacey Lott P68809 130 East Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek, Ml 49015 269-963-8222 Nancy Chantrenne, Trustee 172 East Leinaar Road, Battle Creek, Ml 49017 269-721-8496 207573 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on November 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register ofdeeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: I Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Jeremy J Koning, an unmarried man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PennyMac Loan Services, LLC Date of Mortgage: October 24,2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: October 30,2019 Amount claimed due on date ofnotice: $237,192.64 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, described as: Beginning at a point on the West line of Section 6, distant South 854 feet from the West 1/4 post of Section 6; thence continuing South 412 feet; thence North 89 degrees 23 minutes East 240 feet; thence North 412 feet;' thence South 89 degrees 23 minutes West 240 feet to the Place of Beginning, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan. Common street address (if any): 7316 N Patterson Rd, Caledonia, Ml 49316-9318 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless, determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If'you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date ofnotice: October 19,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 ' (248)642-2515 1512356 (10-19X11-09) 207289 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 23029637-NC In the matter of Lily Grace Comensoli. TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on 11/22/2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Barry County Trial Court, Family Division, Room FC01, 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William Michael Doherty <P41960 for the following purpose(s): Petition for a minor name change. Connecting to the virtual courtroom at the time of the proceeding: “Desktop PC’s and Laptops: Go to Zoom web site (ZOOM.US). Click on "Join a Call". Join using meeting ID 5030695658. ‘Tablets and phones (Apple and Android): Install the Zoom apt from the app store or play store prior to the call. At the time of the call launch the Zoom app and join using meeting ID 5030695658. “Phone call only: Call 646-876-992 or 669-900-6833 and connect using meeting ID 5030695658 (this option may only be used with the court’s prior permission). If you require special accommodations to use the court because of a disability, or if you require a foreign language interpreter to help you fully participate in court proceedings, please contact the court immediately to makb arrangements. Mark Comensoli 1187 Omigas Street Hastings, Ml 49058 207308 r J Provided by the Harry County offices ofEdward Jones day. He was bested by Spencer Westdorp, t e third seeded player at third singles, in their third doubles flight. Allegan took three flight championships on the day. Silas Neldon won the third singles title for the Tigers, and the host team also got victories from the third doubles team of Evan Ruga and Carson Williams and the first doubles team of Jackson Morrie and NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Attention homeowner: If you are a military service Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, member on active duty, ifyour period ofactive duty has that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a concluded less than 90 days ago, or ifyou have been sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 1:00 PM, on November 02, 2023. The amount due of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is some part of them, at a public auction sale to the encouraged to contact the county register of deeds highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the office or a title insurance company, either of which place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on November Mortgagor(s): Richard L. Reyff and Susan V. 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be Reyff, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: The greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest Huntington National Bank as successor by merger bid at the sale does not automatical!^ entitle the with TCF National Bank successor by merger with purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. Chemical Bank FKA Chemical Bank and Trust A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the Company successor by merger with Chemical Bank county register of deeds office or a title insurance West successor by merger with Bank West Date of company, either of which may charge a fee for this mortgage: June 25, 2001 Recorded on July 3, 2001, in Document No. 1062448, Foreclosing Assignee information. Mortgage (the “Mortgage") made by (if any): None Amount claimed to be due at the Beth Leslie f/k/a Beth Schoendorf and James Leslie, date hereof Thirty Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty­ wife and husband, as Mortgagors to United Bank Eight and 56/100 Dollars ($30,968.56) Mortgaged Mortgage Corporation, dated. March 12, 2015, and premises: Situated in Barry County, and described recorded on April 3, 2015, Instrument No. 2015­ as: Lot 19, Middleville Downs Addition No 1 to the 002855, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Village of Middleville, according to the recorded plat Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of thereof in Liber 5 of Plats on Page 4. Commonly Mortgage dated October 3, 2023, from United Bank known as 314 Stadium Dr, Middleville, Ml 49333 The. Mortgage. Corporation to United Bank of Michigan,. redemption period will be one year from the date of su&i bh^yrdbciribb^ ubtier MCL 600.32419, • and1 recorded October 4,'2023, Instrument No. 2023-’ 007817, all as recorded in Barry County Records, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless Mortgage is $51,020.70 at the time of this Notice. extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. Ifthe above The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, . to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any the borrower will be held responsible to the person part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the as stated above, plus interest on the amount due property during the redemption period. If the sale is at the rate of 5.75% per annum; all legal costs and set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale expenses, including attorney’s fees allowed by law; will be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s protect its interest in the property. The property to be attorney. Attention homeowner: If you are a military sold at foreclosure is all ofthat real estate situated in service member on active duty, ifyour period of active the Village of Middleville, County of Barry, State of duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you Michigan described more fully as: Unit 11, East Town have been ordered to active duty, please contact the Homes, a condominium established by Master Deed, attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the recorded in Instrument No. 1074113, Barry County telephone number stated in this notice. Records, and being designated as Barry County The Huntington National Bank Mortgagee/Assignee Condominium Subdivision Plan No. 23, as amended, Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. if any, together with rights in the general common 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 elements and limited common elements as set forth Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 in the Master Deed and as described in Act 59 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1978, as amended. Tax ID 1510778 No. 08-41-195-011-00 Commonly known address: (09-28)(10-19) 206609 136 Irving Road #3, Middleville, Ml, 49333 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless STATE OF MICHIGAN deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to BARRY COUNTY MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF the person who buys the property at the mortgage HEARING REGARDING PETITION foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for NAME CHANGE damaging the property during the redemption period. CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29632-NC October 10, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court Street, Suite 302 (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street Hastings, Ml 49058 NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 Court Telephone No. 269-945-1390 (10-12)(11-09) 207172 In the matter ofAlexander Jonathan Russell. Financial FOCUS Member SIPC Madison Cove ^?S?!S,al^(,visor ?.1 W; Woodlawn Ave. H3(269?945 3553^ Start moving toward retirement security It’s not as well-known as Halloween, but National Re­ tirement Security week hap­ pens every October - the third week, to be precise — and while it doesn’t involve ghosts and goblins, it does deal with something even more frighten­ ing: the risk of not being able to enjoy a comfortable retire­ ment. Through various events, this occasion highlights ideas about building retirement secu­ rity. What steps can you take? Here are some suggestions: • Don’t underestimate your longevity. Consider this: 65-year-old men can expect to live another 20 years, while 65-year-old women can antic­ ipate almost 22 more years, according to the Society of Actuaries. And these figures arejust averages, meaning you could well exceed these ages, perhaps by many years. So, in thinking about how much money you’ll need as a retiree, be aware that you could spend two, or even three, decades in retirement. • Don’t derestimate health care costs. When you retire, some of your expens­ es — such as transportation, wardrobe and other costs asso­ ciated with your career — will drop. Others will not and may even increase. Health care is a prime example: Many people assume that Medicare or their Medicare Advantage plan will vestments to “lock in” gains take care of virtually all their and avoid being over-exposed health care costs in retirement, to market volatility that could but that’s not the case. Gener­ cause short-term losses. Yet, ally speaking, you could plan even in retirement, you should on spending $4,500 to $6,500 still own some growth-oriented per year on health care costs investments that can potential­ during retirement, excluding ly help keep you ahead of in­ the large expenses connected flation. In fact, it’s important with long-term care. Your actu­ to periodically rebalance your al costs could be higher or low­ investments back to your pre­ er, depending on your health, ferred mix to avoid taking too prescription drugs and supple­ much or too little risk, so you mental insurance coverage, but may want to consult with a fi­ make sure you plan for sizable nancial advisor. health care costs in your pro­ • Identify a suitable with­ jected retirement budget drawal rate. You don’t want • Contribute as much as you to take out so much from your can afford to your retirement portfolio each year that you plans. Try to put in as much as run the risk of outliving your you can afford to your 401(k) money. So, you’ll want to de­ or other employer-sponsored termine an annual withdrawal retirement plan and try to rate that can reduce this danger. increase your contributions A common withdrawal rate to whenever your salary goes start retirement is 4%, but your up. You may also be eligible own rate should be based on to contribute to a traditional several factors: your age, size or Roth IRA, which offers tax of portfolio, other sources of benefits and a wide variety of income and so on. investment options. (Contri­ It can be challenging to butions to a Roth IRA may be make all the moves necessary limited based on your income.) to help achieve retirement se­ Once you reach retirement, curity — but it’s worth the ef­ you can still make some moves fort. that could help boost your fi­ This article was written by nancial security: Edward Jones for use by your • Maintain an appropriate local Edward Jones Financial investment mix. When you Advisor. retire, you might be tempted Edward Jones, Member to shift most of your portfolio SIPC into highly conservative in- STATE OF MICHIGAN STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-290630-DE WILLIAM H. DOHERTY Court address: 206 West Court Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of David Lee Symonds. Date of birth: 02/13/1943. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, David Lee Symonds, died 08/18/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Dennis Wayne Symonds, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23029593-DE HON. WILLIAM MICHAEL DOHERTY Court address: 206 West Court Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: (269) 945-1390 Estate of Charles William Bosher. Date of birth: 11/17/1932. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Charles William Bosher, died 07/21/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Norma J. Bosher, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 10/12/2023 Nathan E. Tagg P68994 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Dennis Wayne Symonds 115 South Jeffery Avenue Itacha, Ml 48847 989-233-41211 Date: 10/16/2023 Aaron A. Bartell P74907 206 S. Kalamazoo Ave. Marshall, Ml 49068 269-781-5193 Norma J. Bosher 471 Clear Lake Dr. Dowling, Ml 49050 269-317-2404 207284 SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting October 10,2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. All board members present Approved consent agenda items Approved payment of bills Approved changing telephone provider Approved 2024 salary resolutions Approved 2023 budget amendments Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 8:06 pm Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor hi® ■■■■ fl nB M OkMIe *-5^0 *0 11 ^ ^ Uu * A- _ . Uu. 207429 Synopsis Hope Township Regular Board meeting October 9,2023 Meeting opened at 6:30 pm Approved: Consent agenda Office furniture & flooring purchase Bonding & Notary for new clerical worker Adjourned at 7:09 pm Submitted by: Deborah Jackson, Clerk Attested to by Doug Peck, Supervisor J is1** 207221 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Garage Sale IN-HOME SALE: Looking for the perfect gift for a little one in your life? Pretty in Ponchos has handmade fleece items for sale: children's car seat ponchos, infant car set covers, children's hats, adult headbands, beach/bath towel ponchos and more. October 21, 2023. 9AM-3PM at 4810 Upton Road, Hastings. Wanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852­ 0667. B11sin ess Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793.____________ MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Pets GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $400.00. 517-852-4881. klOBOl ■HUM tto MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $400.269-223-9194. ’ 1 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. iiu uu jy* w k �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 19, 2023 — Page 13 LHS boys win their way into district final Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings had another shot at their nem­ esis last night. The Lakewood varsity boys’ soccer team improved to 14-3-2 overall this season and earned a spot in the Oct. 18, MHSAA Divi­ sion 3 District Final at Eaton Rapids High School against the Greyhounds with back to back wins to open the state tournament. Spanish exchange student Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue scored twice in the Vikings* district semifinal victory over Olivet Monday at Eaton Rapids High School to push his total to 31 goals this season which matches the single-season school record set by 2023 Lakewood High School graduate Colby CarCar­ ter scored in the fall of2022 Eaton Rapids ended Carter’s varsity playing days at Lakewood with a win over the Vikings in the district finals in 2022 and the Greyhounds were the only team to best the Vikings during the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division season this fall. Lakewood scored a 3-0 shut out of visiting Pennfield in the opening round ofthe state tour­ nament last Thursday at Lakewood High School. Cano Femandez Vegue scored two goals in his team’s second win ofthe season over the Pennfield boys last week. Pennfield gave him a little too much space a couple yards above the top. of the box midway through the first halfand casually ripped a low hard shot past the Pennfield keeper to put Lakewood in front 1-0 in a game the Vikings controlled from start to finish. Lakewood controlled things on the score­ board finally after scoring two more goals in the first six minutes of the second half. Garret Feighan scored offan assist from Will Grant, and then Feighan assisted Cano Fernandez Vegue on his second goal ofthe match. Cano Fernandez Vegue could have had an assist, or two or three had a couple fine pass- es been steered on goal in the second halfby his teammates, but Lakewood already had alll the goals it really needed. Lakewood head coach James LeVeque said he could see Pennfield’s skill on the field, but the Panthers have struggled with playing together as a squad throughout the season. Pennfield added four exchange students to its roster this season. The Lakewood head coach said after that win that his guys are still working on meshing their styles a bit with Cano Fernandez Vegue even with all the successjthey’re having. Senior goalkeeper Ben Scobey earned the shut out in net, but didn’t have to do too much work to keep that 0 on the scoreboard. Coach LeVeque was pleased with his team’s defense as a whole. Grant played right back for the Vikings, a new spot for him. Cano Fernandez Vegue scored the lone goal of the first halfin the district semifinal Monday against Olivet, and coach LeVeque said his guys had a ton of chances to put the ball in the net which they were just unable to capitalize on. Troy Acker converted on a penalty kick and Cano Fernandez Vegue scored a second goal in the second half. The lone Olivet goal came on a 35-yard free kick which just somehow found its way through Scobey. “Olivet played hard. They played tough, but our defense came to the table and played well,” LeVeque said, “really limited their good opportunities. Unfortunately, our offense kind of kept them in the game by squandering several chances in front of the goal. That was irritating, but it was good we were creating those chances.” The next chance for whoever Wednesday’s district champions may be comes Tuesday in the MHSAA Division 3 Regional Semifinals at Fennville High School. The winner ofthe Eaton Rapids district will face either No. 2-ranked Unity Christian or undefeated God­ win Heights in the regional semi’s. Those two are set to meet at Covenant Christian High School for their district championship match tonight, Oct. 19, beginning at 6 p.m. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION/SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 220 (ZONING) OF THE RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP CODE THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: TO: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Ordinance No. 2023-190 was adopted by the Rutland Charter Township Board at its October 11,2023 meeting. This Ordinance amends Chapter 220 (zoning) of the Rutland Charter Township Code of ordinances, as summarized below: SECTION 1: AMENDMENT TO ADD NEW ARTICLE XIV TEXT FOR NEW I/PU INSTITUTIONAL/PUBLIC USE DISTRICT—adds a new Article XIV stating for the “I/PU Institutional/Public Use District the purpose of the district, the designated permitted uses and special exception uses for the district, and references to other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance for the density, area, height, bulk and placement regulations for this District, and relating to site plan review for certain uses in this District. SECTION 2: AMENDMENT OF § 220-15-1 (ARTICLE XV, SCHEDULE OF REGULATIONS)—adds at the end of the existing Schedule a new line specifying the regulations for the I/PU Institutional/Public Use District. MU. M Lakewood's Garrett Feighan moves in on net with the ball during his team's dis­ trict opening win over visiting Pennfield Thursday at Lakewood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) J** A to mn az Ofciamtaiijjzjaa dBBEifeariktan ins isti ilia J tain I Hl IfWt Mi: If* •03^45 Ntrame’ Mll< 55 Trailblazers and Tigers run young teams to SAC titles J •’ertaoti ffiBliliW ashedj to ® W Lakewood senior Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue breaks past)Pennfield’s Aiden Gillum (right) arid Zachary Walling with the ball during the first half of the Vikings' 3-0 win over the Panthers in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 3 State Tournament Thursday at Lakewood High School. Vegue went into last night's district final tied for the Vikings' single season record with 31 goals. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 1 Brett Bremer Sports Editor US 131 Motorsports Park may be billed as the fastest track in Michigan, for drag racing, but it didn’t prove to be for cross country runners last Thursday. Out of nearly 200 racers, less than ten were able to set new personal records on the after­ noon as the Southwestern Athletic Confer­ ence hosted its 2023 championship at the raceway. The Delton Kellogg girls were ninth and the boys 12th as a team. Junior Ethan Rimmer had the top finish of any ofthe Panthers placing 17th with a time of 18 minutes 24.60 seconds in the boys’ race. That time was more than a minute off his personal record run set at the previous SAC jamboree, andjust offhis time from the Portage Invitational the previous Saturday where the competition forces faster times typically more than the ease ofthe course. The Delton Kellogg boys’ team also had senior Rhys Bedford 40th in 19:52.31, junior Brock Hickerson 51st in 20:24.51, sopho­ more Nick Muday 61st in 20:45.98 and fresh­ man Isaiah Kellogg 105th in 29:06.59. Coloma senior Boden Genovese was a lit­ tle less than halfa minute offhis PR, which .-u. .■ - he set at Portage, finishing the SAC Champi­ onship with a time of 16:21.6. Hackett Catholic Prep sophomore Marek Butkiewicz was second in 16:59.41 and Hol­ land Black Riverjunior Isaac Edgington third in 17:21.35. Saugatuck took the boys’ team championship with 61 points ahead ofHackett Catholic Prep 74, Black River 115, Bridgman 138, Constan­ tine 139, Schoolcraft 149, Kalamazoo Christian 193, Parchment 213, Allegan 218, Watervliet 247, Coloma 249, Delton Kellogg 253, Fenn­ ville 318, Lawton 350 and Gobles 396. Saugautck had five guys finish among the top 20 finishers. Freshman Sawyer Monroe led the way with a sixth-place time of 17:36.68 and his sophomore teammate Sammy Gamboa was seventh in 17:40.1. Each ofthe guys in that top five for the Trail­ blazers is either a sophomore or a freshman. Gobles beat out Saugatuck for the girls* championship on the day 55-78. Fennville was third with 85 points ahead of Bridgman 118, Hackett Catholic Prep 138, Schoolcraft 145, Kalamazoo Christian 164, Watervliet 192, Delton Kellogg 202, Allegan 231 and Black River 255. Running at the front for the Delton Kellogg girls was senior Summer Ritchie who placed ’ ’ s s’nmnuBs rs’mtnTmn ortT uBrmtTortT .onifirTuv .onifi ” teams, led by seniors Makenzie Vasquez and Audrey Hillard who both shot their best 1 n?ole round ofthe season. Vasquez scored a93 and Hillard a 97. ven the Vikings’ best at their best wasn’t quite enough to challenge the three individual state qualifiers from the regional. Thatt trio was led by Grand Rapids Christian sopho­ more Lillian O’Grady who was the individu­ al regional champion with a score of73. Unity Christianjunior Evelyn Kwiatkows­ ki was seventh overall and qualified for the finals with an 83. The final individual state spot went to Comstock Park junior Quinn Clement who scored an 85 that had her in a tie for ninth individually. Hillard started and ended her day with pars on number 12 and then eventually number 11. In between, she birdied the 275-yard, par-4 number two. Vasquez opened her day with a par on number 13 and followed up with a birdie on the 121-yard, par-3 number 14. The Vikings’ state qualifier from a year ago had an excel­ lent day on the four par 3’s on the course. She had three pars and the one birdie. Lakewood head coach Carl Kutch said his girls gave everything they had. The Lakewood team also got a score of 104 from sophomore Galatea Archbold-Pyle and a 116 from sophomore Liz Markwart. “I couldn’t ask for any more from such an amazing group ofLakewood golfers,” Kutch said. “More importantly, I am so grateful for having the privilege to coach such amazing young ladies l who represent themselves and their school at such a high level.” SECTION 4: AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 220 TABLE OF CONTENTS TO INCLUDE CONTENT PERTAINING TO NEW I/PU INSTITUTIONAL/PUBLIC USE DISTRICT—adds new content corresponding with the preceding items pertaining to the 1/ PU Institutional/Public Use District, as applicable. SECTION 5: AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NO. 13-002-001-20)—rezones parcel no. 13-002-001-20 from the CR Country Residential District to the PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District. SECTION 6: AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NO’S. 08- I 13-028-008-00,08-13-028-009-00,08-13-029-006-00, AND 08-13-029-007-00)—rezones th&following Boys AQiris Club of .Kalamazoo property from the. AG/OS Agricultural/ Open Space Preservation District to the PRC Park/Recreation/Camps District: 30th in 23:10.06. Junior teammate Johannah Houtkooper was 40th in 23:53.97. Senior Samantha O’Meara placed 45th in 24:19.88, junior Kylie Main 48th in 24:26.55 andjunior Jillian Leclercq 55th in 25:04.92. The DK team had sophomores Elli Tim­ merman and Izabelle Gruber round out its scoring seven placing 64th and 65th respec­ tively. Timmerman in 25:54.81 and Gruber right behind in 25:57.26. There were six freshmen in the top ten in the girls’ race, with the first three finishers all in their first varsity cross country season. Gobles’ Libby Smith won the race in 19:23.51. Fennville freshman Isabelle Sliter was sec­ ond in 20:06.22 and Martin freshman Veyda Conley third in 20:28.99. Kalamazoo Christianjunior Alaina Klooster, ajunior, was the only non-freshman in the top six. She placed fourth in 20:32.77. Gobles had three freshmen in the top seven with Ava DeYoung fifth in 20:48.18 and Lauren Shaffer seventh in 21:00.88. The Tiger team also had sophomore Madison Cooley 13® 3® and senior Deanna Wood 36^ to win the championship. The Delton Kellogg teams will be a part of the Kalamazoo Christian Invitational Satur­ day and then will host the'Barry County Invi­ tational at Gilmore Car Museum Tuesday. Viking seniors shoot best 18 of the season at tough D3 regional Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings knew they had their work cut out for them going into their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional at Winding Creek GolfCourse in Holland Thursday. There were three ofthe top five teams in the state rankings in the field, and those three teams wound up scoring the three state qualifying spots from the regional led by topranked Grand Rapids Catholic Central. The top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams at the regional earned spots in this weekend’s MHSAA Lower Pen­ insula Division 3 Girls Golf Finals which will be held at The Meadows on the campus ofGrand Valley State University. The Cougars won the regional title with a score of 335. Fourth-ranked South Christian was second with a 357 and fifth-ranked pring Lake put together a score of 360 top Place third. Lakewood was seventh in the field of 11 SECTION 3: AMENDMENT OF § 220-18-6 PERTAINING TO SIGNS IN NEW I/PU INSTITUTIONAL/PUBLIC USE DISTRICT—applies this section to signs in the I/PU Institutional/Public Use District, as applicable to the uses allowed therein. Coach Kutch has plans for this to be his final season leading the Viking girls’ pro­ gram, and is thankful to have had former player Tiffani Ackerson coaching with him at the regional, and throughout the season. He expects her to continue to be a good leader for the Lakewood ladies in the future. Kwiatkowski’s Unity Christian team was fourth in the day’s standings with a score of 372, 12 strokes behind the state qualifying Lakers from Spring Lake. West Catholic was fifth with a score of 382 strokes ahead of Grand Rapids Christian 393, Lakewood 410, Holland Christian 439, Belding 455, Ionia 457and Allendale 466. South Christian seniorAshley Thomasma was the runner-up with a score of 74 and Spring Lake was led byjunior Zoe Dull, the third place finisher, who shot a 79. The top five girls earned regional medals. The other two in the top five were the Cou­ gars’ leaders. Sophomore Kelsey Preston shot an 80 and junior Ava Wisinski scored an 81. Catholic Central also got an 84 front senior Katie Cook and a 90 from sopho­ more Margaret Deimel. Their sophomore teammate Sofia Piccione wasn’t far back, in a tie for 15th place with a score of92. Parcel no. 08-13-028-008-00 Parcel no. 08-13-028-009-00 Parcel no. 08-13-029-006-00 Parcel no. 08-13-029-007-00 SECTION 7: AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NO’S. 08­ 13-010-031-00, 08-13-011-007-00, 08-13-011-007-10 and 08-13-011-905-55)—rezones the following property used for the Hastings City/Barry County Airport from the ACLI Airport Commercial/Light Industrial District to the I/PU Institutional/Public Use District: Parcel no. 08-13-010-031-00 Parcel no. 08-13-011-007-00 Parcel no. 08-13-011-007-10 Parcel no. 08-13-011-905-55 SECTION 8: AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NO. 08-13-014-054-00)—rezones Kellogg Community College property (parcel no. 08-13­ 014-054-00) from the CR Country Residential District to the I/PU Institutional/Public Use District. SECTION 9: AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NO. 08-13-014-034-10) —rezones the Rutland Charter Township Hall/Office property (parcel no. 08-13-014-034-10) from the MDR Medium Density Residential District to the I/PU Institutional/Public Use District. SECTION 10: AMENDMENT OF ZONING MAP (REZONING OF PARCEL NO’S. 08-13-004-011-00 AND 08-13-009-016-00)—rezones the Rutland Charter Township Cemeteries (parcel nos. 08-13-004-011-00; 08-13-009-016-00) from any existing zoning classification to the I/PU Institutional/Public Use District. SECTION 11: AMENDMENT OF § 220-5-2 PERTAINING TO PERMITTED USES IN CR COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT—-adds as a designated permitted use in the CR Country Residential District: “M. Existing two-family dwelling, lawfully existing as of (date of adoption by Township Board to be inserted here); provided such dwelling shall not be enlarged beyond the spacial footprint or height of the existing building, and may only be reconstructed or replaced within the spacial footprint and height ofthe existing building.” SECTION 12: REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; EFFECTIVE DATE-this section of the ordinance repeals conflicting ordinances/parts of ordinances; provides for the ordinance to take effect on the 8th day after publication or on such later date as may be required by law. This ordinance in its entirety has been posted in the office of the Township Clerk and on the Township website (www.rutlandtownship.org). A copy of the ordinance may also be purchased by contacting the Township Clerk as indicated below during regular business hours of regular working days, and at such other times as may be arranged. Robin J. Hawthorne, Clerk Charter Township of Rutland Rutland Charter Township Hall 207283 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 Telephone: (269) 948-2194 �Page 14 — Thursday. October 19. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Seniors, coach Cam play last match at LHS Hastings junior Rachael Hewitt hits an attack against Vicksburg Monday during a quad hosted by the Saxons. (Photo by Jason Slaughter) Saxons close quad with one victory Hastings senior setter Abby Beemer turns her back to the net to make a pass during her team's win over visiting Vicksburg during a quad Monday at Hastings High School. (Photo by Jason Slaughter) Valerie Slaughter Contributing Writer The Hastings varsity volleyball team won one of its three matches at a quad it hosted Monday evening. The Saxons finished the night with a 1-2 record. In the fmal match ofthe evening, the Sax­ ons picked up their first win defeating Vicks­ burg in two close sets, 25-22 and 25-21. “The girls played well through some sick­ ness and injuries, and overall feel prepared to play their last 1-8 match on Wednesday night against Pennfield,” Hastings head coach Erin Slaughter said. The Saxons had one conference win in the Interstate-8 heading into last night’s match at Pennfield. The conference tournament is set for Saturday at Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek. Saxon leaders for the night Monday were Abby Beemer with 29 assists and five aces, Audrey Vertalka with eight blocks/, Jordan Milanowski with 30 serves, Liliana Fox with 50 passes and Olivia Friddle and Beemer tying with 12 kills a piece. In the first round, the Saxons faced Hop­ kins and had a close match losing the first set 25-27 and then 20-25 in the second set. Hast­ ings then took the first set against Bath, win­ ning 25-14, before dropping two close sets 21-25 and 14-16. NOTICE: SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS The Barry County Board ofCommissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards: Barry County Conservation Easement Board - 1 Agricultural Interest - Partial term Building Authority - 1 position Commission on Aging Board - 4 positions Community Corrections Advisory Board -1 Communications Media Solid Waste Oversight Committee - 2 General Public Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor ofthe Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings; or www, barrycounty.org under the tab: How do I apply for: An Advisory Board or Commission and click to display the application. Applications must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 30,2023. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information. 206514 Brett Bremer Sports Editor “Thank God that’s over.” The complete opposite sentiment was expressed the rest of the evening Tuesday night as the Lakewood varsity volleyball team hosted Charlotte for its annual Peggy Buche Fan Appreciation and Senior Night. Senior middle Cadence Poll said it to head coach Cameron Rowland with a smile on her face as the six Lakewood seniors arrived at the bench following a laughter-inducing (for the Vikings) 25-18 set one win over the Ori­ oles. It was joyous chaos in that first set as the six seniors spun through the rotations without a sub, giggling as they rolled through unfamiliar roles and just played volleyball together. Thinking of endings brought some tears prior to match though. Not only was it the final home match for seniors Carley Piercefield, Alivia Everitt, Poll, Maryssa Goble, Jolee Gardner and Jasmine Stewart, but also the final home match as head coach for Cam­ eron Rowland who has carried on the legacy ofhis mother, Kellie Rowland, who built the program into a powerhouse. “It was good [being a setter for a minute],” Goble said. “I never get to in practice, because I don’t have the best hands. I am always the opposite {side hitter], because that is what I am the best at. It was just fun to experience something new with all my best friends for the last time.” Goble got to put tip one ofthe first sets of the night. She said mere was no preparation for the six seniors pjaying together. “I think it might seven be a 5-6 [offense], because the right front was setting,” coach Rowland said of the “system” his seniors were running. “I was like, I’ll just throw them out there. Thay. had been talking about it, and I was like yeah, I’ll just let the six of you go out there ana do it. I think that being able to win that set, playing like that, is why Lakewood has been, so good for so long. It is kids that can do all the skills. “We’re going to play teams, especially late in the year, that are more athletic than us and we just have to figure out how to beat them with our skills and stuff. I think that has been the cornerstone of the program forever. It was kind ofcool, and fitting, that it was like that. Last year’s group was like that, and the year before was like that.” Piercefield, the Vikings’ (likely soon to be four-time) all-state libero, ended up leading the seniors in assists in that first set with three. She had five for the night, and Goble said one ofthe best parts ofthat opening set was seeing Piercefield getting a kill on the attack at the net. , “She never gets to play [in the front]. We all just went crazy. It was so much fun,” Goble said. Everitt thought playing side-by-side with Piercefield at the net was one of the high­ lights ofthat opening set too. Piercefield returned to the Lakewood court in her neon pink libero jersey for one final time in the second set, with junior Abby Pickard and sophomore Emma Duffy giving the Vikings two more true setters than the zero they had on the court the entire first set. They were joined by Poll, Goble and Gard­ ner on the floor to open that second set and got the Vikings continued towards what turned into a 25-18, 25-12, 25-21 win over the visiting Charlotte girls. Lakewood senior Alivia Everitt is fired up by a play made by senior teammate Jasmine Stewart during their team's three-set win over visiting Charlotte on the annu­ al Peggy Buche Fan Appreciation and Senior Night at Lakewood High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood senior Alivia Everitt is fired up by a play made by senior teammate Jasmine Stewart during their team's three-set win over visiting Charlotte on the annu-: al Peggy Buche Fan Appreciation and Senior Night at Lakewood High School Tuesday: (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Vikings also honored super fan Arlene Forman who helped build the now tradition­ al, tremendous support for the program start­ ing way back with the postseason run r of 1995. She was there supporting the girls seated at the net in the front row across from Lakewood will be at Lowell for an invito? tional Saturday and then finishes off the CAAC White season at Eaton Rapids Tues­ day. The state postseason starts for Lake­ wood against league foe Ionia at Grand Rapids Christian High School Oct. 10. ’* the Viking bench. She predicted that the 1995 success was just the start of something special for Lakewood volleyball and she was right. Wrapped up in everything else, the tears, hugs, seniors, parents, celebrations, smiles, etc., the Vikings got a trophy at the end of the night as the victory moved the team to 6-0 in the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division clinching a conference champion­ ship in the return to the conference after nine seasons dominating the Greater Lansing The Vikings face one of their toughest district runs in quite some time. A 23-6 West Michigan Aviation team awaits the winner of the opener between Lakewood and Ionia, and the district host Grand Rapids Christian is ranked second in the state in Division 2 and will face a Forest Hills Eastern team among the honorable mention rankings in a district semifinal match. Lakewood is currently fourth in the state in Division 2 and continues to test itselfout­ side ofthe conference. The Vikings were 1-2 at the Harper Creek Quad Monday night; falling to the host Beavers who are among the honorable mention teams in the Division 1 state rankings and to Pewamo-Westphalia; the top-ranked team in the state in Division 3. The Vikings* victory came over Portage Central. In the victory over Charlotte Tuesday night, Piercefield closed with five total assists. She was surpassed by Pickard and Duffy who had nine and seven respectively. Everitt slammed 13, kills to go with a block. Poll managed seven kills despite hav­ ing a hard time swinging through her laugh­ ter once or twice, and she put up a set or two. herself finishing with one assist. Goble had five kills, Piercefield finished with two and Gardner got one. Stewart had one assist. Piercefield and Goble had three aces each. Poll, Stewart and Duffy had one ace apiece. Activities Conference. It is the 31st conference championship in the history of the program, which has now had to have its titles split between two ban­ ners in the high school gymnasium. Rowland found a stack of Lakewood vol­ leyball team and celebration photos he sat in on from the turn of the century on Tuesday morning, and it really forced him to start thinking about it being his final match lead­ ing the Vikings. “It is emotional,” he said as he steadied himselfto talk about it after the match. “It just made me realize how long it has been a part ofmy life. I don’t know any different. Lakewood volleyball has always been a part of my life. It is an incredibly special program. roram . It didn’t really hit me until today that this would be it. This was my last match in here. The match was fun, which helped. I think that piece ofit was nice. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-10-26.pdf 455aaf93104f2184b2a7bee910135427 PDF Text Text City sets location for early voting Hastings mulls code of ethics for elected officials Saxons football finishes four-peat See story on page 3 See story on page 3 See story on page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 8048 ANNER VOLUME 169, No. 43 hursday, October 26,2023 RICE $1.50 Police share Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters Hunter McLaren Staff Writer As Green Street residents in Hastings pre­ pare for a flood of masked-revelers next week, Hastings police have shared some tips to ensure everyone stays safe this Halloween around Barry County. The holiday fails on a Tuesday this year, with police closing Green Street to vehicle traffic from Broadway Avenue to Cass Street on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Green Street closure has been a Hastings tradition for years, allowing trick-or-treaters and their parents to go door-to-door safely. Even with the street closure, Hastings Police ChiefDale Boulter said both pedestri­ ans and drivers should take steps to be extra cautious. Parents should make sure to impress the importance of staying safe to their kids before they leave the house, he said. “Parents typically know best in regards to letting their kids out and about on their own,” Boulter said. “Ifyour child’s not old enough or you don’t think they should be out alone, then take the opportunity to dress up and go trick-or-treating with them.” By celebrating with their kids, parents will also be able to remind their trick-or-treaters to be aware of their surroundings and stay safe, Boulter said. “Kids get excited for events like this,” he said. “Encourage the kids to slow down a little bit, and look around a little bit more.” Parents should make sure kids wearing masks can see well out ofthem, or consider face paint instead. Light colored clothing for parents and kids can increase their visibility to traffic during the evening. Flashlights, glow sticks, reflective clothing or any other light sources are great ways to ensure trickor-treaters are highly visible, especially for See HALLOWEEN, page 2 Trick-or-Tteat around Barry County Halloween festivities begin in full force on Saturday and extend through the actual holiday on Tuesday, Oct. 31. In this weekend’s edition of The Reminder, we will provide a comprehensive listing of trunk-or-treat and other Halloween parties so that our readers don't miss a single piece ofcandy! Several Green Street residences have already gotten into the Halloween spirit, decorating for trick-or-treaters headed to the area on Tuesday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Report from medical examiner shines light on fatal threats facing county Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County has not been immune from a deadly drug epidemic that is beginning to tighten its grip in communities throughout the country. In a recent report provided to the Barry County Board of Commissioners, Medical Examiner Dr. Joyce deJong, D.O. showed that seven ofthe eight drug-related accidental deaths last year in Barry County involved fentanyl. This was a part ofdeJong’s routine annual report, which she provides for the county to summarize her office’s work, and the latest statistical trends, within the county. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has been approved by the FDA for use in pain relief and anesthesia. The powerful drug, which is 100^ times more potent than morphine, has proveti deadly throughout the country. In fact, United States Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram has labeled Fentanyl as “the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.” Drug-related accidental deaths in Barry County took ajump in 2022 with eight total compared to four in 2021. The year 2020, which featured the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, yielded 10 drug-related acciden- See FATAL THREATS, page 3 Dr. Joyce deJong, D.O., who serves as medical examiner for Barry County, speaks ih front of the Barry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Former Middleville Village Council member charged in incident that led to resignation Greg Chandler • StaffWriter ■ A former Middleville Village Council member has been formally charged in con­ nection with an incident where he struck a parked vehicle in the parking lot of the Village Hall as he was arriving for a meet­ ing earlier this month. John Austin “Johnny” DeMaagd, 26, was arraigned Monday in Barry County court on misdemeanor charges ofoperating while intoxicated and failure to stop after a collision in connection with the Oct. 3 mbp dent. DeMaagd was,, released from' the Barry County Jail a few hours later after posting 10 percent of a $3,000 bond that was set by Magistrate Frank Hillary, *, DeMaagd had been senring as president pro tempore of the Village Council when the incident took place. If convicted ofthe OWI charge, DeMaagd could serve up?tti. 93 days injail and/or be fined from $100 io $500, or could be ordered to perform 36t)J hours of community service, according to court records. The incident took place in the late after­ noon hours of Oct. 3, as the council had begun its committee ofthe whole meeting. DeMaagd arrived at the meeting 20 min- Johnny DeMaagd utes after it started in a Left Field Cafe van. The van scraped the rear passenger side of a parked car in the Village Hall parking lot. DeMaagd was questioned by a Barry County sheriff’s deputy from the Middleville unit after the meeting. The Hastings See MIDDLEVILLE, page 3 String of crime targeting minors online flares up in Hastings Jayson Bussa Editor A recent rash of criminal activity involving adults targeting minors via the internet serves as a stark reminder for parents to remain vigilant in monitoring their children’s online activity. In two separate instances now, civilian groups have conducted amateur sting opera­ tions that brought them into Hastings, where they confronted men who thought they were chatting online with a minor. These men were caught trying to meet up .with these fictitious minors to engage in sexual activity and their actions were recorded on video and posted to social media by those conducting the sting. Both ofthese sting operations have resultresult­ ed in the filing ofcriminal charges, The most recent operation occurred earlier this month and the video made its rounds on social media, striking a chord with Hastings residents. A Goshen, Ind.-based organization that refers to itselfas Bikers Against Predators recorded an hour-long video showing them in Hastings Township, where they met up with a man at the Marathon gas station at 4005 M-79. The video identified the man as “Nick.” In the video, the group states it had been chatting with the man online posing as a 12-year-old girl, and that the conversation turned explicit at times. When the man dis­ covered it was a setup, he left the gas station, but the group followed and questioned him with a live stream video going. . The man walked down the street to Barry Resort and Mobile Home Park. That’s when additional individuals appeared in the video and began an argument with those filming. The host of the sting operation informed the group he had a gun and mace and that he would protect himself. Members of the Barry County Sheriff’s Office responded before the altercation turned violent. Bikers Against Predators later identified the man as Nicholas Bumford. According to court records, Bumford was arrested over a week following the incident, He was arraigned on Oct. 19 and charged with felony counts of using a computer to commit a crime and accosting a child for immoral purposes. Bumford is already listed on Michigan’s sex offender registry and is being lodged in the Barry County Jail with bond set at $50,000. He is set to appear in court for a hearing on Nov. 1. This was an eerily similar scene to one that played out inside the City ofHastings in May when a different group, called Predator Catchers Indianapolis, operated in the same fashion and had several interactions with local men who were attempting to meet up with a minor. This sting led to the arrest and charges of Hastings resident lyier Kerr, who was sen­ tenced Wednesday morning to a minimum of two years on various charges. These amateur sting operations are fairly prevalent online, where groups use them, not only to target child predators but also to pro­ duce video content that tends to gamer a sig­ nificant number ofviews. In both cases, these groups were not formally coordinating with law enforcement and were absorbing the sig­ nificant risk that comes with meeting with potential criminals out in public. Even more recently, but unrelated to either amateur sting operation, the Michigan State Police’s computer crimes unit announced last week that a Hastings resident has been arrest­ ed and charged with possession of child sex­ ually abusive materials and using a computer to commit a crime. See CRIME, page 2 Chad Morris of Hastings was arrested by Michigan State Police last week. (Courtesy photo) �Page 2 — Thursday, October 26,2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Charlton Park’s ‘All Hallows Eve’ event planned for Oct. 28 Staffand volunteers at Historic Charlton Park will host an afternoon offamily-friend­ ly fun at the annual All Hallows Eve event on Saturday, Oct. 28. From 3 to 6 p.m., visitors can don their costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating in the Historic Village (participants should bring their own treat bags), an autumn-themed maze on the village green, apple cider and more. The cost is $5 for anyone aged 13 and up. Children 12 and younger will be admitted for free but must be accompanied by an adult. Plenty offree parking is available. “During All Hallows Eve, our goal is to provide fabulous fall fun for all ages in a safe environment. Ifyou love Halloween and costumes ofall sorts, shapes and sizes, then we hope to see you Saturday, October 28,” said Park Director Dan Patton. “Families! can enjoy the Historic Charlton Park Village free from the worry ofvehicles and traffic while getting a small glimpse ofour rural heritage.” Additional information can be found at charltonpark.org. Historic Charlton Park is between Hastings and Nashville, north ofM-79 at 2545 Charlton Park Road. Local nonprofit hosting talent show to benefit orphans One Less, a local nonprofit dedicated to ending the global orphan crisis, is hostihg a talent show to raise funds for the cause on Saturday, Nov. 11. Local talent will be on display at the Hastings Performing Arts Center, 520 W. South St. in Hastings, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. All proceeds from the event will go toward One Less’s mission ofhelping orphaned children and adoptive parents around the globe. Erica Schaefer, of Hastings, founded One Less in 2021 with the ambitious goal of ending the global orphan crisis. Already, Schaefer and her team have been able to build two homes that will house 75 abandoned children, give support to 200 adoptive/foster families, provide medical supplies for dozens oforphaned children and have developed an online coaching platform for people seeking to adopt. While ending the global orphan crisis may not happen overnight, One Less serves to help not only orphaned children but also those looking to adopt. The adoption process is a long and often expensive one, and One Less provides guidance to first-time adopters. Those interested in purchasing tickets to the One Less talent show can visit givebutter.com/onelesstalent. More information on the nonprofit can be found at OneLesjsorphan.me. Silver Bells in the City: Lansing’s holiday tradition returns Lansing’s holiday tradition, Silver Bells in the City, kicks offMichigan’s holiday sea­ son and promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. Presented by the Lansing Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing, Silver Bells in the City is a cherished tradition for 39 years for many Michigan families. । This year’s event will take place in downtown Lansing on Friday, Nov. 17 from 15 to 9 p.m. Attracting more than 40,000 people to Michigan’s capital city, this evening ofholiday magic features the ever-popular Electric Light Parade with Lansing’s own India Graham serving as grand marshal. The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from the comer of Lenawee _.£freet and South Washington Square. MorQ.tjpQ.70 units, special guests and several high school marching bands will sparkle with^hous^ndspf lights as they make their way through the streets ofdowntown Lansing?1 ® ’ The 36th official state Christmas tree selected by the State ofMichigan Department of Technology Management and Budget (DTMB) is a 60-foot spruce that will be harvested from Onaway located in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Onaway resident Vic Ruppert! and his family donated the tree in honor ofhis late wife Shirley Ruppert. This is the first tree from Presque Isle County. After a performance by Grace West, the sky will be aglow as 200 drones perforin a Firefly Drone Light Show choreographed to music. Then, a firework display over the capitol marks the evening’s grand finale. The Silver Bells Village, located on the 100 block ofEast Allegan Street between Sputh Washington Square and Grand Avenue, offers attendees the opportunity to start their hol­ iday shopping, enjoy refreshments or purchase a Silver Bells commemorative ornament. The Village features unique gifts and treats from vendors from across Michigan. More information can be found at silverbellsinthecity.org or on social media at facebook.com/SilverBellsInTheCity. Celebrate the SAXON SPIRIT PRE-GAME TAILGATE PARTY FRIDAY, OCT. 27th 5:30-7:15 PM To show community support for our football team and the spirit of being a Saxon, Preferred Hastings man gets prison time after1 being netted in child predator sting Greg Chandler StaffWriter A 3 5-year-old Hastings man will serve at least two years in prison for contacting someone online he thought was a 13-year-old girl for purposes of having sex. Tyler Michael Kerr was sen­ tenced Wednesday in Barry County court to 24 to 48 months in prison on a charge ofaccosting a child for immoral purposes, and 24 to 240 months for a felony charge of using a computer to commit a crime. Kerr entered a no contest plea in late August to the two charges along with a misde­ meanor charge ofusing a comput­ er to commit a crime and a charge ofattempting to distribute sexual­ ly explicit material to a minor. Kerr was arrested in late May in Hastings following an amateur sting operation conducted by an Indiana-based group targeting online child predators. His offenses were documented online by Predator Catchers Indianapo­ lis, a group uses adult decoys that pose as minors online to see if adults will prey upon them, either by transmitting sexually explicit images or messages or attempt­ ing to meet in person. A video taken by the group shows Kerr being confronted by group members inside a store in Hastings. Those taking the video footage told viewers they had communicated with Kerr online, posing as a 13-year-old trans­ gender girl, and claimed Kerr tried to set up a meeting for sex. Hastings Police later arrested Kerr at the scene. Tyler Kerr, of Hastings, is flanked by attorney James Champion as he offers an apology before he is sentenced in a Barry County courtroom on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Greg Chandler) “A strong message needs to be sent that this is not to be tolerat­ ed,” Assistant County Prosecutor Christopher Ellsworth said. “Thankfully, it was not a real child in this case, but ifit was, he was set and ready to go and have sex with this kid. He had the seats folded back in the car. I don’t know ifhe typically carries a gun with him or not, but he had a gun with him when this happened. “He was, in his mind, meeting a 13-year-old for purposes of sex, and this is the type of behav­ ior that is a parent’s nightmare.” Defense attorney James Champion appealed for proba­ tion and community service for Kerr, saying his client wanted to stay in the community so he can have a relationship with his daughters, ages 6 and 4. “A lot of times over my 25 years in front of courts, a judge will say ‘you weren’t thinking about your children when you committed this crime,’ and it’s clear from all the facts in the case that he wasn’t thinking about any­ thing at the time,” Champion said. Kerr had no prior offenses, Champion said. “He served our country in the Army. He has a bachelor’s degree. He’s not somebody that’s going to be a problem going forward. At the risk of sounding too trite, it, was a bad afternoon,” Champion, said, noting his client had been, drinking and playing golf earlier, that day. Judge Michael Schipper pushed back. “I don’t care about your crimi­ nal history. This is somebody, who preyed on a (child). He was, there, prepared to have sex with a, 13-year-old girl, and he had a gun in the car. I don’t know what' that was for - I doubt to protect himselffrom her, maybe (it was), to make sure she didn’t take off, I don’t know. That’s extra scary,” Schipper said. Kerr apolojgzed to the court,, saying lie was ^truly' ashamed! and remorseful” for what he did,, and that his actions were “com­ pletely out ofcharacter.” “On that day, I broke my fam­ ily, I broke the people I love the:' most,” he said. “The repercus­ sions of my actions will follow me for many years to come. This, is a chapter in my life story that L never envisioned. As a result, Ij have lost contact with my chil-j dren, I lost my marriage and myj friends and my professional life.”] Schipper acknowledged Kerr’sj past military service and previ-! ous lack ofcriminal behavior, j “All of us should have a sec-1 ond chance, but there are conse-! quences. There are consequences^ that will stick with you for a long' time,” the judge said. Kerr received credit for 11; days served injail. County planners green light Assyria Township sawmill Greg Chandler followed through on the commissioners’ StaffWriter request. Barry County planning commissioners Sawmills are an allowable special land use Monday granted final approval for a sawmill in areas zoned rural residential, according to at the comer of Wolf and Jenkins roads in the county zoning ordinance. Assyria Township. The county planning office received com­ Commissioners voted 6-0 to-approve the plaints earlier this spring from nearby jresispecial land use for^ohn PauLjCau^nan trvX-^dent&^who said Kauffi&an was, already opprate operate the sawmill on the 160-acre site. The ing the sawmill; even though the county Planning Commission had granted prelimi­ hadn’t approved any plans for the project. nary approval for the sawmill last month, on Kauffman agreed to stop operations after the condition that Kauffman submit a detailed those complaints surfaced. site plan for the project before he would be Commissioner Jack Miner asked Kauffman allowed to begin operations there. Kauffman ifhe had operated the mill since the last Plan- ning Commission meeting. Kauffman said no. Commissioners had earlier put in a condi­ tion that the sawmill limit its operating hours to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In other business Monday, commissioners approved a request by Jeremiah Angoli to operate a taxidermy hu$Qte$$ out ofhis hqpw on Cobb Road in Barry Township. Angc^i hopes to get his busifi^s operational by April ofnext year. Commissioners also recommended to the Board ofCommissioners approval ofa farmland agreement with Jeralee Mazurek for his 70-acre farm in Section 4 ofCastleton Township. CRIME, continued from page 1 Chad Morris, age 35, was arrested follow­ ing an investigation in which it was discov­ ered he possessed and shared files of child sexually abusive material from a computer system at his home., Evidence found at his home, and located elsewhere, implicated Morris in his involvement in the sexual assault oftwo adult victims, as well, accord­ ing tQMpiugaaXoJicfi^_________ . ___ He has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of sec­ ond-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count ofaggravated possession ofchild sexu­ ally abusive material, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime and one count of capturing/distributing images ofan unclothed person. Further details on these alleged offenses were not available. While Morris’s case is vastly different from the men netted in the amateur sting, online activity is a common thread woven through them all. “The MSP Computer Crimes Unit encour­ ages parents to speak to their children about the safe use of the internet,” the Michigan State Police wrote in a statement. “There are many resources available to parents to assist in keeping children safe online. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides a comprehensive list ofresources on their website, missingkids.org.” LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REACTS The Banner spoke with Barry County SheriffDar Leaf about the most recent ama­ teur sting, which he so happened to come across online as it was happening and responded to personally. The Banner asked if the local sheriff’s office ever conducts similar operations since amateur groups have had significant success in netting potential child predators. line of defense is parental supervision for children using the internet. “You should be concerned with your kids, any time they’re online — we’ve been holler-* ing that for decades now,” Leaf said. “You need parental supervision.” Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor( Pratt echoed those sentiments, saying that ilar operations in the past, but they are gener­ ally labor intensive, which can be difficult for a single office to execute. He did, however, say that collaborating with other sheriff’s offices is generally effective. He pointed to Genesee County’s G.H.O.S.T. department, which stands for Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team and targets those engaging in sex trafficking and online predators. The program not only operates in its own local jurisdiction but also offers a certification program to teach others how to launch similar programs. While amateur sting operations by folks on social media have proven effective in some cases, they can be dangerous and, when not executed properly, might be fruitless and spoil a potential criminal investigation. “These organizations are popping up in other states,” Leaf said. “The problem is we have to make sure they’re not entrapping people. When they get out to the scene, they can’t be pushing buttons.” Leaf stopped short of saying that he has seen any significant spike in such crimes here in Barry County and reminded that the first about protecting children from it, is crucial. “I don’t see an inordinate amount of(crime ofthis nature). We do see it for sure but a lot, ofit is reported,” Pratt said. “A lot of it is reported by concerned par­ ents who found out their child is talking to someone and it might come that way... In a lot of our cases, we’ll get concerned parents who call law enforcement because they found out their child is talking to someone, (online) or we find out someone is reaching, • out to kids.” Keeping parents and kids informed about, these threats can, in some ways, be just as effective as a sting operation that flushes; child predators out into the open. “I think a lot ofus in law enforcement try> to educate the public and educate kids and, • people to please be carefill online and be, vigilant of your children; I know it’s hard sometimes,” Pratt said. “Some kids are a lit-i tie older and a little independent but we do, caution people. People are always open to, wanting to know more about how to protect their kids. kids.” ^Ohi§_ tbr^^dj2eing.proa^Q, HALLOWEEN, continued from page 1 Credit Union is sponsoring a tailgate party with free grilled hot dogs, chips and a drink to anyone before the game with Charlotte Orioles, at the main entrance to Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. Start Time for Varsity Football is 7 PM SAXON SPIRIT iet it show! b costumes that involve a lot ofdark clothing. While Green Street will be closed for a few hours, there might still be some traffic or emergency vehicles coming through the area. Being aware and sticking close to sidewalks or crosswalks can help keep pedestrians out ofharm’s way. Privets will also havQ to be extra mindful while on the road next week. While many families will be visiting Green Street, pedestrian traffic will likely overflow into neighboring streets and to neighborhoods throughout the city and other communities across the county. Boulter said drivers should take all the safety checks they normally would while driving, and even go a step further to ensure they aren’t endangering trick-or-treaters. If it’s not dark out yeti it doesn’t matter. Turn your headlights on,” Boulter said. “If typically you would take a 10 second pause before you pull out of your driveway or across that sidewalk, take an extra 10 to 15 seconds to make sure there’s no kid running down the sidewalk.” Drivers should take extra precautions whenever they find themselves crossing pedestrian paths, like when crossing or turn­ ing through an intersection. Backing out ofa driveway across a sidewalk and into the street can also be dangerous with so much foot traf­ fic. Boulter said drivers with plans to travel may want to back into their driveway before Halloween so they can pull out with more visibility. Anyone traveling with a passenger may want to ask that person to stand behind the vehicle and act as a spotter, even on vehi­ cles with back-up cameras. “The safety aspects ofit really have never changed. There may be more kids concen­ trated in certain areas, so just be extra aware,” Boulter said. “That’s kind of the’ name ofthe game for Halloween or any type ofevent like that.” Hastings police officers will be monitoring Green Street and patrolling through the com-* munity Tuesday to make sure everyone cele-, brates the holiday as safely as possible.* Boulter. §aid he encourages parents concerned about suspicious candy to discard it and con-, tact police ifthey suspect any wrong-doing., Any parents concerned about the contents of! their trick-or-treaters’ hard-earned candy can also talk to officers on the street for a quick, candy inspection. “We’ll have some extra people out and! about just like most agencies will,” Boulter said. “We’re hoping for a night offim-filled, events for the kids with no extra calls, othert than maybe a kid who wants some more, candy.” fish Hatchery Pari �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 26, 2023 — Page 3 City council discusses drafted code of ethics w SA S••$s A$ s* n® <s wAW WNj* i iw Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A. code ofethics for elected city officials is in the works to provide a clearer set ofproce­ dures in the case ofwrongdoing. Hastings city council members discussed a first draft of the document Monday before thenregular city council meeting with Jessica Wood, city attorney. The document outlined inappropriate behavior that elected city offi­ cials should avoid, including the dissemination of confidential information, misuse of public resources, use ofa position for personal profit and failure to disclose a conflict ofinterest. While avoiding these situations may seem like common sense, Wood said it would be beneficial to have a code of ethics on the books to ensure officials can be held account­ able consistently and fairly. “The reason that you have to be heldfto a standard like this is because obviously you; represent your constituents, and you’re mak-* irig decisions- with people’s tax dollars,” Wood said. “It’s not your private money;’ lt?s « not your private position. You’re making decisions on behalf of the public and their money, so that’s why you have to be held, to the standard.” Wood said an area where council members would need to be very careful is in being very aware when accepting gifts ofany kind from their constituents. While there may be no intention ofimpropriety, accepting gifts, such as discounted services, can easily be per­ ceived as a bid for favorable treatment. Wood said it would be best to turn down most offers. “Sometimes it’s going to seem overly for­ mal or overly1 cautious, and you might even be concerned about offending the person or it seeming rude,” Wood said. “But it’s a slipperyj^Jope when yqtj start tp accept personal giftSjrjand that’s 'corrupt government starBfpe adcfept^fcfe df sfttall, subtle gifts and.next;thii)g you know, you’ve got a highly improper situation, occurring.” •7®H*,|pode of ethics document would also codi§< the.;proce^ses; and options available in the case of an ejected official being of mi misconduct. Upon receipt ofa written complaint alleging pjispQnduiet; city officers would be given given the the right right (b; (b; conduct-conduct--an an investigation. investigation. Although not required, .witnesses could be requested and documents could be produced as evidence., > , .: •Siai bHj V.. “This sounds vety bld school, ri^it, but you can sort ofconduct your own trial if you will, if you want to get to the bottom ofallegations that were made. I don’t know what could lead to this, but worst case scenario, I guess these things do happen,” Wood said. “Rather than move forward based on hear­ say or rumors, sometimes you do need to have a due process hearing and that’s how you would do it.” Of course, any officials with criminal or civil charges would be subject to those investigations and processes outside of the city. The common-law offense of misconduct in office is a felony in Michigan, and willful neglect ofduty is a misdemeanor. Council members also requested the addi­ tion of requirements for holding an elected position in the city, which are currently not codified elsewhere in the city’s charter. While requiredjo be appointed or elected, officials are currently not required to maintain good standing with the city while in those positions.^ “We’ve had issues in the past dealing with property taxes not being paid for a con­ siderable amount of time or code enforcemen^Violations,” City Manager Sarah Moy­ er*^CaU said. “It is embarrassing, frankly,, especially to staff who are charged with County board inks 2024 budget s % ZXfc* s Ac* 5<Si J SS» sss 5<S Sis i h , J w \S JnSH *>£** tSX jsn *i ®-c®s»tiMa(1< Barry County Board Vice Chair David Hatfield (left) and Chair Dave Jackson (right) have a conversation during Tuesday morning’s meeting, which included a public hearing on the 2024 budget. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Board ofCommissioners has signed offon the county ’s 2024 budget. On Tuesday morning, the board held a public hearing on the proposed 2024 budget and, later in the meeting, voted on whether or not to pass a resolution to lock it in for the coming year. Nashville resident Gary White was the only individual to provide comment during the public hearing portion of the meeting. White took exception with - among other things - the amount ofmoney that the county planned to sink into the Barry County Jail, a facility that both residents and leaders have wanted to replace for years now. The jail requested $395,000 from the building rehabilitation fund to replace 31 security windows ($100,000), replace wornout jail cell doors and locks ($150,000), Mayor Dave Tossava discussed the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety at a workshop session Monday, seated next to City Attorney Jessica Wood. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) enforcing those things when the council members who passed it, don’t follow it. So I can see that being a reasonable thing to include.” The city is currently accepting applica­ tions for an empty seat representing the fourth ward until Nov. 3. A special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at city hall where council members will interview inter­ ested candidates, potentially voting to appoint the best candidate. The city’s char­ ter allows for the seat to be vacant until Nov. 10, after which a special election must be held to fill the seat. install a partition in its large multipurpose room and add a hallway ($100,000) among other needs. “This is all on ajail we want to tear down and we need ajail,” White said. “Once again, the ad hoc facilities committee should have had a comprehensive report to this board and probably the last commission should have been working on building ajail.” Capital requests totaled $1.49 million for the 2024 budget. Some of the larger ticket items included $135,000 from the vehicle replacement fund for three new Barry County Sheriff’s cruisers and $240,000 from the building rehabilitation fund to replace an aging chiller and outdated HVAC control in the Barry County Courthouse. The administrator’s office also plans to replace its current financial system software, a project that is estimated to cost $285,000 but can be spread out over three years. The 2024 capital request for this project was $95,000. As far as staffing requests, the offices of the sheriff, county clerk, drain commissioner and animal shelter all requested new full- or part-time positions. Only the position request­ ed by the drain commissioner was recom-. mended for approval, contingent on funding from the drain maintenance fund. The posi­ tion was for a maintenance technician/laborer and would cost $78,488, which included $39,814 in salary and $38,674 in benefits. The sheriff’s office requested to create a deputy sheriffposition to the tune of$99,852, citing an increasing demand for law enforce­ ment coverage to the courts. Forming the new role would reduce the significant need for overtime. The request was not recommended due to funding. At a high level, the general fund budget for 2024 totaled $20.8 million and leveraged a tax levy of 5.2091, which is the maximum allowable. Taxes were the primary source ofrevenue for the general fund, contributing $15.3 mil­ lion. Tax revenue had proven to be flat in 2021 and 2022 before taking ajump ofnearly a million dollars in 2023. Projections for 2025 and 2026 show tax revenues are con­ tinuing to climb gradually. '“‘“ “ twiiiiiL* iiiiiL* |4^W ^^2*****oiuimpi Hastings forgoes early &&SS55 voting partnerships, sets location at Fish Hatchery Park * ?*»*• ^WSS^1 !’*®*RfckRpik'mi< bfaB Bhapop&sfc has also rwQt ■toil 'RB^Kffrl ,»Bi >a*> <*♦ fktftfui '^1*T(JOD f.f|l rlnnorli «<»•»*• M> > • Jn »>>,« *>rlT *.i«o <*•»<>'.’.OA t liintWR? riHl *<t Mrafflwiikaleetorihk ra w aeeor ftinMaskiPb-ifflofandoftahifa □e of defense is pares arz s j a» WSKi 3Ktf ctjtttQSK&snftt KI t * m KI KI t t * ^^beawM* ^^beaw 11 !3 t,!3Cilr/rt«u®'sf,’,WDi igjgirtaibrf^ gjgirtaibrf^1 ? *«*»*s? ^iwcflstp tfn®’* * ’ fty fra* forty f* * ’ lJS**"# **£$£*' . z&'l z& »g&6 tyzyy* s* &A J (ffC Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings residents will likely be headed to Fish Hatchery Park to vote next year. The city voted to tentatively make facili­ ties at the park the destination for early vot­ ers residing in all four wards ofthe city. City Clerk Christopher Bever said the park was chosen because of the space necessary to host early voting operations. “We’re still working out the time for vot­ ing. Within 45 days, ifthe location were to change we have to notify the state,” Bever said. “But as of right now, in discussion with ** the city manager, that’s where we’lFhaveour early voting.” Proposal 2, passed by voters in 2022, now requires municipalities to host nine days of early voting before elections. The mandatory nine-day period has led to many challenges statewide, with several townships struggling to overcome financial and logistical hurdles involved in staffing an extended election period. Several townships in Barry County have planned to consolidate their voting locations in an effort to reduce staffing and equipment costs. While Hastings will not be partnering with any neighboring townships, the city will be consolidating its four wards and pre­ cincts into one voting location at Fish Hatch­ ery Park. Council memberAl Jarvis expressed frus­ tration with the early voting requirements passed down from the state, namely the uncertainty surrounding reimbursement for the new early voting procedures. “My whole thing is this adds up to an awful lot of money (being spent) in the whole state by this proposal being passed thinking it’s going to be good for voting,” Jarvis said. Bever said while elections would be com­ ing at an increased cost, the city did budget extra funds to account for the early voting process. While it was unclear what the state may or may not reimburse, Bever said most ofthe increased cost to the city would be to pay staff working the polls. As ofnow, the city will be responsible for those costs. “Our costs- will mainly be the-‘election workers, however many we have for those days, some extra supplies and maybe some overtime for some staffmembers,” he said. FATAL THREATS, continued from page 1 tai deaths, an outlier that followed years that saw four and five drug-related deaths respec­ tively. DeJong, who serves as medical examiner for 12 counties and works from the Homer Stryker School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, has seen this dynamic on a grander scale in some other counties. For instance, drug-related deaths jumped from 36 to 50 in Berrien County and from 59 to 71 in Muskegon County. In Kalamazoo, deJong recalled how, in one day, the county saw a reported 12 to 15 overdoses in a single day, resulting in eight deaths. Fentanyl was a common culprit in many of the deaths statewide, which prompted Commissioner Mark Doster to ask deJong for her assessment ofwhy it’s such a threat now. “It’s a pretty powerful drug - more potent than heroin,” said deJong. “I just think it’s easier to distribute. That’s almost a question for law enforcement.” “We rarely see heroine anymore,” she added. “It’s all Fentanyl. Fentanyl.” NARCAN, which is an opioid overdose treatment, is effective in fending off the effects of Fentanyl, deJong said, but it may require multiple doses. While these Fentanyl-related deaths were a dark cloud over the yearly data coming out of the medical examiner’s office, there were some welcome statistics in the mix, as well. Barry County saw 442 deaths total in 2022, which are deaths that occur within the county and don’t count local residents that die out­ side ofthe county. The 442 mark was a significant one as it signals a downward trend in deaths following the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted these death numbers. Pre-pandemic deaths hovered Christopher Bever, city clerk and treasurer, explained the city’s tentative early voting plan to city council members Monday, (photo by Hunter McLaren) “But right now, we will pay those costs until we hear otherwise from the state.” With elections in February and August, as well as a presidential election in November, added costs from early voting in 2024 will be adding up quickly, Bever said. “It will add up,” he said. “Fortunately we have a lot of really good election workers that participate in die process. I think we’ll have enough workers to cover all ofthem.” MIDDLEVILLE, continued from page 1 Banner filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the police report from the incident on Oct. 4, less than 24 hours after it took place. The sheriff’s department to date has refused to release the report of the incident, saying “the report is still open and will not be released until it’s closed.” DeMaagd resigned from the council in a letter to Village President Mike Cramer Oct. 9, six days after the incident He had been elected to the council as a write-in candidate in November of last year and was appointed < \*v president pro tempore in January. DeMaagd owns the Left Field Cafe coffee shop in Middleville, and also owned a Left Field shop in Hastings. However, he announced in a Facebook post on Oct. 17 that he was closing the Hastings shop to consolidate oper­ ations in Middleville. He also announced plans for a full-service restaurant that is sched­ uled to open in 2025. DeMaagd is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial hearing on at 10 a.m. on Nov. 1 before Judge Michael Schipper. I nsuL4z/o SPRAYFOAM " Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville HA around the 400 mark in Barry County until deaths shot up to 453 in 2020 and 530 in 2021. The 2022 data was promising and deJong said that extrapolating current data reveals that Barry County should see another decrease in deaths when 2023 wraps up. “In all the counties, theyjumped up quite a bit but now we’re back down to really pre-pandemic levels,” deJong said. “It’s on a downward trend.” DeJong’s office did not track COVID deaths, because not all deaths are reported to her — in fact, only about a fourth ofthem are. The state tracked deaths that stemmed from COVID. “We could look back and see how many of the deaths reported had COVID,” deJong said. “But we did find, too, that when we had that big spike (in deaths) it wasn’t always COVID-related. It was (also) people not seeking treatment when they should.” Barry County did not experience any homicides in 2022 but 11 suicides - all but one were male. The medical examiner’s office, which uti­ lizes investigators within the county, investi­ gated 123 deaths in 2022 and completed 32 autopsies. MICHAEL KINNEY a PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber VK Licensed Journeyman Plumber W® B W B w New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation I .icen"se"" Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //SI 10376 L(Sc Insured �Page 4 — Thursday, October 26,2023 — The Hastings Banner Go ahead - put up your Christmas tree and decorations Full Moon If you're driving down the main drag in the Village of Freeport, get ready to come across a scarecrow that is up to some serious hijinks. The Village has adorned Division Street with an array of customized scarecrows, each with their own hilarious touch. This one, positioned in front of Blough Automotive, would like to wish passersby a “Happy Halloween’’ In a ... uh... unique way. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Do you remember? nafthw v s isbizm Sesquiceritenmal Ban dress spans the years' Banner Oct, 16,1986 From the Civil War to recent generations, the years were spanned by the winning costumes at Saturda/s Sesquicentennial Ball. Showing their prize-winning outfits are (from left) Karl and Sue Golnek, second prize; Lee and Diane Fay, grand prize; James and Sherry Musser, first; and Wilford and Cleo Ripley, third place. The ball, sponsored by the Thornapple Arts Council of Barry County, was held at the Moose Lodge featuring the Big Band of music of the Ray Gill Orchestra. Have you met? Gail Lowe was a college student in Detroit when she saw something that has stuck with her for the rest ofher life. A homeless man she frequently saw near a liquor store on Woodward Avenue had gone missing. Lowe asked around ifanyone knew what had happened to him. “He had frozen to death next to the dumpster behind the liquor store,” she said. “That story has always stuck with me because it happened on Woodward. All I could think about over the years were the thousands of us that drove by him and never helped him.” Lowe admits there wasn’t much she could do at the time as a young, broke stu­ dent. She’s carried that experience with her ever since, advocating for the homeless any way she can. She became a nurse and respiratory ther­ apist, traveling across the country and spending time in Mexico, Florida, and most recently Prescott, Ariz. She took up long-distance hiking in the ‘90s and has put on a lot ofmiles along the way, hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail twice and even cresting Mt. Fuji in Japan. In total, she estimates she’s probably hiked at least 18,000 miles. While living in Arizona a few years ago, she started volunteering at a homeless shel­ ter that opened its doors near her. She quickly found herself becoming more involved, even coming out ofretirement so she could have more resources to provide. She paid to house a homeless man for sev­ eral months before she moved back to Michigan, landing in Hastings. “Alcoholic, severely paranoid schizo­ phrenic, homeless. He was living under a tractor-trailer on church property that had been parked there forever,” she said. “He was just a hot mess, but I wound up getting him a place in town. I was paying more for his rent than my own.” Much of the stigma around homelessness comes from a lack ofunderstanding, Lowe said. Many homeless people are put in des­ perate situations as a result of lifelong struggles with mental illness, addiction, Gail Lowe disabilities and trauma. Lowe, who has seen the devastating effects of addiction in her own family, knows how deeply damag­ ing it can be. “Being raised in it, I saw the damage that it does to family systems,” Lowe said. Shortly after moving to Hastings, Lowe took in a homeless teen who was living under a bridge. While she’s only one person, she wants to do whatever she can to help the homeless right here in Barry County. That’s what led her to start the non-prof­ it organization Man Alive. She hopes to advocate for the homeless, provide aid and raise awareness of homelessness in Barry County. Her first goal is to establish a small wanning station to provide shelter from the elements and harsh Michigan winters. “I will make sure that they have every­ thing they need to stay alive, that they’re warm enough and that they’re safe and fed,” Lowe said. “Those are my goals.” She’s been collecting donations over the course of several months, preparing every­ thing she thinks she’ll need. Utilizing her medical and through-hiking survival knowledge, she hopes she can at the very least help a few individuals safely with­ stand the winter elements. With a few like-minded volunteers and a dedicated space, Lowe is certain she’d be able to help many. Having a consistent place to sleep and eat in the county could make all the difference, she said. “We want them to recover from their issues. Don’t they have to be alive to recov­ er?” Lowe said. “Shouldn’t we really try to keep them alive until they can recover? I think they deserve that.” Anyone interested in volunteering or contributing to Man Alive can find the organization on Facebook, or reach out directly to at manalivenp@gmail.com. For her selfless spirit and her desire to help others, Gail Lowe is this week’s Bright Light. What motivates me: I’ve always been a defender ofthe underdog. And I think there are human rights that we’re all entitled to. Having a safe and warm place to be is one of them. Being fed is the other. Those are my two main goals. What drew you to Barry County: Hastings checked all the boxes. I came here on a Sunday, just on a fluke. I fell in love with the city. The sidewalks were rolled up, needless to say on a Sunday. But there was one old guy walking his dog — we’re still friends to this day — and he was on the other side ofthe street. I ran across the street and I told him I was thinking about moving here and asked how he liked it. He said, “Well, my wife and I moved here from Battle Creek and we love it.” That was all I need­ ed to hear. What the world needs now: Kindness and compassion. This is a space within the Hastings Banner where we don’t avoid tackling the difficult and controversial issues of the day. From hot-button, politically-charged social topics to holding local govern­ ments accountable - we don’t shy away. It’s no different this week, either. In fact, we’re going to dive into what might potentially be the most divisive topic cov­ ered on the pages ofthis newspaper. The question: Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? Before you sigh and turn the page, let’s dissect this a little bit. Ifyou’re like me, you’re probably still in Halloween mode, and with good reason. With three kids in the house, Halloween is always a lot of firn. And, even though Halloween is still days away, we’re already starting to see the main event ofall holidays creep in. Hallmark has already fired up their wall-to-wall lineup of original Christmas movies (of which my mother is a huge fan) and commercials for holiday sales are in full force. I’ve only seen a few brave souls with the courage to decorate their homes with lights and other items-. This is typically met by disparaging chatter; something to the effect of “Did you see that so-and-so already has their Christmas lights up?” While I am not one ofthose homeown­ ers who have chosen to decorate for the Christmas season as of yet, I don’t fault those who have. Typically, the unspoken rule is to decorate homes shortly after Thanksgiving to enjoy them throughout the month-long sprint to Christmas. But, those who want to get into the spirit even before that aren’t necessarily in the wrong. I took a deep dive to uncover scientific (and unscientific) evidence on why put­ ting up Christmas decorations right now shouldn’t make you a social outcast. It turns out that I’m not the only one that has pondered the physical, mental and other benefits that come with outfit­ ting a home into a winter wonderland. Actual psychologists have weighed in on this very topic. HuffPost - not typically a publication I frequent, but desperate times call for des­ perate measures 4 reported oh the trend of putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. This report was from 2020, though, when people around the country were in desperate need of an emotional boost after being mired in the swamp of the COVID-19 pandemic for the first half of the year. The report checked in with several psychologists, who spoke of the mental and emotional boost that comes with holiday decorations. Ryan Howes, a psychologist and author of the book “Mental Health Journal for Men” put it best when he said: “Drop the judgment. If it makes you feel good, this is the year to do it. Ifstarting your holiday season in August was your desire, go for it and feel no shame.” For many, the holidays elicit positive memories, and having a home adorned with holiday decorations can quickly keep these memories front ofmind. Hflstings Banner, Inc. Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren nnMrti ■naitibtk K2!!llR3tW TiitRirea® *** News and press releases: news@J-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com • NEWSROOM • i Jayson Bussa Editor, Hastings Banner A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 Hank Schuuring * <wmT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... r>*t**J •'■mi The Hastings BcMMlCT CFO Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, NO 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Building anticipation and looking for­ ward to the holiday is another key benefit cited by these psychologists and one that resonates with me personally. We’re already 60 days out from Christmas, and ifeach week is a whirlwind ofwork, kids’ activities and more, then this time is going to go fast. Decorating early pro­ vides a little extended time to be able to look ahead and anticipate what will hope­ fully be another exciting and memorable holiday season. Don’t believe these theories? Well, let me hit you with some cold, hard science. The bright lights and colors (a form of chromotherapy) can be enough to hit your brain with some extra dopamine, which biologically will make you a happier, more positive person. Another psychologist Deborah Serani, appeared on the television show “Today” last year to talk about this biological phe­ nomenon. “It does create that neurological shift that can produce happiness,” she said in her interview. “I think anything that takes us out ofour normal habituation, the nor­ mal day in, day out... signals our senses, and then our senses measure ifit’s pleas­ ing or not.” “Christmas decorating will spike dopa­ mine, a feel-good hormone,” Serani added. Not only does adding Christmas deco­ rations to a home provide benefits for that homeowner, but it also has an impact on the neighborhood in which that home belongs. Believe it or not, the Journal of Envi­ ronmental Psychology has dug into this issue in a report called “Inferences about homeowners’ sociability: Impact of Christmas decorations and other cues.” Research has shown that putting up holi­ day decorations on the exterior ofa home communicates both “friendliness” and “cohesiveness” with neighbors. Translation: Don’t want to look like grouch? Hang some garland or throw an inflatable Charlie Brown out on your front lawn. Albthings considered^there'are plenty' ofthingSiinlif^.thatban.bog.ybu down. 1 Plus, we’re about to turn the clocks back and live our entire evenings in complete darkness for the next six months. If the holidays bring you joy, embrace them, no matter what time ofyear it might be. Let your holiday freak flag fly - sci­ ence says it’s okay. e/ $ POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 48058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 T’wS ■ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 26, 2023 — Page 5 he didn’t want to shoot the dogs, and would do so only as a last resort. The man told police he wasn’t sure who the dogs belonged to, and was going to investigate further in attempts to resolve the issue. Police warn against shooting trespassing dog - A 35-year-old Nashville man called police around 5 p.m. on Oct. 10 to ask about his options for dealing with his neighbor’s dogs. The man told police he was having issues with a neighbor’s dogs killing his chickens and wanted to know if it was within his legal rights to shoot the dogs. Police iinformed the man that state law allows livestock owners to shoot dogs threatening their animals, including poultry, but it is not recommended and can result in civil action against the livestock owner. The man told police X\xs>i xs IlSWJ5 SW SlS: ■W& >fc. •*S&r *»£«»»* *s» £«S»»?* Dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, snakes, geckos bearded dragons, turtles and fish, oh my Police ’esponded to an anonymous report that alleged several animals were livir g in poor conditions at a residence on the 1900 block ofBrook­ field Drive in Hastings. The caller reported the litter boxes and pens were not clean, animals were not fed properly and there was a cat with a broken leg. l Police went to the home on Oct. 17 around 12:30 p.m. and told the residents about the complaint. Police toured the home and saw two medi-­ um--sized dogs, both looking healthy.fTwo adult cats and two kittens both 207455 Hastings ag students expecting llambs in February Hastings High School agriculture students are growing a passion for farming as they get hands-on experience in the animal bam and see firsthand how ewes are bred. In Mrs. iMayack’s agriculture classes, students have I been learning about how to care for the sheep, [including learning how to feed, shear and (halter the animals, as well as clean their pens. [Taking what they’ve learned so far, the Advanced Ag students are now preparing to breed the ewes and welcome lambs in just five short months. Advanced Ag students have been working hard to prepare for breeding, checking that the ewes are fertile, tracking the reproduction cycle and contrasting last year’s data to prepre­ dict this year’s due dates. The students have a system of covering the rams, Alfred and Bruce, in blue and red chalk to determine when each ewe bred to accurately follow the pregnancy cycle and record data. At the beginning of the breeding season, [students write down their predictions on how many lambs the ewes will have and what genders they’ll be. Toward the end of the five months, the ag classes will pull their predic­ tions back out to compare their guesses and see who had the closest guess. Since building the animal bam in the spring of 2022, the ag students have loved spending time with the sheep and gaining a [level of responsibility when it comes to takling care ofthem. Outside ofthe curriculum, ■students are learning how to further develop 'their leadership and management skills and BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC HEARINGS HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL HASS Headlines ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 HEARING ON PETITIONS, ESTABLISHING DISTRICT, COSTS AND PLANS - Matt Goebel, Superintendent 11/6/2023 at 6:00 p.m. Hastings Area School System HEARING ON SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL -11/6/2023 at 6:30 p.m. TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: The Township Board of Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, has determined, on the basis of petitions submitted, to undertake a private road improvement project on Hickory Hill Lane in the Township, and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. The Special Assessment District shall be known as the HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the land and premises in the special assessment district within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed are more particularly described as all lots abutting Hickory Hill Lane, or with access to Hickory Hill Lane (including Pheasant Ridge Drive, Sleepy Hollow Trail, Lilypad Lane and Timberlost Trail) which include the following parcel numbers: HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 Hastings High School Advanced Ag students gather in the recently-constructed animal barn. (Photos provided) apply them to their own animals they show at the fair, the Hastings FFA chapter or their post-secondary plans. Breeding the sheep h is brought a new level ofexcitement and fulfill- ment for the students. Hastings Area School System is so proud to have supportive staff and community members who help make this amazing learning opportunity happen. ^kgfaifo ^'SlEfe SlEfe appeared healthy with clean litter boxes, although one adult had a broken leg. The residents had documents showing the cat had been seen by the vet and was scheduled for surgery. Another two Husky-mix dogs appeared healthy. A large fish aquarium in the living room was clean, with food available. Three snakes had adequate housing with heat pads and lights,, as well as rats and mice for food. Two birds had clean cages with food avail­ able. Five ferrets were in a small cage, which the residents said they would be replacing with a larger one as the ferrets were just given to them by someone else. Three geckos throughout the house seemed to be well cared for. Three bearded dragons similarly located throughout the house had adequate tanks, with one cohabitating with a turtle. Police noted there were freezers and refrigerators with lettuce, insects, rats and mice to feed the reptiles. As long as the cat had surgery to address its broken leg and the ferrets received a larger pen, police said it appeared all the animals were adequately cared for. 02-045-001-00 02-045-002-00 02-045-003-00 02-045-004-00 02-045-005-01 02-045-006-00 02-045-007-00 02-045-008-00 02-045-009-00 02-045-010-00 02-045-011-00 02-045-012-00 02-045-014-00 02-045-015-00 02-045-016-10 02-045-017-00 02-045-018-00 Q2:Q45-Q19-QQ 02-045-020-00 024)45-021-00 024)45^026^00 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed road improvements with associated activities, together with an estimate of the cost of the project in the amount of $180,000 (including administrative costs), and has placed the same on file with the Township clerk; has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to make the improvement and to create the special assessment district; and has tentatively found the petitions Small addition to jail’s exterior an embarrassment to the county for the improvement in compliance with the statutory requirements. The portion of the project to be financed through the special assessment district is $135,000, including any administrative costs. The plans, cost estimates and special assessment district may be examined at the Clerks office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such Ira (|, in bn nKfiathtMltUu I ^®®Kwiar aDsiiXffinaiiii •E’EEEHnSQn WB^JB^almhl ■non IR* MffiKEKziiiat?' rzaaotatEp MNMtptaiktiiW rt«3t:wtaanra Kwnjb. [ftSfiK jagdoi^w^fc as ■: ecokhsiss • To the editor: | It appears that there is someone who । enjoys making our Sherifflook foolish. । Just recently, I was made aware that, on one of the windq^S’ lat• th& jail,' someone! has affixed a sticker for the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), an organization that claims that sheriffs have the . highest office in the land and have the power Ito interpret the Constitution as they see fit. Never mind that we have lawyers, judges iand justices who do that on a regular basis, jand that promulgated laws and executive [orders with which sheriffs disagree should be [contested in court, notjust summarily ignored. I know, and I think many in our county know, that SheriffLeafbelieves himself to be |a “Constitutional” sheriff, however that is a (self-proclaimed title and would have no bear­ ing in a court oflaw, whether he is the plaintiffor defendant. I just can’t imagine Sheriff public hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the petitions, plans, district and cost estimates will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Baltimore Township Hall, .3100 E Dowling- ROad,"Hastings, Michigan. At the .hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any ofthe foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. If written objections are filed with the township board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the road frontage within the proposed special assessment district, then the township board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the road frontage in the proposed special assessment district, are filed with the township. Following the hearing, the township board may revise, correct, amend or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. Leaf, nor our county commissioners, would go so far as to condone the placement ofthis sticker on county property. I doubt whoever placed it there woud speak up, although security footage from the jail might identify the person. It seems like the right thing to do is for SheriffLeafto have one of his staff remove the sticker and for him to stay in the lane of public safety and law enforcement rather than to allow this incident to make Barry County a further laughingstock regarding this “Constitutional” sheriff issue. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his or her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons Christina Bush Nashville are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and cost estimates. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC Delton water tower construction underway, set infrastructure for future growth in community HEARING. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessments, the Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessments. Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer • Barry Township Supervisor Barry Bower 'and his fellow administrators are focusing on । future growth in his community. | Because ofgrants secured through the Amerlican Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the wheels are in motion to construct a new water tower. “Yaknow, it’s a good feeling that it’s finally going to happen,” Bower said. “The whole township board is excited this is going through, finally.” Excavation on the water tower site on West Orchard Street in Delton started earlier this week. However, the submission of a letter of intent from Gentank Water Tower Services at the board meeting in May sparked a discus­ sion on purchasing a refurbished 200,000-gallon water tank estimated at $1.4 million. Board members unanimously agreed to accept the letter of intent. The bid was accepted and the motion carried in a subsequent roll call vote during the same meeting. During the August board meeting, township officials said contracts were signed and the water tower project was moving forward. Gentank Water Tower Services is based in Wisconsin. “Twenty-eight years ago, they upgraded the pIipes. It was in the master plan,” Bower said. It means growth and stability for economic development.” pie Hastings Banner tried contacting some residents near the water tower site, but there were no responses. According to Bower, the Barry County Telephone Company once occu occu-­ pied the space where the water tower site iss now located but recently sold the property to Barry Township. Barry Township Clerk Deb Knight told the Banner that two sources ofgrants through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are allo­ cat^t° fond the water tower. IIf s all ARPA money. The county’s ARPA and we were granted ARPA fundss as well and we obligated those to the tower, “Knight explained. “We have $1.2 million from the Excavation on the water tower site c n West Orchard Street in Delton started last week. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) county.” Barry Township designated ovsr $367,000 from their ARPA funds. “Right now, we’re going to use the county ’s money first,” Knight said. However, a decision on what will happen next with any leftover ARPA funds has yet :o be decided. “It (ARPA funds) will be for the water tower or any maintenance. I’m thinking that’s what we’re going to do,” Knight explained and added that the board will decide. According to township officials, little roo n is left for expansion with a water system pres­ ently near capacity. Although the water system provides fire hydrants scattered throughout the community, the fire department cannot use them because the water system would be depleted in a matter ofminutes. Not only does a new water tower provide long-term expanexpan­ sion capabilities, but also for current ai d future businesses and residential housing. Gentank Water Tower Services in Wisco isin is managing the construction of the water tower site in Delton on West Orchard Road. A representative for the company explained that last week, crews cleared the site ofany trees o get ready for aggregate pier installation. The piers are made of rocks and help stiffen the ground for a firm base under the foundation where the water tower will sit. “We’re going to be pounding rocks down into the ground and we will be drilling holes,” he explained. The rep estimated about 50 piers would be pounded into the ground. The foun­ dation is expected to be set before cold weath­ er appears. “I’m going to say sometime before winter within the next 45 days,” he said. “This (water tower) is a big deal for Barry Township and Delton. I know this has been a long time coming,” the representative added. “This is what the city needs to grow.” Sometime between 1985 and 1993, a Delton Company called Delton Locomotive built highend toy trains that sold for as much as $10,000. This company was environmentally unsafe as it dumped many gallons of water containing heavy metals into the ground. The contaminated groundwater went into the wells in Delton. The federal government helped by installing wells and pumps by Pleasant Lake Road to provide clean water to the residents of Delton. Barry Township upgraded the pipes and installed fire hydrants for future use around 1995. The location was selected for a future water tower at the end ofOrchard Road. That land has been deeded to Barry Township. An engineering firm was hired and large-capacity pipes were laid to the side for future use ofthe water tower. Barry Township has been shovel-ready for the water tower project for a long time.,Over the years, grants have been pursued with no success. But after COVID, the American Rescue Plan ACT (ARPA) money became available for projects involving water, sewer, and broad­ band infrastructure projects between Barry Township and Barry County. That money was available for the Delton water tower. Barry Township has had the deeded access right ofway to the tower site for 28 years. “I’m looking forward to spring when they bring the tank in and then, I’ll be excited again,” Bower said. “Get ready for the water tower because it’s coming.” HEARING ON SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL -11/6/2023 at 6:30 p.m. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Supervisor and Assessor have prepared and filed in the office of the Township Clerk for public examination a special assessment roll covering all properties within the HICKORY HILL LANE PRIVATE ROAD IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 ben efitted by the proposed road improvement project, with associated activities. The costs of the project are as shown on the estimate of costs on file with the Township Clerk. The assessment roll has been prepared for the purpose of assessing costs of the project within the aforesaid special assessment district, as is more particularly shown on plans on file with the Township Clerk at the Township Hall, 3100 E. Dowling, Hastings, Ml within the Township. The assessment roll is in the total amount of $135,000. The costs, including administrative costs, are proposed to be raised by a new special assessment. The assessment against each parcel in the special assessment district will be approximately $5,400 per lot in total, which is approximately $1080 per lot per year, for a period of five years, 2024 - 2028 inclusive. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Supervisor and Assessing Officer have reported to the Township Board that the assessment against each parcel of land within said District is such relative portion of the whole sum levied against all parcels of land in said District as the benefit to such parcel bears to the total benefit to all parcels of land in said District. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Baltimore Township Board will meet at the Township Hall, 3100 E. Dowling Road, Hastings, Ml, on Monday, November 6,2023 at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the special assessment roll and hearing any objections thereto. The roll may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days until the time of the hearing and may further be examined at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his/ her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment or may file his/her appearance and protest by letter before the hearing, and in that event, personal appearance shall not be required. Any person objecting to the assessment roll shall file his/her objection thereto in writing with the Township Clerk before the close of the hearing or within such other time as the Township Board may grant. The owners or any person having an interest in real property who protests In writing at or before the hearing may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after confirmation of the special assessment roll. Baltimore Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days" notice to the Township Clerk. Penelope Ypma I Baltimore Township Clerk 3100 E. Dowling Road Hastings Ml 49058 (269) 721-3552 �Page 6 — Thursday, October 26,2023 — The Hastings Banner # #5 John Clarey siblings, Ann (Jack) Anderson, Katie (Sam) Valenti, Patly Clarey-Konzen, Tim (Kathi) Clarey, and in-laws, Sue (Steven) Allerding, friends who are family (Hubers, Todds, Monte and many more), several cousins, nieces, nephews, and his beloved golf group, “The Wolves”! We would also like-to extend a heartfelt thank you to the greatest neighbors ever, Tom and Julie Seitters. Jock was an educator who passionately believed in always doing right by children. He was a teacher, athletic director, principal and superintendent ofschools. Jock was proud of his Irish heritage and loved every minute ofhis voyage to Ireland. He was a Michigan State Spartan through and through, and passionately followed the football and basketball teams. Jock’s dedi­ cation to his family was unwavering, and his role as “Papa Jock” was. one he cherished above.all else. . Papa Jock, will be. deeply missed, but his wise words, humor and acts ofkindness will never be forgotten. His memory will live in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing this remarkable man! The Memorial Service will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Marilyn V. Danielson on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 at noon at the Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland. The fam­ ily will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time ofthe service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity ofyour choice or to the Portland Athletic Boosters in memory ofJock. Online condolences may be made at ww. lehmanfrmeralhomes.com. j John “Jock” Clarey, age 79, of Portland, MI,-passed away on October 21, 2023 doing One of his favorite things - watching MSU football Jock was bom on October-13, 1944, to John and Kathleen McNamara Clarey in Kenosha, WI. Jock lost the love of his life, wife Vicki, in 2020, and we find comfort knowing they are reunited once again. Jock is survived by children, Kelly (Pat­ rick) Blake, John (Lisa) Clarey, and Colleen Clarey (Jeff); seven grandchildren, Tyler (Kiley) Blake, Kelsey (Alex) Newman, Katie Blake, Chloe Lambert, Chet and Elizabeth Parks, and Hunter Simon; four great-grand­ children, Holden and Zoey Blake and Rosie and Myla Newman. Jock is also survived by • Traditional and Cremation Services • Pre-Planning Services C • Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Serving All Faiths Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted 1 V■*-? 2 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 Middleville’s High Street project nets $250,000 in state funding Greg Chandler StaffWriter Plans to rebuild High Street in Middleville and repair roads in the Glen Valley retail area in Caledonia are getting a funding boost from the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Oct. 19 that the two local villages were selected to receive road funding grants through the Com­ munity Service Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) Category B program. They are among 47 municipalities across the state with less than 10,000 residents to receive funding through the Category B program, according to a news release from Whitmer’s office. Middleville was selected to receive the maximum possible grant of $250,000 for the project to rebuild High Street from Main Street to Washington Street, near the Brad­ ford White Corporation plant. Caledonia was selected to receive $184,000 for work on Glengarry Drive, North Rodgers Court, Dobber Wenger Memorial Drive, Higley Street and Kaechele Street.; The High Street project will involve a complete road reconstruction, as well as 0'S water and sewer upgrades, new sidewalks the CSIF is administered by the Michigan and gutters. The project, which has an esti­ Department ofTransportation and serves as a' mated cost ofmore than $857,000, is expect­ stop-gap program to help fund road projects in’ ed to get underway next spring, Village Man­ small communities. Successful projects were', ager Craig Stolsonburg said. selected, in part, because they are paired with' “We’re going to get it out to bid as soon as planned infrastructure work, coordinated with' we can,” Stolsonburg said. other road agencies, focused on extending the' The village is expected to get funding useful life ofthe road, and had limited funding | assistance for the project from the Local sources for road improvements. Development Finance Authority, which “These grants will help communities! finances public improvement projects in the across Michigan fix local roads faster to save' drivers time and money,” Gov. Whitmer said1 village, Stolsonburg said. Caledonia Village Manager Jeff Thornton in a news release. “Since I took office, Mich-' said the village engineer is putting together igan has fixed 20,000 lane miles ofroad and plans for the Glen Valley retail area road proj­ 1,400 bridges while supporting over 100,000 ects, and hopes to get bids out by the end of jobs, and today’s funding will add to that1 the year. Specifics of the project are still total. Let’s keep working together to fix the...' being developed, he said. roads so people can go to work, drop their" kids off at school, and run errands without1 “We’ve done some work already on Dobber Wenger (that might be covered under blowing a tire or cracking an axle.” the grant) — we’ve done some pavement Grant awards range from $46,000 to’ repair where it might need an overlay,” $250,000 for road resurfacing, culvert! Thornton said. replacement, pavement crack sealing, pre-' The village would match the state grant ventative maintenance, and ancillary storm-' dollar for dollar, Thornton said. water management measures, according to Established by the state Legislature in 2018, the news release. «a ~ •to***"*— 269-945-3252 • www.gfrrbachfuneralhome.net Dale Billingsley lloorioc gg0lH |UlMl a n ruini 21 Serving Hastings. Barn County and Surrounding Communities lor 50 rears .1 - Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ Matt Moser, 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Roger Claypool, (517) 204- Sunday School for all ages; 8,- Hastings. Telephone 269­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; hastfmc© 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Senior High Youth Group 6-8 945-9121. Email Lead Pastor. www, Children’s Ministry. Wednesday hastingsfreemethodist .com. night Bible study and prayer p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 6:30-8 p.m., gmail.com. Website: Pastor Emma Miller, Worship (Children Sunday Morning Worship: LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Student Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Director, Martha Nursery. Aftermath Stoetzel. Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH Website: Sunday Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p•..m. . 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 4246 Pastor Father Jeff Hanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. 328 N. Worship COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH www.lifegatecc.com. Worship 10 a.m. Jefferson 10 a.m. Street. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. 4 Truth Kids Kindergarten-5th Elaine Garlock Halloween is coming. Among the events will be a walk-through in the alley between Second Street and Third Street in the 900 block where members of Central United Methodist Church will have open trunks to welcome visitors. The customary hours of trick-or-treating are 5 -p.m; to 8 p.m. The vil­ lage’s official trick-or-treating hours this year are from 6 to 8 p.m. ‘ Last week’s Reminder had an article about a decorating contest' sponsored by the Lake Odessa Arts Commission for homeowners who wish to take part in a contest for homes and businesses to decorate for the Christmas holiday season. Registration will be early with dates from Nov. 13 to 29. Villagers and Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School Worship Time Youth activities: information. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. call Brittnee Jade Martin, Delton ande Tyler James Risner, Shelbyville. the public can vote from Dec. 8 through Dec. 24. The winners will be announced on Dec. 29. The annual parade will be on Dec. 8. Friday night’s taco supper at the museum on Emerson Street was well-attended with publicity only on Facebook. This was fol­ lowed directly, by a dedication ofthe Hosford house which is at the rear of the museum property on Emerson Street. It has been in place for 18 years and is only now finished and furnished. The floors have been refin­ ished. The interior has been painted and some minor revisions made. The house has no plumbing or heating but is painted and furnished. The rooms have been filled with pieces offurniture long stored in the museum awaiting the day when they could be put to use in a house setting. The living room has a functional hall tree to hang one’s coat and umbrella. It came to the local historical soci­ ety from the estate of the late Nolan Roe of Florida. It had been used in the home ofGlad­ ys Johnson in the yellow brick Italianate house now owned by .the Dahms couple on Jordan Lake Avenue. In the intervening years, the Roe couple had it in Florida. In recent years, it has been back in Lake Odessa, stored in the museum entry. It also had overstuffed pierces for sitting along with other chairs. The walls are decorated with a painting, pho- tosJafrd;a;Masofiic: ceffificatb Honbring Samtr^ el fTosford who owned the home on Third" Avenue north of Third Street. The dining' room has a full set of dining room furniture' including a china cupboard filled with a beau-' tiful set of china. The kitchen has a Hoover-' style cabinet and a working wood-burning* kitchen range in cream and green, a gift from* Kathy (Reiser) and husband Tim Warren. A1 utilitarian piece that combines shelves with storage and a flat surface for a workspace fills? another wall. The bedroom is furnished with1 a bed and a tall chest of drawers built with a1 variety of woods, coming from the trees on the Walter Johnson farm on which the house now stands. Appropriate light fixtures are ihr each room. Most of them were gifts to the Lake Odessa Historical Society. The house' was last used as a dwelling for Leatha and' Delmar Gardner in which they raised their their1 family. • Somewhere we read that the time to switch! our clocks back to winter hours will be on1 Sunday morning, Nov. 5. Time to set our1 clocks back an hour. This gives us an hour' longer in the mornings and shortens the day­ light hours in our late afternoons and early evenings. j One need not go north to see fall colors. I Our own neighborhoods give forth lots ofi color. By sitting in a chair in one’s own liv- ’ ing room, he can see a kaleidoscope ofcolor.! One can see an evergreen with the backing of! a tree with yellow leaves which in turn is b backed by another tree with only red leaves.» So far, they are clinging to the parent tree but I y there are plenty of leaves that have} yet already fallen to the ground. The one tree that! will cling for many days yet is the ginkgo; which one night soon will lose all of its* leaves overnight. A rare tree, the ginkgo! The! leaves may fall while yet green, but more likely it will come after they yellow. for 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 Lacey Road, Dowling, to 7 p.m.; Sunday School - 2601 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. www.cbchastings .org. church phone. Service: 10 a.m. Sunday EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 MUmMiIIpImI 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS 1301W. Green St Hastings 945-9541 Celebrating 88 years of Social Security Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist For 88 years, Social Security has provided income protection to millions ofretirees, peo­ ple with disabilities, dependents and families that lose a wage earner. This year, we will administer more than $1.3 trillion in benefits and payments to more than 70 million bene­ ficiaries. In addition, we issue millions of Social Security numbers each year, maintain wage records and more. We are proud to serve the American people every day. To better serve you, we have prioritized our online customer experience. Our web- site SSA.gov makes it easier for you to find what you need. More than 180 million peopeo­ ple visit our website every year. Whether providing service in person or online, our goal is help you understand whatt you may qualify for and transition you to an applica­ tion process. We have also worked to make sure our programs, particularly Supplemental Security Income (SSI), remains accessible to the peopeo­ ple who need it most. Last year, we launched an online tool that allowss you or your repre repre-­ sentative to request an appointment to file forr SSI and protect your filing date. A Social Security employee will then schedule a full I interview. Find more information about SSI at ssa.gov/Ssi/. We remain committed to helping maintainI the well-being and protection of the people’ we serve. We strive to ensure that every per-1 son who is eligible for or receives benefits! gets them timely and accurately. That is how ’ we help you secure today and tomorrow. Hillary Hatch is the PublicAffairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/bl Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp I NE, GrandRapids, Ml 49525, or via email aJ hillary. hqtch@ssa.gov. hiifiiniak aatahtBsab �The Hastings Banner—Thursday, October 26,2023 — Page 7 Railroad and nearby resort gave Delton its beginnings 'But ?’'S',''X>> nt iX s?Xu ^telk" Kt-: J*J*S*xw^ i,5-8 *"‘M« M«1* ***^ 58 '*"^2?’ *»«*•>< ss^v ss-^v -2 hs a M sei of dat ■at xxj iflxtftiLlitittateitos. Uaviaanlptu|ii bi g Ss?sS ssgs Esther Walton * Banner Oct. 16, 1986 Railroads made or destroyed small villag­ es. If a railroad line bypassed a village, its doom was certain. On the other hand, the coming ofa railroad could also create a village where none existed before. Such was the case with Delton. This article ofM.L. Cook’s io addition to the beginnings of Delton goes into how the W.K. Kellogg Foundation using Barry County as the first experimental area made sweeping educational changes during the period of 1930s and 1940s. Mr. Cook correctly predicted Kellogg’s effects on the rural schools and the future of the consolidat­ ed schools with the advantage of a 12-grade education for everyone. Here in M.L. Cook’s words is the story: Before the railroad, all there was to Delton was FfRK-sst9re re ’ downstairs portion being used forms stock and the upstairs for the family residence. The only thing to indicate that a village might locate there someday was the store and the roadbed ofthe Kalamazoo, Hastings, Lowell and Northern Michigan railroad, which was projected as a narrow gauge line. After the grading had been nearly complet­ ed to Lowell, all work on it ceased, no doubt because of the depression, which began in 1873 and continued for several years, (mak­ ing) it impossible to raise the money for its completion. In the meantime, it had become evident that a narrow gauge line could not be profitably operated, because all freight would have to be unloaded at junction points, then reloaded onto standard gauge cars, which would add too much to the cost oftransporta­ tion. I (Cook) recall that Mr. Norwood was confident the road would be built and lived to see his beliefvindicated. Delton owes its existence to the construc­ tion ofthe C.K.&S. And the resulting devel­ opment of Crooked and Wall lakes as resort areas. Kalamazoo people built a large share of the cottages at Crooked Lake, while Hastings resorters accounted for most (of) the cottages at Wall Lake. Not long after the town was platted, a roller mill was erected in Delton. All these favorable conditions called for a town; the town arrived and continues, although it has never been incorporated (1942). The plat for the village, as recorded in the office of the register of deeds, was filed by James R. Bush and F.A. Blackman, on whose farms the town site was located. The business pieces are mostly4?uilt frontingtfye north and south highway through town, now . a part of M-43. The road was constructed long before Delton was an idea in anyone’s mind. But Delton is not a one-street town like Prairiev­ ille. It was platted with cross streets, on some ofwhich residences have been erected. How­ ever, the builders of Delton homes seem to have preferred having them on the two high­ ways, Trunkline 43, running north and south, and the east-and-west county road which intersects M-43 at Delton. The town has a number ofnice cozy homes. Prominent farmers who lived in and near Delton when I first knew the place were the following: Wm. P. Sidnam, who later was register of deeds ofthis county for two terms, who still later moved to Kalamazoo, where he spent the closing years ofhis life. The Delton Kellogg Agricultural School is shown here as It appeared In the late 1940s or early 1950s. The original building structure was demolished last year. TURNING BflGK THE PAGES He was quick and unusually strong, as his Generally speaking, the village folk are inter­ antagonists learned to their sorrow. Hee was ested in having the church function. They jolly and good-natured. He was never looking would not wish to live in a community with­ for trouble but never ran away from it when it out a church. They know it is needed to coun­ came his way. At times when Delton had no teract influences that are helpful. They are not hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Blackman obligingly so interested in its name as in what it does. opened their home and served meals. The Delton businessmen are highly favored, writer (M.L. Cook) was a guest there on sev­ compared with most rural villages. Instead of eral occasions and remembers the very tasty the summer being a dull period, it is their meals served by Mrs. Blackman. most active season. They are alive to their The writer (Cook) also knew, but not so opportunities and go after the large resort well acquainted with Orren Barrett and Addi­ trade at Crooked, Wall and other nearby lakes The Delton Kellogg Elementary School seen in 2022 before its razing. Construction son Pennock, who owned fine farms near and they get a large share. They are wise and on the new Delton Kellogg school building is currently underway. (File photo) Delton. fair about it. They do not regard the resorters It was fortunate for the village when Ellis as “good pickings” and overcharge. They certed effort to consolidate the smaller rural districts have been taken onto the Kellogg Faulkner established a drug store and Fred seek goodwill from these summer visitors by schools with a school system that contained a district at Middleville and the township unit Hughes’s efforts gave Delton its substantial giving them reasonable prices and good ser­ high school. This is what was happening at school at Woodland. bank. (The building in 1986 was then the vice. That wise course had helped Delton and Delton in the 1940s). We have mentioned the increased number library). Both men have aided the develop­ benefitted the increasing number of lake The patrons ofthe Delton school, also of of rural districts added to the original Delton ment of the village. The two Leonards, resorters. every rural, village and city district of Barry District. All but three districts in Yankee George and Leon, are not noisy about it, but Very rarely is a town the size ofDelton so County, will one day realize as they cannot Springs and all but two in Orangeville have they are interested in the progress of Delton. highly favored in its public school buildings, now, the far-reaching benefits of the W.K. been made parts of consolidated districts. The late Ray Thorpe was a persistent booster, their equipment and in the quality of work Kellogg Foundation health work, now being Rural districts in Rutland, Irving and Leighton and the auditorium which he helped so much done in them. Here we say “Hats off to the carried on through all the public schools of have been added to Middleville’s district, and to be put across is a monument to his public W.K. Kellogg Foundation,” whose generous this county, and the six other counties ofthe some in Sunfield, Carlton and Castleton have spirit. No doubt there are several others aid has made these possible. Fortunate indeed Foundation area. It will necessarily take sev­ been added to the Woodland district Other whose work for the town (in 1942) the writer are Delton, Middleville and Nashville for the eral years, but the time is coming when districts will probably come into these three. does not know who ought to be mentioned in Foundation’s great help in providing adequate marked results will be apparent in the stron­ It is now possible to arrange for transporta­ such a list. Certainly, there is R.G. Henton, school plants, and special health training in ger bodies, keener minds and wider culture of tion of pupils to 12-grade schools without who can be relied on for his share in all these 12-grade schools. Barry County is grate­ the grown-ups who will have had the benefits abandoning the district organization. This is efforts for the community’s progress. of the Foundation’s health training and will ful for the help it has given and is giving to all already bringing many rural pupils to Hast­ The businessmen ofDelton have not been its schools. Illis county is fortunate in being come into a far better heritage. And how wise ings and Nashville and may attract many narrow in their public spiritedness. They have selected by the Foundation as the first area in it was to begin this work with the children. more. Ifthere were a 12-grade school some­ been ready to do their share (for) all coun­ which to begin its helpful activities, under the All the former rural school districts of where in the southeastern part ofthe county, ty-wide projects. direction ofthe late Dr. Pritchard. Barry Township have been for the (last) sev­ as there should be, we might anticipate in the When rural free mail delivery came (1900), As you approach Delton from the north on eral years incorporated into the Kellogg near future that every child in every rural Delton, by reason of its location, near the M-43, you are deeply impressed by the school districts of Delton and Ross town­ district would have the opportunity to attend comer offour townships, also because ofthe imposing and very substantial brick structure, ships. All the Thomapple and Woodland rural a 12-grade school. C.K.&S., then offering good train servjce, which is hom^jo the DeltonJJellogg school. with two daily passenger trains each way, The site for this school plant is ideal, with was naturally selected as the main mail dis­ room for expansion of buildings if required tributing point for the four southwest town­ (and it later was required), also for the proper ships ofthe county. The automobile, the bus, landscaping. Here, too, we must commend the motor truck, and good roads put the the people of the school district and the kibosh on the C.K.&S. But Delton still had school board for their evident cooperation in her rural routes. procuring and maintaining this fine school. Mail is now (1942) carried by auto-stage The suitable building and setting make a gram. Oct. 1-31 - October Storywalk Book: to and from Hastings and Kalamazoo. The good start toward the proper education of a Saturday, Oct. 28 - Candlelight Trails: “Amara and the Bats” by Emma Reynolds. discontinuance of mail service over the child, especially when the schoolrooms are Trick-or-Treating on the Trails, 6:30-9 p.m. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. C.K.&S. Has not been detrimental to the properly heated and ventilated, fittingly deco­ Institute members can attend the event for Friday, Oct. 27 - Lunch and Learn mail service at and from Delton. What is rated and adequately provided with equipment $5. Non-members can attend for $8. Fami­ From Dark Skies to Bright City Lights: missed most is probably the pungent smell for school training. The Delton School build­ Bird Migration in a Changing World. Pro­ lies can register for the event for $25. (and fallout) of coal smoke as the trains Nov. 1-Dec. 31: November and Decem­ ing, equipment and grounds are probably not gram: 11 a.m.-noon (in-person and on whizzed through the village. Maybe the surpassed and rarely equaled in a town of its Zoom). Lunch: Noon-1 p.m. Members of ber Storywalk Book: “The Lodge that homemakers of the town are reconciled to size. Fortunate is the boy or girl who can have Beaver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The the Institute can attend the program only that deprivation. (The coal smoke left tiny Storywalk is free and self-guided. such advantages and a teaching staff seeking for free; non-members must pay $8 for the Those interested can register for these black soot marks all over clothes hung out of to give proper and worthwhile instruction. program. For the program and lunch, mem­ doors). We (Cook) presume, however, that The appreciation of this school has been events and find more information at cedarbers can attend for $15. Non-members S >r^-Blackman, generally jfflllM »Wh^f” , most ofjflje.xiwqu14 glad)y_fiDdur&lhc..^shown by^tbe. fa#Jhaksincc. tfrg Udipu. dis~ v .. juuslpay $21 fpr,bojh thftlun£hwao4_pro-. creejanstitute.org/pvents.html. . . Blackman because that was what he did to a smoke ifthe C.K.&S. And its three trains a trict was organized, several other rural dis­ few fellows in his younger days who thought day each way could be restored, tricts in Prairieville, Orangeville and Hope they could get the best ofhim in a scrap, but Delton has a good church, well-equipped have been added, also one district in John­ found they had tackled the wrong chap. for social as well as religious gatherings. stown. (During the 1930s there was a con- Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Oct. 27-Nov. 2 | HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE | Doctor ■ Universe Teamwork in nature What is mutualism in nature? Luke and Wade, 10, Md. I? | fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastlnys Banner Dear Luke and Wade, When I get the same question from different kids, I know it’s a good one. So, I talked about your question with my friend Angeliqua Montoya. She’s a graduate student at Washington State University. She works on a mutualism between pea plants and bacteria “I study ecology, which is looking at interactions betavpcn^ijferent species.” she, said. “Mutualisms are interactions where both species benefit.” Living things interact with each other in lots of ways. When a lion kills a rabbit, that’s an interaction. When a bird builds a nest in a tree, that’s an interaction. When a bee collects pollen from a flower, that’s alsoan interaction. Some interactions are good for just one individual and bad for the other. The lion gets a meal. But the rabbit becomes a meal; Some interactions are good for one indi­ vidual but neutral for the other. The bird gets a nice place to lay eggs. The tree isn’t helped or harmed. Some interactions are good for both individuals. The bee collects pollen to feed the colony’s baby bees. As the bee visits flowers, it spreads, pollen around. That’s how plants make baby plants. This interaction is a mutualism. It’s good for the bee and the plant. Sometimes scientists label the type of mutualism. Here are three common pops. Transportation mutualisms help move stuff around. That’s important for plants because they can’t move on their own. Our bee moving pollen from flower to flower is a transportation mutualism. Another is when a bat eats fruit then flies away and poops out the seeds somewhere else. Protective mutualisms are about staying safe. Montoya told me some squid let spe­ cial bacteria live inside their cells. The bacteria make the squid glow. When a hun- gry predator swims under the squid, they think the squid is the moon-not their dinner. Montoya studies a nutrition mutualism. It’s about food. As pea family plants-called legumes-grow, they gather bacteria from the soil. They make lumps called nodules on their roots. The bacteria live inside the nodules. They eat some of the sugar the plants make. In return, the bacteria take in nitrogen from the soil. They change it into a form the plant can use. That helps the plant grow bigger and faster. “You can go out in the back yard and find a legume like a clover plant,” Montoya said. “Ifyou dig up its roots and wash off the dirt, you’ll see little nodules. They’re filled with bacteria.” An ancient mutualism is probably why plant and animal cells work the way they do today. Inside plant and animal cells, there are mitochondria. That’s the part of a cell that turns food energy into energy your body can use. Plant cells also have chloroplasts. That’s the part of a plant cell that changes light energy from the sun into energy for the plant. More than a billion years ago, there were bacteria that could make usable energy, too. Other one-celled organisms sucked up those bacteria. But they didn’t, die.. They kept making energy inside their cozy new homes. They evolved to become mitochondria and chloroplasts. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Thursday, Oct. 26 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches an Oscar-nominated film starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; Young Authors Write, 3:30 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Digital Literacy Workshop (registration required), 2 p.m.; Writers* Night (weekly in November), 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269-945-4263. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BUDGET HEARING NOTICE The Rutland Charter Township Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed Township Budget for fiscal year 2024, at a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 08,2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Rutland Charter Township Hall, 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan. THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE PROPOSED TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE A SUBJECT OF THIS HEARING. A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan. This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act), MCLA 41.72a(2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Rutland Charter Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days notice to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or ser­ vices should contact the Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. Robin J Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2194 �pag© e —■ Thursday, October 26, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hastings expands English language learning program alongside influx of students Hunter McLaren StaffWriter With state requirements for English-lan8ua8c learners becoming more stringent, the Hastings school district set to work expand* mg its programming. Beth Stevens, assistant superintendent of student achievement, said the changes were all welcome — while Michigan was once falling behind other states in its offerings for non-native speakers, the new changes have helped them immensely. Hastings had a big advantage over other districts as well - they already had the perfect candidate to fill a new ELL teacher role. “Our big thing is, we have a person with Brynlee (Carlton),” Stevens said. “Lots of districts around the area are really struggling to find that. We’re very fortunate that we have that person, and that she’s also bilingual because you can teach English as a second language, but not be bilingual. We’ve kind of got the best ofboth worlds.” The creation ofthe district’s ELL role and Carlton’s hiring at the beginning of the year couldn’t have come at a better time. Stevens said the district typically hovers around 20 ELL students, with 23 enrolled last year. This year, the district has 36 ELL students. Carlton is a familiar face in Hastings, having taught third grade at Star Elementary forr seven years before moving to her new role. Although she didn’t teach Spanish, she has always had a passion for teaching multilingual students. While studying education at Michigan State University, Carlton spent a year as a student teaching in a Grand Rapids Public Schools classroom. Bilingual herself, Carlton gained lots of experience working with mul­ tilingual students, with a majority of GRPS students speaking Spanish. In Hastings, she travels from building to building throughout the week to meet with students throughout the district. She offers a variety ofprograms tailored to each student’s grade level and English proficiency, working alongside them inside and outside ofclass. As as a The Hastings Area School System added former Star Elementary teacher I ber of ELL students in the district jumped from 23 to 36 this year, (file photo) well as one-on-one instruction, Carlton hosts group sessions throughout the week. She’s already seen great results, she said. . “ Oh, they’re improving academically by leaps and bounds. The writing that they can do, especially those who maybe came in August, never having set foot in an American school before, to see them write and speak with such ability and confidence is really cool,” she said. “But what has been even a little bit more enriching, and maybe unexpect­ ed, is by hosting these language groups across all grade levels, it’s been interesting to watch relationships form between students who have faced similar academic challenges.” She’s noticed her students have formed a community that persists even when she’s not around. ELL students who might be strug­ gling with a language barrier now know their peers, and who they can reach out to for help. “I think in that sense, having an ELL pro­ gram has done Hastings a huge service as well,” she said. Because Carlton’s work aims to help stu­ dents’ English acquisition skills, her work goes beyondjust assisting them with schoolwork. She works closely with their parents as wqll, making sure information from the district gets to them in their native language and helping them communicate with the school. The communication goes both ways. Carl­ ton said it’s not uncommon that a parent will text her asking to check on their student after hearing they got hit by a soccer ball, or asking when they should pick their kids up from a half-day of classes. While Carlton helps par­ ents with lots of procedural things like enroll­ ing their students in classes, she helps with the small things, too. . She recalled relaying to parents that “pop­ corn day” was coming up, and their students could get popcorn if they remembered to bring some spare change. While it may seem like something small, she said she finds those experiences just as rewarding as the other work she does. “That’s a little part oftheir school day that they’re getting to participate in because the information is being given to them in their native language,” she said. tM tMti iSfiSSfee J > 10^.5^ teacher this year. The num- Even though she’s only been in her new role since the beginning of the school year, she said she’s already seen the positive effect the ELL program has had on the district. While she’s the one teaching the students each week, Carlton said her work wouldn’t be possible without the support of Stevens and other administrators in the district. “(Stevens) work in bringing this has been instrumental. The structures that she has put in place have been really impressive,” she said. “There’s so much goodness going on in Hastings for English language learners because ofthe work, truly, that the adminis­ tration has done in getting them there.” Carlton said working in her new role has left her feeling like her career has come full circle. “My gosh, I kind ofjoked that I would do thisjob for free because I have such a passion for these multilingual learners and for their families,” Carlton said. “I’m not from Hast­ ings, I’m not from Barry County, but it’s the only place I’ve ever worked. It has been such a welcoming spot to start my career that now, <>*> wJ !&$?< •‘>^2*** ' *&**£ & Brynlee Carlton in turn, I get to be a welcoming force to these students who are not only new to Hastings but maybe new to the whole country.” Michigan AG signs on to lawsuit against Facebook, Instagram parent company This week, 42 attorneys general through­ out the country, including Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, filed a lawsuit against Meta in federal and state courts. The group of AGs is alleging that the com­ pany knowingly designed and deployed harm­ ful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addicted children and teens. At the same time, Meta falsely assured the public that these features were safe and suitable for young users. The attorneys general assert that Meta’s business practices violate state consumer pro­ tection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). These prac­ tices have harmed and continue to harm the physical and mental health of children and teens and have fueled what the U.S. Surgeon General has deemed a “youth mental health crisis,” which has ended lives, devastated families, and damaged the potential ofa gen­ eration ofyoung people, according to a state­ ment issued by Nessel’s office. “Meta has, for some time, been aware of the dangers that ongoing and constant expo- sure to social media has on young people,” Nessel said. “Documents recently made pub­ lic show that Meta put its desire to profit from teens’ engagement on its platforms above the physical and mental health of that very impressionable demographic. I stand firmly with my colleagues in asserting that Meta has misrepresented the addictive nature of social media and has violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, for which it should be held accountable.” The federal complaint, joined by 33 states and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Meta knew ofthe harmful impact of its plat­ forms, including Facebook and Instagram, on young people. Instead oftaking steps to miti­ gate these harms, it misled the public about the dangers associated with the use of its platform, concealing the extent of the adverse psychological and health effects suffered by young users addicted to its platforms. The complaint further alleges that Meta knew that young users, including those under 13, were active on the platforms and know- ingly collected data Jrom these users without parental consent. It targeted these young users, noting, as reported in a 2021 Wall Street Journal article, that such a user base was “valuable, but untapped.” While much of the complaint relies on confidential material that is not yet available to the public, publicly available sources, including those previously released by for­ mer Meta employees, detail that Meta profit­ ed by purposely making its platforms addic­ tive to children and teens. Its platform algorithms push users into descending “rabbit holes” in an effort to max­ imize engagement. Features like infinite scroll and near-constant alerts were created with the express goal ofhooking young users, according to the AGs. In parallel complaints filed in state courts today, eight states have made similar allega­ tions. In addition to this action, Nessel has also participated in investigations into TikTok, Snap Chat, and a previous investigation into Meta. She has also voiced her continuing concern about Instagram launching a plat­ form specifically designed for users under the age of 13. She has warned that social media fosters a comparison culture in which kids are repeatedly exposed to unrealistic beauty stan­ dards and hateful rhetoric. She has also vowed to continue to join efforts with her colleagues across the country aimed at pro­ tecting kids online. These lawsuits are the result of a nation­ wide investigation led by Colorado Attorney General Philip J. Weiser and Tennessee Attor­ ney General Jonathan Skrmetti. Nearly all the attorneys general in the country have worked together since 2021 to investigate Meta for providing and promoting its social media platforms to children and young adults while use is associated with injurious physical and mental health effects. While some states have pursued litigation in state court and others in collective federal action, the attorneys gener­ al will continue to work together, as the litiga­ tion continues. States joining the federal lawsuit'{include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, We are celebrating 137 years in the community with a limited time UKRAINIAN v. AMERICAN life a concert/cabaret fundraiser for k 137 Day CD Special Razom for Ukraine with contralto 5.00%" •y Vira Slywotzky I andcomposer/pianist ® I Dina Pruzhansky *APY= Annual Percentage Yield. Rate is accurate as of 10/25/2023. Limited time offer subject to change without notice. Minimum deposit is $5,000. Maximum deposit is $250,000. One per household. Balance required to obtain the above APY is $10,000, APY on balances $5,000-$9,999,99 is 4.98%. Penalty for early withdrawal. Not IRA eligible. 137 day special will renew at standard 3 month rate upon maturity. Other terms and rates available. ___________ highpomt Green Street Church is at 209 West Green Street Hastings; Ml FDIC highpointcommunitybank.com | 888.422.2280 For more info: or 269-945-9574 |U U ’ , Zuii ij^it^i®,®SJ ; \ . ‘ Jrtbl^«<» *- M r V* !*£%>• jriiaifis«^- . aims’*’- ’" mnvtaft r this * I I Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, IllinoisIndiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana^ Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota^ Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York; North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon; Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina^ South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Florida is filing its own federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District ofFlorida. Filing lawsuits in their own state courts are Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Florida; Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont. Concert for Ukraine Saturday, October 28, 2023; 3:00 pm ^Jw.w* £ 2 ’ I <>"f OH I ii4i *4 L*«i*»iifc «fc 2*“ ! 5Jt«> taplh» . I*** �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS section Thursdavy,. October 26.,2023 Saxons finish four-peat at Pennfield vr v »jS?tsN nis tsN u’’’ariik. ar. ’ HJm mW £;SW h< 1 (Mffitlt Mfflpaij ■ e«q ■ ■aMlnntai|i|i 3iK3tf(hK:iorK1ri «r: issinosntt oe wiCTsrxnirKr *IIl MlufJ 1lll1 HHH1 IJII 99$fljwiaatowHxjkx>»h rawsuttowr 3flEBCIGB3JMn0^^ tel** <t neap* <t neap* .«. jsr.fflii'tifcfcl fcwta taM fc Mifexi w ifexi Sss- 5 Cj >*”7 .»** » ** Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons finished offone streak by clos­ ing out their fourth straight Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference varsity football champion­ ship with a win at Pennfield last Friday. J Hastings will look to make it six straight season with a victory over the Charlotte Ori­ oles this Friday at Baum Stadium at Johnson Field as they meet up in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 4 state tournament. The Saxons closed out the 2018, 2019 and 2020 regular seasons with wins over the Ori­ oles and have beaten Charlotte in the district rounds of the state tournament each of the past two seasons too. It was a 23-13 win for the Saxons in the district finals a year ago the Saxons’ first ever district championship. ? This marks the fourth straight season in the MHSAA postseason for the Saxons as well. The Saxons had plans to meet up at the high school Sunday to watch the MHSAA selection show and leam their playofffate. “It is a blast. It’s super suspenseful, and when we get picked it is awesome man,” Hastings senior defensive lineman Diego Coipel said after his team’s win over Pennfield in the regular season finale. The Orioles were 6- 3 this regular season with their three losses coming against the two powerhouses of the Capital Area Activities Conference Portland and Lansing Sexton and in a 29-20 non-conference defeat at Fowler­ ville last weekend. Running back Cutler Brandt powered the Oriole attack last week with over 200 yards of offense in the loss. He was a workhorse with 25 rushes for 151 yards and a touch­ down and also had 52 receiving yards. He had 147 yards rushing the previous week in a blowout win over Eaton Rapids and sur­ passed that 150-yard mark again two weeks ago in a-loss.tdPortland. Portland and Sexton ^vilj square'qfffor the.. second time this season*1 Friday m Portland * with the winner set to face Hastings or Char­ lotte in the district finals the first weekend in November. The Raiders won the regular sea­ son match-up with the J-Dubbs. That was the only loss ofthe regular season for either side. As for the rest ofthe Barry County varsity football teams, the season came to an end last Friday. Delton Kellogg is on the outside looking in for the first time in four years. Thomapple Kellogg and Lakewood concluded the regular season with one win apiece. Maple Valley remains stuck in limbo between only having enough football players to field 8-player varsity and JV football teams while having a school enrollment too large to meet the MHSAA standards to participate in the 8-player football state tournament despite a tremendous seven-win campaign. Local Standings (W-L), playoffpoints Hastings 7“ -2“, 60.167 Thomapple Kellogg 1-8, 27.000 Delton Kellogg 3-6, 23.667 Lakewood 1-8,21.778 Maple Valley (8-player) 7-2, NA Conference Standings (overall, conference) Interstate 8 Athletic Conference Hastings 7- 2, 6-0 Parma Western 8- 1, 5-1 Harper Creek 6-3,4-2 Northwest 5-4, 3-3 Pennfield 4-5,2-4 Marshall 2-7, 1-5 Coldwater 0-9, 0-6 OK Gold Conference G.R. Catholic Central 8-1, 7-0 South Christian 7-2, 5-2 Forest Hills Eastern 6-3,5-2 Wayland 6-3, 4-3 Cedar Springs 4-5,4-3 Kenowa Hills 3-6,2-5 Thomapple Kellogg 1-8, 1-6 Ottawa Hills 0-9, 0-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley Lawton 8-1, 4-0 Schoolcraft 7-2, 3-1 Saugatuck 7-2,2-2 Delton Kellogg 3-6, 1-3 Galesburg-Augusta 2-7, 0-4 CapitalArea Activities Conference White Portland 9-0, 7-0 Lansing Sexton 8-1, 6-1 Charlotte 6-3, 5-2 Ionia 5-4, ,4-3 Olivet . 3-6, 3-4 Lansing Catholic 3-6,2-5 Eaton Rapids 1-8, 1-6 1-8, 6-7 Lakewood Tri-River 8-Man Maple Valley Concord Britton-Deerfield Here is a.round-up of last week’s iron action. 7-2,2-0 6-3,1-1 2-7,0-2 local , grid­ Hastings 38, Pennfield 3 The Saxons are going to need their thumbs for the next one. Members of the Hastings varsity football team celebrated with four-fingered salutes on the new turfat Pennfield High School in Bat­ tle Creek Friday after finishing offtheir sec­ ond consecutive undefeated Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference season with a 38-3 victory over the Panthers. “It’s pretty dam special,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy said ofthe team’s fourth straight conference title. “Once we got the two big wins earlier this year with Harper [Creek] and Parma [Western], we knew we just had to kind of stay on track and stay focused. “For high school kids, that is not always an easy thing to do. They knew it wasn’t fin­ ished or done. They didn’t want to share it with anybody. They showed up at practice every week and they went to work.” It was the second defensive and offensive series that really set the tone for the Saxons at Pennfield; The Panthers drove for a field goal on its first possession then looked to answer a Saxon defenders Isaac Friddle (70) and Isaiah Wilson (36) team up to stuff Pennfield running back Kaidan Guthrie in the backfield during the first half Friday night at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Hastings varsity football team celebrates a second straight undefeated Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season and a fourth straight conference championship after a 38-3 win at Battle Creek Pennfield Friday night. Hastings opens the 2023 state postsea­ son at home Friday, Oct. 27, taking on Charlotte in an MHSAA Division 4 Pre-District bailgame. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Saxon touchdown on itjs) next try. Pennfield stud senior miming back Kaidan Guthrie, who had four rushes for 54 yards on that opening series, took twp carries for one first down on his team’s second possession. Quar­ terback Isaiah Adams fed him the ball again and he was smothered in the backfield this time by Saxon seniors Diego Coipel and Brennan Sensiba. With the Saxons now hyper focused on Guthrie, that was just about the end of the Panthers* offense. Murphy said.-he thought it was a wake-up call for his defense seeing the burst Guthrie provided his team in the opening moments of the bailgame. A Panther punt came a couple plays later and Hastings’ offense took over the ball at its own 24-yard-line with 2:33 to go in that opening quarter. The second quarter was more than half over when senior Saxon back Haiden Simmet plowed into the end zone from a yard out to double the Saxons* lead at the end of that drive. It was 14-3 after the two-point pass from senior quarterback Owen Carroll to junior Jett Barnum. That second Saxon scoring drive took 16 plays and ate 8:37 off the clock. After that, the Panthers only ran 15 offensive plays the rest of the ballgame game and only got one more first down. Saxon three-year varsity defensive line­ man Coipel has been focused on improving his play on the defensive line the past few weeks and sees everybody up front for the Saxon defense getting better and better. “We’re getting more separation from the offensive line and the underclassmen are stepping up too,” Coipel said. “[Sopho­ more] Trapper Reigler has been a big person on the D-line. We’rejust getting better every week really.” The Saxons scored on every drive but their last as second and third teamers took turns moving the ball down the field before ulti­ mately having to punt inside Pennfield terri­ tory late in the fourth quarter. The win sends the Saxons into the state postseason with a 7-2 overall record. They were a perfect 6-0 in the now seven-team Interstate-8. “It means a lot,” Coipel said of finishing off the conference championship. “Five, six years ago we had a.500 record, and we turned the program around. As a senior, to keep it going four years in a row, is a great feeling.” Junior Isaiah Wilson had a couple key plays on the first defensive and offensive series ofthe game for the Saxons. Pennfield got two big bursts from Guthrie to get a first-and-ten at the Saxon 11-yard-line just three snaps into the ballgame. Guthrie took the ball to the Saxon five on second down from the 11, and on third down Guthrie busted through from his spot on the defensive line the line to bring down Guthrie in the backfield. The Panthers were left to settle for a 24-yard field goal from Brayden Sturhan. “[Wilson’s] new position on the defensive line allows him to play a little bit more free,” Murphy said. “He is strong and quick, which gives him an advantage on the defensive line. Then, in the backfield this is his second year there in the backfield. He knows what to look for and how to block and how to look for holes and keep his head up and run hard. He had to fit through some small holes tonight. They weren’t big wide open holes. He was finding the holes, the little creases, and he was fitting his shoulders in there and he was running hard. It was really impressive.” Wilson shot into the end zone from 30 yards out on the Saxons’ first.offensive pos- Saxon senior linebacker Brennan Sensiba and his teammates begin to celebrate their fourth consecutive Interstate-8 Athletic Conference championship as time ticks down on a 38-3 win at Battle Creek Pennfield Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) session, driving his cleats hard into the Pan­ thers’ new artificial turfthe final two yards as Guthrie fruitlessly stretched the back of his jersey trying to slow him down. That put the Hastings varsity football team in front 6-3, and that was really enough points. The Saxons led 22-3 at the half. Carroll rolled out to his right on a first-and-goal play from the Panthers’ 12-yard-line with eight seconds to go in the first half and eventually found Barnum in the end zone as the clock expired. Carroll fired the two-point pass to Landon Steward to officially finish off the first half. Hastings got the ball to start the second half and moved in quick for a three-yard touchdown run by senior back David Jiles and a two-point run by Carroll. After a three-and-out by the Pennfield offense, Hastings got a quick two-play drive that ended in a 36-yard touchdown run by Simmet. This time Carroll hit senior Kai Richardson with the two-point pass. Delton Kellogg 38, Galesburg-Augusta 14 Delton Kellogg scored on three of its four offensive possessions in the first half, and the defense cleaned things up the one time the offense didn’t get into the end zone. The Panther varsity football team closed out the 2023 regular season with a 38-14 win over visiting Galesburg-Augusta Friday night at Delton Kellogg High School. Holding onto a 14-6 after a monster 13-play, 65-yard scoring drive that stretched from the first quarter into the second, the Delton Kel­ logg defense forced a three-and-out and the first punt by either team to that point. The Delton Kellogg offense took over for its second possession in the second quarter and soon fumbled the ball ahead as it closed in on the end zone. The Rams recovered at the one-yard-line. The turnover was only beneficial for the Rams momentarily as some miscommunication in the backfield on the first snap led to Delton Kellogg’s Mitchell Smith smothering the Ram ballcarrier in the end zone for a safety. Delton Kellogg’s lead was up to ten with those two points, and the Panthers took over following the free kick from the Rams and quickly went in for a two-yard touchdown run by big quarterback Chad Stopher and a two-point run from Cooper Sandusky that had DK in front 24-6 at the half. Stopher was a late fill-in at quarterback for the Panthers due to injuries and DK head coach Ryan Bates was pleased with the way he stepped up and got up to speed quickly. “I could not have been more proud of these kids and they way they handled adversity this year,” Bates said. “They continued to show up and work every day.” The Panthers had a 15-play, 87-yard drive between the third and fourth quarter that ended in a five-yard touchdown run by Luke Watson and a Wyatt Colwell two-point con­ version carry. Ezra Smith finished off the scoring for Delton Kellogg with a 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The opening drive ofthe ballgame for the DK offense was a 15-play, 61-yard drive that ended in a five-yard touchdown run by Stopher on a third-and-goal play. Colwell added the two-point conversion to spot DK the early 8-0 lead. Galesburg-Augusta scored a first quarter TD and a fourth quarter TD. Ram quarterback Adam Hubbard tossed a six-yard TD pass on fourth-and-goal from the DK six to answer the Panthers’ first score ofthe game, but the two-point run was no good leaving Delton Kellogg up 8-6 early. See FOOTBALL, page 10 �^*9® 10 — Thursday, October 26. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hopkins takes fifth set on TK senior night / MT w Hopkins won in the end by the scores of 25-21, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11. Sports Editor Wanting a win on senior night, Trojan We were keeping the ball in play. We were senior setter Bailey Eden put the ball over the hitting really well. My seniors really stepped net all the ways she could think ofto try and up tonight. Kenna VanElst had a really good get the Thomapple Kellogg varsity volleyball match tonight. Bailey Eden had a great match tonight,” coach Cross said. “They were scrap­ team a win in Middleville Thursday night. Trailing 9-5 in a fifth and deciding set py. They were all over the floor. They played for it tonight, probably the best I have seen against Hopkins, Eden dumped a second ball into the open space on the Vikings’ side ofthe them play in a while. court for a side-out. She flung another second “It was fun to watch.” ball over the net that had the Vikings* scramCross said she gathered all the girls in the bling to get her team another point, then had program, from the freshmen, JV and varsity a slightly more traditional attack for a kill off* squads during practice Wednesday. a helpful assist from junior teammate Brook“A lot ofthem were playing like they were lyn Harmon that got the Trojans within 9-8. ready for the season to be done. That was kind of the way we played Tuesday night and it was Another point for TK evened the set at 9-9 and forced a Hopkins timeout, but after being across the board - freshman, JV and varsity. I knotted at 11-11 the Vikings went on a four- pulled them all in and said we still have a cou­ point run to clinch the set and the match. ple weeks to go. For these seniors, it is all “Bailey Eden, single-handily, I think got us they’ve got. Some of you guys are thinking back in that fifth set with the tips and the you’ve got next year, you’ve got your next plays she was making,” TK head coach Tia sport. They might not have a next sport.” Cross said. The Trojan coach said she got good feed­ back from her players after the speech, and a few of them told her they were expecting that. “We weren’t happy that we lost, obviously, but we were happy that we played every point,” Cross said. Every point was big throughout the night. The opening set was tied as late as 18-18 before a couple kills each for the Viking seniors Kate Cleypool and Peyton Roxbury nudged their team to the 25-21 win. Set two was tied 13-13 before a big service run by Trojan senior libero Jessie Drenten shot her team to a 19-13 lead. Senior setter Charlotte Nelson found VanElst for a couple kills on the left side and Harmon provided a key kill in the middle ofthe net in the middle ofthe run. Eden clinched that set for TK by getting kills on the final two points, the first throw­ ing a second ball to the back line and the second on a swing at the net off an assist from Nelson. The second set went similarly with the Trojans getting their run a little earlier. This time it was VanElst with a service run that TK senior libero Jessie Drenten steps took TK from 11-8 in front to 17-8. She had up to pass a Hopkins serve during her an ace during that run and sophomore McK­ team's five-set loss to the visiting Vikings enna Hoebeke, who attacked well throughout on senior night in Middleville Thursday. the night, had a kill from VanElst’s typical (Photo by Brett Bremer) spot at the left side of the net. The Vikings Brett Bremer d •‘II® Thornapple Kellogg senior setter Charlotte Nelson (15) and teammates (from left) Brooklyn Harmon, Bailey Eden, Kenna VanElst and Alexa Eden celebrate a successful point during their five-set match with Hopkins on senior night in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) never got closer than within three points the rest ofthe set. It was Hopkins turn to create a gap in set four. Another kill on the right side by Eden off an assist from Nelson had TK in front 14-13, but the Vikings’ top attacker Cleypool answered with a kill from the left side to even the set again. The Hopkins’ libero Ellie Sebright went to the service line to start a run that pushed her team’s lead to 19-14 and the Vikings con­ trolled the fourth set from there. TK did have two matches on its home court planned for this week. The Trojans pulled out a five-set win over Ottawa Hills in the final round of the conference tournament Tuesday and will be home to face Grant Thursday in the week ahead. TK won Tuesday by the scores of25-13, 20-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-12. That made senior night a not too emotional experience for TK’s five seniors. That group includes Eden, VanElst, Drenten, Nelson and Brittany Roodvoets who was solid in the mid­ dle of the net for TK throughout the match with Hopkins. That group is doing what it can to pass on its experience to the Trojan youngsters as the season goes on. “They have been really taking care ofthat leadership role with the young ones,” coach Cross said. “Kenna VanElst has taken [fresh­ man] Reece Ritsema under her win all season Hl* l-'J*** J long to just try to progress, her and Brittany both have. The same thing with the setters, knowing that Tealy [Cross] is going to get next year. Charlotte and Bailey have really kind ofbeen working her in through practices and stuffthe last few weeks. “We have really just been pushing these younger kids to get to that next level hopefully, and get that comfort and confidence and every­ thing they may have been lacking a little bit.” While girls like Ritsema, Tealy Cross and fellow varsity sophomores Hoebeke and Alexa Eden are the future ofthe program so too are the many fifth and sixth grade volley­ ball camp participants the Trojans welcomed to the stands for the night. it' Qgi M ■1 * • Ka'3--s -s a-‘'"8 '" FOOTBALL, continued from page 9 jfcjBteiSaKix k Bros ^*4 Hubbard scrambled around the left side 32 yards to score his team’s 'second TD, in the fourth quarter. The Rams tacked on the two-point try following that score. Kenowa Hills 28, Thornapple Kellogg 20 Kenowa Hills took control against the visiting Thor­ napple Kellogg varsity football team with a 21-point second quarter and went on to a 28-20 win to close out the OK Gold Conference and 2023 varsity football sea­ son. It was a bailgame in which the Trojans had the lead once again - thanks to a little ealry trickery. Senior Ethan Bonnema took an option pitch from quarterback Grant Middleton out to the left then pulled up to loft a pass down the Trojan sideline to teammate Jaxan Sias. The Knights’ cornerback and safety on that side ofthe field bit hard on the run action. Sias turned and waited for the ball to fall out ofthe night sky 18 yards down field and then turned back towards the goal-line and slowly pulled away from the Kenowa Hills defenders trying to recover on the play. It was a 62-yard TD pas that had TK in front 6-0 and the Trojans carried that lead into the second quarter when the Knights exploded for 21 points. The Trojan offense was stymied a bit by losing a pair of fumbles in the ballgame. The Knights built their lead to 28-6 in the third quarter before Bonnema scored on a 25-yard run and the Trojans tacked on a two-point conversion to get within two touchdowns. Sias added a second TD reception in the fourth quarter, on a nine-yard pass from Middleton, that had TK within eight points. Sias had three catches for 86 yards in the bail­ game. Kenowa Hills junior quarterback Jack Zegunis fired three touchdown passes on the night connecting on 19-yard and 37-yard scores in the Knights’ second quarter surge. He tossed a 32-yard TD in the third quarter as his Mowing and Snowplowing Bid Rutland Township Hall All Bids due by November 27,2023 1. Mow weekly or as needed 2. Remove weeds from mulch area and sidewalk by hand or chemical 3. Trim sidewalk edge, around shrubs and flowers edge. The back and west ofbuilding as needed 4. Blow offall sidewalks and drive ifgrass is present 5. In the fall, cut down all flowers and trim hedges on the east side ofthe building 6. Spring freshen up mulch beds 7. Fix yard from plowing in spring as early as weather allows 9. Must have Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance on file with the Township 10p This contract shall last 3 years Ionia 20, Lakewood 0 The Lakewood defense came to play Friday night, but so did the Bulldogs. Ionia shut out Lakewood 20-0 in their annual season finale Friday in Ionia High School to close both the regu­ lar season and the 2023 Capital Area Activities Confer^ ence White Division season. The Vikings were 1-7 overall this season and 0-6 in conference play, and faced what looked like something of a daunting task heading into the weekend against an Ionia team that ends the regular season at 5-4 overall. The Bull­ dogs put up 62 points on an Eaton Rapids team that bested the Vikings in conference play, and more than 40 points in wins over Olivet and Lansing Catholic Central. Lakewood slowed down the Bulldogs’ rushing attack, and shut out the Bulldogs in the second half. Ionia got a Travis Tucker fired a nine-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Tooker for a first quarter touchdown that had their team in front 6-0, and then Tucker ran into the end zone him selffrom 14 yards out in the second quarter to double his team’s lead. Tooker tacked on the two-point try following that second Ionia touchdown. Brennan Brownell scored on a one-yard run in the clos­ ing moments ofthe first halfto extend the Bulldog lead. Ionia has now won five in a row over the Vikings and the Bulldogs are set to face Forest Hills Eastern in the first round ofthe MHSAA Division 4 state tournament Friday. Martin 40, Maple Valley 22 Martin quarterback Gavin Meyers rushed 24 times for 273 yards and three touchdowns as the Clippers ended the Maple Valley varsity 8-player football season with the Lions’ second loss ofthee year. Rutland Charter Township Janitorial Service Bid All Bids due by November 27,2023 Snow plowing parking Jot and sidewalks as needed. Salt as needed Monday thru Thursday before 8:00 am. Remove snow during the day as needed Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 8. team upped its lead to 28-6 at the tiifi&’The Knights firiP ishe<Lwith-29J yards passing. - noiaiviG AAeHM TK did most of its damage offensively on the ground with 221 yards rushing. Middleton was 6-of-15 passing for 68 yards on the night. Bonnema had a team-high ten rushes for 83 yards. Middleton kept the ball himself 13 times to cover 58 yards. Drake Snyder capped the season with eight carries for 46 yards. Chad Lennert JR had a team-high eight total tackles for TK with one inlhe Knight backfield. Sias had seven total tackles and Derious Robinson six. Bonnema was in on seven tackles for TK. Both teams entered the ballgame 1-5 in OK Gold Con­ ference play with that lone victory over a winless Ottawa Hills team. TK ends the season at 1-8 overall. The Knights move to 3-6 with the win. 1 HaUk,y C,Caning services of the Rutland Charter Township 2. Areas to be cleaned include bathrooms, board conference room, offices and kitchen. 3. Chle taransinhg c d a anusti.es include dust, vacuum, sweep, mop and empty 4. Wash all windows in the spring and fall. equipn ent° Pr°V*^e ^e*r own clean*n8 supplies and < . the Town s hip with W o rk m an’s Comp and Liability Insurance on file with the Township. 7. This contract shall last 3 riiB'iip tin fsint Hastings senior running back Hayden Simmet burst through the line as Pennfield's Gavin May (50) and Robert Flynn (75) give chase on a third quarter run at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Clippers improved to 6-3 overall this season with a 40-22 win over the Lions. Meyers led an attack that accumulated 439 yards of total offense. His first two touchdowns came on runs of three yards and four years in the first 6:11 of the ballgame. The Clippers had a 20-0 lead to start the bailgame. “We just couldn’t stop them on some key downs,” Maple Valley head coach Marty Martin said. “They just stayed with it. Their quarterback is a great athlete. Their flanker, number one [Haylen Buell], was a great athlete and we just couldn’t contain them.” Buell had 22 rushes for 106 yards in the game and scored his team’s other three touchdowns on runs of three yards, 24 yards and one yard. “The kids played hard,” coach Martin said. “I thought offensively, Andrew Shepard ran hard. Evan Brandenburg ran hard. h I thought Ayden Wilkes played a really good game at quarterback. He made great decisions. We would move the ball, and basically the difference in the game was that they finished drives and we didn’t.” “They stopped us on two fourth downs one in the first halfand one in the second half. I really didn’t want to give them the ball back in the second halfso we went for it from our own 30 and didn’t get it. And that kind ofhurt us.” With the offensive firepower of the Rams the Lions had to try and keep pace. That didn’t mean the Lion defense played poorly. Far from it. Senior linebacker Nic Martin was all over the field making plays. He had 20 tackles on the night for the Lions, playing in his final game with his father as the Lions’ head coach. “There were times in the second half he made four or five tackles in a row,” coach Martin said. “It was ‘Nic Martin on the tackle. Nic Martin on the tackle.’ “Nick had a hell of a game. My coaches were even talking about that halfway through the second half.” Callan Hoefler and Shepard were stellar too. Hoefler had nine tackles arid Shepard eight. The Lion head coach was impressed with his secondary keeping up with the Clippers formation changes and movements, never losing anyone to give up a big play. “I thought Cam Carpenter played a really good game,’’ coach Martin added. “I thought Jackson Burpee, he’s a sophompre, he played a great game on both sides ofthe ball. He was our leading receiver and really played his best game ofthe season. I think Cam did too.” Burpee had six catches for 72 yards offensively. Car­ penter finished with two receptions for 35 yards. Wilkes scored the Lions’ lone points of the first halfon a six-yard TD run late in the first quarter after Martin had jumped to its 20-0 lead. The Lions didn’t find the end zone again until the fourth quarter when Wilkes connected with Burpee on a three-yard TD pass. Wilkes ran in the two-point try him­ selffollowing that score. Brandenburg capped off the Lions’ season with some fireworks, returning the kickoff following Martin’s last TD with an 85-yard return TD ofhis own. “We had a great year,” coach Martin said. “We went 7-2. We won a league championship. We did something that no team has done in 21 years at Maple Valley and what more can you ask ofthe kids? One ofthe things that really struck me was that none of them wanted to leave the field after the game. I’ve never had a team do that. Theyjust stayed out there and gave hugs to each other and talked to each other.” “They reallyjust didn’t want the whole situation to end. They were really soaking it up. I am really proud of them. I am proud ofwhat they have done in the offseason. I am proud ofwhat they did in the weight room. I am proud of what they did during the season. They did a lot ofthings nobody expected them to do.” ’Wl I ■A SSSSft' �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 26, 2023 _page 11 Panthers pop some personal DK/HHS girls work to records at K-Christian Invite conquer cancer with Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team placed eighth and the boys’ team tenth at the Kalamazoo Christian Invittational Saturday at Kalamazoo Christian ^Elementary. ; The Panthers proved their ready to peak ?as the season winds down. They head to ’ their MHSAA Division 3 Regional at AllenMale Saturday morning. *. Panther senior Summer Ritchie set her ^personal record in a 21st-place finish in {Kalamazoo hitting the finish line in 21 min,’utes 40.35 seconds. Junior teammate Kylie •Main was 47th overall and the second DK jgirl in, improving her PR to 23:11.12. I Delton Kellogg junior Johannah HoutSkooper was her team’s number three. She Jplaced 53rd in 23:20.44 - a new season best 'time for her. The top five for the DK girls also includ- *s ed senior Samantha O’Meara 66th in 23: 40.28 andjunior Jillian Leclercq 79th in 24: 17.70. The Delton Kellogg boys’ team got per­ sonal record runs fromjunior Brock Hicker­ son, senior Rhys Bedford and sophomore Nick Muday. Ethan Rimmer led the DK boys’ team with a time of 17:48.63 that had him 24th overall. Hickerson came in 52nd in 18:54.23. He took nearly half a minute off his previ­ ous PR - set earlier this season at the Por­ tage Invitational. Bedford set his PR at 19:19.34 while placing 66th and Muday nudged his PR to 19:39.49 in an 80th-place finish. Freshman Isaiah Kellogg was DK’s number five in the boys’ race with a time of 26:39.14 that put him 169th overall. Covenant Christian won the boys’ meet with 44 points ahead ofKalamazoo Homes­ chool Sports 83, South Christian 98, Hack- ett Catholic Prep 111 Union City 160, Bridgman 178, Schoolc aft 224, Grand Rapi Union 231, Kalamazoo Christian 263 ids and Delton Kellogg 28) in the top ten off a field of 15 full teams, i Covenant Christian junior Levi Kramps ran to the individual title with a time of 16:22.44. Hackett sophomore Marek Butkiewicz was the runner-up in 16:24.44. The Chargers won the girls’ meet too with 38 points ahead ofSouth Christian 59, Spar­ ta 107, Bridgman 119, Kalamazoo Homeschool Sports 155, Schoolcraft 206, Union City 206, Delton Kellogg 214, Hackett Catholic Prep 215, Kalamazoo Christian 223 in the top ten of 12 full teams. Covenant Christian senior Amber Koole won the race in 19:02.09 with South Chris­ tian senior Ellia Agar setting her PR at 19:03.55 to place second. Covenant ChrisChris­ tian freshman Shelby Kuiper turned in a PR ofher own at 19:26.33 to place third. ^Randall finishes off run to conference championsnip Wayland Wildcats Brett Bremer Sports Editor The tradition continued at the Commu­ nity Education and Recreation Center Thursday as the Delton Kellogg/Hastings varsity girls’ swimming and diving team hosted its program’s annual Conquer Can­ cer Meet against former conference foe Wayland. DK/HHS head coach Carl Schoessel said said that as a result ofall the special activities conducted at the event, several hundred dollars will be divided between the American Cancer Society and the scholarship fund established in memory of former team member Lydia Cole, who lost her battle with cancer. The DK/HHS head Coach was also happy with how his girls raced Thursday as they set a number ofpersonal best times in what ultimately was a 97-71 Wildcat victory. Coach Schoessel said exceptional per­ formances were turned in by his girls Morgan Cross, Petra Foster, Naomi UMTBfSWa Grummet, u ,g Saga Jones,, Maelea Bella Morey, Amelia Price and Myah m cent. . Martin won the diving competition . a total score of 158.85 points. Cross got the first-place points in 100-yard backstroke thanks to a time o minute 29.80 seconds and Jones won the first-place points in the 100-yard breast­ stroke with a time of 1:31.85. The DK/HHS team of Foster, Pnce, Cross and Morey won the 400-yard freestyle relay at the end of the night with a time of 5:15.51. Wayland had five different girls win the first five races in the pool. Antel was the l lone girl to win two individual races for the Wildcats. She took the 200-yard freefree­ style in 2:18.39 and the 500-yard freestyle in 6:10.94. The DK/HHS team will host its parents/ senior night celebration tonight, Oct. 26, while taking on Interstate-8 Athletic Conference foe Coldwater at the CERC in Hastings. Meet time is set for 6 p.m. Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Maf FonatSBlwCF* (Ail Periodicals Publications Except Requester Pubdcattons) .Bastings Banner r Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was a clean sweep for all of the Inter.state-8 Athletic Conference champions at ■Turkeyville Saturday. Saxon freshman Caroline Randall was the first. Randall hit the finish line in 19 minutes -9.9 seconds to finish as the 2023 1-8 champi­ on. She also won the two conference jambo­ rees this season. Marshalljunior Jack Bidwell won all three .boys’ races in the conference this fall taking Saturday’s championship in 15:41.5. The Marshall boys’ team and the Parma Western girls’ team also finished offconference chamipionship runs winning both conference jam­ borees and Saturday’s championship meet. Randall capped offher eighth grade middle school campaign by winning the conference two-mile championship at Turkeyville in -2022 and opened her varsity career at the 5K ^distance by taking the 2023 varsity title. j Marshall senior Camille DeCola was the ;only girl withip tep secortdrCffhe^^gd there j^re only three girl$ •race in under 20 minutes. DeCo^lacefl sec,ond in 19:19.4 and Northwest sophomore Chloe Kohn was third in 19:41.6. Param Western’s fastest race was junior Raquel Curey who placed seventh in 20:33.5, but the Panthers had just enough depth to fend off Harper Creek once again. This time the Panthers needed a sixth-score tiebreaker to come out ahead. Both teams’ top five turned in scores of 49 points. Marshall was third with 57 points ahead of Hastings 111 and Jackson Northwest 113. The top seven for Parma Western and the top six for Harper Creek were all among the first 19 girls across the finish line. The race for the team victory had eight of those 13 girls running personal record times and three others turning in season best times. Senior Emma Monroe led the Harper Creek girls with a fourth-place time of 20:20.1. The Saxons were once again led by four freshmen, two ofwhom set personal records. Alexa DeCamp was 35th in 24:38.2 and Chloe Pirtle 37th in 24:50.8. Sophomore Alexi^Oweh;added a. PR run of 28:37.8^0.. place 63rd.-.Sieshmah\J41iahna Enyart was the other member of the Saxons’ top five. She hit the finish line 54th in 26:59.0. Marshall handily fought offParma Western for the top spot in the boys’ meet 29-49. Harper Creek was third, with 60 points ahead of Hastings 87, Coldwater 143, Northwest 168 and Pennfield 188. Senior Caleb LaBoe and junior Micah Johnson both earned second team all-confer­ ence honors by running their fastest race of the season. LaBoe placed tenth in 17:26.7 to lead the Saxons and Johnson improved his PR to 17:34.5 in a 13ttyplace finish. Saxon senior Riley Shults was 15th in 17:48.4, and Hastings also had junior Bran­ don Simmons 19th in. 17:54.4 and senior Jonah Teed 31xt in 18:29.4. Harper Creekjunior Dominic Lowrie was the closest guy to Bidwell at the front ofthe boys’ race with a time of 15:59.1. Parma Western had sophomore Edison Lopeman set his PR at 16:15.8 to place third. Hastings followed up Saturday’s meet by cruising to a victory at the Barry County Meet Tuesday at Gilmore Car Museum and the Saxon season continues Saturday/morning, Oct* 28, at She MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by South Christian High School. 10-19-23 »78,»«5,|9O 13S1 N. N-43 Hwy P.O. Boa 188 Hostings, HI. 49058 1351 N. H-43 Uwy PO Box 188 Hastings, KI.49058 Fredric J Jacobs 1351 N. N-43 Hwy po box 188 Hastings Hi. 49058 Jayson Bussa 1351 N. K-43 Hwy PO box 188 Bastings, KI. 49058 Frodrlc J Jacobs 461 Lakeside Drive Hastings, HI. 49058 Garcia scores runnerup time in 500-free for Gators in GR Brett Bremer Sports Editor i Aliyah Garcia, a sophomore, had the top ^finishes for the Grand Rapids Gators at the £023 Grand Rapids Freshman/Sophomore invitational hosted by Ottawa Hills Saturday. « Garcia scored a runner-up time of 5 minuites 53.01 seconds in the 500-yard freestyle Jand added a 200-yard freestyle time of ?2:14.14 which put her in 14th in that race. The Gator team, the co-op varsity girls’ ,’swimming and diving team for the stufdent-athletes from Calvin Christian, ThorJnapple Kellogg, West Catholic and Hopkins, ’.had just four youngsters competing. Diver rLydia Slagel earned a fourth-place point total of 165.20 in a field of 18 divers. They were the only two competitors for the Gators at the meet Saturday. Next up for the whole team is the OK Rainbow Tier II Con­ ference Championship meet which will be held at Byron Center High School Nov. 3-4. Rockford won Saturday’s meet with 646 points ahead ofForest Hills Central 548, For­ est Hills Northern/Eastem 493, Caledonia/ Lowell/South Christian 472, Ottawa Hills 450, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 403, Grand Rapids Union 151 and the Gators 65. Garcia had one ofher best 500-yard free­ style races of the season in that runner-up finish. Rockford sophomore Allie Stiles was the only girl ahead of her in the race. She finished in 5:43.17. It was a big day for CLS sophomore Sophie Gaylord and freshman Mya VanderZwaag. Gaylord won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.61 seconds and the 100-yard backstroke in 1:02.10. VanderZwaag was the runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:10.31 that qualifies her for a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 State Finals and also placed second in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of2:18.49. That pair also teamed with Aliya Van Hofwegen and Lizzie Gray to win the 200-yard medley relay in 2:00.19. CLS girls were third in both the 200- yard freestyle relay and the 400-yqrd freestyle relay. Htnaement of Ownership, Manaoement. and Circulation (All ParioOlcais Publications Exce Requester Publications) They played really smart and gave it their all. Itjust goes to show that the program can be competitive, and helps the girls realize that they can continue to build up the pro­ gram to something even greater. I’m glad to see strides like this, however, I will be even happier when they start to come out on top ofthose third sets and are able to cinch the deal.” In the day’s finale against the Mounties, the Saxons were bested 21-25, 25-11, 16-14. Throughout the tournament, Rachael Hewitt had eight kills for the Saxons. Abby Beemer put up 83 passes. Kimber Fenstemaker recorded nine blocks and coach Slaughter said she played great defense overall. The Saxons were back in action Tuesday at the Loy Norrix Quad. They started strong with a win over Colon, a team ranked eighth in the state in Division 4. Loy Norrix bested the Saxons in their second match ofthe day, but the Hastings girls bounced back for a three-set win over Hackett Catholic Prep. Coach Slaughter was really pleased with her girls’ communication throughout the evening and the leadership her girls dis­ played on and offthe court. Beemer had six aces and 30 assists to power the Saxons on the day. Hewitt tallied 26 kills and Fenstemaker had five solo blocks. The Saxons close out the regular season at Ionia this evening, Oct. 26. “These last couple ofquads we are trying to solidify our line-up and make any last minute changes that could help us against South Christian [in districts next week,” coach Slaughter said. “We are also working on staying competitive through the third set and coming out on top in those final points. The girls can do it, I know they can, theyjust have to start to believe it for themselves and not let the pressure get to them.” Hopkins will host the Saxons’ opening round district match against South Christian Monday at 7 p.m. The winner ofthat match heads back to Hopkins Wednesday to face Wayland in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinals. ■/A H/A N/A N/A N/A H/A Saxons working to win close final sets in fall’s final weeks Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity volleyball team •closed out the 2023 Interstate-8 Athletic Conference season sixth overall after falling in three tough matches at the conference tournament hosted by Harper Creek Saturday. Saxon head coach Erin Slaughter called it a rocky start with her team falling 25-13, 25-13 to Coldwater, but the Saxons fought back to play well in a couple of three-set losses to close out the tournament. Hastings took the opening set in contests •with Parma Western and Jackson Northwest, .but just couldn’t pull things out in the end when they were stretched to three sets. Western took a 22-25, 25-18, 15-11 win over the Saxons to start the consolation rounds. “The Western match was great because the girls came together and finally everything was clicking,” Slaughter said. “They /were being aggressive, communicating well, jand picking apart Western’s deep comers. R/A N/A Rutland Charter Township Sexton Bid 2023 207463 AU Bids due November 27,2023 The Sexton agrees to maintain the Cemetery Grounds to the roadway, also to include new addition using the trimmer where impossible to mow. The Sexton also agrees to hand trimming around headstones, bushes and fences to the roadway at the Cemetery. The Sexton agrees to use his own riding lawnmowers and furnish gas and oil for same and all maintenance of said mowers, shall be own responsibility of the Sexton and not of the Township. All mowing and trimming to be completed at the same time. 2. The Sexton shall deliver death certificates and burial permits within one (1) week after burial to the Township Clerk. 3. Execute all burials and dis-interment plans. 4. Such maintenance ofthe grounds shall not include such things in the nature of new and permanent improvements as a new fence construction, new posts or grading ofCemetery. 5. The Sexton shall construct new footings within four (4) weeks oforder. 6. The Sexton shall not employ, or allow anyone under the age ofeighteen (18) to operate any power drive machinery or otherwise such as lawnmowers, etc. on the Rutland Charter Township property. The Sexton shall provide his own Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance. Township will furnish top soil. This contract shall last 3 years. Waterlines shall be blown out in the fall. 7. 8. 9. 10. �Page 12 — Thursday, October 26, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Hammock enthusiasts not deterred by rains A crew of25 hammock enthusiasts attend­ ed a very wet hang last weekend at the Deep Lake Campground in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area. The MiCHILIgan (rhymes with Gilligan) Hang, as the event has come to be called, drew folks that traveled a great distance to enjoy the pleasure of sleeping outdoors in a hammock. And even with the pouring rain they seemed to enjoy their time together. The weekend participants slept in ham­ mocks, under tarps and joined in activities and learned techniques for improving their “hanging” hammock experience throughout the event that ran from Oct. 12-15. Karla “with a K” Iseler organized the event and made the trip from Wisconsin. Hangers from as far away as Missouri made the trek. This “hang” has a fairly long history with as many as 100 participants at the Deep Lake Organization Campground in the past, but the vent was derailed for a time by Covid and the retirement of the couple who had been the previous organizers. The idea ofhaving the annual gathering lay dormant for three years, but Iseler had fond memories of the time and friends from past hangs and didn’t want to let it die. Iseler reached out to some of the members of the Facebook group about having the event in October - not knowing that there would be downpours the first three days. Most of the participants stated that they remained dry through the rainy nights, although some admitted to being a bit cold. They were finally able to make a large camp­ fire when the rain stopped late Saturday afternoon. There are many other similar events around the country, but this hang was special in that they held a large raffle - the only such event in the Midwest. This 2023 raffle included many expensive hammocks and tarps (good tarps being in high demand within this group). UGQ • Outdoor, a small company located in Jackson specializing in a variety of quality hammock camping gear, was a strong supporter and donated many ofthe items being raffled. One of the benefactors of the gathering was the local ChiefNoonday Chapter ofthe North Country Scenic Trail. The chapter has agreed to store the group’s equipment and provide future support for the gathering. At the end of the event it was announced that, after expenses and setting aside funds for next year’s gathering, the Chief Noonday Chapter received $454. As the hangers dispersed there was strong support for returning in October, 2024 with the hope that the weather would be a bit more cooperative. Financial FOCUS sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, at the East Steps of the courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan, starting promptly at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, the 30th day of November, 2023. The amount due on the Mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. The premises covered by this Mortgage are located in the Township ofThomapple, County of Barry, State of Michigan and described as follows: Commencing 165 feet West of the Northeast comer of Section 12, Town 4 North, Range 10 West; thence South 330 feet; thence West 165 feet; thence North 330 feet; thence East 165 feet to the point of beginning. Parcel ID No. 14-012-013-10 Property address: 7015 W. Parmalee Road, Middleville, Michigan 49333 Notice is further given that the length of the redemption period will be six (6) months from the date of sale unless determined to be abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be as provided by MCL 600.3241a. If this property is sold at a foreclosure sale by advertisement, during the period of redemption, borrower/mortgagor will be responsible to the purchaser or to the mortgage holder for physical injury to the property beyond wear and tear resulting from the normal use of the property If the physical injury is caused by or at the direction of the borrower/mortgagor. Dated: October 23, 2023 LAKE MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION MORTGAGEE THIS INSTRUMENT PREPARED BY: Charles J. Hlemstra (P-24332) Attorney for Mortgagee 125 Ottawa Ave., NW, Suite 310 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616) 235-3100 (10-26)(11-16) 207803 Kevin Beck, AAMS® FinancialAd 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Don’t leave your IRA to the IRS Members of the MiCHILIgan hammock event take part in a riffle during tn end at the Deep Lake Campground in the Yankee Springs Rec reation Area. Hangers that wander away from the camp­ ground into the Yankee Springs Recreation Area next October may find some improve­ ments thanks to ChiefNoonday Chapter vol­ unteers who have plans for Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 workdays to help Michigan DNR crews in the area. There are plans to fix up some erosion issues on and near the North Country Trail near Devil’s Soupbowl. Contact Eric Lonkman by email at ericnct@gmail.com or pione at 269-203-5703 for more information onljoining ljoining the voluneers. Article provided iy Eric Longman ofthe North Country TraiMssociation Mssociation Chief ChiefNoon Noon-­ day Chapter. SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING October 11, 2023 - 7:00 p.m. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Regular meeting calli >d to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawtllorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, James, Lectk< Absent: None Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer’s Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucljer/Payroll Report Motion to accept a (punter offer from Walmart Roll Call Vote - All ayesl motion passes Motion to approve Ordinance 2023-190 Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to table Ordinance 2023-191 Roll Call Vote - 6-1 ayes, motion;passes Motion to approve Resolution 2023-296 Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to accept bids for Janitorial, Sexton and Hall grounds maintenance Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 9:23 pm Respectfully submitted; Robin Hawthorne, Clerk LEGAL HOTICES NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE CHARLES J. HIEMSTRA IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Default has occurred in the conditions of a Mortgage (“Mortgage") made by Branden Oconnor, a/k/a Branden Shane O’Connor and Elizabeth Grace O'Connor, f/k/a Liz Medenblik, husband and wife, of 7015 W. Parmalee Road, Middleville, Michigan 49333, Mortgagor, to Lake Michigan Credit Union, a state chartered credit union, having a mailing address of P.O. Box 2848, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501­ 2848 ("Mortgagee"), which Mortgage was dated February 19, 2021, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan on March 1, 2021 at Instrument Number 2021-002431. By reason of this default, the Mortgagee hereby declares the entire unpaid amount of said Mortgage due and payable immediately. As of the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due on this Mortgage the sum of Eight Thousand Twenty-seven and 36/100 Dollars ($8,027.36). No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by this Mortgage or any part thereof. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT: Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the above Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public Member SIPC Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Attested to by, Laqy Watson,,Supejyisj3[, _ *- 207884 bnridri oi riTj a STATE OF MICHIGAN 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF HEARING CASE NO. 23-9659-DL PETITION NO. 23010312,333, 334 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Attention homeowner If you are a military service memberon active duty, if your period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for TO: Hastings Banner the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the IN MATTER OF: Amelion Blessings Richardson-Andrews. A hearing regarding Pretrial/Adjudication will be conducted by the court on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in Barry County Family Court, Courts & Law Bldg., 206-W. Court St, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty. You have the right to an attorney and the right to place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on November THE a trial by judge or jury. 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be IT IS THEREFORE . ORDERED that Amelion greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest Blessings Richardson-Andrews personally appear bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the before the court at the and place stated above. This hearing may result in juvenile court jurisdiction for purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the various juvenile offenses; 207614 county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) made by Beth Leslie f/k/a Beth Schoendorf and James Leslie, wife and husband, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated March 12, 2015, and recorded on April 3, 2015, Instrument No. 2015­ 002855, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated October 3, 2023, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and recorded October 4,2023, Instrument No. 2023­ 007817, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage is $51,020.70 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under’ 'section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 7, 2023. The amount due dri ?the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Scott S McBean, And Sarah M McBean, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for America’s Wholesale Lender., its successors and assigns I as stated above, plus interest on the amount due Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL at the rate of 5.75% per annum; all legal costs and CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR expenses, including attorney’s fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST Date of Mortgage: April 24,2003 Date of Mortgage Recording: May 8,2003 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $93,617.08 Description of the rrfcrtgaged premises: Situated in Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 8, Misty Ridge according to the recorded protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in the Village of Middleville, County of Barry, State of Michigan described more fully as: Unit 11, East Town Homes, a condominium established by Master Deed, recorded In Instrument No. 1074113, Barry County Records, and being designated as Barry County Condominium Subdivision Plan No. 23, as amended, if any, together with rights in the general common elements and limited common elements as set forth in the Master Deed and as described in Act 59 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1978, as amended. Tax ID No. 08-41-195-011-00 Commonly known address: 136 Irving Road #3, Middleville, Ml, 49333 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8). unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortae mortgage holder fo for damaging the property during the redemption period October 10, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN’ Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street 752-^2? 530 GPand RaP^s* Michigan 49504 (616) (10-12)(11-09) 207172 plat thereof in Uber 6 of Plats, on Page 30. Common street address (if any).’ 720 Wild Pond Ct, Middleville, Ml 49333-83961 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military sendee member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number o stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: October 26,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1513262 (10-26)(11-16) If you’ve invested in an IRA for many' decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income. So, ifyour IRA still has sizable assets after your passing, it would likely end up in your estate plan. If you leave your IRA to grown children or other family members, could they be hit with a big tax bill? Here’s a little background: Up until the Secure Act of 2019, those who inherited traditional IRAs could extend their required withdrawals over their lifetimes, which stretched out the annual taxes due on these withdrawals. But the Secure Act changed the provisions for non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019, meaning that beneficiaries ofinherited IRAs had only 10 years (beginning the year after death) to withdraw the entire balance. For some beneficiaries, this could potentially create a tax burden. (Inheritors of Roth IRAs are also required to follow the 10-year distribution rule but are not subject to income taxes on account earnings if the Roth IRA’s five-year holding period has been met). However, not all beneficiaries were affected Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on Noverqber 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater oroth&jday of sale., Placing the Highest bid at/thei iale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register ofdeeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Jeremy J Koning, an unmarried man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PennyMac Loan Services, LLC Date of Mortgage: October 24,2019 Date of Mortgage Recording: October 30,2019 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $237,192.64 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: A parcel of land in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, described as: Beginning at a point on the West line of Section 6, distant South 854 feet from the West 1/4 post of Section 6; thence continuing South 412 feet; thence North 89 degrees 23 minutes East 240 feet; thence North 412 feet; thence South 89 degrees 23 minutes West 240 feet to the Place of Beginning, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan. Common street address (if any): 7316 N Patterson Rd, Caledonia, Ml 49316-9318 . The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for dam aging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: October 19,2023 Trott Law, PC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 A 1512356 (10-19X11-09) 207289 SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting October 18, 2023 Called to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Stoneburner, Doster, Goebel DeVries, Pence Agenda and Minutes approved County Clerk White's introduction Public comments were received. Department Reports were received Approved: Payment of bill Resolution 2023-17: Municipal Agreement Appraiser’s Contract Aquatic Weed Control Assessments Plannln9 Commission recommendation 2022 Financial Statements Resolution 2023-18: Personnel Pay Amendment ’ MU-bl!c and Board comments were received Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk 207770 by the new rules. Spouses can stretch their inherited IRA distributions over their lifetimes and exceptions exist for certain non-spouse beneficiaries. Minor children of the IRA owner (until the age of majority), chronically ill or disabled individuals, and beneficiaries who are no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner may opt to stretch their distributions. The new 10-year requirement applies to IRAs inherited on or after Jan. 1, 2020. But due to confusion over changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for some beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, the IRS waived penalties for individuals who failed to take RMDs in 2021 and 2022 and extended the RMD penalty waiver for 2023. Although these rulings give beneficiaries — those not eligible for the exemptions listed above more time to plan, they will eventually need to start taking RMDs, which could affect their tax situations. To help protect your heirs, consider these suggestions: • Using permanent life insurance. properly A structured permanent life insurance policy could help you replace the assets your family might lose to the taxes resulting from an inherited IRA. You might even consider naming a charity as the 207639 beneficiary of an IRA, rather than your family members. The charity would receive the IRA proceeds tax free, and the life insurance could then provide tax-free benefits to your heirs. • Leaving taxable investment accounts to your heirs. Apart from your taxdeferred IRA, you may own other, fully taxable accounts containing investments such as stocks or bonds. Typically, these investments receive what’s known as a “step-up” in their cost basis once they are inherited. This means your heirs will essentially inherit all the gains your investments earned by the time of your passing — but they won’t be taxed on these gains ifthey sell the assets immediately. This type of sale could help offset the taxes your heirs will incur from the inherited IRA. The tax and investment issues surrounding inherited IRAs can be complex, so consult with your tax and financial advisors before making any moves. And, as with many areas relating to inheritances, the sooner you start planning, the better. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward SIPC Jones, Member NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate Case No. 23-2959-DE SSI**-* I**-* Estate of Ronald Barton. Date of birth: 1-29-67. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Ronald Barton, died 5-24-23. Creditors of the decedent are notified that' all claimsfbosjngJitfie i^st^jWillI be< forever barrel unless presented to Ethan Barton, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 107 W. Grant Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. ’Madrid Mite I ttsmxuil iitUWffXSKHaBKM Ethan Barton 107 W. Grant Street usix<M >ugDoidfcfailabtfte Hastings, Ml 49058 207720 616-498-0988 step tp Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Estate Sales 2-DAY ESTATE SALE on Fine Lake South* of Hastings, North of Battle Creek. Locate^ right behind the Fine Lake Party Store, 14471’ Frances Dr, Battle Creek. WHOLE HOUSE! FULL- Oak Nice Furniture, 4 Recliners, Sofa; Sleeper, 5 Pg. Bedroom Set- BEAUTIFUL, Patio Sets, Book Cases, End Tables, 2 Dining­ Room Sets. Friday, Nov 3rd, 8am-6pm. Satur­ day, Nov 4th, 2023.8am-5pm. Wanted WANTED: OLD FASHIONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852-0667. Business Services WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local! sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 ori more mature hardwood trees to sell, quality-! hardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing.! Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liabil- • ity & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging,! (269)818-7793. ■ METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable) roofing installation! Licensed and Insured!* Financing and references available. Free es-j timates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. i MATT ENDSLEY FABRICATION and repair,! custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Calli 269-804-7506. WESTIE TERRIER JACK RUSSELL cross puppies. Very cute, will stay small. Up to date on shots & deworming. $175.00.517-726-0706. 1 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, October 26, 2023 — Page 13 Game-tying goal eludes Vikings in final fe Lakewood senior Garret Feighan gets around Eaton Rapids senior Nick White with the ball in the Greyhounds' end during the first half of their MHSAA Division 3 Distrcit Final at Eaton Rapids High School Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) —kn *?■!**£ ima rbb nN mme aoj * ifekterionntr flKV । tea rc I’otypivBtaK Mniosnittap tostc taps ityt-z ! imUC ■I Mr friro fltatta •■jo n Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was as if every last ounce of energy in the Vikings’ bodies was sucked away and went straight into the Greyhounds. The knees ofthe guys in white gave way and they dropped to the cold October turfwhile the Greyhounds in black sprinted towards each other with their arms raised in victory. But that can’t be true, because the Vikings had already given everything they had by the time the clock hit 0:00. Eaton Rapids took a 1-0 overtime victory over the Lakewood varsity boys’ soccer team in the MHSAA Division 3 District Final at Eaton Rapids High School Wednesday. The Vikings collapsed after a last gasp push that couldn’t have come any closer to putting the ball across the goal-line without it actually happening. Eaton Rapids slowed a Viking counter attack running a player off the field as he tried to move the ball up the sideline in front ofthe Lakewood bench while the clock ticked under halfa minute to play. .With everyone pressed up to the Grey­ hound goal-box,1 Lakewoodjuhior’midfielder Will Grant lofted a free kick in front of the Eaton Rapids net. Lakewood senior forward Garret Feighan and junior midfielder Jackson MacKenzie had the first shot at it, rising high for a header in between a pair ofGreyhounds. The ball bounded from that group to Lake­ wood senior Joel Apsey alone at the top of the 18. He blasted a shot that pin-balled through the 11 guys between him and the net and wound up trickling to the feet of Lakewood Spanish exchange student Bruno Cano Fer­ nandez Vegue by himself three yards out from the left post. Cano Fernandez Vegue, who entered the contest tied with 2023 Lakewood High School graduate Colby Carter for the Viking single-season goal record with 31, touched a shot that skidded from left to right by Eaton Rapids senior keeper Braden Ellis in his neon greenjersey as his head spun and his eyes got big. The ball shotjust past Greyhoundjunior defender Carter Buckingham and Viking junior defender Troy Acker in the middle of the six-yard box, and thenjust out ofreach of Lakewood junior midfielder Donny Wells crashing towards the far post. That ball went just wide of the right post across the goal-line into the darkness beyond the lit playing field. Time expired on the Vikings’ season - a heart-breaking defeat against the Greyhounds in a district final played in Eaton Rapids for the second season in a row. “This [Eaton Rapids] team is good. They’re well-coached. They’ve been good,” Lake­ wood head coach James LeVeque said. “They’re tough. They’re a tough team, but our guys left it all out there. That just was such an intense game. We had six or seven guys play 100 minutes ofsoccer tonight. Not much more they could do. “Not much more they could do.” Junior Drew Holevac, clearly the Grey­ hound most likely to put the ball in the net all evening, scored the only goal. He got a step on a Viking defender in the right side ofthe box four and a half minutes into the first of two ten-minute overtime periods, and ripped a shot that buzzed into the far side ofthe net. Junior defender Logan Harriosn was credited with the assist,.r. sirThe’Greyhounds, led byI Holevac, put for­ ward some oftheir best pressure ofthe night in the first five minutes ofovertime. Holevac had just drilled the right post with a shot moments before hitting the back ofthe net. Lakewood’s big surge was a sustained one, covering most ofthe first 20 minutes of the second half. They were a step quicker, won 50/50 balls and locked the ball into the Eaton Rapids end ofthe field. “We lost to these guys 3-0 when we played them the first time, even though it didn’t feel like a 3-0 game,” LeVeque said. “I think after playing them to a draw in that first half and seeing that we were going to get chances and whatnot, the guys at halftime were hungry and they were confident. They started playing confident. We locked the ball in their halffor ten minutes straight to begin that second half. “I think that was almost a back-breaker of sorts as well. They withstood probably 15 to 20 minutes ofpretty hard press from us, and we just couldn’t find the net. Once you do that, and a team finally rebounds and picks their heads back up that momentum is tough. Guys were hungry and they were ready to Lakewood junior defender Will Grant puts his hands to his head as his teammates and the Eaton Rapids Greyhounds react in the distance to the Vikings' unsuccessful final push on the Greyhound goal at the end of their MHSAA Division 3 District Final at Eaton Rapids High School Wednesday, Oct. 18. The Greyhounds took a 1-0 overtime victory to advance to this weeks' regional round of the state tournament. (Photo by Brett Bremer) prove it and they wante d to prove it.” Wellsjust missed fin shing offnear perfect cross from Cano Fernandez Vegue a couple minutes into that second half. Lakewood put pressure on Eaton Rapids defenders time and again with outside back Landon Makley’s comer kick like throw-ins, although they never got one headed with much oomph on it steered on net. Cano Fernandez Vegue did get a solid head on a comer kick ten minutes into the second half, but it was saved'by the Eaton Rapids keeper. Not long after that, pressure from Feighan opened things up for a good shot from Grant at the top ofthe 18. But as LeVeque noted after the contest, it is now two years running that the Greyhound defense just does not let the ball find the net. “Theyjust flat out don’t give up goals. It is very tough to score on them. They showed why,” LeVeque said. “It is kind oflike a bend, but don’t break. They let you get in, but it is hard to get clean looks on them.” He was thrilled with his own team’s defense too. “The defense played amazing. They had very few chances,” LeVeque said. Lakewood ends the season with a record of 14-4-2.it was the final varsity match for eight Viking seniors. By the end, the Vikings were beat up with a few guys cramping up. Coach LeVeque, said that is nothing usual for any team at this time of year, and that he was really pleased SPECIAL ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN THE: COUNTY OF BARRY STATE OF MICHIGAN TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023 FOR SPECIAL ELECTION THE PLACES HOLDING THE ELECTION IN SAID MUNICIPALITIES ARE INDICATED BELOW: ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 8094 Tasker Road, Bellevue, Ml 49021 BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 3100 E. Dowling Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 - Voting in Assyria Twp. CASTLETON TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 915 Reed Street, Nashville, Ml 49073 HASTINGS CHARTER TWP Precinct 1 885 River Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 - Voting in Castleton Twp. MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 721 Durkee Street, PO Box 240, Nashville, Ml 49073 ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP Precinct 1 700 Lindsey Road, Plainwell, Ml 49080 TO VOTE ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITIONS LISTED BELOW: BELLEVUE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL EXEMPTING PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND OTHER PROPERTY EXEMPTED BY LAW 16.9907 MILLS FOR 9 YEARS ***ll? i<<^ with the performance of the reserves who stepped up throughout the night. Makley helped hobbled senior teammate Elijah Steed back and forth across the field as the Vikings went to thank their fans on one half of the field, while the Greyhounds got their district championship medals on the other half. Eaton Rapids ends the year with a 14-6 record. The Greyhounds were thumped 8-0 by seventh-ranked South Christian Tuesday in the MHSAA Division 3 Regional Semifi­ nals in Fennville. Unity Christian, the top ranked team in the state in Division 3, defeat­ ed Hartford 2-0 in its semifinal match in Fennville Tuesday. The Sailors and Crusaders are slated to meet for the regional title back in Fennville this afternoon, Oct. 26. Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Bellevue Community Schools, 904 W. Capital Avenue, Bellevue, Michigan 4902141312; telephone: (269) 763-9432. EATON REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY SPECIAL EDUCATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL .9 MILL FOR10YERARS Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Eaton Regional Education Service Agency, 1790 Packard Highway, Charlotte, Michigan 48813-9717, telephone: (517) 543-5500. f MARTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BOND PROPOSAL FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $17,150,000 Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Martin Public Schools, 1556 Chalmers Street, Martin, Michigan 49070­ 041, telephone: (259) 442-0500. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT THE BONDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ELECTORS AT THIS ELECTION, WILL BE GENERAL OBLIGATION UNLIMITED TAX BONDS PAYABLE FROM GENERAL AD VALOREM TAXES. Sample ballots may be viewed at www.ml.gov/vQte. THE POLLS OF SAID ELECTION WILL BE OPEN AT 7 O’CLOCK A.M. AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 8 O'CLOCK P.M. ON THE DAY OF ELECTION. Absent voter ballots must be mailed to voters no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28,2023. Reg­ istered voters may contact their local Clerk to obtain an application for an absent voter ballot. For any other questions relating to the election process, please contact your local Clerk: ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP Annette Terry 269-967-8032 BALTIMORE TOWNSHIP Penelope Ypma 269-908-1978 CASTLETON TOWNSHIP Marcia Scramlin Anita Mennell 517-852-9429 Holly Carpenter 517-490-9510 Melody Risner 269-664-4522 HASTINGS CHARTER TWP. MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP Lakewoo°d fresihm dani Connor tM ierriItt ltohokis dfoirt hiet|Pfi/sl.EW®d^d t Et Rid c,°ses in during overtime In their district final Wednesday at Eaton Rapids High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 269-948-9690 PAMELA A. PALMER, COUNTY CLERK 207309 �Page g 14 — Thursday, y, October 26,, 2023 — The Hastings g Banner Runners keep regional in mind at county meet Brett Bremer Sports Editor A new date on the calendar changed things a bit for the annual Barry County Meet, which was hosted this fall by Delton Kellogg at Gilmore Car Museum Tuesday. Traditionally the Monday after the state’s regional weekend, this season’s race came on the Tuesday before regionals - meaning the top seven for each team came to Delton a bit more focused on having a full tank Saturday than putting the pedal to the medal as their path rolled past the Ford and Cadillac exhibits, the double decker bus and the various car bams on the museum property. Some traditions were upheld though, as the Thomapple Kellogg girls and Hastings boys took Barry County team championships. The Hastings boys outscored Thomapple Kellogg 24-45 at the top ofthe standings. “It is awesome,” Hastings junior Brandon Simmons, who placed third overall, said. “We have such a good team this year. We have * really good team chemistry. I am hoping we can get it again next year, but we have a bunch of good seniors so it is going to be tough. “[Team chemistry] is important because you’re running for each other instead of for yourself. You don’t feel like you’re alone out there, because you’re running for your team. You want to make your team proud.” TK girls dominated as usual outscoring runner-up Delton Kellogg 23-57. “Us coming together one last time as a team was really nice to see,” Thomapple Kel­ logg senior Holly Crews said. “Everybody is saying, ‘hurrah, we did it,’ was really nice. The team as one.” The very best Barry County runners, like Thomapple Kellogg senior Ava Crews, have | typically taken things a bit easy at the Barry County Meet - at least the ones who had qualified for the state finals in previous years. It was typically the last race ofthe season for everyone who wasn’t a state qualifier. With the regional ahead, that didn’t change much. Delton Kellogg senior Summer Ritchie took the early lead, but before long it was Crews and Hastings freshman Caroline Ran­ dall going back and forth in the girls’ race. Randall, who finishedjust a bit ahead ofCrews ? at this season’s Otsego and Portage invitationals, eventually extended a small lead. Rather than even attempt to push for a third straight individual Barry County champion­ ship Crews kept a pace that would save some­ thing for Saturday where the duo will face off again in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by South Christian High School. Randall, the 2023 Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference champ won Tuesday in 20 minutes 29.66 seconds, taking a similar strategy of saving energy for Saturday herself. Crews hit the finish line in 20:46.98. Both girls will be hoping to qualify for the state finals this fall. Thomapple Kellogg girls’ head coach Sam Wilkinson was pleased with Crews’ veteran move, and also pleased with the performance of veteran Velting - the fastest senior in the girls’ race. A talented group of youngsters helped Thomapple Kellogg to an OK Gold Conference championship this fall, but also bumped Velting from the Trojans’ top seven meaning she’ll have to settle for cheering on her team Saturday rather than running in regionals. Coach Wilkinson said Velting’s job Tues­ day was to make sure she beat out whoever happened to be the fastest Panther being that Delton Kellogg was TK’s top competition for the trophy. She pulled that offplacing third in 23:11.59. She was a little over 15 seconds ahead of Ritchie in the end. The Panther senior hit the finish line fourth in 23:27.13. In four seasons Velting has never finished worse than fourth at the Barry County meet. She was the runner-up a year ago as ajunior. “[I was hoping for] one good last race, just to send my senior year off,” Velting said. “I am really proud of the team and what we have done this season. I couldn’t ask for more. It has been amazing,” she added. It was a wave of orange and black after Velting with TK runners placing in every spot from fifth to 12th. The top seven finishers Tuesday in both the girls’ and boys’ races earned first team All-Barry County honors while the eighth through 14th-place finishers earned second team All-Barry County hon­ ors. TK had ten ofthose 14 medalists. Sophomore Megan Schuurmans and fresh­ man Carmen Reynolds came across nest in fifth and sixth. Schuurmans earned a time of 23:32.32 and Reynolds 23:40.62. Freshman Peyton Hardy was right behind in 23:41.43 after pulling away from a pack ofTrojans that spent much ofthe 3.1 miles together. The Trojan team had freshman Meghan­ Jane Skidmore eighth in 23:48.29, freshman Ellie Harmon ninth in 23:48.66, sophomore The Saxons' Chloe Pirtle (right) and Alexa DeCamp race together during the first half of the Barry County Meet Tuesday at Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Hastings H gh School boys cross country team celebrates winning the 2023 I building at Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) in Hastings freshman Caroline Randall along the cornfield south of the Gilmore Car Museum a stride on. two ahead of Thomapple Kellogg junior Ava Crews at the 2023 Barry County Meet Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The OK Gold Conference Champion Thornapple Kellogg girls' cross country team celebrates another title Tuesday in front of the Cadillac building at Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners after winning the 2023 Barry County Meet. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Delton Kellogg junior Kylie Main runs to a 14th-place finish in the Barry County Meet at Gilmore Car Museum Tuesday earning the last of the 14 All-Barry County medals awarded in the girls' race. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Madison Kietzman tenth in 23:49.03, fresh­ man Alaina McCrumb 11th in 23:49.42 and sophomore Avery Hagemann 12th in 23:49.83. The other two all-county medalist in the girls’ race were Maple Valley senior Lilly Faurot who placed 13th in 23:57.19 and Delton Kelloggjunior Kylie Main who came in 14th at 23:58.94. Lakewood was led by sophomore Emma Tidd who placed 15th in 24:18,97. Hastings was third in the girls’, standings with 88 points, ahead of Maple Valley 106 and Lakewood 111. The top five for the Delton Kellogg girls also included junior Jphannah Houtkopjper 16th in 24;55.30, senior Samantha O’Meara 18th in 25:13.06 and junior Jillian Leclercq 1,9th jp 25:37.34. The Saxons’ top five were all freshmen. Chloe Pirtle placed 24th in 26:55.25, Alexa DeCamp 28th in 28:24.44, Beatricee Creaco 33rd in 21:01.95 and Lilianna Enyart 34th in 31:08.25. Junior Isabel Emerick: Was Maple Valley’s nurtiber two with a 22nd-place time of 26:06:02. The Lion team also had senior Mackenzie Decker 32nd in 30:57.86, sophomore Addison Shank 39th in 35:51.85 and junior Brianna Gurd 40th in 37:43.38. Lakewood’s lone senior, Allison Slater, placed 23rd in 26:53.35. Viking sophomore Marci Nurenberg was 36th in 33:17.51 with freshman team­ mate Laurelye Carter 37th in 33:20.20 and freshman Jayda Miller 41st in 40:40.08. Thornapple Kellogg senior Lucas Van Meter (right) races a step ahead of Hastings' Riley Shults (left) during the early going of the 2023 Barry County Meet hosted by Delton Kellogg at Gilmore Car Museum Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The highlights of; the Barry County meet aren’t always at the front of the pack. The come in moments like when Miller and fresh­ man teammate Elizabeth Stoneman closed in on Delton Kellogg senior Caysen Andersen late in the race. Miller oTve_r_t_o_ok__A_n_d_e_rs_e_n_ as they neared the flag;lining the chute into the finish. Aidersen ga\ e everything she had to try arid pull back ahc id, but Miller eventually beat her out by half second. Barry County’s fii e high schools with var­ sity cross country 11 compete in different conferences and icross three different MHSAA divisions.! o, they only run against each other at the occ isional invitational. “I really respect t le teams we run against in the Barry County meet and I actually feel somewhat more of; i kindred spirit with this group ofteams than I do with several of the teams in our conference,” TK’s coach Wilkin­ son said. “Anytime we are racing and they are at the same meets, I’m cheering for them too because I want to see them do well in their own right. We are the schools on the outskirts oftown doing the best we can against the big dogs of our area and we celebrate each oth­ er’s accomplishments.” The boys’ race closed off. with a handful of Delton Kellogg runners leaping from their spots seated around-the front ofthe Cadillac building, where the awards ceremony was soon to begin, as they noticed Hastings soph­ omore Austin Abson approaching a now mostly deserted finish line to cheer him on. Not long after, the Saxon team was handed the Barry County Championship trophy. Saxons made up half of the All-Barry County teams on the boys’ side - a group led by senior Riley Shults and Simmons. Thornapple Kellogg sophomore Lucas Van Meter outraced Shults in the end to take the individual title. Van Meter won in 17:49.18 and Shults came in not long after at 17:58.30. Simmons saw those two start to pull away with about two miles to go and decided he’d be happy, and his team would be satisfied, with a third-place finish. He came in at 18:16.23. “I was trying to race a little smart today,” Simmons said, “because 1 knew that I had a race on Saturday for regionals. I am trying to give it all I’ve got so I can make it to the state race. 1 saw Riley and Lucas were sitting first and second and they were starting to pull ahead. I was like I’m just going to stay in third and preserve for the state meet. The Saxon team also had junior Micah Johnson fifth in 18:37.81, freshman Maxson Eichorst eighth in 19:31.07, senior Caleb LaBoe ninth in 19:42.85, senior Jonah Teed 11th in 20:00.67 and senior Reuben Solmes 13th in 20:28.24. Delton Kellogg was third in the boys’ team standings with 73 points and Maple Valley fourth with 102. Lakewood didn’t have enough runners competing to earn a team score. Maple Valley only had the five required to have a team score with the addition of a pair of football players running their first race of the fall. Lion senior Ayden Wilkes was the only runner to set a personal record on the meet turning in a 26th-place time of22:38.76 in his first ever high school cross country race. Senior James Penny, who ran a handful of races in 2022, scored a 31 st-place time of Delton Kellogg freshman Nick Muday races to a tenth-place finish in the Barry County Meet Tuesday at Gilmore Car; Museum. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 24:08.49. Despite not earning a team score, Lake4 wood had one ofthe county’s top performers in junior Riley Johnson who placed fourth with a time of 18:24.61. Thomapple Kellogg had four all-country runners. Senior Kaden Hamming was sev-J enth in 19:22.66, junior Hunter Tietz 12th in 20:07.93 and freshman Elijah Frazer 14th ill 20:31.78. A couple other freshmen were right behind Frazer.. His TK teammate Grady Galaviz came in at 20:32.19, less than half a second behind Frazer, in 15th place losing out on thaj last all-county spot as the Saxons’ Solmes shot past the Trojan duo as it closed in on the finish line. Maple Valley’s leader, freshman Tyler Cub tis, was 16th in 20:42.81. Delton Kellogg had a pair of all-county runners. Junior Ethan Rimmer placed sixth in 19:03.43, but probably never ran as fast on the course as he did hustling over to cheer oii Abson. Panther sophomore Nick Muday was tenth in 19:57.24. > Delton Kellogg had just the five it needed for a team score. Junior Brock Hickerson was 20th in 21:26.23, senior Rhys Bedford 22nd in 21:48.80 and freshman Isaiah Kellosd 32nd in 26:06.93. . Maple Valley had freshman Quincy Page 28th in 23:12.33 and freshman Brayden Joseph 34th in 26:46.83 in its top five along with Curtis, Wilkes and Penny.. Lakewood’s scoring group included junior Hudson Goethals 17th in 20:52.02, sophosopho­ more Bryce Schelter 18th in 21:05.40 and freshman Kaden Rohrbacher 25th in 22:02.46< � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-11-09.pdf 5f5e9ba3d1a662ccc64712bb1c357ef2 PDF Text Text Debate over ORVs in Middleville gets heated State lawmakers overstepping with solar, wind legislation Freshman phenom earns medal at MIS See story on page 8 See story on page 4 See story page 9 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 ANNER H VOLUME 169, No. 45 Thursday, November 9, 2023 PRICE $1.50 Community rallies around family of Hastings tow truck operator who was killed in weekend accident f tf i Jayson Bussa Editor In late September, Joey Bird shared a moment with his friend Keagan Spencer that stuck with him. TKe two men, who both work as tow truck drivers and operators, were attending the funeral of a mutual friend named Dave Phelps, who was also a member of the towing community. Phelps had owned Michigan Center-based Dave Phelps Towing, which oncej employed Spencer, and the two men were grieving. “Keagan was sitting there crying and hug­ ging Dave’s wife and everything,” Bird recalled. “Me and Keagan walked outside... Keagan looks me dead in my eyes and says ‘I wjmt you to send me offwith a big bang if something ever happens to me.’ That was literally a (few) weeks ago. I laughed at him and said ‘I’m the one that will die before you. I’m the one that does all the stupid sh**.’” Unfortunately, though, Bird would have to make good on that promise much sooner than he ever thought possible after a tragic acci­ dent- claimed the life of Spencer, a 25-yearold fhther who graduated from, and resided in, | ipngs. S encer was on duty for Middleville-based tow® ;service Towzilla Towing and Recovery Saturday morning, picking up a couple ofv tikles.—‘ As he traveled westbound on M-6 he pulled over to the side of the road and entered the median reportedly to assist with a dog he had spotted. When he did, a vehicle traveling along M-6 lost control, entered the median and struck and killed Spencer. His young daughter, Lenora, was along for the ride with him that day/ The accident still remains Under investigation as Spencer’s family, friends, loved ones and fellow members ofthe towing communi­ ty gather to honor him. “I’m not shocked that he stopped to help an animal, which is what they’re saying,” said Bird, who owns and operates T&J Towing, based in Kalamazoo. Bird said he has known Spencer for about a decade. “That kid had a giant heart and that little girl that was with him, that was his pride andjoy.” On the same day as the accident, word spread throughout the towing community and its members mobilized to form a procession that traveled from the Grand Rapids area up to Hastings, where they congregated in the parking lot ofthe Fehsenfeld Center at Kel­ logg Community College. Making good on his promise to, Spencer, Bird, who heads up a Facebook group for the towing community that has garnered nearly 10,000 members, is helping to organize a See ACCIDENT page 2 , g A large group of bw trucks and their drivers gather in the parking lot of the Fehsenfeld Center on Saturday, the same day that “Kl6c'dl tow truck driv Ji* Keagan Spencer v^reM^Med tn an accident on M-6 Highway. (Photo by Jon Jacobifr- cal governments, planners brace for impact of recent green energy legislation Jayson Bussa Editor Despite opposition from municipal groups and their constituents throughout the state, legislation continues to make its way through Lansing that would strip local units ofgovernment ofthe power to permit large commercial solar and wind projects. House bills 5120 and 5121 passed through the Democrat-controlled Michigan House of Representatives last week along party lines, 56-52 via a late-night vote. A variety of amendments were made to the bill before it eventually passed. For instance, one amendment stated that local government could retain permitting power, just as long as their ordinances mir­ rored those of the state. But, even then, utilities can easily override the local gov­ ernment and appeal to the state instead. Now, the legislation heads to the State Senate, which is also controlled narrowly by Democrats, before it can arrive on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for a signature. The matter had not been voted on yet by the Senate when this report was filed. The bills, which have drawn significant attention and ire amongst residents in Barry County, would grant the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) permitting authority over siting of wind projects with generation larger than 100 megawatts, and solar and battery storage projects with gen­ eration larger than 50-megawatts. Proponents of the legislation argue that this would streamline the permit process for commercial solar and wind projects, which are notoriously held up, and sometimes detailed, by local units of government and their constituents. See GREEN ENERGY, page 3 Woman accused of stalking , threatening prosecutor’s office makes appearance in Barry County court Jayson Bussa Editor A woman accused of threatening and stalking members of the Barry County Pro­ sector’s Office appeared in court on Tuesday morning for a pre-trial hearing. Rita Williams of Richland appeared in front ofJudge William Doherty for the pro­ ceedings after pleading not guilty to two counts each ofusing a computer to commit a crime and stalking. Both charges are mis­ demeanors and carry up to a year of incar­ ceration. The 37-year-old Williams represented her­ selfat the hearing while Philip Jacques ofthe Michigan State Attorney General’s Office served as attorney for the prosecution. Because members of the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office are the victims in the case, they are not involved in the proceed­ ings, although, Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt was seated in the gallery during the proceedings. Judge Michael Schipper was originally slated to hear Williams’s case but the court’s administration office confirmed that he recused himself asjudges are allowed to do to avoid the appearance ofa conflict of interest. Schipper is currently presiding over a case involving Williams’s husband. In fact, the fallout ofher husband’s case, and her ensuing actions, is what ultimately led the State Attor­ ney General’s Office to pursue charges against her. Williams and her interactions with mem­ bers ofthe Barry County Prosecutor’s Office began nearly a year ago when her husband, a former IT employee at local manufacturer FlexFab, was charged and eventually convict­ ed of embezzling over a half million dollars from the company through purchases made with an Amazon business account and compa­ ny credit card. Williams’s husband pled guilty See WILLIAMS, page 3 Barry County honors veterans with variety of events Thornapple Kellogg High School's annual Veterans Day celebration is slated for 10 a.m. on Friday. The public is welcome to attend. (Photo provided) Banner Staff Residents around Barry County will gath­ er on Friday and Saturday to honor the many veterans who call this county home. First celebrated as Armistice Day - mark­ ing the end ofWorld War I - Veterans Day is always celebrated on Nov. 11. With this year’s Veterans Day falling on a Saturday, many groups are observing the federal holi­ day on Friday. The following is a rundown ofa few ofthe events that will take place this weekend. HASTINGS Veterans Day Ceremonies will commence for about half an hour starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Tyden Park Veteran’s Plaza, hosted by the Lawrence J. Bauer Post 45 of the American Legion. Legionnaire Carla Wilson Neil of the Barry County Veterans Affairs Committee will speak regarding the history and meaning ofVeterans Day. Following the ceremony at lyden Park, the post will host a lunch (bean soup and combread) from noon to 3 p.m. Voluntary donations for lunch will be accepted. MIDDLEVILLE Thomapple Kellogg High School wel­ comes veterans and the community to join in an annual Veterans Day celebration at 10 a.m. on Friday in the high school gymnasi­ um. Veterans are invited to attend and be recognized for their service. This is a special program for all high school students as well as community mem­ bers. It’s a morning filled with honoring and acknowledging veterans and their service to the country. The gymnasium is expected to be filled with more than 900 students, TK staffand community members. The TKHS band and the honors choir are slated to perform patriotic songs and the U.S. history students will offer prepared readings to honor and support veterans. One honored See VETERANS, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, November 9,2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Thornapple Garden Club to meet tonight Research shows that regular contact with nature can improve short-term memory loss, reduce inflammation, recharge immune systems, diminish a sense ofisolation and lower the overall risk ofearly death. For author, poet and photographer Mary McKSchmidt of Holland and her mother, it brought them together on journeys to find inner peace - to live with joy. The journey inspired the program “A Bench and a Tree,” which will be presented at the Thornapple Garden Club’s meeting tonight, Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at Green Street United Methodist Church in Hastings. There will be a potluck before the speaker, starting at 6 p.m. The program is open to the public. The bench program is designed to provide shade benches for seniors in Michigan communities so they can have places to rest while they continue to be active. McKSchmidt is the author of several books. She gave up her position as president of Baxter International to pursue her passion - building the political will necessary to clean up the Great Lakes. One ofher talks to a school ended up with a ban on balloons for weddings and graduations in one city. Her mother, Jane McKinney, is the author ofnine books. Anyone interested in joining the garden club can contact membership chair Mary Alber at 269-355-9895. Stoney Point Women's Club meeting this afternoon The Stoney Point Women’s Club will meet on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at Jackie Maiville’s home. Roll call with the Three P’s will be taken. The group will be planning the menu for the Christmas dinner in December. Organizers ask that attendees remember the items to be donated to the group’s project. Also, attendees should remember to bring their Secret Pal candles. Dessert will be furnished by the host. Gov. Whitmer announces Turkey Naming Contest This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged Michiganders to submit names for the second turkey that she will pardon since taking office. The winning name will be announced Monday, Nov. 20. “My fellow Michiganders, Thanksgiving isjust around the comer,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “I know we are looking forward to spending some time with family and friends, but I need your help. Please submit name suggestions for the very special turkey that I will pardon soon. Everyone, especially young Michiganders, are encouraged to send in their names. I am so thankful for all ofyou.” There is no limit to the number ofsuggestions you can make. Participants are encour­ aged to get creative and have fun. To submit a name for the turkey, visit forms.leo.state.mi.us/govoffice/turkey-naming/. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 17 at noon. CarePatrol celebrates 10 years of helping seniors CarePatrol, a senior placement agency with its roots in Middleville, is celebrating 10 years of helping seniors and their families in the area with a ribbon cutting at a new office space on Nov. 29. Ten years ago, Sandi Wake opened the first CarePatrol in West Michigan and with it brought the unique CarePatrol way ofdoing business here to the area. Wake’s first loca­ tion was in Middleville. Her goal was to help seniors and their families find assisted living, independent living, memory care and in-home care that meets their specific needs. In that time, CarePatrol has grown to be one of the largest senior placement services in' the area. It now employs seven individuals, most ofwhom have a background in health care or senior services. CarePatrol now serves seniors in Barry County, western Ionia County, eastern Kent County and parts ofMontcalm County. '•*uoTo'commemorate-10 years serving West Michigan, as well as to celebrate its new I offiW Sp'AUS, CarePatrol of .Western Michigan is inviting the community to attend its ^rtbboRMJtrttingehreFnuny arid 10-yeardrfniversary reception on Wednesday, Nov. 29 frortr 3 to 6 p.m. There will be opportunities to talk with staff, other seniors and business pro­ fessionals and families as you enjoy refreshments and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30. Joining the members ofthe CarePatrol of Western Michigan team will be State Senator Mark Huizenga. “We’re very excited to be able to share our success story with the senator and to show him how vibrant Jhe senior care industry is,” Wake said. “We’ve managed to accomplish a lot for the seniors in our community all while staying true to our core mission: provid­ ing hands-on service and finding the best placement for our families.” Attendees are asked to RSVP with Jordan Kettner atjkettner@carepatrol.com or 616­ 773-2085. Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Uu Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 &#8 1In1s0u3r7e6 d HUNT+GATHER - Holiday Open House —— NOVEMBER 9-11 KITCHEN'S CLOSED: Long-standin Hastings restaurant demolished Banner Staff Crews began the process ofdemolishing the former State Street Diner building in Hastings early in the day on Wednesday. The long-stand­ ing restaurant, located at 1105 W. State Street, closed its doors in late June. About a month later, owner Lee Campbell held an auction to sell offthe equipment in the restaurant. Campbell, who had been in the restaurant industry for nearly 50 years, began managing State Street Diner in 1981 when it was still a Big Boy. He bought the State Street Big Boy in 1995, overseeing the restaurant’s operations before leaving the company franchise and setting offon his own in 2015 as the State Street Diner. The restaurant continued to serve many of the homestyle meals and desserts that cus­ tomers had come to expect but with more of a local focus. The restaurant retained its diner interior, with historic photos of Hastings and Barry County adorning the walls. Campbell headed into retirement this year, selling the property to make way for a Whitewa­ ter Express Car Wash. The restaurant’s structure was demolished to clear the site for the car wash. procession on Saturday, the day ofSpencer’s funeral. The procession, which is expected to attract over 100 tow trucks from around the state - and even the country - will gather at Bliss Riverfront Park at 8 a.m. and head to Thomapple Valley Church at 9 a.m. At the same time, Bird has organized a GoFundMe account online to raise money for the children and fiance Spencer has left behind. The account has accumulated over $30,000 in donations as ofthe time this report was written. “I’ve known Keagan for a long time. I promised Keagan that day at the Phelps funeral that, if something ever happened, I would do it. That’s why I’m making this as big as possible.” Spencer, although he was only 25 years old, was already growing to become some­ what of a veteran of the industry. He was a third-generation tow truck operator and had hopped around to a variety of businesses during his tenure. After working for Fifelski Towing & Recovery in Dorr, about six months ago he made the leap to become a partner at Towzi11a in Middleville, joining AJ Timm, who had established the company at the begin­ ning of2020. “He was shining, mam'He was happy and loving what he -wa^'dftfng and'it wad very short-lived,7 < said^TirtWn. ^It rwad1 ‘otily '"six’ weeks, but we had been friends forever.” Spencer’s tragic accident also under­ scores one thing that is common knowledge in the towing community: that this is dan­ gerous work. “I can’t explain it unless you go out there yourselfone day and park your car along the highway andjust sit there,” Timm said. “You know, peoplejust don’t pay enough attention. It can all be curbed ifsomething got enforced a little more. Slow down and move over.” Seeing such a tragic accident strike, not just a colleague, but a good friend has under­ standably rattled Timm. “It plays with your mind - it plays a game with you,” Timm said “Immediately, out of the hurt and being so upset, I immediately wanted to just sell every last one ofthem and get rid of (the business). But I have to stop and think about what would Keagan want. I know what he’d say and he would come down here and kick my butt ifI didn’t keep going.” Spencer leaves behind his fiance Olivia Kain, children Lenora and Ryker, mother Miko (stepfather Kirk) Garrison, father Mat­ thew Spencer, grandparents Sharon and Ken Crews begin demolishing the former State Street Diner building at 1105 W.rState Street in Hastings on Wednesday morning. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) '1 tu< Matthew Spencer (left), the father of Keagan Spencer, stands on a truck to address the crowd that gathered in Keagan’s memory on Saturday evening. Matthew Spencer is joined by fellow members of the family. (Photo by Jon Jacobs) Keagan Spencer (left) of Hastings was tragically killed in an accident on Saturday. The 25-year-old father is seen here with fiance Olivia Kain (right). (Courtesy photo) Langford, Jorja and Ron Kani, grandma Kathy Spencer, sister Maggie Jo (Zack) Wyman, brother Jack Rosenberg, nephew Knox Leet, Aunt Stacey (Uncle Mike) Ben­ son, Aunt Stacey (Uncle Craig) Taylor, Aunt Kym Langford, very special cousins Monique Williams, Ashton and Aiden Benson, step-sib­ lings Carter and Marlow Garrison and Father­ in-law Michael Hanrahan. Keagan also shared numerous step-cousins. VETERANS, continued from page 1 veteran will be the guest speaker. This special event honors and acknowl­ edges contributions made by men and women who have served in any branch ofthe armed forces at any time. Veterans who plan to attend should contact Mindy Wert at the high school at 269-795-5441 ormwert@tkschools. org. Veterans are welcome to wear their uni­ forms and provide a photo (if they haven’t already done so in previous years) to be included in a slide show during the event. The program will be followed by a lun­ cheon for veterans provided by Thomapple Kellogg Schools. DELTON The community is also invited to honor those for their service and sacrifice at Delton Kellogg School’s 16th annual Veterans Day Tribute. The event lasts an hour and begins at 1:30 p.m. on Friday in the high school gym. The ceremony begins with the presentation ofthe colors by the Fort Custer Honor Guard. Band Director Sara Knight is hoping for a big turnout. “This event is a tradition here at Delton, and we are looking forward to another oppor­ tunity to support and honor our local heroes,” she said. “We have many outstanding mem­ bers ofour community that have served in the military, and it is a great privilege to be able to recognize them and celebrate our country.” The featured guest speaker will be Veter­ ans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Delton Post 422, Commander Bruce Campbell. Campbell served in Vietnam as a combat veteran who was severely injured. The event will conclude by 2:30 pm, and a reception with coffee, water and cookies will be available in the auxiliary gym. All service members will also receive a token of appre­ ciation. YANKEE SPRINGS Yankee Springs Veterans invite the public to a Veterans Day celebration on Saturday at 11 a.m. The event will be staged at the Yankee Springs Memorial, located at 1425 S. Payne Lake Road on the comer of M-179 and S. Payne Lake Road. Attendees are encouraged to dress in warm clothes and to indulge in the free hot dogs and fries that will be donated by Gun Lake­ based Curly Cone. Music will be presented by Michael Lane and Annie Van Houten, who will sing the national anthem. ) not A visitation service for Spencer Will be held on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Daniels Funeral Home, located at 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings. io)ta The funeral service will be held oni Satur­ day at noon at Thomapple Valley Church, located at 2750 S. M-43 Hwy in Hastings. Guests are invited to remain at theijchurch immediately following the funeral serwe for a time offellowship and luncheon, m Is aria •J alii irtD linal lumr The Fort Custer National Honor Guard ceremoniously carried flags representing all branches of service during last year’s Delton Kellogg Veterans Day Tribute. (File photo by Karen Turko-EbrighQail 1 gnn : Speakers for the event include Sr.30hief Skyler Sypien, USN and 1st Lt. I {Robert Geyer, Army. , r Jf|j ---------- —-------------------- _ Saturday io ’ 4 Correction: — 167 s.Jefferson street — Hastings ---S----------- The article “Giving Tuesday Hike planned at Kellogg Forest” in Thursday, Nov. 2’s edition of The Banner incorrectly lists 269-731-5420 as the number to call with questions about the hike. The correct number is 269-808-7334. We regret the error. . --- nf,KlL �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 9, 2023 — Page 3 GREEN ENERGY, continued from page 1 Jifti Holcomb, president Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the divisiveness surrounding the current political climate and its effect on civic engagement. Maggie Woodin, manager of government affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Great Lakes regional office, spoke about issues facing commerce caused by a divided U.S. Congress. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) U.S., Michigan Chamber come to Barry County to discuss legislative rdles for businesses Hunter McLaren at what this new Congress means for the StaffWriter Chamber, what it means for policy and how U?S, and Michigan Chamber ofCommerce things actually get done,” she said. “We real­ officials shared their thoughts on how legisla­ ized after the midterm elections, we were going to be fafeed with a divided government tion -and current events would impact busithat certainly was going to Create some hur­ nes the near future. ie Wbodin, manager of government dles, and it was also going to define our strat­ af or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce egy and hoW we continue to get things done.” Gr akes Regional Office, and Jim Hol­ As ah example, Wbodin pointed to the combs president and CEO of the Michigan recent ousting offormer U.S. House ofRep­ Chamber of Commerce, spoke at the Barry resentatives speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, County Economic Success Summit last week. followed by a contentious election process to The Barry County Chamber of Commerce appoint current speaker Rep. Mike Johnson. and Economic Development Alliance hosted Woodin said the U.S. Chamber was working the event at the Hastings Performing Arts to build a relationship with Johnson, previ­ CentBiJ titling this year’s program “Forecast­ ously a low-profile name in Washington. ing for the Future.” ; “He is fairly unknown,” Woodin said. “I Wbodin and Holcomb provided their perthink in some ways that’s advantageous to spedfye pedfy on national and local issues, highwhat his tenure as speaker could possibly •fyog^^m^h^.ph^lenges g r^ mai^e in waiting JlOqJ^ like,It’s certainly.something that we are r Obusinesscomm usinesscomm urnty.;^? urnty.;^ & _^paying attention t©2’ din^ho worked Washington, D.C.. ■ ft The next hurdle facingg Congress 4^g&terh<* wit pner Michigan U.S'/Representative ment funding, Woodin said. JA bipartisan Pet ^eijer before working for the U.S. solution needs to be reached before the end of Ch r, provided an overview of what the year to pass funding and prevent a gov­ nati tissues the Chamber was watching the ernment shutdown. In addition, legislation clo }One ofthe most pressing among them passed earlier this year would see a one-per­ wa divided federal Congress, she said. cent cut automatically applied to several e beginning ofthis year, we looked government and military spending line items. “That one-percent cut will have an effect on every single agency. It doesn’t seem like a lot ofmoney, but it will be substantial,” she said. “That’s something they’re going to have to work on.” The potential funding cut will hopefully provide a substantial enough incentive for Congress to solve before it’s too late, Wbodin said. The U.S. Chamber was taking every step to advocate against a government shut­ down, which would cause several challenges for businesses and individuals nationwide. Access to certain government benefits, pass­ ports and visas are all among some of the services that could be affected by a shut­ down, she said. “These are things we don’t want to see cre­ ate challenges for the business community, which is already facing workflow challenges and things of that nature,” ;ghe said* “We’re continuing topushfoii avoiding the. governs ment shutdown and justigetting to WorkL” Holcomb, speaking; about issues facing businesses at the state level,echoed Woodin’s sentiments. While touching on the effects of the repeal of Michigan’s right-to-work laws, the push for green energy, and proposed changes to contracted employees, Holcomb said some ofthe biggest issues in state gov- NOTICE: DRAFT CITY OF HASTINGS MASTER PARK AND RECREATION PLAN AVAILABLE Posted: November 9,2023 WILLIAMS, continued from page 1 to the.charge and was initially sentenced in JanUWy by Schipper to 10 to 20 years in pris­ on. Mtfl‘is currently lodged at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson. WiMiams’s husband returned to Barry County court in August and filed a petition for ie^entencing. Schipper granted him and his attorney an opportunity for re-sentencing and ^ifi do so on Nov. 29. The re-sentencing wasjdriginally slated for this week, but was adjourned until the later date. Orfothe heels of her husband’s initial sen­ tencing by Judge Schipper, Williams took to social media to speak out on aspects ofthe case that she felt were unfair. She also sent multiple emails to Pratt and Assistant Prosecuting Attor­ ney Chris Elsworth - some ofthem laced with profanity. She posted screenshots of these communications on social media. IflBtatement about the charges, Attorney IflBtat Gen«l D Dana Nessel’s office alleged that Wi^Ms directed “hundreds of email(s) and voi®|^il ils” to members of the prosecutor’s rresponse to her husband’s legal pro- irt* The City of Hastings has made its Draft 2024 - 2028 Master Park and Recreation Plan available for public review for a 30-day period starting November 9, 2023. Members of the public are encouraged to review the plan and provide comments within this comment period. This will allow staff to have time to utilize input received to modify the draft prior to its presentation to the Hastings City Council for a public hearing and adoption of the final plan. A separate hearing notice will follow once the hearing is scheduled. A copy of the draft plan can be found on the City's website www.hastingsmi.gov. A hard copy of the plan can be reviewed at the City Clerk's office, 201 E. State St, Hastings, Ml 49058 and at the Hastings Public Library located at 227 E. State St, Hastings, Ml 49058. Comments or questions related to the plan can be directed to: City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale at smoyer-cale@hastingsmi.gov or by phone at 269-945-2468. ,s ^"s Jr. i i ^44 ; 4 ;>5*^*9* / / 208318 CITY OF HASTINGS ceedings. “When instructed fo-cease contact by the prosecutors, it is alleged Williams persisted gratuitously, sending: harassing messages to the attorneys on both jtheir work and personal dev^g,” the statement said. icc service is a calling for many, often too ft devoted residents in our state,” Nessei was quoted as saying in the statement, “Defeating oneself to government employ­ ment or law enforcement does not mean being subjected to stalking or unmitigated harassment should come with the job. These activities are illegal, no matter who the target is, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent ofttelaw.” Tuesday’s pre-trial hearing lasted a little less than <30 minutes. Doherty acknowledged that Williams had filed a motion to dismiss and a hearing for that motion was set for Dec. 14. Tfite hearing was originally set for Nov. 21 but Williams might potentially hire an attorney, and therefore additional time would be needed to get her attorney up to speed on the matter. Williams, who spent a night in Barry Coun­ ty Jail after being arrested on Oct. 5, also brought up the conditions ofher bond, which do not allow her to access the internet other than to communicate with an attorney (if she had one) and immediate family members. “Eve had my rights significantly impeded upon through the personal recognizance emment were cultural. In an increasingly polarized political environment, fewer citi­ zens and community leaders are choosing to engage in the civic process. “I think one ofthe things we’re missing... is an informed citizenry, and people making sure their voices are heard, making sure that our elected leaders can make the decisions that are best for us,” Holcomb said. The rising number of politicians and citi­ zens falling on either the far-left or far-right ofthe political spectrum has made it harder to reach bipartisan solutions, he said. The result is a bogged-down process that helps no one and fosters further disengagement. “I know a lot of people throw up their hands, back out and say, ‘I want no part of this. This isn’t what I thought civics was all about. This isn’t what I thought governance was about,*” he said. “That’s really hurting the process.” ’ The solutioft is tb focus on, advocate-for and support youth-targeted civics education, he said. “It’s hard to comment on what you want to change when you don’t even understand the process,” he said. “That’s just one small step we think and we hope will have a positive impact.” The state has set lofty green energy goals and these bills are a way ofseemingly remov­ ing hurdles to get there. Senate Bill 271, which was already passed by both the House and the Senate, would require Michigan util­ ities to meet a 100 percent clean energy stan­ dard by 2040. Last month, the Barry County Board of Commissioners signed a resolution to throw its support behind the Michigan Association ofCounties, which was opposed to the legis­ lation and fierce advocates for local control. The Michigan Association ofTownships took a similar stance, but it apparently did not res­ onate with lawmakers. Republican State Representative Rachelle Smit of Martin, who represents a slice of southern Barry County and voted no on the legislation, railed against it. “Local governments in rural communities like ours have worked hard at drafting zon­ ing ordinances and master plans based on what their local residents want,” Smit said in a statement. “Establishing the MPSP simply gives Gov. Whitmer the tools she needs to work around the decisions of local govern­ ments so she can advance her Big Solar agenda.” Smit also pointed to what she said would be dramatic inflation in household costs if Whitmer’s green energy standards are enacted. “The people I represent cannot afford yet another huge household cost increase — where does it end?” Smit said. “Democrats aren’t thinking through the implications of this plan and the fact is that families and job providers will be footing the bill for this careless and needlessly expedited plan.” Jim McManus, planning and zoning administrator for Barry County, said his department continues to monitor the status of the legislation and its dramatic potential impact. The planning commission is currently working on solar and wind ordinances that would set parameters for utilities looking to establish commercial solar and wind projects in Barry County. A Consumers Energy proj­ ect is already in the works for Johnstown Township. “Ifthe state does exercise, or use, that bill to move that authority to EGLE or the Public Service Commission or whoever they deem appropriate, I’m not sure we would go for­ ward with an ordinance,” McManus said. “There isn’t necessarily a need for it then and it doesn’t make a lot of difference. If they take it, there is no local review.” But as of now, McManus and his colleagues hope to draft an ordinance and hold a, public hearing on it right away in the new yean -. McManus, like many others, suspects that# due to the lofty green energy goals, the state will commandeer much of the permitting process. “Local planning directors are not politi­ cians but even our planning attorneys are concerned about this - it’s a little challenging to try to plan ahead,” McManus said. Rita Williams (right) of Richland sorts through documents during her pre-trial hearing on Tuesday morning in Barry County court as Philip Jacques of the State Attorney General’s Office appears via video call. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) bond,” Williams said at the hearing. “I’ve actually had to quit my job because I am not allowed on the internet at all... that’s my big­ gest concern.” After consulting with Jacques, Doherty amended the bond conditions to allow Wil­ liams to use the internet for employment purposes and to access discovery materials, which were to be submitted to her by the AG’s office within a couple ofdays. Williams is permitted to use the internet for legal research, but Doherty was explicit in saying that this cannot include attempted communi­ cation with the Barry County Prosector’s Office or the Attorney General’s Office. Wil­ liams is also forbidden from engaging in threatening or intimidating behavior toward anyone while using the internet. “I do believe a restriction on her using the internet is appropriate given the circumstanc­ es of this case, which involve, obviously, charges of using a computer to committ a crime and we’re talking hundreds of emails that were sent to these individuals - the com­ plainants here,” Jacques said. Jacques also communicated to Doherty that he was made aware of potential bond violations on Williams’s behalf, but stopped short ofbringing it to the court in the form of a motion to revoke the bond. Jacques claimed that Williams had estab­ lished a GoFundMe account after her arraign­ ment. Jacques also made allegations that Williams sent an email to the host of a pod­ cast about her case. “Obviously those two actions would be vio­ lations ofher bond conditions,” Jacques said. Violation of bond could result in immedi­ ate punishment - up to 93 days injail and up to $7,500 in fine. Williams denied that she had used the inter­ net for such purposes, but indicated that she used text messaging to communicate with the host ofa podcast that she is also affiliated with. “I’m not going to address that today,” Doherty said following the back-and-forth. “IfMr. Jacques wishes to pursue a bond vio­ lation, I think you would be entitled to a hearing in front ofthe court as to whether or not there was a bond violation.” REQUEST FOR BIDS 2024 TREE TRIMMING, REMOVAL and STUMP GRINDING The City of Hastings, Michigan is soliciting bids for its annual tree trimming and removal. Bid proposal forms and specifications are available at 201 E State Street. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in the bid proposals, and to award the bid as deemed to be in the City’s best interest, price and other factors considered. Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 16,2023 at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. All bids will be clearly marked on the outside of the submittal package “Sealed Bid - 2024 Tree Trimming, Removal and Stump Grinding. Travis J. Tate, RE. Director of Public Services �Page 4 — Thursday, November 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you 'HrMyUpinion SCC »otib3 State lawmakers overstep, ', local zoning authorities ~ Marching down the field (or street) Cadets from the Western Michigan University Army ROTC program were spotted running along M-43 in Hastings on Tuesday morning, carrying a pig­ skin. The ball, which served as the game ball for that night’s rivalry foot­ ball game against Central Michigan, was making its rounds before the cadets ran it into Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo in time for kick-off. The game also served as Military Appreciation Night. Western Michigan ended up winning the game 38-28. d. y.» remember? Pennock expansion progressing Banner Nov. 19, 1992 Sixty percent of the expansion construction at Pennock Hospital had been enclosed on the exterior and progress is moving on schedule. The $4.7 million expansion and renovation of the obstetrics and surgery suites is one of the largest projects in the hospital’s history. Currently duct work, the sprinkler system, electrical distribution and the new emergency generator have been installed and the expanded area should be ready for occupancy in March, 1993. The renovation will be tackled in two phases and the entire project is expected to be finished in January, 1994. Have you met? Although he’s been working in the field for over 10 years, Battle Creek native Ron­ nie Fogg didn’t always know he wanted to be a physical therapist. Studying math and science as a college undergraduate, Fogg recalled undergoing physical therapy in high school for sports-related injuries. After visiting a fam­ ily member’s practice in Battle Creek, Fogg decided to focus his studies on the field. Setting his sights on physical therapy towards the latter half ofhis college career meant he had a unique perspective com­ pared to some ofhis colleagues. “I got into it in a little bit ofa roundabout way,” he said. “I didn’t have the anatomy and physiology (classes), but I had the pre­ med biology because I was originally thinking down those lines. I didn’t have exercise physiology, but I had organic chemistry. I kind ofreally came into it from a weird direction.” Fogg moved to Middleville just over 10 years ago, where he stays with his wife and kids. He spent much of his time in Barry County working with patients at Thomapple Manor before moving to his current role at the Barry Intermediate School District. Fogg is entering his second year at the BISD, where he works with students every day. I definitely feel like I have the best job in the world,” Fogg said. He works with students with physical disabilities, targeting specific muscle groups depending on the student’s needs. Through games and activities, Fogg aims to help students develop skills and strength tha‘‘t will help them through their daily lives. ‘‘The way I kind of need to go about doing it in that setting is really based on a lot ofplay,” Fogg said. “So it’s just fun, day in and day out.” Being a physical therapist provides an interesting perspective on our everyday movements that we take for granted, Fogg said. Almost everyone is an expert on walking and how to do it - it’s something most ofus do every day. Ifan injury or condition Ronnie Fogg causes someone to walk with a limp, most people would be able to tell something is wrong. Physical therapists go a step further to diagnose what is wrong and how to work through it, he said. “Everybody moves. Everybody is an expert at moving, in a way,” he said. “We kind ofknow all the underlying mechanics, like how a car mechanic (knows cars).” Fogg would be happy working with any patients, but his role at BISD is truly a dream, he said. Working closely with stu­ dents every day and making an impact on their lives feels exactly like what he imag­ ined he would be doing when he was just a college student, he said. Plus, he’s got a great team. “I think I would be happy working with any patient population. But it’s just an incredible team,” he said. “The teachers that I work with, my supervisor that I work under, and all the other service providers are just a really good, well-communicating and very knowledgeable team that is well coordinated to do what we need to do.” ii/i a difference in young peo- ple’s lives, Ronnie Fogg is this week’s Bright Light; What I do outside ofwork: I do a little bit of amateur woodworking. It takes a bit oftime and I’m not gonna say my work is perfect, but it’s kind of1 fun thing to create what you want to makei This is kind of on the nerdy end of things, but I do a lot of miniature painting. I play a good bit of War­ hammer 40K with my friends. I have a little war-gaming room down here. So with the woodworking, I made a war-gaming table. Who I play in Warhammer 40K: I main Tyranids. My Space Marines Legion is Imperial Fists. What I love about tabletop gaming: The thing I love about playing with a group offriends, either Dungeons and Dragons or Warhammer, you know, whatever - that physical, in-person playing the game. I will never be able to replace, that. It’s just such a great time to be able to get together with those friends. We’re adults now, and we don’t have as much time to get together, but this is just fun. The social side of it is what makes it kind of fun. • Favorite thing about Barry County: Cotant’s apple cider slushies. They’re a magical experience. Greatest song ever written: I’m going to go with Third Eye Blind - “Wake for Young Souls.” j First thing I bought with my own money: I bought one ofthose portable massage tables to be able to do PT work for friends and fam­ ily. If I went over, I could kind of check out their shoulder, their knee or work on some­ thing. It seems kind ofdumb, but I was really doubling down on being a PT. week, the Bannerprofiles a person kwho makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell,, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings' Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or ettiai^uews@/itadgraphiCs.oon^ un ---JXJZnh II? i>t qirL Mtn aw tnd .Mftfnit 3nob do[ adt is There was a time when politicians were leaders but, regrettably again, the people of Barry County and citizens of every Michi­ gan community are finding their politicians to be manipulators. Take last week’s move by the Michigan House ofRepresentatives, for instance, that will transfer local zoning decisions to state bureaucrats. The package ofbills that would strip permitting powers from local units of government narrowly passed through the House along partisan lines and is expected to clear the Senate to land on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. This latest intrusion comes amidst the admirable effort to address climate change but, in their haste to meet 2040 state goals, the political manipulators think local com­ munities are not moving fast enough to approve large renewable energy installations. Their overreach will take the people out ofthe equation - and out of any discussion - by making it nearly impossible for citi­ zens to be heard. Recently, Barry County Commissioners were visited by a number of citizens from southern Barry County expressing concern over turning a local farm into a massive solar panel installation. Consumers Energy unveiled plans for the renewable energy project on roughly 1,600 acres of farmland in Johnstown Township. Area residents want their voices to be heard concerning the loss of crop fields, the impact on agriculture in the county, the silt runoff from construction and the changes to the natural environment “I know you say that what you’re putting solar panels on a very small percentage of farmland, but in our township, it’s not a very small percentage,” said Johnstown Town­ ship Treasurer Karmen Nickerson. “It’s almost all of our farmland here and it’s going to change what our township looks like when we see those solar panels.” Nickerson’s words may soon fall on total­ ly deafears. Under the plan passed by the Michigan House last week, the state will have sole responsibility under the authority of the Michigan Public Service Commission to overrule local zoning, thereby streamlining the process to allow large-scale wind and solar fields. * ‘Never mind what citizens have to say, 'ithatte what you get, when you^ have partisan • >iptatyr£dlitics at* thestate level "the pblit**1 cal manipulators determine the future and pass the bills necessary to get a project done with little or no regard to citizens or the opposing party. Having some say in the future of the county is important to local citizens. On Tuesday ofthis week, a recall election ofits entire board was held in Mecosta County’s Green Charter Township over its handling of the controversial 270-acre “Project Ele­ phant,” a proposed plan to bring a Gotion, Inc. electric vehicle battery component manufacturing facility to its rural area near Big Rapids. Local citizens in Green Township, Eagle Township and the City of Marshall don’t believe their voices are being heard either in their opposition to the mega-site electric vehicle battery plants being proposed by the Ford Motor Co, for their small towns. In fact, during Tuesday’s election, voters in Green Charter Township in Mecosta County voted to recall five board members over their support for the battery plant. Ifthe state takes over these big develop­ ment decisions, what citizens in towns across the state want will never matter as big com­ panies and political lobbying organizations push these solar and wind developments and alternative battery manufacturing plants. Currently, renewable energy makes up about 15 percent of Michigan’s power port­ folio. So, to reach the administration’s goal of using 50 percent renewable sources by 2030 and being 100 percent carbon free by 2040, state officials say they must move fast­ er which means they must be able to approve the best locations for solar and wind farms and leave local zoning officials out of the decision-making process. “We are opposed vehemently to the over­ reach ofthe state government for taking con- trol from our local communities and whether we do or do not want solar energy,” toys Donna Graham, a township official in north­ eastern Alcona County. “I’m not opposed*© solar energy, but I am opposed to the oyfcp reach and the mandate that we have to put it in our county and around our comm unity.” //oD' The proposed legislation is specifically designed to circumvent local pushback tec placing the decisions under the authority^ the Michigan Public Service Commission making it nearly impossible for local t co­ zens and communities to be heard. It alloys state officials to work with energy produ^ ers to determine where the best locations for these large solar and wind farms are to be placed. ,. The Small Business AdministrationJ&T Michigan (SBAM) is one organizationJtftat is raising caution and concerns over the‘$>£ icy’s reliability and affordability ofthe elec­ tric and gas services on which we rely. ’ 9fT “The apparent goal ofthe legislatiotfis^W eliminate carbon emissions,” says an SBAM news release. “SBAM does not oppose such efforts, so long as they do not reduce iglj ability or increase the costs of electrig* used by small businesses. In 2018, natural gas produced more thin 27 percent of Michigan’s electricity givilg business and citizens reliable affordable energy. With Michigan’s utility companies now committed to closing the vast majority of the state’s coal-fired plants, will renew­ able energy sources make up the deficit? Natural gas is considered a very clean fossil fuel for electricity generation compared to other fuel options because it emits almost zero particulate matter and offers a reliable fuel source, ensuring a reliable base load for electric supply. In California, with goals similar to Mich­ igan to be free of fossil fuels by 2040, renewable energy accounts for 37 percent of the state’s electric generation. Yet, in August 2020, the state’s power grid was overwhelmed, prompting the state’s three largest utility companies to shut off elec­ tricity for hundreds ofthousands ofhomes for a few hours to keep the state’s electrical grid from failing. So, as Michigan legislators manipulate the rules all in the name ofclimate change, taxpayers should still have'a say m1 the impact to their local communities. Decr6a& ing greenhouse gas emissions' in the elecfrit- 9 ity sector is crucial to avoiding the impacts of climate change and most Americans do favor renewable power. Yet, the conflicts over land use and transmission line develop­ ment in rural areas are creating opposition that must be debated - not manipulated,by state officials. Jnmk kflpl The voices of those who these chanflp will most directly affect must be heard ml their concerns addressed by true leadersjAd not political manipulators. P.S.: Veterans Day will be observed1 d1 on Friday, Nov. 10, a day that should be spedH to every American. The soldier’s senseerff duty should always be the highlight o special day that goes all the way bacQ 1919, when President Franklin Roosejjft called for a celebration of the armigfipe which ended World War I on the 11th ofthe 11th day ofthe 11th month in isfll I’ll regret the day when the last soldradp The Greatest Generation departs, but we should all have a special place in our he* for Veterans Day because duty is the mark of every American soldier. The re<* nition ofduty - to each other, to country and to community - should be part of all and part ofevery Veterans Day. The Hastings few w 6**’ j ST— iirloW 'tsou iiioih/ Fred Jacobs, CEfip J-Ad Graphics liner ifl ftr Banner 1 Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by.. . Hastings Banner, Inc. ■3f^ A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. < 6 90 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 I9dm News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com '[ 9fI? Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) (Copy Editor) (Sports Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENTS Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday,..... 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. ‘ Ind Chris Silverman ofl a>Ic Ty Greenfield*17 Mike Gilmore Jennie YonkbP2' Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry doui'rty $85 per year in adjoining counties 1 *9 $90 per year elsewhere 1 Molly Macleod Brett Bremer Greg Chandler Hyptef MqLarer) ,—4.J)f in fit? POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 * X9 ttl Hastings. Ml 49058-0188 , < -W1 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 >na A? �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 9, 2023 — Page 5 The potential renaming of birds i| a (ridiculous) sign of the times . Editor: ' It’s >ith a heavy heart that I have to report that ttfe American Ornithological Society (AOS) is proposing to change every bird’s common najne that is named for someone, such as Kirtland’s Warbler or Wilson s Snipe., Natidnal Public Radio had a piece on this reccptiy on Morning Edition. It will initially focdtion 70 to 80 species or about 7 percent of (dubabirds. They have already changed a douptto- McCown’s Longspur for example is now h ^Thick-billed Longspur. General lUcCown was thrown under the bus because lie dfefttht for the Confederacy during the Nil ’ that we are venturing onto a slippery slojS^tere. Carried to its logical conclusion, we'^hl soon be changing street names, city a^ge names, riverts, lakes, townships, and nBla^ge coufi res and, yes, even states. Even America itsJffilnnamed for Amerigo Vespucci. omas Jefferson owned slaves. Are we tggoing hoin&g totol remove every tribute to the author of the.&claration ofIndependence? Henry Ford Ayasijvidely known to be anti-Semitic and a hat'e^j^f C Catholics. Should we change the name of the Ford Motor Company then? Wl^tgjqbout university buildings, hospital | HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Hastings Area School System Hastings High School students attend 96th National FFA Convention wings and libraries named for the generous donors who ponied up billions of dollars to create these valuable institutions? All the buildings in Grand Rapids built by the Meijer, Secchia, DeVos and Van Andel families — must all ofthem be renamed? Will we redesign all our coins and curren­ cy? (How dare those white males put their faces on pur money!) No more ships named after historical figures or presidents. The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford? The Nimitz? The Abraham Lincoln? The Nobel Prizes will have to be renamed, along with the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. John F. Kennedy Airport? Gerald R. Ford Airport? Will statues of our founding fathers be tom down? The Magellanic Cloud beloved by astronomers for years is also being renamed. Then, there are scientific and engineering units, such as the Volt, Watt, Tesla and Joule, that are named after famous scientists ofold. The Pythagorean Theorem, Avogadro’s Number, Bernoulli’s principle, L’hopital’s rule - all must go in the reforms ofthe woke generation. AOS - please leave our birds alone! Don’t use a modem lens to judge the events and people ofcenturies ago. Last week, Hastings High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) students packed their bags and traveled to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to attend the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo. During the week, the stu­ dents attended the opening session ofthe con­ vention which included performances by the National Band and Chorus, the Celebration of Six Flags, speeches by the Indiana State Gover­ nor and National FFA Advisor, as well as an unforgettable keynote speaker Juan Bendana. The group had a busy trip between industry tours and visiting with over 100 collegiate schools and industry and military profession­ als. It was an amazing experience for our students to get more involved in FFA and be passionate about making a difference and becoming leaders. Those students who attended the convention are. Seniors Olivia Meeker, Skylar Fenstemaker, Kaylie Carl, and juniors Kass Harton and Garrett Dunn attended the convention along with their advisor, Andria Mayack and alumni chaper­ ones, Angela and Randy Dunn. We are so proud of our students and their dedication to our FFA program! Doug Klein Hastings Charter Township mag; i douz Blue Zones to host presentation on walkable streets at Hastings Planning Commission I aldfib -W9fi vitoii wftggoi ttaomi jldfitl o$bf 7* «uk. -ri&ib OW) sw : lain 33 It; iBoni Qgtteerine Getty, Blue Zones Activate nerMark Fe<irtoh?f©ritherHastjng&)RlaRning Commission next month, (file photo) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Blue Zones Activate Barry County will be hosting a workshop about policies for walk­ able streets for Hastings Planning Commis­ sion members next month. Catherine Getty, Activate Barry County executive director, said the workshop will focus on the concept Of “complete streets.” The concept calls for the adoption of city policies that allow for streets to be used by people ofall ages and abilities. “It’s planning for all users within the right of way, whether it’s pedestrians or bikes or cars,” Getty said. “It’s not planning every street for every mode of transportation, but certainly identifying opportunity streets where you can implement that. It’s different for each community, But the overall concept is plan­ ning for all users within the right ofway.” The workshop is set to take place at 6 p.m. Pe&. <4 and, will, feature/ Mark Fenton, a. national iran$per|ationv pUpner. jEentotiehas < lehg'beeri'an (advdcatofforithe health1 benefits > of walking and once hosted the television show “America’s Walking” on PBS. Getty said inviting experts like Fenton to Barry County is one of the ways the health and wellness advocacy group benefits local com­ munities at no additional planning or consul­ tant cost. “Blue Zones’ role in this is just to help provide communities with these expert resources,” Getty said. “Mark Fenton is a national transportation planner, so this is a way that we can give back in our community to help the municipalities plan and implement these policies that we know will improve the walkability in our communities.” Getty said the workshop will take a high-level approach to identifying areas of Hastings that can be made more accessible walking corridors. Just like with any other planning policy, Getty said planning for com­ plete streets must be done on a case-by-case basis for each community. I “It’s working with the community to iden­ tify, ways ttyat you ean -plan for complete streets/’ she slid. “Yah-know, there’s no onesize-fits-all approach to it. Ob 2fli Ztoiftf: -gob- wm mi WFW ■im «i IW Di ob r L*»«” 0m* Five students at Hastings High School attended the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis last week. Pictured are (from left) Kaylie Carl, Kass Harton, Garrett Dunn, Skylar Fenstemaker, Olivia Meeker. Leaf pickup, winter parking rules underway in Hastings Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Fall is quickly turning to winter, bringing everyone the joy of raking leaves and soon, shoveling snow. City crews began picking up leaves and yard debris Monday, starting in the second ward. They’ll be making their way through­ out the city picking up yard materials left alongside the street. Residents can assist city crews by piling sticks and branches separately from leaves, putting materials in their yard behind the curb and not in the street or gutter. Branches must be less than three inches in diameter and less than four feet in length. The city asks resi­ dents not to pile waste in the road, blocking sidewalks or after crews collect materials from their street. Updates on the city’s progress can be found on the City ofHastings Facebook page. Residents who need to dispose of yard waste after crews collect from their street can take their materials to the City of Hastings Compost Drop Site at 1303 W. State Rd. Hastings city residents can show their I.D. can leave grass clippings, leaves, sticks and paper bags at the site Saturdays from 9 a.m. City crews began work collecting leaves Monday, working their way through the city before snow falls. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) to 2 p.m. and Mondays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The site will be open dependent on the weather, closing for winter snow. Hastings winter parking rules are also in effect, starting Nov. 1. Parking is not allowed on Hastings streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., effective until re-evaluated by the Hastings Police Department in the spring. The restric­ tions help city crews effectively gather leaves and clear snow during the fall and winter months. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION •*« 1^” J Michigan State University, a land grant university, conducts research on agricultural and farm practices at the MSfiU Tollgate Farm and Education Center in Novi. Michigan farmers are seeking more research money in the upcoming Farm Bill renewal] (Courtesy photo) **^2**^ Michigan farmers eye upcoming federal Farm Bill IP™ rlw Liz Nass Dennis Kellogg, a crop farmer in Ithaca Bridge Michigan and a board member ofthe Michigan Farmers ■ Michigan farmers, looking to expand crop Union State Board, said lenders require such insifrArice and research funding, are pushing insurance because they want extra protection to sealtheir needs recognized as the federal for bank loans ifa disaster occurs. Farm Bill moves along on the congressional As a result, Kellogg said the insurance is agenda.necessary for large farms that grow a lot of The Farm Bill is legislation that is renewed crops, giving them financial peace ofmind. every five years, updating agricultural policy However, Kellogg said most ofhis organi­ in an ever-changing economy. The latest Ver­ zation is made up pffamily farms, and subsi­ sion was signed in December 2018 and dizing all crop insurance would “level the qxpires this December. playing field” for crop insurance to look the The Michigan Farm Bureau created a task same for all farms in Michigan. force a year in advance so the organization’s Ron Bates, the director of the Michigan members could discuss what they want to see State University Extension Agriculture and in the legislation. Agribusiness Institute, said protecting invest­ However. Matt Smego, the director ofpub­ ments is important when it comes to extreme lic policy and commodity division at the weather that is common in Michigan, such as Farm m Bureau, said its first goal is to complete long dry spells. the bill'draft, hoping to see something on the Ernie Birchmeier, the Farm Bureau’s Books from Washington, D.C., soon. senior industry relations specialist, said ■ Thg^arm Bureau is focusing on a variety expanded binding for research is another pri­ ofissjy^, One is expanding crop insurance. ority. Smego said one of the most important The money pays for food research and the legislation deals with crop insur­ education, as well as programs to support ance. The. Fann Bill provides subsidies to innovation and research at federal laborato­ private insurance companies to make cover­ ries and state universities, according to the age. more affordable in case of losses due to Washington-based National Sustainable Agri­ unforeseen circumstances such as damage culture Coalition. from extreme weather conditions. IIt also pays for development oftraining for “We’ve got a lot’ of specialty crops in the . the next generation of farmers. state, and we have to make sure that we have “Ifyou look back over time and compare it lla where -we-were.20 -or 3ft .years ago, and Smego said. where inflation has been during that time, especially in the last few years, the amount of money that’s on the Farm Bill for agricul­ ture-related research hasn’t kept up with the needs that are out there,” Birchmeier said. Bates said that overall federal funding has not been sustainable as agriculture continues to grow. “To continue to be an important FirstWorld country, or certainly a leading country in the world, we need to have a strong net­ work of research and to be able to get new information out into the hands of farmers so that we can feed ourselves by ourselves,” Bates said. Laura Campbell, the Farm Bureau’s senior conservation and regulatory relations special­ ist, said the fact that U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, chairs the Senate Commit­ tee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry helps Michigan set priorities for the contents ofthe Farm Bill. “As (Stabenow) likes to say, and it’s true, Michigan is reflected in every page of the Farm Bill, so that’s a huge advantage for us,” Campbell said. Stabenow is retiring when her term ends Jan. 3, 2025. ■ Birchmeier said it’s unlikely Congress will finalize action on the Farm Bill by the end of the year so it should be a high priority in early 2024. “This would not be the first time that a Farm Bill was extended. It’s happened sever­ al times, hut weuieed leadership to. sit down to get the job done,” he said. PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on Monday, November 27, 2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson (mthomDSon@Dcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing Include, in brief, the following: 1. A request from builder, AVB Construction on behalf of property owner, Patrick Lennon, 15429 S M43 Hwy, Hickory Comers, MI 49060, for a Special Land Use/Site Plan Review to allow for construction ofan accessory building failing to meet height requirements pursuant to provisions in section 4.20“Residential Accessory Buildings” of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 15429 S M43 Hwy, Hickory Comers, MI 49060, Parcel # 08-12-036-039-00 and is currently zoned R2 -Medium Residential. The Prairieville Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendment(s) at or following the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to In­ dividuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals With disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Fritz Bork, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 208438 �Page 6 — Thursday, November 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Larry Lyman Melendy Keagan Matthew Spencer men’s bible studies for several years. along the side ofhis dad mastering his skills. Larry’s profession was teaching; it was Keagan also enjoyed his special bond with also his avocation. He had a great love for his stepfather Kirk, they went on long tows education, both his own and that which he together, always joking together, calling for was able to help students achieve. He felt advice on anything from cars to trucks and called to be a teacher early in his life, begin­ just guy talk. ning his career in Waterford before coming to Keagan was preceded in death by his great Hastings in 1966. He taught high school grandma Ione and great grandpa Wayne Latin and Social Studies before finding his Pierce; great grandma Anita and great grand­ niche in the middle school, where he taught pa William Howland; great grandma Viola Geography and American History. That he and great grandpa George W Spencer;, lived out his calling is demonstrated not only grandfather Donald W. Spencer; grandfather by his own satisfaction and enjoyment of David C. Duron; Uncle Jefferey S. Spencer; “working with kids”, but the many positive special grandmother Annette L. Garrison, responses and affectionate interactions with and special mention of Keagan’s late men­ former students long after they left his class­ tor, Dave Phelps. room. He worked diligently to ensure that all Keagan leaves behind his loving fiance, students had opportunity for success in his Olivia; children, Lenora and Ryker; mother, classes. He retired in 2000. Miko (stepfather Kirk) Garrison; father, Mat­ Larry’s love for sports and teaching com­ thew Spencer; grandparents, Sharon and Ken bined to make him a passionate, effective Langford, Jorja and Ron Kani;, grandma, coach. Over the course of his career he Larry Lyman Melendy, bom January 29, On November 4, 2023, Keagan Matthew Kathy Spencer; sister, Maggie Jo (Zack) coached high school football, soccer, wres­ 1942, passed away November 5, 2023, at his Wyman; brothe, Jack Rosenberg; nephew, Spencer went unexpectedly to the Lord’s tling, and middle school track. In addition, Knox Leet; Aunt Stacey (Uncle Mike) Ben­ home, in the presence ofhis family. home at the age of25. he participated in bringing youth soccer to Larry was bom in Mason, MI to parents Keagan was a third generation tow truck son, Aunt Stacey (Uncle Craig) Taylor, Aunt Raymond A. and Glenadene Melendy. He the community. Stories of Larry striving driver. He was a loving father, fiancd, son and Kym Langford; very special cousins, Monique Williams, Ashton and Aiden Ben­ attended Mason elementary schools and alongside his athletes, participating in runs brother. Keagan lived his life to the fullest. His biggest love was his family. They enjoyed son; step-siblings, Carter and Marlow Garri­ Adrian junior and senior high schools, grad­ and drills and bringing out their very best, are treasured by his family. He deeply valson; father-in-law, Michael Hanrahan. Kea- uating in 1960. He attended Olivet College, the beautiful spring or summer weekends ued'his relationships with his fellow coach­ they had off at Silver Lake to play in the gan also shared numerous step cousins. Along where he studied education. As a student es, whom he fondly called his “coaching dunes or ride their side by side. with special friends the Timm Family and athlete he was on the track and football teams. Larry distinguished himself in track buddies”. Keagan was in the prime ofhis life, he had Fifelski Family. Larry valued excellence in all things. He just become owner and operator ofTowzilla Visitation service for Keagan will be held as a pole vaulter, as well as in the 440-yard with his best friend AJ. on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, from 3 to 7 p.m. at dash and mile relay and was named Most held himselfto a high standard as a husband, Valuable Athlete. On the football team he supporting, encouraging, and helping in a Keagan recently became a father to a beau­ the Daniels Funeral Home located at 1401 N. played both offensive and defensive half­ loving partnership with MaryMartha. Togeth­ tiful daughter Lenora Rain. Keagan’s love of Broadway in Hastings, MI. er, they enjoyed music and theater, and his life was his beautiful fiance, Olivia Kain. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, back, kicked extra points and field goals, watching classic movie musicals. He was a This love completed him and with Olivia Nov. 11, 2023, at noon at Thomapple Valley and played on special teams. He was co-cap­ came a beautifiil little boy Ryker Gannon Church located at 2750 S. M-43 Hwy, Hast­ tain ofthe team and was named to the all- proud and devoted father to daughter whom Keagan loved to play Nerf gun wars ings, MI. Guests are invited to remain at MIAA team in 1964. Loved by his college Michelle, finding delight in every aspect of with, teach how to ride a bike, taking on the Thomapple Valley Church immediately fol­ peers, he was elected Homecoming King as being a dad. He was a loving and protective tow truck rides and showing him the ropes. lowing the funeral service for a time of fel­ a senior. He graduated Olivet in 1964, and brother; a loving and instructive uncle to his Keagan was always there to show support lowship and luncheon. in 1982 achieved his MA degree from MSU nieces and nephews. Being called “Grampa” in his hometown and surrounding communi­ Interment will take place privately at Irving in Classroom Education. by four, grandchildren, however, was his ties. Keagan was such a proud brother and Cemetery. In 1966 he married MaryMartha Potts, highest accolade. Watching his grandchildren In honor ofKeagan’s memory and giving whom he met at Olivet and with whom he participate in their chosen sports and activi­ uncle to his nephew Knox Leet or his “little monkey.” He loved being the big brother back to the towing community, memorial celebrated 57 years ofmarriage last June. He ties brought him greatjoy. picking and joking but loved protecting his contributions can be made online to the Inter­ was a member oftheAthens Congregational Those who knew him knew ofhis uncondi­ sister Maggie and brother Jack. Keagan loved national Towing and Recovery Museum at church (where they were married) and ofthe tional and intense love for his family. His coming to his moms for his favorite breakfast www.towingmuseum.com. First Presbyterian Church ofHastings, where daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren or a long nap on the couch between tows.. . i< ? .Funeral arrangements > are entrusted to he .taught elementary and adult.'Sunday returned that love in so many ways, particuKeagan started'his love for a towtruck) aS)a Daniels Funeral Hoine4Hastings^Convenierrtschool; servedias a Deacon and Elder,started q larly? profoundly during thei last week 'ofhis baby with Grandpa Don; He then followed in ly located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, and led a men’s Jgolfr'fellowship, and led life1 with'an early Thanksgiving celebration the steps of his father and was daddy’s little MI. For further details please visit our web­ helper from that moment on as he worked site at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. such as Carl’s Market. Many are west of town, as far as Bell Road where a United Brethren church has several dealers listed. Theirs is a long-established site where lunch is served. There are others north and west, even into the extreme edge ofKent County. There are baked goods sales along with craft items. There is Elaine Garlock even one spot that lists maple syrup for sale. The downtown lampposts are now decorated Why battle the crowds in Grand Rapids when with their seasonal banners, each depicting a you can find quality items close to home? veteran, many ofwhom served in World War II. Some spots are now advertising they have ...at the church ofyour choice ~ There are others from Vietnam, the GulfWars restrooms available. This year, downtown Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor and other conflicts in which our local young Lake Odessa will likely have a new business people served. These will be in place until clos­ spot: Bill Rogers’s bistro in connection with your convenience... er to December when the Christmas banners go his ice cream business. The outdoor seating HASTINGS FREE SOLID ROCK BIBLE HASTINGS into place. The Department of Public Works looks very inviting in warmer weather. METHODIST CHURCH CHURCH OF DELTON BAPTIST CHURCH men keep busy changing banners. The autumn Many grandchildren of the late Virginia "We Exist To Be An 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings, banners were in place only a short time. Decker were in town on Saturday for her Expression Of Who Jesus Is (comer of Milo Rd. & S. MMatt Moser, Lead Pastor. The flyers are in downtown stores for funeral service at Central United Methodist To The World Around Us”. 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Christmas ‘Round the?Town which is spon­ Church. Many of those who attended were 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Roger Claypool, (517) 204Sunday School for all ages; sored by the Chamber of Commerce with school friends of her children and grandchil­ 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Mamie Thomas in change. There are at least dren, including the former Luanne Kauffman 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Senior High Youth Group 6-8 seven new stops. Each has multiple dealers Parks, now Carpenter ofRockford. ernail.com. Website: www. Children’s Ministry. Wednesday p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. waiting for customers. The range ofstops goes Central UM Church held its annual day of hastinesfreemethodist.comnight Bible study and prayer Wednesday, Family Night from northwest ofClarksville to east ofWood­ remembrance on the occasion of All Saints’ Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth land. There are several stops right in town. Day. This year the were four members whose Pastor Emma Miller, Worship (Children Kindergarten-5th One is a new business located on Jordan Lake Director, Martha Stoetzel. life stories were included in a bulletin insert. CHRIST THE KING Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle Street. It would be wise to get a flyer in They were Beverly Corsten, Daniel First, Sunday Morning Worship: PRESBYTERIAN School Youth Group; 6:30 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and advance. They are available at business places Mary “Peg” Faulkner and Virginia Decker. CHURCH (PCA) p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. hke. (Metta Worship Together Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott 328> N. Worship Jefferson Street. 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ST. ROSE OF LIMA Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father Jeff Hanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m, Sunday. COMMUNITY BAPTIST PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. www.cbchastings.org. f/i/j 203 N. Main. Pastor: Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 am.; Worship 10:15 am. Samantha Cappon and Ezekiel Cappon of Sunfield. ***** WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 Youth activities: information. call a.m. for EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. exfob Hmi« m w n i™ FFlharalnaa lh ar al n aa 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 t tH M t S H B I lUMIUMHlMaM lU M I U M H lM aM Ava Frailey, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 4,2023 to Casey Frailey and Shane Frailey ofHastings. ***** Kaleb Thomas Blocher, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 5,2023 to Andrea Blocher and Blake Blocher of Nashville. ***** Rhyatt Orr, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 10, 2023 to Ashley Orr and William Orr ofHastings. ***** Micah John Young, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 12, 2023 to Rachel Young and Steve Yo*u*n*g* *ofMiddleville. Allora Newedith Cappon, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 12, 2023 to 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings . 945-9541 Barrett Wayne Williams, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 23,2023 to Laura Williams and Jacob Williams ofLake Odessa. Henry Brooks Claus, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 25, 2023 to Brooke Claus and Ryan Claus of Grand Rap­ ids. Alaric James Hayes, born at Spectrum Health Pennock on October 28, 2023 to Avril Kay Eye and Dicota Chris Hayes ofHastings. ***** Harriet Elaine Timmer, bom at home on at 3:16 a.m. on October 23, 2023 to Nathen and Megan Timmer of Hastings. Weighing 7 lbs. 5 ozs. and 21 1/2 inches long. Welcomed home by big brother Silas, age 3. RBACHTel.(269)-945-3252 Funeral Home Fax(269)-945-0663 328 S. Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 MUvHiimWmi 1699 W.M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. This annual event includes the tolling ofa bell, j candles and participation by family meiti&rs. John and Andrea Gentner have moved from their home on Eagle Point to a condoriiffiium near Plainwell. This puts them much closer to their daughter and granddaughter. The daugh- 1 ter had moved earlier from Three Rivers to I closer to Kalamazoo. The Gentners had lived | here many years after much oftheir lifetime in I the east part of the state near Lapeer, they I chose Jordan Lake as a location to be rtiidway between married children living at Three Riv­ ers and St. Johns. Having your parents live on a lake is often a drawing card for married Chil­ dren. They had bought a home and soon after built a new one nearby, still on the lakefront. The village vacuum truck is at work this week, supking up leaves that have beeh raked to the streetside. One operator works the thick while sitting on the passenger side whert he controls the vacuum device, swinging it back and forth to take in the dry leaves. Doubtless, they will be making the rounds more than once yet this fall. This year, the ginkgo tree did hot follow true to form. Instead of losing dll its leaves overnight, it lost most of them but in the morning hours the remaining leaved fell fast and by 11 a.m. the tree was bare. Rules are made to be broken? Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. informalion on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: A (during which each one gave him thafiki for his contribution to their lives) and watchMg a Lions game. He was treated to much laughter and love as the family created a special expe­ rience for him and memories for themsfelyes. His kind-hearted, witty nature and laughter will be especially missed. His personal and professional affiliations included the Kappa Sigma Alpha Fratehilty at Olivet College, the MEA and NEA, and First Presbyterian Church of Hastings. He was a member of the Hastings Gideons Groifo for fifteen years; a member of the Hastings Lions Club for over 25 years. He was faithful fo his beloved college, Olivet, attending aS ftiUny Homecomings and special events as possible. He was inducted as a “Buzz Youngs Athletic Legend” by the Hastings Athletic Boosted in 2001; received the Distinguished Aliithni Award from Olivet College (with his Wife, MaryMartha) in 2011; was inducted Into Olivet College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 for his prowess in football and tfack. The couple also received the Book ofGolden Deeds Award from the Hastings Exchange Club in 2010. Larry is survived by his wife, MaiyMartha; daughter, Michelle (Christian) Lahti; grandchildren, Benjamin (Angela) Lahti, Samuel (fiancee, Brianna Kramer) Lahti, Joshua Lahti, and Olivia Lahti; sistet ahd brother-in-law, Karen and Albert Janutolo; sister-in-law, Ethel Melendy; brother-ahdsister-in-law, William and Noralee Potts; five nieces, four nephews, and several great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Glenadene Melendy, and Raymond and Myrtle Melendy; brother, Douglas R. Melendy, and niece, Denise Janutolo. Visitation will be held on Sunday, NoY* 12, ‘ 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian ‘ Church, 405 N. M-37, Hastings, MI 49058. Services will be held on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of FPC (for support of Christian Education)} the Hastings Athletic Boosters, or the Hastings Lions Club. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave aitonfine oondoletide^n visit wwW.girrbachftmeralhonle.net. Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrbach Providing Exceptional Service SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Social Security is thankful to serve you Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Thanksgiving is a time to reflect Oil the I blessings we have in our lives and to share memories with our loved ones..We are thankful because we can provide you and your I family with services, benefits, tools and irtibr- . mation to help you throughout life’s jourttfiy. Social Security is more than just a retire- I ment program. We provide services that assist I many families across this country. We are i there for joyous moments like the birth of I your child and issuing their first Social Secu- • rity card. We are there during times of hardship and tragedy to provide disability and survivors benefits. And we’re there to help you celebrate your retirement, too. We’re here to serve you online, by phone, and in person in our local offices. Yotl ban learn more on our website at ssa.gov. iHillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write hiir c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knappt HE, Grand Rdpids, MI 49525, or via einalt at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. a �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. November 9, 2023 — Page 7 Ghost towns in Barry County Esther Walton w kSX\ l§wi §w Wsssss s'Sitssss sS ?itsWsss "S*>^ s^ms !?*• ^Sxj*?, !?*•» ^S*? s* s*S! *S! «ts ?;?!£ *Si£S •*•• sjj 2**&*»< kfc““‘ ’ ^UnS* ^^Map "* - ^ ***tTo*t*M"*i-J^! iJ ! • 5K±! ‘* 5 ! ?!*■ ■ %W> Vm^Uh^ sEjirjfeEjfoKJsfe • lixiacwsKssttfa tatesattifiBilkBii ®sojtteta sd ’eEisi’ZMiS.e'ZEKt Iktitliri gggglfj CK ~Tbffcis «»g KfStf ■kflty fltyfrflk Banner 17, 1988' When the first pioneers entered Barry County, they built their homes near rivers and streams. This was convenient to obtain drinking water and for transportation. The streams were the center ofcommerce. Water-driven sawmills cut trees for the growing building trade, while water-driven grist mills ground wheat and other products into flour. Wherever a mill was located, peo­ ple congregated, and from these small towns, communities and villages developed. It was a natural progression, first the mill, then the people waiting for their products to be transformed, then small businesses such as blacksmith shops and general stores would join the mill site. If the community developed, more schools and churches were built nearby. Good roads and crossroads were also neces­ sary to draw people in. From this point, com­ petition took part and each community had to make it or break it depending on its situation. In 1860, hundreds ofmills dotted the riv­ ers in Barry County, and wherever a mill was built a potential small community or village could grow up around it. Only one or two ofthese early mills are still in existence today, leaving the hundreds ofold mill sites ghost towns. Highbanks Creek had its start in Johnstown Township, Section 3, at the north end ofBris­ tol Lake. In the 1860s, deep rushing water cascaded between its banks, making it a desirable river for the construction of water-powered mills. The river drained the water from Fine Lake, through Mill Lake to Bristol Lake, it also drained Culver and Long Lakes. Highbanks then entered Baltimore Township at Section 35, traveling in a north­ easterly direction, and left Baltimore on Sec­ tion 12. From Baltimore Township, it entered Maple Grove Township on Section 7 continu­ ing north and leaving the township on Section 6, where it entered Castleton Township on Section 34 and joined with the Thomapple River on Section 30. In Maple Grove Section 16 on Bivens Road lived the family of Hiram Hanchett. Hanchett owned a mill. Here is the story of what happened to “Hanchett Village,” once a thriving community, now known only to his­ torians. This piece was written in the Banner Dec. 2, 1948. All too few ofthose who picnic during fair weather at Highbanks Creek, five miles southwest ofNashville, are aware that it was once a ghost town, a small but busy little center where the whirr, of Hanchett’s big saw- i mill or the constantxirowmngfoifthe flourmill 4 only a feW' rods beyond broiight farmers throughout for miles around. At that a time, me, Highbanks, gans,now now ony only a sma small trickling stream where tiny youngsters may wade in absolute safety at one end while older boys and girls swim about a small dam at the far end in three-and-a-half feet of water, was held back by (a) large dam fur­ nishing the water power. The creek is an outlet ofBristol Lake, one time boasting 20 feet (of) headwaters, and runs into i Thomapple Lake. Years ago, it furnished water for four big mills, Barney Mill, about 10 miles “up stream” (Baltimore Section 26, Highbanks Creek and Dowling Road); Hanchett’s Mill, Barry Mill, about five miles farther downstream, (Castleton, Section 34); and Morgan Mill, only a halfmile from Thomapple Lake, (Castleton, Section 30). The articles tell that “the dams are tom out now, the ‘backbone’ is gone,” and along with it the ghost towns along the 18 miles of waterway. About 20 years ago (1928), Orlo Roush bought 10 acres of land where Hanchett’s mills stood and developed it into an ideal picnic ground where thousands of people spend happy hours every summer. On the south side of the creek is a large gravel pit. The first picnic table built by Roush was to accommodate the workmen at the pit who carried their lunch. Soon, the workmen found the picnickers were using the table, so more were added until seating capacity had reached 200. Hanchett Village, which once stood in the deep ravine of the creek, boasted a buggy shop, a blacksmith shop, a picket mill, a general store and several houses. Sheds went up to accommodate the horses and oxen while grist was being made into flour or while the farmers were waiting for logs to be rolled down the “log run” and gloated downstream to the sawmill where two large saws handled huge logs. Many old-timers (in 1948) in this area can remember eating bread made from Hanchett’s flour. Roush can point out the mill race and where the dam was built. He relates how the water was used twice within a few rods, first at the sawmill, then onto the grist mill. “The sawmill was in operation the year ‘round,” he said, “and I can remember when I was a mere lad coming into the mill, where I’d sit for hours watching the huge saws zoom through the logs, many of them six feet in diameter.” Roush still maintains the ford rights on the. creek. Hiram Hanchett owned the mills and a few others whose names were linked .-with.-i therf‘^<illage^ whiohjhadlite beginning! 1$5g1 years ago, where Hertrfan Branch^ whd ! ground plow points and had a buggy shop IkadnaiiHsittHi akkpsqgahfcte iiBibhGmi^asb takaEglttatriaib aWHi|iitaiiid*i toM^akfeH^W fcBiMrftfB fc0ik»»MJ —r^gfk1*18118^i^rj1' —‘JrL^^gifkB1*fl1,8i1’1 ii8i ■■ ‘JLj^iasBflui JLjiasBflui ’iii JS***1!* ***1!* ^^Li** i**882? 8 rW®^ j^^xTte^vj te^vjgw g j*g‘ »*>«!> lOtDt^.^gje^ lOtDt^^gje^ rjfed Bflt ^^LbCl^PW «-**53* 5** ‘ -Zmu? The Hanchett Village site became a picnic area on Highbanks Creek in the 1920s. Hanchett Village once flourished with its water-powered mill but now is a ghost town. tais Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Nov. 10-16 Nov. 1-Dec. 31 - November and December Story walk Book: “The Lodge that Beaver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Sunday, Nov. 12 - Holiday Gift Show, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. i^&tl * <£*vSt !11*W $>& w ■J&T HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Nov. 9 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a film starring Marlena Dietrich and James Stewart, 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m.; Young Authors Write (registration required), 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 - Affordable Connectiv­ ity Program (register for refreshments and gift cards), 10 a.m. ■Monday, Nov. 13 - Crafting 1.0’ / a.m. rtMU Tuesday, Nov. 14 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; Young Authors Write, 3:30 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Arm Chair Travel: Vietnam and Cambodia River Cruise, 6 p.m.; Writers’ Night (weekly in November), 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other eyenteiis available by calling the library, 269­ 945|4263< and general repair shop, James Hyde, Wil­ liam Howell and Sam White, (were) black­ smiths. (Note: 125 years from 1948 would have made it 1823 and inaccurate, as the first settlers didn’t arrive until 1833). Thomas Holme^ bought Hiram Hanchett’s interest after Mr. Hanchett grew too old to continue. Millions of feet of logs were sawed each year. Hanchett Village ceased to exist spmetime around the turn ofthe century, but near the creek, one can still see the low wall ofstones almost buried now that were once a part of the huge flour mill, and most fascinating still is the huge piece of buhr stone imported from France now turned bottom side up on the north side ofthe creek. The buhr stones, used for pulverizing the flour, consisted oftwo horizontal stone disks of which only one revolved. The grinding surfaces ofthe stones were furrowed, result­ ing in a grinding and cutting action. The material to be pulverized was fed through the center of the upper stone, passed between the stones and was discharged at the circumference. In the early 1940s, agrandchild of Roush’s found a chisel in the “pifrk,” which was used to sharpen the huge mill stones. The stones, imported from France; were much harder flint than those found in the States. At the time the article was written in 1948, it was reported that only two houses of the original settlement existed. One over­ looked the park and was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Orlo Roush and the other, across the road, was where their son Glen lived. While water-driven saw and grist mills were the first type ofmills in Barry County, they were replaced by steam-powered mills as fast as possible. Steam-driven mills had many advantages. One was that they could be located anywhere, they did not need a stream to operate. The second advantage was they could be run where needed, while many water-driven mills had to shut down when the water level got low. On the 1860s map of Barry County, nearly half of all the mills were being driven by steam; Communities raised money to build new steam mills and: increase business in town. As time went: by, many older water-powered mills wtre converted to the newer steam-powered (versions). Smaller communities- that were not con­ nected to the railroads and kept to the old ways became less and dess able to compete with the larger, less .expensive and more dependable steam^powered mills and they soon became ghost towns. > /Whafrhappened.to,Hanchett’.s Village hap?. ptnecitozmbkf dfithe* sifcall hamlets w Ba<ry> County - just' rememb^ted names ofplaces now no longer. fl look back at the stories and columns on local history In the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES ^Doctor Universe Under the sea Are mermaids real? Is there a species that contains DNA that’s halfhuman and halffish? Made, 12, Texas entist at Washington State University. ‘Tish and humans are distant cousins,” Coffin said. “Humans are actually more than half fish when you think about our genetic material. From that perspective, I Dear Maite, guess you could say we’re all mermaids.” People have thought about mermaids The first ever animal with a backbone for a long time. Ancient people even drew was a fish. So, all animals with backbones humans with fish tails on cave walls. So, today came from fish who lived about 500 did they really see mermaids or were they million years ago. drawing from imagination? Ifyou visit Coffin’s lab, you’ll see lots The marine experts from the National ofzebrafish. They’re freshwater fish relat­ Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ed to minnows. They have stripes a bit like (NOAA) say that no mermaids have ever a zebra. Zebrafish share more than 70 been found in the ocean. percent of their genes with humans. They But we’ve frilly mapped only about have similar genes to 84 percent of the one-quarter of the ocean floor. There are genes that cause human disease. That probably between 700,000 and one million means scientists can study zebrafish to different kinds ofplants and animals in the solve human*probiemsio'j t»cti no qui .. -uceaivAtdeagritWoHhjrdsIdfthose hrU Mi IK 1 rQoffin studies sehsorV euHb'dvep inride •’ unknown to us: •' youf ear called hhir Uelis'.'Sound vibrations “ Does that mean mermaids could be bend your hair cells. That sends electrical swimming around in parts ofthe ocean we signals to your brain. Your brain uses the signals to figure out what it’s hearing and haven’t explored? Maybe. But our best guess is that people mistook other sea ani­ where the sound comes from. Hair cells can be damaged , by loud mals for mermaids-like manatees and noise, injuries or just old age. That’s one their relatives. way hearing loss happens. Manatees are also called sea cows. Fish have hair cells in their ears, too. They’re big, slow swimmers that graze on They also have them along the outside of sea grass. They belong to the scientific group Sirena-named after sirens. Those their bodies. It’s a lot easier to study hair cells on the outside-which is one of the are killer mermaids. In Greek mythology, they lured people to their deaths with reasons scientists like Coffin study hearing in fish to help understand hearing in beautiful singing. humans. Like mermaids, manatees have bodies Unlike humans, fish can grow new hair that taper into a tail. They have no hind cells if they need to. Maybe someday limbs. Their front limbs are flippers with humans will be able to regrow their hair finger-like bones inside them. Manatees cells and regenerate their hearing, too. can turn their heads like humans do. Plus, All thanks to the hard work ofscientists their faces give a slight human vibe-but and the good luck that we have fish cous­ not quite like the mermaids we see in ins. movies. Maybe that’s why we have historical Dr. Universe records of sailors saying they were sur­ prised that the mermaids they saw weren’t Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ as pretty as they expected. verse. Send an email to Washington State When it comes to DNA, mermaids University’s resident scientist and writer at might be closer to home. I talked about fish and human DNA with Dr. Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. my friend Allison Coffin. She’s a neurosci- �Page 8 — Thursday, November 9, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Tempers flare as Middleville moves toward lifting ORV ban Greg Chandler Hastings City Council members interviewed candidates to fill a vacant fourth ward seat Wednesday night, (file photo) Hastings City Council interview candidates for vacant seat Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings City Council members inter­ viewed candidates to fill an empty seat representing the fourth-ward on Wednes­ day night. Happening after press time Wednesday, the city interviewed four candidates seek­ ing to occupy the vacant seat: Jordan Brehm, Jillian Foster, Zackery Corey and Gerrit Rorye. A fifth candidate, Jeffrey Guenther, was also included on the sched­ ule but had withdrawn his name from con­ sideration Monday morning, Mayor Dave Tossava said. “We’re going to have a list ofquestions, and we’re going to ask each prospective council member the same questions,” Tossava said. “Then after that, we’ll deliberate and we’ll have a vote. We’ve got to have at least five five votes for one candidate, oth­ erwise we’re going to have to have a spe­ cial election.” Following a successful appointment, the council would be back up to full capacity. The fourth-ward seat was vacated in Sep­ tember following the resignation of board member Jim Carey. For full coverage ofthe candidate inter­ views on Wednesday night and the results, tune into next week’s edition of The Hast­ ings Banner. Former board member and fourth-ward representative Jim Cary resigned from the city council in September, leaving an open seat, (file photo) Barry County Road Commission We are seeking qualified applicants with skill and experience to join our team, Local Government Agency has an excellent opportunity for a Mechanic looking to advance in their career. We are looking for an individual with 5+ years of experience preferred, a high school diploma, or GED. This is a full-time position with a pay rate of up to $30.93/hour and a competitive benefits package. A valid Michigan Driver’s license, criminal background, and a pre-employment drug screen are required. Responsibilities • • • • Performs all necessary preventative maintenance, checks, and services on gas and diesel trucks and small and heavy equipment. Installs special functional and structural parts in trucks and equipment. Sets up and operates lathe, drill press, grinder, torch, welder, and other metalworking tools to make and repair parts. Troubleshoot electrical (computerized diagnostics), hydraulic Benefits • • • • • • • • Health insurance 401K Paid vacation, sick & personal time Paid holidays Boot, clothing, eyeglass allowance Overtime opportunities Training opportunities when applicable Tools provided Applications can be picked up at the Barry County Road Commission office (phone (269) 945-3449) at 1725 W. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 between 6 AM — 3:45 PM, or found on our website at www.barrycrc.org You may email your completed application to bcasey@barrycrc.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A complete job description will be provided at the time of application. The Barr&County Road Conjmi^o^ l&an equal-oppoitunity employe yiinu After considerable heated debate, the vil vil-­ lage ofMiddleville is moving toward lifting a ban on off-road vehicles on village streets. On a 4-2 vote at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, the village council direct-eed its legal counsel to draw up ordinance llanguage anguage that would allow the use ofORVs on local streets, as long as the operator is at least 16 years ofage and holds a driver’s license. The current ordinance, which has been in place since 2001, only allows ORV use on private property. The new language would have to be passed by the council. Council Trustee Kevin Smith, who was part ofan ad hoc committee that recommended a change in the ordinance, made the motion to have the village attorney craft the ordinance language. Smith said the current ordinance is unenforceable. “Our police officers have all but told us that they’re just not enforcing it,” Smith said. “With that in mind, I have to ask the bigger question: are we making criminals ofour residents by having something like that in place where people who are law-abiding folks are bending the rules ... to go down to the Cone Corral in their ORV, or go to a get-together at Mr. Parks’ property and they drive through town (in their ORV) to get there?” Smith was joined in support by fellow trustees Richard Hamilton, Makenzi Peters and Ann Williams. Village President Mike Cramer and Trustee Robert Bishop voted against the motion. Cra­ mer lashed out angrily at his colleagues as the vote was taken. “This is elitist government. It is disgraceful ... It’s sad, and it’s going to be really sad when someone gets hurt and someone’s unin­ sured and we have to live that life, and it’s going to be on your shoulders,” he said. “I’ve seen communities adopt these ordi­ nances and take them back, all the time. We’ve spent so much money on this and now we have to explain to the 4,000-plus residents (ofthe village) that it’s better to sell your car so you can drive an ORV down your street with no insurance because that’s the way to go. The insurance is there for a reason. We don’t trust the diligence that was put in by previous committees. Wejust see an agenda, and go on and make sure their friends are taken care of... rather than take care ofthe populace,” Cramer later added in his closing comments before the meeting adjourned. , More than 50 business owners signed a petition in February calling for the village to legalize the use/of ORVs and golf carts on village streets. “I’d like to thank council for moving for­ ward (with the proposed change),” said Andrew Beck, who led the petition drive and served on the ad hoc committee. “I know it’s been on the agenda for a long time. I am proud to say that as a committee member, safety was our foremost (concern). I have no doubt that what council will be reviewing will be safety first, specifically thinking of the children that do live within this community.” Supporters ofthe change say the new rules would be consistent with state laws that allow such use and best practices of the Michigan Municipal League. I Public Act 491 of2014 enables municipal­ ities that have a population of 30,000 or less to pass a resolution allowing golf carts to be used on local streets, so long as the driver is at least 16 and has a valid driver’s license. Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Envi­ ronmental Protection Act allows local units of From left to right, Trustee Makenzi Peters, Trustee Robert Bishop and Village) President Mike Cramer discuss the topic of off-road vehicles being used on local i streets in Middleville during Tuesday’s meeting of the Committee of the Whole.) (Photos by Greg Chandler) patrol car. And, nothing happened,” Cramer said. “To say running a stop sign touches a? nerve with me, when my wife and my kids'* were hit 50 yards from my house by someone^ that ran a stop sign, and it’s a deputy that’s) supposed to enforce our ordinances did noth-j ing about it hits a nerve, yeah. So now wed want to make this legal?” o Cramer went on to say there’s a legal way^ to get an ORV in compliance with the current! village ordinance. “We never said no, you can’t operate your ORV on the roads. We just said you have toy Middleville resident Andrew Beck, who get (license) plates and insurance. That’s it,d led a petition drive and served on an ad and you can use every street in town. Everyn hoc committee that recommended chang­ single street,” he said. . e es to the existing off-road vehicle use Cramer clashed with Peters and Hamilton-; ordinance, speaks in front of the Village during the debate, with Cramer interruptingn Council on Tuesday. Peters and Hamilton as they tried to makei their points. ii “They don’t do anything. If they’re note government to adopt an ordinance allowing ORVs and all-terrain vehicles to operate on going to do anything, Kevin’s right. If they’reb their streets, as long as the driver is wearing a not going to anything...” Hamilton said. “So ifwe change the law, it’s not going to-j helmet and eye protection unless the ORV has ; -ff a windshield and a roof or roll bar. The vehi­ do anything,” Cramer said. “My view is we have had a petition ofovera cle must have a lighted headlight and taillight. At a meeting last month, Sgt. Scott Ware of 50 signatures. We’ve had a roomful ofpeoplen the Barry County Sheriff’s Office Middleville here wanting the ordinance to allow for com­ unit told council members that he had mon law practice under state law. We haved received no complaints of ORVs in the vil­ the ability to sunset an ordinance. But too lage over the prior two months. He spoke of punish a group ofpeople for something they haven’t even done...” Peters said. . -q stopping three people who were driving side“How are we punishing anybody?” Cramer! by-sides or golf carts but could do nothing about them because deputies were on their interrupted. way to handling other complaints. “Excuse me, Mr. President, I was speak-q “Ifthere are issues with it, people need to ing,” Peters said........ ■ j call,and report it or notify us sowecan^pok., j‘iNa« because you’retmakiug-ajfalse stateinto it. That’s the key to it. Ifwe’re not get­ metit. ‘T want to* know how we’-re punishing? residents - by requiring them to uphold the>: ting the calls, we’re not going to respond to law?” Cramer responded. tr it,” Ware said at the Oct. 10 council meeting. “Let her finish. Your question is argument Smith pointed to Ware’s October com­ tative,” Hamilton said to Cramer. a ments, saying deputies are doing theirjob. “We are punishing them because they cameo “There are certain ordinances that they will look at and say, ‘ifI have to respond to a fire, to us saying, we would like to be able to oper-o a car accident or somebody that is coding out ate our ORVs safely, in accordance with because they’re having a heart attack and they MML best practices for various reasons thatJ need to get to somebody’s house, they’re they brought to our attention,” Peters said, n “We’re not punishing anyone. We’re holding2 going to drive by,”’ Smith said. “They would drive by a parade ofORVs breaking the law to them to the letter ofthe law, and ifwe muddyn this ordinance like we did the first time, it’sb get to something that was more important. I going to be harder to enforce,” Cramer said.li feel that’s what Sgt. Ware was really trying to “Right now, they’re breaking it, and they’reb say when he said that we’re not going to go out of our way to enforce these ifthey inter­ going to keep breaking it. But it doesn’t changes rupt our normal business.” the fact that it’s illegal. If something happens/' Cramer cited a recent example ofsomeone we can hold them to that standard. It is illegal ”s he said was violating the ORV ordinance, in Village Attorney Mark Nettleton will drawii plain sight ofa deputy. up the ordinance language. It will likely be “Halloween, I’m driving home from my either December or early next year before the in-laws house, and a golf cart that lives in language comes back to the council for final Misty Ridge (subdivision) ran the stop sign at approval, Village Manager Craig StolsonStadium (Drive), in full view of a deputy burg said. County commissioners air grievances with MSU; Extension as they scrutinize 2024 agreement Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Board of Commission­ ers is expected to renew its annual agreement with Michigan State University for access to MSU Extension programming - but not before first airing some grievances it has with the organization. Each year, a representative from the MSU Extension appears in front of the county board to present a memo of agreement. Julie Pioch, who is interim district director for District 7, which includes Barry, Kent, Otta­ wa and Allegan counties, met with the board’s committee ofthe whole on Tuesday. Under the annual agreement, Barry County provides $132,200 in funding to the Exten­ sion. This covers the operating expenses of certain Extension personnel and the county 4-H program to the tune of $61,464. The county also provides an additional $70,736, which funds half of an additional full-time equivalent 4-H program coordinator and half of a full-time equivalent clerk. The county also provides office space - in the Tyden Center - for the Extension in addi­ tion to technology and equipment. The committee of the whole, on a 7-1 vote, recommended the approval of the 2024 agree­ ment to the full board of commissioners, which is expected to vote on it next week. But before that, commissioners touched on some festering issues that both they, and constitu­ ents, have encountered with the Extension. The primary problem was gaining access to the office during business.ihours- The office is open Tuesday through Thursday and also on Mondays and Fridays by appointment. A cou- ple of commissioners reported that they had tried to come in during business hours, but the office was locked and no one was there. Commissioners Mark Doster and Jon Smelker said they both personally have encountered the problem. Pioch said that con­ cerns over the issue were also reported to her by the county administrator’s office and Commissioner Catherine Getty. “I just wanted to say thank you. It’s nice to get feedback, good or bad, related to our office operations,” Pioch said. “It’s my responsibility to make sure we’re meeting the needs ofthe board and the public in our office.” “I want to bring to your attention that we do our best - this complaint hits a little hard with this office because this team really has, since I’ve been director, said ‘Hey, who is going to staff the office?’ So, it’s always on their minds about meeting the needs of the public so the criticism hits them awfully hard.” Also, a representative from the Extension, as of Tuesday, had yet to present an annual report to the board for 2022, which the orga­ nization is required to do under the terms of the agreement. Pioch took ownership of the mistake and said that she was not aware that commissioners had not yet received the report and was expected to send it to them later this week. Doster recorded the lone “no” vote for recommending approval of the agreement, wanting to see the annual report first. He floated the idea of cutting funding for the additional clerical position in light of the ongoing issues.. Doster also said that, other than the thriv­ ing 4-H program found here in Barry County, ’ MSU Extension the Extension’s services appeared to be out-fl dated and irrelevant. “Personally, it seems like this is an officefl that is dwindling in its importance at thisfl point,” Doster said. “I would be ofthe miiicfl to cancel the half additional clerical supportfl for a year to see if this office can rebound and] become more relevant. This thing ofno annu-| al report, that is a contract service that is] required under the contract and for that to go| g totally by the wayside, it just doesn’t look? like you’re making much (effort) to make! yourselves relevant here.” A new director, Scott Korpak, will be tak­ ing the reins ofDistrict 7 later this month, and County Board Vice Chair Dave Hatfield said! he was reservingjudgment until then. “I think there should be some urgency toj address some of the issues that Commissioner* Doster raised, on the other hand, I’d like for the new director to have enough time on the job to be able to more intelligently respond tai some ofthe concerns we may be expressing.} I would not support a cut in funding at this! point given our desire to see if they can’t correct some of the deficiencies we mend tioned. I hope this is kind of a wake-up call i for them that we see those things addrcssedrtd!) our satisfaction.” ilr Jr* �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS SECTION Thursday, November 9,2023 Raiders shut out Saxons in second half h S It tab* H■a « ***** ■ * | * fctt , ^,1.. • * ('With MHB0 rias ■ iiEeimraaaffliiS H i p1 boot lir'ittoakiwoDi’tai' roly ijiio । ii^ Brett Bremer Sports Editor ; jn nine games leading into Friday night’s MHSAA Division 4 District Final inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field in Hastings, the Portland Raiders never allowed more than two touchdowns in any ofthem. It took a Herculean effort for the Saxons to get to three. Hastings quarterback Owen Carroll took a snap with one second left in the first half from the Portland 20-yard-line and had to start dodging rushers before he even hit his back foot. He eluded the grasp of Raider defensive end Christopher Battley nine yards behind the line ofscrimmage on the right side of the pocket. He juked his way past Tyler Smith, Reice Thelen and then Barrett Spitzley, and headed back across where the pocket had been. Carroll had his eyes up looking to the end zone as he found some space in between the hash marks and heaved a pass towards the middle ofthe end zone. With eight blockers and one of the two Saxon receivers on the play hustling back towards the line of scrim­ mage looking to help out the scrambling QB, that left only junior wide receiver Jett Bar­ num back in the blue and gold end zone at the south end ofthe stadium with three Portland defenders. With his pattern taking him to the right comer, Barnum trotted across the backline of the end zone behind the three Portland defen­ sive backs and then casually pounced in front ofthem to snag Carroll’s pass. The touchdown and ensuing two-point run by David Jiles had the Saxons in front 24-22 ori the undefeated Raiders a the half. A team can only make plays like that hap­ pen so often against a team as talented as Portland which shut out three foes during the regular season and allowed more than eight points only once, in a 52-14 route ofLansing Catholic back in mid-September. -The Raiders-'Shut«out nhe Saxons1 in < the second halfand pulled ahead1 fbt $P38L2?4 Vic- * tory while improving their record to 11-0 on the season and earning a spot in this week­ end’s regional finals. Hastings closes the season with an 8-3 overall record and a fourth consecutive Interstate-8 Athletic Conference championship. “Portland was tough from the get-go,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy said. “It really slowed us down offensively with their speed. In the second half, we made some mistakes ofour own which stalled out a few drives, and that can’t happen at this level in the playoffs. They also seem to have worn us down going into the fourth quarter, which also stalled another drive. Unlike the first half where we all powered them and pushed them around to create holes, in the second half it just wasn’t there.” See SAXONS, page 11 r0 " Hastings defenders Brennan Sensiba (54), Carson Gates and Haiden Simmet manage to take down Portland running back Caden Thelen during their MHSAA Division 4 District Final at Hastings High School Friday. (Photo by Dan Goggins) Hastings High freshman Caroline Randall (left) stands next to Grand Rapids Christian's Ellie Scholma (center) on the individual medals stage at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Saturday after earning all-state honors with a 29th-place finish at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls' Cross Country Championships. She matched her PR with a time of 18 minutes, 45.8 seconds. (J-Ad Graphics photo by Will Kowalski) Saxon freshman phenom medals at MIS dall and DeCola-were the-top two runner*-4n » Brett Bremer „ the Iriterstate-8 Athletic Conference this fall1 Sports Editor Saxon freshman Caroline Randall earned a and Randall and Crews were the two fastest girls in Barry County. All three qualified for state medal in her first attempt and Thomapple Kellogg junior Ava Crews inched back the finals from the Oct. 28 regional hosted by South Christian High School where Randall closer to the medals in her third try at the was fourth, Crews eighth and DeCola ninth. MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross “All three runners were together at the mile Country Finals Saturday. Randall placed 29^ in the field of 250 with Crews leading the way,” Hastings head runners in the Division 2 girls’ race at Michi­ coach Steve Collins said. “At the two mile, Randall and DeCola had pulled ahead of gan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Crews by 10 seconds. As they entered the Randall hit the finish line in 18 minutes stadium DeCola pulled ahead ofRandall.” 45.8 seconds finishing as the fourth fastest DeCola hit the finish line about two and a freshman. A pair of Grand Rapids Christian half seconds, and four places, ahead of Ran­ girls hit the finish line behind her, sophomore Ellie Scholma in 30™ place with a time of dall. The Marshall leader earned her first state 18:45.8 and senior Payton Holtz 31st in medal by placing 25^ in 18:43.1. Crews came in at 19:27.0 in 59^ place. 18:49.1. Scholma earned the last of the 30 Crews will have one more shot at chasing all-state medals. a state medal, like DeCola did, in her senior Randall is just the third Saxon girl to earn season. As a freshman in 2021, Crews placed all-state cross country honors. The Saxons Charissa Shaw placed ninth at the MHSAA 34th wj||1 a time of 19:26.2 at MIS, just Lower Peninsula Class B Finals in 1995 and behind the state medalists. She bounced back was there Saturday too as the head coach of this fall after running to a time of 19:55.7 at the Hackett Catholic Prep boys’ team that the finals as a sophomore. Randall’s exactly matched her personal placed third in the Division 4 boys’ race. There were familiar faces in the starting record time from the September Otsego box with Randall in her first run at MIS. Thomapple Kellogg’s Crews was there and See FINALS, page 11 so was Marshall senior Camille DeCola. Ran- Hastings running back Isaiah Wilson (36) follows teammate Hatden Simmet (21) through the line after getting a hand-off from quarterback Owen Carroll (4) during their MHSAA Division 4 District Final against visiting Portland Friday night inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. (Photo by Dan Goggins) tat & 21 /fa Ii ”' 9 f >*> 'i*r* f Hastings junior receiver Jett Barnum hauls in a touchdown pass in front of Portland defenders Conner Kazamer (20) and Kaleb Bower (14) on the final play of the first half of their MHSAA Division 4 District Final inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field Friday night. It was the first time all season the Raiders gave up as many as three touchdowns, but Portland rallied for a 3B-24 victory. 1b (Phbtoby Dan Goggins) - ■ ow tafh inorli io'i -viirli orb rinrh lorllo Jedi bine < o?.Ib bmj yebgiurl '-11 yisbeouT mq 1 ".fioilQfi’kiiflz wo ,yjnuo3 ni siorf bnuol rnis oo A JneiffiJnioqqc 10 •>nzl bne a^bnoF Saxon freshman Carline Randall makes her way around the course at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Saturday during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Fihalb?^vn'3 �Page 10 — Thursday. November 9. 2023 — The Hastings Banner LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 7, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee 30, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Marcia K Quada Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN mortgage made by Randy Padilla, a single person, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Horizon Bank, N.A., its successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated April 7, 2017 and recorded April 18,2017 in Instrument Number 2017-004224 and Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or TRUST 2005-80CB, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-80CB Date of Mortgage: November 9,2005 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 28,2005 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $87,348.01 Loan Modification Agreement recorded on September 8, 2021, in Instrument Number 2021-011118, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, and by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Eight Thousand Two described as: Lot 109 of Middleville Downs No. 5 according to the recorded plat thereof as recorded in Hundred Twenty-Six and 9/100 Dollars ($98,226.09). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage Liber 5 of Plats, Page 43. Common street address (if any): 208 Meadowlark and the statute in such case made and provided, Ct, Middleville, Ml 49333-9403 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 30, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, defined by MCL€00.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 8, Block 6 of Daniel Striker’s Addition pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held according to the plat thereof recorded in. Liber 1 of responsible to the person who buys the property at Plats, Page 11 of Barry County Records. the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage 315 E Colfax St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the member on active duty, if your period of active duty redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Date of notice: November 2,2023 Dated: November 2, 2023 Ale No. 23-010852 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 West Big Beaver Road, (248)642-2515 Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (11-02)(11-23) 208206 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on 12/14/2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Names of Mortgagors): Amalio Gonzalez-Villeda. Original mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. Date of mortgage: 4/30/2015. Mortgage recorded on 5/4/2015 as Document No. 2015­ 004630,. Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee of Stanwich Mortgage Loan Trust F. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: $177,143.74 Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: LAND SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF JOHNSTOWN, COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 32, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST, JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTH 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 32; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 33 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION, 540.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 07 SECONDS EAST, 807.16 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 43 SECONDS WEST, 243.00 FEET TO THE TRUE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE S SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND WEST PARALLEL WITH THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE OF SAID SECTION, 337.27 FEET; THENCE S SOUTH 88 DEGREES 46 MINUTES 05 SECONDS WEST, 296.99 FEET TO SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND EAST ALONG SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE, 336.90 FEET; T THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 43 SECONDS EAST, 297.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC AND OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT IN ANY PART THEREOF TAKEN, USED OR DEEDED FOR STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY PURPOSES. Commonly known as 15179 N Uldriks Dr, Battle Creek, Ml 49017. The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days after the statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property iris s determined abandoned under MCL 600.3241, the redemption period will be 1 month from the date of such sale. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes pursuant to MCL 600.3240(16), । re^®mPtlon Period is 1 year from the date of such sale. The redemption period may be extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced Property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower win be held responsible to the person who buys the pproperty at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or ""you have been ordered to active duty, please contact a.tfor'Jey for the Party foreclosing the mortgage a the telephone number stated in this notice. 1513760 (11-02)(11-23) NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, ifyour period ofactive duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on November 16, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. «00dy’ RC 15Vy030 North Frontage Road, FFHe231-23-00319d9e’ 60527 (313) 536-2500 C&M Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) made by Beth Leslie f/k/a Beth Schoendorf and James Leslie, wife and husband, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated March 12, 2015, and recorded on April 3, 2015, Instrument No. 2015­ 002855, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated October 3, 2023, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan,' and recorded October 4,2023, Instrument No. 2023­ 007817, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage is $51,020.70 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage as stated above, plus interest on the amount due at the rate of 5.75% per annum; all legal costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in the Village of Middleville, County of Barry, State of Michigan described more fully as: Unit 11, East Town Homes, a condominium established by Master Deed, recorded in Instrument No. 1074113, Barry County Records, and being designated as Barry County Condominium Subdivision Plan No. 23, as amended, if any, together with rights in the general common elements and limited common elements as set forth in the Master Deed and as described in Act 59 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1978, as amended. Tax ID No. 08-41-195-011-00 Commonly known address: 136 Irving Road #3, Middleville, Ml, 49333 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. October 10, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 (10-12)(11-09) Date of Notice: 11/09/2023. 208071 207172 Financial n ot ice meAmttbeenrtio nn ahcotimveeodwutneri:f Ifouyr u are a mil,.tary•sfn!1lce member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago or if you have been o alecstisvethdaunty 9 0 pledaasyes caognota, cot rthife yaottuorhnaevye fobre tehn e coordnecrlueddetd ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under der section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some rp part faorrt cof oafs them, thheomr ,caat ast a haiepublic prusblcicheauction acukctaiot nt sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 30, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free arid clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jeffrey Kwiek, a married man, as his sole and separate property, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Finance of America Mortgage LLC, its successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated September 4, 2020 and recorded September 15, 2020 in Instrument Number 2020-009794 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on October 26,2021, in Instrument Number 2021-013276, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by National Cooperative Bank, NA, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Twelve Thousand One Hundred Forty-Three and 86/100 Dollars ($212,143.86); Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 30,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: UNIT 23, PHEASANT HOLLOW CONDOMINIUM, ACCORDING TO WE MASTER DEED RECORDED IN DOCUMENT NOl 1162041. BARRY COUNTY RECORDS, AND DESIGNATED AS BARRY COUNTY CONDOMINIUM SUBDIVISION PLAN NO. 47, TOGETHER WITH RIGHTS IN GENERAL COMMON ELEMENTS AND LIMITED COMMON ELEMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THE ABOVE DESCRIBED MASTER DEED AND AMENDMENTS THERETO AND AS DISCLOSED BY ACT 59 OF THE PUBLIC ACTS OF 1978, AS AMENDED. 655 E North Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058-8613 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If tie property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: November 2,2023 File No. 23-011426 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 ' West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number. (248) 502.1400 (11-02X11-23) Kj 208205 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE CHARLES J. HIEMSWA IS A DEBT COLLECTOR AJWMFWlGf • i/foi" JtfefcLEGT [ 'DEBT. ANY) INFORMATION ©BIAlNgD , WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OFACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE DUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Default has occurred in the conditions of a Mortgage (“Mortgage”) made by Branden Oconnor, a/k/a Branden Shane O'Connor and Elizabeth Grace O'Connor, f/k/a Liz Medenblik, husband and wife, of 7015 W. Parmalee Road, Middleville, Michigan 49333, Mortgagor, to Lake Michigan Credit Union, a state chartered credit union, having a mailing address of P.O. Box 2848, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501­ 2848 (“Mortgagee”), which Mortgage was dated February 19, 2021, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan on March 1, 2021 at Instrument Number 2021-002431. By reason of this default, the Mortgagee hereby declares the entire unpaid amount of said Mortgage due and payable immediately. As of the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due on this Mortgage the sum of Eight Thousand Twenty-seven and 36/100 Dollars ($8,027.36). No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by this Mortgage or any part thereof. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT: Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the above Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public sale to the highest biddejrfor cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, at the East Steps of the courthouse, 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan, starting promptly at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, the 30th day of November, 2023. The amount due on the Mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership, of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office dr a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. The premises covered by this Mortgage are located in the Township of Thornapple, County of Barry, State of Michigan and described as follows: Commencing 165 feet West of the Northeast comer of Section 12, Town 4 North, Range 10 West; thence South 330 feet; thence West 165 feet; thence North 330 feet; thence East 165 feet to the point of beginning. Parcel ID No. 14-012-013-10 Property address: 7015 W. Parmalee Road, Middleville, Michigan 49333 Notice is further given that the length of the redemption period will be six (6) months from the date of sale unless determined to be abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period Will be as provided by MCL 600.3241 a. If this property is sold at a foreclosure sale by advertisement, during the period of redemption, borrower/mortgagor will be responsible to the purchaser or to the mortgage holder for physical injury to the property beyond wear and tear resulting from the normal use of the property if the physical Injury is caused by or at the direction of the borrower/mortgagor. Dated: October 23, 2023 LAKE MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION MORTGAGEE THIS INSTRUMENT PREPARED BY: Charles J. Hiemstra (P-24332) Attorney for Mortgagee 125 Ottawa Ave., NW, Suite 310 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616) 235-3100 (10-26)(11-16) 207803 i Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Kevin Beck, AAMS® Mcmber SIPC Madison Cove Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 Financial Advisor 400 W. State St., Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 What should you know about RMDs? You may spend decades contributing to various retirement accounts. But for some accounts, such as a traditional IRA and 401(k), you must start withdrawing funds at a certain point. What should you know about this requirement? To begin with, the rules governing these withdrawals — technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs have changed recently. For many years, individuals had to begin taking their RMDs (which are based on the account balance and the IRS’ life expectancy factor) when they turned 70%. The original SECURE Act of2019 raised this age to 72, and SECURE 2.0, passed in 2022, raised it again, to 73. (If you turned 73 in 2023, and you were 72 in 2022 when the RMD limit was still 72, you should have taken your first RMD for 2022 by April 1 of this year. You will then need to take your 2023 RMD by Dec. 31. And going forward, you’ll also need to take your RMDs by the end of every year.) Not all retirement accounts are subject to RMDs. They aren’t required for a Roth IRA, and, starting in 2024, won’t be required for a Roth 401(k) or 403(b) plan. But if your account does call for RMDs, you do need to take them, because if you don’t, you could face tax penalties. Previously, this penalty was 50% ofthe amount you were supposed to have taken, but SECURE 2.0 reduced it to 25%. When you take your RMDs, you need to be aware of a key issue: taxes. RMDs are taxed as ordinary income, and, as such, they could potentially bump you into a higher tax bracket and possibly even increase your Medicare premiums, which are determined by your modified adjusted gross income. Are there any ways you could possibly reduce an RMD-related tax hike? You might have some options. Here are two to consider: • Convert tax-deferred accounts to Roth IRA. You could convert some, or maybe all, of your taxdeferred retirement accounts to a Roth IRA. By doing so, you could lower your RMDs in the future — while adding funds to an account you’re never required to touch. So, ifyou don’t really need all the money to live on, you could include the remainder of the Roth IRA in your estate plans, providing an initially tax-free NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing for the following: gsiorf grnjdtiQrf rnjdtiQrf jqsji TABLEP jcui jcu Sdnjjfiu d'bntiilw'f 'in case Number: SP-1-2022 - Michigan Materi­ als & Aggregate (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: Miller Rd, in Section 25 of Oran­ geville Township. Purpose: Requesting a special use permit to op­ erate a mine for sand and gravel pursuant to Article 23, Section 2351 in the RR (Rural Residential) zon­ ing district. Case Number: SP-10-2023 - Steven Stutzman (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 5485 Barryville Rd, in Section 8 of Ma­ ple Grove Township. Purpose: Request to operate a sawmill. Per Section 2368 in the A (Agricultural) zoning district. MEETING DATE: November 27, 2023. TIME: 7:00 PM. PLACE:Tvden Center, Community Room 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Planning Commission members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned place and time. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus@barrycounty.org. The special use application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.ip. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. Cynthia L. White, Barry County Clerk 208317 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the matter of the Helga U. Davis Trust. Date of birth: 02/07/1936. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Helga U. Davis, died 09/07/2023. There is no personal representative of the decedent’s estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Trust will be forever barred unless presented to Roland J. Davis Trustee of the Helga U. Davis Trust, under a Trust Agreement dated June 29, 2000, within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 11/2/2023 Bobbi Sue Hines P73836 45 Ottawa Avenue, SW, Suite 1100, PO Box 306 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-0306 Roland J. Davis inheritance to your loved ones. However, converting a tax-deferred account to a Roth IRA will generate taxes in the year of conversion, so you’d need the money available to pay this tax bill. • Donate RMDs to charity. In what’s known as a qualified charitable distribution, you can move up to $100,000 of your RMDs directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity, avoiding the taxes that might otherwise result if you took the RMDs yourself. After 2023, the $100,000 limit will be indexed to inflation. Of course, before you start either a Roth IRA conversion or a qualified charitable distribution, you will need to consult with your tax advisor, as both these moves have issues you must consider and may not be appropriate for your situation. But it’s always a good idea to know as much as you can about the various aspects of RMDs — they could play a big part in your retirement income strategy. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use byyour local EdwardJones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised’ judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the! mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to ttie highest bidder for cash or cashier’s chetk plslce' qr hofiiln^W'fiteiit’idlirt in Barty1 Cbiihty, starting promptly'at' 1:00 PM, on December 7/ 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater, on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and, clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office1 or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a> fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Scott S McBean, And Sarah M McBean, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for America's Wholesale Lender.,’ its successors and assigns / Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST Date of Mortgage: April 24,2003 Date of Mortgage Recording: May 8,2003 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $93,617.08 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 8, Misty Ridge according to the recorded plat thereof in Liber 6 of Plats, on Page 30. » Common street address (if any): 720 Wild Pond Ct,’ Middleville, Ml 49333-8396 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used1 for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). • If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter. 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property’ during the redemption period. Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number1 stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: October 26,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1513262(10-26)(11-16) 207770 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate Estate of Annette L. Garrison, Deceased. Date of birth: 11/07/1949. TO ALL CREDITORS: The decedent, Annette L> Garrison, Trustee of the Annette L. Garrison Revocable Trust, Dated August 31, 2011, and First Amendment to the Annette L. Garrison Revocable Trust, Dated August 31,2011, is now Deceased. As Successor Trustee, Nancy Chantrenne, 172 East Leinaar Road, Battle Creek Mi 49017, Successor Trustee will be distributing assets and closing said Trust. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Annette L.. Garrison, died 03/20/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims, against the estate will be forever barred unless presented' to Nancy Chantrenne, Successor Trustee, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 172 East Leinaar Road, Battle Creek, Ml 49017 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. ; Miller Johnson (616) 831-1700 (1.1-09X11-30) FOCUS 208328 Date: 10/17/2023 Stacey Lott P68809 « 130 East Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 269-963-8222 Nancy Chantrenne, Trustee 172 East Leinaar Road, Battle Creek, Ml 49017 269-721-8496 208329 Wai ^5* J# L * "j, d JS ! �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 9, 2023 — Page 11 Gator divers finish in top three spots at Tier II meet LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement medley with a time of 2:23.05 and then Sports Editor swam to a runner-up time of 1:10.66 in the { They went 1-2-3. 100-yard breaststroke. ( The Grand Rapids Gators had the top A trio ofgirls touched the wall within three three divers over the weekend ofNov. 3-4 in quarters ofa second ofeach other at the front Byron Center at the OK Rainbow Tier II of the wave in the 100 breaststroke. Ottawa Conference Championship. Lydia Slagel Hills senior Naia Wainer won the race in took the conference championship for the 1:10.03 with Garcia second and Wayland 90-op team made up ofstudent athletes from senior Taylor Wolf eight tenths of a second Calvin Christian, West Catholic, Thomapple behind Garcia. Kellogg and Hopkins. Garcia was one ofthree Gators to score for Slagel won the diving competition with an the team in that 100 breaststroke. Senior Eliz­ j 1-dive score of378.70 points. Natalie Wickabeth Middleton placed ninth with a time of $trom was second with a score of346.40 and 1:19.62 and junior Leah Schumacher was Abigail Dumond third at 332.70. 15th with a time of 1:40.00. Middleton was '• The trio has rotated places in the top three also ninth in the 500-yard freestyle. The top eight in the preliminary races Fri­ in the standings throughout the fall season of duals. day earned spots in Saturday’s A Final while . Unity Christian’s Karli Velzen was the the next eight earned spots in the B Final. closest competitor to the Gators in the diving The top 16 in each individual race scored for competition at the conference meet with an their team. Overall score of309.45. Wayland’s Laney Wolfhad an outstanding '. Velzen was one of four Crusader divers to meet. She won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.74, the 100-yard freestyle in 53.74 sec­ score in the meet and their team ran away jvith the conference championship thanks to a onds, and also helped the Wildcat team to total of 552 points. Ottawa Hills was second wins in the 200-yard freestyle relay and the with 439 points ahead of Wayland 422, the 400-yard freestyle relay. She was joined by Sybil Williamson, Taylor Wolf and Abigail Grand Rapids Gators 278 and Grand Rapids Union 165. Deweerd in winning the 200 freestyle relay in j Corinne Bierling and Velzen powered the 1:41.91. Laney, Williamson, Kennedy Jasins­ Unity Christian team in the pool. Bierling had ki and Elliot Antel took the 400 freestyle 9 winning time of 25.02 seconds in the relay in 3:45.36. 50-yard freestyle and a runner-up time of Gatorjunior Aubrey Hawks and everyone £5.56 in the 100-yard freestyle. Velzen won else was chasing Laney Wolfin those couple individual freestyle races. Hawks placed sev­ the 100-yard backstroke in 1 minute 1.12 Seconds. enth in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:13.43. ; Sophomore Aliyah Garcia had the top Wolfwas the only girl to finish that race in finishes in the pool for the Gators. She under two minutes. Hawks also placed ninth in the 100-yard backstroke. placed fourth in the 200-yard individual Brett Bremer I'’VVWii^KV KV’ S’* j***% S Sk fiSl: ^hfr S<M iSb >Ti-SvMs' V> •<<*$ -Rvl?5sJ*KX> ^**Jjj SSJ!»» T'1' *St Sift**; SCSI'S «S . '&WS j?SiJ !<*fti • ><» ?».Eft*'** tS ■ ? *E^S»-.. wbijyj «* *** 2?? ^^SSjBa SSjB ^WOUFfitj *™5 CflUj "““^ ^irfefhir ^irfefhir **• 5 **•485 <«ror !■ 1 *C*W C*«Wuw>® >® rfrrXfru- ^MitajfeJ’’!nw' i!in’iwi' ^MitajfeJii iifalfrllifefrSMt Bt’ursr Bt’ ursr s> s>sftwJjmBi sftwJjmBi Mfc’iwpBssprtty »?:rare:i/63®;ajft stawEtrataraej/sartttanlW3TO|*j/fi?»faj) 2 Sectar225lrte?%3^sdertaEr- BiSrar tail! w>xi :Uar< qte CaMKN&ftrataifelii'Urirtfe flQgltae-enr^ 1> WX7TU Lk*5Q5M% fiSecfaWff' SimrefrtanjlfctaiJR lists?! B VKlt£GkM MllRfmiUMKU hptyiptw affix wrwns ww SEvSnteUF^2^^jf^dwiww Unity Christian beat out a Wildcat foursome by a quarter ofa Second to open Satur­ day’s finals in the 200-yard medley relay 1:56.30 to 1:53.8?- The Crusader team of Velzen, Courtney Holtrop, Natalie Gates and Grace Dewaalmalefyt took that victory. The Gators’ top team was fourth in the 400-yard freestyle relay, fourth in the the 200-yard medley relay and fifth in the 200yard freestyle relay. Leah Schumacher also placed 15th in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of2:37.71. Fellow Gatorjunior Audrey Groenenboom was tenth in the 200 IM in 2:48.08 while senior teammate Makayla Brown placed 14th in 3:21.69. There were four Gators scoring in the B Final of the 100-yard[freestyle with Garcia-Quilez 11th in 1:04.93, Avery Hollebeek 14th in 1:06.44, sophomore Jenna Robinett 15th in 1:15.03 and senior Emilia Van Dellen 16th in 1:20.87. A trio of Gators placed in the B Final ofa few races. In the 50-yard freestyle senior Berta Garcia-Quilez was 13th in 29.10, junior Malia Hamby 14th in 29.24 andjunior Jolee Schum­ acher 16th in 30.71. In the 100-yard butterfly, Groenenboom was 11th in 1:19.44, Hamby 14th in 1:25.13 and Robinett 15th in 1:28.46. The 500-yard freestyle B Final featured Middleton ninth in 6:28.84, with Bergman tenth in 6:40.07 and senior Makayla Brown 13th in 7:09.39. The 100-yard backstroke race included Hawks’ ninth-place time of 1:09.43, a 13th-place time of 1:17.16 by Hollebeek and a 15th-place time of 1:21.86 from Jolee Schumacher. SAXONS, continued from page 9 • Caden Thelen carried the Raider offense rushing 32 times for 278 yards and three touchdowns. He scored on a three-yard run and then added the two-point conversion with one minute to go in the third quarter to move the Raiders back into the lead 30-24. He made it a two-score lead with a 37-yard touchdown run four minutes into the fourth quarter that was followed by a two-point run by Dominic Novara. The teams were back and forth in the first half. Novara got the Raiders on the scoreboard fj^st midway, through tijie (first half dn.^ oheyard TD plunge. Aiden Pulling’s extra-point put the Raiders in front 7-0. The Saxons answered with a quick drive that ended in a five-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Wilson. Wilson ran in the two-point conversion too for an 8-7 Saxon lead. That lead only lasted 39 seconds. Caden Thelen busted free for a 59-yard touchdown and another Pulling extra-point had the Raid­ ers in front 14-8 with 3:01 to play in the opening quarter. Hastings answered with a 52-yard touch­ down run by Haiden Simmet in the final minute of the first quarter. Landon Steward put Hastings back in the lead 16-14 with his two-point conversion run that followed. A nine-yard touchdown pass from Novara to Christopher Battley with 1:02 to go in the second quarter moved the Raiders in front, and Caden Thelen ran in the two-point try. That touchdown came after the Saxons turned the ball over on downs in their own end of the field as a fourth-and-two run came up short. The Raiders took over at the Saxon 28-yardline and eventually found the end zone on a third down pass. “Portland’s offensejust kept creating holes offtackle. We didn’t have an answer for their running back, Thelen,” Murphy said. Novara finished the bailgame 4-of-7 pass­ ing for 49 yards. He was picked off once by Carroll. Carroll tossed one interception himself while completing 2-of-9 passes for 54 yards. Wilson led the Saxons on the ground with 14 carries for 132 yards. Simmet had 13 car­ ries for 92 yards and Jiles had ten carries for 43 yards. Brennan Sensiba and Simmet had 11 total tackles each for the Saxons and Aiden SaintA- mour finished with ten. Deigo Coipel chipped in five from his spot in the defensive front. Sensiba, SaintAmour and Simmet are all seniors along with Carroll and a lot ofothers who have helped the Saxons to the playoffs in each ofthe past three seasons and the team’s first district championship a year ago. Coach Murphy said the leadership from many ofthe seniors seems like it will be irre­ placeable. “[Carroll’s] command of the huddle and the love and trust of his teammates takes a long time to develop,” he said ofhis quarter­ back. “He is just one ofthose kids that every­ one wishes that they had leading their team. We were fortunate to have him wear the right colors on Friday nights.” Keeping the program’s place at the top of the 1-8 and as a perennial playoffparticipant isn’t assured heading into the offseason, but the Saxons have come back as strong as ever each ofthe past few seasons. “Next year is going to be a completely different team,” Murphy said. “A lot will be determined in the offseason. What they’re willing to do for each other will determine how we do next seasons.? ®xiw Mill ill <!5tSL JU!5t1®S < -KSE? •ST"* T"* iHP** *£ 1 **** tf®*’LRrt»M* n teJs **7.^8* tl7*.^'78* llw™ *’” «tfMF*.L *■’” «tfMF*L FINALS, continued from page 9 tiF” tiF”Z ZZ* 2»«* 1 ;; Court Address: 206 W. Court, Suite 302, Hastings Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Charles W. Ellens. Date of birth" 09/14/1956. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Charles W. Ellens, died 06/14/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Mildred J. Schramm, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Steven G. Storrs P80557 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Mildred J. Schramm 425 Sherwood Dr. Crown Point, IN 46307 219-776-1200 208314 SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS read contribute advertise Date of notice: November 9,2023 Trott Law, PC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1514033 (11-09)(11-30) HastingsBaNNER 208266 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL.:. The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Bns in ess Services METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. &?;.»« &?;.»« STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29653-DE Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Josh Gipe and Ronie Finkbeiner, as joint tenants with right of survivorship Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Date of Mortgage: April 27,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: May 18, 2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $156,671.87 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 18, Colberts Plat No. 3, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 78, Barry County Records. Common street address (if any): 4 Culbert Dr, Hastings, Ml 49058-9461 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. BUYING ALL WOODS: Paying HARD­ Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman’s comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill Pets is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhard- WESTIE TERRIER JACK RUSSELL cross puppies. Very PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: AU real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Bulldog Invitational and is the fastest a Hastings girl has ever gone on the state finals course at MIS. Those two Grand Rapids Christian girls right behind Randall at the finish line helped their team to the state championship with a total score of 112 points. Otsego was second with 131 points ahead of Goodrich 139, Spring Lake 202, Zeeland East 222, East Grand Rapids 224, Ludington 245, Franken­ muth 255, St. Joseph 277 and St. Johns 282 in the top ten. Senior Natalie VanOtteren led the Grand Rapids Christian girls with a fifth-place time of 17:58.2. She was the last offive girls to hit the finish line in less than 18 minutes. Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior Emily Tomes won the girls’ race in a personal record time of 17:31.4, pushed by St. Joseph senior Gail Vaikutis who set her personal record with a runner-up time of 17:33.6. Vaikutis’ junior teammate elena Figuerosa was third in 17:46.6. St. Johns freshman Ava Schafer was fourth in 17:53.8. Grand Rapids Christian had three girls among the top 30 medalists with sophomore Lilah Poel 20th in 18:36.1. Randall and DeCola were the lone Divi­ sion 2 state medalists on the girls’ side repre­ senting the 1-8 Saturday. Crew’s OK Gold Conference foe Addison Washier, a Forest Hills Eastern senior, was 26^ with a time of 18:43.9 representing their conference along with the state champion, Tomes. Forest Hills Eastern won the MHSAA L.P. Division 2 Boys’ Championship with 134 points, beating out Pickney 156, East Grand Rapids 175, Allendale 176, Gladwin 211, Grand Rapids Christian 218, Adrian 221, Alma 250, Marshall 262 and Otsego 303 in the top ten Saturday. Th,e 1-8 also had the Parma Western boys fini sh in 19^ place. Freeland junior TJ I lansen ran to a state championship time of 14:52.8 with Cranbrook Kingswood senior Solomon Kwartowitz second in 15:03.3. It was a blistering pace. Forest Hills East­ ern seniors Liam Himan and Brendan Hoving were the last of the 30 state medalists. Hin­ man placed 29™ in 15:53.0 and Hoving 30^ in 15:54.3. There were four guys who fin­ ished in less than 16 minutes who were behind the 30 state medalfcts. Forest Hills Eastern was led by junior Henry Dixon who placed sixth in 15:16.0 - a new PR for him. Marshalljunior Jack Bidwell was fourth in the boys’ race in a personal record time of 15:13.0. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23029655-DE Court Address: 206 W. Court, # 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29654-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Janice M. Ruger. Date of birth: 8/16/1946. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Janice M. Ruger, died 1/5/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Erik Ruger, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29634-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Daniel Patrick Quillen. Date of birth: for a full time Legal Secretary. The position requires computer 5-28-59. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Daniel Patrick Quillen, died 8-19-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Jessica Wilson, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Please send a cover letter, Date: 11/8/2023 Kellie E. Podolsky P73694 601 South Shore Drive, Suite #329 Battle Creek, Ml 49014 269-965-3185 Erik Ruger 123 Oakland Place Battle Creek, Ml 49015 269-924-2009 Date: 11-3-2023 David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Jessica Wilson 127 West Bridge Street Plainwell, Ml 49080 616-813-3848 cute, will stay small. Up to date on shots & deworming. $125.00.517-726-0706. woodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. POMERANIAN PUPPIES: VERY, very cute and playful. Up to date on shots and de­ worming. $250.00 (517)852­ 3007 207957 Position Opening The Barry County Prosecutor's Office is accepting applications 0' c* c ,1^'X % ^Ws . t% %J twfr w fr t-JW66 .its W ^Wi? Wi? g 5gZ> A/ tit Estate of James Albert Benoit Jr. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, James Albert Benoit Jr., died July 30,2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Jeanna Benoit, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 11/8/23 Christopher P. Atallah P73224 805 Oakwood Drive, Ste. 125 Rochester, Ml 48307 (248) 613-0007 Jeanna Benoit 22 Rockwood Road Hamden, CT 06514 (203) 440-6866 208530 208564 r and Internet skills, writing and grammar skills, an ability to meet deadlines, and good interpersonal skills. The base pay rate is $16.64 per hour. application form to: resume and completed job Julie Nakfoor-Pratt, Prosecutor, Barry County Prosecutor's Office, 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058. An application and job description is available at www.barrycounty.org. For more information, you may contact the Barry County Prosecutor's Office, at 269-945-1297, ipratt(8) barrycounty.org, or nmitchell^barrycounty.org. Deadline for applying: Open until filled. 208316 �0012 Thursday, Novembers. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Season ends early for Viking volleyball Brett Bremer Sports Editor A serve sailed just long and that was the end. It was just one point, one of 76 the Grand Christian girls won in their MHSAA Division 2 District Final on their home court at the Quest Center in Grand Rapids. Lakewood senior libero Carley Piercefield tugged the neck of her bright red and blue libero jersey up over her mouth as the tears started, and then went to lead the Vikings in the handshake line at the net to congratulate the district champion Eagles. Lakewood head coach Cameron Rowland left the bench and went straight for sopho­ more Matti Aldrich who hit that final serve with the Vikings trailing 24-23 in the third set — match point for the Eagles. Aldrich was up from the JV for the state tournament to offer some assistance at the service line. “I didn’t even realize it was 23-24,” Row­ land said ofwhen he sent her onto the floor for her second serve ofthe night. Aldrich did have the chance hit a couple serves earlier in the state tournament run. She got to practice with the varsity a' bit during the fall season, stepping up whenjunior setter Abby Pickard was sidelined with an injury. Rowland said Aldrich is one ofthe only girls he’s ever called on to step up to varsity prac­ tice in that way to not shy away from the change ofpace. “I told her to just go for it. Who cares. You’ve got to go for it. If Christian was in system they were going to score,” Rowland said. “[Afterwards] I went up to her and I was like ‘hey, you did exactly what we needed you to try to do in that moment. It is unfor­ tunate that was the situation you had to be put in. That is the rotation. I needed you to serve. It was 23-24 and you went for it. Who cares.’” “I love that she missed long, honestly. It showed she wasn’t nervous about it” he added. Lakewood junior setter Abby Pickard puts a pass up early in the first set of her team's MHSAA Division 2 District Final at Grand Rapids Christian Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer)) Rowland passed Aldrich off into the arms ofher fellow sophomore setter Emma Duffy. Aldrich and Duffy have a lot ofLakewood vollleyball left. Coach Rowland, Piercefield and the rest ofthe Viking senior group which includes middles Alivia Everitt and Cadence Poll, outside hitters Jolee Gardner and Maryssa Goble and defensive specialist Jasmine Stewart do not. A battle that was worthy of being played out in Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek during the final weekend of the Michigan high school volleyball season played out on the first weekend ofthe state tournament, and the No. 2-ranked Grand Rapids Christian Eagles took a 25-23, 26-24, 25-23 win over the No. 4-ranked Lakewood Vikings. A string was going to be snapped Friday night one way or another. Lakewood sees a run of nine consecutive district champion­ ships come to an end. The Eagles have now won seven in a row. “I stuck around for this senior class,” said Rowland who announced at the beginning of the season that this would be his final season leading the Vikings. “It was a different senior class. Last year’s senior class I had coached or been around in someway shape or form since well before they had been in high school.” Piercefield and Everitt seemed to be on the traditional track to star on the Lakewood vol­ leyball team and chase all-state honors. The Viking coach said Poll, Goble, Stewart and Gardner weren’t always sure they’d have the desire, the skill or the talent to required to be a part ofthe Viking varsity volleyball team. They all proved vital in their own way. “Jazzy [Stewart] and Jolee, they played lights out in the match,” Rowland said. “I think Maryssa gave us everything she had coming back from her ankle sprain she had just the weekend before at Lowell. Rowland said Poll, who spent the fall of her first couple high school years more focused on club soccer than volleyball, played her best match ever in the district final. She hit.381 and finished with 12 kills. Everitt had a team-high 16 kills for the Vikings and junior all-state setter/hitter Pick­ ard was outstanding with 13 kills, 17 assists and 14 digs. Piercefield, the Vikings’ three-time all­ state (so far) senior libero, had 21 digs. Duffy finished the day with 14 digs and 17 assists. Gardner had 11 digs. Duffy and Everitt had the Vikings’ only two aces. That was one of the keys to the match. Grand Rapids Christian junior libero Madison Peal and her fellow defensive spe­ cialists kept things alive for the Eagle attack. Peal had 22 service receptions; Senior Rachel Larsen added 14 and sophomore Mallory Bremer had 13. They had two errors between the three ofthem. The Vikings knew coming in that the best way to try and slow down the Eagle hitters was to try and make it tough to pass the ball up to them. Bremer had a team-leading 14 digs to go with three aces. Peal had 12 digs as did senior teammate Hanna Bredeweg and senior Grace Spoelma. Eagle freshman Grace Boodyke had 14 kills. Junior Lucy Vandrunen had 11. Bredeweg had 15 assists and senior Grace Spoelma had 14. Rowland said both coaches agreed that their teams had played their best match of the season Friday. The Eagles won in three sets, but they were challenging sets. Lakewood was even at 15-15 before the Eagles got a small advantage they held onto throughout the rest ofthe opening set. A flurry of big plays in the middle by Look Who’s 98 and 71! ABE HILL and NORMA CHILTON Abe celebrated his 97th birthday on Oct. 27th and Norma will be celebrating her 98th birthday on Nov. 12th. To honor this special couple, cards may be sent-to 15160 BanfiekbRd.1, Battle CreeRBMl 49017 THE HOTTEST STARS QUEEN NATION TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF QUEEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR VlilfiFoN- 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue | Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Lakewood seniors Alivia Everitt (15) and Carley Piercefield share a hug following their team's loss to Grand Rapids Christian in the MHSAA Division 2 District Final at Grand Rapids Christian High School Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Everitt nudged the Vikings into a 17-14 lead midway through the second set and eventu­ ally another kill by Everitt had Christian calling a time-out down 23-20. In the end, a couple of kills by Vandrunen and a couple of aces by Bremer flipped the set to a 26-24 Eagle victory. The Vikings were not disheartened, but set three played out much the same way as set two. The Eagles had an 8-7 lead, but the Vikings put together a little surge that had them in front 12-8;. The Viking led or were tied with the Eagles from then on until a cou­ ple attacks by the Vikings missed the court and the Eagles went in front 23-22. Spoelma and Larsen teamed up to block an attack by Pickard forgive the Eagles their first match-point at 2^22, and the Vikings fought that one offwith ’Whuge kill from Poll in the middle. Poll’s kill was the; last ofthe season for the Vikings. Rowland was pretty pleased to see his girls hit over.300i as a team. The Vikings though didn’t have a Vandrunen hitting.611 on the left side. South Christian is hosting this week’s MHSAA Division 2s Regional Tournament. The Eagles knocked toff Williamston in three sets in their regiona semifinal Tuesday and Grand Rapids Catho c Central followed that up with a five-set wi i over host South Christian. The Eagles an< Cougars meet back at South Christiain Higl School tonight, Nov. 9, in the regional final.. Rowland said the emotions of last Friday night were the same as those of most other postseason disappoii tments. It was the little things things throughout throughouttltlp season that were the toughest to realize w re the “lasts” of his time leading the programmis mother Kellie Row­ land, with the help <f his father Clair Row­ land, built up in the £5 or so years before he took ok over., i M “This program raped from childhood to adolescence ffijjnto Wulthood,” Cam shared online in tnewBhce orFriday Friday’s loss. “I have spenwountlesjJhours in the gym, watch­ ing film of both current and past teams, building relationships a little brother, best friend, biggest fan, assistant coach and then ending as head coafiflie past six seasons. I will be forever gratd i for the time my mom and* dad?took to c te the foundation for Lakewood VolleybJ to be a perennial state power in the years before I was born and to continue;to coach witlftinrelenting passion and loVe for theirif athletes and program throughout my chidhood! The lessons I learned through ancla part of this program made me into who I am today. Lakewood senior middle Cadence Poll tries to get an attack by the block of Gran# Rapids Christian's Hana Bredeweg during their MHSAA Division 2 District Final Friday^ (Photo by Brett Bremer) “I have cheered, been angry, laughed, cried, and smiled my biggest smiles because of this program. I learned what hard work and passion over an extended period of time can do and what it looks like to leave everything on the line with no guarantee of the return you desire. My best memories in life and especially my earliest ones come from practice, tournaments, and travel around the state with Lakewood Volleyball and the families, fans, and athletes whd came with it!” Cameron has coached in the FaR Out Vbk leyball Club at the national level for mor£ than a decade and serves as an assistant direc* tor for the club. He plans to focus his volley-^ ball efforts there for the time being. In his six. seasons as head of the Viking program his team’s won two state runner-up trophies anc| reached the final four four times. DK/HHS girls eighth at first SCC Championship Brett Bremer Spois^Editor Allegan beat outjrunner-up Plainwell by more thap 100 poiqJto win 'the Southwestern and Central ConferffflkSwimming and Div­ ing Championship Harper Creek High School in Battle Cr® lest Weekend. The Tigers clo«di the meet with 461 points, winning halBotthe 12 events. Plain­ well was second witn 359 points ahead of Sturgis 332, Otsegofl 32* Marshall 293, South Haven 290, HarpeJcreek 231 and Delton Kellogg/Hastings 2^H The. Delton Kell^g/Hastings team, in its first season conipflwhg' >n the conference, scored its points in the three relay races during the Nov. 2-3 championship meet. The DK/HHS team of Morgan Cross, Saga Jones, Bella Morey and Maddie Peake placed 14th in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of2 minutes 28.21 seconds. The DK/HHS team of Cross, Morey, Naomi Grummet and Petra Foster was 14th in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 4:57.83. DK/HHS had four­ somes place 16th in both ofthose races too. Jones, Peake, Foster and Grummet had a 15th-place time of 2:11.33 in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Allegan won all three relays and took three individual title. Mikayla Reimink won two individual races for the conference champion Tigers. She took the 100-yard backstroke in 59.53 seconds and the 100-yard butterfly in 1 minute 0.33 sec­ onds. Her teammate Maddie Antkoviak won the 200-yard freestyle in 2:01.89. Reimink teamed with Lizzy Ehrich, Eliza DeLaet and Bella Festerling won the 200yard medley relay in 1:51.78. DeLaet, Antkoviak, Nolynn Coombs and Reimink won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:40.67. The Tiger foursome of Antkoviak, Lilli Kelley, Coombs and Festerling closed out the meet with a winning time of 3:46.56 in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Sturgis had the top freestyle sprinter at the meet with Kaylee Draper winning the 50-yard freestyle in 24.80 seconds and the 100-yarcf freestyle in 54.29. The Sturgis team also had Ainsley Gump: win the 200-yard individual medley in 2:17.50 and Kenzy Triezenberg win the 100? yard breaststroke in 1:10.96. Plainwell’s Sydney Harper won the 500yard freestyle in 5:33.01. The meet’s top. diver was South Haven junior Clara Hoag who put up an 11-dive score of 379.50 points. Allegan sophomore Bailee Dilley was the runner-up with a score of 369.40. Morey had one ofthe top preliminary pets formances for the DK/HHS team in her final conference meet. She placed 19th in the 100? yard backstroke with a time of 1:17.15 finish*ing less than two seconds behind the last of the finals qualifiers. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-11-16.pdf 09e068ab95011f2287f49a7daf28d859 PDF Text Text Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street ject creates lache for sinesses f<?4 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 Hastings ANNER Thursday, November 16, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 46 PRICE $1.50 Jordan Brehm appointed to city council after tense deliberation and confusion over city charter Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings City Council swore in Jordan Brehm as its newest member. The council voted to appoint Brehm to the position on Wednesday, Nov. 8 during a spe­ cial meeting. Council members interviewed four candidates for a vacant fourth ward seat before deliberating and voting to appoint Brehm. Brehm was formally sworn in at the coun­ cil’s regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 13. Former council member Jim Cary resigned from the council in September, leaving his seat open. Brehm ran against Cary for the seat in 2018, with Cary winning the position by a margin of65 votes. Cary was reelected to the position in 2022. Brehm’s appointment to the vacant seat will end in November .2024, which would have been the end of Cary’s term, at which point voters will decide who will fill the seat. Brehm’s appointment was a topic of tense discussion last Wednesday, when council members struggled to come to a consensus. While open to the public, the special meeting was not televised or recorded by the city. The city televises and digitally streams its twice-monthly regular city council meetings as well as its monthly planning commission meet­ ings, but not special meetings or workshops that fall outside ofthose regular meeting times. City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale men­ tioned the possibility ofadding special meet- ings that result in council decisions to the city’s slate of televised meetings to council members on Monday. Council members seemed to agree it would be worth looking into further, and Moyer-Cale said several members of the public had inquired if there was a way to watch the special meeting that resulted in Brehm’s appointment. Council holds special meeting The special meeting started with council members interviewing the four candidates. Brehm was the first candidate to be inter­ viewed, followed by Jillian Foster, Zackery Corey and Gerrit Roiye. Each candidate was asked the same series ofquestions by council members. Once the interviews were complete, coun­ cil members started deliberation by stating which candidate they preferred. Mayor Dave Tossava and council member Bill Nesbitt supported Brehm, council member Jacquie McLean backed Foster and council members Al Jarvis, Norm Barlow and John Resseguie backed Corey. Council member Don Bowers declined to name a candidate he preferred. Once a motion to appoint a candidate was made, five votes were required to appoint that candidate. Council member Mandy Furrow was absent during Wednesday’s meeting, meaning any candidate could not be appoint- See CITY COUNCIL, page 8 Jordan Brehm was appointed to a vacant fourth ward seat on the city council. Brehm currently sits on the Hastings Planning Pomm|s$ion, and Has previously served on the Hastings Zoning Board of Appeals, Hastings Public Library board, the Thornappld Arts Council boajd and the Thomapple Wfric Band board. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Hastings Veterans Day observance acts as chance to reflect on the importance of vets Steve Baldry interviews in front of the Middleville Village Council on Tuesday night, vying for a vacant spot on the council. The council voted later that night, appointing Baldry to the position on a 5-1 vote. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Steve Baldry appointed to Middleville council Greg Chandler Sta# Writer A longtime Middleville resident who ran unsuccessfully for the Village Council in last November’s election has been appointed to fill a council vacancy. Steve Baldry was appointed Tuesday night on a 5-1 vote ofthe sitting council members to fill an opening created last month by the resignation of Johnny DeMaagd. Baldry will serve out the remainder of DeMaagd’s term, which expires in November ofnext year. A 24-year resident ofMiddleville and Thomapple Kellogg High School gradu­ ate, Baldly finished fourth among five candidates who ran for three four-year seats on the Village Council last year, receiving 519 votes. He is in his seventh year as a member of the Thomapple Township Board of Review and has served one year on the township Zoning Board ofAppeals. He also was part ofa team that developed the Crane Road ballfields about 30 years ago. “He’s got experience. He is mild-man­ nered, he is very professional. He is See BALDRY, page 2 Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A Veterans Day ceremony reflected on the meaning of military service this weekend in Hastings. Hosted by the Lawrence J. Bauer Post 45 ofthe American Legion at the Veterans Plaza in Tyden Park, Legionnaire and Air Force veteran Carla Wilson-Neil spoke about the significance ofthe day. “Veterans Day, originally known as Armi­ stice Day, commemorates the Armistice of November 11,1918, which marked the eiid of World War I,” she said. “This day has. now evolved to recognize and honor all vets from every generation who served.” Wilson-Neil retold a story shared by American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer, highlighting the life and service of veteran Hiroshi Miyamura. Son of Japanese immigrants, the Gallup, N.M. vet­ eran served in both World War II and the Korean War. While serving as a machine gunner in Korea, his unit was attacked by Chinese forc- See VETERANS DAY, page 3 American Legion Post 45 members fired a three-rifle volley in remembrance of veterans no longer with us. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Local hunters head out into the fields for opening day Jayson Bussa Editor Steve Hayes planned on spending a little time m the field on Wednesday, embracing the opening day of firearm deer hunting season. But he still had plenty to do back at the Staff at Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop in Hastings assist customers on Tuesday, which was one day before the opening of deer hunting’s rifle season. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) office “(The day before opening day) is one of several peak times for us, Hayes told the Banner when we visited Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop in Hastings on Tuesday. “The whole week before (opening day) is pretty busy and an intense time for us. We’re trying to keep as much staff on hand and watch the inventory to make sure we’re not running out ofthe critical things we need.” While hunters around Barry County flocked to their respective fields on Wednes­ day, they first flocked to area sporting goods' stores to gear up. Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop saw a steady stream of clients on Tuesday and Hayes said the big sellers are always the essentials, from ammunition to garments that, match the weather. This year saw a 60-degree-opening day. Just like any other type of retail store, See HUNTERS, page 3 �page 2 — Thursday, November 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner County court administrator honored with state award NEWS BRIEFS Christmas ‘Round the Town returns this month The Lakewood Area’s 30th annual Christmas ’Round the Town is scheduled for Fri­ day, Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas ’Round the Town is a community-wide sale of holiday gifts from a wide selection of handmade crafts, retail items, baked treats, woodwork, art and more. This year, the event will have 28 stops within the Lakewood area to include private homes as well as local businesses and organizations. Flyers with all the locations are available on the Facebook page, “Lakewood Area Christmas ’Round the Town Craft Show,” as well as on the Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce website, lakewoodareacoc.org. Each stop will also have flyers at their loca­ tion. The Facebook page has extensive information and plenty ofphotos of each stop’s offerings. Anyone interested in participating in Christmas ’Round the Town next year or with questions should contact Mamie Thomas at director@lakewoodareacoc.org or by phone at 616-374-0766. YMCA of Barry Country presents 15th installment of Turkey Trot The YMCA ofBarry County is organizing its 15th annual Turkey Trot, a 5k run/walk event for families, which is held near Lake Algonquin on Thursday, Nov. 23. The event aims to raise funds for the Partners for Youth Campaign, which assists youth and families based on their needs and circumstances. This year, the YMCA has introduced bibs with chip timing to provide all participants with the 5K results. Registration can be done online at runsignup.com/Race/MI/Hastings/BCYTurkeyTrot. The cost to participate is $20 for youth 17 years old and under and $30 for adults ages 18-plus ifregistration is made by Nov. 15. Between Nov. 15 and 19 online, or on the day ofthe race, those rates jump to $25 for youth 17 years old and under and $35 for adults ages 18-plus. The event will be staged at the YMCA ofBarry County, located at 2055 Iroquois Trail in Hastings. The one-mile fun run kicks offat 8:30 a.m. and the 5K gets started at 8:45 a.m. at the comer ofBuehler Road and Iroquois Trail. The first-place male and female 5K winners will receive a turkey donated by Mid­ dleville-based Otto’s Turkey Farm while race organizers will also be awarding a prize for the best-dressed participant. Following the race, participants are invited to meet in the lodge for hot cocoa, water and giveaways. To learn more, visit ymcaofbanycounty.org. Registration open now for Lake 0 Holiday Decorating Contest Registration for the first annual “Deck the Village” Holiday Decorating Contest, spon­ sored by the Lake Odessa Area Arts Commission, is now open. Residents and business owners within the Lake Odessa village limits are encouraged to show their spirit this season and showcase their most festive holiday displays. Registration is free and can be done online at LakeOdessaArts.com. Paper registration forms will also be available at the Page Memorial Building during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration will close on Wednesday, Nov. 29. All entries must be completely deco­ rated by Thursday, Dec. 7. Beginning Friday, Dec. 8, the public is invited to view the contest map and vote online at LakeOdessaArts.com. Entries receiving the most votes will win cash prizes. The public can also kick offthe holiday season by participating in the “Christmas in the Village” parade on the evening ofFriday, Dec. 8, in downtown Lake Odessa, spon­ sored by the Lakewood Area Chamber ofCommerce. Entries will bejudged by Chamber members based on creativity and light displays. Complete details regarding the Lakewood Area Chamber’s Christmas in the Village parade can be found on LakewoodAreaCOC.org. More information on the contest can be found at LakeOdessaArts.com. Jayson Bussa Editor Ines Straube has spent the last 22 years serving the Barry County court system and slowly moving up in its ranks in the process. This month, she reached a pinnacle of sorts. Straube, who currently serves as adminis­ trator for Barry County Trial Court and Friend of the Court was recently named Michigan Court Administrators Association (MCAA) Court Administrator ofthe Year. The statewide honor came with a trophy and announcement from the MCAA. Here in Barry County, members ofthe trial court and family court offices held an honorary lun­ cheon for Straube on Tuesday afternoon and the Barry County Board of Commissioners issued a resolution honoring her achievement. “It’s a big deal - she earned it,” Judge Wil­ liam Doherty, who serves as ChiefJudge for Barry County, said in front of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning. “Most people, when they think of Ines, (they think about how) she’s such a hard worker,” Doherty added. “But she’s so much more than that - so smart, an incredible prob­ lem-solver, dedicated to notjust maintaining our courts but improving our courts. What has been even more important to me has been her integrity and honesty. She really is the best court administrator in the state and we’re fortunate to have her.” Straube has served with Barry County courts since 2001, wearing many hats along Barry County Trial Court Administrator Ines Straube (left) accepts an honorary res­ olution from Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Jackson (right) on Tuesday morning. Straube was recently named 2023 MCAA Court Administrator ofthe Year. the way, from court recorder, financial spe­ cialist and probate register to deputy court administrator before being appointed to her current position. Straube also serves on a variety of state­ wide boards and credited her stafffor helping her achieve such an honor. “I just wanted to say I’m really humbled and honored by the nomination of Court Hundreds come together to create touching tribute to Hastings tow operator killed in accident Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The sounds ofhumming diesel engines and truck horns filled the air Saturday morning as hundreds paid tribute to Hastings tow truck operator Keagan Spencer. Spencer, a 25-year-old Hastings resident and father, was tragically stuck and killed while on the job over a week ago. Spencer, who was a partner with Mid­ dleville-based Towzilla Towing and Recov­ ery, had pulled his truck over on M-6 High­ way near Kraft Avenue and entered the medi­ an when a vehicle lost control and struck him. His death reverberated throughout, notjust the local geographical community, but in the community oftow truck drivers, too. The tow community immediately rallied around Spencer’s family, forming a proces­ sion from Grand Rapids to Hastings on the same day as the tragic accident. They also came together again on Saturday in a big way to hortor Spender’^' lift. '1 Hundreds oftoW vehicles from across the state and the courftr^'gathered at Bliss River­ front Park on Saturday morning to form a funeral procession before heading west to Thornapple Valley Church. Mourners gath­ ered along State Street to pay their respects and remember Spencer. After the procession, drivers once again mobilized to travel from the church to Irving Cemetery, where Spencer was laid to rest. Spencer is survived by his fiance Olivia Kain, as well as children Lenora and Ryker. A GoFundMe to raise ftmds to support his fam­ ily had reached over $43,000 in donations as ofmid-week. Honking horns could be heard and flashing lights could be seen for miles as hun­ dreds of tow trucks passed through Hastings. Traffic was stopped at the intersection of Broadway and State for nearly 40 minutes as the vehicles made their way to' Thornapple Valley Church. Austin Figg and Jenny Dean, friends of Keagan Spencer, watched the procession] with kids Hunter and River. “He would have loved it,” Dean said. “I heard there were] around 500 trucks that showed up.” (Photos by Hunter McLaren) BALDRY, continued from page 1 W SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville jg MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License _ //SI 10376 & Insured Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 November Sale : 20% Off Fabrics \ (Excludes Sale Items) < Moda® Collections • Linen Cupboard, Eyelet, Forest & Frolic,< Etchings, Honey & Lavender, more * Flannel, Cuddle Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; J* Saturday 9 am-3 pm tat Administrator ofthe Year and also this reso­ lution,” Straube said upon receiving the reso­ lution from the county board. “It was a sur­ prise to me - both were a surprise to me.” “This nomination is not just a recognition ofmy effort but a testament to the collabora­ tive spirit of our team and this is a team that really motivates me to strive to do better and strive in our profession,” she added. thoughtful and thorough and analytical,” said Council Trustee Makenzi Peters, who moved for Baldry’s appointment. “He’s a really knowledgable, experienced guy, and... a heart to serve this community,” President Pro Tempore Kevin Smith added. “All in all, it’s very difficult (to decide), given the candidates but I think Steve would probably add the most value to where we are and where we’re headed in terms of serving the community.” An automation technician by trade, Baldry was selected from among four candidates who interviewed for the position earlier in the evening. The other candidates were former Village President Amanda Fisk, DeAnne Mosey and Tracy Gillhespy. “I’d like to serve on the council because I’m very interested in where our village is headed, and where it’s not headed,” Baldry said at the start of his interview. “Some things I think we do very well, and other things, no.” Baldry said he would listen to residents in helping him make decisions on matters facing the village. He supports better enforcement of ordinances and would like to see improved communications with residents on what is happening in the village. He also supports the village taking another shot at developing a vacant site downtown. “I’d like to see the hole filled between here and Champs (Bar & Grill),” Baldry said. The grassy area at 112 E. Main St., east of the Village Hall, has been vacant since a 1981 fire that destroyed the former Middleville Hotel, the Copper Doot Restaurant, an auto repair shop and a barber shop. Developer A.J. Veneklasen brought forth a proposal in 2019 for a $2.84 million mixed-pse mixed project that would have included commercial space on the main floor and apartments on the upper floors. However, that project died in March 2022 when the developer couldn’t retain financing to make construction possible. Baldry said partisan politics has no place in village government. “I believe you have to put your political affiliation aside, and (decide based) on the facts that you have on the issue that you’re faced with,” he said. Mosey, a village resident for the past five years, is a senior business analyst at Steelcase Inc. in Grand Rapids with a back­ ground in accounting. She serves as a mem­ ber of the NextGen board at Wedgwood Christian Services. “I am a numbers person, so every year when I pay our taxes, I look at that piece of paper and think, ‘I wish I understood this,’ and I flunk this would give me ... the oppor­ tunity, to be able to help support and be an ally to (a particular project), if I can under­ stand the reasoning behind it,” Mosey said. “I’m unwilling to pursue something that I will not put everything that I am into. Mid­ dleville is where I live. It’s where I want to serve. It’s where I want to be involved,” she added. Gillhespy has been a resident ofthe com­ munity for the last 30 years and ran for the Village Council a year ago. A former restau­ rant owner and manager, she received 516 votes in the election. She volunteers at a local food pantry. “I love this town. I just want to serve on the council, to understand more ofthe workings ofthe village,” Gillhespy said. “I would like to see more happening at the parks (within the village), for the kids ...We never seem to have any events there ... You can take the kids to play on the equipment but that’s about it,” she added. Fisk served on the Village Council from November 2018 to October 2021. She was appointed village president by the council in January 2021, following the death of former Village President Charlie Pullen two months earlier. She also served on the boards of the Downtown Development Authority, Local Development Finance Authority and Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. “There’s probably no bad choice, but I think thatjust having a little bit ofexperience and being able to hit the ground running, not having to start from scratch (is what I offer),” Fisk said. j During her interview, Fisk spoke out on the need for affordable housing in Middleville. “I think that we’re in desperate need of places for people that aren’t necessarily two-income households or high-income households,” she said. “It’s hard to find rent­ als. There’s a long, long waitlist. A lot of people, myselfincluded, havejumped around to find a place to live here. We like living here, but it’s really hard to find somewhere.” Fisk resigned as village president in Octo­ ber 2021 under considerable community crit­ icism over a social media post she had made about the death ofradio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Trustee Ann Williams cast her vote for Fisk, citing her experience in serving the community. “She’s the one I see around all the meet­ ings, not even just this meeting of Village Council, but TAPRC - she’s there. She’s out at events. She’s always around,” Williams said. While eventually casting his vote for Baldry, Village President Mike Cramer praised Fisk for her willingness to want to serve again. “I have had the privilege of working with her on this board. She comes prepared. She, comes with her own opinion - she doesn’t] much care ifyou have your opinion, she has hers because she’s researched it,” Cramer said. “Diversity is what brings the best decisions to. this board, and it’s important to have it.” Smith presided over most of the inter-; views, as Cramer was on the east side ofthe state responding to an emergency call for his business. Cramer listened to the first three interviews via Zoom as he was driving back to Middleville and arrived in time for Fisk’s; interview. DeMaagd resigned Oct. 9, six days after an incident where he struck a parked car in the parking lot ofVillage Hall as he was arriving] for a committee ofthe whole meeting. He is, facing misdemeanor charges of operating’ while intoxicated and leaving the scene ofan accident in connection with the incident. �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 16, 2023 — Page 3. Hastings man remains free as he faces list of serious offenses; %’te % A night at the symphony Classical music buffs didn’t have to venture into Downtown Grand Rapids to see the symphony perform this holiday season. Instead, the symphony came to them. On Friday, Nov. 10, the Grand Rapids Symphony returned to the Hastings Performing Arts Center for its Home for the Holidays performance. The evening, which has become an annual tradition, was sold out. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Gaskill Photo) Jayson Bussa I Editor A Hastings man who faces a laundry list of sex crimes will remain out ofjail as he works to defend himself. But, he now has to adhere to a new set of restrictions. The 35-year-old Chad Morris of Hastings appeared in a Barry County courtroom on Wednesday morning, nearly a month after the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes, Against Children Task Force announced that he was arrested for criminal sexual conduct, possession of child sexually abusive materials and using a com­ puter to commit a crime. Morris faces eightjcharges in total. He appeared in front of Judge Michael Schipper on Wednesday for a scheduled prob­ able cause hearing. He had been arraigned by a magistrate on Oct. 18 and posted the required $5,000 of a $50,000kash surety bond, which has made him a free man thus far. Jessica Payne, who is representing the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office in the case, brought forth a bond request that would bump Morris’s bond up toj $200,000, arguing that she felt he was a danger to society. “If you look at the tharges in this case, there are eight charges that are very serious includ­ ing life offenses,” Payne said to Schipper. Payne’s argument also shed some light on Morris’s alleged offenses, which included possessing over 100 images ofchild sexually abusive materials. Morris is also being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her sleep and taking a video of the act without the victim knowing. Payne added that additional and similar charges have been submitted to Wayne County concerning allegations ofa similar incident. ‘‘The victim was extremely upset that only a $50,000 cash surety bond was set; under the circumstances, she thought that was outra­ geous and I did tell her that bond was low in my opinion on cases I’ve handled in this coun­ ty for these types ofcharges,” Payne argued. Morris was flanked by his attorney, Jennifer Weise ofZeeland-based Weise Law. She argued that he was not a flight risk and she cited no bond violations after it was set on Oct. 10. “That was over a month ago. There have been no bond violations. In fact, the court has more proof now that the bond was appropri­ ate because he appears here. He’s not forced to be here. He didn’t have to be picked up by police - he’s here voluntarily,” Weise argued. “The charges are very serious,” she added. “It’s important that he’s out in the community and able to help defend his case - come to our office, speak to us on the phone and be able to do that without us having to visit him injail.” Judge Schipper said he did not consider Morris a flight risk but did not want him pos- Chad Morns ing a risk to the community. While Schipper did not raise the bond4 amount, he did add restrictions. Morris is to be on home detention and out-/ fitted with a compliance tether. He is not* permitted to leave his home for any reasonother than a medical emergency or a court appearance. Morris is not allowed to use' social media or the internet and can only usehis phone for texting or calling. If he violates any of those conditions, he’^ could spend the remainder ofthe case in the* Barry County Jail. HUNTERS, continued from page 1 Hayes and his industry colleagues must square off with online mega-retailers to earn business from a dwindling pool ofhunters. But, even in a day and age where the convenience of Orderingonline is almost undeniable, local sportsman shops are still hanging tough. 3 “It’s kind ofa two-edge thing because peo­ ple wght to eoine in and see (products) but jfju’rd still battling against people that come |p and see it but go online and buy it,” Hayes said. /‘You get a lot ofpeople that are loyal to the stores and realize you have to buy from the stores to keep them here. Just across town in Hastings, Pete Schantz shared that sentiment. He founded and has been co-owner ofAl and Pete’s Sport Shop for 50 years as of April. He’s fully aware that hunters can load up online, but he enjoys getting to see famil­ iar faces file through the door. “I know online is really big competition for all ofus but I do pride our store on customer service,” Schantz said. “We go out ofour way to get out from behind the counter to help... take the time to talk with a guy., I cannot believe how few stores do that. I think it’s a Dm taW Steve Hayes, owner and manager at Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop said, even as local stores battle with online mega-retailers, many hunters opt to support their local shops. analyst M ^1* es near the Imjin River in 1951. Miyamura is believed to have killed more than 50 enemy soldiers during the engagement while cover­ ing his squad’s retreat. Miyamura, heavily wounded, was captured by the enemy while carrying another wound­ ed soldier, Joe Annello. Their captors threat­ ened to shoot Miyamura if he did not leave Annello behind, which he only agreed to do after Annello convinced him. Miyamura and other prisoners were forced to march for 300 miles over five weeks with little food. • Miraculously, both Miyamura and Annello would survive the war, with Miyamura spend­ ing 28 months in captivity. The two would meet again after the conflict, and Miyamura was presented the Medal of Honor by Presi­ dent Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Miyamura died last year on November 29, 2022, at the age of97. Wilson-Neil said stories like Miyamura’s exemplify the unwavering dedication veter­ ans hold to both their fellow soldiers and their nation. “These are the types ofheroes that Ameri­ ca continues to produce, heroism demonstrat- f fF «,5 ‘j r^L^’VulF’ » Al and Pete’s Sport Shop in Hastings saw a steady stream of customers come* through its doors leading up to opening day on Wednesday. BUCKSHOTS , The Hastings Biqpner and Reminder yva nts to.§p wfrom successful hunters around Barry County and beyond.., Send photos of ydur bucks to editor@j-adgrdphiC£.cd'rrt'including the hunter's name and the county/township where the deer was shot. We might feature the photo in an upcoming issue of the Banner or Reminder. os 98 and 97! ABE HILL and s NORMA CHILTON\ Abe celebrated his 97th birthda birthday ey on Oct. 27th and Norma will be celebrating her 98th birthday Nov.12th. To honor this special^ couple, cards may be si 15160 BanfieldjRd Battle Cree®II VETERANS DAY, continued from page 1 z Z Z { really big factor in keeping us ahead of the online stuff.” And while Schantz has seen a lot of the same faces for the last decades, he wouldn’t mind seeing more new faces - young faces, more specifically. “Sadly enough there is not enough volume of young people getting into this,” he said. “I have some ideas about why and some people may not like me for it. I think, years ago, more peo­ ple lived rurally. Hunting was one thing you could do and had access to pretty easily. My parent’s generation was better about (being) hands-on in the country and teaching kids how to hunt and safely handle a gun. I think we’ve lost that - people becoming urbanized.” That lack of youth in the hobby is shown in deer hunting statistics from around Michigan, which has steadily declined over the last decade or two. According to the Michigan DNR, 586,595 hunters purchased a^ d^er.,jic^ns^..M>l^022r Jfipt qpgiber yyas at ; license^, sqld- in 1995, highlighting the plummeting numbers. This also meahs higher deer populations, which can be a concern for $rea farmers or the DNR. “I think the hunter numbers have been on a downward trend for quite a while,” Hayes said. “I think, in Michigan, the DNR had a hard time getting people to shoot enough deer to get the population level where (they want it) so the state has been very liberal on what weapons you can use.” As an example, crossbows can be used throughout all ofthe archery season. With unseasonably warm temperatures and a larger herd, we asked Hayes what he expects out in the field as a hunter. “I think deer will be on the move,” he said. “It’s their breeding season right now, they’re going to be on the move regardless of the weather right now. Air Force veteran Carla Wilson-Neil spoke at the Veterans Plaza in Tyden Park on Saturday, reflecting on the importance of America’s veterans. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) ed time and again,”! she said. “From the American Revolutionito the Global War on Terrorism, our service members defend us 365 days a year - perhaps unnoticed by many who still enjoy the security that veteran sacri­ fice has provided. Although not all veterans have seen combat, wejall originally madee one solemn promise: to sacrifice our lives for this country, and those wejlove, ifcalled upon.” All veterans sacrifice of themselves and their families for the greater good, Wilson-Neil said. Spending time away from their families, veterans often risk life and limb in hostile locales like hot deserts or freezing tundras. Meanwhile, their families are often subjected to frequent changes to address and career inter­ ruptions, spouses are left with increased par­ enting obligations and children are left won­ dering iftheir parents will make it home safely. After their years ofservice, veterans often face challenges when, transitioning back to civilian life. Wilson-Neil said 6,000 veterans die by suicide every year. Organizations like the American Legion help advocate for veterans and connect them to healthcare, education and employment opportunities, she said. “Warriors need advocates. That is why the American Legion exists,” she said. “They are here to serve veterans,, their families and our communities. Veterans need each other, and most importantly, our coun­ try needs our veterans.” Veterans Day serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting veterans, Wilson-Neil said. “In this era ofuncertainty and division, let our veterans be a force to unify,’’ she said “V Vets come from all walks oflife,’all ethnicities, and represent the rich tapestry of f our nation. When they put on the uniform they are an even greater power - the embodiment ofthe American spirit.” THORimPPLE Comedy by Pat Cook Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC., of Woodstock, Illinois Performances I Thursday, Friday, Saturday - December 7, 8,9 @ 7:00 PM Sunday - December 10 @ 2:00 PM *ALL TICKETS: $12 Open-to-the-Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, December 6 @ 7:00 PM ~ ALL TICKETS: $10 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231S. Broadway - Hastings Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers, 102 E. State St., Hastings, by scanning the QR code or reserved by calling the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. [i’aTHORNAPPLE ^gCQUNCIL Thornapple Players Is a non-profit organization providing theatrical opportunities to the Barry County area. , For more Information, eijiail; thornapplejjlayers@gmall.com �Page 4 — Thursday, November 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC Remembering Keagan Roaming the plains (of Middleville) Four new sculptures were installe In downtown Middleville last month three along the Paul Henry Thomappl Trail near the stagecoach gazebo an a fourth at the Sesquicentenni Pavilion across Main Street. This one of the sculptures along the trail. It's of a buffalo (the piece is als titled “Buffalo”) and was created by Ia Thompson and donated by Left Fiel Cafe in honor of the native people wh once resided in that area. Do you remember? Early taste of Thanksgiving Banner Nov. 28, 2002 St. Rose School students had a preview of Thanksgiving as they counted their blessings early at the school’s annual feast last week in celebration of the Nov. 28 holiday. Getting ready to chow down are Jacob Allessio, Cory Bunge. Emily Caris and Jeromy Dobbin. | Have you met? Julie Sevems knew the day she wanted to be a teacher. “I remember when I was in middle school, there was a class where the students would go over next door to the elementary school,” Sevems said. “1 remember work­ ing with a student and one day the teacher pulled me aside and said, ‘You know, you may not know this, but you are a teacher.’ Ever since then, thatjust stuck with me.” Sevems, a Middleville native and Thor­ napple Kellogg graduate, went on to study education at the University ofEvansville in Indiana. After graduating, she made her way back to Hastings where she was an elementary teacher for 31 years, teaching first, fourth and fifth grade during that time. Now, Sevems has started her second year as the district’s Great Start Readiness Program director. The GSRP is a state-fund­ ed program that offers free preschool for families that need it. It opens up preschool opportunities for lots of families who oth­ erwise couldn’t afford it, Sevems said. Although Sevems said she never planned on moving to her latest role, she couldn’t be happier. “I still don’t know how it happened, but itjust happened at the right time,” she said. “It’s a great position, and I’ve loved every second ofit.” She helps run the program throughout the district, working with kids and parents. “I get the best ofboth worlds,” she said. “I get to go hang out with little 4-year-olds, I get to hang out with teachers and I get to do a lot ofoutreach with parents, too.” She helps out in other places around the district, as well. Sevems acted as head coach for the Hastings girls tennis team for Julie Sevems several years, where she now serves as an assistant coach. She stays active in her spare time, too, giving tennis lessons and playing golf. However, her and her husband’s sched­ ule has slowed down quite a bit ever since their three kids - triplets - moved out. Although managing triplets was tough in their younger years, it actually became kind ofconvenient as they grew older. “I tell people that I think it’s easier once they get older because they’re all doing the same thing at the same time,” she said. “I mean, people who have kids with ages that are spread out, they’re just all over the place.” Her kids have since left the nest, with one son in Hastings, another on the east side ofMichigan, and he daughter landing in Washington D.C. Sevems said she doesn’t see herselfmovii g out ofHastings anytime soon. “Hastings was a great start for me, and it’s given me so much op portunity. I’m not ready to leave,” she said. ‘With all the families, the students and everybody that 1 made connections with, Ijust can’t iimagine going anywhere else.” 1 For helping kids in Hastings get offto a good start, Julie Sevems is this week’s Bright Light. Something people might not know about me: I used to work at Martha’s Vine­ yard, I taught tennis lessons every summer for seven years. I had a standing doubles partner, which was Walter Cronkite. Sometimes we’d be against Dan Rather, or some ofthe older newscasters at the time. fWhat I like about my job: It’s the trifecta: I get to work with children, teachers and parents. I’m most proud of: Raising our three children who are all productive members of society and giving it their all. A big accomplishment for me: I feel accomplishment with being able to make changes and take risks in order to grow.. What motivates me: Happiness and positivity. week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone s who should be featuredbecause ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell,, orfor any other reason? Send information Hastings Banner. 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings Ml 49058; or. email neM@i-adgraphics..com. Anyone passing through Hastings this past Saturday morning may never have seen a sight like the one those of us there were honored to see. At 9 a.m. our main street was already blocked by local police officers and, shortly after, a line of wreckers, emergency vehicles, fire trucks and other vehicles slowly paraded down State Street heading out oftown to Thomapple Valley Church to honor fallen tow truck driver Keagan Spencer. The parade was said to have reached over 400 vehicles - and maybe more - but there easily were just as many cars and trucks lining the streets along M-43 to watch and pay their own silent tribute. It was one of Hastings’ longest, and most moving, parades. It’s normal for us to hear of a fallen police officer, a fire­ fighter or a member ofthe military per­ sonnel who gave their lives in service to their community, but this was the first time in Hastings history that brought out so many to honor the life ofa young tow truck driver and father oftwo who was engaged to be married. At 25 years old, Keagan had his whole life in front of him. He was just doing his job but was in the wrong place at just the wrong time when tragedy happened the Satur­ day before. Sitting in my car and watching the parade of vehicles, all I could think of was the great honor given to this young man who attracted so many wrecker operators from all over the state - and even the nation - who wanted to be part of honoring him for his service to his industry. What a send-offhe was given. The touching event also made me wonder how many ofus think ofthese emergency workers who put their lives at risk every day dealing with roadside breakdowns. For these operators, there’s nothing simple about what they do. They face many challenges on a day-today basis and, oftentimes, drivers fail to respect the hazards that come with a tow truck driver’s job. Most motorists realize that when they see a police officer along the road they are supposed to move over and give them some space. But in Michigan, the law also applies to fire, rescue, ambu­ lance and road service vehicles. The law states that when approaching a station­ ary authorized vehicle with activated flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights, drivers are to carefully slow down to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and fully move over into an open lane giving authorized personnel the safe space they need. The job of tow truck drivers may seem simple to many ofus as they get the call, head to the scene, hook up the vehicle and drive away. However, these drivers risk their lives each day as they take on so many different tasks from fixing a tire, cleaning up the scene, and hauling vehicles away. Operators are often on the side of a highway where trucks and cars are speeding by at 65 mph or more, often coming close to their tow trucks as they work to secure or work on a disabled vehicle. And even though tow truck operators wear high-visibility clothing to warn approaching vehicles, drivers are not always mindful of the dangers. All motorists should view these tow truck drivers as emergency responders and give them the respect and clearance they need to do their jobs safely and head home at the end ofthe day. What happened to Keagan is a trage­ dy that shouldn’t go without some real­ ization from anyone behind the wheel. I thought about it as I left the caravan of vehicles that paraded through down­ town Hastings - we take these operators for granted. They are dads and moms, sons and daughters, uncles, aunts, grandparents and dedicated community members who should be respected as they do theirjobs each day. We can’t bring Keagan back but we can honor him by being mindful in the future that these are dangerous jobs being carried out by people who need to be respected by all motorists as they travel the highways each day. Maybe slowing down as we approach emergency scenes on the roads and highways can be our own silent, person­ al tribute to Keagan Spencer. Rescuing our retailers Motorists driving through downtown Hastings have certainly noticed that the north side of the street is filled with construction equipment blocking the entrances to businesses, retailers and restaurants. It’s part of the Hastings streetscape project to dress up the side­ walks along State Street with aesthetic upgrades like new lighting, benches, a fire pit, and other amenities to the downtown corridor. Even though I don’t think it’s side­ walks that attract shoppers, good light­ ing and safe walking conditions are necessary. But I’ve never heard ofshop­ pers driving to a town because they had nice sidewalks. The attraction is the shops, restaurants and businesses that bring people to town. The outrage is that city officials started the project after Summerfest weekend as businesses were ending their third quarter and entering the most important time ofthe year - the fourth quarter and holiday shopping season. Most financial experts would agree that the last two fiscal quarters for small­ town businesses will determine what kind of year they will have, but city officials are promising the north side of the project will be completed by the end ofDecember. Crews will resume in the spring to address the south side of the street. “The schedule has been designed to minimize disruption to businesses and the public,” City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale told me in an email. “The contractor has been in routine contact with the merchants to work around their . business hours and the individual needs to the-extent possible and to ensure cus- *** tomer access to businesses.” So as construction continues taking out half of the parking and making it difficult, ifnot impossible, for consum­ ers to get to businesses, it’s up to us as consumers to do our best to support these local businesses when they need it the most. I’ve seen other towns with similar projects that forced some businesses to close. We all must do our best to make sure we don’t lose any businesses as construction workers try to finish what they’ve started so we can get the downtown back to normal as soon as possible. It’s just terrible that city officials didn’t take into consideration the time of year and the importance ofthe holiday season for so many businesses — shame on them. But as shoppers, we can make a difference by doing our best to support our local businesses when they need it the most! The Hastings Banner Devoted voted to the interests of ofBarry Barry County County since since 1856 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@J-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuurlng CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 16, 2023 — Page 5 Kiwanis honorsyoung citizens HASS Headlines Matt Goebel, Superintendent Hastings Area School System Hastings Area School System1! celebrates Veterans Day L tw tew. tew. 1 ■■■irw—j ■ Central Elementary’s citizens ofthe month for September and October were recently honored. Pictured are (from left) Jacee Jacinto, Principal Amber Mitchell, Levi Bekker and River Reed. Missing from the photo is Isabella Barcroft. Central Elementary’s citizens ofthe month for September and October were recently honored. Pictured are (from left) Jacee Jacinto, Principal Amber Mitchell, Levi Bekker and River Reed. Missing from the photo is Isabella Barcroft. Citizens of the month for October were honored recently at Hastings Middle School. Pictured are (front row, from left) Olivia Malik, Alexis Hendershot, Jada Madden, Karter Hill, (back row) Avery Walsh and Karlee McQueen. Citizens of the month for September were honored recently at Hastings Middle School. Pictured are (front row, from left) Zachary Neubauer, Jacelyn Goodroe, Malilliany TrejoMaldonado, (back row) Jeremy Verbeek, Owen Smith and Annabelle Kuck. Hastings elementary school and middle school teachers have select­ ed students to be honored as citizens of the month by the Kiwanis Club ofHastings. Students are selected by their teachers for reasons such as excellent citizenship, attitude, conduct, academics, character, service, leadership and sportsmanship. The citizens of the month for September (with parents’ names in parentheses) included: Central - Jacee Jacinto (Linsey and Antonio Jacinto) and Isabella Barcroft (Jessica and Kevin Barcroft). Northeastern - Carter Graham (Nina and Dennis Graham) and Clayton Demute (Shane Demute). Southeastern - Payton Randall (Tiffany Sibley and Brock Randall) and Lacie Shephard (Sharon and Christopher Shephard). Star - William (Liam) Edger (Emily and Clay Edger) and Darbey Bagley (Jessica and Brad Bagley). Hastings Middle School - Owen Smith (Sirena and Jonathon Smith), Zachary Neubauer (Sarah and David Neubauer), Jacelyn Goodroe (Ash- ley and Alex Goodroe), Malillany Trejo-Maldonado (Marlen Maldonado and Maciel Trejo-Bautista), Jeremy Verbeek (Ashley Wolfe and David Verbeek Jr.) and Annabelle Kuck (Stacy and Donald Kuck). The citizens of the month for October (with parents’ names in parentheses) included: Central - Levi Bekker (Kristine and Mike Bekker) and River Reed (Sarah and Rick Reed). Northeastern - Everly Lancaster (Sindi and Brett Lancaster) and Meekah Johnson (Sarrah and Joseph Johnson). Southeastern - Patton Boomer (Ashley Boomer and Dustin Humphrey) and Annabelle Brand (Jena and Andrew Ulrich). Star - Aubrey Kingshott (Morgan and Matthew Kingshott) and Korra Leonard (Tegan and Dustin Leonard). Hastings Middle School - Jada Madden (Sara and Ryan Madden), Karter Hill (Rachelle and Michael Hill), Karlee McQueen (Amber and Adam McQueen), Alexis Hendershot (Dawn and David Shaver), Avery Walsh (Geneva and Andrew Walsh) and Olivia Mailk (Amanda and Joshua Mailk). r ^“^siEjaa /1 if ®!b! •‘-v-iUKLSaEsis. iSaifnotinpossatvsE- r<E; zi'shietiioa aapttasatipn 1 ■ Misti do or tail • pMa^Hrmovaoi takdtasaifa r nktBiEE^BilpasiBri iku tctad ca sa ht sadia in® kiai aiiHlfeW! Citizens of the month at Star Elementary School were recent­ ly honored. Pictured are (from left) Aubrey Kingshott, Liam Edger, Principal Amy Smelker, Darbey Bagley and Korra Leonard. 3’’ Citizens of the month at Southeastern Elementary School have been named. Pictured are (front row, from left) Patton Boomer, Payton Randall; Lacie Shephard, (back row) Annabelle Brand and Principal Dana Stein. Thornapple Players bring Christmas to life bn stage in ‘A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas’ wind of®® faftio* in®®®* in® ®®* The Thomapple Players are doing their part to prepare for the holiday season by pre­ senting this year’s Christmas show, “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” in Hastings Dec. 6-10. “I am very excited to bring the community this light comedy performed by a fun-loving, fantastic cast ofpeople,” said Audrey Burton, who is directing the production with assis­ tance from her daughter Lis Burton-Haas. “We hope the community will enjoy the show and start their holiday season with the Thor­ napple Players.” “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” is the second performance in the taeioul" l"1* Players’ 25th season. The group presented “The Importance of Being Earnest” in Octo­ ber and will perform “Cinderella” as the spring musical in May. The show’s cast includes Michael Moray, Jordan Moray, Angela Seeber, Adam Knapp, Kirsten Nottingham, Tyler Richmond, Cassie Moyer, Michael Cox, Michelle Pappas, Dick Curtis, Anna Spindler, Ellie Burton, Avery Walsh and Ainsley Haas. Crew members include Angela Seeber, Amy Young, Audrey Burton, Lis Burton-Haas, Carol Svihl, Dan Burton, Corey Seeber, Brace Young, Erin Merritt, Terry Van Dien, Steve Hoke, Joni Rudesill, Terri Schray, Kimmy Beck and fTt Tjt Called to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Stoneburner, Doster, Goebel, DeVries, Pence Agenda and Minutes approved Public comments were received. Department Reports were received: Approved: Farm Service Agency candidate Payment of bills i ZBA appointments ’ Planning Commission appointment Resolution 2023-19; County support 2M Amendment J Resolution 2023-20; Township support of 2nd Amendment Public and Board comments were received Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. 9 h 7 5X 4 The cast of “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas.” The Thornapple Players will perform the Christmas comedy next month, Dec. 6-10. (Photo provided) 9 Matt Sink. The group will host an open dress rehears­ al Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. with all tickets costing $10. Performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Dec. 7,8 arid 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. All tickets for these performances are $12. Tickets can be purchased online at formsbcf.org/view.php?id=74897 or with cash or check at Gilmore Jewelers. Those interested can also reserve tickets by calling the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. Performances will be located in the Denni­ son Performing Arts Center at 231 S. Broad­ way St. in Hastings. ■ Questions can be answered by emailing thornappleplayers@gfhail.com, visiting the Thomapple Players Facebook page or by leaving a message with the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. SYNOPSIS PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting October 18,2023 t /jf veterans for their service. On Veterans Day,; two fourth-grade students attended the YankeeSprings Memorial and read their letters to the! veterans at the ceremony. , On Friday, the Grand Rapids Symphony; Orchestra visited the Hastings Performing^ Arts Center for its annual holiday concert. In­ addition to seasonal classics, the first portionof the setlist focused on patriotic tunes,” including the corresponding songs for each; branch ofthe military, while also recognizing the veterans in attendance. The second half of the show featured traditional holiday­ songs and a sing-along for all in attendance. It was wonderful to have the Grand Rapids; Symphony visit our community, and wej thank the DeCamp Foundation and High­ point Community Bank for their support of this fantastic event ' ii I This past week, Hastings Area School Sys­ tem celebrated Veterans Day by recognizing the many veterans in the Hastings community who have bravely served our country and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are so proud ofthese local vet­ erans and believe it is important for our stu­ dents and community to honor them. At Central Elementary, Ms. Schultz’s thirdgrade class once again invited veteran Ray Bolay to visit their classroom, where he shared memories and answered students’ questions about his service in the United States military. Students at Star Elementary completed var­ ious Veterans Day projects, which were sent to the Grand Rapids Veterans Home. Kindergart­ ners made flags; first graders provided art­ work of individuals in the armed services and third and fourth graders wrote letters thanking Submitted by: Rod Goebel, Clerk 208674 Two fourth-grade students at Star Elementary School read letters thanking veterans, for their service at the Yankee Springs Memorial on Saturday. (Photo provided) Yankee Springs board irked by parking lot cost overruns; some want answers Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township officials want to avoid the type of cost overruns that plagued its parking lot project at the township park in the future, such as when new pickleball courts are built there next year. " The bill for the parking Tot project, which had an initial estimated'cost of $100,400, is now at $153,687 - 53 percent over the esti­ mate - according to the latest project update shared by Township Clerk Mike Cunningham at the last township board meeting. And that led Cunningham to ask questions like whether the township should refuse to pay any more bills to its engineer, Fleis & VandenBrink, in connection with the project. “I don’t really expect one from Fleis on this project, but I would be inclined to refuse to pay it,” Cunningham said. Fleis & VandenBrink had estimated engi­ neering costs for the project at $15,000. As of last Thursday, that number had grown to more than twice that estimate, to $31,175, according to township documents. “We ought to ask them for an explanation ... They should have to explain why they went from $15,300 to $31,000,” Township Trustee Larry Knowles said. “They should have looked at that and said this is getting out ofhand. They should have exercised some restraint,” Cunningham said; The actual construction cost for the parking lot, which was started last fall and was not com- pleted until this past spring, is now at $122,512 - 46 percent above the $77,400 budgeted for the project, according to township documents. B&R Excavating of Shelbyville was the contractor for the project. One of the issues that contributed to the cost overrun came when B&R went to tear up the old pavement. B&R determined the-mqte rial underneath would not ’’support a new asphalt surface. That led to a change order for a sand base that added $9,900 to the project cost, according to township documents. The township initially allocated $100,001 out ofits $468,000 funding allocation througl the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fo the parking lot. Then in July, the board vote< to spend the remaining $11,563 of its alloca tion - leftover funds from road improvement projects and also a study on whether the township water system could be expanded to serve the Yankee Springs Meadows manufac­ tured home park - on the project to make uj a portion ofthe cost overrun. Cunningham suggested the board address the engineering estimate issue with Fleis & VandenBrink next spring as the firm develop estimates for the pickleball court project. “We need to somehow make sure that we’re serious about it, and it’s gotta be a gooc estimate,” he said. “They’ve been our engineer for a long time. We certainly shouldn’t be afraid (to hold them accountable),” Township Supervi sor Rob Heethuis said. A project to re-do the parking lot at Yankee Spring's Township Park has sailed over orig inal estimates, causing concerns amongst the township's board. (Photo by Jayson Bussa CITY OF HASTINGS 208650 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS City of Hastings 2024-2025 Mowing and Maintenance The City of Hastings Department of Public Services is requesting sealed bid proposals for 2024-2025 city mowing and maintenance. It is the intent of the City of Hastings to contact for these services for a two-year period starting April 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2025. Bid proposal forms and specifications are available at www.hastingsmi. gov, or at the address listed below. The City of Hastings reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any irregularities in the bid proposals, and to award the bid as deemed to be in the City’s best interest, price and other factors considered. Proposals shall be received at the Office of the City Clerk, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at which time they shall be opened and publicly read aloud. All proposals shall be clearly marked on the outside of the submittal package “2024-2025 City Mowing and Maintenance”. Travis J. Tate, P.E. Director of Public Services �Page 6 — Thursday, November 16. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Elaine Garlock Maijorie Louise Barcroft (April 21, 1925 L November 8,2023) Bom and raised in Hastings, Marjorie Louise Barcroft, age 98, passed away on November 8, 2023, at Clark Retirement in Grand Rapids. She was bom on April 21, 1925, to Gay Norton and Florence Mildred (Leach) Norton. Marge married Carl Barcroft, on March 1, 1947, and the two shared a special bond that lasted until Carl’s passing on May 29, 2014. Marge’s childhood included both polio and a broken neck. She graduated as salutatorian from Hastings High School in 1943. Her young adult life included work at the Strand Movie Theater, a photo lab, a doctor’s office, and Consumers Power Company. She later devoted herself to community service, supporting her husband’s farming endeavors, and working as a Michigan Milk Producers dairy communicator. Throughout her adult life, Marge was a dedicated member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Freeport Historical Society, the Freeport Over 50 Club, and the First Presbyterian Church. She loved to sing. She was State Soloist for the Rebekah Assembly and sang in the church choir for many years. She also served as an extra mother to an entire neigh­ borhood of children, where she was known simply as “Mamma Marge.” Marge was an active leader in the Rebekah Lodge, Sunday school, MSU Extension, Barry County Fair, Farm Bureau, and 4-H, where she was general leader and also spe­ cialized in photography, wildflowers, and entomology. Her other hobbies included china painting, piano, flower arranging, genealogy, and cooking. She was known for her Swiss steak. Marge was preceded in death by her par­ ents; her husband, Carl, and her foster sister, Marjorie Lucille Hull. She is survived by her loving family, including her daughter, Debby (John) Stassek ofBloomingdale and her son, Tony (Kay) Barcroft ofHastings. She also leaves behind grandchildren: Rob (Ariane) Stassek of Marquette, Christina (Casey) McDonald of Grand Rapids, Ashley (Matt) Singh of Grand Rapids, Larissa (Jeffrey Honse) Stassek of Monroe, Washington, and four great grandchildren. Visitation and funeral was held Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 North M-37, Hastings, MI. Pastor Nick Marlatt will officiate. In lieu offlowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Freeport Historical Society or First Presbyterian Church of Hastings. Maijorie Barcroft will be remembered as a loyal wife, a supportive mother, and a dedicated community member. Her kind­ ness, determination, creativity, and unwavering love will be cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfimeralhome.net. Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. wwwxbchastings .org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. &S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 Sunday church phone. Service: 10 a.m. WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main. Pastor: Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 a.m.; Worship 10:15 a.m. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. Hastings 945-9554 MlintlwblEfdpBai 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Irjr.r 'Wri ri z .» *!»** !» l** Ti Barry County United Way allocation applicationsnow available The Barry County United Way allocations Allocations Committee meet with the appli­ applications are now available for the 2023­ cants to evaluate the health and human ser­ 24 funding year. Agencies applying for fund­ vice care programs, including how successful ing must be a health and human service they are in improving the lives of our resi­ charitable organization 501(c) 3 as deter­ dents through measurable results. mined by the Internal Revenue Service or be As a result, over 46,000 times residents of a 501(c), incorporated entity in the State of Barry County utilized the services ofthe Unit­ Michigan. The not-for-jprofit agency must ed Way and its partner agencies in 2022. This have a proven track recoiki ofproviding ser­ was possible in part by the many contributions vices to Barry County residents' in <pne< ofjthe > / thatl were made throughout the United Way .fouri(funding,.areas;, Hetyangi^utlbtachi^ve. campaign currently underway. In 2023, the their full potential; > supporting families to United Way has continued to see an increased achieve well-being and . success; assisting need for the programs and services provided senior adults find support and maintain inde­ through the 34 programs funded through donor pendence and addressing urgent and emerg­ contributions in our community. ing needs in Barry County. “The goal for this year’s campaign of Agencies have the opportunity to apply for $750,000 is based on what agencies have said available funding through the allocation pro­ they need to continue to provide program­ cess that begins with filling out the applica­ ming in our community” states Courtney tion. Submissions are due before Thursday, Collison, Allocations Chairperson for the Dec. 1, 2022, at 5 p.m. and are available local United Way. online at bcunitedway.org/our-documents or Currently, the campaign is at $424,382.78, at the Barry County United Way office, locat­ or 57 percent ofthe goal. ed at 231 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Those interested in participating in the Each year, over 30 local volunteers on the Barry County United Way campaign can ■ <CM contact the Barry County United Way office at 269-945-4010 or contributions can be accepted online at bcunitedway.org/donate. The full amount of all contributions is dis­ tributed throughout the community thanks to the Florence Tyden-Groos Administrative Endowment Fund held by the Barry Commu­ nity Foundation, which covers all adminis­ trative costs. Reduced tuition to KCC available to eligible Barry County students Barry County Kellogg Community College students ages 21 and up who don’t yet have a college degree may be eligible to save $158.25 per credit hour on tuition thanks to the Michigan Reconnect program. The program provides free community college tuition to eligibl^ students who meet certain guidelines, upito the in-district tuition rate. While most Barry County residents fall outside the college district, that still amounts to a huge reduction in tuition costs: the standard out-of-district tuition rate of $239.50 per credit hour drops to $81.25, representing a 66 percent rate reduction. With most degrees consisting of60 credit hours or more, the Michigan Reconnect program will save eligible students several thousands ofdollars over the course oftheir degree. When the state program started in Febru­ ary 2021, it was only available for eligible students age 25 and older. A recent expan­ sion launched in October has temporarily opened the program to students as young as 21, with applications for students ages 21 to 24 open until November 2024. Current fall-semester students can apply now and, if accepted, will be reimbursed by the state for the relevant costs associated with their current classes. The program covers the cost of tuition up to the in-district rate per credit hour, as well as the cost ofmandatory fees for eligible stu- dents to pursue select associate degree or certificate programs at any public community college in Michigan. Eligible students must: - Be at least 21 years old when they apply - Have lived in Michigan for a year or more - Have a high school diploma or equiva­ lent - Have not yet completed a college degree (associate’s or bachelor’s) More information on the Michigan Recon­ nect program can be found at michigan.gov/ reconnect/community-college. More information about using Michigan Reconnect funds at KCC is available on the KCC website at kellogg.edu/reconnect. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH This information on worship servicesisprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Donald Lee Montgomery, age 85, ofHastings, MI, passed away November 13, 2023. Donald was bom on July 12, 1938, in East Grand Rapids, MI, the son of Herbert Vernon and Ruth Margaret (VanAartsen) Montgomery. Donald graduated from Creston High School and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. Donald taught middle school history and English in the Hastings Area School System. He loved to work on the farm and enjoyed gardening. He lived on Lake Algonquin for 60 years and took pride in his beautiful flow­ er beds arid vegetable gardens Even into his 80s, he lovingly took care ofhis lawn and the park around the dam with a push mower. Donald was preceded in death by his par­ ents, Herbert and Ruth Montgomery. He is survived by his brother, Thomas James Montgomery, and his nieces and neph­ ews, Carrie Lin (Troy) Carr, Erin Joy (John) MacRitchie, and Justin Thomas Montgomery, and three great-nephews, Ian, Ben and Max. Memorial contributions in memory of Donald can be made to the Algonquin Lake Community Association, P.O. Box 556 Hast­ ings MI 49058. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. There is to be a community Thanksgiving service on Sunday, Nov. 19 at Zion Lutheran Church, 6261 Velte Road in Woodland, at 6 p.m. Union Bank is treating its Class Act customers to a holiday dinner on Monday, Nov. 20. The meal will be prepared by a nearby restaurant and handed over to the customers as they drive through a church parking lot. This replaces the sit-down dinner served at a nearby church in years past before the CO VID scourge hit us. Usually, the bank president gives the customers present an update on any news from the bank. This was an enjoyable time to see old friends and make new ones as customers from Westphalia and other locations met and mingled at the table while enjoying their festive meals. The Ionia County Genealogical Society met last Saturday. As an innovation, they met in the genealogy room which was ample for the dozen who gathered. This room was bright, sunny and warm. The usual gathering place has far more space but is cooler and does not get any sunlight until mid to late afternoon. Nominations were made for officers for 2024. One new nominee is Sue Pickens ofLansing, daughter ofthe late Arlo and Peg Pickens. Sue lived here with her parents when she was a young child. Now a retired teacher, she is very much involved with genealogy. Next week on Nov. 24 and 25 there will be much traffic on many roads and streets neoole make the rounds using their greerj sheets which list the many stops for Christ‘Round the Town. Some are business places, mostly in Lake Odessa, but with one in a building b in Woodland. The rest are pri­ vae homes or churches. Most of the stops vate will be hosting multiple dealers so there willl be quite a variety at each stop. Chocolate bombs are available at multiple stops. The store building on the comer ofFourth ThestorebuildingonthecomerofFourth Avenue venue and an Second econ Street, ree, long ong thee site se of o Soo Simply, now has a newly painted sign indicating Olive & Oak, a hair shop doing much work in the area of hair coloring. In years past, it was a Skogmo store, and before that it was a chicken hatchery. Even earlier, it was the site of a second-story location of a print­ ing shop run by Guy Hart. This was before the day of anyone living today. Somewhere between other businesses, it was a sales place for Cockshutt farm tractors. Is this building versatile, or what? People sometimes make connections in strange places. At a Tuesday funeral near Hastings, a Grand Rapids lady, an aunt of an immediate family member, connected with a former Michigan State University student who was doing her student teaching in a Grand Rapids district near North Park. It had been many years since they had seen each other. In another instance, two die-hard hunt­ ers who had met at an archery shop in Grand Ledge years ago chanced to sit at the same table following the same funeral. Naturally, they found common ground for conversation. People who attended the Barcroft funeral came from Fenton, Grand Rapids, Big Rap­ ids, Delton, Kalamazoo, Marquette and Washington State. SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS At home or on the go: Social Security is online Hillary Hatch .... Public Affairs Specialist When you retire, if you become disabled, or it someone you depend on dies - we are ere when you need us. With your personal and secure my Social Security account, you can access your information, benefits and important services from just about anywhere. Having a personal my Social Security account allows you to: - Compare future benefit estimates for inerent dates orr ages when you may want to begin receiving benefits. - Check the status ofyour benefits application or appeal. - Review your earnings history. - Request a replacement Social Security card (in most states). If you already receive benefits, you can also: - Get a benefit verification or proof of income letter. - Set up or change your direct deposit. - Change your address. - Get a Social Security 1099 form (SSA1099). You can even use your personal my Social Security account to opt out of receiving cer­ tain notices by mail, including the annual cost-of-living adjustments notice and the income-related monthly adjustment amount notice. These notices are available in your Message Center when you sign into your account. We will email you when you have a new message, so you never miss an important update. It’s easy to sign up for a my Social Securi­ ty account. You can create your own my Social Security account today at ssa.gov/ myaccount. 1 Hillary Hatch is the PublicAffairs Special­ istfor JVest Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. �s. The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 16, 2023 — Page l| Coats Grove and the C.K.&S. Railroad Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner Nov. 12, 1992 Thefollowing article isfrom a story written by Lawrence Chase who grew up in । Coats Grove. Permission to use the manuscript was given by HildredLehman Chase. “May 14, 1889, the cars got into Coats Grove.” This was taken from the diary of George Washington Coats, my grandfather.. During this time and earlier, railroads were being constructed over much of Mich­ igan. This railroad, the C.K.&S. went across our 80 acres, land that previously had belonged to my grandfather, Levi Chase. The men building the railroad bed board­ ed at the home ofmy grandfather and grand­ mother, Levi and Mary Chase. I’ve heard Grandma tell about warming up potatoes in a drip pan. She prepared the food on an old kitchen range, which brings back many fond memories. The railroad went in a north-easterly direction through Woodland Centre, and then on to Woodbury where there was a turn­ table, which was used to turn the engine around and head it back toward Coats Grove. The railroad right ofway was fenced on both sides. Our woodlot and pasture lay to the north of the railroad bed. That required hinged wooden gates, one on each side of the tracks, to allow us to reach those areas ofthe farm. These gates had to be kept closed at all times. There was a good strip of land on each side of the tracks. My father, Jesse Chase, planted these strips of land to alfalfa. When haying time came, we mowed and raked the hay and loaded it onto our wagons with a John Deere hay loader. At each end, we had to unhook the loader and turn it around by hand. We planned to do this at a time when the train wouldn’t be coming through because the horses were afraid ofthe train. SWQv J W! **■ Anp lite. b t & ■ & <r'j aw>a tf nu •dtiito'®’?!1 jle Ba iy*** rr f* w ■ Grain elevator at Coats Grove. ^Doctor Universe Leaving a mark Why do cats rub their cheeks on stuff? Lara, 10, N.Y Dear Lara, Sometimes I get an overwhelming urge to rub my face oh things I love-like my micro­ scope. Other times, I’m so happy to see my tortoiseshell roommate that we bump our heads together. I talked about why 1 do that with my friend Dr. Jessica Bell. She’s a veterinarian at Washington State University. She told me that cats rub their cheeks on things when they’re happy or want to say that thing belongs to them. “There are scent glands in their cheeks,” Bell said. “The glands release a happy or lbw-stress pheromone. So, they use it to mark all the places they’re most comfortable °r happy. It can be their owner. It can be the doorway. Itt can be where their food dish is. * Scent glands make and release chemical train ranws whistlee for or Martin arn Road oa crossng, crossing, he would huny g th® ^arn grade. There he kept a burlap bag on a long pole. He would sswing it back arid forth to attract the atten­ tion ofthe engineer. 'Hie engineer would see him and blow the whistle in greeting. Smith Brothers and Velte soon built an elevator near the t C.K.&S, tracks in Coats Grove. This was. operated until Sept. 16,, 1941, when it was moved to Sunfield. For 50 years, it served the Coats Grove area. Coal beds stood to the north ofthe elevator close to the siding tracks. You could buy coal from the elevator. My dad w.as hired by Willard Bolton, the manager ofthe elevator, to unload a car of coal into the various bins, using a scoop shovel. No mechanical loaders were in use at that time. ' Farmers would sell their wheat, oats, beans and wool to the elevator. When fall came, Dad would trade wheat for flour, French’s White Lily Flour, which was milled in Middleville. This Was Mother’s favorite brand offlour. Farmers could buy wire fence, posts and drainage tile from the elevator. In the base­ ment ofthe elevator building was a big stasta­ tionary engine. The flywheel stood as tall as I was . A few times I watched Willard start the engine by just turning the flywheel. He would start this big engine whenever farm­ ers brought grain in to sell or to be cleaned for their own use. Another service the C.K.&S. brought to the Coats Grove area was a stockyard, where livestock was weighed and shipped out to market. The numerous pens were enclosed with a board fence. There was also a scale house where the weigh master operated the platform scales. I recall helping Dad drive a bunch of fat hogs up the road to this stockyard. Charlie Rowlader was the manager. Our farm was in the first mile east Ofthe stockyards. There was a cream station just across the tracks from the depot: It was really only a wooden platform up on the legs or sizable wooden posts and was at the same level as the floor ofthe box cars to make loading the cream cans easier. The 10-gallon cans of cream were loaded from the platform into the cars. There was a roofover the platform. My uncle, Wamie Kelsey, picked up cream from the farms with a team and wagon. He then set them offhis wagon onto the platform beside ofthe railroad station. I remember riding with Wamie and Ken­ neth on a trip to pick up the cream. We stopped out on Bayne Road and ate a basket lunch at noon. That mile ofBayne Road isn’t re (I even rdpen'anyr longer?! i vjhu riEj Sugari-beets > wenp art -' iinportant ;cropi ’ of those days. My uncle, Eddie Coats, and George Coats, his soni raised beets for a number ofyears. Dad Chase usually raised about 10 acres ofbeets also. Belgian people were hired to black and hoe the crop. Late in the fall, the farmer would use his team to “lift” the row of beets out of the ground. The workers would then throw them into piles and with large knives top the beets. Next came the job ofhauling the crop to the train with the team and' wagon. We drove close to the piles, using a sugar beet fork, a fork with four tines that each had a knob at the end of it, probably to prevent the tines from spearing the beets. We would load the beets into the wagon and take them to the railroad to be hauled away to be pro­ cessed. Next to the stockyards, east ofthe depot, the farmers could bring in logs to be shipped but. To load .the logs, it took a man with his team to roll each log up on the long poles, which had one end on the platform of the open train car and one end on the ground. One time, when we w were working in the woodlot along beside the railroad, we could hear very plainly the fire whistle in Hastings. As we listened, we heard some music, “Home Sweet Home.” It was thrilling! Dad said, “The War must be over.” So we quit work and hurried into Hastings with the horse and buggy to join in the celebration. World War I was indeed over. This was the fall of 1918. I was born in 1908 and had 25 years in which I could see and hear the train as it came and went through Coats Grove,, across our. farm. I was a boy at home with m my par­ ents, Jesse and Alice Chase, and two brothers, Earl and Donald. I have many memories ofthe train, our home and our family. Two passenger trains ran from Kalamazoo to Woodbury and back again each day. At midday, the freight train came through. There (were) “section hands,” usually three or four men who were physically able and willing to work. They kept the railroad bed in good condition, replacing defective ties or rails where wear or deterioration was evident. The men used a “hand car” and this was rightly named. This was the only means of getting them to work, and then back home again. Their tools traveled on the hand car with them: shovels, pickaxes, malls and crowbars. Imagine using these hand tools all day long, eating a cold lunch at noon and then at the end ofthe day, the four men would stand on the hand car, two on the front and two on the back, pushing the handle-like device up and down, up and down to propel the car along the tracks taking them back home again. Lloyd Valentine, Andy Bates, Lloyd Towns and Frank Monosmith from Wood­ land worked on the section gang. Dad Chase had a way of saying “hello” to the engineer ofthe train. When he heard the messages. Some chemical messages are used by members of the same species to communicate with each other. They’re called pheromones. Cats have scent glands near their tails, on their bellies, and in between their toes. When a kitten kneads on its mother’s belly while drinking milk, that releases phero­ mones. When a cat scratches oh a scratch­ ing post or your couch, that releases phero­ mones, too. Cats also have scent glands all over their faces-near their cheeks, lips and foreheads. Those scent glands release five different pheromones called feline facial pheromones. Their main purpose is marking territory. The cat is saying, “This is my place. I feel happy here.” Or “This is a human I like.” Some scent marking behaviors are so common that scientists give them names. Remember how my roommate and I bump our heads together when we’re happy to see each other? That’s called bunting. It’s like a high five, a hug and a chat all in one. Allo­ rubbing is when two cats rub their pelts against each other. Scientists even make artificial feline facial pheromones that you can spray or diffuse into the air. It’s like putting up a sign that says, “It’s ok. This place is safe.” “We use pheromones on our blankets and kennels in the veterinary clinic,” Bell said. “We sometimes use it in bur exam rooms to help reduce the overall stress load on the cat-or how they interpret the stress.” Cats pick up pheromones using their noses and special sacs on the roof of the mouth called the vomeronasal organ. It’s part of the cat’s smelling system. It connects to the cat’s brain and works like a scent analyzer. Have you ever seen a cat grimace? It opens its mouth and pulls back its lips while lifting its head and torigue. That’s called Flehmen’s response. Cats do it when they smell something interesting. It’s like taking a big sniffwith your mouth. Lots ofanimals have vomeronasal organs like cats do, including elephants, snakes and turtles. Most humans do, too. But whether that organ picks up human pheromones or no longer functions at all is still a mystery. Maybe someday a clever cat like you will sniffout the answer. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website askdruniverse, com. » fl look back at the stories and columns on local history in the Hastings Banner TURNING BACK THE PAGES 5 The Coats Grove depot. Each log was rolled up the logs and dropped accident near our place, actually between into place on the car until the car was fully our farm and Martin Road. loaded. The load was then secured in place (Russell Gerlinger, who lived in the Vih to keep it on the car. lage of Woodland, places the time of this As a young fellow, I admired Fred Butwreck at 1928). off’s grey team. The horses were shod all the In Woodbury, the freight train had picked up a flat car with a very large boiler on itj way around (all four feet) and trained to obey Fred’s slightest command. The horses which had come in on the Pere Marquette and was being taken to Kalamazoo. | and the man worked together as a smooth team. When the train with the car carrying the Another farmer who loaded logs onto the boiler reached the area ofthe train just west of Martin Road, the weight of the load cars had to yell at his team to get them to work. caused the train to spread, causing two orf three cars to become derailed and tip oven The passenger train came through twice in a day, early enough in the morning so all of This included the car that was carrying thd boiler and one car that was loaded with ker-» the high school kids in the Coats Grove area osene. The kerosene was streaming out intd could ride the C.K.&S. either to Woodland the ground. or to Hastings to school. Woodland only had 10 grades in those days, so to finish 12 I can see John Coville (he lived on Martin Road just north ofthe tracks) filling his kerJ grades, it was necessary to go to Hastings. osene cans. Why not? It was going to be! The train returned late enough in the after­ wasted anyway. noon to bring the students home again. In the late fall and in the winter, it would be dark The Franciscos, building movers, from when the train came through and we could Hastings came out and put the cars back ofl see its headlight as the engine approached the track. That train proceeded very slowly and very carefully into Kalamazoo. Coats Grove. Helen and Bill Demond lived close to the The train no longer runs. The tracks are gone and the railroad bed has become part of railroad on the west side of the tracks, the farm. But the Chicago, Kalamazoo and across from the elevator. Wild strawberries grew on the banks of the railroad bed. We Saginaw, the C.K.&S., “Old Cuss, Kick and would go there sometimes in hope of find­ Swear,” remains strong and vivid in the ing some to eat, but Helen was usually there memories ofthose who knew it so well. | Based on an article written by Lawrend ahead ofus arid was the first to pick the wild Chase ofCoats Grove, Mich., with inserts strawberries. One time the C.K.&S. freight train had an from Russell Gerlinger and Max Coats. I ij » -j ] | j i -J 1 j J I ! 1 J Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Nov. 17-23 Nov. 1-Dec. 31 - November and Decem­ ber Storywalk Book: “The Lodge that Beaver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Friday, Nov. 17 - Lunch and Learn: Living with our Wildlife Neighbors. Pro­ gram: 11 a.m.-noon (in-person and on gram Zoom). Lunch: noon-1 p.m. Institute members can attend the program only for free; non-members must pay $8. Mem­ bers can enjoy both the program and lunch for $15. Non-members must pay $21 for both. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Nov. 16 - Novel Ideas Book Club reads “Soulmate Equation” by Christina Lauren, 1 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1940 film starring Walter Brennan and Fay Bainter, 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 - GameQuest: 10 Hours ofGaming, 9 a.m-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Lego Club, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.3 mahjong, 2 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m.. Wednesday, Nov. 22 - Itsy Bitsy Boole Club, 10:30 a.m.; acoustic jam session at thd j fireplace, 5 p.m.; Writers’ Night (weekly id November), 6:30 p.m. More information about these and otheil ( events is available by calling the library, 2694 ; 945-4263. ’j �Page 8 — Thursday, November 16, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Yankee Springs seeks feedback on short-term rentals Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township zoning officials want to hear from residents on what they Think about short-term rentals in the town­ ship, particularly near Gun Lake. They’re seeking public input as they decide whether to make any changes to the current ordinance that was passed in March 2021. The Township Board last month approved a six-month moratorium on new registrations for STR permits while an eight-member sub­ committee reviews the ordinance. The mora­ torium only affects new applications for per­ mits and does not affect those properties that already have such a permit. The issue of short-term rentals became a hot one over the summer as the township fielded calls from unhappy residents and cot­ tage owners about drunk and disorderly con­ duct, loud music and noise late in the eve­ ning, illegal parking and littering. “It was directed toward the parties that are going on here, on the lake, and is there some­ thing the township can do about the STRs or these rental (properties)?” Township Code Enforcement Officer Brad Williams said. “Every time I would go out to deal with something, mainly on the lake, there’d be a conversation ... (someone would say) ‘hey, is there something we can do about this?* or ‘hey, this guy has got all these people coming over, they keep parking on my yard,’ or ‘we’ve got kids, we can’t even get our kids out to school.’” And the problem kept growing over the summer, Williams said. “1 started talking to Joe (Shea, township zoning administrator), I started talking to the supervisor (Rob Heethuis), bringing it up more and more, and then (Shea) started get­ ting more and more people (raising con­ cerns). They’re not filing formal complaints - they’re asking questions, they have con- cerns - what’s this doing to our community?” Shea says Yankee Springs isn’t the only community in the state dealing with these type ofchallenges. “It’s a hot-button issue in communities across the state, and really, across the coun­ try,” he said. “There’s a lot ofmunicipalities that are changing their ordinances now. Some ofthem are restricting STRs to certain (zon­ ing districts, such as) not in the single-family residential zones. Some communities are banning them outright.” Park Township, along Lake Michigan in the Holland area, has banned short-term rent­ als entirely, while the village ofSpring Lake, about 20 miles further north, does not allow STRs in single-family residential zone dis­ tricts, Shea said. Meanwhile, Grand Haven, South Haven and New Buffalo have passed moratoriums on new STRs, Shea wrote in a recent memo to the Township Board. Despite a difference in year-round population between those commu­ nities and Yankee Springs, Williams says you can still draw comparisons between the two. “From May until Labor Day, this is a municipality. It’s like a large city ... we fit right into that category, especially during that season,” Williams said. The current Yankee Springs short-term rental ordinance was passed two years ago in response to the t increased popularity of cottage rentals among vacationers, driven by the growth of such online services as Airbnb and Vrbo. “I did a brief search on Vrbo and Airbnb, and I found, between those two, well over 100 sites on Gun Lake,” Shea said. The township issued 32 STR permits this year, a slight increase from 27 the year before, according to the memo from Shea to the board. “That’s what’s triggering our subcommit­ tee to relook at our ordinance and try to decide, do we need to put some limits on & J? The Yankee Springs Township board last month approved a six-month moratorium on new registrations for short-term rental permits. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) these things ... we don’t have any limits right now,” he said. The STR ordinance language states that Yankee Springs “wishes to preserve and retain the residential community character of the township” and says the intent ofthe mea­ sure is to “make the STR activity permitted by this ordinance resemble the existing and traditional residential uses made by resident owners and lessees.” The ordinance outlines three stages ofvio­ lations. A first violation results in a verbal warning. A second violation within the same calendar year is a civil infraction that carries a $250 fine. A third violation within the year would result in a $500 fine and the permit being revoked, Shea said. “That might be something that we have to change too,” Shea said. The subcommittee consists of Shea, Wil­ liams, Heethuis, Township Trustee Larry Knowles, planning commissioners Frank Fiala and Lee Kooistra, Zoning Board of Appeals member Ron Heilman and zoning assistant Sandy Marcukaitis. The subcommittee is expected to have a couple of more meetings before making a recommendation on any changes early next year to the Planning Commission, which will hold a public hearing before deciding wheth­ er to forward changes to the Township Board. Shea is hoping people will make their voices known - whether they support STRs or oppose them - now while the subcommittee is still at work. “We’re hoping people will email the town- ship. They can email me at my address, and let us know their opinions early in the game, so that we can talk about them in the subcom­ mittee, rather than just at the public hearing before the Planning Commission,” he said. “It would be good to have people’s opinions early in the process, right now, so that we can incorporate them into our discussions.” “We want to make sure that we bring this out, so that everybody is heard, everybody that wants to voice something is heard on this, so that when we make this decision ... everybody had a chance,” Williams added. “We want to get going on it, now. We want to get some feedback, now. We want to know what’s going on out there.” Shea can be emailed at joeshea@yankeespringstwp.org. a . Ml* »Ze®®- ;/**-*•* * AW AW CITY COUNCIL, continued from page 1 ed with more than two dissenting votes. Tossava reminded council members the city was nearing the end ofits 45-day period to fill the seat allowed by the city charter, and a failure to make a decision would require a special election for the position to be held at the cost ofthe city. First round of motions fails Council members then began motioning to appoint candidates. Jarvis motioned to appoint Corey, and the motion failed as Bow-. <s, Nesbitt, McLeen and Tossava voted against it. Resseguie then motioned to appoint Brehm, and the motion failed as Jarvis, McLean, Resseguie, Barlow and Bowers voted against it. Barlow then motioned to appoint Foster, and the motion failed as Resseguie, Jarvis and Tossava voted against it. No motion was made to appoint Rorye. Tossava then asked Hastings City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale how to proceed. Moy­ er-Cale said the council could continue to ask questions ofthe candidates or could try ask­ ing council members to rank their top three preferred candidates as a way to find a fair compromise. Councilmember McLean asked City Clerk Chris Bever what a special election would entail. Ifthe decision went to a special elec­ tion, either because the city failed to reach a consensus or decided it was the best option, a special election would have been held in May. Any fourth ward residents in good standing with the city could petition to run on the bal­ lot the same way they would for any other general election, Bever said. Although the seat could be filled through a council appointment or a special election, each option would come with a slightly dif- DRIVER POSITION OPENING BARRY COUNTY TRANSIT Barry County Transit is accepting applications for the position of Driver. A Class C CDL with a *P’ endorsement is required. A strong sense of community and people skills are required of the successful candidate. Driver’s hours are 37.5 per week. Wage scale is $14.75 to $17.53. Applications are available from the Transit Office or online at: www.barrycountytransit.com Barry County Transit 1216 W. State St. Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-948-8125 Council narrows the field to two candidates Barry County Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer in full compliance with all State and Federal Regulations. 207957 Position Opening The Barry County Prosecutor's Office is accepting applications for a full time Legal Secretary. The position requires computer and Internet skills, writing and grammar skills, an ability to meet deadlines, and good interpersonal skills. The base pay rate is $16.64 per hour. Please send a cover letter, application form to: resume and completed job Julie Nakfoor-Pratt, Prosecutor, Barry County Prosecutor's Office, 206 West Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058. An application and job description is available at www.barrycoubty.org. For more information, you may contact the Barry County Prosecutor's Office, at 269-945-1297, jpratt@ ba,rrycpunty.org, or nmitchell@barrycounty.org. Deadline for applying: Open until filled. ferent result, Bever explained. Any candi­ date appointed by council members to a vacant seat would serve only until the end of the original term that was vacated (in this case, November 2024). In the case ofa spe­ cial election, the winning candidate would serve a full term (in this case, until 2026) as an elected official — a point that would cause some confusion later. A special election would also require staffing the polls and handling the results, which Bever estimated would cost the city somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000. > McLean said she would be in favor of holding a special election because the council had not reached a consensus. “I know that it’s not ideal, but based on the deliberation... I feel like we need to let the people decide,” McLean said. “Well, (for) an appointment, it’s pretty much the responsibility ofthe council,” Tossava said. “So, it is our responsibility. Under the city charter, it is our responsibility.” “Okay, well, we can’t all agree. We’re not obviously all on the same page,” McLean said. “That being said, that’s why it should be left with the people.” I Section 4.10 of the Hastings City Charter states that council members are tasked with appointing a candidate to vacant seats within 45 days. A special election is to be called if the council fails to fill th© vacancy, or “ifthe Council deems it advisable.” Council member Resseguie said he’d sup­ port council members ranking their top three candidates in attempts to avoid the cost of a special election. Moyer-Cale explained that each council member would receive’ a piece of paper to rank their top three preferred candidates. On each ballot, candidates ranked first would receive three points, second-ranked candidates would receive two points and thirdranked candidates would receive one point. Moyer-Cale explained that the results ofthe informal ranking process were not binding in any way, and the council would still have to make and approve a motion to appoint a can­ didate before any action was taken. Moyer-Cale and Bever, collected and tallied the votes, reading the results aloud. Corey scored a significant lead with 16 points, while Brehm scored 11, Foster scored 10 and Rorye scored 5. Tossava then suggest­ ed narrowing the field to the two high­ est-scoring candidates from the exercise. Second round of motions fails Council members repeated the, process, this time writing their preferred candidate between Corey and Brehm before handing their ballots to Moyer-Cale and Bever. Corey led the results again with four votes, while Brehm received three votes. Jarvis motioned to appoint Corey to the vacant seat. The motion failed as Nesbitt, McLean and Tossava voted no. Resseguie then motioned to appoint Brehm, and the motion failed as Barlow, Jarvis and McLean voted no. McLean made a motion to hold a special election to fill the seat in May. The motion failed, with Jarvis, Nesbitt, Resseguie and Tossava voting in opposition. Jarvis and Resseguie both took issue i with the cost to the city required to run a special election. It’s, a lot of money (to pay) because we C01i u1 Come UP w»th a decision, ” Jarvis said. “Somebody’s going to have to change their mind.” i Jillian Foster, director of community engagement at the Barry Community Foundation, interviewed for the open sdat last week. Foster also serves as the director of Leadership Barry County, on the YMCA Barry County board and previ­ ously served as Rotary Club of Hastings president. Motion to appoint Brehm succeeds After a few moments, Jarvis made another motion to appoint Brehm to the position. “I guess I’ll break,” Jarvis said. The motion passed, with only McLean and Barlow voting in opposition. A spirited discussion followed after McLean expressed frustration with how the appointment occurred. “I feel like we just got railroaded. That’s what I feel like,” McLean said. “I don’t feel that way. I feel it’s our respon­ sibility,” Tossava said. “It is our responsibility. But on the... third time (a motion was made to appoint Brehm)? Yeah. It’s just, ‘Oh, let’s just keep doing it, and keep doing it and make people cave, and make people cave.’” McLean said. “What would you have said if it went the other way, not Jordan (Brehm), and it was Corey. Would you still feel the same way?” Tossava said. “Yeah,” McLean said. “What I want to remind everybody, and I’ll tell everyone sitting here, is in a few months you can get a petition out and run for the fourth ward council seat. This is a temporary fill-in for a vacancy we have and we’re obli­ gated by city charter to fill it,” Tossava said. “The charter says that we, the council, make that appointment. To me, it’s a cop-out to letting the public do it.” “It’s not a cop-out, it should be the public,” McLean said. “When we can’t agree, it should be the public’s decision.” “Well, that’s your opinion, Jacquie,” Tossava said. “Just because I have my opinion, doesn’t mean it’s wrong,” McLean said. “That’s fine, I agree with that,” Tossava said. “But what I’m saying is five people voted for Jordan “After the third time, and it felt like pres­ sure. Like, ifwe don’t make a decision, we’re going to have to spend money,” McLean interjected. Tossava made a comparison to the recent appointment of U.S. House of Representa­ tives Speaker Mike Johnson, in which delib­ erations left the speaker position empty for three weeks. Councilmember Nesbitt said part ofa council member’s responsibilities is making tough decisions while emotionally removing themselffrom the situation. McLean again said her issue was with the way Brehm’s appointment occurred, not Brehm’s appointment. The successful motion to appoint Brehm came after two failed motions, with candidate Corey leading both rounds of the council’s informal ranking process. “Let’s just keep voting until people cave into what everyone else wants,” McLean said. “That’s what it feels like.” Jarvis said his vote for Brehm was made in ggrflltasa Zackety Corey interviewed'1 for open seat last week. An Air Force veteran with a degree in public administration, Corey said he had a desire to become more involved in his community. legate pitapttiante Wwiteiittte good faith, as he saw both Brehm and Corey as good candidates for the position. “Wait a minute, wait a minute. I’m the ‘caver,’ as you call me. I had a choice between one and two, and to continue this I made a change to (support) my second choice,” Jarvis said. “I think they’re both very good candidates. I think they’ll both do a greatjob. It wasn’t a case ofme ‘caving.’” McLean said she didn’t mean to direct her frustrations at Jarvis for making the final motion to approve Brehm and switching his vote to support it. Rather, she felt there was an underlying sense of pressure to find a quick solution rather than what the council agreed was the best solution. Council member Resseguie said Brehm was not his first choice, but he’d rather compro­ mise than have the city pay for a special elec­ tion. There was then some confusion sur­ rounding how the term would be filled. As Bever had explained earlier, any candidate that would have been elected in a special election would have served a full four-year term end­ ing in 2026. This differed from the term that will be served by the candidate appointed by council members, in this case, Brehm, which will end at the next general election in 2024; “I honestly didn’t get what 1 wanted either, but I didn’t want to pay $10,000 for a couple of months,” Resseguie said, seeming to assume a special election winner would only hold their position until November 2024. “That’s taxpayer money. I’ve got to explain to them I wasted $10,000 for a special election that really is only good for a few months.” “Seven months,” Jarvis added, seeming to make the same assumption. “No, it would have been good for longer than seven months - it would have gone until 2026,” McLean said. “I asked that question before making that motion (to hold a special election). If we had the election in May, it would have carried out the term until 2026;-* ! At the meeting, Bever said he believe^ McLean’s assessment was correct. In a later conversation with the Hastings Banner, Bever confirmed a special election winner would have served a frill four-year term end­ ing in 2026. Tossava said the language in the city char­ ter seemed unclear, and he had initially thought both appointed or elected candidates for the seat in question would only serve until November 2024. “I think we need an opinion from our attor­ ney on the language in the city charter, for our own information,” Tossava said. “We shouldn’t be making a decision on information that we’re not 100 percent sure of,” McLean said. Tossava asked for other comments from council members and found none. The meet­ ing was adjourned. I I �The Hastings SPORTS ANNER Thursdayv,. November 16.,2023 LHS pair makes plans for college softball Brett Bremer A Qty fash dhtysipianir ■wcsteyCWfcta nninMlEanty ItofefpMlHantttiib Sports Editor There is a photo in the possession of Lakewood senior Lily Federau ofherself and fellow senior Audrey Hillard as T-ball teammates. They have their helmets on backwards making goofy faces. They’ve playing together a long time. This spring will be the duo’s last sea­ son on the softball diamond at Lakewood High School, but both made their plans for collegiate softball during the signing period this week. Federau made the trip to Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, just northwest of downtown Detroit, to sign her National Letter of Intent with the Blue Devil Women’s Soft­ ball program Wednesday. Hillard broke out the pen in the Lake­ wood High School media center to final­ ize her plans to play at Lansing Commu­ nity College next season Thursday morn­ ing. Federau has been the Viking varsity softball team’s starting catcher since her freshman season when she showed up took two pitches in her first at-bat and then belted the third she saw for a home run. Hillard, the Vikings’ shortstop, also started on the Lakewood varsity as a freshman. That 2021 team was one out away from beating the eventual MHSAA Division 2 State Champions from Owos­ so in their regional final bailgame - with the freshman duo hitting at the top ofthe line-up. They were both all-conference, hll-district and all-region as freshmen. ’ They are 1 -2 all-time in extra-base hits at Lakewood. Federau had 84 and Hillard 53 to date. Federau knocked a school single season record of 12 home runs as a junior last sprint and already holds the Vising .varsity/eape§fi?peQ^d| ®dfh j lard has a school-record 17 triples’ so -far^. Federau said she was pretty nervous in the lead-up to signing day at Lawrence Tech, needing to make a speech to her group of future teammates and the gath­ ered guests, but settled in nicely to offer thanks to all those that helped her on her journey to collegiate softball. At the top of that list was her father Wyatt Federau. “There were a lot oflong nights in the hitting shed,” Lily said. “A lot ofblood, sweat and tears go into that.” Lily expects to play catcher at Law­ rence Tech and possibly in the outfield. While being a left-handed throwing catcher is something of an oddity, it is easier to handle than being a left-handed third baseman which was one ofher first regular spots on the diamond. She even­ tually began playing more outfield in travel ball, and she said she fell in love with playing center field before she fell in love with catching. It was then senior pitcher Morgan Stahl, the Vikings’ all-time strike out leader and a first team all-state pitcher in the spring of2021, that really helped Lily cement her love for the fine art of catch­ ing. Lily started out catching bullpen sessions for Stahl on an 18U team. “I created a sisterly bond with her. Freshman year hit and I knew exactly what she threw, and so there was a con­ nection,” Lily said. Since then she has also had the chance to catch for her own sister, Peyton Federau, a freshman pitcher on the Lakewood varsity last spring. “I have always loved softball,” Lily said. “I played soccer and I danced for a little bit, but I never loved that as much as I loved softball.” “I don’t even know how to describe the feeling it gives me,” she added. “It feels like a home away from home.” That feeling was heightened the first time she walked around the Lawrence Tech campus and got to spend some time practicing with the Lawrence Tech girls. Lily said she liked the way the campus felt connected, both in terms of geogra­ phy ■! and ip, । the students’ relationships witbrWh ;0thei)?Sh9rplans on-workings towards a nursing degree. Lily is hoping that the Viking team this spring can push for a return to the region­ al round ofthe state tournament. Hillard would love to get back there too before heading offto LCC. “I am so proud of her,” Lily said of Hillard. “Her and I have been playing' together for so long and it is very well deserved.” Hillard said Lily has become one of her closest friends over the years on the diamond. There was as ®wd of talent behind the plate for the Vikings in 2021 with Lily, then senior Hannah Slater and Hillard who spent most of her youth days as a catcher. I' Hillard was happy to make a move, playing left field as a freshman and then taking over at shortstop. “I think it fit the way that I play and it became my home on the field. I became very confident there,” Hillard said. Being a catcher, a ballplayer is involved in every pitch. Hillard was happy to take over the leadership role and responsibili­ ty required ofa shortstop. “I am very aggressive and I like to be involved in everything and I like to be able to let people know what is happening and how to go about doing that,” Hillard said. “At shortstop it is a big role to lead your infielders and communicate with the outfield. I thrived, very well in that environment.” She said the big strides she has to make in preparation for her senior season and college ball are to work on being more aggressive in the field and maybe how to be a tad bit less aggressive at the plate as she fine tunes her batting skills. “My travel coach [Kaelin- Cross] used to coach [at Lansing Community Col­ lege] and I kind ofgot to know the coach­ ing staff and how the program was built and I really liked it,” Hillard said, “and they have the major that I panted: Kine­ siology. I have always kind of wanted to go into the medical field. Llike the study of movement and, how muscles work inside the body, so it kind ofjust made sense. jC -?They .justjedijj all the sthletiq ogjpe^. tdbahows that sports are super important. They offer tutors to athletes and have a lot ofhelp.” . Hillard and Federau have both spent seasons with the Lakewood girls’ golf team in the falls. Hillard was one of the top players for the varsity team this fall and now will look to try and lead the Lakewood varsity girls’ basketball team to a successful winter season before soft­ ball picks up in the spring. . Lakewood senior shortstop Audrey Hillard (left) and senior catcher Lily Federau (right) are joined by Viking varsity softball coach Brent Hilley as they celebrate their college signings Thursday at Lakewood High School. Hillard has plans to join the Lansing Community College Women's Softball program and Federau signed with the Lawrence Technological University on the Bleu Devils' campus in Southfield Wednesday. aii iagt io W .ir ir sssia sssi foW &(hjg’his aid. Gator duo and one Viking earn spots in diving finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor They’ve all taken very different paths, but it is mostly the same journey now from East Kentwood High School to the diving well at Eastern Michigan University. Grand Rapids Gator divers Lydia Slagel and Abby Dumond and Caledonia/Lowell/ South Christian Viking Elise Miller all quali­ fied for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Divi­ sion 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals, which will be held in Ypsilanti Nov. 17-18, HP* Grand Rapids Gator junior Abigail Dummond steadies herself on the board before the last of her 11 dives at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Regional hosted by East Kentwood High School Thursday. Dumond earned a spot in the state finals with an eighth­ place finish. (Photo by Brett Bremer) with top 11 finishes at the Division 1 Region­ al Diving Meet hosted by East Kentwood last Thursday. Slagel placed fourth, Miller seventh and Dumond eighth in a field that started with 27 divers. Miller’s CLS teammate Larissa Dudicz had a strong evening as well making it through each round of cuts to eventually fin­ ish in 13th place. Slagel is a freshman who has been diving for two years, and has been successful enough on the club level that she entered high school with earning a spot in the state finals as one ofher goals. Dumond, a junior, was a state qualifier a year ago with the Delton Kellogg/Thornapple Kellogg/Hastings Co-op and has been diving since she was ten years old. Miller was a gymnast who chose tojoin the CLS team as a sophomore for fun last fall and took to diving right away. All three girls have spent time working with the Hastings Community Diving Club. Slagel put up a score of 345.85 points, Miller 317.25 and Dumond 316.85. Dudicz finished her day with a total of296.95 points, less than five points back ofthe last ofthe 11 guaranteed state qualifiers “I am very excited. I was hoping to go to states this year,” Miller said. It started to feel like a real possibility for her when she started surpassing the 200-point total during her six-dive routine in the middle ofthis season. Miller said with some experi­ ence she has been able to take a big step up in her degree ofdifficulty this fall, adding more 1 l/2s in every direction. Miller was really happy with her reverse 1 */2 Thursday night, a dive she has been work­ ing really hard on to be able to get at least 30 points with. She opened the finals with the dive in round nine and managed a score of 30.45 that finally wiped out the last of the nerves she had been feeling throughout the evening. Slagel said she feels like her reverse dives are the ones where she had made the biggest strides over her two years in the sport. They were “scary” she said, but now she doesn’t seem to have any fear on the diving board. “I know all my dives. I know them by heart. I do them every day over, and over, and over again,” Slagel said. “It is kind ofmuscle memory now.” That memory wasn’t quite on point during warm-ups ofher 5132, a front 1 ’A with a full twist, but she was pretty pleased that it all came together for her during the competition. Slagel said she was most excited and proud to see how her teammate Dummond per­ formed her reverse 1 Vi Thursday. Dumond has the most experience of the group. She has been diving for about six years. She was 19th at the 2022 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Finals, making it through the preliminary round which started with 36 divers and into the semifinals. The top 16 at the end of the semifinals earned spots in the final round ofdiving. Dumond was especially happy with how her inward 1 ‘/2 pike dive went Thursday night. It’s a dive that is fairly new to her. With another year of experience, she is looking forward to pushing for a top16 spot at East­ ern Michigan. If Dumond has any advice for the state newcomers it would be, “just go out there and try to have the best day that you can have. If a dive doesn’t go well, just brush it off. How 1 like to look at it is you’re' doing the best dive that you can do in that moment. If it doesn’t go well, it was just that moment and it is okay. You’ll always have another one.” She said she took her own advice on that at the regional when her back somersault with a 2 ‘A twist didn’t go perfectly. Jenison diver Sophia Clack was the region­ al champion with an 11-dive score of420.45. Grandville’s Olivia Kutsche was the run­ ner-up with a score of 374.85. Rockford had Lucy Verwys place third and Emma Shutich fourth. The other members of the top 11 included Kalamazoo Central’s Madison Jones in sixth, Jenison’s Sara Jean Postle in ninth Zeeland’s Emmerson Meyering in tenth and Bridgman’s Parker Keim in 11th. After the first five dives on the night, the field of 27 was trimmed down to the top 19. Those 19 performed three more times with the top 15 scorers advancing for three more dives in the final round. Grand Rapids Gators freshman Lydia Slagel begins to release from the pike position during her round seven dive at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Regional hosted by East Kentwood High School Thursday. Slagel placed fifth to earn a spot in this weekend's state finals at Eastern Michigan University. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �Page 10 — Thursday, November 16,2023 ngs Banner LEGAL NOTICES ■ NOTICE । Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Attention homeowner: If you are a military service Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is member on active duty, if your period of active duty has given under section 3212 of the revised judicature concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been •ct of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the fallowing mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number mortgaged premises, or some part ofthem, at a public stated in this notice. ^auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier 8 Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on 12/14/2023. 1961 PA 236. MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage The amount due on the mortgage may be greater will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or bn the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the some part ofthem, at a public auction sale to the highest ibale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding free and clear ownership of the property. A potential the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register PM on NOVEMBER 30, 2023. The amount due on the of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing Wiich may charge a fee for this information. Names the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle of Mortgagor(s) Amalio Gonzalez-Villeda Original the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Success Mortgage register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either partners, Inc. Date of mortgage: 4/30/2015. Mortgage ofwhich may charge a fee for this information. recorded on 5/4/2015 as Document No. 20152015­ Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage 004630,. Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Wilmington made by Jeffrey Kwiek, a married man, as his sole and Savings Fund Society, FSB. as trustee of Stanwich separate property, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Mortgage Loan Trust F. Amount claimed to be due at Systems, Inc., as nominee for Finance of America She date hereof: $177,143.74 Mortgaged premises:: Mortgage LLC, its successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, Situated in Barry County, and described as. LAND dated September 4, 2020 and recorded September 15, SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF JOHNSTOWN, 2020 in Instrument Number 2020-009794 and Loan COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS Modification Agreement recorded on October 26,2021, in Follows: a parcel of land situated in the Instrument Number 2021-013276, Barry County Records, NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 32, TOWN 1 NORTH, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by National Range 8 west, Johnstown township, Cooperative Bank, N.A., by assignment. There is claimed BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Commencing at the north 1/4 post of said Twelve Thousand One Hundred Forty-Three and 86/100 SECTION 32; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 33 Dollars ($212,143.86). MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE NORTH Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage LINE OF SAID SECTION, 540.00 FEET; THENCE and the statute in such case made and provided, notice SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 07 SECONDS is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by ' EAST, 807.16 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, 41 MINUTES 43 SECONDS WEST, 243.00 FEET at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court TO THE TRUE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE within Barry County, Michigan at 1 00 PM on NOVEMBER SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND 30, 2023. WEST PARALLEL WITH THE NORTH AND SOUTH Said premises are located in the City ofHastings, Barry •1/4 LINE OF SAID SECTION, 337.27 FEET; THENCE County Michigan, and are described as: ’SOUTH 88 DEGREES 46 MINUTES 05 SECONDS UNIT 23, PHEASANT HOLLOW CONDOMINIUM, WEST, 296.99 FEET TO SAID NORTH AND ACCORDING TO THE MASTER DEED RECORDED SOUTH 1/4 LINE; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES IN DOCUMENT NO. 1162041, BARRY COUNTY 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND EAST ALONG SAID RECORDS, AND DESIGNATED AS BARRY COUNTY NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE, 336.90 FEET; CONDOMINIUM SUBDIVISION PLAN NO. 47, THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 43 TOGETHER WITH RIGHTS IN GENERAL COMMON SECONDS EAST, 297.00 FEET TO THE PLACE ELEMENTS AND LIMITED COMMON ELEMENTS AS OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF SET FORTH IN THE ABOVE DESCRIBED MASTER THE PUBLIC AND OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL DEED AND AMENDMENTS THERETO AND AS UNIT IN ANY PART THEREOF TAKEN, USED OR DISCLOSED BY ACT 59 OF THE PUBLIC ACTS OF DEEDED FOR STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY 1978, AS AMENDED. PURPOSES. Commonly known as 15179 N Uldriks 655 E North Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058-8613 Dr, Battle Creek, Ml 49017. The redemption period The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless ofsuch sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance the property is abandoned or used for agricultural with MCLA §600 3241a, in which case the redemption purposes. If the property is determined abandoned period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. under MCL 600.3241a, the redemption period will be If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days after to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible the statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property to the person who buys the property at the mortgage is determined abandoned under MCL 600.3241, the foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to redemption period will be 1 month from the date of the property during the redemption period. such sale. If the property is presumed to be used for Dated: November 2,2023 agricultural purposes pursuant to MCL 600.3240(16), File No. 23-011426 the redemption period is 1 year from the date of such Firm Name: Orlans PC sale. The redemption period may be extinguished Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced Troy Ml 48084 property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 ofAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower (11-02X11-23) 208205 will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a CHARLES J. HIEMSTRA IS A DEBT COLLECTOR military service member on active duty, if your period 1 AjXI^MPTING TOirCpk(#CT A, DEBT. ANY; of active duty has Cohdiud^d Coh'diud^d 1fess than 90 days ago. or “ 1yJNFQRMATION OBTAINED WI^L BE USED FQffi if you have been ordered to active duty, please coritd6Tr,f THAT PURPOSE. "ATTENTION HOMEOWNER? the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ttie telephone number stated in this notice. ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, Date of Notice: 11/09/2023. OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE Codilis & Moody, RC. 15W030 North Frontage Road, DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR Suite 100 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (313) 536-2500 C&M THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE File 23-23-00319 AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Default has occurred in the conditions of a (11-09)(11-30) 208315 Mortgage (“Mortgage”) made by Branden Oconnor, a/k/a Branden Shane O’Connor and Elizabeth Grace O'Connor, f/k/a Liz Medenblik, husband and wife, Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement of 7015 W. Parmalee Road, Middleville, Michigan Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised 49333, Mortgagor, to Lake Michigan Credit Union, a judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, state chartered credit union, having a mailing address that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a of P.O. Box 2848, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501­ sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of 2848 (“Mortgagee"), which Mortgage was dated them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder February 19, 2021, and recorded in the office of the for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan on circuit court in Barry County starting promptly at 1:00 March 1, 2021 at Instrument Number 2021-002431. PM, on December 7, 2023. The amount due on the By reason of this default, the Mortgagee hereby mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing declares the entire unpaid amount of said Mortgage the highest bid at the sale does not automatically due and payable immediately. As of the date of this entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of Notice there is claimed to be due on this Mortgage the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to the sum of Eight Thousand Twenty-seven and contact the county register of deeds office or a title 36/100 Dollars ($8,027.36). No suit or proceeding at insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee law has been instituted to recover the debt secured for this information: by this Mortgage or any part thereof. NOTICE OF Name(s) ofthe mortgagor(s): Marcia K Quada FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT: Notice is Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic given under section 3212 of the revised judicature Registration Systems, Inc.,, as mortgagee, as act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or above Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public assigns sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check Foreclosing Assignee (if any): THE BANK OF at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County, NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW at the East Steps of the courthouse, 220 W. State YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE Street, Hastings, Michigan, starting promptly at 1:00 HOLDERS OF CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN p.m., on Thursday, the 30th day of November, 2023. TRUST 2005-80CB, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH The amount due on the Mortgage may be greater CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-80CB on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the Date of Mortgage: November 9,2005 sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to Date of Mortgage Recording: November 28,2005 free and clear ownership of the property. A potential Amount claimed due on date of notice: $87,348.01 purchaser is encouraged to contact the county Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated register of deeds office or a title insurance company, in Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, and either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information' described as: Lot 109 of Middleville Downs No. 5 The premises covered by this Mortgage are located according to the recorded plat thereof as recorded in in the Township ofThomapple, County of Barry, State Liber 5 of Plats, Page 43. of Michigan and described as follows: Commencing Common street address (if any): 208 Meadowlark 165 feet West of the Northeast comer of Section 12, Ct, Middleville, Ml 49333-9403 Town 4 North, Range 10 West; thence South 330 feet; The redemption period shall be 6 months from the thence West 165 feet; thence North 330 feet; thence date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in East 165 feet to the point ofbeginning. Parcel ID No. accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject 14-012-013-10 Property address: 7015 W. Parmalee Road, Middleville, Michigan 49333 Notice is further real property is used for agricultural purposes as given that the length of the redemption period defined by MCL 600.3240(16). will be six (6) months from the date of sale unless If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under determined to be abandoned in accordance with Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held will be as provided by MCL 600.3241a. Ifthis property responsible to the person who buys the property at is sold at a foreclosure sale by advertisement, during the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage the period of redemption, borrower/mortgagor will holder for damaging the property during the be responsible to the purchaser or to the mortgage redemption period. holder for physical injury to the property beyond wear Attention homeowner: If you are a military service and tear resulting from the normal use ofthe property member on active duty, if your period of active duty if the physical injury is caused by or at the direction has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have of the borrower/mortgagor. Dated: October 23, 2023 been ordered to active duty, please contact the LAKE MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION MORTGAGEE attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the THIS INSTRUMENT PREPARED BY: Charles J. telephone number stated in this notice. Hiemstra (P-24332) Attorney for Mortgagee 125 This notice is from a debt collector. Ottawa Ave., NW, Suite 310 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616) 235-3100 Date of notice: November 2,2023 (10-26)(11-16) 207803 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1513760 (11-02)(11-23) . M. L AAttention .tten.tion homeowner If you are a military service m member on active duty, ifyour period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago. or if you have been ordered to active duty please contact the attorney for the Party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236 MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 30, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership ofthe property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been, made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Randy: IPadilia, a single person, to Mortgage Electronic,Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee far Horizon Bank N.A. its successors and assigns. Mortgagee, dated April 7, 2017 and recorded April 18,2017 in Instrument Number 2017-004224 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on September 8, 2021, in Instrument Number 2021-011118, Barry County Records, Michigan Said mortgage is now held by U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Six and 9/100 Dollars ($98,226.09). Under the power ofsale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 30, 2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot(s) 8, Block 6 of Daniel Striker’s Addition according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 1 of Plats, Page 11 ofBarry County Records. 315 E Colfax St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA§600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. Ifthe property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuantto MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: November 2,2023 File No. 23-010852 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (11-02)(11-23) 208206 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under setftion 3212 of the revised judtaaturp^cW 1961, 196{| PA236J MCL 600,321,2, SwwtaOwfiWS’ them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place ofholding the circuit court in Barry County; starting promptly at 1 00 PM, on December 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) ofthe mortgagors): Josh Gipe and Ronie Finkbeiner, as joint tenants with right of survivorship Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Date of Mortgage: April 27,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: May 18,2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $156,671.87 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 18, Culbert's Plat No. 3, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 78, Barry County Records. Common street address, (if any): 4 Culbert Dr, Hastings, Ml 49058-9461 1 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging thef property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active dtity, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: November 9, ,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 ’ (248) 642-2515 FOCUS 1514033 (11-09)(11-30) Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® Meemmbbeerr SIPC Financial Advisor Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)948-8265 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 Do your investments match your goals? As you go through life, you’ll have various financial goals — and to ^hieye them, you’ll need to invest. But just' recognizing the need to invest is not as'usefiil as matching specific types of accounts or investments with specific goals. How c^n you make these connections^ r j^et ^et’s 1 look at some common goals and how they could possibly be met with appropriate accounts and investments: • Saving for a down payment on a house When you’re saving for 'a down payment, you want a certain amount of money available at a certain time — so, for this goal, you won’t want to take too much risk. Consequently, you might consider investing in certificates of deposit (CDs), which will pay you regular interest payments and return your principal when the CDs mature. CDs are issued in a range of maturities, from one month to 10 years. Other vehicles you might consider are money market accounts or other cash equivalents. • Saving for a childs’ education - If you have children, and you’d like to help them pay for some form of higher education, you may want to consider a 529 education savings plan. Any earnings growth in a 529 plan is federally tax free, provided the withdrawals are used for qualified education expenses, and you may also receive state tax benefits. A 529 plan can be used for college, approved trade school programs, student loan repayments and some K-12 costs. And if the child you’ve named as a beneficiary chooses not to continue their education, and doesn’t need the money in a 529 plan, you can generally switch beneficiaries to another immediate family member. • Saving for retirement - This is the one goal that will remain consistent throughout your working years — after all, you could spend two or even three decades in retirement, so you’ll need to accumulate as many financial resources as you can to pay for those years. Fortunately, you likely have access to several good retirement-savings vehicles. If you work for a business, you might have a 401 (k) plan, which offers you the chance to put away money on a tax-deferred basis. (If you have a Roth Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 7, 20?3. Th® amount due on the mortgage may be greater QR- ti^dav of sale, .^grig tiie highest bid at, the sale does not* automatically enffle me pu¥chaser"to and' clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Scott S McBean, And Sarah M McBean, Husband and Wife Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee forAmerica’s Wholesale Lender., its successors and assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST Date ofMortgage: April 24,2003 Date of Mortgage Recording: May 8,2003 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $93,617.08 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 8, Misty Ridge according to the recorded plat thereofin Liber 6 ofPlats, on Page 30. Common street address (if any): 720 Wild Pond Ct, Middleville, Ml 49333-8396 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, ifthe subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). Ifthe property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: October 26, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1513262(10-26)(11-16) 207770 option in your 401(k), your withdrawals can be tax free, although, unlike a traditional 401(k), your contributions won’t lower your taxable income.) If you work for a public school or a nonprofit organization, you may be able to participate in a 403(b) plan, which is quite similar to a 401(k), and the same is true if you work for a state or local government, where you might have a 457(b) plan. And even if you invest in any of these plans, you can probably also contribute to an IRA, which gives you another chance to invest on a tax-deferred basis (or tax-free basis, if you’re eligible for a Roth IRA). Try to take full advantage ofwhatever retirement plans are available to you. Here’s one final point to keep in mind: While some investments and accounts are appropriate for certain goals, they may not necessarily be suitable for your individual situation — so keep all your options in mind and take the steps that are right for you. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY ORDER REGARDING ALTERNATE SERVICE CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-364-DE Court Address: 220 West State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone NO.: 269-945-1400 Plaintitfs Name fJaile'b' Reynolds *' jiuA BUYING ALL HARD­ Meeting opened at 6*30 pm Approved: Consent agenda Adopted Ord 96 - Zoning ordinance amendment Insurance renewal with Burnham & Flower R Smith & Sons lawsuit dismissal Loan payoff for Lakefront Dr & Dogwood Dr Adjourned at 6:43 pm 208917 WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameterr or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793.____________ MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. // n r. •Sr! iitatsSisr aifti Blot ' ’ IWlklEi'wV ntataiNi it Os® tai Qus V Defendant's Name: Skylar A. Hanicq 230 Cranmer Charlotte, Michigan 48813 THE COURT FINDS: 1* Service of process upon the defendant, Skylar A. Hanicq cannot reasonably be made as provided in MCR 2.105 and service of process may be made in a manner that is reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard. IT IS ORDERED: 2. Service of the summons and complaint and a copy of. this order shall be made by the following method(s). d. Other: Publication in Barry County and Eaton County Legal Publication. For each method used, proof of service must be filed promptly with the court. ^(atatit(kfr Date: Sept. 25.2023 Judge Vicky L Alspaugh 208860 it CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 B nsin ess Services Wife W W Plaintiff’s Attorney Stephanie S. Fekkes (P43549) Rhoades McKee, P.C. 150 West Court Street, Suite A Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269)945-1921 208266 Synopsis Hope Township Regular Board meeting November 13,2023 Attested to by Doug Peck, Supervisor offices of EdwardJones Banner CLASSIFIEDS Submitted by: Deborah Jackson, Clerk 208071 Financial NOTICE WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: & w W All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.*' Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. K SS sSS wk & �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 16,2023 — Page 11 MM TKHS freshmen fill large chunk of all-county teams RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE (3F PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT APPLICATION AT DECEMBER 6 2023 REGULAR MEETIMQ THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: TO: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on December 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The items to be considered at this public hearing include the following: Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was an outstanding fall season for the Bany County girls on the cross country courses across the state this fall. A trio ofgirls ended their season at Michi­ gan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Hastings freshman Caroline Randall earned her first state medal in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals that first Saturday in November while TK junior Ava Crews ran in the finals for a third time and Maple Valley senior Lilly Faurot competed in the state finals for a second time. Crews led the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team to a n OK Gold Conference Championship this fall with a Trojan team that got a huge boost from its freshman class. TK had ten girls earn All-Barry County honors this fall with half of that group freshmen. Add Randall to the group and six ofthe 14 all-county honorees this fall are freshmen. There were three sophomores m the county medalists too at the Barry County Champion­ ship which Delton Kellogg hosted this fall at Gilmore Car Museum. The top seven runners at the Barry County Meet earn first team All-Barry County honors while the eighth through 1401 runners make L.. w up the All-Barry County second team. Best of all a the county meet this season, all five ofthe county’s varsity programs had enough runners to earn a team score. The Thomapple Kellogg girls kept their decades long string of county championships rolling by taking the championship at the county meet the Tuesday before regionals. Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Cross Country teams. - The application of Joshua J. Stephens for special land use approval for the keeping of livestock (chickens) on a non-commercial basis accessory to an existing dwelling on a ten acre parcel commonly known as 3409 Heath Road (parcel no. 08-13-015-001-00). The Planning Commission will consider this application pursuant to §220-5-3.H of the Rutland Charter Township Code, and the special land use approval standards specified in §220-20-3.A. of the Code; and any other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Such other matters as may properly come before the Planning Commission at this meeting; including a site plan for the development specified in the preceding paragraph submitted for review and potential Planning Commission approval at this meeting. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting, and may further be submitted to the Planning Commission at the public hearing/meeting. The 2023 All-Barry County Girls' Cross Country First and Second Teams. First team members include (front from left) Peyton Hardy, Carmen Reynolds, Megan Schuurmans, Summer Ritchie, Holly Velting, Ava Crews and Caroline Randall. Second team members include (back from left) Kylie Main, Lilly Faurot, Avery Hagemann, Ailana McCrumb, Madison Kietzman, Ellie Harmon and Meghan-Jane Skidmore. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Summer Ritchie, Delton Kellogg: The second fastest senior at the Barry County Meet in October, she placed fourth on the Panthers’ home course at Gilmore Car Muse­ um with a time of23:27.2. Ritchie was 30th at the Southwestern Ath­ letic Conference Championship and ran to a personal record time of 21:30.9 at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Region­ al hosted by Allendale. Megan Schuurmans, Thornapple Kel­ 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Cross Country First Team Ava Crews, Thornapple Kellogg: A ^^1 Ks; :wWek5 -------------------- — won M@b tasUfe’! SlsGwtSlaSil tatMlrtVlMIUI 1 •terras iponftWal1 f? lOtfft junior, Crews qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals for the third time this fall. She placed 59th at the state finals with a time of 19 min­ utes 27.0 seconds. Crews improved her personal record time of 18:48.3 at the Covenant Christian Chargers Autumn Sunrise Invitational ^nd finished as the runner-up at the Barry County Meet'1' Peyton Hardy, Thornapple Kellogg: Part of an outstanding group of freshmen for the TK girls’ team, Hardy earned the final spot on the all-county first team with a seventh-place time of23:41.5 at the Barry County Meet. Hardy was the second Trojan across the finish line at the OK Gold Conference Cham­ pionship placing 12th in a personal record time of 20:36.7 on the course at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. She went on to place 29th at regionals. Caroline Randall, Hastings: The Barry County Meet champion as a freshman this fall. She was a state medalist too. Randall matched her personal record with a time of 18: 45.8 while lacing 29th at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals. Randall set her PR at 18:45.8 on the final day ofSeptember at the Otsego Bulldog Invi­ tational. Randall won the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship with a time of 19: 09.9 at Turkeyville and then won the Bany County Meet in 20:29.7. Carmen Reynolds, Thornapple Kellogg: A freshman, Reynolds set her personal record at the Sparta Invitational in mid-September with a time of21:55.2. Reynolds placed 37th at the OK Gold Con­ ference Championship and then raced to a sixth-place finish at the Barry County Meet with a time of23:40.7. logg: A sophomore, Schuurmans improved her personal record from her freshman year by more than a minute. Her new PR sits at 21:43.9, a time she ran in the JV race at the OK Gold Conference Championship a week before the Barry County Meet. Schuurmans was fifth at the Barry County Meet with a time of23:32.4. Holly Velting, Thornapple Kellogg: The fastest senior at the Bany County Meet, Velting placed third at Gilmore Car Museum with a tim^ of 23:11.6 to close out her season while helping the Trojans to the championship. Velting was the runner-up in the JV girls’ race at the OK Gold Conference Championship and ran her fastest time ofthe season at the Covenant Christian Chaigers Autumn Sunrise Invitational where she hit the finish line 27th in 20:40.9. 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Cross Country Second Team Lilly Faurot, Maple Valley: Faurot closed her senior season running in the state finals for a second time. She qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Girls’ Cross Country Finals as s freshman and then earned a spot at MIS again in Division 4 this fall. She placed 199th in her final race with a time of23:50.4. Faurot placed 13th at the Barry County Meet in 23:57.2 and followed that up with her fastest race ofthe season at the Lions’ region­ al race in Allendale where she hit the line in 22:11.8. Avery Hagemann, Thornapple Kellogg: A sophomore in her first varsity cross country season, she was seventh in the scoring group ofthe Trojans at her first race to start the sea­ son. Hagemann went on to set her personal record at the OK Gold Conference Championship where she placed 17th overall in 20:49.1. Schuurmans was 12th at the Barry Coun­ ty Meet in 23:49.9 and then placed 40th at the Trojans’ MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by South Christian with a time of 21:56.2. Ellie Harmon, Thorn apple Kellogg: Har­ mon placed ninth at the first OK Gold Con­ ferencejamboree of her freshman season, but then missed some time before returning to win the JV girls’ race at the OK Gold Confer­ ence Championship with a time of 20:49.5 which would have been good for a top-20 finish in the varsity race that day. Harmon set her personal record at 20:24.2 at the Coach B Invitational at Gun Lake early in the season. She placed ninth at the Barry County Meet in 23:48.7, and then closed the year with a time of21:19.7 that put her 25th at the Trojans’ D2 regional hosted by South Christian. Madison Kietzman, Thornapple Kel­ logg: A sophomore, Kietzman finished in less than 21 minutes a handful of times this fall. She sbt her PR at 20:31.7 at the Covenant Chnstian Chargers Atitumn Sunrise Invita­ tional. Kietzman was 16th at the OK Gold Con­ ference Championship in 20:48.0 and then placed tenth at the Barry County Meet in 23:49.1. She closed her season placing 28th at regionals. Kylie Main, Delton Kellogg: One of the top Panthers throughout the fall as a junior this year, Main was 14th at the Barry County Meet in 23:59.0. Main set her personal record at 23:03.6 in the final race of the season, the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional at Allendale where she placed 46th. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Zoning Map, Master Plan, and the above­ referenced special land use application may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day of the heart ng/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 208659 PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on December 6, 2023, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that. In addition to participation during an public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Zoning Board of Appeal's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Zoning Board of Appeal's for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thomp­ son (mthompson@pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prjqr to |he meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. A request from Ben Clark of Clark Brothers Contractors on behalf of property owners Jeff and Julie Grimes, 7081 Division Ave, Delton, Ml 49046 for a vari­ ance to allow for the construction of a new single-family dwelling that fails to meet the front and rear setbacks, pursuant to section 4.24 "Waterfront Lots" and 4.41 "Schedule of Lot, Yard, and Area Requirements" of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 7081 Division Ave, Delton, Ml 49046. Parcel #08-12-070-009-00 and is currently zoned R2-Single and Two Family, Medium Residential. 2. A request from property owner Michael Curbey, 15585 Locke Ln, Richland, Ml 49083 for a variance to allow for the construction of a deck system that fails to meet the waterside setbacks, pursuant to section 4.24 "Waterfront Lots" of the Prairieville Township Zoning Ordinance. The subject site is located at 15585 Locke Ln, Richland, Ml 49083. Parcel #08-12-280-006-00 and is currently zoned R2-Single and Two Family, Medium Residential. Alaina McCrumb, Thornapple Kellogg: A freshman, she cut her time throughout the fall and broke out a personal record time of 21:31.1 at the OK Gold Conference Champi­ onship where she placed 28th. McCrumb placed 11th at the Barry County Meet in 23:49.5 and then followed that up with a time of 21:51.4 at the Trojans’ MHSAA Division 2 Regional race. H Meghan-Jane Skidmore, Thornapple Kellogg: A freshman, Skidmore broke the 21-minute mark in the first week of Septem­ ber for the first time and pushed her PR down to 20:29.4 at the Sparta Invitational in mid-September. Skidmore was just offthat PR p[ace at the OK Gold Conference Championship where she placed 13^ in 20:40.0. She was eighth at 3. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board of Appeals. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and ser­ vices, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS By: Dale Grimes, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 10115 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 (269) 623-2064 208817 the Barry County Meet in 23:48.3. LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29657-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Andrew L. Barcroft. Date of birth: February 26, 1950. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Andrew L. Barcroft, died September 8,2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Bradley Barcroft, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. 'MA MA Rhoades McKee, P.C. Brianna R. KEIIer P82941 55 Campau ampau Avenue venue NW,, Suite u e 300 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 (616) 235-3500 Bradley Barcroft 7632 Columbia Highway Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827 (517) 242-4880 208715 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29619-DE Hon. William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court, #302, HastingsI,, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Corallne 'A. Tilford. Date of birth: 12/17/1942. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Corallne A. Tilford, died 11/24/2015. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Thomas J. Tilford, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 11/9/2023 Emily Mugerian Maltby P-83369 230 Kent Street Portland, Ml 48875 517-647-7873 Thomas J. Tilford 515 Bay Drive Lake Odessa, Ml 48849 517-488-4603 208755 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-29654-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court, #302, Hastingsi, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Janice M. Ruger. Date of birth* 8/16/1946. TO ALL CREDITORS: INCLUDING MISSING HEIR, JASON R. RUGER. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent Janice M. Ruger, died 1/5/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Erik Ruger, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 11/8/2023 Kellie E. Podolsky P73694 601 South Shore Drive, Suite #329 Battle Creek, Ml 49014 269-965-3185 Erik Ruger 123 Oakland Place Battle Creek, Ml 49015 269-924-2009 208785 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Trust CASE NO. and JUDGE NONE The Betty J.Kaub Revocable Trust dated September 4,2014. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Betty J. Kaub, February 24,1931, Settlor of the Betty J. Kaub Revocable Trust dated September 4, 2014, who lived at 850 Terry Lane, Hastings, Michigan, died July 28,2018. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Betty J. Kaub Revocable Trust dated September 4, 2014, will be forever barred unless presented to Ann M. Roobol, Successor Trustee of the Betty J. Kaub Revocable Trust dated September 4,2014 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 11/16/2023 Michael J. McPhllllps P33715 121 West Apple Street. Suite 101 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-3512 Ann M. Roobol 850 Terry Lane Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-832-9535 208696 SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING November 8,2023 - 7:00 p.m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, James, Lectka Absent: None Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer's Report Monthly Clerk's Voucher/Payroll Report 2024 Budget Public Hearing Motion to approve the contingent marihuana li­ cense for Rutland Retailer LLC Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 7:50 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Lany Watson, Supervisor 208659 �Page 12 — Thursday. November 16. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Senior duo leads squad of all-county guys Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings Saxons fill half the spots on the 2023 All-Barry County Boys* Cross Country First and Second teams. The group helped their program make it eight county championships in the past ten years as the Hastings varsity team won the Oct. 24 Barry County Meet at Gilmore Car Museum. The two leaders at the county meet, Thor­ napple Kellogg senior Lucas Van Meter and Hastings senior Riley Shults both completed outstanding varsity cross country careers run­ ning at the county meet and then their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Region­ . al hosted by South Christian at the end ofthe season. The two both finished top four in at the county meet during all four oftheir varsi­ ty seasons with Shults winning the 2021 and 2022 races. • The top seven at the Barry County Meet earned first team all-county honors this fall with the next seven across the finish line earning second team all-county. The race had a bit of a different feel this season with it being contested the Tuesday prior to Saturday regionals, rather than the Monday after regionals. That had runners pushing for success, but also hoping to save energy for the regional. Hastings, TK, Lakewood, Delton Kellogg and Maple Valley all faced tough competi­ tion throughout the fall in their respective conferences. Thomapple Kellogg looked up in the Standings in the OK Gold Conference all fall at the eventual MHSAA Lower Peninsula {Division 2 State Champions frojn Forest IHills Eastern, who captured the state cham­ pionship the first Saturday in November at ^Michigan International Speedway in Brook­ lyn. The Saxons’ rivals from the Interstate-8 lAthletic Conference, Marshall, ran to a top ten finish as a team (ninth) at the state finals too with fellow league foe Parma Western t19th. Delton Kellogg’s league-mates from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Hackett Catholic Prep, placed third in the D4 compe­ tition at the Finals and the Saugatuck team that won the SAC was tenth. The Lion team got a late boost from a cou­ ple of October additions to the roster that allowed the shot-handed squad to earn a team score at the county meet and its regional at the end ofthe season. There is more talent coming up behind the county’s top runners from 2023. There were only six seniors among the top 25 finishers at county meet. Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Cross Country First and Second Teams. 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Cross Country First Team Kaden Hamming, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior leader for the TK team, Hamming raced to a seventh-place time-of 19 minutes 22.66 seconds at the Barry County Meet. Hamming pushed his was down from times around 19:30 at the start ofthe season to set his PR in a 27th-place finish at the OK Gold Conference Championship where he hit the finish line in 18:04.0. He was under 19 minutes fot the first time in his high school career at the Coach B Invitational in early September. Micah Johnson, Hastings: Ajunior, John­ son broke the 18-minute mark in the second race of the season and went on to drop his personal record as low as 17:34.5 which earned him a 13th-place finish at the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference Championship. Johnson placed fifth at the Barry County Meet with a time of 18:37.9 and then fol­ lowed that up with a 35th-place time at the Saxons’ MHSAA Division 2 Regional race. Riley Johnson, Lakewood: Johnson ended his sophomore season with a personal record run of about 19:30 and was a minute better than that at at the first race ofhisjunior season this fall. He set his PR at the late-Au­ gust Saranac Invitational with a time of 17:33.2. Johnson led the Lakewood pack all season long. He placed fourth at the Barry County Meet with a time of 18:24.7 and placed 33rd at regionals in 17:58.9. Ethan Rimmer, Delton Kellogg: The Panthers’ pace setter all fall, Rimmer placed sixth with a time of 19:03.43 at the Barry County Meet on his team’s home course at Gilmore Car Museum. .. Rimmer, a junior, set his PR at the second Southwestern Athletic Conference jamboree of the season where he came across the line in d 7:13.9. He approached that PR again at his team’s D3 Regional in Allendale where he placed 18th in 17:29.3. Riley Shults, Hastings: A two-time Barry County Meet champion and one-time state qualifier, Shults was the runner-up at the Barry County Meet this season with a time of 17:58.4. He followed that up with a time of 17:25.7 at his team’s MHSAA Division 2 Regional at South Christian. He set his personal record at the early-season Lakeview Invitational where he was fifth in 16:54.5. It was his firs time finishing a varsity 5K course under 17 minutes. Brandon Simmons, Hastings: The fastest guy at the Barry County Meet with varsity running ahead of him, the Saxon junior was third at the county meet in 18:16.3. Simmons opened the fall with times in line with where he finished his sophomore season and broke the 17-minute mark on a 5K course for the first time as a varsity runner with a PR of 16:46.0 at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational. Lucas VanMeter, Thornapple Kellogg: The Trojans’ senior front-runner won the Barry County Meet in 17:49.18. In four sea­ sons he never finished worse than fourth at the county meet. Van Meter was under 17 minutes through­ out most of the season and set a PR at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational where he came in 11th at 16:29.8 in the D2 boys’ race. Van Meter placed eighth at the OK Gold Confer­ ence Championship in 16:38.3 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids late in the season. 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Cross Country Second Team Maxson Eichorst, Hastings: The fastest freshman at the Barry County Meet, Eichorst placed eighth in 19:31.07 on the course at Gilmore Car Museum1. Eichorst set a new personal record in three consecutive races as the calendar turned from September to October, first at the Bangor Invitational, then at the Otsego Bulldog Invi­ tational and finally at the second 1-8 jamboree ofthe season where he placed 24th in 18:45.5. Elijah Frazer, Thornapple Kellogg: A freshman who was in the Trojans’ scoring group from the get-go, Frazer earned the final all-county slot at the county meet with a time of20:31.8 that had him in 14th-place. Fraser passed the 19-minute mark for the first time at the Covenant Christian Chargers Autumn Sunrise Invitational in September where he placed 38th in 18:33.3. He broke that 19-minute mark again a week later while finishing in 18:44.6 at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational. Caleb LaBoe, Hastings: The runner-up at the Barry County Meet in 2020 as a fresh­ man, LaBoe returned to form to place ninth at the county meet as a senior this fall with a time of 19:42.9. LaBoe got under 18 minutes for the first time at the Portage Invitational in early Octo­ ber and followed that up two weeks later with a time ten finish at the 1-8 Championship where he hit the finish line in 17:26.7. Nick Muday, Delton Kellogg: A sopho­ more, Muday made massive strides from his freshman season and throughout his second campaign. He placed tenth at the Barry Coun­ ty Meet in 19:57.3 and followed that up by breaking the 19-minute mark for the first time to place 44th at regionals in 18:34.3. Muday had a PR of 20:52.7 coming into the year and broke that 20-minute mark for the first time at the second SAC jamboree of the season. Reuben Solmes, Hastings: Earning all-county honors for a third time as a senior this fall, Solmes was 13th at the Barry Coun­ ty Meet with a time of 18:49.2. Solmes was 20th at the first 1-8 jamboree ofthe season and followed that up at the end of September by running the best time ofhis senior season at the Otsego Bulldog Invita­ tional - 18:11.3. Jonah Teed, Hastings: A senior, Teed was just offhis PR with a time of 17:53.2 at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational the final Saturday of September. That was his top time this fall. Teed placed 11 th at the Barry County Meet in 20:00.7 and followed that up with a 59th-place time of 18:50.1 at the Saxons’ Division 2 Regional race. Hunter Tietz, Thornapple Kellogg: TK junior Hunter Tietz earned all-county honors for the first time this fall with a 12th-place time of20:08.0 at Gilmore Car Museum. Tietz earned a personal record time of 19:11.9 at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational and was right on that pace with a 43rJ-place time of 18:16.0 at the OK Gold Conference Championship race at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. The 2023 All-Barry County Boys' Cross Country First and Second Teams. First team members include (front from left) Elijah Frazer, Reuben Solmes, Hunter Tietz, Jonah Teed, Nick Muday and Caleb LaBoe. Second team members include (back from left) Kaden Hamming, Ethan Rimmer, Micah Johnson, Riley Johnson, Brandon Simmons, Riley Shults and Lucas Van Meter. Missing from photo is second team member Maxson Eichorst. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Martin steps down from MVHS coaching position Brett Bremer Sports Editor Marty Martin submitted his resignation from the Maple Valley varsity football coaching position the evening of Nov. 1, holding offto make the announcement offi­ cial until after the banquet celebrating his program?s winningesfeeasoh since 2004. His tenure covered fthe Lions’ move from 11-player football to 8-player football, a change that led to the, Lions being unable to qualify for the Michigan High School Ath­ letic Association postseason tournaments due to Maple Valley High School being above the MHSAA’s enrollment maximum for the 8-player playoffs. It was an MHSAA policy Martin worked to try and change over the past five years as a number of schools across the state have been forced to make a similar switch or cancel football seasons all together due to a lack ofstudent participation. The Lions were 0-9 in Martin’s first sea­ son as head coach in the fall of 2015, but won two games the next year and then qual­ ified for the MHSAAral-player playoffs in 2017 and 2018. i Maple Valley took a 26-7 win over Hart­ ford under Martin’s guidance in an MHSAA Division 7 Pre-Distri^allgame to open the playoffs in 2017. It was the program’s first playoffvictory since 2004; The Lions fell at Saugatuck 14-8 in the district final in 2017, I Marty Martin looks on during a 2022 bailgame at Maple Valley High School. Martin has resigned as head football coach after nine seasons leading the Lion program. The Maple Valley team was 7-2 during its 2023 8-player sea­ son. (File photo) and that Saugatuck team went on to finish as the state runner-up. The Lions lost their playoff opener in 2018 and then were forced to make the tough decision to switch to 8-player football beginning with the 2019 season. “He has submitted his resignation as our head football coach,” Maple Valley High School athletic director Landon Wil­ kes said. “We want to thank him for the nine years he has dedicated to the football program.” Wilkes said, his intention is to begin the search for the Lions’ next football coach by posting the job sometime before the holi­ day break. Wilkes said that ideally there will be enough football players in the program that the Lions can have ajunior varsity and var­ sity team playing 11-player football next fall, “but we’lljust have to cross that bridge when we get there.” Part of Martin’s push to try and get the Lions, and other program’s in a similar sit­ uation, eligible for an MHSAA postseason tournament revolved around his desire to coach his son, Nic Martin, in a high school playoff game - and really all his players who he has worked to treat as sons through­ out the years. Nic, a senior linebacker this fall, was named the Defensive Player ofthe Year in the Tri-River 8-Man Football Conference. He had 110 tackles this season, nine tackles for a loss, two sacks and an interception. Coach Martin said he is awaiting a meet­ ing with school administrators before he is ready to make any statement about his res­ ignation. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-11-23.pdf 661ba9ff89d2016900189225f60dd885 PDF Text Text Woman perishes in Caledonia-area crash Hastings PD overcoming staffing* equipment shortag See story on page 3 ai-nni on page 2 I .ic.hard. H.emenin car RT RT lot R caar-l °oTt«.^c005 C005 1,11 Former TK trio helps Delta to NJCAA Final See story page 8 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 421 N Taffee Dr Hastings Ml 49058-1134 _ 9 25 00 AM Hastings ANNER Thursday, November 23, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 47 PRICE $1.50 Commission on Aging project continues to take shape as public feedback rolls in Jayson Bussa Pointe, an assisted living center that is oper­ ated by county-run Thornapple Manor. After embarking on a listening tour of In fact, the new COA building will be sorts, Courtney Ziny and the other stakehold­ attached to Harvest Pointe and the two county ers associated with the Commission on organizations will share some space, like a Aging’s building project are now armed with commercial kitchen that will allow the COA a list l ofconcerns and considerations from the to prepare not just meals for visitors but for its Meals on Wheels service, which serves general public. | “We got lots ofgreat feedback on things to seniors around the county. think about as we go into that construction With the construction phase ofthe project phase,” said Ziny, executive director for the still a ways off, Ziny and the steering com­ Commission on Aging, an organization that mittee spent October and November holding serves Barry County seniors and one that is informational sessions where the public could planning to build a new facility on the south­ come and learn more about the project and east outskirts ofHastings. provide feedback. Ziny held these sessions in. “We talked about a metal roof and maybe Delton, Nashville, Woodland, Middleville solar panels on the roof. Ideas like that, which and two in Hastings. They wrapped up on have been fascinating to hear. We have lists Nov. 13 in Woodland. ofall this stuff.” “Everyone seems to be open to addressing After the Barry County Board ofCommis­ the problems, whether it’s my board, the sioners unveiled plans to provide land and $3 (county) commissioners - we need to hear million for the project earlier this year, Ziny what the problems are, whether they’re per­ and a newly formed project steering commit­ ceived or real or a combination of both,” Ziny tee have been working to move it forward. said. “And then, what are their solutions we The Commission on Aging is currently can put in place?” housed at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings “Fundamentally, we were really sure of but utilizes an aging building that has been in the project going into it, but again, we want serious disrepair for several years. The new facility will be built on an empty parcel of See COMMISSION, page 2 county-owned land adjacent to Harvest Editor A group of attendees gather at the Barry County Commission on Aging facility in Hastings for an informational session concerning the construction of a. n6ty building forjb&qrflanizatjon. (Photos provided) City of Hastings approves first phase of Riverside Cemetery memorial project The city approved the first phase of the conceptual design shown here, which would include the paved area and landscaping. The stone monuments and other amenities will be added to the project if funds can be raised by the cemetery advisory board. (Courtesy rendering) Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings City Council has approved plans for a new memorial at Riverside Cemetery. The project, when fully realized, would honor individuals who made significant con­ tributions to the Hastings community but are not buried at Riverside Cemetery. Council members approved the project’s first phase at their meeting last week. . Because of the estimated cost, the project is set to be completed in three phases, with the first phase coming with an estimated cost of $90,269. The city currently holds $88,850 set aside for the project after clearing debris from the site and contracting Landscape Architects and Planners for design services. Chris Bever, city clerk and treasurer, said the city could utilize spendable funds held for the project available through the Barry Commu­ nity Foundation to cover the difference. The first phase will include paved parking areas, paved walkways, flowerbeds and other landscaping around the site. The other two phases, which will be funded through fund­ raising efforts completed by the Riverside See CEMETERY, page 3 State grants to provide significant funding for security mental health in Hastings schools security, Hunter McLaren StaffWriter A recent wave of state grant funds .could provide more than half a million dollars to Hastings schools for student safety and well­ being. Beth Stevens, Hastings assistant superin­ tendent, provided an overview ofgrant funds headed to the district to school board mem­ bers Monday during their meeting at South­ eastern Elementary. This year, the district is set to receive between $578,000 and $597,000. Stevens said the funds will be coming from grants provided through the Michigan Depart­ ment of Education Section 31aa funds. The 31aa funds are provided through non-com­ petitive grants, meaning any district that applies for the funds can receive them. Going off of the fall 2022 student count, the grant See GRANTS, page 3 Hastings school board president Luke Haywood and Superintendent Matt Goebel spoke about the district potentially hiring a grant writer to better capture state and nonprofit funds. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Judge Michael Schipper speaks during a hearing held early this year. The Barry County judge recently spoke with the Banner about his philosophy with issuing pun­ ishment for parents who do not uphold their child support obligations. (File photo by Greg Chandler). Barry County judge signals change in philosophy when sentencing deadbeat parents Jayson Bussa Editor Jeremy Lee Allerding appeared in front of Judge Michael Schipper in a Barry County courtroom early this month for what seemed. like a run-of-the-mill sentencing hearing. The 35-year-old Barry County resident owed around $50,000 in child support paired with a checkered legal past that consisted of misdemeanors and felonies that included breaking and entering and home invasion. Allerding was in front of Schipper after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to pay child support. Schipper handed down his sen­ tence - a minimum of four years in prison along with a message: Parents who perpetual­ ly make no effort to uphold their child support obligations will find themselves behind bars. It’s a shift in philosophy from the judge of 12 years that could potentially impact delin­ quent parents around the county, which most often are fathers. . Schipper noted that, upon changing his philosophy on how to punish deadbeat par­ ents, he spoke with Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt and ChiefPublic Defend­ er Kerri Selleck, and continues to put the word put in his courtroom so that attorneys and their clients get the message. *M’ve thought about it for a while,” Schipper said in a one-on-one interview with the Banner. “You evolve as a judge and I have evolved.” “I wanted to address it with the attorneys because I always respected when I was an attorney and a judge would tell me where he was going to go so I had that information ahead oftime so I didn’t look stupid in front ofmy client,” Schipper added. His evolving philosophy cracks down on fathers who have a legal obligation to provide support to a custodial parent for their children but refuse to even though they can. “I just told (Pratt and Selleck), I’m seeing too many ofthese dads here that aren’t pay­ ing,” Schipper said. “They’re not paying, not because they can’t work but they’re working under the table - they’re logging or working construction, they’re doing work, they’rejust not paying. That’s just not acceptable.” Schipper was careful to lay out several scenarios where he can sympathize with a father or parent who has fallen behind on payments. This includes men who have run into economic or financial hardship or are disabled and can’t work. Schipper said he simply wants to see the effort that they’re trying to issue, at the very least, the monthly payment and then they can go back and make arrangements to address any arrearage that may have accumulated. “Some (people) are ‘I’mjust not going to do it. 1 can’t work. I’m not going to work.’ See JUDGE, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, November 23. 2023 — The Hastings Banner TK grad, dance teacher killed in crash near Caledonia NEWS BRIEFS Local dance studio presents production of ‘The Nutcracker’ Longtime Nashville Dance Studio Step N’ Time is bringing the sights and sounds of the holiday season to life with its upcoming production of“The Nutcracker.” This year, the dance studio, headed up by Kimberly Rodriguez, is celebrating its 20th season, and, along with that comes the return of“The Nutcracker.” The studio will hold the production at the Crown Revue in Nashville, located at 301 Main St. in Nashville. Show dates include: - Nov. 25 (3 and 7 p.m.) - Nov. 26 (3 p.m.) - Dec. 1 (7 p.m.) - Dec. 2 (7 p.m.) - Dec. 3 (3 p.m.) Tickets can be purchased online at therevuenashville.seatyourself.biz. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Orangeville Baptist Church to host interactive nativity scene Dec. 2-3 Orangeville Baptist Church will host a walkthrough living nativity scene on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. Attendees can enjoy a 30-minute walk outdoors as over 75 costumed actors and live animals reenact the events leading up to the birth ofJesus. Church organizers will recre­ ate the Bethlehem marketplace, where guests can watch the performance take place. Attendees will finish the night inside the church’s Bethlehem bakery, where treats and hot chocolate for all can be found. The actors will perform several times during each night ofthe event. While Orangeville Baptist Church has made a tradition of live retellings of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection for many years, this year’s nativity scene will differ from those ofyears past, with an interactive performance. Orangeville Baptist Church is located at 6921 Marsh Road in Plainwell. Those with questions about the event can contact Sue Wolthuis, 616-204-7211, or Rose Lybrink, 269-348-2346. More information can also be found by contacting the Orangeville Baptist Church office at 269-664-4377 or by emailing ovilleoffice@gmail.com. Barry-Eaton District Health Department recognizes Great American Smokeout 2023 In recognition of the Great American Smokeout, the Barry-Eaton District Health Department is encouraging community members who are thinking about quitting smok­ ing to start with day one: today. About 34 million American adults still smoke cigarettes and smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. Smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths every year, or about one in five deaths. Quitting smoking is one ofthe most important actions anyone can take to improve their health, health department representatives said. After the last cigarette is smoked, the body begins a series of positive changes that continue for years. For example, within minutes of quitting smoking, the heart rate decreases and within 24 hours, the nicotine level in the blood drops to zero. Within one to two years after quitting smoking, the risk ofa heart attack drops sharply. For women who are pregnant, quitting as early as possible can help protect against some health problems for developing babies, such as being bom too small or premature. To have the best chance ofquitting and remaining smoke-free, it’s best to know: - What to expect when quitting - What options there are to help when quitting - What tools and medicines are available - Where tq(go for help Ask a health care provider about local resources that may help. Check the Michigan Tobacco Quitlink (1-800-784-8669), which offers free counseling to those who qualify. Moolenaar staff available to discuss constituent assistance Staff members from the office of Congressman John Moolenaar are hosting meeting times across the district this month where constituents can sit down to discuss personal casework issues they are experiencing with a federal agency. by a 19-year-old that was traveling west­ bound on 140th and stopped at the stop sign at Patterson Road. The driver then pulled into the path of a Jeep that traveling southbound on Patterson. A 31 -year-old woman who was driving the Jeep was unable to avoid the Audi, resulting in the crash, police said. Watson was taken to Metro Health Hospi- tai in Byron Center for advanced medical care, but later died ofher injuries at the hos- ■,. pitai, police said. The intersection of Patterson and 140th was closed for about two hours after the crash, which remains under investigation by Michigan State Police. Seatbelts were used by all occupants of the two vehicles, and alcohol or drug use has been ruled out as a factor in the crash, police said. Troopers were assisted at the crash scene by Leighton Township Fire Department and Wayland Area EMS. Watson is survived by her parents, Mick­ ey and Theresa Jordan; siblings, Davin Jor­ dan and Alexis Watson; grandparents, Alice Jordan and Bruce Jordan; aunts, Crystal Geddie and Tammy Watson; uncles, Lance Watson, Tony Watson and Robert Watson; and boyfriend, Ryan McLain. Funeral services for Watson will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Beeler-Gores Funeral Home, 914 W. Main St., Middleville, with Pastor Tony Shumaker officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Beeler-Gores Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Barry County Humane Society. for a while and clearly demonstrated no interest or effort in paying. Yeah, I’m proba­ bly going to send you to prison. Go sit for a year.” Schipper also noted scenarios in which fathers pay a child’s mother, but those funds are mismanaged and don’t end up benefiting the child. He relies on his colleague, Circuit Court Judge Vicki Alspaugh, to address and sort out legal concerns that stem from court-ordered child support payments. At the end of the day, like with any other flavor ofcriminal activity, Schipper said that his approach to sentencing deadbeat dads traces back to the concept ofsetting an appro­ priate deterrent. “IfI know the judge in Barry County will, ifI go to the bank and rob it, only give mejail time, I’m going to rob the bank,” Schipper said. “There has to be a deterrent. I don’t want people to go to prison. I don’t want deadbeat dads to go to prison. Just pay. Greg Chandler StaffWriter Kayla Watson loved to dance. For 12 years, she took classes at Expres­ sions Dance Centre in Hastings. Her favorite style ofdance was ballet. She was part ofthe school’s Dance Trilogy competitive dance team and served as an assistant teacher there. “She was kind, loving, funny and loved pizza,” EDC owner Amy Gillett said. “She was a beautiful dancer, full of grace and danced with her heart. She was a great team­ mate and friend to others.” Watson, a 2021 graduate of Thomapple Kellogg High School, was killed Saturday in a two-vehicle crash at the Barry/Allegan County line. She was 21, living in Caledonia and working as a MIG welder at Bradford White Corporation in Middleville. The crash occurred at the intersection of 140th Avenue and Patterson Road in Allegan County’s Leighton Township. Michigan State Police did not release the name of the victim, but multiple sources confirmed Wat­ son as the victim. According to State Police at the Wayland Post, Watson was passenger in an Audi driven A photo of Kayla Watson from her senior year. (Photo courtesy of Expressions Dance Centre) w z * pal JUDGE, continued from page There is always an excuse. I’m just not going to tolerate it anymore,” Schipper said. “Ifyou create a kid, you’re responsi­ ble for that kid. You need to feed and clothe them.” “This isn’t going to happen the first time you don’t pay,” he added, noting that the State Attorney General’s office doesn’t typi­ cally pursue these cases until a parent has fallen several thousands of dollars behind. “This is going to be those who have not paid 118 Or X X' . "I’m***oieofc®01^. Im feifeidl e Moolenaar’s office is offering help to constituents who need assistance with a federal agency, including the VA and the IRS Staffmembers will be available locally in the coming weeks in Ionia, Hastings and Sunfield. On Tuesday, Nov. 28, staffwill be available at the Hastings Public Library, 227 East State Street, from 9 to 10 a.m. Staffwill also be available that day at the Sunfield Township Hall, 145 Main Street, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. KELLOGG PTO’S HOLLY JOLLY ^CRAFT SHOW DECEMBER 2ND 9-3P GULL LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL 9550 M89, RICHLAND OVER 120 BOOTHS TO SHOP plus Bake Sale and Santa! ( > : FREE admission II SHOP SMALL FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS ■ijr This is a rendering that shows the current plans for a new Barry County Commission on Aging building, which would be attached to the Harvest Pointe assisted living facility in Hastings Charter Township. COMMISSION, continued from page 1 to keep our minds open as to what are some of those hiccups or something of concern,” she added. “Every step ofthe way, we’ll be making sure we’re putting those concerns in front ofus.” One recurring concern has been the loca­ tion of the facility, moving the COA from inside the city of Hastings to several miles outside of it. Ziny said that firming up its existing partnership with Barry County Tran­ sit would be key in continuing to make the COA accessible to seniors. Mary Bassett, executive director for Barry County Transit, visited one of the informa­ tional sessions. “There is transit coining in and out ofhere all day long so it really isn’t going to neces­ sarily change that, only, they’re going to go to a different location,” Ziny explained. “Our biggest concern is probably the city ofHastings residents, who might be comfort­ able driving a couple ofblocks in town but maybe not so much driving four miles outside oftown,” she added. “We talked about ‘Can we do a pickup location?’ All ofthose things will be on the table and, as we get closer to building, we’ll be able to narrow down what is the need and how can we address it.” Current plans for the new COA building clock in at 16,500 square feet in size, which is a significant increase from the nearly S 1*^ 10,000 square feet of space that the COA utilizes right now on Woodlawn Avenue. The new building would also provide more flexibility in that space - with expandable walls in the activity room - along with room for growth. The plans are “fairly set in stone,” accord­ ing to Ziny, but there are areas they can cut into ifneeded for cost savings. “We did give up some things but we also have some shared spaces with Harvest Pointe, which made us feel better about giving up some things,” Ziny said. "... lots of compro­ mises but I think we all feel good about this. It looks at potential growth without being unreal­ istic on whether we can raise the money.” To fund the project, the COA will utilize the $3 million provided by the county along with adding $450,000 out ofits own building fund. After that, the COA will be left to raise $2.5 million. Ziny said that the organization plans to mount a capital campaign, and right now, they are looking to philanthropic and grant opportunities to jump-start that process. Ziny also said that the COA was careful of what sort of financial request it posed to the community, especially since, seven years ago, the COA saw two millage proposals struck down by taxpayers that would have funded the construction ofa new building. In addition to leveraging the feedback that H^ppy Thanksgiving November Sale 20% Off Fabrics the COA acquired via its recent listening tour, Ziny said they also look back at those failed millages for guidance. “Seven years ago, when the COA tried to build then, size was an issue then and that’s why we wanted to make sure we were effi­ cient about not being too big or wasting space,” Ziny said. “But what we also heard from that time is that (taxpayers)just couldn’t take on more tax burden.” “We think the community will be giving and will appreciate that that’s the stance we’re coming from and I think - while it won’t come easy - I think it is doable and I think it is a reasonable request to ask the community to support based on the number of services provided out ofthis facility.” While there is no timeline set on when construction might begin. Ziny said that, in early 2024, they could start construction plans based on the funding they’ve already secured. At the same time, Ziny and her team at the COA will continue to pound the pavement with similar informational sessions, high­ lighting to the community not just the forth­ coming project but also the services that the COA provides in general. “I don’t think the services we provide are understood well enough or is it understood how far our reach really is,” Ziny said. he 5*2.^ »»» Wk.. A (Excludes Sale Items) oda® Collections • Linen Cupboard, Eyelet, Forest & Frolic, Etchings, Honey & Lavender, more ’ Flannel, Cuddle • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station SANTA KELLOGGELEMENTARYPTOPGMAIL.COM MORE! & QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St.. Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; ■■ Saturday 9 am-3 pm Barry County Commission on Aging Executive Director Courtney Ziny provides a presentation about the plans to build a new facility for her organization. The COA and its steering committee have held a number of informational sessions throughout the county over the last month and a half. s’WxM ■I �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 23, 2023 — Page 3 Hastings Police Department finding solutions to staff, equipment shortages Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings Police Department is begin­ ning to find its way ahead ofstaffing shortag­ es that have made their operations challeng challeng-­ ing in the past few years. The department is getting closer to being fully staffed with 15 officers, with 10 officers currently working alongside Chief Dale Boulter and Deputy ChiefJulissa Kelly. Last year, the department was at one point operat­ ing with only 8 officers. Boulter said the newest officers are quickly acclimating to their roles in the department. “Our numbers have definitely increased, which I feel much better about,” Boulter said. “You know, obviously a lot of young new people are still in the learning phase but they’re doing exceptionally well. They fitt in pretty well.” Labor shortages have been affecting nearly every industry since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Police departments across the state and the country found themselves especially affected, with a shortage ofnew officers leading to fierce competition between departments. The severe shortage required Hastings PD to get creative with its hiring methods. The department sponsored two recruits in 2022, Lexi Meher and Andrew Babcock, paying for their training academy fees and promising them a spot in the department after graduation. Babcock, who’s now been with the depart­ ment for about a year, said taking the spon­ sorship deal tojoin HPD was a no-brainer. He was already planning on putting himself through the police academy at Grand Rapids Community College when he became aware ofthe sponsorship opportunity in Hastings. “I applied for that, got that, and it just made it much easier,” he said. “I didn’t have to work 40 hours a week plus attend the police academy.” Previously serving as a corrections officer for the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office, Bab­ cock said Hastings has been a great commu­ nity to serve. “It’s a nice little town,” he said. “I enjoy coming to work every night.” When possible, Boulter said the depart­ ment tries to hire Barry County locals or *** Recruits Lexi Meher (left) and Andrew Babcock (right) were both sponsored and had their police academy fees paid for by the City of Hastings. They’ve been serving the Hastings Police Department for nearly a year. (File photo) those familiar with the area. Especially for young officers, a familiarity with the commu­ nity can help them more easily step into their new roles. “You’ve got to learn the ropes and learn the people, especially the people ofBarry Coun­ ty,” Boulter said. “I like hiring the locals because they already know the people, because the people of Barry County and Hastings are great people. And, sometimes, you talk to them differently than you would in Kalamazoo.” The new recruits have also meant the department can expand past its typical dayto-day operations. Longtime Hastings officer Josh Sensiba was able to move to a new office inside Hastings High School, where he serves as the district’s school resource officer. Boulter said having Sensiba at the school helps build relationships with students while also cutting down on trips to the school that other officers on patrol would typically make. “I proposed it to Josh and he was all for it,” Boulter said. “Of course Josh has always been one of those people that can build a relationship with a kid, and he loves it. He’s coached up there for several years.” The department is able to look ahead, too. With Sensiba at the high school, the depart­ ment is working to get its cadet program fully operational again. The program allows local students to work with Hastings police, teach­ ing them more about law enforcement, open­ ing the door to explore military service and just teaching them to be good citizens overall, Boulter said. Although it requires a lot ofwork from the department, the cadet program is worth it, Boulter said. Students gain skills and experi­ ence, officers gain the chance to give back to the community in a new way and HPD gains potential recruits. Although he’s happy to see cadets succeed no matter which path they take, Boulter said it’s a great experience to see them join the police force and return to the department. HPD currently employs one Officers Alex Wesseling (left) and Andrew Babcock (right) have both been serving the Hastings Police Department for around a year. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) former cadet, Officer Joseph James. “I’ve actually known Joseph for over 10 years, and he’s changed quite a bit since com­ ing into the cadet program. He’s a local boy bom and raised right here in the city ofHast­ ings, so he’s a good kid,” Boulter said. “It’s awesome when they come back to work for the place they call their stomping ground.” The department has faced its fair share of other challenges as well, including operating without one of its patrol vehicles for several months after it was destroyed in an act of arson last year. While HPD is still looking for a few more officers, the department’s opera­ tions have become much easier to handle, Boulter said. Continued teamwork with other law enforcement agencies like the Barry County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police have made things easier too. “The biggest thing right now is continuing to fill open spots. There’s always something moving somewhere, but everything seems to work out,” Boulter said. “Sometimes, you’re wondering what you’re going to do, but it all falls together. Especially when everyone works together as a team.” CEMETERY, continued from page 1 Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board, will include stone memorial markers, additional amenities like benches and more landscaping features at the sije. Phase two and three are Estimated to cost a combined $198,000, put- tery around that time, as it was in sore need of renovations and repairs. The memorial proj­ ect was suggested by a. community member early in the process, although the cemetery advisory board has only recently been able to tirig theTprbjecfS tptofeostimtied cost st atJust addre«it afM?tacfcIing.jfibre press fngissu^ toef$3D‘0,000. IL ^’’Phase two and three are contingent-npon fundraising at a future date,” Bever said. “But with the work that the advisory committee did with Landscape Architects and Planners, phase one can be a standalone area.” Bonnie Huntley, chair of the cemetery advisory board, said initial work on the proj­ ect began in 2014. The city began surveying the community about the fiiture ofthe ceme- “Thisjiaea) Was warmly received by just about everybody who heard (it). As the advi­ sory group went about its business of plan­ ning over the years, this item always appears on our work plan,” she added. “It’s always a high priority item, often the top priority item, and never urgent. And so (now), the urgent work has been done over the years as we’ve gone along.” Closed or Open Cell or Blownrln.FiberglasS/M .uiq < 7-008-1) ;Ini jgrRoy Moaste j• 5o1r7o-r6w52-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Bonnie Huntley, chair of the Riverside Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board, spoke to council members last week about the history of the project. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING | Licensed Master Plumber GRANTS, continued from page 1 irf* u *** * if* z provides a minimum of $220 per pupil for districts to put towards safety, security, men­ tal health and student behavior. Once acquired, the funds will provide for a variety of programs and initiatives through­ out the district. The district’s grant applica­ tion has earmarked the funds for lockboxes providing key access for fire and police per­ sonnel, costs associated with therapy dogs, professional development opportunities and emotional learning programs for students. The district also plans to add three part-time behavioral health positions, with those employees working with students and fami­ lies to provide additional support and resourc­ es in those areas. “On the behavior and mental health side, we really are in need ofpeople to work with our families to work on attendance, to be able to put them in connection with social, emo­ tional and mental health issues,” Stevens said. “We need some to work with on student behavior, student behavior plans and some special education needs.” The 31aa funds will be working in con­ junction with Section 97 grant funds utilized by the school last year. Section 97 funds are also awarded through non-competitive grants for districts to spend on safety infrastructure and personnel. Last year Hastings used the funds to secure card-swipe entrances, enhanced entrance security and emergency supplies. The district worked with school safety consultants to find and shore up secu­ rity shortcomings in the district. “We developed a redly good relationship with Security Education Consultants, SEC. They came in and did an evaluation of all of outbuildings, safety and security eyaluations,” ?Stevens said. “We were able to get two' different grants, one to get a school ’ resource officer and then one to work on some of the things that they thought needed to be upgraded for safety and security.” Section 97 provided a $75,000 matching grant for a school resource officer, allowing the district to place Hastings police officer Josh Sensiba in the district. This year’s 31aa funds would be used to cover'the district’s halfofthe matching funds, as well as provide funds to hire an armed security manager. The role will function similarly to the school resource officer, although will be hired - Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License #8110376 Office (269) 948-2248 & Insured Mobile (269) 838-5112 nunilHPPLL Hastings school board member Valerie Slaughter accepts a birdhouse from a Southeastern Elementary student at Monday’s meeting. Students lworked with com- Comedy by Pat Cook munity mentors to create a birdhouse for each board member. Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC., ofWoodstock, Illinois through school security consultants instead of local police. Stevens said the district had reached out to Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter, but the department did not have any other officers available for the position. “With this relationship with SEC, they interview and hire and train a fully armed security manager. We would be able to get that, Stevens said. “I feel very comfortable with SEC’s level of expectations. The owner of that company is a retired Secret Service person, so I feel good about that.” Although Hastings won’t have the funds in hand until December at the earliest, Stevens said everything outlined in the district’s grant application can be budgeted for because of thp grant s non-competitive nature. ’ Again, this is not a competitive grant,” she said. “If I submit the paperwork and I submit it correctly, and I documentt everyevery­ thing that we need to document, we will get hawarded this. It’s not competitive. You just have to meet the dea’’dlines, and dot your ‘I’s and cross your ‘T’s.’’ Superintendent Matt Goebel said the 31 aa funds are the latest in a wave ofnon-compet­ itive grant funds coming from the state level. While the funds provided must be earmarked for certain uses - in this case, security and mental health - these typ es ofgrants are providing a steady boost toll districts throughout the state. Goebel said it’s expected the funds will be provided throughout and possibly beyond Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s state administration. “This is coming from Lansing. Lansing is really pushing safety andlsecurity, but they’re also pushing mental health,” Goebel said. “We’re going to see this keep coming in grant form to boards across the state, probably in the next -1 don’t know liow many years. But (Section 97 and 31aa funds), we can pretty much count on in grant form for quite a few years in the future.” Goebel said the district has discussed the idea of hiring a grant water in the district to secure more of those Kinds in the future. While Stevens currently writes and tracks grant applications for the district, a full-time grant writer could cast a wider net and secure funds through other areas outside of state grant programs. “That person could also look to foundations and other things outside bfjust (what’s avail­ able through) Lansing. They could go to non­ profits and those types ofthings, too,” he said. Performances I Thursday, Friday, Saturday - December 7,8,9 @ 7:00 PM Sunday - December 10 @ 2:00 PM ~ ALL TICKETS: $12 Open-to-the-Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, December 6 @ 7:00 PM "ALL TICKETS: $10 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231S. Broadway - Hastings Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers, 102 E. State St., Hastings, by scanning the QR code or reserved by calling the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. CT1JW »NAppLE pp UNCIl Thornapple Players is a non-profit organization providing theatrical opportunities to the Barry .For more information, email; thornappleplayecs@gmall.cpm ,¥ �Pago 4 - Thursday, November 23. 2023 - The Hastings Banner □id you see & We have so much for which to be thankful Young Bucks Last issue, we asked readers to submit photos from their successful deer hunting excursions. A couple off shots from young, local hunters caught our eyes. On the left is 12-year-old Landon Holman, who took down this deer while hunting in Castleton Township. On the right, is 16-year-old Kassandra Harton, who got herself an eight-point buck in Hastings Township. Congrats to both of these hunters and all the others who have been enjoying the season. D. you remember? Work continues on resurfacing M-43 Banner Sept. 26, 1991 Work being done on state M-43 is halfway finished, according to highway officials. Some of the work is being done during the night to avoid the heavy traffic on the road. Have you met? Delton resident Jim Enrietti has recently been receiving a lot of recognition for his contributions to music. He’s made headlines in several northern Michigan newspapers, not to mention a front page appearance in The Detroit Free Press (almost as prestigious as a “Have You Met?” feature in The Hastings Banner). Although he’s been humbled by the out­ pouring of support, he was never in it for the headlines. It all started when he was just a boy. Growing up in the ‘30s and ‘40s, Enrietti was the only child left at home in Calumet as his older brothers left to join the war effort. Money was tight, and toys were scarce, but Enrietti had the whole house to himself. That’s how he came upon an accordion in the attic one day. Once belonging to his late grandmother that he had never met, Enrietti started teaching himselfhow to play. Soon, he found himselfat the center ofa dinner-ta­ ble conversation - one of many conversa­ tions he recalls that were about him, but not with him - about his budding musical talent. His family was impressed, and soon he was off taking lessons and, eventually, was given an accordion ofhis own. Enrietti remembers the day in 1948 when one ofhis older brothers came to wake him up and told him to grab his accordion. The girl who was supposed to play in the Fourth of July parade was sick, and now was his chance to fill in. He played at the parade, and went on to play at a bar in Calumet after. While he was playing his brother passed around a hat, and by the end ofthe show Enrietti’s share ofthe proceeds was $30 - equivalent to more than $300 today when adjusted for inflation. “That’s how it started. I loved music. I never realized playing music, you’d get paid. It wasn’t a vision ofmine,” he said. Once he started, he never stopped. Enrietti played at bars, weddings and any other venue he could book. The law said perp formers at bars must be 18-years-oldd or older, and Enrietti remembers having to make a quick exit from the stage when someone heard the liquor-inspector was stopping in. He was booked four or five nights a week, making $8 to $10 a gig. “People were dancing. It was after World War II and the world was on fire,” he said. He would go on to work in education, first as a special education teacher, then in adult education, at the university level, and later as a recruiting consultant for colleges across the country. He found his way back to Michigan, working for a few more col­ leges before retiring. Now he splits his time between Delton and the Upper Peninsula with his wife, Teri. Jim Enrietti Although he never became a full-time musician, the idea was always there. Even though he never struck his fortune on the road with his accordion in hand, he never stopped playing music whenever he could. “Even though I always worked, when a person is very young, the lure of playing music to make a living is strong,” he said. “It’s one ofthe few things I did when I was young that really was far beyond my consciousness. I realized it was not a good way to try to make a living.” Now performing as part of “The World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band,” he’s played it all: rock and roll, jazz, Western, big band, waltz, you-name-it. His favorite, however, has always been polka. It’s just happy music, he said. Over the years, he has become known as one of Michigan’s most prolific polka per­ formers. A group he played in, Penn Ohio Polka Pals, was nominated for a Grammy in 1989. In 2007, he was admitted to the Michigan Music Hall ofFame for his contributions to polka. Just this summer, he played at the Calumet Theatre while celebrating his 75th year ofperforming. Enrietti knew the event was raising money to replace an antique chandelier at the venue, which has hosted the likes of John Phillips Sousa and, allegedly, Harry Houdini. What Enrietti didn’t know is that the event was also meant to recognize him. Michigan State Rep. Greg Markkannen attended, presenting him with a letter from the state. He’d receive a similar let­ ter from Michigan State Rep. Rachelle Smit, too. “It was a very humbling experience for me, because music has been my avocation, ft’s what I did for fun,” he said. “Some people collect stamps for a hobby. I played music.” He remains humbled by the impact his lifelong hobby has had on others. Once, when playing at the memory unit of a nursing home, Enrietti recalls seeing the residents come to life after hearing polka songs from their younger days. Residents began tapping their feet and clapping their hands. One woman, who nurses said hadn’t spoken in 12 years, began singing along. “No matter what we played, she knew the words. They were flabbergasted,” he said. “It just opened that door. When you • see that, that brings tears to your eyes.” He’s been a part of some people’s best and worst days, playing at weddings, funer­ als and celebrations oilife. He’s performed in nearly every venue in the Upper Peninsu­ la from Wisconsin tolSault Ste. Marie. In one instance, he’s placed at a couple’s wed­ ding, and again for tHeir 25th anniversary and again for their 50th. One woman on the road asked if Enrietti etti remembered her, revealing that he had played at her wedding when he was just staring to play at 13. “Sometimes, it gets so emotional, ft becomes hard to finish the song,” he said. “When you realize the impact you’ve made on that person’b life - that’s what’s humbling.” For sharing his love ofmusic just for the sake of it and his contributions to polka music, Jim Enrietti is this week’s Bright Light. A book I’d recommend: “State ofFear” by Michael Crichton. ’ Favorite season: My favorite season is spring, because you’re surrounded by new life. All of the colors, all those beautiful greens, you look across, you see the shades ofgreen, and life is bursting out all over the place. Fall is a fun time of the year, but we’re surrounded by death. Leaves are dead. That’s why they’re coming down. Favorite movie: “Dr. Zhivago.” If I could live in another time: I’d like to live 50 years from now. My mother grew up, she remembered seeing the first auto­ mobile come into town, they first got run­ ning water in the house and didn’t have to go to the well pump. Before she died, she had an automatic washer and dryer and she flew in ajet airplane. ] Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who\ should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality, for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. gize for our past. Carla Wilson-Neil eloTo me, Thanksgiving Day is still one $ of our most important American tradi­ <quently referenced this last week during tions because it’s a time when families <a Veterans Day speech at the Veterans get together for a meal along with set* ]Memorial in Tyden Park. “In this era of uncertainty and diviting the stage for the rest ofthe holiday ision, let our veterans be a force to unify,” season. said Wilson-Neil. “Vets come from all Though many families are feeling the pressures ofthe world around them, the walks of life, all ethnicities, and repreThanksgiving celebration is a valued sent the rich tapestry of our nation and practice. It’s a time to reflect and to be the embodiment ofthe American spirit.” We have allowed special interest thankful for all the good things in our groups to push us towards degradation, lives. and to become less committed as Amer­ Let’s not dwell on the economy, the lack ofpeace in our world, and the big icans to stand proud of who we are, what we stand for, and above all to be issues over which we have little or no control. Let’s think about the meaningfill grateful for our democracy even with all things that directly touch our lives like its faults. I’ve seen it in our veterans, their com­ family, church and the local programs and people we know who are focused on mitment to country, a dedication to democracy and their willingness to give making a difference in our world. In our newspapers, you’ll find their lives to protect it. Yet in the streets announcements of local Thanksgiving of our cities, people gather in protest, dinners offered to individuals and fami­ oftentimes to something they know little lies and for those who are alone looking ofand are not willing to take the time to for food and conversation. These celebra­ research and understand history which is where you find the answers. tions of Thanksgiving remind us that, Yes, we live in unusual times, but as even though some may not have a lot, we all have something for which to be thank­ Americans we have the power to create ful. That’s why the day is so important anything we want, to accept what is or to demand more. It’s easy to be critical but because it focuses on gratitude. it’s hard to make the changes needed to Gratitude is a learned quality and the more we look for even the smallest of keep our nation strong. Former President John F. Kennedy blessings the more grateful we become. said it best: “One person can make a Having gratitude in our lives supports difference, and every person must try. stronger mental well-being, increases What if each ofus really tried? What if spiritualism and self-esteem, and makes each of us spontaneously decided that, us happier. h pp . As Cicero once said,, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but one by one, we really can be the better world we wish for?” the parent ofall the others.” Gratitude is how that can happen. To keep it all in perspective, consider Gratitude gives us contentment, joy and some ofthe people who have overcome even more serious difficulties in their the power to be generous. This is our lives. I know people who’ve recently lost time - yours and mine. We have the a loved one, found out that they have a knowledge and the “rich tapestry ofour serious health issue,, or have lost their people and the embodiment ofthe Amerjob. How are they approaching these ican spirit!” We just need to push forward and accept nothing else but the best things that impact their lives? Experts warn us not to let the prob­ for America. Let’s make gratitude our calling. Take lems we face consume us or determine our attitudes. They say there’s always a some time to think about that this week. I hope you all have a great and grateful solution ifwe work hard to find it, espe'11 -fcfdlly when we Strive to be grateful for Th?anfkiwsglsi vtionng IfiE-’ 37/ JSfl vVhat we do have. y ' ■"The art of being grateful for the blessings you already possess is ofitself the most profound form of worship, an incomparable gem ofprayer,” said author Napoleon Hill. In recent years, we as Americans have become critical ofour country, our lead­ ers and our history. We’ve converted our heroes into criminals, our legends into lies, and our cheers into sneers. It’s as Fred Jacobs, CEO, though we’re ashamed of our past, of J-Ad Graphics Inc. who we are, and ofwhat we stand for by allowing groups ofAmericans to apolo- P '/»0C»’ fcxzfc xzc- z/i /i a* r ^Zr Zr /rzz/>?i 4W %>‘X f* j 6 (fMU* 1.14> .14>* Zz’’* 6lx**®*, “jS iW* nZL^r J! |g£inX*«* a®tf*kw**rL-j« •»’ • Si3 LlOf * * i', i-i•L.'llOf !« * ** *: l<l< £>> wm fl • S i^ 3" rt'kifto^8®^ ^iwenw' i en E p -** '* 11 -- ** Ep-**'* >-*«TaW >,-,*«TaWss» ‘“ ■ ■m m MOWS MOWS**** “-tf£•*>S M! ‘i! i5i^!Cih r—tI?*7 3 7S .. X ’»_® *•’’ «VMubHmWbW Vta|i■| .i• *■iit^o—to«L.«-.i i!f«ll_*lf_«l_t»f_l_»M_»_r_i’ itaftiidittaii si'snniiEtotK iflwtflll iiiniadtfii mjwrfifii ■rtwtaii sEXjmtdr!®*^' feitetdstotafttog ■itofliWM Viari^ttl® nkathtofltotot tottetatoivitoiv '■»!■, ls£3is(as si^wjESBK^ I?’*"’*** 5m„.B Wtofjuq'u tgg, , . ^taxte *&*?* J *** w* >i*t'^^ ^w^.^*** .^ * ** Wtohrf s*E?b ’Sfe^S ?* w ***! **wZ? >**» ’ ^>»t£Ea » :sa y**1S*®S» aw to RiMli »■■*** ItJJkZl k Zl -J -J isss'iiXissi !> isss'iiXiss sssss?*•*& The Hastings BaHUCT Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 S*S*w> l>Q' ssi^sssi* SSS'SJJcS*Skt<le,.SSj»x?JSSsssSSs«»SS>S *tSs 'SkjSs«S �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. November 23, 2023 — Page 5 Central Dispatch eyes operating millage renewal in upcoming election Jayson Bussa Oil Editor Barry County Central Dispatch will bring an operating millage renewal to voters during an upcoming election and approval of the proposal would net the department money needed to expand its staff. Stephanie Lehman, director ofCentral Dispatch, appeared in front ofthe county’s com­ mittee of the whole on Tuesday morning, seeking approval of language that would be included on the ballot during the February 2024 primary election. The committee ofthe whole approved the language and moved it along to the full board ofcommissioners for final approval. The millage proposal is a renewal of its current operating millage, which is 1 mill. However, that amount has been reduced to 0.9416 mill due to a Headlee Amendment roll­ back. The department is asking taxpayers to sign off on the current amount, plus an additional.0584 mill to restore the original 1 mill. Lehman underscored the importance of funding for her department by pointing out the ever-rising costs that come with utilizing cutting-edge technology and both hiring and retaining a full staff in an era where labor is hard to come by. “The days ofjust answering a handset and taking into a radio are over; that was really what the 9-i-l environment was when it was set up here in 1992 and the game has changed since then. I don’t think I need to talk to any­ one about the rising labor cost. COVID changed that for everybody. We’re definitely seeing that and feeling that pinch.” Lehman provided data that underscored how consistently and significantly the usage ofCentral Dispatch has climbed over the last couple ofdecades. Through October of this year, the depart­ ment has dispatched 47,269 incidents, a num­ ber that was 44,263 at the same time last year, signifying nearly a 7-percent increase. In 2018 for the same period, Central Dis­ patch had dispatched 40,749 incidents. That number was 31,131 incidents in 2013. “We’re looking at a significant increase in the amount ofwork we’re doing,” Lehman said. By restoring the operating millage to 1 mill, Lehman estimated that it would gener­ ate an additional $165,000 annually, enough to fund the salaries of two new dispatchers, who would potentially join the roster of 12 dispatchers currently on staff. Commissioner Bob Teunessen, at the con­ clusion of the meeting, highlighted that not Stephanie Lehman, director of Barry County Central Dispatch, speaks in front of Barry County commissioners on Tuesday morning during a committee of the whole meeting. only will Central Dispatch seek approval for an operating millage renewal, but the CommisCommis­ sion on Aging and Barry County Transit will do the same in the upcoming election cycle. “They’re all vital to Barry County,” Teunessen said. “What people need to take away from that is that the services they all provide for people are tremendous. These are also renewals; that’s the thing. Everybody’s say­ ing they don’t want more taxes. Remember one thing, they are renewals. ” Defending the use of the word ‘no fe* e*** r Sr**'! M’nlJpoKSBoftf taiaio(oorc(n>y,ivlti SOSM)'. Wverawidi BBiCMkw teals® dscfi into® It’s Ji 0^ w riawil on p® ^Gnptoa tat y / y eminent does not do many things well or efficiently and for that reason we, as citi­ zens, should only require government to do those things that we cannot (collectively) do ourselves. Our current situation is that our govern­ ment at all levels has said “yes” so often that it has way overpromised and underper­ formed. I might change my mind on this if our leaders could actually deliver on their promises, but ifthere is one thing that I do know, it is the fact that they cannot deliver because they are not God, they are only human like the rest ofus. It is time that our leaders say “no more” and start to properly do what they have promised, or undo some oftheir promises until they can do a limited number of things at least in an acceptable manner. Our leaders need to understand that they have a responsibility to act on our behalf, and in our best interest even if it means sometimes going against what the majority want. Being able to say “no” is the beginning ofbeing qualified to lead. To help our leaders, we citizens need to do more for ourselves and demand less from our government. When I [say ask less, (say “no” to ourselves) I want to be clear that I am say­ ing we should not be asking for those things that are insignificant Compared to the primary responsibility of our (government. We have distracted our leaders with silliness to the point that we cannot insure the continuation ofour nation. Our leaders shouldlbe focusing on what is best for the township) city, county, state and country depending on what level they were elected to. For example, our US representa­ tives should be making decisions based on what is best for the country rather than try­ ing to “bring home the bacon” to the state they represent. To represent your state should mean bringing honor to your state, not to bring home the siting of a naval base in a desert just because it means employ­ ment for your state’s citizens. When you are elected to office yoi| should be willing to sacrifice your states iterests to the overall benefit ofthe nation ifthere is a better loca­ tion for a naval base!! such as a site on the ocean. If parents and our el icted leaders would act in our best interests ail 1 say “no” more often, we, as a nation, as a pc >ple and as individuals would be far better ofl I am not suggestiig that we never say “yes.” I am just sayir g that there should be more balance betweei I “yes” and “no.” Yes, when appropriate, hai much more meaning and importance if it is not guaranteed and automatic. Mike Cunningham । Yankee Springs Township Concern over dog was merited kept amongst a small group Al Pip Editor: I would like to talk about, defend and encourage the use ofthe word “no.” One definition of the word “no” (as a noun) is: “A negative vote or decision.” No is not one ofthe words that you typical­ ly or ever have heard of as a banned word. But, ifyou use this word in certain contexts such as in response to questions like: Can 1 do? Can I have? Can I be? Don’t you think? You are in danger ofbeing called a “naysay­ er,” a negative person, always against every­ thing, or maybejust plain mean. I’m not really sure how this happened, but undermines the parent’s credibility and results ' I think that it is probably because everyone in difficulty raising a child properly. Saying • wants to hear “yes” in response to their ques“yes” to everything is only slightly worse ! tions and requests. Ifyou are wondering how than having your no not mean no! Our culture the world got into the state that it is currently now seems to be defining good parenting as in, I would suggest that it is because we have saying “yes” all the time when this is actually stopped saying “no,” or at least we don’t say bad parenting. The negative impact of bad ' it often enough or when we should. We parenting has multiplied over many genera­ stopped using the word because we have been tions to a point where the impact on our soci­ bullied into saying “yes,” or at least not say­ ety may already be irreversible. ing “no.” We, as individuals, need to accept The second case involves our elected the fact that we cannot always get our way or leaders and citizens. Too many elected leadhave everything we want, and Jq, understand V) er^ find it difficult to say “no” to any citizen who asks for sometfiijrig. They. are more I| that everything we want is not always what we need or good for us. worried about getting reelected than about “No,” is a good, essential, and useful word. doing a good job at what they were elected I think it may be the first word we learn to to do. These leaders forget that the people say. I am sure that my kids said “no” much, asking for something are only a small por­ much earlier than they learned to say “yes.” tion of those who elected them. We should “No” is also shorter than “yes” by one letter vote for someone based on who they are, and easier to say. “No” is strikingly similar or what we think their character is and if we the same word in many languages (so is think they will make decisions as we would. “yes”). “No” is also easier to take back or Sometimes the important issues are known, change than “yes”. Ifyou say “no” to some­ and the candidate may have stated their body and then later tell them you have intentions. But many times the big issue is changed your answer to “yes,” they will like­ not something that was known when they ly be happy compared to telling them “yes” were elected. We elect them to make deci­ and then changing to “no.” For this reason, I sions for us during their time in office. Ifwe would suggest that it is initially better to say don’t like their decisions, we can vote them “no” or some other negative response until out at the next election. Too many people you have had a chance to properly consider think that they should be able to force our the idea/request. leaders to decide something solely because In Mathew 5:37 it says, “let your yes they tell them to or present them with a sur­ mean yes and your no mean no.” I think that vey or study ofsome kind. The best survey I one meaning ofthis is to keep your word. I know ofis called an election. also think that to be able to keep your word I want the person I vote for to stay true to you need to be careful about when you say themselves because that is who I voted for. “yes” and when you say “no,” so that you I do not want them to be swayed by others don’t have to go back on your word. I sug­ after I have voted. This is not selfish on their gest that unless you have already considered part. It is actually the most difficult part of the question or issue and have had time to an elected position to withstand the public come to a well-thought-out decision that you pressure and criticism for taking a stand on be willing to admit and say, “I don’t know” an issue, and many elected people fail in this and then take the time required to come to a regard. decision that you can stick with. Don’t say We are supposed to be living in a represen­ “maybe,” as this is just a slight delay before tative democracy version of a republic. A saying “yes.” I will also suggest that your representative democracy is a system where decision should not be influenced by how people choose leaders to make decisions for happy or unhappy the person will be with them, instead ofvoting on every issue them­ your answer. Your answer should be based selves. Our constitution did not establish a on what is right and best. Not what is popu­ “pure democracy” where the people vote on lar or easy. every decision. A pure democracy is not pracI will mention two situations that I believe tical or desirable, and I do not know ofa realrequire our immediate attention and the world example of a nation truly using this increased use ofthe word “no.” The first case system ofgovernment. concerns raising our children and grandchil­ Our leaders need to know that every time dren. They need to be told no much more they give in to a few people, they are failing often and we need to make it stick. This is to keep their word to most ofthe people who indeed a case ofmaking our no mean no and elected them and expected them to be strong our yes mean yes. I see way too many cases and stand for what they stood for before and where children are told “no” without fully during the campaign. Our leaders especially considering the matter and then the parent need to tell people “no” when they ask for goes back on their word or simply gives in to government to do things for them that are the whining and says “yes.” Doing this not the responsibility of government. Gov- To the editor: On Nov. 14, there was a statement made by a Barry County commissioner at their meet­ ing that the animal shelter director was ambushed on social media. This statement was untrue. There was a post made on social media regarding the dog Boomer from the local animal shelter that needed treatment. The seven day law is understood, but making that poor dog wait nine days was inhumane. On the ninth day, he was taken to the vet by the shelter director. They decided he should stay overnight. The veterinarians found an infection and the dog had to be put on medication to clear the infection before his sur­ gery. The Facebook page the commissioner referred to was only about Boomer, to bring awareness of his need for treatment, and this page was set to “friends only.” If you want more information on Boomer or have any interest in adopting a pet in need, contact the local animal shelter atl(269) 948-485. Cathy Anderson and Pat George Hastings Library committee to seek funding from TK, townships for study Greg Chandler StaffWriter A committee that is looking to bring a standalone public library to Middleville will ask Thomapple Kellogg Schools and two townships to contribute funding toward a feasibility study. The Middleville Library Committee last week decided to approach the TK school district, as well as the boards ofThomapple and Yankee Springs townships, to ask for contributions toward having consultant Keith Hopkins put together a study to determine whether a new public library is feasible in Middleville. The committee earlier this month asked the Middleville Village Council for a contri­ bution of $10,000 to $15,000 toward the expected $25,000 cost of the feasibility study. “It was met favorably, but they would like someone to reach out to the townships and the school to see ifthey’d be willing to also sup­ port it,” Village President Mike Cramer said. “Ifthey don’t, it’s not a big deal. I feel like I could push (a village contribution) through, with (Trustee) Makenzi (Peters’) help. “It’d be nice, because they have a vested interest in this, having constituents that are going to be serviced by this library... Ifall four of us contribute, it’d be $2,500 a municipality. ” The Friends of the Middleville Library have proposed contributing $10,000 from its Beacon Society fund toward the study, and are seeking a grant of$ 15,000 from the Thomapple Area Enrichment Fund as well. Committee Chairman Josh Mosey said he would visit Thomapple Township to make a funding request, while committee member Chris Boysen, a Yankee Springs resident, will visit that township to make a similar request. Brenda Hess, the TK board representative on the committee, will request her school board colleagues. In other business Wednesday, Hopkins gave a presentation to the board regarding how to proceed with a feasibility study; Hopkins has worked on past library devel­ opment projects in Caledonia, Ada, Wyo­ ming and Grand Haven. “All ofthem did (feasibility) studies, all of them decided we need to determine whether or not the donor community wants this, and ifso, to what degree,” Hopkins said. Hopkins recommended that the commit- tee have a proposed site in mind for a new library, rather than have several different potential locations. “The problem with that is, usually the donors are going to say let’s just go to the cheapest site, which one's the least expen­ sive, which may not be the best or most accessible,” he said. An existing residential four-plex on prop­ erty owned by the village had been identi­ fied earlier as a potential site, but concerns have been raised about flooding because of its proximity to the Thomapple River. Sev­ eral other village-owned properties could be looked at as potential sites, including the 112 E. Main property east of Village Hall, which had been proposed for a mixed-use development project several years ago. Boysen voiced concern about whether voters would support a millage to pay for library operations ifdonations for building a library could be collected. “We can make a case for actually getting a space, but will the people support it oper­ ationally?” Boysen asked. Hopkins shared that Caledonia library supporters contacted him after a failed millage attempt in 2005. “They said, ‘Hey, we can’t get all this through taxes. We need to separate the building from the operation, so we can bring the operational millage down,”’ Hop­ kins said. “We raised the money. They hadn’t yet built the building but they had the money to build it. Then they went back to the voters (in 2009) and said ‘Okay, we raised the money for the building’ - that means the operational millage is skinnier - and it passed 3-to-l ... Because they had listened to the voters and went out and raised the money for the building, they were able to pass the operational millage.” “The way they sold that millage ... They basically said, ‘Hey, it’s 100 bucks per home. For 100 bucks you can have five books, which you can buy on Amazon, or you can have all the books (in a library) ... aptLprogramming and computers,” Hopkins added. The current Middleville library is in Thomapple Kellogg High School. Howev­ er, the library is only open to the public 12 hours a week during the school year - two evenings a week and a Saturday. The library committee is not scheduled to meet again until January 2024. In Loving Memory of Severn “Stub” Allerdi ST 2/28/30-11/26/19 YourfrTewasablessing, W1 Your memory, a treasure. You are loved, beyond words, M/ssedbeyond measure. qfe We think ofyou and miss you every day, Your loving wife Doris, families 208938 NOTICE TowerCo LLC is proposing to construct a 199-foot monopole telecom­ munications tower at 2092 Welcome Road. Hastings, Barry County, Ml 49058 (42 41 53.7 N/ 85 17 20.7 W). The tower is anticipated to have no lights. Interested persons may review the application for this project at www.fcc.flov/asr/aDPlications and entering Antenna Struc­ ture Registration (ASR) Form 854 File Number “A1255799” and may raise environmental concerns about the project by filing a Request for Environmental Review with the Federal Communications Com­ mission. Requests for Environmental Review must be filed within 30 days of the date that notice of the project is published on the FCC’s website. The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file Requests for Environmental Review online at www.fcc.gov/asr/ environmentalrequest. Parties wishing to submit the request by mail may do so by addressing the request to: FCC Requests for Environ­ mental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. Public comments regarding potential effects on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: EBI Consulting, % Project #6123007339-CJ, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, or via telephone at 219­ 313-5458. �Page 6 — Thursday, November 23, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Kayla R. Watson, a spirited and coura­ geous soul, passed away unexpectedly on November 18, 2023. Bom on July 13, 2002, in Hastings, MI, she was a beacon of kind­ ness and determination that touched the lives ofall who knew her. Kayla was the beloved daughter ofMickey and Theresa (Jordan) Watson. She was a cherished sister to Davin Jordan and Alexis Watson, and a treasured granddaughter to Alice Jordan and Bruce (Tobi) Jordan. She was also a dear niece to her aunts, Crystal (Benjamin) Geddie and Tammy Watson, and her uncles, Lance Watson, Tony Watson, and Robert Watson, a beloved cousin to Khoury Baird, and caring companion to boyfriend Ryan McLain. Kayla was preceded in death by her grand­ mother, Barb Case, in 2015. She leaves behind many close lifelong friends who will remember her fondly. Kayla was a proud graduate of Thomapple-Kellogg High School, class of 2021. She »dj •ou was a diligent student who balanced her aca­ demic pursuits with her passion for dance. She was an award-winning competitive danc­ er for many years, her grace and discipline evident in every performance. Her love for dance was only matched by her love for her cats and guinea pigs, who brought her immense joy and companionship. In June 2023, Kayla began working at Bradford White as a Mig Welder. She cher­ ished the moments she spent with her dad at work, sharing a Twix and a drink during their breaks. This was a testament to her strong bond with her family and her ability to find happiness in the simplest ofmoments. Kayla was a beautiful force of nature, her energy and enthusiasm infectious. She was very outgoing, always ready with a laugh or a smile, and had a knack for making people feel special. She was passionate about staying healthy and loved working out and gymnas­ tics. Her determination was so strong, it could have built countries. She was a beacon of positivity, her spirit unyielding even in the face ofadversity. In remembering Kayla, we celebrate a life lived with courage, kindness, and an unwav­ ering spirit. Her memory will live on in the hearts ofthose she touched with her radiant smile and her boundless love. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy oflove, laugh­ ter, and determination will continue to inspire all who knew her. Kayla’s family will receive friends on Sun­ day, Nov. 26,2023 at the Beeler-Gores Funer­ al Home, Middleville from 3 to 7 p.m., where her funeral service will be conducted on Monday, Nov. 27,2023 at 1 p.m. Pastor Tony Shoemaker will officiate. Memorial contributions to the Barry Coun­ ty Humane Society will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence mes­ sage for Kayla’s family. • Traditional and Cremation Services • Pre-Planning Services / • Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible Serving All Faiths Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted t -.., owhe?/ManagX 4^JL AdkA-ft S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 2269-945-3252 • www.girrbachfuneralhome.net Family Owned and Operated oX5Cr Emcrims Serving Hastings, Barry ('ounty and Surrounding (Communities for 50 years Worship Together 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemcthodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. www .cbchasti ngs .org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (corner of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main. Pastor Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 a.m.; Worship 10:15 a.m. 16gg\y. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 Marilyn Jean Wagner, age 66, of Nashville, MI, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2023 at ThomapplejManor in Hastings sur­ rounded by the ones she loved. Marylin was born , on May 3, 1957 the daughter of Doreen -(Cutcher) and Robert Dean of Nashville where she was raised and went on to graduate from Maple valley Jr.- Sr. High School in 1975. She started working at Carefree Windows M.Charlotte shortly after high school and worked there for over 30 years until the company went out ofbusiness, She went on to work as a line cook at Shirley’s Chuckwagon Cafe and then worked at Ferees Tool and Die for a short time until becoming disabled for medical reasons. Marilyn was a hard worker and was well loved by the many people she worked with throughout the years. Marylin was an avidmushroom hunter and enjoyed foraging for wild flowers and berries across Barry and Eaton county. She enjoyed fishing and camping every year with her fam­ ily on the Thomapple River. Marilyn was known for her fun and loving personality and made friends with everyone she met. She will be truly missed although the memories she made along the way will be cherished by many for years to come. She was proceeded in death by her mother, Doreen Dean; father, Robert Dean; sister, Susan Baker and grandson, Robert Wagner. She is survived by her husband, Glen Wagnet Jr.; brother, Bill (Nora) Dean; Uncle, Jim Cutcher; children, Jacki > Brzycki and Jack Wagner; grandchildren, Tyler Wagner, Kden Wagner, Camron Wagner and Terrylynn Felder. A celebration of life will be announced in the Spring of2024. Byron Hesterly, age 97, of Hastings, MI passed away with family by his side on November 20,2023 at the Thomapple Manor. The family will receive visitors on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church in Hastings. Funeral services for Byron will be held on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 atll 1 a.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church located at 2920 S. M-37 Hwy, Hastings, ML There will be a luncheon immediately following the service at the church. Following the luncheon, interment will take place at Fuller Cemetery in Hastings. Funeral arrangements|have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, ML For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local busi 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 ^5* Byron Hesterly ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". *1 Mary Ann Erwin Kayla R. Watson 1301 W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Mary Ann Erwin, age 83, ofNashville, MI passed away peacefully on November 18, 2023 at Thomapple Manor in Hastings, ML Mary was bom on October 29, 1940 and lived in Maple Grove Township her entire life. She was the daughter of the late Arlie and Paul Goforth. She was raised in the Nashville area and attended local schools, graduating from W.K. Kellogg High School in 1958. Wes and Mary Ann lived in the same home they built in Maple Grove Township all her married life. After completing her education, she was married to Wes Erwin in the home of Reverand Clyde Gibson on December 13, 1958 in Nashville, ML In 1961, Wes was drafted into the United States Army and was sent over­ seas. Mary stayed home and watched over the family farm. When Wes had completed his service in 1964, he and Mary purchased the Stop and Shop in Nashville, Ml, where Mary worked faithfiilly as the head teller for over 10 years before closing operations in 1974. After the store closed in 1974, Mary stayed home with the children and took care of the family household. Mary had worked at Cool­ ey’s Drive-In, Foote’s Cafe, Hastings Mutual, Stop and Shop, Heritage Hills Christian School and Maplewood Elementary School. Her family was always Mary’s first priority and she took great pleasure in helping raise all ofher grandchildren. ,, In her spare time Mary enjoyed helping Wes With bam sales, watching the grandkids and reading mystery novels. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed sewing, making baskets and porcelain dolls, which she would often give to others as gifts. She and Wes were active members ofthe Nashville Baptist Church since 1966, serving faithfully as a Sunday School teacher and in the nursery ministry for several years. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Thomas Goforth, Delphia (Elgin) Totten and Lorraine (Lester) Altoft. She is survived by her beloved husband, Wes of almost 65 years; her children, Pam (Tim) Tobias, Jackie (Glenn) Ewing; siblings, Paul (Mary Jo) Goforth, Joe (Gale) Goforth, Kathy (Leo) Hine, Bernice (Dan) Shilling andI Brenda Davis; grandchildren, Micah (Tom)i Powers, Dhanielle Berg, Austin (Heather)i Tobias, Jake Ewing and Storm Ewing; great grandchildren, McCoy and Navy Powers, Myles and Reagan Berg, Evereleigh Tobias and new baby Tobias on the way. Memorial contributions can be made to the Nashville Fire Department. Funeral services were privately held oni Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 at Wilcox Ceme­ tery in Nashville, MI with Pastor Deano Lamphere officiating. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI conveniently located at 9200 East M79 Highway, Nashville, ML For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. Marilyn Joan (Currier) Kreg, age 88, passed away on November 12,2023, with her granddaughter Rhea by her side. Marilyn was bom on April 24,1935, to her parents Asa and Elvena Currier. Marilyn was united in marriage to Arlen C. Kreg on Octo­ ber 10, 1953; they enjoyed 63 years ofmar­ riage until his death in 2016. Marilyn worked at Michigan Bell Tele­ phone in her younger years. After her mar­ riage she and Art moved to Texas during Art’s time in the US Army. They returned to Michigan and became the proprietors ofthe family business Pla-Mor Lanes and Art Kreg Pro Shop. Marilyn was a pioneer in the sport of bowling, spending over 60 years as a com­ petitor. At 13 years old she was invited to compete in the adult leagues and received jiq top honors in the Kalamazoo Area Women’s Bowling Association City League. She was the Captain ofthe Kalamazoo All-Star team for many years and was inducted into the 'Cri KAWBA “Hall ofFame” in 1976. Marilyn iflB went on to be competitive as a Professional .rm Bowler; Marilyn and Art spent many years traveling the USA competing in tourna­ ments. Her accomplishments included wins 9V in several championship games including 81 the BPAA US Open and WIBC Queens cd Tournaments, many of her top scores held .nil for years... — —— Marilyn was a junior bowling coach and was a true ambassador for the bowling com­ munity, receiving many high accolades for her work. Additionally, she had a great inter­ est in geneology. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Arlen (Art) Kreg; daughter, Kathy Lynn Kreg; parents, Asa and Elvena Curri­ er; sisters, Janet Langerveld and Gayle Smelker. Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Susan (James) Peterson and her son, Steven Kreg; brother, Daniel (Katherine) Currier; grandchildren, Rhea Terburg, Onawa Ter­ burg, Nicholas Peterson and Kevin Kreg; great grandchildren, Caleb Howe, John Howe, Cora Howe, Clara Closson and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life has been planned for Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Continental Lanes in Kalamazoo. Interment at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu offlowers donations can be made to the Junior Bowling program at Continental Lanes or a charity ofyour choice. Funeral arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. feW. e. eW A® k'v-4 k'v- 4 WIW- U4il r.i**”* *'*' x. • Nsi! si! ! SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Blair Florence Rujsh, bom at Core­ well Health - Pennook on October 31, 2023 to Neena Rush and Alec Rush of Lake Odessa. ***** Greene Charles Conley, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on Novem­ ber 3, 3023 to Kelseyfconley and Bran­ don Conley of Lake Qdessa. ***** Riley Ann DeHoog^ bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on November 7, 2023 to Kasey Marie Defjoog and Michael Allen DeHoog of Hastings. Lucca Duwayne Boden Ackley, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on Novem­ ber 10, 2023 to Shyann Alexis Ackley and Seth Boden Ackley ofHastings. ***** Joseph Edward May III, born at Corewell Health - Pennock on Novem­ ber 11, 2023 to Emmalee Jo Abram and Joseph Edward May II ofWoodland. Save your place In line with Mobile Check-In Express Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Our Mobile Check-In Express feature makes it easier to check in ifyou must visit a Social Security office. To use Mobile Check-In Express, scan the QR code located at your local Social Security office. This will allow you to check in for: - Scheduled and non-scheduled appoint­ ments. - Services-including requesting a replace­ ment Social Security card, a benefit verifica­ tion letter, proofof income and more. For Mobile Check-In Express to work, you must be at the Social Security office and have location services on. You should also make sure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser. The service is most compat­ ible with Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox. You’ll also want to: - Ensure you are in the office when your ticket number is called. - Enable your mobile notifications. This will: - Allow you to receive your electronic ticket - so you know your place in line. - Alert you when we’re ready to help you. - Provide you with your interview location information. - Invite you to participate in our feedback survey. We encourage you to use Mobile Check-In Express for all office visits. Hillary Hatch is the PublicAffairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, GrandRapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. WK W ^ K5 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 23, 2023 — Page 7 Drugstores in Hastings A1:...+/3^D Esther Walton Banner July 16, 1987 It seems we all work very hard to make our World better for our children. But once in a while, w nostalgia creeps in and things from the past sseem better than things today. Take the old drugstores for instance - 30 years ago, they used to have soda fountains and were a common meeting place for young teenagers. After all, we teenagers had to walk during World War II, because few ofus had the use ofan automobile. Those who could borrowed their parents’ cars and filled them full with as many teenagers as could pile in. The drugstore soda fountain was the place to gather and meet friends or make new ones. It was a place to lounge, not to eat and run. Frequently, ajukebox played the top tunes on old 78 rpm records. Nearby was the magazine rack with the latest comics and popular mag­ azines. We seldom bought one, but read most of them. Booths with tall backs enclosed sweethearts in their own world. The soda fountain sold custom-made des­ serts - sodas, sundaes, banana splits, cherry, lime, lemon or chocolate cokes, were all made to order. Combinations of ice cream and toppings were incredible. Most soda fountains carried 10 kinds oftoppings. Stan­ dard flavors were cherry, lemon, lime, choco­ late, marshmallow, hot fridge, butterscotch, crushed cherries and crushed strawberries. Drugstores change with the times. A Hast­ ings drugstore in the 1850s carried no resemblance to our drugstores of today. In the 1850s, there were two druggists: F.D. Ackley and J.P. Roberts. J.P Roberts opened the first Hastings drugstore in 1849. Druggists listed in 1872-73 as doing business in Hastings were: J.S. Roberts, F.D. Ackley, H.J. Haney and S. Rich. Ackley was in town in 1856 and sold his business in 1874 to Fred Hopkins and Chaducy Barnes. William Goodyear worked for Roberts’s drugstore and later opened the Peo­ ple’s Drug Store in the mid-1870s. S'J*MJS Sr4* All these early druggists compounded and combined chemicals and/or herbs to make prescriptions. They had to receive schooling heavy in chemistry to be accepted in the r’ American Pharmaceutical Association which was organized in 1852. The schooling did not have to be a formal school, as the 1874 announcement ofAckley selling to Hopkins and Barnes reported: “Both are young men and well-read in their new calling...” Barnes owned the store for only a few years, selling to the Russell Brothers in early 1879. Russell Brothers sold Spaulding base­ balls for five cents, along with a “complete line of slates, pens, pencils and stationery.” a junior rfjii O- MiioStreet TURNING BflGK THE PAGES LyBarker’s Drug Store as it looked in the 1920s. By December of the same year, Russell Brothers sold their drugstore to WJ. and L.L. Holloway. The same year Fred Hotchkiss bought the interest ofDr. Lampman who had formed an earlier partnership with J.P. Rob­ erts. Ackley & Slade Drug Store opened the first known soda fountain in town and insured it for $100 on Oct. 20, 1871. All drugstores dispensed not only drugs but also books, patent medicine and liquor. Liquor caused the druggist problems during 1888. A new law forbade druggists to sell it. The local druggists took exception to the law. The result was druggists being arrested for deliberately disobeying the law. Druggists in town at the time were: E.H. Lathrop who had bought the Fred Hotchkiss store, W.J. and L.L. Holloway; W.H. Goodyear, and Baugh­ man & Buel. By 1890, Hotchkiss was back in business and calling himself “The Leading Druggist” and there is no record ofDr. Lathrop as a druggist. Patent medicine was especially popular during the period of 1860-1906. Generally, the contests were kept a secret while the claims were outrageous. Patent medicine claimed to cure everything known to man. Some ofthe claims were fraudulent and as a result, the Pure Food and Drug Act was estab­ lished in 1906. The agency established the legal standards for drugs and set up methods oftesting man­ ufactured drugs and chemicals. Pharmacolo­ gy really began during the 1900s with the rise of chemistry. For the first time, the crude 'ji andM giftJadIngervelddi tniavirralyts- I S-Eg!s3|lesia)« |lesia)« ■BE I* 1 ■gtr i Na*) Mulholland’s Drug Store on the northeast corner of Jefferson and State Streets, where Walldorff Brew Pub & Bistro is today. This photo was taken around 1910. 0nl«**ii®Coie’ Da“ Universe Made of layers How does your body heal cuts and scrapes? Liam, 11, Calif. fup? /’Jis* vJvx, j/rx, . XXX XX VX Dear Liam, Did you know your skin is the largest organ in your body? The average 5th grader has more than 6 pounds of skin. Whoa. Skin protects the inside of your body from the dirty outside world. It keeps your insides from drying out and ensures a steady body temperature. It lets you feel things you touch. Your skin also has the incredible ability to heal itself. I talked about that with my friend Edward Johnson. He teaches classes about the human body in the School ofBio­ logical Sciences at Washington State Uni­ versity. “Skin is the point ofcontact between you and everything in your environment,” John- In the Hastings Banner Haxivgt. Mtr b tUpoliiy. bHKjreceddiDdgjk fefliBM'iafarfik ESKVkolVDIrtfdMi st; fl look DaGk at the stories son said. “So, it’s evolved the ability to regenerate. Your skin is made oftwo layers stacked together. The outer layer is the epidermis. It s made ofepithelial cells. These cells line the inside and outside of your body. They also line your organs. Below the epidermis is the dermis. It’s made ofconnective tissue. That’s tissue that holds your body together-like tendons and ligaments. Bone and blood are connective tissue, too. When you cut your skin, the damaged cells release signaling molecules. It’s like setting offan alarm that tells other cells, cell fragments called platelets and proteins to rush to the injury. Ifyour cut is bleeding, platelets and proteins in your blood zoom to thee rescue. They plug up the damage with a clot to stop the bleeding. When the clot dries out, it’s called a scab. plant and mineral materials that act on living tissue could be separated and used as a drug or medicine. Therefore, its composition and exact effect could be determined. The turn of the century issued in a new group of druggists. William Goodyear sold his drugstore to Arthur Mulholland in 1905. The following year, Carveth and Stebbins bought the Fred Heath Drug Store. Hollo­ ways sold their store, The Prescription Drug Store, to B.A. LyBarker in 1918. The Rural Barry County Directory 1917­ 1922 lists the following drugstores in Hast­ ings: Carveth and Stebbins, Hastings Drug Co., Holloways; Mixer, Mulholland and Vickery. 1927 Hastings City lists LyBarker at 122 W. State, Cowlry which had been Mul­ holland’s “The Comer Drug Store” at 101 E. State; Carveth and Stebbins at 126 E. State and Thombum’s at 108 W. State. In 1936, Reeds bought Cowlry’s drugstore. Carveth and Stebbins, were celebrating 30 years in the drugstore business, while LyBarkers could trace the foundings oftheir drug­ store back 80 years. Gardners in the 1950s bought Reed’s drug­ store. By then, Jacobs had purchased Carveth & Stebbins; and Ken Hoffman had bought the LyBarker’s. Lybarker’s estate sold the drug­ store in 1952 to Ken Hoffman. B.A. LyBarker had been in the drugstore trade for over 50 years, beginning his business in Freeport before moving to Hastings. Bosley’s Pharmacy came to Hastings in the 1970s, buying out Robert Lapo who had pur­ chased Ken Hoffman’s store when Ken died fin 1966ALapo had alsb bought1 Tom Taffee’s store which was opened in 1947. The last two changes of ownership (1987) were Gardners selling his store to John Czinder and Bosley’s being bought by David Jasperse. Today’s druggists no longer compound drugs from herbs, and instead ofa soda foun­ tain, drugstores have computers to accurately keep clients’ records. Pharmacists today have to have more knowledge about the composi­ tion ofmanufactured drugs. They need a col­ lege degree plus internships before they can become registered pharmacists. One of their duties is to monitor all the dings they sell their clients for possible counterfreactions. Each prescription is carefully compounded from manufactured chemicals or produced by drug companies. All prescription drugs are regulated by the Pure Food;and Drug Act and are tested sometimes for years before they are available on the market. Nowadays, drugstores protect our health while the social life of teenagers is centered around fast food establishments and video game parlors. Bacteria and viruses can’ get into your body through a wound. So, signaling mole­ cules also send the alarm to white blood cells from your immune system. Theirjob is to kill and gobble up microbes near the cut. Then, signaling molecules tell the con­ nective tissue to start making new cells. The new cells-called granulation tissue-fill in the cut. Granulation tissue lopks pink or red and a bit bumpy or lumpy. ! “Granulation tissue is brand new connec­ tive tissue plus all the bloodvessels,” John­ son said. “It basically starts at the bottom of the cut and fills up the cut to repair it. It’s like puttying up a crack in a^vall.” As the wound fills up wjth granulation (issue, the edges ofthe cut pull together and begin to close. Then, your body lays down a new layer of epithelial cells on top ofthe granulation tissue. For many cuts, the healing process takes a few weeks. But it can take much longer for the wound to heal completely. Some­ times you’ll see a scar whereithe cut healed, especially ifthe cut was deep, Keep the wound clean and look for signs that you need to show it to a healthcare pro­ vider—like if the wound becomes red and warm, oozes yellow fluid or’ if you start to feel sick. That’s the best way to take care of the skin that takes care ofyou. I HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Nov. 23 - Closed for Thanksgiving. Friday, Nov. 24 - Closed for Thanksgiving. Saturday, Nov. 25 - Closed for Thanksgiving. Monday, Nov. 27 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; Affordable Connectivity Program at Barry County Commission on Aging (register for refreshments and gift cards), 10 a.m.; mah- jong, 2 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Tech Help: Open computer lab, 2-4 p.m.; Writers’ Night (weekly in Novem­ ber), 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Nov. 24-30 Nov. 1-Dec. 31 -November and Decem­ ber Storywalk Book: “The Lodge that Beaver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Wednesday, Nov. 29 - Holiday Ever­ green Workshop, 6-8 p.m. Institute mem- bers can attend this workshop for $30; non-members must pay $42. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. The Goggins family, which includes (back row, left to right) Navy veteran Jason, son Kaiden, daughter Olive and (front row) son Jonah. (Photos provided) Habitat for Humanity Barry County to dedicate home to disabled Navy veteran and family Habitat for Humanity Barry County has announced an upcoming home dedication cere­ mony for its 44th home, built in partnership with the Goggins family. This dedication marks a significant milestone for the organization as it unveils its first fully accessible home, tailored to meet the unique needs of a disabled Navy veteran, Jason Goggins, and his three children. Goggins, a disabled Navy veteran, has been working alongside volunteers and the Habitat for Humanity Barry County team to build a home for his family, breaking barriers and overcoming challenges. The Goggins family includes 12-year-old twins Jonah and Olive, as well as 14-year-old Kaiden. Jonah faces the daily challenges ofmuscular dystro­ phy, making accessibility a critical factor for the family’s well-being. The Goggins family’s previous residence was not wheelchair accessible and Jonah could not access the living room or bathroom with his wheelchair. The new Habitat for Humanity home has been designed with care and consid­ eration, ensuring that Jonah can independently access all areas of the house, including the kitchen and zero-entry shower. When asked how the home will impact his family, Goggins said, “Enabling Jonah to do more on his own will give him independence and me freedom as well. Getting a home that is fit for him makes a life-changing difference.” The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m., at the home site, located at 1083 E Quimby Road in Hastings. This event provides an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the completion ofthis project. Attendees will have the chance to tour the newly constructed home and witness firsthand the positive impact it will have on the Goggins family’s lives. “We are incredibly proud to dedicate our 44th home to the Goggins family, especially knowing that it is our first frilly accessible home,” said Habitat for Humanity Barry Coun­ ty Executive Director Cindy Preston. “This achievement reflects our commitment to creat­ ing homes that not only provide shelter but also enhance the quality of life for families facing unique challenges. We are grateful for the support of our volunteers, donors and community partners who have made this project possible.” Habitat for Humanity Barry County extends an invitation to the community to join in the occasion. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni-­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Habitat for Humanity Barry County will dedicate this home, which was made t'o facilitate a disabled veteran and his children, next week. 4 �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS action Thursdavy., Nn ovn embhaer 23.,2023 Divers finish just shy of Saturday Brett Bremer points. The Grandville girls were 25th with Sports Editor 14 points. It wasn’t quite the finish the Grand Rapids Ann Arbor Pioneer senior teammates Stel­ Gator divers were hoping for inside Eastern la Chapman and Yan Yee Adler went 1-2 in Michigan University’s Michael H. Jones the 200-yard individual medley with Chap­ Natatorium at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula man repeating as state champion in the race Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving with a time of 1 minute 59.49 seconds. Adler Finals over the weekend. touched the wall in 2:06.92. There were three Junior Abigail Dumond, in her second other Pioneer girls who scored in the top 16 appearance in the state finals, finished the in the race, with junior Bridgette Kamara, semifinal round Friday in 20th place. The top junior Reese Heidenreich and freshman Jayla 16 divers through the semifinals guaranteed Kuzak the first three in the B-Final to touch themselves state medals and a spot in Satur­ the wall finishing in eighth, ninth and tenth day afternoon’s final round of competition. respectively. She was four points better than she was at the That handful ofmedalists accounted for 59 finals as a sophomore. points in that one race, a total which would Dumond’s freshman teammate Lydia Slahave put Pioneer in 15 th place ifthat was the Delta College sophomore goalkeeper Tristen Cross holds onto the NJCAA Dill National Runner-up trophy as she celebrates with gel, this season’s OK Rainbow Tier II Con­ only event it competed in all weekend. her teammates, including former TKHS teammates Peyton Pratt and Kiah Nichols, following a 1-0 loss to Dallas College ference Champion, finished in 22nd place at Pioneer finished as the state runner-up in Brookhaven in the National Championship Nov. 12 in Gastonia, N.C. It was the first loss of the season for the 23-1 Pioneers. the end of Friday’s preliminary round. The 2019. That was the last time the Pioneers lost (NJCAA photo by Orlando Corry) top 20 in the prelim’s earned spots in the a meet. Chapman, Adler and the rest of the semifinals. Dumond was in 18th place head­ Pioneer seniors won every meet they compet­ ing into the semifinals. ed in the past four years. Dumond completed her eight dives with a Chapman ends her decorated varsity swim­ score of 222.40 points after a five-dive pre­ ming career with 12 state championships. She liminary total of 150.85. Slagel had a score of won three state titles as a freshman, three as a 145.35 through her first five dives. sophomore and four a year ago. She also Their Hastings Community Diving Club defended her state title in the 100-yard back­ partner Elise Miller, who dives for the Calestroke Saturday with a time of 53.54 seconds donia/Lowell/South Christian co-op, just setting a new Division 1 Finals record while missed a spot in Saturday’s finals with an outpacing Jenison senior Grace Albrecht who 18th-place finish at the end ofthe semifinals. came in second at 54.73. Brett Bremer 24 games in net for the Pioneers this fall and al Championship match against Dallas Col­ Miller, a junior in just her second year of Albrecht won the 50-yard freestyle and Sports Editor recorded 18 shut outs while giving up just lege Brookhaven. diving, finishedjust over three points behind helped Jenison to two relay victories. The Peyton Pratt, a freshman, scored three five goals and saving 93.2 percent of the While Delta College went into the National Rockford senior Lucy Verwys who was the Jenison team ofGrace Albrecht,junior Sophia goals in the first five minutes of the season shots that came her way. Nichols was named Championship as ,the top seed, it is the thirdlast ofthe 16 finalists. Umstead, sophomore Emma Albrecht and opener for the Delta College Women’s Soccer honorable mention all-conference. straight NJCAA Dill National Championship Verwys dove her way into the finals in the sophomore Layla Umstead won the 200-yard team against Marian University Ancilla in The Pioneers wrapped up their season at for the Dallas College Brookhaven Bears semi’sjumping Miller, Dumond and two oth­ freestyle relay in 1:35.10 and the 200-yard Plymouth, Ind., back in August. the NJCAA Dill Women’s Soccer National who end their season at 15-2-1. The Bears ers in the standings with her three dives. medley relay in 1:42.37 (a new DI Finals Here -high school teammate Tristen Cross, Championships in Gastonia, N.C., this now have a recojjj, five NJCAA Division III Miller closed the semifinals with a score of record time.) * a sophomore goalkeeper, made one save at month falling 1 -0 to Dallas College Brookha­ Women’s Soccer Championships. , 227.35. Verwys came in at 230.40. In between Ann Arbor Pioneer was second in both the other, end ofthe field in their team’s 7-0 ven in the championship match. That was Sayer Taylor scored the only goal ofthe the pair, West Bloomfield junior Jamie Vin­ those relays, races. Chapman, junior Ursula shut out win over the Chargers. the only goal the Pioneers allowed in the game for the Bears in the 32nd minute of cent had a score of228.00 to finish in 17th. Ott, sophomore Katelyn Van Ryn and junior Things got better from there for Pratt, three games at the championships - and the P^y. Novi senior Lorelai Maisano and Oxford Meg Pinkerton finished the 200-yard medley Cross and the other former Trojan in the first they’d allowed to anyone since mid-Sep­ Cross had shut out the Pioneers’ previous senior Ellie Seiter were 1-2 in the standings relay in 1:43.52. Delta Pioneer program, sophomore midfield­ tember. 12 opponents, a streak dating back to an 8-1 at the end ofthe prelim’s, the semifinals and West Bloomfield sophomore Elizabeth er Kiah Nichols. Delta College took an 9-0 win over Ocean win over Grand Rapids Community College the finals. Maisano won the diving state Eichbrecht was the top distance swimmer at The Pioneers closed the 2023 fall season as County College in the first round with Nich­ Sept. 20. championship with an 11-dive score of the meet defending her titles from a year ago the NJCAA Division III National Runner-up ols tallying two assists, Pratt scoring once There were three times where Cross made 417.60. Seiter was second with a total score in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard with an overall record of23-1 on the season and Cross earning the shut out without being eight saves in a match this fall, including in of 413.45 and her junior teammate Tristan freestyle. She took the 200-yard freestyle in and a Michigan Community College Athletic forced to make a save Nov. 7. The Pioneers a pair ofshut outs of Schoolcraft College. Krajcarski was third with a score of 392.05. 1:48.08 and the 500 freestyle in 4:47.66. Association Championship. defeated Suffolk Community College 3-0 in Nichols started 21 games this season and Jenison junior Sophia Clack, who won the Jenison’s Sophia Umstead won the 100Cross earned second team all-conference the National Semifinal Nov. 10, with Cross had five goals and 19 assists. Pratt started 19 DI regional at East Kentwood High School yard butterfly in 53.88 and the 100-yard honors in the Michigan Community College making two saves in the shut out. games scoring 16 goals and passing off 15 where Dumond, Slagel and Miller qualified breaststroke in 1:01.74. Athletic Association this fall. She started all Cross made three more saves in the Nationassists. for the state finals, placed fourth with an Grand Haven senior Rosalee Springer was overall score of388.40. the runner-up to Eichbrecht in the 200-yard Also finishing on the state medal stand freestyle and won the 100-yard freestyle in from that diving regional were Grandville 50.92. She also was a part of a runner-up senior Olivia Kutsche (fifth), Rockfordjunior finish by the Buccaneers in the 200-yard free­ Emma Schutich (seventh), Verwys (13th) and style relay and she teamed with senior Grace Zeeland senior Emmerson Meyering (16th). Ackerman, freshman Genevieve Springer and The Ann Arbor Pioneer girls won their junior Claudia Busse to win the 400-yard fourth consecutive MHSAA L.P. Division 1 freestyle relay in 3:27.97. State Championship by more than 60 points Grand Haven was undefeated in OK Red over the runner-up Grand Haven girls. Pio­ Conference duals this fall, but was bested by neer won the title with 301 points ahead of Jenison at the conference championship Grand Haven 237.5, Jenison 228.50, Saline meet the first weekend of November. The The YMCA ofBarry County invites every­ 171, Canton 143.50, Rockford 123, North­ Buccaneers trailed Jenison by 31 points, one to wobble before they gobble Thursday at ville 119, Forest Hills Northem/Eastem 117, with the Wildcats done for the day, heading its 15th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Milford 97.50 and Zeeland 96 in the top ten. into that final race ofthe meet (the 400-yard Trot at Algonquin Lake. The OK Red Conference had those three freestyle relay.) This year’s installment, which boasted 387 teams (Grand Haven, Jenison and Rockford) Chapman and her Pioneer teammates had registered participants as ofthe beginning of in the top ten and not far back was West Otta­ won both the 200-yard medley relay and 400the week, also features a competitive spin. wa in 11th place with 86.50 points and Mill­ yard freestyle relay at each ofthe past three “We’ve kind of spruced it up a little bit,” er’s CLS Vikings in 22nd place with 23.50 MHSAA L.P. DI Finals. YMCA Executive Director and CEO Jon Sporer said. “We created bib numbers for all the runners. In the past, it has been sign up, show up and run. This year is a little more like an official race.” Making the Turkey Trot a timed race for the first time has seemingly paid dividends by attracting more participants. Numbers for the event had traditionally held steady, even in its first year back following the COVID pandem­ ic cancellation in 2020. The Turkey Trot has generally drawn 250 to 300 runners for the past half decade but is making a significant jump this year to become its largest one yet. “We sent out postcards this year and we did emails, social media and that kind of ke^off !he start of a cold> ear,y morning YMCA turkey Trot at the corner thing,” Marketing and Communications AiHnnHMin\RoTdTtnd [roc?u.ois TrajL The annual event returns for its 15th year around Director Melissa Fletke said. “I think people Algonquin Lake Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 23. just really like a family event in the morning on Thanksgiving. It’s just a popular day to get on Thanksgiving. The cost is $25 for youth Hammond Road, right onto Iroquois Trail a good workout in and do it as a family. A lot 17-and-under and $35 for adults 18-and-up. and then through the parking lot at the ofpeople are in town.” The 1 -mile fun run is free and participants YMCA ending on the front lawn at Camp The YMCA’s Turkey Trot makes this annu­ must register for that online or on race day. Algonquin. Race check-in and packet pick up can .be al Thanksgiving Day tradition accessible to There will be hot cocoa, giveaways and local residents, who otherwise would have to done Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the YMCA water available at the finish. make the trip to Grand Rapids or Battle Creek Lodge at Camp Algonquin between 4 p.m. Along with the racing prizes, there will be to participate in one. and 7 p.m. Race day pick-up runs from 7 a.m. a best dressed prize for the runner deemed to The event includes a 5K run/walk as well until 8 a.m. have the most festive fall gear. The winner as a 1-mile run. The top male and female Racing begins with the Fun Run at the lkXilKndCaledonia/Lowell/SoUth Christian junior will receive a free pumpkin pie and a customrunners at the race win a turkey from Otto’s comer ofBuehler Road and Iroquois Traill at M Ehics se igMMiller anlillerUDU, ninaand ivnedrsiGGator tya’storM ffreshman ircehsaheml aHn . LLydia JyodniaesSla Slagel Ngaetal tohhang raiunmg oout duut rippoolside nogoltshidee Mininside HsiSdAeAEEastern ^Lasotwerenr ized fork. Turkey Farm in Middleville.,, * The event also features a school challenge M Pichheiigan iiveirsity1 sGiMlichSaeli H. iJoneds DNiaitatorFiuim ld Furiidng 8.30 a.m. The 5K starts at the same place * The registration deadline to receive a beginning at 8:45 a.m. Peninsula Division 1 Girls Swimming and Diving Finals Friday. Friday Dumond and S with a turkey trophy presented to the local T-shirt passed last week, but race day regisThe race route takes runners from Buehler school district with the highest percentage of reached the semifinal round of the diving competition before bowing out while Slagel tration can be done between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Road right onto Woodruff Road, rightt onto came up just short of earning a spot in the semis semi's. its enrollment participating in the day’s race. i»"l TK trio helps lead Delta to runner-up finish <lils ubi^ al xx x ■OOM ■OO 01 s surwi^ ** YMCA expects turnout of 350 plus for Turkey Trot ■I JU! ***«Wt^ Ma 1 "" i^1^ i^1^ ms �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 23. 2023 — Page 9 II=8'ar.r.vlG!ttii»ityJlliallt20i2>3 DRIVER POSITION OPENING BARRY COUNTY TRANSIT Barry County Transit is accepting applications for the position of Driver. A Class C CDL with a ‘P’ endorsement is required. A strong sense of community and people skills are required of the successful candidate. Driver's hours are 37.5 per week. Wage scale is $14.75 to $17.53. Applications are available from the Transit Office or online at: www.barrycountytransit.com Barry County Transit 1216 W. State St. Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-948-8125 Barry County Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer in full compliance with all State and Federal Regulations. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION ru PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE । Heath Hays TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: bl SOK Gold champs among ad county’s top players Oi Brett Bremer Franklin Wilkinson, Thornapple Kel­ Sports Editor logg: Wilkinson improved from winning five ■' Everybody had a little something to be matches at fourth singles as a sophomore for pleased about at the end ofthe season. TK to winning 15 as ajunior this fall. Of* He finished as the regional runner-up at O The Saxons and Vikings both closed out the regular season winning one oftheir final fourth singles at the Trojans’ MHSAA L.P. “’duals with the Saxons besting non-conferRegional in Holland at the end ofthe season. 9f Doubles 9 ence foe Battle Creek Central and the Vikings outscoring Charlotte for their second Capital Lang Haines & Keegan Lindsey, Hast­ k'Area Activities Conference White Division ings: The Saxon senior duo at first singles b’’ win ofthe season. complied a record of 8-13 on the season. ' The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ They took victories over the top duos from 2*'tennis team had a lot to celebrate as two of Marshall and Pennfield to finish fifth at their its four singles playersr won i_n_d_i_v_id_u_a_l flight at the Interstate-8 Athletic Confdrdnce O ip , f wrtitj wrtitj oil Btrfftt M rfl¥^fbrn8I'ucfiWpi6nSfri^,<!afMftSAA iGi testa Moan riGori ■r&lsctl-liiksta riyiilflll ifcrift fttaXilit atari rife Ito raft fag tt Etohtatani niKi aaav a 11-dive ra of ieseizqEa&iiai ClfrasoriwiinlHR IffjriorteannisTta giririh a score ta g Clack, w route totwpod M Sdnl bilR and Mife haab Ajisonal 6* rtilOlpoints^” MJ ntoc* f Z/ lui fi^Eower Peninsula Division 3 ^^iSfiHl’ in 10 Holland in October. That came on the heels of a tough battle through the OK Gold Conference season for ^Jthe Trojans where the Trojans’ top two sin­ ,c gles players won conference titles in a field *‘«that included the Forest Hills Eastern team ^that placed 14^ at the MHSAA L.P. Division ni 3 Finals as well as tough sides from Grand Rapids Catholic Central and South Christian. Lakewood and Thomapple Kellogg will D1 return a few oftheir top players next season, and the Hastings and Lakewood programs 25 will look to continue to grow their ranks. Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ nl Tennis First and Second Teams. q1 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Tennis "3 First Team 33 Singles Rapha?l DeMonval, Thornapple Kel­ b1llogg: A foreign exchange student who settled nicely into the top of the Trojans’ singles lineb‘up, DeMonval played second singles through’^'out the fall and was the regional runner-up at fi^his flight. 96 DeMonval opened his campaign with the rS Trojans falling to Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s first singles player in August and ^then at second singles didn’t drop a match . until regionals. He closed the season with an “11-2 mark and an OK Gold Conference ^championship at his flight. x Jacob Draaisma, Thornapple Kellogg: A regional champion at third singles this fall, r Draaisma bested Zeeland East’s Charlie r* Reese in the regional finals to close hisjunior [ campaign. Draaisma won seven matches at third sinjgles as a sophomore and upped that total to 22 during his junior season in which he was [22-4. He was also the runner-up at third sin­ gles in the OK Gold Conference this season. Heath Hays, Hastings: A senior in his fourth varsity season, Hays spent his second fall at first singles this year. Coach Krista Schueller said Hays had many hard-fought matches. [ The highlight for Hays this fall was a ithree-set win over the top player from Mar­ shall during the Saxons’ 1-8 dual with the Red ^Hawks. Kameron Nichols, Thornapple Kellogg: Ajunior, Nichols was 10-0 in OK Gold Con­ ference matches this fall and won the confer'ence title at first singles on the conference tournament in early October. * Nichols compiled a record of 18-5 this , '■ season, his third varsity season with double s digit victories. He won ten matches as a soph­ omore in his first season at first singles. Reily Teigeler, Lakewood: The Vikings’ ■^junior first singles player went 8-9 this fall in 1C his second season at the top flight. n Lakewood head coach Kevin Wheeler said 1e even the best players around didn’t take faci^ing Teigeler lightly. The Viking coach said 99Teigeler went to deuce in nearly every loss. ktt^dlid'bf^e'^ason^ Dylan Bailey & Andrew Becke Beckering, Thornapple Kellogg: Teamed up at second doubles the senior duo put together a record of 11-8. The two finished third at their flight at the OK Gold Conference Championship. Overall Beckering had 12 victories and Bailey 13 on the season as they opened the year with dif­ ferent doubles partners. Aidan Dudik & Anson Verlinde, Thor­ napple Kellogg: The pair of juniors went 8-10 together after teaming up a couple weeks into the season at first doubles. They won three of their final four matches of the regular season and Dudik opened the year with three wins as the Trojans’ third singles player before TK shuffled its line-up. 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Tennis Second Team Singles Caleb Borton, Hastings: Borton moved from doubles into the third singles spot for the Saxons midway through his junior campaign and spent his senior season there this fall. Borton scored seven wins this season including three in a row in the lead-up to the postseason. Ivan Rojo Hernandez, Hastings: A junior, Hernandez filled the second singles spot for the Saxon team this fall. He put together a record of 6-11 and fin­ ished fourth at his flight at the 1-8 Tournament where he opened play with a three-set win over Harper Creek’s number two who had beaten him in straight sets earlier in the season. James Mackenzie, Lakewood: The Vikings’ juniof secdnyr*iIh^fe^^Ja^eFxV()hjHve^m!Qtches this fall, improving from his sophomore season in the number two spot for the team. Mackenzie played his third varsity season this fall. He pulled out a tiebreaker to finish off a win against Eaton Rapids’ number two player at the CAAC-White Tournament at the end ofthe season. Doubles Daniel Beckering & Tom Lorach, Thor­ napple Kellogg: The two seniors teamed up at third doubles at the end ofthe season with go 4-2 together. That run included a pair ofwins at the OK Gold Conference Tournament. Lorach as 8-4 overall on the season. Beckering had a 13-9 overall record in a consistent role at third doubles. Kyan Haywood & Landon Conroy, Thornapple Kellogg: The pair went 4-2 finish off their senior season as fourth doubles teammates for TK. Overall on the season Conroy had 13 wins and Haywood 11 as they shifted through the Trojan doubles line-up. ■ PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on December 14, 2023 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairieville Township Hall, 10115 S. Norris Rd., Delton Ml, 49046 within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, In addition to participation during an public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission's con­ sideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for re­ ceipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson (mthompson@pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Mark Thompson at 269-948-4088. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. A request from property owner, Barbara Hysell, 63381 41“ St. Lot 8, Paw Paw, MI 49079, for a partial parcel rezoning ofa property. The subject site is located at 10850 Lindsey Rd., Plainwell, MI 49080, Parcel # 08-12-005-006-01 and is currently zoned AG -Agricultural. The applicant is requesting a re-zoning to R2-Residential. The Prairieville Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendments) at or following the public, hearing.., nl . ,1 141nOrrt .. - bRrn •> All interested'Arsons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and ser­ vices, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Fritz Bork, Chairperson Prairieville Township Hall 11015 S. Norris Rd. Delton, Michigan 49046 209013 Hope Township Notice of Adoption of Amendment to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE HOPE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at its meeting on Monday, November 13th, 2023 at 6:30PM at the Hope Township Hall, 5463 S M-43 Hwy, the Hope Township Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance #96, an amendment to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance. Amendment #L Section 15.3 (General Restrictions and Standards): The adopted amendment modifies the section to allow planned unit developments in the RL, Residential Lake andMHC, Manufactured Housing Community zoning districts, clarifies existing language, reduces minimum area standards forplanned unit developments containing multiple-family dwellings and commercial uses, specifies that manufactured housing communities may be permitted in planned unit developments bn lots of four acres or larger, and clarifies what zoning requirements may be modified by the Planning Commission. Amendment #2, Section 16.5, A (Land Use Standards): The adopted amendment modifies the table to add planned unit developments as a special exception use in the RL and MHC zoning districts. Amendment 113, Section 19.2 (Special ExceptiorLUses in the RL Zone): The adopted amendment adds planned unit developments to the list of special exception uses in alphabetical order. Amendment H4, Section 20.2 and 20.3, B (Special Exception Uses and Lot Area in the MHC Zone): The adopted amendment adds ds planned pl unit developments to the list of special exception uses in alphabetical order and reduces the minimum area requirement for manufactured housing communities from ten acres to four acres. These amendments to the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance were adopted after the Hope Township Planning g Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of the amendment to the Hope Township Board on n S September 21,2023. A copy py of the Hope Township Zoning Ordinance and the adopted amendment is available lable for review at the Hope Township Office during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. through noon and 1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The amendment will become effective eight days after the date of this published notice pursuant to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, as amended. Deborah Jackson, Clerk Hope Township 5463 S M-43 Hwy Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2464 209085 Kameron Nichols �Page 10 — Thursday, November 23, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 21, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Susan J. Taylor, a single person, whose address is 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Thomapple, Ml 49333, also known as 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333, as original Mortgagors, to ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, Inc., being a mortgage dated April 21,2004, and recorded on May 20,2004 with Document Number 1127889, Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned through mesne assignments to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servidng, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated August 24, 2023 and recorded on August 24, 2023 and given document number 2023-003700 in Bany County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY AND 73/100 DOLLARS ($24,960.73). Said premises are situated in the Township of Thomapple, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21. TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP. BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 306.10 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 608.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21' THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND PUBLIC UTILITY PURPOSES OVER THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PREMISES: BEGINNING ATA POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 578.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 20.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 478.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. AND ALSO, PART OF THE SOUTHWEST % AND THE SOUTHEAST 'A OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY jfcOUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: BEGINNING ATA POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH CORNER OF SECTION 21, AND PROCEEDING THENCE, NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 512.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 24 SECONDS WEST 420.06 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 1339.25 FEET ALONG A LINE 66 EEET WEST OF AND PARALLEL TO THE NORTH AND fifi&JTH % tlNE-OP SECTION ^ THENCE NORTH 58 • 49 MINUTES 04 SECONDS WEST 196.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 678.60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS EAST 234.00 FEETALONG THE EAST AND WEST 1/4 LINE TO THE dKREES CENTRAL 1/4 CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS EAST 660.10 FEETALONG THE EAST AND WEST 1/4 LINE; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 2139.95 FEET ALONG THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 40 ACRES OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.1 FEETALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21 TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESSAND PUBLIC UTILITY PURPOSES OVERTHE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PREMISES: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 578.00; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 20.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 478.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 306 10 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 608.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55.SECdNDS WEST 160 00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEETTO SAID SOUTH LINE' OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Street Address: 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Thomapple, Ml 49333, also known as r10450 Green Lake Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333 The redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned m accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: November 23, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 5419710. File No.: Ml 23 5419 (11-23)(12-14) 208989 legal notices Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is Given under section 3212 of the revised judicature aact of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on 12/14/2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Names of Mortgagor(s): Amalio Gonzalez-Villeda. Original mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. Date of mortgage: 4/30/2015. Mortgage recorded on 5/4/2015 as Document No. 2015­ 004630,. Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee of Stanwich Mortgage Loan Trust F. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: $177,143.74 Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: LAND SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF JOHNSTOWN, COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 32, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST, JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTH 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 32; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 33 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION. 540.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 07 SECONDS EAST, 807.16 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 43 SECONDS WEST, 243.00 FEET TO THE TRUE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND WEST PARALLEL WITH THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE OF SAID SECTION, 337.27 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 46 MINUTES 05 SECONDS WEST, 296.99 FEET TO SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND EAST ALONG SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE, 336.90 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 43 SECONDS EAST, 297.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC AND OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT IN ANY PART THEREOF TAKEN, USED OR DEEDED FOR STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY PURPOSES. Commonly known as 15179 N Uldriks Dr, Battle Creek, Ml 49017. The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days after the statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is determined abandoned under MCL 600.3241, . the redemption period will be 1 month from the date of such sale. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes pursuant to MCL 600.3240(16), the redemption period is 1 year from the date of such sale. The redemption period may be extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner If you are a military, service member on,active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days agdS if you have been ofoqredto active duty, please conraB the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. 151 mi’te,y ThS meAmttbeenrtio nn ahcotimveeodwutnerif our p re member on active duty if your period of active duty has concluded less than 9y0 dayys apgo. or * you hav0< concluded less than 90 days ago. or * you hav0< ordered to active duty please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing thernortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of1961, 1961 PA 236. MCL 600 3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged °[ some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier s check at the place of holding tthe circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1.00 P PM on NOVEMBER 30 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle t the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property.. A potential purchaser Encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jeffrey Kwiek a married man, as his sole and separate property, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Finance of America Mortgage LLC, its successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated September 4, 2020 and recorded September 15, 2020 in Instrument dumber 2020-009794 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on October 26,2021, in Instrument Number 2021-013276. Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by National Cooperative Bank, NA, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Twelve Thousand One Hundred Forty-Three and 86/100 Dollars ($212,143.86). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 30.2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: UNIT 23. PHEASANT HOLLOW CONDOMINIUM, ACCORDING TO THE? MASTER DEED RECORDED IN DOCUMENT NOj 1162041. BARRY COUNTY RECORDS, AND DESIGNATED AS BARRY COUNTY CONDOMINIUM SUBDIVISION PLAN NO. 47, TOGETHER WITH EIGHTS IN GENERAL COMMON ELEMENTS AND LIMITED COMMON ELEMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THE ABOVE DESCRIBED MASTER DEED AND AMENDMENTS THERETO AND AS DISCLOSED BY ACT 59 OF THE PUBLIC ACTS OF 1978, AS AMENDED. ; 655 E North Streeftjjgstings, Michigan 49058-8613 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the; property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: November 2,2023 File No. 23-0114$6 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: A 1650 . West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number (248) 502.1400 (11-02X11-23) 208205 $ (11-09)(11-30) 208316 Notice is given under section 3212 q^tl^revised them, at a public auctiion sale to the highest bidder circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1 00 PM, on December 7, 2023. Theftamount due on the mortgage may be greatdf on the’day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of contact the county register of deeds office or a title Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Date of Mortgage: April 27,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: May 18,2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $156,671.87 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 18, Culberfs Plat No. 3, Cartton Township, Barry County, Michigan, according to the 1recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 78, Barry 'County Records. Common street address (if any): 4 Culbert Dr, 1Hastings, Ml 49058-9461 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the <date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in 1accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject 1real property is used for agricultural purposes as <defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under ‘Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held 1responsible to the person who buys the property at t’ he mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the 1redemption period. Attention homeowner. If you are a military service 1member on active duty, if your period of active duty 1has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have 1been ordered to active duty, please contact the a* ttorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the 1telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. I । Name(s) of the mortgagors): Marcia K Quada Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, line., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or ready maxing out your IRA, into your emergency fund, you might be able to find *' AA.yyrou mav y v want to keen p it sepoa^*i other investment possibilities rate from your daily spending for your side gig money. For accounts. ■ example, if you have young • Pay dawn debts. Most children, perhaps you could ofus will always carry some use some ofthe money to in­ debts, but we can usually vest in a 529 education sav­ find ways to include the big­ ings plan. A 529 plan offers ger ones —- mortgage, car potential tax advantages and payments and so on into can be used for col lege, qual- our monthly budgets. It’s< ified trade schooll programs, p often the smaller debt pay­ and possibly some K-12 ex­ ments, frequently associated penses. Please keep in mind with high-interest-rate credit that potential tax advantages cards, that cause us the most will vary from state to state. trouble, in terms of affecting • Build an emergencyjund. our cash flow. Ifyou can use Life is full of unexpected some of your side gig mon­ events — and some can be ey to pay down these types quite expensive. What ifyou of debts, you could possibly needed a major car repair or ease some of the financial required a medical procedure stress you might be feeling. that wasn’t totally covered And instead of directing by your health insurance? money to pay for things you Would you have the cash purchased in the past, you available to pay these bills? could use the funds to invest Ifnot, would you be forced to for your future. dip into your IRA or 401(k)? As we’ve seen, your side This might not be a good gig money could open sev­ move, as it could incur tax­ eral promising windows of es and penalties, and deprive opportunity — so take a look you of resources you might through all of them. eventually need for retire­ ment. That’s why you might Th is article was written by want to use your gig earnings EdwardJonesfor use byyour to help fund an emergen­ local Edward Jones Finan­ cy fund containing several cialAdvisor. months’ worth of living ex­ penses, with the money kept Edward Jones, Member in a liquid, low-risk account SIPC To avoid being tempted to dip NOTICE Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is p giv^n under section 3212 of the revised, judicature ~ '^fciMCL 600.3212. that the following morrttgage wiilll bbee f<foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER , 30, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Randy Padilla, a single person, Planning Director James McManus at jmcmanus@ some part of them, at public vendue at the place of barrycounty.org. The variance application is available for public inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, • 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 am. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary, aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or calling the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan Michigan 49058, (269) 945-1284. NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE I FOR THE CERTIFICATE 8, 2021, in Instrument Number 2021-011118, Barry HOLDERS OF CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2005-80CB, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-80CB Date of Mortgage Recording: November 28, 2005 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $87,348.01 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Village of Middleville, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 109 of Middleville Downs No. 5 according to the recorded plat thereof as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 43, Common street address (if any): 208 Meadowlark Ct, Middleville, Ml 49333-9403 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600 3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging dthe property Loan Modification Agreement recorded on September County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, by assignment There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Eight Thousand Two Date of Mortgage: November 9,2005 during the redemption period Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Hundred Twenty-Six and 9/100 Dollars ($98,226.09). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or at 1:00 PM on NOVEMBER 30,2023. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Lot(s) 8, Block 6 of Daniel Striker's Addition according to the plat thereof recorded in Uber 1 of Plats, Page 11 of Barry County Records. 315 E Colfax St, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: November 2,2023 File No. 23-010852 Firm Name: Orlans PC Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 Date Of notice: November 2,2023 (11-02)(11-23) Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 208071 Cynthia L White, Barry County Clerk Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Firm This notice is from a debt collector. minimum is 35 ft) in the LDR (Low Density Residen­ tial) zoning district. MEETING DATE: December 11,2023. UME: 7:00 PM PLACE: Tyden Center Community Room, 121 South Church Streetm Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. Any written response may be mailed to the address listed below,' faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County' nominee for Horizon Bank, N.A., its successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated April 7,2017 and recorded 208206 chaC NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARRY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number V-13-2023 - Joe Storment (Appli­ es nt/P rope rty Owner) Location: 4389 Victoria Ct. Middleville Ml 49333 Section 33 Irving Township Purpose: Request a variance to construct a 19 x 36 detached accessory building between the home, and thefroad with an 18.4 toot front yard setback (foe to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as April 18,2017 in Instrument Number 2017-004224 and (11-02)(11-23) 208266 As you know, the gig economy has been booming over the past several years. If you’re thinking ofusing your skills to take on a side gig, what should you do with the money you’ll make? There’s no one right an­ swer for everyone, and the decisions you make should be based on your individual situation. And ofcourse, you may simply need the extra in­ come to support your lifestyle and pay the bills. But ifyou already have your cash flow in good shape, and you have some freedom with your gig money, consider these sug­ gestions: • Contribute more to your IRA. If you couldn’t afford to contribute the maximum amount to your IRA, you may find it easier to do so when you have additional money coming in from a side gig. For the 2023 tax year, you can put in up to $6,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $7,500 ifyou’re 50 or older. (Starting in 2024, this extra $1,000 “catch-up” contribu­ tion amount may be indexed for inflation.) The amount you can contribute to a Roth IRA is reduced, and eventu­ ally eliminated, at certain in­ come levels. • Lookfor new investment opportunities. If you’re al- assigns Foreclosing Assigned^ (if any): THE BANK OF 1513760 ।Date of notice: November 9, 2023 Trott Law, RC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1514033 I(11-09)(11-30) insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. j Original Madison Cove Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 What should you do with ‘side Mg’ mow? ““““ 7 ~ d7premises, or some part o;;f sale o.f the mortgaged the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement r Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.321$, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 14,2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownerships the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Josh Gipe and Ronie Finkbeiner, as joint tenants with right of survivorship Member SIPC Wendl Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 49073 (517)760-8113 number stated in this notice. Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement for cash or cashier's ch eck at the place of holding the Date of Notice: 11/09/2023. Codilis & Moody, P.C. 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (313) 536-2500 C&M File 23-23-00319 rovtded by the Harry County offic STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY ORDER REGARDING ALTERNATE SERVICE , CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-364-DE Court Address: 220 West State Street, Hastings, Ml' 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1400 Plaintiff’s Name: Jade D. Reynolds Plaintiff's Attorney Stephanie S. Fekkes (P43549) Rhoades McKee, P.C. 150 West Court Street, Suite A Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 945-1921 V Defendant’s Name: Skylar A. Hanicq 230 Cranmer Charlotte, Michigan 48813 THE COURT FINDS: 1. Service of process upon the defendant, Skylar A. Hanicq cannot reasonably be made as provided In MCR 2.105 and service of process may be made In a manner that Is reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard. IT IS ORDERED: 2. Service of the summons and complaint and a copy of this order shall be made by the following method(s). d. Other: Publication in Barry County and Eaton County Legal Publication. For each method used, proof of service must be filed promptly with the court. Date: Sept. 25.2023 Judge Vicky L. Alspaugh 208860 Fh hai 'ai �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 23. 2023 — Page 11 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Business Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. ARC REGISTERED GOLD­ EN Retriever puppies. $900. 269-203-5814. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Ailana Leos Golfers tested against state champions all fall »?'***S^ aniUEnaiteaQiHtiifeiJEW Man KEtanrtentypiqte Brett Bremer Sports Editor ■ It was a challenging fall on the local links. • Lakewood made the move back to the Cap­ ital Area Activities Conference White Divi­ sion where it got to see its long-time confer­ ence rival Lansing Catholic win a conference title and eventually the MHSAA Lower Pen­ insula Division 4 State Championship. ’ Thomapple Kellogg had the MHSAA L.P. Division 3 State Champions from Grand Rap­ ids Catholic Central to face off against all fall, as well as a pair of other teams that fin­ ished in the top five a that state finals at the end of the season (South Christian in Divi­ sion 3 and Forest Hills Eastern in Division 4). The Trojans took their turn finishing fourth a few times behind those state powerhouses in the conference, and TrojanjuniorAilana Leos made her first trip to the state finals a year after coming up short in a regional playofffor a state spot. Inexperience was the toughest foe the SaxIjad toface thro^ghbiit th^fe&asc^' the ^$tings ings gift's hanmed t^emsolYg^^^and managed to climb their way all the way up to fourth at the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship at the end ofthe season. Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ GolfFirst and Second Teams. tfum/lieprops|ApM lite fe lot IRS NX Nl rev apt* appear. ge naie and M’^S*** J"" rf***" A * 5 5 driving force behind our mission to bring healing to countless individuals and families in need. Over the past seven years, SCC has conducted an impressive 5,057 sessions not only transformed the lives of our clients but have also reverberated throughout our community and the communities we serve. What makes SCC truly remarkable is our commitment to providing these vital services at no cost to those seeking healing, regardless oftheir circumstances. As we look ahead and prepare to close this year, we’ve conducted a thorough financial review. To end the year in a strong position and continue our mission with unwavering commitment, SCC needs to raise another $160,000. We kindly ask you to consider including SCC in your end-of-year giving plans once again. Your continued support allows us to sustain our essential services and reach even more individuals who are in search ofhealing and hope. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss how your support can m^e a difference, ple^se^do npt hesitate to reach out.tojpe at 269-254­ 5758 or via email'atgale@spiritusdcaredonsultants.com. To make your contribution, you can scan the below QR code to pay online or mail a donation. To mail, please make your check payable to Spiritual Kendra Coe 2023 AU-Barry County Girls’ Golf First Team Rae Borrink, Thornapple Kellogg: A junior, Borrink had a nine-hole scoring aver­ age of 47.1. The Trojans’ number two at the OK Gold Conference Championship, she fired a 98 at L.E. Kaufman Golf Course in Grand Rapids. “She had a very good season,” said coach Bob Kaminski. “She was very close to mak­ ing the all-conference honorable mention team in a very difficult conference.” Kendra Coe, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior, Coe played in every match this fall for the TK varsity and coach Kaminski called her one of his team’s most reliable golfers this year. Coe had a nine-hole average of48.4 on the season. She was her team’s number two at regionals to close out her final campaign. She tied for the team lead with a 43 at the OK Gold Conference jamboree the Trojans host­ ed at Yankee Springs GolfCourse. Audrey Hillard, Lakewood: Hillard closed her senior season with a nine-hole average of53. She finished as a top-20 scorer at the CAAC-White Championship and again at the Vikings’ MHSAA L.P. Division 3 Regional at Winding Creek Golf Course in Holland. She was a medallist this season at the Laingsburg Wolfpack Invitational and at her team’s own Lakewood Invitational where she placed third overall. Ailana Leos, Thornapple Kellogg: The lone state qualifier in Barry County this fall, Leos shot an 82 on day one and a 76 on day two to finish 12th at the MHSAA Lower Pen­ insula Division 2 Girls’ GolfFinals at Forest Akers East Golf Course at the end of the season. Ajunior, Leos had a nine-hole average of 37.1 on the year and was named all-confer­ ence in the OK Gold. “She had an all around great season,” coach Kaminski said. “She was the leader ofour team.” Emma Schut, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior, Schut fired an average nine-hole score of47.7 this fall, andjust missed making hon­ orable mention all-conference in the OK Gold by a couple of strokes. Schut was the number three scorer at the OK Gold Conference Championship and her team’s MHSAA L.P. Division 2 Regional to close out the season. Makenzie Vasquez, Lakewood: Vasquez closed her senior season with a nine-hole average of48.0 and kept her 18-hole average under 100. An individual state qualifier last year as a junior, Vasquez finished just shy of a return trip to the finals this year. She was named gratitude, we are reminded of the incredible impact your generosity has had on Spiritual Care Consultants. Your unwavering support has been the with children and 4,165 sessions with adults. These interactions have &isfSBjicZRteiKis:i WOfMERJ As we approach the close of another year, a season of reflection and first team all-conference in the CAAC-White and was a medalist at this season’s Laings­ burg Wolfpack Invitational. 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Golf Second Team Ellie Benham, Lakewood: Ajunior, Ben­ ham was honorable mention all-conference in the CAAC-White this fall with a nine-hole average of 52.8. Benham was a medalist at both the Laingsburg Wolfpack Invitational and the Lakewood Invitational this season. She was the Vikings’ number two scorer at the CAAC-White Championship with a 14th-place finish at Willow Wood Country Club in late September. Joselyn DeBoer, Thornapple Kellogg: DeBoer, a senior, was in the Trojans’ line-up throughout the fall and closed the campaign with a nine-hole average of 53.3. “She was a consistent golfer for us,” coach Kaminski said. DeBoer shot a 103 to finish as the Trojans’ number four scorer at the OK Gold Confer­ ence Championship and then was a top four scorer for the team as its finished off its sea­ son at regionals. Addey Nickels, Hastings: The Saxons’ leader throughout her senior season, Nickels was a top-30 scorer at her team’s MHSA L.P. Division 3 Regional tournament at the end of the season. Care Consultants and send it to 1375 W. Green Street, Suite 1, Hastings, She led the Hastings team at the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference Championship shooting a 103 to place 11th and also had a top five finish at the Lakewood Invitational. Sydney Robertson, Thornapple Kellogg: Robertson played a majority ofthe events for the Trojan team this fall and finished with a nine-hole average of 51.1. She earned a spot in the Trojans’ confer­ ence championship varsity six a the end of the year. She had a great start too firing a 96 to finish second among the Trojans at their own TK Invitational at Yankee Springs Golf Course. LEGAL NO ICES Michigan 49058. Your contributions and prayers are catalysts for change, empowering us to transform lives and bring solace to those who need it most. We are deeply gratefill for your consideration ofSCC in your end-of-year giving. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives ofmany. Thank you for your unwavering support and for being a vital part ofthe SCC family! Pastor Gale Kragt DONATIONS SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting E November 14,2023 Spiritual Care Consultants (SCC) is a non-profit Christian organization based in Hastings and serving Barry County and beyond. Because SCC is funded by grants and generous donors, services are free to all adults and children who are dealing with a variety of issues, ranging from depression to anger and anything else that is making life difficult for them such as grief, worry and being bullied. Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. All board members present Approved consent agenda items & 2024 Budget hearing Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 8:02 pm Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor 209139 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT S BARRY COUNTY 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23 Hon. William M. Doherty beYleosw, Ig wifot utold a lsikseis tto Inb tehceomtraenasnfoSrCmCa Ptiaorntnoefra bny Incodn ivtirdibuuatli’sngh tehaelth ।1 below gift to assist In the transformation of an Individual’s health 1 and wellness through Spiritual prua Coral 1 1 *Please cut out and return this ad with your Information and/or check via mall to JI SCC, 1375 W. Green St., Suite #1, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Address: 206 W. Court, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No. : 269-945-1390 H Estate of Daniel Dennis Johnson, deceased. Date of birth: 5/16/1952. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Daniel Dennis Johnson, died 9/16/2008. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Christopher Carter, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Name:_ }I Address: 1 City:____ State:.__ J Phone:__ Total Donation Amount:_________________ [ ] Please charge my gift to my credit card: [ ] Visa []Mastercard []AMEX Card N Makenzie Vasquez Date: Nov. 13, 2023 Todd M. Gambrell P57171 1605 Ashman Street Midland, Ml 48640 989-631-7626 Christopher Carter 194 Edgemoor Road Rochester, NY 14618 585-305-0095 Exp. Date: / ! A Name on Card: CW (4 Di 208961 J J it):Signature: । ; J I �Page 12 — Thursday. November 23,2023 — The Waitings Banner Firmer Lions close season Solgat hopes to unify Viking together at Marian Ancilla program, community Brett Bremer Sports Editor Jason Solgat started working with the Lakewood youth basketball program with teams competing in the Lansing Area’s Red Cedar Basketball League almost a decade ago, started leading the Lakewood youth program not long after and now he’s step­ ping up to the varsity level. Solgat started his first season leading the Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball pro­ gram Monday with the first practice allowed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. “The first few days of practice have been great,” Solgat said. “It is sort of a magical thing here. The senior class here was my original team in third grade. We’re bring­ ing the band back together.” Solgat takes over the reigns of the pro­ gram from Chris Duits who coached the Vikings for for eight years beginning in the winter of2015-16. After a handful ofseason with single-digit wins, the Vikings won ten ballgames during the 2019-2020 season and then had a winning record in each ofDuits’ final three seasons leading the program. There was a lot of support to take over the varsity team from his family and the community Solgat said. He said the Lakewood youth program had just a couple teams competing in the Red Cedar League when he got involved 13 years ago. He expects there to be a total of 15 Lakewood teams between third through eighth grade boys and girls competing by the time this winter season is over. Solgat hopes to create cohesiveness throughout all the levels of the program, getting everyone to think of it as one big Lakewood basketball program rather than a youth program, a middle school program, and JV and varsity programs. In recent seasons, Solgat has helped coach the Lakewood High School golfers. He was a golfer himselfduring his college days at Lake Superior State University where his love ofbasketball grew rooming with members ofthe men’s basketball pro- gram. He played high school basketball at Portland St. Patrick and practiced with the Lake Superior State scout team. Solgat is happy to have some high level experience in the form of assistant coach Chad Pleiness who played basketball, baseball and football at Central Michigan University. Pleiness was honorable mention All-Mid-American Conference in 2001 while helping the Chippewas to a regular season MAC Championship. He was drafted in the fifth round ofthe 2002 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays as a pitcher. Coach Solgat said the duo have a yingyang thing going. He is the fiery halfofthe duo, while coach Pleiness just quietly gets guys where they need to be. “He sees things I don’t see, like getting kids’ hands in the right position and things like that,” Solgat said. So far, the Vikings know where they’re supposed to be in practice at all times. Solgat said there has been a positive reception to his minute-by-minute practice plans. He is working to give the guys a lot of say in how practices go, a lot offreedom, but also a lot of instruction. Filling the Lakewood High School gym­ nasium on Friday nights, and Tuesday nights for that matter, is also a big priority for Sol­ gat. He remembers the days of the Wacky Woodies being a venerated/despised stu­ dent-section that made things tough on opponents and would like to return his new llth-Man student section to those heights while also encouraging parents and commu­ nity members to fill the gym with energy too. To bring the program and the community together, Solgat had plans for a Viking Madness event Friday night, Nov. 17, to kick off the season. There were plans for T-shirts to be passed out, performances from the Center Stage Dance Academy, scrimmages for teams from the seventh grade through varsity levels, as well as games for spectators and students like a pizza eating contest and a chuck a duck 50/50 contest, and much more. 209128 City of Hastings Positions Available City of Hastings Boards and Commissions The City of Hastings is accepting applications for open seats on City Boards and Commissions. Applications are being accepted for the following City Boards and Commissions: Planning Commission Local Development Finance Authority/Brownfields Redevelopment Authority Zoning B>oard of Appeals Nature Area Board Hastings Public Library Board Riverside Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board Interested persons are encouraged to apply for appointment by completing an application found on the city’s website www.hastingsmi.gov or picked up at City Hall located at 201 East State Street, Hastings Ml 49058. Applications will be accepted until Friday, December 15th, 2023,12:00 PM. For any questions, please call 269.945.2468 or email cbever@hastingsmi.gov. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk/Treasurer/ Brett Bremer Sports Editor Maple Valley High School graduates Olivia Williams and Melania Granger recentlyMnighrd their season together on the Marian University Ancilla Chargers Women’s Soccer team. In her sophomore season as a midfielder for the Chargers, Williams started 16 games. She started 16 games’as a freshman as well. Granger 'started 17 games this fall in the midfield for the thargers. Granger scored the final goal ofthe sea­ son for the Chargers in a 4-1 loss to Jackson College Oct; 21 on the Chargers’ home field in Plymouth* jnd.jGranger found the net in the secoridjhalf following an assist from sophomore defender Roxie Foerg. The Chargers honorable mention all-con­ ference goalkeeper Sophie Willey made 23 saves in thatfinal match ofthe fall. It was an afternoon on which the Char­ gers celebrated Williams and all of their nine sophorripres. “It might not have been the result we wanted, but the atmosphere for Sophomore Day was the best it has been all year,” Mar­ ian Ancillahead coach Destiny Fulmer said. “I am proud of the fight this group continues to give and the ability to find the back ofthe net. I am thankful for this group of sophomores who have stuck with us through the Changes, making my first year as head coach memorable. (I am) excited to get back at itin the spring and prepare for next season.” Williams is now on the hunt for her next Melania Granger soccer challenge after playing her two years with the Chargers in the Michigan Commu­ nity College Athletic Association. It was a tough fall for the Chargers who close the season with a 1-18 record. That lone victory was by a 2-1 margin against Olivia Williams Lakeland Community College the first Sat­ urday in October. Willey was out ofher net that day due to injuries that left the Char­ gers a player short, and she managed to score the game-winner while teammate Audrey Schmidt made 11 saves in goal. Steward second fastest Bruin at NICAA Dill Championship Freshman Alex Steward from Hastings helped the Kellogg Community College Men’s Cross Country team to a seventh-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Champion­ ship Nov. 11. Steward hit the finish line in 39th place at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. at the end ofthe 8K race. He earned a time of 29 minutes1 ’17; 10 seconds which was second among the'Bruiii pddk.'M* ■'A’V Steward was an All-'Barry County Second Team honoree as a senior at Hastings High School on the cross country team and was one ofthe Saxon varsity boys’ track and field team’s top distance runners last spring. The Bruins had freshmen fill six of their top seven spots at the National Champion­ ship. Gull Lake’s Carson Lenzinger led the Bruins with a 29th-place time of28:48.80. Behind the top two for KCC came five former Battle Creek Lakeview runners, fresh­ men Caleb Keaton (5§th, 30:38.80), Maxwell LaDuke (94th, 33:33.10) and Marcus Peevers (104th, 35:54.00) and sophomore Brendan Wedding (73rd, 32:00*20). . KCC head coach Tom Shaw said the future is bright for the Bruins. “Success allows the Bruins to continue to attract talented runners to the team in the future,” Shaw said.|“Having the top four runners back next year bodes well for the men’s team. The team goal will be to take the next step and break onto the podium with a top-three team finish next year. Off- season effort and improvement will be the key to next year’s success. On the women’s side, the level of talent at the area high schools will give the Bruins the opportunity to make huge strides of improvement as a team.” The National Championship success comes on the heels of runner-up finishes from both the Bruin men’s and women’s teams at the NJCAA Region XII champion­ ships in October, whefe Harper Creek‘fit'Shman Brenna Withers’ second-place finish in the women’s race and Piercy’s third-place finish in the men’s race earned them each a spot on their respective NJCAA Division III All-Region 12 team. Withers was 17th overall in the women’s 5K at the National Championship and her teammate, Three Rivers sophomore Megan Jackson, was 77th. Harper College (IL) won the Dill National Championship in Alabama with an overall score of 53 points. DuPage was second with 97 points ahead ofMineral Area College 110, Joliet Junior College 143, Oxford College 152, Lorain County Community College 198, Kellogg Community College 208, Rowen College - Gloucester 222, Hudson Valley Community College 236 and Mohawk Valley Community College 262 in the top ten. Omar Mohamed of Mohawk Valley took the individual national title with a time of 26:01.70. Kevin Diederich of DuPage was the runner-up in 26:10.40. The top six finish­ ers all broke the 27-minute mark. Alex Steward, a 2023 Hastings High School graduate, was the second Bruin across the finish line as the Kellogg Community College Men's Cross Country team placed second at the NJCAA Division III National Championship. Director of Finance Join in the fun! Come play Bingo arid learn about Active Choices, a personalized support program for seniors Monday, December 4 @ 1 pm Barry County Commission on Aging 320 W. Woodlawn in Hastings Call (269) 966-2450 to register by December 3 Active Choices is an evidence based, ix-month program designed to help peopll at all fitness levels live healthierlives. W ST A N F O R D ▼ SCHOOL ▼ S CH OOL OF OF MEDICINE M ED ICI NE ------------------ * * ’‘MMOT'NG HEALTH . INDEPENDENCE • CHOICE Webb looks to strengthen foundation of Saxon hoops Brett Bremer Sports Editor As a youth coach for more than a decade and then a middle school coach and varsity assistant, Jess Webb knows building up the Hast­ ings varsity boys’ basketball team is going to start with things like skills sessions for third graders. Webb got his first chance to run the summer program in Hastings after getting hired to replace former head coach Rich Long in June, and he’s looking forward to making the varsity guys into as strong a basketball team as he can by the time the state tourna­ ment rolls around in February. “I have been a youth coach in Hastings for well over ten years football, basketball, baseball, golf. My oldest kid is ninth grade. I have had him in some sports some way since he was in kindergarten,” Webb said. “I had seventh and eighth grade middle school the last two years, head coach for the boys, and was an assis­ tant for Rich Long last year too.” Webb said he did his best to get coach Long to stick around for another season, but is excited to get the chance to try and provide a spark to the Saxon program. Long took over the Saxon program begin­ ning with the 2017-18 season. His Saxons were 10-14 a year ago. Maple Valley’s Ryan Nevins has the longest tenure in his current position ofany ofthe five MHSAA varsity boys’ basketball head coach­ es in Barry County now. He took over that job for the 2019-2020 season. Jim Hogoboom at Delton Kellogg, with a long varsity coach­ ing resume before this stint at DKHS, took over-the Panther pro­ gram in the winter of2020-2021. Phil Garber is the new head coach at Thomapple Kellogg this winter and Jason Solgat is now leading the Lakewood varsity boys’ team. Webb played basketball at Garden City High School and then spent some time in the Madonna Universi­ ty program before eventually trans­ ferring to Ferris State University where he graduated in 2006. He met his wife, Angela, at Ferris State and followed her home to Hastings. They have four children, three boys and a girl. He has been working full-time at Miller Real Estate since 2012. “Everything is new,” Webb said. “The whole program is new. The culture, we’re working on changing the culture. We’re working on bringing some effort and toughness back to Hastings. It is nothing that is going to be an over night fix or over- night success. It’s just going to be grinding on the roots for success.” Webb said there are betweeri 35 | and 40 guys in the high school pro­ gram at the moment. He’d always like to have more. He would have liked to have seen better turnout for the summer league too, but is mostly happy with seeing growing numbers on the youth level in Hastings. The HYAA, the program long responsi­ ble for running Hastings youth foot­ ball, is now involved in youth bas­ ketball in the area and its first season for third through sixth grade boys and girls is just getting underway. • The varsity Saxons are through their first run of tryouts with Webb. The Saxon season begins with a visit from Hamilton next Wednesday, Nov. 29. Hastings had a scrimmage at Wayland last Saturday and has plans for another one at Greenville this weekend. Webb said the first scrim­ mage showed him that there is still a lot ofwork to do. The Saxons last had a winning record under head coach Steven Storrs during the 2014-2015 season when they were still a member of the OK Gold Conference. The Sax­ ons last won conference and district championships under head coach Don Schils in the winter of 2012-13. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-11-30.pdf c54672e9f048c38b16cea4e807ff5e9b PDF Text Text Local businesses eager to see Hastings streetscape project completed See story on page 3 Delton Kellogg winter sports preview See stories on p r ages 10-11 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 44249058113421 ANNER Hernor'n9 no 11NGS VOLUME 169, No. 4 8 hursday, lumber 30, 2023 PRICE $1.50 County planners OK Stoneco mine in Orangeville Twp. The company must also submit plans for a . reclamation pond, and must submit any ' plans to renew its permit at least 90 days; ’ before the end ofits five-year permit, McMa- • nus said. As part ofthe site plan, commissioners put' in a stipulation offered by Commissioner Jack Nadwomik “that every effort be expend-, ed” to have the entry and exit point to the mine come offofHayward Road, south of the -, site and near a Barry County Road Commis- siog gravel pit, instead ofMiller Road on the east side ofthe site. • ; “(The trucks can) go out on Hayward Road to Norris (Road), and then up and down Nor­ ris,” Nadwomik said. “It takes them off the • back roads, it eliminates four turns these *; trucks would have to make. It also routes ., them around Delton so they’re not running straight through downtown Delton. I think; that would be a reasonable request, to get ’ them offMiller Road.” ’ The Barry County Road Commission ' would have to approve the Hayward Road entry and exit to the mine, and the stipulation „ -, asks that a planning commission member be present for any such discussions. However, Planning Commission Chairman ’ John LaForge said the site plan approval does not hinge on the road commission signing off on the Hayward Road entry and exit. *“If the county road commission does not * ’ approve it, the site plan will be approved as is,” LaForge said. Stoneco’s hours ofoperation will be 7 a.m. —ia.7j).m. Monday"through Friday and 7 a.m. for one cdristiUctioh“ sedsdh, and maintain to’ 2 p.m. on Saturday. The company will not monitor wells along the edge of the property for as long as mining is performed at the site, See STONECO, page 2 County Planning Director Jim McManus said. Greg Chandler StaffWriter After more than a year and a halfofdebate, Stoneco of Michigan has received the green light to move ahead with the development of a sand and gravel mining operation in Oran­ geville Township. In two separate actions on Monday night, the Barry County Planning Commission approved both a special land use and site plan for the Delton Quarry, which will be devel­ oped oita. 160-acre3ite_Qn Mil Ifii Road. The _ permit to mine the site will be in effect for five years, with Stoneco having to come back to commissioners to renew the permit. The project has been heavily criticized by residents who are concerned about the mining operation’s impact on.air and water quality, traffic and property values. The county’s action comes as Stoneco is also seeking approval from Hope Township of a site plan and special exemption use to develop a sand and gravel operation on a 153acre site across from the Orangeville proper­ ty, adjacent to Wilkinson Lake. That request is pending before the township’s planning commission. Commissioners on Monday put in a series of conditions for the project as part of their approval. Under the special land use approval, Stoneco must install one or more dust monitors on the site to measure dust in the air for one construction season, with the data from those monitors to be made available to the planning cqjpmission.~Xhe>. company must also install Barry County Planning Commissioner Ju I i Sala holds up an architect’s drawing of how the Delton Qua/ry sand and gravel pit will be laid out as he asks a question of Stoneco attorney Ken Vermeulen about how the company would niitigati concerns over dust at Monday’s Planning Commission meeting. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Jingle and Mingle fills downtown Hastings with holiday spirit this weekend Jeff Hawk, new owner of Hastings Bowl, said the name will soon be changing to Thornapple Recreation. Aside from the nqme 'change, Hawk said he doesn't plan bjl making any radical changes to the boWling alley. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) LET’S ROLL: New owner of Hastings Bowl hopes to continue providing lanes for Barry County bowlers Jayson Bussa Editor The Hastings Jingle and Mingle is a big effort put on by a small cast ofcharacters. “It’s one of those things that, by the time it’s here, the six of us are already really tired,” said Tracy Baker, ,yvho heads up the annual holiday event in downipwn Hastings. Baker is’ part bfa core group ofjust six orga­ nizers that quarterback’what is now a three-day event ifiat features all things associated with Christinas - from visits with Santa, a reindeer ^etting^zbo, rides on Barry County Transit’s ‘'Holly Trolley and a 5K run to the parade. This year’s Jingle and Mingle kicks off on See JINGLE, page 5 Hastings Jingle & Mingle Dec. 1-3 Featuring manger and tree lighting ceremonies, arts and crafts vendors, visits with Santa, Holly Trolley rides, reindeer petting zoo, Santa Dash 5K race, the annual Christmas parade and much more. Visit hastingsjingleandmingle. com for more information Nashville home built through community foundation collaboration hits market Hunter McLaren StaffWriter 1 Jeff Hawk wasn’t retired long before he started looking for something new to occupy his time. After retiring from a 40-year career as an accountant in the automotive industry, Hawk found himself staying at home and watching TV a little more than he’d like. To avoid becoming a couch potato, he decided to pur­ sue an old dream. “I worked at a bowling alley for the last two years ofhigh school and all four years of college. It helped put me through school,” 'Hawk said. “I always kind of had it in the back ofmy mind that, yeah, maybe I’d like to own a bowling alley someday.” He started looking for opportunities to buy a bowling alley in Michigan. He was surprised to come across one for sale in Hastings See BOWL, page 3 A crowd gathers at a previous Jingle and Mingle event to light up a 55-year-old nativity scene that sits on the lawn of the Barry County Courthouse, seen in the background. (File photos) A newly-built, two-bedroom home at 902 Reed Street in Nashville. The home was built through a collaboration between home builder Jason Tietz and the Barry C Community it Foundation. F dti (Photos Pht provided) idd) Jayson Bussa Editor ■ While one, single home might not cure the urgent county-wide need for affordable hous­ ing,, the fact that a newly built house in Nash­ ville has hit the market is significant. It is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home recently built at 902 Reed Street near the Castletown Township Hall. The home is a product ofa collaboration between the Barry Community Foundation and local home builder Jason Tietz, who operates JScott Builders. Both parties were probing for solu­ tions to the county’s serious lack of afford­ able housing inventory. “(Jason) does some building and had a dream to get more into the affordable housing arena,” said Bonnie Gettys, president of the Barry Community Foundation. “He came and brought me this amazing proposal where we would be like the bridge loan for the project. We would pay for everything up front and we would get paid back when the home sells.” That is the journey both parties embarked on together three years and one global pan- ; 2 demic ago - a journey that they have finally completed. K* The effort to build the new home was part 2. ‘ of Barry Community Foundation’s Invest * ■ Barry program, where it utilizes a portion of its investable income to make local invest- * J ments that serve the community. Adding even - ‘ a single, affordable home to Barry County was a win for everyone involved, Gettys said. 2 • It was a welcome sight for the Village of • Nashville, as well, which has seen its hous- • ing market grow completely stagnant over . the decades. Before the new home on Reed ' Street was completed, there had not been any homes built within the village for 60 .J years. The last construction project was a multi-family project, but that, too was rough- • See NASHVILLE, page 3 �Page 2 — Thursday. November 30. 2023 — The Hastings Banner .NEWS BRIEFS Battle of the Bulbs underway 1I The Barry County Battle ofthe Bulbs is underway now for a fourth year. Residents and business owners in Barry County are encouraged to help spread holi­ day cheer by decorating the outside of their businesses and homes. Once decorated, individuals can email a picture ofthe decorations to aleshia@mibarry.com to enter the Battle ofthe Bulbs contest. All businesses and residences in Barry County are invited to participate in the competition. Submissions are due by Friday, Dec. 8. Each submission photo will be posted to the Barry County Chamber Facebook Page on Monday, Dec. 11. Members ofthe public will have until Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. to vote for their favorite business or residence. Votes can be cast by “liking” the photo on Facebook. Residential prizes include: - First place: $250 in Barry Bucks - Second place: $150 in Barry Bucks - Third place: $75 in Barry Bucks The winner ofthe business category will receive a trophy to display. This year’s Battle ofthe Bulbs contest is sponsored by Dewey’s Auto Body, Inc. As a sponsor, Dewey’s is unable to compete for the grand prize. Herb workshop teaching natural remedies for cold and flu season Robbin Glass and Janice Cleary will host an herb workshop ahead ofthe height of flu season on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. The workshop will be held in the Community Hall ofthe Seventh Day Adventist Elementary School, 888 Terry Lane in Hastings. Glass, who is training to become a Master Herbalist, will discuss with attendees different herb formulas that can help with the first signs ofa cold or flu. Glass will also cover a few common plants used in these formulas. Also, attendees will learn natural remedies to boost their immune systems, helping prevent contracting seasonal respira­ tory viruses. As per usual, handouts will be provided at the workshop, along with prizes. The herb workshop is a Hastings Healthy Living Supper Club activity supported by the Hastings Seventh Day Adventist Church to educate its members and the communi­ ty All are welcome tojoin whether they have attended a supper club meeting before or not. There is no need to RSVP. Questions can be directed to Glass at 517-652-3056 or emailed to Cleary at Hhealthylivingsupperclub@gmail.com. ‘Shoe Year’s Day’ hike planned for Jan. 1 For those who want to start 2024 with a challenge, the annual “Shoe Year’s Day” hike at Yankee Springs Recreation Area is slqjed for Jan. 1, 202^, at 11 a.m: This hike, is a yearly tradition for the Chief Noonday chapter ofthe North Country Trail Associ­ ation (NCTA). Beginning as a program through the DNR, the Chief Noonday chapter was asked to help with guided hikes on New Year’s Day at Yankee Springs State Park. After the first year, the “Shoe Year’s Day” hike became established as a yearly Chapter Hike. This January’s hike will be the 12th year ofthe hike. Hikers come from many ofthe surrounding communities, helped in part by DNR publicity. Some families have made the hike a family tradition, hiking every year. For others, the hike is the first time many have been on the North Country Trail. Dogs on leashes are also a part ofthis yearly tradition. Last year, over 80 people participated in the “Shoe Year’s Day” hike. This year, hikers will meet at the Long Lake Outdoor Center, 10370 Gun Lake Rd. Hikers are asked to arrive between 10:30 and 11 a.m. The log cabin will have a fire before and after the hikes for participants to mingle 'and enjoy a hot drink with family and friends. Memberships will be available on Jan. 1 at a discount of $10 for hikers joining for the first time. i nuniiHHPLL P l H Y E H S Comedy by Pat Cook Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC., of Woodstock, Illinois Performances I Thursday, Friday, Saturday - December 7,8,9 @ 7:00 PM Sunday - December 10 @ 2:00 PM ~ ALL TICKETS: $12 Open-to-the-Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, December 6 @ 7:00 PM ~ ALL TICKETS: $10 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231S. Broadway - Hastings Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers, 102 E. State St., Hastings, by scanning the QR code or reserved by calling the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. ri|%tyjHORNAPPLE Arts S^COUNCU. barr Thomapple Players is a non-profit organization providing theatrical opportunities to the Barry County area . For more information, email: thornappleplayers@gmail.com Budget amendment leverages remaining ARPA dollars to create fund for potential jail construction Jayson Bussa Editor A recent budget amendment passed by the Barry County Board of Commissioners has earmarked $5.6 million to construct a new jail ifcounty leaders opt to build one. Administrator Michael Brown appeared in front ofthe county’s Committee ofthe Whole last week and the Board of Commissioners this week to untangle the financial logistics of Amendment 23-B. One of the primary components of the amendment is that the county would take its remaining $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and recognize them as revenue loss, transferring them into the county’s general fund. All counties are provided with the option to calculate their revenue loss and use ARPA funds to cover them or take a flat $10 million in recognized revenue losses if it’s available. The latter is most often a more lucrative option for small counties. However, Barry County did not have $10 million ofavailable ARPA funding available. The county was originally provided with $11.9 million in ARPA funds. To date, county leaders have committed $6.8 million ofthose funds to various projects across the county. The county has actually spent $3.5 million. Per federal guidelines, all ARPA funds must be committed by the end of 2024 and must be spent by 2026. Barry County is on track to spend all $6.8 million ofits commit­ ted ARPA dollars by the end of2026. But, this leaves a remaining $5.1 million in ARPA funds that have not been committed for use and must be by the end ofnext year. Under the recent budget amendment, the county would recognize it as revenue loss, allowing it to deposit the money into its general fund at the end ofthe year. This would mean that the $5.1 million is both committed and spent and the county would no longer have to worry about any ofits ARPA funds going unspent. Furthermore, the county will create a new construction fund called the Public Safety Complex Construction Fund, where the $5.1 million in ARPA funds would then be trans­ ferred in addition to $500,000 from the Barry County Administrator Michael Brown speaks in. front of the Barry County1 Board of Commissioners during Tuesday morning’s meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Divert Felons Fund, totaling $5.6 million. The money is earmarked for the construc­ tion ofa new office andjail complex, but the board does retain the power to transfer money out for other uses. This could be a plausible scenario in the event that the coun­ ty embarks on a project that doesn’t require the full $5.6 million or is able to secure sig­ nificant grants to help fund a project. This money seeds a fund to shove a long-needed project forward, but there are not yet concrete plans for building a jail to replace its current, aging facility. “We identified that the sheriff’s depart­ ment - office andjail - is a facility that’s aged and is beyond its useful life,” Brown said in front ofthe county board this week. “We continue to keep it operational, but (recognize) that something needs to be done.” AMENDMENT FULFILLS COUN­ TY’S PROMISE TO COMMISSION ON AGING The recent budget amendment also pro­ vides the county’s Commission on Aging with the $3 million it promised to kick in for the construction ofits new facility. The county provided land - located adja-• cent to Thomapple Manor’s Harvest Pointe assisted living facility in the southern portion ofHastings Charter Township - in addition to the money to help spur on the construction. The COA will be adding some of its own ‘ money and mounting a capital campaign to ‘ fund the rest ofthe build. The funds for the COA project included $1 ' million from the county’s account with the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA) and $1.25 million from the county’s Umbrella Tax Fund. The $1 million from MMRMA had accu­ mulated in an account that is used to cover self-insured retention. The county will request those funds from MMRMA. The $1.25 million from the Umbrella Tax Fund comes from the accumulation ofthings like penalties, fees and interest on delinquent taxes. County policy states that those binds can not be used for operational costs, but rather, one-tithe capital items, which applies to the COA’s building project --fc -.-fc k*' -an*3** ^1 STONECO, continued from page 1--------------------do any mining activity on Sundays or legal holidays. The special land use was approved on a 6-1 vote, with Nadwomik dissenting, while the site plan was approved on a unanimous 7-0 vote. The Delton Quarry project has divided com­ missioners since it was first proposed in March 2022. In June of that year, commissioners voted 4-3 to approve the gravel1 pit to Stoneco, which is listed as doing business under the name Michigan Materials & Aggregates. However, that approval came with a stipulation that the company ask the road commission to widen Miller from two to five lanes from Rose Road to Hayward Road in response to residents’ con­ cerns about traffic. But the road commission said it could not abide by the stipulation. In September 2022, commissioners rescind­ ed their earlier decision on a 6-1 vote. Two months later, commissioners on a 3-2 vote turned down several new stipulations tied to the project, including cornmissioning a traffic study from a neutral, third-party engineer, directing Stoneco to perform and submit a hydrogeological study based on field testing rather than earlier computer models, and per­ forming and submitting a study addressing the impact ofthe project on home values. The Delton Quarry project came back up before commissioners in September. At that meeting, Nadwomik moved to have a decision tabled so that the commission’s three newest members - County Commissioner David Hat­ field, Juli Sala and Joe Kammenzind - could have more time to review the proposal. The three were not on the commission at the time of the earlier votes. The tabling motion passed on a 4-3 vote. It is expected that about 150 trucks per day would use the site, “each making a trip to the pit and away from the pit,” Stoneco attorney Ken Vermeulen told commissioners. He said that number could vary depending on market conditions. Sala grilled Vermeulen on how Stoneco would address specific impacts ofthe gravel pit, such as dust, noise and water quality. He called for monitoring of both the dust and noise. Vermeulen said that could be done for a limited period. “I think it would be a relatively short period before we would say ‘look, they’ve been oper­ ating for two months, they’ve never had a (noise) exceedance that wasn’t related to some other outside noise,” he said. Sala also raised the issue ofthe impact on property values. Gravel pit opponents had cited a study by the W.E. Upjohn Institute of Kalamazoo, tied to a 2006 Stoneco proposal for a sand and gravel mine in Kalamazoo County’s Richland Township, as proof that sand mine projects negatively impact proper­ ty values. Vermeulen cited a study by real estate appraisers Jim and Dan VanStensel that he says debunks that line of thinking. In a 101page report, the VanStensels studied 10 areas in West Michigan near active or inactive min­ ing operations, including one in Hope Township on the west side of Ottis Lake Readjust south ofKeller Road, that operated from 2012 AuiMhrkMi 3alL4s Ik ®aj3h.u|gfat v J?-J — Stoneco of Michigan attorney Ken Vermeulen, front, fields a question from Barry County planning commissioners regarding the Delton Quarry project Monday, as Stoneco West Operations Manager Austin Fisher listens. to 2019. Their analysis showed that homes near the mine that sold between 2011 and 2020 showed an average appreciation per year of 18.8 percent, compared to 12.6 percent for all homes sold in the township. “It is my conclusion that file future aggre­ gate mining operation will not negatively impact the marketability ofproperties adjoin­ ing or within close proximity to this type of operation,” the VanStensels wrote in their report. “Furthermore, I have concluded that it does not negatively impact the market value of single-family residential properties or the appreciation of value within close proximity to this type ofoperation.” In a,recent report to the Hope Township Planning Commission, engineer Dan Whalen ofthe engineering consulting firm Williams & Works expressed strong concerns about the impact ofany mining operation on water qual­ ity in that area, based on an updated hydrogeo­ logical evaluation by the engineering firm Fishbeck that was done in August ofthis year. “Our greatest concern regarding the pro­ posed mining operation is the site is centered in an environmentally sensitive and vulnerable area along a hydrogeologic divide between two major surface drainage basins,” Whelan wrote in his report dated Oct. 19. “In addition, there are many private water wells within 1,000 feet of the site which could easily be impacted by any change in groundwater quality due to the activities ofthe proposed mine.” Stoneco has said all along that the project will not significantly impact groundwater quality. Because there had been a public hearing at an earlier meeting on the Stoneco proposal, there was no opportunity for public comment before the vote. Opponents pointed to the “very serious consequences” criteria in the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act in stating their objections in letters to the planning commission. “The applicant has failed to acknowledge thee important imortant role of ‘need’ in determines determine whether the undisputed negative impacts ofits operations on the community and the environ- ment become elevated to the level of very serious consequences,” the Healthy Waters Alliance Board of Directors wrote in a letter to ’ commissioners dated Nov. 22. “The applicant has failed to provide proof that area residential wells will not be adversely 1 impacted, or that groundwater quality will not be impacted - these are very serious conse- ’ quences, and the MZEA requires the applicant to prove its activities will cause no very serious ’ consequences. Stoneco has failed to do so,” Delton resident Larry Heslinga wrote in an e-mail dated Sunday. “I urge the planning com-1 mission to deny Stoneco’s SEU application to preserve groundwater quality and to protect the property rights of area residents that entitle • them to the use of water beneath their property.” Kathy Slagter, who conducts an equine ! therapy program at her farm on Hayward 1 Road, disputes the claim that the gravel pit ‘ won’t affect her property values. “I purchased my home in 2020 for the sole purpose of breeding horses and healing '• humans, the beauty and the peace and serenity ofthe land was a big part ofthe attraction . .. Now I am considering selling,” Slagter wrote in an email. A 1982 Michigan Supreme Court ruling in a Kent County case has significantly impacted i the ability oflocal governmental units to block mining operations. That ruling led to the ere-1 ation ofthe Zoning Enabling Act by the Legis- ’ lature in 2006, and an amendment to that act ’ five years later. Act 113 of the Zoning Enabling Act says that local communities cannot pass an ordi- ‘ nance that would “prevent the extraction, by mining, ofvaluable natural resources from any ' property unless very serious consequences • would result from the extraction ofthose nat- ‘ ural resources.” The act lists criteria for what would fall _ under “very serious consequences” for reject­ ing a mining operation. They include impact '’ on existing land uses, impact on property val- ' ues and impact on pedestrian and traffic safety. u I �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 30, 2023 — Page 3 Local business owners looking forward to completion of downtown streetscape project Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Local businesses are looking l forward to the t completion of construction .^wntown with many confident the results will be worth :5W St? Si the wait. I Construction crews have been occupying dbwniown Hastings for the last several weeks as thdy y continue work on the city s $3.5 BilBil­ lion SHeetscape project. Crews started with the sidewalk on the north side of East State Street b^twoen Jefferson Street arid Michigan ^venue,’making their wiy- westward toward Broadway Avenue. Once the north side ofthe State ^Street renovations are complete, crews are sdftto complete the south side in the spring. CMp ruction crews are currently working between ween Church Street and Jefferson Street. Those trying to shop downtown may find Construction crews have been workihgjon the sidewalk to the. north of State Street themselves running into some difficulties as construction takes place, with no parking between Church and Jefferson Street this week. Businesses are still accessible, butt street parking is not available. (Photos by, Hunter McLaren) available on the north -side of the block. While the sidewalk is still- open on the north “I’m excited for it to be don$” he said. side ofthe block, pedestrians may find them“Hopefully it will spark some, life into the selves shimmying past each, other as the events down h6re. Sidewalk sales 10 years available walking space is much narrower ago used to be a pretty big thing. It’s been than usual. Pedestrians must be careful when slowly dying off. With some shiny sidewalks, crossing the street as well because construc­ maybe it can bring some life into downtown.” tion goes all the way to the comer of the Jennie Sykes, owner of Porcelain Classics, block. To access the sidewalk from the south said she’s also excited to see the results ofthe side of the street, pedestrians need to cross project. She hopes it will help downtown busi­ Church or Jefferson Street, head north across State Street, and then cross Church or Jeffer­ ness continue on an upward trend, and said it was definitely time for a streetscape project. son again. “ I think it’s really well needed. I really do,” “ Carlos Barlow, owner of Barlow Florist, Sykes said. “I’m excited to see we’ve gott a said he’s noticed a slight decrease in walk-in lot of storefronts that are now filling up customers over the last two weeks when crews have been working in front of his busi­ again, which is really encouraging. I think ness. He estimates he’s probably lost about that’s phenomenal. I think it’s going to be a 20 percent ofthe walk-in customers he’d be kickoffto revitalize the area, I really do. It’ll used to seeing, but it hasn’t been a huge issue. look a lot better than tree stumps, missing “A lot of our work is done online or over lamp posts, dead trees and things like that.” the phone,” Barlow said. “It’s not the best Sykes said construction crew members had weather anyways, there’s not a lot ofpeople spoken with her, checking in to see ifher cus­ walking downtown. I say it affects people tomers would be able to access the business. A section of the sidewalk is still open to who live here more than businesses.” While her business does have a back entrance, foot traffic, although it’s not very wide. Barlow, who also resides in an apartment on Sykes explained many of her customers are Passing pedestrians will likely need to the block, said it has been more challenging for from an older demographic and likely won’t shimmy a bit when they cross paths. him and other residents to get in and out. Bar­ be able to use the stairs at that entrance. She low also has some extenuating circumstances said construction project managers have been she’s a big proponent ofthe streetscape proj­ - his. fiance is expecting, and due to give birth very accommodating, doing whatever they ect. That being said, she hopes construction in the next two weeks. She’s also planning to can to minimize their impact on the business. won’t go on for too long, as business has give birth at home in their apartp)pnt. igarlo}¥ Although Sykes does much of her porce­ slowed down since it began. said he expressed his concerns to the construc­ lain doll repair work through mail orders, the “I hope it gets done quickly and doesn’t tion crews, explaining that he and the midwife store also hosts the Bee Eclectic Studio & stay like this forever,” Lonergan said. “I would need to be moving medical equipment Emporium consignment store at the front of know it has slowed down business here. Peo­ and supplies to the apartment. the building. Walk-ih business has been slow, ple can’t park right Outside, and I know it The crew was very responsive to his con­ Sykes said, but it’s been slow for months. does take away from a few ofthe extra park­ cerns, Barlow said. The project manager and She’s much quicker to blame the economy at ing spots.” a. feremy next IQ-: / Urge thqnshe is a few weeks.ofconstruction^ Although, ^he’s Ji^ard ^grmp^nts frqm returned seveeral some regarding the loss of parking .dqrj^ig,^ ti to checUtrL id the*crew assured ed construction and plans for extended pedestrihim they would do everything they could to* holiday season and some December events in an areas to permanently take up a few parking ensure- the midwife had easy access to the downtown Hastings, Sykes said it’s just the spaces, Lonergap said,she thinks the project apartment. He. said the crew’s cooperative cost ofdoing business. will be a net benefit for the downtown busi­ attitude helped ease his concerns. ness community. The। remodeled downtown “Is it too bad it’s happening now? I don’t “d think‘they’re working at a good pace. know, I don’t see hordes ofpeople walking up will help make Hastings competitive with Every time I look out there, someone’s out. and down the street, so you tell me,” ^ othqr. West Michigan communities, she said. there working,” he said. “I feel confident in V said. “It’s been slow for the last four months^ Lonergan hopes those with concerns about them.” know (construction crews) are working hard the project will keep an open mind about the Barlow said although it’s currently a bit to try to have things cleaned up and sort ofput benefits it could have for everyone in Hastaway for this coming weekend, which is cool.'*’ ings - whether they be business owners, resi­ inconvenient for his business and his personal life, he’s eagerly anticipating the results of But you know, we’ll just make it work.” dents orjust visitors. the streetscape project. He hopes it will bring Liz Lonergan, an employee at Abstrac “It’s not therejust for you,” Lonergan said. more foot traffic into downtown Hastings. ■ Glass and longtime Hastings resident, said “It’s there for everybody.” City gets ready for first of many costly water infrastructure projects mandated by state t*1 mS#0" If’1' If1 VW * / TO WW I V Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Hastings is going through the early stages of a costly waterline replacement project mandated by the state. City council members approved a $ 165,500 contract for design engineering services from Moore & Bruggink for water line replace­ ments and improvements on Green Street and Market Street at their meeting Monday. The project is part of the city’s efforts to meet Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) requirements to replace lead water lines in municipalities throughout the state. The $165,000 price tag will cover all the costs required before construction can start. Ryan Arends, representing Moore & Bruggink, said the pre-construction costs are high because the process includes several rounds of soil testing, surveying, applications for required permits and more. “The design will be very intensive,” Arends said. Arends said the plans call for 4,000 feet of water lines to be replaced on Green Street, roughly spanning from the entrance to Fish Hatchery Park to the intersection of Market Street Market Street improvements will take place across 1,000 feet, spanning from the Green Street intersection to State Street. Arends said overall, the project calls for roughly 70 water services to be replaced on Green Street and 10 on Market Street with construction slated to begin in April 2025. - “The water services are all assumed to be lead under EGLE’s lead and copper rule,” Arends said. “They were included in the proj­ ect to be replaced. We will need to, when we do our survey, locate all the comers of the houses to set the plans up to replace those lead water services.” I The improvements are expected to cost $6.3 million in total and make up part ofthe city’s estimated $18 million plan to replace water lines along 10 streets in the city. The City ofHastings* application for a low-inter- Anyone can apply to purchase the newly-built home, but the selected buyer must meet certain criteria. The home is intended for individuals or families that demonstrate a need for affordable housing. NASHVILLE, continued from page 1 ly 50 years ago. The village will see even more progress on the housing front with a planned multi-family housing development to be installed in the former elementary school building, as well. Part ofwhat led the Community Founda­ tion down to Nashville was a great opportu­ nity to purchase land that was all set for a new home. “Nashville happened to have a piece of property where there wasn’t a home on it,” Gettys explained. “It had all the infrastruc­ ture - all the tie-ins to the water and sewer you would need to have. That’s a huge, huge price tag if you’re going to try to tap into those resources. It would have been some­ where around $30,000 just to tap into water and sewer.” “That’s what we’re looking for (in future projects) - more properties that have all the infrastructure attached and it can help to bring, whatever neighborhood we’re doing it in, help to lift some ofthe property val­ ues, too.” The Community Foundation has $190,000 invested in the project just for the land and the build. This doesn’t include the various taxes and fees associated with mounting a construction project. “We’re just hoping to get refunded what we had put into it, however, we know we’re not going to,” Gettys said. The project was intended to serve as afford­ able housing, and it’s hitting the market as such, listed at $188,000 with local real estate because he has family ties to the area - his grandfather once owned a farm in Barry County. Growing up, Hawk’s father had always pointed out what used to be his grand­ father’s farm when the two were driving through for an annual family reunion in Kalamazoo. “We would often pass by Hastings, just so Dad could point it out. But that’s been many, many years since we were able to do that. I have zero recollection ofwhere it would be,” Hawk said. “But I’m going to try to find it. I’ve asked as many people as I can.” Even after seeing some other options, Hawk was intrigued by the opportunity to be the new owner ofHastings Bowl. He worked with longtime owner Dean Lambert to make the transition, finalizing the sale last week Monday. “I looked at three other ones, and when I saw something from Hastings, the more I looked, the more I liked,” he said. “It’s been a little bit of an ordeal getting it done, but Dean was great to work with and we got it done.” Hawk said taking over the business has been overwhelming at times, but he’s quickly getting the hang of things. His previous accounting and bowling alley experiences have certainly helped, as well as continued support from Lambert. When Lambert began working at the alley for his parents in 1961 at age 11, Hawk was only a few months old. Lambert would take over the business in 1983, successfully run­ ning it for the next 40 years through several hardships - most recently, COVID-19. Hawk Ryan Arends, representing engineering firm Moore & Bruggink, shared what an estimated $6.3 million water infrastructure project would entail in the coming years. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) used to pay for some of the larger projects down the road. In addition, the city might still qualify for future rounds of low-interest SRF funding from the state. Taking out a loan for this first stage of the plan might be the best option to keep rates down for residents and businesses in the future, she said. “This project being one ofthe earlier ones that we’re doing, we haven’t saved up a lot yet to apply a significant amount of cash towards the project. But as the years go on, and we generate more, we would anticipate that we could do that with some ofour larger projects,” Moyer-Cale said. “This is relatively small compared to what’s coming with our other project .design?, butt we certainly want to consider the long-term expense to our residents.” ! 'u u M egnnq sa BOWL, continued from page 1 . est loan from the State Revolving Fund did not score high enough to qualify. City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said the $6.3 million project would be primarily funded through a standard loan. ‘We’ve looked at some other funding sources, but they have significant disadvantages to the extent that we feel thatjust biting the bullet and doing a traditional revenue bond is probably the way to go,” she said. Because ofthe complexity and scale ofthe city s total planned water infrastructure improvements, it’s hard to say what portions of the plan will be funded through cash and what portions will be funded through a loan. Moyer-Cale said sewer and water rate hikes that were enacted earlier this year will begin building up the city’s funds, which can be agent Lori Shaw, who has agreed to donate • some money from her fees back to the project • The new home is stocked with energy-effi- • _ cient, new appliances and has other features, • * like additional insulation, to keep it afford- * able over the life ofthe home. “It’s move-in ready,” Gettys said. “It will • be efficient with utilities and the fact you* don’t have to worry about maintenance, that’s « a whole other thing. It is an excellent deal.” * Anyone can apply to purchase the home, « but potential buyers must fit a variety ofcri- * teria, including: • - Purchaser will occupy the property as • _ their primary residence. X— Purchaser doesn’t own any other proper- * ty that is tax delinquent — Purchaser doesn’t own any property that • is subject to any citation of violation of the * state and/or local codes and ordinances. — Purchaser has not been the prior owner of • any property transferred to the treasurer or a * local government as a result of tax foreclo- * sure proceedings. • - The purchaser has a household income • at, or below, 120 percent of Barry County’s « median income. As an additional step in the process, the « Community Foundation is asking that pro- ’ spective buyers also submit an essay that explains why the purchase ofthe home would • make a difference to them or their families. ♦ Gettys said that, with one such project X under its belt, it will look to take on addition- ‘ al building projects in the future. a said Lambert and his family have helped him as he takes his first steps as the new owner. ’ “His family was definitely involved, as » well as his daughters and his sons-in-law,” 4 Hawk said, “They’re all very, very helpful.” j Once they sell their home in the Detroit ‘ area, Hawk said his wife will be joining him ‘ here in Hastings. Hawk said there likely won’t 1 be many changes to the lanes until the bowl- j ing season is over in the spring. There certain- { ly won’t be any changes until his wife arrives , in Hastings to act as the business’s visionary, • a role he said she’s much better suited for. “I’m reluctant to change too much, too J soon. Like I said, Dean owned it himself for 40-plus years,” Hawk said. “He’s a smart man, j he knew what he was doing - so I’m reluctant < to make too many changes. But there’s a few 1 things we have in mind down the road.” Any changes made won’t be radical, Hawk said, although the name will be chang- ■ ing from Hastings Bowl to Thomapple Rec- I reation. Aside from its new moniker, opera­ tions at the alley should remain largely the | same. The bowling alley serves a special • role in the community, one he wishes to ; carry on, he said. “We’re going to keep it a bowling center, t From talking to as many folks as I’ve met | here, I agree with them 100 percent, and ; that’s part ofwhy I’m here. This area needs a bowling center,” Hawk said. “The next one is 1 almost 40 minutes away. It’s a sport that folks J out here seem to love. There are gentlemen as old as 94 who bowl pretty regularly here. We , want to keep that going and give everyone L that opportunity.” \ I SPRlNAYS FUOA£M4Z ” Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville MICHAEL KINNEY a PLUMBING ML W®* > Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS W Same Day Installation > Office (269) 948-2248 ** Mobile (269) 838-5112 l .iccnsc //SI 10376 L\ Insured �Page 4 Thursday. November 30.2023 — The Hastings Banner Do y.« remember? Rights cannot exist without responsibility HASTINGS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY On April 5,J005. the Mlchlqnn Mutual bwwrance Company became the first mutunlwlndvtorm company incorporated by the state of Michigan. Starting In A one-room office above Granta store, the company occupied and outgr*. five site* In Hostings. Locally tn firm was called the Windstorm Compan . while out of town It was known a* thl Hastings Company. In 1920. Its nanrfc was formally chanced to the Michigan Mutual Windstorm Insurance Company. I On January15.1959, the company became a general mutual, taking the name Hastings Mutual Insurance Company. Over the years, the firm has expanded to write policies for commercial, home and farm property, workers’ compete* satkm. automobile and marine Insurance. Ceremony will dedicate Hastings Mutual marker Banner Oct. 10, 1985 Officers of Hastings Mutual Insurance Co. are getting an early viewing of the new marker designating Hastings Mutual Insurance Co. as a Michigan Historic Site. Joining President Charles F. Johnston (right) are (from left) William McGinnis, underwriting vice-president; Larry Hensley, treasurer; Duane Bower, personnel manager; Duane O’Connor, general counsel; Ralph Owings, claims vice-president; John Ketchum, marketing vice-president; and Gary Gahan, research and development vice-president. The marker, located at the front entrance to the firm’s office at 404 E. Woodlawn Ave., will be dedicated at a public ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday. The firm was founded on April 5,1885 as the first mutual windstorm insurance company incorporated in the state. Have you met? When asked what people might not know about her, Freeport resident Angel Green is the first to admit she has a fairly unusual lifestyle. “I’m just kind of far from normal,” Green said. Bom in Alaska, Green has spent time all over the U.S. thanks to her mom being in the Air Force. Her father was local to the Elsie area, so she’s been familiar with Michigan. After spending time in Missis­ sippi, Colorado and several stops in MichiH1,gan. 'Gy^efl and her {partner decided to ejtablisfr'their homestead in Freeport. Freeport In her professional life, Green works as a massage therapist. At home, she explores her interest in animals. Alongside live­ stock like chickens and goats, Green lives with dogs, cats, snakes, lizards and spi­ ders. One particularly interesting compan­ ion lives outside - a female red-tailed hawk named Murphy. Murphy lives in a mews, a special type of birdhouse built specifically for birds of prey. Although she’s been interested in fal­ conry her whole life, Green said she’s only recently taken her first steps as an appren­ tice falconer in September. “Falconry is one of the oldest sports known to mankind, it’s about 4,000 years old. It was originally used to actually pro­ vide food for people during the winter months, when it’s obviously kind ofhard to find good food, but the raptors all have an easy time. Now, it’s just done for peo­ ple who really want to interact with these raptors.” Because raptors like Murphy are federal­ ly protected animals, there are some steps required before one can become a falconer. To receive her license, Green underwent several rounds of written tests to demon­ strate her knowledge of raptor species, biology and care as well as rules and rregu­ lations. Once she passed those, Green was sponsored and trained by an experienced falconer for two years. Once she had learned the ropes and built a mews, Green was able to work with Murphy. Together, Green and Murphy go hunting. Green finds good hunting grounds for her bird, where Green will work to kick up prey,, like rabbits, for Murphy to take down. After a successful hunt, Green trades Murphy a yummy piece of venison for her prey. The prey then goes into Green’s freezer, where she can save it for days when their hunts aren’t so successfill or for the summer when the rabbit hunting season ends. It’s all part ofa delicate balance, ensuring Murphy gets the right amount ofnutrition and activity. “In practice, weight management is basi­ cally trying to find that perfect weight where they’re hungry enough to be interest­ ed in working for their food, but not so hungry, obviously, that it’s bad for them,” Green said. “Ifthey’re too heavy, it’s like if you get done eating Thanksgiving dinner and I say, ‘Hey, go make a sandwich.’ You’re going to tell me to kick rocks.” A falconer’s relationship to their bird is a unique one unlike any other, Green said. The two are equals, working as a pair to hunt together.. “With falconry, you just get to be a part ofthat bird’s life. It’s not a pet. It’s not like I own her,” Green said. “I just have shown her that if she’s with me, and she allows me to participate, then she gets more food a lot more easily than she would have just on her own. Angel Green and Murphy So far, Green said the experience has been amazing. Working with Murphy has been similar to working with other ani­ mals, but there have been some big learn­ ing curves, too. Like any other animal, each raptor is unique and has its own personality quirks. Falconry, being a very old sport steeped in tradition, has some well-established techniques and practices. Green said it’s been interesting working with Murphy and finding out what specifi­ cally will work for her. “Every single bird is different, they’re just like people. I’ve noticed that with this one, some ofthe techniques that are consid­ ered ‘correct’ weren’t working for her and I had to do something different,” Green said. “It was just a matter of communicating on their level, finding out how they under­ stand, instead ofjust going, ‘Oh, I’m going to keep doing it the way that everyone else has always done it until you get it.’” Although she’s just starting as a falconer, Green hopes to continue working with Murphy and eventually work with other birds. Apprentices are required to work with red-tailed hawks or kestrels, but Green is interested in working with a Harris’s Hawk next. Eventually, she’d like to work with owls. There are many, many species falconers can work with, each with a unique hunting style. The longwing birds tradition­ ally used in the sport take a very different approach from birds like Murphy. “It’s a very different style of hunting. With Murphy, we’re out in the field. I can see her at all times, she’s sitting in a tree. I’ll move up, she’ll fly up to the next tree and wait for me. She’s just watching for me to flush that rabbit,” Green said. “With the longwing birds, they’re sometimes soaring so high that you can’t even see them. Then you kick something up and it’s awesome - this bullet comes flying out of the sky and nails it.” The falconry community, with its long-standing traditions and high bar for entry, has its fair share of gatekeepers, Green said. While not everyone is fit to be a falconer because ofthe high level ofcare required by the birds, Green said anyone who feels passionately about the birds and the sport p is welcome to try. y. Although g some might see the hobby as elitist, Green said te newest the newes generation generaon offalconers hopes to dispel that perception. “We don’t want just anybody to be a falconer, only because the safety and well-being of the bird is paramount,” Green said. “Ifyou’re not the kind of person that’s going to put the bird first, then we don’t want you in the sport. But we definitely want everybody to be as passionate about it as we are.” Green hopes to share her passion with those who are outside ofthe sport, as well. In addition to hunting on public land, Green has had some luck getting permission to hunt on private property, too. Not only do farmer’s fields work as a great hunting ground for Murphy, but it also creates an educational opportunity. Green knows what it’s like to lose live­ stock to predators, having lost several chickens to foxes and some wild birds of prey - she even once had to save one ofher chickens after Murphy had snagged it. It’s something she doesn’t hold against preda­ tors (or Murphy), she said, as they are just natural predators doing what they are meant to do. Although it can be frustrating losing livestock, it’s her job to ensure her animals are protected. She hopes others can come to the same understanding, and come to respect wild predators for their role in nature. “Those (predator) animals are supposed to be out there. It’s my job to protect my livestock, and ifI fail that’s on me. It’s not on the predators,” Green said. “We’re just trying to change people’s minds a little bit about how they view native predators. I think falconry is a good way to do that. Walking around, seeing an amazing bird, they’re not going to be like, ‘Oh, I hate that thing.’ No, they’re going to want to come and talk about ty look at it and be awe-inspired.” For sharing her passion and knowledge of birds through one ofthe world’s oldest sports, Angel Green is this week’s Bright Light. Music I listen to: I like classic rock. So for me, that’s from the ‘50s to the ’80s. Favorite books: “The Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher. First thing I bought with my own money: A Nintendo64j with “Star Wars Episode I: Racer.” What I want for Christmas: Pack goat saddles. My mom and I do a lot of hiking and camping, and I love doing that. I hate carrying stuff, I’m kind ofa pansy. We have goats to do it for me. They’re entertaining most of the time when they’re not getting out. They can actually carry about 50 pounds each. What I like about my job: I love to be able to make a positive difference in peo­ ple’s lives. I actually give people back the ability to do the things that they’re passionate about. Massage helps with moving and body function. A lot of people will stop doing the things they love because of chronic pain or just the flat-out inability because their body doesn’t move like it’s supposed to anymore, and you can actually get that back with proper massage. Greatest thing about Barry County: I actually love how sparsely populated it is. The houses are nice and spread out. I’m not a people person, so I like going around, driving around the country and it’s not a house every two feet. < Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson kw who ho makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058;; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Since our Founding Fathers crafted the U.S. Constitution more than 200 years ago, this country has straddled the thin line sep­ aarating g rights g and responsibilities. p . In fact,, it took the Bill ofRights and its amendments guaranteeing individual freedom to get the Constitution ratified by three-quarters of the states. Today’s news, though, seems to be con­ tinually dominated by First Amendment arguments ensuring free speech, Second Amendment protections ofthe right to bear arms, and all the other 25 amendments we’ve made to the Constitution through the present day. That’s all well and good, to be sure, because they protect us as individuals from unfair and unwarranted intrusions by the larger government. But I fear we’ve swung too far away from that thin line between rights and responsibilities. Our rights are only as good as our responsibilities to each other. When I think about the importance of our responsibilities to support each other, ofpulling together as a team, I think about what County Commissioner Bruce Camp­ bell faced during his service in Vietnam - a story we recounted in our most recent issue of The Reminder. Campbell’s deployment ended on Aug. 9,1969 when he was pinned down in an ambush and lost his left arm and vision in his right eye. While lying injured and flat on his back, Campbell made a call for an artillery strike to lessen the attack on his men. Once the firing slowed down, he called for a Medevac chopper, which was delayed due to the enemy fire. Campbell said he was finally rescued but, while leaving the scene, the chopper was shot full ofholes. This was the kind of heroic action that servicemen expected from each other they worked together and were willing to risk their own lives for their fellow soldiers. As individual soldiers, they accepted their responsibility for others. Last week, the federal government announced the resumption of diversity training efforts in our military, spending millions on diversity and inclusion training. “Diversity, inclusion and equal opportu­ nity education and training are essential to cultivate positive values and behaviors, as well as an environment where inclusion and equity for all personnel is achieved,” said Air Force Capt. Leah Brading. When I was in the Air Force, training was all about discipline, regimentation, physical demands, leadership develop­ ment, teamwork and dedication. We never talked about diversity and inclusion because there’s no place for individuality in the military - it’s all about teamwork. Learning that responsibility is essential to a high-quality team. In fact, several countries around the world require some basic military training for all citizens because it builds a stronger sense ofrespon­ sibility and dedication to their countries. As I follow the news today, I wonder where that feeling ofselfless responsibility to each other has gone. Amidst the shoplift­ ing, caijacking, homelessness, drug abuse and all the other problems that plague our nation, I see people turning selfishly toward themselves. Between the crimes against us and the crimes we implicitly commit ourselves by looking away from the suffering ofothers, it just seems like in today’s world anything goes. We are no longer holding people responsible and by looking the other way we are promoting the chaos in which we live. That’s why I was so pleased to read last week’s decision by Judge Michael Schipper to call out a local dad for a lack of personal responsibility by sentencing him to a four-year prison sentence for failure to pay child support. The local man also had a checkered legal past to go along with his failure to pay. “I’m seeing too many ofthese dads that aren’t paying,” said Schipper. “They’re not paying, not because they can’t work but they’re working under the table - they’re logging or working construction, they’’re doing work, they’re just.not paying, and that’s just not acceptable. Schipper mentioned that some individu­ als are exceptions, asare e parents who, because of economic ic distress, financial hardship, or disability, can’t work. But he is determined to address this problem that he continues to deal with in Barry County. It I ’s an example of dee.p societal prob­ lems that start way before they come to a judge’s bench. Soft-on-cnme prosecutors aare impacting the freedoms we enjoy, the foundation on which our democratic sys sys-­ tem stands. Ifwe continue to allow crime to get outt of control with little or no res ponsibility being enforced we are part of the problem. A recent report from the U.S. Criminal Justice System stated that a 58 percent majority of Americans feel thejustice sys­ tem is not tough enough in its handling of crime, marking a sharp increase in carjacking, shoplifting and breaking and entering just to name a few. Harsher sensen­ tencing has been the strategy in the U.S. since the 1970s. Yet today, Americans are feeling deteri­ orating perceptions of the crime problem and some 28 percent say they or someone in their household has been victimized in the past year by one of several crimes including, vandalism, car theft, burglary, robbery or sexual assault and battery. Even though these crimes are highlight­ ed in the news, criminals seem to be get­ ting away with merely a slap on the hand rather than a sentence that might make someone think twice before committing the crime. In many of our cities, criminals pay no penalty while citizens pay the price ofinjustice. That’s what Judge Schipper determined: The only way to reduce criminal behavior is with harsher sentences. For example, when dads run from paying child support, this judge is going to give them a taste of jail time ^aihard way to learn responsibility, but maybe necessary. And that’s what Americans expect from the criminal justice system - handing out sentences that match the crime. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” said Martin Luther King Jr. “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly;'1 affects all indirectly.” Articulating and translating this anti-vi­ olence vision requires clear and consistent leadership to put the pieces together so that criminals understand and accept the consequences. Otherwise, we’re promoting and accepting this growing criminal behavior. It’s time to review our laws, our sentencing and procedures such as stop-and-frisk to get the criminals offthe street making the cities ofAmerica safe once again. In a speech this past Veterans Day, Campbell, our Vietnam hero, remarked, “I’m thankful to survive a war where many did not.” There are citizens across this country today who face a constant war in the streets due to the lack ofresponsibility among our leaders at all levels of government. Many don’t survive or suffer in a way that is unnecessary in the greatest country in the world. Rather than letting criminals run wild in our streets, we need to require a sense of responsibility to make it safer for all ofour citizens. The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. HOCH m m a A A Division Division of ofJ-Ad J-Ad Graphics Graphics Inc. Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hank Schuurinq CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 lW: Z'X.X’ vix1 * □'X3!to6 □X 3! to*6* । �1 The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 30, 2023 — Page 5 Whitmer signs energy bills to make Michigan use clean energy fl 2040 Janelle D. James vx v AS ^5 (A1?* if?®? ***** •••it Bridge Michigan DETROIT - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer •signed climate bills Tuesday afternoon thatt ’will require Michigan utility companies to get 100 percent of their energy from clean energy 'sources by 2040. “Today’s package will help us make more | clean energy right here in Michigan, reducing our reliance on foreign oil,” Whitmer said before signing the bills during a ceremony in •, Detroit’s Eastern Market attended by Democratic lawmakers and student climate activ. ists. “Getting this done will reduce air, water and land pollution. It will balance reliability land affordability so people can keep their power on during storms and floods.” I The new laws also give the state the ‘authority to override local decisions to allow ■ fanners and property owners to house wind and solar projects on their land. ■ “It’s your land, you should have the free­ d dom to use it however you want,” Whitmer : said, adding that the state’s control over wind and solar projects will allow energy compacompa­ nies to avoid the bitter local zoning battles that have doomed such projects in the past. That will streamline the process “and ensure • we can meet our 100 percent clean energy stan­ dard and put more money in the pockets of i Michigan farmers and landowners,” she said. , Under the new legislation, utility compa­ nies have until 2027 to draw 15 percent of । their energy from renewable sources includ| ing wind, solar, manure and landfill methane. • The law also allows some energy to be I derived from incinerated waste. DTE Energy has already met that goal and ■ currently generates 15 percent ofenergy deliv­ ered to customers from renewable sources, i The requirement would gradually increase Ito 60 percent by 2035. I In addition to the renewable energy goal, : companies will have to meet clean energy tar­ gets. Starting in 2035, they’ll have to generate 80 percent of their power from clean sources such as nuclear and natural gas with carbon | capture technology that removes carbon dioxide emissions from industrial plants. They’ll need to reach 100 percent clean energy by 2040. । Utilities struggling to meet these expecta­ tions may be granted “good cause” exemp­ tions from the Michigan Public Service ComI mission for up to two years. The 2040 deadline aligns with the gover- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed clean energy bills Tuesday giving utility companies until 2040 to generate 100 percent of their energy from clean sources. (Bridge photo by Janelie D. James)) nor’s goal, set in 2020, that the state would become carbon neutral by 2050, making Michigan the ninth state to make the pledge. Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, the state’s two largest utilities, say they’re mak­ ing progress toward that goal. Consumers previously said it will emit zero carbon emis­ sions by 2040, while DTE said it will meet the goal by midcentury. The legislation passed the House while Democrats still had a two-seat majority. Since then, Democratic Reps. Kevin Cole­ man and Lori Stone stepped down after win­ ning mayoral races in Westland and Warren earlier this month, leaving two seats open in the House and - at least until early next year - an equal number ofDemocrats and Repub­ licans in the chamber. Opponents ofthe new law raised concerns about the timeline and reliability ofwind and solar energy. “Michigan is already burdened by high energy costs and an unreliable grid that leaves families in the dark far too frequently,” Rep. Jamie Greene, R-Richmond, said in a state­ ment shortly after the bills passed earlier this month. “This plan is a recipe for disaster. It shamefully ignores reliability and affordabili­ ty - the two main concerns people are grap­ pling with when it comes to their electricity tand will make our problems even worse.” The measure giving the Michigan Public Service Commission authority over the location of wind and solar projects, provided they meet criteria regarding how far they have to be from neighborhoods, how much light and noise they produce, also drew barbs from Republicans. “These bills use bureaucracy to bully our communities, and that’s not the right approach,” Rep.Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville) said in a statement after the bills passed. “Ifthe state is hyper-focused on this type of energy push, it should lead by exam­ ple and put renewable projects on state prop­ erty and not force it onto communities, resi­ dents and agricultural lands.” The bills Whitmer'signed were: - Senate Bill 273, which requires utilities to boost their energy-efficiency savings from 1 percent to 1.5 percent; - Senate Bill 502, which expands the author­ ity of the Michigan Public Service Commis­ sion and requires commissioners to prioritize new goals including service quality, affordabil­ ity, cost-effectiveness and equitable access; - Senate Bill 519, which establishes an office in the Department of Labor and Eco­ nomic Opportunity that would help assist and retrain automotive and energy workers whose jobs will be replaced as industries shift from gas-powered vehicles and coal plants to EVs and renewable energy; - Senate Bill 277, which codifies an exist­ ing state rule that allows farmers to rent their land for solar arrays while staying enrolled in the state’s farmland preservation program. OPINION: Lansing steals local control with new “green” energy laws You may have read about it. On the thin­ nest of majorities, Democrats ramrodded so-called “green” energy laws (House Bills 5120-5121 and Senate Bills 271, 273, 502, and 519) through the legislature. The laws are a complete con - they’re billed as saving the environment and merely substituting one type ofenergy source for another. In reality, these laws irresponsibly incentivize energy sources which wreck the environment in other parts ofthe globe, not to mention gob­ bling up useful farmland across our state. Just as bad, the new laws also centralize all decision making on the implementation of these energy sources in Lansing by unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats, rath­ er than leaving the decision to local com­ munities and the free market. Advocates of these laws lie to the public and claim that local communities still have “some say” in whether windmills and solar farms will demolish generational family farms. The truth is that unelected bureaucrats can over­ ride any local decision to prevent this. The new laws give Michigan Public Service Commission the sole authority to permit large solar and wind construction. The unelected three-member board is appointed by the governor, and the governor is public­ ly supporting a plan to add thousands of square miles ofnew wind and solar farms in rural communities like Allegan, Barry, Ottawa and Eaton counties. These bills force Michigan to close existing power plants and build out expensive and experi­ mental technologies to replace them. Solar and wind energy are often referred to as “alternate” energy sources. And it’s true, they are an alternative - to energy sources that are cost-effective and reliable means of meeting Michigan’s energy needs; that is, energy that is affordable and works. Democrats in Lansing apparently don’t realize that when the sun doesn’t shine - some may recognize this as a daily phenomenon - solar panels don’t absorb energy. Similarly, when the wind doesn’t blow, windmills don’t turn. This is no laughing matter, though. This latter event caused a major energy crisis in Texas three years ago that left 10 million people with­ out heat (many for several weeks) during a bitterly cold winter; 150 people froze to death. These new laws are not merely irre­ sponsible, they’re reckless and they’re Rep. Rachelle Smit playing with people’s lives. Alternative energy has not advanced enough to replace cheap and efficient energy sources that perform day and night,, in good weather and bad. It imposes a heavy cost in public funds and the energy is not cost-effective. Those increased costs will be passed on to Michigan families in the form of higher rates they cannot afford. The bills even go so far as to eliminate existing caps on rate increases, allowing utility companies to charge unlimited amounts and raise monthly electric bills as much as they want. All of this amounts to a hidden tax upon Michigan families. This, com­ bined with the new energy laws’ centraliza­ tion of power to an unelected board and the inherent unreliability of alternative energy, will wreck Michigan’s energy sector ulti­ mately leaving us all freezing in the dark. I voted against this insanity because it’s manifestly against the energy and econom­ ic interests ofevery Michigan family. I also voted against these laws because they are an obvious power grab by Lansing. Local communities should have the right to deter­ mine what’s best for their community. The more we permit unaccountable unelected bureaucrats to dictate policy to local com­ munities, the less we resemble a republic, and the more we resemble China. Rep. Rachelle Smit Michigan State Representative - 43rd District I JINGLE, continued from page 1 d&ty dy fcaDfalj-’ah ffit & d •WXfr titosc | wte k tttimI ■" fah ad iuchsoD ifr^ay-ntateamwoi ill L^i^llyisesscoli’l httrDuffoihittviau J rifroadnaitstydfol kNBSEl is dtp ■■ mM«b bispd topi r«n® ^aldtaioba* adtaoba mV** WK’ t 1 rM**11 VrM||*M*1 *L 2 ii •’2 z £ £ jr f. I J A 4 / QfTJQH bflB f’J ■ Friday, a night that will feature, among other things, a lighting ceremony for the city’s 55-year-old nativity scene located on the courthouse lawn and the city’s Christmas tree, located between City Hall and the Hast­ ings Public Library. Santa will also be sta­ tioned at Under The Sun (131 W. State Street) to visit with kids. Saturday is also packed with action for the family, kicking off with the Santa Dash 5K run, which starts at the Barry County Enrich­ ment Center. Entry fee for the run is an unwrapped present, which will be donated to the Barry County United Way and gifted to a local family in need. The race is timed, so registration is 'required in order to participate. Registrations ‘can be made online at santa5k.itsyourrace. Icom/register. • The festivities on Friday end with what imany would consider the main event - the {Hastings Rotary Christmas Parade, which ;runs 5:30 to 7 p.m. along the main drag of State Street. Organizers hand out a toy that I lights up before the parade to illuminate the larea. This year it is a lollipop. | “It’s almost like a Hallmark moment. You .have all these lights - everyone has lights. And then we have a parade and that’s all lit [up its really kind ofcool,” Baker said. I The event winds down on Sunday with a variety ofevents, including a reindeer petting ■zoo that runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at State and ■Jefferson streets. • The Jingle and Mingle debuted in 2015 as i only a one-night event. Before that, Jingle and Mingle was called the Shop and Hop, a shop­ ping-focused event put on by the Hastings ’Downtown Business Team before it rebranded. Baker, who has been involved with Jingle land Mingle since its inception, said that it /slowly evolved over time into the multi-night event that residents enjoy today. And while Baker and her small team somejhow execute the outsized event each year, •they could use some volunteers - even those I that might be interested in donatingjust a few Ihours oftheir day. I Anyone interested in pitching in at this ’year’s Jingle and Mingle can call or text (text •preferred) Baker at 269-217-2078. I A full schedule for this year’s Jingle and ; Mingle is below. i Friday, Dec. 1: Arts and crafts vendors (5 jto 8 p.m.; Hastings Public Library); Creative Kids Workshop (5 to 7 p.m.; Jaqua Real­ tors); Manger lighting (5:30 p.m.; courtihouse lawn); Ornament hunt (5:30 p.m.; jCourthouse fountain); Mayor’s Christmas ■free lighting and crowning of prince and iprincess (6:15 p.m.; East State Street ’between City Hall and Hastings Public I Library); Carriage and wagon rides (6 to 9 lp.m.; Jefferson and Court street); Visits with 'Santa (6 to 9 p.m.; Under the Sun); Holly Trolley rides (north side of courthouse); ■Ugly sweat contest (9 p.m.) ■ Saturday, Dec. 2: Santa Dash 5K run (10 a.m.; starts at Barry Community Enrichment Santa is always the guest of honor at the Hastings Jingle and Mingle. This year’s event features the annual Christmas parade (Saturday) in addition to visits with Santa on Friday evening. Kevin Michael O’Neal, Hastings and Evee Maree Duimstra, Hastings Alexis Rose Henning, Middleville and Alexis Lynn Gilmore, Birdseye, IN David Matthew Cooper, Plainwell and Katelin Leslie Hammond, Plainwell Downtown Hastings will play host to its annual Jingle and Mingle beginning on Friday. The three-day event extends through Sunday. Center); Cookies with Santa (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Hastings Public Library); Face paint­ ing (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Hastings Public Library); Wagon and carriage rides; Ace Hardware); Holly Trolley rides (1 to 5 p.m.; North side of the courthouse); Letters to Santa (2 to 4 p.m.; At Home Real Estate); Santa s Workshop (2 to 4 p.m.; State Grounds Coffee House); Expressions Dance Centre performance (4 p.m.; Thomapple Plaza); Hastings Rotary Christmas Parade (5:30 to 7 p.m.; State Street). Sunday, Dec. 3: Pancake Breakfast with Santa (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; State and Jeffer- son); Wagon and carriage rides (11 a.m. to.3 p.m.; State and Church streets, State and Michigan streets); Holly Trolley rides (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; north side of courthouse); Reindeer petting zoo (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; State and Jefferson); Photo booth (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Bee Sweet Ice Cream and Candy); Kids Christmas Market (It a.m. to 2 p.m.; State Grounds Coffee House); Candy cane hunt (I p.m.; courthouse lawn); Chili cook-off(noon to 2 p.m.; downtown); Scavenger hunt (1 to 2 p.m.; At Home Real Estate); Children’s crafts and games (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; State Grounds Coffee House). PETER J STRAUBE September 25 1943 - November 20 2023 Thursday Nov, 30 4 to 7 at Seasonal Grille �Page 6 - Thuraday. November 30.2023 - The Hastings Banner Carole Loosemore Wiggs Sharon Jean Maurer Sharon Jean Maurer of Hastings, MI, ’passed away with family by her side on November 25, 2023 in Hastings, MI. Sharon was bom March 30, 1939, in . Grand Rapids, MI, to Frank D. and Rilla R. (Hanna) Moffat. Her early years were -enjoyed in a home near Butterworth Hospi­ tal, the house and street later razed when 1-96 was constructed. Her parents met at the hos- _ pital, where her mother worked in the cafete' ■ ria and her dad was an electrical engineer. Her mom would eventually open her own business, Hilltop Restaurant, a successful - ■' endeavor that required working long hours. Sharon’s only sibling, AnnaMay, was a teen­ ager by then, which left Sharon and her dad plenty of time together, with activities as varied as attending Grand Rapids Symphony concerts or heading outdoors to go hunting or fishing, she being more ofan observer than a participant —just happy to be with her dad. She also frequently visited him in his ~ office at Butterworth. She remembers asking him about the ladies who wore white uni­ - forms and the “funny hats,” tho^e being part < - ofthe mid-century uniform. He told her they were nurses, and that he hoped she would become a nurse one day. Likely he had - _ already observed her caring nature and com­ passion. Her daddy died when Sharon was 12 years old. She was devastated. To help fill the sad weeks and months that followed, Sharon s£ent much ofher time at the home ofTOF man and Avonell Fry. They had been best J friends of her parents, and their daughter, ’ Glenda, likewise was Sharon’s best friend. They took her in as part oftheir family. Sharon began playing the cello while a student at Central High School, and had a lifelong love of music. She graduated from Central in 1957, and went on to study nurs­ ing at Grand Rapids Junior College. After crossing the graduation podium as a licensed practical nurse, Sharon looked Heavenward and whispered, “I did it, Daddy. I became a nurse just like you wanted.” A young Nashville man who’d badly injured his hand in a farming accident fell under her care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. She and Tom Maurer kept in touch after his discharge, and his mother wouldn’t let him forget the sweet, pretty nurse, who’d been so kind to his family. At the time of his accident, Tom had been unsure what to do with his life, but after meeting, and later dating, Sharon, he focused on finishing college and becoming a teacher. The two were married at St. Thomas the Apostle, Grand Rapids, July 30, 1960. Quiet, sweet city-girl Sharon was warmly wel­ comed into the large, gregarious and musical Maurer family. She and Tom would have seven children, keeping her busy and bustling from morning to night. When the youngest started school, she returned to nursing, this time at Thornap­ ple Manor, where she worked the next 42 years, mostly on the night shift. That meant getting her children off to school in the morning, sleeping during the day, then pre­ paring dinner for nine, before heading back to work. The only thing she didn’t do well, it turns out, was retire. It took three tries. But, still, she didn’t slow down. Her days were then filled with family vis­ its, volunteering at her church, preparing for an upcoming holiday, or watching her grand­ children’s sporting events, concerts and other activities. She enjoyed a bit oftravel, many times to the U.P. and even two trips out West. She was an avid fan ofthe Hast­ ings Saxons and MSU Spartans. She enjoyed crocheting and other crafts, liked to take her grandchildren out for a bit of shopping/ spoiling and a trip to McDonalds. She also involved them when she “adopted” a family at Christmas time. She was very organized and would prepare for holidays by mailing out schedules and lists ofwho was to bring what, thus avoiding chaos and keeping everyone happy. Her lists were usually lop­ sided, with the bulk of the food being her responsibility. Worship Together Carole followed her husband and his career, Like her mother, she would feed thousan crisscrossing the country, but they ultimately set- ’ of people over the years. With her natur tled in Gun Lake in their later years. In her early ’ organization skills, desire to be of service, adult life, Carole raised four children and returned 8 and a nature that made others want to he p, to the workforce after 13 years as a homemaker. 'J Sharon coordinated and served funeral lun­ Carole began her working life as a part-time cheons at St. Rose for more than 25 years, employee at Kmart, where she worked her way q with a like-minded crew by her side. She into the back office and discovered her affinitykept detailed records and knew how much for bookkeeping and accounting. She enjoyed food to have prepared, based on th the number b many years working in accounting roles at sev- p of people expected. And always, she was eral non-profit organizations, and in her retire- M quick to comfort family members and guests. ment as a volunteer and board member of the IIn an Aug. 23, 2012, Hastings Banner Barry County Commission on Aging. “Bright Light” feature, she was asked about Carole was preceded in death by Garry, her , the best advice she’d ever been given. “When husband of62 years; parents and two brothers. I was a little girl, my mother would say, She is survived by brothers Tim (Cathy) of' ‘Sharon, be a good girl.’ I always thought she Hebron, IN and Rob (Sheila) ofEverton, IN as " meant don’t be naughty and say ‘Pl Please and d well daughter, Cay (Tony) Svob of Fountain1 ‘Thank you,’ “ Sharon recalled. “As I got Hills, AZ, son Allen (Michelle) of Bristol, IN, older, I also think she meant that I should be daughter Melissa ofNewago, MI, and daughter, kind and loving and help whenever I can, and Wendy (Darrell) Stokke of Fairfax, VA. Also" that is what I have modeled my life after.” surviving are grandchildren, Alix (Charley)11 Carole Loosemore Wiggs, age 84, of Gun Pickering, Dani (David) Holycross, SydneySharon Maurer did good in this world. Lake, MI, passed away on November 22,2023. (Eric) Mattson, Bryan (Cassandra) Stokke, Faith She was preceded in death by her parents; She was bom September 19, 1939, in Gary, (Justin) Askins, and Kara (Nathan) Klawa as stepfather, Charles Gress; husband ofnearly Indiana to Jack and Doris Loosemore. She well as great grandchildren, Sofia and Matthew ■ 62 years, Tom Maurer; sister,, AnnaMay attended Franklin College, where she met future Askins, Jackson Pickering, and Chrissy Klawa. •, (Clyde) Austin; in-laws, John and Germaine husband in the 1950s, but after an interruption in Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers^ Maurer, Roger (June) Maurer, Donald Maur­ her education to raise a family, graduated from may be made to the Barry County Commission er, Alice (Dean) Keeler, John “Pete” Maurer, the University of Nevada, Reno in 1986 with On Aging. rj Julius (Catherine) Maurer, Sr. Germaine bachelor’s degree in accounting after which she A family memorial is planned for a later date. “Gert” Maurer, Nancy (Tredinnick) Maurer, took and passed the CPA exam on her first try. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. Victor Maurer, and Cotinne (Albert) Drake; Carole married Kenneth Garry Wiggs on March To leave an online condolence visit www.girr- and Norman and Avonell Fry and Glenda 13, 1959. bachfuneralhome.com. Yoshikawa. She is survived by her children, Joe (Janet) Maurer, Ed (Kelly) Maurer, Tom (Kathy) William John Hill Maurer, Teresa (Eric) Heide, Steve (Stacy) Maurer, Shari Dick, and Doug (Kristen) Bill was a 1961 graduate ofDelton-Kellogg Maurer; 15 grandchildren: Joshua (Caitlin) High School. He was a loyal employee of Brad- h Maurer, Jackie Maurer, Ashley (Alex) ford White for over 38 years. Goodroe, Grant (Margo) Heide, Kevin (Shel­ Bill was active in his community, serving on ;* by) Maurer, Steven Maurer, Luke (Ashley) the Board at Welcome Comers Methodist , Heide, Christine (Adam) Khanfar, Becky Church in Hastings. His service to the church ' (Garrett) Amstutz, Matthew Maurer, Eliza­ was a testament to his deep faith and love for. beth Heide, Allison Dick, Samantha Dick, his community. As a hobby, he loved nature -, Adam Maurer, Ben Maurer; 16 great-grand­ hunting, fishing, and tending to his favorite . children: Natalie, Celia, Annabelle, Tobin roses and all kinds of flowers in his garden. He ’ and Lina Maurer; Jaci, Liam, Landon and fotifid joy ih*'the simple pleasures of life, his Levi Goodroe; Adalyn and Averie Maurer; most treasured of all being his propensity to ‘ Loralye, Declan, Keenan and Ellery Heide; help others. and Andrew Amstutz; in-laws Martha Maur­ He is survived by his daughters, Tammy er, Richard (Ina) Maurer, Gerry (Art) Orzula, Molette and Teressa (Dennis) Lancaster; sib- *7 Edgar Maurer, Susan (John) Bahs; numerous lings, Harold (Julie) Hill, Linda Noyes and^ nieces, nephews and their families; and many Betty (Bill) Rozell; sister-in-law, Linda Hill. He long-time friends. Ik also leaves behind seven grandchildren, seven ’1 Visitation from-4: p.m» with a Rosary-] great’grandchildren who will miss him dearly., n at 7 p.m. at Girrbach funeral Home 328 S. Preceding him in death were his parents, Har-~ Broadway Street, Hastings,. Ml 49058 on old Sr. and Agnes (Willison) Hill; brother, John . Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. Funeral Mass at 11 William John “Bill” Hill, age 80, of Hastings, Hill, and sister, Marcille (Charlie) Prichard. a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at St. Rose of MI, dearly beloved father, brother, and grandfa­ Bill’s funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 at 11 a.m. Burial will Lima Catholic Church 1805 South Jefferson ther, passed away peacefully on November 27, take place at Cedar Creek Cemetery. Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Interment at Mt. 2023 after a long hard-fought battle with Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Asso- j dementia. Bom Februaiy 6, 1943, he was a Calvary Cemetery, Hastings, MI. ciation will be appreciated. Please visit www. -j cnerished member of the family and leaves To leave online condolences visit www. williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a message or J behind a legacy of devout faith, tireless work girrbachfuneralhome.net. leave a condolence message for Bill’s family. ethic, and boundless love. Peter J. Straube ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfme@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist com Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship? 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 am. to 12:00 p.m. www.cbchastings.org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 pm. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 pm., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 pm. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 pm. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 pm. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 am. Sunday. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 am. WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main. Pastor Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 am.; Worship 10:15 am. This information on worship services is provided 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Hastings, Michigan - Peter J. Straube, age 80, peacefully departed this world on November 20, 2023. He was bom on September 25, 1943, to Esther Shirley Blood and Armond Dominic Agosti. Peter was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 A long-time resident of Hastings, MI, | Peter found solace andjoy in the community j he called home. He formed deep and lasting I connections with friends, particularly those j residing on Middle Lake, who became an j extended family to him. The bonds forged on i the shores ofMiddle Lake were a source of { comfort and companionship throughout j Peter’s life. A celebration oflife will be held on Novem­ ber 30, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Seasonal Grille in Hastings, where friends and family can come together to celebrate Peter’s life and share memories. Peter’s warm smile and kind heart will be * remembered by all who had the pleasure of 1 knowing him. His legacy oflove, compassion, ! and dedication to his family and community j will continue to inspire those whose lives he ; touched. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the ! Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, convenient- ’ ly located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, ? MI. For further details, please visit our website . at www.danielsftmeralhome.net. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. Clarice Flora Miles EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: s flexto Peter led a life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering dedication to his family. He was the beloved husband of Ula Straube, and together they navigated the journey of life hand in hand. Peter and Ula’s love story was one for the ages, beginning in their high school years and enduring until her passing on Janu­ ary 26, 2013. Their bond was unbreakable, a testament to the power ofeverlasting love. Peter was the proud father to Justin Straube and the late Jon Straube. His love for his sons was immeasurable, and he took great joy in watching them grow and thrive. While Jon may have left this world before him, his memory lives on in the hearts ofthose who loved him. Peter will be deeply missed by his surviving son, Justin (Ines) Straube; his daughter-in-law, Lori Straube, his grandchildren, Tyler (Saman­ tha) Straube, Kristen Straube, Kali (Jerry) Willavize, and Trista (Adrian) Luna; and five great-grandchildren, Cameron and Bailee Weedall, Liam, Kayde, and Carter Straube. Family meant everything to Peter, and his love and guidance will forever resonate in the generations that follow. MlkeMlMwg 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Clarice Flora Miles (Pease), age 93, of Hastings, MI, passed away on November 22, 2023, in Hastings. Clarice was surrounded by her family when the Lord called her home. She was bom on December 5, 1929, in Hastings to Fem and Charles Pease. Clarice was a loving daugh­ ter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a friend to many. Clarice is survived by her sons, Terry L. Miles and Jonathon C. Miles; daughters, Susan D. K. Carlson (Miles), Nancy J. (Andrew) Pelli (Miles); 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Miles; father, Charles A. Pease, and mother, Fem E. Pease (Forman); sisters, Genevieve Hall (Pease), Elsie Jordan (Pease)’; broth­ er, Ellsworth E Pease; daughter, Carolyn (Miles) Chaffee; son, Thomas J. Miles; grandsons Lee J. Kaiser and Benjamin Michlatcher. Clarice was a 1948 graduate ofHastings High School and later worked as a payroll secretary at Tyden. Clarice met her loving husband Jerome (Junior) Miles at a Grange dance and laterrmarmarried him on July 1, 1949, at Cloverdale Church. Clarice and Jerry were married for 71 wonderful years. She was a dedicated member ofWelcome Comers Church, where she loved attending ser­ vices and faithfully serving her Lord. She also served as a Sunday school teacher and went on youth group camping trips to places like the Pa tUFud RoclJs; Clarice’s beautiful voice could often be heard in the church choir. In her free time, Clarice enjoyed gardening, needlepoint, quilting, and ceramics. She often gathered with her family at her sister’s houses to engage m these crafts. Clarice also had a passion for refurbishing furniture in her home. She even started the Calorie Counters weight watchers group to support women on their wellnessjourneys. Clarice enjoyed spending time with and caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was an important mother figure to them. She loved to read, sing, bake, play games, go on walks and craft with them. Clarice and Jerome loved going on vacations and spending time with family. Clarice also had a love for animals and spoke often about her horse Ginger. Clarice Flora Miles will be deeply missed by her family, am y, friends, rens, an and aall wo who knew new her. er. Her er kind and loving spirit touched the lives ofmany, and her memory will be cherished forever. Please join us in celebrating Clarice’s life at a memorial service on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior at Green Street United Methodist Church, 209 W Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058. We would like to give a special thanks to her niece Joann and her husband David Logan for opening their home and caring for Clarice in her final days. Arrangements by Ag y Girrbach Funeral u Home.. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. T7lF 7 11 ^ & gift ■ S?*iw**w* nfniUiK �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 30, 2023 — Page 7 The War of 1812 and Barry County (Part I) Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner Nov. 5, 1998 ithe War of 1812 between the United States Great Britain was over trade and border Ro.utes, es tthe right ofneutrals and freedom of , including maritime practice. jjja war was terminated in the Treaty of Ghent* signed on Dec. 24, 1814, which was ratified on Feb. 17,1815. The War of 1812 settled the boundaries in the north and impacted the United States by increasing the manufacturing of domestic goodss in the United States as they were unable to import these from Great Britainl during the war. The war increased national patriotism and united the United States into one nation. . The death of Indian Chief Tecumseh had quieted down the Indian problems as did the surrender ofDetroit and other border posts. At the time ofthe War of 1812, Michigan was a territory, having been separated first from the Northwest Territory, and then the Indiana Territory, and then on Jan. 11,1805, an act of Congress made it the territory of Michigan. There were not. very many white settlers living in Michigan, away from the lakeshores. The state was considered to be too wild with too many mosquitoes, too much fever, too many wolves and bears and swamplands. Surveying ofMichigan began in 1815 with the lower southern tier ofthe state fairly well completed by 1825. This made it somewhat easier to locate the lands which they came to clear and settle. The entire state was complet­ ed by 1851 with only some re-surveying becoming necessary. A land office was opened in Detroit in 1818. In 1825, another land office was opened at Monroe with another White Pigeon in 1831. This one was later moved to Kalamazoo in Mhhal pg ritual 1834. In 1836, land offices were in Ionia and Flint At the land offices, a prospective buyer could obtain maps, showing the sections available with the letter “S” marking the sec­ tions or parts of a section that has already been sold. The land office would also share the surveyor’s notes so a buyer could get a general idea ofthe quality ofthe land he was considering. The land was paid for in silver, gold, bank notes or drafts. Later, the new owner would receive a “patent” signed by the President ofthe United States. Lewis Cass, who was the Governor (of) the Michigan Territory, promoted it by attempting to dispel rumors about the swamps, the malar­ ia and savages. He conducted an exploration expedition to assess the situation and promote the settling ofthe territory ofMichigan. Another important factor in the settlement of Michigan and conversely. Barry County wastithe* difficulty lip'Ted^ingUh&itBmtory. Crossing the Black Swamp in Ohio which was impassible during the rainy periods made entry into Michigan very difficult at times. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, con- In the Hastings Banner TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Chief Tecumseh necting Lake Erie with the Hudson River, was a major factor in the settlement ofMich­ igan. Passengers and freight were transported between the eastern seaboard and Michigan ports with much more ease. The canal was built by the state ofNew York at a cost of$7 million and was paid for in three years by the tolls and freight charges. Another factor that helped to settle Michi­ gan was the first road westward between Detroit and Fort Dearborn (Chicago). Gradually, more roads to the north were carved out and the population of lower Michigan increased. These roads were crude affairs sometimes following Native American trails, where a path was cut through the brush, sometimes leaving stumps over which the wagons could pass. Crude bridges over streams that could not be forded were built. Logs were cut and laid crosswise ofthe road across the bogs and swamps to try to keep wagons and animals from miring. These roads were called “Corduroy.” Among those coming to Michigan to settle the land were men who had served in the military during the War of 1812. It was not uncommon for the government to award land to soldiers who had served well, or in lieu of pay for their services or in place ofpensions. In 1837, Michigan became the 26^ state admitted to the Union. The county of Barry was organized in 1836. It was divided into four townships in 1837. In 1838, other divi­ sions followed. Stevens T. Mason, whohad served as secretary over the territory ofMich­ igan, became acting governor in 1834 when the governor died and was elected in his own right in 1835 and was in office as the territory Bil MtataWm Itaimvn intomiktabritoe ........ PiterJ. Strok *’,»r *i»l*rt* Governor Stevens T. Mason M11 » “’’J ^Doctor Universe Infrequent flowers What and where is the rarestplant in the world? I Thomas, 7, Va. . Dear Thomas, t Every few years, a smell like a rotting corpse wafts around a stairwell at Washing­ ton State University Vancouver. But it’s not really a dead body. It’s the bloom of the corpse flower plant. ' There are fewer than 1,000 corpse flower Plants left in the wild. It’s one ofthe rarest plants in the world. But the list of rare plants is massive. If you look at all the plants we know about in the world, there are about 435,000 different kinds of plants-and many more we don’t know about. Some scientists say that more ■than one-third ofall plants are “exceedingly rare.” I asked my friend Dawn Freeman what toakes a plant rare. She’s responsible for the " SU corpse flower. fl look back at the stories A1:...+/:^D “What makes the corpse flower rare is that it has a very, very small native habitat,” Freeman said. “Its habitat is one side ofone mountain range on the island Sumatra in Indonesia.” That habitat is being destroyed to farm palm oil. Habitat destruction is one reason the corpse flower and other rare plants are in danger ofgoing extinct. The corpse flower is also rare because it takes so long to bloom. If you dig under­ neath a corpse flower plant, you’ll find a swollen root kind oflike a potato. It’s called a corm. It can weigh up to 200 pounds! The corm sends up a giant leaf. The leaf uses the sun’s light to make sugar and stores it in the corm. After about a year, the leaf dies, and the plant is dormant for a few months. The plant does this seven to 10 times before it has enough energy to make its first bloom. That means it can take 10 years to make one bloom. The maroon bloom looks like a flower, was organizing to become a state. Dr. Ethel W. Williams, an instructor in genealogy, author of“Know Your Ancestors, A Guide to Genealogical Research,” a native ofYankee Springs, (Time to Time, March 4, 1993, Esther Walton) identified a group of men who fought in the War of 1812 and then came to Michigan on the wave ofwestward movement ofthe pioneers, settling in Barry County. She identified where they had lived in Barry County and in some cases where they were buried. This essay will identify them, where they lived and were buried and what­ ever information is available to us. Noah J. Bowker was in Barry Township in 1849 and served as a director of the poor in 1849. In 1852, Noah and his wife were listed as members of the Baptist Church, which met in the Mott School in the township. He served in the Civil War with the 13^ Infantry and was discharged for disability on April 30, 1864. This made him nearly 80 when he was discharged. He died on Oct. 17, 1866, at age 85 and his wife Mary died July 12, 1880, at age 92. The Bowkers are buried in Barry Township, in North Cemetery. John Bowne reached Prairieville in the spring of 1836, living on the land owned by Ashabel Tillotson. He emigrated from Homer, Cortland County, N.Y? He moved to Barry Township in the fall of 1837 and located in section number seven. At the annual meeting of Barry Township;* held on’April’6*,840, John was chosen (as) supervisor. In 1841, he was elected as ajustice ofthe peace. Later, he returned to Prairieville, When he traded farms with Hiram Tillotson. In 1850, he was a member of the Michigan State Senate. In 1853, he served Prairieville Township as a constable. He was bom‘on Jan. 14,1796, and died on March 19, 1861. He is buried in Prai­ rieville Cemetery, Prairieville Township. Abel Draper shows up on the voting rosters of Hope Township in the years 1853 and 1859. He was bom on June 15, 1787, and died Nov. 19,1861. He is buried in the North Cemetery, (Pennock) Barry Township. Warren Moon, who also served in the War of 1812, settled in Barry Township. He died on April 27, 1861, at age 67. He is buried in North Cemetery (Pennqck). George Peak, a B1 ack map who hadserved in the War of 1812, came to Barry County with his sons James, Nathaniel and Thomas to Hope Township, section 28, in 1848, each farming a place oftheiqown. James Willison came to Barry County from Cayuga County, N.Y. in 1837, settling on but it’s really a flower holder. Inside is a tall green spike with yellow flowers and red flowers on it. That spike makes heat and a smell like rotting meat. It’s an enticing smell for flesh flies, carrion beetles and other insects that eat or nest in dead things. They zoom toward the bloom and dive in to look for tasty rotten flesh-but it’s a trick. As the disappointed flies and beetles climb out, pollen from the yellow flowers sticks to them. Ifthey visit another bloom­ ing corpse flower, that pollen will fall off onto the red flowers and make fruit. Then a rhinoceros hornbill bird eats the fruit and poops out the seeds to make baby plants. “So, it’s rare because its habitat is small and being degraded and because it only opens after 10 years and stays open forjust a day or two,” Freeman said. “The fact that this plant persists at all in the wild is amazing.” The corpse flower and many other rare plants are on the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for the Conservation ofNature. You can use their database to investigate nearly 25,000 plants that are critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. That means they’re at risk of becoming extinct unless we do something to protect them and their homes. Ifyou find one rarer-or more stinky-than the corpse flower, I’d love to hear about it. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an email to Washington State University's resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Section No. 24. James Willison served in many offices in Barry Township, including assessor, in 1848, constable, in 1851, among others. He died on Sept. 9, 1865, at age 75. His wife Margaret died oh Feb. 5, 1884. They were buried in North Cemetery (Pennock), Barry Township. Alpheus Barber and his wife Elizabeth came to Michigan in 1843. Alpheus was bom in Springfield, Mass, on Nov. 9, 1787. Eliza­ beth Dennis Barber was bom on March 10, 1800, in Augusta, Maine. They were married at Vienna, Wayne County, New York, in 1818. When they first came to Michigan, they lived at Gull Prairie for one year and then found land that they liked on Section 34, Prairieville, near Cressey. They are buried in the Cressey Cemetery there. Alpheus died on Aug. 5,1872, at age 84 and Elizabeth died on May 19,1872, at the age of72. Truman Bates also lived in the Prairieville area. No record ofhis burial has been found at this time. Tunis Bennett was buried in Prairieville Cemetery, Prairieville Township. He is listed on the voter roster of 1853 and 1859 for Hope Township. Tunis was bom on Jan. 21, 1799, and died on Oct. 8, 1882, at age 83. His wife Euphemia was bom on Feb. 27, 1801, and died on May 15, 1879, at age 78. David Benson was buried in Brown Ceme­ tery in Orangeville Township. He was bom in 1789 and died on May 15, 1865. In 1840, he was a constable in Barry Township. In 1843, he was constable for Prairieville Township and in 1847 and 1848 he served as commis­ sioner ofhighways for Prairieville Township. Humphrey Fisher Sr. came to Prairieville in the Cressey area. He and his wife, Cather- ine, had a son, Humphrey Fisher Junior, bom on May 16, 1816, before they came to Mich- • igan. Humphrey Fisher Senior died on March -­ 19, 1873, at age 89 and Catherine died on Aug. 31, 1880, at age 82. They are buried in the Cressey Cemetery. Rufus Slawson lived in the Cressey area in Prairieville Township. His wife, Clarissa, was bom in Rensselaer County, New York on Jan. 4,1793, and died in Barry County on Oct. 8, 1879. Rufus Slawson is noted as being buried there also, but no record can be found at this time. Nebadiah Cass was a member of Odel’s - . Co. 23, U.S. Infantry, in the War of 1812. He is buried in Prairieville Cemetery and the date of death is worn away but it appears to be between 1850 and 1865. Nicholas Campbell opened his home in Barry County for the first town meeting in • Section No. 1 of what would later become ’• Prairieville in April of 1836. He was elected Commissioner of Highways along with Amasa Parker and Calvin G. Hill. In 1840, he served as an assessor and a constable and served in this capacity in 1841. In 1854, he was a director ofthe poor. Nicholas Campbell and his brother Wil­ liam, their families and an unmarried brother came to Michigan in 1835, locating on Sec­ tion 25 ofwhat would soon become Prairiev­ ille Township. In 1848, after Prairieville became a township, Nicholas served again as Commissioner of Highways and in 1849 he was constable for Prairieville. Nicholas Campbell is buried in East Hickory Comers Cemetery in Barry Township with members ofthe Campbell family. To be continued... Map showing early land offices in Michigan. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Nov. 30 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1951 film starring Den­ nis Morgan and Virginia Mayo, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m.; Jingle & Mingle: Art at the Library, 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 - Jingle & Mingle: Cookies with Santa and Face Painting, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, D6c. 4 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; library board meeting, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Digital Literacy: Email Basics, 2 p.m.; Writers’ Night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Dec. 1-7 Nov. 1-Dec. 31 -November and Decem­ ber Storywalk Book: “The Lodge that Beaver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Saturday, Dec. 2 - Stewardship work­ day, 1:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 - Stewardship work­ day, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. �Page 8 — Thursday, November 30, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Turkey Trot attracts a record crowd on Thanksgiving Jayson Bussa Editor The YMCA ofBarry County did its part to help hundreds of local residents burn off some serious calories before diving into Thanksgiving dinner last week. The organization’s 15th Annual Turkey Trot event set a new high water mark by wel­ coming in 468 participants this year for its 5K walk/run and 1 -mile run. It stood easily as the largest turnout the YMCA has seen for this long-running event. “We are very excited; very glad to grow it. It’s a great event,” said Melissa Fletke, mar­ keting and communications director for the local YMCA. This year marked the first time that the Turkey Trot operated as a timed, competitive race, where registrants were given numbered bibs with a time chip to monitor their time and crown winners. ’ Instead of shiny medal or trophy, winners . of the turkey trot walked away with some­ . thing a bit more delicious - a turkey from Middleville’s Otto’s Turkey Farm. Nathan Alford was victorious in the men’s division, finishing the 5K run in 16:29. Sarah Gray was the women’s winner, finishing with her ■ ‘ time of20:20. But, even though this year’s event devel­ oped a competitive wrinkle, the spirit of the ' - Turkey Trot remained intact. This event, and the many others that are held around the state, is typically utilized by families that opt to get .in a workout and spend quality time with each other before gathering around the - Thanksgiving table. “I think the vibe felt like it always does very much a family atmosphere,” Fletke said. , “It’s just a big group and everyone gets together and brings their family and friends. It’s not super competitive.” The fact that many runners dress up in ' turkey- and Thanksgiving-themed garb and costumes also helps to keep the mood light. Kelsey Gray was the winner of the Best _ Dressed Award this year, dressing up like a stick ofbutter while her dog went as a half stick of butter. The prize for the best dressed was a free pumpkin pie with a cus­ tomized fork. Organizers like Fletke and Gina McMa­ hon, who works at the YMCA as the outreach and recreation director, credited the surge in Nathan Alford This year’s Best Dressed Award win­ ner Kelsey Gray, who dressed like a stick of butter, poses with her dog, who was outfitted as a half-stick of butter. This year’s YMCA of Barry County’s Turkey Trot attracted a record 468 participants. It was also the first year where runners were equipped with race bibs that monitored their time. the Turkey Trot with her pilgrim costume as she runs along the course during the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. interest for this year’s Turkey1 Trot, not only to the introduction of race bibs but also because ofa more robust and comprehensive marketing plan, spearheaded by Fletke. “I think there was a huge interest and I think a lot ofit had to do with Mel for all the marketing she did,” McMahon explained. And while the droves of hungry trotters were certainly a welcome sight for the YMCA crew, it came with a logistical issue or two. “I do think there were minor hiccups that are all easily fixed,” McMahon said. “I think one thing we’ll have to look at is parking. We have two parking lots avail­ able, but with a big increase in numbers, we’ll have to find something different with parking.” And, as they digest the trials and successes of this year’s jevent, Fletke and McMahon said they hope to keep the momentum going next year. “We are definitely trying to keep going it and making it a good event for our communi­ ty,” Fletke said. Middleville council eases back on utility Carols ‘n’ Jazz concert rate hikes after resident objections slated for Dec. 3 The Thomapple Jazz Orchestra (TJO), under the direction of Joe LaJoye, and organist, Bob Oster, will present an after­ noon of Christmas jazz selections and tra­ ditional carols on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. The concert, being billed as Carols ‘n* Jazz, will be held in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 405 M-37 in Hastings. Oster and LaJoye are no strangers to collaboration, having come together for a similar Christmas concert in 2017. While this year’s rendition is modeled after the 2017 concert, the performers will play many new tunes. Seasonal selections by TJO include “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “The Christmas Song,” “White Christmas,” Rudolf the Red” and “Jingle Bells.” Bob Oster will lead the audience in several Christmas carol songs including “Joy to the World,” “O Come All Ye Faith­ ful,” Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “What Child Is This” on the newly-rebuilt Scott Smith pipe organ. Other selections include a LaJoye-Oster improvised setting of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christ­ mas,” an organ improvisation on “Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming” and several other surprises. The Carols ‘n’ Jazz concert will mark one of the first performances of the First Presbyterian Church’s newly rebuilt pipe organ. Dozens of pipes from the organ were sent across the country for some much-needed repairs in 2021. Additionally, repairs were done to the organ’s console, blowers and power supply. ‘ You re talking over 200 pipes right there that were removed from the instru­ ment,” said Oster. ‘ It s been about a two-and-a-half-year project,” said Oster. “The pipes have been all reinstalled, everything’s working on the Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Village Council is scal­ ing back on rate increases to pay for capital improvements to its water and sewer service in the wake of objections from some resi­ dents. The council Tuesday, on a 6-0 vote, decided to fund 25 percent of water and sewer capital improvements next year, and directed Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg to put together a new chart that would detail how much ofa rate increase would be need­ ed to pay for that investment. The decision came two weeks after the — Mike Cramer, President, Village of Middleville council had initially agreed to pay for 75 percent of capital improvements in water and sewer next yean That would have resulted in a 43.8 percent increase in com­ bined utility rates for la typical residential increase from $179.10 to $209.91. Village President Mike Cramer spoke household that uses 15j000 gallons ofwater Under Middleville’s capital improvement about the need for the village to invest in its per quarter, from $179110 to $257.60 every plan, the village is expected to spend infrastructure. He said the village was pre­ tht,pe months. The ridL ihike vyould have $500,000 next year on new well construc­ sented a similar rate proposal in 2018 and covered increases in f^®eadiness-to-serve tion, $400,000 for sewer main lining chose not to accept itcharges as well as ratei based on usage, replacement, $350,000 for water main “Had we jumped our rates in 2018 and replacement on High Street, $80,000 for ’’ Six residents nts raised raised flheir objections to the made that investment then, we probably ratefir$r,ease d^fing aaJwblic hearing on next sewer replacement on High and $150,000 wouldn’t need to be looking at this right year’s villagi nbudgetj Billie Blackwood, for lead service location and identification, now. But. we didn’t,” Cramer said. “We who Jives on Cardinal pourt, ripped'the ini*': ^kicked it down the road because we didn’t according to village documents. tial rate-increase proposal as “unjust?*< The lead service location and identifica­ want to make the populace unhappy. You^re our neighbors. We live here. We have 16 £ “Th6‘ water is subbpar, to start with,” tion was originally planned to be covered by Blackwood said. “Th$ sewer system — as a hear it.” funding through the village’s first allocation homeowner, I have to nave a snake to clean Cramer added that it will cost about $1.3 under the American Rescue Plan Act the sewer out once a mpnth. I have to soften million to replace water lead service lines in (ARPA), but the village has since received a my own water, so the rate increase that you the village, and the cost will only increase if drinking water assessment grant from the guys want, I already pay it in salt water, and the replacement is delayed. Michigan Department of Environment, treat my own water, jfecause the water is “Contractors get more expensive, they Great Lakes and Energy, Village Manager subpar. IfI don’t, then!’ve gotta replace all become less available, the equipment gets Craig Stolsonburg said. my faucets, all my stems in the shower The state grant funding then led the Vil­ more expensive, the materials get more valves and everything, once every two expensive,” Cramer said. “The longerr we lage Council Nov. 14 to switch its ARPA months.” wait to buy this and move forward with this, funding to covering the cost of security Randall Bass, who has lived in the village the more it’s going to cost us (in the future). cameras at the Village Hall, the DPW build­ since 1987, said he uses about 20,000 gal­ The lead service lines must be replaced ing and other village-owned sites. Bass lons ofwater every quarter and would have by 2040, Department of Public Works questioned the necessity ofthe lead service been paying about $ 100 more per quarter in Director Alec Belson said at the Nov. 14 replacement project, saying the village’s water and sewer undeitethe original 75 perCouncil meeting. lead levels are far below federal safe drink­ cent investment propossal. J: Council Trustee Robert Bishop expressed ing water standards. Belson agreed, saying “We’re going to pay y th the maximum - for concern about reducing the investment the village has had six periods of testing what reason?” Bass asked. “That’s what I level, but eventually went with the 25 per­ i over the phst four years on -Wafer quality. ? cent investment. want to know. Can anybody here afford the “AU of our levels have been below tvVo extra (costs) ... for water (and) sewer? “I’ve lived in this village most ofmy life parts pet billion ... The state doesn’t care. Even though we’re down below (the level if When I first moved into this community, it .. and I see a lot oftimes when the village what’s considered safe drinking water), was $45 a quarter.” just kicks the can, and they do it until it’s so expensive that it can’t be addressed without we’re still mandated. (We) have to replace Council . Trustee Makenzi Peters, who haying to spend a ton of money,” Bishop opposed the 75 percent investment at the those lines,” Belson said. “There's beat said. “If the citizens are okay with it, I’m Nov. 14 meeting, agreed With the residents’ several lawsuits brought to the state qt Michigan by much larger municipalitife fine with a lower rate.” concerns. 1 Village President Pro Tempore Kevin than us (to challenge the state require­ “I think the 75 percent investment is too high, especially With theiCPohomy the way Spiith, who urged council members to adopt ments), and every lawsuit has lost..” it is now,” Peters said?^peaking with staff the 75 percent capital improvement investThe village plans to spend $1,246,727 m after that meeting, I wais told the 25 pertent ment earlier this month, was absent from the new year on sewer projects anti Tuesday’s meeting. (investment) was adequate, even though we $1,093,906 on water projects. The village’s While the updated rate chart must still be may need to increase (it) down the road.” general fund budget, which is most directly computed, the 25 percent capital improve“I think listening to bur staff is the best impacted by property taxes, will actually ment investment will likely result in a utility bet, listening to our citizens is the best bet. have less spending next year - $2,078,513 rate increase of 17 percent. An earlier chart The economy’s hurting everyone rightt now. in 2024 versus $2,369,748 this year. The showed that a typical residential household Scaring them out oftheir homes with higher general fund budget proposes a surplus of that used 15,000 gallons in a quarter would rates is not going to solve our problem,” $434,871 next year, according to village see their combined water and sewer rates Peters added. documents. Contractors get more expensive, they become less available, the equipment gets more expensive, the materials get more expensive. The longer we wait to buy this and move forward with this, the more it's going to cost us (in the future).” The Thornapple Jazz Orchestra and organist Bob Oster will come together, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings on Sunday, Dec. 3 for an afternoon of traditional carols and Christmas jazz selections. Here, Joe LaJoye (left), director of the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra is seen with Bob Oster. (Photo provided) console, the pipes are in and they sound great. It’s like a new instrument. I’m just thrilled with it. It’s like having a new toy.” Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.-on Sunday, Dec. 3. In lieu oftickets, a freewill offering will be accepted. All proceeds from any freewill offerings will be donated to the First Presbyterian Church’s Costa Rica mission trip fund. Moda® Collections« • Linen Cupboard, Eyelet, ForesC & Frolic, Etchings, Honey & I Lavender, more • Flannel, Cuddle Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station; QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm �The Hastings ANNER sports section Thursday, November 30,2023 Lions stretch lead in each half at DK 1 Cottis gel more more expensive. The hfieriio buy tfiis and we taiMMe oil's going to cost us [rtW *5 mm r Maple Valley guard Ayden Wilkes pushes past Delton Kellogg's Hugo Martino after coming across half court during the first half Tuesday at Delton Kellogg High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lions had the first big run and then the last Tuesday night at Delton Kellogg High School. The Maple Valley varsity boys’ basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a 55-48 win over the host Panthers. Points came early and often for the Lions in transition as they built a lead as large as 25-9 in the first few minutes ofthe second quarter. “The first half I thought we did a really good job of allowing one shot and out and getting the rebound,” Lion head coach Ryan Nevins said. “We are really looking to run this year. I thought we did a really good job of that, and the most important thing is that we finished down there.” Delton Kellogg came into the seasbn hop­ ing to push the tempo itself, but it was the Lions who were better in some hectic up and down on the night. The Panthers finally knocked down some shots and pulled within 26-23 by the halfand then got to within one with the first bucket of the second half. They had a 10-0 run in the middle of the second quarter highlighted by three’s from Grant McArthur and Tyler How­ land. They both had five points in the final four and a halfminutes ofthe first halfas the Panthers clawed back into the game. A quick bucket by McArthur to start the second halfhad the Panthers within 26-25. The Lions responded with a 13-2 run sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from senior guard Ayden Wilkes, one where the Panthers lost him in the right comer and then a second from the opposite comer in transi­ tion. The Lion lead was back to double fig­ ures with 1:41 to go in the third quarter and five points was as close as the Panthers would get the rest ofthe way.1 Wilkes led all scoresaavith -22-points. __ Setiltfr guard Cohnbr Joseph hit a three-pointer for the Lions halfa minute into the bailgame and the Maple Valley team had the lead for the rest ofthe ballgame. Delton Kellogg's Blake Lillibridge looks to make a pass out of the high post as the Lions keep their eyes on him during the first half of the Panthers' season-opening loss to visiting Maple Valley Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) It could have been a more comfortable lead for the Lions with a better night at the free throw line. They werejust 10-of-31 under the new foul and free throw rules which put teams in the bonus after five fouls in each quarter of the bailgame. All common fouls once a team is in the bonus result in two free throws. There are no more one-and-one opportunities. “We battled, which was good. Obviously we have-td work orrfree throws a little bit, 10*for-31 is hot good,” Nevins said. "I thought our four seniors did a really good job tonight: Callan [Hoefler], Ayden, Connor and Cam [Carpenter]. And then [junior Jakeb McDonald] had his first career start for us. We had some holes to fill this year, and I thought our bench kids that played did a nice job and gave us really good minutes. “I thought defensively it was a great effort, and offensively we got a ton ofgood shots we just have to make a few. We scored 55 tonight. That is pretty good for us. I figure if we can score 55 we’ll win some games.” Wilkes was the only Lion in double fig­ ures. McDonald finished .with.seven points and Carpenter had six. The Lions got five See BASKETBALL, page 11 Fighting Scots win opener over East Kentwood Brett Bremer Sports Editor The new season was all of seven seconds old when East Kentwood goalkeeper Will Hammonds had to turn aside the first shot from the Fighting Scots. He got plenty more chances over the course ofthe next 35 minutes. The Caledonia varsity hockey team scored an 8-0 win over the “visiting” Falcons inside Kentwood Ice Arena Wednesday. “This is awesome,” Caledonia junior defender Caleb Summerhays, an alternate cap­ tain this season, said. “I was laying in bed last night. I was hoping for a goal. I was hoping [Henry] Simon would get a goal. I was hoping everyone would get a goal. It is the best!” “Being from TK and not really knowing any of these guys, and having them all embrace me, [TK junior defender] Luke McNabnay and [Lowell sophomore forward] Harmon [Esch], it is awesome. I look forward to coming here every day.” Summerhays is in his second year in the Caledonia, Lowell, Thornapple Kellogg pro­ gram. He loves the camaraderie between the guys from the three schools and how head coach Jeremy Bultema helps encourage that. ; The East Kentwood goalie, Hammonds, only managed to hold the shut out on his end Wednesday through the first nine and a half minutes, but the Fighting Scots had to find the edges to get the scoring started. Caledonia sophomore forward Rylan Bultema notched the first goal of the season on a power play ’9:35 into the game clanging a shot off the cross bar from a step inside of the blue line straight out from the net. Caledonia had eight different players score its eight goals. ' “It is fantastic. This is a good group of kids. They work hard for each other. I am excited. I am excited for what’s to come,” Fighting Scot head coach Jeremy Bultema. “They’ve been doing systems work. They have really been putting the time in and it is paying off. They are going to where they need to be. They’re creating offense off of turnovers. They’re putting hard work into our systems.”The Fight Scots upped their lead to 3-0 by the end of the first period with the Falcons rarely possessing the puck on the Scots’ side ofcenter ice. McNabnay and sophomore defender Aus­ tin Osborn assisted on Bultema’s goal, and the Scots would finish the night a perfect 2-for-2 on the power play. Caledonia freshman forward Drew Nichols puts a hit on East Kentwood forward Ben Graham during the first period of their conference contest to open the season at Kentwood Ice Arena Wednesday, Nov. 22. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia scored two times in the final minute and a half of the first period, both even-strength goals. Senior forward Aidan Wilson drilled a shot by Hammonds and off the iron at the 15:23 mark ofthe first period to make it 2-0. It was the junior forward Simon who tal­ lied the Fighting Scots’ third goal ofthe peri­ od at the 16:07 mark. Hammonds denied one chance as Simon streaked in from the right boards, but Simon collected the puck for a wrap-around attempt that y/as eventually poked across the line. Simon, Wilson and senior forward Andrew Sova each finished with a goal and an assist. Caledonia added four more goals in the second period. Sophomore forward Ty Lewandowski and Summerhays scored in the first six and a half minutes with Wilson notching an assist on Summerhays’ goal. Esch scored on the power play 10:30 into the second period with an assist front junior center Tony Kauffman. Freshman forward Drew Nichols made it 7-0 two and a halfminutes before the end of the second period with a goal assisted by Simon and Sova. Sova finished off the scoring, and the game, taking a Falcon turnover and rushing in for a short-handed goal 1:48 into the third period. “Our depth is really good this year,” coach Bultema said. “It is the hard work that these kids put in during the offseason. They played all in the offseason and just got better.” Summerhays is really excited for this sea­ son to be getting underway. “We’re going all the way,” Summerhays said. “You can see it. We’re already best friends two weeks in. We have people coming from everywhere. We’re already bonded. We’re going all the way. This is our year.” While all the goal-scoring was great, a big Junior defender Caleb Summerhays (12) and teammates Griffin Wolverton (26), Camden Quigley (back) and Aidan Wilson (right) celebrate a second-period goal by senior Aidan Wilson during their 8-0 win over East Kentwood at Kentwood Ice Arena Wednesday evening, Nov. 22. (Photo by Brett Bremer) hit by McNabnay that knocked the helmet off a Falcon player along the boards was one of the highlights ofthe night according to Sum­ merhays. “That hit, that was something else, that helmet coming offand everyone going crazy. All the boys just cheering, all of the sticks clapping against the boards. This is heaven for me man. This is heaven for all of us,” Summerhays said. Caledonia won both match-ups with the Falcons a year ago, shutting the Falcons out in both match-ups last year too. The two teams both call the Kentwood Ice Arena home and coach Bultema is a former Falcon - . player. The Caledonia co-op program has now won five in a row in the regular season against the Falcons dating back to the 2018­ 19 season. The East Kentwood boys fall to 0-2 in the OK Conference Fischer Division with the loss and 0-2 overall. The Fighting Scots were scheduled to return to action last night at Sparta and will host the Spartans Saturday afternoon back at Kentwood Ice Arena. �Page 10 — Thursday, November 30, 2023 — The Hastings Banner DK should contend Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg girls were chasing Lawton in the Southwestern Athletic Con­ ference Division 4 race and at districts at the end ofthe 2023-24 season. The Panthers expect to be right there again this winter. The Delton Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team begins its season at a meet host­ ed by Plainwell Saturday, Dec. 2. There is a good base back to lead the Panthers into the new season starting with senior flyer Maddy Waller who was a first team all-district cheerleader as ajunior last year and seniors bases Samantha Makowski and Emily Stonebumer who were both sec­ ond team all-district. The Panthers were fourth at their MHSAA Division 4 District a year ago to qualify for the regional round ofthe state tournament, where they earned a tenth place finish. Other key members back from that squad are senior base/tumbler Maysse Weissner, senior base Sara Beeke, junior back spot Alli Brandli, senior back spot Taiyah Mapes and senior base Alexis Delaphino. Weissner was honorable mention all-district last winter. DK head coach Zoe Reynolds is looking forward to contributions from varsity new­ comers too like junior base Paige Davis, junior flyer Jordan Lynch and freshman flyer/tumbler Brynlee Babbitt Smith. “We should have a pretty strong rounds this season with being so heavy with return­ ing seniors,” Reynolds said. We will push to have cleaner more precise rounds.” Reynolds is entering her 22nd season with the Delton Kellogg program and her 18th season as the varsity head coach. One big thing she is working on with her girls as the season gets started is their jhmps, but she thinks that is something they’ll be able to get straightened out in the next few weeks. “We have to stay focused and deter­ mined,” Reynolds said. “I think this is going to be a great season for the lady Pan­ thers. We have a huge amount ofpotential. I am very excited to see what the next few weeks and months bring.” Ifanybody is going to challenge Lawton and the Delton Kellogg girls at the top of Maddy Waller the SAC Division 4 standings this winter it’s likely to be Coloma. The Panthers were The conference season gets underway ladies this season,” Reynolds said. “They are second to the Blue Devils in the SAC D4 when Gobles plays host Jan. 11. hard working, eager and hungry to win. We standings last season. Coloma nudged ahead The only home meet on the schedule for have taken on the saying ‘all about maroon’ of the DK girls to place third at districts the Delton Kellogg girls this season is the this season. It’s a family like bond that will behind. Lawton took the district championDK Competitive Cheer Invitational Feb. 10. help us achieve our goals this year. Looking “I have an outstanding group of young forward to seeing what they can do.” Torren Mapes Panthers look to push pace Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Panthers are going to give going upt­ empo ago. With the returning guard trio ofTyler How­ land, Torren Mapes and Grant McArthur, a lack ofsize overall and some solid outside shooting ability the Panthers are going to try and make things tough on opponents with some full-court pressure, push the pace and look to find some quick easy offense off that defense. Howland is a sophomore who started at point guard last year for the Panthers. Mapes, a three-year varsity starter, is back for his senior campaign^. They both have averaged ove? ten points per game. McArthur, a junior, was a part-time varsity starter a year ago. The squad also brings back senior forward Victor Gonzalez who coach Jim Hogoboom said plays bigger than his height and is a good shooter as well. Hogoboom is entering his fourth season in his current stint leading the Delton Kellogg program, having spent ten previous seasons on the DK bench and three at Parchment. “We’re installing a completely new system and it remains to be seen ifwe can handle that much change from both a player and coach perspective,” Hogoboom said. “We’re going to try things that I have resisted for decades. Should be fun. It will force us to need minutes from more guys.” A couple ofthose key newcomers are Span- ish exchange-student Hugo Martino and senior forward Chad Stopher. Coach Hogoboom said he expects Martino to impact the team’s pro­ duction from the start. He calls Stopher a physical player with a great work ethic. Hogoboom said there could be times where the Panthers have three sophomores and a freshman on the court. Looking to speed things up, Delton Kellogg will need the guys without much varsity experience to get up to speed in a hurry. The DK coach said the Panthers will take advantage of the fifth quarter rules that allow JV ballplayers to get time with the varsity. The Panthers were 9-14 overall a season ago and 5-5 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division. The SAC Central season starts Dec. 8 at Galesburg-Augusta as the Panthers visit the home ofthe defending conference champions. Coach Hogoboom said he expects the Pan­ thers to compete well inside the SAC Central once again. Galesburg-Augusta went a perfect 10-0 in the conference a year ago and Sau­ gatuck was 8-2. The Panthers settled in third behind those top two squads. The Rams were especially a senior driven group a season ago, so there is room for movement at the top. The Delton Kellogg boys fell to Maple Val­ ley in their season opener Tuesday night. The Panthers will have the rest of this week to work out the kinks before facing Bellevue on the road Monday and then playing host to Fennville Tuesday. ■Inta'intali Good Luck Teams Thank You to these businesses for their support lMe GRANGER 888-947-2643 grangerwasteservices.com DELTON f KELLOGG SCHOOLS » “A small school feel... Big school opportunities' highpoint Ken’s Denon, Ml 126 East Orchard Street, Delton, Ml 49046 1 -888-422-2280 hiqhpointcornmunitybank.com Member FDIC Delton Drive Thru: 10199 S. M-43 Hwy. Delton, Ml 49046 www.mei.net ifeS Fiber - Voice - Data CHAPPLE REALTY INC 118 E Orchard St., Delton Mi 49046 623*5115 269-623-4058 269^232112 5428 Moose Lodge Dr. (2 miles north ofDeltone on M43) Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 1351 N. M-43 Hwy, Hastings WILLIAMS-GORES FUNERAL HOME WESTMICHIGANLAKES.COM 623-5461 1HAPA)NAPA of Delton LYONS 9939 M-43 Hwy 623-4804 (269) 721-9989 President Todd Carpenter (269) 217-2372 (269) 721-3864 Sand and Gravel and MORE! • Commercial • Industrial • Residential 11250 Manning Lake Road, Delton, Ml • carpenterflravellnc.com DELTON FAMILY PHARMACY 338 Grove St. (M-43)Delton 623'5250 133 Orchard, Delton HOW. Center, Suite B, Hastings Delton Moose Lodge SIMPLY SWEETS, 623-8047 945*9554 11235 Sprague Rd, Delton 948'3720 623-3777 THE HASTINGS BANNER 2688288565 li BUCKLAND AGENCY M-43 Hwy. across from Delton Schools Tn/ Our Pizza Take & Bake, To Go, Dine-in Open Year , Round . Sports Shop GROVE STREET CAFE 269-623-3300 <Sincc P21 Wber 101 Y«arc Strong I SEPTIC TANK SERVICE 3840 Harrington Rd. Delton 623*2089 • 945*5379 Fast Reliable Service For Over 50 Years 110036 M-43 - Delton, Ml 49046 SMITH & DOSTER SALES & SERVICE 114 Grove (M-43) Delton 623'5111 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 30, 2023 — Page 11. State medalist back for DK wrestling Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Panthers are young this winter, but they have some experience on the mat. The Delton Kellogg varsity wrestling team has just three seniors on the 2023-24 roster. The team will look for a handful offreshmen to contribute and the lone returning state qualifier for the team is only a junior. Thatjunior who capped his sophomore sea­ son at Ford Field is Gauge Stampfler who completed his sophomore season on the MHSAA Division 4 Individual State Finals’ medal stand thanks to a sixth-place finish in the 132-pound weight class. Stampfler wrestled his way to a 45-9 record a year ago. He looks to settle in at 132 pounds or 138 this winter. He is one of three individual regional qual­ ifiers back for the Panthers joined by heavy­ weight Mitchell Swift and fellow big man junior Luke Watson, a team captain as a sophomore, who will likely fill the 175- or 190-pound weight class. Swift had 27 wins and Watson 22 a year ago. Other key members back from last year’s squad include sophomore Griffyn Harmon at 138/144 pounds, junior Corban Antolovich at 120 and senior Michael Decker at 215 pounds. Delton Kello ellogg head coach Dan Phillips, entering his 13®season leading the program Gauge Stampfler and third in his current stint in the heading’ coaching position, is excited to see how this* team develops. He said a number of his young wrestlers have a good amount of* youth wrestling experience and there are good numbers overall in the program with 26 on the roster this year. A few key freshmen for the DK team include Tucker Tack, Mendan Phillips and AJ Lorenz and the team’s one female so far Oliv­ ia Post. Coach Phillips is happy to have Clint Post, Hunter Belew and Tim Thomas as great assis­ tant coaches. “We will wrestle hard every week and compete as a team,” coach Phillips said. That competition starts Wednesday, Dec. 6, as the Panthers head to Allegan for a South­ western Athletic Conference Quad that also includes Watervliet and Coloma. The DK team hosts its own DK Varsity Wrestling Invitation al Dec. 9 and then will bring Fennville anc Allegan to DKHS for SAC matches Dec. 13. The SAC will be tough at the top again this winter with coach Phillips expecting Constan tine, Lawton and Martin to be the best ofth bunch. Constantine had five individual stat qualifiers a year ago and only one was lost graduation last spring and Martin had six stat finalists withjust one senior in the group. DK looks to gain varsity experience ■Mi Mii IWl MAC Warn Hi taiaprinWai tifMiZKEKosc stmGtaMHBafjES teORSBoaKkAftg iHisahmiEO TOT TICErWBEI ___ Brett Bremer Sports Editor Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball coach Mike Mohn expects this to be a season ofgrowth for his girls on the court. The Panther program has just two seniors in returning center Paytn Robinson and guard Summer Ritchie. The team also brings back junior Josie Williams who is a guard/forward that has been a key part of the varsity since the start ofher freshman season. Willi arri£J led ’ tfc'j’afttfiers1,' ifrJ. rebpfrnding and blocked shots-a year ago while averaging nearly seven points per game. She enters the season 12th on the school’s career rebound list and fifth on the all-time list for blocked shots. A couple of sophomores should be key con­ tributors as the Panthers look to build on a 6-18 record from a year ago. The duo includes guard/ forward Addie Stampler and guard Jalin Lyons. Mohn said he see his team being a group that is fairly quick overall and one that works hard together. “We’re going to need to find some consis­ tent offense,” Mohn said. A lack of size overall will make scoring and defending in the paint tough. The DK head coach expects his team to be competitive, but acknowledges that at times they will take their lumps. The Panthers will look to get off to a positive start when they visit Maple Valley Tuesday, Dec. 5. The Panthers opened their season with a win over the Lions a year ago and will hope for more ofthe same. Delton Kellogg then jumps right into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division schedule' taking on Galesburg-Au­ gusta on the road Friday, Dec. 8. DK was held without a SAC Central victo­ ry last season. Martin was at the other end of the conference standings a year ago with a 10-0 mark, but the Clippers took some hits at graduation time last spring. Coach Mohn said he expects the Gobles and Saugatuck teams that were 2-3 in the con­ ference standings a year ago to be looking to push in front ofthe Clippers this winter. Josie Williams Last second free throws lift Trojans over Falcons Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thornapple Kellogg built a seven-point halftime lead, led by as many as nine points in the second half and then rallied from a four-point hole in the final minutes of its season opener Tuesday. The Trojan varsity boys’ basketball team took a 50-49 non-conference win over Allendale in Middleville in the first bail­ game for new TK head coach Phil Garber. Senior guard Tyler Gavette knocked down two free throws with six tenths of a second on the clock to give the Trojans the winning margin. A Trojan trap turned into a steal near mid-court with a little less than half a min­ ute to go in the bailgame and the Falcons up 49-48. A quick Allendale foul led into a TK time-out with 21.9 seconds to go. Gavette attacked the basket, but had a shot bound off. Sophomore teammate Lucas Ploeg won a battle for the offensive board as the ball went out ofbounds offthe Falcons with 1.2 seconds to play. Senior Ethan Bonnema inbounded the ball from under the.TK on the right side of the lane. Gavette shook his defender with a quick cut at the free throw line and broke back down the left side of the lane where Bonnema found him. The Falcon foul sent the Trojan senior guard to the line. A half-court heave by the Falcons was well offthe mark as the buzzer sounded. Garber said it was a huge win for the program. TK had a 25-18 lead at the half. The Fal­ cons opened the third quarter on a little 4-0 run to get within three, but the Trojans responded to push the lead back to nine points. The Falcons pulled back to even for the first time at 39-39 with 6:40 to play after TK opened the fourth quarter leading 39-35. Allendale eventually manged to pull in front 49-45. A quick bucket in the paint by Ploeg cut that lead in half with 3:18 to go and the Trojans’ were patient in their zone for a bit. Ploeg hit the front end of a trip to the free throw line to halve the Falcon lead to 49-48 yvith 1:19 left on the clock after beating his defender to the hoop from the left wing. With the new foul rules, TK had to foul the Falcons a handful of times in the final minute and a half to try and force free throws or take the basketball away. Teams now enter the free throw bonus after five fouls in a quarter, and that number resets each quarter. There are no more one-andone attempts. All common fouls once a team is in the bonus result in two free throws. TK picked up its first foul of the fourth quarter with 43.8 to play. Eventually the Trojan pressure turned into the turnover they needed. Kyle VanHaitsma had a team-high 13 points for the Trojans. Gavette finished with 11 points. He was 4-of-5 at the free throw line. Gavette and Brody Wiersma had big three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Trojans keep pace. Wiersma closed the night with eight points. Ploeg had six. Allendale got a game-high 15 points from Alex Genuise who hit three three-point­ ers in the second half. Jackson Fitton added 12 points for the Falcons and Jacob DeVito finished with nine points. The TK boys had just two wins a year ago. TK is back on its home court tonight to take on Lakewood. , poi.nts apiece from Hoefler, Teegen McDonald, Joseph and Noah Musser. “We’re a work in progress. We have a good group ofkid that really fight for each other and play for each other and are really unselfish, which is awesome,” Nevins said. Delton Kellogg is still working on find­ ing its identity too. “That is probably true of everybody the first game,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said, “but honestly we spent the first two weeks ofpractice com­ pletely changing how we’re going to try to play, especially offensively. We were going to try to go really fast, get the other team running with us, try to go subbing in waves of five and shooting a bunch ofthree’s. It didn’t work out for us. “1 thought we had a lot ofgood shots, that I think at times are going to fall as evidenced by that 14-to-something run in the second quarter.” The Panthers had some balanced scoring as well. McArthur had a team-high 14 points. Howland finished with 13 points. Torren Mapes chipped in nine points, Hugo Martino had eight and Keegan Hill four. “We’re just trying to find out what we can do with this personnel. We have a lot ofnew guys. Our exchange kid, Hugo, is going to help us. We’re looking to get him playing a little more physical on both sides ofthe floor. He was good defensive­ ly at the basket. He must have had five or six blocks iffelt like. “We have to figure a way, ifwe’re going to force that pace, we can’t be giving up easy baskets.” While the Lions struggled at the free throw line, the Panthers didn’t even get there. They didn’t shoot a free throw all night. The Panthers did foul a bit intention­ ally late, but the Lions were also a bit more aggressive in going at the basket. “They give us fits. They play hard,” Hogoboom said ofthe Lions. Delton Kellogg is off until next week. The Panthers visit Bellevue Monday and then play host to Fennville Tuesday. The Lions were set to return to action at home against Calhoun Christian last night and then host Saranac. �Page 12 — Thursday. November 30. 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice » given under teetton 3212 of the revteed judicature ectof 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600 3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the . mortgaged premises or some part of them, at a pubic auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court tn BARRY - County, starting promptly at 1 00 PM. on December 21, FORECLOSURE NOTICE 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater Attention homeowner: If you are a military service on the day ofthe sale Racing the highest bid at the sale member on active duty, if your period of active duty does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is been ordered to active duty, please contact the encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at or a title insurance company, either of which may charge the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given Default has been made in the conditions of a certain under section 3212 of the revised judicature act mortgage made by Susan J Taylor, a single person, of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the whose address is 10450 Green Lake Road SE, following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of Thomappie Ml 49333, also known as 10450 Green Lake the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333, as original Mortgagors, a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash to ABN AMRO Mortgage Group. Inc., being a mortgage or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit . dated Apr! 21,2004. and recorded on May 20.2004 with court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, Document Number 1127889, Barry County Records. January 11,2024. The amount due on the mortgage State of Michigan and then assigned through mesne may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the assignments to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle Servicing, as assignee as documented by an assignment the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the dated August 24, 2023 and recorded on August 24, property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to . 2023 and given document number 2023-003700 in contact the county register of deeds office or a title Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of insurance company, either of which may charge a TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY fee for this information. Default has been made in AND 73/100 DOLLARS ($24,960.73). Said premises are the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Mark situated in the Township of Thomappie, County of Barry, Jankovic and Rebecca Jankovic, Husband And State of Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, Inc. acting solely as a nominee for Wintrust TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST. THORNAPPLE Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank and Trust . TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN. DISTANT Co., N.A., Mortgagee, dated December 8, 2021, SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS and recorded on December 14,2021, as Document EAST 354.00 FEET FROM SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF Number: 2021-015409, Barry County Records, said SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES mortgage was assigned to Wintrust Mortgage, a . 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET; division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 19, SECONDS EAST 306.10 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 2023 and recorded October 26,2023 by Document DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 608.00 Number: 2023-008463, on which mortgage there ‘ FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH of One Hundred Fifty Thousand One Hundred 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST Sixty-Six and 67/100 ($150,166.67) including 500.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION interest at the rate of 2.62500% per annum. Said 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 premises are situated in the City of HASTINGS, SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE POINT OF Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO A PRIVATE EASEMENT 1192 Of The City, Formerly Village Of Hastings, FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND PUBLIC UTILITY According To The Recorded Plat Thereof, Barry PURPOSES OVER THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED County, Michigan Commonly known as: 537 WEST PREMISES: BEGINNING ATA POINT ON THE SOUTH CLINTON STREET, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, redemption period will be 6.00 months from the MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 date of sale unless the property is abandoned or MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM used for agricultural purposes. If the property is THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; determined abandoned in accordance with MCL THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period SECONDS EAST 578.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 20.00 after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES property is presumed to be used for agricultural 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 478.00 FEET TO SAID is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower(s) will SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH be held responsible to the person who buys the 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. AND ALSO, PART OF THE SOUTHWEST % AND THE mortgage holder for damaging the property during SOUTHEAST % OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: BEGINNING that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 plus interest. SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH Dated: November 30, 2023 % CORNER OF SECTION 21, AND PROCEEDING Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. THENCE, NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 Attorneys for Wintrust Mortgage, a division of SECONDS EAST 512.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 43252 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 24 SECONDS WEST 420.06 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, F££T.NORTH OfiDEGREES 10 MINUTES . Bloomfield-Hills, Ml 48302, 56 SECONDS FABT-1339 25 FBFTAI ONG A LINE 66 (248) 335-9200 Hoyrs:.3:00 a.nr,-5:00 pi..m. ^ETWESTOFANbPARALLet TQTHE NORTH AND Cash No. 23MICTO84B-V • SOUTH % UNE OF SECTION 21 ;1&ENCE NORTH 58 DEGREES 49 MINUTES 04 SECONDS WEST 196.00 (11-30)(12-21) 209270 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 678.60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 STATE OF MICHIGAN DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS EAST 234.00 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE FEETALONG THE EASTAND WEST 1/4 LINE TO THE CENTRAL 1/4 CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE COUNTY OF BARRY NORTH 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS RLE NO. 23-717-CH EAST 660.10 FEETALONG THE EASTAND WEST 1/4 ORDER TO ANSWER LINE; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 HON. VICKY L ALSPAUGH SECONDS WEST 2139.95 FEET ALONG THE EAST WILLIAM DONALD HERRERA, and LAURA J. LINE OF THE WEST 40 ACRES OF THE SOUTHEAST HERRERA, Plaintiffs, 1/4; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 vs. SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 GMAC MORTGAGE CORPORATION, a DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 Pennsylvania Corporation, Defendants. FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.1 FEETALONG THE SOUTH Nathan E. Tagg (P68994) LINE OF SECTION 21 TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law SUBJECTTO A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, 202 South Broadway EGRESSAND PUBLIC UTILITYPURPOSES OVERTHE Hastings, Michigan 49058 FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PREMISES: BEGINNING (269) 948-2900 AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, Attorney for Plaintiff TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS TO: GMAC Mortgage Corporation EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER At a session of said court held in the OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 578.00; on the 14th day of November, 2023. THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 PRESENT: HONORABLE VICKY L. ALSPAUGH, SECONDS EAST 20.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 Circuit Judge DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 Based on the pleadings filed in the above entitled FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES case, it is ordered that Defendant, GMAC Mortgage 55 SECONDS EAST 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH Corporation, shall file a Notice of Interest in the 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST above captioned case in real property commonly 478.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION known as: 285 Evans Lane, wayland, Michigan 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 49348, more fully described as: SECONDS WEST 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF LAND SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON YANKEE SPRINGS, COUNTY OF BARRY, STATE THE SOUTH UNE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY OF MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES LOT BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM CORNER OF LOT 1 OF CUTLERS OAK THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; PARK PLAT; THENCE WEST PARALLEL TO THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 LOT 1 TO WATER’S EDGE OF COBB (ALSO SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 KNOWN AS HOAG) LAKE; THENCE 50 FEET DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 306.10 SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE WATER’S FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 EDGE TO IRON STAKE; THENCE EAST TO IRON SECONDS WEST 608.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 STAKE; THENCE 50 FEET NORTHEASTERLY DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 TO BEGINNING, SECTION 18, TOWN 3 NORTH, FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 RANGE 10 WEST. ALSO BEGINNING AT AN IRON SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE STAKE 50 FEET SOUTHWESTERLY OF THE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1 OF CUTLER’S MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE OAK PARK PLAT; THENCE WEST PARALLEL TO POINT OF BEGINNING. Street Address: 10450 Green LOT 1 TO THE EDGE OF COBB (ALSO KNOWN Lake Road SE, Thomappie, Ml 49333, also known as AS HOAG) LAKE; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333 The 50 FEET ALONG LAKE’S EDGE; THENCE redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of EAST TO IRON STAKE; THENCE 50 FEET such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned i accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case NORTHEASTERLY TO PLACE OF BEGINNING, in tthe redemption period shall be 30 days from the date SECTION 10, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST. of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale PARCEL #08-16-018-024-00. under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 1961, Commonly Known as: 285 EVANS LANE, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held WAYLAND, Ml 49348. responsible to the person who buys the property at the by the 15 day of December 2023 to assert any mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for Interest in the above described property. If the damaging the property during the redemption period. Defendants fail to do so that shall constitute a default I(JIS F,RM ,s A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING in the above entitled matter, and on the 20th day of S 22i!rECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION December, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. in the fore/afternoon, WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. this Court shall take proofs and shall terminate ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY whatever interest GMAC Mortgage Corporation SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY IF YOUR may have In and to the above described property d HAS CONCLUDED unless a Notice of Interest In the Real Property is LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN filed in this action or unless Defendants or their ACTIVE DUTY- PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING representatives appear in the Barry County Circuit LEGAL NOTICES 0F ACTIVE UTY THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: November 23, 2023 tFFor or more information, please contact the atto a Jrnhey for toe party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnsonn, Johnson. & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street SSuite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone- (312) 541­ 9710. File No.: Ml 23 5419 } (11-23)(12-14) 208989 Court at that date and time. Honorable Vicky L. Alspaugh (P42572) Drafted by: Nathan E. Tagg (P68994) Tripp, Tagg & Storrs, Attorneys at Law 202 South Broadway Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2900 209179 following mortgage will be forec!ose??y_n f a nublic morttigagedl p tremthise hsi, ohr sot b mide part of aucton sae to te g est bdderr for f or easier CcCheckntt at ttthertin tiplacerm of htotllldinttg 1the c'rcult 17/14/2023 X4/2t0e23r t 00 crcult PM nvv 17/1 ouny,sarngprompya nv Theh am dount f dhue onl thPeli mortgage rnay fl on the day of the sale. Placing the t ^‘X^r to sale does not automatically auoma cay entlt,e en ,e P otentia| oena| free and clear ownership of contact the property. the P . purchaser is encouraged to contact the . of deeds office or a title insurance ^^P y Names a es for ,hl%,n ^ f o ^ ^ P X y ' ‘ O Na m r S es which may charge a fee f gg . g . g mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registra o y Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for^u?^.s JL Partners, Inc. Date of mortgage: 4/30/20 . 9 g recorded on 5/4/2015 as Documen No 2015­ 004630,. Foreclosing Assignee (if any). WHmmgton Savings Fund Society, FSB. as trustee of Stanwich Mortgage Loan Trust F. Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: $177,143.74 Mortgaged Premise^ Situated in Barry County, and descn^ SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN. DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 32. TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST, JOHNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN. DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTH 1/4 POST OF SAID SECTION 32; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 33 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION. 540.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 07 SECONDS EAST, 807.16 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 43 SECONDS WEST, 243.00 FEET TO THE TRUE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND WEST PARALLEL WITH THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE OF SAID SECTION, 337.27 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 46 MINUTES 05 SECONDS WEST, 296.99 FEET TO SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 UNE; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 01 SECOND EAST ALONG SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE, 336.9Q FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 43 SECONDS EAST. 297.00 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC AND OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT IN ANY PART THEREOF TAKEN. USED OR DEEDED FOR STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY PURPOSES. Commonly known as 15179 N Uldriks Dr, Battle Creek, Ml 49017. The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days after the statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is determined abandoned under MCL 600.3241, the redemption period will be 1 month from the date of such sale. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes pursuant to MCL 600.3240(16), the redemption period is 1 year from the date of such sale. The redemption period may be extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 ofAct 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person.who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member, on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered lb active'duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Date of Notice: 11/09/2023. Codilis & Moody, P.C. 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (313) 536-2500 C&M File 23-23-00319 (11-09)(11-30) 208315 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY ORDER REGARDING ALTERNATE SERVICE CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-364-DE Court Address: 220 West State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1400 Plaintiff’s Name: Jade D. Reynolds Plaintiff’s Attorney Stephanie S. Fekkes (P43549) Rhoades McKee, P.C. ? 150 West Court Street, Suite A Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 945-1921 v Defendant’s Name: Skylar A. Hanicq 230 Cranmer Charlotte, Michigan 48813 THE COURT FINDS: g 1. Service of process upon the defendant, Skylar A. Hanicq cannot reasonably be made as provided in MCR 2.105 and service of process may be made in a manner that is reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard. B IT IS ORDERED: fV • 2. Service of the summons and complaint and a copy of this order, shall be made by the following method(s). d. Other: Publication in Barry County and Eaton County Legal Publication, For each method used; proof of service must be filed promptly with the court. Date: Sept. 25, 2023 Judge Vicky L. Alspaugh 208860 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO; CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29631-DE Court Address: 206 W. Court St, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Barbara Jeanne Ludy, deceased. Date of birth: April 25,1942. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Barbara Jeanne Ludy, died July 28,2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Eric Ludy, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 11/27/2023 Vamum LLP Rebecca K. Wrock P78973 101 N. Main Street, Suite 525 Ann Arbor, Ml 48104 (734) 372-2914 Eric Ludy 675 Southwood Lane Windsor, CO 80550 (970) 281-2103 FOCUS 151 Notice of Foreclosure by Adve Notice of foreclosure by advertiseme averseme _ ica»ure _ that the gLive onf u1n9d6e1r s1e9c6t1ionPA3221326 of L of 1961. 1961 PA 236. oMf CL 600.3212.tthhaatt tthhee Provided by the Barry County offices of EdwardJones Memwber SIrPvC Andrew Cove, AAMS®CFP® Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 Kevin Beck, AAMS® FinancialAdvis 400 W. State St., Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-4702 Can you make charitable giving less ‘taxing’? Once again, it’s the season of generosity. In addition to considering gifts for your loved ones, you might want to think about charitable gifts as well. But what should you know before making gifts to charities? And what impact might these gifts have on your financial and tax situation? First,you may want to create a gift budget by deciding just how much you will give to charitable organizations over the rest of the year. Next, look closely at the groups to whom you wish to contribute. You can find many reputable charities, but some others may be less worthy of your support. One of the red flags of a questionable organization is the amount of money it spends on administrative costs versus the amount that goes to its stated purpose. You can check on the spending patterns of charitable groups, and find other valuable information about them, on the wellregarded Charity Navigator website (charitynavigator. org). Once you’ve established gift budget and are a comfortable with the groups you choose to support, you might turn your thoughts to another key issue connected with charitable giving: tax benefits. A few years ago, changes in the tax laws resulted in a large increase in the standard deduction, which meant that many taxpayers found it more favorable not to itemize and lost the ability to take charitable deductions. But if you still do itemize, your charitable gifts or contributions to tax-exempt groups — those that qualify as 501(c)(3) organizations — can generally be deducted, up to 60% of your adjusted gross income, although lower limits may apply, depending on the nature of your gift and the organization to which you’re contributing. more long-term Other, also exist that avenues combine charitable giving with potential tax benefits. One such possibility is a donoradvised fund, which allows you to make an irrevocable charitable contribution and receive an immediate tax deduction. You can give cash, but if you donate appreciated assets, such as stocks, your tax deduction would be the fair market value of the assets, up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. Plus, you would not incur the capital gains tax that would otherwise be due upon the sale of these assets. Once you establish a donor-advised fund, you have the flexibility to make charitable gifts over time, and you can contribute to the fund as often as you like. Another possible tax benefit from making charitable contributions could arrive when you start taking required minimum distributions, or RMDs, from some of your retirement accounts, such as your traditional IRA and 401(k). These RMDs could be sizable — and distributions are counted as taxable income. But by taking what’s called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), you can move money from a traditional or Roth IRA to a qualified charitable organization, possibly satisfying your RMD, which then may be excluded from your taxable income. You must start taking RMDs at 73 but you can begin making QCDs of up to $100,000 per year as early as age 7016. (This amount will be indexed for inflation after 2023.) Establishing a donoradvised fund and making qualified charitable distri­ butions are significant moves, so you’ll need to consult with your tax advisor first. But if they’re appropriate for your situation, they may help you expand your ability to support the charitable groups whose work you admire. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward SIPC Jones, Member ^strafes Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry Cpunty, staging promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 14, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagors): Josh Gipe and Ronie Finkbeiner, as joint tenants with right of survivorship Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Date of Mortgage: April 27,2021 Date of Mortgage Recording: May 18, 2021 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $156,671.87 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 18, Colberts Plat No. 3, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan, according to the recorded plat in Liber 3 of Plats, Page 78, Barry County Records. Common.street address (if any): 4 Culbert Dr, Hastings, Ml 49058-9461 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner. If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: November 9, 2023 Trott Law, RC. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1514033 (11-09)(11-30) PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based d oon race, color, nreligion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention,, to t make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody ofchildren under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or1 cashier’s check at the place of holding the-ci rcuit court Inb Barry County, starting promptly at 1100j’M, on Januaity8 11, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential' purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register < of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Kathleen A. Courtney, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee , for lender and lender’s successors and/or assignsForeclosing Assignee (if any): PNC Bank, National' Association Date of Mortgage: September 27,2013 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 4,2013 . Amount claimed due on date of notice: $32,482.70 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated. in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and ‘ described as: Lot 6 and 7 of Block 12 of Daniel Striker’s' Addition to the City of Hastings, Michigan, according to * the recorded plat thereof excepting therefrom the North 45 feet of Lots 6 and 7. Common street address (if any): 701 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Ml 49058-1425 The redemption period shall be 1 year from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in • accordance with MCL 600.3241a. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961,. pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the ' mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for. damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: November 30,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 209314 1516199 (11-30)(12-21) ssritw® ■ MbnGr rW' MtaOfat H is^toUnialM x’tb u'liivni^QKd V1BB1 . । OnmSi ^^Asenior.Sim. ^T^pnewthiOJoSIS*"”* ’ ^T^pn .. .Wljw. to , 1 B tkp .. J 208266 Keep yourfriends and relatives informed and up to date with all the local news from Barry County Send them./. The Hastings BANNER xw To subscribe, call us at: 269-945-9554 209280 w w ___ �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, November 30, 2023 — Page 13 FAl|!Barii^COTntwEalll20,2<3 Saxons and Lions had winning marks in ‘23 Brett Bremer • liableoifh' ®lthi hi Wtht Wtahtasas! ! cfa graft iv&saai pteiraoptstskavp fcqtytebliMi ursrtrr ityp tiff to faE fgyg SjSH It. 2 £ rar »**’•**! sasssss10491 “ r l f**” Mil1’'® Sfe’.**'" \*1 Sias finished the year with four touch­ Sports Editor downs and averaged 18.44 yards per recep­ There were highs and lows for the Barry tion. County varsity football teams in the fall of Jett Barnum, Hastings: A tight end who 2023. split out wide when the Saxons’ needed him The highest ofthe highs were once again to, consistently used his size and speed to accomplished by the Hastings Saxons who take advantage ofdefenders. won their fourth consecutive Interstate-8 Ath­ He finished with year with 12 catches for letic Conference Championship. The Saxons 311 yards and five touchdowns. He also defeated all six oftheir 1-8 foes this fall in a recorded an 81 percent blocking efficiency on perfect run through the conference slate and the season. then knocked off Charlotte in the opening round ofthe MHSAA Division 4 Playoffs. Offensive Line Portland ended the Saxon season in the Mason Bailey, Hastings: A senior tackle district finals at the end ofthe season. Hast­ for the Saxons this fall. ings closed the season with an 8-3 record. Bailey had a 92 percent blocking efficien­ Maple Valley was the only other team in cy and was on assignment 94 percent ofthe the county to finish with a winning record. time. The Lions had a 7-2 performance, their best Andrew Hanson, Thornapple Kellogg: A record since starting to play 8-player football senior, Hanson was named honorable men­ and their best record with any number of tion all-conference in the OK Gold. players on the field since 2004. Hanson had 11 pancake blocks and head Delton Kellogg was 3-6 on the season, coach JeffDock said he “owned a lot ofkids winning two of its final three ballgames of and we ran behind him a lot.” the season. Thomapple Kellogg and Lake­ Owen McGlocklin, Maple Valley: A wood both finished the season with one vic­ senior captain for the Lion team who earned tory - pulling out homecoming night wins all-conference honors in the Tri River. Coach along the way. Martin said he earned a Burlsworth Character Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Foot­ Award this season too - a national honor that ball First and Second Teams. celebrates character and sportsmanship. “He has worked hard over the past two 2023 All-Barry County years to change his physical appearance and Football his play,” coach Martin said. "I can not say First Team Offense enough about this amazing young man.” Quarterback Devin Smith, Hastings: A senior guard, Owen Carroll, Hastings: A senior run­ Smith was on blocking assignment 96 percent ning the show for the now four-time defend­ of the time and had a 94 percent blocking ing 1-8 champion Saxons, Carroll rushed for efficiency this season. 472 yards and threw for 529 this season He was as returning all-conference player averaging 112 yards per game rushing and in the 1-8 for Hastings this fall. passing combined while making solid deci­ Luke Watson, Delton Kellogg: A senior sions in the Saxons’ Wing-T attack leader on the offensive line for the Panthers. He finished the season with four rushing He was named honorable mention all-confer­ touchdowns and nine passing touchdowns. ence in the SAC Central. Watson spent some time at running back Running Back and played linebacker on the defensive side Andrew Shephard, Maple Valley: The of the ball too. He had 29 tackles including Lions’ senior workhorse on offense, Shepard five for a loss this season. rushed for 1,04 7 yards and scored 15 touch­ downs in eight games this, season. He was an 2023 All-Barry County 0- r IB wroiq S Footba|| J V aH^conferencb ■honotefe' '"in the Tri-River 8-Man Football Conference. Second Team Offense Lion head coach Marty Martin called Quarterback Shepard a “prototypical Maple Valley run­ Grant Middleton, Thornapple Kellogg: ning back,” a guy who was tough, embraced A senior who worked to keep the Trojans’ contact and broke tackles. option attack moving this fall. Drake Snyder, Thornapple Kellogg: A Middleton had a 46-yard touchdown run senior, Snyder was a top performer for the during the Trojans’ homecoming victory over Trojans at running back and linebacker. He Ottawa Hills. earned all-conference honors this season in the OK Gold. He rushed 146 times for 772 Running Back yards and 13 touchdowns. Tyler Gavette, Thornapple Kellogg: One Defensively, Snyder had 48 tackles includ­ ofthe top offensive threats from his running ing three tackles for a loss. back spot for the Trojan offense before seeing Haiden Simmet, Hastings: A senior, Sim­ his senior season cut short by an injury. met led the Saxon ground game wth 1,030 He rushed for 107 yards on five carries in yards rushing. He averaged 13.8 yards per the Trojans’ season opener against the Saxons cany and 114 yards a game. in Hastings. Wyatt Colwell, Delton Kellogg: A senior Simmet scored 19 touchdowns this season. leader for DK. Colwell was named honorable mention all-conference in the SAC‘Central Tight End Cam Carpenter, Maple Valley: A senior this season. in the Lions’ run-heavy offense, he closed the Colwell rushed for 634 yards this season on 119 carries to finish as the Panthers’ lead­ season with 12 receptions for 290 yards. ing rusher. In the defensive backfield, Col­ Coach Martin said Carpenter was dou­ well had 33 tackles including 7.5 for a loss. ble-covered throughout the season, and that Carpenter sacrificed some of the personal Offensive Line numbers he could have gained for the better­ Connor Dombkowski, Thornapple Kel­ ment ofhis team this fall. logg: Dombkowski had a great junior season Brennan Lehman, Lakewood: Lehman at left tackle for TK. was a leader for the Viking varsity football Andrew Haines, Hastings: The Saxons’ team as a senior this fall. Lehman was named first team all-confer­ junior center, Haines was on assignment 97 percent ofthe time this season. ence in the CAAC-White this season. He finished the year with an 88 percent blocking efficiency. Wide Receiver Jaden Manhart, Lakewood: A senior.on Jaxan Sias, Thornapple Kellogg: On the the offensive front for the Lakewood team. end of the line and splitting out wide, Sias used his big frame to make eight catches for Manhart was named honorable mention 332 yards and also recorded 25 pancake all-conference in the CAAC-White this fall. blocks. Haiden Simmet 2023 All-Barry County Football First Team Defense Defensive Line Diego Coipel, Hastings: The Saxons’ big senior defensive tackle was a returning all-conference player fot his team. four for a loss. He had three sacks^d avert uavti Isaac Friddle, Hastings: A junior defen­ sive lineman, recorded 20 tackles this sea­ son. Friddle had three tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery. Mitchell Swift, Delton Kellogg: A sopho­ more who played defensive end and on the offensive line for DKHS. He was named first team all-conference in the SAC Central. Swift closed the year defensively with 31 tackles including five for a loss. Luke Vanderwall, Delton Kellogg: Vanderwall was named first team all-conference in the SAC Central as ajunior this season. He was key on the defensive line and at center for the DK offense. Vanderwall recorded 17 tackles including 1.5 for a loss this season. Linebackers Chad Lennert, Thornapple Kellogg: Despite only playing about seven and a half games due to an injury, Lennert led the Tro­ jans with 53 tackles. A junior, Lennert had three tackles for a loss, one sack and one fumble recovery this fall. Callan Hoefler, Maple Valley:; A senior linebacker, Hoefler had 68 solo tackles, nine tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and two interceptions this season. He was named all-conference in the Tri-River and was sec­ ond in voting for the league’s defensive play­ er ofthe year award. “He is probably one of the three smartest players I have coached in football in 36 years ofcoaching,” coach Martin said, calling Hoe- See FOOTBALL, page 14 CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 KELTEC: NEW NEV­ ER fired sub 2000 9mm, threaded barrel w/ car­ ry case $625. Glock: 43x MOS optic ready new never fired $500. S&W: 5-22 range bundle, new *n box. Semi auto AR 22LR W 16.5 threaded barrel in­ cludes carry case, hearing protection & range safety glasses. Would make a great Christmas present. $600. Holosun: 407C Red Dot & 507C Red Dot 250 each. Streamlight: TRL 7 SNOW BLOWER CRAFTSMAN 28" 10HP, power steering & electric start. Great shape. $475. 269-420-2485. Household SONY WIRELESS NOISE canceling headphones, WH-1000XM4, new in box. Original cost $375, sell for $250.269-420-2485. Hitsiness Services MATT ENDSLEY FAB­ RICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269­ 804-7506. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 209409 NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW Banner CLASSIFIEDS for Glock 43/48 500 Lumen $175. Ammo: 30 super car­ ry 500rds $325 &.45ACP 500rds $325. Holosun: 3x magnifier for rifles $225. AR 15: magazines, 30rds, $18 each. Must have CPL or acquire a purchase permit to purchase pistols. 269-420-2485. Devin Smith BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premi­ ums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy sin­ gle Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793.__________ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local saw­ mill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qu ali tyhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. METALROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish crafts­ manship. 269-888-5050. DLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. Very cute and fluffy. Will stay small. $300. 269-223-9194. Pursuant to provisions in MCL 211.7cc (19), MCL 211.7b, MCL 211.7u and MCL 211.53b, the Board of Review will meet on Tuesday, December 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the office of the Assessor at Rutland Charter Township Hall, 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan to consider appeals related to Principle Residence Exemptions, Disabled Veterans Exemptions, Poverty Exemptions and to Correct Qualified Errors. mini goldendoo- Dennis McKelvey, Assessor RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Another solid county volleyball season Volleyball The 2023 varsity volleyball season in Barry County was as bit shorter than usual, with thee Lakewood w aewoo Vikings ngs having avngannea nineyear run ofdistrict championships (filled with trips to the state final four) brought to an end by second ranked Grand Rapids Christian in the MHSAA Division 2 District Finals in early November. . It was another great season for the Vikings though who spent the fall ranked among the top five teams in the state in Division 2. The rest of the county’s teams had their ups a and downs.. Hastings g had one of its top p seasons yet in the Interstate-8 Athletic Confer‘ ■ ence, while Thomapple Kellogg, Delton Kel­ logg and Maple Valley worked to improve their skills throughout the season. A trio of Lakewood girls closed out their "season as all-state performers once again. Here are the 2023 All-Bany County Girls’ .' Volleyball Teams. 2023 All-Barry County Volleyball First Team Abby Beemer, Hastings: Beemer was named first team all-conference in the 1-8 this fall and is an academic all-state student-athlete • who spent every moment on the court for the Saxons while leading the team in assists and kill percentage while finishing second in the number ofserves and in ace percentage too. “Abby has never missed a practice or game and hasn’t sat on the bench because she is such a necessary player as our current setter. She is a big leader for the team and a multifaceted player,” head coach Erin Slaughter said. Alivia Everitt, Lakewood: One of the most powerful attackers in the county, Everitt had 376 kills with a.419 efficiency this sea­ son. She was named third team all-state in Division 2 this season. “Alivia is extremely terminal even with teams committing to defending her,” coach Cam Rowland said. “She mixes her shots and locations on the court well in order to remain effective and moves herself around the court to create openings to score.” Brooklyn Harmon, Thornapple Kellogg: - Harmon was a key component ofthe Trojan offense and defense in the middle ofthe net. She had one ofthe Trojans’ most powerful attacks and good-size and timing on the block. Abby Pickard, Lakewood: A junior setter/hitter for the Vikings, Pickard was named second team all-state in Division 2 this sea­ son. She had 302 kills at.341 efficiency. Pick­ ard also added 415 assists, 46 aces, 231 digs and 41 blocks. “Abby impacts the game in every facet of it,” coach Rowland said. “She attacks, sets, is our key blocker, serve receives and is a con­ stant voice of leadership for us. When she was out injured we were 10-15 points worse a set without her. Her impact is immense in every match and her volleyball IQ is hard to replicate for teams to prepare for her.” Carley Piercefield, Lakewood: An all­ state honoree for the fourth time this fall, and a first team member for the third straight season, the Vikings’ senior libero has plans to continue her playing days at Western Michi­ gan University. She was a Miss Volleyball Finalist in the state this season finishing with 693 digs, 50 aces, 107 assists and was perfect with her serve receiver 72 percent ofthe time. “She is consistently the best ball handler on the court regardless of our opponent,” coach Rowland said. “She has figured out how to have a great impact on matches in the libero jersey; Our effectiveness at the net is indica*five ofour middles being able to be involved and Carley’s impact in the match allows us to have them as options all the time.” Cadence Poll, Lakewood: Poll earned first team all-conference in the CAAC-White this season while finishing the year with 257 kills at a.314 efficiency. She had five aces, 50 digs and 66 blocks on the season. “Cadence is a physical presence at the net and the best blocker on our team,” coach Rowland said. “She is aggressive on the block and has worked to become a major and efficient piece ofour offense.” Audrey Vertalka, Hastings: A senior cap­ tain along with Beemer and another Saxon three-year varsity player, Vertalka was honor­ able mention all-conference this fall and aca­ demic all-state too. She led the Saxons in blocks with 92 total, was second on the team in passing percentage and fourth in kill percentage. KELLOGG PTO’J Abby Pickard “Audrey has always been a good blocker, but the last two years she has also worked into our line-up as a defensive specialist in the back row. She is a positive leader that helps a lot of the younger girls,” coach Slaughter said. 2023 All-Barry County Volleyball Second Team Jessie Drenten, Thornapple Kellogg: The Trojans’ senior libero. She kept points alive for the Trojans all season long. Emma Duffy, Lakewood: A sophomore setter and hitter for the Vikings she nearly reached the Lakewood single season record of 121 aces, finishing with 114. She had 117 kills and a team-high 673 assists this season. “She was asked to do a lot that she had never had to do on a volleyball court before,” coach Rowland said. “She had to attack. She had to be one of our pin hitters. We had a weakness there. Her volleyball IQ allowed her to figure that put,” Bailey Eden, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior in her first season with the TK varsity, Eden did a little bit of everything from the setter spot for TK. Eden was a solid passer and attacker for the Trojans. Olivia Friddle, Hastings: A sophomore in her first varsity season, coach Slaughter called her a “raw athletic talent” who is strong, fast and a play-maker. “She will do anything to try and get the point and keep the HOLLY JOL ^CRAFT SHOW^ DECEMBER 2ND 9-3P GULL LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL 9550 M89, RICHLAND OVER 120 BOOTHS TO SHOP plus Bake Sale and Santa! inu. nu. • । • J ADMISSION : -------------------------------------- •• YOUR CHRISTMAS : OftrilA I MORE’ GIFTS KELLOGGELEMENTARYPTOPGMAIL.COM CITY OF HASTINGS PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 621 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that ORDINANCE NO. 621: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 2-VI, “OFFICER ETHICS.” was adopted by the City Council of the City of Hastings at a regular meeting on the 27th day.of ,|^gvetnber 2QI$, ? , , A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk Abby Beemer ball. That includes being scrappy on every play, and playing wherever she is needed,” coach Slaughter said. She stepped into a role as a setter when the team needed her to and her coach is looking forward to her becoming a monster hitter. She led the axons in ace percentage and was num­ ber two on the team in total sets and assists behind Beemer. Madison Koons, Maple Valley: A senior libero in her third year on the varsity, Koons was named her team’s MVP this season. Koons had 70 digs and a handful of aces, kills and assists for the Lion team as one ofits top passers. Jordan Milanowski, Hastings: A junior in her second varsity season, she was versa­ tile for the Saxons play in the middle, the right side and the middle back all year. “She always steps up to the challenge when asked, leads by example with her dedication an d her hard work ethic, and is always working on improving her skills,” coach Slaughter said. “Milanowski was second on the Saxons in serves, third in ace percentage, third in pass­ ing and kill percentage and was second in blocks behind Vertalka. Claire Wesolowski, Delton Kellogg: A junior setter, she was named first team all-conference in the SAC Central this fall. She had a 93 percent serve percentage and 92 percent setting percentage, and 34 per- Audrey Vertalka cent kill percentage. “Claire’s head and hands keep us in games a lot ofthe time,” Delton Kellogg head coach Erin Thornton said. “She has an eye for the game, and the other side of the court, and uses that to her advantage. She can move the ball around when needed and puts in 100 percent effort on every ball. The time that she puts in watching film and other matches, researching other teams, and playing in the off season put her at the top of the roster in my book. She leads without knowing it, and I cannot wait to see what her senior year next year is going to bring.” ; Maysse Wiessner, Delton Kellogg: The Panthers’ senior libero she was named honor­ able mention all-conference in the SAC Cen­ tral this fall. She had 1.5 digs per set and had a serving percentage of 88 and an 87 serve receive percentage. “Maysse isn’t a fpur-year volleyball play: er, but she plays like she’s been in the game her whole life,” coach Thornton said. “If there was a picture for the word ‘hustle’ in our handbook, it would show her. This girl is a true leader on the court, and I’m so glad she chose to spend her senior season with us. She’s an all-around athlete and will always give 150 percent whether it’s in the weight room or in a game. She really soaks up and learns from her mistakes and is the go-to for getting that first dig1 up.” FOOTBALL, continued from page 1 tier, tough, able to make adjustments on the fly and a sure tackler. J Nic Martin, Maple Valley: Martin was voted the defensive player of the year in the Tri-River 8 this fall after recording 110 solo tackles, nine tackles for a loss and two sacks in his senior season. He had a fumble recov­ ery and an interception too. “At 5-5 and 135 pounds he played bigger than his size,” coach Martin said. “He did a great job of watchinathe film, reading his keys, getting off bloj s and finishing tackles.” He capped his reer with a 20-tackle performance against e now back-to-back state champions from [Manin. Chad Stopher, lton Kellogg: A linebacker and running ck to start out for DK he was named first team am all-conference in the SAC Central and gott Into Int the action at quarterback-late rback-late in the seaS seaSori; Stopher had 37 tacldes including 3.5 for a loss in a handful of gfines for DKHS. Defence Backs Seth Willette, Lakfiwood: A key member ofthe Viking attack on both sides ofthe ball this fall, taking turns at quarterback on offense and playing safety on defense. Willette was named* first team all-confer­ ence in the CAAC-White this season. . Ethan Bonnema, fhornapple Kellogg: A Senior leader on the Trojan defense, he was named all-conferericeSn the OK Gold while recording 36 tackles, one tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and a fpmble recovery. Bonnema was also a big part ofthe Trojan offense at running back finishing with 538 yards rushing, seven receptions for 146 yards and nine touchdowns. frylan Fichtner, bWoii Kellogg: Fichtner was the Panthers’ leading ta tackle with 39 on the season ahd had a ^oss> was named first team all-fionferenee in the SAC seas°n. | Fiuhtner had 150 rushing yards this season too as ajunior. Aiden SaintAmour, Hastings: The senior was a returning all-conference honorable mention player for tlu\Saxons this season and. had another fine year finishing with 50 tackles including 11 for a loss. Also a talented kick returner, he averaged 30 yards per return. Punter Hunter Redmond, Maple Valley: A senior, Redmond averaged over 35 yards per punt this fall. He earned all-conference hon­ ors in the Tri-River 8. Coach Martin was pleased to have Red­ mond step up and fill a void on the roster in his first season of varsity football. Red­ mond had a 52-yard punt against North­ Pointe Christian and a 57-yarder against Concord. 2023 All-Barry County Football Second Team Defense Defensive Line Bryan Aguilera, Lakewood: A junior on the defensive front was a leader for the Viking defense this season. Aguilera was named honorable mention all-conference in the CAAC-White this season. Sam Mazurek, Lakewood: Mazurek was one ofthe leaders on the Viking defense this fall during his senior season. Mazurek was one of the Vikings’ most physical players on the defensive front. Isaiah Wilson, Hastings: A key performer on both sides of the ball for Hastings as a junior this year both at running back and on the defensive line. Offensively, he ran hard for 365 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Linebackers Jayce Peterson, Hastings: Ajunior, Peter­ son had 19 tackles this season. His list of tackles included two for a loss and he also had a fumble recovery. Cooper Sandusky, Delton Kellogg: Sandusky was named honorable mention all-conference in the SAC Central this fall while playing running back and line backer. Defensively he closed the year with 23 tack­ les including 2 for a loss. Offensively, Sandusky rushed for 376 yards on 74 carries and three touchdowns. Brennan Sensiba,, Hastings: A senior, Sensiba finished the year with 33 tackles including three for a loss. Sensiba also had a sack this season. Defensive Backs Ethan Bonnema Evan Brandenburg, Maple Valley: Bran­ denburg proved big on both sides ofthe ball in his first season ofvarsity football. He was named “athlete ofthe year” in the Tri-River 8 while rushing for 522 yards on 48 carries, scoring seven touchdowns, averaging 33.4 yards per kick return, with two touchdowns. Defensively he head 27 tackles, two intercep­ tions and three passes defended. “He was light­ ning in a bottle many times when touching the football you cold see he was going to make something exciting happen,” coach Martin said. Gerald Miller, Hastings: A senior, Miller had 14 tackles this year. He made a habit ofgetting to the ballcarri­ er before the line of scrimmage recording nine tackles for a loss. Brody Wiersma, Thornapple Kellogg: Wiersma stepped up as a junior for the Tro­ jans this fall in the defensive backfield. He also traded time at quarterback with the senior Middleton throughout the season and provided a spark running the ball too. Ayden Wilkes, Maple Valley: As a senior defensive back Wilkes had 20 solo tackles, two interceptions, three pass deflections and earned all-conference honors in the Tri-Riv^r 8. “After week two, teams did not throw ^t him,” coach Martin said. Wilkes was a leader on both sides of the ball for the Lions, returning at quarterback on offense this fall. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-12-07.pdf 26e804fbcd011bf631528a8c72cca6e3 PDF Text Text Former Middleville council member pleads guilty in court Hastings winter sports preview See story on page 3 See pages 10,11 and 13 Thursday December 7, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. ICE $1.50 3 MOVE-IN DAY: DK students and faculty settle in to new elementary school building Jenny Bever teaches 25 fourth-graders at Delton Kellogg Elementary School. On the first day in the ne^/ building, she taught her first lesson on factors and multiples in her new classroom. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer With move-in day already in the rear-view mirror, fourth graders, teachers and adminis­ tration at the new Delton Kellogg Elementary are making fresh memories in their new building. On Monday, the district welcomed in stu­ dents and staff to the newly-constructed addition to the elementary school while a ribbon cutting ceremony is slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday. The public is encouraged to attend to celebrate the completion of the elementary school’s addition and renova­ tion. The new building is paid for with money from a millage passed in 2019. Below a built-in stage that occupies a wall in the new gym, the words: “Delton W.K. Kellogg Agricultural School” are cemented in a con­ crete slab, an homage to the previous, long-standing building. In the summer of2022, the old elementary school, which dates back to 1936, was demol­ ished. However, additions remained connect­ ed to the new structure. Inside the new elementary school are: - Three fourth-grade classrooms - Special education classrooms - A state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classroom -An extendedTearriing area - Administrative offices. - Full-size gym and a stage. Nine-year-old Kali Watson spoke cheerful- * ly in her response when asked what she 2 . thinks about her new classroom. “It’s awesome,” said Kali, who joins 73 ' fourth-grade classmates who moved into the | brand-new wing ofthe school on Monday. It was a busy morning. “We talked about where to put our stuff, taking our stuff out ofour lockers and where the Chromebooks are,” Kali explained. 5 Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teacher Ryan Bates is excited to move into his new classroom and agreed with Kali that move-in day can be the busiest. “We’re packing and unpacking some new J * equipment. We have 3D printers and laser » printers, drones, encodable robots and things that we are looking forward to using,” Bates . said. “But the big thing is just the space. ' There’s much more room in here.” Ginelle Boyle is the new Delton Kellogg Elementary School principal. She started in August. “I absolutely love it here. It feels like home already,” Boyle said. “It’s been great. I’ve been a principal at two other buildings, and this, by far, has been my favorite.” Boyle formerly served as an elementary principal at two other Michigan schools, ? including Ypsilanti Community Schools for * five-and-a-halfyears and Columbia Commu- See MOVE-IN DAT, page 2 YMCA looking to raise over $3 million to fully leverage its new facility Jayson Bussa ‘ • Editor The; YMCA ofBarry County is embarking on a capital campaign that aims to raise north of $3 million to renovate and equip a newly acquired facility that will expand capacity for a number ofthe nonprofit’s services. And it already got a head start in the effort. Jon Sporer, executive director and CEO of the YMCA of Barry County said that his organization is starting to put the word out about an effort to raise a total of $3.25 mil­ lion, which will be used to make interior and exterior renovations to a former Barry Coun­ ty Mental Health Services building, located at 2350 Iroquois Trail directly across the street from the YMCA’s home base ofCamp Algon­ quin. a The $3-plus million would allow the YMCA to come out on the other side of the project debt-free, as well. The effort has kicked offin a positive fash­ ion for the organization as a donor provided a half million dollars early in the process. In fact, it was this early gift that allowed Sporer and his staffto modify its original plan. After closing on the 7,500 square-foot building situated on 22 acres ofwooded, hilly property at the end of May, the organization originally planned to clean up the facility and immediately move in its child care services, which are currently operating out ofHastings Church ofthe Nazarene. Instead of utilizing the building immedi­ ately, YMCA leadership decided to keep its child care services at the church a little lon­ ger while it made more profound renova­ tions to the building, which they purchased from the county. The facility is not yet equipped with high­ speed internet, but should be soon as WOW! Internet service is installed around Lake Algonquin. “We delayed moving anything in there office-wise and program-wise, not just because (we didn’t have internet) but we ended up getting an early capital campaign gift which allowed us to make a few more renovations than we thought we might,” Sporer said. “It kind of changed our timeline and thinking now we are going to do a pretty significant interior renovation.” This renovation includes a full remodel of a kitchen, bathrooms, classrooms and hall­ ways along with adding a fire and security system that aligns with child care licensing requirements. Sporer said that construction on this remodeling work is expected to start in January of2024. The expansion is designed to increase capacity for in-demand programs that tend to have a waiting list tethered to them. Sporer said that child care capacity will increase from 50 families to 80 families through the new facility. The facility would also double the number of day camp partic­ ipants - from 20 to 40 a week - and allow 60 more kids to participate in overnight camp. See YMCA, page 3 Hastings enrollment drops 27 students from last year, not yet cause for concern admin say Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The Hastings Area School System fall head­ count was down this year compared to last, but administrators say an increase in state grant funding should mitigate any financial pitfall pitfalls. Superintendent Matt Goebel said the district district’s headcount in October, totaling 2,572 Students, was down 27 students from last year’s fall count. Goebel said the drop isn’t part of a trend, with previous years more or less holding steady. Virtual schooling options have been holding the enrollment steady throughout the last few years, allowing the district to absorb more digital students. A number offactors con­ tributed to the drop this year, he said. One of the largest declining student popula­ tions was preschoolers, Goebel said. The dis­ trict’s preschool program, funded through the state’s Great Start Readiness Program initiative, saw a big drop in students this year. Hastings has been absorbing the GSRP program, once run by the Barry Intermediate School District, in efforts See ENROLLMENT, page 2 National country music recording artist John Berry will return to Hastings for a second straight year when he takes stage at the Hastings Performing Arts Center on Friday for his Christmas tour. (Photo provided) Country music veteran still going strong, takes stage in Hastings on Friday Jayson Bussa Editor Doing anything for four decades even something you love - can get a lit­ tle tiring. But, despite taking the stage for over 40 years to perform his music, John Berry doesn’t seem to be very interested in slowing down. The Grammy Award-winning coun­ try music star, who was thrust into the mainstream limelight in the mid-90s See MUSIC, page 3 John Berry’s 27th Annual Christmas Tour The Hastings Area School System fall headcount was 27 students lower than last year, but administrators say implications on the district should be fairly minor. (File photo) Friday, Dec. 8; 7 p.m. Hastings Performing Arts Center 520 W. South St., Hastings Tickets available online at hastings.ludus.com �Page 2 — Thursday, December 7.2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS I Thornapple Wind Band’s ‘Christmas Carols’ concert on tap Dec. 17 The Thornapple Wind Band will perform its festive “Winter Carols” concert on SunI day, Dec. 17 to usher in the holiday season. The concert will take place at 3 p.m. at the I Hastings Performing Arts Center. The wind band will perform a mix of holiday favorites along with a few tunes that may be new to some audience members. Attendees are invited to dress in holiday attire and are encouraged to sing along with the classic Christmas carols. The Thornapple Wind Band is open to all adult musicians regardless ofability. Anyone interested in more information onjoining the band is invited to speak with current mem­ bers after the concert. All Thornapple Wind Band concerts are free. The band will happily accept donations to help pay for new music. W'®! Voice students to perform tonight Students from the music studio ofRobert C. Oster will present a voice recital tonight, Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. The recital will be held in the sanctuary of Grace Lutheran Church in Hastings, 239 E. North Street. Performers include Caledonia High School students Alyssa Bursch, Landon Fleming and Christian Moorlag. Cindy Thelen, a retired elementary teacher from Lake Odessa, and Mary Kuhlman, a retired Spanish teacher from Hastings, will also be among the performers. A variety of genres including art song and opera with texts in English, Italian, French and German will be performed. Oster says it is ajoy to watch his voice students grow. “For some of these kids, this is their niche. They don’t take dance lessons, they’re not involved heavily in sports, but this is their niche. To work with them on a one-on-one basis and watch their talents grow and develop their voices, it’s really very exciting for me,” said Oster. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The recital is open to the public and is free ofcharge. CROP Walk raises over $8,000 to help local families Twenty-five locals participated in a walk this fall to provide food to families in need. This year’s CROP Hunger Walk took place on Oct. 8 at the Middleville United Meth­ odist Church. Nine Barry County churches and one food program were represented by 25 walkers. A total of$8,475.23 was raised to combat hunger on the day ofthe walk. One quarter of that money will stay in Barry County, benefitting each of the four food programs located in Hastings, Middleville and Nashville. Each ofthese pantries will receive about $520 to help provide food to families in need in Barry County. Volunteers say the need for food in Barry County is nearly 25 percent greater than in 2022. Church World Service (CWS) will receive the remainder ofthe money raised to assist families throughout Michigan, the United States and countries across the world. CWS provides food, baby kits, health kits, blankets, tents, school kits, tools and seeds for farm­ ing and medicine to families across the world. Walkers representing Emmanuel Episcopal, Grace Lutheran, Green Street United Methodist, Hastings First Presbyterian, Hope United Methodist, Middleville United Methodist, Nashville United Methodist and Parmelee United churches were present. Additionally, volunteers from the Maple Valley Community Center ofHope participated in the walk. Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass to perform Christmas concert at HPAC The Thornapple Arts Council and Friends ofthe Hastings Performing Arts Center will present their final performance ofthe 2023 season at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, with Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass. “The King’s Brass put on a really great Christmas show, and we are excited to have them in Hastings again,” said Spencer White, Hastings Area Schools Director ofBands and site coordinator for the Hastings Performing Arts Center. The King’s Brass provides innovative sacred brass music, teaming musicians from all over the United States. The group, which started more than 40 years ago, performs more than 100 concerts each season with three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, keyboards and percussion. They perform a variety ofmusic, from Gabrieli to hymn classics. “This is the third performance ofthe 2023-24 HPAC/TAC series,” said Megan Lavell, executive director of the Thornapple Arts Council. “We love this partnership we have with the HPAC because we get to bring so many great programs to Hastings.” Tickets to Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass can be purchased at hastings.ludus. com/ or by calling 269-818-2492. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, call the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. New MSU Extension director visits Barry County P On Monday, 74 fourth-grade students, along with teachers and administration, moved into the new Delton Kellogg Elementary facility. Construction began in the summer of 2022 and was paid for by a millage passed in 2019. MOVE-IN DAY, continued from page 1 nity Schools for a year-and-a-half in Jackson County. Upon receiving notification last week that they could move into the new elementary school, Boyle notified the teachers. She said everyone wanted to move in quickly. Assistant Middle School principal and sev­ enth- and eighth-grade math teacher Marti Lindstrom said the school is proud ofthe new gym, which staff will use for basketball games and other programs. Jim Birmingham is one of two mainte­ nance men at Delton Kellogg schools. He said moving into the new building was a busy weekend, but everyone pitched in to help. “On top of everything else with mainte­ nance, it’s been a lot of work trying to get everything moved in and ready,” Birming­ ham said. The teachers did a lot of the moving over the weekend. “That was a big help and having the eleva­ tor was a big help, too,” Birmingham explained. Jason Bourdo is part of the two-person maintenance team at DK schools and a Delton native. He said everything is going smoothly with the new elementary building. Hopefully, there will be little maintenance required on the new facility for a while. “I’m ecstatic to get our fourth graders in the new building, having our new gym open that’s absolutely beautiful, and getting pur Superin­ tendent in the building,” Boyle said, adding that moving in is exciting. “We actually just found out Wednesday afternoon. Everyone said they wanted to move in on Monday.” Laci Watson is the secretary for the Delton Kellogg Elementary School. She is pictured here With her 9-year-old daughter, Kali Watson, who is enjoying her first day of school in her new elemen­ tary school classroom. The gymnasium inside the new Delton Kellogg Elementary School will host basket­ ball games and other programs. Teachers started moving in and preparing their classrooms the weekend before the doors opened for the first official school day in the new building on Dec. 4. Jenny Bever teaches 25 fourth-graders at DK Elementary School. On opening day, she taught her first lesson on factors and multi­ ples in her new classroom. “The kids are so excited. It’s been going fabulous and quite smoothly,” Bever said. “We’ve figured out breakfast and the kids are super-duper excited.” Bever said she and other teachers spent all weekend preparing their new classrooms for the first day of school inside the new DK Elementary building. “We lived here all weekend, spending quite a few hours getting ready,” Bever said. Fourth-grade teacher Sara Mast has a cozy reading comer in her new classroom. She said the students are excited about being the first class in the new building. “The first day in our new classroom, we talk­ ed about how exciting it was to be the ‘seniors’ in the school,” Mast said. “This is what the kids say. They loved all ofthe new furniture and the wide-open space. In the morning, we focused on routines and getting settled.” Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue, Jr. and his office staff willjoin the fourth graders inside the new elementary school. “I am extremely excited for the students’ staff and community of Delton Kellogg. What a momentous occasion for our commu­ nity,” Lartigue said. “This is great because our fourth graders have been over to the middle school for quite some time now. So, they are walking back and forth to specials and lunch,” Boyle explained. But that’s not the case now that the stu­ dents are in their classrooms in the new build- MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License //SI 10376 Office (269) 948-2248 & Insured Mobile(269) 838-5112 . After a couple of weeks on the job as the new District 7 director for the MSU Extension, Scott Korpak (left) introduced himself to the Barry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning during the county’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Korpak, who will oversee the Extension’s operations in Allegan, Barry, Kent and Ottawa counties, previously served as superintendent at Northview Public Schools in the Grand Rapids area. He takes the reins of District 7 from Erin Moore, who previ­ ously served in the role before taking a different position within the MSU Extension, which is the community outreach arm of Michigan State University. Julie Pioch (right) served in the role on an interim basis. “Now I have the opportunity after 30 years in public education to come back and support agriculture and to support education for our students,” said Korpak, who grew up in Grand Junction, Mich. “Students don’t learn critical thinking through a book. They do this through programs like 4-H and by getting their hands dirty. The opportunity I have to support that is a privilege.” For an extended interview with Korpak, read next week’s issue of the Hastings Banner. ing. Specials include gym, art, music, STEM and library. “It’s been hard because I’m their principal and there are different buildings,” Boyle said. “So, having all of my children and staff in one building is going to be amazing.” There are now three fourth-grade class­ rooms, three special education classrooms, the STEM lab classroom, the Superinten­ dent’s office and the new gym. • “Ifwillibe full,” J3.oyle said, rbta avv 1 Boyle said connecting with her students and staff in one building will be easier. “They are across the parking lot and it was a lot harder running into them in the hall,” Boyle said. “Now we’ll all be together. We’re like a family. So, it’s been hard having them across the way. They have taken great care of them at the middle school. But it will be great to have them under our wing.” An old time capsule with a date stone marked 1936 discovered in the old elementa­ ry school building before being demolished is now replaced with a new one and a date stone engraved with the year, 2023. Inside the time capsule are numerous items including a 2022 school yearbook, a flash drive of photos, a Rotary club coin, Hastings Banner nvNspwptt clippings, a 2022 gradua­ tion program and much more. Developers presented the design for the school back at an October 2021 school board meeting, planning to start building in June 2022 and finishing November 2023. The new building has the same historical appearance as the original DK elementary school, built in 1936. “I would like to thank everyone for their patience in the anticipation ofthe new build,” Superintendent Lartigue said. “Even though we experienced some setbacks, we still were able to open the building ahead ofschedule.” ENROLLMENT, continued from page 1 to make the transition from preschool to kindergarten easier on students. Because the GSRP is an income-qualified state program, not every family who applies is guaranteed access. In some cases, the school may anticipate a greater number of GSRP preschool students than the number that actually meet the program’s requirements and qualifications when the school year starts. “You get a certain amount of slots (for students), and then you plan on staffing for those students. At the same time, sometimes your parents or your students that are going into preschool, they don’t'qualify. Then they don’t come and fill those spots,” Goebel said. “The people that we were depend­ ing on to fill those preschool spots were either moving out of state, or didn’t qualify. There were a significant number of those students that kind of hurt our overall enrollment.” The district will be taking a closer look at its budget during its first amend­ ment in February, Goebel said, shortly after the spring headcount takes place. The state blends both headcounts together to determine the final amount ofper-pupil funding for each district. Although the 27-student drop is significant, it’s not setting off any alarm bells for the district yet. The lower headcount will come with a decrease in funding, but Goebel said it’s unlike­ ly to have a huge impact on any departments or programs. “I don’t think we’re in panic mode by any means,” Goebel said. “But at the same time, just like in any one’s home, ifyou depend on some revenues and then those revenues don’t come in, you do have to kind ofbe careful about your spending.” The hit to the school’s budget has been cushioned by an increase in state-provided grant funds over the last few years, Goebel said. New grant funds provided to districts by state legislators, like GSRP funding or the more than $500,000 in grant funds for school secu­ rity measures due to arrive in December, have been a huge boon to the district. “We’ve been very fortunate and have been awarded many, many grants over these last six months that have kind of helped us with our revenue stream,” Goebel said. “I think we would be a little bit more under the gun if we weren’t applying for and being awarded those grants. Those grants have really been a lifesaver.” isd inkaniwbdnM itafcBiaHIIOVEti ‘SSEMMilbtffe Pm sad 77 e < ’■Wte ■ Wte �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 7, 2023 — Page 3 Former Middleville council member pleads guilty to impaired driving Jayson Bussa Editor A former member of the Middleville Vil­ lage Council pled guilty to impaired driving on Wednesday morning, charges that stemmed from an early October incident that eventual­ ly led to him resigning from his post. The 27-year-old DeMaagd, who served as President Pro-Tempore ofthe village council, was originally charged with misdemeanor counts of operating while intoxicated and failure to stop after a collision. At a Wednes­ day settlement hearing in a Barry County district courtroom, DeMaagd pled guilty to a lesser charge — impaired driving — and the two original charges Were dismissed. The impaired driving charge carries a maximum of93 days injail. DeMaagd will be sentenced on Jan. 23. .“Make sure between now and then — the holidays are difficult times for both celebra­ tions and can be difficult times. No drinking at all,” Judge Michael Schipper instructed DeMaagd at the briefhearing. DeMaagd was represented by Steven Storrs of Hastings-based Tripp, Tagg, Storrs Attorneys at Law. DeMaagd’s charges originated from an Oct. 3 incident where he piloted a Left Field Coffee Company van - the business he owns - while under the influence ofalcohol. In a police report obtained by the Banner through a Freedom of' Information Act request, an officer with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a vehicle %2 2 ■ 2J identified as the Left Field Coffee Company van had done a burnout into the parking lot of village hall, losing a hubcap in the process. Another witness, per the report, said he saw the van crash into the vehicle it parked next to before..the driver exited the vehicle and went into the village hall. DeMaagd was late arriving but did participate in the meeting that night. The responding officer noticed that there was a village council meeting going on and waited'in the hallway to not disrupt it. Afterward, the officer spoke with DeMaagd, not-, ing that they could smell intoxicants on him. DeMaagd initially denied both driving or having Anything to drink but later admitted to both', according to the report. Police issued a standard field sobriety test that confirmed his impairment. The police report did not make note of a measured or recorded blood alcohol content level, though. When DeMaagd parked the van, his vehi­ cle rested on a silver Honda Civic, causing minor damage. An officer observed a flat tire on the van and noted that the van appeared to be resting on the Civic. Officers tracked down the owner ofthe other vehicle a day later and confirmed the Civic did sustain minor damage. • A Week later, with the investigation still ongoing, DeMaagd submitted his resignation to the village council, writing to Village Pres­ ident Mike Cramer: “To better serve our The e YMCA o of Barry arry County ouny cose closed on purc purchasing asng this s propery, property, located oca e a at 2350 Iroquois Trail, in late May. It will use the 7,500-square-foot facility for child care and day camp services among other uses. (File photo) Johnny neighbors - and esp^fHy to better advocate for the LGBTQIAT arid other marginalized groups - I am stepping down from my posi­ tion. My resignation b effective immediately.” “I believe Middleville is one of the most beautiful communities .this state has to offer, and I wish the village |he best in the coming years of growth,”letter continued. The village council accepted DeMaagd’s res­ ignation. Data breach affects a million Corewell Health patients; Pennock Hospital patients unaffected a^C•*?* 5^SwPsSs3j t> t SK "i^SS^a ^aXXs s a■ ^.".^^'WldiiKB'i Kii> SS"i^ .^^'WldiiKB'i SSSX ?^«w«t ? « ®pREk Ek86 8 6 ^®ht ^® ht !g iftn!g Tb'am* *® R now o wTthree fourth^ fbouarmth^ TSt'WbS S5tgWte«biS»*' iS?m4eS iwSo?tmf4XeS. ’ , U^u . it cite* «Wtawd®®n KWlsf^fiMiimMUiijjggwwiitHbetaajt, Titjareacrosstiieparkingtaai ttSSsriooliiriktkrt Hoihler running into them io i BojiesaiWw’llallbetogedcl torn ^uiredaitpo^^ hfeiiily. So, it’s been hard tel mtaiafr'htsii acrastbe^'.lheyhaveukenersi x-sz^Mste tailtemiddle school. But itrib/ totoethemunderourwing.” ^wtniKlta^ H font capsule with i * ___ kwijfo nfcdl936discoYCTedintheoldd« isiS****^ ^ iW*!*** *!*** ^ ^tbetmecapsulearewK®a 2022 school yeartoiii JW«**8S JW **8S 8S'iW iW Jayson Bussa Editor Late last week, Corewell Health announced a cybersecurity breach with one ofits vendors had made the personal information of one million patients vulnerable. This included the patient’s name, date of birth, email address, phone number, diagno­ sis, health insurance information and social security number. However, patients at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, which is part of the Corewell Health System, need not worry. “Only patients that received care on the east side of the state were affected,” a Core­ well Health spokesperson told The Banner in an email. The ordeal stemmed from an instance where a Denver-based healthcare information technology firm.called Welltok, <was subject­ ed to a breach tet- affedfedlkeverhl I'health organizations and exposed the personal infor­ mation ofroughly 8.5 million patients across the country. The breach happened when hackers broke into file transfer software called MOVEit to gain access to the information. A similar instance played out earlier this year when hackers attacked MOVEit and it affected thousands of organizations and 77 million people. A security patch was issued for MOVEit and implemented by Welltok but did not seem to stop cyber criminals. Welltok officials announced its system and security concerns are resolved and it is not aware ofany instances offraud or iden­ tity theft arising from the event. A representative from Corewell Health noted that patients treated at the Corewell facilities in the southeast portion ofthe state ***t*!**£ ;l X•* 8** LZ>*ZZ Z<ZZ^5Z *Jj Z /ZftZx j Patients at Pennock Hospital, which is now part of Corewell Health, have not been affected by a massive data breach that made vulnerable the personal information of roughly one million Corewell patients. (File phbto) do come from all over, so it is possible that a Barry County resident who sought care there could be affected. As a precaution, Wei I to k representatives are reaching out to all patients who were affected and offering free credit monitor­ ing. Corewell Health issued the following state­ ment to The Banner: “The privacy of our patients, health 'plan members and team members is a top cdhcem. We recently learned our vendor, Welltok, Inc., was affected by the MOVEit cyberattack that involved more tthan 2J0OO organizations!’earlier this year. Welltok is communicating.directly with the individuals whose data was affected by the attack, and credit monitoring; is available to all impacted people. T choose what they want to do.” Each student was working with an Adafruit Circuit Play­ ground, a roughly 3-inch disk­ shaped circuit board with a vari­ ety of lights, sensors and speak­ ers. The hardware works along­ side a visual-coding suite that allows students to code by fitting blocks of codes together like pieces ofa puzzle. The devices were purchased with a $360 donation from the Barry Community Foundation through the Wilson Craig Fund. Renner said getting the devices in front of students is a great way to show them how hard­ ware gets programmed. Even if students don’t take any interest in a directly tech related field, understanding the basics ofcod­ ing will give students a better understanding of the world around them. “There are so many different devices now thatrequire cod- ing,” Renner said. “It’s good, just having that general understand­ ing of how you put the software onto the hardware that makes the hardware work.” Students can follow tutorials to create basic functions, like turning lights on and off with the press of a button, but many opted to come up with their own designs’ Flashing red and blue lights with a police siren, a Wheel of Fortune-like random spinning effect, a music-andlight show and more were all projects in the class. Renner said it was particular­ ly exciting to see what projects students came up with once they became familiar with the pro­ cess. One group of students made a game by programming the hardware to pick a random number, lighting up a corre­ sponding light on the edge of the disk. By attaching the disk to a piece of cardboard and drawing nutnbers alongside the lights, players could then try to guess what number the comput­ er was “thinking of’ between one and 10. “I get excited when 1 see the cardboard and the scissors come out,” Renner said. “There’s no tutorial for a random number generator.” I %>5 %> $5 -'™ ™> $ w w %% OZ/ %% -w'Mm -w W%w? t*%r W tr r^rJ tr^ “I think the next phase in a couple ofyears will be to really evaluate the property - the 22 acres - and determine if it would be worthwhile to expand camp or expand recre­ ation,” Sporer said. “But this is phase one getting the building where we wanted it to be to serve our families and raise the money so we were debt-free.” The YMCA of Barry County is still left to raise $2.75 million. With the initial gift giv­ ing it a chance to make renovations to the inside ofthe building, Sporer said his organi­ zation is giving itself three to five years to raise the full amount, which will fund the totality ofthe project. “We are very optimistic,” Sporer said. “We always have had a great amount of support from core businesses and families over the years. The Y has a long-standing history in this community. We were founded in 1916 and the camp was founded in 1946. The lon­ gevity and the confidence are there.” The YMCA also recently secured a $10,000 grant from the Barry Community Foundation to install an interpretive nature trail between the new facility and Camp Algonquin. Sporer said the trail should be completed during the current offseason. “We are very optimistic. We always have had a great amount of support from core businesses and families over the years. The Y has a long-standing history in this community. ...The longevity and the confidence are there.” — Jon Sporer, CEO and executive director, YMCA of Barry County MUSIC, continued from page 1 ---- Hastings students get hands-on tech experience Hunter McLaren StaffWriter William Renner’s seventh grade class was filled with flash­ ing lights, whirs, beeps and buzz­ es this week as his students worked on their latest project. Students in Renner’s Innova­ tion and Design course coded and programmed dozens of cir­ cuit boards, working in pairs to make their device do different tasks. Students dragged and dropped blocks of code on their computers to create night lights, clap-activated lights, music-box­ es and more. Renner said the class acts as a way to introduce kids to new tech concepts, while giving returning students the chance to dive deeper into a specific project. '“We kind of give them an introduction to everything,” Ren­ ner said. “Then in the eighth grade year, they really get to YMCA, continued from page 1 Mason Baker demonstrated one of his projects, which made LEDs light up when shaking the disk. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Collin Storm works on the code for his hard­ ware here, which is visualized as building-blocks that can be moved around and snapped together. 9IIJ W es^inrailllllldk llliB ? w|h songs like “'Vjpifl^^TAmazefafter doin^jgj>jjj|^ap[|k|^iio|«wnn and “Standing on the Edge ofGoodbye,” has to get repetitive for the 64-year-old artist, tist, who was bom in South Carolina and now I been on the road for a couple of weeks resides in Tennessee. already, embarking on his annual Christmas “We just like to mix up the songs,” Berry t tour. This is the 27th year for the tour, which said. “There are some songs we do every 1 sees Berry zigzag around the midwest and dipping down into the southern region ofthe year. Then, there are some songs we do every 1 three or four years and then we always try to country. find some things we have never done before.” And, for the second straight year, those “This year, a couple of my albums are at travels will include a stop in Hastings as Berry and his band take the stage at the Hast­ the 30-year mark, so we’re doing some stuff off of those records. Cool music that didn’t ings Performing Arts Center on Friday. get heard a lot,” he added. Although it’s been 40-plus years since he To coincide with the holidays, Berry’s per­ started writing and performing, Berry admits formance in Hastings also features a charitacharita­ he has been his same, genuine selfthe entire ble element. Attendees are asked to bring a way. canned food item, which will be collected “I’m not really sure how much has changed - wejust try to continue to find better songs if and handed over to the Barry County United Way to be distributed to local individuals and we can or write better songs if we can,” said Berry, who has released over two dozen stu­ families in need. Berry said he is always honored that fami­ dio albums over the course ofhis career. “We try to stay current with the technology end of lies have made it a tradition to come and see it, where we have good sounding records and him perform on his Christmas tour. Being on the road around Christmas time is a tradition fit the market as much as it can without us for him, too, joined by his wife and his being a slave to the market. Wejust want to be youngest son, who plays drums in his band. relevant, you know?” Plus, they’re able to escape the hustle and Berry’s stop in Hastings is just one oftwo bustle ofthe holiday season ... sort of. performances in Michigan this season — the “The good part about it is we don’t have other in Fremont. Berry appeared in Hastings to be busy and frantic at home. The bad part last year as part of his Christmas show. The about it is, we have to get it all done before performance includes two sets ofmusic — the we leave,” Berry said with a chuckle. “...My first includes music from his albums over the wife starts decorating early - middle of years while the other is filled with Christmas October.” standards. It is a family-friendly show that, Devoted to the Interests ofBarry bounty Since 1856 Hastings asgs Banner Area Locations to purchase the Hastings Banner! Hastings? • 4i^ One Stop Shop (MaratfioRf (M-43 North) Superette Family Fare ’*%»*_ Tom's Market Middleville: Shelbyville: Ngahmlft Speedway Harding's Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Middleville Johnny's Town & Country Trading Post The Dock Family Fare Nashville Johnny’s MV Pharmacy Nashville C Store Carl’s Delton Johnny's Lake Odessa: Banfield: Lake-O-Express Lake-O-Mart Hastings Johnny's Orangeville: The General Store Marathon Orangeville Fast Stop Mega Bev Hastings Pharmacy Marathon Gas Station Prairieville: (M-37 West) Marathon Gas Station Cloverdale: (M-37 South) Family Fare Gas Station Walgreens Delton: Banfield General Store Prairieville Fast Stop Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl's Dowling; Goldsworthys Cloverdale General Woodland: Woodland Express L&J’s �PaQ© 4 — Thursday, December 7, 2023 — The Hastings Banner SCO? Did you Vi When differences don’t make a difference Laying the groundwork Organizers have laid tarps at the site of a new community garden in Nashville, which will be located next to the parking lot for the village's district. The project recently garnered signifi­ cant funds via two grants - one for $7,000 from the Barry Community Foundation for supplies (sheds, hoses, wheelbarrows, etc.) and another for $600 from Farm Bureau, which will be used to purchase soil. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Do you remember? Keeping her chin up... Banner Oct 11, 1984 Northeastern sixth grader Shane Bassett tries her hand at doing pullups during the Present’s Council for Physical Fitness tests last week. The test also included situps, a standing long jump, a shuttle run, 50 and 600-yard runs. A total of 64 sixth graders participated. (Banner photo) □ubsi iOfll Jfi Have you met? Hastings resident McKendsay Preston was just 9 years old when she got her first horse, Reba. She had been taking riding lessons for about two years, and her parents decided she was ready for her own horse. Not long after that, a friend invited Preston to come with them to a two-day barrel racing show in Vermontville. For the uninitiated, barrel racing is a rodeo event that involves riders guiding their horses through a cloverleaf-shaped track around barrel obstacles. Competitors aim to get the lowest possible time without knocking over or touching any of the barrels, which can result in time penalties or disqualification. A typical track usually takes somewhere between 10 and 15 seconds to complete. After watching the first day ofthe show, Preston’s friend said she should bring Reba to the track. Although Preston had never raced, she thought it might be firn to try. “I took (Reba) the next day. I learned the (track) patterns because there were four other patterns - it wasn’tjust barrel racing, because it was kind of like a ‘fun’ show. They just set up a bunch of different pat­ terns to do,” Preston said. “I ended up plac­ ing Grand Champion throughout the day.” Preston wasn’t the fastest at the show, but she performed the cleanest. Because she raced without making any mistakes, she placed ahead ofher faster, less careful com­ petition. Preston said that event really sparked her passion for training horses. Although her parents helped her buy Reba, Preston, now 14 years old, has bought, trained and sold four other horses - all with her own money. She still has Reba, but lately, she’s been racing with Scooter. Bought by a friend ofa friend from the Amish community, Preston said Scooter isn’t a thoroughbred, but he’s fast. His new owners thought he would be the perfect horse for someone like Preston. “They could tell he was something spe­ cial,” she said. “They werejust looking for, you know, a younger kid to come and train him and compete on him.” She’s been competing year-round in shows mid series, earning four belt buckles along the way. She’s even competed at the McKendsay Preston and Reba National Barrel Horse Association state championship, where she performed well but walked home empty-handed. Preston explained that rodeo events used to simply hand out prize money and awards to the top 15 or so competitors overall, but they now divide competitors into four or five divisions. This can make competing tricky: ifa horse qualifies for the fastest ID division, it must place among the top of the ID competitors to win. Although the horse and rider might beat out all ofthe 2D and 3D horses, they could walk away without a belt buckle and no prize money. Competi­ tion is stiff - the time difference between placing in ID or 2D is often a single sec­ ond or less. Preston said both of her horses fell in between divisions at the championship this year. “We did really good, but, you know, if we would have been a little bit slower and stayed in one, we probably could have qual­ ified,” Preston said. “But then we wouldn’t be doing our best.” She’s currently competing in an indoor series through the winter, where she’s com­ peting in the warm-up division and the open division. She’s currently placed third of 113 competitors in the warm-up and sec­ ond of 126 in the open. Although she’s competing against some of her friends, she’s also up against adults two or three times her age, with more years of experi­ ence and much more expensive horses. “That was definitely a moment where it went from, ‘Oh, this is fun,’ to like, ‘This is definitely what I want to do,”’ she said. “It was a whole new door opening.” She’s already got her sights set on the future. This summer, she wants to expand her horizons and take on some other rodeo events besides barrel racing. The competi­ tion is tougher, the payouts are bigger, the crowd is louder and it could help earn her some recognition. Shp’s got hopes to get sponsored and go pro someday, hoping to make it to the National Finals Rodeo. Of course, a lot of her friends do rodeo events too. Even though they’re usually trying to beat each other’s times, Preston said they still root for each other and cele­ brate their successes. . “We all make sure that we’re cheering and helping each other because ultimately, you might win this week, and my horse might not do so good with me, depending on what goes wrong. But next week it might be vice versa,” she said. “But it’sjust cool to see all my friends, we all cheer for each other, even though we’re competing against each other.” ] For discovering her passion and pursuing it without hesitation, McKendsay Preston is this week’s Bright Light. Favorite Movie: “Walk. Ride. Rodeo.” A big accomplishment for me: Proba­ bly the horses I’ve trained, that’s one ofmy biggest accomplishments. What motivates me: All the profes­ sional barrel racers I follow, and my friends around me who help me. We help each other. I am most content when: At a barrel race. That also makes me stressed, but it’s my favorite. Hobbies: I raise cows and do 4H. Each week, the Bannerprofiles aperson who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, Jun-lovingper­ sonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Remember when we were a nation that could do stuff? That question has been rattling my brain since I heard it posed by history professor Fred Johnson of Hope College to a class of older adults a few weeks ago. All of us there that day could recall exactly where we were and what we were doing on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the surface ofthe moon. It was a moment in which the whole world became one. At that moment, we were all on the moon at the same time - white, Black, or brown; Protestant, Catholic, or atheist; Russian or American; rich or poor; young or old. Forjust a time, our differences didn’t make a difference. That was the point ofJohnson’s class. There have been times when we all stood together. Unfortunately, we haven’t had many ofthem and it’s been a long time. Only those of us over 65 years old retain those proud moon memories. We’re all too old to remember the Charles Lindbergh flight over the Atlan­ tic in 1927 or the day Alexander Graham Bell rang up his assistant Thomas Wat­ son in 1876 for the world’s first tele­ phone conversation or maybe even that Sunday night in 1964 when The Beatles sent the world dancing, screaming, and wondering what was happening on the Ed Sullivan Show. But those were moments that - though brief - told us that we’re all in this together. Sometimes those moments of forget­ ting our differences have not been pleas­ ant ones: The assassinations ofPresident John F. Kennedy in 1963; the assassina­ tions o tons of Martin artn Luther uter King ng an and Robert oert Kennedy, both in 1968; the Challenger space disaster in 1986; and the attacks on America that ended in New York City, Washington, D.Cy and. a Pennsylvania farm field in 2001. But they united us.. For a time, we cared for each other every other. It’s important to remember these moments because they are markers of the motto by which this country has lived since 1776: E Pluribus Unum, the Latin phrase for Out ofMany, One. The motto is so vital that the Great Seal Commis­ sion of 1776 mandated that it be embossed on our currency. If we can’t see it in our everyday lives, at least we profess it on our dollar bills, quarters and dimes, nickels and pennies. Though the monumental national times ofunity are few, stories of every­ dayjoys and tragedies that bind commu­ nities together are readily present. In smaller groups, in day-to-day life - if we look carefully enough - people are find­ ing ways to make their differences not matter. It might be the football euphoria of football fans amidst the Cinderella run of the University of Michigan. It could be the wildly-costumed crowds that follow the ComicCon conventions. It surely has existed for years with the “Dead Heads” who sojourn along the concert paths of The Grateful Dead band. And who can deny the influence and the love that Tay­ lor Swift is bringing to music, to foot­ ball, and to the nation right now? Most ofus may never understand the devotion ofthe groups these movements attract, but we should be happy for them and for us. Somewhere, somehow people are putting their differences aside and not letting them interfere with the joy they find together. Every community should be as lucky as Hastings and the towns and villages of Barry County. I think of HHastings .astings and Barry County when I revisit that question of remem­ bering a nation that used to “do stuff.” Stories are still being told about the mas­ sive 500-vehicle parade down M-43 to honor the life of fallen tow truck opera­ tor Keagan Spencer. Anyone who was along that tribute route will never forget the reverence ofthat moment, a time and a memory they may pass on to their chil chil-­ dren, a colleague, or a friend. For that piece oftime, we were all one. And that’s happening every day, in smaller numbers and quieter places. The current holiday season is an easy exam­ ple. The vitality of downtown with events like Jingle and Mingle, the Holly Trolley, and the bright lights of a parade down Main Street push our differences aside - we all love Christmas, everyone wears the universal language ofa smile. Outside the season, the magic contin­ ues among so many groups like Habitat for Humanity which just completed its 44th home for a needy family in Barry County; in the work of our veteran’s groups to support each other and to teach patriotism in our schools and fund­ raising events; and in the support ofour churches and places like Manna’s Mar­ ket provide to feed the hungry and shel­ ter file homeless. Even for those who don’t or can’t par­ ticipate directly, these events, causes, and organizations are important. We may not be Taylor Swift fans, but how invig­ orating it is to know that people from all walks of life can see the beauty in her performance and in each other. Not all of us were able to witness the Keagan Spencer tribute,, but how wonderful to p know that he lives in the hearts and souls of people who, though they may hold vastly different social, political, or spiri- and to support each other. ; That’s what builds and defines com­ munity. We can’t bury our differences but, oh, how much the world needs to embrace each other. As bad as things may get, we can know that we experi­ enced things together. We walked on the moon and we take care of our own. And from that, we can take a glimmer of hope and know that that is how dreams are bom. What we’ve done together in the past, we can do again and we can do it more often. The recent documentary now stream­ ing of the late baseball legend Yogi Berra illustrates how that fragile soil from which dreams grow can be culti­ vated. Yogi was a likable fellow whose persona suggested he never felt ill will toward anyone. When he was fired as manager of the New York Yankees by owner George Steinbrenner through another club employee, though, Berra was hurt and furious. He refused to return to Yankee Stadium for alumni events and did not until Steinbrenner apologized and the two forgave each other many years later. With his typical down-home, oldschool perspective and in a lesson for all of us in these acrimonious times, Berra deftly dodged the interviewer’s intent to revisit the rift. “We just agreed different,” said Berra, perfectly framing a time when differences did not make a difference. Let’s build a world and a community' that agrees different - but let’s agree. Doug VanderLaan Guest Columnist Banner Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News andpress releases: newsQj-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren ii *£5*$ ■ 0’ tualyiew§>_car^g_lo honor his memory The Hastings published by... w ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year In Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 L �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 7, 2023 — Page 5 Somebody Slap Me That's Good BBQ Texas barbecue set to open Friday Hunter McLaren StaffWriter . Texas-style barbecue is set to arrive in Hastings later this week. Brian McGraw and his wife, Angel, are gearing up to open Somebody Slap Me That’s Good BBQ on Friday, Dec. 8. McGraw said he’ll be cooking around the clock through this weekend in preparation. Although his recipes are Texas-style by virtue ofthe couple hailing from the Amarillo, Texas area, barbecue enthu­ siasts should be aware that they differ slightly from “authentic” Texas barbecue, he said. “Texas barbecue, they always use oak (for smoking),” McGraw said. “I like oak, but hickory just adds a little bit more sweetness to your meat flavors.” McGraw said he and his wife have been working in the food industry for close to 30 years, with the two providing food service for a childcare facility in Texas for the last 20 years. The two have done catering on the side for many years, often tossing around the idea ofopening a restaurant or running a food truck. “We give God the glory for it,” McGraw said. “He’s given us the talents to do what we do, and we just want to share it.” They’re familiar with Michigan because of family ties in the state. When one ofhis uncles from Michigan passed away, McGraw said he pulled up his smoker to the memorial service for a cookout to honor his uncle’s love ofcook­ ing. He received a lot of positive feedback, and someone from Hastings asked if he would come back to Michigan to cater his work event. “He came up to me and he said, ‘Would you consider coming back up here next sum­ mer for catering?’ I told him, ‘You do realize I’m 1,100 miles away, right? This is going to be expensive.”’ They didn’t care, the man said, because the food was worth it. Although he didn’t seri­ ously expect to receive a call back, McGraw said the man followed through and they returned to cater an event ofaround 300 peo­ ple. That was around the time McGraw said he began seriously considering opening a restaurant in the area, and he came across the former Bunker’s Smokehouse and Grille building at 128 S. Jefferson St. Fully equipped I to Hastings police arrest man suspected of breaking into cars Hastings police were called to the 800 block of East South Street around 9 p.m. on Nov. 22 after a man was caught on camera attempting to enter the caller’s parked car. The caller said the man gave up after finding the vehicle was locked and fled the scene. Three other residents in the neighborhood told police someone had gone through their vehicles or attempted to, reporting items and loose change were missing. One of the residents also shared video footage with police, showing the same individual caught on camera by the initial caller. Police found and arrested a 34-year-old Hastings man match­ ing the physical description and wearing the same clothes as the suspect in the video nearby. When searched at the Barry County Jail, police reported finding loose change in his pockets. Brian McGraw poses next to his smoker “Lil Slap,” hauled all the way from Amarillo, Texas. He said he named it that in case he needs to get a bigger Big Slap” smoker in the future. Angel and Brian McGraw are set to open a new barbecue restaurant in down­ town Hastings on Friday. The Texas natives hope they can be an asset to the community. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) for his needs and in an area with an estab­ lished customer base, the building was the perfect opportunity. McGraw said they hope to bring a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly din­ ing experience to Hastings. “We want to bring families back together. We want that atmosphere,” he said. “We want them to be able to sit down, enjoy a meal and. R^n nyaraa ’lliyarfaa tDEMssOTEniasha Hj^itcabiiiilgftapei it 11% Elfe fan, Aeta I SEeferte^OK.UieiKSo BroriKifccirfaonM I hd v&'iaifelSealCo» hi^wcsi^aifeiisofl^ I■ I New “Somebody Slap Me That’s Good BBQ” signs were going up on the building Tuesday morning as the restaurant prepares to open. not have to worry about it being too loud or somebody being obnoxious. The restaurant won t serve alcohol. Alongside their barbecue offerings, they have plans to convert the building’s bar into an ice cream and cobbler dessert bar. Once they get things up and running, they hope to be able to share the space for events (which will allow alcohol, McGraw said), bring in live music and run specials with different food offerings. For now, McGraw said the focus is on getting the restaurant operational and cooking lots and lots ofbarbecue. “It’ll be rock-and-roll. The smell will be going up in the air and we’ll get people hun­ gry,” he said. “We’ll get that going. It’s gonna be good.” Once they’re established, McGraw said he and Angel look fora^B to becoming part of the Hastings community. He said the two were disappointed they weren’t able to partic­ ipate in Jingle and Mingle this weekend, but they’ll be ready next year. “We’re not just here to make a killing for ourselves,” McGraw said. “We want to share it and be part ofthe community, and have the community be part ofour family, and also us as part ofthem.” The two will be working around the clock to prepare the restaurant for its opening Fri­ day, with a lot of work to be done before then. The restaurant still needs help in the kitchen and McGraw encourages anyone interested in a job to stop by. He said the family atmo­ sphere will extend to staffas well. “We want to treat our employees well, give them the respect they deserve and when we do that, they’re going to give us that respect back/2 McGpw jaid.^Wefre building a fam­ ily,ffhat’s"wh at we’re doing.” With the opening just days away, McGraw said he’s confident everything will work out. “We just believe that God put us where he wants us and we’re going to honor Him and give Him glory for everything,” he said. “As far as I know, he’s never lost. He’s never failed. I don’t think he’s going to start with us. We’re excited. We’re ready to go.” Ito ilk taiWai^^iDfc Bt<h I 5? 00 - Yankee Springs awarded $131,200 State grant for park improvements Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township has received approval for a $131,200 state Recreation Passport grant that will be used for improve­ ments to its township park. Yankee Springs was one of 15 communi­ ties across the state that received approval for the grant that was announced by Gov. Gretch­ en Whitmer’s office Wednesday morning. “Holy mackerel!” Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis exclaimed when he learned of the grant being approved. “This is such great news.” The grant will be used to build four new pickleball courts at the township park, east of the current pickleball courts, which will be converted into a full-court basketball court. The grant will also be used for building a wheelchair-accessible pathway between the pickleball courts and the basketball court. “We wanted to make sure (the courts) are accessible for everyone,” said township Parks Committee member Chuck Schira, who wrote the grant to the state. The township will have to provide a 25 percent local match for the grant, Schira said. Even with the recent construction of pri­ vately-owned pickleball courts next to the Curley Cone restaurant and ice cream shop, the two pickleball courts at the township park have still seen “a significant increase” in activity, Schira wrote in the township’s grant application. “The private courts draw in more competitive players who like round-robin toumaments. The township courts appeal to more families and groups of friends who want to play a few games together,” Schira wrote in the application narrative. The current pickleball and basketball courts were installed in 2009 with the help of the Department of Natural Resources grant, Schira wrote in the application. Funding for the grants come from sales of Michigan’s Recreation Passport, which gives year-round vehicle access to more than 100 state parks and recreation areas, more than 1,000 state-managed boat launch sites, hiore than 140 state forest campgrounds, and This map shows the site plan for Yankee Springs Township Park, which will be bolstered by a $131,200 state Recreation Passport grant. The township found out it received the funding on Wednesday morning. (Rendering provided) parking at thousands of miles of trails and other outdoor spaces. The grants are funded from 10 percent ofRecreation Passportt rev­ enues,, with the remaining funds going toward operations, infrastructure and historic and cultural assets in the state parks and recreation system. “When we invest in our state parks and public lands, we all benefit,” Whitmer said in a news release. “The Recreation Passport helps us improve parks, trails, playgrounds, campgrounds and so much more across Mich­ igan, improving quality of life and growing our economy. I am proud that we made the largest investments ever into our state and local parks over the last few years.” A total of $1,977,300 in grants were approved statewide in the current Recreation Passport cycle. A total of 47 communities submitted applications totaling nearly $5.5 million in funding requests. “The Recreation Passport secures critical funding for both state and local community parks,” DNR Director Scott Bowen said in a news release. “Because 10 percent of Recre­ ation Passport sales go to communities through these grants, even more of Michigan’s residents and visitors can enjoy the outdoors. Whether strolling through a neigh­ borhood park during your lunch hour, enjoying time with your grandkids at an accessible playground, or playing volleyball with friends at a beach court, having outdoor spaces avail­ able and nearby is important to our mental and physical wellbeing. ” About 27 percent of state park funding for operations and maintenance is generated from Recreation Passport sales. Another 50 percent of funding comes from camping and lodging registration fees, while 11 percent comes from state-owned oil, gas and mineral royalty revenues and 9 percent from conces­ sions, shelter reservations and miscellaneous sources. Only 3 percent ofstate park funding comes from Michigan general fund tax dol­ lars, according to a state news release. Woman driving under influence caught after Taco Bell parking lot fender bender Police responded around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 to the Hastings McDonald’s restaurant after a 27-year-old Delton woman was reported driving under the influence. The caller told police she saw a woman slowly roll through the parking lot and hit a curb near the drive-thru. When she approached the vehicle, the woman said the driver appeared “out of it,” didn’t respond and appeared to be huffing an inhalant. The driver left the scene before police arrived, but was found nearby at Taco Bell. Police arrived at Taco Bell to find the woman restrained by two employees ofthe Barry County Probation and Parole office. The employees told police they had pulled an aerosol can away from her and attempted to put her rolling vehicle into park, which they were unable to do before the woman struck another vehicle in the lot. Officers determined the woman was both on parole and had a suspended driver's license. The woman was found to be in violation of her probation agreement and charged with driving while license suspended. Police called after driver strikes mailbox A driver called police after witnessing another vehicle strike a mailbox around 3:40 p.m. on Nov. 15 on North Broadway Street. The caller told police they saw the vehicle strike a mailbox, drive over the curb and back onto the road before jumping the curb again. The driver, a 41-year-old Hastings man, was seen turning onto South Market Street before parking at a residence on West Clinton Street When police arrived at the residence, the man’s teenage daughter answered the door and told police her father had just arrived home. The man came to the door and told police he had “a few” drinks. The man said he had hit the mailbox while trying to light a cigarette. A preliminary breath test measured the man's BAC at 0.172. Michigan lawmakers eye tweaks to auto insurance reform that has cut rates Lauren Gibbons such a complicated system,” she said. Bridge Michigan “We need a narrow fix to address that Michigan lawmakers could revisit the small segment of service payment without gate's auto insurapcg^lqw.next year..,to raising rates for those who can least afford it_ . improve care tor crash survivors and reduce We also must look at more ways to reduce! rates in high-cost areas, but some fear any costs within the system.” changes could raise bills that have fallen Care providers who support the Senate since the system was overhauled in 2019. bills argue the plan put forward is already a In the years since changes to Michigan’s narrow - and necessary - fix that wouldn’t auto no-fault system took effect, most Michi­ impact drivers’ options to purchase lower gan drivers are, on average, paying less - a cost premiums. recent MarketWatch analysis found rates Tom Judd, executive director ofthe Mich­ have decreased by an average of nearly 18 igan Brain Injury Provider Council, called percent statewide since 2021. Carter’s stance on the Senate-passed bills But Michigan insurance remains some of “disappointing,” but remained optimistic that the most expensive in the nation, with aver­ the House could come to a deal that improves age annual premiums of $2,140, nearly 22 care options for accident survivors. percent higher than the national average of “Our hope is that Chair Carter reconsiders this unilateral decision, listens to her commit­ $1,759. Detroit residents pay even more: an aver­ tee members and colleagues, and allows for a age of $4,726, the second-highest in the fair hearing and vote in her committee before nation behind New York City, according to a slamming the door shut on the solutions con­ Nov. 30 report from insurance comparison tained in the Senate bill package,” he said. website The Zebra. Both Carter and House Speaker Joe Tate, Crash survivors and their health providers, D-Detroit, acknowledged more could be meanwhile, argue the system is untenable, done to lower the price of autb insurance in putting too many restrictions on medical Michigan. expenses and slashing the amounts insurers “I have a lot ofmembers that have a strong are required to pay by as much as 45 percent. appetite around how we are looking at auto The 2019 law, negotiated by Republican no fault...to be able to make that policy bet­ legislative leaders and Gov. Gretchen Whit­ ter,” Tate told reporters before the Legislature mer, cut medical provider reimbursement ended session for the year. “What we don’t rates as part ofa larger attempt to reduce auto want to do is to have something that might be insurance premium costs. The law also allows untenable.” drivers to choose lower levels of personal Carter said reform has made a difference, injury protection, providing an alternative to pointing to data from the Insurance Alliance what had been a mandatory lifetime care of Michigan showing more than 200,000 . guarantee. Michigan drivers have purchased auto insur­ Advocates scored a victory in July when ance since the changes took effect in 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the law but said more choices for drivers to choose didn’t apply to people injured prior to the their level of coverage would be a way to 2019 law’s passage, and the Senate approved help reduce rates in Detroit. legislation in mid-October that would extend Rep. Julie Rogers, a Kalamazoo Democrat similar protections to future crash victims. and physical therapist who has long advocat-, The two-bill package, which would ed for revisiting the 2019 law, said she sees increase reimbursement rates for medical no reason lawmakers can’t tackle lowering . providers that care for seriously injured costs and addressing healthcare concerns at motorists and lift a 56-hour per-week cap on the same time, but sees the latter as a “life and death” issue lawmakers shouldn’t put off. payments for care provided by family mem­ bers, got bipartisan support in the Senate. “There is a majority of House legislators But the measure was opposed by Whitmer’s that want to see some kind ofsignificant fix,” she said. administration and several Republicans who helped draft the existing law. Senate Minority Leader REUBEN ‘BUD” FISH Arie Nesbitt, R-Porter Town­ ^CELEBRATES lj)1™BIRTHDAY ship, said in a floor speech that “a vote for these bills is Reuben “Bud” | a vote for higher car insur­ ance rates in Michigan.” Fish, of Freeport, v Rep. Brenda Carter, a celebrated his Detroit Democrat who chairs 101st birthday on the House Insurance and Dec. 7,2023. He Financial Services Commit­ was born tee where the bills were sent, Dec. 7,1922 agrees. The Senate legislation A card shower would be “would turn the clock back on reform and raise costs,” appreciated in his honor. Cards Carter told Bridge Michigan, may be sent to Reuben “Bud” adding that she believed it’s fish, 149 Race St., Freeport, Ml “not a vehicle for a fix.” 49058. No gifts please, “We must be cautious with drafting legislation for �rr J Page 0 — Thursday. December 7. 2023 — The Hastings Banner Thornapple Players’ ‘A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas’ opens tonight The ThomappleB|ayers will get audience members in the holiday sP’r’1 t*ie*r annual Christmas show. “A Good Old-Fash­ ioned Big Family Christmas.” The show opens tonight, Dec. 7 and runs through Sun­ day, Dec. 10. K “I am very excited to bring the community this light comedy-performed y-performed by a fun-loving, fantastic cast off people,” said Audrey BurBur­ ton, who is directing t^e production with assistance from ffier daughter, Lis Burton-Haas. “We hope the community will enjoy the show and start their holiday season with the Thomappfe Players..” The second production of Thomapple Players’ 25th season, “A Good Old-Fash­ ioned Big Family Chrristmas,” by Pat Cook, is a light comedy bassed on the dynamics of one family at Christmastime. ““This family is made up of characters like the family member many ofus have in our own lives. It’s akin to a Midwestern salad that might have fruit and nuts mixed together to create an unusual blend of personalities,” Burton said. “Each cast member has developed and evolved their character into the embodiment ofwhat 1 believe was Pat Cook’s vision.” The show’s cast includes Michael Moray, Jordan Moray, Angela Seeber, Adam Knapp, Kirsten, Nottingham Tyler Richmond, Cas­ sie Moyer, Michael Cox, Michelle Pappas, Dick Curtis, Anna Spindler, Ellie Burton, Avery Walsh and Aihsley Burton. The crew for the production i icludes Angela Seeber, Amy Young, Audiey Burton, Lis Burton-Haas, Carol Svil 1, Dan Burton, Danielle Current, Corey Seeber, Bruce Young, Erin Margaret Ann Chewning Margene Ella Guenther, age 97 of KalamMargaret Ann (Huey) Chewning, age 77, of Hastings, MI, passed away on November azoo, MI, passed away Friday, Nov. 24,2023, at North Woods Village ofKalamazoo, MI. 30, 2023. Margene was bom April 20, 1926, in HastMargaret was born on October 15,1946, in ings, MI, and was the daughter of Stuart and Belding, MI, the daughter of Lyle and Doris (Kinney) Moore. She was married to Fred Audrey (Demaray) Kussmaul. Margene Huey, which ended in divorce in 2002. On worked as a cost accountant for KVP Paper November 13, 2004, Margaret married Mill and was a member ofSt. Ambrose Cath­ olic Church, Parchment, MI, where she was Charles Chewning. Margaret was preceded in death by her an active volunteer. Margene enjoyed playing bridge and was loving husband Charles Chewning; both of her parents; six siblings and several other an avid reader. She was a loving mother and grandmother who loved spending summers family members. Margaret is survived by her children, Fred out at the pool. On June 25, 1955, in Wood­ land, Margene was united in marriage with (Terry) Huey ofLas Vegas, NV, Paula (Doug) Charles Guenther who preceded her in death Jasperse ofHastings, MI, Doris (Brian) Toronyi of Latta, SC, and John (Angie) Huey of on March 16, 2013. Also preceding her in death was her brothMidland, TX;, her five grandchildren, Jeff Huey, Kim Tebo, Cinthia Williams, Gregg er, R.J. Kussmaul. Greg Chandler Surviving are four daughters, Suann (Gor­ Myers and Andrew Toronyi. and her one don) Squires, Janae (Martin) Niecko, Pamala Staff Writer great-grandchild Theo Williams. Middleville Village Council members are Special thanks to Clearstream and stafffor (Thomas) Hamilton, and Amy (Daniel) Wytko; 8 grandchildren; four great-grand­ asking for the addition of one word to the the wonderful care they took of Moose this village’s lease agreement with Barry County past year. children; several nieces and nephews. Mass ofChristian Burial will be celebrated Central Dispatch for the erection of an emer­ Contributions in memory ofMargaret can 11 a.m. Thursday Dec. 21, 2023, at St. gency communications tower near the vil­ be made to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, PO Box 58, Jackson, MI 49204, or https:// Ambrose Catholic' Church, Parchment. Inter­ lage’s wastewater trehtment plant. County Central Dispatch Director Stepha­ ment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery elaracaringhospicefoundation.org/donate/ nie Lehman brought the lease agreement to There will be no service at this time, how­ at 2:30 p.m. the same day. the council at Tuesday’s committee of the ever a Celebration of Life Gathering will be Memorial contributions may be made to planned at a later date. Centrica Care Navigators, Kalamazoo, MI. whole meeting. ’< w www.redmondfuneralhoms.net ■ Truste^Ridlard Mamikon pgrised1 the lan*’ * Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. Yialar It ni bohuB esw b’r dnlihe»<aondd4chce visit asnaL. fli bsjb guageiimtheagreeniint, cattiftgriv^Veiy’CdiroH girrbachfuneralhome.net. <)♦ prehensive.”’ > gi. “There’s no stpnd uhturned. This thing covers about everything imaginable,” Hamil­ ton said. However, Hamilton-noticed there wasn’t a reference to any removal ofthe tower in the agreement, or who would be responsible for the cost ofthe removal should it ever occur. He asked that the word “removal” be added to the indemnification section of the agree­ ment - just in case. 11 Lehman said thee county 911 authority would cover the costst of any removal should ...at the church ofyour choice it occur. Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor “We would need to handle that. It’s essen­ tially our tower,” sheisaid. “But to be totally your convenience... transparent, I can’t think of a single reason HASTINGS FREE SOLID ROCK BIBLE HASTINGS why that tower is going to come down or METHODIST CHURCH CHURCH OF DELTON BAPTIST CHURCH would need to come down, in my lifetime.” "We Exist To Be An 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Because of the additional wording, the Expression Of Who Jesus Is (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. council is not expected to approve the lease To The World Around Us". 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. agreement until January. 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box Roger Claypool, (517) 204Sunday School for all ages; The Thornapple Players’ performance run of “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” opens tonight. Here, cast members rehearse a scene from the show. Pictured are (from left) Michelle Pappas, Dick Curtis, Cassie Moyer and Michael Cox. (Photo provided) Merritt, Steve Hoke, Terry Van Dien, Grace, Vollmer, Joni Rudesill, Terri Schray, Kimmy Beck and Matt Sink. Performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. All tickets for these performances are $12. Tickets can be purchased at formsbcf.org/ view.php?id=74897, at Gilmore Jewelers or reserved by calling the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. The performances'^ will be held at the Dennison Performing Arts ’ Center, 231 S. Broadway St., Hastings. For more information about this show, email thomappleplayers@gmail.com, visit the Thomapple Players Facebook page orleave a message with the Thomapple ArtsCouncil at 269-945-2002. Middfeville council seeks additional wording on911 lease agreement hastinesfreemethodist.com Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 am. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 pm. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. www.cbchastings.org. 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main. Pastor Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 am.; Worship 10:15 am. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. David Matthew Cooper, Plainwell and Katelin Leslie Hanfinond, Plainwell HltMt 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH “It’ll have to go back to my attorney, which is Doug Van Essen, and then it’ll have to go back to yours, Mark Nettleton,” Lehman said. The village’s Zoning Board of Appeals in August approved a variance allowing BCCD to build the 300-foot-high tower at 607 Sheridan St. The village ordinance normally limits the height ofa communications tower to 120 feet. The new tower is one of two new 700/800-megahertz towers that are being built as Barry County works to move all ofits police, fire and emergency response commu­ nications to a single system. The other one is in the city of Hastings at Bliss Riverfront Park at 1037 E. State St. Currently, all law enforcement communica- ~ tions in the county are transmitted offa 700/800 MHz tower in Castleton Township near the vil— lage ofNashville, while fire and EMS rely on an antiquated VHF radio system. That means there is no cross-communication between police andfire in emergency situations, Lehman told the , ZBA at the August hearing. The new towers in Middleville and Hast­ ings have an estimated cost of $5.8 million, • which will be paid for out of an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant and a $3 mil- ‘ lion allocation from the state’s budget surplus that was awarded to BCCD earlier this year, ; Lehman said at the August hearing. 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 am. Sunday. How business owners can make Social Security part of their retirement planning Hillaty Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Most business owners are hyper-focused on growing their business and legacy. But at some p point, they must consider a plan for retirement. That’s why it’s important for busi- Producto |M|^M|kBp||Ml 1301 W. Green St Hastings 945-9541 ness owners to begin thinking about how Social Security fits into their retirement plan­ ning. Social Security benefits are part ofthe retirement plan of almost every American worker - including business owners. Since there are specific rules for business Tel. (269)945-3252 Fax(269)-945-0663 328 s. Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 945-4700 — Stephanie Lehman, Director, Barry County Central Dispatch, on who would cover the cost if a new emergency communications tower would need to come down SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS FUNERAL HOME Hastings 945-9554 “...To be totally transparent, I can’t think of a single reason why that tower is going to come down or would need to come down, in my lifetime.” ’ll ERBACH 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. smb lap 1 atUwwt | flints hai WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. J'ffi!*'1! i Worship Together 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. ■ W Dale Billingsley and Ray Girrbach Providing Exceptional Service with Compassion and Care owners, they should speak with a financial advisor or accountant before applying. One ofthe biggest mistakes business owners make - aside from starting retirement planning too late - is not having a plan at all. This is where an expert can give sound advice on how to navigate retirement. Business owners can visit ssa.gov/prepare/ plan-retirement to determine eligibility for retirement benefits as well as get a benefit estimate. Our publication, “If You Are Self-Employed,” at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-0510022.pdf, provides important information about Social Security taxes for business owners as well as how to report earnings. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special­ istfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp HE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary.hatch@ssa.gov. k. ' ■ , • aS �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 7, 2023— Page 7 The War of 1812 and Barry County (Part II) VXk *** SS*; SS* Joyce F. Weinbrecht Banner Nov. 12, 1998 During the early settlement of Michigan and ofBarry County, several veterans of the War of 1812 came to the state and to Barry County to take up land, clear it and establish farms and businesses. Nathan Hall was bom in Monongalia County, Va. on July 25, 1784. His wife, Per­ melia, was bom in Ripley, Rippah County, Miss. On Aug. 1, 1791. She died on Feb. 26, 1863. Nathan Hall served in the War of 1812. Both Halls are buried in Prairieville Township. Isaac Graves, who had served in the War of 1812, came to Michigan, Barry County, and died on Sept. 26, 1848. He was the first one buried in the cemetery on land donated by David Bowker on Section No. 36, Hope Township. John Brainard came to Hope Township in February of 1854. He had taken up land in Sections 14 and 15 and began to clear some ofthe land. He had a soldier’s warrant for 160 acres for his service in the War of 1812. He served for a period of 18 months. Janos Tompkin lived in Assyria Township. In 1849 and in 1853, he served as justice of the peace for Assyria township. No record of where he is buried has been found. Aaron Bolton came to Michigan and settled in Assyria Township. No record of his burial place has been found. James Buck lived in Maple Grove Town­ ship after it was separated from Assyria Township on March 25, 1846. In 1847, he served as a highway commissioner and as a director ofthe poor. He originally came from Seneca County, N.Y. to Calhoun County, Mich., and then to Bany County. He purchased 20 acres first, adding 40 to it very soon. He arrived in Barry County in 1843, staying in the home ofJ.F. Fuller until he could build a log shan­ ty for himself. He served in the War of 1812 and received a pension for his services. He died in 1877 and is buried in the Wilcox Cemetery, Maple Grove Township. Joel Hyde lived in Maple Grove Town­ ship, coming there as an early settler. He served as director of the poor in 1851 and 1852, along with Eli Lapham. He died on May 14, 1865, at age 79 and is buried with his wife, Anne G., who died on April 15, 1859, at age 70. They are buried in the Quak­ er Cemetery in Maple Grove Township. Warren Joy came to Maple Grove Town­ ship after coming to Michigan to settle. The Joy Cemetery (now Union Cemetery) was taken from the comer ofhis line in Section 31, Maple Grove Township, for the sum of $24 in 1857. At that time, it was known as the Joy Cemetery. Later, the three townships that meet at this comer became partners in the operation of the cemetery and it became known as Union Cemetery. He served on the cemetery board as president for several years, often hosting meetings of the cemetery board at his home. He was president at the time ofhis death in 1868. His wife, Dorcas, died on March 10, 1868, at age 72. They are buried in the. Union-Joy Cemetery at the comer of Assyr­ ia, Baltimore, Johnstown and Maple Grove Townships. Asaph Larabee lived in Hope. Township near Cedar Springs. The Larabee family was in the area as early as 1847 or 1848. No place ofburial for Asaph Larabee has been located. Josiah Loomis and his wife, Rebecca Sheen Loomis, and their family, arrived in Michigan and Barry County as early as 1837. His son, Levi Loomis, took up land in Ganges Township, Allegan County, and the other three sons and their daughter settled in Castleton Township, Barry County. Josiah and Rebecca had land in Section No. 33. H.H. Loomis was on Section No. 9. Anson C. Loomis took land on Section 12 and A.L. Loomis chose land in Section No. 2. There is no known record ofthe burial ofJosiah and Rebecca Loomis. Henry Pickle came first to Rutland Town­ ship, Barry County in 1852. He took up a soldier’s warrant on the land in Section No. 26 and began improving it. Later, he moved to Yankee Springs Township where he lived to a ripe old age in that township. He is buried in Rutland Cemetery, dying on May 16,1880. Asa Ware first came to Calhoun County in 1836, and then to Barry County, Castleton isddiieedlomta.H®®’ An early settler’s home in Michigan. Doctor Universe Easy as pi What ispi? Johsan, 10, Ala. Dear Johsan, I I One of my favorite holidays is Pi Day. On March 14, people who love the math constant called pi celebrate by eating the other kind ofpie. Like apple pie, pumpkin pie and even pizza pie. I talked about the number pi with my friend Kristin Lesseig. She studies how kids learn math. She told me pi is the ratio between the distance around a circle and the distance across a circle. A ratio is the relationship between two numbers. We usually think of pi as about 3.14-but there’s more to it than that. “Pi is a fabulous ratio that’s constant across every single circle,” Lesseig said. “It doesn’t matter how big or how small the circle is. That ratio is always a wee bit more than three.” Lesseig teaches this idea using licorice laces. Her students draw circles then stretch licorice laces across the middle oftheir cir­ cles. They cut several lengths of licorice equal to the distance. Then, they wrap those pieces around the circles. For every circle, it takes three pieces plus a little more to go around the circle. One way to look at that relationship is with division. Let’s say the distance around a circle-its circumference-is 6.28 inches. The distance across the circle-its diameteris 2 inches. If we divide 6.28 by 2, the answer is 3.14. That’s pi rounded to two decimal places. Using that short version ofpi is easy and works fine for simple problems. If you’ve ever used the pi button on a calculator, that probably uses pi rounded to ten decimal places. That’s 3.1415926535. As we build more powerful computers, we’re able to calculate pi with more precision. Right now, scientists know pi to 63 Township in 1842. Here he located on Section 29 which he had piynased in 1841. His son, William A. Ware had already made a clearing on Section g 33 and built a housee there. Asa Ware lived with William while clearing his own land. He cleared 10 acres during the first year. Heserved as ajustice of the peace p in 1847. . • • He lived on his land, JOO acres in Sections 29 and 32, near Barrville, continuing to make improvements in the land until his death on June 1, 1869. wife, Orila Ware, died on July 13, 1862. Both are buried in Barryville le Cemetery in Castleton Township. William P. Wilkinson first came to Ver­ montville, Eaton County in 1836 and then purchased some land from James. W. Clapp on Section 25, Castleton Township, and came there to live in the Winter of 1837. W.P.. Wilkinson served as school inspector in 1843, assessor in 1844, । and justice of the peace in 1847. Henry Wiswell served in the War of 1812. He came to Yankee Springs Township to settle and lived there for some time. No record ofhis death and burial is available this time. Joseph L. Page was in Thornapple Township early on. The Page family was active in the township government as early as 1840. They took land in Section No. 6 near Dun­ can Lake. There is no record of his burial available at this time. James Norris was bom in 1799 in Mont­ pelier, Vt. He was a farmer there until he served in the War of 1:812, where hee was a mail carrier for the military. He married Clarinda Kinner in 1834 and they lived in Genesee County, N.Y. They decided to move to Ypsilanti, Mich, where he rented a farm from his brother. In December of 1838, they moved to Yan­ kee Springs Township on Section 26 on land that he purchased in 1835 while still in the east. The Norrises reached Yankee Springs on Christmas Eve, 1838, and stayed in the home ofHiram Lewis until he could build a cabin of his own. He died in Yankee Springs Township on Nov. 19,1875. He and his wife Clarinda, who died on April 29, 1841, are buried in Yankee Springs Cemetery. Robert McClintock settled in Irving Township in 1845 on Section No. 33. He had served in the War of 1812 and came to Mich­ igan with a land warrant. He died on Feb. 10, 1848, at age 76. He is buried in Irving Cem­ etery. Henry Knickerbocker lived in Yankee Springs. He was bom on Oct. 19, 1792, and died on Dec. 29, 1872. His wife, Tabia, was bom on April 10, 1802, and died on Feb. 28, 1888. They are buried in Robbins Cemetery, Yankee Springs Township. H. Independence Knappen was a mer­ chant following the Wartiof 1812, settling in Hastings Barry Cdunty/iHewas instrumen­ tal in establishing the stage route from Battle Creek to Hastings, which opened on July 1, 1846. Mr. Knappen was active in the com­ munity and served as Hastings Township clerk in 1842 and supervisor in 1850. H.I. Knappen and his brother, Edwin Knappen, both died in 1854 during a typhoid epidemic. He was buried in Hastings Village Cemetery and later moved to Riverside Cemetery, Hastings. Reuben Durham lived in a framed shanty with his wife and child on 80 acres of land, acquired under soldier’s warrant earned as a soldier in the War of 1812. This was on Sec­ tion No. 26, Rutland Township. He was bom on June 13, 1787, and died Nov. 19, 1861. He was buried with his wife in the Crosby Cemetery, later moved to Rutland Cemetery when the Crosby Cemetery was obliterated. George Crosby also took land on a sol­ dier’s warrant from the War of 1812. He settled on Section 26 also, as he was married to a sister of Mrs. Durham. George Crosby trillion places. That’s 63 trillion numbers after the decimal. But pi goes on forever. I remember lying in my nest as a kitten, trying to wrap my brain around the idea of forever. I would think as far as I could then double it. Then double it again and againuntil I felt dizzy with the bigness ofit. “The idea of infinity is so cool,” Lesseig said. “And it’s not something that you have to wait for college to study. You can make sense ofit now.” But pi is cool because it’s useful, too. Peo­ ple use pi to figure out the distance around a circle or how much space is inside it. Let’s say you had a circular garden. You could use pi to determine how much fence you need. Or how much soil will fill the garden. Space scientists use pi to work out how big planets are, what asteroids are made of and the size of fuel tanks they need to power a spacecraft. Back on Earth, people use pi to aim satellites, figure out what size water heater they need and understand how motors work. To me, the most amazing thing about pi is that it’s a pattern in nature and that ancient people noticed that pattern and used it to explore the world around them. Scientists are still doing that today-and they’ll keep doing it as long as there are people thinking about the universe. That’s something you can count on. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Universe. Send an entail to Washington State University *s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. fl look back at tie stories A1:84.+/:^^ In tie Hastings Banner TURNING BfIGKTHt PAGES Michigan Roads in 1835 by Ferris Lewis, Michigan Yesterday and Today. (Image courtesy of Norma Velderman) died in 1879 and was buried in the cemetery on his land. The Crosby family was also moved in 1899, to Rutland Cemetery when the Crosby Cemetery was obliterated. Emery Cherry was the first preacher in Johnstown Township, Barry County. He came to Michigan in June of 1838, bringing his wife, two sons and two daughters. They settled on Section No. 33. Elder Cherry began holding church services at various places in the township. For a time, joint service with the Baptists and Free Method­ ists was held with Elder Cherry and Elder York serving jointly. No formal organiza­ tion was effected and the meetings were discontinued after a few years. Elder Emery Cherry died in 1850 at age 62. His wife, Catherine P. Emery, died Dec. 12, 1849. They are buried in Iden Cemetery, John­ stown Cemetery. Horatio Gates lived in Hope Township and is probably buried in Cedar Creek Cem­ etery, but no formal record has been found. This theory is based on family conjecture. Annariah Gifford appears to have settled in Carlton Township. No record ofhis death is available at this time. Jesse Hampton and his wife settled in Hope Township on or near Section No. 36. They were early members of the Baptist church there, that met in the Mott School­ house in 1852. Isaac Hendershott came to Irving" Town­ ship in the 1840s. He lived on Section 32, Irving Township. He was serving as town­ ship treasurer in 1845 to 1846 and as clerk in 1847. He is listed on the 1848 poll list for Irving Township. He is buried in the Irving Township Cemetery. Luke W. Hitchcock came to the village of Hastings and established a business there in 1846. He served as justice ofthe peace for the village ofHastings in 1849. No record of his burial is available. Jeremiah Hubbard was bom in 1784 and settled in Yankee Springs Township. He died Sept. 22,1864. He is buried in Coman Cem­ etery. Robert Johnson settled in Baltimore Township. No record of his burial is avail­ able at this time. James R. Kellogg is thought to have lived in Hope Township. No record is available. Sources: Soldiers ofthe War of1812 Who Died in Barry County, complied by Dr. Ethel W Williams, suppliedfrom the archives of Bernard Museum; the History ofBarry County, W.W. Potter, 1912; The History of Allegan and Barry Counties, 1880; plat mapsfrom 1860; Barry County Genealogi­ cal Club; Years Gone By, Bernard Historical Museum; Michigan, A History ofthe Wolver­ ine State, Willis Frederick Dunbar; 1965 and 1970. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Dec. 7 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1947 film starring Don DeFore and Ann Harding, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m.; volunteer Christmas party, 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 - Crafting Passions, 10 a.m.; Affordable Connectivity Program (reg­ ister for refreshments and gift cards), 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m. More information about these and other events is available by Calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Dec. 8-14 Nov. 1-Dec. 31 - November and Decem­ ber Storywalk Book: “The Lodge that Bea­ ver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The Story­ walk is free and self-guided. Sunday, Dec. 10 - Holiday Brunch. Brunch seating times: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Program time: 12:15 to 1 p.m. Adults who are mem­ bers ofthe Institute may attend the event for $24; member children cost $14. Non-member adults will pay $29 for the event and non-member children will pay $16. Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Stewardship work­ day, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events.html. �. ■ Page 6 — Thursday, December 7, 2023 — The Hastings Banner ? Man that embezzled hundreds of thousands from Flexfab sees sentence cut in half Greg Chandler and Jayson Bussa Banner Staff A. former Flexfab employee who embez­ zled nearly $566,000 from the company has ,. T- had his prison sentence reduced. Ryan Williams, who pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges last year in connection ' with purchases he made using Flexfab’s Amazon business account and a company-is­ sued credit card over a period of six years, was re-sentenced Wednesday afternoon to 5-to-20 years in prison by Judge Michael Schipper in Barry County court. Williams received credit for 332 days he has already served at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson. Williams, who had been Flexfab’s senior Ryan Williams desktop architect, was originally sentenced to 10-to-20 years in January for the embezzle­ individual) to a 10-to-max on any embezzle­ ment. He must still pay restitution for the ment case that I’ve ever seen,” he said. amount that was embezzled. “That doesn’t mean it can’t be done,” “I understand it is still a significant sen­ Schipper responded. tence, but I think it has to be for this crime,” Williams fielded a series ofquestions from Schipper said in passing sentence. “I think Schipper about what led to the embezzlement this is very proportionate to the nature ofthe as well as the robocalls. crime that occurred here.” “Flexfab didn’t entrap you, they didn’t do Williams apologized to the court for his anything to cause you to do this, did they? actions. “I have deep regret for letting my team Because that’s what (was alleged) in a lot of down, as it was the team that I built at Flex- the comments ... that this is Flexfab’s fault, fab. I have deep regret for what I did to the there’s fraud,” Schipper said. “It’s entirely my fault, based on the stress DeCamps (owners ofFlexfab), because they were always kind to me and treated me like that I was under. I made those choices,” Wil­ family,” Williams said, his voice breaking at liams said. The judge asked Williams why he didn’t the end. confront his wife about the robocalls. He said Prosecutors, with support from Flexfab, had sought a minimum sentence of 13 years he did ask her to stop one time. “In the end, the decisions I made destroyed in prison because ofa series ofrobocalls that were made to Flexfab that were linked to her life,” Williams said. “It turned her whole Williams’s wife, Rita, after the court had world upside down. I didn’t have any right to tell her what to do.” agreed to a motion to re-sentence Williams. This week’s sentencing comes nearly one His wife is currently facing charges filed by the state’s Attorney General’s office for year after Schipper sent Williams away for a stalking and using a computer to commit a minimum of 10 years back in January. Back then, Williams appeared in the same ■- crime due to actions she took following Wil­ courtroom for a tense sentencing hearing in liams’s initial sentencing. front ofSchipper, who, at the time, was seem­ Williams allegedly laughed when his wife played back some of the robocalls that ingly incredulous about the details associated accused Flexfab of insurance fraud during with Williams’s case. their phone conversations. He made com­ As senior desktop architect for Flexfab, ments like “way to go, honey” and “give ‘em Williams embezzled from the company over hell” during those conversations, ChiefAssis­ the course of six years, making purchases tant Prosecutor Christopher Elsworth said. through the company’s Amazon business “What he’s doing on the phone, outside of account and with a company-issued credit the court, outside ofasking for a more lenient card. This included everything from comput­ - sentence, is participating in, encouraging and ers, televisions and laptops to an above­ supporting the harassment ofthe victim in this ground pool and a long list ofmerchandise. At that January hearing, Elsworth showed case,” Elsworth said in asking that the court to • " score at the highest possible level a sentencing that Williams had made 2,800 separate pur­ variable addressing interference witty, the chases until he was eventually caught by a administration ofjustice, known as OV-19. fellow employee and subsequently terminated. “To be clear, the only victim is Flexfab,” Despite Flexfab’s request for no jail time Elsworth added. “They were very accommofor their former employee, Schipper sen­ . _ dating to Mr. Williams at the initial sentencing tenced Williams to a decade in prison for a with what their opinion was. The insurance felony charge that carried a maximum sen­ company could have, ifthey wanted to, put a tence of20 years. lien on his house, forced a sale and seizure of After filing a couple different motions, assets. They weren’t doing that. They didn’t Williams returned to Barry County court this even oppose the re-sentencing in the case, and summer where Schipper granted the motion to my knowledge, they’ve never lashed back for re-sentencing. out at Mr. Williams for what he’s done.” Schipper made no sentencing guarantees Defense attorney Anastase Markou, who after Markou alluded to the fact that, during his . ' took on the case after Williams’s original sen­ initial sentencing, Williams did not understand tence, pushed back on Elsworth’s allegation. the discretion the court had in sentencing after “To the extent that there were comments his guilty plea. Therefore, Williams felt blind­ being made by his wife, that he then, after sided by the original, lengthy sentence. they were made, made any kind of positive At that hearing this summer, both sides statements about — that is not the equivalent ironed out restitution. When sentenced in ... ofattempted interference with the admin­ January, Williams admitted to embezzling - istration ofjustice,” Markou said. $336,198 while contesting an additional Markou argued against the maximum sen$229,724 that he was accused ofin fraudulent tence that Elsworth recommended because spending. the crime involved property. Both sides determined that Williams owed “I have yet to read a case in the Court of a total of$565,906. Of that amount, $555,906 Appeals that it’s justified. I’ve seen embezzle­ would go to the insurance company that hanment cases go over a million dollars, and it’s dled Flexfab’s claim, while $10,000 would go still the same thing — no one has (sentenced an to Flexfab to cover the company’s deductible. Santa wasn’t the only one visiting Hastings this weekend. The Grinch snuck his way onto a Consumers Energy truck to spread mischief during the Christmas parade on Saturday night. Jingle and Mingle brings holiday cheer to downtown Hastings L<^* The Holley Trolley made a triumphant return this year, offering rides around town all weekend as part of the Hastings Jingle and Mingle. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Hunter/McLaren StaffWriter Cold and rainy weather couldn’t drive out the Christmas spirit ill Hastings this weekend. The annual Hastings Jingle and Mingle weekend enticed crowds to brave the weath­ er for three days offr6e holiday events down­ town. Arts and crafts activities, horse-drawn car­ riage and Holly Trolley rides, and plenty more were available throughout the weekend, with the annual Christmas parade on Saturday night. The event kicked off Friday, with Mayor Dave Tossaya lighting the nativity scene on the Barry County Courthouse lawn before moving to Hastings City Hall to light the city’s Christmas treeipliere, he crowned the Jingle and Mingle Prince and Princess. Barry County students wrqje and submitted essays about the importance ofChristmas to be con­ sidered for the lofty titles. Natalia Solmes, a Star Elementary fifth grader, was chosen & this year’s princess. She shared her essay about what Christmas meant to her: gathering with family, being merry and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Solmes said her family has a tradition they call an “M-A-S” jar, with the letters on the jar standing for “many acts of service.” When someone in the family provides an act of service, a pom-pom gets put in the jar. When the jar is full, the family does some­ thing fun together. “It teaches us to be more like Christ Yes, I know you’re going to say that is bribery, but it makes it more fun,” Solmes joked. Aiden Armour, a fifth grade student at Northeastern Elementary, was crowned as this year’s prince. He said his favorite things about Christmas were seeing family members who live far away, playing in the snow and celebrating the birth ofChrist “It’s fun getting gifts, but you also get to celebrate Jesus’s birthday on Christmas with family. We wouldn’t have Christmas if it wasn’t for Jesus,” he said. “Christmas is the best season ofthem all in tny opinion.” '• Star Elementary fifth grader Natalia Solmes was crowned Jingle and Mingle Princess. Her competition was fierce,1 with her essay being selected the best out of 37 other students. (Photo courtesy of Rose Hendershot) va’ttW-r VstataiESBa sttatatepBity okPuitnviiK Northeastern Elementary fifth grader Aiden Armour was crowned the Jingle and Mingle Prince for his essay on the value of Christmas. (Photo courtesy of Rose Hendershot) ays Songs of the Seas eet Church A crowd gathered to watch the tree lighting ceremony despite cold, rainy weather on Friday in Hastings as part of the Jingle and Mingle. Old-fashioned Christmas at | Charlton Park this weekend pose! We Feed People stings or 269-945-95? I । I I SB r Food Located in the Heart of Gre For more aisa Children and the young at heart will delight in the holidays of yesteryear during the Of Christmas Past event at Historic Charlton Park Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10, from noon to 4 p.m. The park’s tum-of-the-century village and museum will be staffed by volunteers and adorned with festive decorations. ' s Visitors can take a wagon ride and then visit with St. Nicholas who will have plenty ofcandy canes for good boys and girls. In celebration of the season, guests are encouraged to make holiday crafts, including a candle and yam doll. Traditional food and drink samples will be available throughout the village^ such as wassail, roasted chestnuts, cinnamon and sugar apples and popcorn. In addition, the Charlton Park Foundation Board will pro­ vide coffee and cookies at the Sixberry House. Live holiday music will ring through the Carlton Center Church, courtesy ofthe Hast­ ings Wind Band. Daily admission is $5 for anyone 13 aijd up. Children 12 and under can attend for free. Additional information can be found at charltonpark.org or on the Historic Charlton Park Facebook page. Historic Charlton Park is southeast of Hastings, north ofM-79, at 2545 S. Charlton Park Road. �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS Thursday,. December 7, 2023 TK rallies to beat Lakewood late in Middleville, now 3-0 iS! JL1JL1*** ffarm® tM BigM far n fait' totepiH kbytes|MM» fciiiris HE • 9 tt S al Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team clawed out of an eight­ point fourth quarter hole to score a 54-49 win over visiting Lakewood Thursday in Middleville and the Trojans are now offto a 3-0 start. Sophomore forward Lucas Ploeg found senior guard Kyle VanHaitsma streaking down the lane and fired a pass in from the left side that led to a lay-up and an and-one opportunity with 5:23 to go in the bail­ game. VanHaitsma’s free throw was no good, but his bucket put TK in front 40-39 giving the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team its first lead since the first halfofthe first quarter against the visiting Vikings. TK’s lead swelled to as many as eight points in the fourth quarter before back to-back three’s by the Vikings’ Logan Faulkner and Landon Makley evened the score at 47-47 with 1:35 to play. Trojan senior guard Tyler Gavette answered with a drive and scoop around Makley in the paint to put TK in front for good. The Trojans were 5-of-6 at the free throw line in the final minute to seal the win. A heavily contested three-point attempt by Makley, with Ploeg all over him, in the left comer with three seconds to play was the Vikings’ last gasp effort to try and tie the ballgame in the end. The Trojans, under new head coach Phil Garber, are 3-0 to start the season and thanks to their victory Tuesday night over Plainwell have now surpassed their 2022-23 season win total. Lakewood is now 0-3 under its new head coach Jason Solgat. Pennfield knocked off the Vikings Tuesday night: ■> “We were better than our scrimmage in Greenville. We were better than [Tuesday] night,” Solgat said after Thursday’s defeat in Middleville. “We’re doing what we’re asking the boys to do, which was taking care of the basketball. We knock down a couple free throws and make a couple layups,nt is going to be good. “I can tell you, my locker room has good energy, even after a loss. They still have good energy ... we’re giving people a chal­ lenge right now which is what I am loving. It is all about energy.” Junior guard Jude Webster had a big night for TK leading all scorers with 18 points. He had 14 in the second halfinclud­ ing a pair of threes. Gavette finished with eight points and Brice Lloyd, Brody Wiers­ ma, VanHaitsma and Ploeg had six apiece for TK. “I love how we distribute the ball and on any given night, anyone can score if need be,” Garber said after his team improved to 3-0 Tuesday. “We don’t rely on one person. We are a team.” Lakewood was led by the senior forward Makley’s 15 points, with two coming on a breakaway dunk in the second quarter. Senior guard Troy Acker had 13 points and senior guard Blake Price 12 for Lakewood. Price handled the basketball for much of the night for the Vikings and scored his 12 points, on four three-pointers, injust a little over three quarters. He picked up his fifth foul just over a minute into the fourth quar­ ter. Lakewood had a 37-33 lead at the time, but only for a moment. TK worked an* inbound play with Web­ ster getting the ball into Wiersma and then getting it back in the left corner for a three that pulled TK to within one 37-36. The whistles were tough on the Vikings who felt like they were hit with a body foul a few times while playing sound defense. There were a few free throws late for TK with Lakewood pressing, but the Trojans were 14-of-19 at the free throw line for the night. Lakewood shot well at the line, but finished just 6-of-8. The Trojans threw a bit more full-court pressure at the Vikings as they worked to dig out of their early hole, and it was a move out ofa zone to man-to-man that real­ ly started giving the Vikings some fits. Lakewood was able to extend the Trojans’ zone at times and find some space in build­ ing its lead. TK led 4-2 five and a half minutes into the game, but the Vikings’ responded with a three from Acker and then two from Price that suddenly had them in front 11-4 with 3:13 to play in that first quarter. They led the rest of the first half and had a 24-20 edge at the intermission. “We’re focused on cleaning things up,” Solgat said. “We’re focused on cleaning up . Delton Kellogg sophomore Adelynn Stampfler beats Maple Valley's Aubree Roth (12) and others up the court to get a shot up during the second half of the Panthers' win over the host Lions Tuesday; (Photo by Brett Bremer) Panthers pounce on Lions in first game Thornapple Kellogg senior Kyle VanHaitsma gets a shot up in the paint during the first quarter of the Trojans' win over visiting Lakewood Thursday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lakewood senior guard Blake Price puts a shot up over Thornapple Kellogg's Jake Kelley in the lane during their non-conference match-up in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the little stuff, and every day we will get better. ” There were a few too many turnovers at times, but for the most part the Vikings took care ofthe basketball. “We talked this week, we broke it down as simple as two-handed passes versus one-handed passes, squaring up to the. guy and looking at him versus throwing it from the side. [Assistant coach Chad Pleiness] and I broke it down on film, spent many hours doing it, and we go I think we’re onto something. We’ll take care ofthe ball ifwe throw better passes. We’re going back to the basics ofbasketball.” Pennfield scored a 57-35 win over the Lakewood boys at Lakewood High School Tuesday night. Acker had 11 points for the Vikings and Eli Jablonski added nine points and seven boards. Makley had eight points and seven rebounds. Dayshaun Boykins led Pennfield with16 points with 12 coming in the first halfas the Panthers built a 28-11 lead through two quarters. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The top returning scorer on the floor, junior Josie Williams, sank the second oftwo free throw attempts to get the Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball season started at Maple Valley High School Tuesday. It was a while before1 someone who’d played a minute of varsity basketball found the bucket again. Delton Kellogg sophomore guard Adelynn Stampfler knocked down a three-point­ er and put back an offensive rebound to shoot the Panthers to a quick 6-0 lead over the Lions in the first three and a halfminutes ofaction. Maple Valley got its first points of the season with senior point guard Emma Pierce firing a pass ahead in transition that fresh­ man guard Aubree Roth hauled in and turned into a lay-up. In the end, the young Panthers came away with a 38-22 win over the host Lions in a bailgame where both teams found some moments to celebrate and a lot to work on. Stampfler finished with a game-high 16 points and had a few chances to add a few more points. “She is just relentless. She hustles. She is speedy,” Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn said. Senior Autumn Leo came offthe bench to lead the Lions with 11 points. Senior center Ali Mater finished with four points. See PANTHERS, page 14 Delton Kellogg's Danielle Fields puts a shot up during the second half of the Panthers' win at Maple Valley High School Tuesday night to start the 2023­ 24 season. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg sophomore Lucas Ploeg (22) and Lakewood senior Landon Makley (24) tip off their bail­ game at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville Thursday. It was the second game of the season for both teams. TK is now off to a 3-0 start this season while Lakewood is 0-3. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Vikings open the CAAC-White sea­ son. at home Friday against Charlotte. Thornapple Kellogg scored a 53-37 win over visiting Plainwell Tuesday night. Gar­ ber said he has liked his guys’ toughness so far this season. TK ran out to a 21 -12 lead in the opening quarter against the blue and white Trojans. VanHaitsma hit a pair ofthree’s and had ten points in that opening quarter. They were his only ten ofthe night. He led a balanced TK attack that also got eight points apiece from Webster, Wiersma and Trey Hilton. Chibueze Amaezechi led Plainwell with nine points. TK is home Friday to take on Forest Hills Central. Delton Kellogg senior Paytn Robinson (left) is greeted by teammates Johannah Houtkooper and Josie Williams during the introductions for the season opener at Maple Valley High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �Saxon girls’ team plans on mixing things up a bit Brett Bremer Sports Editor A team that lost a four-year varsity ball-handler and a lot of size might is cer­ tainly going to have to make some chang­ es. The Saxons are up for that though, and an group of eight players with varsity experience is back for head coach Chase Youngs to start the 2023-24 season of Hastings varsity girls’ basketball. The group of four seniors among the eight varsity returnees includes three-year varsity guard Addey Nickels and forward Kimber Fenstemaker who started three games last winter before being sidelined with an injury. Senior forward Myah Vincent had her minutes increase as her junior year pro­ gressed last winter and Aubrey Fueri rounds out the senior group. The team also brings back junior forward/center Rachael Hewitt and sopho­ more forward Olivia Friddle, and junior guards Kali Koning and Brianna Darling. Hewitt and Friddle join Nickels as team captains this season. Koning, Hewitt and Darling all played and started at times last season. “We are athletic,” coach Youngs said pointing out that Nickels, Vincent and Friddle were all-state level competitors in track and field last year and Friddle was also a solid contributor as a freshman despite spending a lot of time working towards being a state qualifying wrestler. The varsity team is also adding Isabel Gee, Sophia Hamilton, Victoria Tack and Zoey Watson from last year’s JV team and exchange student Lenia Schweickart. “We have a group who have played for a while,” Youngs said. He’ll be looking to fit the team’s style to what his girls can do, not the other way around. “We will look .different than previous yea^” ^qw|gs|OsaM.ff| “JLosing four-year starter and multiple year all-conference player [Macy] Winegar will naturally make us look different, but we will have a larger rotation and probably go deeper. “Tack and Hamilton have both shown up ready to fight for minutes as well. Gee and Watson are also physical players who will see time inside for us.” The Saxons opened the season with a tough 54-41 loss at Loy Norrix Monday. It’s right into the Interstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference season now as the Saxons go to Coldwater Friday. That is not an easy draw. “The league will be top heavy again, Coldwater returns their starting five from a team that shared the conference title and Northwest is returning a strong nucleus from the other half of the title teams,” Youngs said. “Marshall should be solid, and has a new coach so not sure what to Owen Carroll HHS will get 1-8 season underway at Coldwater Brett Bremer Sports Editor There is some familiar and a lot ofnew for the Hastings varsity boys’ basketball team this winter. Jess Webb takes over for former head coach Rich Long and with a lot of skills and some things to work on as the new season gets underway. “I am anxious to et the season going and have been privileged to get this opportuni­ ty,” Webb said in the preseason. “We are very excited about the future ofour program with youth basketball starting to develop nicely in the area thanks in large part ofthe work ofthe HYAA. “We think the community is ready for Hast­ ings basketball to be put back on the map.” Hastings was 10-14 a year ago. It was the first time the guys have recorded double digit victories since the 2014-15 season, the last time the Saxons had a winning record overall. The Saxons will be on the hunt for ways to put the ball in the bucket as the season gets rolling. The senior group averaged more than 30 points per game a year ago, leaving an opening there this season. A lot ofguys who do a lot ofthings well are back for the Saxons including senior point guard Owen Carroll, senior forward Landon Steward and junior Addey Nickels expect fully from them, as well as Parma will be good and led by a new coach.” He his hoping his girls can sneak up on some teams running a faster pace. “Often being on the smaller end in size is not a positive in basketball,” Youngs said. “I think our lack ofsize and returning experience will lend us to run some differ­ ent looks on both ends ofthe court and bite some teams who may look past us due to losing scoring and size from previous years.” The Saxons go to Thomapple Kellogg to play the Trojans Tuesday, Dec. 12, and then will play their home opener Dec. 19 against Ionia. There is one other 1-8 contest on the slate before the holiday break, against Harper Creek at Hastings High School Dec. 21. “It’s a great group that works hard, shows up and supports each other every day,” Youngs said. “It is never a bad day when I have the opportunity to be around these young people and be a part of what they are working toward and growing into. Saxon basketball may have a different look this year, but it will be one that fits these girls and should be fun to watch.” forward Jett Barnum who all saw good min­ utes last winter. Also back is senior shooting guard David Jiles. Looking to be big contributors this winter in their first varsity campaign are junior for­ ward Tim Trost, junior guard Deandre Mathis andjunior center Eli Randall. Coach Webb likes, the speed and energy his <guys;haye(>brfl,o - v / -I3ini./7 j. JPt “The effort and toughness in the first week ofpractice is fun to see. We have some good height, athleticism and guard play,” coach Webb said. “We need to learn to trust each other and lean how to play fast.” That’s especially true with the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference opener here already. The Hastings boys go on the road to face Coldwater to start the conference season Friday, Dec. 8. Coach Webb said he expects Coldwater to be one ofthe toughest foes in the 1-8 this season along with Marshall and Jackson Northwest. The Saxons are 0-2 so far having fallen to Hamilton and Charlotte in a couple non-conference ballgames to begin the season. Coach Webb said the team’s real goal is to be constantly improving while trying to reach its maximum potential. “We want to be playing our best ball come late February,” Webb said. THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Good Luck Teams HASTINGS NAPA NAPAI WASTE SERVICES 888-947-2643 grangerwasteservices.com (269) 948-2900 • www.tts.law 202 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 DEWEY’S AUTO BODY BROWN ’ S CARPET ONE & CUSTOM INTERIORS 269-945-2479 221 N. Industrial Park Dr., Hastings Hastings 216 N. Broadway, Hastings 269-948-9696 269-948-2824 Engineering trust. Around the world? O c“»claL 1111 W. Green, Hastings www.deweysautobody.com Home ofthe Hot & Ready Pizza! Flexfab GRANGER 269-946-3533 1699 W. M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 SAXON * * * Leaping Lizards Landscaping PRIDE 269-953-7452 nick@leapinglizardslandscaping.coin CjjAD MILLEQ.g SOUTHSIDE' (800) 547-8531 629 W. State St. Hastings Ml www.commercial-bank.com LITTLE CAESAR’S 122 N. Jefferson St. AUTO BODY 2295 S. M-37 Hwy., Hastings Owners 269-953-1239 • Hours: M-F 8-5 Chad & Jennifer chad@millersouthsideauto.com iller L HASTINGS A WORLDWIDE SUPPLIER OF Hot Line Tools & Equipment £taileman SHERRIFF GOSL1N QUALITY ROOFING SINCE 1906 Jason Larabee 269-838-7053 .OF HASTINGS, INC. \ SINCE 1008 312 E. Court, Hastings - 269-945-3412 Insurancefor all ofyour needs. SEPTIC SERVICE Joe Lyons & John Curtis, Owner/Operators 3305 West Quimby Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 269.945.4240 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 7, 2023 — Page 11 Group of four state qualifying Saxons back ■ 32 Rife . - HOHMfefaftfapsa Bsaii ^dolaniDtofiat r tteaEinxft jeahtoplayfei’ iarx * tablet Ik's cpxialh rani be taritas ItiifcaEEfl state taCafaqata titeM Il tar® rt»» itte gstei Brett Bremer Sports Editor Wrestling has been big at Hastings for quite some time. It’s getting bigger. There are plenty of places in the state where a coach would be thrilled to get 15 wrestlers out for a team. Hastings has 15 girls out this winter and is one ofthe largest high school girls’ programs in the state of Michigan according to varsity head coach Jason Slaughter. That has brought Mike Goggins back to the mat to lead the Hastings varsity girls’ program along with his daughter, Erin Slaughter. The boys’ team is adjusting its coaching staff too with Terry Dull and David Lares joining Jason Slaughter in his third year leading the varsity team. The Hastings varsity wrestling team will be gunning for a fourth consecutive Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference championship this winter and looking to advance a little further as a team and as individuals in the state postseason. Junior 215-pounder Isaac Friddle is the top returning wrestler for the Saxon pro­ gram having placed fourth at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual Wrestling Finals last winter. He is one of two returning state medalists in the program. Also back is senior Sophia Sunior who placed eighth in the girls’ 190-pound weight class at the state finals a year ago. Sunior is joined by junior junior Jordan Milanowski and sophomore Olivia Friddle who were both individual state qualifiers in the girls’ state tournament last year. As a whole, the Saxon varsity wrestling team went 35-3 in duals last season, losing only to teams ranked in the top ten in the state in dual meets. The team had eight regional qualifiers on the boys’ side. Back from that group is senior 132-pounder Colton Smith andjuniors Troy Hokanson (113 pounds), Keegan-Sritfin-fl 44 pounds) and Tate Warner (175 pounds); Hokanson and Warner had over 30 wins fast' season and Sutfin passed the 40-win mark. Smith and fellow senior Haiden Simmet both won over 30 matches a year ago. Friddle is now a two-time state placer and he currently had 90 career wins enter­ ing the season. Coach Jason Slaughter said that Friddle is a competitor that knows how to make things happen on the mat, and that Riley Shults DK/HHS swim team will start racing Wednesday ; Isaac Friddle he can be trouble for opponents at 215 pounds and 285 pounds. “We have good depth and are a young team with only three seniors,” Jason said. “We have around 40 guys out for the team this year. We have a tough group of hard working guys. Our goal is to outwork, out­ pace, and be more aggressive than anyone we wrestle.” “We are really excited about the number of girls we have out this year ...We are excited to grow this sport at Hastings.” "Growing the team’s trophy collectiortwill take some effort. Ja^on Slaughter said thaf in the 1-8 Jackson Northwest lost quite a few key wrestlers to graduation, which will be strong again. He also expects Parma Western to be a top contender in the conference. Saxon ladies will get to open the season Friday at the East Jackson Invitational. The Saxon team was set to head to the Chelsea Tri last night, Dec. 6, and will be a part of the Greenville Duals Saturday. Jason Slaughter said he expects a bunch of his guys are itching to get a shot at Greenville having dropped a few close bouts with the Yellow Jackets in One of the team’s three losses last season. Hastings opens conference duals on the road at Pennfield Dec. 13. As far as the coaching staffheading in all those different directions Jason Slaughter said, “Dull is moving up from coaching at the middle school and we are excited to have him be a part of the high school team. He has a lot ofpassion for the sport; We are also excited Lares will bejback sharing this; spot. We have coaches for our girls’ program this year. Goggins will be heading the pro­ gram. He has been around Hastings wres­ tling longer than anyone. I am excited he will be up in the room helping out a lot this year. Also Erin Slaughter will be the girls assistant coach. She does a great job work­ ing with the team arid being a good role model for our athletes.” tot the cote no Bi CteWttaihfapcdj(te grtB^taiWf Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg/Hastings varsity boys’ swimming and diving team is set to open its first winter season as a duo Dec. 12 at Plain­ well High School. Things are a bit as feared, at least at the moment, that numbers have taken a dip in the program with Thomapple Kellogg a part of the program, but new DK/HHS head coach James Moray said he and his guys are train­ ing and still recruiting this preseason. There are currently six guys on the roster and coach Moray, who swam for the co-op in high school, said there has been as bit ofa binary nature to practice. He has a couple four-year varsity swimmers and a few guys with little racing experience. There are those who are working on building up to complet­ ing their 50-yard freestyle and who came into practice having never even attempted a flip turn. “They’re phenomenal,” Moray said of his returning guys. “They’re such great leaders. All of them are so responsible. They have a great way of working with the younger guys.” The top returnee for the team is senior cap­ tain Riley Shults who was an all-conference performer in the OK Rainbow Tier II Confer- ence a year ago. He was one of the conference’s top freestyle distance swimmers plac­ ing second in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle at the conference meet jwhich the Barry County Barracuda team won last February. Coach Moray also expects to get some good swims this winter from sophomore DjJ Kuck who was a conference medalist in the 100-yard backstroke and scored in the 100— yard freestyle a year ago. The program is happy to have assistant coach Mike Schipper and diving coach Todd Bates returning. Coach Moray expects to. have at least one diver competing. As the season begins it’ll mostly be about learning and improving for the DK/HHS guys. They have a dual on the schedule for Dec. 19 at South'.H^ven tbd’ ‘ ' r The first home meeitfor the DK/HHS team L will be against Sturgis Jan. 9. The DK/HHS boys host an invitational Jan. 13 and then Allegan for a dual Jan. 16. Coach Moray said Allegan is one of p handful ofteams that the DK/HHS team will face that is in the same kind of depth predio ament as his team. The team will compete in the Southwestern -. and Central Michigan Swim Conference thisseason. THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS .gjjjfesiSSBSIP .gjjjf esiSSBSIP Pat Doezema Associate Broker/ Realtor® heart 269.838.1469 pdoezema@greenridge.com greenrjdge realty H ASTI N GS 2169 W. M-43 Hwy. Hastings, MI 49058 highpomt PRECISION AUTO BODY REPAIR KING’S ELECTRONICS & APPLIANCES 819 E. Railroad St. Hastings 130 W. State, Hastings 269-948-9472 269-945-4284 Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 COMMUNITY BANK 1-888-422-2280 • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND; 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 Member FDIC HODGES JEWELRY & GIFTS Miller REAL ESTATE 122 W. State St, Hastings 149 W. State St, Hastings 269-945-2963 269-945-5182 GO HfiSTIOGS snxons! Thornapple Th Credit Union Hostings - Delton Middleville www.thornapplecu.com 300 Meadow Run Dr., Hastings South ofHastings on M-37 www,south,side4kid,s com 269-818-1020 49333 269-241-1050 brokensmoker. com 269-945-0300 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED MILLER REALESTATE Smoker Southern BBQ b Catering MiddleviHe, MI PLUMBING & DRAIN OPTOMETRIST hiqhpointcommunitybank.com SHOOK ^ADVANTAGE Scott Bloom, O.D — 2 LOCATIONS — 120 E. Main St. EDWARD JONES Andrew R. Cove, AAMS Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn, Hastings 269-945-3553 Thanks to Brett Bremer for his areas sports coverage. THE HASTINGS BANNER XIIKING 105 £. State St. Hastings. Illi Devoted to the interests ofBarry County since 1856 210 N. Industrial Park Dr., Hastings 49058 1351 N. M-43 Hwy., Hastings Vikinggroupinc.com 9200 E-M79 HWY, NASHVILLE Ml 517.852.9712 1401 N. BROADWAY, HASTINGS 269.945.2417 BISHO 269-945-9554 �Page 11 — Thursday. December 7, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. - . ' - Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised udicature act of 1961.1961 PA 236, MCL 600 3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier s check at the place of holding the circuit court In BARRY County, starting promptly at 1 00 PM, on December 21, 2023. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insure nee company, either of which may charge a fee for this information MORTGAGE INFORMATION: Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Susan J. Taylor, a single person, whose address is 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Thomapple, Ml 49333. also known as 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333, as original Mortgagors, to ABN AMRO Mortgage Group. Inc.. being a mortgage dated April 21,2004, and recorded on May 20,2004 with Document Number 1127889. Barry County Records, State of Michigan and then assigned through mesne assignments to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, as assignee as documented by an assignment dated August 24, 2023 and recorded on August 24, 2023 and given document number 2023-003700 in Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY AND 73/100 DOLLARS ($24,960.73). Said premises are situated in the Township of Thomapple, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21. TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN. DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 306.10 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 608.00 FEET, THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS. EGRESS AND PUBLIC UTILITY PURPOSES OVER THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED -PREMISES: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 • SECONDS EAST 578.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 20.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 478.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. AND ALSO, PART OF THE SOUTHWEST % AND THE -SOUTHEAST 1/< OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH. ■RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH % CORNER OF SECTION 21. AND PROCEEDING THENCE, NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 512.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 24 SECONDS WEST 420.06 FEET; THENCE NORTH fo DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56EECONDS EAST 1^:25:PEEt-ALONG A LINE 66 FEET WE-ST-GFrAND-FARALtBLrYOi THE NORTH AND SdUTH % LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 58 DEGREES 49 MINUTES 04 SECONDS WEST 196.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 678.60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 . DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS EAST 234.00 FEET ALONG THE EASTAND WEST 1/4 LINE TO THE CENTRAL 1/4 CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS EAST 660.10 FEET ALONG THE EAST AND WEST 1/4 LINE; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 2139.95 FEET ALONG THE EAST _ -LINE OF THE WEST 40 ACRES OF THE SOUTHEAST ' "1/4; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 ' -FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.1 FEETALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21 TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SUBJECTTO A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESSAND PUBLIC UTILITY PURPOSES OVERTHE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PREMISES: BEGINNING . AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 578.00; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 20.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 478.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 306.10 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 608.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. Street Address: 10450 Green L 1ake Road SE, Thomapple, Ml 49333, also known as 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333 The redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned m accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: November 23, 2023 For more information, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541541­ 9710. File No.: Ml 23 5419 (11-23)(12-14) 208989 LEGAL NOTICES FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, att a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash orr cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 01 00 PM, January 11,2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Mark Jankovic and Rebecca Jankovic, Husband And Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. acting solely as a nominee for Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank and Trust Co., N.A., Mortgagee, dated December 8, 2021, and recorded on December 14, 2021, as Document Number: 2021-015409, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 19, 2023 and recorded October 26, 2023 by Document Number: 2023-008463, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Fifty Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Six and 67/100 ($150,166.67) including interest at the rate of 2.62500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the City of HASTINGS, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 1192 Of The City,. Formerly Village Of Hastings, According To The Recorded Plat Thereof, Barry County, Michigan Commonly known as: 537 WEST CLINTON STREET, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower(s) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. Dated: November 30, 2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302; p(248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00848-1 MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Matthew C. Lumbert, a married man, (“Mortgagor), gave a mortgage to Member First Mortgage, LLC, ("Mortgagee"), dated September 3, 2019, and recorded on September 13, 2019, In Document No. 2019-008859, Barry County Records, Michigan. On the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of One Hundred Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Six 02/100 Dollars ($119,896.02) plus accrued interest at 4.0% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Said premises are situated in the Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner, Section 28, Town 4 North, Range 7 West; thence East 635 feet along Section line; thence North perpendicular with Section line 125 feet to point of beginning; thence South 125 feet, thence West 395 feet along Section line; thence North 200 feet; thence East 325 feet; thence Southeast 103 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly: 7065 Davenport Road Woodland, Ml 48897-Tax ld#15-028-300-06 The redemption period shall be six months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 7, 2023 Member First Mortgage LLC, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 ( 248)352-4340 (12-07)(12-28) (11-30)(12-21) 209270 209613 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 11, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Mark Harden, A Married Man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: December 28, 2016 Recorded on December 29,2016, in Document No. 2017-000403, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-Three and 13/100 Dollars ($100,323.13) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: THE WEST 600.00 FEET OF THE FOLLOWING: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE OF SECTION 4, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, CASTLETON TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH, 176.00 FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE NORTH 440.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, ALONG SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE TO A POINT DISTANT SOUTH, 1056.04 FEET FROM THE CENTER POST OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE EAST, 1320.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, PARALLEL WITH THE EAST AND WEST 1/4 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4: THENCE SOUTH, 440.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, ALONG THE EAST 1/8 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE WEST, 1320.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS,’ STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29664-DE Court Address: 206 W. Court St, Suite. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Dennis Jon Fink. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Dennis Jon Fink, died October 23, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Amy Strozicki and Timothy S. Fink, co-personal representatives, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St.,Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH 1/8 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4 TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1262 N Coville Rd, Woodland, Ml 48897 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1516989 (12-07)(12-28) 209775 Date: 11/30/2023 David H. Tripp P29290 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Amy Stozlcki 6106 N. Riverview Dr. Kalamazoo, Ml 49004 269-744-6579 Timothy S. Fink 5535 Linda Ln. 209586 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-296501-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court St., Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Joyce Lorraine Boulter. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Joyce Lorraine Boulter, died 12/02/2022. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kerri Selleck, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Financial Provided hy the Barry County Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Financial Advisor 450 Meadow Run Dr. Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-8265 If your children are grown and your mortgage is paid off, do you still need to cany life insurance? It depends on your situation, but for many people, a cash-value life insurance policy, such as whole life or universal life, can be a valuable, tax-efficient source of retirement income. And by drawing on the cash value of your policy, you might be able to temporarily reduce the amount you take out from your retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 401 (k). This ability could be especially important when the financial markets are down — you’d probably like to avoid liquidating your assets when their prices have dropped. Basically, you can use the cash in your policy in these ways: • Withdrawals - You can typically withdraw part of the cash value of your life insurance without losing coverage. You generally won’t incur income taxes on these withdrawals, up to the amount you’ve put into the policy — that is, the premiums you’ve paid. Once your withdrawals exceed this amount, you would generally owe taxes. Also, keep in mind that any withdrawals will reduce your policy’s death benefit and the available cash surrender value. • Polity loans - Rather than taking a withdrawal from your policy, you could take out a loan. You won’t have to go through an approval process or income verification, and policy loans Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St. Nashville, Ml (517)760-8113 typically have lower interest rates than bank loans and don’t assess closing costs. Plus, because your insurer will be lending you the money and using the cash in your policy as collateral, your policy’s cash value can remai n intact and still potentially grow. However, policy loans do carry some issues of which you should be aware. For one thing, while a loan usually isn’t taxable, you could end up owing taxes on any unpaid loan balance, including interest And if this balance exceeds the policy’s cash value, it could cause your policy to lapse. Also, outstanding loans can reduce your death benefit •Cashing out -Ifyou cash out, or “surrender,” your policy, you can receive the entire cash value, plus any accrued interest You will have to subtract any money needed to pay policy loans, along with unpaid premiums and surrender fees, which can be significant Also, any amount you receive over the policy’s cash basis — the total of premiums you’ve paid — will be taxed as regular income. • 1035 Exchange - Through what’s known as a Section 1035 Exchange, you can transfer your life insurance policy to an annuity, which can be structured to pay you a lifetime income stream. The exchange won’t be taxable but surrender charges may still apply. Given the potential tax implications ofthe above options, Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 11,t 2024. The amount due oh the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Kathleen A. Courtney, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PNC Bank, National Association Date of Mortgage: September 27,2013 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 4, 2013 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $32,482.70 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 6 and 7 of Block 12 of Daniel Striker’s Addition to the City of Hastings, Michigan, according to the recorded plat thereof excepting therefrom the North 45 feet of Lots 6 and 7. Common street address (if any): 701 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Ml 49058-1425 The redemption period shall be 1 year from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 a. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: November 30,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1516199 (11-30)(12-21) 209314 you may want to consult with your tax advisor before making any moves. Also, be sure you are comfortable with a reduced or eliminated death benefit Specifically, you’ll want to be confident that your spouse or other family members don’t need the proceeds of your policy. This may require some discussions about your loved ones’ plans and needs. And don’t forget that life insurance can help your family pay for final expenses, such as funeral costs and unpaid medical bills. Whether it’s providing you with needed retirement income or helping your family meet future needs, your cash value life insurance policy is a valuable asset — so try to put it to the best use possible. words This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. EdwardJones, Member SIPC Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 2023-029622-DE M Court Address: 206 W. Court St., #302 Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Justin Michael Williamson. Date of birth: 4-18-1987. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Justin Michael Williamson, died 2-26-23. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Kimberly Lubinski, Esq., personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., #302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. lOhi Date: 12/04/2023 Kimberly Lubinski, Esq. 26224 Van Dyke Ave. Center Line, Ml 49015 586-754-1450 209743 Banner CLASSIFIEDS ** CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 i A Ik- /> usiness Services WANTED: STANDING 209614 c MembceerrSIPC SIPC Memb Can life insurance help provide retirement income? Date: 12/04/2023 Nathan E. Tagg P68994 202 South Broadway Hastings, Ml 49058 269-948-2900 Kerri Selleck PO Box 233 Hastings, Ml 49058 269-720-8640 FOCUS TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.'* Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. iKSb. !S«. !S« wS wS �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. December 7,2023 — Page 13 eview Saxon teams both bring back some top scorers Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are three bowlers back for both the Hastings varsity boys’ and girls’ bowling teams this winter who finished in the top half ofthe standings at their MHSAA Division 2 Regional Singles Tournament a year ago. That group includes junior Miles Lipsey from the Saxon boys’ team who had a high game of237 at regionals which helped boost him to a spot in the MHSAA Division 2 State Singles Finals. Also back for the Saxon boys’ team from that regional line-up a year ago are junior Hunter Pennington and seniors Cohen James and Zach Ramey They’ll be rolling for head coach Vem Robins this winter. Hastings head coach Deanna Rhodes has had Robins as an assis­ tant for about six seasons now, and the pro­ gram has grown to the size that she went to athletic director Mike Goggins and asked to add a coach for the boys program. The high school administration said yes, and Robins is filling that spot. “I am thrilled,” Rhodes said. “I am so thankful to have the help. She said really there isn’t necessarily much of a distinction in who will coach who, “we coach all ofthem.” Ally Herder, a senior, leads the list of returning Hastings girls this winter. She placed 18th at regionals as a junior last February, rolling a high game of 190 at the tournament. She was less than 50 pins behind the last ofthe state qualifiers after the six regional games. Bit? ww ws •- Hastings girls fall in K-zoo •a lav WtiOMm fesfefife Cohen James Haques ■ In tfla ■MM Ally Herder Saxons look to defend"" 1-8 title oncheer mats W attaint hCTCWJSNjsrs Maps ft ess rite tan ns psft t faty bta s pp pasriiepBe^eJBWft® rttepasriaw®**11* to IM** Camilla Loss Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons are looking to defend their Interstate-8 Athletic Conference competitive cheer championship this winter and make it four titles since joining the conference. Hastings varsity competitive cheer coach Linsey Jacinto, who is entering her tenth sea­ son leading the Saxon program, said she expects Jackson Northwest to be her team’s biggest challenger for a conference crown. The 1-8 season gets started when the Mounties play host to the firstjamboree ofthe season Jan. 10. Hastings will get to host a conference jamboree Feb. 7 in what is currently the only home meet on its schedule for the season. Looking to finish as conference champs again is a group often who are returning from last year’s varsity squad including second team all-district base Carly Frazer and honorable mention all-district flyer Kacey Campbell. That duo is part of a solid senior group which also includes bases Jordyn Downs, Makayla Pickett, Lexie Roberts, Mia Santos, backspot Adrianne VanDenburg and flyer Camilla Loss, Also returning for a second season on the TK cheer looks to peak sooner with new coach f f & 7jff Also back from that squad for the Saxon . team are juniors Heaven Simmet and Jen Stoline. Senior Kaylin Schild is a key return­ ee to the program as well this season. The boys’ team will look for bigger varsi­ ty contributions this time around from ' seniors like Zach Ramey and Kenny Vastine III and junior Daegan Wilkins. Rhodes said she likes what she has seen from senior Aus­ tin Henman early in the preseason too. Coach Rhodes said Lipsey and Herder have been competing in tournaments galore in the offseason and should be ready to roll right away. The program is excited to add a few fresh­ men who have been working through youth ranks in the area too. The Saxons were set to get their season started Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 6, at Ionia. The Hastings teams will host Wyo­ ming Lee Monday, Dec. 11, at Hastings Bowl. The Saxons will also be a part ofthe Marshall Scotch Doubles Tournament Dec. 16 before the holiday break. The 1-8 season starts with a trip to Parma Western Jan. 11. Coach Rhodes said she expects Coldwater to be tough to beat in the conference. The Hastings girls outdid the Cardinals for a conference title last winter and expects they’ll be looking for some revenge. The Coldwater girls did advance to the Division 2 State Finals last year as a team and were just behind the last of the eight qualifiers for match-play at the finals. Mar­ shall was a part ofthe D2 girls’ finals a year ago too and finished 17th in qualifying. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Maxing out is the plan for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team this winter. The Trojans won the OK Gold Confer­ ence Championship a year ago and returned to the MHSAA Division 2 State Finals under head coach Adrian Nichols. Madelynn Lula was in her second season as an assistant coach with the team last winter, and now takes over as head coach of the program which has been one of the most successful in recent seasons of any TKHS program. Lula is hoping to push the Trojans to new heights i.e. getting into that top half of the standings at the state finals. The Trojans put 15 girls on the mat in rounds one and three much of last season. She is upping that number to the max of 16 this year looking to run four stunt groups in round three instead ofthe three they rolled out a year ago. With 22 cheerleaders on the roster she is sure they’ll find a way to make it successful. “No if, ands or buts about it we’re run­ ning 16 and we’re going to figure out how to do that,” Lula said. “I have a veteran base who is flying this year and major changes in terms of roles on the team in order to best benefit the group as a whole.” The new TK head coach said she has also worked with her girls to open the season with a maxed out round two, meaning they are putting the highest level skills out on the mat from the start. “The girls would like to break the 750point threshold before postseason,” Lula said. “We hit our peak really late in the sea­ son, which isn’t a bad thing, but they want their highest number to be even higher than last year.” She is hoping getting all the big things squared away early will give the team time to really fine tune the edges, which is key when pushing for a regional championship and a top state finals finish. Kaylee Clark, a sophomore, was a front spot a year ago and is moving into the role of the team’s fourth flyer this season. The Trojans have three pretty great ones back in sophomores Mia Hilton, Claira Kovich and senior Ava Jahnke. Sophomore Payton Gater is another one of the girls making a move on the mat for TK as she is moving from a spot as a base to a back spot as the Trojans add a stunt group. Coach Lula said all her girls are willing to do whatever it takes to get the team where it wants to be, and both Clark and Gater are flourishing in their new roles. It is a pretty great group back overall for TK. The returning senior crew includes Kennady Smith, Mali Holland and Anna Smith who all earned all-state honors as juniors. Holland was first team all-state in Division 2 and both Kennady and Anna were both second team all-state. The returning group also includes junior back spots Lilly McKeown and Olivia Bouchard and sophomore Keiryn Merrill. The Trojan should face tough competition from Cedar Springs once again in the run for an OK Gold Conference championship this winter. The conference season starts with ajamboree in Middleville Jan. 17. TK opens the season at the CCCAM Scholarship Invitational hosted by West Catholic Saturday, Dec. 9, and will go to the West Catholic Falcon Invite Dec. 15. Those are the only two contests on the slate before the holiday break. varsity are sophomores Claudia Minch and Grade Wilson. The list ofnewcomers looking to keep the varsity tradition alive for the Saxons includes junior Lea Bronsink, senior Lucy Barnard, sophomores Chloe Aicken, Hope Carley, Esther King and Jaden Marble and freshmen Audrey Aicken and Harlie James. So far coach Jacinto really likes her team's round one energy and intensity and its stunt­ ing ability in round three. As is often the case, there is work to on round two tumbling skills. Coach Jacinto said her girls are working hard at perfecting their rounds so far. Not only did the Saxons win an 1-8 title a year ago, they finished just one spot shy or earning a spot in the MHSAA Division 3 State Finals with a fifth-place regional finish. Things will get a little tougher in the postsea­ son this year as the Saxons jump back up to Division 2. They’ll be a part ofthe MHSAA Division 2 District hosted by Gull Lake to start the postseason in mid February. The first competition of the season for the Saxons will be the Redhawk Rumble Invita­ tional hosted by Cedar Springs Jan. 6. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Loy Norrix extended a lead late to spoil the season opener for the Hast­ ings varsity girls’ basketball team in Kalamazoo Monday. The Knights had a six-point lead with four minutes to play and went on to a 54-41 non-eonfqr§n^ wm. ? ^Hastings headCofcehChase'YoungSSaw some things to clean up here early in the season. The Saxons were just 9-of-18 at the free throw line and the Hastings coach figured his team had close to 20 turnovers. The Saxons were still down just three points at the half and just five heading into the fourth quarter. Rachael Hewitt had a game-high 20 points and coach Youngs said she was very strong on the night. He was also pretty pleased with the play of Olivia Friddle and Addey Nickels, and some of the juniors who are new to the varsity like Victoria Tack and Sophia Hamilton. The Saxon head coach also was happy with senior Myah Vincent’s efforts off the bench. Friddle had nine points on the night and Nickels finished with eight. Kennedy Lockett had 15 points to lead Loy Norrix. She hit two threes and had ten points in the first half, then helped her team close out the game with five fourth-quarter points. The Knights also got ten points from Jordyn Partee and eight from London Thompson. The Saxons get into Interstate-8 Ath­ letic Conference play Friday night at Coldwater and then head to Thomapple Kellogg for a non-conference bailgame Tuesday. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW Pursuant to provisions in MCL211.7cc(19), MCL 211,7b, MCL 211,7u and MCL 211.53b, the Board of Review will meet on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 1Q:QQ a.m, in the office of the Assessor at Rutland Charter Township Hall, 2461 Heath Road, Hastings, Michigan to consider appeals related to Principle Residence Exemptions, Disabled Veterans Exemptions, Poverty Exemptions and to Correct Qualified Errors. Dennis McKelvey, Assessor RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Page 14 — Thursday, December 7,2023 — The Hastings Banner DK wins back to-back ballgames Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg varsity boys’ bas­ ketball team earned its first home-court victory of the season and improved to 2-1 on the season with a 66-47 victory over visiting Fennville Tuesday night. The Panthers steadily grew their lead throughout the ballgame, putting up a 38-28 edge in the first half. Torren Mapes and Tyler Howland had 16 points apiece for the Panthers. They both drilled three three-pointers. Sopho| more Keegan Hill chipped in nine points. The DK team hit eight threes on the night with one each from Hugo Martino and Hill. On the other end of the floor, the Pan­ thers picked things up a bit in the second half. “We kind of adjusted our traps at half­ time, which seemed to help us in the sec­ ond half a little better take away some of their easy shots,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said. “They were getting through us too easily with their dribble penetration. They had a player, Devon Calhoun, who had 18 points, including five threes many of them from very deep.” Calhoun led all scorers, and was the only Blackhawk in double figures. Chad Stopher chipped in ten points for the Panthers. Hogoboom said Stopher has. been a steady producer so far tallying a double-double each of the Panthers’ vic­ tories. He is the team’s leading rebounder so far. Coach Hogoboom was also pleased to get a squad of three sophomores and two freshmen some time in the final minutes of the bailgame. “I was much happier with our energy this week compared to our first night,” Hogoboom said. “We’ve been better the last couple nights with our effort and hustle getting guys to understand at the defensive end playing with the greater sense of urgency to stop the ball. We have given up too many easy baskets for my liking so far this year. I am so proud ofour guys making that a point ofemphasis.” The DK boys start the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division season at Galesburg-Augusta Friday night. The Panthers pulled out a 60-59 win at Bellevue Monday night for their firstt win ofthe season. Hogoboom called it a gritty, hardfought win. He was really happy with the way his guys were physical at both ends ofthe floor, especially in the second half after the Broncos’ bigs moved his guys around in the paint a bit too much in the first half and got a few too many second chance points. Stopher, Victor Gonzalez and Blake Lillibridge battled the Broncos hard in the second half on the glass to improve things for DK. Bellevue had Noah Loren with 14. Bellevue led 18-11 after one quarter and had the lead at 30-20 at halftime. The DK defense altered its plan in the second halfand some shots started to fall at the other end. They Panthers pulled within 45-44 going into the fourth quarter. Mapes had 17 points, with 12 in the sec­ ond half. Howland had 18 points scoring 13 in the second half. Mapes hit four three-pointers and Howland knocked down three. Stopher chipped in 11 points. Bellevue was lead by Caleb Beth with 28 points. He hit four threes. Noah Loren added 14 points. The Broncos made it interesting in the end after the Panthers started the fourth quarter strong to build a 56-49 edge with 2:30 to play. The Bronco press caused the DK boys some trouble and they got within 59-57 with 11 seconds to go. Howland hit a free throw with seven seconds to play, and Hogoboom was pleased with the way his guys executed the late-game defense. A long heave for a three by the Broncos was no good and a tip-in at the buzzer trimmed the DK lead to one. Saxons fall in first two of new season Brett Bremer Sports Editor It took most o o f the first six minutes Wednesday night, but senior point guard Owen Carroll finally scored the first points of the Saxon season. Hastings varsity boys’ basketball team spotted Hamilton a 10-0 lead and the Hawkeyes’ lead yo-yo'd from there as they eventually came away with a 56-42 win over the host Saxons at Hastings High School. The Saxons clawed back to within two points early in the second quarter after falling behind by double figures, but the Hawkeyes then took off to build an 18-point halftime lead with a few threes and a flurry of Saxon turnovers. Hamilton led 28-10 at the half. A 9-0 run by the Saxons in the middle of the third quarter cut the Hamilton lead in half to 32-23. Hastings kept clawing back. A three-pointer by senior guard Da\ id Jiles cut the Hawk­ eye lead to seven points a minute and a half into the fourth quarter, and senior Landon Steward followed up by taking a charge on the other end to get the Saxons the ball back and got the home side fired up. The Saxons couldn’t turn that next posses­ sion into points however as a quick turnover gave the ball back to the Hawkeyes. A three by Carroll with 5:45 to play had the Saxons as close as they would get at 43-37. Carroll picked up his fourth foul with just under five minutes tb play, and had to take a quick spell on the bench at one point with an The Saxons' Landon Steward looks to swing the ball around the arc during his -injury. The Saxons need his leadership and ball-handling on the court especially early team's non-conference season opener against visiting Hamilton Wednesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) this season, and relied on his scoring quite a bit Wednesday as he was one ofthe few guys able to create his own shot against the break. He eventually fouled out as the Sax­ through the third quarter, but the Orioles Hawkeyes - finding success at times with his ons pressured late to try and erase their extended their lead from there. short pull-up jumpe$. deficit. The Orioles shot over 54 percent from the Carroll finished with a game-high 21 Junior Landon VanderZwaag had 15 points floor and hit 9-of-17 three pointers in the points. for the Hawkeyes, scoring 12 in the first half. contest. Junior center Eli Randall chipped in seven It was a well-rounded attack forthe Hawkeyes. Maliki Garza led the Orioles with 19 points. Jiles finished with five points. Junior James Hoffman finished with 11 points. He was 4-of-6 from three. Cutler Junior forward Jett Bamum and senior points, junior Gavin Saballa ten points and Brandt finished with 13 points and Ben Buz­ forward Landon Steward join Carroll as the juniors Logan O’Connor arid Riley VanDerzard had ten. Saxons’ most experienced varsity ballplay­ Hulst had eight points apiece. Jiles hit a pair ofthrees and finished with a ers for new Saxon head coach Jess Webb, Charlotte put together a 10-0 run late in the team-high 14 points for Hastings. Steward but Barnum had to sit in foul-trouble for an first quarter and went on to a 64-43 win over added 11 points and Carroll had six. Dre extended period irithc first half. He had two the visiting Saxons Friday night. Mathis chipped in five points and Jett Bar­ quick fouls and picked-up a third before the The Saxons got within 34-29 midway num had six. THE HOTTEST STARS QUEEN NATION* TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF QUEEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 BRET MICHAELS PARTI-GRAS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR VlWor I-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Hastings junior Eli Randall flips a shot over Hamilton's Ryan VanDorp in the paint during the second half of their non-conference matph to open the sea­ son Wednesday, Nov. 29. (Photo by Brett Bremer) New Hastings varsity boys' basketball coach Jess Webb talks things over with his guys during a timeout in the season opener against Hamilton at Hastings High School Wednesday, Nov. 29. (Photo by Brett Bremer) PANTHERS, continued from page 9 Comedy by Pat Cook Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC., of Woodstock, Illinois Performances I Thursday, Friday, Saturday - December 7,8,9 @ 7:00 PM Sunday - December 10 @ 2:00 PM "ALL TICKETS: $12 Open-to-the-Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, December 6 @ 7:00 PM "ALL TICKETS: $10 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231S. Broadway - Hastings Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers, 102 E. State St., Hastings, by scanning the QR code or reserved by calling the Thornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. CTltflf $teNAPPLE ^^council Thornapple Players is a non-profit organization providing theatrical opportunities to the Barry County area. The Panther lead could likely had been more in the end if they’d took advantage of a few more chances right around the rim and knocked down a few more free throws. They were just 15-of-37 at the line for the night. Defensively, the Panthers7 press gave the Lions’ some fits here ahd there. “I am very pleased with our press, just our movement in the prdss, our rotation was much better. We have been working real hard on that. You see your numbers are down low, and rarely can we go five-on-five (in practice) so we just get creative and get silly with how we get it done,” Mohn said. “The kids have adjusted really, really well. We have one kid that was home sick. That is why we’re down. We’ll keep battling. “I love their effort. Ifthere is one thing to be excited about, the/just need to learn to control it, but I am telling you what they will fly around and get after it andjust have some fun. That is what it is all about. I’ll take that. Delton Kellogg got eight points from senior guard Summer Ritchie and seven from Williams. Ritchie and Paytn Robinson are the two seniors on the DK roster ster this winter. Robin Robin-­ son finished the night with five points. “I thought our free throws down the stretch [4-of-6 to start the fourth quarter] that’s huge. For a while there we were hitting one, miss­ ing one, hitting one missing one, so that’s good,” Mohn said. “They kind of answered the call. We had to call the timeout and talk about what it’s like to be up, and we’re still scrambling around shooting 20-footers. I don’t want that. Bring it back out and work. That’s a learning thing. We’re very young. That shows.” The Lions are a bit more experienced than the Panthers as far as varsity minutes. It is good for the Lions to have Pierce fairly healthy and handling the basketball. She is one of five seniors on the roster along with Kyla VanAlstine, Leo, Mater and forward Haylee Shook. The Lion roster also includes three fresh­ men and four sophomores this winter. Maple Valley got that first bucket on a look­ ahead from Pierce in transition and head coach Karl Wilhelm was happy to see another score like that from Pierce up to Mater late in the third quarter. The Lions outscored the Pan­ thers 6-5 in the third quarter after the Delton Kellogg girls built a 23-5 halftime lead, ‘ I thought there were some significant things that they made steps at, intangible things. In terms ofexecution, I don’t think we played as well as we could play,” coach Wilhelm said. “But in terms of the intangible things, not giving up, continuing to work hard even though they were down, continuing to communicate to each other I thought we took a step in the right direction. “Certainly, in the second half we were a better team than we had at any point last year, but there is still a long way to go and still a lot ofthings to work on.” He thought Leo had an especially nice sec­ ond half. “We decided to let Leo be the sixth man, and we talked a lot about it over the last two days and I thought she really embraced that role,” Wilhelm said. “I was really proud of her effort in the second half.” He was also pretty pleased with VanAlstine’s efforts in the paint. More ofa forward/ guard, she does what is needed for the team. The Lion coach is also looking forward to his big senior center Mater’s growth on the court this winter. Her first shot to ofthe night was far enough offthe mark that all she could do was smile, but didn’t shy away from taking advantage of her height to bury another attempt at ajumper in the high post. The Maple Valley girls go on the road to face Wyoming Lee Friday at 6 p.m and then will go to Bellevue for a 5:30 start Tuesday. Delton Kellogg starts the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division season at Galesburg-Augusta Friday and then will be home to take on Constantine Tuesday. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-12-14.pdf 43f671249126b87b37478cb808040eed PDF Text Text Hastings Elks Lodge gives to local causes It's time for a resurgence of the 'shop local' movement TK ladies shut out Hastings girls late See story on page 2 See story on page 4 See story on page 14 Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 The Hastings ANNER Thursday, December 14, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 50 8 PRICE $1.50 Industrialist and philanthropist Larry Baum passes away, leaves behind legacy Doug VanderLaan Contributing Writer While most people saw dollar signs on the checks Larry Baum wrote, those who knew him best could see the man’s heart. “Every single year, when he came in and gave us that check (for the pay-to-play pro­ gram), it wasn’t just money,” recalls Matt Goebel, superintendent of the Hastings Area School System, speaking about the fund that allows all students to participate cost-free in the school’s athletic programs and which always ranged between $50,000 to $75,000. “From an education standpoint, he was giving experiences, life lessons that he had experienced himself. I think he knew that check wasn’tjust money.” Baum, the prolific businessman and philan­ thropist who dedicated his life and his giving to Barry County, died Monday at 86 years of age after a valiant, four-year battle with the effects ofa stroke suffered in 2019 . Larry Baum (right) joins his wife, Earlene (middle) and son Jason (left) outside the Hastings Fiberglass plant during a tour. Barry County courts seeing rise in a specific form of substance abuse Jayson Bussa Editor A. form ofsubstance abuse has dispro­ portionately cropped up in Barry County as of late, playing a role in a variety of criminal offenses. “In the past year - maybe two years - it has really reared its ugly head with adults,” said. Tammi Price, program manager for the county’s adult specialty courts. The substance is a seemingly innocu­ ous one - canned, pressurized air that is used to blow away dust from computer keyboards. To pressurize the air, a vari­ ety ofchemicals are implemented in this product, which is being abused by adults and youth alike who inhale it. Inhaling or huffing a variety of aero­ sol products to achieve a high is not anything new, but those associated with the county’s courts, criminal justice sys­ tem and efforts to combat substance abuse have taken notice of its reemer­ gence in Barry County. Even beginning to combat the use of keyboard duster as an inhalant is an uphill battle as it is readily available in stores or for purchase online. Not only is its accessibility a problem, but the way that the product dissipates from a per­ son’s system so quickly means it can be difficult, if not impossible, to detect on traditional drug tests. “Currently, we are not urine drug test­ ing for it,” Price said. “I believe the only test available is a blood test and that blood test is around $700 a test. We are researching ways that we can test for it, but at this time, it’s just cost-prohibitive.” The risks associated with inhaling these dusting products fall in line with those oftraditional drug use. In fact, in some aspects, it can be even riskier. Some ofthe potential effects of inhal­ ing this product include cardiac arrest, unconsciousness, liver damage, difficulty breathing and frostbite ofthe nasal cavity. Price, like everyone else, couldn’t say with complete confidence why this form ofdrug use has taken off, other than per- Larry Baum (far left) and Earlene Baum greet Hastings High School athletes. Baum funded a pay-to-play program at the school that ensured all students could participate in sports for free. (File photos) See BAUM, page 2 How a Grinch tried to steal Christmas in Delton In light of a stolen Christmas tree in Delton, Barry Township Chief of Police Jenny Johnson shows a sense of humor by handcuffing the Grinch. The community rallied to plant a new tree where the old one was plucked from the ground. (Photos provided) Karen Thrko-Ebright Contributing Writer T’was in the wee hours on Saturday morn­ ing before the Delton Hometown Christmas event, when a creature plucked out the town’s Christmas tree, leaving a gaping hole on the lawn and a dirt trail near the new Delton Kel­ logg Elementary School. .. A video recording of the act would later land in the hands oflocal law enforcement. “We have a suspect that has been identified by the public and surveillance cameras throughout our community,” said Barry Township Police Chief Jenny Johnson. “No one was injured. Charges are forthcoming.” Words and photos about the stolen tree immediately spread throughout social media, alerting the small town of Delton. Township Supervisor Barry Bower reacted quickly, rac­ ing against the clock. The town’s annual Christmas Parade of Lights would travel by the new elementary school, lining up at The Methodist Church at dusk. The parade would precede a ribbon-cut­ ting ceremony inaugurating the grand open­ ing of the new wing of the Delton Kellogg Elementary School. So, the community rallied to replace it. “Ward Goff, the owner of Delton Dozing, donated a tree. Rob Pinks, who works for Delton Dozing, and volunteer Brad Hope, got the equipment to replace the tree,” Bower said. According to Johnson, while planning for a new tree, the old tree was found lying on the corner ofHallock and Osborne Roads, where it was dumped. “It’s Christmas, and that was uncalled for and a ridiculous thing to have happened,” Johnson said. “It’s shameful.” Bower said he is thankful for his commu­ nity and their generosity. “The best surprise: Ward Goff donated the tree,” Bower explained. “I got a call from Rob Pinks at 8 a.m. Saturday. By noon, we replaced the tree and decorated it.” He said he could not believe how many people heard about the tree and stopped by to help. L.J. Carpenter, owner of L J Fluid Power Company, supplied the dump truck to haul dirt for planting the new Christmas tree. According to Carpenter, the tree spade was provided by Goff. “Well, it was pretty disheartening right off the bat because I knew what it took for people to get that tree in the first place,” said Carpen­ ter. “But in the end, all that mattered was the new Christmas tree.” Mark Roodbergen, who dons a Grinch cos­ tume year after year at Delton’s Hometown Christmas, put his hands to good use in plant­ ing the tree along with Barry Township Main­ tenance Supervisor Jim Wenzel. Mary Collier is a long-time resident of Delton and a member ofthe Delton Rotary Club. “As a Delton Rotarian, I was particularly dismayed because we had purchased the tree this year, had it professionally dug and plant- See GRINCH, page 8 EGLE imposes new restrictions on planned Royal Coach development; city grants $260,000 fee exemption Hunter McLaren StaffWriter The City of Hastings has provided a fee exemption for a planned housing develop­ ment at the former Royal Coach site follow­ ing new restrictions passed down by the state’s environmental agency. City council members voted Monday to provide developer CopperRock Construction an exemption from a $268,000 “system improvement fee” levied by the city. The fee, charged for developments requiring city water and sewer hookups, is charged to the developer in addition to the cost ofnew water meters and other materials or hardware. While still on the hook for those hardware and material costs, the developer argued waiving the fee would offset unexpected site See SUBSTANCE, page 3 See EGLE, page 3 Developer CopperRock Construction shared this rendering of what a 135-unit mixed-use development at the former Royal Coach site could look like. (Courtesy rendering) �Page 2 — Thursday, December 14.2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Choral Society presents The Music of Christmas’ The Lakewood Area Choral Society (LACS), under the direction offounding artistic director and conductor, Robert C. Oster, with pianist, Ethan Holmes, will present its final concert of2023 with secular and sacred seasonal choral music. This year’s concert, “The Music ofChristmas,” will be held Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 N M-43 in Hastings. Following the combined singing of“O Come All Ye Faithful” by the choir and audi­ ence, the concert will continue with its titled theme, “The Music ofChristmas,” a medley ofseveral familiar Christmas carols, lyrics and music by Joseph Martin. “The Shepherd’s Carol,” a traditional Austrian carol, arranged by Dan Forrest, follows. “Have Yourselfa Meny Little Christmas,” words and music by Hugh Martin, arranged by Mac Huffwill get everyone in the holiday spirit. “Have a Very Merry Christmas Day,” words and music by composer and friend ofthe choral society, Jill Gallina, is a new addition to the choir’s Christmas repertoire. A tender setting of“Away in a Manger” arranged by Howard Helvey follows, featuring cellist, Tina Horrigan. “We Are His Gold” from.the “Christmas Cantata Canticle ofJoy” by Joseph Martin will be conducted by Cindy Olson, assistant conductor, with Robert Oster on the newly-rebuilt Scott Smith pipe organ. “Jingle Bell Celebration,” arranged by Donald Moore will be performed by the tenors and basses and will feature percussion­ ists Sally Shoffand Mark Walters. “The Birthday ofa King,” performed by the sopranos and altos, features alto soloist Sheryl Haveman and violinist Dave Parker. The often comic and certainly entertaining audience participation ofthe “Twelve Days ofChrist­ mas,” arranged by Robert C. Oster, makes its return this year. Also returning will be the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. The concert will conclude with the solemn “Night ofSilence,” by Daniel Kantor, fea­ turing flutist, Cathie Ott and organist, Cindy Olson. As is customary at LACS Christmas concerts, the audience will join the choir with singing “Silent Night” during the last verse. The concert will be rebroadcast on WBCH 100.1 and streamed on wbch.com on Christmas Day at 8:30 a.m., and is, once again, being sponsored by the Barry County Commission on Aging and Bennett Travel ofHastings. The doors for the concert will open at 3 p.m. In lieu oftickets, a freewill offering will be collected. Voting underway for Battle of the Bulbs contest Voting for the fourth annual Barry County Battle ofthe Bulbs is underway now for a fourth year. Locals are invited to vote for their favorite holiday-decorated home or business. Residents and business owners in Barry County were encouraged to help spread holi­ day cheer by decorating the outside oftheir businesses and homes. Each submission photo is posted to the Barry County Chamber Facebook page. Mem­ bers of the public will have until Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. to vote for their favorite business or residence. Votes can be cast by “liking” the photo on Facebook. Residential prizes include: - First place: $250 in Barry Bucks - Second place : $ 150 in Barry Bucks ‘ - Third place: $7’5 in Barry Bucks'1 ’ ' The winner ofthe business category will receive a trophy to display. This year’s Battle ofthe Bulbs contest is sponsored by Dewey’s Auto Body. Corewell Health encourages community members to donate blood, save lives this holiday season Corewell Health, in partnership with Versiti Blood Center ofMichigan, is encouraging community members in West Michigan to donate blood this holiday season. A series of community blood drives will take place this December, including one in Hastings. Hastings-area residents can donate blood on Wednesday, Dec. 20 between 12:45 and 6 p.m. at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital. Other blood drives can be found by search­ ing donate.michigan.versiti.org. ' ' “‘Fewer people“donate-btoodTirwinter mohths dnfritrtlfe busy-holiday seaSb'ir, poor weather conditions and seasonal illness,” said Nick Rambow, interim vice president at Corewell Health Laboratory. “Blood donations are important for our patients all year long. We hope that the community will help by scheduling an appointment.” Versiti Blood Center ofMichigan is the primary provider of blood for Corewell Health hospitals, and blood donated can help trauma victims, surgery patients, premature babies, patients with anemia and those undergoing treatment for cancer. The process ofdonating blood takes about an hour. This includes registration, a brief medical screening and blood collection. Individuals 17 and older who are in good health and not experiencing symptoms of cold or flu may donate, blood. Donors who are 16 years old may donate but must have parent or guardian permission. A photo ID is required to donate. MICHAEL KINNEY PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber [ Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 The Baum family (pictured), led by Larry and Earlene Baum (center), has consistently supported Hastings Area Schools, along with the HPAC and community for many years. To honor and show appreciation for the Baums, Friends of the HPAC decided to name the auditorium inside the facility after Larry and Earlene Baum. Pictured are (from left) Jason Baum, Becky McGowan, Susie Baum, Dave Baum, Larry Baum, Earlene Baum, Tim Pederson, Karen Pederson, Brian Baum, Tauri Baum, Nick Baum and Mallory Berg. (Photo provided) BAUM, continued from page 1 Though support ofthe athletic programs in “He always felt that sports gave students an ability to understand what it means to be Hastings was a major focus for Baum, the gifts that have come from him and his wife, team player and it gave them a place to Earlene, and the family’s foundation are evi­ belong,” says Gettys. “Once they’re on a team, they find the thrill ofbeing able to suc­ dent throughout the community. ceed. That shaped him; he knew that was The Baums have been instrumental in the creation of the Thomapple Plaza entertain­ important to him as a young man.” ment complex on downtown Hastings* east Chris Cooley, a former, now-retired super­ side; in the Baum Dialysis Center which saves intendent and administrator of the Hastings Area School System, admires how Baum patients from having to seek care in Grand Rapids or other larger cities; in the performing knew how to stay in his lane as an athletic program donor, evident in one of what became arts center attached to the high school that hosts regionally notable music and acts; in the hundreds ofmeetings between the two. automotive skills development program at the “He came in and said, ‘Look, I didn’t go to college but I was in the service. The lessons I Gilmore Car Museum; in a new lodge at YMCA Camp Algonquin along with a power­ learned were on fields and tracks. Ifyou need ful endowment fund to provide scholarships some advanced science book, find a doctor.’” for campers; and in a myriad of other causes Cooley was also taken aback when Baum supporting those in need in Barry County. barged into his office another day and demand­ “When he set his mind on something that was ed that the administration take care of the needed and was helpful and useful to the com­ “eyesore” field house that had been built back when Baum was a high school senior in 1955. munity, that was foremost to him,” recalls Ear­ lene, who was a supporter ofevery project, but “I told him I understood but he had proba­ bly seen the news on school funding and I acknowledges that because her husband was out don’t have the money to pay for it,” says in the community, “he would usually see a need Cooley. “He comes right back and says, ‘No, before me. We were both interested in doing what we could for this, community because of no, 1’11 pay for it.’ That’s when I started look­ our love for the area and for the people.” ing around for the hidden camera. I thought I The love that Larry and Earlene developed was being punked.” Instead, the two started visiting other as Hastings High School sweethearts devel­ oped into a 67-year marriage and started at schools, hired an architect and got the job her father’s business, Hastings Fiberglass done. When Cooley retired, Baum convinced Products, where Earlene “kept the books” him to help manage his family’s philanthrop­ and where Larry was a constant presence at ic affairs. That became an opportunity to the drafting table of Earl McMullin, Earlene’s view up close just how precise the Baum father. McMullin was the genius behind “hot* giving strategy was. st^ck” technology,fjth^ Tiberglass long poles matter what we we^e doing* g when J would ask, ‘Whars the goal Here1?’ me answer that allowed electrical linemen to service fuse boxes from the ground rather than climbing was always the same: ‘Make Hastings a des­ poles, but he needed marketing help. tination,”’ marvels Cooley. “He wanted peo­ Baum proved to bejust the partner McMul­ ple to visit Hastings and say that they wanted lin needed and the two built the business into to live here. He didn’t want to build some­ an international power. thingjust to build something.” “He definitely had the gift ofgab,” chuck­ As impressed as he was with Baum’s con­ les Earlene, who’s still keeping the books tinuing quest toward that goal, Cooley can’t today. Larry also picked up the mechanical help but point out another, not often seen, knowledge and project management skills side ofLarry Baum. that came to be his trademark in his subse­ “Larry had a real ability to laugh at himself,” quent philanthropic work. the story already breaking Cooley up. “He was “Larry loved to be in control of his proj­ coming home one night and went to the KFC ects,” laughs Bonnie Gettys, President/CEO of drive-through to order a pot pie which he had the Barry Community' Foundation through done before. The kid on the speaker says, ‘We which many Baum projects have been guided. don’t have pot pie’ and Larry replied, “What do “When we worked with Larry and Earlene and you mean you don’t have pot pie?’ the DeCamps (fellow I local philanthropists, “They go through it again and Larry, getting .Doug .and. Margaret) to have. the. (teaching) . frustrated, says,.‘Are you done with pot pie for kitchen renovated here, Larry would come in the night or are they no longer on the menu?’ every day to check on the project. Again, ‘No pot pie.’ Larry’s had enough and “He’d sit in my offiqe and, ifI was on the says, ‘I want to talk to your manager.’ phone, he’d wait patiently until I was done. “He wheels his car through the drive-through He wanted to be sure that project met his lane into a parking space and then realizes: He’s expectation. He wanted it done well and to at Burger King, not KFC. He went home and the level ofwhat his ‘ well’ meant.” had some ring bologna and a pickle. Goebel, the Hastings school superinten­ “No one needed to know that story, but dent, found the same thing just as he was Larry thought it was funny and he couldn’t joining the district 11 years ago and Baum wait to come in and tell me it the next day.” had agreed to donate new artificial turffor the Cooley’s proximity also helped him under­ football field prior to the new fall season. stand that recognition for his giving was not “Larry was not happy with the contractors* Baum’s motivation, though so many of his timelines,” relates Goebel, “so he was on site projects cany the Baum name. making sure the project was going to make “A lot of things that he and Earlene did at deadline. That says a lot about Larry. He had the school were done anonymously, but some­ a high standard or threshold for what he times (the naming) wasn’t their decision,” expected - whatever the project. He wanted says Cooley. “When we did the football field, that turfready by the first game.” we felt like it was such a big project we, as a That was the kind of discipline that Baum school, wanted to recognize that. It was always learned on the athletic field and that’s why he Johnson Field and we wanted to respect that wanted his giving to allow others to learn because the Johnsons did that for us. So we skills that served him throughout his life. came up with Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. //SI 10376 Check out our New Fabric Collections Hu 1st Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; ff* Saturday 9 am-3 pm Baum (left) shares a sentimental moment with his wife Earlene. “It was school-driven and we said that that’s what we wanted.” Gettys, the Barry Community Foundation president, understood that, too. “I always felt when he put his family’s name on something it was done to inspire others,” maintains Gettys. “Larry was gener­ ous to a fault He always said, as well, ‘My goal is that the last check written out ofmy checkbook goes to pay for my funeral. He gave away everything.” Baum also made his giving philosophy well known to everyone he encountered. He didn’t want to save his money to be given away upon his death, he wanted to donate it at a time in his life when he could see how it was used and people could benefit. Sometimes that was even on a whim when no one was looking. “We were having lunch in Grand Rapids one day and the waitress had purple hair,” says Cooley. “Larry asked her, ‘What’s up with the purple hair?’ She told us her kids loved it which is why she kept doing it When Larry asked ifshe had been busy with herjob, she mentioned that she worked at the restau­ rant until 1 p.m. then moved to her job at a store from 3 to 6 p.m. “’You have two jobs?’ Larry asked, and she replied that she was a single mom and was working the second job so Christmas could be special for her two kids. We got done eating, Larry pulled five $100 bills out and gave them to her and told her, ‘Make sure your kids have a wonderful Christmas.’ “A lot of people know about the big things, but they don’t ,necessarily.,Imow about the Did B 1511f'V h> JTOQQUftd David Baum, one of three cmfdren, saw both the big and small things when he joined his father’s business after graduating from col­ lege. In a note to all the company’s employees announcing his father’s passing, Baum said Larry was his “father, mentor and friend.” “He always told me - and I never agreed - that, ‘You’re a lot smarter than me.’ I just barely graduated high school and he was so very successful,” recalls Dave. “He told me how blessed he was and how the community had helped him become a success. “’If something helps you be successful, you need to support it,’ he always said. That started when I was in high school when I looked up to him as a mentor.” That was the bedrock Larry Baum philos­ ophy. “He .was. so proud .of his. success that he wanted to share it with his community,” says Fred Jacobs, CEO of J-Ad Graphics, Inc. “Larry was really a special guy - he loved his hometown and was always willing to give back to the place that was so important to him. “I just can’t say enough about Larry - he was a special, giving, loving man who came from simple beginnings and, through hard work and determination, turned into a highly successful industrialist who built a legacy of giving back to his beloved Hastings.” Even when his health struggles made com­ municating difficult and his giving work became a road filled with obstacles, Baum’s giving spirit was always apparent Jon Sporer, director ofYMCA-Camp Algon­ quin, clearly noticed that when, just over a year ago, the facility debuted its newly-designed waterfront, another project behind which the Baum family was key. Supporting the YMCACamp Algonquin had been one of its dearest causes, going back to the day Earl McMullin moved to Hastings from California to develop his ongoing fiberglass talents and needed a summer activity for his two children. “The day we presented the schematic drawings for our new waterfront, we had a dinner group offolks,” Sporer relates. “When we pulled out the new redesign, you could tell from the amount of questions he asked that he saw the possibilities. “The last time I saw him was back in August and, (when he saw what had been produced), you could see his eyes light up.” Fellow businessman and philanthropist Doug DeCamp, chairman/CEO of Flexflab Horizons, Inc., often saw that light during the more than 50 years that the two were business colleagues and friends. “Larry and I shared a common thought about growing this community,” says DeCamp. “Our meetings were often a chance for us to brainstorm and Larry’s desire to give back to his community always spoke strongly. “Larry was a gift, and his legacy will leave a mark on this community at large for yester­ day, today and for the generations to follow.” Family, friends, and all whom he touched know that Larry Baum would consider that as the best use ofhis name and gifts. J Mi �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 14, 2023 — Page 3 BIRCH reverses course, pivotstoward keeping and improving current contract sentiments seemed to reverse course at last Hunter McLaren week’s meeting. Staff. Writer Members of the BIRCH Rural Fire Associ­ Board member Gene Hall, representing Rutland Township, saw potential benefits in ation are looking into how they can improve both paths forward. and continue their current operations after discussing the possibility of dissolving the “This is kind ofa tried-and-true co-op that we’ve developed here. I’ve only been board completely. involved with* it for a couple of years, but The board met last week Thursday for the (Carlton Township Supervisor Brad Carpen­ first time since September to discuss amend­ ter) has been in it for 20-plus years. It would ments to the BIRCH contract. Conversa­ be a shame to see that dissolve,” Hall said. tions around the fate ofthe board have been “However, I do see a point where a memongoing since August when itwas discovered the board was not funded adequately to ber from each township could be part of an make several urgent purchases to'replace iuivispry iuivispry (committee (committee toto the the city, city, working working severely aged Hastings Fire Department through the problems and the development of a plan like this,” he continued. “I see having vehicles. In September, board members dis-,, cussed raising each constituenttownship’s the city take ovef this would streamline getBIRCH contributions across the board of ting things done.’* City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale prepared dissolving the board entirely and contract­ and presented a rough draft ofwhat dissolv­ ing directly with the City of Hastings ing the board would look like. instead. “Based on our conversation at the last Board members voted to do away with a meeting, we got a feel for what people were complicated formula used to generate funds thinking, how you were leaning and how we for the board, instead levying 1.25 mills on wanted to move forward. What I took from each township’s protected taxable value. that was there was a desire for there to bejust Although discussions at September’s meeting seemed to lean toward the dissolution ofthe BIRCH board in favor ofeach township con­ See BIRCH, page 8 tracting directly with the city, board member Xnce 1846 Ha^ttncs BIRCH Rural Fire Association members met last week Thursday to discuss the future of the board. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Hastings Elks Lodge provides $8,000 of grant funding to local causes ss« e« <l*** £5^*35 * S-S SSL*-** L*-** 22*2 tek »o sited ■ ^WieplWiw- Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Three Barry County projects have been made possible thanks to grant contributions from the Hastings Elks Lodge. The organization has contributed three grants totaling $8,000 thanks to the Elks Nation Foun­ dation’s Community Investments Program. This year’s recipients were the Hastings Public Library, the Family Support Center of Barry County and the Freeport Historical Society. Hastings Public Library was the recipient of$2,000, funding the creation ofits “Library ofThings, Jr.” The library’s current Library of Things offering is mostly adult or family-fo­ cused, providing lawn games, metal detectors, binoculars, sewing machines and other items free of charge. Using the grant funds, HPL Assistant Director David Edelman said the library was able to establish a Library of Things, Jr. to cater to kids. Some ofthe items purchased with the grant include audiobook players, robotics and coding-focused toys, outdoor play sets and educational games. “We’ve wanted to do this for years, wejust didn’t have th8‘motie^,M'Eci^lhihrj*^did, . Family Support Center received to — Liz Lenz, Coordinator, Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force SUBSTANCE, continued from page 1 From left to right, Darrell Grinnell, Hastings Elks Lodge; Bill Mattson, Family Support Center of Barry County; Melissa Short, Elks CIP Grant coordinator; Paige Brandli, Hastings Public Library youth librarian and Barb Coppins, Elks secretary. An Elks grant paid for educational games and toys to found a “Library of Things, Jr.” at Hastings Public Library, pictured here, (photo by Hunter McLaren) host a “Wellness Day” to provide resources for families and prevent child abuse. Slated for early next year, the organization plans to host the event in the Community Education and Recreation Center at Hastings High School. Representatives from various Barry County groups will provide information about health ahd’^ellbe'm'g1 services available, itiblilaing imscWrHSDpih lityWtajil ■L IT'!S Cufa. “Htwdp xi^stasyttaibeyizB taftoqinqta tans itata'inot to builds®S sis: ton.* bnikttidihf ataitawiABam® fMdtapL Cohort -fcKitea^'IjiS S*’55-> An Elks grant paid for materials needed to fix a leaky section of the Freeport Historical Society’s roof, (photo provided) EGLE, continued from page 1 I** ** riff dr w w HOU remediation costs and keep market-priced rents low for future residents ofthe 135unit mixed-use development, located at 328 and 420 E. Mill St. The exemption was a point of discussion among council members. Those in support argued tax revenue and intangible economic bene­ fits provided by the high-profile develop­ ment would more than pay for the lost funds, while those opposed said provid­ ing an exemption for developers wasn’t fair to Hastings residents who paid in. Greg Taylor, representing developer CopperRock Construction, told city council members the Michigan Depart­ ment of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) had written permits for the project and it could proceed. Taylor said issues relating to floodplains and wetlands because ofthe site’s proximity to the Thomapple River had been resolved, but issues with soil at the site were discovered. “All of those issues (regarding floodplains and wetlands permitting), we’re happy to say, are now resolved with the State of Michigan and through EGLE. We have written permits and we can pro pro-­ ceed with the project. That’s the good news,” Taylor said. “The bad news is soil conditions that we’ve been able to con­ firm are considerably less buildable than what we had expected, and the site size “There is absolutely zero ability for many retailers to restrict access to it because it’s not recognized as a controlled substance. This is a completely legal product.” was reduced because of those (flood­ plains and wetlands) approvals we got from EGLE.” Because of the site’s past industrial use and the state of the soil, Taylor said the site would require additional architectur­ al and environmental safeguards to meet EGLE standards. ‘Without going into any engineering detail on it, essentially we have to beefup the foundations and put in some long-term vapor mitigation systems so that the project is stable based on the soil conditions.” Even with those hurdles to overcome, Taylor said development on the project was still on a good trajectory. That being said, increasing interest rates and the cost associated with the additional safe­ guards had put CopperRock’s total investment in the project over $32 million. Asking for the $268,000 exemption from the city was an attempt to offset some ofthe project’s unexpected costs, Taylor said. Council members Al Jarvis, Mandy Furrow and Jacquie McLean voted against approving the exemption. Giv­ ing high-profile developers a break on fees set ip the city’s schedule wasn’t fair to Hastings residents who are required to pay those fees, Jarvis said. “I can’t support this,” he said. “Eveiy year we set fees for the people of Hast- Barry County Community Mental Health, the county’s Substance Abuse Task Force, therapy providers and massage therapists. The Freeport Historical Society received $2,000 for roof repairs to their museum, located in Freeport’s old Masonic Temple. Prdsid'eht Ton Smelker said the gfantoaid half P the ^xpelises involved. With repJS?ftg? a, ^pr-,E tion ofthe roofthat had a heavy leak. Secre­ tary Colleen Smelker said the grant was hugely impactful for the organization, pro­ viding around the same amount offunds the organization takes in over the course of a year. It’s ensured they can continue their work sharing and preserving history, with the historical society working on a new book chronicling 150 years for Freeport’s sesquicentennial celebration next summer. “We’re self-supporting, and we’re making it through alright,” she said. “We’re thankful for our local Freeport people. They’re the ones that have supplied all the old artifacts and they are supportive.” Melissa Short, who! acts as the Hastings Elks Lodge CIP grant ‘coordinator alongside member Martha Ford, Said the club will pur­ sue more grant opportunities next year. In addition to finding new recipients for the grants awarded this year, the club hopes to fund a veteran-focused community project through the national chapter’s Freedom Grant: The club also hopes to obtain a $ 10,000 Impact Grant to benefit the Slow Down, Move Over campaign providing mock crash scenes, driver training courses and road safe­ ty awareness for students in honor ofKeagan Spencer. ings... at the bottom, it doesn’t say, ‘‘ This is up to the council, who pays and who doesn’t pay.’ Ijust can’t support that we can pick and choose who will pay thpse fees.” Jarvis suggested a special assessment or similar exception be passed instead to allow developers to spread the cost out over several years, allowing the project to continue at a reduced upfront cost. Furrow mentioned a resident who came before the council earlier this year, asking for financial assistance for repairs to their water service line. Mayor Dave Tossava and City Manager Sarah Moy­ er-Cale said the repairs in question were to a private lateral line, not a city water main, meaning the city could not legally pay for the repairs. Furrow said fees associated with dig­ ging up the lateral line, which traveled under the roadway, could have been waived for that citizen but were not. Fur­ row also said that specific case served as a broad illustration for why she saw granting the exemption to CopperRock as unfair. “(That resident) was asking help from the city to get some ofthese fees waived for her water issue and we couldn’t help her,” Furrow said. “Those people are liv­ ing on a lot less income than t what these big companies make. That’s just not fair.” Tossava said the development would quickly make up the lost funds through tax revenue, both from residential and commercial tenants at the site. Moy- haps it has spread by word of mouth from those going through various drug treat­ ment programs. However, she said the first step in con­ quering it is the willingness on behalfofthe user. “First and foremost, folks have to want to be sober,” Price said. “They have to want to be in recovery. If I could wave a magic wand and have everyone really, truly, sincerely want that and be willing to do the work, then tfis wouldn’t be an issue.”1 Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt also said she has seen “a little uptick” in cases involving the abuse ofthis aerosol substance. “People are always look­ ing for that better high - they always are,” Pratt said. “Or the one (authorities) are not going to detect. It’s kind of like ‘Now my (probation officer) has told me I can’t use this and this so I’ll see if I can use something else.’ Addiction is powerful and tragic.” When trends pop up in the county, Pratt says one ofthe first orders *bf business' for her office is to soak up as much education and infor­ mation on the topic as possi­ ble, which is something they’re starting to dive into concerning the abuse ofkey­ board duster. Liz Lenz is also posi­ tioned on the front lines of all substance abuse issues as er-Cale said intangible economic benefits from the project would also be worth much more to the city than the funds lost through the exemption. The project calls for a promenade connecting 15,000 square feet of commercial space to the Hastings Riverwalk via the pedestrian bridge crossing the Thomapple River, as well as plans for a local food hub and museum. “This is very different and it’s generat­ ing long-term economic impact for the city as a whole,” Moyer-Cale said. “That’s why the request is being made.” Taylor said asking for an exemption was the developer’s first course ofaction, as a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement would likely cost the city much more. Taylor said the request was made in good faith as a way to ensure development could continue at a site that has historically proven to be quite trou­ blesome. “I’m telling you what you already know: this is a challenging site, but it’s also a beautiful site that has a lot of potential. We’re trying to help and realize that by doing a first-class job on the con­ struction and design, for something that will have a lasting long-term impact,” Taylor said. “The short-term situation is we’re spending a million dollars on soil improvements that we didn’t know we had to do. This is a way to offset, that which isn’t a direct impact to your annual budget, as we understand it.” enforcement and conducted coordinator for the Barry vendor education visits. County Substance Abuse “We talked with the differ­ Task Force. ent vendors and they’re just She offered what she as frustrated as everyone else * called her anecdotal thoughts, because they don’t have any * saying that she thought the ability to restrict sales,” Lenz issue was “fairly isolated” said. “The independent mer­ but the battle against it is chants can to some extent.” tough because ofthe accessi­ Lenz said she has also vis-. bility. ited with state and local law- * “There is absolutely zero makers, such as Senator ability for many retailers to Thomas Albert. restrict access to it because it’s not recognized as a con- ^. /‘^jqst said, /J^Iey, this trolled substance*”. Lenz, . j wsW y° said. “This is a completely ;V^nt Jp, tak?._ a. look at§ legal product. What a lot of because this is something establishments have done that gets misused - it’s a here locally is, for example, substance of misuse,” Lenz Walgreens or Walmart, they said. “While it’s not a con­ may ask for your ID to sell it trolled substance or recog-, but that’s all they can do. Or, nized as a drug, it’s some- , they may have a corporate thing that can change how a* policy that says you need to person thinks, acts, behaves be 18 to buy it but that’s all and affects their ability to they can do.” drive a vehicle or make Lenz and her task force good decisions.” have probed solutions to curb “We’re concerned,” Lenz this form ofsubstance abuse. added. “It’s one of those , Last summer, Lenz said the that is flying under the radar task force met with local law right now.” u City of Hastings 209838 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 1633 AND 1745 SOUTH HANOVER The Planning Commission for the City ofHastings will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing written and/ or oral comments from the public regarding the request for a Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review from Chris Nelson of N6 Towing for a vehicle repair shop and open­ air businesses consisting of motor vehicle sales and towing recovery business located at 1633 and 1745 South Hanover Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, in the Coun­ cil Chambers, second floor ofCity Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Please check the City ofHastings website at www,hastingsmi.gov or contact City Hall at 269-945-2468 for details. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and to submit comments. A copy of the plans and additional background materials are available for public inspection from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Office ofthe Community De­ velopment Director, 201 E. State Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Questions or comments can be directed to Dan King, Com­ munity Development Director, at 269-945-2468 or dking@ hastingsmi.gov. The City will provide necessary reasonable aids and services upon five days’ notice to the City Clerk at 269.945.2468 or TDD call relay services 800.649.3777. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk �Page 4 — Thursday. December 14,2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you ^Opinion SCC? Shopping local was a way of life 50years ago Service with a smile The Barry County Board of Commissioners honored a list of county employees on Tuesday morning. In the picture on the left, Michael Hanger, a master mechanic for the sheriff’s office, shares a laugh with Sheriff Dar Leaf and County Board Chairman Dave Jackson. He was celebrating five years of service. In the photo on the right, Kerri Selleck, the county’s chief public defender who was pivotal in setting up the public defender’s office, is honored by Jackson. She was also celebrating five years of service. Five others were honored, but unable to attend the meeting, including Kaitlin Hall, Karri Essner, Rebecca Hawkins, Jennifer Heible and Kelsea Staines. Do you remember? Santa comes to town... Banner Dec. 3, 1987 Santa’s rich “Ho! Ho! Hos!” could be heard echoing throughout downtown Hastings Monday as he rode into the city escorted in the annual Christmas parade. Here, he waves to youngsters lining West State Street to see his grand appearance. Have you met? Bom in Southern California, Cloe Rose Oliver has traveled the world to be in Hastings. She moved to Hastings when she was 8 years old because offamily ties in the area. Growing up in Hastings, Oliver was always an involved community member. She served as one of the original Youth Advisory Coun­ cil members, volunteered at Charlton Park and participated in 4-H - even partaking in a 4-H summer exchange program that took her to Australia after graduating. She would soon find herselfmoving fre­ quently - and far. As a military spouse, Oliver found it hard to establish herself in any community. “We were moving every two to three years. You just don’t get to really become part ofa community when you’re bouncing around,” she said. “I missed that. I suddenly found myselfin this life where I didn’t have that connection to where I was living at all.” Her travels would eventually take her through most of the country’s 48 contiguous states, as well as overseas. Oliver spent time in Texas, Washington, Tennessee, Kentucky and even Belgium. She made the move back to Hastings to be near family in 2020. “We were living in Kentucky, the panpan­ demic had just started and my ex-husband had just moved to South Korea. So, I was like seriously stranded in this state with no family or anything,” she said. “In the mid­ dle of 2020,1 quit my job, packed up and moved back here.” She started working at the Barry Inter­ mediate School District, where she’s been ever since. Working in the business office, she wears many hats — IT support, accounts payable, you name it. “I love it,” Oliver said. “It’s the bestjob I’ve ever had. They’re going to have to take me out ofthere kicking and screaming.” Reintegrating into the Barry County community wasn’t too hard, Oliver said. Even after spending almost 20 years away, she found she was readily accepted. “Coming back to Barry County and immediately finding myself a job with the ISD - who so hugely focus themselves on bettering the lives of forgotten people — it was sort of really easy to slip back into where I had been 20 years prior,” she said. “I still had a bunch of contacts here, and everybody just welcomed me back with Cloe Rose Oliver open arms like, ‘Do you want to be involved with this? You were great when you were 17. Let’s see how you do at 40.’” She’s picked up right where she left off, volunteering and making herself a resource to the community. She’s a member of the Hastings Rotary Club, on the Hastings Pub­ lic Library board, and a member ofthe new­ ly-established Fair Ground Festival planning committee. Her journey with the Youth Advisory Council has come full circle: once serving as one of its first student members, she now serves as an adult adviser. “I just had those ties here,” she said. “I think Hastings is a really unique spot in Barry County because it is so heavily arts-driven. There are so many incredibly caring people in this community that it makes it very easy to want to be involved when you feel that support.” Things are good living in Hastings with her kids, Saxon sophomore Aiden and sixth grader Milo, and partner, Mole. Although the city hasn’t changed much from what she remembers in the physical sense of build­ ings and streets, it’s been amazing to see how its identity and communities have grown, she said. “The focus on arts and humanities, and really bringing that into focus in the down­ town area and making it a cornerstone of what Hastings itself is and what it offers, is probably what has changed the most since I left,” she said. “A lot of the organizations that are flourishing now were still just kind ofgetting their footing. You could see it was going to be great, but it wasn’t great yet. Now, all those years later, they’re estab­ lished. Even watching the streetscape hap­ pening downtown right riow is awesome.” For making herself available as a com­ munity resource and her dedication to Hast­ ings, Cloe Rose Oliver i^this week’s Bright Light. If you could have any superpower: Time travel - I’d go ba^k and take myself to every single concertiThe Beatles ever performed. When I was a kid,11 wanted to be: French. Hobbies: Cooking, baking, reading, mis­ chiefmaking and UFO/UAP enthusiast. A moment that changed my life: When Mole proposed, between “Hey Jude” and “I’ve Got a Feeling,” during a Paul McCa­ rtney concert at Fenway Park. (I said yes, by the way!) I am most content when: I am laughing until my sides hurt with my family and friends. If I could live in another time... “Les Ann’es folles,” France in the 1920s. I dream ofdrinking endless Pastis with Picasso and Gertrude Stein at a noisy sidewalk cafe, somewhere in the 14th arrondissement. I’m most proud of: My smartypants kids. Favorite cartoon ' character: Tina Belcher. Travel highlights: I really, really loved living in Europe. We were there for three years and that was amazing. I mean, Bel­ gium was great, but once you’re in Europe, it’s just so easy to travel to other places in Europe because of the proximity. I really loved Washington State - I was bom in Southern California, I lived out there. Being back on the West Coastjust kind offelt like home, the mountains and the ocean. I missed that. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, 49058, or email news@j-adgraphics.com. For probably all of us, a big part of the holiday season and our forever memories is downtown shopping. The thoughts of snow, scarves and mittens, display win­ dows and the red kettlebells ofthe Salva­ tion Army play like a winter scene in our minds and especially on our television and movie screens as Christmas approaches. I’ve always been a big believer in the importance of local shopping and the eco­ nomic power it provides small-town com­ munities, but I can remember shopping out of town as a youngster with my family during the Christmas season when we headed to Grand Rapids to see the decora­ tions and shop the major department stores such as Wurzburg’s and Herpolsheimer’s department stores, the biggest and fanciest stores in downtown Grand Rapids. At Christmas time, their windows were decked out with animated characters, plus Santa Claus was on hand to accept your special list. I looked forward to riding Herpolsheimer’s Santa Express, a miniature­ train on a monorail suspended from the ceiling in the basement of the store. Plus, up and down the streets, all the stores were decked out giving the feeling ofbeing in a big city like Chicago. We once had that same sort of feeling here at home before the malls and online shopping changed America and small towns across the country. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were so many more stores to shop giving customers lots of choices to purchase just about anything they needed right here in Hastings and every Main Street in Barry County. Do you remember Cleveland’s Mens and Boys clothing store, Gittlemen’s for women’s fashion, J.C. Penney our local department store, The Lee Anne Shoppe and Parmalee’s with women’s fashions and more? And ifyou were in the market for a TV or appliance, how about Bullings, Ruben’s Radio and Television, Frost Con­ trol Discount Appliance, Consumer Power Appliances and Carl and Betty’s Applianc­ es having everything you needed? Plus, we had our own S&G Green Stamp store, which was filled with just about anything you could imagine, all you had to do was jnar save the stamp&for redemption. We had more choices for local pharma­ cies such as Bosley, Lapo, Jacobs, Cinder and Gardner Pharmacies. And for non-pre­ scription and other needs, C & B Discount and United Discount were filled with bar­ gains. Ifyou were in the market for furni­ ture, Walldorff and Quality Discount had a full line from which to choose. After shopping, when you wanted to get something to eat, there were plenty of choices like Heisler’s Chicken, Saxon Drive-In, Tastee Freeze, Family Restau­ rant, B&R Kaf-ay, Centennial Kitchen, Gould’s Restaurant, The Tiki, Kentucky Fried Chicken and The Tick Tock. We had a bigger selection of grocery stores, too, such as Felpausch Food Center, Kroger, A&P Stores, Hales Market, Shirkey’s Meat Market, City Food and Beverage and the Quick Stop. Some are still here today under different names, but the rest arejust a memory. How about ifyou needed a new or used vehicle? You could choose from Larke Buick and Chevrolet, Renner Ford, Hast­ ings Motor Sales, Toni Belli Motor Sales, Reahms’ Motors, Eckert Jeeps and Trailers, Art Meade Sales and McAllister Auto Sales. For service and parts you could count on Barry Automotive, Jim Barr Tire Shop, Courthouse Service, Cappon Oil Company, Clark Super 100, Todd Automo­ tive, Echtinaw’s Service or Al Signs Tires for everything automotive. We had several larger stores that offered automotive and other general merchandise such as Montgomery Wards, Western Auto, Sears, Carpenter Hardware, V&S Hard­ ware and Goodyear’s. Ifyou wore out your shoes running from business to business you could get a new pair at Wayne’s or Birkes Shoes, Buster Brown or at Winick’s. And if you needed a new hairdo, Mary’s Hairstyles, Hairstyles by Ferrari or Hairstyles by Pat and M’seieu Gregorire’s I Beauty Salon were up on all the latest styles. ! If you were in the market for a new home, there were several choices oflocal real estate offices such as Cheney, Colonial, Meisenbach, Gene Poll, Buehler, Clement, Allen Hyde, and Transue Realties ready to help you find the right home for your family. If you wanted a custom-built home, Alle­ rding Construction, Howard Claucherty Builder, Bums, Ed Back, Charles Fox, Wag­ ner, Hause and Fager Construction, to name a few, were ready to build. I don’t have the space to touch on all the available stores, shops and service business­ es available to local consumers more than 50 years ago, but at times I just like to walk down Nostalgia Lane. More often, though, it’s a walk made with some regret. Hastings and all our surrounding towns and villages had so much to offer. Tough competition and changing times have changed the mar­ ketplace and we’ve suffered. We need to focus in the New Year on what some ofour weaknesses are and resolve to help our local economic developers work harder to fill the voids we have today. That’s why I believe so strongly in the shop-local movement. The numbers are there. The possibility to rebuild our charm and retain our local business communities is evident. Small business is essential to a strong healthy local economy. Nearly half of U.S. employees work for small businesses. Even the turbulence ofrecent years hasn’t slowed down small businesses. Last year alone, over 5 million new businesses were created in the U.S. making it undeniable that the U.S. econ­ omy has a lot to thank for small businesses. We as residents, citizens and shoppers carry a powerful influence in this fight. Local businesses are owned by people who live and work in our community and are generally more invested in the community’s future. Plus, shopping locally creates more jobs. From every $100 spent with a local business, approximately $68 comes back .inseconomiq return to.the community..Thatamount can. add up and pay for community needs, rather than fill the pockets offar-away companies. If you believe in the green movement, shopping locally rather than sending packag­ es around the country which puts more CO2 into the atmosphere is also a community saver. And, when shopping at mom-and-pop stores, you’re likely to get more ofa person­ al touch than from a big box store because every customer matters to small businesses. “Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen,” said the late American businessman Wayne Huizenga. It’s not about the sidewalks that make a strong vibrant retail community - it’s the shops, restaurants and businesses that draw people to town. My nostalgic list ofbusinesses here this week isjust a memory today, but meaning­ ful in its reminder ofhow a healthy, grow­ ing community exists. The heart and soul of a community is based on the vitality of its small business sector, which is something we need to con­ centrate on in the future. ml W w W f ,<«•**** - i— ZS ■ ■ * '■Wig Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. ■XA* The Hastings Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News end press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:0Qzp.m. Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverma Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Greg Chandler P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 Hunter McLaren >1 �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 14,2023 — Page 5 Barry County Chamber & EDA announces 2023 ATHENA Leadership honorees The Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance has announced Sheryl Lewis Blake and Rebekah Condon as this year’s ATHENA award honorees. The Chamber annually recognizes individ­ uals, businesses and projects that exhibit excellent leadership skills at the BCCEDA Awards Dinner & Celebration. Among the honors given are the ATHENA Leadership Award and the ATHENA Young Professionals Award. This year’s ATHENA Leadership honoree is Sheryl Lewis Blake, former CEO of Spec­ trum Health Pennock, which is now a part of the Corewell Health system. Rebekah Condon, public health operations manager of the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, was named this year’s ATHENA Young Professional honoree. The ATHENA Leadership Model, devel­ oped in Michigan through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, identifies eight distinct attributes that are reflective of wom­ en’s contributions to leadership: living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering col­ laboration, building relationships, giving back and celebrating. These personal traits, combined with strong aspects of traditional leadership - taking risks, assertiveness and hard work - prepare women to be successfill leaders in the 21st century. The BCCEDA has served as the host organi­ zation for the internationally-recognized ATH­ ENA Leadership Program in Barry County since 2009 and has honored 13 ATHENA Leaders and 11 ATHENA Young Professionals. “The ATHENA program and awards are a way that we are able to bring acknowledg­ ment of internationally recognized female leadership traits here to Barry County,” said Megan Lavell, former BCCEDA chair and 2012 ATHENA Young Professional honoree. SHERYL LEWIS BLAKE Lewis Blake is described as an amazing leader and mentor to many women. Even in her retirement, she continues to make a positive impact on the programs and people she has led and interacts with within the community. “Sheryl has been such a supportive mentor and leader to many women within the commu­ nity. Her strength and perseverance when times are challenging never ceases to amaze me,” said Allison Troyer Wiswell, an administrator with Blue Zones. “Her presentation is always one of professionalism and elegance coupled with tenacity and solid foundation. She has been a mentor to me and helped empower me to strengthen my inner spirit and drive in a way no one has done before. Her support and ever-present leadership have been, undeniably, one ofthe reason s ’fori where L anutoday.’M n d Lewis Blake’s career spans over 35 years, with the final 11 years ofher career spent as CEO of Spectrum Health Pennock. Lewis Bullet found in dog’s leg A 39-year-old Nashville man called police around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 after taking his dog to the vet. The man told police his dog had been limping, and upon taking the dog to a veterinarian a.45 caliber bullet was found lodged in its back leg. The vet told the man the wound was not fresh and could have been from as long as a month prior. The man told police his dog was free to roam 20 acres ofhis property on the 600 block of South M-66 Highway and never strayed onto his neighbors’ property. Thee man was unsure ifhis dog was shot maliciously or accidentally. Woman insists she struck mailbox Sheryl Lewis Blake Rebekah Condon when a colleague passed away and fulfilled Blake helped lead Pennock’s integration with that position with strength and determination. Spectrum Health in 2015. Her growth strate­ Condon is constantly going above and beyond gy experience resulted in the organizational expansion ofphysician clinics and outpatient in her work. She seeks out ways to help the organization function more effectively and centers, including the opening of the SpecSpec­ trum Health Pennock Integrated Care Cam­ efficiently. v 1 “Rebekah is a mother oftwo daughters, but pus in Ionia and the Spectrum Health Pen­ she is also their biggest cheerleader, teacher nock Cancer Center in Hastings. Lewis Blake ensured, as CEO, that staff and role model. She encourages her girls to live their lives to a high standard ofhonesty, were acknowledged for their gifts and talents, hard work and love offamily and friendship. and particularly celebrated the difference each This was a traumatic year for me in my per­ member ofthe organization made in making sonal life and I could always count on people’s lives better, not only in health care Rebekah to be there for me, both as a friend but in other facets ofher life. She believes in and colleague,” said Emily Smale, who nomempowering and lifting women, as she has inated Condon for this honor. unofficially mentored many over the years. In addition to her work at BEDHD, Condon During Lewis Blake’s tenure, Pennock received numerous accolades, including the often volunteers in the Barry County commu­ Governor’s Quality Awards, the Joint Com­ nity. During the Barry County United Way’s mission’s Top Performer in Key Quality Day of Caring this year, she volunteered with Measures, and the Recommended Rating for her two daughters to help clean up and plant Surgical Services from Consumer Reports. In flowers at the Freeport Cemetery. addition, the hospital has repeatedly been “She is that person who is one phone call away and doesn’t hesitate to say, ‘What do named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Places to Work in West Michigan. you need from me?’ Rebekah is a strengthener of relationships, promotes effective collabora­ Lewis Blake has been part of the Fellow American College of Healthcare Executives, tion and delivers on her commitments,” said the American Association of University Ryan Wilkinson, Eaton County’s emergency Women and the Great Lakes Health Network. manager, when Condon was recently recog­ She was recognized as one of the top women in nized as the 2023 Public Health Management health care by Business Review magazine. She Professional of the Year by the Michigan currently serves as steering committee chair Emergency Management Association. for the Blue Zones Activate Initiative and is Both ATHENA awards will be presented at also a board member for the Barry County the Barry County Chamber & Economic Commission on Aging. She is an active mem­ Development Alliance Awards Dinner & Cel­ ber of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in ebration on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Bay Hastings and. is also a Hastings Rotarian. Pointe Woods in Shelbyville. REBEKAH CONDON The ATHENA Leadership program is Condon, public health operations manager brought to Barry County by the chamber and at the Barry-Eaton District .Health Depart­ is supported through sponsorships frpm Hastment, is described as 4xtreiriely hardworking ' ing’ s Mutual Insurance Qpiypany, Highpoint and passionate about helping the community. Community Bank, Edward Jones: Andrew R. Condon stepped in as die Emergency PreCove, CFP, AAMS, Greenridge Realty and paredness Coordinator in December 2021 Corewell Health Pennock. I ■ jeDdbmtiHvita plenty H Ik (daoal Kitehea jff*** if*lSSSll. j. r—4/Ww 4/W ffiflSSSll j;*-’!? „ nil A A North Country National Scenic Trail granted National Park status The North Country National Scenic Trail is now an official unit ofthe National Park Service. Unit status provides the North Country National Scenic Trail with official recogni­ tion within the National Park Service and access to additional resources and funding opportunities. It also provides equal legal standing with the other trails and parks that the National Park Service administers. The ChiefNoonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) is respon­ sible for maintaining the 120 miles that run through Barry, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. The North Country Trail is the longest ofthe 11 National Scenic Trails in the United States, stretching 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont. Six of these 11 trails are adminis­ tered by the National Park Service but at the time of their official National Scenic Trail designation, only three were identified as units: the Appalachian Trail, Natchez Trace Trail, and Potomac Heritage Trail. Unit status was missing, for no clear reason, from wording in the law for the remaining three: the North Country Trail, Ice Age Trail, and New England Trail. This means they were not recognized as units of the National Park Service, and thus, not promoted to the American public. “Now, when the National Park Service tells the story of the amazing scenic and recreation­ al opportunities provided by the National Park System, it will tell our stories too - the stories of all the National Scenic Trails it administers in cooperation with other units ofgovernment, nonprofit organizations, volunteers and pri­ vate landowners,” said Tom Gilbert, former National Park Service Superintendent of the North Country National Scenic Trail. “The stewards of these three trails have called for equality for 30 years, so we’re thrilled by Director Sams’ decision,” said Andrea Ketchmark, executive director ofthe North Country Trail Association. “This is such a win for us, our partners, and our vol­ unteers, who work so hard to build, maintain and protect the trail.” The North Country Trail Association thanked the U.S. Department of Interior Sec­ retary Deb Haaland, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and the leadership, vol­ unteers and supporters ofthe North Country Trail Association, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Appalachian Mountain Club and Connecticut Forest and Park Association, who have cham­ pioned this issue for three decades. Local proponents ofthe trail look forward to the opportunities a National Park Service The North Country National Scenic Trail was officially designated this week as a unit of the National Parks Service. Here, hikers are seen on a stretch of the trail that runs through Barry County. (File photo) unit designation could bring. “I think that it’s importtint because it gives us more opportunities in the future,” said NCTA Chief Noonday [Chapter President Jane Norton. “Maybe it cjould be educational programs, maybe it could be more funding. An 89-year-old Martin woman reported herselfto police Nov. 22. The woman spoke with deputies to admit she had backed into a mailbox on the 2000 block of South Patter­ son Road near Gun Lake, sending a photo of damage to her vehicle. Police noted the photos showed a significant dent with red paint transfer on the passenger side of the vehicle. When arriving on scene, police found the black mailboxes at the reported residence were intact, standing and undamaged. Police contacted the woman and told her the mailboxes looked unharmed and could not have possibly been the source ofred paint transfer on her vehicle, but the woman insisted she had struck them. SEN. ALBERT: After a troubling 2023, we must work together in the coming year Senator Thomas Albert Special to the Banner As we look ahead to a new year at the Michigan Capitol, it’s timely to reflect on the past 12 months and determine if there is a better way forward in 2024. In the past year, Democrats have begun reverting to the failed policies that led to the devastated economy and unsustainable state budgets of the early 2000s. But a new year brings a fresh opportunity to change course and work together with Republicans to build a better future for our state. We could start by enacting broad and per­ manent tax relief. Michigan has a lower income tax rate of4.05 percent for 2023, and I believe this reduction should continue. Democrats want it to be temporary so they can increase the size and scope of govern­ ment - they have already added the equiva­ lent of 704 full-time state government employees and created new state bureaucra­ cies. But with the next budget cycle, we have a Sen. Thomas Albert new chance to rein in government spending and fight inflation, pay down debt, invest in Public Service Commission (MPSC) ^infrastructure and save for A.?ainy day. B approved a 6.4 percent percen electricity elec riciy rate rae increase . Wejshould alsoYein in corporate welfare. I " for DTE Energy residential customers. It’s a • have proposed eliminating the Strategic Out­ troubling sign ofwhat’s to come. reach and Attraction Reserve Fund (SOAR) Also troubling is how Democrats are and returning that money to the general fund, undermining the ability ofMichigan commu­ where it can be put to better use and also help nities to make their own decisions about wind provide sustainable tax relief. and solar projects within their borders. The The Whitmer Administration has failed MPSC can now overrule local governments with its approach to SOAR and economic that decide against “clean energy” develop­ development, and nowhere is this more evi­ ments. This could eventually replace more dent than in Marshall, where the state than 300,000 acres of farmland with solar approved a horribly inflated taxpayer give­ panels and windmills, ruining a way oflife in away for an electric vehicle battery factory rural Michigan. with no assurances that Ford Motor Co. Energy policy is just one example ofhow would follow through with its commitments. Democrats are moving toward centralized Now, after massive taxpayer dollars have planning of our economy - an approach that been spent on site preparation, the company history shows does not work. Democrats has dramatically downsized the project. established a price control board for prescrip­ This demonstrates poor planning and a tion drugs and codified Obamacare. Demo­ shocking lack of accountability from the crats repealed Right to Work, adopting poli­ state. It was a project that should not have cies that will coerce employees into associat­ been approved in the first place because it ing with labor unions even ifthey don’t want would never provide an adequate return on to do so. These policies will prompt manyjob taxpayer investment. But that’s what happens providers to cross Michigan offthe list when when a government tries to drive the market it comes to considering capital investment. toward electric vehicles and “clean energy,” In 2024, we must abandon the top-down, rather than letting natural market forces set “big government” approach ofthe past year. the pace for transition. We should instead work together toward an environment where job creators can provide • This heavy-handed approach is also evi­ dent in the Democrats’ new law mandating new opportunities and increase wages from the ground up - making Michigan a better that utilities have 100 percent “clean energy” place to work, live and raise a family. by 2040. Gov. Whitmer and her allies have made misleading claims about what this will State Senator Thomas Albert represents the 18th District ofMichigan, which includes mean for reliability and cost. In the same Barry County andportions ofAllegan, Cal­ week she said this new policy will lead to lower utility bills, the governor’s Michigan houn, Kalamazoo, Kent and Ionia counties. Hastings DANNER Area tocaiiofis to purchase the Hastings Banner! r Semces (December 24, 2023 4th Sunday ofAdvent Service 10 a.m. Christmas Eve Service 6:00 p.m. (December 25, 2023 Christmas Day Service at 10 a.m. (Wear your pajamas to church) J Don’t forget our Mittten Drive for Kids ofBarry County on Christmas Eve First Presbyterian Church 405 M-37, Hastings, MI 49058 Hastings Middleville: Shelbyville; Ngshv0le: One Stop Shop (Marathon) Speedway Town & Country The Dock Trading Post DeUom Nashville C Store (M-43 North)^ Harding's Superette Greg’s Get-It-N-Go Family Fare Tom's Market Middleville Johnny's Hastings Johnny's Qrung^ill^: The General Store Orangeville Fast Stop Mega Bev Hastings Pharmacy Marathon Gas Station (M-37West) j Prairieville: Marathon Gas Station Cloverdale General (M-37 South) Family Fare Gas-Station Walgreens MV Pharmacy Family Fare Marathon Nashville Johnny’s • Delton Johnny's Carl’s Lake Odessa: Lake-O-Express Canfield: Lake-O-Mart Banfield General Store Lake Odessa Johnny's Carl’s Prairieville Fast Stop Dowling: Cloverdale: Goldsworthys Woodland: Woodland Express L& J’s �Page 6 — Thursday. December 14, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Nila Ingrid Aamoth Larry Raymond Baum In the earlier years ofhis life, Larry was a member of the Lion’s Club, the Hastings Flying Club, and the Hastings Masonic Lodge. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner as well. Larry grew up around antique and classic cars during his teenage years, when his dad was restoring a 1914 Apperson Jack Rabbit. However, as the years went by, Larry became more interested in the classic cars of 1950 and beyond, and became actively involved with the Gilmore Car Museum, serving on many board positions and making numerous dona­ tions to expand or enhance their facilities. Larry was also greatly motivated to do what he could to make improvements to the Hastings Schools and community. He want­ ed every child to have the opportunity to participate in sports, and he and Earlene cov­ ered all the costs to the students as well as paying for improvements to school facilities. Larry’s vision was to make Hastings a “go­ to” community, and as a part of that, his Larry Raymond Baum passed away on involvement and financial support made the December 11, 2023, at the age of 86 due to Thomapple Plaza possible. He and Earlene surgical complications. also contributed to local healthcare needs, Larry was bom in Royal Oak, Michigan, such as the dialysis center and the new hospi­ the son of Lawrence and Ethel Baum. His tal surgical center. He supported many other father, originally from the Hastings area, had causes over the years as well. Larry loved his gone to Detroit to seek work during the community and when he saw a need, he did depression and found employment at the what was necessary to fulfil it. Packard Motor Car Company. Larry’s parents, Lawrence and Ethel Baum, At the end ofWorld War II, he returned to his sisters, Beatrice Baum and Katherine Hastings with his family who purchased a Stolz, all preceded him in death. farm home in the area. Larry was in the He is survived by his wife of 67 years, fourth grade at the time arid attended the Lit­ Earlene, his children Karen (Tim) Pederson, tle Brick Schoolhouse until entering high David (Susie) Baum, and Kevin (Tamara) school in the ninth grade. Baum. Larry’s surviving grandchildren are During his years at Hastings High School, Jason (Becky) Baum, Brian (Tauri) Baum, he participated in football and track and held the West Central League record for high hur­ Nicholas Baum, Michelle Baum, Kayla Baum, Rachel (Ryne) LaRowe and dles for decades. It was there that he met his great-granddaughter Talia LaRowe. A niece future wife, Earlene McMullin. They dated during their high school years but went their and nephew, Denise and Gary Stolz also sur­ separate ways after graduation. Larry enlist­ vive him. There will be a private family service. A ed in the US Air Force for four years, and Earlene entered Albion College. They re-es­ public celebration of Larry’s life is being tablished their relationship shortly thereafter planned to be held in January. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions and married in 1956. After being discharged from the military in in memory ofLarry can be made to the First 1959, Larryjoined the family business, Hast­ Presbyterian Church (https://www.firstings Fiber Glass Products, starting out work­ churchhastings.org/give) or the Gilmore Car ing in production and sales and going on to Museum (https://gilmorecarmuseum.org/supbecome president ofthe company from 1981 port/donate). until his retirement in 199g, He then had Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. some time to play golfand had bragging rites r To leave an online condolence or receive for having made three holes-in-one over a updates on the public service, visit www.girthree-year period. rbachfoneralhome.net. Nila Ingrid (Knack) Aamoth, bom August 28, 1942 in West Branch, Michigan, passed away December 9, 2023, Hoodsport, Wash­ ington. The daughter of Lee Edward and Dorothy Daisy Knack, her unconventional childhood involved numerous moves cross country, grad­ uating high school in Oak Harbor, Washington, where she met Arthur Allen Aamoth, they mar­ ried in 1960 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Nila’s life resume would be at least 20 pages long, not even close to the full story of who she was. Family members have supplied key words to attempt to encapsulate her essence. It is a thesaurus of a strong, determined, intelligent woman who touched many lives, deeply pro­ tective ofher tribe, wickedly funny and easily the smartest person in most rooms. Savvy and smart in a time when it wasn’t socially acceptable, her beauty and ability to impart knowledge with grace allowed her to push open doors and smile at the person hold­ ing it for her. Nila was a talented wordsmith, a skill she HASTINGS FREE ..V SOLID ROCK BIBLE METHODIST CHURCH CHURCH OF DELTON "We Exist To Be An 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, Expression Of Who Jesus Is (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ To The World Around Us”. 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com ■ Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 ajn. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. w w w.cbchastings .org. Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p Jn. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 ajn. Sunday. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main. Pastor Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 am.; Worship 10:15 a.m. HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9fl5 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 ajn. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH Robert Eugene Dwyer of Hastings, MI died peacefolly at home the morning of Sunday, Dec. 10, hand in hand with his wife of 47 years. Bob was bora on June 14, 1935, in Waukegan, IL to Dotial Dwyer II and Carol Barnes. The family moved to Detroit when he was five years old,| eventually settling in Livonia, MI. Bob married Marilyn James in 1956 with whom he raised his daughter, Linda Dwyer. His young family made their home in Plym­ outh, MI where Marilyn taught art and Bob first ran a pizza shorn Pizza Pete’s, and later for many years served as branch manager of the Plymouth Secretary of State’s office. Bob was a keen student of history and a passionate believer in American constitutional democracy. His dedication to being an active citizen was the dominant theme in his life, along with his dedication to his family. Bob began his lifelong political involve­ ment while still in high school at Livonia 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. Hastings -------------------------------------------------------- H 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 ajn. Sunday. s exfobHuhns 945-9554 AMUMIEWIff MUKMUI^Mi 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 life following the birth of his second child, Maeve. Of all his careers - pizza chef, Secre? tary of State Branch Manager, commercial • real estate, newspaper editor, harness racing * rules enforcer for the Michigan Racing Com­ mission, and campaign manager - stay-at- ( home father was by far his favorite. All of Bob’s many coffee shop conversation partnerover the years know how he much adored hjgX children. A proud husband, father, Democrat, femu ; nist, avid reader, and active thinker, Bo^ ■ never missed an opportunity to encouraged people, especially young people, to a life of', activism and involvement in what he viewed'* as the responsibility ofbeing a participant in * our democracy. A great believer in the inevi-. tability ofgradualism and the power ofpeople to effect change, he was never discouraged * with the slow and halting pace ofchange. He enjoyed sailing and motoring the Great Lakes, attending daughter Linda’s many the­ atrical performances, cooking, chatting and ' often debating with friends, spending time^ with his family, and providing a lap for the family pets. Bob was preceded in death by his parent^, Donal and Carol (Barnes) Dwyer; brother, Donal Dwyer III; former wife, Marilyn (James) Rummler, and beloved parents-in- . law, Ruth and Larry Jones. He is survived by his wife, Carol Jones Dwyer, and children, Linda Dwyer (Joseph) of Fort Wayne, IN and Maeve Dwyer (Caitlin) ofTacoma, WA. A celebration oflife, in the spirit ofan Irish' Wake, is contemplated in January. His family was supported by and expresses our gratitude to Elara Hospice and to home caregivers Ross Brown and Rebecca Brovji for easing his final days and making it possi­ ble for him to spend them at home. Donations in Bob’s honor can be made So the Barry County Democratic Party. Charles Eugene Haas EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH Abwolaw Bentley High School. Through his involve­ ment with the Democratic Party, he worked closely with some ofMichigan’s most illustri­ ous Democratic figures of the 1950s and 1960s, from first serving as a driver for U.S. Senator Pat McNamara, working with and for Michigan Governor G. Mermen Williams, to a close and enduring friendship with former Governor and Michigan Supreme Court Jus­ tice John Swainson. As a delegate to the 1968 Democratic Party Convention in Chicago, it was import­ ant to Bob that he shared the historical expe­ rience with his wife and young daughter. While a resident of Plymouth, Bob was elected Democratic Party Chairman ofMich­ igan’s 2nd Congressional District, served as a Michigan Democratic State Central Com­ mittee member, and in 1968 led a successful open housing referendum to desegregate housing in Plymouth. In the 1970s, Bob spent several years as editor of a small daily newspaper in Ann Arbor and interviewed a young city council member then running for reelection. Carol Jones received the paper’s enthusiastic endorsement and, two years later, Bob’s mar­ riage proposal. They were married January 8, 1977 and would enjoy another 47 years of companionship together. He persuaded her to return to law school at the University of Michigan, but not before persuading her to join him in running a hotel on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan for a time, carrying an abid­ ing love ofBeaver Island with him for the rest ofhis life. For the next 15 years, Bob and his new bride immersed themselves in government and politics, traveling extensively in every Michigan county in their Fiat Spider convert­ ible, expanding their knowledge and appreciation ofthis great state. Having moved to Barry County in 1985, at the age of 58, Bob started a new chapter of Charles “Chuck” Eugene Haas, age 90, of Delton, MI passed away December 7,2023 in SSault Ste. Marie, Ml He was bom to Charles and Annabelle (Meiser) Haas in Bristol, IN on November 9, 1933, Chuck moved to Battle Creek, MI at an early age where he graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1952. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956. He married Sue Barnhill in 1956 and they had three daughters together. They later divorced and he met the love of his life, Rebecca “Becky” Gillespie. They married at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Portage, MI on October 13, 1972. They spent 38 wonderfol years together fishing, travel­ ing, camping, and loving each other until her death in 2011. He worked manyjobs before his retirement in 2000 including shoe salesman, architect, insurance salesman, and production at differ­ ent factories. After retirement, he founded Irish Wood Products, selling his intricate jewelry boxes, mirrors, and clocks at art fairs throughout the state ofMichigan. He was an active member of Emmanual Episcopal Church in Hastings for decades relying greatly on his relationship with the Lord and his church family. He was a member of the American Legion Hickory Comers Post #484. He was an avid reader that enjoyed hunting and working in the yard. Chuck is survived by his five children, Tammie (Ralph) Jordan ofClarksville, TN, Ann (JeffSprul) Dixon ofTucson, AZ, Amy (Brian) Phillips of Burlington, NC, Scott Hass of Lake Odessa, MI, Elizabeth “Libby” (Brent) La Joie of Dafter, ML; grandchil­ dren, Shane Jordan, Jennifer Carrell, Josh Jordan, Ryan Dixon, Nathan Cocco, Nicho­ las Cocco, Alison Guthrie, Eric Haas, and Lauren La Joie; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother-in-law, Donald (Shelly) Gillespie ofHolt, ML He was preceded in death by his mother, Annabelle (1955); father, Charles (2000); stepmother, Wilda (1993); sister, Sandra Roberts (2005); wife, Rebecca “Becky” (2011); grandson, Christopher (1998); father-in-law, mother-in-law, step-mother-in-law, step-fother-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and many aunts and uncles. Burial will be in the spring at St. Johns of the Cross in Bristol, IN. Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left: to the family at www.csmulder. com. uii ■i ji This information on worship services isprovided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: 1351 North M43 Hwy. few, had a successful catering business, Three Graces. -» Nila loved numerous things, had manydiverse talents, too many skills to list, the best, source of pride was her family, always the family. Our tribe grew and expanded, treasured Grandchildren entered the scene and Nila rev­ eled in the opportunity to teach pottery, artwork, cooking, storytelling, photography, astronomy,.a billion other things. She treated them to the­ atre, music, always the best seat available, because that’s what you do ifyou can. We will cany your stories as best we can,, there are hundreds of photos as proof. Poetic license may come into play, you taught us well,;, and we will smile. Sit back with your Mom, Dot (Dorothy) and Scott and congratulate each other on the fine job you did. She will be sadly missed by: Mandy and . Allen Hallengren, Parker and Griffin; Gregg. Aamoth and Tara Kelly, Karl, Alex and Victo-(, ria, Ray and Sam; Barb and Bill Clock, Caitlyn,' Hayley and JR; Erick and Meeta Gulati-Carl?, son, Kayla, Gunnar, Param, Freyja and Ronish Proceeded in death by her son, Scott Bryart Aamoth, and her brother, David Adkins, sur- ' vived by her sisters, Dree Miller, Kara Knack “ and Kella Knack In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations can be directed to the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund, http://www.karenhilbumcancerfund.orgj based in Mason County, Washington and ;a source ofgreat ease on this difficultjourney. Ift you would like to leave a note, Nila was the keynote speaker at their annual fundraiser and was appreciative of the ovation, was a well J articulated speech. Puget Sound Hospice was absolutely wonJ'* derfol. Hospice is an incredible resource, they step in and do whatever needed to make tills'' stuff easier. It isn’t easy, the ability to provide care and comfort is an amazing gift. If yoif* wish, a donation to your local Hospice with 4‘* smile her way is appreciated. Robert E. Dwyer Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches availablefor your convenience... honed at an early age, always able to instantly read her audience and weave the tale. In November 1977, Ron Carlson and Nila Aamoth wed in a family ceremony at the Mill Pond, there are a couple of versions on how that transpired, it involved hand stitched dress­ es, a small home that eventually morphed into a lovely spread that hosted many weddings and a tight coven ofwomen inspecting her groom. Ron charmed them all. At that moment, we became a party ofseven. Our blended family grew up in a house oflove, word games, movie nights, humor and strength; an incredible gift. Nila and Ron worked hard together on their shared goals; running corporate communications out ofthe basement, deliveries out ofthe back of a van, starting a newspaper, buying a hundred plus year old local newspaper. Many incarnations, every single one powered by skill and her ability to anticipate changes on the horizon. Nila and Ron carefully stewarded the community responsibility ofthe Penasee Press, the Wayland Globe, the Orbit, later merged into the Penasee Globe for 30 years. Nila was a selftaught fore-runner in digital media, not the norm at the time, taught others how to do it, she saw the future. As a newspaper reporter, writer, editor and publisher, she was extremely careful about how the story was presented, concentrating on accu­ racy and facts that advanced the story, every­ thing else was fluffand didn’t belong there. Personal stories, editorials and her syndicat­ ed column “A Nickel’s Worth” were an entirely different animal. Poetic license was freely applied. The storytelling got richer and more foil bodied like fine wine, especially after a lush dinner party and a starry night. Nila loved good food and good company. She could throw down an amazing meal, whether it was carefolly planned out or random ingredients from the Namian pantry and freez­ er. She delighted in dinner parties and would never admit that accolades made her glow, they did. She secretly hoarded cook books, edited a JF*• �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 14, 2023 — Page 7 fl look back at the stories A1:81.+/:^D In the Hastings Banner OS O sQ ?*'*7SS* cial investments, which were significant, but something with which Mr. McCoy was espe­ more importantly by their enthusiastic leader­ cially active. After the fire of 1885, progres­ ship towards a progressive movement. From sive citizens were convinced that the city the 1880s to the 1950s, their philanthropic needed fire protection if factories were to works helped shape Hastings. locate in it This was aside from the elements Archie McCoy was bom in Brockport, of safety in a supply ofpure drinking water. New York, on July 11, 1853. In 1854, young The people voted to have a waterworks sys­ Afchie was brought from his birthplace in tem, but the council refused to carry out their Hastings by his parents. Just outside ofHast­ wishes. At the next election, citizens elected ings, they homesteaded a farm. Archie men as aidermen whom they knew would McCoy could remember guarding cattle carry out their wishes. They elected Mr. while his father felled trees. McCoy, W.H. Stebbins, John M. Bessmer and At the age of 17, Mr. McCoy started work E.Y. Hogle, all of whom had been on the asfa clerk in a Middleville store. Two years planning committee to construct the system. latter, he went to Hastings, and from there he Construction covered a period oftwo years. found employment on the Grand River Valley Mr. McCoy with several others disliked to Railroad, which later became the Michigan see cattlemeander along the business streets. Central Railroad. While working on the rail­ A Banner article on Archie McCoy dated July road, he became interested in the furniture 29, 1908, tells the story: “When he (Archie business and became associated with John McCoy) became elected to the city council, Befssmer of Hastings. In 1881, Mr. McCoy he brought a storm of abuse upon himselfby bought out Mr. Bessmer’s interest and con­ advocating the passage of an ordinance pro­ ducted the furniture business full-time. In hibiting owners from allowing cattle to run 19,06, he had built the brick building on State loose in town. His next move was to secure Stteet, called the McCoy Building. (Today, the passage of an ordinance permitting the the Walldorff Brew Pub & Bistro is located at construction of parking of certain widths die McCoy Building.) At the time of con­ between sidewalks and streets. After a hot striction, it was the most modem building in fight against this measure, it was carried.” town, having, among other things, the town’s The Banner continued, “According to stat­ only elevator. In 1906, Mr. McCoy sold his ute, no one could be compelled to build a stock to Stebbins and Glascock and went to sidewalk unless a grade was provided. The work for the Furniture Exchange in Grand town had about the worst collection ofboard Rjapids, where he worked until his death in walks that ever existed. After another fight, Lft24. He always maintained his home in Mr. McCoy and others got the council to pro­ Hastings, commuting on weekends. vide a system ofsidewalks and street grades. /On July 16, 1876, Mr. McCoy McC married As a result, Hastings had more miles of Nfiss Myrtie Burkle who died young on cement walks than any other city ofits size in the country.” March 16, 1891. On April 23, 1899, Archie married Miss Ida FitzSimmons, the daughter When the Fall Creek mill pond went out, ofWarren FitzSimmons, a pioneer miller of Mr. McCoy was one of the leaders who Iqinia. They had no children. fought against its reconstruction. The pond <,Mr. McCoy’s influence on the city started had caused, by its unhealthy conditions, dis­ in.. 1880 when Hastings was a backwoods eases that resulted in many deaths in the city. tqwn. Cows ran its streets at large and citi­ The abandoned mill pond’s water had left zens were forced to put fences about their behind muddy pools, while the creek found a property. The streets were lanes, there were bed on a higher level. Mr. McCoy asked the nfi sidewalk grades, no street parking, no council to have the creek turned into its natu­ lawns, no water system. There was an old ral bed and carry away the stagnant water. Archie McCoy The council agreed to do so and then revoked the measure. Mr. McCoy, with good fore­ sight, saw that it must be done. At his own expense, he had the work done. The channel was dug and the pools Were connected. The night ofthe last day’s work, there came a rain which flooded the entire pond and the water swept everything, including the impurities, through the channel into the river. The council thanked him for the Work and paid for it. Following this work, Mr. McCoy was engaged in other public movements. He used his influence to help the sale of stock for the construction ofthe C.K.&S. railroad. He also helped to organize a Building and Loan Asso­ ciation and assisted in forming the Hastings Electric Light Company, ofboth ofwhich he was a treasurer. Mr. McCoy was also largely instrumental in having the soldiers’ monu­ ment erected in Hastings. During his lifetime, he had also always liberally supported the churches of Hastings and there was not a church in the city which he had not aided financially in its construction. There was in the early 1890s a general movement among the businessmen to build up the town by inviting factories to locate in it. This was done by a tax which was used to help defray the relocation costs. This had the result in doubling the population between 1890 and 1910. The first factory to be organized was the Hastings Furniture Factory, of which Mr. Valeria Reigler tirui 'nrjt?^r ■■■uakiiacCalt. dfe' I ^iteiofr 19®Dm tsriakitEuEiEil'il' lijrnisaraiilESnalajt- atfOsaalDistDCt, sends atfOsaa Stale Centtalfe^E19®ledasrf H spent several wan8 aster's enithhuui huui,s,asaisis^C^C1l1l Valeria “Vai” Reigler, age 72 of Hastings, MI was called home to walk beside her Lord afid Savior on Dec. 8, 2023. Vai was bom in Hastings, MI on October 10/ 1951 to Merton Allerding and Geneva (Tgdd) Allerding. . She was raised in Hastings by her loving iripther and her step-father, who she fondly referred to as dad. She attended local schools completing her education at Hasting Area Schools. Throughout the years, Vai worked £«»»»<^5? J. J** Expanding your mind Why do some peoplejust seem so much smarter than others, no matter how hard I lyy to be good at studies? Alexa, 12, Hong Kong Dear Alexa, As a science cat, I talk to some of the smartest scientists on the planet. It can be intimidating. Especially when I talk with /people who are experts at things that are .hard for me. v I talked about what it means to be a good Student with Kira Carbonneau. She’s an Educational psychologist at Washington "State University. She told me that everyone grows and learns at different rates. Just like people Team to walk or talk or ride a bike at differ­ ent rates. „ “How fast you learn things is not the same as intelligence,” Carbonneau said. Tfit takes f McCoy was a president and a large stockhold­ er. A little later, the Whip factory was orga­ nized and Mr. McCoy was one ofthe principal stockholders. The Hastings Chair Company was next organized and again. Mr. McCoy’s investment in the company was heavy. Then, while McCoy was holding all ofthis stock, came the panic of 1892, in which his stock became worthless. In settlement for these stocks, which had so depreciated in value that he was forced to sell six dollars’ worth of stock to pay one, Mr. McCoy sacri­ ficed his entire business and property, includ­ ing his exemptions, and mortgaged his home. He began his business life anew and paid off all his debts. Archie McCoy’s marriage to Ida FitzSim­ mons increased his fortunes. Mrs. McCoy had three college degrees, two in music and one in teaching. She conducted a school of musical and dramatic art in Hastings. It was through Mrs. McCoy’s efforts that music was first taught in the public schools ofHastings. It took her five years to accomplish this. After Mrs. McCoy came to Hastings, she began to give private music lessons and was also organist in several churches. She con- tinued to teach up to the year before she died at age 84. Mrs. McCoy was regarded as one ofHast­ ings’ most public-spirited women and was the founder of the New Ideas Club, which was organized on Nov. 12, 1925. On that date, a group of women met at Mrs. McCoy’s house and organized the club to help the less fortunate. This idea was car­ ried on for years with members furnishing Christmas dinners for the aged and shut-ins, aiding children, especially those from four to nine years old, to have a happy Christmas. This club was extremely active during the Depression ofthe 1930s. ’ Along with this philanthropic work, the members decided to save their money for a definitive civic project and chose the thennew Pennock Hospital as an objective. At Ida McCoy’s death in 1951, she made generous financial gifts to Pennock Hospital and to the First Presbyterian Church for a new organ. Now all the tangible remains ofArchie and Ida McCoy are their graves in Riverside Cemetery and the McCoy Building on State Street, a memorial to their devotion and hard work toward a better community. Hastings doctor honored with Corewell Health’s Distinguished Physician Award papt-tinrcf0t'Se^-era1rH<istrngs^0frbUsin«5ses>< [FuneraT services will be held oiT Friday, ’’’ iriost recently as a casiiier at the Dolldr Tree Dec. 15, 2023 noon at the Daniels “Funeral ’ in Hastings where she was affectionately Home - Hastings, conveniently located at known as ‘Mom’. 1401 North Broadway, Hastings, MI. Vai was a devoted wife and mother ofthree The family will receive visitors on Thursday, sons that she loved to her core. Vai took great Dec. 14, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Daniels Jayson Bussa pride in caring for her home and her children. Funeral Home- Hastings and again at 11a.m., Editor Vai learned and developed many skills. Gar­ one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday. Long-time physician Paul DeWitt has been dening, knitting, and sewing to name a few, Guests are invited to remain at the Daniels named the Distinguished Physician Award that she passed down to the next several gen­ Funeral Home immediately following the recipient, an honor given by Corewell Health. erations that will live on in her grand and funeral service for a time of fellowship and DeWitt, of Hastings, who served in many great-grandchildren. She always said, “Hand­ luncheon. roles at Pennock Hospital, was nominated for made was always the best because it was Funeral arrangements have been entrusted the award by fellow doctors and industry made from the heart”. to the Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, concolleagues, including Dr. James Weather­ Vai was at home when she was anywhere veniently located at 1401 North Broadway, head; Dr. Marie DeWitt; Steve Marzolf, outdoors. It brought her great joy in the sum­ Hastings, MI. For further details please visit CNO; Carla Wilson-Neill, COO (retired), mer to work in her flower gardens, spend our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net. Susan Hustwick, RN; and Terry Dennison. afternoons fishing on Thomapple and Middle DeWitt served for 43 years, beginning in Lakes, and camping at various locations. Vai 1978 and retiring in 2021. enjoyedtraveling and seeing new places when . He also has,served in. several.leadership, .-x time permitted, her most recent trip led her to roles, including Pennock Hospital’s chief of South Dakota with her partner CB Pennock. stafffrom 2002 to 2004 and vice chiefofstaff She is survived by her children, Boyd Tobi­ from 2004 to 2006. He also served as Pen­ as, Rich (Sara) Tobias, Charles (Amanda) Reinock Foundation board chair. gler; step-daughters, Jodie O’Brian and Melissa Each year, Corewell Health West solicits Reigler; several brothers and sisters; eight nominations for deserving physicians as rec­ grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. ommended by their industry peers. Lacey Elizabeth Morris, Lake Odessa and She was preceded in death and reunited in Matthew Thomas Bellin, Lake Odessa The Distinguished Physician Society heaven with her motherm Geneva Schovan; Matthew Troutman Spee|, Caledonia and selects physicians who have made significant step-father, Jack Schovan; her father, Merton contributions through leadership, community Rachael Marie Shoemaker, Middleville Allerding, along with many others. advocacy, compassion and progress in the field ofmedicine. “Dr. Dewitt has cared deeply for his self, you can reframe it. Like this: patients, those he worked with and the com­ I can’t solve this math problem. I can’t munity during his long tenure as a family solve this math problem yet. medicine provider,” the nominating parties I can’t ride a bike. I can’t ride a bike yet. wrote as part ofDeWitt’s nomination appli­ I’m not good at studying. I’m not good at cation. “He followed his patients to the hos­ pital, extended care facilities and took calls studying yet. If you’re like me, adding “yet” feels - always committed to his patients and the hopeful and determined. It feels like I know community.” I’ll get there someday ifI keep trying. Yet is “He was always respectful to those he a small word that changes the whole vibe. worked with in the hospital, whether they Carbonneau teaches a super challenging were support staff or executives,” the nomi­ class called statistics, it uses math to under­ nation continued. “And at a time when stand scientific data. 1 remember taking that employee morale was low, he led the medical class and thinking, “Whoa. I don’t know staffin hosting a party for staffcomplete with how to do this...yet.” longer to do something or learn something, She teaches her students to be academic that doesn’t mean you’re less smart.” risk-takers. That mentis trying things that She told me about two kinds of intelli­ stretch your brain and your abilities instead gence. Fluid intelligence is the ability to of sticking to things that are already easy solve problems and make sense of new for you. information. Crystallized intelligence is the Academic risk-takers also ask brave questions. They think critically about the library of all the stuffyou’ve learned so far. Amos Douglas Hale, bom at Corewell But intelligence is only one part ofwhat world and how they fit into it. Health - Pennock on November 18, 2023 to “ That’s exactly what Alexa did here,” makes someone a good student or leader. Codi Hale and Eric Hale ofHastings. They need dispositional skills, too. Those Carbonneau said. “It shows a growth mind­ ***** setjust by asking the question.” are things like never giving up, working Enzo Kemmochi, born at Corewell Health I bet that mindset will help you do all well with a team or even having an excel­ Pennock on November 19, 2023 to Minami lent sense ofhumor. kinds ofthings you can’t even imagine yet. Kemmochi and Jayden Benedict ofHastings. Carbonneau told me it’s important to ***** develop a growth mindset. That means Dr. Universe Mabel Jean McKinney, bom at Corewell believing you can get better at things. It also Health - Pennock on November 21, 2023 to Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ means learning from mistakes and getting Janna McKinney and Daniel McKinney of inspired when other people do well. verse. Send an email to Washington State Hastings. Universitys resident scientist and writer at One way to build a growth mindset is by ***** using the power ofyet. Ifyou add the word Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, Olivia Gray DeWitt, bom at Corewell “yet” to what you think and say about youraskdruniverse, com. Health - Pennock on November 22, 2023 to ^Doctor Universe a. TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Dr. Paul DeWitt displays his Distinguished Physician Award. (Photo provided) music and dancing - an annual event that ended with his retirement celebration,” Dennison captured a patient’s perspective in his nomination letter, saying that Dr. DeWitt was his mother’s physician and she lived to be 98 years old. “The last time my mother saw Dr. DeWitt, she was needing her toenails cut,” Dennison recalled in his letter to the Distinguished Phy­ sicians Society. “We assumed one ofthe nurs­ es would do it. However, Dr. DeWitt got right down on the floor and cut all her toenails.” Heather DeWitt Middleville. and Tyler DeWitt of ***** Milo Benson Stowell, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on November 24, 2023 to Ashley Stowell and Benjamin Stowell of Lake Odessa. ***** Lylah Hause, bom at Corewell Health Pennock on November 24, 2023 to Allera Keller and David Hause ofHastings. ***** Gabriel, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on November 25,2023 to Karlee Shapley and David Bautista ofHastings. �Page 8 — Thuraday. Daoambar 14.2023 — The Haehnga Banner Planning Commission discusses city’s walkability with Blue Zones speaker Hunter McLaren gnjf Writer Thanks to a tree donation from Ward Goff and the help of volunteers and local busi­ nesses, a new Christmas tree was planted during Delton Hometown Christmas on Dec. 9. (Photo provided) GRINCH, continued from page 1 cd, and decorated it with help from the Delton Kellogg High School Interact Club.** Many people donated lights for the new tree. “People in town decorated and dropped off enough lights and stufffor three trees. We had to say stop," Bower said, adding that he is thankful for the community’s support. Roodbergen showed up in his Grinch cos­ tume at the tree planting and lightened the mood ofvolunteers by ushering in a sense of humor from many of them, including John­ son, who handcuffed the Grinch. “There is positive in all ofthis. Hence, the Grinch was in and I thought that was pretty funny,” Johnson said. “They tried to make humor out ofsomething that could have been a big issue ifwe could not act so quickly and replace that tree.” Johnson said that once the township came together and pitched in to help support their hometown in a time ofneed, they made a good thing out of a dire situation. “There’s a lot of joy in our community and we are close-knit.” Johnson said the thief, whose name is yet to be officially announced to the public, could face two felony charges for malicious destruc­ tion ofproperty and larceny. “What took place was a disgrace and disre­ spectful to our community. That shows noth­ ing is going to hold back our residents of Barry Township from turning around a bad situation and making it as joyous as it should be,” Johnson said. Hastings planning commissioners spoke about opportunities to make Hastings more walkable in collaboration with Blue Zones Activate Barry County. Catherine Getty, Blue Zones Activate Barry County executive director attended the meet­ ing alongside Boston-based national transpor­ tation planning consultant Mark Fenton. Through Blue Zones. Fenton has been in Barry County before to discuss walkability in both Hastings and Middles ille. His most recent visit to Barry County was in June 2021. Fenton started his presentation to the board highlighting that the creation of complete streets (streets that are accessible to all ages, all abilities and all modes of transportation) remains relevant Pedestrian-friendly infra­ structure is increasingly at the forefront of many state and federal transportation initia­ tives. “The workload we’re talking about here is very timely,” Fenton said. “Transportation planning, the idea of sustainable transporta­ tion, thinking more about walking and bicy­ cling and the broad health benefits of that is happening at the state level and across the country. It’s happening at the federal level.” Fenton said he was impressed with Barry County’s progress on complete streets projects, mentioning the Hastings streetscape project currently in progress downtown. “To you, this may seem like it’s moving at a glacial pace,” Fenton said. “But for a guy who visits every couple ofyears, 1 feel like you’re moving along.” He encouraged the city to continue building networks of walkable streets throughout the city, working towards connecting major pedes­ trian paths. More connectivity between the Hastings Riverwalk and Hastings downtown area would go a long way toward making the city more accessible to pedestrians. With pedes­ trian projects potentially taking away from vehicle parking (like the streetscape project), Fenton said it will be crucial for the city to make sure they get the details right to prevent any grumbling from drivers. Neat sidewalks, signage and wayfinding elements like estimat­ ed travel time to city destinations would all contribute to a better experience, Fenton said. “We all know that there’s lots ofparking (in downtown Hastings),” Fenton said. “It’s within walking distance ofall these businesses and of the riverwalk, and the important thing to do is to make those connections so easy that even the laziest, most grouchy person has to acknowledge that yes, we have enough park- Blue Zones Activate Barry County Executive Director Catherine Getty and Mark Fenton, transportation planning consultant, discussed developing walkability in Hastings with the Hastings Planning Commission last week, (photo by Hunter McLaren) ing.” A few areas in Hastings would also be great places to try new street treatments to promote and protect pedestrian traffic, Fenton said. He listed the pedestrian crossing that spans M-43 near the entrance of Tyden Park as a prime example. Reviewing traffic and pedestrian crossing data collected by the city, Fenton said the cross­ walk would be a good opportunity for a pedes­ trian island in the turning lane. The island would serve multiple functions: to slow traffic coming into town, to make the park easier to access and to protect pedestrians as they cross. Fenton encouraged city officials to continue collecting data at the crosswalk to present to the Michigan Department of Transportation to facilitate more pedestrian access at the crossing. “I think our argument would be, given how challenging the crossing is, there are people that are literally avoiding this,” Fenton said. Clinton Street was another prime target for traffic-calming measures. Fenton suggested using shallow speed cushions, a kind oftem­ porary speed bump, around intersections to slow traffic moving through an area with many Hastings High School and Hastings Middle School students. The pads could be removed in the winter to allow snow plows to work. Fenton also suggested painting murals or designs in the intersections, which can slow traffic further even without any physical infra­ structure. “We’ve even seen people partner with the local school on school adjacent streets, and the kids paint and make the designs,” Fenton said. “Then they’re physically involved in the actual painting, which makes it a kind of a festival and it helps the neighborhood own the street” The last area Fenton touched on was West Green Street near the entrance to Fish Hatch­ er}' Park. With Corewell Health Pennock Hos­ pital nearby, a shift change coinciding with an event at the park could result in high traffic at the park entrance as vehicles try to enter or exit. “I’m going to say the word - people’s heads are gonna explode, but I’m gonna say it any­ way,” Fenton said. “It’s an ideal location for a mini circle or small roundabout - not a big giant one.” .. Fenton offered an example from Livingston, Montana. Traffic around the local farmers mar­ ket became an issue, so the city tested a round-, about design using bales of hay. The city adjusted the size ofthe roundabout by remove ing or adding hay bales and adjusting the radi­ us accordingly. In the end, the city decided to leave the intersection as is. Instead, it was decided the best course of action was to simply close one ofthe roads at the intersection during the farm­ ers market hours ofoperation. “I offer this as an example of those two important points,” Fenton said. “One, you can use low-cost materials to test, demonstrate and adjust your design. Two, the answer is not always necessarily ‘yes.’” A continued focus on the complete street design philosophy would only serve to benefit Hastings, Fenton said. “You will serve some ofyour most at-risk residents ifyou continue to focus on this as a community,” Fenton said. “It’s the folks that most need it that will benefit from building a truly multimodal system.” Michigan keeps grip on cereal-making as Kellogg reverses layoff plan Pictured here is the hole in the lawn and a mud trail left behind after the Delton community Christmas tree was stolen early Saturday morning. NOTICE OF 2024 MEETING DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING GROUPS Barry County Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on the following dates or at the call of the chair.The meetings start at 7:00 PM. January 8, 2024 April 8, 2024 August 12,2024 November 11,2024 February 12, 2024 May 13,2024 September 9, 2024 December 9,2024 March 11, 2024 June 10, 2024 October 14,2024 Barry County Planning Commission will meet on the following dates or at the call of the chair. The meetings start at 7:00 PM. January 22, 2024 April 22,2024 August 26,2024 November 25,2024 February 26,2024 May 28,2024 September 23,2024 March 25, 2024 July 22,2024 October 28, 2024 The meeting room for both groups is at: Tyden Center Community Room 121 South Church Street Hastings Ml 49058 The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the Countyof Barry. Individuals with disabilities rere quiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or call the following: 209828 MICHAEL BROWN COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 220 WEST STATE STREET HASTINGS Ml 49058 (269)945-1284 Paula Gardner Bridge Michigan W.K. Kellogg Co. came close to laying off about half ofthe workers at its Battle Creek factory this month as it planned to move operations to Canada, but scrapped the plan after a request from employees, company officials said Tuesday. The iconic breakfast cereal company home to brands like Rice Krispies, Froot Loops and Com Flakes — now will retain the 170 workers whose jobs had been in danger and continue to operate two ofthree produc­ tion shifts in Michigan. The news emerged Tuesday as Kellogg met with state economic developers consider­ ing an incentive request. Avoiding the layoffs is “something that we believe really is very special,” Stacy Flathau, chief corporate affairs officer with Kellogg, told Michigan economic development offi­ cials on Tuesday. With the move, the company said it is com­ mitted to investing up to $143 million to keep making its signature product in Michigan’s “Cereal City.” That investment also could result in nearly four dozen new positions as the cereal company works with staff to trim production costs and make the Michigan fac­ tory more efficient. I The state will support the company with incentives totaling about $24 million that were approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund, the funding arm ofthe Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). That includes a $5 million grant if Kellogg meets investment and hiring goals and a 15-year Renaissance Zone tax abate­ ment that will save the company about $1.27 million per year in property taxes. By reversing course and staying in Battle Creek, Kellogg is recommitting to the area, said Joe Sobieralski, president a°d CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited economic develop­ ment group. The decision follows years oflittle Kellogg investment in Battle Creek operations, so “this move is anchoring them to the commu­ nity,” he said on Tuesday. While the Kellogg name is familiar around the globe, the W.K. Kellogg is now a cere­ al-only spinoff ofthe former Kellogg Co. It was formed in October after the bigger snack division - which saw treats like Cheez-It crackers and Pringles potato chips outsell cereal by nearly five times - renamed itself Kellanova and moved a portion of its head­ quarters from Battle Creek to Chicago. The cereal-only Kellogg now employs about 3,000 people including about 700 in Michigan. About half work in the Battle Creek factory, which makes Raisin Bran, Rai­ sin Bran Crunch, Special K Fruit and Yogurt and some specialty cereals like Cinnabon, Elf on the Shelfand Rainbow Rice Krispies. The corporate split came two years after cereal sales fell sharply during a labor strike, which affected the Battle Creek factory among several others in the U.S. By the time the contract was settled in December 2021, the company faced rebuilding lost market share and cereal profits. The cereal outlook, at the same time, also changed. During the pandemic, sales of the easy-to-prepare breakfast leapt, but then fell as consumers once again turned to more por­ table morning meals. Over the next decade, industry forecasts predict that the breakfast cereal market will grow 4 to 5 percent, while snacks at Kellanova could see double-digit growth. As Kellogg’s snack division pursued the cereal spinout, the leadership team at Kellogg went to e^ch production site to talk to work­ ers, Flathau said. In Battle Creek, the workers asked ifthere was something they could do to save theirjobs. Those discussions helped the new compa­ ny realize that the production shift to Canada - made to save about $20 million - was deter- mined by the leadership team that was shift-; ing into Kellanova. The new Kellogg execu-; tives, who themselves felt committed to working in Battle Creek, realized that keep? ing production nearby also would benefit th$ community, Flathau said. The reversal, she said, was “a little unusii* al, a little cutting edge, a little something unexpected.” The news was welcomed by the state sinc£ it retains a fully staffed factory by a company that started in Michigan 117 years ago, eco­ nomic development officials said Tuesday. “We feel an urgency to ensure that compa­ nies that have grown up here in Michigan continue to employ Michiganders with fami­ ly-sustaining jobs,” said Quentin Messer Jr., CEO ofthe MEDC, during a media briefing. Officials from The Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union Local 3-G, which represents the Battle Creek workers at Kellogg, were not available on Tuesday. Sobieralski said the Kellogg manufactur­ ing jobs are particularly well-paid, with top earnings at about $100,000 per year. Keeping all three Kellogg production lines in Michigan means the workers had to agree to cross-train on various jobs. The effort will help to close the gap with the $20 million savings the company would have realized had it moved production to Canada. In June 2022, when the corporate split was announced, Kellogg Co. was the fifth-largest Michigan-based public company, with a mar­ ket capitalization of$22 billion. W. K. Kellogg [NYSE: KLG] was valued at $1.03 billion on Tuesday, with its stock trad­ ing at about $12.50 per share. The stock fell 26 percent from its first day of trading after the spinoff in October through December 12. Kellanova [NYSE:K] was valued at $18.5 billion on Tuesday, with stock trading at about $54.04. The stock price increased 2 percent since the corporate split. ships and paid to BIRCH would instead be paid to the city and placed into a fire equipment fund. The fund’s function would essen­ tially be the same as BIRCH, except the responsibility to manage and maintain the fund would fall on the city. Whether collected by BIRCH or the city, Moyer-Cale said 1.25 mills from each town­ ship would likely be a sufficient contribution for the next several years to come. The fire department’s next large purchase will be a $1.9 million ladder truck in 2028. Although it’s unlikely BIRCH (or the city) could raise all $1.9 million in that time, it should be pos­ sible to close any funding gap through state grants or-other means, she said. Members did not take any definitive action toward either solution, opting to bring the new information regarding a potential con­ tract with the city back to their respective township boards for discussion. Members would reconvene and reassess at the next BIRCH meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the Hastings Fire Department. BIRCH, continued from page 3 a service contract with the City ofHastings,” Moyer-Cale said. “It sounds like there’s some reconsideration about the future of BIRCH tonight, which is fine. I wrote this (draft agreement) for the understanding that the majority, at least at the time, was feeling that BIRCH should be dissolved and there would be direct contracts between townships and the City ofHastings.” Under the draft agreement, all BIRCH assets and equipment would be transferred to the city. The 1.25 mills being levied by town- !**** !«**** ■ — 1 I << ■ Iff W Uribri ®1®at triK&sbMiBaloohlKtai* ■s dHiitWviloyMalKi ■dbtwwir (ata t Bl pm te �The Hastings ANNER SPORTS Thursday., December 14.,2023 TK opens with two victories at CHS V ^‘5'1 Thornapple Kellogg's Dylan Pauline scores with Caledonia 132-pounder Carter Berrends on his back during their match Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) i.St'S .sS*t'S Nbfi 2^*is 2 i.s* Thornapple Kellogg 120-pounder Emma Gibson nears a pin against Caledonia's Jaden Grace during their dual Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Mi 1 ft? ft ? 1 bi i keeps grip on cerealtb; Aogg reverses layoff plan s® Brett Bremer Sports Editor ■ Maddie Hayden took her turns in the varsi-' ty line-up for OK Red Conference duals as a freshman at Caledonia High School last sea­ son. She went on to win a state championship in the girls’ individual state tournament. She was joined at the MHSAA Individual State Finals by Thomapple Kellogg’s Emma Gib­ son. Gibson, in her third season with the TK wrestjing program, earned her way jqto ^spot in the varsity line-up on the first night ofher junior season. Gibson went 2-0 and so did the Thomapple Kellogg team as it bested Loy Norrix 57-10 and then Caledonia 56-21. The Caledonia team was 0-2 on the day, falling to the Loy Norrix squad 56-22. “Coming away with two wins in the varsity lipe-up is awesome. She made a little cut down to 120 to fill a spot for us. Pretty excit­ ed to have her in there,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said. She scored a quick pin of the Fighting Scots1 Jaden Grace in their dual after a backand-forth battle with Loy Norrix’s Jessica White in what was ultimately a 3-1 win for Gibson in that one. She was one ofsix TK varsity wrestlers* to go 2-0 oh the night. Returning 113-pound state medalists Christien Miller took a techni­ cal fall in the dual with Loy Norrix and won by default in the dual with the Scots. Griffin Grummet at 138 pounds, Hunter Smith at 126, Noah Quintard at 150, Jayce Curtis at 175 and Blake Bossenberger at 165 were all 2-0 on the day for TK too. Bossen- berger had two pins on the day. Collin Mann, Dylan Pauline, Camden Peter, Jimmy Manne, Brenan Simon, Tanner Buxton and Jackson Smith had one win each on the night for the TK varsity. “I am excited,” Fletke said. “They’re young. They want it. There is a lot ofchange­ up in the line-up, but I feel like they’re ready to go.” “I’ve seen them wrestle in practice, and I have seen them wrestle in middle schooM know they have been waiting their turn to get in the varsity line-up. The freshmen did awe­ some. A lot of them got their first varsity wins today.” Hayden who doesn’t plan on competing against guys this season, kept her action to the JV mat on the night for the Scots. The varsity had a dual going on while she took on ^^wibBiaBiftileKdlog j • । hi “3“JJ^rttarKeUogCak ^^rtOtarKlBeUMoWgC3CaeRk’ J,, Zafjasfe Ow-11 1 r ■ ■ । ■*'" J Thornapple Kellogg's Christien Miller works to score points against Loy Norrix 113-pouhder Dennis Allen-Wormack during their bout Wednesday,—Dec. 6, at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK’s Kayleigh Brown in a match late in the evening, a bout that ended in a pin for the state champ. Caledonia head coach Shawn Veitch was pretty pleased with what went on at the JV mat at the end ofthe night. “I am proud of my guys ... at the end when our varsity was done, everybody went over there to our JV mat and was cheering each other on. It was everything we’ve been talking about. This isn’t a sprint. We’re not ready to win championships right now. Stick with me. It’s a journey. One day at a time. Let’s continue to win each day, get a little bit better by putting forth the best effort that we possibly can. “I am proud of my guys. They battled tonight. They’re not where they need to be, but it is December. We don’t need to peak until February. We’re going to keep getting better and I guarantee we’re going to be a better team in February than we were today. The bottom line is, my guys have fight, they love each other and we’re going to keep get­ ting better each and every day.” Caledonia’s Will Sheely Was 2-0 on the day for the varsity team at 157 pounds. He pinned his foe from Loy Norrix and then pulled out an 8-4 win over TK’s Smith in their bout. “I thought he wrestled very smart, very technically sound and really did a greatjob of listening as well,” Veitch said of Sheely. “I was really proud ofhim.” Ben Moss and Carter Berends stood out for Veitch for the way they battled. Moss got a pin in the dual with Loy Norrix at 150 pounds and tried to fight off Quintard in what was a 9-5 win for the TK 150-pounder in their match-up. Moss was bumped up a weight class or two from where he expects to be as the season goes on. Berends was wrestling a littler high­ er than the Scot coach would ultimately like to have him too. Sergio Munoz and Connor Sebel had the other varsity wins for the Scots. Sebel pinned TK’s Buxton in their 215-pound match. The TK team followed up by finishing fourth at the Grandville Bulldog Challenge Saturday. Whitehall took the tournament title with 227.5 points. Grandville was second with a score of 192 ahead of Portage North­ ern 118.5, Thomapple Kellogg 116, Lapeer 99 and Mt. Pleasant 93. TK got runner-up finishes from Miller at 113 pounds, Pauline at 132 and Buxton at 190 pounds. Curtis placed third at 175 and so did Camden Peter at 144 pounds and Smith at 157. Hastings beats all but the hosts at Greenville Duals The Lakewood varsity wrestling team celebrates as championship after a perfect 5-0 day at the Vicksburg Invitational Saturday at Vicksburg High School. Vikings beat old GLAC rival for first White win r T A 'M $$ dm Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity wrestling team opened the season by splitting a pair of duals on the mats at Olivet Wednesday eve­ ning. The Lakewood team knocked off Capital Area Activities Conference White Division foe Olivet 48-34, but fell to the Mason Bull­ dogs from the CAAC-Red 49-27. Lakewood’s returning state medalist Joel Simon opened his conference season with a pin ofOlivet’s Adaven Ross in the 215-pound match and Viking heavyweight Jaden Manhart scored a pin too. Lakewood had four pins in the dual with 138-pounder Bryson Boucher and 165-pounder Vincent Risk both putting their Eagle opponents on their backs. The Viking team got forfeit wins from Kade Boucher, Vincent Stamm, Jonathan Krebs and Chris Webb to account for their other 24 points. In the dual with Mason, Simon and Bryan Aguilera had ins in the 215-pound and 285pound matches for the Vikings and Krebs added a pin in the 144-pound bout and Kade Boucher scored a pin at 126 pounds. Bryson Boucher was the only Viking to get a six-minute win. He pulled out a 4-2 victory .over the Bulldogs’ Boone Smith. The Vikings are now 6-1 in duals this sea­ son after a perfect 5-0 day at the Vicksburg Invitational Saturday. The closest dual ofthe day was against the host Bulldogs who the Vikings bested 39-33. Lakewood also knocked off Berrien Springs 69-12, Martin 50-27, Pennfield 66-18 and Three Rivers 57-21. Lakewood won the last five bouts to finish offVicksburg in their dual after the Bulldogs built a 33-16 lead. The run for the Vikings started with Eric Bartlett scoring a 12-2 win over Vicksburg’s Hunter Smith in the 120pound match. Kade Boucher followed with a 10-5 deci­ sion over Ben Culver for the Vikings at 126. Mason Livermore at 132 and Bryson Boucher at 138 tacked on pins for the Vikings to move them into a 35-33 lead with one bout to go. Krebs finished offthe dual with a 17-6 major decision over Skye Smith at 144 pounds for Lakewood. The Vikings’ other points in the dual came thanks to pins by Simon at 215 and Manhart at 285, and a 12-1 major decision by Levi Frizzell at 190 pounds. Simon, Kade Boucher, Krebs and Bryson Boucher were 5-0 on the day for the Vikings. Livermore and Manhart were both 4-0. Lakewood was scheduled to go to the East Lansing Quad yesterday, Dec. 13, and will be apart part ofthe Williamston Invitational Dec. 16. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Only host Greenville was better than the Saxons at the Greenville Duals Satur­ day, the first tournament of the 2023-24 high school season for the Hastings varsi­ ty wrestling team. The Saxons went 4-1 with wins over Petoskey, Belding, Fruitport and Cale­ donia. Greenville won it dual with the Saxons by the score of 57-9. The Yellow Jackets enter the season ranked seventh in the state in Division 2. A pin by Troy Hokanson in the 113pound match and a 3-1 win by Colton Smith over Troy Courtney at 138 points earned the Saxons their only team points in the dual with Greenville. Hokanson and Smith were both 5-0 on the day. Kyle Echtinaw, wrestling at 190 pounds for the Saxons, was 4-1. Jordan Humphrey, Haiden Simmet, Aden Arm­ strong, Preston Meece, Isaac Friddle and Diego Coipel had three wins apiece for Hastings on the day. The closest dual the rest ofthe day for the Saxons was against a Belding team it defeated 40-30. Hastings took three forfeit wins in the dual with Belding as the Black Knights didn’t have a wrestler below the 132pound weight class ready to go. Ivan Perez got the first win on the mat ofthe dual for Hastings with a pin at 132 pounds. That had the Saxons in front 22-6 at the time. Smith added a pin at 144 and Echtinaw got a pin at 190 for the Saxons, both com­ ing in the first period of their matches. Simmet took a major decision at 150 pounds for the Saxons in that dual. The Saxons opened their season at the Chelsea Quad Wednesday, Dec. 6, split­ ting a pair of duals. The Saxons defeated Ida 66-16, but fell to host Chelsea. Maddie Chipman, Hokanson, Jordan Humphrey, Maverick Peake, Perez, Smith, Keegan Sutfin, Simmet, Tate Warner, Echtinaw and Friddle had wins in the vic­ tory over Ida for Hastings. Hokanson, Sutfin, Simmet and Friddle had the Saxons* lone victories in the dual with Chelsea. �023 -The Hastings Banner t league vik^in5^ cCCANI Meet fO^S 3^ emrOfetcivt aotnedS oduar robuunt d1 sthwienrke tfhairs realpP emrOfetcivt aotnedS tahhetahhem day. but 1 think this realy inayk.eeupt p keep pushing hard f dungs Brett Bremer SPuWtfnscorcoutofalll3 SPuWtfnsco ou tofalll3 1akewooddhad hadthe the10P 10P bampionship m ■sDSco aches Association Meet hos ■sDS bby %yStJo St Johns Vhnis Satugrd ^ay ;on wyiith ng ateam m %n % Vi with an overall Sof f 721-56 po^Capital Area Activity d th ee score ofthe da day at 287 d SeshB ?dw«tinto i round three 2036e6s i d 203.66 in round two an fce Ratdets ot its n:v;sion rivals were as Coanfppair eraeirnce Wh^ite7D 090st6and ainngds P s Sand Charlo°tte ^^ put- u^p a709.06 9.06 and ^P Portortland 7°5J!a not offto an outstanding8^ V3-4 standings on the fron ‘‘heuf^* froTn‘ uf^*entonto fV^ikin*s entoontoadda212.96m inn rtoou The Vikings * in round thrceoe.nfidence round two and 283^1 “This really DUU U f w g ooinogd ihnetaodthe woodhead coach K m girls know we have lleagues, La said. sid up"The and and Montabella MW titiSotn J wohns won toed y ion with an overallsc_ The 2 Mmpeof f627.88. M n cele^J£X1the J£X c champ'»onShlp Invitational Friday, Dec. Ifter er the holiday break. against DK chment stars 7^ Brett Bremer Sp°rtSB?The ?The Man’,” accord“jeremiah Mann ann was > Jim HogoHogo ibn«g> tmo Delton Dfoellltoown iKe"°8gP!in!hers Kne"t°h8egPP!ainn!hjeers’ Southwoesetenrenr following the Panje Athletic Confegrence Cen , Fndapy. Athletic Conference Cen , Fnday. 9* 9 logHgoguoybsosca-idd M ann’s baHilsgameea was one Hogoboom said M Hs yea years in the of the best he has bought his only miss- 3•--■SIS •D--t■efcSl*IlS ^ bit they would come UP P play play to bound lfor P bbal °^l,l,l,,,?LHoogb m said, bo«o.>m said-,nt0 the rseecure a loose ball, ogoo. -n e Tbe Rams hadndd tthhe«n things down third quarter I ■ jfcj- r * ♦! je xrtn* S**1**^ ^*11 taasajsite^1 w and thseay ijiu ‘‘snt hwad fatfiewm£ 800d h®8 th «*•*' «• “ *’ CebMhi m® ld WittgAA ateMiAi D*ndeiton Kelslotogpgh with weirthbott ooh we did.” Tyle, r H.o,w ,laDeiton ooints.Torren Mapes Mapes* cchipped thieiHpepo^egldoy bininob oytten em nfo sppoints* uaoli idn htsi*s tieHeo^gloyboboym fosualid his .tefc l* l^g . mi • RAMS ** * mtMWtW mixisisas* wt. ikii slowed Marti s a htMuatrtltien mo otoreokm a th® sec°nl eaie aJd couldn’t return eretusrn. TheD tean- S was proud pi'XX.Viw*1 .Viw*1” ” " "'4’ uTbey yp present a bunch o Diment Sf^8lOf Acn bia we lost |Xl4F«™',M,°WPe''’ p htks h Sfe^ Sfe^rl-rh n.lalen . 38T1 hAebv2-t3heD healltto. n K®Uogf ahnvs to hgnJvns streturn 38The 2-3 Delton Holland Ktmpen added 18 pomts po d scoreboard ^or Kee points obssoooom said.else had more than three p job“Hoof nce osnttlayinI infeggp, e Kl laimpe lv J Hogob the contest at s shots just not fall m Hogoboom said “V/e had quite a । at their first ho. m. e quad th e dro pp o n n t dD ie C (oduetcsicsoioren at 1a9m0 arounds^ Brett Bremer Sports Editor itha hUng Uomng team The Maple Valley vatsd^ home quad the baseline early m li'***< h I **hv*S •‘He had two late to ss, ldta ldtake take a game ishly. You sorta feel like h j was pieased oow eeffvvooeerrrrtt hOen whimaYnoutsBto pickguyyosur wvviieetthhrr wwou ouhhrren enefefeffort On him poison with them an.d hoe with them and hope Lions win one, *5**i*« SAC Central play *5 5^ ^ then will w go on 10-0 for a J 2*11 2L 11 ■ S5s^ lSchilizthwas2 s2iJxt.^h .iPn lheX 5gl p d Lp^gied |c Elacsso wlnithPaar 2k’-s2J^PaXlob aunmdp Ledan &sionmg decisionat ecision at 190 pounds from Robert. t Jorteit ScThhilez, LTyiyornesse gRobmson, Root Jorte Long and Nicholas Scz, ^ !?S^ *Ww2 **!S* feZ^httk ■ ■ Et’’ s D<°"?Stby Eastern D<°"?Stb Okemos Ok’ Ahmadi Ahdi > i Hansen ma lh Saturday at Lansm^ge nXa in isn-w tMthe hiuee nDm aon•• .-ohnsonln vna- ■209861 *City of Hastings B’tna™ 1 OF Pr U v BLIC HEARINy JGanuary I■ NOTICE or r v y January ■ r»x:"S2"isss3~ S2"isss3~“ “,i ,i public regarding the city S ZU ILplan- Masle, ParK a H51«-3b0o rlo.nss4BdJW® etvearw withapm °f y y^ Goioniski. Jackson Burpee started n the Bhroncios’ 19°-p°unk &tfeit winss and the alsToh heaLdioNno taehamLutcoaosk■ stcta°ree \0 hi had Noah Lucas■ sc°r \0 his opp°- ‘ 2n1e5n-tpoDuankdobtaouOt dseunebtoauagni mJ y y^ y RobmSon. Osenbaugi. y for Maple naenndt.JoDe aLkoontag tOoosekn tbhaeu fgoir.feity .I IS6 points. °*'*. B« ’tww,;1«. wiith 1l75 p°k'n1*2ahSringport 105k.5, Foresti LHiinllcSoln OPalrk£ 13J2,d.SpnCnghP.liQ Ceek Cl e8n5tra5i HillS rOrtlr£aJds Jds Catholic Catholi Central 85.5, 95.5, Grand Raptos wp Marshall 79 and Sex on weigbt ct Burpee won‘ ' ^iUs Northern’s Bar- from Keagau Keagau from ValMOlesyae.p nleb aVuagllhe yp ibnenaetdoB Ooen rttnonn HHa^rcbho irn34-6. I| £^Hraf.t W0ill be0 disc disc^^ussetod ussetodattatt-I Lion noys «a and -tees ng The City will Pr0\id® the "c^cier y k at 269-945-24C6h8riosrtopher five days’ notice t r R- Beve'’ I services 800-649-3777. Chris p C|ty cterk tsas.^ Whc ibn starefirst fdirsatt onds into their 150-pqm« m Wcb kXTtewe for puMc inspect^ eUf•fer first lo sses »«• fc » »c ihMw w rupnn“er-'u1’p finishes gh at 120 P U^^t13runne h 1,,p of new season . ♦ aown to five hdi in thminrteoe cut t.ha♦t adoowwnn two rf.ivvpe. headingthree Le fourth foo urntsh quarter wer* Brett Bremer points ts a couple puUed away, Spom Edilf g Conference before the Yellow' we we fOught fOught back Concord finished its ® a 55-39 win at “I was proud of W> head coach opener on an 18-2 run to sc uit Wtorngnb »We “rreall eal'ly* strugaSnd did didKn’t Quit Maple Valley High School Fn fof tbe SKW-“'*■ It was the first loss ot ketba ketballl team Maple Valley varsity W8 The Lions are poiAntsd really realWlyilhurt hkurt lus. usd. th L 14 pomts hid Ayden Wilkes led the L chipped which was off to a 4-0 star . conference now 4-2 after falling m _? .|evue, and three rebounds. Cam var^ iue, fitst hait. bailgame bai Clgame TTuesd du tesdkay aaga 3g0a1innst 8stl o Concord took a 30-18 lead i Cd rs now 3 2^ ^ ^r^ooo win Concord The Broncos move u alle Cy ireturns rtetutrns to t^o nB:iog»8 play on the theeM vivdiaacpttoolelUeryV.ialle roaMdaaptlUe n Viaolnle Cy irteytutornns t^o BDigG»alesburgAu ad at Union City ton alesburg.Au ill b h road ,baUgame Dec.. 22 willUbe on the road baU ame Dec. 22 gus of of sc schedule. toclose ou nt othmmcorfe e zuz. j p the zuz. j p I AW\ AWS *?N AW *?NS> ?NS> bKS NS&K TSJN I.i v, I I i �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 14,2023 — Page 11 MHSAA Council discusses possible future changes The Representative Council of the Mich­ igan High School Athletic Association began examining several topics during its Fall Meeting, Dec. 1 in East Lansing — including start and end dates ofthe winter calendar, possible new transfer rule exceptions and emerging sports - that will shape its work during the winter and spring meet­ ings ofthis 2023-24 school year. Generally, the Council takes only a few actions during its Fall Meeting, with topics often introduced for additional consideration and action during its meetings in March and May. The Council did take three actions this time as part oflarger conversations expected to continue over the next six months. The Council joined staff discussion on the start and end dates of winter seasons and the possibility of moving up both, which was among topics surveyed as part of the Update Meeting poll completed by administrators during the MHSAA’s annual presentations across the state this fall. Staff will prepare a recommendation for Council to review at a future meeting regarding the 2025-26 school year and beyond. MHSAA staffalso provided a variety of transfer rule issues encountered over the last year, and Council discussed the possi­ bility of adding transfer rule exceptions related to military transfer families, full­ time school employee transfers and stu­ dents returning from a sports academy or prep school and seeking immediate eligibility. The Council did adopt a change for multi-high school districts (with at least w. RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP Delton Kellogg guard Summer Ritchie fires up a three-pointer during the second quarter of her team's SAC Central loss at Galesburg-Augusta High School Friday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Delton Kellogg's Paytn Robinson (25) picks up her dribble at the elbow and is pressured by Galesburg-Augusta's Liliana Thompson (13) in the third quarter of their SAC Central ballgame at GalesburgAugusta High School Friday. (Photo by Perry? Hardin) BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE QRRUBLlCWEARINg QU PROPOSED ZONING MAP AMENDMENT&ANa. ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS.AT JANUARY 3, 2024 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO: DK can’t put two halves together in first defeats Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Delton Kellogg girls clearly had a better halfofthe two in each oftheir first two defeats ofthe season. v;. ' The Panthers are novAL-2©nthe season after back-to-back losses to Galesburg-Au­ gusta and Constantine. The Rams took a 53-26 win over the visit­ ing Panthers to open the Southwestern Athlet­ ic Conference Central Division season Friday night. Galesburg-Augusta took a 32-12 lead in the first half. DK head coach Mike Mohn said his girls were much better in the second halfthan they had been in the first. Paytn Robinson and Josie Williams scored seven points each for Delton. . . * Back in action at home against Constan­ tine Tuesday, the DK girls were bested 57-27. Constantine had just a four-point lead at the half before things got away from the Delton Kellogg girls. “We were pressed to start the third and we turned the ball over on six straight posses- sions,” Mohn said. The Falcons turned those six turnovers into points and they went on to outscore the DK girls 24-0 in that third quarter. Williams and-Addi© Stampfler had eight; points each for DK iiY-the loss to'the Fai^cons. The Panthers return to SAC Central play Friday taking on Holland Black River at home. The final bailgame for DK before the holi­ day break is a trip to Calhoun Christian next Thursday, Dec. 21. r***-wr*• iW 3 iW^3 *'!% !% *W fsy^'S"'a*/’*LZ’ ** 'ZZ y t*$£* W; ? 9 rjr^ rjr^ 74$^ rz<^ O rz< WW the Saxons too with a 108 game. The Hastings boys and girls will be in action Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Marshall Scotch Doubles Tournament. The Saxons opened the winter season at Ionia last Wednesday, Dec. 6. Both the Hast­ ings boys and girls took victories. Hastings varsity girls’ coach Deanna Rhodes said it was the first time this season that the Saxons have ben able to bowl on the Phantom 2 oil pattern the MHSAA is using this season. The Hastings girls won by a a 24-6 margin. Schild, Herder and Jen Stoline won two points each for the Saxons in the regular games. Schild rolled a 152 and a 118. Stoline scored a 139 and a 101. Herder had games of 154 and 153. THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on January 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The purpose of this public hearing is to consider the following proposed amendments of Chapter 220 (zoning) of the Rutland Charter Township Code: Proposed Zoning Map Amendments (rezoninqs) Note: one or more ofthe items in this segment ofthis Notice are intended to correct and/or correctly implement the rezoning of airport-related property initially considered by the Planning Commission at its September 6,2023 meeting and then implemented by Township Board adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-190 on October 11, 2023. Parcel no. 08-13-011-005-00 is proposed1*!© be fezdned from the existing ACLI Airport Commercial/Light Industrial District to the new 1/ PU Institutional/Public Use District (which designates “County/Municipal Public Airport as a permitted use therein). Note: this is the primary parcel on which the Hastings Airport is located. This parcel was previously intended to be rezoned to the new Institutional/Public Use District but was inadvertently not included in the property rezoned to that district by Ordinance No. 2023-190. Parcel no. 08-13-010-031-00 is proposed to be rezoned from the existing l/PU Institutional/Public Use District to the ACLI Airport Commercial/Light Industrial District. Note: this parcel does not include an airport runway and is not functionally part of the airport property. It was inadvertently rezoned to the new Institutional/Public Use District by Ordinance No. 2023-190, but is more appropriately zoned Airport Commercial/Light Industrial to facilitate aircraft-related private land uses on this property. Saxon bowlers undefeated in first couple competitions Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity bowling teams are perfect so far. On an afternoon in which the Lee boys didn’t make the trip to Hastings Bowl due to illness, the Hastings varsity girls’ bowling team improved to 2-0 by outscoring the Leg­ ends 22-8 in a non-conference dual - the first ofthe season on the home lanes for the Saxons. Kaylin Schild had a big afternoon for the Saxons with games of 180 and 136 that earned two team points. The Saxon team also got two points from Kass Harton thanks to scores of 118 and 150. Heaven Simmet and Ally Herder won a team point each with Sim­ met rolling a 171 and Herder a 154 in win­ ning efforts. Megan Ramey won a point for §220-14-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the “l/PU Institutional/Public Use District is proposed to be amended to add thereto a new subsection H designating the following as a permitted use in that district: Simmet won a point for the Saxons with a 153 as well. The Saxon girls swept the ten points for the team scores in the two regular games and split the Baker games with the Bulldogs. The Hastings boys took a 25-5 win over the Bulldogs. Kenny Vastine III and Austin Henman won two points each for the Saxons. Vastine had games of 135 and 142. Henman earned his two points with scores of 132 and 125. The Saxon team got another point thanks to a 153 from Deagan Wilkins. The Saxons took eight points in the two regular games for their team performance and won all ten Baker points by sweeping those two contests. *H. would only continue to build their confidence and with time we could add on and make it more impressive. I feel like we proved that on Saturday.” In the end TK had a score of228.5 in round one, 202.8 in round two and 278.7 in round three. The next best round three score ofthe day was a 256.4 from Zeeland West. Cedar Springs had scores of 227.7 in round one, 217.34 in round two and 255.4 in round three. Zeeland West finished third in the stand­ ings with an overall score of674.72 ahead of Kenowa Hills 655.38, Sparta 595.9, Coo­ persville 587.9, Hamilton 585.42 and Allen­ dale 513.5. Lula said her team took some hard penal­ ties and made some major technical errors it has to learn from, but the Trojans were back at it this week working to improve their issues. “Bust most of all we need to build the excitement, and the wow factor, and the fire­ works which will all come with confidence and repetition,” Lula said. “It’s a long season. It’s gotta start somewhere, and I am proud of our start.” Privately owned and operated airport-related or aircraft-related commercial and/or light industrial uses operating on property owned by a county/municipal public airport.” §220-14-2 of the Rutland Charter Township Code pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the “l/PU Institutional/Public Use District is proposed to be amended to add thereto a new subsection I designating the following as a permitted use in that district: Crop farming on property primarily used as a county/municipal public airport." §220-9-2.B. pertaining to the designated permitted uses in the MU Mixed Use District is proposed to be amended to read as follows (to mirror the same permitted use provision in the Mixed Use District of the HastingsRutland JPC Zoning Ordinance): Even with some issues, TK wins CCCAM title telling them, it is important for each ofyour to worry about do yourjob and it will all fall into place (this is why we have alternates who are ready to jump in at any time). For half of our team, this was their first time ever on a competitive cheer mat, so while we have a lot ofroom to grow and for improvement -1 feel fortune to have ‘shook the dust off* and got­ ten the first-timers nerves out. “As a coach, I have high expectations for these girls and their performance - I know what they are capable ofand when they come up short ofthat, it is hard to be super excited, even about a win, and to be frank that is how I feel about Saturdays win. I am proud of them, absolutely, but I know how good they can be and will be, and Saturday wasn’t that.” Even having to make late-week changes to Saturday’s line-up, Lula made sure her team got four stunt groups out on the mat in round three like has been the plan this preseason. She wasn’t going to take things easy on her team or its opponents just because it is December. “Our round three is challenging,” Lula said. “I opened the gates with a hard round,, because I knew they could handle it and it I I I. I ■ I Proposed Zoning Text Amendments B. Brett Bremer Sports Editor There is both room for improvement and a little less room in the trophy case. The Thornapple Kellogg varsity competi­ tive cheer team opened the 2023-24 season by winning the Division 2 competition at the Competitive Cheer Coaches Association of Michigan Invitational hosted by West Catho­ lic High School Saturday. The TK ladies earned an overall score of 710 points that bested the final score of OK Gold Conference rival Cedar Springs for the top spot. The Red Hawks earned a score of 700.44 points. The Trojans were almost 14 points behind the Red Hawks going into round three, but mostly blew away the field in round three even with an eight-point deduction. The Tro­ jans also had an eight-point deduction in round two Saturday. There were mixed feelings for new TK head coach Madelynn Lula. “When we went out Saturday we had made some major changes late week which shook up some nerves for many,” Lula said. “I kept three high schools) that include both boundary and non-boundary schools that more clearly defined where students at those schools have immediate eligibility. The Council also discussed possible new and emerging sports, including proposals for MHSAA sponsorship received by the water polo and field hockey governing bodies and an anticipated proposal to add boys volleyball to the MHSAA Tournament lineup. Several more conversations regarded MHSAA postseasons. The Council reviewed the work of the Football Task Force and considered a staff recommendation to have the Football Committee in January discuss possibly capping enrollment ofDivision 8 11-player schools at 250 students to incentivize schools within that group to play 11-player instead of switching to 8-player. MHSAA staffhave identified four areas requiring financial increases - MHSAA Tournament officials fees, host schools compensations, manager honorariums and team reimbursements for Finals participants — and the Council discussed the importance of including these when the MHSAA Audit & Finance Committee meets in February to begin the 2024-25 budgetary process. The Council also discussed recommen­ dations from the MHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee addressing possible requirements of emergency action plans and AEDs at MHSAA Tournament sites. A detached single-family dwelling on an individual lot toss than 8,000 square feet.“ Note: the existing text proposed to be deleted is shown lined-through. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting, and may further be submitted to the Planning Commission at the public hearing/meeting. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Master Plan, the Tentative Text ofthe above­ referenced proposed zoning text amendment(s), and the existing Zoning Map and a map showing the properties proposed for rezoning, may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day ofthe hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. The Township Planning Commission reserves the right to modify any of the proposed amendments at or following the hearing/meeting and to make its recommendations accordingly to the Township Board. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers forthe hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. 209897 Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 �Page 12 — Thursday, December 14, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE BY ADVERTISEMENT. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in BARRY County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on December 21, Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement 2023 The amount due on the mortgage may be greater Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder or a title insurance company, either ofwhich may charge for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding a fee for this information. MORTGAGE INFORMATION: the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly Default has been made in the conditions of a certain at 1:00 PM, on January 11, 2024. The amount due mortgage made by Susan J. Taylor, a single person, whose address is 10450 Green Lake Road SE, on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the Thomapple, Ml 49333, also known as 10450 Green Lake sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333, as original Mortgagors, automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear to ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, Inc., being a mortgage ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is dated April 21,2004, and recorded on May 20,2004 with encouraged to contact the county register of deeds Document Number 1127889, Barry County Records, office or a title insurance company, either of which State of Michigan and then assigned through mesne may charge a fee for this Information. MORTGAGE: assignments to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Mortgagor(s): Mark Harden, A Married Man Original Servicing, as assignee as documented by an assignment Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration dated August 24, 2023 and recorded on August 24, 2023 and given document number 2023-003700 in Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage lender and lender’s successors and assigns Date there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of of mortgage: December 28, 2016 Recorded on TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY December 29,2016, In Document No. 2017-000403, AND 73/100 DOLLARS ($24,960.73). Said premises are Foredosing Assignee (If any): NewRez LLC d/b/a situated in the Township of Thomapple, County of Barry, Shellpoint Mortgage Servidng Amount claimed to State of Michigan, and are described as: BEGINNING be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thousand AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, Three Hundred Twenty-Three and 13/100 Dollars TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE ($100,323.13) Mortgaged premises: Situated in TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS Barry County, and described as: THE WEST 600.00 EAST 354.00 FEET FROM SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF FEET OF THE FOLLOWING: BEGINNING AT A SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES POINT ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE OF 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET SECTION 4, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 CASTLETON TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY. SECONDS EAST 306.10 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH, 176.00 FEET DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 608.00 FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH SAID SECTION 4; THENCE NORTH 440.00 FEET, 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION MORE OR LESS, ALONG SAID NORTH AND 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SOUTH 1/4 LINE TO A POINT DISTANT SOUTH, SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE POINT OF 1056.04 FEET FROM THE CENTER POST OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO A PRIVATE EASEMENT SAID SECTION 4; THENCE EAST, 1320.00 FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND PUBLIC UTILITY FEET, MORE OR LESS, PARALLEL WITH THE PURPOSES OVER THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED EAST AND WEST 1/4 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4: PREMISES: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH THENCE SOUTH, 440.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 ALONG THE EAST 1/8 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4; WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, THENCE WEST, 1320.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH 1/8 LINE OF SAID MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; SECTION 4 TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 Commonly known as 1262 N Coville Rd, Woodland, SECONDS EAST 578.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 Ml 48897 The redemption period will be 6 months DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 20 00 from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST478.00 FEET TO SAID to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, THENCE NORTH is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. AND Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower ALSO, PART OF THE SOUTHWEST % AND THE will be held responsible to the person who buys the SOUTHEAST Ya OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY mortgage holder for damaging the property during COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: BEGINNING the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, are a military service member on active duty, if your DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 period of active duty has concluded less than 90 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, % CORNER OF SECTION 21, AND PROCEEDING please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing THENCE, NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 the mortgage at the telephone number stated in SECONDS EAST 512.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 52 MINUTES 24 SECONDS WEST 420.06 this notice. NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES Servicing Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman 56 SECONDS EAST 1339.25 FEET ALONG A LINE 66 & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 FEET WEST OF AND PARALLELED THE NORTH AND F Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 SOUTH % LINE OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 58 1516989 DEGREES 49 MINUTES 04 SECONDS WEST 196.00 (12-07)(12-28) 209775 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 678.60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS EAST 234.00 FORECLOSURE NOTICE FEETALONG THE EASTAND WEST 1/4 LINE TO THE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service CENTRAL 1/4 CORNER OF SECTION 21; THENCE member on active duty, if your period of active duty NORTH 89 DEGREES 59 MINUTES 39 SECONDS has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have EAST 660.10 FEET ALONG THE EAST AND WEST 1/4 been ordered to active duty, please contact the LINE; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at SECONDS WEST 2139.95 FEET ALONG THE EAST the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice LINE OF THE WEST 40 ACRES OF THE SOUTHEAST of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given 1/4; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 under section 3212 of the revised judicature act SECONDS WEST 160.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 500.00 following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at 55 SECONDS WEST 146.1 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash LINE OF SECTION 21 TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit SUBJECT TO A PRIVATE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM, EGRESSANDPUBLICUTILITYPURPOSESOVERTHE January 11,2024. The amount due on the mortgage FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PREMISES: BEGINNING may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS contact the county register of deeds office or a title EAST 354.00 FEET FROM THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER insurance company, either of which may charge a OF SAID SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 00 fee for this information. Default has been made in DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST 578.00; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Mark SECONDS EAST 20.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 Jankovic and Rebecca Jankovic, Husband And DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST 100.00 Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES Inc. acting solely as a nominee for Wintrust 55 SECONDS EAST 46.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank and Trust 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 SECONDS WEST Co., N.A., Mortgagee, dated December 8, 2021, 478.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE OF SECTION and recorded on December 14,2021, as Document 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 Number: 2021-015409, Barry County Records, said SECONDS WEST 66.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF mortgage was assigned to Wintrust Mortgage, a BEGINNING. EXCEPT: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 21, TOWN 4 NORTH, by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 19, RANGE 10 WEST, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY 2023 and recorded October 26,2023 by Document COUNTY, MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH 89 DEGREES Number: 2023-008463, on which mortgage there 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 354.00 FEET FROM is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum THE SOUTH 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 21; of One Hundred Fifty Thousand One Hundred THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 Sixty-Six and 67/100 ($150,166.67) Including SECONDS EAST 1108.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 Interest at the rate of 2.62500% per annum. Said DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST 306.10 premises are situated in the City of HASTINGS, FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot SECONDS WEST 608.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89 1192 Of The City, Formerly Village Of Hastings, DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 160.00 According To The Recorded Plat Thereof, Barry FEET; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 10 MINUTES 56 County, Michigan Commonly known as: 537 WEST SECONDS WEST 500.00 FEET TO SAID SOUTH LINE CLINTON STREET, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the OF SECTION 21; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 56 MINUTES 55 SECONDS WEST 146.10 FEET TO THE property Is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the POINT OF BEGINNING. Street Address: 10450 Green redemption period will be 6.00 months from the Lake Road SE, Thomapple, Ml 49333, also known as date of sale unless the property is abandoned or 10450 Green Lake Road SE, Middleville, Ml 49333 The used for agricultural purposes. If the property Is redemption period shall be 12 months from the date of determined abandoned In accordance with MCL such sale, unless the property is determined abandoned 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period in accordance with MCLA § 600.3241a in which case will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date after statutory notice, whichever Is later. If the of the sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale property is presumed to be used for agricultural under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCLA § 600.3278, the borrower will be held pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period responsible to the person who buys the property at the is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower(s) will damaging the property during the redemption period be held responsible to the person who buys the THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION mortgage holder for damaging the property during WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: ATTENTION HOMEOWNER: IF YOU ARE A MILITARY The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In SERVICE MEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY, IF YOUR that event, your damages are, If any, limited solely PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY HAS CONCLUDED to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, LESS THAN 90 DAYS AGO, OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN plus Interest. ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY, PLEASE CONTACT Dated: November 30,2023 THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARTY FORECLOSING Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. THE MORTGAGE AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER Attorneys for Wintrust Mortgage, a division of STATED IN THIS NOTICE. Dated: November 23, 2023 Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 43252 For more information, please contact the attorney for Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, the party foreclosing: Kenneth J. Johnson, Johnson, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, Blumberg, & Associates, LLC, 5955 West Main Street, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Suite 18, Kalamazoo, Ml 49009. Telephone: (312) 541­ Case No. 23MI00848-1 9710. File No.: Ml 23 5419 (11-23)(12-14) 208989 (11-30)(12-21) 209270 LEGAL NOTICES Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 11, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jerry L. Plank III, a single man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Guaranteed Rate, Inc., its successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated June 4, 2019 and recorded June 14, 2019 in Instrument Number 2019-005699 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Guaranteed Rate, Inc., by assignment. There is daimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Six Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Four and 64/100 Dollars ($106,744.64). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the drcuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 11,2024. Said premises are located in the Village of Freeport, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Parcel 1 :Lot 4, Block 10, Village of Freeport, being part of Section 1, Town 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan.Parcel 2: Part of Lots 5 and 6, Block 10, Village of Freeport, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan described as: Commencing at the Southwest comer of Lot 6, Block 10, Village of Freeport as laid out and replatted by Samuel Roush’s Addition; thence North on the West lot line of said Lot 6, 75.0 feet, to the point of beginning; thence East, 66.28 feet, parallel with the South line of Lot 6, to a point 75.0 feet North of the Southeast comer of said Lot 6 and the East lot line of Lot 6; thence North 51.80 feet, along said East lot line, to the Northeast comer of said Lot 6 and the South line of platted 10 foot wide alley; thence West, 66.19 feet, along the North line of said Lot 6 and the South line of said alley; thence continuing West along the South line of said alley and the North line of said Lot 5,66.18 feet, to the West line of Lot 5, Block 10; thence South on said West line 15.0 feet; thence East, 66.18 feet; parallel with the North line of said Lot 5, to the West line of Lot 6; thence South 36.93 feet, along the West line of said Lot 6, to a point 75.0 feet North of the Southwest comer of said Lot 6 and the point of beginning. 106 Cherry St, Freeport, Michigan 49325 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption1 period shall be 30 days from the date: of such sale. । If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 14,2023 File No. 23-013751 Firm Name: Orians PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-14)(01-04) 210002 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 11, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Kathleen A. Courtney, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PNC Bank, National Association Date of Mortgage: September 27,2013 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 4,2013 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $32,482.70 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated In City of Hastings, Barty County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 6 and 7 of Block 12 of Daniel Striker's Addition to the City of Hastings, Michigan, according to the recorded plat thereof excepting therefrom the North 45 feet of Lots 6 and 7. Common street address (If any): 701 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Ml 49058-1425 The redemption period shall be 1 year from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a. If the property Is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner; If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: November 30,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1516199 (11-30)(12-21) 209314 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices of Edward Jones Kevin Beck.AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 W. State St, Suite B Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-4702 Member SIPC Madison Cove Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. Hastings, Ml 49058 (269)945-3553 Know the key benefits of Roth IRA As you save for retirement, you’ll want to take full advantage of the investment vehicles available to you — and one ofthe best is a Roth IRA. But what sets it apart from other accounts? Three key factors distinguish the Roth IRA: • Tax-free earnings - When you invest in a Roth IRA, your earnings can grow tax free, provided you don’t begin taking withdrawals until you’re 59!4 and you’ve had your account at least five years. Ifyou don’t meetthese criteria, withdrawals of earnings will be subject to taxes and a possible 10% penally. No penalties on 'withdrawals of contributions - You fund a Roth IRA with after-tax dollars, which means you can withdraw your contributions — not the earnings—at any time for any reason, without facing taxes or penalties. So, you could use some ofyour Roth IRA money for non-retirement purposes, such as helping pay for a child’s college education. • No required withdrawals at age 73 - With a traditional IRA or a 401(k), you must start taking withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — once you reach 73. But this rule doesn’t apply to a Roth IRA — you can keep it intact eventually “convert” some, or as long as you like. You may all, ofthese funds to a Roth IRA need to tap into it for some and gain its benefits. It’s not of your retirement income, hard to do this conversion — but ifyou don’t use it all, the it involves minimal paperwork remainder could benefit your from your traditional IRA or beneficiaries. 401 (k) provider — but it does A Roth IRA does share one come with tax issues. Any similarity to a traditional IRA: money that’s converted from It can be funded with virtually a traditional IRA or 401(k) to any type of investment, a Roth IRA will be treated as including stocks, bonds, ordinary taxable income. This mutual funds, certificates of can trigger a large tax bill, so, deposit (CDs) and so on. unless you have the money However, unlike a available from other accounts traditional IRA, a Roth IRA to pay the taxes, the conversion does have income limits. may or may not make sense For the 2023 tax year, for you. But you don’t have to if your modified adjusted convert all the funds at once. gross income was less than By spreading the conversion $138,000 (for a single filer) over several years, you could or $218,000 (married filing reduce the effect ofa large tax jointly), you can put in the hit in any single year. You may full amount of $6,500 and want to consult with your tax an additional $1,000 catch­ advisor before converting any up contribution if you’re 50 funds to a Roth IRA. or older. The amounts you If you can find a way to can contribute will gradually contribute to a Roth IRA, decline at higher income levels either directly or through and are phased out entirely at a conversion, consider it $153,000 for single filers and carefully — you’ll find a lot $228,000 if you’re married of upsides to this investment and file jointly. These income account ranges will likely change for T/ris article was written by the 2024 tax year, so you’ll Edward Jonesfor use byyour want to consult with your tax local EdwardJones Financial advisor for details. Advisor. Still, even if you’ve Edward Jones, Member contributed to a traditional IRA SIPC or a 401(k) for many years, you may have a chance to MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them; at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for dash or'cashler’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Matthew C. Lumbert, a married man, (“Mortgagor), gave a mortgage to Member First Mortgage, LLC, (“Mortgagee"), dated September 3, 2019, and recorded on September 13, 2019, in Document No. 2019-008859, Barry County Records, Michigan. On the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of One Hundred Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Six 02/100 Dollars ($119,896.02) plus accrued interest at 4.0% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Said premises are situated in the Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner, Section 28, Town 4 North, Range 7 West; thence East 635 feet along Section line; thence North perpendicular with Section line 125 feet to point of beginning; thence South 125 feet, thence West 395 feet along Section line; thence North 200 feet; thence East 325 feet; thence Southeast 103 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly: 7065 Davenport Road Woodland, Ml 48897—Tax ld#15-028-300-06 The redemption period shall be six months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 7, 2023 Member First Mortgage LLC, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 ( 248)352-4340 (12-07)(12-28) STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29651-DE Court Address: -206 W. Court, Suite :302, Hastings; ft Ml 49058 ...u l!inr(OU( ? Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Mark L. Jager. Date of birth: 1/14/1961. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Mark , L. Jager, died 8/10/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all ; claims against the estate will be forever barred1 unless presented to William D. Jager, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, Suite 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the ‘ personal representative within 4 months after the ■ date of publication of this notice. Date: November 22, 2023 Ronald E. David P36928 99 Monroe Ave., N.W., Ste. 1210 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 (616) 454-3883 William D. Jager 6695 Boulter Road Shelbyville, Michigan 49344 (269)290-2135 209829 STATE OF MICHIGAN 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FAMILY DIVISION BARRY COUNTY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING REGARDING PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29671-NC HON. WILLIAM M. DOHERTY Court Address: 206 W. Court, Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 TO ALL PERSONS, including: whose address is unknown and whose interest in , the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: Amy Elizabeth Brzezinski. has filed a petition for name change. A name1 change hearing will be held on January 2,' 2024 at 2:45 p.m. at Barry County Trial Court,206 W. Court St. Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 before Judge William M. Doherty to change the name of Amy Elizabeth Brzezinski to Elizabeth Grace Devries. 210027. NOTICE OF ACTION AS TO DEFENDANTS ANY. AND ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, OR ASSIGNEES OF LOIS MYERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there is presently pending In the 5th Circuit Court, State of Michigan, an action between Plaintiff Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust HB8, and Defendants Any and All Unknown Heirs, Devisees, orAssignees Lois Myers,' et al; Case No. 23-745-CH, Involving the property commonly known as 170 Akkers Away, Hastings, Ml 49058. You are being sued by Plaintiff In an action1 seeking the determination of Interest In real the 209613 related mobile home. You must file your answer op take other action permitted by law In the 5th Circuit Court located at 220 W State St. Hastings, Ml 49058 within twenty-eight (28) days after the date of this notice. You may contact and serve a copy of any answer on Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C., Attn; Laura Hawley, 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300, Farmington Hills, Ml 48335. Failure to answer within time frame by law may result In a default judgment being entered against your Interests In the Property. 1517666 (12-14)(12-28) 210066 fluabpflrc ttamnail MB Mi* I'iinEiiflik afiSKl �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 14, 2023 — Page 13 Top county swimmers spread across two teams AX' AX wi i.S*« iS*« .« SkS SkSSa Sa nai- iKtUtau ^TOCSjDTiOFS fem***® WltKj E JUDGE Milt Diiom OffDBSWliefeBfeiiitii Ritetatntagtetyfl dn?n test lilt taint iriess fraered to WfeiB DJpiinn fqistaflitfiliptttMia 3KMtato0iWlfe ■mfrtart qty! itiMiMr ioffionri 0)^K! Z® ^JS***^ JS [JllfllfS® >***Lr;^ Brett Bremer Sports Editor I Barry County had two teams to sort through to create the 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Swimming and Diving Teams for the first time this fall. 'The two teams cover six different school districts (not all ofwhich are in Barry Coun­ ty). The Delton Kellogg/Hastings girls worked throughout the fall season to improve their times and to get the feel for the new pools in the Southwestern and Central Michigan Swim Conference. The Grand Rapids Gators were made up ofgirls from Thomapple Kellogg as well as Calvin Christian, West Catholic and Hopkins this fall, and made the Grandville High School pool their home. jTK girls on the Gator team continued on in the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference with their new teammates and a pair ofTrojans on the Gator team earned spots in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming aijd Diving Finals at the end ofthe year. 'Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Syvimming and Diving Teams. Elizabeth Middleton She placed 14th in the freestyle and 13th in the backstroke. Saga Jones, Delton Kellogg/Hastings: Jones was the fastest DK/HHS swimmer in the 100-yard butterfly and the 50-yard free­ style this season with atop time of 30.79 in the 50-yard freestyle. 2023 All-Barry County She finished 22nd in the prelim’s for the Girls’ Swimming and Diving 50-yard freestyle at the SCC Championship First Team at the end ofthe season and was a key relay •Mia Bergman, Grand Rapids Gators: A contributor for the DK/HHS team. strong distance swimmer for the Gator team. Elizabeth Middleton, Grand Rapids • Bergman was tenth at the OK Rainbow Gators: One ofthe top races for the Gators in Tier II Championship in the 500-yard free­ the breaststroke she scored a ninth-place finish style and also scored for her team with a in the race at the conference meet this season. 13th-place time in the 200-yard freestyle. Middleton also placed ninth in the 500Abigail Dumond, Grand Rapids Gators: yard freestyle at the conference meet to score A<junior, Dumond qualified for the MHSAA points for her team. Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Finals for Bella Morey, Delton Kellogg/Hastings: th^e second year in a row after a third-place Morey was a captain for the DK/HHS team dicing finish in her conference. this fall and placed 19th in the prelim’s for •Dumond reached the semifinal round at the the 100-yard backstroke at the SCC Champi­ state meet and closed her weekend at EMU in onship in November. She had a top time of 20th place. 1:15.68 in that race this season. Petra Foster, Delton Kellogg/Hastings: Morey was also the fastest DK/HHS girl this Foster had an outstanding fall for the DK/ season in the 200-yard freestyle, the 200-yard HHS team. She had the top time of the season IM, the 100-yard butterfly and the 500-yard free­ for her squad in the 100-yard freestyle at style while also being a key relay contributor too. 59.20 seconds. Jolee Schumacher, Grand Rapids She finished 30th in the prelim’s in that Gators: Schumacher raced her way into the 100-yard freestyle at the SCC Championship finals of the 50-yard freestyle at the conferthis, season and-_was a key re-1 ay .swimmer Tor - encs mefi^aQd.fifiureduaJ 6tk-place finish, c»mot her team throughout the year. She also scored with'a J5th-pface finisfrin1'* Aliyah Garcia, Grand Rapids Gators: the 100-yard backstroke for the Gators at the One ofthe top performers all around for the conference meet. Gators this fall, Garcia was the runner-up in Lydia Slagel, Grand Rapids Gators: A the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet in freshman, Slagel was the OK Rainbow Tier II the 100-yard breaststroke. Conference champion in the diving competi­ She was a key relay anchor throughout the tion this season. season and placed fourth at the conference Slagel qualified for the MHSAA Lower Penin­ meet in the 200-yard individual medley sula Diving Finals for the first time and finished Berta Garcia-Quilez, Grand Rapids 22nd among the 36 divers at the state finals. Gators: A strong sprinter for the Gators, Garcia-Quilez raced to a 13th-place time in the 2023 All-Barry County 50-yard freestyle for the Gators at the OK Girls’ Swimming and Diving Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet. Second Team She also contributed to the Gators’ 200Morgan Cross, Delton Kellogg/Hastyard freestyle relay team and 200-yard med­ ings: Cross placed 27th in the prelim’s this ley relay team at the conference meet. season in the 100-yard freestyle at the SCC Audrey Groenenboom, Grand Rapids Gators: Groenenboom raced to a tenth-place time in the 200-yard individual medley at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet. Her 200 IM was boosted by solid performances in the butterfly. She was 11^ at the conference meet in the 100-yard butterfly on the day too and also contributed to the Gators’ 400-yard freestyle relay team at the conference meet. Brett Bremer Mafia Hamby, Grand Rapids Gators: Sports Editor Hamby had a 14th-place finish at the confer­ The Hastings varsity boys’ basketball ence meet in the 100-yard butterfly to score team hosts a 4-1 Hopkins team Friday as it for her team. continues to shoot for its first win of the She also contributed for the Gators in the season. freestyle sprints at the conference meet with The Saxons fell to 0-3 overall this season a 14th-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle. with a 55-44 loss in the Interstate-8 Athletic Aubrey Hawks, Grand Rapids Gators: Conference opener at Coldwater Friday, Hawks had a pair of top ten finishes at the Dec. 8. OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet this Ayden Dirschell led the Cardinals with season highlighted by a seventh-place finish 22 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two in.the 200-yard freestyle. steals in the double-digit win over the Sax­ Hawks also raced to a ninth-place time in the ons. Gavin Taylor chipped in nine points 100-yard backstroke at the conference meet. for the hosts and Niko Downs had seven. Avery Hollebeek, Grand Rapids Gators: Owen Carroll had 13 points for the Sax­ Hollebeek scored for the Gators at the confer­ ons and David Jiles had 11. They had four ence meet in the 100-yard freestyle and the assists each. 100-yard backstroke. Championship. Cross was a part of the DK/HHS team’s fastest 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay performances this season. Naomi Grummet, Delton Kellogg/Hastings: Grummet was a part ofthe fastest per­ formance for the DK/HHS girls in the 400yard freestyle relay this fall. She had a 34th-plce finish in the prelim’s for the 100-yard freestyle at the SCC Cham­ pionship in November. Maelea Martin, Delton Kellogg/Hastings: Martin was 45th inj the prelim’s for the 50-yard freestyle at the SCC Championship this season. Martin was out of her element at first in the water for the DK/HHS (team. She was the team’s top diver this year with a top score of 164.25 points. , Maddie Peake, Delton Kellogg/Hastings: Peake was a member of the fastest foursomes for the DK/HHS team in the 200yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay this fall. Peake placed 37th in the prelim’s for the 50-yard freestyle at the SCC Championship this season and 39th in the 100-yard free­ style race. Jenna Robinett, Grand Rapids Gators: Robinett scored for the Gators in the 100yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke She placed 15th in both races. Leah Schumacher,-' Grand Rapids Gators: Schumacher had a pair of 15^-place finishes at the OK Rainbow Tier II Confer­ ence Meet this season. . She scored for the Gators in both the 100yard breaststroke and the 200-yard freestyle. Natalie Wickstrom, ' Grand Rapids Gators: One of the best divers around, she was the runner-up in between her two team­ mates at the conference meet at the end of the season. Wickstrom missed out on competing at regionals this season, meaning she couldn’t qualify for the state meet with her teammates. A junior, she has the chance to take another shot at it next fall. Coldwater opens 1-8 play besting the Hastings boys Alex Flikkema had four points and six rebounds for Hastings. Eli Randall chipped in six points and Landon Steward and Jett Barnum had five apiece. The Cardinals built a 16-10 lead in the first quarter. The Saxons got to within 17-15 before the Cardinals closed the half on a 10-2 run to lead by ten points at the half. It was a tough shooting night for the Saxons. They hit just a third oftheir field goal attempts and half of their ten free throws. Hastings is 0-3 heading into the contest with Hopkins. The Saxons will be on the road at Ionia Tuesday, Dec. 19, and home for an Interstate-8 Athletic Conference contest against currently winless Harper Creek Thursday, Dec. 21. S A z Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Eagle are off to a 2-1 start as they look to build on a strong campaign from a year ago in which they went 16-2. The Barry County Christian varsity boys’ basketball team returns its two leading scor­ ers from a year ago in junior Noah Lilley and sophomore Isaiah Lamphere. Second-year head coach Josh Lamphere likes his team’s speed and scoring ability highlighted by those two returnees. Filling out the roster in their first varsity season this fall are juniors Kegan Robinson and Johnathan Hawkes, Jr., sophomore Jordan Stolz and freshman Gideon Heyboer. '“I have a good young team that is fun to coach and full of potential,” coach Lamphere said. The Eagles are working on building their depth this season, and a lack of size will be something they have to overcome as the season goes on. As usual, the Eagles will be gunning to win Great Lakes Six Conference and Tour­ nament titles this season. Coach Lamphere said he expects Algoma Christian to be his team’s top challenger for a conference title. Barry County Christian fell 71-63 against the Wyoming Warriors homeschool team to open the season Nov. 27, but bounced back for a 59-33 win over Heritage Christian the next evening. The Eagles improved their record to 2-1 last Monday, Dec. 4, with a 61-21 win over West Michigan Lutheran. They outscored the Lutheran team 41-13 in the first halfto take control ofthe ballgame. Lilley led Barry County Christian in that win with 20 points. He was 9-of-16 from the Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 B ttsiness Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793._____________ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. Very cute and fluffy. Will stay small. $200.269-223­ 9194. PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.*’ Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. 209953 CITY OF HASTINGS Eagles off to 2-1 start with top two scorers returning % Petra Foster floor. Stolz had ten points and Isaiah Lamphere and Robinson finished with nine points each. Lamphere dished out seven assists and had five steals. As a team the Eagles had 20 steals. Stolz had four steals and Robinson three. Lilley and Robinson had five rebounds each and Heyboer had a team-high seven boards. In the win over Heritage Christian Isaiah Lamphere had 26 points on 11 -of-22 shoot­ ing with thee three-pointers. Lilley had 16 points, seven steals and three assists. Lamphere added five assists and five steals. Robinson didn’t score, but contributed with six rebounds, five assists and four steals. The only other ballgame on tthe Eagles’ slate currently before the holiday break is a trip to Holland Calvary tonight, Dec. 14. PUBLIC NOTICE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 622 The undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk ofthe City of Hastings, Michigan, does hereby certify that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 70 OF THE HASTINGS CODE OF 1970, AS AMENDED, BYADDING ANEW DIVISION 70-IV-5, “WORKFORCE HOUSING PILOT ORDINANCE.” was adopted by the City Council ofthe City ofHastings at a regular meeting on the 11th day ofDecember, 2023. A complete copy of this Ordinance is available for review at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, 201 East State Street, Hastings, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Christopher R. Bever City Clerk �Page 14 — Thursday, December 14, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Rangers ruin Trojans’ perfect start Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was bound to happen at some point. The Trojans’ undefeated run to start the season is over. Forest Hills Central scored a 72-39 non-conference victory in Middleville Friday night, but the Trojans did manage to bounce back to score a win at Lowell Tuesday when they returned to action. . The Rangers fired a barrage ofthree-point­ ers over the Trojan zone defense in the first half Friday and led 36-17 at the break. The Trojans switched to man to open the second half, and things went from bad to worse as FHC senior point guard Brady Miller beat his defender from the top of the key to the rim time and again. “I think we can just pull off of [Miller] a little bit more [when playing man],” TK head coach Phil Garber said. “Wejust have to make adjustments. If you know you’re playing someone like Catholic Central, or a guy who is going to Michigan, you can’t play up on him You can still play him, but do it back here and make him shoot. Ifhe shoots it, then you live with that, but you can’t just let him drive to the hoop. We’ve got to make that adjustment and play offthat person a little bit. “But even in the 2-3 [zone] I didn’t feel like we were moving as we well as we sou should have. Normally we look pretty good, and there were a lot of open three’s ... they hit them and we didn’t.” Miller had 15 points in the third quarter alone and finished with a game-high 22 points. Jonas VanderWoude added 13 for the Rangers and Brendan Cargill finished with nine. As soon as Garber said he’d seen enough of Miller getting to the basket and swapped the Trojans back out into a 2-3 zone, Miller buried a three over the zone to push his team’s lead to 50-26 with 3:10 to go in that third quarter. “Defensively, we have to help out more,” Garber. “They drove in at will. We talked to them at halftime, make an adjustment. Make someone else beat you. Don’t let them drive. And, right to the basket every time. You can’t give up lay-ups and you can’t give up open threes. Tonight, that team did both.” While the Rangers shot well from outside the arc, the Trojans did not after senior Kyle VanHaitsma nailed his first one to give TK a quick 3-0 lead. An alley-oop dunk by the Rangers Owen Godley soon gave his team a 4-3 lead and the Rangers were in front the rest ofthe way. Senior guard Tyler Gavette had a teamhigh 11 points for TK and junior Jude Web­ ster finished with ten. Sophomore Trey Hil­ ton chipped in seven points and VanHaitsma finished with five. “I told them, I don’t care ifyou win by 50 or if you lose by 50,” coach Garber said, “you’re not going to be disrespectful. You’re still going to be respectful. You’re still going to have that passion and be positive. They are going to take some ofthese this year. We’re rebuilding. I told them, we’re not going to win every game, but we’re going to battle.” Assistant coach Bobby Roush led the TK team on Tuesday at Lowell, and the Trojans got offto a great start in what turned into a 57-51 win. A 14-2 run to start the game capped by a VanHaitsma triple got TK going. VanHaitsma had seven of those first 14 points for TK and finished with a game-high 21 points. TK led 17-6 after one quarter and the lead would grow to as many as 19 points. It was a 29-16 TK lead at the half. Lowell trimmed that TK lead down to eight heading into the fourth quarter and eventually to within four with a little over a minute to play. The Trojans got to the bucket a couple times in transition easily to close out the Red Arrows in the end. Thomapple Kellogg junior guard Jude Webster put some pressure on Forest Hills Central guard Brendan Cargill (left) during the first half of their non-conference ball­ game in Middleville Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lucas Ploeg closed the night with 11 points for TK. Hilton and junior Brice Lloyd had eight points apiece. Webster put in five. Lowell was led by 20 points from Ben Gaskin. Jackson Liley finished with 12 points. The Trojans are now 4-1 overall this sea- son. They will go on the road to face Sparta Friday night. TK goes to Coopersville Mon­ day and Caledonia Thursday in the week ahead. Garber said he expected Tuesday’s contest at Lowell and this Friday’s bailgame with Sparta to be winnable contests for his guys. Lakewood boys top Beavers for their first win ’Thomapple Kellogg guard Brody Wiersma drives towards the hoop during his team's non-conference bailgame with visiting Forest Hills Central Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) . RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT APPLICATION AT JANUARY 3, 2024 REGULAR MEETING TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF RUTLAND, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PER.SONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the Rutland Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on January 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rutland Charter Township Hall located at 2461 Heath Road, within the Charter Township of Rutland, Barry County, Michigan. The items to be considered at this public hearing include the following: 1. 2. The application of David and Melissa Teunessen for special land use approval for a “family business” consisting of the storage of equipment associated with their commercial excavation company in an existing 60’ x 120’ bam accessory to their existing dwelling on property consisting of nearly ten acres commonly known as 962 South M-43 Highway (parcel no. 08-13-014-042-80) zoned MDR Medium Density Residential District. The Planning Commission will consider this application pursuant to •§220-6-3.B of the Rutland Charter Township Code, and the special land use approval standards specified in §220-20-3.A. of the Code including §220-20-7 Item 4 (family business) incorporated by reference therein; and any other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Such other matters as may properly come before the Planning Commission at this meeting; including a site plan for the development specified in the preceding paragraph submitted for review and potential Planning Commission approval at this meeting. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Rutland Charter Township Hall at any time prior to this public hearing/meeting, and may further be submitted to the Planning Commission at the public hearing/meeting. The Rutland Charter Township Code, Zoning Map, Master Plan, and the abovereferenced special land use application may be examined by contacting the Rutland Charter Township Clerk at the Township Hall during regular business hours on regular business days maintained by the Township offices from and after the publication of this Notice and until and including the day of the hearing/meeting, and further may be examined at the hearing/meeting. Rutland Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and at the meeting/hearing to individuals with disabilities, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered, upon reasonable n notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk as designated below. sservices 209908 Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Rutland Charter Township 2461 Heath Road Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 948-2194 Brett Bremer Sports Editor Improved patience on both ends of the court helped the Lakewood varsity boys’ bas­ ketball team score its first win ofthe season, and first under new head coach Jason Solgat, Tuesday against visiting Harper Creek. The Vikings took a 60-49 win over the Beavers. Lakewood senior point guard Blake Price had a team-high 14 points, including nine in the first quarter as the Vikings jumped out to a lead they would hold throughout the bailgame. Price was one of four Vikings in double figures. Seth Willette and Logan Faulkner had 12 points apiece, and senior center Landon Makley finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Makley was 9-of-ll at the free throw line. Solgat said Makley chuckled a bit when he pointed out to him that the Beavers were beginning to double-team Price in the sec­ ond half. The Viking senior knew that his team had a lot more ways to put the ball in the basket. Lakewood built a 17-10 lead in the open­ ing quarter and led 31-25 at the half. The Beavers got to within one point in the third quarter, at 36-35, but the Vikings steadied themselves to remain in front. The Vikings are now 1-4 overall this sea­ son. Harper Creek falls to 0-5 with the loss. “We had a good talk on Friday night after our game and we talked about playing lone wolfbasketball versus playing as one, really buckling down and learning to play as one team/* Solgat said. In practice Monday, the Vikings really focused handling defensive pressure. That paid off in the first half especially as Lake­ wood turned the ball over only four times with one ofthose on a last second heave the length ofthe court before the break. Lakewood changed things up a bit as it looked for the right mix on the offensive end. Junior guard/forward moved from the top down to run the baseline. The Vikings also added point guard Ethan Matthews to help take some ofthe ball-handling pressure offPrice. Matthews scored four points in the fourth quarter to help keep the Vikings in the lead, and coach Solgat was happy with the way he handled himselfon the varsity court. Brayden Bess had 11 points to lead the Bea­ vers. He had an early three and went 4-of-5 at the free throw line. Spencer Denney finished with ten points. He hit three three-pointers. . The Vikings weren’t as successful at limit­ ing turnovers in the second half as they had hoped, as their patience waned a bit. Patience was key on the defensive end too. The Viking pressure caused the Beavers some fits espe­ cially early in the ballgame. Solgat liked the way his guys were patient in knowing when to push for a steal or a tip and knowing when to stay back. > Coach Solgat also said there was as focuS Tuesday of getting everyqne in sync. He wanted his guys to huddle up during breaks in the action to quickly work out offensive plans and discuss any issues. He’d noticed good, solid communication early in games, and didn’t want to see that fade Tuesday like it may have in ballgames that got away from the Vikings earlier this season. “It’s going to be a season of adjustments to figure out what is going to work for us,” Solgat said. “Just because it worked one game doesn’t mean it’s going to work again. That’s basketbalk That’s life. Nothing is static, it’s all dynamic.” ” The Vikings will look to see what works when they return to Capital Area Activities Conference White Division play at Eaton Rapids Friday. The Greyhounds are 2-3 so far this season after a one-point win at Pennfield Tuesday night. Lakewood fell in its CAAC-White openej54-36 to visiting Charlotte last Friday. Ben Buzzard led the Orioles with 15 points. Lakewood got ten points from Makley and eight each from Price and Garrett Feighan. ; The Orioles built a 31-22 lead in the first half. Malikai Garza chipped in 13 points far Charlotte and Evan Colosky had ten points. ’ TK ends ballgame on 12-0 run to beat Saxons: Brett Bremer Sports Editor It tends to happen in the varsity girls’ bas­ ketball games between Thomapple Kellogg and Hastings - a five-point lead feels like ten and back-to-back buckets feel like a massive momentum shift. Things were no different in Middleville Monday as the host Trojans took a 40-30 victory over the visiting Saxons. Thomapple Kellogg closed the bailgame on a 12-0 run to earn the double-digit victo­ ry, improving its season record to 3-0 in the process. It was the biggest win ofthe three for the Trojans, who took a four-point win at Forest Hills Central Friday after a two-point win over Plainwell to open the season. Saxon sophomore Olivia Friddle attacked the hoop from the top ofthe key to put the Saxons in front 30-28 early in the fourth quarter. The Trojans beat the Saxon press the other way not long after for a bucket by senior cen­ ter Eva Corson that tied the bailgame at 30-30, and eventually took a 32-30 lead on a bucket by junior Lydia Schilthroat with four and a half minutes to play. A steal by Schilthroat led to a lay-up and a 34-30 TK lead soon after and had Saxon head coach Chase Youngs calling for a time-out. Tealy Cross upped TK’s lead to 36-30 with less than two and a halfminutes to play, and the Trojans went 4-of-8 from the free throw line the rest ofthe way to close out the win. Officials let the girls play around the bas­ ket throughout the night, making getting buckets tough in the paint all the way around. The Saxons had a tough night put­ ting the ball in from outside too, and their shooting struggles were the biggest differ­ ence in the ballgame. The Saxons’ Rachael Hewitt was able to battle through the contact in the paint to score or get to the line throughout the night. She had a game-high 17 points going 8-of-10 at the free throw line. ft “Rachael is doing well,” Hastings head poach Chase Youngs said. “She has hit a three ip every game. She hit her free throws last night. That has been a focus. She was 8-of-10 at the free throw line. She has been working hard at that.” Cross led TK with 12 points. She had ten In the second half. Schilthroat finished with eight, Corson had six and freshman Reece Ritsema finished with five points. * Youngs said Cross’ athleticism made her a problem on both ends ofthe court. '‘She is just a good athlete,” Youngs said. She is long. She is fast. She is head strong in that she knows what she is doing. I don’t think she took a bad shot. She didn’t make all ofthem, but I don t think she took a bad one.” He said Cross athleticism and size was disruptive at the top of the Trojans’ zone defense too. Hastings got six points each from Friddle andjunior guard Brianna Darling. Neither team had a lead bigger than four points in the first half. TK led 19-16 at the half, and did quickly push that lead to 22-16 at the start of the third quarter. The Saxons battled back to eventually tie things at 26-26 with 2:14 to go in the third on Darling’s sec­ ond three-pointer ofthe bailgame. A pair offree throws with halfa second to go in the third quarter by Friddle had the Sax­ ons up 28-26 at the start ofthe fourth quartet Youngs was fairly pleased with the way his team’s press turned the Trojans over a few times. The Saxons’ three opponents so far this season are now a combined 9-1, with that list including undefeated TK and ColdwateY teams. The Coldwater Cardinals took a 48-18 win over the visiting Saxons to start the Inter* state-8 Athletic Conference season Friday. , “They are long, athletic, very talented and seven deep,” Youngs said ofthe Cardinals. “1 would expect they get out of a regional this year. That might be as good a team as we play all year, and we get to play them again.? Hastings was within nine with a minute and a halfto play in the first half, but a couple quick buckets by the Cardinals extended their lead to 13 points at the half. Coldwater held the Saxons scoreless in the third quarter. “I thought we played hard,” Youngs said. “1 think that is a very good team who will have a very good season.” Hastings will be at home taking on Ionia Friday. The Thomapple Kellogg girls play host to Sparta Friday night. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-12-21.pdf ea34a5be7b4e848e787a69d7aa337aff PDF Text Text Hastings Public Library 227 E State Street - Hastings schools lay out priority bond projects Fred's annual letter to Santa See stiDry^ii page 1 laotingrr Mi Hastings boys hoops pick up first win in nail-biter See story on page 8 Devoted to theInterests ofBarry County Since 1856 Hastings Ml 49058.1954 ANNER Hastings Thursday, December 21, 2023 VOLUME 169, No. 51 PRICE $1.50 Barry County businesses, organizations offer early Christmas gifts to community United Way provides Christmas shopping experience for hundreds ofparents, children Jayson Bussa Editor This week, Leason Sharpe Hall has been transformed into the moth­ er of all toy stores, welcoming holi­ day shoppers. Volunteers worked this weekend to load in a stockpile ofdonated toys to Leason Sharpe Hall for another installment ofToys for Barry County Kids, a program coordinated through the Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center. Families that signed up to participate in the pro­ gram started shopping bright and early on Monday morning. Toys for Barry County Kids is a program that serves local parents who may not be financially equipped to provide much of a Christmas for their kids in the way See UNITED WAY, page 2 Tables of toys line Leason Sharpe Hall in Hastings on Monday morning, setting the stage for the week­ long Toys for Barry County Kids program. Volunteers can be seen working in the background. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) / Local hairdressers come together to provide holiday haircuts for Hastings students Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Local hair salons and stylists teamed up to provide haircuts for Hastings elementary students ahead ofthe holidays. A Northeastern Elementary class­ room was transformed into a hair salon Friday, with nearly a dozen hairdressers offering free haircuts to 96 students throughout the day. Teacher Erin Hayes said she start­ ed the event six years ago with the help of the school’s principal and parent-teacher organization. Hayes said she got the idea while walking her daughter to school one day, and she’s been overwhelmed by the .amount of community support for [the event ever since. This year was (the biggest yet with the most barbers, stylists and students participating. Hayes said she’s already heard more hairdressers, who w^nt to । participate next year. She said the event wouldn’t be possible without tKe ir help. Cassie Harvath, owner of Studio Luxe, styles third grader Chloe Armour’s hair. Harvath, who opened Studio Luxe in February, said she HAIRDRESSERS,pg a e 3 was happy to be able to give back to the community. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Barry County GOP memo do not let up on effort to te ‘Second Amendment sanctuary’ Greg Chandler and Jayson Bussa Banner Staff Eight months after bringing a resolution to the Barry County Board ofCommissioners, a group of gun rights advocates continue to encourage municipalities to publicly push back on what they see as unconstitutional gun control laws passed by the state government. • . Spearheaded by members of the Barry County GOP Executive Committee, the group initially lobbied for the county board to add to its agenda a resolution that would desig­ nate Barry County as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County. This would mean that the county does not intend to comply with laws that are deemed unconstitutional in restrict­ ing a resident’s right to bear arms. A long list of counties around the state have adopted similar resolutions, which are considered a symbolic measure as county boards do not have the power to dictate how sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys enforce the law. The county board did not take the action the group wanted to see. It eventually re-draft­ ed an alternative resolution that was more broad, pledging to follow the constitution, but even then, the board didn’t take action on the matter. Chairman Dave Jackson has said numer­ ous times that it is in the best interest ofthe board to focus on running the business ofthe county and not delving into political matters. “It doesn’t surprise me that some of the commissioners are not supportive ofa resolu­ tion stating that Barry County elected offi­ cials will stand and protect the people’s right to own and carry arms,” said Cyndi Twichell, a resident of Prairieville Township who is spearheading the effort. Twichell is also a member ofthe executivecomm ttee for both the Barry County GOP and M chigan GOP District 2. “Even though all the commissioners ran to be elected with an ‘R’ jehind their name, it doesn’t mean that theyy s iand on the Republican platform - which s cs it is the party of the Constitution. It wouB surprise me ifthey all even have read the (institution. Unfortu­ nately, too many electip people are in that position.” Seemingly undeterre !I•, the group is now making its rounds to all i idividual townships, presenting them with, I ie same resolution. The resolution has pass> 1 in Castleton, Irving and Prairieville townshLu )s. Last week,, members ofthe group made a presentation to the See SECOND AME WMENT, page Barry County Republican Party precinct delegate Dave Laansma responds to the Yankee Springs Township Board vote not to adopt the Second Amendment sanctuary 3township t hi resolution lti lt Thursday Th d iht (Photo (Pht by b Greg G Ch dl) last night. Chandler) Scarcity of beds at detention facilities a major hurdle for local juvenile corrections n Jayson Bussa Editor * Judge William Doherty stressed to a J 7-year-old boy who appeared in front ofhim in court last week that he caught a lucky break. » < The juvenile offender was in court last Thursday and had pushed his grandmother flown in a fit of rage, amongst additional pffenses. * Doherty spoke bluntly to the child, saying mat he had every intention of sending him to 5juvenile detention facility - but he couldn’t. There were no beds currently available. J The minor’s ability to avoid detention might have been a lucky break, but it’s also becoming more of the norm for juveniles in Barry County and beyond. It reflects a crip­ pling problem that Barry County, and coun- ties throughout the rest ofthe state, are deal­ ing with when it comes to juvenile correc­ tions. “I think there have been a couple of dan­ gerous kids that would have been locked up if we had the capacity to find a bed for them,” Doherty said in an interview with Banner. “But we’re always trying to balance. We can’t keep them locked up forever, nor should - they’re kids. But we also have to keep soci­ ety and the rest ofus safe.” Juvenile corrections has proven to be an evolving area of criminal justice in the state of Michigan. On Dec. 12, Lieutenant Gover­ nor Garlin Gilchrist signed legislation trans­ forming Michigan’s juvenile justice system and investing in diversion and re-entry ser­ vices to “better position Michigan’s youth for successful adulthoods.” Barry County has aj relatively extensive arsenal ofprograms to Help rehabilitate juve­ niles without detaining them, but in some cases, detention is needed. And when it’s needed, it’s largely unavailable. Doherty recalled another incident a couple months ago when fivejuveniles were involved in an incident with a gun. While their charges merited detention, non© ofthem went because there were no beds available. This shortage comes1 on the heels of the closures ofmultiplejuvenile detention facili­ ties across the state. j Currently, Michigan maintains two state-operated juvenile facili­ ties, one in Grayling and the other in Escana­ ba. Total capacity for both is 85. In addition to the state-operated facilities, Michigan is also home to 25 county or court-operated juvenile detention facilities. Barry County does not have one, and when they need beds, they reach out to neighboring counties such as Allegan, Calhoun and Eaton counties and must pay to rent those beds. Fees for those beds can be around $200 to $300 a day in a detention facility and can balloon up to over $500 a day for a residential facility. Often, there are no beds available at all. “For juvenile detention, primarily a kid that is going to harm himself or others is who we actually need a bed for,” Doherty said. “When I first started, there were a lot ofbeds.” The term “bed,” however, has a much dif­ ferent meaning when comparing juvenile detention facilities to adultjails. Juvenile beds require extensive staffing to provide the needed services to help rehabili­ tate the child. “But for those youth that present too much of a danger to themselves and the community... we really don’t have a place to go with them.” — Dave Pelon, Deputy Court Administrator, Barry County Trial Court “They’re a lot more expensive to operate and then, with the youth, the focus is primarily on rehabilitation and treatment, getting them to a better spot,” Doherty said. Staffing shortages are a big factor leading, to the lack ofbeds, spurred on by the COVID- See JUVENILES, page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, December 21, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Pair of motions denied in case of woman accused of stalking members of prosecutor’s office Hastings City Hall adjusts hours for the holidays Residents who need to conduct business at Hastings City Hall will need to mind holiday closures as Christmas and New Year’s approaches. City hall will be closed on Friday, D 22; Monday, Dec. 25 (Christmas); Friday, Dec. 29; and Monday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Dec. Day). Payments can be deposited in the drop box located in the drive-thru on the north side of the building. All payments left in the drop box will be credited to the next business day. For police services, residents can use the call box located by the east entrance. Trails reopen at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute; Others remain closed Pierce Cedar Creek Institute trails on the south side ofCloverdale Road are open once more following the conclusion ofregular firearm hunting season. The Institute, located south ofHastings, temporarily closed its trails for the safety of its visitors on Nov. 15. .. . , While trails south ofCloverdale Road are reopened, Institute trails north ofCloverdale Road will remain closed until Wednesday, Dec. 31, the conclusion of late rifle hunting season. Guests are asked to be aware ofany and all trail closure signs. For visitor safety, florescentjackets are available at the visitor center entrance. v More information about Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, including a full schedule of events and trail maps, can be found at cedarcreekinstitute.org. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is located at 701 W. Cloverdale Road in Hastings. DNR shooting ranges in Barry County and across state closed for season The Michigan Department ofNatural Resources this weekend closed several of its shooting ranges for the winter season. The following ranges closed on Sunday, Dec. 17, and are expected to remain closed until April 14, 2024: - Barry Shooting Range on Chief Noonday Road/M-179, within the Barry State Game Area in Barry County. Over the winter, construction work will continue at the range site, including the installation ofshooting benches. - Dansville Shooting Range on Kelly Road in Mason, within the Dansville State Game Area in Ingham County. - Echo Point Shooting Range on Monroe Road in Allegan, within the Allegan State Game Area in Allegan County. - Skoglund Erickson Range on the Goose Lake Access Road in Marquette County. - Lapeer Shooting Range on Roods Lake Road in Lapeer, within the Lapeer State Game Area in Lapeer County, closed on Friday, Dec. 15, and is expected to remain closed until May 1, 2024. More information on the DNR’s public shooting ranges in Michigan can be found at Michigan.gov/ShootingRanges . Strong Tower Radio to broadcast *48 Hours of Christmas’ Strong Tower Radio, which broadcasts out of 15 radio stations across Michigan and Illinois, will air its “48 Hours of Christmas” program all day on Sunday, Dec. 24, and Monday, Dec. 25. The program, which will include stories, sermons and songs, is described as a “Christ-focused Christmas.” Beginning at midnight on Dec. 24, the station will broadcast Christian programming until midnight on Dec. 26. Listeners can tune in for a blend ofthought-provoking mes­ sages, health and children’s programming and heartwarming mysic. C ' J- r . Strong Tower Radio is broadcastefl out of five local stations: Kalamazoo, 97.3 FM; Battle Creek, 91.9 FM; Charlotte, 92.3 FM; Grand Rapids, 89.7 FM and Lansing, 104.7 FM. Listeners can also tune in via the Strong Tower Radio app or online at STR.fin. Candlelight service planned in Delton A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 at Faith United Methodist Church in Delton. The church is located at 503 S. Grove St. (M-43 Highway) in Delton. Everyone is welcome to attend the service. Impaired-driving enforcement campaign encourages sober driving Before and during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, law enforcement officials throughout Michigan are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” cam­ paign. To protect lives, there will be increased patrols on roads from Dec. 15, 2023, to Jan. 1,2024, with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired. Throughout 2022 in Michigan, there were 9,331 alcohol-involved crashes with 322 fatalities, and 2,452 drug-involved crashes with 249 fatalities statewide, according to the University ofMichigan Transportation Research Institute. That is why, over the 2023 winter holidays, the Michigan State Police, county sheriff offices and municipal police agencies across Michigan are encouraging motorists to cel­ ebrate safely and make smart driving decisions. During the nearly three-week period, there will be increased enforcement and messaging about the dangers of driving impaired. Officers will be on the lookout for motorists under the influence ofdrugs and/or alco­ hol throughout the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement period. In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of.08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level ifan officer thinks they are impaired. MICHAEL KINNEY Jayson Bussa Editor A woman accused ofstalking and harassing members of the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office will head to trial after a pair ofmotions in her case were denied late last week. Rita Williams of Richland appeared in a Barry County courtroom on Thursday in front ofJudge William Doherty. Williams has been charged by the State Attorney General’s Office with two counts each of stalking and using a computer to commit a crime. Both are misdemeanors, and she faces up to a year behind bars. Members of the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office are the victims in the case and there­ fore not involved in prosecuting the case. County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt was at the hearing, seated in the gallery. Williams is accused offlooding the pros­ ecutor’s office with calls, emails and social media posts following the conviction ofher husband, Ryan, who pled guilty to embezembez­ zling over $500,000 from Flexfab, where he worked. Williams’s husband was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison for his crimes but was recently re-sentenced to a minimum offive years. Williams is alleged to have sent hundreds ofcommunications to the prosecutor’s office even after being asked to cease. Last week’s hearing involved motions from both sides ofthe case. Williams, who is currently representing herself, filed a motion to dismiss the charges. Philip Jacques, who is handling the case for the Attorney General’s Office, filed a motion to revoke Williams’s bond, which would mean that she would spend the duration of the case in the Barry County Jail, where she initially spent a night following her arrest in early October. Williams reada "statement to Doherty as part of her motiorito dismiss and also submit­ ted the same statement to The Banner. In it, she argued that she has established a new career as a restorative justice advocate on the heels of her husband’s plea and sen­ tencing. She outlined the many different ways she carries put her work, which often includes criticizing public officials and crim­ inal justice practices. She said that she often criticizes public officials across the country, and not just in, Barry County and that her Philip Jacques of the Michigan State Attorney General’s Office speaks in a Barry County courtroom last Thursday as Rita Williams is seated across from him. (Phot by Jayson Bussa) work is being too closely monitored and scrutinized here locally. Doherty denied the motion to dismiss, saying that, if the allegations put forth by the state are true, it is reasonable for ajury to find her guilty ofher charges, while emphasizing that’s not the certain outcome. On the other side, Jacques argued that Wil­ liams has violated the terms of her bond by returning to social media in full, at times, post­ ing information or musings about her case. One particular social media post that Jacques highlighted was an interaction between Williams and another individual, who commented on a picture of her, saying that she looked like she was about to tear the brakes off of someone’s car. Williams responded with the word “Dead” accompa­ nied by skull emojis. Williams defended herself by saying that specific post was a mixture ofgallows humor and slang - “dead” being a term used when r you laugh so hard you die — and that her pres-; ence on social media was tied to herjob as an advocate. After being arrested, Williams was initially instructed to stay offthe internet completely} At a previous hearing, Doherty loosened thd restrictions, saying she could use the internet for employment purposes, in addition to com* municating with her attorney (she does not currently have one) or direct family members! Doherty rejected the motion to revoke thd bond, but not before firmly instructing Wil4 Hams to refrain from social media activity like the example brought up by Jacques, caution­ ing that it could lead to revocation of her bond Doherty did acknowledge to the court tha Williams has complied with instructions t( not directly contact members of the Barr] County Prosecutor’s Office since her arrest. The case will move forward, Williams not ing that she would potentially bring in an attor­ ney to represent her ifthe matter goes to trial.1 UNITED WAY, continued from page 1 of gifts. The program is relatively unique because, not onlyMpes it provide parents the opportunity to free toys and gifts for their children, but the United Way gives participants an: authentic shopping experi­ ence. But, instead of a store or shopping center, participating parents make their rounds through Leason Sharpe Hall, where they can select age-appropriate gifts in addi­ tion to a handful ofstocking staffers, some clothing items and even wrapping paper. All of it is loaded into a large bag and brought home so they can wrap and stage presents under the tree. Toys for Barry County Kids has tradition­ ally provided a special Christmas for hun­ dreds of local children, but this year will be the United Way’s most extensive effort yet. Executive Director Lani Forbes told The Banner on Monday morning that 459 children were signed up for the program, but sign-ups extend through the week. In fact, Forbes recalled one year when she came in on Christmas Eve to make sure one final family could shop for their child. Last year set the previous high water mark for the number of children who benefitted from the program at 418 kids. Forbes attributed the rise in need for the event to the rough economic climate that has proven challenging for many Barry County residents, even those who do work a steady job but simply can’t gain financial traction due to rising costs ofliving. No children are turned away from the program and Forbes said; that not only do residents donate toys, but the United Way also receives a fair amouht of cash donations, which allows them to shop for items they still may need. Mima "““••WWlBWWm Toys for Barry County Kids, which is put on by the Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center, is set to benefit nearly 500 children this Christmas. The extra merchandise that is leftover from the program is used in a variety ofways and distributed via other United Way programs and to some ofits agencies. Husband-and-wife duo Ken and Danielle Shook were helping to sort through and place items for the program on Monday morning. It was the second year that the couple has vol­ unteered for the program. Ken Shook’s efforts to bring toys and gifts to children through the program began by setting out a collection box at the barber shop he owns, Ken’s Kutz. “The reason why I became a barber was to be involved in the community and serve in the community. I just thought putting a box at the shop was a great way (to help the program) — I see people every day.” The couple both echoed each other in say­ ing that they liked how the program empow­ ers participants to shop and be part of the Christmas journey as opposed to driving through and having volunteers drop a bag of pre-packaged toys and merchandise into their vehicles. The Shooks are also passionate about the program because they know it helps fellow members oftheir community. “That’s what we love about our United Way program,” Danielle Shook said. “Not all United Ways are so local and centered oft families here. We really appreciate that.” PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber Licensed Journeyman Plumber JUVENILES, continued from page 1 New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning. BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation License Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-5112 //8110376 & Insured (tyiiatmoA < A Flannels J < < A New Collections < • Hulst Dry Gleaners Pick-Up Station < ft Jesus Loves You! ft QUESTIONS: ASK US... Stites Jdhite 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 Saturday 9 am-3 pm J 19 pandemic, which proved to be the tipping point for this issue. Some local reliefmay be on the way as the Calhoun County Youth Center has broken ground on a $13 million renovation that will increase capacity from 42 to 52. Eaton Coun­ ty Youth Facility also broke ground on an expansion this summer, which will expand capacity by 14 beds. Here in Barry County, though, court offi­ cials must rely on other counties to assist with this need as it lacks juvenile detention facili­ ties ofits own. These facilities must be com­ pletely separated — by both sight and sound — from adult detention facilities. With chatter surrounding the idea oflaying out plans for a new, sorely-needed jail, Doherty and his colleagues at the court offic­ es are hoping some accommodations for juveniles might be folded in. “When I first started - 19 or 20 years ago - when I was running for office, I said we need to look into that,” Doherty said about maintaining juvenile detention facilities in the county. “The costs were prohibitive. If we do create ajail, having six beds or eight beds, something like that attached to it - sight- and sound-separated (from the adult jail) - cer­ tainly needs to be looked at. Can we do it? (Is it) financially responsible?” Dave Pelon, Deputy Administrator for Barry County Trial Court, is positioned on the front lines of this crisis. Pelon’s experi­ ence includes time spent at a juvenile deten­ tion facility in Ottawa County from 2004 to 2007, where he served as a youth specialist. He also helped with the facility’s drug treat­ ment program. Pelon went on to become an intensive pro­ bation officer in Van Buren County, and eventually chief probation officer, before he made the move to Barry County. “(The recent juvenile justice legislation) was full of what I would call good reforms forjuvenile justice in Michigan, but unfortu­ nately we’re still left with a real shortage of beds regarding juvenile detention, residential placement and mental health,” Pelon said. “So, we do pretty well with the communi­ ty-based resources, or at least we’re building those out. But for those youth that present too much ofa danger to themselves and the com- munity... we really don’t have a place to go with them.” That’s not to say that juveniles who find themselves in brushes with the law are simply unleashed on the community and left to their own devices. Barry County is home to a vari­ ety of programs designed to get youth back on the straight and narrow. Pelon provided information on several of them, from a home intensive care program that matches a juvenile with two intensive probation officers who maintain small case­ loads to a Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) program, which is a weekly program held at the court. । The courts and the Barry County Commu* nity Mental Health Authority also team up for a wraparound program, which gatherss a child’s resources — school personnel, family, church members, counselors, coaches — to create a comprehensive treatment plan to benefit the child. “(We use) every tool we can find in our tool bag to get these kids in the right spot and also the parents,” Doherty said. “Many times; it’s a parenting issue as much as a kid.” ****!( %_____ �The Hastings Banner Thursday, December 21, 2023 — Page 3 New roofs, bus loop at Central Elementary top projects for Hastings bond funds x Hunter McLaren StaffWriter i Several Hastings schools infrastructure projects are moving ahead soon as part of its $17 million bond proposal approved this isummer. r Superintendent Matt Goebel offered a pre­ sentation at Monday's school board meeting, providing an update to board members and ithe public on the progress made at each ',school in the district j The installation of digital signs for every school in the district, new playgrounds at the district's four elementary schools and two [new roofs are slated to be completed during (the summer of2024. New roofs at the middle school and high school are the district’s top priority, Goebel said. With both roofs being more than 25 years old and in poor shape, Goebel said the district .can’t wait to tackle the project any later. Board inembers would have the chance to review bids from contractors and make a decision on what •kind ofroofwould be most beneficial for each building at their meeting in February next year. > “We want to talk with the experts on these roofs to make sure that we’re putting on a W u^Xa, \«»k A ?S iN*S'^s‘ Y ' S sI „**^*J «ss ssJ :sS8i!S5s9 S8i!S5s9 ifss if^s^s *»</Ss ss strong roof that is going to last a long time, but also that is affordable,” Goebel said. “Those two things are going to be very big decisions that will be coming to you in February.” Completing those two roofing projects would be a huge win for the district, he said. In 2015, zero percent of the district’s roofs were under warranty. With the completion of these two roofs, in addition to other projects completed in the past several years using the school’s sinking fund, 92 percent ofthe dis­ trict’s roofs would be under warranty, Goebel said. Portions ofthe Central Elementary roof make up the remaining eight percent. “There’s probably going to be a little bit of Central Elementary which we’re going to have to talk a little bit about, but that’s more ofa shingled roof,” he said. “It’s going to be much cheaper because it’s less square foot­ age, so we’ll talk about that a little bit later.” As the district installs new playgrounds at each elementary school this summer, Goebel said the district will also be utilizing the sink­ ing fund for the demolition of the Central Elementary Annex. Being out of use for five years, Goebel said the district’s insurance will soon refuse to cover the building. Its demoli- tion will provide space for a bus loop, more green space at the playground and space for planned expansions to the school’s parking lot. The bus loop and expanded parking lot, slated to be completed in 2025, would allow buses to pick up and drop off students closer to the building. Buses currently park along Broadway Avenue in front ofthe school. The parking lot improvements would also allow staffto park closer to the building. “I’ve met with the principal and some of the staff members there, and they’re very excited about this: getting rid of the annex, getting actual parking they can use and hav­ ing kids be able to enter that bus a lot closer (to the building),” he said. Plans for the other big bond proposal projproj­ ects slated for the high school, including renovations to the school’s cafeteria, media center, locker rooms and commons area, will be finalized after the district chooses bids for its current slate ofprojects, Goebel said. “A contractor is going to want all four of those bids, and we’re going to get a better price on that,” Goebel said. “We’re going to probably do all four of those projects (at once) and they’ll probably start in ‘25 and then ‘26.” Kristine Barlow from Dick’s Barber Shop poses for a photo with student Cooper Latzel, sporting a fresh new ‘do. HAIRDRESSERS, continued from page 1 • %> * ca *»</Ss ss is *£ JtSsS Wfc ***** **** ■sSsn ■ s S sn ^•hb ^•hb*• * • 'Wf,*.* ' W f * * '>kS"i" '>kS"i"nini'*l '*l Hastings Superintendent Matt Goebel provided a presentation about upcoming projects in the district utilizing bond funds. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) County board concludes 2023 business, looks to new year 1 ; Jayson Bussa Editor • The Barry County-Board of Commission■ers met on Tuesday morning to conclude its {business for 2023. I The brief meeting - which lasted only Jabout 30 minutes - was spent cleaning up the J2023 budget with one final budget amend­ ment and turning the board’s focus to the ■upcoming year. ; County Administrator Michael Brown pre­ sented budget amendment 23-C, which accounted for some final, minor shifts in the {budget before the year expired. • The amendment increased revenue to the •general fund by $51,954 and expenditures for ,lhe general fund by $53,403. j The adjustment was necessary because ofa {variety ofsmall corrections. J The county saw a net increase of $9,454 in state and federal revenues and an increase of $32,500 in charges for service due to an increase in circuit court costs. The ‘other rev­ enue’ category also saw an increase of *01# ipHfa* $10,000 due to an increase in Sheriffrefunds. r Expeincrease#^. Part of abuse apprtforftmSrliirte^remlfter received more revenue in 2023 than was orig­ inally budgeted. The budget also saw a $30,000 increase in expenditures in the pub­ lic works line item to offset state revenue from a brownfield grant. “It’s what we do every year. End ofthe year budget amendment - clean things up, balance things out,” Chairman Dave Jackson said before the board voted the amendment through. The meeting concluded the county board’s 2023 calendar year, which was the first year of service for four different commissioners David Hatfield, Mike Callton, Mark Doster and Bob Teunessen. “We had four new commissioners come in this year,” Jackson said. “You guys have done an outstanding job. You’ve been involved in your community. Your service has been above and beyond what we expected. That’s part of what we need - we need ambassadors from this board reaching out and knowing what they need in<the community/” ?', mri “To see how, we’vh.4alBen.5a brand- qqw board and blended it into aworking unit to do good things for the county, I’m just very impressed with all of you so thank you for your service,” Jackson added. The board will be guaranteed the same roster ofcommissioners for at least one more year as if turns its focus to 2024. Jackson instructed commissioners to get with their constituents and be ready to hit the ground running with addressing the'most pressing issues ofeach ofthe county’s 'districts. “As we start formulating a{ plan for next year, I’d appreciate it ifyou al 1| took a minute to think about your area and the people you represent and the things that are coming before you,” Jackson said. “Letfs formulate a vision for what next year should look like. Let’s talk about those things. You can reach out with a phone call or email and certainly, we can have a workshop or talk about some planning for next year.” ■I *' “They scheduled a day with no paying customers just for us. That’s huge,” Hayes said. “The community makes it possible.” Stylists from Dick’s Barber Shop, Ken’s Kutz, EmmaDoll Hair Design and Studio Luxe all contributed their skills and equipment to students. Several students from Paul Mitch­ ell Cosmetology and Beauty School in Grand Rapids also participated in the event, allowing them to gain experience and hone their skills while giving back to the community. Samantha Peake from Dick’s Barber Shop said she looks forward to volunteering for the event every year. “The kids are awesome,” she said. “They’re so sweet. They really enjoy it. It’s so fun to get their hair cut next to their classmates. They’re all talking about how good they each look, how beautiful and handsome they are. They’ve been really kind to each other.” Ken Shook, owner ofKen’s Kutz, said this year was his second time participating in the event. For him, volunteering was a no-brainer, “It’s serving the community, it’s why I do it,” Shook said. “I’mjust grateful to be a part ofit.” Shook said he was happy to see so many More than a dozen hairdressers came together to transform a Northeastern Elementary classroom into a hair salon last week, providing free haircuts to nearly a hundred students. Rutland Charter Township Sexton Bid 2024 All Bids due January 2,2024 SECOND AMENDMENT, continued from page 1 * ; f* .s ' ••'p: a Sr Thomapple Township Board and saw the Yankee Springs Township Board vote on the matter - unsuccessfully. - The Yankee Springs Township board voted unanimously last Thursday night against adopting the resolution to make the municipality a Second Amendment sanctuary township and calling for the Barry County Board of Commissioners to pass a similar resolution. The resolution had been presented to the township board at its November meeting. While touting their support for the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms, board members in Yankee Springs had issues with some of the language in the resolution. ! “(The resolution) says we take an oath of office to support and defend the Con­ stitution of the United States and the constitution of this state,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said, referencing the third paragraph in the resolution. “The oath that we take (as township officials) says we will support the Constitution. It doesn’t say anything about defending.” Trustee Dave VanHouten said he was bothered by the use ofthe word “sanctu­ ary” in the resolution, making reference to some large U.S. cities that are 'calling themselves “sanctuaiy cities.” . “I’m a firm supporter of the Second Amendment, but I think the way that we need to support it, being it’s a state and federal issue, is to make sure we elect the right people, the right representatives, that will support the Second Amend­ ment,” VanHouten said. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis spoke ofhis longstanding support for the Second Amendment, having grown up in Paul Mitchell students involved in the event. It acts as a great way to provide experience, both in cutting hair and being involved in the community. Paul Mitchell student Samantha Kruisenga said she was honored to be able to participate. “I’m really grateful to be able to do this,” . she said. “It’s really nice to be able to see all : the different age groups and get to know everyone and it gives us a lot ofopportunity • to learn how to do different hair.” Barbers and stylists weren’t the only ones giving back to the community. Northeastern student Bree Wilson decided to donate her hair to provide for kids with cancer. “I watch shows about kids with cancer, so I was thinking, ‘Why don’t I donate my hair?”’ Wilson said. Hayes said seeing so many people from the community giving their time to make kids happy filled her with joy. “It was truly amazing to see the communi- ty come together and make our Northeastern kids feel special, seen and important,” she said. “I am so proud ofour outstanding com­ munity for showing up for the kids.” 1. The Sexton agrees to maintain the Cemetery Grounds to the roadway, also to include new addition using the trimmer where impossible to mow. The Sexton also agrees to hand trimming around headstones, bushes and fences to the roadway at the Cemetery. The Sexton agrees to use his own riding lawnmowers and furnish gas and oil for same and all maintenance of said mowers, shall be own responsibility ofthe Sexton and not ofthe Township. All mowing and trimming to be completed at the same time. 2. The Sexton shall deliver death certificates and burial permits within one (1) week after burial to the Township Clerk. Back in April, members of the Barry County Republicans flooded into a county board meeting to encourage the board to vote on a resolution to declare Barry as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County. The board did not take action on that resolution, or a similar one drafted after the initial resolution. (File photo by Jayson Bussa) a family of hunters and currently teach­ ing two ofhis young grandchildren how to shoot. “I do think that it’s something that... would be symbolic, and as for a political opinion, I don’t think that we should do that in Yankee Springs,” Heethuis said. The township’s legal counsel, the law firm ofBauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, cautioned the board about adopting the resolution. While acknowl­ edging that the Second Amendment does apply in the township, it wrote in an opinion that declaring Yankee Springs to be a Second Amendment sanctuary town­ ship “would be largely symbolic.” “The township has no jurisdiction regarding gun legislation... The township should be hesitant to be seen as attempt­ ing to interfere with lawful actions carried out by state and federal authorities with regards to gun legislation,” the attorneys added in their opinion. Three precinct delegates from the county Republican Party spoke in sup­ port ofthe resolution during public com­ ment prior to the vote. Precinct delegate and township resident Dave Laansma thanked the board for considering the resolution and individual members for being public with their support of the Second Amendment. “I think the effort here was to make a clear statement that we would only abide by the state and federal constitution. We would not abide by unconstitutional laws passed (by the legislature), like what’s currently happening,” Laansma said. “I appreciate your consideration of this question.” Another precinct delegate and township resident, Jim Hooker, voiced disap- pointment with the vote. The Irving Township Board voted on the resolution during its November meet­ ing and it passed 3-0 with one trustee (Dean Bass) and clerk Sharon Olson absent from the vote. “I think it was important to our board just so our residents know our stance on it,” said Jamie Knight, supervisor of Irving Township. “We also had a few other members ofthe public speak about it at the October meeting, as well.. I do wish our whole board was there to dis­ cuss it but we also felt it was important to pass it and not keep holding it over until we had our full board.” “I would like to see the county pass it,” Knight added. “This is a personal (opin­ ion), but I believe it is an important topic and that the county should really look into and pass for all of Barry County.” 3. Execute all burials and dis-interment plans. 4. Such maintenance of the grounds shall not include such things in the nature of new and permanent improvements as a new fence construction, new posts or grading ofCemetery. 5. The Sexton shall construct new footings within four (4) weeks oforder. 6. The Sexton shall not employ, or allow anyone under the age of eighteen (18), to operate any power drive machinery or otherwise such as lawnmowers, etc., on the Rutland Charter Township property. 7. The Sexton shall provide his own Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance. 8. Township will furnish top soil. 9. This contract shall last 3 years. 10. Waterlines shall be blown out in the fall. �Page 4 — Thursday, December 21,2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC Santa A blue, blue Christmas There was an Elvis sighting at the Barry County Commission on Aging this week. But, it just turned out to be former Michigan State Representative and current Barry County commissioner Mike Callton, who was performing Christmas music for seniors during lunch. Callton brought with him several wardrobe changes, including this Elvis get-up, which he wore while he per­ formed “Blue Christmas.” Callton was joined by current State Representative Gina Johnsen and Teresa Pash on piano. x,y.. remember? State Street in 1888 This photo, taken in 1888, shows the Adrian and Henry Cook grocery store, located on the southwest cor­ ner of Michigan Avenue and State Street. The building, which currently is empty, looks similar today to how it did in 1888. One of the most visible changes is that the staircase on the outside of the building is now cov­ ered. (Banner photo) Have you met? Sara Syswerda is starting her tenth year at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, where she works as the education director. “I have pretty much the best job you could have,” she said. Just this week, Syswerda found herself visiting four different Hastings elementary classes and corresponding with a Central Michigan University student about a research fellowship opportunity at the Insti­ tute, all on the same day. Earlier this month, she was helping her colleagues with various land management projects at the nature preserve. “I get to hang out with scientists a lot, but I still get to teach a lot,” she said. “It’s a nice balance.” Originally from northern Indiana, Syswerda said she was fortunate to attend an exceptional public school, although she didn’t realize it at the time. She enrolled in a variety of advanced science classes and found herself ahead of many of her peers when she started her undergraduate studies at Cornell University in New York. Her focus was on becoming a scientist, until she started a graduate assistantship at Michigan State University working with K-12 teachers and school districts in south­ west Michigan. The experience opened her eyes to how lucky she was to have the public education opportunities she did, and what she could do to provide those for others. “That’s really where I got my first experiences teaching and realizing just how much need there was for that,” she said. “I had a really good experience with educa­ tion, and hadn’t ever considered teaching as ajob. I always assumed I was going to be a scientist and didn’t realize you could kind ofdo both.” She said she had the opportunity to work with great educators and students in Plain­ well, Delton and Harper Creek. The experi­ ence solidified her desire to work in science education. “It made me really want to continue in that science education pathway,” she said. “I was still doing research at that point. Eventually, I ended up moving into notjust doing science research, but science educa­ tion, research and thinking about how peo­ ple learn science.” Since joining Pierce Cedar Creek Insti­ tute 10 years ago, Syswerda said her focus has been on providing field trip opportuni- Sara Syswerda ties and education programs, both for teach­ ers and students. While crunching the numbers this year, Sys.werda said she estimates about 40,000 students have participated in Pierce Cedar Creek programs since she’s been on the team. Working with students has been a lot of fun for Syswerda, whether they are first-graders or college graduates pursuing research. It’s also helped her better under­ stand how to teach and understand science in a lot ofnew ways, she said. “It helps remind me ofwhat it’s like to be young, a little bit,” she said. “Sometimes I think as you get older, you don’t necessarily ask the same sorts ofquestions or see things with fresh eyes the way you might when you’re young and just don’t know what to ask or what not to ask.” Syswerda said she’s settled into her life in Barry County, where she lives with her husband and two Thomapple Kellogg mid­ dle schoolers. She spends a lot oftime vol­ unteering, whether it be at the Institute or as a board member for the Barry County Con­ servation District and the Barry County Great Start Collaborative. She stays active at home, too, enjoying running and gravel road biking. Both hob­ bies offer a great way for her to stay active, connect with long-time friends and explore the world around us, she said. “It feels like you’re exploring, a little bit,” she said. “I would say gravel road bik­ ing is a lot like that, where it feels a little bit like being back in the ‘80s where you run around on your bikes with your friends.” Even after living in Barry County for nearly 20 years, Syswerda said she’s still found lots ofnew things to try and places to go. It’s. something she would encourage anyone to strive for. “Sometimes! being willing to try some­ thing new is a big, big thing that a lot of people don’t do,” she said. “I don’t usually worry about not being good at stuff, espe­ cially while I’m new to it. You never know what’s going to end up being a good fit for you until you try it - even ifyou might look silly for a while.” For her commitment to furthering sci­ ence education in Barry County, Sara Syswerda is this week’s Bright Light. If I won the lottery: I would build a giant early childhood center for Barry County, or maybe a couple of them. I’ve been wanting one ofthose for Hastings for ;a long time. I guess the other thing I would build is a planetarium for Hastings and ]Barry County. We totally need a planetari­ um. If I get those two things set up by the time I retire, I will be very happy. Something on my bucket list: There’s a <couple of races that go through the red­ woods and the sequoias, in California. Those iare definitely a couple ! would like to do. I’d also like to hike the Appalachian Trail, I haven’t done that yet. Greatest fear: The only thing I’m kind of afraid of is internal parasites. When I was an undergrad they took us to . some of the biological archives at Cornell, and they have jars of the big long tapeworms and ।other stuffthat they had pulled out ofpeo­ ple. Favorite teacher: There was a lady named Cynthia Van Fleet who taught at Carroll High School (in Indiana) and she took us on super wild field trips that I don’t know we could do now, She took us to a nuclear power plant and- a particle accelerator. We made aspirin. I don’t know that you can even visit any ofthese now, but it was so wildly cool. She made science feel super amazing and also very relevant. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-lovingpersonality,for the stories he or she has to tell, orfor any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058; or email news@j-adgraphiccs.com. here’s my special list for 2023 The chill in the air, the trees that are bare, the inflatable characters in yards around town and the holiday lights all aroun’ tell us Christmas is here again. All we need is some snow - and another one ofmy annual wish lists for Santa. Once again, it’s time to sit down and pore over the year’s publications looking for material from our community news­ makers that stand out in our memories - in playful naughty or nice ways. It’s a fun list, penned in jest with no intent to hurt feelings, but as a way to record some important moments in our community and to remind us of the importance oflaughing and not taking seriously everything else. So let’s go back over the last nearly 12 months to see how we did as a community with all kinds of issues and activities that make up our lives each day and to ask Santa for the awards they deserve. We started the year with the flu season hitting Barry County hard with more cases than normal, putting residents on edge as the flu season kicked off early. A “Light­ house Award” should go to Corewell Health doctor Carl Baker, who warned us then that as we relaxed our precautions against COVID-19 - something none of us will ever forget - we added to the spread of flu and other illnesses. And the warning today: Beware! Our “Memorial Awards” go to two of our dedicated firefighters and citizens who passed away this year. Tragic news came early in the New Year with the death of Jody Tyner, a captain with the Delton Fire Department, former Marine, wres­ tling coach, history teacher and friend of so many who suffered a massive stroke that took his life too soon. And in April, Hastings lost longtime fire chief Roger Caris who served the Hastings Fire Department for nearly 50 years. We will miss them as so many others who passed during the year. The New Year brought departures through the retirement ofkey county gov­ ernment servants. Kathy Shay, longtime judicial secretary and court recorder, decided to hang it up after 50 years — wow! David Dykstra stepped down after 24 years of serving on the board at the Barry County Road Commission and, wlffi^Road CommissioiyfEtfrector Brad i Lamberg followed; he got an entire admin­ istration building named after him. There’s an “Endurance Award” for each ofyou. While on the subject of retirements, let’s give kudos and a “Kick Back Your Feet Award” to Pam Palmer for her years of service as trial court judicial assistant and Barry County clerk. Let’s hope she left some caffeine pills for new county clerk Cindy White to use for the upcom­ ing 2024 election - and the late night it’s sure to be. Hopefully, Santa will be filling his sack of toys with voting tabulators and equip­ ment for all the township clerks through­ out the county. With all the new rules, they’re going to need them. Plus, I’m more hopeful Santa will bring a check from the state to foot the bill. Every Christmas needs a Grinch and there are a few people in the news who could be eligible for the “Grinch Award,” such as County Commissioner Mark Doster who wanted to take prayer out of the regular meetings. My gosh, you can go all the way back to the beginning when our Founding Fathers felt prayer had a place in our daily lives. The “Taxman Cometh Award” goes to Hastings Township Supervisor Jim Brown, who lost his battle to charge Harvest Pointe, Thomapple Manor’s newest proj­ ect, with property taxes. “We put them on the rolls,” said Brown, “but the tax tribu­ nal said ‘No’, so that’s the end ofit.” The “Displacement Award” goes to Lee Campbell, former owner of the State Street Diner, who sold the property to a car wash company forcing all his loyal customers to find a new place to meet and dine. Linda and Rhonda at Judy’s County Kitchen in Nashville pick up the “Wel­ come Award” for giving the breakfast groups a great place to hang-out and get some home-style cooking. The “Ag Award” goes to Louis Wierenga Jr., who was honored as a Master Farm­ er during a statewide convention. We need lots more master farmers. But Gov. Whit­ mer and her green energy buddies are after our precious farmland all over the state on which to plunk her wind and solar farms as part ofher energy policy. She won’t be in office long enough to see the loss of productive farms across the state. The Hastings Public Library gets the “I Can See Clearer Now Award” for its $1.2 million campaign to replace the foggy windows. Eagle Scout Carter Krzysik earns the aptly named “Eagle Award” for his play­ ground project for preschoolers at St. Rose of Lima School. Stop by and take a look. The “Bittersweet Award” goes to Rebecca DeHaan, administrator at Thor­ napple Manor, for opening Harvest Pointe after so many delays allowing seniors to finally move in. Now she still has more rooms if you’re looking for some new digs. Hastings City Manager Sarah Moy­ er--Cale gets the “Procrastinator Award” for the Hastings streetscape project that was supposed to start in early July and be completed before the holiday season — she just never confirmed which holi­ day year! How about “Hard Hat Awards” for all the DDA members? Maybe more hands would move that streetscape project along so shoppers can get to their favorite shops again. The “Taking Shape Award” goes to the school board in Delton School Board for its new elementary school building and the grand opening celebration. The Barry County Board of Commis­ sioners earns a “Git-R-Done Award” for finding a new home for the Commission on Aging and saving money at the same time. Now we just need another $2.5 mil­ lion to ‘git-r-done.’ Perhaps Santa will bring Gary White his own desk, complete with a name tag, so he can continue to act as if he were an elected county representa­ tive ofthe people. Let’s give the “Tenacious Award” to Hastings Superintendent Matt Goebel for not giving up on passing the recent mill­ age - especially after holding several public sessions. He finally ‘got-r-done’! Lakewood lost its battle to raise $39 mil­ lion in August after failing to get the $64 million the year before. Time to regroup. The “Returning Home Award” goes to the parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Church for enduring the long renovation project after a fire displaced parishioners for more than a year! The “Welcome to Hastings Award” goes to Fr. JeffHanley, the new pastor of both St. Rose and St. Cyril Catholic Churches. Fr. Hanley was part of the re-opening celebration and brings some youth and enthusiasm to our parishes. The latest edition of “Jobs of the Future” career magazine needs to be on the desk of Ben Geiger, former county commissioner and Village ofLake Odes­ sa Manager. There’s an ad inside from the Maple Valley News looking for bus driv­ ers — he’s perfect for the job because he knows the territory, iqr’oo tngbi?o-^ The “Thinking on Your Feet Award” belongs to all the people who gathered to unveil the U.S. Postal Service’s new “Winter Wonderland Animals” stamp at the old Woodland Township Hall. When the floor on which they were standing collapsed, they quickly moved the cere­ mony outside. And ifanyone is getting a lump ofcoal this year it should be the person who decided to rip Delton’s community Christmas tree out ofthe ground. Maybe a couple of sessions of anger manage­ ment or an appearance before Judge Schipper is in order. The “Opportunist Award” goes to all the residents who benefited from golf ball­ sized hail that rained down on the area a couple ofmonths ago. Some residents got new cars, roofs, windows and siding while insurance companies felt the pain! Bob Oster, director of the Lakewood Choral Society, gets the “Sound ofMusic Award” for keeping us entertained for more than 38 years. The “Builder Award” belongs to Jon Sporer and the YMCA of Barry County for purchasing the former Mental Health building with plans to put it to good use. Brandon Strong, executive director of the Barry County Christian School, earns the “Golden Apple Award” for expanding the institution’s footprint with another satellite campus in Woodland. The “Century of Care Award” is for Pennock Hospital’s board members, doc­ tors, nurses and staff who made it all possible to celebrate 100 years of caring this year. The “Builder Award” goes to Bonnie Gettys, president and CEO of the Barry Community Foundation, for her behindthe-scenes work in community develop­ ment and for her energy and enthusiasm in making things happen. An autographed copy ofmy latest book “How to Build a Better City - When Small Businesses are Under Attack” is my gift to Hastings Mayor Dave Tossava. It’s a great read for all the city officials. The “Hanging Judge Award” is present­ ed to Judge Michael Schipper in honor of former Judge Richard Shuster who under­ stood the importance ofproper sentencing for those who break the law. A special “Trooper Award” gets pinned on the chest of former Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Roderick who served here for more than 20 years and gave back to our community along the way. The “Energizer Bunny Award” goes to Lani Forbes, executive director of the Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center, for 25 years ofservice and helping people when they need it most. See IN MY OPINION, page 5 'M 3 is )««■«• >« �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 21, 2023 — Page 5 Hastings elementary students collect, topple 1,600 boxes of mac and cheese like dominoes kWh Hunter McLaren StaffWriter j Students held their breath as they lined the hallways ofNortheastern Elementary on Friday afternoon, preparing to watch a grand display. A ring of 1,681 boxes of macaroni and cheese had been carefully placed through the building like dominoes, circling the school. Collected by students as part of a food drive benefiting the Barry County United Way, the chain of dominoes was proposed by the students as a way to cele­ brate their accomplishment. Students and teachers spent the better part of a half hour assembling the chain, taking care not to prematurely topple any boxes. At the appointed hour, the first box fell, then the next, and the next. As the boxes continued to fall, a chorus ofelementary students started to chant: “Mac and cheese! Mac and cheese!” The mac and cheese dominoes display was so long it took over two minutes for the last box to fall. Once it was over, students and teachers set to work loading the boxes ofmacaroni in vehicles to ship to the Unit­ ed Way. Lani Forbes, Barry County United Way executive director, said much of the pasta was already distributed Wednesday through the •<S,. Fresh Food Initiative. The rest will be going to families in need of food over the holidays. Forbes said the kids’ domino chain, which can be seen in a video on the North­ eastern Elementary Facebook page, was a great way to show kids how fun it can be to serve others. “The kids were so proud of themselves,” Forbes said. “They got to have fun while serving a lot ofpeople and making a differ­ ence in a lot ofpeople’s lives. Adding the fun to that is just awesome.” Forbes said the donation’s impact couldn’t be overstated. “My goodness, it’s huge,” Forbes said. “Especially this time ofyear, when the kids are going to be home during Christmas break and not have lunch or breakfast available at school. To be able to have something that the kids can easily make will impact a ton of families in our community.” Delton horses on the lam There was so much mac and cheese, teachers and students had to load up multiple vehicles to ship it all away. Students cheered as the dominoes rounded the final stretch, traveling out­ side before looping back to where the first box of mac and cheese fell. A 43-year-old Delton woman called police around 11 a.m. on Dec. 10 after finding three horses standing in the roadway on the 10000 block ofKingsbury Road. The woman told police she could see what appeared to be a pasture with a broken fence nearby. She led the horses to the pasture and placed a board across a gap in the fence to try and keep them contained. Police contacted the owner ofthe pasture, who reported the horses did not belong to him. He told police the horses looked like they might belong to one ofhis neighbors, who he would reach out to. Yankee Springs board eyes short-term rental ordinance changes ii rtkQwW B *«t*Eisn® ‘fel.ibw a,, WUh HUHfHfa «kfitafafrta I sir ’®iilfisio Brit £ ® J33 A & P iJE; ■ sfoilrsw toniioibtitpc®fl»k) . fail iDM |u ■ (taiBMoikW^^ 1■ W«»,i-kauW »,i-ka -« f (M W’*y Wr .Z . .W W . Northeastern Elementary students looked on as box after box of macaroni and cheese toppled Friday afternoon. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township officials are looking at potential changes to the township’s ordinance*on shortterm rental properties in the wake ofresident complaints frottrdver'the summer abbut ndise late at night, drunk and disorderly conduct, illegal parking and litter­ ing, particularly near Gun Lake. i Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea told the Township Board at its Dec. 14 meet­ ing that he and Code Enforcement Officer Brad Williams have received considerable feedback from residents since they asked for public feedback on the short-term ordinance in a November Sun and News story. . “The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that commercial short-term rentals don’t belong in single-family residential neighborhoods,” Shea told the board. “It appears that nobody wants to live next door to an Airbnb that is a full-time short-term rental property, with large groups of strang­ ers roaming in and out every weekend throughout the summer and disrupting the neighborhood in all kinds ofways.” The Township Board in October approved a six-month moratorium on new registrations fqr STR permits while an eight-member sub­ committee reviews the ordinance, which went into effect in March 2021. The morato­ rium only affects new applications for per­ mits and does not affect those properties that already have such a permit. Several changes to the ordinance have been proposed, most notably prohibiting so-called “commercial short-term rentals” from areas ofthe township that are zoned for single-family residential use. j“The main change would be to make that distinction between commercial short-term rentals and owner-occupied short-term rent­ als, which we would refer to as a traditional short-term rental,” Shea said. “That’s how Airbnb first started, back in 2008 ... it was just a way to rent out a room in ypur house. You would still live there, and you would rent out one part of your house to a renter, but it was still your primary residence.” Yankee Springs Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea outlines pro­ posed changes to the township short­ term rental ordinance in a presentation to the Township Board at a Dec. 14 meet­ ing. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Traditional short-term rentals would remain allowed in all zoning districts, includ­ ing the single-family residential, residential lakefront and suburban residential zones, Shea said. “The owner (of the property) has to be present in the dwelling during the rental peri­ od, and it must be his primary legal resi­ dence,” Shea said. Commercial short-term rentdls would be allowed in all non-residential zone districts, Shea said. Any changes to the ordinance would have to go through a public hearing process with the township Planning Commission, which could take place in January. Also being looked at is a boost in the fee to register a property as a short-term rental, from $100 to $500. “That (current $100 fee) doesn’t even cover the cost of... sending out all the letters to neighbors, my time, (zoning assistant) Sandy (Marcukaitis’) time, Brad’s time speaking to people about these things. It needed to go up,” Shea said. Some of the increased funding could go toward bringing on a private company known as Granicus that could assist the township with enforcing the ordinance. The company tracks about 60 to 70 vacation rental websites to find out what properties are being made available for rent, Shea sai0. “We know that We haveTa lot ofurflicensed short-term rentals ip the township right now. This would be a way for us to find them,” Shea said. One of the services Granicus offers is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week hotline for neighbors to call ifthey spot a problem at a neighboring property. “They can call this number, somebody will always pj'ck it up,” Shea said. “That company would try to resolve the problem by contact­ ing the owner of the place, and ifnecessary, (contact) emergency services, police, sheriff, whoever.” The short-term rental ordinance was passed in response to the increased populari­ ty of cottage rentals among /vacationers, driven by the growth ofsuch online services as Airbnb and Vrbo. Shea said he found more than 100 rental properties in the township that were advertising on just those two ser­ vices alone. The ordinance language states that Yankee Springs “wishes to preserve and retain the residential community character ofthe town­ ship” and says the intent ofthe measure is to “make the STR activity permitted by this ordinance resemble the existing and tradi­ tional residential uses made by resident own­ ers and lessees.” The township currently has 32 properties that are registered as short-term rentals. Per­ mits are to expire at the end ofthe year, but current permit holders are being allowed to renew for non-conforming uses, with the idea those permits would expire after two years as a sunset provision. No new applications are being considered during the moratorium peri­ od, which expires April 12. The subcommittee is to meet in early Jan­ uary, and the Township Board is expected to vote on whether to raise the registration fee and to hire Granicus for enforcement purpos­ es at its next meeting on Jan. 11. //V MY OPINION, continued from page 4 I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the County Board ofCommissioners for sell­ ing a small slip of land for a buck so that Tyden Lofts would finally become a reality, bringing badly needed housing to downtown Hastings. i Every year Sheriff Dar Leaf gets his place oij my list. This year we initiated the “Duck Ypur Head Award” in recognition that this year the sheriff avoided charges for crimes committed while trying to investigate election fraud. But then he turned around and sued the county. Dar, you dodged another bullet, but keep your head ducked down in the future. Also new this year should be the “New Nickname Award.” Let’s give this first one to new Barry County Road Commission Direc­ tor Jake Welch in honor of Detroit Lions legendary running back Barry Sanders. For those snowy winter mornings as he evaluates road conditions, let’s find Jake a new snow- Financial FOCUS Membcer 5SIIFPC Andrew Cove, AAMS® CFP ® Financial Advisor Jeff Domenico, AAMS® CRPC® Financial Advisor 421W. Woodlawn Ave. 450 Meadow Run Dr., Suite 100 Hastings, Ml 49058 Hastings, Ml 49058 (269) 945-3553 (269) 948-8265 Avoid tapping into retirement savings early If you want to make a big purchase, such as a new car or • a piece ofproperty, or you were faced with a large, unexpected expense, such as a major home or auto repair, would you have the funds readily available? If not, you might look at what may be your biggest pool of money — your 401 (k) or IRA. But should you tap into these accounts well before you retire? Maybe not — and here’s why: • Less money in retirement The more money you invest in your retirement accounts, and the longer you keep it invested, the more you’ll probably have when you need it most — when you’re retired. Consequently, taking out sizable amounts from these accounts before you retire could be costly, as it would disrupt the benefits of compounding that can be achieved by holding investments for the long term. • Possible bump into higher tax bracket - The money you take out from your traditional IRA and 401(k) is taxable in the year of withdrawal. So, if you withdraw a significant amount of money at once from your traditional IRA or 401 (k), you could be pushed into a higher tax bracket, at least for one year. • Tax penalties - If you take money out of a 401 (k) or traditional IRA before you turn 5916, you could face a 10% tax penalty, although some exceptions exist. Penalty-free withdrawals can be made for several reasons, including for education and medical expenses, first-time purchase ofa home (up to $10,000), after the birth or adoption of a child (up to $5,000) and more (see irs.gov/taxtopics/tc557). With a Roth IRA, which is funded with after-tax dollars, you can withdraw contributions — but not earnings — at any time, for any purpose, without incurring penalties. Given these issues, how can you avoid dipping into your retirement accounts when you’re faced with a financial need? One possibility is to take out a loan from your 401 (k). Unlike a 401(k) withdrawal, a loan is neither taxable nor subject to tax penalties. Also, the interest you pay on a 401 (k) loan goes back into your account. Still, a 401 (k) loan has its drawbacks. If you leave your job, you’ll likely have to repay the loan in a short period of time and if you don’t have all the money to repay it, the loan will be considered in default, so you’ll owe taxes and the 10% penalty The Hastings ifyou’re younger than 5916. But even if you don’t leave your job and you do repay the loan, you’ll still have taken away money that could have potentially kept growing within your tax-deferred account. As mentioned above, as your money compounds, you’ll want to minimize disruptions. Building an emergency fund is another way to gain access to cash. Such a fund should contain at least six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. It can take time to build a fund of this size, so it’s never too soon to start putting away money for it. To avoid the temptation of dipping into your emergency fund, you’d ideally keep this fund separate from your daily spending accounts. Explore all your options before tapping into your IRA or 401(k) early. Keeping these accounts intact as long as possible is one of the best moves you can make to help build your future retirement income. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 plow so we can call him “Barry Snowders.” I hope every driver in Barry County and all of America will be eligible for the “Slow Down and Move Over Award” when approaching police, emergency vehicles, and workers along our roadways. We lost a young wrecker driver, Keagan Spencer, 25, last month, while he was working along the high­ way. Let’s remember him by following the law every time we see someone working on the roadside. Make sure you slow down and move over. The “Philanthropic Award” goes posthu­ mously to the late Larry Baum, who passed away last week. His work and his giving were intended to make his beloved Hastings a place for all ofus to enjoy and to be an attrac­ tion for visitors who mightjust decide to stay. We will miss you, Larry. And Santa, let’s confer the “That’s Enough Award” on me because, though there are so many more special events and special people about which I could write, I always under­ stand that one ofthe rules of a good column is to know when to stop and hold those thoughts for another day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL! published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. A Division of J-Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@J-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs Publisher & CEO Hank Schuuring CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barty County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Fred Jacobs, CEO, J-Ad Graphics Inc. Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes toP.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 �I rA A/1 w1 w rr/r 4 Jane E. Robertson James Robert Catcher James Robert Cutcher, age 78, ofWichita Falls, TX, formerly ofNashville, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. At his request, James will be cremat­ ed and laid to rest in Michigan at a later date. James was bom on February 22, 1945 in Hastings, MI, the son ofRobert and Matilda (Grosjedn) Cutcher. James was drafted in to the Army in 1967 in Fort Knox, KY. James was woiinded January 31, 1969 and was sent home for rehab. James received an honorable dis­ charge in 1971, where he received a purple heart for being wounded in battle. When he was discharged, he was a Specialist E5. After Jim’s discharge, he went to work as an operators engineer, building the hydro-electric dam in Ludington, MI. After that he helped build the Chevy plant in Kalamazoo, MI for five years. Then in 1970, he worked in the pits for Sammy Ses­ sions, and Sammy got Jim started at India­ napolis Speedway, where he worked a few years and continued working for Sammy Sessions in the winter on Sammy’s Snow Machine Race Team. Jim also worked for Lloyd Ruby on his race team, as well as Salt Walthers Race Team in Indianapolis for two years. Jim also worked with A J Foyt and Eisenhower Bratton race teams out of Lan­ sing, MI for one year. James moved to Texas in 1977, where he did construction, and then he got his start working in the oil fields. James’ final job was for Bowls Construction, where he was a welder, mechanic, and a supervisor until he retired in 2010. In his spare time, Jim loved pheasant and deer hunting and fishing with his friends and family in Michigan and in Texas. James is survived by his nephew, William Dean (Nora) and many great-nieces and great-nephews, and many friends that were considered family. James was preceded in death by his par­ ents, Robert and Matilda Cutcher; his sister, Dorene Dean and brother-in-law, Robert Dean; niece, Susan Baker, and niece, Mari­ lyn Wagner. • Traditional and Cremation Services • Pre-Planning Services • Large Parking Lot - Handicap Accessible • Serving All Faiths • Pre-arrangement Transfers Accepted 1 AA o«nc?/MX'^r 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058 269-945-3252 • www.girrbaclifimeralhome.net Family Owned and Operated oX’cr Enwrims Serving 1 Listings, Barry Count} and Surrounding Communities for 50 \ ears Worship Together 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www, hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 pm. LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 E. Grand St., Hastings. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. www .cbchastings .org. SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON HASTINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M­ 43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204­ 9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328! N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main. Pastor: Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 a.m.; Worship 10:15 a.m. WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheel­ chair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster. Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. This information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: 1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 was expecting a great-grandchild in April. Jane leaves behind many nieces and neph­ ews and countless friends who became like family. Jane was a force to be reckoned with. Her family lovingly nicknamed her “The Ramrod” as she had the uncanny ability to make things happen and get things done. Jane had a long and fulfilling career at Hastings City Bank, taking after her father. She enjoyed farming with her family and had a passion for horses. She was an avid trail rider, accruing 1,300 miles in the saddle over the past year. A loyal friend, she was loved by the community and all who knew her. She will leave a very large hole in all our lives. Services are pending at this time. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Jane’s family. 4® zz , P *1* P 1$*> $*> Hake Odeiia Elaine Garlock Merry Christmas to everyone! Progress! By Sunday, there was visible progress on the Stuart housing project with studding in place for the first unit ofcondos on Third Avenue. We will be watching to see the daily progress as the builders contin­ ue their work. Likely, the changes will be quite rapid in these early stages. These first condo units face Third Avenue. They are closer to the;street than the school building, which stood there since 1924. Last week’s Hastings concert ofthe brass group was ajoy to see and hear. Also, for this writer, it was the first time to see the new performing arts center with its unique archi­ tecture and interior furnishings. The variety program was ajoy to see and hear with all the showmanship of the performers along with their musical ability, which was so well pre­ sented. Several local musicians also had a part in one segment ofthe program. A drive around town is a joy to behold on any evening. Electric use must be multiplied and compounded each night as all the colorful lights are on display. Rooflines are empha­ sized as well as trees and bushes. They might look drab in the daylight but are a marvel to see at night with all the lights strung in the branches. The downtown trees and lampposts are very colorful. Each lamppost is circled with greenery and has the added attraction of red ribbon bows. Each also bears a card with the name ofthe donor. Central United Methodist church will hold its traditional Christmas Eve service on Sun­ day, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. with lights, candles, lovely music and a briefmessage by the pas­ tor Rev. Paul Weissman IV. Old-timers will remember a service long ago when people who exited the building were greeted by huge snowflakes drifting down slowly. It was a sight people have mentioned for many years since. It was an unusual weather phenomenon with unusual timing. -11- ;*«■**£* «■ £ .IM^***? SBC® Airsoft gun prompts brief lockdown of DK high, elementary schools sdiTn Hr t lliw (bns)...2i3riofi9t i3riofi9t banisii banis .elnabute 0Mc barf aloorfo I Ij). LlttXSEQ ’ iara&Qitwhii ire- MU sm*MM *llM ...at the church ofyour choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". Jane E. Robertson of Middleville, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Dec, 8, 2023, in Morriston, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Maxine Robertson, and by her life partner, Howard Hartley. Jane is survived by her favorite aunt, Janet Schondelmayer; her son, Travis John Tumes (Holly); her daughter, Sarah Jane Fox (Corey Crouch); and her stepson Jordon Hartley (Shawna). She is also survived by her broth­ ers, Charles M. Robertson (Robin), Marc W. Robertson (Brenda), and Walter “Jay” Rob­ ertson (Rene), and her many grandchildren, including Dultin Ryder, Lane Allen, Teight R.D. Tumes, Tiemhey Robertson-Tumes, Thaylan Tumes, Andrea Crouch, Cole Crouch (Emma), Beau Crouch, Ariela Crouch, Indi Crouch, Aurelia Hartley, Valencia Hartley, Vienna Hartley, and Octavian Hartley. She 1301W. Green St Hastings 945-9541 Delton Kellogg High School and Elemen­ tary School were placed on a brieflockdown Tuesday morning when a student was found in possession of an airsoft gun. In a statement to;families in the district, superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue Jr. said that school staffwas ^alerted to the sighting of what appeared to be a firearm on one ofthe buses during the morning commute. Lartigue’s statement said that members of the school administration identified and located the student and confiscated the toy gun, confirming that it was not an actual gun, even though it looked very similar. Law enforcement was summoned to the school and Lartigue said that they would be taking over the investigation and would determine if criminal charges against the individual might be necessary. “The safety ofour staffand students is our most important responsibility, and we have many systems in place to ensure their safety,” Lartigue wrote to the district. “Please kno^r that we will continue to work diligently to maintain a safe campus environment for all of us. Please remind your kids ifthey see some­ thing to say something. Thanks again to those kids who did that this morning.” Both schools were able to quickly resume their school day. Hastings middle schoolers write receive grant for table saw Hastings Middle School students Jayce McCord and Ryan VanHouten scored some new equipipent for the middle school’s Mi-Trades Summer Camp. Both students participated in the camp last sum- mer, directed by teacher William Renner. This upcoming summer, they’ll have access to a brand new table saw thanks to their efforts to write and secure a grant through the Barry Community Founda- , tion’s Youth Advisory Council. When Barry County Lumber heard what they were up to, they contributed out of theif own pocket to provide a stand and extra blades for the saw. SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Social Security benefits increase in 2024 Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist More than 71 million Americans will see a 3.2 percent increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2024. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department ofLabor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CP1-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher cost-of-living. This change means prices for goods and ser­ vices, on, average, are higher. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) helps to offset these costs. reemfeJ Laura Renee Krikke, Woodland and Ethan James Guidi, Elwell We will mail COLA notices throughout the month ofDecember to retirement, survi­ vors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recip­ ients and representative payees. But ifyou want to know your new benefit amount sooner, you can securely obtain your Social Security COLA notice online using the Message Center in your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. You can access this information in early December, prior to receiving the mailed notice. Benefit amounts will not be avail­ able before December. Since you will receive the COLA notice online or in the mail, you don’t need to contact us to get your new benefit amount. If you prefer to access your COLA notice online and not receive the mailed notice, you can log in to your personal my Social Securi­ ty account at ssa.gov/myaccount to opt out by changing your preferences in the Message Center. You can update your preferences to opt out ofthe mailed COLA notice, and any other notices that are available online. Did you know you can receive a text or email alert when there is a new message waiting for you? That way, you always know when we have something important for you - like your COLA notice. If you don’t have an account yet; you must create one by November 14, 2023, to receive the 2024 COLA notice online. “Social Security and SSI benefits will increase in 2024, and this will help millions ofpeople keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. January 2024 marks when other changes will happen based on the increase in the national average wage index. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax in 2024 will be higher. The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also change in 2024. Learn more at ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2024.pdf. Be among the first to know. Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today at ssa.gov/myaccount. Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications. You can find more information about the 2024 COLA at ssa.gov/cola. Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Specialistfor West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp HE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. Mi Ml �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 21, 2023 — Page 7 W.K. Kellogg helped county’s rural schools Esther Walton Banner Nov. 19, 1987 W.K. Kellogg ofKellogg’s Cereal Compa­ ny in Battle Creek owned a home and large acreage of land in the southern part ofBarry .County along the north edge ofGull Lake. He gave the state of Michigan, in the [1920 the [1920s, h land ld now called lld the h W.K. WK Kellogg Kll Bird Sanctuary. In 1928, he proposed another gift, a school building, built for a consolidated district. The area would cover their northern part of Ross -Township, two districts; one fractional school •.district of Barry and Ross Townships; and a fractional district of Prairieville and Barry iTownships. - Kellogg made an offer that ofthe $60,000 eestimated cost, he would pay 50 percent for cthe building and equipment. He also said that vif the cost would exceed the estimate, he Lwould stand 50-50 with the district in paying rthe cost. He also offered to provide the eground uponwc egroun upon which te the building u ngwou would stan. stand. / The Banner ofJuly 25, 1928, endorsed the videa, calling it “a fine generosity ofMr. Kel­ logg.” The paper encouraged the residents of the ttownships ttowns ps involved nvove to vst visit te the scoo school in n .‘Woodland Village to “get first-hand informaition with regard the value of a consolidated school.. .they will see by practical demonstra­ tion the wisdom ofthe consolidated school... They (the people of the districts involved) can consider themselves fortunate in having the opportunity that does not often come to a (community to have halfthe cost of a modem Eschool building met by one individual...” I The Great Depression was in full force •during the early 1930s, farmers were losing itheir farms and jobs were hard to find in the (towns. Just paying taxes was more than some ^families could handle; to raise taxes in sup­ port of the small rural schools with dwindling tenrollment was out ofthe question. 1 The rural population supported the schools rand shared what they could. Many schools participated in the 4-H Club Hot Lunch proj­ ect where the girls and boys shared alike in -duties of preparing food, acting as house­ keepers, keeping accounts and planning -menus. The food was prepared and served to Ithe rest of the students and according to the □4-H Club annual report of 1939-30, the dunches were served for 382 days, or an average of54 days for each club, with an average acost of25 cents per person per day served. ( While the Kellogg Foundation was aware of the problems ofthe rural schools, the general population was not. From a Sept. 26, 1928, Banner article was this discussion - 543 rural schools in Michigan had 10 or fewer students; whfle j6 16 sphwa^ jfc#* oygj students each and 899 schools had 31 -40 students. * In a June 24, 1931* article, more statistical information was given on the rural schools in Barry County. Schools werejudged on sever­ al ratings including visitation by parents and school board members, adequate playground i fl look back at the stories A1:...+/3^D In the Hastings Banner Middleville W.K. Kellogg High School, built in 1932. equipment, books, maps, heating and ventila­ tion and cleanliness. Only three ofthe almost 100 rural schools came near the top. Most of the schools could only achieve about half of the scores. For instance, only 52 had magazines; 47 had playground equipment and 39 had a first aid kit. Another article in August 1937 tells of the closing of rural schools and said “There was a time when there were 141 rural school districts which maintained schools in the county...there will be only 80 schools in operation this coming year (1937).” W.K. Kellogg was aware ofthe farm struggle for survival and he proposed to do something about it. The Banner, dated Nov. 26, 1930, revealed Kellogg’s offer: “Mr. Kellogg desires to assist some rural county to have an outstanding, ideal system ofrural education - giving rural children the very best school advantages. Because this county is a typically rural county, it is his belief that every boy and girl bom in the country is entitled to the same education advantages as ifhe were living in a city... His offer is made to this county as a starter on such a plan, making this county a sort ofpio­ neer in an advanced type of schools. “Briefly, the Battle Creek philanthropist will pay one-third ofthe cost ofthe building and equipping three consolidated rural school buildings at three points in this county. Mid­ dleville and Nashville have been definitely chosen as two ofthem.. .one yet to be chosen possibly in the southern part ofthe county... in addition he will give the advantages ofthe Kellogg School in Battle Creek for handicapped children to any handicapped child within the three proposed consolidated dis­ tricts of this county...He also desires that home economics and agriculture be taught in, tfre schools...he..vyishes^o have thoroughly trained teachers...(and) will meet all jjjfthe cost in such training...that exceeds the aver­ age cost in existing consolidated schools... “IfMr. Kellogg can succeed in interesting those who should be glad to be interested in establishing the three consolidated (schools), taken in 1950s. he will, at his own Expense, establish and maintain a Barry County health unit for a term ofyears.” “The first offer Mr. Kellogg had made in this county towards an ideal system of con­ solidated rural schools was started at Mid­ dleville on Thursday Evening of last week... before a large number of citizens...Mr. Kel­ logg offered to pay one-third of the cost, $90,000 (or $30,000). This will include the equipment. What was not said but was part of the agreement was W.K. Kellogg’s name would be on the front ofthe school.” The article continues, “the proposal at Nashville (will) be made to include the two townships of Castleton and Maple Grove as well as the village ofNashville... The town­ ship of Woodland has the only consolidated school in this county. “When the matter was first submitted in that township there was considerable opposi­ tion to it. The majority for it was not large. But since the school has been in actual oper­ ation, since the children of the township of Woodland are given far superior advantages in not only better grade schools but also a splendid high school; since they have had the opportunity to realize what a fine community center the school has became, practically all opposition has melted away, all are now boosters for the consolidated school.” Meanwhile, Middleville was making prog­ ress towards consolidation of their school with the surrounding area. They, in December 1930, voted 4 to 1 to consolidate. In January 1931, Castleton had their vote, and they had a favorable outcome. The idea presented was to combine Castleton Township and the vil­ lage ofNashville. The same month, 20 dis­ tricts in the Hope, Barry, Orangeville and Prairieville townships;.including the villages ofDelton and.Praipeviilfc, presented petitions for consolidation. Once the petitions were passed and a con­ solidated school board was established, the area had to voteto bond for the new school. Things went fine in Middleville and the bond issue carried in February 1931. By TURNING BflGK THE PAGES Nashville W.K. Kellogg School, built in 1936.1950s photograph. 1932, Middleville had a fine new W.K. Kel­ logg School. The first Kellogg school in the county. But things did not go well in Castleton Township. Some 28 Castleton residents were vigorously objecting and six suits were filed in circuit court against the consolidated school board and Castleton Township. According to one article, “The gist of the information .filed, jcase is^Jhat Jhe was illegally organize d and -therefore the mem-" bers ofthe present school board, all ofwhom are made parties to their defense, are illegally holding their respective offices.” It took Nashville until 1936 to resolve their differences, which resulted in construction of an addition to the 1902 brick school in Nash­ ville. At that time, they also changed the name to Nashville W.K. Kellogg Rural Agri- ' cultural School. By this time, there were five Kellogg con­ solidated schools: Woodland, Middleville, Delton, Nashville and a Kellogg school south of Barry Township, at Ross Township, of Kalamazoo Coimty. : -Qf these, Kellogg had helped build a new mieU^or MiddleAdJl^ancL Pelton and. remod, efed*and *and provided'additions to ’9wb3lahd and Nashville. Hastings and Freeport had high schools and accepted students from the rural areas, but as they either did not ask for or ' receive Kellogg money, they were not “W.K. Kellogg” schools. g,—-■■ a t--- atjBis stowifct if . i ' jl- i tea Woodland W.K. Kellogg Agricultural School, built 1923. Photograph takenin 1950s. Universe On the upswing Jr? AJJ ’1' i XZ7 Ziif ^hy do birds circle when theyfindfood instead ofjust going and eating it? Eden, 7, Mich. Dear Eden, I live close to a natural area with lots of birds ofprey like hawks and eagles. I love to watch them sit in ginormous nests on top of electrical poles. Or swooping around in big circles while they search for a meal. I talked about why they circle with my friend Jennifer Phillips. She’s a wildlife ecologist at Washington State University. She studies the relationship between birds and the environment. She told me that birds of prey fly in a circle because they’re riding warm air cur- rents called thermal updrafts or thermals. As the sun heats the Earth, some pockets ofair get hotter than others. That warmer air rises. Birds can hop on those warm, rising ther­ mals and ride them. That saves energy. “They’re able to catch the thermal and spiral up,” Phillips said. “If they’re search­ ing for prey, they might circle an area for a while. They’re scanning for small mice or insects or whatever they might be hunting.” Birds also ride thermals when they’re traveling long distances-like during migra­ tion. It’s like hopping on a moving sidewalk or escalator. The birds can rest and glide while thermals carry them along. Or they can fly faster with the extra boost from the thermal. If that sounds fun, birds seem to agree with you. Phillips told me that sometimes it looks like birds are swooping around and playing in thermal updrafts. Riding thermals helps birds ofprey hunt because their eyes are on the front oftheir heads-like our eyes. “They have binocular vision just like we do,” Phillips said. “Ifthey’re staying in the same spot and circling in one area, they’re focusing on what’s below them.” That excellent eyesight-along with curved beaks, sharp talons and an all-meat diet-is what makes them birds ofprey. But small birds that forage for food some­ times circle, too. They ride thermals to migrate or for fun. Sometimes they hop in a circle around a food item on the ground-like crumbs in a parking lot. Unlike us, their eyes are on the sides oftheir heads. So, they have to approach a food item from a circle to really see it. Plus, circling helps them scan for predators or other dangers nearby. It turns out birds circle for lots ofreasons. Ifyou watch carefully and think like a bird, you may be able to figure out exactly what they’re doing. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University’s resident scientist and writer at DrUniverse@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. Delton W.K. Kellogg School, built 1936. 1950s photograph. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Dec. 22-28 Nov. 1-Dec. 31 -November and Decem­ ber Storywalk Book: “The Lodge that Beaver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The Storywalk is free and self-guided. Dec. 22-Jan. 7 - Winter Break Explora­ tion Kits (ages 12 and under) available at the Institute, Hastings Public Library, Delton District Library and Dowling Pub­ lic Library. Pick up a free kit ofwinter fun with hands-on activities. Kits will be grouped as: birth to 2 years old, preschool, early and upper elementary. Wednesday, Dec. 27 - Stewardship workday, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events/. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Dec. 21 - Novel Ideas Book Club discusses “The Noel Letters” by Rich­ ard Paul Evans, 1 1 p.m.; Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1945 film starring Bar­ bara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 - Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 - Library closed for Christmas. Monday, Dec. 25 - Library closed for Christmas. Tuesday, Dec. 26 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Tech Help: Basic device or computer help, 2-4 p.m.; acousticjam session at the fireplace, 5 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library 269945-4263. �The Hastings SPORTS ANNER lSECTIQN Thursdayv, HDaercoemhbaer 0 211,2 12o0n2o3a Jiles to Steward bomb seals first Saxon victory Brett Bremer Sports Editor Hopkins was the team that needed the Hail Mary Friday night, but the Saxons were the ones that had their prayers answered. A baseline jumper pulled Hopkins within ’ -52-51 of the Saxon varsity boys’ basketball team with a little over 45 seconds to play Friday night at Hastings High School, and the Vikings nearly forced one turnover with their pressure as the Saxons’ tried to inbound the basketball and then eventually did get the ball back still down one with a little over 20 sec­ onds to play. - The Vikings couldn’t get a clean look and -' - turned the ball back over to the Saxons, who ' 'were set to inbound the ball with 14.8 sec­ onds to go against more Hopkins pressure. Hastings senior guard David Jiles only ; glanced at his teammates in the backcourt for a moment before heaving the ball the length ofthe court. Landon Steward took off from along the left sideline in the backcourt just I - ~ before the throw and somehow managed to 1 ' snag the full-court pass out of the air at the _■ - block at the far end ofthe court and flip it up into the basket to boost the Saxon lead. A rushed three by the Vikings in the final 'seconds missed its mark and Hastings held on . for a 54-51 win - the first under new head . - £ - coach Jess Webb. “It looked like there was no way he catches - it,” Webb said of the full-court pass from Jiles ;to Steward. Senior point guard Owen Carroll had a team-high 19 points to lead the Saxons in the victory and Jiles finished with 14. Steward six points, five rebounds and two assists. ■. Eli Randall chipped in eight points and six .rebounds while Jett Barnum had three points and a team-high .ten rebounds. Coach Webb said Steward continues to be . a defensive stalwart for his team. The Saxons were +11 with him on the court Friday. “We are pretty much putting him on their _ ‘ best player, almost every game,” Webb said. “He is one ofour best defenders as far as on the ball and we’re going to put him on their . best guard or their forward. He is pretty versatile and he is one ofour strongest kids. He can lock down most players.” Webb was also really pleased with the defensive efforts of his big men Randall, Alex Flikkema and Devin Smith who the Saxons knew were going to be key going into the game as they had to deal with Hopkins center .Micah Estelle “We just kind of threw them in waves at [Estelle],” Webb said. “We had grinded in practice on how to defend in the post and where to get to and all that stuff. Mt Delton Kellogg senior guard Torren Mapes flies in for a lay-up during the second half I of their SAC Central ballgame against visiting Holland Black River Friday. (Photo by .1 Brett Bremer) The Saxons' Porter Shaw looks to get a pass out of a Hopkins double team during his team's win over the visiting Vikings Friday at Hastings High School. (Photo bv Perry Hardin) Hastings is 1-4 overall this season heading into a home Interstate-8 Athletic Conference contest with Harper Creek tonight, Dec. 21. Hopkins is now 4-3 overall on the year. Nick Schultz led Hopkins with 24 points but he was just 10-of-22 shooting the basket­ ball and 3-of-12 from three-point range. Estelle, Trent Smith and Jayden Reed fin­ ished with eight points apiece for Hopkins. Hastings had a 26-25 lead at the half and led 40-37 going into the fourth quarter. The Saxon advantage had been as many as seven points late in the third quarter. The lead did swing back and forth a couple times in the fourth quarter. The Saxons returned to action Tuesday night at Ionia where they were bested 53-43 by the Bulldogs. “We just struggled i to score in the first quarter and the first half,” Webb said. “Our defense was solid. We were down 23-12 in the first half. The thing is we had a ton of opportunities and a ton ofmissed lay-ups that were really good looks^through our offense.” Webb said his guys are slowly coming around on the offensive end — knowing where they need to be on the court and trusting teammates. He’s looking for guys to havee an attacking mentality while still having the awareness to know where everybody is on the floor and where they’re supposed to be. The contest with Harper Creek tonight is the last of 2023 for the Saxons who will return from the holiday break Jan. 3 at Bath before getting into the meat of the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference schedule. DK boys finally fill the hoop in second half Brett Bremer Sports Editor When things went wrong, they went really wrong Friday. When they went right, they went really right. Delton Kellogg’s varsity boys’ basketball team picked up its first Southwestern Michi­ gan Athletic Conference Central Division win of the season by besting the visiting Black River River Rats at Delton Kellogg High School 50-36. The Panthers are now 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Delton Kellogg had a more than sev­ en-minute scoring drought that covered the final 4:21 of the first half and stretched through most ofthe first three minutes ofthe second half. Black River went most of the final five and a half minutes of the third quarter without scoring. At the end of all of that, the two teams were tied 31-31 heading into the fourth quar­ J ter and then the Panthers took off on a 1'9-5 run to close the game. Spanish exchange student Hugo Martino** had a team-high 14 points for Delton Kel--j logg, scoring 11 in the second half. Tyler Howland finished with 12 points for > DK and Grant McArthur had 11. “I’m starting to really like the fight in my guys,” Delton Kellogg head coach Jim Hogoboom said. “We did not play well in the first Cj half and I felt like all the 50/50 balls were*’ going to Black River. It was as pretty psychi- J cal game, and I’m not sure we were geared up K for that soon enough. The second halfwas a different story. Chad Stopher was a beast and 2 I thought Victor Gonzalez and Blake Lil- 3 libridge also brought much more energy to J the lane defensively in the second half. See PANTHERS, page 9 % thr Jd^ion°- st.e Wn!lor Landon Steward goes up for two points in the paint during his team's Hardin)°,nt arn),n Wlnn °Ver Vls*^n9 Hopkins Friday at Hastings High School. (Photo by Perry Hastings senior point guard Owen Carroll rises to the basket for two of his team-high 14 points against Hopkins Friday night at Hastings High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) yignt) and Tyler Howland force Black Rive?Tjosiah tey durin9 their SAC Central ballM game a Delton Kellogg High School Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) uenon r.ei.uggs rveegan h.ii p^0P �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 21, 2023 — Page 9 Second half struggles for DK continue Wl/I sm Delton Kellogg's Paytn Robinson pushes the attack forward for the Panthers during their SAC Central bailgame against Holland Black River at Delton Kellogg High School Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Things got away from the Delton Kellogg girls in the second halfFriday against visiting Holland Black River. The River Rats dropped the DK girls to 0-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Central Division with a 59-36 win.. Black River led byjust three at the start of the second half, 24-22, but quickly upped its lead to double figures in the third quarter. The Rats outscored DK 19-8 in the third quarter. That comes on the heels ofConstantine pull­ ing away with a 24-0 third-quarter run in Delton on Tuesday evening. “We have got issues coming out in the third quarter,” Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn said. “Maybe wejust stop taking halftime offandjust stay out on the court.” “They pressured us a little bit more and we. don’t handle pressure well.” DK had 26 turnovers on the night with 17 ofthem coming in the second half. The Panthers managed to find space to get Delton Kellogg guard Summer Ritchie knocks the ball away from Black River guard Melanie Alferink during their SAC Central bailgame at Delton Kellogg High School Friday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) some decent shots off, but too often rushed those shots. That combined with a few too many second-half turnovers did in the DK team. “We have to quit worrying about getting our shot blocked and shoot it. Go up strong and get to the free throw line,” Mohn said. “I don’t know how many free throws we shot. We have been shooting a lot of free throws this year. We shot 19, but we were 7-for-19 from the line.” “We’ve got some drills. We’ll get the pads out and pound on each other a little bit and maybe get used to getting some contact. Quit trying to shy away from it and start initiating it. I’d love to get an offensive foul, just once, I’d probably pass out and fall over,” Mohn added. “We’ve got a lot to work on.” With rebounds flying and turnovers the Rats’ attack did much of its damage on the scoreboard in transition. Delyla Martinez had 21 points to lead the Rats. She had 15 in the second half. Elia Sligh and Sydni Smith had 10 points each. Delton Kellogg did manage 11 offensive rebounds of its own, but even any second chances weren’t falling. Coach Mohn would still like to see his girls improve their efforts boxing out and controlling the glass. Addie Stampfler led Delton with 16 points and Josie Williams had 11. Coach Mike Mohn said the Panthers will do what they can to continue growing their basketball IQ throughout the winter. The Delton Kellogg girls are scheduled to visit Calhoun Christian tonight, Dec. 21, in the final bailgame before the holiday break. TK ladies beat Broncos to get to 5-0 Bretraretfier' J Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ basket­ ball head coach Brandi James wouldn’t mind her girls putting the pedal to the metal and saving her some stress. But there Isn’t mu6h elslT to complain’ about as her TK varsity girls* basketball team improved to 5-0 44-35 win over visiting Coo­ persville Monday evening in Middleville. The Trojans have won by an average of about seven points in their five ballgames DK boys Wy i l the hoop in Mi W j *’j£*i*d TK sophomore Tealy Cross fires a shot up in the space between a pair of Coopersville defenders during the second half of the Trojans' win over the visiting Broncos Monday in Middleville. The win moved the Trojans' record to 5-0 on the sea­ son. (Photo by Brett Bremer) this-season. James said shexpects tonight’s non-conference match up with Caledonia in Middleville to be her team’s toughest test so far. “That full-court press almost got us. We kind of fell into some complacency, which I didn’t love, but we held on,” James said after Monday night’s win over the Broncos. “Every one of our wins has been a battle so far and we’re 5-0, so I can’t be super mad at them, but I don’t love the complacent offense that we can lull ourselves into.” 1 There is a bit of a fine line bitween being patient and just being comfortable with the lead. The Trojans executed the fbrmer part to perfection coming out in the second halfand working the ball around, in and out of the Broncos’ zone for most of a minute before getting a great look at three thatjunior guard Emma Geukes buried to boost her team’s lead to double figures at 26-16. TK did push its lead up to 19 points midway through the third quarter before the Bulldogs started creeping back in. Coopersville did manage to trim that lead back down to nine points by the middle ofthe fourth quarter. “All ofour games have been close, because we get to this double digit mark and get com­ fortable and don’t look to blow it open. A blow open win would be very nice to have,” James said with a chuckle. She said the difference between being patient and being content shows when the offense starts to settle for passing the ball around the perimeter at the top rather than working the ball for paint touches and revers­ ing through the paint. “That was a big focus-for us in the second half. They play that 2-3 zone so we were look­ ing to play three of our people high with the high post and then attack the back side with a strong scorer in our baseline runner. Jordan Pranger was our baseline runner looking for gaps to score out of those. She was getting good opportunities when we found her.” Pranger had another stellar night scoring the basketball. She led TK with 14 points. Geukes found her stroke to finish with 13 PANTHERS, continued from page 8 DK led 20-18 midway through the second quarter before its long scoring drought. Black River led 25-20 at the half and eventually extended its lead to 28-20 in the third. The start of the second half offered some hope for DK, but the bounces just went Black River’s way a bit. McArthur and Torren Mapes had open three’s miss their mark. Stopher had a chance in the paint that wouldn’t fall, and the a put-back try bound out. McArthur and Mapes both had steals, that could have led to breakaway lay-ups just slip away from them. Mapes went skidding towards the stands on his belly as his chance got away and slapped the floor with both hands in disappointment. Finally, Keegan Hill got a ball to fall through the rim with 5:12 to go in the third and the lid was offthe bas­ ket. Hill had five points on the night, with another key bucket early in the fourth quarter. A three by Martino, with the help ofa little inside-out from Stopher in the post, got DK within 28-25. McAr­ thur put-back a miss to cut the DK deficit to one. Anoth­ er Martino bucket off another assist from Stopher put DK in front 31-28 with 2:24 to go in the third. Through all that, the Rats couldn’t buy a bucket. Jonah VanderMeer finally snapped his team’s skid with a three with 8 seconds to play in the third that tied the ballgame. “Tyler Howland continues to be so vital in running our offense, but his biggest contribution I thought came at halftime when he suggested we switch to a 2-3 zone,” Hogoboom said. “He felt that would help us on the boards and still allow us to get to their top guys we needed to keep in check. We don’t play much 2-3 zone, BRO f Freshman Reece Ritsema pushes ahead with the basketball forTK as Coopersville's Sylvia Sanford (5) and Emma Ruwersma (15) give chase in the back-court Monday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) points. Lydia Schilthroat and Tealy Cross had four points apiece. The bailgame with Caledonia will be the last ofthe 2023 slate for the TK ladies. They open OK Gold Conference play in Mid­ dleville Jan. 5 against Forest Hills Eastern. “The vibe ofthis team is one ofthe best I have had in a long time. They are very sup­ portive of one another,” James said. “Our bench energy is great. I don’t know that 5-0 has changed that. They came in knowing that we have good chances at every game that we’re in as long as we keep our mentality and stay focused and stay in the games. “For being as young as they are they’re very composed, but they’re very hungry. They want it really bad. We have different scorers who step up every game. It has been Jordan in most every game that we have had, but Geukes, and Tealy and Lydia have all had but we always ask our guys for their input and I’m real­ ly glad Tyler spoke up and shared his thoughts.” Martino upped his physicality as the night went on too, and was solid at the back ofthat zone in the sec­ ond half. He had a couple blocked shots early in the fourth quarter that helped DK start to take control. The Panthers had a couple more offensive rebounds turn into points. They eventually hit four of their last five free throws to put away the Rats. Julian Fowler led the Rats with 13 points. He was a load to deal with in the paint, but DK eventually figured things out. He hadjust three points on free throws in the second half. VanderMeer finished with 11 points. Josiah Thomas had six points on two first-halfthree’s for Black River. The Rats moved to 1 -4 on the year with the loss. The Panthers are scheduled to be at Calhoun Christian tonight and then will be offuntil returning to SAC play at Saugatuck Jan. 12. their hand at that too. It is nice to have wide, balanced scoring, and they have worked together long enough and they know they are talented, so they trust each other.” TK led 16-10 at the end ofthe first quarter. Geukes hit the first of two three’s in that opening period and Marlee Shuford knocked one down for TK too. Cross and Pranger both had two buckets in that first quarter. Coopersville got 13 points from senior Hunter Near and eight from senior Dannyka Johnson. The TK ladies got their fourth win last Friday, besting visiting Sparta 39-28. The Spartans had a 15-12 lead at the half, but the Trojans took off with a 15-2 third quarter run, holding Sparta without a field goal in that third quarter. Cross had 15 points and Geukes finished with 13. Geukes made four three’s in that win. HELP WANTED PART TIME Immediate opening for general plant work - looking for quick learner that can handle multiple tasks. Must have reliable transportation.No weekends. Send resume to Fred@J-adqraphics.com or stop by the Reminder office located at 1351 N. M-43 Highway. Or Call 269-945-9554 • , : i ’ , > �Page 10 — Thursday, December 21,2023 — The Hastings Banner STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY PROBATE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION/POST1NG AND NOTICE OF ACTION CASE NO. 2023-738-CH Court address: 220 E. Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1285 Plaintiff Yes Yankee Springs LLC d/b/a Yankee Springs Meadows 1330 N. Patterson Rd. Wayland, Ml 49348 (269) 795*2620 Plaintiff’s attorney Kevin P. Sutherland (P81681) John A. Vos (P38643) 234 N. Division Ave., Ste. 400 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616)333*2427 v Defendant Unknown Holders of Title to, or Interest In, Manufactured/Mobile Home (1996 Redman Millbrook, Serial #11253062 and currently located at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Ml, Barry County, 49348) TO: Defendants IT IS ORDERED; 1. You are being sued in this court by the plaintiff to have the Court declare Plaintiff owner of the above-refabove-ref­ erenced manufactured/mobile home. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in this court at the court address above on or before 1 -292024. If you fail to do so, a default judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the com­ plaint filed in this case. 22. A copy of this order shall be published once each week in the Hastings Banner for three consecutive weeks, and proof of publication shall be filed in this court. 3. The Barry County Sheriff or qualified court officer shall post a copy of this order In the courthouse, and at Hastings Public Library at 227 E. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and at Barry County Clerk’s Office at 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 for three continuous weeks and shall file proof of posting in this court. 4. A copy of this order shall be sent to Defendants named above at the last-known address by registered mail, return receipt requested, before the date of the last publication, and the affidavit of mailing shall be filed with this court. Date: Dec. 18,2023 Vicky L Alspaugh P48572 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY PROBATE NOTICE OF HEARING AND MOTION Court address: 220 E. Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1285 Plaintiff Yes Yankee Springs LLC d/b/a Yankee Springs Meadows 1330 N. Patterson Rd. Wayland, Ml 49348 (269)795-2620 - Plaintiff’s attorney Kevin P. Sutherland (P81681) John A. Vos (P38643) 234 N. Division Ave., Ste. 400 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616)333-2427 v Defendant Unknown Holders of Title to, or interest in, Manufactured/Mobile Home (1996 Redman Millbrook, Serial _ #11253062 and currently located at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Ml, Barry County, 49348) NOTICE OF HEARING 1. Motion title: for Entry of Order Declaring Owner­ ship of Manufactured/Mobile Home. 2. Moving party: Plaintiff Yes Yankee Springs LLC d/b/a Yankee Springs Meadows. 3. This matter has been placed on the motion cal­ endar for: Judge Vicky L Alspaugh P429721, Date: 3/16/2024, Time: 9:45 a.m., Court address, 220 W. State St, Hastings, Ml 49058. 4. If you require special accommodations to use the court because of disabilities, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements. MOTION Plaintiff seeks an order declaring Plaintiff owner of a manufactured/mobile home (9196 Redman Mill­ brook, serial #11253062) and currently located within Plaintiff’s manufactured/mobile home park and occupy­ ing Site 93 at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Michigan, Barry County, 49348, in order that Plaintiff may then apply to the Mich Dept of State for a title to the home. Those individuals last possessing and occupying the home have either died or vacated the home and lot site. Plaintiff has been unable to learn the identity of any current titleholder or lienholder despite inquires with the Mich Dept of State. Plaintiff incorporates by reference the contents of the attached Complaint as it contains additional facts and information as well as verification by Plaintiff. Date: 11-10-2023 John A. Vos (P38643) STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY PROBATE SUMMONS CASE NO. 738-CH Court address: 220 E. Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1285 Plaintiff Yes Yankee Springs LLC d/b/a Yankee Springs Meadows 1330 N. Patterson Rd. Wayland, Ml 49348 (269) 795-2620 Plaintiff’s attorney Kevin P. Sutherland (P81681) John A. Vos (P38643) 234 N. Division Ave., Ste. 400 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616)333-2427 v Defendant Unknown Holders of Title to, or interest in, in Manufactured/Moblle Home (1996 Redman Millbrook, Serial #11253062 and currently located at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Ml, Barry County, 49348) Civil Case There is no other pending or resolved civil action arising out of the same transaction or occurrence as alleged In the complaint SUMMONS NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT: In the name of the people of the State of Michigan you are notified: 1. You are being sued. 2.. YOU HAVE 21 DAYS a after errecevng receiving this ssummons and a copy of the complaint to file monsandacopyotecompantto eawrttenana written swer with the court and serve a copy on the other party or take other lawful action with the court (28 days If you were served by mail or you were served outside of Michigan). 3. If you do now answer or take other action within the time allowed, judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded In the complaint. 4. If you require accommodations to use the court because of a disability or If you require a foreign language interpreter to help you fully participate In court proceedings, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements. Date: 11/13/23; Expiration Date: 02/12/24; Court Clerk Kaylah Fyan Dep. 210352 legal notices NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) made by Donald Ribble and Donna Ribble. husband and wife, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated April 27,2006, and recorded on May 8,2006, Instrument No. 1164223, as modified by that certain mortgage modification recorded on May 1, 2007, Instrument No. 1179983, as further modified by that certain mortgage modification recorded on September 7, 2007, Instrument No. 20070907-0001797, and further modified by that mortgage modification recorded on November 3, 2008, Instrument No. 20081103-0010641, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated December 11, 2023, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and recorded December 12, 2023, Instrument No. 2023-009535, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage is $65,151.12 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage as stated above, plus interest on the amount due at the rate of 5.875% per annum; all legal costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in the Township of Orangeville, County of Barry, State of Michigan described more fully as: LOT 63, CHATEAU PARK NO. 2, SECTION 5, TOWN 2 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. Tax Identification Number: 80-11-060-063-00 Commonly known as: 11575 Winchester Drive, Shelbyville, Ml, 49344 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned aqd.then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. December 12, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 530 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 (12-21)(01-18) 210153 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 18, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Douglas M. Dunham, & Kathleen J. Dunham, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Flagstar Bank, FSB Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF2 ACQUISITION TRUST Date of Mortgage: March 23,2001 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 1,2001 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $88,057.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated In Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 4, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE WESTERLY 440 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 4; THENCE NORTHERLY 405.0 FEET; THENCE EASTERLY 444.0 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF SECTION 4; THENCE SOUTHERLY 405.0 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Common street address (If any): 1967 E Brown Rd, Freeport, Ml 49325-9627 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, If the subject real property is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: December 21,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1517883 (12-21X01-11) 210160 , Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated In thia notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, a at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the c1ircuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 11. 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jerry L. Plank III, a single man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Guaranteed Rate, Inc., Its successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated June 4, 2019 and recorded June 14, 2019 in Instrument Number 2019-005699 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Guaranteed Rate, Inc., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Six Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Four and 64/100 Dollars ($106,744.64). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 11,2024. Said premises are located in the Village of Freeport, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Parcel 1 :Lot 4, Block 10, Village of Freeport, being part of Section 1, Town 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan.Parcel 2: Part of Lots 5 and 6, Block 10, Village of Freeport, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan described as: Commencing at the Southwest comer of Lot 6, Block 10, Village of Freeport as laid out and replatted by Samuel Roush's Addition; thence North on the West lot line of said Lot 6, 75.0 feet, to the point of beginning; thence East, 66.28 feet, parallel with the South line of Lot 6, to a point 75.0 feet North of the Southeast comer of said Lot 6 and the East lot line of Lot 6; thence North 51.80 feet, along said East lot line, to the Northeast comer of said Lot 6 and the South line of platted 10 foot wide alley; thence West, 66.19 feet, along the North line of said Lot 6 and the South line of said alley; thence continuing West along the South line of said alley and the North line of said Lot 5,66.18 feet, to the West line of Lot 5, Block 10; thence South on said West line 15.0 feet; thence East, 66.18 feet; parallel with the North line of said Lot 5, to the West line of Lot 6; thence South 36.93 feet, along the West line of said Lot 6, to a point 75.0 feet North of the Southwest comer of said Lot 6 and the point of beginning. 106 Cherry St, Freeport, Michigan 49325 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance' with, MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale orto the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 14,2023 Ale No. 23-013751 Firm Name: Orlans PC ’ Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Arm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-14)(01-04) 210002 NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF BARFtY COUNTY Notice is hereby given that the Barry County Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing for the following: Case Number V-1-2024 Douglas Keast (Applicant); Douglas & Jeanlne Keast (Property Owner) Location: 4961 Thomapple Lake Rd Nashville Ml 49073 Section 25 Hastings Township Purpose: Request a variance to construct a 40 x 40 accessory building with a front yard setback of 27 ft (the minimum is 50 ft) in the RR (Rural Resi­ dential) zoning district. 1 Case Number V-2-2024 David & Sue Mugridge (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 3943 Grange Rd Middleville Ml 49333 Section 34 Irving Township Purpose: Request a variance to construct and allow a shared drive up to 900 ft in length to serve 3 parcels (the maximunftength is 300 ft) in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district. Case Number V-3-202 - David Rapelje (Applicant/Property Owner) Location: 349 Clear Lake Rd Dowling Ml 49050 Section 33 Baltimore Township Purpose: Request a variance to construct a 10 x 36 garage addition that will have a 15 ft rear yard setback (the minimum is 20 ft) in the RL (Recre­ ational Lake) zoning district. MEETING PATF January 8, 2024. UME: 7:00 PM. PLACE; Tyden Center Community Room, 121 South Church Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 Site Inspections of the above described property will be completed by the Zoning Board of Appeals members before the hearing. Interested persons desiring to present their views upon an appeal, either verbally or in writing, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. Alny written response may be mailed to the address listed below, faxed to (269) 948-4820, or emailed to Barry County Planning Director James McManus at imcmanus^barrycounty^rg. The variance application is available for public Inspection at the Barry County Planning Department, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please call the Barry County Planning Department at (269) 945-1290 for further Information. The County of Barry will provide necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the County of Barry. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Barry by writing or calling the following: Michael Brown, County Administrator, 220 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, (269)) 945-1284. Cynthia L. White, Barry County Clerk 210263 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 11,2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Mark Harden, A Married Man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: December 28, 2016 Recorded on December 29,2016, In Document No. 2017-000403, Foreclosing Assignee (If any): NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-Three and 13/100 Dollars ($100,323.13) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: THE WEST 600.00 FEET OF THE FOLLOWING: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE OF SECTION 4, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, CASTLETON TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH, 176.00 FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE NORTH 440.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, ALONG SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE TO A POINT DISTANT SOUTH, 1056.04 FEET FROM THE CENTER POST OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE EAST, 1320.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, PARALLEL WITH THE EAST AND WEST 1/4 UNE OF SAID SECTION 4: THENCE SOUTH, 440.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, ALONG THE EAST 1/8 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE WEST, 1320.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH 1/8 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4 TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1262 N Coviile Rd, Woodland, Ml 48897 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1516989 (12-07)(12-28) 209775 IM FORECLOSURE NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact theattorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that thefollowing mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of1 the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 01:00 PM/ January 11,2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the' highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the, property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title’ insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in? the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Mark* Jankovic and Rebecca Jankovic, Husband And, Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. acting solely as a nominee for Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank and Trust Co., N.A., Mortgagee, dated December 8, 2021*,: and recorded on December 14,2021, as Document* Number: 2021-015409, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A^ by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 19,' 2023 and recorded October 26, 2023 by Document Number: 2023-008463, on which mortgage there is daimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Fifty Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Six and 67/100 ($150,166.67) induding interest at the rate of 2.62500% per annum. Said premises are situated in the City of HASTINGS, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 1192 Of The City, Formerly Village Of Hastingsr According To The Recorded Plat Thereof, Barry County, Michigan Commonly known as: 537 WEST, CLINTON STREET, HASTINGS, Ml 49058 If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property i$ determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower(s) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during' the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest Dated: November 30,2023 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 4325? Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, Ml 48302, (248) 335-9200 Hours: 9.00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Case No. 23MI00848-1 (11-30)(12-21) 209270 MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner: if you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Matthew C. Lumbert, a married man, (“Mortgagor”), gave a mortgage to Member First Mortgage, LLC, (“Mortgagee"), dated September 3, 2019, and recorded on September 13, 2019, in Document No. 2019-008859, Barry County Records, Michigan. On the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of One Hundred Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Six 02/100 Dollars ($119,896.02) plus accrued interest at 4.0% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Said premises are situated in the Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the Southwest comer, Section 28, Town 4 North, Range 7 West; thence East 635 feet along Section line; thence North perpendicular with Section line 125 feet to point of beginning; thence South 125 feet, thence West 395 feet along Section line; thence North 200 feet; thence East 325 feet; thence Southeast 103 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly: 7065 Davenport Road Woodland, Ml 48897-Tax ld#15-028-300-06 The redemptton period shall be six months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, In which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service* property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 7, 2023 Member First Mortgage LLC, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 ( 248)352-4340 and then pursuant to the time frames provided fort in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278(9 member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act, of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the, following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the' sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information,; Mortgage (the “Mortgage”) made by Donald Ribble and Donna Ribble, husband and wife, as. Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated October 14, 2005, and recorded on October 25, 2005, Instrument No. 1155100, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking' corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated December 11, 2023, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and recorded December 12, 2023, Instrument No. 2023­ 009534, all as recorded in Barry County Records,. Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on thq* Mortgage is $61,326.70 at the time of this Notice*? The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no sui£ or proceeding at law or In equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or an£ part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the” sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage* as stated above, plus interest on the amount du^ at the rate of 6.875% per annum; all legal costs; and expenses, including attorney’s fees allowed by* law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee? to protect its interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in the Township of Orangeville, County ofi Barry, State of Michigan described more fully as? LOT 13, CHATEAU PARK NO. 1, ORANGEVILL® TOWNSHIP. BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN^ SUBJECT TO EASEMENTSAND RESTRICTIONS^ OF RECORD. ID No. 08-11-055-005-3(1* Mortgagor will be held responsible to the persoip who buys ys the property at the mortgage foreclosure* sale or tto the mortgage holder for damaging the* property during the redemption period. December 12,2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN. Mortgagee; PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L BAKER (P49960$; Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW, Sult^ 530 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624J (12-07)(12-28) 209613 Tax Commonly known address: 11717 Chateau Courts Shelbyville, Ml, 49344 The redemption period shaiT be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant* to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned (12-21)(01-18) 21015$ W Y talW) I® B Yimvmat ■>■■■■■ biMpMMM �The Hastings Banner — Thursday. December 21, 2023 — Page 11 Lions win two flights at Jesse Snow invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor There wasn’t a lot oftime in between. Maple Valley junior Robert Schilz was shocked to be called to the center ofthe mat before championship round introductions to receive the Sportsmanship Award at the Lions’ own annual Jesse Snow Memorial Invitational Saturday at Maple Valley High School. J Soon after he found himselfin the unenvi­ able position of being stuck in a Saxons’ headlock. Somehow Schilz managed to squirm free from Hastings’ Henry Elzinga dnd go on to an 8-3 victory to win the 144jiound weight class. [ “I just scrambled,” Schilz said. “I scram­ bled and tried to pry the arm. I thought I was done right there to be honest with you. I was like, oh no, oh no, oh no. Adrenaline kicked ip. I don’t know what I did.” j Schilz had Elzinga on his back for a bit in Maple Valley sophomore Jackson Burpee looks to his comer for assistance as he die first period oftheir final round bout and works to try and turn Lakewood 190-pounder Carter Stewart during their final match had a 6-1 lead going into the third period. Saturday at the Lions1 annual Jesse Snow Memorial Tournament. (Photo by Brett Elzinga managed to score a reversal and get Bremer) ^chilz down in a headlock momentarily. f The win gave Schilz his first high school and then finished offhis day with a 23-7 win first first place in all ofhigh school.” tournament championship in his third varsi­ ty season. He’s been wrestling since he was five, over Lakewood’s Carter Stewart. Portage Northern won the tournament with I Maple Valley also had sophomore started working with the high school team as f90-pounder Jackson Burpee win a flight title a manager in sixth grade and last won a tour­ 147 points. The Hastings ‘B’ team was sec­ ond with 112 points ahead of Maple Valley Saturday while Dakota Osenbaugh at 150 nament when he was an eighth grader. 98.5, Battle Creek Lakeview 95.5, Lakewood pounds and Joe Long at 285 pounds were “It is just so much more thrilling [on the third and Tyrese Robinson at 165 pounds varsity],” Schilz said. “This is the big leagues. ‘B’ 91, Athens 62 and Colon 12. Kikendall had a pair of pins to start his day, placed fourth. Lion teammates Jayden KikenI just won a big leagues tournament.” dall and Noah Lucas were second and fourth Schilz was 3-0 on the day with a pin of his first two wins, and Schilz was pretty pumped about that. L respectively in a 285-pound B bracket. Portage Northern’s Abdul Rahamn Ghuzlan . “I was not expecting it at all,” Schilz said and an 8-2 win over Lakewood’s Bryce “I just thought that was amazing,” Schilz of winning the tournament’s sportsmanship Goodemoot. said. “I think that is the happiest I’ve ever award. “When they called my name I was so Burpee was also 3-0 to win the 190-pound seen him actually. He won his first high confused. I thought they called the wrong bracket. He pinned Lakewood’s Owen school match and he was so happy. I love persona. I am really excited I won. This is my Prowdley and Portage Northern’s Tyler Henry seeing that.” t ssji'.**: DK team third, with three champs, at Eau Claire tourney t Brett Bremer Sports Editor •• The Delton Kellogg varsity wrestling team placed third at Eau Claire’s Burton Richards Memorial tournament Saturday. Decatur was tops in a field of 20 teams with a score of 230 points ahead of Gobles h75, Delton Kellogg 119, Eau Claire 117, Buchanan 105, Centreville 80, Hartford 77, Brandywine 73, Watervliet 61 and River Valley 59 in the top ten. Gauge Stampfler, Griflyn Harmon and Mitchell Swift took individual champion- "***4 S; •‘U.S* ships for the Delton Kellogg team. where wherehe hestuck stuckGalesburg-Augusta Galesburg-Augusta ’s’sDomi Domi­ nic Corsi in 48 seconds1. Swift got to the 285-pound final with a pair of pins and then outscored Decatur’s Tucker Tack scored a fourth-place finish Tanner Shugars 6-3 in the championship for DK at 144 pounds going 4-2 on the day. match at their flight. He had three pins and also a big 2-1 win in a Stampfler opened with two pins too in consolation semifinal' match with Eau the 132-pound weight class. He took a Claire’s Ulysses Perez-Martinez. 9-1 major decision over Angel GuzmaDelton Kellogg took a 66-18 win in a dual jn-Valle in the semifinals and then topped with Fennville. Brandywine’s Kaiden Rieth 7-3 in the Swift, TJ Wright, Gorban Antolovich, finals. Olivia Post, Harmon, Mendon Phillips and At 138 ponds, Harmon pinned all three of Cooper Conrad had pins in that dual and DK his foes. The fastest pin came in the finals picked up three forfeit victories. LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 25,2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Andrew Richardson, a single male Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: January 28, 2015 Recorded on February 10, 2015, in Document No. 2015-001119, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Fifty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Four and 70/100 Dollars ($57,804.70) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING ON THE NORTH SECTION LINE OF SECTION 1, T2N, R9W, AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAGER ROAD AND CEDAR CREEK ROAD FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST ON SAID SECTION LINE 500 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 308 FEET; THENCE EAST 500 FEET TO THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD 308 FEETTOTHE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1475 W Sager Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 month from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman P.C. 23938 Research Dr, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1518275 (12-21)(01-11) LHS still perfgct in league, wins five at Williamston WWBItaiWIii.jjiii Iii.jjiii 16 i 1S61H 3 KI >1tte *‘’*15*’*** Brett Bremer . Sports Editor The Lakewood varsity wrestling team is now 15-1 in duals this season after scoring a pair of wins at the Dec. 13 East Lansing Quad, two at its own home CAAC Quad Tuesday, Dec. 19, and five wins at the John­ son Monette Duals hosted by Williamston Saturday, Dec. 16. « The Vikings improved to 3-0 in Capital Area Activities Conference White Division duals by outscoring Ionia 55-21 last Wednes­ day and then beating Charlotte 64-13 Tues­ day night. Bryson Boucher, Vincent Risk, Owen frowdley, Levi Frizzell, Simon, Jaden Mansart and Vincent Stamm had pins for the Vikings in the dual with Ionia. Daniel Krebs scored a major decision at 144 pounds and Lakewood also got a win from Lydon Rogers at 157. Kade Boucher added a forfeit win for the Vikings. * In the match-up with Waverly last Wednes­ day, Lakewood got pins from Bryson Boucher, Risk, Manhart and Stamm. Krebs and Chris Webb both scored technical falls and Rogers pulled out a 3-1 win at 157 over Waverly’s ^lexis Reyes Pillar. Camden Wright took a forfeit victory for the Vikings in that dual. Lakewood won by the score of 51-21. t The Vikings beat Charlotte Tuesday with pins from Bryson Boucher, Camden Wright, Stamm, Manhart, Joel Simon, Calder Villan- ueva, Risk and Webb. The Vikings also got a major decision from Eric Bartlett at 120 pounds and forfeit wins from Adrian Oaks at 113 and Frizzell at 190. In a 63-15 over Lansing Eastern Tuesday, Lakewood got pins from Bryson Boucher, Bartlett, Stamm, Manhart, Simon, Frizzell, Risk and Rogers. Villanueva won a 10-8 deci­ sion at 175 pounds, and Webb and Oaks tacked on forfeit victories. The Vikings’ closest dual ofthe day in Wil­ liamston Saturday was against Reeths-Puffer, who the Vikings edged out 38-37. Lakewood defeated Durand 48-27, Madi­ son 40-32, Swan Valley 54-21 and William­ ston 44-25. The Reeths-Puffer Rockets held a 37-20 lead with three bouts to go in their dual with the Vikings after a forfeit win at 126 pounds and a pin from Ian Cook at 132. None of the pins the Vikings* needed to pull in front came easy. Lakewood’s go-ahead surge started with Bryson Boucher pinning Hunter Eek with 14 seconds left on the clock in the second period oftheir 138-pound bout. Krebs s tuck Cory Judd with 33 seconds left in the second period oftheir 144-pound bout. Webb sealed the victory for Lakewood by pinning Bryce Muskovin 1:01 into the third period oftheir 150-pound match. Webb had a 10-1 lead going into the third period with Muskovin and had the Rockets’ 150-pounder on his back for three nearfall points late 210294 Hastings Charter Township Schedule of Regular Board Meetings for 2024 January 9 February 13 March 12 April 9 May 14 June 11 July 9 August 13 September 10 @ CP October 8 November 12 December 10 TIME: 6:30 PM PLACE: Hastings Charter Township Hall 885 River Road, Hastings, MI 49058 Ph. 269-948-9690 @ CP meeting will be held in the historic Township Hall at Charlton Park Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the township clerk at least seven (7) days in advance ofthe meeting. This notice posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA41.72a (2)(3) and with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). in that second period. Muskovin got the initial take down of the third period, after choosing to start in the neutral position, but Webb got out ofthat and soon put him to his back for the pin. Lakewood also got a pin from Eric Bartlett at 113 pounds and Stamm at 120 in that dual. Joel Simon pulled out a 6-1 decision in his 285-pound bout with the Rockets’ Nathan Stafford. Lakewood’s other victory in the dual with a 19-2 technical fall from Risk in the 175pound bout. STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY. NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 23-29674-DE Date: 12/11/23 Robert J. Longstreet P53546 607 North Broadway Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 945-3495 The Barry County Road Commission will hold a Public Hearing on its proposed 2024 Budget. The hearing will be held at the Commission Room located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings, Michigan at 7:35 A.M. on December 29, 2023. A copy of the proposed budget is available for inspection at the Road Commission office. SYNOPSIS Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting December 12,2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. All board members present Approved consent agenda items 2024 Budget approved 2024 meeting dates set 2023 budget amended Approved payment of bills Dept, reports received and put on file Motion to adjourn 7:55 pm Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown - Supervisor 210293 NOTICE OF ACTION AS TO DEFENDANTS ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, OR ASSIGNEES OF LOIS MYERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there is presently pending in the 5th Circuit Court, State of Michigan, an action between Plaintiff Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust HB8, and Defendants Any and All Unknown Heirs, Devisees, or Assignees Lois Myers, et al; Case No. 23-745-CH, involving the property commonly known as 170 Akkers Away, Hastings, Ml 49058, You are being .sued by Plaintiff ln_an action seeking the determination- of interest in feal the related mobile home. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in the 5th Circuit Court located at 220 W State St. Hastings, Ml 49058 within twenty-eight (28) days after the date of this notice. You may contact and serve a copy of any answer on Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C., Attn: Laura Hawley, 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300, Farmington Hills, Ml 48335. Failure to answer within time frame by law may result in a default judgment being entered against your interests in the Property. 1517666 (12-14)(12-28) 210066 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29677-DE William M. Doherty Court Address: 206 W. Court, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Kevin Earl Lawson. Date of birth: 9-6­ 1968. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Kevin Earl Lawson, died 9-10-2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Melinda Enano Lawson 10360 Guy Rd., Nashville,Ml 49073, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: Nov. 13,2023 Michael J. McPhillips P33715 121 West Apple Street, Suite 101 Hastings, Michigan 49058 269-945-3512 Melinda Enano Lawson 10360 Guy Road ' Nashville, Michigan 49073 517-588-8238 210265 210356 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT BARRY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent's Estate CASE NO. and JUDGE 23-29680-DE Court Address: 206 W. Court St., Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court Telephone No.: 269-945-1390 Estate of Paul Martin Czub, Jr.. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Paul Martin Czub, Jr., died 11/20/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Adam Czub, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St.,Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: 12/20/23 Leo F. Madarang P77360 230 Kent St. Portland, Ml 48875 517-647-7873 Adam Czub 1700 Laurel Ave. Eau Claire, Wl 54701 763-472-9057 s Barry County Road Commission 210148 Estate of Linda Jean Garrison, Deceased. Date of birth: 08/30/1941. TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Linda Jean Garrison, died 09/28/2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Julie L. Garrison, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St.,Ste. 302, Hastings, Ml 49058 and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Julie L. Garrison 7000 Northland Drive NE Rockford, Michigan 49341 (269) 908-8272 210354 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 11, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Kathleen A. Courtney, an unmarried woman Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for lender and lender’s successors and/or assigns Foreclosing Assignee (if any): PNC Bank, National Association Date of Mortgage: September 27,2013 Date of Mortgage Recording: November 4,2013 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $32,482.70 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in City of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: Lot 6 and 7 of Block 12 of Daniel Striker’s Addition to the City of Hastings, Michigan, according to the recorded plat thereof excepting therefrom the North 45 feet of Lots 6 and 7. Common street address (if any): 701 N Michigan Ave, Hastings, Ml 49058-1425 The redemption period shall be 1 year from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale orto the mortgage holderfor damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice is from a debt collector. Date of notice: November 30, 2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248)642-2515 1516199 (11-30)(12-21) 209314 Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 Eitsin ess Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. ___________ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. 210353 METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.’’ Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. : �Pane 12 — Thursday. December 21.2023 — The Hastings Banner The Hastings varsity wrestling team celebrates its championship at the Coca-Cola Classic after going a perfect 5-0 in duals on the day. t. esan Saxon grapplers perfect in five duals in Mt. Pleasant , ; * _ The Hastings varsity wrestling team took the championship at the Mt. Pleasant Coca-Cola Classic Saturday. Saxon junior state medalist Isaac Friddle scored his 1001*1 varsity victory during the Saxons’ fourth dual ofthe day, a 70-11 victory over Charlotte. Friddle was one ofeight Saxons who were undefeated individually on the day, joined by Troy Hokanson, Jordan Humphrey, Colton Smith, Keegan Sutfin, Haiden Simmet, Aden Armstrong and Bailey Miller. The closest match ofthe day was a 37-29 win over Clare. The Saxons also took a 66-12 win over Shepherd, a 59-24 win over Mt. Pleasant, a 69-9 win over Montabella. Colten Denton and Preston Meece were both 4-1 on the day for the Saxons. The Saxon program had a busy weekend with the ‘B’ team placing second at Maple Valley’s Jesse Snow Memorial Invitational with Henry Elzinga, Preston Humphrey and Reese Hammond scoring individual run­ ner-up finishes. Last Wednesday, Dec. 13, the Saxons opened the season ofInterstate-8 Athletic Con­ ference duals with a 72-12 win over Penn field. Humphrey, Hokanson, Quintin Schnere, Ivan Perez, Denton, Smith, Meece, Arm­ strong, Matthew Shults, Kyle Echtinaw, Friddle and Diego Coipel won matches for the Saxons in the dual. The Hastings vatelty girls* wrestling team celebrates its championship at the Don Ferguson Girls Wrestling Invitational hosted by Grayling High School Saturday. Saxon ladies make it two tourney wins in two tries Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Hastings varsity girls’ wrestling team made it two tournament victories in two tries as it took the title Saturday at the Don Fergu­ son Girls Wrestling Invitational hosted by Grayling High School. The Saxon team finished tops in a field of girls from 20 teams on the day with 216 points. Whittemore-Prescott was second with 203 points. Standish-Sterling was a distant third with 142 points, Gladwin fourth with 92 points and Tawas Area fifth with 72 points. Olivia Friddle at 140 pounds, Jordan Milanowski at 145 and Sophia Sunior at 190 Hastings junior Isaac Friddle cele­ brates his 100th varsity wrestling victory after a win at the Mt. Pleasant Coca-Cola Classic Saturday afternoon. Friddle fin­ ished the day with 101 wins so far. Trojans in the middle of big conference shake-up Brett Bremer Sports Editor There is a new plan for the Trojans’ future in the OKfConference. The OK Conference will have separate conferences for football and for all other sports beginning with the 2024-25 school year. The Thomapple Kellogg High School athletic teams will continue on in the OK Gold Conference in all sports other than football,joined current league-mates South Christian and Wayland while being joined by Grand Rapids Union, Wyoming, North­ view and West Catholic. In football the Trojans will be included in the OK Black Conference with current OK Gold Conference members Ottawa Hills and Grand Rapids Catholic Central along with Northview, Holland Christian and East Grand Rapids. The OK plan for 2024-25 realignment was thrown into chaos this fall when Allen­ dale, Cedar Springs, Coopersville, Green­ ville, Kenowa Hills, Lowell and Sparta announced they’d be leaving the OK Con- ference to form the River Cities Alliance. Those schools had issues with travel, the consistent realignments limiting rivalries and issues with OK Conference set-ups placing schools with different sports offer­ ings at the different levels causing schedul­ ing headaches. The original plan for 2024-25 realign­ ment, before the seven schools announced their official departure from the conference in October, had the Trojans a part of the OK Gold Conference along with Holland, Forest Hills Eastern, Hamilton, Holland Christian, Unity Christian, South Christian and Wayland in all sports. At least one competition will remain intact in the OK Conference. The OK Red will continue as is in football with Rock­ ford, Caledonia, Grand Haven, Jenison, East Kentwood, West Ottawa, Hudson­ ville and Grandville rolling on as an eight­ team conference. In all other sports, Jeni­ son and Caledonia are making the move into the OK Green Conference joined by Byron Center, Mona Shores, Reeths-Puffer and Muskegon. pounds all won flight championships for the Saxons. Sunior had three quick pins in her three matches, the longest of which lasted 41 seconds. Milanowski had four pins. She stuck Aeronna Walther from Standish-Sterling 90 seconds into their championship match at 145 pounds. The Saxon team also had Maddie Chipman and Skylar Fenstamaker place second, and Dez Mathis, Bella Friddle and Naomi Grum­ met place third. Maya Fleming and Jade Cheron were fourth at their weight class and Olivia Goodrich, Onilee Bolo, Kathrine Bercier and Eva Row­ ley also scored points for the Saxon team. The Hastings girls also finished with the j most points at the Dec. 8 East Jackson Girls i Invitational. There were 39 schools represented there ; and Hastings outscored Montague 132-116 at I the top ofthe standings with the largest con-' ‘ j tingent ofwrestlers from any school. Mathis won the 125-pound weight class : with a pin ofAllen Park’s Adeline Tuccini the championship match and teammate Kath- S erine Bercier won the 125-pound B bracket Bella Friddle won the title at 130 pounds by ’1 pinning Thomapple Kellogg’s Rylee Alberts JI in the final. Herder and Lipsey champs at Scotch Doubles tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ally Herder and Miles Lipsey combined to take the championship in a field of 29 male/ female duos at the Marshall Scotch Doubles Tournament at Marshall Lanes Saturday. It was the first tournament of the season for the Hastings varsity bowling teams. The Herder/Lipsey team outscored the top duo from Coldwater 164-154 in the champi­ onship match at the tournament which includ­ ed four qualifying games followed by an eight-team, match-play bracket. Herder and Lipsey were third in the quali­ fying with a 696 total through the four-game series. They knocked offthe sixth-place team from Coldwater with a 165 in the opening round of bracket play and then beat the top Marshall team 144-13,5 in the semifinal round. Deagan Wilkins and Mya Norman teamed up for Hastings and just missed the bracket play with a tenth-place qualifying perfor­ mance. The Saxons also had Austin Henman and Kaylin Schild place 18^, Kass Harton and Hunter Pennington place 23, Zach Ramey and Megan Ramey place 24t“. Wilkins and Norman had an impressive high game of224. Hastings will return to action Sunday, Jan. 7, at the Battle of the Bakers tournament at M66 Bowl in Battle Creek. Saxon teammates Miles Lipsey (left) and Ally Herder celebrate their victory at the Marshall Scotch Doubles Tournament Saturday at Marshall Lanes. Bulldogs pull away from | HHS girls in fourth quarter jmber 24 - Christmas Eve Service.! ding.a ^KithytheYoungiPeqple lelight Service (including a Visit from rom andGifts for the Young People urch is located in the Heart o stings for a Purpose! “We Feed People” 209 West Green Street, Hastings ice. or 269494 4 Brett Bremer Sports Editor A three by Rachael Hewitt was. the only bucket for the Saxons as they were bested by visiting Ionia 49-37 Tuesday night at Hastings High School. The Bulldogs held a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and outscored the Saxons 13-3 the rest ofthe way. “We played well. We turned them over. We only had six first half turnovers,” Hastings head coach Chase Youngs said. “I thought we played as good of a game as we have had.” The Hastings varsity girls’ basketball team is now 0-4 overall this season and in three ofthose four loss­ es they’ve been right in things or even ahead in the fourth quarter. “We had a couple go in and out. That’s basketball,” Youngs said. “That’s why they play the game. The nice thing about about basketball is that we have one night to practice and then we’re right back at it.” The Saxons* face Interstate-8 Athletic Conference foe Harper Creek at Hastings High School tonight, Dec. 21. “Myah Vincent a couple big hustle plays,” Youngs said of Tuesday night’s ballgame. “One she went flying offand ended eight rows up in the stands. Vic­ toria Tack goes head first into a loose ball to get it... the effort is there. Girls are playing for each other. They’re supportive. It’s going to come. I told them, ‘I don’t know ifthere is a harder working 0-4 team in the state ofMichigan. “At this level, they count wins. You keep score fo® a reason.” Hastings did have a good number of girls scoi® Tuesday, seven, but they didn’t score big numbersS Hewitt led the way with 11 points. She hit two three in the second half. Coach Youngs was happy to see a few girls knoc® down shots from behind the arc. Hastings hit five three’s in the second half and eight in the ballg with five different girls hitting a triple. Bri Darli and Amber Fenstemaker both buried two and finish with six points each. Olivia Friddle had nine poin for the Saxons. Darling and Friddle both fouled out ofthe gam® in the fourth quarter, which slowed the Saxon attack, a bit. [The Bulldogs] hit their free throws down the line and we went cold,” Youngs said. “I am saddened fdff the girls. Last night was an example of they workhard and then a couple things here and there turns turns® two-point game into an eight-point game, and we’re not prolific enough to come back in two minut down eight. I think there are a lot of positives that happens® 1 hey re a group ofgirls thatt are coachable. We (Jp® rect things one day to the next and it is evident we’re working on stuff.” Ionia was pOwered by 19 pojnts from J and 14 from Logan Thomas. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/19/838/TheHastingsBanner_2023-12-28.pdf eb7dfb1350119965b717971c0b4c545c PDF Text Text City splits COVID funds between two projects See story on Giving Just impo after the ■holidays See story on page 8 vciop '"-CA^LOT-OO^ OO.^ Richard Hemerling 42lNTaffeeDr Hastings Ml 49058-1 by besting Scots Devoted to the Interests ofBarry County Since 1856 Ijf 7/30/2024 9-25;ffl| ANNER Hastings VOLUME 169, No. 52 Thursday, December 28, 2023 PRICE $1.50 A look back at the most pivotal headlines of 2023 Hastings Banner Staff' In 2023, Barry County dug in - both figu­ ratively and, in some cases, literally. The past year of news coverage here in the county largely focused on major projects that kicked off within the last 12 months and will either address pressing issues or prove to be transformational in their own right. For starters, residents saw a groundbreak­ ing ceremony for Tyden Lofts in Hastings, a large workforce housing development that will start to chip away at the crippling hous­ ing shortage the county has encountered. In addition to Tyden Lofts, plans for other hous­ ing projects have been laid, including anoth­ er sizable development slated for the former Royal Coach site in Hastings. The Barry County Board of Commission­ ers, the county’s Commission on Aging (COA) and the county-run Thomapple Manor have dug in to address what is easily the most nagging need tethered to the COA - its aging and deteriorating facility. The collaboration between Thomapple Manor and the COA will create the opportunity for a new facility on the northeast outskirts of the city, which will transform how the COA operates and serves area seniors. When it comes to projects to address a nagging need, a new Barry County Jail is certainly at, or near, the top of that list. While no firm plans have emerged for constructing a new jail, the last of Barry County’s Ameri­ can Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were earmarked for such a purpose, which poten­ tially foreshadows an upcoming year whore a solution to this problem might finally come into the focus. The YMCA of Barry County kicked off renovations and is raising funds for a transfor­ mational project of its own. After purchasing a county-owned building and land near its home base on Algonquin Lake, the YMCA is poised to expand its child care and day camp services, while moving its administrative offices. The Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development continued to stay busy with a flurry of economic develop­ ment programs and initiatives - putting its thumb on the needs of the county and prob­ ing for solutions. Likewise, a grassroots group, dubbed Revitalize Delton, cropped up in the Delton, focused on addressing and meeting the problems that have stifled popu­ lation growth in that area. While this long list of transformational projects didn’t necessarily come to fruition in 2023, it lays the groundwork for an interest­ ing next year or two where these new ameni­ ties will be available to the county. Inside, we have a complete rundown of a newsy year in Barry County. Barry County A Year in Review Jail green energy projects some of top concerns for county board heading into new year , 2023. (File photos) lastyear to celebrate the coming of Hastings to host 14th annual New Year’s Eve celebration For a fourteenth year, Hastings will play host to a New Year’s Eve community cele­ bration. The event, which gives partygoers an Alternative to New Year’s events in far­ away cities, will be centered at the inter­ section of State and Jefferson streets and kicks off at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Much like with celebrations in larger cities like Los Angeles and New York, the night will conclude with a ball drop and light show. ; The new year will be ushered in with live music, dancing, street performers, face painting, prizes, hot chocolate, food and many options to stay warm, including a fire pit and warming tents. DJ Jon Anderson will host the night of celebration which features a special performance by local musician Zach Franklin. The ball will drop at midnight, followed by a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne.” Those who missed a ride on the Holly Trolley before Christmas will have another opportunity throughout the event. The Tirolley will run between the Hastings HolTrolley Hol­ iday Irin Express and downtown Hastings half hour between 8:30 p.m. and 2.30 a.m., giving New Year’s Eve party­ goers a safe transportation option. leaders can learn more about Hastings’s New Year’s Eve celebration in this weekweek­ end s Reminder, New Year’s Eve in Downtown Hastings 9 p.m.; Dec. 31 A family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration featuring live music, midnight countdown, ball drop; warming tents and more. Jayson Bussa Editor Dave Jackson often says that he maintains an ever-changing to-do list when it comes to his work on the Barry County Board of Com­ missioners. One item has hung near the top of that last for years. “We will solve it - I’m confident we will solve it,” said Jackson, who serves as the board’s chairman. The issue has dogged the county and its government for well over a decade: Design­ ing and constructing a new Barry County Jail and Sheriff’s Office to replace the old, out­ dated facility that currently sits on 1212 W. State Street in Hastings. At the county board’s final meeting of the year last week, Jackson instructed each of the seven other commissioners to take inventory of the pressing needs of their respective dis­ tricts so that the group can begin to dig into them during the coming year. In an interview with the Banner, Jackson spoke about some of the focuses for 2024, which could also potentially be the final year with this roster of commissioners as an elec­ tion looms ahead. The jail, an issue that senior-most com­ missioners on the board are likely tired of seeing go unresolved, is one of those pressing issues and one that Jackson said he expects the board to move on in the coming year. From left to right, commissioners Bob Teunessen, Bruce Campbell Hatfield. After wrapping up its 2023 business, the Barry County Board of Commie® mie® turns its eyes to 2024 2024. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) si sioners “Thejail is certainly something that has been on my mind for quite a while,” he said. “And the plan will start coming together in the com­ ing year. We just have to really lay this out methodically. We want to work with, not only our Sheriff and corrections staff on this but also with the judges and Community Mental Health because the goal is not just to build a building. The goal is to build a safer community. “And to build a safer community, the jail may be the centerpiece of that, but we have to find out what are the needs of C cnomrnr,e, cZ NientB! Health and the judges and and how do we blend that together. r.” ns “Building a safer community” iis a thatt Jackson said residents mightt hear hear S over the next year.. To end 2023, commissioners over $3 million illi i the county’s finall AmericS in See TOP CONCERNS, Page 2 �Page 2 — Thursday, December 28, 2023 — The Hastings Banner NEWS BRIEFS Barry-Eaton District Health Department offers Certified Professional Food Manager classes in 2024 The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is offering Certified Profes­ sional Food Manager classes in Barry and Eaton counties, beginning January 2024. The classes offered by BEDHD meet the Michigan Food Law requirements of having a certified manager at a food service establishment. The Certified Professional Food Manager class is a one-day class and test from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. BEDHD requests that all attendees arrive 15 minutes early as late arrivals will be unable to take the exam. Upon request, exams can be made available in both Spanish and Chinese (Traditional and Mandarin). There will be four classes offered in each county throughout the year. Class dates and registration info below: Barry County dates (Location: BEDHD Office - 330 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings) - Tuesday, Jan. 30 - Registration Deadline: Jan. 16 - Tuesday, May 14 - Registration Deadline: April 30 - Tuesday, Aug. 20 - Registration Deadline: Aug. 6 - Tuesday, Nov. 19 - Registration Deadline: Nov. 5 Eaton County dates (Location: Eaton RESA - 1790 Packard Hwy. in Charlotte) - Tuesday, Jan. 23 - Registration Deadline: Jan. 9 - Tuesday, May 7 - Registration Deadline: April 23 - Tuesday, Aug. 13 - Registration Deadline: July 30 - Tuesday, Nov. 12 - Registration Deadline: Oct. 29 Due to a limited amount of class space, all class/testing participants must pre-register and make payment when registering. The registration form can be found on the BEDHD website and must be submitted via mail, fax, email (BEDHDEH@bedhd.org) or in person at either office location. Payment must be received at the time of registra­ tion. To pay with a credit card, call or stop by the BEDHD office. KCC receives $75,000 grant to fund 36 Basic EMT Student scholarships Kellogg Community College is the recipient of a state grant that will allow up to three dozen students to receive $2,000 each to help them fund Basic Emergency Med­ ical Technician training at the college in 2024. The Emergency Medical Services Workforce (EMSW-2024) grant, issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is designed to address a critical shortage of EMS workers in the state by empowering approved educational institutions like KCC to provide scholarships and'grants for EMS students. "^j^Q^g^t^^l^y^OOO, of whigh,$72,p(0P flUocatq^ specfficjaflxfpr scholar ships for up to 36 Basic EMT students.- ~ ?Funds from the grant can be applied to the cost of the following EMT courses this coming spring, summer or fall semester: -EMT 141: EMT Basic 2 - EMT 142: EMT Basic Simulation - EMT 143: EMT Basic Clinical - EMT 144: Prehospital Trauma Life Support Interested students must apply online at kellogg.academicworks.com/opportunities/2159 by March 4. The application is free. KCC’s entry-level Basic EMT Certificate is a one-semester, 16-credit program that provides a foundational group of courses in EMS education leading toward licensure with the MDHHS as a basic emergency medical technician. The EMSW-2024 grant is the second such grant KCC has been awarded to help address the EMS professional shortage in Michigan this year. In February, KCC was awarded a $350,000 EMSW-2023 grant to cover the full cost of KCC Paramedic Cer­ tificate Program training for up to 18 students enrolling in the 2023-24 Paramedic Academy. Resident Recreation Passport fee to increase slightly Jan. 1 Starting next year, Michigan residents will pay $14 for the Recreation Passport - a dollar more for a year’s worth of vehicle access to state parks and recreation areas and a host of other state-managed outdoor destinations. Effective Jan. 1,2024, the resident Recreation Passport vehicle fee will increase from $13 to $14, while the cost for motorcycles will not change. The Recreation Passport is valid for 12 months when purchased at the time of license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Although some residents have already received their registration renewal notices (reflecting the old fee), the new rate takes effect Jan. 1 for all in-person and online transactions. There’s a $5 convenience fee (except for Belle Isle Park) when the Recreation Pass­ port is not purchased at the time of license plate registration renewal through the Sec­ retary of State and is instead purchased at a state park or recreation area. The nonresident Recreation Passport fee annual pass also will increase slightly, from $39 to $40, but the nonresident daily pass will stay at $ 11. The money generated by the Recreation Passport go into a restricted fund that supsup­ ports state park infrastructure and operations, a local grant program for community City finances in good shape, trending in good direction according to audit Hunter McLaren Staff Writer The City of Hastings’s finances are in good shape to tackle challenges to come, city offi­ cials said. Finance Director Chris Bever, who also serves as the city clerk and treasurer, went over the city’s year-end audit with city coun­ cil members Tuesday. The audit, performed by Grand Rapids-based CPA firm Gabridge and Company, uncovered' no significant findings or material weaknesses in city finances, Bever said. The city’s unassigned general fund bal­ ance came out to $4 million. “That’s going to become really critical as we start the next budget cycle and look at capital improvements and infrastructure improvements throughout the city,” Bever said. Bever said revenues for the 2023 fiscal year were good for the general fund as well as other city funds, with city investments performing exceptionally well. The $220,000 sale of a city-owned property at Fish Hatch­ ery Park also acted as a one-time revenue for the fund. Bever said other major city funds were also in a good state to support the city’s planned projects, with the city’s major street fund recording a $815,000 balance. Changes to water and sewer rates went into effect earlier this year, putting the sewer and water fund $54,000 in the green. The rate hike was made in conjunction with an $18 million plan to replace 10 water mains throughout the city and bring them up to state standards in the next several years. “As you know, we have some debt we’re paying off in that water and sewer fund and potentially looking at some more debt for some projects coming up,” Bever said. Places where the budget was previously struggling looked better this year as well, City Finance Director Chris Bever reviewed a year-end audit with city council mem­ bers Tuesday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Bever said. The city’s other post-employment benefits liabilities were fully funded after nearly dipping below 40 percent funding a few years ago. Changes and cuts to city OPEB plans made by council members last year sig­ nificantly reduced the city’s liabilities. Bever said the city’s pension fund, which appeared severely underfunded on the audit, was actually performing quite well. Report­ ing on the audit lagged behind contributions made to the fund, meaning the report didn’t reflect a $500,000 yearly contribution from the city or a $2.5 million state grant received by the city earlier this year. Bever said the city’s pension fund was over 60 percent fund­ ed, the threshold for which the state mandates a corrective action plan be created. Representatives from Gabridge and Com­ pany would present their findings and be available to answer questions at the city’s Dec. 8 meeting, Bever said. From his posi­ tion, he said city finances looked to be in good shape. “What I can tell you as the finance director, is I believe the city’s in really good financial shape and will continue to be with conserva­ tive budgeting and monitoring expenses,” Bever said. City designates ARPA funds for Fish Hatchery Park, Hastings Fire Department projects Hunter McLaren Staff Writer The City of Hastings has chosen to split its share of federal COVID relief funds between Fish Hatchery Park renovations.apd Hastings Fire Department purchases. » • > l-The city was awanfed $768,199-as part-df! the American Rescue Plan Act of2021, which provided $1.9 trillion in federal funds for local governments, businesses and individuals during the COVED-19 pandemic. While the federal government stipulated that funds awarded to local governments be allocated for projects by the end of 2024, the Michigan state budget passed’ in June effectively required communities to allocate the funds by the end of 2023. Michigan communities that don’t at least earmark their remaining ARPA funds before next yea!r will be penalized by missing out on some state funding. City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale said before the new deadline was imposed by the state, the city planned to hang onto the ARPA funds and use them as a contribution for one or more matching grants, allowing the city to effectively double the funds. One such grant, the DNR Spark Grant, would have allowed the city to double a $250,000 contribution for renovations to the bath­ rooms at Fish Hatchery Park. Moyer-Cale shared with city council members Tuesday the city was not chosen to receive the grant. The city plans tq continue with the Fish Hatchery project, using only $268,199 of ARPA funds. With the funds allocated, the city has until 2026 to spend them. “I’m working with our consultant to sort of restructure the plan to just move forward without the grant, because of the inflationary increases as well as the extra things that we added to the projectjust to get points to (com­ pete for) the grant,” she said. “By the time the building’s old enough where we would get the additional points that we probably need to push us over the edge, the costs would exceed the value of the grant or be very close to exceeding it.” Moyer-Cale said while the current project has an estimated cost of $500,000, there were several areas where the project could be scaled back to match the city’s new budget for the project. Planned amenities like bench­ es, a pollinator garden and recycling infra- recreation agencies, state forest campgrounds, non-motorized pathways and trails, nsirwKW stain frhwZ? ~ SiWj The city has designated $768,199 in ARPA funds after the deadline to do so was moved up by the Michigan legislature to the end of 2023, a full year before the feder­ al government’s original deadline. (File photo) structure could be cut to make the project more cost-effective. “They aren’t really necessary, to the funda­ mental project,” Moyer-Cale said. “We need a bathroom that functions and is accessible, and that’s not what we have right now.” The city’s remaining $500,000 of ARPA funds went toward equipment and vehicle purchases for the Hastings Fire Department. Although the city originally planned to utilize a trust held by the Barry Community Founda­ tion earmarked for fire department purchases, red tape meant the funds could not be dis­ persed as urgently as the department needed. The city has opted to instead hold those funds for future equipment needs, with the depart­ ment anticipating a $1.9 million ladder truck purchase in 2028. While the state’s new deadline forced the city to rethink its strategy regarding ARPA funds, Moyer-Cale said the two projects still fall under the city’s original goal: make an impact. “We wanted to make purchases and do projects that were meaningful to the commu-, nity, and maybe something we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do,” she said. Moyer-Cale said one of the city’s many infrastructure projects on its docket might seem like eligible recipients, but the price tag on those initiatives is so high the ARPA funds would barely make a dent. “There’s lots of road work that needs to be done, lots of water and sewer stuff. The.' amount of funding received, although it sounds like a lot, for an infrastructure project, it’s a drop in the bucket,” she said. “We didn’t want to apply it towards a project where you weren’t going to really be able to see the impact.” The Recreation Passport provides year-round vehicle access to 103 Michigan state forest campgrounds and parking at thousands of miles of trails and other outdoor spac- es while helping protect the state’s natural resources for future generations. MICHAEL KINNEY » PLUMBING Licensed Master Plumber ML Licensed Journeyman Plumber New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning RADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS Same Day Installation Office (269) 948-2248 Mobile (269) 838-511 I Jccn.se //SI 10376 L& Insured TOP CONCERNS, continued from page 1 Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the poten­ tial construction of a jail, although, those funds could be re-appropriated ifthe board saw fit. As the board probes for funding resources, Jackson pointed to the fact that the Thomapple Manor millage will be coming off in 2024. If the board had to resort to a millage to help fund the jail - an effort that has failed in the past - it could pitch a millage that is less than the Thornapple Manor millage to still ultimately lead to a tax reduction for county residents. “I know there are a lot of people on this board that want to get this jail issue resolved because it has been something that, until it is solved, will just keep coming back around,” Jackson said. “...The longer we wait on this,, the more expensive it gets.” ha te en Mi cultural and historic resource restoration and marketing and promotion. parks and recreation areas, 1,300-plus state-managed boating access sites, 140 state mwra fajajiaoc- Jackson did applaud the board’s collabora­ tive work to hatch a plan to construct a new Commission on Aging (COA) facility, but he highlighted that the work is not over and the board will continue to help the COA in what­ ever way it can to raise the remaining money to kick off construction. Managing wind and solar energy projects within the county while wielding little to no decision-making power is another major point of emphasis for the board heading into the new year. Tfiis year, a Democrat-controlled state government passed a package of bills that allows the state to override local governments when it comes to permitting wind and solar farms, like one that is being planned by Con- sumers Energy in southern Barry County. The Michigan Public Service Commission will now hold ultimate permitting power. Local governments can craft ordinances and attempt to have a say, but those local govern­ ments will be mostly toothless in those fights. “Unfortunately, or fortunately, southern Barry County is in the bullseye,” Jackson said. “We need to take in ... all resources possible because it is not going away this year or next year. There is a plan for the next 20 years (for the state) to pile into solar and wind and green energy sources and we need to lay out a process that is thoughtful and very specific on how we’re going to navigate this that best suits the rural culture of Barry County. ■ w I �The Hastings Banner —Thursday. December 28, 2023 — Page 3 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW Community mourns the passing of Hastings fire chief Roger Caris A procession of tow trucks and other emergency response vehicles makes its way through Hastings to honor Keagan Spencer, a Hastings man who was killed on the job in November. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) w Hastings man’s death shines light on dangers facing his colleagues, industry s Members of the Hastings Fire Department line up and salute Roger Caris as he is carried out of the Barry Expo Center during his funeral in April. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) The fire and EMS community both in Hastings, and throughout the rest of the state, gathered to say goodbye to Hastings fire chief Roger Caris in April of this year - a man known by many as the epitome of a public <5 ^projects ^ lia servant. Caris, a no-nonsense chief of Hastings Fire, had logged over five decades of service with the department before passing away at the age of 82. Caris’s funeral and final farewell, which was held at the Barry Expo Center, was a spectacle, attracting crews of first responders president of the West Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and was on the board of the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs. But his funeral provided a glimpse of the family man behind the uniform. James Avery, a nephew of Caris whom he eventually adopted, spoke about Caris and how he taught him to shoot a pistol, hunt, drink black coffee and golf. Following Caris’s passing, the city council conducted interviews for his replacement and decided on the current chief Mark Jordan, who had previously served in the same posi­ tion in Bellevue. Commission on Aging poised to finally get new home All it takes is one brief tour around the Barry County Commission on Aging building to realize that the facility is undersized, aged and in various stages of disrepair. That hasn’t necessarily been a closely kept Secret, either. But past efforts to raise money via a millage to construct a new facility were shot down. This year, the COA, which provides a vari­ ety of benefits to Barry County seniors, finally found a solution to its long-standing problem. In March, the Barry County Board of Commissioners announced their plan to pro­ vide the COA with an opportunity to con­ struct a new building. The county contributed a plot of land and $3 million to lay the groundwork for the new COA facility. The land is located adjacent to Harvest Pointe assisted living center;-which is owned and operated by nearby Thomapple Manor. In fact, to. unlock cost savings with the project; the new/COA building will be fix from across the state and beyond to pay their respects to the long-time public servant. Following the service, a long procession of emergency vehicles snaked throughout the roads of Hastings, heading to Caris’s final resting place at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings. Caris’s resume in the firefighting commu­ nity was extensive. Not only was he the long-serving chief in Hastings but he also owned C&R Fire Sales, helping to outfit fire­ fighters and departments with the proper equipment. He served for many years as the The new building would also provide more flexibility in that space - with expandable walls in the activity room - along with rooj^ for growth. To fund the project, the COA will utilize the $3 million provided by the county along with adding $450,000 out of its own building fund, *-After that, the COA will be left to raise $2.5 million. Executive Director Courtney Ziny said that the organization plans to mount a capital campaign, and spent the latter part of 2023 looking to philanthropic and grant opportunities to jump-start that process. * Voters finally approved a Hastings school district bond proposal sixvears? 1 si^ empts in the making. attempts - ■ ■ & I* Commission on Aging Executive Director Courtney Zlny presents plans for the COA’s new facility during an information session held in Hastings this year. (Photo provided) dropped to 5.85 mills from 6 mills following rtthEeiy prbans s.. in..g 4n?7Gi..-ijj<.^biyora 4no?f7 tGhie..-ibjjo<n.^db. rtEiyrbn oj J Jz •jAu__ Administrators^said the oona.campaigii • The T $17 niiIlion proposal approved th Juy -' much-needed'Xtfih “foF ■ die' districtj Golf ball-sized hail .accumulates in Woodland during a damaging April storm. (Photo by Molly Macleod). Destructive hail storm barrels through Barry County and surrounding areas Every year comes with its share of severe or abnormal weather. This year, some area resi­ dents saw a once-in-a-lifetime weather event. During an April storm, some areas of Barry County, and communities in its periphery, saw hail as big as tennis balls. While the I cer’s funeral days later, attracting hundreds of vehicles from throughout the country, which snaked through Hastings. Spencer’s death hit close to home for everyone in his industry because, caused by an ever-present risk that tow truck drivers face each time they step out on the job. Spencer has become the latest face behind a rally cry for drivers to slow down and move over as they approach tow truck drivers and for legislators in both Michigan and through­ out the rest of the country, to take action to protect these vulnerable workers. A billboard that features Spencer holding his daughter was designed and has been dis­ played both in the Grand Rapids area and elsewhere, spreading the message to slow down and move over. Members of the community raised funds online to support the family that Spencer left behind, totaling tens of thousands of dollars. $17 million Hastings school bond proposal passes after six unsuccessful attempts attached to Harvest Pointe and feature some shared spaces, such as a state-of-the-art com­ mercial kitchen. Current plans for the new COA building clock in at 16,500 square feet in size, which is a significant jperqasg from the ^arl^'i 10,000 squafe'Teet' of Spactf that COA utilizes n^n^onWoodlawh Avenue.” November brought with it the untimely and tragic death of25-year-old Keagan Spencer, a young father from Hastings who worked as a tow truck driver. Spencer was on duty the morning of his death, working for Middleville-based towing service Towzilla Towing and Recovery. Spen­ cer pulled into the median along M-6 High­ way to help a dog that was on the loose. When he did, a driver lost control and drove into the median, striking and killing Spencer. Not only were his family and friends dev­ astated by the tragedy, but the tight-knit tow­ ing community also mourned Spencer’s pass­ ing in a very public way. On the same day as Spencer’s death, tow truck drivers from across the state gathered in a larger group in the parking lot of Kellogg Community College’s Fehsenfeld Center to honor his memory. The procession grew even bigger for Spen- onslaught of hail only lasted a matter of min­ utes, the storm left behind significant destruc­ tion in its wake. Woodland, Lake Odessa and the Middleville area were some of those hardest hit. Residents saw their homes and vehicles sustain thousands - if not tens of thousands - of dollars worth of damage. Residents spent the ensuing months work­ ing with insurance providers and seeking service companies to repair roofs, siding and other damaged components of their homes. Local body shops also saw a backlog of vehi­ cles that needed repair. Woodland Auto Body, reported customers bringing in over 130 vehi­ cles for service after the storm. “I grew up in Woodland and I’ve never seen hail like this,” Sarah Reed, owner of Katz Roofing and Siding in Potterville said at the time. “I’m talking to homeowners who are 80 years old and they’ve never seen any­ thing like this, either.” 1 will pay for new roofs, locker rooms, infra­ structure repairs and other renovations for the district. Of the 4,043 votes cast for the ballot item during August’s special election, 2,324 voters cast a “yes” vote on the item while 1,719 voted “no.” The triumph for the district comes after a focused effort from school administrators to prioritize the passing of the bond this year. Prior to July’s victory, the district had tried and failed to pass similar bond proposals six separate times since 2017. Earlier this year, the district made an effort to rethink its strat­ egy and met with consultants from Paw-Paw based Perspectives Consulting Group. The district worked with the group to conduct a community survey asking voters what they would support in a bond proposal. The district used the findings to craft a lean $17 million request, primarily funding essen­ tial infrastructure fixes in the district. The smaller proposal along with retiring debt in the district means the district’s tax rate Failing roofs in the district would have been a steep obstacle for the district to hurdle without the bond funds. After many failed attempts to secure the funds, July’s victory provided an almost instant morale boost for the district. “It’s really a huge vote,” Superintendent Matt Goebel said after the bond passed in July. “We’re very excited about that, and the voice expressed through voter turnout of peo­ ple saying, ‘We really want to support our kids, and we want to support our community.’ I’m excited about that moving forward, espe­ cially in the planning of these projects.” Work on replacing portions of the high school and middle school roofs is set to be completed this summer, along with the instal­ lation of new playground equipment at each elementary school in the district. The bond also paid for major renovations to the high school’s common area, media center, locker rooms and cafeteria, with work on those proj­ ects set to begin in 2025 and 2026. Honorable Mentions - Natural gas outage paralyzes por­ tions of county: It was a chilly few days for roughly 4,500 homes and households in and around Hastings back in April. Con­ sumers Energy announced that a leak in a high-pressure gas line located in Nashville caused pressure in the entire system to plummet, forcing the statewide energy pro­ vider to turn over sendee to over 4,500 homes and businesses. The outage persisted for several days - nearly a week for some. - Jenny Johnson sworn in as police chief in Barry Township: In being named the new fire chief in Barry Township in May of this year, Jenny Johnson broke the glass ceiling in the county, becoming the first female police chief to serve. She was hired into the department in 2011 and replaced Mark Doster, who retired after 40 years in law enforcement. - Violent storms opening act for this year’s Summerfest. The Hastings Sum­ merfest got off to a bit of a rocky start - at least, for the craft vendors who set up tents on the lawn of the Barry County Courthouse. A system of severe storms including tornadoes in the nearby area, barreled through Hastings the night before sending some tents flying away. The weather for the rest of the event was pleas- ant leading to another successful install­ ment of Summerfest. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Pennock Hospital celebrates a century of care for local residents y' ft* The once-small community hospital in Hastings has endured - even when many sim­ ilarly-sized hospitals in comparable commu­ nities have shut their doors. In June of this year, the community spent time to recognize a major milestone in the history of Pennock Hospital, which celebrated its 100th year in business. Make no mistake, the Pennock Hospital that sits at 1009 W. Green Street today is a far cry from the original single-building, 28-bed facility of old. The name on the sign has also changed a couple of times now; once to reflect Pennock Hospital’s inclusion in the Spectrum Health system and, more recently, after it was acquired by statewide health care giant Corewell Health. Still, its roots stem from the initial $20,000 investment made by Barry Township farmers Eben and Elvira Pennock back in the 1920s. Instrumental characters in Pennock Hospi­ tal’s long history attended a June 21 ceremo­ ny and reception, where the community received a look back at the illustrious history of the hospital while hearing from Corewell Health leaders on what might be next for the community hospital. “We love our hometown ho of Hastings and have been blessed to have our local hospital serving our community for these 100 years,” Larry and Earlene Baum, owners of Hastings Fiberglass and prominent donors to the hospital, said in a statement at the time. Both were in attendance at the ceremony. “This is the reason that our family and foundation have continued ,to offer support for the hospital and its healthcare initiatives. We are proud to be a part of the hospital’s legacy..” The hospital embraced its 100 years of heritage by gathering items from throughout the last century, putting them within a display that has become a fixture in the hospital. �Page 4 — Thursday. December 28, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Did you SCC? Giving is as important as ever in light of current economic state Ski-easons Greetings Thanks to the unseasonably warm weather on Christmas Day, a group of folks on Barlow Lake In Middleville traded in their snow skis for some water skis. D.J. Potgeter, Delaney Overmire, Jake Potgeter and Halle Overmire are seen here water skiing on Christmas. Do you One of the things that will never get old to me is witnessing the generosity accompanying Christmas time. Whether that is a small, random act of kindness, like picking up the tab for a stranger’s coffee, or something as extravagant as gifting an entire Christmas to a family in need, the holidays are seemingly a time where the ever-present divisive­ ness and bickering melts away and we’re all just simply there for each other. It’s a breath of fresh air in that remember? Remembering Hastings’s undergarment factory Undated Bannerphoto A view from where Razor’s Edge stands today shows Pauline Schultz McOmber’s ladies* undergarment factory, located at 139 E. Court Street. The facto­ ry, which has long since been demol­ ished, stood where Phil’s Galley is today. The once-busy factory produced wom­ en’s undergarments, including corsets, from 1910 to 1919. Have you met? Gene Service didn’t find his calling right away; although his classmates'hac k sortie ideas? “They always said I should run ^gas station,” he said. “‘Service is at your ser­ vice at Service’s Service Station.’ Kids in high school would always try to stick me with that.” He was 15 when he first set out to make his fortune. The Nashville area native attended Hastings High School for a few years, where he started working setting up pins at the bowling alley that used to be on the comer of East Apple and Michigan Ave­ nue, now the Lofts @ 128 building. He returned to Nashville High School and fin­ ished his schooling, after which he began looking for more lucrative work. Gene had a hard time finding work in the trades — he was diagnosed with a heart mur­ mur, which employers saw as a huge liabil­ ity at the time. Eventually, he found a job at the E.W. Bliss Company, making more money than he had ever made before. “I never made a $100 bill in all the plac­ es I ever worked. I made it in three days,” he said. “Third day, I walked out. I couldn’t do it.” The job wasn’t too difficult. In fact, Gene said he felt he didn’t do much of anything. He found himself walking around and chatting with coworkers, which didn’t go over well with some of his supe­ riors. He decided to leave for a role that seemed like a better fit. A former classmate found work as a door-to-door salesman and had come to Gene’s home and demonstrated a Kirby vacuum cleaner. “I was totally impressed,” he said. “I wanted to sell vacuum cleaners.” He started selling Kirby vacuums him­ self in 1969, commuting from Vermontville to Lansing and traveling door-to-door. He’d often loop through Grand Ledge on his way back: that’s where the closest McDonald’s was, at the time. He picked up some other gigs along the way, including driving a school bus and flipping houses, but he’s been selling sweepers in some shape or form pretty much ever since then. Eventually, Gene moved on from doorto-door sales and opened the Hastings Sweeper Shop, which has been in a few spots around town over the years, including the buildings that are now Mexican Con­ nexion and The Clothier. He ran the busi­ ness for a number of years before retiring. “I’m back,” he said. “I retired, but got bored very quickly of watching soap operas.” Of course, he never really ran the store without help, and he still doesn’t. His son Greg Service, who was conscripted into helping run the store ever since he was 5 years old and sold his first vacuum at 13, has been taking on more and more responsibility ever since Gene came out of retire­ ment. The two started the store up again on the comer of North Michigan and East State Street before outgrowing the space “We used to play for big money,” Gene said. “Sometimes you’d lose up to 50 cents or better.” Just like Gene once showedGreg the ropes, Greg has bfeen teaching Gene lots about the current state of vacuum repair. The two usually take7 a different approach, with Gene and Greg Service and moving to their current building on the south side of East State, where they’ve been the past 11 years. Greg, who has worked a variety of sales jobs since graduating from Western Michi­ gan University, said it’s been fairly easy coming bdck to work for his old boss. “It’s very much the same as I remember when I was a kid,” Greg said. “It hasn’t changed a whole lot. I’ve been involved since almost the beginning.” Although vacuum repair may seem like an outdated trade to some, the two said they’re not worried about the business at all. As repair shops become harder to find, their work becomes more valuable. Online retailers like Amazon might have every vacuum cleaner any customer could ever want (and then some) available for delivery to their door, but customers would be hardpressed to get an Amazon employee to repair their vacuum. “I don’t look at Amazon as being my problem,” Gene said. “I want to be their problem. You’ve got to understand that, know what you’re doing and pay attention. They’re just people that want to make their money and go home.” As silly as it may seem, many vintage sweepers hold sentimental value. Greg said one customer brought in a vacuum they had bought around the time they gott married more than a quarter century ago. When they gave the restored sweeper to their spouse as an anniversary gift, he said they burst into tears. They hold some fim memories for Gene, too - one customer brought in a Kirby they had bought in 1978, complete with a receipt. Gene’s name was on the receipt, as he was the salesman who sold it to them all those years ago. Gene said as Greg takes over more and more responsibilities around the store, he feels that it is in good hands. The two live in apartments above the shop, making their daily commute a walk up and down the stairs. Gene said Greg’s even taken on some of the other, less obvious responsi­ bilities that come with running the store, like hosting, card games in the back every so often. modem vacuums having documentation and replacement parts available online through various sweeper servicing manufacturers. Greg tends tb take a careful approach, exam­ ining the Vacuum first and consulting sche­ matics. Gene prefers to start taking it apart right away to get a good look himself. So, what’s it like to spend so much time working with each other in the store? “Fighting a lot, and arguing,” Gene joked. “That’s only because it’s hard for me to let go. I might as well let him do it all. I learned he’s very capable. He doesn’t need my help.” Greg smiled and agreed. “A lot of times, I’m just like, ‘Look, I gotta take off. You do it whatever way you want as soon as I leave.’” For their work keeping Barry County sweepers sweeping, Gene and Greg Service are this week’s Bright Lights. Favorite thing about Barry County: Gene: The atmosphere of it. People are just so open and friendly. Greg: I think the restaurants in Hastings are really good. If you look at every small town around here, we have some of the best restaurants. Important lesson from childhood: Gene: Downright hard work. That was back in the day, your parents worked hard. All my family, they all had jobs. We all worked hard, all of us. Greg: Do-over. Sometimes you just have to do it over. What’d you get for Christmas: Gene: My son took me to the casino. He knows I like to go to the casino. I play quar­ ter machines', I think I lost $9 in three-anda-half hours. That was a good Christmas gift, I enjoyed that. Greg: Mostly just enjoying not doing too much. Although, I think I spent $15 at the casino. Hobbies: Gene; On the computer there’s so many different games. I guess that would be a hobby. I used to play a lot of cards, but I don’t play as much as I used to. Some of my good card buddies have moved on. Greg: I’m pretty active, during the sum­ mer I’ve got some buddies and we go down the Thomapple River. We’ll try to go golfing, and in the winter I’m just socializing at the pubs. Each week, the Bannerprofiles a person who makes the community shine. Do you know someone who should be featured because ofvolunteer work, fun-loving personality, for the stories he or she has to tell, or for any other reason? Send information to Newsroom, Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com . respect. When it comes to making sure that no child or family is left behind during this festive season, Barry County shines. Both for the Banner and the Reminder, we had an opportunity to cover many of the charitable programs that lend a helping hand to children and families around the holidays. From Shop With A Cop and Toys for Barry County Kids, to the Wish Upon A Star program in Nashville and the Christ­ mas Adoption Program put on by Barry County Cares — the list only goes on from there. But these aren’t just pro­ grams - there is a genuine passion behind these programs and it emanates from those who organize them. The organizers and volunteers associated with these and other programs know how pivotal of a time Christmas is and they want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to feel that magic and know that someone cares about them. While this form of giving might be woven into the traditions of Christmas, eventually Christmas is over. Then we have the choice to go back to business as usual or hold on to that spirit. Ifyou look at the numbers associated with giving, the stakes are higher than ever before, too. Inflation and the soaring cost of liv­ ing have been defining characteristics of everyday life over the last year or two. It’s no mystery that all ofdife’s essentials cost a lot more than they used to, and it’s creating heartbum for many families in Barry County and through­ out the rest of the country, who are finding it increasingly difficult to bal­ ance their household budgets. Tighter budgets mean stingier giving, too. While this may not necessarily be the case in Barry County, where many folks on the front lines report that charitable giving remains fairly consistent from season to season and year to year, giv­ ing has taken a dip nationwide. This summer, the annual Giving USA report came out chronicling the state of philanthropy in 2022. One of the key takeaways from that report is that, for only the fourth time in the last 40 years, Americans donated less than they did the previous year. In fact, giving dropped a substantial 3.4 percent nation­ wide in 2022 when compared to 2021. When adjusted for inflation, giving plummeted 10.5 percent. One thing worth noting that may have skewed data is that, in 2021, the United States saw a record year for giving. The report even nailed down what sort of charitable sectors were hit the hardest and they included contributions to religious organizations, education, human services, health and the arts. While some of this lull in giving can be attributed to a stock market that slumped heavily in 2022 and white-hot inflation, the reality is that more people need help to make ends meet and there is less giving going on, which doesn’t paint a very rosy picture. The pedigree of those in need has steadily transformed, as well. When many people picture a family in need, they tend to picture parents who are out of work or even refuse to work. Unfor­ tunately, many also attach a negative connotation to families in need, assum­ ing that they are too lazy or stubborn to find meaningful work, opting instead to live off of government support. While those demographics do exist, there are many families in need that fall under the ALICE label. ALICE stands for “asset limited, income constrained and employed.” Lani Forbes, executive director at the Barry County United Way and Volun­ teer Center, which supports the ALICE population, laid it out in much more relatable terms. “I describe that as one flat tire away from disaster,” Forbes explained. “The tire goes flat and you have to take the day off of work. Now, you have to pay for the tire, you don’t have the income from work and the electric bill is still there.” Defining ALICE in those terms like­ ly hits home for many ofus. Many ofus have encountered this scenario, or one like it. It hits home to me, at least. Just as the holiday season was kicking off earlier this month, my car ended up in the shop for an entire week. Luckily for me, though, I have a strong family and support system in place that was able to be there for me and mitigate many of the expenses that would have been associated with renting a vehicle or missing work for prolonged periods of time. If I didn’t, I’d probably be in the same boat as many others and faced with making some tough financial deci­ sions and sacrifices. That’s the reality for many families as the Michigan Association of United Ways reported that, of 4 million house­ holds in Michigan, 1.5 million of them struggle to afford the basics like housing, child care, food, transportation and health care. The association also reported that the number ofALICE households increased after the Great Recession in 2010 until 2019 when they finally started to recede. That was short-lived though, as the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout introduced a variety of additional finan- «clK . I cial hardships, which caused house­ holds below the ALICE threshold to increase by 4 percent from 2019 and 2021. These ALICE households are often disqualified from traditional forms of government aid, too, leaving them to fall through the cracks. These numbers are a bit of a killjoy coming off of the holiday season, but it’s a reality and it’s going to take a col­ laborative effort to address this problem - from politicians to corporate America. But we can do our part, too, by sim­ ply giving if, and when, able. Caring about the plight of others doesn’t neces­ sarily have to be a Christmas tradition. It can become a year-round affair. The Hastings Jayson Bussa Editor, Hastings Banner Banner Devoted to the interests of Barry County since 1856 Published by... Hastings Banner, Inc. . m is iA Divisjon of J"Ad Graphics Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway • Phone: (269) 945-9554 • Fax: (269) 945-5192 News and press releases: news@j-adgraphics.com • Advertising: ads@j-adgraphics.com Frederic Jacobs • ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT • Publisher & CEO Classified ads accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. NR Hank Schuurinq CFO • NEWSROOM • Jayson Bussa (Editor) Chris Silverman Mike Gilmore Ty Greenfield Jennie Yonker Subscription Rates: $78 per year in Barry County $85 per year in adjoining counties $90 per year elsewhere Molly Macleod (Copy Editor) Brett Bremer (Sports Editor) Greg Chandler Hunter McLaren POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: P.O. Box 188 Hastings, Ml 49058-0188 Second Class Postage Paid at Hastings, Ml 49058 A? w w �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 28, 2023 — Page 5 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW Prominent Hastings philanthropist Larry Baum passes away, leaves behind lasting legacy LOSS'S' While the Hastings and Barry County com­ munities lost one of its most prolific philan­ thropists just weeks ago, his impact remains evident - now and long into the future. Larry Baum, an industrialist and philan­ thropist died at the age of 86 year of age after a four-year battle with the effects of a stroke • suffered in 2019. Baum, who worked alongside his father-in­ law Earl McMullin to build Hastings Fiber­ glass into the global powerhouse that it is now, was passionate about giving to the local com­ munity and did so in many different ways. Baum and his wife of 67 years, Earlene, were instrumental in the creation of the Thomapple Plaza entertainment complex on downtown Hastings’ east side; in the Baum Dialysis Center which saves patients from having to seek care in Grand Rapids or other larger cities; in the per­ forming arts center attached to the high school that hosts regionally notable music and acts; in the automotive skills development program at the Gilmore Car Museum; in a new lodge at YMCA Camp Algonquin along with a powerful endowment fund to provide scholarships for campers; and in a myriad of other causes sup­ porting those in need in Barry County. Baum also footed the bill so that athletes at Hastings High School did not have to pay a fee in order to participate in athletics. “Every single year, when he came in and gave us that check (for the pay-to-play pro­ gram), it wasn’t just money,” Hastings Area School System Superintendent Matt Goebel said. The yearly check from Baum ranged from $50,000 to $75,000. “From an education standpoint, he was giving experiences, life lessons that he had experienced himself. I think he knew that check wasn’t just money,” Goebel added. Philip Joseph, Chairman of the Barry County GOP, speaks in front of the Barry County Board of Commissioners earlier this year to advocate for the adoption of his party’s Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution. He is joined by a full gallery of sup­ porters. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Republican-controlled county pushes back on Democrat-controlled state Larry Baum (right) and his wife, Earlene, are seen here during an event at the Hastings Performing Arts Center. (File photo) Delton Kellogg fourth graders move into new digs at elementary school ",***?■ hh h In last year’s Hastings Banner end-of-year review, the demolition of the old, historic Delton Elementary School made the list of most memorable news stories for 2022. Jjhjs^ jyeajj, r the scljippl. was again in the (headlines, but this time for completigg(4thg construction iof its ne\y,lying,v,» -id id Just earlier this, month, fourth-grade stu­ dents at Delton, Kellogg .Elementary were allowed to move into the newly constructed wing of the school. A few day§ later, students, staff and administrators gathered together for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony to cele­ brate the opening of the facility. , The new building was paid for with money from a millage passed in 2019. To make way for the new wing, the district had to tear down the old elementary school, which dated back to 1936. It proved to ,be a bittersweet occa­ sion for longtime members of the community. Umillioiilg illiiil RGbIi tt ■ n; —■ ■“’"jtaBdH mbaofAl.lCFlimH^ 9BSDXK MSttsofi® uE iiiisGrealtasjjiM M(tiaas^ibiK W ifa tlty ttah ■ttatabita irtltaM^ii ■ns tebdttniBNL ttCOWpataato fttstMKst'n nHssitas- IBCizx I tM1 The new elementary school building now features three fourth-grade classrooms; a sci­ ence, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classroom; an extended learning area; administrative offices and a full-size? i’ Delton Kellogg Superintendent Dr. Herman Lartigue Jr. cuts the ribbon while standing on the stage inside the new gym in Delton Kellogg Elementary School. (Provided & & gym with a stage. During the demolitipn of the old school, crews came across a time capsule that was placed behind a date stone back in 1936. To keep up with the same tradition, administrators at Delton Kellogg compiled a new time capsule and placed it behind thesdate stone once again. These items included a 2022 school year­ book, Hastings Banner news clippings, a graduation program and much more. “I am extremely excited for the students, staff and community of Delton Kellogg,” Superintendent Herman Lartigue Jr. said upon the school’s grand opening. “What a momentous occasion for our community.” YMCA of Barry County embarks on transformational expansion / / When Barry County listed a vacant build­ ing in a secluded area of Rutland Township near Algonquin Lake, it knew it would be a tough sell. It was a bit off the beaten path to be ideal for a traditional business. It turns out the perfect buyer was found right across the street. Early in the year, leadership at the YMCA of Barry County voiced interest in purchasing a former Barry County Mental Health Ser­ vices building, located at 2350 Iroquois Trail directly across the street from the YMCA’s home base of Camp Algonquin. The 7,500-square-foot building, situated on 22 acres of wooded, hilly property, had sat vacant for about a year before the YMCA closed on it in May. Since then, the YMCA’s vision for the property has come into focus. The organiza­ tion will utilize the space to expand child care and day camp services and relocate its admin­ istrative offices to open up additional capaci­ ty at Camp Algonquin for overnight camp. Earlier this month, Executive Director Jon Sporer said that his organization would be embarking on a capital campaign that aims to raise north of $3 million to renovate and The YMCA of Barry County closed on purchasing this property, located at 2350 I Iroquois Trail, in late May. It will use the 7,500-square-foot facility for child care and day camp services among other uses. (File photo) equip the newly acquired facility. The $3-plus million would allow the YMCA to come out on the other side of the project debt-free. The campaign kicked off with a bang when an unnamed donor contributed $500,000 to get the ball rolling. The YMCA is left to raise $2.75 million. With the initial gift giving it a chance to make renovations to the inside of the building, Sporer said his organization is giving itself three to five years to raise the full amount, which will fund the totality of the project. By gaining control of every branch of state government, Democrats have spent the last year passing legislation that falls in line with its collective agenda. That hasn’t always sat well with leaders or residents in the Republican-heavy Barry County. Throughout 2023, residents and governments in Barry County have probed avenues in which to push back on Democrat-adopted policies. Newly-passed gun laws and the state’s seizure of permitting power for wind, solar and other green energy projects have been two central issues in this rivalry. After the Democrat-controlled state gov­ ernment passed a rash of new gun control measures early this year, members of the Barry County GOP Executive Committee adopted a resolution that would declare Barry County a “Second Amendment Sanctuary.” This would mean that the county does not intend to comply with laws that are deemed unconstitutional in restricting a resident’s right to bear arms. A long list of counties around the state have adopted similar resolutions, which are consid­ ered a symbolic measure as county boards do not have the power to dictate how sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys enforce the law. The county board did not take action on the resolution and eventually re-drafted an alter- native resolution that was broader, pledging to follow the constitution, but even then, the board didn’t take action on the matter. The group is now making its rounds to all individual townships, presenting them with the same resolution. The resolution has passed in Castleton, Irving and Prairieville townships and was voted down earlier this month in Yankee Springs. Other legislation that has drawn significant attention and ire amongst residents in Barry County is one that grants the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) permitting authority over the siting of wind projects with generations larger than 100 megawatts and solar and battery storage projects with gener­ ations larger than 50-megawatts. Local governments can adopt zoning ordi­ nances for these projects, but if the green energy developer thinks they are too restric­ tive, they can circumvent local government appeal to the state instead. “Local governments in rural communities like ours have worked hard at drafting zoning ordinances and master plans based on what their local residents want,” Republican State Representative Rachelle Smit of Martin said. “Establishing the MPSP simply gives Gov. Whitmer the tools she needs to work around the decisions of local governments so she can advance her Big Solar agenda.” 2023 kickstarts handful, pf Barry County housing projects Barry County has housing on the way. That should be a welcome phrase for any­ one associated with economic development in the county. In the past year, the urgent warnings about Barry County’s crippling lack of housing - most notably, affordably housing - crescendoed. But relief is on the way with a slate of housing projects currently in the works, including: - Tyden Lofts: Crews broke ground on Tyden Lofts this fall, a 60-unit workforce housing development that will sit in the heart of Hastings, next to the county’s vacant Friend of the Court Building. The developer, Wisconsin-based General Capital, purchased a small slice of the FOC building parking lot from the county for the project. General Cap­ ital originally wanted to buy the entire FOC building and implement it in the project, but the country declined. - Meadowstone Apartments: Hastings planning commissioners have approved changes to a long-planned expansion at Meadowstone Apartments. An expansion to Meadowstone Apartments at 1611 S. Hanover St., was approved this summer and will add five buildings to the site, housing 164 one-bedroom apartment units in addition to the site’s existing six buildings and 72 two-bedroom apartments. When the Meadowstone planned unit development was first approved by the city in 1999, the plans called for a total of 13 build­ ings on the site with 156 two-bedroom units. Six buildings with 72 total units were built before the remainder of the project was post­ poned, where it remained in limbo until the new preliminary plans were brought to plan­ ning commissioners this year. । - Thornapple River Mill: Hastings plan­ ning commissioners this summer approved site plans for a mixed-use residential devel­ opment on the former Royal Coach site. The 135-unit housing development is tenta­ tively titled the Thomapple River Mill Project. The project has been split into two phases. Phase one would consist of the three residential build­ ings and the promenade connecting them to the Thomapple River pedestrian bridge, while phase two would involve construction of a planned farmers market and commercial space. - Village Flats: The Village Flats project from Dogwood Community Developments will convert the now vacant W.K. Kellogg School building in Nashville into a 20-unit residential building. The project is receiving workforce housing tax credits from the Mich­ igan State Housing Development Authority, making the project’s structure and goals sim­ ilar to the recently finalized Tyden Lofts project in Hastings. Barry County Sheriff avoids criminal charges from state For nearly a year, Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf knew he could potentially face criminal charges for what the Michigan Attor­ ney General’s office characterized as crimes committed while investigating voter fraud. In August, Leaf found out he would not be one of the individuals charged. Leaf, along with a handful of others, was accused by Attorney General Dana Nessel of participating in a conspiracy to obtain and test voting equipment. A special prosecutor assigned to the case, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson, announced this summer that three individuals would be charged, none of them Leaf. Attorneys Matthew DePemo and Stefanie Lambert Junttila, in addition to former state representative Daire Rendon (R-Lake City) were indicted and face multiple felony charges that are punishable by up to four or five years in prison. The charges were autho­ rized by a grand jury. A special prosecutor was assigned to the case because, at the time, Nessel was facing DePerno in the 2022 race for office. The individuals charged were character­ ized by the special prosecutor’s office as the masterminds behind the conspiracy, but in a public statement, Hilson said that there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Leaf, who was accused of convincing Irving Township Clerk Sharon Olson to turn over a voting tabulator to a third party as part of an investigation. Olson was never named in the case, but Hilson noted that none of the township clerks involved would be charged with any crimes, either. “This ends the charging decision in this investigation,” Hilson stated in an Aug. 3 announcement, where he revealed the charges being levied to Junttila. “The decision noto issue charges on the other identified suspects including Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf and Jason Rybak (another accused individual^ was based on careful consideration of the totality of the evidence gathered by investica tors, review of the witness statements, evalu ation of the law related to viable defense and decision on what is fair and just.” In an interview with The Banner I A that he was confident he didn’t breaif 1 ilaws laws the tthie tentire eintirie ttimet as fhe d e mbarkeidt n embarked investigation into voter fraud associated" associat ’u the highly contentious 2020 electinning then-President Donald rent President Joe Biden. P CUr“ �Page 6 — Thursday, December 28,2023 — The Hastings Banner MW wi Norvell Joe Yates Danny Dale Shepler Norvell . Joe Yates, bom July 13, 1943, known by all as Joe, passed away December 23, 2023. Joe was bom and raised in Missouri and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. In 1979, he moved his family to Michigan where he was a longtime employee of Walgren Co as a Senior Project Manager. Joe had a innate tal­ ent for welding and could make the most amazing creations. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed the outdoors. Joe is survived by his loving children, Kelly Kenyon, Joseph M. (Cathy) Yates and Jason M. (Lynda) Yates. His grandchildren, Jake DiMatteo, Sage Kenyon, Jonathan (Amber) Yates, Daniel Yates, Joshua Yates, Chloe Yates and Ainsley Yates and many great-grandchildren. repair company in 1986, which he was very successful and proud of. Dan and Mindy loved to camp and travel across America. He finally convinced Mindy to take a cruise to Alaska. This opened a new world of travel. They both loved to cruise the Danny Dale Shepler, age 77, of Hastings, MI, passed away on December 23, 2023, in Grand Rapids, MI. Dan was bom on June 3, 1946, in Hast­ ings, the son of Arthur Ray and Nella Lois (Lyons) Shepler. He was a 1964 graduate of Hastings High School. On February 14, 1986, Dan married Melinda Sue Schultz. Dan worked for Bliss starting in 1964. He had a wonderful career. He was most proud of his time in international sales and service in Mexico, Central America, and South America. In 1976 he was transferred to Penn­ sylvania for the installation of the Bliss Stamping presses to produce the bi-centennial coins at the Philadelphia mint and to han­ dle all field service work on the east coast. During these years, he had the opportunity to see so much of the beautiful country. His career included starting his own machine east coast, Bahamas, Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Mexican Riviera. Family was at the top of his priority list. Hunting with his son and being with his daughters always brightened his days. He was happiest when all the kids, spouses, sig­ nificant others, grand and great-grandchil­ dren gathered together, even though the house was like a zoo. Dan was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother; sister, Katy; daughter, Jenni­ fer, and granddaughter, Crystal. He is survived by his sisters, Janet Shepler and Judy (Keith) Johnson; children, Stacy (Brian) VanDam and Stephen (Kari) Shepler, and son-in-law, Wes Casarez; grandchildren, Kaitlynn (Kevin) Poll, Arthur (Shannon) Kensington, Cassie (Adam) Harvath, Amber (Kacy) Blair, Jonathan Shepler, and Emily, Makayla and Holly Casarez; great-grandchil­ dren, Ethan and Everett Poll, Avery and Mad­ ison Harvath, and Betsy, Bradon, and Macklyn Blair. Dan was the most kind, gentle, loving indi­ vidual. He will be remembered as an exceptional father and grandfather. No woman could ask for a more loving friend and hus­ band. We will see you again. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. at Green Street United Methodist Church, 209 W Green St, Hast­ ings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Worship Together ...at the church ofyour choice Weekly schedules ofHastings area churches availablefor your convenience... HASTINGS FREE SOLID ROCK BIBLE METHODIST CHURCH "We Exist To Be An Expression Of Who Jesus Is To The World Around Us". 2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box 8, Hastings. Telephone 269­ 945-9121. Email hastfmc@ gmail.com. Website: www. hastingsfreemethodist.com. Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant Pastor Emma Miller, Worship Director, Martha Stoetzel. CHURCH OF DELTON BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Matt Moser, Lead Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service; Senior High Youth Group 6-8 p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth (Children Kindergarten-5th Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle School Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information. Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 a.m. with Kids Church and Nursery. Aftermath Student Ministries: Sundays 6 p.m. LIFEGATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) 328 N. Jefferson Street. Worship 10 a.m. Nursery provided. Pastor Peter Adams, contact 616-690-8609. COMMUNITY CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. 269-945­ 4246 Pastor Father JeffHanley. Mass 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday. COMMUNITY BAPTIST FAMILY CHURCH CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead. (269) 758-3021 502 E. Grand St., Hasting s. Pastor Tod Shook Wednesdays - Bible Study - 6 to 7 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Service -11 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. www.cbchastings.org. 9 9 £.ok& Od&iia Elaine Garlock Happy New Year 2024! Third Avenue south of Second Street has a new look with all the studding in place for the first unit of condos .in the Stuart development which is to provide rental space aimed at senior citizens. Another fronting street is Third Street, which dead-ends at Third Ave­ nue. This is the site of the former Lake Odes­ sa school built following a late 1923 fire that destroyed the earlier school building. The school built in the 1920s housed 12 grades and included home economics facilities, a gymnasium stage and many classrooms. To the south was an elementary building all on one floor and an adjacent shop and ag build­ ing. To the east stretched the athletic field, which could accommodate football and base­ ball j^ame^.>5ihejtM^i;.front buildings • have; been re-razed in recent years. The first unit of housing facilities will front on Third Avenue. There are plans for future units with one fac­ ing Jordan Lake Avenue and another between the first two, set at an angle northwest to southeast. We will be waiting for further con­ struction to add rafters and a roof, plus siding. Christmas Eve services were held at Cen­ tral United Methodist Church on Sunday evening. With very, mild weather, with tem­ peratures hovering around 50 degrees, the weather presented no problems this year. Several hymns were sung with timely scrip­ ture interspersed. The traditional candle light­ ing took place late in the service with two carols sung with candles providing the only light for the sanctuary. With lofty ceilings, this gives a mystic atmosphere. There were several visitors., hi jnomjibfp jnomjibfpu lo j. * 1 This week there is a small exodus of peo-. pie leaving for the south. Some of our resi­ dents prefer to stay home until after the holi­ days. Many of our locals left in November for Arizona or Florida. Work continues on a rental house on John­ son Street. It has had new siding and a few new windows. This particular house has a bit of interesting history. Many years ago, the. owners decided to add a sleeping room on the front side. All was well for several years. But’ then, about 1931, someone from Clarksville at 5*^2? decided to buy the adjacent vacant lot on the north side. When they had it surveyed to be sure of their new property lines, they made the discovery that the bedroom addition of the house on the south side was built beyond the lot line. Result? The owner had to buy 1(1 feet of the neighboring lot in order to own the * space he had been occupying for many years. So the new neighbors have a narrow lot, 10. feet less than the original 66-foot lot. Onei time, this writer had a visiting guest from England. The gentleman looked over the backyard and asked, “How can you tell where7 your property lines come when you have no; fences?” He was astonished that we live with only trees or bushes marking our lot lines. Tai chi classes are being held at the localr library on Tuesday at 1 p.m. sponsored by the Ionia County. Commiss^on on-Aging.. . jrfj * fV _ «c^ c^35’3* < mil kj..^ Larry Baum was everything a true philanthropist should be To the editor: Larry Baum - what a philanthropist! He and his wife, Earlene,, have had such a posi­ tive effect on Hastings. We are lucky that he supported his hometown instead of pursuing luxurious comforts in .other countries. Heather Cox Richardson’s blog on Nov. 21, stated that 26 people control the wealth of half the entire planet.: Many of those people live in several different countries to avoid bad weather. They don’t feel allegiance to their hometown or even their own country. Soon though, we will hear from them with misleading ads on TV about political figures they don’t like. CHRISTIAN PARISH CATHOLIC CHURCH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information. fasti fasti RWb RWb At the end of our lives, what will matter most is what we have done to help others. R.I.P, Larry Baum. Well done. Carole G. Smith Delton church phone. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. WOODLAND UNITED METHODLST CHURCH 203 N. Main. Pastor: Kathy Smith. Sunday School 9:15 a.m.; Worship 10:15 a.m. EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1315 West Center Street, Hastings. Phone: 269-945-3014. Music Director: Mark Doster/ Youth Ministry: Sarah Boostra. Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. Sunday. SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS Social Security and scam awareness Hillary Hatch Public Affairs Specialist Social Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use targeted, sophisticated tactics information on worship services is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churchesand these local businesses: scended A eWxl IfWoIbw Hum niwnteM 945-9554 ■9 WOODGROVE ST. ROSE OF LIMA PLEAS ANTVIEW Hastings 9 9 DiMatteo. To honor his wishes, there will be no memorial service. A private burial will take place with his family. The family asks that in lieu of flowers/ donations be made to the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/donatej. PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.i girrbachfuneralhome.net . BRETHREN 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-0900. Website: wwwJifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m. 1351 North M-43 Hwy, friend, Barb Stauffer. He was preceded in death by his parents,? Norvell Roy (Bud) and Kathryn M. (Clayton)1 Yates and his grand-daughter, Kathryn J.. HASTINGS 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765, (comer of Milo Rd. & S. M43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 2049390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and Children’s Ministry. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 to 7:30 pm. CHRIST THE KING He is survived by his sister, Virginia “Sis”’ (Jack) Cavness and brother, John L. Yates. Joe is also lovingly remembered by his dear 1AMUNMKfVVRRBBOVF MUKMUIfripMl 1699 W. M43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058. 945-4700 1301W. Green St. Hastings 945-9541 Laura Renee Krikke, Woodland and Ethan James Guidi, Elwell Andrea Kay Crysler, Middleville and Mario Anthony Toledo, Wyoming Give the gift of NEWS! 269-945-9554 opted in to receive texts from us and only in ■ limited situations, including the following: ; - When you have subscribed to receive’ updates and notifications by text. - As part of our enhanced security when. accessing your personal my Social Security] account. If you owe money to us, we will mail you a * letter with payment options and appeal rights. I We encourage you to report suspected] Social Security imposter scams - and other ] Social Security fraud - to the OIG’s website ] at oig.ssa.gov/report. You can find morel information about scams at ssa.gov/scams. i Hillary Hatch is the Public Affairs Special-1 ist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o j Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp1 HE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, or via email at | hillary. hatch@ssa.gov. . fewtwm Send friends and family a gift subscription to The Hastings BANNER! To subscribe, call us at... to deceive you into providing sensitive infor­ mation or money. If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email or call, do not respond. We want you to know how to identify a scammer and avoid becoming a victim. We will never: - Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification. - Suspend your Social Security number. - Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee. - Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency or cash by mail. - Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment. - Mail or email “official” letters orreports or containing your personal information. We only send text messages if you have Maya Mae Fisher, bom at Corewell Health -Pennock on November 30, 2023 to Kara Krebs and Anthony Fisher of Delton. ***** Oliver Evan Hernandez, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on December 1, 2023 to Alyssa Clemons and Nick Hernandez of Hastings. Thaddeus Nathan Huss, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on December 1, 2023 to Kelsey M. Huss and Nathan W. Huss of Hastings. ***** Cooper Allan, bom at Corewell Health Pennock on December 3, 2023 to Harley Kikendall and Andrue Knapper of Bellevue. Walker Christopher Schuchaskie, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on December 5, 2023 to Allison Schuchaskie and lyier Schuchaskie of Hastings. WkV. Audrey Ellen Holmes, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on December 8, 2023 to Erin Holmes Hastings. and Garrett Holmes ■ of Bonnie Lynn Lindsey, bom at Corewell Health - Pennock on December 10, 2023 to Alyssa Lindsey and Thomas Lindsey of Hastings. Hu kj E V �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 28, 2023 — Page 7 Army Nurses Corps help inWWI (Part I) Ok W Ww ■‘W * liii Is i (,,** ,,** ,» ’**»' Bwei^alniepfatapiM^ Joyce F. Weinbrecht . In 1917, the war in Europe had accelerated to the point where it seemed inevitable that the United States would become involved. ■ On March 12, 1917, the U.S. unarmed merchant ship, Algonquin was sunk by a Ger­ man submarine. By March 18, three more American ships were sunk by German sub­ marines. On March 30, 1917, President Wil­ Son and his cabinet decided that there was no alternative but to go to war with Germany. On April 2, President Wilson called a sp special session of Congress where he asked forr a declaration of war against Germany. The Senate passed the war resolution 82-6 and the House passed it 373-50 and the United States prepared to enter the overseas war. All American naval forces were mobilized. German vessels in American ports were seized. Preparation was made for raising and equipping a United States Army comparable with those of Great Britain and France. President Wilson selected Major General John J. Pershing to head the American Expeditionary Force and on May 18,1917, ordered an Army Division sent to France. The U.S. Congress passed the Selective Service Act and by June 5,10,000 Americans between the ages of 21 and 31 were registered to train for duty. Sixteen training camps were established to train National Guards and 16 cantonments were built for training the men. Eighteen avi­ ator fields were established to train airmen. By October 1917, the first troops were ready to take positions at the front. The War Department (now known as the Department of National Defense since 1947) exercised control over Army affairs. The Army Nurse Corps was a part of the medical department which had charge of the physical care of soldiers and Army animals, operating under the Surgeon General of the Army. Nurses were needed for overseas duty, as well as for stateside care, as veterans’ hos­ pitals were built and were geared up to receive casualties of the war. A Medical Reserve Corps was established in 1908 and in 1916, through the Red Cross, and began the organization of reserve hospitals and ambulance units, so the medical department of the Army was ready to participate in World War I long before the war was actually declared. Nursing schools promoted the Reserve Army Nurse Corps as a career choice as nurses were finishing their schooling. Barry County was represented in World War I by at least six registered nurses who joined the Army Nurses Corps. The Army Corps nurses received a bonus bond, the same as the men who had served in the military. A total of $332,252.93 was paid to Barry County veterans in 1935. To receive the bonusgb<b©ds^i<the person < wha had served* in the military had to register their discharge with the county clerks. The bonus bonds were delivered through the United States Postal Service and had to be personally signed for by the recipient. These records show that the nurses did register and received the bonus bonds. Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 45 honored these women who had served as nurses in the war with a special luncheon. Louella M. Rose was bom on July 25, 1887. She enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps on Feb. 14, 1918, and was assigned to the Base Hospital, Camp Custer. Following a period of training at Camp Custer, she was sent overseas and served at Hospital Center, Kerhuon Base Hospital, 105 A.E.X. France. She was discharged from active duty on Aug. 10,1919. The per diem allowance for her trip home to Hastings from Hoboken, N.J., was $4 paid in advance. While she was serving overseas in the Army Nurse Corps, her mother, Sara Rose of Quimby, Mich., received an allot­ ment of $25 per month. (11^ S***C A 7^**• A A ^XA XxA ““ **Zttpttp&& X‘ x«xzyt?y t-«6 Xz*Z?i tX Doctor Universe Protecting pollinators How can we help bees survive harsh winters? Carla, 10, Texas Dear Carla, I keep mason bees. They sleep in cardboard tubes all winter long. I worry about my little bees until I see them chew out of their nesting tubes in the spring. I talked about how mason bees and all kinds of bees survive winter with my friend Brandon Hopkins. He’s an insect scientist at Washington State University. He manages /// l/W „ / After returning to Hastings, Miss Rose served the community as a registered nurse at Pennock Hospital in Hastings. She was listed as Louella M. Rose on the 1923 roster of nurses at Pennock. She continued to be listed on this register until the 1930s. She married Edward Reesor, a farmer in Woodland Town­ ship, in Elkhart, Ind. She died in Woodland on Sept. 25, 1961. Amber Zella Cruso, daughter of Charles and Florence McGraw Cruso, had attended Barry County Normal and taught in three rural Barry County Schools. In 1914, she was enrolled in a three-year nurse’s training course at the University of Michigan. At age 30, Amber Zella Cruso received her nurse’s diploma on Aug. 1, 1917, and signed up for the Reserve Army Nurse Corps. She worked at the Hastings Hospital (locat­ ed in the Striker House), living with her par­ ents who had moved into Hastings. On June 10, 1918, the Army Nurse Corps called Amber to active duty. She was sent to Fort Sill, Okla., where she took the oath of office on June 14, 1918. Here, she was in charge of the diets of the patients in the hospital. She did not sign up for foreign duty in deference to her mother’s wishes. She wrote home to her mother and her friends often. One letter to her friend, Oral Everett, and his mother was shared by her family with the Nashville News. It appeared as follows: Lawton, Oklahoma Fort Sill Branch Hospital Post Aviation Field August 1, 1918 “Dear Oral and Mother: Sure have thought of you often, but have been too busy to write before now, but just must write you a few thoughts this afternoon. It is only about 106 degrees here today, so I’ve had a little more ‘pep’ than usual, but when it crawls up to 110 degrees and it often does, I sit in the bathtub and wish it would coot off a little. It is no hotter here at 110 degrees than in Michigan at 96 degrees, as the air is more dry and the ever present breeze cools you off quicker. “The sun is hot here, very hot, and it bums into the sands of this field something fierce. No shade trees on our field and none nearer than a mile, so we content ourselves with a bath, light clothes and hard work. “Nights are cool after about 11 o’clock and we sleep until 6 a.m. Only working seven hours a day, so it’s not all that bad. “Our camp is situated beautifully on a high plateau and (is) very, very clean. All the buildings are white and they sure look good to us after visiting other camps. Two other camps within a mile of us are not nearly so nice. The aviation, branch is considered the best of any department in the service and itis* sure nice here. I’m crazy about camp life, and I only wish I had enlisted a year earlier. “Ships fly from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., so they are not new sights to me by now, though I admit I did a good bit of sky gazing the first few weeks here. The ships, or airplanes are won­ derful and the pilots and observers who drive and ride them do wonderful stunts and remarkable work. The observation planes direct the artillery fire from the other camp, and the roar of (the) cannon is heard all day besides the infantry firing. “I am anxious to fly, but so far no one had offered to take me. (She did succeed in get­ ting in one flight.) This is because no one is allowed to fly except the officers, so I guess I’ll never get a chance unless I dress as an officer and get smuggled in. “The Wichita mountains are beautiful in the distance about 14 miles away and are beautiful, mostly red rock with spots of green foliage of oak shrubs and moss. No pretty green grass that I have been able to see in this country, only weeds and sunflowers, which grow everywhere in the dust and dirt. the honey bees on campus. The honey bees we see in North America today first arrived with Europeans in the 1600s. We love honey bees because they pollinate our crops and make delicious honey. But there are lots of bees that have always lived here—like bumble bees, squash bees and mason bees. Those are native bees. Most native bees survive the cold by overwintering in the nests where they were bom. That could be tucked into the soil or leafy debris. It could be nestled inside hol­ low plant stems, holes in wood or tubes like my mason bees. Some native bees like bum­ ble bees live in colonies. Only the queen survives the winter. She digs into the earth or finds a hollow tree and hibernates there. The best thing you can do for native bees is protect their nests. Look around and think like a bee. Where would you nest? Look for places with loose soil or leaf litter. Look for hollow stems or holes about the size of a bee. Then, ask people to leave those places alone until June. That means no digging, no raking up debris or pulling out dead plants. That will give the bees time to leave the nest. You can also help by planting flowers that bloom when bees need them most. “One of the difficult times for bees is early spring,” Hopkins said. “Planting things that bloom then is very important for bees’ survival as they recover from the long, hard winter.” fl look back at the stories A1:../+/:^D in the Hastings Banner Amber Z. Cruso, a member of the Army Nurse Corps, in uniform. “We have terrible sandstorms, which come up without a minute’s warning and last for hours. It fills every eye and tooth with grit and becomes more noticeable after we have cleaned our rooms and mopped, of course. No use to dust in this place so we don’t. Can’t sit in a chair tho’ without dusting it, either with a duster or with our skirts. “Your nurse is a dietician, ifyou happen to know what that is. In other words, I am in charge of all the diets of the patients in the hospital, and a very busy person I am, can hardly find work to keep me busy six hours a day and we work only seven. I like the work very much as I am in the kitchen and every­ thing good to eat that there is here. The cooks (all men) are all madly in love with me, so the other nurses say, so I’ve got it easy. Any­ how, laying all joking aside, I’ve their good will I know and that is what makes the job a snap for me. “Our hospital is being enlarged and will be very nice when done. Now we have about 30 patients in the hospital and 40 more in tents on the outside. There are 12 nurses here with one more coming. Eight of them are from Michigan and seven trained at Ann Arbor, where I did. Another nurse and I have cap­ tured two nice boys from Aviation and one has a Ford car to drive when he wants to, so we see the surrounding country about twice a week. It is so good to get away from the hos­ pital and camp for a few hours. Believe it. “The big sausage balloons here are pic­ tures and I always gaze when I see one going up or coming into the hangers or housing made for them. They are about 90 feet long and < are tethered by steel - cables wound Ori1 motorized drums, which let the balloons up or pull them down. Radio communication is carried on extensively, all , being wireless transmission. Plane to ground1 and balloon to ground communication. It’s wonderful to be a nurse in a camp like this, but I’d rather be a man and do the flying. “Every man I talk to is most anxious to ‘go over,’ and can hardly wait ‘til his orders come\ A large number of the men here are officers who are nearing the end1 of their training and ’ a most impressive sight as they line up and march to classes all times ofthe day, as many as 150 in a column. TwoSundays in a row the whole field was in review and a wonderful sight, as column after column passed before the reviewing officers for inspection. “I sure hope this wan Will be over by the end ofthe year at least, but ho one knows. So many lives are being given for the devilish work of the Germans. But until the war ends, you’ll find me in camp, doing my little bit as best I can and I know all you dear people who at home tilling the fields are doing just as much as we are in the active service. Some early spring flowers probably already grow near you-like dandelions and clover. Some people let these flowers grow in their yards all spring tojnake better habi­ tats for bees. But bee keepers do more to help honey bees survive the winter. That’s because honey bees are livestock. Humans keep them for agricul­ tural purposes-kind of like cows or pigs. In the winter, honey bees snuggle togeth­ er in the hive. They make sure the queen is in the middle of the cluster so she’s nice and warm. They vibrate their flight muscles to heat the hive. Hopkins told me that, even when it’s bitterly cold outside, the hive stays about 75 degrees. ‘ That takes a lot of energy. That’s why honey bees preserve nectat as honey. That’s their winter food. Hopkins told me a colony of honey bees needs a whopping 40 to 60 pounds of honey for winter. That’s why bee keepers only harvest extra honey and leave lots for the bees. Then they check on the bees all winter. If the honey runs low, they provide honey from another colony or sugar syrup. Sometimes they put boards of fondant or sugar candy into the hive, too. I When spring comes, honey bees and native bees finally leave their nests. I love seeing them zip from flower to flower, knowing I helped make their spring betterjust like they do mine. Dr. Universe Do you have a question? Ask Dr. Uni­ verse. Send an email to Washington State University s resident scientist and writer at Dr.Universe@wsu.edu or visit her website, askdruniverse, com. TURNING BflGK THE PAGES ■ Amber Cruso in flying,gear for the only time she ever flew at Fort Sill, Okla. “Sure would enjoy the hammock at your home, eating onions and a good old home cooked meal by your mother, Oral. But for the present, I’m content to give up the plea­ sures of home and dig in and do my bit. “I suppose you’re eating apples and sweet com, and if so, eat some for me, for nary an apple or com on the cob is to be found around here, but we have good eats, so I’m not complaining, just thinking. I’m not signed up for foreign duty, as my moth­ er and Mr. Burton Perry won’t give their consent. Mother especially thinks I ought not to go. She lost one child at age 3 and sure doesn’t want to lose me, as I’m the last and only. “The stationery I’m using is given free to all soldiers and nurses and we are proud to use it, for if any organization is doing good for the camps, it js the YMCA. So help the loyalty league at home and that saves our men. The entertainment given by the YMCA for the boys is clean and helps many a man from carousing around in places where they get in trouble. We girls attend movies and Jaa9 Jaa9 Fv)i9V M f i*r4. Fv)i9V M f *ir4. /s/ Sunday services and the men seem to appre­ ciate our presence. “Well, my dears, it’s work time and I’m so wet with drops of perspiration that I look like a ‘dewdrop.’ Do write when you feel like it. I’d sure be glad. “My love to you both, “Amber Z. Cruso” She continued her work at Fort Sill until she was discharged in November 1919. While at Fort Sill, she met Theodore Shyghighon Knowles Reid and they were mar­ ried on Jan. 21, 1920. After spending some time in Lometa, Texas, on the farm of T.S.K. Reid’s family, the couple came to live in Michigan on April 23, 1922. On the 1923 roster of nurses work­ ing at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, she is listed as Mrs. Amber Z. Reid. The Reids set­ tled into community life in the Hastings area and later in the Thomapple Lake area. Both Reids were active in the Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post and Auxiliary Unity No. 45. Amber Cruso Reid died in 1955. To be continued... Pierce Cedar Creek Institute events for Dec. 29- Jan. 4 Nov. 1-Dec. 31 — November and December Storybook Walk: “The Lodge that Beaver Built” by Randi Sonenshine. The Storybook Walk is free and self-guided. Dec. 22-Jan. 7 - Winter Break Explora­ tion Kits (ages 12 and under) available at the Institute, blastings Public Library, Delton District Library and Dowling Pub­ lic Library. Pick up a free kit of winter fun with hands-on activities. Kits will be grouped as: birth to 2 years old, preschool, early and upper elementary. Jan. 1-31 - January Storybook Walk: “The River that Wolves Moved: A True Tale from Yellowstone” by Mary Kar Car­ son, illustrated by David Hohn. Follow the reintroduction of wolves to Yellow­ stone and learn how they impacted the physical environment enough to move a river. After your storybook adventure, stop by the south side of the Visitor Center and learn about Michigan’s wolves and try howling at January’s wolf moon. This Storybook Walk is thanks to the generosi­ ty of Joel and Barbara Vandyken. The Storybook Walk is free and self-guided. Those interested can register for these events and find more information at cedarcreekinstitute.org/events/. HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Dec. 28 - Movie Memories & Milestones watches a 1944 film starring Joseph Cotton, Ginger Rogers and Shirley Temple, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29 Friday Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1 - Library closed for New Year’s. FF' vrvri 1 ■ Tuesday, Jan. 2 - Baby Cafe, 10 a.m.; mahjong, 2 p.m.; chess, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3 - Itsy Bitsy Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Digital Literacy: Excel Basics Part II, 2 p.m.; Writers* Night, 6:30 p.m. More information about these and other events is available by calling the library, 269­ 945-4263. �The Hastings A N N ER ^Bb <Bb ^B ^B SPORTS Thursday,December Lion comeback a point short at G-A Brett Bremer Sports Editor Twas the night before Christmas break and at the end of the dock The Lions had a shot bounce off the rim, then a second was blocked. Two tries -at a game-winner were unsuccessful as the Maple Valley varsity boys’ basketball team .fell 36-35 at Galesburg-Au­ gusta High School Friday night. The Lions saw a five-point lead slip away in the first half against the Rams, and went into the half down 21-17. G-A grew its lead to as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter as turnovers and misses piled up for the Lions like they were presents they were leaving under the tree for the Rams. Things started to click for the Lions in the final four and a half minutes as desperation set in. They did their best Grinch impression and started stealing the Rams’ lead away. “We played really hard for about four minutes and got ourselves back into it with an Hastings 126-pounder Jordan Humphrey works to pin Lumen Christi's Nolan Curtis during their dual at Hastings High School Wednesday evening. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Saxons dominate dual with Lumen Christi Titans Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons headed into the holiday break taking down the Titans. The Hastings varsity wrestling team scored a 78-6 win over former Interstate-8 Athletic Conference foe Jackson Lumen Christi at Hastings High School Wednesday. Lumen Christi forfeited half of the 14 Weight classes to the Saxon team, and Hast­ ings got six pins in the other seven matches. Jordan Humphrey at 126 pounds, Colton Smith at 138, Preston Meece at 175, Matthew Shults at 190, Kyle Echtinaw at 215 and Isaac Friddle at 285 scored the Saxon pins. Lumen Christi got its points thanks to a pin from Anthony Moring at 106 pounds. Troy Hokanson, Maverick Peake, Colten Denton, Keegan Archer Sutfin, Haiden Sim­ met, Aden Armstrong and Bailey Miller had the Saxon forfeit victories. Hokanson is up to 13-0 on the season with that forfeit victory. Smith’s pin moved his record to 12-1 on the year. Friddle and Sim­ met both upped their record to 11-2 in the dual. The Hastings wrestlers were scheduled to be back in action today at the Reed City Duals. The Saxons will send a contingent of girls to the Montague Tournament Friday, Dec. 29. It was the first home dual of the season for the Saxons, who were originally scheduled to also take on Wyoming Lee Wednesday eve­ ning. The Saxon team also got exhibition wins from Naomi Grummet, Sophia Sunior, Brady Reaser, Colten Denton, Aden Armstrong, Jay Tee Sleight and Austin Abson on the night. opportunity to win,” Maple Valley head coach Ryan Nevins said. “I told the kids, ‘we got two chances, and you can’t wait for the offi­ cial to call a foul. You’ve got to make a shot.’ We’ve got 100 different plays throughout the game where that one point comes into play. “But every game we played in this year, with the exception , of Union City which was close for three quarters, it has been like that all year. We have been in tight games with oppor­ tunities to win. We.could honestly be 7-1 and we could be. We just have to continue to do those things, give ourselves opportunities to win games and pretty soon in games like that we’ll make theshot and we’ll get the win. Ayden Wilkes, who battled some foul trou­ ble on the night, copverted a three-point play at the line and fhcR drilled a comer three to quickly cut the R^m lead in half midway through that fourth^uarter. It was the, s,fart of a 10^2 run.for l^jLw?sfv,< A bucket by senior guard Callan. Hoefler was quickly followed.by a double-team in the back­ court by Hoefler and. teammate Connor Joseph that led to a Ram turnover and a Lion timeout. The Lions worked the ball for a three by Jakeb McDonaldt that had his team within 36-35 as the clock ticked under half a minute to go. It took a few fouls to get the Rams into the bonus,. but, the Lions eventually pit Ram senior center John Klimp at the line with 8.9 seconds to go. He missed both foul shots and the Lions rebounded the basketball. , Wilkes pushed up the left side for a shpt in the lane, contested by Klimp, which wouldn’t fall. Joseph rebounded the miss and went, back up with the ball, but Klimp recovered to spin and knock away Joseph’s put-back try before it all ended in a heap on the floor as the hom sounded. Galesburg-Augusta's John Klimp blocks a shot by Maple Valley's Connor Joseph in the closing seconds of the Rams' one-point win at home over the visiting Lions Friday, Dec. 22. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Rams move to 6-2 with the win. Maple Valley is now 4-4 overall. Maple Valley wop four in a row to open the season and has now dropped four straight. “The difference between our first four games and the last four games are exactly that, valuing the basketball,” Nevins said. The Saxons' Matthew Shults holds down Lumen Christi's James Hart during their 190-pound match Wednesday at Hastings High Schoo. (Photo by Valerie Slaughter) Trojans make it to 6-0 with win over Caledonia Brett Bremer Sports Editor has their own Everyone measuring sticks. The Trojans were looking forward to testing themselves against Caledonia Thursday night. Now, the Caledonia girls will test what kind of improvements they are able to make over the holiday break when they start the OK Red Conference season against the defending Division 1 State Champions from Rockford Jan. 5. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball team improved its record to 6-0 with a 37-30 win over visiting Caledonia in a non-conference contest that TK head coach Brandi James knew would be the toughest test her undefeated girls had faced to date. That was kind of our gut check game to see where we really stood,” James said. “Defensively, we played awesome. We really studied their film and kind of knew what they were going to do coming in. They locked it down on defense. They real­ ly played really well.” Senior Eva Corson, sophomore McKen­ na Hoebeke and junior Lydia Schilthroat led the defensive charge according to their coach. Corson and Schilthroat also tied for the team lead with 11 points each. Hoebeke chipped in six points. Hoebeke had some extra work to do on offense with sophomore guard Jordan Pranger, who has been one of the team’s top scorers over the first few games of the season, limited with an injury that kept her out for most of the final three quarters. See TROJANS, page 9 “We set a goal this year that we want 13 or less turnovers per game, and I think our first four games we won we were right around 13. We had 15 at halftime tonight. We can’t con­ tinually give them extra possessions. We’re just not that good of a shooting team yet to where we can make that happen.” Joseph was the lone Lion in double figures, finishing with five points. Wilkes finished with nine points and Carpenter closed out a strong all-around ballgame with eight points. “I thought Cam and Callan played extraor­ dinary tonight,” Nevins said. “We finally had a week where we had a week of practice. Those two guys really busted their tail and rebounded the basketball. Jakeb McDonald did a nice job of rebounding the ball tonight. We had talked about him being a bigger part of that, like he was the first couple games. “Our guards have got to do a little bit better job of taking care of the ball and we have to make a couple more shots. That is really what it comes down to - 35 points is not acceptable.” Coach Nevins said his guys get a bit too passive and struggle against a zone defense so far this winter. A lot ofwork went into that in the lead-up to the bailgame with the Rams. “When we play against man, like we did at the beginning of the game, we get a lot of good looks and a lot of ball movement. That will be a focus over Christmas break. In the fourth quarter we were a lot better and finally got some more ball movement and player movement. We got the ball into the paint a little bit more and got us some looks. That is the reason we got back into the game. We got a few steals and a few easy looks. A lot of good things. A lot of bad things. That is high school basketball I-guess.” Galesburg-Augusta was led by junior guard Jeremiah Mann’s 16 points. Klimp fin­ ished with six points. Maple Valley returns to action with a Big 8 Conference home match against Spring- port Jan. 4. Maple Valley's Camden Carpenter puts a shot up in the paint during his team's on^ point loss at Galesburg-Augusta High School Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 28, 2023 — Page 9 Injury has Lions shuffling roles a bit as break arrives Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Galesburg-Augusta varsity girls’ bas­ ketball team went into the holiday break scoring a lopsided with over the Maple Valley girls Friday night. The Rams took it to the Lions to score a 53-8 win. The Lion ladies have had to switch things up with senior guard Emma Pierce lost for the season to injury. Freshman Aubree Roth and senior Kyla VanAlstine are working more at running the point for the Lions. Coach Karl Wilhelm continues to really like his girls’ attitude and looks forward to continuing to work to improve in the new year. Senior center Ali Mater had four points for the Lions in the loss. VanAlstine had three points and Roth one. “We’ll take a few days off and come back and start hammering away at it again. That is really all we can do. I like our younger play­ ers. I like some of the players recruited from other sports. I think they play hard. I think they’re nice additions to the program,” Wil­ J Hastings junior Dre Mathis dribbles past Harper Creek senior Brady Vette in the first half of the Beavers' 1-8 win at Hastings High School Thursday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Beavers get in front of HHS early in 1-8 contest Brett Bremer Sports Editor & Harper Creek dropped the Hastings varsity Joys’ basketball team to 0-2 in the InterKate-8 Athletic Conference this season with a 60-45 win at Hastings High School Thursday, bee. 21. J' The Beavers doubled up the Saxons 16-8 Brayden Bess chipped in 11 points and four rebounds. Brady Vette aded eight points and seven rebounds while Spencer Denney had eight points too. ». Owen Carroll was the top scorer for the Saxons with 17, but he was just 5-of-13 fifooting the basketball from the floor. As-a team the Saxons shot just- Over 30 percent and they were just 3-of-17 from three. ft Landon Steward had a strong night at the free throw line, going 6-for-8 and had ten points for Hastings, but he had his team's only two assists in the ballgame. Teammate Pavid Jiles added nine points. J Jett Barnum had eight rebounds and two steals to go with his three points. Eli Randall pulled down seven rebounds and had four points. Carroll had four steals. I The Hastings boys are off now until a trip feel like are slightly mort! aggressive; which I like to see. They’re starting toJget confidence in wrestling in the varsity line-up. They’re getting some of the stuff they Can take advan­ tage of as opposed to being scared of that. I Saxon senior David Jiles pulls up at the elbow and takes a shot over Harper Creek junior Zack Kitchen (34) in the first quarter of the Beavers' win over the Saxons at Hastings High School Thursday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Panthers turn defense into offense to beat the Cougars i Tyler Howland led Delton Kellogg with 16 points. Hugo Martino chipped in 12 points hnd Torren Mapes had 11. J Calhoun Christian took a 10-4 lead six minutes into the ballgame, but Martino had a ood flurry in which he scored six quick good points thanks to a couple steals and passes phead by Mapes. | Delton Kellogg led 14-10 after one quarter, nad a one-point lead at the half, and then surged to lead 42-33 heading into the fourth Quarter. | DK head coach Jim Hogoboom said he Maple Valley sophomore Claire Seume looks to pass the ball away from pressure applied by the Rams' Holley Coburn during the second half at Galesburg-Augusta High School Friday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) and are building that base; we’re looking for,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said of his young wrestlers Wednesday. “Some of the freshmen, like' Jack [Smith] and Cam [Peter]1 and [CSleb] Miller at 26, I kr Brett Bremer Sports Editor ; Calhoun Christian took advantage of a slow Delton Kellogg start to build a lead, but the Panthers rallied to head into the holiday break on a two-game win streak. J The Panthers took a 51 -41 win at the home of the Cougars in Battle Creek. season. The Lion ladies fall to 1-5 with the loss. Maple Valley is off now until a Jan. 5 trip to take on Union City in Big 8 Conference action. Brett Bremer Sports Editor For the first time in & long time the Tro­ jans just might not be the favorites in the OK Gold Confemce this winter, but they got off to a good start in the conference Wednesday at their first Conference quad of the season. The Trojans capped 'off the night with a 52-30 win over OK Gold foe Grand Rapids Catholic Central, following up on a 62-9 win over Kelloggsville in a non-conference dual in Middleville. Forest Hills Eastern was also a part of the rii'ght’s wrestling. The Hawks were bested* W both file Cougars aga “They’re starting to piit the basics together i Braxton Liss had 14 points, four assists Jnd two steals to lead the Beaver attack. son. tive ... it is a great group of girls to work with. We’ll just keep working.” Junior Jaidyn Klimp had a game-high 22 points for the G-A girls who are now 2-5 this TK team topples Cougars in Gold opener m the opening quarter and extended their lead to 32-20 by the half. The Saxons were only able to get as close as seven points in the fecond half. fo Bath Wednesday, Jan. 3. They will be home again Jan. 9 taking on Parma Western tn the return to 1-8 action. r* Harper Creek moves its record to 2-6 over­ dll with the win. The Beavers are 2-1 in con­ ference play. P The Saxons are now 1-5 overall this sea­ helm said. “The attitude is good. The attitude is posi­ feels like it was extended pressure in the sec­ ond half that helped his team generate some easy offense to take control. Micah Reed had a game-high 19 points to lead the Cougar offense. The Panthers are 4-3 overall this season. Calhoun Christian falls to 2-5 with the loss. As the Panthers work on things through the break, Hogoboom is looking for his team to play smarter - figure out how to cut down on silly fouls and to avoid unforced errors. He said shoring up those things could put them on a good roll in the new year. DK returns to action at Saugatuck Jan. 12 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference Cen­ tral Division ballgame. The Trailblazers are currently 4-3 overall and off to a 3-0 start in SAC Central play with wins over Gobles, Galesburg-Augusta and Martin. Delton is 1-1 in conference play going into that match-up. am looking forward to’ seeing them grow throughout the season.” * Christien Miller, Giblson, Caleb Miller, Noah Quintard, Smith,T.Jayce Curtis and Abram Dutcher all scoreq pins in the dual with Kelloggsville. Heavyweight Jimmy Manne closed out the dual with a 3-2 win over Zacarias Domingo-rablo for TK. Peter also took a 5-3 toi for the Trojans at 144 pounds againstAndy Cruz Lopez-Cas­ tro. His win followed major decisions by teammates Dylan Paulind at 132 pounds and Griffin Grummet at 138 for TK. There were just seven contested bouts in the dual between the Trojans and Catholic Central Cougars. With a late reversal and a couple back points, Peter upped his victory to a 14-5 major decision in the 144-pound bout with Catholic Central’s Matiss McNally. Smith scored a pin at 157 pounds for the Trojans. Those were TK’s only* two wins on the mat while the team took seven weight class­ es by forfeit. Cedar Springs and Wayland are the teams most focused on overtaking the Trojans in the OK Gold this winter. They’ll both be in Middleville Jan. 10 as TK hosts another conference quad, with Catholic Central reutuming that evening too to face the Wildcats and Red Hawks. TK has some time to keep gaining mat experience before that meet. The Trojans are hosting their own invitational today, Dec. 28. The Trojans will be a part ofr a double dual at Greenville Jan. 4 and head to the Three Rivers Super Duals Jan. 6. Thornapple Kellogg heavyweight Jimmy Manne works to escape the grasp of Kelloggsville's Zacarias Domingo-Pablo during his 3-2 win over the Rockets' 285-pounder Wednesday, Dec. 20, in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) DK girls limited to 19 points at Calhoun Christian Points were tough to come by as the Delton Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball team was bested 26-19 at Calhoun Chris­ tian Thursday, Dec. 21. The Panthers head into the holiday break with a 1-4 record. Elise Wylie led Calhoun Christian with ten pints and teammate Jayna Schwartz had eight points. Calhoun Christian is now 3-3 overall this season. The Delton Kellogg girls are off now until a trip to face Battle Creek Academy Jan. 9 'TROJANS, continued from page 8 I The Trojans led the bailgame by ten points heading into the fourth quarter after the Fighting Scots scored just eight points in the Second and third quarters combined. The Scots led 11 -9 after one quarter and then were scoreless through about the first seven min­ utes of the second quarter before eventually going into the half down 16-15 to their host. । “Middleville has an incredibly scrappy and gritty team,” Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers said. “They play very hard. I thought their ability to challenge the offen­ sive backboard, their hustle to make an effort to win the 50/50 plays and their overall strength around the basket really caused us some problems. It was a game that was prob­ ably played in the style that TK wanted it to be. It was not the cleanest.” Caledonia managed to put together a bit of a run in the fourth quarter to get within 31 -28 before TK managed a couple quick baskets on Caledonia turnovers. Coach James was proud of how her girls “weathered the storm.” Her team put a big emphasis on breaking team’s full-court pressure in practice this week, and thought the drilling on beating the press with the pass rather than the dribble and mov­ ing the ball through the middle of the floor paid off. That made one coach who was happier with how their team took care of the basketball. “We’re trying, to use a tennis term, we’re trying to eliminate unforced errors, taking better care of the basketball,”’Bloemers said. “I had us for 19 turnovers last night. Credit to Middleville for some of them, but we had some self-inflicted wounds that prevented us from getting into a flow on the offensive end.” Lily Gortmaker finished with a team-high nine points for Caledonia. Kathryn Langen- burg and Mackenzie Myers had six points apiece. Lakely Bottum, the focus of the Tro­ jans’ defensive efforts, had four points. Coach Bloemers would love for his team to use its offense make more free’ throws than opponents attempt; That stat went the other way Thursday. TK was 12-of-17 at the free throw line while his Scots were just 4-of-l 1. “That is kind of one of those telling stats,” Bloemers said. “We lacked aggressiveness attacking the basket and kind of avoided con­ tact at times when it would have been nice to collect those fouls.” The Scots are 3-3 going into the holidays. They start the new year at home with tough conference contests against Rockford Jan. 5 and then Hudsonville Jan. 9. Jenison comes to Caledonia Jan. 12. “The girls have a little time off,” Bloemers said. “We’re going to get going the middle of next week with some practices focused op energy and being focused every time we take the floor, and that we’re encouraging each other to do our best, and just trying to create that competitive environment we need in the OK Red.” �Page 10 — Thursday, December 28, 2023 — The Hastings Banner STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT . . . BARRY COUNTY PROBATE ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION/POSTINQ AND NOTICE OF ACTION CASE NO. 2023-738-CH Court address: 220 E. Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.. 269-945-1285 •> Plaintiff r<. 4K#tes Yankee Spnngs LLC d/b/a Yankee Spnngs Meadows 1330 N. Patterson Rd. Wayland, Ml 49348 (269) 795-2620 Plaintiff's attorney Kevin P. Sutherland (P81681) . . John A. Vos (P38643) 234 N. Division Ave., Ste. 400 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616) 333-2427 v Defendant Unknown Holders of Title to, or Interest in, Manufactured/Mobile Home (1996 Redman Millbrook, Serial #11253062 and currently located at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Ml, Barry County, 49348) TO: Defendants IT IS ORDERED: 1. You are being sued in this court by the plaintiff to have the Court declare Plaintiff owner of the above-ref­ erenced manufactured/mobile home. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in this court at the court address above on or before 1 -29­ 2024. If you fail to do so. a default judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the com­ plaint filed in this case. 2. A copy of this order shall be published once each week in the Hastings Banner for three consecutive weeks, and proof of publication shall be filed in this court. 3. The Barry County Sheriff or qualified court offi­ cer shall post a copy of this order in the courthouse, and at Hastings Public Library at 227 E. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 and at Barry County Clerk's Office at 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 for three continuous weeks and shall file proof of posting in this court. 4. A copy of this order shall be sent to Defendants named above at the last-known address by registered mail, return receipt requested, before the date of the last publication, and the affidavit of mailing shall be filed with this court. Date: Dec. 18,2023 Vicky L. Alspaugh P48572 STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY PROBATE NOTICE OF HEARING AND MOTION Court address: 220 E. Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1285 Plaintiff Yes Yankee Springs LLC d/b/a Yankee Springs Meadows 1330 N. Patterson Rd. Wayland, Ml 49348 (269) 795-2620 Plaintiff's attorney Kevin P. Sutherland (P81681) John A. Vos (P38643) 234 N. Division Ave., Ste. 400 Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616)333-2427 v Defendant Unknown Holders of Title to, or interest In, Manufactured/Mobile Home (1996 Redman Millbrook, Serial #11253062 and currently located at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Ml, Barry County, 49348) NOTICE OF HEARING 1. Motion title: for Entry of Order Declaring Owner­ ship of Manufactured/Mobile Home. 2. Moving party: Plaintiff Yes Yankee Springs LLC drtVa Yankee Springs Meadows. 3. This matter has been placed on the motion cal­ endar for: Judge Vicky L. Alspaugh P429721, Date: 3/16/2024, Time: 9:45 a.m., Court address, 220 W. State St., Hastings, Ml 49058. 4. If you require special accommodations to use the court because of disabilities, please contact the court immediately to make arrangements. MOTION Plaintiff seeks an order declaring Plaintiff owner of a manufactured/mobile home (9196 Redman Mill­ brook, serial #11253062) and currently located within Plaintiff’s manufactured/mobile home park and occupy­ ing Site 93 at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Michigan, Barry County, 49348, In order that Plaintiff may then apply to the Mich Dept of State for a title to the home. Those individuals last possessing and occupying the home have either died or vacated the home and lot site. Plaintiff has been unable to learn the identity of any current titleholder or lienholder despite inquires with the Mich Dept of State. Plaintiff incorporates by reference the contents of the attached Complaint as it contains additional facts and information as well as verification by Plaintiff. Date: 11-10-2023 John A. Vos (P38643) STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL DISTRICT 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT BARRY COUNTY PROBATE SUMMONS CASE NO.738-CH Court address: 220 E. Court Street, Hastings, Ml 49058 Court telephone no.: 269-945-1285 Plaintiff Yes Yankee Springs LLC d/b/a Yankee Springs Meadows 1330 N. Patterson Rd. Wayland, Ml 49348 (269) 795-2620 Plaintiff's attorney Kevin P. Sutherland (P81681) John A. Vos(P38643) 234 N. Division Ave., Ste. 400 Grand Rapids, Mi 49503 (616)333-2427 v Defendant Unknown Holders of Title to, or interest in, Manufactured/Mobile Home (1996 Redman Millbrook, Serial #11253062 and currently located at 12895 Barry Lane, Wayland, Ml, Barry County, 49348) Civil Case There is no other pending or resolved civil action arising out of the same transaction alleged in the complaint. SUMMONS DEFENDANT: In the name of the people of the State of Michigan you are notified: 1. You are being sued. 2. YOU HAVE 21 DAYS after receiving this summons and a copy of the complaint to file a written answer with the court and serve a copy on the other party or take other lawful action with the court (28 ddays if you were served by mail or you were served outside of Michigan). 3 If you do now answer or take other action within the time allowed, judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. 4. If you require accommodations to use the court because of a disability or if you require a foreign lantguage interpreter to help you fully participate in court mpraokceeeadrrinagns,empleeanstse. contact the court immediately to make arrangements. Date: 11/13/23; Expiration Date: 02/12/24; Court Clerk Kaylah Fyan Dep. 210352 LEGAL IN NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service . member on active duty, If your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago./jr if you have 'been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this -notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice Is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court In Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and dear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this Information. Mortgage (the "Mortgage") made by Donald Rlbble and Donna Ribble, husband and wife, as Mortgagors to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated October 14, 2005, and recorded on October 25, 2005, Instrument No. 1155100, and assigned to United Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated December 11, 2023, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to United Bank of Michigan, and recorded December 12,2023, Instrument No. 2023­ 009534, all as recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County, Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage Is $61,326.70 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage as stated above, plus Interest on the amount due at the rate of 6.875% per annum; all legal costs and expenses, including attorney's fees allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to protect Its Interest in the property. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in the Township of Orangeville, County of Barry, State of Michigan described more fully as: LOT 13, CHATEAU PARK NO. 1, ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTSAND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. Tax ID No. 08-11-055-005-30 Commonly known address: 11717 Chateau Court, Shelbyville, Ml, 49344 The redemption period shall be six (6) months from the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8), unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant to the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. December 12,2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney for Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW#Suite 530 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.(616) 752-4624 (12-21)(01-18) 210157 MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under Section 3212 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 P.M., on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Matthew C. Lumbert, a married man, (“Mortgagor"), gave a mortgage to Member First Mortgage, LLC, ("Mortgagee"), dated September 3, 2019, and recorded on September 13, 2019, in Document No. 2019-008859, Barry County Records, Michigan. On the date of this notice, there is claimed to be due the principal of One Hundred Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Six 02/100 Dollars ($119,896.02) plus accrued interest at 4.0% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute In such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at the place of holding in the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan @ 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Said premises are situated in the Township of Woodland, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the Southwest comer, Section 28, Town 4 North, Range 7 West; thence East 635 feet along Section line; thence North perpendicular with Section line 125 feet to point of beginning; thence South 125 feet, thence West 395 feet along Section line; thence North 200 feet; thence East 325 feet; thence Southeast 103 feet to the point of beginning. Commonly: 7065 Davenport Road Woodland, Ml 48897-Tax Id#15-028-300-06 The redemption period shall be six months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property Is sold at a foreclosure sale, under Section 600.3278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 7, 2023 Member First Mortgage LLC, Mortgagee Holzman Law, PLLC By: Charles J. Holzman Attorney for Mortgagee 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 ( 248)352-4340 (12-07)(12-28) 209613 CES Notice of Foj^ciosure by Advertisement Notice i^>giv0n under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1tei 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the t will be foreclosed by a sa|e of the mortJKy premises, or some part of them, at a publication sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashl^ Gheck at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 11, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the Highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee fir this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Mark Harden, A Married Man Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: December 28, 2016 Recorded on December29,2016, In Document No. 2017-000403, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: One Hundred Thousand Three Hundred iWenty-Three and 13/100 Dollars ($100,323.13) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: THE WEST 600.00 FEET OF THE FOLLOWING: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE OF SECTION 4, TOWN 3 NORTH, RANGE 7 WEST, CASTLETON TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN, DISTANT SOUTH, 176.00 FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 4/THENCE NORTH 440.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, ALONG SAID NORTH AND SOUTH 1/4 LINE TO A POINT DISTANT SOUTH, 1056.04 FEET FROM THE CENTER POST OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE EAST, 1320.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, PARALLEL WITH THE EAST AND WEST 1/4 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4: THENCE SOUTH, 440.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, ALONG THE EAST 1/8 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4; THENCE WEST, 1320.00 FEET, MORE OR LESS, PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH 1/8 LINE OF SAID SECTION 4 TO, THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1262 N Coville Rd, Woodland, Ml 48897 The redemption period will be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241 a, In which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; er unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the (telephone number stated in this notice. NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Shermari P.C. 23938 Research pF, Sult^ ^00 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1516989 (12-07)(12-28) 209775 NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bld at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Eric L. Brundage, Melinda L. Brundage, to Fifth' Third Mortgage, Ml. LLC, Mortgagee, dated March 20, 2014 and recorded March 26, 2014 in Instrument Number 2014-002384 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage Is now held by Fifth Third Bank, N.A. as Successor by merger to Fifth Third Mortgage Company, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty and 27/100 Dollars ($166,980.27). Under the power of sale contained In said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 25,2024. Said premises are located in the Township of Orangeville, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Parcel B Commencing at the North 1/4 post of Section 13, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 88 degrees 44' 37" East on the North Section line 1709.215 feet to the place of beginning; thence continuing South 88 degrees 44' 37” East on the said North Section line 387.115 feet to a point 10 feet West of an existing tree and fence row; thence South 01 degrees 09' 41" East parallel to said tree and fence row 387.115 feet; thence North 88 degrees 46’ 00” West 392.88 feet; thence North 0 degrees 18 degrees 18’ 30" East 387.115 feet to the place of beginning. 6184 Brundage Dr, Delton, Michigan 49046 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned In accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible tto the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 28,2023 File No. 23-014274 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-28)(01-18) 210603 Financial FOCUS Provided by the Barry County offices ofEdward Jones Wendi Stratton CFP® Financial Advisor 423 N. Main St Nashville, Ml 49073 ((551177))776600-8811113 3 Member S1PC „ 4H^a1 stinWgso,O MJ!l? 490w58r ?. (269)945-3553 Time: A key element of investing Who knows where the time goes? We’ve reached the end of another year, so it’s appro­ priate to reflect on the nature of time and how it affects us. And time certainly is a key element in the pursuit of your financial goals. As an investor, time can be your greatest ally. If you hold some investments for the long term, you could achieve an impressive cumulative growth in value. Furthermore, if you keep adding shares to these investments, possibly through a dividend reinvestment plan, you could attain “growth on growth” through the power of compounding. Of course, when you own equity invest­ ments, you will experience market fluctuations, but in general, the longer you hold these investments, the more you can reduce the effects of market volatility. But you also need to con­ sider aspects of time in these contexts: • Checking progress on achieving goals - When you establish a goal, such as sav­ ing for a child’s education or your own retirement, you know the end date of when you’ll need the money, but it’s also important to mark your progress along the way. So, each year, see how far along you are in meeting your goal. If you’re falling behind, you may need to adjust your in­ vestment mix. • Choosing an appropriate strategy - The time needed to achieve a goal should drive your investment strategy for that goal. For example, when you are saving for a retirement that won’t happen for three or four decades, you will need to invest for growth by placing a reasonable percentage of eq­ uities and equity-based invest­ ments in your portfolio, based on your comfort with the vari­ ous types ofrisk, including in­ terest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. You will experi­ ence some bumps along the way — keep in mind that the value ofinvestments will fluc­ tuate and the loss of some or all principal is possible — but you likely have time to over­ come the “down” periods. On the other hand, when you are saving for a short-term goal, such as a vacation or a new car or a wedding, you’ll want a set amount of money avail­ able precisely when you need it In this case, you may need to sacrifice some growth po­ tential for investments whose principal value won’t fluctu­ ate, such as certificates of de­ posit (CDs) and bonds. Keep in mind, though, that when you’re investing for long- and short-term goals, Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given Under sectionotthefrevised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 11, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Jerry L. Plank III, a single man, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Guaranteed Rate, Inc., its successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated June 4, 2019 and recorded June 14, 2019 in Instrument Number 2019-005699 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Guaranteed Rate, Inc., by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Six Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Four and 64/100 Dollars ($106,744.64). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 11,2024. Said premises are located in the Village of Freeport, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Parcel 1 :Lot 4, Block 10, Village of Freeport, being part of Section 1, Town 4 North, Range 9 West, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan.Parcel 2: Part of Lots 5 and 6, Block 10, Village of Freeport, Irving Township, Barry County, Michigan described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of Lot 6, Block 10, Village of Freeport as laid out and replatted by Samuel Roush’s Addition; thence North on the West lot line of said Lot 6, 75.0 feet, to the point of beginning; thence East, 66.28 feet, parallel with the South line of Lot 6, to a point 75.0 feet North of the Southeast corner of said Lot 6 and the East lot line of Lot 6; thence North 51.80 feet, along said East lot line, to the Northeast corner of said Lot 6 and the South line of platted 10 foot wide alley; thence West, 66.19 feet, along the North line of said Lot 6 and the South line of said alley; thence continuing West along the South line of said alley and the North line of said Lot 5,66.18 feet, to the West line of Lot 5, Block 110; thence South on said West line 15.0 feet; thence East, 66.18 feet; parallel with the North line of said Lot 5, to the West line of Lot 6; thence South 36.93 feet, along the West line of said Lot 6, to a point 75.0 feet North of the Southwest corner of said Lot 6 and the point of beginning. 106 Cherry St, Freeport, Michigan 49325 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 14, 2023 File No. 23-013751 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-14)(01-04) 210002 it doesn’t have to be just one strategy or the other. You can save for retirement with primarily growth vehicles but still have room in your portfolio for shorter-term in- • struments. And even when ■ you’re specifically investing ■ for some short-term goal, you can’t forget about your need to save and invest for retire­ -a- . j ment ’ And here’s one final point about the relationship between . time and investing: Your risk tolerance can, and probably will, change over the years. As you near retirement you may feel the need to adjust your portfolio toward a more conservative approach. That’s because you may want to con­ solidate any gains you might have achieved while also rec­ ognizing that you simply have less time to bounce back from down markets. Still, even in retirement you’ll need some growth potential in your port­ folio to help you stay ahead of inflation. When you invest one of your biggest considerations is time — so use it wisely. > 1 This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local EdwardJones Financiall} j Advisor. Edward Jones, Member !«* **• tl# SIPC NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE; Attention homeowner: If you are a military service* '■ member on active duty, if your period of active duty' J has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have* been ordered to active duty, please contact th" tfftipr attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at* J the telephone number-^tetedjn this notice. Notice | of foreclosure by advertHBM Notice is given under section 3212 of the levied juqicature act. of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the | following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of» the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at ’ a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash* * ELI or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, Michigan starting promptly at 1:00 pm on January 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Mortgage' (the “Mortgage”) made by Donald Ribble and Donna Ribble, husband and wife, as Mortgagors' to United Bank Mortgage Corporation, dated April1 27,2006, and recorded on May 8,2006, Instrument No. 1164223, as modified by that certain mortgage.’ modification recorded on May 1, 2007, Instrument, No. 1179983, as further modified by that certain­ mortgage modification recorded on September* 7, 2007, Instrument No. 20070907-0001797, and further modified by that mortgage modification recorded on November 3, 2008, Instrument Nd. 20081103-0010641, and assigned to United Bank, of Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation, via that Assignment of Mortgage dated December 1T, 2023, from United Bank Mortgage Corporation to ata hl Sm’ia inllta J J ^•0 United Bank of Michigan, and recorded December 12, 2023, Instrument No. 2023-009535, all as? recorded in Barry County Records, Barry County,; Michigan. The balance owing on the Mortgage is$65,151.12 at the time of this Notice. The Mortgage, contains a power of sale and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part of the Mortgage. The Mortgagee will apply the sale* proceeds to the debt secured by the Mortgage as stated above, plus interest on the amount due at the rate of 5.875% per annum; all legal', costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees; allowed by law; and also any amount paid by the Mortgagee to protect its interest in the property.!. The property to be sold at foreclosure is all of that real estate situated in the Township of Orangeville, County of Barry, State of Michigan described more fully as: LOT 63, CHATEAU PARK NO. 2, SECTION 5, TOWN 2 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST, ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. SUBJECT TO EASEMENTSAND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. Tax Identification Number: 80-11-060-063-00 Commonly known as: 11575 Winchester Drive, Shelbyville, Ml, 49344 The redemption period shall be six (6) months frorflj • the date of sale pursuant to MCLA 600.3240(8)* unless deemed abandoned and then pursuant t^ the time frames provided for in MCL 600.3241a. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, Mortgagor will be heli. responsible to the person who buys the property at. the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage* holder for damaging the property during the* redemption period. December 12, 2023 UNITED BANK OF MICHIGAN, Mortgagee PLUNKETT* COONEY KELLI L. BAKER (P49960) Attorney fob Mortgagee 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 530 Grand' Rapids, Michigan 49504 (616) 752-4624 (12-21)(01-18) • 210158 V �The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 28, 2023 — Page 11 Soccer teams had leaders step up Brett Bremer Sports Editor I It was another solid season on the pitch for he area varsity boys’ soccer teams in 2023. I The Lakewood varsity boys’ soccer team Had double digit victories for the fourth sea­ son in a row, finishing second in its first sea­ son back in the Capital Area Activities Con­ ference White Division. ! Eaton Rapids once again proved the i w! Vikings’ nemesis, handing them their lone conference defeat and then pulling out a 1-0 dvertime victory in the MHSAA Division 3 District Finals at the end ofthe year. I The other four MHSAA varsity boys’ soc­ cer squads in the county continued to settle in qnder first or second year head coaches. One df the highlights of the Delton Kellogg season was a 1-1 draw they earned with the Lakewood boys a bit before scoring their L first win ofthe season over Watervliet in late September. j Hastings, Thomapple Kellogg and Maple Valley all had a handful of nice victories this season. I Thomapple Kellogg was the only team Other than Lakewood to get a postseason vic­ tory, opening the Division 2 state tournament with a 3-0 win over Zeeland East. | Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Soccer Teams. I I I Garret Feighan, Lakewood: A senior captain for the Viking team that recorded double-digit victories for the fourth season in a row. Feighan was one of the Vikings’ top offensive threats spending time at midfield and forward. Reece Hoeksma, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior playmaker and scorer for the Trojans he was involved in 42 percent of his team’s goals this season. Hoeksma scored 15 goals and had nine assists. Troy Hokanson, Hastings: A leader of the attack once again as a junior this fall. He was one of the Saxon leaders in goals and assists on the year from his spot in the midfield. Hokanson was named all-conference in the 1-8 this season. Dan Jensen, Hastings: Jensen proved a valuable last-line of defense in goal for Hastings as a sophomore this season. Jensen and the Saxon team earned a shut out of Harper Creek and Jensen did his best to keep the Saxons in games all fall. Jensen was named all-conference in the 1-8 this fall. Jackson Mackenzie, Lakewood: Ajunior in a second season as a key member of the Vikings’ midfield. Mackenzie .helped the Vikings’ control the midfield throughout the season and was one ofthe team’s top distributors of the ball. Tanner Mellen, Delton Kellogg: A senior leader for the Panthers in his first varsity sea­ son this fall. Mellen was named first team all-district this season. Nathan Shoemaker, Thornapple Kel­ logg: A sophomore defender that kept foes from getting through the middle of the Tro­ jans’ end. He also finished the season with five goals and an assist including both of his team’s goals in an OK Gold Conference Tournament match with Cedar Springs. 3*2? 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Soccer .«£• kbjiiokL-.jriomsSwad/FeaaL,...aodun L-jriomsSwad/FeaaL,. MM 9'BradlejbcClwshirig^']vi^pleoVaIley:'iriGi!rsh^ <1X'TOK : 2g ing, a sophomore, led the Lion team with ten goals and three assists. “He is a solid midfielder that distributed the ball well,” Lion head coach Mike Webb said. sianoDitegHtotyit xifytallipsiwti Fernando De Santiago, Thornapple Kel­ logg: De Santiago had a strong senior season Serg Anas fJpnJniiBBlliitoiU ■(Man yyyr 11 ner< / 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Soccer First Team TYoy Acker, Lakewood: Ajunior defender at center back for the Vikings. ’Acker helped the Viking defense limit opponents to one goal or less in 13 of the team’s 20 games this season. .Serg Arias, Hastings: A senior center back who was a leader for the Saxon team all mF’’* season long. Arias contributed on the attack When he could and was the top choice to fire PIC’s for his team. /Arias was an all-conference honoree in the 1-8 this fall. /Simeon Biltawi, Thornapple Kellogg: An outstanding distributor of the ball for the Trojans in his junior season. . Biltawi had five goals and six assists. > Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue, Lake­ wood: A foreign exchange student from Spain who instantly changed the expectations F F F for .this fall’s Viking team with his experience, skill and athleticism. /Canon Fernandez Vegue was one of the Vjkings top distributors of the ball and tied the single season Lakewood record for goals scored. ' Jayce Curtis, Thornapple Kellogg: A physical contributor through the middle of the field for TK as a junior this fall. ’Curtis had nine goals and three assists on the season. forTK. He closed the year with six goals and an assist. Blake Dykstra, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior defender for TK, coach Andrew Kiel said he hardly got beat or let opportunities come from his side. Dykstra did notch one assist this fall. McKinney Jiles, Hastings: A junior who was one of the Saxons’ top scoring threats this season, his first with the varsity. Jiles was named honorable mention all-conference this fall in the 1-8. Austyn Lipscomb, Delton Kellogg: A talented, aggressive defender/midfielder for the Panthers this season. Lipscomb was named honorable mention all-district this season. Landon Makley, Lakewood: A junior midfielder who spent time on the defensive end as well. He returned to soccer this fall to make the Vikings’ tough to score against. His long throw-ins were a key weapons for the Viking attack throughout the season, making throw-ins in the offensive end much like comer kick opportunities. Francesco Monni, Delton Kellogg: An exchange student from Italy who took over in goal for the Panthers as the season began he earned first team all-district honors this season. Coach Jon Cannell called him one of the best goalkeepers around. Ashton Nichols, Thornapple Kellogg: A senior who scored three goals this season. If the guy that set up the primary assist was Banner CLASSIFIEDS CALL... The Hastings BANNER • 945-9554 H usiness Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom tfailers, buckets, bale spears, efo Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050.______________ WANTED: STANDING TIMBER- Top local sawmill is seeking land owners with 25 or more mature hardwood trees to sell, qualityhardwoodsinc.com 517-566-8061. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. GOLDENDOODLE PUP­ PIES. 1st shots & wormed. Very cute and fluffy. $100. 269-223-9194. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or martial status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper arc available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275, credited with an assist, like in hockey, coach Kiel guessed he’d have had at least ten. Coach Kiel called Nichols his surprise player of the year and a steady performer when needed. Charlie Nickels, Hastings: A senior lead­ er for the Saxons until an injury shortened his fall on the attack for the Saxons. He headed home the game-winner in the Saxons’ first 1-8 win ofthe season. Nickels was named honorable mention all-conference in the 1-8 this fall. Braden Sharrar, Thornapple Kellogg: Sharrar as solid in his senior season for the Trojans notching a goal and an assist. Sharrar also kicked this fall for the TK varsity football team. Weston Potter, Lakewood: A senior defender, Potter was a leader for the Vikings throughout the fall. Potter did a solid job of transitioning the Vikings from defense to offense throughout the season. Robert Schilz, Maple Valley: A solid sweeper, as a junior throughout the season for the Lions and capable of assisting on the offensive end when needed. Schilz had three goals and two assists on the season. John Sinclair, Delton Kellogg: A midfield­ er on the Panther squad this season, he scored in the Panthers’ lone win of the season. Sinclair was named' honorable mention all-district this fall. SYNOPSIS RUTLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING December 13,2023 - 7:00 p.m. Regular meeting called to order and Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Hall, Hawthorne, Greenfield, Watson, Bellmore, Lectka Absent: James Approved the Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Monthly Treasurer’s Report Monthly Clerk’s Voucher/Payroll Report Motion to approve Resolution 2023-299 2024 Township Budget Roll Call Vote - All Ayes, motion passes/-..■o.'ic qsc'icM - 3-3, motion fails Motion to accept new bids for Sexton Contract Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to award Lawncare Contract Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to award Janitorial Contract Roll Call Vote - All ayes, motion passes Motion to Resolution 2023-297 2024 Board Meeting Dates and Holiday Schedule Roll Call Vote -All ayes, motion passes syu.-.-.w i > Motion to Resolution 2023-298 2024 Township Board Compensation Supervisor-$28,799.36 Clerk-$33,058.70 Trea­ surer-$29,614.55 Trustee-$1& per Board Meeting Roll Call Vote - 4 ayes, 1 nay, Motion passes Motion to appoint township Auditors-Siegfried & Crandall, Attorney-Craig Rolf, Planner-Rebecca Harvey, Engineer-Ken Bosma Roll Call Vote- All ayes, motion passes Adjournment 8:21 pm Respectfully submitted, Robin Hawthorne, Clerk Attested to by, Larry Watson, Supervisor 210624 NOTICE A Attention homeowner: If you aro a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier's check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 25,2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title Insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Robert W. Frost and Nancy S. Frost, husband and wife, to Benchmark Mortgage Corporation, Mortgagee, dated January 14, 2004 and recorded January 15, 2004 in Instrument Number 1120780 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on November 10, 2017, In Instrument Number 2017-011380, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Seventy-One Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Two and 52/100 Dollars ($71,162.52). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 25,2024. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 4 of Block 9 of Eastern Addition to the City, formerly Village, of Hastings, according to the recorded Plat thereof. 505 E Grand Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 28,2023 File No. 23-014141 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-28)(01-18) Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA236, MCL600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 25,2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. MORTGAGE: Mortgagor(s): Andrew Richardson, a single male Original Mortgagee: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns Date of mortgage: January 28, 2015 Recorded on February 10, 2015, in Document No. 2015-001119, Foreclosing Assignee (if any): Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Amount claimed to be due at the date hereof: Fifty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Four and 70/100 Dollars ($57,804.70) Mortgaged premises: Situated in Barry County, and described as: COMMENCING ON THE NORTH SECTION LINE OF SECTION 1, T2N, R9W, AT THE INTERSECTION OF SAGER ROAD AND CEDAR CREEK ROAD FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST ON SAID SECTION LINE 500 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 308 FEET; THENCE EAST 500 FEET TO THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF CEDAR CREEK ROAD 308 FEETTOTHE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Commonly known as 1475 W Sager Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 The redemption period will be 6 month from the date of such sale, unless abandoned under MCL 600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of such sale, or 15 days from the MCL 600.3241 a(b) notice, whichever is later; or unless extinguished pursuant to MCL 600.3238. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of Act 236 of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held Responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC MGrtgagee/Assl^Te^'Sbhfi&idetwffT'ShwwwR’A P.0‘28938 Resefifoff DrpiSuM.^00 Farmlrigtdn^ Hills, Ml 48335 248.539.7400 1518275 (12-21)(01-11) NOTICE Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or if you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. Notice of foreclosure by advertisement. Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry Couqty, starting promptly at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 25, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of the sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information. Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Robert-W. Frost and Nancy S. Frost, husband and wife, to Benchmark Mortgage Corporation, Mortgagee, dated January 14,2004 and recorded January 15, 2004 in Instrument Number 1120780 and Loan Modification Agreement recorded on November 10, 2017, in Instrument Number 2017­ 011380, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC, by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Seventy-One Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Two and 52/100 Dollars:’ ($71,162.52). Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 25,2024. Said premises are located in the City of Hastings, Barry County Michigan, and are described as: Lot 4 of Block 9 of Eastern Addition to the City, formerly Village, of Hastings, according to the recorded Plat thereof. 505 E Grand Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241 a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys.the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period. Dated: December 28,2023 File No. 23-014141 Firm Name: Orlans PC Firm Address: 1650 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Ml 48084 Firm Phone Number: (248) 502.1400 (12-28)(01-18) Beaver Road 210424 210354 210432 Barry County Road Commission The Barry County Road Commission will hold a Public Hearing on its proposed 2024 Budget. The hearing will be held at the Commission Room located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings, Michigan at 7:35 A.M. on December 29, 2023. A copy of the proposed budget is available for inspection at the Road Commission office. 210148 NOTICE OF ACTION AS TO DEFENDANTS ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, OR ASSIGNEES OF LOIS MYERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there is presently pending in the 5th Circuit Court, State of Michigan, an action between Plaintiff Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust HB8, and Defendants Any and All Unknown Heirs, Devisees, or Assignees Lois Myers, et al; Case No. 23-745-CH, involving the property commonly known as 170 Akkers Away, Hastings, Ml 49058. You are being sued by Plaintiff in an action seeking the determination of interest in real the related mobile home. You must file your answer or take other action permitted by law in the 5th Circuit Court located at 220 W State St Hastings, Ml 49058 within twenty-eight (28) days after the date of this notice. You may contact and serve a copy of any answer on Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C., Attn: Laura Hawley, 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300, Farmington Hills, Ml 48335. Failure to answer within time frame by law may result in a default judgment being entered against your interests in the Property. 1517666 (12-14)(12-28) 210066 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Trust Estate James A. Smit (“Decedent”) Date of Decedent’s Birth: 01/25/1961. Name of Trust: James A. Smit Trust dated July 7, 2021- ' ' 1 ' . NOTlpE TO CR^tfl?B3§:T?ere3ent, James A. Smit died December 3, 2023. There is no personal representative of Decedent’s estate to whom Letters of Authority have been issued. Creditors of Decedent are notified that all claims against the Decedent, Decedent’s estate, and/or Decedent’s trust(s) will be forever barred unless presented to Trustee, Anna R. Lamping, within four (4) months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: December 20,2023 Douglas J. Brackmann (P-40885) Wesseling & Brackmann P.O. 6439 28th Avenue Hudsonville, Michigan 49426 (616)669-8185 Anna R. Lamping 18106 Hammond Bay Street Spring Lake, Michigan 49456 210496 Notice of Foreclosure by Advertisement Notice is given under section 3212 of the revised judicature act of 1961,1961 PA 236, MCL 600.3212, that the following mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at a public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check at the place of holding the circuit court in Barry County, starting promptly at 1:00 PM, on January 18, 2024. The amount due on the mortgage may be greater on the day of sale. Placing the highest bid at the sale does not automatically entitle the purchaser to free and clear ownership of the property. A potential purchaser Is encouraged to contact the county register of deeds office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge a fee for this information: Name(s) of the mortgagor(s): Douglas M. Dunham, & Kathleen J. Dunham, husband and wife Original Mortgagee: Flagstar Bank, FSB Foreclosing Assignee (if any): U.S. BANK trust National association, not in its INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF2 ACQUISITION TRUST Date of Mortgage: March 23,2001 Date of Mortgage Recording: April 1, 2001 Amount claimed due on date of notice: $88,057.04 Description of the mortgaged premises: Situated in Township of Carlton, Barry County, Michigan, and described as: BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 4, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE WESTERLY 440 FEET ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SECTION 4; THENCE NORTHERLY 405.0 FEET; THENCE EASTERLY 444.0 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF SECTION 4; THENCE SOUTHERLY 405.0 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. Common street address (If any): 1967 E Brown Rd, Freeport, Ml 49325-9627 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a; or, if the subject real property Is used for agricultural purposes as defined by MCL 600.3240(16). If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Attention homeowner: If you are a military service member on active duty, if your period of active duty has concluded less than 90 days ago, or If you have been ordered to active duty, please contact the attorney for the party foreclosing the mortgage at the telephone number stated in this notice. This notice Is from a debt collector. Date of notice: December 21,2023 Trott Law, P.C. 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 145 Farmington Hills, Ml 48334 (248) 642-2515 1517883 (12-21)(01-11) 210160 �Page 12 — Thursday, December 28, 2023 — The Hastings Banner Frosh’s triples allow Scots to put away TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans weren’t going away, but they couldn’t take the lead away either. The Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team heads into the holiday break after a 73-67 win over visiting Thornapple Kellogg Thursday night, Dec. 21, at Caledonia High School. The Fighting Scots had the lead from start to finish after an initial three-pointer from senior guard Ky VanderWoude, but that lead yo-yo’d up to six points and back to one in the first quarter. It was as big as 11 points in the second quarter, down to five and then at seven at the half. TK got within two in the third quarter, but went into the fourth down Thomapple Kellogg's Jake Kelley puts a reverse lay-up up during his team's non-conference bailgame at Caledonia Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) eight points, 51-43. Every Trojan run had an answer and the last big answers for the Fighting Scots were provided by freshman guard Jarell Jefferson who hit three three-pointers from the left wing in the final three and a half minutes. In one flurry the two teams combined to trade five straight threes. Junior guard Brody Wiersma started the run for TK with a triple off an assist from teammate Tyler Gavette that had the Trojans within 56-54 with 4:36 to go. A TK timeout followed and the Scots went to work on the offensive end, moving the ball around for more than a minute before Vikings bounce back from tough one for fourth win Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Vikings have a big one ahead. The Lakewood varsity girls’ basketball team will have the holiday break to prep for its first big Capital Area Activities Con­ ference White Division clash. The Lake­ wood and Portland girls are both 2-0 in conference play, tied a top the conference standings so far. They’ll meet up at Port­ land High School Jan. 5. The Vikings improved to 4-2 overall with a 58-21 non-conference win over vis­ iting Lansing Eastern Thursday, Dec. 21. That win came on the heels of a rough outing at Belding High School Tuesday night, Dec. 19. Senior center Cadence Poll helped the Vikings bounce back with a game-high 21 points against the Quakers. Senior guard Autumn Williams pumped in eight points in the third quarter and fin­ ished with ten for the Vikings. Lakewood also got eight points from freshman guard Mariana Grant and seven from senior guard Audrey Hillard. Junior Sydney Teff and senior Joee Harton had five points apiece. Lakewood held the Quakers scoreless for the first six minutes while building a 14-0 lead. Lakewood head coach Kelly Meints was pretty pleased with the total team effort. She said great communication on the defensive end allowed the Vikings to turn the Quakers over time and again which led to a lot of easy scoring chances in transition. “We struggled with rebounding Tuesday [at Belding],” Meints said, “so the girls knew that was an area we needed to improve in.” She said her girls also knew they had to limit their own turnovers. After turning the ball over 29 times against the Black Knights, Meints said her girls were closer to a dozen or fewer turnovers Thursday. Belding took a 51 -29 win over the Lake­ wood girls last Tuesday night. Belding stretched a three-point lead to double figures with a flurry during the sec­ ond half of the second quarter and led 26-14 at the half and then kept things roll­ ing into the second half. Lakewood strug­ gled against the Black Knights’ pressure. The lead grew -to 20 points by the end of the third quarter.1 Poll finished with a team-high ten points for Lakewood. Harton had six points and Hillard four. Belding had three girls in double figures. Junior Allison Rockbum finished with 16 points. Sophomore Hayley Conrad had 15 points and senior Hope Kanouse finished with ten. The Black Knights improved to 4-1 with the win over the Vikings and will be a part of the Central Montcalm Holiday Tourna­ ment that starts today. Jefferson got I spot-up look from the left wing that at he b bi|ied bi|i The Tr°jansfc)ad been on a 7-1 run until that shot. ot. “You can wake Jarell up at three o’clock in the morning, and win threes he can make,” Caledonia head coach Lamar Chap­ man said. “Th® |s why I keep him in the game. They were in a zone. He is to the point now, he played all summer and all fall league with the Varsity as a ninth grader, he doesn’t get phased. ()ff the dribble, he is still working on tha^kind of stuff, but as a fresh­ man catch anfflhoot he is the best shooter TK. Wiersma hit three threes and had ten points. Kyle VanHaitsma aded 12 points for TK and junior guard Brice Lloyd had eight. Gavette and sophomore Trey Hilton had six points apiece. Some foul trouble for sophomore Lucas Ploeg and junior Jake Kelley in the post made things tough in the paint at times for TK, but it was Googins who made it tough forcing contact going at the basket. Caledonia has now won four in a row. “It was a battle,” TK head coach Phil Gar­ ber said. “Not a bad way to lose here. I said [to the team], you’ve got to come back here and beat them in districts. There is still som& doubt, but I said, you did this and played this well at their place. Let’s come back for districts and you can do something. I was proud of them.” He was encouraged by the performance after a couple tough losses against Sparta and Coopersville in the past week. Garber said he expects that if his guys play like they did Thursday night when the get back on the court to open the OK Gold Conference sea^ son, at home against Forest Hills Eastern Jan. 5, they’ll have some success. on my team. And I trust him.” Wiersma hit one at the other end for TK and then Jefferion answered with a second three from the] same spot. This time the answer for TK came from junior guard Jude Webster. . I The next three came the old-fashioned way, with Scot senior Jaiden Googins going up strong in the paint for two points and a free throw. TK didn't have an answer for Googins’ strength and skill in the paint. He finished with-a game-high 30 points. Jefferson hit? another three from the left wing with 1:18 to go to put the Scots in front 68-62^ Caledonia lead by at least five points the rest of theway as it went 5-of-6 at the free throw line in the final minute. Coach Chapman was happy for his guys to head into the holiday break with a win that moves thbir record to 5-2, and he was impressed with the Trojans’ grit. TK is now 4-4 overall; “Ain’t no such thing as an easy win,” Chap­ man said. ‘‘Everybody plays. They’re scrappy. They can shoot the ball. They’ve got good depth and a lot of interchangeable parts. They play hard. You want hlbeat them. I told our guys that from watchingjjjatron film, they aren’t going to roll over. They%we some crazy match-ups, because they’re going to go small with one big; “I don’t know how [Tyler Gavette] does it, a kid his size and his body type. He is strong. H e’s in there getting offensive rebounds. He is the smallest guy in there getting offensive rebounds and theylpiade you pay when they got offensive reboujids. VanderWoude and Jefferson both finished with nine poijyffijbr the Scots and senior guard Lual AbiBlfed ten. Senior guard Chris­ topher Paoletti and senior guard Ardrace Morris chipped in five points each. Webster hit four three-pointers on the night and finished with a team-high 14 points for Caledohia senior Jaiden Googins works out of a double team put on by Thornapple Kellogg's Kyle VanHaitsma (left) and Trey Hilton (right) in the corner during the second half Thursday at Caledonia High School. Googins finished with a game-high 30 poinfe in the Fighting Scot victory. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Scoring struggles continue for Saxon girls against Beavers PERFECT ECTIO is rrmpTi Butcher’s Deluxe Package 4 Butcher’s Cut Top Sirloins (5 oz.) 4 Air-Chilled Boneless Chicken Breasts (4 oz.) 4 Boneless Pork Chops (5 oz.) 4 Individual Scalloped Potatoes (3.8 oz.) 4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.) 1 Omaha Steaks Seasoning (3 oz.) Saxon center Rachael Hewitt elevates in the lane over Harper Creek's Camille Robinson (10) and Kennedy Halverson (22) during the Thursday night matchup at Hastings High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) TOO* GUARANTEE 8 FREE PureGround'” Filet Mignon Burgers (6 oz.) 74222ACX SQQQU99 separately $224^94 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE Limited Time: Get 8 FREE Burgers Order Now! 0mahaSteaks.com/Deluxe826511.855.598.2595 Ask for ypur 8 FREE burgers with offer 74222ACX Savings shown over aggregated single Item base price. Pho ios exemplary pf product advertiseri. i imk o a fra a a qT H ?^PPin9 address that includes 74222 Per address‘ While supplies last. Items W be substl&jted due to Inventory limitations. All products prices, ant sales? ar« ctihir.n» in o.... .... ^.SS^^^^'^^e^s-of-useOSI. Expires 12/31/23 23M4858 j Qmaha Steake, Jnp; q Omaha Steaks SINCE 1917 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Saxons got the scoring outburst they’ve been looking for. Now they’ll look for more. The Hastings varsity girls’ basketball team fell to 0-5 on the season with a 49-37 loss to visiting Harper Creek Thursday at Hastings High School. Four different Saxons knocked down three-pointers in the fourth quarter and their team scored 19 points - cutting a 20-point Beaver lead in half during that final quarter. Hastings head coach Chase Youngs is fairly certain that is his team’s highest scoring quar­ ter of the season so far. “It was good to see and kind of validated the girls’ work,” Youngs said of the final push against the Beavers. Harper Creek took control of the ballgame with an 18-4 outburst of its own in the second quarter that moved the Beavers to a 27-10 halftime lead. V Ella Chantrenne had a game-high 16 points for the Beavers, scoring 13 in the first half and nine in that second quarter surge by her team. Alyssa Smith finished with 14 points for the Beavers scoring nine in the first half. “Chantrenne was a problem in the second quarter,” Youngs said. “She is strong, physi- Hastings junior Isabel Gee drives past Beaver sophomore Teagen Anderson(11) in the fourth quarter of Harper Creek's I-8 win at Hastings High School Thursday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) cally. She was a presence out there.” Chantrenne was able to finish at the end of the Beavers’ press a few times, and extended the Saxon defense knocking down a first half three. “She is good enough to get to the basket, and she can finish and she can finish in traf­ fic,” Youngs said. Youngs said the Beavers are long and ath­ letic, with a group that has grown into upperclassmen after starting on the varsity as freshmen. Harper Creek moved to 2-4. overall this season with the win and 1-2 in the Inter­ state-8 Athletic Conference. Rachael Hewitt led the Saxons with 14 points. Bri Darling had six points, knocking down a pair of threes in the second half. Kim­ ber Fenstemaker, Olivia Friddle and Hewitt also hit three-pointers for the Saxons in the ballgame. Coach Youngs hopes his girls can build some confidence from the late shooting per* formance. Putting the ball in the hoop has been the Hastings girls’ bugaboo so far this winter. The Beavers built a 27-10 lead in the first half, and had the advantage up to 20 in the third quarter. The Saxons also turned the ball over a few too many times Thursday. Youngs counted 18 turnovers in the first half, with a number of those taking away what could have been decent scoring opportunities after fine hustle plays from his girls. Beyond the scorers, coach Youngs was happy with the hustle and physical play from Isabel Gee and Victoria Tack. Hastings heads to the Aquinas College Showcase to take on Lawton at 1 p.m. Satur* day, Jan. 6. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hastings Banner Subject The topic of the resource Newspaper.HastingsBanner Description An account of the resource <strong>The Hastings Public Library wishes to thank Smith Imaging of Rockford, MI for their work digitizing the Hastings Banner.</strong><br /><br /><strong>The Library also wishes to thank all of the community members who donated money to support our digitizing efforts.<br /><br />The Banner Overview:</strong><br />The Hastings Banner newspaper has been published in Hastings, Michigan since 1856. The following history highlights are taken from Richard Cook's history as published in the 1956 Centennial Edition of The Hastings Banner, and recapped by Esther Walton in her From Time to Time column in The Banner dated April 12, 1984.<br /><br /><strong>Links to online copies of the paper follow the history section.<br /></strong><strong><br /><br /><br />Searching the paper:<br /></strong>The Banner, and all other PDF files on this history portal, are fully searchable. To search:<br /><ol><li>Click on the magnifying glass search icon in the upper right.</li> <li>Enter your search term(s) in the simple search box and press Enter or click on Search.</li> <li>Any PDF file on the site that contains your term(s) should be listed. Do not use the Advanced Search.</li> </ol><strong>See <a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/676/How_To_Use_Online_Newspapers_8x11.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Use Online Newspapers</a> for more information about using and searching online newspapers.</strong><br /><br />-----------------------<br /><strong>The Banner History</strong>:<br />C.S. Burton &amp; Co. were listed as the proprietors of the "Republican Banner", which first appeared here on May 1, 1856, with Dr. C. S. Burton as the publisher and Norman Bailey as editor.<br /><br />Publication office was on the second floor of the Rower Block, whose address was given as "corner of State and Church"; which corner was not specified.<br /><br />The objective of this publication was to win support for the newly created Republican party and thus counteract the influence of the Barry County Pioneer, a Democratic journal that had been published here since 1851. No copies of the first three issues of The Banner were saved.<br /><br />Make-up on the first journal corresponded with a pattern typical of most local journals then published. Page one contained a few columns of advertising, fiction (often a continued story), and a short feature of no particular news value. Page one was the "literary" page.<br /><br />Page two contained the editorial barbs, along with state news, political articles, Washington items and news of the national and territorial giovernments. Page three contained a few items of local news, sandwiched inbetween the local and foreign news.<br /><br />Page four was usually solid with advertising and as such was the editor's "bread and butter" page....Locally it was the pattern until the early 1880s.<br /><br />Several changes in ownership and management occurred during the first two years of publication, with J. M. Nevins taking over ownership interests on July 16, 1857. With the issue of May 7, 1862, "The Republican Banner" became "The Hastings Banner". Editor Nevins thought the village had developed sufficiently during the past several years to merit this recognition.<br /><br />Another major change in the management of The Banner came when Nevins sold the newspaper to George M. Dewey of Niles on March 14, 1866, who then took over as editor and publisher. Dewey, an ardent Republican and somewhat of a crusader, gave considerable space to editorial comment and party affairs and also directed pointed paragraphs against the saloons and local traffic in liquor. Dewey was the grandfather of Thomas E. Dewey, Republican presidential nominee in 1944 and 1948. Editor Dewey on May 4, 1870 changed the format (and name) of the paper to "Hastings Republican Banner". <br /><br />A fire in December 1883 burned The Banner plant (located in the middle of the block on the north side of State St. across from the courthouse). Files and back issues from August 1880 to December 1883 and the January 4, 1884 issues are missing.<br /><br />The Banner was purchased by Marshall L. Cook and George Bower on July 21, 1880. They changed the name to "The Hastings Banner". M. L. Cook soon became the sole owner and remained so until July 7, 1887 when Albert Nishern (M. L.'s brother-in-law) joined him. Albert Nishern sold his interest on November 6, 1889 to William Cook (M. L.'s younger brother).<br /><br />The Cook brothers partnership held together (56 years) ... Richard Cook followed his father into the newspaper business, and Richard's son William joined him. So the Cook family ownership continued for 85 years, from 1880 to 1974, when Richard and William sold the paper to High Fullerton. J-Ad Graphics became the owners of "The Hastings Banner" in August of 1981. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hastings Banner Published 2023 Subject The topic of the resource Newspaper.HastingsBanner Description An account of the resource Hastings Banner Published 2023. Specific issues may be incomplete or missing. Type The nature or genre of the resource PDF Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newspaper Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource varies within year published Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library and J-Ad Graphics Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available J-Ad Graphics Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). ongoing